approve of the Discourse howsoever the Matter was never reveal'd to Caesar but still kept as a great Secret The Conspirators then proposed that Antony should die with him which Brutus would in no wise consent to not thinking fit that an Action undertaken in defence of Justice and the Laws should be liable to so foul an Imputation Antony therefore who was to be considered as a Man of Bodily Strength and one that bore great Office in the State was at Caesar's Entry to the Senate to be amused without in a Discouse of pretended Business Just as it was ordered Caesar was slain and Antony surpriz'd at the Action took the Disguise of a Servant's Habit and retir'd but understanding that the Conspirators had assembled in the Capitol and had no further Design upon any one he gave them his Honour they might come down in safety and sent his Son for an Hostage That night Cassius supp'd at Antony's House and Brutus with Lepidus where they resolved the Senate should be call'd and having pass'd an Act of Oblivion for the settlement of Affairs Governments were assign'd to Cassius and Brutus and whatsoever Acts had passed during the Reign of Caesar were ratified with the consent of the whole Senate Thus Antony went out of the Senate with that Reputation and Esteem that never Man had gain'd before him for it was apparent to the World that he had taken away all the Grounds of a Civil War and had shewn himself an able Minister of State that knew how to unravel and compose Matters of so great Danger and Difficulty But these temperate Counsels were soon infected with the Pride of being Favourite of the Multitude and the Ambition of ruling in Chief by the supplanting of Brutus In order to this Caesar's Body being exposed in the Market-place as the Custom is while Antony made his Funeral-Oration perceiving the People to be infinitely affected with what he had said from his Praises he rais'd their Pity and enlarged upon every Point that could move Compassion to compleat all he took the Robe from off the dead Corps and held it up exposing it all bloody and pierced through with many Stabs calling the Conspirators Villains and bloody Murtherers his Harangue had so great an effect upon the Multitude that they would not deferr the Solemnities of the Funeral but making a Pile of Tables and Forms in the very Market-place set Fire to it and every one taking a Brand ran in great fury to the Conspirators Houses with a resolution to burn them alive Upon this Tumult Brutus and his whole Party left the City and Caesar's Friends joyned themselves to Antony Calphurnia Caesar's Wife trusted her self to his Conduct and the best part of her Estate four thousand Talents he got also into his Hands all Caesar's Papers wherein were contained Journals of all he had done and Draughts of what he designed to do which Antony made good use of for by this means he made what Officers he pleas'd brought whom he would into the Senate recall'd some from Exile freed others out of Prison and all this as ordered so by Caesar The Romans by way of Raillery call'd all that receiv'd any benefit by this Artifice Charonites who if put to prove their Patents must have recourse to the Registers of the Dead In short Antony's behaviour in Rome was very absolute he himself being Consul and his two Broâ—hers in great place Caius the one Praetor and Lucius the youngest Tribune of the People While Matters went thus in Rome the young Caesar Julius Caesar's Sister's Son and by Testament left his Heir arrived at Rome from Apollonia where he was when his Uncle was kill'd The first thing he did was to visit Anthony as one his Uncle had greatest Obligation to he spoke to him concerning the Money that was in his hands and reminded him of the Legacy Caesar had made of seventy five Drachms to every Roman Citizen Antony at first laughing at such Discourse from so young a man told him he wish'd he were in his Health and that he wanted good Counsel and good Friends to tell him the Burden of being Executor to Caesar would sit very uneasie upon his young Shoulders This was no Answer to him but still he insists to have the Money and other goods which were his Inheritance insomuch that Antony us'd him injuriously thwarted his Interest upon all Occasions oppos'd him in his Election of Tribune and when he urged the dedication of his Father's Golden Chair as had been Enacted he threatned to send him to Prison if he desisted not from soliciting the People This made the young Caesar apply himself to Cicero and all those that hated Antony by them he was recommended to the Senate while he himself courted the People and from their respective quarters took the old Soldiers and form'd them into a Body this made Antony so apprehensive that he gave him a meeting in the Capitol and after some words they came to an accommodation That night Antony had a very unlucky Dream fancying that his right hand was Thunder struck and some few days after he was inform'd that Caesar design'd upon his life Caesar would have justify'd himself but was not believ'd so that the breach was now made as wide as ever each of them posted day and night all about Italy to engage the old Troops that lay scatter'd in their Quarters and great were the promises that were made to the Legions that were yet standing Cicero was of great reputation in Rome and made use of all his Art to exasperate the People against Antony and at length perswaded the Senate to declare him a publick Enemy and to send to Caesar the Rods and Axes and all other Marks of Honour that are usually given to the Pretor and withal an Order was given to Hirtius and Pansa who were their Consuls to drive Antony out of Italy The Armies engag'd nigh to Modena and Caesar himself was present Antony was defeated though both the Consuls were slain Antony in his Flight was pursued by all the misfortune imaginable and the worst shape it appear'd in was famine but it was in these extremities that he naturally fell into a behaviour that made him appear a Man much above himself and Antony in misfortune was not easily distinguish'd from a vertuous Man It is no extraordinary matter for Men that fall into great difficulties to reason right and understand what by their duty and honour they are bound to do and suffer Yet there are but a very few who in great extremities have courage enough to trust to their own Judgment either to imitate what they admire or avoid what they Condemn but abandon themselves to their beloved Ease and for very want of industry become irresolute Antony was a most illustrious Example of patience to the Army who accustomed to so much Luxury and delicacy could be contented to drink stinking water and feed upon wild Fruits and Roots nay 't is reported they devoured the very
Carriages were taken The next day having put the Baggage in order they marched back to the Camp before Phraata in the way meeting with some scattering Troops of the Enemy and as they marched further with greater Parties at length with the Body of the Enemies Army fresh and in good order who charg'd them and broke their Ranks that it was not without great difficulty that they reach'd the Camp There Antony finding that his men had in a great consternation deserted the defence of the Mount upon a Sally of the Medes resolved to proceed against them by decimation which is done by dividing the Legions by Tens and out of every Ten to put one to death as it happens by Lot and for them that escape they have instead of Wheat their proportion of Corn in Barley The War was now become grievous to both Parties but was more dreadful to Antony in respect that he was threatned with Famine for he could no longer forrage without great hazard and slaughter of his Men. And Phraortes on the other side who was not ignorant of the humour of his men did more than suspect that if the Romans did obstinately persist in their resolution of carrying on the Siege the Autumnal Equinox being past and the Rains threatning him he should be deserted by his Souldiers who would suffer any thing rather than wintering in open Field to prevent which he gave order to his chief Officers not to pursue the Romans too close when they met them forraging but to suffer them to carry off some Provision that they should praise their Valour and declare that it was not without just reason that their King look'd upon the Romans as the bravest men in the world and that they should upon opportunity of more familiar Discourse blame Antony for his obstinacy that whereas Phraortes desiring nothing more than Peace and an occasion to shew how ready he was to save the lives of so many brave Souldiers he on the contrary should defeat all his generous Designs and trust himself rather to Winter and Famine two Enemies that must of necessity destroy them though the Parthians should use all friendly endeavours to preserve them Antony having these Reports from many hands began to be in some hopes but he would not send any Ambassadors to the Parthian till he was informed by these kind Enemies whether what they said was of their own head or by order of their King receiving answer that this was the sence of their Master and new encouragement to believe them Antony sent some of his Friends to demand the Standards and Prisoners that were yet remaining in his hands since the defeat of Crassus lest if he should ask nothing he might be supposed to be too much overjoy'd with leave to make his retreat in quiet The Parthian King made answer That as for the Prisoners he need not trouble himself but if he thought fit to retreat he might do it when he pleas'd in peace and safety Some few days therefore being spent in ordering the Baggage he resolv'd upon his March and here it was that Antony the man in the world the fittest to harangue the Army finding himself oppress'd with shame and grief could not find in his heart to speak himself but employed Domitius Aenobarbus many of the Souldiers resented it as an undervaluing of them but the better sort saw the true cause and thought this rather an argument why they on their side should treat their General with more respect than ordinary Antony having resolved to return by the same way he came which was thro' a plain flat Country a certain Mardian came to him one that was very conversant with the Manners of the Parthians and whose fidelity to the Romans had been tried at the Battel where the Machines were lost and advis'd him to leave the Mountains on his right hand and not to expose his Men heavy armed in an open Country to the Assaults of a numerous Army of light Horse and Archers that Phraortes with fair promises had perswaded him from the Siege that he might with more ease cut him off in his Retreat but if so he pleased he would conduct him a nigher way where he should find the Necessaries for his Army in greater abundance Antony upon this began to consider what was best to be done he was unwilling to seem to have any Mistrust of the Parthians after their Treaty but being more desirous to march his Army the nighest and most convenient way he demanded of the Mardian some assurance of his Faith who offered himself to be bound until the Army came safe into Armenia Two days he conducted the Army bound and on the third when Antony little expected the Enemy but marched in no very good order the Mardian perceiving the Banks of a River broken down and the Water over-flowing the way by which they were to pass did imagine that this might be done by the Parthians to hinder their March and did therefore advise Antony to be upon his Guard for that the Enemy was nigh and no sooner had he put his men in order disposing of the Slingers in the Front to make the on-set but the Parthians came pouring upon them thinking to encompass the Army they were receiv'd by the light Horse which were sore gall'd by their Javelins but they themselves being warmly entertain'd and many wounded made their retreat but soon after rallying up afresh they were beat back by a Battalion of Gallick Horse and appear'd no more that day By their manner of Attack Antony being instructed what to do did not only place the slings and javelins in the Front but lin'd both the wings with the same and so march'd in a square Battel giving order to the Horse to charge and beat off the Enemy but not to follow them too far as they retir'd So that the Parthians not doing much more Mischief for the four ensuing days than they receiv'd began to abate in their heat and complaining that the Winter-Season was much advanc'd press'd for returning home On the fifth Day Flavius Gallus a brave Officer who had a considerable Command in the Army came to Antony desiring of him some Troops of light Horse out of the Rear and some other Horse out of the front with the which he would undertake to do some considerable service Which when he had obtain'd he beat the Enemy back not retiring as was usual to the Gross of the Army but making his ground good and pressing on with great obstinacy the Officers who commanded in the Rear of this Detachment perceiving how far he had got from the Body of the Army sent to warn him back but he took no notice of them 'T is said that Titius the Questor snatch'd the Colours and retreated telling Gallus that he did very ill to lead so many brave men on to certain destruction he on the other side reviling him again and commanding the men that were about him to stand firm Titius made his retreat
but Gallus charging the enemies in the Front was encompass'd by a Party that fell upon his Rear which at length perceiving he sent a Messenger to demand succour but they that commanded the Legions among which was Canidius a particular Favourite of Antony's seem'd to have committed a great oversight for instead of marching up with the whole Army they sent small Parties and when they were defeated they still sent out small Parties so that by their ill management the whole Army was in danger of being routed which had certainly happen'd if Antony himself had not march'd from the front of the main Battel at the head of the third Legion which passing through them that fled fac'd the Enemies hindred them from any farther pursuit In this Engagement were killed three thousand five thousand were carried back to the Camp the wounded amongst the rest Gallus shot through the Body with four Arrows of which wounds he died Antony went from Tent to Tent to visit and comfort the wounded and was not able to see his men without weeping but they would take him by the hand chearfully and intreat him to go and get his own Wounds dress'd and not concern himself for them calling him their Emperour and their General and that if he did well they were safe For in short never since that time can Fame make mention of a General at the Head of so gallant a Body of Men whether you consider Strength and Youth or Patience and Sufferance in all Labours and Fatigues but as for the exact Obedience and particular Respect they bore their General that good will and perfect Friendship that was so universal in the Army amongst Small and Great Nobles and Peasants Officers and common Souldiers so affectionate and so devoted to him as to preferr his good Opinion of them to their very Lives and Being that in this part of Military Discipline I may boldly say they equall'd the Glory and Reputation of ancient Rome Of which Love as I have said before many were the Reasons as the Nobility and Antiquity of his Family his Eloquence his Behaviour his Liberality and Magnificence his Familiarity in entertaining every Body and particularly his Kindness in assisting visiting and bewailing the sick furnishing them with all things necessary that the poor Wretches that were sick and wounded were as heartily disposed to serve as those that enjoy'd their Health and Vigour But this last Victory had so encouraged the Enemy that they began to despise the Romans staying all night on horseback nigh the Camp in expectation of Plundering their Tents and Baggage which they concluded they must desert as a great impediment in their flight and in the morning new Forces arrived that their number was grown to be at least 40000 Horse The King having sent Guards that attended upon his own Person as to a sure and unquestion'd Victory for he himself was never present in fight Antony designing to harangue the Souldiers call'd for his mourning-habit that he might move them the more but he was persuaded by his Friends to put on the habit of General In his Speech he gave great commendations to them that had gain'd the victory as for those that fled he blam'd them much the former gave him great Encouragement in their brave Promises and the latter excusing themselves as well as they could told him they were ready to undergo decimation or if there were any other punishment he would please to inflict upon them they did submit chearfully only intreating that he would forget and not discompose himself with their faults at which he lifted up his hands to Heaven and prayed the Gods that if to balance the great favours he had received of them any judgment lay in store that they would pour it upon his head alone and grant that Army victory The next day they took better order for their march and the Parthians who thought they were marching rather to plunder than to fight were surpriz'd to find the enemy not disheartened but fresh and resolute so that they themselves began to lose courage but for all this at the descent of a little Hill where the Romans were oblig'd to pass the Parthians got together and let fly their arrows in great showers upon them and by reason of the difficulty of the way their march was very slow Here the Legions that were arm'd at all points were order'd to defend on each side the light arm'd by kneeling down on their knees aâ—d holding their shields stooping over them the next rank holding theirs over the first and so onwards that the army in this figure did much resemble the order that is observable in the tiling of a House or the degrees in a Theatre and is a sure defence against Arrows which glance upon them without doing any harm The Parthians seeing the Romans down upon their knees could not imagine but that it must proceed from weariness so that they laid down their Bows and taking their Spears made a fierce onset when the Romans with a great cry leaped upon their Legs and with their Lances slew the foremost and put the rest to flight After this rate it was every day and the trouble they gave Antony was so vexatious that his marches were short by reason of which the famine was very great in the Camp for they could get but little Corn and that which they got they were forc'd to fight for and besides this they were in great want of Instruments to grind their Corn and make their Bread they had left them behind the baggage horses being dead or otherwise employed in carrying the sick and wounded Provision was so scarce in the Army that half a Peck of Wheat was sold for five Crowns and Oats for the weight in Silver they were brought to feed upon Herbs and Roots such as are commonly eaten were very scarce so that they were constrain'd to venture upon any they found among others they happen'd upon an Herb that was mortal which did first take away all sense and understanding He that had eaten of it remembred nothing in the World and employed himself wholly in removing of stones from one place to another which he did with as much earnestness and industry as if it had been a business of the greatest consequence and required dispatch through all the Camp there was nothing to be seen but Men grubling upon the ground for stones which they carried from one place to another but in the end after having vomited much Choler they fell down dead and chiefly this when their Wine began to fail which was a sovereign remedy against this distemper When Antony saw them die so fast and the Parthian still in pursuit he was heard to cry out O the ten Thousand the ten Thousand In remembrance of the famous retreat of Xenophon who when he had a longer journey to make from Babylon and a more powerful enemy to deal with brought his Men home safe The Parthians finding that they could not
defeat the Roman Army nor in no wise break the order of their Battel and that withal they had been so often worsted began to treat the forragers with a great deal of humanity they came up to them in all appearance of friendship with their Bows unbended telling them that they were going home to their houses that they had quite given o'er the pursuit and that only some Median troops would follow them for two or three days not with any design to annoy them but only for the defence of some scattering Villages and saying this they saluted them and embraced them with a great shew of friendship Antony who had all along a great desire to march through the flat Country hearing these discourses was almost resolv'd to march the open way and so much the more in regard that no water was to be hoped for in those Mountains But while he was deliberating Mithridates arriv'd in the Camp he was first cousin to Moneses of whom we related that he came for refuge into the Roman Army and receiv'd in gift from Antony three Cities Upon his arrival he desired some body might be brought to him that could speak Syriack or the Parthian Tongue One Alexander of Antioch a friend of Antony's was brought to him to whom the stranger declar'd that he was sent to Antony from Moneses in acknowledgment of the favours and honours he had received from him and to make him a return if it were possible he asked Alexander if he saw those high Hills pointing at some distance He told him yes 'T is there said he the whole Parthian Army attend your passage the great Plains behind those Hills will be very advantageous to you in your march and therefore there they do expect you in ambush being perswaded you will confide in their promises and leave the way of the Mountains 't is true that in passing o'er the Mountains you will suffer the usual inconveniences for want of water and the fatigue will be somewhat the greater but if you pass through the plains Antony must in all appearance run the fortune of Crassus This said he departed Antony calling his friends in Council sent for the Mardian guide who was of the same opinion He told them that the way through the plain was a great way about and very difficult to find that the other indeed was rough but then it was but for a day Changing therefore his mind he march'd away that night and commanded that every one should carry water sufficient for his own use but most of them being unprovided of vessels they made shift with their helmets those that had bottles fill'd them for their own use The Parthians were no sooner acquainted that the Romans were on their march but they followed them contrary to their custom the same night and by break of day they fell in with the rear which was quite tired with marching and want of sleep that they were not in condition of making any considerable defence for they had march'd fifteen leagues that night and at the end of their journey found the enemy at their heels which put them out of all patience besides being to fight for every step of the way they made in their retreat their thirst was increased beyond all sufferance Those that were in the front of the Army were come up to a River the water of which was extremely cool and clear but brackish and medicinal and being drank caused an unquenchionable thirst and acute pains in the Bowels of this the Mardian had forewarn'd them but their thirst was so great that beating back them that oppos'd them they drank largely of it Antony ran from one place to another begging they would have a little patience that not far off there was a River of wholesom water and that the rest of the way was so difficult for the Horse that the Enemy could pursue them no further and saying this he order'd to sound a retreat to call them back that were engaged and commanded the Tents should be set up that the Soldiers might refresh themselves in the shade but the Tents were scarce well put up and the Parthians retired according to their custom when Mithridates came again to them and inform'd the Interpreter with whom he had before spoken that he should do well to advise Antony to stay where he was no longer than needs he must that after having refresh'd his Troops he would endeavour with all diligence to gain the next River that the Parthians would pursue them no further but so far they were resolv'd to follow them Alexander who was the Interpreter made his report to Antony who order'd a good quantity of Gold Plate to be presented to Mithridates who taking as much as he could well hide under his Gown went his way Upon this advice Antony decamp'd while it was yet day and the whole Army march'd without receiving any molestation from the Parthians but they themselves were the cause that that night was the most terrible of any they had yet past for some of the Army had robb'd and kill'd such as they suspected to have any Money ransack'd the Baggage and seiz'd on the Money which was to pay the Army in the end they laid hands on Antony's own equipage broke all his inlaid Tables and Cups of precious Stones dividing the fragments amongst them Antony hearing so great a confusion could not imagine any thing less than that the Enemy falling upon his Troops had utterly routed them upon which he sent for one of his 〈…〉 ards called Rhamnus to whom he had formerly given his liberty and made him swear that whensoever he should give him orders he should run his Sword through his body and cut off his head that he might not fall alive into the hands of the Parthians nor dead be known to be their General While he was in this consternation and all his friends about him in tears the Mardian came into the Tent and gave them all new Life he did convince them that by the coolness of the Air and the fresh gales that blew so temperately the River which he spoke of could not be far off and consequently the difficulties of their retreat and the danger of the Enemies pursuit were now at an end the which he was the more assured of because they had marched a great while and the night almost spent he was inform'd at the same time that the great confusion which was in the Camp did proceed from the avarice of some few Soldiers that were pillaging one another In order to compose this unruly tumult he made a halt and commanded the Signal to be given for incamping the day began to break before the tumult was well appeas'd and the Parthians bore hard upon the Rear with their Arrows the light arm'd Troops were order'd to make head against them and being seconded by the Legions who covered one another with their Shields they bravely receiv'd the onset of the Enemy who did not think convenient to
drew off his Troops and began to retreat in the best order that he could but the Morning quickly appearing Seleucus followed hard upon his Rear and obliged him to a disadvantageous Encounter Demetrius having drawn his Army into Order and given the Command of one half of his Troops to one of his most expert Captains with the other he in Person charged so furiously that he forced his Enemies to give Ground But Seleucus lighting from his Horse and covering his Arm with a Target advanced to the foremost Ranks and having put up the Vizor of his Helmet that he might be known he addressed himself to the Souldiers of Demetrius exhorting them to lay down their Arms and not desperately throw away their Lives telling them withal that it was for their sakes only that he had so long forborn coming to Extremities And thereupon without a Blow more these perfidious Mercenaries submitted and saluted Seleucus as their King Demetrius who in the whole course of his Life had been accustomed to strange Turns from thence drew a hope that he should weather this Storm also and therefore with the slender attendance of his Friends he fled to the Mountain Amanus where in a thick and spacious Wood he secured himself resolving under the Mantle of the Night to make his Escape towards Caunus where he hoped to find his Shipping ready to transport him But upon Enquiry finding that they had not provisions for more than one day that Design was quash'd and he began to think of some other Project whilst he was rowling over a thousand irresolute Thoughts his Friend Sosigenes arrived who had four hundred Pieces of Gold about him and with this little Relief he again re-assumed his first Resolution and Hopes to recover the Coast so soon as it began to be dark he set forward towards the Mountains but perceiving by their Fires that the Enemies had possessed themselves of all the Passages and that it was impossible for him to pass undiscovered he retreated to his old Station in the Wood but not with all his Troop for divers had deserted him and the little Remainder were extremely dejected and disheartned so that some of them began to talk of rendring themselves and Demetrius to Seleucus as the only Means left them for their Safety Which Demetrius over-hearing he drew out his Sword and had infallibly passed it through his own Heart but that some of his Friends interposing prevented the fatal Attempt and began to persuade him that it was much more manly to try the Generosity of Seleucus and to reserve his Life for a better Destiny and â—uture Hopes and with these Arguments but principally by irresistable necessity he suffered himself to be overcome and therefore dispatched some of his Attendants to Seleucus to let him know that he was willing to surrender himself and his Friends to his Generosity and Mercy Seleucus transported at this News cried out It is not the good Fortune of Demetrius which hath found out this Expedient for his Safety but my own which I esteem the greatest favour she ever did me since thereby she hath given me opportunity to shew my Clemency and Generosity And instantly he gave Order to his Domestick Officers to prepare a Royal Pavillion and all things suitable for the splendid Reception and Entertainment of Demetrius There was in the Court of Seleucus one Apollonides who formerly had been intimately known to Demetrius he was therefore as the fittest Person dispatched from the King to attend Demetrius and to desire him to dissipate all manner of fear and distrust and to give him assurance that Seleucus was resolved to treat him with all the Honour due to a King and the kindness of a Relation No sooner was this message known but all the principal Courtiers and Officers of Seleucus thinking Demetrius would presently become a great favourite with the King made hast to congratulate with Demetrius and kiss his hand but this ill tim'd application and over officiousness proved very mischievous to that poor Prince for it gave occasion to his Enemies to insinuate to Seleucus that this Usage of Demetrius was a most dangerous Civility and that his presence might have very fatal influences upon the Army the Officers shewing more inclination to him already than was consistent with their Duty or the safety of Seleucus which representations made such impressions upon the spirit of Seleucus as produced different sentiments and resolutions from the former For whilest Apollonides and after him many others were relating to Demetrius the kind expressions of Seleucus and the Orders he had given and that poor Prince who before thought this Rendition of himself the greatest misfortune of his Life now began in his thoughts to applaud the Action and to flatter himself with vain hopes Pausanias with a Guard of a thousand Horse and Foot amidst all the Caresses of his Friends came and by order from the King seized him and carried him not as he hoped as a Prince to the Presence of Seleucus but a Prisoner to the Castle of Chersonesus in Syria where he was committed to the safe Custody of a strong Guard It is true he wanted nothing but Liberty for by the command of Seleucus he had a most liberal allowance for himself and retinue he had the liberty of a curious Garden and delightful Walks and was for his Exercise permitted the Freedom of hunting in a large Park excellently stored with Game of all sorts and had Horses likewise provided for his diversion and for his Chariots and to make his life more easie such of his Servants as were willing to follow his Fortune had the freedom of attending upon his Person continual messages of kindness also from time to time were brought him from Seleucus requesting him to support the present Restraint of his Liberty chearfully assuring him that so soon as Antiochus and Stratonice should arrive at the Court the Conditions and Articles of restoring him to his Liberty should be perfected But Demetrius had learnt to give little credit to these deluding pretences and therefore so soon as he was fallen into the misfortune of this Captivity he sent Express command to his Son Antigonus and to his Captains and Friends at Athens and Corinth that they should give no manner of credit to any Letters written to them in his name though they were sealed with his own Signet but that looking upon him as if he were already dead they should reserve what was left of his Empire for Antigonus and esteem him as their lawful King As for Antigonus he received the sad news of his Father's Captivity with all the Testimonies of a most afflictive sorrow he put himself into deep mourning and writ the most passionate and tender Letters to Seleucus and the rest of the Kings that his grief could dictate he offered not only whatever they had left in the World but himself to be a Hostage for the Liberty of the King his Father Several other Princes and divers
rather chose to engage him by Sea and that when he could not but see how ill his Navy was supply'd his Captains for want of Mariners pressing every one they met Carriers Ostlers Laborers and Boys and for all this the Vessels had not their complement but remained in a very ill plight for Sailing Caesar on the other side had his Navy contriv'd not for shew but for service no pompous Galleries but built light and well mann'd with experienc'd Sailers from Tarentum and Brundusium from thence he sent to Antony not to draw out the time in delays but that he would bring up his Forces that he would give him secure Ports for his Fleet and that for his Land Forces he would give him as much ground to encamp in as a horse could run over from the Sea-side up the Continent Antony on the other side bravely challeng'd him to a single Combat though he were much the older and that being refused propos'd to meet him in the Pharsalian Fields where Julius Caesar and Pompey had fought before Whilst Antony was at Anchor before Actium where now stands Nicopolis Caesar crost the Ionian Sea and gain'd Toryne a place in Epirus upon which Antony's Soldiers were ready to mutiny in consideration that their Land Forces were a great way off but Cleopatra turning it into a jest indeed said she we ought to tremble now Caesar is sate down before Toryne On the morrow at break of day Caesar appears his Fleet drawn up in a Line ready to engage which Antony perceiving and not being assured that his Gallies so ill provided would be able to stand the shock he armed all the Rowers and made a shew upon the Decks of being in readiness to engage the Oars were mounted on each side of the Vessels and so he Sailed up into the mouth of the Port of Actium as though he were in all points provided for an engagement And Caesar deceiv'd by this stratagem retir'd He also cut off the Water from the Enemy by making of Trenches and Forts the water not being plentiful in those parts nor very good His carriage to Domitius was very generous and much against the will of Cleopatra for when he had made his escape in a little Boat to Caesar having then an Ague upon him altho Antony could not but resent it highly yet he sent after him his whole Equipage with his Friends and Servants and Domitius as if he would have given a Testimony to the World how asham'd he was of his base desertion dy'd soon after Among the Kings also Amyntas and Deiotarus went over to Caesar his Fleet was so unfortunate in every thing that was undertaken and so unready upon every design that Antony was constrain'd to lay his stress upon the Land Forces Canidius too who commanded the Legions when he saw how things stood chang'd his opinion and now was of advise that Cleopatra should be sent back and that retiring into Thracia or Macedonia the quarrel might be decided in a Land fight and that Ditomes the King of the Getes was in a readiness to attend him with a great Army and that it was not in the least any disparagement to him to quit the Sea to Caesar who in the Sicilian Wars had gain'd so great experience in Sea affairs but that it would seem very ridiculous for Antony the greatest Captain of the World to make no use of his well disciplin'd and stout Troops but to scatter them and render them useless in the defence of a Navy but for all this Cleopatra prevail'd that a Sea-fight should determine of all having then an eye to flight and ordering all her affairs not as if she had the least thought of victory but how she might when all was lost make her escape with greatest safety There was a long neck of Land which from the Camp ran into the Sea where the Fleet rid at anchor here Antony used to walk without suspecting any danger but Caesar upon information from a Servant that it was not difficult to surprize him laid an ambush which rising up somewhat too hastily seized the Man that came just before him he himself escaping narrowly by flight when it was resolved to stand to a Fight at Sea they set fire of all but sixty of the best Egyptian Vessels and these he mann'd with twenty thousand armed Men and two thousand Archers Here it is reported of a foot Captain well experienc'd in War and one that had fought often under Antony and had his Body all mangled with wounds that he should cry out O most noble General why do you mistrust these Wounds and Swords you see to put your confidence in rotten Wood let Egyptians and Phoenicians contend at Sea give us the Land where we will die upon the spot or gain the victory To which he answer'd nothing but by his look and motion of his hand seeming to bid him be of good courage he passed forwards having no opinion of the posture of affairs and when the Masters propos'd the leaving of Sails behind them he commanded they should be put aboard for we must not said he let one Enemy escape That day and the three following the Sea was so rough they could not engage but on the fifth there was a calm and then they fought Antony commanding with Publicola the right and Celius the left Squadron Marcus Octavius and Marcus Justius the middle Squadron Octavius had given the charge of the left Squadron to Agrippa commanding in person the right As for the Land Forces Canidius was General for Antony Taurus for Caesar both Armies being drawn up in great order all along the Shoar Antony in a small Vessel went from one Ship to another encouraging his Soldiers and advising them to stand firm and that the largeness of the Ships would render the fight as fix'd as if they were at Land To the Masters he order'd that they should receive the Enemy lying still as at Anchor and maintain the entrance of the Port which was a dangerous Pass They relate of Caesar that going out of his Tent before day in order to visit his Fleet that he met a Man driving an Ass and asking his name he told him it was Eutychus which signifies fortunate and my Ass says he is called Nicon which is Conquerour and afterwards when he disposed the Beaks of the Ships in that place in token of his Victory the Statue of this Man and his Ass in Brass were placed amongst them having viewed his whole Fleet and from the right Squadron discovering the Enemies posture he much admired the quiet order they were in for in all appearance they seemed as if they had been at Anchor and therefore he slack'ned his course for they were not above half a League from one another about noon a gentle Southern Wind did blow and then Antony's Men being weary of expecting the Enemy so long and trusting to their large tall Vessels as if they had been invincible began to advance the left
in and in saying so he stept aside a little as if he would give his Horse to some body Clearing himself thus of the Crowd and speaking without discomposure to the Corinthians that he met commanding them to go to Apollo's Temple and being now before they were aware got near to the Citadel he leap't upon his Horse and commanding Cleopater the Governour to have a special care of his Charge he galloped to Sicyon follow'd by thirty of his Soldiers the rest leaving him and shifting for themselves and not long after it being known that he was fled the Corinthians pursu'd him but not overtaking him they immediately sent for Cleomenes and deliver'd up the City to him who valued not the gain thereof so much as he thought he had lost by the escape of Aratus However being now strengthen'd by the coming in of those that inhabited the Corinthian Shore who gave up their Cities to him he made a Wall and Circumvallation round the Citadel of Corinth But Aratus being arriv'd at Sicyon a great many of the Achaeans flock to him and in an Assembly there he was chosen General with absolute Power having about him a Guard of his own Citizens after he had now manag'd the Achaean affairs three and thirty years being always the chief Man in Credit and Power of all Greece but was now deserted on all hands helpless and toss'd about in that Tempest which threatned the Shipwrack of his Country for the Aetolians refus'd to assist him in his distress when he sent unto them for Aid and the Athenians who were well affected to him were diverted from lending him any Succour by the Authority of Euclides and Micion Now whereas he had a House and Treasure in Corinth Cleomenes medled not with it nor suffer'd any Body else to do so but sending for his Friends and Domesticks he commanded them to take care of his Concerns as those that were to give an account of them to Aratus He also privately sent Tripylus unto him and afterwards Migistonus his Father-in-law to offer him besides several other things a yearly Pension of twelve Talents which was twice as much as Ptolomy allow'd him for he gave him but Six and all that he demanded was only to be declar'd General of the Achaeans and together with them to have the keeping of the Citadel of Corinth To which Aratus returning answer that the Achaean affairs were not so properly in his Power as he was in the Power of them Cleomenes believing himself to be mock'd and abus'd immediately invaded the Country of Sicyon destroying all with Fire and Sword and besieged the City three Months whilest Aratus was in dispute with himself whether he should call in Antigonus upon Condition of delivering up the Citadel of Corinth to him for he would not lend him assistance upon any other Terms In the mean time the Achaeans held a Counsel at Aegium to which they called Aratus but it was very hazardous for him to pass thither because Cleomenes was incamped about the City of Sicyon besides the Citizens indeavour'd to stop him by their Intreaties protesting that they would not suffer him to expose himself to so evident Danger the Enemy being so near the Women also and Children hung about him weeping and imbracing him as their common Father and Defender But he having comforted and incourag'd them as well as he could got on Horse-back and being accompany'd with Ten of his Friends and his Son then a Youth got away to the Sea side and finding some Vessels there which Rode at Anchor went on Board of them and Sailed to Aegium to the Counsel in which it was decreed that Antigonus should be call'd in to their Aid and should have the Citadel of Corinth deliver'd to him to whom Aratus sent his Son with the other Hostages The Corinthians extremely offended at this proceeding Plunder'd his Goods and gave his House to Cleomenes Antigonus being now near at hand with his Army in which were twenty Thousand Foot and one Thousand four hundred Horse Aratus with the other Magistrates went to meet him by Sea the Enemy suspecting nothing of it as far as Pegae having no great Confidence either in Antigonus or the Macedonians for he was very sensible that his greatness was built upon their loss and that the first pretension he had to the management of affairs was founded upon the Enmity between him and Antigonus the Elder But perceiving the present necessity and Juncture unavoidable to which those that seem to command are constrained to obey he resolved to put all to the venture So soon therefore as Antigonus was told that Aratus was coming up to him he Saluted the rest of the Company after the ordinary manner but him he receiv'd at the first in a very Honourable manner and finding him afterwards to be a good and discreet man admitted him to his private familiarity for Aratus was not only useful to him in the management of affairs and concern but agreeable also in private Conversation and therefore though Antigonus was young yet as soon as he observed the temper of the man to be proper for a Princes Friendship he made more use of him than of any other not only of the Achaeans but also of the Macedonians that were about him So that the thing fell out to him just as the Gods had foretold in a Sacrifice For it is reported that as Aratus was not long before offering Sacrifice there were found in the Liver two Gall-bags inclos'd in the same Caul whereupon the Southsayer told him that there should be the strictest Friendship imaginable between him and his Greatest and most Mortal Enemies which Prediction he at that time slighted having no great Faith in Southsayings and Prognostications but depending most upon Rational Deliberations But afterwards things succeeding well in the War Antigonus made a great Feast at Corinth to which he invited a great number of Guests and therein plac'd Aratus next above himself and calling for a Coverlet asked him if he did not find it Cold to which Aratus replying that he was ready to Shake with Cold he commanded him to come nearer to him and so the Servants threw the same Coverlet over them both Then Aratus Remembring the Sacrifice fell a Laughing and told the King what happened to him in that Sacrifice and the Interpretation of it But this fell out a good while after So Aratus and the King plighting their Faith to each other at Pegae immediately marched towards the Enemy with whom they had frequent Skirmishes Cleomenes behaving himself very well and the Corinthians making a very brisk Defence In the mean time Aristotles the Argive Aratus's Friend sent privately to him to let him know that he would cause Argos to Rebel if he would come thither in Person with some Soldiers Aratus acquainted Antigonus therewith and having fifteen hundred men with him sailed immediately from the Isthmus to Epidaurus But the Argives had not Patience till
within his private Station and offering besides great treasure the freedom of the City where he might repose the rest of his days in pleasure and security This at first was answered only in raillery but being heated they fell to downright railing and libelling 'T was idle and ridiculous though not without ground to object those faults from which neither could be excused For which of these two exceeded in rioting and wantonness which of them had least experience in Arms or which of them before they usurped had been most oppressed with Poverty and Debt was a question not easie to determine Of the Prodigies and Apparitions that went about at this time some were vouched only by report But these were generally taken notice of how the Statue of Victory Triumphant in the Capitol had let loose the reins of her Chariot as unable to hold them And how that other of Caius Caesar in the Island of Tiber without either Earthquake or Whirlwind turned it self from West to East which by conjecture fell out near the time when Vespasian publickly took upon him the Government But none of these presages moved the multitude like the accident of Tyber It was indeed the season when Rivers use to be full but now it so swelled above its Banks and made such desolation over-flowing and covering great part of the City especially about the Corn-Market that it occasion'd a sore dearth for many days When it became known that Vitellius his Captains Caecinna and Valens had possess'd themselves of the Alpes Dolabella a Patrician then in Rome was suspected by the guard of attempting some innovations therefore whether fearing him or any other Otho sent him with assurance of his favour to the City of Aquiâ—um Among the Magistrates which were chosen to attend him in his journey he pitched upon Lucius the Brother of Vitellius whom he confirmed altogether in his former Station And took exceeding care of Vitellius's Mother and Wife that they might not apprehend any danger from him Rome he left in the hands of Flavius Sabinus Brother to Vespasian either out of Honour to Nero by whom he had been placed in that Command and outed by Galba or by Sabinus's advancement to evidence his esteem and reliance on Vespasian Otho himself staid at Brixillum a City on the River Po but he sent out the Army under the Conduct of Marcus Celsus Suetonius Paulinus Gallus and Spurina Men of Conduct and Valour but they had no Forces to put their own Counsels in Action because of the disorders and insolency of the Souldiers who owning no other Captain than Caesar thought it beneath their quality to be commanded by any but himself Neither were the Enemies Troops much better disciplined or more tractable to their Officers but heady and proud upon the same account Only they were well train'd and accustomed to labour which they could away with But these Praetorians were grown perfectly effeminate by Idleness and want of exercise having spent most of their time in Sights Entertainments and Plays And yet they were so puffed up with conceit and arrogance that they challenged their Reward as the best when their Service was of the worst Spurina once would have forced them upon Duty but it brought his person in danger and had almost cost him his Life Besides they spared for no sort of outrage and ill language calling him Traitor and charging him with ill Conduct to the ruine of Caesar and his Affairs some of them moreover in a Debauch press'd into his Tent demanding a Pass while they went to make complaint against him to the Emperour But the Reproaches of the Vitellians at Placentia did not a little help the Cause and Spurina too for the present For they marching strait up to the works upbraided Otho's Men upon the Walls terming them expert Actors Dancers and Spectators of harmless Exercises but strangers to martial Discipline and the Art of War Men that valued themselves for beheading a naked gray-Beard meaning Galba but had not the Heart to enter the open Field with Men at Arms Which Scoffs so nettled and heated them that falling down at Spurina's feet they besought him to make use of them and command them that would stick at no pains or peril So when the Walls were assaulted very strongly and many Engines of Battery were brought up Spurina's men got the day and having beat off the Enemy with great slaughter preserved one of the most flourishing and renowned Cities in Italy As to all other points Otho's Commanders were much less burdensome both to Cities and private Men than those of Vitellius of whom Caecinna was no ways acceptable in speech or behaviour but uncouth and disagreeable of a monstrous bigness dress'd after the Gallick mode in Doublet and Breeches and after that fashion he convers'd with the Roman Officers His Lady too in a magnificent Equipage follow'd the Camp on horseback with a choice Guard of Cavaliers As to Fabius Valens the other General neither the Enemies Spoil nor Countries Plunder nor the Confederates Contribution were able to satisfie his Avarice Yet for the Collection hereof he was by some concluded so to slacken his March that he could not come up at the former skirmish while others blame Caecinna of charging too soon that he might have the honour of the day to himself and whereas before he had given distaste by some miscarriages now by joyning Battel with so little Conduct and Courage he had almost ruin'd his Party Caecinna after this repulse from Placentia carried the Siege to Cremona another flourishing and large City while Annius Gallus in his March to relieve Spurina in Placentia meeting upon the way with intelligence both of that Action and the distress of Cremona wheel'd about and pitch'd down close by the Enemy and after that every one came into aid the General But when Caecinna had laid a strong party in wait among certain uneven Coverts ordering the Horse to advance and after the first Charge to make a slow Retreat till they might draw the Enemy within the Ambuscade certain Deserters discover'd it to Celsus who charging them briskly and pursuing them warily came upon the Ambuscade which he surrounded and broke in pieces sending away for the Infantry out of the Camp Which if it had arrived in time to second the Horse it is more than probable that the Enemies could not have saved a man of Caecinna's whole Army from being cut off or trodden under foot But Paulinus coming up late and slowly with his Succours was not undeservedly taxed of too much circumspection for one of his Character The common Souldiers openly accused him of absolute Treason exasperating Otho against him and boasting that the Enemy was defeated but if the Victory was not entire he might thank his Captains Otho though he gave Credit to these Suggestions yet would not seem to distrust his Commanders therefore he sent to the Army his Brother Titianus as General with Proculus Captain of the Guard who indeed had
the Power and Titianus only the Name Celsus and Paulinus had the Title of Coucellors and Friends but shared nothing of the management All things likewise were full of confusion among the Enemies paticularly in Valens's Camp who hearing of the Rencounter at the Ambuscade grew out of all patience that they should not be there to relieve so many brave persons as fell upon the spot So that Valens having much ado to perswade and keep them from revenging it upon himself was sorced to dislodge and join with Caecinna Hereupon Otho arrived at Bebriacum a Village near Cremona to consult about giving Battel Proculus and Titianus were for fighting while the Souldiers were in heart with their late success and not by sitting still to blunt their Courage and give Vitellius leisure to come upon them out of Gaul Paulinius on the contrary affirm'd that the Enemies whole force was there without the least recruit whereas Otho might expect an Army out of Mysia and Pannonia no whit inferiour to that in the Field if he would but stay his own time and not serve his Enemies occasions neither was it likely that the Spirit of those few Souldiers should be lessened by the encrease of more Forces but rather that the supply would add to their assurance Over and above this delay made for the Othonians who lived at home in absolute plenty while the Vitellians lodging in an enemies country must encrease their wants with their stay Celsus concurr'd with Paulinus Annius Gallus was absent and under cure by a fall from his Horse Yet Otho consulting him by Letter received the same advise not to be forward but wait the Mysian Forces which were already on the March However Otho deaf to these inclined to that side which held for a Battel There are several Reasons given for this Result in which few men agree this is plainly one The Praetorians and the Life-guard having then a taste of War in good earnest and so much the more lingring after the delicacies and quiet diversions of Rome could not be kept in clamouring for a Fight as if at the very first course they had been able to over-run their Enemies Neither did Otho himself seem tough enough to hold out in such uncertainty or so soft so little us'd was he to struggle with thoughts of such danger but quite broke with care he shut his eyes as one that leaps from a Precipice and spurr'd on to trust Fortune with his All. This Account gives Secundus the Orator and Secretary to Otho According to some other Relations it was more than once moved in both Armies to joyn and especially that with one consent they might elect the best of the Captains then present or in case of disagreement to call a Senate upon the place and submit the choice of the Emperour to them Neither is it unlikely that the right experienced and understanding Souldiers having no extraordinary favour for either of the contesting Emperours might fall upon such projects For what could be more detestable and grievous than wilfully to embrace those miseries which the Romans groan'd under long ago while they were cutting of Throats for Sylla and Marius and since that for Caesar and Pompey only that the Empire might serve the Gluttony and Drunkenness of Vitellius or the Luxury and Tenderness of Otho It is supposed that Celsus out of some such meaning sought to spin out the time as hoping to decide the point without the pains of an Encounter as on the contrary that Otho suspecting his Design made haste to engage Upon this Resolve Otho himself returned back to Brixillum by another grand Mistake not only in withdrawing his presence from the eyes of his Champions who did even adore and dote on him but in carrying back for his Horse and Foot-Guard the stoutest and most resolute of his Men he plainly cut off the Body of his Army About that time there happened a skirmish at the River Po which Caecinna sought to pass by a Bridge of Boats Otho's Men to oppose yet gaining little by plain force they threw Fire-brands daub'd with Pitch and Brimstone into the Vessels which the Wind taking as they fell suddenly kindled and blew into the Faces of the Enemies who being first troubled with the Smoke and then with the Flame leap'd into the Water overturning the Floats and exposing their Bodies with derision to the Enemy But the Germans attacking Otho's Gladiators in a small Island upon the River defeated and cut off a great Party Whereupon the Othonians that-were at Bebriacum being transported with fury to revenge it Proculus led them forth about fifty furlongs before he encamped and withall so inconsiderately and ridiculously that even in the Spring and the Fields round about full of Rivalets and Currents yet they were distressed for Water On the morrow when he would have led them at least twice as far against the Foe Paulinus put a stop declaring in his opinion that they ought rather to keep their Station and not harrass themselves nor just upon a long March with their Baggage to engage the Enemy that would be armed and ranged at leisure In the midst of this Dispute among the Commanders a Numidian came post from Otho bringing Orders without stop or stay to lead strait upon the Enemy which incontinently they did Caecinna was surprized at the News of their approach and leaving hastily his Works at the River he return'd into the Camp Valens having posted great part of his Army and given the Word sent out a choice forlorn of Horse to amuse the Enemy whilst he drew up the Legions Otho's Van were possess'd with belief from a flying Report that Vitellius his Captains would come over to them Therefore when they drew near they saluted them by the friendly Term of Fellow-Souldiers which not being answered by the others with Civility but with an angry hostile Murmur both discouraged them that had given the Salute and fill'd the rest with suspicion of Treason This began a disorder at the very first Charge which was spread throughout the Field not a little confounded by the cumbersome Carriages they receiv'd also no small disadvantage from the place of Battel full of Ditches and Trenches to avoid which they were forc'd to change their Order and fight one among another as they could compass it in little Parties Two only Legions that called Rapax for Vitellius and Adjutrix for Otho being drawn out in a Champaign fought fairly a long time Otho's Men were lusty and valiant but in their Apprenticeship Vitellius's old and experienced Souldiers Otho's Men therefore charged hotly gained ground knock'd down the formost and took one of their Eagles Shame and Rage drave the others back upon them again and with the death of Orphidius the Collonel they surprized divers of Otho's Eagles in revenge for their own The Gladiators Men of no small credit for Courage and Address were attack'd by Varus Alphenus's Batavians the Flower of the German Horse which were drawn from
King of Pontus whose destiny so lately made an addition to the Triumphs of the irresistible Roman Eagles This may serve for a specimen of the Early and uncommon Generosity and Honour of Demetrius but it was not long before his boyling youth transported with the ardent desire of Fame and Glory met with greater occasions of signalizing his Courage and his Arms for as Empedocles wittily observed that there was a continual hostility among the four Elements which Compose the Universe every one of them still combating with his Neighbour and all of them continually striving to inlarge the boundaries of their Empires so did it happen among the potent Successors of the great Alexander betwixt whom especially those whose Dominions lay contiguous there was an Eternal Jealousie and almost perpetual Wars For Antigonus who kept his Residence in the Metropolis of Phrygia being advertised that his Neighbour Ptolomy having passed from the Island of Cyprus did with a potent Army invade Syria and had reduced most of the considerable places in that Country under his Obedience either by force or Composition he dispatched his Son Demetrius not then much above the Age of twenty two years at the head of a Gallant Army to arrest the successes of the Victorious Ptolomy This was the first time that he had appeared in Arms as an Absolute General and Commander and our young Captain whose heat was something too disproportionate to his Conduct with mighty Eagerness and hasty Marches advances with his Army to seek his Enemy and receiving intelligence that Ptolomy was with all his Forces sate down before Gaza he marched directly thither upon his approach Ptolomy drew off his Army from the Siege being as willing as Demetrius was hasty to put the matter to the fatal decision of the Sword But here Fortune who was betimes resolved to shew her instability was not at all Propitious to Demetrius for after a Cruel Battle which was obstinately maintained by Demetrius with the loss of five thousand of the most Valiant of his Soldiers he was compelled to resign the Victory and the field to Ptolomy who took besides eight thousand Prisoners all his Arms Carriages Ammunition and his Camp which was exceeding Rich Nor was it at all strange that a young Prince of so slender Experience in military affairs should be vanquished by an Old beaten Captain in the Trade of War and one trained up under the Discipline of Alexander by whose prodigious Fortune even victory herself seemed to be overcome and to submit her self tamely to his conquering Arms. However Ptolomy who was as truly generous as he was great made a most honourable use of this advantage for he immediately returned all the Rich spoils of the Field together with the inlarged Prisoners with this Complement to Demetrius That he had not combated with him for Riches but for Glory and Empire Demetrius was infinitely surprized at this unexpected generosity and one might see the warm blood mount into his Face to be a second time vanquished by this obliging civility of Ptolomy which was more insupportable than what he had suffered by his Arms but as soon as he had a little recovered the disorder into which this Action had put him May the Gods cried he accord me this only bounty that I may not long be indebted to Ptolomy but that it may one day come within my Power to return him the same Complement and favour which he hath now put upon me It might well be expected the disgrace of this disaster to be defeated in the very first enterprize of his Arms would have cooled the courage of our young Warriour and possibly few persons of his Age would have been able to support such a notable Overthrow with so much Temper but Demetrius who was a very extraordinary person demeaned himself upon this Occasion even to admiration rather like an old Captain who had been long acquainted which the traverses of a capricious and inconstant Fortune than a young and unexperienced Prince for he set himself with all the application imaginable to provide Arms and Magazines to rally his dispersed Troops to reinforce them with Recruits and to exercise his new Levies in the discipline of War he strengthned all the considerable Garrisons and with unwearied deligence performed all the Duties of an expert General and by his example infused new Life and Courage into the hearts of his Soldiers insomuch that they who before were almost ready to present the Conqueror with the Keys of those Cities which they were to defend now put on Resolutions not to part with an inch of Ground which Ptolomy should not purchase with the hazard of his Life When the news of this Defeat was brought to Antigonus he received it without any greater emotion than saying Ptolomy has indeed got a Victory over a Company of Youths but ere long he shall find that he must combat with Men intimating that shortly he would undertake the management of the War in his own person But Demetrius sending to beg the favour of him that he might once more throw the Dye of War and Command the Army against Ptolomy Antigonus who feared least the disgrace of being denied might more abate the Courage of the Prince than the loss of the former Battel sent him a new Commission to execute the Office of an absolute General Not long after Cilles Ptolomy's Lieutenant General with a powerful Army took the Field and looking upon Demetrius since his last overthrow as the Commander of a baffled and half vanquished Army he had in his imagination driven him out of Syria before he saw him but he quickly found himself deceived for Demetrius by hasty marches came so unexpectedly upon him that he surprized the General and his Army making him and 7000 of the principal Officers and Soldiers prisoners of War before they heard of any approaching Enemy the whole Booty of the Camp which was very rich fell likewise into his hands but it was not that which gave Demetrius any satisfaction comparable to the pleasure which he took when by this advantage he found himself in a Condition to be generously revenged upon Ptolomy for his last obliging courtesie However Demetrius in this affair was resolved to comport himself according to his Duty and therefore he dispatch'd an Express to Antigonus to give him an account of this good Fortune and to receive his directions and commands how to dispose of his Conquest Antigonus who was most surprizingly transported with Joy at this unexpected news and not less at the Noble Inclinations of his Son immediately returned him in Answer that he left him intirely at his own Freedom and Discretion to make what Use he pleased of the Victory which he had gain'd Demetrius was even ravished with contentment at his Commission which was so agreeable to his wishes and therefore sending for Cilles he not only gave him his own and the Liberty of all the Prisoners but dismiss'd them loaden which magnificent presents and the
Admiration of his Generosity desiring Cilles to oblige him with carrying this Message to Ptolomy That he made him that small present in return of the Favours he had received from him at Gaza This defeat was so closely followed by Demetrius that in a little time he obliged Ptolomy to abandon Syria and having resettled the affairs of that Province he hasted to return into the Arms of his Father who then kept his Residence at Celene So soon as Antigonus was advertised of his approach he had not the patience to attend the short delay of his coming but with a noble Train he immediately left the City and went to meet the Prince and with what caresses and indearments such an indulgent Father entertained a Son so hopeful and promising is difficult to imagine but impossible to express but he conducted him home in great triumph amidst a thousand acclamations and other signs of joy which seemed to be owing rather to his safe return than the prosperous success of his Arms. But it was not long before Antigonus was forced to lose the satisfaction of his Conversation being obliged to send him to reduce the Nabathean Arabians to their Obedience and in this Expedition Demetrius ran one of the greatest hazards of his whole Life for the Wild Arabs decoyed him into those parched Desarts which afforded no manner of subsistence nor so much as a drop of water to refresh his Army and having reduced him to this extremity they drew up their forces to give him Battel But when those barbarous people observed the courage and resolution of the Prince and that he was so far from being in the least daunted at their approach that he rather seemed to flie like a hungry Lion upon the prey as if he had resolved to quench the thirst of his Soldiers with the blood of his Enemies they were so astonished that consulting their fear they thought it fitter to commit their safety to their heels than hands and therefore with great precipitation and disorder they quitted the field leaving Demetrius not only possessed of the Victory but of a very considerable Booty among the rest 700. Camels with all their Lading of Water and other provisions with which he refreshed his Army and safely retreated out of that scorched Country more barbarous than its wild Inhabitants Not long after Seleucus whom Antigonus had formerly chased out of Babylon having raised all the forces he was able with his Army invested that mighty City and without much resistance made himself Master of it and elevated with this success he pushed on his good Fortune and marched against the Countries next adjacent to Mount Caucasus and the neighbouring Indies hoping to subdue those Regions and range them under his Dominion and Obedience Demetrius being advertised of this Expedition of Seleucus and conjecturing that he had left Mesopotamia but flenderly guarded in his absence he passed the Euphrates with his Army with such secrecy and expedition that with his whole power he had invested Babylon before they had heard of the march of his Troops He immediately command an attacque to be made upon one of the Cittadels which Seleucus had raised for the security of that important place which was performed with that vigor and resolution that he carried the Fort but finding himself not in a Condition to master the City he left 7000 Men in Garrison in the Fortress and with the gross of his army retreated homewards but in his return he gave his Soldiers the liberty to live at descretion who in their march took from the Inhabitants of those Countries through which they passed whatsoever they thought fit by which ill treatment of those People though he did extreamly enrich his Army yet he impoverished his own Reputation and lost the affections of those Countries who ever after by the ill usage they received from Demetrius were the more firmly devoted to the Obedience of Seleucus to whom he seemed to yield the Title of their Sovereign by treating them like Enemies and not his own Subjects In his return having received Information that Ptolomy laid close Siege to the City of Halicarnassus he marched directly thither and obliging him in some disorder to decamp and retire from before it he delivered that City from an imminent danger and by his Expedition and success in that Action brought a great Addition to the Reputation and Glory of his Arms. And now Demetrius burning with the ardent desire of Glory had fixed his Designs upon an enterprize which was suitable both to his own and the Inclinations of his Father Antigonus and that was to break the Yoke of slavery which Cassander and Ptolomy had laid upon the neck of the little Grecian Commonwealths and to render those Countries Masters of their ancient Laws of Freedom and certainly never any Princes undertook a War more generous and brave since the only motive that induced them to it was the glory to restore their Freedom to the miserable Grecians and that they undertook it wholly at their own charges and with the treasure which they had recovered from barbarous Nations they attempted the assistance of the most civilized and learned tho' most oppressed People of the World To effect this great Design it was resolved at a Council of War that the first attempt should be made upon the City of Athens upon the debate of which point when one of the great Captains gave his opinion that if they could make themselves Masters of that City they ought to keep it in their own possession for that it would serve them as a Bridge over which they might at descretion pass into the rest of Greece Antigonns most generously as well as prudently replied that the surest Bridge to pass over upon such an Enterprize was the Hearts and Inclinations of the People which would most assuredly be lost if that City were kept and that Athens being one of the most celebrated Academies of the World one ought to offer nothing prejudicial to that Repository of Arts and Learning if at least they consult their own future reputation which must in time to come be measured by those accounts which from thence would be delivered to Posterity Demetrius who had raised a Fond of five Thousand Talents to defray the charges of this War having with great applications rigged and equipped a Fleet of two hundred and fifty Gallies he weighed Anchor and the Wind standing fair he steered a direct course to the City of Athens where at that time Demetrius Phalereus who commanded as Deputy Governor under Cassander had his residence and had placed a strong Garrison in the Fortress of Munychea Upon the twenty fifth of May the Wind freshing up into a brisque Gale and Demetrius who was resolved to improve the Favour which Fortune seemed to lend him by the addition of Artifice hanging out Ptolomy's Flag bore directly in for the Pyraeeum or Port of the City The Centinels who discryed the Fleet at some distance made no doubt but
the time of Peace because he observed him to be the most temperate and abstemious Person in the World in the time of War and Action It happened that returning one day from his Field-Exercises and coming to the King as his Custom was to kiss him and doing it with a little more than usual warmness What! I warrant you Demetrius said the King smiling you fansied you were at the Lips of your Mistress Lamia For she of all his Women had the most entire possession of his Heart At another time having been for several days lost in a Debauch among his Companions and coming into the Presence he desired Antigonus that his Majesty would excuse him that he had not in so long time paid his Duty to him but the reason was he had been seized with so violent a defluxion of Rheum that he had been obliged to keep his Chamber Well! replied the old King looking very pleasantly I was informed so by your Servants but pray Demetrius tell me did the Defluxion come from Chios or Thassos Alluding to the rich Wines that were brought from those places and not long after Demetrius having given it out that he was indisposed Antigonus had the curiosity to make him a Visit and coming to his Apartment out bolts a young sprightly Girl the King entring took a Seat by his Bed-side and taking hold of his hand began to feel his Pulse Demetrius who was at a loss what excuse to make told him that he was now much better than he had been and that he hoped his Fever had left him Yes replied the King very quick I verily believe it has for I just now met it at your Chamber-Door However Antigonus did more easily connive at these Vices in regard of the other excellent Qualities whereof he was possessed and indeed this was the true Temper of this Prince that to whatever he addicted himself whether good or bad he resigned himself wholly to it for that time and not after the Custom of the Scythians who in the midst of their Cups were wont to call for their Arms as it were to awaken their Courage ready to drop asleep with their plentiful Glasses As for Demetrius if he devoted himself to his Pleasures and Luxury he abandoned himself entirely to them and if the Trumpet sounded to Horse he was no less assiduous in the Fatigues of War he was beyond all doubt a very great Captain and most notably dextrous not only in his Conduct but in forming his Levies and raising an Army and in making all the necessary Preparations of Stores and Magazines the very Muskles and Nerves of War which he ever took care to provide in great abundance His great Divertisement was in building Gallies and inventing Engines of War and having naturally a Genius addicted to Mechanicks he did not apply it to the making of frivolous and unuseful Toys after the humour of some other Princes who spent their vacant hours in Painting Musick or Turning as Aeropus King of Macedon who took great pleasure in making pretty little Lamps and Tablets or as Ptolomaeus Philometor whose Diversion was to cultivate Hellebore Henbane Hemlock Aconite Dorichnium and other noxious Plants which he used to sow himself in the Royal Gardens and with great diligence to gather the Seeds in their season the Fruits and Juices and to try Experiments of their Natures Qualities and Virtues The Parthian Kings employed themselves something better becoming their Dignity and Martial Humour for their Diversion was to sharpen the Points of their Arrows Darts and Javelins But the Mechanick Inventions of Demetrius though designed for Use and Service had something noble and magnificent withal and the wondrous contrivance of them was so uncommon that one might easily read the Character of a great Mind and extraordinary Spirit in the Princely Artifice they were such as by their magnificent and costly Structure bespoke themselves the Products of a Royal Engineer insomuch that they did not less surprize his Friends with their stupendious Magnificence than they did astonish his Enemies with their dreadful Beauty and it is no less pleasant than true which is related of them that the very Enemies against whom they were to be employed for their destruction could not forbear running to gaze with admiration upon his Gallies of five and six ranges of Oars as they passed near their Coasts and the Inhabitants of those Cities which were to be besieged and stormed by those terrible Engines could not forbear thronging to those Walls which they were about to batter to satisfie their curiosity with the agreeable prospect of those stately Machines which from their use were called destroyers of Cities And even Lysimachus of all the Kings of his time the greatest Enemy of Demetrius coming to raise the Siege of Solos in Cilicia sent to desire the permission to see his Gallies and admirable Engines which Demetrius easily accorded him and having gratified his Curiosity by a full view of them struck at once with fear and admiration he quitted the Place and his Design of relieving the besieged City The Rhodians also whom he had long besieged and at last reduced to composition made their humble Request that he would bestow some one of these Engines upon them which they might preserve as a Monument of his Puissance and their brave resistance The Quarrel betwixt him and the Rhodians was upon the occasion of their being Allies to Ptolomy whom they had assisted against Demetrius and in the Siege the greatest of all the Engines was planted against their Walls the Basis of it was exactly square each side containing twenty four yards the height of it was thirty three yards still from the Basis to the Top growing narrower something like a Cone or Pyramid within it were several Apartments or Chambers which were to be filled with armed Men and in every Story or Apartment the Front towards the Enemy had windows which were to be opened in order to their discharging their Shot and Arrows against the Besieged but that which was most admirable was that notwithstanding the vast Bigness of the Engine yet when it was moved it never so much as once tottered but went upon the Basis with an equal poise making a most dreadful noise as it was forced along and thereby gave both Wonder and Terrour to the Spectators Whilst Demetrius was at this Siege there were presented unto him two compleat Curasses of polished Steel weighing each of them no more than forty pounds and Zoilus who had forged them to shew the excellence of their Temper desired that one of them might be tried with an Arrow shot out of one of the Engines at no greater distance than six and twenty yards and upon the experiment it was found that though the Dart did exactly hit the Curass yet it made no greater impression than such a slight scratch as might be made with the point of a Style or Graver Demetrius who was wonderfully delghted with the Workmanship having well
rewarded the Artificer himself wore one of them in all his Encounters and bestowed the other upon Alcimus the Epirot one of the most robust and gallant Captains in his Army This Alcimus was one of the strongest men in the World for his compleat Armor weighed sixscore pound whereas the Arms of the ablest of the other Souldiers rarely exceeded half that weight but notwithstanding all his strength and courage no Armor was proof against his ill Destiny for in a furious Attack whilst he was gallantly fighting and encouraging his Souldiers by his example he was flain near the Theatre during this Siege The Rhodians all the time made a brave Defence in so much that Demetrius evidently saw he was not to master them without great difficulty and hazzard nevertheless he persisted in his Resolution to try the last extremities and the rather because that the Rhodians having taken a Vessel in which there was inbarked certain rich Hangings for his Pavilion Apparel and other Necessaries as also the Letters from the Princess Philla who had sent them to him they had undecently sent them together with the Ship to Ptolomy being herein far from imitating the honourable example of the Athenians who having surprized an Express sent from King Philip their Enemy they opened all the Letters he was charged with excepting only those directed to Queen Olympia which with great Civility they sent unbroken open to her Notwithstanding this Provocation Demetrius into whose power it shortly after came to have re-paid the Affront would not suffer himself to be transported with revenge so as to do a dishonourable Action which he condemned in them for it happened that the Design of the City of Jalysus which the celebrated Protogenes had been seven years painting and wanted only the finishing strokes being surprized by his Souldiers in the Suburbs of the City the Rhodians sent a Herald at Arms to request of him that he would be pleased to spare that rare Piece of Art and Curiosity Demetrius sent them in answer that he would as soon permit the burning of the Picture of his dear Father and King Antigonus as suffer the least injury to be done to such a curious Piece of laborious Skill and Beauty And so admirable was this Painting that 't is said when Apelles that fam'd Master first saw it he was so surprized that unable to stifle his admiration he stood mute struck at once with wonder and a little emulation at the beauty of the Work but recovering his transport and his tongue A most admirable and marvellous Piece said he but yet here want some of those Sweetnesses and softning Touches which my Paintings have of which he was wont to boast That he painted for Eternity This curious Piece among many others was afterwards carried to Rome where it was consumed by an accidental Fire in that City Whilst Demetrius thus fruitlesly maintained the Siege and the Rhodians no less obstinately defended their City the Athenian Ambassadors came luckily to rescue his Reputation by proposing an accommodation between them that so Demetrius might be at liberty to assist them against Cassander who had taken this opportunity to besiege the City of Athens In short a Peace was concluded by which the Rhodians were obliged to assist Antigonus and Demetrius against all their Enemies excepting Ptolomy the King of Egypt and so soon as the Ratifications were exchanged Demetrius with a Fleet of 330 Gallies and a great Land-Army sailed directly to Athens where he not only presently dislodged Cassander but falling upon his Rear very much incommoded his Retreat and pursuing him to the Straits of Thermopylae obliged him there to a Battel which ended in the total overthrow of Cassander's Army After this Victory he took in the City of Heraclea the Citizens voluntarily opening their Gates to receive the Conqueror and the Garrison consisting of 6000 Macedonians revolted to him and took Service under his victorious Ensigns In his Return having given Liberty to all the Grecians on this side the Straits of Thermopylae made an Alliance with the Baeotians and taken in the Cities of Cenchrees Phylen and Panacton in which Cassander had placed strong Garrisons to awe the Country into obedience he bestowed them upon the Athenians and they in requital though they had before been so profuse in bestowing Honours upon him that one would have thought they had exhausted all the store of Invention yet strained and put their Wits upon the Rack to extort from them new devised Honours and Flatteries They ordered him a Lodging behind Minerva's Temple in the Apartment of the Virgins the vowed Votaries of that Goddess upon which occasion some of the Wits exercised their Talent and took the Liberty to say That Minerva had got a dangerous Inmate and that it was not much to the Reputation of her Virgins Chastity to keep company with Demetrius who was not so over strait-laced in that sort of Vertue though it seems Antigonus had not given him the Example for of him it is reported That one time observing that his other Son Philip had Lodgings appointed in a House where there were three pretty young Ladies the King without taking any notice to his Son sent for the Officer who had taken up the Lodgings to whom he said Pray good Sir oblige me with removing my Son out of those little pent Lodgings for I do not care to have these young People crouded one upon another As for Demetrius he was so far from shewing any reverence to the Goddess with whom he had taken up his Quarters and whose younger Brother he had the vanity to have himself stiled and upon that score might have paid her some little decent respect that he gave himself up to the most infamous Liberties he debauched the young Women and ancient Matrons of the City of Athens to that degree as is as little to the Reputation of a modest Pen to relate as it was dishonourable to the City which may for ever blush at those lascivious Liberties in which this dissolute Prince by their servile compliances was not only permitted but even tempted to debase both theirs and his own Honour and Glory in so much that his Court seemed innocent when he had only Chryseis Lamia Dema Anticyra and some other Ladies of common ill Fame for the Companions of his Revels But among such a heap of Vice there was found one Jewel of severe Vertue and Chastity whose Name deserves to be transmitted to Posterity in the Records of Honour the young Damoclea whose surpassing Beauty gave her the particular Title of the Fair Damoclea Demetrius had essayed all the ways of passionate Courtship Gifts Threatnings and Flatteries to make himself a passage into her Heart but all in vain Nay she grew so weary of his importunate Addresses and repeated Solicitations that she declined all manner of publick Conversation perfectly out of design to avoid his disdained Passion but going to a private Bath and the lascivious Prince being informed of
Father King Antigonus and assembling their united strength Demetrius was constrained to abandon Greece and to joyn with his Father to weather the storm which was gathering from all Quarters and threatned to discharge its violence upon their Heads Antigonus upon the occasion of this War shewed a Courage and Fierceness much disproportionate to his Years he was a Prince of an undaunted Spirit and could he but have preserved a little Temper in his vain Ambition in aspiring at an absolute Sovereignty over others he might in all probability not only have continued in the first Rank of the Princes of his Age but have left that Honour to his Descendants but he was of a violent and haughty Spirit much addicted to undervalue all other Princes and to treat them both in his Words and Actions more insolently than was either consistent with his Interest his Prudence or the Honour due to Kings and though by this rash freedom of his Language he had drawn a most formidable Power of the most considerable Princes against him yet when he first heard of the Confederacy he could not forbear despising the Confederates by a Vanity peculiar to him Oh! said he are they flocking I 'll make no more to disperse them than a Company of Rooks in a Corn-field with throwing a Stone among them and crying Hush So soon as the Troops which composed the Gross of his Army could be brought together Antigonus took the Field at the Head of seventy thousand Foot and ten thousand Horse and seventy five Elephants His Enemies were little inferiour to him in number of Men for they had sixty four thousand Foot and ten thousand five hundred Horse but they far surpassed him in Elephants of which they brought four hundred into the Field and a hundred and twenty Chariots of War When these two mighty Armies approached near there happened an odd kind of alteration in the Humour of Antigonus and though his Courage and Resolution received no great abatement yet his Hope and Confidence seemed something to flag and hang their Wings for whereas formerly there was wont to be a certain joyous Fierceness dwelling in his Eyes that he used to speak boldly and bravely and even in his Encounters to drop some witty Ralleries to encourage his Souldiers to contemn their Enemies he now became very thoughtful silent and retired One Day above all the rest taking Demetrius along with him he shewed him to the Captains and the whole Army which was drawn out upon this occasion and recommended him to them as his declared Successor these uncustomary Actions occasioned some admiration in those who observed them but that which increased the Wonder was that now he took Demetrius into his most secret Counsels whereas formerly he never used to communicate his Designs to any Person but when he had resolved any thing to give out his peremptory Commands for the execution in so much that it is reported that when Demetrius was a youth he enquiring of the King what time the Army should decamp He answered him in a little Passion What do you trouble your self Are you the only Person that are afraid you shall not hear the Trumpet But there were other very ominous Presages besides this Change in the Humour of Antigonus which according to the Superstition of those Times abated the hopes and courage of the Army For in his Dream the Great Alexander compleatly armed seemed to appear to Demetrius and demanded of him what Word they intended to give in the time of the Battel And Demetrius answering That he intended the Word should be Jupiter and Victory Well then I see said Alexander turning short from him with an Air of Displeasure you have no Service for me I will go over to your Enemies who I am assured will entertain me with Joy And the very Morning of the Combat as the Armies were drawing up Antigonus going out of the door of his Tent by some Accident or other stumbled so that he fell flat upon the Ground and bruised himself very sorely this he as well as others took for no good Augury and therefore so soon as he had recovered his Feet lifting up his Hands towards Heaven O ye immortal Gods cried he if you so please I beg a Victory from you this day but if that cannot be granted let me obtain the Favour of death at your hands and that I may not live to blush to see my self vanquished and with shame survive my dying Glory When these two great Armies had for some time faced one the other the Signal being given after whole Showers of mortal Arrows which obscured the very Sun had been exchanged as the first Complements of Death they quickly came to handy-blows and Demetrius who commanded the greatest and best part of the Cavalry gave such a furious Charge upon Antigonus the Son of Seleucus that unable to endure the Shock he and the Body which he commanded turned their Backs and fled and Demetrius transported with the Success pursued them so eagerly and so far as that it fatally lost him the Day for when perceiving his Errour he would have come in to the assistance of his own Infantry he was not able the Enemy with their Elephants having cut off his Retreat and on the other hand Seleucus observing the main Battel of Antigonus left naked of their Horse he made an Offer of charging them in Front but then suddenly by wheeling about as if he intended to attack them in the Flank and Rear he thereby gave opportunity to those among them who had before resolved it perfidiously to revolt from Antigonus and come over to his Party as great numbers of them did and this put the rest into such a consternation no man knowing who were Friends and who Enemies that the whole Army was instantly put to the Rout. In this amazing state of his Affairs the old King Antigonus still kept his Post and when a strong Body of the Enemies drew up to charge him one of those about him seeing it cried out to him Sir consider with your self what you will do do you not see that Party which are coming down upon you to which he only replied And how shall they know me Demetrius will come in to my rescue and assistance There was his last Hope But alas it was in vain for after he had looked on every side to see if he could perceive Demetrius coming to his relief he was with a Storm of Arrows Darts Javelins born down dead upon the earth where being fallen there remained with him of all the numerous Company of his flattering Followers not one to take care of his Body after his Death besides only Thorax of Larissa the Thessalian thus ended this fatal Battel and thus the Life of the unfortunate Antigonus After the unlucky event of this deciding Combat the Kings who had gained the Victory tore all the Empire which Antigonus and Demetrius before possessed â—â—to pieces and shared those large Territories among themselves
deceased Lady who brought along with her Ptolemaida the Daughter whom she had by King Ptolomy which young Lady had before been affianced to Demetrius and with whom he now consummated his Nuptials but he was too intent upon his other Designs to be diverted from them by his new Amour and therefore he presently began the Campagne and was so fortunate in the beginning that many Cities revolted to him and others as particularly the City of Sardis he took by force divers Troops of Lysimachus also came over to him with a considerable Sum of Money But his Fortune which was never constant was now never lasting for Agathocles the Son of Lysimachus with a powerful Army made head against him which obliged him with his Army to divert into Phrygia with an intention to pass into Armenia for he had an imagination that if he could persuade the Medes or Armenians to revolt he should thereby gain many convenient Sea-Ports and Places of Retreat to secure him against any ill Accident or Disaster that might befall him Agathocles pressed very hard upon him and many Skirmishes and Conflicts passed between Parties wherein Demetrius had still the Advantage But Agathocles being much superiour in number straightned him so much in his Forage that his Souldiers were forced to conflict more with Famine than with their Enemies and shewed a great unwillingness to go into Armenia and Media so that for fresh Quarters he was obliged to pass over the River Lycus and in the passage many of his Men by the rapidness of the Torrent were carried down the Stream and drowned This Mischance exasperated the Souldiers to that degree that one of them fixed this Paper upon the Door of his Pavillion taken out of Oedipus with a little variation of the Name Thou Son of blind Antigonus Whither dost mean to hurry us And to add to his Misfortune the Pestilence as is usual when Armies are driven to such Necessities as to subsist upon unwholsom Diet began to assail them as well as the Famine so that he lost eight thousand of his Men and with the rest he retired to Tarsus and because that City was under the Dominion of Seleucus he strictly prohibited his Souldiers the committing any manner of outrages or violence being unwilling to create himself a new Enemy of Seleucus but when he perceived it was impossible to keep the Souldiers in order they being reduced to extreme necessity and Agathocles having block'd up all the Avenues of Mount Taurus to prevent their foraging in his Territories he resolved to write to Seleucus to appease him in this Matter The Letter contained a long and tragical Relation of the miserable state to which he was reduced and passionate Intercessions for his commiseration to a distressed King and Relation who was fallen into such a deplorable condition as might extort Tenderness and Pity from his very Enemies These Letters did so mollifie the Heart of Seleucus that he gave out positive Orders to the Governours of those Provinces that they should furnish Demetrius with all Accommodations suitable to his Royal Quality and with sufficient Provisions for his Troops But Patrocles a Person of great Authority and the Confident of Seleucus persuaded him that this entertainment of Demetrius especially of his Souldiers within his Dominions was not at all agreeable to the sound Maxims of Policy in regard that of all the Kings of his time Demetrius was the most violent in his Inclinations and addicted to bold and daring Enterprizes and that now being driven to Extremities by his adverse Fortune a Condition which many times tempted Persons of the greatest Temper and Moderation to the most desperate Attempts he could not with any Security to himself afford him this Retreat or Entertainment Seleucus animated with this Discourse advanced with a powerful Army towards Cilicia and Demetrius astonished at this sudden alteration betook himself for safety to the Strengths and most inaccessible places of Mount Taurus from whence he sent Envoys to Seleucus to request from him that he would permit him the liberty with his Army to seek to repair his broken Fortunes among the barbarous Nations and there to establish a Kingdom where he might pass the remainder of his Life in quiet and repose and not in that rigorous Season of Winter to expose him in this distressed naked condition to the fury of his implacable Enemies but to allow him a competent Time and Maintenance for the support of his small Army till he might with convenience depart But Seleucus whose Jealousie was now the governing Passion of his Soul sent him this peremptory Answer That he would permit him to stay two Months and no longer in Cataonia provided he presently sent him the principal of his Friends and Officers as Hostages for his departure then and in the mean time he shut up all the Passages into Syria So that Demetrius who saw himself thus encompassed as in a Toil like an enraged Lion flew upon the Prey and fell to wasting the Territories of Seleucus and in many Encounters had the advantage of him and particularly when he was assailed by the Armed Chariots he entirely defeated them and thereby opened his passage into Syria And now finding his Souldiers animated by these Successes he was resolved to push at all and to have one deciding Blow for the Empire with Seleucus but that crafty Prince having refused the assistance of Lysimachus whom he both mistrusted and hated made no great haste to the Encounter but chose rather to weary Demetrius and waste his Power by Delays for there was nothing that he dreaded more than the perpetual vicissitude of that Prince's Fortune which he had so often known to have been raised from the most deplorate state to the greatest excess of Glory But now all things seemed to conspire to the Ruine of this miserable Prince for he was seized with a violent Distemper which did not only endanger his Life but deprived him of his Reason so that his Army began to moulder away insensibly some deserting and others stealing away from the Service which they concluded desperate after forty days he began to be so far recovered as to be able to rally his Forces and marched as if he directly designed for Cilicia but in the Night in great silence he took a Counter-March and passing the Mountain Amanus he forraged all the Country as far as Cyrrhestica Whereupon Seleucus advanced towards him and encamping at no great distance Demetrius took a resolution to surprize him in his Camp but the Design being by some Fugitives discovered to Seleucus he had but just time in great consternation to leap out of his Bed and give the Alarm to his men as he was putting on his Boots to mount to Horse Sirs said he to the Officers about him Look well to your Charges for we must now expect to combat with a furious and enraged wild Beast But Demetrius by the Noise and Murmur he heard in the Camp finding they had taken the Alarm
to the knowledge of Curio's Father he took an occasion to dismiss Antony from his house Soon after this he engaged himself with Clodius the most insolent and turbulent disturber of the Government that that age had produced but not being able long to endure his madness and withal apprehensive of the powerful Cabal against Clodius he left Italy and travell'd into Greece where he spent his time in warlike Exercises and in the Study of Eloquence he affected much the Asiatick way of speaking which was most in fashion then and had most resemblance to his temper which was very Rhodomantade and brave very Ambitious and unequal After some stay in Greece he was invited by Gabinius the Proconsul to make a Compagne in Syria which at first he refused not being willing to serve in a private Character but receiving a Commission to Command the Horse he went along with him His first service was against Aristobulus who had prevail'd with the Jews to Rebel He himself was the first that scal'd the Walls and on the strongest side of the Town beat him from all his Forts and in a pitcht Battel overcame him though much inferior in number put most of them to the Sword and took Aristobulus and his Son Prisoners This War ended Gabinius was sollicited by Ptolomy to restore him to his Kingdom of Aegypt and a promise made of ten thousand Talents reward most of the Officers were against this enterprize and Gabinius himself did not much approve it though shrewdly tempted by the ten thousand Talents which had a powerful influence over him But Antony desirous of engaging in brave Actions and willing to gratifie a Petitioning King was resolv'd to use all his Interest to bring about Gabinius to undertake this Expedition all were of opinion that the March to Peleusium was of more dangerous consequence than any thing else that could probably happen in the way for they were to pass over a deep Sand where no fresh water was to be hop'd for all along the Marishes of Serbonis which the Aegyptians give out to be the hollow Canal through which Typhon takes his breath and is in truth an Eruption caused by the over-flowing of the Red-Sea which is separate from the Mediterranean but by a small Neck of Land But Antony being Order'd thither with a party of Horse did not only make himself Master of the passes but won Peleusium a strong City took in the Citadel and by this means rendred the March secure to the Army and the way to Victory not uneasie to the General The Enemy was sensible of Antony's generous disposition for when Ptolomy had entred Peleusium in great rage and malice against the Aegyptians designing to put them every one to the Sword Antony positively withstood him and hindred the Execution In great and frequent skirmishes and battels many were the proofs he gave of his personal Valor and Military Conduct but never did it more plainly appear than in that Action of his when wheeling about he attack'd the Rear of the Enemy and gave opportunity to them that charg'd the Front to obtain an intire Victory for which he received both rewards and honors Nor was his humanity less taken notice of towards the deceased Archelaus he had been formerly his Guest and Acquaintance as he was in duty bound he fought him bravely while alive but finding his dead body he buried him with all the Ornaments and Decency which were due to the quality of a King Upon these and many other considerations the Alexandrians spoke of him with infinite respect and the Roman Soldiers lookt upon him as one of most worthy qualifications to compleat all he was a Man of Excellent Shape and Mein his Beard was of a comely growth his Fore-head large his Nose was of the Roman Shape and something he had in his Countenance of Greatness that made him seem to resemble the Statues and Medals we have of Hercules and it was an ancient Tradition that the Antonies were descended of Hercules by a Son of his called Anteon and this Opinion he endeavored to confirm by affecting the likeness of him both in his Mein and Dress for whensoever he appear'd in publick he wore his Vest girt low about the hips a broad Sword on his side and over all a large course Plad or Mantle What might seem to some very insupportable as vain glory raillery drinking in publick frequenting the Common Soldiers Tables and eating places made him the delight and pleasure of the whole Army He was very agreeable in his Loves and gain'd many Friends by the assistance he gave them in theirs being very pleasant in his Raillery upon his own intrigues The generous temper which he was of in disposing of his gratuities with an open and liberal hand to the Soldiers and his Friends gave him a fair opportunity of making his fortune and was very advantageous to him in establishing him in his new honours and employments from which it is improbable he ever could have fallen but by a thousand follies which he was Master of One instance of his Liberality I must relate he had order'd to one of his Friends twenty five thousand Crowns and his Steward wondring at the extravagance of the sum laid all the Silver in a heap as he should pass by Antony seeing the heap ask'd what it meant His Steward reply'd the mony you have order'd to be dispos'd of to your Friend well perceiving the malice of the Action says he I thought I had order'd much more 't is too little pray let the sum be doubled but enough of this The Citizens of Rome were divided into two parties they that seemed to favor the Senate follow'd Pompey who was then present the others that consider'd the interest of the People sheltred themselves under the Authority of Caesar who was then making War in Gaul Curio the Friend of Antony having changed his party had devoted himself to Caesar and brought over Antony to his service the Authority which he had gain'd by his Eloquence and great expences which were constantly supply'd by Caesar gave him opportunity of making his Friend Antony first Tribune of the People and then Augur whose coming into the heat of business made him capable of rendring no small services to Caesar In the first place he oppos'd the Consul Marcellus who had designed some old Legions for Pompey with Commission to raise new ones making an order that they should be sent into Syria to reinforce Bibulus his Army who was then making War with the Parthians and that no one as they should answer it at their peril should give in their Names to serve under Pompey Next finding that Pompey's Faction would not suffer Caesar's Letters to be received or read in the Senate by vertue of his Office he read them publickly and succeeded so well that many were brought to change their mind and to declare that Caesar's demands were but just and reasonable at length two questions being started the one
whether Pompey should dismiss his Army the other if Caesar his some were for the former for the latter all except some few when Antony stood up and put the question if it would be agreeable to them that both Pompey and Caesar should dismiss their Armies which proposal was approv'd of with great acclamations and Antony desir'd after much honor receiv'd to put it to the Vote but this was oppos'd by the Consuls and Caesar's Friends making some new proposals which did not carry the least appearance of unreasonableness were brow beaten by Cato and Antony himself commanded to leave the Senate by Consul Lentulus He gave them many a bitter â—â—rse at his going out and disguising himself in a Servants habit accompanied only with Quintus Cassius in a hired Chariot he went straight away to Caesar they no sooner arrived but great were the Complaints they made that affairs at Rome were transacted without any order or justice that the privilege of speaking in the Senate was deny'd the Tribunes and that he that asserted the Common right of the People was in imminent danger of his life Caesar took hold of this pretence to march his Army into Italy and upon this hint it was that Cicero writes in his Philippicks that Antony was as much the Cause of the Civil War as ever Helena was of the Trojan But this is but a surmise for Caesar was not of so weak a temper as to suffer himself to be carry'd away by a passion into a Civil War with his Country upon the sight of Antony and Cassius seeking refuge in his Camp in mean habit and a Hackney Chariot without ever having thought or taken his measures in an affair of so great consequence this was to him that wanted a pretence of declaring War a fair and equitable occasion but the true motive was the same that formerly set Alexander and Cyrus at odds with all Mankind the unquenchable thirst of Empire and the distracted Ambition of being the greatest Man in the World which was impracticable for him unless Pompey were reduc'd So soon then as he had surprized Rome and driven Pompey out of Italy he purpos'd first to go against the Legions that Pompey had in Spain and then to have a Fleet in readiness to attend his Motions leaving the mean while the Government of Rome to Lepidus the Praetor and the Command of the Army to Antony Tribune of the People who was not long in getting the hearts of his Soldiers eating and drinking himself with them and making them presents to the utmost of his abilities But on the other side he wanted not his Enemies he was too lazy to inform himself in the Complaints of the injur'd and was impatient in any thing of business and his Familiarity with other peoples Wives gave him an ill reputation In short the Government of Caesar which in it self was little better than Tyrannical was by the indiscretion and insolence of his Friends render'd insupportable And Antony as he had the greatest power in the Army so he committed the most notorious Insolencies and had much to answer for But Caesar at his return from Spain wink'd at his faults not thinking fit to disoblige a Souldier that could suffer all Fatigue was very brave of his person and an experienced Commander Caesar going aboard at Brundusium sailed over the Ionian Sea with a few Troops and sent back the Fleet with Orders to Antony and Gabinius to embark the Army and Land as soon as might be in Macedonia Gabinius having no mind to put to Sea and being apprehensive of the Winter-Season was forc'd to March his Army round about by Land but Antony being more afraid lest Caesar might suffer some great inconvenience from the number of his Enemies who press'd him hard beat back Libo who was at Anchor with a Fleet in the Mouth of the Haven of Brundusium having Mann'd out several small Pinnaces and other Boats with which he encompassed each Galley and made them retire gaining thus an occasion of putting aboard twenty thousand Foot and eight hundred Horse and so set out to Sea The Enemy having espied him made up to him but this Danger he escaped by reason that the South-Wind was so high that the Enemies Fleet was not able to live in so rough a Water but. withal he had like to have fallen upon a Ridge of Rocks where the Sea wrought so high that there was no hope of escaping Ship-wrack when all on a sudden the Wind turn'd about to South-west and blew from land to the main Sea where Antony sailing in security saw the Coast all covered with the Wreck of the Enemies Fleet for the Gallies of Pompey had been miserably toss'd up and down and many of them sunk he took many Prisoners and much Booty he took also the Town of Lyssus and by the seasonable arrival of so great Recruit gave heart to the Affairs of Caesar There was no Engagement in which he did not signalize himself twice he stopt the Army in its flight led them back to a Charge and gained the Victory that not without reason his Reputation next to Caesar's was greatest in the Army and what opinion Caesar himself had of him did well appear when Pharsalia was to determine who should be Emperour of the World he himself chose to lead the right Wing committing the charge of the left to Antony as to the most experienc'd Officer of all that serv'd under him After the Battel Caesar being created Dictator went in pursuit of Pompey and sent Antony to Rome with the Character of Tribune of the People who is in Office and Power next to the Dictator when present and in his absence rules in Chief For upon the Election of a Dictator all other Magistrates cease to exercise any Authority in Rome The young Dolabella who was also Tribune of the People at that time and a great promoter of new Projects was for enacting a Law to rescind the register'd Debts and would needs perswade Antony to joyn with him who was his Friend and forward enough to promote any thing that was agreeable to the generality of the People Asinius and Trebellius were of the contrary Opinion and at the same time a grievous Fit of Jealousie possessing Antony that Dolabella was kinder than he desired to his Wife and taking it to heart he parted with her she was his Cousin-German and Daughter to Caius Antonius the Colleague of Cicero and taking part with Asinius declared War with Dolabella who had seiz'd on the Market-place in order to give Authority by force to his new Law Antony by a special Command of the Senate who had authoriz'd him to oppose Dolabella's breaking into the Market-place gave him Battel in the Fight many were lost on both sides and by this action he did incurr the displeasure of the common People and by reason of his Course of Life was not only not agreeable but as Cicero says had in detestation by the better sort of
Barks of Trees and in passing over the Alpes they lived upon the Flesh of Beasts that man had never before tasted of his design was to joyn Lepidus who commanded the Army on t'other side the Alpes who he imagined would stand his sure Friend he having done him many kind Offices to Julius Caesar he encamped near Lepidus his Army but receiving from him no sort of encouragement was resolv'd to push his Fortune and venture all His hair was very long and disorder'd nor had he shaved his beard since his last defeat in this guise and a mourning Mantle flung over he came into the Trenches of Lepidus and began to Harangue the Army some were moved at his habit others at his words that Lepidus liking it not ordered the Trumpets to sound that he might be heard no longer This rais'd in the Soldiers a greater sense of pity so that they resolv'd to send and conferr with him and drest Laelius and Clodius in Womens Cloaths and sent them to Antony they advis'd him presently to attack Lepidus his Trenches assuring him that a strong party should receive him and if so he thought fit kill Lepidus But Antony would not suffer that any injury should be done him and next morning he marched his Army to pass over the little River that parted the two Camps he was the first that gain'd the other side of the River where he espy'd Lepidus his Soldiers in great numbers reaching out their hands to help him and beating down the works to make him way Being entred the Camp and finding himself absolute Master he treated Lepidus with great civility and gave him the title of Father when he spoke to him and though he had every thing at his own Command he left him the honour of being called the General This fair usage brought over to him Munatius Plancus who was not far off with a considerable Force Thus being very strong he repass'd the Alpes and led with him into Italy seventeen Legions and ten thousand Horse besides six Legions he left in Garrison under the Command of Varius one of his familiar Friends that used to debauch with him and was therefore surnamed Cotylon which signifies a bottle Caesar perceiving that Cicero's intention was to re-establish the State in its former liberty did soon quit that party and by the Mediation of his Friends came once more to a good understanding with Antony They both met together with Lepidus in a small Island where the Conference lasted three days The Empire of the World was soon determin'd of it being divided amongst them as if it had been their paternal Inheritance That which gave them all the trouble was to agree who should be put to death every one intending to destroy his Enemies and to save his Friends The thirst of being revenged of their Enemies did in the end take off all manner of desire to preserve their Friends and Caesar sacrific'd Cicero to Antony Antony his Uncle Lucius to Caesar and both of them did easily grant to Lepidus the Liberty to murther his own Brother Paulus though there are those that say it was required of him I do not believe any thing was ever heard of so barbarous as this Composition for in this exchange of blood for blood they did not only murder those that were offer'd up unto their Fury but them also that they abandon'd to the range of others This Agreement being made the Army desir'd it might be confirm'd by some Alliance of Marriage so that Caesar married Claudia the Daughter of Fulvia Wife to Antony This affair being dispatch'd three hundred more were adjudg'd to dye by proscription Antony had given order to those that were to kill Cicero to cut off his head and right hand with which he had writ his invectives against him when they were brought before him he beheld them with an inward satisfaction not being able to contain himself from often smiling at so horrid a spectacle when he had satiated himself with the sight of them he ordered them to be hung up in the Court where the usual pleadings were not considering that the affront he design'd to the memory of the dead redounded to his own disgrace who by this barbarous Action rendred himself unworthy of that power he exercis'd His Uncle Lucius being closely pursued had taken refuge in his Sisters Chamber who when the murderers had broke into her house and were pressing into her Chamber she met them at the door and holding them by the hands cry'd out several times Ye shall never kill Lucius Caesar till you first dispatch me me that gave your General his life and being and she order'd the matter so well that she sav'd her Brother This Triumvirate was very hateful to the Romans and Antony was most of all to blame for he was Elder than Caesar and had greater Authority than Lepidus and withal was no sooner settled in his affairs but he return'd to his debauch and dissolute way of living Beside the ill reputation he had gained by his intemperance it was very disadvantageous to him his living in the house of Pompey the Great a Man as much celebrated for his temperance and honesty as ever he was admir'd for having Triumphed three times They could not without regret see the doors of that house shut against the Magistrates and Foreign Ministers who were shamefully refus'd admittance while it was open to Players Juglers and devouring Flatterers upon whom he spent the greatest part of his ill acquired Riches for they did not only take the Forfeiture of the Estates of such as were proscribed defrauding the poor Widows and Orphans and lay impositions upon all manner of Goods but hearing that several summs of money were by as well Strangers as Citizens of Rome deposited in the hands of the Vestal Virgins they went and took the money away by force Caesar perceiving how extravagant Antony was in his Expences demanded a division to be made of the Revenues The Army was also divided upon their march into Macedonia to make War with Brutus and Cassius they leaving the Command of the City to Lepidus having pass'd the Sea they encamped nigh the Enemy Antony nigh Cassius and Caesar nigh Brutus Caesar did nothing worth relating but success and Victory did still wait on Antony In the first Battel Caesar was routed by Brutus all his Baggage taken and he himself very narrowly escaping by Flight but as he himself writes in his Memoirs he retir'd before the Charge by reason of a dream of one of his Friends Antony overcame Cassius but as some write he himself was not present at the Engagement but that he joyn'd them afterwards in the pursuit Cassius with earnest entreaty had perswaded his faithful Friend Pindarus not knowing any thing of Brutus his good Fortune to kill him Shortly after they fought another Battel in which Brutus lost the day and slew himself Caesar being sick Antony had the honour of the Action who finding Brutus his Body among the
advance any further the Army marching very leisurely they at last came in sight of the River where Antony upon the Banks drew up the Horse in a posture to receive and oppose the Enemy and to favour the passage of his Army o'er the River he first past over the sick and wounded and then all the rest those that were left drawn up on th' other side had leisure to drink at their ease for the Parthians being now come to the River which was to be the bounds of their pursuit unbent their bows and told the Romans they might pass over freely and made them great complements in praise of their valour and conduct At length the Horse pass over too without being in the least molested by the enemy and when they were on the other side the river they drank their fill as the others had done before and joyn'd the rest of the Army not giving any credit to the fair words of their deceitful enemies It was six days after the last skirmish that they arrived at the River Araxes which divides Media and Armenia and seemed both by its deepness and the violence of the current to be very dangerous in passing and a report had crept in amongst them that the Enemy was in ambush ready to set upon them as soon as they should be amus'd in their passage But when they were got over on the other side and found themselves in Armenia just as if they were come into harbour after a tempest they worship'd the Land and shedding tears for joy every one embraced his friend but taking their journey through a Land that abounded in all sorts of plenty and having suffer'd great want they eat with that excess of every thing they met that they fell into Dropsies and Dysenteries Here Antony making a review of his Army found that he had lost twenty thousand Foot and four thousand Horse of which the better half perished not by the Enemy but by Diseases their march was of twenty seven days from Phraata in which the Parthians were worsted in eighteen Battels by which it is manifest that Artuasdes was the cause why Antony could not bring this War to a happy end for had the sixteen thousand Median Horse skilful in the Discipline of the Parthians and accustomed to their manner of fight been present the Romans having put them once to flight and the pursuit left to the Medians it is impossible they could have rallied after their defeat and appear again as they did in a posture to receive the Enemy for which reason the whole Army was very earnest with Antony to march into Armenia but he taking advice of his necessities did not upbraid him with his dissertion nor in the least abate of the usual civility with which he was wont to treat him for he found the Army wearied out and in want of all manner of necessaries but upon another occasion coming into Armenia with invitations and fair promises he prevail'd with Artuasdes to meet him where he seized him bound him and carried him to Alexandria there to be led in triumph by which he very much offended the Romans in that he carried into Egypt the triumphal Ornaments due unto his Country only to ingratiate himself with Cleopatra But these matters happen'd afterwards For the present marching his Army in great haste in the depth of Winter through continual storms of Snow he lost eight thousand of his Men and came very ill accompany'd to a place called Leucocome situated betwixt Sydon and Beryte nigh the Sea side where he sate down in expectation of Cleopatra and being impatient of the delay she made he bethought himself of short'ning the time in drink and debauchery and not being able to endure the tediousness of a Meal he would start from Table and run to see if she were coming and this lasted till she came into Port. She brought with her Cloaths and Money for the Soldiers Some say that Antony having received the Cloaths of her distributed his own Money in her name About this time a difference happen'd 'twixt the King of Media and Phraortes King of Parthia about division of the booty that was taken from the Romans which caused great apprehension in the Median least he should lose his Kingdom he sent therefore Ambassadors to Antony with offers of entring into a confederat War against Phraortes which gave Antony great hopes of obtaining his desire seeing that by this means he should have such horse as was necessary to reduce the Parthians and upon this consideration he return'd into Armenia and joyning the King of Media nigh Araxes they began the War Octavia having a desire to see Antony easily obtained leave of Caesar not so much to gratifie her humour as to find a good pretence to begin the War upon her ill reception She no sooner arrived at Athens but in Letters from Antony she understood his new expedition and his will that she should attend him there though she were much displeas'd not being ignorant of the ground of this usage yet she writ to him to know to what place he would be pleas'd she should send the things she had brought with her for his use for she brought cloaths for his Soldiers many horses money and presents for his Friends and Officers and two thousand chosen Soldiers well arm'd to recruit the Praetorian Cohorts This Message brought Niger from Octavia to Antony in the relation speaking much of her praise insisting much upon her merit Cleopatra being inform'd that Octavia was coming and fearing least that her easiness of behaviour and observance of Antony's humour joyn'd with her discretion and powerful alliance should render her charms irresistible she betook her self to die for love of Antony bringing her body down with a slender opening Diet when he entred the room she fix'd her eyes upon him in a rapture and when he took his leave she never fail'd to swound when she design'd to cry she would turn about and wipe her eyes as being unwilling to let him know the greatness of her concern all this was acting while he prepar'd for Media and Cleopatra's Creatures that were to help forward the design upbraided Antony with his insensibility who could basely see a Lady perish whose soul depended upon him and him alone they added that it was true Octavia was his Wife and did enjoy that honourable Title because it was found convenient for the Affairs of her Brother that it should be so but Cleopatra the soveraign Queen of many Nations must be contented with the name of his Mistress nor did she shun or despise the character whilst she might see him whilst she might live with him and enjoy him if she were bereav'd of this she would not survive the loss Antony was so well perswaded that Cleopatra must die if he forsook her that he put off all thoughts of the War and return'd to Alexandria deferring his Median expedition till next Summer though he were inform'd of great seditions among
had seen so many turns of fortune he must needs Revel it in the open Streets and midst of the Market-places crown'd with Garlands and attended with Minstrels Inviting every body he met to partake in his Debauch So much more does joy without discretion transport and ruffle the mind than either fear or sorrow Antigonus therefore having in this manner possessed himself of Acro-Corinthus he put a Garrison into it of those he trusted most making Persaeus the Philosopher Governour Now Aratus even in the life-time of Alexander had an intention to get it for his Country but a Confederacy being made between him and the Achaeans he desisted but now another opportunity of effecting the thing offer'd its self which was this There were in Corinth four brothers Syrians born one whereof called Diocles served as a Soldier in the Garrison but the three others having robbed the Kings Treasure retreated to Sicyon to one Aegias a Banker whom Aratus made use of in matters of Money to him they immediately sold part of their Gold and the rest one of them called Erginus coming often thither exchanged by parcels Becoming by this means familiarly acquainted with Aegias and being by him led into discourses concerning the Fortress he told him that climbing up to his brother amongst the steep Rocks he had observed a winding path leading to that part of the Wall of the Castle which was lower than the rest at which Aegias drolling with him and saying will you then for the sake of a little Gold Pilfer thus from the King when you may if you please Sell one hour for a great sum of Money for Traitors and House-breakers if taken are alike punished with death Erginus smiling upon him promised to breake the thing to Diocles for he did not so fully trust his other Brothers and returning within a few days he bargain'd to conduct Aratus to that part of the wall where it was no more than fifteen foot high and to do what else should be necessary together with his Brother Diocles. Aratus therefore agreed to give them threescore Talents if he succeeded but if he failed in his enterprise and yet he and they came off safe then he would give each of them a House and a Talent Now the threescore Talents being to be desposed in the hands of Aegias for the use of Erginus and his Partners and Aratus neither having so much by him nor willing by taking it up of others to give them a jealousie of his design he pawn'd his Plate and his wives Jewels to Aegias for the money For so generous was his soul and so strong a passion had he for great exploits that remembring that Phocion and Epaminondas were esteemed the best and justest of all the Grecians because they scorned the greatestresents and would not prostitute their honour for money he chose to be at secret charges about those attempts in which he ran all the hazard alone for the sake of the rest that did not so much as know what was a doing Who therefore is there that does not admire and sympathize with the great mind of this man who at so vast expences purchas'd so extraordinary danger and lent his richest Jewels to have an opportunity to expose his own life by falling upon his Enemies in the dead of the night without desiring any other security for them than the hope of glory Now this exploit though dangerous enough in its self was made much more so by an error happ'ning through mistake in the very beginning For Technon one of Aratus's Servants was sent away to Diocles that they might together view the wall Now he had never seen Diocles but made no question of knowing him by the marks Erginus had given him of him namely that he had curled hair was of a swarthy complection and beardless Being come therefore to the appointed place he stayed waiting without the gates for Erginus and Diocles The place was called Ornis In the mean time Dionysius Elder Brother to Erginus and Diocles who knew nothing at all of the matter but much resembled Diocles happ'ned to pass by Now Technon incourag'd by the likeness of his features ask'd him if he was any thing related to Erginus who answering he was his Brother Technon fully perswaded that he talk'd to Diocles not so much as asking his name or staying for any other token gave him his hand and began to discourse with him and ask him questions about matters agreed upon with Erginus Dionysius cunningly laying hold of his mistake seemed to understand him very well and returning towards â—he City held him on in discourse insenbly And being now near the gate he was just about to seise on him when by chance Erginus met them and apprehending the cheat and the danger beckn'd to Technon to make his escape and immediately both of them betaking themselves to their heeles ran away as fast as they could to Aratus who for all this despaired not but immediately sent away Erginus to Dionysius to bribe him to hold his tongue and he not only effected that but also brought him along with him to Aratus Whom as soon as they had him they no longer left at liberty but binding him they kept him close shut up in a room whilest they prepared for executing their design All things being now ready he commanded the rest of his forces to pass the night in Arms and taking with him four hundred chosen men few whereof knew what they were going about he led them to the gates by the Temple of Juno It was about the midst of summer when the Moon was at full and the night was clear without any clouds so that there was great danger lest the Armes glistering by Moon-light should discover them But as the formost of them came near the City a great mist came off from the Sea and darkned the City and places thereabout Then the rest of them sitting down put off their shoe 's both because they make less noise and also climb surer that go up ladders bare-footed but Erginus taking with him seven young men habited like Travellers got unobserved to the gate and kill'd the Sentry with the other Guards and at the same time the Ladders were clapp'd to the walls and Aratus having in great hast got up a hundred men he commanded the rest to follow as they could and immediately drawing up his Ladders after him he marched through the City with his hundred men towards the Castle being overjoy'd that he was undiscover'd not doubting of the success When immediately four of the Watch were seen coming towards them with a light But they discover'd them not because they were in the shade wherefore covering themselves a while near some walls and old ruines they lay'd in wait for them and three of them they kill'd But the fourth being wounded in the head with a sword fled crying out that Enemies were got into the City and immediately the Trumpets sounded and all the City
he was bred up by restoring its Liberty and to add so considerable a Town to the Achaeans Nor were there some wanting who had the courage to undertake the thing of which Aeschylus and Charimenes the Southsayer were the chief but they wanted Swords for the Tyrant had prohibited the keeping of any under a great penalty wherefore Aratus having provided some small daggers at Corinth and hiding them in the pack-saddles of the pack-horses that carried ordinary ware he sent them to Argos But Charimenes letting in another person into the design Aeschylus and his Partners being angry at it cast him off also resolving to execute the business by themselves which he discovering in a great rage went and detected them just as they were going to kill the Tyrant however the most of them made a shift to escape to Corinth Not long after Aristomacus was stain by his Servants and Aristippus a worse Tyrant than he seis'd the Government upon which Aratus mustering all the Achaeans that were of age hasted away to the aid of the City believing that he should find the Argives very ready to join with him but the people being accustomed to Slavery and none appearing to receive him he retreated giving thereby occasion to accuse the Achaeans of committing acts of Hostility in the midst of Peace upon which account they were Sued in the Court of the Mantmaeans and Aratus not making his Appearance Aristippus Cast them and had Costs given him to the value of Thirty Minae And now Hating and Fearing Aratus he sought means to kill him having the assistance and good wishes of King Antigonus so that he was perpetually dogg'd and watch'd by those that waited for an opportunity to dispatch him But the surest Guard of a Prince is the good will of his Subjects for where the Nobility and Common People are not afraid of but for their Governour he sees with many Eyes and hears with many Ears whatsoever is a doing wherefore I cannot but here digress a little from the course of my Narrative to describe that manner of Life which they so much envied Arbitrary power and the so much celebrated and admired pomp of uncontroled government oblig'd Aristippus to lead for tho' Antigonus was his Friend and allye and that he had a numerous Life-guard and hath not left one Enemy of his alive in the City yet was he forced to make his Guards watch without in the Basse-Court and for his Servants he turned them all out immediately after Supper and then shutting the doors upon them he crept up into a small Chamber together with his Wench through a trap-door upon which he placed his bed and there slept after such a fashion as one in his Condition can be supposed to sleep that is interruptedly and in great fear The Ladder was taken away by his Wenches Mother and lockt up in another Room which in the Morning she brought again and putting it to called up this Brave and Wonderful Tyrant who came creeping out like some Snake from his hole whereas Aratus not by force of Armes but Lawfully and by his Vertue having obtain'd a firmly setled Command wearing an ordinary Garment and Cloak being the common and declared Enemy of all Tyrants hath left behind him a noble off-spring remaining among the Grecians to this day but of those that usurped strong Castles maintained Life-guards fenced themselves with Arms Gates and Bolts most like poor Hares died a violent Death without either Family or honourable Monument to preserve their memory Against this Aristippus therefore Aratus made many open and secret attempts whilest he endeavoured to take Argos though without success and particularly clapping scaling Ladders one night to the wall he desperately got up upon it with a few of his Soldiers and killed the Guards that opposed him But the day appearing the Tyrant set upon him on all hands whilest the Argives as if it had not been their Liberty that was contended for but were about to distribute the Nemaean Prizes like equal and just Spectators sat looking on in great quietness Aratus fighting lustily was run through the thigh with a Lance yet he maintain'd his ground against the Enemy till night and had he held out that night also he had gain'd his point for the Tyrant thought of nothing but flying and had already ship'd most of his goods But Aratus having no intelligence thereof and wanting water being disabled himself by his wound retreated with his Soldiers and despairing to do any good this way fell openly with his Army into Argolis and plunder'd it and joyning battle with Aristippus near the River Chares he is accused to have withdrawn out of the fight and thereby abandon'd the Victory For whereas one part of his Army had apparently got the better and was pursuing the Enemy at a good distance from him yet retreated he in great disorder into his Camp not so much because he was overpressed by the Enemy on his Wing as despairing of success and through a Panick Fear But when the other Wing returning from the pursuit showed themselves extremely vexed that though they had put the Enemy to flight and killed many more of his men than they had lost yet those that were in a manner conquered should erect a Trophy as Conquerors being much asham'd he resolv'd to sight them again about the Trophy and the next day but one drew up his Army to give them battle but perceiving that they were reinforc'd with fresh Troops and came on with better courage than before he durst not hazard a Fight but desiring a Truce to bury his dead retreated however by his dexterity in managing all affairs with great Obligingness and Courtesy and by his general Favour he not only excus'd and obliterated this Fault but also brought in the Cleonaeans to the Achaean Association and celebrated the Nemaean Games at Cleonae as properly and most antiently belonging unto them These Games were also celebrated by the Argives at the same time which gave the first occasion to the violation of the priviledge of safe Conduct and immunity always granted to those that came to strive for the Prizes the Achaeans at that time selling as Enemies all those they could catch going through their Country to the Games at Argos So vehement and implacable a Hater was he of the Tyrants Not long after Aratus having notice that Aristippus had a design upon Cleonae but was afraid of him because he then resided in Corinth he assembled his Army by publick Proclamation and commanding them to take along with them provision for several days he marched to Cenchreae hoping by this Stratagem to entice Aristippus to fall upon Cleonae when he supposed him far enough off and so it happen'd for he immediately brought his Army against it from Argos But Aratus returning from Cenchreae to Corinth in the dusk of the Evening and besetting the passages with Guards he led on the Achaeans who follow'd him in so good order and with
so much speed and alacrity that they were not discover'd by Aristippus not only whilest upon their March but even when they were got into Cleonae in the night and were drawn up in order of battle As soon as it was morning the Gates being opened and the Trumpets sounding he fell upon the Enemy with great cries and fury and routing them follow'd the pursuit especially that way that Aristippus indeavour'd to make his escape through a Country full of windings and turnings The Pursuit lasted as far as Mycenae where the Tyrant was slain by a certain Cretan call'd Tragiscus as Dinias reports and of the common Soldiers above fifteen hundred Yet tho' Aratus had obtain'd so great a Victory without the loss of a man he could not make himself master of Argos nor set it at liberty because Aegias and the younger Aristomachus got into the town with the Kings forces and seis'd upon the Government But by this exploit he spoiled the Scoffs and Jeasts of those that flattered the Tyrants and in their Raillery would say that the Achaean General was usually troubled with a Looseness when he was to fight a battle that the sound of a Trumpet struck him with a Drowsiness and a Giddiness and that when he had drawn up his Army and given the word he used to ask his Lieutenants and Officers what further need there could be of his Presence since the dye was cast and then went a-loof off to expect the success And so much did these reports gain credit that when the Philosophers disputed whether to have ones Heart beat and to change Colour upon any danger be an argument of fear or rather of weakness and coldness of constitution Aratus was always quoted as a valiant Capt. but subject to be so affected in time of Battle Having thus dispatch'd Aristippus he devised with himself how to ruine Lysiades the Megalopolitan who Tyranniz'd over his Country This person was naturally of a generous temper and not insensible of true honour induced to usurp the Government not by the ordinary motives of other Tyrants Licentiousness and Avarice but being young and stimulated with the desire of Glory suffer'd his noble breast to be unwarily prepossessed with the vain and false Applauses given to Tyranny as some happy and glorious thing but he no sooner seis'd the Government than he grew weary of the weight of it and at once emulating the Tranquility and fearing the Policy of Aratus he took a most noble resolution first to free himself from Hatred and Fear from Soldiers and Guards and then his Country as a publick Benefactor and immediately sending for Aratus resign'd the Government and incorporated his City into the Achaean Community The Achaeans applauding this generous action chose him General upon which desiring to outstrip Aratus in Glory amongst many other improper things he declared war against the Lacedaemonians which Aratus opposing was thought to do it out of Envy but Eysiades was the second time chosen General tho' Aratus appear'd against him and labour'd to have that charge conferred upon another for Aratus himself had that Command every other year as has been said and Lysiades succeeded so well in his pretensions that he was thrice chosen General governing alternately as did Aratus but at last declaring himself his professed Enemy and accusing him frequently to the Achaeans he was rejected for it appeared plainly that with conterfeit and adulterated Merit he contested against true and sincere Vertue and as Aesop tells us that the Cuckoo once asking the little Birds why they flew away from her was answered because they fear'd she would one day prove a Hawk so Lysiades's former Tyranny still cast a Suspicion upon him that he was not inwardly changed But Aratus gain'd still more honour in the Aetolick War for the Achaeans resolving to fall upon the Aetolians in the Megarian Confines and Agis also the Lacaedemonian King who came to their assistance with an Army incouraging them to fight Aratus opposed this determination and patiently induring many reproaches many flouts and jearings at his soft and cowardly temper he preferr'd the true common Interest before his own Credit and suffer'd the Enemy to pass over the mountain Gerania into Peloponnesus unfought withal but understanding that they had suddenly taken Pellene in their march he chang'd his mind and not losing time in drawing together his whole force he marched towards the Enemy with such as he had about him to fall upon them being now weakned by the intemperances and disorders committed upon their good success for as soon as the Soldiers entred the City they were dispersed in the several houses quarrelling and fighting with one another about the Plunder and as for the Commanders they were running about after the Wives and Daughters of the Pellenians putting their Helmets upon their heads that every mans prize might be plainly distinguish'd thereby and not be seis'd by another In this posture were they when news came that Aratus was ready to fall upon them And being now in great amazement as must needs happen in such a confusion before all of them heard of the danger the nearest to the Gates and Suburbs skirmishing with the Achaeans immediately fled being already overcome and struck a great consternation into those that came into their assistance In this confusion one of the Captives Daughter of Epigethes being extremely handsome and tall happened to be sitting in the Temple of Diana placed there by the Commander of the band of chosen men who had taken her and put his head-peice upon her she hearing the noise and running out to see what was the matter stood looking upon those that fought having the Helmet upon her head in which posture she seemed to the Citizens to be something more than human and struck such fear and dread into the Enemy that believed it to be a divine apparition that they lost all courage to defend themselves and the Pellenians tell us that the Image of Diana stands usually untoucht and when the Priestess happens at any time to remove it to some other place no body dares look upon it but 〈…〉 turn their faces from it for not only is the sight of it terrible and hurtful to mankind but it makes even the Trees barren and to cast their fruit by which it happens to be carried This Image therefore they say the Priestess produced at that time and holding it directly in the faces of the Aetolians made them lose their reason and judgment But Aratus mentions no such thing in his Commentaries but says that having put to flight the Aetolians and falling in Pell Mell with them into the City he drove them out by main force and killed seven hundred of them This Action has been always reckon'd amongst the most famous Exploits and Timanthes the Painter has left a lively representation thereof But many and great Nations combining against the Achaeans Aratus clapt up a Peace with the Aetolians and
Parysatis hating Statira and being naturally implicable and savage in her anger and revenge she consulted how she might destroy her But since Dinon has left it upon Record that her bloody project took effect in the time of War and Ctesias after it I shall not quarrel the Chronology of the latter it being very unlikely that he who was a Spectator of the whole Scene of affairs should not know where to fix the Aera of one so considerable Nor indeed had he any cause designedly to misplace its date in his Narrative of it though in his History upon other occasions he frequently makes excursions from truth to meer Fiction and Romance Now as Cyrus was upon the march towards the Court tidings were brought him as though the King did deliberate about it and were not in haste to fight and presently to joyn battle with him but to wait in the heart of his Kingdom till there should be a general confluence of his Forces thither from all parts of his Dominions And to convince him of this news he had cast a Trench in his way ten fadoms in breadth and as many in depth the length of it being no less than four hundred furlongs Nor did he regard Cyrus after he had pass'd over it being within that place for which it was made a fence till he had advanc'd almost to the City of Babylon Then Tiribazus as the report goes being the first that was so hardy to tell his Majesty that he ought not to defer the conflict nor quitting Medea Babylon and Susa poorly to skulk in Persea as having an Army far more numerous than his Enemies and an infinite Company both of Nobles and Captains that were greater Soldiers and Politicians than Cyrus himself he resolv'd to begin the fight as soon as 't was possible for him Thereupon at first and in an instant appearing gloriously at the head of nine hundred thousand well marshall'd men he so startl'd and surpris'd the Rebels who with a boldness equal to their contempt march'd against him neither in order nor well arm'd that Cyrus with much noise and tumult was scarce able to range and compose them Then the King leading on his men silently and by leisure made the Grecians stand amaz'd at his good discipline who expected irregular shouting and leaping a huge confusion and distraction in so infinite a multitude as that was He also wisely plac'd the choice of his armed Chariots in the Front of his own Phalanx over against the Grecian Troops that by the fierceness of their onset they might cut down their ranks before they clos'd with them But forasmuch as this battle hath been describ'd by many Historians and particularly by Xenophon who represents it to the eye by pointing at things not as tho' past but present and by his lively draught of it engages his hearer when recited in a seeming concern and danger it would be folly in me to give any larger account of it then barely to mention those things which he has omitted and yet deserve to be recorded The place then in which the two Armies were drawn out for the fight was call'd Cunaxa being about five hundred furlongs distant from Babylon where Clearchus beseeching Cyrus before the dispute to retire behind the Battalion of Macedonians and not expose himself to hazard for his honour they say he thus replied What strange advice is this Clearchus Would you have me who aspire to the Empire appear to all these unworthy of it But as Cyrus's offence was in rushing headlong into the midst of dangers and not keeping aloof from what threatned him with ruine so Clearchus was as much too blame if not more who refus'd with his men to confront the main body of the Enemy where the King stood and joyn'd his right wing to the River for fear he should be surrounded For aiming altogether at safety and desiring nothing but to sleep in a whole Skin it had been his best way not to have stirred from home But he having come armed a vast distance from the Sea-coast no other thing inducing him to it but that he might settle Cyrus in the Imperial Throne and yet afterwards looking out for a Place and Station wherein he took footing not that he might preserve him under whose pay and conduct he was but that he might himself engage with more ease and security seem'd much like one that through fear of present dangers had quitted the consideration of his all at stake and been false to the design of his expedition For it is evident from the very event of the battle that none of those who were in array round the Kings person were able to stand the Shock of the Grecians Charge and had they been beaten out of the Field and Artaxerxes either fled or fallen that Cyrus by his conquest had purchas'd not only safety but a Crown And therefore Clearchus is more to be condemned for his caution which was manifestly the destruction of the Life and Fortune of Cyrus than he could be for his heat and rashness For had the King made it his business to discover a place where having posted the Grecians he might incounter them with the least hazard he would never have found out any other but that which was most remote from himself and those near him from whence when he was routed he was insensible of it and tho' Clearchus had the Victory yet Cyrus being ignorant of it made no advantage of it before his fall Yet he knew well enough what was expedient to be done and accordingly commanded Clearchus with his men to stand in the middle of his Forces Who when he had reply'd that it should be as well manag'd as possible afterwards spoiled all For the Grecians where they were hew'd down the Barbarians till they were weary and chas'd them successfully a very great way But Cyrus being mounted upon a fierce head-strong and unlucky Horse as Ctesias says call'd Pasacas Artagerses the Leader of the Cadusians galloped up to him crying aloud O thou most unjust and senseless wretch who art a reproach to that most August and Honourable Name among the Perseans Cyrus thou art come leading on the renowned Grecians in an ominous Voyage to the plunder of thy Countrymen Thou fondly hopest too unnatural Traitour as thou art to destroy thy Sovereign and Brother who as thou shalt soon experimentally perceive is master of ten thousand times ten thousand better men than thou art For thou shalt certainly here lose thy head before thou seest the face of our King which when he had said he cast his Javelin at him But his Coat of male stoutly repelled it and Cyrus was not wounded yet the stroke falling heavy upon him he reel'd upon his Steed Then Artagerses turning his Horse Cyrus luckily threw a Dart and struck the point of it through his neck near the Shoulder-bone So that thereupon it is indeed almost universally own'd that Artagerses was slain by him Now as to the death
of Cyrus since Xenophon as being himself no eye-witness of it toucheth upon it but lightly and in few words it may not be amiss perhaps to run over on the one hand what Dinon and on the other what Ctesias has said of it Dinon then affirms that the death of Artagerses Cyrus having violently attack'd the Vanguard of Artaxerxes wounded his horse and so was he dismounted and when Tiribazus had soon lifted him up upon another and said to him my Liege remember this day which ought not to be forgotten that Cyrus again spurring up his horse struck down Artaxerxes But at the third assault the King being enrag'd and saying to those near him that death was more eligible than such insolence he made up to Cyrus who madly and blindly rush'd upon the Spears of the Enemy So the King struck him with his javelin as likewise did all those that were round about him And thus Cyrus falls as some say by the hand of the King as others by the Dart of a Carian whom Artaxerxes for a reward of that his atchievment did the honour to set him ever after bear a Golden Cock upon his Spear before the first rank of his Army For the Persians call those of Caria Cocks by reason of the Crests with which they adorn their Helmets But the account of Ctesias that I may draw in little what he has branch'd out at large is thus as follows Cyrus after the slaughter of Artagerses rode up fiercely against the King as he did against him not either exchanged a word with the other But Arieus Cyrus's confident darted first at the King yet wounded him not Then the King let fly a Dart at his Brother but miss'd him though he both hit and slew Tisaphernes a man truly generous and devoted to the interest of Cyrus who having directed his Lance with a surer hand against the King pierced his breast with it quite through his Armour two inches deep so that he tumbled with this stroke upon the Earth At which those that attended him being put to flight and disorder he rising with a few among whom was Ctesias and recovering a little Hill not far off rested himself But Cyrus's horse being high-mettled carry'd him a great way into the midst of his Enemies the approaching night making it hard for them to know him or his followers to find him However being made fierce with conquest being withal naturally bold and violent he pass'd thro' them crying out and that more than once in the Persian Language submit your selves poor men submit which they indeed did throwing themselves down at his feet Then his Tiara which kind of Hat none but Princes of the blood or Generals wore dropt off his head and a lusty young Persian by name Mythridates rnnning by and not knowing who he was with a Dart pierced one of his Temples near his Eye out of which wound much blood gush'd so that Cyrus swooning and senseless fell off his horse which stragling ran away from him But Mithridates's Mate gather'd up the Caparison of his horse and his Cap that had slipt off all dyed with Gore Then some few Eunuchs that were with him being by reason of that stroak scarcely and with much difficulty come to himself endeavour'd to mount him upon another horse and so to convey him safe away Now because he was not able to ride nor to walk without great toil by himself they led and supported him being indeed in body vertiginous and reeling but heal'd in his mind by the comfortable thoughts of his Victory whilest he hears the vanquistt salute the King and shew to their Lord and Master Cyrus for Grace and Mercy In the mean time some wretched and indigent Caunians who upon the account of some vile employments follow'd the Royal standard were by chance joyn'd with those attendants of Cyrus supposing them to be of their own party But as soon as they discover'd their red coats when all the Loyal Subjects wore white ones they knew that they were Enemies One therefore of them not dreaming that it was Cyrus ventur'd to strike him behind with his Spear So Cyrus being ham-string'd and falling he did at the same time dash his wounded Temple against a Stone and dy'd Thus runs Ctesias account wherein methinks he as it were with a dull knife saws him to death and has much ado to shut up the Tragedy As he now lay dead Artosyras his Majesties Intelligencer it seems passed by on horse-back and having observ'd the Eunuchs of Cyrus dolefully deploring his Fate he ask't Pariscas the most trusty of them saying whom dost thou sit by here Lamenting He reply'd do not you see O! Artosyras that it is my master Cyrus Then Artosyras wondring bid the Eunuch be of good Chear and keep the dead Body safe So going in all haste to Artaxerxes who now dispaired of the success of his affairs and was highly indispos'd both by his drowth and wound he with much joy assur'd him that he had seen Cyrus dead Thereupon he presently desir'd in person to go to the place and commanded Artosyras to conduct him where he lay Yet seeing there was a great noise made about the Grecians and that they were become formidable as being said to be in Chace of their Enemies and to conquer and carry all before them he thought fit to send out no less than thirty men with Torches in their hands to inquire more fully into the truth of the matter In the interim there being in appearance but a few steps between him and death by reason of his thirst his Enunch Satibarzanes ran about seeking out drink for him For the place had no water in it and he was then at a good distance from his Camp After a long search he at last luckily met with one of those poor Caunian Slaves who had in a nasty leathern Bottle about four pints of base stinking water which he took and bare and gave it to the King which when he had drunk all off Satibarzanes ask't him if he did not altogether loath that nauseous draught but he swore by all he thought Sacred that he never drank wine with such a gust nor water though out of the swiftest or purest Stream And therefore says he if after a hearty desire to reward him who gave thee this I shall not have opportunity to do it I humbly beg of Heaven to make him rich and prosperous No sooner had he said this but his thirty Scouts arriv'd with joy and triumph in their looks bringing him the tidings of his unexpected fortune And now he was encouraged by the great number and confluence of his Soldiers that flockt to him and he descended into the plain with many lights and flambeaus round about him As soon as he came near the dead Traitour and according to a certain law of the Persians his right hand and head were lopt off from his body he gave a strict charge that the latter should be brought to him and
unworthy of himself But Ismenias being commanded to do obeisance to the King dropt his Ring before him upon the ground and so stooping to take it up he seem'd to pay him homage For some secret intelligence that pleas'd him he bestowed upon Timagoras the Athenian ten thousand Darius's by the hand of his Secretary Beluris and fourscore Milch Kine were driven after him standing in need of Milk from the Cow by reason of his indisposition Moreover he sent him a Bed Furniture and Valets the Grecians having not skill enough to make it as also Chair-men to carry him being infirm in Body quite to the Sea side Not to mention the Treat made for him at Court which was princely and splendid Insomuch that Osthanes the Kings Brother thus spoke to him Be mindfull of this Table which is not put before you thus spread for nothing Which was rather a reflection upon his Treason than to remind him of his Brothers bounty The Athenians therefore condemned Timagoras to death for taking Bribes But Artaxerxes gratify'd the Grecians in one thing in lieu of the many wherewith he plagu'd them and that was by taking off Tisaphernes their most hated and malious Enemy whom he put to death Parysatis adding her charge to those accusations that were already drawn up against him For the King persisted not long in wrath with his Mother but was reconciled to her and sent for her being assur'd that she had Wisdom and Courage fit for an Empire and there being now no cause discernable but that they might converse together without suspicion or offence And from thence forward humouring the King in all things according to his hearts desire and by brooking nothing ill which he did she got a mighty influence upon him and prevail'd in whatever she requested of him She perceiv'd he was desperately in love with Atossa one of his own Daughters and that he conceal'd and checkt his passion chiefly for fear of her self tho' if we may believe some Writers he had privately enjoy'd the young Princess already Now as soon as Parysatis suspected the intrigue she was more fond of her Grand-daughter than before and extoll'd both her vertue and beauty to him as being truly Imperial and Majestick In fine she persuaded him to marry the Maiden and to declare her to be his lawfull Wife in spight of the opinions and determinations of the Greek Sages forasmuch as she said he was designed by Providence for a Law to the Persians and to be the great Arbitrator of good and evil Some Historians further affirm in which number is Heraclides the Cumean that Artaxerxes married not only this one but his second Daughter Amestris also of whom we shall speak by and by But he so intirely lov'd Atossa when she became his Consort that tho' Leprosie had run through her whole body he was not in the least offended at it but putting up his prayers to Juno for her he ador'd her alone among the Deities being prostrate upon the earth His Nobles also and Favourites made such Offerings to that Goddess by his direction that all a long for about two miles betwixt the Court and her Temple the road was choaked up with Gold and Silver with purple and Horses devoted to her He wag'd War out of his own Kingdom with the Aegyptians under the Conduct of Pharnabazus and Iphicrates but was defeated by reason of their dissensions So in his expedition against the Cadusians he went himself in person with three hundred Thousand Footmen and ten Thousand Horse And making an incursion into their Country which was scarce through its roughness passable and withal very misty having neither Seed-time nor Harvest but with Pears Apples and other Tree-fruits breeding up Warlike and valiant men he unawares fell into great distresses and dangers For there was nothing to be got fit for his men to eat of the growth of that place nor to be imported from any other He would only have beasts for burthen slaughter'd insomuch that the head of an Ass was sold for near forty shillings In short the King himself was at a loss for provision and there were but few horses left the rest they had spent for food Then Tiribazus a man for his Valour often in great favour with his Prince and as often for his buffoonery quite out of it particularly at that time being low and despicable did yet preserve the King and his Army There being two Kings amongst the Cadusians and both of them encamping separately after he had made his application to Artaxerxes and imparted his design to him he went to one of the Princes and sent away his Son privately to the other So each of them deceived his man assuring him that the other Prince had deputed an Embassador to Artaxerxes suing for friendship and alliance with him alone and therefore if he were wise he told him he must apply himself to his Master before he had decreed any thing and that he would lend him his assistance in all things Both of them gave credit to these Words and because they suppos'd there was a mutual grudge betwixt them the one dispatcht away Envoys along with Tiribazus the other with his Son But Tiribazus staying somewhat long the surmises and accusations of his Enemies made an impression upon Artaxerxes Who was very Melancholick and being sorry that he had confided in Tiribazus gave ear to his Rivals who impeacht him But at last he came and so did his Son both of them bringing the Cadusian Agents along with them and so there was a League and Peace sign'd with both the Princes And now Tiribazus being great and splendid return'd with the Persian Monarch who plainly prov'd that cowardice and effeminacy are the effects of a base degenerous Nature guided by erroneous notions and not of niceness and superfluous excesses as most men suppose For notwithstanding his Jewels of Gold his Robe of State and the rest of his costly attire worth no less than twelve thousand Talents with which he was constantly clad his labours and toils were no less than those of the meanest persons in his Army Nay turning up his Horse with his Quiver by his side and his Shield on his Arm he led them through craggy and steep ways insomuch that the other Souldiers observing his cheerfulness and unwearied strength took wing and went the more swiftly along with him Whose daily march was above two hundred furlongs After he had arriv'd at one of his own Mansions which had lovely Parks nobly kept in order though situated in a Region naked and without Trees the weather being very cold he gave full Commission to his Soldiers to provide themselves with wood by cutting down any without exception even the Pine and Cypress When they were at a stand and for sparing them being large and goodly Trees he taking up an Ax himself fell the greatest and fairest of them After which his men us'd their hatchets and piling up many Fires past away the Night with
the contrary So that as Plato says of himself the third time he set Sail for Sicily Venturing again to shoot Charibdis dangerous Gulph This arrival brought great joy to Dionysius and no less hopes to the Sicilians who were as earnest in their wishes as studious in their endeavours that Plato might get the better of Philistus and Philosophy triumph over Tyranny Neither was he unbefriended by the Ladies who upon all occasions studied to oblige him but he had from Dionysius that peculiar Credit which no man else ever obtained to that degree of confiding that he might come into his Presence without being examined or searched When the King offered him a very considerable sum of Money and repeated the tender of his Bounty but Plato still refused to accept it Aristippus the Cyrenian then present said That Dionysius was liberal without danger of hurting his Treasury for to those that wanted much he gave very little and a great deal to Plato who received nothing After the first Complements of kindness were over when Plato began to discourse of Dion he was at first diverted by dilatory Excuses which soon after begat feuds and disgusts tho' as yet not publickly taken notice of Dionysius endeavouring all he could to conceal them and by other Civilities and Honourable usage to draw him off from his Kindness to Dion Plato for some time did not divulge this his perfidious dealing and breach of promise but bore with it and dissembled his rescent While matters stood thus betwixt them and as they thought they were unobserved and undiscovered Helicon the Cyzicinian one of Plato's followers foretold an Eclipse of the Sun which happened according to his Prediction for which he was much admired by the King and rewarded with a Talent of Silver Aristippus drolling with some others of the Philosophers told them he also had something extraordinary to Prognosticate which they entreating him to declare I fore-tell said he that Dionysius and Plato will in a very little time fall out At length Dionysius made Sale of Dion's Estate converted the Money to his own use and removed Plato from an Apartment he had in the Gardens of the Palace to Lodgings near those of the Guards he kept in Pay who bore Plato an old grudge and sought Opportunity to make him away suppposing he advised Dionysius to lay down the Government and disband his Soldiers When Archytas understood the danger Plato was in he immediately sent a Galley with Messengers to demand him of Dionysius alledging that he stood engaged for his safety upon the confidence of which Plato came for Sicily Dionysius to palliate his secret hatred before Plato came away treated him with great Entertainments and all seeming demonstrations of kindness but could not forbear breaking out one day into such an expression as this No doubt Plato but when you are at home among the Philosophers your Companions you will complain of me and reckon up a great many of my faults To which Plato smiling return'd Answer I hope Sir we shall never be so put to it in the Academy for want of Subjects to discourse of as to talk of you Thus they say Plato was dismissed but his own Writings do not altogether agree with this Relation Dion was very angry at this and not long after he declared himself an open Enemy to Dionysius having received some intelligence concerning his Wife about which Plato by Letters had held a Correspondence with Dionysius now thus it was After Dion's Banishment Dionysius sending back Plato desired him to ask Dion privately if he would be against his Wife's marrying another Man for there went a report whether true or raised by Dion's Enemies was uncertain that his Marriage was not pleasing to him and that he lived with his Wife uneasie and dissatisfied When Plato therefore came to Athens and had discoursed the matter with Dion he writ a Letter to Dionysius in which he expressed every thing else plainly and intelligibly but this affair in covert and abstruse terms that none else but he might understand it signifying therein to him that he had talked with Dion about the business and that it was evident he would highly resent the Affront if Dionysius should attempt any such thing At that time therefore while there were yet great hopes of an accommodation he altered nothing in his Sisters concerns suffering her to live with Dion's Son but when things were come to that pass that no Reconciliation could be expected and that Plato after his second return was again sent away in displeasure he then forced Arete against her will to Marry Timocrates one of his Favourites in this Action coming short even of his Fathers Justice and Lenity For when Philoxenus who had married his Sister Theste being in disgrace and is declared Enemy for fear had fled and left Sicily he sent for his Sister and taxed her that being privy to her Husbands flight she had not declared it to him But the Lady confident and fearless made him this reply Do you believe me Brother so bad a Wife or so timorous a Woman that having known my Husbands flight I would not have born him company and shared the worst of his Fortunes Alas I was ignorant of it for better had it been for me and more honourable to be called the Wife of the Exile Philoxenus than the Sister of the Tyrant Dionysius 'T is said the King admired her ready and confident answer the Syracusians also honoured her for her Bravery insomuch that she retained her Dignity and Princely Retinue after the dissolution of the Tyranny and when she died the Citizens by Publick Decree attended the Solemnity of her Funeral Tho' this be a digression from the present purpose it is not altogether an useless Remarque From this time Dion set his mind wholly upon a War tho' Plato was against it with a modest regret reflecting upon the Entertainment he had received from Dionysius and also considering Dion's Age But Speucippus and the rest of his friends assisted and encouraged him to undertake the deliverance of Sicily from Slavery which in humble manner with lift up hands seemed to implore his help and with open Arms ready to receive him For when Plato sojourned at Syracuse Speucippus being oftner than he in company with the Citizens throughly understood how they were inclined and tho' at first he was shy of and suspected their bold talk fearing they were set on by the King to trapan him yet at length he gave ear and credit to what they said They generally agreed in their wishes and prayers that Dion would undertake the Design and come tho' without either Navy Men Horse or Arms that he would put himself aboard a Ship and lend the Sicilians only his Person and Name against Dionysius This Information from Speucippus encouraged Dion who that he might the better conceal his Design he employed his Friends privately to raise what men they could many great States-men and
regarded not so much the Plunder as to destroy and kill all they met For Dionysius despairing to re-gain the Kingdom and mortally hating the Syracusians resolved to bury his lost Empire in the utter Ruin and Desolation of Syracuse The Enemy therefore to prevent Dion's Succours resolved upon the most terrible and ready way of destruction to lay the City in ashes firing all at hand with Torches and other Combustibles and at distance with flaming Arrows and other Fire-works shot from their Bows and Engines The Citizens in great distraction fled every way before them They who to avoid the Fire forsook their Houses were taken in the Streets and put to the Sword They who betook themselves for Refuge into the the Houses were forced out again by the flames Many were burnt and many kill'd by the fall of Houses and Ruines of Walls and Towers This fresh misfortune by general Consent opened the Gates for Dion It hapned that he made no extraordinary hast when he received advice that the Enemies were retreated into the Castle but early in the Morning some Horse brought him the news of another Assault and soon after some of those who before oppos'd his coming fled now to him to entreat him he would hasten his Relief The Fire and Desolation increasing Heraclides sent his Brother and after him his Uncle Theodotes to beg him to help them for that now they were not able to make any longer Opposition that he himself was wounded and the greatest part of the City was either in ashes or in flames When Dion met this sad News he was about sixty furlongs distant from the City When he had acquainted the Soldiers with the Exigency and exhorted them to behave themselves like men the Army no longer marched but ran forwards and by the way were met by several who begged them to quicken their pace By the wonderful eagerness of the Soldiers and their extraordinary Speed Dion quickly came to the City and entered at the Gate Hecatompedon sending his Vanguard presently to charge the Enemy that seeing them the Syracusians might take Courage In the mean time he drew up in good Order his main Body and all the Citizens that came in and joyn'd him forming his Battalions long and setting over them double Officers that he might as occasion required make Detachments and to amuse and terrifie the Enemy fight them in several Quarters at once As they saw him in the Streets advance at the Head of his Men to engage the Enemy a confused Noise of Shouts congratulations Vows and Prayers was rais'd by the Syracusians who now called Dion their Deliverer their Tutelar-Deity and his Soldiers their Friends Brethren and Fellow-Citizens none seem'd to regard themselves or value their safeties but to be concerned more for Dion's Life than for all their own together So daringly he marched before them to meet the danger first through Blood and Fire and over heaps of dead Bodies that lay in his way And indeed the Posture of the Enemy was in appearance terrible for they were flush'd with Victory enrag'd and had posted themselves very advantageously along the demolish'd Works which made the approach to them very hazardous and difficult yet that which discouraged Dion's Men most was the apprehension they were in of the Fire which made their march very troublesome and difficult for the Houses being in flames on all fides they were surrounded with them and treading upon burning Ruines every minute in danger of being overwhelm'd with falling Houses through clouds of Ashes and Smoak they labour'd hard to keep their Order and maintain their Ranks When they came near to the Enemy by reason of the advantage of their Post and the inconvenience of a Defile they were to pass but few of them could engage at a time but at length fighting with great Bravery and the Syracusians with shouts encouraging their Party Nypsius's Men were beaten off and routed most of them escaped into the Castle which was near at hand all that could not get in were pursued and pick'd up here and there by the Soldiers and put to the Sword The present Exigence did not suffer the Citizens to reap the benefit of their Conquest in such mutual Congratulations and expressions of Joy as become the Victorious for now all were busily employed to save what Houses were left standing labouring hard all Night and could scarce master the Fire The next day not one of the Popular Haranguers durst stay in the City but all of them knowing their own Guilt by their flight confessed it and secured their Lives Only Heraclides and Theodotus voluntarily surrendred themselves to Dion acknowledging that they had wrong'd him and begging he would be kinder to them than they had been just to him adding how much it would be for his Honour who was Master of so many excellent Accomplishments to moderate his Anger and be generously compassionate to the ungrateful confessing that they who were formerly his professed Enemies were now absolutely overcome by his Vertue Tho' they humbly addressed to him his Friends advised him not to pardon those turbulent and ill-natured Men but to leave them to the mercy of his Soldiers and utterly root out of the Common-wealth the ambitious Affectation of Populacy a Disease as pestilent and pernicious as the most Arbitrary Power whatever Dion endeavoured to satisfie them telling them That other Generals employed their thoughts and designs chiefly about warlike Acquists but that he had long studied in the Academy how to conquer his Passions and not let Emulation and Envy conquer him That to do this it is not sufficient that a Man be obliging and kind to his Friends and those that have deserved well of him but also indulgent and favourable to those from whom he has received Injuries and Affronts That he was resolved to let the World see that he valued not himself so much upon excelling Heraclides in Ability and Conduct as he did in out-doing him in Justice and Clemency herein to have the Advantage is to excell indeed The Honour of Victory in War is never entire for Fortune will be sure to claim her share tho' no man pretend to rival the Conqueror What if Heraclides be perfidious malicious and base must Dion therefore sully his Honor or injure his Vertue by a passionate Concern for it For tho' the Laws determine it juster to revenge an Injury than to do an Injury Yet it is evident that both Originally proceed from the same deficiency and weakness of Humane Nature The malicious Humor of Men tho' perverse and refractory is not so savage and invincible but it may be wrought upon by Kindness and habitually altered by repeated Obligations Dion making use of these Arguments pardon'd and dismiss'd Heraclides and Theodotes And now resolving to repair the Blockade about the Castle he commanded all the Syracusians to cut Palisado's and bring them to the Works and then dismissing them to refresh themselves and take
him that the Eyes of all Men were now upon him but 't is evident that he himself had sixt his Eye upon one particular place the Academy and considered That the inquisite and judicious there regarded not his great Actions his Courage or his Fortune but watch'd to see how temperately and humbly he could bear his Prosperity how evenly and unconcern'd he could behave himself in the honourable and happy Condition he now was Neither did he remit any thing of his wonted Reservedness in Conversation or Majestical Carriage to the People notwithstanding a little Condescension and obliging Civility was very necessary for his present Affairs And Plato as we said before advis'd him to avoid a surly Demeanor unless he intended to be abandoned by all Company and live alone by himself But certainly he was naturally an Enemy to Complaisance and besides he had a design to reform the Syracusians and make them more grave and stayed who were grown very dissolute soppish and humorsome Heraclides began again to set up against him and being sent for one day by Dion to Council he refus'd to come or consult otherwise than as a private Citizen and in a Publick Assembly Soon after he impeacht Dion because he had not demolish'd the Cittadel and because he had hindred the People from throwing down Dionysius's Tomb and doing despite to the Dead moreover he accus'd him for sending to Corinth for Counsellors and Assistants in the Government and thereby neglecting and slighting his Fellow-Citizens And indeed he had prevail'd with some Corinthians to come to him hoping by their means and presence the better to settle that Government he intended for he design'd to restrain the unlimited Power of the People which indeed is not a Government but as Plato calls it a Market where Authority is bought and sold and to introduce and establish a mixt Policy made up of the Spartan and Cretian betwixt a Common-wealth and a Monarchy wherein the Nobles did preside and manage the Affairs of greatest Consequence for he saw the Corinthians were chiefly govern'd by the Grandees and that the People were but little concern'd in Publick Business Now knowing that Heraclides would be his most considerable Adversary who was always a turbulent fickle and factious Man he gave way to some whom formerly he hindred when they designed to kill him who breaking in Murder'd Heraclides in his own House His Death was much resented by the Citizens Dion made him a splendid Funeral follow'd his Herse with all his Soldiers and made an Oration to the People by which they understood that it would have been impossible to have kept the City quiet as long as Dion and Heraclides were Competitors in the Government Dion had a Friend call'd Calippus an Athenian who Plato says grew familiar with him and his Confident not upon the merit of his Learning but because he was introduc'd by him into some Mysterious Ceremonies of their Religion and so contracted an accidental Acquaintauce This man was all along with him in the Army in great Honour and Esteem being the first of his Friends who march'd by his side into Syracuse with a Garland upon his Head for that he had behav'd himself very well in all the Action and made himself remarkable for his Courage and Gallantry He finding that Dion's principal and most considerable Friends were cut off in the War Heraclides now dead and the People without a Leader and that the Soldiers had a great Kindness for him like a perfidious and wicked Villain in hopes to get the Chief Command of Sicily by the ruin of his Friend and Benefactor and as some say being brib'd by the Enemy with twenty Talents to destroy Dion inveagled and engag'd several of the Soldiers in a Conspiracy against him laying this cunning and wicked beginning of his Plot. He daily inform'd Dion what he heard or what he feign'd the Soldiers said against him whereby he gain'd that Credit and Confidence that he was allowed by Dion to consort privately with whom he would and talk freely against him in any Company that he might discover who were his secret and factious Malignants By this means Calippus in short time got together a Cabal of all the seditious Discontents in the City and if any one who would not be drawn in advis'd Dion that he was tampered with he was not troubled or concern'd at it believing Calippus did it in compliance with his Directions While this Conspiracy was a foot a strange and dreadful Apparition was seen by Dion as he sat one Evening in a Gallery in his House melancholy and thoughtful hearing a sudden Noise he turn'd about and saw at the end of the Room by clear day-light a tall Woman in her Countenance and Garb like one of the Tragical Furies with a Broom in her Hand sweeping the floor being amaz'd and terribly affrighted he sent for some of his Friends and told them what he had seen entreating them to stay with him and keep him company all Night for he was greatly astonish'd and perplext fearing that if he were left alone the Spectre would again appear to him He saw that no more But a few days after his only Son being almost grown up to mans Estate upon some displeasure and pet he had taken upon a Childish and frivolous Occasion threw himself headlong from the top of the House and brake his Neck While Dion was under this Affliction Calippus drove on his Conspiracy and spread a Rumour among the Syracusians That Dion being now Childless was resolv'd to send for Dionysius's Son Apollocrates who was his Wife's Nephew and Sister's Grand-Son and make him his Heir and Successor By this time Dion his Wife and Sister began to suspect what was doing and were from all hands confirm'd in the Belief of the Plot. Dion as 't is probable being troubled for Heraclides Murder which was like to be a blot and stain upon his Honour and the great Actions of his Life in great anxiety and disquiet declar'd he had rather die a thousand times and open his Breast himself to the Assassine than live not only in fear of his Enemies but suspicion of his Friends Calippus seeing the Ladies very inquisitive to search the bottom of the business and fearing the event came to them utterly denying it with Tears in his Eyes and offering to give them whatsoever assurances of his Fidelity they desir'd They requir'd That he would take the great Test and solemn Oath which was after this manner The Juror went into the Temple of Ceres and Proserpine after the performance of some Ceremonies he was clad in the Purple Vestment of the Goddess and holding a lighted Torch in his Hand took his Oath Calippus did as they requir'd and forswore the Fact But he so little valued the Goddess that he stay'd but till the Festival of Proserpine by whom he had Sworn and on that very day committed his intended Murder disregarding the Solemnity
of the Day for that he knew he must at any other time as impiously offend her whensoever he who introduc'd him into her Religion should be the Murderer of her Devoto There were a great many in the Conspiracy and as Dion was at home with several of his Friends in his Entertaining-Room some of the Conspirators beset the House round others secur'd the Doors and Windows The Assassines were Zacinthians who went in to him in their ordinary Habit unarm'd The Guard without shut the Doors upon them and kept them fast The Murderers fell upon him endeavouring to stifle and dispatch him but not being able they call'd for a Sword but none durst open the Door There were a great many within with Dion but every one was for securing himself supposing that by letting him lose his Life he should save his own and therefore no man ventur'd to assist him When they had waited a good while at length Lycon the Syracusian reach'd a short Sword in at the Window to one of the Zacinthians and stunn'd and almost senseless as he was like a Sacrifice at the Altar they cut Dion's Throat his Sister and Wife big with Child they hurried to Prison who poor Lady in her unfortunate condition was there brought to Bed of a Son which by the consent of the Keepers they intended to bring up the rather because Calippus began already to be embroyl'd in Troubles After the Murther of Dion he was the only man that was look'd upon had the sole Government of Syracuse in his Hands and to that effect writ to Athens a place which next the Immortal Gods being guilty of such an abominable Crime he ought to have reverenc'd and fear'd But true it is what is said of that City That the good Men she breeds are the most Excellent and the bad the most notorious as their Country Attica produces the most delicious Honey and the most deadly Poyson Calippus did not long continue to scandalize Fortune and upbraid the Gods with his Prosperity who seem'd to wink at and bear with that wretched man while he purchas'd Riches and Power by the most heinous and enormous Impieties but he quickly receiv'd the Punishment he deserv'd for going to take Catana he lost Syracuse whereupon they report he said He had lost a City and got a Bauble Then attempting Messene he had most of his Men cut off and among the rest Dion's Murtherers When no City in Sicily would admit him but all hated and abhorred him he went into Italy and took Regium there being necessitous and not able to maintain his Soldiers he was kill'd by Leptimns and Polyperchon and as Fortune would have it with the same Sword that Dion was Murther'd which was known by the size being but short as the Spartan Swords and the Workman-ship of it very curious and Artificial Thus Calippus receiv'd the Reward of his Villanies When Aristomache and Arete were releas'd out of Prison Icetes one of Dion's Friends took them to his House and for a while entertain'd them well and like a faithful Friend afterwards being perswaded by Dion's Enemies he provided a Ship and pretended to send them into Peloponnesus but commanded the Sailors when they came out to Sea to kill them and throw them over board Others say that they and the little Boy were thrown alive into the Sea This Man also escaped not the due recompence of his wickedness for he was taken by Timoleon and put to Death and the Syracusians to revenge Dion slew his two Daughters of which I have Discours'd more particularly in the Life of Timoleon THE LIFE OF MARCUS BRUTUS Translated by Mr. Duke BRUTUS M Burghers sculp Cato the Philosopher was Brother to Servilia the Mother of Brutus and he it was whom of all the Romans his Nephew most admir'd and study'd to imitate and afterwards marry'd his Daughter Porcia But of all the Sects of the Greek Philosophers tho' there was none of which he had not been a Hearer and in which he had not made some proficiency yet he chiefly esteem'd the Platonists and not at all approving of the modern and the middle Academy as it was call'd apply'd himself wholly to the study of the Ancient He was all his Life-time a great Admirer of Antiochus of the City of Ascalon and took his Brother Ariston into his own House for his Friend and Companion a Man for his Learniug inferior indeed to many of the Philosophers but for the evenness of his Temper and sweetness of Conversation equal to the best As for Empylus of whom he himself and his Friends made often mention in their Epistles as of one that constantly liv'd with Brutus he was an Orator and has left behind him a short but well penn'd History of the Death of Caesar entitled Brutus In Latin he was a good Speaker and had by constant exercise attain'd a sufficient Excellency in making publick Orations and pleading Causes But in Greek he was remarkable for affecting the sententious and short Laconick way of Speaking In his Epistles especially as when in the beginning of the War he writ thus to the Pergamenians I hear ye have given Dolabella Money if you gave it willingly ye must own ye have injur'd me if unwillingly shew it by giving willingly to me And another time to the Samians Your Councils are careless your Actions slow what think ye will be the end And of the Patareans thus The Xanthians suspecting my Kindness have made their Countrey a Grave of Despair The Patareans trusting themselves to me have lost nothing of their former Liberty It is in your Power to choose the Judgment of the Patareans or the Fortune of the Xanthians And this is the Style wherein his most remarkable Letters were usually writ When he was but a very young Man he accompanied his Uncle Cato to Cyprus who was sent with an Army against Ptolomy King of Aegypt But as soon as Ptolomy had kill'd himself Cato being by some necessary Business detain'd in the Isle of Rhodes sent one of his Friends nam'd Caninius to take into his care and keeping the Treasure of the King but afterwards suspecting his Fidelity he writ to Brutus to sail immediately to Cyprus out of Pamphylia where he then stay'd to refresh himself being but newly recover'd of a Fit of Sickness He obey'd his Orders but with a great deal of unwillingness as well out of Respect to Caninius that was thrown out of this Employment by Cato with so much Disgrace as also because he esteem'd such a Commission too mean for a Gentleman and not at all becoming him that was in the prime of his Youth and given to Books and Learning Nevertheless applying himself to this Business he behav'd himself so well in it that he was highly commended by Cato and having turn'd all the Goods of Ptolomy into ready Money brought the greatest part of it in his own Ship to Rome Upon the Division of the Empire into two Factions when Pompey
Brutus written by Bibulus Porcias's Son Brutus took Ship from hence and sail'd to Athens where he was receiv'd by the People with great demonstrations of kindness which they expressed in their loud Acclamations and the Honours that were decreed him by the Publick He liv'd there with one that had been formerly his Guest and was a constant Auditor of Theomnestus the Academick and Cratippus the Peripatetick with whom he was so engaged in a Philosophical Conversation that he seem'd to have laid aside all thoughts of publick Business and that he might be wholly at Leisure for Study and Philosophy But all this while being unsuspected he was secretly making preparation for War in order to which he sent Herostratus into Macedonia to bring over the Commanders that were there to his side and he himself caress'd and won upon the Affections of all the young Roman Gentlemen that were then Students at Athens Of this number was Cicero's Son whom he every where highly extol'd and said that Whether sleeping or waking he could not choose but admire a young Man of so great a Spirit and such a Hater of Tyrants At length he began to act openly and to appear in publick Business and being inform'd that there were several Roman Ships very richly Laded that in their course from Asia were to touch at Athens and that they were Commanded by one of his Friends he went to meet him about Carystus Finding him there and having perswaded him to deliver up the Ships he made a very splendid Entertainment for it happen'd to be his Birth-day Now when they came to drink somewhat briskly and were making Libations for Victory to Brutus and Liberty to Rome Brutus to animate them the more call'd for a larger Bowl and holding it in his hand upon no occasion or Fore-thought on a sudden pronounc'd aloud this Verse Fate and Apollo against me Conspire Some Historians write that in the last Battle which he fought at Philippi the Word that he gave to the Soliers was Apollo and from thence conclude that this sudden unaccountable Exclamation of his was a Presage of the great Overthrow that he suffered there Antistius the Commander of these Ships at his parting gave him 500000 Sesterces of the Mony that he was conveying to Italy And all the Remains of Pompey's Army which after their General 's Defeat wandred about Thessaly readily and joyfully joyn'd themselves to Brutus Besides this he took from Cinna five hundred Horse that he was carrying to Dolabella into Asia After that he sail'd to Demetrias and there seiz'd a great quantity of Arms that had been provided by the command of Julius Caesar for the Parthian War and were now design'd to be sent to Antony Then was Macedonia put into his hands and deliver'd up by Hortensius the Pretor and all the Kings and Potentates round about willingly offer'd themselves to joyn with him When news was brought that Caius the Brother of Antony having passed through Italy was marched on directly to joyn the Forces that Gabinius Commanded in Dyrrachium and Apollonia Brutus design'd to prevent him and to seize them first and in all haste mov'd forwards with those that he had about him his march was very difficult through rugged places and in a great Snow but so swift that he had left those that were to bring his Provisions a great way behind And now being very near to Dyrrachium with weariness and cold he fell into a Distemper call'd Bulimia or Violent Hunger This is a Disease that seizes both Men and Cattle after much labour and especially in a great Snow Whether it is caus'd by the natural Heat which when the Body is seized with cold is forc'd all inwards and suddenly consumes all the Nourishment laid in or whether the sharp and subtil Vapour which comes from the Snow as it dissolves cuts the body as it were and destroys the Heat which is thence dispersed throw the Pores for the Sweatings which are frequent in this Distember seem to arise from the Heat metting with the cold and being quencht by it in the Superficies of the Body But of this I have in another place discoursed more at large Brutus growing very faint and there being none in the whole Army that had any thing for him to eat his Servants were forc'd to have recourse to the Enemy and going as far as to the very Gates of the City begg'd Bread of the Sentinels that were upon Duty As soon as they heard of the sad Estate of Brutus they came themselves and brought both Meat and Drink along with them for which act of Humanity Brutus when he took the City shew'd all Kindness and Civility not to them only but to all the rest of the inhabitants for their Sakes Caius Antonius being now arriv'd at Apollonia summon'd all the Soldiers that were near that City to joyn him there but finding that they nevertheless went all to Brutus and suspecting that even those of Apollonia were enclin'd to the same Party he quitted that City and come to Buthrotus having first lost three Companies of his Men that in their march thither were cut to pieces by Brutus After this he attempting to make himself Master of some strong places about Byllis which the Enemy had first seiz'd he was overcome in a set Battle by young Cicero to whom Brutus gave the Command of the Army that day and whose Conduct he made use of often and with great Success Caius Antonius was surpriz'd in a Marshy Place from whence he could not retire and Brutus having him in his Power would not suffer his own Soldiers to fall upon those of the Enemy but encompassing them with his Horse gave command that none of them should be kill'd for that in a little time they would all be of his side which accordingly came to pass for they surrendred both themselves and their General So that Brutus had by this time a very great and considerable Army He shew'd all Marks of Honour and Esteem to Caius Antonius for a long time nor took any of his Titles or Dignities away tho' as some report he had several Letters from Rome and particularly from Cicero advising him to put him to Death But at last Brutus perceiving that he began to hold private Consults and corrupt his Officers and was raising a sedition amongst the Soldiers he put him aboard a Ship and kept him close Prisoner In the mean time the Soldiers that had been corrupted by Caius had retir'd to Apollonia and sent word to Brutus desiring him to come to them thither He answer'd that this was not the custom of the Romans but that it became those who had offended to come themselves to their General and beg forgiveness of their Crimes which they did and accordingly receiv'd their Pardon As he was preparing to pass into Asia there was an account brought to him of the Alteration that had happen'd at Rome where the young Caesar assisted by the Senate in opposition to Antony
O Brutus that this day we may overcome and that all the rest of our time we may live a happy Life together But since the greatest of humane Concerns are the most uncertain and since it will be very difficult for us ever to see one another again if the Battel should go against us tell me what is your resolution concerning Flight and Death Brutus answer'd When I was young Cassius and unskilful in Affairs I was engaged I know not how into an Opinion of Philosophy which made me accuse Cato for killing himself as thinking it an irreligious act against the Gods nor any way valiant among Men not to submit to Divine Providence nor to be able fearlesly to receive and undergo whatever ill shall happen but to fly from it But now in the midst of danger I am quite of another mind for if Providence shall not dispose what we now undertake according to our wishes I resolve to try no faâ—ther hopes nor make any more preparations for War but will die contented with my Fortune For I already have given up my Life to the Service of my Country on the Ides of March and all the time that I have lived since has been with Liberty and Honour Cassius at these words smil'd and embracing Brutus said With these Resolutions let us go on upon the Enemy for either we our selves shall Conquer or have no cause to fear those that do After this they discoursed among their Friends about the Ordering of the Battel And Brutus desired of Cassius that he might Command the Right Wing though it was thought that this was more fit for Cassius in regard both of his Age and his Experience Yet even in this Cassius comply'd with Brutus and placed Messala with the valiantest of all his Legions in the same Wing Brutus immediately drew out his Horse excellently well equip'd and took the same care of bringing up his Foot after them Now Antony's Souldiers were casting a Trench from the Marsh by which they were encamped to cut off Cassius's passage to the Sea Caesar was at a distance in his Tent not being able to be present himself by reason of his Sickness but his Soldiers not expecting that the Enemy would come to a set Battel but only make some excursions with their Darts and light Arms to disturb those that were working in their Trenches nor taking enough notice of them that were coming directly upon them ready to give Battel were amaz'd when they heard the confus'd and the great out-cry that came from the Trenches In the mean while Brutus sent his Tickets in which was the Word of Battel to the Captains and himself riding about to all the Troops encouraged the Souldiers but there were but few of them that understood the Word before they engaged and the most of them not staying for it with great fury and shouting ran upon the Enemy This disorder caus'd a great confusion in the Army and the Legions were scatter'd and dispersed one from another That of Messala first and afterwards the next went beyond the left Wing of Caesar and having cut off and pass'd that Wing with the slaughter of not many of the Enemy fell directly into Caesar's Camp Octavius himself as his own Commentaries shew had but just before been conveyed away upon the perswasion of Artorius one of his Friends who had dreamt that he saw a Vision which commanded Caesar to be carried out of the Camp And it was believed that he was here slain for the Souldiers had pierc'd his Litter which was left empty in many places with their Darts and Pikes There was a great slaughter in the Camp that was taken and two thousand Lacedaemonians that were newly come to the Assistance of Caesar were all cut off together The rest of the Army that had not gone round by the left Wing of Caesar but had engaged his Front easily overthrew them being in great Consternation for the loss of their Camp and slew upon the place three Legions and being carried on with the stream of Victory pursuing those that fled fell into the Camp with them Brutus himself being there But they that were conquered took the Advantage of what the Conquerours did not consider for they fell upon that part of the main Body which they found shatter'd and unguarded the right Wing being broke off from them and furiously carried away in the pursuit yet they could not break into the midst of their Battel but were receiv'd with strong resistance and obstinacy Yet they put to flight the left Wing where Cassius commanded being in great disorder and ignorant of what had passed on the other Wing and pursuing 'em to their Camp they pillaged and destroyed it though neither of their Generals were present For Antony as they say to avoid the fury of the first On-set had retir'd into the Marsh that was hard by and Caesar was no where to be found after his being convey'd out of the Tents But some of the Souldiers shew'd Brutus their Swords bloody and pretended that they had kill'd him describing his Person and his Age. Now the midst of Brutus's Battel had routed all that resisted them with great slaughter and Brutus was every where as plainly Conquerour as on the other side Cassius was conquered And this one mistake was the ruine of their Affairs That Brutus did not come to the relief of Cassius thinking that he as well as himself was Conquerour and that Cassius did not expect the Relief of Brutus thinking that he too was overcome For a Proof that the Victory was on Brutus's side Messala urges his taking of three Eagles and many Ensigns of the Enemy without losing any of his own Brutus now returning from the pursuit after having destroyed Caesar's Camp wonder'd that he could not see Cassius's Tent standing high as it was wont and appearing above the rest nor any of the others appearing round about it For they were immediately overturn'd and pillaged by the Enemy upon their first falling into the Camp But some that had a more quick and discerning sight than the rest acquainted Brutus that they saw a great deal of shining Armour and Silver Targets moving to and fro about Cassius's Tents and that they thought that by their Number and their Armour they could not be those that they left to Guard the Camp but yet that there did not appear so great a number of dead Bodies thereabouts as is probable would have been after the defeat of so many Legions This first made Brutus suspect Cassius's Misfortune and leaving a Guard in the Enemies Tent call'd back those that were in the pursuit and rallyed 'em together to lead 'em to the relief of Cassius who was now in this condition First he was angry at the first On-set that Brutus his Souldiers made without the Word of Battel or Command to Charge Then after they had overcome he was as much displeased to see them all rush on to the Plunder and Spoil and neglect to
surround and encompass the rest of the Enemy Besides this by his own delay and slowness more than by the briskness and conduct of the Captains of the other side he found himself hem'd in by the Right Wing of the Enemy and all his Horse making with all hast their escape and flying towards the Sea the Foot also began to fly which he perceiving labour'd as much as ever he could to hinder their flight and bring them back and snatching an Ensign out of the Hand of one that fled he stuck it at his Feet though he could hardly keep even his own Praetorian Band together So that at last he was forc'd to fly with a few about him to a little Hill that over-looked all the Plain But he himself being weak sighted discover'd nothing only the destruction of his Camp and that with much difficulty but they that were with him saw a great Body of Horse sent by Brutus moving towards him Cassius believ'd these were Enemies and in pursuit of him and sent away Titinius one of those that was with him to learn what they were As soon as Brutus's Horse saw him coming and knew him to be a Friend and a faithful Servant of Cassius those of them that were his more familiar Acquaintance shouting out for joy and alighting from their Horses saluted and embraced him and the rest rode round about him in great Triumph and Noise through their excess of gladness at sight of him But this was the occasion of the greatest mischief that could be For Cassius really thought that Titinius had been taken by the Enemy and cry'd out Through too much fondness of Life I have liv'd to endure the sight of my Friend taken by the Enemy before my face After which words he retir'd into a private Tent taking along with him only Pindarus one of his freed-men whom he had reserved for such an Occasion ever since the unhappy Battel against the Parthians where Crassus was slain But he escaped that Misfortune but now wrapping his loose Garment about his Head he made his Neck bare and held it forth to Pindarus commanding him to strike and his Head was found lying severed from his Body but no Man ever saw Pindarus after this Murther from which some suspected that he had kill'd his Master without his Command Soon after they perceived who the Horse-men were and saw Titinius crown'd with Garlands making what hast he could towards Cassius But as soon as he understood by the Cries and Lamentations of his afflicted Friends the unfortunate error and death of his General he drew his Sword and having very much accused and upbraided his own long stay that had caused it he slew himself Brutus as soon as he was assur'd of the Defeat of Cassius made haste to him but heard nothing of his Death till he came near his Camp Then having lamented over his Body calling him The last of all the Romans saying That it was impossible that the City should ever produce another man of so great a Spirit He sent away the Body to be buried at Thassus lest celebrating his Funeral within the Camp might breed some disorder He then gathered his Souldiers together and comforted them and seeing them destitute of all things necessary he promis'd to every Man 2000 Drachma's in recompence of what he had lost They at these words took courage and were astonish'd at the Magnificence of the gift and waited upon him at his parting with shouts and praises magnifying him for the only General of all the four who was not overcome in the Battel And indeed he prov'd by his Actions that it was not without reason he believ'd he should Conquer for with a few Legions he overthrew all that resisted him and if all his Soldiers had fought and the most of them had not past beyond the Enemy in pursuit of the Plunder it is very likely that he had utterly defeated them all There fell of his side eight thousand Men reckoning the Servants of the Army whom Brutus call'd Brigas And on the other side Messala says his Opinion is that there were slain above twice that number for which reason they were more out of Heart than Brutus till a Servant of Cassius named Demetrius came in the Evening to Antony and brought to him the Garment which he had taken from his Master 's dead Body and his Sword At the sight of which they were so encouraged that as soon as it was Morning they drew out their whole Force into the Field and stood in Battel-Array against Brutus But Brutus found both his Camps wavering and in disorder for his own being fill'd with Prisoners requir'd a Guard more strict than ordinary over 'em and that of Cassius was much discontented at the change of their General besides some Envy and Hatred which those that were conquer'd bore to that part of the Army which were Conquerours wherefore he thought it convenient to put his Army in Array but to abstain as much as he could from fighting All the Slaves that were taken Prisoners of which there was a great number that behav'd themselves not without suspicion among the Souldiers he commanded to be slain but of the Free-men and Citizens some he dismiss'd saying That among the Enemy they were rather Prisoners than with him for with them they were Captives and Slaves but with him Free-men and Citizens of Rome Others he was forced to hide and help them to escape privately perceiving that some of his Friends and Commanders were implacably bent upon Revenge against them Among the Captives there was one Volumnius a Mimick and Sacculio a Buffoon of these Brutus took no manner of notice but his Friends brought them before him and accused them that even then in that condition they did not refrain from their abusive Jests and scurrillous Language Brutus having his Mind taken up with other Affairs said nothing to their Accusation but the judgment of Messala Corvinus was That they should be whip'd publickly upon a Scaffold and so sent naked to the Captains of the Enemy to shew 'em what sort of Fellow-drinkers and Companions were fit for such Warriours At this some that were present laughed but Publius Casca he that gave the first Wound to Caesar said That it was not decent to jest and make so merry at the Funerals of Cassius But thou O Brutus says he will shew what esteem you have for the memory of that General in punishing or preserving those that scoff'd and spoke abusively of him To this Brutus with great indignation reply'd Why then Casca do you tell me of this and not do your self what you think fitting This Answer of Brutus was taken for his consent to the death of these wretched Men so they were carried away and slain After this he gave the Souldiers the Reward that he had promis'd them and having slightly reprov'd 'em for having fallen upon the Enemy in disorder without the Word of Battel or Command He promis'd 'em that if they behav'd
themselves bravely in the next Engagement he would give them up two Cities to spoil and plunder Thessalonica and Lacedaemon This is the only inexcusable fault in the Life of Brutus though Antony and Caesar were much more cruel in the Rewards that they gave to their Souldiers after Victory For they drove out almost all the old Inhabitants of Italy to put their Souldiers in possession of other Mens Lands and Cities but indeed their only design and end in undertaking the War was to obtain Dominion and Empire But Brutus for the reputation of his Vertue could not either overcome or save himself but with Justice and Honour especially after the death of Cassius who was generally accus'd of putting Brutus upon several violent and cruel Actions But now as in a Ship when the Rudder is broken by a Storm the Mariners fit and nail on some other piece of Wood instead of it striving against the danger not so well as before but as well as in that necessity they can So Brutus being at the Head of so great an Army and engaged in such weighty Affairs and having no Commander equal to Cassius was forc'd to make use of those that he had and to do and to say many things according to their Advice which he chiefly follow'd in whatever might conduce to the bringing of Cassius's Souldiers into better Order For they were very head-strong and intractable bold and insolent in the Camp for want of their General but in the Field cowardly and fearful remembring that they had been beaten Neither were the Affairs of Caesar and Antony in any better posture for they were streightned for Provision and the Camp being in a low Ground they expected to endure a very hard Winter For being encompass'd with Marshes and a great quantity of Rain as is usual in Autumn having fallen after the Battel their Tents were all fill'd with Mire and Water which through the coldness of the Weather immediately froze And while they were in this condition there was News brought to them of their loss at Sea For Brutus's Fleet fell upon their Ships which were bringing a great supply of Souldiers out of Italy and so entirely defeated 'em that but very few escaped being slain and they too were forc'd by Famine to feed upon the Sails and Tackle of the Ship As soon as they heard this they made what hast they could to come to the decision of a Battel before Brutus should have notice of his good Success For it happen'd that the Fight both by Sea and Land was on the same day But by some misfortune rather than the fault of his Commanders Brutus knew not of his Victory till twenty days after For had he been informed of this he would not have been brought to a second Battel since he had sufficient Provisions for his Army for a long time and was very advantageously posted his Camp being safe from the injuries of the Weather and almost inaccessible to the Enemy And his being absolute Master of the Sea and having at Land overcome on that side wherein he himself was engag'd would have mightily encourag'd him But it seems the state of Rome not enduring any longer to be govern'd by Many but necessarily requiring a Monarchy Providence that it might remove out of the way the only Man that was able to resist him that was destin'd to this Empire cut off this good Fortune from coming to the ears of Brutus Tho it came but a very little too late For the very Evening before the Fight Clodius a deserter from the Enemy came and told him that Caesar had receiv'd advice of the loss of his Fleet and for that reason was in such hast to come to a Battel This Relation met with no Credit neither would Brutus so much as admit him to his Presence but utterly despis'd him as one that had had no good Information or one that had invented Lyes to please him and bring himself into favour The same Night they say the Vision appear'd again to Brutus in the same shape that it did before but vanish'd away without speaking But Publius Volumnius a Man given to the study of Philosophy and one that had from the beginning born Arms with Brutus makes no mention of this Apparition but says that the first Standard was cover'd with a swarm of Bees and that there was one of the Captains whose Arm of it self sweated Oyl of Roses and though they often dryed and wiped it yet it would not cease And that immediately before the Battel two Eagles falling upon each other fought in the space between the two Armies that the whole Field kept incredible silence and all were intent upon the Spectacle till at last that which was on Brutus's side yielded and fled But the story of the Ethiopian is very famous who meeting the Standard-bearer at the opening the Gate of the Camp was cut to pieces by the Souldiers that took it for an ill Omen Brutus having brought his Army into the Field and set 'em in Array against the Enemy he paus'd a long while before he would fight for examining his Army he began to have some suspicions of some of them and others were accus'd to him Besides he saw his Horse begin the Fight not with any great Vigour or Resolution but still expecting what the Foot would do then suddenly Camulatius a very good Souldier and one whom for his Valour he highly esteem'd riding hard by Brutus himself went over to the Enemy the sight of which griev'd Brutus exceedingly So that partly out of Anger and partly out of fear of some greater Treason and Desertion he immediately drew on his Forces upon the Enemy after Three of the Clock in the Afternoon Brutus on his side had the better violently charging the Enemies lest Wing which gave way and retreated and the Horse too fell in together with the Foot when they saw them amaz'd and in disorder But the other Wing when the Captains order'd them to march on to the Fight fearing to be encompass'd being fewer in number than their Adversaries spread themselves and widen'd the middle of their Battel by which being weakned they could not withstand the Charge but at the first On-set fled After their defeat the Enemy surrounded Brutus behind who all the while performed all that was possible for an expert General and valiant Souldier shewing in the greatest danger a Courage and a Conduct that deserv'd to Overcome But that which was advantageous to him in the former Fight was much to his prejudice in this second For in the first Fight that part which was beaten was presently cut in pieces but in this of Cassius's Souldiers that fled few were slain and those that escaped daunted with being beaten put the greatest part of the Army when they came to joyn with them into Despair and Confusion Here Marcus the Son of Cato was slain fighting and behaving himself with great bravery in the midst of the Youth of the greatest Quality
the Islands of the Rhine in the Low Countries A few of the Gladiators stood their ground but the gross making away for the River fell into an Ambuscade which cut them off every man But of the whole Army none came near the Praetorians for Cowardice they took their heels without a stroke struck and flying through their own Men with trouble and affright routed the Squadrous that stood firm They did not all so indeed for many of the Othonians bare down their Opposites and by fine force making way through the Conquerors repass'd to their Camp which neither Proculus nor Paulinus durst retreat to fearing the Souldiers who already turn'd the fault upon them Annius Gallus received the flying Troops into the Town and heartened them up with comfortable Assurances that the Victory was not clear to the Enemy but that in several parts the advantage was on their side But Marius calling the Officers to a Council required them to take care of the Common-wealth That after such a blow and such a slaughter of Roman Citizens Otho himself having any goodness left would not further tempt Fortune in a Case where Cato and Scipio who by not submitting to Caesar after the Pharsalian Victory are charged to have thrown away the Lives of many good men in Africa without reason even when the Liberty of Rome was at Stake For though otherwise Fortune make sport with all men alike yet one thing a good man can never be deprived of even in adversity to take good Counsel against Accidents These Reasons weighed first with the Commanders and after upon trial with the Souldiers no less urgent for an Accommodation Titianus then moved for Commissioners to be sent with Proposals of accord whereupon it was thought fit that Celsus and Gallus should go to treat with Caecinna and Valens Being on the Rode they were met by certain of Vitellius's Centurions who told them that their Army was already in motion for Bebriacum and that they themselves were sent by the Generals with like overtures of Peace Celsus commending the Design entreated their company back to meet Caecinna As they drew near Celsus ran no small Risk for the Vant-Couriers happening to be the same Horse that had been worsted at the Ambuscade upon the first sight of Celsus with a loud cry they spurr'd up against him But while the Centurions stepp'd between to restrain them and their Captains also called out to forbear Caecinna gallopp'd up to know the cause of that Tumult which having appeas'd he caressed Celsus as a Friend and rode with him to Bebriacum In the mean time Titianus repenting of his motion for Amity placed the most resolute of his Men upon the Walls and exhorted the rest to assist them But Caecinna rode up and reach'd out his right hand all resistance laid aside they that stood upon the Ramparts saluted his Souldiers the rest opening the Gates went out and mixed with the new-comers There was then no further outrage nothing but friendship and embraces for all the Town swore Fealty to Vitellius and went over to him Such was the issue of the Battel as it is related by most of the present Actors therein yet confessing themselves in such Tumult and Confusion to have no clear account of Particulars So as I was afterward travelling over the Field Mestrius Florus of the Consular Degree shew'd me an old Man who was then press'd for Otho among the Youths who declared that going out after the Action was over he saw a heap of Bodies as high as a man but the cause of it he could neither find out nor learn by Enquiry Only it is probable that in Civil Wars more perish in the Chase than are taken where there is no benefit by Captives Therefore all we can have either of these Matters amounts to no more than Conjecture Otho at first as it is usual received a dubious relation of the Success but after that the wounded which escaped out of the Fight brought him certain news of the Defeat a man would admire what pains they took to encourage and keep him from despair But the passion of the Guards surmounts all Credit that they should neither leave him nor fall off to the Conqueror nor seem to provide for themselves in their Prince's extremity but all together came to the door of his Aâ—artment stiling him Emperour When he came abroad they followed him with acclamations as if he went in Triumph they kissed his hands after the manner of Petitioners they threw themselves at his feet they shed tears and with all the force of an humble and dutiful importunity they besought him not to forsake them not to betray them to the Enemy but while they had breath to employ their Souls and their Bodies in his Cause Thus did they generally assault him with supplications In particular one of the lowest rank who has not so much as a Name in History drew out his Sword and calling aloud to him Behold Caesar an Example of our Fidelity thus are we all resolved to serve thee he ran himself through Yet none of all this made any impression upon Otho who with a serene and composed aspect casting his eyes round about upon them all This my Fellow Souldiers this day wherein you do your selves and me such honour is much more fortunate of much greater account to me than that wherein you first saluted me Emperour One thing only I prefer which I beseech you with-hold not from me to sacrifice my Life for the safety of such brave Men. If ever I was worthy of the Roman Empire it becomes me to 〈…〉 evote my Life for it I know the Enemies Victory to be neither compleat nor assured I have Intelligence that the Mysian Army is within a few days March Asia Syria Egypt are in their descent to the Coast of Adria With us is the Army that wars in Judea with us is the Senate with us are the Wives and Children of the Enemies But alas this is no defensive War this is not to save Italy from Hannibal or Pyrrhus or the Cimbri but here Romans encounter Romans and both alike the Conquerors and the Conquered tear up their Mothers Bowels for where indeed the success of the Vanquisher brings Affliction to the Re-publick believe it there can be nothing so much honour in my Reign as in dying often if I could do it for my Country Neither can I apprehend how a Victory on my side can be of such advantage to Rome as to give up my self an Offering for Peace and Concord and that Italy may not se such another day When he had said this and set himself against all Entreaty and Mediation he desired his Friends and the Senators that were present to leave him He wrote also to the absent and sent Letters to the Cities to let them pass with Honour and Security Then calling to him 〈…〉 cceius his Nephew yet a youth he counselled him to take heart and not to be afraid of Vitellius whose