12 whole years whereof the first six were only over the Kingdom of Macedon the rest over the whole Empire King Philip being slain by Pausanias out of a private revenge young Alexander succeeded to his Kingdom in the 20th year of his Age when he had no sooner settled himself in his Throne and finish'd his Father's Exâ—quies but was surrounded with Troubles on every side from his Neighbours who thought to take the advantage of his Youth to dispossess him of his Kingdom as did the Athenians in their Conspiracy with Attalus also the rest of the Barbarians who were subject to the Kingdom of Macedon Whereupon Alexander first reduced the Barbarians near the River Danubius where in a great Battel he overthrew Syrmus King of the Triballians 2. Having understood that the Thebans revolted from him his next Expedition was against Thebes as well as against the â—thenians who were in Confederacy with the Thebans against both these he proved very successful the stubborn Thebanâ— refusing all oâ—â—â—rs of kindness from Alexander were together with their City utterly ruin'd and destroy'd whereas the Athenians rendring themselves upon discretion and imploring remission for their faults were again receiv'd into his favour it is remarkable in the subversion of Thebes that Alexander shew'd his generous esteem of Vertue and Learning when he preserv'd and pardon'd the vertuous Lady Timoclea the whole Family of Poet Pindorus together with all the Priests and Religious Orders excepting which he sold all the rest for Slaves 3. By this means Alexander having settled all his Affairs at home and being unanimously elected General of all Greece a Council of War was call'd in order to the enlarging his Empire abroad wherein it was resolv'd that his next attempt should be upon Asia when being interrupted his passage at the River Granicus by some Forces of Darius Codomannus King of Persia he there overthrew the Persians and forraged all Phrygia and the Asian shoar even to Cilicia also Diodorus writes that he at that time subdued all Caria Diod. lib. 17. And that in the City Gordius in Phrygia not being able to untye the Bark which was wreath'd about the Chariot he cut the knot asunder with his Sword thereby fulfilling as he thought that Prophesie which said that he who could undo that knot should conquer all the World 4. After this Alexander conquer'd the Paphlagonians and Cappadocians also was inform'd of the death of Memnon Darius's Admiral at Sea upon whom the Persians chiefly depended for their success against Alexander Nevertheless Darius King of Persia highly resenting the Defeat which his Forces receiv'd at the River Graniâ—us resolv'd to revenge it himself in person accordingly he levy'd an Army of 600000 fighting men which he rendezvous'd at Susa when in the mean while Alexander remaining a long time in Cilicia by reason of a Sickness befallen him with drinking of the River Cydnus when he was hot Darius not knowing the occasion of his delay supposed it to have been out of fear whereupon he began to march his whole Army towards Cilicia in order to his encountring Alexander At the same time Alexander moved towards Syria upon the like design to meet with Darius in the night when happening both to miss of one another the next day they both return'd to their several Posts Now Dariuâ— having contrary to the advice of Amyntas encamp'd himself in the Streights and Valleys between the Mountains presented Alexander with great advantage of ground which put Darius upon a necessity of engaging or not engaging according as his Enemies pleas'd being on every side encompass'd with the Macedonian Forces from the Hills in so much that Alexander with a much smaller Army than that of his Enemies put Darius to flight killing above 110000 of his men seizing on all the Persian Camps wherein besides the incredible Riches he took Prisoner Sisigambis the Mother Statira the Wife and two Daughters of King Darius whom he treated with all the civility imaginable This Battel was sought at Issus wherein Alexander himself received a wound in his Thigh and as some say from the very hands of King Darius Plutarch Arrianus Curtiâ—s Diodorus 5. After this success against Darius Alexander sent to the City Damas to surrender all the Men Women Children and Treasure that did therein belong to the Persians which accordingly was done he likewise to make himself Master of the Sea-coasts summon'd all the Kings of Cyprus and Phaenicia to deliver into his hands Phaenicia and the maritime Parts adjacent which was immediately perform'd all save the City of Tyre against which he began a strong Siege both by Land and Sea annoying them with 200 Galleys till at last after a seven months Siege he became Master of the City of Tyre 6. During this Siege he with another part of his Army made War upon those Arabians that dwell on the Mount Antilaban whom he overcame though not without much danger to his person occasion'd by his kindness to his Tutor Lysimachus as Plutarch saith 7. His next Expedition was against the City Gaza the chief City of Syria which he wan after having receiv'd two wounds in his Arm and Shoulder Diâ—dor lib. 17. Curtius lib. 4. Plut. in Alexand. Then he resolv'd to march up against Ierusalem and lay it waste from which design he was averted by the submissive prayers and entreaties of Iaddus their High-Priest 8. About this time it was that Alexander having conquer'd all Asia on that side the River Euphrates Darius sent Ambassadors to him to require his friendship and offer him 10000 Talents for the ransom of his captive Persians and such Territories as did formerly belong unto him which offers Alexander refusing Darius began a third Expedition against him having gather'd together an Army of 1000000 fighting men In the mean while Alexandâ—â— was imploy'd in conquering Egypt wherein after his conquest of that Kingdom he erectâ—â— that famous City call'd after his own Name Alexandria Now intelligence being brought to Alexander of the new War which Darius intended against him he began his March to meet him at the River Euphrates the place where this Battel was fought is as some say Arbela though Plutarch saith Gausameles where both Armies being engaged Parmenio Alexander's Lievtenant was at the first onset forced to retire also the Macedonian Baggage in danger of being taken by the Bactrians till Alexander himself coming into his relief with the main body of his Army gave so brisk a Charge upon the Persians that they soon betook themselves to flight also Darius himself was forced to fly for his life Alexander being thus flesh'd with Victory march'd forward into the Countrey of Babylon and Ecbatan where â—e made himself Master of the City Susa from thence Alâ—xaâ—deâ— proceeded into Persia whither Dariuâ— was fled putting all men that opposed him to the Sword burning the Palâ—ce of the Persian King 's Persepolis at the instigation of Thaâ—â— the Strumpet 9. Alexander continuing his pursuit after Darius Bessus in hopes of
What Conference passed between Apollonius and King Phraotes The King's Modesty Temperance and Skill in the Greek Tongue WHilst he is thus busied in Discourse certain Messengers come from the King bringing an Interpreter with them and tell them that the King had invited Apollonius to be his Guest for the 1 space of three days in as much as Strangers might not longer abide in that City wherefore they conducted Apollonius to the Palace With what Walls the City was encompass'd we have before declared They say it was evenly and regularly divided into Streets after the Attick fashion And that it was built of such Houses as if a man look on the outside of them seem to be of but one Story whereas if you enter into them you will find as many Rooms under ground as above They likewise report that they saw the Temple of the Sun wherein the Image of Ajax carv'd in Ivory was erected the Statue of Alexander in Gold and others of Porus in black Brass The Walls of the 2 Temple are built of a red Stone wherewith Gold being artificially mingled seemeth to dart out Rays The Pavement was inlaid with Pearls in a kind of Checquer-work which was much used in the Temples of the Barbarians But they say that in the King's Palace they found no sumptuousness of Building nor 3 Guards nor Halbardiers but as in the Houses of the best Citizens a few Domesticks and such as desired to discourse with the King being in number but three or four at most With which Shew they were far more delighted than with that pompous one at the Court of Babylon and much more when they were entred in for the Lodgings Galleries and whole Court was under discipline which was a sufficient argument to Apollonius that the Indian King was addicted to Philosophy Wherefore speaking by the Interpreter he said I am glad Oh King to see that you study Philosophy But I said the King am much gladder that you have such an opinion of me Then answer'd Apollonius saying Are these things appointed and enjoyn'd by your Laws or have you your self reduced your Kingdom to this good order The King replied Though our Laws be modest yet I use greater modesty than our Laws enjoyn and possess more than other men yet need very little esteeming the greatest part of my Wealth to belong unto my 4 Friends Happy are you said Apollonius who enjoy such a Treasure preferring your Friends from whom so many Benefits acâ—rue to you before Silver and Gold Nay said the King I impart my Riches to my very Enemies for I asswage and subdue with 5 Money the Barbarians that sometimes infested my Kingdom making Incursions into my Confines in so much that I now use them as Guards to defend my Kingdom for they do not only abstain themselves from invading me but also hinder other neighbouring Barbarians who are very dangerouâ— from molesting me When Apollonius asked Whether Porus was used to give Presents to them the King answered Porus was a lover of War but I of Peace With these Speeches he so ravish'd Apollonius that when on a time he rebuked one Euphrates for not studying Philosophy he said Let us reverence the Indian Phraotes for that was the King's Name A certain Nobleman for the many and great Favours he had receiv'd from the King desired to set a golden Mitre adorn'd with several Iewels on his Head the King made answer Though I were one of those who are taken with such things yet would I not admit them now but in the presence of Apollonius throw them from my Head Yet for as much as I have never heretofore used such Ornaments how should I now assume them as not knowing my Guest and forgetting my self When Apollonius also demanded of him What kind of Diet he used his answer was I drink only so much Wine as I sacrifice to the Sun and for the Quarrey which I take in Hunting others eat it the exercise it self being enough for me my Diet is Herbs with the tops and fruit of Dates and whatsoever things the River makes my Garden bring forth I have also many Dishes from these Trees which with my own hands I dress As these words Apollonius was overjoy'd often turning his Eyes towards Damis Afterwards when they had discoursed sufficiently concerning his Iourney to the Brackmans the King commanded the Guide that came from Babylon to be entertain'd as his Guest in such a manner as he was used to receive those that came from thence but the Guide who was sent by the Governour was dismissed having receiv'd Provision for his Iourney Then the King himself taking Apollonius by the hand and commanding the Interpreter to depart asked him whether he would admit him into his company at Meals Apollonius being amazed hereat and asking the King why he did not speak to him thus in the beginning the King reply'd It was that I might not seem over-bold as not knowing my self nor that it had pleased Fortune to make me a Barbarian But now being overcome by you in as much as I perceive you to take delight in me I could not any longer conceal my self and how full I am of the Greek Tongue I will manifest to you in many things But why said Apollonius did not you invite me to a Feast but had rather be invited by me Because said the King I judge you to be the better man for Wisdom is a more royal thing than all others Thus having spoken he led Apollonius and the rest of his company to the Bath wherein he himself was used to wash The place was an Orchard about the length of a Furlong in the midst whereof was a Fountain digged that received into it self certain Springs of cool and potable Water On either side were places to run in where the King was used to exercise himself with the Launce and Discus 6 after the Greek fashion for his Body was strong having used such Exercises and being but 27 years of age Now when he thought he had exercised himself enough on Land he was used to leap into the Water and there exercise himself in Swimming Illustrations on Chap. 11. 1 To be his Guest for the space of three days This Custom was I conceive practised amongst them ever after Alexander's Conquest over them and that for no other Reason but to prevent Strangers from being made acquainted either with their Strength or Riches Notwithstanding other Countreys have used the like Caution upon other Inducements as the Iaponeses who denied any admission to the Christians for their Religions sake and the Turks who suffer not any but Mahometans to approach within such a distance of Mecca also the Chineses who permit not any Trade with the Portugueses nor at this day with the English by reason of our Alliance with Portugal Nevertheless be it upon what Motive it will any such Custom is an infallible impediment to any City's Wealth or Power as on the contrary nothing can be more advantagious
the Empire Yet nevertheless the most general and most reasonable opinion is that Cyrus alone was the first Founder of the second Monarchy because that whilst Darius lived the Empire was divided betwixt Cyrus and himself for as Xenophon testifies Cyrus out of his liberality and bounty permitted Darius to possess the Kingdoms of Media and Babylon during his life both which after Darius's death he united to his own from which union we may most properly derive the original of the second Monarchy and by consequence attribute its sole foundation to Cyrus It was call'd the Monarchy of the Medes and Persians because the Empire did chiefly consist of those two Kingdoms The principal Enlargers of this second Monarchy were Cyrus the Great Darius Hystaspes and Artaxerxes Longimanus as for the rest of the Kings that ruled it they were so tyrannical and vicious that the Empire suffer'd much under their Government till it was totally subverted under the Reign of Darius Codomannus who being overcome by Alexander the Great lost both his Life and Empire which was immediately thereupon translated into Greece where Alexander began the third and Grecian Monarchy from that fall of Darius Codomannus This second Monarchy of the Medes and Persians lasted from its beginning under Cyrus to its subversion under Darius 228 years wherein there were two Families possest the Empire the first was of Cyrus the second of Darius Hystaspes as for the Family of Cyrus it expired in his Son Cambyseâ— who killing his own Brother Smerdis and committing Incest with his Sisters did afterwards lose his life by a Rebellion of the Magi who pretending the King's Brother Smerdis was not slain set up a Pseudo-Smerdis of their own to reign which was soon discover'd by his cropt ears and made away by the Nobles After which Cambyses having left behind him but only one Daughter Pantaptes and the Empire being left without a Prince to govern it was agreed on by those seven Noblemen Otanes Intaphernes Gobryas Megabysus Aspathines Hydarnes and Darius afterwards call'd Hystaspâ—s who had lately conspired together and destroy'd both the Magi and their Pseudo-Smerdis that from amongst themselves a new King should be elected after this manner viz. that each of them riding the next morning into the Suburbs he whose Horse first neigh'd should obtain the Empire which thereupon as I have shew'd elsâ—where fell to Darius Hystaspes by the cunning of his Groom Oâ—bares who giving his Master's Horse a Mare in the same place over-night the Horse immediately fell a neighing so soon as he came thither again the next morning and so won his Master Darius the Kingdom whose Family was the second and last Race of Kings that govern'd this second Monarchy of the Mâ—des and Persians as appears in this Line of their Succession I. Familia Prima 1. Cyrus the Great 2. Cambyses II. Familia Secunda 3. Darius Hystaspes 4. Xerxes 5. Artaxerxes Longimanus 6. Darius Noâ—huâ—â— 7. Artaxerxes Mnemon 8. Artaxerxes Ochus 9. Arsames And 10. Darius Codomâ—â—nus who was the last of the Persian Monarchâ— and in whose death the second Monarchy was extinct for Alexander the Great robbing him both of his Life and Empire did thereupon begin the third great Monarchy in Greece As for the third Empire or Monarchy which immediately took its rise from the fall of the second it is called the Grecian or Macedonian Monarchy from its 〈◊〉 Founder Alexander the Great who was of Macedon and a Grecian born for he â—aving overcome Darius the last King of the Persians first establish'd this third Monarchy of Greece in the year of the World 3642. aâ—te Christi Nat. 329. This Dominion of Alexander's excell'd all others that had been before for that having annex'd the Kingdoms of Media and Persia to his own Empire of Greece he in the space of twelve years rendred himself almost Master of the whole Universe But this third and Grecian Monarchy lasted not long in this united flourishing condition for Alexander dying without Sons and leaving his Dominions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the worthiest occasion'd many Competitors every one in his own esteem claiming a share till after many sharp Contests amongst them four of the most eminent shared the Empire between themselves dividing it into four Dynasties or Kingdoms viz. the Kingdom of Macedon the Kingdom of Asia Minor the Kingdom of Syria and the Kingdom of Aegypt all which were in process of time reduced to the Roman Yoke 1. Asia Minor was conquer'd by the Romans when Antiochus the Great was vanquish'd by L. Scipio the Proconsul who for that Victory was ever after call'd Asiaticus Iustin lib. 31. and Livy lib. 37. 2. The Romans subdued Macedon when Paulus Aemylius the Roman Consul took Perseus the last King of Macedonia Prisoner which was A. M. 3803. and about 156 years after the death of Alexander the Great 3. The Romans conquer'd Syria when Tigranes was defeated by Pompey which was 260 years after the death of Alexander M. Iustin Plutarch Livy 4. and lastly Augustus Caesar added the Kingdom of Aegypt to the Roman Empire upon his Victory over Anthony and Cleopatra reducing it into the form of a Province which happen'd 294 years after Alexander's death Plutarch in Anton. Polem lib. 3. ch 8. So as this Grecian Monarchy lasted compleatly 300 years that is to say from the death of Alexander the Great to the death of Cleopatra 294 years as Ptolemy writes whereunto if 6 more are added for the Reign of Alexander from the death of Darius Codomannus to his own death it will amount to the just and full time of 300 years Arrianus Diodâ—rus Now for the Succession of those several Kings that possess'd the four Divisions of this third Grecian Monarchy they were as followeth I. Over the whole Grecian Monarchy reign'd Alexander M. 6 years beginning his Reign A. M. 3642. II. Over the Monarchy as it was divided reign'd four several Kings the Macedonian Asiatick Syrian and Aegyptian I. The Kings of Macedon were 1. Aridaus the Brother of Alexander M. 2. Cassander the Son of Antipater 3. Philippus the Son of Cassander 4. Antipater and Alexander both Sons of Cassander 5. Demetrius Poliorcetes Son of Antigonus King of Asia 6. Pyrrhus King of Epirus 7. Lysimachus of Thrace Alexander's Officer that kill'd the Lion 8. Ptolemaus Ceraunus Son of Ptolomaus Lagus 9. Meleager one of Alexander's old Officers 10. Antipater the II. 11. Sosthenes 12. Antigonus Gonatas Son of Demetrius Poliorceres 13. Demetrius the second Son of Antigonus 14. Antigonus the second sirnamed Doson 15. Philippus Son of Demetrius the 11 th was overcome by the Romans 16. Perseus the last King of Macedon who being overcome by Paulus Aemyâ—â—us the Roman Consul was imprison'd during life by which means the Kingdom of Macedon coming under the Roman Jurisdiction they were nevertheless permitted to enjoy their freedom till being betray'd into a Rebellion by a counterfeit Philip their Commander the Romans upon that reduced them into a Province
and written by that eminent Poet and Divine Dr. Donn the Dean of Pauls wherein with no weak Arguments he endeavours to justifie out of Scripture the Legality of self-Homicide As to the second Objection of self-Preservation those that are for self-Murder urge that self-Preservation is no other than a natural Affection and appetition of good whether true or seeming so that if I propose to my self in this self-Killing a greater good although I mistake it I perceive not saith the Doctor wherein I transgress the general Law of Nature which is an Affection of good true or seeming and if that which I affect by death as Martyrs who expect a Crown of Glory and to lye snug in Abraham's bosom under the umbrage of his Beard be really a greater good wherein is the Law of self-Preservation violated Therefore some that are Enemies to our Faith will have Afflictions to be God's Call out of this Life and by the same Reason as we preserve our well-being ought we then to destroy our ill-being Another Reason which prevails with them as shewing self-Homicide to be consistent with the Law of Nature is this that in all Ages in all places and upon all occasions men of all conditions have affected iâ— and inclin'd to do it when man as though he were Angelus sepultus labours to be discharged of his earthly Sepulchre his Body And though this may be said of all other sins that men are propense to them and yet for all that frequently they are against Nature yet if this sin saith the Doctor were against the particular Law of Nature and that so it wrought to the destruction of our Species any otherwise than intemperate Lust Surfets or incurring penal Laws and the like it could not be so general since being contrary to our sensitive Nature it hath not the advantage of pleasure and delight to allure us withal which other sins have When I frame to my self a Martyrology saith he of all which have perish'd by their own means for Religion Countrey Fame Love Ease Fear and Shame I blush to see how naked of Followers all Vertues are in respect of this Fortitude and that all Histories afford not so many Examples either of Cunning subtle Devices or of forcible and violent Actions for the safeguard of Life as for the destroying Petronius Arbiter who served Nero a man of Pleasure in the Office of Master of his Pleasures upon the first frown went home and cut his Veins How subtlely and curiously Attilius Regulus destroy'd himself whom Codrus exceeded in forcing his own Death Comas Captain of the Thieves died by stopping his own Breath Herennius the Sicilian beat out his own Brains against a Post. Annibal for fear of being reduced to the necessity of being beholden to others died with poyson which he always carried in a Ring as Demosthenes died with poyson carried in a Pen. Aristarchus starved himself and Homer is said to have hanged himself because he understood not the Fishermens Riddle Democles scalded himself to death Portia Caâ—o's Daughter and Catulus Luctatius died by swallowing burning Coals Poor Terence because he lost his 108 translated Comedies drowned himself And the Poet Labienus because his Books were burnt by publick Edict burnt himself also Zeno upon a small hurt of his Finger hanged himself when he was almost an hundred years of age for which reason Laertius proclaims him to be Mira faelicitate vir qui incolumis integer sine morbo excessit Portius Latro kill'd himself for a quartan Ague and Festus Domitian's Beloved only to hide the deformity of a Ringworm in his Face Hipponiâ—s the Poet rimed Bubalus the Painter to death with his Iambicks and so Cassius Licinius to escape Cicero's Judgment choak'd himself with a Napkin These and many other Examples could I instance were it necessary as those who die voluntarily for Religion and the Wives among the Indians who burn themselves upon their Husbands death One of the most cruel Roman Emperors said of his Prisoners that he would make them feel death and if any fortuned to kill himself in Prison he would say That Fellow hath escaped me Lastly Cato alone that pattern of Vertue may serve instead of all other Examples Moreover I do verily believe that he who hangs himself in a Garret as the late Parson of Newgate did feels less pain horror and trouble than such as die of Feavers in their Beds with Friends and Relations weeping about them CHAP. XXIV Apollonius whilst the King lay sick told him many things of the Souls Immortality Divers Speeches pass'd to and fro between them Apollonius is at length dismiss'd by the King with Camels and other Necessaries for his Iourney into India NOw the King being fallen sick Apollonius standing by him utter'd so great and so divine things concerning the Soul that the King-plucking up his courage said to the standers by that Apollonius had by his words caused him not only to contemn a Kingdom but even 1 Death it self when the King shew'd the Trench to Apollonius which was made under Euphrates and whereof we spake before and ask'd him whether he thought it not a great wonder Apollonius depressing the strangeness thereof said to the King It would be a wonder indeed if you were able to pass over so deep and unpassable a Current on your feet Afterwards when he shew'd him the Walls of Ecbatana saying that they were the Dwelling of the Gods Apollonius replied They are not certainly the Dwelling of the Gods and whether they be the Dwelling of men I cannot tell for the City of 2 Lacedemon Oh King is inhabited without Walls Again when the King had been administring Iustice to certain Towns and boasted to Apollonius that he had spent two days in hearing and determining Causes Apollonius answer'd You were very slow in finding out what was just Aâ— another time after the Tributes coming in thick from his Subjects the King opening his Treasury shew'd his Wealth to Apollonius alluring him to the desire of Riches But Apollonius admiring at nothing which he saw said to the King To you Oh King these are 3 Riches but to me nothing but Straw When the King demanded what he should do to make good use of his Riches Apollonius's Answer was If you make use of them considering you are a King Now having had many such Conferences with the King and having found him ready to do what he advised him to also thinking that he had sufficiently convers'd with the Magicians he said to Damis Go to now Damis let us begin our March towards the Indians for they that sail towards the Eaters of 4 Lotus being taken with the sweetness of that Plant forget their own proper manners but we though we have not tasted of any thing that is here do yet tarry in these parts longer than is fitting I my self had the same thoughts said Damis but reckoning the time which we conjectured from the Lioness which we saw I waited till that space
the Daughter of Germanicus and if it be said that this proceeded meerly from the spight of Messalina why then did she not cause him to be put to death as well as she did the other who was her Husba d's Neece But 't is most certain what-ever his Life were he had paginam Lâ—scivam as 〈◊〉 appear by what he hath written de Speculorum usu l. 1. Nat. Qu. cap. 16. which admitting it may in a Poet yet how it should be excused in a Philosopher I know not In his exile he wrote his Epistle de Consolatione to Polybius Claudius's Creature and as honest a man as Pallas or Narcissus wherein he extolls him and the Emperor to the skyes seeking a discharge of his exile by so fordid a means whereby he lost much of his Reputation Upon Claudius's Marriage with Agrippina he was recall'd from Banishment by her means and made Praetor when having no need of him he forgets the Emperor labouring all he can to depress him and the hopeful Brittanicus also procured his Pupil Nero to be adopted Successor and the Emperor 's own Son to be disinherited likewise against the Emperor whom he so much prais'd when he had need of him after his Death he writes a scurrilous Libel In Nero's Court how ungratefully doth he behave himself towards Agrippina who although she were a wicked Woman yet she deserved well of him Also towards Nero himself what a treacherous part did he play in becoming an associate in Piso's Conspiracy Noâ— must we here omit his vast Riches and Avarice Moreover He doth in extremo actu deficâ—re when he must needs perswade his excellent Lady Paulina to die with him which according to his opinion for he believ'd not the Souls Immortality could be no advantage to her Last of all The Philosopher Theodorus who was honour'd with the title of a God deliver'd iâ— as his opinion that wise men would not stick to give their minds to Thieving Adultery or Sacriledge when they found a seasonable opportunity that none of these are evil by Nature and that setting aside the vulgar opinion there is no Reason but a Philosopher might go publickly to a Whore without Reproof Many more Instances could I produce to shew not only the ill precepts which were taught but likewise the evil Lives which were led by many of the ancient Philosophers whose practices have continually run counter to their Theory Now from hence it is that the wisest Governments grew to manage the Peoples Conscience rather by Religion than Philosophy since the terrors of Hell and hopes of Paradise would more effectually reform mankind than any Philosophical Notions And whereas the Philosophers were so multiply'd into Sects as St. Austin out of Varrâ— reports them to have been almost 300. and in effect each giving the other the Lye now Religion seemed likely to be more agreeable to its own Doctrine and more united in it self Yet in after Ages even that divided into so many Schisms as made a kind of necessity of setting up one supream Judge whose Dictates right or wrong should decide all Controversies about Religion and regulate the manners of the Clergy this rais'd the Pope over the Christians and Mafti over the Mahometans Yet in both of these so prone is flesh and bloud to corruption that many times the greatest Doctors are forced to bid men do as they teach and not as they do which nevertheless is apt to discredit the very Doctrines themselves among vulgar people who are more inclin'd to believe what they see than what they hear But to speak as a moral man their pretended Religion and Philosophy consisted in this Compositum Ius fasque Animi Sanctosque recessus Mentis incoctum generâ—so pectus honesto Pers. CHAP. XIII The Narration of King Phraotes touching his Parents and himself namely how his Father being in his youth cast out of his Kingdom studied Philosophy amongst the wise men and how he himself being instructed by his Father in the Greek Tongue was sent to the same wise men to be taught Philosophy but after the death of his Father was recall'd by his Father's Friends to the Kingdom AS for my self this is the History of what hath befallen me I am descended of a Grandfather who was a King and of the same Name with me but my Father was a private man for being left very young two of his near kindred were according to the Laws of India made his Guardians and managed the Government for him very tyrannically Whereupon they appear'd grievous to the Subjects and the Government was evil spoken of in so much that many of the Nobility conspiring together against them did at the great Solemnity when they were sacrificing to the River Indus set upon them and kill them when seizing on the Government they shared it amongst themselves Wherefore my Father's kinsmen being very solicitous of his safety when he was not yet 16 years old sent him to the King that reigneth near the River Hyphasis which Kingdom is far greater than that which I possess and the Countrey much more pleasant When the King would have adopted him his Son my Father refused it saying that he was unwilling to strive against Fortune who had already deprived him of Rule Wherefore he entreated the King to give leave that he might be brought up in Philosophy by the wise men of that Countrey which would make him the better undergo his domestick evils Now when the King was willing to restore him to his own Kingdom my Father answer'd If you perceive me to be a true and genuine Philosopher you shall restore me if not suffer me to continue as I am When the King heard this he himself went with him to the wise men promising to bestow no small Benefits on them if they used their utmost diligence in educating that Youth who was by nature so generous They discerning something more than ordinary in him very freely assented to communicate their Wisdom to him and readily instructed him who was as fully intent upon Learning After 7 years were expired the King falling sick of a Disease which ended his Life sendeth for my Father and maketh him co-partner with his own Son in the Kingdom giving him his Daughter then marriageable to Wife But he when he perceived the King's Son to be overcome by Flatterers Drinking and such like Vanities as also to have a suspicious eye over him said to him Take your Estate to your self and order it how you please for it is a ridiculous thing that he who is not able to recover his own Kingdom should boldly intrude into anothers grant 〈◊〉 only your Sister for this alone of all your Estate will satisfie me Wherefore taking his Wife he withdrew into those Places that are near to the wise men wherein he had 7 very pleasant Towns which the King gave to his Sister for her privy Purse Now I being sprung from this Marriage and my Father having instructed me in the Greek Learning he
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 At te Cydne canam tacitis qui leniter undis Caeruleus placidis per vada serpis aquis Ovid. 3. de Arte Am. Vel prope te nato lucide Cydne croco 3 Aesculapius is most commonly said to be the Son of Apollo and the Nymph Coronis he lived about the year of the World 2710. a little before the Trojan War He was so famous for his skill in Physick that he was worshipped for a God especially among the Epidauri from whence he was called Epidaurius Pausanias in his Corinthiac tells us that Phlegya the Father of Coronis not knowing that his Daughter Coronis had conceiv'd by Apollo carried her along with him to Peloponesus and that she being brought to bed of a Boy in the Confines of Epidaurus exposed the young Child in a Mountain which from that accident was afterwards called Titthias however others report this happen'd in the Fields of Telphusium in which place the Infant being suckled by a Goat was discover'd by a Dog that had wandred from the Flock which he was keeping whereupon the Master of the Flock returning and finding many of his Herd missing search'd all up and down the Pastures till at length he found both the Child the Goat and his Dog And that observing flashes of Fire to evaporate out of the head of the Infant he supposed it to be of a Divine extraction and soon spread the fame thereof all over those parts Some there be who report that when Coronis was with Child she lay with Ischyis the Son of Elaâ—us which Diana resenting as an high affront done to her Brother Apollo she put her to death for the same And that after she was dead either Mercury or Phoebus took Aesculapius out of his Mothers belly as the Poet mentions Non tulit in cineres labi sua Phoebus eosdem Semina sed natum flammis uteroque parentis Eripuit geminique tulit Chironiâ— in antrum Ovid. Met. lib. 2. Lactantius reports that he was born of unknown Parents and then being exposed was found by some Huntsmen and committed to Chiron's care who instructed him in Physick and that by Birth he was a Messenian but dwelt at Epidaurus From whence as St. Augustine writes he came to Rome that so expert a Physician might practise with the greater credit in so famous a City He was numbred amongst the Gods saith Celsus for adding such excellency and lustre to that Art which before was but rude and undigested The Epidaurians therefore consecrated a Temple unto him without the Walls of their City where he had his Statue in the form of a Physician holding his long Beard in one hand and a Staff involved with a Serpent in the other For the Serpent was sacred unto him not only as Macrobius says for the quickness of his sight but because he is so restorative and soveraign in Physick Serpens Epidaurius Horat. So the brazen Serpent the Type of our eternal Health erected by Moses cured those who beheld it And here Aesculapius is said to have converted himself into that form because by health men seem to renew their youth like a Snake that hath cast her Hackle In this shape saith Lactantius he sail'd to Rome and is said by Pherecides to have Serpentine feet He chose his Seat in the Isle of Tyber and then vanish'd out of sight where his Temple was built and his Festivals kept in the Calends of Ianuary And now in the Hortyards of St. Bartholomeus at Rome there is a Ship of Marble to be seen with a Serpent on the Hatches in memorial of his Transmigration Epidaurus a City in Peleponnesus was famous for the Shrine of Aesculapius to which all sick persons that did resort were as both Strabo and Iamblicus write inform'd in their sleep what Medicine would cure their Distemper When the Romans were afflicted with the Pestilence they sending Ogolenus to consult Apollo's Oracle at Delphos he directed them to his Son Aesculapius at Epidaurus with Orders to carry him to Rome but the Epidaures were unwilling to part with their God or rather his Image yet notwithstanding Aesculapius in the form of a Serpent went aboard one of the Roman Ships and so along with them to Rome Orpheus writes that Iupiter struck Aesculapius with his Thunderbolts because he had restored to life Hyppolitus who had been torn in pieces by his own Chariot-Horses when he fled from the fury of his Father as we may see in the Story of Theseus And that Apollo being much afflicted at the death of Aesculapius but not being able to revenge himself upon Iupiter he kill'd the Cyclops that had made the Thunderbolts wherewith his Son had been slain Orph. de Aesculapio in Hymn Heraclit de Incred The Moral of this is that Aesculapius was said to be begot by Apollo in that the Sun is the Author of Health 4 Heraclea Ponti the Metropolitan City of Bythinia called at this day Penderachi it lyes at the mouth of the Euxine Sea near the River Lycus It took its ancient Name from Hercules as Mela informs us And our Author distinguishes it by the Name of Ponti for that there are divers other Cities known by the same Name As for instance There is one in the Confines of Europe another in Italy between Siris and Aciris another in Sicily near Lilibaeum another in Narbon by the River Rhodanus another in Caria now by the Turks call'd Ergel another in Creete and another in Lydia from whence the Touchstone takes its Name of Heracleus Lapis All which several Towns were heretofore call'd Heraclea 5 Pontus a Kingdom of Asia the Less so called from a King whose Name was Pontus Strabo tells us that it is bounded on the West with the River Haly on the East with Colchos on the South with the Lesser Armenia and on the North with the Euxine Sea But Ptolomy lib. 5. says it is limited on the West with the Thracian Bosphorus on the South with Asia and on the North with part of the Euxine Sea· Sit. zon temp Clim This Countrey is famous for producing Poysons which gave occasion to Medea in the Fable to bring all her Poysons from hence Has herbas atque haec Ponto mihi lecta venena Ipse dedit Maeris nascuntur plurima Ponto Virg. Eccl. 8. 6 Philostratus tells us that Euxenus knew no more of Pythagoras's Philosophy than Birds do the sence of those words which they learn by rote And this is the very case of vulgar people in Religious matters who hold the Articles of their Faith like their temporal Estate from their Predecessors having a title of Tradition for the one and of Inheritance or Fee-simple for the other Most Men like Carriers Horses follow one another in a Track where if the fore-Horse goes wrong all the rest succeed him in his errour not considering that he who comes behind may take an advantage to avoid that pit which those that went before are fallen into If the primitive Christians had been
in an honourable manner before them and to offer him no affront Who being come the Eldest man ask'd him what it was that made him thus slight the King whereto he answer'd I have not yet slighted him The man asking him But would you slight him By Jove I may do so said Apollonius if by conversing with him I find him not to be a good and virtuous person Do you bring the King any Presents said the man I bring said Apollonius Fortitude Iustice and the like Do you said the other bring these to the King as supposing him destitute of them By Jove said Apollonius only as to one that shall learn how to use them if he hath them The King saith the man hath by the use of such Virtues both recover'd his lost Kingdom which thou seest and regain'd his Palace not without much Toyl and Trouble How many years is it since he recover'd his Kingdom said Apollonius The other answer'd Two years and two months Hereupon Apollonius raising his voice as he in like cases was used to do said O Keeper of the Kings person or by what Title soever you are call'd 2 Darius the Father of Cyrus and 3 Artaxerxes having possess'd this Kingdom about 60 years when he suspected that the end of his Life drew near is reported to have sacrificed to Iustice and to have said these words O Lady whosoever thou art as having a long time been a Lover of Iustice but not yet knowing her nor possessed her in that he educated his Children so foolishly as that they waged War upon one another and one was wounded the other slain But you though the King perhaps scarcely knoweth how to sit in the Kingly Throne suppose him to have already acquired all kinds of Virtue and so puff him up beyond measure if he become better than he is I bring profit to you and not to my self Whereupon another Barbarian standing hard by looking upon Apollonius said This man was brought hither as a Present of the Gods For so good a man as this conversing with so good a man as the King will make him far better more modest and of a sweeter disposition in as much as he seemeth not a little to surpass other men Wherefore they ran to divulge the good news to all that there stood at the Kings doors a certain Greek who was a Wise man and an excellent Counsellor It happen'd when this News was brought to the King he was offering up Sacrifice in the presence of the Magicians for Sacred Rites are perform'd by their direction wherefore calling one of them he said to him I perceive my Dream is out which I related to you this day when you came to visit me as I lay in bed For such a Dream as this had happen'd to the King He seem'd to himself to be 4 Artaxerxes the Son of Xerxes and that his countenance was changed to be like him Wherefore the King was much afraid lest his affairs should fall into some alteration interpreting to that purpose the change of his countenance But when he had further heard that the Stranger which was come was a Greek and a Wise man he call'd to mind the Story of 5 Themistocles the Athenian who sometime coming out of Greece convers'd with Artaxerxes and did improve the King as well as shew his own worth Wherefore stretching forth his right hand he bid them call in the man that so he might both sacrifice and pray with him Illustrations on Chap. 19. 1 THe Kings Golden Image which if any one refused to worship this manner of Adoration was anciently much used among the Eastern people who paid the highest Veneration to the Statues of their deceased Princes This Ceremony which our Author here mentions was much for the same purpose as our Oath of Allegiance to shew their Respect and Fidelity to the Prince The sacred Images of the Heathens were a great part of their Religion to them they address'd themselves when many times their Imaginations were so much stronger than their Reasons that they fancied they either heard the Image speak saw her Nod or found her Sweat c. like timerous persons who in looking stedfastly on a dead corpse fancy they see its Eyes open or its Lips or Nose move Thus at the sacking of Vrii some of the Roman Souldiers entring into the Temple of Iuno accosting her Image and asking it vis venire Romam will you come to Rome to some of them she seem'd to becken by way of consent and others fancied she said Yes For those men being more then ordinary Religious as Titus Livy infers from the Devotion Reverence and Quietness wherewith they enter'd the Temple fancied they heard that Answer which 't is possible they expected before and Camillus with the other Magistrates of the City promoted their belief The reason why many of these Images have been observ'd to sweat saith Vaninus is either from the warmth of the Air or from Candles melting the colours of the Image or else the Priests did secretly die the Skin of the painted God with the bloud of a Beast or Man or privately convey a small stream of bloud by certain Pipes to the Eyes of the Idol whereupon when the doors of the Temple were open'd the people that came thither were amazed and not understanding or considering the Natural cause of the Event said it was a Miracle Now when any one was in danger of his Life he presently made his address to these Images with Vows Supplications and Prayers then if perhaps he obtain'd his wish he thought himself bound by his Vow to return thanks for it to the Gods otherwise he was declared by the Priest to be guilty of breaking his Vow and if the thing did not succeed according to his wish and the Votary as yet survived the Priests did then inculcate that his own wickedness was the cause why his Prayers were not heard by the Gods Again if a pious man was deluded they endeavour'd to perswade him to acknowledge the mercy of the Gods who chastise in this life those whom they Love but if he that had Vow'd did perish there would none be then left to raise any such objections against the Gods Careat successibus opto quisquis ab eventu c. and by these frivolous Superstitions the Priests deluded the People It 's true some object that Pyrrhus King of Epirus having taken money out of the Treasury of Proserpina Locrensis was punish'd with the calamity of Shipwrack To which it may be answer'd that after Dionysius had robbed the Treasury of the same Proserpina Locrensis he sail'd with a prosperous Gale and jeering the Gods spake to his Companions in this manner See what a prosperous Voyage is given by the immortal Gods to Sacrilegious persons Vanini Dialog 55. Now to pray to to swear by to obey to be diligent and officious in serving finally all words and actions that betoken fear to offend or desire to please iâ— Worship
took an Oath of secresie yet nevertheless soon after discover'd the whole business so that Artabanus was instantly put to death for the same at which time all his other Treasons came out concerning the Murder of Xâ—rxes and Dariâ—â— After Aâ—tabanus's death which is at large describ'd by Iustin great Troubles ensued his Party being very strong and numerous till at length by the courage of Megabyzus who was dangerously wounded in the Conflict three of Artabanus's Sons being kill'd the Tumult ceas'd The next Disturbance that alarm'd Artaxerxes was a Revolt of the Bactriaâ—s occasion'd as some say by his Brother Hystaspes their Governour out of indignation to see his youngest Brother preferr'd before him Two Battels were fought in this Quarrel in the latter of which the Wind blowing in the Faces of the Bactrians Artaxerxes became victorious and reduced all that Countrey to his obedience After this Artaxerxes had no sooner â—ettâ—ed the Affairs of his Kingdom and removed all such Officers as were not for his turn but the Aegyptians having heard of the Disorders in Persia upon the death of Xerxes began to think of recovering their Liberty for which purpose setting up Inarus King of Lybia and Son of Psammetichus for their Prince they began a Revolâ— under his Conduct they furthermore sent to crave aid of the Athenians who desiring as well to get â—ooting in Aegypt as to reduce the power of the Persian Monarch furnish'd them with 300 Shipâ— Against these Preparations Artaxerxes dispatch'd besides a great Fleet also an Army of 3 or 400000 Foot under the Command of Achaemenidâ—s who as Ctesias saith was his Brother but as Diodorus saith his great Uncle being the Son of Darius Hystaspes This Persian Army was encounter'd and beat by the Egyptian and Lybian Forces wherein Achaemenides the General and 100000 Persians were slain After this Artaxerxes offer'd great Bribes to the Lacedâ—monians for their assistance in this War which they refused his design being to make them fall out with Athens that so the Athenians might be compell'd to withdraw their Forces out of Egypt Nevertheless Artaxerxes by the next Spring raises a new Army of above 300000 which he sent against the Egyptians under the Command of Megabyzus the Son of that Zopyrus who recover'd Babylon to Darius joyning Artabazus in Commission with him In this second Expedition Megabyzus wounded King Inarus in the Thigh and obtain'd so great a Victory that he totally reduced the Egyptians to obedience and having taken King Inarus Prisoner Artaxerxes made him be crucified The Athenian Fleet was likewise destroy'd by a stratagem for the Persians diverting the course of the River wherein they lay by making new Channels at the mouth of it left the Ships at Anchor upon dry ground and so assaulted them with their Land-Army and took them Now Artaxerxes having thus composed his Troubles in Bactria and Egypt did in the 7th year of his Reign make a Decree in behalf of the Iews that whosoever of them would might go up with Ezra and inhabit Ierusalem He also contributed several sums of Money for their Sacrifices and other uses to be disposed of according to the discretion of Ezra wherewith Ezra began to build the Walls of Ierusalem In the 15th year of Artaxerxes the Athenians having recruited their former losses did with their Fleet under the Convoy of their Admiral Cimon very much infest the Persians at Cyprus in so much that Artaxerxes was glad to clap up a Peace with them upon disadvantagious terms viz. that all the Greek Cities in Asia should be free from the Persian yoke In this last Engagement at Cyprus Cimon perish'd and in him the true Gallantry of the Greekish Nation for none of their Captains after him did any thing considerable against the Barbarians excepting Agesilaus whose War also was short and of little consequence In the 20th year of Artaxerxes Nehemiah his Cup-bearer Nehem. 1.11 hearing that the Wall of Ierusalem was broken down and the Gates burnt with fire obtained leave of him to go with a large Commission for the rebuilding of the Walls as also with a Mandâ—mus to the Keeper of the King's Forrests to furnish him with Wood for that purpose About this time it was that Megabyzus Artaxerxes's General who had done him that service in Egypt was disobliged by the King in putting those Egyptian Prisoners to death whom he had promis'd their Pardons in so much that Megabyzus leaving the Court in discontent and retiring to his Command in Syria did there with the assistance of some Greeks begin an open Rebellion against the King his Master and obtain'd two famous Victories over him Nevertheless by the mediation of Friends betwixt both together with the assurance of a free Pardon Artaxerxes and Megabyzus were again reconciled and he brought into the King's presence But soon after being both together hunting of a Lion and Megabyzus happening to kill the Lion just as the King was going to strike him the King was so greatly offended thereat that he commanded Megabyzus his Head to be cut off however by the intercession of Friends the King for that time gave him his life and only banished him so unmindful are Princes of all past services when after five years exile he made Friends with Artaxerxes and was restored again to his Favour so as to eat at his own Table but soon after he died being 76 years of age whose loss was much lamented by the King and all others Nor did the King himself Artaxerxes Longimanus long survive him but departed this life having reign'd according to Diodorus 40 years according to Sulpitius Severus 41 years according to Ctesias 42 years but the most probable opinion is that he died in the beginning of the 42d year of his Reign being the 2d year of the 89th Olympiad A. M. 3582. and 421 ante Nat. Ch. Ctesias in Excerpris Histor. Persiâ— writes that Artaxerxes had only one legitimate Son by his Wife Damaspia named Xerxes but 17 by Concubines amongst which the three chief were Sogdianus Ochus call'd afterwards Darius Nothus and Arsiâ—es whereof Sogdianus killing Xerxes and Sogdianus himself being put to death by the Army Ochus or Darius Nothus succeeded his Father Longimanus to the Crown Some write that Artaxerxes Longimanus had one Daughter named Parysatis but this is uncertain 5 The story of Themistocles the Athenian who sometimes coming out of Greece convers'd with Artaxerxes c. This Themistocles was a person of great eminency amongst the Athenians who having spent his youth in Luxury and Extravagancy attoned for the same by the great Virtue of his riper years for he first fortified that famous Harbour Piraeeus and afterwards overcame the Persians in a Sea-Engagement at Salamines Plutarch who hath written his Life at large saith that none of the Greeks excell'd him and few equaliz'd him Now the Story which Philostratus here mentions concerning him is this That Themistocles being falsly accused by the Athenians for joyning with Pausanias in a
Conspiracy to assist the Persians against their own Country was forced to save his Life by flying into Persia where by Artaxerxes Longimanus the then King he was honourably receiv'd and bountifully entertain'd having three Cities given him one for Bread another for Wine and a third for Victuals to which some add two more for Cloaths and Linen and that afterwards he died a natural death at Magnesia However others write that Themistocles being unable to perform his promise to the King of conquering Greece which by this time had Cimon and many other experienced Captains amongst them poysoned himself for grief But of this see more in Plutarch Cornelius Nepos Thucydides and Valerius Maximus Now for as much as in this Chapter and elsewhere in this Book are written the Lives of some of the Persian and Grecian Monarchs it may not be improper to give you a compendious Account of the Succession of the four Monarchies which although I design for a distinct Treatise hereafter by it self in a general Body of History if Life Health and Peace will permit me may nevertheless at this time prove usefull to such as read the foregoing part of this Chapter Know then that History is the Commemoration of things past with the due Circumstances of Time and Place in distinct Distances Intervals Periods or Dynasties by lineal Descents for the more ready help of Memory and Application And this as the learned Prideaux observes may be divided into Either 1. Ecclesiastical 2. Political 3. Of Successions in States Countreys or Families 4. Of Professions as the Lives of famous men in any Faculty 5. Natural as that of Pliny the Lord Bacon's Natural History c. 6. Various such as we have from Valerius Maximus Plutarch and Aelian Or 7. Vain Legendary or Fabulous such as are comprehended under the Name of Romances But of these the two first being only to my purpose at this time I shall not trouble you with the other five First For Ecclesiastical History that insisteth chiefly on Church-matters and hath precedency before others in respect of its Antiquity Dignity and pretended Certainty Now that is generally reckoned after this manner Beginning 1. From the Creation to the end of the Flood 1657 years 2. From the Flood to the calling of Abraham 367 years 3. From the calling of Abraham to the Israelites departing out of Aegypt 430 years 4. From the Aegyptians coming out of Aegypt to the building of Solomon's Temple 480 years 5. From the building Solomon's Temple to the erecting of the second Temple by Zorobabel 497 years 6. From the building Zorobabel's second Temple to the Nativity of our Saviour Christ 529 years 7. From the Nativity of our Saviour to this present time 1680 years Secondly To Ecclesiastical History thus briefly comprehended Political in the same method succeeds treating of Civil Matters in Kingdoms States or Commonwealths and this is according to prophane Chronology carried along in these Periods Beginning 1. From Nimrod or rather Belus to Cyrus 2. From Cyrus to Alexander the Great 3. From Alexander the Great to Iulius Caesar and the fourth Monarchy beginning 4. From Iulius Caesar to Constantine the Great in whom it ended For thus Historians have ever divided the Series of prophane Story into these four Empires called the Assyrian the Persian the Grecian and the Roman As for the first of these viz. the Assyrian Monarchy it was first begun by Nimrod and destroy'd by Cyrus as for what passed before the beginning of this Empire we have no other account but in sacred Writ wherewith since every one either is or ought to be already acquainted I shall take no further notice of it in this place We read therefore that after the Division of the Earth Nimrod the Son of Chush and Nephew of Cham fixed his Seat at Babel and therein first began that Kingdom or Empire which was call'd by some the Babylonian from Babel the place of the King's Court or Residence by others the Chaldaan from the Countrey Chaldaea wherein the City Babylon was seated and by others the Assyrian from Ashur the Son of Sem who is call'd by prophane Authors Niâ—us and whom Iustin out of Trogus would have to be the first Founder of this Empire as also the first King that made War upon his Neighbours Iustin lib. 1. Now as this Monarchy was at first instituted by Nimrod or Belus which from Iulius Africanâ—s and the best Authors I find to be the same so was it enlarged by Ninus and his Wife Semiramis in whose time it was at the height of glory and grandeur for afterwards by reason of the effeminacy of its Princes it declined till by the ruine and fall of that Monster Sardanapalus who was Mars ad opus Veneris Martis ad arma Venus the Empire became divided between those two Rebels Arbaces and Belâ—chus in whose Successions it lasted till by the death of Belshazzar last King of the Babylonians and of Darius last King of the Mâ—des the whole Empire was again united and so descended upon Cyrus the Great who began the second Empire of the Medes and Persians This first Empire began in the year of the World 1788. it lasted 1646 years and was subverted or translated into Persia in the year of the World 3434. Now the several Races and Successions of Kings that govern'd this first Assyrian Monarchy are as followeth I. Familia Beli. 1. Nimrod or Belus 2. Ninus 3. His Wife Semiramis 4. Ninâ—as or Ninus the II. 5. Arius of whom together with these that follow there is little known till we come to Sardâ—â—â—palus 6. Araliâ—s 7. Balâ—â—â— the I 8. Armatrites 9. Belachus the I. 10. Baleus the II. 11. Altadas 12. Mamitus 13. Mancaleus 14. Shaerus 15. Maâ—â—elus 16. Sparetus 17. Ascaâ—â—des 18. Aâ—yntas 19. Belochâ—s the II. 20. Bellopares 21. Lamprides 22. Sosares 23. Lamparâ—s 24. Pâ—nnias 25. Sâ—sarmus 26. Mitreus 27. Tauâ—anâ—s 28. Teutaeus 29. Tiâ—aeus 30. Dâ—â—â—ilus 31. Eâ—paâ—â—s 32. Lâ—â—sthenes 33. Pyrithidias 34. Ophraâ—â—â—s 35. Ophragaâ—â—â—s 36. Ascrazapeâ— 37. Sardanapalus after whose death the Empire was divided between Arbaces and Belochus Arbaces enjoy'd the Government of the Medes and Belochus of the Assyrians their Successions were are as followeth 1. Arbaces 2. Mandauces 3. Sosarmus 4. Artycas 5. Arbianes 6. Arsaeos or Deioces 7. Phraortes 8. Cyaxares And 9. Astyages the Father of Darius Medus 1. Phul-Belochus 2. Tiglat-Philassar 3. Salmanassar 4. Sennacherib 5. Assar-Haddon 6. Merodach 7. Ben-Merodach 8. Nabopalassar 9. Nabuchodonosor 10. Evil-Merodach And 11. Belsazar For Astyages and Belsazar gave a period to this first Monarchy whereof Cyrus became sole Monarch Now concerning this second Monarchy some will have it that Darius Medus the Son of Astyages began it and that Cyrus Astyages his Grandson by his Daughter Mandana did enlarge and perfect it for that they being both Kings one of Media and the other of Persia when joyning their Forces together they overthrew Belsazar Darius thereupon annex'd Babylon to his part of
And this was the end of that one part of the third and Grecian Monarchy call'd Macedonia A. M. 3803. II. The Kings of Asia Minor were 1. Antigonus Philip of Macedon's Natural Son 2. Demetrius Poliorcetes who was expell'd this Kingdom by his Son-in-law Seleucus Nicanor after which this Asia Minor was annex'd to the Kingdom of Syria A. M. 3683. III. The Kings of Syria were 1. Sâ—leucus Nicanor 2. Antiochus Sâ—ter the Son of Seleucus Nicanor 3. Antiochus the second sirnamed Theos 4. Seleuchus â—â—llinichus the Son of Theos 5. Seleucus Ceraunus the Son of Callinicus 6. Antiochus Magnus the Brother of Ceraunus 7. Seleucâ—s Philopater or Soter the Son of Antiochus M. 8. Antiochus Epiphanes the Brother of Seleucus Epiphanes 9. Antiochus Eupator the Son of Antiochus Epiphanes â—0 Demetrius Soter 11. Alexander Bala or Veles 12. Demetrius Nicanor the Son of Demetrius Soter 13. Antiochus Entheus 14. Tryphon 15. Antiochus Sideteâ— alias Soter the Son of Demetrius Nicanor 16. Demetrius II. Nicanor redux 17. Alexander Zebenna 18. Antiochus Grypus the Son of Demetrius 19. Antiochus Cyzicenus Seleucus the 5th Antiochus Eusebes Philippus and Demetrius were all the Sons of Grypus who being at variance amongst themselves became a prey to Tigranes of Parthia 20. Tigranes himself was soon after subdued likewise by Pompey and Syria made a Province by the Romans A. M. 3890. IV. The Kings of Aegypt were 1. Ptolemaeus Lagus Philip of Macedon's Natural Son 2. Ptol. Philadelphus that married his own Sister Arsinoe 3. Ptol. Evargetes 4. Ptol. Philopator 5. Ptol. Epiphanes 6. Ptol. Philometor 7. Ptol. Physcon 8. Ptol. Lathurus or Lamyrus 9. Ptol. Alexander 10. Ptol. Lathurus recall'd again from Banishment 11. Ptol. Auletes 12. Ptol. Dionysius 13. Cleopatra the Daughter of Ptol. Auletes was at first the beloved Mistress of Iulius Caesar and afterwards of Mark Anthony whose overthrow at Actium broke her heart so that she voluntarily threw away her own life with the biting of an Asp after which Aegypt was reduced into a Roman Province whereby the third Monarchy did totally expire Wherefore the Roman Power having in this manner swallow'd up the four several Divisions of the third Monarchy the fourth Monarchy must by consequence take its beginning at Rome and so we find it for Iulius Caesar is reckon'd to be the first Founder of this fourth Empire which derives its Name of Roman from the City of Rome it self Plutarch speaking of the greatness of this Empire saith Romanum imperium velut Anchora fuit fluctuanti Mundo The City of Rome was call'd the Head of the World and the Romans the Lords of the Universe Terrarum Dea gentiumque Roma Cuâ— par est nihil nihil secundum Mart Also Propertius Omnia Romanae cedant miracula terrae Natura hic posuit quicquid ubique fuit Again Ovid Gentibus est aliâ—s Tellus datalimite certo Romanae spatium est urbis orbis idem Lib. 2. Fast. Likewise Petronius Arbit Orbem jam totum victor Romanus habebat Qua mare qua terre qua sidus currit utrumque This Roman Empire is divided into several Periods whereof the first which comprehends all the Heathen Emperors and lasts about 355 years is reckon'd from Iulius Caesar to Constantine the Great the second from Constantine the Great to Iustinian the third from Iustinian to Charles the Great and the fourth from Charles the Great down to our present Times therein containing the Government of the Western Franks But for as much as Philostratus lived long before any of these late Periods so that I can have no occasion to mention any part of their History I shall therefore at this time descend no lower than the first Period of this fourth Monarchy which begins with Iulius Caesar and ends in Constantius Câ—lâ—â—us the Father of Constantine the Great and so conclude The Succession of this Empire was thus 1. Caius Iulius Caesar. 2. Octavianus Caesar Augustus 3. Cl. Tiberius Nero. 4. Cajus Caligula 5. Claudius Tiberius Drusus 6. Cl. Domitius Nero. 7. Sergius Galba 8. Salvius Otho 9. Aulus Vitellius 10. Flavius Vespasianus 11. Titus Vespasianus 12. Fl. Domitianus 13. Nerva Cocceius 14. Ulpius Traianus 15. Aelius Hadrianus 16. Antoninus Pius 17. M. Aur. Antoninus Philosoph 18. Aurelius Commodus 19. P. Aelius Pertinax 20. Didius Iulianus 21. Septimius Severus 22. Antoninus Bassianus Caracalla 23. Opilius Macrinus 24. Heliogabalus 25. Aur. Alex and. Severus 26. Maximinus Thrax 27. Gordianus Father and Son 28. Pupienus and Balbinus 29. Gordianus the third 30. Philippios Arabs and his Son 31. Decius and his Son 32. Treâ—onianus Gallus 33. P. Licinius Valerianus 34. P Licinius Gallienus 35. Claâ—dâ—us 36. Valerius Aurâ—lianus 37. M. Claudius Tacitus 38. M. Aurelius Probus 39. M. Aurel. Caâ—us 40. Valerius Dioâ—lerianus and 41. Constantius Chlorus the Father of Constantine the Great This compendious Scheme of History is what I some years since composed for my own private use as an assistant to my bad memory and whereby I have found no small benefit in my reading ancient Story for without some such general knowledge of the Succession as well of Empires as Kings at first obtain'd a man will find himself at a great loss when he reads any one Prince's Life which generally relates to former Occurrences whâ—reof he is ignorant as also not so well able to digest and remember what he then reads To be first well acquainted with the Rise Progress Declension and final Subversion of an Empire is above all things the greatest help to him that shall afterwards read the Lives of its several Princes he that knows how the first Assyrian Monarchy was founded by Nimrod enlarged by Ninus and Semiramis divided upon the death of Sardanapalus and destroy'd by Cyrus may afterwards launch with pleasure and confidence into the Chronicles of that first Monarchy He that understands how Cyrus by the defeat of Belsazer and by his Uncle Darius Medus's death possessed himself of the whole Assyrian and Babylonian Monarchy and translating the same into Persia did there begin the second Monarchy how Cyrus's Family extinguishing in his Son Cambyses Darius Hystaspes won the Empire by his Horse's neighing and how it continued in his Family till by Darius Codomanus's Luxury this second Monarchy was subverted and translated into Greece by Alexander the Great shall very easily acquaint himself with all other parts of the Persian Story Also he that is at first acquainted with the beginning of this third Grecian Monarchy by Alexander the Great his Victory over Darius with the division of the same by his death into four several Kingdoms and how each of those four Kingdoms were afterwards subdued by the Romans will be able the more easily to inform himself not only of the several Decays and final Ruine of the third Empire but likewise of the many Advances which the Romans made to the fourth till at last it began under Iulius Caesar and extended its first Period to Constantine the Great So that nothing is a
years After this he return'd to Athens being follow'd by many Disciples and died in the 53 year of his Age. See Laertius lib. 8. 11 Speusippus was an Athenian born at Myrrhinus which belong'd to the Pandonian Tribe his Father named Eurymedon his Mother Potone and Sister to Plato He was educated under his Uncle Plato whose Neece's Daughter he married having with her 30 Minae for a Portion which Dionysius sent her to which sum Chio added a Talent When Dion came to Athens Speusippus was his constant Companion which he did by his Uncle Plato's Advice to soften and divert the morose humour of Dion whereupon Timon in Sillis calls Pseusippus a good Jester Plat. Vit. Dion The last Voyage that Plato made into Sicily Speusippus accompanied him and grew much into favour with the Citizens of Syracuse by reason of his free Behaviour Afterwards Pseusippus at his return to Athens instigated Dion who was there in Banishment to levy War upon Dionysius which accordingly he did with great success as I have already shew'd in the Life of Dionysius upon this when Dion had recover'd Sicily he bestow'd upon Speusippus his Countrey-house which he had purchased at Athens as a reward for his good counsel Now Plato dying in the first year of the 108 th Olympiad Theophilus being Archon Speusippus succeeded him in the School of his Academy whom he follow'd also in his Doctrine he continued Master of this School 8 years till at last being very infirm and disabled by the Palsie he relinquish'd it to Xenocrates As for the profession of Philosophy which Speusippus made it was the same with that of Plato He first as Theodorus affirms looked into the Community and mutual assistance of Mathematical Disciplines as Plato did into that of the Philosophical He affirmed that the Mind was not the same either with good or one but of a peculiar nature proper to it self And he exacted Money of his Disciples contrary to the custom of Plato For though he followed Plato in his Opinions yet did he not imitate his Temper Speusippus being austere and cholerick nor had so great command over his Pleasures In Anger he threw a Dog into a Well and indulging himself in Pleasure he went to Cassander's Wedding in Macedonia Laert. Philostrat He was likewise a great lover of Money as Apollonius here mentions and also Laertius saith the same In so much that some indifferent Poems which he had made he himself sung publickly for profit These Vices Dionysius writing to him derides saying Plato took no money of his Scholars but you exact it whether they are willing or not as is extant in Athenaei Dipnos lib. 12. ch 24. He was as Timotheus saith very infirm of Body in so much that he was fain to be carried up and down the Academy in a kind of running Chair At length he died of grief as Laertius lib. 4. affirms who elsewhere citing Plutarch in the Lives of Lysander and Scylla saith that Speusippus died of the Phthiriasis but there is no such passage in Plutarch as now extant Lastly Concerning his Writings Phavorinus in the second Book of his Commentaries saith that Aristotle paid three Talents for them He wrote many things chiefly in Philosophy as Commentaries and Dialogues whereof you may see a large Collection in Stanly's Lives out of Laertius Suidas Plutarch Apuleius Stobaeus and Athenaeus Now for the further Illustration of those Philosophers Lives and Doctrines which are made use of in this Treatise give me leave as I did before in History so now to do the like in Philosophy and for the better Explanation thereof present you with this short Scheme as well of the principal Sects as Successions of the most eminent Philosophers which is thus digested and collected out of Clemens Alexandrinus Laertius and others Typus sive Epitome uti Clemens ipse vocat Successionis Philosophorum ex Clem. Alexandr Stromat 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 septem scil Sapientes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. Italica à Pythagora Olympiad 62 In Metapente 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Ionica à Thalete Olymp. 50. Anaximander Anaximenes Anaxagoras Hic Scholam suam ex Ionia Athenas traduxit ait Clemens Archelaus Socrates Plato Peripatetica in Lyceo Aristoteles Theophrastus Straton Lycoâ— Cristolaus Diodorus Academia vetus Speusippus Xenocrates Polemon Stoica secta Crates Zeno Citicus Cleanthes Chrysippus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Academica media Crantoâ— Arcesiaus c. usque ad Hegesilaum Carnâ—â—des 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Antisthenes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. Eleatica à Zenophane Oly. 40 Parmenides Zeno. Leucippus Democritus Protagoras Metrodorus Diogenes Smyrnaeus fort Diomeâ—es apud Laert. in vit Anaxarc Anaxaâ—hus Pyrrho Nauliphanâ—â— Epicurus uti Quidam 12 Cassander 's Wedding this Cassander was King of Macedonia and Son of Antipater who nevertheless respecting the publick Good more than that of his own Family left the Kingdom at his death to Polysperchâ—n and not to his own extravagant Son our Cassander here mention'd Which he reseâ—â—ing very iâ—â— resolv'd notwithstanding to push for the Kingdom of Macedonia wherefore entring into a Conspiracy with Ptolomy King of Egypt as also with Antigonus and divers other Captains he prepared all things ready for a War both by Sea and Land At the same time Polysperchon who was a cunning old Souldier and had been one of Alexander's Officers the better to secure Greece from a Revolt did abolish all such Oligarchies as since the passing of Alexander into Asia had been erected in any of the Greek Cities thereby restoring them to their former liberty in hopes to secure them from adhering to Cassander Now Cassander having obtain'd of Antigonus 35 Ships and 6000 Men sailed with them to Athens which together with the Haven he had got into his power by means of Nicanor whom he had sent before-hand for that purpose Against him came Polysperchon intending to besiege him but his Provisions failing him he was forced to raise his Siege when leaving his Son with a Party in Attica he march'd himself with the chief of his Army into Peloponesus against Megalopolis which was the only City amongst them that had adher'd to Cassander where he being worsted soon after the rest of the Greek Cities did thereupon revolt to Cassander After this ill fortune of Polysperchon's Cassander marching into Macedonia found likewise many Friends there who were for the Rising Sun The year following Polysperchon by the help of Aeacida King of the Molossians brought back Olympias with Alexander the Son of Roxane her Grandchild into Macedonia whereupon Eurydice the Wife of King Aridaeus fortify'd her self and sent to Cassander for aid but the Macedonians fearing the Majesty of Olympias fell away from her so that she and her Husband being both committed to Prison he was first kill'd and then Olympias sent her a Sword an Halter and Poyson to choose which of them she pleas'd who having pray'd to the Gods for Revenge hanged her self with her Garter This happened
for in many places there are Crannies and in other parts certain Knobs like to Hail-stones which do not yield to the Artist But the Teeth of such as live in the Mountains are less than those yet are white enough and capable of being wrought howbeit the Teeth of such as live in the Plains are the best for they are the greatest and whitest also easie to be cut and may with little labour be wrought into any fashion you please Illustrations on Chap. 6. 1 TAxilla a famous City of India in the Kingdom of Varsa situated between the River Indus and the River Hydaspes See Pliny lib. 6. ch 17. Strabo lib. 15. Also Arrianus and Curtius 2 King Porus was a famous King of the Indians against whom Alexander fought and took him Prisoner as both Plutarch and Curtius write after which Alexander asking him how he would be handled Porus reply'd In a Princely manner Alexander then demanding of him if he had any thing else to say I have comprehended all said Porus in that word Princely Whereupon Alexander did not only restore to him the Viceregency of his own Kingdoms but also of many other Countreys It is reported that this King Porus was four cubits and a shaft in height and of bigness proportionable to the Elephant he rode Suidas writes that this King lived on nothing but Herbs and Water 3 Alexander the Son of c. sirnam'd the Greaâ— from the grandeur of his Acts. He was descended of the two best Families in Greece his Father being Philip King of Macedon and of the Lineage of Hercules his Mother Olympias the Daughter of Neoptâ—lemus King of the Molossians The time of his Birth was the first year of the 106 th Olympiad in the 6th day of the Month 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or August according to the Iulian Kalendar The day of Alexander's Birth was famous for several things 1. On that very day his Father Philip obtain'd a Victory over the Illyrians by the good Conduct of his General Parmeniâ— 2. On that very day Philip was declared Victor at the Olympick Games 3. On that same day the Temple of Diana at Ephesus was burnt by Erostratus as say Plutarch in Alexand. Pausan. Sâ—lin ch 49. Cicero de Divinat lib. 2. de Natura Deor. From hence it was that the Magicians deliver'd that Alexander would one day be the Firebrand of Asia As for the manner of his Birth it is said that his Mother Olympia dream'd on her Wedding-night that Lightning fell into her Belly and that there was a great light Fire which dispers'd it self in sundry flames also his Father King Philip soon after he was married dream'd that he did seal his Wives Belly with the print of a Lion which Aristander expounded to signifie that his Queen was with Child of a Boy who should have a Lion's heart Some fabulous Writers say that he was begotten of his Mother by Iupiter Ammon in the likeness of a Serpent wherefore as Philostratus here mentions he was styled by many the Son of Iupiter as in Gyrald lib. 1â—â— Hist. Deor Varro in Fragm also Plutarch Both Alexander and his Father Philip were born in a Greek City named Pella situate in the Kingdom of Macedonia from whence they were called Pellaei as well by Lucan as Iuvenal Vnus Pellaeâ— Iuveni non sufficit orbis Lastly For his Person his Complexion was white inlay'd with red his Constitution hot and fiery his Temper ambitious passionate and hasty his Body of a sweet fragrant odour and his Inclinations addicted more to Wine than Women He was easily perswaded to any thing by Reason but never by Force and that even in his very youth when as Quintilian says Mihi detur ille puer quem laÌ„us excitet quem gloria juvet qui victus fleat As for the manner of Alexander's Education at 15 years of age he was committed to the tuition of that great Philosopher Aristotle under whose Instruction he spent 5 years where he learnt all sâ—ch Sciences as are requisite in a Prince He studied Ethicks Politicks and all other parts of Philosophy even in Physick he exercis'd not only the Theory but Practick administring Physick to many of his sick Friends Leonides was also joyn'd in Commission with Aristotle for the instructing of him nevertheless Alexander had not that affection for any of his Masters no not for his own Father as for his Master Aristotle whereupon being ask'd by one of his Friends why he set a greater value upon Aristotle than upon his Father Philip his Answer was Quoniam à patre accepi ut viverem à praecepâ—ore vero accepi ut bene viverem nay King Philip himself had so great an esteem for Aristotle that writing to him he said Gratias ago Diis non tam quod mihi natus est filiâ—s quam quod eum nasci contigit temporibus vitae tuae spero enim ut à te edoctus dignus existat nobis tanto regno Moreover he rewarded him highly when besides other noble Presents King Philip for his sake restor'd Aristotle's ruined Countrey Stagirâ— The greatness of Alexander's Spirit appear'd in nothing more than in his dexterous manage of that wild Horse Bucephalus which his Father Philip had bought for 13 Talents and which no man living was ever able to ride but Alexander This Horse by his great courage and speed had in several Engagements preserv'd Alexander's life and reliev'd him from the fury of his Enemies till at last being slain by a Dart in his Indian Expedition Alexander in honour of his memory did there erect him not only a famous Sepulchre but also a great City in India which he called after his Horse's Name Bucephâ—lus Pliny lib. 6. ch 20. Strabo lib. 15. Gellius lib. 5. ch 2. Now for the several Alliances which Alexander being of man's estate contracted they were these He had 4 Wives 1. Statira the Daughter of Darius Codomannus 2. Barsine of whom he begat his Son Hercules 3. Parysatida and 4. Roxana of whom he begat his Son Alexander And besides these he had 365 Concubines as Diodorus writes Of all his men Favourites he had the highest veneration for Craterus but the greatest affection for Hephaestion being often used to say Craterus amat Regenâ— Hephaestion autem amat Alexandrum The one loved his dignity the other his person And accordingly he conferr'd honour on Craterus but reserv'd his private familiarity and friendship for Hephaestion Plutarch in Apotheg All his Secrets he communicated only to Hephaestion as appears by that private Letter which having receiv'd from his Mother Olympias he shew'd him and afterwards plucking a Seal off from his finger put it to Hephaestion's mouth thereby importing his secresie in that Affair Plut. in Alexand. Arcanis dictis linguam obsignare memento Dictorâ—m non majus depositum est opibus Lucian in Epig. lib. 3. Antilog Tit. 51. To begin now with the Reign of Alexander the Great we must observe that it lasted
the Works of Zeuxis Polygnotus or Euphranor Also of the Fight betwixt Alexander and Porus. AS for the 1 Snows of the Ethiopians and the Hills 2 Catadupi I think not fit to gainsay them in respect to their Authority who have related such things Yet do I not assent to their Relations considering with my self how it could be possible that 5 Indus should do like Nilus since the Region that lyes above it is not cover'd with Snow Besides I know that God hath set the Indians and Aethiopians as the utmost Horns of the Earth and made both swarthy the one at the Eastern the other at the Western part of the World which could not be unless they were both warm in the Winter and if the Sun be hot there all the year how is it possible that Snow should breed there or that it should be in so vast a quantity as when they melt to cause so great Rivers to overflow And if the Snow should descend into places so exposed to the Sun how it should be spread into so great a Sea or how it should suffice for a River to overflow all Egypt In their passage over Indus they say that they met with many 3 Sea-horses and many 4 Crocodiles like them that swim in Nilus They likewise relate that such Flowers grow about Indus as about Nilus and that the Seasons of the year are in India warm at Winter but at Summer stifling nevertheless they say that God hath well provided against this by causing much Rain to fall there Furthermore they report that they have heard the Indians say that the King when the Seasons of the year call him to it goeth to the River and offereth up Horses and black Bulls to it in Sacrifice for the Indians prefer the black colour before the white by reason as I suppose of their own Complexion After the Sacrifice is ended they say the King sinketh a 6 golden Measure like to that wherein they measure Corn into the River and that the Indians do not certainly know for what end this is done but they suppose that the Measure is so sunk either for the plenty of those Fruits which Husbandmen measure with it or for the moderation of the River that it might not too much overflow the Countrey Now having passed the River the Guide whom the Governour had given them led them the direct way to Taxilla where the King's Palace is Moreover they report that the men which dwell by the River Indus are cloath'd with Linen of that Countrey and Shoes made of the Bark of Trees also a kind of Hat against the Rain But persons of greater quality go clad in 7 Silk which they report groweth on Trees like a white Asp for growth and Leaves like those of the Sallow Apollonius said he was pleas'd with the Silk in that it resembled the duskish Philosophical 8 Pallium this Silk they say is brought out of India into Egypt for many of their sacred Rites As for Taxilla they say it is for bigness to be compared with the old Ninus and walled proportionably as the rest of the Greek Cities are it was the Royal Seat of Mander who govern'd that 9 Kingdom which was formerly ruled by Porus. Before the Walls they saw a Temple erected about an hundred feet high of purple-colour'd Stone wherein stood a Chappel though less than a Temple yet so large and so beset with Pillars that it was worthy of admiration There were several brazen Tables hanging on the Walls whereon were written the 10 Deeds of Alexander and Porus. Their Acts were engraven on Copper Silver Gold and black Brass together with Elephants Horses Souldiers Helmets and Shields But the Lances Darts and Swords were all made of Iron and so artificially engraved as if it were the Work of 11 Zeuxie 12 Polygnotus or 13 Euphranor who were able to express the shadows breath descents and ascents of things so they say it appear'd there the several matters being inserted into the Pictures instead of Colours Nor was it an unpleasant sight to discover the King's disposition by the Picture For Porus set up the said Table in the Chappel after the death of Alexander though Alexander be therein described as conquering and restoring Porus whom he had wounded in Fight and conferring upon him the Region of India as his own Furthermore it is reported that Porus wept and lamented at the death of Alexander as being a brave and generous Prince Likewise after Alexander was departed out of India Porus never spake any thing as a King though Alexander permitted it nor did he rule the Indians as a King but as a Deputy doing and speaking all things very modestly to the honour of Alexander I cannot in reason here omit what is related of Porus for upon the entrance of Alexander into India when some of Porus's Friends advised him to make a defensive League wiâ—â— those that dwelt near Ganges and 14 Hypasis in as much as Alexander was not likely to engage against all India if he perceived the Inhabitants unite together Porus answer'd If my Subjects be such that I cannot be safe without the help of Associates it will be better for me to lay down my Kingdom To one that said Darius was call'd a King Porus made Answer But not a Man When the Groom had brought the Elephant whereon Porus was to ride and saâ—â— to him This Elephant Oh King will carry you nay rather said Porus I will carry him if my strength equal my stature To one who advised him to sacrifice to the River that he might not receive the Macedonian Ships nor afford a passage to Alexander Porus replyed It is not decent for them that take Arms to imprecate Curses After the Battel wherein Alexander judged him to be a divine man and far exceeding humane Nature when one of Porus's Frienâ—s told him That if he had humbled himself to Alexander he had not been overcome in Battel neither had he caus'd so many of the Indians to be slain nor been wounded himself the Answer of Porus was this When I heard how Alexander was more ambitious than other men I thought that he would esteem me a base Slave if I humbled my self before him whereas if I manfully opposed him he would esteem me a King and rather worthy of admiration than pity neither indeed was I mistaken for shewing my self to be such a man as Alexander saw me to be I in one and the same day both lost and recover'd all I had Such an one Historians report Porus to have been also that he was the most lovely man of all the Indians and of so large a stature as no man had been since the 15 Trojan Worthies likewise that he was very young when he fought with Alexander Illustrations on Chap. 9. 1 SNows Snow is a Cloud congeal'd by excessive Cold before it be perfectly resolv'd from Vapours into Water for if it should come to the density of Water before the Congelation then could it
brought me to the wise men sooner perhaps than was fitting for I was but 12 years old however they took me and bred me up as their own Child for they shew far greater kindness to such as are skill'd in the Greek Tongue before they receive them in as much as they are more capable of their Instructions My Parents afterwards dying soon after one another the wise men brought me to my Towns that I might look to my own Affairs as being now about 19 years of age But my good Vncle had by this time taken away the 7 Towns so that he did not so much as leave me the Fields which my Father had purchased saying that they all belong'd to his Kingdom and that it was a favour he suffer'd me to live Wherefore having gather'd up a small stock from my Mothers freed men I lived poorly having but four Attendants In this condition as I was reading the Tragedy called Heraclidae there came a Messenger to me from this Place bringing a Letter from a certain Friend of my Father's who bade me pass over the River Hydraotes and consult with him about recovering this Kingdom for there were great hopes for me that I might easily attain it if I were not wanting to my self I thinking that some of the Gods had brought that Tragedy into my thoughts follow'd the Presage Now when I had cross'd the River I heard that one of them who had usurped the Kingdom was dead and that the other was besieg'd in his Palace Wherefore complying with these things I came with open mouth in all the Towns wheresoever I pass'd crying out that I was the Son of such a one and that I came to possess my own Government Whereupon they received me with very great joy and thinking me to be very like my Grandfather embraced me and accompanied me with Swords and Bows in great numbers which continually increas'd Wherefore coming to the Gate of the City those that were here receiv'd me so chearfully that they lighted Torches at the Altar of the Sun wherewith came to the Gates and conducted me hither singing praises of my Father and Grandfather As for that Drone within they thrâ—w him over the Walls notwithstanding I interceded for him that they would not put him to such a death Illustrations on Chap. 13. 1 TO strive against Fortune c. It is a very faâ—nâ— Opinion for any man although Fortune hath given him one shrewd Blow 〈◊〉 to despond or though in a great Design his second or third Attempt be â—oyl'd yet the works of Destiny are kept so secret from us till enlighten'd by time as for ought we know that success which is deny'd to our first second or third Attempt may be reserv'd to a fourth nothing is more â—â—â—ally seen than in the sealing the Walls of strong Placeâ— after one or two desperate repulses an obstinate perseverance carries them and so in mens civil Undertakings perseveranti dabitur for in persevering many times strange and unthought of Accidents are found to come in by means whereof the success is beyond what could have been imagined for God does as well disappoint our Fears as our Hopes Therefore in the old Roman way of such as slew themselves if they did it out of scorn to endure any base disgrace then it was set upon the score of Magnanimity or if it was to ease them of some grievous paiâ— then it excused it self upon that Dictate of Nature Of Evils choose the least but if in case of adverse Fortune and an over-hasty Despair it was certainly then the effect of a pusillanimous Spirit which had not courage enough to hold out till a better condition might appear 2 The Tragedy of Heraclidae this Tragedy was written by Euripides 3 I would not be wanting to my self c. The main Reason why there are so few gallant Exploits done among men and how it comes to pass that they suffer such base Oppressions as they do is for the most part because they are wanting to themselves that is they either see not the opportunities they have of helping themselves or else they want the courage to undertake them The Reason of the first is not so much the daily diversion of their minds upon pleasures or other impertinencies as a meer thoughtlessness and stupidity wherein we pass most of our time in thinking seriously upon nothing This perhaps is a great cause of publick Quiet in not observing those Emergencies which more vigilant and hot Heads would lay hold of for turbulent Attempts and therefore in our Institutions is not censured but Mahomet has by an express Edict prohibited it as a mortal sin and I am of opinion that his strict Injunction for such perpetual Meditation and Advertency is one great cause of the daily growth and progress of his Church and Empire Yet indeed were I a Prince especially if I did not exactly govern as the Peoples good required I should not much fancy my thinking Subjects lest observing things too narrowly their thoughts might not be to my advantage The second way wherein men usually fall is want of Courage Magnis conatibus obstat impunitatis â—â—pido If man were not a Creature as timid as he is crafty and malicious how could one man or a few enslave a whole Nation Yet most certainly it was the great wisdom of God to plant this fear of Death in the heart of man without which the poor would rifle the rich the People would disobey their Governors and every superstitious Fool would to escape Purgatory murder whomsoever his Confessor bid him Now besides these two Deficiencies men are wanting to themselves in many other Points but above all in Industry how many appear in the Streets half naked and begging for a farthing when others as feeble as they support themselves by Labour and others who lye tortured with Diseases have usually fail'd themselves in point of Temperance when rather than restrain their Gluttony or Drunkenness they choose as the easier to fall a praying Poscis opem nerviâ— corpusque fidele senectae Esto age sed patinae grandes Tucetaque crassâ— Annuere his superos vetuere Iovemque morantur Thus in all kind of Afflictions that men endure upon a severe scrutiny they shall find that their endurance or at least their long endurance proceeds from their being wanting to themselves one way or other 4 Receiv'd me with great joy c. The Case in brief was thus This King Phraotes his Father came young to the Crown which being by some great men usurp'd from him he not long after dying they still detaâ—n'd it from his young Son Phraotes who thereby was constrained to live poor in exile till after that the Usurpers had with much oppression for some years exasperated the People they then revolted from the Usurpers and sent for the right Heir Phraotes and settled him in the Throne of his Ancestors The People are so basely in love with their own ease and safety as they many
Hereto several of the Poets refer As Ovid Volvitur Ixion se refugitque fugâ—t que Metam 10 And Claudian Non rota suspensum praeceps Ixiona torquet De Raptu Pros. 6 Nor do they fancy to themselves things which are not c. When I observe Ovid's Metamorphosis and other the strange Fictions of the Heathen Poets which our Mythologists undertake to expound mystically but vulgar Heathens believ'd historically and so had need of a Faith as strong as an Ostrich's Stomach that can digest Iron I verily think they might as really and truly expound the every days Dialogues at Bedlam Nor could those monstrous Fictions ever have been devis'd or believ'd any where but in Countreys where the Liquors which they usually drank had intoxicated and depraved their Brains for to clear Understandings they appear nothing but Frenzies Yea although you have read Natalis Comes or the ingenious Lord Bacon his Wisdom of the Ancients you could never receive them without an habitual previous infatuation of your Judgement Therefore Mahomet after he had most wisely prohibited the drinking of Wine was fain to be more circumspect what Fables he deliver'd as knowing they would never pass with Water-drinkers We daily see many Songs pass with great applause among our Drunkards that in the Poet's head had some little intentional sence and by himself esteem'd a Rapture which if one should as Horace advises turn into Prose and then examine the strength of the Fancy you would evidently perceive to be flat and vulgar So that before a man can admire them he must first drink as much Wine as the Poet did when he made them and so wind himself up to the same pitch to fit him for the Consort Aut bibe aut ubi 7 The wise Amphiaraus the Son of Oecleus was a famous Greek Prophet whom King Adrastus desired to go along with him to the War of Thebes but Amphiaraus foreseeing it would cost him his Life absconded himself till being betrayed by his Wife Eriphile who was bribed by a golden Bracelet he was forced to go and the first day he came to Thebes he was swallow'd up alive by the Earth Of this see Homer's Odys 15. After his Death he was worshipp'd for a God See his History at large written by Diod. Sicul. lib. 5. ch 5. Cicer. lib. 1. de Divin Pausan. in Attic. Stat. Theb. Plut. in Paral. 8 The Priest after he had drunk Water and not Wine gave his Answers The Priests of Amphiaraus whose Oracles were of great repute in old Time had a constant Custom that before the Priest declared the Oracle to those who came for Counsel at their Temple to abstain three days from Wine and one day from Flesh that so he might have his Understanding the better prepared to receive the pretended Inspiration which otherwise he was not thought so capable of while his Brain might be clouded and darkned with the gross Vapours which by a full Diet might ascend from his Stomach to his Head This was certainly a very wise Institution for he being upon each Demand to consider what Answer was fit to be given as most safe for the reputation of his Order and withal satisfactory to the Supplyant he had need to keep his Wits about him and to enable him so to do nothing was better than a thin Diet for the Brain is much of the nature of a bright Looking glass which if moisten'd by Mists cannot represent an Object clear Also as the Devil is said to imitate God as Apes do Men so it may be they had heard of the Prophet and divine Law-giver Moses who by God's own appointment had commanded as a perpetual Ordinance that the Priest when he entred into the Tabernacle of the Congregation should that day drink neither Wine nor strong Drink CHAP. XV. Apollonius sacrificeth to the Sun whilst Phraotes tarryeth for him that he might be present and give his advice touching a Field that had been sold and which was now in Controversie by reason of Treasure found therein which Field by the Sentence of Apollonius was adjudged to the Buyer because he was a good and just man and pious towards the Gods whereas the Seller was evil and impious and a contemner of the Gods The Story of the white Camels and the King's Letter in behalf of Apollonius to Jarchas his Master one of the wise men A Description of the Gates whereon were the Statues of Alexander and Porus Concering the Altars inscribed with an Epigram Also of the Pillars whereon was engraved this Sentence Alexander here made a Stand. WHen Apollonius perceiv'd that the King was now to give Answers to Embassies and such like Matters he said to him Do you O King those things that pertain to the government of your Kingdom and leave me at this time to the Sun for I must pray my accustomed Prayers unto him And let him hear your Prayers said the King for he delighteth in all that love Wisdom and I will in the mean time wait your Return for I must determine certain Controversies at which if you be present you will be very assistant to me The Morning being well spent Apollonius returns and asks the King What those things were which he had determined To whom the King made Answer That he had determin'd nothing that day in as much as the service of Religion did prohibit him Apollonius reply'd Do you then perform the service of Religion before you determine Causes as well as before you undertake a Iourney or an Expedition with an Army Yes said the King because here also is danger if he that determines Causes be turn'd aside from what is right Wherefore Apollonius judged that the King spake well and further ask'd him What that Controversie was which he was that day to determine For saith he I see you in suspence and doubtful on which side you should pass sentence Whereto the King answer'd I confess I am in no small doubt and therefore make you my Adviser A certain Man sold a piece of Land to another wherein Treasure had been hidden but was known to no man and not long after the Earth being opened was discover'd a Pot of Gold The Seller of the Land claim'd it in that he would not have sold the Land had he known that such Wealth had layn therein The Purchaser on the contrary said that all was his which he found in the Land that he had bought The Plea of both seem'd to have some Right in them neither should I avoid the imputation of Folly should I command them to share the Gold between them for such a decision any old Woman would give Hereunto Apollonius answer'd That these men are not Philosophers is apparent in that they contend about Gold But I suppose you will pass a right sentence if you thus reckon with your self that the Gods take an especial care of them who are both Philosophers and vertuous men but they regard them in the second place who are not