Theod he put to death old Theodosius the Father of Theodosius the Great who was afterwards Valentinian's Successor Q. What considerable Actions had that Illustrious old man perform'd A. He had done the State great Service by his Counsels beaten the Picts and Scots out of Britain and defeated Firmius the Tyrant who ravag'd Afric with an Army of Moors Q. How many Children had Valentinian the Brother of Valens A. Two The first named Gratianus who was declared Augustus by his Father in the City of Amiens Q. What was the Second Son's name A. He was called Valentinian the Younger to distinguish him from his Father Q. What do Historians tell us of Valentinian the Younger A. That after the death of his Father he was declar'd Augustus at the Age of Ten years by the Soldiers as well as by his Brother Gratian. Gratian the Fifty second Emperor The Year of Rome 1115. Of the Birth of I. C. 375. Q WHat Qualities was Gratian master of A. He had a Body well made and a Soul of a vast extent and great elevation Q. Don't Historians observe some defects in him A. He had some but such as would not have appear'd so conspicuous in an indifferent Fortune he had an incurable aversion to State-affairs which ought to have taken up his most serious moments Q. Did not this sink his Reputation mightily with his Subjects A. Yes and what they could not suffer but with the utmost indignation was to see him freequently prefer a Barbarian Soldier to a Roman although the Roman was the elder of the two and had more merits to plead Q. How did he manage matters after the death of Valens A. He took as Partner in the Empire with him Theodosius the Grandson of that Theodosius who was slain by the order of Valens Q. What forced him upon this Conduct A. Because he found himself not strong enough to support so furious a War as he was then engaged in and besides the Goths ravaged Thrace and the other Provinces of the Empire at pleasure Theodosius the Great the Fifty Third Emperor The Year of Rome 1132. Of the Birth of I. C. 392. Q. HOW old was Theodosius when he was taken Partner into the Empire A. He was thirty three Years old and his first appearance on the Imperial Seat gave sufficient proofs of his Courage and Prudence Q. Where was he born A. In Spain at Lauca a Town of Gallicia He imitated all the Vertues but none of the Vices of his Countryman Trajan He summon'd the Second Oecumenical Council that of Nice being the first at Constantinople Ann. Dom. 381. wherein besides the confirmation of the Nicene Council by an Hundred and fifty Bishops Macedonius the Heretic was condemn'd and the Orthodox Belief concerning the Holy Ghost established Q. What memorable Exploits did he perform A. He vanquish'd all the Enemies of the Roman name and gave peace to his Subjects Q. Was not this Prince a sure Asylum to all Kings that were persecuted and in distress A. Yes he supported them against all those who conspir'd their destruction and the subversion of their Governments Q. What instances can you give me of this his great Generosity A. Athanaricus King of the Goths being turn'd out of his Kingdom by his own Rebellious Subjects fled to Constantinople where he was very honourably receiv'd by Theodosius Q. Did that Prince enjoy the Emperor's Favours any considerable time A. No for tho he had escaped Death in so many Battels yet he ended his days when he expected to pass the remainder of his life in great tranquillity Q. Was not Theodosius concern'd at the loss of him A. He would receive no manner of Consolation nay he was so profuse in the Celebration of his Funeral that it was no less Magnificent than what was used to be kept for any of the deceased Emperors Q. Were not the Goths mightily astonished at this A. It made so deep an Impression upon them that seeing themselves without a Master they were unanimously of an opinion That they could not find a better than Theodosius Q. Did the Goths then submit themselves to this great Prince A. Yes and he distributed Lands among them for their maintenance with great liberality Q. What remarkable matters happen'd after this A. The Tyrant Maximus made himself Master of Britain and Gaul and chose Triers for his Capital City Q. What Acts of Cruelty did that Usurpea commit A. He put the unfortunate Gratian to death at Lyons who was Twenty five Years old Q. Did not Theodosius revenge hâ—â— death A. Yes and plac'd young Valentinian who had been forc'd out of Italy upon his Throne again Q. As to the business of Religion how did he behave himself A. He reconcil'd himself to the Church and to the great St. â—mbrose and notwithstanding all the efforts of the Arians to debauch him in his Principles and engage him in their Party yet he still continued to adhere to the Ancient Truth Q. What Character do Historians bestow upon him A. That he was inferior to none of his Predecessors either in Virtue or Merit that he never made War but out of meer necessity and was successful in all his Military Undertakings In fine that his Goodness charm'd all the world and his engaging Behaviour gain'd him the hearts of all that approach'd him Q. What was his chief Infirmity A. He was naturally Choleric but he seldom suffer'd his Passion to get the better of him and then after some short intervals it was no difficult matter to appease him He had once design'd utterly to destroy the City of Antioch for taking down the Statue of Augusta Placilla but was at last persuaded by their Bishop Flavianus to pardon them At another time he massacred seven thousand men in a Theatre at Thessalonica for killing their President Q. Which was the last Victory that Theodosius obtain'd A. 'T was that which he gain'd over Eugenius whose Troops had join'd those of Arbogastes who had caus'd Valentinian to be strangled in his own Palace at Vienna in Dauphine Q. Theodosius then vanquish'd these two Tyrants A. Yes and 't was rather by a particular Protection of Heaven than any human strength Q. What became of them A. Eugenius was taken Prisoner and Arbogastes kill'd himself Q. Did Theodosius the Great live long after these Victories A. No for shortly after this Generous Prince died at Milan A. D. 395. being Fifty Years old according to the common Opinion Q. To whom did he bequeath his Empire A. He divided it between his two Sons Arcadius and Honorius Q. What had Arcadius for his share A. He had the Empire of the East and Honorius that of the West Q. What Eminent Men flourish'd under his Reign A. St. Ierome so profoundly skill'd in the Hebrew Tongue to whom the Learned World is highly oblig'd for his great Performances upon the Scriptures St. Ambrose Bishop of Milan who employ'd his Eloquence against the Arians St. Austin Bishop of Hippo in Afric the most
besieged within their own Walls where they all kill'd themselves out of despair Q. And what became then of the City of Numantia A. It was raz'd to the ground and thus all Spain became a Province of the Romans Q. What other considerable Actions did the Romans about this time perform A. They made themselves Masters of Macedonia the Third time Q. What was he who had possess'd that Kingdom for some years before A. His name Andriscus a sorry obscure pitiful Fellow who pretending to be the Son of Perses had enter'd that Kingdom with very considerable Forces in the year 605. Q. Did he continue long in the possession of this Kingdom A. No for the year following he was defeated by Cecilius Metellus the Praetor who kill'd him Twenty five thousand men This Victory made him take the name of Macedonicus The War of the Slaves and others about the same time The Year of the World 3921. Of Rome 621. Q. WHO was the chief of these Slaves that excited the War A. Ennus a Syrian by birth who counterfeiting a Divine Revelation encourag'd his Brother Slaves to revolt Q. How many of these Slaves did he muster in a Body together A. About Seventy thousand Q. And what memorable Exploits did he perform A. He defeated four Roman Praetors but in the Year 622. he was vanquish'd by the Consul Rupilius Q. What remarkable thing happen'd in the year 621 A. Attalus died and by Testament left the People of Rome his Heirs Q. Did not this alienation make some Malecontents at home A. Yes for it so happen'd that Aristonicus Natural Son to Eumenes being discontented at this procedure possess'd himself of Asia and cut in pieces the Army of the Praetor Crassus Q. This Aristonicus I suppose was not always victorious in the Field A. No for in the year 624 he was vanquish'd by the Consul Perpenna Q. Was not the abovemention'd year remarkable for something else A. Right for the Death of the second Africanus who was found dead in his bed his Wife being suspected to have poison'd him Q. Did not the Romans signalize their Valour upon some new occasion A. In the year 629 they first attack'd the Inhabitants of Gallia Transalpina and begun with the Salians and Allobroges Q. Who put a Period to that War A. Fabius the Consul by defeating Bituitus King of the Arverni in a pitch'd Battel Q. How many men did the King lose in this Action A. About Twenty six thousand The Battel was fought near Isera and 't was at this time that Gallia Narbonensis was reduc'd to the condition of a Roman Province The War against Jugurtha The Year of the World 3943. Of Rome 643. Q. WHAT was the Original of this War A. 'T was because Iugurtha King of Numidia Bastard Son of Micipsa had ravish'd the Kingdom from the two Legitimate Children of the King his Father and unjustly dispossess'd them of it Q. What did Micipsa's Children do in this Exigence A. They implor'd the Assistance of the Roman People who immediately declar'd War against Iugurtha Q. And who carried the Victory A. Iugurtha but he defeated the Romans rather by his private Liberalities than by the force of his Arms. Q. But did he still prevail A. No Metellus the Consul who was a man not to be bribed against the Interest of his Country was sent against him and had the better of him in several Engagements Q. What other ill successes attended Iugurtha A. Marius compleated his Destruction and at last he was delivered into the hands of his Conqueror through the Treachery of Bocchus King of Mauritania Q. And what became of Iugurtha then A. He was carried Prisoner to Rome and after he had served to adorn the Triumph of Marius died in his Confinement Q. When did that happen A. In the year 647 about the time when Cicero was born Q. Did Marius perform any more considerable Exploits A. Some time after this in his fourth Consulate he exterminated the Teutones and the Ambrons Q. Did he do any thing else to immortalize his Name A. He together with Catulus defeated the Cimbrians who had design'd to force their way into Italy Q. How many of the Enemies weâ—e slain A. There were Twenty six thousand kill'd and Sixty thousand taken Prisoners The War against Mithridates The Year of the World 3960. Of Rome 660. Q. WHEN began this War A. About the Year of Rome 660. Q. Who was this Mithridates A. King of Pontus Q. Why did the Romans make War against him A. Because he had turn'd out Ariobarzanes King of Cappadocia and Nicomedes King of Bithynia and possess'd himself of their Dominions Q. What Method did these two Princes take to be re-establish'd in their Kingdoms A. As they were Allies of the Romans they demanded assistance of Sylla who at that time was Praetor Q. And did Sylla take their part A. He immediately took up arms and having ejected the Usurper by Force he restored Aâ—iobarzanes and Nicomedes to their own Country again Q. But how did Mithridates bear this Ejection A. He employ'd all his Efforts so successfully that he turn'd them out the second time one after the other but they were again reestablish'd by the Authority of the Senate Q. Was not Mithridates somewhat daunted to see himself attack'd by Nicomedes and the Romans A. Far from that He levied a mighty Army and enter'd Cappadocia and Bithynia Q. What did he particularly do in the Kingdom of Bithynia A. He defeated the Roman Army and on a day appointed order'd all the Italians that were in Asia to be massacred Q. Did he make any farther Advances A. He made himself Master of Macedonia Thrace and Greece Q. Did not the Romans endeavour to stop the progress of his Conquests A. Sylla who was then Proconsul parted from Rome to hinder his Designs He immediately recover'd Athens out of his hands and afterwards compell'd him to make a Peace in pursuance of which he was to abandon Asia Bithynia and Cappadocia Q. Did Mithridates stir no more A. Some years after he renew'd the War in Asia but Lucullus the Consul beat him both by Land and by Sea Q. Whither did he retire after this Overthrow A. At first he resided in his Kingdom of Pontus but finding himself still pursued by Lucullus he was obliged to take Sanctuary in Armenia and beg the Protection of Tigranes Q. And did Lucullus still march after him A. Having follow'd him into this Country he there defeated the Two Kings whose Army consisted of Two hundred thousand Foot and Sixty thousand Horse Q. What were the Effects of this Battel A. The Taking of Nisiba and Tigranocetta the Capital City of Armenia Q. Was not Lucullus gloriously recompenc'd for all these Heroick Actions A. No for his Soldiers refusing to stand by him he was forced to give way to Pompey who had the Management of this War devolved upon him after Lucullus Q. What Remarkable Exploits did this new General perform A. He joyn'd the Iberians and Albanians
be Emperor indeed but then would certainly Murder her Q. And what said she to this Prediction A. It signifies nothing so long as he reigns Occidat modo imperet Q. What did Claudius dye of A. He was poyson'd by Agrippina who gave him some Mushrooms to eat Q. Why did she serve him so A. Because he would not declare her Son his Successor in the Empire Q. Did this Poyson carry him off A. No but it made him extremely Sick Q. Who then hasten'd his Death A. His Physitian thrust a poyson'd Feather down his Throat under a pretence of making him vomit up his Mushrooms Q. How long did he Reign A. Thirteen years Eight months and Twenty days Q. When Claudius was dead what did Agrippina do to Britannicus A. â—hâ— shut him up for fear the Romans should â—huâ—e him to succeed Q. And what did Nero do in the mean while A. He was at the Camp and got himself proclaim'd Emâ—eror Q. Did Nero buâ—y Claudius magnificently A Yes and prevail'd to have him Canoniz'd by a Dâ—cree of the Senate Q. How many Wives had Claudius A. Six Lepida Camilla Vrgulanilla Petina Mâ—ssalina and Agrippina Q. How many Chilâ—ren had he A. He had by Vrgulanilla Drusus and Claudius by Petina Anconia and by Mâ—ssalina Octavia and Britannicus Q. Describe me the Person of Claudius A. The Corners of his Eyes were full of little red Veins his Stature was Tall his Body well-proportion'd a good Countenance his Mien Majestick his Voice was harsh and disagreeable his Mouth full of Spitâ—le and his Nose always dropping he had a very bad Memory and a phlegmatick heavy Soul Nero the Sixth Emperor The Year of Rome 794. Of the Birth of I. C. 54. Q I Desire to be inform'd of Nero's Genealogy A. He was the Son of Domitius Aenobarbus and Agrippina Q. How old was he when he came to the Empire A. Sixteen years old Seneca was his Master and Burrus his Governor Q. What remarkable Things do Historians tell of him A. Being one day oblig'd to Sign a Dead Warrant for a Criminal he seem'd to be touch'd with so much Compassion that he wish'd he could not write O quam vellem me nescire literas Q. Which was his principal Vice A. Cruelty Q. With whom did he begin to exercise that barbarous Quality A. He first poysons Britannicus Q. What farther barbarous Acts did he commit A. He put his Mother Agrippina to Death after he had for a long time before stript her of all Authority nay and turn'd her out of Court Q. After he had caus'd her to dye what did he more A. He had a mind to behold her all naked as she lay and brutally said That he did not think his Mother had been so fine a Woman Q. Did he make any farther Progresses in his Barbarity A. He took away Otho's Wife named Poppea Sabina he repudiated Octavia and afterwards put her to Death and shortly after he kick'd the abovemention'd Poppea so that she died of it Q. Was no Conspiracy form'd against him A. Piso contrived one against him and had engaged several Gentlemen in it but Nero happening to discover the Author and his Accomplices among whom were the Poet Lucan and Seneca he put them all to Death Q. Wherein did his Vanity chiefly lye A. He mightily valued himself for playing well upon the Harp in the Theatre and Singing his part with the Comedians Nay he made a Voyage as far as Greece to let the Grecians see he was a good Musitian and a good Actor Q. Who was it he married instead of a Woman A. Pythagoras his Libertus or Freed-man Q. Had he not a Natural Inclination to mischief A. He was so strangely inclin'd that way that he frequently said King Pream was the happiest Prince in the world for having the satisfaction to see his Country all in Flames before he lost his Kingdom Q. Had he not a great fancy to represent the burning of Troy by that of Rome A. One night he distributed his Guards through all parts of the City and commanded them to set the Houses on fire which they so diligently executed that in a short time the whole Town was in a flame Q. Where was Nero all this while A. Upon Maecenas's Tower from whence he beheld the Fire and sung some of Homer's Verses upon the Destruction of Troy Q. Whom did he charge with this Action A. As he had a mortal hatred to the Christians he accused them with having set the City on fire and put several of 'em to death for it Q. Was it not he who began to persecute them first at Rome A. Right and made them suffer Torments which till that time were unknown Q. Was not Armenia taken by one of his Generals A. Domitius Corbulo sufficiently famous for conquering the Frisians took and burnt Artaxata the Metropolis of the Country beat out the Parthians and sent Tiridates to Rome where he received a Diadem from Nero Yet after all these considerable Services being sent for into Greece by Nero he was forced to lay hands on himself to prevent a more ignominious death Q. Was this Tyrant beloved by his Subjects A. No for so many Crimes having drawn upon him the Contempt and Hatred of the whole Empire Vindex a Roman Senator and Governor of Gaul revolted first against him and declared Galba the Governor of Spain Emperor Q. In the mean while was Rufus the Governor of High-Germany unactive A. He enter'd Gaul with a powerful Army to join Vindex Q. And what happen'd upon this A. His Army which knew nothing of his intention fell upon that of Vindex and cut it to pieces Q. What did Vindex do when he saw this A. Imagining that Rufus had betray'd him and inrag'd at the intire loss of his Troops he out of despair kill'd himself Q. What was the upshot of all A. The German Army join'd the small remainder of the Gaulish and then Rufus declar'd Galba Emperor Q. Was not Nero terribly alarm'd at this Revolt A. Instead of preparing himself for a Battel he resolved to make his Escape into Aegypt saying he could get his Livelihood any where by his Acting and Singing Q. How did his Guards behave themselves seeing him so strangely pusillanimous A. They all forsook him Q. Whither then did Nero retire to save himself A. He stole privately out of Rome and hid himself in a Cave Q. When the Senate perceiv'd that what Resolutions did they take A. They declar'd him at the same time an Enemy to the People of Rome condemn'd him to dye and sent out Soldiers every where to go and apprehend him Q. Well what befel him at last A. Finding there was no hopes to preserve his wretched life any longer and yet not having Courage enough to hasten Death with his own hands he desir'd Epaphroditus one of his Free'd-men to kill him who broke his Ponyard as he endeavour'd to do him that kindness but at last made a shift to dispatch him Q. Was
universally Learned Father of the Latin Church Ausonius a famous Poet and Orator and Master to the Emperor Gratian who rewarded him with the Consulate Paulinus Bishop of Nola in Campania who is first reported to have put Bells to a Sacred use from whence they are called Nolae and Campanae Arcadius the Fifty fourth Emperor The Year of Rome 1135. Of the Birth of I. C. 395. Q. WHom did Arcadius marry A. Eudoxia whom he suffer'd to govern absolutely as she thought fit the consequences of which had like to have prov'd as fatal to Religion as it did to the Empire for she banish'd St. Chrysostom who had been translated from the See of Antioch Constantinople only for inveighing against her Vices Q. Whom did he intrust at his death to be his Son's Guardian A. Isdigerdes King of Persia who acquitted himself very honourably in this Trust for he plac'd him under the Tuition of the Learned and Wise Antiochus nay he openly declared That whoever attempted any thing against the Interest and Welfare of this young Prince must expect to find him his Enemy Q. How old was he when he died A. He died in the One and thirtieth year of his Age and in the Eleventh of his or rather his Wife's Reign who died in Child-bed Honorius the Fifty fifth Emperor The Year of Rome 1135. Of the Birth of I. C. 395. Q. GIve me the true Character of Honorius A. He was of a sweet agreeable Disposition an enemy to Application and Business he even had an aversion to Publick Affairs however he was very zealous for the Christian Religion in favour of which he made several Edicts Q What remarkable things fell out in his Reign A. After the Goths had spread themselves all over Italy and were Masters of the City of Rome several Tyrants usurp'd the Sovereign Authority Q. Whom did these Tyrants nominate for their Emperor A. Attalus the Son of Alaricus Honorius offer'd to make him his Partner in the Empire which he refused with a great deal of scorn and arrogance and yet accepted the Imperial Dignity after it was offer'd to him by the Senate Q. Did he long possess the Empire A. No he was soon stript of it and being abandon'd by the Gauls to whom he fled for Protection he was taken Prisoner by Constantius A. D. 415. and deliver'd to the Justice of the Emperor Honorius Q. And how did he use him A. He gave him his Life and contented himself only with cutting off one of his hands Q. Why did he serve him so A. That this Rebel for the remainder of his life might carry the Punishment of his Crime about him and have everlastingly before his eyes the marks of his Rebellion Q. What memorable Accidents happened after this A. One Constantine that commanded the Guards and had nothing to recommend him but only his Name was declared Emperor but being taken Prisoner was strangled at Ravenna Then Iovian and Sebastian possest themselves of Gaul but being seized at Narbo were both put to death Q. Who was it that afterwards usurped the Empire of the Gauls A. Heraclius who passed into Italy with a Navy of Seven hundred Sail but being beaten there he made his Escape to Carthage where he was strangled Q. What other matters happened after the Death of these Tyrants A. The Goths entred France under the Conduct of their King Ataulphus Q. How old was the Emperor Honorius when he died of his Dropsey A. Thirty five Years A. D. 425. Q. What sort of a Reign was his A. Nothing but a continued Scene of Troubles Commotions Tumults and Wars occasion'd by the Vandals the Hunns and other barbarous Nations that daily pour'd new Swarms of People into the Roman Provinces Towards the end of his Reign A. D. 413 the Burgundians erected a new Kingdom towards the Rhone The Franks A. D. 420 erected another in Gaul from them call'd France under their first King Pharamond And the year following Vallia King of the Goths after the death of Ataulphus constituted a Kingdom in Spain The Vandals possessed that part of it which was formerly call'd Boetica and now from them Andalusia as the Goths in conjunction with the Alani fix themselves in Provincia Tarraconensis which was afterwards called Gothalania and corruptly Catalonia The beginning of the Scotish Kingdom too is generally placed about the year of our Lord 422 the Scots from Ireland settling themselves in the Northern parts of Great Britain under their King Fergus Q. What Learned men lived about these times A. Pelagius a Britain a warm Asserter of the Omnipotency of Free-Will and as violent a Depressor of God's Grace whom St. Austin encounter'd so vigorously Prudentius Sedulius and Paulinus famous for Poetry but infinitely exceeded by Claudian who rais'd his Reputation as much by the Elegance and Sweetness of his Versification as he lessen'd it by the Meanness of his Subject Of the Fall and Decay of the Roman Empire Q. WHat were the principal Causes of the Decay of the Roman Empire A. Pride and Luxury and Divisions at home the frequent Mutinies of the Army who deposed their Emperors at pleasure and the perpetual Invasions of the Northern Nations Q. Who caused the greatest Desolations in the Empire A. The Goths the Hunns the Lombards and Vandals who in their turn ravaged the several Provinces of it erecting new Kingdoms and establishing their Laws and Customs where ever they came Q. By whom was Rome taken A. It was taken and retaken by Alarie King of the Goths A. D. 410. and about 1163 years after the building of it For the space of three days this Imperial City which for Nine hundred years had defied the Attacks of all its Enemies even of Hannibal himself was ravag'd and plunder'd at the discretion of the barbarous Conquerors Not long after it was taken by Totila and after him by Theodoricus who made so magnificent an Entry into it that St. Austin wholly astonish'd at so prodigious a show wished that he had seen three things upon earth Q. What were they A. Iesus Christ in the flesh St. Paul in the Pulpit and Ancient Rome in its splendor Q. Did not the Roman Empire for some time make a happy Progress A. It advanc'd rather than decreas'd from Iulius Caesar down to Nero but afterwards Galba Otho and Vitellius so weaken'd it by their Civil Wars that it was scarce in a condition to preserve it self from the Insults of its Enemies Q. Who restored this Empire to its Ancient Splendor A. In Trajan's time as it possess'd the greatest Extent of Ground so it visibly recover'd its former Reputation From that Period it by degrees declin'd till the time of Constantine the Great who by putting an end to all intestine Broils retriev'd in some manner its ancient Credit but through a fatal ill management did it a greater Injury at last than all his Predecessors before him Q. How did that happen A. First he transplanted the Seat of the Empire from Rome where it
Priscus who took away the Kingdom from them and got himself to be declared King of Rome Q. It was then this Tarquinius Priscus that succeeded him A. Yes Tarquinius Priscus Fifth King of Rome Year of the World 3439. Of Rome 139. Q. FRom whence came Tarquinius Priscus A. He was originally of Corinth and Son to a Rich Merchant whose name was Demaratus Q. How came he to be raised to this Dignity A. Under the Reign of Ancus Martius he quitted the City of the Tarquins to seek his Fortune at Rome which it seems answered his Ambition Q. What happened to him in his Journey thither A. As he came near the City an Eagle lighted and took off his Bonnet and soon after placed it on his Head again Tanaquil told him That this lucky Omen promis'd him the Regal Authority Q. Why quitted he his former name Lucumon to take that of Tarquinius A. In remembrance of the City of the Tarquins where he was born Q. How got he himself declared King A. After the Death of Ancus Martius he assembled the Sâ—nators and People and being supported by his Friends and those whom he had gain'd to his Party by Money he put in for the Crown and managed his Affairs so dexterously that he obtain'd it without any difficulty Q. What did he do to secure himself in his new Kingdom A. He augmented the Senate with a hundred Senators and enlarg'd the Authority of that August Body He likewise added Three hundred new Members to the Order of the Knights which was their number before Q. What other things were done by him in particular A. He order'd a Bundle of Rods bound up together with an Axe in the midst to be carried before the Magistrates He regulated the Stuff and Fashion of the Robes that were to be worn by the Kings and Augurs and commanded the Chairs of the Senators to be made of Ivory Q. What did he do besides all this A. He regulated the Habits which were to distinguish the Knights from others that served in the Wars and enjoined them to wear Golden Rings on their Fingers Then to distinguish the Children of Illustrious Families he order'd them to wear long Robes border'd with Purple Q. Did he undertake any considerable Building A. He built the Circus between Mount Palatine and Mount Aventine to have there represented the Combats of Gladiators and of Beasts or any other Diversions of the like nature that deriv'd their name from thence Q. What was remarkable in his Reign A. That he was the first that wore a Crown and a Sceptre with the other Marks of the Regal Dignity Q. What other remarkable Passages have you A. Being one day minded to try Actius Navius President of the Augurs he asked him Whether what he thought of in his mind was possible to be done or no Q. What Answer did Actius return him A After having consulted the Birds he positively told him it was Why says the King I was thinking whether I was able to cut this Whetstone with a Razor That you are reply'd the Augur and at the same time the King accordingly cut it Q. Did not this give a mighty Reputation to the Augurs A Yes for from that time the Romans never began any Enterprize without consulting them Q. What did Tarquin do besides to make himself recommendable A. He extinguish'd the Name of the Latins through all Italy having possessed himself of most of their Cities Q. What Misfortunes befel him A. He was slain by Two Peasants that were bribed to do it by the Children of Ancus Martius Q. Why did they get him to be assassinated A. Because they were angry to see him elevated to the Throne to their prejudice Q. How old was he when they slew him A. Eighty four years old and reigned Thirty eight of them Q. How many Children did he leave behind him A. He left Two whom he placed under the Care of Servius Tullius Q. Who succeeded Tarquin A. The above-mentioned Servius Tullius Servius Tullius Sixth King of Rome The Year of the World 3477. Of Rome 177. Q. FRom what sort of Parents was Servius Tullius descended A. He was Son to the Prince of Cornicula a small City which Tarquin had taken in the Province of the Latins Q. What Adventures happen'd to them A. His Father was kill'd at Corinth and his Mother who was then big of him was carried Prisoner to Rome where Tanaquil the Wife of Tarquin took an affection to her and lodg'd her in the Palace where she was delivered of Servius Tullius Q. What happen'd at his Birth A. 'T was remarkable that lying in his Cradle a Lambent Flame play'd about his head for above the space of an hour and did him not the least Injury Q What did Tanaquil who was particularly well skill'd in Divination believe of this Prodigy A. She was of Opinion that it promis'd the Kingdom to this Infant and after that time took great care of his Education and gave him her Daughter in Marriage Q. How came he to be proclaim'd King A. Servius being Son-in-Law to Tarquin and having the Management of all Affairs in his own hands at the time of his death he behaved himself by the Queen's Assistance so well in this place that he was elected and proclaimed King by the People some time after the Death of that Prince Q. What remarkable things does History tell of him A. Having vanquish'd the Tuscans and the Vejentes he exceedingly augmented the City of Rome added the Quirinal Viminal and the Exquiline Hill to it and encompassed it with Walls and Ditâ—hes Q What other Actions are related of him A. He was the first that took a Survey of the Roman Citizens and valued every man's Estate to tax him proportionably to his Income that so his Troops might be better accommodated Q. How often was this done A. Once in Five Years Q. How was this space of time call'd A. A Lustrum Q. How many Children had he A. Two whose Names were Tullia Q. What sort of Inclinations had they A. The Eldest was of a sweet agreeable Temper The Youngest Fiery and Ambitious Q. Whom did they marry A. The two Tarquins Brothers-in-Law or Nephews to Servius Q. How came they to marry them A. Tullius apprehending that these Tarquins the Sons or Grandsons of Tarquinius Priscus would shock him in his Throne thought the best way to secure them in his Interests would be to bestow his Eldest Daughter upon the Elder Tarquin who was naturally Ambitious and Violent and his Youngest upon the other whose name was Aruns who had as much Moderation as his Brother had Heat and Passion Q. What was the Consequence of these Marriages A. As these things were wholly managed by a Principle of Policy and Servius had no regard to the different Characters and Dispositions of the married Couple he was the occasion that Tarquin who liked not the too gentle humour of his Wife entred into a strict Correspondence with his Sister-in-Law and debauch'd
her Q. I desire to know the Result of this Correspondence A. Tarquin murder'd his own Wife and the Youngest Sister poison'd her Husband Q. Why did she do so A. To put her in a capacity to marry her Brother-in-Law and take away the Crown from her Father Q. How came Tarquin to be declared King A. Suffering himself to be over-persuaded by Tullia who told him he must turn the old Gentleman out of his Kingdom without waiting for his Death he summons the Senators to tell them he was minded to reign Q. What happen'd upon this A. He placed himself on the Seat where the Kings were accustom'd to sit and began to call his Father-in-Law Servius an Usurper Q. And what became of Servius A. This making a great noise in the Senate the King came to know the reason of it Tarquin immediately raising himself from his Seat he laid hold of him and throwing him down stairs order'd the Soldiers to assassinate him Q. After this Murder how did Tullia manage her self A. Being inform'd that Tarquin was owned for King she immâ—diately got her Chariot ready to go and congratulate him and as she came to the street where the Body of her Father lay a-cross the way the Coachman going to turn back and pass some other way this Unnatural Fury would not suffer such a delay but bid him drive on and pass over the Body of her Father that was all bloody Q. How long did Servius Tullius reign A. Forty four years Q. Who succeeded him A. Tarquin the Proud Tarquinius Superbus Seventh King of Rome Year of the World 3521. Of Rome 221. Q. I desire to be inform'd particularly of the Birth of Tarquin A. Some Historians tell us he was the Son of Tarquinius Priscus but others are of opinion he was only his Grandson Q. How did he govern his Kingdom A. 'T was after the Death of Servius whom he caused to be assassinated that he seized upon the Kingdom and behaved himself with all imaginable Arrogance and Cruelty Q. Why was he sirnam'd Superbus A. From the Insolence of his Temper Q. What did he do when he was made King A. He despis'd the Authority of the Senate and frequently put to death or banish'd or imprison'd the Senators and chief men of the City upon false Reports and Accusations Q. What remarkable things did he do A. He defeated the Volscians by Force of Arms but made himself Master of Gabii by Treachery Q. How was that managed A. He pretended to fall out with his Son Sextus in the presence of most of his Captains nay his Passion was carried on so far that he was going to strike him Q. What does Sextus upon this A. Away he flies and sends to the Gabians to beg the Protection of their City against the barbarous Treatment of an Unnatural Father Q. And did the Inhabitants receive him A. Yes And he knew so well how to establish himself in their good Opinion by fighting for them that they made him their General and Governor of the Town Q. When Sextus found himself in a condition to do what he pleased what did he then A. He dispatches one Messenger only to his Father as they had agreed before Q. What Message was the fellow intrusted with A. With nothing but Compliments Q. What does Tarquin A. He carries him into his Garden and in his presence knocks off the Heads of all the highest Poppies Q. Without doubt Sextus understood well enough his Father's meaning A. Right He struck off the Heads of the principal men among the Gabians some he imprison'd others he accus'd of Treason to find a pretext to condemn and so make them uncapable of doing him any Injury Q. What Disgrace happen'd afterwards to Tarquin A. His Reign daily becoming more and more odious to the Romans they took his Crown from him and turn'd him with his whole Family out of the City for a certain Crime committed by his Son Q. What was that A. Sextus who imagin'd that his High Birth would carry him out in every thing having beheld Lucretia the Wife of Collatinus he was struck with her Beauty but as he could not hope to satisfy his Passion easily for besides that she was a Lady of the severest Virtue imaginable she was married to a Prince of the Royal Family he was resolv'd to ravish her Q. How was that effected A. In the night time he enters her Chamber claps his Dagger to her Breast and threaten'd to kill her if she did not comply with his Desires Q. These Menaces did they affright her A. No. Q. What did Sextus then to accomplish his Intentions A. Seeing nothing was able to move this Illustrious Lady he tells her That after he had killed her he would kill her Slave likewise and leave him in her Bed and then publish abroad that he kill'd them both in the Act of Adultery Q. Then this Consideration prevail'd with her A. Yes For she rather chose to surrender her Body to the Passion of Sextus than suffer her Memory to be dishonoured by so black a Calumny Q. What did she after this A. After she had shown this weakness she hides a Dagger under her Gown and sends to find out her Husband Collatinus her Brother Lucretius and her Cousin Brutus who were encamp'd before Ardea She complained to them of the Brutal Action of this libidinous Prince begg'd them to revenge the Injury done to her and immediately drawing out the Dagger from under her Gown she struck it into her Belly being resolved not to survive the Loss of her Honour Q. What did Brutus do after she was dâ—ad A. He draws the bloody Dagger out of Lucretia's Wound and swore by her Chaste Blood That he would chase Tarquin and all his guilty Family out of Rome Q. How long did Tarquin reign A. Twenty four Years Q. Where dy'd he A. In Tuscany after having made several Efforts in vain to re-possess himself of Rome Of the Alteration in the State of Rome Year of the World 3545. Of Rome 245. Q. AFter Tarquin was turn'd out of Rome by Brutus by whom was the City govern'd A. By Consuls Q. When began this Government A. 245 Years after the Foundation of Rome and 510 before the Birth of Jesus Christ. Q. What were these Consuls A. Certain Magistrates in whose hands the Sovereign Authority was lodged for a Year only Q. What was their Office A. To command the Armies Q. Who were the two first Consuls A. Brutus and Collatinus Q. Was not the Consulate tâ—ken away from Collatinus A. Yes Q. Wherefore A. Because he carried the Name of Tarquin which was odious to the People Q. Whom did they put in his place A. Valerius Publicola Q. What is remarkable of Bâ—utus A. That he for a long time counterfeited the Madman to avoid Tarquin's Cruelty who had put to death Marcius Iunius his Father and his Brother with several more of the Senators Q. What did he do besides this worthy of remembrance A He lov'd
Caesar's sudden Expedition so afrighted him and his whole Party that they soon abandon'd Rome and Italy and pass'd into Greece Q. What did Caesar do in the mean time A. He enter'd Rome plunder'd the Publick Treasury and after he had staid a short time there to compose the Tumults of the City he went into Spain and beat AfranÌ„ius and Petrejus Pompey's Two Lieutenants out of the Country Q. As he return'd what did he do A. He made himself Master of Marseilles and entring Rome the second time he took Possession of the Dictatorship which the Praetor Lepidius had procur'd to be conferr'd upon him in his Absence Q. What did he afterwards A. He passed over into Greece to find out Pompey and having besieged him near * Durazzo Dyrrachium in Albania he was so rudely receiv'd and his Army beaten after such a manner that if Pompey had known to make the best Use of his Victory Caesar even in his own Confession had been intirely defeated Q. Where did Caesar March after this small overthrow A. He got his Troops together and march'd towards Thessaly Q. Did any remarkable Action happen there A. Yes for Pompey having pursued him thither they fought in the Plains of Pharsalia Q. On which side fell the Victory A. Pompey's Army was totally routed As for himself he fled towards Egypt to Ptolomy who was then very Young Q. What happen'd to Pompey A. As soon as 't was known at Court that he was ready to Land Theodotius perswaded the King to murder him in order to engage Caesar to leave him in the quiet Possession of his Kingdom Q. And did Ptolomy suffer himself to be so perswaded A. Yes for he immediately sent Achillas and Septimius to Receive and Compliment him on his part and when they had him alone in a Cock-boat they immediately assassinated him in the very sight of the Vessel where his Wife and Children were Of Seditions The Year of Rome 261 303 377. Q. WHat were the Causes of all those Seditions that so often threatned the Commonwealth A. The Ambition Pride and Insolence of the Tribunes Q. How many of them have you observ'd in History A. Five Principal Ones Q. When did the first begin A. In the Year 261. Q. What occasion'd it A. The Tyranny of the Usurers Q. How happen'd that A. The People being no longer able to endure their Cruelty which proceeded so far as to treat them like Slaves retir'd in Arms to the Sacred Hill But being appeas'd by the Seasonable Discourse of Menenius Agrippa who entertained them with the Fable of the Belly and the other Members they return'd to Rome Q. What Privilege did they then extort before they came back A. They obtain'd certain Magistrates to defend the People against the Violence of the Senators Q. How were these Magistrates call'd A. Tribuni Plebis or the Tribunes Q. When began the Second Sedition A. In the Year 303. Q. What occasion'd it A. The Arbitrary and Unlimitted Power of the Decemviri Q. How came it about A. When these Decemviri or Ten Men who were chosen by the People to reduce the Laws they brought from Greece into one Body had fully comprizâ—d â—hem in the Duodecim Tabulae yet they still kept up and maintain'd that Authority which was only delegated to them for the Execution of this Design Q. What is remark'd of Appius Claudius one of these Decemviri A. That his Insolence proceeded so far as to carry off Virginia with a design to Ravish her Q. What became then of Virginia A. Virginius the Father of this Young Woman kill'd her with his own Hand in the Forum as Claudius would have had her dragg'd off after he had declared her his Slave Q. What Effects did this produce A. It stirr'd up all the People against the Decemviri Q. What did they do to them A. They put them all in Prison Q. What occasion'd the Third Sedition A. It happen'd upon the Subject of Marriages the People being resolved it should be lawful for them to Marry with the Patricians Q. Where did this Tumult break out A. In the Ianiculum by the management of Canuseius Tribune of the People Q. When did the Fourth Sedition begin A. In the Year of Rome 377. Q. What was the Cause of it A. Ambition of Honours Q. Wherefore A. Because the People would be admitted to Publick Employments as well as the Nobility Q. How did that happen A. Lucius Stolo and Lucuis Sextius Tribunes of the People having preferr'd a Law which ordain'd that one of the Consuls should be always chosen out of the Plebeians the Senators oppos'd it with all their Authority Q. And the Tribunes on their side what did they A. They hindred the making of any Curule Magistrate so that there was a sort of Anarchy in Rome for the space of Five years Q. Which of them carried the Point at last A. The People and Lucius Sextius was the first that was chosen out of their Body Q. What was the Cause of the Fifth Sedition A. The Gracchi occasion'd it by their endeavouring to re-establish the Agrarian Law Q. How did that happen A. Tiberius Gracchus being desirous to obtain the good will of the People demanded to have the abovementioned Law put in Execution Q. What was the intent of that Law A. All the Citizens of Rome were by it forbidden to possess in Land above Five hundred Acres Q. And what was their design in getting it restor'd A. To enjoyn all those that possess'd any more to give their Lands up and distribute them among the People Q. Did not all the Nobility vigorously oppose it A. Yes but 't was to no purpose for this Law was authoriz'd by the Senate Q. And what did he do afterwards A. He made his Colleague Octavius quit his Office because he would have stopt the Execution of this Law Q. What happen'd to him at last A. This good Success having rendred him insupportably Proud Scipio Nasico caus'd him to be Assassinated as he came out of the Capitol Q. Was not his Death revenged A. Caius Gracchus his Brother in order to effect it promises the People to get them all that Wealth which Attalus at his Death bequeath'd to the Romans The Senate was so highly provoked at his Arrogance that they offer'd the weight of it in Gold to any one that should bring his Head Q. What then became of Caius Gracchus A. He got one of his Slaves to kill him finding himself pursued by the Consul Opimius and he that found his Body cut off his Head took out his Brains and fill'd it with melted Lead to make it weigh the more Q. Besides these Five Seditions do you observe no more A. Yes Q. Inform me concerning them A. Posthumius refusing his Soldiers the pillage of Volae which he had promis'd them a Sedition arose in the Camp where he was stoned to Death Q. What other Seditions can you recount to me A. Under Appius Claudius the Roman Army would