Relicts of the Trojans under the Conduct of their Prince Aeneas who had left his native Country and his inrag'd Enemies to seek out Foreign Habitations These were about 1200 in all tho' some will allow but half that Number and arriv'd in these Parts three Years after the destruction of Troy and above 400 before the building of Rome A. M. 2824. Aeneas at his first landing was very civilly entertain'd by Latinus the King then reigning as a Person of great Renown who not only treated him honourably but gave him his only Daughter Lavinia in Marriage This occasion'd a War between him and Turnus a Prince of the Rutuli their near Neighbours who had formerly made Pretensions to her but these Wars soon ended in Turnus's death which did not only free Aeneas from a Rival but secur'd his Kingdom which Latinus gave him for his Daughters Portion after his decease Aâ—neas thus settled soon after built the City of Lavinium in honour of his Wife about five or six Miles East of Laurentum where he kept his Court and the more to oblige his Subjects caus'd both them and his own Country-men to be call'd by the common Name of Latini But ingaging in a bloody War with Mezentius a King of the Hetrurians he was slain after a short Reign of four Years His Subjects in honour to his Memory dedicated a Chappel to him under the Title of Iupiter Indiges Upon the death of Aeneas his Son Ascanius succeeded him in the Throne but Lavinia being left with Child by him out of fear fled to the Woods and was there deliver'd of a Son who from the place of his Birth had the Name of Silvius Thirty Years after the building of Lavinium Ascanius left it to his Mother-in-Law and founded Alba-Longa about 12 Miles North of it which he made his Seat Ascanius had a Son call'd Iulus from whom came the famous Family of the Iulii this Son after his Mother's Death contended with Silvius for the Kingdom but the People judging that to belong to Latinus's Race gave the Kingdom to Silvius and the Priesthood to Iulus in whose Family it thenceforth continu'd After Silvius succeeded 13 Kings of the same Race for nigh 400 Years who all had their Seats at Alba and many of them likewise had the Name of Silvius These Kings were as following Aeneas Silvius who reign'd 31 Years Latinus who reign'd 51 Alba 39 Capetus I. 26 Capys 28 Capetus II. 13 Tiberinus 8 Agrippa 24 Alladius 19 Aventinus 37 Procas 23 Amulius 42 and Numitor who was the last King of Alba. Except the two last we have but little remarkable concerning these Kings only Tiberinus gave Name to the River Tiber by being drown'd in it it being before call'd Albula and Aventinus gave Name to Mount Aventine one of the seven Hills of Rome These were call'd the Kings of Alba or of Old Latium which scarce contain'd the sixth part of what was call'd Latium in Augustus's Reign which then comprehended not only the Old Latini but also the Rutuli Aequi Hernici Volsci and Arunci This Kingdom tho' very Small according to the Dimensions before given of it was very Fruitful Populous and full of Towns and Alba it self was a great and flourishing City and had been the Mother of thirty Latine Towns when it was destroy'd by Tullus Hostilius the third King of Rome II. But to come close to the Roman Story Amulius and Numitor the two last of these Kings were Brothers and it was agreed between 'em that Numitâ—r the Eldest should have the Kingdom and Amulius the Treasure and Gold that was brought from Troy But Money having the Advantage of meer Authority Amulius soon got his Brother out of his Kingdom and to secure it to himself against the Pretensions of his Posterity caus'd his Son Lausus to be Murther'd in a pretended Hunting and his Daughter Rhea to be made a Vestal Virgin In the fourth Year of her Priesthood going to fetch Water she was met and ravish'd by some Lover or probably by Amulius himself rather as was supposâ—d to serve his other Designs than to gratifie his Lust. But for the Honour of the Cause the Fact was laid upon Mars in whose Grove it was committed who came to her as they will have it in a most dreadful manner with Thunder and Lightning Rhea proving with Child was deliver'd of two Boys and thereupon was condemn'd to Death or perpetual Imprisonment and her Children were thrown into the River But the Wind and Stream were both so favourable that at the fall of the Water they were left safe upon dry Ground and there happily found by Faustulus Amuliusâ—s Herds-Man and suckled by his Wife Laurentia who for her Infamous Life was call'd Lupa and this probably might occasion the famous Story of their being nourished by a Wolf The Names of these Twins were Romulus and Remus The Children grown up prov'd Active and Couragious suitable to the Greatness of their Birth but the Meanness of their Education gave 'em occasion of falling out with some of Numitor's Herds-Men in which contest Remus was taken Prisoner and brought before the King Upon which Faustulus discover'd to Romulus all the Particulars of his Birth and hard Usage from Amulius begging him to be assistant in the Rescue of Remus Romulus soon drew together a great Number of Herds-Men and inferiour People who hated Amulius whom he divided into Companies consisting of an hundred Men each every Captain carrying a small Bundle of Grass and Shrubs ty'd to a Pole The Latines call such Bundles Manipuli from whence it is that in their Armies they call their Captains Manipulares Remus gaining upon the Citizens within and Romulus makeing Attacks from without Amulius not knowing what Expedient to think of for his Security in that Amazement and Distraction was taken and slain the Brothers settling their Grand-Father Numitor in his Throne after he had been depos'd forty two Years The Affairs of Alba succeeding thus prosperously the Young-Men ambitious of Glory were desirous of Founding a City in the Place where they were brought up which Design was approv'd of by their Grand-Father who appointed 'em Land with such of his Subjects as he knew were of his Brother's Faction and likewise gave free Liberty to all others who were willing to settle themselves in this new Colony Most of the Trojans came in of which there remain'd fifty Families in Caesar's Time as Dionysius informs us and also all the Inhabitants about the Palatine-Hill where the City was built which was about 14 Miles North-West of Alba upon the River Tiber. For the more speedy carrying on this Work the People were divided into two Parts who were to work by way of Emulation But what was design'd for a considerable Advantage prov'd a greater Inconveniency for it gave birth to two Factions whereof one preferr'd Romulus and the other Remus which swell'd 'em with the ambitious Desires of Preeminence This soon appear'd in their
all others He â—ad him farewell and tell his Subjects that by their strict Exercise of Temperance and Fortitude no human Power shou'd e'er withstand the Roman Arms and he wou'd always be a propitious God to 'em under the Name of Quirinus The Day in which he was said to be taken up was kept after that as a great Holy-Day and a Temple was built in Honour of him on one of the Seven Hills from him call'd by the Name of Quirinalis He reign'd 37 Years in which space he very much advanc'd the State of the City leaving in it 46000 Foot and 1000 Horse a happy Increase for so short a time After his Grand-Father Numitor's decease the Kingdom of Alba fell to him which he govern'd by Deputies and the more to please that People he allow'd 'em the Privileges of a Free-State which probably occasion'd the Senate to bear his Encroachments the worse So now the Roman Dominions consisted of a considerable part of the Sabines Country a small part of Hetruria and a mix'd part of Latium CHAP. II. From the Death of Romulus to the Death of Numa Pompilius the Second King of Rome Containing the Space of 44 Years I. ROmulus being dead or as some are pleased to believe taken up the City was greatly divided about the Election of another King but lest these Discords shou'd occasion Anarchy and Confusion in the Common-wealth the Senate agreed to divide themselves into Decurys or Tens and that Decury which was chosen by Lot should exercise the Regal Authority for fifty Days each Man governing in his Turn five Days the Authority then falling to another Decury and this they call'd an Inter-regnum This Government continu'd a whole Year till the People at last began to murmur saying It was a Trick of some few who intended to get the Power into their own Hands and that for one pretended Tyrant they had now got 200 real ones therefore they resolv'd that a King shou'd be chosen In the Election great Contests arose between the Romans and Sabines each believing it reasonable to have one of their own Country 'till at length they came to this Conclusion That the Party which elected shou'd chuse one out of the Body of the other so by that means the elected Prince might be oblig'd to favour both Parties one for their Votes and the other for their Alliance It falling to the Romans to chuse the Patritians fixâ—d upon Numa Pompilius a Sabine a Person of about forty Years of Age who by the Consent of the People was elected King Numa then resided at Cures being a Person of the greatest Vertue Knowledge and Abilities of that time and had withdrawn himself from the Noises and Troubles of the World therefore Ambassadors one a Roman and the other a Sabine were dispatch'd to him to offer him the Kingdom The Ambassadors finding him with his Father and Kinsman Marcius by their Speakers Proculus and Valesus told him the occasion of their coming To whom the elected King made this philosophical and modest Answer Since every Alteration of a Man's Life is generally hazardous in the Attempt as well as dangerous in the Consequence it wou'd be the highest Indiscretion for one who in his own Opinion is sufficiently Happy to endeavour or admit of any Change tho' there were nothing more in it than the preferring a turbulent and uncertain Life before a constant Quiet and certain Security For my part Romans I must freely tell you That I am not only discourag'd but even deterr'd from accepting your generous Offers even by what is commonly reported of your famous Romulus who was not only suspected of contriving Tatius's death but was likewise suppos'd to fall himself by the Rage of the Senate And if Romulus himself sprung as they say from Divine Race miraculously preserv'd and as miraculously brought up labour'd under such vast Inconveniencies how successful can I hope to be begotten by a mere Mortal and brought up the ordinary Way when I come to struggle with such insuperable Difficulties Besides you much mistake your Person as well as forget your Interest and Glory when you think I can be any ways serviceable to you For my Temper naturally leads me to Peace to Books and the Worship of the Gods but you Romans require a vigorous and active King who may diligently cherish that Warlike Humour which your late Success has excited And therefore such a Prince as shou'd come to inculcate Peace Iustice and Religion into the Minds of a Martial Nation must of necessity appear not only strange and ridiculous to the World but also mean and despicable to his Subjects The Romans were much surpriz'd at this Answer but still were very urgent with him to accept of the Kingdom in which they were not a little assisted by his Father and Marcius who return'd him this Reply Tho' you remain contented with your present fortune and court neither Riches nor Power yet you may reasonably imagine that such large Talents of Iustice Moderation and Piety were never given you by the Gods to lie useless and concealâ—d And you are sensible these are Vertues that can never have a greater Influence upon Mankind than when they so publickly appear in the Person of a King Tatius tho' a Foreigner was highly esteem'd by the Romans and the Memory of Romulus was so precious to 'em that after his decease they voted him Divine Honours And if the Affections of the People shou'd break out into a furious Desire of War what can better manage the Reins of that Passion than such a moderating Hand as Yours And who knows but that the People being ever Victorious may be satiated with the Spoils and Trophies they have gain'd and gladly entertain a mild and peaceful Prince who being a lover of Iustice and Equity may settle the City in a strong and inseparable Union and in a sure and lasting Happiness These Reasons and Persuasions together with the Ambassadors Entreaties at last prevail'd upon Numa to accept of the Kingdom and after a solemn Sacrifice he went for Rome He was met by the Way by the Senate and People who with a general Consent invested him with the Regal Authority and so universal was the Joy that they seem'd not so much to receive a King as the addition of a new Kingdom II. Numa being a Person of extraordinary Wisdom and Policy as well as Devotion thought it most convenient to raise and strengthen that City by wholsome Laws and Religious Customs which had been founded upon War and Bloodshed judging it as necessary to employ a People well at home as to exercise 'em abroad The first thing he did was to disband the Royal Guard of the 300 Celeres lest the Maintenance of such a Force might seem to argue a Diffidence of them that chose him saying That he wou'd not Rule over that People of whom he conceiv'd the least Distrust Next he built a Temple to Ianus which was always to stand
Dominions abroad for when he found leisure he built the Walls of the City which before were patch'd up in haste with large square Stone each consisting of a Load Weight Then he took care of the other publick Buildings of the City adorning the Forum with lofty Portico's Galleries and Shops being a Prince much delighted with stately Buildings and noble Sights He likewise made many Cloacae or Common-Sewers to drain the City and carry the Filth of it into the Tiber a Work of such vast Charge and Labour that when they were afterwards stopp'd the Censors spent a Thousand Talents only to clear 'em a Work likewise so admirable that Dionysius thinks that from the Magnificence of these as well as their Aquaeducts and High-ways the Grandeur of the Roman Empire appear'd In the Circus Maximus that vast Place for Games and Exercises between the Palatine and Aventine Hills he caus'd Seats to be rais'd for the Spectators with great Skill and Charge and likewise distinguish'd all their Places according to their several Ranks and Dignities In the Sabine War he vow'd a Temple to Iupiter Iuno and Minerva if he got the Victory for that reason afterwards he with wonderful Cost levelled the Rock on the Capitoline and form'd a Plat for building it but liv'd not to go on with it any further and this was the beginning of the Capitol Tarquin had design'd after these things to have added three Centuries of the Celeres to those three Instituted by Romulus but was forbidden by Actius Naevius to alter the Constitutions of that King therefore without creating of new Centuries he doubled the Number of the former This Naevius was the most famous Augur that Rome ever knew and Tarquin one time to try him ask'd him If what he had in his Thought might be done he answering in the affirmative Tarquin jeeringly told him He thought of cutting a Whetstone with a Razor Naevius â—ad him strike hard and he cut it through This much enhancâ—d the Reputation of Augury especially of Naevius's Skill therein but his being suddenly miss'd soon after was a great Prejudice to Tarquin For the two Sons of Ancus Marcius grudging him their Father's Throne accusâ—d him to the People of the Death of this Augur but his Son-in-Law answer'd their Objections and clear'd him of that Scandal Missing their Design they pretended Repentance and were easily receiv'd into Favour but three Years after they disguised several of their Companions like Shepherds and appearing in Court pretended a Quarrel and demanded Justice of the King Tarquin appearing they set upon him and kill'd him but were soon caught and receiv'd their just Reward Thus fell Lucius Tarquinius for distinction surnam'd Priscus after the last Tarquin had obtain'd the Kingdom in the Eightieth Year of his Age after he had Reign'd 38 Years and done many and great Services to the Common-Wealth The Roman Greatness and Magnificence began to appear much more in this Reign than in the former and this King was the first that ever Triumph'd in a Chariot Likewise the Roman Dominions were much encreas'd in this Reign by a larger Authority in the Sabines Country and by some considerable Additions in Hetruria and Latium CHAP. VI. From the Death of Tarquinius Priscus to the Death of Servius Tullius the Sixth King of Rome Containing the Space of 44 Years I. TArquinius Priscus being dead Servius Tullius his Son-in-law succeeded him which Tullius was Son to Ocrisia a considerable Woman taken Prisoner by Tarquin at Corniculum a Town in Latium and given to his Wife Tanaquil where she was deliver'd of Tullius surnam'd Servius in remembrance of her Bondage her Husband being slain at the taking of the Town Tullius being an Infant in his Cradle a Flame of Fire is said to have appear'd and encompass'd his Head which rais'd great Expectations in Tanaquil a Woman much esteem'd for such kind of Knowledge She brought her Husband to so good an Opinion of him that he both gave him Education and in time made him his Son-in-Law When the King grew old he manag'd his Publick Affairs for him both abroad and at home with that Valour Prudence and Integrity that he gain'd the highest Esteem of all People Tarquinius having no Sons but only two Grand-sons both Infants Tanaquil much desir'd that Tullius shou'd succeed him therefore she kept his Death private for a while pretending he was only dangerously wounded till Tullius had prevail'd with the People to banish the Marcii Being thus secure of that Faction he carry'd out Tarquin as newly dead to be bury'd and as Tutor or Guardian to the young Children executed the Office of King which Tanaquil out of the Window had told the People was her Husband's Will when she feign'd him still alive The Patritians were much concernâ—d at this not knowing how to come to an Election since they perceiv'd the People wou'd not approve of their Choice but wou'd be all for Tullius so they thought it better to let him Reign in an unlawful Manner that they might ever have a just Pretence against him than by stirring to procure him a legal Title Tullius discovering all their Designs and Practices immediately assembled the People in the Forum where appearing with his Mother Mother-in-Law the two Children and all his Kindred in deep mourning and all the utmost signs of sorrow he shew'd the People how sad and lamentable his Condition was through the Contrivances of the Patritians against him which he had no otherwise deserv'd than by his good Services to his Country That they had design'd to recall the Marcii who had treasonably Murder'd Tarquin and to expose the Posterity of him whose Memâ—ry â—ught to be so precious to 'em as well as himself to the same Cruelty But if it was the Pleasure of the People he wou'd freely give up all Pretensions and rather than offend them undergo the severest Hardships A great Clamour immediately arose mixâ—d with the Prayers and Tears of those who besought him to retain the Government and some who were provided before-hand began to cry out He was to be chosen King and the Curiae were to be call'd to the Vâ—te which thing was instantly resolv'd by the Multitude He thankâ—d 'em very heartily for being mindful of the Benefits receiv'd from him and promised to pay their Debts and divide the publick Lands among such as wanted if they wou'd elect him King and thereupon he appointed a day for the Assembly At the Comitia Curiata he was chosen King by the Votes of 'em all in spite of all the Opposition of the Senate who refus'd at last to confirm the Choice as their Custâ—m was II. Not long after his Settlement according to his Promise he divided the publick Lands among the poorer Sort and in the Curiata Comitia preferr'd fifty several Laws concerning Contracts and Injuries He very much enlarg'd the City taking in three Hills to the four former namely the Quirinal the Viminal and the Esquiline on the latter of
which made Perseus begin to reflect upon what he had done and understanding the Motions and Preparations of the Romans he apply'd himself to Marcius about a Treaty for Peace relying upon the Ancient Friendship between their two Families The Ambassadors were well satisfy'd with this Opportunity and to divert him from Action granted him Truce till he might send to Rome for without this he might have began the War much to the Disadvantage of the Romans who had neither Army nor Commander yet arrivâ—d in Grecce The Senate deny'd him Peace and Attilius the Consul was sent to seize upon Larissa the Chief City of Thessaly Whereupon Perseus drew all his Forces together having gather'd together a greater Army than any of his Predecessors were Masters of since Alexander the Great He took in some Towns upon his Frontiers and Licinius the Consul led such a raw undisciplin'd Army into Macedonia and through such difficult and almost Impassable Places that had Perseus made his Advantage of this Opportunity he might easily have destroy'd it After this he sent to Licinius offering to observe the Articles to which his Father Philip had submitted by paying the Tribute and leaving the Cities to their Liberty but could not obtain Peace to be granted him upon these Terms Soon after Thebes and Aleartus were taken by Lucretius the Praetorâ— and the Consul having had the Advantage in another Skirmish possess'd himself of some Towns and took up his Winter-Quarters mean while Appius Claudius lost many Men in Illyricum The Year following Hostilius the Consul who was to manage this War performâ—d but little of moment besides reducing his Men to that Ancient Discipline which his Predecessor had too much neglected Marcius Philippus succeeding him at his first Entrance into his Province might have easily been defeated had he met with a Prudent and Expert Enemy the Ways being so difficult and dangerous to pass that his Soldiers could scarce hold their Weapons in their Hands by reason of their Weariness And after he had enter'd the Plains he might as easily have been block'd up and starvâ—d had not Perseus struck with a groundless Fear retreated to Pydna and left all the Passes open to him Yet Marcius acted nothing of Consequence leaving all to be performâ—d by his Successor Aemilius Paulus who had been Consul 17 Years before and was a very Experiencâ—d Commander Aemilius very skilfully manag'd the War and causâ—d the Eclipse of the Moon to be foretold to his Soldiers lest they should be discouragâ—d by it which much terrify'd the Enemy that knew nothing of the Natural Cause He kept his Men from Fighting when they were fatiguâ—d tho' the Officers were desirous to Engage but the Armies lying Encampâ—d on each side the River Enipeus a Peast by chance passing over from the Roman side was seiz'd on and being rescuâ—d by degrees drew both Armies to an Engagement wherein Persâ—us lost the Day and with it his Kingdom He flying into the Isle of Crete when all abandonâ—d him surrenderâ—d himself into the Hands of Cn. Octavius Aemilius severely Chastis'd the Epirots who had joynâ—d with Perseâ—s Plundering and Demolishing about 70 of their Towns whereby such a great Booty was gainâ—d that each Footman had 200 Denarii above 7 English Pounds and every Horseman twice as much But the Soldiers having gainâ—d little or no Plunder in Mâ—câ—donia nor any of the Kingâ—s Treasure denyâ—d their General a Triumph which he obtainâ—d notwithstanding and that a most Splendid one too such as Rome scare ever saw before Preseus himself and his Two Sons beâ—ng Led in Great State and Magnificence before his Triumphal Chariot And the same Year Cn. Octavius the Praetor at Sea Triumph'd and L. Anicius before whose Chariot was Led Gentius King of the Illyrians who being a Confederate of Perseus was obligâ—d to yield himself Prisoner Thus ended the Second Macedonian War in three Years time and with it the Macedonian Kingdom after it had continuâ—d 156 Years after Alexanderâ—s Death and several Hundreds of Years before Aâ—milius by this Conquest bringing 200 Millions of Sesterces into the Treasure according to Paterculus IV. Now the Roman Grandeur began to display it self through all Countries and Nations many Kings and Potentates became humble Suppliants to the Senate being all at their Disposal and Learning now flourishâ—d much more than ever being much forwarded by the Romans Converse and Familiarity with the Graecians whom they had lately conquer'd and much encouragâ—d by Scipio and Laelius the two noble Patrons of Eloquence Poetry and all Arts and the worthiest and most accomplish'd Gentlemen in Rome The former of these was Aemilius the Consulâ—s Son adopted by the Son of Africanus and the other was Son to Laelius who formerly did great Service in Africa In this time flourish'd the famous Comedian Terence who Writ with extraordinary Correctness and Accuracy and helpâ—d to bring the Roman Tongue to a great Perfection as to Purity and Propriety his first Play being acted one Year after the Conquest of Macedonia and Perseus And not only the Learning Riches and Dominions of Rome were encreasâ—d but likewise the Inhabitants for in a Lustration about this time there wereâ— 312081 Free Citizens Cessed For 17 or 18 Years the Romans were employ'd in more inferiour Wars such as those with the Ligurians Corsicans Dalmatians and Spaniards and likewise the Macedenians being all in the nature of Revolts which though they often created much Trouble to the State yet they were not so memorable as to deserve a particular Account in this Volume These Wars were scarcely finish'd when the Romans found a Pretence to begin the Third Carthaginian War which was their being in Arms against Masanissa a Roman Ally tho' they had sufficient Justice on their side The Roman Ambassadors who were sent to Carthage finding the City very Rich and Flourishing from their Fifty years Peace at their Return insisted much on the Danger which threatned Rome from that State especially Cato who never came into the Senate but after his Speaking to any Publick Business concluded with Delenda est Carthago Carthage is to be Destroy'd He was often opposâ—d by Scipio Nasica who urg'd That upon the Removal of so powerful a Rival Security wou'd cause the Ruin and Dissolution of the Roman Common-Wealth as it afterwards prov'd But Cato's Reason's drawn from the present Danger so Over-rul'd Scipio's Forecast that the Senate now having a Pretence of an Open Breach of Articles Order'd War to be Proclaim'd against the Carthaginians and both the Consuls were sent with a full Resolution utterly to destroy Carthage The Carthaginians affrighted at the Romans Preparations immediately Condemn'd those who had broken the League and most humbly offer'd any reasonable Satisfaction Answer was return'd to 'em That they shou'd enjoy all as formerly provided they sent 300 Hostages of the Chief of the City within 30 days to Sicily and did what the Consuls shou'd fâ—rther Command ' em The Carthaginiâ—ns desiring nothing more than
Peace sent their Children within the limited time and the Consuls Landing at Utica soon after they sent their Commissioners to wait upon them and know their Pleasure Censorinus the Consul commending their Diligence demanded all their Arms which without any Fraud were deliver'd up Now the Carthaginians imploring Mercy with many Tears and all possible Submission desir'd to know their last Doom the Consuls told 'em That they were Commanded to quit their City which they had special Orders to Level with the Ground and build another any where in their own Territories so it were but 10 Miles from the Sea This severe Command they receivâ—d with all the Concern and Rage of a Despairing People and resolv'd to suffer the Greatest Extremities rather than abandon or yield to the Ruin of their Ancient Seat and Habitation The Consuls were very backward in beginning the War not doubting but easily to become Masters of the City now in this Naked and Defenceless Condition but they found it far otherwise for the Inhabitants acting by a desperate Rage and Fury both Men and Women fell to Working Night and Day in the Defence of the City and making of Arms And where Iron and Brass were wanting they made use of Gold and Silver the Women freely cutting off the Hair of their Heads to supply the place of Tow or Flax. Asdrubal who had lately been Condemnâ—d upon the Account of the Romans was now made their General and Governour of the City where he had already a good Army and such Preparations were made that when the Consuls came before the City they found such notable Resistance as much discouragâ—d them and as much encreas'd the Resolution of the Besieged The Consuls engag'd several times to their Disadvantage and might have been great Losers had not the Army been secur'd and brought off by the great Wisdom and Courage of Scipio Aemilianus formerly mention'd who drew over Pharneas Master of the Carthaginian Horse to his side which action gain'd him great Fame and Honour This Year dyâ—d Masanissa 90 Years old leaving his Kingdom and a young Son to Scipioâ—s Discretion And the same Year dyâ—d Cato in Rome in the 85th Year of his Age who did not live to see the too much desir'd Ruin of Carthage Little was perform'd by the Consuls in the following Year for they only invested Clupea and Hippo without taking of either But at Rome all Mens eyes were fix'd upon Scipio looking upon him as the Person destin'd to end the War and whereas he sought only for the Aedileship the People bestow'd the Consulship upon him dispensing with his Age and other usual Qualifications Scipio soon let 'em know that their Honours were not ill bestow'd for having restor'd Discipline which had been too much neglected by the foregoing Consuls he soon after took that part of Carthage callâ—d Megara and drove the Inhabitants into the Citadel or Byrsa Then securing the Isthmus which led to the City he cut off all Provisions from out the Country and block'd up the Haven but the Besieg'd with Miraculous and Incredible Industry cut out a New Passage into the Sea whereby at certain times they cou'd receive Necessaries from the Army without Scipio therefore in the beginning of the Winter set upon their Forces lying in the Field of which he kill'd â—0000 and took 10000 Prisoners by which means the Besieg'd couâ—d have no Relief from abroad so that they were now in a sad and despairing Condition In the Beginning of the next Spring he took the Wall leading to the Haven Citho and soon after the Forum it self where was a most miserable and deplorable Spectacle of slaughter'd People for some hewn in pieces by the Sword others half kill'd by the Fall of Houses or Fires some half bury'd in the Earth and trampled on and others torn Limb from Limb lay mangled in vast Heaps after a sad and lamentable manner Still the Citadel held out till at last it was desir'd by some That all that wou'd come forth shouâ—d have their Lives which being granted to all but Revolters above 50000 yielded and were sav'd as did afterwards Asdrubal himself He was much revil'd for it by the Revolters who finding their Condition Desperate set Fire to the Temple and burnt themselves with it whose Example was follow'd by Asdrubal's Wife who in a desperate Fury threw her self and her two Children into the midst of the Flames Then was this Magnificent City laid in Ashes being 24 Miles in compass and so large that the Burning of it continu'd 17 Days together The Senate at Rome receiv'd this long expected News with extraordinary Joy and Satisfaction and dispatch'd Men of their own Order whom they joyn'd with Scipio for the disposing of the Country These order'd that none of Carthage shou'd be left and that it might never be Re-built they denounc'd heavy Curses on any that shou'd offer to do it All the Cities which assisted in this War were orderâ—d to be demolish'd and the Lands given to the Friends of the Roman People and the rest of the Towns were to be Tributaries and Govern'd Yearly by a Praetor appointed for that purpose all the Captives and Prisoners being Sold except some of the Principal This was the fatal end of one of the most Renown'd Cities in the World both for Command and Riches 708 Years after it was first Built having been Rival to Rome above 100 Years And this was the End of the Third and last Carthaginian War which was finish'd in the 4th Year after it began to the great Enlargement of the Dominions Power and Riches of the Roman State This happenâ—d in the 60â—th Year of the City A. M. 3859 in the 3d Year of the 15â—th Olympiad 363 Years since the Beginning of the Consular State 184 since the Beginning of the Macedonian Empire by Alexander 119 since the first Contest between the Romans and Carthaginians and 144 before our Saviour ' s Nativity CHAP. XII From the Destruction of Carthage to the End of the Sedition of the Gracchi which much shook the Government and was the first Step towards the Ruin of the Consular State Containing the Space of 23 Years I. NOW Rome began to Pride her self to a higher degree than ever having got free from her Enemies that she most fear'd and most hated her Dominions being extended to a large Circumference and the Common-wealth encreas'd to a noble Height of Glory but to a more dangerous Degree of Security in respect of Neighbours which in not many Years prov'd the Dissolution of the present Government However the Power and Conquests of the State still daily encreas'd and this same Year Corinth one of the noblest Cities in Greece sustain'd the same Fate with Carthage being levell'd with the Ground The Occasion was given by the Achaeans themselves who not only affronted the Roman Ambassadours sent to dissolve the Confederacy and to leave the Cities to the Government of their own peculiar Laws but likewise joyn'd with others in a
if his Presence were necessary they must repeal the former Act of his Banishment by a new Decree that he might be received as a religious Observer of the Laws and might enter the City free from Fear or Oppression Upon this all Matters were adjusted and the Law for banishing Marius and his Associates abrogated Upon their Entrance into the City great Plunderings and miserable Slaughters began in all Places Octavius the Consul tho' he had the Oath of Cinna and Marius yet refusing to fly from his Charge was kill'd and his Head set upon the Rostra to which was added that of M. Antonius Grand-Father to the triumvir with Augustus an excellent Orator who by the Charms of his Eloquence defended himself a a considerable time against the Rage of the Soldiers and several others Dreadful Tumults and Out-crys were in all Places and none were spared either for the Dignity of their Worths or their Ages The dead Bodies being barbarously mangl'd and abominably abus'd were left to be torn in Pieces and devoured by Dogs and Fowls none daring to bury ' em All Sylla's Friends were slaughter'd without Mercy his House demolish'd his Goods set to Sale and he himself judged and declared an Enemy to Rome Merula tho' he never sought the Consulship and Catullus having their Days set 'em to answer for their Lives destroy'd themselves Cinna and Marius having thus satiated themselves with the blood of others made themselves Consuls for the following Year but Marius dy'd about a Month after in the 70th Year of his Age within less than two Years after the breaking out of this Civil War being a noble Soldier and a brave ominander but much more serviceable to his Country in the Time of War than in Peace and the only Person who had the Honour of the Consulship seven times VI. In the Time of these unhappy Troubles at home Sylla perform'd many noble Exploits against Mithridates who not long before her Arrival had commanded in one Day 80000 some say 150000 Romans and Italians in Asia to be murder'd in cold Blood Sylla first over-threw Archelaus his General nigh Athens so effectually that of his 120000 Men scarce 10000 were left then he gave him another great Defeat recover'd Greece Maccdonia Ionia Asia and other Countries which Mithridates had got into his hands and withal took his Fleet from him insomuch that Mithridates was very willingly to come to a Treaty which Sylla notwithstanding Mithridates's high Provocation before was not much averse to being in want of Money and very desirous to return to Italy and to revenge himself of those who had declar'd him an Enemy to Rome The principal Articles of the Peace were that Mithridates shou'd pay the Charges of the War and that for the future he shou'd be content with his Fathers Kingdom which were ratified in less than Three Years after the Beginning of the War Sylla severely fin'd Asia for its Revolt and fetling Affairs according to the present Occasion he return'd for Italy He took Athens in his Way from whence he carry'd the famous Library of Apellicon the Teian in which were most of the Books of Aristotle and Theophrastus then not vulgarly known He soon after wrote to the Senate at Rome recounting all his great Services he had done for the State and how ungratefully he had been us'd by Marius's Party telling them plainly that he was coming to revenge both himself and the Publick by punishing the Authors of those Injuries though the rest he wou'd spare whether they were old or new Citizens The Senate extremely dreaded the effects of Sylla's Return well knowing it would be fatal to many and even to some who had unwillingly join'd with Mariuâ— therefore they sent to treat with him offering all their Endeavours for his Satisfaction if he would quickly make known his Demands And that there might be the less Blood-shed they order'd Cinna to discontinue his Levies but he finding there was no Way of supporting his Interest but by Arms only return'd 'em a plausible Answer and proceeded to raise Soldiers designing to make himself and his Collegue Carbo Consuls for the following Year that there might be no Necessity of returning to Rome for a new Eâ—ection He sent over part of his Troops into Dalmatia there to meet Syllâ— but those behind were driven back to Italy by a Storm after which they absolutely refus'd to fight against their own Country-men so that all the rest who as yet had not put to Sea refus'd to go on Board Hereupon Cinna going to speak with 'em one of his Officers who made way before him struck one of 'em at which the Soldier struck him again and being apprehended for this Crime a great Tumult and Mutiny arose among the rest of the Men wherein Cinna himself was run through and thus perish'd in his fourth Consulship a Person worthier to have dy'd by the Command of the Conqueror than by the Fury of the Soldiers Carbo continu'd Consul by himself for the remaining Part of the Year Sylla before this time had receiv'd the Senate's Proposals and return'd for Answer That be wou'd never be reconcil'd to such wicked Persons as Cinna and Carbo who besides many pernicious Practices against their Country's Good had procur'd War to be decreed against him who had done it so much Service But if the People of Rome wou'd grue 'em Indemnity be shou'd not oppose it yet be thought all such as came over to him to be far more safe since he had so considerable an Army at his Devotion This sufficiently declaring his Intentions he also demanding Restitution of his Estate his ancient Dignity and Honours but the Messengers coming to Brundusium and there hearing of Cinna's Death and the Disturbances of the Common-wealth return'd back to him Sylla then cros'd the Sea with a Fleet of 1600 Ships and â—0000 Men and landed at Brundusium where he was join'd by Mâ—tellus Pius who had retir'd from Rome for fear of Marius and Cinan and likewise by Pompey afterwards surnam'd the Great who from this time became Sylla's great Favourite Besides these came also Cethegus who having before join'd with Cinna now begg'd Pardon and was receiv'd into Favour Norbaâ—ts and Scipio the present Consuls together with Carbo made all necessary Preparations for Resistance and the first Trial at Arms was at Canusium where Norbanus lost 6000 Men and fled to Capua His Collegue Scipio shortly after throughout Treachery of his Army fell with his Son into the Hands of Sylla who civilly dismiss'd them both After this Sylla sent to Norbanus to treat of Peace but not being thought serious perhaps had no Answerâ—return'd him Italy now began to feel all the Desolations and Miseries of a Civil War Sylla making great Devastations on one side and Carbo on the other who getting into Rome procur'd Metellus and the rest who join'd with Sylla to be declar'd Enemies to the State Both Parties diligently sent up and down to the Italian Cities labouring by
sick Men into Bithynia whereof 15000 were intercepted and then to retire himself with the rest that could escape the great Slaughter which the Romans made in their Flight During the time of this double Siege Eumachus one of Mithridates's Commanders made Inrodes into Phrygia subdu'd Pisidia and Isauria and endeavoured to do the like to Cilicia 'till he was Repulsâ—d by Deiotarus one of the Governours of Galatia But Lucullus improv'd his Success by Land by gaining many Victories at Sea where he took several of Mithridates's Commanders and closely pursu'd the King himself Mithridates flying with more Speed than Discretion had been Cast away but that he was receiv'd into a Pirate's Vessel to which he was glad to commit himself in so great a Danger and at length after many Difficulties got into his own Kingdom whither Lucullus pursu'd him having taken in all Bithynia and Paphlagonia in in his Way and this was his first Years Expedition Mithridates made all possible Preparations for Resistance sending to Tigranes and others for Aid and within the space of a Year he got together 40000 Foot and 4000 Horse with which he once or twice gain'd some Advantage over the Romans and struck some Terror into the Soldier But Lucullus found Means to cut offâ— most of his Cavalry which with the Loss of a Battel soon after so terrify'd him that he quitted his Kingdom and fled into Armenia to Tigranes who entertain'd him like a King but refus'd to admit him to his Presence All Pontus except a few Places yielded to Lucullus in a Short space and Machares King of Bosphorus sent this General a Crown of Gold by which he purchas'd the Title of his Friend and Allie This was the fourth Year of his Expedition in which Year also was happily finish'd the War with Spartacus the Gladiator in Italy This Person with seventy four of his Companions having broken out of their Fencing School at Capua fled away and wandring through all the Country round and vastly encreasing in their Numbers commenc'd a dangerous War in Italy They at last had gather'd together an Army of about 70000 Men most Vagabonds and such kind of People and all pretenders to Liberty and had besides overthrown many of the Roman Commanders and two of their Consuls till at last they were Conquer'd and despers'd by Licinius Crassus the Prooonâ—ul in Apulia a Person of great Nobility and Riches and after many Troubles and Calamities in Italy the War was ended in the third Year by him About the same time a Lustrum being performâ—d in Rome 450000 Free Citizens were Poll'd the City still encreasing in Bulk and People and the Inhabitants in Learning and Politeness as well as Corruption and Factions Lucullus having still the Management of the War against Mithridates follow'd him into Armenia sending to Tigranes King of that Country to demand him Tigranes was a very powerful Monarch having lately Conquer'd several Nations and Kings which made him so intolerably Proud that when he rode abroad he would have four of his Subduâ—d Kings run by his side like Lacqueys and when he sat on his Throne to stand before him with folded Hands in token of Subjection Tigranes being now abroad in reducing Phoenicia Lucullus's Messenger found Opportunity to draw over many to his side who had been much dissatisfy'd at his proud and insulting Carriage Tigranes at his return refus'd to deliver up Mithridates and likewise to acknowledge Lucullus as a General because he had not given him the Title of King of Kings Whereupon Lucullus suddenly passâ—d the River Euphrates with two Legions and about 3000 Horse which did not a little surprize Tigranes who first hangâ—d the Messenger of the News as a Disturber of the Peace and soon after sent Mithrobarzanes with 2000 Horse to Incommode his Passage leaving Mancaeus to cover the City Tigranocerta which he had lately built and went himself to Levy Forces While he was drawing together a vast Army of 250000 Foot and â—0000 Horse against the Romans Mithrobazanes was repellâ—d and Mancaeus driven from the Cover of the City and the Place immediately Invested Mithridates upon this advisâ—d him not to hazard all in a Battel but rather to starve the Romans but he slighted this Motion and contemnâ—d the Smallness of their Numbers saying That if the Romans were all Ambassadours they were a great many but if Soldiers very few pretending to over-run 'em with great Facility But Lucullus posting himself upon a Hill sent his Cavalry to provoke and draw out the Enemy so as he might break their Ranks and then setting upon the Carriage Beasts so successfully caus'd 'em to drive their Foot among their Horse that great Confusioâ— follow'd and a dreadful Slaughter continu'd all the day and Tigranocerta was surrender'd by means of certain dissatisfy'd Greeks in the Place After these Defeats another great Army was rais'd and committed to the Conduct of Mithridates They both endeavour'd to â—hem in Lucullus but were disappointed in their Design by his extraordinary Vigilancy and thus both Sides continu'd with little Action till want of Provisions constrain'd 'em to remove Tigranes Marching farther into his Kingdom and Mithridates into his with Lucullus not far behind him Fabius who had been left in Ponâ—us by Lucullus was overthrown by Mithridates and after him Triarius who imprudently Engag'd with him and lost â—000 of his Men. Soon after Mithridates taking with him all the Necessaries he couâ—d carry and destroying the rest March'd into the Lesser Armenia Lucullus wouâ—d gladly have follow'd him and might have put an End to the War but that now Acilius Glabrio this Years Consul by Glabinus the Tribunes Procurement was appointed to carry it on in his Place This being known in the Army Lucullus was lighted by his Men and Mithridates and Tigranes began to be more Successful than formerly In a short time Glabrio arriu'd at his Province and sent about to give Notice That the Senate being displeas'd with Lucullus for prolongging the War had disbanded his Army and wou'd Confiscate the Estates of such as shou'd disobey its Order Upon which all his Army abandon'd him except some few poor Men who had no great Cause to fear any loss of Estates and Lucullus being out of his Command Mithridates recover'd almost all his Kingdom and did much Damage to Cappâ—clocia Glabrio not so much as coming to his Army but lying idle in Bithynia This hapned in the seventh Year after Lucullus had undertaken the War III. About this time Pompey began to come into great Esteem among the Romans having now a new Occasion of shewing his great Abilities in War which was this The Pirates who had been first employâ—d by Mithridates finding their Profit so great had now got together many thousands of several Nations making choice of Cilicia for their Rendezvous and seeing that the War continu'd they thought it more Wisdom to damnify others than lose their own Estates They were now grown so Numerous and Powerful that
Triumvirate which prov'd the Overthrow of the Consuler and Popular State being a Combination of three of the Greatest Men in Rome either for Valour Authority or Riches Pompey being then about 47 Years of Age and Caesar 40. Thus Rome lost her Liberty after she had flourish'd many Years in a wonderful Grandeur occasion'd wholly by the numerous Abuses and notorious Corruptions in her Government and Inhabitants which shortly after plung'd her into greater Miseries than ever she felt before This Remarkable Union happen'd in the 694th Year of the City A. M. 394â— in the First Year of the 180th Olympiad 449 Years since the Beginning of the Consular State 330 since the Burning of Rome by the Gauls 270 since the Beginning of the Macedonian Empire by Alexander the Great 86 since the Destruction of Carthage and â—8 before our Saviour ' s Nativity the Roman Dominions containing now all Italy all Cisalpine-Gaul and Part of the Other all Spain and Africk all Greece and Illyricum all the Kingdoms in Asia Minor with Armenia Mesopotamia Media Syria and Iudaea and many Islands besides The End of the Second Book THE Roman History BOOK III. The Mix'd State of ROME From the Beginning of the First Triumvirate to the perfect Settlement of the Empire Containing the Space of 33 Years CHAP. I. From the Beginning of the First Triumvirate to the Death of Crassus one of the Combination which broke and divided that Party Containing the Space of 7 Years I. THE State of Rome was now arriv'd to an extraordinary Height whether we consider the Extent and Fruitfulness of its Dominions the Strength and Power of its Arms the Fame and Valour of its Commanders the Abundance and Largeness of its Revenues the Compass and Magnificence of its City and the Numbers and Riches as well as Learning and Politeness of its Inhabitants but still it wanted considerably of that Glory and Grandeur as to Dominions and much more of that Quiet and Sereneness as to Settlement it had not long after in Augustus's Reign For now the State was full of Factions and Divisions Briberies and Corruptions and likewise Feuds and Jealousies since the joyning of three such potent Men as Caesar Pompey and Crassus which caus'd many to fear the Downfall of their Ancient Liberties and that their Fears were not groundless sufficiently appear'd by the Event The first Effect of this Triumvirate was the Promoting of Caesar to the Consulship Pompey and Crassus employing all their Interest therein He had two Competitors Lucerius and Bibulus the former a Covetous tho Rich Man was taken off by large Promises and Brib'd to procure what Voices he couâ—d for Caesar. The Senators resolving to have Bibulus one of the Consuls made Great Collections among themselves and gave as much on their side Even Cato as rigid as he was was perswaded that the Law which forbad all manner of Bribery on these Occasions ought in such a case to be dispencâ—d withall when the Interest of the Common-wealth so much requir'd it so by that means Bibulus was at last chosen Consul with Caesar. The first thing Caesar did in this Office was his Confirming all Pompey's Acts according to Agreement and from that time he wholly apply'd himself to Gain the Favour of the Commons And the better to effect it he preferrâ—d a Law for dividing certain Lands in Câ—mpania among such of the poor Citizens as had three Children or more This Proposal much pleas'd the Commons and Caesar had taken the most proper Methods to make it pass for the Law was drawn up in Terms so very just and reasonable that no Man couâ—d â—â—nd fault with it He declar'd to the Senators That he wou'd do nothing without their Authority nor propose any of his Friends for Commissioners or any Man who might be liable to Suspicion but that they shou'd be all Persons of known Reputation and Abilities This plausible and cautious Way of proceeding hardly left any room for Contradiction but still the Senate that they might hinder the Law and yet not seem to oppose it adjournâ—d the Affair from Day to Day till at last Cato plainly and publickly declar'd That these Changes in State were not to be permitted after whom all the Senate likewise declared themselves to be of the same Opinion Whereupon Caesar immediately had recourse to the People much complaining to them of the Injustice and Stubbornness of the Senate taking also Pompey and Crassus along with him whose Opinions he publickly ask'd concerning this Law They both approv'd of it and Pompey further declar'd That if such as oppos'd it shou'd come with their Swords in their Hands he wou'd meet their Swords and bring a Buckler with him besides Whereupon a Day was appointed for the Publication of this Law At the appointed Day the People gather'd together in great Numbers and in spight of all Opposition drove Cato and Bibulus himself with Stones and Clubs from off the Place the Consuls Axes were broken in pieces and the People approving the Ordinance declar'd they wou'd have all the Senators swear to the Observation of it Almost all took this Oath except Cato Metellus and Favonius and they too at last after much Opposition took it to save their Fines and likewise their Lives for Caesar had caus'd the People to make it Capital for any one to refuse it Caesar made little use of the Senate after that and from that time his Collegue Bibulus never durst appear in Publick but kept himself at home for the remaining part of the Year This forceable way of proceeding extremely alarm'd the Senate every Body laughing at their Idleness and Negligence and at the Head of those Acts where the Names of the Consuls usâ—d to be inscrib'd some unknown Person instead of Caesar and Bibulus Wrote Caius Caesar and Iulius Caesar to shew that Caesar Govern'd alone Caesar having freed himself from his Collegue began chiefly to apply himself to the Equites or Knights who much courted him and having Farm'd the Customs desir'd an Abatement of the Rent The Senate refus'd to remit any thing but he shortly after procur'd the People to abate a third Part. By this and other Ways of gratifying the Common sort he perswaded 'em to decree the Province of Gaul to him for Five Years with Four Legions for he desir'd nothing so much as performing Great Exploits and the remaining part of the Year he spent in endeavouring to establish his Interest for the time to come Therefore knowing how considerable a Person Pompey was to bind him the more strongly he gave him his Daughter Iulia in Marriage a very vertuous and beautiful Lady He likewise took care that his two Friends Gabinius and Piso shou'd be prick'd for the following Year's Consuls the latter of which had lately given him his Daughter Calpurnia Clodius he procur'd to be one of the Tribunes notwithstanding his former Affront because he knew him to be an Enemy to Cicero whose Oration against Caesar in pleading
and receive whatever they prescrib'd her After this Octavius resolv'd to visit Cleopatra and by his Civilities give her fresh Assurance of his Favour He found her upon a plain Bed and as soon as she perceiv'd him she rose in her Shift to throw her self at his Feet with her Hair in disorder her Face torn her Breasts bruis'd her Eyes red with weeping and her Voice weak and trembling all which Accidents cou'd not deface the Brightness of her Eyes nor the Charming Air of her Face Octavius civilly lifted her up and sat down by her and immediately she enter'd upon the justifying her Conduct but when her Art and Skill fail'd her against manifest Proofs she turn'd her Discourse into humble Supplications and deliver'd him an Inventory of all her Treasure and Jewels Seleucus her Treasurer accusing her of concealing several things Cleopatra in a great Rage threw her self out of her Bed dragg'd him by the Hair and beat him severely which some think was only a Pretence of shewing Octavius her beautiful Shape and Body which she had too great a Confidence in However Octavius only smil'd at this Action and led the Queen to her Bed O Caesar cry'd she after the Honour of Visiting me in this miserable Condition is it not cruel and barbarous that a vile Slave shou'd accuse me of laying aside a few Trifles alas not to adorn my self but to present 'em to Livia and Octavia that their generous Intercession may in some measure procure your Favour This Discourse gave great Satisfaction to Octavius imagining it imply'd a Desire she had of living and thereupon he assur'd her She might keep her Iewels and that he wou'd use her more generously than she couâ—d reasonably hope for and so retir'd much satisfy'd with his Success having as he suppos'd over-reach'd her Cleopatra being soon after inform'd by Dolabella one of Octavius's Favourites and her Admirer that Octavius had resolv'd within three Days to send her and her Children away earnestly begg'd of Octavius to suffer her first to pay her last Oblations to the Memory of Anthony which he granted her Whereupon she was carry'd to the stately Sepulchre where Anthony was laid and only attended by her two Women she fell upon her Knees embrac'd his Tomb with extream Grief and Passion and after a Flood of Tears she cry'd My dearest Lord I was a Queen and wore no Chains when I first plac'd thee in this Monument but now I pay my Duties I 'm Fortune's Slave my servile Body is reserv'd to grace the Triumph of thy Foes on which I dare not so much as print the Marks of my Grief These Tears these Pangs of Grief are the last Tokens of the Love and Duty of thy Cleopatra who now must be forc'd far from thee No Chance cou'd separate us while living but our cruel Destiny will part us in our Deaths and as by a strange Turn of Fate Aegypt has afforded thee a Tomb so Rome will me the only Courtesie I shall receive from thy Country Yet I hope the Heavenly Powers that guard your happy Abode for ours bave betray'd us will stemm the Conqueror's Pride and suffer him not to triumph over thee in my Person Hide me therefore here and receive me into thy Tomb for among all my bitter Griefs and heavy Afflictions none e'er press'd my Soul so hard as living thus long without thee Upon the finishing of these sad Lamentations she crown'd the Tomb with Garlands and Flowers embracing it as if she design'd to grow to it till her Women took her from thence to a Bath after which she attir'd her self after a most gorgeous Manner and eat as sumptuously as she cou'd After Dinner she clear'd the Room of all except Iras and Charmia and having procur'd an Asp to be secretly brought in among Figs Grapes and Flowers she apply'd it to her Arm just before which she sent a Letter to Octavius wherein she most passionately complain'd of her hard Fate and very earnestly beseech'd him That it might be permitted her to be bury'd in the same Tomb with Anthony Octavius in all haste sent some Messengers who found her dead upon a Golden Bed adorn'd with her Royal Robes in Posture of one asleep with Iras also dead at her Feet and Charmia just breathing and placing her Diadem right One of the Messengers very angrily ask'd Is this well done Charmia Extreamly well reply'd she and becoming a Princess descended from so noble a Race of Monarchs at which she expir'd at her Mistresses Feet Octavius was extreamly troubl'd at Cleopatra's Death as being depriv'd of the noblest Ornament of his Triumph However he cou'd not but admire the Greatness of her Courage who notwithstanding the Weakness of her Sex preferr'd Death before the Loss of her Liberty or the Appearing below her Quality He order'd her a Magnificent Funeral laying her Body by Anthony's according to her Desire and her Women were interr'd with considerable Pomp in Memory of their Fidelity She was then thirty eight Years of Age having reign'd twenty two twelve whereof she pass'd with Anthony and her Death put an End to the Aegyptian Kingdom which had flourish'd for many Ages Her Son Caesario which she had by Iulius Caesar was shortly after slain by Octavius's Orders who was told by Arrius the Philosopher That many Caesar ' s were of dangerous Consequence Aegypt was now intirely reduc'd into a Province and Octavius caus'd his Soldiers to cleanse the Chanels of the Nile which much improv'd the Fertility of the Soil And since this Kingdom much enlarg'd the Roman Dominions especially as to Riches and his entire Victories brought Peace to the Roman State at his Return he was receiv'd at Rome with an universal Joy and Satisfaction as a Person who had put an End to the Miseries and Calamities in the greatest Part of the World He triumph'd three Days for Illyrium for the Battel of Actium and the Conquest of Aegypt with extraordinary Splendor and Magnificence all which were attended with a happy shutting of the Temple of Ianus which had stood open 205 Years II. Octavius Caesar now finding himself Lord and Governour of the Roman Empire partly by the Authority with which the People had at several Times invested him and partly by the Ruine of his Enemies after this resolv'd to exercise all the Clemency of a sweet temper'd Prince and all the Cunning of an exquisite Politician To assure himself of Anthony's Adherents was his first and principal Care to which End he publickly reported that he had burnt all Anthony's Letters and Papers without reading them well knowing that as long as any thought themselves suspected Adversaries they wou'd never shew themselves real Friends To the Senators and Magistrates he made sumptuous Feasts and Treats to the Plebeians and Common Sort he exhibited magnificent Shows and Plays and both he entertain'd with such Variety of Pleasures as might reasonably banish their Sorrows for the old Proscription and remove their Fears of a new With