was renew'd several Days with almost equal Success In the last Contest the Romans were much worsted in the beginning and fled to the Palatium but rallying and renewing the Fight with Success against the Sabines the Women who were stolen and marry'd to the Romans and the cause of this War through the Persuasions of Hersilia one of the principal among 'em ran desperately into the midst of the Darts and dead Bodies with their Children in their Arms and their Hair about their Ears making such lamentable Shrieks and Out-crys that both Armies immediately desisted These became Mediators and made Peace between the Fathers and son-in-Son-in-Laws after the War had lasted six Years The Articles were First That Romulus and Tatius shou'd reign jointly in Rome with equal Power and Prerogative Secondly That the City from Romulus shou'd still be call'd Rome but the Citizens Quirites from Cures the native Place of Tatius Thirdly That now the two Nations shou'd become one and as many of the Sabines as were willing shou'd be made Free of Rome The City being now much increas'd by the Number of the Sabines Mount Capitoline was taken in built upon and laid out for their Habitation Romulus chose out 100 of the most noble of the Sabines and added 'em to the Senate so that it now consisted of 200 Persons The Legions so call'd ab eligendo because they were choice select Men which before contain'd 3000 Men were now encreas'd also to 4000 whence a Legion was call'd Quadrata yet afterwards a Legion compris'd as many Men as was found convenient for the Service of the Common-wealth Several new Feasts were instituted upon the account of this Union as Matronalia Carmentala c. and a particular Respect was had to those Women who procur'd this happy Reconciliation and several Privileges were allow'd 'em particularly they were exempted from all Work unless Spinning and making of Cloth Now the Tribes were call'd by distinct Names the first Rhamnenses from Romulus the second Tatienses from Tatius and the third Luceres from the Lucus or Grove where the Asylum stood For five Years the two King 's reign'd quietly and peaceably together but in the sixth Tatius protecting some of his Friends who had robb'd and plunder'd the Lavinians and killing the Ambassadors who were sent to demand Satisfaction was slain by the Lavinians at his going to sacrifice there Romulus like a generous Prince made Satisfaction to the injured Persons and bury'd Tatius in Rome very honourably III. Romulus once more sole Monarch of Rome march'd against Fidenae and subdu'd it a Town five Miles off Rome that had seiz'd on Provisions coming thither in time of Famine and soon after he took Cameria an Alban Colony not far distant into both which he sent a sufficient Number of Romans to inhabit 'em according to his usual Custom Then he punish'd the Crustumini who had kill'd their Planters which he had plac'd among 'em and over all these he obtain'd a second Triumph The Action of Romulus against the Fidenates was extremely resented by the Veientes their Neighbours who immediately by an Embassy requir'd the Romans to withdraw their Garrison and restore the Inhabitants to all their former Privileges These Veientes were one of the twelve Nations of Hetruria a powerful People inhabiting a strong City and of extraordinary Largeness situated upon a craggy Rock about twelve Miles North of Rome Their Demands being rejected they began their Acts of Hostility and both Armies met at Fidenae where after two sharp Engagements Romulus became Conqueror The Veientes were now forc'd to betake themselves to Intreaties and so enter'd into a League with the Romans for 100 Years upon these Articles To quit a seventh part of their Dominions with their Salt-pits nigh the River and to give up fifty Hostages of the most considerable Families Romulus for this triumph'd a third time leading with him their General an aged Man who had so badly perform'd his Duty that he was afterwards personated by an old Man in all Triumphs This was the last War manag'd by Romulus who after that imploy'd most of his Time in settling the Government and placing it upon the surest Foundations He made many good and profitable Laws most of which were unwritten Particularly he made one concerning Marriages where the Authority of the Husband was so well and conveniently settl'd that for 520 Years a Divorce was not known in Rome He gave Fathers absolute Power over their Sons to sell imprison scourge or kill 'em tho' in never so great an Office and that as long as they liv'd He appointed no Punishment for real Parricide but call'd all Murder by that Name thinking the latter a destable Crime but the other impossible And it was a indeed Crime never known in Rome for 600 Years For the Peoples Way of Living he enjoy'd two Courses of Life Warfare and Husbandry equally dividing the Lands Slaves and Money taken from the Enemy he appointed a Market once in nine Days which from thence was call'd Nundinae When any Town was taken he suffer'd no Prisoner of Man's Age to be slain or sold or their Lands left untill'd but order'd a Colony from Rome to cultivate them and some of the Strangers to be admitted to the Freedom and Privileges of the City and this was his third Contrivance to encrease the City As to Controversies that might arise upon any Injuries he immediately decided 'em or referr'd 'em to others inflicting speedy Punishments according to the Nature of the Crime Finding publick Spectacles to have a great Influence upon the People he set up his Judgment-Seat in the most conspicuous Place in the Forum where his Guard of 300 Celeres and his twelve Lictors with their Rods and Axes in view of all the People scourging or executing Malefactors occasionâ—d an extraordinary Awe and Respect In the latter end of his Reign whether swell'd with the Imagination of his former Successes and present Security or carry'd away with some pleasing Notions of Arbitrary Government he began to grow very Tyrannical inlarging his Prerogative beyond those Bounds he had formerly set to it and making use of the Senate only to ratifie his Commands Tho' he was extreamly belov'd by the common People yet these Actions gain'd him the Hatred of the Nobility and Senate and brought him to an untimely Death he being torn in pieces as is generally believ'd in the Senate House the Senators carrying his Body out by Piece-meal under their Gowns to prevent Discovery The Senators took an occasion from the Secrefie of the Fact and the Concealment of the Body to persuade the Multitude that he was taken up among the Gods and Iulius Proculus one of the chief of the Nobility did almost put all out of doubt by swearing solemnly That Romulus appear'd to him and told him It was the Pleasure of the Immortal Gods to have him continue among Mankind till he had founded a City whose Empire and Glory shou'd far surpass
open in time of War and to be shut in time of Peace as it continu'd all his Reign which as some observe never hapned but four times from his Reign to that of Tiberius Caesar. To the two Flamens or High-Priests of Iupiter and Mars he added a third of Quirinus or Romulus and to this Prince also is ascrib'd the bringing in of the Pontifices whereof he himself was one and officiated accordingly He also ordain'd the Vestal Virgins being four in Number to whom he gave very great Privileges particularly when they went abroad they had the Fasces carry'd before 'em and in their Walks if they met with a Malefactor leading to Execution they had the Power of freeing him from Death upon Oath given that the Meeting was meerly Accidental He also Instituted the Orders of the Salii and the Feciales Priests devoted to Mars the former were to carry those Sacred Shields call'd Ancilia and the latter to judge of the Equity of War and proclaim it with much Ceremony This Prince tho' naturally averse to all Wars yet consider'd that Peace and Security might too much soften and degenerate the Minds of the Multitude therefore he us'd his utmost Endeavours to imprint on their Minds the Notions of Religion and Vertue and the due Reverence of God And to gain the more Credit and Obedience to his Constitutions he pretended he had often and immediate Converse with the Goddess Egâ—ria and wou'd be often telling them that strange Visions and Apparitions were seen and Prophetick Voices heard which Stories had great and remarkable Effects upon a People so superstitiously inclin'd Yet his Religion was of a refin'd Nature being much like that of Pythagoras afterwards and as he taught That the Principle of all Things was not to be perceiv'd by Sence nor was liable to Motion but was Invisible Immortal and to be apprehended by the Understanding alone so Numa forbad the Romans to use the Image of any God which represented him under the Form of a Man or any other living Creature And this was strictly observ'd in all their Temples and Sacred Places for 170 Years at the least they holding it a great Crime to liken such superiour Beings to Things so much below ' em For the Encouragement of Agriculture he divided those Lands which Romulus had gain'd in War among the poorer sort causing his Subjects to apply themselves to Husbandry and by such kind of Employments to cultivate their Minds as well as the Earth Then he divided all the Lands into several Parcels to which he gave the name of Pagi or Boroughs and over every one of these he ordain'd a Chief or Arbitrator in Judicial Causes And that he might take away all Distinction of Roman and Sabine which threatn'd the State with endless Factions and dangerous Divisions he divided all the Inhabitants according to their several Trades and Occupations making every Art a particular Company and Society and appointing to every one their respective Courts and Privileges and this was his Master-piece in Politicks He much abated the Rigour of that Law made by Romulus concerning the Power of Fathers over their Children making it unlawful for 'em to sell their Sons after Marriage because it was very unjust that a Woman who had marry'd a Free-Man shou'd be constrain'd to live with a Slave He also prescrib'd Rules concerning Mourning a Child of Three Years and so upwards to Ten was to be mourn'd for so many Months as it was Years old and the longest time of Mourning for any Person was not to exceed the term of Ten Months Which also was the Time appointed for Widdows before which they cou'd not without great Indecency marry again but in case Circumstances were such as not to admit of so long a Term they were first to sacrifice a Cow with a Calf for Expiation of their Fault One of the principal Things done by this Prince was the Reformation of the Year which in Romulus's Time was much out of Order some Months having more than 35 Days and some fewer than twenty Numa finding the Solar Year to exceed the Lunar by eleven Days doubled these eleven Days and every other Year inserted a Month after February consisting of 22 Days which was by the Romans call'd Mercedonius because it was the usual time for paying of Wages He likewise chang'd the Order of the Months making Ianuary and February the first and second Months which were the two last in Romulus's Days Ianuary had its name from Ianus the most ancient God or King in Italy February was so call'd from the Expiations which us'd to be in it signify'd by the wor'd Februa March so call'd from Mars the suppos'd Father of Romulus which upon that account had been plac'd first April from Aphrodite or Venus because of the Superstitious Worship which was perform'd in it when the Women were crown'd with Myrtle May so nam'd from Maia the Mother of Mercury to whom this Month was made Sacred Iune from Iuno or as some will have it from Iuventus because the Season is warm and as it were Iuvenile The rest had their Names from their Order as Quintilis Sextilis September October November and December only Quintilis and Sextilis were afterwards turn'd into Iuly and August by the Emperors Iulius Caesar and Augustus Numa was marry'd to Tatia King Tatius's Daughter by whom he had one Daughter nam'd Pompilia and after a Reign of 43 Years being above 80 Years old he dy'd and was bury'd with great Honour and Solemnity He forbad his Body to be burnt as it was usual in those days but was bury'd in a Stone Coffin under the Hill Ianiculum and the Books of his Ceremonies were laid by him in another being Twelve written in Latin and as many in Greek These were taken up about 400 Years after and because it was thought a piece of Impiety to communicate such Mysteries to the Multitude were burnt by Order of the Senate He kept the State in such a constant Peace by his prudent Management as did very much contribute to the Strength and Security of the City and he much improv'd and polish'd the rough Genius of the Roman People CHAP. III. From the Death of Numa to the Death of Tullus Hostilius the Third King of Rome Containing the space of 33 Years I. UPon the Death of Numa the Government once more devolv'd upon the Senate and after several Interreges Tullus Hostilius was created King by the universal consent of all People He was Grandson to the famous Hostilius who in Romulus's Days had behav'd himself very Valiantly against the Sabines in the Citadel and had Marry'd the Daughter of Hersilia He was of a bold and fiery Temper and one who often sought and greedily embrac'd all Occasions of War led to it partly by his own proper Inclination and partly by the Glory and Renown of his Grand-Father As he thought the Love of his Subjects the most necessary thing to carry on
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-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
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-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-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
all were ready to rise up in Arms and the Lictors were beaten back that went to lay Hands on him he being defended by a Company of stout young Men an unseemly Contest ensu'd which beginning with Railings and Jostlings proceeded to Blows and throwing of Stones But Quintius the other Consul by his Intreaties and throwing himself into the Middle and by the help of the Graver Senators prevented the Tumult from proceeding to any further Inconveniencies which was ended shortly after by the Night But all Disturbances did not end here for within a few Days after the Tribunes and the People seiz'd on the Capitol and there fortifi'd themselves against the Patritians This might have been of the most dangerous Consequence had not Quintius by his mild Intreaties and fair Promises perswaded the Tribunes to refer this Law to the Senate's Discretion which after many long Debates permitted it to be put to the Comitia and so it was pass'd This was call'd the Comitia Tributa where all the Free Romans voted according to their Tribes Whereas in the Comitia Curiata none cou'd Vote but Inhabitants of Rome in the Comitia Centuriata the Rich Men had the advantage by reason of their Number of Centuries but in this Comitia Tributa there was no Respect to either of these Qualifications but all Free Romans in or without the City Poor or Rich might have Voices Another Difference between this and the Curiata Comitia was the Place of Assembly that being ti'd to the Comitium in the Forum Râ—manum and that with the Superstitious Observations of Birds call'd Auspicia but this Tributa was ti'd to no set Place being assembl'd in a great many several without any Observation of Birds But the most material Difference between these two Comitia's was this in the Curiata such things were treated of and confirm'd by the Suffrages of the Curiae as the Senate had first decreed but in the Tributa all Things were manag'd without any consulting of the Senate and were wholly determin'd by the Votes of the Tribes gatherâ—d apart The Matters that were manag'd here were chiefly The chusing of Inferior Magistrates as the Tribunes Aediles Priests c. making of those Lawâ— â—all'd Plebiscita or whatsoever shou'd concern the Commons as alsâ— the Punishment of Misdemeanors but not as to Life and Death and the making Peace but not War This new Law gave the Commons still more Power and Authority and made 'em still more Bold and Insolent to the danger of many a Patritian and to the Ruine of Appius whose ill Success against the Volsci this same Year and â—his violent opposing the Agrarian Law the next made the Tribunes set him a Day to answer for his Life before the People which he prevented by killing himself VI. Still the Romans had Wars with the Aequi Sabines and Volsci and had generally the Advantage From the Volsci was taken Antium a considerable City on the Sea 28 Miles South-East of Rome which they made a Roman Colony For nine Years together none of these got any considerable Advantage over the Romans tho' in the midst of these Wars there hapned a most grievous Plague in Rome which swept away an innumerable Company of the Slaves a fourth Part of the Senators both the Consuls and most of the Tribunes The Aequi and Volsci were at last much weakned their Territories greatly wasted and Lucretius and Veturius the Consuls obtain'd one a Triumph and the other an Ovation over them The Year after this and of the City 292 Volumnius and Camerinus the Consuls having no Action Abroad employ'd themselves at Home against the exorbitant Power of the Tribunes who were now got to that heighth of Boldness as to assert That the Citizens ought all to have equal Power in the Government they likewise made great Complaints that the Roman Laws were yet unwritten and thereupon proposâ—d a Law to have Ten Men chosen in a lawful Assembly to publish Laws both concerning aâ— Private and Publick Business The young Patritians furiously oppos'd their Designs casting the meaner Sort like Slaves out of the Forum Among these Caeso Quintius the Son of Quintius Cincinnatus was Principal a Person of great Courage whom the Tribunes resolv'd to make an Example to all young Men and therefore set him a Day to answer for his Life before the People which caus'd new Stirs and Commotions Caeso being admitted to Bail fled into Hetruria whereupon his Father sold almost all his Estate to reimburse the Sureties and then retreating to a small Farm and a little Cottage beyond the Tiber liv'd retir'd from the World laboriously working for his Living The Tribunes were much deceiv'd in their Expectations and the young Patritians so hotly oppos'd 'em that they cou'd act nothing of Consequence this Consulship The next Year the same Tribunes being chosen again they caus'd various Rumors to be spread abroad That many of the Senators and Patritians had form'd a Plot and conspir'd to Murther the Tribunes and Ruine all the Authority of the Plebeians This Contrivance was design'd to fright the Senate into a Compliance but had no other Effect than the causing great Tumults and Disturbances among the Commons These Troubles were so great as to give Occasion to Herdonius a Sabine with 4000 Men to seize on the Capitol calling in the Slaves to their Liberty which put the whole City into a great Consternation all being in a Confusion Valerius and Claudius were then Consuls and the Tribunes persuaded the Multitude not to Fight except the Patritians wou'd engage by Oath to create Ten Men for making of Laws and suffer the Commons to have equal Priviledges with them Claudius wou'd have wholly slighted their Assistance but Valerius finding such presâ—ing Necessity for 'em promis'd upon Oath to endeavour to satisfy the Desire of the Commons when the War was ended Whereupon Claudius was appointed to look to the City and Valerius valiantly attack'd the Capitol on all sides and took it by Storm but with the Loss of his Life the Slaves being punish'd according to their Deserts and the rest made Prisoners of War This War finish'd the Tribunes requir'd Claudius to make good the Promise of his deceas'd Collegue but he alledg'd He cou'd do â—othing himself and appointed the Comitia for the chusing a new Consul The Fathers the better to support their Interest resolv'd upon Quintius Cincinnatus Father to Caeso lately fled and immediately sent for him to the City The Messengers found him hard at Plow only in his Truss and a Cap on his Head but being told of their coming by a Viator that ran before he presented himself in a better Habit. Being saluted by the Name of Consul invested with Purple honour'd by the Fasces and other Ensigns of Magistracy he was desir'd to begin his Journey but after a little Pause he answer'd with Tears Then for this Year my poor little Field must go unsown and we shall be in danger of Want
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
Upon this Cato recoverâ—d his Spirits and being transported with Fury thrust back the Physician rent open his Wound again and tearing his Bowels expir'd before their Eyes Thus dy'd Cato a Person of singular Justice Severity and Magnanimity upon the hearing of whose Death Caesar said Cato has eâ—vyâ—d me the Glory of saving his Life and therefore do I envy his Death designing as was thought to have conquerâ—d him by his Kindness and Generosity His Death compleatly finish'd Caesar's War in Africk Africk being entirely reduc'd to Subjection Caesar return'd to Rome to triumph for all his Victories and first to obtain the Favour of the People he gave 'em to understand That his last Victory had gainâ—d the Commonwealth of Rome a Country so large and rich that it cou'd yearly furnish the City with 200000 Bushels of Corn and 3000000 Pounds of Oil. After this he order'd the Preparations for his Triumph upon four successive Days the first design'd for the Triumph over Gaul shew'd in a great many Tables the Names of 300 Nations and 800 Cities conquer'd by the Death of a Million of Foes whom he had defeated in several Battels The second Triumph was over Aegypt The third shew'd the Defeat of Pharnaces in Asia And the fourth that of King Iuba in Africk which Triumphs were over Foreigners not Romans Here was the utmost Shew of Magnificence and all the Roman Soldiers follow'd their great General crown'd with Laurels and in that Equipage he went to the Capitol the Steps whereof he mounted upon his Knees forty Elephants being rang'd on each Side carrying great Candlesticks fill'd with Flambeaus The Silver Vessels and Statues of Goldsmith's Work which were us'd in these Triumphs amounted to 65000 Talents which is above twelve Millions of our Money besides 1822 Crowns of Gold weighingâ— 15033 l. which were Presents that the Princes and Cities had made him after his Victories according to the Customs of those Times Out of these Summs he paid his Soldiers besides what he had promisâ—d them in the beginning of the Civil Wars To every one 150 Pounds of our Money as much more to the Centurions and twice as much as that to the Tribunes and Commanders of the Cavalry and for their Retreat after the Wars he gave them Inheritances in several Places separated from Italy The People also were sensible of his Bounty for he distributed to each particular Person ten Bushels of Corn and ten Pounds of Oil and added 100 Denarii to the 300 he had promis'd 'em before Atfer this he nobly entertain'd the whole People at 22000 several Tables and that nothing might be wanting to the Pomp and Magnificence of these Feasts he caus'd 2000 Gladiators to fight before the People and made Representations of Sea and Land-Fights of four or five Thousand Men of a side besides all sorts of Plays and Shows These Entertainments drew so many People to Rome that the greatest part of 'em were forc'd to lie in the open Air and a great many were stifâ—ed in the Press among the rest two Senators Many great Honours were after this conferr'd upon Caesar among which was that of Master of Manners as if the Name of Censor was too mean for three Years all joyning to shew their great Forwardness in preferring him some out of Love and Respect others out of Fear and Flattery And indeed many began to dread the Severities of Marius and Sylla but Caesar's extraordinary Civility to both Parties and the Greatness of his Nature in a great measure freed 'em from any such Fears He began now to settle the Common-wealth and make many new Laws He committed the Power of Judicature to the Senators and Equites alone and both by Laws and his own Care he restrain'd the profuse Way of Living of rich Persons And because the City was manifestly exhausted by reason of Multitudes quitting it he propos'd Rewards to all such as had many Children Then considering that by his long Command in Gaul he himself had Opportunity of establishing an extraordinary Power by a Law he ordain'd That no Praetor shou'd Command above a Year in his Province nor a Consul above two Years after the Expiring of his Office Moreover to shew that nothing shou'd escape his Care he undertook to regulate the Roman Year which was at this time very much confounded and tho' Numa the second King of Rome had bestow'd much Pains about it yet still the Reckoning according to Lunar Months and the odd eleven Days and a quarter caus'd a great many Inconveniencies Whereupon Caesar after his consulting the most able Astronomers being also himself very well instructed in that Science whereof he had written regulated the Year according to the Course of the Sun allotting to each Year 365 Days and adding one Day more every fourth Year which was call'd the Bissextile and this is the Method which we to this Day follow and goes still by the Name of the Iulian Account and the Old Stile whereas the New Stile is call'd the Gregorian Account In this same Year flourish'd Catullus the Poet one of the principal Epigrammatists of all the Romans IV. While Caesar was thus employ'd in the Affairs of the Common-wealth the two Sons of Pompey had fortify'd themselves in Spain and as the People still passionately affected the Memory of their Father they soon gather'd together a powerful Army they also had very good Officers and among the rest Labienus which oblig'd Caesar to go in Person to oppose their Proceedings tho' not without some Unwillingness by reason that his beloved Mistress Cleopatra was now at Rome He was now just made Consul again and likewise Dictator for another Year and Lepidus who was Consul with him he chose for his Master of the Horse Caesar proceeded in his Expedition with his wonted Vigour and Celerity and arriv'd in Spain before the Enemy so much as imagin'd it Cneius the eldest of the two Pompey's had laid Siege to the City of Ulla and Sextus the younger Brother was in Corduba with a strong Garrison Caesar to raise the Siege and to give some Jealousie to Cneius advanc'd towards Corduba which occasion'd him to raise the Siege before Ulla and come and oppose Caesar but Caesar finding he cou'd not draw him to a Battel went and invested Attegna a Place of great Importance and full of Provisions This Siege lasted some considerable time and the Pompeys endeavour'd to throw in Succours into the Town but in vain till at last it was constrain'd to eapitulate Caesar being Master of this several other Places submitted to him and the Pompeys marching up and down and fearing the rest shou'd revolt were resolv'd to come to a general Battel their Army being now encamp'd in the Plains of Munda and Caesar's not far distant Both Generals were equally impatient to come to an Ingagement so that Cneius drew up his Men by Break of Day well posting himself upon a Hill and the Exactness of their Order shew'd his Troops to great Advantage