haue alreadie said had inueighled Libo then betrayed him and brought him to destruction Which seruice Tiberius not forgetting though pretending other causes intreated that he might not be banished but that he should be deposed from the Senate he hindered not I am not ignorant that many of those things which I haue rehearsed and which I shall rehearse hereafter will seeme of small moment and not worthy the writing But I wish not that any should compare our annales with the writings of the auncient historiographers of the people of Rome for they reported with a free discourse of mightie great warres winning of townes of Kings taken and slaine or if they came to domesticall affaires they recorded the discords betwixt the Consuls and the Tribunes lawes concerning distribution of lands among the common people and iarres betweene the communaltie and nobilitie But the scope of our discourse is streight and our labour inglorious the times I write of being peaceable and quiet or no great warres the state of the citie dolefull and the Prince carelesse in dilating the Empire Yet it shall not bee lost labour to looke into those things which at the first seeme light oft yeelding instruction of greater matters For all Nations and Cities are gouerned by the people or Peers or one alone A forme of common-wealth constituted of one of these may better be praised then found or if it chaunce to be found it cannot long continue Therefore as in times past the people bearing swaie or the Lords of the Senate the humor of the communaltie was to be knowen and the meanes how with greatest discretion they were to be dealt withall and they iudged most wise and experienced who had deepliest entered into the disposition of the Senators nobilitie so the state being now changed and the regiment consisting in one alone it shall be conuenient to note those things which vnto that forme of gouernment doth best appertaine For there are but few which by wisedome distinguish honest things from dishonest and profitable from hurtfull but most men are taught by others euents And my writings bring more profit then delight for situation of countries varietie of battels the death of famous Captaines do feede and recreat the readers mindes But we heape vp bloodie commaundements continuall accusations deceitfull friendships the ouerthrow of innocent persons and causes bringing the like end matters tedious for want of varietie The old writers had also this aduantage that they had no detractors of their writing or fewe not being materiall to any whether he had praised the Affrican or Roman armies But many are yet aliue whose predecessors suffered punishment or infamie vnder Tiberius gouernment And although their familie be extinguished yet thou shalt find many which for conformitie of manners thinke that others misdeedes are obiected against themselues Glorie and vertue haue enimies likewise according to the disposition of euerie mans minde framing reasons contrarie to that which his own inclination is neerest vnto But I will returne to my first purpose VIII An oration of Cremutius in defence of his Annales Tiberius would not suffer the Spaniards to build a Temple in his honour COrnelius Cossus Asinius Agrippa being Consuls Cremutius Cordus was accused of a new crime neuer before heard of that in certaine Annales by him published he had praised M. Brutus and said that C. Cassius was the last of the Romans His accusers were Satrius Secundus and Pinarius Natta Seianus clients which was his ouerthrow Caesar with a sterne looke hearing his purgation which Cremutius being assured to lose his life began in this manner I am accused for words Lords of the Senate bicause in deedes I am innocent But they were neither against the Prince nor his father whom the lawe of treason doth comprehend I am said to haue commended Brutus and Cassius whose acts manie haue written and all in honorable termes T. Liuius an excellent writer as well for eloquence as truth did so much extoll Gn. Pompeius that Augustus called him a Pompeian yet that no breach of friendship at all Scipio Afranius did neuer call this selfe same Cassius this Brutus theeues and parricides as now adaies they are termed but often worthie famous men Asinius Pollioes writings do deliuer an honorable memorie of them Messalla Coruinus extolleth Cassius as his Captaine and both flourished in wealth and honour When M. Cicero had in a booke extolled Cato to the heauens what did Caesar the Dictator but answere him in an oration as if he had beene before the iudges Antonies epistles Brutus orations haue I confesse many vntrue and bitter speeches against Augustus Men read Bibaculus and Catullus verses which are stuffed with reproches against the Caesars But yet Iulius and Augnstus of famous memorie winked thereat whether with greater moderation or wisedome I know not for things of that qualitie neglected vanish of themselues but repined and greeued at argue a guiltie conscience The Grecians whose not onely libertie but vnrestrained licence escaped vnpunished I speake not of or if any felt himselfe greeued he reuenged words with other words It hath bin alwaies a matter of free libertie and least subiect vnto detraction to speake of those whom death had exempted from hatred and fauor Do I incense the peope by orations to ciuill warre with Cassius and Brutus alreadie in armes and masters of the Philippian fields Do not they who ended their life aboue seauentie yeeres agone as they are knowen by their images which the Conqueror himselfe hath not pulled downe so retaine some remembrance of them by writings Posteritie doth render vnto euery man the commendation he hath deserued Neither will there want some if I be condemned which will make mention not onely of Cassius and Brutus but of me also Hauing thus saide he went out of the Senat ended his life by abstinence Order was giuen by the Senators that the Aediles should burne his bookes which notwithstanding were still extant some secretly some publickly which maketh me the willinglier to laugh at the witles vncircumpection of such as thinke with the power and authoritie they haue in their own time they can also extinguish the memory of future times But it falleth out contrary that when good wits are punished their credit groweth greater neither haue forraine Kings or such as haue vsed the like crueltie purchased any other thing then discredit to themselues and to such wits glorie This yeere accusations were so hotly pursued that euen on the festiuall daies of the Latines Calphurnius Saluianus went to accuse Marius before Drusus Prouest of the citie as he was entering into the Tribunall to begin his charge for which cause Saluianus being publikely blamed by Tiberius was sent into banishment Great negligence was openly layd to the Cyzicenians charge in not solemnising Augustus sacrifices and that they had vsed violence against the citizens of Rome For which cause they lost the freedome which they had gotten in the warre when they were besieged by
Munatius Plancus who had beene Consull and chiefe in the Embasie affirming him to be the author of that decree And in the dead of the night went to Germanicus importunately demanding an ensigne which was in his house and flocking togither brake downe the gates entered his house drew Germanicus out of his bed and threatening to kill him forced him to deliuer the ensigne Then running vp and downe they met with the embassadors hearing of the desperate tumult going to Germanicus the soldiers iniuring them and readie to kill them and aboue others Plancus who in regarde of his dignitie coulde not flee hauing no other refuge left in distresse and danger then to flie to the campe of the first legion where imbracing the standard and ensignes founde safetie as in a religious place And had not Calphurnius the standard bearer garded him from the furie of the soldiers a thing which seldome hapneth euen among the enimies an embassador of the people of Rome in the Romans campe had with his bloud polluted the altars of the gods Assoone as it was daie that the L. Generall the soldier and the attempts might be knowen Germanicus entered the campe and commanding Plancus to be brought to him placed him in the Tribunall by him Then sharpely rebuking their fatall rage stirred vp by the wrath of the gods and not the soldiers will he openeth vnto them the cause of the embassadors comming their priuiledges bewailing with great eloquence Plancus vndeserued hap and the discredit of the legions And hauing rather rauished then quieted the assemblie sent away the embassadors with a garde of auxiliarie horsemen During this feare euerie man blamed Germanicus that he went not to the vpper armie where he shoulde haue both obedience and aide against the rebels that his fault had beene great inough in dismissing the soldiers with money in their purses and vsing them so curteously And if he made no greater reckoning of his owne person yet he had no reason to leaue his yoong sonne and his wife great with childe as a praie to furious and mad men breakers of all humane lawes And that he should preserue them at the leastwise for their grandfather and the common-wealth He then weighing long what he were best to resolue his wife refusing to forsake him alleaging that she was descended from Augustus and protesting that she would neuer degenerate from hir bloud whatsoeuer danger might be presented at last embracing both hir and the child with manie teares constrained hir to depart Away then packt this lamentable companie of women and the Generals wife fleeing with his little sonne in hir lap with a heauie troupe of hir friends wiues about hir lead away with hir for companie those which remained behinde no lesse sorrowfull then they This resembled not a triumphing Caesar marching out of his campe but the bewailing and lamentation of a citie conquered and sackt of the enimie Which piercing the eares of the soldiers they went out of their cabbines enquiring what that dolorous tune was and from whence proceeded that lamentable noise And perceiuing those noble dames to go without any Centurion or soldier to garde them and their Emperours wife destitute of hir accustomed traine going towards Treuers to commit hirselfe to the mercie of strangers were stroken into shame and compassion when they called to minde Agrippa hir father Augustus hir grandfather and Drusus hir father in lawe and how she hir-selfe was for hir chastitie and childe bearing honored of al and how she had had a childe borne and brought vp in their campe whom by a militarie name they called Caligula bicause that to win the fauour of the common soldier he wore the same kinde of stocking or buskin as he did But nothing did mooue them more then the hatred to those of Treuers and therefore began to intreat and hinder their going praying hir that she would returne and remaine with them Some ran before Agrippina many turned backe to Germanicus who through the late occasions yet full of griefe and anger vttered to the multitudes about him this speech as followeth X. Germanicus Oration to the souldiers the feare the Citie vvas in NOt my wife or sonne are deerer vnto me then my father and the Common-wealth but him his owne Maiestie the Empire the other armies shall defend I do now remoue my wife and children which neuertheles I would willingly offer vnto death were it to your glory and honor from the sight of raging mad men that all your lewd actions be purged with my bloud only least if you should murder Augustus nephewes sonne and Tiberius daughter in law you should become guiltie of moe hainous crimes for what haue you not dared to attempt these daies past or what haue you left vnuiolated By what name shall I call this assembly Shall I call you souldiers who haue besieged your Emperors sonne euen within the trench or shall I call you citizens by whom the authoritie of the Senate is so little regarded You haue broken that law which one enemy obserueth to another violated the sacred freedome of Embassadors and the lawe of Nations Iulius of famous memory repressed a sedition in his army with one bare word calling such Quirites which drew back countrary to their oath of allegeance Augustus of sacred memory daunted the legions at Actium with his looke And as for vs although we be neither of them yet being extract from them we thinke it strange and vnmeete that the Spanish or Syrian souldier should contemne vs. Thou the first legion and thou the twentith the one hauing receiued ensignes of Tiberius and the other a companion in so many battels and enriched with so many recompences do you thus guerdon your Generall Is this the message I shall carry my father who receiueth but good tidings from all other Prouinces that neither the yong nor old souldier can be satisfied with licence to depart nor money in their purse And that heere only the Centurions are murdered the Tribunes driuen away the Embassadors shut vp that the tents and riuers are stained with bloud and that I my selfe hold my life but at the curtesie of such as hate me Why did you snatch out of my hands the sword which I meant to thrust through my breast the first day of our meeting O vnaduised friends yet he dealt better and more louingly with me which offered me his sword for by that meanes I should haue ended my life before I should haue seene so many outrages in my army You should haue made choise of a Generall which would haue left my death vnpunished yet haue reuenged the death of Varo and of the three legions The gods forbid that the Belgians though offering themselues should carry away the credit and the honor of succouring the Romanes and brideling the Germans Let thy soule Augustus of sacred memorie receiued into heauen thy image father Drusus and the remembrance of thee together with these souldiers whom shame and glory do enter
yet continuing for which although great preparation was made for the sommer following yet he by a sudden incursion made on the Chatti did anticipate it in the beginning of the spring For a rumor bred a hope that the enimies were banded into factions some fauoring Arminius and others Segestes the one most loyall and the other most disloyall vnto vs. Arminius disquieted Germanie Segestes discouered often to Varus but especially in the last banket after which armes were taken a rebellion intended and counselled him to cast himselfe Arminius and the chiefest of the conspirators into prison the people not daring any attempt the ringleaders being taken away and that he should haue time thereby to sift out the offenders from the innocent But Varus by destinie and Arminius violence died And although Segestes was by common consent drawen to the war yet he shewed himselfe very backward by his priuate grudge against Arminius increasing more and more bicause he had taken away by force his daughter betrothed to another Thus then the sonne in lawe being odious to the father the fathers in lawe at vtter defiance betwixt themselues that which should serue for a bond of friendship among friends serued here for a prouocation of wrath and malice Whereupon Germanicus committed fower legions to Cecinaes charge fiue thousand auxiliaries and certaine Germain bands leuied in haste inhabiting the hither side of Rhene Himselfe conducted the like number of legions with twise as many confederates and hauing builded a fort on the hill Taunus where his father before him had appointed a garrison led his armie without encombrance against the Chatti leauing L. Apronius behinde him to mend and make sure the passages by land and riuers for by reason of a drought and lownesse of the waters a thing seldome seene in that countrie they had marched a good way without danger but feared raine and rising of the water at his returne But his comming was so sudden vpon the Chatti that the weaker sort by age or sexe were presently either taken or slaine the yoong men swam ouer the riuer Adrana and draue backe the Romans which began a bridge But at last driuen away themselues with shot of arrowes and other engins entreating in vaine of conditions of peace some fled to Germanicus the rest abandoning their villages and houses dispersed themselues in the woods Germanicus hauing burned Mattium the capitall citie of the countrey returned toward the Rhene the enimie not daring to set on him as he retired as his manner is when he gaue grounde rather vpon policie then feare The Cherusci woulde willingly haue succoured the Chatti but Caecinaes armie fleeting from place to place kept them in awe and ouerthrew the Marsi which ventured to ioine battell with him Shortly after embassadors came from Segestes to craue aid against the violence of his countriemen which had besieged him Arminius bearing greater sway bicause he incited them to warre For among barbarous people the more audacious a man sheweth himselfe the more loiall he is reputed and the fittest instrument in troubled times Segestes ioined his sonne Sigismond to these embassadors but being touched in conscience was vnwillingly drawn to it bicause that when the Germans rebelled being priested at the altar of the Vbians he brake his head-bande which was the marke of his calling and fled to the rebels Yet trusting in the Romans clemencie fulfilled his fathers commandement and being courteously receiued was conueied with a garde to the shores of Gallia After this Germanicus thought it conuenient to conuert his power against those which besieged Segestes whom he deliuered with a great number of his kindred and followers Among whom there were many noble dames and Segestes daughter Arminius wife affecting rather hir husband than father and being taken not once falling a teare nor crauing fauor ioining hir hands on hir breast looked down vpon hir great belly The spoiles of Varus ouerthrowe were at the same time brought in and distributed as a bootie to the greatest part of such as had yeelded themselues with Segestes Who with a comely maiestie and bolde courage and loyaltie to the Romans began a speech in this maner This is not the first day that the people of Rome hath had experience of my constancie and loyaltie for since Augustus of famous memorie gaue me the priuileges of a citizen of Rome I made choise of such friends or enimies as might stand you in stead not for any hatred to my countrie for traitors are odious euen to those whose instruments they be but bicause I iudged it profitable alike to the Romans and Germans and preferred peace before war for this cause I accused Arminius rauisher of my daughter and infringer of the league concluded with you before Varus the generall But when I was by the slacknes of the generall deferred to a farther day of hearing hauing small hope of support in lawes I besought him earnestly that he would commit me Arminius and the rest of the conspirators to straight custodie I call to witnes that night which if it had pleased the gods I would it had been my last in which those things ensued which deserue rather to be bewailed than maintained In fine I laide irons on Arminius and suffered the same in my selfe by his faction But seeing you haue vouchsafed me your presence I prefer old quietnes before new garboiles not hoping for any reward thereby but onely to excuse my selfe from disloyaltie and to serue for a conuenient meanes of reconciliation for the German nation if they will rather repent than perish For my sonnes youth and error I craue pardon my daughter I confesse was drawen hither by force It resteth in you to determine whether it ought to be of greater force to be with childe by Arminius or be begotten by me Caesar with a milde answere promised his children his kindred safetie and himselfe his ancient seate in the prouince This done he bringeth backe his armie and with Tiberius liking tooke vpon him the name of Emperor Arminius wife was deliuered of a sonne which was brought vp at Rauenna of whom we will speake more hereafter and how he serued for fortunes scorne XIII Arminius stirreth the Germans to warre seeketh reuenge What danger Caecina vvas in Germanicus burieth the legions vvhich vvere slaine vvith Varus THe newes being spred of Segestes yeelding and gentle vsage as mens mindes were affected to peace or warre so they were mooued with hope or griefe Arminius being fierce of his owne disposition vnderstanding that his wife was taken prisoner and the fruite of hir wombe a bonde slaue became as it were mad and raunging the Cheruscians countrey craued for succour against Segestes and Caesar not being able to containe for outragious speeches saieng That that must needes be a braue father a mightie Emperor a woorthie armie that coulde with so much helpe carrie awaie one sillie woman He had defeated three legions and so many lieutenants not by treason nor against women great with
Germaine host was entering Gallia And if Agrippina had not hindered the pulling downe of the bridge ouer Rhene some through feare would haue ventured so lewde an action Who being a woman of a great courage tooke vpon hir for some daies the office of a Captaine relieued the soldiers as they had most need with apparell and medicine C. Plinius a writer of the Germaine warres recounteth that she went to the ende of the bridge and there staied praising and thanking the legions as they returned A matter which entered deepely into Tiberius minde imagining with himselfe that it was not for nought that she vsed such care and curtesie that she sought not the fauour of the soldier against the stranger That there was nothing left for the Emperors to do if a woman tooke once vpon hir to visit the bands go to the ensignes and seeke meanes to corrupt the soldier As though it had beene but a small point of ambition to carrie her sonne about the campe in the attire of a common soldier and call him Caesar Caligula That Agrippina was now of greater credite with the armie than the Lieutenants and Captaines and that a woman had suppressed a sedition which Caesars name and power could not do All this was aggrauated by Seianus well acquainted with Tiberius humour and who had long before sowen seedes of hatred which for the time he smoothered bicause they should burst out the greater in the end But Germanicus gaue P. Vitellius charge of the second fowerteenth legion which he had brought by sea to conduct by land to the ende the shippes might in the lowe water saile more easilie or in the ebbing lie a ground more lightly Vitellius had a quiet beginning of his iourney a drie shore and small flote but by and by through a gale of northren winde the aequinoxe falling out the same time and the sea swelling extraordinarily his armie was tossed hither and thither the face of the earth was couered with waters the sea the shore the fields were all but one The vncertaine sands coulde not be discerned from firme lande nor the shelues from the deepe seas their horses and cariages were drawen vnder water and swallowed in the gulfes dead bodies flotted and met one another the soldiers disorderly mingled now breast now chin high in water and sometimes loosing footing either drowned or scattered Encouragments tooke no place being thus tossed with waues the valiant man was not distinguished from the coward the wise not knowen from the foole nor no difference betwixt counsell and chance but all wrapped vp in like violence In the end Vitellius hauing gotten the higher ground brought the rest of his companie thither where they passed all that night without vtensiles or fire the greatest part either naked or moiled in no lesse miserable a taking then the besiged by the enimie for the end of those is glorious and the death of these without honour The day shewed them land and they passed to the riuer Visurgis where Caesar was arriued with the whole fleet into which he receiued the legions reported to haue beene drowned and neuer beleeued to be aliue vntill they sawe Caesar and the armie returned Now Stertinius sent before to receiue Segestes brother Segimerus who had yeelded himselfe brought him and his sonne to Colen and both pardoned though Segimerus easlier then his sonne because it was layd to his charge that he had skoffed at Quinctilius Varus body But to supplie these losses which the armie had sustained Gallia Spaine and Italie stroue who should furnish most offering armour horses gold and such things as they had most in a readinesse Germanicus commending their loue and affection accepted only their armour and horses and furnished the rest with his owne charges And to comfort and mitigate the remembrance of their ouerthrow with some courteous vsage he went about to visite the wounded praising in particular euery ones valiantnes and looking on their wounds fed one with hope and an other with praise woon all by good words and care and made them constant to himselfe and resolute to fight The same yeare by decree of Senate the markes of triumph were ordained for A. Caecina L. Apronius C. Silius for their noble exploites atchieued vnder Germanicus And Tiberius refused the Title of father of his countrey which the people had often cast vpon him Nor would not suffer any to sweare to the obseruation of his ordinances although the Senate were thereto consenting affirming that all mortall things were mutable and vncertaine and the higher he should clime the slipperer his estate should be Notwithstanding all this they could not be perswaded that he meant well to the citizens because he had put on foote againe the law of treason knowen to the ancients by the same name But by vertue of that law other things were brought into question as if any had betrayed the armie stirred the people to sedition badly managed the affaires of the common-wealth impaired and weakened the maiestie of the people of Rome But then deedes only were punished words went scotfree Augustus was the first who vnder colour of this law comprehended the examination of infamous libels moued thereto by the insolent behauiour of Cassius Seuerus who had defamed honorable persons both men and women with scandalous writings Tiberius also when Pompeius Macro the Pretor asked whether iudgement should be giuen touching the said crime made answere that the lawes were to be obserued Tiberius was the more exasperated through certaine verses cast abroad by an vncertaine author against his crueltie pride and disagreeing with his mother It shall not be amisse if I rehearse with what pretended crimes Falanius and Rubrius both meane Gentlemen of Rome were charged to make it knowne by what beginnings what sleights of Tiberius an vtter ruine of the common-wealth was intended then suppressed afterward reuiued againe and in the end ouermastered all Falanius accuser obiected against him that amongst other worshippers of Augustus for such fellowships there were almost in euery house as it had beene Colleges he had receiued one Cassius a stage-player and infamous of his bodie and that with his gardens he had sould Augustus image Rubrius was accused to haue violated an oath made in Augustus name When these things were brought to Tiberius notice he answered That his father had not a place assigned him in heauen by decree of Senate because that honor should be conuerted to the ouerthrow of the citizens That Cassius the stage-player was wont to be admitted with others of the same trade to the playes which his mother had consecrated to Augustus memorie That there was nothing done against religion if his image was sould as the counterfets of other gods were in the sale of their gardens and houses And as for Rubrius oath it was to be held in the same accompt as if he had deceiued Iupiter himselfe and that the iniuries done vnto the gods ought to be referred to the care of the
afterward somewhat of their rigor was remitted and mitigated because it was then expedient It was in vaine to couer our cowardlines with new names for it was the husbands fault if the woman exceeded the meane In fine it were not well done for the weakenes of one or two to take from husbands their companion in prosperous and aduerse fortune and withall a sexe â—â—â—ake and fraile by nature to be left alone and exposed by her owne licentiousnes to the lust of others Matrimony could hardly be kept vndefiled their husbands being present what would become of them if they should be forgotten for many yeares as it were by diuorcement therefore they should so preuent faults committed abroad that they forget not the dishonors of the citie Drusus added somewhat of his owne matrimony and that Princes most often visit the remotest parts of their Empire How oft had Augustus of famous memory gone to the East and West accompanied with Liuia That himselfe had gone to Illyrium and if it were expedient was readie to go into other countries but yet not alwayes willingly if he should be drawne from his most deere wife and mother of so many children common betweene them both And so Caecinas sentence tooke no effect VIII What abuses were committed by running to the Princes images Warres in Thrace THe next day that the Senat met Tiberius hauing courtly rebuked the Lords of the Senate by letters because they did cast all the cares on the Princes neck nominated M. Lepidus and Iunius Blaesus one of them to be chosen Proconsull of Affrike And both of them being heard Lepidus very earnestly excused himselfe pretending the feeblenes of his bodie his childrens age and a daughter mariageable respecting also though thereof he made no mention that Blaesus was Seianus vncle and therefore sure to carry it away Blaesus answered as though he would haue refused but not with the like asseueration as the other yet had a fauourable hearing of flatterers Then many secret complaints were made knowne for euery lewd companion if he could catch hold on Caesars image might freely and without punishment iniury honest men with opprobrious speeches and rayse enuie against them yea freed men and bondslaues also were feared threatning with words and fists their patrons and maisters Whereupon C. Cestius a Senator vttered these speeches That in deed Princes were like vnto gods but yet the gods heard no supplications but iust neither had any refuge to the Capitol or other temples of the citie that they should vse that as a defence against all misdemeanor That the lawes were abolished and vtterly ouerthrowne seeing that Annia Rufilla whome he had condemned of fraude before the iudge did threaten and vse reprochfull speeches against him in the place of assemblies and before the Curia he not daring to trie the lawe with her because she had Caesars image ouer against her Others muttered the like or bitterer speeches then these and besought Drusus that he would shew exemplarie punishment vpon her and being called and conuicted was condemned to prison Likewise Considius AEquus and Coelius Cursor Gentlemen of Rome were by commaundement of the Prince and order of the Senate punished for forging crimes of treason against the Pretor Magius Caecilianus Both turned to Drusus commendation bicause that by him who conuersed in the citie with all companies in familiar communication the secret deseigments of his father were qualified Neither did the yoong mans riot greatly dislike them reputing it a lesser fault to employ the day in buildings and the night in banquetting then giuen to no pleasures alone heauily to passe the daie in lewde practises and deuises For Tiberius and the accusers were not yet wearied But Ancharius Priscus accused Caesius Cordus Proconsull of Creete of powling the countrey and added treason which was a supplie when all other accusations failed When Caesar perceiued that Antistius Vetus one of the chiefe noble men of Macedonia was acquited of adulterie laid to his charge hauing rebuked the iudges drew him in againe to purge himselfe of treason as being seditious and a confederate with Rhescuporis in his counsels when as hauing slaine his brother Cotys he intended warre against vs. Whereupon he was banished into an Iland neither commodius for Macedonia nor Thrace For Thrace the kingdome being diuided betwixt Rhoemetalces and Cotys children vnto whom by reason of their infancie Trebellienus Rufus was made Tutor through the strangenes of our manners fell to rebell afresh no lesse blaming Rhoemetalces then Trebellienus bicause they suffred the iniuries done to their people to escape vnpunished The Coelaletae and the Odrusetae all strong nations tooke armes vnder diuers Captaines for basenes of birth not vnlike and therfore could not grow to any cruel battel For some troubled the present state some passed the hill Haemus to draw such to them as dwelt a far off most of them and those of better gouernment besieged the King and the citie Philippopolis built by Philip King of Macedon Which when P. Velleius vnderstood who was Captaine of the next armie he sent a certaine companie of horsemen and a band of footmen lightly appointed against those which romed about for pillage or to seeke more succour himselfe brought his strength of footmen to raise the siege all ending prosperously the forragers slaine and a dissention growing amongst the besiegers the King sallied out against these the legions arriued in seasonable time This deserued not the name of an armie or battell in which a few vnfurnished straglers were slaine without any blood-shed on our side IX The Galli vnable to pay their taxations rebell Iulius Florus and Iulius Sacrouir being their Captaines THe same yeere the cities of Gallia by reason they were greatly indebted began a rebellion the chiefest firebrand among the Treueri being Iulius Florus and with the Aedui Iulius Sacrouir both nobly descended and whose auncestors had atchieued valiant acts and therfore made citizens of Rome then a rare thing and a guerdon onely of vertue They by secret conferences hauing drawen to them the most audacious or such whose pouertie or feare of punishmeÌ„ts for their misdeeds were ready to plunge themselues into any enterprise resolued that Florus should stir vp the Belgi and Sacrouir the French neerer at hand In their conuenticles therfore meetings they began to cast out seditious speeches of their coÌ„tinual tributes the greatnes of vsury the cruelty arrogancy of gouernors that the soldiers fell togither by the eares when they heard of Germanicus death That that was a notable time offered of recouering their libertie if now in their flourishing estate they woulde weigh howe poore Italy was howe weake the citie souldier and no strength in the armies but what was in strangers There was almost no citie which was not infected with the seedes of that commotion The Andecauians and the Turonians were the first which burst out of which the Andecauians were subdued by the Lieutenant Acilius Auiola with a bande of men
moued because Augustus did doubt only whether he should bestow her vpon a gentleman how much more ought we to consider that he gaue her to M. Agrippa and then after vnto me These things I would not hide from thee for the friendship which is betwixt vs but I will not be against thine nor Liuiaes deseignments and will forbeare at this time to speake what I had cast in minde and how neerely I purposed to linke thee vnto me I will only say that there is nothing so excellent but thy vertues and good will towardes me doth deserue it and when opportunitie shall serue I will vtter it either in Senate or before the people Seianus hearing this answere was nothing pleased not so much in regard of the marriage as because he feared Tiberius secret suspitions the rumor of the people and enuie which grew fast vpon him Yet fearing if he should cast off those great troupes which daily came to court him he should weaken his authoritie and by entertaining them minister matter of crime the marke he shot at was to perswade Tiberius to leade his life in some pleasant place far from Rome wherein he foresaw many things as that there could be no accesse to the Prince but by him that all letters being conueied by souldiers which were at his deuotion should passe through his hands that Caesar declining now to age and growen slothfull and effeminat through the quietnes of the place would disburden himselfe of cares of state and commit them to another and that the enuie borne to himselfe should be diminished accesse to the Prince being lesser and by that meanes all vaine shadowes remoued he should grow mightie in true power and authoritie Therefore by little and by little he findeth fault with the busines of the citie the concourse of people the flocking together of multitudes extolleth highly a quiet and solitarie life a life without anguish of minde and free from enuie most fit to thinke on important and waightie affaires And falling out by chance that Votienus Montanus cause was to be heard a man of a readie wit Seianus perceiuing Tiberius not resolued to leaue the citie perswaded him to be a very inconuenient matter to be present at the assemblies of the Senate least he should heare railing and reprochfull speeches but yet true vttered of himselfe in his owne hearing For Votienus being accused of contumelious words against Caesar whilest Aemylius a witnes and a souldier laboured earnestly to prooue his assertion rehearsed from point to point though the hearers buzzed and made a noise about him all Votienus words in which Tiberius heard many spitefull and reprochfull speeches backbitingly vttered in secret against himselfe which so moued him that he cried he would either presently or when the cause was heard purge himselfe and was hardly pacified either with intreatie of his neerest friends or flattery of all and so Votienus was punished as for treason Caesar persisting stifly vsing hard and rough dealing though that was one of the crimes obiected against him condemned to exile Aquilia for adulterie with Varius Ligur although Lentulus Getulicus Consull elect had alreadie condemned her by the Iulian law and put Apidius Merula from his Senators roome because he had not sworne to obserue Augustus actes X. Acontrouer sie betvvixt the Lacedaemonians and Messenians touching the rights of the Temple of Diana Piso Pretor of Spaine slaine by a villagois AFter that were heard the Embasies of the Lacedaemonians and Messenians concerning the right of the Temple of Diana Limenetidis which the Lacedaemonians auowed by the records of their Annales and profices to haue beene dedicated by their predecessors in their countrey but taken from them by Philip of Macedon with whom they warred and afterward restored vnto them by the sentence of C. Caesar and M. Antonius The Messenians on the contrarie side alleaged an old diuision of Peloponesus betweene Hercules successors and that that territorie Dentheliate wherein the Temple was fell to their King whereof there remained auncient monuments engrauen in stones and brasse And if it were necessarie to produce the testimonie of Poets and Chronicles they had more then they of good credit neither had Philip so done by force but according to equitie King Antigonus and the Captaine Mummius gaue the like iudgement So the Milesians being publikely made arbitrators of the cause and last of all Atidius Geminus Pretor of Achaia determined the same Whereupon iudgment was giuen on the Messenians side The Segestani likewise demaunded that Venus Temple built on the hill Eryce and fallen downe with age might be reedified calling to remembrance many things of her beginning pleasing vnto Tiberius eares which mooued him to vndertake willingly the charge as being of her blood After that the Massiliens requests were heard and the example of P. Rutilius allowed who hauing by law been expulsed Rome the Smyrnaeans receiued and made a citizen in their citie By which right also the Massiliens receiued Vulcatius Moschus a banished man who left all his goods to their common-wealth as to his countrey Two noble men Gn. Lentulus and L. Domitius died the same yeere It was to Lentulus a great honour ouer and besides that he was Consull and triumped ouer the Getuli that he endured his pouertie patiently then that hauing gotten great riches without iniuriyng of any he vsed them temperatly Domitius credit grew by his father who was lord of the sea in the ciuill wars vntill he thrust himself into Antonies faction and after that into Caesars His grandfather was slaine in the Pharsalian battell taking part with the nobilitie and himselfe chosen to marrie Antonia Octauius yoongest daughter After that he passed ouer the riuer Albis with his host and entered farther into Germanie than any other before him for which cause he obtained the honour of triumphe L. Antonius of great but vnfortunat nobilitie died likewise for his father Iulus Antonius being put to death for committing adulterie with Iulia Augustus sent him being verie yoong and his sisters nephewe to Marsilles where he cloked the name of banishment with the pretence of studie Notwithstanding he had great honor done him at his funerals and his bones buried in the tombe of the Octauians by decree of the Senat. The same men being Consuls a bloodie fact was committed in hither Spaine by a pesant of Termestine who assayling vpon the way L. Piso Pretor of the Prouince at vnawares and vnprouided as being careles by reason of peace killed him with one stroke then fled in post to the woods and forsaking his horse stealing by dangerous bie-waies beguiled his followers though not long for his horse being taken and brought to the next villages it was knowen whose he was And being found and put to the racke to bewraie his complices cried alowde in his countrey language that that was a vaine question to aske him and that his companions might boldly come and behold him on the torture for no torment or griefe should be
hand with such as resisted contrarily the Romaine souldier beate them downe with speares thrust them back with the pikes of their bucklers lanced darts and rowled heapes of stones from the wall vpon them The hope of victory alreadie gotten and that if they should now faint and be ouercome shame and reproch put life and courage into our in them desperate hope of life many hauing their mothers and wiues bewailing and lamenting about them The night animated some to boldnes droue some into a feare blowes flew on all hands wounds giuen and taken vnlooked for no man knowing his fellow from the enemie and the found of the voices as if it were an eccho rebounding behinde them in the turning and winding of the mountaine brought such a confusion that the Romaines abandoned their standings and holds as though they had been battered and broken downe howbeit a small number of the enemies escaped aliue the residue the most couragious either slaine or wounded at the opening of the day were chased to their fortresses and at length forced to yeeld willing to accept the first conditions the winner would offer to the rest a cruell and timely winter by reason of the hill Haemus was a safegard that they could neither be subdued by force nor siege XII The sharpe vvords vvhich Agrippina vsed to Tiberius for accusing Claudia Pulchra her cosen vvhat good vvill vvas borne the Smyrnaeans aboue the other tovvnes of Asia and the cause BVt at Rome the Princes house being greatly troubled to begin the course of Agrippinaes future ruine Claudia Pulchra her cosen german was called into question by Domitius Aser who hauing beene lately Pretor of small reputation and eager by what meanes soeuer to winne credit laid to her charge that shee leade an vnhonest life with Furnius and practised to poison and vsed inchantments against the Prince Agrippina being of a fell and haughtie disposition and then more then euer kindled through the danger of her neere cosen hasteneth to Tiberius whom by chance she found sacrificing to his father and taking hold of that of occasion told him it was two mens office to offer sacrifice in memorie of Augustus and persecute his posteritie that the diuine spirite was not transfused into dumb statuaes images but the true image descended of celestiall blood felt the smart of his posteritie and therefore she would take vpon hir the person of the partie accused that it was in vaine to take exceptions against Pulchra whose onely ruine was that vnconsideratly she had loued and reuerenced Agrippina forgetting what had fallen to Sosia for the same cause Those words prouoked Tiberius although seldome vsing to open the secrets of his breast and rebuking her in a Greeke verse said that therefore she was displeased bicause she could not raigne Pulchra and Furnius are condemned and Afer the excellencie of his wit knowen and Caesar attributing vnto him praise of eloquence held among the chiefe orators After this practised in accusing and defending of parties he was better knowen for eloquence then honestie of life sauing that when his eloquence in his latter age decaied and his spirits failed yet was neuer quiet when if his toong walked not But Agrippina frowardly persisting in anger and incumbred with sicknes when Caesar went to visit her powring downe in a long silence manie teares at last burst into enuie and entreatie that he would redresse her solitarie life and being yet but a yoong woman prouide her a husband Marriage being the only comfort of minds honestly giuen that there were some in the citie which would vouchsafe to receiue Germanicus wife and his children But Caesar not ignorant of what importance this request was to the common-wealth yet least he should openly seeme to displease or feare her gaue her though most earnestly demaunding no answere at all That I finde not in the writers of Annales but in the Commentaries of Agrippina her daughter who being Neroes mother hath deliuered to posteritie her life and calamities which fell to her friends But Seianus in this dumpe sent her a message vnlooked for and vnder colour of friendship which was that there was poison prepared for her and that she should auoide to eate or drinke with her father in lawe But she not knowing how to dissemble sitting by him at table could not be woon to looke cheerefully or speake a word or touch any meate vntill at last Tiberius marked it either by chance or bicause he had had some inckling of it And to trie that more certainely praising certaine apples as they were serued in gaue of them with his owne hand to his daughter in law which augmented Agrippinaes suspition and not once tasting of them deliuered them to the waiters Yet openly Tiberius spake not one word but turning to his mother said that it was no maruell if he had proceeded seuerely against her seeing she had an opinion he went about to poison her Thereupon a rumor was spread that her destruction was sought for and that the Emperour durst not openly attempt it and therefore sought secret meanes to compasse it But Caesar to stop that rumor shewed himselfe often in Senat and gaue the Ambassadors of Asia audience manie daies togeither when they doubted in what citie they should erect a Temple in honor of him A eleauen cities of different power stroue with like ambition for that honour alleaging that there was not any great difference betwixt them in antiquitie of time loue and affection to the people of Rome in the warres against Persus and Aristonicus and other Kings The Hypaepeni Tralliani togeither with the Laodiceni Magnetiens were sent away as not sufficiently grounded No nor the Ilienses producing that Troy was the mother of Rome had any foundation of their reasonsauing onely antiquitie But some doubt was made of the Halicarnassi bicause that for the space of a thousand and two hundred yeeres their cities had neuer beene shaken with any earthquake and that the foundation of their Temple was built vpon liuely strong stone The Pergameni were answered that they had receiued honour enough in that they had Augustus Temple amongst them seeing that thereon they grounded their reason It seemeth that the Ephesians and Milesians had their cities occupied the one in the ceremonies of Apollo and the other of Diana In so much that all the contention rested betwixt the Sardinians and Smyrnaeans The Sardinians recited a decree of the Etrurians as being of their blood for Tyrrhenus and Lydus King Atyes sons diuided the land betwixt them by reason of the increase of the people And Lydus remained in his countrey and Tyrrhenus went to seeke newe countries to inhabit which were called by the names of their Captaines they in Asia and these in Italie and in progresse of time the Lydians growing to farther wealth sent people into Greece which were afterward called Peloponesians They told vs also of letters sent them by our Captaines of treatise made with vs in the warre of
the Rostra by C. Caesar her nephewes sonne who not long after succeeded in soueraigntie But Tiberius omitting no part of his pleasures excused by letters his absence from his mothers obsequies as though he had been hindered by important affaires and vnder colour of modestie cut off many honorable ceremonies which the Lords of the Senate had decreed should be done in memory of her and especially that no diuine ceremonie shuld be ordained for her because said he such was her will And in part of the same letters he found fault with such as went about to win womens fauor good will therein couertly carping the Consull Fusius a man highly in Augustus grace his crafts-master in winning of womens fauor a iesting mate oft accustomed bitterly to skoffe at Tiberius a thing which great potētates keepe long in memory But now Tiberius began to grow worse and worse his rule tyranous for whilest his mother liued there was some refuge left because he had a long time accustomed to shew himselfe dutifull vnto her and Seianus durst not crosse her but then hauing as it were the bridle in their owne hands they brake loose at once and letters were sent against Agrippina and Nero which the common people iudged to haue been sent before but kept back by Augusta for not long after her death they were read in Senate containing bitter and sharp words yet neuer obiected that he had borne armes or stirred any rebellion against him but only vnnatural loues to yong men and incontinēt life But against his daughter in law he durst not obiect so much but only her arrogant and prowd speeches and obstinate minde The Senators were stroken into a feare and silence vntill some few whose hopes depended not on honest meanes but made publick calamities occasion of priuat benefits demaunded that the matter might be referred to voices Cotta Messallinus shewing himselfe most forward with a cruell sentence But the other chiefe gentlemen and especially the magistrates were afraid for although Tiberius had angerly inueighed against them yet he left other things in doubt There was in the Senat one Iunius Rusticus chosen by Caesar to set downe the actes of the Senators and therefore was thought to know best his intent and purpose who either by fatall destinie for before he had giuen no token of his constancie or subtle deuise forgetting imminent perils whilest he feareth vncertainties thrusteth himselfe among the Consuls yet wauering and doubting what to do and aduiseth them not to put the matter to deliberation saying that greatest matters might be turned in a moment and that some space of time ought to be giuen the old man to repent himselfe and the people withall carying Agrippinaes and Neroes images with them enuiron the Senat house and wishing all prosperous fortune to Caesar crie that those letters were false and that the ouerthrow of the Princes house was intended against the Princes will and so there was nothing concluded that day in preiudice of the parties Certaine counterfeit iudgements were spread abroad against Seianus vnder the Consuls names Some men secretly and therefore the more saucily practising their wits as their fancie lead them which yeelded Seianus farther matter of calumniation and kindled his anger saying that the Princes displeasure was nothing regarded that the commons were at iarre with the Senate that new orations and new decrees of Senate were heard and read now adayes What remaineth but to take armes in hand and choose those for their Captaines and Emperours whose images they had followed for their ensignes Whereupon Caesar reiterating his iniurious speeches against his nephewe and daughter in lawe and rebuking the people by edict complained to the Senate that the imperiall maiestie had bene openly deluded and skorned through the fraude of one of the Senators and therefore required that the hearing of the cause might be reserued wholy vnto himselfe They consulted no farther on the matter but condemned the parties but not to death because they were forbidden and protested they were readie to execute reuenge if the Prince had not hindered them * * There wanteth very much of the story in this place which hath perished through time II. The death of Seianus of his friends and children One faineth himselfe to be Drusus Germanicus sonne WHether it be a more lamentable case to be accused for breach of friendship or to accuse his friend I can not well iudge * no mans crueltie or clemencie will I trie * but free and bearing my selfe on my owne conscience I will preuent danger I beseech you that you would not haue me in remembrance rather in mourning and sad then ioyfull manner and cherefull reckoning me in the number of those which haue escaped publick calamities by an honorable end Then talking now with one now another as by chance they were neere vnto him he spent a great part of the day either in entertaining or taking leaue of them And hauing many about him which noted how resolute assured he was in countenance no man dreaming any such matter with a sword which he had hidden vnder his garments slew himselfe and after he was dead Caesar vsed no such reprochfull and iniurious speeches nor obiected any such heinous matter against him as he did against Blaesus After this P. Vitellius and Pomponius Secundus cause was heard Vitellius they accused that he had offered the cofers of the publicke treasury whereof he had charge and the money which was in them for souldiers pay to stirrers vp of new broiles The other Considius who had been once Pretor accused for hauing had great friendship and amitie with Velius Gallus who after that Seianus was punished fled to Pomponius gardens as to a place of safe refuge both of them in their distresse hauing no other comfort left but the constancie of their brothers who became baile for their life Shortly after Vitellius through many delaies betwixt hope feare wearied out vnder colour of vsing it in his studie asking for a penknife lightly prickt a vaine and ended his life with griefe and anguish of minde But Pomponius being a Gentleman of a gallant carriage and excellent wit bearing aduerse fortune patiently ouerliued Tiberius Then was there order taken though the peoples anger were mitigated and many others pacified with the former punishment that the rest of Seianus children should be punished Whereupon they were carried to prison the sonne hauing some feeling of the danger which hung ouer his head but the daughter was so simple that she often asked whither they would leade her and for what that she would do no more so and that it was sufficient to chastice her with the rod like a childe The writers of that time affirme that because it was neuer heard of before that a virgin should be put to death according to the custome of the Triumuiri that she was deflowred by the executioner immediatly before the halter was put about her neck and both strangled The bodies
the auncient manner Nero was against it suffering them to make choise of their manner of death for such kinde of scoffes were vsed after the murders committed P. Gallus a gentleman of Rome because he was inward with Fenius and not an enemie to Vetus was banished the freed man and accuser rewarded for his paines and a place giuen him in the Theater among the beadles of the Tribunes And the month of May which followed Aprill and called Nero was changed into the name of Claudius and Iuly into Germanicus and Cornelius Ofitus whose censure that was saide that therefore the month of Iune was past ouer because two of the Torquatus alreadie executed for their misdemeanors had made the name of Iune vnluckie A yeere continued with so many lewd actions the gods haue marked and made notorious by tempests and diseases Campania was destroied with boisterous stormes of windes which did euerie where beat downe houses woods and graine and brought the violence of it to places adioyning to the citie Where the rage of the pestilence spared none although there was no manifest shew of corruption of the aire to be seene Yet the houses were filled with dead bodies and the waies with funerals no sexe no age free from danger as well bond as free borne indifferently perished amidst the lamentations of their wiues and children who whilest they sat by them and bewailed were often burnt in the same funerall fire The death of gentlemen and Senators although in different with others lesse lamented as though they had by a common mortalitie preuented the Princes crueltie The same yeere they mustered in Gallia Narbonensis Affrick and Asia to supplie the legions of Illyria which worne out either with yeeres or sickenes were freede from their oath The Prince relieued the oalamitie of Lugdunum with fortie hundred thousand sesterces to recouer the losses of their citie which summe of money the Lugdunenses had before bestowed in troubled times III. The death of certaine noble men for desire of their wealth or other iealousies C. Suetonius and L. Telesinus being Confuls Antistius Sosianus banished as I haue sayd before for making slanderous verses against Nero vnderstanding that pickthankes were so honored and the Prince so forward to murders busie minded and not slow in taking hold of occasions insinuateth himselfe through conformitie of fortune into the fauour of Pammenes a banished man of the same place and for his skill in the Chaldean arte supported by the friendship of many This Antistius supposing that messages and consultations came not to him in vaine vnderstandeth withall that he had money yeerely supplied him by P. Anteius Neither was he ignorant that Anteius through the loue he bare to Agrippina was hatefull to Nero that his wealth as it had beene of others might be a motiue to procure his destruction Whereupon hauing intercepted Anteius letters and stolne his writings wherin the day of his natiuitie and things to come were hidden among Pammenes secrets and withall found those things which had beene composed of the birth and life of Ostorius Scapula writeth to the Prince that he would bring him great newes touching his owne safetie if he might obtaine a short intermission of his banishment for Anteius and Ostorius watch for opportunitie to lay hold on the soueraigntie and searched out their owne and Caesars destinies Therupon swift vessels were sent Sosianus brought with all speed And his accusation diuulged Anteius and Ostorius were reckoned rather among the condemned than accused in so much that no man would haue sealed Anteius testament if Tigellinus had not beene their warrant Anteius was first admonished not to delay the making of his testament but he hauing drunken poison weary of the slow working of it by cutting his vaines hastened his death Ostorius at that time was farre off in the confines of Liguria whither a Centurion was sent to make him away with all speed The cause of the haste proceeded of that that Ostorius being for matter of warre of good reckoning and deserued in Britannie a ciuicall crowne of a mightie strength of bodie and skilfull in armes droue Nero into a feare least he should assaile him alwaies timorous fearfull but then more then euer through the conspiracie lately detected The Centurion therfore when he had beset al escaping places openeth to Ostorius the Emperours cōmandement He conuerted against himself his courage often tried against the enimy And bicause his vaines whē they were opened yeelded but little blood vsing the hand of his slaue only to take out a rapier hold it stedfast he drew his right hand to him and ranne himselfe through the necke If I should haue written of forrein wars and deaths sustained for the common-wealth with diuers other accidents chances yet I should not only haue seemed tedious to my selfe but to others also abhorring the deaths of citizens being dolefull and continuall although honorable But now a seruile patience and so much bloode lost at home doth trouble my minde and oppresse it with griefe Neither do I require any other defence or excuse of those who shall know these things but that they hate them not for dying so cowardly That was certainely the anger of the gods against the Roman state which ought not so easily be runne ouer with once writing as in the ouerthrow of armies or taking of townes Let this prerogatiue be giuen the posteritie of worthie personages that as how they are distinguished from the confuse multitude in the solemnitie of their funerals so in the deliuerie of their last ends that they may receiue and haue a proper and peculiar memorie For within a fewe daies by the same violent course Annaeus Mella Cerialis Anicius Rufus Crispinus and C. Petronius perished Mella and Crispinus were gentlemen of Rome and equall in dignitie with Senators Crispinus once Captaine of the guarde and honored with Consularie ornaments and of late through the conspiracie exiled into Sardinia hauing receiued tydings he should die slew himselfe Mella borne of the same parents as Gallius and Seneca forbare purchasing of dignities by a preposterous ambition to the end that a Roman gentleman might be equalled in authoritie to the Consuls Withall he thought it a shorter course of getting wealth to mannage the affaires of the prince in quality of a Procurator The same Mella was Annaeus Lucanus father which was a great credit to him but after his death seeking out too narrowly his goods stirred vp an accuser against him one Fabius Romanus one of Lucans familiar friends which falsly fathered vpō him the father the priuitie of the conspiracie by counterfeiting of Lucans letters which Nero hauing perused commanded to be caried him gaping after his wealth But Mella which was then the readiest way to death loosed his vaines hauing bestowed in his testament a huge summe of money vpon Tigellinus and on his sonne in law Cossutianus Capito that the rest might stand good He added to his will as it were a complaint
of the iniustice of his death That he died for no causes deseruing punishment but Rufus Crispinus and Anicius Cerialis enioyed their life being the Princes enimies Which words were thought to haue bin forged of Crispinus because he was alreadie slaine of Cerialis because he should be slaine Who not long after killed himselfe lesse pitied than the rest as bearing in minde that he had discouered a conspiracie to C. Caesar IIII. The constant death of C. Petronius and what life he led OF C. Petronius a few things aboue recited are heere againe to be repeated He passed the day in sleepe and the night in delightfull sports or other affaires of life And as others industrie so this man slouth had raised to fame a riotous and wastfull spender he was not accompted like many which run through all but vsing riot to his credit And his words and deedes how much the freer and shewing a certaine carelesnes so much the more gratefully receiued as sauoring somewhat of simplicitie Notwithstanding being Proconsull of Bithynia and anon after Consull he shewed himself quick stout and able to wade through great matters Then falling againe to his vices or else shew of vices was receiued amongst Neroes familiar friends as a iudge and arbitrator of his daintiest delights esteeming nothing pleasant or delightfull vnlesse Petronius had approued it Thereupon grew Tigellinus malice against him as against a concurrent or one more skilfull in pleasures then himselfe whetting Neroes crueltie vnto which all other lusts gaue place against him obiecting the friendship he had with Sceuinus corrupting a slaue to be his accuser taking from him all meanes of defence and the greatest part of his familie drawne into prison By chance about that time Caesar went to Campania and Petronius gone as farre as Cumas was there stayed and not able any longer to indure the lingering betweene hope or feare yet did not rashly kill himselfe but cutting his vaines and binding them vp as pleased him opened them againe and talked with his friends though not of any serious matter or worthie to purchase the glorie of constancie but gaue eare to those which discoursed with him yet nothing of the immortalitie of the soule or opinions of wise men but of light verses and easie songs On some of his slaues he bestowed gifts and on some stripes He went sometimes abroade and gaue himselfe to sleepe that although his death was constrained yet it should be like a casuall death Neither in his testament as most men were wont to do did he flatter Nero or Tigellinus or any other fauorite but wrote down the vncleane life of the Prince vnder fained names of stale catamites abused against nature and of women with the strangenes of the abuse of either of them and sealed vp sent it to Nero and brake his seale least afterward it might serue to breede danger to others And Nero doubting how the inuention of his night pleasures should come to light Silia by being the wife of a Senator not vnknowne and abused in all his licentious lusts and very familiar with Petronius came to his minde whom he thrust into banishment as not hauing kept secret those things she had seene and suffered moued thereto by his owne particular hatred rather then rest occasion He deliuered Numicius Thermus once Pretor to Tigellinus priuie hatred because Thermus freed man had layd some criminall matter to Tigellinus charge which he should pay for by torment of torture and his maister by vndeserued death V. Neroes hatred against Thraseas Paetus and Bareas Soranus SO many worthie men being murdered in the end Nero coueted to destroy vertue it selfe by killing Bareas Soranus and Thraseas Paetus of old enemie to both and new occasions rising against Thraseas because he went out of the Senat as I haue alreadie said when Agrippinaes cause was debated because that in the pastime of youth called Inuenales he shewed not so acceptable indeuor as was expected which grudge pearsed the deeplier because the same Thrasea at Padua where he was borne in the Cestian playes instituted by Antenor the Troian sang in tragicall attire The day also that Antistius the Pretor was condemned for outrages against Nero he gaue a milder sentence and obtained it and when the honor of the goddes was ordained for Poppaea absent of set purpose was not at the conuoy of the funerall Which things Capito Cossutianus did not suffer to be forgotten besides his ouer-readie inclination to naughtines enemie to Thrasea because that by his authoritie countenancing the deputies of Cilicia he lost his cause when they pursued Capito for vsing iniustice and extortion in his office He obiected farther That in the beginning of the yeere Thrasea did auoide the oath was not present with the rest at the offering vp of vowes although he were one of the fifteene Priests yet he neuer offered sacrifice for the health of the Prince or heauenly voice that heretofore he hath beene often present and diligent shewing himselfe a fauorer or an aduersarie to the ordinarie consultations of the Lords of the Senate but hath not once entered the Curia this three yeeres and very lately when euery man ran who first might to punish Silanus and Vetus he attended rather on his clients priuat busines that was now a reuolting and a faction and if many durst do the like it would breede to a warre As in times past sayd he the citie desirous of garboile spake of C. Caesar and M. Cato so now of thee ô Nero and Thrasea and hath his adherents or rather followers which imitating though not his obstinacie of opinions yet his behauior and countenance seuere and sterne do cast thy lasciuiousnes in thy teeth This man only is carelesse of thy health no way procuring thy honor he little regardeth the Princes prosperous successes What is he not filled with thy griefes and sorrowes It proceedeth from the selfesame minde not to beleeue Poppaea to be agoddesse and not sweare to obserue the ordinances of Augustus and Iulius of famous memorie He despiseth holie things abrogateth lawes The diurnals of the people of Rome are curiously read in the prouinces and campe that it might be knowen what Thrasea hath not done Either let vs condiscend to his ordinances if they be better or let the captaine and author be taken away from desires of nouelties This sect brought forth the Tuberones Fauonians vnpleasing names to the auncient common wealth That they may ouerthrow the state they pretend libertie but if they should ouerthrow it they will giue an assault to ouerthrow libertis likewise Invaine thou hast extinguished Cassius if thou wilt suffer the followers of Brutus to grow and take head In fine write thou nothing of Thrasea leaue vs the Senate arbitrator of the cause Nero extolleth Cossutianus stoutnes whet on with choler and ioyneth with him Marcellus Eprius of a quick and liuely eloquēce As for Barea Soranus Ostorius Sabinus a Romaine gendeman had required he might accuse him