the Empire Yet nevertheless the most general and most reasonable opinion is that Cyrus alone was the first Founder of the second Monarchy because that whilst Darius lived the Empire was divided betwixt Cyrus and himself for as Xenophon testifies Cyrus out of his liberality and bounty permitted Darius to possess the Kingdoms of Media and Babylon during his life both which after Darius's death he united to his own from which union we may most properly derive the original of the second Monarchy and by consequence attribute its sole foundation to Cyrus It was call'd the Monarchy of the Medes and Persians because the Empire did chiefly consist of those two Kingdoms The principal Enlargers of this second Monarchy were Cyrus the Great Darius Hystaspes and Artaxerxes Longimanus as for the rest of the Kings that ruled it they were so tyrannical and vicious that the Empire suffer'd much under their Government till it was totally subverted under the Reign of Darius Codomannus who being overcome by Alexander the Great lost both his Life and Empire which was immediately thereupon translated into Greece where Alexander began the third and Grecian Monarchy from that fall of Darius Codomannus This second Monarchy of the Medes and Persians lasted from its beginning under Cyrus to its subversion under Darius 228 years wherein there were two Families possest the Empire the first was of Cyrus the second of Darius Hystaspes as for the Family of Cyrus it expired in his Son Cambyseâ— who killing his own Brother Smerdis and committing Incest with his Sisters did afterwards lose his life by a Rebellion of the Magi who pretending the King's Brother Smerdis was not slain set up a Pseudo-Smerdis of their own to reign which was soon discover'd by his cropt ears and made away by the Nobles After which Cambyses having left behind him but only one Daughter Pantaptes and the Empire being left without a Prince to govern it was agreed on by those seven Noblemen Otanes Intaphernes Gobryas Megabysus Aspathines Hydarnes and Darius afterwards call'd Hystaspâ—s who had lately conspired together and destroy'd both the Magi and their Pseudo-Smerdis that from amongst themselves a new King should be elected after this manner viz. that each of them riding the next morning into the Suburbs he whose Horse first neigh'd should obtain the Empire which thereupon as I have shew'd elsâ—where fell to Darius Hystaspes by the cunning of his Groom Oâ—bares who giving his Master's Horse a Mare in the same place over-night the Horse immediately fell a neighing so soon as he came thither again the next morning and so won his Master Darius the Kingdom whose Family was the second and last Race of Kings that govern'd this second Monarchy of the Mâ—des and Persians as appears in this Line of their Succession I. Familia Prima 1. Cyrus the Great 2. Cambyses II. Familia Secunda 3. Darius Hystaspes 4. Xerxes 5. Artaxerxes Longimanus 6. Darius Noâ—huâ—â— 7. Artaxerxes Mnemon 8. Artaxerxes Ochus 9. Arsames And 10. Darius Codomâ—â—nus who was the last of the Persian Monarchâ— and in whose death the second Monarchy was extinct for Alexander the Great robbing him both of his Life and Empire did thereupon begin the third great Monarchy in Greece As for the third Empire or Monarchy which immediately took its rise from the fall of the second it is called the Grecian or Macedonian Monarchy from its 〈◊〉 Founder Alexander the Great who was of Macedon and a Grecian born for he â—aving overcome Darius the last King of the Persians first establish'd this third Monarchy of Greece in the year of the World 3642. aâ—te Christi Nat. 329. This Dominion of Alexander's excell'd all others that had been before for that having annex'd the Kingdoms of Media and Persia to his own Empire of Greece he in the space of twelve years rendred himself almost Master of the whole Universe But this third and Grecian Monarchy lasted not long in this united flourishing condition for Alexander dying without Sons and leaving his Dominions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the worthiest occasion'd many Competitors every one in his own esteem claiming a share till after many sharp Contests amongst them four of the most eminent shared the Empire between themselves dividing it into four Dynasties or Kingdoms viz. the Kingdom of Macedon the Kingdom of Asia Minor the Kingdom of Syria and the Kingdom of Aegypt all which were in process of time reduced to the Roman Yoke 1. Asia Minor was conquer'd by the Romans when Antiochus the Great was vanquish'd by L. Scipio the Proconsul who for that Victory was ever after call'd Asiaticus Iustin lib. 31. and Livy lib. 37. 2. The Romans subdued Macedon when Paulus Aemylius the Roman Consul took Perseus the last King of Macedonia Prisoner which was A. M. 3803. and about 156 years after the death of Alexander the Great 3. The Romans conquer'd Syria when Tigranes was defeated by Pompey which was 260 years after the death of Alexander M. Iustin Plutarch Livy 4. and lastly Augustus Caesar added the Kingdom of Aegypt to the Roman Empire upon his Victory over Anthony and Cleopatra reducing it into the form of a Province which happen'd 294 years after Alexander's death Plutarch in Anton. Polem lib. 3. ch 8. So as this Grecian Monarchy lasted compleatly 300 years that is to say from the death of Alexander the Great to the death of Cleopatra 294 years as Ptolemy writes whereunto if 6 more are added for the Reign of Alexander from the death of Darius Codomannus to his own death it will amount to the just and full time of 300 years Arrianus Diodâ—rus Now for the Succession of those several Kings that possess'd the four Divisions of this third Grecian Monarchy they were as followeth I. Over the whole Grecian Monarchy reign'd Alexander M. 6 years beginning his Reign A. M. 3642. II. Over the Monarchy as it was divided reign'd four several Kings the Macedonian Asiatick Syrian and Aegyptian I. The Kings of Macedon were 1. Aridaus the Brother of Alexander M. 2. Cassander the Son of Antipater 3. Philippus the Son of Cassander 4. Antipater and Alexander both Sons of Cassander 5. Demetrius Poliorcetes Son of Antigonus King of Asia 6. Pyrrhus King of Epirus 7. Lysimachus of Thrace Alexander's Officer that kill'd the Lion 8. Ptolemaus Ceraunus Son of Ptolomaus Lagus 9. Meleager one of Alexander's old Officers 10. Antipater the II. 11. Sosthenes 12. Antigonus Gonatas Son of Demetrius Poliorceres 13. Demetrius the second Son of Antigonus 14. Antigonus the second sirnamed Doson 15. Philippus Son of Demetrius the 11 th was overcome by the Romans 16. Perseus the last King of Macedon who being overcome by Paulus Aemyâ—â—us the Roman Consul was imprison'd during life by which means the Kingdom of Macedon coming under the Roman Jurisdiction they were nevertheless permitted to enjoy their freedom till being betray'd into a Rebellion by a counterfeit Philip their Commander the Romans upon that reduced them into a Province
Persecuters like men always in a passion have seldom Reason on their side for the great God and giver of Reason is not to be found either in the Whirlwind of Passion or iâ— the Earthquake of Persecution but in the still voice of Love and mutual forbearance Grotius in his Book de Iure Belli Pacis saith It is unreasonable to punish any man for not assenting to the things of the Gospel since they cannot possibly be discover'd by the light of Nature but must be made known by Revelation As for us the very Revelation whereby we have a knowledge of them is not so clear as that a man should incur civil punishment for doubting of it since this Revelation though at first confirm'd by Miracles and so infallible to them that saw those Miracles yet is it not so to us for that both the Miracles and Doctrine come down to us only by Tradition And Christ says Had I not done these things among ye observe those words among ye your want of faith had not been imputed to you for sin To the same purpose speaks Salvianus Bishop of Marcelles who concerning the punishment of the Arrians for denying the Divinity of Christ saith They are Hereticks but against their knowledge they are so in our opinion but not in their own for they think themselves so far Catholick that they defame us with the title of Hereticks therefore what they are in our opinion we are in theirs We say they do wrong to the divine Generation in saying the Son is less than the Father and they believe we do wrong unto God the Father in saying the Son is equal unto him We say the Truth is with us but they say the Truth is with them The Honour of God is with us but they think they honour the Godhead more They are impious but they think it true Piety They err but they err with a good mind not out of hatred but out of affection to God believing that by this they honour and love the Lord Though they have not the right faith yet they think theirs the perfect love of God and how they are to be punish'd at the day of Judgment for this errour of a false Opinion none knows but the Judg himself In the mean time as God lends them his patience so may we lend them ours Tertullian tells us that nothing has more advantaged Christianity than Persecution for says he the Romans by every cruel act did but tempt others to come over to their Party the oftener they were mowed down the faster they sprang up again the bloud of Christians making the Churches soyl more fat and fertil Tertul. Apol. Nor is Persecution less powerful to advance a false Religion than a true There is no Religion saith Lactantius so erroneous which hath not somewhat of wisdom in it whereby they may obtain pardon having kept the chiefest duty of man if not in deed yet in intention Thirdly It does no ways advantage Religion for the Apostles themselves although they were infallibly assured of their Doctrine and could also make their Hearers assured of it by Miracles yet never desired that the Refractory should be compell'd to embrace it Therefore I could wish that men would use one another so charitably and so gently that no errour or violence tempt men to hypocrisie rendring sincerity both troublesom and unsafe For credulity breeds hatred and malice against unbelievers whereas incredulity does only pity believers so that by how much malice is worse than pity by so much is credulity worse than incredulity How vain a thing is it for men to pretend every Opinion necessary in so high a degree that if all said true or indeed any two of them in 500 Sects and for ought I know there may be 5000 it is 500 to one but that every man is damned for every Sect damns all but it self and that is damned of 499. and it is excellent fortune then if that escape For 't is natural to all Zealots to call their own enemy God Almighty's enemy and we may as well hang all men that are not like us in feature as in opinion CHAP. VI. Of Apollonius's Garment and of the wonderful Concourse of men that followed him after he had been commended by Esculapius Also of an Assyrian Youth whom Apollonius cured of a Dropsie AFter such a retrenchment of his 1 Diet he also regulates his 2 Habit so as to go bare-footed and to wear linen Clothing refusing all such as came of living Creatures he likewise suffer'd his 3 Hair to grow long spending most part of his time in the Temple where all the Officers and Priests admired him also Aesculapius himself rejoyced to have Apollonius a 4 witness of his Cures There resorted to Aegas the Cilicians and all such as dwelt round about those parts to see Apollonius in so much that it became a common Proverb amongst them Whither go you so fast to see the young man Here I conceive it will not be improper to relate what then happen'd in the Temple for that I have undertaken to give you a Narrative containing the Deeds of such a man as was in esteem with the very Gods themselves An Assyrian Youth that came to Aesculapius was riotous even whilst he was sick and liv'd or rather died in Drunkenness He was taken with a Dropsie but pleasing himself with his Drinking he took no care of curing his Drought Whereupon the God neglected him and would not so much as appear to him in a 5 Dream and when he complain'd of this hard usage Aesculapius appearing to him said If thou wilt consult Apollonius thou shalt have ease Accordingly the young man going to Apollonius demanded of him what benefit he might receive from his wisdom for saith he Aesculapius commanded me to come unto thee To whom Apollonius answer'd That he knew something would be much worth to him in that condition for that as he thought 't was only Health which he wanted Whereupon the man replied That indeed was the thing which Aesculapius did promise but not perform Be favourable in your words I pray said Apollonius for he always bestows Health upon such as are willing to have it but thou dost those things which are contrary to thy Disease for addicting thy self to Debauchery thou satiatest thy moist and almost rotten Entrails with delicious Food thereby adding Mud to the pre-existent Water And herein he deliver'd his mind plainer than the Wisdom of 6 Heraclitus who told one that came to him for the same Distemper That he must turn wet Weather into dry which words were obscure and difficult to be understood Whereas Apollonius did more easily explain his wise Advice and recover'd again the young man to his health Illustrations on Chap. 6. 1 CErtainly there is nothing doth more conduce to the Study of Philosophy than a thin spare Diet which gave the old rhyming Monks occasion for that jingling saying Impletus venter non vult studere libenter A full
have no less than three Servants wait upon him for if he would have a Dream that should concern Men he made use of Morpheus if Beasts of Phobetor as men called him or Icolos as call'd by the Gods if inanimate Creatures of him whose name was Phantasos As to the external or internal causes of Dreams there are different opinions For Aristotle refers the cause thereof to common sence but placed in the fancy the Platonicks reckon them among the specifick and concrete Notions of the Soul Avicen makes the cause of Dreams to be an ultimate intelligence moving the Moon in the middle of that light with which the fancies of men are illuminated while they sleep Averroes places the cause in the imagination Democritus ascribes it to little Images or Representatives separated from the things themselves but Iulius Caesar Vaninus together with all Physicians refer the variety of Dreams to the variety of Meats we eat imputing the cause thereof to the vapours and humours which ascend up to the Brain Montaign saith that Dreams are the true Interpreters of our Inclinations proceeding from the cares and affections predominant in persons when they are awake according to that of the Poet Res quae invita usurpant homines cogitant curant vident Quaeque agunt vigilantes agitantque ea ficut in somno accidunt Minus mirandum est Historians say that the Inhabitants of the Atlantick Isles never dream who feed on nothing that hath been slain which might perhaps be the reason The Ancients had many Ceremonies relating to this exposition of Dreams which are too tedious here to be inserted Sometimes they would go and sleep in the Temple with Laurel about their heads and sacrifice to Brizo the Goddess of Dreamers Also the Lacedemonians kept men of purpose to sleep in the Temple of Pasithia to watch for Dreams as silly people use amongst us to go watch at the Church-door and know who should dye the next year The like was done in Egypt in the Temple of Serapis Also Pluto in Aristophanes did the same In fine there were great advantages accrued both to the Priest and Civil Magistrate hereby who were not only paid for their exposition but also made such Interpretations as ever rendred them serviceable to the publick Many have written upon this subject of Dreams whereof the most eminent are Artemidorus and Daldianus Some Books of this subject go about under Abraham's Name whom Philo in his Book of the Gyants asserts to have been the first practiser hereof however Pausanias attributes it to Amphiaraus Plutarch mentions other Books concerning this Art which were found in Mithridates's Study Artemon Milesius wrote two and twenty Books of it himself and there is a Copy of about fourscore Senarii Verses in Greek shewing the signification of such or such a sight in a Dream Other Treatises there are falsifyed under the Names of David and Solomon containing nothing but Dreams upon Dreams however Marcus Cicero in his Book of Divination hath given sufficient Reasons against the vanity and folly of those that give credit to Dreams 6 Heraclitus was a Philosopher of Ephesus sirnamed by Suidas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 obscurus from his affecting dark sayings he lived in the time of the last Darius A. M. 3447 ant Nat. Chr. 501. his affections were contrary to those of Democritus for he always wept at the miseries of this World whereas Democritus continually laugh'd at them Some report that he never had any Master to instruct him but that he acquired all his knowledge by his own labour and industry He held Fire to be the Principle of all things that the World was full of Spirits and Daemons that the Sun was a resplendent Flame not being any bigger then it appeared to our eyes that all things were govern'd by Destiny besides many other strange opinions concerning the production of Natural things all mention'd in Diogenes Laertius lib. 9. also in Cic. lib. 4 de Quaest. Acad. In his old age he fell into a Dropsie but would not use the help of Physicians at last having fallen into some dirt and then lying in the Sun to dry himself he fell asleep and as some report was devour'd by Dogs in his sleep Suidas tells us that he had for his Disciples Pythagoras Hesiod and Xenophon Pliny says of him that for his Rigour and inflexible roughness of Nature he was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a man without passion He was stiled by Epicurus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Ape or Mimick as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mero-bibus He used to say of himself that when he was young he knew nothing and when he was old he was ignorant of nothing There were four others of this name besides this Philosopher viz. the first a Lyrick Poet the second of Halicarnassus a man of great Eloquence the third a Lesbian who wrote the Macedonian History and the fourth a person eminent for nothing but his Folly CHAP. VII Of a very rich Cilician who sacrificing to Aesculapius for the Restauration of his lost Eye and shewing the occasion of his losing it was thereupon by the command of Aesculapius excluded the Temple APollonius on a certain time beholding much Bloud sprinkled on the Altar and Sacrifices laid thereon together with Egyptian Oxen and Swine of a vast bigness lying slain some fleying them and others cutting them into pieces also two Golden Bowls dedicated wherein were placed most incomparable and precious Indian Stones he went to the Priest and ask'd him what was the meaning of all this saying surely some magnificent person is liberal towards the God To whom the Priest answer'd But you would more wonder if you consider that this man hath yet made no Request nor stayed the usual time nor received health from the God nor had that which he desires for he came but yesterday and yet sacrificeth so generously Moreover he promiseth to sacrifice and dedicate more largely if the God will but grant him his request for he is very rich and possesseth more Wealth in Cilicia than all the rest of the Cilicians put together Now his Petition to the God is to restore him his Eye that is lost Apollonius as his manner was even in his old age having fix'd his eyes upon the ground enquired what was the mans name which being told him he reply'd to the Priest That it was unfitting such a Fellow should be admitted into the Temple as being of a depraved Spirit and one that had procured this blemish by no good wherefore that he should be so prodigal in his Sacrifices before he had obtained any thing at the hands of the God argueth that he doth not so much Sacrifice as expiate his own base and criminous actions Thus far Apollonius But Aesculapius appearing by night to the Priest said unto him Let this rich man be gone having according to his deserts for he deserves to lose his other Eye which remains The Priest therefore having enquired of the man found that
Stage such as leaving out the action of the Poet by reason of his own ill voice for before his time the Poet himself always acted he invented white Shoes which the Actors and Dancers wore he augmented the Chorus of Youths to fifteen which before were but twelve and likewise fitted his Tragedies to the Natures of his Actors Also Vossius writes that he first made use of Tribus Histrionibus by adding as Eschylus a second so he a third Actor who was therefore called Tritagonista viz. an Actor of the third and last part Concerning his death notwithstanding what has been said before Lucian writes that he was choaked with a Grape-stone which opinion is likewise confirm'd by that Verse of Sâ—tad apud Stobaeum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Suidas saith that besides his Tragedies he wrote likewise Elegies Paâ—ans and some Prose Cicero tells us that a great golden Platter being taken out of the Temple of Hercules by theft the God appear'd unto Sophocles in a Dream and told him who had done it the first and second time he slighted the Vision but upon its frequent soliciting him he credited it so far as to inform the Magistrate thereof who commanding that person to be apprehended whom Sophocles had accused he was no sooner charged with the Fact but he voluntarily confess'd it and brought back the Plate Cicero de Divinat lib. 1.50 Caroli Stephans Edit Sophocles resided very much at Colonus a place near Athens from whence Oedipus living there an Exile was called Colonâ—us at this place Neptune was worshipp'd Cicero de Finib lib. 5.2 Concerning the true Character of Sophocles I find the Ancients had a great Veneration for him Pompey when he was betray'd to the Egyptian shore by Sempronius no sooner discover'd his error and grew jealous of his own ruine but he though too late reflected on the great wisdom of Sophocles and repeated to himself saith Appian lib. 2. de Civil Bell. Rom these Lines of his To Tyrants Courts the Valiant and the Brave Though free they enter soon become their Slave Sophocl Vell. Paterculus says that one Age and that not consisting of many years did enoble the Tragick Buskin by means of those Divine-spirited men Aeschylus Sophocles and Euripides lib. 1. Polemon the Athenian Philosopher was so delighted with Sophocles and with Homer that he would frequently say they were both endued with equal wisdom calling Homer Heroical Sophocles and Sophocles Tragical Homer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Diog. Laert. lib. 4. How much Virgil esteem'd him appears sufficiently in his Eclogues when he says Solo Sophocleo tua Carmina digna Cothurno Virg. Eclog. 8. The wise Simonides terms him the Flower of Poets his stile was so sweet that Suidas tells us he was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Bee his Verses masculine and lofty as may be inferr'd from this Line of Iuvenals Grande Sophocleo carmen bacchamur hiatu Sat. 6. He left behind him five Sons viz. Iophontes Leosthenes Aristones Stephanus and Meneclides Opsopaeus in Greek Epigram 3. upon the Sepulchre of Sophocles prefers Sophocles much before either Aeschylus or Euripides We read in Plutarch de vitis X. Orator that Lycurgus enacted for a Law in Athens That at the publick expence of the City there should be erected Statues of Brass for Aeschylus Sophocles and Euripides also that their Tragedies should be exemplified and fairly engross'd for to be kept in the Chamber of the City that the publick Notary of the City should read them unto the Players and that otherwise it were unlawful to Act them Some think that Sophocles first introduced upon the Stage 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Painting of Scenes which Horace seems to aim at when he says Modicis instravit pulpita signis but I rather find this Ornament to be first invented by Aeschylus and afterwards perfected by Sophocles CHAP. XI What Apollonius answer'd to him that ask'd him why he did not commit somewhat to writing And of his five years silence wherein he did not utter so much as one word but yet by Nods and other signs did very much good Also concerning the Sanctuary of Tiberius 1 WHen Euxenus ask'd Apollonius why he did not commit somewhat to writing being so good a Philosopher and able to write so approved and quick a stile his Answer was That he had not yet exercised Silence and from that time he began to think it his duty to 2 practice Silence Wherefore laying a restraint upon his Tongue yet nevertheless both with his Eyes and Mind reading many things he committed all that he either heard or saw to his memory by which exercise of his memory when he was even an hundred years of Age he was thought to excel 3 Simonides He did likewise sing an Hymn in praise of memory wherein he saith that all things are faded by Time and that Time it self never groweth old but is immortal through the memory However during the time of his Silence he was no unpleasing Company for his eyes and hands as also the nodding of his head signified something to all that was said nor was he found unpleasant or morose being of himself a lover of his Friends and of an agreeable conversation Moreover he affirm'd that this course of Life which he continued for five years together was very irksom to him being one who had many things to say yet not to say them that heard many exasperating speeches yet not to hear them and when provoked to reprove sundry things only to say within himself Be quiet Heart and Tongue for he received with silence many opprobrious terms against himself Now all this time of his silence he resided partly in 4 Pamphilia and partly in 5 Cilicia where notwithstanding he lived amongst such a soft and effeminate people yet did he never speak one word Sometimes when he came into a City that was full of sedition and division about vain Shows he going to the People and presenting himself to them in publick would by his hands and looks express that reproof which he intended against them and thereby appease their discords making them as mute as if they were conversant about the mysteries of Religion For when men are at variance about such small matters as Shows or Horses it is no great difficulty to pacifie them because they who are disorderly about such things with blushes recollect themselves and come to their right mind at the sight of any 6 grave person amongst them Nevertheless when a City is oppress'd with 7 Famine it is no easie matter to appease their wrath with ever so powerfull restraining words But the meer silence of Apollonius was able to work such an effect for coming to 8 Aspendus the third eminent City of Pamphylia which is situate by the River 9 Eurymedon he there found nothing to be sold but Vetches and such kind of mixt Grain whereon so many people fed because whatsoever Corn there was a few Rich men that were of Power in the City had
own Physician writes that it was given him by a Caunian of mean condition Now Cyrus being thus slain Artaxerxes commanded his Head and his right Hand to be cut off after which marching to plunder his Camp he there â—eiz'd on his Brother's Phocâ—an Concubine Aspasâ—a and took her for his own as I have already shew'd After this the King beginning his March homewards and Parysatis the Queen-Mother being inform'd of her beloved Son Cyrus's death mediâ—ated upon nothing else but how to be revenged on those that were the chief Instruments of it Wherefore the Caunian and one Mithridates being both condemn'd to die each of them for bragging that they had kill'd Cyrus with their own hands because thereby they robb'd the King of that honour which he pretended unto himself Parysatis begg'd to have the torturing of them which Artaxerxes granting her she perform'd with such feminine cruelty that they were 17 days in dying The next Tragedy she acted was upon Megates the Eunuch whom having won of Artaxerxes at Dice she caused to be fâ—ea'd alive for that he was the person who cut off the Head and Hands of her Son Cyrus Afterwards her Revenge fasten'd upon the Queen Statira with whom although she carried it fair outwardly yet she hated mortally partly by reason of her former enmity to Cyrus partly for her great interest with the King her Husband and partly upon the account that she had put to death many of those who by Parysatis's means had formerly murder'd her Brother Terituchmes and her other Relations wherefore being at Supper together Parysatis cutting a Bird in the middle with a Knife that was poyson'd on one side gave that part which was next the Poyson to Statira who seeing Parysatis her self eat of the same Bird suspected nothing nevertheless Statira died of the same with great Torment and Convulsions some time before she died she began to suspect the true cause of her illness and acquainted the King with it who knowing the implacable malice of his Mother soon credited it and thereupon tortured her nearest Servants but she kept one Gygis a waiting Woman who had been accessary to the fact and would not deliver her up to him till at length having notice that she design'd to escape by night he surpriz'd and condemn'd her to have her Head bruis'd to pieces between two Stones which is the Persian Law for Poysoners As for his Mother Parysatis he hurt her not in the least either in word or deed but she desiring to go to Babylon he sent her only with this farewell that then he would not see that City so long as she lived And this is the true state of the domestick Affairs of Artaxerxes Plut. in Artax Xenoph. exped Cyri lib. 6. lib. 7. Artaxerxes after the overthrow of Cyrus sent down Tissaphernes and not Pharnabazus as Diodorus writes to the Sea-coasts to recover them again into his power which belonged to him both by Inheritance from his Father and by Conquest from his Brother all which readily submitted to his Summons Soon after the Greek Cities under Thymbro their Captain-General declared against the King and from a small power grew very considerable and successful chiefly from an Emulation and Dissention between the two Persian Generals Tissaphernes and Pharnabazus which produced frequent Miscarriages abroad and Accusations at home one of another to the King till at last Agesilaus obtaining a considerable Victory over the Persians near the River Pactolus for want of their Foot which was occasion'd by Tissaphernes's absence they accused him to the King of Treachery which Accusation being vigorously prosecuted by Parysatis who bore him a mortal grudge upon the account of her Son Cyrus Artaxerxes made Tithraustes General in his stead with a particular Commission to put to death Tissaphernes which accordingly was done for Ariaeus alluring him to Colossus in Phrygia under pretence of a new Commission for him did there seize Tissaphernes in the Baths and send him Prisoner to Tithraustes who forthwith cut off his Head and sent it to the King also the King sent it as a Present to his Mother Parysatis who greatly rejoyced at the sight Of this read more in Plutarch Xenophon Diodorus and Pausanias Now concerning this King's Reign Historians vary Plutarch makes his Rule to be 62 years others say 55 years others 49. and others 43. or 44. but the most credible opinion is that of Beda in his six Ages of the World and of Eusebius in his Chronicle who say that Artaxerxes for grief of his Sons wickedness died in the 43 d. year of his Reign being Anno Mundi 3610. ante Christi Nativit 361. 4 Artaxerxes the Son of Xerxes whose sirname was Longimanus so call'd à Longitudine manus for that as Strabo tells us lib. 15. his Hands and Arms were so long that standing straight and upright with his Body his Hands reach'd down below his Knees But Plutarch Vita Artaxerx saith that he had one Hand longer than the other excepting which blemish he was the most beautiful man of his time Xerxes the Father of this Prince being murder'd by his Uncle Artabanus left behind him three Sons viz. Darius Hystaspes and Artaxerxes Longimanus at the time of Xerxes's death the eldest and the youngest were resident in his Court but Hystaspes was absent as being then Governour of Bactria Now Artabanus having murder'd their Father went immediately in the dead time of the night to Artaxerxes the third Son and made him believe that his elder Brother Darius was the person that had kill'd his Father out of an ambition to reign himself as also that he had a design upon his life whereupon Artabanus promising him the assistance of his Guards if he would kill his Brother Darius Artaxerxes giving credit to all that he had said did forthwith put Darius to death When this was done Artabanus calling his Sons together told them that if ever they thought to obtain the Kingdom then was the time and that it could only be done by Artaxerxes's death Hereupon they drawing their Swords with a design to kill him Artaxerxes receiving but one slight wound defended himself so bravely that he slew Artabanus on the place as some will have it though others with more reason defer the time of Artabanus's death to whom also seven months in the Empire are attributed by Eusebius Now by this means Darius being slain Artaxerxes came to the Empire in his youth being the 4th year of the 78th Olympiad or in the beginning of the 79th Lysitheus being then Archon at Athens A.M. 3540. and 463 years before the Birth of Christ. Those Authorâ— who write that Artabanus survived his first Conflict say also that he made a second Attempt upon Artaxerxes's Life which design he communicated to Megabyzus who had married the Daughter of Xerxes and for her loose life was fallen into a discontent which Artabanus did as thinking nothing would make a man more valiant and desperate than an ill Wife accordingly Megabyzus
Conspiracy to assist the Persians against their own Country was forced to save his Life by flying into Persia where by Artaxerxes Longimanus the then King he was honourably receiv'd and bountifully entertain'd having three Cities given him one for Bread another for Wine and a third for Victuals to which some add two more for Cloaths and Linen and that afterwards he died a natural death at Magnesia However others write that Themistocles being unable to perform his promise to the King of conquering Greece which by this time had Cimon and many other experienced Captains amongst them poysoned himself for grief But of this see more in Plutarch Cornelius Nepos Thucydides and Valerius Maximus Now for as much as in this Chapter and elsewhere in this Book are written the Lives of some of the Persian and Grecian Monarchs it may not be improper to give you a compendious Account of the Succession of the four Monarchies which although I design for a distinct Treatise hereafter by it self in a general Body of History if Life Health and Peace will permit me may nevertheless at this time prove usefull to such as read the foregoing part of this Chapter Know then that History is the Commemoration of things past with the due Circumstances of Time and Place in distinct Distances Intervals Periods or Dynasties by lineal Descents for the more ready help of Memory and Application And this as the learned Prideaux observes may be divided into Either 1. Ecclesiastical 2. Political 3. Of Successions in States Countreys or Families 4. Of Professions as the Lives of famous men in any Faculty 5. Natural as that of Pliny the Lord Bacon's Natural History c. 6. Various such as we have from Valerius Maximus Plutarch and Aelian Or 7. Vain Legendary or Fabulous such as are comprehended under the Name of Romances But of these the two first being only to my purpose at this time I shall not trouble you with the other five First For Ecclesiastical History that insisteth chiefly on Church-matters and hath precedency before others in respect of its Antiquity Dignity and pretended Certainty Now that is generally reckoned after this manner Beginning 1. From the Creation to the end of the Flood 1657 years 2. From the Flood to the calling of Abraham 367 years 3. From the calling of Abraham to the Israelites departing out of Aegypt 430 years 4. From the Aegyptians coming out of Aegypt to the building of Solomon's Temple 480 years 5. From the building Solomon's Temple to the erecting of the second Temple by Zorobabel 497 years 6. From the building Zorobabel's second Temple to the Nativity of our Saviour Christ 529 years 7. From the Nativity of our Saviour to this present time 1680 years Secondly To Ecclesiastical History thus briefly comprehended Political in the same method succeeds treating of Civil Matters in Kingdoms States or Commonwealths and this is according to prophane Chronology carried along in these Periods Beginning 1. From Nimrod or rather Belus to Cyrus 2. From Cyrus to Alexander the Great 3. From Alexander the Great to Iulius Caesar and the fourth Monarchy beginning 4. From Iulius Caesar to Constantine the Great in whom it ended For thus Historians have ever divided the Series of prophane Story into these four Empires called the Assyrian the Persian the Grecian and the Roman As for the first of these viz. the Assyrian Monarchy it was first begun by Nimrod and destroy'd by Cyrus as for what passed before the beginning of this Empire we have no other account but in sacred Writ wherewith since every one either is or ought to be already acquainted I shall take no further notice of it in this place We read therefore that after the Division of the Earth Nimrod the Son of Chush and Nephew of Cham fixed his Seat at Babel and therein first began that Kingdom or Empire which was call'd by some the Babylonian from Babel the place of the King's Court or Residence by others the Chaldaan from the Countrey Chaldaea wherein the City Babylon was seated and by others the Assyrian from Ashur the Son of Sem who is call'd by prophane Authors Niâ—us and whom Iustin out of Trogus would have to be the first Founder of this Empire as also the first King that made War upon his Neighbours Iustin lib. 1. Now as this Monarchy was at first instituted by Nimrod or Belus which from Iulius Africanâ—s and the best Authors I find to be the same so was it enlarged by Ninus and his Wife Semiramis in whose time it was at the height of glory and grandeur for afterwards by reason of the effeminacy of its Princes it declined till by the ruine and fall of that Monster Sardanapalus who was Mars ad opus Veneris Martis ad arma Venus the Empire became divided between those two Rebels Arbaces and Belâ—chus in whose Successions it lasted till by the death of Belshazzar last King of the Babylonians and of Darius last King of the Mâ—des the whole Empire was again united and so descended upon Cyrus the Great who began the second Empire of the Medes and Persians This first Empire began in the year of the World 1788. it lasted 1646 years and was subverted or translated into Persia in the year of the World 3434. Now the several Races and Successions of Kings that govern'd this first Assyrian Monarchy are as followeth I. Familia Beli. 1. Nimrod or Belus 2. Ninus 3. His Wife Semiramis 4. Ninâ—as or Ninus the II. 5. Arius of whom together with these that follow there is little known till we come to Sardâ—â—â—palus 6. Araliâ—s 7. Balâ—â—â— the I 8. Armatrites 9. Belachus the I. 10. Baleus the II. 11. Altadas 12. Mamitus 13. Mancaleus 14. Shaerus 15. Maâ—â—elus 16. Sparetus 17. Ascaâ—â—des 18. Aâ—yntas 19. Belochâ—s the II. 20. Bellopares 21. Lamprides 22. Sosares 23. Lamparâ—s 24. Pâ—nnias 25. Sâ—sarmus 26. Mitreus 27. Tauâ—anâ—s 28. Teutaeus 29. Tiâ—aeus 30. Dâ—â—â—ilus 31. Eâ—paâ—â—s 32. Lâ—â—sthenes 33. Pyrithidias 34. Ophraâ—â—â—s 35. Ophragaâ—â—â—s 36. Ascrazapeâ— 37. Sardanapalus after whose death the Empire was divided between Arbaces and Belochus Arbaces enjoy'd the Government of the Medes and Belochus of the Assyrians their Successions were are as followeth 1. Arbaces 2. Mandauces 3. Sosarmus 4. Artycas 5. Arbianes 6. Arsaeos or Deioces 7. Phraortes 8. Cyaxares And 9. Astyages the Father of Darius Medus 1. Phul-Belochus 2. Tiglat-Philassar 3. Salmanassar 4. Sennacherib 5. Assar-Haddon 6. Merodach 7. Ben-Merodach 8. Nabopalassar 9. Nabuchodonosor 10. Evil-Merodach And 11. Belsazar For Astyages and Belsazar gave a period to this first Monarchy whereof Cyrus became sole Monarch Now concerning this second Monarchy some will have it that Darius Medus the Son of Astyages began it and that Cyrus Astyages his Grandson by his Daughter Mandana did enlarge and perfect it for that they being both Kings one of Media and the other of Persia when joyning their Forces together they overthrew Belsazar Darius thereupon annex'd Babylon to his part of
State as also under most of the Emperours Philosophers were banish'd Rome as corrupters of good manners and diverters of youth from spending their time in things of more advantage both to the publick and themselves As for the publick those who get their Living by some particular Art that is for the most part useful to the publick as he that knows how to make a Plow or a Cart is forty times more useful to his Countrey than he that only knows what is Latin Greek or Hebrew for a Plow or a Cart or if in such an Employ he advantages not others yet each man who thereby maintains himself doth in so doing increase the number of people without wrong to any but he who spends his days in Contemplations which produce no useful or real effects neither assists the publick nor himself and if he have no paternal Inheritance to support him must either starve beg or steal nor could any moderate Estate suffice to maintain that idle Humour wherewith Philosophers are possess'd who speculate into all things but their own most necessary Concerns and understand every thing better than their own Estates The most prudent Scepticks have sufficiently invalidated those mens Opinions who spend their time Deliri veteris meditantes somnia vana or who with Brutus after they have all their Life-time studied the praises of Vertue till thereby with a bookish false Idea thereof they have destroy'd their Countrey and themselves are forced at last when 't is too late with him to cry out Te colâ—i virtus ut rem â—st â—u nomen inaâ—â— es Vertue aâ— real I ador'd thy Fame But now I find thou art an empty Name Think therefore if such men had not better have been Shoomakers Taylors or the like wherefore in this point the Institution of our Universities is exceedingly to be commended where such as have but little means of their own to trust to are maintain'd to learn some Profession beneficial to themselves and the publick as Divinity Physick or Civil-Law However those whose Fortunes are able to subsist without a Vocation need not enthral their Genius but indulge it in any Philology what they most affect And for such if they read History cursorily it may make them discourse well but if they study it considerately it tends much to instruct them in the Humours and Interests of men thereby teaching them the true Art of managing their Lives and Affairs when although few Examples square in all particulars yet as a skilful Taylor though he never made a Suit for one of your size can after taking measure of you fit you by his old skill Lastly As for Philosophy hear what Cicero speaks of its Professors Nil tam absurdâ— dici potest quod non dicatur ab aliquo Philosophorâ—m We are made to live in the World and not to trouble our selves about any thing that conduces not to our subsistance Quod supra nos nihil ad nos and he that throws away his time upon Speculations in Natural Philosophy does by the Pleasures of Life as one did by his Entertainment as a Feast who being seated at Table and a Knife lying before him this Philosophical Guest took it up and begun to consider the Origine of it whereof it was form'd First He made a speculation into the Handle which led him to the nature of Ivory that to the Elephant's Tooth and from thence to the nature of Elepâ—â—â—ts In the 〈◊〉 place he undertook the Blade which led him to the nature of Iron and that to the nature of Mines when after a long consideration thereof he at length reduces his Reasoning either to Ignorance or Uncertainty and then bethinks himself of eating when he finds the Cloath taken away his Companions to have dined and his own Dinner lost Which Character as I conceive of a Natural Philosopher Quod est ante pedes nemo spectat Coeli sâ—rutantur plagas Cicero divin lib. 2. Last of all to shew how much disadvantage and danger a State receives by an over-great esteem of Learning no Age ever gave such a remarkable Example as this wherein we now live I mean that of China That great and rich Empire was totally govern'd by learned persons none being admitted to any considerable Office or Magistracy but such as after a most strict examination of their Learning were made Graduates in their publick Schools of Philosophy this learned Nation about some five and thirty years ago was invaded by the most illiterate rude Tartars and by them over-run and subdued Thus were the Greeks overcome by the less learned Romans and the Roman Empire when flourishing in all Arts and Sciences was destroy'd by the ignorant Goths and Vandals which shews that to maintain an Empire a Sword is a better Instrument than a Pen. If this great Example of China were not sufficient to shew how mischievous a thing too much Bookishness is in a People mark it more particularly when it possesses the persons of Princes or other great Commâ—nders themselves The Greek and Asiatick Principalities afford very many Examples where except only Zenophon and two or three more scarce any of them govern'd with ordinary commendation but either weakly like Pedants or at best with scandalous Avarice and very often extreamly cruel but usually point blank contrary to their profess'd Doctrines like Seneca in his vehement Invectives against Riches when he himself was of any under the degree of a King held to be the richest man of that Age. Finally In all Professions it is by experience found that the Theory and Practice are two distinct Faculties with little real influence one upon another Thus many have proceeded Doctors of Musick who could learnedly discourse of Harmony with the several Keys and Scales of Musick but not play half so well as any common Countrey-Alehouse-Fidler so in most contemplative Sciences Discimus Scholae non Vitae Nothing does more betray the Vanity of Philosophy than the Insufficiency of man's Reason which as St. Paul says is foolishness before God for he that thinks he knows any thing that man knoweth nothing which made the wise Socrates confess Hoc scio me scire nihil I shall conclude this Discourse with so many lines as are to my purpose out of a late ingenious Copy of Verses written upon this Subject by a Person of Honour which are thâ—se Were I who to my cost already am One of those strange prodigious Creatures Man A spirit free to choose for my own share What case of flesh and blood I pleas'd to wear I 'de be a Dog a Monkey or a Bear Be any thing but that vain Animal Who is so proud of being rational The senses are too gross and he 'l contrive A sixth to contradict the other five And before certain Instinct will prefer Reason which fifty times for one does err Reason an Ignis fatuus in the mind Which leaving light of Nature sence behind Pathless and dangerous wandring ways it takes Through Errours fenny Bogs