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[Page] THE HISTORIE OF IVSTINE. Containing a Narration of Kingdomes, from the begin­ning of the Assyrian Monarchy, vnto the raigne of the Emperour AVGVSTVS. Whereunto is newly added a briefe collection of the liues and manners of all the Emperours succeeding, vnto the Emp. Rodulphus now raigning.

First Written in Latine by that famous Historiographer IVSTINE, and now againe newly translated into English, By G. W.

LONDON, Printed by William Iaggard, dwelling in Barbican, 1606.

To the Right Worthy, and most accomplished gent. Sir James Haies Knight, endowed with that Honorable quantity of vertue, and true loue to Learning, wherewith euery Noble spirit should studie to be enriched, G. W. wisheth the felicity of his content.

RIght worthie Sir, Artaxerxes sir-named Long­hand, the fift king of Persia, vsed to haue the Chronicles both of his predecessors, as also the affaires of his own time, read before him euerie night ere hee setlod his eies to any con­tented rest; aswell to haue knowledge of the dignity of his Auncestors, as to remember in his raigne how he bestowed himselfe. And Alexander the great, had that noble writer of the famous battell of Troy in such prize­lesse estimation, that about what affaires soeuer he inclined his ac­tions, he had his workes about him, nor euer slept but they rested vnder his pillow. Moreouer, comming into a School, and not fin­the the labors of Homer there, he struck the maister with his fiste, meaning thereby, that the knowledge of Histories, was a recrea­tion fitting all estates and degrees, and that it was a great and ca­pitall offence to be without them. For like as in Musicke, manie discord notes and manie tunes make one consent, and one delight­full harmonie, so in a historie, the varietie and multitude of exam­ples tend all to one end; that is, the aduancement of vertue, and ouerthrow of vice: offring themselues as a most perfect mirror for man to behold, not the outward portraiture and shape of his bo­die, but the liuely image and expresse figure of his inward minde, instructing him how to apparell himselfe in decent ornaments, & to discard from him his wilde infirmities.

For what can enforce more to Cheualrie, then not barely to [Page] heare of, but as it were presently to behold, the sage and graue con­sultations of expert Captaines, the speedy and prouident putting in practise of deuised stratagems, the pollicies and sleights in their present execution, the fauourable assistance and successe of the same, with the fame and renown, that continueth (longer then rich Monuments) of valiant enterprises? Or what can be a more readi [...] encouragement to vertue (which is the soule and light of a good life) then to behold men (who not so much as thoght of before) by their proper desert to rayse their name vntō high estate and Hon­nour, to giue themselues cause with Cicero to speak of themselus, Egomeis maioribus virtute pr [...]luxi:

Or what may giue a greater obiect to loath vice, then to see others whose Nobilitie was giuen them as an inheritance, whereby per­petually to follow and maintaine the steps of their auncestors, by their vnnoble disposition, to root out the renowne that was raised to them by their parents: For better is it to be Thersites, who was a man of obscure calling, with condition to be Achillis, then to be hauiored like Thersites and Achilles our Father, for vertue is the true Nobility: withall, to s [...]e realmes florish, common-wealthes prosper, the laborer beloued, the drone loa [...]hed; to see the good Cittizens aduanced, (for euery man should be a citizen to his own Contrey) and the bad dissranchised of anie worthie societic; to see peace and tranquilitie obserued, Nations willinglie to offer their obedience; to see long continuance in felicity, and euery man so desirous to liue, that he may haue an honorable report after death; Or what a more forceable dehortation from vice, then to haue plainely pictured and set foorth, not onely the heinousnes and enormities, that is heire to euery seuerall offence, but also the mi­series, calamities, punishments, and shames worthily ensuing, as a portion giuen to them in life, with endlesse reproche and infa­my after death, and so consequently, What can be more como­dious then a History?

Moreouer, what can be more pleasant to diuide the time, or sa­tisfie vs in the houres wherein we would be delighted, then to sit quietly and receiue tidinges of things concluded thrugh the whol World: to behold the places, the persons, the times, the affaires, with the order and circumstances in determining the same, to see [Page] so many running streames, so many high and stately mountaines, so many raging and turbulent seas, so manie forrests and vnhabi­table deserts, so many kindes of strange Beastes, Fowles, Fishes, Serpents, Herbes, Trees: so dissipate and large Countries, so rich and populous Citties, so wel gouernd Common-wealths, so good Lawes and Customes, so sundrie sortes of people, togither with their natures, dispositions, effects, descriptions, scituations, com­modities, pleasures and displeasures, foundations, continuances and decaies, beginnings, proceedings, and endings of the same: & in such an ample Globe, that they shall not seeme to bee repor­ted, but instantly presented.

Right woorthy Sir, I hauing at this time brought to an end the Translation of these Histories of Justine, with the Empe­rors liues (who in so small roome, and in so few wordes com­prehended, so much with as many & so notable examples, that it isto be doubted, whether it be more briefe of sentence, or plen­tifull of Subiect, (J staid with my selfe) as if it were to take breath at the end of so laboured a iourney, deuising to whom J might specially dedicate the same as an eue [...]lasting monument crected to his name, and he thereby a woorthy countenance to my en­deuors, the remembrance of your name, did the first present it selfe vnto mee, as a fit foster father to a Childe of such merit, when presently my deuotion accounted the many J might make choise of, as short of your perfections, as a body dyeng, is of a life flourishing, and beleeuing that no disdainefull scorne could grow in so noble a breast, J submitted me to your censure, perswa­ding my selfe, that this Justine being accepted by Anthony the Emperor in Latine, it could not but be acceptable to you in En­glish, thus wishing that Fortune might haue eies, if but to cherish you and those you loue, what is mine, euen to my soule is yours.

Yours worships in all seruiceable duties, G. W.

[Page]

SIMON GRYNAEVS
Te qui cunque, Simon Grinaee, aspexit, amauit:
Splenduit in vului gratia tanta tuo
Te quicunque, Simon Grinaee, audiuit, amauit:
Facundo fluxit tantus ab orc lepos

Cum priuil.

A Preface of Simon Grineus to the Reader, concerning the Profit of reading Histories.

WHo is so simple in experience, or so leane in vnderstan­ding, that knowes not by reading Histories, and trea­ding the plentifull and fruitefull fields of them, he doth therewith make the examples and instructions left in them to grow vp in himselfe, to his aboundant profit. For what can be thought more pleasant or more desi­red, then sitting as it it were in the Theater and stage of mans life, (the which a History hath most exquisitely furnished in all points) to be made capable of the perils that other men haue sustained, without further daunger to himselfe: to take examples of alsorts, eyther medicynable for his ownesecure estate, or beneficiall to others: to be so ably furnished for the presence of great men, when with grauest aduice they debate of the most weyghtiest affaires, to discusse the end and sequel of their desires, by example, or answer them by argument. The companye of which worthinesse, to the worthiest is welcome, and the cogitations of the Noblest thoughts do couet.

Which profit, without History (considering the shortnesse of mans life) cannot be attaind: Who can compasse in memory the times of many hun­dred years past, behold the beginings, proceedings, & subuersions of great Empires, to witnes the euils they endured, either priuate or publik, and ma­nifestly to discerne the ground and occasion of them. In euery difficult and daungerous matter, to haue one try the perils, and as it were tread the yce before them, neuer to bee destitute of tryed experience, and by times past which properly and peculiarly appertaineth to the duty of a wise man, poli­tickly to foresee what may succeed in all estates, and to iudge of them as yf they were present.

Sincc then the ground of such workes are large and spacious to walk and recreat our studies in, it is requisit we prepare our thoughts to the reading of Histories, hauing first a taste of ciuill policy in our selues, which so must gouerne our affections to iudge discreetly of all actions, either pleasinge or displeasing to vs, to be as sufficiently contented with whatsoere we read, & doth resist our inclination, as delighted with that motion keepes fellowship with our nature, and not by the sway of passion bee miserably led, onely with vaine imaginations, and so tosse from one place to another, to read as birds skip from bow to bough, more to prime their bils, then benefit their bodies: but like good Surgions, who search al sores thoroughly to the bottome, ere [Page] they lay Cataplasme on any, & in so viewing ouer Histories, thou shalt eyther by contemplating on the vertue of good men, learne to aspire thy selfe, or by reading the infermities of the bad, blush at the remembraunce of thine own, and be taught to reforme thy condition.

But it hapneth as at a royall and sumptuous feast, furnished with all sorts of delicate viands, one thing is placed before one man, some set before ano­ther, few satisfie themselues of one restoratiue, but euery man of that hely­keth best: and although there is but some one kind of measure which nature hath appointed, and one kind of meat simple and in any wise vncorrupted, that is most for the helth and the nourishment of the body, from the bounds of which whosoeuer exceedeth, and followeth his owne appetite, beyond ey­ther measure or the ordinance of nature, hee may receiue hurt by that was ordained for his necessary good: euen so in that great variety of Histories, wherin there is set downe a thousand counsels, directed to a thousand pur­poses, and after what sorte socuer the reader be ledde by fancy or stayed by iudgement, so doth he censure or apply them. Whereby oftentimes that which is ordained for meat, couerts to surfet, & salutaria pharmica, the whol­some medicines prepared for the recreation, infectes the mind, by which a­buse it followes not, a decree be made all food to be distasted, nor any be­nifit despised, since there is for al men leauied a path-way to vertue, in which who so walketh aduisedly, is praise-woorthy, and who transgresseth ofselfe­opinion is to be condemned for his error.

Some reading Histories deceiue themselues, imagining the bare stile of the history, is of authority inough in it selfe to instruct the reader, wheras indeed it doth no more but minister matter to learne vppon, offering it selfe to all vses, according as the person is affectioned, in like case as doth the feast, for as he that draws an arrow in a bow, may draw it home or short, as his strēgth finds good for him, and as he [...]: [...], so in the vse of Histories, the prac­tise is made not according to t [...]e vse of the words, but the inclination of the will. Some read Histories for no other delight but onely in the reading, who seeking no more but a present delectation, do loose the benefit of the plea­sant fruites, such men gaine no more by turning ouer the leaues of a histo­ry, then they that play vpon an instrument, taking no further delight there­in, then to passe away the tediousnesse of the time present, and shottly after enter into a more tedious conflict with themselues: for it is no pleasure that hath not respect vnto vertue. Others there are whome the glittering glosse of glory pricketh so forward, and to such a mishape transformeth them, that they thinke no aduenture to great for them, nor no prehemmence aboue them, being of no ability, for the performāce of the one, nor of desert to at taine to the other; vtterly forgetting, that those glorious examples whych they read, are not set forth by writers for any other intent, then that such as ensuing vertue, may thereby learne to contemne glory being aboue their reach, or if it accompany them, not to be proud and arrogant of it.

And although that none but Fooles will enterprise to aspire to the like glory, without the like virtue, yet notwithstanding it is manifest that some finding no other merit in themselues, but that they haue reade the Noble acts of others, do thinke their desert of highest worth, notsparing of them­selues [Page] to speake, Why should not I be either a Scipio or Caesar, like vnto players of Tragedies, who when they haue put off the apparrell, wherein they haue played the part of most Noble personages, do continue to counterset them in countenance and behauiour.

There are also men of rude and vulgar vnderstanding who destract from al record, which is not either newes or wonders, like Ideots that giue more to a mans gay and superfluous cote, then vnto the person or his vertuous parts; that extend large offices to the outward show, if it be gawdy, and neglect the labo­red instruction within, be the worke neuer so worthy.

But whereas, it is the principal commendation, apertaineth to a history, to stirre vp the mind of man from sloath fulnesse, and to fence it from all dangers by the strength of examples, (then the which there is nothing of greater po­wer either to perswade or diswade) and that the ancient reseruing of them ten­deth to that end and purpose, yet it commeth to passe through the sloathful se­curity of men, and the neglect of their good, being so carefully reserued and offered them, by perswading themselues, that other mens perils helpe nothing to their safty, that such acts as are most worthy of remembrance are either vn­gratefully rebuked, or else heard with deafe and vnsetled ears. Finally their be, that out of an obstinat presumption, transgresse euen against that same part containeth the most graue and carnest matters, as though histories should be written, not as they were done indeed, but as they ought to be done, with [...]iled phrase and fresh inuention, of set purpose onely to' please them. So that partly by meanes of that carelesse security, and partly by the surfet of rash and vn­aduised reading, it commeth to passe that (euen as it wer of corrupt humours) a certaine corruptnesse of Iudgment and peruerse opinion is bred.

There is also another of no lesse force then these a forsaid, and that is in the writer of histories, who folowing as it wer the tast of their own Palats, as thogh they wer forgers of their worke themselues, fashion their labour rather to intice the reader to spred their commendation, then to let their hand & pen consent to the truth: wherin they do like Cooks, who oftentimes in seasoning their mai­sters meate rather please their own [...]ellish then their Maist, by which, two seue­rall Iudgements are misled, the one by rash censure, the other not recording plainely and sincerly.

For a Historigrapher, is no other but a reporter of things done, (with whose iudgement if there be any fault) it standeth with him as with a tun of Wine, which (of it selfe being plesant and beautiful) doth either take an euill talent of the Caske, or else is made vnrellishable by being mingled with some other compound, which is either a shameful and intollerable deceit, or a point of ex­treame folly and ignorance.

To those then that ingrosse Histories I perscribe this rule, that they write to record, not to flatter. Of those that read them (since I am of firme opinion such authors are profitable to be read) though for no other but for the great aboundance of examples that they entreate off, I request that they circum­spectly and carefully ouerlooke them, considering how great fruites or dis­commodities are in them propounded: otherwise it happeneth vnto them that imagine a worke may be read ouer lightly, as with those that hold a h [...]e may [Page] be passed ouer vnaduisedly, without the exact obseruing & executing of a mans duty, or as it doth to Souldiers who in the sacking of a Citty come to the risling of some pothycaries shop, plentiously furnished withal store belonging to their arte, and being allured with the sweetnesse of the confections, and spi­ces which they chance first to lay their hands on, thinking the remaine to be of the same, do eat and deuorue al that they light on, in such sort that some fal sick, some run mad, some dye presently, and he scapes best, is maruailously distemepred, so that for their greedinesse their [...]llowes laugh them to scorne. For euen as mans life is ful of commodities and discommodities, so is a histo­ry, which is the true image and representation of the life, and as the wise­dome of the life consisteth onely in the faire carriage and good behauiour of the life, so the profit of reading is in the applycation therof. F [...]rwell, and enioy these things to thy most furtherance and commodity.

The Preface of the most fa­mous Historiographer Justine, vpon the Histories of Trogus Pompeius, dedicated vnto Anthony the Emperor.

WHereas many of the Romaines, euen such as had attained to the state of consuls, had put the acts of the Romans in wri­ting, first in Greeke, and after into other forrain languages: Trogus Pompeyus, (a man of auntient eloquence) whether it were for the desire of the like renowne and glory, or for the pleasure that he had in the variety and strangenesse of the worke, compyled as well the Histories of the Greekes, as the Histories also of the whole worlde besides, in the Latine tongue; to the intent that as our Chronicles are reade in Greeke, the Chronicles of the Greekes might be published in our owne tongue: Wherein he enterprised a pain­full labour both of body and mind.

For first seeing many authors haue taken vppon them to set downe the raigne of some one King, or the actions of some one peculiar kind of people, and thoght them­selues to haue vndertaken a weighty businesse; wee may well thinke Pompeyus to haue bin as bold as Hercules, that durst aduenture vpon the whole world. In whose books are conteined the gouernment of all ages, of all Kings, of all Nations & coun­tries: And those things, that the Greek Chroniclers haue disorderly set downe, as euery man thought most conuenient to please himselfe, the same hath Pompeyus compiled into one maine history, omitting nothinge, saue onely those thinges al­togither vnprofitable to be spoken of. Therefore of these xliiii. volumes (for so ma­ny did Pompey set foorth) by leisure, during this time of my residence in the Citty, I drew out all such principles as I thought worthy to be remembred, onely leauing out such notes, the knowledge whereof, could not either be delightfull, nor yet ne­cessary for example. I haue therefore gathered, as it were a bundle of Flowers, to the entent that all such as haue knowledge in the Greeke, might fully bee satisfied, and as for them which are therein vnskilfull, matter of instruction.

All which I haue dedicated to your Maiesty, not so much to read, and peruse, as to correct, and also to giue an account of my time, whereof Cato vvilleth a due ac­count should be rendred. It sufficeth me at this present, if your highnesse doe al­lowe my labours; trusting hereafter, that vvhen the brunt of slaunderous enuy is ouerpaste, they that come after, shall beare vvitnes of my trauell and paines taking.

Farewell.

The translator to THE READER.

READE, benefite, but detract not,
Vrit enim fulgore suo qui pragrauat Artes
Infrasepositus, extinctus amabitur idem.
Who being made Arts Iudge, doth Art depraue;
His name shall be forgotten, at his Graue.
G. W.

THE Succession of the Kinges of the three Monarchies mentioned in this Booke, collected out of Eusebius, Berosus, and Megasthenes.

The first Monarchie of the Assyrians.

  • NInus the sonne of Iupiter.
  • Belus was the first Emperour of Assyria, and raigned 52. yeares.
  • Semiramis the wife of Nynus raignd forty two yeares.
  • Zanes Nineas, otherwise called Ni­nus, and sonne of the forefaid Ni­nus and Semiramis, 38. yeares.
  • Arius. 30. yeares.
  • Aralius. 40. yeares.
  • Baleus Zerxes. 30. years.
  • Amatrites. 38. yeares.
  • Belochus the priest of Baall. 35. years.
  • Baleus. fifty 2. yea.
  • Altadas. thirty 2.
  • Mamytus. thirty.
  • Mancaleus. 30. years.
  • Sterus or Spherus. 20.
  • Mamelus. thirty.
  • Sparetus. 40
  • Ascatades. 40
  • Amynthas. 45. yea.
  • Belothus. 25. years
  • Bellopares. 30.
  • Lamprides. 32.
  • Sosares. 20
  • Lampares. thirty.
  • Panias. 45. yeares.
  • Sosarmus. 19.
  • Mytreus. 27.
  • Tautanes. 32.
  • Tauteus. 40.
  • Tineus. 30. yeares
  • Dercillus 40.
  • Eupalus 38
  • Laosthenes 45
  • Pyriciades thirty year.
  • Orphrateus 20. years
  • Ophratanes. L yeares.
  • Ocrasapes. 42. yeares.
  • [...]onos Concoleros. al. sardonopal­lus. 20 yea.

This Empire continued 1236. yeares.

The second Monarchy of the Medi­ans and Persians.

The Medes.
  • Arbaces. xxviii. yeares.
  • Mandanes. I., yeares.
  • Sosarmon 30. yeares.
  • Articarmines L. yeares.
  • Arbianes xxii. yeares
  • Areeus 40. yeares.
  • Artiues. xxii. years.
  • Astibares 20. yeares
  • Astyages 30. yeares

The kings of Media held the Empi. CClxxxxii. years.

The Persians.
  • Cyrus 30. yeares
  • Cambises vii. yeares v. mo.
  • Podizites & Oropastes vsurpers vii. monthes.
  • Darius 36. years
  • Xerxes. 20. years
  • Artabanus vsurper that slew Xe [...]xes. 7. monthes
  • Artaxerxes longhand. 40 yeares
  • Xerxes 2. months
  • Sogdianus 8. months
  • Da [...]ius the bastard. 19 years.
  • Artaxerxes the mindful, 40. yea.
  • Artaxerxes Ochus, 26. years.
  • Arses 4 years
  • Darius the son of Arsamus, whome Iustine calleth Cadoma [...]. 6 yea.

The kings of Persia [...]e [...]de the Em­pire. [Page] CC, 30. yeares and fiue months.

The second Monarchy of the Medes and Persians endured 522. years, 5. months.

The third Monarchy, of the Macedons.

  • Alexander the gret, after whose deth his kingdome was diuided amōg his Noblemen 12. yeares.
  • Arideus 7. yeares
  • Cass [...]nder 18. years
  • An [...]ipater and Alexander. 4. years
  • Demetrius 6. years.
  • Pirrhus 6. mon.
  • Lysimachus 5. yeares
  • Ptolomeus Ceranicus 1. yeare.
  • Mele [...]ger 2. mon.
  • An [...]pater 1. yeare
  • Sosthenes 2. yeares.
  • Antigonus Gonatas. 36 yeares
  • Demetrius 10. yeares
  • Antigonus 15. years
  • Phillip 42. yeares.
  • Perses the last king 10. yeares.

The empire of Macedon lasted with Alexander Clxix. years. and 8. monethes.

The kings of Asia.
  • Antigonus 18. yeares.
  • Demetrius Pollorcetes 7. yeares
The kings of Siria.
  • Scleuchus Nicanor. 32. yeares
The kings of Syria and Asia.
  • Antiochus Soter 43. years.
  • Antiochus Thcos 15. yeares
  • Scleuchus Callinicus 20. years.
  • Scleuchus Ceranus. 3. yea.
  • Antiochus the great 36. yea.
  • Scleuchus Philopater 12. years
  • Antiochus Epiphanes 11, years
  • Antiochus Eupa [...]er 2. yeares
  • Demetrius Soter 22. years
  • Alexander 10. years
  • Demetrius 3. years
  • Antiochus Sedetes 9. yeares
  • Demetrius againe 4. yeares
  • Antiochus Gripho 12. years
  • Antiochus Cyriccnus 18. years
  • Phillip 2. yeares

The kingdome of Siria endured CClxxxxix. years.

The kings of Egypt.
  • Ptolomeus [...] son of Lagus. 40. ye,
  • Ptolo, Philadelphus lv [...]. yeares.
  • Ptolo. Eu [...]rgetes 36. yeares.
  • Ptolo. Philopater. 17. years
  • Ptolo. Ephiphanes 24. years
  • Ptolo. Euergetes 20. yea.
  • Ptolo. Phiscon al. soter 22. year
  • Ptolo. Alexander 10. years
  • Ptolo. Lathyrus viii. years
  • Ptolo. Dyon [...]sius 30. yeares
  • Cleopatia 22. year

The Empire of Egipt stoode af­ter Alexander CC. lxxxviii yeares.

The Monarchy of Alexander conti­nued in altogither CCC, yeares.

FINIS

THE FIRST BOOKE OF that famous Historio­grapher A JVSTINE.

THE ARGVMENT.

Nr NVS, was the first founder of the Monarchy of Ass [...]ria. The wise of Se­myramis, attireth her selfe in mans apparell: she builded Babylon, conque­reth B Ethyope, maketh warre vpon the Indians, and at last is slaine by her own Sonne. Sardanapalus is deposed for his vicious life, and with him ended the Empire of Assyria. Arbactus remoueth the Empire to the Meades. Astyages causeth Cyrus to be cast awaie, being new borne, yet by fortune he is preserued. Harpagus is for­ced to lose his owne sonne, because he was the preseruer of the life of Cyrus. Cyrus ouercommeth Astyages, and remoueth the Empire from the Medes to the Persians. Babylon rebelleth and is subdued. Craesus is taken prisoner, and his Realm brought to most abiect and base seruitude. Candaules through his owne folly, is slaine by Cyrus, who thereby enioyed his kingdome. Cyrus with a great multitude of the Persians is slaine by Thomiris, Queene ouer the Massagets. His sonne cambyses succeedeth, he conquereth Egypt, causeth his owne brother to be murdred, and at C last himselfe perished, by his owne sword. Comaris and Oropastes vsurpe, Ortho­ [...]es Counseller of State, findeth out their treasons. Seauen of the greatest among the Nobles, plot their deaths. Darius made King by the neighing of his horse, Hee marryeth the daughter of King Cyrus, fetched backe the citty of Babylon, and ma­keth great preparation against the Scithians.

ITis generally held from all beginnings, that the gouernment of Countries and Nations, hath al­waies Kings ought to be cho [...]en only for [...]er­tue. rested in the hands of Kings: who were cho­sen D to that highe estate, not by Ambition, but for their vertues. There was then no lawes to bind the people to obedience, but the Princes commaund euer stoode for lawe: then they rather chose to de­fend their owne kingdomes at home, rather then inlarge their territories by forced violence vppon their neighbors.

[Page] NInus king of the Assyrians, was the first that changed this olde lawe of Nations, & thirsting after Soueraignty, made warre vpon his neighbor Nations, who being ignorant what way to make resistance, hee easily ouercame, conquering all as he went a long, euen to the borders of Affricke.

I reade that before his time two Kings, Vexores king of Egypt, and Tanays king of Scythia, the one of which made a voyage to Pontus, the other to Egypt, but that was far off, not at home: neither was it to thirst after Souerainty or go­uernment, Desire of ho­nor first caus of [...]rre. but to win honor to their Subiects, and only contented themselues with victorye. But Ninus enlarged the Empire by continuall seizing into his hands all such Countries as hee ouercame: by reason of which conquests ouer the neighboring countries, he so increased in power and grew so strong, that at E length hee woon all the East part of the worlde. The last field that euer hee fought, was with Zoroastres king of the Bactrians, which King is reported to bee the first inuentour of Magycke, and made great search to finde out the beginning of the worlde, and the mouing of the Stars. This Zoroastres being The first in­uention of Magyck and Astronomy. slaine, Ninus himselfe dyed also, leauing behinde a Sonne (being vnder age called Nynus) by his wife Semiramis.

She durst not commit the gouernment to the child, nor her selfe take it vp­on her openly, considring that so many and mighty Nations (which scarcely would obey a man, would much lesse submitte themselues vnto a Woman) resolued thus: that whereas before she was Nynus wife and a woman, she coun­terfaited A Womans pollicy. F to be his sonne, and also a Boye: and the rather, for that both the mo­ther and the boy were of one stature, one proportion of body, had both small voices, and what was most, both of one fauor. She therefore attyred her selfe in mans apparell, and ware vpon her head a kind of coyfe (called Tyara) and Semyramls weareth más apparell. because people shoulde not mystrust any thing by her new-found attyre, shee commanded them to apparrell themselues in the same manner: which kind of attyre the Assyrians did euer after vse, euen to this day: and in this disguise she was neuer taken for any other but her Sonne.

In the time of this disguise she attained many worthy enterprises, by which greatnes, when she thought shee had out-worne E [...]uy, snee reueyled her selfe. G This her pollicy mightily raised her renowne, in that she (being a woman) far surrnounted in warlike discipline, not onely women, but men also. She buil­ded Babylon, and inclosed it with a wall of Brycke inlayed with Bytumen, a kind of morter much vsed in those Countries. Many worthy enterprises did this Queene atchiue: for not being content to maintaine the estate of the Empire (as her husband left it) she subdued Ethyope, and made warre vpon India, wher­into no man had euer entred, but onely the and Alexander the great. At the last vnnaturaly desiring to company with her own Sonne, she was by him slain, Semyramis slaine by her owne sonne. when she had raigned forty two yeares, after the death of her husband Nynus.

Nynus her Sonne, contented himselfe with what his parents had gotten, H shutting vp all manly courage and knighthood, in meere Idlenesse and effe­minacy; & as thogh he had changed nature with his mother, gaue himself who­ly to women, and among men was very seldome acquainted: his posterity al­so following his example, answered their people by messengers. The Assyri­ans (which afterward were called Syrians) held the Soueraignty 1300. yeares. [Page 2] The last king that raigned was Sardanapalus (a man more nice then any wo­man) into whose presence Arbactus (whom hee made Lieutenant generall ouer the Medes) could not be admitted: but by long sute he was at last suffe­red to haue entrance to his presence (which before was neuer graunted vnto any man.) When Arbactus came in, he found him spinning of purple vpon a distaffe in womens attyre in the middle of his Concubines, and he far sur­passed all the women there present, both in softnes of bodye, and purity of Vicious wantonnesse the bane of kingdomes. countenance, and thus sat he weighing out to euery one their task: At which sight Arbactus being abashed, grew into high disdaine, that so many worthy men should be subiect to such a womanishe disposition, departed, and pre­sently A made report of that his eyes had seen, and heart disdained: protesting that he for his part, would neuer giue consent longer to obey such a creatur, as had rather be accompanied altogither with women then men. Whervpon the Lords banding themselues togither, bad him battell: he hearing hereof (not like a man resolued to defend his kingdome, but like a woman fearing death) first found a corner wherein to hide his head, and after with a few scat­terred soldiers, all out of order came into the field, where being ouercome, he retyrd backe againe to his pallace, and there causing a huge fire to bee Sardanapa­lus destroys him [...]el [...]e made, cast himselfe and all his riches thereinto, herin only playing the man.

After Arbactus the worker of his confusion, was made king, and remo­ued B the Empire from the Assyrians, to the Medes. Long time after (many kings comming betweene) by dissent the kingdome came to Astyages. This man hauing no Issue, saue one onely daughter, dreamt that hee saw spring­ing out of her bellye, a vine, whose branches should ouer-shaddow all Asia: Astyages his Dreame▪ wherupon calling before him all his Soothsayers and Interpreters of dreams, demanded the meaning of this vision: who answerd, that his daughter should bring forth a nephew, whose greatnes was disclosed by this vine, and that by him he should be deposed from his regall dignity.

The King being hereby stricken into a maruellous feare, thinking to pre­uent fate, married away his daughter carelesly: not Nobly at home, to any C of his owne Nation, but to a Persian slaue of verye base estate, and amongst Her name was Mádane them accounted the vildest people liuing: and yet not herewith satisfied, sent for his Daughter (being great with child) that so soone as she was deliuered, he might see the babe destroyed. So soon as the childe was borne, it was gi­uen to Harpagus a chiefe man of the Kings Councel, to be slaine. Harpagus Astyages causeth his Ne­phevv to be slaine. wisely casting the inconuenience that might redound hereby vpon himself, after the kings decease (because he had no yssue male to succeed) if the king dome should light vpon the daughter, how egerly she woulde prosecute re­uenge vpon him being a Subiect, which she could not vpon her father being king: Al which considered, he deliuered the childe to the kings Heardsman, D for him to make away. About which time, the heardsman himselfe also had a son, whose wife hearing the kings childe should be cast away, earnestly re­quested her husband to fetch the child that she might haue a sighte thereof. The Shepheard ouercome by his wiues importunity, returned againe in­to the wood, where hee found a Bitch giuing the childe suck, and also de­fending it from the violence of foules and wild beasts: who being so much [Page] the more moued at the sight heereof, tooke vp the child and brought it to his cottage, the Bitch following egerly all the way. Assoone as the woman had the babe in her armes, hee smiled and played with her and there appea­red such chearefulnesse in him, that she desired her husband rather to cast a­way his owne child, and she would bring vp that in stead thereof. And thus [...]rodo [...]us [...]po [...]th the Shephea [...]ds [...]hild was stil borne. the destiny of the two children being changed, the kings nephew was broght vp in the place of the Shepheards sonne, and the Shepheards cast away for the kinges nephew. The nurses name was after called Sp [...]con (for so the Persians call a Bitch in their language)

The child being brought vp among the Shepheards, was named Cyrus: E and in the sports of children was by lot chosen a ki [...]g amongst them as they were playing: in wh [...]ch sportes hee whipped such as were stubborne against him. The parents ofthe children, made complaint her of to the king, taking it in great scorn, that Noblemens children should be beaten like slaues of the The courag [...] o [...]s stomach [...] Cyr [...]s. kings bond-men. The king sending for the child demaunded why he did so: who answered (without changing countenance) that he had done as becam a king. The king wondring at his audacity, called to remembrance his dream and the interpretation, and when he had wel uiewed the countenance of the child, the time of his casting away, the Shepheards examination, and all to iumpe together, he openly acknowledged him to be his Nephew.

Now As [...]yages became altogether forgetfull of his dreame, thinking it was F fully come to passe, because Cyrus had playde the King among little Chil­dren, whilst he was abiding with the Shepheard, therefore he put awaye all displeasure, and wholy bent his furious reue [...]ge against Harpagus (his chiefe and only Councellor of state) vnto whom he proued so great an enimy (for Harpagus sonn [...] is [...] and g [...]uen to his father to [...]eed on. that he spared the life of his nephew) that nothing might satisfie, but that his sonne should be butcherly killed, and set before his father, as me [...]t to feede vpon. This tyrannous proceeding, mustred vp a thousand discon [...]entes in the thoughts of Harpagus, which on the sudden he could not frame and fitte for reuenge, but in wise discretion dissembled greefe, til oportunity had sha­ken hands with iust occasion. In meane space, Reuenge slept, Cyrus grewe G vp to mans estate, and Harpagus bare the heauy burthen of his sons mu [...]der: euen so long, that being ouerwhelmed as it were, he sat him down and wrote vnto Cyrus a very mouing Epistle, shewing the whole proccedinges of his H [...]rp [...] [...] a l [...] [...] to Cyrus being in P [...]rly [...]. most cruel Granfather. First, the base manage of his daughter into Persya, then the charge imposed vpon me, to see you made away, and howe by mee you were preserued, the kings hatred towards me, and that which euen woun deth my very soule, the losse of my deere sonne, more deerer unto mee then life: All which considered, hee encouraged him to raise an Army, and with all hast to enter the kingdome, promising, that he for his part would so alter H and order the present State, that all the powers of the Medes should reuolt.

This letter thus made ready, could not safely be conueyed to the hands of Cyrus openly, for seare of the Kings Officers which kept strait watche in all the passages: at last, beating his wit for pollicy in so secret a stratagem, hee thus resolued: A Hare was brought before him readye bowelled, and in the A letter sent in a [...] belly. belly therof puts the letter, and caling a trusty seruent, deliuerd the Hare wil­ling [Page 3] him to carry it to Cyrus being in Persya, & the more to remoue away al suspicion, he caused him to carry nets along therwith, vnder colour of hun­ting, and such like pastimes.

Cyrus, although he had taken a thorow view of the letter, was not fully sa­tisfied, tyl in a dreame he was comanded to receiue it as a truth, and in eue­ry thing to take those courses that was therein deliuered: In which dream al­so, he was aduised, that whosoeuer met him first the next morning, he should Cyrus makes him his c [...]m panion that he first mee­teth. ioyne him as Companion of al his Fortunes. Hereupon, early in the mo [...]n he tooke a iourney out, and on the way there met him a seruant (called Syba­ris) lately escaped forth of prison from a man of Media. Of him he required A his Countrey, and vnderstanding he was a Persyan borne, he commaunded his [...]etters to be loosed, and receiued him ioyfully, taking him as compani­on of his chances, and so returned back againe to the Citty Persepolis.

Being come into the Citty, he gathered togither a [...] the Inhabitants ther­of, commanding euery man to prouide an Axe, to cut downe al the wood that grew by the high-way side, which they did couragiously. The next day, he made a great feast vnto them: in the midst whereof, when hee sawe they grew to be merry and pleasant, he putteth forth this question; That (if they were put to their choise) whether they would liue in labour and toyle as they Cyrus makes the Inhabi­tants a great feast. did yesterday, or in myrth and feasting, as at this present. The people took B no long deliberation to answer, but instantly cryed with one voice, In mirth & feasting: Then (quoth Cyrus) so long as ye are in subiection to the Medes you must endure labor and toyle, as yesterday: but if you wil follow me, ye shal liueing eat iollity, as on this day: So with a genetal resolution, he rai­sed a power, and made warre vpon the whole Nation of the Medes.

Astages for getting the wrong done to Harpagus, made him Lieutenant general, who so soone as he had receiued the charge of so huge an Atmye, presentlie remembred his promise made to Cyrus, and accordingly yeelded Hatpagus reuolteth. vp al his Forces: herein requiting the kings cruelty for his son, with disloy­alty, to the vtter ouerthrow both of his state and kingdome. When tidings C hereof came vnto Astiages, he with al speed raised another mightye power, and went in person towards Persia, where he fiercely renewed the battel, and The valiant [...]outage of Astyages. as his soldiers were in fight, he stil placed fresh companies at their backes, charging to beat them forward perforce that were before vpon the enemie, and the rather to keep them to the fight, told them they were cuery way so begirt with enemies that they could no waie escape by cowardly slight, and therefore withed them ma [...]fvlly to beare themselues.

Al which when the Soldiers had welconsidered, and noting the policy of the king, they resolued to bide the brunt, rather then the rebuke of cowards, and thereupon gaue so fierce an assault, that they made the Persian hoast to D giue way: so the hoast of the Persians beeing ouercharged, and perceiuing that they still gathered ground vpon them, gaue back: but their Wiues and mothers ran hastily among them, desiring them not to be discouraged, but The [...]ourage of the Persi­an women. returne againe into the battaile: but when the women perceiued that they made small hast, they all at one instant lifted vp their clothes, and shewing their pri [...]y parts, asked if they would run againe into their mothers wombes for succour and defence.

[Page] The Persians being in this reprochfull maner touched with their womens The courage of the Per­ [...]ur. wordes and actions, in a reuenging anger reunited all their forces, and retur­ned backe againe into the Battell, and charged vpon the enemy in such cou­ragious manner, that they compelled them to flie, from whom but euen now they themselues did run awaie. In this battell Cyrus ouercame his graundfa­ther Aslyages, and tooke him prisoner, taking nothing away from him, saue the kingdome onely; rather choosing still to be accounted as his Nephewe, then Tyrant-like to insult vpon him as a Conqueror: moreouer, because all his dignities should not forsake him at one instant, he m [...]de him Ruler ouer the Hyrca [...]ians, which were a mighty Nation: And thus came the Empyre E of the Medes to an end, which before had continued 350. yeares.

Cyrus, in the beginning of his raigne, made Sybaris (whom according to his vision he had before deliuered out of prison, and taken to him as Com­panion [...] Vision. of all his fortunes) Lyeutenant generall ouer the Persyans, and to his more content, gaue his owne sister to him in marriage. But as for all suche Citties as before were tributary to the Medes, (forsomuch as the Empire was changed, they supposed their estate to be also changed) felaway from Cyrus, which was the occasion of much warre, and many bloudy battailes: yet at last many of those he forced back againe to their former obedience, and in thend made warre vpon the Babylonians. Croesus king of Lydia (whose wealth hath F bin held far beyond all other Princes) came in ayde of the Babylonians, where being ouercome, and growing into consideration of the end, closely retyred home againe to his owne Countrey. Cyrus hauing here attained victorie, could not so content himselfe, but hasting to [...]ettle Babylon at quiet, takes his course from thence with all his warlike companies to Lydia, where in ve­ry short time he ouercame all the powers of Croesus with no great toyle or labour (by reason they had so lately returned from Babilon) Croesus himselfe being taken prisoner in the field: and according to the [...]ase he hadde in their Cr [...]sus take prysoner vanquishment, he vsed the same proportion towards them againe. For first, to Croesus he granted life, and with his life, the greatest part of all his inheri­tance, G with the great Citty called Barce; in the which although he liued not asking, yet he had the state of a King, and all the royalties thereunto belon­ging, the title of king, only excepted.

These deeds of mercy mightilie redoubled vpon the Conqueror, and with small damage to the conquered. For the rumor here of being sp [...]ead abroad, that warre was made against Croesus, presently all Greece was vppe in Armes and came to ayde him (euen with as much speed, as it bin to quenche some outragious fire.) Such was their loue to Croesus, euen in generall, that if Cy­rus had offered him cruelty in Conquest, it had kindled a most sharpe warre vpon the head of Cyrus. H

After in course of time, Cyrus being employed in forren warres, tidinges came that the Lydians were vp in Armes, wherevpon hee speedily returned, and with small force brought an end of that reuolt: and to preuent all future The Lydians reuolt. chance, he tooke from them al defence of warre; as Horses, Armour, and other weapons, giuing straight commandment that they should vse nothing but practises of pleasure and delight: as drinking, musicke, gaming, and all [Page 4] delightes of effeminate wantonnesse. Hereby it came to passe, that this peo­ple Reward of Rebellion. (being euer accounted strong, warlike, and of proud stomach) becam idle, drousie, drunken, and vnapt for any exercise; not of Armes, but euen weak & feeble in strength of body, and so spent all their after daies in ryot.

There were amongst the Lydyans many worthy kings, before the dayes of Croesus, whose actes were worthy after-memorie: but among many, none euer out-stript the Fortunes of Candaules, who hauing a wife (which for perfection of beauty far surmounted the women of those times) could not contain him­selfe within the limits of his owne secret pleasures, but made his owne tongue to blazon out to euery eare, that which in silence might haue lien buried in A his owne bosome: I say not being content to praise her beauty, but for a more certainty to proue his report no fable, on a day hee caused her to strip her selfe stark naked in sight of one of his acquaintance (named Gyges) whom he made an ey-witnes of what his tongue had vttered. This vna [...]uised demeanour of Candaules wrought such an alteration in his friend, that he instantly becam his enemye, and shortly after hee slew Candaules, and married his wife, who wil­lingly yeelded hir selfe and kingdom into the hands of this adulterat murderer.

Cyrus, who all this time was busied in Asia, in the end became sole conque­ror of the East: but not therewith content, began warres against the Scythians. Thomaris a Warlike vvo­man. In the time of which attempt, there raigned ouer that Nation a Queene (called B Thomaris) who (not like a woman) receiued the enemy couragiously, and with manly resolution gaue him leaue to passe the Ryuer Araxes, (although shee might haue stopped all the passages) and gathered all aduantages of strength for the defence ofher owne Countrey: so that if the enemy receiued the worst, they should verie hardly escape back againe, because they could not suddenlie recouer the R [...]uer, neither keepe any order in their retire.

Cyrus being as polliticke, passed the Riuer, marching with his Army vp in­to the Countrey, a daies ioutney and more, and then pitched his Camp. The next day, as if he were afraid he retired, forsaking his campe, which he left very richly furnished, fit for to welcome any kingly gueste. The Queene hearinge hereof, gathered vp the third part ofher Army, giuing the conduct therof vn­to C her young sonne (called Spargapyses) who followed the enemy very eagerly. At last, comming to the Campe of cyrus, (the young Prince being too raw in Ignorant lea ders dange­rous in warr [...] wa [...]l [...]ke stratagems) forgat the bettaile, and fell to the banket: suffring his fol­lowers (being not vsed to such dellicate viands) so to ouercharge themselues with Wine, that there was little vse of weapons. So soone as cyrus heard here­of, he returned secretly in the night, and falling vpon them vnawars, put them al to the sworde, and amongst the rest, the Queenes sonne escaped not, but was there slaine.

Thomaris hauing lost so great an army, and what was worse her only sonne, D shut not vp reuenge in teares, but dissemblingly made faite weather, and reu­niting togither againe all her companies, gaue a fresh assault vppon the Ene­mie; wherein she requited cyrus and his pollicy with the like: for seeming to be feareful of her former losse, she still drew backe more and more, till she had brought cyrus to a mighty strait, & leeing a fitte place, begirt him round with aband of men which laye in ambush, and slew two hund. thousand Persians, [Page] wherein Cyrus amongst the rest receiued a very dangerous and mortall wound The death of Cyrus. whereof shortly after hee died. In this conflict, which is worthy note, there was not a man left aliue, to carrye home tidings of this deadlye fight. The Queene could not yet rest satisfied, although shee had the life of her enemy, but commanded his head should be smitten off, and throwne into a great bole of mans bloud, making knowne his cruelty more apparantly, by these wordes which she then vttered: Goe, now and glut thy selse with the bloud of Men, which in thy lise wouldest neuer be satisfied. This Cyrus raigned thirty yeares, being a [...]. very valiant and worty Prince, not onely in the beginning of his raigne, but through out the whole course of his life. E

Cambyses his sonne succceded in the Kingdome, who by conquestioyned Cambyses [...]. the Empire of Egypt thereunto, making one Soueraignty ouer both. He was mightily offended with the Egyptians for their superstition, and commaunded the Temple of Apis and other goddes to be beaten downe, and laid leuell with the ground; and withall sent a migthy Army to destroy the Temple of Amon, (which temple was held in so great estimation amongst them,) which Armye being ouer whelmed with vyolent tempests, and huge heapes of sande, was vt­terly destroyed Afterwards hee had a dreame wherein hee conceited that his brother Smerdes should weare the Diadem after him, the which stroke such a terror to his hart, that he was neuer satisfied, till he had wrought his death: for it was not to be thought that he would spare his brothers life, when hee offered F such violence vnto the very Gods. This murder of his brother, hee thought to worke by one Comays (a verie especiall friend of his, beeing one of the sa­mily called Magyes,) a bloudy tyrant fit for his purpose, but he was preuented. T [...]ranny re­warded. At last himselfe by his owne sworde, by chance falling out of the scabberde, receiued a grieuons wound in the thigh, where of he shortly after died, taking the true reward of a Homycide.

This thus comming to passe, wor [...] [...]ereof came vnto the cares of the Wise­man, who verie cunningly kept close th [...] death of the King, and the rather, for that he would fully effect what he had vndertaken: and to the intent he mighte remoue away Smerdes (who was right heyre vnto the Crowne) hee caused him G to be slaine, and presently aduanceth his owne brother (named Oropastes) to the throne of Maiestie (for both in making and fauour, hee very much resem­bled the King.) This cunning plot of Comays, laie yet still vndiscouered, and vnmistrusted, and the mista [...]e betwixt Smerdes and Oropastes, passed for cur­rant amongst all men; and the rather might this be brought about, for that a­mong the Persians (for the greater reuerence and high regard that is giuen to the person of the King) hee neuer she weth himselfe vnto the people open fa­ced. Then the Wise-man thinking to gaine the m [...]re fauour of the Commons, Oropastes is made king by treachery. eased them of all manner trybute and allegience, during the tearme of 3. years, as also from all pressing of Souldiers, and seruices in warre, during all the said H tearme; onely to the intent that bribery and flatterie might be as securely esta­blished throughout the kingdome, as that they had already gotten by Treason and pollicy.

These things being thus carried, then began suspition to spring vp amongst the Nobles, but especially (one aboue the rest, called Orthones) a manne of [Page 5] worthy resolution, and pollitick in all the affaires of the commonweale: This An excelent plot to finde out the trea­son of Coma­r [...]s. man therefore, casting about by all means to sound out the depth of this their misdoubting, sent to his daughter (being one of the kings Concubines) to learne of her whether he that was king was the true sonne of Cyrus or no: who sent answere to her father, that of her selfe she cannot resolue him, neyther a­ny of her fellowes, although they were so neere the king, because they came in place not togither at any time, but onely by one and one: This answere be­ing receiued from his daughter, he rested not here with content, but sent back word, that she should do after this manner; when he was fast asleepe, to feele about his head, whether he had eares or no ears, for that Cambyses in his time had caused both the eares of the wise man to be cut off. She according to the A commandement of her father, returned this answere backe, that the king, had no eares, wherby this notable treason came to publike knowledge not onely Treason dis­couereth [...]t selfe. to him, but by him to the rest of the Nobles of the Realme, and by way of compulsion, bound euery man to other by othe, that they shoulde resist and gather all the strength they could, whereby in all speedy maner they might re­moue and vtterly ouerthrow the Vsurper.

There was chiefe in this resolution but onely Seauen, who leauing all de­traction, Seauen prin­cipal plotters in the action. (for feare least if the multitude who was to aide them mighte haue much breathing time, the whole confederacy might happily be bewrayed) therefore euery man preparing with his weapons ready vnder his gown, strait B tooke their way to the kings pallace, and making slaughter of all such as anye way resisted, they came to the very Chamber where these Vsurping Traitors were, who beholding themselues so suddainely surprised, and in daunger, very couragiouflye setled to defend their authority, and with their weapons ready drawne fastned vpon their enimyes and slew two of the chiefest in this conspiracy: Al this notwithstanding, (the conspirators being the greater number) caught hold of some ofthem: Amongst the rest Gobryas catching at one of the wise men held him fast in his armes, and when he perceiued that his copartners staid their hands, (fearing least they should by mistake kill the one instead of the other, for this action fell out in the darke night,) bad them C thrust their swords into the wise man, although it were to the hazzarde of the The truth of Gobrias to­wards his Countrey. life of Gobryas: but the euent fell out better then the resolution, for it so chan­ced that they killed the Vsurper, and Gobryas was saued harmelesse.

This comming so well about, these Noblemen wan vnto themselues great fame, in that they had by such valour regained againe the kingdome, which was by so polliticke a course long time ruinated: as also their renowne was the more famous, in that when they were in controuersie about the kingdome, they did so well accorde together amongst themselues; For they were al men of high spirit, great warriors, and euery man within himselfe of great estate, that it grew a hard matter in question amongst the people, who was worthiest, D and therefore determined by whole consent, to comit the matter to God and good fortune.

This vnion by consent thus ended, they appointed next, that at a certaine time each man vpon his courser should present himselfe before the pallace, in the morning by breake of day: and then he whose horse first neighed before [Page] the sunne rising, that man should without any contradiction be their king and sole monarch (for the Persians hold this for vnmoueable, that there is no o­ther God saue the sunne onely) and that a horse is helde the onely ioy of the same God, and there vnto him are hallowed.

There was amongst the conspitators, one Darius, the sonne of Hystaspis who being greatly perplexed in thought, howe he might by some cunninge slight, gaine the kingdome to himselfe, bestowed much beating and labour in his troubled pate, till at last his horse-keeper perceiuing the whole matter said: If my Lord there be no other thing to crosse your desire, take courage, and let no thought further trouble you, for assuredly the day shall lighte on your side. Hereupon, the euening before the day appointed, he brought his E maisters horse to the same place where this appointed meeting was to be, and thither caused a Mare to be brought, thinking that for desire of the Mare, the The pollicy of a horskee­per. thing would so come to passe, as his Lord and maister had desired, & afterward sorted to their desired wish.

The morning being approched (euery man kept the due houre appointed) Darius horse knowing the place, by reason of the courage had to the Mare, forthwith neighed alowde, and first of al the company gaue him a token of his long-thirsted for authority. The residue of the Lords, calling to remembrance their forepassed decree, so soone as they heard the neighing of the horse, dis­mounted F from their coursers, and saluted Darius by the name of king, and all the people following their example, and allowing the iudgements of their peeres and petty Princes, tooke him from thenceforth for their lawefull and iust king. Thus was the kingdome brought backe againe out of the hands of vsurpers by the exceeding resolution and valour of seauen of the greatest No­bles in all the kingdome into the hands of one man to be gouerned. It is al­most not to be credited in course of humain reason, that so many famous, wor­thy and great personages (notwithstanding that they hazzarded their liues) to regain the kingdome out of the hands of the wise men, and in so great con­tent to let it rest only on the fortunes of Darius, but that they well remembred their faiths was before obliged, and what was more, knew that Darius was very G neerely alyed vnto the auncient kings of Persia. Againe to giue further satis­faction and content to the state of his whole Lande; in the beginning of his raigne (to the entent he might the better establish his kingdome, he ioyned Darius takes to wife the daughter of Cyrus. himselfe into the blood royall) taking in marriage the onely daughter of Cy­rus, whereby it appeared, with more plainnes to euery vnderstanding, that the kingdome was not so much in the gouernement of a straunger, as that it was more fully reduced into the family and stocke of king Cyrus.

Not long after the Asstrians fell into rebellion, taking the citty of Babilon by force. The king hauing word hereof, grewe into an exceeding great rage H against them, the which rage of his was wel obserued by one Zopyrus, (one of the seuen which subdued and ouercame the wisemen) who withdrew himselfe home to his own house, and calling about him such seruitors as he then had, caused them first to strip him out of his cloths, and then with certaine whips in most lamentable manner to ouerunne all his body, and to cut off his nose, lips, and eares, In this vile & gastly shape, Zopyrus commeth very hastily into [Page 6] into the presence of the king, who was so amazed hereat, that he stood con­founded, and could not tell what might be immagined at this so woful spect­acle. At last, gathering vp himselfe, out of this mazed motiues, demaunded who had so shamefully mangled and martyred his body, and vpon what occa­sion: Zopyrus, stepped forth more neerer vnto the person of the king, and in The loue of Zopirus to the King and Country. secret discoursed his whole intent, and to what end this disguised body of his was thus strangely dismembred, and withall told the king his whole drifte and purpose herein.

Thus taking his leaue, he went his way like a wandering Vagarant towards Babylon, wherein grieuous manner before all the Inhabitants, he sheweth this his mangled body, withall falling into most bitter exclamations against king A Darius, rehearsing in what cruelty he had proceeded against him, and that he had receiued such indignity from him, that he had euen bereft him of a part in the kingdome, not by prowesse or manhood, but only by a hard measure of fortune: neyther was it by the applause or election of men, but an exceeding cunning sleight, namely the neighing of a horse. Herevpon hee councelled them, to take warning by this his misery, how they gaue credit to such a dan­gerous foe. Further he aduertised them, not to rely vpon the weaknes of their walles, but betake them to their weapons: and if they stood so affected, as to make choise of him to take their part in these actions of warre, because of the Zopirus tre­chery to­ward the Ba­bylonians. B wronges and wounds he had receiued were still fresh in memory: All which the Babilonians hauing thoroughly considered, and giuing credit to the perso­nage and Nobility of the man, as also for that he was a worthy warryour, and that his wrongs were as a sufficient warrant to credite him, they made him generall ouer all their seruices, and hee to smother and disguise his plot the more, with a small company twice or thrice, set vppon the Persians, and still preuailed, especially for that they gaue way to his purpose for the nonce. At last, seeing him fortunate in all his attempts, they put the whole Army ouer to Zopirus deli­uereth Babi­lon to Darius his trust, who hauing what he came for, deliuered them vp by treason to the king his maister, and by this experienced plot, brought the Citty again C into their former obedience. After this, the King raysed a power, and made warre vpon the Scythians, whereof more shall be set downe in the next booke following.

The end of the First Booke.

The second Booke

THE ARGVMENT.

THe Scythyans and Egyptians contend for the antiquity of their Countries. Scythia is described, with the Manners and customs of the people: their for­tunate enterprises, and what Empyres were by them first set vp. Plynos and Scolopythus two Gallants of the bloud-royall banished. They take vnto them a great E number of the yong gentry, their are all by pollicy put to the sword: Their Wiues reuenge their deaths, and so became the first Amazonian Empyre. The maners & Customes of the Amazons. The succession of the Amazonian Queenes. Hercules freeth his Prisoner Menalippe for the Queens armour. Penthesilia aydeth the Tro­yans against the Greekes. Thalestris hauing obtained the company of great Alex­ander, returneth and dieth, and with her death ended the gouernment of the A­mazons. The Scythians bond-men rebell. Darius maketh vvarre vpon the Scythi­ans, he taketh a shamefull flight, He conquereth Asya and Macedone, he bendeth his forces against the Athenians. The first originall of the Athenians, their inuenti­ons, F succession of their Kings, change of their gouernment, the Lawes and pollicie of Solon. Pisistratus vsurpeth. Hyppias is deposed and flyeth to Darius. The wor­thy battell of Marathon, where Hyppias is slaine. Darius dyeth. Xerxes succeedes. He raiseth a new power against Greece and is ouercome. The Valour of Leonidas. Xerxes retireth dishonorably into his kingdom. Mardonius is vanquished in Beotia. Themystocles in high esteeme for his prowesse. Athens againe new builded. The Lacedemonians make warre vpon the Persyans. Pausanias condemned as a Tray­tor. Xerxes againe proclaimeth warre against Greece, he is againe ouercome both at Sea and Land, by Cymo Duke of Athens, and is at last forced home againe.

IN reporting the actions of the Scithians, which were no G lesse famous then honorable, it is necessary to beginne our discourse with their first originall. For their begin­ning was glorious, as their Empire was powerfull: and in renowne of military discipline, the women were ac­counted nothing inferior to the men. For as the one founded the Empires of the Persians and Bactrians, so the other errected the souerainty of the Amazons: yea Contention betweene the Scythians and Egypti­ans for anti­quity. the exploits of the one sexe so equalized the fortunes of the other, that harde it were to censure, to whether party to giue the garland by way of comparison H for hauty and fortunate enterprises.

These Nations were euer accounted most auncient, yet concerning their antiquity many disputations were mooued betweene them and the Egipti­ans: the Egiptians aledging, that in the beginning when some countreys were scorched with immoderate heat, and others as bitterly vexed with such insuf­ferable cold, that it not onely hindered naturall procreation, but (that worse [Page 7] is [...] security of life or health to arriuing strangers, before the vse of [...] [...] found out against weathers iniury, and the temperature of Cli­m [...] [...] by art and industry: wheras Egipt was scituated vnder so mo­derate a [...]ellation, that neither the cold of winter, not the heat of summer was any way offensiue to the naturall inhabitatnts. Also the groundes was so fruitfull, that there is no land vnder the Sun, that bringeth foorth more abun­dance for the vse of man: from hence therefore it may bee very well conclu­ded, that of right men ought to be borne and brought vp, where the soyle of the Countrey is most pleasant to their constitution.

To crosse this their affirmation, the Scithians denied, that the temperatenes of the aire, made any thing for proofe of antiquity: insomuch that nature it A selfe so soone as it hath giuen foorth vnto euery seuerall climate such portion of cold or heat as best befyteth: of it owne accord doth breed such bodies, and such creatures, as shall be able to vndetgo the Climate in most delighte: as men and women in their kind, beasts in their places, and sundry trees, herbes, stones and mettals, in their kind, according to the estate and condition of the places, where they are resiant: and howe much the times of yeare and wea­ther, seemed harder and colder in Scithia, then in Egipt, so much the more harder and stouter were the Scithians, rather then the Egiptians. But if the world being now deuided into parts, were once in one lumpe: then whether water in the beginning were Lord of the earth, or fire had got the vper-hande B and so got possession of all things, and by reason hereof, the world wer made, yet the Scithians in both of these must of necessity proue the auncienter. For if you will say fire had the first possession of all, that might by little and little be quenched, and so giue place to the earth, from which, no part coulde bee sooner seperated from the fire, by the extreme nipping of the winter season, then the North: which euen to this day is by experience knowne vnto all peo­ple and Nations, that for extremity of cold the North claimeth the prehemi­nence: whereas Egypt, and so likewise all the East partes were a long season in finding forth that temperatenes, wherein they could be satisfyed, as for better C proofe appeareth by them euen at this day, that they haue such an vnmeasu­rable portion of heat from the sun, that it parcheth and scorcheth their bodies in great extremity.

But if all the world were once drownd, then it will soone appeare that the higher the place is, the sooner it is discouered: by this reason, that the waters withdraw themselues into the lower grounds, and there abide some course of time before they can be dried vp, and the sooner it is consumed, then the soo­ner is it made a place for the breeding of liuing creatures. Now it is wel known that Scythia is so much higher then other Countreys and Dominions, that al the Riuers thereof, take their courses downward, and in their fall meete with D the Riuer of Meotis, and so altogether run from thence into the sea of Pontus, and lastly into the Egiptian Sea.

But as for Egipt in it selfe: being by care and great cost of many kinges for many hundred yeares, maintained with huge dams and mighty bankes, there cast vp to resist the rage and violence of the waters, as also strengthened, for­tifyed and cut out into ditches and trenches, to the intent that the Waters [Page] being receiued into the one, might be kept by the other from any furthe [...] ­ing, and therefore coulde not be peopled, except the Riuer Nylus were [...]ut vp, cannot seeme to be accounted auncienter then other, but rather (by rea­son of the great cost in the land that many Princes haue bestowed, as also the aboundance of mud that the Riuer of Nylus leaues behind) may rather seeme to be last inhabited amongst all other kingdomes and Countreyes. So in con­clusion of this long controuersie betwixt these two famous Nations, the E­giptians receiued the foile by argument, and the Scythians were euer accoun­ted most auncient, and therefore most Honorable.

Scythis stretcheth his bonds into the East, and is inclosed, on the one side E The Scitua­tion of Scy­thia. with Pontus, on the other with the Mountaynes called Rhiphaes, vpon the back hath Asys, and the Riuer of Tanais: It is of a great length, and also exceeding wide. The inhabitants make no bonds betweene man and man. They haue no vse of Tyllage, nor any certaine places of abode, or houses.

As they feede and graze their Cattell, wandring from place to place, tho­rough desarts and wilde places, they take with them their wiues and Children, which they carry along in certaine waggons and Chariots, all couered with raw Hides, to resist the violence of the aire, the which they vse insteed of dwel­ling Their maner of habitan [...]. houses.

They haue the vse of Iustice, euen of a very naturall inclination, and not F for feare of law. Stealing amongst them is accounted the most basest and hei­nous offence can be committed: First, in consideration that they haue no Iustice. houses, nor any place wherein to make themselues safe, and againe that all their riches consisteth of Cattell, what could they account to be in safety, if they should giue way to theft: and as for Golde and Siluer, they do as much despise it, as other Nations desires and couet it.

Their principall food is milke and Honny, they haue no vse of woole, nor know how to make garments thereof: and though they be continually vex­ed with cold, yet they vse no other clothing, then the skins of wild beasts, and Their food. a certaine vermine called Myce. This is one chiefe ground of their vprightnes G in life, in that they are so moderate in their affections, that they alwaies rest contented with their owne estate, and neuer desire the goods of another. For Clothing. it is euery where to be found, that where abundance of wealth is, there coue­tousnesse raigneth as a great commaunder, and in the end bursteth foorth in­to such greedinesse, that it is neuer satisfied but with bloud, or bloudy actions: as murder, warre, and all other calamities of wofull destiny: Againe, it is note worthy, that they should haue that by nature, which the Greekes by instructi­on of all their wisest men, and precepts of all the Philosophers, so long time continued, could neuer attaine: as also that the exquisit and ciuill manners of the Grecians, shoulde be so farre surmounted, in comparison of the rude and H barbarous Scythians, because they made more vse and profit of their time in the nursery of ignorance and vice, than the other did in the studies and know­ledge of vertue.

Three seuerall times they won the Empire of Asia, themselues still remay­ning vnconquered by any enimy, or power offorraine Nation: First against Darius king of Persia, giuing him a great ouerthrow, and after put him to a [Page 8] most shamefull flight, and at last forced him cleane out from all their territo­ries. Then at another battell against Cyrus, whome they ouercame and slewe with the greatest part of al his armies. Againe in the same manner proceeded they against Zopyron, (a great and principall commaunder to great Alexan­der) Their many victories. and all his hoast they vtterly ouerthrewe. Many times rhey were hardely threatned by the Romanes, but they contented themselues, with the onely braues of that Nation, but for their strokes they felt them not.

Within some certaine times after, they founded the Empires of the Par­thtans The Scithi­ans strong & stout men. and Bactrians. These were a people of an excellent tough temperature giuen to endure any labor, stout men of warre, and as for strength of body fa­surpassed other Nations, hauing minds answerable to their strength of bodie, naughty A and scorning to win where they could not hold and keepe what they got, yet all they aimed at in the chiefe of their conquestes, was Honour, and high estimation.

The first that offered to make warre vpon the Scythians, was Vexoris king of Egypt, who sent his Ambassadors long before, to agree vpon certaine articles Vexoris ma­keth the first warres vpon the Scithians of obedience. The Scithians hauing receiued aduertisement of the kings com­ming against them, made slight account therof, and gaue answere to the Am­bassadors after this manner: We cannot but maruell that the King and ruler of so mighty and rich a people, will so vnaduisedly moue war against vs Beg­gers, B which he should rather haue expected at home at his own doores, consi­dering that the ende of warre is doubtfull, and victory can yeeld from vs small reward, but very apparant losse: wherefore we Scithians wil not abide his com­ming to vs, but withal speed make towards him to meet him on the way, or ra­ther into his owne lande, for that we know there is treasure of infinite value, worthy the labor we shall vndertake: And accordingly they made good by ac­tion, what they promised by word. The king vnderstanding that they remai­ned resolute, and that they made vpon him in such speedy manner, sledde for feare, leauing behind his whole army, with all their furniture of warre, and se­cretly recouered himselfe into his owne kingdome: But the Scithians coulde C not make pursute after him into Egipt, by reason of the fenny contrys, wher­with The Scithi­ans conquer Asia. they were altogither vnacquainted. As they made their returne home­wards, they tooke all Asia in their way, which with some small labour they conquered, and made them tributary, rather to shew foorth their conquestes, then any boaste they tooke in their victory: Also they were constrained to make their resiance in those Confines, the space of fifteene yeares, before they could further make any setled state of gouerment in those Nations. At last they were called home, at the great and importunate requestes of their women, from whom they had receiued a message by the whole consent of the women, that if after so long absence, they did not speedily returne, they would The message of the Sci­thian wom [...]. D seeke to haue issue from their neighbouring Nations, and not thus through their negligent respect, suffer the name and Nation of the Scithians, to decay.

Thus became Asia tributary to the Scithians for the space of 1500. yeares: and Nynus king of the Assirians, was the last that yeelded this tribute money vnto them.

About this time there were among the Scythians, two young Gallants of [Page] the blood royall, named Plinos and Scolopythus, these two being at great vari­ance Plinus and Scolopithus banished. with the Nobles, was by a generall consent banished: who when they saw the hard measure that was laide vppon them, drew into their faction, a great number of the younger sort of the Gentlemen of the Countrey and o­thers, and ranging abroad for a place of abode, at last setled themselues vpon the bounds of Cappadocia, about the Riuer of Thermodoon, taking possession of all the fieldes and landes about the Citty called Themyscira: many yeares liued they there vpon the spoile of such inhabitants as were thereabouts: whereup­on the people being wearied of these Out-lawes, priuily at vnwares gathered themselues togither, and giuing the assault vppon them on the suddaine, put E them to the sworde, without sparing any. Their wiues perceiuing they were thus fallen into a double mischiefe, as first that they were banished, and nowt The first ori­ginall of the Amazons. by this sudden action also become widdowes, betooke themselues to armes, and stood upon the defence of these borders as their owne, and after by ma­king war vpon their neighbours (the rather because they had a full resolution not to marry againe, especially with their neighbours) saying it was rather a bondage then otherwise to be accounted. After, they both increased and go­uerned their Commonwealth without men, and also defended themselues a­gainst all the forces of men: and fearing that they which had husbands leaste should be accounted in better state then the rest, they very bloudily murdred those men they had amongst them: and in reuenge of the deaths of their hus­bands F which their neighbors had most cruelly put to the sword, they fell vpon them, and rewarded them by death also.

Thus hauing by war purchased peace, they sent for men and accompanied with them: and when any childe was borne, if it were a male, it was presently killed, if a female it was preserued and brought vp: but how, not in idlenesse, neither to learne to spin and carde, but valiantly in feates of armes, as ridinge The training vp of the Amazonians great horse, hunting, hauking, and al the exercises that belongs to men: and that they should not haue any hinderance of martiall exercises, as shooting, or throwing of dartes, their right paps was seared off with hot Irons when they G were infants, whereupon they were euer after called Amazons.

They had amongst them two Queenes, Marthesia and Lampedo, who al­waies deuided their Armies into two parts, and when they were grown mighty in wealth, they tooke it by turnes, one to gouerne at home, and the other to gouerne and lead to the warres vpon other Nations abroade: And that they Two queens ouer the A­mazons. might be accounted the more renowned in all their exploits and enterprises, they made it knowne by proclamation, that they themselues were the onely and immediate daughters of Mars. They conquered the greatest part of al Eu­rope, and subdued also many Citties in Asia, where they builded the famous Citty of Ephesus, and many other Citties besides. They discharged a great H The building of Ephesus. part of their Armyes, and sent them home with abundanne of rich spoiles. The other part which remained still behind to defend the worthy and mighty Empire of Asia, were suddainely assaulted by the Barbarians, and put to the sword, amongst whome was their Queene Marthesia shamefully murthered.

After her death the Empire came by succession, vno a daughter of hers (called Orithia: who was very actiue in all millitary discipline, and was ac­counted [Page 9] a mirror amongst women, in that she liued and died, in the royaltic Orithia liued and died a Virgin. of a maid: In her daies, she so highly aduanced the honor and high renowne of the Amazons, that the king for whose pleasure Hercules attempted twelue such dangerous labors and aduentures. (being thought impossible for him to performe,) this king also commaunded that he should fetch him the Armor of the Amazonian Queene. Hercules made great preparation to the voyage, Hercules is sent to fetch the Amazo­nian Queens Armout. and chose for his companions, many of the yong and towardly Lords, & No­bles of Greece, and within short time ariued with 9. Gallies on the Amazonian Shores, and suddenly assaulted them at vnawares. At his comming thither the Queendome was gouerned by two of the foure Sisters (called Antiope and Orithia) Orithia was abroad in forren parts vpon occasion of warres, by reason A whereof, there was but a slender guard about the person of the partner Queen Antiope, neither was there any mistrust of any enimies approch, wherby they accounted themselues to haue lesse neede of such companies, as in former times they were forced to entertaine. Vpon which sudden charge giuen, they sounded as suddaine an alarm, whereby those smal companies which they had, ran presently to their armes, and in the end gaue the enimy a very easie victo­ry: for many were slaine, and many taken prisoners, among whome were the two Sisters of Antiopes: Menalippe taken by Hercules, and Hippolite, by These­us. Afterward Theseus made his prisoner, his wife, vpon whom he begot Hip­politus: B But Hercules after victory, restored Menalippe back againe to her sister, and onely tooke for her ransome the Queenes armor, and hauing accompli­shed Hercules gi­ueth Mena­lippe his pri­soner for the quee. armor. all his affaires giuen him in charge, returned backe againe to the King.

Orithia hauing knowledge of all that had hapned, and that the Prince of Athens had caried one of them away by strong hand and violence, rouzed vp her Countrymen to reuenge: giuing them in flat tearmes, that all their con­quests, both in Asia and Pontus was but vaine, if they shoulde put vp such a foile at the hands of the Greekes: not so much in regard of the wrong receiued by war, as the foule rauishments they had offered them by the Athenians.

Hereupon she sendeth foorth an Ambassador to Sagillus King of Scithia, C wherby she made known that she and her people were of the race and ofspring Orithia cta­ueth ayde si [...] the Scythian king. of Scythia, as also of the slaughter made vpon their husbands: their want of ar­mor, and the cause why these wars were vndertaken. And the rather to incite him vppe vnto their ayde, shewed the exceeding valour of their women, and what warlike enterprises they had attempted in glory of the Scythians. In which they accounted that Nation more honorable, for that the Women (in martiall discipline) were nothing inferior to the men. The king duly consi­dring the circumstances, and for that he stood vpon the honor of his house, quickly gaue consent to aide them in their distresses, and to that purpose ap­pointed his onely sonne Penaxagoras, accompanied with many gallants and D a sufficient army of souldiers, both horse and foot, to effect this seruice against the enimy: (But marke the sinister chance of fortune) The time and place be­ing appointed for the tryall of the day, and ioyning of these two puissant Ar­mies, Dissention the [...]nker of an Army. a suddaine discention fell amongest them, whereby they that before came to their aide and succor fell away from them, and so left them to them­selues, and in the end the Athenians put them to the worst: but though the Sci­thivus [Page] had forsaken them in their most neede, yet with their whole campe they so asisted them afterward, that they were by them defended and garded home into their owne countrey without any violence offered of other Nations.

After the death of Orithia, Penthesilia obtained the diadem, who left behind her a famous remembrance of her worthy actes in that great and mighty as­sembly of valiant men, and warlike Souldiers the Greekes and Troyans, in the long wars that hapned betwixt these two mighty Nations. At last Penthesilia Penthesilea slaine. being slaine, and the greatest part of her Army wasted, those few that remai­ned aliue, (with much ado) defended themselues against their enimies, euen vnto the daies of Alexander the great: at which time there raigned as Queen ouer them Minothea, (otherwise called Thalestris) who much desired the E company of Alexander, which at last she obteined for the space of fourteene daies, to the intent to haue issue by him, and hauing herein satisfied her lust, returned home into her owne land, and shortly after deceased, with whom the name of the Amazons vtterly decayed, and in her ended. The last end of the Ama­zonian race.

Here we returne againe to the Hystories of the Scythians.

THe Scythians had now made their third voyage into Asia, where they remained the space of seauen yeeres, seperating themselues by this long stay out of the company and remembrance of their wiues and children: For their wiues being a long time wearied by their absence, supposed that the F wars could not so continue, but rather gathered that they were al slaine, and being herin resolued, they generally agreed to marrie euery one their seruant (or slaue) which their maisters had left at home onely to attend their heardes of Cattel. These things thus falling out by contraries, news was brought, that their maisters were returning home with conquest, and brought alonge with them very large spoiles: The seruants to welcome them, banded themselues The bond­men of the Scithians made warre vpon their Maisters. together in most rebellious maner, and at their aproch bad them a most sharp and dangerous fight, with full intent to giue them not the reward of Maisters, but accounting them as their enimies and strangers.

The Scythians wisely considring, that by continuing wars against them they should now loose what before they had won, aduised themselues to another G kind of fight, and calling to their remembrance that they had not to doe with an open enimy, but with their Slaues, (who were not to be tamed with force of armes) but by the law of bondage: brought with them into the fielde an a­bundant number of whips, instead of other weapons, and eue [...]y man tooke vn­to What wea­pont the Scithians brought a­gainst their bond-slaues. him in place of a sword, a compleat furniture of rods and smarting whips, (whereof it is generall for bondslaues to stand in feare:) This counsel was ge­nerally applauded, and euery man prepared himselfe with his furniture of whips to the fyeld, and when they were within sight of the enimy, vpon a sud­den euery man drew forth his whip, and began to yerke the same coragiously: H wherewith they stroke such an amazement among their Slaues, that whome before they could not ouercome by battaile, they casily ouercame by feare of whipping, and presently turned their backes and ranne away, not like enimies vanquished by battell, but like a company of fearefull Sheepe, or runnagate Slaues: And as many of them as was taken in pursute, were presently con­demned to the Gallowes. The women also, that vvere guilty in this action, [Page 10] most desperatly made hauock among themselues, some by weapons, and som by most inhumane violence hanged themselues.

After this the Scithians liued in peace vntill the dayes of Lan-thine their king, vpon whom Darius king of Persia made war (as is before mentioned) be­cause he would not giue consent to haue his daughter in marriage) and with seuen hundred thousand men in armes, he entred into Scytbia [...] at last hauing spent sometime in great disdain, to giue countenance to these his excursions, insomuch as they neuer made any shew of giuing battell to them, hee fearing that if the bridge ouer the riuer of Danow shuld chance to be broke, he might Darius en­treth into Sci thia with a great Army. thereby be preuented and also inclosed, so that he could not returne home a­gaine, retired back againe ouer the water, in great feare, with the losse of four­score A and ten thousand men: and yet his numbers were so huge and mightie, that this losse was nothing accounted of. Afterwarde hee conquered the lesser Darius con­quers Asia the lesse, Asia, and Macedony, and the Ionians, at Sea, and brought them also vnder his subiection: and hauing certaine intelligence that the Athenians had aided the Ionians against him, he fully bent all his power vpon that Nation.

And forsomuch as we are come to the wars and victories of the Athenians, which they compassed beyond all mans expectation, as also beyond all cre­dit A digression to the acts of the Atheni­ans. they atchieued: and forsomuch as the acts and deeds of the Athenians, were greater in effect, then in hope could any way be wished: therfore their originall is to be set downe in fewe wordes, because their encrease came not B from a base beginning to so high estate, as other Nations in former times haue done.

They boast highly as well of their first original, as also their great increase among themselves: for it was not by strangers, nor a multitude of raskals ga­thered from all partes of the worlde, that first founded that Cttiy: but they were bred and brought vp, in that same soile and continent, whereas they stil inhabited: and that the place of their dwelling, was also the place of their ori­ginall beginning.

They are held also for to be the first that had the vse of weauing and ma­king C cloth, as also of Oyle and wine: and whereas in former times men liued What thigns the athenians first muented onely vpon Acornes, they by painefull industry found out the vse of the plough, and so in shorte time had corne in great abundance. And without doubt, all order of ciuill gouernement, learning and clloquence, may well yeeld the Garland to this Nation of the Athenians.

Before the daies of Deucalion, they had a king was called Cecrops, (who if you will giue any credite to the report of auncient fables) had two faces, and Deucalion said to haue two faces. therefore is said to be the first among the Heathen that ioyned men and wo­men togither, as it were a resemblance of marriage.

After him succeeded Crandus, who had a daughter named Atthis, and she it was that gaue name vnto the Countrey. Next follovved Amphitrion, and he D fyrst consecrated this Cittie to Minerua, and so it came to be called Athens. In these dayes there came vpon the land so great a slood, that the greater part of Greece was ouerflowne thereby, which made so great hauocke of the inha­bitants that there was none escaped, saue onely such as could recouer to the [Page] tops of mountaines, or get into vessels or ships, and so sailed to Deucalion king of Thessaly, for which succor that this Nation found at his hand, they euer af­ter reported him to be the onely preseruer and repairer of mankind. Then by order of succession, the kingdome discended to Erictheus, in whose time the sowing of corne was found out at Eleusis, by one Sir-named Triptolemus: Sowing of Corne first found out. In liew of which benifite receiued, the night sacrifices were after instituted in the honor of Ceres.

Aegeus also the father of Theseus reigned as sole Soueraigne in Athens, Aegeus. from whom Medea being deuorsed (by reason her sonne in-law Theseus was growne vp to mans estate) tooke her iourney to Colchos with her owne sonne E Medus, whom she bare by Aegeus. Then fell the kingdome vpon Theseus, and after him to his sonne Demophoon, who bent all his powers in aid of the Greeks against the Troyans. There were many quarrels betweene the Athenians and the Doriens vpon auncient and deadlye grudginges, which the Doriens kepte stil in mind, intending a time of shape reuenge vpon them, but as yet founde no fit opportunity to put in execution their longe retained mallice. In the end concluded that they would send to the Oracle to aske counsel what might be done herein. They receiued this answere that they should get the better of their enimies, alwaies prouided that they laid no violent hand vppon the king of Athens. Herevppon when they came into the field, a generall charge was F giuen, that in no case the king shuld suffer any danger by the hand of any man. His name was Codrus the king of Athens, who had vnderstanding both of the answere of Apollo, as also of the charge giuen through the campe of his ene­mies, Codrus wherefore he stripped himselfe our of his princely robes, and so putting himselfe into a sute of rags, with a bundle of vine shreds on his neck, in which disguise, he attempted into the compe of his enimies, and being now amongst them there flocked a great throng of souldiers about him, wondering at this so mishapen an Anticke, where he was slaine by a common souldier, whome he had most grieuously wounded with a hook of set purpose. The Doriens hauing vnderstanding that hee that was slaine amongest them was Codrus the King, G were so dismaide thereat, that they presently forsooke the field, without anye more resistance or strokes: And by this meanes the Athenians (by theresolu­tion of their king and captain, who rather chose to put himself into the hands of death, rather then to make shipwracke of the safety of his Countrey) were preuented and deliuered from this grieuous war. With his death ended the Codrus the last King of Athens. gouernment, for after him was there neuer any more kings in Athens.

Then became the gouernment of the commonwelth into the hands of ma­gistrates, who were yearely chosen and appointed therevnto. But the Cittye Athens go­uerned by [...]ly Ma­gistrates. was at that time vnfurnished of any lawes, by reason that the kings word or wil was accounted ever for law amongst them: Then was there chosen to execute H this yearely place one Solon, a man of marueilous vprightnes, who tooke vp­on him to make lawes, and so to make the Citty as it were a new Citty, by his Solon. new lavves. This man so bare himselfe betweene the people and the Senate, that although it vvere hard for one man to take such a course vvhereby both parties might rest contented, yet he so cunningly and so grauely behaued him selfe, that he at once gained equall goodvvill from both.

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Amongst many worthy actes of this man, this one is to be recorded in euerla­sting memory: When the Athenians and the Mega­renses had long fought, & endured many battels and much bloud-shed, about the winning and keeping the Isles of Salamine, vnto A the which both made their claime and challenged as right, and had almost wa­sted and consumed them­selues and their substance in maintnance of this war, Insomuch that the Atheni­ans made it highe Treason to any, that therafter shuld make claim to any of those B llandes. Hereupon Solon noting the strict edict that The wise pollicy of Solon went out, grew exceeding sorrowful, least by holding his speech, he should neg­lect the duty he ought vn­to the Common weale: a­gain if he spoke, he broght himselfe within daunger of the Law. To preuent both C which eminent dangers to the State, he fained himselfe starke madde, vnder which disguise, hee might Solon fained madnesse. not only say, but doe things forbidden: To this purpose, he put himselfe in­to a Fooles coate, and so runneth out amongst a multitude of people, and be­ing in the middle of the rowt (and the rather to further his intended purpose) in certaine broken Rymes and Meeters, of all other to him most vnacquain­ted, he began to incite and stirre vp the people to that thinge which was most vnlawfull, wherein (although he were thus disguised) his words so wrought in the eares and iudgements of the people, that sodainly they proclaimed open Warres against the Megarenses: In which attempt they ouercame their Ene­mies, D and brought backe the Island vnder their subiection.

The Megarenses being thns politikelie preuented, shut not vp their mallice but practised some other way to reuenge themselues vppon the Athenians: The Mega­renses seeke reuenge a­mong the Noble-wo­men. wherevpon they sodainly embarked themselues, vpon set purpose to come & surprize all the Noble-women and Matrones of Athens, as they were at the celebration of their night Sacrifyces vnto the honour of Ceres, in the temple [Page] at Eleusis: Of this had knowledge one Pisistratus (a worthy Captain amongst the Athenians) who gaue commaundement the women shoulde celebrate these ceremonies, in all points as they had doone before, with iollitye and much reioycing, wherby there should grow no suspition, that they had heard any thing of their enemies intent and purpose, and so laying certaine bands of Souldiers in ambush abroad in diuers places was ready at all assayes to re­ceiue the enimy: At last the Megarenses had recouered the coast whereunto they sailed, landed their men, and began to ranke them vp in battell arraye, when vpon the sudden Pisistratus brake vpon them, and violently ouercame them, and put them al to the sword, and forthwith entred into their Ships, (in which he put a great number of the women, thinking thereby to deceiue and E and make a shew as if they were prisoners) and presently againe spread their sayles, taking the directcst course they coulde, to returne backe againe to the Cittic Aegera.

The townesmen of Megera looking abroad, discouered their owne Nauie of shippes to be floting vpon the waters, and in those ships they might per­ceiue The townes men of Me­gera mistake a multitude of women to be there amongst (all vvhich they vainly sup­posed to be the booty they had so long sought after) they went forth to meet them, all which when Pisistratus perceiued, he instantly raised a power of men and came against them, making much hauocke and slaughter uppon them, F and had they not so sodainly recouered themselues againe into their Cittye, he had also bin Lord and conqueror thereof. And thus all the deuises and pol­lices of the Megarenses, turned to the triumph and victory of the couragious Athenians.

Pisistratus after all his great victories gotten, turned them vnto his owne priuate commodity, and not to the generall good of the vvhole Nation, and Pisistratus by pollicy vsurpeth at last by vsurpation and treason wound himselfe into the sole gouernement and kingdome. To this end, by subtlety and set purpose, he suffied his bodye to be rent and mangled with whips and scourges at his owne house, and in this lamentable maner, he commeth forth among the people, and when they were gathered togither in a route, shewed his wounds, making moste bitter excla­mations G against the Nobility, by whose censure he said this punishment was inslicted. In reporting of which complaints vnto the people, the water trick­led downe his cheekes, wherevvith (as also the reprochfull speeches vttered a­gainst The multi­tude beleeue his hypocri­sye. the Nobles) he set the giddy-headed multitude on fyre, making them beleeue that for the loue he bare vnto their common good, he was thus puni­shed and hated of the whole Senate. When he had ended all his hypocriti­call Oration, they presently consented togither to ayde him with a very strong guard of men, which continually attended on his person: which hauing got­ten, he not onely employed as his guarde to keepe his person, but with that H band of men, he also got the kingdome. He raigned the terme of twenty and foure yeares.

Pisistratus being dead left behind him two sonnes, the one called Diocles, who rauished a mayden, and vvas slaine by the brother of the same Mayde: the other called Hyppias succeeded in the kingdome, when hee was seated hee gaue straight command to apprehend the body of him that sluc his brother [Page 12] Dyocles, who being brought before him, he deliuered ouer to bee tormented in the cruellest manner could be inflicted, only to get from him the knowledg of all those who were any way consenting to the murder. This prisoner being resolute, nothing feared the stroke of death, but in the very extremity of this A notable strong reso­lution. extorted miserie, spake of diuers men who were the greatest and dearest fa­miliar friendes that were about this Tyrant, who laying hold vpon his accusa­tion, condemned them euery man to present execution. His friends thus be­ing dispatched, he saide: Are there yet any more that are confederated in the bloud of my brother. No more (quoth he) aliue, whom I would see dead, saue thy selfe onely: By which it euidently appeared, that he not only satisfied his A hatefull reuenge vpon the Tyrant, but also in some measure, rewarded the losse of his Sisters chastity.

The Cittizens also began to thinke vpon the auncient liberties that they had possessed, and seeing that terror and tyranny gouernd all his actions, they gathered them togither against him, and shortly after deposed him, and after that banished him for euer out of the Countrey. When he was thus dealt a­gainst, he tooke his course to Persya, and there made tender of his seruice vn­to Darius, who was euer a mortal enimy to the Athenians, and maintaind con­tinuall hostilitie against them (as hath heretofore more at large been shewed) and with him he serued as a Commander, euen in all their excurtions against B his owne countrey.

The Athenians hearing of the approch of Darius, sent forth Ambassadors We come a­gaine to the history of Darius. to the Lacedemonians to craue ayde against their enemies (who at that instant were also in league with the Persyans.) But when they perceiued no quick re­turne, considering their hast and much affayres in present hand (about religi­on) which held the space of foure dayes, they resolued with themselues not to make any longer stay for their supply, but with their owne forces, which was not aboue ten thousand [...]ong, (but well appointed, beeing all chosen men of their Cittyes) and one thousand Plateans who also ayded them, they ven­tured forth to battell, against six hundred thousand of their Enemyes, on the plaines of Marathon.

The chiefe Commander and captaine of these forces, was committed vn­to Milciades, whose only councell was, that rather then they shoulde staye for The Noble courage of Milciades. ayde from any other Nation, they woulde couragiously aduenture, and with more aduantage recouer by speedy forwardnesse; then sustaine losse by theyr sluggish lingering. Wherevpon they ran, as it were with great cheerefulnes to the battell, and with resolute manlinesse so behaued themselues, that when as yet both the Armies were a myle asunder, they ran forward in such earnest manner, thinking to ioyne with the enemy, before their enemyes could make ready to discharge their multitude of Arrowes vpon them, that they sodainlie D in a manner gaue them the foyle: Neither was this hast without as good suc­cesse, for this battell was so couragiously perfourmed, that any mans iudge­ment The valor of the Atheni­ans, and co­wardice of the Persians. would haue confessed, that on the one side they were couragious men, and on the other side, a multitude of most faint-hearted and fearefull Beastes. Thus the Persyans being ouercome sled vnto their ships, whereof many were sunke and many taken.

[Page] In this battell euery man bestowed his best endeuors, and their manhood exceeded high, and worthy euerlasting renowne. Amongest all others, the glory of one young man called Themystoeles, shewed it selfe in great admyra­tion, in whome there appeared such resolute perfourmance, that it was euery way likely, that for his valour he was the next to be elected and chosen chiefe Captaine amongst them.

Also there was one other (called Cynegarus) who was in account no better than a common souldiour of Athens, whose praise is highly to bee remem­bred amongst al Writers. This man, after innumerable slaughters receiued in the Battayle, as also hauing pursued the Enemy in flight euen to their ships, E [...] caught holde of a shippe being fully laded, with his right hand, and therewith held her so fast she could not stirre, til at last they chopped off his hande. His right hand being gone in this manner, he laide hold vpon her as before with his left hand, the which he also lost as he had his right: Then seeing both his hands smitten off, he caught hold of the shippe with his teeth in such eager manner, that being neither discouraged by the great and heauy slaughter and effusion of bloud, nor yet dismayed with the losse of both his handes, yet like a sauage and wilde beast he sought reuengmenr euen with his teeth. The Per­sians lost in this battel two hundred thousand men, besides their ships. Hypias also the Tyrant of Athens, who only was the author of all these broyles, was F slaine in this battell, vpon whom iust iudgement was throwne downe, for his vniust trechery against his owne Nation.

Darius also who in the meane time sought how to renew the warre, dyed be­fore he could accomplish the end of his purpose: who left behind him many sonnes, of which some were begotten before he was king, and other some in the time of his raigne. Amongst the rest the eldest called Artobazanes made Artobazanes [...] Xerxes both lay [...] the kingdome. claime vnto the Crowne, by prerogatiue of his age, alledging that by order of Law, by order of birth, by instinct of nature, and by custome of all Coun­tries, onely he it was that ought of right to be sacred in the place of his Fa­ther. Xerxes replyed and said, that their controuersie was not in regard of the G order of their birth, but concerning the Nobility and worthinesse thereof: Graunting that indeed Artobazanes, was the first borne of Darius, but at that time Darius was but as any other man (a priuate person) but I my self was the first borne to Darius as he was a king: Wherefore he further alleadged, that those Brothers that were borne during that time their father was a subiect, might very lawfully claime all such priuate inheritance as Darius then had, but in no case could lay any claime to the kingdome, which properly apper­tained to him, as the first begotten of his father, being seated and fully inthro­nized in the kingdome.

Againe, he farther vrged, that Artobazanes was borne no better than a pri­ [...]ate H person, not onely by the father and mothers side, but by the grandfather on the mothers part: wheras he himselfe had a Queene to his mother, and as Xerxes born of Roya [...]l blood. for his father, he neuer knew him other then a king, and more his grandfather by the mother was also a king (namely Cyrus) who came not to the kingdome by order of succession, but was the maine piller and first founder of that fa­mous and great Empire. And therfore, althogh their father had left them both [Page 13] equall right vnto the Crowne, yet in regard of his mother as also his graund­father, he ought rather to haue the preheminence and preferment to the re­gall throne.

This controuersie being long debated betwixt them, was at laste by free The contro­uersy betwixt Xerxes and his brother for the king­dome. consent of both parties, quietly and louingly put vnto the iudgement and dis­cretion of their vncle Artaphernes, as to an indifferent iudge betweene them, who hauing long and deliberately aduised of all the circumstances heereunto belonging, at last preferred Xerxes to the kingdome. This contention be­tweene these two was so mildly carried, that neither he had the kingdom boa­sted, nor he that helde the worser part sorrowed for his losse: but in the grea­test currant of all their contention, saluted each other with many rich presents, Brothers amity. A and daily associated, banketted, and sported togither, without eyther mistrust of treason, or fraudulent deuises, and in conclusion the matter brought to a wished end, without al manner reproch: So well could brothers in those daies deuide euen mightie kingdomes, rather then brothers in these times can en­dure either to part, or part with the least Lordshippe, nay the least percell of land that falles amongst brothers.

Xerxes being thus mutually seated in the kingdome for the space of five yeares, gaue all his whole employment and study, to set forward and continue Xerxes con­tinueth his fathers wars. the Warres which his father had begun against the Greeks: Which when De­meratus B king of the Lacedemonians (who at that time was a banished man, and l [...]ued in king Xerxes Court) vnderstood, being more friend to his Countrey then to the king (notwithstanding all the kinde intertaine hee had receiued) and yet further, to the intent they should not be oppressed nor surprised with suddaine Warre, got to be brought him certaine Tables of wood, in which Tables he wrote vnto the Magistrates and gouernors of Sparta, all the whole proceedings against them: Hauing thus done, he couered all that hee hadde written in the Tables ouer with waxe, least if the writting were bare and vnco­uered it might bewray it selfe, or the new wax should make known or disclose his deuise. C

This being done he called vnto him one of his trusty Seruantes, to whom he deliuered them, giuing him in straight charge to take his direct way vnto A cunning pollicy of Demetratus. Sparta, and deliuer those Tables to their chiefest magestrates: This messen­ger did all as his maister gaue him in charge, but when he had deliuered the tables to the handes of the Lacedemonians, they marueiled much what might be the meaning hereof: and the more for that they could not discerne any writing thereon, and yet they knew well enough that they were not sent in vaine, and the more obscure it seemed to the eye, of the greater import was the busines therein contained: whiles the men and magistrates were thus drownd in seuerall opinions, and the effect of the matter no whit opened, the D sister of king Leonides found out the meaning of the writer, and fo causing the waxe to be scraped away by little and little, at last it euidently began to shewe out and fullie appeared vnderneath, their whole proceedings, and what course was intended against them.

By this time had Xerxes readye in the fyelde about seuen thousande of his owne kingdome and people, and three hundred thousand of all other nations: The mighty host of [...] [Page] Insomuch as it hath not (and that for good cause) bene reported, that his Army was of such multitudes, that as they trauelled they dranke all the Riuers dry, and further that the whole countrey of Greece, was searse able to receiue his hoast: It is also reported that he had a Nauy of ten hundred thousand ships. This mighty hoast being thus gathered togither, wanted nothing so much as a couragious and excellent chiestaine to be their gard: For if ye re­spect the king, he had a great deale more wealth then valour: for his realme Xerxes more welthy then couragious. was of that inestimable treasure, that though all the Riuers coulde not finde them water to quench their thirst, yet had he more coine then coulde in any short time be spent And it is thus reported of him, that he was the last in E fight, and the first that would run away. In danger he was fearefull, out of dan­ger proud and insolent: Finally, before he came to the chiefe tryall of battell, he vaunted and gloried so much in his owne strength, that (as if he had bene Lord ouer-nature) he brought mountaines to plaine ground, and fylled vp vallies, making bridges ouer certain Seas, and cut through much main land, to make a neerer way for his ships to passe: His comming into Greece, as it was terrible, so his departure was as shamefull and dishonourable: for when Leonides king of Spartans, with foure thousand men had gotten the streights of Thermopyle, Xerxes in disdaine of his small number, commaunded that not a man more should giue the assault vpon them, saue onely those, whose kin­red F was slain at the battell of Marathon: who to reuenge the deathes of their kinred, was the fyrst that were brought to the Iawes of death, and began the slaughter: and still as they were slaine, new men came vp in their roomes, till the slaughter was mightily increased: Three daies lasted this dangerous bat­tailes, and the Persians maintained the fyght to their great losse: The fourth day, word was brought to Leonides, that twenty thousand of his enimies had taken the top of the hil, whereupon he began to exhort his partakers that they would depart for that time, and rather to reserue their aide till further oppor­tunitye might giue occasion for the further defence of their Countrey: As for himselfe and his companies of Spartanes, they would hazzard the frowne G of fortune: alledging this for reason, that he accounted not so much his own The loue of Leonides to his countrey. life, as he did the generall good of his Countrey, as also that there ought a remainder to be kept for the defence of Greece. When thus the pleasure of the king was published and fully made knowne, they all departed, sauing the La­cedemonians, and they would by no meanes leaue him, but remained still with the King.

In the beginning of this war, counsell was asked of Apollo at Delphos, where answere was returned, that either the king of the Spartans must die the death, or the Citty be vtterly destroyed. And therfore when Leonides should go on­ward The answer from the Oracle. to these warres, he gaue such worthy encouragement to his Souldiers H and followers, that euery man yeelded himselfe willingly to die with their ma­ster. To this end he tooke the streightes, that with that small number he had, he might winne more honour, or else lesse daunger to the common-wealth: wherefore hauing dismissed all that were about him, saue onely the Spartanes, he began to call vpon them that they should not forget themselues, that how­soeuer they fought, yet the end was, that they must be slaine, and therefore [Page 14] councelled them to giue no cause for after times to report, that their hearts serued them better to abide the fight, then fight with courage, vrging still vpon them that they must be very watchfull and carefull in all their affayres, and not stand still and so giue way to Idlenesse, and so the enemie getting aduantage com­passe them about to their vtter ruyne: but [...]rather labour by the contrary, to preuent their enemyes by all aduantages. Assoone as night approched, and opportunity offered, they set vpon the enemy while they in carelesse manner were frolicke in their Tentes (for Conquerors cannot die more honourably, then in the Campe of their Enemies.) Vpon these his words vnto them, they put themselues in Armes, and being but sixe hundred strong, brake violently The valour of Leonides and the Spartans. A into the Campe of fyue hundred thousand: at last they came to the Kinges owne Pauillion, of set purpose eyther to die with him, or if by multitudes they were ouercome, yet would they make their toombes within the kinges owne tent. Vpon this sodaine action, all the Campe was in an vprore, and the La­cedemonians, seeing the king not to be found, ranged still throughout the camp as Conquerors, ripping vp with their swordes, and spoiling all that came in their way, as men that came not in hope of victory, but only to reuenge their owne deathes.

This battell continued in this furious manner, from the closing vp of the Sunne, all that night, and most part of the next day, yet was neyther party vt­terly B ouercome, but both weary of ouercomming, fell downe dead amongst the heapes of dead enemies.

Xerxes had now receiued a second losse in battell vpon the Land, wherfore he intended to leaue the land-fortune, and venter next at Sea. But Themysto­cles (a great captain among the Athenians) hearing that the Ionians (in whose quarrell the king of Persya made all this warre) were come vp to the ayde of the Persians with a great Nauy of ships, began to beat out what they intended, to see if it were possible by any meanes to draw away and allure them to take his part: and in that he could not well compasse a personall presence with them, he commanded these words following to be engrauen vpon certaine stones, C which stones were set vp at euery Port where they should come on shore. A notable pollicy of Themisto­cles.

What mad men are ye (O ye Ionians?) or what mischiefe do you intend? purpose ye to raise war vpon those who were your first and originall founders, and now of late your new reuengers? haue we builded and reedified your wals, His Oration. to the intent you should take vpon you to destroy ours? what if we had not these occasions of warre: First with Darius, and now with Xerxes? seeing we forsooke ye not, when he rebelled against vs, why do ye not forsake that siege, and fly vnto vs, and pertake of our companies? If you perswade your selues, you cannot do this without great danger, yet at least when the battels shall be ioyned, you may easily slip aside, and then by withdrawing your ships, quite D forsake the battell.

Before this incounter, Xerxes sent foorth foure thousand men to Delphos, Xerxes ouer­throweth the Temple of Apollo. thinking to make hauocke of the Temple of Apollo, accounting it not a suf­fycient reuenge vpon the men, but warred also euen with the Gods, but the theyr reward was, that they were destroyed by Thunder and lightning, letting them vnderstand, that the more the Goddes are angred with men, the lesse power [Page] hath man against God. Afterwards, he set fyre on the Citties of Thespy, Plate and Athens: but the people were sled before foorth of those Citties, and see­ing he could not destroy the people by the sword, he reuenged himselfe vpon their houses by fire.

The Athenians after the battell at Marathon (by the counsell of Themisto­cles, who told them that the victory which they had gotten ouer the Persyans, was but the beginning of a farre greater warre) made a fleet of Ships of two hundred saile: So that when Xerxes made out towards them, they sent to aske counsell of the Oracle at Delphos, what was to be done, which gaue vnto them this answere, that they must prouide and make vp woodden walles, for theyr E The councel of the oracle. more sure defence and safegard: Themistocles thinking it was meant of Ships, perswaded the people, that the Country signityed not the walles but the men: neither that a Citty was not so called of the houses, but of the Cittizens and inhabitants: and therefore it was more safety to betake themselues to theyr themystocles vn [...]oldeth the Oracle. ships, rather then to put too much confidence to their walled townes: This counsell of his was generally applauded, wherupon leauing their Citties they conueyed their wiues and children, with all their rich Ornaments and Iewels, into vnknowne Ilands, and there caused them to make their safest abode: all which when they had put end vnto, they put themselues in armes, and present­ly tooke shipping, after whose example, other Citties did in like manner. F

Therefore all the whole flect of their partners and partakers being thus as­sembled togither in the compas of the narow Seas, which adioyneth to the Ile of Saltmine, thereby in time to preuent a further mischiefe, least they should be inclosed by the great and puissant power of Xerxes, euen then (I say) when they were in the depth of consultation, how this fyght at sea might be best maintained, there arose among them a sudden and vnlooked for disturbance A mutiny a­mongst the Princes. and variance, amongst the Princes of the Citties: euery one bethinking how he might priu [...]ly breake vp, and steale home to resist the Enemy, and defende his owne.

Vpon this breach of their owne peace amongst themselues, Themistocles was stricken into a thousand feares (least by the departure of his friendes and G Themysto­cles kepeth al his forces. companions, his strength should be hereby brought to extreame weakenes) sent a lusty seruant vnto Xerxes, that if euer, now was the fyttest time, and with greatest ease, and small losse, to take all Greece togither at one instant, and in one place: whereas otherwise if euery man were suffered to depart his owne way, and also to his own Citty (as they had amongst them determined to do) it would aske great trauaile and troble, to make pursote after so great a multi­tude, being departed one after another,

By this pollicy, the king gaue a sudden signall to the battel, and the Greeks perceiuing that they were preuented, by this so suddaine approching of their H enimies, revnited thems lues togither, and ioyned battel with their enemy. During all this fyerce fyght on both parts, Xerxes stood aloofe, as he had bin a looker on, and (being guarded with a good number of sufficient Ships, well The val [...]nt resolution of Queene Ar­temisia. mand for the fyght) lay still within the rode, without striking any stroke: But Artemysia the Queene of Halicarnassus, (who of purpose came to the ayde of Xerxes) fought furiously amongst the thickest, and euer cast her selfe amongst [Page 15] the formost Captaines in this battell: So that Xerxes shewed in himselfe an effeminate fearefulnesse, & in this Queene appeared a resolute and manly courage.

In the heat of this Battell, the Ionians, according as Themystocles had giuen in charge, began by little and little, to withdraw themselues out of the prease, which raysed a great discouragement to the whole Army: Insomuch as the Persyans began to look out which way was best for them, to retire themselues, The Persians discomsited by Sea. and so if it were possible to make a suddaine escape, wherein they threw them­selues into so confussed a disorder, that they drew vpon themselues an vtter ouerthrow, and finally were put to a most shamefull flight: In which discom­fiture many ships were taken, and many sunke, but many there were among A them, that more feared the kings cruelty, then the fury of the Enemy, and therefore secretly stole away, and betooke them to their seuerall homes.

This slaughter and hauocke made in the Army, stroke Xerxes into a won­derful feare, so that he stood as one amazed and knew not what to determine: The counsel of Mardoni­us. till at the last there came vnto him one Mardonius, and counselled him to de­part home into his kingdome, with all the hast he could, for feare the rumor of an ouerthrow (which commonly addeth to things that which they are not) mightraise an insurrection amongst his subiectes, before he could recouer himselfe to be amongst them, and that he should leaue with him three hun­dred thousand of the tallest and most sufficientest picked Souldiers of the ar­my, B with which companies he might either (to his honor) subdue all Greece, or (if it otherwise fell out) without dishonor to his Maiesty, giue place to his Enemies.

This counsell of Mardonius, was generally well allowed of, whereupon the fore-remembred number of men were giuen vnto him in charge, and the king with the remainder of his hoast, and all the hast they possible could, made returne home into his owne land.

The Greekes hauing knowledge of the kings flight, presently drew to coun­sell, how it might suddenly be brought to passe, that the bridge which he (as C being Lord of the Sea) had made at Abydus, might be rased downe and bro­ken, to the intent that thereby his passage might be hindred and clean cut off, or els he with his whole army might be vtterly destroied and brought to such an exigent, as if not clearely ouercome, he might be compelled at the least to desire peace at their hands.

Themystocles fearing least if his enimies should be stopped of their passages, that it might thereby increase their courage, and so turne their dispaire into hardinesse, insomuch as they saw no way but death on euery side, and so make way by fury of their swords, told them that there were already too many eni­mies Themisto­cles sendeth his seruant a second time to Xerxes. in Greece, and therefore his iudgement no way allowed, that they D should by such indirect meanes keepe or hinder them against their willes. At last, perceiuing that his counsell was generally reiected, he sent the same ser­uant againe to Xerxes, acquainting him with all their whole intent, and there­fore wished him to make all the speed he could possible, if he meant to escape their furious malice bent against him.

The king at this sodaine newes, was now againe stricken into an exceeding [Page] feare, wherefore he deliuered ouer all his huge Army, vnto seuerall captaines, Xerxes slieth for feare. to be by them deliuered home, whilst he himselfe with those few straglers that were left, made toward Ahydos: where finding the bridge broken with the fury and tempests of the Winter, he ferried ouer very fearefully in a Fishers boat.

This was a thing worthy note: to behold as in a glasse the frailty of this worlds honor: how that he was now glad to be harboured vp in a little boat, which but A worthy note of mans frailty. euen a litle before, all the Sea could scarce be able to receiue, and also to see so great a king cleane bereft of all attendance, and seruice, whose armies (by reason of their huge multitudes) was euen a burthen to the earth: neither had those Armies that he had assigned ouer to seuerall Captaines, any better suc­cesse E by land: For notwithstanding their daily trauel (as scarcely there can be little rest, where there is continuall feare) they were surprised with so suddain and vnsufferable measure of hunger, that the very want of victuals, broughte vpon them the pestilence, where of they died in such great abundance, that the Pesilence andfamine a one time in the Persi­an hoa [...]. waies were couered with the dead carkasses: so that the beasts and foules be­ing drawne into these places by desire of praye; were the continuall compa­nions that followed the hoast.

In this meane time Mardonius tooke the Citty of Olynthus in Greece, by as­sault: also he intreated with the Athenians about a peace to be concluded be­tweene them and the king, promising that he would make good all their Cit­ties Mardonius winneth Olynthus. F or other places, vnto which they had offred any manner violence, either by fire or otherwise, and also to make them farre larger and fairer then before: But when he saw they would not sel their liberty for any worldes good, he set on fire that which they had begun to builde againe, and from thence passed with his army into Beotya, whether followed him also all the host of the Greeks (which was an hundred thousand men) and there they fought a mighty bat­taile: But the changing of the Captaine changed not the kings fortune: For Mardonius being ouercome, escaped with a few Souldiers (euen as one deliue­red from a churlish shipwrack) his tents, wherein was all maner of treasure, af­ter Mardonius [...] ouercome. a most princely triumph were taken and rifled: where vppon the Greekes G (when they had parted the gold of the Persians amongest them) grew into so great disorder and riot, that it was a hard matter for their Gouernors and lea­ders to pacifie their outragious tumults: Also the same day that Mardonius Mutiny a­mongst the Soldiors for the Persians gold. hoast was ouerthrowne, there was another sierce and great battaile fought vp­on the Sea against the Persians, in Asia, not farre from the mountaine sur-na­med Mycale: where some small time before the encounter, as both the fleetes were in a readinesse prepared to the battayle, on the sodaine newes ran cleane thorough both the Armyes, that the Greekes were the men on whom Fortune had bestowed the better of the day, and that the whole hoast of Mardonius and his followers were vtterly discomfited and ouerthrowne: so swift was Fames H Trumpet, that whereas this great battayle was fought in Beotya, but in the be­ginning of the morning, yet before the noontyde of the Sunnes progresse, the rumour of either the losse or victory, was spred so farre in so short a mo­ment of time.

When these warres were come to end, and that by long consultation, it was determined how euery Citty should be rewarded, by a generall voyce, [Page 16] the Athenians were iudged to haue borne themselues herein most valiantly: The m [...]sto­cles highly aduanced fox his valour. Againe discending amongst euery priuate Captaine, the whole verdict ranne vpon Themystocles, as chiefe and principall, which added vnto him an excee­ding credite and renowne of all the chiefe inhabitants of the whole countrey. Thus grew the Athenians into high esteeme, and were so worthily increased both in riches and honor, that they began to build their Citty new out of the ground: These tidings came to the eares of the Lacedemonians, how that the Athenians had enchroched and taken in more ground then in former times, and so farre enlarged the walles of their Citty, that they had them in great lc­lousie, and wisely bethought themselues what might be the ende hereof, and what strength they might growe vnto by peace, seeing they had so wel prosy­ted A by the spoile thereof: wherefore they presently dispatched Ambassadors, vnto them to warne them not to build fortresses to nourish vp their enimies, neither with strong holdes to furnish the warres that was very like to fall forth hereafter.

Themystocles perceiuing that they began to repine at the raising vp of their Citty, and considering that it stood him vpon to take in hand nothing vnad­uisedly: The wise d [...] ­mean [...]r o [...] Th [...] [...] ­d [...]s. gaue answere to the Ambassadors in this maner: that certaine of the grauest of their common-wealth should go backe with them to Lacedemon, to conferre at full with them concerning this matter. Thus hauing dispatched B the Ambassadors of Sparta: he wished the Cittizens to make all hast they coulde in their worke, and shortly after himselfe tooke the Ambassage in hand: In which iourney, what with sometime faining himselfe sicke, and what by putting faulte in the slackenes of such as were ioyned with him in commission (without whom he could not determine any thing) that he at last delayed the time so long, that in the meane space they had fully put an end, to their long and tedious workes: Tidings was brought to Lacedemon, that notwithstanding all offers that was made, the building of the Cittie went on a pace at Athens: whereupon they appointed new Ambassadors a­gaine, to take the iourney and returne certaine word, whether it was true had C bene reported.

When Themystocles saw how thinges were carried, and that their iclousie more and more increased, he sent a certaine seruant of his owne with letters to all the chiefe magistrates of Athens, containing thus in effect: that they Themysto­cles sendeth letters to the whole Ma­gistracy. should make stay of the Spartan Ambassadors, least that they should offer him any violence, till they heard further from him being at Lacedemon: hauing this done, he went boldly before the whole Senate or counsell of the Lace­demonians, certifying for trueth that Athens was now thoroughly fortifyed, and more then that, it was able to withstande the force of any enemy, not onely by sword, but by the strength of their walles also: and therefore if they D offred vnto him any other then faire play, in regarde of what he had done, their Ambassadors, which they had lately sent, vvere kept as Hostages for his preseruation and safety at Athens, vvithall, he grevv vpon them in such high terms, and foule rebukes, for that they coueted to haue the soueraignity ouer them, vvhich they coulde not maintaine by their ovvne povvers, but must craue help, from other nations of whom vvhen they stood in most need, could [Page] render them but very weake helpes: hauing thus demeand himselfe, in such triumphant manner ouer the Lacedemonians, he was suffered to depart, and was ioyfully receiued at home amongst his owne Cittizens.

After this the Spartans (fearing least their forces should be weakened by a The spartans make warre vpon the Per­sians. slauish Idlenesse, as also hauing kept themselues for reuenge vpon the Persi­ans, which twice before had made inrodes vpon the Greekes) out of their own voluntary, inuaded the borders of their Empire: They chose for Captain and principall ouer them, both of their owne Armies, as also of the armies of their Compettitors and adherents, one called Pausanias: this fellow, being thus chosen amongst them could not content himselfe with being their Captaine E Pausanias worketh treason. or generall, but in the ende, (vrged by ambition) coueted the regaltye and kingdome of Greece: to this end he conspired with Xerxes, vpon this conditi­on, that he might receiue the Kings daughter in marriage: and for that the King should gather no mistrust, he voluntarily sent home all the prisoners, which before he had taken freely without ransome. Moreouer, he wrote vn­to Xerxes, on this manner, that whatsoeuer messenger he sent vnto him, he should put hym to present execution, for feare that by some whisperinges all their plots might be destroyed: But Aristides the chiefe Captaine of the Athenians (being chosen also his equall and fellowe Gouernor in all these Aristides pre­uenteth the Treason warres) in that he opposed himselfe against all his enterprises, and that he F verye wisely foresawe what was most like to ensue hereof, vnfolded and reuea­led all the whole intentes and purposes of these treasons: Wherupon Pausa­nias being arraigned, conuicted, and found guilty, was accordingly with all hast they could executed. But as for Xerxes, when he perceiued that all their Pausanias condemned. plottes and conspiracies were disclosed, determined once more to proclaim open warres against the Grecians.

The Grecians preparing themselues in readines to receiue the foe, appoin­ted for their Captaine, one Cymo of Athens, the sonne of one Milciades, who Cymo made great captain was their Graund Captaine at the battell of Marathon, a very Noble young Gentleman, whose vertuous and forward disposition, declared before hand, G what honor and valour was likely to attend him in all his aduentures: for his father being cast into prison for robbing the common treasury was in the said prison found dead and might not be admitted buriall, he submitted himselfe into the same setters of Iron which his father ware, tooke vpon him his fathers offences whereby he redeemed the dead body of his Father, and gaue it buri­all. His naturall loue to his father. And on the other side their trust in him was not deceiued, in that they cal­led him to so great a place: for he was a man of such couragious spirit (as also his father before him) that he vanquished and cleane ouercame Xerxes both by Land and Sea, forcing him fearefully to retyre home into his H owne kingdome.

The ende of the second Booke.

THE THIRDE BOOKE of Iustine. A

THE ARGVMENT.

XErxes and his sonnes are slaine, by the treason of Ar [...]abanus. Artaxerxes reuengeth the death of his father. The Lacedemonians and the Athenians fall at variance: Lycurgus maketh lawes and willingly banisheth himselfe. The Lacedemonians make warre vpon the Messenians. The Partheniens place them B selues at Tarent in Italy. Messene rebelleth and is subdued. Warre is renued be­tween the Lacedemonians and the Athenians. The Lacedemonians break the truce. The notable demeanor of Pericles. Truce is taken againe and broken by the Lace­demonians.

THis Xerxes great king of Persia (to whom was added this name; The terrour of all other Nations) when he had sped so vnfortunately in his warres in Greece, vvas held in a generall contempt amongst al his subiects: vvher­upon C Xerxes slaine by treason. Artabanus (a principall Lieutenant of his king­dome) perceiued the glory and estate of the king daily to decay, and foolishly soothing vp his ovvn conceits, that hee might very easily enioy the kingdome, not­withstanding his seuen sonnes, (who were all very tall and strong men) vpon an euening entered the kings pallace, (for the king reposed such considence in him, that it was lawfull for him, to come and go whensoeuer he pleased) and seizing vpon the person of the king, shamefully murthered him.

Hauing thus slaine the king, he sought also how by some quaint slight or The treason of Artabaza­nus. pollicy he might destroy his children, of whom he stood in doubt, that they D should hinder his enterprises: But as for Artaxerxes which was a very childe, he thought he might abuse him as he listed; and to the intent he might the sooner compasse the kingdome, he bare him in hand that the king was mur­dered by Darius, who was grown vp to mās estate: by which deuise he compel­led Artaxerxes to reuenge the murder of the king with murder of his brother. When they came to the lodging of Darius, they founde him, as if hee had [Page] bene asleepe, and presently drawing forth their Weapons they fell vpon him and murthered him.

After Artabanus, perceiuing that yet for all this mischiefe, there remained one of the kings sonnes aliue, and fearing that the peeres of the Realme, would stand to him to place him in the kingdome: made one Baccabassus of his counsell, this man contenting himselfe with his present estate, vtteily disallowed those his treasons, and therevpon went and bewraied the whole plot The [...]son [...]. to Artaxerxes, first how his father was shamefully murthered, next, that his brother vpon false intelligence was put to the sword, and lastly, that there was violent treasons in hand against his owne person: when Artaxerxes heard E hereof (and growing into a great feare of Artabanus, for that he had so many [...]. sonnes) commaunded all his Armies to be mustred vp the next day in Ar­mour, for he in person, would both take a special view of theyr number, as also cucry mans acctiuitic in handling his weapons.

Amongst the rest Artabanus also stoode out in compleat Armor, who when the king cspied, he fayned that his Curat was too short for him, and therefore commaunded Artabanus to change curats: Artabanus nothing mistrusting, did as he vvas commaunded, and as he vvas putting it off, he King taking him vpon aduantage, suddainely thrust him thorough with his svvord, and vvithall presently commaunded that all his sonnes should be apprehended, and kept in F prison, vvhile his displeasure vvas further satisfied. And so this worthy young Prince reuenged the death of his father, and the murder of his brother, as al­so freed himselfe from the treasons of Artabanus.

While these broiles hapned amongst the Persians, in the meane time all Greece fell into ciuill dissention, diuiding it selfe the one part against the other A ciuill dis­sention a­mong the Greekes. (whereof one part followed the Lacedemonians, and the other part follo­wed the Athenians, turning the point of their vveapons into their ovvne bovvels. On the one side the Lacedemonians drevv vnto their part, all such forces as vvere before vvaged at the common charge of euery Cyttie, for the defence of the vvhole country: vvhile the Athenians vpon the o­ther G side stood vpon their renovvne, not onely of their auncestry, as also of their ovvne famous exploits in mylitarie dissipline, and therefore vvere resolute, and stood onely to that strength, which they could well maintaine a­mongst themselues: Thus two of the mightiest people throughout all Greece, both of them also equall in the execution of the statutes of Solon, and the lawes of Lycurgus, through meere enuy at the good and flourishing estate one of the other, were swallowed vp through ciuill dissention.

As for Lycurgus he succeeded his brother Polibita in the kingdome of Sparta, Iastice to be preserred be­fore a crown. and although he might very lawfully haue challenged the kingdome as his owne right, yet willingly he made surrender thereof, and with so great faith­fulnes H vnto his Sonne Charilaus, (who was borne after the death of his father) assoone as cuer he grew vp vnto mans estate: to the intent that all men might see and vnderstand, how much more good men do esteeme of their faithfull dealing, then all the riches of the world beside: Also in the nonage of the child (of whome as protector he had the gouernement) he deuised Lawes and Statures to be put in due execution amongst the Spartans (who till [Page 18] this time were altogether destitute) in which labour of his, he deserued euer­lasting renowne, not onely in that hee prouided such lawes, as for the good example that he gaue for the preseruing and keeping of them: These were his lawes in effect.

First, he taught the people how to tender their due obedience towardes the Prince, and the Prince how to carry himselfe to the administration of instice [...]ycurgus and [...] L [...]es. among the people. He perswaded all estates and degrees to beware of glut­tony, and to be sparing in their diet, for in his iudgement he thought that warre would be the better maintained, where the goods that they got by mo­deration, was also thriftily preserued and kept: he also ordaind that their might A be a generall buyeng and selling amongst men, but not for ready money but by exchanging of Wares, one with another.

The vse of Gold and Siluer (as the onely occasion of much mischiefe) he vtterly tooke away from amongst them. The gouernment of the common­weale, he destributed into certaine estates and degrees of men: He alowed vn­to the king absolute power and authority in al matters concerning the warres: vnto the Magistrates, he allowed authority in Iudgements, and other courses in law. Amongst whom he ordained, that they should holde their places, but the terme of one yeare at the most. Vnto the Senators and Sages amongst the people it fell out to see these lawes put in execution, to the commons he gaue B power to elect and choose the Senatours, or to appoint what Officers they pleased to giue consent vnto. He caused their Landes to be denided to euery one part and part like, only to this entent and purpose, that euery man hauing alike, no man should account himselfe better then his neighbor.

He ordained that they should all eat and drink openly, to the intent no man shuld in secret vse any maner of excesse or superfluity: He permitted the yon­ger sort of men to weare but one garment in the year, neither one man to ex­ceed another in apparell, nor one fare better then another, least by the euill example of one, it shuld entice and draw on others to the like ryot: Any child The bring­ing vp of children whatsoeuer, being vnder the age of fifteene years, was not suffred to come in­to C the Kings court, but straightly commanded to be kept vp in the Countrey, where they might daily behold nothing but extreme labor and trauaile, and by these examples might shun idlenes and know the want of good education: Also, when they slept, nothing was suffred to be laid vnder their heads to rest vpon, neither might they tast of dainty foode, nor returne into the Citty till they were growne to mans estate.

He also made a law that maidens should be maried without any dowry, and in that law ordained that men in choosing wiues, should professe loue onely, Mariage of maydens and not to marry as in these times for the loue onely of money, he thinking by this law to haue the bonds of Matrimony more firmly kept and obserued: D He ordained that greatest reuerence should be giuen (not to richmen, nor men in authority,) but vnto the aged, accounting them worthiest reuerence, Reuerence to the aged. for their many yeares: And to giue them their due, there is no one place in the world, where age is more honored, then amongst the Spartans.

These lawes and precepts at the first seemed hard, heauy, and tedious, espe­cially to such as in all their times before, were wont to line at liberty, therefore [...] [Page] the worst in three seueral battailes, brought the Lacedemonians to such a strait, that to supply their Armies, they were faine to make all their bondmen free, as also to make faithfull promises to them, that it should be lawfull for them to take the wiues of such as were slaine, not onely to supply their places to make vp the number, but to possesse all their estates and worships whatsoeuer.

The kings of the Lacedemonians feared belike that in striuing against For­tune, they might still come by the worst, and so indanger their Countrey and people the more, determined to haue conueyed home againe all their hoast of men, if Tyrteus had not at that instant come amongst them: who summo­ning all his Armies together, rehearsed before them certaine verses, that he E himselfe had composed and set togither, wherein he had contained, nothing but encoragements of warre, comforts for the loser, and pollicies and strati­gems in seruice: by which he set all his Souldiers on such a fyer of courage, that taking more thought for their buriall, then their liues, euery man put vpon his right armea bracelet, whereupon he caused to be engraued his owne name, and also the name of his father, onely for this intent and purpose, that if it were his fortune to be slaine in the battell, and thereby might lie so long a boue ground that they coulde not be knowne by their visages, at least those bracelets, might make them to be regarded, that so they might yet at last haue humane buriall. F

When the kings had taken knowledge of this their resolution, they caused The courage of the Mes­senians. their forwardnes to be sounded foorth into the eares of their enemies: which nothing astonied the Messenians, but rather increased their fury more violent­ly: In which incounter they behaued themselues so couragiously on both parts, that it grew to be the bloudiest day that had bene heard of in many ages long before: yet as the longest Summers day hath his end, so had the furie of these violent broiles, and the Lacedemonians remained Conquerors.

At another time, (some respite of yeares comming betwixt) the Messenians now made a third insurrection and rebellion: At which time amongst other, The Messe­nians the third [...]me [...]. the Lacedemonians craued the ayde of the Athenians, as before times they were G wont: of whose faith and trustines, they had conceiued some harde measure, wherefore when they were come vnto them, they shewed themselues strange towards them, making as though they had small neede of their furtherance, and in fine for a reuenge of their former iniuries that they receiued, sent them home againe to their owne Countrey, without further imployment at that time.

The Athenians iudged hereof as a froward and churlish disgrace, and in the heat of their displeasure, fetched away all the chiefest treasure and mony that was laid vp and stored at Delos, by the whole power of Greece, for the mainte­nance of their warres against the Persyans, and brought it to Athens: fearing, H least if the Lacedemonians shoulde be the first that violated the league, they might haue seized thereupon, and made purchase and spoile thereof. This draue the Lacedemonians more and more out of quiet, for in that they were intangled in warres, against the Messenians, they waged the Penoponnesians to Eney ne [...]r satisfied. make warre against the Athenians: who were very weake and of small power to resist, by reason chiefely that they had at that instant sent a great Nany of [Page 20] Ships iuto Egipt, and therefore being set vpon at sea, were soone discomfited and ouercome.

Within a while after their fleet ariued safe at home, being increased both in number of ships, and strength of men, whereupon hauing hartes burning with reuenge, they reunited againe the warres, and made head vpon the ene­my: whereupon the Lacedemonians left the Messenians, and turned all their forces vpon the Athenians. Long helde the heate of the battaile, doubtfull to whether part the day would be assigned, and so indeed it fell foorth, for after many slaughters, gaping wounds, and maimed souldiers on both sides, they both remained equall victors of the day. Hereupon the Lacedemonians were still bound to maintaine the warres with the Messenians (and yet were loathe A that the Athenians should be ydle all the while) couenanted with the Thebans, to restore them backe, the kingdom of Beotia, (which before time were taken from them in the time of the Persian warres) vpon condition that they should continue warre with the Athenians: so mad and inraged were the Lacedemoni­ans, that although they were now already ingaged into two seuerall warres, a­gainst two seuerall Nations, yet they sti [...]ked not to vndertake a third, onely to giue scope to their reuengefull hate against the common aduersary.

Wherevpon the Athenians, to pteuent mischances, and to withstand these boysterous tempests of warre, chose from among them two Captaines and Pericles a worthy man of warre. B chiefe Lordes: the one called Pericles, (a man of tried vertue and experience) and Sophocles, who was onely a writer of tragedies: These two valiant com­manders, had the charge of two Armies, who wasted the territores of the Spar­tanes exceedingly, and as they went along subdued many citties of Achaia to the Empire of Athens. Thus was the pride of the Lacedemonians cast downe, by these misfortunes, and in the end were forced to make a peace for thirty yeares: which notwithstanding, they still retained a priuate grudge against the Athenians, in so much that they made shipwrack of their league, before The Lace­demonians make a pease and breake it the terme of fifteen years were fully acomplished, and in dispite both of gods and men, inuaded the borders and territories of Athens: wherein, that they C might not be accounted to thirst after spoile only, they suddenly made them offer of battaile: The Athenians (by the counsell of their Captaine Pericles) delaied the reuenge for wasting of theyr Countrey vntill fitter opportunitie The discreet pollicy of Pericles. might giue aduantage to pay them home for their truce-breaking & accoun­ted it but meere folly to trouble themselues any further at that time, conside­ring that ere many daies were past, they might reuenge all their wrongs, with more profyt and aduantage, and lesse danger of losse vnto themselues.

Whervpon a little after they made a great preparation of men, money, & munition, and sodenly imbarking their forces, put forth to sea, or euer the Lacedemonians got knowledge of them, and suddenly arriuing vpon the bor­ders D of Sparta, wasted all the Countrey before them, and carryed away with them farre more spoile, than made good foure fold the losse that they had be­fore receiued of the enemy: Honourable was this voyage of Pericles, but a greater honor was it accounted for him, in that hee not onely vndertooke this dangerous seruice, but that he forsooke euen all the earthly possessions that he had about him onely to attempt revenge for his Countrymen the A­thenians: [Page] although the Spartans before time had spoiled all other mens lands and liuings, yet they departed, not daring to touch one iot of that was called his, hoping thereby, either to bring slander and enuy vpon him amongst his Countreymen: or if the worst fell out (which they rather coueted) he might haue bene reputed amongst them as a Traitor: This did Pericles gather an in­sight into, and therefore made known vnto the inhabitants what would come to passe, and in the end to free himselfe out of al suspicion, he royally gaue al those lands and liuings to the good of the whole common-wealth, whereby the euill fortunes that they sought to throw vpon him to his high disgrace, by his prouident care and wise demeanor, became his euerlasting fame and re­nowne. E

After this, there was another very fyerce fyght vpon the Sea, in which the Lacedemonians, were put to the worst, and betooke themselues to flight: and [...]. from that time forward they ceased not to slea and kill one another, either by sea or land, as fortune fauoured either parties. Finally being ouertoyled and wearied out with so many mischiefes, following one in the necke of another, they againe desired that they might haue a peace concluded for fyfty yeares, which was accordingly agreed vpon, but long this lasted not; for before sixe yeares were fully ended, they againe reuolted: for the truce which they had taken in their owne names, they thought they might lawfully breake in regard F Truce bro­ken againe by the Lace­demonians. of their neighbors: as though the periury committed on the behalfe of their complices, might more lawfully be maintained, in their quarrels, then if them­selues had offered violence by open warre. After these broiles, the warres were remoued into Sycill: which as yet I mean not to handle, but proceed to intreat and set downe somewhat of the scituation of that Isle. G H

The ende of the third Booke.

THE FOVRTH BOOKE A of Iustine.

THE ARGVMENT.

THe description of Sycill, with the strange wonders therof. Eolus taketh vp­on him the Crowne and gouernment of the same. After his decease, euery Citty was gouerned by his Tyrant, amongest whome Anaxilaus gouerneth one Citty. He contendeth much against the cruelty of the other Tyrants. He stri­ [...]eth B to maintaine vpright Iustice and equitie. The inhabitantes of Rhegium are cruelly dispossessed of their Citty, by their owne confederates. The Cathanensis and Syracusans are at fowle iarres: The Athenians giue aide vnto the Cathanensis. Truce is granted to the Syracusans. The Athenians againe giue fresh succour vn­to the Cathanensis. Gylippus comes in the rescue of the Syracusans. He ouercom­meth the Athenians, both by Lande and Sea, and in the ende giueth a finall ouer­throw, both in their men as also in their Shipping.

COncerning Sicilly, some Ancients hold that it was neere The descrip­tion of Sicily C adioyning to the Territories of Italy, and that as a mem­ber of the body it was (as it were) rent and torne asunder by violence and rage of the vpper Sea, which in full course, hath the fury of her waues continually beating thereupon. The earth of these parts is wonderous brit­tle, The nature of the Soyle. and full ofholes and pipes in the ground, by reason whereof it lyeth open to euery blast of wind: Besides, the nature of this soyle is such, that of it selfe it ingendreth, and nourisheth fire: for the substance of the molde within, is much after the nature of Brim­stone and Rosen, so that by meanes hereof it commeth to passe, that the wind hauing such violence and beating vpon the fire, that lieth hidden in the inner­most D parts of the earth, sendeth foorth in many places, some-whiles flashes of fyre, other some-whiles againe most vnsauory and dangerous vapors, and at Many Tales conceited of Aetna. some other times againe, continual duskish and smolthering smokes. Vppon these flashes of fire, that are there so often and continually seene, groweth that fire that is fained to be continualy burning out of the mountain called Aetna, [Page] which hath cotinued many thousand yeares: and when there chanceth any extraordinary wind in these foresaid holes, great heapes of sand are at that instant found to be purged and cast out of them.

The next Contry that fronteth Italy is Rhegium: so called of the Greeks, & in their language so terme things that are broken off one from another. It is not greatly to be inaruailed at, that in former times, there went many fables of this place, into which there is conueied so many strange things to be seene. The rage of their narrow Seas. First, there is not any narrow sea in all the world so outragious as in this place, not so much for the violence and swift passage of the waues, as also the ex­treame meeting of the tides: so that it is not so terrible onely to those that trie E the same, but euen to the beholders herof, althogh they be a great way distant. Againe there is so horrible a noise when the waues thereof do meete, that men may easily discerne some as it were running away, cleane ouerwhelmed in the whirl-pooles, and other some in manner of conquerors, proudly bea­ring themselues aloft with victory. Moreouer, in one place ye may heare the extreame rage and roring of the tide [...]; in another place, the heauines, & as it were sighings thereof, when it sinketh into the Gulfe: and by the voiolent workings of the water, and continuall burning of the mountaine Aetna and the Isles of Aeolus, it may seeme that these fires are nourished by the water: for otherwise it is not possible that so huge a fire should otherwise continue for so long a season, in so small a roome. F

Vpon this was founded the tales of Scylla and Charibdis, which made men beleeue in sailing thereby that they heard the continuall barking of doggs, and beheld fearefull monsters, to appeare vnto them, which indeed was nothing else, The fables of Scill [...] and Caribdis but the violent waues falling downe into the Gulfe, and in the fall bea­ting and working one against another: The like to this may be accounted of the continuall si [...]c burning in the mountaine of Aetna, for the meetings of the waters, draweth the winde with such rage into the bowels of the earth, and there holdeth it pent vp so long, till being spred into the forenamed holes of the earth, it setteth the Sulphur matter into a burning flame.

Italy and Sicilie are so neerly vnited together, & the head-lo [...]ds of both G Contries so like one the other in heigth, that behold, so much the more as we Italy and [...] neer­ly knit togi­ther. now wonder at the same, euen so much men in former ages were afraid there of, verily perswading themselues that the hilles had met together, and vpon some displeasure taken were parted one from another againe and that be­tvveen these two hils, vvhole nauies of shipping had beene swallovved vp and neuer after to be seene againe: neither was these things deuised in olde times for any pleasantnes that they found in the report thereof, but onely thorough feare and astonishment of such passengers as had taken their courses that way. For such is the nature of that place, that whosoeuer beholdeth it a farre off H would rather iudge a shutting or pinning vp of the Se [...] in that place, rather then any passage to be found therein, and the nearer a man approacheth he would take it that the Mountaines were moueable, and did euen as it were one part from another.

Sycill was first called by the name of Trynacria, and afterward, it was called The seuer [...]l [...] of [...]. Sycama. This Island from the beginning was accounted the chiefe habitation [Page 22] of the Gyants, which had but one eye, and that stood onely in the foreheade Giants call [...]d S [...]lops. (called Cyclopes) which being rooted out, Aeolus tooke vpon him the rule of this Island: after whose decease, euery Cirty had a Tyrant by themselues, and there was neuer Countrey better stored of them then this Countrey of Sicil­ly. Amongst the rest of these Tyrants, there was one whose name was Anaxi­laus, one that striued against the cruelty of all the rest in the execution of Iu­stice, whose wise and discreet gouernement wan vnto him great reputation: Insomuch that after his decease, leauing his children very young vnder the An example of vpright l [...]. tuition and gouernement of a very trusty seruant of his (called Micithus) he was so exceedingly beloued of all his subiects, that they rather chose to be o­bedient to this his seruant, rather than they wold any way forsake his children, A and what was more to be obserued, that the Princes of the Citty forgetting their estate, suffred the kingdome to be ruled by abondman.

The Carthagenians made many assayes to conquer the whole Empire of Si­cilly, and maintained warres along time with the kinges thereof: and yet they could not accomplish their desires vpon them, but at one time they gathered ground vpon them, and at another lost all that before they had made boot of. At last hauing lost their graund Captain and leader Hamilear and al his hoast, their heartes were stricken into a great dampe, and were so discouraged, that B they kept themselues in quiet for a long while after. In the mean space, the in­habitants Of Hami [...]at lee more in the 18, 19, 20, and 22 booke [...]. of Rhegium fell at variance amongst themselues, so that the Cittie was deuided into two parts: the one part whereof, mistrusting their side to be weake, sent for the old Souldiers, that had bin imployed at the Citty of Imera, to aid and succor them, by which means they beat their aduersaries clean forth the town, put them euery man vnto the sword, and tooke their citty, with their wiues, children, and al the substance that they could lay hold vpon, and made hauocke thereof: which deed of theirs was accounted so cruel and tyrannous, that the fiercest tyrant that euer raignd, could not haue attempted a more vio­lent act. Insomuch that it had bene a farre more easier yoke for the inhabitants of Rhegium, to haue bene vanquished and ouerthrowne, rather then to haue C bene victors in so vnciuill manner. For whither (by the Law of Armes) they had bene forced to serue as Captiues vnder the Conqueror, or driuen per­force to forsake their Countrey, as banished persons: yet shuld they not haue bene so miserably murthered, between the temple and their dwelling houses, and so haue left their natiue countrey, with their wiues and children, as a pray vnto such vnmercifull men.

Also the Catanenses, being ouerpressed by the Syracusans, and altogither growing distrustfull of their owne strength, were very desirous of some small Ciuill warres in Ci [...]ll, be­tweene the Catan [...]nses and the Sira­cusa [...]. succors from the Athenians; who (whither it were for a desire that they had to inlarge their own Empire, or that they had already gained the conquest of al D Greece and Asia, or whether they feared the great Nauy of ships which the Sy­racusans had lately builded, should be to the aide and further strength of the Lacedemonians) sent them a gallant captaine, named Lamponius, with a great Nauy of ships into Sicilly, that vnder colour of aiding the Cathanenses, they might put in practise the conquest of the whole Realme.

Now hauing had good successe in the beginning in all their affaires, as [Page] also a great and mighty slaughter vpon their enimies, they were now a second time incouraged against Sycilly, with a more puissant strength both of men and Ships then before they had made out against them, appointing forth two warlike Captaines to take charge of these their forces, the one was called La­chetes, and the other Chariades. But it followed, that the Cathenenses, (whe­ther for feare of the Athenians, or rather being weary with those warres) con­cluded a peace with the Syracusans, sending backe againe all those Athenians Two worthy Captaines Lachetes and Cha [...]ades. which before were come vnto them for their aide.

A while after this, when the Syracusans, had made a breach of the late concluded peace, they suddenly sent forth fresh Ambassadors to Athens, who E in very rusticke apparrell, with long haire on their heads and beards, as much as was possible to straine forth pitty from the Athenians; in this pittifull man­ner came they before the people: and in making report vnto them, wept very bitterly: insomuch as the inhabitantes tooke so much pitty vppon them, that they wholy condemned those Captaines, that were imployed for their suc­cors, in that they withdrew away their forces from them: whereupon with all conuenient speed, a fresh Nauy of ships was prepared and put in readinesse, whose Captaines and chiefe leaders were Nicias, Alcyhyades, and Lamachus, who entred into Scycilly with such a power of men, that euen they who before craued their aide, and to whose succour they came, were euen amazed and a­fraide F at the sighte thereof. Shortly after Alcyhyades was commanded home, to answere to certaine enditements that were laide against him: in which time Alc [...]hiades sent forout of S [...]illy, to an­swere certain accusations. of his absence, Nycya [...] and Lamachus had two prosperous battailes vpon the land, and at another time so suddenly begirte their enemies rounde on euery side, that they neither could haue victuals come vnto them by Sea, nor any new supplies of Souldiers to come to them by land.

The Syracusanes seeing themselues thus distressed, desired aide from the Lacedemonians: who sent vnto them no aide at all saue onely Gylippus, vvho The same of Gylippus. vvas of himselfe of more strength and pollicy then halfe the forces that they had beside: For he hauing heard the manner of the vvarre, and perceiuing all his complices to be at a uery lowe ebbe, raised a great povver, consisting, part­ly G in Greece, and partly in Sicilly, and then he chose him foorth such a plot of ground as he thought to be most conuenient for two hoastes of men to en­counter on: vvhere he vvas tvvice put vnto the vvorse, but at the thirde en­counter, he slevv Lamachus, put all his enemies to shamefull flight, and in the end raised the si [...]dge: But perceiuing that the Athenians vvoulde forsake the land, and bid him battell vpon the Sea, he was forced to send for the Nauy of the Lacedemonians to aide him. This being made knowne to the Atheni­ans (they to supply the place of the Captaine that before was slaine) sent demosthenes and En [...]me­ [...]. Demosthenes, and Enrymedon, with another fresh supply of men. H

Also the Peloponesyans by generall consent of all their Citties, sent a newe supply of Souldiers to the ayde of the Syracusans, so that both parties hauing furnished themselues with fresh supplies, ther powers grewe to bee so great, that it vvas to be doubted least the warres had beene remoued out of Greece in to Sicilly: wherefore vpon their first encounter vpon the Sea, the Athenians The Atheni­an [...] anqui­ [...]d. were put vnto the worst, their tents and treasure were all seized by the enimy [Page 23] and being ouercome vpon the land also, then Demosthenes began to counsel them to leaue Sicilly betimes, and not longer to hazzard themselues and all their fortunes in so desperate a seruice as this had falne out on their partes, but rather to vvithdravv themselues home into their ovvne countrey, and in vvhat they could preserue all such furniture of vvarre as vvas yet remai­ning amongst them to defende themselues vvhen they vvere at home a­mongst their ovvne friendes and acquaintaince: Whervpon Nieias, vvhe­ther it vvere for shame of his ill succes, or for feare of his ovvne cittizens, being disappointed of their hopes, or vvhether it vvas for that his destenie compelled him thereunto, vvoalde by no meanes be persvvaded, to goe A home, but made all possible meanes, that he might still remaine and abide the vtmost frovvne of fortune.

Hereupon, the vvarres by Sea vvas againe renued (and all the cloudie stormes of their former ill fortunes being dispersed and blovvne ouer) ga­thering Their fourt [...] ouerthrow. a fresh resolution for a nevve encounter: But yet at last thorough their vnskilful leaders (vvho set vpon the Syracusans as they kept themselues vvithin their streightes) they vvere vvith small labour brought to yeelde: and their couragious captain Enrimedon, casting himselfe valiantly into the fore-vvard, vvas the first man that tasted of death: and the thirty snippes vvhich vvere appointed to his charge, vvere all set on fire: As for Demost­henes B and Nicias, seeing themselues to be ouercom, as fast as could possible be, they landed their men, and thereby sought vvhich vvay vvas best safety for them to make an escape from the angry face of their enemy: notvvith­standing all vvhich, there vvas yet left behind, an hundred and thirty saile of ships, vvhich that vvoorthy Captaine Gillippus lighting vpon, pursued Gylyppus pursueth the Enemy. them continually as they vvould haue fled avvay from him, vvhereof some he slue by the svvord, and the residue remained vvith them as prisoners.

As for Demosthenes, vvhen he savv vvhat had fallen out, hovv that hee vvas dispoiled of all his povvers, to the intent to quite rid himselfe out of thraldome, he vvilfully ranne vpon his ovvne svvorde and there ended his Demosthe­nes bec [...]m­m [...]th his ovv [...] Butcher. C daies: But Nicias framing himselfe vnto another temper, (could not yeeld in hart to take avvay his ovvne life by violence as Demosthenes had done,) but rather yeelded himselfe into captiuity, vvhere­by he greatly encreased the slaughter of his men, and mightily increased his ovvne disquiet and peace. D

The end of the fourth Booke.

THE FIFTH BOOKE E of Iustine.

THE ARGVMENT.

ALcibiades willingly committeth himselfe to banishment. He compelleth the King of Lacedemon to make warre vpon the Athenians, by the ayde and suc­cour of Darius King of Persia. He causeth the Citties of Asia to revolt from the Athenians. The Lacedemonians lay wait to kill him. He escapeth that danger F by hauing knowledge thereof from the wife of king Agi [...]. He flyeth to Tissapher­nes Lieutcnant generall vnder Darius in Lydia, whose lo [...]e he withdraweth from the Lacedemonians. Ambassadors from Athens come vnto him, He is called home into his owne countrey and made Admirall. He ouercommeth the Lacedemonians and is ioyfully receiued of his Gittizens, He rectiueth a losse by his owne ouersight, and ag [...]ine banisheth himselfe. The Athenians brought to vtter destruction. Co­non their Captaine flyeth into Cyprus. The Citty is yeelded vp vnto the Lacede­monians. Thirtie Tyrants haue the gouernment therof. Darius king of Persia, di­eth. Denn [...]s the younger is driuen out of Sicill. Alcibiades is burned in his bed­chamber. G Thrasibulus driueth out the 30. Tyrantes, and their places giuen to ten. Pausanias King of Lacedemon, commaundeth them out of the Citty, and graun­teth peace vnto the Athenians: The Tirants maketh warre against Athens. They are taken and executed. Artaxerxes succeedeth his Father Darius in the Persian kingdome. Cyrus rehelleth against his brother Artaxerxes and is slaine. The Greeks that came to his aid [...], r [...]turn againe into their own Country vnuanquished.

WHilst yet the Athenians' made warres in Sicilly for the space of two yeares, (with more desire of greedinesse H then any good successe) Alcihiades, (who was the chiefe causer hereof) in the time of his absence, was accused at Athens to haue set forth the mistcries of Ceres, and the sacrifices that was done vnto the honor of her, as a pub­like spectacle, which can no way be so highly solemni­zed as by silence. When thus Alcybyades was comman­ded [Page 24] home, to make aunswere to all such complaints as were ptefetred against The Articles whereuppon Alcibiades stood indigh­ted. him, whether it wer that his conscience accused him as guilty, or that he could not indure such dishonor and reproach to his person: he secretly and sudden­ly without any words made, cast forth himselfe as a banished man, and alto­gither kept the remnant of his daies at an vnfrequented place (surnamed Elis.) Afterward, being in this voluntary exile, it came to his knowledge, that hee stood not onely as a condemned man, but also was accursed by all the priests which belonged to those ordinances of religion: he therefore secretly tooke Alcibiades taketh part against his Countrey. his way to Lacedemon, and by great perswasions mooued the king thereof to make vvarres vpon the Athenians, especially at that present, whilst they were now so sore vexed and disquieted with their ill successe they had receiued in A Sicilly.

Hereupon, all the kingdomes of Greece gathered themselues togither (in as great hast and multitudes as if it had bene to quench some outragious fire) for they bare the Athenians a secret and malicious hate, by reason of their innu­merable greedines, ambition, soueraigntye, and gouernement, that they Darius so nof Artaxerxes the 8. king of Persia. would haue ouer them: Also Darius king of the Per [...]yans, calling to remem­brance the former hate that his father and graundfather bare vnto this Cit­ty; entred a league with the Lacedemonians by meanns of Tyssaphernes, who was Lieutenant of Lydia, and promised to beare out the whole charge of those B Warres, out of his owne treasury.

This was the whole course and pr [...]tence of the entrance into league with the Greekes, but in very deed he mistrusted, least when the Lacedemonians had ouercome the Athenians, they would also set vpon him: and therefore it is no waie to be wondred at, though the estate of Athens were accounted so flouri­shing, The courage of the athe­nians. since to oppresse that one Citty, all the whole power of the East partes banded themselues togither against it: and yet they could not be accounted to yeelde as Cowards and run-awaies, but with manlie courage, and vvith much slaughter, they stoode out in fight to the verie vtmost man; some­vvhiles putting their enemies to the vvorst, and suddainelie againe on the C contrary, themselues receiuing the like from their enemies: so that they were not ouercome through their owne darstardy, and want of manly resolution, but by the aduerse frowne of Fortuue, became slaues and captiues euen to their enemies.

In the beginning of these Warres, euen those aides and asistances which they ought to haue receiued from their owne fellowes and associates, and in which they for the most part trusted and relyed, gaue them the slip, and in the time of most neede, vt [...]erly forsooke them (as by many examples is most euidently to be perceiued, that where Fortune bends the brow, or hideth her fauour, there the strength and trust of men, doth withdraw and quite forsake D vs.

Thus Alcybiades set on fire all these Warres, that were with such vio­lence prosecuted against his owne Countrey, adding thereunto all such strengthe as in his power was possible to bee gathered, which was not to be accounted vnto him as the aide of a common mercinary Souldier [...] but as a greate Chiefetaine, and as a most puissante commaunder: For [Page] first, he tooke along with him ten saile of shippes, and sailed into Asia; and being there safly ariued, by the authoritie both of his place and name, he com­pelled all such Citties as were at that time tributary vnto the Athenians, to turne all their succor and strength vnto the aide and furtherance of the Lace­demonians: for being well assured that he was a man of great power and com­maund at home in his owne country, they therefore resolued that he could still be nothing lesse, although he remained as a banished person: Also they thoght not so basely of him, being thrown out from amongst the Athenians, as they esteemed and accounted him being receiued as a Captaine amongst the Lacedemonians: and in fine, they esteemed better of him in his new recei­ued E commaund amongst the Lacedemonians, then of his abiect forsaking a­mongst the Athenians.

Thus when Alcibiades had fastned himselfe amongst the Lacedemonians, by reason of his forwardnes and stout valour, he raised vp vnto himselfe more en­uy and hartburning on the one partie, then praise and thankes on the other: wherevpon the Princes by a generall consent, laide all the waite they could possible, how they might take away his life: either by treason to be falsified against him, or by any other extraordinare plot, to bring him to his end. This muttring and deuising amongst the princes came vnto the eare of Alci­biades (onely by the wife ol king Agis, with whom he had committed adultry) F and therefore secretly, and as suddenly as he could, he fled vnto Tissaphernes, King Darius his lieutenaunt, with whom by his courteous and lowly behaui­our he in-linked himself in such great friendship (for he vvas novv in the pride of his yeares, and for beautie, personage, and eloquence, among all the Athe­nians vvas not one to be found, that might iustly be accounted his equall) he The descrip­tion of alci­biades. vvas more ready to winne friendship, then hauing vvoon it, to keepe and pre­serue the same: because all his euill, vvas still masked vnder a faire, smooth, and deceitfull tongue, and shadowed and set out by the gift of excellent elo­quence: he therefore so subtily and politickely wrought vvith Tyssaphernes, that he vvished and aduised by this his dissembling counsell, that Tissapher­nes His subtile councell to Tyslashernes to win credit G should plucke backe and shorten the vvages, and allovvance of victuals, vvhich vvas appointed vnto the Lacedemonians, and also that the Ionians should be called vpon, and forced to beare a part of that great charge that had bene disburssed, and for whose libertie (when they paide tribute vnto the Athenians) these vvarres were first vndertaken.

Moreouer that the Lacedemonians ought not to receiue so much help as they had, considering that he prepared for another mans victory and not his owne, therefore ought in right to be maintained in such sort, that they might not breake off for want of things necessary: for as long as the Greekes were at His reasons vsed to per­swade Tyssa­phernes. debate amongst themselues, the king of Persia had the law in his owne hands, H to make either Warres, or peace, euen as he listed: and at last they might be ouerthrowne and ouercome with their strengthes and powers, whome by al the forces himfelfe could make, was not able to offer them the least mea­sure of iniury: And assoone as the warre should end (which side soeuer got the conquest or victory) he should still bee compelled to maintaine warres [Page 25] with the Conqueror: and therefore was Greece fusfred to consume it selfe at home in Ciuill warres, that all opportunity and leisure might be taken away from them, that they should not looke out abroad for the inuasion of forren Dominions. For the better performance wherof, each party was to be main­tained in equall strength to match the aduersary: and the weaker was stil to be strengthned with fresh supplies, and new succours; for it coulde no way be thought that the Lacedemonians could long continue in rest, if once they got the vpper hand, considering that they had now already made open proclama­tion, that they only were the sole defenders of the safety & liberties of Greece.

This Oration of his pleased Tyssaphernes wondrous well, and presently be­gan A to put in practise whatsoeuer he had vttered vnto him: whereupon he T [...]ssapher­nes cun [...]ing­ly d [...]ceiued by Alcibia­d [...]s. first began to cut short all their wonted liberall allowances; next he with-helde some part of the kings fleet, fearing least he should either giue vnto them a very speedy victory, or else constraine them too suddainely to breake vp and giue an end vnto these long continued warres.

These things comming thus to passe by the craft and subtlety of Alcibiades, he then began to worke a new plot for the good of his owne Countreymen the Athenians Wherupon shortly after was sent vnto him certaine Ambassa­dors from Athens, vnto whome he made this promise, to regaine vnto them the fauour and good liking of the king, if so be that the whole gouernement B of the Common-wealth, might be remoued from amongst the vulgar peo­ple, into the handes and iurisdiction of the Senators: hoping thereby also, that if the Citty agreed well, he himselfe should be chosen chiefe regent and commaunder os the warre, by the whole and general consent: or if at leastwise there shovld arise any dissention amongst them, or betweene the two estates, he shoulde be called to the aide and helpe of the one of them. This some­thing troubled the Athenians, especially seeing the danger of warre that they were wrapped into, and therefore tooke more respect to their safety, then care of their honour, and with generall applause and good will of the people, the gouernment of the common-wealth was wholy committed into the hands of the Senators: when they had gotten all into their owne direction, (through a C naturall pride that lies engraffed in that high estate) they dealte exceeding cruelly wi [...]h the people, and euery man tooke vpon him as if he had bin Lord ouer them: which vsage gaue scope vnto the souldiers to call home again vn­to Alcibiades c [...]lled home, and made Lieutenant generalm the wara [...]s. their aide the long banished Alcybyades, who being come amongst them, they made Admyrall of the Sea: vpon which he immediately sent word vnto Athens, that he would presently come thither with all his hoast, and take the gouernment out of the foure hundred Senators hands (euen by violence) vn­lesse they wold willingly make surrender therof vnto him of their ovvn acord.

This his message troubled all the chiefe and great men of the Citty excee­dingly, D insomuch that they attempted to betray the towne vnto the Lacedemo­nians, but perceiuing that they could not bring their purposes to passe, they voluntarily and vvillingly forsooke their Countrey, and vvere content to be accounted as banished persons. Thus vvhen Alcybiades had freed his country from homebred iarres, he furnished a fresh Nauy of ships, vvith all the hast he could possible, and directed all his forces against the Lacedemoni [...]ns. [Page] There was already in prepared readinesse to waite his comming, two worthy Captaines of the Lacedemonians, (the name of one was Myndarus, the other Pharnabazus,) whereupon these two great Armies ioyned battaile, in most fierce and eager fight, but in conclusion the victory fell vpon the Athenians. Albiciades ouercómeth the Atheni­ins. In which conflict, the greater part of the armye (especially of their chosen men and Captaines) were put to the sword, and fourescore saile of the enemies shipps were also taken. After within a few daies, the Lacedemonians, remoued from the Sea to land, where they receiued a far more greater spoile then euer before: through which discomfiture, they were greatlie perplexed, and in time were forced to make a long and [...]edious sute that a peace might be con­cluded E betweene them: This petition was hindred by those who made gaine by the warre, and in the end could not be attained: In the meane season the Carthagynenses made warres in Sycylly, whereby the Syracusanes were forced to call home all their forces that were abroad to defend their owne territories; so that the Lacedemonians being vtterly bereft of al their aides & succors, Aley­biades with his victorious nauy, wasting and forraging al the coastes of Asya, was bid batel in many places where hee came, yet euery where he got the victory, and recouered backe againe all those Citties which before had reuol­ted; adding vnto his conquests some new places, which before time they ne­uer Albiciade; triumphant­ly receiued home. were possessed of; recouered all the ancient demaines of the Athenians, in­creased his renowne, both by Sea and land, and lastly returned home to A­thens F amongst his owne Cittizens in great ioy and triumph.

Amongst all these battailes and bickerings were taken and put to flight of the enemy, two hundred sayle of ships, besides a mighty great spoile: At the returne home of this triumphant Conqueror, all the people of the Citty came out by heapes, rendring aboundant of prayses euen vnto euery common soldier: but vpon Alcibiades they threw down a wonderment of welcoms, in­somuch they were neuer satisfied enough with the sight of his person, but euen if it were possible [...]dored him as he had beene a God amongst them, or as if he had beene victory it selfe: Vpon this, they highly extolled and praised him, for the memorable and famous actes that he had done for the principall good G of his country, no lesse did they maintain & vphold those things he did against the same, in the time of his banishment; making excuse for him themselues, as that what he had done, proceeded forth of anger and impatience, as also that he was prouoked and vrged thereunto.

It is a wonder to behold, that in one man should appeare so many tokens of valour, as first to be the ouerthrow of so mighty a kingdome: next of the set­ting Albiciades se [...]eth vp and pulleth dovvnc. vp & revniting again of the same: Againe, that whersoeuer he tooke part, victory was euermore attendant vppon his actions; which was the onely cause they honored him aboue men, and little lesse than a God, they were driuen in­to H a debatiue meditation, whether they offered him more wrong in his banish­ment, or more honnor in calling him home: They also brought the same priests and Gods that before had cursed him in banishment, to giue vnto him all glory and ioy at his welcome home againe: and they that of late had denied him all mans help, now if it were possible would aduance him vnto heauen: finally they generally recompenced his despite, with honor, his wrongs, vvith [Page 26] revvards, and his cursings with blessings.

Now was no more whisperings amongst them of the battels, that he lost at Sicilly, but all places were filled with his victories gotten in Greece: there was no speeches what ships he had lost, but euery one could tell what ships he had taken from the enimies: now were the Syracusans clean forgotten and cast out of memory, and no other triumphes but of his conquests, throughout all Io­nia and Hellespont. And thus in these extreames passed he his whole course of life amongst his Countrymen, either meanly and basely abiccted and thrown downe; hated, or else highly honoured; admired, and in manner worshipped as a God amongst them.

During the time these triumphes had their courses, there was one Lysan­der made Captaine generall amongst the Lacedemonians, both at Lande and Lylandet made cap­taine ge [...]eral A Sea: And in the place of Tessaphernes, Darius the king of the Persyans, made one of his sonnes called Cyrus Lieutenant generall of Ionia and Lydia, who gaue vnto the Lacedemonians such plenty of aide, both by men and money, that he put them thereby in good hope, that they should yet once againe re­couer their former estate: wherfore being thus increased in strength, and hea­ring, that Alcibiades was gone into Asya with a great Nauy of aboue one hun­dred saile of ships, they made hast and followed after him, and whilst he was in forraging and spoile of the Countrey, (which was growne exceeding rich by reason of their long continued peace) taking little or no regarde to his soul­diers, but for a little couetise, suffred them to scatter and disperse themselues B vp and downe where themselues liked best for boote, euen as if they had bin secure from all feare: whereupon the enimy taking them at that aduantage, suddenly set vpon them, and made so great a slaughter amongst them, (being Ouersight in Comanders dangerous so scattered and disioynd) that the Athenians receiued more losse in this one so sudden action, then they had won from their enemies in all the battels be­fore: whereby they were brought into so great desperation, that foorthwith, without any stay they turnd away Alcibiades, and chose one Conon in his place to be their Captaine and commaunder: falsely immagining that they recei­ued not this ill successe, by fortune or the chaunce of warre, but through the former treason of their Captaine, newly reuiuing their olde displeasures a­gainst C him, rather then all the benefites which they had receiued from him: And that he ouercame his enimies in all the former battailes, but only to win vnto himselfe a name, and giue them a taste what a worthy commander they refused, and so to make them pay a deerer price for the victory: and to speake truth of him, Alcibiades was of so subtile and politicke a reach, and was withall so farre ingaged with a loose and vicious life, that it was very suspicious that he had such or the like intent as they surmised against him, wherefore fearing the rage and displeasure of the people, out of his owne voluntary disposition, [...]ommitted himselfe the second time againe to banishment,

He being thus shut forth from amongst them, [...]onon was next to follow in Alcibiades the second time bani­shed. D his charge, who hauing had before him such a vvorthy leader, and calling to his remembrance vvho it vvas that hee succeeded, vvithal dilligence and vva­rinesse he furnished vp his Nauy to the sea: vvhich hauing thus put all things in readines, there vvanted men and munition to furnish foorth these ships, for [Page] their stoutest and strongest men were lost in the forraging of Asya: at last what with old men, on the one side, and beardles boyes on the other, they sil­led vp againe the number of Souldiers, though it were a very little strength vnto the hoast, neither feared they to encounter with their enemies, although like weake and vnskilfull souldiers, they were euery where beaten downe, or else forced to betake themselues vnto their heeles: Amongst whom there be­fell so great a desolation (what of them that were slaine, and them that were Great slaugh­ter amongst the Atheniās taken) that not onely the Empire, but euen the very name of the Athenians, seemed in a manner to be extinct and cleane worne out of memory.

By this ouerthrow, they were brought vnto so low an estate, and were so E neerely pillaged, by reason that their men that were seruic cable for the warres, were so extreamely wasted and spent, that they were forced to deuise and let out their Citty vnto strangers; to set their bond men at liberty; to giue par­don to all such as were condemned by the law to die: And so by such meanes gathering togither a rout of rascall out-casts, wher with their armi [...]s were fil­led vp, (they which but euen now were Lords and principall commaunders of all Greece) were now scarcely able to vphold and maintaine their own liberties.

All this not withstanding, they still retained proud harts within them, and as it were scorned the vtmost frowne of fortune: in so much that they resolued once more to venture all at one chance, and set all their fortunes vpon one hazzard by Sea: and where as but euen a little before, they were in vtter despaire F The Atheni­aus resolute. of keeping their owne in safety, they now plunged themselues into a vaine hope that they should get the victory: But it lay not in the povver of souldiers to vphold the honour of Athens, neither vvas it that povver vvherevvith they vvere vvontto giue the ouerthrovv vnto their enemies (and as for their late company of rascality vvho neuer spent their time in practise of military disci­pline, but vvasted most part of their daics in prison and not in the campe,) vvherefore vvhat through their pride on the one side, and their vvant of men of corage and tryed experience on the other side, they vvere all either slaine, by the svvord, or taken prisoners: As for Conon their Captaine, he all alone made a fearefull slight out of the battaile, and fearing the cruelty of his ovvne G Countrymen, took along with him eight saile of ships; taking his direct course Conon sly­eth, with cer­taine ships in to Cyprus. to Euagor as the king of Cyprus.

Thus the Captaine of the Lacedemonians hauing gotten a prosperous vic­tory, proudly insulted ouer the great aduersity that his enemies were fallen into: and in great pomp and triumphs sent al such shipping and other spoiles as he had gotten home to Lacedemon, and made a composition vpon certaine Articles, with all those Citties that were tributary vnto the Athenians, and as yet continued their obedience, because they were not fully resolued to what issue the warres would come leauing not any thing vnder the possession of the H Athenians, saue onely their bare citty.

When these ill tidings began to be spred at Athens, all the inhabitants, as people amazed forsooke their houses, running vp and downe the citty, de­maunding of one another what newes abroad, diligently making searche for him that brought the first report hereof: I say none (from the infant to the old man) had the power to keepe within their ovvne houses, the very extreamity [Page 27] of griefe, did so oppresse and trouble them: but neither children, who want discretion, nor old men, who want strength, nor the women, who are weake by nature, but they altogether pertake in this their sadde and hopelesse deso­lation.

Moreouer they made many meetings in the common market places, and there would spend whole nights in reuiuing their common misfortunes with wofull mourninges. Some bewailed the losse of brethren, some the want of The horror of desolation sonnes, some the lacke offathers, some the misfortune of kindred, other some for those that were neerest vnto them, and generally all bewailed their com­mon misfortunes: now was nothing to be expected but shipwracke both of themselues and Countrey, accounting those that were aliue in farre worse A case then those that were departed. Now coulde they fixe the eyes of their minds vpon nothing but terrour; as hunger, besiedgment, and what was worst that they were vnder the hands of their enemies, whoe might worke his plea­sure vpon them: This also brought into their remembrance the ouerthrowe and burning of their Citty, the captiuity of their bodies, and the most misera­ble slauery that was fallen vpon them: accounting the first ouerthrow of their Citty by the Persians an happye chance vnto them, in comparison of this, in the which they had their wiues, children, parentes, and kinsfolkes remaining still in safety, neither lost they any thing saue onely their houses: but now on B the contrary, they were quite dispoiled of all manner succor and refuge, not hauing left them so much as one ship to fly vnto for succour, as before they might haue done, and by whose helpes they might haue bene the better de­fended, vntill they had bene able to haue newly reedified and builded vp again their Citty.

Whilst they were thus in the middest of their mournings and Lamentes, Athens again besieged their enemies came vpon them, and so sharpely begirte them on euery side by besiedging them, that they constrained them to abide much hunger, for want of victuals: for they knew well inough that ther was no great number of souldiers left aliue within the towne, and without they so beleagred and stop­ped C all the passages, that it was not possible for them to receiue or looke for a­ny helpe or fresh succors to come vnto them: By all which inconueniences ioyned togither, the Athenians were brought into so great extreamitie, partly by famine, and partly by the pestilence, that they desired peace.

Hereupon grew a long debating betweene the Lacedemonians, and other their adherents, whether it were necessary to be granted or no: At last they came vnto diuers censures vppon the matter; where some were of opinion, and thereunto aduised that the name of the Athenians should be vtterly roo­ted out, and burne the Citty downe to the ground: but hereunto the Spartans would in no wise condiscend and agree, seeing that the Greeks hauing but only D two eies, one of them shoulde be put out: So that in conclusion they granted them a peace vpon these condition. First that they should cast downe all the Peace gran­ted the Athe nians vpon condition. Armes of those vvalles, that stretched themselues tovvards the hauen of Pire­um. Secondly, that they should deliuer vp al their ships and shipping that they had yet left. Thirdly, that they should receiue from them xxx. Rulers to go­uerne and guide their commonvvealth.

[Page] Vpon these Articles the Citty was yeelded vp vnto the Lacedemonians, who committed the whole course and managing thereof vnto the discretion of Lysander. In this yeare fell out many things that are worthy to be committed to lasting memory: as first the vtter subuersion of Athens, next the death of I [...] was 400. v [...]r [...]s before Christ, as [...] af­firm [...]th. Darius great king of Persia, as also the banishment of The yonger Dyonise, of whom see more in the 21. Brooke. Dionisius the extreame Tirant of Sicilly.

Thus vvhen the estate of Athens vvas thus mangled and altred, the peo­ple vvere altred also vvith the state: for those thirty Rulers that vvere ap­pointed ouer the Common-vvealth, fell into extreame tyrrany, for at their first entrance, they chose vnto them for their guard the number of three E thousand men, vvhereas all the citty beside vvas not able to make as many more, they had bene so consumed and eaten vp vvith the warres. But be­ing not satisfied nor yet contented, fearing that their band of men were yet too weake to keepe and maintaine their citty in an awfull and slauish feare, they borrowed seuen or eight hundred Souldiers out of the Conquerours campe.

Hauing thus strengthned themselues, they began to make slaughter vp­pon the Cittizens of Athens, beginning first of all vvith Alcibiades, putting him first to death, least vnder pretence of restoring them againe toliber­ty, he might inuade the common-wealth: For it was secretly come vn­to F their care, that he vvas making out tovvarde Artaxerxes, King of, Persia, (vvherefore they sent out certaine poastes after him, to cut him off in the midst of his iourney, if any vvay could be found: at last it vvas their happe to ouertake him, but seeing they could not easily put him openly to death, they set fire on the chamber vvherein he lay, and so in the dead of his sleepe burnt him quicke. Alcibiades burnt in his bed.

Thus vvas the Tyrantes deliuered from the feare they stoode in of this couragious reuenger, and novv they thought themselues free to vvorke a­ny violence vpon the rest of those vveake inhabitants, as slaughter, extorti­on, rauishments, or vvhatsoeuer spoile they could inflict vpon those mise­rable, G vile and most vvretched out-castes that vvere yet remaining aliue, eyther in the citty, or in any other place neere thereunto adioyning, vvhere their auethority might find them out.

But vvhen they perceiued that their cruelty vvas repined at amongst The cruelty of these Ty­rants. them, (especially by one vvhose name vvas Theramenes,) they to the grea­ter terror of all the rest, put him to a most vile and slauish death, so that happy vvas he that coulde first rid himselfe out of the citty: insomuch that all Greece vvas full of the banished Athenians, and yet longe endured not this poore refuge for these poore vvretches: For the Laeedemonians the more to encrease their misery, gaue out a straight edict and proclamation H that not one citty shoulde dare to be so hardy as to receiue so much as one person of the Athenians.

At last they vvithdrevve themselues vnto a place called Argus and The [...]es, vvhere they liued in great daunger during all the time of their ex­ile, but yet they had this comfort, that they should yet once againe recouer their countrey. And to strengthen these their vveake hopes there vvas [Page 28] amongst these banished men, one Thrasibulus, a very goodly man, stoutand The excee­ding loue of Thrasibulus to his Coun­trey. coragious (and what was more, one who came of a noble stock and kindred) this man thinking himselfe bound vnto the good of his country, although it were with the hazzard of his life, aduentured and assembled togither all these his b [...]ni [...]hed countrymen, and tooke the Castle of Phyle, within the territories of Athens: for they had much furtherance of other Citties, that pittied their miserable and wretched estate: Amongst the rest Ismenias prince of the The­banes, though he durst not make open show of any succour or aide towards them by the power of his Countrey, yet he spated neither Gold nor treasure, such as he had vnder his owne possession: Also one Lysias an O [...]ator, of Sira­cusa, A (being [...]t that very instant a banished man) sent vnto them fiue hundred The kindnes of Libas. souldiers well appointed at his owne cha [...]ge, to the further aide of these his sad and heauy Countreymen

These forces being all combined together, recomforted their harts excee­dingly, and herupon began a very fierce encounter on both sides (inasmuch as the one part foug [...]t in earnest, for the recouery of their Couhtrey, and the o­ther part as carelesly for the maintenance of further Tyranny) the Tyrantes were put vnto the worst, and making their retire into the City, which they had already in maner wasted with slaughter & spoiles, they began to hold all the Athenians in Ielousie of treason, wherfore they put them all out of the citty, & B made them to inhabite in the decayed places thereof, and intertained newe Faithfulnesse no way to be corrupted. forren souldiers into their seruice, thinking hereby to maintaine and vphold their former superiority ouer them. After, they went about to try if they could any way corrupt Thrasibulus, promising to make him a fellow equal with them in their Empire; all which could not worke their policies to effect; which they perceiuing, sent for aide vnto the Lacedemonians, the which they suddainely attained, and then made a new encounter vpon their enemies: In which Criti­os, and Hyppom [...]chus, two of the greatest Tyrantes amongst them al, were slaine, the residue being vanquished and ouercome betooke themselues to fl ghr. Thrasibulus Oratio [...] t [...] the disti [...]ssed Athenians.

When thus their Army (whereof the most part were Athenians,) were ma­king C away by flight towards the Citty, Thrasibulus, cried vnto them vvith a loud voice, saying: Why do you flie avvay from me (ô ye Athenians) seeing I haue ob [...]ained the victory, and not rather stand vnto me and helpe me as one who seeke the defence of you all: vvherevvith he bad them also call vnto their remembrance, that all those souldiers vvhich vvere vnder his conduct, vvere of their ovvne Cittizens, and not enimies: as also that he had not taken vvea­pons in hand, to the intent anie vvaie to vvrong them, or to take anie thinge from them, but onelie to restore vnto them all such things as had by violence bene pulled from them by others; assuring them vppon his honor, that the D vvarre vvhich he had vndergone, was wholy against the thirty tyrants, and in no case against the Citty.

Againe, I intreat you to call to your remembrances the kindreds, the lawes, the rights and ceremonies, that had bene in common amongst them. as also the true fellowship that had bene among them, in so many battailes in times past, all which things being wel considered of you, I pray and humbly beseech [Page] you to haue pittie vpon your poore banished Countreymen: and if you your selues can be so hardy and resolute to beare this vnsufferable yoke of bondage with patience, I beseech you to restore vnto vs yet our country, and I wil be the meanes to set you all at free liberty againe.

By this his long and perswasiue Oratory vnto them, he so wrought with them, that when they had gotten all their whole power into the cittie, they compelled the thirty Tyrants out to Eleusis, and in their places they elected The Tyrants banished out of Athens. only ten out of their ovvne choyse, vvho should gouern and rule the vvhole Common-wealth: these being thus seated in the authority of their predeces­sors, fell into the same cruelty that the former had put in practise. E

These things being this come about, tydings was brought to Lacedemon that the Athenians were very sharp set vpon warres: which to the intent they might represse and keep vnder, they sent vnto their king (named Pausanias) who taking great compassion of the banished people, restored all these poore decayed Cittizens home vnto their owne Country againe, violently throw­ing out those other last ten Tyrants out of their Cittye: forcing them to the former place called Eleusis, amongst the rest of their assocyats.

By these meanes they began in some good measure to settle themselues in peace, but yet within some short time after, these Tyrants (disdaining the re­stitution of the banished Cittizens, as they repind at their owne downfal, euen as though other mens liberty had beene their bondage) made warres vpon the F Athenians: But when they came forth to parley, demaunding their former rule & soueraigntie again, they were by pollicy sodenly taken, and slaine as a sacri­fice of peace: then were the people, which they had expelled out of the Citty, Tyrany iust­ly punished. called in again, and the cittizens which by this meanes were distracted diuers­ly, was now at length brought into one body againe. And to the intent no dis­sention might grow about things past, they tooke euery man his corporall oath, to bury vnder foote whatsoeuer grudgings had risen vp amongst them. The atheni­ans againe restored.

Presently after, the Thebanes and Corinthians sent Ambassadors vnto the Lacedemonians, making demaund of their shares of all such spoiles and preies, G as had beene taken in the former warres; as well that they might haue part, in the boote, as to beare out their owne charge and danger: but the Lacedemoni­ans returned backe vnto them a flat deniall of these their demands, wherevpon they presently proclaymed open warres against them: but they did not pre­sently prosecute the same warre, but onely bare vnto them a spightfull grudge in their harts, and would burst forth into action at some other time, when least they were suspected.

Much about this time, Darius king of Persia dyed, leauing behinde him two sonnes Artaxerxes and Cyrus. By his last will and testament, bequeathed vnto The death of Darius the Bast [...]rd, with his last Will. Artaxerxes the kingdome and vnto Cyrus he bequeathed al such citties wher­of H he himself was at that time sole ruler and commaunder. But Cyrus thought his father wronged him exceedingly in his bequest, wherefore he very priuily prepared and made warre against his brother. Artaxerxes hauing knowledge hereof, sent for him, and not regarding his counterfaite pretence of innocen­cy, as that he purposed no such matter against him, bound him in fetters of gold, and was also fully determined to haue put him to death, had not his mo­ther [Page 29] hindred him. Cyrus therefore being thus set at liberty, did not as before make warre in secrecye but openly, not nowe by dissembled shewes, but open defiance; so that he gathered vnto him much aide and assistance. Amongst the rest the Lacedemonians calling to remembrance, that by his meanes they wer greatly strengthned in their warres against the Athenians, (like ignorant men, not knowing against whom this warre was intended) determined to send all the aide they could make vnto Cyrus vpon any small warning giuen, seeking both for thanks at the hands of Cyrus, and pardon from Artaxerxes, if his should chance to be the victory: pleading for their better excuse, that what they had attempted was not meant against him openly. But being in battell, A such was the euill chance, that the two brothers met together, and in the en­counter Artaxerxes was wounded very sore by the hands of Cyrus, but by the swiftnesse of his horse he was deliuered from death, but his brother Cyrus was Warres be­twixt Cyrus and Artax­erxes. ouercome by the kings guard, and presently put to death: So that Artaxerxes got the victory and spoile ouer his brothers warre, and his army also. In this battell were ten thousand Greekes that came to the aide of Cyrus, who in that wing where they were placed got the vpper hand, and after the death of Cyrus could neither be ouercome by so great an host of men, nor yet be intrapped by pollicy: But in their returne homward, they defended themselues Cyrus slaine. manfully, (though they passed by many nations, and also had B a tedious iourney) yet at last they safely attai­ned vnto the borders of their owne Countrey. C D

The ende of the fifth Booke.

THE SIXT BOOKE of Iustine. E

THE ARGVMENT.

THe L [...]e lemonians thirst after the whole Empire of Asia. Tissaphernes put by the office of Lieutenant generall. Conon of Athens made Admirall of the Persian sleet. The L [...]cedemonians send to thEgyptians for ayde. Agesi­ [...]s is [...]mployed against Conon. Conon ouercomm [...]th Lysander vpon the Sea. A­the [...] [...] libertie againe. Epaminondas ouercommeth the Lacedemonians, F and putteth Lysander to the sword. Agesilaus wres [...]eth the victory from the The­ [...]. The Athenians send [...]phierates with an hoast to the ayde of the Thebanes. The [...] [...] broght to a dangerous straight. Conon is receiued with much ioy of his Cittizens. Athens againe newly reedified. Artaxerxes proclaimeth a generall [...] throughout all Greece, and setteth all the Citties at liberty. He maketh warre [...] the Egyptians. Rome taken by the French-men. Warres betweene the Lace [...] an [...] the Archadians, at last they fal friends out of a voluntarie consent [...] [...] Duke of Thebes inuadeth Lace [...]emon, and is repelled by the aged & [...] [...] [...]countreth him. Epaminondas is slaine, with whome died [...] of the Gre [...]kes. G

WHen the Lacedemonians had conquered the Athenians, they could not yet rest contented, although they vver grovvn to great power and strength by this their for­tunate [...]. succes: but novve they beganne to cast about h [...] they might attaine vnto the vvhole Empire of Asia (the greater part vvhereof vvas in the go [...]erne­ment of the Persians.) There vvas appointed as Lie [...] ­tenant generall of these vvarres one Dercillides: vvho [...]he [...] savv, that he m [...]st o [...]pose himselfe against tvvo other vvoorthy H and [...] [...]. namely Pharna [...]zus, and Tissap [...]ernes, vvhich [...] [...] vnto Artaxerxes, and e [...]ermore had in a read [...]nes, the [...] [...] of the greatest Nations vnder [...]he sunne, at their f [...]ll com­ [...] [...] [...] himselfe hovv he might vvorke it about, to make the [...] [...] [...] comma [...]ders, his friende and vvhether of their friend­s [...]ip [...] most auaileable for his intended purposes: vvhereupon he [Page 30] concluded vvithin himselfe that Tissaphernes vvas the fittest and vvorthiest person to make peace vnto, being a man both of greater experience, and farre more couragious and actiue in military discipline then the other, as also that he vvas better furnished vvith companies of souldiers, for he had all those forces vvhich sometime belonged to King Cyprus.

Some short time after upon occasions they met togither, vvhere after much communication had betvveen them, it vvas agreed uppon certaine conditions, that Tissaphernes should not meddle nor be seene to aduise any thing at that time in these vvarres. Whereupon Pharnabazus being soone displeased hereat, made a uery grieuous complaint unto the King their lord and Maister, declaring all the manner of his slacknesse against the Lacede­monians A vvhen as they entred into Asia, nourishing them there at the Kings charge, and further that hee had agreede vvith them to delay the Warres, Tyssaphe [...] ­nes accused to the [...]ing. vvhich they had in hand, seeing the dammage vvould redound vppon the whole Empire. Also hee vrged further, that it was an euill president, that the vaarre should hang, and not go thorough, but lingered still along, as if the enemy vvere vvell bribed vvith money, vvhen as indeed it vvere meet, to make them fly by force of Armes.

When he had done this complaint and brought Tissaphernes into high displeasure vvith the King, he gaue him counsell to remoue him from being high Admiral of the seas, & in his place to cal home Conon of Athens, (vvho B had liued as an exile euer since the conquest of his country) and make him admirall. For although the Athenians vvere berest of povver and riches, yet their experience in Nauigation, remained vvithin them vncontrolled: Moreouer if a man should search neuer so secretly amongst them al, there vvas none to be found, for that place, more fit then Conon.

Hereupon Pharnabazus hath deliuered vnto him fiue hundred talentes of siluer, vvith full commission to make Conon high admirall of the Kinges fleet. But vvhen the Lacedemonians had gotten intelligence hereof, they sent Conon made Admirall of the Persyan Fleet. presently Ambassadors vnto the King of Egipt, desiring him to send Herci­monius, C with a sufficient Nauy of ships to aid them against their enemies: Vpon which their demaund, he sent them as hastily as they coulde, a hun­dred Gallies, and fiue hundred quarters of corne, and other Nations their vvel-wishers, sent them mighty succor. But novv to this great army, there vvanted a vvorthy leader: vvherfore those that were in the bands of frend­ship vvith the Lacedemonians; requested that they might obtain as their ge­nerall Agesilaus (and at that time king of the Lacedemonians.) Heere-about the Lacedemonians, demurred vpon the matter a long space, vvhether they might make him generall or not, by reason of the Oracle at Delphos, which was, that that Empire should suddainely ende, when it was seene, that the D Royall estate halted (for indeed Agesilaus was lame in one of his feet.) At length they resolued, it were better their King to halt in his going, them the kingdome halt for want of a sufficient Gouernor.

Hereupon was Agesilaus sent into Asia, with a mighty host, there was ne­uer The worthy praises of Conon and Ages [...]aus. two such worthy captaines better fitted together then these two: for they both were of equal years; alike valiant, wise, honorable, and pol [...]ticke, & their whole gouernement, iumped in all thinges alike: Now although [Page] fortune had made them so like the one the other in all things, yet she still so preserued them in all their enterprises, as that they neuer had conquest the one ouer the other: They both were great commaunders in the warres, and both of equall spirits in all attempts: But as for Conon, his souldiers mutanized much against him, for that the kinges Lieutenantes in former times, were accustomed to deale very wrongfully with their souldiers about their wages, abridging and cutting shorte much of that allovvance vvhich The soldi [...]rs mut [...]ye a­gainst Conō. vvas appointed for them, and therefore became much more the earnester vvith him, and so much the rather in that they tooke vppon them, such a peece of desperate seruice in so great a vvar, vnder so Noblea commander. E

Novv had Conon beene a long suter vnto the king by his Letters, but could neuer receiue satisfaction for his long labours, vvheruppon bethink­ing vvith himselfe hovv to make short, his vvearisome trauailes, at last in resolued maner, vvent vnto the king in person: vvhen he vvas come into the kings Court, hee might not be admitted neither to the presence, nor speech of the King, (the reason vvas) because he vvould not vvorship him after the manner of the Per [...]yans: Neuertheles, he vvas limited to entreate vvith the King by certaine Messengers, vvherein he much lamented that the vvarres of so mighty and rich a Prince, s [...]ould be hindered and slacked, onely for vvant of money, vvhereas the enemy, vvhose army coulde no vvay exceed theirs, had money in great aboundance, and yet your Maie­sty F hath greater aboundance then they; requesting that he vvoulde no lon­ger be found vveake in that, vvherein the enemy could no vvay equall him. And to this ende he demaunded the disbursing of the money himselfe, ac­counting it daungerous, to haue the dooinges that belonged thereto com­mitted in to many mens hands: So at last hauing obtained all his requestes, and the treasure also, he immediately vvithout any further stay, returned backe againe to his ovvne f [...]eet, and setting all his vvits on vvorke fel close­ly to his businesses. In the vvhole course and carriage of his life, manye thinges he attempted, and many thinges he as prosperously atchiued. He G Conons vio­lence vpon [...]ern [...]ce. vvasted much of the enemies land, vvoon many of their Citties, and euen as if it had bene a violent tempest, bore dovvne vvhatsoeuer stoode in his vvay. These his boisterous proceedinges, brought the Lacedemonians into great feare, vvhereupon they determined to call home again Agesilaus out of Asia, to looke vnto the defence of his ovvne countrey.

In the meane time (fearing the vvorst) Lysander vvhome Agesilaus ap­pointed his Vize-gerent the time of his absence, assembled a great Nauy of ships, and furnished them vvith all the povver they vvere able to make, purposing if occasion offered it self to try their fortunes by dint of svvord, rather then to yeeld to the proudest enemy vnder the Sunne. H

Conon all this vvhile vvas making all things in readines to vvage battaile vvith his enemy (but forsomuch as this vvas the first time that euer he en­countred Conon [...] for­wardnesse to the fight. vvith so great a povver) it stood him much vpon to be very care­full and circumspect in the ordering and appointing out of his men, for there vvas not onely a controuersie amongest the Captaines, but also be­tvveen the common souldiers, and Conon being chosen captaine ouer all, [Page 31] was as carefull for the Persyans, as for his owne Countrey. For like as it fared with the Athenians, when thy were vtterly discomfited, he was one of the on­ly men that sought the ouerthrow of their Dominion: so on the contrary, it was his whole desire, to recouer it againe, and now at last to set vp againe his country by the victory which he before had lost being ouercome: the which thing being brought about, would redound much more to his honor, for that he had not now vnder his command the Athenians his own Countrymen, but the whole power and strength of a forren Prince, so that by this meanes all the perill, daunger, and losse, should be the Kings, and the gaine of victory shold be only for the good of his countrey: and the honor which would light vpon him, woulde be in farre greater measure then many other valiant Captaines A which had stood for the defence of their countrey, many yeeres before time: for whereas they defended their country, by ouercomming the Persians, hee should set her vp in her former estate, by making the Persians conquerors.

On the other side Lysander, in that he was of neer kin to Agesilaus, was also an earnest immitater of his vertues, framing himselfe by all meanes possible, The worthy praise of Ly­sander. not any way to swarue from his Noble and woorthy examples, nor from his shining renown and glory that the world did cast vpon him: but that he would haue so watchfull an eie ouer his proceedings, that the Empire which was so long a getting, in so many battailes, might not come to wracke, thorogh his B default, in the turning of a hand. This draue not onely the souldiers, but the kings also, into a vile perplexity, for that they douted the losing of their welth, and feared least the Athenians should recouer againe the soueraignty: But the fiercer the battell grewe, the more glorious appeared the victorie on Conons part. For the Lacedemonians were put vnto the vvorst, and fled, and many of their garrisons were led away to Athens. Thus were the people once againe restored to their former estate, and many of their citties also were recouered backe againe vnto their Empire. This was a full victorie vnto the Athenians, and to the Lacedemonians an end of the freedome that they had long retained: and now seeing that with their kingdome they had lost the greatest part of their valour also, their neigbors on euery side, held them base, and prouoked them C in great disdaine. Amongst the rest the Thebanes, (with the helpe of the Athe­nians) raised Warres vppon them: the which citty being mightily increased Disdam, hād [...]yd to [...]ll Fortune. through the valiant actes of their Duke, (who was called Epaminondas) began to aspire at the whole Empire of Greece. Whereupon there hapned betweene them, a great battell, wherein the Lacedemonians had as ill successe by land, as by sea, against that worthy leader Conon. In vvhich conflict. Lysander, a chief captain of the Lacedemonians ouer came the Athenians, and vvas slaine. Pausa­nias, being attached for treason, fled. Lysander sl [...].

Thus the Thebans hauing gotten the vpper hand, made their whole power D against Lacedemon, perswading themselues to make an easie conquest, theyr reason vvas, in that they were destitute of ayde to make resistance. This their intent gaue matter of great mistrust vnto the Lacedemonians, causing them to speed home Agesilaus from his Persyan victories, to defend his ovvne king­dome from violence; for Lysander being dead, no fitte Captaine coulde bee found, on vvhose trust and valour they durst repose. Neuerthelesse, seeing it [Page] would belong cre Ag [...]silaus could come, they raised vp their powers, preparing to meete the enemy: But neither their courage, nor yet their strength was able to withstand the enemy, (of whom but euen lately they had receiued a foile) therefore at the very first ioyning of their battels, they were forced to betake themselues to slight.

As thus the host of the Athenians were in the depth of their discomfiture, Ag [...]silaus the king c [...]me into the fielde, and what with his resolute courage, and a band of fresh and justy olde Souldiers, such as had beene nursed vp in many bloudy bankets, with little or no labour at all, snatched the victory out of the enemies hands: But himselfe receiued in this conflict a very dangerous wound: At last tydings here of came vnto Athens, wherefore the Athenians E (fearing that the Lacedemonians would get the vpper hand, againe, and then they were sure to fall into their old estate of bondage) raised a power of men, and sent them to the aide of the Beotians by a young Gentleman (named sphi­c [...]s) not aboue the age of one and twenty yeares, but yet of a most towardly and couragious spirit. The valour of this young man, excelled and far surpas­sed The [...] [...] of [...]. his yeares, for amongst all the noble and valiant Dukes and Captaines that the Athenians had had before, there was none of gr [...]ater likelihood, or more [...]ype ca [...]iage then he: also he had planted in him, not only all the points of an excellent Captaine, but for an exquisit Orator deserued worthy commenda­tion. F

Conon hearing of the returne of Ag [...]silaus, returned also out of Asia, mea­ning to wast and spoile the country of Lacedemon in most sharp reuenge: In so­mu [...]h as the Spartanes being enclosed in on euery side, (and being sore afraid Conon re­turneth to Athens. of warre, which continually r [...]ng in their eares) were mightily out of hart, and almost come into a desperate state: But notwithstanding Conon spared them not at all, for when he had by voilent spoiles forraged the fields and houses of his enem [...]es, he tooke his iorney towards Athens: where (albeit his welcome was with great ioy vnto his countreymen) yet notwithstanding, his sorrow f [...]re exceeded their ioy; to behold, how his countrey had beene vyolated, burned, and defaced by the Lacedemonians: wherefore such places as were laid G wast, he caused to be builded vp again with the spoiles that they had recouered from the L [...]ce [...]e [...]onians, and at the charges of the Persian Army. Such was the bad fortune of Athens, that being once before burned by the Persyan, it was now repaired and made good againe, with such spoiles as had beene got­ten from the Persyans: and at this time being defaced by the victories that they gotte [...] the Lace lemonians, came all about by clean contraries, for they that [...] but euen now their fellowes and friendes, became their enimes: and tho [...] that were al [...]aies enimes, became their friends.

Wh [...] these things sell out amongst them, Artaxerxes king of Persia, sent H out c [...]t ine Ambassadors into Greece, commaunding that every part should cease from ar [...]s, and whatsoeuer they were that withstood the contrary, should be reputed and taken as an enemy: further he restored vnto euery citty their ancyent liberties, and euery man to take nevv possession of his ovvn: vvhich d [...]ed of his, vvas not so much in regard that they might haue respite from ho­stility and ciuil Wa [...]res amongst themselues, neither was it to ease and drawe [Page 32] avvaie (if it were possible) the hatred that they nourished amongst them one A vniuet sall peace by [...]o­pulsion tho­roughout all Greece. towards another: as it was for feare whilst he was imployed about his owne Warres in Egipt, (the which he had drawn vpon himselfe in that he aided the Lacedemonians againste the Egiptian Lieutenants,) his hoast of men shoulde be detained and withheld in Greece. Wherefore the Greekes being euen wea­ried and ouertoyled with Wartes, easilie consented to obey willingly, what they were commaunded.

This yeare vvas accounted vvorthily of, not onely because of their sud­daine peace throughout all Greece, but also because the same yeare, the the citty of Rome, vvas taken by the Frenchmen: Novv the Lacedemonians had too long rest, and idlenes began to set nevv fire amongst them, vvhere­fore A It was befor the birth of Christ 389. [...]. they laid in vvait for any the least ad [...]antage that might be giuen. At last they espieng th Arcadians were gone from home, they surprised one of their Castles, turning out their men, and planted in their places a garrison of their ovvne. Heere began againe fresh broiles: for the Arcadians, ha­uing the aide of the Thebanes challenged their losses againe by the svvord: In this conflict Archiadanus captaine of the Lacedemonians was sore vvoun­ded who perceiuing that his men vvere ouerpressed and beaten dovvne, as being ouercome, sent vnto the enemy an Herauld, demaunding the dead bodies of all his men that vvere slaine, and that he might by order & law of B Armes be suffred to bury them.

For amongst the Greekes, it is an vndoubted token of victory in yeelding themselues, wherewith the Thebanes sounded a retreat, and left following anie further in the pursuite of them. Afterwards within some small time, when e­uery man seemed to rest so well satisfied euen as if a truce had beene taken be­tweene them: and all displeasure quietly put vp in silence without any further mistrust on either part: the Lacedemonians being imployed on other scruices abroad amongst the Nations, the Thebanes contrary to all expectation, vnder the leading of a valiant captaine (called Epaminondas,) began a new plot of cunning, purposing to win away their citty, and to set vpon them at vnwares. C And to effect this their diuelish deuise, they tooke the beginning of the night to set forward in towardes Lacedemon, as closely and as secretlye as could a­nie waie bee deuised: but they receiued as foule a repulse, as their intention was treacherous. For the old men of the cittie, and other impotent people (as were most vnable,) hauing true intelligence of the approache of the enemie, put themselues in armes, met them at the entrance of the Gates, and althogh their number was exceeding small (not much aboue one hundred, old, lame, and forevvorne men) put themselues vppon the encounter, against fifteene thousand Souldiers: So vndaunted was their courage, and strength, that ra­ther The couragi ou [...] stomach of a [...] ag [...]d p [...]ns. they did choose to put their liues to hazzard of fight, rather then to sitte D still and suffer their countrey to be spoiled and ouercome, and themselues being of small abilitie to make resistance, to be either with violence put vnto the sword, or what was worse, become their vassals and bond-men: wherefore onelie these few aged persons, held such plaie with them, that before the mor­ning, all the youth they had amongst them were sore tired, and in a manner ouercome.

[Page] In this battell there were two of the most valiantest of their Captaines slaine with the sword: meane space word was brought that Agesilaus was very neere at hand, which stroke such a dampe amongst the Thebanes, that they suddenly retired, and made away as fast as they were able: but yet it ended not in this manner, but within a little space after, there was a new encounter againe. For the younger sort of men amongst the Lacedemonians, being informed of the valarous courage and demeanor of the old men, their rage could no way be restrayned, but they would haue a new tryall made in open field, although they were already fully perswaded that the victory would fall vpon the heades of the Thebanes. E

In this conflict Epaminondas, (who bare himselfe valiantly, not onely as he Epaminon­das daunge­rously wounded. was Captaine, but both captaine and souldier) receiued his deaths wound: At the report whereof the one part was so surprysed with feare, and the other part so amazed in ioy, as both of them (as they had beene new combyned friends) departed the fieldes, without any further strokes. Some few daies af­ter Epaminondas departed, and with his death began the whole wracke of the common-wealth: for euen as it fareth with one, who hauing a weapon bateth and taketh away the edge therof, wherby that is left is able to do litle harme: e­uen so fareth it with this common-wealth, who hauing lost so good a Duke, who was the very edge of the common-wealth of Thebes, the force of which The [...] of Epammō ­das. edge was eu [...]n so much abated, and weakned, that they seemed not so much F to lament his losse, as that they wished they might vtterly haue perished with him. For during the term of his daies they atchieued many worthy victories, but his life being taken avvay, robbed them likevvise of their former happi­nesse, and turned all cleane contrary against them to the vtter spoile and ruine of their liues.

All vvhich aftervvard vvas made euident to every eie, that the glory and renovvne of the vvhole Countrey began with him, and at his end dyed also with him. Also he bare himselfe euery way so worthy a states-man, that it was hard for a man to iudge whether he deserued more praise for valour, or exact G gouernment in life. For before all thinges whatsoeuer, he sought the preser­uation and defence of his Countrey, and not his owne priuate glory: money and treasure he esteemed nothing worth, Insomuch that all the store he had, was not of sufficient value to bring him to the graue: And euen as he esteemd money, so did he hold the praises of men not worthy the consideration. As for promotions he sought to shunne them, but that contrary to his desire, they were alwaies throwne vpon him against his will: In his places of authoritye, he behaued himselfe so grauely, wisely and bountyfully, that he seemed rather a grace to honor, then honor grace to him. H

In learning, he farre surpassed many, who thought themselues his superior, and therein was so studious, that he was able to giue instruction, in the know­ledge of Phylosophy, and which vvas more to be admired in him, that a man so borne and bred vp altogither in Schooles, should yet in the end proue so excellent a vvarriour. [Page 33] neither did his death disagree with the former course of his life: for being by a violent blow, stricken to the ground, he was taken vp and brought into his Tent, (being halfe dead) anon when he was againe somthing reuiued, and withall recouered his speech, he looked round about vpon all his attendants, & seeing them al there, the first question that he demanded was, whether his enemies had taken and seased vpon his shield when they felled him. They who were neerest vnto his person, answered him no, his shield was safe. Then The wordes of Epaminō ­das a little be fore his death he commanded it to be brought vnto him, that as a principall companion with him in all his trauailes and gloryous victories, hee might kisse it. Then he demaunded further, whether part had gotten the glory of the fielde: so A when answer was giuen, that the Thebanes remained conquerors: then (sayd he) al is well: So ast were in reioycing maner for the safety of his country, he laid him downe againe, and so departed. His death.

This man thus remoued by death, here also ended the prowesse and valour of the Athenians: for after that time, he being gon, whose footesteps and dy­rections they euer followed, they gaue themselues ouer to slothfull Idlenesse, spent and consumed all their reuenues vainely, (not vpon ships, and men of warre, as informer times) but in feastings, in Hollidayes, in making prepara­tion for Pageants, plaies, and other idle pastimes; assembling themselues in great multitudes in Theaters, to behold their famous stage-playes and Poets; B and among them were more freequent, then in the campe: Then set they all their delights on Rymers, and Oratours, and in the meane time little or no­thing respected either Captaines or Souldiers. Then the common treasure wherewith men of warre and mariners was accustomably relieued and main­tained, began to be scatred and diuided amongst the people in the Cityes. These disorders being thus rooted amongst them, it cam to passe that whiles the Greekes gaue ouer themselues to all sensuallitye, the name of the Macedo­nes, which euer before was held most vile and contemptible sprung vp, and grew to honor amongst them: and that Phillip, (who had beene three yeares in hostage in the Cittie of Thebes) being growne vp to great knowledge in milli­tary C affairies, (by the fauors of Epaminondas and the Pelopidanes) laid the kingdome of Macedonie like a heauy yoke of bondage vpon the neckes, both of Greece and Asya, bringing them and their posterity into an euerlasting subuersion. D

The end of the sixth Booke.

THE SEVENTH BOOKE E of Iustine.

THE ARGVMENT.

MAcedon described with the kinges thereof. Caranus following a hearde of Goates winneth the citty Edissa. He altereth the name thereof, making it the chiese citty of Macedon. He subdueth diuers kinges. Perdicas raign­eth after him and prophesieth of his posteritie. Argeus taketh his place, and leaues F the Crowne to his yong sonne Europe. The Macedonians ouercome the Illyrians. Amint as succeedeth, his son Alexander killeth the Persian ambassadors who came from that Darius, of whom is mention made in the first and second Books. Bubares marrieth Alexanders sister. Aminthas succeedeth Alexander. The bloudy mother killeth her owne children. Philip is brought vp at Thebes, and after crowned king. He vanquisheth all his borderers, conquereth the Thessalians, marrieth Olympias the mother of great Alexander, and in the end winneth Methone.

COncerning Macedon, in auncient times it was called Aemathya, after the name of Aemathion, sometime king G of that countrey. This king was the first in all these parts, that gau [...] any worthy tast of valour, and honorable acts in warre. As this Countrey increased, one part after ano­ther, so when it was at the largest, it was in account but very smal, euen the whole boundes thereof. The Inhabi­tants thereof were called Pelagians, and the Countrey it selfe B [...]tia: but afterwardes, through the worthy actions of their kings, and manly resolution of the people: first in that they subdued and brought vnder those that inhabited round about them, and shortly after, other nations, and people dwelling further off, whereby the Empire became mightily enlarged, H euen to the vttermost borders of the East.

In the region of Peony (which is now accounted a parcell of Macedon) there sometime raigined, (if report may carry any credite) one Telagonus, the fa­ther of Astriopeus, whose name a man may heare so often repeated in the battels of Troy, amongst those noble warriors which stoode onely vpon the defence of that Citty. Againe, in that part, Europe, raigned a king, called by the name of Europe.

[Page 34] Then sprang vp among them one Caranus, (who with a great multitude of The f [...]st [...] of M [...]edon. [...]reekes) hauing receiued a charge from the Oracle, that he should seeke an habitation in Macedony; wherefore following the commandement he had re­ceiued, at last he came into Aemathia (following an heard of Goats that fled from a great shoure of raine) & entred and wan the Citty of Edissa, before the men of the towne were warned of his approach, chiefely by reason that the storme was very great: then did he call to minde what was deliuered by the for­mer Oracle, that he should seeke out a kingdome, whereunto the Goates should be his guide, wherefore he appointed this the chiefe seate of his kingdome. Also euer after it was his obseruation, that whensoeuer and whethersoeuer he conducted any hoast of men he would euer haue the same Goates set before his Goats apoin­ted by the Oracle to di­rect to a [...]ing dome. A standard that as they were the Authours of his kingdome, so they might also be his leaders in all his enterprises: So that for a perpetuall remembrance of this benefit, he changed the name of Edyssa, and called it Aegaea, and the peo­ple thereof Aegaeades. Afterwards, when he had quite expelled and shut out Mydas (for he also helde a part of Macedon) and diuers other petty kingdomes, he brought it all into one sole gouernment, and vniting together diuers sorts of people, made but one entire body of all Macedony, whereby he layd a very strong and sure foundation for his succession to build vpon.

After him succeeded Perdicas, whose life was notable, and the speeches that B he vttred at his last departure, (were as if they had beene receiued from an ora­cle) P [...]dicas and his prophe [...]y. worthye of euerlasting memory: For being very aged, and euen ready to shake hands with death, he called before him a sonne of his called Argeus, and shewed vnto him the place whereas his body should be buried, and not his body onely, but euen the bodies of all them that should succeede him in the kingdom, to be interred in the same place: prophesieng before, that so long as the bones of his posteriry were buryed there, so long the kingdome should remaine in his house & family, Wherevpon grew vp a superstitious beleese among them; all which failed in Alexander the great, because he was the man that altred and changed this place of burial. C

Thus Argeus hauing gouerned this kingdome, with vpright Iudgement, and much loue of the people, left this world: after whose death, his sonne Phillip swaied the Crowne and Septer by lawfull succession; but Phillip also had not long supplied the state and dignity of a king, but sudden death surpri­sed him, whereby the Crown descended vpon his heire, (named Europe) being then a very babe.

In these daies, there was continuall hostility betweene the Macedones, and the T [...]r [...]cians and Illyrians, by continuance whereof, they became so hard­ned, that they grew tobe accounted famous in marcyall discipline, and also became a feare and terror vnto all their neighboring nations. Wherefore the D Illyrians holding the Infancy of the young king in great contempt, they bid battell vnto the Macedones, in which conflict hauing receiued a very shamefull repulse, from the hands of their enemies, they brought forth their king as he lay in his Cradle, and placed him in the midst amongst them in the field, and Europe king of Macedon brought in a [...] [...] the [...]. hauing so done, they gaue a fresh assault vpon the enemy (vainly imagining, that the only cause of their former ouerthrow was, the want of the ki [...]ges pre­sence [Page] in the battel) and that now they doubted not to gaine the vper-hand, although it were no way likely, but euen to satisfie their superstitious blind­nesse, and fed themselues with meere imaginations.

Atlast (calling themselues to remembrance) they bestowed some parte of their pitty vpon the infant King, of whome it was none other to be loo­ked The infant King [...]. for, but to make him of a King, to become a captiue, if they chanced to lose the day, and fall into the handes of their enimies. Wherefore the en­counter being siercely maintained on both parts, atlast the Illirians recei­ued the soile, with much slaughter, (as if the Macedons in all their former battailes wanted neither manhood, nor courage, but a king onely.) After E the decease of Europe, Aminthas was next in succession, he was a right re­nowned Prince, both for the prowesse and manly resolution of him himselfe as also the singular forwardnesse of his sonne Alexander, whom nature had sorichly bedect in ful perfection of all vertuous Ornaments, that euen in al the games and pastimes of Olimpas, he bare away the prize, from all that opposed themselues against him.

About this time, Darius King of Persia (who was put to flight and bani­sned out of Scithia) scorning to be dishonord in euery place he came, by reason of his many ill fortunes in the warres, sent forth Megabyzus, with a great part of his army to subdue all Thr [...]ce, and other kingdomes scituate a­bout those coasts, amongst which (for the slender regard and estimate ther­of F he shold account Macedon for one:) he making as short work as he could, put in execution what his Maister had commaunded, dispatched Ambassa­dors to Amintas King of Macedon, demaunding hostages of peace for that that should be concluded and fully ratified between both parts. These Am­bassadors were very royally entertained and feasted by Amintas: At the last being fully gorged with full carouses, their onely sute and request was, that inasmuch as he had made them so sumptuoas a feast, and snewed vnto them such store of royall entertainment, so he would also graunt vnto them likewise the rights that iustly follow and belong to that kindnesse they had G already receiued: (Viz: that their sonnes, wines, and Daughters, might haue free accesse to keepe them company (for this was euer helde amongst the Persians, as a sure token and pledge of hospitality,) which being graun­ted, they entered the place, at whose approach, the Persians began to fall to wanton dalliance, in greater measure then was to be indured. Whereupon Alexander the sonne of Aminthas, desired his father in respect of his age and grauity) to withdraw himselfe from the banquet, promising that he woulde quickely asswage this vnciuill carriage of his guests wantonnesse.

When Amintas was departed, according as he had requested, Alexan­der called foorth the women one after another, making shew as if he would H newly a [...]tire them farre more gorgeoas to the eie, and then they should re­turne againe to their further delight: which hauing done, hee had in readi­nesse The [...] of wanton Ambassadors as many lusly men, young and venturous, and these richly attired in Ladies weedes, with euery man his weapon, vnder their rich attire, char­ged them, to queach the wantonnesse, of these dotards with the points of their weapons: and so were all the Ambassadors put vnto the sword, euen in the [...]igth of their iolli [...].

[Page 35] When Megabyzus had receiued true intelligence of what was hapned (be­ing wrapt into a world of admiration, in that they made so long tariance, and returned not) he himself disdaining to take in hand the voiage fearing it might greatly disparadge his honour, ifhe should offer battell to so base and abiect a Nation: appointed foorth one of his princely leaders called Bubares, to whom he gaue in charge but only the smallest part of his Armies, acounting it as sufficient for so meane and easie a peece of serui [...] in which action Bu­bares, became of a valiant Souldier, an amorous loue [...] for whereas his onely comming was to bid them battell, he was on the suddaine so intangled in the loue of the daughter of Amintas, that he banished farre from him all former Mariage be­tweene the Persyans and Macedons. A hate and enmity, and in an indissoluble band of Matrimony, knit vp all rights of friendship, and allianced himselfe in kindred cuen with those his verie ene­mies.

Shortly after the departure of Bubares from Macedon, Amintas deceased, who left behinde him Alexander as his sonne and lawful successor. Moreouer the mariage and affinity of Bubares into the Persian race, brought therewith such aboundance of peace, that throughout all the daies of Darius it had full scope and passage, without any manner interruption: and after him it also purchased the generall fauour and good liking of Xerxes, who was after lawful­ly seated in that kingdome: Insomuch as when he made an inuasion into B Greece (being mightily incensed and intaged against the same) he gaue vnto him all the royalty of the whole Countries, that lay open towards the moun­taines of Olympus and Hemus: notwithstanding all which guifts and graces, he enlarged his kingdome more and more by his owne fortunes, as well as by the liberall hand of the Persians.

Afterward, by order of succession, the kingdome of Macedon discended to Amyntas, who was sonne vnto his brother Menelaus. This man was held in high regarde, for his manly prowesse, and all the exercises of military dissi­pline. Amyntas the second He tooke to wife Eurydice, on whose body he begat three worthy Sonnes, the first Alexander, the second Perdycas, the third and last was Phillip (the father of Alexander the great) and one onely daughter (named Euryone.) C This wife deceased, he hadde a second mariage to one Cygea, of whose body he also had yssue Archelaus, Arydens and Menalius: This king was much en­combred by maintaning warres euery way: first with the Illyrians, and after with the Olinthyans.

Also he was oft in danger of his life, by the plots and treasons of his wife Eurydice (who practising and attempting all the wayes she could to enioy her wanton desires with her Sonne in law, left no way vnattempted to shorten The treason of Eur [...]dice towards the Kings person and dispatch her husband, thereby to establish the kingdome to her lawlesse Paramour: the which practises ofhers had wel-nigh taken effect, had not her D onely daughter (at the very pinch) opened and bewraied all her mothers fal­shods, and traiterous conspiracies.

The olde man, beeing thus preserued and deliuered from all the practises of treason, died in peace, leauing the kingdome to his eldest begotten Sonne Alexander. This Alexander at the vere entrance to his crowne concluded a peace with the Illyryans, for agreat sum of money to be paid vnto him, and for

[...]

THE EIGHTH BOOKE E of Iustine.

THE ARGVMENT.

THe Lacedemonians and Phocenses condemned in a great summe of money. The Phocenses rob the Temple at Delphos. Phillip is chosen captaine general against these Church-robbers and subdueth them. Afterwards hee setteth vpon the The [...]anes and spoiled them for whose defence he pretended all his labors. F He cunningly stealeth the kingdome of Cappadocia, destroyeth Olynth in Thrace, dispossesseth two Brother-kings of their Royalties. He concludeth peace with the Athenians. Holdeth subtle answeres with the Ambassadors of Greece, breaketh promise with the Phocenses, remoueth whole Nations and Citties from one coun­trey to another. He subdueth the Dardanterans, and deposeth Arimba king of E­pyre, giuing that kingdome vnto his Wiues brother.

WHile the prouinces, and Citties of Greece, were in their pride and florishing estate; while concorde and loue G the chaines that linketh the gouerment of all nations, were the sinewes that knit their harts, they were held the princes of the world: Greece a garden from whence all The ci [...]l dis sention a­mong the ci­tyes of Greec nations gathered flowers to delight in, and generally a people vnuanquishable. But when an emulating desire to beare rule and bring each other in subiection, like sparkels hid in the ashes, did glow in their bosomes, which after aspired to higher flames, they were themselues the subuerters of the [...]r goodly buildings, slately monuments, the greedy famine that deuoured their plenty, and their owne hands their owne destruction: for Ppillip king of Macedon seeing this H vnnaturall d [...]ssention, layd waite like a Spie out of a watch-tower, for fit occa­sion to be soueraigne of their glorye, and surpriser of their liberty, which he purposed to effect, by nourishing debate betweene Citty and Citty, by being enemy to the stronger, and supporting the weaker; and time so fashioned his intent, that he compelled both the conquered, and the Conquerors, to becom his Vassals and Subiects.

[Page 37] The originall causes of these great mischiefs were the Thebanes, who ha­uing The Thebās lose th [...]ir so­ueraignty. soueraignty, and wanting discretion to vse it, arrogantly accused at the common counsell of Greece the Lacedemonians, and the Phocenses, whom they had vanquished in the battaile, not contenting themselues with the slaughters, rauishmentes, spoiles, and Trirannies which they had inflicted vppon them, but pursued the aduantage they had gotte with cruelty, and accounted the extreamest punishments to mercifull for them: It was laide to the Lacedemons, that they had taken the tower of Thebes in the time of truce: to the Phocenses, that they had wasted the country of Boetia: So that after they had made spoile of them by warre, they woulde also extort from them what A was possible by law. At last, iudgement was executed (not according to Iu­stice) but the pleasures of the Conquerors, and the conquered condemned in so great sums of money, as by their weakned estate was held impossible to be paide.

The Phocenses therefore, seeing cruelty chast them as fierce as light­ning, and knowing they shoulde be bereft of their Landes, Wiues, and Children, and compelled to slauerie, if their imposition were vnsatisfied, chose rather a present deathe, then a perpetuall mischiefe: and foorth­with elected for their Captaine one Philomelus, vnder whose conducte, they offered their liues by speedy warre, to free theyr bodies from this B subiection: which hee accepting, they presently as men offended euen The Phocen ces rob the Temple of Apollo. with the Goddes themselues, gathered their faction to a head, and ran­sackt the temple of Apollo at Delphos.

From thence inriched with that treasure they coulde make, they strengthned their army with straunger-souldiers, and with such forces they made Warre vppon the Thebanes. This deede of the Phocenses, although all men abhorred, beeing so fowle a facte as Sacriledge, yet in reguarde they were driuen to it by extremitye, it ingendred a more deadely hate in the heartes of the neighbour prouinces, towarde the Thebanes then to them. The Athenians therefore with the Lacedemonians took politick C aduise, and concluded to muster forces and dispatch them in their aid, as well, or rather to saue themselues from a future danger, as to be at league in their defence.

Both Armies being met, and arraide for Battell, at the first encounter Phi­lomelu [...] forced the Thebanes to retreat, and pursued them so farre, that he sub­dued their tents, and was conquerour of all the ground whereon they were in­camped. The besotted Athenians beaten with their owne solly. But while he was more forward in this chase, then wise; more rash, then valiant, and more certaine of victory then behoued, he was run so farre into the Thebanes danger, that no reliefe had power to succor him, & by those enemies whom his rash conceit held conquered he was slain, and his life made D worthily a sacrifice for committing sacriledge.

In his place Ornomarchus was selected Captaine, against whome the The­banes and men of Thessaly, chose for their generall, not an experienced soul­dior of their owne Nation, doubting least if he should be victor, hee woulde beare himselfe too Lordly ouer them; but vnto Phillip King of Macedon they would willingly submit not only themselues and forces, to becom subiectes [Page] and gouerned by a forrener, which was the thing they pretended to feare in one of themselues. Phillip being thus possest of their power, and fully infor­med of the originall cause of this warre, tooke vppon himselfe the title of The reuenger of Sacriledge, and not of the defender of the Thebanes: and presently gaue commaund that al his Souldiers should put garlands of Laurell on their heads, and in this maner as hauing the gods chiefe Captaine of his enterprise, he marched into the field.

The Phosenses at the sight of which, being held the cognisance of the gods (for to Appollo is the Laurell dedicate) were struk with an inward remorse of conscience, as remembring the offence they had committed, and presently E The [...] [...] to the Gods. without further resistance, cast downe their weapons, tooke them to [...]light, willingly offered their liues to the slaughter of the enemies, receiuing [...]eser­ned punishment for violating the sacred law of their religion, and defiling the temple. The renowne of Phillip by this was spred through al nations, who dig­nified him with the titles of the punisher of S [...]criledge; the Reuenger of reli­gion: he onely worthy to comp [...]ll offenders to make satisfaction, and honord him next vnto the Godds, by vvhom the maiesty of the Goddes vvas main­tained.

The Athenians hearing of this successe of Philip, vvith entent to stay his pas­sing into Gr [...], tooke the straightes of Thermop [...]le; in like manner as they had F Philip [...] of [...] [...] [...]. don before ag [...]inst the comming of the Persyans: but neither with like corage no [...] for like quarell. At first it was for the liberty of Gre [...]e, but now for mani­fest Sacriledge: then in the honor of their temples against the inv [...]sions of an enemie, now i [...] the fortisieng of the Church-robbers against lawfull reuen­gers, making themselues pertakers and defenders of [...]o [...]ainous an offence, whereof themselues chiefelye ought to haue bin punishers; not remembring euen in their most aduersity, they had vsed that God as their chiefe counsel­ler, and by his instrvctions finished so many battels with Conquest, built so many Citti [...]s with fortunate successe, attained so great an Empire both by sea and land; and finally atchieued nothing either in priuate or publike affaires, G but by his Oracle and deuine inspiration.

This people of excellent vnderstanding, exquisitly furnished with learning and Iudgment, traded in pollitick lawes and institutions, were now like Battes, who haue ci [...]s to see the sun, yet shun the sun: And made themselues agents in such crueltyes, wherof they could not after iustly blame the most ba [...]barous nation, if they executed vpon them the like reward. Phillip hauing thus like the fox, got in his head, would make hard shift to draw all his body after: grew Philip [...] [...] dealing persidioas in his promises past, and those Citties which but lately he was Captaine of, which had fought vnder his standard, which had rei [...]iced in him, which had bin as hands to h [...]n in his victories, like an vtter enemy he inuaded H and [...]: Their wiues and children he sould by the drum, he spared not the Temple of the immortall gods, the houses of religion, the publike nor priuate houshold gods, vnto whom he could not choose but remember he was enter­tain d [...] guest: So that it was euident, he fought not so much to punish Sacri­ledge as to pro [...]ure free liberty in person to perpe [...]rate the same.

From thence as hauing accomplished all things to his desire, he passed in­to [Page 38] Cappadocia, where he began warre with like trechery: and hauing by policy and seuerall stratigems, either taken or slaine the kings that were Borderers, he setled the whole prouince vnder the Empire of Macedon. Then to abolish the shamefull reportes that were spred of his tirranies, he sent vnto the king­domes and wealthy Citties, certaine people to raise a tumour, and busie the heads of the multitude, that he would royally extende a masse of treasure to the building of the walles about their Citties, to the reedifying of churches, and honoring their Temples: For which (as if he would be expeditious in this good) the M [...]isters of such workes were straight procured by proclamation, who presently vpon the rumour comming to Macedon, waited attendance, and were put off [...]o long with delayes, that they were faine to depart without anie A thing effected, or vrging it any further: Onely resting here, that kinges may forget their promises.

After this he raised warre against the Olinthians, who knowing Phillip had most vniustly put one of his Brothers to deathe, in pitty tooke his two other brothers, borne of his stepmother to safegard, for Phillip brooking no corri­uallship, Philip makes wa [...]e vpon the Olinthi­ans. in Rule, sought also by all politicke means to dispatch them to their graues. In this warre, and for this occasion, he sent and subverted this aunci­ent and noble citty, executed his brothers, according as in the counsel of his hart, his thoughts had decreed, inioying thereby a great prey of treasure, and B satisfying his thirst with their innocent bloud; vpon this, accounting whatso­euer he determined, lawfull; and whatsoeuer he purposed, effected: he seised on the Golde mines in Thessaly, and on the siluer mines in Thrace. And that neither law nor right should be by him vnviolate, he furnished himselfe to be a rover on the sea.

While these things were ordred by Phillip, there were two brothers, (both kings of Thrace) at ciuill variance between themselues; in which continuance Tvvo bro­thers str [...]pt out of [...]ir Kingdomes. of their strife, being vncertaine how to descide it, they agreed to chuse Phillip to be iudge, and arbitrate their difference: not in regarde of his indifferencie, Iustice, and vprightnes, in such controuersies, but doubting least he shoulde C take in hand to support either of them, they well knew it would be to the ruine of the other. Phillip being sollicited in this businesse, and hauing granted his consent, according to his accustomed nature, proceeded to iudgement, as if he had marched to battell, and assailing the brothers before they dreamt of a danger, not l [...]ke an vpright iudge, but an vnsatisfied tirant, rauisht them both of their kingdomes.

Vpon this the Athenians sent Ambassadors to him to intreat a peace, whom he honourably heard, and their conditions of league being liked by him, he also sent his Ambassadors to Athens; with Articles to the same purpose: so to Peace con­cluded with th Athenians. the content and commodity of both, a peace was concluded. Out of these D prouinces and Citties of Greece, came also seueral Ambassadors, not somuch for desire of his friendship, as for feare of his name. But the Thebanes and Beo­tians hauing their inueterate rancor and malice vnpurdge out of their bo­somes, were continuall aduocates both to Phillip himselfe, and to his coun­sell, to stirre him vp to approoue himselfe a Captaine of Greece, as he had vndertooke and professed himselfe to be. The Phocenses inforcing themselus [Page] to forget all slaughters which their own families had by him indured, and con­tenting themselues, and their posterity to vndergoe what slauish subuersion soeuer, then that people whom they professed themselues to be at such deadly hare withall, should liue to vnderstand what a calamiti [...] and miserable sight The misera­ [...] [...] of Gree [...]. this was, to behold Greece which but late, both in strength and dignity was reputed Princesse of the whole world, alwaies a conquer [...]sse of kings and king­domes, lady of many populous and goodly Citties, dauncing attendance in sorraigne Territories, either entreating peace, or fearing warre; that such a Nation should be inforced as it were, to put her head vnde [...]another mans gir­dle; that they the onely worthyes of that time, should b [...] brought to expres [...]e E misery by their owne dessention and ciuell warres. From Captaines, to be Capu [...]es, from freemen, bond-slaues; from a g [...]rden which they e [...]oyed, watred with all the Riuers and heauenly showers, and making plenty to her selfe, to be now like Oxen driuen to the yoke in a wildernesse of distresse, and by those whom their one memory could record, they had accounted the ba [...]est of there retinue, and the inferrior of their friends, and all this disaster to gro [...] through the Thebanes and Lacedemons, by whole domesticke I [...]rres, Greece from a slouri [...]hing Common-wealth, of which themselues were the Pri [...]es and bare soueraignty, was now subiected to a distresfull estate not able to resist aduersity.

Phillip in this season for the aduancement of his owne glory, debated con­cerning F the prehemenence and dignity of two so mighty Citties, and consi­dered with himselfe of which he were best to make account, for which when he had seueraly and secretly herd the Embassadors which were arriued from both Philip hea­ [...]th both the [...] and [...] them both. parties, and to both giuen a Princely and fauorable countenance, to one he promised to discharge them of the warres and danger they consisted in, and tooke an oarh of them, not to discouer their treaty and his promise, to any li­uing creature.

[...]o the contrary he offered himselfe, to come personally with his power, in their help and asistance against their enemies: but to both gaue especiall G charge, not by fearing danger to strengthen themselues for warre, but onely to rely on him and his safeguard.

While both Citties were satissied [...]ith this variable ansvvere, and both li­ued peaceably and vvithout distrust, he tooke the straights of Thermopile, to vvhich the Phocenses vvere neare neighbours: vvhich people perceiuing them selu [...]s entrapped by the pollicy of Phillip, fearefully tooke them to their vvea­pons, but hauing not time to furnishe their ovvne battels, or stay for succor from their bordering friends, and Phillip threatening he would destroy them vnless [...] they yeelded incontinent; ouercome vvith necessity, they submitted [...] [...] alon aduan­tage. themselues to his mercy, their liues onely saued: but euen of as much validi­ty H to th [...] was this present composition, as his promise past vvas of force to discharge them of their vvarres, and releeue their distresse, for he presently commaunded there should be a sharpe and seauere execution laid vpon them, by a generall slaughter.

[Page 39] The children wer not left to their parents, nor the wiues to their husbands, nor the images of the Goddes in the Temples. Phillip thus a Conquerour, like as Grasiers shift their cattell, sometime into one pasture, sometime in­to one another, as the season of the yeare inforcoth; euen so remooued he at his pleasure whole countries and citties, as he thought for his aduantage, the scituation fitter to be replenished or forsaken: nor was the desolation of these citties, or the terror of this people like an inuincible army of enimies The mis [...]tie of de [...]olation approach, or when men of warre run massacaring up and down in euery cor­ner of a citty: or when two hoasts encounter violently in the field; or when the goodes which a peaceable life hath gathered together, are taken awaie A perforce, but farr more miserable in secret was their sorrow and mourning, fearing least euen their enforced tears should be taken for contumacy. The griefe encreased by the concealement thereof, so much the deeper persing the hart as it had lesse liberty to vtter it selfe. Sometimes they considered the sepulchres and ancient monuments of their ancestors raked in the dust: sometimes their old houshould Goddes, to which many posterities had gi­uen their deuotion, now broken to peeces: sometime remembred the hou­ses where they were begotten, and hadde increased children themselues, now possest by strangers and their enimies. Bewailing in one another the oppressefull estate wherein themselues liued, cursing themselues for their B sake, that it had not bene their blessednesse to haue bene borne after that desolate time. Some of this people he placed in the vtmost boundes of his kingdome, euen in his enemies mouthos; some, whom he perceiued fit for warres to garrisons, in his armye: some in one climate, some in another: And so of seuerall people, and seueral nations, he made one entire Empire, and one setled people.

Thus the affaires of Macedon being at a stay, continuing his former pra­ctise and policy, he tooke the chiefe coasts of the Dardamans, forraged their borders, and subdued their countries, not beeing mercifull to his own kin­dred: for in this hauocke he determined to put Arimba king of Epirus, and C kinsman to his wife Olimpias from his royalty, & thereupon sent for Alex­ander brother to Olimpias his wife, a youth of excellent beautie, in his sisters Phillip abu­seth his wiu [...]s brother. name, to come to him to Macedon, vpon whose arriual, by perswasion, part­ly with the hope of the kingdome of Epire, he won to consent to him in ab­hominable Sodomy, and so satisfied his inhuman disposition of him, til he came to the age of twenty yeares, when according to his promise, he depo­sed Arimba from his kingly seat; and possessed Alexander therein. Thus dealt he not like a kinsman with neither: the one he remo­ued contrary to conscience, the other he made a Harlot, before he made him King. D

The end of the eigth Booke.

THE NINTH BOOKE E of Iustine.

THE ARGVMENT.

PHillip besiegeth Constantinople, and in that time winneth manie Citties of Chersonesus. He bickereth with the Triballes, but returneth vnfortunately. He maketh warres vpon the Athenians. He getteth the whole Soueraigntye F of Greece. He putteth the Thebanes to a most sharpe execution by the sworde. Hee summoneth a Parliament at Corinth. Making preparation for Warre agaynst the Persyans, and is slaine by Pausamer as at the marriage of his daughter. His condi­tions and naturall inclination described, with a comparison betweene him and his sonne Alexander.

PHillip hauing with fortunate successe led his forces thus farre into Greece, debated with himselfe though not be­fore hee pretended, yet before hee vndertooke anye further enterprise, whether the riches and spoile of those G Citties and lesser townes which he had already sacked and subuerted, would be sufficient treasure for him, whereby to conclude a conquest of all Greece, according to his determination, as he had already done of part: for the furtherance of this counsell, he thought it would be a profitable aduantage Philip besie­geth Constā ­tinople. for him, if he could subdue and make Byzantium, as a Port-refuge for his fleet by sea, and a billeting place, or safe garrison, for his men by land: neare which Cittye hauing drawne his forces, he summoned them concerning this his principallity and their subiection; but they bold of spirit and cofident in theyr owne strength, made slight of his defiance and hostile forces, shutting their H gates against his messengers, and returned him threates for threates, streng­thening themselues to defend his emminent inuasion.

This Citty was first built by Pausanias king of Sparta, and by him possessed the continuance of seauen yeares. Afterward the Lacedemonians and Atheni­ans surfetting with their owne prosperity, grew into priuate faction, from thence to publike and domesticke warre: so that as victory enclined itselfe [Page 40] to either part, sometime it belonged to the one, and sometime to the other, which vncertaine possession, hauing too often fed on the miseries which by such mutations citties indure, made it now stand stifly in the defence of hir own libertie, and the rather, for that during this siedge wherwith Phillip had begirte them, neither the Lacedemonians, or Athenians, rescued it as their owne.

Phillip hauing heere spent the most of his treasure, in the hope he had to make this citty his dignity, and finding by the delay of this warre, the cit­tizens grew rather hardie then deliberate, purposed by roauing on the sea, to inforce treasure, wherewith to keepe his siedge setled, without which his A necessity was such he should be compeld dishonorably to rise, and against his nature to desist: thus he so farre contriued, that he tooke 170. shippes laden with marchandise, wherewith he refreshed his greedy necessity for a season; at last, considering it was little policy or rather lesse profit, so great an army should be detained and excercised aboute the siedge of one onely citty, he caused to be drawne out a number ofhis experienced souldiers, o­uer whom himselfe hauing taken aduised muster, he marcht with them in person and tooke many cities of the Chersonesus. At this time he sent for his sonne Alexander, of the age of eighteene yeares, to the intent he might see him traded in the discipline of warre vnder him, holding it a Maxime, that B a Soueraigne fathers life, should be a table ofhonorable presidents for his Princely sonne.

He made an inrode also into Scithia, to fetch booty and spoile from thence, entending after the custome of Marchants, to beare out the charge of one Phillp inva­deth the Tar tarians. warre with the gaine of another. At the same instant, was Matthey King of the Scithians, who being ouercharged with the warres of the Istrians, sente the Apollonians in his behalfe, to sollicit the aide of Phillip, promisinge for such succor and assistance, to adopt him king of Scithia.

Phillip ambitious after rule, tooke little aduice of this request, but pre­sently according to the contentes of this treaty, leauied his forces as hee C thought requisite, and dispatcht them in the defence of Matthey. But the K. of the Istrianes deceasing, while these affaires were in furtherance, his death deliuered the Scithians, both from occasion ofbattel, & from cause of helpe. Matthey being now like foules, that feare the snares no longer then they are fettered, vppon the arriuall of the Macedons, reguardlesse of Phillips fauour, commaunded them home againe, willing them to deliuer this message to their maister; that he neither requested him for succour, nor yet gaue the Apollonians in commission to adopt him: That the Scithians had no need of rescue from the Macedones, and pronounced themselues better men then The ingrati­tude of the Scythian K the Macedones: and for himselfe to desire a forren helpe to succeed him, it D needed not, since he had a generation ofhimselfe, a posterity ofhis owne, a sonne in perfect health, to make his seate after him happy.

This message thus deliuered to Phillip, he foorthwith sent Ambassadors to king Matthey, requiring him ofhis helpe toward the charge ofhis siedge, least he should be constrained by pouerty to break vp his campe: to which re­quest Phillip vrged he should of reason so much the vnwillinger condiscend, [Page] in that he did not allow the so [...]ldiors he sent in his ayde, so much as Con­duct money to supply their necessities by the way, nor gratified them wi [...]h any reward for their labors. M [...]tthey excusing himselfe by the excessiue cold and barrennesse of his Countrey, which was searseable to yeeld the Scithi­ans The ingrati­ [...]de of the [...]thian K. food, m [...]ch lesse to inrich them with possessions. Againe, he protested he had not riches wherewithall to satisfie [...]o great a King, and therefore thought it a greater dishonor to reward him with too little, then to recom­pence him with nothing: for my people (quoth Matthey) are esteemed for their coa [...]age of mind, and hardinesse of body, and not for their treasure or substance. E

Phillip perceiuing himselfe thus scornd, dislodged his siedge from before Bizantium immediatlie, and bent his whole power against the Scythians. All this his pretence might not be discouered vnto them, but keept them care­lesse ( [...]ay euen suspectlesse) of his intent, he sent Amb [...]ssadors beforehand, to declare vnto King Matthey, that while he basied himselfe at the siedge of Bizantium, he [...]owed to consecrate an Image vnto H [...]cules, the which hee was comming to effect in the riuer of D [...]nubia, desiring to haue peaceable passage and f [...]rtherance in this his sacred and religio [...]s Vowe made to that God: protesting, he came not otherwise then as a royall friend, both vnto their King, and the Scythians his Subiectes. But M [...]tthey sore warned by all his former Inconstancies towardes others, and do [...]bting indeed as much as F was intended, sent word to Phillip, that if he stood so much vpon the perfor­mance of his Vow to erect an Image, it should not be by him nor any of his Subiects res [...]ted, alwaies pro [...]yded he would send the same, promising also it should not only be set vp, but should alwaies so remain and continue: but to su [...]er any Army to come within his borders, or martch through his con­trey, he vtterly denied vrging farther, that if Phillip (notwithstanding this contradict should offer to place this Image, himselfe would see it defaced, and the brasse thereof conuerted into Speare and Arrow-heads.

The m [...]nds of both these Kings being by this occasion encouraged, they G encountred in battell; in which difference, though the Scythians were of far greater number than the M [...]cedons, yet by the pollicy and experience of phi­lip to order such warlike actions, they were o [...]ercome: twenty thousand wo­men and children were taken prisoners, also a great booty of cartell, but as for gold and sil [...]er none; in which plainly appeared the Scythians pouertye. Twenty thousand large Mares were brought home to M [...]don, and onelye kept for breed. But as Philip with all his pillage was returning, the Tr [...]lles hauing gathered a head met him, and denied him pass [...]ge through their con­trey, Th [...] T [...]bals [...] on [...] [...] ca [...]e home. except they might haue part with him in those his spoiles.

Thi [...] parl [...] contin [...]ed not long in words, but they fell to blowcs; in which H [...], Philip was sore wounded in the thigh, his ho [...]sse slayne vnder him, and he himselfe les [...] for dead: so the M [...]dons being discomsited, the s [...]oyle which they had but la [...]ely ra [...]isht from the Sc [...]thians, was now a reliefe to the [...]ri [...]als. At length Phillip being recouered of his wound, made warre vp­on the At [...]ians, with whome so long time till then, he helde a dissembled friendship. The Thebanes mistrusting if the Athenians were ouercome, the [Page 41] brunt of the warre (like as when ones neighbors house is on fire) fell vppon them, tooke part with the Athenians, so that by these means there was a legue contracted betweene these two Citties, which before were at so mercilesse a contention.

This coniunction knit between them, they sent ambassadors to al the prouinces of Greece, importuning their speedy asistance; inferring, so common an enemy as Phillip ought to be remooued by the generall forces of all the Countrey, and withall, making it perspicuous by demonstration, that if he had fortunat yssue in this, his conclusion would be the vtter subuersion of al Greece. Some moued with these reasons, ioyned themselues to the Atheni­ans, A others terrified with the bruite of his renowne, tooke part with Phillip. The day came wherein these two Armyes assayled each other, though the multitude of the Athenians exceeded the Macedons, yet sell it out to them as The Atheni­ans vanqui­shed. before to the Scithians, and Philip hauing this daies honour, finished it with the slaughter of them all; yet died they not vnmindfull of their ancient glo­rie: for looke in what place euery man had charge vnder his captaine to be kept, that place he as worthily made good againe, that when thorough the daunger of his woundes he was forced to yeeld, hee couered that place hee had in charge with his liuelesse carcasse being dead. With this daye ended the renowne of the Empyre, and the ancient liberties of Greece. B

The ioy of this victory was by Phillip politickly dissembled: This day he made no sacrifice as he was accustomed, he was not pleasant in companye, he had no enterludes at his feasts, ware no Crown, nor annointed himselfe with sweet oyntments: but so much as lay in men to councell, he so ordred The notable hypocrisie of Philip. this victorie, that no iudgement could discerne by his outward appearance he reioyced to be a conqueror. Moreouer he would not suffer himselfe to be cald the king, but the captaine of Greece, finally he bare so euen a hande be­tweene his owne priuate gladnesse and the publike sorrow of his enemies, that neither could his own friends report he reioyced, nor his enemies con­iecture he was proud of their ouerthrow. C

For as touching the Athenians, who by testimony he had tryed to be the most daungerous of his enemies, the prisoners of them he discharged with­out ransome, and deliuered the bodies of them that were slaine to be bury­ed: Philips mild­nesse toward th Athenians. and of his owne disposition, publikely exhorted them, to conuey home their bones, and bestow them in the sepulchers of their ancestors. Besides, he sent his sonne Alexander, with his friend Antipater, to conclude a finall peace and perpetuall friendship betweene them. But concerning the Thebanes, hee did not onely put their prisoners to ransome, but made them pay tribute for the interring of their dead. The Princes of their city, some he beheaded, others banisht, and all their goods were surprised. D

Such as had beene councellers & were exiled out of their natiue country, their banishment he repealed, and made of them three hundred Iudges and rulers of the common-Weale, giuing vnto them full commission to cal be­fore them, all the guilty procurers of their wrongfull banishment, and pro­ceed His rigor to the Thebans against them. By this Decree, those that were lately great, were now a­raignd of this trespasse against publike gouernment, who constantly replied [Page] and all confessed themselues to be authors thereof: affirming, it was more prosperous with the Common-wealth, when that their Iudges were condem­ned, then when they were restored: it was out of doubt a maruelous courage, for prisoners to giue sentence on them whom they knew sat to decide betwixt their life and death: as who would say, they disdained to be acquite at their e­nemies hands: and for as much as they could not reuenge themselues in work, they would vse their liberty in words.

Phillip hauing setled the estate of Greece in an indifferent stay, summoned a Parliament at Corinth, for reformation of such politick businesses as were yet vnestablished, where he enacted a Statute of peace for all Greece, according E Philip sum­mon [...]th a par lyament. as he had experience of the deseruings of euery Citty, electing out of them all, one Counsell, and (as it were) one Senate. The Lacedemonians onely con­temned both the king and his lawe, accounting that peace a bondage, which was not agreeable to the Citties themselues, and their ancient liberties, but were graunted at the pleasure of a conqueror.

At this counsell, was appointed vnto euery Citty, what souldiers they should alwaies (as commaund was ministred) furnish for his warres, either to assist him being inuaded by forreign power, or to protect him in what warre soeuer he pretended against other. Vpon this, great preparation was made from all parts, for Phillip had made it apparant to this counsell, that so soone F as their collection ioyned in one, he was resolued to assaile the Empire of Per­sia; The summe of al his succours mustred together, were two hundred thou­sand footemen, and fifteene hundred horsemen, besides which number, was also his host of Macedons, and other barbarous Nations bordering therea­bouts whom he had subdued.

In the beginning of the spring, he sent ouer before into Asia, (which then belonged to the Persians) three of his Captaines Permenio, Amintas, and At­talus (whose sister he had lately taken in mariage) for he hadde now diuorced himselfe from Olimpias, the mother of Alexander, vpon suspicion of adulte­ry, which was raised against her. In this season that his army was assembling G Philip diuor­ceth himselfe from Olym­pias. out of Greece, he solemnized a marriage, betweene his daughter Cleopatra, and Alexander whom he had made king of Epyre: which day was honoured with the greatest royalty of triumphs and feasting, according to the estate of two so great Kings: there wanted neither musicke to entice the eare, nor di­uersitie He marrieth his daughter to the king of Epyte. of shewes, to satisfie the eye, that Art could deuise to heare and see: all which as Phillip was going forth without his Guarde, onely betweene the two Alexanders, his sonne, and sonne in law, and himselfe in the middest, a young Gentleman of Noble discent in Macedon, stept to him in a straight place which he intended to passe, and slew him, turning that day into present He is slaine. heauinesse, which was consecrated and onely appointed to myrth and plea­sure. H

This Pansanias in the prime and delight of his youth, was inforced to com mit detestable incest, by the vyolence of Attulus, who vnsatisfied with that inhumanity his shamelesse disposition executed vpon him, himselfe broght him vnto a banquet, where making him drunke, compelled him like a strum­pet to sustaine the beastlinesse not onely of his owne desire, but of all the o­ther [Page 42] guests present: so that he was not only a iesting-stocke vnto al his com­panions, but also a prostrate Calamite euen to his inferiours. I he Gentle­man no way digesting this reproch, but rather ingendring and nourishing reuenge in his secret thoughts, casting cuery way to effect some action fit­ting so foule disgrace, he oftentimes made complaint of his wrong, and be­came an earnest suter to the King for Iustice; at whose hand he was eyther put off with delayes, or was answered with a wanton scoffe in stead of helpe The cause of Phillips deth. and redresse: thus finding his iniury no way to be satisfied, and knowing his aduersary (in stead of receiuing punishment from the king for his offence) to be aduanced to a captainship, he grew resolute to turne his wrath vppon A Phillip himselfe, accounting it happinesse, since he could not bee reuenged vpon so monstrous an enemy, to reuenge himselfe vpon a wrongful [...]udge. It was thought that this Pansanias was incouraged to this deed by Olympias the mother of alexander, and that Alexander himselfe was alsopriuy to his fathers murther, nor is it vnlike that Olympias tooke her diuorcement & the the preferment of Cleopatra, as grieuous as Pansanias did the abuse of attu­lus; and that Alexander feared his brother begoten on his stepmother, as an enemy to his succession after his father, for that his father had refused the the loue of Olimpias, for the vniust daliance of another: for Alexander be­fore this time, some such like argumentes as these being in question at ta­ble, B Occasions of great [...]lea­ [...]ure between Philllp and his son Alex­ander. first fell in deffiance with Attalus, whom he perceiued his father to de­fend, he then spared not to be as liberall in speech to him, insomu [...]h that his father rose, and with his sword drawn pursued him so violently, that such as were present, (being friends to bo [...]h could hardly temper to a more coo­ler iudgement, then rasnnesse of his will from killing him.

Vpon which occasion Alexander with his Mother, sled vnto his Vnckell King Epire, and from thence to the King of the Illirians, in which, though se­uerall times perswaded, he would hardly be reconcild to his father, no: tho he was sent for, he would scarce imbrace any counsel of his friends, that ten­ded to aduise him to return, Olimpias at this time was also exasperating her C brother who was King of Epire, to raise warre against Phillip, which sute, no question she had effected, had not Phillip preuented it with the mar­riage of his daughter; and making him his sonne in law these occurrentes therefore are thought to haue annimated Pansanias forward to this executi­on, who both hated attalus for his immodest fact, and the king for neglect­ing his complaint without redresse: this is certaine, Olimpias had made post­horsses ready to conuey him thence, after he had effected his pretence, yet she her selfe when she heard certainly that the king was murthered, came to his funerall rites the same night, vnder a great pretence of duty, and there set a Crowne of gold vpon Pansanias, as he was hanging vpon the gallows, The behaui­our o [...] O [...] ­pias at the death of king Phillip. D which presumption of her [...], may bee verye well coniectured none durst haue ventured to vndertake but only shee.

Shortly after this, she tooke downe the body of Pansanias, burnt it vppon her husbands a [...]hes, built him a monument for euerlasting memorye, in the same place, & possest such a superstitious toy in the heads of the peopl [...], that she made them yearly sanctifie a day and keep it holy in remembrance of him [Page] This done, killing Cleopatras daughter euen in the armes of her mother, for whose sake Phillip had deuorced himselfe from her, she compelled her euen in her sight to hang her selfe, and in beholding her while she was strangled en­ioyed the reuengement, to which she made haste by the murther of her hus­band. The cruelty of a Woman.

Lastly, she consecrated the sword, wherewith the king her husband was slaine, vnto Apollo by the name of Mytralis, for that was Olimpias name, during the consistance of her infancy, all which she perpetrated so openly as who should say, we feare not least that which we doe should be alowed.

Phillip deceased being of the age of seauen and forty yeares, when he had E raigned fiue and twenty yeares, he begat Larissa a dauncing damsel, & a son named Artdeos who raigned after Alexander, hee had many other sons propa­gated from seuerall women; of whom, some died of their naturall death, some of the sword: he was a king, more desirous of battel then of banqueting, whose The descrip­tion of king Philip. riches chiefely consisted in furniture for warre: he was more cunning in get­ting riches; then in keeping them: and for al his tyranies, pollicies, conquests, taxations, and the inforced treasure which he daily had, yet was he alwaies needy. Mercy and falsshod he loued alike, he thought it no shame to purchase his desire by what meanes soeuer he was possest of it, where he fauored he would make as though he were displeased. Subtle and captious was he to talke vnto, promising more then he would p [...]rforme. In deuising serious matters, F and in merie conceites cuuning, winning friendship for aduantage and luker, and not for faithfulnesse. Where he hated most, there he pretended most fa­uour, and to sovv discord, betvveen such vvhose very thoughts had fraterni­tye together, seeking for seuerall thankes of both, vvas his solemne custome. His talke vvas eloquent and ready, full of sharp and sententious sayings. So that neither facility wanted to expresse his pleasant inuentions, nor his in­uentions slack to adorne his eloquence.

After him succeeded Alexander, thriuing beyond his father, both in ver­tues and in vices. First, for the manner of their conquests, it had no affinitye, for Alexander atchiued his battels by force, Phillip by pollicy; he reioysed G A comparisō between Philip and Alex­ander. to beguile his enemies, this king to vanquish them in open fielde; the other was more prudent in counsell, but this was of a more Princely and inuincible stomack. The father would oftentimes dissemble his anger, and ouercome it, but this once inraged, there was nothing but reuenge in his thoughts, and ne­uer alaied without action; which pursued either without mercy or Iustice. But both of them were by disposition, inclind to imoderat and excesse drinking of wine, but in their drunkennesse their purposes had seueral effects, by their se­uerall disposition. The father, would ordinarily rise from his meate, and en­counter his enemy euen to handy blowes, and vnaduisedly cast himselfe into H danger: but Alexander, outraged not against his enemies, but his especiall friends: So that where Phillip came oftentimes from battell wounded, by his delperate hardinesse, he rose from the table, a murtherer of his Captaines. The father loued to haue his friends raigne and be neare him, the sonne to be a tyrant, euen vnto his owne. The f [...]ther desired to be beloued, the sonne to be feared; for learning, it was alike to both of them. The father a man better [Page 43] tutred in the principles of policy, the son, best to be trusted. Phillip more modest in his conference, but Alexander in his actions. The sonne of a more honorable nature, ready to shew mercy to them he ouercame, but the fa­thers cruelty was not laide open to his owne confederates. The father was giuen to thriuing the son to riot. By which means, the father to his glorie, laid the foundation of the Monarky of the whole world, and the sonne to his higher renowne finished the whole worke. A

THE TENTH BOOKE B of Iustine.

THE ARGVMENT.

THe naturall affection of Artaxerxes Mnemon toward his sonne Darius. His treason against his father. The punishment of Darius and his fifty brothers. The cruelty of Occhus. The prowesse of Codoman, for the which he is created C King, by the name of Darius.

ARtaxerxes King of Persia had a hundred and fifteene sonnes by his wiues and concubines, wher of three on­ly This same is he that is mentioned before in the fiue and six book [...]s. were begotten in lawfull wedloc [...]e, Darius, Artara­tes and Occhus. Of these 3. contrary to the Persians vse, which are not accustomed to make chaung of their K. vnlesse he decease, the father drawne by intire loue to his sonne, so perswaded with the counsell and com­mons, D that in his life time he possest his eldest sonne Darius in his seat and dignity, accounting it honor to himselfe, that he saw possest in his son: making the remembrance of being a father to him, his onely felicity, and in his life time he behelde the liuely representation of his owne royall estate presented in his yssue: no sooner had this Artaxerxes ex­pressed this louing affection, and fatherly example toward his onely sonne, [Page] But Darius forgetting the name of a father, the duty of a sonne, all the lawes of nature, whereby men are coniunct in obedience to their parents being part of themselues, as a chaine vnd [...]ssoluble, began to practise the death of him whom he ought most (as being the monument whereby he might re­member himselfe) to haue studyed to preserue aliue.

Wretched and detestable had this treason bene, had it bene contriued a­lone, but more abhorred was it, in that he drew fifty of his brothers to consent [...]. with him in the acts: and it is monst [...]ous to remember so hainous a mu [...]ther, so Paricidiall, should not onely be consented vnto, but concealed in such a multitude of posterity. That of fifty sonnes, not one shoulde haue that re­morce E of conscience, whom neither the feare of a sathers maiesty, the reue­rence of his age and honorable grauety, or the earnest exemplary affection which he had publisht, coulde withdraw from so outragious a cruelty: How could the name of a father be forgot amongst so many sonnes, that they, by whose defence he ought to haue bene preserued, euen against the practises of his enemies, should now not onely by their treason be suprized, but slaugh­tered.

The cause of this pretended murther, was now more wicked then the mur­ther it selfe, for after Cyrus was slaine in that warre he ad [...]nst against his bro­ther, Darius seekes to [...] [...] fath [...] [...]. (as is before mentioned,) king Artaxerxes tooke his concubi [...]e Aspasia, F in marriage. Darius now being pleased with the kingdome his father resignd to him, was also pleased with his fathers wife, and required him to part with her to him, as hee already had dispossest him of his Empire. The father so in­tangled with the loue he bare to him, at first granted him his consent, but after stri [...]ken with remembrance how vild that request was in a sonne to aske, and in a father to graunt; he was moued to repentance, yet that he might modest­ly deny the thing he had rashly promised, he made her chiefe priest to his son, whereby she was bound by the religious law of their Nation, to saue hir selfe chast from all men during her life. Darius being with this iust deceipt of his prouoked to anger, vnsatisfied with the vnciuill reproofe he gaue him, imme­diately G after, vnnaturally conspired with his brothers to worke a treason, so [...]aue as stretched vnto his aged life: but the faction of this conspiracy being broke, the treason reuealde, and the rable apprehended, (as vengeance is iust punishment of the Goddes for such rebels,) execution was not delaide of any of them for this pretence. And that no Impe shoulde remaine of such wicked race, the wiues and children of them all had the slaughter that was dew to the sons and fathers. But Artaxerxes conceiuing an inward griefe at this vntime­ly fall of his generation, in that sorrow of his, fell sicke and died, a far [...]e hap­pier king, then a father.

The inheritance of this kingdome was then deliuered ouer to Ochus, who H fearing the like conspiracy, and replenishing his pallace with slaughter of his kindred and nobility. And least he might be accounted more milde then those brothers that would haue murthered their father, he was sparing to no consan­guinity The king­ [...]me [...] to [...]. nor sex whatsoeuer, nor pittiful neither to age, nor youth.

[Page 44] Thus hauing cleansed this Iealousie from his kingdome, he made warre vpon the Armenians, in which one Codoman hauing the fauour and aff [...]cti­on of his Countrey, vndertooke the combate against one of Ochus Cap­taines, who had graunt of Ochus to challenge any of the Armenians in s [...]gle A Combat. fight, and thereby to determine the defference twixt the Armenians and him. This Codoman, in this noble enterprise slue his enemy, whereby he both woon the victory, & rescued the honor of his Countrey, which lay in hazzard to be lost: for which atchieument, Codoman was made lieutnant ouer th Armenians, and in short time the life of Ochus expiring, in remembrance of his pro [...]ss [...], the people created him their King. And to the intent that nothing should be wanting in him, that appertained to the seat of so great a Monarch, they cal­led A Codomon made King. him by the name of Darius; who afterward, with great industry and No­blenesse of spirit, held long warre against great Alexander, sometime honor inclining to the one, and sometime to the other. At last, being van­quished by Alexander, and slaine by his owne kinsman, hee ended his life, togither with the Empyre of Persia. B C D

The ende of the tenth Booke.

The Eleventh booke of Iustine. E

THE ARGVMENT.

MAcedon in an vprore after the death of Phillip, all which Alexander brin­geth into a setled quietnesse. Alexander putteth many of his kinsfolkes to death. He suppresseth many rebellions. He goeth on in the Warres that his father set on foot against the Persians. He pardoneth the rebellion of the Athenians, razeth Thehes to the ground, entreth Asia, ouercommeth Darius, and ouer throw­eth many of his Lieutenants. He taketh his iourney to the Citty of Gordis, & there he vntieth the knot of the waine. A History by way of digression to the affaires of F the Kings of Phrygia. Alexander hastneth to Tharsus in Cilicia. He recouereth of a very dangerous disease. He ouercommeth Darius againe: He taketh the mother, wife and daughter of Darius prisoners, one of which his prisoners hee marrieth, (called Barsiue.) Sendeth forth Parmenio to inuade the Persian sleet: other of his Nobles he appointeth to receiue the Citties of Asia. He maketh one Abdolominus, (of a Gardiner) King: He taketh the Citty of Tyrus by force. He goeth to the tem­ple of [...]ammo in Egipt, buildeth the Citty of Alexandria: receiueth diuers Letters from Darius, and giueth answeres to the letters. He bewaileth the death of Darius wife. He receiueth a third Letter from Darius, and giueth answere thereunto. He ouercommeth Darius, and gaineth the Monarchy of Persia, with the whole Empire G of Asia. He rewardeth well his souldiors, and findeth aboundance of treasure in the Citty of Persepolis. Darius bound hand and foote by his owne kinsmen, he is sore wounded, and is found by a common souldior, to whom he vttereth his whole mind. He dieth, and by the appointment of Alexander is interred after the qualitie of his kingly estate and dignity.

IN the Armye of Phillip, as there were men of di­uers qualities and conditions, So after the time that their Kinge had receiued his deaths-wound, H The estate of Macedon af­ter the death of K. Phillip. the mindes of the Macedonians were diuersly mo­ued, and distracted. For some that were enthral­led, and restrained of their liberties, were reuiued with the comfortable hope of their accustomed freedom. Others there were euen ouertoyled with the troublesome wearinesse and woes of warrefare [Page 45] and farre from their natiue Countrey, reioyce to thinke that those affayres should be dissolued, and they dismissed. Many sorry to behold the Tapers that were lighted at the daughters marriage, to stand vpon the hearse of the deceased father. His friendes also were not a little amazed, to seethe sud­den change and alteration of thinges, considering how Asia was but latelie chalenged, Europe scarcely yet conquered, and that the Illyrians, Thracians, Dardanians, and other barbarous Nations, were as vnconstant of mind, as vnfaithfull of promise. All which people (if at one time they should rebell) it were not possible any way to repell their commotions. But vnto these mischieses the comming of Alexander was a present remedie. For in an O­ration A The wise be­hamour of Alexander. deliuered unto the people, he did not only free their heartes from feare, but confirmed in their hopes, a conceipt of all happy successe. Hee was then twenty yeares olde, in which age, his modesty was such, as that it promised much more then was expected.

He gaue the Macedons a cleere discharge of all things, saue onely of the Warres, by which he purchased to himselfe so much fauour, and ingraffed so good liking in all mens opinions, that they saide, They had changed the bo­dy of the King, but not his vertues. His first and chiefest reguard was, to per­forme the funerall rightes of his father, with such solemnity as became the greatnesse of his estate. In the obsequies whereof (before all other things) B he caused such to be executed vpon his Fathers Toombe, as were any waye The murde­r [...]s of King Phillip puni­shed. accessary to his death. Only he pardoned Alexander of Lincest his brother, for that he was the first that saluted him by the name of King. But he cau­sed his halfe brother Daranus to be putto death as an underminer of his e­state.

In the beginning of his raigne, he subdued many Countries that rebel­led, and suppressed diuers insurrections, euen in their beginning. By which being greatly encouraged, he trauailed into Greece, where after the exam­ple of his father, he summoned the citties to appeare before him at Corinth, and was substituted Captaine generall of the forces, and thereupon he im­mediatly prosecuted the wars against the Persyans, which were begun by his Alexander prosecuteth the warres of his father. C father: but as he was busied in furnishing the same, tidinges were brought him, that the Athenians, Lacedemonians and Thebans, were reuolted from him to the Persyans, and that Demosthenes the Oratour, (whom they had corrup­ted with gold) was author of that reuolt: and auouched before the people, that the King of Macedon with all his hoast were slaine by the Triballes, brin­ging his tales-man in open audience, who (to make the matter good) affir­med that he himselfe was wounded with the King in the same battell. Vpon which report, the minds almost of all the Citties were changed and the gar­risons of the Macedones besieged: to preuent which motions, Alexander en­tred D He ouer­commeth the commotions in Greece. into Greece, with his army so well appointed, and in such good order of battell, that they scarce beleeued their owne eies, when they saw him, be­cause they had not heard, or receiued former notice of his comming. In his way thither, h [...] exhorted the Thessalians to keep their aleagiance, vrging still the benefits that his father had extended towards them, and putting them in minde of the kindered and alliance that was betwixt him and them, by [Page] his mothers side, which came of the stocke of Aeacus. The Thessalians enter­tained those speeches with much ioy and admiration, and establisht him in the place that his father formerly possessed, which was chiefe Duke of their Countrey, yeelding him all the tributes, and reuenues, thereunto due, and accustomed. But the Athenians as they were the first that reuolted, so were the first that repented: wondring at the disdaine of their enemie and extolling the childhood of Alexander (whom before they held in scorne) aboue the pro­wesse of their aucient captain. Therefore they dispatcht Aambassadors with intreaty of peace, and pardon: Whom Alexander hearing, (after many re­bukes giuen them for their insolency) made ioyfull in the fruition of their re­quest. E

From thence he turned his power towards Thebes intending to haue shewed the like mercy to them, if he had found the like repentance in them. But the Thebanes in stead of submission and intreaty went to it with force of armes. So soone therefore as they were vanquished they suffered the grieuous punish­ment of miserable thrauldome and captiuity.

When the matter came to be debated in counsell as concerning the de­struction of the Citty, the Phocenses, Platecenses, Thespians and Orchomenians, (Alexanders confederats and pertakers at his victory) found fault with the The h [...]tred that fell be­tweene the Thebans and Gree [...]an [...]. cruelty of the Thebanes in destroying their Citties, and with the good will F they alwaies bare to the Persians, not at that time onely, but of olde to the o­pen preiudice of the Grecyan liberty. That their dealings had purchased a generall hatred of the people, this might be an euident proofe that they had all bound themselues with an oath to raze Thebes, as soone as they had ouer­come the Persians. And that they might be the more hated, not onely for their present disloialty, but for their former impudency, they pronounced that they had cloied all stages with playes made of their wicked and detested proceedings.

Then Cleadas one of the prisoners hauing free liberty of speech, affirmed The conncel of Eleadastor to saue the Citty. that the Thebanes had reuolted from the Kings heires, and not from the king G whom they heard to be slaine. Which deed if it were any trespasse, it might rather be imputed to the oresight of light credit, then to any vntroth or infide­lity, for which notwithstanding they had already endured great punishment, for the youth of the citty being put to the sword, there suruiued none, but a company of women, and old men, which as they were feeble, so were they vnable to doe harme, yet had they beene vexed with many rauishments, and other shamefull displeasures. Wherefore this intercession was not for his Countrey folke (whereof there were so few left) but the guiltlesse soyle of his Countrey, and the towne it selfe, in which not men onely, but Goddes had receiued their birth, and Natiuity. H

For a pryuate superstitious instance to entreate the king withall, he allea­ged that Hercules (from whom the house of the Acacydes do fetch their peti­gree) was borne among them, and that his father Phillip had passed his child­hood at Thebes: beseeching him to spare that cittie, which honoured some of his auncestors that were borne their as Goddes and had seen other of them [Page 46] that were there brought vp raised to the possession of royall and kingly Dia­dems. But wrath preuailed before intreaty. The citty therefore was razed, the Lands deuided amongst the Conquerors, and the prisoners saued vn­der a Garland, the price whereof was set, not to the aduantage of the buy­ers, but according to the malice of the enimies.

The Athenians thought it a miserable sight, and therefore opened their Gates for the refuge of such as had escaped by slight, contrary to the Kings commaundement. At which deede Alexander tooke such displeasure, that when their Ambassadors came againe to sue for peace, he remitted their of­fence, vpon condition that they should yeeld into his hands their Captains Alexander d [...]maunde [...], the first be­g [...]er of these br [...]les. and Orators, vpon whose trust they did so often fall into rebellion. The A­thenians A ready to satisfie his commaund, because they were willing to allow his coacted constraint of Warre, the matter was brought to this yssue, that they still retained their Orators, and banished their Captaines: who imme­diately bending their courses to Darius, did not a little increafe the strength of the Persians.

At his setting forth to the warres in Persia, he put to death al his mother in lawes kinsmen, whom Phillip had raised to high promotions: and made ru­lers of countries, neither spared he such of his owne kindred, as seemd meete His mother in lawes [...] put to d [...]ath. to vndertake rule or gouernment, least (while he was making warre a farre off) occasion of rebellion should remaine in Macedon. Such kinges also (of any B wisedome or Capacitie) as were tributaries, he tooke with him to the warres, leauing at home the old men to gouerne his kingdome. Then assembled he all his power, and tooke shippe. Out of which as soone as he beheld Asia, in is courage he grew wonderfully inflamed, and made twelue altars to the gods, as a vow for prosperous successe in his warres.

The inheritance he had in Macedon, and Europe, he deuided among his friends, saying that Asia was enough for himselfe. Before any saile departed Alexander deuideth his inheritance in Macedon among his friends from the shore, he slue sacrifices, making his prayer for victory by battell, as by which he was best to be the reuenger of Greece, that so often times be­fore had bene assailed of the Persians, whose Monarchy had continued long C enough, and was come to such perfit ripenesse, that it was high time for some other to take the roome, of more woorth and hability to vndergoe it. Neither was the Army of lesse corage then the King himselfe. For without remembrance of their wiues and children, they forgot they shoulde make warre farre from home, and as sure account to possesse the Gold of the Per­sians, and the riches of the whole East, as if it had beene their owne already, nothing dreading the dangers of the Warre, but doubting their courages, by an vndoubted expectation of purchase, and victory. Assoone as they were come to land, Alexander first of all threw a dart, as it were in the face of his enemies, and in his armor lept out of his ship, and so kild his sacrifi­ces, D praying the Goddes that those countries might willingly receiue him as their King. In the same places also he kept funerals at the Tombes of such as were slaine at the battell of Troy.

Then sought he for his enemy, straightly charging his souldiors to make no wast in the countrey of Asia, saying it was but reason, to spare that, which [Page] they intended should be their owne, and to make no hauocke of those things, which they purposely came to possesse. In his Army were thirty two thousand footemen, foure thousand and fiue hundred horsemen, and one hundreth, fourescore, and two shippes. And it is to be doubted, whether it might be The number of Ale [...]and. b [...]st. more wondred, that with a handful of men he conquered the whole world, or that he durst giue the enterprise to attempt it: Considering that to so daunge­rous a warfarre he made not choyce of lusty young men, and such as were in the prime of youth, but old worne Souldiers, and such, whereof many by rea­son of their yeares, were exempted from the warres, who had serued vnder his father, and his vnckles; So that it might well haue been thought, that he E had not pickt out souldiers but rather maisters of chyualry. Moreouer none had the leadings of any band, that was vnder the age of threescore yeares old. So that a man beholding the chiefe officers of his campe, would haue sayde, he had seene the Senate of some auncient common-wealth. There was none therefore that put more trust to his legges, then his armes, neither did any man thinke of running away, but of getting the victory. On the other side Da­ryus king of Persya trusting in his owne strength, refused to doe any thing by pollicy, assirming that it stoode not with his honor to steale the conquest, or The [...] of Darius. to keepe his enemy from the borders of his Kingdome, but rather to receiue him into the bowles of his realme: and that it should adde more honor to his name to expell him by force, then not to permit his entrance. The first en­counter F therefore, was in the plaines of Adrast. In the hoste of the Persians were siue hundred thousand fighting men, whereof many being slaughtered The number of the Persy­ans. the suruiuing residue turned their backes and fled, being vanquished as much by the pollicy of Alexander, as by the puissaunce of the Macedons. Of Alex­anders host, were slaine nine footemen, and an hundreth and twenty horse­men, Whom the king (the more to encourage the remainer of his souldi­ors) caused to bee sumptuously buried and their Images to be set on their Toombes, and gaue great priuiledges to their kinsfolke.

In this victory the greater part of Asia fell vnto him. He fought many battels G with the lieutenants of Darius, whom he (not somuch by force by the terror of his name) did afterwards vanquish, and subdue. In the meane time Alex­ander (by the confession of a prisoner) receiued information that Alexander of Lincest, the sonne of antipater, whom he had left his vicegerent in Macedon, went about to worke treason against him. Yet distrusting that if he should put him to death, there would rise some commotion in Macedon, he commit­ted him to safekeeping. This done, he marched towards the citty of Gordis, the which is scituate between the greater and the lesser Phrigia. The desire that Alexander had to get this city in his possession, was not so much for the riches, Of the Citty of Gordis & Gordi [...] Waine. or the worth of it, as because he heard say, that in that citty in the temple of H Iupiter, was the yoke of Gordius waine, the knot whereof whosoeuer could vn­doe, the auncient Oracles had prophecied, should be king of all Asia. The occasion, and originall hereof was this. As one Gordias was going to plough in the countrey, with oxen that he had hired, birds of all sortes began to fly a­bout him. And as he went to aske counsell of the Southsaiers of the citty, by the way he met vvith a maide of excellent beauty, and crauing her aduice to [Page 47] what Southsayer he were best to go, she answered (after the relation of the matter) that by the insight she had her selfe into the same science, by the in­struction of her father and mother, it signified he should be a king, and there­vpon offered her selfe to be his partaker both of wedlocke, and of the king­dome A maid shev [...] ­eth Go [...]dias the meaning of the Bi [...]des predestinate vnto him.

He thought himselfe happy to haue such afaire offer at the first entry of his kingdome. After the marriage solemnized, the Phrygyans amongst them­selues fell at discord and discention. And when they asked counsell of the Oracle how the same might be appeased, answere was made that it could not be ended without the helpe of a king. Demaunding againe, of the person of A their king, what manner of man he should be, commaundement was giuen them, that they should marke, whom they first saw after their returne, ryding into the Temple of Iupiter, and take him for their king. The first man they met, was this Gordias, whom they presently saluted by the name of King. The chariot wherin he rode, when the kingdome was imposed vpon him, he placed in the Temple of Iupiter, and consecrated it for an offering, as a thing accusto­med for Kings to doe at their Coronation.

After the raigne of Gordias, his sonne Mydas, (who was trained vp by Or­pheus in many superstitious Ceremonies) filled all the realme with sectes of Midas traind vp vnder Or­pheus. religion; by which, more then by his cheualry his life was safe and secure from B perill and daunger.

Alexander hauing taken the towne, and comming into the Temple of Iupi­ter, immediatly inquired for the yoke of the waine: the which being brought before him, and he (vpon sight thereof) finding himselfe vnable to come by the ends of the thonges that were hidden with the wreathes, wrested the Ora­cle to the vttermost, and cut them asunder with his sword, and so the wreathes being losed, he found the endes of the knots within the braides.

As this was doing, tydinges were brought him, that Darius approched with an huge army of Men, vpon which fearing to be encompassed within the straights, he made all possible speede to passe the mountaine Taurus, in which hast he ran fiue hundreth furlonges. C

When he came to Tarsus, he was much delighted with the pleasantnesse of the riuer Cidnus, which runneth through the middest of the Citty, and as he Alexander in great danger by a surfet. was full of dust and sweat, he threw himselfe naked into the cold water, which forthwith begat such a stifnesse through al his sinewes, that he lost his speech, and was in such danger of death, that he seemed past hope of recouery. Onely there was one of his Physitians, named Phillip, which warranted him his life. And yet the same Phisition was had in mistrust, by reason of the letters sent the day before out of Cappadocia from Permenio. Who knowing nothing of Alexanders mischance, wrote vnto him to take heede of Phillip his Phisition, D for he was corrupted by Darius for a great summe of money. Yet Alexander thought it his better safety to commit himself into the hands of the phisition, then to abide the danger of his disease, whereof there was litle hope but death. Therefore he tooke the drinke that the Phisition had made him, and deli­uered him the letter: And as he was drinking, hee stedfastly beheld his face, to obserue and marke what countenance he would carry at the reading thereof.

But he was nothing abashed therat, which Alexander was very glad of, and the fourth day after recouered his health. Darius therefore with three hundred thousand footemen, and an hundreth thousand horsemen proceeded vnto bat­tel. Which huge multitude of enimies when Alexander beheld, he was much The second encounter of alexander & Darius moued, in respect of the small number of his men; yet when he called againe to minde what great enterprizes he had atchieued, and how mighty Countries he had conquered with that small quantity, he van quished all feare with hope (the mindes best comforter) and thought it daungerous to delay the battell, least his men should be discouraged. Therefore he rode about his Army, and with sundry orations did anymate the hearts of his company. E

The Illirians and Thracians he encouraged with promise of great riches, and substance. The Greekes he set on fire with remembrance of their former warres, and their continuall hatred against the Persians. The Macedons he put in minde of Europe already conquered, and of Asia now conquered: perswa­ding them that in the world there wer not men like them for strength and mag naminitye, and that this battell would make an end of their troubles, and immortally eternize their glory. In speaking these wordes, he commaunded his batels to stand still againe, that by pausing, they might acquaint their eies with the huge number of their enemies.

Darius also was not remisse in ordering of his battels, for whereas it be­longed F to the duty of his Captaines to doe it, he went himselfe to each ranke, and exhorted them all to play the men, putting them in remembrance of the auncient renowne of the Persians, and of the perpetuall possession of the Em­pire giuen them by the the Goddes.

This done, with great courage both the armies buckled togeather. And in that battell both kings were wounded, and the victory hung in doubtfull su­spence, till Darius, forsook the field. Then followed the slaughter of the Per­sians, of whom were slaine threescore thousand footemen, ten thousand hors­men, The slaugh­ter of the per syans. and forty thousand were taken prisoners. Of the Macedons, were put to sword, an hundreth and thirty footemen, and an hundreth and fifty horsemen. G In the tents of the Persians was found much gold and other riches. Amongst others, were taken prisoners Darius Mother, his wife, and two of his daughters. Whom when Alexander came to visit and comfort, they made a great skree­king, vppon sight of the harnisht men, and imbraced one another, as if there had beene no other way with them, but present death. They fell prostrate at Alexanders seete, not entreating pardon for their liues, but beseeching respit for a time to celebrate the funerals of Darius.

Alexander seeing the tender affection of the women was moued with pitty, and told them that Darius was yet liuing, wishing them to be of good cheere The [...]lemen­ [...]y of alexan­der for no violence should be don; but esteemed as queenes, and wel intreated. He H also willed that the daughters of Daryus should trust in him for their aduauns­ment in marriage, both for their fathers honour and reputation. After this, he beheld the ritches, Iewels, and apparell of Darius, which when he sawe, he was struck with admiration and wonder. Then began he to make riotous ban­quets, sumtuous feasts, and to fall in loue with Barsiue (for her beauty and fa­uour) who was one of prisoners, and of whom afterward he begat a Sonne, [Page 48] and named him Hercules; neuerthelesse remembring that Darius was yet aliue, he sent Parmenio to inuade the Persian [...]leete, and appointed other of his friends to receiue the Citties of Asia. Which immediately vpon the report of Alexanders victory yeelded to the conqueror, so did the Lieuetenants also that Darius had placed ouer them, bringing with them a great masle of mo­ney and treasure. Then set he forwards into Siria, where many Kings met him with their crownes on their heads to doe him royall entertaine. Of whome (according to the measure of their merit) some he had receiued into fauor, some againe he deposed and substituted others to raigne in their steades. Amongst all other Abdolminus (whom Alexander made king of Sydon is wor­thy A A [...] made [...] of Sydon. to be remembred. For of a me [...]cinary poore Gardener, that before leade his life miserablye, and was went for wages to cast pondes, and watercourses, Alexander made him a king, setting aside the respect of the Nobility, least they for their birth, and lynage might haue seemed to challenge it of duty, and not to accept it, as a free guist.

The Cittizens of Tyre sent their Amb [...]ssadors to Alexander with a waighty Crowne of massie gold, for ioy of his good successe: who thankfully accepting their present, replied that his intent was, [...]re long to visit Tyre, and to performe Alexander [...] [...] his vowes to Hercules. But when the Ambassadors vnderstoode his purpose, they replyed againe that he might doe that better in olde Tyre, and in the old B Temple, and made earnest desire that he would not enter into the new towne. Whereat he tooke such heauy displeasure that he threatned vtterly to ruinate and destroy the Citty, and forthwith brought his Army to the Iland, and the Tyrians, ful of courage and resolution, trusting also to the people of Ca [...]thage, for welcome entertained him with warres. For they were not a little encoura­ged by the example of Dido who builded Carthage, and conquered the third parte of the worlde, thinking it no small disgrace to them, if their women should be more commended for their magnaminity in conquering: then they had in defending their liberty. Wherefore they sent all such to Carthage as were thought vnmeete for the warres, and brought other supplie in their C steade. Howbeit, not long after their towne was surpryzed and taken by Treason.

And Alexander receiued the Rhodes, Egypt, and Cilicia, without resistance, or stroke of warre. Then tooke he his iourney to Iupiter Hammon, to inquire alexander go [...]th to Ham­mo [...] Egypt. of the chaunces of future accidents, and to be resolued of the condition and quality of his owne birth. For his mother Olympias had secretly deliuered to Phillip her husband that she conceiued not Alexander by him but by a Serpent of admirable bignesse. And Phillip himselfe but a little before his death, had openly reported that he was not his Sonne: wherevpon (as though she had playd false with him) he put away Olimpias. Alexander therefore being desi­rous D to fetch his pedigree from the gods, and deliuer his Mother from slander of the world, addressed Messengers priuily before to the Priestes, to direct them, what answer he would haue them to make.

As soone as he entred into the Temple, the Prelats saluted him by the name of the sonne of Hammon. And he reioycing at this adoption of the gods gaue commaundement that al men in generall should take him for his father. [Page] Then he demaunded whether they had inslicted punishment on such as were guilty of the murther of his father. They made answer that his father could neither dye, nor be killed, but as for the death of king Phillip, the dooers there of had receiued sufficient and condigne punishment. To his third demaund they answered, that he should tryumpth in victory, and be conqueror in all battel [...]: and should be entitled the owner of the vniuersall world, and the riches thereof. [...]o such also as attended vppon him, especiall charge was giuen to honor Alexander as a god, and not a king. Which made him grow to such ex­ceeding haughtinesse, and pride, that the gentlenesse which he had learned by the li [...]terature of the Greekes, and the instructions of the Macedones, was quite E rased out of his thoughts.

As he returned from Hammon, he caused Alexandria to be builded, and peopled it with Macedones, ordaining it to bee the head Citty of Egypt. Da­rius [...] being escaped to Babylon dispatched his letters to Alexander, intreating that the women (taken prisoners by him) might be ransomed and set at liber­ty, and to that end he prosfered a great Summe of money. But Alexander re­turned answere, that they were not to be ransomed for money, nor vnder the value of his whole kingdomes possession.

Not long after came another letter from Darius to Alexander wherein hee made tender of one of his daughters in mariage, and a portion of his kingdom with her. But Alexander sent him word againe, that the thinges he proffered F were his owne already, and willed him rather to come, and submit himselfe, and to a put the ordering of his kingdome to the dis [...]reation of his Soueraigne. The [...] (past all hope of peace) Darius addressed himselfe againe to the warres, and with foure thousand footemen, and ten thousand horsemen marched to­wards Alexander.

In his iourney newes was brought him of his wiues decease in deliuerance of a child before her time, and that Alexander shed teares for hir death, and accompanyed her co [...]ple to the bur [...]all, not for any lasciuions loue but of his [...] owne me [...]r c [...]sie, and true honorable disposition, for he neuer saw her but once in all l [...]f [...]. Darius then thinking himselfe wholly vanquished, and [...] G that [...] so many battels, his enemy had also ouer come him with kindnes, thought it the lesse disparagement vnto his report, sithe he could not get the victory that it was his chance to be vanquished by so worthy a conqueror. Wherefore he directed the third letter vnto him, giuing him thankes, that he had not ill intreated his prisoners, nor shewed them any extremity: Offering [...]. him the greater parte of his kingdome, euen the riuer Euphrates, with another of his daughters to wise: and for the rest of his prisoners thirty thousand ta­lents. Hereunto Alexander made answere that he expected not thankes at his enemie [...]hands, for what he had done was not to slatter him withall, or to seeke H any [...]nce against the vncertaine euent of warre, or for articles of peace, but to sh [...] he owne noble heart, which taught him to contend with the power of his [...], and n [...]t with their callamyties, promising to perso [...]me all Darius request, if he would acknowledge himselfe as next vnto him, and not as his e­ [...] for as the world could not be ruled if there were two suns, so could it not be by two Soueraigne kings.

[Page 49] Therefore aduised him either to submit himselfe the same day, or else to prepare himselfe to battell the next day, and not to beguile his hopes with the expectation of any other victory, then what he had tryed already. The next day they brought their men into the field. But sodainely before the battell Alexander fell a sleepe, being very heauy, and surprized with the multitude of cares, and discontentments. And when all his men were in readinesse to giue the charge vpon their enemies, the king onely was missing. Who after­wardes being very hardly awaked by Parmenio, and of all his men demaunded the cause of his so sounde sleeping in a time so daungerous, seeing he was for­merly accustomed to content himselfe with very little sleepe euen when the quietnesse of his affaires gaue occasion of all leisure, and liberty: he made an­swere A that he was deliuered of a great feare, and that he had slept of a sodaine content that came on him, & pleased all his sences; for that at once he should encounter with the whole power of Darius, which he was afraide should haue been prolonged if the Persians had deuided their Army.

Before the battell each army stoode in the sight of other. The Macedones wondering at the number of their Enimyes, their goodlye personages, and their costly armor: the Persians on the other side, amazing that so few should ouercome so many thousandes as they had. The Captaines bestirring them­selues in looking to their seuerall charges. Darius encouraged his souldiers B with this, that if they were deuided, the number of them tenne to one excee­ded their Enemies. Alexander willed the Macedones not to be abashed at the multitude of the contrary party, at the hugenesse of their bodies, nor the strangenesse of their colour. But to remember that this was the third time of their fight, and that they should not thinke their enemyes were become better men by their often running away, especially sith they brought with them into the fielde so sorrowfull a remembrance of their owne discomfitures, as of somuch bloodshed as they went away with, in the two former battels. And as Darius exceeded him in number of Men, so did he surpasse Darius in the greatnesse of strength. Therefore exhorted his men to dispise that C hoste, in which was more gayne then daunger, and glistred more in the outwatrde shew of Gold and siluer, then in the inwarde substaunce of va­lour, and vertue: for victory vvas not gotten by the brauery of furniture, but by the force of weapon, and the vndaunted resolution of couragious spirits.

After this, the onset vvas giuen. The Macedones layd about them fiercely with their vveapons, as disdainning their enemy whom before they had so often vanquished. The Persians on the contrary side had rather dye, then be vanquished, which caused somuch effusion of blood, as had not at any time bene seene in any batteel. Parius when he perceiued his men put to the worse, Darius is put to slight. The care of Darius for the safeg [...]d of his soul­diors. D would gladly haue made his end honorable by his death in the fielde, but that such as vvere about him compelled him to saue his life by flight.

Afterwardes when some gaue him counsell to breake the bridge ouer the riuer Lycus, that he might stoppe his Enemies from pursuite, he said that his care shoulde not be altogether for his owne safegard, but that he would also shew himself careful for his company, and not cast so many of them into their [Page] enemies hands: Therefore appointed, it should be a way for others to escape, as well as it had beene for himselfe. Alexander, he vndertooke still, and enter­prised such things as were most full of danger, and where he saw his enemies thickest, and the sight sharpest, thyther did his resolution carry him, and there would he thrust himselfe into the greatest perils, and not leaue them to the hurte, and hazzard of his Souldiers. By this battell he tooke awaye the Empyre of all Asia, the first yeare after he began to raigne. Whose felicity The begin­ning of the Empyre of Macedon. was so great that no man durst rebell against him, and the Persians themselues after so many yeares continuance of their monarchy, paciently endured the yoke of bondage. E

When he had rewarded, and refreshed his souldiers, he did nothing for forty daies after, but take view of the spoile of his enemie & found lockt vp in the Citty forty thousand talents. He also wonne Percipolis, the head Citty of the kingdome of Persia, the which had continued famous many yeares toge­ther, and stuffed with the spoiles of the whole world. While these things were doing, there came vnto Alexander about eight hundreth Greekes, who besides their punishment of captiuity, were depriued of some of their limbes, and re­quested him that as he had reuenged Greece, so he would also reuenge the cruelty of their enemies. When he had put it to their choice either to stay there, or returne into their countries, they rather chose to take certaine lands, F and make their abode there, then to goe home to be a griefe to their friends, and a ioy to their enemies.

In the meane season to winne the fauor of the conqueror, Darius his owne kinsmen, in a village of the Parthians called Tane, bound him in setters, and chaines of gold: which was thoght the very ordinance and disposition of the Darius woun­ded to death by his owne kinsmen. Gods, that the monarchy of the Persians should take end in the land of them that should succeede in the Empire.

Alexander also the next morrow, following vpon spurre, had intelligence that Darius was conucied out by night in an horse-litter. And there vpon com­maunded his hoste to follow the chace with seauen thousand of his horsemen. G In his iourney he fought many dangerous battels. And when he had ridden many a mile and could receiue no intellgence, or inkling of Darius, as his horses were a baiting, one of his souldiers, going downe to a watering place nere adioyning, found Darius sore wounded in a Litter, but as yet aliue. Who calling the same souldier vnto him, and perceiuing by his speeche that he was one of his owne Countreymen, he told him, that being in the case he was, it was no small comfort vnto him, that he should not vtter his last words in vaine, but speake to a man that could well vnderstand him.

He bad him then beare word vnto Alexander, that he died a great debtor of his without any desart of his own part, for he was better intreated of him, H The wordes o [...] [...]. [...] [...]is death. then of his owne kindred, and alliance, and he had found him not like an e­nemy, but a royall friend in his kingly courtesie towardes his wife and chil­dren. For whereas his enemy had giuen his wife, and children life, his owne kinssolke, vpon whome he had both bestowed life and kingdomes, had now giuen him the fatall stroke of death: for which he rendred such thankes vn­to himas it might please the Conqueror to accept at the hands of the con­quered. [Page 50] Onely one thing now at the point of death lay in his power to doe for Alexander, in requitall and full recompence of all his good turns, which was, that he woulde pray to the celestiall, and infernall powers, and the Goddes of Kinges, to giue him the victory, and Dominion of the whole worlde. For his owne part he desired nothing, but that without grud­ging hee woulde graunte his rightes of buriall for to bee solemnly cele­brated.

Touching the reuenge of his death, it was now no parte of his care, but (for example sake) it concerned the common case of Kinges, which to neg­lect, as it should be dishonorable, so it might turne to his owne vtter perill. Form thone part it was a case that craued iustice, on the other it touched his A owne profit, and safety. In token whereof, as a kingly pledge of his faith, he gaue the Souldior his right hand to carry vnto Alexander. These words being vttred, he stretcht foorth himselfe, and immediately yeelded vp the Ghost. Which when Alexander heard of, he came to see his bodie, as hee lay dead, and wept ouer it, to behold so worthy an estate come to soe vnworthy a death. Whetfore he caused his body to be buri­ed in that royall maner, as became the estate, and condtion of a K. and the same to be besto­wed in the famous Toombes of B his Noble auncestors. C D

The ende of the eleuenth Booke.

THE TWELFE BOOKE E of Iustine.

THE ARGVMENT.

ALexander burieth his souldiers sumptuously. Agis king of Lacedemon ma­keth a great insurrection in Greece, and is slaine. Alexander king of Epire maketh Warres in Italy, and is dangerously wounded, whereof he dieth. Zo­pyron F with his hoast is slaine by the Scythians, while the hoast of alexander was in Parthia, did long desire to returne home. He subdueth Hyrcania and the Mardes, Thalestris Queene of the amazones, accompanieth with alexander. He taketh into fashion the manners of the Persians, maketh most riotous seastings, giueth licence vnto his souldiors to marry with their prisoners, committeth outrage against his Nobles, conquereth the people that inhabite the skirts and borders of Cantasus, in which time Bessus, he that killed Darius, is brought bound vnto alexander, whom he deliuercth ouer to be punished vnto Oxatres, owne brother to Darius. He buil­deth alexandria vpon Tanais. He killeth Clitus at the Table. He falleth into won­drous great dispaire for the same. Hee receiueth whole Countries by composition. G He putteth Calisthines and other Noblemen to death, giueth his souldiers shyeldes all of Stluer. Eni [...]reth into Inde, whereas a Queene called Cleophis, yeeldeth both her selfe and kingdome vnto him. She receiueth the same againe from his handes. He ouercommeth king Porus. He buildeth two Citties, subdueth foure Nations. He is againe moued by his souldiors to returne home. He ouercommeth the Eufites, Receiu [...]th by composition the Gessones, and Asybanes. He conquereth the Ambres and S [...]res. He is sore wounded in the Citty of Opidrakes,, preserueth all his hoast from poisoned wounds, by the warning of a dreame. He buildeth a citty in the mouth of the riuer Indus, returneth to Babylon, puteth the Lieutenants of diuers Countries to death. He punisheth a mutinie amongst his souldiors, mourneth for H the death of Ephestion, entertaineth the Embassadors of Carthage, Spaine, France &c. He is poysone [...] by Antipater, comsorteth his souldiors, making a tumult for his death. He deliuereth his ring to Perdicas, and dyeth.

[Page 51] ALexander bestowed great cost in burying his souldiors that were slaine in the pursuite of Darius, and to the residue of his company that suruiued, he imparted fifteen thousand tallents. The greater part of his hor­ses were foundred with heate, and such as remayned were able to do no seruice. The whole summe of the money gotten by this late victory, was one hundreth and three and fifty thousand talents, where of Parme­nio was made Treasoror: while these things were doing, letters were broght [...] cedon. from Antiapater out of Macedon, the tenor wherof contained the warres of A Ag is King of the Spartans in Grecce; of Alexander King of Epire, in Italy; and of his Lieutenant Sopiron in Scithia: which at first fild his thoughtes full of sundry amazements. Neuertheles when he had well digested the natures of two Kings, that didde enuy the prosperity of his fortunes, he was more gladde of the losse of them, then sorrie for his army, and his Captaine Zo­pyron.

For after Alexander had taken his iourney, the most part of Greece sell to rebellion, in hope to recouer their liberty, following the example of the La­cedemontans, who forsooke the peace, and despised the orders taken both by B Phillip and Alexander. Captaine and ringleader of this commotion, was Agis the Lacedemonian king. But Antipater leuyed a power and suppressed this in­surrection, at the very first beginning, notwithstanding there were on both partes, great slaughter and much effusion of bloud. King Agis, when he sawe his men put to flight (albeit his fortunes were not so good as Alexanders,) yet The v [...]lour of king Agis. that he might not seeme inferiour to him in courage, sent away his guard, and himselfe alone made such slaughter of his enemies, that sometimes hee put whole bands of men to flight: and at last, although the multitude opprest him, yet he woon the glory from them all.

Moreouer, Alexander king of Epyre, being sent into Italy to ayde the Taren­tines against the Brutians, tooke that voyage vpon him with as great desire, as C though the world should haue beene deuided, and that Alexander, the sonne of his sister Olympias should haue had the East, and he himselfe the West, in­tending to haue no lesse command in Italy, Affrike, and Sicill, then thother should haue to doe in Asia, and among the Persians. Besides this, as the O­racle at Delphos had prophesied vnto Alexander the great, that his destructi­on should be wrought in Macedon, so the Oracle of Iupiter of Dodones, had told this Alexander, that the citty of Pandose, & the riuer of Acheruse should be his fatall end.

Now as both of them were in Epyre, (not knowing they were also in Ita­ly) D to auoyde the danger of his destiny, he enterprised war in a strange land. The first warre he made when he came into Italy, was with the Appuleyans, [...] but when he vnderstood the destinies of their citties, he concluded peace & friendship with their king. For at that time the chiefe citty of Appuleia, was Br [...]nduse, which was founded by the Actolians, vnder the conduct of that famous captaine Diomedes, so much renowmed for his valour at the battaile [Page] of Troy. But being expulsed by the Appuleyans, they asked counsell of the Oracles, who answered, that they shoulde for euer possesse the place that they required. Hereupon they dispatched Ambassadors to the Appuleyans, and willed them either to surrender their Citty againe, or to expect sud­daine, and sharpe Warres vpon them. The Appuleyans hauing knowledge of the answeare of the Oracle, putte the Ambassadoures to death, and buried them in the Citty, there to remaine for euer.

So hauing dispatched the meaning of the Oracle, they enioyed the cit­ty a long time after. Which when Alexander of Epire vnderstood of, he for­bare to trouble th Appuleyans reuerencing the destinies oflong coutinuance. E

Then made he warre with the Brutians, and Lucanes, and woon many cit­ties Alexander of [...] woun­ded to death. from them. Hee concluded a peace and league with the Metapontines, Ruti [...]ians, and Romanes. But the Brutians, and Lucanes hauing obtained helpe and aide of their neighboures, siercely renewed the warres: where the king (nere vnto the citty Pandose and the riuer Acheruse) was wounded to death, not knowing the name of his fatall place, before he was slaine. And when he snoulde die, hee perceiued the daunger of death lay not in his owne Countrey, albeit for that cause hee forsooke the same. The Tyrians ranso­med his body at the charges of their Citty, giuing it honoarable buriall.

While these things were dooing in Italy, Lopyron also, whom Alexander the great had leftpresident of Pontus, thinking it a point of cowardize to lye F The death of [...]ron [...] ­ [...]ent of Pon tus. still, and do nothing, raised an army of thirty thousand souldiors, and made warre vpon the Seythians, where being slain with all his host, he suffered due punishment for making so rash and vniust warre against a people so inno­cent, and harmelesse. When newes of these accidentes were brought into Parth [...] to Alexander, he seemed very sorry for the death of Alexander his kinsman, and commaunded that all his host should mourne for him, by the space of three dayes following. After this, when all men looked to returne into their countries, as though the warre had ended in the death of Darius, and all (after a sort) were ready in their harts to imbrace their Wiues, and Children: Alexander, summoned his souldiors together, perswading them G that all those notable battels were to no purpose, if the barbarous Nations of the East were left vntouched▪ for he desired not Darius death but his dia­dem, and all such ought to be pursued with violence, as sorsook their due o­dience to the kingdome. When he had by this oration sharpned the reso­lution of his Souldiers, and quickened their mindes afresh, he subdued Hyr­ [...], and the Mardes.

In the same Countrey Thalestris met him, otherwise named Mynothaea Queene of the Amazones, with three hundreth thousand women, who came sinc and twenty daies iourney, through the sauage countries, and the mid­dest [...] H of her enemies, of purposse to haue yssue by Alexander. The sight and comming of whom, was much wondred at, both for strangenesse of their apparell, vn [...]ccustomed to be worne by women, and also for their desire to company wi [...]h Alexander and his followers: vpon this occasion were thirty daies spent, and when she thought her selse with child she departed.

After this Alexan. (as though he had made himselfe subiect to their lawes and [Page 52] customes, whom he had vanquished) tooke vppon him the apparrell, and alexander im bra [...]eth the maners and appar [...] of the Persians. Diadem of the Kings of Persia, a thing altogeather vnwoonted before that time of the Kings of Macedon. And that he might counterfet the Persians as well in excesse of apparrel, as of Fare, and that it might not seeme more hei­nous in himselfe; he commaunded his friends to were long robes of cloth of gold, and purple. Moreouer he spent the nights by turns amongst the kings Concubines, which were women both of excellent birth and beautie. And least his lustfull likinges might seeme to abate, or decay, he surthered them with all sorts of great fare, and set out his feastes with all princely pastimes, and shewes, forgetting quite by such meanes ritches are woont to bee con­sumed, and not obtained. A

This caused much murmur to arise through all his camp, that he should so degenerate from Phillip his father, as to disdaine the name of his owne Countrey, and to take vpon him the manners of the Persians, whom for the vilenesse thereof he before had supprest, and subdued. But that it might not be a fault to him alone, to yeild to the vices of such, as he had vanquished, he gaue liberty to his Souldiors (if any of them would be delighted with the company of their prisoners) to take them to their wiues; thinking indeede they would haue lesse mind homewards, when euen in their tentes they had a Pollicy [...] a cu­st [...]. (as it were) a similitude of their houses, and dwelling places; and that they would make lesse account of their trauell in the warres, for the delight they B had in their wiues.

Besides this, he thought Macedon should not be so much spent in sending supplies for them that were slaine, if the young Impes succeeded the olde Souldiors (their fathers) and were trainde vp in the same trench that they were borne in; and that they would become the hardier, being not traind vp onely, but also Nursed in the campe. Which custome afterwards remained amongst the successors of Alexander. Therfore there was a stipend appoin­ted to maintaine and foster vp the Children, and when they came to mans estate, they had furniture, horsse, and harnesse giuen them, and the fathers C had wages allowed them, according to the number of their sonnes. If any of their fathers died, the children neuerthelesse that suruiued, receiued their fa­thers wages, and so their childhood amongst so many Voyages was euen a very warrefare. Being therfore from their infancy hardned with continual trauell, and daunger, they becam an inuincible host, reckoning the campe, as their countrey; and the battell, as an assured victory. They that wer thus begotten, were called Epigones. When he had conquered the Parthians, he created Andagoras, (one of the chiefest Noble men of Persia) ruler ouer them, from whom afterwards the Kings of Parthia descended.

In the meane space Alexander, began to grow outrag ous with his owne followers, not like a king, but an enimy. The chiefest cause of his displeasure D was that some of them, found fault with him, for breaking the customes alexand [...]r [...] great ra [...]e & discontent with his No­ble [...]. both of Phillip (his father,) and of his owne countrey. For which the aunci­ent father Parmenio, (after inquisition had) being in estate next to the king, and his son Philotas, were both put to death. Wherupon all the campe be­gan to be in an vprore, grieuing at the mischaunce of the olde man and his [Page] Sonne and not letting sometime to say, that it was not for themselues then to expect any better.

When these thinges came to the hearing of Alexander, fearing that if the report thereof should be blowne into Macedone, the glory of his victories would be stained with the imputation of cruelty, he fained an intention to send Alexanders feare of the people. certaine of his friends into Macedon to beare tydings of his seuerall conquests, and willed his Souldiers to write to their frindes, saying it would be long ere they had the like opportunity, because he meant to make warre further of. This being done, by which he perceiuing euery mans opinion, put all those into one band that had an ill conceipt of him, intending either to consume them E by battell, or to people townes with them in the vttermost parts of the world. Then did he subdue the Dracans, the Euergets, the Permenians, the Paropamys sadons, Hisdaspians, and the other kindes of people, that inhabite the foote of the mountayne Caucasus. In the meane time Bessus was brought vnto him, one of Darius friends, who had not only betrayed the King his Maister, but had also cruelly slaine him. Whom in reuenge of his trechery, he deliuered Bessas deliue­red to be pu­nished for tre son. to Darius brother to punish as he thought good, and to vse such Iustice vp­on him, that had traiterously slaine his owne maister, as the seucrity of such a foule sact required. Vpon the riuer Tanais he builded a Citty, and named it Alexandria, to the end, he might leaue his name amongst them in those Countries. The walles whereof, being sixe miles in compasse, he finished F within seuenteene dayes, remouing into it the people of three Citties, that Cyrus had builded. Among the Sagdians, and Bactrians also, he builded sea­uenteene Citties, placing in them all such as he knew to be seditious in his hoast.

These things thus effected, vpon a certaine day after, he caused a solemne feast to be prouided for himselfe, and his friends. Where after many cups M [...]ke the [...] of drun­ [...] [...]esse in a [...]. of wine caroused, mention being made among them of King Phillip hys Acts, he began to prefer himselfe before his father, and extolled the great­nesse of his owne deeds aboue the heauens. Which the greatest parte of his guestes assented to, and confirmed. When Clytus therefore one of the old G men, vpon trust of the Kings friendship (for in that respect he was the chie­fest about him) defended the same of Phillip, and stoode in the praise of his Noble and worthy actes, he somuch prouoked the displeasure and indigna­tion of Alexander therewith, that he snatched a weapon out of one of his guards hand, and slue him as he sat at the table.

Then triumphing at the murther, he vpbraided him as he lay dead, with his commending of Phillip, and with his commendation of his fathers wars. But after his mind (satisfied with the slaughter) began to be quieted, and that aduice had entered in the place of anger: one while pondering in his H hart whom he had slaine, another while vpon what occasion he slue him; he began to loath his owne act done, and to grieue that he had taken his fathers praises in such deep displeasure, lamenting at his ouersight, that in his wine he had kild an old man, his deere friend, faultlesse; and without any occasion of offence giuen. And thereupon being turned with like rage to Repentance, as he was euen now in Anger, in that extacie he would haue died.

[Page 53] First he fell a weeping, and taking vp the dead body in his armes, searched Rage to l [...] calmed with Repentance. his woundes, and acknowledged his madnesse to him, as if he could haue heard him, and pulling out the weapon, set it to his owne heart, and had slainc him­selfe, had he not beene preuented by his friendes, that wrested it forth of his handes. He continued certaine daies after in this wilfulnesse to die. And the more to increase his sorrow, there came to his minde, the remembrance of Clyt us sister, who albeit she was notthere, yet was he ashamed in himselfe, that he had so shamefully rewarded hir that nurst him, as now being a man growne, and a Conqueror, to present her with her owne brothers corse in re­quitall of her good turnes, that had borne him in hir Armes all the time of his A child-hood.

Moreouer he bethought him, what reportes and scandals he had raised of himself in his army, and among the Nations, that he had conquered: What a feare, and secret hatred, he had striken into the harts of his own friends: how bit­ter, and loathsome he had made his owne Table, being not so bloody, armed in the field, as sitting naked at his meate. Then came to his remembrance Par­menio, and Phylotas, then amint as his sisters sonne: then came into his minde, his Mother in law, and hir brothers that was put to death: then attalus, Eury­locus, Pausanias, and other Noble men of Macedons, whose liues he had taken away. Hereupon he obstinately refused his meate three daies together, till B his whole hoast came and intreated him, that he would not so lament the death of one man, as to cast away a multitude that followed him; and euen at that time, when he had brought them to the vttermost of the barbarous Na­tions, and among the middest of their Enemies, and those whom by battell they had stirred to hate, and enuy. To diswade him from discontentment greatly preuailed the perswasion of the Philosopher Callysthenes, who had beene his scoole fellow vnder aristotle, and was then lately sent for by the King him­selfe to put his actes in writing. When therefore he called his courage a­gaine Calisthenes perswadeth much by his cloquence. backe to the warres, hee receiued the Chorasmians and Dracans, by com­position.

Afterwardes that all thinges might seeme more spightfull, he gaue gene­rall C commaundement to his company, that they should no more salute him, but adore him. Callysthenes was one of them that stood stisliest against his pur­pose, which was both the confusion of himselfe, and of many Noble men of Macedon. For vnder the coulor oftreason, they were all put to death. Neuer­thelesse the Macedones stil obserued their custome of saluting their King, and vtterly reiected the manner of adorning. After this, he marched towardes India, to bound his Empire at the Ocean sea, and the vttermost partes of the East.

To adde renowne to his Name, and that the ornaments of his army might D be agreeable, he caused the trappings of the horses, and the armour of his Souldiers to be decked and ouer layd with siluer, and after their siluer shields he named his whole hoste Argyraspides. When he came to the Citty Nisa, the Townsmen (vpon a superstitious confidence that they had in their God Bacchus, who was founder thereof) making no countenaunce of resisting, he gaue forth an exceeding straight commaundement that it should be spared: [Page] reioycing greatly, that he had not only followed the wars, but the very foot­steppes also of the gods. From thence he led his hoste to see the Mount, which was naturally beset with vines, and Iuye, in such order, as if it had beene drest with mans hand, and placed by the cunning of workemanship: as soone The holy [...]ount. as his host came at the Mountaine, being moued through a sodaine instinct of minde, to the holy howlings of the gods, they scatterd here and there (to the great admiration of the King) without any harme taking. Whereby he might perceiue that by sparing the Townsmen, he did not somuch profit them, as pleasure his owne Army.

Then tooke he his course to Daedalus hill, and to the kingdome of queene E Cleopis, who yeilding her selfe receiued againe her kingdome, paying for ran­some De dalus hil [...]. of it, onely a few nights lodging with Alexander. In the daliaunce wher­of, she obtained that at his handes, which by force of armes she could neuer haue gotten. The Sonne that she conceiued by him, she named Alexander, who afterwardes enioyed the Indian kingdome. The Queene for violating her Cert [...]in nig­htes lodging paid to Alex­ander for a Queenes ran some. chastity, was euer after called of the Indians, the kings concubine. When he had traueled through India, he came to a maruellous rough and huge rocke, into which many people were fled, from winning whereof it was told him that Hercules was prohibited by an carthquake. Burning therefore with desire to surmount the doings of Hercules, he woon the same rocke, with much labour, F and many perills. By which all the people bordering thereabouts yeilded themselues vnto him, and he in like sort receiued them into his grace, and fa­uour.

Then Porus one of the kings of India, a man of maruellous magnanimity and strength of body, vnderstanding the fame of Alexander, meant to encoun­ter Thincounter between Por ru [...] and Alex ander. with him, and prepared for the warre against his comming. And when on both sides the Army was in readinesse to giue onset, he willed his Men to set vpon the Macedones and to suffer him alone to combat single with their king.

Alexander made no tariance to the battell. But at the first encounter, his horse was wounded vnder him, and he himselfe fell downe headlong to the G ground: howbeit his guard stept abouthim and rescued him. Porus not able longer to abide the brunt of battell, by reason of his multitude of woundes, was surprized and taken prisoner. Whereat his griefe was so great, for his be­ing vanquished, that although he found fauour at his Enemies handes, yet would he not recciue any sustinance, nor suffur his woundes to be dressed: but much adoe there was to intreat him to liue. This courage, and valour did Alexander so highly commend in him, that in honor therof he sent him home againe with safety into his kingdome. Then builded he two Citties, whereof the one he called Nicea, and the other (after the name of his horse) Bucephala.

Afterwardes he conquered the adrastes, the Stathenes, the Passides and the H Gangarytes, and slew all their Armies. When he came to the Eufits where his Enemies waited his comming with two hundreth thousand horsemen; His whole Army being wearied with the number of their victories, and their con­tinuall labours, besought him with teares that at length he would make end of his warres, and minding his own country, haue regard to the yeares of his soul­diers, which were scarce able to liue so long, as while each man might recouer [Page 54] his seuerall home. One shewed his gray head, another his many woundes, an­other his leane Carcasse, wythered with the multitude of yeares, another his body full of skarres, and maimes. Saying that they alone were the Men that had endured the continual warres of two Kings, Phillip and Alexander. Wher­fore they did beseech him (at the least) to restore their poore carcasses to the graues of their fathers, who now fainted, not for want of heart; or goodwill, but for want of yeares, to maintaine the resolute performance of their willing mindes. If he would not regard his Souldiers, yet to haue respect of him­selfe, and not to weary out his good fortune, nor offend with presumpty­on. A

Being moued with these iust petitions, (as it were to winde vp his victories in more honor) he caused his camp to be set out after more stately sort then was accustomed, that the hugenesse thereof might both put his enemies in feare, and leaue somwhat to sucdeeding posterity to talke of. His souldiers did neuer worke in all their liues, with more alacrity, or free spirits. When they had therefore discomfited theyr enemies, they returned with great ioy and gladnesse. From thence Alexander went to the riuer Acesyne, and by that he sayled to the Ocean, where he tooke to mercy the Gessones and Asybanes, which were founded by Hercules.

From thence he sailed to the Ambres, and Sycambres, which met him with B foure score thousand footemen, and threescore thousand horsemen. When he had gotten the vpper hand of them, he led his hoast against their Citty, which hee finding voide of defendantes, as he looked from the wall, (the Alexanders valour amóg thousands of enemyes. which before any of his Men he himselfe had scaled) he leapt into the Citty, without any of his guard about him. When his enemyes saw him there alone, they ranne at him on all sides with a great shoute, indeuouring if they could to finish the warres of the whole world in one Mans death, and to be reuenged vpon him for many Nations.

Alexander on the contrary part, as manfully withstoode them, and being but one man fought against many thousandes. It is almost incredible and not C to be spoken of, that neither the number of his enemies, the force and mul­titude of their weapons, nor their confused noyse as they assailed him, could make him affraid, and that being but alone, he should beat downe and put to flight, so great and infinite a company.

But when he saw he was ouercharged, he withdrew himselfe to a block, that stoode by a wall, by help whereof standing in safegard, he held them all tacke, till his friendes knowing what perill he stoode in, leapt downe to aide him. Of whom many were slaine, and the battell hung long in suspence, till the time that his Army (hauing beaten downe the walles) came in to his res­cue. In that conflict he was striken with an arrow vnder the right pappe, and D notwithstanding he bled so sore that he could scarce stand for feeblenesse, yet kneeling on his knee, he neuer left fighting, vntill he had slaine him, of whom Alexandes sendeth a great hoast to Babylon. he was wounded.

The healing of the wound was farre more gricuous then the wound it selfe. Therefore when at length contrary to all hope, he had recouered his health and strength, he sent Polyperchon, vvith his host to Babylon, and he himselfe [Page] with a number of his most select and chosen Souldiers, tooke shipping, and scowred the Ocean Seas, along the coast. When he came at the Citty of king Ambyger, the townesmen heating he could not be ouercome by sword, dipt their arrowes in poyson, and so with double wound of death repelled the Ene­my Alexander re pelled with venomed Da [...]. from their walles, and slew many of them. And when amongst many o­thers Ptolomy was deadly wounded and very vnlike to escape the daunger of death, an herbe was shewed the King in his sleepe, that should remedy the poyson.

The which being giuen him in drinke, he was forthwith deliuered from theymminent danger, and the most part of the Army was by that meanes preserued. After when he had won the towne by force, he returned into his E shippes, and made offring to Neptune, the Sea-god, with praiers, and petition for safe returne into his Countrey. Then he established the boundes of his Empire as farre as there was any land habitable, or as farre as the sea was able to be sailed, and with prosperous winde entred into the mouth of the Ryuer Indus. There (as a monument of his conquests) he builded the Barce, and set vp Altars, leauing one of his friendes Lieuetenant of the Indians, that inhabit the Sea coast.

From thence intending to take his iourney by land, as he heard there was scarcity of water by the way, he commaunded pittes to be made in places con­uenient Alexanders return againe to Babylon F as he passed, wherein he found great plenty of sweete water, and so re­turned to Babylon. There many of the Nations that he had subdued, accused their rulers, whom Alexander without respect either of friendship, or fauour, caused to be put to death in the presence of the Ambassad. After this, he tooke to wife Satir, the daughter of king Darius. He also chose out of the Noblest, and most beautifull Ladies and Gentlewomen of all Nations, and gaue them to his Noblemen in marriage: which he did to the intent that the custom and community of the fact, his owne offence might seeme the lighter.

Then summond he his Army before him, and enquiring of their debts, he promised to set them free, and pay what they owed out of his owne purse, G that they might cary home cleare their booties and rewardes. This liberality was highly extold in Alexander, both for the greatnesse of the summe, and in regard of the cheerefull and free guift thereof. And it was as thankfully recei­ued of the creditors as of the debtors, being not easie for the one to recouer His bounty to his Soul­o [...]s. it, and very harde for the other to haue payd it. In those occasions, three and twenty thousand talents were disbursed.

He also cashierd the old Souldiers, and supplyed their roomes with youn­ger, such as were still reteined grudging that the old souldiers were dissmissed required also to be cashiered: bidding him pay them their wages, and not tell them of their yeares, for seeing they were chosen into warfarre together, they H thought it but right and duty, to be discharged togither. And now they deale not with him by way of petition, but by flat and open rayling. And wish him to sinishe his warres alone with his father Hammon, and then go set light by his Souldiers. He on the contrary side somtime rebuked them, sometime ad­monisht them, perswading with gentle speeches, that they should not darken their famous conquests with rebellion.

[Page 55] At last when he saw his wordes were not auaileable, he rose out of his chaire 13. of thebe­ginners ofthe tumult put to death. vnarmed, and stept amongst the thickest of them, being all armed, to fetch out the Authors of that rebellious contumacy: and without contradiction or resistance brought forth thirteene and lead them to execution with his owne handes. So great a patience in suffering death did the feare of a king cast vpon them, or the customable envring to the discipline of warre giue him bouldnes to put them to death. Then did he cal the Persians a part, and speaking to them praised their continuall faithfulnesse both to himselfe, and to their kinges in times past, and rehearsed his benefites towardes them: how he neuer esteemd them as vanquished, but as partakers of his victory, and (to be short) how he A passed into their lawes, and customes, and not they into the customes of his countrey, hauing made both the conquerors and conquered alike by winning aliance and affinity. And now, he saide he would commit the custody of his owne person not to the Macedones onely, but to the safety also of the Persi­ans.

Therevpon he chose a thousand of their young men into his guard, and to another sort of them he gaue armour, and weapons, and dispearst them into his owne hoaste, that they should learne the orders of the Macedonian warres. This the Macedones tooke very grieuously, lamenting much that the King should take his enemies to serue in their roomes. And so with teares, B they prostrated themselues at the feet of Alexander, requiring him to be more satisfied with punishing them, then with putting them to shame. By which submission they obtained, that Eleauen thousand of the old Souldiers were discharged. And of his friendes there were dismissed, Polyperchon, Clytus, Gor­gias, Polidamas, and Antigonus: because they were olde Men and by reason thereof not able any longer to endure the trauels of warfarre. Craterus had the charge of such as were sent awaye, vvith commffion to take vppon him Antipater displaced the regynent of Macedon, in the place and stead of Antipater.

Antipater in like manner vvas commaunded to come vvith a number of young Souldiers to supply the Roome of Craterus. They that returned home C had their allovvaunce of vvages in as ample sorte, as if they had still follovved, and continued the warres. While these things vvere doing, Ephestion (one The death of Ephestian, & the great mag nificence of his Toombe. of Alexanders friendes) deseased, vvhom he loued most entirely, both for his excelient beauty, vvhen he vvas borne, and for his humble obedience in his Mans estate. For him Alexander mourned a long time, and that in more extremity, then vvell became the condition of a king to doe: bestovving tvvelue thousand talents vpon a Tombe for him: and giuing commaunde­ment to honor him as a God. In his vvay as he vvas returning tovvardes Ba­bylon, from the furthest landes, that bordered vpon the Ocean, tydings vvere brought him, that the Ambassadors of Carthage, and other Citties of Affrik, D and also of Spaine, Sicill, France, Sardinia, and many other places of Italy, did vvait for his comming to Babilon. So great a terror had the fame of his name striken into the harts of all the world, that all Nations, as if they had deter­mined to acknowledge him for their Soueraigne Lord, were glad to fawne on him.

[Page] For this cause, as he was making speed to Babylon, (to hold a parliament of the whole world) one of the wise men gaue him aduice to refrain his com ming there, for it was the fatall place of his death. Vpon this he left Babylon and went to the Citty Byarse, beyond Euphrates, which but of late lay deso­late. There Anaxarchus the Phylosopher, perswaded him to despise the say­ings of the wisemen as false and vncertaine. For, looke what was determi­ned by destiny, Men could no way be priny vnto: if once ordained by the law of Nature, it was not possible for man to auoyd them.

Returning therefore to Babylon, when many daies had been ydely con­sumed, he began anew his feastings and ryot, which of some long time hee had refrayned: and giuing himselfe wholy thereunto, he spent his time day E and night, in nothing but lasciuious reuelling. Immediatly vpon a banket, the Physician Thessalus made a reare-supper, and inuited the king and al his Lordes thereunto, where Alexander taking a cup in his hande, as he was in Alexander is poisoned. the middest of his draught, he sodainly gaue a great sighe, as though he had been pearsed at the hart with the point of a dagger and being carried from the banquet halfe dead, was soterribly tormented with intollerable paine, that he desired a sworde to take away his life, and when hee was touched by any man, it was so grieuous to him as if they had wounded him. His friends caused it to be blowne abroade, that his excessiue drinking was the cause of F this disease: but indeed it was their owne treason, the slaunder wherof was soone suppressed by the power of them that succeeded.

The author of this treason was Antipater, who seing his most dear friends murthered, his sonne in law Alexander of Lyncest, put to death, and himself The pr [...]u­r [...]rs of his death. (after his many Nobles enterprizes atchieued in Greece) reaped rather dis­daine then respect, for all his labour; and drawne likewise thereunto by di­uers complaints made vnto him by Olympias Alexanders mother: conside­ring further, what extremity and cruell execution, was but euen a little be­fore done vpon the Licutenants of sundry countries, he coulde not but ga­ther by the premisses, that he himselfe also was not sent for out of Macedon, G to attend him in his warres, but to abide the punishment that others had formerly receiued.

To preuent therefore the kings purpose, he sent his sonne Cassander pri­uily with poyson: the which Cassander, with Phillip and Iohn his brothers, were wont to serue the king at his table. The force of the poyson was such, The poyson not to be ca­ried but in the hoose of a Horse. that neyther brasse, yron, nor earthen vessell was able to hold it, nor coulde it be caried otherwise then in the hoose of an horsse, giuing especial charge vnto his sonne, that he should put trust in no man, saue Thessalus & his bro­thers. For this cause was the banquet prepared in the house of Thessalus, Philip and Iohn, which were wont to be the kinges Tasters and cup-bearers, H had the poison in cold water, and cast it vpon Alexanders drinke: the fourth day after, Alexander perceiuing there was no way with him but death, ac­knowledged the destiny of the house of his Auncestors, for the Aecides died ere they attayned the age of thirty yeares.

Then he appeased his Souldiers, which began to grow mutinous, and to make an vprore, in mistrusting that the king was killed by treason, and being [Page 56] carried vp into the highest, and openest place of the Citty, and laid forth there vpon a couch, he admitted them all to his presence, putting forth his hand to them to kisse, as they stood weeping, and lamenting about him. When all the company wept to behold him in that case, he not onely shed forth neuer a The ambas­sadors of Assri [...]ke. teare, but was without sign or token of pensiuenes, Insomuch as he gaue great comfort vnto his followers that sorrowed for him.

To many of them he gaue directions to recommend him to their friends, and to doe errands to them for him. Thus as his heart was inuincible towards his Enemy, so was it not to be daunted with the danger of death. When he had dismissed his Souldiers, he demaunded of his friendes standing about him, if they thought euer to haue the like king againe: wherat euery man holding his A peace, he spake himselfe, saieng, that though he knew not that, yet he prefectly knew and prophecied yea, and in manner saw it before his eies, how much blood should be spent by Macedon in that quarrell, and with how great slaugh­ter it should keepe his funerals after his departure.

At the last he willed his body to be buried in the Temple of Hammon. And when his friends perceiued him to draw on, and euen at point to giue vp the ghost, they asked who should be heire of his Empire, he answered, The wor­thiest. So great was his magnanimity, and courage of heart, that whereas hee left behind him his sonne Hercules, his brother Arideus, and his wife Roxanes B great with child, yet he forgot them all, both kindred, and alience, and pro­nounced him to be his heire that was worthiest. As if it had not beene lawfull for any to succeed a conqueror, but a Man of courage, and valour. Or to leaue the riches of so great a kingdome to any, that had not proued himselfe a man in the proceedings of Martiall dissipline. With these wordes (as though he had sounded a Trumpet among his Nobility, and sowne the seede of debate and mischiefe) euery one harboured enuy in his heart against other, and with coulorable flattery priuily sought the fauour of the men of warre.

The sixt daie when his speech was gone, he tooke the ring from his finger, and deliuered it to Perdicas, the which appeased the dissention of his friends, C the which was euen ready to begin amongst them. For although he was not prouounced heire by word of mouth, yet it seemed it was his minde he should succeed him. Alexander deseased at the age of three and thirty yeares, and one moneth: a man endued with stoutnesse of courage, and beyond the condition of Mans fraile nature. The same night that his mother Olimpias conceiued him, she dreamed she had to do with a great Dragon, neither was she decei­ued of the gods in her dreame, for out of all doubt she bare in her wombe, a worke of nature exceeding farre the conceipt of humaine power or capacity. Tokens that appeared at the death of Alexander. And albeit she was much renowned both for the house of Aeacus, from whence by auncient descent of so many hundreth yeares, she was lineally con­ueied: D as also, for that her father, brother, husband, and al her auncestors were kings: yet was she in none of these respects so much to be aduanced, as by her owne sonne.

Many wonderfull fortokens of his greatnes apeared at the time of his birth. [Page] For the same day that he was borne, two Eagles stood all day on the top of his fathers house, representing a signe of his double Empire of Europe, and Asia. The very same day also his father receiued tydings of two victories. The one of a battel against the Illirians, the other of the gaming at the moun­taine Olimpus, vnto which he had sent his chariots. Which things were to­kens that the childe should be Conqueror of all countries. During his child­hood, he was brought vp and kept to his learning very straightly. When he came to mans estate, he profited much in knowledge for siue years space vnder Aristotle, the most famous Philosopher. Afterward when he had ta­ken the kingdome vpon him, he proclaimed himselfe king of all lands, and of the whole world. And he so behaued himselfe among his Souldiors, that E if he were present with them, no enemy could daunt their corages, or make them afraid, though themselues had bene naked, and vnarmed. He neuer encountred with any enemy, but he ouercame him. He neuer besie­ged Citty, but he wan it: ho neuer entred any country, but he subdued it. Yet at last he was ouercome, not by force of the enemy. But by the falfe­hood, and treason of his owne subiects. F G H

The ende of the twelfth Booke.

THE XIII. BOOKE OF Iustine. A

THE ARGVMENT.

THe mother of Darius dyeth for sorrow. Aridens is made King. The Empyre is deuided among the Noblemen of Alexander. The Athenians and Aetoly­ans driue Antipater out of Greece. Perdicas maketh warre against Ariara­thes King of Cappadocia. The Noblemen of Macedon fall at variance among them­selues. The foundation of the Citty Cyricene in Aphricke. Perdicas is hated for his B pride, and Eumenes winneth the glory of two fields.

WHen Alexander had thus left the World in the flower of his age, and the glory of his conquests: all menne were stricken into heauinesse and admiration, especi­ally the Citty of Babylon: But the Nations whom hee had brought to his subiection, could not giue credite to the report, because as they beleeued him to bee in­uincible, so likewise they thoght him to be immortall; C calling to remembrance how often he had beene deli­uered from present death, and his weapon being lost, not only shewed him­selfe sodainly sound and in safety, but also getting the vpper hand and vic­tory. But when they were thoroughlie perswaded that he was dead indeed, all the barbarous Nations that he had conquered but a little before, mour­ned for him, not as an enemy, but a father vnto them. Moreouer the mo­ther of Darius, hearing of Alexanders death, was not more tormented with The heauines of Enemies, and reioicing of the Mace­dons for the death of A­lexander. griefe for the losse of her sonne, or her owne downefall from so high estate, as she sorrowed to see that day: Not that she set more by her enemy, then by her sonne, but because his clemency and fauour was so great being a conqueror, and she had found the naturall loue of a sonne in him, when she fea­red D him as her enemie.

The Macedons contrariwise mourned not for him, as for their countrey­man, or for their king of such high and great Maiesty, but reioyce as if they had lost an enemy, his seuerity was such, and the continuall ieopardies that he put them to by the warres. The Princes also gaped on euery side, for the [Page] diuision of his kingdomes and prouinces: the souldiers for a great masse of money and golde, as a booty falling into their mouthes vnexspected. The one making account to succeede him in his Empyre, the other to possesse his great riches and treasure. There were founde in his treasurie, one hun­dreth The great ri­ches that was found after the death of Alexander. thousand talents, besides the yearelye custome and tribute, which a­mounted to three hundred thousand more. But it was not for nothing that the Noblemen of Alexander did so looke for the kingdome. For they were all of that prowesse and magnanimity, that euery one in his carriage repre­sented the maiesty and condition of a king.

They were all of such excellent beauty, and fauour, of so tall, and good­ly personages, of so great strength, and wisdome, that he to whom they had E not bene knowne, would not haue thought they had bene of one countrey, but elected rather and chosen from the vtmost partes of the world. Neither The choisest men of the kingdome. did Macedon nor any countrey before that time, euer flourish with such a number of Noblemen, as first Phillip, and then Alexander with good aduise­ment, had pickt and chosen foorth; not somuche to serue the warres, as to succeed in the kingdome. Who can then maruell that the world was subdu­ed by such men of seruice? seing the Army of Macedon was guided by so ma­ny, not captains, but kings: who could neuer haue bin matched by others, had they not fallen at contention betweene themselues. For if that enuy and emulation of their owne puissance, had not stirred them vp to selfe-destruc­tion, they should haue had many Alexanders for the losse of one. But after F the time of Alexanders death; they assembled themselues together, not anye one fearing the other, or mistrusting the men of warre, whose libertye was now more large, and fauor vncertaine.

Among themselues the equalitie encreased the discorde, no one man so farre exceeding the rest, that any would subscribe to submission. They as­sembled therefore all in armor in the pallace, to set matters in order for the Great emula tion amongst the Nobility and Wa [...]riors time. Perdicas thought it good to abide the deliuerance of Roxanes, who had now gone eight months with child by Alexander, and would be ready to lye downe shortly. If she brought forth a sonne, to substitute him in his fathers G stead. Meleager replying therevnto, said it was not meet to delay their de­termination, vpon her doubtful deliuerance, nor to tarry for a King that was vnborne, Sith they might take such as were borne already.

For if they desired to haue a child to their King, there was at Pergamus, a­lexanders sonne, called Hercules, whom he had by Arsine. If they had rather haue a young man, there was in the campe aridens, the Brother and compa­nion of Alexander, one that was beloued of all men, not for his own sake on­ly, but for King Phillips sake, his father. As for Roxanes for that shee was a Persian, it was not lawful for the Macedones to take Kings vnto them of their blood, whose Empire they had subuerted, sith it was no part of Alexanders H Controu [...]se maintained about the next h [...]e to the C [...]owne. meaning, neither did he make mention there of at his death. Ptolomy, refu­sed to haue Aridens made King, not onely for his Mothers basenesse, for he was begotten of a Concubine of Larissa, but for his continual sicknes, which was so great, that it was like to dishable the gouernment, and sway of so high a place. Therefore he thought it better for them, to make choice of some of [Page 58] those, which for their prowesse had bene neerest about the King, that they might rule the prouinces, and take charge of the warres, rather then vnder the colour of a King, to be at the commaundement of vnworthy persons. At length by the consent of them all, the sentence and opinion of Perdicas took place, and so it was esteemed fit to tarrie the deliuerance of Roxanes: and if Perdica [...], his aduice follo­wed. she had a manchild, it was determined, that Leonatus, Perdicas, Craterus, and Antipater, should be protectors, and the rest tooke their oth to be obedient to them. When the horsemen had done the like, the footemen disdaining that they were made priuie to no part of their doings, proclaimed Aridens alexanders brother to be their King: and chose him a Guard of his owne kin­dred, giuing him the name of his father King Phillip. When tidings hereof A came to the horsemen, they sent attalus, and Meleager Ambassadors, being two of the Noblemen, to appease their wrath; Who seeing preheminence by pleasing the multitude, relinquisht their message, and condiscended to the Souldiors. Foorthwith the tumult increased, as soone as councell had gotten head, and directions.

Then prepared for the purpose, they violently rushed into the place, with intent to destroy the men of arms, who vnderstanding what peril they stood Common between the hor [...] and soo [...]. in, fearefullie conueyed themselues out of the Cittie, and picht their campo in the fields, at which the footmen also began to be affraid. Neither did the hatred of the Noble men cease, for attalus was sent to kil Perdicas of the con­trary B part, who being armed, shewed himselfe of such corage, that they that were sent to strike him, durst not approach or come neere him: Whereup­on his boldnesse was such, that of his owne free will he went to the footmen, and assembled them together, laying to their charge what a heinous matter they attempted, and willing them to haue respect, against whom they took weapon in hand: not against the Persians, but the Macedons; not against their enemies, but their owne countrimen: many of them their kinsmen, and most of them, their companions in arms & partakers of their perils. Wher­fore they ought rather to make a good shew to thetr enemies, that they may Perdicas his Oration to them that came to [...]der him. C reioyce to see them murther one another, by whose puissance they lamen­ted themselues to be ouercome: and to see them doe sacrifice with theyr owne bloud, vnto the ghostes of them that they had slaine.

When Perdicas had with his singular eloquence fully debated these mat­ters, he so mooued the footmen thereby, that by common consent he was chosen their Captaine generall. The horsemen also being brought to at­tonement, consented to take aridens for K. reseruing a part of the kingdome for the sonne of Alexander, if any should be borne. This did they, laying the bodie of alexander, amongst them, that he might be a witnesse of their de­crees. These things thus set at a stay, Antipater was made regent of Macedon, D and Greece. Craterus appointed to bee high Treasorour. The charge of the campe, the hoast, and matters of warfarre committed to Meleager, and Per­dicas. Aridens himselfe being assigned to conuey the corse of Alexander to the temple of Hammon. Then Perdicas sore displeased with the authors of the sedition, without knowledge of Meleager, the next day commanded a so­daine search to be made in the campe for the death of the King.

[...]

[Page] After there arose war betwixt Antigonus and Perdicas. Antigonus was aided Great w [...]rs amon [...]st the [...] of Alexander. by Craterus, and Antipater. Who taking truce with the Athenians, made Po­lyperchon Regent of Macedon and Greece. Perdycas perceauing that the world went not on his side, sent for arydius, and great Alexanders sonne (of whom the charge was committed vnto him) to haue them come out of Cappadocia, and giue their aduice as concerning the order of the warres. Some were of opinion to remoue the warre into Macedon, to the very welspring and head of the kingdome, because Olimpias was there, who being Alexanders mother would be no smal stay on their side, for the fauour of cominalty in the remem­brance of Phillip and Alexander. E

But it was thought most for the common profit to begin at Egypt, least when they were gone into Macedon Ptolomy might inuade Asia. Eumenes be­sides the prouinces he had before, had deliuered vnto him paphlagonia, Caria, L [...]cia, and Phrygia, and there he was commaunded to abide the comming of Craterus and Antipater. To assist him, were appointed Alcetas the brother of Perdicas & Neoptolemus, with their Armies. Clytus was made chiefe admiral of the sleete. Cilicia was taken from Philotas, and giuen to Phyloxenus, and Perdicas himselfe with a great army went towards Egipt. So Macedon, through the discord of the Captaines, deuiding themselues into two parts, set her wea­pons against her owne bowels, turning the furnitur of warre that was appoin­ted F for the forren Enemy, to the slaughter of her owne inhabitants, like mad men intending to mangle the handes and members of their owne body.

But Ptolomy by his industry got great riches in Egypt, for by his modesty he both wonne the hearts of the Aegyptians, and by his friendly and gentle be­hauiour, The great cōmendation of P [...]lomy K. of [...]gypt. he purchased the goodwilles of such kinges, and as were his neigh­bours. Further, he so enlarged his kingdome by conquering the citty Cyrene, that by means therof he was now become a Prince of such power, that there was not such cause for him to feare his enemies, as his Enemies to be afraide of him. This citty Cyrene was builded by. Aristeus, who because he was tongue­tyed, was named Battus. This Mans father called cyrenus King of the [...]lande G there, when (for shame that his sonne being at Mans estate, could not speake) he came to the Oracle at Delphos to make intercession to the gods for him, re­ceiued answer, by which his son Battus was commaunded to go into Affricke, and build the citty cyrene and that ther he should receiue the vse of his tongue: but because the answere seemed like a mockery, the matter was left of, by the likelynesse of the Isle Theramene, out of which inhabyters were commanded to repaire into Affricke, there to build a citty in a country so far of. Afterwards in processe of time, there fel such a pestilence among them for their stubborn­nesse, that they were compeld to obey the commandment of the god, being so small a number of them, that they were scarce able to furnish one ship. H

When they came into Affrick, both for the pleasantnesse of the place, and the aboundance of water springes, they expelled the inhabiters of the moun­taine Cyra, and planted themselues in the same place. There their Captaine Battus had his tongue stringes loosed and began to speak. This encouraged their harts to build vp the rest of the citty, for that the goddes, had already per­formed part of his promises. Their tents therefore being pitched, they heard a [Page 60] report of an olde tale. Namely that Cyrene, a maide of excellent beauty was rauished by Apollo in the mountaine Peluis in Thessaly, and caried from thence to the toppe of this mountaine, where the goddes begat her with child: and when she had gon her time, was deliuered of foure Sonnes, Nomius, Aristeus, Eutecus, and Ageus. And that her father Hypseus king of Thessaly, sent out men to seeke her, who inticed with the pleasantnesse of the place, aboad still with the maide in that country. Of which children when they came to estate, three returned into Thessaly, and possessed their grand-fathers kingdome: but Aristeus had a large dominion in arcady, and first taught the vse of bees, and Honey, of Milke, and creame, and first founde out the times of the yeare, A when the Sunne is at the higest in Summer, and at the lowest in winter, with the courses of the other Starres. Vpon which report, Battus learning the name of the maiden by the oracles, builded the Citty Cyrene. Ptolomy therefore in­creased in strength by the power of this citty, prepared for the warre against Perdicas comming.

But the hatred that Perdycas had gotten thorough his passing pride, did him more harme then the power of his Enemies. For his owne companions ha­ting P [...]de in p [...]a c [...]s they [...] [...] him, fled by heapes vnto antipater. Neoptolemus also being left to assist Eumenes, purposed not only to turne vnto the contrary parte, but also to be tray the whole host of his adherents. Which pretence when Eumenes, had B espied, he had no other shift, but to try the matter against the traitor by the sword. Neoptolemus being vanquished fled to antipater, & Polyperchon perswa­ding them that if they would keepe on their iourney without staying, they might fall vnawares vpon Eumenes, who now ioying sor his late victory, was secure and without care, in that he had put him to slight.

But his purpose was not vnknowne to Eumenes, therefore the treason tur­ned vpon the traitors heads. For they which thought to haue surpryzed him ere he was aware, were met withall themselues, when they least looked for it, hauing watched all the night, and wearied with trauell. In that encounter Po­lyperchon had his deaths-wounde, and escaped not. Neoptolemus also fighting Polyperchon and Neopto­lemus slayne. hand to hand with Eumenes a great while together, after many hurts giuen, and C receiued, was in the end ouercome and slaine. Eumenes therefore getting the vpper hand in two pitched fields together, vp held his side for a time, which was not a little impaired by the reuolting of his adherents. Neuerthelesse at the last when Perdicas was slaine, both he, and Phyton, Illirius, and alce­tas the brother of Perdicas, were proclaymed Traytors by the hoste of their enemies, and antigonus was appointed to make warre a­gainst them. D

The ende of the thirteen Booke

THE xiiij. BOOKE OF Iustine.

THE ARGVMENT. E

EVmenes preuenteth the pollicies of his enemies. He is besieged by antigonus. He is rescued by antipater. He craueth ayde from the argiraspides. He is o­uer come by antigonus, and is betrayed by his owne souldiors. cassander is made Regent of Greece. The Lacedemonians enclose their citty with a wall. Eu­ridice and arideus are slaine at the commandement of Olimpias. Cassander likwise putteth Olimptas to death, and imprisoneth the sonne of alexander.

WHen Eumenes vnderstood that Perdicas was slaine, him­selfe F proclaimed traytor in Macedon, and that Antigonus was appointed to make warre against him, he declared matter of his owne accord to his Souldiers, least the so­daine [...]umenc [...] preuenteth his enemies. newes thereof might cause them to esteeme the matter worse, then it was indeed, or the strangenesse of it discourage their hearts. And to the end he might try whether their mindes were any way bent against him, or no: and intending to proceede according as he saw them inclined, he boldly protested amongst them, that if any mans hart failed him, he should haue li­berty and lycence to depart. the which speech so perswaded them all to fauour G his proceedings, that they bad him be of good comfort, and promised to re­pcale the decrees of Alexander by the sword.

Then did he remoue with his host into Aetalia, where he raised a taxe of the cittyes, and such as refused to bestow it vpon him, he sacked them like an enemie. From thence he went to Sardus, vnto cleopatra the sister of great Alexander that by hir words, the captaines and chiefe officers might be the more strengthened to stand in his quarrell. For he was of opinion that the maiesty of the kingdome was on that side, which the Sister of Alexander held with. So much reuerence was attributed to the greatnesse of Alexander, that men sought the sauou [...] of his sacred name, euen by the footsteppes of women. H When he returned into his tent, letters were found dispersed thorough all the campe, wherein were promised great rewardes to him that would bring Eumenes head vnto Antigonus. Eumenes hauing knowledge hereof, summoned his souldiers before him, and first gaue them thankes, that none of them would be sound to preser the hope of a bloody reward before his faithfull oath.

Then he polly tikly knit vp the matter, saying that those letters were deuised [Page 61] by himselfe to try the minds of his souldiers, and that it lay in all their handes to saue him, or cast him away, excusing antigonus, or any other of the Cap­taines, that in such manner they couetted to get the vpper hand, or to giue any such wicked example to others to do the like by him. By this he both stay­ed Fumenes [...] to flight by Anti [...]onus the wauering mindes of his Souldiers for the time prsent, and prouided be­fore hand, that if the like chaunce snould happen hereafter, his souldiers shuld not thinke themselues corrupted by their enemye, but rather tryed onely by their captaine. Euery Man therefore stroue who might be most for the safe­guard of Eumenes. In the meane season came Antygonus against them with his host, and resting himselfe in his campe for that night, brought forth his men in battell ray the next morning: neither did Eumenes detract the encoun­ter, A but being put to the worse, fled into a certaine strong hold, where percei­uing himselfe driuen to abide the aduenture of the siege, he dismist the grea­ter part of his Army, doubting least by consent of such a multitude he might be betrayed of his Enemies, or else be pestred with the number of Men. Then sent he ambassadors to antipater, who was able to match antigonus. Antygonus hearing that antipater had sent to rescue Eumenes, brake vp his siege and went his way.

Thus was Eumenes deliuered from fear of death, but hee could not long continue in safety, seing he had sent away his men of warre. Therfore when he B had looked about him, he thought it best to resorte to the Argyraspides that Fumene [...] g [...]t t [...]th the [...]a­uor of the Ar gira [...]pides. inuincible host. But the argiraspides, after alexander was gon, disdained al cap­taines, thinking themselues dishonoured to serue vnder any other, conside­ring what a Prince they had fo lately serued.

Eumenes entreated and spake gently to euery of them, calling them som­times his sellowes and companyons in armes, sometimes his patrones and de­fendours, other whiles his partakers of all daungerous attemptes and enterpri­ses in the East: boasting that they onely were the men by whose puissaunce the East was subdued, which had surmounted the monuments of Hercules: that by them alexander was made great: by them he obtained to honour and immor­tall C glory, beseeching them to receiue him amongst them, not so much for a captaine, as for one of their fellowes, and that they would giue him leaue to be one of their society. Being vpon this condition entertained, by little and litle, first with admonishing euery man apart, and afterward with gentle correcting such thinges as were doone amisse, he vsurped authority ouer them. Nothing could be done in the campe without him, nothing could be attempted with­out his aduice. At the length when it was told him antigonus came against him with an army, he compelled them to put themselues in order of battell so that whiles they disdained to be ruled by their captain, by force of their ene­mies [...] [...] ano­ther ouer­throw. they were ouercome. In that battell they lost not onely al their glory and D renowne, won in so many battels before, but also their wiues and children, and all the goods they had gotten in so long continued warr so farre from home.

Eumenes the author of this their losse and discomfiture, hauing none other comfort or refuge to fly vnto, beganne to harten and encourage them when they were vanquished and ouercome: affirming that they were surperior as touching their prowesse and puissance: For they had slaine [...]ue thousand [Page] of their enemies, and if they were minded to sticke to it to the vttermost, they should see their enemies faine to sue to them for peace. As for the losses and damage whereby they thought themselues so much hindred, it was but onely two thousand women, and a few children and bondmen, the which they might better recouer by getting the victory, then by forsaking the victory for wante of courage.

The Argyraspides made answer, they would neither attempt to run away with the losse of their wiues and bedfellowes, nor yet make warre against their owne children; where with they beganne extremely to reuile him, in that af­ter so many yeares, when they were returned home with their wages which they had well and dearely earned, and with the rewardes of so many battels, E being at rest, and hauing giuen ouer the warres, he to come and winne them forth a new to warfare and endlesse encounters: leading them from their hou­ses and natiue countrey, onely to delude them with vaine promises: also after they had lost the hope and profit of their prosperous warfare, could not be content to suffer them being thus vanquished, to lead the rest of their wret­ched old age in quietnesse.

Hereupon without knowledge of their captaines, they sent messengers to antigonus, whereupon he desiring restitution of their goodes sent them word Conspiracy against Eu­menes againe, he would restore euery whit, so that they would yelde Eumenes into his F handes. Eumenes hearing of this practise, attempted with a few scattering soul­diers to escape by flight: but being sent back againe, seeing no hope of reco­uery, as the multitude slocked about him, he made request that he might yet once before he dyed, speake vnto his army.

They willed him to say his mind. Silence being made, and his bandes losed, hee stretched forth his hands fettered as they were, and shewed them, saying. Behold my Souldiers the apparell and ornaments of your Captaine, Fumenes his O [...]ation to his souldiors. which none of his enemies hath put vpon him, for that were a comfort to him, but euen you your selues, haue made me of a conqueror a vanquished person, you haue made mee of a Captaine, a Captiue. G

Foure times within this twelue month, you haue sworne to be true to me, but I will let that passe. For it is not meet for men in aduersity, to vpbraide others. This onely one thing I require at your hands, that if Antigonus be so fully bent to take my head from me, as in whose death all his affaires and purposes should be finished, you will let mee die among you. For I am sure he cares not after what sort, or where I die, so I be dead, neither doe I passe greatly for my life, so I might be deliuered from this slaunderous death. If you will graunt me this request, I discharge you of your oath, whereby you haue bound your selues so often vnto me. Or if ye be ashamed to slay mee your selues, then reach me a weapon, and giue me leaue to do that thing for H you, without conscience of breaking off your oath, which you haue sworne so oftentimes to do for your Captaine.

When he saw he could not obtaine his request, he left intreatance and fel to anger. Now the Goddes said he, the iust reuenger of periury, looke vp­on you, you false forsworne kaitiues, and giue such ends vnto you, as you haue giuen vnto your Captaines. For it is not long ago, since you polluted [Page 62] your selues with the blood of Perdicas, practising to haue done the like with Antipater, yea and that is worst of all, you oftentimes troubled euen Alexan­der himselfe with your seditions and mutinies; doing your best to haue slain him, if it had bene possible for him to haue died of mans hande. And last of all you seeke my blood, which shall be offred as a sacrifice by you false for­sworne wretches, wherefore I pray the Goddes, that these curses may light vpon you, that being beggers and Outlawes, you may spend all your life in this warfare, like banished people, neuer to returne to your country again, and your owne weapons deuour you, with the which you haue consumed mo captaines of your owne, then of your enemies.

This spoken, in a great rage and anger he commaunded his kepers to go A before him to Antigonus campe. The army followed after to betray their owne captaine, and he being prisoner, led as it were a tryumphe of himselfe They [...] [...] [...] & Capta [...]n vnto [...]. vnto the campe of his conquerour, deliuering vp into the conquerours hands, both themselues, and all the ensignes of king Alexander, togither with the ho­nor and renowne of so many conquests. And because they should want no pompe, the Elephants also, and all the powers of the East followed after. So much more glorious were these things to Antigonus, then vnto Alexander all the Conquests he atchiued. In that whereas Alexander conquered the East, Antigonus ouercame them by whom the East was conquered. B

Antigonus therefore dispersed those Conquerors of the worlde into his hoast, making restitution vnto them of such thinges as hee had taken from them at the time of this onerthrowe. And because he had in times past fa­miliar acquaintance and friendship with Eumenes he woulde not for shame suffer him to come in his sight, but assigned him two keepers. In the meane Euridice abu seth the auto [...]t [...]e of her husband Ari d [...]us the K. season, Euridice the wife of King arideus vnderstanding that Poliperchon was returning out of Greece, into Macedon, and had sent for Olimpias, being ther­vpon striken with womanly mallice, and a busing tho weakenesse of her hus­band, whose Office and authority she tooke vpon her, wrote to Polyperchon in the Kings name, that he should deliuer vp the hoast to Cassander, as into C whose hand the King had put the whole order and gouernment of the Em­pire. The like commaundement she sent also to antigonus in Asia. By which benefit Cassander being bound vnto her, did euery thing after her rash and vnaduised commaundement.

Then went he into Greece, and made Warre against many Citties, at the destruction of which as of a fire neare at hand, the Spartanes being afraide, both contrary to the answeres of the Oracles, and contrary to the auncient renowne of their auncestors, distrusting their own valor, enclosed their cit­ty with a strong wall, the which euer before that time, they had bin wont to defend by force of armes, and not by strength of wals. So much were they D degenerated from their auncestors, that whereas many hundred yeares be­fore the prowesse of the Cittizens was the wall of the citty, now they thoght they might not liue in safety, vnlesse they might holde their heads within Walles.

While these things were doing, the estate of Macedon was so troubl [...]d, that Cassander was faine to returne thither out of Greece, for when Ol [...]ias, the [Page] mother of Alexander the great, came out of Epire into Macedon, accompani­ed with acacida king of the Molosses, and that Euridice and aridens the king went about to prohibit her from entring into the Realme, the Macedons, whether it were for remembrance of her husbande King Phillip, or in respect of the greatnesse of her sonne Alexander, or that they were moued at that vnwor­thy demeanor, gathered themselues vnto Olimpias; at whose commaunde­ment Euridi [...] and the King were both slaine, when he had raigned six yeares [...] after Alexander. But Olimpias her selse raigned not long, for when she made slaughter of her Noblemen and peers, more like a Tyrant then a Queene, she turned her fauor into hatred. Therefore when shee heard of cassanders E comming, putting distrust in the Macedons, with Roxane her daughter in law and Hercules her Nephew, she conueyed her selfe into the Citty Pictua. She had in her traine D [...]idama the daughter of King acacida, and her daughter in law Thessalonice, a Lady much set by for her father Phillips sake, with manie other Noblemens wiues. When these thinges were reported to cassander, immediately he came in all hast to Pictua, and enuironed the towne with a strong siege. Olympias being constrained with sword and [...]amine, and weary of the long continuance of the siege, yeelded her selfe, their liues only saued. [...]. But cassander assembling the people togither, asked their aduice what they would haue done with Olimpias, and suborned the parents of such as she had F put to death, to put on mourning apparrell, should come and complaine of her great cruelty: by whom the Macedones were so incensed, that without re­spect of her former estate, they gaue sentence she shoulde be put to death: quite forgetting that vnder her sonne and husband, they had gotten great riches, and the Dominion of the whole world. But Olimpias when she sawe the armed men comming toward her to kill her, ofher owne accord appar­relled like a Queene, and leaning vpon two ofher Gentlewomen, she went to meet them. At the which sight they that should haue killed her being a­stonied, for the Mai [...]sty which she before time had represented and remem­bring so many of their Kings, who euen after a sort apeard in hir person, pau G sed and stood still, vntill such time as cassander sent others to thrust her tho­rough. Who neuer fled backe when she saw the sword, nor yet s [...]riked out An example of wonderful courage in a Woman. like a woman, but after the manner of the most valiaunt men, aduanced her forward to the death for the glory of her ancient stock and progeny: so that a man might haue behelde euen Alexander himselfe in his Mothers dying. Futhermore, when she was euen giuing vp the Ghost, it is reported that she couered her seet with her Garments, and with the haire of her heade, leaste they that stood about her might haue seene any vncomely sight in her body. After this, cassander took to wife Thessalonice the daugh­ter of King arideus, and put Alexanders sonne H with his Mother in prison in the tower of amphi­poles.

The ende of the fourteen Booke

The XV. booke of Iustine.

THE ARGVMENT. A

THe conquerors fall at variance about parting the spoile. The abderites are driuen out of their countrey with Frogs and Mice. Cassander putt [...]th the sonnes of Alexander to death. Ptolomy is vanquished on the Sea by De­metrius. Alexanders Lieutenants proclaime themselues Kings. Lysim [...]chus taketh part with cassander against antigonus: The valour and life of Lysimachus descri­bed. The wonderfull begetting of Seleucus, with his partaking against antigonus, His conquests in the East. Sandrocorte deliuereth the Indians from the subiection B of Macedon, oppressing them tyranously himselfe. Antigonus is slaine, and his son Demetrius put to flight. The conquerors againe fall at variance among themselus, and cassander dyeth.

COnsidering Perdicas and his brother Alecta, with Poly­perchon and the residue of the aduerse part was slaine, it was thought, that the contention among the successors of great Alexander, had nowe beene vtterly extingqui­shed; when contrary to opinion the conquerors suden­ly fell at difference betwixte themselues: for Ptolomy, Cassander, and Lysimachus, requiring to haue the booty C and subdued prouinces, diuided in equall distribution among them▪ antigonus denied to admit them any partnership in the pro­fit of that Warre, whereof he himselfe had abiden the brunt and hazard: and to the intent he might satisfie the multitude, he had both a fufficient and ho­nest quarrell, to make warre vpon those which lately had bin their confede­rates; he caused a rumor to be spred, that he would (as in Iustice it was re­quisite) reuenge the death of Olimpias, whom Cassander treacherously had slaine, and deliuer the royall yssue, the sonne of his mayster king Alexander and his mother out of Amphypolis, whereas they were detained as prisoners. This his purpose being signified to Ptolomy and Cassander, they presently en D tred league with Lysimachus and Seleucus, furnishing themselues with al ma­ner defence whatsoeuer might withstand this warlike preparation of Anti­gonus, both by land and sea. Ptolomy held Egypt, with the greater parte of Africke, cypres and Phenicia: C [...]ss [...]n [...]er ruled Macedon, aud Antigonus go [...]er­ned Asia, with part of the East, whose son Demetrius was cleane vanquished [Page] by Ptolomy at Calama. In which battell, the renowne of Ptolomyes modesty exceeded his victory: for he both dischargd the friends of Demetrius, being his prisoners, not only with their own priuate substance, but also honorably rewarded them. Moreouer all the priuate possessions of Demetrius, which he had ransackt out of his tents, he restored, sending him word, that he made warre not for gaine, but for honor; not for treasure, whose glory must de­termine, but for the dignity of vertue, whose Trophes are perpetual. And that it grieued him, atigonus his father hauing ouercome the Captaines and fa­uoure [...]s of his faction, should vsurpe to himselfe, and to his proper vse, the reward of that victory, which was heretage to others. E

While these differences had their passage and euent, cassander returning from apollonia, chaunced vpon the abderites, who for the excessiue swarmes of Frogges and Mice, ranging amongst men, inforest them to relinquish [...]. their natiue habitation, and inquire out for residence in some forren coun­try. Cassander searing heereby, least these straglers, destitute of succour, should inuade Macedon, receiued them to friendship, and made such league with them, that he assigned them lands to inhabit and settle their number, in the vttermost borders of that kingdome.

By this, Hercules the sonne of Alexander hauing attaind to the fourteenth yeare of his age, gaue Cassander cause to grow suspicious, least the settled good will which the people bare to his father (he beeing nowe come to this F ripenes should be remembred on the sonne) and so by their generall voyce be called to the kingdome of Macedon, as the immediate heire to that title. To preuent which, he commaunded both him and his mother Barsiue, se­cretly to be executed, and their bodies to be buried in the ground, not suf­fering them to haue the obsequies & funeral rites, according to the custome The [...] [...] [...] [...] be sitting their estate; least the murther which he so priuately acted, should come to light. This cassander, not staieng his cruelty herein, accounting the trespasses he had thus past through triuiall, forced on king Alexander him­selfe, on Olimpias his Mother, and Hercules his sonne, nowe persisted and G buchered another sonne of Alexanders, with his mother Roxane by like trea­son: holding it impossible for his ambition, to cut a path to the peaceable soueraignty of Macedon, which his thoughts so thirsted for, otherwaies then by blood.

In the meane time he was encountred againe by Demetrius on the Sea: but in this sea fight hauing lost his ships and receiued an ouerthrow, he rety­red into Egipt. Demetrius hauing now occasion offred, whereby to gratifie Ptolomy, and to manifest his disposition, and being indeed prouoked there­vnto by the princely example which Ptolomy had exprest to him and his, in the like aduantage; safegarded home into Egipt, Leuticke Ptolomies son, and [...] [...]. Menclaus his brother ransomelesse, with all their priuate goodes and trea­sure H by him surprizd, and in all the time of war betweene them, it might ap­peare, they wer equally inflamed with desire of honor, rather then with pre­posserous hatred, they sent presents one to another, euen in the hottest of their di [...]ference: So much more worthily did the Princes in these daies make warre, then now they maintaine friendship.

[Page 64] Atigonus hart being exaulted with pride, at the newes of this victory, pro­clamed himself K. and his son Demetrius also. Ptolomy likewise, holding scorn to be in lesse estimation among his subiects, then they among theirs, was by his men of warre proclaimed King. Cassander, and Lysmachus, tooke vppon [...] them the same title of dignity: all which abstained from vsurping the honor of this name, so long as any of the sonnes of their Maister Alexander wer yet aliue. So great did they account it modesty in themselues, albeit euery one ofthem, had seuerally the riches and power of a King, yet to forbeare the publike rule of Kinges, while Alexander had any rightfull Heyres to suc­ceede.

But now Ptolomy, Cassander, and the Captaines of their port, perceiaing A that while euery one drew defence for himselfe, made warre alone, and vni­ted not their generall power togither, nor assisted one another, as thoughe they had one vniuersall bodie, or reioice as it were in one good. But thus deuided, Antigonus licked them vp by turnes: they therefore sent letters of perswasion and encouragment, apointing a place of meeting, where they so agreed, that they laid their powers togither for one Warre: and where they were before like sand, subiect to dissipation, by the violence of euery winde, this temper had made them sollude, and sitte for anie foundation. At this meeting, for as much as Cassander could not be then present in person, com­peld by the Warres which he was then excercised in against the borderors, B he sent Lysimachus with a selected and choice hoast, to the aide of this coa­iunction.

This Lysimachus was born of a Noble house in Macedon, but his prowesse, Knigthood, and experience in Martiall direction surpassed, and made him The by [...]th o [...] Lysimachus. more worthie to be remembred then the dignitie of his birthe. Vertue and her branches were so planted in his bodie, and mind, that in haughtines of courage, knowledge of Philosophie, strength and abilitiy of bodie, he farre excelled all the Gouernors by whom the East was Conquered. For Alexan­der the great, being stird to indignation and highly displeased with Calisthe­nes C the Philosopher, for speaking against him, in that he suffred himselfe to be adored and worshipped after the superstitious manner of the Persians, and had accused the saide Calisthenes of treason, and by force thereof, ad­iudged him to be cruelly mangled, by cutting off his eares, his nose, and his lips: that being made so loathed a creature to behold, he was by all men la­mented, as too miserable a spectacle: yet Alexander not contented with this reuenge, caused him to be caried in what progresse he went along with him, shut vp with a Dog in a cage, to the terrible ensample of other.

This Lysmachus, who before in the better fortunes of Callysthenes, had bin excercised to receiue instructions of vertue at his hand, mooued now with D pitty to see so woorthy a man, so vnworthely punished, not for any offence, but for vsing his libertye: gaue him poison, to ransome him from these ca­lamities, wherewith Alexander displeased, commaunded he should be cast Lysander [...] [...]. into a Lyons den, by tha [...] fierce beast to be destroyed, as a iust iudgement for his attempt. But when the Lyon at first sight, with open month came running to prey vpon him, Lysimachus winding his arme in a towell, thrust

[...]

THE XVI. BOOKE OF Iustine. E

THE ARGVMENT.

THe cruell murther of Antipater the sonne of Cassander, for the which his brother Alexander proclaimeth warre against him. Demetrius slayeth A­lexander, and vsurpeth his part of Macedon. Lysimachus yeeldeth vnto him that right which belonged to Antipater. Ptolomy, Lysimachus, Seleucus and Pyr­rhus, ioyne themselues in league against Demetrius. Pyrrhus driueth Demetrius F out of Macedon. Lysimachus putteth his sonne in law Antipater to death, in whom the house of Cassander vtterly ceaseth. Demetrius yeeldeth himselfe prisoner to Seleucus. Ptolomy dieth. Debate falleth betweene Lysimachus and Pyrrhus. Hee expelleth Pyrrhus out of Macedon. The building of the citty Heraclea in Pontus. The iests of the Heracleans, their cariage towardes their enemies. Their miscrable oppression by tyranny. The bold enterprise by Chion and Leonides, in which attempt they lost theyr liues.

AFter the death of Cassander and his sonne Phillip, one immediatly ensuing the other, the life of Thessalonyce G the Queene and wife of Cassander was pursued by her sonne Antipater, and though she complaind for pitty to him with bended knees, and laying open to him her breasts, from whence he had his vnhappy nutryment, she was by his own hands most cruelly slaine. The cause from whence he grounded this murther was this; After the death of her husband, when the kingdome should haue beene deuided be­tweene the two brothers, she seemed to be more fauorable to Alexander, then to him. Alexander mooued by this so slight occasion, prepared for reueng­full warre against his brother, for his mothers death, and for expedition there­of H he desired of Demetryus, whom he found easily entreated to that purpose: though indeede not so much for his assistance, as hope he had thereby to lea­uell out sit opportunity himselfe to inuade the kingdome. Of the comming of Strife be­tweene Cas­sanders chil­d [...]n. this army Lysimachus being affraid, perswaded with his sonne in law Antipater, that it was rather conuenient, and indeede more pollicy, for the securety of his estate, to make an agreement, (though with losse) with his brother, then to suffer his fathers enemy to haue footing in Macedon.

[Page 66] Demetrius hauing notice a reconcilement was entreated of betweene the two brethren, and without his aduice not onely plotted but treacherously ac­complished the death of Alexander, and so his forces being in present readi­nesse he pursued his purpose and inuaded it. But a generall murmur touching The sonn [...] punis [...] [...]: the [...] [...]. Alexanders death being in his army, he sought with himselfe how he might best excuse this murther to his men of warre, least their present murmur should change to mutiny. So hauing called them together, he aledged, that Alexander had by seuerall plottes, and at seuerall times, la [...]de waight to en­trap his life. Before that, he had not comitted a murther, but only preuented Treasons against himselfe, vrging their owne Iudgments for witnesse, that A there was greater reason and it was more fit, himselfe to be a king then Alexan­der, both for the aduantage of yeares, by which he was able with deeper and grauer experience, as also indued with fortitude, both of body and minde, the fruite of which, reapt but with due consideration, would well satisfie them that they are the very collums and cement that vpholds a common-wealth.

Besides, he vrged his father had accompanied the father and the sonne Phil­lip and great Alexander, in all their warres, and after had done seuice for Alex­anders children, bin their Captaine or rather general, in pursuing the Rebels, whereas on the contrary part, Antipater the grandfather of the young men, was alwaies a more rough gouernor of the kingdome, then the Kings them­selues, B and Cassander their father the very rooter vp of the Kings house, and extirper of Alexanders royall famely. That he spared neither women nor chil­dren, neuer satisfied, till he had destroyed all his ofspring, and left namelesse his posteryty. The reuenge of which mischiefe, though his will had not power to execute one Cassander himselfe, it is now but iustly transfered vnto his chil­dren, whereof both Phillip and Alexander, if the dead had any perseuerance, would speake in approbation of the vengance, and auer that it is their will, no branches descended from such infected rootes, no yssue from their seditious loynes, but rather the loppers off of such vnprofitable stumps, and punishers of such intestine traytors, should establish the kingdome of Macedon. Dem [...]trius pro [...]laimed king of Ma­don.

The multitude thus pacified, they presently proclaimed him king. Lysima­chus C being at this instant intangled in the wars of Dromychet king of Thr [...]ce, to the intent he would not be constrained the selfe-same time to hold battell with Demetryus, yeilded to him that part of Macedon, belonging to his son in lawe Antipater: by which surrender, he made peace with him. This Demetrius fur­nished with all the power of Macedon, purposed to trye his fortunes in Asya. When Ptolomy, Seleuchus, and Lysimachus, hauing profe by the former con­flict, what advantage was gained by concord, they entred league, and ioyned their whole power making hast into Europe against Demetrius. This was he that made w [...] vpon the Romans

Pyrrhus king of Epire, perswading himselfe that Demetrius might as easilie D forgo the possession of Macedon, as he had before gotten it, ioyned with them in this warre, neyther was he deceiued, for hauing meanes to corrupt tharmy of Demetrius with great rewardes: vpon which encounter, his followers sled, and Pyrrhus seized vpon the kingdom of Macedon into his owne hand. Now Antipater, sonne in lawe vnto Lysimachus, grudging and complaining that he was depriued of the kingdome of Macedon which was only his right [...] inheri­tance [Page] by the falshood of his father in law, Lysimachus tooke occasion thereat and put him to death. And because Euridice his daughter took her husbands part in making like exclamation, her he imprisoned; so all the house and fa­mily of Cassander, partly by murther, the rest by execution, suffered due pu­nis [...]ment in reuenge of the wrong done to great Alexander and his posteri­ty. Demetrius now hauing the ouerthrow in this battel, being ouercharged with so. any hoasts whereby he might haue made the period of his dayes Demetrius yeeld [...]th honorable, chose rather to yeeld himselfe to Seleuchus shamefully.

These Warres thus ended, Ptolomy hauing deserued great renowne for the Noblenes of his acts died peacefully, who contrary to the common law E of all Nations, somewhat before he fel sicke, resigned the kingdome to the youngest of his sonnes, rendring such reason therefore, that he satisfied the people, who fauored the sonne no lesse in receiuing his kingdome, then the father in deliuering it. Among many examples of naturall loue and affecti­on interchanged betweene this father and the son, this one made the harts of the comminalty reioyce most in the prosperity of their Prince, that the father after he had thus publikely surrendred the kingdome to his sonne, he The father [...] sonne. executed the office of his Guard and serued the King in seruill Offices, as a­nother priuate person: and being demaunded how from the chaire of com­maund he could be pleased with this subiection would reply, It is more ho­norable for a man to be a father to a king, then to be a king himself. But dis­cord F the continuall mischiefe among peeres, not resting like the worme that cates the breeders life, stirred vp strife between Lysimachus and Pirrus. Both but lately one in the ouerthrow and ruine of Demetrius, are now two for the confusion of themselues: but Lysimachus hauing the better of Pirrhus, he in­forst him to leaue Macedon, which as we say he was scarce warm in, & by his repulce broght it vnder his own command: After this he made a very great Warre against Thrace, then against the Citty Hiraclia, the originall and end of which Citty are in both wonderfull, for it hapning that the Boetians afflic­ted with a grieuous plague ranging among them, they agreed to seeke re­dresse G at the Oracle of Delphos, where answere was giuen them by the Priest, that to purchase their relief, they shuld build a citty in the country of Pontus Th [...] [...]uilding o [...] H [...]r [...]lya. and dedicate it vnto Hercules.

But they fearing the long and perillous voyage they were inioynd to vnder­take, desired death in their own natiue soile, rather then to enterprize so te­dious and vncertain a iourny. This in [...]unction of the oracle omitted the Pho­censes made sierce warre against them, by whom being diuers times put to the worst, they sled againe to the Oracle, soliciting his counsel: from whom answer was made, that the same instruction they had giuen them for remedy of the pestilence, should if they would yet performe it remooue the warre. H Whereupon gathering a number of men, they sailed into Metapont, and ac­cording to the decree built the Citty Hiraclia, where in short time by obey­ing this ordinance, they were multiplied and grew very wealthy.

This Citty withstood the assaults and battels of their neigbors, and was quiet through ciuill dissention of mischiefe with themselues: among manie their honorable actions, this one thing especiall, is woorthy to be recorded. A [...] such time as the Athenians bare the Soueraignty, and had vanquished the [Page 67] Persians, they raised a taxe to be leauied in Greece, and Asia, both for the main­tenance A tax leuied for the mam tenance of tiapping. of their fleete, and prouision thereof: and whereas all other Cittyes and prouinces vnder their subiection, fearing a further opression were willing­ly tributaries, euen to what they asked, only the Heraclyens for the amity they held, and fauour they receiued from the kings of Persia, refused to contrybute any thing. Machaeus therefore was sent with a power from Athens, to con­straine them delyuer that by force, they so obstinatly hadde denied. But while he forraged about to wast their fieldes, and make pillage of what he could, his fleete that he left in the Rhode was sunk, and the greater part of his army by the force and extreame violence of a sodaine tempest, were all put to wrack. Therefore not being able to returne by Sea, his shippyng being lost, nor durst A not aduenture his trauell by land, with so slender a defence, thorough so many sauage Countryes as he had from thence to passe: the Heraclyens reputing it more honor to vse this occasion, in shewing to those their distressed ene­mies bountifull curtisie, then bloodye reuengement, both furnished them with victuals, and safely conducted them home; accounting the wasting of their contry and danger they had sustained by them satisfied to the full, if they might hereby win their enemies to be their friends.

Among many euils this citty indured, they sufferd tyrany euen amongst themselues: for the rich, surfetting in pleasure, scornefully neglected the B destresse of the miserable. The poore enuious of their prosperity, were bu­sied how they might take reuenege of this their contempt: both glutted with The misera­ble estate of [...]Heracleas. a continuall plenty and a prosperous peace, were greedy of innouation: where­upon the common sorte gathering together, importunately exacted to haue al debts cleerely released, and the possessions of the rich either equally deuided amongst them, or else all to be in common. This request of theirs being re­buked of some, was fauored of many, & som of the greatest magistrats of com­maund in the citty, such whom either with a smothered hypocriticall emula­tion, repined at their equals happynesse, or else feathered with the winges of emulation, by the ouerthrow of others to aspire to higher rule. This businesse C hanging long in question in the Senate house without comming to any islue, so that the multitude contemning this delaye, were induced to effect it by compulsion. At first they desired the aide of Tymotheus Duke of Athens, and after of Epaminondas Duke of Thebes; but neither fauoring the cause, their an­swer was an absolute deniall from both. The matter thus farre a foote, that dan­ger was feared on the one part, and threatened on the other, they determined to fly for refuge to clearche who was lately banished his countrey, and were constrained to repeale in defence of the same. Thus aduerse fareth it often­times euen in the most flourishing kingdomes.

But Clearche more [...]pened in the subtill and close conueying his treasons, Clearche a v [...]y cunning politician. D since his banisnment then before, and hauing learned to dissemble the con­spiracies of his heart, with the language of his tongue, and knowing the recon cilement betwxt two enemies is not made with faith but feare, he made out­wardly couenants of loue, and his best assistance to these cittizens, whom in­wardly to be the ruyne of, his actions altogither addressed themelues: [...]or by their ciuill dissention he pereciued, and by their ouerthrow that in minde hee [Page] purposed, he saw occasion offred and a path directed to make himselfe a K. for which aduancement, he tooke counsell priuately with Mythridates, the chiefe and professed enemie to these Cittizens, who being made fast the one to the other, and the conditions agreed vpon, compounded that at his Clearche a [...]: and dange­rous [...] repeale and calling home into his Country, which he shortly expected, that Citty and the prosperity thereof, should be at his reuersion, onely hee for such industry in his behalfe, should be Soueraigne, and possesse the eminent authority, with all thinges faithfully promised him. This treason thus in­tended against his Country, he made vse vpon Mithridates himselfe: for be­ing redressed out of exile, and instituted as an indifferent iudge for the deter­mination of ciuill controuersies, at the same time, that he by promise had E appointed Mithridates, to deliuer ouer the towne vnto him, he relying on his trust, was in hope to haue taken the towne, his friends, and himselfe pri­soner, and not without a great ransome which he was faine to prouide and pay to this trecherous surprizer, wer any of them releast, and as thus Clearch dealt with Mithridates, making a perfect friend, a sodain enemy: euen so of a defender of the estate which he vndertook, he presently became a protector of the commons, euen against the chiefe procurers of his preferment, by whome he had bene inlarged, to the liberty of his Countrey, to those who had placed and aduanced him to this tower of his royalty, he not onely in­censed F the commons, but also himselfe excercised on them the vttermost of his vnspeakable cruelties.

For hauing summoned the people together, he insinuated and told them, that he would now no longer be greeuous vnto them, by being an Agent, Clearche in­sinuateth & plos [...]th with the people. or rather a subuerter of such a Senat, whom now himself had testemony of, was to burthen some and rigorous in their authority: but would rather giue the help of his blood, to suppresse their pride, if they continue in their ac­customed tiranny: wherefore if they thought their strength of themselues sufficient, to represse their oppression, he would withdraw with his men of Warre, and not ingage himselfe, in their ciuill discords; but if they distrust­ed G their owne ability, he with his forces would both vndertake their refuge, and reuenge their greeuances: aduising them to make answere, whether he should depart as a N [...]wter in their cause, or stay with his power as a parta­ker in their quarrell, but they taking little aduice, other then building vpon his constancy and clemency, presently cald him Soueraigne: so while they sought for redresse, they found onely griefe, but in their harebraind opini­on, they subiected their selues, with their Wiues and children, in bondage to a Lordly tyrant.

Clearch at this first step to his aduauncement, apprehended threescore of the Senators, (the rest being sled) and imprisoned them, where the multi­tude H reioyced, to see the Senat ouerthrowone, and by him whome they had chosen to be their soueraign: But Clearch as couetous as ambitious, know­ing His cru [...]lty. by the auncient peace & prosperity they sustaind, these senators (where­soeuer bestowed) had great treasure, bargaind with them that for a summe of mony which they agreed vpon, he could now deliuer them from the peo­ples displeasure, and re-establish them in their former peace, and seat of [Page 68] Magistracy: knowing that whatsoeuer he commaunded he had power to effect, condisended to his composition and made their tender of his demaund: but being by this treachery, possest of all their goods, withhelde not his cruelty, but bereft them of their liues: after this, vnderstanding that those which before were fled, had by their prouoked complaints moued the neighbor cittyes to pitty, promising them help: and in that promise, new prepared warre against him: he held it pollicy to set all their bondmen at liberty, and that all misery might be pointed to pricke the hearts of these honourable houses, and the f [...] ­mer to vnite the faithfulnesse of these slaues to himselfe and his disseignes, & to incourage them more against their masters, he made proclamation, that the wiues and daughters of those noble men, should ioyne themselues in mariage A with those who had bin their husbands and fathers bondmen, vpon paine of death to be inflicted vpon the refuser. But these compelled mariages, or rather Death to [...] preferred be fore disho­nesty. rauishments, were more grieuous to the honourable Ladyes, and the modest condition of their thoughts, then death it selfe: so that before the ceremony of these sorrowfull weddings, and some at the very instant of their nuptial, killing first their new husbands, then themselues, delyuered their chastety by this natutall vertue, from so barberous a dishonour. The [...] [...].

After this, their was a field fought betweene the fugetiue senators and him­selfe: in which, the Tyrant hauing the vpper hand, he drew so many of them as he had taken prisoners, in tryumph through the face of the citty: which B daies glory being ended, some he cast in fetters, some he Racked, others put to death, leauing not any Noble famely without cause of lamentation, nor a­ny place of the citty free from the violence of his Tyrany.

With this successe of his outragiousnesse he became proude, and no re­sistance vndertaken against his will he grew arrogant: So that hauing continu­all prosperity, in what barberysme soeuer he vndertooke, he held it a depraua­tion of his dignity, to be called a man, and therefore intituled himselfe, The Sonne of Iupiter; When he rode abroad, he caused alwayes to be borne before him, an Eagle of gold as a token of his begetting. He vsed to weare Robes of C purple, and to goe in buskens after the manner of Kinges, with a crowne of Gold on his hed: and to the entent he would be equal with the gods, as well in name as in other presumptions, he named his sonne Ceraunos, signefieing Thunder.

Two noble gentlemen called Chion and Leonides, disdaining his miserable The valour of Chion & Leonides. and wretched ambition, conspired with themselues to kill him, intending by his tragedy to set their countrey at lyberty, or failing in their purpose were re­solued they could not end their liues better then in so honorable and meryto­rious an action. These somtime were schollers to the Philosopher Plato, who desiring to bestow vpon their birth place, the vertue to which they were fur­thered D by the most perfect instructions of their maister, layde in an ambushe fifty of their kinsmen, whom they had won and perswaded to vndertake this enterprise, tending to so generall good: So went themselues, pretending en­mety and defiance one against another toward the Castle, where the Tyrant gaue attentiue eare to the first mans speech: the other making an offer as if he would intertupt him by replye, stept within him and killedhim. But by [Page] season their ambush was not ready inough in comming to their rescue, the Guard pressing in, to apprehend them, they were slaine. By force whereof, it succeded that though they preuailed in their stratigem, yet they died and their Countrey not deliuered, for Satire the brother of Clearch following the principall steps of his brother, aspired to the like tiranny, so that the Hi­raclians many yeares after by degree of discent, were vnder the subuersion of Tyrants.

THE E XVII. BOOKE OF Iustine.

THE ARGVMENT. F

THe horrible Earthquakes in Hellespont and Chersonesus, the cruelty of Lysi­machus to his owne children by the instigation of their stepmother Arsirice. The last warre betweene the successors of Alexander. Wherin Lysimachus is slaine by Seleuchus. Hee also within a while after is slaine by Ptolomy the Kinges brother of Egypt. Pirrhus aydeth the Tarentines against the Romaines. A discourse of the Realine of Epyre, with a declaration of the actes of the Kings thereof.

IN these daies their hapned a marueilous and ter­rible G Earthquake in the countries of Hellespont & Chersonesus, so that the citty Lysimachia, beeing built by Lysimachus, about two and twenty yeares A wonderful [...]. past was subuerted; the which wonder betokened some fatall misfortune, to ensue vppon Lysima­chus and his offspring: nay should stretch so far, euen to the ouerthrowe and decay of his king­dom, and the destruction of their countries that were peopled by him: Euen so it came to passe: for shortly after, Lisima­chus H conceiuing deadly hatred beyond the course of a naturall father, or the bounds of humanitie against his sonne Agathocles, whom he had caused to be proclaimed heire apparant of his kingdome, and by whom he had atchi­ued many famons battels prosperouslie: him he now poisoned by the insti­gation and working of his cruell stepmother Arsirice: This was the first sore broke out to giue warning of the mischiefe that was toward him. [Page 69] this was the beginning of the ruine hung ouer his head, and a glasse wherein was euident his emmenent misery, for hauing thus murthered his sonne, he persisted in the slaughter of his Nobility, hauing no other ground for his abortiue actions but that they did consecrate the too sodaine fall of so noble a Prince, and bewaile his death: by meanes whereof, such as were chiefe officers in his campe, reuolted by troopes vnto Seleuchus, who being of himselfe de­sierous of such alteration, thorough the enuy he had to the glory of Lysimacus, made their acceptance the more willing: to whom they being honourably re­ceiued, and entertainement of command giuen them euery one according to his degree, they moued and preuailed with Seleuchus, to make warre against Li­simachus. A The last co [...] tention be­tweene Alex anders suc­cessors This was the last contention betweene them that had serued Alexan­der in his wars, and as it were a dissention reserued by the godds to be a perpe­tuall example.

Lysimachus was at this controuersie threescore and foureteen yeares of age, and Seleuchus threescore and xvii. but time had giuen them the number of so many yeares, yet had they the ambytion that is norisht in young mens hearts, and an insatiable desire of dominion: for whereas these two alone, now held and commaunded the whole world betweene them, yet ambition hauing no confine, they thought themselues as it were inclosed in a straight, measuring the terme of their liues, not by the length of their yeares, but by the boundes B of their Empire.

In a battel before, and by other chances, Lysimachus lost fifteene of his chil­dren; and now in this dying manfully, he lastly himselfe made the full decay of his owne house. Seleuchus reioycsing in this so great a victory, (for he ac­counted it a greater dignity then the present honour) that he onely of alexan­ders The death of Lysimachus. retinew, remained and became a conqueror of conquerors.

While Seleuchus was thus boasting of this his glory, forgetting that either by the course of nature, or the contrarious accedent, he ere long himself shold become an example of frailty; about seauen months after, by the pollicy of Ptolomy, who had taken the sister of Lysimachus in marriage, he was surprised and slaine: and with his life made resignement of the kingdome of Macedon, C which he had taken from Lysimachus. Ptolomy respectiue to conserne that Of this read more in the 24. Booke. which by this stratagem he had purchased, was diligent to insinuate into the harts and fauor of the comminalty, hoping to effect somuch either for the re­spect they had bore to his father Ptolomy the greate, or for reuenging the death of Lysimachus; but finding little hope in them as yet, wheron to build his confidence, he determined to win the sonnes of Lysimachus to him; and to that purpose, was a suter to their mother Arsiue, to haue her to wife, promising to adopt the children after him: so that himselfe succeeding in his roome, he was assured that either for reuerence to their mother, or for the name of a fa­ther, D they would not be so hardy to attempt any action against him.

He also earnestly sued by his letters, to be possest in the ancient amitie of his brother king of egypt, protesting that al inueterate malice and displeasure, which hee had against him, for vsurping his fathers kingdome from him, was now dissoluted: and that he would not thence, endeuour to wrest from his brother, the sway of Emperor, since he had now with more honor, and more [Page] ease, purchased sufficient from the hand of his fathers enemy. Futhermore, he sought by all pollices, to make league and be at friendship with Eumenes, and Antigonus, the sonnes of Demetrius: and with Antiochus the sonne of Seleuchus, with whom he feared to haue perpetuall and daungerous warre. And knowing that three such enemies inuading him at once, wold proue to powerfull for his weake resistance, hee ommitted not a confirmation of the like contract with Pirrhus King of Epire, as one whom he foreknew would be an able furtherance to what part soeuer he inclined himselfe: but Pirrhus as subtil as the deepest, waighting but aduantage (how to cast these, thogh they had their footing in the stirrup cleane out of the saddle) bore himselfe E faire, both to one and the other. And indeede set himselfe as it were to saile to them al, as who would giue most for him: for being now in aide of the Ta­rentines in their troubles against the Romanes, he desired of Antigonus to fur­nish [...] him with ships, for safe conuey of his armye ouer: of Antiochus whose Cossers were better paued with treasure, then his campe strengthned with menne of Warre, of him hee requested to borrowe: of Ptolomy hee demaunded to sende to his ayde a parte of the souldiors of Mace­don.

But Ptolomy best knowing his weakenesse not to be able to haue anye of his powers gleand from him, if any of the other should breake out which he F distrusted, yet sent him fiue thousand footmen, foure thousand horsemen, and fifty Elephants: conditioning with him, that two yeares expirde, hee should returne them, or make good the like. For his aduantage, Pirrhus in consideration of this loue, tooke the daughter of Ptolomy in marriage, and in his iourney, left Ptolomy protector of his kingdome. Forasmuch, now as we are falne in remembraunce of Epire, it shall be profitable a while, to in­treat of the originall of the same kingdome. Molosses was the first King raig­ned [...] in that region. Afterward, Pirrhus the sonne of Achillis, being depri­ued of the succession of his fathers soueraignty, by being absent at the bat­tell of Troy, continued in the same Country, which after his name was first G called Pirrhus, and then Epirotes.

This Pirrhus comming into the Temple of Iupiter, to aske counsell of Do­ [...]one, rauished there Anasa, the Neece of Hercules, of whom (afterwarde ta­king her to wife) he begat eight children, of which most of them growing to be beautifull young Ladies (at their intire request) he married to the kings that were his neighbors: by meanes of which alyance, he strengthned him­selfe both with royall friends, and purchased to his treasure insinite riches: And so leauing the kingdome of the Chaonians, with Andromache the Wife [...] of Hector, (who in the deuision of the booty at the sacke of Troy, fell by lot to be his wife) and vnto Helenus the sonne of king Priamus, a Prince indued H with singular knowledge, and the guifte of Prophecie.

Not long after, by the treason of Oresles, the sonne of Ag [...]memnon, he was slaine at Delphos, before the Alter of the Goddes. After him succeeded his sonne Pylad [...]s, from him by order of delineation and righfull succession, the kingdome discended to Arim [...]a, ouer whom, because he was fatherlesse and in his [...]onage, & that their wer no more aliue to insist & record that Noble [Page 70] race from forgetfulnes, but he of earnest desire that the whole Realme had, to p [...]eserue him and bring him vp, there were certaine protectors appoin­ted, by the generall consent of the state, to haue the ouersight, care and go­uernment of him, there were also Philosophers from al parts, sent as it were by Doctrin and instructions to manure and fill his body and mind with ver­tue and manners; so that by how much his education made him in learning excell his auncestors, by so much was he better beloued, had the heart and reuerence of his subiects. For he was the first that made lawes, ordained a counsell, appointed yearely officers, and established the estate of the com­monweale. A

And like as Pirrhus first gaue the people their dwelling, so Arimba broght them first to the trade of ciuill ordinance, and liuing. This mans Sonne was Neoptolemus, who begat Olimpias the mother of great Alexander, and Alex­ander who after his desease, enioyed the kingdome of Epire, and died in the An example of a learned Prince. warres of Italy among the Brutians.

After his disease, his brother Accides succeeded in the kingdome, who by ouercharging his subiects with the continnall and aduerse warre, hee had a­gainst the Macedons, raised so strong a commotion among them, that they banished him the realme, leauing behinde him a child of his, then but two years old, called Pirrhus, who was also diligently sought by the people to be B put to death (so remorcelesse was the hatred they bare to his father) was se­cretly conueyed from them into Illiria and deliuered vnto Berooe, the wife of King Glaucia, to be fostred and preserued. The which Beroe was also extract of the house of Eacus. This Glaucia the King, whether it were for pitty of his misfortunes, or allured with his childish and delightful flatterings, defended him long against the spight of Cassander King of Macedon, who oftentimes demanded with forcible threatnings, that he would conduct sharpe warres on him and his people, vnlesse he deliuered him: but Glaucia regarded not his threats, besides his carefull protection of him, adopted him his lawfull sonne, with which loue of Glaucia, the Epyrotes being moued, conuerted their C hatred into compassion, and with the consent of his foster father, hauing at­tained to the age of eleuen yeates, they called him into his realme againe, selecting choice gouernors, to haue the ouersight and protection of him and his kingdome, till he came to riper experience. After this, hauing past his childhood, aud grew to be soueraigne of himselfe, he fought many battels, and concluded them victoriously: so that the report of his valour was growne to such power, and his wisdome and pollicy of such esteeme, that no man was held fit but he, nor of fortune equall to defend the Tarentines, against the inuincible Ro­manes. D

The ende of the xvij. Booke

THE XVIII. BOOKE OF Iustine. E

THE ARGVMENT.

PYrrhus ouercommeth the Romans. Mago Duke of Carthage bringeth them ayde, and is sent home againe. The Romanes seeke truce with Pyrrhus, the which sute is crossed by Appius Claudius. Pyrrhus taketh vpon him the king­dome of Sicill. The foundation of Tyre and Sydon, with a rehear sal of their Histo­ries. F Dido buildeth Carthage, and killeth her selse. The Carthagenians vse an ab­hominable kinde of sacrifice. They suffer great losse both by warre and Pestilence. Macheus Duke of Carthage, purteth his owne sonne to death, he winneth Carthage he is accused of Treason, and is put to death.

AT this time that Pirrhus was king of Epyre, the Tarenti­nes, Samuits, and Lucanes, were grieuously vexed with The wars of Pyrrhus in Italy. the warre of the Romaines; in which necessety of theirs, they sent their seuerall ambassadors, to intreate his aide; who not so much moued by the importunity of these su­ters, G as induced with hope to compasse the Empire of Italy, vnder his owne dominion promised them succour, and to come presently with an army to remoue that af­fliction incident vnto them: vnto which affaires after his minde had thus in­clinde, following the examples of his ancestors, and to demonstrat to the world he had an honourable qualltiy of his parents, he draue himselfe despe­ratly forward into all hazzards, disdaining to be accounted inferiour to his vncle Alexander, who had defended the Tartarians against the Brucians: or oflesse courage then great Alexander, who had made warres farre distant from his owne Countrey, and subdued the East. Whereupon leauing his sonne H Ptolomy, of the age of fifteene yeares as Regent ouer his kingdome, he landed his Army in the hauen of Tarent, leading along with him his two younger sonnes, Hellen and Alexander to beare him company, and be a comfort to him in this voyage, so farre remote from his Countrey.

Of whose a [...]riuall, the Romaine Consull Valertus Leunius hearing, he was ex­peditious to encounter with him, before the aides of his confederates were [Page 71] assembled: so brought his men into the field euen to the enterview, where Pirrhus was incampt; who on the contrary, held it cowardise to eschew the battell offerd, though the number of the enemies force, far surmounted his. Both armies being arraid, and the assault begun, the Romaines at the first for­ced them to retrait, and chasing that aduantage they were Maisters of, were euen at the point to haue put him and his whole power, either to slaughter or flight: But Pirrhus retiring no further then the backe of his Elephantes Pyrrhus ouer commeth the Romans. constraind the Romaines at the sight of those beasts of Macedon, to which till then they wer neuer inurd, first to stand as amazed, and by and by to forsake the field; so from a conquest, which but euen nowe was iudged certaine by A them, they had suddenly the ouerthrow themselues: Neuerthelesse, Pirrhus obtained not this honor without much bloodshed, for he himselfe was dan­gerously wounded, & a great part of his soldiors slain, so that he gained by this victory more renowne then cause to reioyce. Many citties folowing the fortune of this battell, yeelded themselues to Pirrhus, among which, the Locrins betraying the Roman Garrison, reuolted to him, of which prey Pir­rhus sent home two hundred Roman souldiors ransomelesse to Rome, to the intent that as the Romaines had trusted the carriage and puissance of his bo­dy, they should as well see he had the like liberallity and magnanimousnesse of mind. Shortly after, the hoast of the Tarentines and the others congrega­ted B to him, and the Romaines likewise releeued their dispersed Tyrians with sit The magni­ficence of Pyrrhus. supply, there was another encounter vndertaken betweene them, wherein his fortune was like vnto the former, and his worthinesse appeared no lesse. The Carthagentans hearing of this prosperity of Pirrhus, sent Mago one of their Captaines with a hundred and twenty ships, in the aid of the Romains, who comming before the Senat, told them, it greatly grieued the Cartha­genians his countrimen, and their neighbors and friends, that a forraine K. should be so powerfull to make Warre in Italy, for which he was sent to of­fer them that ready aid, knowing no reason but they being assailed by a for­raine enemy might iustly be rescued by forraine sucor: the Senat gaue him in the right of the Carthagenians thankes, but dismist him and their succors C accounting them needlesse. But Mago subtile, according to the nature and inclination of the men of Affrica, as though his affaires tended to proclaime peace, went secretly to Pirrhus, entending to sift his determination, and to learne what he purposed as concerning Sicill, whether it was reported Pir­rhus was sent for: for howsoeuer it was otherwaies pretended, the Cartha­genians sent aide to the Romaines for no other end, but that since Pirrhus was arriued, he might be so occupied with the Romaines in Italy, he should finde no leisure to passe on to Sicill. Pirrhus hauing prosperity thus farre as it wer intaild to him; Fabritius Lucinus was sent Ambassadour from the Senate of D Rome, to conclude a peace wtih him. The articles agreed vppon, for con­firmation thereof, cineas was dismist from Pirrhus, with gifts and honorable presents to the Romaines, but such was the continency of them, that hee re­turned without finding anye man whose handes were open to receiue his Maisters rewardes. Another example to equallize this staiednesse of the Romaines, happened in the same time much about this, for the senat sending [Page] Ambassadors to Ptolomy, into Egypt: the King accustomed to gratifie such Messengers with royall benefites, presented them with the like, the which they modestly deemed, yet before their departure being solemnely inuited to feast with the King, there were commended vnto them seueral crownes of gold, which for that time for the honor of Ptolomy, though they refused no [...] but receiued, the next day after they discharged themselues of them, leaste they shoulde be tainted with suspicion of any corruption, and placst them vpon the Kings Images.

But while Syneas was arbitrating these affaires betwixte Pirrhus and the Romaines, and a peace concluded, the disse [...]gnes were ordered in his Ambas­sie Pyrhus made king of Sycil. read more in the 23. Book. E were infringed by Appius Claudius. At his returne Pirrhus demaunded of him, what manner of thing Rome was, who instructed therunto by the mag­nificency of his entertainment, the grauety, wisedome, and Noblenesse of the people, answered that it seemed to him to be a Citty al of kings. By this the Amabassadors sent from the Sicilians were to haue a hearing of Pirrhus, who admitted before him, rendred into his hands, the righ [...] and title of their whole Island, desiring him of his princely grace to take them into his prote­ction, whose labours were fruitlesse by the continuall warres which the Car­thageniens A digression to the acts of the Tyrians. infor [...]st vpon them: which Pirrhus accepting, le [...]ing his Sonne Alexander at Locus, and hauing strengthned the other Citties with sufficient F Garrisons, he wasted his Army ouer into Sicill. Being now come to intreat of the Carthageniens, It shal not be amisse for the amplifieing of our History, to digresse from the present subiect, and speake somwhat of their Original, as also to repeat the deeds of the Tyrians, whose miseries were no lesse to bee lamented.

This Nation of the Tyrians had their first foundation by the Phenecians, who before being troubled with an Earthquake, forsook their Natiue soile, and inhabited first by the lake of Assiria, and from thence remoouing them­selues nearer to the Sea coast, they builded a Citty, which of the abundance of Fish that had breeding there, they named it Sidon. In this continent they G continued longe, but at last being subdued by the King of the Ascalonites, they tooke shipping, and arriued in the same ground whereon they builded Tyre: which Citty, was finished the yeare before the destruction of Troy. In this neither remaind they in peace, but were often affailed by the Warres of the Persians.

But their power much wasted by this warre, and the multitude of the bond­men exceeding their Masters; they pretended to exemplifie their sauage na­ture vpon them, whom they were bound to obey: which conspiracy, by the Bondmen [...] in cru­elty. concealement thereof, first taking life, grewe after to such yssue, that they butchered their Maisters, and all the free-borne posterity: and hauinge the H Citty now to do what they would, they entred into their Maisters houses, in­uaded the common-weale, and that (which themselues neuer were) they beg [...]t free children. At this massacre, their was one among so many thou­sand slaves, of a more sober and honest nature then the rest, who pittying the fortune of the old man his Maister, and the destinye of his soune, dealte not as the other did in murthet, but of mercifull compassion tooke them to [Page 72] pitty, and preserued their liues, euery day bringing them foode. The other bondmen ignorant that any Masters or free-born generation wer aliue, be­gan to consult of the estate of gouernment; and agreed that it was requisit for the security of them all, to incorporat the Citty to themselues and cre­ate aking, and him especiallye (as a man most acceptable to the Goddes,) that first should see the next morrow. This honest slaue declared this secret­ly to his Maister Strato (for so was the old man named) crauing therein the furtherance of his aduise: so being by him sufficiently instructed what to do, while all the rest stood staring into the East, he only aduisedly loked into the West. At the first, all the residue of his fellowes, thought it madnesse in him to gape for the Sunne rising in the West. But assoone as the day began to A breake, and the East glistered vppon the highest tops and pinnacles of the Towers and Temples of the Cittie, while all the rest gazed, who should see the Globe of the sunne, he first of all shewed them the brightnesse thereof, shining vpon the top of the Cittie. This made them so iust to iudge against themselues, to be a reason greater then could grow out of slaues: whereup­on they inquired who gaue him this counsell, who vnwilling to attribute the dignity was dew to another, confessed the truth as concerning his Master, so that they euidently perceiuing the difference of true iudgement, between a slaue and a Gentleman, and that thogh their owne natures might excel in malice, yet the other exceeded in wisdome, the old man and his sonne they The [...] between ho­nesty and vil­lamy. B pardoned, and perswading in general that Strato could not but be preserued by the Diuine prouidence of the Goddes, for some future good, they a­greed and created their King. After whose decease, the kingdome discended to his sonne, and so colatterally, foorth to his posterity. Which act of these slaues, though it were notable and a necessarie example to succeeding ages, yet Alexander the great, hauing continued long warre in the countries of the East as a reuenger, raisd war vpon them, who had bin enemies to a common tranquility, besieged and sacked the citty, commanding all those to be hung vp, that remained aliue after the battell: executing iustice on the posterity C in remembrance of the murthers committed in former time by their prede­cessors; only the kindred of Strato preserued, and restored the kingdome to his offspring, peopling it with free-born families, to the intent that the sla­uish seed being rooted out, the offspring of those might liue to report they were planted by him. These Tyrians being thus by Alexander a Nation new founded through trauell, and sparing in spending, grew as strong againe in short time as before the slaughter of their Masters: so that thus again reple­nished, they sent a company of youth into Affrick, and built vp Vtica. About The building of Vtica. which time thek. of Tire deceased, ordaining for his heirs his son Pigmalion, and his daughter Elissa, a princesse of excellent beauty. The kingdom went D to Pigmalion, being a child, and Elissa was married to her Vncle Sicheus the Priest of Hercules, being in greatest authority next the king. This Sicheus was reputed to be possest of so much riches, that he buried it in the ground. The brute of which, though not certain to any, was so commonly reported of al, that it attaind to Pigmalion, who incensed with a couetous desire (forgetting all naturall affinity, sought to stop such thoughtes, or euer they apprehend [Page] the fulnesse of action or without respect of religion, the remembraunce of which, would haue so beat on the anuill of his conscience, til it had wrought him to a better forme then the euill hee intended: to compasse this wealth, which was onely to be had by rumor, he slaughtered his Noble Vncle Syche­us being also his brother in lawe. Elissa detesting this wicked an abhomina­ble act of her Brothers, lamenting the vnhappy [...]ragedy of her so louing a husband, and doubting as great mischiefe pretended against her personne, dissembled so farre, as sorrow and hope of reuenge woulde giue her leaue: the labours of her mind bearing in all things a faire and fauourable coun­tenance toward her brother, as if she had slightly forgot so great a trespasse E done toward her, not without dishonor to himselfe: yet practising priuatly with diuerse Noblemen, whose harts she knew to the King her brother, was leauelled with her owne, and whose discontents wer as burthensome to their minds, as wind in a bladder, who on the lest prick that occasion giues, breaks violently out; who had a more free desire to leaue their countrie, then to liue in it, hauing the oath of such as these, to further and be readie to under­take with her, what action soeuer: she came to Pigmalion, and addressing hir speech to him, intreated she might remooue her owne dwelling, and come to so [...]ourne with him, to this intent the brute and remembrance of hir hus­band, should not any longer march as a shaddowe before her eies, nor the sight of his house, continuallie renew the sorrow which she coueted to for­get. The wicked ne [...] of Pyg­mialion. F

Pigmalion, well satisfied with this sute of his sisters, hoping with the re­mooue of her selfe to his countrie, she woulde also remooue her husbandes treasure, for the which he had murthered him: gaue her a liberall and frank consent to inioie his countrie and that wherein might content her, Little doubting the escape which Elissa by this policie pretended

But she being a ship bord, and vnder saile, both with her owne friends and such of the Kings seruants, who were lent in her help for her guard, in shut­ting of the euening, being out of the ken of her Countrie, called those who G were the subjects of Pigmalion & compeld thē to throw ouerbord a many of bags and Coffers full of sand, perswading them it was treasure: when shee her selfe with trickling teares, and woefull Lamentation, shrieking out the The pollicye of [...] to e [...]ape her brother. name of Sicheus in distracted sillables, beseeched him by the Loue hee bore her, being her husband, to accept that his riches, as an oblation which had bene the cause of his death. This done, she turnd her selfe to the Kings ser­uants, and told them, that riches which she had enforcst them to inrich the sea withall, shoulde be a meanes to hasten on her death, which she so often had hartily desired: and that they themselues should suffer the bitterest tor­ments, tirrannie could inuent: for being obedient to her will. For that H treasure belonged to my husband Sicheus, for that treasure the couetousnes of my Kinglie, yet vnkinglie brother, murthered him: for that treasure my brother and your soueraigne lent me your aide, and permitted me to come and haue a habitation in his kingdome: of which treasure, when he shal find his thirsty appetite vnslackt, he will be as pittilesse to me his sister, as he was to Sicheus my husband and his. Vncle, and as mercilesse to you his subiects, [Page 73] both we shall well escape, if you will lay your liues vpon my fortunes, go wil­lingly with me, not to my vnkind brother, but vndertake a pilgrimage out of this dangerous kingdome, whether the goddes, the windes, and this sea shall conduct vs: and wheresoeuer we arriue, I as your Queeene, and you as my people, will buy a plot of ground, whereon to build vs a peacefull habitation. These men, being hallowed with her wordes, assured of the Tirrany of their maister, with some feare and no lesse loue, they offered themselues vnto her, desiring the goddes of a prosperous voyage.

Thus a great number of the nobility, were in readinesse to set forth with hir, and hauing made sacrifice to Hercules, they forsooke their countrey to seeke a new dwelling place. The first land that they arriued at, was the Isle of Syprus, A wher the priest of Iupyter offered himselfe to Elysa, as a partaker of her fortune, vpon condition that his posterity should for euer enioy the honor of the priest hood. The custom of the Ciprians was to send their maides before they were married to the sea side, there, with the abuse of their bodies, made offeringes to Venus for the preseruation of their chastity al their liues after. Of these womē, The wicked custome of the Cyprians. Elisa commaunded her men to take vp 80. and ship them, that her young men might haue wiues, and the citty encrease in yssue. These things thus done Pyg­malion knowing of the flight of his sister, purposed to pursue her, but was war­ned by prophecy, that he should not escape vnpunished, if he hindred the ad­uancement B of so fortuuate a cittie. By this meanes, they that fled had leysure to escape, and Elissa safelie arriued on the coastes of Affrick, won the heartes of al the inhabitants. After, hauing gotten a peece of ground, euen as muche as might be compassed with an Oxe hyde, and therin she refreshed her whole company, then caused she the hide to be cut into thongs, and by this pollicie got a very large plot, wherupon that place was called Birsa. After, many of the inhabitants brought unto them many things to sel, and built them houses, so in time it became a famous citty. The ambassadors of Vtica brought them rich presents: also the Affricans were very desirous of their companie, so that by the helpe of al parties Carthage was builded, paying onely a yeerly rent for the The building of Carthage. ground. In their digging they found an Oxe head, betokening a fruitful land, C but the citty alwaies vnder bondage. Wheron they remoued their citty: then they found a Horse hed, signifieng great power, so in that place they also ere­cted a cittie. Shortly after by much trade of other Nations it became populus. When Carthage flourished, Hiarbas king of Mauritania calling ten Princes of the Africks, sent for Elissa to be his wife, and if she denied he threatned warre. Which message they fearing to deliuer, wrought by craft, saying their king Hiarbas requireth Dido in mariage.requested a person to instruct his nations in ciuil life. They being rebuked of the Queen, they vttered the kings command, that she must bee conformable, to his request, or looke for further danger. Being thus deceiued she called often D on the name of her husb. Sycheus, yet at last answerd she would go whither her destiny directed. Vpon this she caused a fire to be made in the furthest parts of the citty, where after some sacrifices done, she tooke a sword standing on the top of the fire, laying according to the kings command she would goe to her husband, thrusting her body thorow with the sword. In carthage she was wor­shipped Dido killeth her selfe. euer after as a Goddesse. This cittye was builded 72 yeares before Rome.

[Page] Furthermore among other mischiefes, they were sor [...] vexed with the plague, for remedy whereof, they vsed a bloudy kind of Religion and abho­minable wickednesse. For they offered men vp in sacrifice, and killed inno­cent younglings vpon the altars, the (which age is woont to prouoke euen the enemy to pitty) seeking to pacifie the Goddes with the bloud of them, for whose life the Goddes are woont most of all other to bee prayed vnto. Therefore the Goddes being worthily angry, turned from them for so great a wickednesse, although they had warre along time in Sicill to their vtter destruction: and remoued the war into Sardima, hauing lost the greater part of their hoast, they were vanquished in a sore and deadly battell. For which E cause they banis [...]ed (with those few that remained of his army,) their cap­taine Machaeus, vnder whose guide they had Conquered that parte of Sicill, and atchiued many great aduentures against the Affricans. Which thinge Machaeus ba nis [...]ed. the men of warre taking in great displeasure, sent Ambassadors to Carthage, entreating that they might returne into their Country, as also for pardon of their vnfortunate warre, withall telling them, that if they might not ob­taine their request by entreatance, they would win it by the sworde. When the Ambassadors could get nothing, neither by faire meanes nor by foule, within a few dayes after, they tooke shipping, and came to the Citty all in armes. F

Being come they protested before Goddes and men, that their comming was not to offer any violence to their countrey, but onely to recouer it, and that they would shew their Countreymen that they wanted not courage in Carthage is besieged by her owne Cittizens. the former Warres, but good fortune. Hereupon they kept the Cittie from all manner of victuals, and besieged it so narrowly, that they brovghte the Carthagenians to vtter dispaire. In the mean time Cartalo, (the sonne of the banished Captaine Macheus,) as he passed by his fathers campe from Tyre, (whither he had bene sent by the Cartbagenians, to carry vnto Hercules the tenths of the booty that his father had taken in Sicill) being sent for by his father, answered he would first accomplish his duty in the publike religion, G and then would do any priuate dutie to father or mother. Which thing al­beit his father was much offended with, yet he durst not as then vse any vio­lence towards him, for the reuerence of that religion. But within a daie or two after, desiring safe conduct of the people, when hee was returned to his father, and that he vaunted himselfe openly before all men, decked in rich purple robes and his Myter, according to the degree of Priesthood: his fa­ther leading him aside into a secret, place saide thus vnto him. Thou wick­ed varlet, durst thou be so bold as thus bedect with scarlet and bedasht with [...]. Gold, to come into the open face of so many of thy wretched Cittizens; and enter into this sorrowfull and mourning campe, swimming in these tokens of royalty and prosperity, like as if thou shouldst triumph ouer vs? Couldst H thou find none other persons to boast thy selfe before? couldst thou find no place so meet as the penury of thy father, and the calamities of his vnhappy banishment? Doest thou remember that being the other day called, thou proudly disdainedst, I say not thy father, but the very captain of thine owne countrimen? And I pray thee what els representest thou in this thy purple [Page 74] robe and these crownes of gold, but the titles of my victories? For asmuch therefore as thou acknowledgest thy father for no better then a banished man, I will also shew my selfe rather a seuere captaine, then a father towards thee, and I will make thee an example to all men hereafter, not to be so bold as to laugh and scorne at the vnfortunate miseries of their fathers.

Immediatly hereupon, he caused him to be nailed to a very high crosse in sight of all the citty, in his gorgious apparell. Within a few daies after he tooke Carthage, and summoning the people before him, complained of his wrong­full banyishment, excusing the warre which he was compelled to take in hand, full sore against his will, by reason his conquests were despised. Wherefore Carthage is taken. A in as much as he had punished the oppressors of his miserable countrymen, he said he was content to pardon all the rest for his wrongfull banishment, and so hauing putten of the senators to death, he restored the citty to their former lawes againe. Notlong after, he was accused to haue gon about to make him­selfe a king. Whereupon he suffered double punishment, both for working treason against his countrey, and for murthering his owne sonne. After him succeeded in the captaineship Mago, by whose knighthood both the richesse, the bounds of the Empyre, and the renowne of Carthage was great­ly encreased, and aug­mented. B C D

The ende of the xviij. Booke.

THE XIX. BOOKE OF Iustine. E

THE ARGVMENT.

MAgo Duke of Carthage dieth. His sonnes Hasdruball and Hamilcar succeed. The Carthageniens are ouercome by the Affrickes, and pay the rent for their citty. They make warre in Sardinia and Sycill. The message of the Ambas­sadors of Darius to the Carthageniens. The Affricans are compelled to release the rent. The army of Hamilco perishetb by the pestilent influence of the starres. The F remnant whereof he bringeth home, and putteth to the sword.

IN these dayes Mago was chiefe Captaine of Car­thage, who had by his diligence in ordering the lawes of Armes, founded the Empire of Affrica, and established the fortification of Carthage, no A continu [...]e of the history of Carthage. lesse by his policy in warre, then by his puissance, he deceased, leauing behind him two sons, Has­druball and Hamilcar, who following in the foote­steppes of their fathers vertue, as they succeeded him in Lynage, so they equald him in worthines. G Vnder these Captaines, was warre coniunct in Sardinia, and a fielde fought against the Affricans, to withstand the arrearages they demaunded as rente for the soile whereon the Citty standeth, but as the Aphricks had the iuster quarrell, so had they the better fortune; by meanes whereof this warre con­cluded betweene them, by paiment of money, and not by dint of sword. In Sardinia, Hasdruball being mortally wounded, surrendred the gouernment to his brother Hamilear and died: whose death was made honorable by the mourning of the whole Citty for him, and whose life was no lesse, for he had bin eleuen times Dictator, and had had triumphs. H

At the newes of his death, the enemy beganne to take courage, as though with their Captaine the strength of the citty had also decaid, for the Sicilians being oppressed by the Carthagenians daily iniuries, revolted to Leomeda the brother of the King of Lacedemon, whereupon was continued a long and cru­ell warre betweene them, the aduantage sometime inclining to the one part, sometime to the other.

[Page 75] Now Daryus king of Persia, entending to make warre against the Greeyans, sent his Ambassadors to Carthage, requesting their ayde in the furtherance of his purpose, with commaundement also, they should leaue offering of men in sacrifices and eating of dogges flesh, prescribed to them according to the manner of the Persians, rather to burne theyr dead bodyes, then to bury them in the ground. But the Carthageniens denying him aide, by reason of the trou­blesome warres they had with their borderers, to the entent they would not seeme disobedient in al things, willingly obayed him in the rest. In the meane season Hamilcar was slaine in the warres in Sycill, leauing behind him three sonnes, Amilco, Hanno, and Gisgo: Hasdruball had also alike number of sonnes, Hamil [...]ar [...]lame in the wa [...]es. Hanyball, Hasdruball, and Sapphe. A

By these Captaynes were the affaires of Carthage ordered, and the citty de­fended, warre was made against the Moores, fieldes fought with the Numidi­ans, and the Affricks compelled to release the Carthageniens for euer, of the rent they were wont to pay for the soyle of the citty. After this so great a num­ber of Graund Captaynes being held burthenson to the citty, which before time had bin free, in that they built or peruerted all affaires euen to their owne opinion, that they acquit or condemned, whom or what they lift themselues: there were a hundred Senatours chosen to be Iudges, which when any of these Captaines were returned from their warres, should take an vpright account of B their actions, to the entent they thereby might be kept in awe, so to behaue themselues in executing the office of their authoritye in the warres abroad, as they might neuerthelesse haue a carefull respect to do Iustice according to the lawes of their countrey at home.

For directing the warre in Sicil, in the stead of Hamilcar, Hamilco was made graund captaine: who hauing prosperous successe in all battels, both by sea and land, suddainely by the influence of a pestilent planet, lost all his men of Hamilco made grand-Captaine. warre: whereof when tydings came to carthage, the harts of all the citty was cast into mourning, and there eies sawe no other comfort but teares: the la­mentation was as Hideous, as though the citty had bin sackt by their enemies, and their griefe so genearal, that they releiued one anothers sorow, not suffring C it to lessen as a ceaselesse fountaine, through seuerall pipes seedes many cun­dits. Euery mans doores were shut vp, the Temples of the goddes vnuisited, and theyr alters vnhallowed: all ceremonies were omitted, all priuate duties neglected, some would walke out at the citty gate (but so dispersed and disor­dered, as if their feare had taught them to forget theyr former acquaintance) where they would make inquisition for their friendes, of that poore remaine, the plague had left, as they landed out of the shippes, where hauing heard the Tragicall of what was become of them, (for till then they waded betweene hope and feare, who was dead and who suruiued) they redoubled their griefes, D adding so fast sigh to sigh; sob, to sob; and sorrow to sorrow; till the eagernes of the one, did help the other to breake theyr harts.

Mothers wept for their children, fathers for their sonnes, brothers for their brothers, and one generation for another: so the shreeking and howling one made vnto another, appeared rather to be the violence of whirlewindes, or an outtragious tempest, then the perplexities of reasonable creatures. After this [Page] comes out of his ship, (the poore but honorable captaine Hamilco) in a filthy and beggerly torne cloke, girt about him: at the sight of whom the mourners as they stood in rancks clustred to come neare him, where they discerned by his misery being so great, how much greater was distresse to the rest. While he himselfe houlding vp his hands to heauen, bewailed his owne misfortune ioyned to the calamity of his Countrey, and there withall cryed out vpon the goddes, who had taken from him so great honour of chiualrye, and so great ornaments of victories, which they themselues had giuen and made him mai­ster of: who after the winning of so many Citties, the vanquishing of so fierce enemies, both by sea and land, had destroied that victorious army not by bat­tell E but by pestilence, wherein notwithstanding, he with this did comfort him­selfe, and brought no small cause for his countrey to reioyce in him, since that his enemies could not triumph, nor report themselus the authors of their calamities, that they were not able to say, they which were dead were slain by them: nor they which returned, were put to slight by them. As for the prey they found in their disolate campe, it was not such, that they might rightly bost of it, as of the spoile taken from their vanquished enemy, but as of a pur­chase falling into their enemies mouthes, vnlooked for by the pestilent deaths of the right owners, in respect of the enemy, they were come away conque­rors, but in reguard of the pestilence, they sled a way vanquished. F

But to this comfort, this honorable Captaine had one griefe, his repute exceeded all limit, which was, that his owne fate and the character of his mi­serable daies, had not period with his followers. That he was not so fortunat, to dye and surfet in mishap, among these most valiant men; but be reserued out of one mischiefe to fall into another: from the fury of the pestilence, not to liue pleasantly, but to be a pointing stock for the multitude, and a remem­brancer of calamities

Wherefore so soone as he had conueied home the remnant of his wretched host into Carthage, he vowed he would follow them as their fellow; and thogh the pestilence shund him, he would chase death till he had ouertaken him: G whereby his countrey should perceiue, he had not liued to that day, as desie­rous of life, but because he would not by his death betray those wretched few, that the vnspeakeable pestilence had spared, by leauing them without a guide, being besiedged and enuironed round with their enemies hoastes. So en­tring into the citie, assoone as he came to his owne house, he dismissed the multitude, as the last time that euer he purposed to speake to them, and Hamileo kil­leth hunselfe. barring the doores fast, suffering none to come whereby to intercept him, not so much as his sonnes to take their leaues of him, he killed himselfe. H

The ende of the xix. Booke.

THE XX. BOOKE OF A Iustine.

THE ARGVMENT.

THe elder Dennis driueth the Carthagenians out of Cicill, and maintaineth warres in Italy. A declaration of the first originall of many citties in Italy. Warres betweene the Crotonians and the Locrenses. The life, doctrine and B death of Pythagoras. Dennis is ouercome by the Crotenians, and maketh a league with the Frenchmen in Italy. Dennis returneth into Cicill against the Carthage­nians, and is slaine by his owne men.

DEnnis hauing repulsed the Carthageniens out of Sicill, and taken the gouerment of all the whole Iland into his owne hand, thinking it both a burthen to the realme, to keepe so great a power as he then consisted of, without imployment, as also a matter dangerous, to suffer so no­ble an army to ly still slouthfully, and without exercise, C conueied his host into Italy: partly of purpose, to quick­en the strength of his Souldiers, by continuall labour, and also to enlarge the boundes of his Empyre. the first warre that he had af­ter his aryuall, was againste the Greekes that inhabited the nearest to the Sea The warres of D [...]s in Italy. coast, when he first landed, the which being subdued, he assailed the next vnto them, and in the end proclaimed warre against al that bare the name of Greekes in Italy, intending to roote out al the inhabytants, and make a hopelesse poste­rity of them: which sort of people, so far remote from their oryginall, were so increased, that they held not a part, but almost all Italy. At this time, although they be many cities which after so long continuance, do yet at this day vphold and shew manifest tokens of the Greekish custome. For the people of Thusc [...]ne, D which possesse the coast of the nether sea, and the Venetians who euer since are inhabiters of the vpper sea, came vnder Antenor from Troy, after the taking and vtter destruction thereos. Adrya which is adioyning to the Illirvan sea, and gaue the name first to the Adriaticke sea, is also a Greeke citty. L [...]kewise Apros which Dyomedes builded after the ouerthrow of Troy, being cast vp in [Page] the same place by shipwracke. Moreouer Pise in Lumbardy had Greekes to their founders, and among the Thuscanes, the Tarquines drew their beginning from the Thessalians, and Spinambres, and the Perusines from the Acheans: here might be much declared of the Citty cere, as also of the latine people, who A digression to the foun­dation of the [...]y [...]s of Italy. say themselues to be desended from Eneas, the Falisbes, the Iapygians, the No­lanes, the Abelanes, were of oldeenhabiters in Chalcis. What is the coast of campanya? What are the Brutians and Sabines? What are the Samnits? But extracted from Grecia? What are the Tarentines, who appeare to this day vpon record, came from Lacedemon, & wer first called bastards. It is said further, that Philoctetes built the citty Thurines, whose toombe standeth yet to be seene vn­ruinde, E and the shaftes of Hercules, in the Temple of Apollo, which had the name of the destiny of Troy. The Metapontines also, reserued for a memory to this day, to shew in the Temple of Mynerua, the iron tooles of Epeus, their first founder, wherewith he made the horse Agent in the destruction of stately Illy­rium. And for this cause, that they indeuour by these antient remembrances, to vphold their desent al that part of Italy (sur-named the greater Greece.) But in the beginning of their foundations, the Metapontines assisted in confedracy with the Sybarites and Crotoniens, after determination had, endeuored to ex­pell al the other Grecians out of Italy: and assoone as to that purpose, they had taken the citty Siris, in the conquest thereof they killed before the sacred aul­ter consecrate to Minerua, fifty youngmen, imbracing her Image; neither F spared her priest at that instant veiled in the attire, accustomed in her cere­monies. Vpon this violation they were vexed with pestilence and ciuill sediti­on, so that the Crotonienses went first to entreate reliefe from the Oracle at Delphos, where answer was made them, that in vaine was all resistance, for the mischiefe so euident among them might not cease, till they had appeased wrathfull Mynerua; for trespassing so heynously against the deuinity due to her Godhed: as also the Ghostes of them in her Temple they had so cruelly slaine. Ciuil warres in Italy

Hereupon, they began to carue images, of the same bignesse that the men G were, being aliue; minding to elect and set them vp, as a pacification to the youngmen. Then made they one in especiall to Minerua, but the Metaponti­nes knowing also the Oracle of the Goddes, thought it good to worke more speedily in a buysinesse of this necessety; so they engraued as a recompence to the youngmens ghosts, little images, and appeased the Goddes indignati­on with bread sacrifices. So that the one part striued in costlienesse, the other part endeuoured in swiftnesse, the pestilence was ceased to both of them. The Crotoniens hauing recouered health, desiered quietnesse long after, for re­membrance that in the siege of Syris, the Locrines whom they distrusted not, came as their enemies to fight against them: they take so great displeasure thereat, that in this anger they made warre vpon them. The Locrines, being H striken with feare at this sudden inuasion, resorted to the Spartanes, beseech­ing them humbly of succour. But the Spartanes loth to busie themseleus in a warre so farre remote from them, aduised to aske helpe of Castor and Pollux: neither did the Ambassadors dispise their counsell, but departing to the next Temple, there offered sacrifice, and inuoked the Goddes of their help: so [Page 77] hauing obtained the successe they came for, (as they thought) they departed, being as iocond as if they had carried the Goddes themselues to further their prosperity.

They also made them shrines in their ships, & assuring thēselues of an auspi­cious iourney, in stead of succor they brought home comfort. This knowne to the Crotoniens, they also sent their Ambassadors to the Oracle at Delphos, prai­ing for victory and prosperous end of their vndertaken warre: where it was answered, they must ouercome by viewing, ere they should vanquish them by battell. Whereupon, (so desirous they were of this honor) they vowed vnto Apollo, the tenth of the profit should be taken. The Locrines on the con­trary, hauing good intelligence, both of the vow of their enemies, and the an­swer A of the Goddes, vowed as much, but kept their deuotion priuat to them­selues. So that when they were marcht into the field, and they beheld in bat­tell array of the Crotonenses a hundred and twenty thousand fighting men, ar­med ready for the incounter, and knew their owne power too slen [...]er to resist the furious shock of such a conflict, being but fifteene thousand Souldiers at the most, they threw away all hope of victory, cast away all feare, enemy to re­solution, accounting themselues vnpossible to be rescued, prepared their Men in des­p [...]re get the victory. liues confidently to dye yet honourably in that field: So in this desp [...]ration, euery man tooke such a harty courage to himselfe, that they held it victory enough for them, if before they died, they might reuenge their deaths on B their enemies manfully: but while they sought to die honestly, they had the vp­per hand fortunately, hauing no other cause for this victory, then the resolu­tion was begot out of their dispaire. While the Locrines were in the teror of this battel, an Eagle was seene neuer to depart from thence, but stil kept a houering and soring bout them, till they had the vpper hand. Moreouer two young­men in strange armour, vnlike the one to the other, of excellent personage, mounted vpon two white horses, and in scarlet clokes, were seene fighting in the winges of the battell: who assoone as the difference was ended, vanquisht out of sight. The incredible swiftnes of fame increased the wonder of this ac­cident, C for the same day this battell was fought in Italy, the victory was repor­ted at Corinth, Athens, & Lacedemon. After this inauspicious sucesse, the Croto­nenses grew carlesse to exercise themselues in chiualry and feates of armes, and as it were in the whole disposition of nature altred, by the fatall euent of that warre, which they so vnluckily attempted, changed their life into riot and idle­nesse; in which spoile they had persisted, had not the Philosopher Pythagor as, staid them from this giddines, and moulded them a new with his instruction. This Pythagor as, being the sonne of a rich Marchant of Samos, called Demara­tus, was brought vp in the education of learning, and studies of wisedome, in which precepts he so worthily encreased, that he tooke his iourney first into D Egypt, after to Babylon, to learne perfectly the causes whereby the planets so orderly moued, and to search out the beginning of the world. During his ex­ercise in this place, he attained to singular knowledge, and at his returne, went Of Pythag [...] ­ras and his doctrine. to Lacedemon to study the lawes of Minos and Lycurgus. In all which he being perfectly instructed, he came to Croton, where by his authority, he broght the people to human society & thriftinesse in life, being but euen latly befor falne [Page] into excesse riot, his daiely lectures were to commed virtue and make hatefull vice, reciting the miserable chances of citties which had decaied thrugh that plague, whereby he so strired the multitude to the endeuour of labour, that some ouer whelmed before in the pleasure of riot, wherby him contrary to ex­pectation (since that which is engrauen in the mind, is hardly to be raced out but by death) brought againe to lothe that which but lately they loued.

Moreouer he gaue the wiues instructions, priuatly from their husbands, and the children a part from their parents: he taught the women shamfastnesse obedience, and womanhood to their husbands; the men children modesty, sobernesse, good nurture and learning. And among these things, he enter­laced Pythagoras o [...] [...] [...]. thriftinesse the mother of vertues. Finally he did so much with his conti­nuall E disputations, that the Noble women laid aside their garments of cloth of gold, and other ornaments appertaining to their estate, accounting them as instruments of supersluity, and brought them all into Iunoes Temple, where they consecrated them to the Goddes; so that what with his boldly reprouing vice and mildly incouraging them to vertue, the men helde him not worthy to eate, whose thoughts were rather giuen to idelnesse then industry, and the wiues perswaded themselues that the beautifieng, and those things praise wor­thy in Ladies and gentlewomen, is chastity, not attire. How much his doctrine had power and ability to sway, with the baser multitude, and for b [...]l [...]ing F of headstrong and stubberne stomaked women, his workes at large make ma­nifest.

But in this citty as in all citties and kingdoms else, how carefull and proui­dent soeuer be the publike gouernment of the estate: how secure and vpright, their statutes and ordinances, how diligent the ministring of religion, let Iustice carry his ballance neuer so euen, the gouernment shall be dispised, the lawes scandalised, religion disdained, authority slandered, and when this moster, people, can no way find starting holes to saue themselues, they vio­lently breake out. So in this Croton, three hundred factious youngmen, con­temning these precepts of Pythagoras, giuen them as wholesome medicines to preserue them in a publik [...] good, holding in stead of law their will lawlesse, G gathered themselues to a head to withstand these iniunctions, and maintaine their riotous liberty. But the Citizens knowing that these vnlawful assemblies how euer otherwaies defended, conspire no other but a generall r [...]ine, that as they are suffered to continue, so they grow stronger in power, and hauing from Pythagorus principles, learned to distinguish good from euill, mustred them selues, and the better perswaded people against them, where they were com­pact in a house togither, and at the first intended to set on fire, but they issuing out in resistance, threescore of them were slaine, and the rest apprehended, were after by due sentence banished. H

When Pythagoras, had inhabited full twenty yeares at Croton, he remoued to Metapont, and there deceased: whom that citty also had in such estimation, that of his house they made a temple, and honored him for a God: therfore, after that Dennis the Tyrant (whom is declared to haue passed his army out of [...]g [...]ras dy [...]th. sicill into Italy, and to haue prouoked warre against the Greekes) had wonne Locres by siedge he assailed the Crotoniens, who had scarcely though in so long [Page 78] respit, recouered their strength decaied by the slaughter at the aforesaid battel, and yet they now being thus inforst, with their few more valiantly resisted his so Populous an army, then they could with so many thousands, make defence against the small number of the Locrines. So great force hath pouerty to pre­uaile against riches, and so much more certaine sometimes proues a victory vnhoped for, where iustice and discresion guideth, then conquest accounted of before by the trust of the multitude.

While Dennis was in readinesse with this warre, there arriued in his army Ambassadors from the frenchmen, who a few monthes before had burned Rome, desiering him to enter into league with them, and take them to his Dennis ma­keth league with those Frenchmen that burned Rome. friendship; aledging these reasons to mooue thereunto, that their countrey A was scituat in the hart of his enemies, by which they might and would be al­waies in readinesse, to stand him in stead, whether it were to aide him in battel, or to set on themhimself. While he was busied in their vanguarde, Dennis tak­ing the treaty of this Ambassage to be profitable for his disseignes in hand, tooke them to the league with him, and being increased in power by their aide beganne as it were fresh warre againe in croton. The reason that moued these Frenchmen to trauell into Italy, and to seeke them out a strange habitation, was the ciuyll discord and continuall debate had among themselues, ouerwea­ried wherewith, arriuing in Italy they expelled the Thuscanes out of their Sct­tuation, B Citties buil­ded in Italy by the french and builded for them and their posteriy, the citties of Millain, Come, Brixia, Verona, Bergome, Trydent, and Vincent. The Thuscanes also with their captaine Rehtus, hauing lost their owne countrey, tooke the Alpes, and after the name of their captaine founded the nation of the Rhetians.

But Dennis by the comming of the carthageniens into Sicill was compelled to returne home. For they had prepared their army and with a greater power remoued that warres which they had broken vp by the constraint of the pesti­lence. The captain of this war was Hanno of carthage, whose enemy Sumator, a man at that time of the greatest power and most commaund among the Af­frickes, prouokt by an inueterat malice he bore to Hanno, wrote familiarly in C Greeke to Dennis, aduertising him of this army, the whole plot intended, and of the cowardise of the captaine. But his letters being intercepted by the way, he was apprehended, arraigned, and conuict of treason, and presently an act by Parliament was confirmed, that no subiect of carthage, should from thence learne Greeke letters, or study the Greeke tongue: none should haue confe­rence with the enemy without an interpretor, nor discouer any businesse of state by writing. But this Dennis whose pride and ambitious desire neyther Si­cill nor Italy were able to containe, being ouercome in all the aduentures and battels he attempted, at last his army dishartened by his ominous directions, practised his destruction, and in the end The ende of Dennis. D was slaine by the treason of his own subiects.

The end of the xx. Booke.

THE XXI. BOOKE OF Iustine. E

THE ARGVMENT.

THe younger Dennis purposeth all kind of Tyrany. He is expulsed the Realme. He useth most unspeakable Tiranny at Locres in Italy. Hee is drinen from thence and taketh Syracuse. Hanno goeth about to oppresse the common­weale of Carthage. His treasons twice betrayed, and he executed for the same. Den­nis deposeth himselfe and flyeth to Corinth, where he liueth a loath some life. Ha­milear F surnamed Rhodanus, followeth the doings and counselles of great Alexan­der, certifieth his Countreymen thereof, and at his returne is put to death for his labour.

COncerning this Tyrant Dennis thus slaine in Sicill, his men of warre placed to succeed in the soueraignty Den­nis his eldest sonne; the rather for that he was grown to mans estate, as also hoping by the inauguratiō of him, the kingdome appertaining to the dignity of one would be of more validity, then if it should be diuided in ma­ny Dennis the yonger G pertitions. Amongst the late Dennis sons, this Den­nis in the beginning of his raign, exasperated much, to haue put to death his brothers Vncles, onely for the Iealousie he had, that he held them to be enuiers of his greatnes, and prouokers of the children to demaund, or indeed compell a distribution or partition of the kingdome: whereupon he dissembled his desire a while, and indeuored by his actions to procure the future fauor of his commons ere he would vndertake so dange­rous attempt, holding it a principle for him to be gouerned by, that where opinion is once confirmed in the brests of the multitude, of the integretie of a Prince, be he neuer so distant from vprightnes, their tongues applaud H what cruelties soeuer he inacts, and conster them to be the due measure of Iustice: nay what taxes how oppressefull soeuer imposed vpon themselues, they account it, their duty to obey them, and rebellion to be resisted. To en­compasse himselfe with which cloud, and as it were to walke into his Tyra­nies, vnseene, and vnsuspected, he discharged three hundred offenders out [Page 79] of prison, released the people three yeares subsidye, was liber all of any fa­uors, bountifull of his courtesie, alluring their minds to him by all counter­fet gentlenes, dissimulation was able to deuise, but hauing dealt with them as Fishers do by their nets, who draw them by little and little, till they attain to the end they looke for, he presently set forward the mischiefe he so longe had purposed, he slue not onely his owne, and his brothers kindred, but his brothers themselues. Insomuch that those whom he ought of right, to haue The cru [...]lty of Demus. made partners with him in his kingdome, he permitted, not to be partakers of life and breath, beginning to execute his Tirany vpon the blood of him­selfe ere he proceeded to be violent against strangers. A

When he had thus dispatched his brothers, of whom more then of for­raine enemies he stood in feare, thinking himself now secure, he fell to sloth­fulnes, and neglecting his warres to immoderat excesse & banqueting, wher by he became corpulent and vnweeldy, and had such a disease inflamed in­to his eyes, that he was not able to indure the Sunne, the least dust, nor the glimmering of any light. Finding this incumbrance, both in his body and sight, he beleeued himselfe to be had in disdaine of all men, vpon whom he began to execute extreame cruelties, not stuffing the [...]ayles with prisoners as his fathers did, but replenishing the Citty (which had longe time beene empty) with new slaughters, so that he became not so much disdained for B the deformity of his body, as hated through the vices of his mind. Therfore when he perceiued, that the Syracusans were prepared in readinesse to bid him battell, he was long in counsell with his Knights, whether it were more auaileable for him to depose himselfe from rule, or for the preseruation of his dignity to withstand them by force. But his men of war, in hope to haue the spoile of so wealthy a Citty, made him try the hazzard of battell.

Wher being vanquished, he attempted fortune the second time with suc­cesse, then sent Ambassadors to the Syracusans, promising them to depose himselfe from his Tyrany, if they woulde send commissioners vnto him, to The tteache [...]y of Dennis conclude of an agreement betweenethem, who sent the chiefe men of their Citty for the same purpose, who he presently imprisoned, and while the Si­racusans C thought there was a peace considering betweene them, and dreamt not of so treacherous an Enterprize, hee sent his Army to destroy them: wherupon being thus taken vnprouided, ensued a hot and doubtful encoun­ter euen within the Citty, but by reason the Cittizens farre in number ex­ceeded, who fearing to be besieged, if he remaind in the castle, to which hee Dennis sheth into Italy. retired, secretly conuaid himselfe into Italy, with all his Princely apparrell, treasure and houshold stuffe, in which banishment of his he was receiued by his confederates the Locrins, who had not long time receiued him to succor, but one them also exerciced his violent cruelties. Hee inforced the Noble­mens D wiues to his lust, and when their daughters were to, be giuen in marri­age, he first tooke them to his desire, and hauing abused their chastity, sent them to their spouses againe: the richest Cittizens he disfranchised, seeking to put them to death, and confifcat their goods, and when he saw no more spoile to be had, he compassed the citty with his subtill practise.

At such time as the Locrins were oppressed with the wars of Leophon K. of [Page] Rhegium, they made a vow, that if they had the vpper hand and ouerthrow of their enemies, they would vpon the next feastiuall day of Venus, set their vir­gins in the generall stewes for all men to abuse: which vow being left vnper­formed, by hauing vnfortunate warres with the Lucanes, Dennis called the cit­tizens to gether before him, and exhorted them to send their wiues and daugh­ters, as sumptuously apparrailed as might be, to the Temple of Venus, and out of them their should be a hundred drawne by lot, to performe the common ce­remony which wiues and daughters for religions sake, should contiune in the Brothel-house for the space of one month, all their husbands being before sworne not for that time to haue any right of them: & to the entent the mai­dens, E that preforming the publike vowe, for publike good, should not be hin­dred thereby, their should be a decree established, that no other maide should be contracted and ensured to any husband, before those other were maryed.

This counsell was wel alowed, as in the which, prouision seemed to be made a meanes both for the performance of their superstitious vow, and also for the preseruation of the chastity of their virgins, whereupon all the women assem­bled into the temple of Venus, so gorgiously and costly atyrued, as euery one, had despite against the other who might best exceede. Among whom, Dennis sent his men of warre, and stripped them of their ornaments, conuerting them to his owne gaine and profit. Some of their husbands, whom he knew to be F wealthy men he killed, some of the women he put to torture, whereby to in­force them to confesse, where their husbands treasure was concealed. So when he had with these and such like seuerall subtilties raigned ful sixe years, the Lo­crines cloid with his oppression, tooke hart and conspired against him, and Dennis is ex­pulsed. so preuailed that they expelled him out of the citty, from whence he returned into Sicell, where likewise by treason, no man mistrusting an alteration, after so long continuance of peace, he recouered the citty Syracuse. But while he was busied in these affaires in Sycill: in Affricke Hanno Prince of Carthage, be­gan to employ his riches (by which hee surmounted the power of the com­mon-wealth) Hannos con­spiraci [...] a­gainst Car­thage. about the compassing of the whole soueraignty, entending to G haue slaine the senate, which lettes remoued, he might easily aspier to be king: for the performance of which Tragedy, that his mischieuous deuices might take effect without suspition, and so consequently without reproofe, he chose the certain day in which his daughter should be solemly maried, so that vnder the collor of performing his vowes at her matrymonsall rightes, hee might the easier conclude the heigth of his practise.

And therefore he prepared a feast for the people in the open porches and galleries of the Citty; But for the senate in a priuate and perticular place in his owne house, making this an assurance in himselfe, that if at that feast he could poison and dispatch the senatours to their graues, he might without resistance H or contradiction, vsurpe vpon the common-wealth, being destitute of her pa­trons and defendors. Which conspiracy being by some of his senators, whom he trusted in the plot discouered to the Magistrates, the mischiefe was auoided but not punished, least in a man of so great power, the matter being partly but a surmise, and they chiefe of the proofe so much his inferiour, they might ra­ther draw danger then withstand it, being therfore contented to haue preuen­ted [Page 80] him of his purpose, they made a decree, wherein was limitted what cost shoulde be bestowed vpon mariages, straightly charging and commanding the sam to be obserued, not of any one man in especial, but of al in generall; to the intent the person should not seem to be noted but the vices rebuked. Hanno being by this deuice preuented, stirred the bondmen to rebelion, and hauing determined a day again for the slaughter of the senat, finding him & his purposes the second time circumuented and betra [...]d, fearing also to bee apprehended and arraigned of treason, he fortified himselfe with twentie thousand bondmen well armed in a strong Castel, where while hee sollicited the Affricks and the King of Mauritane for supply, being lingred off with de­layes, and the senat nowe pursuing reuenge for so hainous conspiracies, as Hanno is ta­ken and pu­nished. A they iudged tended to the ruine of a commonweale, and dissolution of their liberty: he was taken, first whiped, then his eyes pulled out, his armes & legs broken, and as though euery member, had for some seuerall demeanor & offence merited a contrary punishment, they were seuerally afflicted. Lastly he suffered death in the open view of the people, and his body which before was torne with scourges, was hanged to rot vppon a gibbet. Moreouer his sonnes and kinsmen, all the stocke, branches, name, or generation of him, neuer so guitlesse were all put to violent execution, so that their should not of so wicked a seed remaine an impe either to ensue his example by contri­uing the like treason, or to hope for a time to reuenge his death. B

In the meane time Dennis after his returne and possession in the seate of Syracusa, persisted and studied how to make, his cruelties, tiranies, and op­pressions more sharp and pointed, against the Cittizens, so that they again Dennis de­po [...]th him­s [...]lfe were inforced to besiege him, which so forcibly they perceuerd in against him, that he seeing no meanes, nor hope of rescue, deposed himselfe, and yeilded to the Syracusans both his hold and his hoast, and receiuing no more but his own priuat houshold stuffe he was dismist from thence, and as a ba­nished man betooke himselfe to Corinth, where thinking now in this deiecti­on the basest estate to be the surest, forgeting the dignity of a K. and fruit of C education, he fell to a most filthy and loathsome custome of liuing, for hee thoght it not base inough to be a continual walker vp and downe the streets, The vile and loathsome life of Den­nis. and a companion for the most reprobates, vnlesse he were bibing in euery tippling house with them: not to be seene in Tauernes, and Ale-hoases, but to frequent and sitte still therein, from morning till noone, from noone till night: he held it no contumely to brabble with euery rascall, with the rable of people, as we vse to say for moone-shine in the Water. He was a com­panion for the ragged, and estemed the most slouenliest, prouoking men to laughter, rather then laugh himselfe: he would vse to stande gaping and gazing in the Market shambles, deuouring with his eies the things he could D not buy with his mony, scold with bawdes before the Worlde, and in fine accustomed, and accommodated himselfe, in no wise proper, but to that in­orderly shape, might make him seeme woorthy rather to be despised then feared. Last of all he professed himself Schoole-maister and taught children, in a thoroufare, to the intent he might either be openly seene of them that feared him, or els might the easier bring himselfe in contempt of them that feared him not.

[Page] For albeit his former and whole course of life alwaies abounded in tyranous vices, yet this was but a formal counterfetting of former qualities and no na­turall disposition, he studied these things, rather of pollicy, then that he had forgotten his royall and princely behauiour, for that he knew by proofe, how hatefull the name of a Tyrant was, though they had relinguished their power, and distributed their riches: and therefore he labored to take away the enuy of thinges past, by bringing himfelfe in a contempt for his present demeanor, hauing not so much reguard, to that was for his honor as what was for the pre­seu [...]tion and saueguard of his life: yet notwithstading among all these coun­terf [...]t dissimulations, and pollicies, he was thrise accused to haue endeuored E meanes to haue made himselfe a king, wherein nothing auailed him so sure for his aquitall, as that all men, contemned him.

In the time that this course of Dennis had such successe, the Carthageniens hartily troubled, with the prosperous euentes, great Alexander had in all the warlike affaires he vndertooke, and doubting least where he had conquered the kingdome of Persia, hee would also adioyne Affricke thereunto, they sent Hamilcar sur-named Rhodanus, a man farre passing all the iudgments of his time in wit and eloquence, to sifte and gather intelligence what he intended therein, for it greatly increased their feare, and gaue them manifest cause to doubt, since they themselues were witnesses, that their mother Citty Tyrus chiefe authour of their beginning to be taken, and the citty Alexandria an e­nemy F to the estate of Carthage, built in the bounds of Affricke & Egypt; with­all, the fortunat felicity of the King himselfe, whose couetousnesse, and pros­perity they supposed would neuer be at end. Hamilear laboring to come to personall speech with Alexander, attained it by the help of Parmenio, to whom, he faining himselfe to be exciled his countrey, he was fled to so great and gra­tious a Monarch for succour, offering his seruice as a priuat souldier in his wars, by which pollicy hauing from time to time perfect instructions, of the kinges proceedings and purposes, he aduertised his countreymen thereof in tables of wood co [...]ered ouer with plaine waxe: notwithstanding which seruice, G and indeede preseruation of carthage, after the death of Alexander when he returned home, the Senat not only suffered him to escape vnrewar­ded, but most cruelly put him to death, suggesting hee went about to chaleng as his due to be king of the Citty. H

The ende of the xxi. Booke.

The xxij booke of Iustine.

THE ARGVMENT. A

AGathocles riseth from a very base degree as it were by steps, to the kingdome of Sycill. He vrgeth violent cruelty vpon the confederates of the Carthage­nians, by the permission of Hamilcar, by whose death the secret iudgemente, intended against the Carthagenians is preuented. Agathocles is besieged by Hamil­car the sonne of Gysgo. He remoueth the warre into Affricke, ouercommeth the Carthagine, which causeth them to revolt to his side. He killeth the king of Cyren, ouercommeth the Carthageneans againe. He raiseth the siege before syracusa, he is B receiued in a mutiny. He is ouercome through rashnesse, for saketh all his forces and his children, who suffereth death for his sake. Lastly, hee concludeth a peacewith the Carthagenians in Cycill.

AGathocles the Tyrant succeeded Dennis in the kingdome of Sycill, who ascended to the maiesty of that seat, not by degree and dignity of desent, neither worthily by desart: for he was by birth a potters sonne in Sycill, and one who The abhom [...] nable life of Agathocles imbrast no more honesty in his child-hod, then there was honor in the stock of his ancestours. For being of fauour and personage exceding beautifull, he suffred the C better hope and fruit of his youth, to be wasted in de­testible incest, and being arriued to further and stronger years, he turned his lustfull condition and practise of life, from men to women: so that being de­famed, and detested, for being slaue to twoe such abhominable vices, he al­tred the trade of his so liuing and fel to robery. In processe of time he came to Siracuse, into which Citty he was entertained as amongst other inhabyters, where though he liued, yet liued he either without credit or estimation, and was accounted of as one whose desperat stay without himselfe, had nothing to loose, nor virtue in himselfe worthy to be loued. D

At length he obtained the roome of a mercenary souldier, and looke how dishonest he was in his life before, euen as seditious was he in his actions then, so forward to further mutines, that he was held a president for others to pract­tise mischiefe by: that which was held praise worthy in him, he was of body strong, and of speech eloquent, so that endeuoring from one preferment to another, he was at last made Captaine of a hundred men, wherein he so dis­ged [Page] his commaunde, that he was immediately after made Marshall of the hoast. In the first battell which he waged against the Actneans, he so beha­ued himselfe, that he gaue the Siracusans great proofe to cherish in their thoughts, a hopefull expectation of his future towardnes. In the next oc­casion ministred him, against the Campaignes, he so perseuerd in his Noble disposition, and prooued so fortunate in his Martiall Discipline, that from a present opinion was conceined of him through the whole army, he was by a generall voyce substituted in the Office of the grand Captaine of Damasco deceased, with whose wife he had committed adultry, and after married.

But being not contented from so base birth to haue so suddaine greatnesse, from so little riches to attaine so much & thirsty after more, he execercised E rouing on the Sea against his owne Countrey, for which piracy hee escapt vnpunished, by reason his associates being taken and put to torture stoode out to the death, without confession of any action of him. Twice he practised to haue made himself a King of Syracusa, and twice was banished and dismist Aga [...]hocles be [...] Sy racusa. of his ambitious purpose. The Murgantines, among whom hee was enter­tained and liued in the time of his exise, created him first their Pretor, and af­terward their Captaine, and in the first Warre he vndertooke for them, he fact the citty of the Leontines, and besieged the Citty Siracusa: to the rescue and reliefe whereof, Hamilcar captaine of the carthagenians being requested to come, he forgot all former enmity and inueterat hatred against them, & F sent thither a power of his souldiors in their asistance. So that at one instant this citty Syracusa was defended friendly by an enemie, and siercely assaulted by their own cittizens. But Agathocles hauing made tryal that the town was more manfully made good then assaulted, directed a Pursiuant to Hamilcar, requiring him in this behalfe, to arbitrate the difference, so long continued between him and the Syracusans, and for the determination of a peace be­tweene them: promising him, if euer occasion should affoord it self for him to do the like, he would not be slack to recompence his labors, and gratifie his kindnes. Wherupon Hamilcar being filled with hope, entred into league G with him, to this effect, that how much he furthered Agathocles in strength against the Syracusans, so much s [...]ould Agathocles satisfie him withall, to the expedition of his aduancement, at home in owne Countrey: by meanes of Composition betweene Ha milear and Agathocles. this composition, Agathocles was not onely reconciled to the Syracusans, but also was made Pretor of the citty; at the confirming of this league betwixte Agathocles, and Hamilcar, the holy fiers and the tapers were brought forth, wherupon Agathocles laying his hand, sware before Hamilcar to become his loyall friend, and true subiect to the Carthagenians. Vpon this coniuction re ceiuing of Hamilcar 5. M. Affriks, he put to death all the Nobility, such who His cru [...]ltye against the Syracusans either before had bin his opposits & withstood his proceedings, or were in H place and greatest authority in the citty, and then as it were to reforme or new ioynt the common-weal [...]h, he commaunded the people to assemble before him in the Theater, and gathered the senators into the counsel-house, pre­tending that he intended to inact some present decree of their publike good: which being performed, they not suspecting what he intended, they were by his souldiers laid in ambush besiegd, where himselfe fell to the slaughter of the [Page 82] Senators, which massacre being finished, he spared not the liues also of such of the commons as were the wealthiest and forwardest persons, but hauing compassed what cruelty soeuer hee thought tended to his aduantage, or might make his estate secure, he mustred souldiors and raysed an Army, with which being strengthned, he suddainely inuaded the neighbor Citties, knowinge their Hostill preparations not able to in dammage him; so that by the furtherance and permission of Hamilcar, without resistance he brought evident misery to the nearest borderers and greatest friends of the Cartha­genians.

For redresse of which, they made complaint to the Senat of Carth [...]ge, not so much of Agathocles as Hamilcar; accusing the one but as a Lordly [...]yrant, A though the other as a pernicious traitor, by whome they were solde by bar­gaine to the vttermost enemy of their estate, to whom (at the beginning) The com­ [...] of the [...]. for confirmation of the said composition, there was deliuered vp Sir [...]cusa, a Citty and people that had remained ancient enemies to the Affricks, and enuiers of the weal and prosperity of the Carthagenians, alwaies contending with them for the Empire of Sicill, and nowe vnder a colourable or rather counterfet pretence of peace, which Hamilcar had taken with them, they might see by the example of them their friends and neighbors, and by their calamity existent, themselues should be betraid into the like bondage, if not prouidently and discreetly preuented: wherefore like friends they gaue them B warning, that peace was sometimes made more for policy then prosperity, more to procure a mischiefe then preuent it: that their neighbors house so neare a fier, giues them light to be carefull of their own: and that they snuld suspect what danger might come on their owne counttey of Affricke, since it is too plaine to them, what hapned to the poore Island of Sicill.

By meanes of these complaints, the Senate was highly mooued to disple­sure againste Hamilcar: but forasmuch as hee was in Office of so great com­maund, they gaue their iudgement vppon him priuately, commaundinge their verdits before they should be read to his correction, to be cast in a pot C togither, and there to be seald vp, and the execution therof to be suspended, till that the other Hamylcar the sonne of Gisgo, were returnd out of Sicill. But Hamilcar dying, preuented the yssue of their subtill deuices and vnknowne Hamilcar is condemned of treason. verdits of the Carthagenians, and so he was deliuered from the violence of one death by the benefite of another: whome his owne Countreymen had wrongfully condemned vpon a bare suggestion, without hearing of his answere. At which vnaduisednes of theirs, Agathocles took occasion to make warre vpon the Carthagenians, and at the first encounter that he had, was a­gainst He dyeth. Hamilcar the sonne of Gisgo, of whom being vanquished, he returned to Siracusa, to raise a greater power, and so renew the battaile: But in the D second aduenture, his fortune proued like to the first, so that the Carthageni­ans hauing thus farre the vpper-hand, besieged Syracusa: When Agathocles perceiuing he was now so sore weakened by this late successe, neither of po­wer to remooue them, nor any way sufficiently furnished to linger or indure out the siege: and that moreouer his owne confederates murmuring at his former cruelties, daily forsooke him; he determined to remooue his warres [Page] into Affricke: wherein his audacity was wonderfull that hee shoulde enter­prize to make forraine Warres against the Citty of them, whom he was not able to resist and incumber at home, and that being not able to defende his owne, he would giue the onset to indamage others.

But that being vanquished he might proudely vaunt, thus much he had done to the displeasure of his Conquerors, or else raise one siege by the set­ting of another. The concealing of this purpose, was as wonderfull as the deuice thereof, for neither his commaunders, nor other could learne or be instructed otherwaies from him, but that he had inuented a stratigem, ascer­taind him of the victory, incouraging them to rouze vp one another hartes as he indeuored to quicken them all, for the siedge should not belonge; or E else, if there were any, had not the hart to abide the aduenture of the present estate, but were wearied with the delay thereof, to them he assigned free ly­berty to depatt, counting himselfe happy to be discharged of those, whose fealty and merit he could neither hope for, nor trust vnto, and whose bodies he inioyed without their harts. Wherupon hauing dismist a thousand & six hundred, he furnished the rest that remained, with victuall, artillery, and wages, according as he thought fit, and the estate of the siedge required. He tooke with himselfe, and to spend for his prouision, but fifty Talents, thin­king it better if need should so require, to furnish himselfe from the riches F of his enemies then to impouerish his subiects. He then set at liberty al the bondmen, that were of yeares meet for the Warres, and taking an oath se­ucrally of them, to continue their alleageance to him, hee shipped the most part of thē, among the rest of his souldiors, hoping that for asmuchas he had made them all one in estate and degree, there would be no kinde of strife a­mong them who in desart should behaue himselfe most manfully; all the rest being left to the defence of his Country. The seuenth yeare of his raign acompanied with his two sonnes, Archagathus and Heraclida, he directed his course into Affricke, and when all his men supposed, he intended they shuld haue gone forraging and seeking pray either into Italy, or in the Ile of Sar­dinia, [...]. G he neuer acquainted them whether nor wherabout he iournied, till he had landed his whole hoast in Affrick: wher then he began demonstratiuely to tell them in what daunger Syracusa stood, and particularly to explain the griefes that were falling on that Citty, and the heads of his people: for the helpe whereof, there remained none other meanes, but to endeuour the same affliction to the enemy that he had done vnto them, for warres abroad were otherwaies to bee handled, and oftentimes prooue more auaileable then defence at home, since the hope to get, stirres vp the soule of courage more then care to keepe, and the assiedgers come with an imboldned hope, when the besiedged are either distracted with a suddaine amazement, or ter­ri [...]ied H with an vnexpected feare. That at home we haue no other refuge but our owne, nor succor but our selues, when this enemy may be vanquished by her owne power, by the subiects adherents, nay euen of hir selfe. For no Empire how euer so well husbanded, that nourisheth not Weeds with flo­wers, tares with better corne, traitors with subiects, that imbosomes not in it, prodigies of youth, such whome ryot hath wasted, seeming male-con­tents, [Page 83] the disperatnesse of whose estates, makes them abuse the order of go­uernment, and raile at time, being apt to entertaine newes of any vprore or mischiefe, as hunger makes them dcsirous to cate, that honors not disconten­ted nobles, such whom either ambition in themselues, or enuy of others great­nesse, or in alleagiance to the state, (like reedes shaken with occasion giuen by euery wind) and are as greedy of innouation, as their ambition makes them couetous of greatnesse. To such as these will our arriuall giue sire vnto, who though in peace they haue bin raigned in with the bridle of law, (wearied with along continned Empire they will now take hands and pertake our quarrel, though furthered with no other hope thereunto, but that they shalbe worthily aduansed by forraigne Princes, then their desart gaue them occasion to rise by A their owne. Besides the citties and castels of Affricke, are not enuironed with walles, nor scituate in Mountaines, but raised vpon plaine ground, in open & champion fields, without any munitiō or defence. All which for feare of being destroyed, or to take part with those of their countrey, (ofall forts come into vs) will easely be intreated, or if not, inforced to be our refuge in this warre; with all the enuy that their bordering neighbours beare vnto them, knowing them now greater in name then in power, will assemble to vs from all parts in their ruine. So shall wee finding greater strength here then we had power to bring with vs, be able to giue the Carthagenians hotter warres in Affricke at their owne doores, then in Sicill when they inuaded vs. B

Moreouer, their suddaine feare wil be no small furtherance of victory, when they shal consider our wonderfull boldnes, in comming thus to besiedge them being besiedged our selues; and also for the encrease of the same, shall trem­blingly behold, the burning of their villages, the beating down of their Castles and holdes, the sacking of their fortisied citties, and finally the besiedging of Carthage it selfe. Where on the contrary, if we had staied in siracusa we had re­mained in danger ofthose enemies, whom now we shall compell to feele, lye themselues as open to the waires of other men, as other men lie open to them; and either by this meanes be vanquishers of Carthage, or at least set Sicill at C liberry: since it is likely and the presumption great, that our enemies will not lie still at their siedge before siracusa, when they shall heare that their owne citty is so endangered by vs, or if they should, here is warre more easie, and here will our prey be more plentifull.

Suppose in this our absence they should conquer our siracusa; in that they gaine but siracusa, when if we in their neglect by honor of their Carthage, gaine for that labour and by that victory to be gouernors of Carthage, Affricke, and sicill, and the glory of our renowne and out honorable waifare be so great, that obliuion shall not raze it out, nor the worthy memory thereof, while the world hath being be forgotten. Where reproofe and dishonor will D succeede on them and their inheritance, that they should be the men should raise warre against enemies a broad, whom they could not withstand at home, and should we faile in these noble disseignes, it is honor enough for vs that we pursued so far against our conquerors as to besiedge the besiedgers of our citty. So that howsoeuer, we cannot haue a greater reward if we be victors, nor a more euerlasting monument if we be ouercome.

[Page] With these and such like inforciue arguments, the harts of his souldiors were greatly incouraged, yet the sight of a wonder that hapened, troubled their mindes, for as they sailed forwarde in this expedition, the Sunne was sodainely ecclipsed, of which accident the King was as carefull to giue them A [...]pse o [...] the S [...]n [...] [...] the [...]nter [...]non [...]of. satissieng reasons, as perswasiue motiues to the warr; affirming, that if it had hapned before their setting foorth, it might haue bin coniectured the won­der had menaced them and their proceedings, but now forasmuch as it en­sued after their purpose vndertaken, it threatned them against whom they went. Furthermore, the Ecclipsing of the naturall Plannets, fore-tell the al­teration of present estates, or of dangerous euents. Wherefore of this Ec­clips E was no other reason to be sought, but that the estate of Cart [...]age flou­rishing in wealth and riches, and his and their estates oppressed with aduer­sity, [...]ey must togither suffer a natural Exchange. When he had thus com­forted his souldiors, by the consent ofhis Army, he set all his snips on fire, Aga [...]hocl [...]s [...]er [...]th his s [...]p [...]. to the intent, that with his, euery resolution might know, there was no com­fort after to be expected by slying, but by sight, so either honorablye to line Conquerors, or honorably to die Conquered; so presently they fell to preuaile in that ruine they came for, bearing down and making spoyle of all which way soeuer they past, setting townes and Castels afire, till Hanno cap­taine of Carthage met them with thirty thousand Affricks. In which encoun­ter was slaine of the Sicillians two thousand, and of the Carthagenians three, F and Hanno Captain of Carthage himselfe. Through this victory the courage of the Sicillians was strengthned, and the heartes of the Carthagenians dis­couraged; so that Agathocles hauing vanquished many ofhis enemies, sub­dued Citties, taken holds, surprized booties, and slaine thousands, he pit­ched his campe about v. miles from Carthage, to the intent they might be­hold from the very wals of the Citty, the misery of their friends, the losse of their dearest and most esteemed pleasures, with the wasting of their fieldes, and burning of their Villages.

This ouerthrow and slaughter of the Carthagenian Army, the subduing of G the Citties, and hauocke that was made, was in this time bruted ouer al Af­fricke, whereat euery man was amazed, and wondred so great an Empire, so secure in themselues, and in their owne strength so confident, should haue so suddaine an ouerthrowe, and especially by an enemy, supposed and ru­mored among them not long since, to be already vanquished. The wonder continued not long ere it turned to feare, from feare, by little and little it fel into disdaine of the Carthagenians, so that these, which but lately commen­ded their gouernments, admired their posterity, iudged now this their mi­sery, a due measure falne vpon them; and what before was so highly extold in their praise, they had now a construction for to wrest and expounde to a H contrary sence: so that not long after (as when a building once reeles, being not vnderpropped, it soone and suddainly fals) not onely Affricke, but also the chiefe [...]t Citties therabouts, following this strange alteration reuolted to [...] Agath [...]les, and aided him both with victual and money.

Besides these aduersities ofthe Carthagenians, to the increase of their mi­serable calamities, it hapned their Captain, with allhis army was vtterly de­stroyed [Page 84] in Sycill. For after the departure of Agathocles, the Carthageniens be­came more slothfull & negligent in their siedg at Syracuse then before, which neglect, Antander the brother of Agathocles taking note of, he yssued out vp­on them, and being surprised in their slacknesse, he put them all to the sword. So that the carthageniens, receiuing like misfortunes abroad as at home, and the tributary citties hauing intelligence thereof, not onely they but also the kings that were in league and amety with them, waying friendship by fortune, The king of Cy [...]en [...] to Aga­thocles. and not by faithfulnesse, reuolted from them. Among this number there was one Ophellas King of cyrene, who vpon an ambitious desire to enioy the domi­nion of all Affricke, entred into league with Agathocles by his Ambassadors, A and had conditioned with him, that after the carthageniens were ouercome, Agathocles should take to his sway the Empire of Sycill, and delegat to him the Empire of Affricke. To the furtherance of which couenant, Ophellas came with a great host to ayde him in these warres, whom Agathocles entertained with faire words and fained curtesie, very lowly and humbly (for Ophellas also had a­dopted him his sonne) where after they had many times feasted and banqueted together, Agathocles vnawares slew him, then seising on his army, he summo­ned the carthageniens to battell: so both comming into the field, with all the power and furniture they were able to make, the carthagenians were vanquish­ed, but not without great slaughter and bloodshed drawne from both parts. B Throgh this discomfiture and ouerthrow, the carthagenians many of them fell in to distrust of themselues, so that had there not arose a mutinye in Aga­thocles campe, Bomilcar the captaine of the carthageniens had with his army re­uolted vnto him: for which offence the carthageniens nailed him vpon a crosse in the midest of the market place, to the entent that the same ground might be The punish­ment of Bo­milcar a witnesse of his punishment, which before time had beene an aduancement of his honor. But Bomilcar was no whit daunted nor dismaid, but took stoutly the cruelty of his contrey, in so much that from the top of the crosse, as it had beene from a iudgement seate, he proclaimed and pleaded like an aduocate a­gainst the wickednesse of his cittizens; obiecting vnto them sometime their vnrightfull entrapping of Hanno, vpon false suspition subborned, that he went C about to make himselfe a king; sometime the banishment of innocent Gisgo, when themselues could scarce tell the cause why: sometime their secret verdits against his vncle Hamilcar, because he sought to make Agathocles their friend rather then maintain him to be their enemy. Which words when he had vtred with a loud voice and great vehemency in the audience of a multitude, he gaue vp his life. By this Agathocles hauing sundry times put his enemies to the worse in Affricke, he deliuered the charge of his host to his sonne Archagathus, and returned himselfe with speede into Sycill, accounting all that till then he had perpetrated in Affricke subiect to imperious vicissitude, and indeed don to no Agathocles againe retur­neth to Sycil D purpose, if siracuse were stil besiedged. For after that Hamilcar the sonne of Gis­go was slain, the Carthageniens sent thether a new host of men to continue their siedge and releeue them. Therefore assoone as Agathocles was come into Sicil, al the citties hauing knowne before of his fortunate proceedings in Affricke, yeelded themselues to him; by meanes whereof, Hauing driuen the Carthage­niens out of Sicill he tooke vpon him the kingdome of the whole Island.

[Page] When he came backe into Affricke againe, his souldiors instead of other gladnesse welcommed him with a mutiny, for his sonne Archagathus whom he left for gouernment of them, had delaide the paiment of their lendinges vntill the returne of his father: wherefore he called them before him, and intreated them with gentle words, saying it was not so requisit for them to demaund wages at his hands, as to seek from their enemies: for as the victo­ry which they hoped for, was to be deserued of al, so the profit ther of should be common and extended to all in generall, desiring them to be as they had bene, painefull and industrous souldiors awhile, vntill the remaine of their warres were dispatched, considering they knew certainly that Carthage once E taken, which could not long hold out, they should there find inough to satis­fie their desires, with more then they could hope for.

Hauing thus appeased the vprore & exclamations of his souldiors, which he indged to grow as much by idlenesse and slacke imployment in his ab­sence, as for want of meanes. within few daies he remooued his camp [...]nea­rer, where his enemies were lodged, so rashly encountring them without A [...]tho [...]l [...]s by [...] [...]he [...] an [...]. forsight what might preuaile to his vantage, or disaduantage, lost the grea­ter part of his Army: then being forced to retire vnto his tents, he perceiued by this ouerthrowe, how his souldiors grudged at him, for aduenturing so vnaduisedly: fearing morouer the renewing of old displeasure for non-pa [...] ­ment F of their wages, in the dead of the night he fled out of the campe, taking He [...] from among his souldiors no other guide nor conduct with him, but his sonne Archagathus. Which escape of his when his souldiors vnderstood, their harts were struck with an inuincible feare, as if they had bin taken prisoners by their enemies, exclai­ming against their King, that had now twice forsaken them in the middest of their enemies, and left their liues in such daunger, whome he ought not to haue left discarded. As they set forward in pursuit of him, they were stopped by the Numidians, and so returned into their campe, hauing taken Archaga­thus, who had lost his father by reason of the darknes of the night; while A­gathocles in the same ships that he had waftage ouer out of Sicil, was transpor­ted G into Syracuse. Wherein is exprest a singuiar example of wickednes, a King to be forsaken of his owne Army, and a father to be betraid of his own children.

After the flying away of the King, his souldiors falling to composition with the Affricans their enemies, they slue Agathocles sons, and yeelded themselus to the Carthagenians. When Archagathus was to suffer death by the hands of Archesilaus one that before time had bin a friend to his father, he asked him what Agathocles would do to his children, by whom he was made childles. The sonnes of Agatho­cles put to death. Who answerd him, that it was inough for him that he knew they were aliue after the children of Agathocles. After this the Carthagenians sent Captaines H into Sicill to pursue further Warre, with whom Agathocles made peace vp­pon indifferent Articles.

The ende of the xxij. Booke.

THE XXIII. BOOKE OF Iustine. A

THE ARGVMENT.

AGathocles raiseth warres in Italy. The customes of the Lucanes. The origi­nall of the Brutians. The miserable end of Agathocles. Lhe carthagenians inuade Sicill. Pyrrhus driueth them out, and returneth into Italy, whereup­on Sycill reuolteth. He is discomfited by the Romaines, retireth with great losse B and dishonor into his kingdome. The birth, education, and wor [...]hye commendation of Hiero.

AGathocles King of Sycill hauing made peace with the Car­thageniens, subdued certaine which vpon trust they con­ceiued of their owne strength rebelled against him, here­upon his ambitious thoughts [...]egan to sprout, and hee Agathocles maketh war in Italy. thought himselfe to be enclosed in a straight hauing no larger dominion then that Iland, (of the Empire where­of C at his orginall, nay long after he had not meanes to hope for any part or supremicy at al) he passed into Sicill following the example of Dennis, who before him had subdued many Citties of Italy. The first people and prouince he proclaimed his enemies were the Brutians, who were then esteemed to be of most puissance and most wealth, and also most readiest to inforce wrong or offer their neighbours oppression.

For they had expulst out of many cities the people of the Greekes descent, and rast forth the record of their habitation in Italy: they had also vanquished euen their owne first founders. The Lucanes vpheld a custome, to enstruct and bring vp their children, after the same antient manner the Lacedomonians were wont to do, for from the time they begun to encrease past the groath of chil­dren, D they sent them (what cittizens soeuer they wer) to be fostred in the coun­trey amongst Grasiers and shephards, without attendance or seruice, and with­out garments to put on their backes or beds to lie vpon, to the entent that from their tender yeares, they might enure themselues without helpe of the citty, to away with hardnesse and sparing. Their meate was such as they could get [Page] by hunting, and their drinke was either meth or milke, or else faire water of the spring, and in such sort were they hardned to sustaine the labors of war­farre.

Of this sort of people, fifty at the first imployed themselues to steale cat­tel out of their neighbors ground, so that like drones liuing by stealing from the labour pur [...]hased by the labourors hyers, they afterwarde growing to so great a numbr, by the report of such as wer allured to liue after the con­dition of spoile they made, the country became so dangerous, that no man durst hardly stir abroad, and he the which was Lord of infinit riches to daie, was scarce maister of any tomorrow. E

Dennis therefore King of Sicill, being in a manner wearied with the con­tinuall complaints made by his subiects, which had bene plagued by them, at last sent ouer six hundred of his Affricks to suppresse them, whose Castel, The first o [...]i­ginal o [...] the Brutians wherein these Outlawes were fortified they won, by the subtill treason of a woma [...] called Brutia, and after builded a Citty which was soon peopled by the confluence of Shepheards resorting thither, vpon hope they had of the fertill Scituation, and then called themselues Brutians after the name of the woman.

The first warre that they had was with the Lucanes their owne founders, with which victorye being encouraged, hauing concluded an indifferent peace with them, they inuaded other of their neighbours, and conquered F The wars of the Brutians. them by the sworde; so that they got so great purchase by this pilfring war, and so increast in their number, that they were powerfull inough to offer displeasure euen vnto Kings. Whereby Alexander King of Epire, arriuing in Italy, with a great hoast to the ayd of the Greeke Citties in distresse, there with his whole army was by them vterly destroied, with which continual suc c [...]sse and prosperity, their cruelty being more inflamed, they became terri­ble and dangerous to their neighbors long after.

At the last Agathocles being sollicited in their helpe, with the hope he had thereby to enlarge his kingdom, he transported his succors out of Sicill into G Italy; and as he was comming toward them, the rumour that was then fresh of his puissance and magnanimity, begat a stronger feare in them, then was cause giuen by his present power, so that they sent their Ambassadours to him, requesting him of peace and friendship; whome Agathocles receiuing, kindly entertained them also to supper with him, (wherein, the closenesse of his intent was, that they should not see the shipping of his Army) and ap­pointed them to haue hearing and conference with them the Morrowe af­ter: but in the meane season and in the noone of night, hee tooke shipping priuily and wa [...]ted ouer to them, hoping to surprize them so vnsuspected, they should not haue power to preuent his will, nor disaduantage him any way; but the successe of his fraud, prooued not to bee reioyced at by him, H for immediately after, he was constrained to returne into Sicill, by the force of a disease, wherewith, he was taken ouer all his body, the pestilent humor spreading it selfe throgh euery sinew and ioynt, shewing that as he was with Agathocles [...] [...] strangers, so euery member of his, had been at Warre one against another. Of [...]hich when no recouery nor cure appeared, thee arose a contention be­tweene [Page 86] his sonne and his nephew, each of them challenging the dignity of the kingdome to himselfe, as if the father and kinsman had beene dead already, in which his sonne was slaine. Agathocles therefore seeing this change on one part, and feeling the griefe of his disease so violent on the other, and betweene both the agitation of his thoughts and minde still grieuouser, each encreasing by the furtherance of the other, being vterly in dispair, he caused his wife Theo­gen to take his two little sonnes, which he had begotten of her, withal his trea­sure, houshold stuffe, and princely furniture appertaining vnto him (as which no king in his daies was reputed better stored) and sail into Egypt from whence he tooke her to his wife; suspecting least his nephew who had robbed him of A his kingdome, should proue no lesse an enimy to them.

Howbeit his wife entreated him earnestly and with louing perswasions, that she might not be drawne from him in this necessity of his sicknesse, least some The duty of a louing wi [...]e imputation might be raised against her loue, obedience & loialty, and her de­parture in so needeful a time, might deserue rebuke, and be worthily likened to the murther done by his nephew: and also, the people might take occasion thereby iustly to report, that she had as cruelly abandoned her husband, as he had supplanted his Grandfathe [...]: vrging further, that when she was married vn­to him, he tooke her not to be his companion and partaker of prosperity only, but also in aduersitye; and to goe as it were hand in hand with him, to haue B one body though two soules, to vndergoe and be an ease one to the other, of what fortune soeuer, either prosperous or inauspicious, should happen and be incident to their vnited estate; nor should it grieue her to stay, to abide the ti­rany of her nephew, (which her husband mistrusted) so she might in the meane time but hope, that as one houre had made them one, so one hour might de­uorce them by death.

Which grace though the Godds had not agreed to be due vnto her, yet she A descripti­on of lamen­tation. was bound both by loue and womanhood to stay with him to the last gaspe, and though not to die with him, yet he being dead, to see him honorably buri­ed. Of whose princely body in her absence, she was doubtfull who would haue care, or would see it bestowed according to the worthinesse it deserued hau­ing C life. But when none of these arguments preuailed for her, but that she must depart, the little ones imbraced the father and made a chaine of their armes about his necke, bewailing their vntimely separation; while one the o­therside the wife, as one that had not hope to see her husband any more, had scarce power to take her farwell in wordes, the passage being stopr by the rebel­lion of her teares. Nor was the lamentation ordinary, to see how pitiously the old man wept, the children bewailing the father ready to die, and the father bemoning his banished children. The one, sorowing to leaue their sicke and diseased aged father al alone as disolat; the other, lamenting to leaue his sonnes D in penury, whom he had begotten to inherit his kingdome. All the pallace was filled with the noise of such as stood to be witnesses of so cruell a diuorce and departure, some weeping as much to see them weepe, as for the cause they had to be mollified into such showers themselues. At length, the necessity of The death of Agathocles. their forced separation, was an ende of the trafficke that their sorrow had to­gether, though not an end of their teares; and the death of the king ensued [Page] immediately vpon the leaue taken betweene him, his wife, and his children.

The Carthagenians now hauing true intelligence how the world went in Sicill, thought it a good occasion to be giuen them of recouering the whole Island, and thereupon sayled thither with a great power, and subdued ma­ny Citiies. At this time Pirrhus made warre against the Romaines, who (as is before declared) being desired to come to the aide of the Sicillians, hauing subdued many Citties, arriued at Syracusa, where he was proclaimed King of Sicill, like as before he was of Epire. In the prosperous successe of which actions greatly reioycing, he instituted that his sonne Heleu should be king of Sicill, as in the right of his grandfather, (for he was begotten of K. Aga­thocles E daughter) and his sonne Alexander should be King of Italy.

Which will of his, confirmed by generall consent, he fought many pro­sperous battels with the Carthagenians: in which warre being busied, there He returneth to the actiōs of Pyrrhus before spoke of in the 16 Booke came Ambassadors from his confederates in Italy, deliuering to him, that by his absence they were so weakned, it was impossible for them to make resist­ance any longer against the Romaines, but that he must needs yeeld unlesse he rescued them. whereupon being troubled with so doubtfull a danger, and not knowing which way to turn himselfe, or which of them he might rescue first, he tooke speedy aduice concerning both, for on the one side the cartha­genians assailed him, and on the other side the Romaines, so that it seemed a F troublesome matter to him, not to passe with his Army into Italy, and yet more dangerous to lead his hoast out of Sicill, least the one should bee lost for want of succor, or the other perish by withdrawing his helpe from them. Tost thus in this raging sea of dangers, the surest hauen of all other coun­sels to harbor in seemed to be, first withall his power to try the matter nowe on foot in Sicill, and then hauing vanquished the carthagenians, to transport Py [...]rhus lo­s [...]th the king do [...] of Sycil. his victorious army into Italy, wherein though he in that battell preuailed, yet notwithstanding he was no sooner with his power departed out of Sicill to the furtherance of his former purpose against the Romaines, but the Sicil­lians, with his alyes and competitors remaining behind, reuolted from him, G and accounted him not as their K. and a conqueror, but as a fugitiue & van­quished run-away. By means wherof, he left the kingdome as slightly as he came by it easily. Furthermore finding no better successe in Italy, then he had in Sycill, he retyred into Epire, the wonderful chance of both may rightly be recorded for an example. For euen as before through prosperous fortune al his indeuors flowed profitably to him, beyond his desire and expectation, and that he had obtained the Empire of Italy, the kingdome of Sicill, with so many victories against the Romaines, so now when fortune had chaunged her coppy, and as it were to patterne and manifestly shew in him, the frail­ties that mans life is subiect vnto, throwing downe the things that she her H selfe had builded, defacing the Trophes she had raised, besides the losse of Sy­cill, she paid him home with shipwracke on the sea, with a shamefull ouer­throw against the Romaines, and with a dishonorable departure out of Italy.

Pirrhus thus disposest of the kingdome of sicill, Hiero was created their chiefest Officer, who was a man of such modesty, that by fauorable consent of al the cities, he was first captain against the Carthagenians; afterward King [Page 87] Of this his royall estate to come, his norishing and bringing vp when he was The educa­tion o [...] H [...] ­ [...]o. in yeares and discretion a babe, was as it were a fore-messenger; for he was discended of a noble man called Hieroclitus, whose petigree was fetcht from Gelus an ancient king of Sicill. But by his motherside he was borne of a base and very dishonorable stocke, for he was begotten of a bondwoman, and ther­fore reiected and cast away by his father, as a dishonour and reproch to his house. But the thrifty Bees, finding him a little babe, without help of nurse, or any other comfort, wrought their combes about him, and cherished and pre­serued him with life, many daies together. Vpon which miraculous preserua­tion, his father besides being forwarned by the Southsaiers, who told him the child should liue and be a king, tooke his infant home to him, and brought A him vp with all secure diligence, in hope of the fortunat estate was presaged should be due vnto him. As the same child sat at his booke with other schol­lers, soddenly their came in a Wolfe, and snatched the booke out of his hand: afterward being growne to mans estate, and when he was called first to the warres, an Eagle came and sat vpon his target, and an Owle vpon his speare: the which wonder betokened he should be aduised in counsell, ready of hand, and in after time should attaine to be a King; finally, he fought hand to hand against many challengers, and euer departed with victory. King Pyrrhus re­warded him with many rewardes for his chiualry. He was of personage excee­ding beautifull, of strength so wonderfull, as might be comprehended in a B man: gentle to talke vnto, Iust in his dealings, and in his gouernment vpright and indifferent: so that nothing in the world wanted in him, appertaining to the dignity of a king, saue a kingdome which is dignitye it selfe. C D

The end of the xxiij. Booke.

The xxiiij booke of Iustine. E

THE ARGVMENT.

THe Lacedenionians stirre vp the Greeks to rebellion, and are ouercome by the Etolian Shepheards. The wicked and abhominable dealing of Ptolomy toward his sister and hir children. Rome is sacked by the Frenchmen, whereof some place themselues in Italy, and some in Pannony: they of Pannony raise a power, di­uiding themselues in two hoasts, of which the one killeth Ptolomy King of Mace­don, F and are suppressed by Sosthenes; the other vnder the conduct of Bremso, inua­deth Macedon againe, ouercommeth Sosthenes, spoyleth the Realme, inuadeth the temple of Delphos, the scituation whereof is there described, and at the last is van­quished with lightning and Thunder, and Bremis slayeth himselfe.

IN these dayes, while the publike warres and do­mesticke vprores, were thus at length dispersed and made quyet in Sicill, new mischieues arose Here we left in the 16 booke. thoroughe the dissention and warres of Ptolo­meus, Ceraunicus, Antiochus, and Antigonus a­mong G themselues, almost al Greece (at the instiga­tion of the Spartans, as if occasion hadde bene gi­uen, to pull and dissolue their neckes out of the Antigonus the sonne of Seleuchus. yoke of bondage,) sent Ambassadors one to ano­ther, and knitting themselues togither in alyance, fell to rebellion. And least they might seeme to haue taken weapon in hande against Antigonus, vnder whose gouernance they wer, they assailed first the Aetolians his confederats, pretending the cause of their warres with them to be, for that the said Aeto­lians, had entred vpon and possest themselues by force of the fielde Cyreus, which by the general consent of al Greece, was consecrated to Apollo. As cap­taine H of this warre they chose one Aran, who assembling his whole power togither; he spoiled the townes, and forraged ouer the corne that was grow­ing in the afornamed fields, & such as they could not haue cariage sor along, he caused to be set on fire, which the shepheardes of the Etolians, beholding out of the Mountains, gathred themselues the number of 5, C. and fel upon [Page 88] their enemies as they were scattered, who knowing not that they were so few of them, by reason of the sodaine feare, together with the smoke of the fires, they in this skirmish slewe nine thousande, and compelled the residue of the forragers to flight.

Afterward, when the Lacedemonians renued their forsaken warre, many cit­ties who had beene friend to them before, now denied them their aide, suspect­ing their soueraignty, and not the liberty of Greece. In the meane season, the He putsueth the former trechery and d [...]e [...]pt o [...] Ptolomy mē ­tioned betor in the 16. boo. warre was sinisned, and the controuersie arbitrated, betweene the kinges: for Ptolomy hauing expulsed Antigonus, seised the kingdome of Macedon into his hand, tooke truce with Antiochus, and also ioyned aliance with Pyrrhus, by A giuing him his daughter in marriage. So that being rid of the cause of feare, giuen him by forraigne enemies, he turned his vngodlinesse and wicked com­plots to the deuising of mischiefes against his owne house; practising treason aginst his sister Arsinoe, to the entent to depriue her children of their liues, and her of the possession of the famous Citty Cassandria. To effect which purpose, the first point of his subtilty was, vnder the pretence of counterfet loue, to de­sire his sister in marriage.

For otherwise then vnder colour of concord, he could not compasse her children, whose kingdome he had wrongfully vsurped from them: but his sister suspecting the treachery of his hart, gaue no credit to the testimony of B his tongue. Whereupon, perceiuing that she trusted him not, he dispatched ambasladors to certifie her, that he would make her children fellowes in the Empire with him: against whom, he had made warre, not vtterly to teare the kingdome from them, but so to possesse himselfe of it, that they should accept it from him, as his free guift to them: and for the more assurance hereof, he entreated her to send some trusty friend of hers, to receiue an oath of him; in the presence of whom, he would before the Goddes of his countrey, oblige himselfe, by what oath, vow, curse, or by what religion socuer, she would ei­ther desire, or inioyne him, for the performance of this promise.

Arsinoe resting betweene hope and feare what in this she should do, doubt­ing if the sent, she should be deceiued by periury; and fearing if she sent not, C she should prouoke her cruel brother to his wild indignation; yet taking more care for her children then her selfe, whom she partly hoped to prese [...]e by meanes of this marriage, she dispatched one of her friendes called Dyon to him, whom Ptolomy brought into the most holy Temple of Iupiter, the anuent place of religion, and of greatest reuerence in all Macedon; Where laying his hands vpon the aulters, and touching the Images of the Goddes as they stood in their [...]hrines, hee sware before him, with othes, and extreame curses, cal­ling the Goddes, heauen and earth, to witnesse, that he desired to consumat this marriage with his sister, without any fraud, craft, or dissimulation; or with other purpose then religious: that he would immediately proclaime her his D Queene, nor after take to him any other wife, to be a cause of the breach of their loue, or to spight her withall, or to haue any other Children then her sonnes.

Arsinoe, after this importance expressed vnto her, filled sull with hope, and deliuered from feare, came and communed with her brother her selfe: whose [Page] smiling lookes, and slattering countenance, pretending as much good faith as he had promised by oath, brought her into such a Womans Parradice, that she consented to marry with hir brother, contrary to the minde of her sonne Ptolomy, who perswaded her to desist from the match, with many ex­amples P [...]lomy ma­ [...]th his own [...]. of his Vncles former subtilties, and treacheries; and doubting there was no lesse in this: notwithstanding which perswasion she perseuerd, and the mariage was with great sumptuousnes and ioy solemnized. Phyllip pre­sently summoning all his hoast before him, there in the open view of them, himselfe set the Crowne vpon his sisters head, and proclaimed her Queene. Whereupon Arsinoe being ioyfull for the recouering of that glory which she had lost by the death of her first husband Lisimachus, of her owne accord E desired Phillip into her Citty Cassandria, through the ambitious desire of which citty, all this treason was wrought. Then hauing leaue, she went thi­ther before him, and proclaimed that the day of his comming shoulde bee kept feastiuall through all the Citty, giuing commandement, that the hou­ses, The natural aff [...]t [...]on of a mother. the temples, and all other places should be adorned and beautified, and that the Alters and sacrifices should be set foorth orderly and in readinesse. Morcouer she caused her two sonnes, Lysimachus of one and twenty yeares, and Phillip three yeares younger then he (both children of excellent beauty) to meet him with crownes on their heads, whom Ptolomy to cloak his deceit F withall, desirously and beyond all measure of true affection, embraced and kissed long togither, as if it had bene to him sickenesse to parte from them. But he was no sooner in this triumphant manner, entred within the Gates, but he commanded his men of warre to take the holdes of the towne, and to murther his nephewes. Who flying to their mother for helpe, were slain as they hung clinging about her neck for rescue.

The mother shriecking out to see this vnnaturall treason, demanded of him, wherein she had trespassed against him, either in her marriage or other duty, that she and hers should be so cruelly dea [...]t withal: and to expresse hit motherly affection to them, she put her selfe oftentimes between the sword and the danger offred her children, and at seuerall times couering their bo­dies G with hers, she sought either to haue preserued them, or would gladlye haue receiued the wounds her husbands tyrany had prepared for them; but hauing not so much mercy vsed vnto her, as to giue them their due burial, she was her selfe exild the towne, in a ragged and torne gowne, onely with The cru [...]ltye of Ptolomy tow [...]d his [...]. two seruants, her hair disheueled about, and from this suddain alteration of greatnesse, to this so extreame misery, she trauaild to Samothorac [...], accoun­ting her self so much the more miserable, that she might not haue her desire to perish with her children.

But Ptolomy escaped not with this wickednesse vnpunished, for within H short time after, throgh the vengeance of the immortall Goddes, sor so ma­ny wilful p [...]riuri [...]s, & so many cruel murthers, he was in one battel bereft of his kingdome by the Frenchmen, and was taken prisoner himselfe, and as hee woorthilye deserued, his heade was stricken off from his shoul­ders:

For the Frenchmen abounded in multitude so great, that the Countrey [Page 89] wherein they were bred was not able to sustaine and giue them maintenance. It was thought fit among them that three hundred thousand men should bee sent out, as (it were on pilgrimage) to seeke and conquer to themselues a more apt habitation. Of whom one part rested themselues in Italy, which also tooke Rome and burnt it, others of them following the flight of birds (for the Frenchmen of all other nations are the most cunning in fowling) and with much slaughter of the barberous Nations, perced into the coastes of Slauonta, The foolish [...] of P [...]olomy. and seated themselues in Pannonia, a kind of people fierce, hardy, and warlike, who were the first after Hercules, (that compassing the same aduenture before purchased himselfe an immortall fame of his prowesse) that marched ouer the high tops and vnmercifull cold Mountaines of the Alpes. A

Where hauing subdued the Pannonians, they made warre with their neigh­bours many yeares together, sometime their fortune (like an houre-glas [...] in vse) turned one way, then another. Afterward being prouoked by their for­tunate sucesse, they raised two armies, wherof the one went toward Greece, and the other toward Macedon: in which forrage of theirs, they put al to the sword that happened in their danger. By meanes whereof the name and power of the Frenchmen became so terrible, that euen Kings before they were assailed, were glad to hier them with great summes of mony to procure their amity, and that they might liue in peace by them. Onely Ptolomy King of Macedon made light of their fortunes, and when he heard they were comming to comence B warre against him, as if it had beene as easie a matter to dispatch such hostill preparations as to do mischiefe, made no hast to resist their passage. And as if the Goddes had ordained these men as their reuengers for his cruell and abho­minable murthers, he had onely not power to leauy and strengthen his own forces together, but also took scorn at the friendly offer made by the Amba­ssadors of Dardanie, who proffered to send him twenty thousand well armed to supply and help him in this his inuasion; withall returned them with taunts and scoffs for their extended kindnes: saying, the good daies of Macedon were far spent, if after they had by their owne puissance alone, conquered all the C East, they should now haue neede of the Dardanians to defend their owne countrey; and gaue them to know that he had in his host, the sonnes of them that serued vnder great Alexander, and had subdued the whole world. So that going forth against so infinit an enemy with so weak a power, and that so out of order, the king of Dardanie hearing thereof did Iustly report, that the famous Empire of Macedon would shortly decay, through the rashnes of an vnaduised soueraigne. The Frenchmen therefore by the aduice of their captain Belgius, to the entent to try how the Macedons wer addicted, sent ambassadors to Ptolo­my, offering him peace if he would buy it, as he had president thervnto from other princes his neighbors. But Ptolomy bosted among his men of warre, that D so great was the terror of his renowne, that the Frenchmen, of whom other kings wer driuen to compound for friendship, desired the like ofhim sor fear, and no lesse vanted himself besore the ambadssadors & scoft at their message, then he had before done to his other friends, and answered them, he was so far from desiring peace, that he denied it vnto them, any otherwaies, then if they gaue them noble men for hostages, & deliuered into his hands their at [...]o [...] & [Page] weapons, for since they had so farre proceeded in open Hostility the one a­gainst the other, he would not now trust them vnlesse they were disarmed. When the Ambassadors had reported this answer, the Frenchmen laughed at his arrogancy, crying out, that he and his should shortly feel whither they ofsred peace to his behoofe or theirs.

While this answer of Phillip beat on the slint of the Frenchmens spleens, the tinder os their indignation tooke such sorcible fire, that they immediatly arraid themselues in readinesse, and fell Pel-mell to handiblowes, wher the Macedons being vanquished, the glory of their renown began to set, for Pto­lomy being sore wounded in diuers places, was taken prisoner & his hed stric E The punish­ment of Pto­l [...]y. ken off, which being put vppon a speares point, was carried vp and downe through all the hoast, to the terror of their enemies, a few of the Macedones escaped by slight, the rest were either slaine or taken prisoners.

When newes heereof was spred in Macedon, they betooke themselues to sacrifice, sorow and mourning, one while the parents bewayled the losse The wo [...]ul est [...]te of Ma­cedon. of their sonnes, another while they feared the besieging of their citty; al cal­led vpon the names of Phillip and Alexander, somtime their Kings, for help, as if they had bin Goddes, remembring in their mindes, how vnder them, they had not onely liued in sasety, but bin Conquerors of the whole world. Beseeching them to defend their country, which through the renowne of their chiualry had bin aduaunced to the sky, and to helpe them now in their F aduersity, whom the wilfull rage and rashnesse of Ptolomy their King, had e­uen brought to destruction.

While the harts of all men were struck thus into dispaire, not knowing which way to releeue themselues, Sosthenes one of the Princes of Macedon, perceiuing in aduersity that to trust vnto prayer onely, it a [...]ailed not, and knowing that in like misery, (weeping fittes fooles, but practise helpes the wise,) hee presently raised a number of the lustiest youngmen, and went foorth against the enemy: among whom, hee so behaued himselfe both in [...] woorthinesse of name on the one part, and encouraging his souldiors on G the other, that he abated the courages of the Frenchmen, then in their ruffe for their late victorie, and also defended Macedon srom so feareful desolatiō.

In recompence of which his valiant deed, whereas many Noblemen sued to haue the kingdome of Macedon, he being not Noble by discent, was for his meritorious seruice preferred before them all. And at such time as his men of warre would haue proclaimed him K. he compelled them by entreaty to His m [...]desty. sweare to him, not by the name of K. but by the title of Captaine.

In the meane season, Brennis Captain of that portion of the Frenchmen that had bent themselues into Geeece, hearing of the victory of his countri­men which had vanquished the Macedons, vnder the conduct of Belgius, and fretting for anger, that so rich a booty, and so Laden with the spoiles of the H East, was so lightly forgone, being once in their Conquest; raised an hoast of a hundred and fifty thousand footmen, and fifteen thousand horsemen, & againe inuaded Macedon. Sosthenes knowing how vnsit it was to giue them so much breathing and hope of themselues, since as they past, they wasted the countrie, & burnt his villages; met them with the hoast of M [...]ons, wel ap­pointed [Page 90] and in good order of battel. But by reason they were few in number & their enemies many, they halfe dishartned, the aduerse strong and lusty, they were soon put to the worse. Wherefore while the Macedons were thus beaten, & retired to safeguard themselues within the walles of their citty, Brennus like a conqueror, against whom no man durst shew his head to make resistance, he wasted all the country of Macedon. From whence as though those booties see­med too base and simple in his eie, much lesse to satisfie the greedinesse of his expectation, he turned his minde to the Temple of the Gods immortal, mali­parrly scoffing that the Gods were rich and ought to depart liberally to men. Thereupon he tooke his iourney toward Delphos, setting more by the gaine of The sco [...]s o [...] Brennus. A the gold, which had bin offered to the Gods, then by their heynous displea­sure, whom he affirmed to haue no neede of riches, since by them they pro­ceed, and from them they are bestowed as inheritance to their sonnes The temple of Apollo at Delphos, is scituat vpon the Mount Parnassus, on the top of The [...] on of the tem ple of Del­ph [...]s. a cliffe from euery side and procliue steep down. Where the concourse of folk (which vpon trust of the maiesty of that God, resorting thither from diuers places, builded them houses in that rock) hath made a populous citty. More­ouer both the temple and town are inclosed and munified, not with walls, but with the Perpendicularnes and quarry of the rocke: neither are they defended with fortifications made by mans hand, but with necessary resistance and suc­cour B growing and prouided by nature. So that there is no Iudgement able to decide whether the strength, scituation of the place, or the maiesty the Gods therein, be more to be wondred at. The middle part of this Mountain inward, is like vnto a Theater. By meanes whereof, when men make any shouting, or when any trumpet is blown, the sound beates and rebounds in such sort vpon the stones from one to another, that the Eccho is heard double and treble, and the noise resoundeth farre louder and greater then it went forth: which strang­nes, The place of the Oracles described. causeth the simple and ignorant people, to be in much feare & reuerence therof, thinking it to be the presence of the Godhead, and oftentimes maketh them to stand so wondering at it, as if they were distracted. In this winding of the rocke, almost midway to the top of the hill there is a little plaine, and in the C same adeep hole desending into the ground, which serueth to giue oracle. Out of this hole a certaine cold breath, driuen vp as it were with a temperate and modest wind ascending stil vpward, stirreth the mindes of the prophets into a madnes, & so hauing filled them with the spirits of the gods, it compelleth thē to giue answer to such as come for counsel. In the same place were resident and to be seene many and rich gifts of kings and people, which by theyr cost and sumptuousnes, do well declare the thankfulnes of such as receiued answers in performing of their vowes. Wherfore when Brennus came within view of the temple, hee beganne to aduise with himself whether it were more requisite to D attempt the sacke thereof incontinent, or giue his souldiers that nights respit, to gather theyr strength. Euridianus and Thessalonus, who for couetousnesse of prey had ioyned themselues with him in this action, aduised him to cut off al delay, and vndertake the businesse they came for while their enemies were vnprouided, for that their sudden approch, no doubt would proue agreat ter­ror vnto them; where on the contrary, by giuing them that nightes r [...]spite, [Page] their enemies should hapyly get both courage and succour, and the waies that now lay open for their passage, might be stopped to their hinderance. While these thinges were in question among the captaines of this so huge an army, the common and mercinary souldiers of the Frenchmen, who after long pe­nury, found a countrey so replenished with wine, and store of all other kind of viands, being as glad and ioyful of the aboundance to satisfie their present ne­cessity, as of victory to inrich their hopes, dispersed themselues into the fields, and leauing their standerds, ran abroad making spoile of al things like conque­rors. By which means the Delphians had respit to prouid and strengthen them­selues. For at such time as it was first reported to them that the Frenchmen (as E The Oracle [...]gainst the [...]. succeeded) were comming against them, they were prohibited by the Greeke Oracles, to conuey their corne and wine out of the villages. The wholesome and profitable meaning of which commaundement, was not first vnderstood, which a [...]ter happened, that by reason of the aboundance of wine, and other victuals, which were left as a stop in the Frenchmens way, the succors of their neighbours had leasure to resort thither.

The Delphians hauing thus strengthened their towne, (by the help of friend­ly borderers against forraigne besiebgers) thought yet their number nothing equall according to indifferent Iudgement, to make good a resistance against so infinit an Army: for Brennis had in his hoast threescore and fiue thousand F choise souldiors, whereas the Delphians and their complices were in number The French ass [...]ult the [...] ­ty of Delph [...]. but foure thousand fighting men.

In disdaine of which small handfull to his so infinit a power, Brennis to the intent to sharpen the mindes of his followers, and enable their resolutions, shewed them what a rich and plentifull prey they should shortly be Maisters of: that the Images with their Chariots, (whereof in viewe though farre off they might behold great store) were al of massy gold. Which booty so delight full to the eie, their labours should shortly bring to be more pleasant in the hand. The Frenchmen being by this encouragement of their captains, or ra­ther by their owne beholding, stirred vp and also inflamed with the wine they G had powred in the day before, without respect of danger, or regard of any ad­uise, ran headlong to the encounter: on the contrary part, the Delphians put­ting more trust and hope of their deliuerance in their Goddes, then in they [...] owne strength, resisted their enemies with a bolde contempt, and what with stones and with their weapons, they threw the Frenchmen as they scaled, from the top of the mountaines.

While these two aduersaries were striuing one against the other, in this skirmish, one led with the hope of victory, the other to redeeme their liberty: suddainely the Priests of all the Temples, and the Prophets themselues, with their haire about their eares, the sacred reliques in their handes, like men di­stracted H and rent out of their wits, came running foorth, and pressed into the forefront of the battell, crying out (courage) for there are Gods among vs, and they had beheld him leap down into the Temple, at the open roofe top.

Moreouer while they were al making humble supplication to the Goddes, for refuge, there past by them a young man, of beauty farre excelling anye mortall creature, and in his company with him two Virgins in armour, which [Page 91] came vnto him out of the two Temples of Diane and Minerua. Which won­der and hopefull sight, they had not onely euidently seene with their eies, but also had perfectly herd the clattring of their harnesse, and the sound of their bowes, wherefore they intirely besought them, that seeing the Goddes them­selues did guard their standerd, and were souldiers in their succours, they would now be bould in the ouerthrow and dispatch of their enemies, and ioyne them­selues and their endeuors, as pertakers with the Goddes in so remoued a victo­ry.

With which words as it were a fresh fire of life quickened in them, they preassed forth who might be most formost in the fight, and there withall as they were foretold by the prophets, they by and by preceiued that the Goddes A was present on their side. For a peece of the Mountaine being broken of by a suddaine earthquake, ouerwhelmed the French host and the thickest of their enemies, not without great slaughter, were opened and put to slight. In the necke whereof there ensued a tempest, with haile, Thundering and lightening, which consumed as many as were any thing sore wounded. The Captaine [...]nus [...] [...]. Brennus being not able to abide the smart of his wounds, tooke a sword and kil­led himselfe. Another of the captaines perceiuing, how grieuously the authors of the warre had bin punished, departed in hast with ten thousand of his reti­nue out of Greece, they were in distrust one of another, much more was their B seare of strangers, that they durst not rest one night in a house neither passed they any day without danger.

Moreouer continuall raine, frost, snow, hunger, and wearinesse pursued The Frenche miserably de­stroyed out of G [...] them, and thereunto continuall watching more grieuous then the rest, con­sumed & brought to nothing the wretched remnant of this vnfortunate warre. The people also and the Nations followed and made pray of them, as they scattered abroad. Whereby it came to passe, that of so huge an army which lately before vpon trust of their own strength, did despise euen the very Goddes, there was not one man left, that might saye heareafter, he did but at that slaughter C and escaped. D

The end of the xxiiij. Booke.

THE XXV. BOOKE OF Iustine. E

THE ARGVMENT.

THe Frenchmen of Pannony raise another power, and inuade Macedon. An­tigonus ouer commeth them by policy. The aide of the Frenchmen for their worhinesse, is required of many Kings. They lend aid vnto the King of By­thinia, and part stakes with him in his kingdome, calling themselues French­greeks. F Pirrhus expelleth Antigonus out of Macedon. He maketh warre against the Lacedemonians. The force and Hardines of Ptolomy his sonne, who was slaine at the winning of Lacedemon. Pirrhus is slaine at Argos. The moderation and gentlenesse of Antigonus, with the commendation of Pirrhus.

PEace being established betweene the two Kings Antigo­nus and Antiochus, Antigonus being returned into Ma­cedon, there soddenly arose a new enemy against him. For the Frenchmen, whom Brennus at his setting for­ward The continu­ance of the story in the beginning of the last book G toward Greece, had left behinde for the defence of his countrey, to the entent they would not seeme to sit at home like cowards when their Captain was gon forth in quest both of riches and renowne, armed fiftene thou­sand footemen and three thousand horsemen, wherewith hauing chased the hostes of the Getes and the Trybols, and approched neare vnto Macedon, they sent Ambassadors to the King, partly to offer him peace to sale, and partly to The French make a [...]ard i [...]on of Macedon. view the order and demeanour of his campe: whom Antigonus like a royall Prince inuited the same night to a sumptuous banquet. But the Frenchmen, wondering at the great plenty of plate both gold and siluer, that was set before them, and withall being allured to a couetous desire with the richnesse there­of, H returned more his enemies then they came to him.

Furthermore, the King to the entent thereby to dismay them, at the sight of so vgly shapes where with these barbarous people were not yet acquainted, commaunded his men to shew them his Elephants, and his ships laden with victual & artillery, not knowing that they, whom by aduancing & setting forth [Page 92] his power and riches, he would haue discouraged; were thereby encoraged, with hope to be soueraigne thereof. The Ambassadors therefore dispatcht from the King, and returned vnto their company, declared what they had tane especial note of, and set out al things to the vttermost of praise, expres­sing the Kings riches, and his negligence; how his campe was stuffed with gold and siluer, and neither fortified with ditch nor trench, and that, euen as though their richesse were a sufficient defence for them, they kept neither watch nor any other warlike order, as if they had no need at all of helpe of the sworde, but fed themselues fat, wallowing in ease, and the prosperity of riches. The report of which, was as bellowes to the hot minds of the coue­tous A Frenchmen, till they were satisfied as possessors of that greatnes which yet their eares had receiued but from report. Besides, to further theyr de­sire they tooke example by Belgius, who not long before had slaine the K. with the whole hoast of Macedon. Wherein all agreeing, and ascertaininge themselues of victory, ere a generall assent was giuen, they ass [...]led Antigo­nus campe in the night, who prouidently forseeing the mischiefe that was [...]. like to ensue, had giuen commaund the day before, to haue conueyed from his campe all his treasure, and to hide them couertly in the wood by, ges­sing, that such was the desperate hardinesse of the enemy in hope of riches, that there was no other meanes for them to saue their campe, then by for­saking B it.

So that when the Frenchmen found all things void and not onely without defenders but also without keepers, mistrusting they were not sled, but ra­ther kept and concealed themselues close for the execution of some immi­nent policy, it was long erethey durst aduenture the passage of those gates whereat there was no body to withstand them: at last leauing all the fortifi­cations vndefaced they entred the camp, rather searching then riffling. And hauing made pillage of what they found on land, they turned the violence of their pretence toward the sea side, whereas they fell rashly to the rifling of the ships: the sailors and parte of the Army, that for safeguard with their wiues and children were thether fled, sodainly fel vpon them, and while their C harts slept in security, and their hands were exercised in theeuery, they put them all to the sword, making such a slaughter of the Frenchmen, that the fam of this victory purchased Antigonus not only peace with those enimies, but also of the fierce and sauage people that bordered on his kingdome.

Notwithstanding these seuerall ouerthrowes, so populous was the French Nation, and so multiplied in many places, the people that spred ouer Asia, as it had bin a swarme of Bees. Insomuch that the Kings of the East made The great in crease of the French, with their manly courage. not any wars, but they hyred the Frenchmen as mercinaries to serue them; and being depriued by any sinister fortune from their kingdomes, they re­sorted D not to any other Nation for helpe, knowing, they were on any side, for who wold giue most for them, as in these daies are the Swisers. In which seruice, such was their redoubted prowesse, and in what warres else they vn­dertooke, such was their continuall successe, that the Kings of those partes, thought themselues not secure, nor their owne commaunds of power suffi­cient to maintaine their estate, or regaine it being lost, without the f [...]rther­ance [Page] and aid of the Frenchmen. Therefore both in name and nature, being [...] now Noble as none in that age more, and being called to the help of the K. of Bithinta, and hauing in that assistance gotten the victory, they parted hys kingdome with him, and named the Country French-greece.

These affaires thus dispatcht in Asia, in the meane season Pirrhus beeing vanquished in Sicill by the Carthagenians, in a bat [...]ell at sea, he sent his Am­bassadors to Antigonus for supply of souldiors; withall sent him word, that if he furnished him not, he should be constrained to retire into his kingdome, and seeke the Conquest vpon him, which he was about to make against the Romaines. But his Ambassadors being dismist with this [...] were, that Anti­gonus E absolutely denied him any reliefe, according to his form [...] promise, feyned an excuse, and immediately departed from thence, onely giuing in charge to his consederates to prouide themselues for a stranger warre, and resigning the hauen & Castel of Tarent to his son H [...]leu, and his srend Milo, to safeg [...]ard, he returned into Epyre, where mustring fresh forces, he forth­with iduaded Macedon, whom to withstand, Antigonus met with an hoast of [...] men, where both Armies encountring, Autigonus hauing the worst was in­forced to sly, by which Conquest all Macedon yeelded to Pirrhus.

Wherupon as if he had recompenced the losse of Sicill and Italy, with the gaining of Macedon, he directed Messengers for his sonne Heleu, and Mylo F whom he had left at Tarent; Antigonus who was sled wi [...]h a few of his horse­men, and with this alteration bereft of all the Ornaments of fortune, yet de­sirous to heare what would become of his kingdome, he with somuch labor Antigonus [...] an ouerthrow. had got, and now so suddenly lost, conuaid himselfe into the Citty Thessalo­nica, that if occasion serued, or any hope whereby to aduenture his re-esta­blishment might appeare, he might renue the Warre from thence. But in the o [...]fer of this purpose, being againe vanquis [...]ed by Ptolo [...]ny the sonne of King, Pirrhus, and escaping with no more but seuen of his retinue, without desire to regaine his kingdome, or almost rellish of ambitious thoughts, he sought secure caues, in rough and desolate wildernesses, to be his wholsome G pallace for a priuat life.

Pirrhus by this, being installed in so royal and great a kingdome, and not contented to haue attained vnto that, he had scarce meanes before to wish for, began to practise how to be soueraigne of the whole Empire of Greece, [...] and Asia, as now he had of Macedon. He was of corage so magnanimous, that none wa [...] able to withstand his force whom he assailed, neither tooke he any more pleasure of his Empire, then of his warres, but kept his affections euen to both, and as he had no peere in couquering of kingdomes, so did hee as lightly forgo them, when he was once possest of them, holding it more ho­nor to be accounted a conquer or of many kingdoms, then a keeper of few. H There [...]ore when he had transported his Army ouer from Chersonesus, there receiued him the Ambassadors of the Athenians, the Acheans, and the Messe­nians, yea and all the Grecians (for the renown of his name, and for that they were [...]ed at the Noblenesse of his deeds against the Romaines, and Car­t [...]ians) awaited his comming ther. The first war that he had was with the [...], wher he was receiued with greater valiantnes of the women then of men.

[Page 93] There he lost his sonne Ptolomy and the strongest part of all his army, for when he assaulted the towne, such a sort of women came running to the de­fence of the Citty, by whome he was not more valiantly vanquished then shamefully driuen to retire. His sonne Ptolomy who there was slaine, is re­ported to haue bin so couragious and stout a man at Arms, that with three­scoremen, he tooke by force the Citty Corcyra; and also in a battaile vppon the sea, he lept out with seuen of his men into a Gally and woon it. And last of al, in the assault of Sparta, he brake with his horse into the midst of the cit­ty, and there oppressed with the number of his enemies, he was slain, whose body when it was brought to his father Pirrhus, it is reported he should say, that he was slaine somwhat later then he looked for, or than his own foolish A hardinesse deserued.

Pirrhus when he had receiued the repulse at Sparta, went to Argos. But whilst he endeuored to compasse Antigonus in his hands, whom he had be­sieged in the Citty, as he fought most valiantly amongst the thickest, he was slaine with a stone from the wall. His head was cut off, & sent to Antigonus, who vsing this victory honorably, sent home his sonne Heleu with his Epy­rotes, which were yeilded vnto him into his kingdome without ransome, and deliuered him his fathers body to conuey home, and see honorably interd in his owne countrey. It is a constant report amongest all authors, that there B was not any King either in these dayes, or in the latter times before, worthy to be compared vnto Pirrhus, and that it was a hard matter to find any, not onely among kings, but also among other famous men, either of more vp­right liu [...]g, or approued Iustice. And as for knowledge in chiualry and feats of armes, there was so much of merit in him, that whereas he had continual warres with Lysimachus, Demetrius, and Antigonus, Kings of so great power and puissance, yet was neuer ouercome by any of them, neither was he euer by his enemies, brought to so low an ebbe, but that he was able to match & boldly encounter with the Illyrians, Sicillians, Romaines, and Carthagenians. In what conflict or aduenture whasoeuer, yea and often to the ouerthrow of C his aduersaries, and subduing the kingdomes. By meanes whereof, through the fame of his Noble acts, and the renown of his name, he brought his Country to be famous and of Noble report ouer all the world, being of it self and before his time, both smal & of no reputation. D

The end of the xxv. Booke.

THE XXVI. BOOKE OF Iustine. E

THE ARGVMENT.

THe extreame cruelty of Aristotimus Tyrant of Epire. The wise inuention of old Helematus in suppressing of him. The cruelnesse of the French-greekes towards their wiues and children, whom Antigonus ouercommeth, and vt­terly destroyeth. Antigonus is bere [...]t both of his kingdome and men of Warre by A­lexander, the sonne of Pirrhus King of Epire. Demetrius the sonne of Antigonus not onely recouereth his fathers kingdome, but also spoyleth Alexander of his king­dome F of Epire. Alexander by the helpe of the Arcadians, and by the fauor of his owne Countrymen, is restored to his kingdome againe. Agas king of Cyrene dyeth. Demetrius the brother of Antigonus by means of Beronice the daughter of K. Agas is slaine in his mothers bed.

AFter the death of Pirrhus, there arose not onely great and troublesome warres in Macedon, but also a reuolu­tion and alteration of many establisht affaires in Asia and Greece: for the Pelloponesians being betrayed vnto Antigonus, according as men were either in feare or G gladnes, as euery Citty hoped for succor at Phirrhus hand, or stood in dread of him; euen in like case, either they entred in league with Antigonus, or else vpon ma­lice, sell togither by the eares among themselues.

In the time that the prouinces were in this turmoile, Aristotimus a Noble man of the realme, subiected to his vse the chiefe Citty of the Epirots, and The [...] [...] of [...]. created himselfe king thereof; withall, for the safe confirming himself in that regall seat, he put many of the chiefe Cittizens (he was either in present fear of, or had power in themselues to cause him to distrust them) to death. Ma­ny of them he draue into exile. So that, when as the Etolians required of him H by their Ambassadors, that he wold restore vnto the causlles banished men, their detained wiues, as though he had repented him of what formerly hee had done. He gaue all the Ladies and Gentlewomen, (ioyful at the newes) leaue to trauell to their husbands, and appointed to them a day when they should take their iourney.

[Page 94] The wiues entending to liue all their liues in exile with their husbands, tooke al their preciousestiewels and best ornaments they had with them; but assoone as they were all come to the gate, of purpose to trauaile in one company to­gether, he spoiled them of their treasure, murthered their little Children in their mothers bosomes, imprisoned the woefull mothers, and rauished the maides.

All men being amazed at this his cruell and intestine Tirany, a noble peere [...] of the realme named Helemate, being an aged man and without yssue, as one that in respect of his yeares, and in that he was childles, was void of all seare; called home to his house certain of his most trusty friends, and exhorted them A to the deliuerance of their countrey from bondage. But when he perceiued that they shrunk to put themselues in danger, for the safeguad of that realme had byn their mother and norisher, and that they demaunded leasure to take sure aduice in the matter, he called his seruants to him, commaunding them to lock in the doores, and from him, beare word to the Tyrant, that he should immediately send to his house, there to apprehend traytors that had conspired against him; and threatening vnto each of them, that seeing he could not bee the author, by their assistance of the deliuerance of his countrey, he would at leastwise, considering the integrety of the cause, be a meanes to be reue [...]ged vpon them for with drawing their help from it. Who then being ouercome B with necessity, and the doubtfulnesse of the danger, they chose the honester waye of both, and sware the death of the Tyrant. So that Aristotimus was dispatched both of life and rule, the fifth month after he had vsurped the king­dome.

In the meane season Antigonus being encomberd with many warres by di­uers enemies at once, both of King Ptolomy, and the Spartanes; besides the host The pollicye of antigonus of the Frenchgreekes which newly were vp in armes against him, he left a few souldiers in his campe for a shew against the other two, and went himselfe in person with the whole power against the Frenchmen.

The Frenchmen hearing thereof, prepared themselues in readines for the battell, flew sacrifice, and offered to the Goddes to be propitious to them for C the obtaining of prosperous and good successe in that encounter. But by the inwardes of those beasts, perceiuingas it were by diuine instinct, that there was toward them a great slaughter, and prefiguring to them the vtter destruction of them all, they were there vpon turned not into doubtfull feare, but head­strong madnes. And in desire to pacifie the wrath of the Godds, by the blood­shed of their owne people, they killed their wiues and children, beginning to performe (through their owne slaughter) the euil destiny that was menased by the warres. The [...] o [...] th [...] [...] men euen to their [...] and [...].

In execution whereof, so extreame disperatenesse was entred into their cruel harts, that they spared not the young infants whom their enemies would D haue pittied, but with their owne handes made cutthrot warre, vpon the chil­dren themselues had bin fathers of: and the mothers of them, in defence of whom, men are forward to make warres, whose tears were vnualuable to peni­trate the flinty brests of their husbands, to get remorce for themselues, or compassion on their children they most vnnaturall buchered. And as though [Page] they had by their vnspeakable wickednesse, purchased themselues both life and victory, bloody as they were, after the fresh slaughter of their Wiues and Babes, they proceeded in battaile, but with as good successe as fore-to­ken.

For as they were fighting, the remorce of their owne consciences, in re­membrance of their inhuman facts (the Ghoasts of them whose liues they had rauished from their bodies, wauing before their eyes,) were the firste discoraged A great sl [...]u­ghter vpon the [...] them ere they were oppressed by the enemy; so that th [...] encoun­ter begun, they were slaine euery mothers sonne, and the massacre of them so violent, that it should seeme the Goddes had conspired with men, for the E vtter destruction of those impious and peremptory murthers. After the fortunate chance of this bartell, Ptolomy and the Spartans, eschuing the vi­ctorio [...]s armye of their enemy Antigonus, retired into places of defence, which Antigonus ascertained of, while his men were yet fresh, couragious, and resolute for any purpose, by reason of their late victory, he made warre to the Athenians. In which disseigne while he was occupied, Alexander King of Epir [...], desirous to reuenge the death of his father King Pirrhus, inuaded the borders of Macedon; against whom, when antigonus was returned out of Greec [...], all his souldiors reuolted from him, by which treason of theirs, hee lost both his kingdome of Macedon, and his so powerfull an army. His sonne F Demetrius being then both in yeares, and discretion but a very child, leauing a power in the absence of his father, not onely recouered Macedon, that his father had lost, but also bereft alexander of his kingdome of Epire, so great then was either the vnconstantnes of the souldiors, or else the variablenesse of fortune, that kings by course were euen now banished; and presently re­stored to their kingdomes againe.

Alexander therefore being fled to the Arcadians, was as well by the fauour of the Epyrotes, as by the helpe of his confederats restored into his kingdom againe, about the same time deceased agas, king of Cyrene, who before his Read more hereof in the [...]. Booke. last infirmity, to the intent to cease all strife with his brother Ptolomy, be­trothed G his onely daughter Beronice to his sonne. But after the death of king agas, arsinoe the mother of the maide, to the intent to break the mariage that was contract against her will, sent for Demetrius the brother of antigonus, out of Macedon, to take vpon himselfe the marriage of her daughter and the go­uernment of the kingdome of Cyrene, who also was begotten of one of Ptolo­mies daughters. Demetrius had no sooner entertainted this offer, but with speed dispatching himselfe, and in his iourney hauing prosperous wind, and faire weather, he was speedily arriued into Cyrene; where vpon trust of hys beauty for the delight of which, his mother began to like too well of him, immediately after his first comming, he bare himselfe very proudly in the H Court and campe, against the Captaines and men of warre; remoouing his desire of liking and affection from the daughter to the mother, which muta­bility of his being perceiued, was iustly consterd vild in a Prince, and gene­rally condemned both of the maid, the common people, and a great number of the souldiors: whereuppon taking dislike of his disposition, their mindes were turned to the sonne of Ptolomy, and the death of Demetrius was conspy­red, [Page 95] and so farre contriued, that as he was in bed with his mother in law, ma­ny of these conspirators were sent to kill him. But Arsinoe when she hearde the voyce of her daughter standing at the chamber doore, and giuing the executioners charge to spare her mother, as they rushed in, shee sought Adultery re­warded. long to defend and preserue her paramor with receiuing his woundes in her owne body, Neuerthelesse he was slaine: and so Beronice, with safety of her loue and duty, did both reuenge the dishonorable adultry committed with her mother, and also followed the determination of her Father, in takinge of her husband. A

THE XXVII. BOOKE OF Iustine. B

THE ARGVMENT.

SEleuchus King of Syria, putteth his step-mother Beronice, and her sonne to death. Ptolomy king of Egipt in reuenge of her death inuadeth Syri [...]. Seleu­chus suffereth happy shipwracke, for by meanes thereof, for pitty and compassi­on, the Citties that Ptolomy had obtained, reuolted. He is ouercome in battell by Ptolomy, and desireth aide of his brother Antiochus. Ptolomy maketh peace with C Seleuchus. Antiochus warreth vpon his brother, and ouercommeth him by the help of the French-greekes, who after the battell, bent themselues against Antiochus. He ransommeth himselfe from them. Eumenes king of Bithinia, setteth vpon An­ticchus and the Frenchmen, and taketh the most part of Asia from them. The bro­thers continue debate, by which they both come to a miserable end.

IN those dayes after the decease of Antiochus K. of Syria, his sonne Seleuchus succeeded in his dignity (by the instigation of his mother Laodice, which rather ought to haue counselled and with D held him from such inhuman practises) and be­gan his raigne with murder, for he cruelly put to death his mother in law Beronice, the sister of Ptolomy King of Egypt, with his little brother begotten vpon her; by which wickednes, he in­forced a iust and infamous report vpon his name, and withal intangled him selfe with the wars of Ptolomy.

[Page] But before the execution hereof, when Beronice vnderstood that men wer sent to kill her, she kept her selfe close in a pleasant manor of her fathers cal­led Daphne. And when the the Cittizens of Asia heard that she and hir little sonne was there besieged, in remembrance of the dignity of her father, and the Noblenesse of her auncestors, and for pitty to see her so vnwoorthily in­treated, they sent aid vnto her. Hir brother Ptolomy also being mooued to compassionat the perill of his sister, left his owne kingdome, and came in all hast to her rescue, with al the power he was able to make.

But Beronice before these rescues were able to come to releeu [...] her, wheras she could not be taken by force, was surprized by policy, and put to death: E the report of which seemed so detestable in the hearing of all men, that al the Cittyes that before had mustred themselues to befriend her, now made in readinesse a great Nauy, and sodainely aswell for feare of his excessiue cruel­ty, The Cytty [...] o [...] Asia [...] from Seleu­cl [...]s as also to reuenge the death of her whom they purposed to haue defen­ded, yeilded themselues vnto Ptolomy, who doubtlesse had subdued all the kingdome of Seleuchus, if he had not bin driuen to retire home to suppresse an insurrection in Egypt. So great hatred did that abhominable murthering of his mother in law, and his brother purchase on the one party, and the vn­worthy death of his father so cruely slaughtred, purchase fauor to the other.

After the death of Ptolomy, Seleuchus hauing gathered togither a great sleet against the Citties that had lately reuolted, suddainely (as it were by F the vengeance of the Goddes for his horrible murder) by means of a great tempest, he lost al his Nauy by shipwrack. And of all that great furniture for the warres, fortune left him not any thing at all, more then his naked bodie The vnfortu nate [...] of Seleucus. and his life, and a few companions that with him had escaped the tempest: so that so stra [...]ge and miserable was his case, that himselfe coulde not haue wisht a chance more greeuous to haue happened vpon his enemies for his owne behoose.

But the Citties which for the former hatred they bare towards him, had reuolted vnto Ptolomy, now as though they thought themselues sufficiently G satisfied, with the punishment that the Goddes as indifferent iudges had in­flicted vpon him, mooued with the miserable newes of his more miserable distresse, changed their opinion from Ptolomy, and their hatered from him, and submitted themselues againe vnder his Dominion. Whereupon reioy­cing in this happy alteration, and made rich by his losses, accounting hym­selfe now sufficiently able to match his enemy in power and strength, hee soorthwith made warre against Ptolomy. But as if he had bene borne for no other purpose but for Fortune to make her laughing stock, or in this world [...] ouer [...]ome by Ptolomy her tennis Court, he had bene her ball, to haue tost from one hazzard into another, as if he had recouered so great wealth of the kingdome for no o­ther intent H then to loose them againe, he was vanquished in battell, and escaping from the field, not much better accompanied then after his ship­wracke, he fearefully conueyed himselfe into Antioch.

From thence he directed his letters to his brother Antiochus, wherin he befought him of his helpe, offring him in recompence for such fauor, all Asia that was within the precinct of the mountaine Taurus. Antiochus being [Page 96] of the age of fourteen yeers, but yet couetous of dominion aboue his yeers, tooke this preferment least it should fall to another, but not with so friendly a hart as it was offred, for this Prince by age but a boy (coueting like a theese to bereaue his brother of the whol rule of his kingdome) was as bold in exe­cuting his wickednes, as if he had bin a man: Whereupon he was surnamed Hierax, because he exercised his life in taking other mens goods wrongfuly, not after the maner of a Prince, but after the nature of a Gosse-hauke.

In the meane time Ptolomy hearing that Antiochus was prepared in rescue of Seleuchus, to the intent he would not be inforced to defend the warre of ii. such enemies at once, took a truce with Seleuchus for x. years. But the peace A Truce A that was giuen by his enemy, was infringed by his brother; who hiering an hoast of the French souldiors, insteed of help brought warre, and insteed of manifesting himselfe a brother, approued himselfe an enemy. In that bat­taile, through the puissance of the Frenchmen, Antiochus had the victory: wherein supposing Seleuchus had bene slaine, they turned the Weapons they brought in defence of Antiochus against Antiochus himselfe, hopinge thereby without feare or controule, if they could but destroy all the blood warr betwixt two brothers royall, morefreely to wast the whole Countrey of Asia. Which thing when Antiochus perceiued, he was inforced to ransom himselfe for money, as if it had bene from robbers, and compelled to enter league and be at friend­ship B with his hyred souldiors.

Now Eumenes King of Bythinia, perceiuing the Brothers to be consumed and dispersed throgh ciuill discord among themselues, intended to inuade the wandring people, and take to himselfe the whole possession of Asia. In which purpose assayling the Conquerour Antiochus, and his Frenchmen, whom by reason that they were sore and wearie since their late conflict, and his souldiors strong and lusty, he easilie put to the worst. For in this Age al the wars that euerie seueral Prince raisd, tended wholie to the destruction Antiochus vanquished by the king of Bythinia. of Asia, and euerie man that could make himself strongest, seized thereupon as his prey. The two brothers Seleuchus and Antiochus for that cause made War in Asia. Ptolomy King of Egipt vnder pretence of reuenging his sisters C death gaped for Asia: on the one side Eumenes King of Bithinia, and on the otherside the Frenchmen, and common hirelings wasted Asia, but among so manie robbers, and so manie Ambitious Princes, not one was found once to stirre his foot to defend Asia. And albeit that Antiochus was vanquished, and that Eumenes had seized into his hands the most part of that Empire, yet could not the Brothers agree, but contended to renue the warre to de­stroy one another. In which Antiochus being againe vanquished, and wea­ried with flying many dayes togither, at length came to his father in Law, Artamenes king of Cappadocia, of whom at first he was gently and with good D respect entertained, but within few dayes after, vnderstanding that he went about to betray him, for sauegard of his life sled back againe from thence. So rouling vp and downe, from one place to another, and finding no room wherin to rest in safety, he was faine to resort for succor to his enemy Pto­lomy, whose sayth he thought to be more stedfast then his brothers consi­dering either what he would haue done to his Brother, or what he had de­serued at his brothers hand.

[Page] But Ptolomy being not so much made his friend, as inlarged his enemy, commanded him to be kept in straight prison, from whence also he escaped by the helpe of a Harlot, whom he had familiar company withal. But being thus escaped from his keepers, as he sled theeues met and killed him. Seleu­chus neere about the same instant, hauing lost his kingdome, fell off of his horse, and brake his necke. So both the brothers as it were by like misfor­tune, like Outlawes after the losse of their kingdomes, suffered due punish­ment for their manifold mischiues. E

THE XXVIII. BOOKE OF Iustine. F

THE ARGVMENT.

OLympias Queene of Epire, by the marriage of her daughter Pythia, setteth variance betweene Demetrius king of Macedon, and Antioch king of Sy­ria. The proud and insollent answere of the Etolians to the Ambassadors of Rome. Olimpias dieth with sorrow, for the death of her two sonnes. Laodamia is slaine at the Altar of Diana. Demetrius dieth. Antigonus being left protector G of the sonnes of Demetrius maketh himselfe King. He subdueth the Lacedemoni­ans, wherein appeareth the stoutnes of the Spartans, in their aduersity, as also the modest and gentle behauiour of Antigonus in prosperity.

COncerning Olympias the daughter of Pirrhus, king of the Epirots, she hauing lost hir husband Alexander, who Here left the [...]ory of [...] men­tioned in the 26. Booke. was also her own brother, when she had taken vpon her the bringing vp of Pirrhus and Ptolomy the sons whome he had begotten by her, and the gouernement of the realme; she was compeld through the iniuries offered H her by the Etolians (which went about to take from hir a part of Acaruania, which she being mother and prote­ctresse of the children hadde receiued as a helpe to maintaine her wars with­all) to resort for succor to Demetrius King of Macedon: vnto whom, (hauing a wife already, the sister of Anticchus King of Syrya) she gaue her daughter Pythia in marriage, to the intent shee might gette helpe and refuge at [Page 97] his hand, by the right of affinity, which she could not otherwise procure.

The marriage thereupon was solemnized, whereby the new bride, was accepted into great grace, and the old wife into displeasure. But the first wife, as though she had beene deuorced of her owne accord, departed to her brother Anticchus, and prouoked him to warre vpon her husband. The Acaruanians also distrusting the Epirots, and thereupon requiring helpe of the Romaines, obteined of the Senat of Roome, that Ambassad were sent, to command the Etolians to withdraw their Garrisons from the Citties of Acaruania, and to suffer them to liue out of bondage, who onely in ancient time, sent no helpe to the Greeks against the Troyans their first founders.

But the Etolians herd the Ambassadors of the Romaines very dis [...]infully, A and returned them an answer as scornfully, casting them in the teeth with the Carthagenians, and the Frenchmen, by whom they had bene so afflicted in so many battels, and so oftentimes so great a number of them slaine: say­ing, It was meet for them first to open their gates against the Carthageni­ans, which they had shut vp for feare of the warres in Assryck, ere they took [...] vpon them to make inrode into Greece. Moreouer, aduised them to consi­der whom they menaced, since they were not able to defende their owne Citty against the Frenchmen, but when it was taken, they were saine ro re­deeme it with money, and not to recouer it by the sword. The which Na­tion entring into Greece with an host thoght almost inuincible, they them­selues B had not onely without the aid of any other forraine power, but also not so much as helped with their own houses, vtterly destroyed and made their realme a place for their buriall, which they had determined to make the seat of their kingdome.

Whereas on the contrary part, Italy was wel neer wholy subdued by the Frenchmen, and the Romains themselues as yet trembled for feare at the re­membrance of the so late burning of their Citty: wherefore it was requisite for them to expell the Frenchmen out of their own territories, ere they pre­sumed to threaten the Etolyans; and first honorably to resist their owne ene­mies ere they vndertooke to defend others: vrging further, what manner of C people they were, or endewed with what worth, whereby to giue them cause to feare them. They knew and durst tell them, they were no better but a ragged sort of shepheards, that wrongfully helde a peece of ground, which like violent robbers they had taken from the right owners, which being not able to purchase themwiues for the dishonesty of their beginning, were sain to rauish them by open force, and in briefe they helde them a people so monstrous, which had erected their Citty with most cruell and vnnaturall murthers, and bestayned the foundation of their wals with brothers blood; whereon the contrary, the Etolians wer euer the Princes of Greece, and like The [...]. as they surpassed al the other in estate and worthines, so they exce [...]led them D in actiuity, and were the men which had euer despised the Macedons, flori­shing in the Empire of the whole world; which feared not at the command of King Phillip, which disdained to obey the lawes instituted by Alex [...]nder, after he had s [...]bdued [...]he Persians and Indians, when all other people and Nations whatsoeuer, stood in dread of his name. Wherfore they willed & [Page] counselled the Romaines, to holde themselues content with their present e­state and not to prouoke those weapons against their liues, through which they saw both the in [...]init hoasts of the Frehchmen slaine, and the Macedons in their supremest dignity despised.

When they had in this controuling forme, and as it were with this check dismis [...] the Roman Ambassadors, to the intent they would not seem to haue bin more bold & liberall in words, then in deed and performance, acording to their former inclination, they forraged ouer all the borders of the king­dome of Acaruama. By this had Olimpias as their rightfull inheritance deli­uered vp the kingdome to her sonne, and insteed of his brother Pirrhus de­ceased, The [...] Ptolomy succeeded in the whole Empire; who marching with an host E of men well prepared against his enemies, was in his iourney by the way ta­ken with a disease and died. Olimpias also in s [...]ort continuance, being woun­ded with sorrow for the death of her two sons, scarce able to draw hir pain­full breath, yeilded to nature and died.

Then remained after her decease, no more of the blood royall, but onely a young maide called Nereis, and her sister Laodamia Nereis was married vnto Gelo sonne of the King of Sicill. And Laodamia flying for safegard to the Altar of Diana, was their slaine, by the conco [...]rse of the rude people: which [...]. offence the Goddes immortall withheld not their hands to punish, but with continuall slaughters of that Nation, and almost with the vtter destruction F of the whole realme, they reuenged her death.

For first being punished with dearth and famine, and vexed with dome­sticke and ciuill discords, last of all, the remembrance of them, was in a ma­ner quite consumed by the merciles warres of forraigne Nations. Milo who killed Laodamia, falling distracted in his wits, so mangled his owne bodye, sometime with yron, sometime with stones, and in the end, so rent and tore his owne body with his teeth, that within twelue dayes after, he dyed most miserably.

While these disseignes found this free currant in Epyre, Demetrius died in Macedon, leauing a little sonne called Phillip, to be his heire and succeed him; G ouer whom Antigonus being made protector, tooke the childes mother to wife, and then went about to instal himself in the kingdome. Which the Ma­c [...]ons perceiuing, they gathered an insurrection against him, threatning to [...]ill him, and hauing besieged him in his pallace, he came forth, without a­ny guard, where first humbling himselfe before them, he cast down among them his crown and his purple robe of estate, desiring them to bestow those transitory Ornaments vpon some worthier person, which either knew bet­ter The [...]. how to gouern them, or to whom they coulde submit their affections more willingly to obey: for during the time that he had enioied the gouern­ment of so odious a kingdome, and so vngouerned a people, he had not ta­sted H of any pleasures, but of labor, of trauaile, of peril, and of leopardy.

Then he rehearsed what benefits he had done for them, how he had puni­shed s [...]ch of his confederates as had reuolted, how he had asswaged the cou­rage of the Dardanians, and Thessalians, triumphing at the death of Demetri­us; and finaly howe hee had not onely maintained, but also augmented the [Page 98] state and Empire of Macedon. Which merit of his if their ingratitude dispised, he was content to depose him of such a trouble as to be a soueraigne, and to surrender his office into their hands: giuing them leaue (with thankes one his part) to seeke and create them a king whom they might rule as they list them­selues Which speech of his with such modesty and cunning apprehension he deliuered, that the people thereby were brought to be ashamed of their en­terprises, & what they came with violent entent to abridge & disanul him of, (namely the crowne) they now were earnest suters he would assure to himselfe again. Which offer of theirs he with delaies refused, and which deniall of his drew their desire for his acceptance the more, insomuch that the authors of A the rebellion were yelded vp vnto him to punish, as in his Iudgement was thought fit; or to pardon and extend mercy to at his pleasure. After this hee made warre against the Spartanes which prouince chiefely dispised the warres of Phillip and Alexander, and the Empire of Macedon, with their knighthood so much renowned ouer the whole face of the earth.

This warre was prepared for withall the furniture and power that could bee [...] be­tweene the [...] and the Macedós made one both parts, and al requisit prouision had in readinesse, the one sigh­ting to support the ancient renowne of Macedon, the other not onely for the maintenance and defence of their vntouched liberty neuer before violated, but also to preserue and continue their common safeguard. These Lacedemoni­ans being in this difference vanquished, not onely the men themselues but B their wiues and children tooke their misfortune constantly, and with excee­ding stout courage: for there was not any man withdrewe himselfe, nor sought to spare or preserue his life in the battel, otherwaies then by an hono­rable defence, nor any woman that wept for the losse of her husband. The old and decrepit fathers commended the death of their sonnes and rewarded them with their praiers; the sonnes reioyced that their fathers were slaine in that field, wisning that they might liue to be the like, and for the like quarrell, and euery man lamented his owne mishap, that they had not died in that battell so fought for the liberty of their countrey.

The fathers and mothers receiued into their houses all such as were hurt, C healed such as were wounded, recomforted such with their neighbourly and charitable rescue as were striken downe. And in all this businesse, and for all this ouerthrow, there was not heard any other outcry, Then, courage my friends, nor any other wringing of hands seene, then in their weapons to giue blowes The courage of Cl [...]omi­nes a king of La [...]cdemóra withal: there was not any trembling for feare, nor any dismay, but with an im­boldned resolution to outface mischiefe, euery man more bewailed the com­mon misfortune, then his owne priuate ease. Withal Cleomines their king, after he had made great slaughter of his enemies, being all one a gore blood, as well with his owne woundes as the blood of his foes, came in among them. And D when he was entred into the citty, he called not for meate nor drinke no nor once so much as put of his harnesse, but leaning his backe to a wall, when hee saw there remained no more but onely foure thousand of his men from the battel, he exhorted them to reserue and keepe themselues to some other time, when they might be able to doe their countrey more better seruice, then now being oppressed with so great a multitude: against whom no other profit, but [Page] to death auailed. And then with his wife and children he tooke his way toward Egypt to king Ptolomy: of whom he was honorably entertained and liued a long time in great fauour and estimation there, enioying the pleasure due vnto a King. But after the decease of Ptolomy, the kindnesse of the father was neg­lected, and he and al his houshould were slaine by his sonne. Antigonus ha­uing made so great a slaughter of the Lacedemonians, notwithstanding tooke pitty of the misfortune of so worthy a Citty, and in that compassion gaue commaund to his souldiers, they should neither sack nor deface it, withal par­doned al them that after these misfortunes remained aliue, protesting to the [...] (whereby to insinuate into their loues) that he made warre against Cleomines E and not against the Lacedemonians, whom for as much as he had discomfited and put to slight, al his wrath toward them was at an end. So that thinking it would more become his honor rather to saue their citty then to destroy it, and seeing the remnaut were few, to whom his mercy might be manifest he thought it sit to let it extend to the soile of the citty, and vpon the houses. It was not long after but that Antigonus himselfe died and left his kingdome to Phillip, a child of foureteene yeares of age. The sonn of Dem [...]u. F G H

The end of the xxviij. Booke.

The XXix Booke of Iustine. A

THE ARGVMENT.

THe alteration of many famous kingdomes, by the succession of young kings. Demetrius king of Illyria, sendeth to Phillip king of M [...]cedon for help a­gainst the Romaines. Phillip exhorteth the Greek [...]s to concord. He pr [...]clai­meth open warre against the Romains. The Dardanians inuade M [...]cedon. He m [...]k­eth peace with the Romaines. Phylopemenes causeth the Acheans to reuolt from him. B

ABout this instant season, there happned like alteration al­most in all the kingdomes in the knowne world. For in Macedon Phillip, after the decease of his protector An­tigonus, tooke the kingdome to his rule being but four­teene An alteratiō of kingdoms by successiō of yong kin­ges. yeares of age. In Asia, after that Seluchus was slaine, Atigonus as yet not hauing attained to ful groath and ripenesse of foureteene yeares, was made king. The kingdome of Capidocia was surrendred by his father, to Ariarathes a very child. Ptolomy who for the wickednesse of his offence, was C in derision (sur-named Philopater) slewe his father and mother, and vsurped the kingdome of Egypt. But the Lacedemonians in sted of Cleopater, subroga­ted Lycurgus: and because there should be store of alterations in those times, Hanniball being as yet scarce man-growne, was made Captaine of Carthage: not because there was a scarcity of men, of more yeares, or greater experience, but for the naturall and inueterate hatred that was knowne to be rooted in him against the Romaines, euen from his very childhood: and as it were, borne to the vtter destruction, not so much of the Romaines whom he hated, as of his owne countrey of Affrcike whom he serued.

Now albeit these children kings, had no elder and grauer persons to bee their protectors then themselues, yet was euery one of them seuerallye, so D attentiue to followe the steppes of their auncestors, that there was great pre­sumption and hope, they would be indued with vertues, both of body and minde: onely Ptolomy, as he was wicked in vsurping the kingdome, so was he sloathfull and negligent in gouerning the same. The Dardanians with other prouinces and people, who bare as it were an immortall and vnremoued hate [Page] to the kings of Macedon, disdaining Phillip, by reason he was so young, molest­ed him continualle: on the contrary part, Phillip when he had put these ene­mies to flight, being not contented to haue defended his owne, purposed to make warre against the Etolians; and as he was deuising how to enterprize so much, Demetrius king of Illiria being lately vanquished by Paule, consull of Rome, came to him as an humble suter, making complaint of the wrong the Romaines had done him; who being not content to containe themselues with­in the bounds of Italy (but of an ambitious desire coueting the Empire of the whole world) made warre with al Kings: alledging also, that for the like coue­tousnesse of the Empire of Sicill, of Sardinia, of Spaine, and consequently of E al Affricke, they had entred into warre with Hanniball and the Carthgeniens, and against him commensed that warre for no other occasion, but only that he was a neighbor and neare borderer vpon Italy: as though it were not lawful for any king to dwel nor haue dominion neare the co [...]sin [...]s and Verge of their Empire. Wherefore it behoued him and no doubt would be much auaileable for him, to take an example, & by other mens harmes to beware, whose kingdome the nobler and nearer it was to the Romans, so much would it giue them cause and so much should he sinde him their fiercer enemies. Moreouer, he protested that he was wel contented to surrender vnto him the right and title to the king­dome which the Romaines had vsurped from him, rather then his enemies should peaceably enioy the possession and profit thereof. F

With these and such other like arguments he perswaded Phillip, to desist from the Etolians, & to turne the brunte of the war against the Romaines, and so much the rather, because he thought he should now finde them to be the lesse able to resist him, for that (as the tidings thereof were to him fresh) they had lately beene vauquished by Hanniball at the lake of Thrasimenus. Therefore because he would not be charged with many warres at once, he made peace Philip per­swadeth the Greekes to concord. with the Etolians; not as they should think he did it, to the entent to make war in an other place, but as though it had beene for some great reguard that hee had of the good and quietnesse of all Greece, which he affirmed, was neuer in the like pearill by reason of the new Empires of the Romaines and Carthageni­ens, G lately risen vp in the West, which had no other let to stop them out of A­sia but onely this, that they were trying by the sword which of either of them should be principall and beare the soueraignety of both. For which partye soeuer gat the vpper hand, would no doubt vpon the victory and in the pride thereof, passe directly into the East. So that since he saw such a cloud of cruell and bloody warre rising out of Italy, and such a roring and thundering com­ming out of the west, that into what part of the world the victory fell the tem­pest thereof, would wash al things with a bloody shoure.

And although Greece had oftentimes before suffered great trouble, and many afflictions, by the warres sometime of the Persians, sometime of the H Frenchmen, and sometime of the Macedons; yet they should finde, that all that euer before was past, and whatsoeuer they had endured, would bee a sporte to that which should ensue, if those Armies which now were fighting in Italy, s [...]ould once spred themselues into Greece: for it was already [...]uident to all Nations and not without great feare and terror wondered at, to haue [Page 100] newes, how cruell and bloody, and both with what puissance of hostes, pol­licy and fortitude of Captaines, those seuerall people made war [...]e one a­gainst the other. The which rage certainely could not be ended in the onely destruction of one of the powers, without the ruine and decay of such as were their next neighbors: wherefore Greece had more cause by far to be affraid, and by prouidence to withstand cruelty, if either party wer honord by the victory then Macedon; both because Macedon is further off from their danger, and of more strength to defend it selfe.

Phillip hauing by this perswasion, and for this pretence, dislodged his tents, raised against the Etolians, and minding nothing but the warres of the Cartha­geniens A P [...]il [...]p giu [...]th def [...]an [...] to the Ro [...]. and Romaines, he waied with himselfe the power and abillity of them both: and that neither the Romaines (albeit the Carthageniens and Hanniball wer ready to light on their necks) were voyd of feare of warre out of Macedon. For howsoeuer they dissembled it, they stood in feare thereof, both for the ancient prowesse and actiuety of the Macedons, the renowne of the honorable, and seuerall conquests in the East, as also for Phyllip himselfe, who was enfla­med with an earnest desire to become equall to Alexander in kinghthood, do­minion, and chiualry, and whom they knew to be forward and actiue in feates of armes.

Phillip therefore, when he vnderstood that the Carthageniens had vanquish­ed the Romaines againe, sent his open defiance vnto them, and began to build B a fleete wherein to transport his army into Italy. Furthermore, he sent Ambas­sador [...] with letters to Hanniball, to conclude a league, and to be at friendship with him, who being taken by the way and brought before the Senat, was after sent away without any manner of violence done vnto him, not for any intire loue or inclination of good will they bare to the King his maister, but to the entent that of a suspected friend, they would not make him an open enemy. But afterward when it was reported to them, that Phillip went about to trans­port his army into Italy, they sent the Pretor Leuinus with an army well prepa­red & furnished, to stop him of his passage; who after he was arriued in Greece, with his faire and large promises, compelled the Etolians, to take warre in hand C against Phillip: and on the other side, Phillip exasperated what he could, to perswade the Etolians to ioyn warre with him against the Romaines. But in the meane time, the Dardanians began to wast the borders of Macedon, and ha­uing led away twenty thousand prisoners, constrained Phillip to [...]etire home The Darda­ [...]ans [...] Macedon. from inuading the Romaines, to the defence of his owne kingdome.

While these affaires had theyr performance, the Pretor Leuinus entring in­to a league with king Attalus, wasted the Countrey of Greece, with the which losse and destruction, the citties being amazed and striken into feare, they sent diuers Ambassadors to Phillip, desiring aide of him. The king of Illiria also his D next neighbor, bordering vpon the same side of Macedon, made incessant sute, that he would performe his promise. Further, the Macedons sollicyted him in­stanly, to reuenge the wasting of his owne countrey: with which so many and so waighty matters, he was so sore oppressed, and as it were besiedged at once, that he was in a maze which of them (the necessety being great in all) to reme­dy first.

[Page] Yet notwithstanding he promised to send friendly succours to euery one of them ere long, so deferring them, not because he was not able to performe as much as hee promised, but to the entent that by putting them all in comfort, he might retaine and keepe them his friends stil. But the first voyage he tooke in hand, was against the Dardanians, who watching the time to finde [...]m from home, determined to take their aduantage, and to inuade Macedon with a grea­ter puis [...]ance in his absence. Also he made peace with the Romaines, and so be­ing Philip makes peace with the Romans. contented to haue delayed the Romaines warres against Macedon for a time, he laide waight to entrape Phylopemenes Duke of the Acheans, who as it was signefied to him, stirred the Romaines and the mindes of his confederates E against him. But Phylopemenes hauing knowledge thereof, and so auoyding the danger of the same, compelled the Acheans by his authority to rebell against him. F

The XxX Booke of Iustine.

THE ARGVMENT.

THe s [...]outhfulnesse of Ptolomy king of Egypt. Antiochus inuadeth Egypt, G and is put to the foile. Ptolomy giueth himselfe vtterly to ryot. He dyeth. His Concubins are hanged vp. The Romaines take the gouernance of the young king. The Greekes rebell against Phillip king of Macedon. He desireth peace with the Romaines, a quaking of the Sea, and an earthquake in Asia. Phillip is van­quished in battell by the Romaines, spoiled of all his Dominions, saving onely the realme of Macedon. The Etolians prouoke Antigonus to make warre vppon the Romaines.

DVring the continuance, that Phillip was thus earnestly occupied about great and waighty affaires in Macedon, H Ptolomy behaued himselfe cleane contrary in Egypt. For after he had obtained the kingdome, by playing the paracide and murdering both his parents, and that hee had moreouer killed his naturall brother as though he had atchieued all things as he desired prosperously, he gaue himselfe to riot, and in such excesse that all the [Page 101] realme endeuored after his steps, and as a lanthorne made to giue light to the followers, so they tooke from him. By meanes whereof, not onely his Noble men and officers, but also his men of warre, laying aside the recreation of chiualry, and feates of armes, fashioned themselues in sted of more worthy exercises, to sloth and idlenesse.

Antiochus king of Syria, being prouoked with an old grudge (which long had laine smothered, but not forgot) betweene these two realms, raised expe­ditiously a populous army, with which hostile forces, he conquered many cit­ties and also set footting into Egypt. Ptolomy trembling for feare at these so­daine and vnexpected powers, and being taken vnprouided, and presently to bid him a resistance, besought Antyochus by his Ambassadors, that hee would A respit him but so long til he had raised a power, wherin he would try the fortune of his renowne in one aduenture. Afterward hauing hired a great host out of Greece, he fought a prosperous battell, and had vtterly bereft Antiochus of his kingdome, if he had furthered his good fortune he had a foote by prowesse. But he being content with the recouery ofthe Cities he had lost, desirously concluded a peace, and tooke the occasion of quietnesse when it was offered him: but after this successe, like a swine that returnes again to his mire, or like The [...] li [...]e of Ptolomy Philopater an old sore sooner cut off then clensed; he fell to wallowing againe in his old accustomed slouthfulnesse; and as fire folowes smoke, so one sinne traceth an­other, he after flew Euridice his wife being his owne sister, through the flatter­ing B and bewitcht enticements of a harlot called Agathoclea, with whom he was betrothed in affection. And so forgetting quite the renowne of his name, and neglecting the maiesty of his kingdome, he spent the night in incontynency, and the day in voluptuous feasting.

Besides this the more to enflame his lecherous appetite, he had at his feastes musicall singing and dauncing. Neither could this King heere content him­selfe with the beholding of other, but also like a maister of misrule or a Merce­nary fidler, would play publikly vpon Instruments himselfe. These were the first plagues and priuy maladies broke out to greater sores, and were afterward the decay of his royall house: for not long after, both he and such Schollers C which from him as their tuter had tane theyr practise, they grew to such a ly­centious liberty, and the harlot waxed so Impudent and bould, that the courte within the walles was not able to conteine her. For the vnspeakeable sinne that the King diurnally vsed with her brother Agathocles, made her the more to be bold and presume vpon the King, and to beare her selfe the more stately and arrogant.

And to the encreasement hereof, came to the court her mother Euanthe, with whose custome also the King taking a liking, shee with her daliance so allured his hart vnto her, that of her he begot two sonnes. By meanes whereof althese, thinking their security and foundation thereof now vnpossible to be D shooke, and not being content with the king, though they held the kingdome also; now they must come abroad to be seene in the open view and face of the world; now they must be saluted, now they must be waighted vpon. Agathocles sitting cheeke by cheeke with the king, in his regall throane, ruled the realme at his owne pleasure.

[Page] The women disposed Marshalships of the hoast, Lieutenantships of pro­uinces, and Captainships as it pleased them, so that ordering all things for the publicke Weale, ther was no man in the realme that could do lesse then the king himselfe. At the length he died, leauing behind him a sonne of fiue The death of Ptolomy yeeres old, begot of his Sister Euridice. But whilst these Harlots practised to haue robbed and made spoile of the treasure, and compact themselues con­federates The b [...]ni [...]h­ment of his strumpets. with the most dissolute persons, and desperate reprobates in the kingdome; to the intent to depriue the right heir of his inheritance, by kee­ping secret the death of Phillip long after his decease. Neuerthelesse his con­spiracy was not so concealed but it came to light, and for Iustice, the peo­ple E ran vpon Agathocles and killed him, and the Women in reuenge of Eu­ridice were hanged vp vpon Gibbets.

And thus the notorious infamy of the realme being purged and put a­way, by the death of the king and the punishment of his strumpets, the men of Alexandria sent Ambassadors to the Romaines, desiring them to take vpon them the protection of their Orphan King, and the gouerment of his king­dome of Egypt, which they auouched that Phillip and Antiochus had alrea­dy The Romans protectors of Egypt. bought and told, intending to deuide and part it between them. The Ro­maines very glad of this Ambassage, as they that sought occasion of Warre against Phillip, to be reuengd of his purpose & do them displeasure, in the time of their Warres with the Carthageniens. Besides, after they had in set F battell subdued the Carthagenians, and repulst Hanniball, inforcing him to slight, they feared no mannes puissance, nor the Hostility he coulde rayse more then Phillips, accounting with themselus, what a trouble and damage Pirrhus had put Italy vnto, as it were with so small a handfull of Macedons, and howe great enterprises the same people hadde atchiued in the East.

Hereupon Ambassadors were sent to Antiochus and Phillip, willing them least they inferre further daunger vppon their owne, not to molest and meddle with the kingdome of Egypt, nor the subiects thereof. Furthermore M. Lepidus vppon the acceptance of the former treaty, was dispatched with G commission into Egipt to take vpon him the protection of the child, and the administration of the realme.

Iust about the same time, the Ambassadors of Attalus king of Pergamus and the Ambassadors of the Rhodians came to Rome, heauily to complain of insusserable wrongs King Phillip had done vnto them. In which complaint, and for redresse of which, the Senate were stirred to take Counsell and set Complaint [...]s against Phi [...]p b [...] the Ro­mans. forward the Warres of Macedon foorthwith. So that vnder pretence of ay­ding their confederates, Warre was decreed against Phillip, and a consull was sent with an Army into Macedon: vpon whose arriual, it was not longe before all Greece vpon trust of the Romaines rose against Phillip, in hope to H recouer their auntient liberty, and made warre vpon him. By means wher­of the King was so assaulted on euery side, that he was constrayned to desire peace.

When the Articles thereof shoulde haue bene propounded by the Ro­maines, bo [...]h Attalus, the Rhodians, the Acheans, and the Etolians, demaun­ded [Page 102] restitution of that had bin robbed from them, on the otherside, Phillip graunted that he could be content to be ruled, and haue the affaires arby­trated by the Romaines, but he proposed that it was vnfit the Greekes beeing vanquished by his predecessors Phillip and Alexander, and subdued vnder the yoke of the Empire of Macedon, should like Conquerours prescribe the Articles of peace, and not rather bee driuen to a streight accounte of theyr disobedience, ere they presume to challenge any liberty. Neuerthelesse, at length by much intreatance they grannted him a truce for two monthes, that a longer peace which could not be agreed vppon in Macedon, might be requested of the Senat in Rome. A

The same yeere betweene the Islandes of Theramene, and Therasia, in the midway betweene the Shores, there was a great Earth-quake in the sea. By meanes of the which (to the great admiration of such as sayled that waye) A terrible Earthquake. suddainely out of the deepe, floted vp an Islande with hotte VVaters; and in Asia the very same day, another Earthquake snaked the Citty of rhodes, and many other Citties, subuerting many gorgeous houses and pallaces, and throwinge downe manye rich and goodly buildinges, and edificies, where­of some were swallowed vppe whole.

At which wonder all men were sore affraid, and the Southsayers prophe­cied, that the Romaine Empire then beginning to spring vp, should deuour the old Empire of the Greekes and Macedons. In the meane season the peace B was reiected by the Senate, whereupon Phillip sollicitted the Tyrant Nabis to take his part, and ioyne with him against the romaines: so that when hee Philip main­taine th the Macedons against the Romans. had brought his hoast into the field, and his enemies were standing in order of battell against him, he beganne to incourage his men, rehearsing howe the Macedons had conquered the Persians, the Bactrians, the Indians, and in briefe all Asia, euen to the very vttermost border of the East; exhorting and aduising them, that so much more force and courage they ought to shew in this battell, as liberty is a thing of greater price, and shold rather be sought for then Dominion.

Flamminius also the Romaine Consull, hartned vp and incouraged his C men for this encounter, by putting them in minde, and renewing in their Flaminius in courageth the Romans. remembrance, the famous victories they had lately atchiued and brought to passe; shewing unto them, how that on the one side, Carthage and Sicill, were conquered, and on the otherside, Italy and Spaine recouered, by the prowesse and Noblenesse of the thrice-woorthy Romains. Also, that Hannibal was little or nothing inferriour vnto great Alexander; after whose expulsion out of Italy, they had subdued a great part of Affricke, being the thirde part of the world. Nor were the Macedons to be any thing the better esteemed of, by the ancient renowne of their predecessors, but according unto the power D and strength they were then fortified and strenthened withall, for their de­fence at that present.

For they shoulde not incounter with great Alexander, whose prosperity was such in his wars, that he was reported to be invincible, nor with his huge and mighty army that conquered al theast, but Phillip a child which had not yet scarce attaind to the years of discretion, and iudgement, who had work [Page] inough to defend his kingdome against his neerest neighbours, much lesse against them, chosen not from the meanest of the Romaines; besides they were to aduenture themselues with those Macedons, which but euen the other day almost were spoiled and led away prisoners by the Dardani [...]ns, and were able to report no merit of their own, but onely had to boast of the renowned acts of their auncostors. Whereas the Romains might iustly and worthily re­late the deeds done by themselues and their Souldiors. For it was no other hoast that subdued Hanniball and the Carthagenians, and almost al the West, then the very same Army whom he had there standing in battell arraye, and with whome, (woulde every one but from his forwardnesse theyr generall E take president,) he accounted it no hazard likewise to subdue these.

With these encouragements the mindes of both the Armies being infla­med they ran si [...]rcely to the encounter, the one part glorying in the Empire of the East, the other in as great Dominion of the VVest: the one bringing in to the battell with them the auncient and foreworne renowne of their prede­cessors, the other the fresh, greene, and florishing Flower of their late tryed knighthood and chiualry: But the Romaines had the fortune to vanquish the Macedons, and Phillip being vtterly discouraged by this ouerthrow, and desi­ring peace of the consull Flaminius, retained still the name of a King though he was bereft of al the Cities of Greece, which were as it were the members F of his kingdome, and which were scituate without the bounds of his aunci­ent inheritance, so that all that spatious world which his father conquered, he had no more left him to gouerne, but onely the Countrey of Macedon. And yet the Etolians being offended, that at their pleasure Macedon also was not taken from him and giuen to them, as a recompence in reguard of their paines taken in the warre, sent Ambassadors to Antiochus, who by flattering him, in aduauncing his puissance and chiualry, hoped thereby to inforce him to make warre against the Romaines, and in trust that as partakers therin, al Greece would take his part, graunted G their request. H

The end of the xxx. Booke.

THE XXXI. BOOKE OF A Iustine.

THE ARGVMENT.

ANtiochus inuadeth the territories of the Dominion o [...] Egypt. The Romaines proclaime warre against him. Nabis king of Lacedemon subdueth many citties B in Greece. The Romans send Ambassadors to take note of the procee­dings of Hanniball in Affricke, and to kill him. He espieth their purpose and slyeth vnto Antiochus. Nabi [...] is vanquished by Flaminius, after whose departure he fol­loweth the warres againe. Hanniball is highly entertained by Antiochus. He giu­eth counsell how to proceede in his warres against the Romaines. Sendeth a messen­ger to Carthage, to stirre them to rebellion. The Romaines send Ambassadors to Antiochus, who through their daily conuersation with Hannibal, bring him in the kings displeasure, who neuerthelesse sheweth his opinion, as concerning the warres with the Romans, the which is neglected. Antiochus is ouercome of the Romans, and taketh Hanniball into fauor againe. Hanniball is put to the worse vppon the C sea. The magnanimitie of Scipyo Affricanus. Articles of peace are propounded, and reiected by Antiochus. The Romaines come to Troy. Autiochus is vanquished with a great slaughter, and peace graunted him vppon the foresayd articles.

WHen Ptolomy-Philopater was dead, Antiochus king of Si­rya disdaining his little sonne being so young (who be­ing Antiochus invadeth Egypt. the onely hope of the Ptolomies lefte to inherit the kingdom, was euen as a pray to his owne subiects) pur­posed D to conquer Egypt. Whereupon when he had in­uaded Phenice and the other citties scituat in Syria, but vnder the dominion of Egypt, the Senat of Rome sent Ambassadors to him, and by them willing him to ab­staine from the Orphans kingdome, both him, and which, was by the last will of his father soueraigne thereof, left in trust with them, and committed to their charge: who being sent away with a sleeuelesse answer, immediately [Page] after arriued another Ambassador, who not treating with him in a milde forme, like the former, but commaunded them to make restitution with full amends, of the Citties that by the law of Armes appertained of right to the Romaines.

Vpon his resusall they made their defiance, the which as he lightly re­ceiued, so he as vnfortunately performed. At the same time the Tyrant Nabis, subdued many Citties in Greece. The Senat therefore least the Ro­ma [...]nes should be intangled in two Warres at one instant, wrote vnto Flam­minius, that like as he had deliuered Macedon from the bondage of Phillip, so if he should thinke it requisite, he should releeue Greece from the subie­ction of Nabis. In consideration whereof, his authority was proroged. For E the name of Hanniball made the Warres of Antiochus terrible, whome his cnuions aduersaries had accused to the Romaines of secret conspiracy with Antiochus, alledging that the ambition of his hart, would not suffer him to be subingate and liue vnder the correction of a law, which was necessary in euery republicke, who had bene accustomed also vnto soueraignty, and to the too much licentious liberty of the camp. And the rest which the Citti­zens inioyd after labor, quietnes, without turmoile; peace, and the plentie thereof; a publicke [...]nquility, and the prosperity thereo [...]; seemed so [...]e­dious and burthensome to him to indure, whose bodie and faculties had bene so inured, and as it were made ordinary vnto him, in the practise and F labour of Martiall affaires, that the lacke of excercise therein made him se­seem loathsome to himselfe; for redresse of which incombrance, he daylye sought to picke out some new quarrel, tothe intent he might haue occasion to set a foot fresh warres againe between [...]hem.

Which information of theirs, though it was giuen and reported against him contrary to truth, yet notwithstanding among them that stood in dread of him, and to preuent the danger of their feare, caught hold at the least oc­casion might intrap him, they were belieued, or at least held vp these sugge­stions for credible instances: and testimonies such, that gaue manifest signe whereby to suspect him. G

Whereupon the Senate being possest of some distrust in him, Seruilyus was sent by them Ambassador into Affricke, to take note of the demeanor of [...] Hanniball, of his publike carriage, and to gather by intelligences (which he might disperse in the Citty) what priuately the multitude whispered of his proceedings, what was the resort to him, & how and to whom he dispersed himselfe abroad, withall gaue him secretly in charge, that if it were possible, hee shoulde contriue with some of his aduersaries, to finde meanes to kill him.

But this secret working of theirs, was not so closely carried, that it could [...]. be kept from Hanniball, who being a wise and expert Captaine, both in fore­seeing H and auoyding of daungers, and a man so gouerned, that was diligent as well to preuent aduersity in the time of prosperity, as industrious to pur­chase and worke out of filicity, out of the violence of danger.

T [...]erefore when he had presented himselfe all the day in the viewe of the Noble men and of the Romaine Ambassadors, and with lookes abounding in [Page 104] curtesie, gaue them princely entertainement, in the close and shutting in of the two doores betwixt day and night, he secretly tooke horse, and rode to a mannor that he had scituate in the subburbes, and bordering neere vpon the Sea side, without making any of his seruants witnesses to his entent, onely wil­ling them to waight at the gate till his returne. Vp to this mannor came a creeke of the Sea, where he had prouided ships in readinesse for himselfe, and Marriners in readinesse for them.

Moreouer he had furnisht himselfe with a great summe of mony, both to defend him in what necessity soere chanced, and least by the want thereof, his iourney which he purposed to vndertake, might there by be resisted: and ther­vpon A with a company of his seruants which from the rest he had selected, and whom by a former experience of their vndoubted lou [...] to him, he was perswa­ded he might trust, (the number of whom being increased with Italyan priso­ners) he tooke shipping and directed his course to Antigonus.

The succeeding day, the Citty attended in the Iudgement hal for the com­ming of their Prince, and the same time their consull. But when they heard certainely of his so sudden and vnexpected escape, their harts trembled for feare, as carefull Cittizens do when there Citty is besiedged, fea [...]ing least it should be sackt, all misdoubting that his departure would redound to their vt­ter destruction. The Romaine Ambassador, as though Hannibal had euen then made warre vpon Italy, with quick despatch returned to Rome, deliuering the B sorrowfull tidings thereof to the Senat. In the meane time Flaminius hauing ioyned himselfe in confederacy with diuers Citties in Greece, vanquished Na­bis Nabis ouer­come. in two seueral pitcht fieldes one after another. By meanes whereof hauing brought him to so low an ebbe, that all his fortunes being desolated and as it were melted from him, he lest him in his kingdome, as a man that had recei­ued to himselfe of all his pristine dignity, nothing but the comfort of a careful Nabis againe r [...]neweth the Warre life.

But after that this Flaminius hadde withdrawne his Garrifons out of the citties, and conueied his host backe againe into Italy, Nabis being entised when so faire leisure was offered (and the rather for that he saw no man of eminent C place or note worthy to keepe possession against him) to giue life to a second warre; raised a power and suddenly inuaded many cittyes. Wherewith the A­cheans being first dismaide, and doubting least the mischiefe wherwith their neighbours had beene entangled, should creepe vpon [...]hemselues, determi­ned first to make warr against Nabis, whom they feared if he were not withstood in his course, would do no lesse vpon them. Of which warres they made lieue­tenant general their Pretor Philopemenes, a man of excelent merit in himselfe, The worthy praise o [...] [...] ­lopem [...]nes. and of cheefe reguard among them, who behaued himselfe so valiantly in the tr [...]st they reposed in him, both for the dignity of his owne name, and the ad­uancement D of his Nation, that by the Iudgement of al, he was fit to be compa­red with Flaminius the Grand-captaine of the Romaines.

The same time, and by this, Hanniball was artiued and had ioyned his po­wer H [...]bals entertain to [...]. in the strengthning of Antiochus, and of whom for loue that he conceiued of him, at his first comming, he was entertained and welcomed as a guest sent from the Goddes, and the king, in the the hope that he had of [...]m and his va­lor, [...] [Page] vtterly despised him. So that a counsell called, and so a question propounded, when euery man seuerally had giuen his opinion, Antiochus lastly asked him of his adiuce.

Which charge Hanniball understanding well, replyed to the King that hee perceiued he was not called because his maiesty thought himselfe to haue had neede of his counsel, but onely to supply and fill vp the number of sentences. Neuerthelesse, for the anciant hatred he had and did maintaine to the Romans, and for the good he wished, and the entire deuotion he had, and was so in Hannibal ad­ [...]th to m [...]i [...]ne w [...] wi [...]h the Ro­mains. duety bound to beare vnto the King, as in whose court onely hee had refuge in the time of his banishment, he would discusse what co [...]se his experience E thought most saffest for him to vndertake his warres in. And thereupon desi­red pardon for whatsoeuer he should speake in that behalfe, since he intended to deliuer his opinion largely. First, he vrged that he dis [...]kd their general opi­nions in that behalfe; as that Greece should be the place wherein to make war, seeing that Italy was better for the maintaining of the same: neither might the Romaines be vanquished but by their own weapons; nor Italy otherwaies sub­dued then by her owne power. For as the disposition and nature of those peo­plewas contrary from other Nations, so that of force the warres were to be or­dered otherwaies, then against other enemies. In other warres, it is fu [...]therance and aduantage to the one part, to search for the benifit of the place, to take oc­casion of the time, or to haue wasted their fields and villages: But with the Ro­maine, F whether you haue gotten any successe before, or whether you haue o­uercome him in the instant, you must be enforced euen then to wrastel with him, when he lieth vanquished at your foo [...]e. Wherefore if they be assailed in Italy, it is possible to ouer come them with their own weapons, their own riches, their own power, euen as he himselfe already had don. But if any opposit shall suffer them to enjoy Italy, as the well spring of their strength, he shall bee as far from attayning his purpose, as a man to compel back a riuer against the streme, or to dry it vp, not first beginning to stop it at the head, but at such place where waters were most deepest and most encreased. This related was his opinion in himselfe. Whereupon he was minded to haue offered his seruice and aduice vn­requested, G which now he had presented amongst those his friendes so openly, to the entent they might fully vnderstand, how to make war against the romaines, who out of their owne countrey were inuincible, and at home on their owne thresholds easie to be subdued. Insomuch that it was a far easier labor to depose The N [...]ure o [...] ambition. them of Rome then to set them beside their Empire, and to driue them out of I­taly, then out of their prouinces. For their citty had bin sacked by the French men and they themselues almost vtterly destroyed by him, and yet he could ho­norably boast he was neuer vanquished by them before, out of their contrey. But assoone as he was returned vnto Carthage, immediately with the place was also altered the fortune of the warres. The Kings counsell not reguarding the H profitablenesse of this aduice, seduced the king with earnest perswasion from the pertaking it, least if it should be alowed and fauored of the king, he againe would be reduced into his former fauor and accepted before any of them. An­t [...]chus, misliked not so much the counsell, as the author thereof, least the glo­ry of the victory should redound to Hanniball and not to him: thus thorough flattery and ambition, nothing was well ordered.

[Page 106] The king all the winter season giuing himselfe to riot and pastime was euery day making new marriages. On the contrary part Attalus the Romaine consull who was sent to those warres (with all diligence preparing men and armor withal other munition, artillery, and abylements for the warre) strengthened the citties that were in confederacy; allured such as were neuters, and in con­clusion according as either part laid before for their furniture, so had they suc­cesse in what they vndertooke. In the first encounter, when the king saw Antiochus put to flight. his men retire and giue backe, his cowardise did not releeue them with fresh succors, but offered himselfe captaine of such as first ran away, and left his camp replenished with alriches to his enemy. When he had by flight escaped into Asia, while the Romans, were occupied in gathering the spoile, hee had A leisure to repent him that he had reiected Hannibals counsell, and thereupon Hannibal a­gaine receiud to fauour. taking him into fauor againe, promised him he would order all his affaires fully according to his discretion. In the meane season he was aduertisd Liui­nus Menenius a Roman captaine, appointed admirall of the sea by the Senat, was comming towards him with fourescore ships of warre; which tidings put him in cheerefull comforte to recouere his misfortune: Therefore he deter­mined to encounter with him by the way, before the citties which as yet held their aliance with him, were reuolted to the Romaines, hoping to abolish the dishonor of discomfiture of Greece, by a new victory. But neither were the men of Asia able in this conflict to match with the Romaines, nor the ships of B like force and needefull resistance as were the Romaine Gallies, yet not with­standing the slaughter was the lesse, by reason of the pollicy, prouidence, and Hannibal be ing Admirall of the Nauy is ouercome. valor of the Captaine. The fame of this victory was not yet reported at Rome, and therefore the city staid the creating of their consuls, at which conuenticle and soleme assembly, none was thought fit nor of more sufficiency to bemade captaine, and haue commaund against Hanniball, then the brother of Affrica­nus, for that it was the peculiar worke of the Scipions, to vanquish the Cartha­geniens.

Lucius Scypio was created consull, and his brother Affricanus was giuen to him as his lieuetenant, to the entent Antiochus should vnderstand they had as C much confedence in their conqueror Scypio, as he had of his vanquished Han­niball. As the Scipions were conueying their host into Asia, word was brought to them, that the brunt of the warre in both places was already past the worst; so that they should finde Antiochus vanquished in battell on the land, and Hanniball ouercome at an honorable fight on the sea.

At their first arriuall, Antiochus sent Ambassadors vnto them to entreate a peace, sending moreouer as a peculiar present vnto Affricanus, his sonne, Antiochus seekes peace. whom the King had taken as he was passing ouer in a little barke; but Affri­canus answered, that there was great difference which ought to be considered D betweene benifits done to any one person priuatly, and the benifits that were done for the publike-weale of a whole countrey, and the person of a father was naturall in himselfe, when the body of a common-weale, consisted in the in­finitnesse of people, and the sinewes of many, which ought carefully to be pre­ferd, not onely before children, but before the originall and life it selfe, from whence they had life. Wherfore as in curtesie he was bound, and both in na­ture [Page] and humanity it was requisit, he returned the king harty thanks, for his honorable present, promising to reunite his bountious liberality, with some equall good turne and answerable kindnesse, if at any time it should lie in his owne priuate power so to do. But as touching Warre and peace, he wished him to expect from him no other then was lawfull betwixte enemy and ene­my: neither that he would do more or lesse then was requisite to the behoose of his Countrey. For it was euer the disposition of his thoughtes, to intreat for the ransomming of his sonne; nor suffered he the Senat, though perswa­ded therunto to go about it, but as appertaind to his honor, he sayd alwaies he would recouer him by force of Armes, or loose him. E

After this were Articles of peace propounded, the contents therof were, that he s [...]ould depart out of Asia, suffering the Romaines to inioy it peacea­bly, deliuer them their prisoners and runnagates, withall their ships, and [...] make restitution of all charges and expense, that the Romaines had bin put to in these Warres.

Antiochus hauing intelligence hereof, answered, he was not as yet so vtter­ly vanquished, that he should suffer himselfe to be spoiled of his kingdome, expressing that it was the next way to prouoke him to warre, rather then to allure him to peace. But while time gaue these two enemies leisure, for full preparing of both their armies, the Romains entring into Asia came to Troy, F where was held great reioycing, and honorable courtesies enter changed, The Romās com to Troy betweene the Troyans and the Romaines.

The Troyans declaring how Aeneas and the other of their Captains came from them, and the Romaines vaunted themselues to be discended of them; so that the ioy seemed as great betweene both parts, as at the meeting be­tweene parents and children, when eyther to other of long haue bin suppo­sed lost. It did the Troyans good, that their Lynage hauing conquered the West, and subdued Affricke, did now challenge the Empire of Asia also, as their auntient inheritance, and the rightful possession of their fore-fathers: saying it was happy fortune for Troy, that it was destroyed, considering how G luckely & prosperously it had risen vp againe: on the other side, the Romains had an immeasurable desire, to see the houses of their auncestors, the pla­ces where their for-fathers were bred and born, with the temples and Ima­ges of their Goddes.

Now when the Romaines were departed from Troy, King Eumenes mette them with a power of men in their asistance, and not long after a fielde was fought against Antic [...]us; in which, when a legion of the right wing of the Roman battell being put out of artay, fled to the campe, with more shame then danger, Marchus A [...]elius Marshal of the hoast, being left behinde for the defence of the campe, commaunded his souldiors to arme themselues H and forthwith issue out of the trenches, and with their swords drawn, to me­na [...]e such as offered to fly away, that they should suffer death euery subiect and fellow souldior of them, if they returned not into battell againe, and [...]. they shoulde find their owne campe hotter for their entertainment, then their enemies army could be powerfull for their flight.

The legion being astonied at so great a danger, accompanied with their [Page 107] fellowes that stopped them of their cowardise, returned into the field wher in The courage of the Ro [...]s seeking to recouer, the reproch they so worthily had incurd vpon themselues, they made a great slaughter of their enemies, and were the first meanes that begot hope of so famous a victory. There were of the enemies fifty thousand slaine, and a leauen thousand taken prisoners: yet notwithstanding when Anti­ochus desired peace, nothing was added to the former articles, for Affricanus answered, it was not the custom of the Romaines to be discouraged for losse, nor to be proud for prosperity. The cittyes they had taken they deuided among their confederats, iudging it a greater reward to the Romans to haue ho­nour, then possessions: making it probable, it was meet for a Roman to challenge glory and fame, & to resigne A the superfluity of riches to his partakers. B C D

The end of the xxxi. Booke.

THE XXXII. BOOKE OF Iustine. E

THE ARGVMENT.

THe Etolians are subdued. The Messenians and Acheans striue for the souer ain­ty. Phylopemenes Captaine of the Acheans is taken prisoner and poysoned by the Messeniens. The Messenians are ouercome and punished for the death of Phylopemenes. Antiochus and all his host is slaine by the men of the countrey. The F citties of Greece make complaint of Phillip king of Macedon at Rome; he is absoyled by the modesty of his sonne Demetrius, who by the false acusations of his brother Perses is brought in displeasure with his father and put to death. Phillip dieth for sorrow. Perses maketh pro [...]ision for warre against the Romans. The originall of the Istrians. The ignominy of the Daces. Prusias vpon trust of Hanniball that fled from Anticchus vnto him, breaketh the truce against Eumenes. The pollicy of Han­niball, conueying himselfe out of Candy. Prusias is ouercome vpon the land. Han­niball through a suttle inuention ouercometh the enemy vpon the sea. Ambassadors are sent from Rome to set the two kings at peace, and to haue Hannibals body yelded vp vnto them. Hanniball poisoneth himselfe. G

THe Etolians which had exasperated Anticchus to com­mence warre against the Romaines, after the day that hee was thus subdued, remained of themselues against the Romaines both vnable to match them in strength, and also destitute of anye supplye from their neighbors to The [...]toliars are subdued by the Ro­maines. enable them. By meanes whereof it was not long they could hold out ere they were vanquished, and lost their antient liberty, which they only among so many cities of Greece, had retained vntouched and vnblemished against the dominion of the H Athenians and the Lacedemonians: which estate of bondage was much bitterrer vnto them, by how much it came later then their countreymen, and the griefe of which was the more encreased by calling to minde the calamity which in former times their countreymen endured, when they, with the onely power of their owne people, had borne out the great force of the Persians, and repres­sed [Page 108] borne out the great force of the Persians, and repressed the violence of the Frenchmen, so terrible to Asia and Italy, in the battell at Delphos, the glory­ous remembrance of which, made their misery the more burthensome, & kindled a greater desire of liberty. But while these affaires were thus contri­ued, C [...]tention b [...]n the M [...]s and Ac [...] in the meane time the Messenians and the Acheans fel first to contenti­on, and not long after to publick battel for the soueraignty. In which battell Philopemenes the noble grand captain of the Acheans was taken prisoner, not throgh his own default, because he durst not fight for sauing of his life, but as he was about to bring his men in array that wer in the leaping of a ditch, his horse ouerthrew him, which his enemies espying clustered about him, A and ere he had time to recouer himselfe tooke him prisoner.

And yet the Messenians when they found him ouerthrown, whither it wer for feare of his prowesse, or for reuerence of his estate, durst not to kil him. But as though by surprizing him they had finished all the Warre, they led him about all the Citty in manner of a triumph, and the people ran out by heaps to meet him, as if their owne captaine, and not the captaine of their enemies had bin comming. And without question the Acheans his countri­men could not haue bene more desirous to haue seene him a Conqueror, if he had got the vpper hand, then were the Messenians his enemies, to be­hold him a prisoner, for they led him into a publick Theater, to the intent that young and old, from the cratch to the cradle, might generally behold B him, whom before they thought an incredible and impossible labor to bee vndertaken. From thence they conueyed him to prison, where for shame of the villany they had offered to so woorthy an estate, they gaue him poi­son, which he drunke with as cheereful and vndeiected acountenance, as if he should haue marched through his owne countrey, among his owne cit­tizens after he had woon the victory. But first he asked whither Lycortus the The courage of Philope­menes at his death. Lieutenant of the Acheans (whom he knew to be a man of best knowledge in feats of Arms next to himselfe) had escaped in safety or no. Of which when he was truly resolued that he was in safety, then the world goeth not altogi­ther against the Acheans (quoth he) & with that word he gaue up the ghost. C Not long after the warre was renued, in which the Messenians being vanqui­shed, suffered deserued punishment for putting Philopomenes to death.

In the mean season Antiochus K. of Syria, being greatly ouer charged with the tribute that he shold pay to the Romans, & seeing himself vanquished, & so grieuously burthened, whither it wer that he were compelled for want of The death of Antigonu. mony, or that he wer allurd with couetousnes, because he hoped vnder pre tence of necessity, which he was put vnto for the payment of the tribute, he he should be held the better excused, if he committed Sacriledge; foorth­with he assembled an army, and in the night assaulted the Temple of Iupi­ter, D in which attempt, he and all his hoast were slaine by the inhabitants.

When many Cities of Greece wer come to Rome, to complaine of the iniu­ries that Phillip had done them, there was great contention in the Senate­house, between Demetrius the sonne of Phillip, sent thither by his Father to excuse him to the Senat, and the Ambas of the Cityes: The young Prince being confounded with exclamation, suddenly held his peace, by which his shamefastnes, the senat being moued, gaue iudgement on his side.

[Page] Of this the King was aduertised by the decree of the Senat, to the entent he should vnderstand, he was not acquitted as guiltlesse, but rather pardoned for his sonnes sake, which though it were vpright, purchased vnto Demetrius not thankes for his behauiour in that Ambassage, but hatred thorough the malici­ousnesse of backbiters. For with his brother Perses (who sought by all meanes to surprise him) it procured him enuy, and with his father (when he knew oc­casion of his acquittal) it procured him displeasure, disdaining that the person of his sonne, should be of more force with the Senat then the authority of the father, or the estimation of his estate, being a King Perses therefore perceiuing his fathers disease, made complants dayly vnto him of his brother Demetrius, E and first brought a mistrust toward him, and shortly after into extreame dis­pleasure, obiecting against him, that he sought the friendship of the Romaines to be the ruine of his father.

But not contented to haue proceeded thus far against his brother, he went about to entrap him by treason, and surmised he went about to vsurp the digni­ty of the kingdome: for proofe whereof, he brought in record, and sobbo [...]ed false witnesses, to vphold the crime that he charged him withall. By meanes whereof, he compelled the father to murther his owne sonne, and brought all the court into sorrow and heauinesse.

After Demetrius was thus put to death, Perses (as it wer the party being dispat­ched F out of the way, whom he feared to be his enemy) began to be not onely more slack in performing his duty, but also more stubborne against his father; behauing himselfe not like an heire, but a King. Phillip being highly offended with this misdemeanor and peruerse behauiour of his sonnes, and finding no counsell nor tender admonition of power to reclaime him, from time to time very vnpatiently bewailed the death of his sonne Demetrius, as a young plant that would haue borne to him better fruite, and he himselfe had better hope of. Whereupon mistrusting himselfe to be deceiued by some cautel treason he put the witnesses to torture.

Through which hauing boulted out their mischiefe, he was vexed as much G with the wickednesse of Perses, as with the vndeserued death of Demetrius: and he had (as by natural office he was bound) beene reuenged of the treason by punishing the offender, had not death preuented him of his purpose; for short­ly The death of Phill [...] [...] o [...] [...]. after thorough great sorrow and pensiuenesse of hart, he fell sicke and died, leauing behind him great furniture for the warres, the which Perses afterward made imployment of. Moreouer he had allured the Frenchmen called Rascians to take his part, and was minded to haue made forceable warres vpon the Ro­mans if he had not died. [...].

For the Frenchmen, after the vnfortunat battell at Delphos (in the which the wrath of the gods, did them more displeasure then the puissance of their ene­mies) H hauing lost their Captaine Brenne, fled like outlawes, some into Asia, & some into Thrace; from thence they retired into their natiue countrey back, the very same way they came out. A certaine of them rested at the meeting of the two Riuers Dan [...]y and Say, calling themselues Rascyans. The people of Lan­gue [...]ock being returned into their old country of Tolouse, and there striken with a Pestilent murreine, could not recouer their health, vntill such time as by the [Page 109] admonishment of their Southsaiers, they had throwne into the lake of Tolouse al the gold and treasure that they had pillaged in the warres by the robbing of Temples: all which Scypio the Romaine long time after tooke away to the vse of the Senat. There was of golde 110. thousand waight, which sac [...]ge wa [...] af­terward the confusion of Scipio & his host. Immediatlye after followed the war of the Scimbrians against the romans, as it were to punish theyr former taking a way the church-goods. A great number of the people of I [...]ck, being [...]n­ticed with the sweetenes of the prey, as men wonted to liue together vpon the spoile went into Illiria, and there hauing spoiled the Istrians rested in Pa [...]c. It is reported, that the nation of the Istrians descended from the n [...]ē of Colchos, [...] that were sent by King Aetis, to pursue the Argonantes and Iason, that led may A his daughter by force: who entring out of the sea of Pontus, into the [...]r of Istre, and so directly into the riuer Say, following the Argonantes at the [...]eard heeles, carried their ships vppon their shoulders ouer the toppes of the M [...] ­taines, euen vnto the shore of the Adriatick sea, which things they [...] that the Argonants for the length of their ships had don before them. But when the men of Colchos could not finde them, (whether it were for feare of the king, or tediousnesse of the long sailing) they setled themselues neer vnto the C [...]e aquilia, and called themselues Istryans, after the name of the riuer, [...]to which they first entered out of the Sea. The Daces also at the yssue of the Getcs, who with Olor their king being vanquished in batel by the Bactrians, wer put to this B penance for their cowardise, that when they should take sleepe, they should lay their heads where their feete shouldly, and serue their wiues in such solemn sort, as their wiues accustomed to bee obedient to them. Which penaltie layd vpon them by their king, none should be so bold on the penalty of his displea­sure to Infringe, before they had by their manhood remoued the slander, due for former cowardise. Perses therefore being crowned king in his father Phil­lipes sted, stirred all these nations to take part with him against the romaines.

In the mean time there arose warre betweene Prusias (vnto whom Hannibal wars betwixt Prus [...]s and [...]es was fled, after that peace was concluded betweene Antiochus and the romaines) and Eumenes: the which warre Prusias (breaking the league vpon trust that hee C had in Hanniball) did first moue. For when the romaines (among other a [...]les of peace) put in the deliuerance of Hannaball sor one; the king ga [...]e him friend­ly notice of it, and he fled into Candy. In which Ile, when he had quietly l [...]ed a long time, and at length perceiued the people began to grudge and repine a­gainst him, for his great wealth and riches, he filled portes with leade and set them in the temple of Diana, as a vow for the preseruation of his life and good fortune. By meanes whereof the citty hauing no mistrust of his dooings, in as much as they beleeued they had his riches for a pledge, he went to Prusias, carrieng all his gold with him conueied in Images of timber, least if his riches should happen to be espied his life might be endangered for the ber [...] therof. D

Afterward when Eumenes had ouercome Prusias in battel vpon the land [...]d The [...] that Prusias would try the aduenture on the Sea, Hanniball by a new deui [...]e was the occasion that he gat the victory: For he caused of all kinde of Serpents to be put into earthen pottes, and in the midest of the battell [...]sl them into the enemies ships.

[Page] This pollicy seemed at the first to the men of Pontus to be but a mockery, to leaue weapons and sight with earthen potts. But when the serpents began to swarme about them in the ships, they were so troubled with the doubtfulnesse of the danger, that hauing both their enemies and the poyson of the Serpents to defend them from Prusias, they got the vpper hand.

When tidings hereof came to Rome, the Senat sent Ambassadors to cease the strife between both Kings, and demaunded to haue Hanniball yeelded vn­to them. But Hanniball being aduertised of this condition, and fearing the e­uent The d [...]ath of Hanniball. against him would be graunted, poysoned himselfe and died ere the Am­bassadors had time to ceaze on him. E

This yeare was notable for the deathes of three of the most puissaunt cap­taines in al the whole world, that is of Hanniball, Philopomenes, and Scipio Affri­canus; The [...]. of which it is truely recorded that Hanniball, neither in the time that Ita­ly qu [...]ked to see him thundring like a tempest in the Roman Empire, nor when he was returned to Carthage and held the soueraignty, did euer sit downe to his meate, or drunke aboue a pint and a halfe of Wine at a meale. And as for chastity, he kept it so vndesiled among so many prisoners that hee had, that a stranger would sweare in wonder of his condition, he was not borne an Affri­can. He was also of that modesty and gouernment that albeit he had sundry kindes of people to rule in his host, yet his Souldiers neuer went about to betray him, neither could be entrapped by F any pollicy, both which dangers his ene­mies full often attempted a­gainst him. G H

The end of the xxxij. Booke.

THE XXXIII. BOOKE OF Iustine. A

THE ARGVMENT.

PAulus Emilius encountreth with Perses. The valiant demeanor of Cato. Per­ses is oue, come and taken with his sonnes, slying towards Samothrace, with whome the Empire of Macedon endeth. The Noblemen of Etoly, with their wiues and children are led prisoners to Rome. B

THe Romaines finished the Warres of Macedon, with far lesse trouble then they did the warres of Carthage, but the conclusion thereof, was so much the more hono­rable, Great prepa­ration of the Romans a­gainst Philip. by how much the Macedons excelled the Cartha­geniens in renown & estimation. For they were furthe­red partly with the glory of the conquest of the East, and in speciall with the aid and help of Kings. To this war the Romaines gathered al the power they of them selues could make, and to inlarge their hoast more insinit, sent for succor C to Masiniss [...] King of Numidia, and to all other their confederates: Further­more they charged Eumenes king of Bythinia to asist them withall his po­wer, from age, euen vnto youth.

Perses besides his hoast of Macedons (who by the opinion of all men were accounted inuincible) had in his treasury and in his storehouses prouided before-hand, wherewithal to maintaine ten yeares warres: but this care­fulnesse was not his owne prouidence and thrift, but his fathers which lest it to him. By meanes whereof being puffed vp with pride, forgetting the mischance his parent had before him, grew carelesse of the inuasion of so great and powerfull an enemy, and like wormes that neuer dread daunger D till they be trod vpon, or like Birds that play before the fouler, till they are falne into the pit; so Perses to his men of warre made light of the Roman ar­my, saying it was sufficient inough for them to resist so intruding an enemy onely to consider; and when they were ordering themselues to fight, but to remember the auntient renowne of Alexander.

[...]

[Page] against them by the Lacedemonians, whose fields (for a mutuall hatred borne betweene those two people) the Acheans had forraged. The Senat returnd an swere to the Laccdemonians, that they would send Ambassadours into Greece, in that behalfe, and that none of their confederates or any such as desired to be at league and friendship with them, should complaine to them, of any [...] wrongs but they would both desend them, and by restitution to be made, re­dresse them. But the Ambassadours had secretly in charge, to endeuour as by all perswasions, to dissolue the agreeable consent to frendly and faithfull vnion, that these citties of the Acheans had the one with the other, and to the intent they might the easier be brought to subiection, to order euery city to E be free of it selfe, and not to pertake aliance with any other, wherin who so­euer should pronounce against the many mcrciles warre, the Senate hadde decreed they should be compelled by force.

The Ambassadors about these affaires arriuing at Corinth, there summo­ned before them all the Princes of these withstanding citties, recited the de­cree ofthe Senat to them, & declared what they wer come to counsell them vnto; namely that it was expedient for them, that euery citty should be go­uerned by their own laws, institutions, and customes, and not to be gouernd by the prouiding of others. But when this ambassage was notified to the mul­titude, insted of accepting this aduertisment of the Romaines, like mad men least ther shold be any partakers ofthe sorrainers which inhabited amongst F them, they fel to the massacre of them, and left not any stranger to soiourne in their dominion, nor had diminished their cruelty toward the Roman Am bas also, had not they by hauing priuat notice of them rescued themselus by slight. But so soone as the news hereof was by the Ambas. broght to Rome, the Senat apointed Mummius the Consull, to make warre against the Ache­ans, without protracting his endeuour or without delay, conueyed thither his Army, and hauing stoutly prouided for all necessaries in readinesse, ap­pertained to further so great an enterprise, offered his enimies battel. While the Acheans as though they held it a matter of no more importance to be in­uaded G by the Romanes, then by some other straggling enemy, were vtterly carelesse otherwayes then of ordinary resistance; sor minding the bootye which their enemies brought, and not the battell, whereby they shoulde be endangered themselues, they brought wagons to be laded home, with the spoiles of their enemies, and set their wiues and children in the mountaines to behold the conslict. But the battels were no sooner drawne to forme, and the incounter begun, but their wiues, children, & frends, which they broght to be the view of the warre, and to be witnesses of their valor, were testimo­nies of their ouerthrow, they were slain euerie souldior, euen in their deerest friends sight, and left them noioy of them to be comforted by, but the sor­rowfull remembrance of their fall, to record all their liues after, their wiues H and childrens looking on, and beholding their husbands and Fathers ruine were made captiues and a preie to the enemy. The chief Citty Corinth was beaten downe, all the people sold by the drum, for an example to other cit­ties. Corinth laide wast. After this, Antiochus K. of Syria, made war vpon Ptolomy the elder, his sisters sonne K. of Egypt, who was altogither giuen to sloath, and growne so [Page 112] vnweeldy through dayly ryot, that he not onely ommitted al things apper­taining to the estate and Office of a king, but also by meanes of ouermuch pampering of himselfe, became in a manner voyd of that reason which man by nature is inclined vnto. Being therefore in this warre expulsed his king­dome, he fled to Alexander, with whom he diuided his kingdome, who two togither so concluded, that they sent Ambassadours ioyntly to the Senat of Rome, requesting their help by vertue of the league that was confirmed and held between them.

The Senat being moued at this reasonable request of these two brethren sent Pub. Popilius their Ambassador. Antiochus willing him to abstaine from Antiochus m [...]th w [...] against Pto­lomy. A Egypt, if he were not entered there, and retyre himselfe and his forces from thence, if already he with them had disturbed their peace. Which Popil. be­ing admitted to Antiochus in Egypt, and that the king offered to kisse him, (for at such time as Antiochus lay in hostage at Rome, among others he had this Popilius in great reuerence. But Popilius aduertised him, to let cease and forbeare all priuate friendship, while affayres concerning his Country were in hand. And therewithall drawing foorth the decree of the Senat, and de­liuering it to him, when he saw him pause on the matter, and asking him lei­sure to consult and take adusie with his friends.) Popilius with a wand that he had in his hand, drew a wide circle about him, wiling him to cal his frends to take counsell with him there, and not to remoue or set his foot out of the B place wher he was, til he had returned the Senat a direct answer whither he would haue peace or war with the Romaines.

This rigorousnes of Popilius and with such heat deliuered, so much abated the kings courage, that he made reply, he was sufficiently contented to be An example of an vncor­rupted mind. ruled by the Senate. Antiochus after his return into his kingdome, leauinge his heir a tender infant, whom the realm assignd to be vnder the gouernance of certaine protectors.

Hereupon his Vncle Demetrius who lay in hostage at Rome, hearinge of the death of his brother Antiochus went vnto the Senate, and in his own be­halfe, deliuered that hee came thither for a Hostage duringe his life, after C whose decease he knew not for whom hee shold lye any longer pledge, but ought of right and Iustice to be discharged, that he might now as his owne challenge the kingdome, which as by the vniuersall law of all Nations it per­taiened as the inheritance of his elder brother, so now of reason it was due to him, being of more years & profound discreation, to manage an vnbridled kingdome, then from tendernesse of an infant, could be expected.

But when he perceiued though with long labored sute, the Senat would not licence him to departe (because they were all of one opinion, that the The d [...]ath of Antiochus. kingdome should remaine in more safety, and lesse vprore, being in the D childs rule, then in his) vnder pretence of riding a hunting, he sled to Ostia, and there with such of his fellowes whom he thought best to trust, he priuat­ly tooke shipping, and safely escaped from thence. Assoone as he was arri­ued in Siria, he was receiued with great ioy and fauour of all men, and the protectors who had taken the infant in defence, first murthered their ward, and after seated him in the possession of the kingdome.

[Page] The same time Prusias King of Bythinia went about to kill his owne sonne Prusias taken in his owne Share. Nicomedes, prouoked thereunto by no other cause, but thereby to aduance his younger sonnes that he had begotten vpon his second wife, and were then so­iorners at Rome. But the vnnatural plot being discouered to the young prince, by those whom his father had made ministers for the Tragedy, they further counsailed him, that for as much as his father in his cruelty had animated them to so inhumaine an act, he should preuent the conspiracy, and turne the mis­chiefe vpon the deuisers own head: neither found they it any difficult matter, to perswade him; but being prompted with the desire of his own preseruation, assoone therefore as he was called home into his fathers realme, with the en­tent E to be murthered, he proclaimed himselfe King, & discouered his fathers practise against him; herevpon the people took part with him, and Prusias the father and soueraign was deposed by his owne sonne and subiects, and being left not regarded no further then a priuat person, was forsaken of his owne ser­uants, and as he lay hoping to obscure himselfe in an vnfrequented and desolate place, being discouered to his sonne, his sonne as cruelly flew him as he had commaunded his sonne to be put to death. F G H

The ende of the xxxiiij. Booke.

The 35. Booke of Iustine. A

THE ARGVMENT.

DEmetrius maketh warre against Ariarathes king of Cappidocia, supporteth his brother Holofernes against him, whom afterward for treason prepensed he keepeth in prison. Prompalus is subborned as the sonne of Ant [...]chus by the name of Alexander against Demetrius, by whom Demetrius is depriued of life and kingdome. Demetrius the sonne of Demetrius recouereth his fathers king­dome. B

COncerning Demetrius the vsurper of the kingdome of Siria, supposing it to be dangerous to the security of his estate, and a hole for insurrection to creep in at, if vpon his new aduancement he should giue him to idlenesse, and not expresse asmuch of his Noblenesse to his sub­iect [...] as they in making him their King expected from him; determined to enlarge his kingdome, and to aug­ment his riches, by subdu [...]g his neighbors. Wherupon for the displeasure he bare to Ar [...]arathes King of Coppadocia for refusing his sister in mariage, he maintained against him his brother Holofernes; who being C wrongfully driuen out of his realme, resorted to him for succor. And for ioy An example of ingratitud that he had so honest title to make war, he purposed to replant him in his king­dome againe. But Holofernes being of a cankered and cor [...]upt nature, made a compact with the Antiocheans, who at that time wet his enemies and offended with Demetrius, and practised with them to depriue him of his kingdome, which in this his banishment went about to restore him back into his.

Demetryus hauing knowledge thereof, spared his life not for any zeale hee had toward him, but because Ariarathes by his preseruation should not be de­liuered from feare of his brothers warre; neuerthelesse he caused him to be ap­prehended and inprisoned in the citty Selucia. And the Antiochiens were not so D discouraged by the detection of their conspiracy, that they should cease from rebellion. Therefore by the help of Ptolomy King of Fgypt, Attalus King of Asia, and Ariarathes King of Cappadocia, all which Demetrius had by his warres sti [...]red against him, they subborned one Prompalus a man of the basest condi­tion, to challenge the kingdome by battel, as though it had bin his by right in­heri [...]ance.

[Page] And to the entent their should want nothing to spight Demetrius withall, they proclaimed him by the name of Alexander, and reported him to be the son of A [...]tiochus. So sore hated was Demetrius among all men, that by an vniuersal consent they not only gaue his aduersary the power of a king but also atributed vnto him nobility of lynage. Alexander now inriched by meanes of this won­derfull exchange, forgetting his villany and outrage, and being accompanied with the power almost of all the whole East, made warre against Demetrius whom he vanquished and depriued both of life and kingdome.

Howbeit Demetrius wanted no courage to withstand the brunt, for at the first encounter he put his enemy to flight, and when the kings renued the battel, he E The [...] [...] of De­metrius. so valiantly answerd them, that he slew many thousands of them, and yet at the last (though of an inuincible courage) he was slaine fighting among the thic­kest of his enemies. In the beginning of the warres, Demetryus had committed to the charge and ouersight of his host of Guidus in Licia, his two sonnes with a great sum of Gold, for defraying of their expences, to the entent they might be both out of ieopardy, and also if neede inforced, so much be preserued to reuenge their fathers death.

The elder of them named Demetrius, being past childhood, and hearing of the [...]otous demeanor of Alexander (who for the ioy he had in his riches vn­hoped, and in the ornaments of another mans felicity, giuen ouer to licenti­oulnesse, kept himselfe like a cowardly carpet knight at home in his pallace, a­mong Demetrius the you [...] [...] his fathers kingdome. F a company of concubins and brothels) by the help of the Candiens, assailed him carlesse, and misdreding no hostility prepared against him at all. Then Antiochiens also, to make amends with their new benifits for the old dis­pleasure done to his father, yeelded themselues to him.

Moreouer his fathers Souldiers being enflamed with fauor toward the young Prince, and preferring the concience of their oath made to his father, before their latter promise giuen to their new proude and dishonest King, reuolted wi [...]hall their ensignes to Demetrius: and so Alexander being with the like rage of fortune ouer throwne as he was li [...]ted vp, was in the first battell van­quished and slaine, and so suffered due and deserued punish­ment G both in the behalfe of Demetrius whom he had slaine, and in the right of Antiochus whose stock he had slan­dered. H

The ende of the xxxv. Booke.

THE XXXVI. BOOKE OF Iustine. A

THE ARGVMENT.

DEmetrius maketh warre against the Parthians, and is taken prysoner. Tryso vsurped the kingdome of Siria. Antiochus the brother of Demetrius wrest­eth it out of his hands, and subdueth the Iewes. The oryginall of the Iewes. The commendation of Ioseph. The going of the Isralites out of Egypt vnder Moyses. The hollowing of the saboth day. The fruitefulnesse of Iury, with the description of the vale of Iericho, of the dead sea. Of Attalus king of Pergamus. Of his cruelty, and madnesse, and how he made the people of Rome his heire. Aristomicus the ba­stard B sonne of Eumenes challengeth the crowne and is ouercome by the Romaines.

DEmetrius hauing thus recouered his fathers kingdome, was himselfe also corrupted with the prosperous successe of his affaires, and not forwarnd by the fall of him that preceeded him, through the inclination of vice, that is commenly wont to be in the thought of youth, and the hot desire of euill, so generally rooted in the blood, he fell to sloath and idlenesse and wholy neglected the re­quisit ordaining of his affaires, and the honor of his C princely name. By meanes whereof he purchased to himselfe, as g [...]eat ha [...]red in all mens harts for his esseminate cowardyse, as his father before him had gotten by hi [...] pride and a [...]rogancy. Whereupon, perceiuing how the cities & his king some euen to the vtmost borders, began to withdraw their ob [...]dience from him, to the entent to wipe that spot of cowardise wherewith hee had blemished his reputation, he determined to make warre vpon the Parthyans. Whose comming the people of the East were not willing to behold, both by reason of the cruelty of Arsaces King of Parthyans, and also because the coun­tries being enured with gentle entreatance of the antient dominion of the Ma­cedons, D could hardly disgest the pride of the new Empire of the Parthians. By meanes whereof being ayded with the powers of the Parthians, Emilians, and Bactrians; he vanquished the Perthians in many battels. [...] [...] priso­ner.

Neuerthelesse at last being deceiued at a parly, vnder a counterfet coulor of peace to be handled, hee was taken prisoner and drawne through the open face of the Citties that had before reuolted, and shewed in dension to the [Page] people that had tooke part with him, as who should say, they might to their terror, see what a deiected creature hee was now, whom they but lately had so highly fauored. Afterward he was sent into Hyrcania, & there curteously enter­tained, according to the dignity of his former estate. In the meane time Tryfo, Tr [...]fo vsurps. who through great sute had obtained to be admitted protector ouer Antio­chus, sonne in law to Demetryus, killed the child and vsurped the kingdome, which long after as a soueraigne thereof in peaceable possession he enioyed.

But at the length, when the fauour that was giuen to him at his first corona­tion began to be worne out, Antiochus the brother of Demetrius (who all that time was brought vp in Asia) being but a very child, ouercame him in battell, E and so the kingdome of Sciria was reduced back againe to the posterity of De­metrius: Antiochus therfore, remembring that both his father was hated for his pride, and his brother dispised for his slouthfulnesse, to be sure that he would not fall into the same vices himselfe, after he had taken in marriage Cleopatra his brothers wife, he with all his deligence pursued the Citties, that had reuol­ted from his brother at the beginning of his raigne, and hauing subdued them, reformed them againe to the obedience of the Empire. At this time also, hee conquered the Iewes, who in the raigne of his father Demetrius, hauing gathe­red themselues into one body, had withdrawne their obedience from being subiect to the dominion of Macedon, & hauing set themselues at liberty, which F before were in bondage, they grew to such strength, that after the time of this Kings decease, there was no soueraigne of Macedon able to subingate their fealty by his dominion, but that in spight of them, they created a ruler among themselues, and disturbed all Sciria with their nations proceedings.

The originall of the Iewes was Damasco, which is the Noblest citty of al Sci­ria, The original of the Iewes. and from whence the kings of Sciria deriued their pedigree, as linially des­cended and propogated from Semiramis. The citty had the name of a king of theirs (called Damascus) in honor of whom, the Scirians, worshipping the Se­pulcher of his wife Aratis, for a Temple, and reuerenced her with much deuoti­tion and superstitious Ceremonies for a Goddesse. After Damasco, reigned A­braham, G Israel, and Moyses, but Israel was more not [...]ble then his au [...]cestors, by reason of the frutfull encrease of his ten sonnes: Therefore he deuided his people into ten kingdomes, and deliuered it to his sonnes, calling them all Iewes, after the name of Iuda, who deceased immediately after the deuision: the remembrance of whom, he commaunded al the rest to haue in reuerence, (his portion was the chiefe of all the others) the youngest of his brothers was Ioseph, of whose excellent wit all the elder brothers being affraid, secretly laid for him, and hauing betraied him, sold him to a Marchant-stranger, by whom he was carried ouer into Egypt: where through the sharpnesse and pregnancy The [...] of [...] in Egypt. of his wit, he profited in the magicall artes, that in short continuance he pro­ceeded H and was held in great estimation with the king: for he was both a cer­taine deuinor of wonders and fortokens, and also was the first that discouered the interpretation and secret trouble of dreames: neither was there any thing appertaining, either to the diuenity of God, or the prosperity of man, wherin as it were by heauenly reuelation, he appeared not to haue exact knowledge. Insomuch that he fore saw the barrennes and famine threatened to the land, [Page 115] many yeare before the Empire thereof, and without question all Egypt had in that greedy vnsatisfied time perished for hunger, if the K. aduised by his coun­sel, had not giuen straiht command, to engrosle and lay vp in store, the corn of many years before to preserue his people [...]rom the extreamity ensuing. Final­ly he was so wel experienced, that his answers seemed not to be giuen by man but by God. His sonne was Moises, who besides the inheritance of his fathers knowledge was also worthily commended for his exceeding beauty & com­ly personage. But the Egyptians being striken with a great itch and leprouse scurf ouer al their bodies, to the entent the contagion should infect no further, by the warning of an Oracle, exiled him and al the infected out of Egypt. Moi­ses An vn [...]uth therefore being there made captaine ouer the banished people, stole away A the hallowed Relicks of the Egyptians, which stuffe due to their deuotion, they entending to recouer the same by force, were compelled by the violence of a tempest, which wether beate them to retire home again, and Moyses soone after resorting to Damasco, the natiue countrey of his auncestors, [...]ent vp into the Mountaine Syria, in which (forasmuch as he first rested there, after seuen The hallow­ing of the lab baoth day. daies fasting and trauell of himselfe and his people through the desetts of Ara­bya) he hallowed the seuenth day, and called it after the manner and custome of the countrey then in vse, the saboth day; commaunding it to be kept fasting day for euer after, because vpon that day they made an end of their trauell and B hunger. And in memorial that they were driuē out of Egypt for feare of infecti­on, least they should be hated againe for the same cause where they should in­habit: they instituted a law, neuer after to communicate with strangers, which ordinance rising at first thus vpon good consideration, by little and little grew into a custome of superstition. After Moyses his brother Aruas or Aaron, was consecrated, the first priest of the Ceremonies of Israel, and not long after King: so that it remained euer after as a custome amongst the Iewes, that they which Aaron were their priests were also their Kings. Through which, iustice ioyned with re­ligion, it is increadible how greatly they encreased. The enriching of the Iewes came by the reuenewes of Balme, which groweth in no other country but onely in theirs. For certaine, there is a spatious valey enclosed round about with con­tinual C & leuel hylles, as it were walles to cittyes, or like defences about choice Gardens. The place containing 2 hundred thousand Acres, is named Iericho, in the same valley there is a wood worthy principall record, both for the fruitful­nesse The descrip­tion of I [...]o and for the pleasantnesse thereof; for it is both beset within and enclosed about, with date trees, and balme trees. The balme trees are a like in making & groweth vnto pitch trees, sauing that they be much lower and are dressed as vines are: these at cetrain seasons of the yeare do sweat out balme, neither is the place somuch to be admired at for the fruitefulnesse, as for the couldnesse; for whereas through all the climate of that countrey the sunne is exceeding hot, there is in that seate, a natural warmenes of the aire, and a continual shadow to D walk and recreat in. In that contrey also is a lake, which for the greatnes therof & for the vnmoueable standing of the water, is called the dead sea. For neither is it altered with the windes, by reason the Bytumen resisteth the force of them, The dead sea wherewithall the water is made vnmoueable, neither can it be sailed vpon, be­cause all things wanting life, sink down to the bottom, and it wil not be [...]re any substance vnlesse it be ouerlaid with Allome.

[Page] Xerxes King of Persia was the first subdued the Iewes, afterward, they and the Xerxes first subdued the Iewes. Persians also, were brought in subiection by great Alexander & continued by many yeares vnder the gouernment of the Empire of Macedon: lastly rebelling against Demetrius, by seeking the friendship and aliance of the Romains (who at that time did cut large thongs of other mens leather) they were the first of all the Nations of the East that recouered liberty. During the same time that there was such alteration of the kingdome of Siria, among the new Kings, Attalus King of Asia, distained his most florishing kingdome, which he had receiued of his vncle Eumenes, with the slaughter of his friends, and the exe­cution of his alies, falsely surmising one while, that the old Lady his mother, E another while that his owne wife Beronice were by their sorcery and enchaunt­ments put to death. After the committing of this wicked and outragious cru­elty, The sorrows of Attalus. he apparelled himselfe in vndecent apparell, and suffered his head and beard to grow long and forworne, like as offenders fashion themselues to do, being once in prison, carlesse of any thing that should refresh or delight ei­ther their bodies or mindes: he tooke no pleasure to come abroad, it was hate­full to see or heare the people, al m [...]th in his house was loathsome vnto him, all pleasures poison, and as a man distracted and [...]ent from his humaine rea­son, so contemned he al humaine society: so that it was thought he offered this punishment of himsel [...]e, as an oblation to alay the fury of the Goddes which he had iustly prouoked to do iustice against him, or to pacifie the wondering F Ghostes of such, whom he had wrongfuly put to death. After this, neglecting altogether the gouernment of the kingdome, refusing the estate and dignity giuen and due to a Prince, he gaue himselfe to making of Gardens, and sowed seedes, setting hearbes and weedes together, all which hee would steepe in venemous licquors, and commend as espetiall presents to his most decrest friends.

Furthermore he gaue himselfe to the practise and exercise of the Smiths crast, and to the founding of mettales, maru [...]lously delighting in casting of Brasse. Finally entending to make his mother a Toombe, as he was earnestly occupied about the same, he caught a surfet by the heat of the sun, of which G he died within seuen daies after, by his last will making the people of Rome his The death of Attalus. heire.

But Aristonicus the sonne of Eumenes, not begotten in wedlock, but born of a single woman of Ephesus, who after the death of Attalus, tooke vpon him the gouernment of the kingdome of Asia, as it had bin successiuely his claime by right of the inheritance. When hee fought many prospercus battels, a­gainst such of the citties as would not yeelde themselues to his ayde, for feare of the Romaines, and by that successe seemed now to be rightfull King with­out contradiction, Licinius Crassus the consull, was appointed to haue the charge and disposing of al things in Asia, who hauing more minde of Attalus H riches, then how for his advantage to contriue his warres (by the aduenturing the encounter in the later end of the winter) without heedfull direction he was The rewarde of a [...] man. ouercome, and with the losse of his life concluded his rashnesse, and suffered punishment of his couetousnesse. To succeed in his roome was sent the con­sull Perpenna, who in the first encounter vanquished Aristo [...]us, tooke him [Page 116] prisoner, and shipped all the treasure of Attalus appertaining to the Romans by force of Legacie, and conueyed them to Rome; the which his successour Marcus aquilius the Consull, taking sore to hart, made all the speed he could, to take Aristomicus into his hand, whereby hee himselfe might rather haue the honor of the triumph for vanquishing him then Perpenna: but the death of Perpenna brake off the strife betweene the two Consuls, and so Asia bee­ing made the right of the Romans, did with her riches send all her vices vn­to Rome. A

THE XXXVII. BOOKE OF B Iustine.

THE ARGVMENT.

THe Massilians intreat the Romaines to release their displeasure againste the Phocenses. The Romaines reward the Kings that aideth them against Ary­stomicus. The cruelty of Laodice toward her owne children. The byrth, edu­cation, C and daungers of Mythridates. He subdueth the Scithians. Hee trauailleth through Asia disguised. He putteth his wife to death, for going about to poysonne him. His warlicke conuersation. He entereth into league with Nicomedes Kyng of Bithinia, and they ioyntly Conquer Paphlagonia. He subdueth also Galatia, contra­ry to the prohibition of the Romans. Nicomedes altereth the name of his sonne, and proclaimeth him King of Paphlagonia.

AFter that Aristomicus was taken prisoner, the Massilians, sent Ambassadors to Rome, humblye requesting par­don for the Phocenses their first founders, vppon whose D Citty and people, the Senate had giuen sentence that they should be vtterly rooted out, and the posteritye oftheir name extirp, for that both in the last war with Aristonicus, and before time when they had like con­trouersie with Antiochus, the same citty like deadlye [Page] enemies had euer furthered the warre against them, which request the Mas­silians with much sute obt [...]ined.

This done they rewarded the kings that aided them against Aristomicus. vnto Mithridates king of Pontus, they gaue the lesser Syria, and vnto the sons of Ariarathes king of Cappadocia, who loste his life in the same battell, they gaue Licao [...]a and Cilicia, wherin the Senat and people of Rome, dealt more fauourably with the sonnes of theyr confederates, then the mother dealte with hir own children, for by the one the child had his kingdome inlarged, by the other he was bereft of his life. For Laodice, of six sons Ariarathes had begotten by her (for seare least by continuall succession in the gouernment E of the kingdome, some of them might happen to attaine to mans estate) kil­led siue of them, one of the youngest by the help of his kindred, was preser­ued from his mothers cruelty, after the death of Laodice, (whom the people The [...] [...] tuelty of a mother. had put to death for the cruelty toward her children) inioyd the kingdom to himselfe. Mithridates also being surprized by sudden death, left a son to pos­sesse his throne of his own name, who afterward grew to such power, that he surmounted in estate, not onely the kings of his time, but also all them that had reigned before him: he held wars with the Romans six and forty years to­gither, Myth [...]idates the gr [...]at. sometime with conquest, sometime with losse, whom the most expert captains, Silla, and Lucullus, with diuers others: and in fine, Cneus Pompeius F ouercam in such sort, that he still rose with greater force and prowesse to re­nue the wars, and by his losses seemed euer to bee made more terrible vnto them, nor at last was he vanquished as an enimy, but in his old & declining age, leauing his son to be his heir, he dispatched and shortened his own life, by desperat and wilful death in his own kingdom, which he long honorably had made good against his enemies, and where his ancestors had reigned of long continuance.

The very wonders of heauen did pronosticate to what greatnes he shold aspire, for both the same year he began his Empire, there appeared during the progresse of therescore and ten dayes, at both times such a blazing star, G that all the sky seemed to bee on fire; for it was so large and spatious, that it A Come [...] occupied a quarter of the heauen, and shewed so bright, that it blemished the light of the sunne, and when it rose or went down, it consumed 4. houres at each time.

When he was a child, his own gouernors went about to destroy him, set ting him vpon a rough and vnbroken horse, and compelling him to learne to ride, and practise the actiuity and Noble exercise of Turney, the which at­tempt, following not their minds as they hoped for, because the yong prince Mithridates managed the horse better then was hoped or expected in one of his age, they assailed him with poyson, but he casting how to escape perils H before they came, drunk treacle oftentimes, by means wherof, he so stayed his body with tried and exquisit medicines, that when he was old, he would haue poisoned himselfe and could not.

After this, fearing his enemies would compasse the treason by stratigem, which they could not by poyson, he counterfetted a desire of hunting, wher by the space offoure yeeres, hee came not vnder anye roofe in the Cittie, [Page 117] or cottage in the Country, but wandred vp and down in forrests and woods, and rested the night time in Mountains, somtime in one place, somtime in another, making no place especiall for his repose, nor no man that knew his particular haunt, he enured himselfe eyther to chase or to pursue the wilde beasts on foot, and with some of them to encounter by plain force, by means whereof, he both auoyded all treason, and also hardned his body to ab [...]de all kind of labor and trauell.

Afterward when he came to take the gouernment of the kingdome vpon him, he immediately set his minde not so much to the gouerning, as to the enlarging of the same, and in his Warres, he marueilous fortunately subdu­ed Mit [...] [...]idates [...] the [...] the Scythians, who before that day was neuer conquered, who Noblie de­stroyed A Zopyron, the captaine of great Alexander, with thirty thousand figh­ting men, who had slain Cyrus K. of Persia, with two hundred thousand men of warre, and had put to flight, Phillip king of Macedon.

Being thus encreased in strength, he conquered Pontus, and consequent­ly Cappadocia. Then with certaine of his friends he went secretly disg [...]ised out of his own kingdom, without knowledge to any other, then those frends associated him, and wandered through Asia, viewing the Scituation of the citties and prouinces of the same. From thence he trauelled ouer Bithini [...], and as though he had bin already Lord of Asia, he prouided himselfe of all things B that might helpe to further him toward this great conquest.

After this trauell, when all men supposed he had bene dead, he returned backe into his owne realme where he found a little sonne, whom Laodice his Sister and wife had brought him foorth in hys absence. But in the midst of the ioy that was made, for his returne and for the birth of the child, he was in danger to be poysoned; for his sister Laodice, beleeuing him to be dead, The wife of Mithrid [...]tes pra [...]leth to take his li [...]e. and thereupon abusing her body with his friends, (as though shee mighte haue less ened her offence, by committing of a greater crime) prepared a cuppe of poyson to Welcome him home withall. Whereof Mythridates hauing intelligence by a Damsel, punished the offence vpon the practisers thereof. C

After when Winter drew on, he spent not the time in feasting but in seats of Armes, not in ydlenesse but in excercise, not among carpet knights, but in Iusting and Turnement, in running on foot, and on horsebacke, or else in wrestling and tryall of strength amongst his peeres: he also daily enured his men of Warre by daily excercise, to be enured to like labor and trauell, equall with himselfe. By meanes whereof, as by the Noblenes of his mind, and courage of his body, he was reputed inuincible himselfe, so his whole hoast trained vp vnder him, were held inuincible also.

He first entred into leage with Nicomedes, and then inuaded Paphlagonia, the which hauing conquered, hee diuided the benefit thereof to his cap­taines D and followers: When newes was deliuered to the Senate, that these kinges had subdued the kingdome, they sent Ambassadours to them both, He conque­teth Paphla­gonia. commaunding them not onely to desist from what they had begunne, but withall to leaue it, without being any way indamaged by them in the same estate they found it in. But Mythridates accounting himselfe now of power [Page] sufficient to resist the puissance of the Romaines, answered proudly, that the kingdome was his fathers by inheritance, and that he maruailed, (knowing no reason they had for it) they should make argument with him for his, more then they before had done with his father: vpon which answere being threatened in the behalfe of the Senat by the Ambassadors, he set so light by their menaces, that he forthwith inuaded Galicia. Nicomedies also (forasmuch as he was not able to make his party good, in the right of his kingdome by any title) answered he would surrender vp his to the lawful King. And thereupon changing the name of his owne sonne, he called him Phylomenes, by the name of the Kings of Pa­phlagonia. By which conueiance, vnder that counterfet pretext, he still E held the kingdome, as though he had restored it to the rightfull successor. So the Romaine Ambassadors being thus had in derision without other answer, then being scoffed by both, returned back to Rome. F G H

The end of the xxxvij. Booke.

The 38. Booke of Iustine. A

THE ARGVMENT.

MYthridates destroyeth Ariarathes king of Cappadocia, and Nicomedes inua­deth the kingdome. Mythridates vnder pretence of helping his sisters sonne, driueth Nicomedes out of the realme, and by a cunning slight taketh awaye the life of his sisters son, and maketh one of his own sons king. The Cappadocians re­bell, and set vp Artarathes, the brother of the before slaine king, whom Mythrida­tes ouercommeth, and driueth him out of the realme. The saide Ariarathes dyeth, whereupon Nicomedes subborneth a beautifull young man, vnder the color of being B brother to the said Ariarathes to sue to the Senate of Rome for the kingdome. My­thridates doth the like with another of his sonnes. The Cappadocians being set at li­berty desire a king. Ariobarzanes is appointed by the Senat. Mithrydates entereth into league with Tygranes king of Armenia, who expulseth Ariobarzanes out of Cappadocia. The Romaines sent their Lieutenants to set Aryobarzanes again in his kingdome. Mithridates maketh great preparations and furniture for the warres. He encouraged his souldiors and consulteth of the ordering of his warre. Ptolomye King of Cyrene obteining the Kingdome of Egipt after the death of his brother, worketh most extreame cruelty against the Authours of his promotion. The Am­bassadors of Rome come to Alexandria. Ptolomy flieth out of Egipt, maketh warre C against the same, committeth most execrable cruelnesse against his owne children. The curtesie shewed by the King of Parthia to Demetrius, being their prisoner. De­metrius ste [...]leth away twice, and is sent back againe. Antiochus the brother of De­metrius, maketh Warre against the Parthians. Demetrius goeth into Syria. Anti­ochus is slaine, and all his hoast murdered by a sudden conspiracy. Demetrius esca­peth into his kingdome.

MYthridates now, least any stop or suspition of his, should lie in the way to withstand his ambitious proceedings, D from honorable warres abroad, he returned to vnciuil murthers at home, and hauing begunne first with put­ting his wife to death, determined to expire no lesse, on the children of his other Sister Laodice, whose hus­band Ariarathes king of Cappadocia, he had traitrouslye slaine by the furtherance of Gordius, accounting the [Page] stratigem that concluded the Father, of little purpose, if after him the yong Princes should inioy the inheritance of the kingdome, which heeso much thirsted after.

But while he was busied in these politick affaires, Nicomedes king of Bithi­nia, inuaded Cappadocia, then detistute of a head, b [...] reason of the late death of the king: which Mithridates taking in hand to defend vnder a sayned pre­tence of pittying his sister, hee sent her succour to expuise Nic [...]es o [...]t of Cappadoc [...]a. But Laodice had by that time they were arriued yeelded hir se [...]f to Nicomedes, vpon condition he s [...]ould take he [...] to wife. Whi [...]h marriage Mythridates taking in high displeasure, hee compelled the Garr [...]sons of [...] ­comedes E out of Cappadoc [...]a, and restored the king [...]ome to his sisters sou [...], wherein he had per [...]ormed a kinsman part, and therem had [...] [...] right Noble if thereby had not followed a de [...]eit which he practised in the Mithrida [...]es d [...]th Ni­com [...]des out of C [...]ppado­cia. doing thereof.

For wi [...]hin few dayes after he was earnest to ha [...]e Gordius restored home into the fauor of his king and [...], whose helpe he had [...]sed in the mur­ther of Ariarathes, hoping that if the young king thereat wo [...]lde seeme to make resistance, he sho [...]ld the a haue some q [...]arrel to make warre vpon him; or if he were contented therewithal, that he then migh [...] dispatch the sonne by the same man that he ruinated the father. Which deuise when Ariara­thes F the yonger vnderstood to be wrought against him, taking it in displea­sure that the murtherer of his father should be repeald out of exile, (and that in especiall by his Vncle) whoe rather of Iustice oughte to haue puni­shed so hemoas an offender, then thus ha [...]e fauored him; as well [...]or his owne defence which he do [...]ed, as otherwayes he raised a great Arm [...]. Mi­thr [...]ates now hauing bro [...]ght into the field, fo [...]rescore tho [...]sand sootmen, and ten tho [...]sand horsemen, with sixe hundred armed Chariots, and that his aduersary Artar [...]thes by the help of the kings that were his neighbo [...]rs, and were contesserat with him, had leuied and assembled togither as great a power as their enemy, which Mythridates s [...]pposed them vnpossible to raise, G for feare of the vncertaine chaunce of the battell, he altered his purpose of warre, to the practising of treason, being of opinion tha [...] in causes that con­cern kings, no treason for conscience sake, ought to be neglected, which cer tainly tends to the publick preseruation of so particular a person, whose se­curity before lay in hazzard.

And the rupon procuring the yong Prince to come to a conference with The trech [...]ry of M [...]thrida­tes. him, he conueyed a dag [...] in the vpperstock of his hose, and when the ser­cher that was sent by Ari [...]thes (as the manner ofkinges is) began to feele carefully the neather part of his be [...]ly, he i [...]stingly bad him beware that he sound not another weapon then he sought for [...]so by meanes of which scosse H the treason was disclosed.

Then both the kings being come to the place of parley, Mythridates drewe Ariarathes a good way from hi [...] Friends. as it had bin to haue their commu­nica [...]ion secret to themselus, wher watching his aduant age in the open view of both armies slue him, and crowned a son of his own of the age of 8. years k. of Cappad [...]cia, giuing him the name of Ariarathes, and assigning Gordius to be his gouernor.

[Page 119] But the Cappadocians being vexed with the cruelty and treachery of the The sonne of Myth [...]dates it expulted forenamed persons, reuolted from Mithridates, and sent for the kings bro­ther, whose name was Ariarathes also out of Asia, where he was instructed and brought vp, against whom Mithridates renued the wars, and hauing o­uercome him, draue him from out of the realme of Cappadccia. Not long af­ter, what for feare of his kinsmans pursuit, and what by the present distresse he was in, the young prince caught a sicknes and died. After his death Ni­comedes fearing least Mithridates by obtaining Cappadocia, would further in­uade Bithinia, as next neighbor vnto it, subborned a child of excellent beau­ty (as thogh Ariarathes had begotten 3. sons, and not two only) to desire of the senat of Rome the kingdom of Cappadocia, as his rightful inheritance from A his father. Moreouer he sent his wife Laodice vnto Rome, to testifie that she The impu­dent sute of M [...]th [...]d [...] to the S [...]nat. bare three sonnes by Ariarathes, and that was one of them: which deuice, when Mithridates heard of, he also with like modesty sent Gordius vnto Rome, to auouch before the Senat, that the childe to whome he had delinered the kingdom of cappadocia, was the son of the same Ariarathes, which in the quar rel of the Romans, was slaine in the battel of Aristomicus. But the Senate vn­derstanding the meaning and subtil endeauor of both the kings, woulde not seem so vniust and partial, to giue other mens kingdoms to vsurpers & vp­start heires that assumed forged names to themselues, but they sirste tooke The order t [...]len by the S [...]nat. B cappadocia from Mithridates, and to comfort Nicomedes withall, they took Pa­phlagonia from him. And to the intent it should not seem, they wold bereaue kingdomes from these kings in despight of them, & presently bestow them vpon others, they hauing disposest them, left both the Nations to be at liber­ty. But the cappadocians refusing this gift of freedome, returned to the Senat Artobazanes made king of Cappadoc [...]a. that they nor their country, neither could nor wold liue and continue with­out a k. whereupon Ariobarzanes was appointed to take the rule and prehe­minence ouer them. There was at the same time one Tigranes k. of Armenia, kept in hostage not long before by the Parthians, and now remitted by them into his fathers kingdome: Him did Mithridates couet to allure to take part with him, in the wars that he so long time had purposed against the Romans, C whom by the means of Gordius he perswaded (as one that knew not what it was to displease so imperious a people) to make warre upon them. Ariobar­zanes, who was no other but an absolute coward, and to the intent he would not haue it appear, he did it either for fear or policy, he gaue him his dagh­ter Cleopatra in marriage, while he himselfe, at the first comming of Tygranes to receiue her, conueying away all his stuffe, fled speedily to Rome; so by the meanes of Tigranes, Cappadocia was againe reduced vnder the Dominion of Mith [...]idates. At the same instant died Nicomedes, whose sonne named Nicome­des, being driuen out of his kingdome by Mithridates, resorted to Rome for Mithridates [...] Cappadocia. succor, vpon whose humble sute it was decreed by the Senat, that both he D & Ariobarzanes should be seated in possession of their kingdomes again. For the persormance whereof, Aquilius, Manlius, and Malthinus, were sent to be Lieutenants of the war. Mithridates hauing knowledge hereof, & intending to answer this enterprized hostility of the Romaines, allyed himselfe with Ty­granes, betwixte whome it was couenaunted, that Mythrydates shoulde [Page] haue for his part the citties and lands, and Tygranes for his share the men & Mithridates and Tygra­nes confede­rate togither. cattell, and whatsoeuer else was moueable. After this, Mithridates conside­ring what a warre he had vndertaken, sent out his Ambassadours, some to the Cymbrians, some to the French-greekes, some to the Sarmatians, others to the Baslarnes, to request them oftheir aide and helpe: all which Nations he had allured long before, by shewing to them friendships and sundrye fa­uors euer since he first purposed this warre against the Romaines, and which now he made in readines for. Moreouer he raised an hoast of men in Scithia, and armed all the East, against his so powerfull enemies, whereby it was no maruell, that he ouercome Aquilius and Malthine, hauing none but the E M [...]dates sturetn other Nations a­ [...] the Ro mains. men of Asia on their part, and after the discomfiture of whome, and of Ni­comedes, al the citties were carnest suters to be receiued into his fauor. Ther he found as it were stored vp in readines for the imployment he had, great plenty of Gold and siluer, gathered and reserued by the kings in times past, with much fvrniture for the war, which in that action he had in hād, he knew both necessary and needful: and forasmuch that this prouision made great­ly for his furtherance, and being now from al infirmities strengthned that he would not seeme also to be chargeable to the citties, he released them al their debts, as wel priuate as publicke, and exempted them freely from all charges, as wel of the wars, as of tribute and taxes for 5. years space. Then assembled he his souldiors before him, and encouraged them with diuers F requisit exortations to this war against the Romans, otherwayes entitled the wars of Asia. The copy of which Oration, I haue thought woorthy not to be seuered from this work (albeit I desire to be short) in the same maner as Pompeins Trogus hath in directly set it forth, for that he findeth fault with Ly­ute The oration of M [...]da­te [...] to his mé of waire and Salust, for publishing Orations in their workes as they were spoken, when fewer words to so much purpose is as sufficient, and for that by so do­ing they exceed the bounds of a History. He said he could gladly haue wy­shed, since it was conuement, that he might haue consulted vpon this point before the violence of the disquiet attained to this heighth, whether it had bin better for the generall good of them al, thogh not for the particular be­nisit G of himselfe, to haue warre or peace with the Romans. But now that there was no remedy, to redeem their slauery but by resistance; to haue libertye but by the law of war, to haue peace, vnlesse purchased now in so aduentu­rous a sight, nor reap plenty, vnlesse bought with the price of their enemies blood: he did expect & hope from their honorable resolutions, since al men wil draw their weapons against theeues, thogh not to defend their welth, yet knowing them merciles, to reuenge their deaths. But for asmuch as he pur­posed not to debate, whether it were prositable now to be in quyet, (consi­dering they had a quarrel to answer, not against them that were suspected e­nemies in hart but such as had profest themselues apparantly, and wer now H to be encountered like deadly enemies in publick battel,) he desired to know by what means, and vpon what hope, they should maintaine the wars they had already begun, himself not doubting the victory, if they with him wold but continue harty corage in the act they had declared, both in the plot and pretence. That the Romans might be ouercome, his souldiors that vanqui­shed [Page 120] Aquilius in Bithinia, and Malthinus in cappadocia, wer witnesses as well as he. But if he thoght the examples of other mens fortunes, could stir and in­flame them more then their own experiences, he had heard that Pirrhus K. of Epire, strenghned but with 5. M. Macedons, vanquished the Romans, [...]n 3. seuerall pitched fields. He had herd that Hannibal by the space of xvi. years, abode in Italy like a conqueror, and had sackt the citty of Rome it self, had not the secret malice, his owne countrimen bare to his fortunate successes, bin a greater hindrance to him, in that citties ouerthrow, then the power of his enemies. He had herd that the Frenchmen inhabiting on the otherside of the Alpes, entred into Italy, and there (notwithstanding the Romans) seated them selues in the most wealthiest citties of al the continent, and seized into their A hands, a larger peece of ground euery way, then their enemy had conquerd in Asia. Moreouer the said Frenchmen had not only vanquished the Romans but also taken their citty; in somuch that they left them no more ground in al the world whereon to billet themselues, but on a hill, from whence they were faine to remoue their enemy, not by battel, but by ransom. The which Frenchmen, (the report of whose name since hath bin so terrible to the Ro­mans) he had to strengthen him and make succesfull his war. For there is no difference between the Frenchmen that inhabit Asia, and the Frenchmen that people Italy, but onely the distance of their dwellings asunder. As for their original, their prowes, and the maner of ordring their fight was al one; B seeing that those in Asia, must of force be of much more policy and wit, as they haue come a more long and tedious iourny throgh Sclauont [...] & Thrace, being a far painfuller labor, and a means to train them vp in a secure experi­ence to make themselues waye, through allthose countries, then the other to settle their abiding wher they now inhabit. Furthermore that Italy it self, was neuer wel pleased with Rome since it was first builded, but that continu­ally from year to year, incessant war hath bin made, by som for their liberty, and by others for the right of the Empire. Insomuch that many cities of Italy had vtterly destroid the Roman Army by the sword, & soone compeld them snamefully to creep vnder a yoke: and least he might seem to make too long C relation in matters of old time, euen at that present al Italy was vp in Armes ioyntly, togither with the Marses, not to demaund liberty, but society in the Empire, and in the city it self. Neither was the city Rome, oppressed more by the wars of their neighbors in Italy, then by the factions, and partakings of her Noblemen at home, wherby the ciuil vprores were more daungerous, then the forrain wars combersome. Besides these, the Cimbrians, that vnme­surable, disordered, and huge rabble of sauage and vnmercifull rascalles, were swarmed out of Germanie, of al which Nations, although the Romaines might be able to withstand the brunt, yet by al at once, they must be so op­pressed, D that they could hardly haue leisure to resist his wars in hand. Wher fore occasion ought to bee taken while it was offered, both to the encrease­ment of their strength, and forwardinge their dissieignes, least if they stood still while their enemie had his hand ful, and neglected the good of oppor­tunity, which lead them a path to safetye; they might like the Grashopper, sing in Summer, & starue in winter, rest one houre, & they & their postertiy [Page] to liue in misery euer after. For it was not by him in question, whether Warre ought to be made or no, but how it might be so done to redound to their ho­nor, and the ruine of the Romaines: neither did he seeke occasion now to make warre, for the controuersie was begun betweene them, from the time that they tooke from him in his nonage Phrigia the lesse, which they had giuen vnto his father as a reward for aiding them in their battell against Aristomicus, but had continued till now, and his greuances had beene faine to disgest wa [...]gh­ting times leisure, till he should be abled in full measure so to rehearse his in­iuryes he had sustained, & one the causers therof iustly to be reuenged. Besides, that countrey they had rest from him, Seleucus Callinicus had before giuen in E doury with his daughter to his great Graund-father Mithridates. They had also commaunded him to depart out of Paphlagonia, or else were ready to pro­claime against him defiance, which Realme fell to his father not by force of armes, nor by conquest, but by adoption, and as a Legacy of a last will and Testament, made at the deaths of the rightfull Kings, and so consequently by inheritance: whereas notwithstanding al his humble obedience, to their seuere & bitter decrees, they were not at al moued to mitigate them, but rather resol­ued to beare themselues more cruelly against him. What impositions had they laide vpon him which he had refused; or what submission could they deuise which he had despised, or had not vsed towards them? Had he not at their insti­tution, F surrendred Phrigia and Phaphlagonia? had he not by their appointment withdrawne his sonne out of Cappadocia, which he had conquered? And there­fore was his by the law of armes? Which labour of his was by them vsurped, as if the fruite of other mens chiualry should be no further their owne, then they list? that they hauing no Empire of their owne, but that which they purchased and held by the sword, should deny that liberty to others, which they cheri­shed in themselues? Did he not for their pleasure kyll Creston King of Bythinia, against whom the Senat had proclaimed warre? And yet for all these endeuors whereby he labored to be acceptable vnto them, whatsoeuer Gordius or Tyg­ranes vndertooke, and was displeasing vnto them, was imputed altogether to be G animated and furthered by him.

Moreouer in despight of him, the Senat had of their owne voluntary wil & pleasure, set Cappadccia at liberty which countrey they themselucs had taken from other Nations. Afterward when the people of Cappadccia sued to haue Gordius for their king, not being able to keepe their country without commo­tions, through the want of a gouernor, they could by no sute nor intreaty, pro­cure their consent thereunto, though hauing no other reason to withstand it but because he was accounted his friende. Nicomedes at their commaunde­ment made warre vpon him, after which precept of theirs being by Nicomedes begun, they suffered him not to take such reuenge vpon him as befitted his H dignity, but they themselues sought to compell him to stand to their censure, since they had vndertooke to arbytrate the difference betweene them.

Whereupon vnlesse he should sit still in his seat [...], being prouoked by these meanes, & suffer euery rumor to proclaime him a coward, or giue leaue to that dauncing Damosels sonne Nicomedes, to teare him from his Empire at his pleasure, he could not bee at content of them; neither was it the faults of [Page 121] kings in their own particular person, which they were offended with, & lought to redresse, but their power and Maiesty which they studied to suppresle wher­by to bestow it on their own confederats, and thereby, whosoeuer had the pos­session thereof, the dignity they still reserued to themselues as theirs: which practise of theirs he was not the first, nor had bin vsed against him one [...]; for after the same manner his Graund-father Pharnax, by right of kindred appoin­ted as heyre and successor to Eumenes King of Pergamus, and againe, Eumenes himselfe in whose shipping and by whose meanes, they were first conuaied o­uer into Asia; by the help of whose men of Warre, more then by their owne puissaunce, first they conquered the great Antiochus, and the Frenchmen in A­sia, and shortly after King Perses in Macedon. Al which fauors of his, their own A turne being serued they forgot, and not onely forsooke him but held him as an enemy, forbidding him to come within Italy & (that which they thought they might not do to him for shame) they made warre vpon his sonne Aristomic [...]s. There was neuer any King that had deserued mo [...]e at their hand, or don more for them whereby to be respected, then M [...]sinissa King of Numidia. To him & his labors they imputed the ouercomming of their [...]angeious enemy Han­niball; him they thanked for the the taking of Syphax; him they commended for the destroying of Carthage, him they registred among the two Affricans as the third preseruer of their citty: and yet with the same mans Nephew, but e­uen B the other day they made Warre in Affricke so deadly and mercilesse, that after they had vanquished him they could not find in their harts for his great Graund-fathers sake, and in remembrance of the good he had done for them, either to spare him, or pardon him, but they ymprisoned him, and led him through the citty in manner of a Triumph, and made him a wondering ga­zing stock, to the vnsatisfied eies of the multitude. Thus had they made a law to themselues to beare continual ha [...]red against al kings, for that they euer had such to beare soueraignty ouer them as they were ashamed to heare spoken of; that is to say, either shephards of Thaborigiens, Southfaires of Sabynes, or Out­lawes of corinth, or else (which is the honorablest name and title they can euer challenge to haue bin among them) proude men, and as (they themselues re­port) C such founders as a Wolfe gaue suck vnto▪ which may well be, in tha [...] al the off-spring of that people, hane Wolues harts, vnsac [...]able of blood, gree­dy of dominion, and raueners of riches; whereas himselfe for his owne p [...]rson (if comparison should be made betweene him and them as touching Nobili­ty) he was of more famous lynage, and more worthyly descended then that ragged heape of enemies: for he could deriue his peug [...]ee, on the fathers side from Darius, and Cirus, the first founders of the Mo [...]archy of the Persians, & on the mother side from great Alexander, from Nycanor an [...] Selucus, [...]he first grounders & establishers of the florishing Empire of M [...]cedon: or if he should compare his people with theirs, he said he was a ruler of those Nations, which D are not only able to match the Romain Empire, but also withstood the Empire of Macedon. For there was none of the nations ouer whom he was [...]uer, that [...]ad bin at any time subdued by forra [...]gne princes, or that euer submitted th [...]ir s [...]b­iection to any King, vnlesse he were of their owne countrey; ch [...]se whether they woulde name Cappadocia or Paphlagonia, Pontus or Byth [...]ia, A [...]ia [Page] the greater, or Armenia the lesse, of which Countries neither Alexander (e­uen he that conquered all Asia) nor any of his successors, or posterity euer touched or disturbed.

As for Scithia, there was neuer but two kings before him, namely Darius & Phillip, that euer durst somuch as atempt to enter into it, who being nei­ther able [...]o make any conquest, had much a do to wind themselus out with the preseruation of their liues, from whence also he had congregated a gret part of his strength, in this his expedition against the Romaines. For himself, he had more cause to haue bin affraide when he entred into the wars of Pon­tus, as being then but a young nouice in the wars, and a fresh water souldior E not inu [...]ed to hardynesse.

For the Scithians besides that they be well harnessed, and well harted, are also fensed, eyther with desarts and wast grounds, or else with cold and ex­treamity of weather, which bid the souldiors prepare, to abide both great trauell and perill: among which distresses, neither there was not almost any hope of reward, os so wandring an enimy, which had not only no mony, but not so much as a house to hide his head, or shelter himselfe in.

When in this warfare they were now entred into, there was a more de­lightfull hope to he cherished, for neither was the aire more temperate in all the worlde, then in Asia, the soile more fertill, nor more plentye of fayre and plentifull Citties; so that they shold spend a great part of the time, not F as in warfare, but as in feasting. And it was a question, whether the Warre should be more casie, or more profitable: whether they should aduenture vpon the spoile of the kingdome of Attalus, now next vnto them, or vppon Lydia and Ionia, so greatly renowned for theyr riches in auntient time, ney­ther of which, they shoulde neede to goe to fighte for, but to take possessi­on of.

For all Asia was so desirous of their comming, that it seemed to him, he herd them call, and cry aloud to them, make speed. So great hatred to the Romains, had the greedy and rauenous dispositions of their Pro-consuls, the polling and exacting of their tole-gatherers, the wrongfull dealing in sutes G and controuersies in the Law, by their Officers, and generally the oppres­sion of all parties, rooted in the harts of them.

Wherefore he willed them to do no more but follow him manfully, to take president from him, & ponder with themselus what so great an army might be able to effect, hauing such a captaine as himselfe, whom they themselues had seene, without the helpe of any of his souldiors, by his owne industrye, onely slue the king of Cappadocia, and seyzed his kingdome: who onely of all the men and worthy Conquerors that euer liued, conquered all the coun­tries, bordering vppon the sea of Pontus and Scithia also, which before his time were so perrillous to all, that no man could trauel through them, nor H haue trafficke in safety.

As for his owne Iustice and liberality he would not refuse that his Soul­diors which had had sufficient tryal and experience of them, shoulde beare Witnesse to the same, as of the which these were manifest tokens, that hee onely of all kinges, inioyed not soly the kingdomes that his Father possest [Page 122] before him, but withal for his bountiousnesse and royalty, was a dopted to be heire of other forraigne realmes: as colchos, Paphlagonia, and Bosphorus, which he now peaceable held. When he had thus encouraged his Souldiers, alter the three and twenty yeare of his raigne, he entred into war against the Romans. He returneth to the stories of Egypt At that time in Egypt after the death of Ptolomy the King, Commissioners sea­ted the other Ptolomy which raigned at cyrene, in possession of the kingdome; and contracted the Queene cleopatra, his sister to him to be his wife.

Ptolomy reioycing that he had recouerd his brothers kingdom without battel, the which he knew his mother Cleopatra', and certaine of the Nobility, went priuatly to assure vnto his brothers sonne, to the great displeasure of all the A citty, caused all such as fauored the child to be put to death. The child him­selfe he slue in his mothers armes, the very same day that he married her, in the The cruelty of Ptolomy. middest and heigth of all the feasting and Ceremonies of wedlock, and so he went to his wife and sisters nuptuall led all bestained with the blood of her sonne.

After which deede he was'as cruell and reuengsull to his other countrymen which had stood for him and called him to the kingdom. For he gaue his Soul­diers leaue (which were strangers) to make slaughter of whom they would, so that dayly the massacre encreasing and the channels for want of other currant were supplied with blood: he also put away his sister, and tooke to wife her daughter, a faite young maiden hauing rauished her perforce, with which Ty­rany B the people were to sore dismaid, that they shrunke from him, some one way some another, forsaking their natiue country like banished men, glad of any ground where they might secure themselues from him.

Ptolomy being left alone with his Souldiers, in so great a Citty, when he saw himselfe Soueraigne of empty houses and not of men, made proclamation that what strangers soere, should freely come and inhabit the same; after whose resortthither and that the citty was againe replenisned, he went forth to meete the Romaine Ambassadors, Scipio Affricanus, Suprius Mumius, and Lucius Met­tellus, which comforted the Senat, to see how the Rèalms of their confederats were ordered. But looke how cruell he had beene to his owne countreymen, C so much was he a laughing-stock to the Romaines. For he was yll visaged, a Ptolomy de­rided of the Roman Am­bassadors. dwarffe by Stature, and had such a barell belly, that he seemed more like a beast then a man, which vnacustomed deformity, his smal shrill voyce, and his thin garments did more encrease, as though of set purpose, he had garnished those things to bee seene, which if he had any modest reguard of shame, he rather ought with all care to haue concealed.

After the daparture of the Ambass. (of whom Affricanus whilest he beheld the city, was himself a spectacle to the Alexandrians) Ptolomy being for his former cruelties, now hated of his alliance also, fled secretly out of the realme with his D sonne, whom he had begotten of his sister, and with his wife her own mothers paramour, for feare os treason. And hauing drawne together an host of hired Souldiers, he made warre both against his sister, and against his owne country. Afterward he sent for his eldest sonne from Cyrene, and because the Alexan­drians should not make him King against him, which he onely misdoubted he put him to death.

[Page] Whereat his people no longer containing themselues to be sufferers of his murthers, the more to despight him, brake downe his Images, and tore down his pictures, set vp to continue the memorye of him in their mindes: which outrage he thinking to be done by the procurement of his sister, hee slue the son whom he had begotten by hir, and cutting the body in pieces, closed it in a basket, and sent it for a present to the mother, as shee was ma­king a seast to solemnize the remembrance of her birth-day.

Which lamentable spectacle, and sorrowfull sight, not onely to the Q. her selfe, but also to the whole Citty, cast such a griefe amongst their ioyful meeting, that suddainely in all the Court, was nothing heard but mourning E and Lamentation. The Noblemen, conuerting themselues from feastinge to Funerals, presented before the people the mangled body, declaring what fruitles hope they ought to haue of their king, who had so cruelly murtherd his own children.

Cleopatra, after that the sorrowe of her sonne was abated, perceiuing her [...] in the [...]6. [...]ooke. selse greeuously pursued by her brothers warre, demanded help of Demetri­us king of Syria by his Ambassadors, whose fortunes were strange and wor­thy to be spoken of. For Demetrius as it is shewed before, making Warrea­gainst the Parthtans, and getting the victory in many encounters, was sud­denly surprized by pollicy, and besides the losse of his Army, was also hym­selfe F taken prisoner; whom Arsaces k. of the Parthians sent into Hir [...]ia, and of his Noble and royal corage, not only gaue him entertaiment like a king, but also preferred him his daughter in marriage, promising moreouer, to restore him to the kingdome of Syria, which Trifo hadde vsurped in his ab­sence.

After whose death Demetrius being past hope of recouery of his kingdom growing weary of his captiuity, and the priuatnes of his life being lothsome to him, tho [...]gh he liued neuer so wealthily, began to consider with himself, that he had bin a king, soueraigne of many things, where now his captiuity made him Lord of nothing; the ground he walkt on, the place he lay in, the G meat he eat, Nay the imprisonment that he had, he was not maister of, since both he, and all these, were to be altered at his keepers pleasure; and in this consideration of his, rehearsing to himselfe, Since thus much is the sate of prisoners, that though they haue lyberty, it is Bondage. I will be a king on nothing. In which determination hee assailed to steale home into his king­dome.

His counsellor and companion in this Enterprize, was a frend of his cald Calimander, who after his masters long captiuity, corrupting guides with mo ny, and disguising themselues in Parthians apparel, Demetrius with himselfe, escaped out of Hircania, throgh the deserts of Arabia, vnto Babilon. But Phra­hartes H which succeeded Arsaces, sent Posthorses after him, who made such speed by nearer and directer waies, that hauing overtaken him they broght him back again. When they cam befor the king, Callimander his seruant was A [...] ex [...]mple [...]. not only pardoned, but highly rewarded for his faithfulnes towards his mai. But Demctrius with a great rebuke, was sent again vnto his wife into Hircania, and ther attended more straightly then he was before.

[Page 123] In processe of time when his wife had increased children to him, it was thought, that the loue of them, and the content of his wife, woulde rather settle his stay, then the desire of absence intice him thence; whereupon, his liberty was enlarged, but he cherishing his former desires, accompanied with his trusty friend escaped againe.

But euen with like pursuite as before, he was ouertaken, neare vnto the borders of his owne kingdome, and being apprehended, was brought backe [...] taken againe in a 2 [...]ght. againe, before the king, who commaunded him out of his presence in great displeasure. Neuerthelesse graunting him againe his wife and children, as fellow and obedient comforters to him, he was againe sent backe into Hir­cania, his former place of pennance, & rewarded with a pair of gold [...]hooes, A in reproofe of his childish lightnes.

But this so gentle and fauorable demeanor of the Parthians toward Deme trius, proceeded not of any mercy naturally engraffed in that Nation, or in respect of allyance or affinity, but because they coueted the kingdome of Si­ria, entending to vse Demetrius as an Instrument against his Brother Antio­chus, according as eyther the matter, the time, or the chance of the Warre should importune.

Antiochus hearing thereof, thought by wisedome and foresight to pre­uent their subtill practise, and thereupon led his hoast (which he had hard­ned, B and inured through many Voyages and battels against his neighbors) Antiochus leadeth an hoast against the Parthia [...] to encounter with the Parthians. But in this enterprise he made as much pre paration for ryot, as for Warre. For whereas he had in his hoast eight hun­dred thousand men of Warre, he had euermore three hundred thousand o­thers, that followed with him. Of which the most part were Cookes, Ba­kers, Minstrils, and players of Enterludes. Of Gold and Siluer, he was so in­riched with so great abundance, that euen the common soldiors ware their cloaths embrodered with gold; nay their plenty was so great, that they trod vnder their feet the Mettel, for the loue and desire of which, kingdoms haue bin dispeopled, children haue bin fatherles, and men haue willingly kild one another. C

Moreouer all the furniture of his riches, were of cleane Siluer, as thogh he had prepared to banquetting and not to battel. At Anticchus first arriual, many kings of the East saluted him, and yeelded themselues and their king­dome as his tributaries and defenders. Fnally detesting the pride of the Par­thians, it was not long ere it came to the encounter, wherein Antiochus get­ting the vper hand, in three seueral pitched fields, & therupon subduing Ba­bilon by force, was accounted great: by Fortune whereof, all countries re­uolted so greedily vnto him, that the Parthians had no more Dominion left them, then the bare soyle of the realm of Parthia. D

Phrahartes now vpon this successe of Antiochus, sent Demetrius into Sy­ria with an hoaste of Parthians, to inuade the kingdome; to the entente that by that policy, Antiochus might bee inforced to withdrawe himselfe out of Parthia, to the defence of his owne Realme. In the meane time because he could not ouercome Antiochus by force, he sought meanes to surprize him by policy. [Page] Antycchus by reason he had such a multitude, dispersed all his army into the Cittyes, during the Winter season, which speaciall care of his was his vtter ouerthrow. For the Citties, finding themselues burthned with victualing of his host, and also iniurious demeanor of the Souldiers, reuolted againe to the Parthians, and at a dayappointed for the stratigem, all at one houre by trayte­rous conspiracy set vpon the host, as it was deuided in euery of there citties, and billeted in places seuerally, to the entent they being assalted all at once, A sudden cō spiracy a­gainst Anti­ochus. they should not be able one to come to the rescue of another.

When tydings heereof came to Antiochus, he assembled such as Wintered with him, and went to labor the reliefe of such as were neerest him. But in his E way he met with the king of Parthians and his power, against whom he fought more valiantly himselfe, then did his host; wherein his valor not preua [...]ling, for as much as his enemies were more in number, and of more force and cou­rage, his men forsooke him, and in that battell he was slaine. For whom Phra­hartes made a royall hearse, and kept funerals for him as befitted the prosperi­ty of so royall a Prince; withall falling in loue with the daughter of Demetrius, The death of Antiochus whom Antiochus had brought with him, he took her to wife.

By fortune of which good hap, it repented him that he let go Demetrius, and sent his men in post either to call him by entreaty, or if he denied compell him back. But Demetryus dreading so much which after was approued, made such speed, that he recouered his owne kingdome; where­by F the Parthians being thus disappointed of their tra­uell and expectation, returned to the king. G H

The end of the xxxviij. Booke.

THE XXXIX. BOOKE OF Iustine. A

THE ARGVMENT.

DEmetrius, while he goeth about to conquer the whole realme of Egypt, loseth his owne Realme by sodaine rebellion. The king of Egypt subborneth one as adopted by Antiochus to challenge the king dome of Siria, proclaimed him by the name of Alexander, who ouercommeth Demetrius and killeth him. Grypho the sonne of Demetrius is crowned king by name, (his mother bearing all the rule) He is supported by the power of the Egyptians against Alexander, whom he vanquish­eth. B Alexander is taken by theeues, brought vnto Gripho, and put to death. The mother of Grypho, offering her sonne a cup of poyson, is compelled to drinke it her selfe. His brother Cyricenus maketh insurrestion against him. The King of Egypt dieth. Grypho ouercommeeh Cyricenus. The cruelty of Griphin towards her sister Cleopatra the wife of Cyricenus. Cyricenus vanquisheth Gripho, and reuengeth his wifes death vpon her sister. Cleopatra Queene of Egypt, setteth vp and pulleth downe her sonnes at her pleasure, and at length is slaine by Alexander the yonger, who for his labour is vanquished the Realme, and his brother Ptolomy made king in his sted. The king of Cyrene bequeatheth his kingdom to the Romaynes. Heroti­mus king of Arabia infesteth Egypt and Syria. C

AFter that Aotiochus with all his army was thus destroyed in Parthia, his brother Demetrius being deliuered from captiuety of the Parthyans, (when as al Siria as yet mour­ned for the losse of the army, as though the warres, that he and his brother had made in Parthia, in the which the one was taken prisoner, the other slaine, had concluded with prosperous seccesse) he purposed to make warre in Egypt, at the request of Cleopatra his wiues mother, who D promised to giue him the kingdome of Egypt in recompence, if he would sup­port her against her brother. But whilest he went about to gaine that which was anothers right he lost his owne, by meanes of a sodaine insurrection in Sy­ria. First the Cittizens of Antioch, through the instigation of their Captaine Trifo, detesting [...]he kings pride, (which by his conuersation, among the cruell Parthians was become insufferable) and shortly after the Apemenians with all [Page] the rest of the Ctties following their exsample, tooke occasion vpon their kings absence and rebelled against him.

Ptolomy also king of Egypt, against whom the said Demetrius made Warre, when he vnderstood, that his sister Cleopatra had shipped all her goods, and treasure, and was sled into Syria to her Daughter and sonne Demetrius, subor­ned a young man of Egypt, the sonne of a Marchant called Protarchus, to chal­lenge the kingdome of Syria by battell, forging a pedigree, as though Antio­chus had adopted him into the blood royall. And the Syrians carl [...]sse who were their king so they might be deliuered from the pride of Demetryus, the young man was proclaimed by the name of Alexander, and great succors were gathe­red An Egyptian [...] king against Demet [...] E to support him out of Egypt.

In the meane while, the body of Anticchus slaine by the King of Parthia was sent into Syria in a cossin of siluer to be buried, which was receiued with great solemnity by the citties, but chiefely by Alexander himselfe, to the entent to make men credit the tale, and the better to co [...]firme in them a beleefe that Antiochus had adopted him his heyre. And at his funerall he in such sorrow­ful habit behaued and fashoned himselfe, that he wan much fauour of the com­mons, and euery man endeuored his thoughts how to make his duty, loue, obe dience & alleagiance encrese to him, accounting that his outward sorowfull mourning to be sincerity, which indeed was no other but hipocritical dissi­mulation. F

Demetrius b [...]ing vanquished in battell, by this vpstart Alexander, and enui­roned on all sides with vnauoidable dangers, was at the last sorsaken of his own wife and children. Being then le [...]t desola [...]e sauing a few seruants, as he was pur­posed to haue fled to to the Temple o [...] Tyrus, there to regester himselfe a san­ctuary man, hoping the reuerence of the place though not reguard of him, [...]ight preserue his life, when hee went out to land, he was slaine by the com­ma [...]ndement of the maister of the ship.

The one of his sonnes whose name was Seleucus, because he crowned him­selfe King without his mothers consent, was by her slaine; the other of his G The [...] of [...]. sonnes, who for greatnesse of his nose was sur-named Grypho, was created king by his mother, but vpon this condition, that he should bear the name, and she all the authority. But Alexander the vs [...]rper of the kingdome of Syria, being puffed vp with continuall successe in his affaires, began by the norishment of his pride to despite Ptolomy himselfe, by whom hee was muested in that king­dome.

Ptolomy hereupon, reconciling himselfe to his sister, endeuored by all meanes he could deuise or be instructed in, to depose Alexander from his roy­alty, the which hee had obtained by his helpe, for the haued he in his life bare towards Demetryus. Whereupon he sent aide to Gripho into Gre [...]ce, and his H daughter Gryphin also to be his wife, to the ent [...]nt he might allure the people to help his Nephew, not onely by confederacy, but also by allyance of affinni­ty, which as he entended came to passe: for after the time they perceiued, that The Egypti­ [...] [...]ng put [...]. Gripho was supported with the power o [...] Egypt, they began by troopes to re­uolt from Alexander. After there was a battell fought betweene them, in which Alexander being put to the worse, [...]led into Antioch, where for want of mony [Page 125] wherwith to pay his souldiers their wages, he commaunded an Image of victo­ry, of Massie gold to be taken out of the Temple of Iupiter, couloring his Sa­criledge with a pleasant scoffe, saying that Iupiter had lent him victory; so es­caping for this wickednesse vnpunished, he thought it rather benefit for him, to go forward in that practise he had begun, then to be sorry for what was past: so hauing giuen commaundement to haue the Image of Iupiter rest out of the Temple also, formed of cleane Gold and of vnknowne waight, and that being withstood of the acte of this euill, hee was put to flight by the multitude that came to the rescue, and in his hope to escape was oppres­sed by the violence of a Tempest, forsaken of his followers, taken by A theeues, and spoiled and brought vnto Grypho, and there receiued his deserued death.

Grypho by his fall, hauing fully recouered his fathers kingdome, and being deliuered from outward dangers, was assaulted, by the treason of his owne Mother, who being inflamed with the desire of Soucraignety, after shee had betraied her husband Demetrius, and murthered her other Sonne, for spight and malice, that her former authoritye should bee diminished, by the victorye of this her other sonne, shee offered him a cuppe of poy­son, Desire of so­ [...]. as hee returned in Tryumphe from his conquest. But Gripho hauing intelligence of his mothers treason (as though hee had striued with her for courtesie) desi [...]ed her to drinke to him, which vpon her refusall he re­quested B more earnestly; and at length calling before her, the author of the report to him, he laid the treason to her charge, affirming he would admit no other excuse of her offence, but if she would drinke the same her selfe she had proffered to him.

The Queene being by this meanes, conuicted of her mischieuous cntent by receiuing inwardly the poyson, she had prepared for her Sonne, was de­priued of her life. Grypho hauing thus brought his Realme in quietnesse, The death of the Queene. not onely liued himselfe at harts ease, without either disturbed with for­raigne inuasion, domesticke insurrection, or priuat treason, but also gouer­ned his kingdome in happy peace for the space of eight yeares after. The C which tearme expired, there arose an enemy to his kingdome, namely his owne brother Cyricenus, borne by his owne mother, but begot on her by his vncle Antiochus. Whom whilest he went about to bring to destruction, & rid out of the way by poyson, he stirred him the sooner to contend with him for the kingdome.

Among these inorderly discords of the Realme of Syria, dyed Ptolomy King of Egypt, leauing the Gouernment of the kingdome to his wife, and The death of Ptolomy. one of his Sonnes, which soeuer shee should choose and account most fit off, as though the state of Egypt should bee in better quiet, then the D Realme of Syria, when the Mother by giuing the kingdome to one of her Sonnes should make the other her enemy. Therefore whereas she was of her selfe most enclined to the younger sonne, the people compelled her to make choise of the elder. From whom (before shee gaue him the kingdome) she tooke away his wife, and hauing enioyned him to forgoe his most dearely beloued sister Cleopatra, she constrained him to take in marryage his younger [Page] sister Seluce, wherein she dealt not like a mother betwixt her daughters, consi­dering she tooke her husband from one, and gaue him to the other.

Cleopatra thus being not so much put away by her husband, as by a violent deuorce separated from him by her mothers meanes, was married to Cyricenus in Syria. And to the entent she would not seeme to haue brought nothing else vnto him, then the bare name and title of a wife, she raised an host of men in Cyprus, and brought it to her husband for a doury.

Cyricenus being now made as strong as his brother, encountered with him in open si [...]lde, where being vanquished and put to flight, he came vnto Anti­och, whether Gripho pursued and b [...]siedged him in the Citty. At the taking E War betwixt G [...]iphus and hic brother Cyrecenus. thereof, Gryphin the wife of Grypho, l [...]b [...]red by all meanes to enquire and find out her sister cleopatra, not by manifesting a sisterly loue to p [...]eserue her out of captiuity, but by expressing her vnnaturall hate, desired her, to the entent she should not escape the miseries thereof. Because as she thought in disdaine of her estate, she had entred forceably into that kingdome, and by marrying her selfe to her sistres husbands enemy, had made her selfe an enemy to her; alledging against her moreouer, that she had raised forraigne powers against her brother; and married her selfe out of Egypt against her mothers wil. On the contrary part Grypho besought and perswaded her, that she would not con­straine him to commit so shamefull an act, which she continually importuned F him vnto; namely, to imp [...]sonment, and if he pleased to death. For it was ne­uer A disswasion o [...] Gryp [...]us from cruelty. heard that any of his ancestots, amongst so many ciuill, and so many out­ward Warres, did after the victory obtained, extend cruelty against women, which for weakenesse of their nature, had euer bin exempted both from danger of Warres, and also from the cruelty of the conquerors.

And now in this case besides the lawes of armes, there was also the bonde of aliance to withhold him from doing such a wickednesse. For on the one side she was her own sister, and on the other side she was his Cosen German, whose blood she sought so cruelly to haue him shed: yea and moreouer, she was Aunte to the children of them both. Besides all those bondes of kindred and G aliance, he super [...]ously aledged that it was not lawful to violat the Temple, in which she had hid her selfe, and which she had taken for safeguard of her life. But that the Goddes with so much the more humility and deuotion ought to be reuerenced on his pa [...]te, as by their great mercy and fauour, he had gotten the victory in that battell ouer his enemies.

For neither by the killing her, could he any thing abate the strength of Cy­ricenus, neither by preseruing her life encrease his power. But the more vn­willing that Grypho was to offer her offence, the more she of her womanly ma­lice incensed him against her sister, supposing him to speake so much in her behalfe not of compassion, but of loue. Whereupon what more incensed H with her Iclousie, and what prouoked with her hatred, she commaunded cer­taine of the Souldiers, to presse into the Temple and murther her: who at their entrance, [...]hen they could not neither by faire meanes, nor force get her Gryphin sen­deth to will her sister Cleopatra. out, they cut off her hands, as she had clasped them about the Images of the Goddesse.

When Cleopatra cursing those wicked murthere [...]s, and beseeching the [Page 130] a prince of excellent prowesse and actiuity. This Pharnax, thus disposing his Dominion from his children, was of opinion, that the kingdome and safetie thereof, ought more by him to be regarded, then the name of a Father, and it behooued him rather to prouide for his natiue country, then for his chil­dren, which he supposed he carefully did, in thus distributing his kingdome. Thus then at one time Mithridates in Parthia, and Eucratides in Bactria, both notable and worthy princes, began their raignes. But the Parthians had the happier fortune. For through the politicke gouernance of their king, they aspired to the soueraigne preheminence of the Empire. Whereas the Bac­trians being tossed too and fro with the vncertaine fortune of the warres, lost not onely their kingdome, but also their liberty. For after they had wearied A themselues, with the long continuall warres of the Sogdians, Drangamtans, and Indians, last of all as men, halfe dead and out of hart, ere they were en­countered, they were subdued by the Parthians, which were reputed weaker then themselues.

Yet notwithstanding Eucratides, atchiued many battels by his prowesse The [...] prow [...] o [...] Eucratides. and Noblenesse of courage, yet at the last being brought to lowe estate, and that Demetrius king of India had besiedged him, hee hauing no more but 3-hundred souldiors about him, by his often issuing out priuily vpon aduan­tages, vanquished threescore thousand of his enemies. Whereupon, being B after fiue months siedge enlarged againe, he brought India vnder his subie­ction; from whence as he was returning homeward, he was slaine in his iour­ney by his own son, whom he had made fellow with him in the Empire: who nothing dissembling the vnnatural murther, but rather reioycing, as th [...]gh An inhumain murther he had killed some forrain enimy and not a father, draue his chariot throgh his blood, and commanded his body to be throwne away vnburied.

In the mean space, while this cruel change hapned among the Bactrians, there arose war between the Parthians and the Meades, in which after the di­uers The cōquests of Muhrida­tes the 4. king of Parthia. aduentures of both Nations, at length the victory was yeelded to the Parthians. Mythridates being encreased in strength by their power, made one Bachasus regent of Media, and himselfe went into Hircania: at his returne C from whence, he made warre vpon the king of the Elymeans, whom he ouer­came and annexed that realme also to his kingdome. And thereupon recei­uing many countries by composition, hee enlarged the Empire, from the mountain Cancasus, euen vnto the riuer of Euphrates. Finally being taken with sickenesse, he dyed honourably in his old age, of no lesse fame and re­nown then his grand­father Ar­saces. D

The end of the xli. booke.

THE XLII. BOOKE OF Iustine. E

THE ARGVMENT.

THe Scithians make warre vppon the Parthians. Phrahartes King of Parthia for his crueltie is betraid and slaine. Artabanus succeedeth, after whose death reigneth Mithridates, sur-named the great, who greatly enlarged the Par­thian Empire. The originall and description of Armenia. The History of Iason and Medea, and of the Argonantes. The Origniall of the Albanes in the East. The de­scription F of the riuer Tigris. Mithridates is deposed and slaine by his brother Horo­des. The battels of the Parthians against the Romaines. The fruit and madnesse of Horodes, for the death of his sonne Pacorus. The great wickednesse of Pphrahartes, who ouercommeth the Emperour Anthony. He is deposed and set vp againe by the Scithians. Tyridates who during his absence was created king, hearing of his re­turne, slyeth to Augustus the Emperour. Phrahartes sent Ambassadours for him. Augustus subdued the Parthians with the Maiesty of his Name.

AFter the decease of Mithridates king of the Parthians, his sonne Phrahartes was crowned king, who being fullye G purposed to Warre vppon Syria, and thereby to be re­uenged of Antiochus; for attempting the soueraignty, of the kingdome of Parthia, was by an insurrection of the Scithians, reuoked to the defence of his owne. For the Scithians being sollicitted to the aide of the Parthi­ans The [...] [...] of P [...] ­th [...]. against Antiochus king of Siria, vppon promise of Wages which shoulde be giuen to them, consented to come to them, but yet the Wa [...]re being finished ere their arriuall to stand him in sted, they in reproose of their late comming, were deteined of their hire; where with be­ing grieued, to haue tranciled so farre, to so little purpose, and that they de­mannded, H either their Wages for their paines, according to couenant, or an enemy to fight withall, for which they came, receiuing nothinge but a [...] answere, and being offended there with, began to wast the borders of P [...]thia.

[...] therefore in readinesse to take his iourney against these Scithi­ans, [Page 131] left to gouernehis realme in his absence, one Himerus highly in fauour, for suffering him to haue the abuse of him in the florishing prime of his child­hood. Who forgetting his owne former life, and the person he presented, through his tyranous cruelty vexed importunately both Bahylon and many other citties.

Phrahartes himselfe, led to the Warres with him the Greekish host which he had taken in the Warres of Antiochus, and those whom in their captiuity he had entreated cruelly and proudely, quite forgetting that his Tyrany to­ward them in their bondage, had not mitigated their enemies minds so much, but that the remembrance therof, had more inflamed them to inordinary dis­pleasure against him, as after they approued: for when they perceiued, the A Parthian battell began to haue the worse, they turned themselues and tocke part with the enemy, in that battell taking reuenge vpon them had beene op­presfull to their misery, and who lead them to be defenders and partakers of their quarrell, so with the bloody slaughter of the Parthian hoste, and the death of King Phrahartes himselfe, they executed their will for their wrong­full Captiuitye, and purchased the libertye which they had so long desi­red.

In stead of him, his vncle Artabanus was created King. And the Scithians being contented with the victory, after they had wasted Parthia, returned in­to The 6. Emp. their owne countrey. But Artabanus died immediately of a wound in his B arme, that he receiued against the Colchatrians. After him succeeded his sonne Mythridates, who for his Noble acts was sur-named the great. For being en­flamed The 7. Emp. with an ardent desire to excell in prowesse, and to haue his name wor­thy to be registred with the Noblest, he behaued him so worthily in war [...]e, and so vprightly in peace, that in princelines he surmounted all his progenitors.

Whereby he accomplished many warres against his neighbors, with great dexterity, and subdued many Nations vnder the dominion of Parthia. Hee fought diuerse times to his aduantage against the Scithians, and reuenged the displeasure done to his predecessors, and at the last he enterprized war against The Origi­nall of the Armenians. Artoadistes King of the Armenians. But forasmuch as by lawfull truth of this C history, we are passing into Armenia, I thinke it necessary as of other king­domes to repeate the originall, thereof and not with silence to passe ouer so great an Empyre, considering that next vnto Parthia, it surmounteth all other Kingdomes, in ground and people. For Armenia is in length from Cappa­docia The s [...]tuati­on of Arme­nia. vnto the Caspian Sea, eleauen hundred Miles, and in breadth seuen hun­dred Miles.

It was founded by Armenius, one of the companions of Iason the Thessalian, whom King Pelias coueting to destroy for his notable ment, and whereby he seemed dangerous to his kingdome, for feare least he should depose him, told D him what a Noble voyage there was for him into Colchos, perswading him to take the enterprize vpon him, and to fetch the Golden fleece, that was so fa­mous and notably talked of in all the world, hoping that either through so long The voyage for the gold [...] Fleece. and perillous sayling, or else by fighting against so barbarous a people, hee might bring the aduenturous knight to confusion.

Iason consenting thereunto made proclamation of this his entended [Page] voyage, to whom the Noble youngmen, almost of all the whole world, re­sorted in great number vnto him, of whome he assembled an Army of the most valiant knights, which he called by the name of Arganants.

But when Iason after the accomplishment of his aduenterous enterpri­zes, had brought home againe in safety, that his selected Army, he was ex­palsed againe out of Thessaly by the sonnes of Pelias. Whereuppon with a great multitude (which for the renowne of his acts resorted to him out of al Nations) hauing in his company his wife Medea, whome after his late de­uorcement for pitty o [...] her exilement, he had receiued again with hir sonne Me [...]eus begotten by Egeus king of the Athenians, he went againe to Colchos, E The act [...]s of Iason. and restored his father in law to his kingdome, from whence he was depo­sed.

After which, he fought many battels with his Neighbors, and their cit­ties which he subdued: he partly annexed to the kingdome of his father in law, (to the intent to abolish the reproach he had drawne vpon himself, by his former Warre, wherein he had both led away his daughter Medea, and also slaine his sonne Aegialus) and partly gaue them to the people, that he brought with him to inhabit.

By report hee was the first of all men next after Hercules and Liber, which as the fame goeth were kings of the East, that conquered that climat of the F world. Ouer some Nations he assigned captaines, Phrigius and Ansistratus, The estima­tion o [...] Iason. the waggoners of Castor and Polux, he made a league with the Albanes, who as it is reported, followed Hercules out of Italy, from the Mountain Albanus, when after the slaying of Gerion, he draue his cattell thorough Italy, who al­so bearing in mind that they came from Italy, saluted the Army of Pompeius by the name of Brothers, when he warred with Mithridates. By means wher­of, all the whole East almost, builded Temples, and diuine honors to Iason, as to their firste founders. The which, Parmenion one of the Captaines of great Alexander, many yeares after, commanded to be beaten down, to the intent that no mans name should be had in more honor in the East, then the G name of Alexander. The original [...] the Medus.

After the death of Iason, Medus being an earnest follower of his Fathers ver [...]res, in honour of his Mother Medea, hee builded the Cittie Medea, and established the kingdome of the Meades, calling it after his own name, which in continuance of time, grew to that estate, that all the East was in subiecti­on, to the Empire thereof.

The [...] are next neighbors to the Amazones, whose Queen Thalestris many authors haue reported, to haue desired the carnall company of great [...]. Armenius being also a Thessalian, and one of the number of Iasons Captaine, hauing gathered togither the multitude, which after the death H of Iason their King, wandered vp and downe, scatterred as people without a guide, and founded the towne of Armenia, in the Mountaines out of which The original of the [...]. springeth the riuer Tigris, which at the first is a very small stream, & a good way remo [...]e from the head, it sinketh into the ground, and fiue and twenty mile beyond, it riseth vp again a great stood, in the country Sophone, and so is receiued into the lakes of Euphrates.

[Page 132] Mythridates King of the Parthians, after his warre in Armenia was for his cruelty deposed from the kingdome, by the counsell of the realme. His bro­ther Horodes taking to him the power, (the royal seate being vacant) besiedged Babilon because his brother Mythridates was fled thither, so long vntill he con­strained them for famine to yeld vp the town. Mythridates vpon confidence, that The S. king of Parthia. he was so neere of his kin, willingly submitted himselfe to his brother Ho­rodes. But Horodes taking him rather for his enemy then a brother, commaun­ded him to be cruelly slaine before his face. After this he made Warre with the Romans, and destroyed their Graund-captaine Crassus, with his sonne, and al his Romaine host: his sonne Pacorus being sent to pursue the remnant of the Romaine battell, after that he had atcheiued many enterprizes in Syria, he Horodes cru­elty towards his brother. A was called home againe as mistrusted of his father. During whose absence, the host of the Parthians that hee left behinde him in Syria, was withall the Captaines thereof slaine by Cassius Lieuctenant to Crassus.

These affaires thus ended, there arose the eiuill Warres betweene Cesar and Pompey, in which the Parthians tooke part with Pompey, both for the Warres be­tweene Ce­sar & Pom­pey. friendship that was between them and Pompey in his Warres against Mythri­dates, and also for the death of Crassus, whose sonne they heard say tooke part with Cesar, whom they suspected had falne to him, in hope to reuenge his fa­thers death, if Cesar should chance in this Warre to haue the vpper hand. B Therefore after that Pompey, and his adherents had bin giuen the ouerthrow, they both ministred aide to cassius and Brutus, against Augustus and Antho­ny, and also after the end of the Warre, entring into league with Labienus, vnder the conduct of Pacorus they wasted Syria and Asia, and gauca proud as­sault vpon the camp of Ventidius, who after cassius in the absence of Pacorus had giuen the Parthian army an ouerthrow.

But Ventidius pretending a counterfet feare, for all their allarme offered him, kept himselfe in, and suffered the Parthians a while to vaunt of their pros­perity, The pollicy of Ventidius. and the cowardise of their enemies, at length when he thought them most merry and carelesse, he sent out part of his host vpon them, with whose suddaine, and vnexpected assault, the Parthians being dismaide fled scattering C to saue themselues.

While Pacorus supposing that his men which were fled, had withdrawne the Romaine Legions after them, assailed in hast the camp of Ventidius, in hope that he should haue found it without defendants. But Ventidius being prepa­red for such a skirmish, lead out the residue of the Legions which he had reser­ued: and in the conflict slew the whole band of the Parthians with their king Pacorus himselfe.

Neither did the Parthians at any time receiue a greater losse. When tidings heerof was brought into Parthia, Horodes the father of Pacorus, who lately be­fore (hearing the Parthians had wasted Syria and inuaded Asia) had boasted D (that his sonne Pacorus was a conqueror of the Romaines) when he now heard of his death, and of the slaughter of his Armye, soddainely for sorrow fell mad.

Many daies after, he would not conuerse with any man, he would not take any sustinance, nor speake one word, whereby a man might suppose, hee had [Page] bin as well taken dumbe, as frantick. After many daies expired, when sorrowe had losened his tongue, he spake of nothing but of Pacorus, he thought hee saw Pacorus, he thought he heard Pacorus, and to his imagination would make answers, and talke, as though he had beene in familiar communication with Horodes sal­leth mad. him; he would stand still as though he had stood with him, and by and by la­mētably bewaile the losse of him. When long together he had thus mourned, another heauines redoubled griefe vpon this miserable old mā, namely which of his thirty sonnes he should ordaine king in Pacorus stead.

He had many concubins, of whom he begat all that youth, of which euery one making sute for her owne child, did as it were besiege the old mans mind, being at commotion within it selfe. But it was the destiny of the Parthians (in E the which it is an ordynary custome, to haue vnnaturall murtherers to their king) that the wickedest & vnhopefulest of them al, whose name was Phrahar­tes was substituted soueraigne; who no sooner in the regal seate, but as though, The [...]. [...]mp. he thought it to much happynesse for his father, to die his natural death, who already had his foot at the brinke of the giaue, forthwith killed him, and then Eorodes put to death by his own lon. put his thirty brothers to death.

Neither ceased he his slaughter in the children. For when he perceiued the Noble men hated him for his outragious cruelty, continually practising a­gainst him, that there might be no man left to be nominated king, hee com­maunded his own Son who had attained to mans estate, to be put to death. A­gainst F this man, Anthony with sixteene of his strongest Legyon; made Warre, for ministring ayd against himselfe, and Cesar. But he was so contrariously af­flicted in many battels, that he was enforced to make his retreate out of Parthia. Thorough which victory Phrahartes being made more proude, and that he persisted to dealemore cruelly then before, he was driuen into exile by his own subiects. Phrahar [...]es is deposed, and restored again by the Scyt [...]ns.

Whereupon after long and earnest sute made by him vnto the countries bordering vpon Parthia, at the length he so perswaded the Scithians that thorough their ayd he was restored vnto his kingdome againe. In the time of his absence, the Parthyans had constituted one Tyridates King, who hearing of G the Seithians comming, fled with a great power of his friends to Cesar Augu­stus, who was making Warre at that time in Spaine, and brought with him to The x. Emp. the Emperor, the youngest sonne of Phrahartes for a pledge, whom thorough the negligence of such as were put in trust with him, he had stolne away.

Vpon knowledge whereof, Phrahartes forthwith sent his Ambassadors to Ce­sar, requiring of him to send him home his servant Tyridates, and his sonne with him. The Emperor when he heard the Ambassadors of Phrahartes, and vnderstood the requests of Tyridates (who also desired to haue aide of him to reseate him in the possession of the kingdome againe, assuring that Parthia for such grace should euer after be at the commaundement of the Romaines) an­swered, H how he would neither deliuer Tyridates into the hands of the Parthyans, nor yet minister aide to Tyridates against them.

Neuerthelesse, because it should not seeme to both, neither had obtained a part of their demaund, he sent Phrahartes his sonne without ransome, and al­lowed Tyridates honorable entertainement for him and his, so long as hee [Page 133] should thinke fit to bide with the Romaines. After this hauing finished his wars in Spaine, when he came into Syria to set a stay in the affaires of the East, he put Phrahartes in such amazement, that to the entent he should not make Warre vpon Parthia, all the prisoners that were in the realme taken either of the army of Crassus, or of the army of Anthonie, were gathered together, and with al the banners and ensignes, that were suprized at those times, sent againe to Au­gustus. Moreouer Phrahartes gaue to Augustus, his sonnes and Nephewes in hostage: so that Augustus did more with the maiesty of his name, then any o­ther Emperor could haue compelled by force of armes. A

The xliij. Booke of Iustine. B

THE ARGVMENT.

THe first inhabiters of Italy. The comming thither of E [...]ander and Eneas, and of his warres there. The building of long Alba, with the succession of the kings thereof. The building of Rome by Remus and Romulus. The building C of Marsieles in France, with the praise and commendation, and with the warsther­of. The stead fast faith of the Massilians toward the Romains. The auncestros of the author of this worke.

COncerning these histories, Trogus Pompeyus, hauing fi­nished in this forme of discourse, the monumentall do­ings of the Parthians of the East, and of the greater part of the whole world. Returneth as it were after along con­tinued pilgrimage, home to the foundation of the Citty D of Rome, accounting it the part of an vnthankfull citizen, to drawe a module, or paint out the actes of al other Na­tions, and speake or record nothing me [...]o [...]ble of his owne natiue country. To avoide which imputation, or rather defamation, he heere toucheth breefely (by the way) the beginning of the Romaine Empire, wherein be neither exceedeth the bounds which he had before propounded [Page] to himselfe in the course of his worke, nor yet passeth ouer with silence the foundation of that Citty, which without question is the head and chiefe of the whole world.

The first Inhabiters of Italy, were the A [...]origines, whose king Saturne is reported, to haue bin of such Iust [...]ce and vprightnesse that during his raigne, ther was not (any though slaue or bondmen) nor any man that had substance priuat to himselfe, but althings were common and vndeuided, to all men a­like, as though it had beene one Patrimony, and one Inheritance, equall to all men. In remembrance of which example, it was enacted, that at the feast of Saturne, no man should be set by or held of estimation more then the other, E but that the bondmen should seate themselues at their meate fellow-like with their Maisters in all places, Italy of long also called Saturnia, and the hill on which he had his courtly residence was called Saturn, on the which at this day The [...]st of [...]. (Iupiter hauing as it were remoued Saturne out of his seate) standeth the Ca­pitall. After him in the third place, as is confirmed by report, raigned Faunus, The capitall. Th [...] [...] [...] [...] [...] Italy. in whole time Euander with a small company of his countreymen came from Palantium, a city of Arcadye into Italy, to whom Faunus of gentlenes, assigned lands to inh [...]bit and encrease vpon, and the Mountaine also which afterward he called Pal [...]ntine. In the foot of this h [...]l he edesied a Temple to Ly [...]cus, whom the Greekes call Pan, and the Romans Lupercus. The image of the Gods being F otherwa [...]es [...]aked, iscl [...]d in a gotes skin, in which maner of attire, the people of Rome are acustomed to run vp and downe the streetes of Rome, in the cele­bration of the feasts kept vnto Pan.

Faunus had a wife named Fatua, which being continually inflamed with a holy spirit, in the fury thereof prophecied of things to come. Whereupon such as are wont so to be inspired, are said to play Fatua vnto this day, of the daughter of Faunus and Hercules (who the same time, hauing killed Gerion draue his cattel w [...]ich he ha [...] gott [...]n in reward of his victorye through Italy) was vnlaw [...]ully b [...]gotten Latinus. During whose raigne, Aeneas after that Troy was destroyed by the Greekes, came from thence into Italy, where at his first ar­ [...]iuall G The [...]óming [...] [...] [...] in­to Italy. he was b [...]dden battell.

But when he had brought his men in readinesse into the field, before the encounter they [...]ell to conference. In the which he brought Latinus in such admiration of him, and with his pers [...]asiue oratory so wrought with him, that from an enemy against whom he was prepared in barr [...]l, he was pleased to make him partner of [...]is kingdome, and also m [...]de ch [...]se of him for his sonne in law, by giuing his daughter Lau [...]nia in marriage. After this friendly con­iunction, they made Warr ioyntly against Turnus King of the Rutilians, who challenged them b [...]th for defrauding him of Lauinia, who by promise from the father should haue beene his wife and whom the other had accepted con­trary H to the law of friendship. In which battell both Turnus and Latinus were sl [...]ine. [...] therefore obtaining both the Nations by the law of Armes, founded a Citty and [...]alled it by the name of his wife.

Afterward he made Warre against Mezentius king of the Hetrusci [...]ns, in which hee himselfe was slaine, leauing his sonne Ascanius to succeede him Who leauing Lauinium, builded Alba longa, the which for the space of three [Page 134] hundred yeeres togither was the chiefe and principall seat of his kingdome. [...] After many kings of this citty at length reigned Numitor and Amultus. But Amulius hauing wrongfuly deposed his elder brother Numitor, to the intent no yssue male snoulde arise from the stocke of his brother, to challenge the crowne, compeld his daughter Rhea into a Nunry, there to lead all her life in vowed virginity, cloking his iniury with an honourable colour, that men might suppose she was not put there as a condemned persoane, but rather made chiefe prioresse of the place by election. Being therfore as a recluse in [...] the Grouc consecrated to Mars, she was deliuered of two sonnes, whither she conceiued them by adultry, or by Mars, no man is able to say of a truth. A­mulius vpon knowledge hereof, being in more fear then euer he was, by rea­son A of the birth of her two children, commaunded them to be made awaye, and laid their mother in prison, in which distresse of hirs shee died. But for­tune prouiding before hande for the Originall of the Romaines; sente a s [...]ee Wolfe to Nurce the children, the which hauing lost her whelps, for desire to haue her dugges drawne, that were pained with too much aboundance of milk, offred her selfe to be nurce vnto those children. As she came and went oftentimes to the children, like as if it had bene her whelpes, A shepheard named Faustulus, perceiued the matter, and stealing them from the Wolfe, brought them vp like shepheards among his Cattell. Now whither it were B for that they were borne in the Groue of Mars, or for that they were nouri­shed by a Wolfe, which is in the iurisdiction of Mars, it was beleeued for a manifest proofe, that they were the sonnes of Mars. The one of these was na­med Remus, and other Romulus. When they came to mans estate, they ac­customed to try Maistries daily one with another, whereby they increased as well in strength, as in nimblenesse and swiftnesse. Wherefore when they had oftentimes manfully and pollitickly chased away theeues from stealing their cattell, Remus was taken by the said theeues, (and as though he hadde bin the the same himself, which he had prohibited others to do) was broght before the king, and there accused for a stealer of Numitors cattell. Where­upon the king deliuered him to Numitor, to punish him as he thoght good. C But Numitor hauing pittye of the youngman, had halfe a mistrust that hee shold be one of his Nephews that were made away, by reason he resembled his daughter so much in fauor and making, and also by reason, that the time of her deliuerance, was agreeable vnto his yeers. [...]

As he was in doubtful perplexity with himselfe, Faustulus came sudden­ly in with Romulus, by whom being further instructed of the birth and brin­ging vp of the children, the youngmen made a conspiracy, and tooke wea­pon in hand, to reuenge their Mothers death, and Numitor to recouer the kingdome wrongfully withheld from him. Amulius being slaine, and Numi­tor D restored to the crowne. Afterward the youngmen builded the Cittie of Rome. Which being finished, there was ordained a Senat of a hundred El­ders, which were called fathers of the common-weale.

Then because their Neighbors disdained to marry their daughters to she­pheardes, they rauisned the maidens of the Sahines, and hauing subdued the people that were next about them, first they woon the Empire of [...], and [Page] next after that, the Empire of the whole worlde. In those dayes, the kinges had insteed of Diadems, Maces, (which the Greeks call Scepters. For euen from the beginning, men in olde time did worshippe Maces for Goddes, in remembraunce of which Religion, the ymages of the Goddes, are yet still made with Maces in their hands.

In the time of Tarquine, a company of the Phocenses comming out of A­sia, entered the mouth of Tyber, and ioyned amity with the Romaines. From thence they went by Water to the vttermost coast of Fraunce, and there a­mong the [...]guriens and the cruell Frenchmen they builded the citty Marsiel­les, [...]. and did many woorthy acts, both in defending themselues by the sword againste the sauage Frenchmen, and also in assayling those that had assailed E them before.

For the Phocenses by reason of the barrennesse of their Countrey, were compelled to set their mindes more earnestly vppon the Water, then vpon the Landes: and so they liued by Fisning, by trafficke of Marchandize, and oftentimes by robbing on the Sea, which in those dayes was counted for a praise.

By meanes where of they aduentured to the vttermost border of the Oce­an, and arriued vpon the French coast by the riuer of Roane, with the plea­santnesse of which, they were so taken in loue, that at their return home, they reported what they had seene, and procured more of their contrimen to go F thither with them. The Captaines of their sleete, were Furius, and Peranus. Who with theyr company presented themselues before Senanus kinge of the Seger [...]gians, in whose territory they coueted to build them a citty, desi­ring his amity and friendship By chance the very same day the k. was occu­pied in preparation, for the Marriage of his daghter Giptis, whom according to the custome of the country, he purposed to marry to such a one, as shee A [...]. her selfe at the feast would chose to be her husband. Among other that wer bidden to the mariage, the strangers of Greece were desired to the feast also. Anon the young Ladie was brought in, who being cōmanded by hir father to reach a cup of water to him whom she would haue to her husband, passed G ouer al the other guests, and turning hir self to the Greeks, gaue the water to Peran. Who by this means being made of a stranger the kings son in law, ob­teined of his Father a plot, to build a citty vpon. So was the citty of Marsiel­l [...] [...]. builded hard by the mouth of the riuer Roan, in an out-nook, as it were in a creek of the Sea. But the Lagurians enuying the prosperity of the Citty, di­ [...] bed the Greekes with their continuall warres. Who through valiaunt de [...]ending of themselues, became so renowned, that after they had vanqui­shed the [...] enemies, they builded many citties in the grounds that they took from them. A [...] their hands, the Frenchmen learned a more ciuill trade of li­uing thro [...]h the which their Barbarousnesse was laide aside, and as it were H tamed, to [...] with the tillage of the ground, and Walling in of their cit­tie.

They framed themselues to liue by Lawes, and not by force, then they learned to shredde their Vines: then they learned to plant and graffe their Oliues. Fi [...]llie both the men and all other thinges were so exquisitely [Page 135] polished, that Greece seemed not to be remooued into France, but rather France was translated into Greece. After the death of Senanus king of the Se­goregians (by whom the place to build the citty vpon was graunted) his son Comanus succeeding him in the kingdome, was inucgled against the Massili­ans by one of his Lordes, alledging that the time will come, that Marsielles should be the destruction of the people, that were next neighbors about it: wherefore it was to be suppressed now in that very rising, least afterward be­ing suffred to grow stronger, it might oppresse him.

For the further manifestation whereof, he repeated this fable, how upon a time, a bitch being great with whelp, desired a shepheard to lend hir house A roome to whelpe in: the which being obteyned, she desired him againe, to respit hir solong, but till she might bring vp her whelpes: But at lengthe when they were ful grown, she and hir whelps were so strong, that she chal­lenged the place to hir selfe for euer.

In the like sort the Massilians, which then seemed to be soiourners, would perchance hereafter become Lords ofthe country. The king being prouo­ked Treas [...]n a­gainst the Massilians. by this instigation, deuised how to surprize the Massilians: So vpon a so­lemn feastiful day of the Goddesse Flora, hee sent a great sort of strong men into the citty, as it hadde bin to make merry, causing a number more to be conueyed in Cartes and Wagons, hidden with rushes and leaues, and hee B himselfe with his hoast lay in ambush in the next Mountaines, to the intent that in the night, when the other had set open the gates, he might come with all speed to the performance of his pretended policy, and put the cittye to the sword, as they were in a dead sleepe, or else eating and drinking. But a kinswoman of the kings be wrayed this treason, who being wont to play the goodfellowe with a certaine youngman of the Greeks, as she imbraced him, hauing pitty vppon him for his beauty, vtterred the matter vnto him, and councelled him to auoide the danger, and he forthwith declared the whole matter to the Officers of the citty. By meanes whereof, the treason com­ming to light, the Ligurians were laide hand on, and they that lay hidden in the rushes, were pulled out by the heels, and put euery man vnto the sword, C and in the end, the treason was turned vpon the kings owne head: For the Massilians slue the K. himselfe, and seuen thousand of his souldiors with him

From that day forward, the Massilians vppon their feastifull dayes, kept their gates shut, made good watch, set men to ward vpon the Walles, sear­ched all strangers, tooke good heed, and euen as if they had made warre, so The fortu­nate successe of the Mas­siliens. kept they the citty in time of peace, such good order kept they among them selues at altimes, not so much in time of need, as to be [...]uer in readines. Af­terward they had sore Wars with the Lycurians, and the Frenchmen, whych both encreased the renowne of the Citty, and also (by atchiuing so manye D victories) made the knighthood and chiualry of the Greeks famous and re­doubted among their neighbors.

Moreouer they diuers times ouercame the Armies of the Carthagenians, when they made warre vppon them for taking their Fisher botes, and gaue them peace at their pleasure like conquerors. With the Spaniards they en­tred a league of amity, and with the Romaines they made a continuall confe­deracy [Page] and aliance, almost from the first beginning of the foundation of the Citty, the which they obserued most faithfully, and to the vttermost of their power, aided them as their confederates, in all their enterprizes. Which thing, both made them to be bolder to trust to their owne strength, and also purchased them peace of their enemies. Wherfore at such time as Marsiel­les florished most in renowne of chiualry, and in abundance of riches, & was in the chiefe flower of her strength, suddainly al the people bordering about them, gathered themselues togither, to roote vppe the Name of the Massi­lians.

A Noble man called Carmandus, was by common consent chosen to be E captaine generall against them, who as he lay at siege before the citty, with a great host of the best men that could be chosen in all the countrey, sawe in his sleep the likenesse of a Woman, with a grim and terrible co [...]ntenance, The vision of Caraman­dus. which said she was a Goddesse: At whose sight he was so affraid, that of his own voluntary disposition he made pease with the Massilians, making request that he might enter into their citty to worship their Goddes.

When he came into the Temple of Minerua, espying in the porches the ymage of the Goddesse, which he had seene in his dreame, he cryed out so­dainly that it was euen she that had feared him in the night, and surely it was she that commaunded him to raise his siege. Whereupon greatly reioycing F with the Massilians, because he perceiued that the Goddes had such care & regarde ouer them, he gaue the Goddesse a chaine of Gold for an offering, and made a bonde of friendshippe with the Massilians, to continue for e­uer.

After that they had thus gotten peace, and established quietnesse, the the Massilian Ambassadors returning from Delphos, (whither they had bene sent to catry presents vnto Apollo,) heard say that the Citty of Rome was ta­ken and burnt by the Frenchmen. Which tidinges when they had brought home, the Massilians proclamed an vniuersall mourning, as if it had bin for the death ofsome speciall friends, and gathered all their Gold togither, as G well priuate as publick, the which they sent to make vp the summe, that the Frenchmen demaunded of the Romaines for their ransom, and to grant them peace. In recompence of which good turne, they were made free os the ci­ty of Rom [...], and placed among the Senators at all solemnities. And their a­liance was so knit with them, that they were continually reputed as Romans. In his last Booke, Trogus declareth, that his ancestors fetched their Petigree srom the Volces, that his Grandfather Trogus Pompeius in the Warres against S [...]o [...]ius, did saue the city to Eneus Pompeius, that his vnckle had the leding of the horsmen vnder the said Pompey in the warre against Mithri­dates, and that his father also serued in the warres vnder C. H Cesar, Th [...] [...] of [...] [...] [...]om [...]. in the roome of Secreatary Lieute­tenant, and keeper ofhys Seale.

The end of the xliij. booke.

THE 44. BOOKE OF Iustine. A

THE ARGVMENT.

THe scituation, fertility, and description of Spain. A wonderfull example of patience. The deedes of Viriatus Captaine of the Spaniardes. Of the genettes. The steele that is in that country. What things were inuented by Gargoris. How Gargoris assayed by all meanes to put his daughters child to death, and could not, B whereupon moued with compassion for the perils he had escaped he made him his heyre, whose name was Habis. The inuentions of the said Habis. The story of Hercules Gereon. The inhabiting of the Gades. vpon what occasion the Carthageni­ens entred first into Spaine with the actions of their Captains there. Finally how it was subdued by Augustus The Emperor, and made a prouince for the Romaines.

SPaine being by account the vtmost bonds and limits of The antient names of Spaine. Europe, euen so therewith I meane to shut and close vp the end of this booke. In ancient times it was called Ibe­ria, of the Riuer Iberus: afterwards it was called Spaine after the name of Hyspalus. It is a countrey that lieth be­tween C Affrick & France, enclosed round about with the Ocean Sea, and the Pirenian Mountaines. Though it be not to be compared with the other lands, for scope and bignesse, yet doth it yeeld more aboundance of commodities and fruite, then The seitua­tion both the other, being ioyned together. For [...]st it lieth not within the raging heate of the Sunne, as Affricke doth; neither is it violated with outragious windes like France: but as it lieth in the meane and midest betweene them both, so on the one side, by moisture distilled on the land by moderate shewers, fal­ling in their season, it becometh exceeding fertile in all manner fruites and graine: Insomuch as the inhabitants thereof content themselues in all aboun­dance, D and they impart with many thousands of their store, into Italy, Rome & all the countries thereabout. From thence there passeth not onely great store of corne and graine, but also Wine, hony, Oyle, and many such like commo­dities: But there is also great plenty of Iron, and not the basest and wor [...]er sort, but the best iron and Steele, is accounted to be in these regions.

[Page] Also many an excellent race of Horses, both sounde and swift are ther in great plenty. Neither will we content our selues to speak of those commo­dities onely that growe aboue the grounde, but also their plentifull and rich Minerals, which lieth hidden vnderneth within the bowels of the earth. Of Flax and Baste there is great plenty, and as for Vermilion, no land vnder the sunne yeeldeth more aboundantly.

In this land are many excellent riuers, not violent and outragiously eb­bing and flowing, whereby many dangers are often threatned, but gentlye falling and moistning the vineyards and cornesieldes in all aboundance of pleasure, and as for those places where the Ocean bringeth in the rising & falling of the tides, full of all variety and kinds of Fish as the appetite of man E can be delighted in. these riuers are also many of them rich in Gold, which maketh them exceedingly accounted of. It is onely parted from France, by the ridge of the Pirenean Mountaines, being in euery other place enuironed round about by the Ocean Sea.

The plat of the land is in maner foresquare, sauing that the sea beatinge on both sides, doth gather it vp somewhat narrowe at the Pirenean Moun­taine: Moreouer, whereas the Pirene Mountaines runneth, it is in breadth six hundred Miles. It standeth in a pleasant aire, throughout the whole coun­try, and the winds do blow there so coole and temperate, that there ariseth The [...] of [...] no stincking Fogges, and mistes, out of the lower marish grounds, either to F annoy or insect it. Besides, the continuall aire of the salt-water rising from the sea, round about and on euery side, so pierseth and cleanseth thorough the country, and being againe qualified with the open and fresh ayre of the land, is the chiefe and principal meane to preserue the inhabitants therof in health.

The bodies of these inhabitants do well away with these two vnwelcom The disposi­tion of the Spamaides. guests, hunger and paine, and their minds can wel away to know they must die. They generally liueal very niggardly and hard. They also rather couet warre then peace: of which if they cannot employ themselus vpon a forren enemy, they will neaer rest satisfied till they ceize vppon one at home. G

They are well accounted of for secresie, for oftentimes they haue rather chosen death vpon the Racke, rather then reueale the secret trust in them re­posed: So much deerer doe they prize secresie more then their very liues. That th [...] is so, It may be wel obserued by the sufferings of that seruant in the Warres of Carthage, who hauing reuenged the death of his Maister, in the middest of all his tormentes, laughed and reioyced, and with a merrie and pleasant countenance, ouercame the cruelty of al his tormenters.

The people of this countrie is exceeding swift of foote, vnquiet of minde, and the greater number of them, make more account and reckoning of their horses, and of their armes, then they do by the best blood in their bo­dies. H They neuer make anie great preparation for feasting one another, ex­cept onely the high and solemne daies. Thev loue to wash much in warme water, which custome of theirs they learned from the Romans, after their se­cond warres with carthage.

Daring the continuance of many hundered yeares, they neuer had other [Page 137] Captaine of fame saue onely Viriatus, who for the space of ten whole yeares, held the Romaines at the staues end, one while he gained, and againe at ano­ther time he lost (so much were they of nature more like brute bests, then men) yet they rather consented to follow him, not as one chosen by the discretion or gouernment of the wiser sort, but only for that he was generally held amongst them exceeding pollitique and ready in avoiding of emminent danger: A­gaine he was esteemed of a very vertuous and staied behauiour and courage, and that he often ouercame many of the consuls with their whole powers and strength, being not any way able to match him in the least of all his fortunes, so many and great enterprizes did he purchase from them: yet was he noted not The great commenda­tion o [...] V [...] ­atus. A to alter or change himselfe either in apparell, fashion, or order of dyet, but as he began the first course of his Warres, euen so hee continued the selfe same vnto the latter ende. Insomuch as there was not a common Souldier a­mongst them, but hee helde his state to be equall to their guide and Cap­taine.

It is reported amongst diuers writers, that about the Ryuer Tagus in Por­tingall, there is arace of Mares, that do conceiue by the winde. Which fa­ble (for so I may reckon it) first sprang vpon the fruitfulnesse of Mares, and of the multitude of races, that are acounted to be both in Gallicia & Portugal: Of Spanish l [...]nu [...] ▪ wherof there are such store to be seene, and those so swift, that (not without B good cause the Prouerbe may hold currant) that the were conceiued with the winde.

The Gallicians account themselues as from the right line and descent of the Greekes: For (say they) after the battell of Troy, that Teucer hauing incurred the hate and displeasure of his father Telamon for the death of his brother Aiax, was neuer after suffered to enter into the Realme: thereupon departed and came to Cyprus, and in the ende builded there a Citty, which hee called Sallamyne after the name of his owne Natiue Countrey, from whence he was banished.

At last, hauing knowledge of the decease of his father, he returned againe backe to his countrey, but being withstood in his arriuall by Eurasaces the Son C of Ayax, he was forced to make his ariuall in Spaine, and there seyzed vpon that plot of ground where new Carehage now standeth: from whence he re­moued to Galicya where he fully planted himselfe and all his company, giuing name vnto that countrey.

There is one portion of Gallycia that is called Amphilochians. A country very plentifull of many worthy commodities, as Brasse, Lead, and Vermilyon, wherof became the Ryuer so called. Moreouer, it is very well stored of Golde, insomuch that diuers times they raise vp very clots of Gold, as they are in The fruitfulnesse of Gal­licia. labour of the plough. D

In the bounds of this Countrey, there is a hill (called the Holy hill) the which is made vtterly vnlawful for any man to vse an instrument of yorn nee [...]e about the same hill. But if it so happen that by Thunder or lightning the earth be broken (which is very common in those places) then they are per­mitted to gather vppe all the Golde thereabout, holding and esteeming [Page] thereof as the gift of God. In these parts the Women are wholy imployed in the carriages of al maner of businesses, as house-keeping, & bargaining: and the men do onely imploy themselues to Warres, and violent robbe­ries. The yron heere to be found is of an excellent harde temper, but theyr waters is of farre more force then they yron for by tempering their Met­tell therewith, it is by vertue thereof made more tough and sharpe, and they generally hold that weapon of no good temper, that is not dipped ei­ther [...]. in the riuer Bilbo, or in the riuer Chaltbs: Whereupon the people that haue their habitation neere vnto these riuers are called chalybs, and are e­steemed the best Maisters of yron, in that whole kingdome. E

In the plains o [...] the Tartesians, (where it is reported the Titans made war against the Goddes,) dwelled sometime the currettes: an auncient king of the which people named Gargoris first inuented the maner to gather Hun­ny. This man perceiued that his daughter had playd the harlot, & for shame of her wicked deed, attempted diuers waies to haue destroyed the child. But The [...] o [...] Gar­go [...]is. through good fortune he was preserued from all those daungers, and at the length for compassion of so many perils, was created king. First of all when he commaunded him to bee cast awaye, and certaine dayes after had sent to secke his bodye, hee was found nourished with the milke of sundry wild [...] beasts.

Secondly, when he was brought home, he commaunded him to be laid F in a narrow path, where cattel had wont to go through, surely he was verye cruell, that woulde haue his Nephew troden to death, then simply killed. There also perceiuing he lay vnhurt, and not vnfed, he caused him to be cast first to hungry dogges, that he had pined from meat many dayes before for the nonce, and afterwards also to Swine.

Finally when they not only did him no harm, but also some of them gaue him sucke, last of all he threwe him in the sea. Then as it were by the open manifest prouidence of the Gods, among the r [...]ging sourges, and the wallo ing waues, as though he had ben carried in a ship, and not in a streame, the calme sea bare him vp alofte, and brought him shortly to shore. By and by G came a Hind and gaue him sucke. Whereupon by keeping companye with his Nurce, the child became exceeding swift of foot, and kept in the moun­taines and forrests among the heards of red deere, as swift of foot as the swi­test of them.

At length being ouerthrowne in a toile, he was presented before the K. for a gift. There by reason of his stature and making, wherein he much re­sembled the king, and by certaine markes that were grown in the child from his bir [...]h, the king knew him to be his Nephew. And because he had so won­derfull▪ escaped so many perillous chaunces, he proclaimed him heire and [...] [...] of [...]. successor of his kingdome. His name was called Habis, who after that he had H taken the crown vpon him, became Prince of such Maiesty, that men thoght it was not for nothing, that hee was so preserued by the prouidence of God from so many perils. For he first ordeined lawes, to keepe the sauage people in good order and conuersation one with another.

He [...]ir [...] ta [...]ght them to breake Oxen to the plough, and to till and sowe [Page 138] the ground, he first (for tediousnesse of such things, as he had suffered him­selfe) caused men to forsake their beastly meates, and to feed vppon better. The chaunces of this man might seeme to be but a fable, if the builders of Rome had not bene nourished by a Wolfe, and Cyrus king of Persia norished of a bitch. This man forbad the people all seruill occupations, and diuided the commons into seauen citties.

After the death of Habis, the kingdom remained in his posterity many C. years. In another part of Spain, which consisteth of the Isles, Gerion wask in the which part there is so great plenty of sweet pasture, that vnlesse the cat­tell were kept hungry, and not suffered to feede their fill, their bellies wold The [...]o [...]y of G [...]ion. burst. In the same place were the cattell of Gerion (wherein in those dayes A mens substance did chiefely consist) which were of so great fame, that Hercu­les allured with the richnes of the booty, came out of Asia thither.

Moreouer Gerion was not triple as the fables report, but three Brothers which accorded so friendly one with another, that it seemed as though one soule and one mind ruled them al three. Neither did they of their own mo­tion make warre vpon Hercules, but when they saw their cattel driuen awaye, they fought with him for the recouering of them. A [...]ter that the kings cea­sed in Spaine, the Carthagenians first tooke vppon them the Dominion and rule of the country. B

For when the Gaditans (commaunded so to do in a dreame) had brought from Tyrus. out of the which Citty the Carthagenians had also their begin­ning, the sacred ceremonies of Hercules into Spaine, and there builded a cit­ty, through the malice of the people of Spain their next neighbors, enuying the encreasement of their new citty, and thereuppon infesting the Gaditans with warre, they sent to their kinsmen the Carthagenians for help: Who ha­uing a prosperous iourny, both defended the Gaditans from taking wrong, & also subdued the more part of the country vnder their Dominion. After­warde also encouraged by the fortunate successe of their first voyage, they The doings of the C [...]r­thagenians. in Spaine. sent Hamilcar, as graund-captaine with a great hoast, to conquer the whole Realme, who hauing atchiued many great enterprizes, whilest he followed C his goodluck without aduisement, was intrapped by a policy and slaine. In his roome was sent his sonne in law Hasdruball, who also was slaine by a ser­uant of a Spaniard, in reuengement of his Maisters death.

Hanniball the sonne of Hamilcar greater then both, sacceeded in the cap­tainship. For he surmounting the acts of them both, conquered all Spaine. And then making warre against the Romans, vexed Italy with sundry slaugh­ters, by the space of sixteen yeares togither. Whereas in the mean season the Romaines, sending the Scipios into Spain, first draue the Carthagenians out of the country, and afterward had sore warres with the Spaniards themselus. How the [...] D Neuerthelesse the countries of Spaine coulde neuer bee brought vnder the yoke of bondage, vntill that Caesar Augustus hauing conquered the whole world, came against them with his victorious army, & broght those Ba [...]ba­rous and cruell people, to a more ciuill trade of liuing by order of law, and substituted a Lieutenant ouer them, like as was don in all other Prouin [...]es of the Empire.

FINIS.
…

[Page] AN EPITOMIE OF THE Liues and Manners of the ROMAINE EMPERORS. FROM THE RAIGNE OF CAESAR AVGVSTVS, to the Raigne of Rodulphus the Emperour now liuing: taken out of the Bookes of Sext. Aurelius Victor.

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Printed at London by William Iaggard, 1606.

The life of C. Iulius Caesar.

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CIulius Caesar, the sonne of L. Caesar and Aurelia, was born A B at Rome, C. Marius, and L. Valerius Flaccus being Con­suls, on the 4. of the Ides of Quintile, the which month after his death, was by the commaundement of Antho­ny, for that cause called Iuly: He was brought vp with his mother Aurelia, the daughter of C. Cotta, and his Aunt Iulia, the wife of C. Marius: Whereupon he be­ing C descended of the stock of Senators, had the loue of the Plebile sedition, & the hatred of Silla. This man was the first that sought after the pepetuall dictatorship: For France being conquered by him, with­in the space of ten yeares, and Britanny being then first assailed, and the Ger­maines being driuen into the woods and moores; he departed into Italy, and with the same his accustomed celerity appeased the Spanish tumultes hee ouerthrew Pompey the great, in a battel at Pharsalis, and when he had trium­phed ouer all his enemies, at length he being wounded, with 23. woundes, by the conspiracy, of his dearest friends (as he esteemed them) died, in the D 56 yeare of his age. A man very famous, for his feats of Warre, and peace, but especially for his clemency [...] Who had rather be a defender, then an in­uader of peace. These things Ignatius reporteth of him. Nothing was wan­ting in this Caesar, which ought to be in a Nobleman: in him was wisdome, eloquence, courage, constancy, and the study of mili [...]arie discipline, and of al the chiefest arts; and that which most of al preuaileth, to get the good­wil [Page] of the people, a certaine wonderful kind of liberality, by the which, as by degrees, he arose from a lowe estate, to the highest degree, of humaine af­faires.

D. Caesar Octauianus Aug.

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IN the yeare 722. from the time that the citty was built, and in the 480. yeare E F G after the time of the Kings, the auncient custome of Rome was restored a­gaine, to the obedience of one alone, and to an Emperor in stead of a king, being otherwaies called by amore honorable name Augustus. Therefore, Octa­uianus was begotten of his father Octauius a Senator, who by his mothers side, was descended from Aeneas, thrugh the familie of Iulia, but by the adoption of C. Caesar the elder his great Vncle, he was called C. Caesar, and afterwards for a certain victory he was caled Augustus. This man being placed in the imperial sea [...]e, executed the authority of the tribune by himselfe alone. He brought the countrey of Egypt, into the forme of a prouince, being vneasie to be entered H through the ouer [...]lowing of Nilus, and without passages, by reason of Mari­shes; which that he might make p [...]ntifull of victuall for the citty, he layd o­pen the ditches thorough the labor of the Souldiers, which by the negligence of antiquity were [...]i [...]led with du [...]. In this mans time, 200000. Measures of corne by the yeare, were brought out of Egipt into the citty. This man ioy­ned to the number of the prouinces of the people of Rome, the people of Bis­cay [Page] in Spaine, and the people of Guien in France, the Rhetians, Vandales, and Dalmatians; Hevanqui [...]hed the Switzers, and the Cattaiens, and translated the people of Gueldrois in Germany into France, and ioyned the Hungarians to his tributaries, and compelled the Gothes and the people of Salmatia in Europ, being wearied with Wa [...]res vnto an agreement. The Persians brought pled­ges vnto this man, and graunted him the leaue of making them aking. More­ouer, the Indians, the Scythtans, the Blackamoores, the Aetheopians, sent Am­bassadors with presents. He so much abhorred insurrectious Warres, and flatteries, that he would neuer moue Warre against any Nation without iust cause: and he said, that it sheweth a vainegloryous, and almost vnconstant A miade, for an ardent desire of triumphing, and for a Laurell garland, (that is vnprofitable leaues) to cast away vnaduisedly the security and welfa [...]e, of the Cittizens, into the danger of a Warre thorogh doubtfull euents. Neither that any thing doth worse befit a good Emperor, then temyrity, and that euery thing is done soone inough, whatsoeuer is done well: that armes are neuer to be taken in hand, without the cause of a waightie matter, least that the victo­ry being soaght after, for a small recompence and with a great losse, much like vnto those that fish with a golden hooke, the damage and losse whereof being broken off, cannot be recompensed with any game of that which is ta­ken. In this mans time the Romaine army beyond Rhine was destroied, and the trybanes, B & Propraetor slaine: Which he so greatly lamented, that thorough acert [...]ine strong violence of his braine, he beate thorough a wall, wearing deformed apparell, hayre, and other tokens of sorrow. Also he greatly bla­med the inuention of his great vncle, who calling the Souldiers after a new slattering, or faire speaking manner, sought to become dearer vnto them, and weakned the authority of the Prince. Finally he behaued himselfe very gently towards the Cittizens. He was faithfull towards his friends, the chiefe whereof was Maecoenas, for his secrecy; Agrippa, for his enduring of labour, and modesty. Moreouer he loued Virgill, and yet was doubtfull to entertain any into his friendship, but most constant in keeping his friendship, apply­ing himselfe so greatly to liberall studies, especially to eloq [...]ence, that no C day did passe away, wherein he was not occupied in setting forth of an army, or that he did read, declare and endtie. Hee made some new lawes, and others he corrected vnder his owne name. He encreased and adorned Rome with ma­ny buildings, glorying in this saying, I found the citty made of Brick, but I leaue it of Marbell. He was mild, thankfull, of a ciuill and pleasant natu [...]e, beautfull thorough out all his body, but most in his eyes: the brightnesse whereof hee cast forth after the manner of most cleare starres, and therefore, he did willing­ly endure to haue men beat the beames therfore with their hāds, as sunn-beams: From whose face whiles a certaine Souldier turned himsel [...]e, and was asked of D him why he did so, he answered; bycause I cannot endure the brightnesse of your eies. Notwithstanding, so great a man was not without some faults, and vices: for he was a little impatient, wicked, angry, priuily enuious, openly ambitious, and desirous of bearing rule, more then can be thought: a diligent pl [...]ter at Dice, and notwithstanding that hee abstained from much meate, and wine, and a little from sleepe, he was subiect to lust, euen to the rept [...]ch [Page] of the common peoples talke. For he was wont to lie betwixt twelue Zodomiti­call boyes, and so many maides. Also his wife Scribonia, being diuorsed and he possessed with the loue of an other mans wife, ioyned Liuia vnto him, as though it had beene with her husbands will; which Liuia at that time had two sonnes, Tyherius and Drusus: and albeit he was subiect to lust, neuerthelesse he was a seuere puinisher of the same vice: after the manner of men, who are seuere in punishing those vices, which themselues do greatly embrace. For hee banished the Poet Ouid, who was also called Naso, for that, he wrote three bookes of the Arte of loue: And which is the p [...]rte of a large or pleasant mind, he was delighted, with all kind of sightes, [...]speciall with the vnknowne formes E and infinit number of wilde beasts. He hauing liued threescore and senenteen yeares, died of a sicknesse at Nola: albeit, some write that he was slaine by the treason of Liu [...]a, fearing, bycause his daughter in law had vnderstoode his son Agrippa to be returned home whom he had banished for the hatred of his stepmother, hauing obtained the Empire, he shoul suffer punishment.

Therfore whether he died, or was sl [...]ine, the Senat adiudged him to be ho­nored with sundry new honors: For besides that hee had before called him­selfe the father of his countrey, they consecrated a Temple vnto him, aswell in Rome, as through out the most famous citties; all men commonly saying, I would he had neuer beene borne, or might neuer haue died. For the one was of a very bad beginning, and the other of an excellent ending. For in obtaining F the Empyre, he was accounted an opp [...]ssor of the liberty and yet in ruling the same, he loued the Cittizens, that on a time when three daies prouision being seene in one mansbarnes, he had determined that he should be poysoned if his nauies should not returne from his prouinces in the meane while. The which nauie being come, the safety and preseruation of his countrey was attributed to his felicity. Hee Raigned fifty and sixe yeares; twelue, together with An­thony, but soure and forty alone: who truely should neuer haue gotten the go­uernment of the common-wealth to himselfe, nor haue enioyed the same so long, vnlesse he had abounded with great guiftes of G nature, and his owne dyligence, labour, and industry. H

Claudius Tyberius.

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CLaudius Tyberius, the sonne of Lyuia, and the sonne in A B law of Caesar Octauius, raigned twenty foure yeares. This man whose name was, Claudius Tyberius Nero, was elo­quently caled of Iesters Caldius Biberius Nero, he was skil­full inough in millitary discipline, and fortunat inough vnder Augustus before he was made Emperor, so that the gouernment of the commmon-wealth was not without C cause committed vnto him.

He had a certaine knowledge of learning, wherein he was more excellent then in eloquence; but he was of an euill nature, of a cruel, couetous, and trea­cherous disposition, faining that he would do those things, which he neare meant; seeming offended with those, of whom he tooke counsel: and seeming to beare goodwill, to those whom he hated. He was better for suddaine an­swers, and counsels, then long deliberated. Finally, he fainedly refused the Empire, deriued from his auncestors, the which thing he had subtilty brought to passe, cruelly searching out, what men did say or thinke of him, which thing D was the destruction of al good and vpright men. For the wringing out of their mindes by long speeches, that they thought the greatnesse of the affaires of the Empire did decline, according to his fained iudgement, their last destructi­on immediatly followed. This man brought the Cappado [...]ians into a prouince, their King Arceslaus beeing deposed: he repressed the thefts of the Getulians, and crafryly entrapped Marobaelius King of the Switzers. When he pun [...]he [...], [Page] the guiltlesse, and guilty were all in one state, and in like manner both his own friends, and strangers; the discipline off warfare being left, Armenia was taken away by the Parthians, Maesia by the Dacians, Hungaria by the people of Sar­matia, and Fraunce of the bordering Nations. This man after the 78. year, and 4. moneth of his age, was murthered by the treasons of Caligula.

Caesar Caligula.

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CAligula raigned foure yeares, this Caligula was the sonne of Germanic [...], E F G and because he was borne in the Army, he took his name of a harnesse boot, that is Caligula. Before he tooke vpon him the Empire, he was deare, and beloued of all men: but in his raigne he was such an one, that it was rightly said of him, amongst the common people, that there was neuer a more cruell Lord then he. Finally he defiled his three sisters. He went in the habit of his Goddes, and affirmed himselfe to be Iupiter for his incest, and amongst the drunkards he affirmed himselfe to be Bacchus, of whome I H doubt whither this be meet to be recorded, (except because it is requisite to know all things concerning Princes) that wicked persons at leaste wise may decline from such things, for the feare of an il report. In his pallace hee cau­sed the Noble Matrons to be subiect to open lust. He first caused himselfe to be called Lord, hauing a crowne set on his head.

Claudius Tiberius

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CLaudius Tiberius, the sonne of Drusus, the brother of Tiberius, and vn­cle [...] B to Caligula, raigned 14. yeares. This man when the Senat had de­creed, that the stocke of the Caesars should he rooted out, lying hid in a filthy hole, being found of the souldiors, because he was timorous and did seeme tractably milde, was made Emperor. He was subiect vnto drunken­nesse, gluttony, and lust, being cowardly, and almost blockish, sluggish, & fearefull, & at commaunde of his free seruants, and of his wife: In this time Seribonianiu Camillus being made gouernour amongst the Dalmatians, was foorthwith slaine. C

The Moores were expelled from the prouinces by Caesar, and the Army of the Musalamites was discomfited, out of the which, Claudia was brought to Rome. This mans wife Messalina, at the first priuily vsed adulteries, but af­terwards openly, as though she had done it by law or right: from the which fact with hi [...], many abstaining for feare, were put to death. Afterwards she being more cruelly stirred vp, she appointed al the Noble Virgins and Ma­trons to be with hir, after the maner of Whores, and many men were con­strained that they should be present. But if any man did abhorre such silthy deeds, this crime being set vpon him, he was punished on himselfe, and all D his familye, that he might rather seeme to be a subiect to the Emperor her husband, then to one that was married vnto the Emperor: so his sree ser­uantes hauing gotten the highest authoritye, defiled all thinges with their Whoredomes, banisnments, slaughter, and prescriptions. Of whome hee made Faelix gouernor of the Legions of Iudea. He gaue for a gift vnto Possi­dius the Eunuch excellent Weapons, as a partner of the victory, amongest [Page] the most valiant of his souldiors after the triumph of Britanny, hee cau­sed Polibus, to go in the midst of the consuls. Narcissus did excell all these for his Epistles, carrying him [...]else his maisters maister: Pallas being honou­red with the robes of a Pretor, was grown so exceeding rich, that it was most pleasantly noysed abroad in a famous speech, that he could haue mony in­nough, if he could be receiued into society of his two free seruants. In this mans time there was a Phaenix seene in Egipt, which bird men say did fly out of Arabia in the fiue hundred yeare to certaine memorable places, and suddenly an Island was drowned with the Aegean [...]ca.

This man married Agrippina, the daughter of his own brother Germanicus, who procured the Empire to her son, & first killed her sonne in Law, by di­uers E kinds of treson, & afterwards her husband himself with poison. He liued threescore and foure yeares, whose Funerall was (as it was sometimes done by Tarquinius Priscus) a long time concealed, whilest that his keepers being corrupted by the craft of the Woman [...]ained him to be sicke, in the meane time, his sonne in law Nero tooke vpon him the Empire.

Domitian Nero.

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Domitius Nero, begotten of his father Domitius Aenobarbus, and his mo­ther F G Agrippina, raigned thirteene yeares. This man for the space of fiue yeares seemed tollerable, whereupon some report that the Emperor H Traian was wont to say. That all Princes do sarre differ from the fiue yeares of Nero. He builded in the citty an Amphitheater, and certaine Banes. He brought Pontus into the order of a prouince, by the permitting of Polemon Regulus, of whom it was called Domus of Polemon: and the same thing did Cottius to the Alpes, their king Cottius being dead, he lead the rest of his li [...]e with such disho­nesty, that it would shame any one to re [...]earse the like things.

[Page] He went onwards in his wickednesse so far, that the spared neither his owne, nor others modesty, last of all being cl [...]d after the manner of Virgins ready to Marrie, the Senate being openly called together, and a doury being bidden, he was maried to all men comming thither, as it had been to a seast, [...]nd being couered with the skin of a wilde beast, shewed his pri [...]ities to both sexes. Hee desiled his mother with incestuous fornication, whom he afterwards he put to death. He married Octauia and Sabina, by s [...]r-name Poppea, their husbandes being slaine. Then Galba a far of in Spaine, and C. Iulius tooke away the Em­pire. Assoone as Nero had vnderstood of Galbaes comming, and that it was ordained by the senteuce of the Senat, that his neck being put within a [...] after the maner of his ancestours, he should be whipped to death with roddes. A he being for [...]aken on euery side, and going forth of the citty at midnight Pbaon Epaphroditus, Nephitus, and Sporus the Euunuch following him, whom s [...]m­times Nero had assaied to turne into a woman, being gelded, he thrust him­selfe thorough with a sword, the filthy Euunuch Sporus, of whom we haue spo­ken, helping his trembling had when truly before none being found of [...] hom he might be striken he cried out, Is it so that I haue neither friend, nor enemy? I haue liued dishonorably, & shall die more dishonorably. He died the thirty two year of his age: the Drusians so greatly loued this man, that they sent Ambassadors requiring leaue to build a monument for him: But all the prouincesand Rome so reioyced for his d [...]ath, that the people being clad with B the cappes of slaues set at liberty, tryumphed, as though they had beene deliuered from a cruell Maister C D

Sergius Galba.

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GAlba sprung of the Noble stock of the Sulpitij, raigned 7. monthes, E F and seuen daies. This man being infamous in his youth, was intem­perat in his meat, he ordered althings after the counsell of his frends, (Viz) lunius, Cornelius & Caelius: so that in his pallace, and likewise amongst the common people, that were called his Poedagogi or instructors. He before he tooke vpon him the Empire, hee gouerned many prouinces excellent­ly well, handling his souldiors most seuerely, so that assoon as he had entred the tents, it was straightwaies spoken abrod. O my souldiors learn to Warre, Gal­ba is not Getulicus. When he had liued seuenty 3-years. He being co­uered G with a breast-plate, whilst he endeuoreth to pacifie, the Legions, stirred vp with the sedition of Oth [...], was slaine at the Lake Cru­tius. H

Otho Siluius

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SYluius Otho borne of Noble auncestors, out of the towne Ferentinum, raigned foure months, dishonest in all his life, especially in his youth. This man being ouercome of Vitellius first at Placentia, and afterward at Labina, he thrust himselfe through with his sword, in the thirty seauen yeare of his age. He was so beloued of his owne Souldiers, that ma­ny of them hauing seene his body slew them­selues with their owne C hands. D

Aulus vitellius.

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VYtellius borne of a Noble famile, whose father was Lucius Vitellius the E F third cousull, raigned eight months. This man was cruell in his minde, conctous, and also prodigall. In his time, Vespasianus tooke away the go­uerement in the East: of whose Souldiers he was ouercome in a skirmish made vnder the walles of the citty, and Vitellius being brought forth of the P [...]l­lace where he had hid himselfe, his hands being bound behind his backe, hee was lead about for a spectable to the common people. But the impudent man, in the extreamest of the evils that he had done, would not hang downe his head for shame, for a sword was put vnder his chin, he being halfe naked, ma­ny G casting durt, and other more filthy excrements in his face, was lead by the Gemoniae scal [...], where he had caused Sabinus the brother of Vespasyan to bee slaine, and being there wounded with many strokes died. He liued fifty seauen yeares. All those Emperours whom I haue breefely spoken off, especially the stock of the Caesars, were of such learning and cloquence, that vnlesse they had too much abounded with al vices, (ex­cept Augustus) truely they shoulde haue suffered immoderat disho­nour. H

Vespasian.

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VEspasian raigned ten yeares. Amongst other vertues of this man; this A B one was notable, to forget discention: so that he maried to a most ho­norable man, the daughter of his enimy Vitellius, being most largely endoured. He patiently indured the insurrections of his friends, answering with sporting speeches, to their reproches, for he was a most plesant prince, C and when Licinius Mucianus presuming ouermuch of his merites, be­cause by his aide the Emperor obtained the Empire, he altered that opini­on, by vsing one that was samiliar to them both, saying onely to him, you know I am a man.

But what woonder is it that he did so to his friends, since hee also despised the oblique sayings of Lawiers, and the reproch of Philosophers. This man in a short time refreshed the whole world, being a long time as it were with­out life, and wearied. For at the first he turned the guarders of Tyranny, vn­lesse those which had gone on farre more cruelly, then to ex [...]inguish them being vexed, thinking very wisely that wicked deeds are restrained through D fear. Moreouer he abolished many vices, in admonishing them by most iust lawes, and which is more vehement, the example of his own life. He being neuerthelesse, (as some thinke) couetous: albeit it is manifest enough, that through want of money, and the destruction of the citties, he sought after new pesions of [...]ibutes, neuer obtained.

This man repaired Rome, being deformed with old burning [...], and r [...]ins, [Page] leaue being granted to those that would build the houses again, if that mai­sters of them shoulde be wanting, he also repaired the Capitall, the Temple of the Goddesse Pax, and the monumentes of Claudius; and builded many new monuments through al the Lands, where the right of the Romains lay, and the citties were renewed with excellent trimming, and the streetes were fortisied with great labor.

Then the Mountaines by Flaminia were made hollow, for an easie and rea­die passing down, which is commonly called the rock Pertusla. A thousande Nations being inuaded togither, whome he had hardly found two hundred, the most part being extinguished throgh the cruelty of the tyrants. Vologeles [...] king of the Parthians, was constrained through feare onely to make peace: Syria or Palesthina, and Caramania, Tracheta, and Comagene, which to this day we call Augustophratenses, were added to the Rom [...]in prouinces. Also the Iewes were conioyned with them. His frends admonishing him that he shold beware of Metius Pomposianus, of whom there was speech he would be Em­peror, made him Consull, iesting at such a sentence. Sometimes he will bee min [...]full of so great a benefit. He gouerned all his Empire vnder an vniforme order. He watched in the night time, and his matters of state being perfor­med, he suffered his friends to come vnto him, putting on his buskins whilst he is saluted, and his princelie robes. But what thing soeuer had hapned af­ter F his affaires were heard, he excercised himselfe with carrying burthens, afterwards he rested: last of all as soon as he had washed, he desired his meat with a better stomack, the loue of this good Emperor, caused me to speake more thinges of him, whome the Romaine-Commonwealth, for the space of six and fifty yeares, after the death of August us being at the last breathe, through the cruelty of the tyrants, enioyed, as by a certaine destiny, that it might not vtterly fall to decay. He liuing seuenty years lacking but one, ioy­ning sports, or iests, with his earnest affaires, wherin he was delighted, died. For assoone as a blazing-starre with long haires appeared. This saith he per­taineth to the king of the Persians, who hath the long haire. After­wards G he being weary with glutting of his belly, and rising from his bed, saide, it becommeth a florishing Emp. to leaue the worlde without feare or trem­bling. H

Titus.

[figure]

TItus called also Vespasian after the name of his father, borne of his mo­ther A B Domicilla a free-woman, raigned two yeares, and two months, and twenty daies. This man from a child most diligenly applied himselfe, to the excellent studies of virtue, military discipline, and learning, which he euedently shewed forth by the g [...]ifts of his minde, and body. This man when C he tooke on him the care of his countrey, it is inceadible how far he excelled those whom he did imitate, especially in clemency, liberality, dignity, and in despising of mony; all which were so much the more esteemed in him because many thought, that he being discended of one that was a priuat man, would be more eruell towards priuat men, and also luxurions and couetous. For hee hauing gotten the office of the Praetorship in the raign of his father, oppressed as conuicted of some crime, euery one supported and set against him, certaine being sent, who casting out enuious railings through the Theaters, and the tents, desired that they might bee punished. Amongst whom he commaun­ded D [...]cinna being at supper who had borne the office of the consulship, and being scarce gone from the table to be slaine, for suspition of defiling his wife Berenices. But all men tooke grieuously his bralles that hee reuenged in the time of his father, and also that hee was couetous of spoiles. Whereup­on all men both saide and thought that Nero had againe gotten the Empire.

[Page] But these things sallyng out otherwise, got him such an immortall glory, that he was called the delights and loue of mankind. Finally assoon as he had taken on him the affaires of the Empire, he commaunded Beronices hoping for his marriage, to return home, and all the companies of gelded persons to depart: which shewed a token of his intemperance being chaunged.

Moreouer since that, what thinges were giuen or graunted of former Princes, their fac [...]ders in the Empire were woont to confirme, he of his free will confirmed and granted such things to the possessors thereof, assoon [...]he had gotten the Empire. Also on a certain day, he calling to mind, that he had giuen nothing to any one, he straight wayes crieth out, with a reue­rend, E and hea [...]enly saying, O my friends we haue lost the day, because he was of a magnificent liberality. And he was of so great clemency and mercye, that when two men of gret honor had conspired against him, neither could deny their in [...]nded treason, he first admonished them afterwards they be­ing brought it into an open place, he biddeth both of them to sit by each side of him, and a sword being reached by the industry of the M [...]illiaus, whose sights were seene, as it were to make a battel, he commited the same to one and afterwards to the other: wherewith the beholders being stricken, and wondering at his constancie he said, See you not that power is giuen to the destinies, and that it is in vayne to assay a wicked deede for hope of bringing the same to passe, or for [...]eare o [...] loosing the same. F

Moreouer he oftentimes requested with weeping eyes, his brother Domi­tian preparing treasons, and seeking after the goodwils of the souldiors, that he would seeke to get that as a paracide, which should come vnto him, with his owne will, since that he was a partner of the Empire. In this mans time the Mountaine Vesunius in Campania began to burn and there was a burning at Rome for three dayes both day and night: and also as great a plague as e­uer had bin before. With the which misery many being vexed, he bought al kinds of remedies, with his owne money: sometimes comforting the sicke in his owne person, and sometimes such as were afflicted with the deaths of G their Friends. He liued 41. yeares, and dyed of an Ague in the same coun­try, amongst the Sa [...]ines where his Father died. It can hardly bee beleeued, how great a mourning this mans death brought to the citty, and the prouinces, so that they calling him as we haue sayde, their publicke delights, bewailed him as if the whole world had bene depriued of a continuall preser­uer. H

Domitianus.

[figure]

DOmitianus the sonne of Domicilla a free-woman, and the brother of Ti­tus, A B raigned xv. yeares. This man at the first fained clemency, nei­ther to be so cowardly as he was, seemed more tollerable both in the time of peace and warre: therefore he vanquished the Cattians and the Ger­mans, and made most iust Lawes. He builded many houses in Rome, eyther C begun afore, or from the foundations: He repaired the bookes which were consumed with burning, copies being sent for euery where, especially from Alexandria. He was so skilful an Archer, that he would shoot his arrowes be­twix: the fingers of a mans hand being stretched out a farre off. Afterwards he waxing cruel through murders, began to punish good men, and after the manner of Caligula, he constrained men to call him Lord, and God, and all tokens of honor. Being ridicolously left off, he followed swarmes of flies: he raged in lust, the filthy excercise wherof, the Graecians euer named Clinopa­len. Whereupon it was aunswered to one, demaunding whether any one was in the Pallace, Not a fly, With these his cruelties, and especially with the D iniury of his words, wherein he was grieued to be called a Whoremonger, Anthony being stirred vp, hauing the gouernment of the higher Germ [...]ny, took away the Empire. Who being slaine in a battell by Normannus Appius, Domitianus waxing farre more cruell against all kindes of men raged euen against his owne friendes, after the manner of brute beasts.

Coccius Nerua.

HItherto such as were borne in Rome or through Italy, gouerned the Em­pire, from hence strangers. Whereupon it is gathered that the Citty of Rome hath encreased through the vertue of strangers. For who was more wise, or moderate then Nerua? Who more deuine then Traian? Who more excellent then Adrian? Cocceus Nerua, was borne in the towne of Ner­uia, Raigned twelue months ten daies. This man when he tooke on him the Empire, forthwith there was a rumor, that Domitian liued, for which cause he was so affraid, that his countenance being changed, and his voice being lost, he was scant able to stand: but he being encouraged by Perthenius, & fresn con­fidence being taken, he returned to his accustomed mildenesse. Who being E ioyfully receiued of the whole Senat, Arrius Antoninus alone of al men (being a stout man and most friendly to him, wisely obseruing the estate of those that beare rule) embraced him; saying, that he greatly reioyced for the Senat, the people, and also the prouinces; but for himselfe nothing at all: For whom, it was better alwaies to sport at euill Princes, then that one sustaining the waight of so great a burthen, should be subiect not onely to troubles and dangers, but also to the report of all enemies, and friends, who since they presume that they deserue all things, if they haue extorted any thing, are more cruell then very enemyes themselues.

This man pardoned & forgaue, whatsoeuer had beene added to his trib [...]s vnder the name of penalties: he released the afflicted citties: he commaun­ded F that Boyes and Girles borne of poore parents, should bee brought vppe through Italy at the cost of the whole common-wealth. This man to the intent he might not be terrified by the accesse of ill-willers, is so admonished by the saying of Mauritius a constant man, who being familiar with him at supper, when he saw to be present Vetentones who had beene Consul, notwithstanding had persecuted many with Domitian with secret obiections, amongest their talke mention being made of Catulus, a great brauler, Nerua sayd, What would he haue don now if he had liued with Domitian? he would saied Mauritius haue supt with vs. This Nerua a very often and most skilfull taker away of discords, G He remoued Calphurnius Crassus to Tarentam with his wife, temting the good­wils of the Souldiers with great promises, the Senators blaming his ouermuch linity, and when the murtherers of Domitian were required to bee put to death, he took so great griese thereupon in his minde, that hee could not avoid vo­mite, nor the violence of his belly, also he vehemently withstood the same; saying that it was better to dye, then to defile the authority of the Empire, the authors being b [...]trayed in taking the power. But the Souldiers, letting alone their Prince, they killed Petronius, with one stroke, but Perthenius his members were first cut off and cast in his face: Gasperius being redeemed with great costs, who being more insolent in so cruell a wickednesse, constrained Nerua to giue thankes to his Souldiers before the people, bycause they had taken away the H worst, and most wicked of all men. This man adopted Traian in the place of a sonne, and for parte of the Empire: with whom he liued three months: who on a certain night waxing angry when he cried out agninst on Regulus with a very loud voice, he was taken away with sweate. The same day wherein he died there was an eclipse of the Sunne.

[Page] VLpius Traianus borne in the citty Tody, was called Vlpius of his Grand­father, Traianus of Traius the first of his Mothers stock, or else so cal­led after the name of his father Traianus, & he raigned 20. years. This man shewed himselfe such an one to the commonwealth, as the wonderfull wits of most excellent authors were hardly able to expresse. This man tooke on the Empire at Agrippina, a Noble Colony of France, vsing diligence in warlike affaires, lenity in ciuill affayres, and liberality in helping the citties. And seeing there are two things which are desired of excellent Princes, De­uotenesse at home, valor in Warre, and wisedome on both sides, there was so great a quantity of the Noblest gifts in him, that he seemed to be mingled with a certaine temperature of vertue, but for that he was a little giuen to meat, and A wine: he was liberal towards his friends, and to vse their societies, as equall vnto them in estate of life.

This man in the honor of Sura, by whose industry he had gotten the Em­pire, builded certaine Banes. Of whom it seemed vaine to endeuor to declare al things particularly, since that it was sufficient to haue spoken of him; for he was patyent of trauel, studious of euery best thing, and warlike, and dyd loue more, more simple wittes, or most learned; although himselfe was of smal knowledge, and a little eloquent. But aswel an inuentor of Iustice, and of new, humain, and Diuine right, as an obseruer of auncient. Al which see­med B so much the greater, because the Romaine estate, being as it were clean destroyed and cast to the ground by many and cruel tyrants, he was thoght to haue bene fitly sent by the diuine prouidence for a remedy of so great mi­series, euen for that many wonders did foreshew his comming into the Em­pire: Amongst which an especial one, that a Crow spake from the toppe of the capitol in the Athenian tongue, Kalos estai. The ashes of this mans body being burned wer broght to Rome, and buried vnder hys piller in the toomb of Traian, and his Image being layd on him, as those that tryumph are wont to do, was caried into the citry, the senat & the army going before the same. At that time the ryuer Tyber oueflowed much more perniciously then in the C raigne of Nerua, with a great destruction of houses and a grieuous Earth­quake, and a cruel pestilence, and famine, and burnings, were made throgh many prouinces. Al which Traian very much helped by exquisit remedies: ordaining that no house should be higher then threescore foot, by reason of the easie downfals, and the great charges to repaire them if any such things should happen. Wherefore he was worthily called a Father of his coun­try. He lyued sixty foure yeares. D

Aelius Adrianus.

Aelius Adrianus of the Italian race, being a cozen to Traian the Prince, was borne at Adria, which town standing in the country of Pua gaue name to the Adriatique sea. He raigned 12. years. He was deuoutly affected to the Greek toong, and was for that cause termed in derision Graecu­lus. He augmented al the Athenian studies, not only with his Poetry, but with al other sciences of singing, playing, and phisick, geometry, painting, & li­ming, and next to the Policleti & Euphranorae. He exceled in works of brasse and Marble, insomuch as one wold haue thoght he had bin made for these only purposes, for neuer had humain affaires such an exquisite curious ele­gancy, E as by the work of his hands: & yet would he remember (which is in­credible) sundry businesse, diuers places, souldiors, men absent, & the dif­ferent names of many, making the greatest labors of wit, the ordinary exer­cises of his life; for when with his own legs he had gon throgh al the prouin­ces, and peruerting the flock of his followers, increased sundry orders, when he had restored al the villages, raising into the hundreds of the Legions, & military Garrisons, both smiths, enginers, carpenters, and al other necessa­ry artificers, for the building of the wals or for the adorning of them. He was an absolute and most sufficient arbitrator, being as it were borne to iudg of vice and vertue, gouerning his own affections with great skil, and craftily couered his insolent, enuious, fullen and [...]ton disposition, in the ostenta­tion F of himselfe.

He counterfetted chastity, [...] and clemency, and on the contrarye closely carried his ambition, wherewith he was wholy infla [...]ed. He was in­genious, either prouoking other to answere, of else himselfe, both in iestes earnest, and tauntinges: giuing verse for verse, and sentence for sentence extemporally, in such sort as if he had studied or meditated for all that hee spake. His wife Sabina was by seruile and base iniuries, constra [...]ned to [...] selfe, who did openly boast, what an inhumaine disposition of her husband [...] she had indured, and therefore she had laboured that the ruine of mankind G should not be conceiued or begotten by him. When he had long satisfied a disease vnder his skin (as it were with pleasure) at the last ouercome wyth paine in his impatiency, slue many of the Senatours. Hauing gotten many gifts from diuers kings desirous of peace, he publickely gloried that he had woon more with ease, then other had done by armes. He so established the pvblick Offices both of the Court & wars, that they so remain to this day, onely a [...]ew of them being changed by Constantine. He liued Lx and 2. yea [...] and then being consumed by a griuous torture of al his members, insomuch as he o [...]ered himself to the dearest of his seruants, [...]ying them to kill him. But he was safely kept by his friends from doing violence to himselfe, and afterward died miserably. H

Anthoninus Pyus.

ANthoninus first called Fuluius and Boionius and afterward surnamed Py­us, raigned 23. yeares, being the son in law to Adrian, and his adopted son, shewed so much goodnes in his raign, that he liued without al ex­ample [Page] no man euer paragonizing him, and might bee compared to Numa, for he ruled the whole world 23. yeares, by his owne authority without al watre, so that al princes, states, and people stood in awe of him, & yet louing him with­all, that they rather held him for their father and patron, then their Lord and Emperor, and all of them with one consent, desired his determination of all their controuersies, wishing for the same as for the fauour of the heauens. The Bactrians, Indians, and Hireanians, vpon proofe of the iustice of such an Empe­ror, sent Am. vnto him, who adorned his actions with beauty and pleasantnes of his person, being both tall and valiant. His manner was before he went forth of his chamber to salute any man, to eat a morsell of bread, least by the cooling of the blood about his inward parts, he might be ouermuch weakned, & by that A meanes be any way disabled from execution of publike affaires, which with in­creadable diligence he executed like an absolute good housholder: being void of ambitious praise or vaine ostentation. He was so meeke and gentle, that wh [...] the Senators earnestly perswaded him to prosecute them which had conspired against him: hee answered their question; saying, that it was not needefull to search them out narrowly which were guilty of such wickednes against his per­son, for if they should be many in number, he wel vnderstood that hee should procure the more hatred. When he had raigned 23. yeares thorough a feauer he died, 12. Miles from Rome, at a towne of his owne, called Lorium: for whose B honor there were Temples erected, priests ordained, and infinite emblatures of his praises decreed; for his meekenes was such, that whē on a time the Roman people for want of corne would haue stoned him, hee rather chose to satisfie them by reason then to reuenge that indignity.

MArcus Antoninus raigned 18. yeares, who liued a sincere maintainer of vertue and of all good disposition, being a protector of the world in all common calamities, and truely if hee had not beene borne at that time, all the glory of the Roman Empire had beene vtterly crushed with one fal. For in his gouernment there raged warre in the East, Illirya, Italy, & France, such earthquakes were felt as did ouerthrow Citties: with inundation of wate [...]s, often pestilence, and swarmes of locusts deuouring the greene fields, so that C his time was oppressed with almost all annoyances, wherewith [...]ll mankind is vsually plagued: so that I thinke it was giuen from heauen, that when nature did hatch such euils as were vnknowne of to the whole wo [...]ld, th [...]n should the counsels of such vpright princes giue remedy, and aswage the misery. This prince made Antoninus Verus his kinsman partaker of the Empire, by a new kind of boneuolence, the which Verus afterward as he trauailed betwixt Alti­num & Concordia, died of an Apoplexey, in the xi. year of his raign, being before time of a sharp and wanton disposition, yet very studious in poetry. After his death M Antoninus raigned alone, being from his infancy a quiet spirited mā, for it was obserued that neither ioy nor sorrow, did euer make him change his D countenance: gi [...]ing himselfe to Philosophy, being exquisitly learned in the Gracyan language. He permitted the noble men & his owne seruants to vse the same manner of behauiour and attendance at their banquets, which hee him­selfe accustomed. When the coffers of his treasury were empty, and he had not wherewithall to paye his Souldiers, being not willing to raise any taxe vpon [Page] the Princes or the Senat, in the open Market of Traianus set to sale for the space of two months togither, al the princely hangings, golden and christaline, Myrrhi [...]e vessels and pottes, his owne and his wiues silkes, and garments of cloth and gold, and many chaines and other ornaments of pearle and precious stones. Whereby he gathered togither an exceeding Masse of gold. And af­ter the victory obtained, he gaue the buiers there mony againe, so many as would redeliuer their seuerall bargains, being not offended with any one, that would not part with that which they had once bought. In his time Cassius the Tyrant was put to death. In the 59. yeare of his life he died of a disease at Ben­dobona, and when newes there of was brought to Rome, the whole citty most la­mentably E mourned for him, the Senat themselues sitting in loathsome gar­ments conuened with teares, and that which was searce beleeued of Romulus, euery man with one consent presumed publiquely, that Marcus was receiued into heauen, for whose honor they builded Temples, Columes, and many o­ther Monuments.

Commodus

AVrelius Commodus the sonne of Antoninus, called also Antoninus, raigned 13. yeares, by whose first entry it was coniectured what an Emperor hee would proue, for being warned by his father on his death-bed, that hee should not suffer the Barbarians to grow in strength; answered enigmatically, F that men in safety of health may doe some actions by leasure, but of dead men nothing can be expected.

He was more giuen to lust, auarice and cruelty then any man, keeping pro­mise with none, being most fierce against them, whom before he had called to honor, or giuen rewards vnto, being so highly depra [...]ed that he would often­times in the Theater combate with fensers, or sword-plaiers weapons, Martia a singular beautifull whoore with whom he was wholy, enamoured, as he came out of a bath gaue him a cup of empoysoned drinke, and at the last in the two and thirty yeare of his age, there was sent vnto him a valiant and most strange wrastler, who held his chappes so fast togither that he died. G

Heluius Partinax

HEluius Partinax raigned 85. daies, who against his will was forced to be Emperor, & for that cause was sur-named Partinax. He was of a meane and base parentage, and from the gouernment of the citty was he aduan­ced to the Empire of the world: at the last in the 67. yeare of his life, after ma­ny wounds were giuen him, he was beheaded by the conspiracy of Iulian, and his head was carried [...]bout the whole citty, & by this manner of death was that man (an example of humaine frailty) after intollerable labours, consumed so that he was prouerbially termed the bal offortune. For his father being a liber­tine H among the Ligurians in the miery countrey of Lolium Gentianum, whose vassall euen in the time of his perfectureship hee freely confessed himselfe to be. He was a schoolemaister of the grammer, more affable, then profitable, for which cause the Grecians called him Chreslologus, he neuer reuēged wrong but loued al simplicity, making himselfe open and common to all people both at table, conference, and walking. Being dead, they decreed that he should be [Page] called Diuus a Saint, or man deified, in whose praise with publik acclamation redobled vntill they were able to speake no more, this people proclamed this commendation. While Partinax raigned we liued in security, we feared no man. To the Godly father, to the father of the Senate, to the father of all good men.

Didius Iulianus.

DIdius Iulianus being a Millanois raigned seuen months, he was a Noble man, and an excellent Lawyer, but factious, rash, and ambitious of rule. In that time Nigier Pesceninus at Antioche, and Septimius Seuerus in Pan­nonia Sabaria, were both created Augusti. By this Seuerus was Iulianus, led in­to A the secret bathes of the Pallace, and his necke being first stretched forth af­ter the manner of the condemned, his head was there striken off, and afterward set vp in the court of pleading.

Septimius Seuerus.

SEptimius Seuerus raigned 18. yeares, and first killed the filthy beast Pescen­ninus, and then Albinus at Lavis because he made himselse Emperor, and left his sonnes Bassyanvs and Geta his successors. He made a wall in great Brittayne, crosse the land from sea to Sea, containing at the least 32. M. paces B in length. He was the least Souldier of all the Emperors that euer were before him, quick of conccit, constant in al purposes vntil he had accomplished them, and where he inclined to fauour, he did it with a wonderfull and perpetuall grace, being diligent to seeke out secrets, and liberall in his rewards. He was a­like vehement towards his friends and enemies, for hee inriched Lateranus Chilo and Amilynus Bassvs, and in the chiefe and memorable houses of the Parthyans, and the Lateranes. He permitted no man in his dominion to sell honors, he was sufficiently well instructed in the latine, but more eloquent in the Affrick tongue, for he was borne at Liptis in Affrica. Being not able to en­dure the extreamety of paine in al the members of his body, especially in his feete, in stead of poison which hee was denied, he fed vpon in greedy maner C such a quantity of grosse and heauy meate, which he not being able to disgest, did bring him into a crudity or surfet, and so died in the 20. yeare of of his age.

Antoninus Caracalla.

AVrelius Antoninus, Bassianus Caracalla the sonne of Seuerus, was borne at Lions, and raigned alone sixe yeares, he was called Bassianus after the name of his mothers father. And when he had brought a large garment D out of France, and made thereby their Caracalla hanging downe to the ankles, he constrained the people to salute and welcome him home, araied in that gar­ment, wherupon he was called caracalla. He killed his brother Geta, for which cause vengeance followed him and hee fell madde, of which he was afterward recouered. When once he saw the body of Alexander the great, he commaun­ded that his followers should cal him great Alexander, and by flatterers he was [Page] brought to this passe, that he walked with a dreadfu [...]l face, his necke bending to his left shoulder, looke what he had obserued in the countenance of Alex­ander, the same he firmely perswaded himselfe that his vysag: was of like pro­portion and g [...]ace.

He was giuen to lost, and ther [...]fore married his mother in law. When hee iourneied to Carris, being at Edissa, r [...]ady to doe the wo [...]ke of nature in the easement of his body, h [...] was sl [...]ine by a S [...]l [...]ier, who followed him as if he had beene one of his guarde. He liued about th [...]ty yeares, and afterward his corps was brought to Rome.

Opilius Macrinus and Diadumenus. E

MAcrinus and his sonne Diadumenus were made Emperors by the Soul­diers, and raigned but 14. months. A [...]erward they were by the same Souldiers both beheaded, bycause M. crinus did seeke the abat [...]ment of their stipends, and labored to represse their [...]ot and luxury.

Aurelius Heltogabalus.

AVrelius Antoninus Varius, was also c [...]ll [...]d Heliogabalus, the sonne of Cara­calla by his Cozen Semea begotten in adolte [...]y, raigned two yeares and F eight month [...]; and the old Bassianus, Graund-father to his mother Semea, was a priest of Iupiter, or as some say of the Sunne. W [...]en the saied Heltogaba­lus cam to Rome with great expectation of s [...]ldiers, he dishonored himself & incurred the reproches of all sorts. when by th [...] d [...]fect of nature and age hee was not able to tast of lustfull pleasure, turning vnto h [...]mselfe, he commaun­ded men to cal him by the name of Bassiana a woman, in sted of B [...]ssianus a man

He sac [...]ificed himselfe to the great moth [...]r by cutting of his pr [...]uy parts, ha­uing first of all married with a Vestall vergin. He made Marcellus (who was af­terward c [...]lled Alexander) his fellow-Emperor, and was slaine in a tumult of the S [...]uldiers, whose b [...]dy was by a Souldier drawen thorough all the streets G of Rome, lik [...] the c [...]c [...]s [...]e of a dog, with a millitary proclamation, saying: The wh [...]lp [...] of vntamed and rau [...]ning lust. At last when the q [...]antity of his bodye was great [...]r then would enter into the stoole of a priuy, wherein it should haue b [...]ene bu [...]d, they d [...]w it to Tiber, binding it to an heauy waight, and so cast i [...] into the Ryuer, that it might ne [...]er rise vp againe for mortall men to behold. H [...] liued b [...]t 16. yeares, and for these thinges called Tibarnius, and Tractitius.

Seuerus Alexander.

SEuerus Alexander raigned 13. yeares, being a waster of the Goods of the Common-wealth, and in his time Taurinus was made Augustus, who for H fear cast himselfe into the riuer Euphrater. At that time Maxim [...]nus tooke on him the Empire, corrup [...]ng many of the Souldiers, but when Alexander saw himselfe fo [...]saken of his followers, he cried out vpon his mother, as the cause of his death, and so off [...]red his necke with great confidence to the hang­man to be striken off, in the 26. yeare of his age. His mother Mammoea br [...]ught her sonne to that passe, that if any thing r [...]mained vnto [...]hed at the tabl [...] or at dinner, were it neuer so small, she her selfe reserued it till anothe [...] banquet.

Iulius Maximinus.

IVlius Maximinus a Thracian and a military man, gouerned 11. yeares, who while he persecuted the coiners of money, killing both the guilty & guilt­lesse, was torne in pieces at Aquileia in a sedition of the Souldiors, togy­ther with his son, the souldiors making proclamation in a iest, Of a bad kinde keepe not a Whelpe. Vnder his gouernment Gordianus the Father, and Gordia­nus the sonne, one after another tooke vpon them the Empire, and one af­ter another perished; and in like sort, Pupianus and Balbinus affecting the principality, came to confusion. A

Gordianus.

GOrdianus the graund-child of Gordianus by his Mother, borne at Rome, and sonne of a Noble father, ruled six yeares, and was slaine at Ctesi­phon in a sedition of the souldiors by Phillippus the gouernor of the pal­lace in the xx. yeare of his raigne, and his body being buried in the confines of the Romaines and the Persian Empire gaue a name to the place, which was for that cause called Sepulchrum Gordiam.

Phillippus.

MArchus Iulius Phillip. ruled 5. years, was slain at Verona by the soldiors, B his head being cut asunder in the middle aboue his teeth, and his son Gallus Iulius Saturninus being about 12. yeare old was slaine at Rome, hauing bene of such a melancholy and sullen disposition, that by no sport or merriment, he could neuer be moued to laughter after he was 5. years old, and seeing his father tickled with laughter in certain secular games, althogh he was but a child, yet did he turne away his face. This Phillip was borne of meane parents, his father hauing bene a captaine or leader of robbers.

Decius.

DEcius borne in Pannonia Bubalia, raigned xxx. monthes, and made his C sonne Caesar: he was a man well earned in al the Artes, deuoted to ver­tue, pleasaunt and familiar at home, and apt to all kinde of Armes. He was drowned among many other in a gulfe vpon the coasts of Barbary, and his body could neuer more be found. His sonne was slaine in warres. He li­ved fifty yeares. In his time was Valens Lucinianus made Emperor.

Virius Gallus.

VIrius Gallus with his sonne Volusio ruled 11. yeares, in their time the se­nat created Hostilianus Pepenna Emperor, who shortly after died of the D pestilence. Also in their time was Aemilianus created Emperour in Moesia, against whom both the father and the sonne went with an Army, and by their owne souldiors were both slaine at Iatcramna, the father being sea­uen and forty yeares old, and they were made Emperors in the Island Me­nyngis now called Girba, & Aemilianus was slain at Spolitum or Pontus, which for that occasion was called Sanguinarius, being in equall distaunce be [...]wixt [Page] Ocriculum Marina, and the citty of Rome. He was by kindred a Moore, a va­liant souldior and not temerarious 71. years.

Licinius Valerianus.

LYcinius Valerianus sur-named Colobus, ruled 15. yeares, being of Noble parentage, but a solide and blockish man, neuer borne or qualified for any publick place, either in counsell or action. He made his sonne Gali­anus, Augustns, and Cornelius Valerianus his sons son, Caesar. While all these raigned Regilianus in Moesia, Cassius Labianus Posthumus in Gallia (Cornelius being slaine) were made Emperors. In like sort Aelianus at Moguntia. Aemi­lianus E in Egypt, Valeryus in Macedonya, & Aurelius at Millayn, inuaded the Em­periall title. But while Valerianus, Warred in Mesopotamia, he was taken by Sapores the king of Persia, and serued him among the Parthyans in base serui­tude, for as long as he liued the king set his foote vppon his necke when he mounted on horsebacke.

Gallienus.

GAllienvs substituted in the place of his son Cornelyvs Salonyanvs, hys other sonne being adicted to the inconstant loue of harlots Salonyna, and Pipa. The which Salonina he colord vnder marriage, hir father the King of the Marcomanni, g [...]aunting vnto him one part of Pannonia superior F by couenant. At the last, he went against Avreolvs whome he besiedged at Pontvs and obtained it, being for that cause called Avreolvs, and he also be­sieged Myllain; but by a deuise of Aureolvs, he was slaine of his own souldi­ors. After he had raigned 15. yeares, seuen with his father, and 8. alone, and he ilved 50. yeares.

Clavdyvs.

CLavdyus ruled 11. yeares. This Clavdyus some are of opinion that hee was the sonne of Gordianvs, while he was taught by Lycensa that graue Matron. He was appointed Emperor by the will of Galerius being rea­dy to die, vnto whom by Gallonius Basilyvs, he sent the Emperiall robes to G Tycim. Avreolvs being slaine by his owne company, he receiued the gouern ment of those countries, and fighting against the Almanes, not far from the lake of Benacvm, he ouerthrew more then half the multitude of his enemies. In tho [...]e dayes Victorivs was madek. And when Clavdyvs vnderstood by the books of the destinies which he commaunded to be looked into, that some principall man of the Senate must die, and Pomponivs Bessus (who was then present) offering himselfe to that purpose, he without admitting any contra­diction gaue his life for the good of the commonwealth, with protestation that no man of that order could be the principal but the Emperor. Whych thing so pleased euery one, that he was not onely honoured with the title of H Diuus a saint, but also they made him a statue of gold and set it neer to the I­mage of Iupiter, and the Magistrats or peeres did likewise erect in the court for his remembrance a golden Image.

Quintilius.

QVintilius was the successor of this man who held the Empire but verie few dayes and then was slayne.

Aurelianus.

AVrelianus borne of meane patentage, and as some say his father was a Colone or tenant to the famous Senat Aurelius betwixt D [...]cia and Ma­cedonia, he raignd fi [...]e years and was not vnlike to Alexander the great, or to Caesar the Dictator, for he receiued the Citty of Rome, and deliuered it from hir opposites within three yeares, whereas Alexander by great victo­ries trauelled 13. yeares, before he came into India. Caesar spent ten yeares in ouercomming Gallia, and 4. yeares in vanquishing the Romaines. Thys man did obtain three seuerall battels in Italy, at Placentia neere the riuer M [...] ­taurus, A at the chappell of Fortune, and in the fieldes of Ticim. In this time Septimius was proclaimed Emperor among the Dalmatians, but he was pre­sently beheaded by his own people.

When the coiners or monyers in his time rebelled, he repressed them, sparing no cruelty. He was the first man among the Romains which did wear a crowne on his head, and also vsed garments of gold, and precious stones, which before that time the Romaines were not acquainted withall. He com­passed about the citty with stronger and larger wals then before, and com­maunded the people to eate swines flesh, and aduanced T [...]tr [...]cius to bee the prouost of Lucania, who before that time had bin declared Emperor by the B Souldiors in Gallia, telling him merrily that it was more Noble for him to rule some part of Italy, then to be a king beyond the Alpes. At the last one of his seruants hauing deceiptfully set downe the names of his [...]riends and mi­litary men, and co [...]nterfetted Emperour, made as though hee me [...]t to kill them; the which he secretly conueyed to them, they vpon sigh [...] therof, thin­king to preuent the worst, slue him in his iourney betwixt Hir. clia and Con­stantinople. He was a crvell and bloody man, dreadful at all times, & a mur­therer of his own sisters son, after his death there was no Emperor in seuen moneths.

Tacitus. C

AFter him Tacitus receiued the Empire, being a man wel disposed, who when he had ruled but two hundred dayes, dyed of a Feauer at Tar­sus.

Florianus.

FLorianus succeeded him, but when the greatest part of the Army of hors men had chosen Probus who was very expert in warfare, Florianus ha­uing as it were in sport swayed the Empire but 60. dayes, by cutting & launcing his owne vaines, out of which his blood yss [...]ed aboundantly, hee D consumed himselfe.

Probus.

PRobus was borne of a Father, who was a husbandman and a Gouernor, of the blood of the Dalmatians, he raigned 6. yeares. He ouercame Sa­turninus in the East, and Proculus and Bonosus made Emperours at Co­len.

[Page] He permitted the Gaules and the Pannonians to haue Vines, and by the hāds of his souldiors he planted the hill of Almus at Syrmius, and Aureus in vpper Moesia with vines, and was afrerwarde slaine in Sirmius in h [...] tower inclosed with yron.

Carus.

CArus was borne in Narbon, and raigned xii. yeares. He presently crea­ted Carinus and Numerianus Caesars, and by a thunder bolt was slaine at Ct [...]siphon. His son Numerianus being taken with a pain in his eyes, and carried up and down in a little couch, was slain by treachery, at the instiga­tion of his father in law Aper. And when his death was by deceit concealed, E till Aper shoulde get strength to inuade the Empyre, at the last the treason was discouered by the stinke of the dead corps. Wherupon Sabinus Iulianus attempted to be Empe. but Carinus slue him in the fields of Verona. This Ca­rinus wanted no faults, & caused honest innocent men to be put to death vp on his own false inuented crimes, he defiled the mariage bed of Noblemen, & he punished his felow-scholers, who taxed him in the auditory for not ob­seruing his word. And last of al he was slaine by the right-hand of Tribunus whose wife he had rauished.

Diocletianus.

DYocletian a Dalmatian made a free-manne by Amelinus the senator, his mothers name and the name of the town o [...] hys birth was Dioclea, by F reason of that, vntil he was made Emp. he was called Diocles, & being made the head of the world, he changed his Graecian name into a Roman, & raigned 25. yeares. He made Maximianus Augustus, and created Constantinus and Galerius s [...]rnamed Armamentarius, Caesars. Giving Constantinus to wife Theodora the daughter in law of Herculius Maximianus, putting away his for­mer wife. In this time wer proclaimed Em. Carausuis in Gallia, Achilleus in Egipt, Iulianus in Italy. but they al perished with seueral destructions. Amōg whom Iulianus hauing a dagger throgh his ribs, threw himself into the fire. But Diocletian gaue vp the empire of his own acord at N [...]comedia, & so spent G his old age in his own priuat possessions, who being afterward moued by Hir­culius and Galerius to take vnto him the Empire again, like a man flying som great euil, he answered in this sort. I wold god you could go to Salon to see the O­liuetrees, I h [...]ue planted with my own hands, then wold you neuer tempt to this ac­tion. He liued 68. years, wherin he spent 9. in priuate estate. He dyed (as was manifest) by a voluntary feare. For when he was called by Constantinus and Iaciuius to their mariage feasts, he excused himself, that by reason of his age he could not be pres [...]t they wrote back again to him thretning letters, wher­in he was charged to fauor Maximinus and to haue shewed fauor to Maxenti­vs, wherupon fearing some shameful death, he poysond himself. In his time Constantius the father of Constantine, and Armamentarius were commonly H called C [...]sars. When Seuervs for Italy, and the sisters son of Maximinus Gali­reu [...] for the East at the same time was Constantinus also made Caesar. Maxentius in a village six Miles from Rome, in the way to Lavicanum was made Empe­rour, afterwarde I [...]icinius, and in like manner Alexander at carthage. And so also was Vale [...]s created Emperour. But Seuerus was slayne by Hercvlius Maximinus at Rome in a Tauerne, and his corpes was then putte into [Page] the sepulchre of Galerius distant from Rome, by the way of Apius about twelue Miles.

Galerius Maximianus.

GAlerius Maximianus died by reason his priuy parts consumed, Maximi­anus Herculius was besiedged by Constantine at Massilia, and there ta­ken, and by him put to death, and Alexander was strangled in a halter by the army of Constantine. Maxentius when he was to fight against Constan­tine, hauing made a bridge with boates a little aboue the bridge Milinus, while he hastned into one side thereof on horsebake, he with his horse fell into the Riuer, and there perished, and by the waight of his breastplate he he didde A [...]inke so deepe into the mudde, that his body could scarce bee found againe. Maximianus died an ordinary deth at Tarsus. Vallus was put to death by Licini­us. Now these were their manners and conditions. Herculius Maximianus was cruell by nature, giuen to filthy lust, and foolish in counsell, being borne in the wilde part of Pannonia, for there is a place not farre from Syr [...]ius where now standeth a pallace, wherein the parents of Herculius exercised Mercenary labor. He died in the 60. yeare of his age, hauing bene Emperor 20. yeares. He begat vpon Eutropia the Sirian woman, Maxentius & Fausta the wife of Constan­tine, to whose father Constantius he gaue his daughter in law Theodora. But B some say, that Maxentius by the cunning of a woman, was brought from ano­ther place by cause she knew that it would be most acceptable to her husband to haue a sonne, whereas indeede hee was not the sonne, of Maximianus, and therefore she did that, to keepe fast the minde and loue of her husband. That Maximianus was neuer beloued of any, nether of his owne father, nor of his fa­ther in law Galerius.

Galerius Armamentarius.

THis Galerius was a landable man, of a beautifull body and a happy Soul­dier, but of indifferent iustice: his parents were countrey people and keepers of heards, from whence he had his name Armamentarius. Hee C was borne in Dacia Ripa, and there buried: the which place they call Romulia, and after the name of his mother Romula. This man in his insolency would affi [...]me, that his mother was gotten with child by a Draggon, when shee con­ceiued him, as was Olimpias the mother of great Alexander.

Galerius Maximinus.

GAlerius Maximinus before hee was proclaimed Emperor was called Da­za, and was the sisters sonne of Armamentarius. He was Caesar foure yeares, and Augustus 3 yeares in the East. By his birth and education a D pastoral man, but yet a louer and fauorer of al wise, vertuous, and learned men: of a quiet disposition, but greedy of Wine, whereby in his drunkennesse hee commaunded many vnlawful things, whereof he afterward repented, and gaue this charge to all his followers that they should not execute his desires except he was sober, or had commaunded in the morning.

Alexander.

ALexander was by birth a Phrigian, feareful in his disposition, and by rea­son of his old age not fit to labour, so that all these last before rehearsed being consumed some one way, some another, the imperiall rights des­cended to Constantinus and Licinius.

Constantinus.

COnstantinus the sonne of Constantius, the Emperor and Helena raigned E 30. yeares. He being a youth was a pledge in the citty of Rome vnder Ga­lerius for Religion, fled away and to avoide them that pursued him to take him, slew all the common beastes he met by the way, and so came to his father into Britannia, and so it happened that at that time Constantius his fa­ther died. After whose death, by the consent of all his present friends, especi­ally Erocus King of Alemanes, who accompanied his father constantius, he tooke vpon him the Empire. He married his sister constantia to Licinius at Millane, and made Caesars his sonne crispus, borne by Mineruina his concubin, and con­stantius his sonne of the same age, & Licinius the son of Licinius being twenty months olde. But as Empires do hardly continue in concord, so there arose dissention betwixt Licinius and constantinus, and first of all constantine, fell vp­on F the Army of Licinius at Cibalae in the night time, neer to the lake Hiulca, whereupon Lycinius sled to Bizantium and there created Martinianus caesar. Afterward constantine hauing a stronger army, constrained Licinius to offer vp his imperiall gowne by the hands of his wife, vpon condition of his owne life. Then was he sent to Thessalonica, and not long after, both he and Martinianus were strangled. Licinius being 60. yeares old, and had raigned 14. yeares, be­ing of infinite auarice, subiect to venery, very sharp, and not a little impati­ent. He was a great enemy to learning, especially foraine studies, calling it thorough his ignorance a poyson and publike Pestilence. He was well affected to husbandry and poor rusticks, because he was norished among such people: G a good obseruer of Martiall discspline, and most superstitious in the instituti­ons of former ages. He was a diligent repressor of Eunuches and Courtiers, calling them, the mothes and frettes of the Pallace. Constantine hauing thus gotten the whole Empire, being happy in gouernment, and prosperous in the Warres, by the instigation (as it is thought) of his wife Fausta, put his sonne crispus to death. Afterward he being blamed by his mother Helena sor that ac­tion, caused his saide wife Fausta to be killed in a scalding bathe. He was aboue measure desirous of praise, and finding the name of Traian written vpon the walles of many of the pallaces, he called him a wall-flower. He built a bridge ouer Danubius, setting forth the Emperiall robes with precious stones, and H wearing a diade me continually. He was qualified and enabled for many things, taking away calumniations by sharp lawes, nourishing a good leters, arts, and learning. He himselfe would read, write, hear Ambastages, and the complaints of the prouinces. He made his own sonnes and Dalmatius his brothers soone, Caesars, and liued 71. yeares, raigning almost halfe of them alone, 13. yeares [Page] and so died of a natural disease, being more giuen to derision then to affabilaty. Whereupon it was prouerbially called Tracalla, who in his first ten yeares was excellent, in his next twelue yeares a robber, and his ten last yeares a child and vngouerned puple, spending immoderately. His body was buried in Bizan­tium which after his name was called Constantinople, after whose death the soul­diers slue Dalmatius: By which accident the Romaine Empire was diuided in­to three parts. Betwixt Constantinus, Constantius, and Constans, his three Sonnes, Constantine had al beyond the Alpes, Constantius began at the shore of Propontus, and so ruled all Asia and the East. Constans raigned ouer Italy, Illiricum, Affricke, Dalmatia, Thracia, Macedonia, and Achata. A

Annibalianus Constantius and Constans.

ANnibalianus the kinsman of Dalmatius Caesar, gouerned Armenia, and the Nations adioyning to it. In the meane time Constantius and Con­stans fell at variaunce about the right of Italy. While that Constantius being drunke, and in the likenesse of a robber, ranged into his brothers coun­trey, he was taken and beheaded, and cast into the Riuer Alsa, not far srom A­quyliea. Constans giuen much to hunting, while he wandered thorough for­rests and wild Woods, Chrestyus, Marcellinus, and Magnentius, with some o­ther B millitary men conspired his death, who hauing agreed vpon the day, Mar­cellinus did inuite many to supper as though he would celebrate the birth day of his sonne. Wherefore the banquet being late in the night Magnentius a rose, saying that he would goe ease his body, and then put on a venerable ha­bite. Which when constans vnderstood he made meanes to fly away, but was ouertaken and slaine by Gayon, at Halena neere Pyrence, 13. yeares after he was made Emperor, for he was Caesar 3. yeares before, and so he liued 27. yeares. He was a lame man in his feete, and had the gout in the ioynts of his hands, he was fortunate, for the temperance of the ayre in his dominion, for aboundance of fruites, and for not being annoyed with the Barbarians, which benifites had beene greater if he had aduanced worthy men Lieutenants, and not sold those C places. When his death was knowne Petrainus, the generall of the Souldiers, tooke vpon him the Empire in Pannonia at Mursia. From whom Constantius not long after tooke awaye the kingdome, who liued to a great age giuing himselfe to all voluptuousnesse, being easie to be ouertaken with folly.

Constantius.

COnstantius made Gallus his vncles sonne Caesar, marring him to his sister D Constantina: and Magnensius, at that time created Decentius his kinsman eaesar, Beyond the Alpes, at which time Nepotianus the sonne of Eutro­phia constantinus, sister, by the perswasion of leude persons tooke vpon him at Rome to be Emperor, whom in the 28. day of his vsurped title Magnentius o­uercame. Then was there a great battayle at Mursia, betwixt Constantius and Magnentius, where Magnentius was ouercome, in which conslict the [Page] greatest ability of the Romain Empire, was almost o uerturned. After that Mag­nentius fled into Italy, and slue many of his persecutors at Thicanum who follo­wed him audauciously, without any good counsel, as it often falleth out in vi­ctories. Not long after being in a streight at Lions, a piece of a Wall being throwne downe vpon him, by thrusting a sworde in secret against it, Hee was wounded to death, continually bleeding at the nose, vntil his expiration which was in the two and fiftieth moneth of his regiment, and the fiftieth yeare of his age. His parents were of Gallia, he was learned and a good Orator, but of a proud minde, and immoderately fearefull, yet politicke to couer that passion with precepts of audacity. Decentius when he heard of his death strangled him­selfe E with a cord, and at that time Gallus Caesar was slaine by Constantius, in the 4. yeare of his gouernment.

Siluanus.

SYluanus being made Emperor was slaine in the eight and twentieth day of his gouernement. He was of a most pleasant wit (although he was deriued of a Barbarous father) after that he had learned the Romaine manners.

Constantius.

COnstantius tooke Claudius Iulianus brother of Gallus, and made him Cae­sar. F When he was twentie and three yeare olde. Who in the champains of Argentoratum in Gallia, with a few soldiors slue an innumerable com­pany of enimies. They stood like the tops of Mountaines while they were aliue but being dead their blood ranne away from them like a riuer. Their Noblek. Nodemarius was taken. The Nobles were all ouerthrowne, and their borders rendred to the Roman possession, and afterward fighting with the Almains, took their king Badomarius. He was made Emperor by the souldiors of Gallia, but Constantius vrged him by Ambassadors, to leaue off that honor, and to return to his former seat and dignity againe. G

Iulianus.

IVlian assirmed that he could more readily giue obedience to the gentle com­maund of the high Empire, whereat Constantius greatly offended (because he was impatient of all such griefe) fell into a most sharpe feuer, which his indignation and great watching increased, and therof he died in Mopsocriue, at the soot of the Mountaine Taurus, in the foure and forty yeare of his age, and the nine and thirtieth yeare of his raigne, hauing bene Augustus twentye and foure yeares, whereof with Magnentius and his owne brothers sixteene yeares, H and eight yeares alone, and fifteene yeares Caesar. He was happie in all ciuill Warres, but infortunate in forraine, being woonderfullie skilfull in casting of dartes, abstaining from all aboundance of Wine, meate, and sleepe, of great abilitie to labour, and desirous of cloquence, which being not able to obtaine, he enuied other. Hee loued his Courtiers and Eunuches very dear, also his [Page] with whom he liued very contented, not turning his lustfull affections vnto any other. But among all his Wiues he had loued Eusebia best, who was very beautifull, yet by her Amantiae, and Gorg [...]niae, and other importunat se [...]ui­ces, she much blemished the Emp. fame, contrary to the custome of modest women, whose wholsome precepts doe often help their husband [...]. For to omit other, it is almost increadible how much Pompeia Platina encreased the glory of Traian, whose Task maisters did complaine vpon their prouinces, so that one of them was said to meete with euery rich man asking him what hast thou at thy Table? Where hadest thou it? Deliuer that thou hast. She blamed her husband by cause he was carelesse of his own praise, and made him detest such exactions, so that he called his exchequer the Melt. Which is it a bounded al A the resid [...]e of the members must consume, Iasianus hauing thus gotten vnto himselfe the gouernment of the Romayne Monarchy, being des [...]ous of vaine glory made Warre vpon the Persians, there he was deceiued by a fugitine sent for that purpose.

When the Parthyans fell vpon his Campe on euery side, hee Armed with his shield, ranne out of his tents, and while hee inconsiderately endeno [...]d to dispose his forces for battell, hee was striken with a darte by one of his ene­mies as he rose from the ground, and being carried into his tent, he came out againe to encourage his Souldiers to fight, but his blood continually ysluing B from him, hee died at midnight, hauing first of all said that he would not (as the manner of others was) giue any order for the succession in the Empire, least that in the multitude of his friends present, who with different endeuours sought that dignity, the enuy of any one of them should breede some pe [...]ll in the Armye, thorough some discord or ciuell dissention. This Prince was excellently learned and quallified for great affaires, and for that cause hee gaue great grace and countenance to the Phylosophers and wisest men of Grae­cia.

He was short in Sature, and not strong, yet able through exercise. There was in him a great neglect of some things which did diminish his former ver­tues. As for example, his immoderat desire of praise, his superstitious worship C of the Godds, and his peremptory boldnes more then did become an Em­peror, whose safety being the common good of all men, is diligently to bee prouided at all times, but especially in Warre.

His ardent humor of glory did so much ouercome him, that he could not be diswaded by any earthquake, or other presage from going against Persia, no, not by seeing in the night a great Globe fall downe from heauen, could he be drawen to to appoint a more happy time for that Warre. D

Iouinianus.

Iouinianus was the sonne of Varronianus, who dwelt in an Island of Singido­nia belonging to the Prouince of Pannonia. Hee was Emperor eight months. His father hauing lost many Children, was presently admoni­shed in a dreame, that the Child wherewithall his Wise was then conceiued [Page] and ready to deliuer, should be called Iouinianus. Hee was of a gallant great body, pleasant in his wit, and very studious. Comming from Persia to Con­stantinople in the middest of Winter, he [...]el into a crudity of his stomack and so oppressed in the carriage of his new dignity died suddenly, neer 40. years of age.

Valentinianus.

VAlentinianus ruled xi. yeares, and almost 9. months: his father Grati­anus, was meanly borne, and among the Cihalae was called Fanartus, because carrying about cords to sel, fiue souldiors could not take one E of them from him by force: for that merit hee was cailed to be a souldiour, where by degrees he arose to be the Maister of the Praetory: for whose sake the souldiors bestowed the Empire vpon Valentinian his sonne, although he denyed to accept it. He made his cozen Valeus companion of his Empire, & afterward his sonne Gratianus, who being yet a child through the perswasi­on of his mother in Law, and wise, hee created Augustus. This Valentinianus was of a comely presence, of a quick wit, and most eloquent in speeche, al­thogh he spake seldome. He was seuere, vehement, and an enemy to vices, especialy couctousnesse, wherof he was a sharpe punisher, and in al things I haue related of him, he was most [...]ik to A [...]rianus. He remēbred his ance [...]ors, F he gaue his mind to new feates of warre, hee coulde make [...] [...] of the earth or clay, he vsed in good discretion, time places, and speech. To con­clude, yf he had not trusted deceiptfull parasite [...], to whome he [...] gaue too much credence, contrary to the counsell of his wisest Nobles and approued friends, he had liued and dyed a peerelesse Prince. In his time was F [...]rmus slaine, who did attempt the Empire in Mauritania. Valentinian giuing audi­ence to an Ambassage of the Guadi at Bergention lost his voyce, through a Flux of blood, and so in the 5. and 50. year of his age, being of perfect sence and memory, gaue vp the Ghost. The which disease some affirme hapned vn­to him through surfet of meat, and saturity stretching his sin [...]wes. He being G dead, Valentinian his sonne of foure yeare olde being with his mother, by the procurement of Equituis and Mcrobaudus was created Emperor.

Valeus.

VAleus raigned with his cozen Valentian aforesaide ten yeares and fine monthes. This Valeus waging an vnhappy warre with the Gothes, was wounded and carried into a base cottage, vpon which the Gothes cam and set fire, wherin he was burnd. He was to be commended in these things. First a good counsellor to the rich, in altering of iudgements iust, trustye to his friends, not angry to any mans harme but yet very [...]earefull. In his time H Procopius the Tirant was ouerthrowne and put to death.

Gratianus.

GRatianus was borne at Sirmium and raigned with his father Valentini­an eight years, and eighty five daies with his vnckle, and brother three [Page] yeares, with the same brother, and Theodosius foure years, and with them all and Arcadius six months.

This Emperour ouerthrew thirty thousande Almans at Argentoratum in Gallia. When he vnderstood that the Gothes, Triballians, the Hunnes, and A­lant the basest people of the world, did possesse, Thracia and Dacia, as though those lands had bene their inheritance, so that by their meanes the name of the Romaines was in daunger to be vtterly extinct. He called for Th [...]odosius out of Spayne, and by the consent of all men, in the three and thirtieth yeare of his age gaue ouer the Empire to him.

This Gratian was not meanely learned, for he was able to make an artifi­ciall A verse, speak eloquenly, and to open a co [...]trouersie like a perfect Ora­tor. Day and night he meditated on death. His greatest pleasure was to be­leeue the diuine law, and to attaine those things which he had therein desti­nated to himselfe, for he was a conquerour of lust, pleasures, and delicates. And he had bin good to all, if he had giuen his mind to sway the common­wealth, wherein he was defectiue both in knowledge to rule, or inclination to learne that faculty. For when he neglected the Army, and preserred a few hyreling Alanes, be [...]ore the auncient Romain souldiors, and became a com­panion and friend to the Barbarians, so that he would trauell in their habite, he drew vpon him the hatred of the souldiors. In his time Maximius, which B rebelled in Britannia, came into Gallia, and was there receyued by those Le­gyons which were discontented with Gratian, and so put him to slight, wher­in he dyed after he had lyued onely 28. yeares.

Theodosius.

Honorius was the father of Theodosius, his mother was Thermantia a Sp [...] ­niard, discended from the Emperor Traian. Hee was made Emp. by Gratian the Emp. at Sirmium, and ruled the world 27. years: and men C say that his parents were monished in a dreame to cal him Theodosius, which signifieth as much as Giuen of God. And there was an Oracle in Asia, that one shold succeed Valeus in the Empire, whose name shold begin with the Greeke Letters, Theta, Epsilon, Omicron, and Delta wherwithall Theodosius was de­ceiued and iustly put to death for his ambitious desire of rule. Theodosius was the most famous enlarger and defender of the common-wealth, for in dy­uers battelles he ouerthrew the H [...]nnes and Gothes which oppressed the Em­pire in the time of Valeus. At the request of the Persians, he made peace with them, and slue Miximius the Tyrant (which had slaine Gratyan) at Aquilei, with his sonne Victor, whom he had made Emperor, within the yeares of in­fancy: D he likewise put downe Eugenius the tyrant, and Arbogastes with their ten thousand fighting men. This Eugentus being confident in the forces of Arbogastes, after he hade slaine Valentinianus at Vyenna, called himselfe Emperour, but shortlye after he lost his life and Empire togither.

This Theodosius was in quantity of body and condition verye like Tra­ian as Writinges and Pictures restifie, such a verye tall Stature, such [Page] members or lims, a like haire and mouth, but not so wide as Traians: leane cheekes, but not so great eyes, and I know not whether he had such a grace or beautifull aspect, or such a Maiestye in his going, but I am sure their minds were mo [...]t alike, so that nothing could be alledged out of any author, but i [...] seemed he considered and read the same. He was gentle, merciful, af­fable to all, thinking that he differed from other men onely in his apparrell: he was honorable to al men, but toward the good he exceeded himselfe. He lo [...]ed mean wits, and admired the great if they were harmeles and wel ap­plyed, he gaue great matters liberally with a great spirit, he embraced hys ci [...]izens, and them that liued with him in priuate society most louingly, & [...] hed them with money and other rewards, especially those who had re­garded E him as a father in his aduersity. But for couetousnes and triumphing in warre, wherewithal Traian was infected, he much detested, for he stirred vp no warres but pacified them he fo [...]nd, and made publicke lawes against wanton & lasciuious persons, forbidding [...]ilthy songes at banquets, being so great an enemy to immodesty and incontinency, that he forbad the marri­age of kindred or cozen Germaines, as an vnlawfull thing. For his learning it w [...] not great, being compared to them that are excellent, but yet hee was sage, and delighted to obserue al mens maners. Neuer ceasing to execrate the proud, cruell, and oppressing wordes and deedes of the auncient, dero­gating from true liberty of honest men as Cinna, Mari [...]s, Silla, and especia [...]ly F traitors and vnthankeful. He would be angry at euil actions, but soon plea­sed againe with a little forbearing.

Sometime he would alledge sharpe precepts out of Liuye, as that Augu­stus was admonished by his Maister, that if it hapned he were angry at any t [...]me before he attempted to reuenge his displeasure, he shold say the foure and twenty Greeke Letters; by meanes whereof, a little tract of time would saue him a great deal of wrath. And that the Princes vertue was better which he go [...] by enlarging his regal power, through ciuil victories, meaning hys own viol [...]nt passions. He ought to attend to prouide corne [...]or his svbiectes, and when they haue bin pilled by Tyrants of their Gold and Siluer, then to G recompence them with his owne, seeing that bountiful Princes do not giue to their fauorites, naked fields, or rewards of [...]al value: now those smaller which in secret are bestowed in the court, do draw the eares, and eyes of all c [...]rious natures to behold them. He must reuerence his vncle like his father, and nourish the children of his deade Brother and Sister like his owne, and also the kindred of his Father. In feasting, let the banquet bee sufficient and delic [...] but not sumpt [...]ous. Let him frame his talk to the quality of the per­son [...], and his endeauors to dignities, with a pleasant and graue discourse. If he be a Fa [...]her let him be affable, if a husband, amiable. [...]e exercised himself in sport, ne [...]ther to be therby engaged or wearied and when he had leisure, H he re [...]ed his spirits with walking. He gouernd his bodily helth with a good dyet. And thus in [...] yeare of his age he died in pea [...]e at Millaine, leauing the two parts of the Empire, and one sound and pe [...]ceable commonwealth, to [...] two [...]nes, Arcadius and Honorius, whose body the same yeare was conu [...]yed to Constan [...]ople, and there buried.

Areadius.

AFter the death of Theodosius, Arcadius ruled at Constantinople, & Honori­us at Rome, deuiding the Empire betwixt them: for while their father liued he made thé his co-paiteners in the Empire, & bycause at the time of his death, they were not of age to sway so great a state; by his Testament he committed the tuition of Arcadius, to Rufinus, and of Honorius to Stilico, and made Gildo gouernor of Affrique. Rufinus first of all breaking the trust to him committed, which in al antiquity remained inuiolable, sent to Alaric [...]s King of Gothes to attempt Warre against Arcadius, thinking by this meanes to pro­cure to himselfe the Empire of the Fast, and for this cause he gaue him many A bribes, which being discouered he was slaine by the Souldiers, for that so wic­ked inuention. Caianus following the plot of Rufinus, by the ayd of the Gothes, raised c [...]uil warre, and being ouercome in a battell by sea he fled away, and in that flight lost his head; which being set vpon a pole, was brought to Constan­tinople. When Arcadius had ruled thirteen yeares, he departed this mortal life, leauing behinde him his sonne Theodosius, whom in his life time he had made Caesar. This was a prince of a softly wit, hauing no resemblance of his f [...]thers or his Graund-fathers vertue; wholy addicting himselfe to please his Wife Eudoxia, for whose sake among other euil things, hee bainshed Chrisostem the B patriaich of Constantinople a man very famous for his learning and holynesse.

Honorius.

HOnorius was not so happy in his rule as his father. Theodosius was made Emperor at Rome the very same yeare that Arcadius was crowned at Constantinople. Gildo being the gouernor of Affricke, killed his brother Mascerelis sonnes, who fled into Italy to Honorius from whom he had fiue thou­sand Souldiers, by whose aid he ouerthrew Gildo, and tooke him in his flight, commaunding his Souldiers to pul out his throate, or as some, say, to strangle C him. Honorius sent vnto Stilico, his pernitious tutor, his successor and mur­therer, bycause he had called the Vandals secretly into Gallia, and would haue transferred the Empire to his sonne Eucherius, after he had fought vnhappily with the Gothes at Rauenna, was slaine with his sonne Eucherius at Rome in the Market of Pax. Hee ouerthrew Iouius Maximus, and Sebaslianus, rusfling for the succession in Gallia, by Heraclius the gouernor of the Army; and lastly hee remoued Constantinus which succeeded Gratian the Tyrant, in the vsurpation of Britannia, at the citty Arelatum, by the labor & seruice of the Ea [...]l [...] Constan­tius, to whom for his often approued setuice and fidelity, he gaue in Marriage his sister rlacidia, once married to Atarphus the King of Gothes, which Pl [...]ci­dia was the mother of Valentinianus the younger, who succeeded Theodosius D the son of Arcadius in the Empire. He died at Rome, hauing raigned thirty two yeares In his time was the Iewishe Talmud compiled by two Rabbines, and the French passed ouer the Rhine, and obtained a great parte of Gillia, and the Iewes fought with the Christians at Alexandria. [Page] by the whole and generail consent of all the most greatest Princes, created Emperor, after Zeno, and aduaunced of a mean and low estate. He gaue the soldior [...] a beneuolence of mony, gaue audience to the Iewish Am. & with fa­uor, receiuing their gifts. He bestowed vpon Clodoueus king of Frenchmen, the titles of Senator and Consull, because he had ouercome the Gothes in Gallia, and taken the Towne Burdegala. He made a wall from the sea to Se­ [...], to stop the incursions of the Moesians, Bulgartans and Seithians, and repressed by s [...]arpe punishment diuers tyrantes throughout the world. A souldior set vp the head of Atheuodorus vpon an yron pointed dart, before the gates of Tharsus, which there dried away. Longinus was torne in pieces E like a wilde beast. Vitalianus that mooued sedition in the East, was appeased with mony: the Hunnes made some spoiles, and the Gothes ouercame Mace­ [...]onia, Epirus and Thessalia, to whom Anastasius sent money to ransome the prisoners they haddetaken, but when it answered not their expectation, the cruell Barbarians slue the prisoners openly. This Anastasius might haue bene remembred amongst good Princes, because he so often bought peace, had he not fauoured Eutiches heresie, by the perswasion of his wife Ariadue, for which cause he got great hatred. In the eighty and second year of his life, & the twenty seuenth of his Empire, he peri [...]hed by a flash of lightning, the di­uine power by this means, taking reuenge vpon the Prince, who had so of­ten violated that Maiesty, although Ma [...]cellinus assirme, he died of another so­dain F death.

Inslinius thrax.

IVstinius the Thracian, diseended basely by Father and Mother, being first a swine-hearde, then a Neat-hearde, and last of all a seruaunt to a Wood­monger. He became a souldior being but sixteene yeare old, and growing actiue and prompt, therin to offend the enimy, was taken in the Army, from whence arrising through all offices, to the gouernment of the Pretory, he was made Consail-After the death of Anastasius, a certaine rich Euunuche came vnto him who was a seruant to the sormer Emp. bringing him a great G sim of mony to bribe the souldiors, that Theccritianus might be made Emp. Iasinius biting at this bait, and knowing how to help himselfe with that mo­ny, bo [...]ght the Empire for himselfe, and then put Amantianus and Theocriti­anus to death for conspiring against him, and in the ninth yeare of his raign, he adopted his sisters son Iustinianus in the Calends of April, and made him co-partner in the Empire, and then dyed in the fourth month after that. He raigne [...] nine yeares and two monethes, being of a good and so and religion, for he b [...]ished all the Ar [...]iaus, receiued Germans very curteously sent vnto him f [...]om H [...]mis [...]la Bishop of Rome, for restoring right beleeuing christians to those plac [...]s from which Anastasius had remoued them. He ordained the counsel [...] should be inuiolably obserued: and he restored to his great H costs, [...] and carynth ouerthrown by Earth-quakes.

Iustiniuses.

[...] was the adopted sonne of Iustinius began his raign. In the foure and [...] year of his raign, wherin he continued forty one years & wonder­fully enlarged the auncient glory of the Roman Empire. Surely he had [Page] bin a Noble Prince but that he was guilty of Auarice and the Eutich [...]an he­resie, and also for putting out of the eyes of Bellisarius, a slender suspition and without al cause, by whose seruice he had accomplished great matters and so driuing him away he was constrained to beg his liuing of passengers. In his time the vse of silke came from the Parthians among the Graecians, and now of late is left againe. Iustinianus being sicke, made his daugh [...]ers sonne Iustinus Caesar, and not long after his sicknesse growing vppon him, and fal­ling destracted, hee departed his naturall life when (as Eutropius saith) he had made animpions edict against verity. This Iustinianus commanded that the Temple of Sophia should be built at Constantinople, and in his time, there was so great a famine in Italy, that the people were forced to eat mans flesh. A Siluerius the Bishop of Rome, by the fraud of Theodora Ivstinianus wife, was conuicted by false witnesse, and by Bellisarius sent into exile, wherein hee dyed.

Iustinus Iunior.

IVstinivs the Nephew of Iustinianus by his daghter, and an earnest follower of Iustinius, was for that cause alway nourished in court. He was of an easie disposition, and giuen to deserue the good opinion of men, by hie own li­berality, by Iustinianvs he was proclaimed Emperor. He made a leagu with B the Persians, remitting the annuall tribute which was payed to them by the Romaines. The Lumbards a people of Germany, by the perswasion of Narses, whom the Emperour had vniustly prescribed broke into Italy, which from Albuinvs vnto Desiderivs by the space of three hundred & foure years they held distinguished into seueral regiments. For Sophia wrot vnto Narses, who was an Euunuch that hee shoulde reture to spin womens worke. To whome Narses returned to this answer, that he would spin such a thread, as she shold neuer be able to breake. Iustinivs fell from his liberality to auarice, and also from true christianity to the heresie of Pelagivs, sending Longivs into the place of Narses (whom he had set at liberty) and instituted the Exarchatship C a new kind of Magistracy.

This was ordained after christ fiue hundred threescore and eleuen years, and in the foure thousand fiue hundred and thirty fourth year of the world. By this Iustinyus, that he should be the Viceroy of the Empyre in Italy, and shoulde haue power to confirme the election of Popes, it endured one hun­dred threescore and foure yeares. This Iustinius dyed through a sickenesse in his feet, in the eleuenth yeare of his raigne. In his time the Armenians recei­ued the christian faith, and Monothelites spread their heresie, against whom he assembled a hundred and fifty Bishops at Consiantinople in counsell to con­demne them. In which sinode it was permitted to the Greeke priests ro retain D wiues but not to the Latines.

Tiberius.

TYberius the seconde vnlike to Iustinius yet adopted by him, gaue to the poore the tribute which Iustinius had couetously enchroched and de­liuered to him by Sophia, and al the treasures of that famous captaine [Page] which were long hidden in a lake of Water, and discouered vnto him. In the East he often time constrained the Persians to keep within their borders, & receiued Mesopotamia, sending backe the Persian captains honourably cloa­thed into their owne country, when the Lumbards breaking their league had along time besiedged Rome, and pressing to the Wals to take it, they were repelled by strange and vnwonted shewers of rain, and there followed after those shewers as great a drought, whereby all maner of victuall grew excee­ding scarce. If the affaires of Tiberius had as well succeeded in the West, as they did in the East, his happines had bin of singular note. He adopted his son in law Mauritius and committed to him the present gouernement of the E Empire, in the presence of Iohn the Patriarch of constantinople, who crow­ned him, and of the whole Senate, and so raigned seuen yeares, liuing in all good opinion of piety and liberality.

Mauritius.

MAuritius the successor of his Father in law Tyberius, was a cappadocian, and gouerned twenty yeares. At the beginning hee was happy in the Empire ouer comming the Armenians & Persians by his lieutenants, driuing the Scithians out of Moesia, and repressing the Lumbards in Italy. After F this by the ayde of his son in Law Theodosius and his Father in law Germanus, he droue the conquered Hunnes ont of Pannonia, into the Wildernesse, and called the Patriarch of Constantinople, the vniuersal gouernor of the church. This Prince for his diligence was aduaunced from a notary by Iustinius, and made the ruler of the Watchmen, afterward the son in lawe of Tiberius, last­ly Emperor, and being honored with many victories, did happily for a sea­son sway the whole e [...]ate. Afterward giuing himselfe to an insatiable desire of mony, and grew offensiue to the souldiors of Sarmatia, who liued in a bar­ren & cold place, yet receiued not from him their stipends. He was warned in a dream to beware of Phocas, who was a Centurion, on the Scithian coasts, G yet was he by him depriued both of life and empire. He was an example of pa­tience and fortitude, for seeing his wife and sons slaine before his face, hee cryed out saying. Thou art iust O Lord, and thy iudgementes are right, bearing it without shew of impatience. In his time began the name of Turkes, to bee first heard of in Asia, and the Gothes and Angles were turnd to the christian saith.

Phocas.

PHocas captaine of the band, on the borders of Scithia, was chosen Emp. by the damned Army which he led, who quickly forgat M [...]uricius, and H was not warned by his destruction to bewar of couetousnes, but in more greedy maner exacted many tributes, and kept golde more closely, with his courtiers who after the Persian maner disposed all thinges for they gaue au­dience to Ambassadors, sat in iudgement and bestowed Offices, then which things is more wretched and blameable in a chiese ruler.

They were his greatest fauorites, who made the greatest hauock of the com­mon [Page] people, and he payed the Souldiers very sparingly. H [...] declared the Ro­maine Bishop, by the sollicitation of Bonifacius the thi [...]d, vni [...]ersall and ch [...]efe Bishop of the world. And by his sloath and negligence, the Empire of Rome lost all strength, consisting onely in a bare title, and it was brought to passe that either the name of an Empire must be laid aside, or else Ph [...]cas must d [...]e. There was one Priscus Patricius the sonne in law of Heracleonas, a great [...] of the Emperor, his son Heraclius was P [...]opraetor and gouerned A [...]rique, these three conspired to kill the Emperor, Heracleon who was capta [...] o [...] the Wa [...]re, raised an army and brought it into Thracia, vnder colour to resist the Barbari­ans, and to defend that region. Heraclius came out of Affrique into Constanti­nople, A least his father should be suspected to r [...]bel, and so they met at a set time, and of purpose made a tumult, and while the P [...]ae [...]orian Souldiers ranne to ap­pease it, the [...]ilthy Emp. was by the traitors beheaded in the thirteenth yeare of his raigne.

Heraclius.

HEraclius Propraetor of Affrique, and sonne of Heracleonas, after the death of Phocas was made Emp. by the Souldiers, and appl [...]use of the people, and in one and the same day was crowned by Sergius the [...], and married to Fabia Eudoxia, celebrating togither his [...] and ma [...]riage feast. He restored Hierusalem, Siria, and Egypt, to the Empire, [...]rcame the Persians, their K. Cosdroa being killed by his own son, became he preferred his B younger sonne to the kingdome. He recouered the holy Cros [...]e [...] it to Constantinople, and afterward translated it to Rome. His Warre against the Persians endured sixe yeares togither. Alter this Heraclius committe [...] the af­faires of the common-wealth to other, g [...]uing himselfe to ease and idlenes. He constrained the Iewes to be baptised against their wils, and gaue himselfe to the study of Mathematiques, to wisards and impostures of the Deuils, and so fell into the heresie of the Monothelites: he married with Martina his brothers Daughter, and made a law that euery man might doe the like, he taigned thir­ty and one yeares, and some say he died of a dropsie. Other affirme he perished by a new and strange disease, namely that his cods wer turned vpward, and his vi [...]l member alway standing, that so often as he made water except a bord was C held to his belly, the vrine flew vp into his own face, which some imagin was a iust iudgement vpon him for his vnlawfull marriage.

Heraclius Iunior.

HEraclius the younger called also Constantinus, the sonne of Heraclius, the Emp. succeeded his father, and was a true obseruer of piety, but yet by the treason his step-mother Martina, was killed by poyson in the fourth month of his gouernment. D

Heracleona.

HEracleonas sonne of Heraclius and Martina, after the death of Constan­tine, ruled in the East with his mother two yeares, when the Se [...]a [...] and people of Constantinople vnderstood how they had poisoned Constan­tinus, they tooke both the mother and sonne, cutting off his nose, that so hee might rec [...]iue no comiseration by his beauty and grace, and her tong, that so she might no more by her cunning speech moue the peoples minds, & so with the Patriarch that was priuy to the treason, they were all sent into ba [...]shment.

Constans.

AFter that Heraclionas and Martina were driuen away, Constans otherwise called Constantinus the third, was declared Emperor by the Senat, with­out the Souldiers, which seldome happened. Hee walked in the steps of his Graund-father, following the herisie of the Monothelites. He caused Olim­ptas the Exarchat to apprehend Martin the first of that name, Pope of Rome, and to send him into exile wherein he died, by cause in a sinode, hee deposed Paule the patriach, and allowed the condemnation of Cirus, Alexandrius, Ser­gius, and Pyrrhus. He was ouercome by the Saracens and ranne away. After­ward E giuing them hostages, hee obtained of them leaue to goe into Italy, and to deliuer it from the Tyranny of the Lumbards, leauing his sonne Constanti­nus at home, hee came by sea to Tarentum, tooke Luce [...]a and razed it, and be­sieged Beneuentum. Leauing that siege he went towards Capua, where by the way he met with Mitiola the Duke of that city in A [...]mes, of whom he was put to slight, and so went towards Rome. Vitalianus the Pope met him without the ci­ty, and whatsoeuer he found ther in the ancient Monuments, precious or rare, hee made spoyle thereof, and tooke it away with him, not sparing the brazen tyles of Pantheon. After twelue dayes he went into Sicily, where he was slain by his owne followers, bycause of his couetous exaction of trybute, hauing liued in the Empire twenty and seauen yeares. F

Constantinus.

COnstantinus the fourth was eldest sonne of Constans, and tooke vpon him the Empire at Byzantium which he had gouerned in the absence of his fa­ther. So soone as newes was brought vnto him of his fathers death; hee went into Sicily and slue Mezentius the Tyrant, as the author thereof. Seuen yeares togither he warred with the Saracens by Sea and land, and in one bat­taile slue of them thirty thousand, and so weakned their forces thereby, he con­strained them to seeke peace of the Emperor, which they obtained vpon con­dition that they should pay to him yearely a certaine tribute. The Bulgarians inuaded Thr [...]cia and Pannonia, and by the permission of the Emperor, they in­habited G a part thereof. Hee celebrated the sixth sinod at constontinople against the Monothelites, by the perswasion of Pope Agothon, where met togither the Greeke and latine Church. He cut off the noses of his bretheren, beeing chil­dren, that they s [...]ould ne [...]er affect the Empire, and as Platina saith. In his raigne was the King of Persia with his wife Caesarca and many thousand of their followers, Baptized at constantinople. Lastly hee was ouercome with sicknesse (or as other say) he was throwne out of the pallace headlong, and so died in the eightee [...]e yeare of his raigne. Hee was called Pogonatus bycause hee had no [...]ard when he went in to Sicilia, and returned againe bearded, for Pogona in Greeke is a beard. In his time there was a great famine in Gallia, for succour H whereof King clodoueus tooke out the riches and ornaments out of the church of S. Dennis, which his father had therein bestowed.

Iustinius 4.

Iustinius the fourth was the sonne of constantine, and his heyre. The last of [Page] the line of Heraclius and was made Emperor, when he was sixteene yeares old, he was a wilde and wicked young man, erring from the true faith, abolishing the authority of his fathers Synod by another, the which Sergius Bishop of Rome would not allow, for which cause he sent Zacharius Portospatarius to ap­prehend him, who being resisted by the Bishop, came againe without doing any thing, and was punished for his other faults. He was by his Dukes Leonti­us, Tyberius and Absimarus, and Callinicus the Patriarch, depriued of his nose and eares in the tenth yeare of his regiment, and so dispossessed of the Em­pire, banished into Chersonesus. About this time Childeric the second, King of France with his wife great with child was slaine by Rodillus, whom a litle before he had caused to be whipped at a post. A

Leontius.

LEontius or Leo the third being made Emperor, ruled most vngodly eleuē years, and at the length had his nose cut off by Absimarus, and was put in­to prison. At this time the Arisians were ouercome with their Captaine Rabodus, and were made Christians by Pipinus the generall of the horsmen of Gallia. B

Tiberius 3.

TYberius whose surname was Absimarus declared Emperour by the Sou­diers. He banished Philippi [...]us into Pontus, whose ayde aduanced him to be Emperor, bycause he suspected him, for that an Eagle shadowed his head sleeping. He swayed the Empire seuen yeares. After which time Iustinus the fourth banished (as aforesaid in his history) by the help of Bulgarians, was recalled from exile & came to Constantinople with a great army, and raigned with his sonne sixe yeares more: commaunding Leontius and Tiberius to be slaine in his owne sight, pulling out the eyes of the patriarch Callinicus, and banishing him to Rome. After this he sent for Constantinus Bishop of Rome, and receiued him with great reuerence, Kissing his feete, and confessing his former errours crauing pardon for them, and approued the Romaine Religion. Lastly waging Warre with Phillippicus (that was before banished to Pontus) C by the perswasion of the Pope, he was there with his sonne Tiberius ouercome and slaine. This yeare the Saracens inuaded Affrike, and a great part of Spaine which they held seuen hundred yeares.

Philippicus.

PHilippicus Bardesanes after the slaughter of, Iustinius and his sonne tooke the Empire and caused all Images and reliques to be throwne out of the temples, weaking the decrees of the 6. Synod with another, to gratific a certaine Monke which had prophesied that hee should be Emperor, and desi­red this action for his reward. He was cloquent, but not wise, for he dissipa­ted the wealth of the Empire, suffering the Bulgarians to depopulate Thracia. D He was declared a schismatique by Constantinus the Bishop of Rome, and for­bid to communicat. He was depriued of his eies by Anthemius his chiefe cap­taine, and so brought againe into good order, hauing raigned one yeare and sixe months.

Anastasius 2.

[Page] ANastasius the second sur-named Anthemius, was made Emperour by the Souldiers, and approued all the decrees of the Bishop of Rome for holy and iust, and did many things according to true piety, at length by the perswasion of the Bishop of Rome, he sent a great sleete against the Arabians to Alexandria, but his Souldiers hating him, returned home againe and made The [...]dosius a man so base condition Emperor, who tooke Constantinople and deposed Anastasius, shutting him vp in a Monastery, when he had raigned one yeare and three months.

Theodosius 3.

THeodosius or Adramitian was constrained by the Souldiers to be Empe­ror, E yet was he of good life though meanely borne, sauing that he resto­red Images into the church againe, which Philippicus had deiected. He ouerthre [...] Artemius in a great battaile neere Nice, & gaue ouer the Empire to [...]co who was made Emperor by the Souldiers, and came against him to fight, but Theodosius was weary of ciuill Warre betwixt him and Leo, and so entered into a Monastery after he had raigned two years, where he lead a long and hap­py life.

Leo 3.

LEo the third was called Iagnus or conon, a man of a base kindred and made Dice where he was borne, he raigned togither with his sonne Theodosius, F and was called Iconomachus, bycause hee destroyed all the Images of the Saints out of the Temples, by the authority of a counsel at Bizantium, that he might gratifie twoe Iewes, that foretold him hee should be Emperor, and de­posed Germanus the patriarch of Constantinople for maintaining them, and likewise caused Stephen the Bishop of Rome which disallowed that action, to be apprehended and put to death. In his raigne was Constantinople besieged eight yeres by the Sara [...]ns, who were constrained through great pestylence and famine to departe, their shippes beeing all burned, by an artificiall fire, which was made to burne vnder the waters. After this he recouered the de­section of Sicilia, thorough the labour of Sergius. Hee raigned twenty-fiue G yeares, and toward his death Bythinia and Thracia were grieuosly shaken with an earthquake, and the walles of Constantinople, were almost all ouerthrowne thereby. Gregory the third of that name, Bishop of Rome, did forbid Leo to communicate, by cause hee would restore the images, and not regarding him, sent for Carolus Martellus a King of France, against the Lumbards into Italy, who made peace with the Romains without the Emperor. The Saracens posses­sed Aquitane, but they were driuen out by the French, and aboue three hun­dred three [...]core and thirteene thousand, slaine. H

Constantinus 5.

COns [...]ntine the son of Leo Isaurus ruled the East, and was zealous as his fa­ther against images, yet was hee charged with magicke, and that he was neither Christian, Greeke, or Iew, but giuen ouer to all impiety. It is like­ly the resisting of the Romaine Synod in the daies of Gregory the third, was the cause why the bondslaues of that see haue defamed him so much in their Cro­nicles. [Page] Hee put to death two Patriarches of constantinople. Hee waged warre a­gainst the Bulgarians, who destroyed Images in their churches.

Hee also put out the eies of Artabasdus who was made Emperour, by them that fauored the Pope and Images, and likewise of al his kindred. He held a counsell at Constantinople of 330. Bishops, whereby all the people were compelled to sweare that they would neuer offer any more to any image of God and Saints, and condemned all them to death that worshipped or prayed to the Virgin Mary, orkept the reliques of Saintes in their houses; and com­maunded Moonkes and Nunnes to marry, and not to vowe a single life: for which cause hee was reported to haue made water in the Font at the [...] of his A B [...]ptisme, which signified how he should defile Religion as enemies, and the Popes friends affirmed: for he sent the decrees of this counsell to the Pope, commaunding him to keepe them, and put them in execution, which made the Pope fly to Pipin King of France, who at his request, made Warre vpon the Lumbards, and constrained Arstulphus to yelde to the Popes requests.

And the pope to gratifie Pipinus the K. translated the Empire of constantino [...]e into France, & Pipin gaue the Exarchat of Lumbardy to the Pope, and although hee were sent vnto by the Emperor, with many rich guifts to redeliue [...] againe the Exarchatship, who answered that his comming into Italy was to guard the church, and to giue Rauenna and the Exarchatship to the Pope. At this time B was a Parlament first instituted in France, and the Turkes a people of S [...]it [...]ia comming from the Hiperborian Mountaines inuaded the Armenians, Colc [...], and Alain. The Emperor raigned 35. yeares, and died as some say of a lepro­sie. In his time began the Popes to be greatly honored, by cause that Pipin lead the Popes horse by the bridle, the Pope sitting on his backe till hee came into the Emperors Pallace.

Leo 4.

LEo followed his fathers steps in detestation of images, and sat in his seate, hauing a wife an Athenian, called Irene, of an exceeding good spirit and beauty. He made one voyage into Siria where he receined a repulse in a C small skirmish, and returned back againe. He loued well pretious stones, and hauing seene in the Temple of Sophia a crowne full of those stones, he set it on his head, by the coldnesse where of he fel into a feauer and died. In the fift yeare of his raigne.

Constantinus 6.

COnstantine the sixt son of Leo, ruled with his mother ten yeares, at which time there was a sinod at Nice, wherein the matter of images was agreed betwixt them and the Pope at the instance of Irene, who had a great D deuotion to the Virgin Mary. But in the tenth yeare of his gouernment he de­priued his mother of all rule, exhorting her to liue priuately, and not in pub­lique administration of iustice, casting downe againe all the images the had e­rected, which was consurmed by a counsel of Eliberus in Spaine. Irene suborned certain captaines to kil her son, who tooke him put out his eies, & put him in to prison, wherein he died, she then raigning three years till she was expelled [Page] by Nicephorus, in which time she caused her husbands fathers body that had destroyed Images, to be taken out of the graue and publikely burned to ashes, for that cause after his death twenty yeares. In hir time was also Charlema [...]gne crowned Emperor at Rome, and in the raign of Constantine hir sonne, and hirs togither, there was found a Beazen plate layd vpon a dead man in the earth, with this in [...]ption: Christ shall be borne of a Virgin in him doe I beleeue, and in the time of Constant me and Irene, O sunne thou shalt see me againe. At last she was b [...]ished by Nicephorus to Leshos, and there died. Constantine ruled fifteene yeares; ten with his mother, and fiue alone. E

Nicephorus.

NIcephorus raigned in the East, after the banishment of Irene in Lesbus, and rati [...]ied that peace with charles the great, which Irene had made: which was, that he should haue Sicili [...], calabria, and Apulia, and charles all the residu [...] of Italy. He also agreed with the Venetians, that they should nei­ther besub [...]ct. to the East or West Empire, but remaine friends to both, and helpe bo [...]hina' Warres. He turned back againe, Admiratu [...] King of Saracens, which [...] gat [...]st him with three Cahonsand men, b [...] y [...]lding him a yeerely [...]ybute. He ho [...]pe the Venetians against the Gaules, to y [...]ng fleete to [...]leete by Sea. Herazed Apo [...]loma which he tooke by a tea force, partly by violence, and partly by [...]raud, and made his sonne Stauracius co-partner of the Empire, and F he died in a battaile against the Bulgarians in the superiou [...] Mas [...]a, in the nynth yeare of his gouernment.

Stauratius.

STauracius the Sonne of Nicephorus being wounded in the battaile of the Bulgarians, assoone as his father was dead hee came to constantinople, and was crowned Emperor. He receiued many hurts by the Saracens, who brake the peace made with his father. At last hee was th [...]ust out of the Empire, by M [...]chaell curoplate, who married his Sister Pr [...]cop [...]a, and shut vp in a monaste­ry, ra [...]gined but a few daies after his father. G

Mychaell.

MYchaell curoplate sur-named Ran [...]hes. The sonne in law of Nicephorus [...]saide, and married the sister of Stauratius. In the beginning of his Empire made a league with charlemaigne that hee should hold the west, and Mychaell the least. [...]he Venetians fell to the Gracians, vpon that condition to en [...]oy all the [...] ledges graunted vnto them by charlematne. When for a little [...] space [...] [...] war [...]ed. against the Bulgarians, and ouer came them, at last be­ing ou [...] [...] owne an [...] put to flight at Hadrionopolis, he returned home with the losle of his Army, and presently he was taken by the treason of Leo the Arme­ [...]an, H and exil [...]d into the [...]e of Protes, and there [...]ued in a monastery, after hee had raigned two years. And thus Empires by the prouidence of God, thorogh sundry altera [...]ons, passe [...]rom one to another, with their wealth, glory, pleasure, commoci [...]es, and discommodities.

Leo. 5.

LEo the Armenian, son of Pardus Patricius, who was gouernor of the [...]a­sterne Army, was chosen Emp. by the people, because he was thought worthy to sway the world. At that time, he slew crumnus king of the bul­garians, who had obtained [...]adrioncpolis, & turned his power against Constan­tinople, hauing made a breach in the wall: which thing did for a season giue peace to the easterne Empire.

When he had gotten this victorie, hee turned his power to ouerthrowe & kill many at home, and yet abolished al the ymages of the Saints; & being warned by the presages and dreames of his Mother, co [...]lde not auoide the fate appointed for him, for in the night time being at prayers he was slain by A Mich [...]ell Thraulus (whom he had detained prisoner) through many wounds, after he had raigned seuen years and fiue moneths. His wife was constramed into a Monastery, and his sonnes banished. He had many vertues, and waged the affayres of the world very excellently, had he not bene iustly accused of much cruelty.

Michael Thraulus.

MYchaell Thraulus or Balbus, because of his stammering tongue, was a Phrigian, borne of a meane and base kindred. He was infected wyth B Iudaisme professed in that place, and slue Leo, by whome hee hadde bene aduaunced to great honors, sending his sonnes into banishment, inua­ded the Empire. He o [...] ercame Thomas captaine of the so [...]ldiors in the East, and slew him with all his traiterous compa [...]ons. He ouercame the Sar [...]cens, in [...]ding creta. He was not loued of Monkes or clarks, and dyed in the ninth yeare of his raigne, through the loose [...]es of his belly, and so was the Ora­cle fulfilled, that when a slammering and couetous prince [...]aigned, then should the Empire faile. C

Carolus.

CHarles the son of Pipin king of Fraunc [...], the first of that name, and was called most Christian, by Leo the Bishop of Rome, of whome hee was crowned Emperor, for his great zeale towards christians. At the en­trance into his raigne, being deliuered from the Warres of Aquitane, hee went into Italy and made the Lumbards subiects vnto Fraunce, taking their k [...] Desiderius. He many times ouercame the [...] Saxons, in thirty yeares Warres, and did instruct them in christianity. He droue the [...] out of France, and consined the Sclauonians, Danes, and Boemians, within their own territories.

He went the second time into Italy, repressing them of Beneuention, which resisted the Pope [...]ile restored Leo the Pope, who was expelled by the Romans, D and ended the Warres against the Hunnes. Whereupon after all his Noble acts, he was called Charles the great. And after all this, he returned into Frau [...]ce, making his sonne Lewes co-partner of his Emp [...]re, and so d [...]ed at Aguisgrue being seuenty one yeare old, and hauing bin Emperor th [...]rteene yeares. He founded three Vniuersities, one at Ban [...]a, another [...] [...], and [Page] the third, at Papia; storing them with learned men from al places. He erect­ed many monasteries in Germany, for the education of christian younge­men insteed of scho [...]s, he celebrated siue counsels or Synods for the state E [...]lesiasticall, and i [...] superstitiously worshipped of many for a Saint.

Lewes Pius.

LEwes the sonne of Charles the great, because of his great piety, was called Pius the godly, hearing of his fathers death, went to Aquisgra [...]e, where he gaue audience to the Ambassadors, of the Greeke Emp. Leo, and renewed the league, ending the Dacian war, as he wished. He cut of [...] the the head of Bernardus k. of Italy, and Nephew of Pipin, because he aspired to E the Empire, banishing all his followers, among whom wer some clergimen. He subdued the Britans and Bulgarians, as troublers of common peace. He receiued Stephen the 4. comming from Rome into France with great pomp, and was annointed and crowned by him at Orleance. He referred the Ambas­of Michaell the Graecian Emp. about Images to the Pope. He had foure sons, Loth [...]ius, whom he made k. of Italy, in Bernardus place, Pip [...]n of Aquitane, Lewes of Bauaria, & Carclus Caliuis, by his wise Iudith, whom he made kings of France and Burgu [...]y, and of whom afterward the religious [...]her receiued many hurtes, for hee was taken by them, and imprisoned him most v [...]a­turally at Soyssomae Medardus. And after a yeare he was againe restered [...] li­berty, F and his dignity pardoning their ingratitude, and dealing [...] with them. He died at Meth, in the 17. year of his raign, being threescore & foure yeare old. He gaue Paschall Bishop of Rome power to elect Bishops and decreed that clearg [...]men should wear no pretious stones, o [...] other sol [...] and chargeable a [...]ires.

Theophilus.

AFter the death of Michaell Balbus, his son Theophilus was made Emp. at [...] He was mild and temperate to his subiects, but yet pu­nishing them with deth that worshipped images. He sought twice with the [...], who depopulated Asia, and was by them twice ouercome and G depr [...]ed of his holds. They also took & raced down Amorium, from whence he arose and died, after he had raigned xii. yeares of a bloody slix. Hee was a good and gentle Prince, and left behind, a son called Michaell.

Michaell.

MYchaell was made Em [...]being a child, & was in the tuition of his mother Th [...]odora, & other the principal men of the [...] who gouerned the Emp [...] for him. Assoon as he was of age, & his mother had yeelded to him, he sent his Am. to Rome to Nicelas, the [...]. Pope of that name, to salure the [...] of the Apostles, with a golden cup of wonderfull waight. Hee was more like his grandfather, then his father, & so distressed the state again H throgh sloth and prodigality, for when he was pressed with many warres, he could not be reuoked from horse races. He censured his mother to a mona­ [...]ery because she wold not indure images. After the deth of Bardas, who was [...]in at B [...]rriers, wherunto he was addicted like a mad man. He made Basilius the Macedonian co-partner of the Empi [...] by whom he was shortly a [...]ter slain, in the xii. ye [...]re of his raigne, whereof hee raigned three with his Mother, [Page] And while his mother Theodora had the gouernement, the Bulgarians a peo­of Scithia, did commonly professe christian religion.

Lotharius.

LOtharius the eldest son of Lewes the godly, after a skirmish amonge the brethren, tooke vpon him the Empire, Charles had France, and Lewes had Germany, which concord of brethren lasted not long, for on Easter day, they violently met in Arms at Fountague, a village Altissedorum, wher­in their was so great a slaughter, that there was little difference betwixt the conquered or the conqueror, but yet the side of Charles had the better. Af­terward by the helpe of Sergius the second of that name, Bishop of Rome, A was there a peace concluded, vpon condition that Lotharius shoulde enioy with the title of Emperor all Italy and Gallia Narbonensis, Lewes should haue Germany, and Charles France to the Ocean, and ther was added to the [...]m. Austrasia, which is now calld Lotharingta, after his name. He left 3. sons Le­wes, Charls, and Lotharius. There were many Cometes seen before the fight of the brethren. Afterward in the fifteenth yeare of his raigne, he departed this life, leauing the Empire to Lewes his son, whom 5. years before he had made co-partner of his Empire, &c. and being induced with remorse of ad­uerse desseigues (as some men suppose) he relinquished the Empire, and led a monasticall life in the monastery of Pruma. B

Lodowich 2.

LEwes the second the son of Lotharius, was crownd king of Italy at Rome, by Sergius the Pope, in the life of his father. At Beneuent he defeated the and ouercame Saracens, who in huge troopes had discended into Italy. Leauing Italy, at his returne into Germany, after the death of his father, he liued at continuall discord with Charles king of Fraunce for the kingdome of Austrasia, which belonged to Lotharius, & Charles did absolutely challenge. But the difference compounded, he presently after dyed at Millain, when he had raigned xxi. yeares, leauing behinde him two sons, Charles and Lewes; this king of France, that of Germany. Before all men liuing, hee most estee­med Nicolas the first, gracing his inauguration with his presence, and in all C their counsels, mutually assisting one another.

Basilius.

AT that time when Basil the Macedonian, who slew Michaell, gouerned the East, then was Lewes the 2. Lord of the West. At his comming to the Empire, he reuoked the excessiue dona [...]es of Michaell, and consisca­ted the halfe of them that were alreadye receiued into his treasury. By the consente of Adrian the seconde hee assembled a generall counsell at Con­stantinople, about the receiuing of the Bulgarians into the christian congre­gation, where after longe contention; at laste, it was concluded, that they D shold be subiect to the Roman papacy. By his Lieutenant Nicephorus Phocas, he quited Ancona and Dalmatta of the Saracens. He was very thrifty and liued vpon his country Domanies. He died when he had raig. 20 years, leauing the Empire to his two sons Leo and Alexander.

Leo.

Leo the sonne of Basilius, aided the Bulgarians against the Turkes, but re­ceiued [Page] the ouerthrow, vnder the conduct of Simon his Lieutenant. He like­wise gaue battell to the Saracens, inuading Leuos. He was an excellent Phy­losopher, well seene in all sciences, but especially so profoundly studied in Astrology, that thereby he fore-told that his sonne Constantine should suc­ceed him in the Empire. At his death he bequeathed the Empire to his Bro­ther Alexander, commending vnto his protection the tuition of his son Const [...]ntine, whom a little before, he had caused to be crownd by the hands of Euthimus the Patriarch. He had two wiues Theophania, to whose name he de­dicated a chapple, and Zoc. He likewise builded the church of S. Lazarus, & there he translated his body. To make experiment of the faithfulnes and in­dustry E of the Watch of the citty, one night changing his apparrell and fur­niture, he secretly & alone stole out of the court, and entring the first watch, by bestowing a liberall rewarde vpon the watchmen, he quitted himselfe of further trouble, and so passed on to the second: where arrming, and thinke­ing to do with them as with the former, was well beaten for his offer, and cast into prison. The next day hee bountifully rewarded these rough and tru­sty Warders, but the former he expeld the citty, & confiscated theyr goods. About this time Dalmatia and Selauonia receiued the christian religion.

Charles the Bald. F

CHarles the Bald the youngest son of Lodowick Piu [...], k. of France, a prince exceeding curtcous, but aboue measure ambitious, before his com­ming to the Empire, contended along time at vncertain hazard of war with the Britans and Normans. Being sent for to Rome by Leo the fourth, he expulsed the Saracens out of the citty. A few yeares after, hearing of the de­parture of his Nephew Lewes, he discended into Italy, and there was crow­ned Emperor by Iohn the 8. Vpon his returne towards France, he deputed his wiues brother Gouernor of Italy, but returning thither again, he found his Nephewes the sons of the Emp. Lewes in arms against him, with whom he ioyned battell at Verona. But being ouerthrown, he retired to Mantua, wher G through griefe, yet not without the suspition of poyson, ministred by Zede­ch [...]as a lew, his Phisition, he died, when he had raigned six yeares.

Lewes the Bald.

LEwes the bald, and third of this name, King of Fraunce, (whome some men will haue to bee the sonne of Charles the balde, others of Lewes the King of Germany, but most likelye, the sonne of Caluis) was annointed and crowned Emperour in a Counsell assembled at Tricasses by Iohn the eight, then liuing in Fraunce, and lastly escaped out of the safest holde or H prison of the Romaines, much against the Willes of the Italian Princes. Being of an vnhealthy body, he scarce gouerned the Empire two years. He died at compendium, the same day christ suffred, leauing behind two children, Charles the simple, king of France, and Charlemain the father of Arnulphus. A­bout this time the Normans, who vexed the French with cōtinual inrods, wer [Page] defeated by Richard Duke of Burgundy, and Robert Earle of Parris, who after­wards became king of France.

Charles the grosse.

CHarles for his burly body, sur-named Crassus, the son of Lewes, the e­leuenth k. of the Germains, was crowned of Iohn the 8. Bishop of Rome. An accident seldome hapning to any one Bishop, as to bee saide, with in foure yeares, to haue crowned 4. Emperours. In many battels he ouer­threw Pannonij, and christned Robert Duke of Normandy, to whome after­wards he gaue his daughter in marriage, with a parcell of France. But being neither profitable for the state, nor well in wits, he was deposed, & Arnulph A Charlemaines son was crowned in his steed. So after ten yeares of his raigne he died, and was buried at Angea. His deuotion and loue to learning and ler­ned men, whom he would incorage to write, was very commendable in him.

Arnulph.

ARnulphus the son of Charlemaine, the Nephew of Charles the grosse, who had appointed him a protector, was chosen Emper. by the Nobilitye, & pacified with an exceeding great slaughter, the rebelious Normans. Presently being giuen to rapine and couetousnesse, ransaked churches, and after he had raigned xii. yeare, by the iust iudgement of God, he died of the lowsie disease. Vnder him the maiesty of the Romaine Empire, devolued to B the Germans, after it had remained in France almost an hundred yeares.

Lodouicus.

LEwes the son of Arnulph, as heire to his father, was elected Emp. by the French and Germans, but neuer crowned. He raigned six years. After the death of his father, he defeated the Hungarians, inuading Germa­ny with a great slaughter, at the riuer Licus. A while after, himself was ouer­come by the said Hungars.

Berengarius.

BErengarius prince of Forum-iulij, a Lumbard, of an excelent good wit, & mighty in Armes, partly to withstande the continuall in cursions of the C Barbarians, into Italy, and partly, not to loose their auncient title, & ma­iesty of an Empire, was by the Italians nominated successor of Arnulph. Hee ouerthrew Lodowick son of Arnulph at Verona, and taking him captiue, put out his eies. By bribes he cleared Italy of the Pannonij. Hee slew Guido prince of Spoletum. He gouerned the state 4. yeares.

Berengarius 2.

Berengarius the second, succeeding the first, after three or foure yeares vsurpation, was deposed by Rodulph king of Burgundy.

Alexander.

ALexander being xx. years old, neither like his Father Basil, nor his bro­ther Leo, succeeded in the Empire of Constantinople. A man giuen D to lechery and sloath: and for his delight in hunting, horses, dogs, & curious houshold-stuffe, omitting the affaires of the Empire. He preferred to honorable place, base and wicked persons. He died of a surfet, the bloud gushing out at his nostrils and fundamēt, leauing his Brothers son sucessor, after he had raigned one yeare and one mouth.

Constantine.

COnstantine the son of Leo, Basilius at seauen years of age, after the death of Alexander his Vncle, was left by his Father to succeed in the Em­pire, vnder the protection of his Mother, and certaine of the Nobili­ty, by whose valor Andronicus D [...]as intending by tiranny to vsurp vpon the state, was suppressed. His step-father Romanus being banished, and his sonne Christopher, with the whole kindred of the Lee [...]peni, being extinguished, hee gouerned the Empire one and fifty years, to good commendation. He took Beneuent from the Lumbards, and suppressed certaine tyran [...]s. He inforced the princes of the Turks, to become christians. Being a friend to learning & E good arts, he in a manner restored them from death to life. [...]e left to his son Romanus a booke, wherin he acquainted his son with the whole estate of the Empire, the leagues of confederats, the strength of the enemies, theyr go­uernementes and counsels; which the Venetians to this daye, keepe in theyr library, as a Iewell of great woorth, because hee intreateth much of theyr affaires.

Conrade.

COnradus the Nephew of Lodowick, by a brother the son of Arnulph, the last of the royall race of Charls the great, king of Germany, was crea­ted Caesar, but not crowned of the Bishop. He ouerthrew the hungars, F whom Berengarius vsurping the name of Emp-in Italy, had incoraged again to inuade Germany. By the ayde of Otho Duke of Saxony, his sonne Henry was declared Emperour by Conrade, vpon his death-bed, in the seuenth year of his raigne.

Henry.

HEnry sonne to Otho Duke of Saxony, called Aucuparius, after the death of Conrade, gouerned the Empire of the Germans, after it was tran­slated from Charles the great to the Saxons: he ouer came the Hun­gars, and subiected the Sclauons: he made the Dalmatians tributaries, & go­uerned the Bohemians by the Lawes of the empire: he tooke Brand-berry, and G vanquishing the Vandals (who at that time had receiued the christian religi­on) gaue firme peace to the prouinces of Germany: hee recouered Lotha­ring. Being neere his death, he appointed his sonne Otho his successor, when he had raigned eighteen yeares. In his time ambitious soueraignty maintai­ned strong factions, for the space almost of lx. yeares, from the death of Ar­nulph to the first Otho.

Otho.

OTho the sonne of henry Aucups, a man of an excellent wit, and wild na­ture, was chosen emperor by the agreement of the whole Nobility of Germany, and was crowned at Aqui [...]graue by the Bishop of Mogunc [...]: H And was called into Italy by Agapitans the Pope, and most of the [...] No­bility, to whom the tyrranny of Berengarius the third, and his sonne Albert were hatefull, with fifty thousand souldiors, where he disposessed Berengari­us of the Empire, and Albert of his gouerment in Italy, yet conditionaly that by way of liberality, they should inioy possessions in Galia Cisalpina beyond Po. Departing from thence, he restored Lewes King of Fraunce to his pristi­nate [Page] estate, whome some of his Nobility had before deposed, and cast into prison. He deposed Pope Iohn accused of many crimes, and in his steed pla­ced Leo. He droue Beslaus from the kingdome of Bohemia for the slaughter of his brothers. He plagued the Hungars which wasted Italy, in one conflict whereof, three petty Kings of Hungary being taken by the Germans, were hanged much against the mind of the Emperor. Berengarius and his son Al­bert being ouerthrowne in battell, the one fled into Constantinople, and the other into Austria, and there ended their dayes in misery. And this was the end of the Emperors, or the kings, or the tyrants (tearme them as yee wil) which arose in Rome, in Constantinople and Italy. Things thus dispatched, he came to Rome, and there being saluted Emperour and Augustus by the A whole people, he was the first of the Germans that was annointed and crow­by the Bishop of Rome: he died after he had raigned 36. yeares. he was the first of the Emperors that gaue that forme of oath to the Pope, which is ex­tant 63. distinction. Can. Tibi domin [...] Iohanni.

Romanus.

ROmanus Lecapenus obscurely born; notwithstanding his mostreligious oth, that he woulde not make claime to the Empire, neither for him­selfe nor his son Christopher, going about to betray his father in law Constantine, and to thrust him into a cloister, as hee waged an infortunate B warre against the Bulgars, and had now raigned six and twenty years, & was taken by Stephen his sonne, and shut vp in an Island. A while after, both hee and his sons being taken by Constantine (intending the like against constan­tine, as they did against their father, fel into the same pit, which they digged for another, the one was confined into Proconesse, the other into Lesbus.

ROmanus the son of constantine, called the younger, the Nephew of the elder, a man wholy giuen to riot and idlenes, being created Emperour after the death of his father, committed the gouernement of the state to one Ioseph Bringa. In other affaires where he would apply his mind there­unto, wise and diligent inough: he droue the Saracens out of creet, and the C Turkes out of Asia, vnder the conduct of Nicephorus Phocas: hee sequestrod from his company his mother hellen: his sisters he banished the court, taking from them their rich apparrell, in griefe whereof, they afterwardes main­taind themselus by prostrating their bodies for lucre: himself at last admidst his wantonnes & idlenes, was poysoned in the 13. year of his raign.

Nicephorus Phocas.

NYcephorus Phocas hauing obtaind the Empire after the death of Roma­nus the younger, rigged out a fleet against the Saracens that had con­quered Sicily, and led an army against the said people, wasting Asia. The war in Sicily vnder the conduct of his lieutenantes prospered not, but Cilicia, and a great part of Asia, he recouered fortunately, and by night sur­prized D Antioch, expulsing the Saracens. At last vnder the pretence of war, for grieuing the people with subsides, and the church with tributes, for abasing the coine, and lessening the weight, he became odious to al men, & was slain in his bed by Iohn Zimisees, Theophania his wife letting in the murderers. He raigned x. years, or as Ignatius writeth, six years and so many mon.

Iohn Zimisees.

IOhn [...] hauing slame Nicephorus Phocas, succeeded in the Empyre, and [...]ue all the [...]ndred or Nicephorus, and recalled al those that wer in [...]. He [...]reated Dasilius and Constantine brothers, and the sons of the younger [...] Caesars, and his consorts in the Empire. He slue sph [...] ­ [...] king of the Ro [...]lani, who had almost conquered al Bulgaria, and his whole [...]. The Trophees of which victory, hee dedicated in the church of [...], and writ vpon the image of our fauiour, To Iesus Christ the King of kings. He was poisoned in the sixt yeare of his raigne.

Otho 2.

OTho the seconde, the son of Otho the first, by Adelanda, after his good E fortune against the Saracens and the Greeks; and admitted partner of the Empire by his father, was annointed and crowned by Iohn the [...]. bishop of Rome: hetamed Henry the rebell, and Duke of Bauar, and conuerting his forces against Lotharius, king of France, which challenged [...] he entred France, and cruelly spoiling the territories of Laudue and [...], he sicred the subburbs of Parris, but in his return towards Germa­ny, he suffered a grie [...]ous losse by the Frenchmen, as he was to passe the ry­ [...]er. Izo b [...] [...]oord, many of his people being swallowed by the waters, many slaine by the multitude o [...] pursuing enemies. A while after, vnderstandinge that the Saracens had re-infested Calabria, hee speeded thither, and was o­uerthrowne F [...] B [...]sentell, his Battalions being almost al vtterly slaine. Himself getting a boord a small shallop was taken by Pirates, and carried into Sicill, where being knowne by the promisse of a large and bountifull ransome, hee obtained to be conueyed to Rome: Afterwards the Pyrates were hanged by the Sicilians. At Rome gathring togither the relickes of his scattered forces, he assaulted the Beneu [...]nts, for saking their colors, and at vnawars took theyr citty, fearing no such calamity, sacked it, and burnt it: hauing thus ruina­ted Beneuent, he returned to Rome, and there died, after his sole raigne, and hi [...] father [...] death, ten years, some men report, that he was poysoned by the Italians, for his seuere gouerment. G

Constantine.

COnstantine and Basilius brethren, the sons of Romanus the younger, go­uerned the state after Iohn, for the space of [...]. yeares, to the times of the second Otho. Basilius first raigned alone L. yeares, and getting [...] [...] a rebellious Duke into possession, put out his [...]. The mutinous [...] he ouerthrew in diuers great battels. And taking Sa [...]uell their lea­der, and fifteen thousand prisoners, bereft them all of their eyes, leauing on ly one his sight, to conduct Samuell: Samuell died for griefe a while after. [...] hauing inlarged the bounds of the Empire, departed this life at Lxxii. ye [...]res of age, and the Lii. of his raigne, leauing Constantine his brother, H [...] Lord [...] the Empire.

Constantine.

COnstantine raigned three yeares, after the death of his brother, a man of al [...] o [...]her mo [...] sloathfull, and committing the charge of the Em­pire [...]ther men [...] care: he died at seuenty years of age, leauing behind [Page] him three daughters, Eudochia, Theodora, and Zoe, married to Romanus Ar­giropylus, who succeeded him. About this time Henry Duke of Burgundy, leauing no yssue behind him, bequeathed his dutchy to thek. of Fraunce by testament.

Romanus Argiropylus.

ROmanus Argiropylus the son in law of constantine, and his heire, altered the forme of many things to the letter, and was very liberal to al men. But after his iourney into Asia against the Saracens, which hapned not according to his hopes, he suddenly chaunged, and gaue himselfe wholy to sloath and auarice. And a while after, by the treason of Zoe, a most lasciuious and barren woman, and Michaell Paphlagon the adulterer, he was drowned in A Bathing, when he had reigned 5. years and a halfe.

Otho 3.

OTho the third, duke of Saxony, the son of Otho the second, being nomi­nated Emperor by the German Princes, was crowned Emperour by Gregory the fifth, his kinsman, (sur-named Bruno) and whom he had preferred to the papacy. But the Emperor returned into Saxony, Gregorye the. 5. was forced from the citty by Iohn the Antipope. Which Otho hearing, in a rage, gathered his forces, returning into Italy, and took Rome by force. Crescentius the Consull and author of the sedition he tooke, put out his eies, cut off his eares, and set him on an Asse with his face towards the taile, to be B derided through the whole citty, and at last slue him. He likewise thrust out the eyes of Pope Iohn, and restored his kinsman Gregory to his former dig­nity. It was this Gregory that made the Law, which is held inviolable to this day, in this forme. None of the Emperors hereafter shall claime the Empire by in he­ritance. Let six Princes, whereof three to be of the clergy, and three of the Layty be chosen: If these cannot agree, Let the King of Bohemia be Vmpier. When he had reigned xix. year, he died at Rome, not without suspition of poyson. He ma­ried Mary the daughter of the king of Aragon, and as report went, an intem­perat woman. For his quick wit, and singular wisedome, he was called the wonder of the world. About this time the cittie of Soysons by the treason of C Erle Retgnold escheted to the crowne of France.

Henry 2.

HEnry the second of this name, a Bavarian, surnamed claudus, either the sonne of the first Otho, or Nephew by his daughter, being chosen Emperor by the electors, according to the instituion of Gregory, in the yeare of our Lord 1003. deferred his iourney into Italy, by the space of xii. years. He had much to do with the French, but more with the people of Mets. Being crowned at Rome by Benedict the eight, he remoued to c [...]p [...]a, and expulsed the Saracens out of Italy. He besieged Troia in the borders of Apulia, D where once Hanniball pitched his camp, and was builte by the Greekes, and tooke it by composition. Historians do much commend this Henry, that be­ing a most christian prince, hee liued alwaies chast with his wife [...]. Hauing ouerthrown the hungars, he petswaded them to christianity by rea­sons and importunat intreaties, giuing withall his daughter in marriage, to Stephenk of hungary: when he had gouernd the Emzelously & religiously [Page] eight years he died, and was buried at Vrāberg, Conradus the ii. a Frenchman, being lawfully chosen his successor by the electors, for the integrity of his life, and the miracles after his death, he was admitted into the Cathalogue of Saints.

Conrade 2.

COnrade a Frenchman, the second of the name, after three years inter­reigne, at last by the lawfull suffrage of the princes electors, was cho­sen Emp. for his vertues and military discipline. In the beginning of his raigne, finding all thinges out of order, he wrought his son into the co­partnership of the Empire, least in his absence in Italy, his subiects in Ger­many for want of an head should mutiny. He besiedged Millain along time, E and as he threatned the citty with finall destruction, being terrified with an Oracle, he desisted from his purpose. And so departing from Millain, he cam to Rome, where he was crowned with the crown of gold by Iohn the xii. He fought happily against the Sclauonians and Pannonians, who had ayded him in pacifieng Italy. He builded the church of Spire, with great cost, wherein with Gisclla his Wife, vpon whom he begat Henry the second, he lyeth bu­ried, in the xv. yeare of his raign. In his raign, the Counsell of Triburgi was held at Mogunce, and Burgundy was diuided into a Dukedome and an Earle­dome, the Dukedome to appertaine to the house of France, the Earledome F to the Empire.

Michaell Paphlago.

MYchael Paphlago, the adulterer of Zoe, and who had slain hir husband, was preferred to the Empire of Constantinople, by the said Zoe. A woman nothing beautifull, but of a stirring spirit, wauering vpon all occasions, and of a stinking breath, Who would not cursse such immoderat affections in a woman of fifty yeares of age? Or nor admire the inconstancy of Fortune in a price of such worth? At last she arrogated to her selfe all im­perial iurisdiction, and vsed Michaell as her vassall. But this submissiue slatte­rie G lasted not long, for Michaell tooke the gouernment into his own hands, and proued no euill Prince. He concluded a three yeares truce with the E­giptian king, and deliuered Edessa from siege. At last, falling sick of an Ague, he nominated Michaell calaphet his successour in the empire, when he had al­most reigned 7. yeares.

Mychaell calaphet.

MYchaell calaphet, a man most ignoble, was adopted by Zoe, whose pa­rentes caulked Ships in Paphlagonia, from whence hee tooke his sur­name. He was a Prince subtill and deceitful, a dissembler euery way, H enuious, wrathfull, and apt to heare tales: he tooke a solemne oath at the feet of Zoe, that he would be onely a titular emperor, but the regiment of the state should remaine in her disposition. Being preferred to the Empire by these slatteries, and once established, he gouerned all things couetously, trecherously, and cruelly. Ingreatefull he was towards all men, first he depo­sed his vncle, next the remainder of his kindred he slew, afterwards he bani­shed [Page] Zoe, pretending that shee went about to poyson him, from thought whereof, she was most innocent. But the people taking her banishment in euill part, called Zoe from banishment, created her Empresse, and recone­ring Michaell in his flight, put out his eyes, as also his brother Constantius, a familiar kind of punishment amongst the Greeks. He was Lord 4 months and so many dayes.

Henry 3.

HEnry the son of Conrade the Frenchman, surnamed Niger, when he was crowned Emperor, by the consent of the Prince, insorced Vlda­ricke A king of Bohemia, weary of war, to become tributary: he restored Peter king of Hungary deposed by his subiects. At Capua he ouerthrewe the Saracens, but being weary of the controuersies of Rome, hee banished all the counterfet pretendants to that see, and elected Sindeger bishop of Bamber sole Pope, afterwards called Clement the eleuenth, by whom in the assem­bly of the Synod, he was consecrated Emperor Agustus. And to giue future security in the election of Popes, hee inforced the Romaines to take an oth, that euer after they shuld not medle with chusing of Popes. After that he put a new Garrison into Capua, to withstand the attempts of the Saracens. Re­turning into Germany, he procured his son, but fiue yeares olde, to be no­minated B Caesar, & crowned at Aquisgraue. He died the xvii year of his raign: he married Agnes the daughter of William Prince of Aquitan. In his raign a­rose the heresie of the Manichees in Gostar, who accursed the eating of al sorts of liuing creatures.

Zoe.

ZOe being restored and called from banishment, thanked the people, & to their good liking gouerned Constantinople. She countenanced hir sister Theodora, and was married the third time to constantinus Monoma­chus, restored from banishment. And scarce 3. moneths were ouerpast, but she nominated him Emperor. C

constanstinus Modo.

COnstantinus Modo. being graced with the titles of an Emperor, proued asloathfull Prince, and wholy giuen to wantonnes, kept a concubine in place of his wife, a woman of an excellent beauty he bore out 2. most grieuous ciuill warres, the one raised by Maniaces Georgius, the other by Leo Tornicius, besides many forraine. In his time began the armies of the Turkes to prosper in Asia, and he yet ouercam the Roxolani and the Patzinacae a kind of Scithian people. From this Princes cowardize, the ensuing miseries took D their Originall. At last both he and his wife died about one time of the pesti­lence: he reigned xii. yeares. He was liberall to the poore, and bountifull to churches. He erected an almes house for aged persons, & was trobled with the Gout.

Theodora.

THeodora the sister of Zoe without the agreement of the Senate, gouer­ned the Empire 2. yeares, by the potency of hir fathers Eunuhs, who [Page] confirmed her in despight of one Nicephorus, gouernor of the Bulgarians, whom the Senat had chosen Emperor. Daring her gouernment the peace at home and abroade was so well kept, and the people founde such ease and plenty of all things, that no man repented a womans gouernment. But age comming on, and her disease incresing, by the flatteries of her Euunuches, she elected Michaell a very old man, her partner in the Empire.

Michaell the elder.

MYchaell the elder, a man very famous for his birth and wealth, but by reason of his olde age, vnfit for gouernment, after the death of Theo­dora, E was preferred to the Empire by the same Euunuchs, vpon con­dition, that in name he shold be Emperor, but in gouernment, themselues. But when he was found to be vnfit for the place, he was deposed by the Pa­triarch and the senat, & thrust into a monastery, when he hadde ruled scarce one yeare. Being made a priuat man, he liued not long after.

Henry 4.

HEnry the 4. (but with Ignatius the third) sonne of the last Henry, was a Prince addicted to all wicked and vngodly course, and by Gregory the seuenth (otherwise called Heldebrand, to whom he was aduersary) declared an enemy of the church, and interdicted. Wher at finding himself agreeued, he leuied an Army, and taking with him Clement, whom he had F created Bishop in Germany, came to Rome, where he ouerthrew the chur­ches of S. Peter and Paule, and besiedged Gregory. His mother Agnes, a woman of excellent Wisedome, he depriued from all gouernment, for that she rebuked him in these his courses. He ouerthrew Rodulph, elected Empe. by the Princes, at the instigation of Gregory. What in him lay, he hindered the iourny of the christian Princes to the Holy lande. At last being taken by his son Henry, whom he had chosen Emperor, and committed to prison at Leyden in the xlviii. yeare of his raigne, hee departed this life, through the loathsome stincke of the prison. Heldebrand sent the imperiall crowne to Ro­dulph with this inscription: Petra dedit Petro, Petrus diadema Rodulpho, mea­ning, G that as Christ gaue soueraigne authority to the church, so the church had power to bestow it againe on Princes.

Henry V.

HEnry the fifte, the brother of the fourth, receiued the ensignes of the Empire after the death of his Father, whom he persecured with war, and retained the same spleene, especially against the Sea of Rome, in regard whereof, Pope Pascall did what he could to debarre his entrance into the cittie. Which the courage of the young Prince taking in scorne, got the Pope into his power, inforced his coronation, and dealt cruelly with the re­sidue of the Roman clergy. Which when the bishop in the next counsell had H disanuled, as acts procured by force and violence, Henry in great fury re­turned to the citty, and was againe crowned by the Gouernor Bachar. At his third iourney into Italy, he expulsed Gesalius the second out of the cittie. At his returne into Germanie. he died: leauing no children behind him, in the fifteene yeare of his empire, and was buried at Spire, amongst his predeces­sors.

Isaac Conuenus.

ISaac Conuenus borne of a Noble house, quick of dispatch, strong, valiant in warre, prouident in peace, resolute, and maiesticall, by the fauor of the Pa­triarch (towards whom afterwards he proued an ingrate prince and banished himselfe and his kindred) after Michaell gouerned the Empire. Being taken with a paine in his side as he rode on hunting, and disparing of help, he tooke orders, and resigned his Empire. Being accused that hee vsed Michell tyran­nously, he answered he did it for the common-weales sake. Hee gouerned the Constantinopolitan Empire two yeares and three months.

Constantine Ducas.

COnstantine Ducas was no sooner declared Emperour by the suffrages of A the whole Senat and people, but he discouered a dangerous plot of trea­son against his person, and hardly escaped it with safety of his life. Hee had three sonnes, and as many daughters by his wife Eudcchia: he was zealous of religion, an obseruer of equity, an indifferent good states-man, but cone­rous aboue measure, and therefore is beloued of his people, and scotned of his enemies, on al sides vexing him and his dominions. To these former miseries were adioyned homebred calamities, (: Viz:) that lamentable earth-quake which ouerthrew Churches and houses. He died in the sixty yeare of his age, and in the xii. yeare of his raigne: Some say the first. B

Eudochia.

EVdochiea the wife of Constantinus Ducas togither with her sonnes, as yet not fit for gouernment: succeeded her husband, her priuat matters she had beene able to gouerne easily by her owne womannish wisedome, if that the Warres had giuen ouer abroad: but the Barbarians being euery where ready to assaile, and spoile many parts of the Empire, being compelled of the Senat and the people to chuse a most valiant Prince, who should defend the common-wealth with wisdome and fortitude, in preuenting so great dangers, and brideling the forces of her enemies, after shee had gouerned seauen months, by her sons consents, she tooke for her husband a Roman sur-named Diogenes. C

Romanus Diogenes.

DYogenes the Roman hauing vndertaken the Empire, when hee had con­quered the Turkes, and had freed the common-wealth from feare, being taken of the Senat (because he would seeme to depriue his sonnes in law of their right to the Empire) and his eies being put out, he was banished into an Island wherein hee was buried by his Wife Eudochia, after hee had raigned three yeares and eight months. His father Patricius gouerned the states, and for sedition was banished into Sardinia.

Michaell.

MYchaell the son of Constantinus Ducas, sur-named (for the great famine D which was in the time of his gouernment) Parapinaceus succeedeth the Empire, being not fit to gouerne, the care of his matters deliuered vnto two Eunuches, he applyed himselfe onely to the study of letters, and ma­king of verses. Wherefore the Turkes euery where assailing the gouernors, as it were compelled, chose for their Emperor Nicephorus Botoniates, discending [Page] from the Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, whom the Cittizens of Constantino­ple easily admitted, by cause of the displeasure they bore their sloathful prince, first hauing thrust Michaell with his wife and sonne into a Monastery, & taken for a Monke: he raigned six years.

Nicephorus.

NYcephorus elected in the place of Michaell, hauing taken Constantine the sonne of Constantine Ducas, who challenged the Empire for his right, he shaued him and annoynted him priest. But not long after being de­ceiued by Alexius Conuenus who was better beleeued of the Souldiers, he was cast out of the Empire in the third year of his raign, the city being taken by the E Souldiers vpon that day which was Easter daie, and was cast into a Monasterie or couent, wherein some while hee liued. At this time God-frey of Bolein Duke of Loraine tooke his voyage into Iudea against the Saracens, attended by the most famous, & most excellent prince of France, hauing either sold or pauned their goods.

Alexius Conuenus.

ALexius Conuenus the successor of Necephorus, as it were a profest enemy to the Latines, more then for the war that hee vnhappily atchieued with Robert Viscardus, being helpt also by the Venctians, hee fought to hinder that memorable voiage of the French-men, whom hee seemed alwaies to sus­pect F from the beginning, but his purpose not taking effect, he receiued the French-men vpon condition to furnish them with prouision and other neces­saries, if so bee that they would render to him what thinges soeuer they tooke from the enemy, amongst our captaines he seemed to attribute much to Boa­mundus the Norman. At length hauing betaken himselfe to peace, he built a house for fatherlesse children to be kept in, and a schoole wherein they might be instructed in learning, giuing the expenses out of his owne reuenewes. Hee was exceedinglie giuen to praier, well ordered in his manners, in the end be­ing much troubled with a disease, hee died when he had raigned thirty yeares foure months and a halfe, leauing the Empire to his sonne Iohn, his mother at G the first being against it.

Caloioannes.

CAloioannes the sonne of Alexius conuenus his father being dead obtained the Empire, he gaue many dignities vnto his kins folke, but especially vnto his brother Isaac, who with increadible loue he affected, he was wonder­fully cumbred with the Frenchmen and Venetians. Hee obtained many and fa­mous victories in the East against the Turkes, at the length when he was a hun­ting, he wounded a finger of his right hand with a dart, by himselfe poisoned which hee cast at a barre, he died the twenty fiue yeare of his raigne, he named Manuell his younger brother Emperor, because Isaac was not yet so fit to go­uerne, H a prince not altogether to be misliked.

Lotarius 2.

LOtarius the second whom some call Luderus Duke of Saxony, was created Emperor by the electors, there was great difference betweene him and conrade (who after was Emperour) for the Empire, which afterward was appeased by the industrie of S. Barnard. Hee made a voyage against the [Page] Bohemians, but the matter being vnaduised done, hee lost many of his men, at length peace being desired betweene them, it was concluded. He went twice into Italy, the first to appease rebellions stirred vp in Rome against Innocent the second (of whom hee was Crowned) for the election of a new Bishop, the next time against Roger who vniustly held Campania and Apulia, him hee draue from Italy. These things being finished, in his iourney hee died of the plague, when hehad raigned eleuen yeares.

Conradus 3.

COnrade the third borne in Sweuland, King of Bauaria, Nephew to Henry the fourth by his daughter, obtained the Empire by the consēt of the princes, A he attempted the greatest voyage of al; that is to say, of Asia against the Sara­cens, the which iourney Lewes the younger, sonne of Lewes sur-named Crassus King of France, and Richard king of Englande had attempted once before, but Bosphorus the Thracian being conueied ouer, they were compelled to raise their siege of Iconium before they had brought any thing to passe, and to de­part to their great dishonor, by the deceit and treachery of Emanuel Emperor of Constantin. as it shall be reported in his subsequent life. Conradus hauing gotten no reputation returned into Germany, not hauing receiued the diadem of the Empire, he died in the fifteenth year of his raigne.

Emanuell. B

EManuell or Manuell Brother of Coloioannes, or as some will haue it his sonne Emperour of Constantinople, a most wicked and pernitious man to the christian common-wealth, when conradus made his voyage to Ieru salem, his Souldiers were almost consumed by famine, faining to helpe them with prouision, by wicked trachery hee gaue them meate mixt with lime and stones beaten small: in the like manner perfidiously hee deceiued Lewes the French King, so that in a short time the great strength of our Souldiers was consumed, so that of the great multitude scarce the tenth escaped, he stirred vp Stephen the King of Pannonia, against the Venetians, and put out both the eies of Dandalus their Ambassador, offering his mind somewhat freely against the law of all Nations: being a breaker of leagues, hee cals forth the fautors and C then laieth hold of them. In conclusion, being oppressed by the Wars of the Venetians, hauing promised full restitution of their goodes, hee obtained by request that hee might restore them by annual pensions. Hee fought a most deadly battel with the Turkes, in the which he was almost taken prisoner, at last when he was accounted a most skilfull Astrologer, and had promised himsefe long life, and prosperous raigne, hauing liued amongst a society of Moonks, he died when he had raigned thirty and eight yeares.

Alexius.

ALexius being yet very young succeeded his father Manuell: his father ap­pointed D by his Testament Andronicus to be his protector, who behaued himselfe craftily, and pernitiously towards him, for he draue out the La­tines who were the Emperors greatest friends, and then being blinded with the desire of the Empire, he priuily murdered his kinsman Alexius, being eleauen yeares old, when he had raigned three yeares, hauing first cut off his head, the body being put into a sacke, he cast it into the sea.

Fridericus.

FRederick called. Aenobarbus, by reason that his beard was red, was borne in Sweuland, his father being Frederick brother of Conradus the King: say­ling into Italy he ouerthrew Mediolanum, Derthona, Creniona, and many Citties which rebelled against him: entring Rome the gates of Vaticane being shut, he was crowned by Pope Adrian the fourth: but the Romans rebelling, he was not able to avoid them, at length hauing destroied many places, returning after some yeares he went towards Rome againe, where hee draue Alexander into the citty, and tooke Vatican with the Cathedrall Church of S. Peter. In the end going vnfortunatly to the citty of Mediolanum which was assisted by the E Venetians, he scarce escaped by flight, al priuat grudges being ended, and peace concluded, he intended to make a voyage into Siria, but in sailing thither it is said he was drowned when he had raigned thirty seauen yeares.

Henry 6.

HEnry the sixt by reason of his cruelty called Asper, his father liuing was by the consent of the Germaine Princes crowned King of the Romans at the citty of Aquisgraue. Afterward his father being dead he was marri­ed [...] Constance the daughter of Roger a Norman being a Nunne and now ready for a husband, by Pope Clement the fourth, vpon this condition that for F his sake he would expell the bastard Tancred out of the kingdome of Sicily, the which as the Pope alledged pertained to him; therefore Henry hauing proui­ded an army in short time vanquished Tancred, and by force tooke and sacked Naples, killing two daughters of Tancred that were as yet vnmarried. There are some notwithstanding that write that the Emperor was hindered from his en­terprise by the plague, and that he obtained the kingdome by the death of Tan­cred: after these things, falling sick at Messana he died, hauing a sonne named Frederick by his wife constance, when he had raigned eight yeares.

Andronicus.

ANdronicus Conuenus hauing slaine his Cozen Alexius. Hee obtained the G Empire; that he might easier establish Tiranny in a short space, he slue all the the peeres whose vertue in any sort he suspected, being hated of al men for his gratted cruelty, when he was euery way oppressed by William the [...], at length contrary to al mens oppinion and his owne, he was conque­red in battel, by Isaac sur-named Angelus, and east out of his Empire, being ta­ [...]n, and riding through the citty vpon a Camell, carried about with his hand cut off, and his eics put out, vpon his head a wreath of garlike placed in steed of [...], [...] by the rage of multitude and common people, he died, when he had [...] two yeares.

Isaacus Angelus. H

ISaac sur-named Angelus, borne of the middle stock of the Conueus, when he had contrary to all mens hope conquered Andronicus, he to no purpose gathered a name against ciprus. He likewise infortunatly, waged war with the Mysians. He entertained Frederick Aenobarbus Emp. of the Romans sayling in­to [...] very honorably Hee redeemed his younger brother Alexius taken by the [...]urks for a great sum of mony, by huge treachery, he was by him depriued [Page] of his eies and Empire, castinto prison, with the like treachery, he would haue slain his Nephew Alexius, being his agent the twelueth yeare of his raigne. At length when he endured long captiuity, he was redeemed by his sonne Alexi­us, and restored to the Empire, hee died by the contagion of the ayer, as it thought drawen togither by seldome vse of the same, when he had raigned six­teene yeares.

Phillip.

PHillip the son of Frederick, Barbarossa brother of Henry the sixt, was chosen Emperor by the greater part of the Germaine princes, but Pope Innocent the third confirmeth, annoynteth, and crowneth with the Emperiall di [...] ­dem the Duke of Saxoni, elected by some of the Princes, because his progeni­tors A hadde before time, defended his Papall dignity, by which discorde then arose Warre, Otho being ayded by the King of England, and Phillip by the French King: yet Phillip alwaies preuaild, and Otho being vanquished hee ob­tained the Empire: Afterward when Phillip had raigned nine yeare, (happe­ning as a man would say by the appointment of God) he was miserably slame by Otho, of Vuittelspack, County Palatine at Bamberge, vpon that day that hee was let blood by his Phisition. Frederick the first the father of Phillip, giuing that famous nobility and kindred to Otho of Vuittelspack.

Otho. B

OTho Duke of Saxony, whom Innocent the Pope (Phillip being dead, euen in malice towards him) had chosen Emperour, for the taking away of discord, was easily elected of the Germaine Princes, and fourthwith Crowned at Rome by euery mans consent, by the said Pope Innocent, but be­cause hee tooke certaine buildings from the Popes Dominions, and inua­ded the kingdome of Frederick the younger, King of Sicily, hee was excom­municated and driuen out of his Empire, and Frederick his prosessed enemy, Pope Innocent laboring for him, and the Italians assisting him was created Em­peror in his steed, being vanquished hee went into Germainy, to set matters in good order, and proclaimeth warre against Phillip the second, King of France, C neither was hee brought lowe and vanquished without manifest declaration of the vertue and power of the French-men, in that memorable battell and de­struction at Bononie being dishonored, hee betooke himselfe to his countrey, where not long after he died when he had raigned but foure yeares.

Alexius Angelus.

ALexius Angelus murtherer of his brother, a Prince altogither addicted to wickednesse, hauing as it is said before, depriued his elder brother of his sight and Empire, possessed the Emp. endeuoring by all meanes to destroy his Nephew Alexius, the soone of Isaac, which not long after hee most grieuously reuengd, for hauing vanquished and obtained Bazantium by siege, he redeemed his father from prison, and placed him yet liuing in the empire, D but Alexius which murdered his eldest brother, about midle of the night fled awaie: his Nephew Alexius after the sudden death of his father, by the French men and Venetians being ordained Emperor.

Alexius the younger.

Alexius the younger restored to the empire of Constantinople, establi­shed [Page] a league with the French-men and Venetians (by whose help is said he ob­tained the Empire) vpon condition that the Patriarch of Constantinople should giue place to the Pope of Rome as his better, & that he should restore the damages the French-men and the Venetians had receiued by Manuel. Who when he went about to performe what he had promised, he was slaine of Mur­ziphilus a base companion, whom he searce a moneth after his restitution, be­ing a very child, had eleu [...]ted to the greatest steppe of honor: but Murziphi­lus hauing possessed the Empire, and ouersl [...]pping the citty of Bizantium, was taken of the French-men and the Venetians, and brought back to Constanta­nople, where through shame and griefe, hee miserably died: the excellent E vertue of the French-men and the Venetians hauing easily assured the Empire to the Italians, which the factious and troublesome Nation of the Gracians had so many yeares possessed.

Balwin of Flaunders.

BAlwin Earle of Flaunders, (the citty hauing beene tooke since the flight of Murziphilus fifteene times) by help of the multitudes (with which, and the counsell of the Princes the power of creating the Emperour, and cho­sing the Patriarch, was attributed to be irrefragible) was chosen Emperour of Constantinople, and the Venetians chose Thona Mauronus to be Patriarch: ac­cording to the agreement: to wit (that if the French-men chose the Emp. the Venetians shall chuse the Patriarch) he went withall expedition to Rome with a F more willing minde then was thought, to be confirmed patriarch of Constan­tinople, because that the church of Constantinople was now vnder the go­uernment of the Roman Papacy. A little after returning, in a famous assembly of strangers, he confirmed by the Apostolike authority Balwin Emperor with a diadem, who searce a yeare being ended, when hee had vndertaken all things by Adrionopolis, he dying appointed his brother Henry to be his succes­sor.

Henry.

HEnry hearing of the death of his brother Balwin, raised his siege of A­driopolis, and returned to Constantinople, being made Emperour, he G made peace with Walachia, and married the Dukes Daughter, thence going into Thessalie, he made William the son of Boniface king of Thessaly: a lit­tle after hauing disposed and set al things in order, dying of an vnruly disease, hee left to be his heyre Iolanta his Daughter, Married to Peter Autifiodorensis when he had raigned cleauen yeares, or as others say thirteene.

Frederick 2.

FRederick the second begotten by Henry the sixt of his mother Constance, that most excellent woman, not so ful of yeares as wisedome, not much vnlike his Graund-father Baharossa, both in his importunat desire of war, as also in wisedome and counsell, by which he ouercame all dangers Otho the H first being dead was elected King of the Romans, and crowned with the Empe­riall diadem at Rome by Honorius the third: his mother Constance being dead, he pursued three Romaine Bishops, to wit: Honorius the third, Gregory the ninth, and Innocent the second hee deuided all Italy into the factions of the Guelphes, and Gibellines, which then newly began in Hetruria by Guelph and [Page] Gibell two Almain Captaines, which captaines likewise most pernitious to the Italians, pursued two Bishops till death: he ouercame the Millanois in battell which fauored their Bishop, hauing taken their captain Peter Teupolus he cru­elly slue him: by the meanes of Pope Innocent the sourth, hee was compelled the Empire, and excommunicated. Henry being Lanthgraue of Thuring, (which Lanthgraue is a dignity amongst the Germaines) is declared Emperor, which hee little esteeming off, possesseth the kingdome of Sicily, which when he had gouerned thirty two yeares, being troubled with a disease he was slame by the treachery of his bastard sonne Manfredus, this man remoued the vni­uersity of Bononia, vnto Patauie, because the Cittizens did not presently obey things that were commaunded. He cast also the Guelps out of Florence, he had A to wife the daughter of the King of Hierusalem, whence the title of the king­dome doth for euer remaine to the kings of Sicily: about this time Duke Ro­bert the brother of Lewes the French King, erected the colledge of Sorbon at Paris.

Peter Altisiodorensis.

PEter Altisiodorensis in the right of his wise when he had no man child ac­cepted of Honorius the Bishop the estate of the Empire, at S. Lawrence Church, thence returning when he assailed in vain Dyrrachium in the be­halfe of the Venetians, through a peace dissembled, being courteously inuited into Tessaly, in the middle of a banquet he was slam contrary to the solemne B oath of Theodor Lasearas, who being of Adrionopolis had declared himself Em­peror of Constantinople. When he had raigned fiue yeares.

Robert.

RObert succeeding his father Peter Altisiodorensis, and behauing himselfe well to the Ambassador of his fathers captiuity, flew to Byzantium. This man tooke away the wife of one of his Peeres of Burgundy by her mo­thers consent, which the Burgundian stomaching, hee with his seruants brake voylently into the Emperors Pallace, and cut off the nose of his wife, and cast her mother (which was the occasion of the new marriage) into the sea: which iniury Robert being about to reuenge, he went to Rome, whence returning, he died in Achaia when he had raigned seauen yeares. C

Baldwin.

BAldwin the second succeeded his father Robert, who because hee was very young, he had Iohn Brennius King of Hierusalem, his father in law to assist him in gouerning the Empire, who being ded, Balwin gouerned the Em­pire alone, & at the length lost it: for the Graecian forces preuailing, he paund his sonne to the Venetians, and part of the holy crosse, and also al the donaries of churches, and obtained a huge army against Bosphore: but the warre perse­uering, and Michaell Paleologus being importunate against him, he was com­pelled to returne into his own kingdome, and he with others to flie, by which meanes the Grecians recouered their ancient state, so that whlies he feared for­rain D forces he was oppressed at home.

Alexius.

ALexius sur-named Angelus, or as other say Murziphilus, gouerned the Empire some few yeares, hee had no male-child by his wife but onely a Daughter called Irene. He succeeded Balwin.

Iohn Diplobatazius.

IOhn Diplobatazius Married Irene the daughter of Alexius, by which meanes the Empire was deliuered him, he had a sonne called Theodor.

Thoodorus.

THeodorus had three children by his wife, who being broken and wasted in France by war, sent them to Nicenis for their better safety: where they were not suffered to enter but vpon much entreaty. For the Cittizens shut their gates against them. In the meane time he tooke Adrinople. He mar­ried one of his daughters to the King of the Poeons, another Adronicus Lascarus E Despot: after whose death she was again married to Iohn Bataza.

Iohn Bataza.

IOhn Bataza held the title of Emperour 33. yeares at Zacynthus out of the bounds of his owne countrey: he had a son called Theodorus Lascaris, whom his father vpon his death-bed committed in trust to Michaell Paleologus, a man valiant in armes. But he murdering his pupill, vsurped, and confirmed the state to himselfe and his posterity

Michall Paleologus.

MYchaell Paleologus born at Viterbium taking Bizantium, and hauing slain F young Theodor, vsurped the Empire. Amongst his other acts, hee de­spoiled one William a French-man of the principalities of Achaia and Bythinia: he was enemy to the Venetians, by whom he had beene stripped of his imperiall dignity, had not the Genooise withstood them. In requitall of which good seruice, he gaue them the citty of Para. After that he went to Lions, to be present at the counsell which Gregory the x. had proclaimed: whereby forsa­king the rites of the greek church he incurred such hatred of his countreymen, that after his death they would not voutsafe him a place of buriall: hee gouer­ned the state fortie yeares and vpward. G

Rudolph.

RVdolph of Habspurg, two and twenty yeares after the death of Frederick (for so long continued the interreigne) was elected Emperor, and Al­phonse of Castile refused: he was confirmed at Lansana by the Pope, and ouercomming Othocar King of Bohemia in battaile, slue him. A false Frederick, who had proclaimed himselfe in Sweuia, he burned at Nouesium. By his Lieute­nant he forced the citties of Hetrucia. For hee neuer came into Italy, neither according to the custom of his predecessors was crowned at Rome, reciting a tale in Aesop of the Foxe, who answered the Messenger of the sick Lyon, in H this manner: Commend me to thy Maister, and say, that withall my hart I wish his recouery, and therefore will I make my deuout orisons to the heauenly powers: but for that I see all the foote prints of those beasts which of kindnes haue visited thy loue, to go forwards; but none to returne backwards, I haue apprehended so ex­treame a feare, that I doubt me, not one of those who haue entred his den, haue euer [Page] returned againe. In like manner Rudolph considered, that his auncestors had made many toilesome iournes with most florishing Armyes into Italy, but they euer returned with losse and dishonor. Hauing subiected Austria vnder his obeysans, hee created his sonne Albert Duke thereof, from whom the now Princes of Austria deriue their petigrees. He departed in the 18. yeare of his Empire, in whose time Albertus sur-named Magnus liued.

Adolphus.

THe first action that Adolphus count of Nassan titularie Emperor vnder­tooke, A was against the Columbarienses. After that, in his expedition a­gainst Albert the sonne of Caesar Duke of Austria, he was deposed by the German Nobility, being weary ofhis Ambitious and sensual life, in whose steede they preferred Albert. But when Adolph would not surrender, they fought it out neere Wormes, in which conflict Adolph perished, in the eight yeare of his raign.

Andronicus the elder.

ANdronieus Paleologus the elder succeeded his father Michael, and returned againe to the Greekish Rites. By his wife of the Hungarish race hee had one sonne sur-named Michaell after the name of his Graund-father. B

Andronicus the younger.

ANdronicus the younger a man most vngodly succeeded his father, and by the ayd of the Genooise, defeated his Graund-father Andronicus, and tooke the absolute gouernment vpon himselfe. But afterwards by the help of the Venetians, the elder Andronicus was restored to the Empire. Wher­upon arose cruell differents betweene the Genooise and the Venetians. But the elder being dead after he had raigned eighteene yeares, the younger Androni­cus gouerned solye, and performed many worthy seruices against the enemies of the Roman name. In the sixty and one yeare of his age he died, of an Ague and a paine in his head in the space of foure daies, about the 16. yeare of his C raigne. He left behind him two sonnes, Calo-ioannes and Manuell, whom hee intrusted to the tutorship of Iohn Catacunzenus.

Albertus.

ALbertus the sonne of Rudolph Caesar, Duke of Austria, hauing slaine A­dolph, was created Emperor by the suffrages of the Princes, and consent of Boniface the eight (hauing before stoutly denied their voices to Phil­lip the faire King of France) but vpon new condition, he should chalenge the kingdome of France to himselfe. But Phillip hauing giuen his daughter in D marriage to the sonne of Albert Caesar, was the cause that Albert sur-ceased his determinations. At last he was slain by Iohn his brothers sonne neer the Rhene, when he had raigned ten yeares.

Henry the 7.

HEnry the 7. Earle of Lucembourg, after the death of Caesar was declared Emperor of Romans, and vtterly vndid the Earle of Wittemberg, for [Page] that he would not subiect himselfe to the Empire. Clement the first ratified his inauguration, vpon condition, that hee should discend into Italy, which was then all in combustion: wherefore taking his iourney towards Italy by the woods of Taurinus, he tooke Lumbardy. He suppressed the factions of Turri­ana, & was Crowned with the Iron crown at Millain. Thence going to Rome, and after his Crotonation being expulsed by the Vrsins, and had pressed the Florentines to vtter despaire, he was poysoned by a preaching Moonke as he re­ceiued the Sacrament.

Lodowick.

LOdowick the Nephew of Rodulp by his sister, and Frederick Duke of Au­stria, E by the diuersity ofthe voices ofthe Princes electors, stroue eight yeares with doubtfull Warre for the Soueraignty: At last the Bauarian hauing taken and slaine the Duke of Austrich, raigned alone, and that without the consent of the Roman Bishop. Whereat three successiue Bishops, Iohn, Benedict, and Clement, being highly offended, excommunicated him; but hee setting light by these Buls and Church-censures, desended into Italy, and was crowned at Millain with the iron crowne, and at Rome with that of Gold, by one Stephan. He created Peter Corlarius a Minorite, Pope, and called him Ni­cholas. He changed the gouernors of the citty, and in dispight of the Bishop, created many pety Kings in Gallia Gisalpina: hee died in the 33. yeare of his F raigne.

Charles 4.

CHarles the fourth a Bohemian, the sonne of Iohn of Lucemberg King of Bo­hemia (Edward of England, and Gunther Roitelet of Monteniger, be­ing nominated) after their deceese was saluted Emperor: he ouerthrew Eleard Earle of Wittemberg in a famous conflict, and vtterly vndid him: hee beautified Prage with great magnificence & colledges of learning, neglecting his emperial Maiesty: he was crowned at Rome by two cardinals, at the appoint­ment of Innocent the sift, but vpon this most base capitulation, that hee should G presently depart Italy: hee deserued high commendation, for that Golden charter wherein were many excellent things contained for the good of the common quiet. He died in the 32. yeare of his raign, his sonne Venceslaus being first declared Caesar.

Iohn Catacunzenus.

JOhn Catacunzenus the tutor of Calo-ioannes and Manuell, tooke vnto him his Cozen Calo-ioannes, vnto whom he gaue his daughter in marriage. But fal­ling at ods with his cozen, he expulsed him and raigned Emperor alone. At last himselfe was banished, made a Moonke, and Calo-ioannes restored to the H Empire.

Colo-ioannes.

COlo-ioannes after the iniury receiued by Catacunzenus went into Tenedos, whō the Genooise vndertook to restore to the empire & his former dignity. [Page] By some he is called Iohn and not Calo-iohn, whom some men affirme, to haue vsed the aid and fauour of the Turkes, and that hee was the first that gaue them footing in Europe. At his death he bequethed the empire to his sonne Manuel. This Manuell the sonne after the death of his father, obtained the Empire, and begot seauen children. Iohn: Michaell, Theodor, Demetrius, and Constantine. Any other memorable act of his is not recorded.

Venceslaus.

VEnceslaus the sonne of Charles the fourth, a man. vnlike his father and Graund-father, through his sloath and cowardize afflicted the Empire, and had vtterly vndone the state thereof, had hee not beene taken by A his brother Sigismund, and in his stead Robert of Bauier presently proclaimed Emperor by the whole consent of the German Nobility. This man created Galeaze first Duke of Millain, who had conquered a great part of Italy, & which inheritance discended to his Nephewes euen vntill our times. Hee was cast into prison by his brother, and died in the two and twenty yeare of his raigne.

Robertus.

RObertus or Rupertus Duke of Bauaria was made Emperor in the place of Venceslaus, and soone after he was called into Italy of the Florentines, to B represse Galeatum, and skirmishing with him at Benacum, he was easily driuen back againe. Afterward he went to the Venetians and Cittizens of Trent, of whom hee was most honorably entertained, and so against the will of the Florentines, went out of Italy into Germany without doing any thing, and there resigned himselfe to peace and religion, vntill the tenth yeare of his raigne, wherein he died, leauing the Florentines in great troubles.

Ioannes.

IOannes the sonne of Manuell raigned after his father, being studious of peace and concord. He came into Italy and was present in the counsel of Florence, with Eugenius the fourth, afterward returning home he liued but a smal time. C Iosippus the Patriarch died at Florence.

Sigismundus

SYgismond sonne of Charles the fourth, and brother of Venceslaus, while he was a child married with Mary the daughter of the King of Pannonia. When his brother Venceslaus was taken he was made King of Bohemia. And Robert the emperor being dead, he was chosen by general consēt into his place. In three yeares he went ouer the greatest part of Europe to make peace, and in that time hee remoued the schisme of the two Popes. Hee oftentimes accused the princes of Germany for their hatred of Latine writers. Hee prouoked his owne countrey to enuy him, and was often prouoked to Warre by the Turkes D and Bohemians, and when he saw he should haue no sonne, he made Albertus Duke of Bauaria and his Daughters husband his heyre, in the seauen and thirty yeare of his raigne, and was buryed in his regall Albe in Vngaria.

Albertus.

[Page] ALbertus the sonne in law of Sigismund, raigned happely for the space of two yeares. Compelling the Morauians and the Sarmatians to rest with­in their borders. He ended the factions of Bohemia, and draue Amurath the Turke out of Hungaria, he tooke the citty Sindoronia and went into Greece, where he raced Thessalonica. At length he returned into Austria & dyed of a blody slixe at Longeuille, leauing behind him his sonne Laodislaus.

Constantinus.

COnstantinus the youngest sonne of Manuell, and when his brother Iohn died without yssue hee was made Emperour, when the most sauage and cruell Turkes had taken Constantinople spoyling and racing it downe, E he stood fearefully at the gate of the citty, wher he was trod vnder foote by the tumult of them that ran away, and so perished with his whole Nation and city. This destruction fel out in the yeare of the Lord one thousand foure hundred fifty and three, when Nicholas the fift was Pope, and Frederick the third was Emperor in Germany.

Frederick 3.

FRederick the third was Duke of Austria, and highly deuoted to peace and quietnesse: he easily pacified the Austrians which moued sedition. Hee married Eleanor sister to the king of Portugall, and went into Italy with his wife vnto Nicholas Pope of Rome, who set vppon their heads the imperiali crowne in the twelueth yeare of their raigne, and in the yeare of saluation, one F thousand foure hundred fifty two. He died in the fifty yeare of his raigne, ha­uing first made his sonne Maximillian Caesar.

Maximilianus.

MAximilian was made a King of Romans in his fathers life, and entred in­to Burgundy with a great Armye, and tooke Mary the Daughter of Duke Charles to wife, who was dead and left his Dukedome to her. And after that hee gotte the Empire, and when Mathias King of Pannonia was dead without yssue, he challenged that kingdome for his right, entring thereinto with an army, and took the regall Albe by force, but soone after he was beaten out by the enemy, and so returned into Germany where he found them against G him: first the Heluetians with whom he waged Warre. Afterward the Basilians who vtterly shooke off their subiection to the Empire, whose example drew many of the neighbor people to do the like, whereby a great part of the Ro­maine maiesty was abated. He did not take the crowne after the manner of his predecessors, nor euer saluted the Bishop of Rome or the Apostles Monu­ments. He was the father of Phillip Arch-duke of Austria by his wife Mary, who was made the sonne in law to the King of Spaine and his succession: his daughter Margaret first contracted with Charles the eight, King of France, and then refused was married to Phillibert Duke of Sauoye. He married with the daughter of viscount Galeacius, after the death of his first wife, and at length H died in Austria in the nine and fifty year of his age, and the three and thirtieth yeare of his Empire.

Charls 5.

CHarles the fist was sonne to Phillip Arch-duke of Austria, and Nephew to Maximilian, he was K. of Spaine, and being Prince of Austria he was de­clared [Page] Emp. at Francfort, by the princes electours in the yeare of our saluation one thousand fiue hundred ninteene, and was crownd at Bononia by Clement the seuenth, although he first denied his confirmation, except he would re­signe into his hands the kingdome of Naples, because he affirmed that the kings of Naples were bound vnto the Pope to renounce the Empire whiles they should be kings of Naples. In his time was Rhodes taken by the Turkes after seuen months siege, to the dishonour of all Christendome: afterwarde Frauncis the French king was taken prisoner at Pauy in Italy, by the Empe. Lieutenant, and so sent into Spaine. After the Emperor had bin in England, and made league with king Henry the eight at Windfor, and the French K. A remained prisoner in Spaine, till a peace was concluded betwixt the Empe. and him, vpon condition, to set themselues aboue all against the Turke, and the Lutherans. About which time the Emperor married with the daughter or Emanuell king of Portugall, and shortly after the Duke of Bourbon hauing bin formerly called into Italy (to assaile Naples) by the Empe. he besieged and tooke Rome; and in the sacking thereof, his souldiors obseruing no honesty, or decorum, as commonly it falleth out in such exploits, he was slaine with a bullet, and afterward Clement the Pope was besieged in the castle of saint Angelo, vntill he was deliuered by the ransome of 40000. Dacates. But the King of France sent into Italy his forces to relieue the Pope. The king of En­gland B demanded of the Emperor interest for fiue hundred thousand skutes which he had borrowed of the king, & by agreement was to pay him 133000. Skutes by the yeare, which if it were not presently payed, he denounced war, because the Emperour had broken the accordes betwixt them, made in the yeare 1522. when he was in England. The king of France demaunded of the Em. his two children whom he had left for hostages with the Emp. offering siluer for them, and so they were deliuered for twentye hundred thousande Skutes: out of which money was the k. of Englands debt to be discharged, & so apeace was concluded betwixt the Emperor, and the french king at Cam­bray, by the mediation of Margaret the Emperors Ant, & Loyse the French kings mother. C

The Florentines hauing banished out of their citty the family of Medices, were besieged by the Emperor and the Pope, and driuen to a composition to receiue Alexander de Medices for their Prince, vnto whom was promised in marriage, the Emperors bastard daughter. Ferdinand the Emperors yon­ger brother, was declared king of the Ro. at Collen, & shortly after crowned at Aix, and the Turke comming the second time against Vienna, was forced by the Emperor and Ferdinand to retire, and afterward when he came with agreat Army and besieged the towne and castle of Ginute neere Belgrade, he was made by Nicholas Inrixe then in the town to leaue the siege, when as D Margaret the Emperors aunt, had receiued the gouerment of the low coun­tries by the Emp. she not long enioyed that honor, but died, and Mary Q. of hungary the Em. sister was placed in that honor. The Emperour went into Affricke, and there tooke the tovvne of Tunis, and the Forte of Golete, and made the king Muleasse tributary: vvhere Barbarosse the Turkes lieutenaunt, escaped vnto Argile. Aftervvard the Emperor retired into Sicily, and then [Page] with a great power into Prounce, where hee was so sore distressed for victu­all, that hee was forced to retire into Genes, and from thence by sea into Spaine, leauing the Count Nassau to besiege Peronny, and afterward Terouan­ne, but could not take it, and then a peace was concluded betwixt the Em­peror and the French king at Nice for ten yeares, and afterward Castelubro, atowne of Illyria was taken from the Turkes by the Emperor and the Veneti­ans; and Castelnoue was taken by the Turke Barbarosse from the Emperor, and all the Spanish garrison slaine. Wherupon the Emperor and the French king, sollicitted the Venetians to ioyn with them in warre against the Turks, who were not moued by that Ambassage, but sent to make peace with the E Turke. Ferdinand king of Romains, besieging Bude in Hungary, was repel­led by the Turks, and a great company of his Souldiors slaine. The Queene was forced to yeelde the Towne vnto him, and shee with her little sonne called Stephen, were banished into Transiluania. The Emperor to hinder the Turke, and to draw him out of Hungaria, made faile to Argiere, but throgh agreat tempest he lost almost all his artillery and furniture of Warre, and so was forced to retire back again into Spaine: vpon which occasion, the French were mooued to take war against him, and in the moneth of Iuly following they pilled all Brabant.

Then the Emperor crowned his son Phillip k. of Spain, and married him to the daughter of Iohn king of Portugal, and afterward the Emperor and the F King of England, made warre vpon the French king, and the Duke of Cleue was drawne from his aliance with Fraunce by the Emperor. But the Empe. forces were discomfited at Carignan in Pieniont, by the Prince of Auguien. The Emp. tooke Luxembrrough, Ligin and S. Dedier, and the king of England took Bullen. When as the Duke of Saxony, was taken prisoner by the Empe. and condemned to death, yet spared at the request of the elector of Brande­bourge, vpon condition that he shoulde subiect himselfe to the Pope, tou­ching religion: hee rather chose to die, then to yeelde to that extremity. Whereat the Emperor marueiled, and remitted him that Article, yet was he deposed from his Dukedome. Finally in this Emperors raign, was there G great persecution in all places for Religion vnder the names of Lutherans, Zwinglians, Oceolampadians, caluinists, and other. Ther sprung vp in his time many damnable hereticks to disgrace the Gospell, either by opposition, or perdition. But of the most damnable Sects that euer arose wer two, Anabap­tists denying all good policy in the world, trusting vnto illuminated reuela­tions; and the Iesuits instistuted by Paul the fourth, first called Peter Carapha, (a notable Hipocrite) who in a book of his own writing before he was Pope, taxed the church of Rome vnto Paule the third, for all the abuses, or the most part of them condemned by the Protestants. These Iesuites haue taught the Roman catholicks equiuocation, to dissemble with Magistrates, that are not of H their religion vpon their oathes in examination, and are the common plat­formers for the Romish Church to poison all the common-wealths of Chri­stendome. This Em. resigned his imperiall crown into the handes the Elect­ors by Ambas. for the behalfe of his brother Ferdinande, and after he had raigned 37. yeares hee died, at a monastery in Spaine, of the order of Ieroni­us, in the yeare of saluation. 1558.

Ferdinandus.

FErdinandus brother of Charles, was consecrate Emper. in the towne of Francfort, by the Princes electors. In whose time the warres betwixt the late Em. discended by hereditary enuy, to Phillip king of Spain, & the Frenchking, were composed by reason of a mariage betwixt the said king of Spaine, and the French kings daughter. In his time were raised great wars in Germany, France, Flaunders, Artois, Lorraine, and in Italy, by the instigation of Pope Iulius the third. Then began the Spanish inquisition to be directed against christians, which was first of all set vp against Iewes which kepte the A Ceremonies of the Law, after they were baptized. Henry the French king was slaine by the slifter of a speare broke vpon him, in Iusting or at Turney, by the Count Montgommery. The Tyusuffeldians renewed the heresie of Euti­ches, confounding the two natures of Christ. The counsell of Trent which continued at sundry Sessions eighteene yeares, after it had established the Roman religion, in whole was dissolued. Sundry bloody battailes wer sought by sea and land betwixt the Danes and the Suedes. The Turkes assailed Malta, and were repulsed. Afterward Hungaria, where the Germans resisted them valiantly. In this time florished Melancthon, Musculus, Hiperius, caluin, Peter B Matir, and Conradus Gesnerus, men of singular learning and piety, zeale and good life, for the good edification of christs church, whose works and books shall neuer cease to commend all religion to posterity. This Emperour was a peaceable Prince, and not turbulent, and died in the sixty one yeare of his age, and seauenth yeare of his raigne at Vienna in Austrich, leauing his sonne Maximilian to succeed him.

Maximilianus.

MAximilianus son of Ferdinand, king of Romans and Bohemia, was cho­sen Emperor-In his time Soliman the great Turke troubled Hunga­ria, C and tooke diuers townes thereof, and afterward died, leauing the succession to his son Zelim. The Emperor mooued warre against Iohn Frede­rick Duke of Saxony, and tooke him prisoner vppon the same day twentye yeares, after that his father was taken prisoner by Charles the fift. The duke of Alua, came into the low countries, and afterward there grew very hotte warres because of the inquisition. The people wore a piece of money about their necke, hauing on the one side the kings image, and on the other a beg­gers dish, with this inscription: Faithfull to the king, euen to the beggars dish. The second ciuill wars in France began, wherein the Constable was slayne. The king of Spaine imprisoned charles his onely son, whereof the Fle [...]nges D complained to the Emperor, suggesting that it was done by the instigation of the inquisitors, because hee misliked the Duke of Alua his cruelty in the low countryes, and this Prince dyed in prison. There were seene in the hea­uens three Moons, one in equal distance from another. This Emperor per­mitted the Lords and Gentlemen of Austrich to haue free libertye to exer­cise [Page] their reformed religion, after the doctrine in the confession of Ausburg, intheir castles, townes, and houses. The Turke tooke a part of Ciprus from the Venetians, as Nicosia and Famagota, yet they lost a famous battaile at Le­panto by the christians confederate. It rained Wheat, Turnup-rootes, and pease in Slesia, which much comforted the poore people, in the extreamity of famine. In this time was the massacre in France, Charles the ninth being king, who afterwarde dyed bleeding, wherein was slaine for religion, aboue threescore thousand. This Maximilian was a good Prince, and endeuored al his power against the Turke. Finally hauing made his sonne Rodolph king of Romaines, [...] died at Ratisbone, in the fifty fiue year of his age, being the x. E yeare of his Empire.

Rodolph.

ROdolph the second, eldest son of Maximilian, was sacred Emperour in the yeare 1577. Assoone as he was crowned, he made peace with the Turke, whereunto the Turke easily yeelded because of his Warres in Persia. A great battaile was fought in Affricke by Sebastian, before whych battell, was the greatest Comet that hath bin seene in this latter part of the world, which the Portugall Captains interpreted to be a good signe to that warre, telling the souldiors, that the Comet spake to the King Accometa, that is in the Portugall tongue. Let him assaile them, which fell out otherwise, for F in that battell three kings died, whereof it was saide, Sebastian was one, lea­uing his kingdome of Portugall to Henry a Cardinall, who dying, nominated thereunto Phillip king of Spaine. Pope Gregory made a calender in An. 1583. which is called the Gregorian, cutting off ten dayes in the month of October, to bring the yeare againe as it was in the time of our Sauiour Christ (as they sondly imagine) for the imagined, that since that time, by iust computation of minutes, ten dayes are increased. This Emperour is nowe liuing, hauing seene the death of fiue Popes, one Queene of Englande, the firste borne of all the kinges of the earth, and rarest in perfection; one king of Spaine; one of France, diuers Princes of Germany: threegreat Turks: Zelim, Amarath, and G Mahomet, 3. And his companions in the gouernment of the world, are Iames King of great Britane; Henry king of France and Nauarre, Phillip the 3. king of Spaine, Sigismund king of Polonia and Suesia, Frederick king of Denmark, De­metrius Emp. of Rushia, Mahomet the great Turke, Phillippus Iulius Duke of Pomeria, Albertus and his wife Isabella, Cl [...]ra, Eugenia, Dukes of Burgundy with diuers other great Estates gouerning other places. H

FINIS.

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