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A NEW and EASY METHOD To Understand the Roman History. With an Exact Chronology of the Reign of the Emperors; An Account of the most Eminent Authors, when they flourish'd; And an Abridgment of the Roman Antiquities and Customs. By Way of DIALOGUE, For the Use of the Duke of Burgundy.
Done out of French, with very Large AdditiTho. Brown.
Ita latè per orbem terrarum arma circumtulit, ut qui res ejus legunt, non unius populi, sed generis hu
mani fact a discant. Luc. Flor.
London: Printed for R. Baldwin, near the Oxford-Arms in Warwick Lane: And W. Lindsey, at the Angel in Chancery Lane. MDCXCV.
MIscellanea: Or a Choice Collection of Wise and Ingenious Sayings, &c. of Princes, Philosophers, Statesmen, Courtiers, and others; Out of several Ancient and Modern Authors: For the pleasurable EnG. M.
Printed for William Lindsey at the Angel near Lincolns-Inn in Chancery-Lane, 1694.
THere are Two Popular Objections commonTrogus Pompeius is imputed to Justin; that of Livy to Florus or his Epitomator; and Xiphilinus, a Monk of Constantinople, who flourish'd about the middle of the Eleventh Century, is charged with depriving the world of Dion Cassius. Nay, the Loss of all the Texts and Decisions of the Learned Lawyers before him, is attributed to Trebonian, who compiled his Pandects out of them. This Notion was started by some Learned Men of the last Age, as Bodin, Casaubon, and my Lord Bacon; and since their time, merely, I suppose, upon their Credit and Authority, it has been almost universally received, without any manDiodorus Siculus, and Dionysius Halicarnasseus; and on the other hand enjoy several others that were Epitomized, as we find the History of Herodotus is still extant, altho one Theopompus, whom Suidas mentions, had made an AArt of Printing was discover'd, it may easily be imagined, That as Volumes of any considerable Bulk were infinitely more Expensive than now they are, so they could only be purchaRoman
Antonines till Diocletian, they did not produce one single Historian above the rank of our Modern Grubstreet Annalists. I could not prevail with my self to allow the Scriptores Augustae Historiae, who lived in this Interval, a better station; for tho 'tis certain that sorry Guides are better than none at all, yet the Stile of the above-menEpitomes were given it to keep it alive: not that they contributed to the loss of the Greater Volumes, which would have been destroy'd without them; but they were the only Books that then pleased, and were in vogue; whether it was that the sickly Genius of those Ages could not endure Volumes of a larger size, which it required a more healthful Constitution to digest; or whether the continual Alarms of their Enemies just allowed them time enough to peruse short Manuals; as we see men seldom sit down to a Regular Dinner, when they are every moment in danger of having their Quarters beaten Goths, under which name I comprehend all the Northern Mob made up of the Scum of several Nations, invaded the Empire in good earTramontani passing the Alpes, out of a natural aversion to all Literature and Politeness, burnt and plunder'd all the Libraries that stood in their way; and as no care was taken to repair the daSaracens inAsia and Greece, were a fairer Enemy; As if their design had been to make an entire ConGreek Historians are preserved, than of the Latin, and translated Ptolomy, Euclid, and Aristotle, with most of the valuable Greek Books they could get, into the Arabic LanguaArabic turned into Latin, upon which barbarous Version the Schoolmen afterwards built all their petifogging, litigious, Cobweb-Divinity. But the Goths were not so merciful in their anger; they destroy'd LearnLatin Originals, the indiscreet Zeal of sLivy makes frequent mention of the Roman Sacrifices, Lustrations, Processions, &c. Gregory the Great destroyed as many of his Books as had the misfortune to fall into his hands, and by doing so, imagined he did his Maker good service. I could sooner forgive him, had he taken upon him the Title of UniConstantinople thLivy. In short, for I am afraid I have dwelt too long upon this Chapter; 'tis evident, that first a neglect or disRoman Monarchy, and the Roman Authors, that their Greatness in part occasion'd the destruction of both.
So much for the first Objection, which I conEurope; and yet the Commonwealth of Learning has been so
Tacquet, Barrow, and De Witt, in respect of Clavius's tedious Comments upon Euclid's Demonstrations? nay they have not only saved abundance of unnecessary labour, but they have made this knowledge pleasant to those who in the last Age were frighted with the difPhotius the Learned Patriarch of Constantinople had not preserved them for Poste
Roman, which of all others is the most instruviz. That whoever reads the Actions they performed, does not so much learn the History of one single People, as that of all Mankind. And cerNorthern Peo
I am now arrived to the last stage of my PreFrance for the use of the Duke of Burgundy, and recommended to me by a Learned Gentlemen here in Town, who was so taken with the newness of the MeEnglish dress. The whole is managed by way of QueRoman History, which was not in one respect or other lame and deficient. Either the Stile was uncor
As for Lucius Florus, tho I confess there are abundance of things very prettily said in him, yet he so frequently interrupts the Series of the History, and is so everlasting an Affecter of pointed Sentences, to which he sacrifices the Truth without any remorse, that he is not to be depended upon. Eutropius and Aurelius Victor lived in an unpo
I cannot answer for this, that it wholly comes up to the dignity of the Subject; and indeed as it is the first undertaking of this nature that ever appear'd in public, it cannot reasonably be expected that it should be carried to its highest perfection at once; however, I may without va
If it meets the favourable Reception which so useful and serviceable a Performance seems to deserve, the Translator may, perhaps, find leisure time enough hereafter for the advantage of our English Youth to put it into the Vniver
Quest. I Desire to know the ORomans?
Answ. They came from Aeneas, the Son of Anchises, who after the taking of Troy, fled into Italy, and settled there.
Q. When did this happen?
A. In the Year 2800 of the Creation of the World.
Q. When Aeneas was in Italy, what did he there?
A. He married Lavinia, Daughter to Latinus, King of the Latins, after he had in a single Combat kill'd Turnus, King of the Rutuli, who pretended to the same Lady.
Q. Did he do nothing else?
A. He built a City there which he call'd Lavinium.
Q. Who govern'd the Latins after the Death of Latinus?
A. Aeneas.
Q. How long did he Reign?
A. No more than three Years.
Q. Who succeeded Aeneas?
A. His Son Ascanius, whom he had by Creusa.
Before we take in hand the Succession of the Kings of Rome, 'tis in some manner necessary to give that of the Latin Kings after the Destruction of Troy, and to remember that Aeneas, Anchises's Son, and Son-in-Law to Latinus, from whom the Latins derive their Name, was slain in a Battle Four hundred twenty six years before the Building of Rome, and that Latinus reign'd Thirty five Years of it.
Q. WHen was the City of Rome built?
A. In the 3961 Year of the Iulian Period. 753 before the Christian Aera. 431 after the burning of Troy, and of the World 3301.
Q. Which was the Capital City of the Latins then?
A. Alha, because Iulius that built it, made it the Seat of his Empire.
Q. What King possess'd the Throne at that time.
A. Amulius after he had ejected his BroNumitor.
Q. From whence was Rome so called?
A. From Romulus, who gave it his own Name.
Q Why?
A. Because his Brother Rhemus and he having agreed, That he who saw the best Augury should Name it; Romulus had the most favourable Augury, as having seen twelve Vultures, and the other only six.
Q. WHat Method did Romulus take to People his City?
A. He bethought himself of two expedi
Q. What were th
A. In the first place he open'd a Publick Sanctuary in a little Wood, which was not far from the City, where all Fugitive Slaves, Criminals, Bankrupts, and others of the same Quality found Protection.
Q. Did this Expedient take effect?
A. Ay.
Q. What did he do after this?
A. Since the Romans had no Women a
Q. How was that?
A. They published in all the NeighbourSabins came to see the Divertisement, and brought their Wives and Daughters hither. Now when they were most intent upon beRomulus gave the SigRomans immediately carried off the Sabine Women, and married them.
Q. Romulus having thus peopled his Ci
A. He divided it into Thirty Curiae or Wards, which he called Sabin.
Q. Did he do nothing besides?
A. He also divided his Subjects into three Orders?
Q. As how?
A. The First was that of the Senators, whom he created to the Number of a hunPatres or Fathers, and their Children Patricians. The Second was that of the Knights. And the Third, that of the People.
Q. HOw was Rome govern'd at first?
A. By Kings.
Q. How do ye call this sort of Govern
A. Monarchy.
Q. Was Rome always govern'd by Kings?
A. No: It became a Republick after the Expulsion of Tarquin the Proud, who was the Seventh King there.
Q. What do you mean by Republick?
A. That is to say, a State where several Persons command.
Q. What difference do you make between a Monarchy and a Republick?
A. A Monarchy is a State where only one governs in Chief. A Republick, where the Administration is lodged in many Hands.
Q. How long did this Republick conti
A. It lasted in the first place, from the Consulat of Brutus to the Consulat of Claudius, which makes 245 Years; and afterClaudius to the Empire of Caesar, which makes about as ma
Q. Did Rome always continue a Repub
A. No; it was afterwards govern'd by Emperors.
Q. What difference is there between a King, and an Emperor?
A. 'Tis another Name, but the Au
Q. How many sorts of Government have there been in Rome?
A. Three: That of Kings, which lasted 250 Years. That of the Consuls 450. And that of the Emperors 360.
Q. How long did the Roman Empire continue from the first year of Caesar, to the tenth of Constantine Palaeologus, which makes up its beginning and end?
A. It continued a Thousand five hundred and one Year.
Q. How many Kings had they at Rome?
A. Seven, whose Names you'll see in a Table below.
Q. How many Emperors have there been in the two Empires of the East, and the West?
A. The Forty eight first possess'd it enWest, and the other Sixty three the Empire of the East.
The Year of the World 3301.
In the Fourth Year of the Sixth Olympiad.
3961 of the Julian Period.
431 after the Taking of Troy.
753 before the First Year of the Christian Era.
The two first Consuls, Brutus and Collatinus, govern'd in the 245th Year of Rome, after the Expulsion of their Kings, on the 24th of February. A day observ'd in their Kalendar.
Q. I Desire to know something of the Birth of Romulus?
A. He was the Son of Rhea Silvia, and supposed to be begotten by Mars.
Q. Who was this Rhea Silvia?
A. Daughter to Numitor, and Neice of Amulius.
Q. What happen'd to this Lady?
A. Her Uncle Amulius shut her up among the Vestal Virgins, that so by this means he might make her uncapable of having Chil
Q. Did this Policy of his succeed?
A. No: For this young Vestal going one day to fetch some Water in a little Wood, which the Albans had consecrated to Mars, to be employ'd in the Sacrifices of the GodVesta, she was ravish'd by an armed Man, who pretended to be the God Mars.
Q. But what did Amulius when he saw her big with Child?
A. He condemned her to Dye; but at the Intercession of Antho, only Daughter to this Inhuman Tyrant, this Sentence was changed into perpetual Imprisonment.
Q. What befel her in this Prison?
A. She was brought to bed of two Chil
Q. And what happen'd to the poor In
A. Amulius immediately commanded 'em to be thrown into the Tiber, in a little Woo
Q. How were they preserved?
A. The Stream carried the two Infants to the Side of the River, and a certain Woman, call'd Lupa, directed thither by their Cries, took them up, and gave them Suck for some time, which occasion'd the Report that they were suckled by a She-wolf.
Q. Who took the care to bring them up?
A. One Faustulus by Name, the King's Shepherd, who knowing their Birth, took them from the Woman, carried them home, and gave them to his Wife Acca Laurentia to nurse them.
Q. When they came to age, what did they then?
A. Faustulus having told them who they were, they kill'd their Uncle Amulius.
Q. For what reason?
A. To Re-establish their Uncle Numitor in his Throne; and lastly, in the second Year of his Reign, they built Rome.
Q. What happen'd to Rhemus?
A. As he was jesting and ridiculing the smallness of the Ditch, which Romulus had caus'd to be made, and leaping over it, he was kill'd by one of the Workmen, who gave him a great Blow on the Head with a Rake.
Q. How came Romulus to be King?
A. After the Death of his Brother Rhomus, he was own'd as King by all his Followers.
Q. What did he do when he was King?
A. He was a great Warrier, and gain'd a considerable Battle against the Ceninians, the Antemnates, and the Crustumenians, with whom he made War.
Q. What remarkable Performances did he do in this War?
A. He kill'd their General with his own Hand, and defeated the rest of the Army.
Q. After this Victory, what did he?
A. He entred Rome in a Chariot drawn by four Horses, cover'd with a Purple Robe, all the Prisoners of War marching in order before him.
Q. Did not he give them their Liberty again?
A. Yes; at the instance of the Roman Women, who for the most part had Relati
Q. He received them afterwards into the number of his Citizens?
A. Right, and gave them the same PriRomans.
Q. Had Romulus no other War but this?
A. He maintain'd a long and cruel War against the Sabins, who were mightily en
Q. During this War, what Remarkable Action happen'd?
A. The Sabins possest themselves of the Capitol by the means of Tarpeia, who had the keeping of one of the Gates, and deliver'd it to them.
Q. Upon what Condition?
A. That they should give her the Golden Bracelets they wore on their Arms.
Q ▪
And what ensued upon this?
A. Instead of performing this Article, they prest her to Death with the weight of th
Q. Were there not several other Combats between the Romans and the Sabins.
A. There was another, which had been exceeding bloody, if the Roman Wives, that had been carried off by force, had not thrown themselves between the two Armies, and obtain'd a Peace with their Tears.
Q. The Sabins then were toucht with Compassion at this sight.
A. True; both one and t'other side threw down their Arms, and swore they would never War against each other any more.
Q. What Agreement then did they make?
A. That Rome should be the Capital City of their Empire, and that Romulus and Tatius, King of the Sabins, should Reign toge
Q. Where did they live?
A. Tatius continued in the Capitol which he had Conquer'd; and Romulus chose Mount-Palatine.
Q Was not the Body of the Senate augTatius?
A. He made 'em just as many more as they were before the late Articles.
Q. What was that Number?
A. Three hundred.
Q. Was any thing done in Honour of the Women?
A. They instituted the Matronalia, or Feast of the Matrons, which was to be celebrated Yearly.
Q. How do they say Romulus died?
A. We don't positively know. Some pre
Q. But which is the most probable Opi
A. That the Senators, whom he treated too imperiously, kill'd him in the midst of the Senate, so that each of them carried un
Q. After the Death of Romulus, was not the Form of Government chang'd?
A. Yes: For the Senate being composed of Romans and Sabines, 'twas resolved to chuse by Lots Five Persons of both Nations, who should reign five days alternatively, till such time as they could find out one that was worthy to fill the Throne.
Q. How long did this Interregnum last?
A. A Twelvemonth.
Q. Was nothing done to the Honour of Romulus?
A. A Temple was built to him upon the Quirinal Mount, where he was ador'd under the name of Quirinus.
Q. How long did he reign?
A. Thirty eight Years, and was succeeded by Numa Pompilius.
Q. FRom whence came Numa Pompilius?
A. From Cures, the Metropolis of the Sabines.
Q. How was he declared King?
A. Some Ambassadors went to offer him the Crown at Cures, where he then resided, and all in consideration of his great Piety.
Q. What things did he do, being arrived at Rome?
A. The first thing he did was to disband the Guards which Romulus had instituted for the security of his Person.
Q. What made him do so?
A. Because he said 'twas better for a Prince to make himself be lov'd than fear'd by his Subjects.
Q. What did he do afterwards?
A. He establish'd a certain Form of Sa
Q. Did he do any thing besides?
A. He likewise instituted the Pontiffs, the Augurs, and the Salian Priests. In fine, he testified by his Laws and Actions, That no
Q. Did not he build some Temples?
A. He built one to the Honour of Ianus, which was to be shut in the time of Peace, and open'd in War.
Q. Did he build any more?
A. Yes: That which he consecrated to the Goddess Vesta, where he establish'd the Vestal Virgins.
Q. Who were these Vestals?
A. Certain Virgins that were chosen aRome, to be Priestesses of the Goddess Vesta.
Q. What was their Employment?
A. To look after the Holy Fire which burn'd incessantly upon an Altar, and was a Symbol or Character of the Divinity they ador'd.
Q. What Punishment was assign'd for those Vestals that let the Holy Fire go out?
A. They were interr'd alive and treated after the very same manner with those which violated their Chastity, to which they were obliged.
Q. Did Numa Pompilius do any thing re
A. He divided the Year into Twelve Months, whereas Romulus had only instituAegeria.
Q. What manner of death died he?
A. He died of an Indisposition, being Fourscore years old, after a Reign of 43 Years, which he pass'd in a profound Peace.
Q. Had he any Children?
A. He had four Sons, none of which sucRome.
Q. Had he no Daughters?
A. He had one call'd Pompilia, who was married to a Sabine Nobleman, whose name was Martius.
Q. Who was Successor to Numa Pompilius?
A. Tullus H
Q I Would be inform'd of what Family was Tullus H
A. He was Grandson to Tullus H
who was kill'd in endeavouring to retake the Capitol; and was elected by the Romans for his Heroick Actions.
Q. What remarkable thing did he in the beginning of his Reign?
A. 'Twas he who first taught the Romans Military Discipline, and the Art of fighting regularly.
Q. Did he do nothing else?
A. He distributed among the ordinary sort of people all the Demcan which the Kings before him kept in their own hands, and re
Q. What considerable things happened in his Reign?
A. The famous Combat between the Horatii and Curiatii.
Q. Pray recount to me how that was ma
A. The Romans and Albans being willing to put a speedy Conclusion to the War, which had lasted a long while, 'twas resolv'd on both sides to chuse out Three men to fight for their Countrey.
Q. And what were the Conditions?
A. If the Three Albans were vanquished, Alba was to submit it self to the GovernRomans: On the other hand, if the Roman Champions were beaten, then Rome must do the like to Alba.
Q. Who were pitch'd upon for this Ex
A. The Romans chose the Three Horatii, Brothers; and the Albans the Three Curiatii, who were Three Brothers likewise.
Q. What was the Success of the Combat?
A. The Three Curiatii were at first woundHoratii slain.
Q. The Third Horatius being left to fight the other Three, what became of him?
A. He pretended to fly for't; and as the Curiatii eagerly pursued him, he faced about, and killed 'em one after another.
Q. Did he not soon tarnish the Glory of this Illustrious Action?
A. Yes.
Q. As how?
A. By murdering his own Sister.
Q. What instigated him to do that?
A. Returning Victorious, and meeting his Sister in Tears for one of the Curiatii, who was promis'd her in Marriage, he run her through with his Sword.
Q. Was he punish'd for this Crime?
A. No; his late Victory excus'd him.
Q. The Romans being thus Conquerors, what did Tullus after this?
A. He ordered the City of Alba to be raz'd to the ground, and commanded the Albans to come and live at Rome with their King Metius Suffetius.
Q. What became of that King?
A. He was sometime after ty'd to the Tails of four Horses and torn in pieces.
Q. For what Misdemeanor was so severe a Punishment inflicted on him?
A. For forming a Conspiracy to make himself Master of Rome; and betraying the
Romans, in not sending them the Assistance he was obliged to give them.
Q. After what manner died Tullus Hostilius?
A. He and his whole Family were burnt by Lightning which set his Palace on fire.
Q. How long did he reign?
A. Thirty two Years.
Q. Who succeeded him?
A. Ancus Martius, who resembled Numa Pompilius as well for his Justice as his Piety.
Q. OF whom was Ancus Martius descend
A. He was the Son of Pompilia, and Grandson to Numa Pompilius.
Q What particular things did Ancus Martius do?
A. Nothing, if we except his inclosing Mount Aventine, and the Ianiculum within the City, and building New Walls about it, and laying the Foundation of the City Ostia at the mouth of the Tiber.
Q. Had he no Wars at all?
A. He had one with the Latins, whom he defeated in several Battels.
Q. How died he?
A. O
Q. How many Children had he?
A. He had Two, whom he left under the Care of Tarquinius Priscus, who took away the Kingdom from them, and got himself to be declared King of Rome.
Q. It was then this Tarquinius Priscus that succeeded him?
A. Yes.
Q. FRom whence came Tarquinius Priscus?
A. He was originally of Corinth, and Son to a Rich Merchant whose name was Demaratus.
Q. How came he to be raised to this Dig
A. Under the Reign of Ancus Martius he quitted the City of the Tarquins to seek his Fortune at Rome, which it seems answer
Q. What happened to him in his Journey thither?
A. As he came near the City an Eagle lighted and took off his Bonnet, and soon after placed it on his Head again. Tanaquil told him, That this lucky Omen promis'd him the Regal Authority.
Q. Why quitted he his former name Lucumon to take that of Tarquinius?
A. In remembrance of the City of the Tarquins, where he was born?
Q. How got he himself declared King?
A. After the Death of Ancus Martius he assembled the S
Q. What did he do to secure himself in his new Kingdom?
A. He augmented the Senate with a hun
Q. What other things were done by him in particular?
A. He order'd a Bundle of Rods bound up together, with an Axe in the midst, to be car
Q. What did he do besides all this?
A. He regulated the Habits which were to distinguish the Knights from others that ser
Q. Did he undertake any considerable Building?
A. He built the Circus, between Mount Palatine and Mount Aventine, to have there represented the Combats of Gladiators, and of Beasts, or any other Diversions of the like nature, that deriv'd their name from thence.
Q. What was remarkable in his Reign?
A. That he was the first that wore a Crown and a Sceptre, with the other Marks of the Regal Dignity.
Q. What other remarkable Passages have you?
A. Being one day minded to try Actius Navius, President of the Augurs, he asked him, Whether what he thought of in his mind was possible to be done, or no?
Q. What Answer did Actius return him?
A After having consulted the Birds, he positively told him it was. Why, says the King, I was thinking whether I was able to cut this Whetstone with a Razor. That you are, reply'd the Augur; and at the same time the King accordingly cut it.
Q. Did not this give a mighty Reputation to the Augurs?
A Yes; for from that time the Romans never began any Enterprize without consult
Q. What did Tarquin do besides, to make himself recommendable?
A. He extinguish'd the Name of the Latins through all Italy, having possessed him
Q. What Misfortunes befel him?
A. He was slain by Two Peasants that were bribed to do it by the Children of Ancus Martius.
Q. Why did they get him to be assassi
A. Because they were angry to see him elevated to the Throne to their prejudice.
Q. How old was he when they slew him?
A. Eighty four years old, and reigned Thirty eight of them.
Q. How many Children did he leave be
A. He left Two, whom he placed under the Care of Servius Tullius.
Q. Who succeeded Tarquin?
A. The above-mentioned Servius Tullius.
Q. FRom what sort of Parents was Servius Tullius descended?
A. He was Son to the Prince of Cornicula, a small City which Tarquin had taken in the Province of the Latins.
Q. What Adventures happen'd to them?
A. His Father was kill'd at Corinth; and his Mother, who was then big of him, was carried Prisoner to Rome, where Tanaquil the Wife of Tarquin took an affection to her, and lodg'd her in the Palace, where she was deServius Tullius.
Q. What happen'd at his Birth?
A. 'Twas remarkable, that lying in his Cradle a Lambent Flame play'd about his head for above the space of an hour, and did him not the least Injury.
Q What did Tanaquil, who was particu
A. She was of Opinion that it promis'd the Kingdom to this Infant, and after that time took great care of his Education, and gave him her Daughter in Marriage.
Q. How came he to be proclaim'd King?
A. Servius being Son-in-Law to Tarquin, and having the Management of all Affairs in his own hands at the time of his death, he behaved himself, by the Queen's Assistance, so well in this place, that he was e
Q. What remarkable things does History tell of him?
A. Having vanquish'd the Tuscans and the Vejentes, he exceedingly augmented the City of Rome, added the Quirinal, Viminal, and the Exquiline Hill to it, and encompassed it with Walls and Dit
Q What other Actions are related of him?
A. He was the first that took a Survey of the Roman Citizens, and valued every man's Estate to tax him proportionably to his In
Q. How often was this done?
A. Once in Five Years.
Q. How was this space of time call'd?
A. A Lustrum.
Q. How many Children had he?
A. Two, whose Names were Tullia.
Q. What sort of Inclinations had they?
A. The Eldest was of a sweet agreeable Temper: The Youngest, Fiery and Ambi
Q. Whom did they marry?
A. The two Tarquins, Brothers-in-Law or Nephews to Servius.
Q. How came they to marry them?
A. Tullius apprehending that these Tarquins the Sons or Grandsons of Tarquinius Priscus would shock him in his Throne, thought the best way to secure them in his Interests, would be to bestow his Eldest Daughter upon the Elder Tarquin, who was naturally Ambitious and Violent; and his Youngest upon the other, whose name was Aruns, who had as much Moderation as his Brother had Heat and Passion.
Q. What was the Consequence of these Marriages?
A. As these things were wholly managed by a Principle of Policy, and Servius had no regard to the different Characters and DisTarquin, who liked not the too gentle humour of his Wife, entred into a strict Correspondence with his Sister-in-Law, and debauch'd her.
Q. I desire to know the Result of this Correspondence.
A. Tarquin murder'd his own Wife, and the Youngest Sister poison'd her Husband.
Q. Why did she do so?
A. To put her in a capacity to marry her Brother-in-Law, and take away the Crown from her Father.
Q. How came Tarquin to be declared King?
A. Suffering himself to be over-persuaded by Tullia, who told him he must turn the old Gentleman out of his Kingdom without waiting for his Death, he summons the Se
Q. What happen'd upon this?
A. He placed himself on the Seat where the Kings were accustom'd to sit, and began to call his Father-in-Law Servius an Usurper.
Q. And what became of Servius?
A. This making a great noise in the SeTarquin immediately raising himself from his Seat, he laid hold of him, and throwing him down stairs, order'd the Soldiers to as
Q. After this Murder, how did Tullia ma
A. Being inform'd that Tarquin was own
Q. How long did Servius Tullius reign?
A. Forty four years.
Q. Who succeeded him?
A. Tarquin the Proud.
Q. I desire to be inform'd particularly of the Birth of Tarquin.
A. Some Historians tell us he was the Son of Tarquinius Priscus, but others are of opinion he was only his Grandson.
Q. How did he govern his Kingdom?
A. 'Twas after the Death of Servius, whom he caused to be assassinated, that he seized upon the Kingdom, and behaved himself with all imaginable Arrogance and Cruelty.
Q. Why was he sirnam'd Superbus?
A. From the Insolence of his Temper.
Q. What did he do when he was made King?
A. He despis'd the Authority of the Se
Q. What remarkable things did he do?
A. He defeated the Volscians by Force of Arms, but made himself Master of Gabii by Treachery.
Q. How was that managed?
A. He pretended to fall out with his Son Sextus, in the presence of most of his Cap
Q. What does Sextus upon this?
A. Away he flies, and sends to the Gabians to beg the Protection of their City against the barbarous Treatment of an Unnatural Father.
Q. And did the Inhabitants receive him?
A. Yes: And he knew so well how to establish himself in their good Opinion by fighting for them, that they made him their General, and Governor of the Town.
Q. When Sextus found himself in a con
A. He dispatches one Messenger only to his Father, as they had agreed before.
Q. What Message was the fellow intrust
A. With nothing but Compliments.
Q. What does Tarquin?
A. He carries him into his Garden, and in his presence knocks off the Heads of all the highest Poppies.
Q. Without doubt Sextus understood well enough his Father's meaning.
A. Right: He struck off the Heads of the principal men among the Gabians; some he imprison'd, others he accus'd of Treason, to find a pretext to condemn, and so make them uncapable of doing him any Injury.
Q. What Disgrace happen'd afterwards to Tarquin?
A. His Reign daily becoming more and more odious to the Romans, they took his Crown from him, and turn'd him with his whole Family out of the City, for a certain Crime committed by his Son.
Q. What was that?
A. Sextus, who imagin'd that his High Birth would carry him out in every thing, having beheld Lucretia the Wife of Collatinus, he was struck with her Beauty; but as he could not hope to satisfy his Passion easily, (for besides that she was a Lady of the seve
Q. How was that effected?
A. In the night time he enters her Cham
Q. These Menaces, did they affright her?
A. No.
Q. What did Sextus then to accomplish his Intentions?
A. Seeing nothing was able to move this Illustrious Lady, he tells her, That after he had killed her, he would kill her Slave like
Q. Then this Consideration prevail'd with her.
A. Yes: For she rather chose to surrenSextus, than suffer her Memory to be dishonoured by so black a Calumny.
Q. What did she after this?
A. After she had shown this weakness, she hides a Dagger under her Gown, and sends to find out her Husband Collatinus, her Brother Lucretius, and her Cousin Brutus, who were encamp'd before Ardea: She complained to them of the Brutal Action of this libidinous Prince, begg'd them to re
Q. What did Brutus do after she was d
A. He draws the bloody Dagger out of Lucretia's Wound, and swore by her Chaste BloodTarquin and all his guilty Family out of Rome.
Q. How long did Tarquin reign?
A. Twenty four Years.
Q. Where dy'd he?
A. In Tuscany, after having made several Efforts in vain to re-possess himself of Rome.
Q. AFter Tarquin was turn'd out of Rome by Brutus, by whom was the City govern'd?
A. By Consuls.
Q. When began this Government?
A. 245 Years after the Foundation of Rome, and 510 before the Birth of Jesus Christ.
Q. What were these Consuls?
A. Certain Magistrates, in whose hands the Sovereign Authority was lodged for a Year only.
Q. What was their Office?
A. To command the Armies.
Q. Who were the two first Consuls?
A. Brutus and Collatinus.
Q. Was not the Consulate tCollatinus?
A. Yes.
Q. Wherefore?
A. Because he carried the Name of Tarquin, which was odious to the People.
Q. Whom did they put in his place?
A. Valerius Publicola.
Q. What is remarkable of B
A. That he for a long time counterfeited the Madman, to avoid Tarquin's Cruelty, who had put to death Marcius Iunius his Fa
Q. What did he do besides this, worthy of remembrance?
A He lov'd his Country so intirely, that he beheaded two of his Sons for conspiring against the Republick.
Q. By whom was that Conspiracy car
A. By the Deputies whom Tarquin had dispatch'd to Rome, to negotiate the Affair of his Restoration.
Q. Where did Brutus dye?
A. He lost his life soon after, fighting with Aruns the Son of Tarquin, in a Battel aTarquin's Party, and the Vejentes who espous'd his Quarrel.
Q. What happen'd to 'em in this Duel?
A. They ran one another through with their Lances.
Q. Besides these, had they no Civil Wars?
A. Yes; they had two; the first between Marius and Sylla; and the second between Caesar and Pompey. 'Tis true, there were seve
Q. For what reason did the Romans un
A. To defend their Liberty, preserve their Limits, protect their Allies, and enlarge their Empire.
Q. WHich was the first War that the Romans were engaged in, after the Expulsion of their Kings?
A. That of Etruria.
Q. How did it begin?
A. Porsenna, King of that Countrey, beTarquin's Party, came to besiege Rome with a powerful Army.
Q. How was it ended?
A. By the Valour of Horatius Cocles, and Mutius Scaevola's Bravery, which so effectuRomans to offer them Peace.
Q. How many Hostages did they give him?
A. Twenty young Ladies of the greatest Beauty and Quality in the City.
Q. What remarkable Action was it that Horatius Cocles perform'd?
A. He alone sustain'd for some time the Fury of the Enemies, who would have pasTiber, and swam cross it, without abandoning his Arms all this while.
Q. And Mutius Scaevola's Action, how was that?
A. He privately stole into the Enemies Camp, with a design to kill the King, but fail'd in his Attempt, for he mistook the King's Secretary for the King himself.
Q. What did they do to Scaevola after this unfortunate Disappointment?
A. He was taken and brought before Porsenna.
Q And after what manner did he behave himself there?
A. He puts his criminal Right hand which committed the mistake, into a Fire which happen'd to be there: And know, says he to the King, that Three hundred of us young Roman Gentlemen have conspir'd your Death.
Q. What effects did so resolute an Action produce?
A. Porsenna, affrighted at the Hardiness and Resolution of the Romans, offered them a Peace, and accepted of the above-mention'd Ladies by way of Hostages.
Q. What happen'd upon that?
A. Clelia, who was one of the Twenty that were given in Hostage to Porsenna, haTiber on Horseback, and came back to Rome.
Q What did they do to her when she was arriv'd there?
A. The Consul fearing lest the world would accuse him of Infidelity, was for surPorsenna's hands, who sent her honourably back again to Rome, with some other young Romans, and made a Peace.
Q. WHich was the Second War that the Romans were obliged to sustain?
A. That of the Latins, who took up Arms at the Instigation of Manlius, Son-in-Law to Tarquin.
Q. And after what manner did it end?
A. A bloody Battel that was fought near the Lake of Regilus, soon put an end to it.
Q. Who were the Generals of the two Armies?
A. Manlius was at the Head of the Latins, and Aulus Posthumius commanded the Romans?
Q. Which side gain'd the Victory?
A. 'Twas in suspence for some time, but at last it declar'd it self in favour of the Romans.
Q. How many Men were kill'd upon the spot?
A. There were Forty thousand Men slain in the Action: Thirty four thousand of the Latins, in which number was Manlius: And Six thousand of the Romans. After the Death of Manlius, the Tarquins lost all hopes of be
Q. WHich was the Third War the Romans had?
A. That of the Volscians, and the Aequi.
Q. Why did they declare War against those People?
A. Because they continually disturbed, and annoy'd the Romans.
Q. When did this War begin?
A. In the Year of Rome 259, and it lasted for several Years
Q. By whom were the Volscians defeated?
A. By Quinius Cincinnatus, who after he had perform'd many Glorious Exploits for
Q. What memorable things did he do?
A. By his Valour he sav'd the Army comMarcus Minutius, which was surrounded by the Enemy.
Q. After this Expedition, what became of Cincinnatus?
A. He peaceably return'd to his old Em
Q. What other remarkable Things hap
A. The Adventures of Coriolanus.
Q. Who was this Coriolanus?
A. He was a Roman Gentleman, whose Name was Martiu
Q. Who gave him then the Sir-name of Coriolanus?
A. The Consul Martius, for having perCorioli.
Q. What befel him?
A. He was condemn'd to Banishment in the Year of Rome 263.
Q. Upon what account?
A. For having spoken contemptibly of the Tribunes.
Q. Whether fled he?
A. To the Volscians, as being the most inRomans, and con
Q. What did he among the Volscians?
A. He engag'd them to renew the War with the Romans in the Year 263.
Q. Did he command their Troops?
A. The Volscians chose him for their GeTullius Accius, who at that time Commanded them.
Q. And what famous Exploits did he perform?
A. He signalized himself in several EnRomans.
Q. Did he always take the same advanRomans?
A. No; for being encamp'd near the Gates of the City with a design to besiege it, vanquish'd by the Prayers and Tears of his Mother Veturia, and his Wife Volumnia, whom the Senate deputed to go and inter
Q. And what was done by way of Re
A. They built a Temple, which was con
Q. What was the end of Coriolanus?
A. Accius becoming Jealous of him, or
Q. Had the Volscians any other Wars but what are already mention'd?
A. Yes; but the Death of Coriolanus occaSpurius Cassius.
Q. After all these Conquests, did this Spurius Cassius enjoy himself long?
A. No; for three Years after he was thrown headlong from the Tarpeian Rock.
Q. How came this misfortune to befal him?
A. Because he was accused of a design to get himself declared King. 'Twas he, who was Author of the A Law that respected the Division of Fields.
Lex Agraria, in the Year 268.
Q. WHen began the War of the Vejentes?
A In the year of Rome 271.
Q. Who declared it against them?
A. The Fabians.
Q. How came that about?
A. The Family of the Fabians begg'd of the People of Rome to leave the Manage
Q. How many were there of this Illustri
A. Three hundred.
Q. And how came they off?
A. After having frequently defeated their Enemies, they unluckily fell at last into an Ambuscade, which the Vejentes had prepar'd for them, and by this means the Fabians were wholly cut off in the Year of Rome 277.
Q. Near what place did this defeat befal them.
A. Near the River Cremera, and the Gate through which this Honourable Family salRome, was call'd the Scelerata, or wicked.
Q. Had the Vejentes always such Suc
A. No, for the Year following the ConServilius put an end to this War by an over
Q. Did not he put an end to other Wars besides this?
A. He had frequent Rencounters with the Volscians, who were often beaten, and parQuintus Capitolinus.
Q. What other considerable Actions did Capitolinus perform?
A. In the Year 286, he took Antium, the Capital City of the Volscians.
Q. Did he do nothing else?
A. Ten years after the Taking of this CiAequi, and made them first pass A Ceremony the Romans had of using their Enemies after they had conquer'd them.
Q. By whom was the City of the Vejentes taken?
A. By Camillus, the Dictator, after a Siege of Ten years continuance, in the Year of Rome 358.
Q. By what means did he take it?
A. By undermining it.
Q. What particular Passages happen'd at this Siege?
A. The Soldiers were resolved not to reWinter under Tents.
Q. This same Camillus, did not he Signa
A. He brought the Fidenates into SubjeFalisci, but by a very gen
Q. How was that, I pray?
A. A School-Master put the most consiCamillus order'd him to be stript stark naked, and so to be soundly whipt from his Camp to the City, whither he sent him with all his Boys.
Q WHen began the War of the Gauls?
A. In the Year of Rome 363.
Q. Where did it first break out?
A. Having entred Italy, to the number of above a Hundred thousand Men, out of an Expectation of finding a mighty booty there, they first besieged Clusium.
Q. Did not the Romans take the part of the Clusians their Allies?
A. Yes, they sent Ambassadors to the Gauls, who instead of hearkning to them, rais'd the Siege of Clusium, and marched diRome.
Q. What did the Romans do when they heard of their March?
A. They sent Fabius the Consul to oppose their coming with a powerful Army.
Q. And did a Fight hereupon ensue?
A. A most bloody Battel was fought near the River Allia, where the Roman Army was intirely defeated.
Q. And what did the Gauls after this ter
A. They immediately entred the City of Rome, finding the Gates open, and the Place abandon'd.
Q. And how did the Gauls behave them
A. They effectually plunder'd it, and coming into the Senate-house, massacred all the Senators, and afterwards burnt the whole City down to the ground.
Q. What did they besides?
A. After all this Ravaging and DesolatiBrennus who commanded the Gauls, beCapitol, whither the Roman Youth retired with Manlius.
Q. How long did this Siege continue?
A. Six whole months, after which Brennus order'd a great number of Ladders to be made, designing to attempt the Scalade of it in the Night.
Q. And did his design take effect?
A. It had certainly succeeded, if Manlius and the rest of the besieged had not been aGauls that were already got upon the Ramperts, and thrown down headlong those that were up
Q. Did the Gauls abandon the
A. No; they hopManlius perceiving their Design, threw abundance of Loaves into their Camp, to let him see they were not straitned for Provisions.
Q. Were they not weary of so long a Siege?
A. Right, and sent to tell the Besieged, they would draw off and leave their City, provided they would give them a thousand pounds of Gold.
Q. Did any remarkable Accident happen during this Capitulation?
A. Camillus, who had been banished some time ago, and recall'd with all speed to come to the Relief of the City, arrived thither at the Head of Forty thousand men, whom he had pick'd up in his March, beats the Gauls out of Rome, and afterwards pursuing them for two or three Leagues, gives them an en
Q. What does he after this Victory?
A. He returns to Rome in Triumph, and stops the People who would have fain gone to live at Veii, because Rome was all burnt down, with such powerful Arguments, that he perswades them to remove the Rubbish, clear the Ruins, and build a new City.
Q. How long was it Re-building?
A. Not above an Year.
Q. And how was this War ended at last?
A. After, the Gauls were wholly defeated by Manlius and Dolabella.
Q. How happen'd the Death of Manlius, whom they Sir-nam'd Capitolinus?
A. 'Twas after his having defended the Capitol, and intrieguing to make himself King, that he was thrown headlong from the top of that very Capitol, which he had defended with so much Gallantry.
Q. What memorable Passage fell out in the Year 393 of the Building of the City.
A. A Gulf a peared in the midst of the publick Place, which they could fill up by no manner of means.
Q. Were not the Augurs consulted upon this?
A. Yes.
Q. And what an Answer did they return?
A. That it would never close again till the most precious thing in Rome was thrown into it.
Q. And what Method did they take?
A. At the very time, when they were most perplexed to find out this precious
Marcus Curtius mounts his Horse, leaps into it all armed as he was, and the Gulf immediately closed up.
Q. WHo declared War against the Latins?
A. The Romans did in the Year of Rome 414.
Q. Wherefore did the Romans declare War against them?
A. Because they pretended to have a Right to the Privileges of Roman Citizens, a share in the Government, and bearing of all Of
Q. What remarkable things happen'd in the Course of this War?
A. The first is, That a Young Gentleman of the Latins singling himself out of the ArRoman to Fight him; young Manlius, Son to Manlius Torquatus the Consul, rides up to him, fights him, and kills him.
Q. And what Reward had Manlius for so brave an Action?
A. But a sorry one; for his Father order'd his Head to be struck off before the whole Army, for having violated the Military Dis
Q. What were these Orders?
A. The Consuls had issued out an express Prohibition for any one to quit his Post, till the Signal for the Battel was given.
Q. What was the second Remarkable Thing?
A. 'Tis this; Decius, the Consul, devoted himself for his Country, by running into the midst of the Enemies.
Q WHen did the war against the Samnites begin?
A. In the Year of Rome 411.
Q. Why did the Romans declare War a
A. 'Twas at the Request of the Campanians, who had put themselves under the proRomans.
Q. How long did this War continue?
A. It lasted Fifty years.
Q. What Accidents of Note happen'd in this Interval.
A. Two things that deserve to be reSamnites finding themselves not strong enough to Engage the Romans by force of Arms, were oblig'd to have recourse to an Artifice.
Q. Tell me how it was manag'd?
A. They chose Ten of the Craftiest SoldiRoman Army was to pass.
Q. Well, and what did these Shepherds do so merrily burlesqu'd?
A. Being in their respective places, they were met by the Van-Couriers of the Army.
Q. And what Questions did they ask them?
A. Whether they knew where the Army of the Samnites was gone.
Q. What answers did these counterfeit Shepherds return?
A. That they had actually besieged Luceria.
Q. Upon this Advice what did the Romans do?
A. 'Twas resolv'd to march to the Re
Q. And what followed upon that Reso
A. The Army of the Romans being shut up in the Defiles through which they must of necessity pass before they could reach this place, the Samnites fell vigorously upon them, plunder'd them of all their Arms, and made them pass under the Yoke.
Q. Did not the Romans soon after revenge this Affront?
A. Yes; for some time after, Fabius and Papyrius defeated the Samnites in
Q. Which is the second thing that is to be remark'd?
A. That young Decius in a Battel against the Samnites, and the Gauls who had join'd them, perform'd the same that his Father had done upon a like occasion, that is to say, he devoted himself to Death, and flung himself into the midst of his Enemies.
Q. WHy did the Romans make War upTarentines?
A. Because they pillag'd a Fleet belongRome, and ill treated the Ambassadors that were sent to complain of this Injury.
Q. When was the War declared against them?
A. In the Year 472, and with that SucL Aemilius Barbula defeated them, together with the Samnites and Salentines that came to their Assistance.
Q. And what Shifts did this overthrow put them upon?
A. It obliged them to beg Relief of Pyrrhus in the Year 474, who Transported a vast Army into Italy, wherein he had abunElephants, Animals till that time utterly unknown to the Romans.
Q. How many Battels were fought during this War?
A. Two that were considerable ones. The first was fought in Campania near Heraclea: And the second in Lucania.
Q. What was the Success of this first Bat
A. The Romans under the Conduct of Levinus had the worst on't; but they were vanquish'd rather by the disorder the strange sight of those huge Elephants put them into, than by the Forces of Pyrrhus.
Q. Were store of Prisoners taken here?
A. Yes; but upon Fabricius his redemandPyrrhus sent them all back with
Q. What did Pyrrhus after he had gain'd this Battel?
A. He visited the Field where this Scene was transRomans still grasp'd those that had given them their Death's wound; that Dead as they were, a certain Fierceness appear'd in their Looks, and that all their Wounds were hoRomans for Soldiers, or the Romans had me for their King!
Q. What did Pyrrhus after this?
A. He dispatch'd Ambassadors to Rome with considerable Presents to endeavour to accommodate the matter between the Tarentines and them.
Q. The Ambassadors being sent back, what did Pyrrhus ask them at their return?
A. He demanded of them what they thought of Rome? and they immediately an
Q. Did not the Romans bring a Second Army into the Field?
A. Yes: Nay, they were so incredibly diPyrrhus in mighty admiration said of them, Without question, I am born under the Constellation of Hercules. I have a fine time on't here to cut off the Heads of my Enemies, since new ones perpetually aHidra, to persecute me.
Q. Well, and what was the Success of this Second Battel that was fought in Lucania?
A. Those very Elephants that gain'd Pyrrhus his first Battel, lost him the second.
Q. How happen'd that?
A. It so fell out, That one Caius Minutius cut off the Trunk of one of the Elephants, which made the Creature cry out so furiousRomans to defeat them.
Q. What follow'd after this Battel?
A. Pyrrhus's Physician came to Fabricius, offering to Poyson his own Master; but the Generous Consul sent him back to Pyrrhus, who commanded him to be immediately hanged.
Q. After this overthrow, where did Pyrrhus turn himself?
A. He goes into Sicily to assist the Syracusans against the Carthaginians; but this ExItaly in the Year 479, where he was beaten, and his Camp forc'd by the Romans.
Q. After this last Defeat, whither did he go?
A. After he had quitted Italy, he return'd into Epirus, having been employ'd Six Years in the Tarentine and Sicilian War.
Q. And what happen'd after the Retreat of Pyrrhus?
A. The Romans having defeated the Tarentines and Samnites, the Conquer'd were obliged to submit to the Conquerors, so they entr'd into an Alliance with those of Rome, in the Year 482.
Q. What farther progress did the Romans make?
A. They attack'd the Salentines, and at last the Punic War started up, which prov'd to be the longest and most dangerous War that the Romans had hitherto experienced.
Q. WHen began the first Punic War?
A. In the Year of Rome 490, two Years after the return of Pyrrhus into Epirus.
Q. What occasion'd it?
A. The Ambition and Jealousy of Carthage.
Q. Who were the Authors of this War?
A. The People of Messina on one side, and Hiero King of Syracuse, an Ally of Carthage, on the other.
Q. How came this about?
A. This King, in Conjunction with the Carthaginians, declar'd War against the City of Messina; and the Romans resolving to Succour the Messineses, because they had been always their good Friends, sent over an Army into Sicily, under the Conduct of Appius Claudius.
Q. What was the Success of it?
A. It was a long time uncertain, altho the Carthaginians were Masters at Sea, and the Romans at Land.
Q. But which side obtain'd the Victory in the mean time?
A. Appius Claudius, the Roman General, defeated Hiero, and having oblig'd him to demand a Peace, he obtain'd it upon easy terms.
Q. What happen'd sometime after?
A. Duilius put out to Sea.
Q. Was not he the first of the Romans that gain'd a Naval Victory?
A. Yes.
Q. About what time did this happen?
A. In the Fifth Year of the War.
Q. After what manner?
A. The Gallies of the Carthaginians which were light and nimble, were over-power'd by those of the Romans that were short and heavy; and by this means, their dexterity in managing their Oars was of no service to them, and their whole Fleet was either Ta
Q. What other remarkable Passages hap
A. The Romans gain'd some other AdCatilinus was surrounded on every side in the Streights of Camarina, into which he was imprudently got, and was as happily deli
Q. By what means, and by whom was this effected?
A. By the Valour of Calpurnius Flamma, a Tribune, who with a Detachment of Three hundred chosen men, fell upon the Enemies main Body, which kept that De
Q. What did the Carthaginians do in this Juncture?
A. They turn'd all their Forces immediCalpurnius, and so the Romans had an opportunity to make their Escape out of this narrow place.
Q. But how did Calpu
's Three hun
A. They were all cut in pieces.
Q. But did their Leader make a shift to save himself.
A. Yes; but he was wounded in six or seven places.
Q. How did this War conclude?
A. A Second Engagement at Sea put an end to it.
Q. Who gain'd the Victory?
A. Caius Lutatius in the Twenty third year, near the Isle of Aegates, and this Victory put a period to the War.
Q. Who commanded the Carthaginian Fleet?
A. Hanno was their Admiral.
Q. What were the Conditions of the Treaty of Peace?
A. That the Carthaginians should SurrenSicily, Sardinia, and all the other Isles that are between Afric and Italy, to the Romans; and that for Twenty years, they should pay them Twelve hundred Talents.
Q. Who signalized himself in this War?
A. Attilius Regulus, who took Tunis, and several other Cities belonging to the Carthaginians, and at last went to lay close Siege to Carthage it self.
Q. Without doubt this obliged the Carthaginians to sue for a Peace?
A. Right.
Q. And was Regulus willing to grant it?
A. Not unless it were upon very hard Conditions.
Q. When the Carthaginians saw that, what Course did they take?
A. They were necessitated to give the Command of their Army to Xantippus, CapLacedaemonians.
Q. What remarkable Actions did this Ge
A. He gave the Romans a great overthrow, kill'd Thirty thousand upon the place, and took Fifteen thousand Prisoners, among whom was Attilius Regulus.
Q. In what place was this Battel fought?
A. Near Clupea.
Q. What did they do with Regulus?
A. They sent him to Rome to Treat with the Senate about the Exchange of Prisoners.
Q. And did he perswade the Romans to treat of a Peace?
A. No: far from that, he endeavour'd as much as in him lay to hinder them from making one; telling them the Affairs of Carthage were in a very Bad condition, and that they ought never to leave off till they had utterly ruin'd them.
Q. What became of him then at his return to Carthage?
A. Having told them the Romans would by no means hearken to a Peace, unless they would submit to their Authority, the Carthaginians put him to Death.
Q. What Torments did they make him endure?
A. They shut him up in a Barrel, stuck full of Nails, with the Points towards him.
Q. And thus the first Punic War was end
A. Right, after Twenty three years losses on both sides.
Q. Was not the Temple of Ianus shut soon after?
A. Yes; the first time since Numa's Reign.
Q. Was it long before it was open'd a
A. No; for the Romans were soon after obliged to fight against the Ligurians, the Liburnians, and the Insubrian Gauls, who were often beaten.
Q. By whom?
A. The Ligurians and Liburnians by Fulvius; and the Insubrian Gauls, who had Britomarus to head them, by Aemilius.
Q Were not the Gauls likewise defeated by others?
A. Flaminius vanquish'd them when Ariovistus was their General; and they received another overthrow from Marcellus, who slew their King Viridomarus with his own hand.
Q. WHen did this Second War begin?
A. Twenty four years after the first?
Q. What was the occasion of the Second War?
A. The Ambition of Annibal, the Son of Amilcar. Besides, the Carthaginians grew now impatient of their Twenty four years of SerRomans for so long a time.
Q. But how came Annibal to forward it so mightily?
A. Because his Father, who carried him, when he was but Nine years old, into Spain, made him solemnly Swear at the foot of an Altar, never to be reconciled to the Romans.
Q. What happen'd during this War?
A. At the end of Nine years War, Amilcar was slain, and his Son-in-Law, Asdrubal, set up in his room.
Q. What befel Asdrubal after this?
A. He was slain Eight years after in BatAnnibal succeeded him.
Q. What did Annibal do when he saw himself General of the Carthaginians?
A. Fearing lest the same misfortune that happen'd to his Father Amilcar and Asdrubal,
Spai
that reach as far as the Ebre.
Q. And what did he next attempt?
A. He made his Army march into the Territories of the Oscades, whom he reduced under his obedience, and soon after possess'd himself of all the Cities thereabout, but especially those belonging to the Capertans and the Vacceans.
Q. Whither did he shape his course after this?
A. He march'd to attack Saguntus, a City of Spain, and an Ally of the Romans.
Q. What did the Romans do upon this occasion?
A. They sent Ambassadors to Carthage to complain of the Injury that was done to the Saguntines, and of the Infraction of the Trea
Q. What sort of an Answer was return'd them?
A. They were forc'd to return home, veCarthaginians.
Q. What did the Saguntines do upon this refusal?
A. Harass'd with the continual Fatigues of a Nine Months Siege, and prest by FaAnnibal persisting to treat them with too much indignity, they
Q. And what did these people do, being thus reduced to despair?
A. After they had buried their Gold and Silver in the ground, they made a great Bon
Q. After the taking of this City, what did they do with it?
A. They laid it level with the ground.
Q. When the Romans heard of these Outrages, how were they affected?
A. They dispatch'd Ambassadors to Carthage, to know of them whether they apAnnibal.
Q. And how were they receiv'd?
A. Fabius, one of the Ambassadors, seeing them demur upon the Point, told them they had nothing to do but to chuse either Peace or War; and all of them immediately cry
Q. Whither did the Ambassadors go beRome?
A. They visited Spain and Gaul, to desire the people of those Nations not to give PasCarthaginians.
Q. Did they accomplish their designs?
A. No; for those of Spain being affrightSaguntus, and the Gauls by the great Success of Annibal's
Q. Where resided Annibal?
A. He past the Winter at New Carthage, then return'd to Cales, where after he had perform'd his Vows to Hercules, he renew'd his Ancient Oath.
Q. What was it that instigated him to do it again?
A. An extraordinary Dream, which fill'd him with joy, and put him upon the ResoItaly with his Army.
Q. And how did Annibal employ himself before his arrival into Italy?
A. At first he made himself Master of the Ilergetes, the Bargusians, the Ausetans, and all Aquitain.
Q. Whither went he afterwards?
A. He pass'd the Pyrenaean Mountains, then he march'd through Gaul, notwithstanding the opposition of the people, who were oAlpes.
Q. Did not Annibal's Army find it a dif
A. 'Twas troublesome enough, as well for the height of the Rocks, which seem'd to touch the Skies, as for the Snows which made the ways almost impracticable. Be
Q. Did Annibal then accomplish this vast Design?
A. Yes: For having with an undaunted Courage undertaken to climb the Hills, on the ninth day he found himself on the top of them.
Q. When he was there, what did he make his Soldiers remark?
A. He shows 'em all Italy, lying at a great distance, bidding them look upon that vast Country as the certain Recompence of their Toil and Labour.
Q. Was not Annibal more perplex'd to get down the Hills, than he was in climb
A. Right: For the Frost rendred the ways every where so slippery, that there was no steddy walking; besides the Moun
Q. How then did he make a shift to reach the Valleys?
A. He made use of Fire, Iron, and ViAlpes in the space of Fifteen days, he came into Italy with a Hundred thousand Foot, and Twenty thou
Q. Where was it that Annibal first gave Battel to the Romans?
A. Between the Po and the Ticinus.
Q. What was the Success of it?
A. The Roman Army was overcome.
Q. Who had the Command of it?
A. Scipio the Consul.
Q. Was he not wounded?
A. Yes; and had certainly been taken by the Enemy, if the Valour of his Son, who was afterwards sirnam'd Africanus, had not forc'd him out of their hands.
Q. When did Annibal give the second Battel?
A. A short time after the first.
Q. Where was it fought?
A. At the River Trebia.
Q. How was the Event of it?
A. No happier for the Romans than the last: Sempronius and his whole Army was there defeated, and Annibal triumphantly pass'd the Appennines.
Q. What did Annibal do the year follow
A. He came into Etruria after a March of four days and three nights in the midst of Bogs and Morasses, without reposing him
Q. What happen'd to him after this?
A. 'Twas in this place that Flaminius the Consul, a man of great rashness and preciAnnibal had laid for him, he was slain, and his Army put to the Rout near the Lake of Trasimene.
Q. How many Romans lost their lives in this Battel?
A. Near Fifteen thousand slain, and some Ten thousand put to flight, and dispers'd all over Etruria.
Q. Did not some remarkable Accident happen after this Battel?
A. 'Tis reported that two women la
Q. After this great Overthrow, what was done at Rome?
A. The people being assembled, consultSybils, where they found, That all these Misfortunes were only owing to the Indignation of the God Mars.
Q. What Resolutions did they form up
A. They vow'd to celebrate a Holy Spring; and after that, in the absence of the Consuls, the people created Fabius Maximus Dictator, and M. Minucius Rufus Master of the Horse.
Q. Where was Annibal at that time?
A. He was advanced as far as Spoletum, which obliged the two Consuls Aemilius Paulus, and Terentius Varro, to hasten with their Army.
Q. Where did the two Armies meet?
A. Near Cannae, a small Town scituated
Apulia: Here did Varro put his men in a posture to receive the Enemies.
Q. Was this a bloody Fight?
A. Yes; for there was near Forty five thousand Romans slain, with Fourscore SePaulus the Consul himself was killed.
Q. What remarkable Passages happen'd in this Battel?
A. The Consul Paulus having been wounded, was in the midst of the hurry and confusion found covered with blood and dust, by a Collonel of the Army.
Q. What said this Officer to Paulus, seeing he was still alive?
A. Take my Horse, and fly for your self.
Q. And what answer did Paulus make him?
A. No, no; use him your self, cries he, with a dying voice, and go to Rome, and bid the Senators from me fortify the Town beAnnibal comes to attack it.
Q. Did he say any thing else to him?
A. Above all, tell Fabius Maximus, that I have liv'd, and that I now dye reRomans.
Q. Did the Slaughter continue a long time?
A. So long, that Annibal commanded his Soldiers to desist; and so great, that he sent to Carthage Three Bushels of Golden Rings,
Roman Knights that were kill'd.
Q What happen'd after the Battel of Cannae?
A. Some young Romans were debating amongst themselves to abandon Italy.
Q. And had their design like to have pass'd in this Assembly?
A. Publius Cornelius Scipio, a Collonel in the Army, who was after sirnamed Africanus, drew out his Sword, and swore he would kill the man who would not take an Oath never to go out of Rome.
Q. Did not the Romans desire a Peace?
A. No; they were so far from demanding a Peace of the Carthaginia
that receiving advice that the Consul Varro, whose rashness was in part the cause of that cruel Loss, was on his way home, all the City went out to meet him, to thank him because he had not despair'd of the Safety of the Common
Q. What do they say of Annibal?
A. That if he had known how to make use of a Victory, as well as he did how to get one, Rome had been utterly ruin'd.
Q. Where was Annibal then?
A. Near Capua, which he reduced under his Obedience, as well as a great part of Italy.
Q. Had he always the better on't?
A. No; for Capua proved as fatal to him, as Cannae had been to the Romans.
Q. How came that about?
A. Because he and his Army abandon'd themselves to the Effeminacies and Pleasures of that place, and staid a long time there, so that he never thought of pursuing his ConRomans time to take breath again.
Q. What did the Romans do in this Exi
A. All the Roman Youth, the Magistrates, nay, even the Slaves, took up Arms.
Q. What did Fabius Maximus do in the mean time?
A. He endeavoured by delays and amuseAnnibal.
Q. What did the Romans attempt with their Army?
A. They laid Siege to Capua.
Q. And was Annibal idle?
A. No; thinking to make them raise the Siege, he marched directly towards Rome?
Q. And what happen'd to him?
A. A sudden Tempest arising just as he was going to fight Fulvius, he was oblig'd to return back without fighting.
Q. Was it long before Capua surrendred?
A. No.
Q. How did the Romans use them?
A. They took away all their Privileges.
Q. What followed after the taking of Capua?
A. Asdrubal going to join his Brother Annibal, who lay then in Apulia with a powerful Army, was defeated by the ConClaudius Nero, and Livius Salinator.
Q. After this Battel, what did Nero do?
A. He caused Asdrubal's Head to be thrown into the Carthaginian Camp; which Annibal seeing, he immediately cried out, I perceive my self now to be unfortunate.
Q. What was Scipio doing in Afric in the mean time?
A. He cut in pieces Hanno's Army, the General of the Carthaginians, and took PriSiphax King of Numidia, who had quitRomans, and taken the side of the Carthaginians.
Q. Wherefore did Scipio pass into Afric?
A. 'Twas done with a design to remove Annibal out of Italy.
Q. And did it succeed?
A. Yes.
Q. What did Annibal do before he left Italy?
A. He exercis'd a thousand Cruelties in the Towns that continued still under his Power; nay, he order'd all the Italians that were in his Army to be massacred.
Q. What happen'd upon Annibal's arrival into Afric?
A. A bloody Battel was fought near Zama.
Q. On which side did the Victory fall?
A. Annibal being defeated by Scipio, deAsia.
Q. The Carthaginians being thus van
A. They were oblig'd to submit to the Peace allow'd them by the Romans.
Q. What name was it that Scipio obtain'd by this Expedition?
A. That of Africanus.
Q. WHen did the Macedonian War be
A. A little after the Peace of Carthage, in the year of Rome 550.
Q. For what Reasons did the Romans un
A. As well for the ancient quarrel they had to Philip King of Macedonia for joining with Annibal when he was Master of Italy, as for the several Complaints their Allies, and especially the Athenians made of them.
Q. Who first open'd the War?
A. King Philip.
Q. How did he begin it?
A. By the Siege of Abydos.
Q. What became of the Inhabitants of that place?
A. Philip reduced them to such an extreSaguntines they chose to kill themselves.
Q. Was Philip always thus successful?
A. No; for four years after he was deFlaminius at the So called from resembling a Dog's head.
Cynocephalae in Thessaly.
Q. Did Philip lose abundance of men there?
A. He lost Thirteen thousand, reckoning the Dead and the Prisoners.
Q. Was a Peace granted him at last?
A. Yes, on that condition he would lay no more pretensions to any of the Cities of Greece.
Q. The Liberty of Greece then was the Price of this Victory?
A. Right; for all the Cities of Greece, except Sparta, were free.
Q. Was that City always in a servile condition?
A. No; for in the year 561, Philopaemen having kill'd the Tyrant Nabis, made them associate with the Achaeans.
Q. WHen began the War of Antiochus against the Romans?
A. In the Year of Rome 562.
Q. What made him declare War against them?
A. He was instigated to it by Annibal, who was then a Refugee in his Court.
Q. And how came he off?
A. Having been beaten both by Land and Sea, as well by the Consul Lucius Scipio, BroAfricanus, as by the Courage and good Conduct of his Brother, he was forced to beg a Peace.
Q. On what Terms was it given him?
A. That he would quit all the Places on this side Mount Taurus.
Q. Did not Lucius Scipio for this Exploit merit the name of Asiaticus?
A. You are in the right.
Q. WHat did Philip King of Macedonia do all this while?
A. He wholly employ'd himself in making Preparations for a new War.
Q. Had this Philip any Children?
A. He had two, whose names were Perses and Demetrius. This last was given in Hostage to the Romans, who entertain'd him very respectfully.
Q. Were there no Divisions between the Brothers?
A. Yes; and so managed, that their FaPhilip put Demetrius to death, whom the Jealousy of Perses, and the kind Treatment he receiv'd at Rome had render'd suspicious to him.
Q. What was the Consequence of all this?
A. The year following, Perses, who inheRomans, declared War against them.
Q. What was the Success of this War?
A. Aemilius the Roman General entirely defeated Perses in the Year 586.
Q How many Macedonians lost their lives upon this occasion?
A. There were Thirty thousand of them slain.
Q. How did this War conclude?
A. With the final destruction of the KingMacedonia.
Q. Did Perses continue there?
A. No; he engag'd himself in the InteGentius King of Illyrium, who met with the same d
Q. How did that happen?
A. He was overcome by Anicius the PraeAnicius and Aemilius triumph'd at Rome, one over Gentius, and the other over Perses, and each King marched before the Chariot of his Conqueror.
Q. In what year did this fall out?
A. In the year 587 of Rome. Thus Macedonia and Illyrium were reduced into the form of Provinces.
Q. After these mighty Victories, no body I suppose thought it dishonourable to submit to the Romans?
A. No; for after the Defeat of Antiochus, and the Reduction of Macedonia, several Kings and Nations strove, and were ambi
Q. Among these Kings, were there not some that show'd themselves more forward than the rest?
A. There were two, Eumenes King of Asia, and Prusias King of Bithynia, sirnamed the Hunter; but Eumenes was suspected of some under-hand dealing.
Q. What was that?
A. To have secretly favour'd the Party of Perses.
Q. What method did he take to clear himself of this Suspicion?
A. He sent his Brother Attalus to Rome, who had b
Q. And what did Prusias on his side, to engage the Romans to support him?
A. He scandalously flatter'd them, having caus'd some Medals to be coin'd in Honour of the Senate, which he treated as a Divinity, and the Senators, whom he call'd his Tute
Q WHen did this Third Punic War be
A. In the year of Rome 605.
Q. What gave occasion to it?
A. 'Twas because the Carthaginians violaMassinissa, who was an Ally of the Romans.
Q. And what Resolutions did the Senate make hereupon?
A. 'Twas unanimously decreed to follow the advice of Cato the Censor, which was to destroy the City of Carthage entirely.
Q. And to effect it, what Measures were t
A. Censorinus and Manilius the Consuls marched directly to the City.
Q. What did the Carthaginians to avert the Storm?
A. They sent Deputies to them to know what Satisfaction it was they demanded.
Q. What answer was return'd them?
A. That it was the Will and Pleasure of the Senate, that they should demolish their City even to the Foundations, and remove themselves at least Ten Miles from the Sea.
Q. So harsh a Proposition, how did it
Carthaginians?
A. It possess'd them with so vigorous an Indignation, that they made a much greater Resistance than could be expected from so feeble an Enemy.
Q. And what was the Result of all?
A. In the fourth year of this War Carthage was taken by Publius Cornelius Scipio, who burnt and wholly destroy'd it.
Q FOR what reason did the Romans deCorinth?
A. Because of their ill treatment of the Roman Ambassadors, as also because they brought over the Achaeans to their own Party.
Q. How did their Affairs succeed?
A. They were defeated by the Praetor Metellus in two Battels, near the Thermopylae, and in Phocis, in the year of Rome 607.
Q. And what was the destiny of Corinth?
A. Mummius the Consul, after he had made himself Master of all Achaia, order'd Corinth the Capital City of that Nation to be burnt down to the ground.
Q. What remarkable matter happen'd in the burning of it?
A. Different Metals being melted togeCorinthian Brass, on which the Romans set a higher value than Silver, and which in suc
Q. WHO occasion'd the War of Portugal?
A. A Prince whose name was Viriatus, who had usurp'd the Sovereignty of that Country.
Q. By whom was that Country retaken?
A. By Quintus Fabius.
Q. What did they do to Viriatus?
A. They made a Peace with him.
Q. And after the Treaty was ratified, what became of him then?
A. The year following Cepio the Consul, without having any regard to the Treaty, fell suddenly upon Viriatus, and treacherously put him to death.
Q. WHEN did the Ruin of Numantia begin?
A. Sixteen years after that of Carthage, the very same Scipio who had destroy'd that famous City, and thence acquir'd the name of Africanus, went to besiege Numantia.
Q. What incited Scipio to be angry with them?
A. The Numantians had refus'd to surRomans some Rebels who had taken shelter among them.
Q. And how did they behave them
A. Tho they were inferior in number to the Enemy, yet for Nine years together they resisted the whole Power of Rome; nay
Q. But at last how went their Affairs?
A. Scipio the Destroyer of Carthage having sat down before the Town, shut up the be
Q. And what became then of the City of Numantia?
A. It was raz'd to the ground; and thus all Spain became a Province of the Romans.
Q. What other considerable Actions did the Romans about this time perform?
A. They made themselves Masters of Macedonia the Third time.
Q. What was he who had possess'd that Kingdom for some years before?
A. His name Andriscus, a sorry, obscure, pitiful Fellow, who pretending to be the Son of Perses had enter'd that Kingdom with very considerable Forces, in the year 605.
Q. Did he continue long in the possession of this Kingdom?
A. No; for the year following he was defeated by Cecilius Metellus the Praetor, who kill'd him Twenty five thousand men. This Victory made him take the name of Macedonicus.
Q. WHO was the chief of these Slaves that excited the War?
A. Ennus, a Syrian by birth, who coun
Q. How many of these Slaves did he mu
A. About Seventy thousand.
Q. And what memorable Exploits did he perform.
A. He defeated four Roman Praetors; but in the Year 622. he was vanquish'd by the Consul Rupilius.
Q. What remarkable thing happen'd in the year 621?
A. Attalus died, and by Testament left the People of Rome his Heirs.
Q. Did not this alienation make some Malecontents at home?
A. Yes; for it so happen'd that Aristonicus, Natural Son to Eumenes, being disconAsia, and cut in pieces the Army of the PraeCrassus.
Q. This Aristonicus, I suppose, was not al
A. No; for in the year 624 he was vanPerpenna.
Q. Was not the abovemention'd year re
A. Right, for the Death of the second Africanus, who was found dead in his bed; his Wife being suspected to have poison'd him.
Q. Did not the Romans signalize their Valour upon some new occasion?
A. In the year 629 they first attack'd the Inhabitants of Gallia Transalpina, and begun with the Salians and Allobroges.
Q. Who put a Period to that War?
A. Fabius the Consul, by defeating Bituitus King of the Arverni in a pitch'd Battel.
Q. How many men did the King lose in this Action?
A. About Twenty six thousand. The BatIsera; and 'twas at this time that Gallia Narbonensis was reduc'd to the condition of a Roman Province.
Q. WHAT was the Original of this War?
A. 'Twas because Iugurtha King of Numidia, Bastard Son of Micipsa, had ravish'd the Kingdom from the two Legitimate Chil
Q. What did Micipsa's Children do in this Exigence?
A. They implor'd the Assistance of the Roman People, who immediately declar'd War against Iugurtha.
Q. And who carried the Victory?
A. Iugurtha; but he defeated the Romans rather by his private Liberalities, than by the force of his Arms.
Q. But did he still prevail?
A. No; Metellus the Consul, who was a man not to be bribed against the Interest of his Country, was sent against him, and had the better of him in several Engagements.
Q. What other ill successes attended Iugurtha?
A. Marius compleated his Destruction, and at last he was delivered into the hands of his Conqueror, through the Treachery of Bocchus King of Mauritania.
Q. And what became of Iugurtha then?
A. He was carried Prisoner to Rome, and after he had served to adorn the Triumph of Marius, died in his Confinement.
Q. When did that happen?
A. In the year 647, about the time when Cicero was born.
Q. Did Marius perform any more consi
A. Some time after this, in his fourth ConTeutones and the Ambrons.
Q. Did he do any thing else to immorta
A. He, together with Catulus, defeated the Cimbrians, who had design'd to force their way into Italy.
Q. How many of the Enemies we
A. There were Twenty six thousand kill'd, and Sixty thousand taken Prisoners
Q. WHEN began this War?
A. About the Year of Rome 660.
Q. Who was this Mithridates?
A. King of Pontus.
Q. Why did the Romans make War a
A. Because he had turn'd out Ariobarzanes King of Cappadocia, and Nicomedes King of Bithynia, and possess'd himself of their Dominions.
Q. What Method did these two Princes take to be re-establish'd in their Kingdoms?
A. As they were Allies of the Romans, they demanded assistance of Sylla, who at that time was Praetor.
Q. And did Sylla take their part?
A. He immediately took up arms, and haA
and Nicomedes to their own Country again.
Q. But how did Mithridates bear this Ejection?
A. He employ'd all his Efforts so suc
Q. Was not Mithridates somewhat dauntNicomedes and the Romans?
A. Far from that: He levied a mighty Army, and enter'd Cappadocia and Bithynia?
Q. What did he particularly do in the Kingdom of Bithynia?
A. He defeated the Roman Army, and on a day appointed order'd all the Italians that were in Asia to be massacred.
Q. Did he make any farther Advances?
A. He made himself Master of Macedonia, Thrace, and Greece.
Q. Did not the Romans endeavour to stop the progress of his Conquests?
A. Sylla, who was then Proconsul, parted from Rome to hinder his Designs: He immeAthens out of his hands, and afterwards compell'd him to make a Peace; in pursuance of which he was to abandon Asia, Bithynia, and Cappadocia.
Q. Did Mithridates stir no more?
A. Some years after he renew'd the War in Asia; but Lucullus the Consul beat him both by Land and by Sea.
Q. Whither did he retire after this Over
A. At first he resided in his Kingdom of Pontus, but finding himself still pursued by Lucullus, he was obliged to take Sanctuary in Armenia, and beg the Protection of Tigranes.
Q. And did Lucullus still march after him?
A. Having follow'd him into this Coun
Q. What were the Effects of this Battel?
A. The Taking of Nisiba, and Tigranocetta the Capital City of Armenia.
Q. Was not Lucullus gloriously recom
A. No; for his Soldiers refusing to stand by him, he was forced to give way to Pompey, who had the Management of this War devolved upon him after Lucullus.
Q. What Remarkable Exploits did this new General perform?
A. He joyn'd the Iberians and Albanians to the Roman Empire, as he pursued Mithridates.
Q. What was the end of that Unfortu
A. Seeing himself prest hard on every side, he was thinking to make the best of his way into Gaul, and shelter himself there, but the Revolt of his Son Pharnaces, toge
Q. After what manner died he?
A. He endeavour'd ineffectually to dis
Q. When did this War fully terminate?
A. In the Year 691 under Cicero's Con
Q. WHat was the Cause of the Civil war between Marius and Sylla?
A. Ambition on both sides.
Q. What stands Marius charg'd with?
A. He procures the Command of the ArMithridates for himself, by the means of Sulpitius, the Tribune, who by his own Authority had takSylla.
Q. And what did Sylla for his part?
A. Enraged at this Usage, he enters Rome with an Army, puts to death Sulpitius, the Author of this whole Intrigue, and beats out Marius, who thereupon fled into Afric.
Q. What became of Marius?
A. Having got Men enough together to make a small Army, he went to joyn Cinna, who wRome by Octavius his Colleague.
Q. And what happen'd to him after
A. Sertorius and Carbo, having likewise joyn'd these two great Men with abundance
Rome.
Q. When they had entred the City, what did they do?
A. They made a most terrible Slaughter there.
Q. After this cruel Revenge was over, what does Marius next?
A. He gets himself to be declar'd Consul now the Seventh time, and dies the Year following.
Q. When Marius was dead, what MeaSylla take?
A. Having concluded a Peace with Mithridates, he came back into Italy in the Year 672, and after he had vanquish'd Carbo Norbanus, and Marius the Younger, enters Rome, and makes himself be created Dictator.
Q. Being elevated to this Dignity, how did he behave himself?
A. He in his turn banishes all those of the contrary Party, sends back the greatest part of the Senators, but especially Sertorius; and proscribes so great a number of them, that 'tis said, they amounted to Two thousand.
Q. After all this Havock and Destruction, what became of Sylla?
A. He resign'd the Dictatorship at the end of Three years.
Q. And was not that very acceptable to the People of Rome?
A. They were so well pleas'd at it, that when he died the Year following, they or
Q. Were no considerable Persons of Marius's Party remaining?
A. None but Sertorius, who had retired into Spain; but Metellus assisted by Pompey, made War against him.
Q. And did the Event answer his Expe
A. He frequently fought him without aPompey in a short time reduced all Spain unRomans.
Q. AFter Pompey in Conjunction with Crassus, had defeated the Slaves that rebell'd, and had clear'd the Seas of Pyrates, what did he next?
A. He march'd into Iudea to determine some Difference which arose between the Two Brothers, Aristobulus and Hircanus, concerning the Kingdom of Iudea.
Q. What did he there?
A. Having been ill receiv'd by Aristobulus, he took Ierusalem by force, and made them level the Walls of it.
Q. What was remarkable during the Siege?
A. He had so great a Respect for the Temple, that he prohibited his Soldiers to
Q. And what did he do afterwards?
A. He makes Iudea a Tributary Province of the Empire; sets Hircanus on the Throne, and carried the Proud Aristobulus chain'd and bound to set off the Triumph, which he celebrated at Rome.
Q. WHat was the principal Cause of this War.
A. 'Twas Ambition occasion'd all those Calamities which the Roman Empire suffer'd during the Course of this War.
Q. How happen'd it?
A. Pompey, Caesar, and Crassus, seeing themselves to be the most powerful Men of the Republick, made a League together, and so concerted Matters, that the AdministraTriumvirat.
Q. What did Caesar to confirm his Treaty?
A. He gave his Daughter in Marriage to Pompey.
Q. How did they share the Empire be
A. Caesar took the Government of Gaul. Pompey that of Spain. Crassus that of Syria,
Q. After they had thus divided it, what did they do next?
A. Caesar and Crassus went each of them to their Government. Pompey staid at Rome, and contented himself to send his LieuteSpain.
Q. Which was Crassus's first Action in Syria?
A. He pillag'd the Temple of Ierusalem, and carried away all its Riches.
Q. Was he not soon after punish'd for this Sacrilege?
A. Yes; for in an Expedition against the Parthians, he was entirely defeated by Surena, General of their Army.
Q. What happen'd to him in this Battel?
A. He lost the greatest part of his men there, his own Son was slain, and having the misfortune himself to fall into the Hands of the Enemy, they cut off his Head, which being carried to Orodes, King of the Parthians, he caus'd his Mouth to be open'd, and pouring some melted Gold into it, said, Now satisfy thy self with Gold, of which thou hast always been so desirous?
Q. What did Orodes mean by so doing?
A. He only laugh'd at his Avarice, which influenced him to undertake that War.
Q. After Crassus was dead, how did Caesar and Pompey order Matters?
A. Pompey not enduring to bear an Equal, nor Caesar a Superior, they mutually envied one another.
Q. What Measures did Pompey take?
A. He prevail'd with the Senate to recal Caesar from his Government, as soon as his time was expir'd, and to Disband his Ar
Q. And did Caesar comply with these In
A. As he rightly apprehended, that his Conquest of Gaul had created him several Enemies, and very well saw whither this tended, he sent them word, That he was resolv'd to put himself in a Condition to dePompey to do the same.
Q. How did they receive his Proposal?
A. They would not hearken to it, which obliged him to assemble all his Forces toRome.
Q. Did not Pompey endeavour to hinder his March?
A. Caesar's sudden Expedition so afrighted him and his whole Party, that they soon abandon'd Rome and Italy, and pass'd into Greece.
Q. What did Caesar do in the mean time?
A. He enter'd Rome, plunder'd the PubSpain, and beat Afran ̄ius and Petrejus, Pompey's Two Lieutenants, out of the Country.
Q. As he return'd, what did he do?
A. He made himself Master of Marseilles, and entring Rome the second time, he took Possession of the Dictatorship, which the Praetor Lepidius had procur'd to be conferr'd upon him in his Absence.
Q. What did he afterwards?
A. He passed over into Greece to find out Pompey, and having besieged him near Durazzo.
Dyrrachium in Albania, he was so rudely receiv'd, and his Army beaten after such a manner, that if Pompey had known to make the best Use of his Victory, Caesar, even in his own Confession, had been intirely de
Q. Where did Caesar March after this small overthrow?
A. He got his Troops together, and march'd towards Thessaly.
Q. Did any remarkable Action happen there?
A. Yes; for Pompey having pursued him thither, they fought in the Plains of Pharsalia.
Q. On which side fell the Victory?
A. Pompey's Army was totally routed. As for himself, he fled towards Egypt to Ptolomy, who was then very Young.
Q. What happen'd to Pompey?
A. As soon as 'twas known at Court, that he was ready to Land, Theodotius perCaesar to leave him in the quiet Possession of his Kingdom.
Q. And did Ptolomy suffer himself to be so perswaded?
A. Yes; for he immediately sent Achillas and Septimius to Receive and Compliment him on his part; and when they had him alone in a Cock-boat, they immediately assassinated him in the very sight of the Ves
Q. WHat were the Causes of all those Seditions, that so often threatned the Commonwealth?
A. The Ambition, Pride, and Insolence of the Tribunes.
Q. How many of them have you observ'd in History?
A. Five Principal Ones.
Q. When did the first begin?
A. In the Year 261.
Q. What occasion'd it?
A. The Tyranny of the Usurers.
Q. How happen'd that?
A. The People being no longer able to endure their Cruelty, which proceeded so far as to treat them like Slaves, retir'd in Arms to the Sacred Hill: But being appeas'd by the Seasonable Discourse of Menenius Agrippa, who entertained them with the FaRome.
Q. What Privilege did they then extort before they came back?
A. They obtain'd certain Magistrates to defend the People against the Violence of the Senators.
Q. How were these Magistrates call'd?
A. Tribuni Plebis, or the Tribunes.
Q. When began the Second Sedition?
A. In the Year 303.
Q. What occasion'd it?
A. The Arbitrary and Unlimitted Power of the Decemviri.
Q. How came it about?
A. When these Decemviri, or Ten Men, who were chosen by the People to reduce the Laws they brought from Greece into one Body, had fully comprizDuodecim Tabulae; yet they still kept up and maintain'd that Authority, which was only delegated to them for the Execution of this Design.
Q. What is remark'd of Appius Claudius, one of these Decemviri?
A. That his Insolence proceeded so far, as to carry off Virginia, with a design to Ravish her.
Q. What became then of Virginia?
A. Virginius, the Father of this Young Woman, kill'd her with his own Hand in the Forum, as Claudius would have had her dragg'd off, after he had declared her his Slave.
Q. What Effects did this produce?
A. It stirr'd up all the People against the Decemviri.
Q. What did they do to them?
A. They put them all in Prison.
Q. What occasion'd the Third Sedition?
A. It happen'd upon the Subject of MarPatricians.
Q. Where did this Tumult break out?
A. In the Ianiculum, by the management of Canuseius, Tribune of the People.
Q. When did the Fourth Sedition begin?
A. In the Year of Rome 377.
Q. What was the Cause of it?
A. Ambition of Honours.
Q. Wherefore?
A. Because the People would be admitted to Publick Employments, as well as the No
Q. How did that happen?
A. Lucius Stolo, and Lucuis Sextius, TriPlebeians; the Senators oppos'd it with all their Autho
Q. And the Tribunes on their side, what did they?
A. They hindred the making of any CuRome for the space of Five years.
Q. Which of them carried the Point at last?
A. The People, and Lucius Sextius, was the first that was chosen out of their Body.
Q. What was the Cause of the Fifth Se
A. The Gracchi occasion'd it by their enAgrarian Law.
Q. How did that happen?
A. Tiberius Gracchus being desirous to ob
Q. What was the intent of that Law?
A. All the Citizens of Rome were by it forbidden to possess in Land, above Five hundred Acres.
Q. And what was their design in getting it restor'd?
A. To enjoyn all those that possess'd any more to give their Lands up, and distribute them among the People.
Q. Did not all the Nobility vigorously op
A. Yes; but't was to no purpose, for this Law was authoriz'd by the Senate.
Q. And what did he do afterwards?
A. He made his Colleague Octavius quit his Office, because he would have stopt the Execution of this Law.
Q. What happen'd to him at last?
A. This good Success having rendred him insupportably Proud, Scipio Nasico caus'd him to be Assassinated as he came out of the Capitol.
Q. Was not his Death revenged?
A. Caius Gracchus, his Brother, in order to effect it, promises the People to get them all that Wealth which Attalus at his Death bequeath'd to the Romans: The Senate was so highly provoked at his Arrogance, that they offer'd the weight of it in Gold, to any one that should bring his Head.
Q. What then became of Caius Gracchus?
A. He got one of his Slaves to kill him, finding himself pursued by the Consul Opimius; and he that found his Body, cut off his Head, took out his Brains, and fill'd it with melted Lead, to make it weigh the more.
Q. Besides these Five Seditions, do you observe no more?
A. Yes.
Q. Inform me concerning them?
A. Posthumius refusing his Soldiers the pilVolae, which he had promis'd them, a Sedition arose in the Camp, where he was stoned to Death.
Q. What other Seditions can you recount to me?
A. Under Appius Claudius, the Roman Ar
Q. Give me some instance of the Distrust or Jealousy of the Romans.
A. They were so jealous of having the least Invasion made upon their Liberty, that they often sent the most Illustrious of the Nobility into Banishment, whenever they suspected that they design'd to arrogate too much Power to themselves.
Q. Pray give me an Example of it?
A. There was in the first place, Coriolanus banish'd for having served them too well; and Camillus was sent abroad for the same reason.
Q. Wherefore do they say Camillus was exiled?
A. Because the People were possest with an imagination, that this Great Man had not equitably divided the Booty taken from the Vejentes, between them and the Army; so they believed he had a design to secure him
Q. Give me one other Demonstration, I beseech you, that the Romans were so jea
A. They put Spurius Cassius, and Sparius Melius to Death, because they suspected them; the first for endeavouring to revive the Lex Agraria; the second for his Largesses or Donatives to the People.
Q. Who kill'd Spurius Cassius?
A. 'Twas his own Father that executed Justice upon him; and as for the other, Servilius Ahala, General of the Horse, kill'd him in the midst of the Forum, by the order of Quintius Cincinnatus.
Q. And Manlius, how died he?
A. He was thrown headlong from the top of that very Capitol, which he had so gene
Q. For what reason?
A. Because he had deliver'd several poor Debtors from the Clutches of their Credi
Q. How many Roman Generals do you observe there were, that kill'd the Generals of the Enemies Army with their own hands?
A. Three; viz, Romulus, who kill'd Acron, King of the Cecinians; Cornelius Cossus, who kill'd Tolumnius, King of the Vejentes; and Marcellus, who slew Viridomarus, King of the Insubrian Gauls.
Q. Recount to me the Action of Curtius?
A. In the Year 395. a Gulf appear'd in the middle of the Forum; and as 'twas impos
Q. And what Answer did they give them?
A. That it would never close again, till the most precious thing in Rome was thrown into it. Now as they were strangely perMarcus Curtius moun
Q. What was the design of Catiline's Conspiracy?
A. To kill Cicero, who was Consul, to set the City on Fire at the four Corners, to Plunder, and make themselves Masters of it; but this Plot was happily discovered.
Q. Who were concern'd in this Affair?
A. Lentulus, and Cethegus, and several other Senators.
Q. After this Conspiracy was discover'd what became of Catiline?
A. He was condRome; so he withdrew towards his Army.
Q. What was done to the other Conspi
A. They were all put to Death.
Q. What became of Catiline at last?
A. He was defeated, and his Army cut in pieces by Petreius, Lieutenant to Antonius the Consul, and himself kill'd upon the place.
IN the Year 705 of Rome, 4005 of the World, Iulius Caesar made himself EmpeMarch, in the Year 710. He was perpetual Dictator but Three Years, Four Months, and Six Days.
Augustus took the Empire in the Year 711 of Rome; and in 724. after the Death of Marc Anthony, he was sole Emperor, and thus held the Empire Fifty seven years, and the Monarchy Forty three years. He died in the Fourteenth year of the Christian Aera.
These are commonly call'd the XII. Caesars.
Q. I Desire to be instructed in the Pedigree of Caesar?
A He was descended of one of the most Ancient Families of Rome by his Mother's side; and of the Kings of that City by his Father's.
Q. What was his Mother's Name?
A. Aurelia.
Q. Under whom did he learn the Art-Military?
A. Under Marius.
Q. Where did he first carry Arms?
A. In Asia.
Q. What sort of a Reputation had he there?
A. A very bad one, occasion'd by his Lewdness.
Q. To whom did he particularly apply himself?
A. To Pompey and Crassus, as being the most capable to advance his fortune, by rea
Q. What was the first Office he was call'd to?
A. To be Aedile with Bibulus.
Q. What was the next?
A. He was Censor and Pontifex Maximus under the Consulate of Cicero.
Q. When was he made Praetor?
A. The year following.
Q. At his going out of the Praetorship, what did he next?
A. He obtain'd the Government of Spain?
Q. And what did he do there?
A. He perform'd several glorious ExPompey and Crassus, to whom he joyn'd himself.
Q Being advanc'd to that high Dignity, what did he?
A. He distributed his Lands among the People of Rome.
Q And what happen'd to him after
A. By his Artifices and excessive LiberaGaul to be conferr'd up
Q When did he go to take Possession of it?
A. In the Year 696.
Q. How long was he Governor there?
A. Nine years; during which time, he subdued all the Provinces that lye between the Pyrenees, the Alps, the Rhine, and the Rhone, and made them Tributary to Rome.
Q. Was not he the first Roman that adRhine?
A. Right, and built a Bridge over it, to go and give Battel to the Germans who were on the other side.
Q. What other remarkable Things did he perform?
A. He made a Descent likewise upon Britain, which before him was unknown to the Romans.
Q. How often was Fortune contrary to him, during these Nine years.
A. Thrice: The first happen'd to him in Britain, where his Naval Forces had like to have been lost by a Tempest. The second in Gaul, where one of his Legions was inGermany, where his Lieutenants sell into an Ambuscade, and were cut in pieces.
Q. Having plac'd good Governors in Britain and Gaul, what did he next?
A. He repassed into Italy.
Q. And how was he received there?
A. Being at Luca, the Two Consuls, with above Two hundred Senators, and Four hundred Knights went to Congratulate him upon his great Conquests.
Q. What did he afterwards?
A. He demanded a Triumph, and the Con
Q. Was it granted him?
A. No; for Pompey being jealous of Caesar's Glory, so manag'd his Cabals, that they refused him both one and the o
Q. How did Caesar bear this?
A. The Person whom he sent to Rome to make this demand, sets his Hand to his Sword, and tells them, that what they reThat, meaning his Sword, would give him?
Q. What follow'd upon this?
A. Caesar marches towards Rome, at the Head of his Army, which had Conquer'd the Gauls, and passes the Rubicon, a small River, which parted that Government from Italy.
Q. What was done at Rome in the mean time?
A. Pompey gets Caesar declar'd an Enemy to the Republick.
Q. And did this stop Caesar's Cariere?
A. He continues his March to Rome, which was abandon'd by Pompey and his Party.
Q. Whither went Pompey?
A. To Brundusium, from whence he eEpirus, where he was pursued by Caesar.
Q. Did not Caesar repass the Adriatic alone in a Fisherman's Boat?
A. Yes; and when the Master began to despond of safety, cheer'd him with Quid times, Caesarem vehis.
Q. Was there a Battel between them?
A. At first Pompey had great Advantages over him, and had certainly ruin'd him, if he had known how to have used his good fortune.
Q. How then did he miscarry?
A. Instead of protracting the War, and starving his Enemy, which he might easily have done, he fights Caesar at Pharsalia, where he was totally defeated in the Year 706. After this, he flies towards Egypt to King Ptolomy; but before he reach'd the Shore, his Throat was cut in the Long-boat by Achillas and Septimius.
Q. Was it not in this Voyage that Caesar became passionately in love with Cleopatra?
A. Yes; but her Brother Ptolomy, who thought to have obliged Caesar everlastingly by dispatching of Pompey, finding himself not so well receiv'd as he expected;
Q. Resolved to destroy him, did he not?
A. Right, and besieged him in the PaCaesar for a while kept off a Numerous Army; at last, by setting the Neighbouring Buildings on fire, where the finest Library in the World (which is supposed among a thouSolomon's History of Plants) was unluckily burnt to the ground, he makes his Escape to the Pharos, and from thence with his
Ptolomy's Forces, who was drown'd in endeavouring to save himself by flight, he puts the whole KingCleopatra.
Q. What Actions did Caesar perform af
A. He beats Pharnaces, Son to Mithridates, who had assisted Pompey with his Troops in Thessaly.
Q. What was remarable in this Victory?
A. 'Twas so easy and sudden, that Caesar writ no more than these three Words to inVeni, Vidi, Vici. When this was done, he vanquishes Iuba, King of Mauritania, who encouraged by L. Scipio and Cato, renewed the Civil War in Afric. Here he causes Afranius, and Three hundred Senators to be slain, who still con
Q. After his return to Rome, what did Caesar apply himself to?
A. To reform the Calender, and accordNuma had made to consist of only Twelve Lunar Months, that is to say, of 355 Days; whereas by Caesar's new Alteration, it was made to consist of 365 Days, and 6 comMarch.
Q. How was the Year named which con
A. Bissextile; because the Sixth of the Calends was twice reckon'd that Year. This manner of Computation was called the Iulian, from Iulius Caesar the Inventor of it.
Q. When was Caesar declar'd Perpetual Dictator by the Senate?
A. After he had vanquish'd Pompey's Sons in Spain.
Q. What Honours did they pay him?
A. A Temple was dedicated to him as to a God, which so far possessed him with Pride, that he slighted them, and began to set up for a Sovereign.
Q. Was not this the Cause of the Con
A. Yes.
Q. Who were the chief Contrivers of it?
A. Marcus Brutus, and L. Cassius, D. Brutus, and Trebonius.
Q. Was not his Death manifestly foretold by some strange Presages?
A. Yes; but he contemn'd and neglected them.
Q. What sort of Presages were they?
A. Some months before his Death, a cerSpurina, told him, That the Ides of March would prove fatal to him. Calpurnia his Wife, the night before he was kill'd, dreamt that the Cieling of the House fell down, and that her Husband was murder'd between her
Q. These Prognosties, and his own In
A. They made that impression on him, that he was once minded to put off what he had to propose to the Senate till another day; but at last, at the repeated instances of Brutus, who represented to him that a
Q. Being on his way thither, did not some Passages happen to him, which might very well incline him to return home?
A. Spurina the Augur met him to whom says Caesar with a laughing Countenance, Well, Spurina, behold the Ides of March are come. Right, said he, but they are not yet past. After that an unknown person presented him with a Petition in the streets, wherein he inCaesar mingled them among some other Papers, telling him he would see immediately what it contain'd.
Q. What befel him after this?
A. Being arrived to the Senate-House, he was accosted by one Cimber, under pretence of supplicating him to recal home a Brother
Caesar refusing then to do it, and referring it to another time, Cimber seized upon the two sleeves of his Robe; and Caesar crying out against this Violence, all the Conspirators, who had given one another the Signal, sur
Q. Who gave him the First Blow?
A. One whose name was Casea, who wounded him a little below the Throat.
Q. What happen'd aftewards?
A Caesar, who neither wanted Courage nor Vigor, seized upon his Ponyard, and made some effort to escape, but being at the same time run through in several places, and perceiving among the other Assassines Marcus Brutus, for whom he always exprest a mighty tenderness, he says to him in Greek, What, you too, my Son! and then covering his Head with his Robe, he fell down at the feet of Pompey's Statue, having received Twenty three Thrusts.
Q. What became of his Body?
A. The whole Assembly immediately breaking up, his Body was carried to his own House by Three of his Slaves.
Q. Was he buried in any State?
A. Marc Anthony celebrated his Funeral after a most magnificent manner.
Q What did Anthony when he made his Funeral Oration?
A. He caused Caesar's Robe, which was still bloody, to be brought to him.
Q. And what said the people at this mournful sight?
A. It so sensibly affected them, that they ran through all parts of the City with Torches in their hands, to burn the Conspi
Q. What Remarkable Accident hap
A. One Helvius Cinna, a Tribune of the People, having the Misfortune to meet the Mob in the midst of their Fury, was cut in pieces, because they took him for Cornelius Cinna, one of the Assassines.
Q. What became of the Conspirators?
A. The two Brutus's, Cassius, and the rest of them, seeing this terrible Disorder in Rome, left the Town, and retir'd to their respective Governments.
Q. Was any thing done in Honour to Caesar's Memory?
A. The People erected a Pillar to him in the Forum, Twenty Foot high, with this Inscription, Patriae Patri.
Q. Did they do nothing else?
A. They order'd the Gates of the Palace where he was murder'd to be walled up; that the Ides of March should for the future be call'd the Parricidal Ides; and that the Se
Q. What was observable of these Mur
A. That none of them died a Natural Death.
Q. How old was Caesar when he was kill'd?
A. Fifty six years, whereof he had reign'd five.
Q. Was he not much mortified at his Baldness?
A. Yes; because they often rallied him upon this account: For which reason he was always represented with a Crown of Lawrel.
Q What sort of a Temper was he of?
A. So strangely abandon'd to his PleaNicomedes King of Bithynia, expos'd him to the Laughter and Invectives of the whole world. He was call'd Queen of Bithynia by Bibulus, who was his unactive, untalk'd-of Brother Consul.
Q. Was not he extremely given to Wo
A. He debauch'd several, and those of the highest Quality, among the rest, Posthumia Wife to Servius Sulpitius; Tertulla Wife to M. Crassus; and Mutia Wife to Pompey: But the Lady with whom he was principally in Love, was Servilia, Mother of that Brutus who assassinated him.
Q. What Princess was it that he most passionately adored?
A. Cleopatra, with whom he frequently spent whole nights a feasting; nay, he had bore her company as far as Aethiopia, but
Q. Did not he carry her to Rome with him?
A. Yes; where he receiv'd her with all imaginable respect, and loaded her with in
Q. Had he any Children by her?
A. He had a Son, whose Name was Caesario.
Q. What said Curio of him?
A. That he was the Man of all the Women, and the Woman of all the Men.
Q. Was not he a man of Learning?
A. He was the most Eloquent man of his time. He has left behind him some Orations, with a Commentary of his Actions: He could Write and Read at the same time, and Hear what was said to him: He made noHenry the Fourth of France, who resembled him in his Unfortunate End, as well as his Heroic Actions, translated that part of it inFrench, which related to the War of the Gauls. Quintilian says of him, That he Spoke, Writ, and Fought, with the same Spirit.
Q. How many Wives had he?
A. Four; Cossutia, Cornelia, Pompeia, and Calpurnia.
Q. From whence was Cossutia descended?
A. She came of an Equestrian Family, and was extremely rich; but he repudiated her, to marry Cornelia. Cornelia was Daughter to Cinna; by her he had Iulia, who was afterPompey's Wife. Pompeia was DaughClaudius Pompey, and Niece of Sylla; he married her after the Death of Cornelia, but got himself soon divorced from her, upon a suspicion of her having committed Adultery with Claudius, in the Temple of the Goddess Bona.
Q. What was Caesar used to say of Pompeia?
A. That it was not enough for a Wo
Q. Who was Calpurnia?
A. She was the Daughter of Piso.
Q. What Learned Writers were ContemIulius Caesar?
A. Lucretius the Epicurean Poet; Salust that admirable concise Historian; Tully that excellent Orator; and, not to mention any more, Cornelius Nepos the Biographer, or Writer of Lives; and Catul
the Epi
Q. Give me the Portraicture of Iulius Caesar?
A. The Turn of his Face was Oval; his Forehead smooth, a Roman Nose, Black Lively Eyes, his Lips large, his Complexion White and Lovely, of High Stature, the
Q. FRom whom was Augustus descended?
A. He was Caesar's Kinsman, as being Son to Accia the Daughter of Iulia, who was Caesar's Sister.
Q. Where resided he, when Caesar made him his Heir?
A. He followed his Studies at Apollonia, a City of Macedonia.
Q. Who was it that took Augustus's part against Anthony?
A. Cicero, because he refus'd to give him Caesar's Will, upon the score of his being too young.
Q. What course did Anthony take?
A. He left Rome with an Army which he had got ready, and went to besiege D. Brutus in Now Modena.Mutina.
Q. What did the Romans do in this Jun
A. Hirtius and Pansa the two Consuls, with Octavius Caesar, on whom was conferr'd the Title of Proconsul, marched immediately against him with an Army.
Q Upon this Advice how does Anthony manage his Affairs?
A. He raises the Siege to meet them, and so both Parties came to blows.
Q. Was it a bloody Battel?
A. The two Consuls indeed lost their Lives there: However, Anthony was intirely routed, and Brutus set at liberty.
Q. After this defeat, whither went Anthony?
A. He was forced to fly to save his Life, and pass'd the Alpes with a small Retinue.
Q. Where did he retire for Protection?
A. He made his Applications to Lepidus Governor of Gallia Transalpina.
Q What methods did Octavius take, after he heard of the strict Alliance between Anthony and Lepidus?
A. He was desirous of coming into the same Conf
Q. How was this New League called?
A. The second Triumvirate.
Q. And what did Octavius after he was thus reconciled to Marc Anthony?
A. He prevails with him to come into Italy with Lepidus to confer together.
Q. Where was this Interview made?
A. In a small Island between Modena and Bolognia, where all three met.
Q. What Resolutions did they here fall upon?
A. Octavius promis'd Anthony to marry his Sister-in-Law.
Q. Was it not likewise concerted to reCaesar?
A. Yes; and they divided all the Forces, and all the Provinces of the Empire between themselves.
Q. How did they divide the Empire?
A. They resolved that Anthony should have all G
except the ProvinNarb
the Government of which fell to Lepidus's share, as did that of Spain; and that Caesar should command Afric, Sicily, and the other Isles.
Q. Who had the Charge of the War aBrutus and Cassius?
A. Caesar and Marc Anthony.
Q. What bargains did they m
A. Augustus basely abandon'd Cicero to the Indignation of Anthony and he for his part abandon'd his own Unkle to the resentOctavius; Lepidus had a Brother
Paulus, whom he left to the discretion of the other two.
Q. Why was Cicero proscrib'd by Anthony?
A. Because he had cruelly gall'd him with those bitter Invectives the Philippies; which Orations were so called, in imitation of Demosthenes, who had formerly handled King Philip after the same free manner.
Q. Relate to me the manner of Cicero's Death.
A. He was slain by an ungrateful MonPopilius, whom he had formerly defended. This profligate wretch having pursued him as he was going to make his escape into Greece, cut off his Head and his Hands; which Anthony afterThe Rostra.
Q. What became of the other two?
A. Paulus made his Escape; and Lucius Caesar sav'd himself by the cunning of his Sister, who having stopt those that were sent to murder him at the gate, gave him an opportunity to slip cut at the back door.
Q. Do you know the number of the pro
A. They were about Three hundred SeRoman Knights.
Q. When the Proscriptions were over, what did Caesar and Anthony do?
A. They march'd against Brutus and Cassius, and left Lepidus in Rome.
Q. Where was the Battel fought?
A. In Thessaly, near the City of Philippi.
Q. Which way did the Success incline?
A. At first Cassius was beaten back by Anthony, and Caesar by Brutus; but a false Alarm being given on one side, the equality soon vanished. Cassius, who for his part had been forc'd to give way, imagining that Brutus was in the same condition, kill'd himself.
Q. And what became of Brutus?
A. Having made a gallant opposition to Caesar and Anthony for some time, he was at last defeated, and fearing to fall into his Enemies hands, made away with himself.
Q. What did Anthony do with the Ashes of Brutus?
A. He sent them to his Mother in a small Vessel of Silver.
Q. And how did Porcia his Wife receive the News.
A ▪
Being inform'd her Husband was dead, she was resolv'd no longer to survive him, so she dispatch'd her self by swallowing burn
Q. But after this Victory, did not Caesar and Anthony fall out again?
A. They quarrel'd about some Dome
Q. Was not the difference afterwards made up between them?
A. Yes, by Anthony's marrying Octavia the Sister of Caesar.
Q After this Accommodation what hapAnthony?
A. He went into Asia to meet his beloved Cleopatra there.
Q. And where was Caesar?
A. He came back to Italy, where he fell out with Lucius Antonius, Brother to the Triumvir, and made War against him.
Q. And how did it succeed on his side?
A. Having forc'd the other out of Rome, and shut him up in Perusium, he soon obliged him to surrender himself.
Q. What does Lepidus in the mean time?
A. He endeavours in spite of Caesar to make himself Master of Sicily, after they had taken it out of the hands of Sextus Pompeius.
Q. And how did Caesar requite him for his pains?
A. He turn'd him out of the Triumvirate, and banish'd him to a small City, where he spent the remainder of his life in private.
Q. What did Anthony do to please Cleopatra?
A. He discarded Octavia, and married that Charming Queen of Egypt.
Q. And what follow'd upon this Mar
A. Being desirous to present her with the Empire of the whole World, he declares War against Caesar, who was already but
Q. Where was this important Battel fought?
A. At Actium, a Promontory of Epirus; where the last Century the famous Battel of Lepanto was fought between the Venetians and the Turks, wherein the Infidels were beaten.
Q. How many Ships were there on both sides?
A. Caesar had Four hundred, but Anthony had no more than Two hundred.
Q. On which side fell the Victory?
A. In the midst of the Engagement, when as yet the Success on both sides was equal enough, on the sudden Cleopatra possess'd with fear, flies towards Egypt, which Anthony perceiving, leaves the Battel to run after this Fugitive, tho no less a stake than the Empire of the World depended upon it. But Caesar pursued him, and laid Siege to Alexandria.
Q. What became of Anthony?
A. Finding himself irrecoverably lost, he kill'd himself.
Q. And Cleopatra how came she off?
A. Having resolv'd not to adorn the TriCaesar, she follows Anthony's Exam
Q. At what time was Caesar the Master of the whole World?
A. In the year of Rome 725, and the 12th. year after the Triumvirate.
Q. Did not our Blessed Saviour come into the world under the Reign of Augustus?
A. Some Chronologers place his Birth 15 years before the death of Augustus, the 3985th. year after the Creation of the world, and the 753d. from the Foundation of Rome, in the Consulate of Cornelius Lentulus, and Calpurnius Piso: But others that have exaAntistius Verus, and Laelius Balbus, in the year of Rome 747, and the 38th. year of Augustus.
Q. Had Augustus no Sons to bequeath his Empire to?
A. No.
Q. To whom did he leave it then?
A. He adopted Tiberius the Son of his Wife Livia, and at her importunity made him Heir of the Empire, upon condition that he should adopt Germanicus the Son of Drusus.
Q. How long did he reign?
A. Fifty seven years he possessed the EmNola in Campania in Italy.
Q. How many Wives had Augustus?
A. Three; Claudia, Scribonia, and Livia Drusilla.
Q. Had he no Children by Scribonia?
A. He had Iulia, a Lady of no extraor
Q. Who was Claudia?
A. Daughter-in-Law to Anthony, whom his Wife Fulvia had by her former Husband Claudius.
Q Whom of the Three did he most pas
A. Livia Drusilla.
Q. After what manner did he marry her?
A. He took her from her Husband Tiberius, and married her tho she was big with child.
Q. What do Historians particularly reAugustus?
A. That he was of so sweet a Temper, that when a certain person came to presThat he tender'd him a Paper after the same manner as people use to give meat to Elephants.
Q. And don't they observe, that he was a great Admirer of the Fair Sex?
A. As he particularly lov'd them, his Em
Q. Who were his most intimate Friends?
A. Agrippa and Maecenas.
Q. What was the latter remarkable for?
A. He was descended from the Kings of Etruria, and was a most Munificent Patron to all the celebrated Wits of that Age, parVirgil and Horace.
Q. What is it that Historians remark far
A. 'Twas observ'd of him, that when the Affairs of State requir'd Application and Diligence, no one could be more industrious than he. At other times, when he had no business upon his hands, he wholly abanMaecenas afterwards came to signi
Q. When did the Latin Tongue princi
A. All are agreed that it arrived to its greatest Purity in the time of Iulius Caesar, and Augustus. In the following Ages, what by adopting too many Greek Words into their Language, and what by the continuNorthern Nations, it sensibly declin'd; and about the Sixth Century after our Saviour, was totally disus'd at Rome.
Q. What men of note liv'd in his time?
A. So many, that 'tis a difficult matter to recount them. To begin with those that writ in Greek, at this time flourish'd Diodorus Siculus, who spent Thirty years in the Capital City of the World to collect Memoirs for his Historical Library; and that most excelDionysius Halicarnass
; Then Titus Livius, born at Padua, whose Wit, Seneca says, was equal to the Greatness of the Roman Empire. Virgil the Prince of Epic, H
of Lyric, Ovid of Elegiac Poetry.
Cornellus Gallus, Tibullus, and Propertius, with several more of eminent Note, too numeRoman Arms and E&c ▪
so univerAugustean Age.
Q. Did Augustus make any progress in the reducing of Britain?
A. He wholly neglected it, either because he believ'd it would scarce answer the ExRoman Emviz. the Ocean, the Rhine, and the Euphrates.
Q. Was not the Temple of Ianus shut in his time?
A. All Authors agree, That it was now the third time shut by Augustus in the year 730; after it had been the first time shut by Numa, and the second time a little after the first Punic War.
Q. What was the greatest Loss he su
A. Quintilius Varus had Three Legions cut in pieces by the Germans under their GeArminius; which so disturbed him, that he was often heard to say, Quintili Vare, redde mihi Legiones.
Q. Had he any inclinations to be intem
A. No; for in his greatest Debauches he never exceeded his Six Glasses; and as for eating, he sate any where down to Dinner, let the place be never so homely, if he had an appetite.
Q. Was he not superstitious?
A. Yes; and when it thunder'd, (of which he was strangely afraid) he generally carried the Skin of a Sea-calf to preserve himself.
Q. How did he respect his Son-in-Law Agrippa, and the two Iulia's, the Mother and the Daughter?
A. He used to wish, That he could have lived without Wives, and died without Children, whom he frequently call'd his Three Imposthumes.
Q. What sort of a Man was he?
A. His Hair was white, and somewhat frizzled, his Complexion brown, but clear and smooth, his Eyebrows arched, and alRoman Nose, his Mouth well made, small Teeth, but somewhat spoil'd, and a short Chin, his Eyes black and great, a little greenish and full of fire. His Body was marked with small spots, his Stature below the common. There appear'd in his Face something agreeably Majestic and CharmAugustus, and hinder'd a certain Gaul of Quality, who had resolv'd to throw him inAlpes, from pursuing his design. He was of a lively Ima
Q. WHose Son was Tiberius?
A. The Son of Livia and Tiberius Nero. He was Fifty five years old when he came to the Empire.
Q. What sort of a Prince was he?
A. His chief Talent lay in dissimulation, and he was universally hated for his Cruel
Q. But how did he behave himself in the beginning of his Reign?
A. He conceal'd all his Faults from the world with admirable address and dexterity.
Q. What obliged him to stand so much upon his guard?
A. Because he was afraid of Germanicus, Son to his Brother Drusus, whom he had adopted.
Q. And how did he serve him at last?
A. He dispatch'd him out of the way, because he was jealous of his growing Me
Q. After what manner did he accomplish his design?
A. He sends this Prince, who had already by his Valour and Conduct ended the Wars
Germany, into the East, to beat back the Parthians.
Q. And what way did he take there to destroy him?
A. He conferr'd the Government of Syri
upon Piso, who being a mortal Enemy to Germanicus, poison'd him in the year of Rome 772.
Q. Was it not discover'd afterwards that he was p
A. YAgrippina, Wife to Germanicus, accused Piso of the Fact, who knowing himself to be guilty, prevented his Con
Q. When did Tiberius give the full stretch to his Cruelties?
A. After the death of his Mother Livia, which happen'd much about this time.
Q. With whom did he begin to exercise his barbar
A. By poisoning Drusus Caesar his Son; after this he starved to death Nero and D
the Children of Germanicus, and all this by the advice of his great Favourite Sejanus.
Q. How did this Sejanus behave himself aft
A. He committed a thousand Crimes; and his Insolence carried him so far as to say, That he was Emperor of Rome, and that Tiberius was only Prince of Capreae, a small Isle near Naples, where he used to retire. But his Pride did not last long.
Q. What Accident befel him?
A. After he had suffer'd a thousand In
Q. What remarkable Passage was it that happen'd between Tiberius and the Astrologer Thrasillus?
A. Tiberius had resolved one day to throw him headlong into the Sea, as he was walkThrasillus answered him, That he knew nothing precisely of that matter, but this he was sure of, That he was never in so great danger in his life, as he was at that moment.
Q. Did not this Answer wholly alter Tiberius's Resolution?
A. Yes, he saved him, and after this re
Q. Did not the Crucifixion of our Blessed Saviour happen under his Reign?
A. It fell out in the th. year of his Em
Q. Did not Tiberius propose it to the SeRomans worshipp'd?
A. Yes.
Q. And did the Senate give their consent to it?
A. No; because it was forbidden by the Laws of the Twelve Tables to receive any Foreign gods.
Q.When did Tiberius dye?
A. He died in the 77th Year of his Age, after he had reign'd Two and twenty years, Six months.
Q. Was not Caligula supposed to hasten his Death?
A. Yes.
Q. How did he manage it?
A. By over-loading him with Blankets, under a pretence of making him warm.
Q. Where was Tiberius at that time?
A. He was in the Isle of Capreae, where he had no other Witnesses of his Lewdness, than those who had their share in the same Crimes, wallowing in all sorts of brutal Lusts, and in some manner forgetting he was Emperor.
Q. By what Nick-name was he publickly called?
A. Caprinus, alluding to the Isle of Capreae, and his Lasciviousness.
Q. What remarkable Curiosities had he in that Island?
A. He had Chairs and Closets of his own Invention to exercise his Lewdness.
Q. What things were farther observable in his House?
A. He had several Chambers furnish'd with lascivious Pictures and Statues, where were to be seen the Books of Elephantis, fill'd with immodest Postures.
Q. What Learned Men flourish'd in his Time?
A. Velleius Paterculus, who writ an AbridgRoman History, and is so uniValerius Maximus, who has given us an Excellent Collection of MemoQuintus Curtius, the Writer of Alexander's Life under his Reign, taking him to be the same Person whom Su
mentions as a Rhetorician, and Tacitus as ProconAfric under that Emperor. But oVespasian; and some to have lived under the Reign of Trajan.
Q. What remarkable Things happen'd in his time.
A. The first President of burning of Books began under him. For Cremutius Cordus haBrutus the last of the Romans, Tiberius orders the AuForum. Ovid too died in his Exile in Pontus, in this Emperors time.
Q. How many Wives had Tiberius?
A. Two: Agrippina, the Daughter of Agrippa; and Iulia, the Daughter of Augustus.
Q. What sort of a Man was he?
A. The Features of his Face were regu
Q. FRom whom was Caligula descended?
A. He was the Son of Germanicus and Agrippina, and Nephew to Tiberius.
Q. Where was he Born?
A. In Germany, in the Camp, and was brought up among the Soldiers, who gave him the Name of Caligula.
Q. For what reason?
A. Because he wore little Boots, after the Soldier's fashion; for Boots in Latin, are call'd Caligae.
Q. How old was he when he came to the Empire?
A. Twenty five years old.
Q. Were not the People extremely pleas'd at his Elevation to this Dignity?
A. Yes; hoping he inherited all his Fa
Q. Did not he manage himself very well at the beginning.
A. He express'd so much Tenderness and Moderation, that he rais'd the ExpectatiItaly. All those Persons, who for fear of Tiberius had absconded, now
Q. Did this continue long?
A. No; for soon after he wholly changed his manner of Life, and resign'd himself up to Cru
Q. What particular Acts of Cruelty are recorded of him?
A. He fill'd Rome with the Blood of the Principal Men of the Empire; nay, he abu
Q. What was his common saying?
A. He frequently wished the People of Rome had but one Head.
Q. Why so?
A. That he might have the pleasure of cutting it off, and destroying all the Romans at one stroke.
Q. When his Sister Drusilla was dead, what respect did he pay to her Memory?
A. He caus'd a Temple to be erected to her, as if she had been a Goddess.
Q. How did he serve those that lamented her Death, and those that express'd no Sor
A. He indifferently commanded them both to be put to Death.
Q. For what pretence?
A. The first, because they envied Drusilla's happiness, whom he had so lately en
Q. How far did his Pride and Arrogancy carry him?
A. He commanded himself to be adored as a God, and would needs have Temples built to him in all places. He pretended that the Moon was mightily fallen in love with his Person, and that she frequently came down to Caress him.
Q. How did Vitellius rally him upon that Subject?
A. Why, says he, when you gods are together, we poor men are not able to see what you are a-doing.
Q. To what other monstrous Extravagan
A. He made his Horse be declared Consul in full Senate; he banish'd Livy's Statue and Writings from all Libraries; he gave Virgil the same Treatment, and would have suppress'd the Verses of Homer, pretending his Power ought to be no less than Plato's, who had prohibited the Reading of them in his Imaginary Republick. Lastly, as he hated Seneca, and all men of Eminent Vir
Q. Had not he a mighty Ambition to ride a Horseback over the Sea?
A. To accomplish this unaccountable FroNapales
Baiae, which is reckon'd to be more than four Miles.
Q. And what noble Pranks did he play upon this Bridge?
A. He magnificently feasted all such whom their Curiosity had brought thither, and af
Q. Having quitted Rome to go and fight the Britains, what fine Employment did he set his Army upon?
A. He only made them gather CockleRome.
Q. After what manner did he receive those that came to see him?
A. He only gave them his Foot to kiss.
Q. In his Buildings, what did he chiefly affect?
A. To force Nature, and attempt Impos
Q How spent he those prodigious Sums which Tiberius had gather'd?
A. In levelling Mountains and Vallies.
Q. How was his Death?
A. He was kill'd by Cassius and Sabinus, a Captain of the Guards.
Q. How long did he Reign?
A. Three Years, Ten Months, and Eight Days.
Q. What became of Caesonia, his Wise, and his Daughter?
A His Wife was likewise Assassinated, and they dashed out the Brains of the little Daughter he had by her, against a Wall.
Q. What found they in his Cabinet after his Death?
A. A Book wherein he had writ down the Names of all those whom he design'd to put to Death; and a Coffer, wherein there was so great a quantity of Poyson, that having thrown it into the Sea, they saw the Shore next Morning cover'd with dead Fish.
Q. What Writers of Note flourish'd in his time?
A. Appion the Grammarian, for his insupCymbalum Mundi, and that most Eloquent Platonist, Philo Iudaeus, a Iew.
Q. How many Wives had Caligula?
A. Four: Iunia Claudilla, Livia Orestilla, Lollia Pausina, and Caesonia.
Q. What sort of a Man was he?
A. Of tall Stature, bright Hair, the top of his Head bald, his Forehead high, large, and wrinkled; his Looks fixt and stern; his Eyes sunk in his Head; hollow Tem
Q OF what Family was Claudius the Chief?
A. He was Son to Drusus, the Brother of Germanicus, Unkle of Caligula, and Nephew of Tiberius.
Q. How came he to be Elected Empe
A. At that very time, when the Senators were deliberating whether they should chuse any more Emperors, or re-stablish the Com
Q. And did they Rifle it accordingly?
A. No; for happening to find Tiberius Claudius Nero there, who hid himself for fear of being kill'd, they carried him immedi
Q. What was his true Character?
A. That he was a Prince without Vice, but had no manner of Spirit or Conduct.
Q. By whom did he suffer himself to be intirely govern'd?
A. By his Wife, and Freed men.
Q. What do Historians particularly tell us of his Wife M
A. She caus'd the greatest part of her Gallants to be put to Death, when they were no longer able to satisfy her brutal Pas
Q. Among the rest, did she not cause Silanus to be assassinated, who was one of the handsomest Gentlemen of Rome?
A. Yes; and the reason was, because he refused to gratify her Lust.
Q. A strange Monster of an Empress this; but what is farther observable of her?
A. That she could not see a well-made beautiful Actor upon the Stage, but she im
Q. What end came she to at last?
A. Claudius, who had tamely bore all these Injuries so long, at last wakens out of his Lethargy, and causes her with her AdulC
to be kill'd.
Q. What provoked him to it?
A. While he was but a days Journey diRome, his Rampant Empress pubRoman Knight, and makes him Consul.
Q. How many Children had he by Messalina?
A. Britannicus and Octavia.
Q. After Messalina's Death, whom did he Marry?
A. His Niece Agrippina, Daughter to his Brother Germanicus, and the Mother of Nero, whom she had by Domitius.
Q. What sort of a Woman was this Agrippina?
A. A Princess of a great Spirit.
Q. What remarkable Thing is recorded of her?
A. She established a Roman Colony in Germany upon the Rhine, from her call'd Colonia Agrippina; 'tis now call'd Colen.
Q. When for the gratifying her Ambition, she consulted the Oracle to know what her Son's fortune would be, what answer did she receive?
A. That he would be Emperor indeed, but then would certainly Murder her.
Q. And what said she to this Prediction?
A. It signifies nothing so long as he reigns. Occidat modo imperet.
Q. What did Claudius dye of?
A. He was poyson'd by Agrippina, who gave him some Mushrooms to eat.
Q. Why did she serve him so?
A. Because he would not declare her Son his Successor in the Empire.
Q. Did this Poyson carry him off?
A. No; but it made him extremely Sick.
Q. Who then hasten'd his Death?
A. His Physitian thrust a poyson'd Fea
Q. How long did he Reign?
A. Thirteen years, Eight months, and Twenty days.
Q. When Claudius was dead, what did Agrippina do to Britannicus?
A.
Romans should
Q. And what did Nero do in the mean while.
A. He was at the Camp, and got himself proclaim'd Em
Q. Did Nero buClaudius magnificently?
A Yes; and prevail'd to have him Cano
Q. How many Wives had Claudius?
A. Six: Lepida, Camilla, Vrgulanilla, Petina, M
and Agrippina.
Q. How many Chil
A. He had by Vrgulanilla Drusus and Claudius; by Petina Anconia, and by M
and Britannicus.
Q. Describe me the Person of Claudius?
A. The Corners of his Eyes were full of little red Veins, his Stature was Tall, his Body well-proportion'd, a good Counte
Q I Desire to be inform'd of Nero's Gene
A. He was the Son of Domitius Aenobarbus and Agrippina.
Q. How old was he when he came to the Empire?
A. Sixteen years old. Seneca was his MaBurrus his Governor.
Q. What remarkable Things do Histori
A. Being one day oblig'd to Sign a Dead Warrant for a Criminal, he seem'd to be touch'd with so much Compassion, that he wish'd he could not write. O quam vellem me nescire literas.
Q. Which was his principal Vice?
A. Cruelty.
Q. With whom did he begin to exercise that barbarous Quality?
A. He first poysons Britannicus.
Q. What farther barbarous Acts did he commit.
A. He put his Mother Agrippina to Death, after he had for a long time before stript her of all Authority, nay, and turn'd her out of Court.
Q. After he had caus'd her to dye, what did he more?
A. He had a mind to behold her all naked as she lay, and brutally said, That he did not think his Mother had been so fine a Wo
Q. Did he make any farther Progresses in his Barbarity?
A. He took away Otho's Wife, named Poppea Sabina; he repudiated Octavia, and afterwards put her to Death; and shortly after, he kick'd the abovemention'd Poppea so that she died of it.
Q. Was no Conspiracy form'd against him?
A. Piso contrived one against him, and had engaged several Gentlemen in it, but Nero happening to discover the Author and his Accomplices, among whom were the Poet Lucan and Seneca, he put them all to Death.
Q. Wherein did his Vanity chiefly lye?
A. He mightily valued himself for playGreece, to let the Grecians see he was a good Musitian, and a good Actor.
Q. Who was it he married instead of a Woman?
A. Pythagoras his Libertus, or Freed
Q. Had he not a Natural Inclination to mischief?
A. He was so strangely inclin'd that way, that he frequently said King Pream was the happiest Prince in the world, for having the satisfaction to see his Country all in Flames, before he lost his Kingdom.
Q. Had he not a great fancy to represent the burning of Troy by that of Rome?
A. One night he distributed his Guards through all parts of the City, and com
Q. Where was Nero all this while?
A. Upon Maecenas's Tower, from whence he beheld the Fire, and sung some of Homer's Verses upon the Destruction of Troy.
Q. Whom did he charge with this Action?
A. As he had a mortal hatred to the Christians, he accused them with having set the City on fire, and put several of 'em to death for it.
Q. Was it not he who began to perseRome?
A. Right; and made them suffer Tor
Q. Was not Armenia taken by one of his Generals?
A. Domitius Corbulo, sufficiently famous for conquering the Frisians, took and burnt Artaxata the Metropolis of the Country, beat out the Parthians, and sent Tiridates to Rome, where he received a Diadem from Nero: Yet after all these considerable ServiGreece by Nero, he was forced to lay hands on himself, to pre
Q. Was this Tyrant beloved by his Sub
A. No; for so many Crimes having drawn upon him the Contempt and HaVindex a Roman Senator, and Governor of Gaul revolted first against him, and declared Galba the GoSpain, Emperor.
Q. In the mean while was Rufus the GoHigh-Germany unactive?
A. He enter'd Gaul with a powerful ArVindex.
Q. And what happen'd upon this?
A. His Army, which knew nothing of his intention, fell upon that of Vindex, and cut it to pieces.
Q. What did Vindex do when he saw this?
A. Imagining that Rufus had betray'd him, and inrag'd at the intire loss of his Troops, he out of despair kill'd himself.
Q. What was the upshot of all?
A. The German Army join'd the small reGaulish, and then Rufus deGalba Emperor.
Q. Was not Nero terribly alarm'd at this Revolt?
A. Instead of preparing himself for a Battel, he resolved to make his Escape into Aegypt, saying, he could get his Livelihood any where by his Acting and Singing.
Q. How did his Guards behave them
A. They all forsook him.
Q. Whither then did Nero retire to save himself?
A. He stole privately out of Rome, and hid himself in a Cave.
Q. When the Senate perceiv'd that, what Resolutions did they take?
A. They declar'd him at the same time an Enemy to the People of Rome, condemn'd him to dye, and sent out Soldiers every where to go and apprehend him.
Q. Well, what befel him at last?
A. Finding there was no hopes to preEpaphroditus one of his Free'd-men to kill him, who broke his Ponyard as he endeavour'd to do him that kindness, but at last made a shift to dispatch him.
Q. Was not Nero the last Emperor of the Augustean Family?
A. Yes.
Q. How old was he when he died?
A. One and thirty, having reign'd 13 Years, 7 Months, 28 Days, on the very same day whereon he had formerly comOctavia to be assassinated.
Q. How many Wives had he?
A. Three; Octavia, Poppea, and Statilia.
Q. What remarkable Accident happen'd in his Reign?
A.
Lugdunum, a famous Colony in France, was in the space of one night burnt down to the ground; and so as an Ancient Writer handsomely express'd himself, Inter magnam urbem & nullam vix horarum aliquot spatium fuit.
Q. What Learned men flourish'd at that time?
A. Seneca, and Lucan, the Unkle and NeNero caus'd to be put to death for being concern'd in Piso's Conspiracy: The former an Excellent Philosopher; and the latter, if he had been Master of a solid Judgment, as he was of Flame and Spirit, a most Admirable Poet. Then Persius the obscure Satyrist; and Silius Italicus, who composed a Poem about the Punic War; Epicte
the Moralist, slave to Epaphroditus, one of Nero's Free'd men; and Petronius Arbiter.
Q. Who was this Petronius Arbiter?
A. An Epicurean by profession, and ComNero's Pleasures, who made proRoman Writers. Tho he was one of the Emperor's greatest Confidents, yet falling at last into Disgrace with him, he bled himself to death, and at his last mo
Q. What sort of a man was Nero?
A. His Visage was Full, and Red, but
Q. BY whom was Galba declared Empe
A. By his Army; but his over-great Se
Q. Did he find no manner of opposition?
A. He was scarce arrived at Rome, when he receiv'd advice, that Vitellius the GoverGermany was proclaim'd Emperor by his Army.
Q. What measures did he take to main
A. He adopted Piso a man of great Me
Q. Was not Otho, this Emperor's intimate Friend, offended at this Adoption?
A. It so much disgusted him, that he rais'd the Praetorian Bands against the Empe
Q. Having gain'd the affection and good will of the Soldiery, what did he next?
A. He immediately went to the Camp, and got himself to be proclaim'd Emperor. After this he placed himself at the head of the Guards, who kill'd Galba, and cut off his head.
Q. What did they do with his Head?
A. They carried it to Otho, who told them they did nothing in murdering of Galba, unless they clear'd their hands of Piso, which was almost as soon executed as advis'd.
Q. How old was he when they kill'd him?
A. Seventy two years old; and he reign'd six months, and seven days.
Q. How many Wives had he?
A. Only one, whose name was Lepida.
Q. What sort of a man was Galba?
A. He was neither big nor little, he had a Roman Nose, Black Eyes, a Bald Head, a Long Visage, and full of Wrinkles.
Q. WHat was Otho's Character in the world?
A. He was a debauch'd man, who surNero, in order to make his Fortune at Court by it.
Q. How did Vitellius the Governor of Germany employ himself?
A. Having been proclaim'd Emperor by his Soldiers, as we have already mention'd, he marched towards Italy with a great ArOtho at the Battel of Bebriacum.
Q. Where was this Battel fought?
A. Near Placentia.
Q. What course did Otho take when he heard of the defeat of his Army?
A. He despair'd of repairing his Loss, and so resolv'd to kill himself. His Friends disItaly and Asia, from whence he might easily furnish himself with considerable Forces.
Q. And what Answer did he make 'em?
A. He said, That for his part he thought it more advisable to quit the Empire to Vitellius, than to be the occasion of shedding so much blood: So he advised them to repair immediately to the Conqueror, that so they might the sooner obtain pardon of him.
Q. And what did he do at last.
A. He slew himself, after he had burnt all the Letters which had been writ to him, and might bring his Friends into danger.
Q. How old was he then?
A. He was Eight and thirty years old, and had reign'd Three Months, and Five Days.
Q. Describe me his Person?
A. He was of Low Stature, his Head bald, his Legs crooked, and the Features of his Face much resembling Nero's.
Q. WHat sort of a man was Vitellius, as to his Temper?
A. He was one that made a god of his belly, and thought of nothing else but eat
Q. What remarkable Action happen'd under his Reign?
A. Valens and Cecinna defeated Otho's ArItaly.
Q. Where was Vitellius at that time?
A. He attended the Success of the War at Lyons, where he minded nothing but feast
Q. Where did he steer his course after he was inform'd that his Generals had got the Victory.
A. He march'd directly to Rome, where he profusely squander'd away all the Money he found in the Treasury; and his continual. Drunkenness made such a Beast of him, that sometimes he would forget he was Emperor.
Q. When he was arrived there, what did he do?
A. He banished all the Astrologers and Fortune-tellers out of Rome.
Q. Where was Vespasian at that juncture?
A. He was making War against the Iews, in quality of Lieutenant General to Otho.
Q. What happen'd to him there?
A. He was extremely importun'd by his Army to give his consent for them to declare him Emperor.
Q. And did he hearken to this Proposal?
A. It was not without great difficulty he was prevail'd upon to comply with them, but at last he gave his consent.
Q. Who assisted him in this Under
A. Mucianus the Governor of Syria, and all the Princes of the East.
Q. Whom did he intrust with the maIewish War?
A. His Son Titus.
Q. And whither did he himself march?
A. After he had dispatch'd his LieuteRome with a great Army, he went for Egypt.
Q. Was not Vitellius strangely surprized, when he heard of the general defection of the people from him?
A. He seem'd not to be much concern'd at the News, but contented himself with only fending his Lieutenants against Vespasian, who defeated them.
Q. Did not this Overthrow oblige Vitellius to m
A. Right; but he was so little accustom'd to the Fatigues and Hardships of War,
Rome to his Plea
Q. At his Arrival there, what measures did he take?
A. He made a Treaty of Peace with Sabinus the Governor of Rome.
Q. What were the Conditions of this Treaty?
A. That he should surrender the Empire into the hands of Vespasian.
Q. Were not his Guards extremely in
A. It very much displeas'd themVitellius upon the account that he gave them liberty to do what they would.
Q. What happen'd in this Contest?
A. The Capitol was burnt down to the ground, as it had been once before in the bloody Disputes between Sylla and Marius.
Q. What became of Vitellius at last?
A. He had the misfortune to be taken by the Captains of Vespasian's Army, and d
Q. What did they do to him after this?
A. They cut his Throat, and afterwards threw him into the Tiber.
Q. How old was he then?
A. He was 57 Years old, and had only reign'd 8 Months and 5 Days.
Q. How many Wives had he?
A. Two; Petronia and Galeria.
Q. How was he made?
A. He was of an extraordinary Stature, his Belly prodigiously big, and a very Red Face.
Q. WHen was Vespasian crown'd Empe
A. 'Twas after the Death of Nero, who had sent him into Iudea to chastise the Inso
Q. By whom was he proclaim'd Empe
A. By his Army; and after he had left his Son Titus in Iudea, and put all the ForRome.
Q. And how order'd he his Affairs there?
A. He put Vitellius to death, who as we told you before, had made himself Master of the Empire.
Q. After what manner did he deport him
A. With infinite Justice and Sweetness.
Q. What Transactions fell out in the se
A. The Iewish War, which some turbuNero's Reign, was ended.
Q. Who was the Ringleader of the Fa
A. Eleazer the Son of Ananias. Religion furnish'd them with a pretence to rebel, and the people were easily induc'd to it, because the Romans had made a terrible slaughter of their Countrymen.
Q. Who was it that laid Siege to Ierusalem?
A. Caestius Gallus, the Lieutenant of Syria, but he was forced to raise it ignominiously, with a considerable loss of his Forces.
Q. At what time did this happen?
A. In the 12th. year of Nero's Empire, and the 65th. of our Saviour.
Q. Whither did the Iews march after this Victory?
A. They returned to Ierusalem, where they chose new Leaders, and among the rest Ios
the Son of Mattathias, in the year 67 of J
Q. What did Vespasian, who was afterNero, do?
A. He took several Towns, and Iosephus himself, who foretold that he should be e
Q. Did Vespasian then besiege Ierusalem, the Capital City of the Iews?
A. Yes; but the Death of Nero, and the Murder of the following Emperors, inter
Q. What was the Conclusion at last?
A. In the year 70 of J. C. at the Feast
April, after a Siege of four months continuance, this famous Temple was burnt, and the Ci
Q. What follow'd upon the loss of Ierusalem?
A. The name of the Iewish People was abolish'd, and their Miseries were so excessive
Q. What Calamities did they sustain?
A. There was so terrible a Famine du
Q. Without question they lost a world of men in this Siege?
A. About Eleven hundred thousand souls perish'd there; which is almost an incredi
Q. What became of the City?
A. It was raz'd to the ground by Titus's order; and according to our Blessed SaviIews that remain'd were carried away Prisoners.
Q. What happen'd in the Third Year of Vespasian's Reign?
A. This Emperor and his Son triumph'd over the Iews, and afterwards he laid the
Q. What particular things did he do to advance his Glory after this War was over?
A. He begun a Noble Amphitheatre, which Augustus had a great desire once to build.
Q. After what manner did he end his days?
A. Being at the point of death, he rais'd himself on the sudden, and cried out, Oportet Imperatorem stantem mori, An Emperor ought to dye standing.
Q. How old was he when he died?
A. He was Sixty nine years old, he reign'd Ten years within Ten days, and hasten'd his Death by drinking too much cold water.
Q. Pray give me a Description of him.
A. He was of an indifferent Stature, but thick, his Visage red, his Shoulders large, his Constitution vigorous, his Looks cheerful, his behaviour courteous, a War
Q. Was it not he that gave occasion to the Proverb, To shooe a Mule?
A. Yes.
Q. How did it happen?
A. Being once in the Countrey, a man who desir'd to speak with him, gave some Money to the Muleteer who conducted his Litter, to stop it, and make as if he was go
Q. Did not the Emperor smell out the trick?
A. He immediately gave Audience to the man that had a desire to talk with him, but ask'd his Muleteer how much Money he got by shooing his Mule?
Q. Was he not constrain'd to lay several Taxes upon the people?
A. Yes; because his Predecessors had by their Luxury quite exhausted the Publick Treasury.
Q. Was it not he that laid an Excise up
A. Yes by the same token that his Son taking occV
takes a P
Q. What answer did he make?
A. He told him, No. And yet for all that, says the Emperor, this very Piece came from the Excise upon Vrine.
Q. WHO was Titus?
A. The Son of V
Q. How did he behave himself in the be
A. He immediately quitted the Natural
The Love and Delight of all Mankind.
Q What were the first Instances he gave of his Clemency?
A. He pardon'd two Persons of Quality who had conspir'd against him; he likewise pardon'd his Brother Domitian, who had form'd a second Conspiracy against him, and instead of punishing him, declared him his Successor in the Empire.
Q. How died he?
A. His Brother Domitian, notwithstanding he had pardon'd him before, dispatch'd him by Poison, when he was aged Forty one years, and after he had reign'd Two Years, Two Months, and Twenty Days.
Q. What other demonstrations did Titus give of his Mercy?
A. 'Tis said he never refus'd any thing which was asked of him; and would fre
Q. What is besides reported of him?
A. One Night as he was at Supper, he remembred himself that he had done good to no body that day, My Friends, says he to those that were about him, I have lost a Day, Diem perdidi.
Q. What remarkable Passages happen'd during his Reign?
A. A prodigious quantity of Fire and
Vesuvius, which were thrown as far as Afric, Syria, and Egypt.
Q. Did not this Irruption do a great deal of damage?
A. Pliny the Elder being desirous to be
Q. What was it that Titus said as he was going to dye.
A. That he only repented himself of one thing, but did not express what it was: 'Tis imagin'd that it was because he had not put his Brother Domitian to death, and clear'd the Empire of so wicked and cruel a Mon
Q. Had he not a great value for the SeRome?
A. Yes; for tho he was passionately in Love with Queen Berenice, yet he refused to marry her, because he thought the Senate and People of Rome would disapprove of the Match.
Q. What sort of a man was he?
A. He was of the common Stature, the Features of his Face very good, his Belly somewhat of the largest; of a courteous Be
Q. WHose Son was Domitian?
A. He was the Son of Vespasian, and younger Brother to Titus.
Q. Was he like his Father?
A. No; and much less did he resemble his Brother Titus, since he was one of the most profligate Monsters that ever lived, and was not inferior to Nero in Cruelty, Avarice, and Incontinence.
Q. In what did he chiefly excel?
A. He was so great a Master at his Bow, that he would frequently order a man to be set with his hand stretch'd out, and his Fin
Q. What was his constant Occupation?
A. He pass'd whole days in his Closet alone, where he diverted himself with the Royal Sport of Fly-catching.
Q. Did not some-body rally him upon this occasion?
A. A certain Person of Quality having one day asked, Who was with the Emperor in his Closet? answer was made him, That not so much as a Fly was with him.
Q. Did he perform any Warlike Expedi
A. He triumph'd twice over the Daci and the Catti.
Q. Who was his chief Confident?
A. One Martial, whom he particularly affected; I don't mean the Poet of that name, but another to whom that Poet ad
Q. To what extravagant Actions did his Folly lead him?
A. He must needs pass for a god, and so commands several Statues of Silver and Gold to be erected to his own Honour.
Q. What other strange Frolicks did he play?
A. Being minded one day to put the Sena
Q. Well, and when they came there, how were they receiv'd?
A. He orders them to be lock'd up in a Hall hung with Black, and only lighted by a few Lamps, by the light of which they could discern several Coffins, upon each of which were written the names of those that were invited.
Q. Did not this terrible Scene possess them with strange apprehensions?
A. Yes; for after they had continued some time in these cruel imaginations, some naked persons whose Bodies were blacken'd all over, entred the Hall with Swords in one hand, and flaming Torches in the other.
Q. Did they not give themselves all for lost?
A. Yes; but after these black men had danced a pretty while about them, they open'd the doors, saying, The Emperor gave all the Company leave to withdraw.
Q. What was Domitian's usual way to make himself remember the Names of those whom he design'd to put to death?
A. He writ their Names down in a Table-Book, but it cost him very dear; for having among several others set down the Names of his Wife Domitia, Norbanus, Petronius, and Stephanus;
Q. What happen'd upon it?
A. Domitia, who very well knew the Table Book, having accidentally lighted upon it one day, she show'd it to those perDomitian.
Q. How was Domitian's end?
A. Stephanus stabb'd him with a Ponyard in his Closet; but the Guards running in immediately to his assistance, they soon kill'd Stephanus among them.
Q. What was Apollonius Tyanaeus a-doing at the moment when this happen'd?
A. He harangu'd the people of Ephesus, but stopt himself in the midst of his DisCourage, StephaStrike the Tyrant; and a moment after, says he, The Tyrant is dead, he is just now slain.
Q. What else do Historians remark of Domitian?
A. He persecuted the Christians throughRoman Empire. 'Twas he that banished St. Iohn into the Isle of Patmos; tho others lay it upon Nero, which is the more probable of the two.
Q. What Learned Writers flourished in his time?
A. That Sonorous Enthusiastic Poet Statius; Martial the Witty Epigrammatist; Iuvenal the declaiming Satyrist; that celebraQuintilian; Musonius the Philosopher; Apollonius Tyanaeus, a notorious Impostor and Pretender to MiraIosephus, who has writ the Antiquities of his own Countreymen: And for the Art Military, there was Iulius Agricola, who sailed round Great Britain, by him conquer'd, and was the first Roman that discover'd it to be an Island. He found and subdued the Orkney Islands: But notwithstanding these great services, Domitian dispatch'd him by Poison.
Q. How old was this Emperor when he was slain?
A. He was Forty four years old, having reign'd Fifteen Years and six days.
Q. Pray give me a Description of him?
A. He was lusty and well-proportion'd, he had a handsome Nose, large Eyes, he
Q. WHO was this Nerva?
A He was a Person of Quality who deriv'd his Original from Narni, a City scituated in the Province of Vmbria.
Q. What Character had he in the World
A. He had the Reputation of a most Ex
Q. What considerable things did he do in the beginning of his Reign?
A. He cancell'd all the Edicts that had been made in Domitian's time.
Q. How old was he when they elected him to the Empire?
A. He was Sixty five years old.
Q. What other Proofs did he give the people of his Clemency and Generosity?
A. He restor'd all persons to their PossesDomitian, and gave leave to all those whom he had banish'd, to return to their Native Countrey. Among the rest, say some, St. Iohn the Evangelist, who suffer'd Exile in the Isle of Patmos, came back to Ephesus, of which City he was Bishop.
Q. What remarkable Oath was that which Nerva swore?
A. He solemnly swore before the Sena
Q. And did he keep his Oath?
A. He so religiously observ'd it, that two of them having conspir'd to take away his Life, he would not suffer them to dye?
Q. What did he do to them then?
A. He sent for them to let them see he was not ignorant of their Design against him; he carried them with him to the The
Q. What is commonly said of him?
A. That he wanted Authority to suppress the Insolence of his Soldiers; and his ex
Q. What method did he take to make him
A. He preferr'd Trajan, who at that time commanded the Army in Germany, before all his Relations, and adopted him to the Em
Q. Did Nerva live a long while after this Adoption?
A. No; he died Three Months after, be
Q. Of what Distemper did he dye?
A. Of a Feaver, which he got by strainRegulus, who had put him into a Passion.
Q. How long did he reign?
A. One Year, Four Months, and Eleven Days.
Q. WHat Countryman was Trajan?
A. He came from Sevil in Spain.
Q Where was he when Nerva adopted him to the Empire?
A. At Colen in Germany, and was the first Foreigner that got possession of the Roman Empire.
Q. Who was his Master?
A. Plutarch.
Q. What sort of a man was he?
A. He was one of the greatest Generals that ever sate upon a Throne: He was Sweet-temper'd, Merciful, and Prudent: Nay, he was so charitable to his Soldiers who were wounded in his Wars with the Dacians, that he tore off his own Shirt from his Back to bind up their Wounds, when they had no Linnen of their own.
Q. What considerable Actions did he per
A. He defeated the Dacians, and their King Decebalus, over whom Domitian Triumph'd at Rome, tho he scandaArmenia, Iberia, and Colchis; he overthrew the Sarmatians, Astrenians, and Arabians, with the Inhabitants of the Bosphorus.
Q. What other Conquests did he make?
A. He attack'd the Parthians, and took from them Armenia, Persia, Seleucia, Babylon, and reduced a very considerable part of Asia, under the Roman Power.
Q. Was not he sirnam'd Germanicus?
A. Yes, for the glorious Exploits he perGermany.
Q. Did not several persons come to con
A. Ambassadors visited him from all parts of the world; nay, some came from as far as the Indies to compliment him upon those occasions.
Q. What remarkable Presents were made him?
A. He was presented with a Horse from Armenia, which fell down upon his knees as often as he went to mount him.
Q. By what other Actions did he increase his Reputation with the People?
A. He utterly exterminated those insufDelators and Informers, who had made so fine a Harvest on't under the Reigns of Domitian, Nero, Caligula, and Tiberius.
Q. What remarkable Accidents happen'd in his time?
A. There was so prodigious an EarthAntioch, while he and the whole Court lay there, that the City was almost totally destroyed.
Q. And how did Trajan make a shift to save himself?
A. He escaped through the Windows of the Room where he lay.
Q. Where died he?
A. At Selinus, a City of Cilicia, whither he ordered himself to be carried.
Q What respect was paid him after his Death?
A. His Ashes were brought to Rome, and placed in a Golden Urn on the top of a PilTrajan's Pillar.
Q. How long did he Reign?
A. Ten years Six months and Fifteen days; he lived Sixty three years.
Q. What remarkable things do you find in his Reign?
A. Two: The first of them was the unSura.
Q. How did he make it appear?
A. Some Persons, who envied him for the great share he possess'd in the EmpeTrajan to let them see how far he relied upon the Honesty of his Friend, having re
Q. Well, and what did he do there?
A. After he had sent back his Guards, he orders Sura's Physitian and Barber, to be call'd to him; the former he commands to take off the Hair about his Eye-brows, and the latter to shave his Beard. After this, he goes to a Bath, and then sits down very un
Q. What said he to his Friends next Morning?
A. He recounted to them every thing in order as it passed, and told them, That if Sura had any Intentions to kill him, he gave him the fairest opportunity the day be
Q. What is the second remarkable thing?
A. Trajan in giving his Sword to the ColTake this Sword, and if I govern like a Iust Prince, employ it in my Service; but if I abuse my Authority, draw it against me.
Q. What added he afterwards?
A. That he who gave Laws to the rest of the World, lay under greater Obligati
Q. What Title did the Romans bestow upon him?
A They gave him the SirOptimus.
Q. Was not his Memory exceeding dear to Posterity?
A. It was held in so great esteem, that in succeeding Times, when an Emperor was promoted to this high Dignity, amidst the other Acclamations that were made in the Senate-house, they used to wish that he would prove as happy as Augustus, and as good as Trajan.
Q. What answer did he make his Friends, who were Reproaching him one day with his too great Condescention and Good na
A. That he lived with his Subjects, just as he would have wished them to live with him, if they had been the Masters.
Q. What Faults or Vices do you observe in him?
A. Two very great ones. The first, that he was given to excessive Drinking. The second, that he loved young Boys.
Q. What was his Wife's Name?
A. Plotina, who in some Ancient Medals is represented with a very tall Head-dress, much resembling the Modern Commodes.
Q. What Learned Men flourish'd in his time?
A. Plutarch of Chaeronea, that admirable Philosopher and Biographer. Pliny the Younger, who in his Panegyrick upon Trajan, which he deliver'd in the Senate-house when he was Consul, gives us the true ExSu
who has writ the Lives of the Twelve first Caesars, with the same freedom as they lived them. Lucius Florus, who hath left us a pretty Compendium of the Roman History, tho justly censur'd for too much affecting pointCornelius Tacitus, a Sublime and Grave, tho sometimes Obscure Historian, famous for his Reflections, and the good Sense of his Observations, which will always preserve their Reputation in the World, especially with those Persons that intend to study Politicks.
Q. Was not he severe against the Chri
A. He rais'd a Cruel Storm against the Professors of that Religion; and among the rest, Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, suffer'd, bePliny Junior, in an Epistle, which is still extant, the Persecution abated.
Q. WHo was this Adrian?
A. Cousin of Trajan, and his Country-man, for he was a Native of an Italian City in Spain.
Q. How came he to be made Emperor?
A. By the cunning Management of Plotina, the Wife of Trajan.
Q. But how did she carry on this Affair?
A. As soon as the Emperor was dead, she sent a forged Declaration immediately to the Senate under his hand, whereby he adopts Adrian, and declares him his SucAdrian's Adoption was confirm'd by the Authority of the Se
Q. Did Adrian make any Conquests?
A. So far from that, that he devoted himself wholly to Peace, and abandon'd Assyria, Armenia, and Mesopotamia, to the Parthians.
Q. What do Historians remark of him?
A. That he loved to be always Travelling abroad.
Q. What Reasons did he alledge for so doing?
A. He used to say, That a Prince ought to imitate the Sun, who carries his Light
Q. How many Years did he spend in Sur
A. Thirteen.
Q. And what observable things are re
A. He separated the Britains from the Picts, by a Wall Forty Leagues long, which took up the whole breadth of the Island, and reached from the German-Ocean to the Irish-Sea; it was likewise fortified by a Ditch of the same length.
Q. Wherefore built he this prodigious Wall.
A. To secure the Britains from the Insults of the Picts, who were so call'd from paint
Q. What did he besides?
A. He gave a King to the Germans, who were upon the point of Revolting, because he did not look upon himself to be in a Ca
Q. How did he treat the Armenians?
A. He remitted the Tribute they were obliged to pay to the Roman Emperors, and gave them leave to Elect a King of their own.
Q. What respect was it he show'd to the Memory of Pompey?
A. Having seen his Tomb in Egypt, which was below the Dignity of so great a man, he caused a very Magnificent Sepulchre to be erected to him.
Q. Did not the Jurisconsults or Lawyers, principally flourish under his Reign?
A. They did, and Iulian composed the Perpetual Edict by the Emperor's Command, to serve as a Rule to all the Praetors that adRome. It was call'd Edictum Perpetuum, because it was to continue in force for ever.
Q. After what manner died he?
A. Being weary of living longer, and haAelius Antoninus.
Q. How many Years did he possess the Empire?
A. Twenty years, and Eleven months, being Seventy three years old.
Q. Whom did he Marry?
A. Sabina, Trajan's Neice.
Q. How did he govern his Soldiers?
A. By living just as they did, and eating their Amunition Bread, Bacon, and Cheese, after the Example of Scipio, Aemilianus, and Metellus.
Q. Did not he much apply himself to the Study of Magick?
A. Yes.
Q. Was he a man of Learning?
A. There was ne're a man in his Empire, who knew so many several things in so ma
Q. Did he take a pleasure to converse with Learned Men?
A. Yes, and would always pretend to the Glory of having got the better of them in all Disputes. One Favorinus, by Name, haWhy, says he, would you not have me give place to the Man that has Thirty Legions at his Command?
Q. What particularly recommended him to the People?
A. His Moderation and Clemency; for after his arrival to the Empire, he would by no means revenge the Injuries that had been done him before. And having once met a Person that had offended him, says he, You have escaped, since I am made Emperor.
Q. What Learned Men flourish'd in his time?
A. Ptolomy of Alexandria, the famous APhlegon, Adrian's Libertus, who deserves so well of History for his exact Calculation of the Olympiads. Arrian who
Alexander the Great. And Aulus Gellius, the Learned Author of the Noctes Atticae. At the same time those MonBasilides, Carpocras, Marcion, and the Gnosticks, began to shew their Heads, and disturb the Tranquillity of the Church.
Q FRom whence came Antoninus?
A. He was a Gaul by Birth, and born at Nismes, a City of Languedoc. For his Clemency, and other Virtues, he had the Sirname of Pius bestow'd upon him.
Q. What was his most usual Saying?
A. That he would rather chuse to preRoman-Citizen, than to kill a thousand Enemies.
Q. Give me his Character.
A. He was the most just, and most moP
Emperors; and had left an unblemish'd Name behind him, if out of too warm a Zeal for his own gods, he had not suffer'd the Christians to be perTelesphorus and Hyginus, Bishops of Rome, suffer'd Martyr
Q. What Reputation had he Abroad?
A. Tho he never stirr'd out of Italy, and but seldom out of Rome, yet he effected
Pharasmanes, King of Iberia, having seen and convers'd with him, immediately made those Concessions which he had forVologeses, the Parthian, no sooner read his Letter, but he quitted his pretences to Armenia; nay, the Indians and Hirc
chose him to be an Arbitrator of their Differences.
Q. What Answer was it he gave his Wife Faustina, when she blam'd him upon the score of his being too liberal?
A. He laugh'd at her Avarice, And don't you know, says he to her, that now we are in Possession of the Empire, we have nothing of our own, but that it belongs all to the People.
Q. How did he serve Idle Persons.
A. He so far detested them, that he turn'd out of their places such as were unserviceable to the Publick, saying, Nothing was so scan
Q. Did he love to visit the Provinces of the Empire?
A. No: For, let a Prince, says he, take never so much care, yet his Retinue will be a Charge and Burthen to the People.
Q. Whom did he adopt for his Chil
A. Lucius Verus, and Marcus Aurelius; he gave his Daughter in Marriage to the lat
Q. Pray give me an instance of his Mode
A. Apollonius refused to go to Court to teach Marcus Aurelius, pretending that a MaAntoninus, 'tis a wonderChal
to Rome.
Q. How died he?
A. He died of an Indisposition at his Coun
Q. What Eminent Men flourish'd in his time?
A. G
of Pergamus, the Celebrated Physitian. Maximus Tyrius, a Platonick PhiAelian, who has left a small Tract of Natural History. Iustin, the Abbreviator of Trogus Pompeius. And Diogenes Laertius, who writ the Lives of the Philosophers.
Q. WHo was this Marcus Aurelius?
A. Son-in-Law to Antoninus. He was call'd the Philosopher, because he appliStoick.
Q. Who shared the Empire with him?
A. Lucius Verus, his Brother, who had married his Daughter Lucilla.
Q. Was not this the first time that two Emperors held the Empire together?
A. Yes.
Q. What was the reason of making this Innovation?
A. Because Adrian would not adopt Antoninus, but upon this Condition, that when he arrived to the Empire, he should adopt Marcus Aurelius, and that Marcus Aurelius should adopt Lucius Verus.
Q. What sort of a Character had Verus in the World?
A. He was too Effeminate, and too great a lover of his Pleasures.
Q. What do Historians observe concern
A. Marcus Aurelius having sent him to fight against the Parthians, he threw the whole burden of the War upon his Lieute
Q. What did these two Emperors do af
A. Having triumph'd over the Parthians, they declared War against the Marcomanni.
Q. What happen'd to Verus in this Expe
A. He died of an Apoplexy.
Q. And what did Marcus Aurelius do upon his Death?
A. He marched alone against these PeoGoths, the Vandals, the Sarmatians, the Suevi, and other Barbarous Nations had join'd.
Q. What Success had Marcus Aurelius in this War?
A. After a Dispute of Three years conti
Q. What remarkable Accidents fell out in the Course of this War?
A. The Marcomanni being thus overQuadi, was got into a Pound, and surround
Q. Was there nothing more observable in it than this?
A. This Rain was accompanied with proBarbarians, and cast them inRomans immediately charging them, cut them all in pieces.
Q. How was this Legion named?
A. Fulminatrix Legio, or the Thundring Legion.
Q. What Concessions did the Empe
A. He stopt the Persecution against the Christians, whom till this time, at the InPius, Ani
and Soter, Bishops of Rome; Iustin Martyr, the Learned Apologist, and Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, receiv'd the Crown of Martyr
Q. What Men of Note lived in his time?
A. H
the Rhetorician, Herodes Atticus, and Athenaeus whose Learned WriPhilostratus, a Sophister, who writ that imApollonius's Life. Apuleius, an African, who sufficiently discovers
Lucian, who from a Christian turning Atheist, employ'd his Satyrical Talent so li
Q. What was his Wife's Name?
A. Faustina, who was one of the most barefaced lascivious Women that ever lived.
Q. Did he not get himself Divorced from her?
A. He could never be induced to use her so; saying, That he could not cast her off with Justice, unless he return'd her back her Dowry, which was the Empire.
Q. Where died he?
A. In Pannonia (now Hungary) in the Sixty first year of his Age.
Q. How long did he Reign?
A. Nineteen years, and Ten days.
Q. To whom did he recommend his Son?
A. To the gods and the Roman people, if he were worthy of it.
Q WHO was Commodus?
A. The Son of M. Aurelius, and the Lustful Faustina. But some say that he was begotten by a Gladiator.
Q. What sort of a Prince did he make?
A. He was the Handsomest, but the Lewdest and most Vicious man of his Age. As for the Administration of State-Affairs, he wholly intrusted them with Perennis, a Person of great Ambition and Cruelty, whom he had constituted his Praefectus Praetorij, or Captain of his Guards.
Q. What do Historians particularly re
A. That he was so admirable an Ar
Q. How did he behave himself towards his Sister Lucilla?
A. He caused her to be put to death for having conspired to advance her own HusRome. She was first marVerus.
Q. Wherein did he show his Ambition?
A. In commanding himself to be call'd Hercules the Son of Iupiter: Nor was his Cruelty less predominant than his Ambition; for he sacrificed all those to his barbarous Resentments, of whom he had the least suspicion.
Q. After what manner died he at last?
A. He was poison'd by his Concubine Marcia, because she came to understand that he had resolved to dispatch her out of the way.
Q. How happen'd she to receive that In
A. By the means of a Child who found the Emperor's Table-Book, wherein she found her own Death design'd.
Q. What prompted him to serve her so?
A. Commodus (who spent his time at Court among Strumpets and Catamites, and abroad with Fencing-Masters and Bullies) had it seems resolv'd to lye in the Gladiators Amphitheatre, in order to go out with them the next morning, and harangue the people in that blessed Company: Now she had taken the freedom to remonstrate to him how mightily this would sink his Reputation, and how contemptible it would render him to the whole world.
Q. How long did this true transcript of Nero and Caligula hold the Empire?
A. Twelve Years, Nine Months, and Fourteen Days, and died in the One and thirtieth Year of his Age.
Q. HOW was Pertinax descended?
A. He came of very mean PaLigurian (a Genoese) by
Grammarian, and afterwards turn'd Soldier.
Q. Did not he refuse the Empire?
A. Yes, but they compell'd him to acGlabrio a Senator to their Choice, who, as he said, was a man of far greater Merit than himself.
Q. Pray acquaint me with his Character?
A. He was an exceeding Valiant, DisAugusta or Empress, nor his Son to be saluCaesar.
Q What happen'd to him?
A. He was assassinated by his Soldiers Three Months after he had been proclaim'd Emperor.
Q. For what reason?
A. Because he show'd himself too severe towards them, and design'd to keep them under Military Discipline; so they cut off his Head, and carried it to the Camp, where they fortified themselves. Seeing no body stir, they order'd one of the Soldiers to make Proclamation, That the Empire was to be sold, and that he who bid the most should be put into the Possession of it by the Army.
Q. The Empire being thus offer'd to sale, what Chapmen came in to buy so great a Purchase?
A. Only Two Senators, Sulpician the GoRome, and Iulian; but the latter
Q. WHO was Iulian?
A. Grandson to the famous Lawyer of that name, who composed the perpetual Edict in Adrian's time. Being proYou want an Emperor, and I am the fittest person you can chuse.
Q. Did not the People mutiny against him?
A. Yes, and refused to acknowledge him, saying he had stole the Empire.
Q. What befel him at last?
A. Severus, who was at that time GoPannonia, being desired by the Romans to take the Management of the Empire upon himself, revolted against him.
Q. What Measures did Iulian take to avoid this Storm that threatned him so?
A. He offer'd to take him as Partner with him in the Empire.
Q. And did Severus accept the Condition?
A. He return'd him no Answer, but still advanced towards Rome; which News so dispirited Iulian, that he sent him word he
Q. FRom whence came Severus?
A. He was originally an African, and seized on the Empire under a pretence of revenging the Death of Pertinax, which he did by degrading the Praetorian Soldiers that had kill'd him.
Q. Had he no Competitors in the Em
A. At first Albinus set up in Britain, and Niger in Syria; but he having with great CeRome, beat Albinus by Stratagem, and Niger by open Force.
Q. How did he effect it?
A. Not thinking it advisable to have two Enemies upon his hands at once, he takes off Albinus by proclaiming him Caesar, then purNiger, and after several sharp EncounNiger, he immediately marches towards Albinus, whom he defeats and kills at Lyons.
Q. Whom did he take Partners with him in the Empire?
A. Caracalla and Geta, his Two Sons.
Q. How did he behave himself towards the Christians?
A. A Christian Soldier refusing to wear a Crown at a Donative, unhappily prov'd the occasion of a sad Persecution, in which Irenaeus Bishop of Lyons, laid down his Life for the Truth. His great Favourite Plautianus incited him to this Cruelty, laying hold of this occasion to seize the Fortunes and Estates of several Persons of Quality that were Chri
Q. What became of him at last?
A. After he had vanquish'd a world of people, he pass'd over into Britain, whither being arrived, and not able to follow his Captains by reason of the GouBassianus was declared Caesar by the Army.
Q. And did not this News extremely mortify him?
A. He got himself immediately to be car
Q. How did he receive them?
A. I would have you know, said he to them,
that it is the Head which governs, and not the Feet. After this he fell dangerously sick; but Caracalla fearing that he would not dye, tried to corrupt his Father's Physicians to poison him.
Q. And did they comply with his desires?
A. No; for which he remembred them when he came to be Emperor, for he caus'd them all to dye.
Q. Where did Severus end his days?
A. At York, being Sixty six years old, after he had reign'd 17 Years, 8 Months, and 3 Days. Here perceiving his last hour apI have been all that a Man can be, but it serves me in no stead now. Then he order'd his Urn to be brought to him, wherein his Ashes were to be inclos'd; and taking it between his hands, Little Vrn, says he, thou shalt contain that which the whole World was not able to contain.
Q. What was his True Character?
A. He was Cruel, and had no regard to his Word.
Q. To ballance this, had he no other good Qualities?
A. He took delight to administer Justice; he was well skill'd in the Laws, and preserPapinian, the most eminent Lawyer of that time.
Q. What did the Senate say of him?
A. What had been formerly said of Augustus, they now said of him, That it had been very advantagious for the Republic, if
Q. What may be farther said of him?
A. The same that was said of M. Aurelius, viz. That he had been happy if he had had no Children. He was exceedingly re
Q. What Learned men flourish'd under his Reign?
A. Clemens Alexandrinus a man of UniStromata; Tertullian an Ecclesiastic Author likewise, in Humor, Wit, and Stile, an African; Minutius Foelix, who writ an Elegant Defence of the Christian Religion, worthy of Augustus's Age: With several more of a lower rank.
Q. TO whom fell the Empire after the Death of Severus, who died in Britain?
A. To his Two Sons, whom he carried along with him in that Expedition.
Q. For what reason did he carry them with him?
A. To remove them from Rome, where they lived in all manner of Excess.
Q. What was Geta's Character?
A. He was of a sweet easy Disposition, as his Brother Caracalla was naturally brutish and outragious.
Q. What barbarous Action did that Mon
A. He kill'd his Brother Geta with his own hand, in the presence of his Mother Iulia.
Q. What other Instances can you give me of his Cruelty?
A. He not only put above Two thousand persons to Death for adhering to his Brother's Party, but he banished several more, and cut off Papinian's Head.
Q. For what reason?
A. Because he refused to flatter his Crime; for having desired him to write an Apology to excuse his Brother's Death, this eminent Lawyer told him, That it was much easier to Commit a Parricide, than to justify it.
Q. What is it that Historians report of his Mother Iulia?
A. That she had the Impudence to marry him, after Geta's Death.
Q. What Person did Caracalla imagine himself to be?
A. He fancied he was Alexander the Great, because his Head lean'd a little upon one Shoulder, as that Prince's did.
Q. What is particularly observable con
A. That the Empire was never so harass'd with Imposts and Taxes, as it was under this Monster of Prodigality.
Q. What was the reason why he op
A. He would frequently maintain, That Money ought not to be lodged in private hands, but that all should go to his Exche
Q. What became of him at last?
A. While he was making War against the Parthians, he writ to Materninus, GoverRome, to consult the Astrologers, to know what fortune Macrinus the Praefectus Praetorij would come to.
Q. To whom was the Governor's Answer carried?
A. It was deliver'd to Caracalla himself, while he was busied in managing a very fine Horse in the presence of Macrinus.
Q. And did he read it?
A. No; he gave it to Macrinus to read, who spoke not one word of it to the Em
Q. Did he find one ready to execute his design?
A. He met one Martial after a little search, whose Brother Caracalla had put to death, who receiv'd this Commission with great ea
Q. How long did he reign?
A. Six Years, Two Months, and Five Days.
Q. Was he beloved by the People?
A. No; he was hated by all the world, except the Soldiers only, who regretted his Loss by reason of the excessive Largesses he frequently bestow'd upon them.
Q. FRom whence came Macrinus?
A. He was a Moor by Birth, and of a very mean condition at first.
Q. What station was he in when they proclaim'd him Emperor.
A. He was the Praefectus Praetorij.
Q. Whom did he associate with himself in the Empire?
A. His Son Diadumenus.
Q. What remarkable things do we read of Macrinus.
A. He made a Peace with the Parthians; and in his return to Rome divided his Army into two Bodies, that they might march home two several ways, but this division oc
Q. Pray tell me how?
A. Maesa, Sister to the Empress Iulia, reMacrinus)
Semiamira, who as they commonly pretended was Caracalla's Bastard, and they call'd him Heliogabalus.
Q. How did the Soldiers relish this Pro
A. They immediately proclaim'd him EmMacrinus, and defeats him.
Q. What became of Macrinus?
A. He was kill'd as he endeavour'd to save himself in the City of Antioch; and shortly after his Son Diadumenus was slain by the order of the Emperor Heliogabalus.
Q. How long did he and his Son reign?
A. One Year and Two Months.
Q. WHose Son was Heliogabalus?
A. The Son of Caracalla.
Q. What signifies this word Heliogabalus?
A. A Priest of the Sun.
Q. What remarkable thing is related of him?
A. He intended to destroy the Religion of the Romans, and commanded that only the Sun should be adored.
Q. What sort of a Prince was he?
A. A Prodigy of a man, wholly aban
Q. To whom was he married in the quality of a Wife?
A. To Hierocles, his Slave.
Q. What orders did he give this Slave?
A. To beat him well-favour'dly when he found him guilty of any Excess.
Q. And did the Slave take him at his word?
A. Yes; and sometimes belabour'd his Imperial Sides so heartily, that he made him black and blew all over, which the other bore very dutifully, comforting himself, That a Wife was oblig'd in Conscience to suffer every thing from her Husband.
Q. What did he do after this?
A. He establishes a Senate of Women, and makes his Mother the President of them.
Q. What did this wise Assembly debate about?
A. The Habits and Ornaments of Wo
Q. Whom did he adopt for his Successor.
A. Bassianus, his Cousin-German, whom he call'd Alexander.
Q. What kind of a Man was Alexander?
A. He had so many valuable Qualities to recommend him, that he soon gain'd the Affection of all the Romans.
Q. Did not Heliogabalus become jealous of him?
A. Yes, and design'd to put him to death.
Q. What happen'd upon this?
A. His Guards being acquainted with his wicked intention, assassinated Heliogabalus, and threw his Body into the Tiber.
Q. How old was he then?
A. He was Twenty two years old, and had reign'd Three Years, Nine Months, and Four Days.
Q. What Eminent men flourish'd at this time?
A. Origen of Alexandria, who so learnedCelsus.
Q. WHat Account do Historians give of this Alexander?
A. He was one of the greatest Princes that ever liv'd, and his Conduct was equally conspicuous in Peace and War.
Q. What did he look after in the begin
A. His first care was to administer Justice to all the world; next he turned the Flat
Q. What other Regulations did he make?
A. He prohibited the Sale of any Offices,
Q. What did he allow them in lieu of this?
A. He settled honourable Salaries upon all those whom he constituted Governors of Provinces, lest they should squeeze and op
Q What is reported of his Piety?
A. That he secretly honour'd Jesus Christ in his Closet.
Q. What other remarkable Passages oc
A. In Heliogabalus's time there was a set of Cheats, commonly call'd Sellers of Smoke, because they took Money of people to sol
Q Were there any of this Gang under the Emperor Alexander?
A. One of this hopeful Fraternity had it seems taken a Hundred Crowns of a Sol
Q. And when Alexander knew of it how did he serve him?
A. He fastens him to a Post, where he was choak'd by the smoke of a heap of wood which was set on fire about him. Over the Post this Inscription was to be seen, Fumo periit qui fumum vendidit. He that sold Smoke is stifled by Smoke.
Q. Did any considerable Revolution hapAlexander's Reign?
A. Artaxerxes King of the Persians, after he had defeated the Parthians in several BatArtabanus, who was the last of the Family of the Arsacidae, which had flourished Four hundred years, re-establishes the Empire of the Persians. This exceedingly alarm'd Alexander Severus, by reason of the frequent Inroads the Persians made into the Roman Territories.
Q. What great Exploits did Alexander perform after this?
A. Having reviv'd the old Military DisciPersians in the East, and overcame the Africans in Mauritania. At last, wholly turning his thoughts upon the German War, he with his Mother Mammea was slain by his Soldiers at Mentz, in the 39th. year of his Age, having reign'd Thir
Q. What Eminent men flourish'd in his Reign?
A. Dion Cassius, twice honour'd with the Consular Dignity, who writ the Roman HiGreek: The greatest part of this Excellent Work is now lost; which is chiefly attributed to his Abbreviator Xiphilinus, a Constantinopolitan Monk. Thus the loss of Trogus Pompeius is imputed to Iustin, as that of Livy to Lucius Florus.
Q. WHose Son was this Maximin?
A. A Shepherd's, in a small Village of Thrace.
Q. What Stature was he of?
A. An extraordinary one, being Eight Foot high; and besides he was so strong, that he could draw a Chariot as heavy laden as two Horses could draw.
Q. How got he himself advanced to the Empire?
A. By a Faction of the Soldiers. He was the first Emperor that without any Decree of the Senate obtain'd the Purple by the sole Authority of the Army.
Q. What method did he take to preserve himself in this Dignity?
A. After he had successfully ended the Wars of Germany, he exercised great CruelRome; Some he fastned to Crosses, where they miserably perish'd; others he baited in the Skins of Beasts, and expos'd them to Tigers and Lions; others were kill'd with Bastinadoes; in short, there was no sort of Barbarity to be named, which he did not use.
Q. Did not these Brutalities draw the aversion of all the world upon him?
A. The Senate declar'd him an Enemy to the Republic.
Q. Who first made Head against him?
A. Gordianus the Governor of Afric, a man Eighty years old, was, together with his Son, against his will elevated to the EmMoors, the old Gentleman out of despair hang'd himself.
Q. When the Senate heard of the death of these two great men, whom did they elect for their Emperor?
A. Balbinus and Pupienus, two of their own Body.
Q. Was not Maximin highly incens'd at the Proceedings of the Senate?
A. He immediately quitted the Sarmatian War, and marching into Italy at the Head of his Army he besieged Aquileia, which was the first City he met in his way, and was at that time the finest and most flourishing Town in all Italy.
Q. Who signaliz'd themselves in this Siege?
A. The Women; for the Soldiers want
Q. What became of Maximin?
A. His Soldiers slew him and his Son in his Tent, because he had occasion'd the death of so many of them.
Q. How long did he and his Son reign?
A. Two Years and some Months.
Q. BY whom were Balbinus and Pupienus own'd to be Emperors?
A. By the Senate?
Q. Upon what condition?
A. That they should adopt young Gordianus for their Successor in the Empire, the Grandson of him that hang'd himself in Afric.
Q. How long did they reign together?
A. Nine or ten months.
Q. What happen'd at last?
A. Balbinus and Pupienus became jealous of young Gordianus, seeing him so mightily beloved by every one, and therefore had agreed for their own security to dispatch him; but the Soldiers prevented their De
Q. WHose Son was this Gordianus?
A. Grandson, as we observ'd before, to Gordianus the Governor of Afric.
Q. How old was he when he arrived to the Empire?
A. He was 17 Years old.
Q In whom did he repose the greatest confidence?
A. In his Father-in Law Misitheus, who was the Praefectus Praetorij, and was so well satisfied of his Conduct and Valour, that tho he himself was present in the Army, yet he would have it wholly commanded by him.
Q What actions did he perform?
A. By the advice of Misitheus he opens the Temple of Ianus, and marches directPersians who then threatned Italy.
Q. What Conquests did he make?
A. He retook Carrae, Nisibis, and some other Cities.
Q. What other remarkable things hap
A. In the Sixteenth Year of it Philip an Arabian, by the assistance of his Physicians, poison'd Misitheus.
Q. What did this Philip do afterwards?
A. He got himself declared Emperor in the presence of Gordianus, who fearing furPraefectus Praetorij.
Q. And did he give it him?
A. No, he refus'd him; but fearing the Soldiers would restore this young Prince to his Throne again, he caus'd him to be mur
Q. Was the Army concern'd for his Death?
A. It so far affected them, that they erectTo the Divine Gordianus, Conqueror of the Persians, the Goths, the Sarmatians, and the Germans, but not of the Philips.
Q. How long did he reign?
A. Three Years and six days.
Q. Did nothing remarkable happen a
A. The Goths, whose name before was unknown to the Romans, now daily began to pour forth vast swarms of men upon the Outskirts of the Empire, which at last terSouthern Provinces of Europe, but extended their Conquests as far as Afric. They first introduced the Feudal Law into this part of the World, and settled fixt
Q FRom whenee came this Philip?
A. He was an Arabian by birth.
Q. What Measures did he take to secure himself of the Empire?
A. As he thought it advisable to conceal his Crime from the Senate, he sent them word that Gordianus died a Natural Death; so that it was no difficult matter for him to obtain of them to confirm the Choice which the Army had made of him.
Q. Did he take any Partner in the Em
A. Yes, his Son.
Q. How long did they reign?
A. Five Years and some Months; after which they were both assassinated almost at the same time; the Father in a Sedition which happen'd at Verona, and the Son at Rome.
Q. What men of Note flourish'd now?
A. Plotinus a celebrated Platonist, and a Disciple of Origen, who taught with great Applause at Rome; and St. Cyprian a most Eloquent Father, and Ornament of the African Church.
Q. IN what station was Decius before he got Possession of the Empire?
A. He was nothing more than a Senator.
Q. How did he arrive to the Supreme Dignity?
A. Being sent by Philip to appease a SePannonia, he was there chosen Emperor by the very Authors of that Commotion, who discover'd all sorts of good qualities in him; and indeed he had only one fault, which was his excessive Cruelty to the Christians.
Q. What did he enjoin them to do?
A. They were constrain'd by all manner of Tortures and Punishments to offer Sacri
Q. Was he engaged in any War?
A. He fought against the Goths, but was miserably overthrown by them, his Son slGallus to save himself.
Q. How long did he reign?
A. Near Three Years.
Q. What remarkable thing
A. 'Tis said he was the Paulus of Egypt, the Patriarch of the Hermits, being taken with the Charms of a Solitary Life, here laid down the first Scheme of Monkery. Among others, Pope Fabian lost his Life; and Origen was taken into Custody and impri
Q. What other Passages happen'd?
A. At the same time Novatus and Novatianus made a Schism in the Church, and the abovemention'd St. Cyprian Bishop of Carthage flourish'd; who in the Year of our Lord 256, under the Pontificat of St. Stephen, having assembled a Council at Carthage, declar'd the Baptism of Hereticks to be null and void, and that such Persons ought to be rebaptiz'd: However, he effac'd this Error by his Martyrdom, which happen'd in the time of Valerianus.
Q. WHO was this Gallus?
A. He was Lieutenant of Decius's Army.
Q. How came he to be proclaim'd Em
A. By the Soldiers after the death of Decius.
Q. What means did he use to secure him
A. He procur'd his Election to be rati
Q. When he was at Rome, what did he do?
A. He associated his Son Volusianus with him in the Empire.
Q What did he do besides this?
A. He likewise adopted the Son of Decius.
Q. Why did he take this young Decius a Partner with him?
A. To quiet the minds of the Romans, but shortly after he caused him to be poi
Q. What became of Gallus at last?
A. He and his Son were murder'd by their own Army for their Cowardice.
Q. How long did they reign?
A. Two Years and Four Months.
Q. FRom whence came Aemilianus?
A. He was a Moor by Birth.
Q. What Office did he bear when he was made Emperor?
A. He was Governor of Pannonia.
Q. By whom was he proclaimed Em
A. By the Soldiers, because he had beaten back the Scythians who had made an Inroad into that Country.
Q. How long did he reign?
A. No longer than Three Months.
Q. What happen'd to him then?
A. He was kill'd by the very same Sol
Q. What made them serve him so?
A. Because they despised him by reason of his mean Parentage.
Q. Whom did they elect in his place?
A. Valerianus, Governor of Germany and Gaul, an experienc'd Captain, and a man of Quality.
Q. WHat sort of a man was Valerianus?
A. He possess'd all the good qualities that make an Excellent Prince.
Q. Was he a Successful General?
A. No; for he lost every Battel he fought.
Q. Whom did he associate with him in the Empire?
A. His Son.
Q. How did he treat the Christians?
A. At the Instigation of a certain MagiMacrinus the Praefect, he rais'd a terrible Persecution against them, in which St. Lawrence was burnt upon a Gridiron.
Q. What memorable things happen'd in his time?
A. The Barbarians committed great Ra
Q. Did not Valerianus use his best endea
A. He did; and after he had attack'd the Scythians, (who had taken Chalcedon, burnt Nice, and the famous Temple of Diana at Ephesus) he turn'd his Forces against Sapores King of the Persians, but was taken Prisoner in that War.
Q. How did they use him when they had him in their power?
A. He was treated by that cruel King with all the Indignity imaginable, for he made a Footstool of him to mount his Horse, and at last order'd him to be flea'd and salted.
Q. When his Son Gallienus heard of his Father's Captivity, did not he employ his utmost Power to deliver him from it.
A. No; and when a Messenger came to acquaint him with his Death, he replied raBarbarian, than the Sedateness of a Philosopher, That he knew very well his Father was born mortal, and subject to all the accidents of Fortune.
Q. What extravagant actions did he ever commit?
A. He was vain enough to make a sort of a Triumph, wherein was to be seen a man clad in Royal Vestments, resembling Sapores, loaded with Chains, and follow'd by sevePersian CapPersia.
Q. Did none of the Spectators laugh at this ridiculous Show?
A. Some Senators made very merry upon this occasion, and drawing near the sight, they asked aloud, Where was their Emperor Valerianus?
Q. When Gallienus heard of it, how did he resent it?
A. He commanded all those that took this liberty, to be burnt.
Q. How long did Valerianus reign?
A. Six or seven years.
Q. WHose Son was Gallienus?
A. The Son of Valerianus.
Q. What remarkable Accidents happen'd in the world when he succeeded his Father?
A. All the Provinces belonging to the Romans design'd to throw off their Yoke, and the respective Governors of them caus'd
Gallienus, the Roman Empire might reckon Thirty Caesars or Tyrants.
Q. Who was it that stopt the progress of the Enemies of the Empire?
A. Odenatus King of Palmyra, a Generous Heroic Prince, not only retook Nisibis and Carrae, and wrested Mesopotamia out of the hands of the Persians, but he put their MoSatrapae, or Peers, in Chains to Gallienus.
Q. What did Gallienus do with these Pri
A. This scandalous Prince was not a
Q. What Recompence did Gallienus make to Odenatus?
A. Some years after, in consideration of the Victories he had gain'd, and the great Services he had done, he made him his PartHerod.
Q. After Odenatus was dead, who took the Government in hand?
A. His Wife Zenobia, a Woman of an unPersians, the Arabians, the Scythians, and the Armenians, that she will be always reckon'd among the greatest Heroines of her Sex.
Q. What memorable Action happen'd about this time?
A. The Franks, a Warlike and Powerful People, now began to make a Figure in the world, and breaking out of Germany into Gaul, in process of time made themselves Masters of all that large Countrey, from the Ocean and the Rhine, to the Alpes and Pyrenees.
Q. What did the Principal Officers of the Roman Army do?
A. Finding that Gallienus was not capable to defend the Empire, they resolv'd to elect Claudius, a Man of Quality and Merit.
Q. What became of Gallienus at last?
A. He was assassinated near Milan, with his Brother Valerius, as he went to give BatAureolus.
Q. How long did he reign?
A. Almost Eight Years.
Q WHat sort of a man was this Claudius the second?
A. One of the greatest as well as the most accomplish'd Princes of his time?
Q. How did he employ himself as soon as he was advanc'd to the Throne?
A. The first thing he did was to defeat Aureolus, who in Gallienus's time had got
Milan.
Q. What measures did Aureolus take?
A. He offer'd to own him as the Rightful Emperor, provided he would leave him what he possess'd in Italy.
Q. What Answer did Claudius return?
A. That he had done well to have made such a Proposition to Gallienus, but as for himself he was resolv'd to make him know his duty, and surrender upon discre
Q. What remarkable Action did Claudius afterwards perform?
A. Having defeated Aureolus, he marched against an Army of Goths, consisting of Three hundred thousand men, that ravag'd and deAsia Minor.
Q. Which side obtain'd the Victory?
A. Claudius gave the Goths a great Over
Q. What Sirname was bestow'd upon him for this gallant Exploit?
A. That of Gothicus.
Q. What died he of?
A. Of the Plague, after he had reign'd about Two Years.
Q. WHose Son was Quintillus?
A. The Son of Claudius.
Q. How was he proclaim'd Emperor?
A. By the Soldiers, after the Death of his Father.
Q. How long did he reign?
A. No more than Fifteen Days.
Q. What Misfortune befel him then?
A. He was kill'd in a Mutiny by the ve
Q. What Learned men flourish'd at this time?
A. Longinus, a great Favourite of Zenobia, and a most excellent Orator and Critic, who in his Treatise de Sublimi makes hoMoses; and Porphyry, a Iew by Nation, first a Christian and after
Q. FRom whence came Aurelianus?
A. He was of a very mean Birth, and came from Pannonia.
Q. What sort of a man was he?
A. He was extremely Generous, but withThat he was a good Physician, but took away too much blood.
Q. What did he do as soon as he was elected Emperor?
A. He wore a Diadem, which none of his Predecessors had ever done before him.
Q. Did he make any Warlike Expeditions?
A. He vanquish'd the Germans and Marcomanni in Vindelicia, which comprehended the same Tract of Ground as Bavaria does now. Then marching towards the East, he takes Zenobia Prisoner, recovers Egypt, and all Asia, and in short, enlarges the Empire to its An
Q. When the Wars were over, how did he employ himself?
A. He triumph'd at Rome, and his IlluZenobia made no small part of the Spectacle; but he was enrag'd at some Seditions which had arose there in his ab
Q. How did the Romans relish this Seve
A. They began to fear him, and say that he deserv'd to be assassinated.
Q. Where, and after what manner died he?
A. In Thrace, where he lay with a powerPersians; and as he was upon the March between Byzantium and
Heraclea, he was slain by Mucaporus at the InMnestheus, his Freed-man and Secretary.
Q. How long did he reign?
A. Five Years compleatly.
Q. Was his Death unreveng'd?
A. No; for the Villany of Mnestheus being immediately discover'd, he was condemn'd to be thrown to Wild Beasts, and the whole Army celebrated the Funeral of Aurelianus after a most Magnificent manner.
Q. AFter the Emperor Aurelianus was thus slain in Thrace, whom did they chuse to succeed him?
A. The Soldiers writ to the Senate to de
Q. And what Answer did the Senate re
A. They excused themselves, saying, they would leave it to the Army.
Q. What happen'd upon this?
A. An Inter-regnum of Eight Months; the Senate and Army complementing one ano
Q. Who was proclaim'd Emperor at long run?
A. Tacitus, who was elected by the Se
Q. How old was he at that time?
A. He was Seventy Years old, and reign'd Six Months.
Q. Where died he?
A. At Tarsus a City of Cilicia, of a Fever, occasion'd by the Fatigues he was oblig'd to endure in his War against the Scythians.
Q. Pray acquaint me with his Character?
A. He was grave, and of a sweet dispoTacitus.
Q. WHO succeeded Tacitus?
A. His Brother Florianus.
Q. Did his Reign last long?
A. No; for two or three Months after his Election, seeing Probus was elected Em
Q WHose Son was Probus?
A. He was according to some the Son of a Labourer in Dalmatia; or as others would have it, the Son of one Maximilian a Collonel in the Army.
Q. What Station was he in when the Soldiers declar'd him Emperor?
A. He was Governor of Syria.
Q. As soon as the Senate had confirm'd his Election, what Expedition did he go upon?
A. He made War against the Germans, who after the death of Aurelianus had made themselves Masters of one part of Gaul: These Germans were the true Franks, whom he entirely defeated, and expell'd the Country. Then he entred Germany, the greatRoman Province.
Q. Whither went he afterwards?
A. Into Asia, where he beat the Persians several times, and constrain'd them to deSaturninus the Governor of Syria, who had revolt
Q. What other memorable Actions did he perform?
A. He had the same Success against Proculus
Bonosus, who had usurp'd the ImGaul, of which place they were Governors, and having there defeated and taken them Prisoners, he order'd them to be hang'd.
Q. Who was this Bonosus?
A. A good Captain, but an excessive Drinker; which made the Emperor Aurelianus say of him by way of Raillery, That he was born not to Live, but to Drink.
Q. How did they call him when he was hang'd?
A. See, said they, 'tis not a Man, but a Bottle, that hangs there.
Q. Did Probus live many years after these Conquests?
A. No; for as he march'd through Illyrium, he was slain at Sirmium by his Sol
Q. What was it that occasioned this hea
A. 'Twas because he treated them with too much severity, and employ'd them in building or repairing the Publick Works.
Q. How long did he reign?
A. Six Years, and Four Months.
Q. What Men of Note liv'd about this time?
A. Manes, the Father of the Manicheans, pretending himself to be the Paraclet, proPersia, from whence they infected the Neighbouring Countries. At last he was flead alive there by the King's Command.
Q. WHO succeeded next in the Empire?
A. Carus, who as soon as he found himself possess'd of this Dignity, took his two Sons, Carinus and Numerianus, PartCaes
Q. To what place did he send Carinus?
A. To Gaul, to fight against the Franks, a German People, who had made a new Ir
Q. And where was Carus employ'd?
A. He marched himself against the Persians with Numerianus in his Company, and took Mesopotamia from them. Nay, he was deCtesiphon, but died in that Expedition.
Q. After what manner did he end his days?
A. He was found dead in his Tent after a terrible Tempest?
Q. To what did the Romans ascribe his Death?
A. To the Divine Vengeance, for endeaCtesiphon; because there was an Ancient Oracle which forbad the Romans to extend their EmPersians.
Q. WAS not Numerianus mightily con
A. He was so afflicted at it, that the Tears he shed incessantly upon this occasion, so far injur'd his Eyesight, that he was forced to be carried in a close Litter, because he could not endure the light.
Q. What became of him at last?
A. His Father-in-Law Aper, who was Captain of the Guards, and had an Ambi
Q. Did not Aper take care to conceal his death from the Army?
A. That the Soldiers might not have the least suspicion of the matter, he accompanied the Litter, as if the Emperor had been still alive in it.
Q. What Answer did he give those per
A. That the Emperor had given Orders not to let the Litter be open'd, because the Day-light extremely incommoded his eyes.
Q. Who commanded the Army all this while in the Emperor's Name?
A. Aper, who by this means pretended to possess himself soon of the Empire; but the noisom smell of the dead body discover'd his
Diocletian, one of the Principal Officers of the Army, to kill him upon the spot.
Q. And did this Action please the Army?
A. They liked it so well, that they imme
Q. Who was he?
A. Car
the Brother of Numerianus.
Q. WHere was Carinus when he heard that his Father was dead, and his BroNumerianus assassinated?
A. He was then in Gaul, where he minded nothing else but satisfying his Brutal Appe
Q. Was he not surprized when he receiv'd advice that Diocletian was proclaim'd Empe
A. Yes, and immediately made a Truce with his Vices to go and fight him.
Q. Where was the Battel fought?
A. In Moesia, a Province of Asia Minor.
Q. Which side got the better on't?
A. Carinus had obtain'd the Victory, but as he pursued the Enemy in their flight, he
Q. For what Provocation?
A. Because he had formerly abused this Collonel's Wife.
Q. When did this happen?
A. In the Year of J. C. 285. after he had reign'd Three Years.
Q. WHere was Diocletian born?
A. In Dalmatia, of very obscure Parentage, but he prov'd a man of great Generosity.
Q. What was foretold concerning him?
A. That he should be made Emperor as soon as he had slain a Boar; upon which acAper the Captain of the Guards, he saw that was the Boar he was to kill; for which reason he cried out aloud, I have kill'd the Boar; and the Army proclaim'd him Emperor.
Q. After the Imperial Purple was thus conferr'd upon him, how did he manage Affairs?
A. Finding the Empire was invaded on every side, and that himself alone was not able to oppose the Violence of the Barbarians,
Maximian, an ill-bred clownish sort of a Brute, but a good Soldier, his Partner in the Empire.
Q. What did these two do in conjunction?
A. They chose each of them Constantius Chlorus, and Galerius, to command their Armies.
Q. What method did they take to engage them more strongly in their Interests?
A. They created them Caesars, and afterDiocletian gave his Daughter Valeria to Galerius, and Maximian his DaughTheodora to Constantius.
Q. These two Emperors and two Caesars, were they successful in their Wars?
A. They were so fortunate in all their Attempts against the Enemies of the EmRome, where Diocletian caused himself to be call'd Iovianus, and Maximian took the Title of Herculianus.
Q. After these two Great Men had made themselves absolute Masters of the Empire, what is it that Historians tell us they did?
A. To the great amazement of all the world, both of them voluntarily quitted the Empire, Diocletian at Nicomedia, and Maximian at Milan.
Q. Where did Diocletian pass his Retire
A. At Salonae, a small City of Dalmatia, the place of his Nativity, where he spent the remainder of his life in cultivating his Gar
Q. And where did Maximian live pri
A. In Lucania.
Q. How long did they reign?
A. Diocletian reign'd almost Twenty Years, and Maximian Eighteen.
Q. Was not Diocletian a cruel Persecutor of the Christians?
A. Out of an implacable Malice to the Professors of that Religion, he design'd to extirpate them utterly out of the world; and what by the Cruelty of his Edicts, the Bigotry of his Ministers, and the barbarous Variety of his Torments, made a greater havock of them than any of his Predecessors. In Egypt only, a Hundred and fourteen thouThebaean Legion, together with their Commander Mauritius, were cut off by Maximian; but this relation by some Mo
Q Was not Maximian soon weary of this retired life?
A. Yes; and being desirous to leave it, in order to reassume the Imperial Dignity, he earnestly importunes Diocletian to remedy
Constantius and Galerius had occasion'd by their ill conduct.
Q. What answer did Diocletian return him?
A. Showing him the Coleworts growing in his Garden, he told him he took a great
Q. What courses did Maximian take, find
A. He withdrew to his Daughter, who was the Wife of Constantius, and endeavourConstantius, who caus'd him to be slain.
Q. WHen were Galerius and Constantius proclaimed Emperors?
A. They did not take possession of the Empire till Diocletian and Maximian had ab
Q. What were they before they were ad
A. They were only Caesars.
Q. How did they divide the Empire be
A. Constantius contented himself with Britain
Gaul, and Galerius had the rest of the Roman Empire for his share.
Q. What did Galerius do when he found himself unable to support so weighty a Charge?
A. He associated Severus and Maximin with himself, whom he created Caesars.
Q. What Governments did he bestow up
A. He gave the Government of Italy to Severus, that of the East to Maximin, and as for his own share, he contented himself with Illyrium.
Q. What was Constantius's Character?
A. He was of an agreeable, sweet, and merciful Disposition; but as for Galerius he was of a quite contrary temper, he declared himself a mortal Enemy of the Christians, and massacred a whole Town of them in Phrygia; nay, he would have fain engaged Constantius to persecute them.
Q. What Judgments did these Cruelties draw down upon his head?
A. God permitted him to be seized by an infamous and nasty Disease, during which he saw himself devour'd alive by Worms, and so died.
Q. How did Constantius behave himself?
A. Making as if he really design'd to per
Q. And were any of them so faint-hearted and wavering as to prefer the renouncing of their Religion before the loss of their Em
A. Several of them were so; but the Emperor sent them away with disgrace, saying, That those who were not true to their God, would never be faithful to their Prince.
Q. How did he treat those that continued firm in their Religion?
A. He kept them still in his Service, and highly commended their Fidelity.
Q. How long did Constantius possess the Empire?
A. Two years, after which he died at York between the Arms of his Son, Constantine the Great.
Q. Whom did Constantius leave his Succes
A. His Son Constantine the Great, who sig
Q. Wherein did he particularly distinguish himself from his Predecessors?
A. In that he was the first Emperor that embraced the Christian Faith.
Q. WHO was the Mother of Constantine the Great?
A. H
whom some Historians make a British Woman, but with what probability, let the Learned judge.
Q. Why was the Sirname of Great con
A. For his great Exploits and Perfor
Q. What happen'd to him in the course of his life?
A. The news of his being Emperor having arrived at Rome, Maxentius the Son of that Herculius who had renounced the Empire, was elected and proclaimed Emperor.
Q. How did Maxentius behave himself in the beginning of his Reign?
A. At first he seem'd to favour the Chri
Q. What was the consequence of these Barbarities?
A. He was defeated by Constantine the Great; and God, who was pleas'd by a MiMaxentius.
Q. What did Constantine do after this?
A. He gave his Sister in marriage to Licinius, who requited him very ill for this HoConstantine.
Q. How came he off at last?
A. He was defeated, but his Wife by her continual intercession obtain'd of Constatnine that he should not be put to death for his Crimes.
Q. And did Constantine yield to his Sister's Intreaties?
A. Yes, and was contented only with their banishing him to Thessalonica.
Q. Did Licinius continue long without at
A. No, for the next year he rais'd new Commotions, and in this second Sedition was kill'd in the place of his Exile?
Q. What had Constantine to do after he had put an end to these Civil Wars?
A. He had enough to manage his own Family, where he had some Affairs that gave him abundance of uneasy moments, and sen
Q. What happen'd to him there?
A. Fausta, the Wife of this great Prince, became passionately in love, even to madness, with Crispus, who was Caesar, and Son to Constantine by his first Wife, and attempted by her Caresses to induce him to answer her Brutal Passion.
Q. How did she succeed in her Amours?
A. She tried all efforts, but vainly, to de
Q. What courses did this Woman take, finding her self so despised?
A. Her love being changed into hatred, carried her to those extremities against this innocent Prince, that she accus'd him before the Emperor with a design to force her?
Q. What credit did this Accusation find?
A. She had authority enough with the Emperor to be believed, and Crispus, though wholly guiltless of the matter, was condemn
Q. And did this Wickedness continue long unpunished?
A. No, for the young Prince's Innocence was discover'd some time after, and then Constantine, by way of Retaliation, justly put the Empress to death.
Q. What glorious things did Constantine do in his Reign?
A. He enriched and adorned, Ann. Dom. 336. the City of Constantinople (which took its new Name from him, but before was
Byzantium) so magnificently with the Spoils of his EnRome, as the Country of Thrace, where it stands, still goes by the name of Romelia.
Q. What warlike Exploits did this Prince perform?
A. He defeated his Enemies, and particuSarmatians in several parts of the Roman Empire.
Q. Did he live any long time after his Conquests?
A. No; he died on Whitsunday, in the Year of our Lord 337. in the Suburbs of Nicomedia, where he had received Baptism.
Q. From whose hands did he receive Bap
A. He was baptized by Pope Sylvester.
Q Was not the Nicene Council celebra
A. Arius, a Presbyter of Alexandria, haConstantine to oppose the farther spreadNice, a City of Bithynia, where they made Arius recant his impious Doctrine, and comNicene Cr
Q. What other remarkable things hap
A. His Mother Helena, a woman of much piety, but mixt with a great deal of
Roman Church keeps a solemn Festival on the Third of May.
Q. What Learned Men flourished now?
A. Lactantius, the worthy Disciple of Arnobius, and Praeceptor to Crispus, Constantine's Son, employed his Eloquence, of which he was a great Master, in confuting the Errors of Paganism, and defending the Truth of the Christian Religion.
Q. How many Wives had he?
A. Two. The latter was Fausta, the Daughter of Maximian.
Q. How many Children had he by Fausta?
A. Three Sons, Constantine, Constans, and Constantius, and two Daughters, whose names were Flavia Iulia Constantina, and Helena.
Q. What did he leave to these Three Princes?
A. He was so overseen in his Politicks as to commit that unpardonable Solecism of leaving them all three Joint-heirs of his Em
Q. What had the Eldest for his Divi
A. He had for his share Gaul, and all beAlpes.
Q. What had Constans?
A. He possess'd Rome, Italy, Afric, Sicily,
Sclavonia, Thrace, Macedonia, and Greece.
Q. What fell to Constantius's share?
A. He was Master of Asia, of the East, and of Aegypt.
Q. Give me a description of Constantine the Great?
A. He had a noble Air, a great Soul; he was sincere, valiant and modest, well skill'd in the Latin and Greek Languages, an excelAdrian used to do.
Q. How many Brothers do they say Constantine the Great had?
A. Two: viz. Constans the Father of Iulian, and Dalmatius who left two Sons beDalmatius was created Caesar in the Year of our Lord 335.
Q. What was the name of Dalmatius's Second Son?
A. Annibalianus.
Q. WHat were the Names of these three Sons?
A. The First was called Constantine, the Second Constantius, and the Third Constans.
Q. After they had divided the Empire between themselves, how did they manage Affairs?
A. They fell at Variance, which occasio
Q. Where was Constantine the Younger Born?
A. At Arles, and was Created Caesar in the Year 317, but he held the Consulship al
Q. Upon whom did he make War?
A. Upon his Brother Constans, and thinkItaly, where he was Slain, and thrown into the River Aelna, near
Aquileia, where Constans was at that time.
Q. How Old was he when this Accident befel him?
A. Twenty Five Years Old, and had Reign'd Three of them.
Q. What did Constans Inherit by his Death?
A. He had Gaul, Spain, and Great Britain.
Q. When was Constans Third Son to Constantine the GrCaesar?
A. Upon Christmas Day in the Year 333.
Q. What were the First Exploits that Constans perform'd?
A. He Vanquish'd the Franks, and compel
Q. What do you particularly observe of him in History?
A. He always took the Part of the Orthodox, against the Arrians who Disturb'd the Tranquility of the Church.
Q. Did any Unfortunate Accident befal this Prince?
A. Magnentius who had Usurp'd the EmAelna, a City in Rousillon, in the Year 350; he was then about Thir
Q. When was Constantius the Second Son of Constantine the Great, Created Caesar.
A. In the year 324; but he dishonoured this high Dignity, by murdering several of his Relations, as also by espousing and proArian Heresy; for suffering him
Q. Upon whom did Constantius make War?
A. Upon Sapores King of Persia, a great Persecutor of the Christians; but Constantius had the worst in all the Battels and all the Sieges he was engag'd in.
Q. Who was it that got himself declared Emperor by the Army in Hungary?
A. Vetranio, at the same time when Magnentius usurp'd the Sovereign Authority.
Q. What care did Constantius take to op
A. He marched Westwards to fight Vetranio, and obliged Magnentius to retire to Lyons, where he laid violent hands upon him
Q. After Constantius had made himself sole Master of the Empire, how did he behave himself?
A. He became so insolent, that he once more began to persecute the Catholic Pre
Q. How stood the Affairs of the Church in his time?
A. Arianism almost universally prevail'd; and only the Bishop of Rome, and S. Athanasius, who compil'd the Creed bearing his n
Q. When was Iulian, afterwards sirApostate, made Caesar?
A. In the Year 355, and having beaten the Barbarians out of Gaul, he was Saluted Emperor about the Year 360, and Marched with his Army towards the East.
Q. What Measures did Constantius take, when he heard he was in Illyrium, and was Marching directly against him?
A. He changed his Design of an ExpeditiPersians, and came back from Antioch to Tarsus, where he first felt his Fever, and from thence to Mopsuestia in Cilicia, so call'd from the Fountains of Mopsus, where he died.
Q. How old was he then?
A. Forty Years, and had reign'd in all 25 Years 3 Months and 15 Days.
Q. WHO succeeded Constantius in the Empire?
A. Iulian the Apostate.
Q. Where was he born?
A. In Byzantium, in the Year 331.
Q. Whose Son was he?
A. The Son of Constans, Brother to Constantine the Great, and of Basilina.
Q. Whom did he marry?
A. Helena.
Q. Why was he sirnam'd the Apostate?
A. Because he turn'd Pagan after he had been educated in the Christian Religion, and had read the Holy Scriptures in the Church before the Congregation.
Q. When was he sole Emperor?
A. In the Year 363, he was proclaim'd Augustus by his SoldiCaesar before his Election to the Em
Q. Where was he proclaim'd Emperor?
A. At Paris.
Q. What did he do in the beginning of his Reign?
A. He put all the Friends of Constantius to death, or sent them into banishment; he only encourag'd the Augurs, the Victimarii, and the Philosophers; he order'd the IdoPontifex Maximus. Nor was this all; for the more to vex the Christians, he made scandalous condescentions to the Iews, and began to erect a Temple for them at Ierusalem, which he was obliged soon to leave off; for Globes of Fire breaking out from under the Foundations, disturbed the WorkAmmianus Marcellinus, a Pagan Wri
Q. What befel him upon this?
A. He became the Laughter and Contempt of the People of Antioch.
Q. What course did he take to revenge the Affronts they put upon him?
A. He writ a Satyric Letter upon this ocMisopogan, or Beard-hater.
Q. Upon whom did Iulian make war?
A. Upon the Persians; but having after the second Battel insolently refused to com
Q. What became of him at last?
A. He had the mortification to find him
Q. Did he say any thing as he was dy
A. He desperately took out a handful of Blood which gushed from the Wound, and throwing it up into the Air, cry'd out, Vieisti Galilaee, O Galilean thou hast at last over
Q. What did he mean by these words?
A. That our Blessed Saviour, whom he had so often provoked by his Sacriledges, and other indignities, and whom now he
Q. What sort of a man was Iulian the Apostate?
A. He had sparkling Eyes, a stern wanAlemans, Franks and Saxons, whom he overcame, do testify, and his remaining Works are undeniable proofs of his Wit and Ingenuity.
Q. WHO was proclaimed Emperor afIulian the Apostate?
A. Iovian, the Son of Count Varronianus.
Q. Whom did he marry?
A. Charitas, the Daughter of Lucillianus, by whom he had a Son named Varro, whom he made Consul.
Q. What do Historians tell us of this Prince?
A. That he was a handsome well-shaped man, illustrious for his Birth, but more for his Piety.
Q. What did he principally apply himself to in the beginning of his Reign?
A. To draw the Souldiers from Supersti
Q. Was he engaged in any Wars?
A. No, for in the condition he found the Army after the defeat and death of Iulian, he was obliged to make a Truce of Thirty years with Sapores, to whom he yielded the greatest part of Mesopotamia.
Q. Did he live a long time after this?
A. No; he died of a sickness in the Thir
Q. What particular things were done in his Reign?
A. He generally cancell'd all the Edicts of the Apostate which were favourable to the Pagans; he restored to the Faithful, and to the Churches all their Goods, their Honours, their Revenues, and their Priviledges.
Q. WHO was named Emperor after the death of Iovian?
A. The Army chose Valentinian EmpeNice, because in Iulian's time he had preferr'd his Religion to his Preferment.
Q. What did he do as soon as he saw him
A. He made his Brother Valens his Partner in the Empire, and gave him the GovernEast.
Q. What part did he reserve for himself?
A. The West?
Q. What sort of a man was Valentinian?
A. He was a very virtuous Prince, and a strict observer of Justice; very ingenious, and a religious keeper of his word.
Q. With whom did he make war?
A. With the Saxons and Sarmatians, whom he defeated, and oblig'd them to de
Q. And what said Valentinian to them?
A. He fell into such a fit of anger, to which he was always very subject, that he was seized with an Apoplexy.
Q. Did he dye of it?
A. Yes, in Hungary, being fifty five years old.
Q How many years did he reign?
A. Twelve years.
Q. Was he baptized before his death?
A. No; nevertheless he did not forbear to give sensible proofs of the Religion he profess'd, and commanded the Pagan Tem
Q. WHat Enemy had Valens to fight with in the beginning of his Empire?
A. Procopius who was related to Iulian, and was his greatest Enemy.
Q. Did Valens make War against him?
A. The dispute between them was bloody, but at the upshot Valens defeated Procopius, took him prisoner, and put him to death.
Q. What other Wars was he involved in?
A. He had a continual war with the Goths till their King Athanaricus having begg'd a Peace of him, he granted it, and afterwards kindly entertain'd him, at such time as being persecuted by the Hunns, he came to desire this Emperor's Protection, who setled him in Thrace.
Q. How did the Goths behave themselves at that time?
A. Not being able to bear the insufferaLupicinus their Governour,
Romans,
Thrace.
Q. What memorable things happen'd in the course of this War?
A. Valens fell into the hands of his Ene
Q. How old was he when this Accident befel him?
A. He was fifty years old, and had reign'd fourteen years and four months.
Q. What Qualities were observable in him?
A. He had both good and bad ones. He was choleric, cruel, and envious. The Arian Heresy, with which he was infected, corrupt
Q. What Learned men flourished in his time?
A. Gregory and Basil, who had contracted a friendship in their Youth at Athens, where they follow'd their Studies. The former born at Nazianzum in Cappadocia, from whence Sirnamed Nazianzenus. The other born in Pontus, and afterwards made Bishop of Caesaréa.
Q. What Acts of Cruelty did he ever commit?
A. He put all people to death who had the curiosity to know the name of his SucTheod, he put to death old Theodosius the Father of Theodosius the Great, who was afterwards Valentinian's Successor.
Q. What considerable Actions had that Illustrious old man perform'd?
A. He had done the State great Service by his Counsels, beaten the Picts and Scots out of Britain, and defeated Firmius the TyAfric with an Army of Moors.
Q. How many Children had Valentinian the Brother of Valens?
A. Two. The first named Gratianus, who was declared Augustus by his Father in the City of Amiens.
Q. What was the Second Son's name?
A. He was called Valentinian the Younger, to distinguish him from his Father.
Q. What do Historians tell us of Valentinian the Younger?
A. That after the death of his Father he was declar'd Augustus at the Age of Ten years by the Soldiers, as well as by his BroGratian.
Q WHat Qualities was Gratian master of?
A. He had a Body well made, and a Soul of a vast extent, and great elevation.
Q. Don't Historians observe some defects in him?
A. He had some, but such as would not
Q. Did not this sink his Reputation mightily with his Subjects?
A. Yes, and what they could not suffer but with the utmost indignation, was to see him freequently prefer a Barbarian Soldier to a Roman, although the Roman was the elder of the two, and had more merits to plead.
Q. How did he manage matters after the death of Valens?
A. He took as Partner in the Empire with him Theodosius, the Grandson of that Theodosius who was slain by the order of Valens.
Q. What forced him upon this Con
A. Because he found himself not strong enough to support so furious a War as he was then engaged in; and besides the Goths ravaged Thrace, and the other Provinces of the Empire at pleasure.
Q. HOW old was Theodosius when he was taken Partner into the Em
A. He was thirty three Years old, and his first appearance on the Imperial Seat gave suf
Q. Where was he born?
A. In Spain, at Lauca a Town of Gallicia. He imitated all the Vertues, but none of the Vices of his Countryman Trajan. He sumNice being the first, at Constantinople, Ann. Dom. 381. wherein, besides the confirmation of the Nicene Council by an Hundred and fifty Bishops, Macedonius the Heretic was condemn'd, and the Orthodox Belief concerning the Holy Ghost, esta
Q. What memorable Exploits did he perform?
A. He vanquish'd all the Enemies of the Roman name, and gave peace to his Sub
Q. Was not this Prince a sure Asylum to all Kings that were persecuted, and in di
A. Yes, he supported them against all those who conspir'd their destruction, and the subversion of their Governments.
Q. What instances can you give me of this his great Generosity?
A. Athanaricus King of the Goths, being turn'd out of his Kingdom by his own ReConstantinople, where he was very honourably receiv'd by Theodosius.
Q. Did that Prince enjoy the Emperor's Favours any considerable time?
A. No; for tho he had escaped Death in so many Battels, yet he ended his days when he expected to pass the remainder of his life in great tranquillity.
Q. Was not Theodosius concern'd at the loss of him?
A. He would receive no manner of Con
Q. Were not the Goths mightily astonish
A. It made so deep an Impression upon them, that seeing themselves without a MaTheodosius.
Q. Did the Goths then submit themselves to this great Prince?
A. Yes; and he distributed Lands among them for their maintenance with great libe
Q. What remarkable matters happen'd after this?
A. The Tyrant Maximus made himself Master of Britain and Gaul, and chose Triers for his Capital City.
Q. What Acts of Cruelty did that Usur
A. He put the unfortunate Gratian to death at Lyons, who was Twenty five Years old.
Q. Did not Theodosius revenge h
A. Yes; and plac'd young Valentinian (who had been forc'd out of Italy) upon his Throne again.
Q. As to the business of Religion, how did he behave himself?
A. He reconcil'd himself to the Church, and to the great St.
; and notwithArians to de
Q. What Character do Historians bestow upon him?
A. That he was inferior to none of his Predecessors either in Virtue or Merit; that he never made War but out of meer neces
Q. What was his chief Infirmity?
A. He was naturally Choleric, but he selAntioch, for taking down the Statue of Augusta Placilla, but was at last persuaded
Flavianus to pardon them. At another time he massacred seven thousand men in a Theatre at Thessalonica, for killing their President.
Q. Which was the last Victory that Theodosius obtain'd?
A. 'Twas that which he gain'd over Eugenius, whose Troops had join'd those of Arbogastes, who had caus'd Valentinian to be strangled in his own Palace at Vienna in Dauphine.
Q. Theodosius then vanquish'd these two Tyrants?
A. Yes; and 'twas rather by a particular Protection of Heaven, than any human strength.
Q. What became of them?
A. Eugenius was taken Prisoner, and Arbogastes kill'd himself.
Q. Did Theodosius the Great live long after these Victories?
A. No; for shortly after this Generous Prince died at Milan, A. D. 395. being Fifty Years old, according to the common Opi
Q. To whom did he bequeath his Em
A. He divided it between his two Sons Arcadius and Honorius.
Q. What had Arcadius for his share?
A. He had the Empire of the East, and Honorius that of the West.
Q. What Eminent Men flourish'd under his Reign?
A. St. Ierome, so profoundly skill'd in the Hebrew Tongue, to whom the Learned World is highly oblig'd for his great PerforAmbrose, Bishop of Milan, who employ'd his Eloquence aArians. St. Austin, Bishop of Hippo in Afric, the most universally Learned Father of the Latin Church. Ausonius, a famous Poet and Orator, and Master to the EmpeGratian, who rewarded him with the Consulate. Paulinus, Bishop of Nola in Campania, who is first reported to have put Bells to a Sacred use; from whence they are calNolae and Campanae.
Q. WHom did Arcadius marry?
A. Eudoxia, whom he suffer'd to govern absolutely as she thought fit; the consequences of which had like to have prov'd as fatal to Religion as it did to the Empire; for she banish'd St. Chrysostom, who had been translated from the See of Antioch Constantinople, only for inveighing against her Vices.
Q. Whom did he intrust at his death to be his Son's Guardian?
A. Isdigerdes, King of Persia, who acquitAntiochus; nay, he open
Q. How old was he when he died?
A. He died in the One and thirtieth year of his Age, and in the Eleventh of his, or rather his Wife's Reign, who died in Child-bed.
Q. GIve me the true Character of Honorius?
A. He was of a sweet agreeable Disposi
Q What remarkable things fell out in his Reign?
A. After the Goths had spread themselves all over Italy, and were Masters of the City of Rome, several Tyrants usurp'd the Sove
Q. Whom did these Tyrants nominate for their Emperor?
A. Attalus the Son of Alaricus. Honorius offer'd to make him his Partner in the Em
Q. Did he long possess the Empire?
A. No, he was soon stript of it; and being abandon'd by the Gauls, to whom he fled for Protection, he was taken Prisoner by Constantius, A. D. 415. and deliver'd to the Justice of the Emperor Honorius.
Q. And how did he use him?
A. He gave him his Life, and contented himself only with cutting off one of his hands.
Q. Why did he serve him so?
A. That this Rebel for the remainder of his life might carry the Punishment of his Crime about him, and have everlastingly before his eyes the marks of his Rebellion.
Q. What memorable Accidents happened after this?
A. One Constantine that commanded the Guards, and had nothing to recommend him but only his Name, was declared EmRavenna. Then Iovian and Sebastian possest themselves of Gaul, but being seized at Narbo, were both put to death.
Q. Who was it that afterwards usurped the Empire of the Gauls?
A. Heraclius, who passed into Italy with a
Carthage, where he was strangled.
Q. What other matters happened after the Death of these Tyrants?
A. The Goths entred France under the Conduct of their King Ataulphus.
Q. How old was the Emperor Honorius, when he died of his Dropsey?
A. Thirty five Years, A. D. 425.
Q. What sort of a Reign was his?
A. Nothing but a continued Scene of Troubles, Commotions, Tumults, and Wars, occasion'd by the Vandals, the Hunns, and oRoman ProBurgundians erected a new Kingdom towards the Rhone: The Franks A. D. 420, erected another in Gaul, from them call'd France, under their first King Pharamond: And the year following Vallia King of the Goths, after the death of Ataulphus, constituted a Kingdom in Spain. The Vandals possessed that part of it which was formerly call'd Boetica, and now from them Andalusia; as the Goths in conjunction with the Alani, fix themselves in Provincia Tarraconensis, which was afterwards called Gothalania, and corCatalonia. The beginning of the Scotish Kingdom too is generally placed about the year of our Lord 422; the Scots from Ireland settling themselves in the Northern parts
Great Britain under their King Fergus.
Q. What Learned men lived about these times?
A. Pelagius a Britain, a warm Asserter of the Omnipotency of Free-Will, and as vioAustin encounter'd so vigorously. Prudentius, Sedulius, and Paulinus, famous for Poetry, but infinitely exceeded by Claudian, who rais'd his Reputation as much by the Elegance and Sweetness of his Versification, as he lessen'd it by the Meanness of his Sub
Q. WHat were the principal Causes of the Decay of the Roman Empire?
A. Pride, and Luxury, and Divisions at home; the frequent Mutinies of the Army, who deposed their Emperors at pleasure; and the perpetual Invasions of the Northern Nations.
Q. Who caused the greatest Desolations in the Empire?
A. The Goths, the Hunns, the Lombards, and Vandals, who in their turn ravaged the several Provinces of it, erecting new King
Q. By whom was Rome taken?
A. It was taken and retaken by Alarie King of the Goths, A. D. 410. and about 1163 years after the building of it. For the space of three days, this Imperial City, which for Nine hundred years had defied the Attacks of all its Enemies, even of Hannibal himself, was ravag'd and plunder'd at the discretion of the barbarous Conquerors. Not long after it was taken by Totila, and after him by Theodoricus, who made so magAustin, wholly astonish'd at so prodigious a show, wished that he had seen three things upon earth.
Q. What were they?
A. Iesus Christ in the flesh, St. Paul in the Pulpit, and Ancient Rome in its splendor.
Q. Did not the Roman Empire for some time make a happy Progress?
A. It advanc'd rather than decreas'd from Iulius Caesar down to Nero; but afterwards Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, so weaken'd it by their Civil Wars, that it was scarce in a con
Q. Who restored this Empire to its An
A. In Trajan's time, as it possess'd the greatest Extent of Ground, so it visibly reConstantine the Great, who by putting an end to
Q. How did that happen?
A. First he transplanted the Seat of the Empire from Rome, where it had so long inConstantinople; by which means he abandon'd Italy and the Provinces which lay nearest it, to the Invasion of the Barbarians, and what was equally dangerous, to the Ambitious Attempts of the Bishops of Rome, who had always a mighty hankering after Temporals. Next, he considerably enfee
Q. How long did the Eastern Empire con
A. From the Sons of Constantine the Great, for the space of Twelve hundred years, or thereabout, to Constantine Palaeologus the last Emperor of Constantinople, who was prest to death in the Crowd, when Mahomet the seTurks took the City of Constantinople, in the Year of the Creation of the World 5505, and of the Birth of J. C. 1453.
Q. How long was the Empire of the East in the possession of the French?
A. Fifty six years; viz. from the year 1204, to 1260.
Q. How came it to fall into the hands of the French?
A. By the Valour of Baldwin, Earl of Flanders, who made himself Emperor of Constantinople, and it was retaken by another Baldwin, the fourth of that name.
Q. In whose hands did the Western Em
A. The Emperors of Constantinople endeaItaly about the time that Charlemagne was King of France.
Q. How did that happen?
A. Pope Leo the IIId. finding himself now in a capacity to exercise that power of dispoFrench Nation, who had protected the Holy See from the Insults of the Lombards, promoted Charles the Great to the Empire of the West.
Q. By whom was he proclaim'd Empe
A. By the consent of all the Estates; viz. the Clergy, the Nobility, and the Peo
Q. When did this happen?
A. On Christmas-Day, in St. Peter's Church at Rome, in the Year of our Lord 801.
Q. And did this famous Conqueror acquit himself worthily in his place.
A. He lived Fourteen Years after his EleHe was a Conqueror like Caesar, Peaceable like Augustus, and a Restorer of the Church like Constantine. He sumFrankfort, where the use of Images in Churches, confirm'd by the second Council of Nice, was condemn'd; and he died at Aix la Chapelle in Germany, in the 72d. Year of his Age.
Q. From whom did Conradus I. usurp the Imperial Crown?
A. From Charles the Simple King of France, who was Grandson to Charles the Great, and the only person left alive of the Race of that great Emperor.
Q. For what reason do they say Leo III. excited the People to proclaim Charles the Great, and bestow the Empire upon him, and his Descendents and Successors, the Kings of France?
A. For their Piety and Zeal to Holy Church. Nay, Leo the Third solemnly prote
Q. Did it always continue in that Line?
A. No; for about fourscore and five years after this, Pope Gregory V. a German by NaOtho III. of the House of Saxony, to perpeGolden Bull, because the Seal is made of that rich Metal.
Q. What did the Pope ordain in this Bull?
A. That only the Germans should have a right to elect the Emperor; for which end he established Six Electors, Three Ecclesia
Q. Who are the Ecclesiastick Electors?
A. The Archbishops of Ments, Colen and Triers, who are all Chancellors of the EmGermany, the second for Italy, and the third for France.
Q. Who are the Secular Electors?
A. 1. The Prince Palatine of the Rhine, Comptroller of the Houshold. 2. The Duke of Saxony Master of the Horse. 3. The Duke of Brandenburg Great Chamberlain.
Q Was not one more added to the Secu
A. The King of Bohemia was taken into the number at first, to be Arbitrator in the Case, whenever the Votes fell equal on both sides.
Q. And has not a new Elector been ad
A. Yes, for the Prince Palatine having forfeited his Electorate which was given to
Bavaria, they constituted anoMunster. Since the late Revolution in England, the Emperor has been induced to create a new Electorate in favour of the Duke of Hanover, in consiFrance; but as 'tis opposed by several Princes of the Empire, who have enter'd their respective Protestations against it, we cannot positively tell what will become of this Affair.
Q. Who was the first of the House of Austria that obtain'd the Empire?
A. Rodolphus Earl of Habspurgh, whom after a tedious Interregnum, which had like to have proved fatal to the Empire, the Electors unanimously chose. He overcame Ottocarus King of Bohemia, and in consequence of that Victory bestowed Austria upon his Son Albert, and laid the foundation of that powerEurope, and which ever since the days of Charles the Fifth, who first projected the Election of a King of the Romans, has enjoy'd the Empire.
Q. IN what Condition was the Roman Language at first?
A. For the first Five hundred years, that is, till they had made themselves Masters of Italy, it continued very unpolite and barren; and produced no Authors of Eminence and Note. Their Speech is a corruption of the Aeolic Greek, which was spoken in the Southern Provinces of that Countrey, called Graecia Magna, and now comprehends the Kingdom of Naples. Their Ecclesiastical Terms, as well as the Rites and CeHetruscans.
Q. Who were the first Roman Au
A. Not to mention those whose Works are lost (for that would be an unnecessaPlautus and Terence, have an established Reputation; Plautus seems to have proposed Aristophanes, the Author of the old Comedy, for his Pattern; as Terence copies Menander, and entertains us with the New.
Q. What Alterations did it receive after
A. From Terence's time, who flourished afPunic War, and is the standard of the Latin Dialogue and Conversation, by reason of their frequent Commerce with the Greeks, and other Politer Nations, their Language daily improved in all other parts. Lucretius, Salust, and Catullus, who flourished a little before the Civil Wars between Caesar
Pompey, as they writ with a purity equal or above any that preceded them, so they are excell'd by few that follow'd after; and Tully complains that much of the force, and spirit, and majesty of their Language was lost even in his time. However, 'tis agreed on by most hands, that in Augustus's time it arrived to its highest pitch of perfection and purity, at which time Virgil, Horace, Ovid, Tibullus, Propertius, Corn. Gallus, Manilius (though others place him in the Reign of Theodosius the Younger); and not to mention any more, Corn. Celsus the Physician, and Livy the Historian, flourished.
Q. When did it begin to decline?
A. As by a Fate peculiar to all sublunary things, nothing continues long in the same state, but must either advance or go backRoman Language began to decline soon after Augustus. Now and then, 'tis true, stept up an extraordinary Genius, that in spite of the Age he lived in, preserv'd the ancient Purity; as for instance, Minutius Faelix under the Emperor Severus; but we have few Instances of this nature. For the first hundred years, and something more, it escaped toleTrajan's time, we find it was strangely corrupted.
Q What Reasons are commonly assign'd for the decay of their Eloquence and Language?
A. The former is generally ascribed to the loss of their Liberty, and the subversion of the Old Government, which allow'd a
Greek Words and Phrases into their Tongue; a Vanity complain'd of by Iuvenal. In the Age before they seldom used them but in case of necessity, and even then, as is evident from Tully's Example, they writ them in Greek, and not in Latin Characters.
Q. What other Causes are assign'd for it?
A. The continual Irruptions of the Norviz. the Christian, in the Empire; the Pro
Q. How did it fare after this?
A. From the Tenth to the middle of the 15th Century little or no Learning was stir
Q. How came it to revive again?
A. 'Twas occasion'd by two remarkable Accidents that happen'd within a short space of one another. The first was the invention of Printing at Mentz in Germany, in the Year 1440. by the help of which, to the incrediConstantinople by the Turks about twelve years after, which forced several of the Learned Greeks to quit their Native Countrey, and come into Italy, where they were forced to teach Greek for their own suTheodorus Gaza, Constantinus Lascharis, Chalcondilas, Chrysoloras, Trapezuntius, who began to re
Q. What Persons of Note encouraged Learning at that time?
A. Pope Nicholas the Fifth, that great Friend to the Muses, and Restorer of LetPolybius. After him Aeneas Sylvius, alias Pope Pius the SeItaly; and in the compass of an hundred years arrived to its highest perfection.
Q. What were their principal Studies at this time?
A. To retrieve the purity of the Latin and Greek Tongues, and learn their Antiquities; for which end they convers'd with their PoScholia upon Ancient Historians, Orators and Poets; conBasso Relievos, in which as Italy abounded above all other Countries of Europe, so it fur&c. than the rest of their NeighLaurentius Valla, Pomponius Laetus, Alexander ab Alexandro, Rodolphus Agricola.
Q How long was this Learning confin'd to Italy?
A. Not long; for although the Italians had the honour to revive it, and made a very considerable progress in it, yet about
Alpes, and soon after Erasmus, Budaeus, Beatus Rhenanus, &c. dispersed that sort of Knowledge through England, France, Germany, and the Low Countries.
Q. What Learned men had we then in England?
A. In King Henry the VIIIth's time, which was the soonest that we came acBelles lettres in England, we had an admirable Set of Philologers in this Nation who were excellent Critics, and had a great command of the Latin Tongue. Sir Thomas More, Cardinal Pool, Linacer, Collet, Cheek, Ascham, and several more, often to be met with in Erasmus's Epistles. In
Q. What was that?
A. In the Year 1519. Luther made a publick defection from the Papal Authority, which, till then, was generally receiv'd withviz. those of the Reformation, and the Champions for the Church of Rome, to prosecute their Studies in the Learned Languages vigorously. The forEurope: not but that a Critical Skill in Antiquity was at the same time pursued by several ExtraorVsher, Mr. Selden, Sir Iohn Marsham, Mr. Gataker, and after them by Dr. Spencer, Isaac Vossius, Nic. Heinsius, Frederic Gronovius, Ezekiel Spanheym, and Graevius, Men even in this part of Learning equal, if not superior to any that cultivated it before them. In short, all manner of Learning seems at present to be better diffused in all parts of Europe than ever it was; but whether the Genius's of this and the last Age are compa
Q. INto how many parts did the Romans divide their Months?
A. Into three, the Calends, the Nones, and the Ides.
Q. From whence comes the word Calends?
A. From the word Calo, to call, because on that day the Pontiff summon'd the PeoNones. The Calends were peculiar to the Roman People; whence the Proverb, ad Calendas Graecas, i. e. Never.
Q. From whence were the Nones so call'd?
A. Because they were the Ninth day beIdes.
Q. And from whence are the Ides deriv'd.
A. From the old Tuscan word iduare, which signifies to divide, because they divide the Month into two almost equal parts.
Q. When began the Calends?
A. On the first day of the Month.
Q. When began the Nones?
A. On the seventh day of the following
viz. March, May, Iuly, and October, all which have one and twenty days.
Q. When did the Ides begin?
A. On the fifteenth of the above-men
Q And in the other Months when came the Nones and the Ides?
A. The Nones on the fifth, and the Ides on the thirteenth.
Q. Thus the first day was reckon'd the Calends, as Calendae Ianuariae is the first of Ianuary?
A. Right; and the second day, if the Month had its Nones on the seventh day, was call'd the sixth before the Nones; and if on the fifth, the fourth day before the Nones: But the next day immediately following the Nones, is in every Month alike call'd the eighth before the Ides.
Q. How many Nones have the Months of May, Iuly, October, and March?
A. They have all six; the rest have only four; but all the Months in general have eight Ides.
Q. And after the Ides are over, how do you reckon then?
A. By the Calends, which are told back
Q. Pray give me an Instance?
A. As the 18th. of the Calends of May is the 14th. of April.
Q. Cannot you give me some art
A. Yes, they are as follows;
Q. INto how many Months did Romulus divide his Year?
A. Into Ten, and it consisted of 304 days: But after him Numa added two Months, viz. Ianuary and February, and made his Year to contain Three hundred fifty four days; but this Computation falling out too short for the space of a regular Year by Ten Days and six hours yearly, it occasion'd every eighth year an interposition of three whole Months, which they call'd Leap year.
Q. What alterations did Iulius Caesar make in the Roman Calendar?
A. He added the old Ten days to Numa Pompilius's Year; and lest the odd six hours should breed any confusion, he order'd that every fourth year one whole day should be ind. of February.
Q. When did the old Romans begin their Year?
A. At March; for whiIulius and Augustus Caesar have been since called Iulius and
Augustus, were by them called Quintilis and Sextilis, as being their fifth and sixth Months.
Q. What were their Dies Atri and Postriduani?
A. Unfortunate and unlucky days. They were called Atri, because they were marked in their Kalendars with black, as on the conDies Albi, or lucky days, were mark'd with white Characters. This CuScythians.
Q. Why had they the name of Postriduani?
A. Because the Romans were of opinion, that dies postridie Calendas, Nonas, & Idus, i. e. the next day after the Calends, Nones, or Ides, of every Month was unfortunate.
Q. What other distinction of days did they observe?
A. They had their dies festi, or feriae, Holidays, because they did on such days ferire victimas, that is, offer up sacrifice; then their working-days, called profesti, quafi procul a festis; and their half-holidays, which ab intercidendo they call'd dies intereisi, days as it were cut asunder; one part of them being allow'd to all man
Q. Are these all?
A. No, we find another distinction of Days in the Roman Kalendar; for some were Fasti, whole Court-days, others ex parte Fasti, half Court-days; and lastly, Nefasti, nonNefastus does often signify unlucky.
Q. From whence are these Names de
A. A Fando from speaking, because upon those days which were Fasti, the Praetor might lawfully keep Court and administer Justice, which was not done without speakDo, Dico, Addico.
Q. What is the meaning of those three words?
A. A Judge is said, dare, when he grants out an Action or Writ against a man; dicere, when he passes Judgment on him; and addicere, when in the Court he sees and allows the delivery of the thing or person on which Judgment is passed.
Q. When did the Romans begin their day?
A. Their day begun at our Six in the morning; so that their Hora Prima was our Seven, Hora Secunda our Eight, Hora Tertia our Nine a Clock, and so on.
Q. What were the Nundinae?
A. Every Month had Three great MarNundinae.
Q. HOW many sorts of Slaves were there among the Romans?
A. Three.
Q. What were the first?
A. The first were the Children of Slaves, to whom they gave the name of Verna.
Q. What were the second?
A. Slaves by a Civil right, viz. such as were sold.
Q. And the third, what were they?
A. Slaves by the Law of Nations, those that were taken in Battel, or publickly bought at an Auction.
Q. How many sorts of Free-men were there among the Romans?
A. Three sorts likewise: In the first place those that were born free, and of Parents which had been always free, and these they call'd Ingenui: Secondly, the Children of those that had been made free, who were call'd Libertini: Thirdly, those who of Slaves were set at liberty by their Masters, and these last were call'd Liberti.
Q How many ways were there of obtainRome?
A. Three. 1. By Birth, both, or at leCives Originarii. 2. By Gift, when the Freedom was bestowed on any Stranger or Nation, and these were called Civitate Donati. 3. By Manumission.
Q. After what manner was that perform'd?
A. The Servant was brought before the Consul or Praetor by his Master, who laying his hand upon his head, cry'd, Hunc liberum esse volo, and with that turn'd him rouemittere servum
Then the Praetor laid a certain Rod call'd Vindicta upon his head,
Dico eum esse liberum more Quiritum: At that time he received a Cap as a token of Liberty; whence ad pileum voca
is to set one free.
Q. Into how many Orders did Romulus divide the City of Rome?
A. Into two; viz. the Patricians or NoPlebeians or People. AfterEquites, was added.
Q. What Privileges did the Patricians at that time enjoy?
A. They had a Right to aspire to all the Dignities and Offices of the State; but in succeeding times the Plebeians were not excluPatricians.
Q OF how many several parts was the Roman Army compos'd?
A. Of three parts: The first were the Roman Legions, wherein none but the Roman Citizens served. The second consisted of the Allies, that is to say, the People of Italy. And the third was made up of Auxiliary Troops sent by Foreigners.
Q. How were the Allies paid?
A. They sgratis, and had nothing but a certain quantity of Corn given them: As for the Auxiliary Troops, they were daily paid, but they did not take the Military Oath, as the Allies did.
Q. What did a Legion comprehend?
A. A certain number of Horse and Foot.
Q. Into how many Companies were the Infantry and Cavalry divided?
A. Into Ten; in every Company of Foot there were three Bands of Soldiers, and in every Band two Centuries.
Q. Into how many Centuries were the Troops of Horse divided?
A. Each into three Centuries, and so there was consequently sixty Centuries, and thirty Decuries in every Legion.
Q. Who commanded the Infantry?
A. Six Tribunes, with sixty Centurions, one to each Century.
Q. By whom were the Decuries com
A. By thirty Decurions, and by one Offi
Q. How many men had they in each Company of Foot?
A. Sometimes four hundred and twenty, and sometimes they amounted to six hundred men.
Q. How many men were there in each Turma, or Troop of Horse?
A. No more than thirty, ten in each De
Q From whence did the Roman Legions take their name?
A. From their Rank; thus, for instance,
Q. What Authority had the first more than the second Legion?
A. It was superior to all the rest as well for Quality as Number, because it was com
Q. Had they not another very considera
A. Right; and that was the Praetorian Regiment, which always follow'd the ComAugustus had Nine of these Troops of Guards; but they became afterwards so unruly, that instead of guarding the Emperors, they frequently displaced and killed them.
Q. How many Legions had the Romans in the time of the Consuls?
A. At first there were only four, that were equally divided between the two Consuls; afterwards the Allies were oblig'd to furnish them with four more.
Q. Did not the number of them rise con
A. Yes, for in the second Punic War the Romans had in Italy, Sicily, and Spain, TwenCaesar and Pompey, they amounted to
Mutina, the ArAnthony, and that of the Consuls, was compos'd of Fifty Legions
Q How were the Allies ranked?
A. They were disposed after such a manRoman Legions, which made these Troops be call'd Alae, or Wings; their Commanders not calling themselves Tribunes, but Prae
Q. What difference did they make beCornu?
A. They indifferently used the latter, when they spoke of the Roman Legions and their Allies; whereas they seldom made use of the former when they spoke of Legions, but almost always when they spoke of the Troops of Horse furnished by the Allies.
Q. What was a Wing at that time when the Republic flourish'd?
A. Nothing but the Horse of the Allies; but under the Emperors they g
Q HOW many sorts of Soldiers had the Romans in their Infantry?
A. There were four sorts of them.
Q. What was the first?
A. Those that were light arm'd, and consequently fittest for all sorts of nimble Service. These were generally young Fel
Q. Who were they that compos'd the second?
A. The Hastati or Pike-men, who were somewhat more advanc'd in age.
Q. What was the third?
A. Those that for their Age and Valour were called Principes; they carried a Buckler, and used Hangers and were all in the strength and vigor of their Age.
Q. What was the fourth?
A. They were the Triarij, old experienc'd Soldiers, that fought in the third rank. They used Bucklers, Hangers, and the Pilum.
Q. How many Bands were there in every Cohors?
A. Three, as I have already told you. The first consisting of Pikemen, the second of the Principes, the third of the Triarij, who were always Six hundred; but the others were sometimes more and sometimes less.
Q What particular Commander be
A. They had none, but were equally di
Q. Had they not several names?
A. At first they were call'd Ferentarij, Lorarij, and Accensi, because they filled up what was wanting in the Legions. Afterwards the name of Velites was given them; and lastly, that of Ant
of Veloces, of Archers and Slingers, all which names are derived either from their Arms or their rank; and as they were not over-charged with Arms,
Q. Who were the Evocati?
A. They were certain old Soldiers, who after they had serv'd their time, were desir'd by the Generals of the Army to make another Campaign. These had great Privileges con
Q. HOW many sorts of Commanders were there?
A. Three sorts. First, the Centurions and Tribunes commanded the Foot. Se
Q. What were the Priviledges of the first Cohors?
A. That he who was Centurion of the Pikes call'd himself the first Pike; he of the Principes the first Prince, and he of the TriaPrimipilus. It belonged to this last to keep the Roman Eagle, to fix it in the ground, or carry it; which we understand by the ninth and tenth Primipilus.
Q. How many Cohorts were there in each Legion?
A. There were ten in each Legion, and in every Cohors six Centurions.
Q. From whence did these Centurions derive their names?
A. From the Cohors where they served. Those for instance that were of the tenth, or the eighth, call'd themselves the tenth or eighth.
Q. But he that commanded the Triarians in the tenth Legion, how was he call'd?
A. He was call'd Decimus Pilus; he that commanded the Principes, Decimus Princeps; and so of the rest.
Q. What reward was given to a Soldier after some glorious Exploit?
A. From the second Centurion of Pikes in the tenth Cohors they made him the first, that is to say, the tenth Pike, afterwards tenth Princeps, &c. and this in the same Cohors.
Q. How did they recompence him after
A. He was made first Officer of the Ninth Cohors, then of the Eighth, and so on till he came to the First, or perhaps to a Tri
Q. What did the Tribunes command?
A. They commanded the Legion, the Centurions, the Cohorts and Companies of Foot.
Q. What did the Praefects command?
A. They commanded a Wing of Horse, and the Decuries the other Companies and Decuries.
Q. How many men were there in a Wing?
A. There were thirty in these Companies, and ten in every Decury.
Q. Who chose the Legati, or Lieutenants to the Generals?
A The Senate nominated them, or else the Generals chose them themselves to the number of three, or four, or more.
Q. What power had they?
A. They had power to judge private Causes, and commanded the Army in the General's absence.
Q. Did not Augustus establish two sorts of them?
A. Yes, he made Consular ones, who were to look after the whole Army; and the Praetorians, who took care of every Legion.
Q. To whom did they give the name of Imperator besides the Caesars?
A. To those that by a Commission from the State had the managing of an Army, being the same that a Praetor was in Ancient Times.
Q. Who had it besides?
A. Those that after they had gained some remarkable Victory, wherein at least a thou
Q. What were their Colours?
A. An Eagle, a Wolf, a Minotaur, a Horse, and a Boar.
Q. What was this Eagle made of?
A. It was a golden Eagle fixt upon a Pike, and was only the Ensign of the Roman LegiMarius.
Q. What did the Romans use for an EnRomulus's time?
A. They took an handful of Hay, and percht it on the top of a Pole; but this was afterwards chang'd into a Pike, on the top of which they placed a small piece of Wood.
Q. Af
A. In the form of a Cross, and from it several small Circles and little Bucklers hung down Cross wise, and above it was ele
Q. What was painted upon these Cir
A. The Representations of their Gods and Emperors. Their Javelins likewise served for Ensigns. To these the Emperors added an Elephant, a Sphinx, and a Dragon.
Q. To whom did these Standards be
A. To the Horse; these Colours were foursquare, and fasten'd to a Pike curi
Q INto how many Battalions did the Romans divide their Army?
A. Into two or three Battalions; into two when they made two Wings, one upon the Right, the other upon the Left.
Q. And when into three?
A. When between the two Wings th
Q. Where were the Romans placed?
A. They stood in the middle, and the AlTitus Livius.
Q. How many Legions were drawn out in this Army descrbed by Livy?
A. Four, two consisting of Romans, and two of their Allies.
Q. Where were the two Romans placed?
A. They were placed in the midst, the Elder of the two on the right, and the other on the left, and the two Allies in the two Wings.
Q. When their Horse were drawn out into Squadrons, where did they stand?
A. They were placed in such a manner on the sides, that that of the Romans cover'd
Q. How many Ranks had they in every Legion?
A. Three. The first was of Pikemen, the second of the Principes, the third of the Triarians. In the front were to be seen all the ten Companies of Pikes belonging to every Legi
Q. Where did the Evocati stand?
A. They were either with the General, or in the middle of the Ranks to encourage the rest.
Q. And where were the Centurions?
A. They were thus distributed: Two commanded the middle Battalion; and the other two commanded one the Right Wing, and the other the Left Wing.
Q. Where was the General's place?
A. It was between the Triarii, and the Principes. He was surrounded by the Praetorian Bands, and from thence commanded the whole Army.
Q. How were the Companies disposed?
A. They were so disposed in a Quadran
Q. WHen a General had gain'd a consiImperator, what did he next do?
A He immediately dispatched Letters crown'd with Lawrel to the Senate to deImperator, as likewise that they would decernere Supplicationes, that is
Q. What did the Senate when they had agreed to this Proposal?
A. They all went in a Body to the Temples to thank the gods, and offer'd Sa
Q. What did they afterwards do?
A. They gave Publick Entertainments; and the Publick Rejoycings continued more, or less, according to the Circumstances of the Victory, and the quality of the Conque
Q. Why was a lesser Triumph called Ovatio?
A. As well from the joyful Acclamations of the Soldiers, who often redoubled this letter O, as because that in this lesser Tri
Q. Who might pretend to this Triumph?
A. He that was neither Dictator nor Con
Q. What honours did they pay him?
A. He was crown'd with Mirtle, and so made his Entry into the City, preceded by several men playing upon Flutes. Learned men are not agreed whether he rid on Horse
Q. How was the solemnity of a Triumph order'd?
A. First marched the Flutes and Trum
Q. Who follow'd after this?
A. The conquer'd Leaders, Princes and Kings bound and fetter'd.
Q. And where did the Imperator, or Lord General appear?
A. He was mounted upon a Chariot in a Triumphal Robe, crown'd with Lawrel, and held a branch in his hand.
Q How was this Chariot drawn?
A. Sometimes by Stags, sometimes by Lions or Elephants, but for the general part it was drawn by four white Horses.
Q. Who follow'd the Chariot?
A. The Children, the Relations, and Friends of the Conqueror. The victorious
Q. After what manner did they march?
A. They were all crown'd with Lawrel, and sung certain Verses suitable to the Occa
Q. Whither did the Conqueror go in this Procession?
A. He went to the Capitol where he of
Q. What sort of a place was the Capitol?
A. It was a Temple dedicated to Iupiter upon the Tarpeian Hill. Domitian laid out Three Millions to guild it.
Q. What was peculiar to this Temple?
A. There were three Altars in it; one dedicated to Iuno, another to Minerva, that in the middle, which was the most magnifiIupiter.
Q. WHat was the proper business of the Augurs?
A. Their Office was to explain Dreams, Extraordinary Events and Oracles, which they did by the singing or flight of Birds, or by observing how they fed.
Q. Whence is their name derived?
A. They were call'd Augures ab avium garritu, from the chirping and singing of Birds, and Auspices quasi Avispices ab aves aspiciendo, from beholding the flight of Birds. These two kinds of Soothsaying have occasion'd these and the like Sayings, bonis avibus or auspiciis with good luck, malis avibus with ill luck. And because they began nothing in auspicato, i. e. without the Counsel of the Augurs, hence auspicari rem has signified to begin a matter.
Q From how many sorts of things did they draw their Auguries?
A. From five. First from Thunder and Lightning in the Heavens.
Q. What was the second?
A. By the singing of some Birds, as of a Raven, a Crow, an Owl, and these they call'd Oscines; or by the flight of others, as Eagles, Vulturs, Buzzards, which were called Praepetes.
Q. And how was the third?
A. By Chickens: Early in the morning they gave them something to eat, now if they did not immediately pick it up with great greediness, so that some of the Crums fell out of their mouths, if they walked from one side to the other, if they crow'd, or if they flew away, it was looked upon to be an ill Augury; If the contrary happen'd, they drew a happy presage from it. From these Pullets the Augur was call'd Pullarius.
Q. What was the fourth?
A. It was taken from four-footed Beasts, as Wolves, Foxes, Goats, Asses, Weasils, Rats, &c. which either should cross the way, or appear in some unusual place.
Q. How was the fifth?
A. From any extraordinary Accident either within doors, or in the Fields. As for instance, suppose a man had seeen a Weasil, or if Rats had eaten Honey, if one had heard a strange voice, &c. all this they call'd Dirae.
Q. What did the Soothsayers do with the Victims?
A. First, they considered the different manner they follow'd those that led them to the Altar, if they did it easily or with diffi
Q. What other Observations did they make?
A. They observ'd the good or bad disposition of the heart and liver. Lastly, from the brightCapnomantes from the Greek, which is as much as to say, Smoke Prophets.
Q HOW were the Romans cloathed?
A. They wore over their TuGraecians had their Mantle called Pallium, which was as peculiar to them as the Toga to the Romans.
Q. What sort of a Robe was it?
A. The figure of it was generally in a demi-circle, and sometimes foursquare.
Q. Were there any plaits or folds in this Gown?
A. There were two, so placed that one was above the other; the uppermost came slopeing cross from the right to the left, af
Q. Who wore their Gowns edged?
A. The Magistrates and Priests, but espe
Q. And when they were seventeen years old, what Robe did they wear then?
A. They took the Toga virilis which was wholly plain. Nay, young Gentlewomen wore the same Habit till they were married, the Edges of which were covered with Purple.
Q. What did they wear under this Gown?
A. One or two Tunics or Coats, that which was next the Skin was call'd the Subucula, and the other kept the name of Tunica.
Q. What sort of a fashion'd Coat was it that the People wore?
A. It was without Studds. The Knights wore one with small Studds, and the Sena
Q. How were these Studds made?
A. They were nothing but knots of Pur
Q. Who wore the Robe which they call'd the Palmata?
A. Those that triumph'd. This Robe derived its name from Palms which were painted upon it. All the different Habits which we have no English Names to express them by, were different Military Vestments which they wore over their Tunic.
Q. Those Sumptuous Cloaks call'd the Paludamentum and Chlamys, how were they made?
A. They were made of Scarlet, Purple and Gold, and serv'd to defend them from the cold.
Q. How many sorts of Shoes had they?
A. Two, one which only cover'd the Sole of the Foot, the other which cover'd it wholly.
Q. HOW many sorts of Games were there among the Romans?
A. Several sorts.
Q. Where were they kept?
A. Some in the Circus, or on the Theatre, and took their names from thence; others were sacred, and celebrated in Honour of the Gods.
Q. How were these sacred Sports call'd?
A. They were generally named from the Deity in whose Honour they were kept. Others were made upon the account of some Vow. Funeral Sports were only kept at the death of some person, and others for mere exercise.
Q. How many sorts of Sports were reCircus?
A. Seven sorts. First, they either fought at Whorle-bats, or at Fisticuffs, or Cudgels, or Swords, or Javelins, or Pikes, &c. Or else they were Gladia
The second was Running.
The third was Leaping, and that either on a level place, or else from a low place to a high one, or from a high one to a low one.
The fourth was shooting.
The fifth was Fighting on Horseback.
The seventh was a Naumachia, or Sea-fight, representing in fresh water the manner of a Naval Engagement.
Q. After what manner were the Amphi
A. They were built in a Circular or Oval Form, the middle part was call'd the Cavea, or Arena.
Q. Why was it call'd so?
A. Because it was covered with Sand.
The Games called the Megalenses, were celebrated in honour of Cibele the Mother of the gods.
Those kept in honour of Ceres, as also those kept in honour of Mars, Flora, and Apollo, took their name from these Divinities.
The Capitoline Games were celebrated in memory of the preservation of the Capitol.
The Roman Games, which were likewise for distinction call'd the Great GamesIupiter, Minerva, and Iuno.
The Plebeian Games were instituted after the return of the people to Rome.
The Compitalitij were kept in the cross
The Secular Games were so named, not be
Princeps Iuventutis, or Prince of the Youth.
Q. WHat Customs did the Romans ob
A. The next of the Kin receiv'd his last ga
Q ▪
What was the first thing they did when a person was dead?
A. He was washed, anointed, and emPyra or Funeral Pile. During these seven days his Friends met together, and made great Outcries about his Body, hoping to awake him if he were not perfectly dead. This was call'd Conclamatio; whence we proConclamatum est, when we give a thing for lost.
Q. Who carried his Body?
A. The greatest men of Note in the Re
Q. But if he was a man of an indifferent Fortune?
A. He was then carried in a Bier by one of his nearest Relations, to the Puticuli, places of Publick Interrment, supposed to be the same with the Catacombs; or else by those whose business and Employment it was, who were à vespertino tempore, call'd Vespae, or Vespiliones, because they buried them in the dusk of the evening.
Q. What appear'd at the head of this Funeral Pomp.
A. The Marks of his Nobility, the Tro
Q. What follow'd after this?
A. His Relations, Friends, and Children, with their hair dishevel'd, and in mourning; from following the body à sequendo, these FuExequiae.
Q. Did not the Women likewise fol
A. Yes, but bare-headed, and apparel'd in white, besides a great number of Praeficae, or Female Weepers, who with their studied Lamentations gave an Example to the rest.
Q. If the deceased was a person that had done great Services to the Commonwealth, whither did they carry his body?
A. It was carried to the Forum, or Pub
Q ▪
When that Harangue was over, whi
A. They carried him to the place where his body was to be burnt: Here they erected a large Pile or Tabernacle, composed of the Wood of Resinous Trees, garnish'd all about with Branches of Cypress.
Q. What did they do afterwards?
A. After they had cast his Arms and Ap
Q. After all these Ceremonies, what did they do with his Body?
A. They placed it at last upon the Pyra, and the nearest Relation to the deceased Par
Q. What did they do about this Pile?
A. Sometimes they s
Q. When the Body was burnt, where did they put the Ashes?
A. They washed them in Milk and Wine, then put them into an Urn, after which the Priest thrice sprinkl'd the company with clean water, and the eldest of these Praeficae cry'd aloud, Licet, which is as much as to say, Now you may go.
Q. What answer did the standers-by make?
A. They sigh'd, and said, Farewell, farewell, we will follow you in our turns, when it shall please Nature.
Q. Whither were his Bones and Ashes carried?
A. They were carried to a Sepulchre, be
Q. After all these last offices were per
A. They gave a Feast to his Relations, and sometimes to the People, but always prepared a Funeral Supper for the old and aged men, which was called Silicernium, and figuratively signifies an old fellow.
Q. Did the Romans use to bury within the City?
A. By a Law of the Twelve Tables it was provided, That none besides the EmpeViator so frequently in old In
Q. What was the ancient way of buryRomans?
A. Interment; but afterwards to prevent the ill treatment of their Enemies, they burnt their Bodies, as the Graecians did.
Q. HOW many stated times do you find the Romans had for eating?
A. They breakfasted in the Morning; towards Noon they dined, but always very soberly, because they dined alone; a little after followed their Beaver, and towards Nine a Clock at Night they went to Supper, which was generally very magnificent, be
Q. What did they do in the beginning of their Entertainments?
A. They gave each of the Guests a Bil
Q. Upon what did they sit at Supper-time?
A. They lay upon Beds. They placed no more than three Beds about the Table, and three in a Bed, because they had seldom more Guests than Nine, and they were cover'd with Purple.
Q. What did they use to do before they lay upon these Beds.
A. They washed their Body, changed their Garments, and pull'd off their Shooes for fear of spoiling the Beds.
Q. Into how many Parts did they usually divide their Supper?
A. Into Three, which they call'd their first, second, and third Course. In the first were always serv'd Eggs, and in the last Course (whether second or third) always Apples, whence we say proverbially, Ab ovo usque ad mala.
Q. What was the Sportula?
A. A Dole of Meat distributed by Persons of Eminent Quality, to the People, which from the Panier or Basket in which it was brought, was call'd Sportula. Sometimes they distributed Money instead of Meat; so that Sportula denoted any kind of Dole eiCoena recta.
Q. What was a Coena recta, or Coena dubia?
A. Both signify a handsom Entertainment, where there is Plenty and Variety of Dishes. Recta here signifies as much as Vera, and is oppos'd to Sportula, a light and short SupDubia, because in so great a variety the Guest does not know where to begin. Coena Ambulatoria is a Supper where one Dish walks through the Table.
Q. WHat was the Chief-Priest's or Pontifex Maximus's Office?
A. He looked after all the other Priests,
Q. Who was the first Emperor that asPontifex Maximus?
A. Augustus Caesar; and the succeeding Emperors follow'd his Example, as we find in their Coins and Medals. Nay, the ChriGratian issued out a Prohibition for any one to give him that Title.
Q. Why were Flamines so named?
A. From the Hat or Mitre they wore, which in ancient times was called Flama.
Q. By whom was the Temple of Vesta instituted?
A. Either by Aeneas, or Ascanius; at least the Vestal Virgins were by Numa Pompilius.
Q. What Rules did they observe?
A. They were obliged to take none into the number of Vestals, as were born either of a Slave or a Freed-man, or were ill-shap'd, or were above Ten, or less than Six Years old. It was an Honourable Order, and they were extremely respected by all people.
Q. What was their Office?
A. To keep the Sacred Fire; which is by some Misfortune or Neglect it were extin
Q. How many Years did they continue in the service of this Goddess?
A. Thirty years; during the first ten they learnt all the Ceremonies, which they put in practice the ten years next following; and the last ten they employ'd in instructing the Novices.
Q. After this time was expir'd, what Privilege had they?
A. They were at liberty to quit their Sa
Q. When the Sacred Fire was suffer'd to go out through Negligence, what Punish
A. She was publickly whipt, and if any of them lost their Virginity, they were bu
Q. Where?
A. Without the Town, in a very dark Vault, where they had a Bed, and a Lamp lighted.
Q. Did they leave them any Food in the Vault?
A. Lest the Criminal should immediately dye of Hunger, they left a little Bread, Milk, and Oyl.
Q. When the Vestal was shut in, and the door made up, what did they use to do?
A. That day a profound silence was kept in Rome.
Q. INto how many parts was the Roman People divided?
A. Into Three: First, the Senators, which was the most Powerful Body, so that nothing was done without their Advice.
Q. Which was the second?
A. That of the Knights, which next to the Senators made the greatest Figure in the Government. In this number the Sons of Senators were reckon'd, till such time as they were of Age to be Senators.
Q. Which was the third part?
A. 'Twas the People, by which we are to understand all those that were neither Knights nor Senators.
Q. What were the Roman Comitia?
A. Assemblies, where they used to give their Votes; and because they gave them when they were divided sometimes into Curiae or Wards, and sometimes into Tribes or Centuries, thence arose the different Names of these Assemblies.
Q. Had not all these Assemblies their re
A. Yes; and they were conven'd for some special occasion, as to create Magi
Q. Who were there in the Assembly of Magistrates?
A. Besides Citizens, there were those that stood for Offices, and were called Can
Q. Who were there besides these in this Assembly?
A. Distributors, in Latin Diribitores, who gave the people Wooden Tables as they passed over certain Bridges, and collected their Votes.
Q. Were no other persons admitted there?
A. There were Guards that took care lest there should be any Cheat in gathering their Votes, and Cryers who proclaim'd aloud who had most Votes.
Q. How did they manage Judicial Cau
A. There was the Plaintiff, the Council, and the Defendant, who had his Friends about him, and appear'd in a very ordinary Garb, with a long Beard, his Hair and every thing about him negligent and out of order.
Q. How did they give their Suffrages?
A. At first they used to give them vivâ voce, but afterwards in all Assemblies for Laws or Judgments, they gave the people Wooden Tables; in one were these two LetVti Rogas, Be it as you desire it.
Q. What was writ in the other?
A. The letter A, signifying Antiquo; i. e. I forbid it.
Q. If the number happen'd to be equal, how did they then?
A. The Sentence was void, unless in the case of Criminals, for the Century which did not condemn, was suppos'd to absolve.
Q. How many Assemblies did they keep to elect Magistrates?
A. Two. The first to elect; Whom wou'd you have, said he who presided, for your Consuls or Prae
and after the Election was made, Are you contented that M. Cicero, and M. Anthony, whom the people have pitched upon to be Consuls, should stand.
Q. What does the word Forum signify?
A. 'Twas either the place where they bought and sold, or signified the same with Curia, the place where the Assemblies were held.
Q. What is the meaning of the word Rostra?
A. It signifies the Tribunal, from whence they harangu'd the People.
Q. Why was it so called?
A. Because it was formerly adorn'd with the Beaks of the Ships which the Romans took from the People of Antium.
Q. AT whose expence were these Prizes perform'd.
A. Sometimes at the expence of private Persons, who to make themselves popular, exhibited these Shows; and because they
Latin word Munus.
Q. What was the original of these Spe
A. It was derived from a common praBustuarii, but afterwards these Spectacles were play'd not only at Tombs, but in the Circus, and Am
Q. When they met on the day appointed, what Weapons did they fight with?
A. They were of two sorts. Lusoria tela, with which they only show'd Feats of ActiDecretoria, with which they really encounter'd one another for life or death. Their skirmishing with the former was propraeludium.
Q. When a Gladiator receiv'd a dange
A. He was not immediately discharged, for this depended upon the pleasure of the Emperor, or the People, or the Person that
convertendo pollicem, by turning up the Thumb, as they did the contrary premendo pollicem, by turning down the Thumb. This discharge was called Missio.
Q. What reward did the Conquerors re
A. Sometimes Money, sometimes a GarPalma has been used to signify the Victory it self; sometimes the People gave them a Wand call'd Rudis, and somes a Cap or Pileus, both which last were Badges or Tokens of Liberty, and of their being wholly dis
Q. HOW many Sibylls were there?
A. They are generally reckon'd to be Ten. The first was called Persica, the second Lybica, the third Delphica, the fourth Cumaea, the fifth Erythraea, the sixth Samia, the seventh Cumana, the eighth Hellespontica, the ninth Phrygia, and the tenth Tiburtina. They were all of them Women very famous for the Spirit of Prophecy.
Q. Where were their Books kept?
A. Within the Capitol under ground in a Chest of Stone, where they continued safe
Sylla's time. But to retrieve this loss, the Senate dispatchGreece and Asia to collect all the Prophesies which went under their name. They were supposed to be of that certainty, that when they affirm'd any thing to be unSibyllae folium, as true as Sibyll's Oracle.
Q. Did not Tarquinius Priscus institute a certain number of Priests to expound and keep their Oracles?
A. YDuumviri, afterwards they were increased to ten, and call'd Decemviri; and lastly, Sylla, as 'tis suppos'd, added five more, and then they were call'd the Quindecimviri. These Oracles were constantly consulted in all times of public Calamity and Exigence, and to the above-mention'd Priests it belonged to see that Sacrifices, Sup
Q. Which of the Sibylls was it that writ her Oracles upon Leaves of Trees?
A. The Sibylla Cumaea, and as these Leaves wLabori
Sibyllae folia colligere.
Q. Is Sibylla a proper name?
A. No; 'tis an appellation common to all Women that have the gift of Prophecy, from
Aeolic Dial
is the same with i. e. Counsel; be
Q. WHat was the manner of Sacrifi
A. First, the Priest laid his hand on the Altar, and rehearsed certain Prayers to Ianus, and V
Q. Why so?
A. Because the Romans were persuaded, that without their intercession they could not have access to the other gods. His Prayers being ended, he laid upon the Beasts head a little Corn, together with a Cake made of Meal and Salt, call'd in Latin Mola. From this Ceremony the Act of Sacrificing has been termed Immolatio.
Q. What did he do after this?
A. He drank some Wine out of a wooden or earthen Chalice, which was afterwards carried about to all the people that they might also libare or gently taste of it. This Rite was call'd Libatio.
Q. Proceed.
A. When this was over, the rest of the Wine with Frankincense mixt in it, was pour'd upon the Beast's Head between the Horns, omacta est hostia, i. e. magis aucta, and then
Q. After what manner was this done?
A. First, the Priest pluckt off some of the Hairs between the Horns, and threw them into the fire; then turning his Face toPopae to kill the Beast.
Q. Were the Standers-by Idle all this while?
A. No, for some saved the Blood in Vessels, others Flead the Beast, and oPopae rowl'd them in Barley-meal, and sent them in Baskets to the Priests, who taking them up in a broad Platter, laid them upon the Altar and burnt them. This was properly call'd litare.
Q. And how did they conclude?
A. After the portion laid out for the Gods was burnt, the people repair'd to a common Feast, where as they were eat
Q HOW was the manner of Contra
A. For the greater security they writ down the form of the Contract upon TaSignatores. But first they consulted the Augurs, as they were used to do in all Actions of any impor
Q. Why did the Woman wear the Ring, which the Man in token of his Affection gave her, on the fourth Finger of her left Hand?
A. Because they supposed that an Artery from the Heart proceeded to that Finger alone.
Q. Whence is the word Nuptiae derived?
A. From Nubo, which signifies to cover, for the custom was that the Woman should be brought to her Husband with a Flammeum, or yellow Veil thrown over her Face.
Q. Why was the Bride by a seeming vio
A. Because of the good Success which Romulus and his Followers had in the violent taking away of the Sabine Women.
Q. What other Ceremonies did they use?
A. Towards night the Woman was led to her Husband's House (whence the common Phrase Vxorem ducere to marry a Wife) with five Torches, to intimate the need which married Persons had of five Deities, viz. Iupiter, Iuno, Venus, Suadela, and Diana, who is oftentimes call'd Lucina.
Q. What were these Torches made of?
A. Of a pitchy Liquour that issued from a Tree call'd Teda. Hence the Poets figuTedas.
Q. When the Woman was brought to the door, what did she then?
A. She anointed the Posts of the Door with Oil, from which Ceremony a Wife was call'd Vxor quasi Unxor. Then the Bride
Q. Why so?
A. Because she cou'd not in modesty seem to go without violence into that place where she was to resign her Virginity.
Q. As she was carried in, what was it the Company cried aloud?
A. They cried Talassio, Talassio, as the Greeks did Hymen Hymenaee; for which this reason is alledged; That at the Rape of the Sabine Women some of the meaner sort carTalassius, a man of
Talassio, Talassio.
Q. What follow'd after this?
A. Being thus brought home, she received the Keys of her Husband's House, to denote that the custody of every thing in it was committed to her care.
Q. How was the Marriage-Bed stiled?
A. Genialis lectus, and sometimes lectus adversus, quòd eum in atrio collocari januae ex adverso mos fuit, that is, because they placed it in the Court, directly opposite to the Gate.
Q. What Ceremonies did they use the next day after the Marriage?
A. They gave a solemn Entertainment where the Relations and Friends of the marRepotia.
Q. How many sorts of Divorces had they?
A. Two: One between Parties only conRepudium, in which the party sueing for a Divorce, used this form Conditione tuâ non utar; the other was call'd Divortium, and the party that deRes tuas tibi habeto, or res tuas tibi agite.
Q. What is the reason of this Phrase, mittere, or remittere nuncium?
A. Because in these Divorces they usually sent their Wives a paper containing the
per nuncium by a Messenger.
Q. What Formalities were used in a Di
A. The Ceremonies were quite contrary to those observ'd in Marriage. For after the Censors were made acquainted with the just Causes of the Divorce, the Marriage-Tables were broken, the Dowry restor'd, the Keys of the House taken from the Woman, and she turned out of doors.
Q. WHat Ceremonies did the Romans use in the building and razing of Cities?
A. In the building of Cities the Founders generally made their Augural Observations; which being ended, they marked out the place where the Wall was to be built, by ploughing up the Ground. Where they dePorta à Portando. The like Ceremony of Ploughing was used in the demolishing of Cities.
Q. What is the difference between Ara, and Altare?
A. The Ara was made foursquare, and cover'd with Turf, not very high from the ground, or as some say, close to it, and upAltare was lifted somewhat higher from the ground, and upon this they sacrificed to the Celestial Gods only.
Q. What was the Scrobiculus?
A. A Furrow or Pit containing an Altar in it, into which they pour'd down the Blood of the Beast slain, together with Milk, Honey, and Wine, when they sacrificed to an Infernal Deity.
Q. What was the Focus?
A. In strict propriety of speech it is taPenates, or Lares, whence arose the Proverb, Pro aris & focis certare, to fight for the deMilitare Sacramentum, or Oath administred to the Roman Soldiers.
Q. Who were the Dii majorum Gentium?
A. Gods of the first Rank and Quality, whom Ennius has thus compriz'd in a DiIuno, Vesta, Minerva, Ceres, Diana, Venus, Mars, Mercurius, Iovis, Neptunus, Vulcanus, Apollo.
They were likewise call'd Dii consentes quasi consentientes, because Iupiter would do no
Q. How was the second sort of Gods named?
A. They were call'd Semidei, or DemiIndigetes, i. e. God's adopted, or Canonized, men deified, and Divi. This last Title they bestowed upon their Empe
Q. What were the Dii Patrii, or Tutelares?
A. Such as had undertaken the protection of any City or Place; and therefore the Romans, when they besieged any Town, used by certain Charms to call out their Tutelar Gods, because they thought it impossible to take the City as long as they continued in it, or at least suppos'd it a Crime to make the Gods Prisoners.
Q. What were the Genii?
A. They were looked upon to be of a middle essence between Gods and Men, and every man so soon as he was born, was supposed to be invisibly accompanied by a good and evil Genius or Angel.
Q. What were men used to write upon before the invention of Paper?
A. They sometimes writ upon the inLibri (whence we still call our Books Libri) someAegyptian Rush Papirus, from whence comes our English word Paper, and the Latin Papirus. Shortly after a Contest happening between Ptolomy King of Aegypt, and Eumenes King of Pergamus, the latPergamena. At this
Romans used to write in Tables of Wood, covered over with Wax, so that Tabellae is employ'd to signify Missive Letters, and Tabellarius a Letter-Carrier. These TaCaudex, the Trunk or Stock of a Tree, whence we still call our Books Codices, à Caudicibus.
Q. What did they write with?
A. With a Stylus, an Instrument of Steel or Iron, having a sharp point at one end, and being broad, but keen and well-edg'd at the other. With the sharp point they writ what they pleased; with the broad end they scrap'd out what they had written; whence the Phrase, Stylum invertere, which signifies, To say and unsay a thing.
Q. What was the name of the Mark which they made at the end of their Books?
A. They call'd it a Coronis; which the Interpreters of Aristophanes describe to be linea brevis ab inferiore parte flexa. All are aGreek Proverb, i. e. from the beginning to the end.
Q. After what manner were their Books written in former Ages?
A. They writ a whole Book in one contià volvendo, we call our Books Volumina, Vo
Q. What was the Vmbilicus?
A. The Staff on which the Book was roll'd, they call'd metaphorically Vmbilicus, because as a Navel is the middle of a man's body, so when the Book was roll'd up, this Staff was the middle of it. However, beVmbilicus, but especially when applied to a Book, signifies The End, as in Horace, ad Vmbilicum ducere.
Q. How were the two knobs or ends of the Staff, which appear'd on each side of the Volume, call'd?
A. Cornua, and they used to adorn them with Silver and Gold. The Title, which was the beginning of every Book, was named Frons.
Q. What Customs and Ceremonies were used by the Romans in handling their Suits of Law?
A. First, there was, in jus vocatio, that is, the citing of one into the Court. Secondly, Postulatio, a Request put up to the Praetor, That it might be lawful for the Plaintiff to enter his Action against the Defendant; whence postulare aliquem de hoc vel illo crimine, is to accuse one of this or that Crime. Thirdnominis delatio, the taking of the Defenintendere actionem vel litem, and diem alicui dicere; that is, to enter an Action against one.
Q. When Request was made by the Plainvadari reum, i. e. demand Sureties or Bail of him to appear on the day appointed?
A. Yes; and promisit vadimonium, that is, he entred likewise into Bond for his own apdies perendinus, and sometimes dies tertius simply.
Q. Who were the Viri Consulares?
A. Not every one that was capable of a Consul's Office, but those that had actually born it.
Q. How did the Romans date their Deeds and Charters?
A. At first they did it by naming the Year wherein their City was founded; as for inab urbe conditâ the twentieth, thir
Q. What was their manner of selling sub coronâ?
A. An Enemy was said to be sold sub coronâ, when in the Market-Place a Crown was put upon his head in token of such a Sale; or else because at that time he was surrounded with a Circle of Soldiers called Corona.
Q. What was their way of dismissing an Enemy sub jugum?
A. They erected two Spears, with a third lying a-cross, in manner of a Gallows; then they caused them, being disarm'd and their Belts taken away, to pass under, in token of Bondage.
Q. Why did Lapis in old time signify a Mile?
A. Because at every Mile's end a great stone in manner of a mark-stone, was e
Q. Why did the Romans call the space of Five Years a Lustrum?
A. Because they did once in Five Years Revolution lustrare exercitum Romanum, purge the Roman Army by Sacrifice. Hence we say, duo lustra, ten years, tria lustra, fifteen years, &c.
Q. Does not Nomen sometimes signify the same as Debitum, a Debt?
A. Yes, and the reason is, because the Creditors did use to write down their Debtors Names: Hence they were said, Nomina sua liberare, when they paid the Debt; as on the contrary, they were said Nomina faeere, when they contracted a Debt.