Nestora non latuit clamor , tamen ille bibebat .

Old Nestor , notwithstanding , all the Noyse and clamour made by the Tumult , would not breake his * draught . His Cup was compared Atheneus Dypa : lib. 10. to Achilles his Shield ; as the one never enter'd the field , nor ingag'd his person without his Targe to guard his life — So the other never heated his body in any skirmish , without his bowle to quench his thirst : Proteus the Macedonian Proteus , lib. de Sepulc . Alexand. et Hephestion . had the character of an inuincible quaffer ; For as Ephippus testates , Alexander the Great ; drinking to him a full bowle of Wine , containing twelue Sextaries ( which according to our measures , held two Gallons and a quart , hee pledg'd the King , and carowsed it off at one draught , with a great applause from the standers by , and after some small interim , he caused it to be filled againe , and began a new health to Alexander : In the pledge whereof , the King failing in his strength , and not being able to overcome it , the bowle slipt out of his fingers , and hee ( with it ) fell likewise groveling to the earth . It is further reported of * Alexander , that hee 〈◊〉 the greate . would sit up and drinke so long , that being overcome with sleepe , he hath not left his bed for two entire nights and dayes together , insomuch that it grew to a common Proverbe in Greece , That if any man could powre more liquor down his throate then his companions , they would say hee were able to drinke with Alexander ; divers Authors report of him , That carowsing one day Menander in Adulatot : 〈◊〉 . with twenty Persons in his company , hee dranke healths to every man round , and pledged them severally againe ; And as he was to rise , Calistenes the Sophist , comming into the Simposition , or Banquetting-house , the King offered him a deepe quaffing-bowle , which he modestly refused , for which , being taxed by one there present : Hee said aloud . I desire not , oh Alexander , to receive a pledge from thee ; by taking which , I shall be presently inforced to inquire for a Physition . Theophrastus writes , that by continuall riotising , his body was made so unable to performe any venerall Act , that when his mother 〈◊〉 sent unto him a most beautifull Lady , called 〈◊〉 , notwithstanding , his opportunitie , and her importunitie , shee departed unvitiated from him . King Darius had these words inscribed Darius . upon his Tombe .

Vinum multum bibere potui Idque perferre . I could drinke much Wine , and beare it well .

Etesias reports , that the Kings of India , were not suffered to drinke , but with great moderation . But the Kings of Persia had liberty for one day in the yeere to carowse even unto surfet , and that was in their sacrifice offered to the Sunne : For so saith saith Duris . Philip of Macedon was sirnamed Philip King 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Bibax ( for so saith Thepompus ) who having 〈◊〉 . 7. 〈◊〉 lib. 〈◊〉 . 26. one night bounteously feasted the Athenian Ambassadors , they were no sooner departed to their lodgings , but he caused shee minstrells and fingers to be called into the roome , with Aristonicus the harper , and Dorionus the Piper , with sundry other Iesters and Bafoones , with whom he often used to revell and carowse . In whose company having spent the whole night ; the day no sooner appeared , but he commanded them all to leave the place , and sending for the Ambassadors early in the morning , even when he was scare able to utter one ready word , dismist them with a ridiculous answer . Caristius in his historicall commentaries writes , That when hee purposed to take his rowse , he was wont to say , Now may I drinke freely and safely , for it is sufficient to me that Antipater is sober and awake . Vpon a time , being at ●…hesse , and one bringing him word that Antipater was comming to see him ; he suddenly flung away the bag , the men , Chesse-board and all , and hid them behind the bed on which he then sate ; as if he either feared or was ashamed to be found ( by him ) at so unprofitable an exercise .

Amongst these great wine-bibbers , Dionysius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Iunior is numbred by Thepompus , who almost drunke out his eyes ; for his continuall surfetts made him purblinded and dull sighted : For as Aristotle reports of him , he hath beene knowne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . to drinke , and then sleepe , and waking , to drinke againe without 〈◊〉 , for the space of nineteene dayes and nights together : divers of his Followers and Flatterers , because the King had bad 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 themselues blind , faigning that they could not see their way , but as 〈◊〉 them ; nor distinguish the meat upon the Table , but as he sed the ; nor would they discerne the cups that stood brim'd before them , but as he reached them ▪ and put them into their hands ; for 〈◊〉 palpable 〈◊〉 , they were called Co●… . 〈◊〉 Tirant of 〈◊〉 , with his brother 〈◊〉 of Si●… : Appollocrates , both sonnes unto the forenamed Dionysius , were immoderate 〈◊〉 . Nyseus understanding by his 〈◊〉 , that hee could with no possibility outlive some few moneths , resolued with himselfe to 〈◊〉 them voluptuously , in all the varieties that could best taste his pallate , drinking the most sweete and delicious wines , even till the very moment of his death ; Hee was no sooner instated in the kingdome , but he caused Chariots to be made ; and wore a vesture of divers colours ; his chiefest delight was in riotous feasts and inordinate draughts , being frequently attended by Catamites and strumpets . In all which his brother Appollocrates equall'd , if not exceeded him . The A 〈◊〉 . same Author speakes of 〈◊〉 the Theb●… , 〈◊〉 . and Charidimus 〈◊〉 the Athenian , both branded 〈◊〉 . for their intemperance in wine , and incontinence with women . Arcadion drunke himselfe 〈◊〉 . to death , of whom Polemon the exigramatist writ Polemon Epig. this Epitaph .

Arcadionis habet tumulus his ossa bibacis Eroctusque —

This Tombe containes , drunkard Arcadions bones ; If you desire to know who laid these stones , 'T was Charmilus and Dorcas , to his fame , Who as he liv'd in drinke , dy'd in the same .

The same Author in one of his Epigrams , remembers Erexemus guilty of the like intemperance . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 Salaminus , and Diotomus Atheniensis two approoved writers , commemorate one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , who was likewise call'd ●…dibulum , 〈◊〉 . which signifies a Tunnell : For when a Tunnell was put into his mouth , what wine soever was powred downe his throat , he received it into his belly without 〈◊〉 , gulping , or fetching his breath : of him 〈◊〉 witnesseth . Herodotus tells us that Cleomenes the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . was an extraordinary quaffer , and slew himselfe with his owne knife , when hee was extreamely Cup - 〈◊〉 . The Poet Alcaeus , and Baton Synopeus were taxed of the like life , though not remembred 〈◊〉 . in the like death . 〈◊〉 Rhodius was 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 his bibacity call'd Metator , as the Poet Ephorion 〈◊〉 in Chi●… . testat's . Chares Miletenus writing of Alexander reports , that when he came to the Tombe of Colanus the Indian Philosopher , he there celebrated to his honour and memory , a contention in Musicke , and another in wrastling ; a third likewise he instituted in drinking : In which the first , who exceeded the rest , had for his reward proposed a talent , the second prize was thirty A prize of 〈◊〉 . pound weight of siluer , the third t●…nne ; to , try which mastery , 30 ▪ Indians fell instantly dead in the place , and sixe more expired within a few houres afte : He that drunke most , and attain'd to the first , which was a talent , powred downe soure Choas ( which holds just the same quantity with that which the Romanes call Congius ) which containes a gallon and a pint , and he was call'd Promachus . Tymaus writes , that Dionysius the Dionysius 〈◊〉 . tyrant was the first who in the feast called Choas proposed a golden crowne as a reward to him who could drinke off a Choa at one draught which Zenocrates the Philosopher first compassed , 〈◊〉 . and was therewith crowned ; but immediately taking it from his head , he exposed it to that statue of Mercurie which was erected in the great hall , to which hee had before accustomed to offer wreathes and garlands of flowers . Phanodemus reports that the feast called 〈◊〉 , celebrated in Athens , was first instituted by King Demophoon at his entertainement of Orestes ; at the end of which sacred , every guest there present , had a Chao of wine delivered into their hands , which done , the King spake aloud and said , that he who first could turne up his bottome , to him should be given a 〈◊〉 or Marchpane .

Antigonus in his Booke of 〈◊〉 , sirnamed 〈◊〉 : 〈◊〉 . Heracleotes relates , how that at one of these Drinking-feasts ; the King having his chiefe and best affected Mistris there present , hee retired her apart to have had some dalliance with her , but finding himselfe unable , by reason of his age , he brought her backe into the Drinking-schoole , amongst his fellow carowsers , and said to them openly ; For my owne part I am now past it , but he whose youth is about him , and finds himselfe best able , let him doe this Woman a curtesie . Anacharsis Scitha , upon a time , 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 . when a contention , or wager of drinking ( celebrated by Periander ) being the first that was toxt in the Company , hee demanded the prize as his due , as if celeritie in drinking , and speedy in the race had beene all one , and that he might challenge a right , and with as much Iustice , for being quickly drunke , as he that attain'd soonest to the Goale . Herodatus tells us of one Micernius Lib. ●… . an Egyptian , who being told by the Priests 〈◊〉 . that he had not long to live , resolued with himselfe to doe nothing but drinke , till the snuffe of his life was quite burnt out : The same Author ranks 〈◊〉 King of 〈◊〉 amongst these immoderate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Methimnerus reports one Nicolites Corinthius to bee of the same condition 〈◊〉 . 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . and 〈◊〉 : And 〈◊〉 writes that 〈◊〉 the sonne of 〈◊〉 , and Nephew to Scotta 〈◊〉 . ●… 〈◊〉 on . 〈◊〉 . the Auncient , was so devoated , and quite given over to 〈◊〉 , that hee was often seene to come 〈◊〉 from the common 〈◊〉 ; sometimes hee would cause a Chaire of state to bee brought him , and being placed thereon , would be carried publikely through the streetes to his Pallace , on mens shoulders .

Philarchus relates , that King Antigonus was so Lib. Histor. 6. R. Antigonus . be sotted with the love of wine , that scarce one day past him without extraordinary distemper ; for seldome was he sober when he sate upon the Iudgement seat : Insomuch that not being able to governe himselfe , he appointed two to manage the affaires of his Kingdome ; Aristeus and Themiston brothers , and Ciprians by nation . King Antiochus sirnamed the Illustrious , he who was Antioch . Illustr. once sent on hostage to Rome , was ( as Ptolemeus Coment . lib. 1. and 5. Evergetus reports of him ) call'd Bibax ; he , much addicted to the Indian commessations and surfetts , devising new and unheard of wayes of riott , and excesse : In which he exhausted an infinite Magazine , who in his wine would take handfulls of gold , and cast it into the streetes and high-wayes , saying , This belongs to them to whom Fortune hath disposed it , they that finde it let them take it : He was often seene to weare garlands of Roses about his browes , and garments upon him of golden texture : Hee wash't openly , and dawb'd himselfe with sweete unguents , Insomuch that a private man comming by and obseruing him , said aloud , how magnificently dost thou smell ( Oh King ) which hee hearing , commanded a vessell ( of the measure of two Choa●s of sweete oyntment , to be powred upon his head , to which the people thronging to dip their handkerchiffes and garments , the place was made so slippery , that many of them fell groveling , which moved in the king extraordinary laughter , Polibius Polib . lib. Hist. 26. would not allow him the name of Illustrious , but calls him a mad-man . For he was not onely seene to quaffe and carowse amongst strangers , but with common men , and the most abject of the people : Posidippus Apamaeus speakes of another Posid . lib. Hist. 16. Antiochus , hee who fought a great battell in Antiochus . Media , against Arsaces : And gives him also the character of Bibax , who being slaine in the conflict , and the body brought before Arsaces , hee taunted him in these words : Thy Wine and thy boldnesse hath much deceived thee , Oh Antiochus , who in thy deepe and lavish Cups , didst promise to thy selfe to have drunke up the Empire of Arsaces . Antiochus sir-named Magnus , whom the Romanes Antioch . Magnus . Prolib . li●… . 20. after subdued ( by the relation of Polibius ) when hee came to Chaleis in Eubora , though hee were in the midst of his Warres , and inviron'd with nothing but combustion : yet being above Fifty yeeres of Age , he gr●…w inamor'd of a Chal●…idian Virgin : and in his drunkennesse married her ; she was the daughter of Cleoptolemus , one of the most eminent men of that Nation , and shee the fairest of the Damosells of Enboea , 〈◊〉 . whom after , the King stiled by that name : There hee spent a whole Winter in gormandising , and drinking without any regard of the safety of his Army . But in the spring following , being over-come come in Battell by the Romanes , hee was forced shamefully to flie with his new Mistrisse , and hid his head in Ephesus .

Polibius tells us likewise of Agrones king of the Polib . lib. 20. Agrones . Illirians ( who was wont greatly , to glory in his conquest of the Etolians . ) that hee made himselfe more like a vessell of Wine , then a man , and died of an extreame paine in the belly : Hee remembers onely of one Teuthiones , King of the 〈◊〉 . same Countrey , and a successor unto Agrones , who performed many excessive outrages in his Cups : for night and day hee continued his Ryots : Amongst other execrable acts , he caused his brother Pleuratus , who had married the daughter of Menanius to be slaine , that most incestiously hee might enjoy her bed , neither spared hee any of his subjects ; but murder still followed whithersoever Wine and lust led him : Demetrius who was a pledge unto the Romanes , Dem●…trius , lib. 33. and escaping thence , after raigned in Syria , was also one of these brothers of the Grape , and such was Olophernes , remembred by the same Author , 〈◊〉 , li●… . 32. who raigned but a small season in Capadocia . For neglecting his Fathers precepts , and wandring in a wilfull deviation f●…om his former strict and austeere government , entertain'd from other forraine Countreys , all brutish and infamous vices , denison'd them in his owne , naturalising all alien disorders , ryots , luxvries , intemperances , vari●…ties , and vinosities , which were Incouragers , and Abetters to all the rest : so that as his government was wicked , and his manners dissolute , his life was short , and his end miserable .

Most commendable and wholesome therefore Plut. lib. 〈◊〉 . was the Counsell of Divine Plato , advising that Children should by no meanes be suffered to tast any Wine at all , till they were eighteene yeeres of age , as holding it inconvenient to adde fire to fire , and so proove Incendiaries to the body . But it is lawfull from the eighteenth to the thirtieth yeere , for young men to vse Wine moderately and modestlie : but to proceede so farre as surplus , or drunkennesse , they ought altogether to abstaine . He that hath past forty yeeres , and shall be some-times invited to feasts , and banquets , may amongst the rest of the Gods , offer some Ceremonious rights to Bachus , as to him that is 〈◊〉 and medicinable to Austeritie and old age : because hee infuseth into them that alacrity not onely to forget evills , and cares , but to thinke themselues for the present restor'd againe to part of their former youth .

Amongst so many men drunkards , give mee leave to insert one woman amongst the Greekes ( for it is no rara avis in terris ) named Cleo , remembred by Phalaecus in one of his Epigrams , in these words ,

Auratam vestem , & croceam , succincta Lyaeo Ista dedit patri , munera magn●… Cleo , Cleo. Simposijs quoniam prestabat , quam bibere aeque Nullus tentavit vincere vel potuit . Thus paraphrased : Her yellow gold-robe , Cleo ( full of wine ) Cast off , and said ; Father , this great gift's thine . Famous for her deepe healths ; on even hand , whom None could , none durst contend to overcome .

But it is now high time that I leave the Grecians , and proceed to the Romanes , of whom I will be the more briefe , because their histories are frequent amongst us .