Thabridgment of the histories of Trogus Pompeius, collected and wrytten in the Laten tonge, by the famous historiographer Iustine, and translated into English by Arthur Goldyng: a worke conteynyng brieflie great plentie of moste delectable hystories, and notable examples, worthie not onelie to be read but also to be embraced and followed of all menne

¶ The first Booke OF THABRIDGEMENT OF Histories , taken out of the Hystorye of Trogus Pompeius by Iustine the Historiographer .

IN the first beginnyng of thinges the rule and gouernement of countreyes , and nacions was in the handes of kynges . Who were aduaunced Princ●…s first elected for vertues sake to this hyghe estate and preheminence , not through ambicion and fauour of the comminaltye , but for their vertuous and modeste behauioure suffycientlye tryed and approued amongest good men . There were no lawes to bynd men to their obedience : but the commaundementes of Princes were in steade of lawes , whose custome was rather to defend tha●… enlarge the borders , of their kyngdomes . And there was none that woulde vsurpe or take vpon him , further than in his owne countreye where he was borne . Ninus kyng of The begynnyng of the Monarchie of Assiria . Thassirians , did first alter and breake this olde and aunci●…t custome of the Gentiles , through a straunge desyre of bearyng rule . For he first made warre vpon his neyghbours , and conquered the nacions whyche yesiknewe not howe to make resystence agaynste hym , euen vnto the borders of Affricke . There were before his tyme two auncient kynges , Uexores kyng of Egypt , and Tanais kyng of Scithia of the which th one made a voyage into Pontus , and the other into Egypt . But they made warre a farre of , and not nere home , not of purpose to enlarge theyr empyre , but to wine honour and renowne of Chiualry to their subiectes : and so beyng satisfyed with the victory they absteined from desyre of honour the first cause of warre . bearing rule . But Ninus continually dilated his Empire by seizing into his possession such countreyes as he wonne . By reason whereof hauing subdewed his neyghbours , and ioyning theyr power vnto his , and so goyng euer stronger and stronger to the next , eche former victory beyng an occasion and furtheraunce to the next followyng , he conquered all the Easter parte of the world . The last fyeld that he fought The inuention of magicke and A●●ronomy . was with zoroastres kyng of the Bactrians , who is reported to haue first inuented art Magicke , and diligently to haue serched out the beginning of the world , and the mouinge of the starres . This zoroastres beyng slaine , Ninius him selfe also dyed : leauynge behinde him a sonne as then vnder age , called Ninus , by his wyfe Semiramis . She durst neyther An example of a pollityke w●●an . put the gouernement of the Empyre to the child beyng vnder yeares of discrescion , nor yet her selfe take it vppon her openly Wisely foreseing and thinkinge with her selfe , that so manye and so mightye nacions whych scarcelye by their good willes would obey a man , would muche lesse abyde to be subiect to a woman . Therefore , where as she was Ninus wyfe , she fayned her selfe to be his sonne : and whereas she was a woman , she fayned her selfe to be a boye . And she myght well do it . For they were both of a meane stature , both of them spake small , and in the ●…amentes and proporcion of bodye was lytle difference betwyxte them .

Wherefore she put on mannes apparayle and close hosen , and on her head she ware a kynde of coy●…e called Tyara . And for bycause folke shoulde not mistrust any thyng to be hidden vnder this newe found apparell , she commaunded the people to be apparelled after the same sorte , the whyche kynde of attyre all Thassirians haue euer vsed from that day to thys . Thus at the fyrste by counterfaytyng the kynde , she was taken for a boye .

Afterward she atchieued manye noble enterprises : by the greatnesse whereof , when she thoughte she had ouercome Vertue ouercometh enuy enuye , she confessed who she was , and whom she counterfeyted . Neyther dyd this her doyng diminishe the honour and estimation of her empyre , but rather broughte her in greater admiration of all menne , that she beynge a woman , had surmounted in prowesse not only women , but also men .

She buylded Babilon and enclosed it with a wall of brycke The buylding of Babilon . enterlayed with sand and Bytamen , which is a kynd of slymye mortar , yssuyng out of the ground , in diuers places of that countrye . Many other noble enterprises this Queene atchieued . For beyng not content to maynteyne the state of th empyre and boundes of the same , as her husbande lefte it vnto her , she subdued Aethyop thereunto . And besides that , she made warre vpon Indie , whereunto there was neuer any that durst geue the aduenture , sauyng she onely and great Alexander . At the last , vnnaturallye desyryng to Semiramis slayne of her owne sonne . company with her owne sonne , she was by him slayne , when she had reygned . xlii . yeares after the death of her husbande Ninus . Her sonne Ninus beyng contented with the countreyes , wonne by his parentes , layeng asyde all Chiualrye , and knighthoode , as though he had chaunged nature with his mother , was seldome seene of men , but spente hys tyme among a sorte of women . His posterity also followynge his example , gaue aunswere to the people & to ambassadours by messengers . The Empyre of Thassirians whyche afterward were called Syrians , continued . 1300. yeres . The last kyng that reigned amonge theym , was Sardanapalus , a man more vicious than any woman . Unto whose presence Arbactus whom he had made lyeuetenaunt ouer the Medes , beyng Sardanapalus . by long suyte had much intreataunce hardly at length admitted , ( which thing was neuer graunted to any man before ) found him amonge a sorte of concubines spinning purple on a rocke , in womans apparayle , passyng all the women there in softenesse of body , and nycenesse of countenaunce , and weyeng out to eche of them theyr taske . At the whiche light Arbactus disdayning , that so manye men shuld be subiect 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are the 〈◊〉 cay of the gr●…test kyng domes . to such a woman , and that so many valiaunte knyghtes and men of warre should be slaues to a woman , went forth and tolde his peres what he had sene : sayeng , he coulde not fynde in his hart to serue and obey such a one as had rather be a woman then a man . Whereupon the Lordes confedered them selues together and had him battell . Who hearing thereof , not like a man entendyng to defend his kyngdome , but as women are wont to do for feare of death , first sought a corner to hyde his head , and soone after with a few and out of aray , he came into the felde , where beynge vanquished , he retired into his pallace , & there makyng a great Th empyre of the Medes beginneth . bonefire , cast him selfe and all his ryches thereinto , plainge the man in this only poynt . After this , Arbactus the worker of his confusion , which before was lieutenaunte ouer the Medes , was instituted & made kyng . And he translated the empire from the Assirians to the Medes . In processe of tyme 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his 〈◊〉 . after many kynges , by order of descent , the kyngdom came vnto Astyage . This man hauing done issue sauing one onely daughter , dreamed that he sawe spryng out of her priuye members , a vine whose braunches shadowed all Asia . The interpretours of dreames and wonders beyng asked theyr iudgement and aduice in the matter , made aunswere that hys daughter shoulde brynge hym fothe a nephewe whose greatnesse was by his vision declared before , and that by Her 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 . him be should he deposed from his kingdome . The kyng being not a litle abash●…d with this interpretacion , maryed hys doughter neyther to a Noble man , nor to one of his owne countrey , least the nobilitie of the parentes should aduaunce & encourage his nephewe to take much vpon him but vnto a man of meane estate and liuing of the countrey of Persia , which in those ●…ayes was reputed as a base countreye , and The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 . of no regard or estimation . Neuerthelesse beyng not by this acte quite dispatched of the feare of this dreame , he sent for his doughter beyng great with childe , that as soone as she were deliuered , he myght see the babe kylled ▪ Assoone as the childe was borne , it was deliuered to be ●…layne , vnto Harpagus one of the kinges priuye counsaile . Harpagus fearing that if after the decease of the kyng , because he had no yssue male to succede him , the kingdome should descend vnto his doughter , she would reuenge the death of her chylde vpon him being a subiecte , which she could not do vpon her father ▪ deliuered the childe to the kinges herman commaunding him to cast it away . By chaunce the verye same tyme the herdman him selfe had a sonne newlye borne . Whose That God will haue saued can not 〈◊〉 lost . wife hearing of the casting away of the kynges childe , earnestly besought her husbande to fetche the childe vnto her that she myght see hym .

The shepeherd ouercome with the earnest intreataunce of his owne wife , returned into the wood , where he founde a bytche geuing the childe sucke , and defending it from foules and wilde beastes . Then beyng moued with pitie to see the bytche so naturall and pitifull , he tooke vp the childe & bare it home to his cottage , the bitche folowing him egerlye all the waye . Assoone as the woman tooke the babe in her armes , he smiled and played with her , as though he had knowen her , and there appeared in him such a chearfulnesse , & as it were a certayne smiling and flattering countenaunce that she desyred the shepeherd herhusbande , to cast awaye 〈◊〉 ●…ayth it was borne dead . his owne childe and suffer her to bryng vp that in the sted of it : such was the good fortune of the childe or els the hope that she of hym conceyued . And so the destinye of the two children beyng chaunged , the kinges nephewe was brought vp for the shepeherdes sonne , and the shepeherdes sonne was cast away for the kynges nephewe , the nources name was afterward called Sparcon , bicause the Persians do cal a Cyrus is chosen kyng a●…ong children . bytche so in theyr language . The childe beyng broughte vp amonge the shepeherdes , was named Cyrus . And in the meane tyme beyng chosen kynge amonge children as they were a playeng , when in sporte he whypped suche as wer stubbourne agaynst him , the parentes of the children made thereof a great complaynt to the kyng , sayeng it stoode not with their honour that their children should be beaten like slaues of the kynges bondman . The kyng sendynge for ●…he The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 . chylde , demaunded of hym whye he dyd so . He aunswered ( without any chaungyng of countenaunce at all for the matter ) that he had done as it became a kynge to do . The kyng maruayling at his audacitye , came in remembraunce of his dreame , and the interpretacion thereof , and so when bothe the countenaunce of the chylde , and also his lykenesse vnto him selfe , the time of his castyng away , and the examinacion of the shepeherd agreed in one , he acknowledged him to be his nephewe . And for bycause he thoughte him selfe dispatched of his dreame , in as much as the childe had played the kyng among the shepeherdes , the cruell hart that he bare ●…ous cruelty 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . toward the child , was clerely thereby relented . But to his frende Harpagus he became so deadly an enemy , for sauing of his nephewe , that to reuenge his displeasure vpon hym , he kylled his sonne , and set him before his father to eate . Displeasure wisely 〈◊〉 bled .

Harpagus dissembling his inward griefe , for the time , differred the hatred iustly agaynst the kyng conceyued , vntill he might espye occasion of reuengement . At the length when Cyrus came to mans estate , beyng moued thereunto with The letter of Harpagus vnto Cyrus . sorowe for the losse of his sonne , he wrate vnto hym howe his graundfather had as it were banished him into Persia , how his graundfather had commaunded hym to be slayne , howe by his benefite he had bene preserued , howe for the same he had gotten the kynges displeasure , and how he had lost his owne sonne , exhorting him to rayse an army and to take the kyngdome forthwyth vpon hym , promisynge that the Medes should at the day of battell turne to hys syde .

And forasmuche as the letter coulde not be caryed openlye ●…unning 〈◊〉 ueyaunce of 〈◊〉 letter . for the kynges officers which kept all the passages and sear ched suche as came by , it was put into a Hares bellye , the ●…owels first taken oute , and the Hare was 〈◊〉 to a trusty seruaunt to carye to Cirus into Persia. Moreouer h●… tooke nettes with him , to 〈◊〉 that vnder pretence of hunting his purpose might be hidden .

When Cyrus had redde the letter , he was commaunded in a dreame to take the same way as he was counsayled in the epistle . Neuerthelesse , he was furthermore warned , that whom soeuer he met first the next day , him he should make his companion in all his enterprises . Wherfore as he went into the countreye , before the dawning of the daye he met with a seruaunte called Sibaris , that had escaped out of pri son , from a certayne man of Media , & enquiring what countreyman he was , vnderstanding that he was borne in Persia The pollicye of Cyrus to cause the Persians to rebell . he pulled of his fetters , toke him to be his companion , & retourned to the city Persepolis . There he called the people together , commaunding them euery man to take his Are , & go cut downe the wood that grewe by the hygh way side . The which thing being lustely done , the ●…ext day he made a feast and bade them all to it . When he sawe them mery in the middest of theyr good cheare , he demaunded of them ( if they were put to the choyce ) whether they had rather chose to lyue in labour and toyle as they had done the daye before , or in myrthe and pleasure as they dyd that presente daye . The cryed all with one voyce , in myrth and pleasure as we do to day . Then ( quod he ) as long as ye be in subiection to the Medes , so long shall ye leade all your lyues in labour and toyle lyke vnto yesterday , but if you will folowe me , ye shall liue in pleasure euen as you haue done this day . And Cyrus rebelleth . so with mery cheare and glad hartes of theym all , he made warre agaynst the Medes . Astyages for getting the great displeasure done to Harpagus , made him his lieutenaunt ge The crueltye reuenged . neral and committed to his charge the whole stay of his bat tell , who immediately vpon the receypt therof , yelded and betrayed the same vnto Cirus , and so throughe treason and disloyaltye , requited the kynges crueltie . When worde Necessitye geueth hart . thereof came vnto Astyages , he raised another power with al spede possible , and went him selfe into Persia , wher ●…ly renewing the battel , as his men were fightinge he set a company at their backes . commaunding them to beat them ▪ perforce vpon theyr enemyes that made any countenaunce to flye away , causyng it to be plainely told them that if they wanne not the victorye , they should finde as good men behinde their backes as before theyr faces . And therefore ad uise them selues well , whether it were better for th●…ym to breake through th one flyeng cowardly , or through thother by fighting manfullye . His souldiers perceyuing there was none other remedie , tooke courage to them and stoode to it stoutly . By meanes whereof , when the host of the Persians Force and wysdom 〈◊〉 to ●…tune . being euercharged began somewhat to geue backe and by litle and litle to lose ground , their mothers and wiues came running ou●… against them , desyring them to retourne into the battell , and perceyuing that they made no haste ( as men that wer at their wittes endes ) they lifted vp theyr clothes and shewing the priuie partes of their bodies , asked them if they woulde runne into their mothers and wyues bellyes for succour . The Persians being stayed with this reproch , retourned into battell , and makinge a prease vpon their enemies , compelled them to flye , from whom but euen now they fled themselues . In this battell Astyage was taken prysoner . From whom Cyrus toke nothyng saue the kingdome , The 〈◊〉 of Cyrus . behauing hym selfe in this conflycte rather lyke a nephewe than lyke a conqueroure , and he made hym ruler ouer the Hircanians . For he would not retourne vnto the Medes . This was then of the Empire of the Medes , whyche endured . 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 . CCC . L. yeares . In the beginning of his raigne Cirus made 〈◊〉 ( whom accordyng to his vision in the nyght he had deliuered out of prison , and takeu as companion in all his enterprises and affayres ) lieutenaunt ouer the Perfi ans , & gaue him his sister in mariage . But the cities whych wer tributare before to the Medes , forasmuch as th empire was chaunged , supposing their estate to be chaunged also , fell from Cirus , which thing was vnto him a cause and beginning of much warre & many battelles . At the length , ha uing brought many of theym to their accustomed obediece , when he made warre agaynst the Babilonians , Cr●…asus king of Lidia , whose welth & riches wer at those dayes very notable came to succour the Babilonians . Wher being bāquished , and nowe carefull what shoulde beecome of hym 〈◊〉 . selfe , he retyred into his owne kyngome . Cyrus also , hauyng set althinges at a stay in Babilon , passed from thence with his hoste into Lyd●…a , where he ouercame the power of Craesus with no ado to speake of , being alredy dismayed with Cresus is ta ken prisoner . the discomfiture taken before at Babilon . Craesus hym selfe was taken prisoner , but the lesser daunger the battell was The magnitycence of Cyrus . of , the gentlyer was the victorye vsed . For besydes that he pardoned Cresus of hys life , he gaue him also the most part of his inheritaunce , & the citie of Barce . In the whyche although he liued not a kyng in dede , yet might he liue a like a king as might be deuised . This mercy and clemency was profitable as well to the conquerour as to the conquered .

For after it was once knowen that warre was made agaynst Cresus , throughout al Greece souldiours were mustered and sent for the to his ayde , as it had bene to quenche some commen fyre . So well was Cresus beloued wyth all the cities , that the Grekes would haue made sharpe warre vpon Cyrus , if he had delt with Cresus any thyng cruellye Afterward in processe of time , while Cyrus was occupyed The Lydi●… rebell and are ●…bdued . in other warres , the Lydians rebelled . From whem beynge vanquished agayne , he tooke quite their horses , armor , and weapon commaundyng them to vse victaling , minstralsye , gamyng , and all kynde of ribawdrye and wantonnesse . And so by this meanes the people which sometime wer of great prowesse , and redoubted for theyr chyualrye , throughe e●…eminate cowardnesse and ryot , lost all theyr puyssaunce and strength , and they whyche before Cyrus time cculde by no The reward of rebellion . warres be vanquyshed , nowe fallynge to all kynd of ryot & excesse , are ouercome with slouth & ydlenesse . There were before Cresus manye kynges in Lydia , for diuers chaunces worthye to be spoken of , but none had lyke fortune as had The foolyshe loue and demeanour of 〈◊〉 . Candaules , who hauyng a wife whom for her excellent beautie he loued out of all measure , & not content with the secrete knowledge of hys pleasures , praysed her to euery body and bewraied the priuies of wedlock , as though that silence had bene an hinderance to her beautie : at the last , to make good his wordes , he shewed her naked to his companion Gyges , By the which dede , on the one side he so entyced and allured his frende to committe aduoutrie with his wife , that he made him his enemie : and on thother side he withdrew his wiues loue from him selfe & ( as ye would saye ) surrendred it 〈◊〉 ●…eth Candaules , and maketh hius sel●…kyng . to another man . For ere it was long after , Gyges slewe Candaules , & maried his mistres for his labour . The wife beyng endowed with the bloud of her husbande , yelded bothe her selfe and the kingdome into his handes that committed aououtry with her . When Cyrus had conquered Asye , and pacified the whole East , he made warre agaynst the Scithions . The same time reigned ouer the Scithians Queene Thomyris who not abashed like a woman at the commynge of A manly women . her enemy , whereas she might haue stopped their passage ouer the riuer Araxes , suffred them to come ouer : thinkings that she should fight more to her owne aduauntage within her owne countrey , & that her enemies should the hardlyer escape if they were put to the worse , bicause of the riuer be twene them and home . Cyrus therfore hauing ferried ouer his carmy , when he had gone a litle way into Scithia , pitched his campe , & the next day counterfetting a feare , as though he would haue retyred back againe , forsooke his campe , the which he left sufficiently furnished with plenty of wine , & all kinde of delicate viandes meete for feastynge , whyche His name was Spargapises . thyng being declared to the Queen , she sent her yong sonne with the thyrd parte of her hoste to folowe after Cyrus .

When they were come to Cyrus campe , the yong man being ignoraunt in feates of warre , as though he had come to Ignoraunc●… pernicious in a Captayns . banquet and not to battell , leauyng the pursuyte of his enemies , suffered his barbarous countreymen to ouercharge them selues with wine , by meanes whereof they were so drunken that they could not fyght . Cyrus hauinge knoweledge thereof by his espyalles , retourned secretelye in the nyght , and fallyng vpon them vnwares , slewe all the Scithians , and the Queenes sonne among them .

Thomiris hauing lost so great an army , & ( that which shuld haue greued the worse her onely sonne , fell not a wepynge The inuincible courage of Thomiris . for sorrowe , but deuised with her selfe howe she myghte he reuenged , and wyth like pollicie and deceypte begyled her enemies now beyng in their chiefe ruffe for theyr now got thenvictory Wherupon , feyning a mistruse for the slaughter in the laste ouerthrowe , she gaue backe so longe , till she had brought Cyrus into a strait , and there enuironing hym The gr●…at ●…aughter of the Persians with a bushement of souldiers layd before in the mountaynes for the same purpose , she slewe . 200000 Persians and the kyng him selfe . In the which conflycte , this thing is worthy to be noted , that there was not so muche as one man left to beare home tidinges of so great a slaughter . The Queene The death of Cyrus . commaunded the head of Cyrus to be cut of , and throwen in to a boll of mannes bloud , castyng him in the teeth in thys wyse with hys crueltye . Nowe fyll thy selfe with bloud , which thou hast euer thyrsted . Cyrus reigned thirty yeres , being maruaylous notable , not only in the beginning of his reygne , but also during all the continuaunce of the same . Cambyses succedeth .

After him succeded Cambisis , which to his fathers empire , by conquest annexed . Egipte . But being offended with the suspersticion of the Egiptians , he commaunded the Temples of Apis and other their Goddes to be beaten downe .

Furthermore also , he sent an army to destroy the renowmed Temple of Ammon , which being ouerwhelmed with tempestes and heapes of sand , was vtterly destroyed . ●…own wyll haue no pere .

These thynges beynge done , he dreamed that hys brother Smerdis shuld reygne after him , the whiche dreame made him so afrayed , that he sticked not after sacrilege to commit most vnnaturall murder in killing his owne brother . For it was a hard & an vnlikely matter , that he should take any pitie vpon his owne , which in spight of religion did violently set vpon the Goddes . As an instrument to bring this cruell act to passe , he chose a frend of his one of the Magians called 〈◊〉 ca not continew ●…ong . Comaris . In the meane while he him selfe beyng sore wounded in the thygh , with his sworde fallyng out of the sheathe by it selfe , dyed , and so suffered worthye punyshemente , whether it were for the murther commaunded , or for the The great treason of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . sacrylege already committed . When tidynges here of came to the wyso man , or ener it was openlye knowen that the kynge was dead , he dispatched his purpose , and hauynge slayne Smerdis which by ryght shuld haue bene kynge , set vp his owne brother , Oropastes in his steade For he was very lyke the kynges brother in makyng and fauour . By reason whereof , no man misdeemynge any suche treason to be wrought , in steade of Smerdis , Oropastes was made Oropast●…reigneth in stead of 〈◊〉 . king . The which thing was the easier to be brought to passe and to be kept from knowledge , bycause that amonge the Persians for the more honoure and reuerence of his person the kyng showeth not him felfe bare faced . The wyse men therfore , thereby to winne the fauour of the comminaltye , released vnto them three yeares tribute , & exempted them from the warres during all the said terme , to th entente , they myght establyshe by briberye , and flatterye the kyngdome that they had gotten by treason and pollicye . The whyche thyng was fyrst suspected by one Orthanes a noble man , & The treason is mistruste●… one that had a great foresight in coniecturyng Therfore he sent to his doughter whyche was one of the kynges concubynes , to knowe yf he that was kyng , were kynga Cyrus sonne or no ? She sent hiw word that she her selfe could not tell , nor yet learne the truthe at onye of her followes han des , bycause euery one of them were kepte alone in a house by them selues . Then he sente her worde agayne , that she should fele about his head when he were a slepe . For Cambyses had cut of both the wyse mans cares before . Her father The treason commeth to lyght . beyng certified that the kyng had no eares , bewrayed the matter to the noble men of the realm●… , and compelled them to bynde theym selues , with an oth●… , that they should Counsell 〈◊〉 not be kept long in a multitude . confound the wrongful kyng . There were no mo but seuen priuye to this conspiracye , the whych incontinentlye ( leaste yf they had time and space to bethynke theym , the matter myght be by some of the companye bewrayed ) with euerye man his weapon vnder his gowne , went strayt to the pallaice , where hauing slayne suche as withstoode theym , they came to the place where the wyse men were : who shewed Necessitie ge●… courage . well that they wanted no courage to defend them selues .

For they drewe their weapons and slew two of the conspiracye . Neuerthelesse the other being mo in noumber , ca●…ght The zeale ●…obryas Gobryas to his countrey . hold of them . Of the whych Gobryas hauing one of the wyse men fast in his armes ( perceiuing y● his fellowes stayed their handes , for doubt of stryking him through in stead of the wise man , bycause the matter was done in a darke place ) Th end of vs●…pe authori ty●… . bad them thrust theyr swordes into the wise man , thoughe yt wer through his body . Yet notwithstanding his fortune was such that the wyse man was slayne , and be escaped vnhurt . The wysemen beyng thus slayne , the noble men atteyned great honour & renowne for recouering of the kyngdome : but much more honoure did they atteyne , in that when they were in controuersie for the kyngdome , they could agree amonge theym selues . For both in prowesse , and e●…ate they A singu●…ar ex ample of modesty in great esta●…es . were so equall , that it shoulde haue bene a hard matter for the people to haue sayde whych of them was worthyest .

Therefore they inuent●…d a way among them selues , wher by to commit the determinacion of theyr matter to God and good Fortune . They agreed amonge them selues that at the tyme appoynted , euery one of them shoulde come before the palace on horsabacke , by the breake of the daye , and be whose horse neyed first before the rising of the sonne shuld be kyng . For the Persians beleue , that ther is no god but the sonne , and that horses are vnto hym hallowed .

There was among the conspiratours o●… Darius thesone of Histaspis that fayne would haue had the kyngdome if he had wyst howe to come by it . To whom beyng sad and care full for the matter , his horsekeper sayd : sir if nothynge may The pollicie of a horse●… . hinder you but that , be of good cheare , and take no thought at a●… for the matter , the day shal be yours . Thereupon , th●… night before the day appoynted , he broughte hys maysters horse into the same place , and there put him to a Mare , thin kyng that for desire of the Mare the thinge woulde come to passe , as afterward it did in dede . The next morning eu●…ry one of theym beyng come at the howre appoynted , Darius horse knowyng the place of courage to the mare , forthwith neyed alowde , and ( the residewe beyng slowe ) first of all the company , gaue his mayster a token of god lucke . The rest of the lordes were of suche modestye , that as soone as they heard the tooken of good lucke , by and by they lept of theyr horses , and saluted Darius by the name of king . Al the people also , folowing the iudgement of the princes , appoynted Da●… 〈◊〉 made kyng b●… the neying 〈◊〉 a horse . and tooke him for their kyng . And so the kyngedome of the Persians recouered by the prowesse of seuen of the noblest men of al the realme , was in the turning of a hand brought into one mannes hande agayne . A manne woulde scarce be leue that suche great estates , should ende so weyghty matter , with suche reuerence and loue one to another . Consideryng that they spared not their liues to wresse it out of the wyse mens handes . Although ( to say the truth ) besides man hoode , personage , fauour , and prowesse , meete and worthy so great a kyngdome . Darius was also neare of aliaunce vn to the auncient kynges of Persia. Therfore in the beginning of his reygne , he tooke in mariage wyth great solemnitie Da●…ius ●…keth to wyfe the daughte●… of Cyrus named A●…ossa . and royaltie the doughter of kyng Cirus , to th entent it might seme that the kyngdome was not so much bestowed vpon a straunger , as rather reduced and brought againe into the familie of Cirus . Within a while after , when the Assyrians had rebelled and taken the citie of Babilon , the kyng being in a great rage by cause he could not deuise how to recouer the towne agayn , one of them that helped to slea the wise men named zopyrus , caused his body to be piteouslye torne al ouer with whipping at home at his owne house The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…opyrus to hys kyng and to hys countr●… and his nose , lippes , and eares to be cutte of , and in the same plyghte sodainelye came into the kynges preseuce whyche thought of nothyng lesse than suche a matter . Darius beynge amased , and dem●…undinge who hadde so shamefullye mangled hym , and vppon what occasyon , he informed ●…ym secreatelye for what purpose he hadde done it , and after ●…e hadde suffycyentlye and thorowelye establyshed hys purpose , and taught the kyng how he would do , he fled like a rennagate vnto Babilon . There he shewed the people his forne skinne , and maymed face , making exclamacion of the kinges crueltye , through whom he lost his parte of the kyngdome , not by prowesse and manhoode , but by lucke not by the iudgement of men but by the neyenge of a horse , he coum sayled them to take warning by theyr frendes , howe to beware of their foes , he exhorted theym not to truste more to their walles , than to their weapons , and that they woulde geue him leaue , to reuenge his displeasure vpon the kynge in their behalfe , nowe while his anger was freshe in hys remembraunce . He was well knowen among them all , to be a noble man , and a man of much prowesse , and as for his credite they doubted not at all , as whereof they thoughte hys woundes and wrongfull maymes to be a sufficient pledge and wytnesse . Therefore by a common consent , they made him a captayne , who with a small band of souldiers twyse or thrise put to flyght the Persiàs geuing way for the nones At the last being put in trust with the whole armye , ●…pirus de●…lluereth Babilon to the kyng . he betrayed it to the kyng , and brought the cytie againe vnder his obeysance . After this the kyng made warre agaynst the Scithians , of the whych we will entreat in the next booke folyowing .

THE SCEOND BOOKE of Iustine .

EOr asmuche as we be come to the rehersall of the actes of the Scithians , whyche were both great and honourable : I htynke it good to entreate euen of theyr very originall begynny●…g .

For their first begynnyng was no lesse famous , than was the whole processe of their Empire , neyther were the more renowmed through the chiualrye of theyr menne , then through the prowesse of their women . For where as their men were the founders of the Parthians , and Bactrians , theyr women founded the kyngdom of the Amazons , so that yf a man consider and wey indifferently the doynges of the men and the doynges of the women together , he shall not be able to iudge , whether of them were worthier of renowne and honour . The Scithian nacion hath euer bene counted of gretest antiquitye . Contentio●… as concernin●… antiquitie . Aowbeit betwene theym and the Egiptians hath bene great strife a longe time as concernynge the auncientnesse of them both . The Egiptians alledging that in the first begynnyng of thinges , whereas some countreyes dyd so borne through the feruente heat of the Sonne , and othersome to fryse through the excessiuenesse of the could , that not onely they were not able to engender men , but also not able to receiue and kepe men that came out of other countreyes , before that garmentes were inuented to defende the bodye from heate or colde , or that the faultes of the places were eased with remedies founde out by cunnynge and practise : The temperatenesse of Egypt and the fruitfulnesse th●…eof . Egypte was alwayes so temperate , that neyther the could in the wynther , nor the heate of the sonne in the sommer , greued the inhabitauntes therof , the soyle of the ground so fruiteful , that there is no lande vnder the sonne that bringeth mo thynges necessary and meete for mannes vse . And that therefore of ryght men ought to be bred fyrste there , where with moste ease they myght be best brought vp . On The replication of the 〈◊〉 . thother side , the Scithians denyed that the temperatenesse of the ayre made any thing to the proofe of antiquity , forasmuche as nature as soone as it had geuen to eche countrey of heate or colde as much as seemed good , forthewith also engendred liuing creatures , able to endure in those places and thereunto sundrye sortes of trees and fruites , in theyr kyndes accordyng as the estate of the countrey required .

And looke howe much the weather was harder in Scithia then in Egypt , so much were the Scithians harder of body and of nature than the Egiptians . But if the world which is nowe deuided in partes , were sometyme al one , whether water at the first beginning ouerwhelmed all the earthe , or els fyre possessed all thynges , whereof also the worlde it selfe was made , the Scithians in both of theym must nedes be the auncienter . For if fyre fyrst possessed all , the whyche by litle and litle beyng quenched , gaue place to the earthe , no parte was sooner separated from the fyre by the coldenesse of the winter , then the North : insomuch that at thys presente daye , there is no parte that feeleth more excessine colde : where as Egipt and all the East , wer a longer season ere they coulde come to anye temperatnesse , whyche well appeareth by them euen yet in that the vnmeasurable heate of the sonne skorcheth them at this day . But yf so be it that all the worlde were sometime drowned with the sea , vndoubted it must nedes folow , that the higher that any place is the sooner it must be discouered : forasmuche as the waters withdrawe theymselues from thence into the lower groundes , and there remaine a great while . And the soner that any place was dryed vp , the sonner it began to engender liuing creatures . Furthermore Scithia is so much bigger than al other countreyes , that al the riuers that spryng there , do fall into the sea Maeotis , and from thence into the sea of Pontus , and so into the Aegiptian sea . But as for Aegipte it selfe , ( which beinge by the costes and charges of so many kynges , so manye hundred yeares , with so huge and stronge dammes and bankes agaynste the vyolence of the waters renning thereinto , strengthened and fortifyed , cut , and deuided with so many diches and trenches , to th entent that the waters beyng in the one receyued , might by the other be kept of from going any further , could nathe rather be inhabited , except the riuer Nilus were excluded ) can not seeme to be auncienter than all other countreyes , but rather what for the great costes that the kynges haue bestowed therupon , and what for the gret heapes of mudde that the riuer Nilus leaues behynde hym , may seme the last inhabited of all countreyes . The Egiptians beyng vanquished The 〈◊〉 of Scithia . by these argumentes , the Scithians were euer counted most auncient . Scithia stretcheth into the East , and is enclosed on th one side with Pontus , on thother sid with the mountains the custome●… and maner●… of the 〈◊〉 ●…ns called 〈◊〉 . Rhiphael , on the backe with Asia , and the riuer Tanais , & it is very long and very wyde . The people of that countrey haue no boundes betwene man and man . For they occupy no tillage , neyther haue they anye house or home to resorte to , or any certayne dwellyng place .

As they feede and graze theyr catell , wanderyng through the desertes and wylde forestes , they carrye theyr wyues and children with them in wagons and chariotes couered wyth hides , to kepe out the wynde and weather , the which they occupye instede of houses .

They vse 〈◊〉 and equyte of a naturall ●…ysposycyon , and not for feare of anye lawe . No offence is counted so heynous among theym as stealynge . For consyderynge they haue no houses . nor anye place of safegarde , and that all theyr ryches consisteth in cattell , what shoulde they haue in safetye , if it were lawefull for them to steale ?

Golde and syluer they do asmuch despyse , as other nacions do couet and desyre it .

They lyne by Milke and Honny , they know not what to d●… with woll , nor howe to make them selues garmentes therof . And although they be vexed wit continuall colde , yet haue they nothyng to clothe them selues with , but the skynnes of wilde beastes , and of myce . This temperance causeth them to be so vpryght in theyr lyuing , and is an occasion , that they couet not other mens goodes . For where as ryches be : there also is couetousnesse . I woulde to God that all other men could vfe the lyke temperance and abstinent from other mens goodes . Certes then shoulde there not bee The power and force of nature . so much warre and manslaughter of so longe continuaunce as there is in all landes . Neyther shoulde there dye moe of the sworde than of naturall destynye . It ys a wonderfull thyng , that they shoulde haue that thing g●…uen them of nature , which the Grekes by th enstructions of their wise men and the preceptes of their Philosophers so longe time together , conld neuer attayne vnto , and that the fyne ciuile maners Asia tributatye to the ●…cithians . of the Grekes should be to no pupose at all , in comparison of the rude and barbarous Scithians . So much more profited in these the ignoraunce of vice , than in the other the knowledge of vertue . Thryse the Scithians gat the em Theyr fortunate successe . pire of Asye they them selues remayning all the while , eyther vntouched , or at the least vnsubdewed of any for reyne power . Thei put Darius king of Persia to shameful flight , and draue him out of theyr countrey . The slewe Cyrus and The nature of the Parthians and Bactrians . all his armye . After the same forte they vtterlye destroyed zopyron one of great Alexaunders chiefetaynes with al his hoste . As for the warres of the Romaynes , they hearde of them , but they neuer felt them . Within a whyle they founded Who fyrst made warre vpon the Scithians . th empires of the Parthians & Bactrians : people geuen to endure labour , and ●…out men of warre , of strength of bodye wonderfull , desiring not to win the thiug they thought they could not kepe , and in their conquestes seking nothing but honour . The first that euer offred warre vnto the Scithians , was Uexores king of Egipt , who sent his ambassadors before to offer them peace , condicionally that thay woulde become his bassalles and liege men . But the Scithtās being aduertised before by their neighboures of the kynges commyng : aunswered the ambassadours in this wise . We can not but maruayle that the ruler of so welthy a people , wyll so foolishely moue warre agaynst beggars , whyche thynge was rather to haue bene mistrusted on his parte , consideringe that the ende of warre is doubtfull , and no rewarde though he wanne the victory , but apparant losse if he were ouercome . Wherfore , let him not thinke that the Scythians will wayte for his comming hyther , seyng there is in their enemye so much worthe the fetchinge , and goynge for , but they will with all their hartes go and mete him . As they had sayde , so did they in dede . When the king vnderstoode that they made towardes him with suche spede , he fled for feare , and leauing behynde him his hoste and all hys furniture for the warres , he fearefullye retyred into his kyngedome . The Scithians coulde not pursue him into Egipt because of the fennes . As they retourned from thence they conquered al Asia , and put them to a litle tribute rather in token of their conquest , than in reward of their victorye . The Scith●…ans are reuoked out of Asia by 〈◊〉 wyuce .

Fyftene yeares they taryed in pacifieng and setting a staye in the countreye . From whence they were called home by the importunat requestes of their wiues , whiche sent them worde , that if they hyed theym ●…ot home the sooner , they would lye with their 〈◊〉 to haue fruite by them , and not suffer the 〈◊〉 of the Scith●…s to decay throughe In this place he gre●…ly exreth . their default . Thus was Asia tributary to them by the space of 1500 yeres . Ninus kyng of Thassirians made an end of paying thys trybute . But in the meane tyme amonge the Scithians , t●…o yong gentlemen of the bloud royall , named Plinos and Scolopythus , being through debate among the noble me●… , driuen out of their countrey , led with them a great noumber of youth , and setled them selues in the borders of Cappadocia , about the riuer Thermodoon , and kept al the fieldes about the citie Themiscira . There , many yeares together , being wont to robbe their neyghboures , at the last . the people prfuily conspired together and sette vpon theym vnwares , and by a trayne slewe them eueryechone . The wiues of these men , perceyuing that besides their banyshement , Example of fortitude in women . they were also made widowes , armed theym selues , and defended theyr borders : first by standing in their owne defence , and afterward by making warre vnto others . Moreouer they had no mind to marry any more with their neyghbours , calling it a bondage and not maryage . A singular example for all ages to looke vpon . They encreased theyr common wealth withoute men and defended theym selues euen in despyght of men . And to th entente some of them should not thinke them selues , in better case then the rest , they killed their husbands that were left aliue at home Furthermore , in reuengement of the deathes of their husbandes , they destroyed theyr neyghbours also . Th●…n hauing The kingdome of the Amazones . by warre gotten peace and tranquilitie , they sente for theyr neyghbours and companied with them . If any male children wer●… borne , they were killed . The women chyldren were brought vp , not in ydlenesse ▪ nor to spinning and The customs of the Amazones . carding , but in feates of armes , ridinge of horses , and huntinge as the custome is to bringe vp men . And forbycaus●… theyr shooting and throwing of dartes should not be hindered , theyr righte pappes were seared of while they were children , whereupon they were named Bamazons . They had two queenes , the one called Marth●… , the other Lampedo , the which deuiding their hoste in two partes , and growinge to The queenes of Amazone . great welth and richesse made warre by turnes , the one cir cumspectely defending the countrey at home , while the other made warre abrode , as theyr turnes came about . And o●… th entent to be the more renowmed in all their enterprises & affaires , they proclaymed theym selues the doughters of Mars . Wherfore hauing conquered the greater parte o●… The buylding of Ephe ●…us . Europe , they subdewed also manye cities of Asia . Where hauing builded Ephesus and diuers other cities , parte of theyr armie being sent home with a great bootye , the rest whych taried styll to defend thempyreof Asia , were by a sodayn●… ●…ssault of the barbarous people , with their queene Marthesia all slayne . In whose roome secceded in th empyre , her daughter Orithia . Who besydes her singular actiuitie in feates ●… myr●… of virginity●… and prowesse . of warre , was as a myrrour to all women for preseruyng of her maydenhed ▪ and virginitye while she lyued . Through the prowesse of her , the honour and renowne of the Amazones was so greatly auaunced , that the kyng for 〈◊〉 sedeth Hercules for the Queene of amazonies armour . whose pleasure Hercules atchieued . xii . daungerous aduentures , commaunded him as a thing impossible , to fetch him the armour of the Queene of Amazonie . Hercules therfore accompanyed with many of the yong lordes and noble men of Greece , arriuing with nyne galleyes assayled them vnwares . At the same tyme the kyngdome of Thamazones was gouerned by two of the foure systers , atiope and Orithia . Of the whiche Orithia was makyng warre in forreyne countreyes , by reason whereof , there was but a slender company about the queene Antyope , when Hercules arryued at the shore of Amazonye , bycause there was no suche thyng mistrusted , nor any enemye thought vpon . Wherefore it came to passe , that those fewe beyng raysed with the sodayne alarme , armed theym selues and gaue theyr enemies an easie victorie . For many wer slayne and many taken , amonge whom were two of Antiopes sisters M●…alyppe taken by Hercules , & Hippolite by Theseus . Theseus Hercules exchaungeth Menalyppe for the que●…nes armour . maried his prisoner , of whom he begate Hippolitus . But Hercules after the victory restored Menal●…ppe to her sister and for her raunsome tooke the queenes armoure . And so hauyng accomplyshed his charge , retourned to the kyng . Orithia hauyng knowledge that warre was made agaynst her systers , and that the prynce of Athens had ledde awaye one of them perforce , exhorteth her companye to bee reuenged , affirmyng , that all their conquestes in Po●…us and Asia were to no purpose , if they should take suche a foyle at the handes of the Greekes , as to suffer not so muche the warres , as the rauishementes of Thatheniens .

And thereupon she sent for succour vnto Sagillus kyng o●… Scithia . Alledging that she & her people wer by discent Scithians Orithia sendeth for ayde to the king of Scithia . borne , declaringe furthermore the losse of their husbandes , whereby they were constrayned to take armoure vpon them , and what was the cause of the warres whyche they nowe tooke in hande , sayeng , that through theyr prowesse they had brought to passe , that the Scithians myghte seme , to haue as valiaunt women as men . The kyng beyng moued with the honour of his house , sente to her ayde hys sonne She is ●…orsaken of her 〈◊〉 cour and ouer come of the Atheniens . Penaxagoras with a greatbande of horsemen . But before the battell , beyng by meanes of dissention sodaynly fallen betwene them , forsaken of their succoures , and so lefte destitute of t helpe and ayde of them , the Atheniens put them to the worser . Neuerthelesse the campe of the Scythians was a refuge vnto theym , ●…y whose helpe they retourned into their countrey vntouched of other nacions . After Orithia , Penthesile●… . Penthesilea obtayned the soueraynetye , Who lefte behynde her a noble remembraunce of her worthie actes , in that famous assemble of valiaunt men , in the defence of the Troianes against the Greekes . Finally Penthesilea beyng slayne , and her armye wasted , those sewe that remayned , with muche a doe scarcely defendyng them selues agaynste theyr neyghbours , continued vnto the tyme of great Alexander . Whose Queene Minothea , otherwyse called Thalestris after she had obteined the company of Alexander by the space of . xiiii . dayes to th entente to haue yssue by hym , retourned into her kyngdome , and within a whole after deceased The decay of ●…hamazones , with whom the name of the Amazones vtterly decayed . The Scithians in their thyrd viage into Asia , when they had bene a seuen yeares from their wy●…es and chyldren , He retorneth to the storyes of the Stithians . were welcomed home with warre by theyr owne seruauntes . For theyr wyues beyng weryed wyth longe tarieng for theyr husbandes , supposynge that they were not so long deteyned with warres , but rather all slayne maryed themselues to theyr slaues whom theyr maysters had lefte ●…t home to looke to their cattell The whyche hearynge o●… their masters returne with conquest , met them in order of battell well appoynted and harnessed , to kepe them out of their country as if they had bene straungers . The Scithians The stratageme of the Scithians against theyr bond●…en . perceiuing that by battell they lost as much as they won , aduised them selues to vse another kinde of fight , remembring that they hadde not to doo with their ennemies but with their slaues , who ought to be ouercom not by the law of armes , but by the law of masters , against whom it was more mete to bring whippes into the field then weapons , and laying a side swordes , euery man to furnishe him selfe with rods and whips , and suche other kind of stuffe , wher of slaues and bondmen are wont to be afraid . This counsell was well alowed , and therfore euery man being furnished as was before appoynted , when they aproched to their enemies , sodenly they shoke their whippes at them , wherwith they so amased them , that whome they coulde not ouercome by battell , they ouercame with fear of beating & made them run away , not like enemies ouercome by battell , but like runnagate slaues . As many of them as were taken were hanged vp . The women also that knew them selues gilty of the matter , partly by wepon , partly by hanging , wilfully dispatched them selues . After this the Scithians Here ended the first bok●… liued in peace , vntill the time of Lanthine their kinge , to whome Darius king of Persie ( as is before mentioned , ) because he woulde not geue him his Daughter in mariage , ) made warre : and with seuen hundred thousand men in armor , entring into Scithia , when he saw his enemies would The shameful retire of Dar●…us out of Scithia . not come and geue him battel , fearing that if the bridge ouer the riuer of Danow shuld chaunce to be broken , he shuld be enclosed . From retourning home againe , fearfully retired ouer the water with the los of four skore and x. M. men . The which neuerthelesse was counted as no losse , for the exceding great nombre of men that he had in his host . Afterward He conquereth the lesser Asia and M●… cedonie . he conquered Asia and Macedonie , and vanquished the Iomans vpon the sea . Finally vnderstanding that the Atheniens had aided the Ionians against him , he tourned the whole brunt of the warre vpon them . Now forasmuche as we be come to the warres of the Atheniens , whiche were A ●…igression to the acts of the ●…heniēs . done in such wise , not only as a man could not well haue hoped for . But also farre otherwise then a man wold almost beleue them to haue bene done . And forasmuche as the dedes of the Atheniens were greater in effecte then coulde haue beene wished before they came to passe : I thincke it conuenient to speake somwhat euen of their originall beginning , because they did not encrease from a base and vile be ginning , to the highest estate that could be , like as al other The noblenes & antiquity of Athens . nations haue done . For they alone may make their vaunt , as wel of their verye first beginninge , as of their good successe and increasement . For it was not straungers , nor a sort of raskals gathered here & there together , that founded that city , but they were bred in the same soyle where they inhabite , and the place of their dwellinge , is the place of Of what things the a●…heniens wer the first inuenters . their beginning . They first taught the vse of Woll , Oyle , and wine . And wheras men in times paste were wonte to liue by eating of Acorns , they taught how to plow the ground and to sow corn . And certenly as for lerning , eloquens and all ciuill pollicy , and order of gouernaunce , may worthelye take Athens for their Temple . Before the time of Dencalion , they had a king called Cecrops , who according to the report The first ordainer of mariage among the heathen . of all the auncient fables , hadde two faces , because he fyrst ioyned man and woman together in marriage . After him succeded Crands , whose daughter Atthis gaue the name vnto the country . Next him raigned Amphitrion which first consecrated the City to Minerua , and called it by the name of Athens . In his time a floud of water drowned the grea The ●…loud of Dencalion . ter part of Grece : only such eskaped , as coulde recouer the tops of the mountaines , or elsse such as could get ships and sail vnto Dencalion king of Thessalie . Who by reson therof is reported to haue repaired & made mankind . Afterward by order of succession the kingdom descended to Ericthens vnder Sowinge of corn ●…uented . whom the sowing of corn was found out at Elensis by Tripto lemus . In reward of the whiche deede , the nighte sacrifices wer i●…tituted in the honor of Ceres . aegeus also the father of Theseus raigned in Athens , from whome Medea being diuorsed The succession of the kinges of Athens . because her sonne in law Theseus was mangrowne , departed to Col●…hos with her sonne medus whom she had by aegeus . After aegeus , Theseus enioyed the kingdom , and next to him his sonne Demophoon , which aided the Grekes against the Troyans . Ther was betwene th atheniens & the Doriens an old grudge & displeasure , the which the Dorienses entending to reuenge by battel , asked counsel of the Oracles . Answer was made that they shuld haue the vpper hand , so they killed not the kinge of Athens . When they came into the field , great charge was geuen to all the Souldiers in anye wise not to hurt the king . At the same time , king of Athens an ex ample of greate loue toward the natiue country was Cadrus , who hauing understanding both of th answer of Appollo , & of the charge that was geuen among his ennemies , laid a side his robes & princely apparell , and in a ragged cote with a bundle of vineshreds in his necke , entred into his ennemies campe . There in a throng that stode about him , he was slain by a souldier whom he of pretensed purpose had wounded with a hoke that he had in his hand . The Dorienses when they knew it was the kinge that laye there slain , departed without any stroke striking . By this meanes the Atheniens through the prowesse of their captain yelding him self to death for the safegarde of his countrye were deliuered from warre . After Codrus was neuer The alterat●…on of gouernment in athens . king more in Athens , the which was attributed to his high renown and remembrans of his name . The gouernans of the common welth was appoynted to yerely officers . But the Citye at that time had no lawes , because that hitherto the commaundement of their kinges was accompted as a law . Therfore was chosen one Solon a man of meruailous vprightnesse , which should as it were make a new citye by The commendation and do ings of solon . his lawes . Who vsed suche an indifferency , and bare hym self so euen betwene the people and the Senate ( where as if he made any thing for th one estate , he was like to displese the other ) that he gate like fauor at bothe theyr handes .

Amongst the noble actes of this man whiche were many , this is in especially worthy to be remembred . The Atheniens and Megarenses had fought together for the chalen ging of the Ile of Salamine , almost to their vtter destruction . After many great slaughters , it began to be taken for a heinous matter among the Atheniens , if any man shuld go about to make any claim or title to the Iland . Solon therfore The pollicye of Solon . being sorowful , least by holdinge his peace he should not so greatly further the common wealth as he ought to doo , or by putting forth his counsell bring him self in daunger , sodenly fained himself mad : vnder pretens wherof he might not only say , but also doo thinges forbidden . He ran abrode in a foles cote like a disard , and in a great company of men that gathered aboute him , the more to cloke his pretensed purpose , in rimes and meters to him vnaccustomed , he began to moue the people to that thing which was vnlawful , wherin he so perswaded them all , that forthwith they proclaimed warre against the Megarenses , in the which they vanquished their enemies , and reduced the Iland vnder theyr subiection . In the meane season the Megarenses being mindful of the warres that the Atheniens made against them , and b●…ing lothe to leaue without some gain , toke shipping of purpose to take the noble women and matrones of Athens , as they wer celebrating the sacri●…ces vnto Ceres , in the night time at Elensis . The which thing beinge knowen Pisistratus captain of the Atheniens laid bushments of men in places conuenient , commaundinge the women to celebrate their ceremonies , with like noise and , as they were wont to doo , euen when their ennemies came , to th entent they should not suspecte that their commynge was heard of . When the Megarenses were come out of their shippes , he sodainly brake vpon them and ●…ue them euery Deceit tourned vpon the workers hed one , and forthwith entring into their ships , ( the whiche he entermedled with women , to make a show , as though thei had bene the matrones taken prisoners ) he went straighte to Megara . The townes men seing their owne shippes and the women in them ( whiche they supposed to be the ●…ootye that they soughte for ) wente forthe to the hauen to meete them , the whiche company Pysistratus ●…ue , and missed but little of winninge the City . So by their owne pollicye , the Megarenses gaue their ennemies the victory . But Pysistratus An example of a craftye ●… suttle dec●… uer . as though he had won to his owne behoofe , and not to the behoofe of his Country , by craft and pollicy made him selfe king . For at home at his owne house , when he hadde of set purpose caused his body to be rent and mangled with scourging and whipping , he came abrode , and ther sommoning the people together , shewed them his woundes , makynge exclamation of the crueltye of the Noble menne , at whose hands he surmised himself to haue suffered this hurte . As he spake he wept , and with his spiteful wordes set the light people on fire , assuringe them that for the loue he bare to them , he was hated of the Senate , 〈◊〉 hervpon he obtained a garde of menne for the safetye of his personne , by whose meanes he vsurped the Luperioritye , and raigned xxxiiii . yeares . After his deathe Diocles one of his Sonnes as he Diocles slain for rape . rauished a maiden perforce , was by the brother of the same maide slaine . His other sonne named Hyppias possessynge his fathers kingdome , commaunded him that slue his brother to be apprehended , who being compelled by torments A constant and inuicible stomacke . to appeale such as were necessarye to the murder , named all the Tyrannes frendes , whiche being put to deathe , and the Tyran demaunding if there were yet anye moo a Counsell or preuye to the deede , there is no moo ( quod he ) aliue whome I would gladly see die , sauing the Tyran hym selfe : by whiche sayinge he declared him selfe bothe to haue the vpper hand of the Tyran , and also to haue reuenged the chastity of his sister . The city through his stoutnesse being put in remembraunce of their liberty , at length deposed Hyppias from his kingdom , and banished him their country . Who taking his iourny into Persie , offred him self to Darius , making warre againste the Atheniens , ( as is before specified ) as a captain against his own country .

Wherfore the Atheniens hearing of Darius approche , sent He returneth to the historye of Darius for aid to the Lacedemonians who at that time were in leage with them . But perceiuing that they were busied aboute matters of religion for the space of iiii . daies , they thought not good to tary the comming of their succors , but with x. M well apoynted of their own citizens , and one thousand of the 〈◊〉 which came to their aid , they went forth to battell , against vi . C. M. of their enemies in the plains of Marathon . Melciades was Captain of this war , & counseller not to tary The noble en terprise of Milciades . 〈◊〉 their succors . Who was of such corage , that he thought ther was 〈◊〉 aduantage in spedy settinge forward , then in lingering for succor . Therfore they ran into the battell with wonderful cherefulnesse . In so muche that when the The courage of the Atheniens , and me cowardise of the Persians . ii . armies wer a mile a sondre , they hasted forwarde as fast as they could ●…un , to ioyn with their ennemies before they mighte discharge their arowes . Neither wanted this boldnesse good successe . For the battell was fought wyth suche corage , that a man wold haue thought the one side to haue ben men , and thother to haue ben beasts . The Persians Fortune helpeth the coura gious . being vanquished fled to their ships , wherof many wer drowned and many wer taken . In that battel the prowesse and manhode of euery man was so great , that it were harde to iudge who deserued most to be praised . How be it amongst all other , brast forth the glory of a yonge man called Themistocles , in whom euen then appered such towardnesse , as it The praise of Themistocles was like he should for his valiauntnesse hereafter be made their chiefe captain & gouernor . The glory of one Cynaegirus also a souldior of Athens , is highly commended & set for the with great praises among wryters , who after innumerable The commendation of Cynegirus . slaughter in the battel , when he had pursued his ennemies to their shippes , as they fled , he caught holde of a ship that was laden with his right hand , and would not let goo his holde till he had loste his hande . His righte hand being cutte of , he laid holde on it with his left hande , the whyche also beinge loste in likewise , at the laste he held the shyppe with his teethe .

Suche was his courage , that being not wearied with so manye slaughters , nor discouraged with the losse of bothe his handes , at the last being vtterly maimed , like a sauage The slaughter of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . The vengans of God vppon tyraunts and tra●…oures . beast he fought with his teethe . The Persians loste in that battell two hundred thousand menne , beside their shippes . Hyppias also the Tyran of Atbens , the author and stirrer of this warre , through the iust vengaunce of God , whyche punished him for his country sake , was there slayne .

In the meane time Darius as he was aboute to renewe the warre , died in the preparation therof , leauinge many The death o●… Darius . sonnes behinde him , wherof some were begotten before he was king , and other some in the time of his raigne . Of the whyche Artobazanes the eldest , claimed the Crowne by prerogatiue A brotherly . contē●…n for the kingdom . of hys age , alledginge that by order of lawe , by order of birthe , by order of nature , and by custome of all Countryes , he oughte to haue it . Xerxes replied and sayde , that their controuersye was not as concerninge the order of their birthe , but as concernyng the nobilitye and worthinesse of theyr byrthe .

For hee graunted that Artobazanes was in deede the first that was borne vnto Darius , but Darius was then a priuate person , and that he him selfe was the firste that was borne to Darius being king .

Wherfore his brothers that were borne durynge the time his father was a subiect , might lawfully claime suche priuate inheritaunce as Darius then had , but not the kingdom , which apperteined to him being the first , whome his father begat in his kingdom . This also made for his purpose in that artobazanes was borne a priuate person , not only by the fathers side , but also by the mothers side , and also 〈◊〉 his graundfathers side by the mother . Wher●… he himself had a Queene to his mother , and he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his father but king , and he hadde a kinge 〈◊〉 his grau●…father by the mother , namelye kinge Cyrus who was not an inheritor , but the first founder of that greate Empyre . And therfore if theyr father had left them 〈◊〉 like right to the 〈◊〉 , yet notwithstande in consideration of his Mother and hys graundfather , he oughte to be preferred . They putte thys controuersy quietly and gently with a good will , to the discretion of their vncle Artaphe●… as to a housholde iudge , who discussing the matter at home , preferred Xerxes . And this contention betwene them was so brotherly , that neither he that had the vpper hand vaunted him self , neyther he that was ouercome was sorye for the matter . And euen in the chiefest time of all their strife , they sente giftes and presentes one to another , and merely banketted together , wythout mistrust of treason or deceit , and the matter was ended wythout dayes men , or without reprochful wordes betwixt them . So muche more modestly could brothers in those daies deuide the greatest kingdomes , then they can nowe deuide a small inheritaunce . Xerxes therefore by the space of fiue yeares together , made preparatyon for the warres whiche his father had begon against the Grekes . xerxes succe deth Darius in his kingdom The ●…oue of Demaratus to his country The which thing when Demeratus kinge of the Lacedemonians , ( who at that time beinge banished his Countrye , liued in king Xerxes Courte , ) vnderstode , being more frendlye to his countrye after his banishment , then to the kyng for all his benefites , to the entente they shoulde not be oppressed with sodaine warre , wrate all thinges in tables of wode to the Magistrates of Sparta , and couered the letters ouer with ware , least that ether the wryting without a couer might bewray it self , or the newe ware disclose hys deuise . When they wer finished , he toke them to a trnsty seruant , commaunding him to deliuer to the magistrats of the Spartanes . When they were brought to Lacedemon , the matter hong long in question what it shoulde meane , because they saw no wryting , & again they thought the tables were not sent for nothing , & the closer the thinge was , so muche they iudged it to be of greater importaunce . Whiles the menne with sondrye op●…nions slacke in the matter , the Syster of L●…oindas the kynge founde out the intent and meanynge of the wryter . The ware therfore being skraped of , it appeared was wrought against them .

By this time had Xerxes armed seuen hundred thousand of his owne kingdome , and hired thre hundred thousand Mercenaries . The hnge host of xerxes So that it hath not without good cause bene reported , that his army dronke the riuers dry , and that al Grece was skarse able to receiue his hooste . It is also said that he had ten hundred thousand shippes . To this huge host wan His richesse and want of good gouer naunce . wanted a mete Captaine . For if ye haue respect vnto the king , ye may praise his riches , but not his good guidans or know ledge requisite in a Captain , of which there was so greate aboundaunce in his realme , that when riuers were not able to finde his huge multitude drinke , yet had he treasure more then could be spent . He would be sure to be the laste that shoulde come to encounter , and the firste that shoulde run away . In danger he was fearful , out of daunger proud and ful of bosting . Finally before he should come to the triall of battell , he gloried so much in his owne strength , that as if he had beene euen a Lord ouer nature , and had beene able to rule it at his pleasure , he broughte mountaynes to plaine ground , and filled vp the valleis , made bridges ouer the sea , and cut through the main land to make nerer way for his shippes to passe . Whose comming into Grece as it was terrible , so his departure was as shameful and dishonorable . For when that Leonides kinge of the Sartanes wyth four thousand men , had taken the strengthe of Thermopyle , Xerxes in disdaine of his small noumber , commaunded that none shoulde assaile them , but they whose kinsfolke were slain at the battel of Marathon : the which while they soughte to reuenge the deathes of their frends , wer the beginning of the slaughter that ensued .

In their places succeded stil mo and mo , to the great encrease of their owne slaughter . Three daies the Persians fought there to their greate anguish , displesure and sorow , The fourth daye when it was tolde Leonides that twentye thousande of his ennemies had taken the toppe of the hill , then he began to exhort his partakers to depart , and to reserue them selues till some better time might come , wherin they might do seruice to their country , for he & hys Spartanes wold stand to th aduenture of fortune , saying that he set not so much by his life , as by his country , & that the resi due ought to be spared for the defice of Grece , when the kinges plesure was published , the rest departed all sauing the Lacedemonians which taried stil with him . In the beginning of this war , whé counsel was asked of apollo at Delphos , answer was geuen that either the king of thes partanes must be slain , or els the city be destroid . And therfore when the king Leonides shuld go forth to the war , he had so encoraged his souldiers , that euery man went with a willing hart to dye The loue of Leonidas towarde hys country . with their maister . He tooke the straites for this purpose , that with his small nomber , he might either win with more honor , or die with les domage to the common welth : wherfore when he had dismissed his partakers , he exhorted the Spar tanes to remember them selues , that how so euer they fought they must be slaine , warning them to take hede , that they gaue no cause to baue it reported of them hereafter , that their harts serued them better to tary , then to fight , saying that it was not for them to stand stil til their enemies should enclose them about , but assone as night shoulde serue their turn , to set vpon their enemies , making mery without care in their tents . For conquerors could no where die more honorably , then in the camp of their enemies . It was no hard matter to perswade them that wer al redy bent to die . Forth with they armed them selues , & being but vi . C. men in all , The noble prowesse of Lconida and the Spartāes brake into the camp of v. C. M. and forthwith went vnto the kings pauilion , of purpose either to die with him , or elsse if they wer ouerlaid , to die in especialli in his tent . Al the camp was on a rore . The Lacedemonians when they could not find the king , ranged through all the camp like conquerors , slaying & throwing down al things , as men that knew that they fought not in hope of victory , but to reuenge their own death . The battel was prolonged from the beginning of the nighte , vntill the more parte of the next day was spent . At the last not vanquished , but wery of vanquishing they fell down dead among the heapes of their dead ennemies . Xerxes hauing receiued two iosses in battell on the land , entended to try his fortune . But Themistocles the captain of the Atheniens , when he vnderstode that the Ion●…s , in whose quarel the king of Persie made all this war , wer come to the aid of A ●…olitique prouisy on of themistocles . the Persians with a nauy of shippes , he entended to draw them to his part if he could . And because he could haue no opportunity to talke with the , he caused these words to be engraued in stones , & set at the places wher they shuld ariue . How mad are ye O ye Ionians ? what mischief intend you now to do , purpose ye to make war against your first founders , & now of late your new reuengers , haue we builded your wals , to th entent they shuld destroy oures ? I put the case we had not this occasion of war , firste with Darius , and now with Xerxes , seinge we forsoke you not when ye rebelled , why do ye not come out of that siege into this our camp ? Or if ye thinke ye may not do so without danger , when the Man 〈◊〉 power against God . Xerxes burneth Thesp●… and 〈◊〉 and Athens . battel shal be ioyned step you aside , draw back your ships & depart out of the battel . Before they shuld encounter vpon the sea , Xerxes had sent iiii . M. men to Delphos , to spoil the temple of apollo : as though he had made warre not only with the Grekes , but euen with the gods immortal , which band of men was vtterly destroid with tempest & lightnynge , to th entent he might vnderstande that the more that God is wroth & displesed with man , the lesse power or rather none at all hath man against god . After this he burned the cities of Thespie , Plate & Athens : but ther wer no men in them , & because he could not haue the men to kil in his displesure he wreked his teme vpon their houses . For the Athenies after the battel of Barathon by the counsell of Themistocles , which gaue the warning that victory won of the Persians was not at end , but rather a cause of greater warre , ) made them a flcte of two hundred shippes . Therfore when Than●…wer of the 〈◊〉 Xerxes was comming toward them , they asked counsell of the Oracle at Delphos , wher it was aunswered that they must prouide for their sauegard in wodden walles .

Themistocles deming it to be spoken and ment of shippes . perswaded all the people that their Countrye was not the Themistocles interpreteth the same walles , but the men : and that the Citye was not the houses and buildinges , but the Citizens and inhabitauntes . Wherfore it was better for them and more for theyr safegard , to betake them selues to shippes , then to abyde in the towne , whervnto God himself semed to counsel them . The counsell was well liked , and thervpon abandoning the Citye , they conueyed their wiues and children with all theyr preciousest stuffe and iewels into secrete Ilands , and there bestowed them in safety , whiche beinge doone , they armed them selues and tooke shipping . Other Cities also folowed the example of the Atheniens . Therfore when all the whole fiete of their complices and parrakers were assembled together in the narow seas by the Ile of Salamine , to th entent they mighte not be enclosed of Xerxes greate multitude , as they were consulting how to maintaine the warres vpon the sea , sodenly sprang a variaunce betwene the princes of the Cities , euery man deuising how to breake vp priuely , & to steale home to defend his own . Themistocies fearing least by the departure of his Companions , his strength shoulde be abated , sent woorde vnto Xerxes by a trustye seruaunte , The deuise of Themistocles to make his confederates abyde that now was the time that he myght easly take al Grece together in one place , wheras if euery man were dispersed home to his owne Citye , as they wer about to doo , it shuld be more to his paine to pursue them one by one . Thorough this pollicy he caused the king to geue a sign of battel . The Grekes also being preuented with th approche of their ene mies , layed their power together & ioyned battell . During the time of th encounter , the king as a loker on & no medler with certaine shippes lay still at the roode . But Artemysia the Queene of Halicarnassus , whyche came to the ayde of Xerxes , 〈◊〉 cowardise of Xerxes The valiantnes of arte mysia . foughte fierslye euen amonge the formest Captayne in the battell . So that as in Xerxes was to be sene a kinde of femine fearfulnesse , so in her was to be seene the kynde of manlye couragiousnesse . In the whottest of the battell , the Ionians according to the commaundement of Themistocles began by litle and litle to withdraw them selues out of the prease . Whose departure discouraged al the rest . The Per The Persians are discomfyted on the sea . sians loking about which way to eskape , were put out of a ray , & sone after being vanquished were put to open flight . In the whiche discomfiture manye shippes were drowned and many were taken . But mo fearing more the kinges cruelty then their ennemy , stale away and went home .

The king Xerxes beinge striken in great feare , by reason of The couonse●… of Mardonius . this slaughter , and knowing not what to do , Mardonius cam vnto him counselling him to depart into his kingdome with as muche spede as might be , least the brute of the discomfiture might cause any insurrection or he cam there , which commonly is wont to make more of thinges then they be in dede . Leauing him ; 0000. thousand of the tallest men & picked souldiers of all his host , with the which company he promised either to his great honour to subdue al Grece , or if it were his misfortune to be ouercome , he woulde wythout infamy or dishonor to his Maiesty geue place to his ennemies . The counsel of Mardonius was well allowed .

Whervpon the said nomber of men wer to him deliuered , and the remnaunt of his hoste the king him selfe purposed to conuey home again . But the Grekes hearing of the kinges flight consulted together to breake the bridge whyche he as Lord of the sea had made at Abydus , to the entent that his passage being cut of , he might either with his army be vtterlye destroyed , or elsse be brought to suche an exigent , that as clerely ouercome he should be compelled to desyre peace at their handes . But Themistocles fearing least his enemies being stopped of their passage , should tourn theyr despair into hardines , and ( seing none other remedy ) make them selues way with their swordes , told them that there were enemies ynough and to many all ready in Grece , the ●…cles sendeth againe to 〈◊〉 erxes . nomber wherof ought not to be encreased by keping them against their wils . ●…ut when he perceiued his counsel pre uailed not , be sent the same seruaunt againe vnto Xerxes , aduertising him of their entent & purpose , and willing hym to get him away with spede if he entended to eskape . The king being striken in fear with this message , deliuered his 〈◊〉 flyeth for fear . souldiers to be conueied home by their captains , & he with a few went toward abydos : wher finding the bridge broken with the tempests of the winter , he feried ouer fearfully in a fishers bote . It was a thing worth the beholding , and as in consideration and valewing of mannes ●…ckle welth & prosperity , a thing to be wondred at , to beholde him now lurking A worthy ex ample of the ficklenesse of fortune , and of the frailnes of mans estate . in a litle boat , whome lately before , skarse all the Sea was able to receiue , and to se him destitute of all attendans & seruice , whose army by reson of the huge multitude therof , was euen a burden to the earth . Neither had the army whom he had assigned to captains , any luckier or more for tunate iournying by land . For besides their daily trauell , ( as surely there is no rest to such as be in fear ) they were al The afflictions of the Persian host so afflicted with hunger . Furthermore the ●…ant of victels brought vpon them the pestilence , by meanes wherof they died so thicke , that the waies were couered with their dead carkasses , in so muche that the beastes and foules allured with desire of pray , followed the hoste . In the meane tyme Mardonius toke Olynthus in Grece by assault . Also he entreted with the Atheniens to sue to the kinge for peace and frendship , promising to build vp their city which he hadde Mardonius w●…th O●…hus . burnt , larger and fairer then euer it was before . When he saw they wold not sel their liberty for any worldly good , he set on fire that which they had begon to build again , & from thence he passed with his army into Bo●… , thither folowed also the host of the Grekes , which was a hundred M. men , & there was a battel fought . But the chaunging of the captain A battel betweene Mardo●…s and the grekes . chaunged not the kinges fortune . For Mardonius being ouercome , eskaped with a few as it wer out of shipwrak . His ●…entes replenished withall kinde of richesse , after the princeliest sort that could be , wer taken & riffled . Whervp Excesse of richesse . on first of al among the Grekes , when they had parted the gold of the Parsians among them grew excesse and riot . By chaunce the same day that Mardonius host was destroyed , there was another battell fought vpon the sea against The swiftnes of ●…ame . the Persians in Asia , hard by the mountaine Mycale . Ther before the encounter , as the two fleetes stoode in order of battaile one againste another , a fame came vnto bothe the armies , that the Greekes had gotten the vpper hande , and vtterly slaine all Mardonius host . So great was the swiftnesse of fame , that the battel being foughte in Boetia in the mornynge , by noone tidinges was broughte of the victorye into Asia ouer so many seas , and ouer so muche grounde in so short a moment of time .

When the warres were fynished , and that consultation was had how euery Citye shoulde be rewarded , by iudgement of them all , the Atheniens were demed to haue don mooste valiantlye . Amonge the Captaines also Themistocles was by the verdite of all the Cities iudged chefe and soueraigne , to the great renowne of his countrye . The Atheniens therfore beinge increased as well in richesse as in honor began to builde their City new oute of the grounde . When the Lacedemonians heard how they had enlarged the walles of their Citye , and sette them further out then they were before , they beganne to haue them in a gelowsye , wiselye forecastinge what they were like to growe vnto , hauinge ones made their Citye stronge and defensyble , whiche by the decaye of their Citye had gotten so much as they hadde . Wherefore they sent Ambassadoures , admonishynge them not to buylde Fortresses for theyr ennemyes , and holdes for the Warres that were lyke to ensue hereafter .

Themistocles perceiuing them to grudge and to repine The wise 〈◊〉 menor of Themistocles . at the raising of his city , thinking that it stode him in hand to beware that he did nothing vnaduisedly , answeared the ambassadors that there shuld certain go with them to La●…mon , fully authorised to entreat and conclude with them , as concerning that matter .

So when he had dispatched the ambassadours of Sparta , he exhorted his Citezens to make spede in their work , and he him selfe within a while after went of ambassade . In the which iourny what by faining him self sicke , and what by putting fault in the slacknesse of suche as were in commission with him , without whome he saide he was able to doo nothing , by vertue of his commissyon , he draue of still from day to day , and all to th entent that they might haue leisure to furnish their woorke . During which time it was reported at Lacedemon , that the woorke went f●…r warde a pace at Athens : Wherevpon they sente Ambassadoures agayne to see if it were so or no. Then Themistocles by a Seruaunte of hys sente a letter to the hyghe Magystrates of Themistocles cometh vnto Lacede●…n . Athens , willing them to hold the Spartane ambassadours in safe keping as pledges , least otherwise then wel might be doon or committed against him at Lacedemon . Then he went boldly before the Lacedemonians , declaring that Athens was now throughly fortified , and that it was able to withstand the force of enemies , not only by the sword , but also by the strengthe of their walles , and if they entreated him otherwise then wel for the matter , their ambassadors were kept as pledges for the same purpose at Athens . Then he gaue them a great rebuke , in that they soughte to make them selues strong , and to obtain seueraignty , not by their own power , but by the weaknesse of their fellowes . So beinge The Spartanes make war againste the Persians . dismissed , in manner triumphing ouer the Lacedemonians , he was ioyfully receiued o●… his own Citezens . After thys the Spartanes least their strength shuld decay through idlenesse , and to reuenge them selues vppon the Persians , whyche P●…ius worketh treson against his country . twise before hadde made warre vpon the Grekes , of theyr owne accord in●…aded the borders of their Empire . They chose for captaine bothe of their owne army and of the army of the adherents , one Pansanias , who beinge not content with the Captainship , but coueting in stede therof to make him self king of all Grece , priuely conspired with Xerxes . In reward wherof he should haue the kinges daughter in mariage , and because the king should haue the more confidens in him , he sent home the prisoners skot free without raunsome . Moreouer he wrote vnto Xerxes , that what messengers so euer he sent vnto him , he shoulde putte them to death , to the entent their purpose should not by talk be bewrayed . But Aristides the captain of the Atheniens , elected Aristides preuenteth hys tr●… . his fellow in the warre , what by working againste his enterprises , and what foreseing wiselye what was like to ensue , disclosed the entent and purpose of his treason . Whervpon ere it was long after , Pansanias was arrained and condemned . Xerxes therfore when he perceiued that his secrete Pansa●… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . conspiracies were disclosed , determined to proclaime open warre againe . The Grecians also appoynted for their captaine , Cymo of Athens the sonne of Milciades their graundcaptaine Cyno is made graund 〈◊〉 tain against the P●… at the battell of Marathon , a noble yong gentleman whose naturall and godly disposition , declared before hand what great honor he was like to come vnto . For when his father being cast in prison for robbing of the common tresure , The natura●… loue of 〈◊〉 to his fa●… . was there departed and could not be buried , he by taking his fathers irons vppon him , redeamed his body and buried it . Neither wer they any thing at all deceiued , that chose him to be their soueraign Captain . For being a man of no lesse prowesse then was his father , he vanquished Xerxes Xerxes 〈◊〉 . both vpon the sea and vppon the land , and compelled him fearfully to retire into his own kingdome .

The third Booke .

XErxes king of Persia of whome all nations a litle Xerxes is 〈◊〉 by hys own subiect . before stode in feare , after he had sped so vnfortunatelye in his warres in Grece , began to be had in contempt euen of his own subiectes . For Artabanus his lieuetenaunt perceiuing the kings estate dailye to decaye , beinge therwith broughte in good hope to obtain the kingdom , one euening wyth vii . of his sonnes all men growen , and stout men of their handes , entred the kings palace . For he was so well be trusted and beloued with the king , that he might come in whenso euer he wold . Wherfore when he had slain the king , he wrought by pollicy to destroy his children , whome he knewe to be a lette to his enterprise . As for Artaxerxes whiche was but a The cautele and treson of Artabanus . childe to speake of , he toke no great thought , and therfore the sooner to compasse his matters , he surmised that Darius which was a tall strippling had slaine his father , to the entent he might the soner possesse the kingdom . Wherby he compelled artaxerxes to reuenge murder with murder . When they came to Darius lodginge , they founde him as it were neither sleping nor waking , and there killed him . Afterward artabanus perceiuing that for all the mischief he could deuise , there was yet one of the kinges sonnes aliue , and fearing that the peres of the realme wold stand in contention with him for the kingdome , made of his Counsell one Baccabassus , who being content with his present estate , bewrayed the whole matter to artaxerxes : howe his Father The treason disclosed . was slain , how his brother vpon false presumption of murder was put to death , and finallye howe there was treason Treson politiquely reuenged . a woorking againste his owne personne . When artaxerxes knew that , fearing to attempt any thing rashly or agaynst artabanus , because he had so many of his sonnes about hym , he commaunded his army to be in a readinesse in their armour before him the next day , sayinge that he woulde take musters of them him selfe , and see a trial of euery mannes behauioure , howe he coulde handle his weapon . Therfore when as among the rest , artabanus himselfe stoode by in his harnesse , the kinge fained that his Curet was to shorte for him , commaundinge artabanus to chaunge with him . As he was putting it of , the king espying him naked , thrust hym throughe with his sworde , and ther with all commaunded all his sonnes to be laide hande on . And by this meanes the worthy yong Prince reuenged the death of his father , and the murder of his brother , and saued him selfe oute of the bandes of traitoures .

While these things were a doing among the Persians , in the mean season all Grece deuiding it self in ii . parts , wherof The discorde of the gr●…kes amonge them s●…lues . the one folowed the Lacedemonians , thother the Atheniens turned their wepons from forain enemies , agaynste their owne bowels . Of one people was made two bodies , & the souldiers of one campe wer parted into ii . hostes of deadly and mortall enemies . On th one side the Lacedemonians drue to their parte , all suche as were before times waged at the common charges of al the cities , for the defence of the whole country . On thother side the Atheniens being renowmed as wel for their antiquity and long continuance , as also by their dedes of cheualry , trusted all to their own strength . And so two of the mightiest people of all Grece , egall by the statutes of Solon and lawes of Lycurgus , throughe enuy one at anothers estate , fel together by the eares amonge them Rightuousn●…s is to be preferred before akingdom . selues . For Lycurgus succeadinge his brother Polybita in the kingdome of Sparta , when as he might lawfullye haue chalenged it to him selfe , surrendred the same with as muche faithfulnesse as mighte be , vnto his sonne Charilans whyche was borne after the deathe of hys father , assone as he came to mannes estate . To the entent that all men myghte vnderstande howe muche good men doo set more by rightuousnesse , then by al the richesse in the world . In the meane while therfore that the childe grew , of whom as protector he had the gouernment , he deuised lawes for the Spartanes whiche hetherto hadde none , in whyche doing he deserued not more renowne for inuenting of them , then for geuyng example in keeping them For certainlye he ordayned no law for any other man , wherof he gaue not ensample first of all by him selfe . The notable lawes of L●…curgus .

He taughte the people due obedience to their Princes , and the Princes to minister iu●…ice indifferently to al their subiectes . He counselled all estates to vse temperance and frugalitye , thincking that throughe the dailye and accustomable vse therof , the trauell and penye of warfare , should seeme much more light and easy .

he commaunded all things to be bought , not for mony but for exchaunge of wares . The vse of golde and siluer , as the occasion of all mischief , he vtterly toke away . The gouernment of the publike weale he distributed to certain estates and degrees . Unto the kinges he gaue power absolutely in all matters concerning the warres , vnto the magistrates authority in iudgementes and matters of lawe : whome he would to continue in office but one yeare at ones : vnto the Senatoures , to see the lawes executed and kept : to the commons power to chuse the Senatoures , or to create what officers they listed . He parted all their landes equallye amongste them , portion and portion like , to the entent that euery man hauing like liuelihode , no man shuld take more vpon him then other . He ordained that they should all eate and drinke together openlye , to the entent that no manne should secreatly vse any excesse or super●…uitye : he permitted not the yong men to weare anye moo garmentes then one , all the yere , nor one to go gayer then another , nor one to fare better then an other , leaste by followinge one anothers example they should fall to riot . Children vnder xv . yeares age , were not suffred to come into the Courte , but The bringing vp of children . were commaunded to keepe in the Country , to the entent they might spend their first yeares , not in riotousnesse , but in labor and trauel . And when they slept , they myghte not lay any thing vnder them to rest vpon , or eat anye daintye meate al their liues . nor retourn into the City before they were men growne . He made a lawe that maidens shoulde marrye without dowrye : and gaue commaundement that The mariage of maidens . men should chuse their wiues for loue and not for monye , thinckinge by that meanes menne woulde more straitlye obserue the dueties of wedlocke , when there was no dowrye to let them . The greatest reuerens , he woulde shoulde be assigned , not to rich men and men of authoritye , but to aged men accordinge to the degree of their yeares . And to Re●…erence vnto old age . say the truthe there is no place in all the worlde , wher age is more honoured then in ●…parta . Nowe forasmuch as these thinges at the first , semed harde to them that before times The deuise of Licurgus to make hys lawes eternall . were w●…nt to liue as they listed , he fained Apollo of Delphos to be the author of them , and that he had fetched them fro thence at the commaundement of God , to the entent that the feare of God might enure them vnto it , vntill that custome had driuen awaye all wearinesse . Afterwarde to the entent he might ●…stablishe his lawes for euer , he caused all the Citye to be sworne , not to alter or breake any parte of his lawes , vntil he returned againe , tellinge them that he was going to the Oracle at Delphos , to take counsel what was to be altered , put to , or taken from his lawes . But in Licurgus v●… nisheth hym self to do hys country good . very dede he sailed vnto Candy , where gladlye he liued the residue of his life like a banished man . And when he shuld die , he commaunded his bones to be throwne into the sea , least if they were caried again to Lacedemon , the Spartanes might thinke them selues clere of their othe in disanulling and abrogating of his lawes . By meanes of these statutes The wa●…a of the Spartanes against the Me●…ans . and ordinaunces , the City grew so stronge within a while , that when as they made warre againste the Messenians for rauishing certaine of their maidens in a sol●…mpne sacrifice of the Messenians , they bounde them selues with a greuous othe , and thervnto cursed them selues , if they retourned home before they had wonne the City of Messenia , so muche did they trust either to their owne strength or to their fortune . The which thing was the beginning of discorde , and the cheefe cause and occasion of warre in Grece . Therfore when contrary to their presumption , they had beseged the towne x. yeres , and could not take it , and that their wiues thinking them selues all this while as widowes , sent often to them , requesting them earnestly to come home , at length fearing least by their obstinate perseueraunce , they myght doo them selues more harme then the Messenians . For as much as the youth which the Messenians lost , was supplied the frutefulnesse of their wiues being daily among them , wheras their own losse during the warres was vnrecouerable , for as muche as in the time of their absens their wiues as barraine folke broughte for the no frute at all : Ther The original of the Partheniens . fore they chose oute certaine yong menne of that bande of Souldiers that came to supplye their noumber after the othe was taken , and sent them home to Sparta with free liberty to company with any women whome so euer they woulde , supposinge their wiues should sooner conceiue , by attemptinge it wyth diuers men . They that were so begotten , in respecte of their mothers dishonour , were called Partheniens : who when they came to the age of xxx . yeres for feare of pouertye , ( for none of them coulde saye who was his father , by whome he mighte hope for anye inheritaunce or liuing tooke to be their Captaine , Phalanthus the sonne of Aracus , which gaue the Spartanes the forsaid counsel to send home these yonge men to engender issue . To the Phalanthus entent that as of late his father was the authoure of theyr begetting , so might they haue the sonne the author of their hope and prosperiti . Therfore not so much as once bidding The Parthe niens seke them a newe dwelling place . their mothers farewell , whose aduoutry they thought sounded greatly to their shame & reproche , they toke their way to seke them a new dwelling place , and after diuers aduentures being long tossed from post to piller , at lengthe they came into Italy , where they besieged the fortresse of Tarent , They place them selues in Italye . the which being wonne by assault , they draue out the auncient inhabiters therof , and dwelled ther them selues . But many yeres after , their captain Phalanthus beinge by a tumult driuen into exile , went vnto Brundusium whether as the auncient inhabitants of Tarent being expulsed their natiue The loue of Phalanthus toward his country . country had withdrawn them selues . When he should die , he perswaded them to take his bones , & the residue of his body being dead and beat them into poulder , & secretely to cause them to be strowed in the market place of Tarent , saying that apollo at Delphos had told him , that in so doynge they shuld recouer their country again . The Tarentines ●…upposing that to reuenge the displesure don vnto him , he had bewrayed the desteny of his citizens , obeyed his counsell .

But the meaning of the Oracle was cleane contrary . For it promised by so doing the continual possession of the town , and not the losse o●… it . And so through the counsell of theyr banished captain & the working of their enemies the Parthenians enioyed the possession of Tarent for euer . In remembraunce Pha●…anthus is honoured for a God . The Messeniens are subdued & afterward doo rebell . of the whiche good turne , they euer after honoured Phalanthus as a God . In the mean time the Messenians beinge not able to be ouercome by plaine force , were ouercome by pollicye . Afterwarde hauinge by the space of lxxx . yeres suffered sore punishmentes of bondage , with emprisonment and other miseries and calamities of thraldome & captiuity , after long sufferance of these mischeues , they renued the war again . The Lacedemonians also came to the field so muche the more earnestlye , because they seemed to fight against their bondmen . The courages of both parties therfore being quickned , th one with iniury , thother wyth disdain , the Lacedemonians demaunded counsell of the Oracle at Delphos to what end the warre should come , there they wer commaunded to send to the Atheniens for a capten . Thatheniens hauing intelligence of th answer of apollo , in Tirteus bring●…th the spartanes in despaire . despite of the Lacedemonians sent them a poet called tirteus lame of one fote , who being vanquished in iii. battels , brought the Lacedemonians to such an afterdele , that to suppli their army they were faine to make their bondmen free , & promise to geue them the wiues of them that were slain , so that they shuld succede such as wer lost , not only in nomber , but also in estate & worship . But the kinges of the Lacedemonians , least by str●…inge againste fortune they myghte brynge more domage vpon their countrye , were myneded to haue conueyed home theyr host . If Tyrteus had not come The force of Poetrye in the meane season , who sommoning his armye together , rehearsed vnto them certaine verses that he had compiled wherin was contained the encouragemente to vertue , the comfort of aduersity , and the pollicies of warre .

Wherwith he set his souldiers on suche a courage , that taking more thought for their burial than for their liues , euery manne put aboute his righte arme , a bracelet wherin was grauen his owne name , and the name of his father : to the entent that if they had so ill fortune as to be all slaine in the battel , and that by continuaunce of time their bodies shuld rotte oute of fashion , by the markes of their bracelets they might be knowen and buried .

When the kinges sawe the hoste so minded , they caused the matter to be showed to their ennemies . The Messenians The courage of the Messenians . wer therwith nothing abashed , but rather made more earnest . Therfore they mette with suche courage , that there hathe not lightlye a bloudier battell beene harde of . Neuerthelesse at the laste the Lacedemonians gotte the vpper hande . In processe of time the Messenians made insurrection Occasyon of war betwene the Lacedemonians and ●…atheniens . the third time . In the whiche amonge other the Lacedemonians sent for aid to the Atheniens . Whom they hauinge in distruste , made an excuse that as at that time they shoulde not neade to trouble them , and so s●…nte them home agayne . The Atheniens takinge thys matter in displeasure , fetched from Delos to Athens , the mony whiche was there laide by all Grece , for the maintenaunce of the warres against the Persians : leaste if the Lacedemonians shoulde breake the league , they might take it as a botye , or as their own gotten good . But the Lacedemonians could not be in quiet . For beinge entangled in the warres wyth See the nature of enuy . the Messenians , they waged the Peloponnesians to make warre against the Atheniens . The Atheniens wer as then able to raise but a small power , by reason they had sente a nauy of ships into Egipt . Wherfore in a battel vppon the Sea they were vanquished with small a doo . Wythin a while after , when their flete was come home , beynge encreased both in noumber of shippes and in strength of men they rered the warre a new . And at that time the Lacedemonians leauinge the Messenians , tourned them selues against the Atheniens : long time the victory hong in doubtful balance , sometime the one winninge and sometime the other . At the last they departed of euen hande . The Lacedemonians being called againe to the warres of Messenia , because they wer loth that the Atheniens should be idle , & hauing nothing to do in the meane while , couenanted with the Thebanes to restore to them the kingdom of 〈◊〉 , whych was taken from them in the time of the Persian warres , vpon condition that they should make warre to the Atheniens . So mad were the Lacedemonians , that being all ready entangled in two warres at ones , they passed not to take the third in hand , and only to stirre vp ennemies to the Atheniens . The noble ●…o ings of Pericles . The Atheniens therfore to withstand the great tempestes of warre that were like shortlye to ensue , chose two captaines . Pericles a man of tried vertue , and Sophocles a wryter of tragedies , the whiche with two sondry armies wasted the territories of the Spartanes , and subdued manye cities of Achaia to th empire of Athens . The Lacedemonians The Lacedemonians take a truce and breake it . being all together discouraged with these misfortunes tooke a truce for xxx . yeres . But their priuy grudge coulde not suffer them to abide so long in reast . Therfore ere xv . yeares were fullye accomplished , they brake the truce , and in despite of God and man , inuaded the borders of Athens . And because they wold not seme so greatly to haue sought the pray , as the encounter , they bad them battell . But the The wisdom of P●…icles in reuengyng his countrye . Atheniens by the counsel of their captain Pericles delaid the reuengment of this wastinge their countrye , vntyll more conuenient time and occasion , thinckinge it but a follye to trouble them selues as then , consideringe they mighte ere long after , be reuenged more to their profit and les to their displesure . Within a few daies after , they embarked them selues , & or euer the Lacedemonians wist therof , wasted & forraged al the country of Sparta , & caried away a great deale more than before they had lost . So that in comparison of the domages , the reuengement was much greater than the displesure . This viage of Pericles was counted very honorable , His wisdom in a●…oidinge hys owne peri●…s . but much more honorable was the despising of his patrimony & inheritans . For whe the Spartanes wasted the country of Athens , & spoiled all other mennes landes , they left his vntouched , hoping either to bring him in daunger throughe enuy , or elsse in a slaunder vppon presumption of treason . The which thing Pericles foreseing before hand , told the people how it wold come to passe , & to auoide the brunt of enuy , he gaue the lands for a gift to the common w●…ale . And so by that meanes , the thing whervpon mooste hurte and daunger was wrought against him , turned most of all to his renown and honor . Wi●…hin a fewe daies after , there Battel on the ●…ea . was a battel fought vpon the sea , in the which the Lacedemonians beinge vanquished , fled . And from that time foreward they ceased not to slea and kil one another , bothe by sea and by land as fortune enclined or bare fauor to anye of the sides . Finally being wearied with so many domages & losses , the●… toke a truce for fifty yeres , the which they kept The Lacedemoni●…s brake the truce againe . no lenger then fixe yeres . For the truce which they hadde taken in their owne name , they brake vnder couloure and pretence of aiding their fellowes : as thoughe they shoulde lesse haue committed periurye in fightinge in the maintenaunce of the quarel of their complices , then in making open warre . After this the warre was remoued into Sicil : but or euer I entreat therof , I wil wryte somewhat of the situation of the Iland .

The fourth Booke .

MEn say that Sicil cleued somtime vnto Italye , and that it was ( as it were ) rent The discription of Sicil , with the nature therof . from the body , by violence of the vpper sea , which withal the force of his waues commeth thither . The earth of it selfe is fine and brittle , so holowe with holes & pipes in the grounde , that in manner it li●…s wide open to euery blast of wind . And besides that , the nature of the soyle is suche , that of it self it engendreth and nourisheth fire . For the molde within is after a brimston●… and rosen , by meanes wherof it commeth to passe , that the winde striuing with the fire in the innermost parte of the earth , oftentimes and in many places casteth out , somtimes flakes of fire , sontimes vapors , and somtimes smoke , thervp on also groweth the fire of the mountain Aetna continuinge so many C. yeres . And when ther is any great wind in the forsaid holes , great heapes of sand ar●… cast out of them . The next promontory ouer against Italy is Rhegium : so called be cause the Grekes in their language do term thinges broken of , by that name . It is no meruel though in olde time there went many fables & tales of this place , in the which are conueyed The narow seas of Sicil so many straunge things . First & formest there is no narow sea in all the world so raginge as it , not onlye by the swiftnesse of the waues , but also by the violent meting of the tides , so that it is terrible not only to them that try it , but also to such as behold it a far of . Moreouer ther is such a do when the waues mete , that a man shall se some as it were running away drowned in the whorlpoles , & falling into the bottom of the sea , & other some in maner of conqueroures proudly bear them selues a loft . And again hear in one place the roring of the raging tide , & in another place as it were the sighing of the falling into the gulf . And to the encrease therof maketh also the nere and continuall burnyng of the mountain Aetna , & of aeolus iles , as though the fire wer norished with the water . For it is not possible that so greate a fire shuld other wise continue so long season together in so smal a roum , onles it wer norished by moysture . Herevpon Scilla and Charybdis . therfore grew the tales of Scylla & Charibdis , herevpon came it that men hard the barking of dogs , hervpon men beleued that they saw monsters , which sailing that way , being feared with the noise of the waues falling into the great gulfs , imagined the waues to bark , which was nothig els , but the noise of the waters beting one against another as they wer drawn bi viol●…ce into the whorlpoles . The like cause is also of the continuance of the fire of the mountain aetna . For this vi olent meting of the waters , draweth , the winde with it perforce into the bowels of th erth , & there holdeth him pent so long , vntil being spred into the holes of ther●…h , it setteth the ●…iry matter a burnig . Now Italy & Sicilie ar so near together and the promontories of bothe so like in heigth , that looke how much we now wonder at it , so much men in olde time wer afraid of it , beleuing that the hils met and departed a sonder againe , and that whole nauies of shippes were swalowed vp and neuer sene after . Nether was this thing deuised in olde time , for pleasauntnesse of the tale , but for the wonderment of suche as passed that way . For suche is the nature of the place , that they whiche beholde it a farre of , woulde rather take it to be an elbowe of the Sea shotyng into the land , then a passage . And when a manne comes neare , he would thincke that the Mountaines parted and went a sondre . Sicill was firste of all named Trinacria , afterward The names of Sicil. it was called Sicania . This Ilande from the beginnynge was the countrye of the Giauntes with one eye in their forehead called Cyclopes . The whiche beynge roted out , acolus took●… vpon him the rule of the 〈◊〉 , after whose decease , euery City had a Tyran by them selues , and there was neuer countrye that had better store of them than had Sicilie . Of the noumber of theese tirauntes there was one Anaxilaus , that striued againste the crueltye of the others An example of iustice and good gouernaunce , and the frute the●…of . with iustice , whose modest gouernaunce profited him not a little . For when he was departed out of this life , leauing his children verye yonge vnder the tuition and gouernement of a trusty seruaunte of his called Mycithus , he was so wel beloued of al his subiects , that they were conteted to obey his seruant , rather then to abandon & forsake his children . And the princes of the citye forgettinge their estate , suffred the kingdom to be ruled by a bondman . The Carthaginenses assaid to conquer th empire of Sicil , & fought a long season with the kinges there of , sometyme to their gaine ●…de more hereof in the xviii . xix . xx . & xxii . bokes . and sometime to their losse .

At the last when they had lost their graund captain Hamilcar & al his host , their harts wer discoraged , and so kept them selues in quiet for a good while after . In the meane season the inhabitauntes of ●…hegium fallinge at debate among them selues , & the City being deuided in two factions the one part thinking them selues to weak ▪ sent for the old souldioures whiche were then at the citye of ●…mera to come and healpe them , who hauynge driuen oute of the Towne those againste whome they wer called , and forthwith slaying them whose quarell they supported , tooke their Citye with their wiues and children and all that euer they had , whiche was suche a cruell acte as neuer tiraunt attempted in so muche that it had bene farre better for the menne of Rhegium to haue beene vanquished , then to haue gotten the victory . For whether they had bene driuen by the lawe of armes to haue serued the Conqueroures , or whether they had bene driuen to forsake their countrye as banished persons , yet notwithstanding they should not haue bene miserably murthered betwene the temples and their dwelling houses , and haue left their natiue country with their wiues and children as a pray to suche cruel tirants . The Catenenses ●…iuil war●…s in Sicil , by meanes wher of the ath●… ens wer●… brough●… to a sore after 〈◊〉 also beinge sore oppressed by the Syracusans , distrustynge their owne strength , demaunded succor of the Atheniens , the whiche ( whether it were for desire to dilate their Empire , because they had all redy conquered all Grece & Asi●… , or that they feared least the great nauy of shippes whyche the Syrac●…sanes had lately builded , shuld aid & strengthen the Lacedemonians , ) sent a Captaine called Lampozius wyth a nauy into Sicill , to the entent that vnder the coloure of aiding the Catenienses , they might attempt to get the kingdome of Sicill . And because that they had prosperous successe in their affair●…s at the beginning , and made greate slaughter of their ennemies , they went to Sicil again with a greater ●…eete and a stronger power , wherof wer captaines Lachetes and Char●…ades . But the Cateu●…nses whether it were for f●…are of the Atheniens , or that they were wearye of the warres , made peace with the Syracusanes and sent home the Athe●…ens againe that came to their rescue . Wythin a while after when the Syracusanes obserued not iustlye the peace , they sent their ambassadours again to Athens , who in filthy apparel with longe heades and longe beardes , fafashioning their countenaunce & gesture as much as might be to prouoke pity , came sorowfullye before the people . In making their complainte they wept , and with their humble submission so moued the sely people to pity , that the captains wer condemned for withdrawing their succors from them . Wherfore a great nauy was sent forth , wherof wer appoynted captaines , Nicias , Albiciades , Lamachus , and they entred Sicilie with such a power , that euen they whom they alcibiades ari ueth in Sicil , and is sent for home again tanswer to accusanōs . came to defend were a fraid of them . Shortlye after alcibiades being sent for home to answer to certain enditements that were put vp against him , Nicias and Lamachus foughte two prosperous battels vpon the lande . And soone after so enclosed their ennemies and kepte them so straighte , that they coulde haue neither rescue nor victailes from the sea ▪ The Syracusanes being so sore distressed , desired healp of the Lacedemonians . Unto them was sent no mo but only Gylippus , but he was suche a one as was worthe all the helpe they had beside . For he hearing of the manner of the war , The prayse of Gylippus . and perceiuing his complices to be brought to a low ebbe , raised a power partlye in Grece , and partlye in Sicill , and toke such a pece of ground as he thought meete for the two hostes to encounter in . Wher being twise put to the wors at the third encounter he slue Lamachus , put ●…is ennemies to flight , and raised the siege . But when gylippus perceiued that the Atheniens remoued from the lande to battell , on the Sea , he sent for the nauye of Lacedemon to aide him , the which thing being knowen at Athens , they also to supplye the rowme of the captaine that was slain , sent Demosthenes and 〈◊〉 with a newe furniture of souldiers . The Xeloponesians also by a common decree of all the Cityes ▪ sente great aid to the Syracusanes , and all the power that either parte coulde make was sent thither , as thoughe the warre Thatheniens are vanqui●…ed . had bene remoued oute of Grece into Sicilie . Therfore at the first encounter vpon the Sea the Atheniens wer vanquished , their tentes also with all their Treasure priuate , and common were taken . Besides al these mischeues , when The third di●… comfiture of them . they were ouercome vpon the lande also , then Demosthenes began to counsel them to depart out of Sicilie betimes , before their matters which all ready were in great hasarde , were not yet all together brought to vtter despaire . Saying it was not good to pe●…uer and lenger in the warre so vnluckely begone , and that there was sorer and perchance more vnfortunate warre towarde at home in theyr owne countrye , for the defence and withstandinge wherof . That furniture of the City ought to be reserued , Nicias whether it were for shame of his ill successe , or for feare of his owne Citizens disapoynted of that they loked for , or that hys destenye compelled him there vnto , made all the meanes he might to abide still .

Whervpon eftsones was renued the warre by sea , and The fourth ouerthr●… o●… them . for all the stormes of their former misfortune , yet they toke courage to encounter againe . But throughe the vnskilfulnesse of their captaines that set vppon the Siracusanes , keping them selues in the straights , they were lightly ouercome . The captain 〈◊〉 fighting very valiantly in the foreward was the first that was slaine . The xxx . shippes wherof he hadde the charge , were set on fire . Demosthenes and Nicias beinge also vanquished , did set their men a lande , supposing by that waye the better to eskape . Gylippus 〈◊〉 lowe●…h the victory . The hundred and xxx . shippes whiche they lefte behinde , them Gylippus inuaded , and afterward pursuing them as they fled , some he slue and some he tooke prisoners . Demosthenes Demosthenes 〈◊〉 him selfe . when he had loste his armye , deliuered hym selfe from bondage by wilfull sleing of him self with his sword . But Nicias hauyng not the hart to doo by him selfe as dyd Demosthenes , dishonourably encreased the slaughter of his men by yelding him self vnto shamefull captiuity .

The fifthe Booke .

VUhile the Atheniens warred in Sicilie by the space of ii . yeares with more gredinesse The pointes wherof Alcibiades was appealed . then successe , in the meane season Alcibiades the stirrer and chieftaine therof , in his absence was accused at Athens to haue published the misteryes of Ceres , and the night sacrifices done in her honoure , whiche are by no meanes so highly solempnized as by silence . And being sent for from the warres , to aunswer to hys complainte , whether his conscience gaue him to be giltye , or that he could not abide such a reproche to his honor , he made no woordes but went as a banished man to Elis. Afterward when he vnderstoode that he was alcibiades stirreth the Lacedemonians against hys owne countrye . not onlye condempned , but also accursed by the priestes of all the orders of religion , he wente to Lacedemon , and there perswaded the king to warre vppon the Atheniens , nowe auexed and troubled with their misaduentures in Sicilie . Immediatly whervppon , all the kingdomes of Grece gathered them selues together , as it had ben to quench some common fire , so great hatred hadde the Atheniens gotten , through their vnmeasurable desire of bearing rule . Darius He was the sonne of artax erxes & was the viii . kyng of Persia. also the king of Persians , remembring the hatred that hys father and graundfather bare to this City , entred in leage with the Lacedemonians , by Tyssaphernes lieuetenaunte of Lydia , and promised to bear the charges of the warre . This was the pretence of entraunce in leage with the Grekes , but in verye deede he doubted , least when the Lacedemonians had ouercome the Atheniens , they would set vppon him . What wonder is it then if the estate of Athens were so flourishinge , since that to oppresse that one Citye , all the power of the whole East bent them selues together . Yet The prowes of th atheniēs notwithstandinge they were not as cowardes ouercome wythout great bloudshed , but fightinge to the vttermost , and some whiles also getting the vpper hand , they were at lengthe rather by vnstablenesse of fortune consumed , then ●…auour ●…oloweth fortu●… by plain force vanquished . In the beginning of the warre , not so muche but euen their owne fellowes forsooke them as it is daily sene , that wheras fortune semeth to fauor thither also , do mennes harts encline . Alcibiades also furthered The doinges of Alcibiades againste his owne countries this warre that was moued againste his countrye , with all the power he might , not like a common souldier , but like a puissaunt captain . For taking with him x. shippes , he sailed into Asia , and there by the authoritye of his name , compelled the Cities that were tributary vnto the Atheniens , to tourne to the Lacedemonians . For they knew wel that he was a man of great power in his owne countrye , and they thought he was not the lesse by reason of his banishmente , supposing him not to muche to be taken from the Atheniens , as to be deliuered for a captain to the Lacedemonians and so they set his winninges against his losses . But among the Lacedemonians , Alcibiades greate prowesse and ●…aliantnesse He 〈◊〉 no less●… . wan him more enuy then thank . Therfore when the Princes laid wait secreatly to kill him by treason , as an ennemye to their glory and renowne , Alcibiades hauynge knowledge therof by the wife of king agis with whome he had committed aduoutry , fled to Tissaphernes kinge Darius lieuetenaunt , with whome through his curtesy and lowly behauior he quickly wound him self in . For he was then in the florishing time of his youth , and for his beautye , personage and eloquence , amonge all the Atheniens was none The natur●…●… maners of 〈◊〉 cibiades . like vnto him . But he was better in winning frendshippe then in keepinge : because that euer at the firste , vnder the faire shadowe of eloquence , were cloked his euill manners and conditions . Therfore he perswaded Tissafernes that he should not alow to muche wages and viand to the fleete of Marke 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Lacedemonians , and that the Ionians ought to be called to part of the charges , for whose libertye when they payed tribute to the Atheniens , this warre was first begonne . Moreouer that the Lacedemonians oughte not to haue to much helpe , consideringe he prepared for another mannes victory and not for his owne , wherfore the warre ought so farre forthe to be maintained , that it be not broken vp for want of things necessary . For as long as the Grekes were thus at debate among them selues , the king of Persia shuld alwaies be an indifferent iudge bothe of peace and warre at his owne pleasure . And he should ouercome them wyth their owne power , whome he could not ouercome with all the power he was able to make of his owne . And assone as the warre were ended , whiche waye so euer the gole went , he should be compelled to haue warre with the conquerors . Wherfore it wer good to suffer the Grekes to busy them selues in wasting their own country , to the entent they haue no leisure to inuade forain countries . To the performance wherof , either parte oughte to be maintained in strength able to match his aduersari , and the weaker to be aided with new succors . For it was not to be thought that the Lacedemonians would be in rest , if they might get the vpper hand , considering they had professed and proclaimed them selues all redy , the defenders of the liberty of Grece . This Oration liked Tissaphemes very well , whervppon he allowed them not so liberall expenses , neither sent he forth all the kings flete , least he shuld either geue them the victorye oute of hande , or elsse constraine them to breake vp the warres . In the meane season Alcibiades did thus muche for Note his crafty deling . his country men , that when the Atheniens sente their ambassadors vnto him , he promised to get them the kinges fauor , if so be it that the administration of the common welth wer remoued from the people , and put into the senatours handes . Hopinge there by that if the Citye agreed well , he shoulde be chosen captaine of the warre by their common assent , or els if there arose any variaunce betwene the two estates , he shoulde be called to the ayd of the one part . But the Atheniens seinge the daunger of the warre that they were wrapped in , had more respect of their safegarde then of their honoure .

Therfore with the good wil of the people , the gouernance of the common wealth was put into the hands of the senators . The which because that through a certain pride natu rallye engraffed in that estate , they dealed with the people ●…om what cruelly , euery man taking vpon him to be a lord , alcibiades is called out●… of exite and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 generall of the warres . the souldioures called home the banished alcibiades , & made him admirall of the Sea . Whervppon immediatly he sent woord to Athens , that he woulde incontinently come thither with an host of menne , and take the gouernment out of the CCCC . Senatoures handes , whether they woulde or no , onlesse they surrendred it vp of their owne accorde before he came .

The greate menne of the City being sore fro●…hled with this message , first attempted to betraye the Towne to the Lacedemonians , whiche thing being not able to bringe to passe , they willinglye forsoke their Countrye , and became as banished men . alcibiades therfore hauinge deliuered hys countrye from inwarde sedition , furnished his ships wyth all diligence possible , and so proceded into warfare against the Lacedemonians . Nowe Mindarus and 〈◊〉 the Captaines of the Lacedemonians , with their shippes furnished alc●…tades ouercome the Lacedemontans . likewise , awaited his comminge . The battell being soughte , the victorye fell to the Atheniens . In thys conflicte the greater parte of the armye , and almooste all the captains of their enemies wer slain , and lxxx . shippes taken . Within a fewe daies after the Lacedemonians remouing from the Sea vnto the lande , were eftsones in another encounter put to the worse . The which discomfiture beynge greatly afflicted and discouraged , they sued for peace . The which was letted to be graunted through their meanes , & had aduantage and gain by the warres . In the mean season the Carthaginenses made war in Sicil , by reason wherof the Siracusanes wer fain to call home their succors to defend their own . The Lacedemonians being therby destitute of al aid & comforte , Alcibiades with his victorious nauye , wasted and spoiled the coaste of Asia , foughte battels in diuers places , and euery wher getting the victorye , recouered the Cityes whiche were tourned from the Atheniens , and diuers he His tryumphan●… returu vnto athens . won of newe , and subdued them to the dominion of the Atheniens also . And so hauinge recouered his auncient renowne and honor , in battel on the sea , with th encrese and augmentation therof by his conquestes on the land , he returned to Athens to the great reioycement of all his Citezens . In all these battels were taken of their enemies , two C. shippes and a great pray . To beholde this triumphante retourne of the army , all the people came out of the Citye by heapes , praising highlye all the souldioures , but in espetially wondring at Alcibiades . On him all the City gased , on him they earnestlye fastned their eies , as thoughe they could neuer haue seene inough of him , him they behelde as one sent from heauen , and as it wer the victory it self , they praised his noble actes done for his countrye , no lesse extolling the thinges which he did against the same , in the time of his banishment : makinge his excuse them selues , as that he did them in his anger and prouoked there vnto . It is a meruelous thing to see , that there should be in one manne suche power and valure , as to be the onlye cause of the ouerthrowe of so mighty a kingdome , and of the settinge vp The fortune of alcibiades . of the same againe , victory euer folowing that side that he tooke , and that fortune should so wonderfully alwaies encline that way that he went . Wherfore they honored hym not as a man , but as a God , they striued with them selues , whether they had banished him more spitefullye , or called him home again more honourablye . They broughte theyr Goddes with them for ioy to welcom him home , by which not long before they had accursed hym . And whome of late they had forbidden all mannes help , now and if they could they would haue set him in heauen . Recompensing the despite with honour , his harmes and losses with giftes and rewardes , and his curses with blessings . There was no wordes among them of the battels that he loste in Sicil , but of the victories that he wo●…e in Grece . There was no speaking of the shippes that he hadde lost , but of the shippes that he had taken . The Syracusanes were forgotten , and there was no talke but of his conquestes in Ionia and Hellespont . Thus was Alcibiades neuer meanely hated , nor meanely honoured and exalted of his country men .

While theese thinges were a doing amonge the Lacedemonians Lysander was made Captaine generall of the warres bothe by sea and by land , and in steade of Tissaphernes , Darius kinge of Persians hadde made his sonne Cyrus lieuetenant of Ionia and Lydia , who aided the Lacedemonians in such wise both with men and mony , that they doubted not to recouer their former estate . Beinge therfore thus encreased in strength , and hearing that Alcibiades was gon into Asia with a nauye of a C. shippes , whiles he was Ouersight pernitious in a captain . there wasting and spoiling the country , which was grown riche by reason there had bene no warre of a long time before , and toke no hede to his souldioures , but suffred them for couetousnesse of booties to disperse them selues where they lifted , as thoughe there had bene no treason to be feared , they sodenlye came vppon them , and assailed them ere they could gather them selues together . And they made suche a slaughter amonge them as they were skatred , that the Atheniens toke more losse and hurt in that one battel , then they had done to their ennemies in all the battels before , wherwith they were brought to luche a dèspaire , that forthwith they put away alcibiades , & chose conon to be theyr captain in his stead . Thincking them selues to haue beene vanquished not by the chaunce of warres , but through the Alci●…des is banished againe . treson of their captaine , whiche more regarded the old displesure then the benefits newly bestowed vpon him . And that he had vanquished his ennemies in the former battels for ndne other purpose , but only to shewe vnto them what a captain they had despised , and to th entent to sel them the victory the derer . And to say the truthe alcibiades had so suttle a hed , & was therwith so muche geuen to vice and lasciuious liuing , that it was like inough he wold worke such a thing . Fering therfore the displesure of the people in their rage , of his own wil he banished him self againe . Then Conon beinge put in the roume of Alcibsades , hauinge before his eies what a captaine he had suc●…eded , furnished his nauy with all diligence and circumspectinesse tha tmyght be . But there wanted men to furnish the shippes , for the ●…ou test and strongest souldiours wer lost in the forraginge of Asia . Yet notwithstanding old menne and berdlesse boyes wer armed , and so filled vp the nomber of souldiers , without any strength of the host . Yet for al that , they letted not A great slaughter of the atheniens . to encounter with their enemies , by whom like weak and vnable soldiers , they were euerye where beaten downe or els taken running away . And there was suche a destruction , what of them that were slaine , and what of them that were taken , that not only the Empire , but euen the verye name of the Atheniens semed to be vtterly extinct : By the which battel they wer brought to so low an ebbe and lefte so bare , by reson all their warlike men wer consumed and spent , that they were driuen folet their city to straungers , to set their slaues & bondmen fre , and to geue pardon to such as were condempned to die . And with this rout of raskals wherof their army was compact , they ( which lately before wer lords of al Grece , ) were now skarse able to maintaine their owne libertye . Neuerthelesse they determined yet The courage of thathen●…ēs once again to try their fortune vpon the sea . So stout were their stomakes , & so coragious wer their harts , that wheras a litle before they wer in despair of their own safegard , they were now in good hope to get the victor●…e . But these were not the souldioures that were able to vphold the honor of Athens , nether was that the power wherwith they wer wont to geue their ennemies the ouerthrow , neyther was there suche knowledge of feats of armes in those that had bene kepte in prison , and not in the campe . Therefore Their last ouerthrowe & slaughter . they were all either slaine or taken prisoners : The captain Conon which eskaped alone from the battel , fering the cruelty of his country men , toke viii . ships , and sailed to Eu●…goras king of cyprus . But the captaine of the Lacedemonians hauing atcheued al thinges prosperously and according to his own desire , proudly reioysig at th aduersity of his enemies , sent the ships that he had taken withall the boty gotten in the warres , decked & garnished in maner of a triumph vnto Lacedemon , & receiued by composition all the cities that wer tributary to the Atheniens , which as yet continued in their due obedience , because they knew not to what end the war wold come , leuing nothing vnder the dominion of the Atheniens , sauing only the bare city . Of al the which miseries when tidings came to Athens , all the people forsakyng a Rhetoricall description of the afflicted state of 〈◊〉 their houses ran vp and down the city amased , one askyng an other what tidings , seking for him that brought vp first the newes , not the children , their want of discretion , not the old men want of strength , not the women the weaknesse & delibity of nature , could kepe at home , so sore did the feling of that misfortune perce vnto alages . They met together in the market sted , and ther al night long lamented and bewailed their common misfortune , some made mone for theyr brothers , some for their sonnes , some for their fathers , som for their kinsfolk , & other some for their frends which wer derer to them then their kinsfolk , and among theyr priuate mischances , was alwaies repeated the common misfortune , loking for none other but present & vtter destruction both to them selues & to their country , esteming them that were aliue to be in worse case then them that were deade . Eche person setting before their eies , besiegement , hunger , and the arrogant enemy hauing them in his hand to worke hys plesure vpon them . And therwith cam to their remembrans the ouerthrow & burninge of their city , the captiuitye of them selues , & the most miserable seruitude & bondage which they were all like to be brought vnto . Thincking the first ouerthrow of the city by the Per. to be counted hapy in comparison , in the which their wiues & children , parents & kinsfolk remaining in safegard , they lost nothing but their houses , wheras now they had no ships left whervnto thei might fly for su●… had no army of souldiours through whose help they might be defended til they were able to builde a fairer Citye .

And as they werthus bewailing their misfortune and misery , Athens is be sieged . their enemies comming vpon them , enuironed the town with a strong siege , and constrained them greatly with hunger : For it was wel knowen that there were not many of the soldioures left aliue within the towne , and they wer so straightly loked to , that no new succors could be broughte in . By which mischeues the Atheniens being brought low after long famin and daily pestilence desired peace . There was longe debatinge betwene the Lacedemonians & their adherentes whether it was to be graunted or no. When many gaue counsel , vtterly to rote out the name of the Atheniens , & to put the city to the fire , the Spartanes sayde they would not in any wise condiscend , that if the two eyes of Grece the one shoulde be put out . And so they graunted peace is granted to the Atheniens . them peace , vpon condition they should cast down the armes of the walles that stretched toward the hauen of Pyreum , de liuer vp all their ships that were left , and receiue at theyr hand xxx . rulers to gouern their common welth . Upon these articles the city was yelded to the Lacedemonians : who con mitted th ordering therof to the discretion of theyr captaine Lysander : This yeare was worthy to be noted , bothe for the It was the 400. before the comminge of Christ . Eu sebius . This was the yonger Dennis , of whome reade in the xxi . boke . Athens is oppressed wyth tiranny . winning of Athens , for the deth of Darius king of Persia , & also for the banishment of Dyonise tiraunt of Sicil. The estate of Athens being thus altered , the estate of the people was altered also . The xxx . rulers of the common welth fel to tiranny . For at their firste comminge they chose them a gard of thre M. men , wheras in al the city remained skarse as manye moo , they were so wasted and consumed by the warres afore . And yet not so content , as though this bande were to weake to keepe the Citye in awe , they borowed DCC . souldiours of the conquerors . Then they began the slaughter of the citizens at aicibiades , least vnder pretens of restoring their liberty , he might inuade the common wealth again . For hauing intelligens that he was goyng towarde Art axe●…xes kinge of Persia , they sent certaine after hym in post , to cut him of by the way , by whom he was ouertaken . The final 〈◊〉 of alcibiades . But because they coulde not kill him openlye , they set fyre on his chamber where he slept and burnte him vp quicke . The tirauntes being deliuered oute of feare of this reuenger of his country , with their slaughter , extorcion , and rauishmentes made euen a spoile of the miserable and wretched outcastes that were left in the City , the whiche theyr The cruelty●… of the tirants . doinge when they vnderstoode to displease one of their fellowes , whose name was Tbemeranes , to the terror of all the reast they put him to death . Whervpon glad was he that might get himself out of the city , insomuche that all Grece was ful of banished men of Athens , and yet euen that one only re●…uge and comfort , was taken from the poore wretches . For the Lacedemonians had geuen straight charge & commaundement , that no city shuld be so bold , as to receiue or harbrough the banished men of Athens . Neuerthelesse they withdrew them selues al , vnto Argos & Thebes , wheras they not only liued out of danger . During the time of their exile , but also receiued hope of recouering their Country . Ther was among the banished men , one Thrasibulus a stout The loue of Thrasibulu●… to his tountry . man & one that came of a noble house , who thinckinge that a man was bound to aduenture for his country sake , thoughe it were to his own peril and ieoperdy of his life , assem bled a company of his banished country men , and toke the castle Phyle in the territory of Athens . And he wanted not the fauour and helpe of certaine Cities that had pitye and compassion of their miserable estate and cruell handlynge . For Ismenias the prince of the Thebanes , although he could not aide them openlye with the power of his countrye , yet notwithstanding he helped them with suche goodes as he had of his owne . And Lysias an Orator of Syracuse being at The like example of Lysias . the same time also a banished man , sent CCCCC . Souldioures well furnished at his owne proper ●…ostes and charges , to the aid of the country of all eloquens , therfore anon after was a sharpe encounter .

But forasmuchas the one part fought earnestly for the recouery of their country , and the other parte negligently as they that 〈◊〉 for the 〈◊〉 of other mennes ti●… : the 〈◊〉 were put to the worse , and retiring into the City which they had in manner wasted and made desolate with their murderinges 〈◊〉 extortion , and sacked it . This done hauing all the Atheniens in a gelouly of treson , they 〈◊〉 them euery one to remoue out of the city , & dwel in th armes of the wa●… that wer woken down , defending their superiority & do●…ions with souldiours ●…aunts . Uncorrupted faithfulnes . Afterward they went about to corrupt 〈◊〉 , promising to make him 〈◊〉 & partaker of their Empire , which thing when they could not bring to effect , they sent for aid to the Lacedemonians , at whose comming they made a new encounter . In the whiche Critios and Hyppoma●…us the cruellest 〈◊〉 of them all were 〈◊〉 . The residue also being vanquished , when their army wherof the most part wer Atheniens fled toward the city , 〈◊〉 callinge to them as loud as ●…e could cry , demaunded why they should flie from him hauing obtained the victorye , and not rather helpe him as the defendor and reuenger of the libertye of them all bidding them remember , that his souldiours wer their owne neighboures and Citizens , and not their ennemies . And that he had not taken wepon in hande , to then●… to take anything from them being vanquished , but to the entent to restore them such things as haue ben taken from them by others , professing that he made war agaynste the 〈◊〉 , and not against the city . Moreouer he put them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 & affinitye betwene them of their lawes , of their rites & ceremonies common amongst them & of the felowship and company that had bene betwixt them in so many battels in times paste , beseching them to haue pity vppon their banished countrye men . And if they could finde in their hartes to ●…eare the yoke of bondage so paciently them selues he besought them to restore him his country , and he would set them at liberty again . He dyd so much with this perswasion , that when th army was returned into the city , they commaunded the xxx . tirants to depart The tyrants are 〈◊〉 sh●…d . vnto El●…sis , and in their stead they substituted others & to go●… the 〈◊〉 welth . Who nothing abashed at the ensample of their predecessors , fell to the same cruelty : that they had exercised . While these thinges wer a doing word was brought to Lacedemon , that the Atheniens were very destrous of warre , the which to represse , they sent their kyng Pansanias who hauing compassion vpon the banished people , restored the wretched citizens to their country agains , 〈◊〉 the x. tirants to remoue out of the City vnto Elensis to the re●…due of their company . Peace being by this meanes established , within a few daies after , the Tirans ( disdaining as much the restitution of the banished citizens , as their own deposinges & banishment , as though a nother mannes liberty ●…ad ben their bondage , ) made war against the 〈◊〉 . But as they came forth to commu The worthy rewarde of tyranye . 〈◊〉 , as though they wold haue taken vpon them their preheminency & souerainty again , they wer by a policye taken & 〈◊〉 a sacrifice for peace . The people whiche they had commaunded out of the city , wer called in again . And so Th atheniēs at restored to their count●… agayne . the city which was dispersed into diuers members , was at length brought into one body & corporation againe . And to th entent no dissention might grow vpon things past , they wer al sworn to forget and bury vnder fote all old debate & grudge . In the meane while the Thebanes and the Corinthians sent ambassadors to the Lacedemonians , demaundyng cause of 〈◊〉 ge betwene the Corinthi ans & Lacedemonians . their portion of the praise and botles taken in the warres , wherof they had helped for their part to bear out the charges & dangers . Hauing denial of their requestes , they dyd not immediatly proclaim open war against the Lacedemo nians , but they conceiued suche an inwarde displeasure in their harts , that it might wel be vnderstand , that they mened The death of Darius Nothus . no lesse to make war when they saw their time . About the same time almost died Darius kyng of Persia , leauing behinde him his two sonnes Artaxerxes and C●…rus .

He bequethed by his last wil vnto Artaxerxes the kingdom , and vnto Cyrus the rities wherof he was that time ruler . But Cyrus thought his father did him wronge in that bequest , and therfore he conspired priuely against his brother . 〈◊〉 hauing knowledge therof , set for him and not regarding his counter fait pretence of innocencye , nor hys fained excuses , as that he was not priuy to the conspiracye , bound him in fetters of gold , and woulde haue put hym to deathe , had not his mother letted him . Cyrus therfore being set at large , prepared not warre as now anye more secreatly , The wicked war betwene Cyrus and ar tax●…rxes . but openlye , nor by dissimulation , but by open de●…aunce , and raised a great power bothe of his owne and of his frendes and complices , as manye as he coulde hire for mony , or for fauoure . The Lacedemonians remembrynge that by his meanes , they were greatly aided in their warres wyth the Atheniens like men ignorant against whom the war●…e was raised , determined to sende aide vnto Cyrus , when occasion shuld require , seking bothe for thank●… at Cyrus hand , and also for pardon at Artaxerxes hande , if he should get the victory , in as muche as they had attempted nothing against him openlye . But in the battell suche Cyrus is slayne . was their chance , that the two brothers meting together , encountred th one with thother , wheras Artaxerxes was wounded by Cyrus , but by the swiftnesse of hys horse he was deliuered from daunger , and has brother Cyrus was ouerthrowen by the kings band , and so slain . And so Artax erxes getting the victory , obtained the spoil of his brothers warre and his armye also . In that battell there were x. M. Grekes that came to the aide of Cyrus , the whyche in the winge wher they stede , gate the vpper hand , and after the death of Cyrus , could neither be ouercome of so greate an host perforce , nor yet be entrapped or taken by policy . ●…ut in their retourne homewarde , throughe so manye wylde and sauage nations , so long a iourny defended them selues by their manhode and prowesse , euen vnto the borders of their country .

The syxthe Booke .

THe Lacedemonians as the nature of Ambition is neuer satisfied . man is , the more they haue , the more they couet , not content that their power by conqueringe the Atheniens , and annexinge their power to their owne , was now doubled , began to deuise how to attain th empire of all Asia , the most parte wherof was vnder the dominyon of the Persians . Therfore Dercillides being appoynted lieue tenant generall for these Warres , when he sawe that he The warres betwene the Lacedemonians and the Persians . must haue to doo against two of Artaxerxes lieuetenauntes , Pharnabazus and Tyssaphernes , which had about them in a redinesse the whole power of the mightiest Countries in all the world , he thoughte it good to make peace with the one of them . The meeter for his purpose seemed Tyssaphernes , a man bothe of more experience and actiuity then the other , and also better furnished with the souldioures that belonged sometime to kinge Cyrus . After communication had , agrement was made vpon certain conditions , that he shuld not intermeddle him selfe with the warres . Pharnabazus being Tyssaphernes is accused to y● king herewith agreued , complained therof to the king their master , declaring how he withstoode not the Lacedemonians by force when they entred into Asia , but nourished them there at the kinges charges , and that he bargained wyth them to delaye the warres whiche they tooke in hande , as though the domage therof should not equally redounde to the displeasure of the whole Empire . He said it was an vnsemely thing , that the warre was not gone through wythall , but bought of , and that the enemy was hired of for mony and not rather driuen away by dint of sword . When he had by this complaint brought the king in displesure wyth Tyssaphernes , he exhorted him to make his Admirall of the sea in steade of Tyssaphernes , Conon of Athens , who synce the the time he had in battel lost his countrye , liued in exile at Cyprus . For though the Atheniens were bereft of power and richesse , yet notwithstanding their experience in ordering and guiding a nauy remaineth still vnto them . And if one were to be chosen amonge them all , there was not a better then Conon . Herevpon he hadde deliuered vnto him CCCCC . talentes , with commission to make Conon admirall Conon is made admirall of the Persian ●…ete . of the kings flete . The Lacedemonians hauing intelligence hereof , sent an ambassade to the king of Egipt , requi ring him to send Hercymones to their aid with a noumber of ships . Who sent them a C. galeis and DC . bushels of corn . Other of their confederates also sent them greate succors . But vnto this great army and against so great a captaine , there wanted a mete gouernor . Therfore when as the con federates of the Lacedemonians demaunded to their graund captain agesilaus at that time kinge of the Lacedemonians . The Lacedemonians debated the matter a greate while , whether they might make him lieuetenant general or no , by reson of the aunswer of the Oracle at Delphos , the effect wherof was that their Empire shoulde come to an ende , at suche time as the royall estate halted , for agesilaus was lame of one foote . At the lengthe they determined that it were better for their king to hault in his goinge , then the kyngdome to hault for want of a meete gouernoure . When Agesilaus The praise of Conon , audof agesilaus . was sent into Asia with a great host of men , I can not thinke that euer any couple of Captaines were so well matched together as they two wer . For both in yeares , in prowesse , in counsel ▪ in wisdome and in pollicy , they wer in maner all one , and in honor for their enterprises they wer both a like . And althoughe fortune had made them equall in all thinges , yet she preserued eche of them vnconquered of other . Greate was the furniture of them bothe to the warres , and great were both their attempts & enterprises . But the souldiers of Conon raised a mutiny against him , because ●… mutinye for nonpaiment of wages . the kinges lieuetenaunts before time had ben wont to abridge and defraud them of their wages . Demaunding their duties so much the earnestlier , in that they toke vpon them to serue in so greate warres vnder so noble a chiefetaine . The 〈◊〉 o●… Conon to 〈◊〉 kynge . Conon therfore hauing long time sued in vayne to the kinge by his letters , at the lengthe went vnto him him self . Whose presence and speache he mighte not be suffered to come vnto , because he would not worshippe him after the manner of the Persians . Neuerthelesse he entreated wyth him by messengers , lamenting that the warres of so rich a prince as he was , shuld be forslowed for want of mony , and that hauing as puissaunt an armye as his enemies had , ●…e shuld be ouercome in richesse , wherof he had more aboundans then they , & that he shuld be found weak in that kind of strength , wherin he far exceded them . Wherfore he demaunded to haue the disbursing of the mony him selfe , because it wold be very pernitius & hurtful , to put the doing therof in to many mens hands . When he had obtaind the tresure , he returned to his flete , & immediatly set his matters abroch . Many things he aduentred valiantlye & many thinges he at cheued luckely . He wasted his enemies landes , won their townes & cities , & as a tempest bare down al things before him . With which his doings the Lace . being a fraid , determined to cal home agesilaus out of Asia , to the defence of his The 〈◊〉 of Conon . own country . In the mean seson Lisander whom Agesilaus at his setting forth had substituted his vicegerent to defende the country at home ▪ collecting a great nauy , rigged & furnished it withal the power he could , purposing to try the fortune The circum●…spectnesse of the two Cap taines Lysander & Conon . of battel . Conon also forasmuch as it was the first tyme that he shuld encounter with the hoste of his ennemy , toke great pain & care in ordring & apoynting of his men , & thys contention was not all only among the captaines , but also euen among the common Souldioures . For the Captaine hym selfe Conon , was not so carefull of the Persians , as of his own country , desirous that in likewise as in theyr aduersitye , he hadde beene the cause that the Atheniens loste all their dominion and Empire , euen so now to be the raiser and setter vp of the same again . & by conquest to recouer his countrye whiche by beinge vanquished he hadde loste , the whyche shoulde redownde so muche the more to hys honoure , in that he should not haue the Atheniens his countrimen to fighte vnder him , but the power of a forrayne prince , so that the peril and daunger of the losse shoulde be the kinges , and the gaine and reward of the victory should be his Countries . In which his doing he should attaine to honoure after a nother sorte , and in manner cleane contrary , then other that had bene Captaines in his countrye before times . For wheras they defended the country by vanquishinge the Persians , he shoulde restore it to her former estate , by makinge the Persians conquerors . On the other side Lysander beside that he was neare of kin to Agesilans , he was also an earnest folower of his vertuous endeuouring by all meanes possible , not to steppe a side from his noble examples , and from the brightnesse of his renowne and The praise of Lysanda . glorye , but so to behaue him selfe , that the Empire gotten in so many battels and in so many C. yeres , mighte not be ouerthrowne through his default in the turning of a hand . The kinges and all the Souldioures also were in the lyke perplexity , not so greatly disquieted for the kepynge of the richesse that they them selues had all readye gotten , as for fear least the Atheniens should recouer their owne again . But the sorer that the battel was , the more glorious was The Lacedemonians are vanquished on the sea . the victory of Conon . The Lacedemonians being put to the worse tooke them to flight , and their garrisons were led away to Athens . The people were restored to their former estate , and their bondage taken awaye from them , manye cities also were recouered to their Empire . This was vnto the Atheniens a beginning of the recouery of their auncient preheminens , and vnto the Lacedemonians an ende of reteining that they had . For as though that wyth theyr Empire they had loste their prowesse also , their neighbors after misfortune foloweth disdayne . began to haue them in disdaine .

First of all therfore the 〈◊〉 wyth help of the Atheniens rered warre agaynste them . The whyche citye oute of innumerable encreasementes . Through the prowesse of their Duke Epaminondas , began to aspire to the Empire of al Grece . There was therfore betwene them a battel on the land , in the which the Lacedemonians had like successe as in the encounter vpon the Sea against Conon . In the same conflict Lysander , who was Captain the same time that the Lacedemonians subdued the Atheniens , ) was slaine . Pansanias also a nother of the Captaines of the Lacedemonians Lysander 〈◊〉 slayne . beinge appeached of treason , fledde into exile . The 〈◊〉 therfore , hauinge gotten the vppe ▪ hande , led theyr whole host to the city of Lacedemon , thincking easly to haue won it , because they were abondoned of al their aiders and com fortors . The which thing the Lacedemonians fearing , sent for their king Agesilaus ( whiche atcheued many great enterprises in Asia , ) home to the defence of his Countrye . For after time that Lysander was slain , they had none other captain in whome they durst put their truste and confidence . Neuerthelesse because it was long ere Agesilaus came , they raised a power and went to mete their enemy . But nether their courages nor their strength was able to stand against them , of whome they had beene put to the worse so latelye before , and therfore at the first encounter they wer put to flight . As the hoste of his country men was thus discomfited , Agesilans 〈◊〉 couereth the victory being loste . and in maner vtterly destroyed , Agesilaus the king cam sodainly vpon them . Who with his freshe souldioures hardened in many viages and encounters before , with little a do wrested the victory out of his enemies hand : How be it he him selfe was sore wounded . When newes therof came to Athens , the Atheniens ( fearing leaste if the Lacedemonians should get the vpper hande againe , they shoulde be brought to their olde estate of seruitude and bondage , ) raised an host and sent it to the aid of the Beotians , by Iphicrates The commendacion of Iphicrates . a yong ●…ripling not aboue xxi . yeres old , but of wonderfull towardnesse . The prowesse of this yong man was maruelous and farre aboue his yeres . For amongst all the noble and valiaunt Dukes and captains that the Atheni●…ns had before him , there was neuer none , either of greater likelihode , or of more ripe towardnes than he was : In whose person wer planted not only the feats of cheualry which ought to be an expert graund captain , but also knowledge belonging to a perfect orator . Conon also hearing of the return of Agesilaus out of Asia , returned himself likewise from thence to wast the country of Lacedemon . And so the 〈◊〉 being enclosed on euery side round about with fear of the war that continually rong in their eares , wer brought to vtter despair . But Conon when he had forraged the fields of his enemies , Conon returneth to A●…hens made toward Athes , wher being welcomed with great ioy of his country men : yet notwithstanding he toke more sorow to se how his country had bene burned & defaced by the Lacedemonians , then plesure of the recouery of the same after so long a time . Therfore such things as wer burnt down , he builded a new of the spoiles of the Lacedemonians , & at the charges of the army of the Persians , and such things as wer defaced he repaired again . Suche was the desteny of Athens , that being before burned by the Persians , it was repaired with the boties of the Persians , and being now defaced by the Lacedemonians , it was repaired with the spoiles of the Lacedemonians also : & euen cleane contrary , to haue them now their felowes which them were their enemies , & to haue them now their vttermost ennemies , with whom they were then knit in most straightest bonds of league and frendship . While these thinges were a doing , Artaxerxes kinge of Persia sente ambassadoures into An vniuersall peace is en ioyned to all Grece . Grece , commaunding all parties to cease from war , & who so enterprised to the contrary shuld be taken as his enemy . He restored vnto the cities their liberty , and all that was their own . The which thing he did not so muche in regard of the continual labours & daily battels of the cities , for the hatred & malice they bare one to another , as least while he were occupied about his warres in Egipt , ( the whyche he moued for sending aid to the Lacedemonians agaynst hys lieuetenaunts , ) his hoste should be deteined in Grece . The Grekes therfore being weried with so many battels , were content to obey withal their harts . This yere was notable It was 〈◊〉 yere before the birthe of Christe . 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . not only because peace was so sodenlye made throughe all Grece , but also because the same time , the Citye of Rome was taken by the frenchmen . But the Lacedemonians being now at rest , & lying in await for aduantage , ●…spying the Arcadians from home , surprised their castle , & put a garrison of their owne men therin . The Arcadians therfore with the helpe of the Theba●…es , came into the field well armed and in good aray to recouer that that they had lost by the sword . In the which conflict Archidamus captain of the Lacedemonians was wounded : who seing his men beaten downe as vanquished , demaunded by an heralt to haue the deade bodies of such as were slain , to th entent he might bury them . The token o●… the victory geuen . For this is a token among the Grekes of geuing the victory with the which confession the Thebanes being contented , blew to the retreit & pursued no further , with a few daies after , neither party attempting any displesure , when a man wold haue thought they had ben at a truce , as it were by a secret consent and agrement among them selues , while the Lacedemonians wer busied in other warres against their neighbors , the Thebanes vnder the conduicte & leading of their captain Epaminondas , purposed to haue won their citie ere they wer aware of it . Where vpon in the beginning of The courage of the old 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 . the night , they setforth as closelye as they coulde deuise toward Lacedemon . But yet they coulde not take them vnwares . For th old men & other persons vnme●…e for the wars by reson of their yeres , hauing understanding ofthapproche of their enemies , armed them selues & met them in the very entrance of the gates : & against xv . M. souldiers , not aboue a C. old & forgrown men put them selues to th encounter . So much corage & strength doth the present sight of a mannes country & houshold geue a man , & so much doth ●…he presence of things geue men 〈◊〉 stomackes , them the remembrance of them being away . For when theysaw within what , ●… for what they stode at defence , they determined either to win 〈◊〉〈◊〉 die .

A few old men therfore helde them playe , whome ere the next morning all the youth they had was not able to withstand . In that battell two of the captains of their enemies were slain . In the meane while word was brought that agesilaus was come , where vppon the Thebanes retired , and it was not longe after but they encountred againe . For the yong men of Lacedemon being incensed with the prowesse and valiant demenor of the old men , could not be with held , but that they would nedes try the matter immediatlye in open field , when as the victory was all ready the Thebanes . And Epaminondas whiles he executed the dutye and office , not only of a stout captain , but also of a valiaunt souldiour 〈◊〉 is wounded to death . was greuously wounded . The which thing being hard of , the one party was so striken in feare , and the other partye for ioy was so amazed , that bothe parties as it were by a peaceable consent departed the field . Within a fewe daies after Epaminondas deceased , with whom the strength of the The praise of Epaminondas in whom is ex pressed the Image of a good captaine and of a iust magistrate . common welth decayed . For in like manner as if ye break of the edge of a wepon , the rest of it is able to doo no great harme : euen so this Duke being dead , who was as it were the edge of the common wealthe of Thebes , the strengthe therof was appalled and in manner dulled , in so much that they semed not so muche to haue lost him , as altogether to haue died with him . For neither before this Dukes time , atcheued they any notable conquest , nor afterwarde deserued to be spoken of for any famous attempt by them accom plished , but only for the slaughters that were made of them . So that it appereth manifestly , that the glory and renown of his country , did bothe spring vp with him , and die wyth him . And a manne is not able to iudge whether he were a better captain and souldiour , or a better man of his liuing . For alwaies he sought preheminence to his countrye , rather then to him self , and he was suche a sparer of monye , that be wanted wherwith to bury him according to his estate . And he was euen as couetous of praise as of monye . For authority and offices wer laid vpon him euen vtterly against his wil. And he behaued him self in such wise in his authority , that he semed not to receiue , but rather to geue honor to the same . Furthermore he was so studious of lerning , & so instructed in the knowledge of philosophy , that it was a wonder to se , how a man bred & brought vp in lerning shuld come by such sight & experience in feats of war . Neither did his death dissent from this his trade of liuing . For being brought into his tent half dead , when he was come to him self again & had receiued his speache , he demaunded this one thing of such as stode about him , whether his ene mies had taken his shield from him when he was felled or The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 das at hys death . no ? when he vnderstode it was saued , he commaunded it to be broughte to him , & as the partaker of all his trauels and glory he kissed it . Then he enquired again which parte had won the field , and hearing that the Thebanes had gotten it , he said all was wel , and so as it wer reioysing for his countries sake , he gaue vp the ghoste . By the deathe of this man , the prowesse of the Atheniens also decayed . For after the time that he was once gon , whose fotesteps they wer wont to fo low , now geuing the selues all together to slouth & idlenes , they lashed out the common reuenues , not vpon ships and men of warre as they had don in times past , but in feastful daies and holy daies , & in making preparation for pagiants & enterludes : gathering them selues together into the theaters , to behold the famous stage players & Poets , visitinge oftner the stage then the campe , setting more by versifiers and oratoures , then by Captaines . Then the common tresure wherwith men of war and mariners wer wont to be maintained , began to be deuided amonge the people of the city . By meanes wherof it came to passe , that whyle the Greekes gaue them selues to idlenesse . The name of the Macedones which before time was ●…ile and obscure , sprong vp and grew to great honour : & that Philip who was kept iii. yeres as an hostage at Thebes , being enstructed in all feates of armes and cheualry by 〈◊〉 and the Pelo●… , after his returne into his country , laid the kingdom of Macedony as a yoke of bondage , vpon the neckes bothe of Grece and of ●…sia .

The seuenth Booke .

MAcedonie in auncient time was called ●…inathia after the name of emathio king of the country , who was the firste that gaue anye notable profe of his prowesse in those parts . As this country encreased slowly by little and little , so the boundes therof were very narowe . The inhabitauntes were called Pclascians , and the Country it self Bcotia . But afterwarde throughe the prowesse of the kinges , and industry of the people , first by subduinge theyr neighbors , and shortly after other forrain people & nations th empire therof was dilated euen to the vttermooste borders of the East . In the region of Peonic whiche nowe is a portion of 〈◊〉 , raigned by report 〈◊〉 the father of astriopeus , whose name we here spoken of in the battel of Troy , among the chiefest and moste ●…aliaunt defendours of the Citye . And on the one side of Hellespont in Europe raigned a kig called Europe . Caran●… also with a great multitude The fyrst kyng of Macedo●… . of Grekes , being commaunded by th aunswer of the Oracle to seeke an habitation in Macedony , when he came into emathia , following a heard of Goats that ●…ed out of the shour of rain , entred & wan the ●…eld of edissa , ere the men of the town perceiued his comming , by reson of the greatnesse of the storm : whervpon calling to minde the answer of the Oracle , by which he was commaunded to seke a kingdome wher gotes should be his guides , he appoynted it to be the seat of his kingdom . And euer after he obserued deuoutly●… that whether so euer he led any hoste , he woulde haue the same gotes before his standerde , to the entent that as they wer th autors of his kingdom , so might they be also as leaders in all his enterprises : And in remembraunce of thys benefit , he chaunged the name of edyssa , and called it 〈◊〉 , & the people therof 〈◊〉 . Afterward when he had expulsed Midas ( for he also held a parte of Macedonie ) & diuers other kings , in the stead of them all he succeded alone , & ●…irst of al gathering & knitting together sondry sorts of people made as it wer one entire body of Macedonie , & laid a strong foundation for his kingdom hereafter , to grow vpon . After him raigned Perdicas , whose life was notable , & the warnings at his last departure ( which wer as th answer of an oracle , ) Of 〈◊〉 and of his 〈◊〉 ph●…y . worthy to be remebred . For when he drue toward his end by reason of age , he shewed his sonne Argeu●… the place in the which he wold be buried : willing not only his owne body , but also all the bodies of them that shuld succede him in the kingdom , to be buried in the same place : prophecying before , that as long as the bones of his posterity were buried there , so long the kingdom shuld continue in his line & family . And vpon this superstition it is beleued that his ofspringe failed in great Alexander , because he chaunged the place of burial . argeus hauing gouerned the kingdom with iustice and loue of his people , left to succede him his sonne Philip , who Arg●… being surprised by hasty death substituted his heir Europe a very babe . But the Macedones wer at continuall debate & strife with the Thracians & Illyrians , by whose warres as by daily exercise being hardened , they grew so famous & redouted in feats of armes , that all their neighbours were afraid of them . The Illirians therfore despising th infancy of the yong king , assailed the Macedones with battel , who The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the M●… c●…dones . being put to the worse , brougbt forth their king in his cradel & set him before the battel beginning the field new againe : as thoughe they had bene vanquished before , vpon none other occasion , but because they wanted y● good luck of their king in the battell , thincking to get the vpper hand , and it were for none other cause elsse , then that vpon this superstition they had perswaded them selues they shoulde win . Moreouer they had pity & compassion of the infant , whome it was none other like , but they should make a captine of a king , if they should happen to be ouercome .

In the meane season Darius king of Perfia , beinge put to shamefull flighte , and driuen oute of S●…ythia , because he wold not seme to be dishonored euery wher by his losses in the warres , sent 〈◊〉 with part of his army to subdu●… Thrace & thother kingdoms of that climat , among the which for the slender regard & estimation therof , he should take Macedonie for one : who shortly executing his masters The frendlye entertainment of the Persian ambassa●…ors . commaundement , sent ambassadors to Amyntas king of Macedonie , demaunding hostages for performance of the peace that shuld be concluded betwene them . But th ambassadors being gently enterteined , as they began to be somwhat ouer come with drink , desired Amyntas that forasmuch as he had made them such a sumptuous feast , he wold also graunt them the rights & duties of familiarity , ( that is to say ) that theyr sonnes , their wiues & their daughters mighte come & kepe them company at the banket , for it was counted amonge the Persians , as a sure token & pledge of hospitality & frendlye entertainment . Who comming in to bear them company , the Persians began to daly with more wantonly then was semely & conuenient . Wher vpon Alexander the son of aminotas , Note the modesty of the barbarous people in cho●…e daies . desired his father to haue respect to his age & grauity , & to withdraw himselfe from the banket , promising to fynde meanes to delay the dalians of his quests wel inough , when ●…yntas was gone , Alexander called out the women one by one , as though it had ben to dresse & attire them more gorgeously , & so to bring them in again . In whose sted he dressed in womens apparel he sent yong men , commaunding them Th ambassadors of Persia murdeted for incontinencye . to represse the wantonnes of th ambassadors with their we pons that they caried vnder their garments . The which being done & al th ambassadors killed , Mogabyzus knowing nothing hereof ( when he saw his ambassadors returned not a gaine ) , sent thither Bubares with a parte of his hoste , as to a war so easy & so mean , as that he disdained to troble himself therwith , least men should speke dishonor of him for fighting against so base & vile a kinde of people . But 〈◊〉 be A●…nce by matiage be●…wene the Persians and the macedons fore the battel , being taken in loue with Amintas daughter , leauing of the warres , solempniled the marriage & laying a side all rancor and emnity , ioyned him self in aliaunce with his enemy . After the departure of Bubares out of Macedone , the kinge Amyntas deceased . Unto whose sonne & successor Alexander , this affinity of Bubares did great ple sure . For by meanes therof , he not onlye liued in peace all the time of Darius , but also grew in greate fauor wyth Xerxes . In so muche that when like a tempest he inuaded all Grece , he gaue him the seniory & royalty of al the countries betwene the mountaines of Olympus and Hemus . Yet notwithstanding he enlarged his kingdom as much by his own prowes , as by the liberality of the Persians . At length by order of succession the kingdom of Macedone , cam vnto Amyntas the second . Amyntas the sonne of his brother Menelaus . This man al so was notable for his actiuity , and endowed with al royall and warlike qualities . He begate of his wife Eurydice thre sonnes , Alexander , Perdicas , and Philip the father of great Alexander , and a da●…ghter named Euryone . And of a nother wife called Cygea , he engendred Archilaus , Aridens & 〈◊〉 who had sore warres first with the Illyrians and after wyth the Olynt●…ans . But he had ben cut short by the treson of The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 . his wife Eurydice , ( who concluding priuely a mariage wyth her sonne in law that shuld haue maried her daughter , had taken vpon her to kil her husband and make her peramor king : If her daughter had not bewrayed all her mothers whordome and priuye conspiracies to her father . Theolde man therfore being deliuered out of so many pearils died , Th●… 〈◊〉 on of kynge 〈◊〉 . leauing the kingdome to his eldest sonne Alexander , who in the verye entraunce of his raigne , made peace with the ●…yrians , and deliuered his brother Philip in hostage . In pro cesse of time also by the same hostage , he entred a league of peace with the Thebanes , the which thinge was a greate furtherans vnto Philip in all princely vertues , whervnto he was meruelously enclined of nature . For being 〈◊〉 as an hostage iii. yeres at Thebes , a city of auncient seueritye , A 〈◊〉 and wicked mother . he passed his childhode in the house of the moste renoumed captain and Philosopher 〈◊〉 . Ere it was long after , Alexander was surprised and slain ●…y the treson of hys mother Eurydice , whom Amyntas ( hauing taken her wyth the fault ) had before pardoned , for the Childrens sake that he had by her not knowing that in time to com she wold be their vtter destruction . His brother Perdicas also was by like tre sonpreuented . It is an abhominable thing , that for filthy lusts sake , the mother shu●…d work the death of her own children , at whose contemplation she was saued from the punishment that her wickednesse had deserued . The murther of Perdicas semed so much more heinous , in that not so muche as his litle childe could finde any mercy at his cruell mothers hand . Philip therfore a long time , tooke not vpon 〈◊〉 as Philiptaketh the kingdome vpon him . king , but as protector of the infant . But when the country was sore oppressed with warre , and that it wold be to late to tary for help vntil the childe came to age , he was compelled of the people to take the kingdom vpon him . Assone as he begon his raign , al men conceiued great hope of him , both for his wit ( which in manner all redy declared that he wold proue a great man . ) And also for the ancient Prophecies of Macedonie , which said that while one of the sonnes of amintas raigned , th estate of Macedone shuld be most florishing , the which hope and prophecies to fulfil , there wer now no mo left aliue through the wickednesse of their mother , but only he . In the beginning of his raign , when on thoue side The troubled state of Macedone . the murder of his brothers vnworthely slain , on the other side the multitude of his enemies , on a nother side the fear of treson , and on another side want of mony & artillery , the realme being in manner wasted and consumed with continuall warre , disquieted the minde of this yong souldioure , & that sondry nations out of diuers places at one tyme flocked together , as it wer by a common conspiracy , to the entent to oppresse Macedonie by battell . For as muche as he The pollitike demcanor of Philip. was not able to matche them all at once , he thoughte it conuenient to dispence with them , some he toke truce with vpon reasonable Articles ▪ some he bought of for mony , and suche as were weakest he assailed by force , by vanquishing of whome he did bothe strengthen the faint hartes of hys souldiers , and tooke awaye the disdaine that his ennemies had at him .

The first encounter that he had was with the Atheniens , whome he ouercame by policy , and for feare of a worser afterclap , The 〈◊〉 warres o●… king 〈◊〉 . wheras he might haue slain them all , he sent them all safe home without raunsome . After this he turned hys power against the Illyrians , of whom he slew many thousandes , and toke their head city called Laryssa . Next , ( not so muche for couetousnesse of praye , as for d●…syre to ioyne the Thessalian horsmen to his fotemen , therby to encrease the strength of his army , ) he conquered the country of Thessaly ●…re anye hostilitye or warre was looked for , and so of theyr horsemen and his owne fotemen , made one bodye and inuincible army . The which thinges comminge luckelye to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a wyfe . passe , he tooke to wife Olympias the Daughter of Neoptolemus king of the Molosses . The maker of this marriage was his brother Arimbas king of the Molosses , vncle to t●…e maid by the fathers side , who had the bringinge vp of her , & had taken in mariage Troas , 〈◊〉 of the said Olympias , which was the cause of muche mischiefe vnto him , and finallye of his destruction . For wheras by the affinity of king Philip , A good 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 he hoped to haue had his kingdom enlarged , he was by the same Philip depriued of his owne Realme , and compelled in his olde age to liue a banished man . These thinges thus brought to passe , Philip could not nowe content hym selfe to repulse iniurye offered by others , but prouoked and distroubled suche as sate still in quiet . As he besieged the city of Methon , one threwe a dart at him from the wall as he passed by , and strake out his right eie . For y● which wound An 〈◊〉 of modesty . he became neither the slouthfuller in his enterpryse , nor the angrier againste his ennemies . In so muche that within few daies after , when they desired peace be graunted it , and vsed the victory against them , not only modestlye , but also mercifully .

The eyghte Booke .

THe cities of Grece while euery of them sought to beare rule , were euery chone The discord of the Cityes of grece . brought vnder subiection . For after the time they coulde not with holde them selues . ●…ut that they must seke eche others destruction , they were vnuanqui shed of all men , and brought to confusi on . None but suche as were oppressed did fele the losse and smart hereof . For Philip king of Macedone lying in a wait like a spy out of a watch toure to surprise them all of theyr liberty , by nourishing debate betwene City and City , and by supporting the weaker side , compelled both the conque red and the conquerors to become his vassals and subiects . The originall cause of all this mischiefe were the Thebanes : who hauing the soueraignty and wanting discretion to vse The Thebanes can not 〈◊〉 their good fortune . their good fortune , arrogantly accused at the common counsel of Grece the Lace demonians and the Phocenses , whome they had vanquished in battel , as thoughe the slaughters & rauishments that they had abidden , had beene to little punishment for them . It was laide to the Lacedemonians charge , that they had taken the towre of Thebes in the time of truce : and to the Phocenses , that they had wasted the country of Beotia , as thoughe that after warre and battell : they would haue the lawes also to worke their for●…e . Iudgement being executed according to the plesure of the conquerors , they were condempned in suche a summe of mony as was not possible to be paide . The Phocenses therfore when they Nede hath no law . shoulde haue bene bereft of their landes , their children and their wiues , compelled therby to vtter necessity , chose one Philomelus to their captain , and as men offended with God him selfe , inuaded the Temple of Apollo at Delphos .

Herevpon being enriched with gold and other mony , they waged an army of souldiers straungers , and made warre to the Thebanes . This dede of the Phocenses although all men abhorred , by reason of their sacriledge , yet notwythstanding it procured more enuy to the Thebanes , by whom they were driuen to this extremitye , then to them . And therfore bothe the Atheniens and the Lacedemonians set forth men to their aid . At the first encounter Philomelus turned the Thebanes out of their campe , at the next fighting The Thebanes are ouercome . valiantly amongste the thickest , he was the firste that was slain , and so with his wicked bloud did worthely abye for committing sacriledge . In his sted Ornomarchus was created Captaine : against whom the Thebanes and Thes salians chose for their captain , not one of their owne country The 〈◊〉 folye of the Thebanes . men , for fear least if he gate the victory , he should bear him self so Lordly , that no man were able to abide h●…m , but Philip king of Macedonie : willingly submitting them selues vnder the subiection of a forrener , whiche was the thynge they most of all feared in their own country men . Phillip therfore as though he had bene the reuenger of sacriledge , and not of the Thebanes , commaunding all his souldiours to put garlandes of Laurel vpon their heades , and in thys wise as hauing God the chiefe Captaine of his enterpryse , he marched into the field . The Phocenses at the sighte of The force of supersticion . the cognisaunce of the God , striken with inwarde remorse of conscience for their offences , ●…ast downe their wepons & toke them to flight . And so with their owne bloud & slaughter of them selues , suffred worthy punishment for violating of religion . Ye wil not beleue what glory and renown Phi lip won among al nations for executing this dede . As who wold say , he was the punisher of sacriledge , he was the reuenger of religion , & he only was worthy to compell offenders to make satisfaction , to the execution where of all the world ought to haue put theyr helpe . Therfore they honored him next vnto the Goddes , by whome the maiestye of the Goddes was defended . But the Atheniens hearyng of the aduenture of the war , to th entent that Philip shoulde not passe into Grece , toke the straights of Thermopyle in like maner & after the same sort as they had done before , against the comming of the Persians , but nether with like corage A discour●… a gainst the im piety of the atheniens . nor for like quarel . For then it was for the libertye of Grece , but now it was for open sacriledge : then in the def●…nce of the temples against the inuasions of the ennemy : now in the maintenance of churchrobbers against the right 〈◊〉 reuengers . Making them selues bolsterers and bearers out of that hainous offence , wherof it was a shame for them that any other than them selues shuld haue ben the punishers . Quite forgetting that euen in their moste aduersitye they had vsed that God as their chefest counseller , that by hys guidance they had finished so many battels with conquest , builded so many cities with fortunate successe , attayned so great an Empire both by sea & land . And finally atcheued no thing , either in publike or priuate affairs , without the ma iesty of his Godhed . Certesse it is great pity , that such fine wits so exquisitely polished withal kinde of learning , & traded in so goodly lawes & institutions , should be so far ouerseene as to commit so heinous an act , that of right they can haue no cause here after to be offended with the barbarus nations for doing of the like . But Philip him self kept not euen touch with his felowes . For as it wer to th entent hys The falshead and vntrouth of king Philip . enemies shuld not go beyond him in committing sacrilege the cities wherof a litle before he was captain whiche had fought vnder his standerd , which had reioysed in him , and which had holpen him to the victory , like an vtter ennemy he inuaded & sacked . The wiues & children of them al he sold by the drom . He spared not the temples of the Gods immortal , not the houses of religion , not the common nor priuate houshold gods vnto whom a litle before h●…●…ntred as a guest so that it might euidently appere , he sought not so muche to haue punished sacriledge as to procure fre liberty to perpe trate the same . From thence as though he had accomplished al things to his honor he passed into Cappadocia , where making war with like falshod , & hauing taken and slain by policy the kings that wer the next borderers , he brought all the whole prouince vnder th empire of Macedon●… . Then to abolyshe the shamefull brute that went of his doynges , through the which he was more spoken and talked of then anye other man in those daies , he sent into the kingdomes and moost welthy Cities , into the Churches and temples , certain to raise a rumor and to put it into folkes heds , that king Philip would bestow a great masse of monye in building walles about the Cities , and in makinge of Churches and temples , and that maisters of the worke should be pro cured by proclamation . The whiche when they came into Macedone , being driuen of with diuers delaies , for feare of the kinges displesure , were faine to get them away againe The 〈◊〉 of Philip. and make no mo woordes . After this he assailed the Olynthians . For when they saw that Philip had put one of hys brothers to deathe for verye pities sake they receiued two other of his brothers borne of his stepmother , whome as partners of his kingdome he soughte by all meanes to dispatch out of the way . Therfore vppon this occasion , he vtterly destroyed that auncient and noble citye , and put hys brothers to the deathe that he had before determined & appoynted for them , enioying therby both a greate pray and also his wicked lust in slaying of his brothers . Whervpon as though al things had ben lawful that he purposed in his mind , he sesed vpon the gold mines in Thessaly and vpon the Philip 〈◊〉〈◊〉 allawe and right . siluer mines in Thrace . And to the entent no law nor righte should be left vnuiolated , he determined to be a rouer on the seas . These things being thus accomplished , it fortuned by chance , that ii . brothers both kings of Thrace , being at variaunce betwixt them selues , not in respect of his indifferency & iustice , but for fear least he shuld help to support either of the parties , chose him to be iudge of their controuersies . But Philip according to his accustomed nature , proceding to iudgement as if he shuld haue gone to battel , came sodenly vpon the brothers ere they wist therof with his men in battel ray , and not like an vpright iudge , but like a craftye thefe , & wicked kaitife spoiled them both of their kingdomes . While these thinges were a doing , the ambassadors of Athens came vnto him to require peace whome he heard , & sent him selfe other ambassadoures to Athens with Articles of peace , and there to the commodity of both parties a peace was concluded . Oute of other Cities of Grece came ambassaders also , not so muche for desire of his frendshyp The malyce o●… the Theba 〈◊〉 . as for feare of warre . For the Thebanes and Beotians of very rancor and malice that boyled in their stomackes , requested him to shew him selfe as captaine of Grece against the Phocenses , according as he had professed him self to be . So sore were they inflamed with hatred againste the Phocenses , that vtterly forgetting their owne slaughters , they had rather pearishe them selues then to suffer them vndestroyed , and had rather to abide the cruelty of Philip which they knew all redy by experience , then by anye meanes to for bear their enemies . On the contrary part the 〈◊〉 wyth th ambassadours of Lace . and Athens , besought hym The mis●…rable state of Grece . that he would not make warre , the whyche they hadde all ready iii. times bought of at his hand with their monye .

Surely it was a foule and miserable sight , to behold Grece ( which euen yet at that time bothe in strength and dignity was princesse of the whole world alwaies a conqueresse of kinges and countries , and as yet the Lady of many cities , daunsing attendaunce in a forain land , and there entreting for warre or peace , to put her hed vnder a nother mannes girdle . And that the reuengers of the whole world , should be brought to that poynte through their own discorde , and ciuil warres , that they were glad to fawne and hang vpon their sleues , who not longe before were accompted as the vilest part of their retinue and hangers on ▪ and that in espe cially to be don of the Thebanes and Lacedemonians , who lately before ruled the whole rost betwixt them , and now in the time that Grece bare the souerainty , wer enemyes one of anothers estate .

Philip in the meane season for the aduauncement of his owne glory , debated as concerninge the preheminence and estate of so mighty cities , deuising of which he were best to The 〈◊〉 ●…sage of Philip . make most accompt . And therfore when he had seacreatly heard th ambassades of both partes seuerally , he promised the one to discharge them of the warres , taking an othe of them , not to bewray his answer to anye man . On the contrary part he promised the other to come and helpe them , geuing both parties straight charge and commaundement , not to fear or prepare for any warre . Through this variable answer it came to passe , that while euerye man kepte him self in quiet , he toke the straightes of Thermopile . Then first of all the Phocenses , perceiuing them selues entrapped by the pollicy of Philip , fearfully tooke them to their weapons . But they had no leisure , either to surnish their owne battels , or to send for succor to their neighbors . And Philip threatned he would vtterly destroy them , onlesse they yelded Philip 〈◊〉 no promise . incontinent . Being therfore ouercome with necessity , they yelded them selues simply their liues only saued . But euen of as muche force was this composition , as was hys promise before to discharge them of the warres . Therfore they were euery wher slain and spoiled . The children wer not left to their parents , nor the wiues to their husbands , nor the Images of the Goddes in the temples . One onlye comfort had this wretched people , that wheras Philip defrauded his owne companions of their parte of the praye , they saw nothing of theirs in their enemyes hands . When he was returned into his kingdome , like as Grasiers shift their cattel somtime into one layer , sometime into another Philip ●…emoueth whole countries with their people . according as the season of the yere requireth : euen so remoued he at his owne pleasure whole countries and Cityes , according as he thought the places mete to be replenished or forsaken . It was a miserable sight to behold in al places , and in respect euen like to a desolation . For this feare was not like as when the ennemy approcheth , or when men of warre run vp and downe a Citye , or when two hostes encounter vielently in the fielde , nor when men are slaine in the stretes & their goods taken away perforce , but a secret sorow & mourning , fearing leaste euen their forced teares , shuld be taken for contimacy , the grief encresed by the cloking therof , so much the depelier persing the hart , as it had lesse liberty to vtter it selfe . Somtime they considered the sepulchres of their ancestors , somtime their old housholde gods , somtime the houses wher they were begotten , & had begotten children them selues . Bewailing eft their owne case in that they had liued to that day : & eft the state of their children , that it had not bene their fortune to be borne after the time . Some people he placed in the vtmost boundes of his kingdom euen in his enemies mouthes , other he set in the furthermost borders of all his realme , other some that wer mete for the warres , he put in garrison in cities as nede required . And so of many kindes of people & manye nations , he made one entire kingdom & one people . The affaires of Macedonie being set at a stay , through fraud & pollicy he toke the chief of the Dardamans & other borders , and subdued their countries . Nether withheld he his hand from his own kinred . For he determined to put Arymba king of Epyrus his wife Olympias neare kinsman from his royalty . And thervpon he Philip abuseth alexander and deposeth arimba kings of Eplre . sent for Alexander his sonne in law , brother of his wife Olympias , a boy of excellent beuty , in his sisters name , to com vnto him into Macedonie . And ther by al meanes possible ha uing entised him with hope of the kingdom , vnder pretens of counterfet loue , abused him in most filthy buggery , thin king that either shame and remorse of his own conscience , or elsse the making of him king , should cause him to be the more at his commaundement . Therefore when the chylde was come to xx . yeres of age , he toke the kingdom from Arymba , and gaue it to him being a very boy : playinge a wicked part with them bothe . For neither delt he like a natural kinsman with him , from whome he toke the kingdome , and him to whome he gaue it , he made a harlot before he made him king .

The ninthe Booke .

VUhen Philip was come into Grece , allured with the sacking of a few cities , & the spoil of a few smal townes , ther vpon gathering in his minde how great wer the richesse of them all , he determined to make warre against all Grece . To the furtherance wherof he thought it wold Philip ●…geth Consta●…inople . greatlye aduauntage him , if he myghte bring in his subiection the noble hauen town of Byzance , as a refuge for his hostes both by-sea & land . The same ( because they shut their gates against him ) he besieged . This Citye was builded at the first by Pansanias kinge of the Spartanes , & by him was possessed by the space of vii . yeres ▪ Afterward as victory enclined to either part , it belonged eft to the Lacedemonians , and eft to the Atheniens . The which vncertain possession made it to stand stiflye in the defence of her own liberty , forasmuch as neither partye succored or rescued it as their owne . Phillip therfore hauing spent his treasure with the long continuaunce of his siege , made a shifte to get mony by rouing on the Lea. And hauing taken lxr . shippes laden with marchaundise , he refreshed his gready necessity for a while . Furthermore because so great an army shoulde not be deteined aboute the siege of one city , he went with a nomber of the stoutest of his souldioures , and wan manye cities of Chersonesus . Moreouer he sente for hys sonne Alexander of the age of xviii . yeares , to the entent he mighte trade him vp in the warres vnder him . He made a rode into Scythia also to fetch some boty from thence , enten Philip maketh a rode in to Tarta●… . ding after the manner of merchantmen , to bear out the of one war to the gain of another . The same time was king of the Scythians Matthey , who being ouercharged with the warres of y● Istrias , desired help of Philip by the Apollonien●…s , promising him to adopt him to be the king of Scythia , But in the meane season the king of the Istri●…es departyng oute of this life , deliuered the Scythians bothe from feare of The vngratitude of the kyng of Scythia . battel , and from neade of help . Matthey therfore ●…ending the Macedones home again , willed them to bear word to their master , that he neither requested him of succoure , nor yet gaue the Apollonienses commission to adopte him . For neyther had the Scythians neade of the reskues of the Macedones seinge they were better men then they were , and as for heir he wanted none nor none wold adopt , as longe as he had a sonne of his owne in health . Upon the receyte of this message , Philip sent ambassadours to kinge Matthey requiring somwhat towarde the charges of his siege , least he be constrained through pouerty to breake vp his camp . To the which request he ought of reason so much the willinglier to condescend , in that he did not allowe the souldiers that he sent to his aid so much as their costes and spendinge monye by the waye , nor gaue them any rewarde for their trauel and paines taking . Matthey alledging for hys excuse that his countrye was so vnmercifullye colde and so barrain , that no Scythian had any patrimonye to enryche him , no nor skarse wherwith to finde him meat and drink : aunswered that he had no richesse wherwith to satisfye so great a king , and therfore he thought it a greater dishonor to reward him with to little , then to geue him nothinge at all . For the Scythians were estemed according to the courage of the minde and hardinesse of the bodye , and not according to their substaunce . Philip seing him selfe skorned in this wise , brake vp his siege at Byzance , & bent his whole power againste Sc●…thia : And for be●…ause he woulde make them the more carelesse , he sent his ambassadoures before him to declare vnto kinge Matthey , that while he besieged Byzance , he vowed an Image vnto Hercules , the whych he was comming to erect in the mouth of the riuer of Danow , desiringe to haue peaceable accesse to the performaunce of his vow to God warde , for he would not come otherwyse then as a frend to the Scythians . The king sent him word that if he wold performè his vow , he shuld send him the Image , promising that it shoulde not onlye be set vp , but al so should remaine and stand safe and vnuiolated . But as to suffer any army to come within his borders , that he denied vtterly . And if he woulde attempte to place the Image whether the Scythians would or no , he should not be so sone gone , but he woulde pull it downe againe , and tourne the brasse of it , into spear heads and arowe heads . The mindes of bothe parties being in this wise stirred , they encountred in open fielde . The Scythians wheras they were of greater power and mo in nomber , were neuerthelesse by the pollicy of Phillip ouercome . Twenty thousande women & children were taken prisoners , and a great booty of cattel , but of golde and siluer nothing at al , which was a sufficient triall and profe of the pouerty of the Scythians . Twenty M. fayre Mares were sent into Macedone to brede . But as Philip returned out of Scytbia , the Tribals met him by the way , denying him passage through their country , onlesse he wold geue them part of his boty . Herevpon they fel to wordes , and sone after to hand strokes . In the which skirmish Philip was so sore wounded in the thighe , that hys horse was slain vnder him , and he left for dead , by meanes wherof the boty was lost . So the boty of Scythia being as it were forespoken , had like to haue tourned the Macedones to greate sorowe . Yet notwithstandinge assone as he was recouered of his wound , he made warre against the Atheniens , the which he hadde so longe time before dissembled . Whose parte the Thebanes toke , for fear least if the Atheniens were ouercome , the brunt of the warre , lyke as when one neighbors house is on fire ) should ensue vpon them . A league therfore being taken betwene these two cities , which a little before were at most mortal hatred , they sent ambassade vpon am bassade ouer all Grece , perswading that the common enemy ought to be remoued by the common force of the country . For if Philip shuld happen to spede wel at the first . He would neuer cease , vntill he had subdued all Grece . Some being moued herewith , ioyned them selues to thattheniens , other some for fear of the war , toke part with Phillip . When it came to then●…ounter . Although the Atheniens were far mo in nomber then their ennemies , yet not withstandinge the Macedones were so hardened with continual warsare The ath●…niēs are vanqui●…hed . that they put them to the worse . Howe be it they died not vnmindfull of their auncient glorye . For looke what place euery man tooke of his Captaine to kepe , the same ( beynge first wounded in diuers places of his foreparte ) he couered with his carkase when he died . This daye ended the renown of the Empire , and the auncient liberty of al Grece . The ioy of this victory was pollitikelye cloked and dissembled . For that daye Phillip made not sacrifice as he ●…as as The 〈◊〉 dissi●…lation of king Phillip . wont to doo , he laughed not at the table , he would not suffer any enterludes at his banket , he ware no Crowne , nor anoynted him selfe with swete oyntmentes , and as muche as lay in his power , he so vsed the victory , that no man could perceiue by him that he had won the victory . Moreouer he would not suffer him self to be called the king , but the captain of Grece . And so through his secret reioys●…ng with him self , he so mitigated the sorow of his enemies , that it semed not that he either bosted him self among his owne men , or proudly reioysed at the ouerthrow of his ennemies . For as touching the Atheniens , whom he had tried to be his most The gentlenes of Phillip towardes the ●…theniens . vtter enemies , he let go their prisoners skotfre , and deliuered the bodies of such as were stain to be buried , and of hys own accord erhorted them to carye home their bones , and bestow them in the sepulchres of their ancestors . Besides all this , he sent his sonne Alexander with his frend Antipater to Athens , to conclude a smal peace and frendship with them . But as concerninge the Thebanes , he did not onlye put their prisoners to raunsome , but also made them paye His rigor towardes the Th●…banes . for the burying of their dead men . The princes of the city , some he beheaded , some he banished , and the goods of them all he toke by force , suche as had beene wrongfullye driuen out of their country , he called home againe . Of the whiche sorte , he made three hundred iudges and rulers of the City . Before whome when all the greatest men of the Citye A notable ●…xample of constancy . were araigned as giltye of their wrongfull banishment , they were of suche constancye , that they all confessed them selues to haue bene authors therof in deede : Affirmynge that it was better with the common wealthe , when they were condempned , then when they were restored again . It was out of doubte a meruelous audacitye , ●…or prisoners to geue sentence on their iudges that sate vppon their life & death , ( as who would say ) they disdained to be acquite at their ennemies handes : and for asmuch as they coulde not reuenge them selues in worke , to vsurpe their libertye in woordes . When Phillip had set thinges at a staye in Grece , he commaunded 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . all the cityes to sende ambassadors to Corynthe , for the reformation of the thinges that were a misse . Ther he enacted a statute of peace for al Grece , accordyng to the deseruinges of euery City , and he elected oute of them all , one Counsell , and as it were one Senate . Onlye the Lacedemonians despised bothe the king and his lawe , accompting that peace but as a seruitude or bondage , which was not agreable to the cities them selues , but was geuen at the pleasure of the conqueror . Furthermore euery city was apoynted what manner of men they should setforth to y● warres , if the king should haue neade , either to assiste him when he wer assailed by foraine power , or els to make warre vnto others vnder him . For it was to be thoughte none other , but that all this great preparation was made to assayl the Empire of the Persians . The summe of al his succors was The nomb●… of kinge P●…lips men of warre . Phillip ●…deth the Empire of pers●… He 〈◊〉 him seife 〈◊〉 Olympias . two hundred thousand footemen , and fiftene hundred horsemen . Besides this nomber , was also the hoste of Macedone , and other barbarous nations bordering ther vpon , whom he had subdued . In the beginning of the spring , he s●…t ouer before into Asia , which belonged to the Persians , thre captains Parmenio , Amyntas , & Attalus . Whose sister ( hauinge put away Olympias the mother of Alexander vpon suspition of aduoutry ) he had lately taken in mariage .

In the meane season , while his succors were assemblynge out of Grece , he solemnized a mariage betwene his daughter He maryeth his daughter to alexander king of epyre . Cleopatra , and Alexander whome he had made kynge of Epyre. That day was great solempnity and feasting according to th estate of the two kings , th one geuing his daughter , thother taking her in mariage . And there wanted no kinde of royall showes and pageauntes that coulde be deuised , to see the which as Philip was going forth withoute The death of king Phillip . any gard , in the middes betwene the two Alexanders hys sonne and sonne in law . A noble yong manne of Macedone called Pansanias , mistrusted of no man where aboutes he w●…nt , stept vpon the king in a strait , and as he would haue passed by , slue him , turning the day into sorowe and heauinesse , that was appoynted to mirth and pleasure . This Pansa●…as in the first prime of his youthe , had suffered Attalus The cause of Ph●…ps de●…h . perforce against his wil to abuse him moost filthely , wherwith being not contented he offred him this villanye besides . He brought him into a banket , and there making him dronken , compelled him like a st●…king strompet , to sustaine not only his beastly lechery , but also the shamelesse and abhominable lust of al the guests , wherby he madehim a laughing stock to all men when he came amonge hiscōpanions . Pansanias being with this his doinge sore agreued , did oftentimes make complainte therof to the kinge . At whose hand being with diuers delaies put of , not without a mock for his labor , and perceiuing his aduersary to be aduaunced furthermore to a captainship , he turned his wrathe vppon the king him self , and for because he could not be reuenged vpon his aduersary , he reuenged him vpon the wrongfull iudge . It is thoughte that he was sent by Olympias the mother of Alexander , and that Alexander him self ●…as pre Occasions of great displea●…re betwene Phllip & hys son alexandre uy to his fathers murthre . For it is not vnlike but that Olympias toke her deuorcement , and the preferment of Cle opitra , as greuously as Pansanias did his abusing , and that Alexander feared his brother begotten of his stepmother as an enemy of his kingdome . Whervpon it came to passe before this time that he fell at woordes at a banquet , fyrste with Attalus , and after with his father . In so muche that his father pursued him with his sworde drawne , and hys frendes had much a doo to entreate him to holde his hande from killing him . Uppon which occasion Alexander wyth his mother fled vnto his vncle into Epyre , and from thence went to the kinge of Sclauonye , and would skarse by anye meanes be reconciled to his father when he sente for hym , in so muche that his frendes coulde not in manner by anye intretaunce compell him to returne agayne , Olympias al so was procuring her brother Alexander king of Epyre to raise warre against Philip , and had obtained her sute , if he had not preuented him with the mariage of his daughter , and made him his sonne in lawe . These thinges therefore were as spurres vnto Pansanias iust displeasure , prickyng him forward to the accomplishment of this acte , vpon hys complaint , sorowing to be so shamefully abused , and coulde haue no redresse . This is certaine that Olympias had laid poste horses to conuey him awaye when he had striken the king . Afterward when she hard of the murder of the king The doing●… of 〈◊〉 at the 〈◊〉 of Ph●…p . she came to his funerals , the same night vnder pretence of doing obsequies to him , and there the very same night that she came , she set a crowne of golde vpon Pansanias hed as he ●…ong vpon the galowes : the which thing no body durst haue bene so bold to haue doone but she , Philip hauynge a sonne aliue . And within a few daies after , she toke downe the body of Pansanias , and burned it vppon her husbandes ashes , and builded him a tombe in the same place , causyng yerely certaine Ceremonies and obsequies to be doone for him , wherby she draue a superstition into the peoples heds . This doone she compelled Clep●…tra ( for whose sake Phillip had diuorsed him self from her ) hauing first killed her daughter euen in the mothers lap , to hang her self : and in beholdinge The 〈◊〉 of a 〈◊〉 . her howe she hong , enioyed the reuengement , vnto which she made so muche hast by the murder of her owne hus●…and .

Last of al she consecrated the sword wherwith the kyng was stain , vnto Apollo by the name of Myrtalis : for that was Olympias name when she was a litle one . Al the which things wer don so openlye , that it was to be thoughte she shoulde haue feared least her doing wold not be alowed , or rather as though she cared not who knew that she had doone the dede ▪ Philip deceased of th age of xlvii . yeares , when he had raigned xxv . yeres . He begate of Larissa a daunsing damosel a sonne named Arideus that raigned after Alexander . He had many other sonnes , begotten of diuers women , as the manner of kings is , of whome some died of theyr naturall death , and som of the sword . He was a king more desirous of battel then of banketting , whose richesse consisted chefely The description of kynge Philip. in furniture of the warres , and he was more conninge in getting and purchasing richesse , then in keping . And therfore for all that he pilled & polled euery daye , yet was he euer neady . Mercy and falshode he loued a like . He thought it no shame to purchase his desire , how so euer he came by it , so he might haue it . Wher as he fauored he would make as though he wer displesed . Suttle and captious was he to talke vnto , promising more then he wold performe . In deuising serious matters , and in merye conceites connynge , winning frendship for aduauntage and luker , and not for faithfulnesse . Wher he hated most , there to pretend moost fauor , and to sow discord betwene such as he knew agreed best together , seking for thank with bothe parties , he vsed as a solempne custome . Furthermore his talke was meruelous eloquent , and ful of sharpnesse and witty sayinges , so that neither facility wanted to set out his plesant inuentions , neither was his facility withoute ornate eloquens & plesant deuises . Unto him succeaded Alexander , going beyond A comparison betwene Phi lip & alexadre . his father both in vertues and in vices . First for their manner of conquest it was clean contrary one to a nother . For this man atcheued his battels by open force , the other by pollicy . He reioysed to begile his ennemies , thys man to vanquish them in open field . The other was more prudent in counsel , but this man was of a more Princely and royall stomacke . The father would oftentimes dissemble his anger and ouercome it : but if this man were ones in a rage , there was nothing but reuengement out of hande , & that should be done without all mesure or reason . Both of them were geuen ouer muche to drinckyng of win●… , but in their dronkennesse they were not bothe of one disposition . The father would customably from his meat run vpon his enemy , fight hand to hande , and vnaduisedly caste him selfe in daunger , But Alexander would not outrage vpon hys ennemy , but vpon his own men . And therfore Philip returned oftentimes out of the battel wounded himself , wheras this man oftentimes as a murderer of his owne frends at his table , was faine to depart oute of company . The father loued to raign among his frendes , and to haue hys frendes raign with him . The sonne would playe the tiraunt wyth his frendes . The father had rather be beloued , the sonne to be feared . As for learning was a like in both of them . The father was a man of more craft and pollicye , but the sonne was more to be betrusted . Phillippe was more modest in woordes and communication , but Alexander more modest in his deedes . The sonne was of a more gentle and honest nature , and more prone to shewe mercy to them that he had ouercome , but the father woulde not abstaine so muche as from his owne confederates and partakers . The Father was more geuen to frugalitye , and the sonne more to ryotousnesse . By the whyche meanes the father layde the foundation of the Monarchy of the whole worlde , and the sonne to hys hygh renowne and glory finished the whole worke .

The eleuenth Booke .

IN th army of Philip , as there were sondry The estate of macedone after the death of king philip sorts of people . Euen so after the time that he was slain , their mindes wer diuersly moued . For some that were oppressed with wrongfull seruitude , comforted them selues with hoope of libertye . Others wearye of the warfares so far from their natiue country , reioysed to thinke that the viage shuld be broken vp and they dismissed . Manye were sory to see the Tapers that were made to set before the daughter at her mariage , stand vpon the herse of the father . His frends also wer not a litle amased , at so sodain mutation of things considering how Asia was lately chalenged . Europe scarsly yet conquered , and howe the Illyrians , Thracians , Dardanians & other barbarous nations , wer of minde vnconstant and vnwauerig , & of promise vnfaithful , & not to be trusted to . All the which people if they should forsake their obediens & rebel The wise and discrete behauiour of Alexander . all at ones , it were not possible by any meanes to resist them . Unto all these mischeues the comming of Alexander was as it wer a present salue . Who in an oration so c●…forted forted & encoraged al the people for the time , that he bothe exempted al fear out of their harts , and made them to conceiue good hope & expectation of him self . He was then xx . yeres old , in the which he promised many things of him self wyth suche modesty , that it appered he wold do more when it came to the profe , then he spake of . He gaue the Macedones a quite discharge of al things , sauing he wold not exempt them from the warres , by the which dede he purchased him selfe such at al mens hands , that they said they had changed the body of their king , but not his vertues , the first & chiefest regard that he had , was to enter his father accordinge to his estate . In executing wherof , before al other things , he caused all such persons to be put to death vpon his fathers tombe , as wer The murderers 〈◊〉 kyngPhilip are punished . accessary to the same . Only he pardoned Alexander of Lyncests his brother , reseruing in him the good fore token of his own estate , for as much as he was the firste that saluted him by the name of a king . Moreouer he caused Caranus his mother in lawes sonne & his brother in law to be put to death as one that loked to be a partner with him in the kingdom . In the beginning of his raigne he subdued many countries that rebelled , and suppressed manye insurrections euen in the very rising . Whereby beinge greatlye encouraged , he went leiserly into Grece , wher after the example of his father , sommoning the Cities to appeare before him at Corinthe , he was substituted captaine general in his stead .

And thervpon he went immediatly in hand wyth the wars Alexander g●…eth forward with the wa●… agaynste the Persians tha●… his father ph●… lip had bego●… . against the Persians , which his father had begone . While he was busy in the furniture therof , tidinges was brought him that the Atheniens , the Lacedemonians and the Thebanes were reuolted from him to the Persians , & that the author of this reuolting was the orator Demosthen●…s corrupted by ●…he Persians for a great sum of golde , who auowed before the people , that the king of Macedone wyth all hys hoste was slaine of the Tribales , bringinge the tales man in open audience , who to make good the matter , sayde he was wounded hym selfe in the same battel that the kynge was slayne . Uppon the whyche reporte , the minds almost Alexander su●… presseth the commotions in grece . of all the Cities were chaunged , and the Garrisons of the Macedones besieged . The whyche motions intendynge to preuent , he entred into Grece with an host well aparelled and in good order , with suche celerity , that they skarse beleued their owne e●…es when they sawe him , because they hearde not of his commynge . In hys waye thither warde he exhorted the Thessalians to keepe their allegiaunce , putting them in minde of the benefites of his father Phillip toward them , and of the kinred that was betwixte hym and them by his mothers side , which came of the stocke of A●…acus . The Thessalians were glad to heare those wordes of him , and thervpon made him lieuetenaunte generall of al their country as his father had bene before , and rendred vnto hym all the tributes and reuenues that he was wont to haue . But the Atheniens as they were the firste that reuolted , so were they the first that repented : turnyng the disdaine of their ennemy into admiration and wondremēt , and extollinge the childehode of Alexander ( whyche before they had in despite ) aboue the prowesse of the auncient captaines . Therfore they sent ambassadors desiringe pardon , and that they mighte haue peace . Whom Alexander hard , and with greuous rebuke graunted them their request .

From thence he turned his power toward Thebes , intending to haue shewed like mercy , if he had found like repen taunce . But the Thebanes went to it with force of armes and not with intretaunce and submission . Beinge therfore The hatred of all grece to ward the Thebanes . vanquished , they suffred most greuous punishment of miserable captiuity . When the matter came to debatinge in counsel as concerning the d●…truction of the citye , the Phocenses , the Platecenses , the Thespienses , and the Orchome●…ians , Alexanders companions in armes and partakers of his victory , rehersed the crueltye of the Thebanes in destroyinge their Cities , and the good wil that they alwayes bare to the Persians , not only at that time , but also of old time , to the open preiudice and domage of the liberty of Grece , whiche thing was not to be borne withall . In consideration wher of , they were worthelye hated of all people ▪ for the proofe wherof there neaded none other triall nor witnesse then this , that they all bounde them selues with an othe to rase Thebes , assone as euer they hadde ouercome and made an end with the Persians . Furthermore they tolde what enterludes had bene made of their former noughtinesse , in so muche that there was wel nie no stage wheron they made not open showes therof , to the entent they should be hated and abhorred , not only for their present vnfaithfulnesse , but also for their olde follye and madnesse . Then Eleadas one of the prisoners hauing liberty geuen him to speake , said that the Thebanes had not reuolted from th●… king , in as much The ●…sion of ●…das for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of t●… c●…y . as they hard say he was slain , but from the kings heirs . In which doing if there were anye trespasse , it was rather to be imputed as an ou●…rsight for being so light of credit , then as a promise br●…aking or vnfaithfulnesse , and yet if it were so , they had all redy suffred great punishment therfore .

For the youth of the City being put to the sword , ther remained none but a sorte of women and children and olde folke , which as they were feble , so were they able to doo no harme , the which notwithstanding had bene so vexed with rauishments and other displesures and reproches , that they neuer felt thing so bitter to them in all their liues . Wherfore he made intercession , not for his Citezens , wherof ther were so few left , but for the innocent soyle of his countrye and for the towne it self , which had brought vp and engendred not only men , but also Goddes . Moreouer he alledged a priuate superstition to entreat the king withal , how that Hercules was borne among them , from whome the house of the A●…acides do fetch their petigry , and howe that hys father Philip passed his childhode at Thebes : beseching him to spare that City , whiche honoured some of his auncestors that were borne among them as Gods , and had sene some other of them that were brought vp among them , ryse to the royall estate of kinges . But the wrathe was greater then that any entretaunce could preuaile . The Citye therfore The Citye of Thebes is 〈◊〉 stroyed . was rased , the landes d●…uided among the conquerors , the prisoners sold vnder a garland , whose price was set , not to the aduauntage of the biers , but according to the hatred of th enemies . The Atheniens thought it a miserable sight , and therfore they opened their gates for the refuge of such as eskaped by flying , contrary to the kinges prohibition .

The which doing Alexander toke so greuously , that at the seconde time when their ambassadors came to entreate for peace again , he remitted their offence , vpon condition they shuld yeld into his hands their captains and orators , vpon trust of whom they did so often rebell . The Atheniens being redy to fulfil his commaundement , because they wold not be constrained to haue warre with him , the matter was brought to this issue , that they should kepe still theyr orators and banishe their captaines : who incontinently taking their way to Darius , did not a litle encrease the strength The same is he that in the ●…ast boke is called Codo●…an . alexander set●…eth an ordee in his kingdome . of the Persians . When ●…e shuld setforth toward the warres in Persia , he put to death all his mother in lawes kinsmen , whom Philip had aduaunced to great promotions , & made rulers of countries : neither spared he such of his own kinred as semed mete to bear rule , least any occasion of rebellyon shuld remain in Macedone , while he was making warre a far of . Such kings also as wer tributaries that wer of any wisdom and pollicy , he toke with him to the warres , leauing the old men to gouern his kingdom at home . Then when he had gotten his men of war together , he fraighted his ships and embarked his host . Out of y● which beholding Asia a far of , ●…he noble co rage and free hart of alexander . he was wonderfully enflamed in his corage , & made xii . altares to the Gods as a vowe for prosperous successe in hys warres . All th inheritans that he had in Macedone & Europe , he parted among his frends , saying that Asia was inough for himself . Before y● any sail departed fro the shore , he slue sacrifices , making his prayer for victorye by battell , as by the which he was left to be the reuenger of Grece so oftentimes before assailed of the Persians , whose monarch had continued now long inough , & was come to his perfect ripenesse , & therfore it was high time for other to take the roum that could serue the turne better . Neither was his army of lesse courage then the king him self . For they al forgetting their wiues & children , and that they shuld make war far from home , made as sure accompt of the gold of the Persians , and of the richesse of the whole East , as if it had ben their owne al redy , thinking nothinge of the daungers of the warre , but of the great richesse . Assone as they were come to land , Alexander first of all threw a dart as it wer into his ennemyes land , and in his armor lept out of his ship in maner of dansing , and so killed his sacrifices , praying the goddes that those countrics might willinglye receiue him as their kynge . In the same place also he did obsequies at the tombes of them that were slain at the battel of Troy . Then soughte he for his enemy , straightly charging his Souldioures , that they made no wast in the country of Asia , saying it was but reson to spare that that was their own , and that they ought not to make hauock of those things that they came to possesse . In his army wer two and xxx . thousand foote men . iiii . ●… . and v. C. horsemen , and a C. foure skore and two ships . It is to be doubted whether it were more to be wondred at , alexanders hoste . that with so small a handfull of men he conquered y● whole world , or that he durste ones geue th enterprise to attempt it : considering that to so dangerous a warfare he chose , not lusty yong men and such as wer in the flour of youthe , but old worn souldiers , and such wherof many by reson of their yeres , wer priueledged & exempted from the wars , whiche had serued vnder his father and vnder his vncles , so that a man would haue thought he had not picked out souldiers , but rather masters of cheualry . ●…oreouer none hadde the leading of any band , that was not lx. yeares old . So that if ye had beheld the chief officers of his campe , ye wold haue said , ●…e had sene the senate of some auncient common welth . Therfore there was no man that thought of running away but of getting the victory , nor there was not anye that put his trust in his legges but in his armes . On the other side , 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Da rius . Darius king of Persia trusting in hys own strength , wold do nothing by pollicy , affirming that it was not beseminge for him and his , to deuise with them selues to steal the victory , nor yet to keepe his ennemy out of the borders of hys kingdom , but rather to receiue him into the bowels of hys realme : thincking it should be more to his honor to expulse ●…im perforce , then not to suffer him to enter .

The firste encounter therfore was in the plaines of adrast . In the hoste of the Persians were DC . M. fightinge men , The nomber of the Persians . the which being vanquished as muche by the pollicye of Alexander , as by the puissaunce of the Macedones , tourned their backes and fled . Great therfore was the slaughter of the Persians . Of Alexanders hoste wer slain ix . footemen , and a C. and xx . horsmen . Whome the king the more to encourage Darius is vanquished . the residue of his souldioures , sumptuously buried and set vp their Images on horsback on their tombes , and gaue great fraunchises and priuiledges to their kinsfolke . After this victory the more parte of Asia fel vnto hym . He fought many battels also with the lieutenants of Darius , whome ●…e now vanquished not so muche by force , as with the terror of his name . While these thinges were a doing , in the meane time Alexander was informed by the confessyon of a prisoner , that Alexander of Lyncestes the sonne in law of antipater , whome he had left his vicegerent in Macedone , went about to worke treson against him . For which cause fearing that if he should put him to death , there wold rise summe commotion in Macedone , he put hym in safekeping . This doone he marched towarde the citye Gordis , the which is situate betwene the greater and the lesser Phrygia . Of the citye Gordis and of Gordius 〈◊〉 . The desire that Alexander had to get this city into his possession , was not so muche for the spoyle of it , as for because he hard say that in that City in the temple of Jupiter , was the yoke of Gordius waine , the knot wherof whosoeuer could vndoo , should be king of all Asia , as the auncient Oracles had prophesyed . The occasion and originall hereof was this . As one Gordius was going to plough in the country , with Oxen that he had hired , birdes of all sorts began to flie about him . Whervppon as he went to aske counsell of the Southsayers of the city therby , in the gate he mette with a maid of excellent beautye , and demaundynge of her what Southsayer he were best to goo to . When she heard th occasion wherfore he woulde aske counsell , beinge seene her selfe in the science by th enstruction of her Father and mother , she answered that it meaned he should be a kinge , and there vpon offred her selfe to be his partaker bothe of wedlock , and of the kingdom that was behighted . He thought himself happy to haue suche a faire offer at the first entrye of his kingdome . After the marriage , the Phrygians fell at discord among them selues . And when they asked counsell of the Oracle how they mighte bringe it to an end , answer was made that they could not end their controuersies with out the healpe of a king . Demaunding again as touchinge the person of their king , what manner of man he should be commaundement was geuen them to marke whom they saw first after their returne , ridinge into the temple of Iupiter in a cart , and to take him for their king . The first man that they met , was this gordius , where vppon immediatlye they saluted him by the name of king . The cart wh●…rin he rode when the kingdome was laid vppon him , he set in the temple of Iupiter , and consecrated it for an offeringe , as kinges are wont to doo at their coronation .

After this man raigned his sonne Midas , who being traded vp by Orpheus in manye superstitious Ceremonies , filled all the realme full of sectes of religion , by the whyche he liued more in safegarde all his life , then by his chiualry . Alexander therfore hauinge taken the Towne , when he came into the temple of Iupiter , immediatlye enquired for the yoke of the Waine : the whiche being broughte before him , when he sawe he coulde not finde the end of the thonges that wer bidden within the wrethes , constraining the Oracle to the vttermooste , he cutte the wrethes a sonder with a sworde , and so when he had losed the wreathes , he found the endes of the knottes wythin the braides . As he was a doing this , tidinges was broughte him that Darius approched with a great hoast of men . Whervpon fearyng to be enclosed within the straightes , he passed the mountaine Taurus with all spede possible , in the whiche haste he ran CCCCC . furlonges .

When he came to Tarsus , beinge muche delighted wyth the plesantnes of the riuer Cydnus which runneth through the mids of the city , he cast of his harnesse , and full of duste Alexander taketh a greate 〈◊〉 . and ●…wet as he was , threw him self naked into the cold , wherwithall suche a nomnesse and stifnesse by and by strake through all his finewes , that he lost his speche , in so much that men thought he should not only neuer recouer it , but also loked he shuld haue died presently . Onlye there was one of his Phisitians named Philip , which wold take vpon him to warrant to make him whole again . And yet the same Phisition was had in great mistrust , by reason of the letters sent the daye before oute of Cappadocia from Parmenio . Who knowing nothing of Alexanders mischaunce , wrote vnto him to beware of Philip the Phisition , for he was corrupted by Darius for a great summe of mony . Yet notwithstanding he thought it more for his safegard to commit himself to the phisition though he more then halfe suspected him of treason , then to abide the daunger of his disease , wherof ther was no way but death . Therfore be toke the drinke that the Phisition had made him , and deliuered him the letter , and as he drank , he beheld his face stedfastly to se what countenance he wold make at the reding of it When he sawe him vnabashed , he was glad of it , and the iiii . day after recouered his healthe . Darius therfore wyth CCC . M. fotemen , and a C. M. horsmen proceded into battel . This huge nomber of his enemies somwhat moued Alexander The seconde ●…ncounter betwene Alexander & Darius when he beheld howe fewe in respect he had hym self . But then again he called to minde , what great enterprises he had atcheued , & how mighty countries he had sub dued with that smal nomber . Wherfore when hope had ex pulsed fear , he thought it daungerous to delay the battell . And to th entent his men shuld not be discoraged , he rode a bout from band to band , & with sondry orations spake vnto eche kinde of people . He encoraged the Illirians & 〈◊〉 , with promesse of richesse and substance . The Grecians he set on fire , with putting them in mind of their batels in time past , & of the continual hatred that they had with the Persi sians . The Macedones he admonished of Europe by them all redy conquered , & of Asia now chalenged , bosting of them that there wer not the like men of power & strength as they wer in al the world . Of al which their trauels , this battell should be y● final end , to their high renown & estimation . As he had said these words , he commaunded his battels to stand stil again to th entent the by this pausing , they might enure them selues to behold the huge nomber of their enemies with open eies . Da rius also was not behinde the hand in ordring of his battels . For wheras it belonged to the duty of his captains to haue don it , he went himself in proper person from rank to rank , exhorting them al to play the men , putting the in remembrance of th anciet renown of the Persians , & of the perpetual possession of th empire geuen them by the gods immortal . This don both th armies with great corage buckled together . In the which battell both kings wer wounded , & the victory hung in The 〈◊〉 of the ●…ans . doutful balance , so long vntil Darius forsoke the field . Then ensued the slaughter of the Persians , ther were slain of fotemen lx. & one M. of horsmen x. M. and xl . M. wer taken prysoners . Of the Macedones wer killed a C. & xxx . fotemen , & a C. & l. horsmen . In the tents of the Persians was found much gold & other riches . Among others , wer taken prisoners Dari us mother , his wife which also was his sister , and ii . of hys daughters . Whom when y● Alexander came to visit & confort , when they saw the harnessed men , they embraced one another , & made great lamentation , as though they shuld haue died by and by . Then they fel flat at Alexanders fete , beseching him not for pardon of their liues , but only respite of their deathes for a time , to th entent they might bury Darius body . Alexander being moued with pity at the tender The 〈◊〉 o●… 〈◊〉 affection of the women , told them that Darius was yet aliue and bad them be of good comfort , for they shuld not die , commaunding that they shuld be estemed as Quenes & so to be called . Furthermore he willed Darius daughters to trust to him , that he would see them bestowed in mariage , to no persons of baser estate , then was for their fathers honor . After this when he saw Darius richesse , his precious ornaments , his iewels and apparel , they were so muche that he Superfluitie the cause of disorder . wondred to behold them Then began he first to make riotous bankets & sumptuous feastes , then began he for her beauty and fauor to fall in loue with one of his prisonners , called Bersine , of whom afterward he begat a sonne , whom he named Hercules . Notwithstandinge remembringe that Darius was yet a liue , he sente Parmenio to inuade the Persian flete , and other of his frendes to receiue the Cityes of Asia . Which hearing of his great victory , came with their lieuetenaunts that were appoynted by Darius , ( who with a greate summe of golde yelded them selues vnto the conqueror , and submitted them selues vnder his subiection .

Then set he forward into Syria , wher he met with many kings of the East with crownes on their heads . Of whom ( as eche of them had deserued ) some he toke into fauor , and some he deposed , setting vp kings in their steads . Amongst all other Abdlominus whom Alexander made king of Sydon , A kyng of a gardiner . is worthy to be spoken of . Him wheras before time he was wont to be hired to cast ponds and water gardens , leadyng his life miserably ) Alexander created king : setting aside the noble men , least for their birth & linage , they might rather haue semed to chalenge it of duty , and not accept it as a fre gift . The citezens of Tyre sent their ambassadoures wyth a crown of gold of great waighte vnto Alexander , for ioye of his good successe : who thankfully acceptinge their present , said he wolde go to Tyre to performe his vowes to Hercules . Th ambassadors said he might do that better in olde Tyre , & in the old temple , desiring he wold not enter into the new Alexander be 〈◊〉 Tire . towne . Wherat he toke so sore displeasure , that he threatned to destroy the citye : and there vpon forthwith he brought his army to the Iland , whome the couragious Tyrians , for the trust they had in the Carthaginenses , entertained with battel . For th example of Dydo greatly encoraged the Tyrians , who after that she had builded Carthage , conquered the thirde parte of the worlde . Thinkinge that it were a foule shame for them , if their women shuld haue more hartes in conquering , then they had in defending of their liberty .

Wherfore they sent away all such as wer not mete for the warres to Carthage , and brought succors in their st●…ad . Neuerthelesse ere long time after , they wer surprised & taken by treson . Here vpon Alexander receiued the Rhodes , Egipt , alexander goeth to ●…mo in 〈◊〉 . and Cilicia without any stroke striking . Then tooke he hys iourny to Iupiter 〈◊〉 , of purpose to enquire of the chance of thinges to come , and as concerning his own birthe . For his mother Olympias confessed to Philip her husbande , that she conceiued not Alexander by him , but by a Serpente of wonderful bignesse . And Philip him selfe a little before he died , did openlye report that he was not his sonne . Uppon which cause as though he had known her to haue plaid the miswoman , he put away Olympias . Alexander therfore being desirous to fetch his pedegre from God , and also to deliuer his mother from slaunder of the world , sent messengers priuelv before to the priestes , to geue them instructions what answer he would haue them make . Assone as he The 〈◊〉 of the priests whiche after was the ●…struction of manye 〈◊〉 men . entred into the temple , the prelates saluted him by the name of the sonne of Hammon . He being glad of this adoption of the God , gaue commaundement that all men shoulde take him for his father . Then he demaunded whether he had punished all suche as were gilty of the murderinge of hys father or no. They made him answer , that his father could neither be killed nor die , but as for the death of king Phillip , he had sufficiently punished all the doers therof . To his third demaund they answered , that he shuld get the vpper hand in all battels , and shoulde be owner of all the whole worlde . To suche also as attended vppon him they gaue charge to honor Alexander as a God , and not as a kyng .

Herevpon he grew to suche an hautinesse , and so wonderful an arrogancy was rooted in his stomacke , that the gentlenesse which he had learned by the literature of the grekes and the enstructions of the Macedones , was quite rased out of his thought .

As he returned from Hammon , he builded Alexādi●…a , and peopled it with Macedones , ordeining it to be the hed city of Egipt The building of alexandria in Egipt . Darius being eskaped to Babilon , sent his letters to Alexander , desiring him of liberty to ransome the women that wer his prisoners , and for their raunsom he profered him a great sum of mony . Howbeit Alexander would not take a piece of mony for their ransome , but the whole kingdome . alexanders an swers to Da rius letters . Within a while after came a nother letter from Darius to Alexander , wherin he proferred him one of his daughters in mariage , & a portion of his kingdom . Alexander wrot vnto him again , that those things that he offred him wer hys own alredy , wherfore he willed him to come & submit himself , & to put th ordering of his kingdom to the discretion of his so uerain . Then being past al hope of peace , Darius adressed himself again to the warres , and with 40000 : fotemen , & a 10000. horsmen marched toward Alexander . In his iourny newes was brought him that his wife was departed of deliuerance The wyfe of darius dyeth liuerance of a childe before her time , and that Alexander wept for her death , and also followed courteously after her corse to burial : the which thing he had done , not for that he was in loue with her , but only for curtesy and humanities sake . For he neuer saw her but ones in all his life , wheras he wold oftentimes visit his mother & his litle daughters to confort them . Then Darius thinking himself clerely vāqui shed , seing y● after so many battels , his enemy had ouercom him . With kindnesse also , thought it did him good sythe he could not get th upper hand , that it was his chance to be vanquished The thirde letter of Darius to alexander . of so worthy a conqueror . Wherfore he wrate the iii. letter vnto him , geuing him thankes that he had not shewed any extremity against his prisonners . Offring hym the greater part of his kingdom , euen vnto the riuer Eufrales with a nother of his daughters to wife , and for the reast of his prisoners 3000. talents . Here vnto Alexander made answer , alexanders answere . that thank at his enemies hand was more then neded , and that he had not done any thing to flatter him withall , nor for that he sought a defens against th uncertain end of war , or for articles of peace , but of his own noble hart , whiche taught him to contend with the power of his enemies and not with their calamities , promising to perform all Darius request , if he wold take himselfe as next vnto him , and not as his coequal , for like as the world could not be ruled if there The 〈◊〉 ●…counter betwene ●…us and alexander . wsr ii . sonnes , so the world cannot without preiudice be go uerned by ii . souerain kings , therfore either yeld hym selfe the same day , or els prepare him self to battel the next day , and flater not himself with hope of any other victory , than he had tried alredy . The next day they brought their men into the field . Sodenly before the battel , Alexander being he ●…y with cares fel a slepe . Al his men being in a redinesse to geue the charge vpon their enemies , the king was missing . Who being with much a do waked by Parmenio , & beyng asked how it chanced that he slept so soundly in so dangerus a time , seing he was wont to sleepe but litle , euen when he was most at his harts ease , said he was deliuered of a great fear and that he slept vpon a sodain quietnes that came vpon him , because he should encounter withal the whole power of Da rius together : for he was afraid leasts the war should haue ben prolonged , if the Persians had deuided their hoste . Before the battel eche armye stode in the sighte of other . The Macedones wondred to so the great nomber of their enemies their goodly personages , & their rich & costli armor . On the other side the Persians wer amased to thinke how so fewe shuld ouercome so many thousandes as they had . The captaines went busely about to viewe their bandes , and see euery man kepe good order . Darius told his souldiers , that if they were deuided , they wer mo then ten to one of theyr ennemies . Alexander willed the Macedones not to be abashed at the multitude of their ennemies , at the hugenesse of their bodies , nor at the straungenesse of theyr couloure , onlye he wolde haue them to remember , that this was the iii , time they foughte with them , and that they shoulde not think them to be become better men by reson of runnyng away , considering they shuld bring into the battel with the , ●…o sorowful a remembrans of their own discomfitures , and of so muche bloudshed as they had gon away with in the ii . former conflicts . And as Darius had the greater nomber of men : so had he himself the greater strength . Wherfore he exhorted them to despise that host that glistered so with golde and siluer , in the which there was more gaine to be gotten then danger , seing that victory is not gotten by the glistering of habilments , but by the sharpnesse of wepons . After thys communication the onset was geuen . The Macedones layd about them with their wepons , as in disdain of their ennemy whom they had vanquished so often before . On the contrarye parte , the Persians chose rather to die then to be ouercome . Which caused so much bludshed as hath not light ly bene sene in any battel . Darius when he saw his men put Darius is put to flight . to the worse , would gladly haue died in the fielde , but that suche as were about him compelled him to flie whether he would or no. Afterwarde when some gaue him counsell to The ca●…e of Darius for the safegarde of his souldioures . breake the brydge ouer the riuer Cydnus , to the entent to stop his enemies from pursuing him any further , he sayde he set not so much by him self , that for the sauegard of him self alone , he wold cast so many of his companye into theyr enemies hands : and therfore it shuld be away for other to eskape , as wel as it had beene for him selfe . Alexander enterprised such thinges as were most daungerous , & where he saw his enemies thickest and fighting sharpest , thither would he euer thrust himself in among them to break the prease , desirous alwaies to take such things as were most dangerous to himself , and not to leaue them to his souldiers . By this battel he toke away th empire of all Asia , the fifth Here beginneth the Em ●…ptre of Mace done . yere after he began to raign . Whose felicity was so great , that no man hereafter durst rebel , and the Persians them selues after so many yeres continuance of their monarchie paciently receiued the yoke of bondage . When he had rewarded and refreshed his souldiers , he did nothing xl . dais after , but take a vew of the spoil of his ennemy . He founde xl . M. talents locked vp in the city .

Also he wan Persepolis the hed city of the kingdome of Persia , a city that had continued famous and notable many yeres together , and stuffed with the spoiles of y● whole world which was not sene before the taking therof . While these thinges were a doing , about viii . C. Grekes came to Alexander , whiche in the time of their captiuitye , besides other greuous punishments , had had certain of their limbes and members of their bodies cut of : requestring him that as he had reuenged Grece , so he would also reuenge them of the cruelty of their enemies , and set them at liberty . When he would haue geuen them licence to return home into their countries , they chose rather to tary still and take certayne landes , least they shuld not so much reioyce their frends as make them abhorre to loke vpon them .

In the meane season to win the conquerors fauor withall , Darius is bound in setters of gold , and wound●… to death to hys owne 〈◊〉 Darius own kinsmen bound him in fetters and chains of gold , in a village of the Parthians called Tane . I think it was euen the ordinaunce and disposition of God , that the Monarche of the Persians should take his end in the lande of them that should succede in the Empire . Alexander also the next morow folowing after vpon the spurre , had intelligence that Darius was conueied out by night in a lyter , whervpon commaunding the residue of his hoste to folow after with as much spede as they coulde conuenientlye , he tooke vii . M. of his horsmen , and pursued him . In his iourney he fought many daungerous battels , and when he had ridden many a mile , and could hear no inklinge of Darius , as his horses were a baiting , one of his souldioures goyng down to a watering therby , founde Darius in a litter striken through with many woundes , but as yet aliue . Who callinge to him the Souldioure , when he perceyued by hys speche that he was one of his owne countrye men , he sayde The woorde●… of Darius 〈◊〉 hys deathe . it was a comfort to him being in the case that he was , that he should speake to one that could vnderstand him , and not vtter his last wordes in vaine .

He had him say vnto Alexander in his name , that he died a great dettor of his without any desert of his owne parte , for as much as he had found him like a king , and not like an enemy towards his wife and children , and that it was hys chaunce to be better entreated of his ennemy , then of hys owne kin . For wheras his enemy had geuen his wyfe and children life , his kinsfolk to whome he had geuen both lyfe and kingdoms , had vnnaturally bereft him of his life . For the which his doinges , he rendred him suche thankes as he himself hauing the victory listeth to accept . This onlye one thing ( which lay in his power to do for him nowe lyinge at the poynt of death , would he do for Alexander , as inrecom pence of his good turnes , that is , to pray to the powers celestiall , and the powers infernall , and the Gods of kinges , to geue him victory and dominion of the whole worlde . As for himself he desired nothing , but that it might be his plesure to graunte him buriall , as of righte he oughte to haue without grudge . And as touching the reuengement of hys death , it was now no parte of his care , but for examples sake the common case of all kinges , the whiche to neglecte as it should be dishonorable to him , so might it turne to hys vtter perill . For on the one part , this case concerneth his Iustice , and on the other it toucheth his owne vtility and profit . In token wherof as an only pledge of the faith and honor of a king , he gaue his right hand to cary vnto Alexander . At those words he stretched out his hand and gaue vp the goste . The which when Alexander hard of , he came to see his body as he lay dead , and he wept to beholde so worthye an estate , come vnto so vnworthye a death . Wherfore he caused his body to be entred with all solempnitye like a kinge , and his reliques to be conueyed into the Sepulthres of his auncestoures .

The twelfthe Booke .

ALexander bestowed great cost in buryinge of his souldiours that were slaine in pursuing Darius , & to the residue of his companye he departed wyth xv . M. talents . The greater part of his horses was foundred with heat , and such as remained were able to do no seruice . The whole summe of the mony gotten alate by this victory , was a hundred and thre and fifty thousand talents , wherof Parmcnio was made treasurer . Whyle theese Letters of Antipat●… , regent of Macedone . things wer a doinges , letters were brought from Antipater out of Macedone , the tenor wherof contained the wartes of Agis king of the Spartans in Grece , of Alexander king of Epire in Italy , and of his lieuetenaunt Sopyron in Scithia . The which made him somewhat to muse . Neuerthelesse when he had wel disgested the natures of the ii . kings his enuiers , he was more glad of the losse of them , then sorye for the losse of his armye and his captaine Sopiryon .

For after that Alexander had taken his iourney , almoos●…e all Grece fell to rebellion in hope to recouer their liberty , A rebeliy●… in grece . ensuinge the ensample of the Lacedemonians , whyche alonelye forsooke the peace , and despised the orders taken bothe by Phillip and Alexander . Captaine and ringleader of thys Commotion , was Agis kinge of the Lacedemonians . The whiche tumulte Antipater suppressed with suche power as he had raised , euen in the very risinge therof .

Yet notwithstandinge there was great slaughter on both partes . King Agis when he saw his men put to flight , to the entent that all be it he coulde not haue as good fortune as The valiantnesse of 〈◊〉 agis . Alexander , he mighte not seeme inferioure to him in courage , sent awaye his garde and him selfe alone made suche slaughter of his ennemies that sometime he put to flyghte whole bandes at ones . At the laste althoughe he were oppressed by the multitude , yet he wan the glory and renoun from them all

Furthermore Alexander king of Epyre , being set into Italy for to aid the Tarentines against the Brutianes , toke the viage Of this Alexander , is mention made in the end of the viii . boke . vppon him with so good a will , as thoughe the whole worlde should haue beene deuided , and that Alexander the sonne of his sister Olympias shoulde haue had the East for his part , and himself the West : entendinge to haue no lesse a doo in Italy Affrike and Sicil , then the other shuld haue to do in Asia amonge the Persians . And besides thys , lyke as the Oracle at Delphos had prophesied vnto great Alexander , that his destruction shuld be wrought in Macedone , euen so the Oracle of Iupiter of Dodone had told this Alexander , that the city Pandose and the riuer acheruse shoulde be his fatall end .

Nowe for as much as bothe of them were in Epyre , not knowing that they were in Italy also , to th entent to auoyd the daunger of his desteny , he gladly enterprysed warre in a straunge land . Therfore when he came into Italye , the firste warre that he had was with the Appulians : but when he vnderstode the destenies of their City , he entred a leage and amity with their king . For at that time the head City of Appulia was Brunduse , the which was founded by the The foundati on of Brund●… se in Italy . Aetolians vnder the conducte of Dyomedes that famous captaine for hys renowmed actes at the battell of Troye . But being expulsed by th appulians , they asked counsell of the Oracles . Where answer was made , that they shoulde possesse the place that they required , for euer . Here vppon they required th appulians by their ambassadors to render their Citye againe , or elsse they threatned to make sharpe warre vpon them . The Appulians hauynge knowledge of the answer of the Oracle , slew the ambassadoures and bucied them in the Citye , there to haue their dwellinge for euer , and so hauing dispatched the meaninge of the Oracle , they enioyed the City a great time . The which dede when Alexander of Epyre knew of , for reuerence to the destinies of so long continuaunce , he made no more warre to the Appulians .

Then made he warre with the Brutians and Lucanes , & won many cities of theirs . Also he concluded a peace and frendship with the Metapontines , Rutilians and Romains . But the Alexand●… king of 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 to deathe Brutians and Lucanes hauing gotten hope of their neighbors fiersly renewed the warres againe . There the king neare vnto the citye Pandose and the riuer Acheruse was wounded to deathe , not knowing the name of his fatall place , besore he was slaine , and when he should die , he perceiued that in his own country was no nead for him to fear death , for the whiche cause he had forsaken his countrye . The Tyrians raunsomed his body at the charges of their city and buried it honorably . While these things wer in doing in Italy . Zopyrion The death of 〈◊〉 president of ●…on tus . also whome Alexander the great had lefte president of Pontus , thinking himself dishonored if he laye still and attempted nothinge , raised an army of xxx . M. souldiers , and made war to the Scythians . Where being ●…aine wythal his hoste , he suffred due punishment for making war so rashly againste an vnhurtfull kinde of people . When tidinges of these thinges were brought vnto Alexander into Parthia , he made himself very sory for the death of his cosen Alexander , and commaunded al his host to morne for him by the space of iii. daies . After this , as though the warre had ben ended in the death of Darius , when all men loked to returne into their countries , all readye after a sort embrasinge in theyr mindes their wiues and children . Alexander sommoned his souldiers together , perswading with them that al those battels were to no effect that were paste , if the barbarous Alexander 〈◊〉 courageth his souldiers 〈◊〉 the warre●… . nations of the East should eskape vntouched : for he desired not Darius body but his kingdome , and all suche ought to be pursued as forsoke their obedience to the kingdome .

When he had by this oration quickned the mindes of hys souldioures a new , he subdued Hyrcanie and the Mede●… . In y● same countrye met him Thalestris otherwise named Mynoshaea Thal●…tris Quene of the amazones . the Quene of the Amazones with CCC . M. women , whiche had come a xxv . daies iourny through the sauage countries , and through the middes of her ennemies of purpose so haue issue by Alexander . The sight & comming of whom was wondered at , both for the straunge attire of the women , and also for the request that they made to companye wyth Alexander & his men . For this occasion wer xxx . dais spent in idlenesse , & when she thought her self with child , she departed home again . After this Alexander as though he hadde alexander falleth to the vices of the Per ●…ians . had made himself subiect to their lawes & customes whom he had vanquished , tok●… vpon him th attire and diademe of the kings of Persia , which thing was neuer known among the kings of Macedone before that time . And because they shuld not disdain him the more for doing these things alone , to th entent he might counterfet the Persians aswell in excesse of apparel as in excesse of fare , he also commaunded hys frends to wear long robes of cloth of gold & of skarlet . More ouer he spent the nights in daliance among the kings concubines , which wer women of most excellent beuty , eft with one and eft with another as their turnes came about . And for fear least through want of delitious fare , he shuld not be able to hold with his venerus daliances & pastimes , he made sumptuous feasts & bankets , and thervnto deuised princely showes & pageants , quite forgetting that by suche meanes , riches are wont to be consumed & wasted , & not gotten or preserued . Upon this his doing , arose a great grudge through al the camp , that he held so sore degenerate from his father Philip , that in manner he disdained ones to heare his country named , & shuld take vpon him the maners & customes of the Persians , whom for such maners & customs he had subdued . But for because he would not seme to haue yelded him self a pollicy of alexander which afterward grewe into a custome . to the vices of them whome he had subdued by battell alone , he gaue his souldiers licens , ( if any of them wer delited with the company of their prisoners , ) to mary them to their wiues thinking that they would haue lesse minde of home , if they had in their tents as it were an image or representation of their houshold gods & dwelling places , & also that thei wold make les accompt of their trauel in the warres for the delite & plesure they had in their wiues . Besides this he thought the Macedone should not nede to be spent so muche in sendyng forth soldiers to supply the nomber of them that wer slain . If the yong nouices might succede the old and expert souldiers their fathers , learning to playe the men of war euen in the same trenche that they were born in . And that they should proue the bolder and hardier , if they were not onlye trained vp to the Warres , but also broughte vp from the shel in the camp . The which custome remained also among the successors of Alexander . Therfore there was a stipend appoynted to finde the Children with all , and when they came to mannes estate , they had apparel of house and harnesse geuen them , and the fathers had wages alowed them according to the nomber of their sonnes . If any of their fathers died , or were slain , the Orphanes neuerthelesse toke their fathers wages , whose childhode amonge so many viages was euen a very warfare . For being from their tender yeares endured and hardened with continuall trauell and pearils , they made the host inuincible , accompting the campe for noone other then their countrye , nor the battell for anye other then their assured victorye . The people that were thus begotten , were called Epigones : Afterwarde when he had conquered the Parthians , he made ruler ●…uer them one of the mooste noble men of all Persia named Andragoras , from whome the kings of Parthia did afterward descend .

In the mean seson Alexander began to outrage with his alexander 〈◊〉 rageth against his noble men for repreh●…ding his ●…ces . own men , not like a king but like an enemy . In especially it displeased him that some of them tolde him and rebuked him , for breaking the customes of his offences , the ancient father Parmenio next vnto the king in estate and dignity , with his sonne Ph●…otas after inquisition had vpon them , were bothe put to death . Whervppon al the campe began to be on a rore , bewailinge the mischaunce of the innocent old man and his sonne , not letting sometime to saye , that it was not for them to loke for any better .

The whiche thinges when they came to Alexanders eare , fearing that if the brute hereof should be blowen into Macedone , the glory of his conquests should be distained with the spot of cruelty , he made as thoughe he were minded to send certain of his frends into Macedone to beare homme tidings of his conquests , exhorting his souldiers to wryte to their frends , for it wold be long or they had the like occasion again , because they should make warre further of . The whiche being doone , he caused the packets of letters to be brought priuely vnto him , by the whiche vnderstanding euerye mannes iudgement of him , he put all those together into one band that had any ill opinion of him : entending either to consume them by battel , or els to distribute them in to new townes that he purposed to build in the vttermoste partes of the world . Then he subdued the Dracans , the Euergets , the Parimans , the paropamissadanes , the Hydaspians , and the other kindes of people that inhabite the fote of Caneasus .

In the meane time was broughte vnto him faste bounde , 〈◊〉 is pu nished for his treason . Bassus one of Darius frendes , who had not only betraied the king his master , but also slain him . Whom in reuengement of his traiterous act , he deliuered to Darius brother to punish him as he thought good , accompting not Darius so much his enemy , as the frend of Darius that had slayne his own master . And to th entent he might leaue his name behinde him in those countries , he builded a City vpon the riuer Tanais and named it Alexandria , the wall whereof Alexandria vpon Tanais beinge vi miles in compasse , he finished within xvii . daies , remouinge into it the people of iii. other cities that Cyrus had builded . Amonge the Segdians and Bactrians also he builded xii . cities , destributing into them all such as he knew Rede this history , & mark what a vice dronkennes is in a prince . to be seditious personnes in his hoste . These thynges thus brought to passe , vpon a certain solempne holye day he bad hys frendes to a feast , wher after the time they had taken in their cuppes , mention being made among them as concerninge the actes of kinge Philip , he began to prefer hym self before his father , extolling the greatnesse of hys owne dedes aboue the skies , where vnto the greater parte of his gestes assented . Therfore when Clytus one of the old men , vpon trust of the kinges frendship , as one that in that respect was the chiefest about him , toke vpon him to defende the fame and renowne of Phillip , standing in the prayse of his noble actes , he offended the kinge so sore , that he snatched a weapon out of one of his gardes hand , and slue hym at the table .

At the which murther trimling , he cast him in the teth as he laye deade with his defendinge of Phillip , and wyth the praise and commendation of his fathers warres . But after his minde beinge satisfied with the slaughter began to quiet it selfe , in steade of anger entred aduisemente , and considering , sometime whome he had slaine , and sometime vpon what occasion he slue him , he began to repent him of that he had doone , that he had taken his fathers prayses in suche displesure , as he ought not to haue taken reprochfull wordes , lamenting that he should be so much ouersene , as to kil his frend being an old man , and hauing not trespassed against him as he was making mery . Thervppon beynge turned with like rage to repentaunce , as he was euen now vnto anger , he wished himself out of the world .

First he fel a weping , then he toke vp the dead body in his armes , searched his woundes , confessed his madnesse . to him as if he coulde haue hearde him , pulled out the weapon , setting it to his owne harte , and had slaine him selfe if his frendes had not wrasted the weapon out of his hande He continued in this wilfuluesse to die certain daies after . For the more to augment his sorow and repentans , came to his minde the remembraunce of Clytus sister who was his nourse , of whom ( allbeit she was not there , ) yet was he moost ashamed in himself , that he had so shamefully rewarded her for noursing of him , as now being man grown and a conqueror , to present her that had borne him in her armes all the time that he was a childe , with the corse of her brother , in recompence of her good turnes .

Moreouer he thought with himselfe , what tales and slaunders he had raised of himself in his armye , and amonge the nations that he had conquered , what a fear and secreat hatred toward himself , he had striken into the harts of his other frends , how bitter and lothsom he had made his own table , being not so terrible armed in the field , as sitting naked at his meate . Then came to his remembraunce Parmenio and Phylotas , then came Amyntas his Sisters sonne , then came his mother in lawe , and her brothers that were put to death , then came attalus , Eury●…ochus , pansanias , and other noble men of Macedone , whose liues he had taken away .

Herevpon he obstinatlye forsoke his meate iiii . daies together , vntil his whole host came and intreted him , beseching that he would not so lament the death of one man , as ther by to cast them all away , hauing broughte them to the vttermoste of the barbarous nations , there to be lefte destitute among the middes of their enemies that moste hated them , and whome they had stirred thervnto by battell .

Greatly herevnto profited the intretaunce and perswasion The force of eloquence . of the Philosopher Callysthenes , who had ben familier with him when they were both scholers vnder Aristotle , and as then lately sent for to put his actes in wrytinge . Therfore when he had set his minde againe to the warres , he receyued the Chorasmians and Dracans by composition . Afterward to th entent all thinges should be more spiteful , the whiche one poynte of statelinesse taken of the custome of the Persians , he had hitherto delayed , he gaue commaundemente they should no more salute him , but adore him . Callysthenes A ▪ good reward of persuadyng hym from dispair , rede more hereof in the. 〈◊〉 . bake . was one of them that stoode sti●…iest againste his purpose . The which thing was the confusion of himselfe , and of many of the noble men of Macedone . For vnder the colour of treson they wer all put to death . Neuerthelesse the Macedones held stil their custom of saluting their kings , vtterly casting away & reiecting the manner of adoring . After this he marched toward Inde , to th entent he might bound hys Empire at the Ocean sea , & th uttermost parte of the East . To the which renown , that th ornaments of his army myght be agreable , he ouerlaid the trappers of the horses , & th armor of his soldiers with siluer , & after their siluer shieldes , he named his whole hoste argyraspides . When he cam to the City Nisa , for as muche as the men of the towne , vppon a certain superstitious confidens that they had in their God Bacchus , who was the founder therof made no countenans of resistence , he commaunded his men should do no harme to it : greatly reioysing , that he had not only folowed the warres but also the verye fotesteppes of the God . From ●…ence he led his host to see the holy Mount , the which of it owne nature Se the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 sticion . was beset with vines and Iuye in suche order , as if it had bene dressed with mannes hande , and set by conning of workmen . Assone as his host came at the mountain beinge moued through a sodain instinct of the minde to the hollye howlings of the God , they skattered here and there without any harm taking , to the great admiration of the king . Wherby he might perceiue that in sparing the town●…men , he did his own army as great plesure as he did them : Then went he to Daedalus hils , and to the kingdom of Quene Cleo phis , who yelding her selfe receiued her kingdome againe , paying for the raunsome therof certaine nightes lodgynge The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with Alexander , at whose hand she obtained throughe her pleasaunt daliaunce and enticements , the thing she coulde neuer haue gotten by force of armes . The sonne that she conceiued by him she named Alexander , who afterwarde enioyed the kingdom of Inde . Cleophis the Quene for defiling of her chastitye , was euer after called of the Indians the kinges Concubine . When he had trauelled throughe Inde , he came to a rocke os meruelous bignesse and roughnesse , into the which many people wer fled , from winning wherof it was told him that Hercules was prohibited by an earthquake . Being therfore inflamed with desire to sur mount the doings of Hercules with great labor and peril , he obtained the rock . Whervpon al the people round about yelded them selues vnto him whome he tooke vnto grace . There was one of the kynges of Inde , whose name was Porus , a man of meruelous strength of body , and of wonderfull Thenco●…nter betwene Po●…us and 〈◊〉 . stoutnesse of stomacke , who hearinge of the fame of Alexander , prepared for the Warre agaynste hys comminge . Therfore when it came to the encounter , he willed his men to set vppon the Macedones , and to let him alone with their kinge , for he woulde fight hande to hande wyth him himself . And Alexander made no tariance to the combate . But at the firste encounter his horse beinge wounded vnder him , he fell downe headlonge to the grounde , neuerthelesse his garde stept about him and saued him .

Porus beinge ouercharged with manye woundes was taken prisoner . Who sorowed so greatlye for his beinge vanquished , that all be it he founde fauor at hys enemies hand , yet woulde he not receiue anye sustenaunce , nor suffer hys woundes to be dressed , and they had muche a doo to obtain so muche at hys hande as that he woulde liue . Whome Alexander in honoure of his valiaunt courage , sent home in safetye into his owne kingdome againe . Then builded he two Cities , the one he called Nicea , thother after the name of his horse he called Bucephala .

After that , he conquered by force the Adre●…ies , the Strathenes , Alexander●… conquests in Inde . the Passides , and the Gangarites , and slewe all theyr armies . When he came to the Enfyts , where his ennemies awaited his comminge with two hundred thousande horsemen , all hys whole armye being wearied as well wyth the nomber of their victories , as with their continuall trauels and labours , with weping besought him at length to make an ende of his warres , and remember to returne into hys owne countrye againe , hauing regarde to the yeres of hys souldioures , whych wer 〈◊〉 able to liue so long as while they might retourne home . One shewed hys graye heade , another his woundes , another his leane carkase wytheced with age , another his bodye full of skarres and maimes .

Sayinge that they alone were the men that had endured oute the continuall warres of two kinges , Phillip and Alexander . Wherfore they besoughte him , yet at lengthe to restore that fewe that wer left , to the graues of their forefathers , who nowe fainted , not for wante of harte , or for wante of good will , but for want of yeres . And if he would not regarde his souldioures , yet haue a respecte to himself , and wearye not his good fortune with takinge to muche vpon her . Being moued with these iust petitions , as it wer to winde vp his victories withall , he caused his camp to be furnished more royally then it was wont to be through the costlinesse whereof he mighte bothe put his ennemyes in terror , and alfo leaue somewhat for them that shuld come after him to talke of ▪ His souldioures neuer did woorke in all these li●…es with better wils . Therfore when they had ●…laine their ennemies , they retired into them againe wyth great recompence . Alexander went from thence to the riuer Acesine , and by the same he sailed to the Ocean , there he tooke to mercye the Gessones and Asybanes which w●… fovnded by Hercules .

From thence be sailed to the Ambres and Sycambres , which met him with foure skore thousande footemen , and threskore thousand horsmen , when he had gotten the vpper Alexa●…der 〈◊〉 ▪ p●…aril & go●… fort●…e . hand of them , he led his host against their city , the which he finding destitute of defendants , as he loked from the wal , the which he first of his men had skaled vp vnto , he lept into the plain of the city without any of his gard about him . When his enemies sawe him there alone , they ran at him on all sides with a great shout and noise , endeuoring them selues if they could , to finish the warres of y● whole world in one mannes deathe , and to be reuenged vpon him for so many nations . Alexander on the contrary part as manfully withstode them , and being but one man alone , fought against so many thousands . It is not almoste to be spoken , the neither the multitude of his ennemies , nor the force and aboundaunce of their weapons , nor their confused noyse as they assailed him , could make him afraid , and that beynge but one a●…e , he shuld beat down and put to flighte so many thousands . But when he perceiued himself to be oppressed with the multitude , he withdrue himself to a block that stode by the wal , by help wherof standing in sauegarde , he held them all tack so long , vntil his frends knowing in what peril he stode , leped down vnto him . Of the whiche many wer slain , and the battel ●…ong in dout , vntil the time that all his army hauing ouerthrowen the wals cam to his reskue . In y● conflict being striken with an arrow vnder the right pappe , when he had bled so sore that he could not stand for feblenesse , he kneled on his kne , and neuer left fighting vntil he had slain him of whom he was wounded . The heling of the wound was greuouser then the wound it self . Ther Alexander sendeth his host to Babylon . fore when at the length contrary to all hope and expectation , he had recouered his health , he sent Polyperchon with his host to Babilon , and he himself with a noumber of the most picked and chosen souldiers , toke shippinge and skoured the Ocean seas , keping still vppon the coast . When he Alexander is rep●…lsed with ●…enymous Da●…tes . came at the city of king Ambiger , the townesmen hearing that he could not be ouercom by no iron , dipped their shafts in poyson , & so with double wound of deathe repulsed the enemy from their wals , & ●…lue very manye of them . When as among many others Ptolomy was deadlye wounded , and was like to haue died out of hand , an herbe was shewed to the king in his slepe , that shoulde remedy the poyson . The which being geuen him in drink , he was forthwith deliuered from th imminent danger , and the most part of his army was by this meanes preserued . Afterwarde when he had won the town by force , he returned into his ships , & made an offring to the Ocean , making supplication for safe return into his country . And as though he had driuen his chariot about the mark , & established the boundes of his Empire , as far as ther was any land habitable , or as far as the sea was able to be sailed , with prosperous winde he entred into the mouth of the riuer Indus . Ther is a momument of his conquests , he builded the city Barce , and set vp alters , leuing one of his frends for lieuetenant of the Indians that inhabite the sea coast . From thence intendinge to iourney by lande , when he heard saye that in his waye were drye places , he Alexanders retourne vnto Bab●…on & his doynges there . commaunded pits and pondes to be made in places conuenient as he shuld go , wherin finding great plenty of swete water , he returned to Babilon . There many of the nations that he had subdued , accused their rulers , the whiche Alexander withoute respecte of frendship or fauor , caused to be put to death in the presence of the ambassadors . After thys he toke to wife Satir the daughter of kinge Darius . Furthermore he chose out the noblest and beutifullest ladies & gentlewomen of al nations , and gaue the to his noble men in mariage : the which he did to th entent that by a common fact , his own offence shuld seme the lighter . Then summoned he his army to a sermon , wherin he promised to pay al their dets of his own purss , to th entent they mighte carye home clere their boties and rewards . This liberality was notable not only for the great sum , but also in consideration of the fre geuing therof . And it was as thankfully receiued of the creditors as of the dettors , because it was as harde a matter for th one to haue demaunded it , as for the other to haue paid it . Thre and twenty thousand talents were bestowed here abouts . Furthermore he cashed the old souldiers and supplied their roumes with yong beginners . But such as wer reteined stil , grudging at the dismissing of the old souldiers , required to be cashed them selues also , biddinge Alexanders lyber●… 〈◊〉 his souldiers him pay them their wages & not to tel them of their yeres for seing they wer chosen into warfare together , they thought it but right and duty to be discharged together . And nowe they came not to him with entretance and humble sute , as by the way of petition , but with fasing and bracinge . Bidding him finish his warres alone with his father Hammon , and then go set lighte by his souldioures . On the contrarye part , somtime he chastised them , sometime he admonyshed them with gentle wordes , that they should not obfuscate & darken their famous conquests and acts of cheualry , with rebellion at the latter end .

At the length when he saw his words could nothing auail he rose out of his chair vnarmed as he was , and stepte into The ●…outnes of Alexander . them , being all armed , to fetch out th authors of that rebellion . And no man durst be so bolde as ons to let him of hys purpose , but that he pulled out xiii . of them , and led them to execution with his owne handes . So greate a pacyence in suffering death did the fear of a king cast vpon them , or els the customable enuringe in the feates of warre , gaue hym boldnesse to put them to execution . Then called he the Per sians aside , and spake to them , praising their continual faith and obedience , bothe to him and to their kynges in tymes past , rehersing his benefites towardes them , howe he neuer accompted them as vanquished but as partakers of his victory , and to be short how he hadde passed into theyr lawes and customes , and not they into the customes of his country , and that by ioyning affinitye and aliaunce he had made the conquerors and the conquered a like . And nowe he said he would betake the custody of his own person , not onlye to the Macedones but also vnto them . Whervpon he chose a thousande of their lusty yonge men into hys garde , another sort of them he gaue armor and wepon vnto , and dispersed them into his owne host , to th entent they should learn th order of the warres of Macedone , the which thing the Macedones toke sore to hart , that the king shuld subrogate in their roumes , weping vnto him , desiring him to satisfy himself with punishing them rather then wyth puttyng than to suche reproche . By the which submission they obtained y● axi . M. of th old souldiers were discharged , and of hys frends wer dismissed because they wer old men . Polyperchon Clytus , Gorgias , Polydamas & Antigonus . Craterus had the charge of theese that were sente awaye , with Commissyon to take vppon him as regent of Macedone in steade of Antipater . And Antipater was commaunded to come with a noumber of yonge souldioures to supplye hys roumē . They that retourned home had allowance of wages as well as they that folowed still the warres .

While these thinges were in doing , one of his frendes named Ephestion , whome he loued entirely , first for his excel The death 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 . lent beuty when he was a boy , and secondlye for his humble obedience deceased . For whome the kinge mourned a long time more then stode with his honor to doo beinge a king , and bestowed xii . M. talents vppon a tombe for hym . Geuing commaundement to honoure him nowe after hys death as a God . As he was in his way returning towards Babilon from the furthest landes that bordered vpon the Ocean , tidinges were brought him that the ambassadours of Carthage , and other Cities of Affrik , and also of Spain , ●…des of 〈◊〉 and of the west . Sicil , Fra●…nce , Sardinia , and many of Italy did await for his comming at Babilon . So greate a terror had the fame of his name striken into the harts of all the world , that all nations as if they had determined to make him & acknowledge him for their soueraigne Lord and king , wer glad to humble them selues vnto him . For this cause therfore as he was making spede to Babilon , as it were to hold a parliament of the whole world . One of the wisemen told hym that it was not good for him to come there , affirming that it was the place where he should die . There vppon he lefte Babilon and went to the city Byrse beyond the riuer Euphrates which ere whiles lay desolate . There the Philosopher Anaxarchus through his perswasion compelled hym to despise the foresayinges of the wisemen as false and vncertaine , forasmuche as if they were determined by desteny , men were not priuye to them , or if they were ordained by the lawe of nature , it was not possible for a manne to breake them or auoid them Returninge therfore to Babilon , when he had spent many daies in idlenesse , the festing and banketting which he had left of now for a good while , he set vp fresh again , and being altogether geuen to mirth and pastime , spending day and night in reuelling and making chere , euen immediatly vpon a banket , the Phisition Thassalus made a rere supper , and desired the kinge and alexander is poisoned . his Lordes vnto it . Alexander toke a cuppe in his hande , hande , and as he was in the middes of his draughte , sodenlye he gaue a greate sighe as thoughe he hadde beene striken to the harte with a dagger , and being caryed from the banket halfe deade , he was tormented with so intollerable paine , that he desired to haue a sworde to ridde hym selfe out of it wythall , and when anye man touched him , it was as greuous to him as if they had wounded him . His frendes caused it to be noised , that his excessiue dronkennesse was the cause of his disease . But in verye deede it was the treason of them selues , the slaunder wherof was by the power of them that succeded suppressed .

The authoure of this treason was Antipater , who seing The author of alexanders death . his moost entier deare frendes murdered , his sonne in lawe Alexander of Lyncestes put to death , and himself after his noble enterprises atcheued in Grece , not so muche accepted for his laboure as had in disdaine , and ther vnto tickled with diuers complaints made by his mother Olympias besides all the which considering what straight iustice and cruel execution was lately before , doone vpon the lieuetenaunts of sondry countries , could gather no lesse by the circumstauns of the premisses , but that he himselfe also was sent for out of Macedone , not to attende vppon hym in his warres , but to be punished as other had bene . Therfore to the entent to preuent the kinges purpose , he sent his sonne Cassander priuely with poyson , the which Cassander wyth Phillip and Iolla his brothers , were wonte to serue the kynge at his Table . And the force of the poysonne was so greate that there was neyther brasse , yron nor earthen vessell that was able to holde it , nor it coulde not be caryed any otherwise then in the hofe a horse : laying strait charge vpon his sonne that he shoulde not truste anye man sauing Thessalus and his brothers .

For this cause therfore was the bankette prepared and dressed in the house of 〈◊〉 Philip and 〈◊〉 which wer wonte to be the kynges cuppe bearers and his tasters , had the poyson in colde water , the whiche water they tasted and caste it vpon the drinke . The fourthe daye after Alexander perceiuing there was no way with hym but death , The 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . sayde he acknowledged the desteny of the house of his 〈◊〉 . For the Aeacides for the mooste parte dyed 〈◊〉 they came to xxx . yeres of age . Then he appeased hys sou●… dioures whiche began to make an vprore , mistrusting the kinge to be killed by treason , and beinge borne vp into the highest and openest place that could be founde in all the city●… , and there laide for the vpon a couch , he admitted them all to his presence , and put forthe his righte hand to them to kisse as they stode wepinge about him . And wheras all 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . the company wept to beholde him in that case , he not onlye shed forthe neuer a teare , but also was withoute any kinde of token ofsorowe or 〈◊〉 : in so much that he comforted certayne of them that made greate sorowe and lamentation for the matter . Unto some he gaue commaundements and errands to doo to their frendes from him . So that like as hys harte was inuincible toward the enemy , so was it inuincible also againste deathe . When he had sente awaye his souldioures , he demaunded of hys frendes as they stode about hym , whether they thought they shuld finde the like kynge againe or no. Euerye man holdynge his peace , he sayde , that as he knew not that , so he perfectly knew and prophesied , yea and in maner saw it presently before his eies , how much bloud Macedone shoulde spende in that quarel , and with how greate slaughter & occision of men , it should do obsequies for him after his departure . At the last he willed his body to be buried in the Temple of Hammon . When hys frendes sawe him drawe on , they asked who shoulde be heir of hys Empyre . He aunswered the worthiest . So greate was the courage of hys harte , that wheras he left behinde him hys sonne Hercules , hys brother Arideus , and his wife Roxanes great with chylde , for gettinge all 〈◊〉 and aliaunce , hee denounced him to be his heire , that was worthyest . As thoughe it hadde not beene lawfull for anye man to succeade a valiaunt manne then as valiaunte a man as he , or to leaue the richesse of so great a kingdome to any other , then to such as were tride men with thys word , as though he had blowen a trompet among his noble men , or sowne the sede of mischief and delate , euery one became enemy to other in his hart , & wyth colourable flattery priuely sought the good wils and fauor of the men of warre . The vi . day when his speche was gon , he tooke a ringe of his finger , and deliuered it to Perdicas , the which thinge appeased the dissention of his frendes all ready beginning to bud . For allbeit he were not pronounced heir by word by mouthe , yet notwithstanding it semed it was his minde he should be his heire . Alexander deceased of the age of xxxiii . yeares and one monthe , a man endued with stoutnesse of courage aboue the power of mannes fraile nature . The same nighte that his mother Olympias conceiued him , she dreamed she had to do with a great dragon , neither was she deceiued of God in her dreame , for The tolens that 〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉 death . out of all dout , she bare in her wombe a piece of worke exceding the frailnesse of mannes nature . And althoughe she were renowmed bothe for the house of Aeacus from whence by auncient descent of so many C. yeres , ●…he was lineallye ●…xtract , and also because her father , her brother , her husband and all her auncestors and progenitoures were kinges , yet was she in none of all those respectes so muche to be estemed as for her owne sonne . Many wondrous foretokens of his greatnesse appered euen at his birth . For the same day that he was borne , two Egles stode all day vpon the toppe of his fathers house , representing a token of his dowl Empire of Europe and Asia . And the very same daye also hys father had tid●…nges broughte him of two victories , the one of a battell against the Illyrians , the other of the gamynge at the mountaine Olympus , vnto the which he hadde sent his chariots . The whyche was a token that the child shuld be conqueror of all countries . Duringe hys childehode he ●…lexanders 〈◊〉 and prosperity . was brought vp straightly to his learning when he grew towarde mannes estate , he encreased in knowledge vnder Aristotle the 〈◊〉 teacher of al Philosophers . A●…terward when he had taken the kingdome vpon him , he proclaimed himself king of all landes and of the whole world , and so behaued himself among his souldiers , that if he 〈◊〉 with them , there was no enemy could make them afraide although they had beane naked them selues . Therfore he neuer encountred with any enemy , but he ouercame him , he neuer besieged city but he wan it , nor neuer entred any country but he subdued it . And yet at the last he was ouercome , not by force of the enemy , but by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 treason of his owne subiectes .

The thirtenthe Booke .

ALexander the great being dispatched out of the way in the very floure of The great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 e that was for the deathe of 〈◊〉 . his age and of his conquests , al men were striken in so heauye dumpes , and in especially all the citye of Babilon . But the nations whome he had subdued could not geue credite to the reporte : because that as they beleued him to be inuincible , so also they thoughte him to be immortall : calling to remembraunce how often he had bene deliuered from present death , and how oftentimes when he had loste his weapon , sodainly he shewed himself amonge hys men , not only safe and sound , but also gettinge the vpper hande . But when they were throughlye perswaded that he was dead in dede , all the barbarous nations whom he had conquered a litle before , mourned for him , not as for an ennemye , but as for a father . Moreouer the mother of Darius , whome after the losse of her sonne , beinge her selfe fallen from the stage of so highe estate , it repented not of her lyfe vnto that day , for the great clemency and fauoure that she found in ●…er conqueror , when she hard of Alexanders death did rid herselfe oute of this life : not because she sette more by her ennemy then by her own sonne , but because she had found the naturall loue of a sonne in him , whome she toke for her enemy .

On the other part the Macedones cleane contrary mour The vngrati tude of the ●…dones . ned not for him as for their countryman , or as for a kinge of such a maiesty , but reioysed as if they had lost an enemy , cursing his ouergreat seueritye and continuall ieoperdies that he put them vnto by his warres . Besides this , the princes gaped for the pertition of his kingdomes and prouinces , and the common souldioures for his treasures , and for a great masse of gold as a booty falling into their mouthes vnhoped for : th one thinking to succede him in his Empire , the other to possesse his richesse and moueables . Ther wer in the tresory an hundred thousande talentes , besides the yerely custom and tribute which amounted to CCC . thousand . But it was not for nothinge that the noble men of Alexander loked for the kingdome . For they were euery The commendation of alex anders noble ●…en . one of them of that prowesse , representing suche a maiesty therwithall , that ye would haue thought them to haue beene kinges euerychone . For they were all men of suche beauty and fauour so tall and goodly personages , and of so great strength and wisdome , that he that had not knowen them , would not haue thought they hadde bene all of one country , but rather chosen out of all the whole world . And surely neither Macedone , nor any other country before that time , did florish with suche a nomber of noble m●…n , whom first of all Philip , and afterward Alexander with suche aduisement selected and picked oute , that they seemed not so muche to haue bene chosen to attend vppon him , and serue him in the warres , as to succede in him in his kingdome . Who can then meruel that the world was subdued by such men of seruice ? seing the army of Macedone was gouerned by so many , not Captaines but kinges , who neuer shoulde haue found their matches , if they had not fallen at contention betwene them selues .

And Macedone should haue had many Alexanders for one , if fortune vpon enuy of their owne puissaunce , had not armed them one to destroy another . But after the time that Alexander was deade , they assembled together into one place , neither alltogether mery nor out of fear one of another . No lesse mistrustinge the men of warre , whose liberty was now more large and fauor vncertaine .

And amonge them selues the equalitye encreased theyr The 〈◊〉 tion among●… alexanders captaines fo●… the goue●…ment of the Empire . discord , no man so farre exceding the rest of his peres , that any of them would vouchsafe to submit himself vnto hym . Therfore they assembled in the palace all in harnesse , to set an order and staye in matters for the tyme . Perdicas thoughte it good to abide the deliueraunce of Roxanes , the which had now gone viii . monethes with child by Alexander , and wold be redy shortly to lie downe , and if she brought forth a sonne , to substitute him in his fathers stead .

Meleager replying thervnto said , it was not meete to delaye their determination vpon her doubtfull deliueraunce , nor to tary for a king that was vnborne , sith they mighte take suche as were borne all ready .

For if they desired to haue a childe to their kinge , there was at Pergamus Alexanders sonne by Arsine called Hercules : or if they had rather haue a younge man , there was in the campe arideus the brother and companion of Alexander , one that was welbeloued of all men , not onlye for hys owne sake , but also for his father king Philippes sake . But as for Ro●…nes , for as much as she was a Persian , it was not lawfull for the Macedones to take them kinges of theyr bloud whose Empire they had subuerted , the which thing he said was no part of Alexanders thoughte : for he made no mention at all thereof at his deathe . Ptolomy refused to haue arideus made king , not only for his mothers basenesse , ( for he was begotten of a concubine named Laryssa , ) but also for his continuall sicknesse , whiche was greater then could well be abiden in that case : least he shoulde beare the name , and another all the sway .

Wherfore it wer better for them to chuse certayn of those whiche for their prowesse and vertues were next vnto the king , to rule the prouinces and to take charge of the warres , rather then vnder the coloure of a kinge , to be at the commaundement of vnworthy persons . At length by the consent of them all , the sentence of Perdicas tooke place . It was thought good to tary for the deliueraunce of Roxanes , and if she had a manchilde , it was determined that Leonatus , Perdicas , Craterus , & ●…tipater shuld be protectours , and forth with ●…rideus is proclaymed kynge in a 〈◊〉 . the rest toke their othe to be obedient to those protectors . When the horsmen had done the like , the fotemen disdaining that they wer made preuy to no part of their doings , proclaimed Arideus the brother of Alexander kynge , and chose him a garde of his own kinred , geuing him the name of his father king Phillip . The which thinges when they were told to the horsmen , they sent to appease their wrath two ambassadoures of the noble men Attalus and Melenger : who seking preheminence by flatteringe of the comminalty , condescended to the souldioures , by and by the tumulte increased , when it ones had gotten a heade and counsell .

Then of purpose to destroy the men of armes , they armed them selues and rushed into the palace . The men of armes vnderstanding what peril they stode in , fearfully conueied The fyrst dis sencion among Alexanders successours . them selues out of the city , and pitched theyr campe in the fieldes , wherat the fotemen also began to be dismaid . Neyther did the hatred of the noble men cease . Attalus sente to kil Perdicas captain of the aduerse parte . Unto whom being armed , when they that were sent to strike him durste not approche , althoughe of his owne courage he prouoked them thervnto , Perdicas was of such boldnesse , that of his The stouines of P●…dicas . owne free wil he went to the fotemen , and assembling them together , laide to their charge what a heinous matter they attempted , willing them to haue respecte againste whome they toke wepon in hande , alledginge that they were not Persians but Macedones , nor enemies but their own countrymen , yea & many of them their kinsmen , or at least wyse for the most part their companions in armes , and partakers of their perils . Wherfore they should make a goodly show to their ennemies , that they might reioyce to see them kill one another , by whose puissaunce they lamented them selues to be ouercome , and to see them do sacrifice with their own blud to the ghostes of them that they had slain . When Perdicas had with his singuler eloquence debated theese The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . matters to the full , he moued the footemen in suche wise , that by a common consent he was chosen captaine general of them all . Then the horsmen also beinge broughte to attonement , consented to take Arideus for king , reseruing a part of the kingdome for the sonne of Alexander if any shuld be borne . This did they , layinge the bodye of Alerander amongst them , to th entent that his maiesty mighte be as a witnesse of their . decrees and ordinaunces . These thynges Thor●…r ●…ken for the gouernment of 〈◊〉 . being thus set at a stay , Antipater was made regent of Macedone and Grece . Craterus was appoynted to be hyghe tresurer . The charge of the campe , the hoste , and matters of warfare wer committed to Meleager and Perdicas , and Arideus himself was assigned to conuey Alexanders corse to the temple of Hammon . Then Perdicas beinge sore displeased with the authors of the sedition , sodenlye withoute knowledge of his fellow , commaunded the next day a serche should be made in the campe for the death of the kinge .

When he had set all the hoste in armour in the field by the consente of them all , he called certaine seditious personnes oute of euerye bande , and caused them priuelye to be put to death . The whiche done , he returned againe , and deuided the prouinces amonge the princes , to the entent he myght send out of the way , suche as wer his backe frendes , and al so make them all to thinke , that it was throughe hys goodnesse that they obtained suche authority . First of all Egipt The 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 c●…s . with a part of Affricke and Arabie fell by lot vnto Ptolomy , whome Alexander for his manhode and valia●…tnesse had promoted from a raskall souldioure .

And to pntte him in his office , was appoynted Cleomenes which builded Alexandria . The next prouince adioyninge thervnto which was Syria , was committed to Laomedon of Mytilene , Phylotas & his son toke Cylicia & Sclauonie . Ouer the greater Media was made ruler Acr●…pat , ouer the lesser , Alcet the brother of Perdicas . The country of Susa nie was assigned to Syno , & the greater Phrygia vnto Antigonus the son of Philip , Learchus chaunced by lot vpon Lycia and Pamphylia , Cassander vpon Caria , and Menan der vpon Lydia . Unto Leonatus happened the lesser Phri gia , vnto Lysymachus , Thrace , & the countries bordering vpon y● sea of Pontus . Cappadocia with Paphlagonia wer geuen vnto Emnenes . The marshalship of the campe fortuned to Seleuchus the sonne of Antiochus . Cassander the sonne of Antipater was made captain of the kings garde . In the further Bactria and in the countries of Indie , the former lieuetenants wer commaunded to kepe their offices stil , sauing that Taxilles had the gouernaunce of all that lays betwene the two riuers of Hydaspes and Indus . And that Phyton the son of Agenar was sent to haue the rule of the new townes that were builded in Indie . Ariarches tooke vpon him the gouernment of the Parapomenians , people that inhabite the vttermost parts of the mountain Cancasus . Statener toke to gouern the Dracans and Argeans , & Amyntas the Bactrians , Scythens obtained the Sogd●…ās Nicanor the Parthians , Phillip the Hyrcanians , Phrataphernes the Armenians , Neoptolemus the Persians , Pencestes the Babylonians , Arthius the Pelasgians , and Archesilaus Mesapotamia . This pertition like as it chaunced to euery one of them as his fatall charge : so was it vnto ma nye of them the grounde and foundation of their encreasement and prosperity . For ere it was any longe time after , as though they hadde deuided kingdomes and not lieuetenauntships , so being made kings of lieuetenaunts , they not only got greate richesse to them selues , but also lefte them to their posterity . While these things were a doing in the Ea●…te , the Atheniens and the Aetolians renued the warres in Grece withall the power they wer able to make , which The war●… of the 〈◊〉 against a lexanders s●… cessours . they had all redy begon while Alexander was aliue . The occasion of this warre , was because that Alexander at hys retourne from Inde , wrote his letters into Grece , by the whiche all suche as were banished out of their natiue countries , of what city so euer they were , ( suche as were attainted of murder onlye excepted ) were restored to their countries againe . The which being openly red in the presens of all Grece at the marte of Olympus , caused much busines : because that diuers of them were banished , not by order of law , but through discord and partaking of the princes , fearing y● if they shuld be reuoked again , they might bear greater sway & autority in the common welth them they . Whervpon euen then many cities murmured , saying opely that it wer mete to set them selues at liberty by the sword . But the chefe doers and ringleaders in this quarell wer the Atheniens and the actolians . Wherof assone as alexander had knowledge , he enioyned his confederates to finde hym a thousande gallies to make warre withall in the West , purposing by the way to make a rhode againste athens , and to destroy it vtterly . The atheniens therfore hauinge raysed an army of thirty thousande souldiers & two hundred ships , made warre with Antipater , to whome the gouernmente of Grece fel by lot , whom for as much as he durst not geue them battel in the field , but kept himself within the walles of the city Hiraclea they besieged . The very same time De The dutye o●… a true subiect to his natiue country in 〈◊〉 . mosthenes the orator of athens , who beinge before banished his country for his offence in taking a bribe of Harpalus that fled for fear of alexanders crueltye , because he had moued the city to warre againste him , by chaunce liued as an outlaw at Megara : hearing that the atheniens had sent Hyperides of ambassade to moue the Pelopomiesians to take their part in these warres , folowed him and with hys eloquens perswaded Sycion , argos and Corinthe , and all the other cities to ioyne them selues with the atheniens .

For the which his doing the Atheniens sent a ship for him , and called him home out of exile .

In the meane season at the siege of Antipater , Leosthenes captaine of the Atheniens was slaine wyth a Darte throwne at him from the wall as he passed by . The which thinge gaue suche encouragemente to Antipater , that he burste open his barriers , and aduenture into the Trenche of his enemies . Neuerthelesse he was fain to send his messengers to Leonatus for succour . The Atheniens hearing Leonatus is 〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉 . that he was comminge towarde them with an hoste , went to meete him in order of battell , where amonge the horsemen , he receiued so sore a wounde that he died for thwyth . Antipater allbeit he sawe his reskowes put to flyghte , yet notwithstanding he was gladde that Leonatus was dead . For by meanes therof he was bothe rid of a backe frende , and also encreased in strengthe by attaininge of his hoste . Therfore assone as he had receiued his armye , being nowe able to matche with his ennemies in plaine field , they raised their siege and he departed into Macedone . The Grekishe hoste also hauinge driuen the enemy oute of the borders The end of the athenien warres . of Grece , went home euerye man to his owne citye . In the meane while Perdicas making warre againste the innocent Ariarathes king of Cappadocia , and gettinge the The wilfull destruction of the Cappaddcians . vpper hand in the field , won nothing therby but woundes and pearils . For his enemies retiring out of the battel into the city , slue their wiues and children , and set their houses , and all that euer they had on fire .

Moreouer when they had throwen there into all theyr richesse , they caste them selues also hedlong after them , to He that hunteth ii . hares at ones catcheth none of bothe . the entent their enemy hauing gotten the victory , shoulde enioy nothing of theirs , more then the beholdyng of y● fire . After this , to th entent that to th establishment of his strength , he might get himself th autority of a king , he entended to mary Cleopatra the sister of great Alexander , and some time the wife of the other Alexander , not without the con sent of her mother Olympias . But first of al he coueted to surprise antipater vnder pretence of ioyninge aliaunce with him . And therfore he pretended to desire his Daughter in mariage , to th entent he might the more easly obtain a sup plement of yong souldiers oute of Macedone . But by meanes of antipater , ( who smelled oute his subteltye , ) while he wente aboute two wiues at ones , it came to passe that he attained none of bothe .

After this there arose warre betwene antigonus and perdicas . Antigonus was aided by Craterus and Antipater , who taking The ●…yrstwar 〈◊〉 alexand●… successo●…s . a truce with the Atheniens , made polyperchon regent of Macedone and Grece . Perdicas perceiuing that the world went not on his side , sent for arideus and great Alexanders sonne ( of bothe whome the charge was vnto him committed , ) into Cappadocia , to haue their aduise as concerning the order of the warres . Some were of opinion to remoue the warre into Macedone , to the very welspring and heade of the kingdome , forasmuche as there was Olymplas Aleranders mother , which shuld be no smal stay on their side , and also for the fauor of the comminalty in remembraunce of Philip & Alexander . But it was thought most for the common profit to begin at Egipt , least when they wer gon into Mace done , ptolomy might inuade Asia . Emnenes besides the prouin ces he had before , had deliuered vnto him , paphlagonia , Caria , Lycia and Phrygia , there he was commaunded to abyde the comminge of Craterus and Antipater , and to assiste hym , were appoynted alcetas the brother of perdicas and Neoptolemus with their armies . Clytus was made chiefe admirall of the Fleete Cilicia was taken from phylotas , and geuen to phyloxenus and perdicas himself with a great army went toward Egipt . So Macedone through the discord of the captaines deuiding them selues in two partes , sette her weapons against her own bowels , tourninge the habilimentes of warre that were appoynted for the foraine ennemye , to the slaughter of her owne inhabitaunts , after the manner of madmen , entendinge to cut and mangle the handes and members of her owne body .

But P●…lomy through his industry and pollicy got greate richesse in Egipte . For by his singuler modestye he bothe The Commendation of Ptolomy kinge of Egipt . wan the hartes of the Egiptians to him , and by his frendlinesse and gentle behauioure , he compassed the good ●…ils of the kinges that were his neighbors & dwelt about him . Furthermore he also enlarged the bounds of his kingdom by conquering the city Cyrene , by meanes wherof he was now become a prince of suche power , that he hadde not so muche cause to be afrayde of his enemies , as his enem●…es had cause to be a fraid of him . This citye Cyrene was builded by Aristeus , who for because he was tounge tyed was The building of Eyrene in 〈◊〉 . surnamed Battus . This mannes father called Cyrenus , king of the Iland There , when as moued with shame and sorow that his sonne being man growen , could not speake , he came to the Oracle at Delphos to make intercession to God for his sonne , he receiued an answer , wherby his sone Battus was commaunded to go into Affricke , and builde the City Cyrene , there to receiue the vse of speche .

Now because that the aunswer semed like a mockerye , by reason of the li●…enesse of the Isle Theramene , oute of the whiche inhabiters were commaunded to repaire into Affricke there to build a city in a country so farre of , the matter was lefte of . Afterwarde in processe of tyme , for theyr stubbornesse there fell suche a Pestilence amonge them , that they were compelled to obey the commaundement of the God , whether they would or no , and there was so smal and slender a noumber of them , that they were 〈◊〉 able to furnishe a ship .

When they came into Affricke , both for the pleasauntnesse of the place , and for the aboundance of water springs that there were , they expulsed the inhabiters of the mountain Cyra , and planted them selues in the same place : Ther their captain Battus had his tonge stringes losed , and began to speake . The whiche thing encouraged theyr hartes to build vp the rest of the city , in as muche as the God had all ready performed part of his promises . Therfore when they had pitched their tentes , they solowed the opinion of an old fable . How that Cyrene a maid of excellent 〈◊〉 was rauished by Appollo in the mountain Pelius in 〈◊〉 saly , and caried from thence to the toppe of the mou●…tain ▪ Wheras the God begather with childe , and when she had gone her time , she was deliuered of iiii . sonnes , Nomius , Aristeus , 〈◊〉 , and Ageus . And that her father 〈◊〉 king of Thessaly , sent out men to seke her , who being allured with the plesantnesse of the place , abode styll with the maid in that country . Of these children when they came to mannes estate , three retourned into Thessaly , and enioyed the graundfathers kingdome . Aristeus had a large dominion in Arcadie , and first taught men the vse of Bees and hony , of milke and creame , and first found out the times of the yeare ▪ when the sonne is at the highest in Sommer , and likewise at the lowest in Winter , together with the courses of the other starres . Upon which reporte , Battus learninge the name of the maiden by the Oracles , builded the citye Cyrene . Ptolomye therefore beinge en●…ased in strengthe by the power of this City , prepared for the war against Perdicas comming .

But the hatred that Perdicas had gotten through hys passinge pride and statelinesse , did him more harme then 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 of princes . the puissaunce of his enemies . For his owne companions hated him so sore , that they forsoke him and fled by heapes with Antipater . Neoptolemus also being left to aid and assist Emnenes , purposed not only to turn vnto the contrary part , but also to betray the whole host of his complices . The whiche pretence when Emnenes had espyed , he had none other shift but to try the matter by dint of sword agaynste the traitoure . Neoptolemus being vanquished ●…ed to Antipater a●…d Polyperchon perswadinge with them , that if they would kepe on their iournye withoute stayinge , they might fall vpon Emnenes ere he were ware , being nowe in ioy and gladnesse for his late victory , and taking no care by reason they had put him to flight .

But his purpose was vnknowen to 〈◊〉 . Therfore the treason tourned vpon the traitoures heads . For they whiche 〈◊〉 and Neoptolemus are staine by 〈◊〉 . thoughte to haue surprised him vnwares , were mette wythall them selues when they looked leaste for any suche thing , beinge wearied with trauell , and watchynge all the nighte . In that encounter polypercbon was slaine . Neoptolemus also fightinge hande to hande , with Emnenes a greate while together , after many woundes geuen and receiued , was in the ende ouercome and slaine . emnenes therfore gettinge the vpper hande in two pitched fieldes together , vpheld and maintained his side for a while , whiche was not a litle empaired by the reuoltinge of his adherentes . Neuerthelesse at the last , when perdicas was ones slain , both he and phyton , and Illirius , and ale●…tas the brother of perdicas , were proclaimed traitoures by the hoste of their enemies , and Antigonus was appoynted to make warre agaynste them .

The. xiiii . Booke .

ENmnenes when he vnderstode y● 〈◊〉 dicas was slain , hiself proclamed traitor in Macedone , and that Antigonus 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 doinge of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . was appoynted to make war against him , declared the matter of his owne accord to his souldioures , least the sodain newes of it might cause them to take the matter worse then it was in deede , or the straungenesse therof discourage their harts . And also to the entent to try whether their mindes were bent any thing against him or no , entending to take councel by th aduise of them all . Neuerthelesse boldly protesting amonge them , that if anye mannes harte failed him , he shuld haue licence to depart , with the which word he allured them all to fauor his procedings that they all bad him be of good comforte , promisinge to repeale the decrees of the Macedones by force of armes . Then remoued he with his hoste into Actolia , where he raised a taxe The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 name . of the cities , and suche as refused to bestow it vpon hym , he sacked like an ennemy . From thence he went to Sardis to Cleopatra the sister of great Alexander , to the entent that by her wordes the captaines and chiefe officers mighte be the more strengthened to stande in his quarel . For he was of that opinion , that the maiestye and fortune of the kyngdome should turne vnto that side that the sister of Alexander held with . So muche reuerence was attributed to the greatnesse of Alexander , that men soughte for the fauor of his sacred and renowned name , euen by the fotesteppes of women .

When he was returned into his tente , ther wer letters Treason wysely 〈◊〉 and with standed . found strawed throughe all the campe , wherin were promised greate rewardes to him that would bring Emnenes ●…ed vnto Antigonus . Emnenes hauing knowledge hereof , sommoned his souldiers before him , & first of all gaue them thankes that there were none of them founde , that preferred the hope of a bloudy reward before his faithful oth and fidelity . Afterward he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vp the matter , saying that those letters wer 〈◊〉 by himself , to try his soldiers mindes withall , and ●…at it lay in all their handes to saue him or cast him a way , neuerthelesse that nether antigouus , nor any other of the captains , coueted to get the vpperhand in suche sort , as therby to geue wicked ensample to others to doo the like by him . By this dede he bothe strengthened the wauering mindes of h●…s souldiers for the present time , and prouided before hande that if the like chaunce shoulde happen hereafter , his souldioures should not thincke them selues to be corrupted by their ennemye , but rather tried what they would doo by their captaine . Euery man therefore stroue who might be most for his security & safegarde . In the meane season came antigonus against them with hys boste , and reastinge himselfe in his campe for that nyghte brought forthe his men in battell raye the next morninge . Neither did Em●…eties detract the encounter , who being put Emnenes is put to flyght , and beseged by Antigonus to the worfe , fled into a certaine strong holde . Where perceiuing that he was driuen to abide thee aduenture of the siege , he . dismissed the greater parte of his army , for doubt leaste by the consent of suche a multitude he mighte be betrayed to his ennemye , or elsse be pestered with the noumber of men , and so not be able to holde out the siege . Then sent he ambassadoures humbly to Antipater : who only semed of power able to matche Antigonus . Antigonus hearinge that Antipater had sent to reskue Emnenes , brake vp his siege and went his waye .

Thus was Emnenes deliuered from feare of deathe for a while , but it was not for him to hope to continue longe in safetye , seing he had sent awaye his men of warre . Therefore Emnenes windeth hy●… self into ●…auor with the argiraspides . when he had loked wel aboute him , he thought it best for him , to resorte to the Argiraspides that inuincible host of great Alexander glistering with the renowme of so many victories . But the argiraspides , after that Alexander was ones gone , disdained all captaines , thinckinge them selues dishonoured to serue vnder any other , considerynge vnder what a prince they had serued so late before .

Emnenes therfore entreated them with faire wordes , and spake gently to euery of them , calling them somtimes his fellowes and companions in armes , sometimes his patrones and defendoures , other whiles his partakers of all daungerous attemptes and enterprises in the Easte , and other whiles the only refuge and staye of his life and safegard , boastinge that they onlye were those , by whose puissaunce the East was subdued , which alonely had surmounted the warfare of liber pater , and the monumentes of Hercules , that by them Alexander was made greate , by them he obtained to deuine honoures and immortall glory , beseching them to receiue him amongst them , not so muche for a captain , as for o●…e of their felowes , and that they would geue him leaue to be as it were one of their bodye . Beyng vpon this condition enterteined , by litle and litle first with admonishing euery man apart , and afterward with gentle correcting suche thinges as were doone amisse , he vsurped authority ouer them . Nothing could be done in the campe without him , nothing could be attempted withoute his aduice . At the lengthe when it was tolde him that antigonus came against him with an army , he compelled them to put Em●…s 〈◊〉 vanquish●… again . them selues in order of battell there whiles they disdained to be ruled by their captaine , by force of their ennemies they were ouercome . In that battell they lost not onlye all their glory and renowne , won in so manye battels before , but also their wiues and children , and all the goodes they had gotten in so long continued warre so far from home . Emnenes th author of this their losse and discomfiture , hauing none other comfort or refuge to flie vnto , began to en courage them when they were vanquished , affirming that they wer superior as touching their prowesse & puissance : For they had slaine fiue thousand of their enuemies , and i●… they were minded to sticke to it to the vttermooste , they should see their ennemies be faine to sue to them for peace . As for the losses and domage wherby they thoughte them selues so much vndone , were but two thousand women , & a few children and bondmen , the which they might better recouer by getting the victory , then by forsaking the victorye for wante of courage : The Argyraspides made aunswer , they would neither attempt to run away with the losse of their wiues and bedfellowes ▪ nor yet make warre agaynst their own children . And with that they beganne to reuile him , in that after so many yeres , when they wer returned home with their wages whiche they had well and dearlye earned , and with the rewardes of so many battels being at rest and hauing geuen ouer the warrs , he had egged them forth to a newe warfare and endlesse encounters , and leadinge them in manner from their houses and natiue country , had deluded them with his vaine promises , yea & now also after they had lost the gaines of their prosperous warfare , could not be content to suffer them beinge thus vanquished , to lead the rest of their wretched olde age in quietuesse . Here vppon without knowledge of their captaynes , they sent messengers to antigonus forthwith desiringe restitution Thargiraspi des conspired to betraye 〈◊〉 . of their goodes . He sent them word again he would restore euery whit , so that they would yeld Emnenes into his handes . Emnenes hearing of this practise , attempted wyth a few to eskape by flight . But being set backe againe , seynge no hope of recouery , as the multitude flocked aboute him , he made request that he might yet ones ere he dyed , speke vnto his army .

Being willed to say his minde , when ●…lence was made , Th●… wordes of Emnenes to his souldiours . and his bondes losed ▪ he stretched forthe his hande fettered as he was , and shewed it them , saying . Beholde my souldiours the apparel and ornaments of your captaine whyche none of his enemies hath put vppon him . For that were a comfort to him . But euen you your selues , you haue made me of a conqueror a vanquished person , you haue made me of a captain a captiue , four times within this twelue month , you haue sworn to be true to me , but I will let that passe . For it is not mete for ●…en in aduersity , to vpbraid others . This only one thing I require at your hands , that if Antigenus be so fullye bent to take my heade from me , as in whose death al his affaires and purposes shuld be finished , you wil let me die among you . For I am sure he cares not after what sort , or where I die , so I be dead , neyther doo I passe greatly for my life , so I might be deliuered from thys slaunderous death . If you will graunt me this request , I discharge you of your othe , wherby you haue bound your selues so often vnto me . Or if ye be ashamed to slea me your selues , then reach me a weapon , and geue me leaue to do that thing for you without conscience of breaking of your othe , which you haue sworne so oftentimes to do for your captain . When he saw he coulde not obtaine his request , he left intreatance and fel to anger . Now the Gods ( quod he ) the iust reuenger of periury , looke vpon you , you false forsworne kaitiues , and geue such endes vnto you , as you haue geuen vnto your captaines . For it is not longe a go , since you polluted your selues with the bloude of Perdicas , practising to haue done the like with Antipater , yea and that that is worst of all you oftentimes troubled euen Alexander himself with your seditions and mutinies , doing your best to haue slain him , if it had beene possyble for him to haue died of mannes hand . And nowe I laste of all whiche shal be offered as a sacrifice by you false forsworne wretches , do pray God that these curses maye lighte vpon you , that being beggers and outlawes , you may spend all your life time in this warfare , like banished people , neuer to retourne to your country againe , and your owne weapons deuour you , with the which you haue consumed mo captaines of your owne , then of your ennemies . This spoken , in a greate rage and anger he commaunded hys keners to go before him to Antigonus campe . The army f●…lowed after to betray their own captain , and he being prisoner T●… Argi●… p●…des yeld them selves solues ●…nd 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…o antigonus . led as it were a triumphe of him self vnto the camp of his conquerour . Deliuering vp into the conqueroures handes , both them selues , and all the antesignes of kynge Alexander , together with the honour and renowne of so many conquestes . And for because there shoulde want no pompe , the Elephantes also and the suc c●…urs of the East folowed after . So much more glorious wer these thinges to Antigonus , then vnto Alex ander all the conquests he atcheued , in that where as Alexander conquered the East , Antigonus ouercame them by whom the East was conque red . Antigonus therfore dispersed those conquerours of the world into his host , making restitution vnto them of such things as he had takē●…m them at the time of their ouer throw . And for because he had in times past had familyer acquaintaunce & frendship with Emnenes , he would not for shame suffer him to come in his sight , but assigned him . ii . kepers . In the mean season , Eurydice the wife of king aride us vnderstanding that Polyperchon was retourninge out of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…tye of her husband Arideus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Grece into Macedone , and that he had set for Olympias , being thervpon striken with womanly malice , & abusyng the weaknes of her husband , whose office & authority she toke vpon her , wrate to Polypercbon in the kings name , that he should deliuer vp the host to Cassander , as into whose hand the king had put the whole order and gouernment of the Empire . The like commaundement she sent also to antigonus into asia . By which benefite Cassander being bound vnto her , did euery thing after her rash & vna●… uised cōma●…nde ment . Then went he into Grece , & made war against ma ny cities , at the ▪ destruction of whiche as of a fire neare at hand the spartan●…s being afraid , both contrary to the aunswers of the oracles , & contrary to 〈◊〉 renown of their ancestors , distrusting their owne chiualry , enclosed 〈◊〉 Lae●…demonions enclose th●… city 〈◊〉 a ●…ll . their city with a strong wall , the whiche euer before that time , they had ben wont to defend by force of armes , and not by strength of wals . So much wer they degenerated from their a●…cestors , that wheras many . C. yeres before the prowesse of the citezens was the wal of the city , now they thought they might not liue in safety , onlesse they myght hide their heds within walles . While these things wer a doing , the estate of Macedone was so troubled , the Gassander was fain to return thither out of Grece . For when Olym pias the mother of king Alexander the great , came out o●… Epyre into Macedone , accompanied with acacida kynge o●… the Molosses , and that Eurydice and arideus the king went about to prohibit her from entring into the realm , the Macedones , whether it wer for remembrance of her husband king Phillip , or in respecte of the greatnesse of her sonne Alexander , or that they were moued at the vnworthy demeanor , gathered them selues vnto Olympias , at whose commaundement Eurydice and the king were both slaine , Arideu●… 〈◊〉 his wi●… we●… both sl●…ine . when he had raigned . vi . yeres after Alexander ▪ But Olympias her self raigned not long . For when she pr●…ceaded to make slaughter of her noble men & peres , more like a tirant then like a Quene , she turned her fauor into hatred . Such 〈◊〉 as ye me●… ▪ shal be mes●… to you 〈◊〉 . Therfore when she hard of Cassanders comming , putting distrust in the Macedones , with Roxane her daughter in law & Hercules her nephew , she conueyed her self into the citye Pictua . She had also in her traine deida●…ia the daughter of king aeacid●… , and her daughter in law Thessalonice , a Ladye much set by for her father Philips sake , with many other noble mennes wiues , a company more gorgious the profitable . When these things wer reported to Cassander , immediatly he cam in al hast to Pictua , & enuironed the town with a strong siege . Olympias being constrained with sword & famin , & wery of the long continuance of the siege , yelded her selfe the liues of her & hers onlye saued . But Cassander A 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . assembling the people together , to aske theyr aduise what they wo●…d haue don with Olympias , priuely suborned the parents of such as she had put to death , who putting on mo●… ning apparel , shuld come & complain of her great cruelty by whom the Macedones wer so incensed , that wyth●…ute respect of her former estate , they gaue sentence she shoulde be put to death , quite forgetting that vnder her sonne and her husband , they had not only liued in safety and oute of daunger of their neighbours , but also had gotten so great richesse , and the dominion of the whole world . But Olimpias when she saw the armed men comminge fiercely toward An example of wonderfull ●…outnes in a ●…oman . her to kil her , of her owne accorde apparelled lyke a Quene , and leaninge vpon two of her gentlewomen , she went to mete them . At the which sight they that shoulde haue killed her being astonied , for the maiesty whiche she before time had represented , and then openly shewed , and remembring so manye of their kinges , who euen then after a sort appeared in her person , paused and stode still , vntil such time as Cassander sent others to thrust her throughe . Who neither fled backe when she sawe the sworde , neither refused her deathes wounde , nor yet shriked oute like a woman , but after the manner of the most valiaunt men , auaunced her self forward to the death for the glory of her auncient stocke and progeny , so that a man myghte haue behelde euen Alexander himselfe in his mothers dyinge . Furthermore when she was euen geuyng vp her An example of wom●…anhod ghoste , it is reported that she couered her feete wyth her garments , and wyth the hear of her heade , leaste they that stode about her might haue sene any vncomely sight in her bodye . After this , Cassander toke to wife Thessalonice the daughter of king Aride●…s , and put Alexanders sonne with his mother in prison in the toure of Amphipoles .

The. xv . Booke .

PE●…dicas and h●…s brother Alceta , ●…mnenes and Polypercbon with the residue A●… 〈◊〉 on betw●… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 of the captaines of the aduerse part being slaine , it was to be thought that the contention amonge the successors of greate Alexander hadde beene clearlye extinguished , when sodenlye the conqueroures fell at variaunce among them selues . For when that Ptolomy Cassander and Lysimachus , required to hau●… the monye that was gotten and made of the voties and the prouinces deuided among them , Antigonus denied to admit any partners of the gain and boties of that war , the daunger and brunt wherof he sustained himself alone . And to th entent he might seeme to haue an honest quarell to make warre vpon his felowes , he caused it to be noysed , that he would reuenge the deathe of O●…ympias whome Cassander had slaine , and deliuer his master king Alexanders sonne and his mother out of amphipolis , where they were kepte as prysoners . When this was knowen , Ptolomy and Cassander entringe in league with Lysimachus and Seleuchus , made great preparation for the warres bothe by sea and by land , Ptolomy held Egipt with the mo●…e part of affricke and Cyprus and Phenice : Cassander ruled Macedone and Grece : antigonus had gotten asia , and part of the East : Whose sonne Demetrius in the fyrst conflict of An ex●… of magn●…ty . these warres was vanquished by Ptolomy at Calama . In the which battel the renowne of Ptolomies modesty was much greater then his victory . For he both let go Demetrius frends , not only with their owne priuate substans but also honorablye rewarded , and moreouer restored all Demetrius priuate substaunce and houshold stuffe : sending him woorde like a royall prince , that he made warre , not for desyre of the gain , but for to attain honor and renoun and that it greued him that Antigonus when he had ouercome the Captaines of the aduerse part , shoulde take to 〈◊〉 are dryuen out of theyr country with inyce and frogges . himself alone , the reward of the victory that apertained to them all . while these things wer in doing , Cassander retur ning from Apollonia , chaunced to light vpon the abderites , which for the excessiue swarmes of Frogges and myse were fain to forsake their owne natiue country , and seke them a new dwelling place . Fearing therfore least they should inuade Macedone , he made a couenaunt with them , and receiued them into league to be his frends , assigning them lands to inhabit in th vttermost borders of Macedone Afterward for fear least Hercules the sonne of Alexander , Thoutragyous cruelty of Cassander . who as then was going out of the. xiiii . yeare of hys age , for good wil and fauoure that menne bare to hys father , shoulde be called to the kingdome of Macedone , hee caused both him and hys mother Barsine to be putte secreatlye to death , and their bodies to be buryed in the grounde , least if they should be buryed openly or accordinge to theyr estate , their death might come to light . And yet not so content , as though he had but smally trespassed , first in kyng Alerander himself , secondly in Olympias his mother , and thirdlye in his sonne , he also killed his other sonne wyth his mother Roxane by like treason : as though it hadde not bene possible to attayne to the kingdome of Macedone whiche he so sore longed for , otherwise then by fraud and treson . In the meane time , Ptolomy encountred agayn wyth Demetrius vppon the sea , and hauing lost his shyppes , and One good turne requi●… another . being clearely vanquished , retired into Egipt . Demetrius being prouoked with the like good turn before , set home into Egipt Leuticke Ptolomies sonne and Menelaus his brother 〈◊〉 all their priuate goodes and houshold stuffe . And for because it might appere that they wer enflamed with desire of honor and praise , rather then with malyce and hatred , they sent presents and giftes one to another euen in the chiefest time of all their warre . So much more honestly did men in those dayes make warre , then they doo now maintaine frendship . antigonus being puffed vp with pride for this victorye , proclaimed himselfe kinge and hys 〈◊〉 captain●… pro cla●…me them selues king●… sonne Demetrius also . Ptolomy likewise because he wold not be had in lesse estimation amonge his subiectes , was proclaimed king by his men of warre . Cassander and Lysimachus hearing therof , toke vpon them the name and tytle of kinges also . All they abstained from vsurping the honour of thys name , as long as any of the sonnes of their mayster king Alexander were aliue . So greate modestye was in them , that all be it euery one of them had the richesse and power of a king , yet they could wel find in their harts to forbear the names and titles of kings , so long as Alexander had any rightful heir aliue . But Ptolomy and Cassander and thother captaines of their part , perceiuing y● whiles eche of them drue a part by himself to make warre alone and laid not their power together , eche refusing to helpe other , as though it were but one mannes victory , and not the common vse of them all , antigonus licked them vp one after another , sent letters of encouragement one to another , apoynting a time & place of meting and enteruew , and so laid all their powers together for the war . Where at forasmuch as Cassander could not be present himself , by reason of the warres that he had wyth hys neighboures , he sent Lysimachus with a great host to the ay●… of his confederates . Thys Lysimachus was borne of a noble house in Macedone , but his prowesse , vertue and knighthode passed Of 〈◊〉 . all noblenesse of birth . The which were so planted in his person , that in hautinesse of courage , in knowledge of Philosophy , and in strength of body , he farre excelled all them by whome the Easte was conquered . For when Of the Philosopher 〈◊〉 al lyst●…enes vns wo●…hy punishment . Alexander the greate being very sore moued to anger against Callysthenes the Philosopher , for speaking agaynste the adoring of him after the manner of the Persians , had appeached the said Callysthenes of treason , and there vpon cruelly mangled him , by cuttinge of his eares , hys nose & his li●…pes , that all menne pitied and lamented to behold howe miserablye he was handled , and moreouer caried him about with him , shutte vp with a dogge in a cage , to the terrible ensample of all other . Then Lysimachus who was wont euer before to hear Callysthenes , and to receiue enstructions of vertue at his hand , taking pity and compassion to see so worthye a manne punished , not for anye fault , but for vsinge his libertye in speakinge , gaue hym poyson to ridde him out of his calamities . Wherwith Alexander was so sore agreued , that he commaunded hym to be cast vnto a fierce Lion . But when the Lion at the first sight of him , came running with open mouthe vpon The constancy of Lysimachus . him , Lysimachus wineding his arme in a Towell , thruste his hand into the Lyons mouth , and pulling out his tong killed the beast . The which thing when it was declared to the kyng , he thought it such a wonder , that he was appeased towardes him , and euer after sette more store by him for his so great stedfastnesse in vertue . Lysimachus also with a noble courage , toke the despight that the kynge had doone to him as mekely , as if it had bene done by his In example of an obedient and faythfull sub●…ct . owne father . Finally putting quite oute of his minde the rememberaunce of this displeasure . Afterwarde in Inde as the kyng pursued certaine of his ennemies that were dispersed , when he hadde throughe the swiftnesse of hys horse lost the companye of all his gard . This Lysimachus alone ran foote by foote with him , and kepte him company by his horse side , through vnmeasurable fieldes of dry sande . The whiche thinge his brother Philippe attempting before to haue doone , died betweene the Kynges handes . But as Alexander alyghted from his horse , hee wounded Lysimachus so sore in the fooreheade wyth the poynt of his speare , that the bloude coulde not otherwise be stopped , but that to bynde vp the wound wythall , the kyng was fain to take the Drademe from hys own hed ; and set it vpon his , the which was then firste of all a fortunate fortoken that Lysimachus should after aspire to the estate of a kinge .

And after the death of Alexander , when the prouinces were deuided among his successoures , the cruellest natyons were assigned to Lysimachus , as to the valiantest person of all others : for farre did he by the consent of al men , excede all the residue in manhoode and prowesse . Before the battell shoulde be foughte betwene Ptolomy and hys adherentes , against Ant●…onus , Seleuchus departing sodenly out of the greater Asia , became a new ennemye vnto antigonus . This mannes prowesse also was notable and his begetting wonderfull . For his mother Laodice beinge maried to Antiochus a noble manne among the captaynes Of 〈◊〉 and of his beg●…inge . of king Philip , dreamed in her sleepe that she conceyued , and was greate with childe by apollo : and that in recom pence for lying with him , the God gaue her a Kynge , in the stone wherof was engraued the lykenesse of an A●…ker , commaundinge her to geue it to her sonne , whome she should bryng forth . This vision was wonderful , both for the ringe of the same engrauinge that was feunde in her bedde the next morning , and for the figure of the anker which was founde in the thighe of Seleuchus beinge a little Babe , when he was newly borne , and so continued and grewe with him . Wherfore Laodice , when Seleucus should go with great Alexander to the warfare agaynste the Persians , enforming him of the maner of his begetting , gaue him the ringe . Wheras after the deathe of Alexander , obtaining the Empire of the East , he builded a City , and there consecrated the memoriall of the original of the stone . For he both called the Citye Antioche , after the name of hys father , and also dedicated the fieldes about the city to Apollo . The token of his begettinge remained also with his posterity . For his children and childrens children had an Anker in their thigh as a naturall marke of their linage . He made many battels in the Eastafter The 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . the deuision of the kingdome of Macedone amonge the pieres of the realme . First he toke Babilon by force , then being encrease din power by reason of that victory , he conquered the Bactrians . Afterwarde he made an enteraunce into Inde , whiche after the deathe of Alexander , hauing as it were caste of the yoke of bondage from their neckes , had slaine all his lieuetenauntes . The author of this libertye was one Sondrocotte , but after the victorye he The 〈◊〉 ●…ebel from the m●…narchy of m●…cedone . turned this pretence of libertye into seruitude . For by vsurping vppon him the kingdome , he oppressed wyth hys owne tiranny , the people whome he had deliuered from foraine subiection . This man was borne of low●…degree , but driuen to take the kingdom vpon him , by the present aid of God : For when he had vpon a time offended Alexander with his malapertnesse , and that the king had com G●… a man good fortune , and throwhym into the sea . maunded him to be put to death , he saued his life by swiftnesse of his fete . After the which being very wearye , and lying fast a sleepe . A Lyon of maruelous hugenesse came to him as he slept ▪ and with his tounge licked of the swet that issued from him , and when he awaked went gentlye away . B●…ing by this wonderfull foretoken firste moued to h●…pe of the kingdome , he gathered together ano●…ber of robbers , and stirred the Indians ▪ to rebellyon . Afterward as he was makinge preparation for the warres against ▪ Alexanders lieuetenaunts , a wylde Elephant of maruelous bignesse , offred hymselfe to him , of hys owne accord , and as though he had bene tame , mekely receyued hym vppon hys backe ▪ and he became a valiaunt captain and a notable warryo●…re . Sandrocotte hauynge thus gotten the kyngdome , the verye same time that Seleucus layed the foundation of the greatnesse that he after grew vnto , held all Inde ▪ with whome Seleucus entery●…ge a league , and hauing set his affaires at a stay in the Easte , came to the warres set against Antigonus . The armyes therfore of the confederates beinge assembled together , there was a field fought . In the whyche Antigonus was slayne ▪ and hys sonne Demetrius put to flyghte . But the confederates after they had by battell dispatched theyr ▪ 〈◊〉 is slayne . enemies , fell together by the eares againe amonge them selues , and for because they could not agree in parting of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 . the pray , they sundred them selues into two partes . Seleucus ioyned himselfe with Demetrius , and Ptolomy with Lisimachus . Cassander being deceased , his sonne Philippe succeded him . And so new warres sprong vp a fresh agayn in Macedone .

¶ The. xvi . Booke .

AFter the deathe of Cassander and hys sonne Philip , one immediatly 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 murder . ensuinge the other , Thessalonice the Quene and wife of Cassander , ere it was long time after , entreatynge for her life ( e●…en by she wynge her brestes to moue him to pitye ) was crue●…ly slain by her sonne antipater . The cause of the murther was this , by reason that after the death of her husband , when the kyngdome should be deuided , she semed to be more fauourable to Alexander . The whych act apeared so much the more heynous in all mennes eyes , by reason the mother ment no deceipte in the matter . And yet to saye the trouthe , there canne be no cause alledged iustly , to excuse one for killing their father or theyr mother . Alexander therfore vpon this occasyon , entendynge to make warre 〈◊〉 be●…ene the children of Cas●…der . vpon hys brother , to reuenge hys mothers death , desired healpe of Demetrius . And Demetrius was easye to entreat , in hope to inuade the kingdome of Macedone . Of whose comming Lysimachus being afraid , perswaded hys son in law Ant●…pater , to fal to agrement with his brother rather then to suffer his fathers enemy to enter into Macedone , Demetrius perceiuing that a reconcilement was entreted vpon betwene the. ii . brethren , slew Alexander through great treson , & inuading the kingdome of Macedone , The childe is punished for the fathers o●…ence . to the entent to excuse himself of the murder before his men of war , he called them together . There he aledged that Alexander had lien in wait for him before , and that he hadde not committed , but only preuented the treason . Saying it was more reson he himself shuld be kyng , then the other , bothe for because of his yeares he was of more discretion & experiens , and also for other consyderations . For his father had accompanied both king Phillip & gr●…at Alexander in all their warres , and afterwarde had serued Alexander as a captain in pursuing the rebels . Where as on the contrary parte , Antipater the graundfather of these yongmen , was alwaies a more roughe gouernoure of the kingdome , then the kinges them selues . And Cassander the father of them , the roter vp of the kings house , spared neither women nor children , nor neuer ceased , vntill he had vtterly destroyed all the ofspring of the kings posteritye . The reuengement of these milcheues for because he could not execute it vpon Cassander him self , he said was transferred vnto his children . Wherefore both Phillip and Alexander ( if the dead haue anye perseueraunce ) woulde not that the roters out of them and their issue , but rather the punishers of those traitors , should enioy the kingdome of Macedone . The people being by this meanes mitigated , proclaimed him king of Macedone . Lysimachus also beinge entangled 〈◊〉〈◊〉 proclaimed kyng of Macedone . with the warres of Dromychet , king of ●…hrace , to y● entent he would not be constrained to haue battel the self same time with Demetrius also , yelded to him thother part of Macedone that fell to the lot of his sonne in law Antipater , and made peace with him , Demetrius therfore being furnished with the whole power of all Macedone , when as he was mineded to conquere Asia . Ptolomy , Seleuchus and Lysimachus hauing tried by the former conflict , what a strength concord was of , entred in league againe , and ioyning their hastes together , remoued the warres into Europe against Demetrius , Pyrrhus kinge of Epyre , hoopinge that Demetrius This same i●… he that made warre 〈◊〉 Romaines . might as easly and lightly forgoo Macedone , as he cam by it , ioyned him self with them as a fellowe and companion in their war . And his hope deceiued him not . For he found the meanes to corrupt his army with rewardes , whereby he put him to flight and seised the kingdome of Macedone into his owne handes . While these thinges were a doing , The poster●…y of 〈◊〉 is vtt●…ye ●…ted ou●… . Lysimachus put his sonne in law Antipater to deathe , because he repined and 〈◊〉 that the kingdome of Macedone hys ▪ rightfull inheritaunce was taken from him throughe the falshod of his father in law . And because his daughter eurydice toke her husbands part in making like exclamation , he put her in pryson . And so al the house of Cassander , part ly by murder , and partly by execution suffred due punishment in the behalfe of great Alexander , whether it were for working of his death , or for destroying of his issue and posterity . Demetrius also being ouercharged with so many 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 self prisoner to 〈◊〉 hostes , wheras he might haue died honorablye , chose rather to yeld himself to Seleuchus shamefully . When theese warres were ended , Ptolomy with great renowme of hys actes and enterprises died . He contrary to the common law of all nations , somewhat before he fell sycke , had resigned the kingdome to the yongest of his sonnes , and of hys so doing he rendred a reason to the people , who fauored the sonne no lesse for receiuing the kingdome , then the father for deliuering of it , Amonge other examples of naturall loue and affection shewed on both partes betwene the father ●…n example of fatherly loue . and the sonne ▪ this thing wan the hartes of the comminalty to the yong man , that the father after the time he had openly surrendred the kingdome vnto him , executed the office of one of the garde , and serued the kinge as an other priuate person : sayinge it was far more honorable for a man to be father to a kinge , then to be a kynge hym selfe . But discorde the continuall mischief among pieres , stirred vp strife betwene Lysimachus and Pyrrhus , a litle be fore fellowes and confederates agaynste Demetrius , Lysimachus Lightly 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 for gone . getting the vpper hand , droue Pyrrhus oute of Macedone , and toke it into his owne hand . After this , he made war against Thrace , and then against the city Heraclea , The building of Heraclea in Poathus . the original , & end of which city wer wonderful both of them . For vpon a time when the Beo●…ans wer afflicted wyth a sore plage , answer was geuen them at th oracle of delphos that they shuld build a city in the country of Pontus , & dedicate it vnto Hercules . Now when as for fear of the long & perillous sayling , ( desiring al to die in their own country , rather then to enterprise so long a iourny , the matter was omitted , the Phocenses made war against them . By whom being diuers times put to thou worse , they ran to the oracle again for counsel . Answsr was made them that the same thing that shuld remedy ●…he pestilens , shuld remedy the war . Wher vpon gathering a litle nomber of men , they sailed into Metapont & builded the city Heraclea . And forasmuch as thes had ben brought thither by th ordinance of god , within short space after they grew to great welth . In proces of tyme , this city had many battels with their neighbors , & much mischefe among them selues , through ciuil dissetion . Among other honorable dedes , this in especially is worthye to be remembred . At suche time as the Atheniens bare the souerainty , 〈◊〉 example of 〈◊〉 in alians 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . and hauing vanquished the Persians , had raised a taxe bothe in Grece & Asia for the maintenaunce of theyr flete , wheras all other to saue them selues harmlesse , gladly gaue than their asking , onlye the Heracliens for the fauor they bare to the kings of Persia , refused to be contributary to y● taxe . Malachus therfore being sent from Athens wyth an army , to take perforce the thing that was denied , whyles he went abrode to wast & 〈◊〉 the fields of Heraclea , lost hys ships that he left at rhode , with the greater part of his armye , by force of a sodain tempest that put them al to wracke . Therfore An 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . when he could not return by sea hauing lost his ships , nor durst return by land with so slender a company , through so many sauage nations , the Heracliens thinking it more honor to vse this occasion to shewing gentlenes then to reuengemēt , furnished them with victels , & safe condited them home , making accompt that the wasting oftheir country was wel bestowed . if they might therby win their enemies to be their frends . Among many other euils they suffred also tirannye . For when the common people vppon ●… wilfulnesse outragiously and importunately exacted to haue all The ●…ble 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . dettes clerely released , and the landes of the richmen parted among them , the matter hanging longe tyme in question in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and comm●…n iudgemente place , and after that of Epaminondas captain of Thebes againste the comminalty , that were growen to such a welthines throughe ouer much ease and idlenesse . But hauinge denyall at both their handes , they wer faine to flie for succor to Clearche , whome they them selues hadde banished before . So great an ertremity did their calamities driue them vnto , that whome they had erewhile forbidden his country , euen him were they faine to call againe to the defence of the same . But Glearche beinge by his banishmente made more A wicked 〈◊〉 tor . wicked then he was before , and takinge the dissention of his country men , as a mete accasion for him to vsurpe and make himself king , firste of all commoned priuelye wyth Mythridates the ennemye of his Citezens , and entringe in league with him , compounded that when he were called againe into his country , he should betray the citye to him , and he to be made chiefe ruler of it for his laboure Yet afterward the treason that he hadde purposed agaynste hys country , he turned vppon Mythridates him selfe . For when he was retourned out of erile , to be as an indifferent iudge for the determination of ciuil controuersies , the same time that he had appoynted to betray the town vnto Mythridates , he toke him and his ●…rendes , and for a great summe of mony let him go again . And like as towards him he made him self , of a frend a sodain enemy , euen so of a defendour of th estate of the senate he sodainly became a protector of the comminalty , and against the authors of his power & preheminence , by whome he had beene reuoked into hys country , by whome he had bene placed in the toure of hys royalty , he not onlye incens●…d the commons , but also exercised all kind of most vnspeakeable tiranny and crueltye . For he sommoned the people together and told them that he woulde not anye more assist the senators , vsynge them selues so rigorously againste the comminaltye , but that he would rather be a meane betwixt them if they continued in their accustomed tiranny , and if they thought them selues able to make their party good against the crueltye of the senatoures , he would depart with his men of warre , and not entermedle himself in their ciuil discordes . But if they distrusted their owne strength , they should not w●…t his helpe , for that that he was able to doo for them . And therfore aduise them selues , whether they were better to bid him goo his way , or to tary as a partaker and supporter of the quarell of the commons . The comminaltye being stirred with this talke , made him their chiefe gouernour , and so while they were offended at the authority of the senate , they yelded them selues with their wiues and children in bondage vnder the subi●…ction of a Lordlye tiraunt . Clearche therfore apprehended . lx. of the senatours , ( for all the ●…est were fledde ) and cast them in prison . The people reioysed to see the Senate destroyed , and that in espetially by the captain of the Senatours , and that contrary to all likelihode , their help was turned to their vtter confusion . Upon whom , by threatning death to them all in generall , he set the hier price . For Clearche receiuing The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 . a great summe of mony of them ( as who should say he entended priuely to deliuer them from the peoples displeasure , ) when he hadde robbed them of all theyr goodes , he spoyled them also of their liues . Afterward understanding that those that were fled , hauing moued the cities of pity and compassion to helpe them , prepared warre agaynste him , he set their bondmen at libertye . And to the entent there should want no kind of misery in those honourable houses , and that he might make the slaues more faythfull to himself , and more enemies to their masters , he compel led the wiues and daughters of those noble men , to marry with their slaues , vppon paine of death if they refused so to do . But those sorowfull weddinges were greuouser then sodain death to the honorable Ladies . And therfore Deathe is 〈◊〉 bee preferred before ●…nesty . many of them before their mariage , and many in the very time of their mariage , killing first their new husbands slew them selues , and by the vertue of their natural womanhode and shamefastnesse , was a fielde soughte , in the which the Tiranne gettinge the vpper hande , drewe the senatoures as prisoners in manner of triumphe through the face of the city . After his retourne into the citye , some he cast in bonds , some he racked , and som he put to death and no place of the city was fre ●…rom the cruelnesse of the tiran . With this outragiousnesse he became proude , and with his crueltye ●…e became arrogante , for throughe hys Prosperitye ma●…eth men forget them selues . continuall good successe in prosperity , he would somtime forget himself to be a man : and sometime be w●…ulde call himself Iubiters sonne . When he went abrode , he wold haue an Eagle of gold borne before him as a token of his begetting . He vsed to wear robes of purple and to go●… in buskens after the manner of kings in tragedies , wyth a crown of gold vpon his head●… . Moreouer to the entent to scorne the gods aswel in ●…ames as in counterfait gesture & abhominable leasings , he named his sonne Ceraunos . Two noble yongmen called Chion & Leonides disdaining to se him do these things , & entending to set their country at liberty , conspired to kil the Tiran . These men wer the disciples of the Philosopher Plato , who couetinge to bestow vpon their country , the vertue vnto the whiche they The valiante prow●…ise of Chion and Leonides . were furthered by the moost perfect instructions of theyr master , laid in an ambush fifty of their kinsmen , whome they had got●…en to be of their retinew . They them selues counterfetting to be at defiaunce againste another , made toward the Castie to the Tiran , as to their king the shuld decide the●…r contro●…ersies : and being ther admitted to his presence , ( as they that were well knowen , ) ●…hyles the tirant gaue autentiue eare to the fi●…st mannes tale , the other stept within him and kild him . But by reason theyr company was not quick inough in comming to their rescue , they were slaine by the garde . By meanes wherof it came to passe , that the Tiran was slain , but yet the countrye not deliuered . For Satir the brother of Clearche , after the same sort toke vpon him the tiranny , and the Heracleans many yeres after , by degre of descent were vnder subiection of Tirannes .

The. xviii . Booke .

PIrrhus king of Epyre therfore , when The warres of Pyr●…hus in Italy . as the Tarentines had sent their ambassadors to him the second time , and that the Samuits & Lucanes , who al so had then neade of aide againste the Romaines , made earnest sute and request vnto him for succor not so much moued with the entretance of his suters as induced with hope to inuade the Empire of Italy promised to come with an armye . Unto the whiche thing after that his minde was ones enclined , the examples of his auncestoures draue him hedlonges forwardes , to the entent he wold not seme inferior to his vncle Alexander , who hadde defended the sayde Tarentines agaynste the Brutians , or to be of lesse courage then great Alexander , who hadde made warre so sarre from his owne countrye and subdued the East .

Where vppon leauinge his sonne Ptolomy of the age of . xv . yeres as regent of his kingdome , he landed his armye in the hauen of Tarent , leadynge with him hys two yonger sonnes Helen and Alexander , to beare him company in his farre expedition .

Of whose arriuall the Romaine consull Valerius Leunius hearing , making haste to encounter with him before the aides of his confederates were assembled , broughte hys men into the field : neither did the king , ( although he had nothing so many men of warre as his ennemies ) detracte the encounter . But where as the Romaines had gotten Pyrrhus ouercome the Romaines . the vpper hand , and were at the poynt to haue putte hym to flight , he constrained them at the vglye shape of the Elephants first to stande as amased , and by and by after to forsake the field , and so the straunge monsters of Macedone sodainly vanquished them , hauinge all readye gotten the victory . Neuerthelesse he obtained not the victorye without much bloudshed . For Pyrrhus himselfe was sore wounded , and a great part of his Souldioures slaine , so that he gate by that victory , more honoure then cause to reioyce . Many cities following the fortune of this battell , yelded them selues to pyrrhus . Amongest others also the Locrines The magnifi cence of Pyrrhus . betraying the Romaine garrison reuolted to pyrrhus . Of that pray Pyrrhus sent home two hundred Romaine souldioures scotfree to Rome , to the entente that as the Romaines had knowen of his puissaunce , so they might also knowe of his liberalitye . Within a few daies after , when the hostes of his confederates were come , he foughte an other battell with the Romaines , in the whiche the fortune Pyrrhus vanquishe the Romaines a gayne . was like vnto the former battell .

In the meane season , Mago captaine of Carthage , beynge sent to the ayd of the Romaines with a hundred and twenty shyppes , came before the Senate , sayinge it greatlye greued the Carthaginenses , that a foraine kynge shoulde be suffred to make warre in Italy . For whiche consideration he was sent , that for as much as they were assailed by a foraine ennemy , they mighte be rescued by for raine succoures . The Senate gaue the Carthaginenses hartye thankes , and sent away their succoures againe . But Mago accordinge to the nature of a man of affricke , wythin a fewe dayes after , as though he ment to procure peace for the 〈◊〉 , went secreatly to pyrrbus entending to feele his minde , and to learne what he purposed as concerning Sicill , whether it was reported he was sent for . For the Carthaginenses sent aid to the Romaines . For noone other occasion , but that Pyrrhus mighte haue so muche to doo with the Romaines in Italy , that he myghte haue no leysure to passe into Sicill . While theese thinges were in doing , Fabritius Lucinus being sent ambassadoure from the Senate of Rome , concluded a peace with Pirrhus , for the confirmation wherof , Cyneas beinge sent from Pirrhus with great giftes and rewardes , could finde no man that would ones open his doore to receiue a reward . Another example like vnto this continency of the Romaines , hapned almost the very same time . For the Senate sent ambassadoures Example 〈◊〉 into Egipte , to whome Ptelomy the kynge sent riche presentes , the which they vtterly refused , with in a day or twaine after , they were bidden to supper , and crownes of goulde sent them , the which at that time they receiued for honour of the kinge , and the next daye after they set them vpon the kinges Images . Cyneas therfore when he had brought word howe the peace with the Romains was infringed by ●…ppius Claudius , being demaunded of Pyrrhus what maner of thi●…g Rome was , he aunswered , that it semed to him to be a City of kinges . After 〈◊〉 is made 〈◊〉 Sicill , 〈◊〉 hereof more in the. 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . this , came vnto him the ambassadoures of the Sicilians rendering into his handes the right and 〈◊〉 of the whole Iland , whiche was then vexed with the continuall warres of the Carthaginenses . Therfore leauynge his sonne Alexander at Lorres , and hauynge well manned the other Cities with strong garrisone , he wasted ouer his army into Sicill . And for as much as we be come A 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 o●… the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 . to entreat of the Carthaginenses , I must speake a 〈◊〉 as concerning theyr originall , repeting somewhat what deper the dedes of the Tyrians , whose chaunces also wer much to be lamented .

The nation of the Tyrians was founded by the Phenicians , who being troubled with an earthquake , forsaking their natiue soyle , inhabited fyrst the lake of Assyria , and anone after the ne●…te ●…ea coaste , buildinge in the same place a Citye , whiche of the aboundaunce of Fyshe they Sydon . named Sydon . For the Phenicians call a Fyshe Sydon . Manye yeares after being subdued by the king of the Ascalonites , they tooke shippinge and arr●…ued in the same place where they builded Tire , which was done the yore before the destruction of Troye . There they were oftentimes and diuersly assa●…ed with warres by the Persyans , but euer they had the vpper hand . An example of cruelty of bondmen .

But when theyr power was once wasted , theyr bondmen aboundinge in multytude and noumber , delt out ●…giouslye and cruellye wyth theym . For they made a conspiracye amonge them selues , and killed all the fre borne people with their maysters also , and so hauynge the citye at wyll , they entered possessyon in their maisters houses , they inuaded the common weale , they maried wiues , and that whiche they theym selues neuer were ) , they begatte free children . There was one among so manye thousand slaues , who being of a meke and honest nature , for pity of the fortune of th old man his master and his yong sonne , did not of beastly cruelty murther them , but of mercyfull compassion , and manhode saued them . Wherefore when as he had hid them out of the waye , ( as if they had beene slaine , ) and that the bondmen consulting vpon the estate of the common weale , thought it good to create theym a kinge of theyr owne corporation , and him in especially to be the person as a man most acceptable to the Gods , that first should see the sunne rising : he declared the matter secreatly to his master Strato ( for y● was his name ) where The differens betwene the wit of a gentleman , and the wyt of a 〈◊〉 . he lay hid in a corner . Being by him sufficientlye instructed what to dod , when they were all assembled into the field by midnight , whiles all the reast stoode gapynge into the East , he only alone looked aduisedly into the west .

At the 〈◊〉 all the resydue thoughte it a madnesse , to looke for the rysinge of the Sunne into the West . But assone as the day began to breake , and the East beganne to glister vppon the hyghest toppes and pynnacles of the toures and temples of the Citye , while all the other gased for to see the Globe of the Sunne he 〈◊〉 of all syewed vnto them all the brightnesse of the Sunne shyn●…ge vpon the toppe of the Citye , this seemed to be doone of a greater reason then was in a s●…aues heade . Wherevppon they enqutred who gaue hym the counsell , and be co●…essed as touching his master .

Then it was perceiued what difference there is betwene the wit of a slaue , and the wit of a gentleman , and that 〈◊〉 excell in maltce but not in wisdome . Therefore the old man and his sonne were pardoned , and forasmuche as they tho●…ght theym to be preserued by the deuine 〈◊〉 of God , they created Strato kinge . After whose decease the kingdome descended to his sonne , and so forth to his posteritye . This was a notable a●… of the flames and a terr●…le example to the whole worlde . Wherfore Alera●… he great , when as a long time after he made warre in t●…e East , as a reuenger of the common M●… 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . tranquillity , hauing wonne the●… Citye perforce , al of them that remained after the battel ( in remembraunce of the murther doone in olde time by their predecessours , he crucified . Only the kinred of St●… , he preserued vnuiolated , and restored the kyngdome to hys of spryng makynge newe inhabitauntes that were free 〈◊〉 and vndefiled wyth the like offence in the Ilande , to the 〈◊〉 that the seruile seede and slyppe being vtterly roted oute , the ofspring of the Citye mighte be as it were planted of new again . The Tyrians therfore being in this wyse by the meanes of Alexander newe founded , throughe they owne sparing and trauell in getting , grew st●…ong agayne wythin a short space . Before the siaughter of the masters when they abounded 〈◊〉 in richesse and in noumber of menne , they sent a company of youth into Affricke and ●…ded Ut●…a , when as in the meane while the kinge of The ●…dlge of ●…a in 〈◊〉 . Tire deceased , ordayninge for his heires his sonne Pygmalion , and his daughter Elisa a mayde of very excellent beauty . But the people deliuered the kingdome to Pygmalion The wickednesse of Pygmalion . beinge a verye childe , Elisa also was marryed to her vncle Sycheus the prieste of Hercules , the whiche Rome is of greatest honoure next vnto the kynge . Thys manne hadde greate richesse , but no manne knewe wher they were , and for feare of the kinge , he had hidden hys golde , not in houses but in the grounde .

The whiche thinge though men knew not of certaintye , yet it was commonlye so reported , with the whyche brute Pygmalion being incensed , forgetting all bonde of nature and humanity , without any respect of godlynesse , killed his vncle being also his brother in l●…e . 〈◊〉 d●…sting The pollicye of Dido to ●…ape from her brother . her brother a greate while after for doynge of thys wicked acte , at the last dissemblinge her inwarde hatred , and bearinge a faire countenaunce towardes hym for the tyme , practised priuely to flye away , and takinge into her companye certaine of the noble men , whom she knew to beare like hatred to the kinge , and to haue like desyre of flyinge away : she came to her brother with a pollicye , she fained that she would remoue out of her owne house , and come dwell with him , to the entent the sighte of her husbandes house , should not continually renewe her sorowe and mourninge for him whiche she coueted to forget , and to the entent the bitter remembraunce of him should not any more ware before her eies . Pygmalion was wel contented to hear his sister say those words , because he thought she wold bring her husband Sycheus gold with her . But Elisa caused the kinges seruaunts that wer lent her to help to remoue her stuffe , to goo into shippes and car ▪ her richesse with them in the shutting in of the euening , and when she had them a good waye from the shore , she compelled them to throwe certain bagges and cofers ful of sande into the sea , making them beleue it was monye . Then she her selfe weping with piteous veyce , besought her husband Sycheus willingly to receiue his own richesse which he had lefte behinde him , and that he woulde take them for an offeringe , like as they had beene the cause of his death . Which doone she turned her self to the kinges seruauntes ▪ sayinge : the time was come that she herselfe should receiue the death that she so sore had longe before desired , and that they should abide bitter tormentes and greuous punishmentes , because they had made away the richesse of her husbande Sycheus , for couetousnesse of the which the king committed murther , that he myghte not haue them to satisfy his gredy appetite wythal . When she hadde put them all in this feare , they were contented to beare her company in her flighte , and to goo awaye with her . Moreouer a great nomber of the nobility , beynge in readinesse for the same purpose , set forth with her , and so hauing made sacrifice againe vnto Hercules , whose Priest Sycheus was , they forsoke their countrye to get them a new dwelling place . The first lande that they arriued at , was the Isle of Cyprus , where as the priest of ●…piter wyth hys wife and children by the commaundement of the God , offred himselfe to Elisa as a companion and partaker of all her fortune , makinge a couenaunt with her , that he and his posterity should for euermore enioy the honour of the priesthode . The condition was accepted as a manifest token The 〈◊〉 custom of 〈◊〉 Cy●… . of good lucke . It was the manner of the Cy●…ans to send their maidens before they shoulde be married to the seas side , there to earne their mariage mony certain dais with the abuse of their bodies , and to make offeringes to Venus for the preseruation of their cha●… all theyr lyues after . Of these sort of women , Elisa commaunded her men to rauishe toureskore or there aboutes that wer virgins , and to put them in the shippes , to the entent her younge 〈◊〉 might haue wi●…es , and the city ●…ase of issue .

While these thinges were a dooinge , 〈◊〉 knowing of the flying away of his sister , when as he went about to pursue her wickedly with battel , he was hardly perswaded by the entretance of his mother , & the threatnings of the Gods to be in quiet . To whom the Prophets being enspired with the spirit of prophesy , declared that he should not ●…skape vnpunished , if he wente aboute to hinder the aduauncement of a City so fortunate , as the like was skarse to be founde againe in all the world . By meanes wherof they that sled had sufficient leysure and time to eskape . 〈◊〉 Elisa therfore arriuinge in the coastes of Affricke , moued to frendship the inhabitauntes of the place , reioysinge at the comming and entercourse of marchaundise of straungers . Afterward purchasing a piece of ground ▪ as muche as might be compassed about with an Oxe hide , wherein she might refresh her company , weary of their long iourney , vntill she shoulde take her iourney again , she caused the hide to beicut into long and slender 〈◊〉 , by meanes where of she had a greater piece of grounde then she demaunded , where vpon euer after the place was ▪ calle●… Byrsa . Afterward by the 〈◊〉 of the neighbours of the places there aboutes , which for couetousnesse of gain brought many things to sell to the straungers , and builded them houses to dwel among them , at lengthe there was such a resort of men thither , that it was euen as good as a city . Moreouer the ambassadoures of Vtica , brought pre sents to them as to their kinsfolke , encouraging them to build a Citye in the selfe same place where they had purchased a dwelling , the afres also were desirous to detayne the straungers still . Wherfore by the good consent of all The building of Carthage . parties , Carthage was builded , paying a yerely rent for the ground that the city standeth vpon .

In the first foundation digginge , was founde an Oxe heade , the whiche was a signifycation , that it shoulde be a verye frutefull and plentifull lande , but that the Citye shoulde be alwayes labouring and alwayes in bondage ? Where vppon the Citye was remoued to another place . There they founde a horse heade , whiche signifyed that the people shoulde be warlicke and of greate power , and so in that place they builded the Citye with good lucke . Then shortlye after by the concourse of the Countryes there ●…boutes , resorting thither for the good opinion they hadde of the newe citye , it became a greate and populous towne . At suche tyme as Carthage was mooste flouryshing 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . in estate and richesse , Hiarbas king of Mauritane , callinge to him tenne of the Princes of the Afres , commaunded them to fetche Elisa to be his wyfe , an●… to tell ●…er that if she refused so to doo he woulde compell her by force . The whiche message the ambassadoures beinge afrayde to doo to the Queene , wente to woorke wyth her craftely after the nature ●…f Afres , declaringe that theyr kynge demaunded some personne , that could learne hym and his Afres more ciuill manners and trade of liuynge , but he coulde fynde none that would vouchsafe to forsake his owne kinsfolke , to go among suche barbarous people that liued after the manner of brute beastes .

Then beinge rebuked of the Quene , that they woulde shonne anye harde kinde of liuinge , for the saue garde of their Countrye , for the whyche euen the very life it selfe oughte to be spent , if neade shoulde so require , they vttered the king their maisters commaundement , saying that 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 own 〈◊〉 . she must doo th●… selfe same thinges her selfe that she taughte others to doo , if she des●…red the safetye of her Citye . Beinge surprised by this 〈◊〉 , after the time she had a great while together called v●…pon the name of her husbande Sycheus , with manye teares and lamentable com plaint , at the last she answered she would go●… whether as her owne destiny , and the destiny of her 〈◊〉 called her . Uppon this matter taking iii. monethes respit , she caused a great f●…re to be made in the vttermost part of the city as 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . it had bene to pacify the ghoste of her fyrst husbande , and to doo sacrifice to hym before she shoulde marrye agayne . Wh●…re after the 〈◊〉 of manye beastes , takynge a sword in her hand , she went vp to the top of the 〈◊〉 that was set on 〈◊〉 , and so loking toward the people , she sayd she would go to her husband according to the kings commaundement , and w th that word she thruste the sworde to her hart . As longe as Carthage ▪ was vnuanquished , she was worshipped for a Goddesse . This Citye was builded threscore and twelue yeres before Rome , whose pu●…ssans as it was notable in the warres , so in the time of peace the state was distroubled with sondry misfortunes and ciuil debate . Furthermore when that among other mischeues , they were sore vexed with the plague , for the remedy therof , they vsed a bloudy kinde of religion and abhominable ●…ickednesse . For they offered men in sacrifyce , and An abhomi●… kind of religion . they killed vpon the aultares , the innocent younglynges ( which age is wont to prouoke euen the enemy to pitye ) seking to paci●…y the Goddes with the bloude of them for whose life the Goddes are wont moost of all to be prayed vnto . Therfore the Goddes being worthelye wrathe , and turned from them for ●…o great w ckednesse , when they had made warre a long time in Sicill to their vtter destruction and thervpon translated the warre into 〈◊〉 , there hauing lost the greater part of their hoste , they wer vanquished in a sore fought battell . For the which occasion they banished with the few that remained of his armye , theyr captain Machaeus , vnder whose guidance they had conq●…ered A captaine & his army banyshed for 〈◊〉 . part of Sicill , and 〈◊〉 manye greate aduentures against the afres . The which thinge the men of warre taking in great displeasure , sent ambassadours to carthage , fyrst entreating for retourne into their countrye , and for pardon of theyr vnfortunate warrefare , and yet to t●…l them neuerthelesse ▪ that if they might not obtaine 〈◊〉 ●…equest by entretaunce , they would win it by the sword●… . When the Ambassadoures could get nothinge , neyther by fayre meanes nor by foule , within a few daies after , they toke shipping , and came to the City all in 〈◊〉 .

There they protested before God and man , that their coming was not to offer any force to their country , but only Carthage 〈◊〉 besieged 〈◊〉 theyr own●… 〈◊〉 . to recouer it , and that they would shew their country men , that they wanted not courage in the former warres , but good fortune . Herevpon ▪ they kept the City in suche wise from victuals , and besieged it so narowlye that they brought the Carthaginenses to vtter despaire . In the mean●… time Cartalo the sonne of the banished captain Mac●…eus , as he passed by his fathers campe from Tyre , whether as he had bene sent by the Carthaginenses , to carye vnto Hercules the tenthes of the booty that his father had taken in Sicil , being sent for by his father , aunswered he would first accomplishe his duty in the publike religion , ere he woulde doo any priuate dutye to father or mother . The whyche thing allbeit his father were much offended with , yet he durst not as then vse any violence towardes him , for reuerence of the religion . Within a daye or two after , desiring safeconduit of the people , when he was retourned to his father , and that he vaunted himselfe openly before all mennes eies , decked in his purple robes and his myter , according to the degree of priesthode , his father leadynge A terrible 〈◊〉 ample for 〈◊〉 ▪ obediens to the father . him a side into a secreat place saide to him . Thou wycked barlet durst thou be so bolde as thus bedect with skarlet and bedashte with golde , to come into the open face of so many of thy wretched citezens , and to enter into this sorowfull and mourning camp , swimming in these tokens of quiet prosperity , like as if thou shoulde triumphe ouer vs ? Could thou finde none other personnes to bragge thy selfe before , but vs ? could thou finde no place ●…o meete as the penury of thy father and the calamities of his vnhappy banishment ? Doost thou remember that beinge the other day called , thou proudlye disdained , I say not thy father , but certesse the captaine of thine own countrymen ▪ And I pray thee what elsse representest thou in thys thy purple robe and these crownes of golde , then the titles of victories . For as muche therfore as thou acknowledgest thy father for no better then a banished man , I also wyll shewe my selfe as a graund captaine , then as a father toward thee , and I wil make thee example to all men here after , not to be so bold as to laughe and skorne at the vnfortunate miseries of their fathers . Immediatly here vpon he caused him to be nailed to a very high crosse in the sight of the city in his apparel & attire as he went . Within a few daies after he tooke Carthage , & sommoning the Carth●…ge is 〈◊〉 . people before him , he complained of his wrongful banish ment , excusing the war which he was compelled to take in hand ful sore against his will , by reason his conquestes were despised , wherfore in as muche as he had punished th oppressors of his miserable countrymen , he said he was content to pardon al the rest for his wrongful banishment . And so hauing put ten of the senators to deathe , he restored the city to her lawes again . Not long after he was ac cused to haue gone about to make himself king . Whervp on he suffred double punishment , both for working treason against his country , and for murtheringe hys owne sonne . After him succeaded in the captainshippe Mago , by whose industry , bothe the richesse , the bounds of the Empire , and the renowne of the cheualrye of Carthage was greatly encreased .

The. xxi . Booke .

DEnnis hauinge expulsed the Carthaginenses A discourse of the acts of the 〈◊〉 . oute of Sicill , and taken the gouernment of al the whole Iland into his hand , thinking it both a burthen to the realme , to kepe so many men idle , and also a daungerous matter to suffer so great an army to lie stil slouthfully and do nothing , conueyed hys hoste into Italy , partly of purpose to quicken the strength The warres of the elder Dennis in Italy . of his souldioures by continuall laboure , & also to enlarge the bounds of his Empire . The first war that he had , was against the Grekes that inhabited the next sea cos●…e of Italy . The which being subdued , he assailed euer the nexte vnto them , and finally he proclaimed open war against all that bare the name of Grekes dwelling in Italy , the whiche sort of people held not one part , but almost al Italy at that time . And ther be many cities which after so long continuaunce , do yet at this day shew manifest tokens of the Grekish cu●…ome . For the people of Thuscane which possesse A digressyon to the ●…ounda tions of the Cityes of Italy . the coast of the nether sea , came out of Lydia . And that Uenetians , who as we se are inhabiters of the vpper sea , came vnder Antenor from Troy , after the taking and destruction therof , Adria also whiche is next to the Illyrian sea , & which gaue the name to the Adriatick sea is a greke city , so is Apros the which Diomedes builded after the ouerthrow of Troy , being cast vp in the same p●…ace by ship wrack . Moreouer Pise in Lumbardy had Grekes to their founders And among the Thuscanes , the Tarquines fetch their beginuing from the Thessalians and Spinambres . And the Perusines from the Acheans ? What shall I say of the city Cere ? what shall I speake of the latine people , which seme to be founded by Eneas ? Now the Falisces , the Iapygians , the Nolanes , the Abelanes , wer they not somtime enhabiters of Chalcis ? what is all the coaste of Campanie ? what are the Brutians & Sabines ? what are the Sabines ? what are the Tarentines , who ( as it is left in wrytinge ) came from Lacedemon , and were called bastardes ? They say that Phil●…ctetes builded the city of the Thurines , whose tombe is to be sene ther at this day , and the shafts of Hercules in the temple of Apollo which wer the destiny of Tro●…e . The Metapont●…es also haue yet to shewe in the people of Minerua , the iron tooles of Epeus their firste founder , wherwith he made the horse that destroyed Troy . For the which cause all that parte of Italy is called the greater Grece . But in the beginning of these foundations , the Metapontines with the Sybarites and Crotoniens wer determined to driue all thother Grekes out of Italy . Assone as they had taken the city Siris , in the winning therof , they killed before the very aultare of Minerua fifty yongmen embracing her image and her priest veiled in th attire accustomed in her ceremonies . Herevpon being ●…exed with pestilens and ciuil sedition , the Crotonienses 〈◊〉 o●… religion . went first to thorac●…e of D●…lphos . Answer was made to them , that the mischief shoulde cease , if they had ones appeased Minerua for working so wickedly against her Godhed , and the ghostes of them that they had sla●…n . Therfore when they had begon to carue images to set vp to the yongmen of the same bignesse that they wer being aliue , and in especially vnto Minerua . The Metapontines knowing of the Oracle of the Gods , thinkinge it good to work spedely in the pacifying of their ghostes , and in pacifying of the gods , set vp litle images of stone to the yong men , and appeasedthe Goddes with bread sacrifices . And so while the one parte striued in costlinesse , and the other part in swiftnesse , the pestilence was ceased on both parties . The Crotoniens hauing recouered helth , abode not long in quiet . Therfore taking displesure that in the siege 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 . of Siris the Locrines came to fighte againste them , they entred vpon them by force of armes .

The Locrines beinge striken with feare , resorted to the Spartanes , desiring them humbly of succour . The Spartanes being loth to enter into war so far of , bad them ask help of Castor & Pollux . Neither did the ambassadours of their felow city despise their counsell , and therfore departing Marke the superstition of the hethen . into the next temple , and ther making sacrifice , they cried vpon the Gods for help . When they had offred their sacrifices , and obtained the thinge that they came for ( as they thought , ) being as mery as if they should haue caried the Gods them selues with them , they made them shrines in their ships , and with lucky iourney in stead of succour , they brought their country men home comfort . This beinge knowen , the Crotoniens also sent ambassadors to the Oracle at Delphos , praying for victorye & prosperous end of the warre . It was answered that they muste ouercome their enemies by vowing , or euer they coulde ouercome them by battel . Whervppon when they had vowed vnto Apollo the tenthe of the pray , the Locrines hauynge knowledge both of the vow of theyr en●…mies , and of the answer of the Goddes , vowed the ninth , and kept y● thing secrete to them selues , for fear least they shuld be ouercom by vowing . Therfore when they wer come into the field , and that there stode in the battel of the Crotoniens an C. and. xx . thousand fighting men in harnesse , the Locrines beholding their owne slender noumber , ( for they had no mo but xv . M. sould●…oures ) cast away all hope of victorye , and bent them selues obstinately to die in the fielde . Now by meanes of this despair , euery man tooke suche a harte vnto him , that they thoughte them selues to haue gotten Despaire ge●… courage . the victory , if they might reuenge their deaths manfully . But while they sought to die honestlye , they gate the vpper hande more luckelye . Neither can it be thoughte that there shoulde be any other cause of their victory , then that they fell in despaire . All the while the Locrines wer fighting , there was an Eagle that neuer departed from the●…e battels , nor neuer lefte houeringe about them vntill they had gotten the vpper hand . Moreouer two young men in straunge armor , vnlike th one to thother , o●… excellent personage , vpon white horses , & in skarlet clokes wer sene sigh ting in the winges of the battel , the whiche ass●…ne as the battel was ended , vanished out ●…f sighte . The incredyble swiftnesse of fame encreased the wonderment of the thing . 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 . For the same day that the battel was fought in Italy , the victorye was ●…eported at Corynthe , Athens , and Lacedemon . After this the Crotoniens did neuer passe to exercise them selues in cheua●… ye nor in feates of armes . For they hated them , because they had so vnluckelye attempted them . And they had chaunged their 〈◊〉 into riot and idlenesse , if the Philosopher Pythagoras had not beene . This man being the sonne of a ritch merchaunte man of Of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Sames called Demaratus , and being broughte vp in the studies of wisdome , wherin he greatly encreased , takyng his ●…akyng first into Egipt , and afterward to Bab●…on , to learne perfect●…y the mouiug of the planets , and to searche out the beginning of the world , wherof it was made , attained to meruelous exquis●…te knowledge . As hee ret●…urned from thence , he went to Can●…ye , and Lacedemon , to study the lawes of Minos and Lycurgus whych were famous and notable at that tyme . In all the which being●… perfectly instructed and furnished , he cam to Croton , and by his authority reuoked the people to ●…rugalitye , latelye before fallen into excesse and riot . Dailye he commended vertue , and dispraised ●…he vice of riot , reciting the miserable ch●…ūces of cities , that had decayed through that 〈◊〉 wherby he so stirred the multitude to the sauor of frug●…lity , that some of them whiche were vtterlye drowned in riot , were contrary to all hope and exp●…ctation , broughte again to good thrift . Moreouer he gaue the wiues instructions a part from their husbands , and the children oftentimes a part from their parentes . He taught the women chastitye , shamefastnesse , womanhoode , and obedi●…nce to their husbandes . The men children modestye , sobr●…sse , good nourtour and learning , and among these things , ●…e enterlaced frugality as the mother of all vertues .

Finally he did so much with his continual disputations , that the noble women laid a side their garments of cloth of gold and other the iewels and ornaments apertaining to their estates , as th instruments of excesse & superfluity , & brought al such things into Iunos temple , & consecrated them to the Gods : perswading with them that the true ornaments The true ornamentes of Ladies . of ladies and gentle women , was chastity & not gorgious raiment or straunge attire . How much he was able to way with thother youth of the city , the bridling & ouercoming of the stobern & ●…roward stomakes of the women dothe wel declare . But there were iii. C younge men which gathering them selues on a rout , bound them selues with an oth to liue together like sworn brothers from the residue of the citizens , by which their doing as though they had made an vnlawfull assemble to conspire againste the city , they brought all the whole citye in their neckes . And as they wer all assembled into one house , the City would haue burnt them vp . In the which hurlyburly , almost . lx. of them were slaine , and the residue wer banished . When Pythagoras had dwelled ful . xx . yeares at Croton , he remoued to Metapont & there deceased . Whom they had in suche estimation , that of his house they made a temple , & honored him for a God . Therfore Dennis the Tiran whom He returneth to the doings of Dennis . we declared before to haue passed his army into Italye , & to haue made war againste the Grekes , after he had won Locres by force , assailed the Crotoniens hauing yet skars ly after so long respit , recouered their strength decaied by the slaughter of the foresaid war . And yet they now with their few , more valiantly resisted his so populous armye , then they could with so many thousands , make resistens before against the smal nomber of the Locrines . So great force hath pouerty againste proude richesse , and so muche more certain somtime is the victory vnhoped for then the victory that is made accompt of before hand . While Den nis was making this war , th ambassadors of the frenche Dennis entereth in leage 〈◊〉 the men which a few monthes before had burned Rome cam vnto him , desiring to enter in league and frendship wyth 〈◊〉 . Alledging that their country was situate among the mids of his enemies , wherfore they might stande him in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that burned Rome . good stead , whether it wer to aide him in the battell , o●… to set vpon them behinde , whiles they wer fightynge wyth him before . Dennis liked this ambassade wel . And so entring in league with them , and being increased in power by their aid , he began his warre as it wer newe agayne . The cause why these Frenchmen came into Italy to seke them a new dwelling place , was the ciuil discord and continual debate that they had at home among them selues . Cities 〈◊〉 in Italy by the 〈◊〉 men . For wearines wherof comming out of Italy , they droue the Thuscanes out of house and home , and builded the cities of Millain , Come , Brixia , Uerone , Bergome . Trident , and Uincent . The Thuscanes also with their captain Rhetus hauing los●…e their owne countrye , tooke the Alpes , and after the name of their captaine , founded the nation of the Rhetians . But Dennis by meanes of the tomming of the Carthaginenses into Sicil , was dryuen to retu●…ne home , for they had repaired their army , & wyth a greater power renued the warres which they had broken vp by constrainte of the pestilence . The captaine of this war was Hanno of Carthage , whose enemy Suniator a man at that time of the greatest power one of them in all Affricke , in despyte of him , wrate familierly in Greke vnto Dennis , aduertising him of the comming of the army , and of the cowardise of the captain , but his letters were Treson 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 taken by the way , whervpon he was condemned of treason , and an act of Parliament was made , that no man of Carthage should here after learne Greke letters or study the Greke tounge to the entent he should not talke wyth the ennemy , or wryte vnto him without an interpretor , & ere it was longe after , Dennis whome a litle before , neither Sicilie nor Italye were able to hold , being ouercome with continuall warres in battel , The death 〈◊〉 Dennis . and brought lowe , at laste was slayne by the treson of hys owne subiectes .

The. xxi . Booke .

AFter the time that ●…he Tiran Den 〈◊〉 The yonger 〈◊〉 . was s●…aine in Sicill , the men of warre placed in his roume hys eldest sonne named Dennis also , bothe because he was a man growen , & also because they thoughte the kingdome should be the stronger , if it remained stil inone mans hand , rather then if it shuld be deuided among his sonnes in many portions . But Dennys in the beginnyng of hys raygne , coueted sore to haue put to deathe hys brothers vncles as enuiers of his estate , and prouokers of the children to demaund a partition of the kingdome .

Where vppon he dissembled his desyre a while , setting his mynde to procure the fauoure of his commons , thincking to doo it with lesse blame , if all men●…e sh●…ulde fyrste conceiue good opinyon of his doinges . And therfore he let three hundred offenders out of prysonne , and released the people three yeares subsidie , alluringe theyr mindes by all kynde of counterfet gentlenesse that he was hable to deuise . Then goynge in hande with the mischiefe he had so longe purposed , he slewe not onlye his brothers kynsfolke , The crueltye of Dennis . but also hys brothers them selues , in so muche hat whome he ought of righte to haue made partners of his kingdome , he suffred not to be partakers of life and breth beginning to execute his tiranny vpon his owne kinred , ere he proceded to worke it against straungers .

When he hadde dispatched hys brothers , of whome as of his enemies he stode in fear , he fell to slouthfulnes , and throughe excessiue ●…edynge he became fatte and coarsye , and gate suche a disease in his eyes , that he was not able to abide the Sunne , nor the dust , nor finally the glistering of any light . For the which causes beleuing himselfe to be had in disdaine of all men , he executed moste extreme cruelty , not filling the gails with prisoners as his father did , but replenishing the city with slaughters , for the whychthinges he was not so muche disdained , as hated of al men . Therefore when he perceiued that the Syracusanes were mineded to rebel against him and bid him battel , he was in doubte a great while whether it were better to depose him selfe , or to withstande them by force , but his men of warre in hope to haue the spoyle and sacking of the citye , compelled him to stand to the triall of it by battel , where beinge vanquished , and attemptinge fortune the seconde time with like successe , he sent ambassadoures to the Syra●… , promising to depose himselfe from his tirannye , if they would send their commissioners vnto him , authorysed Th●… 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dennis . to conclude an agrement with him . They sent y● chief men of their City for the same purpose , whome be put in custody , and so sodainly ere any man 〈◊〉 therof , or feared that he ment any such mischiefe against them , he sent his army to destroy the city . Whervppon ensued a sore and doubtfull encounter euen within the verye Citye , but by D●…nnis 〈◊〉 into Italy reason the townes men were farre mo in noumber , Dennis and his men were put backe . Who fearing to be beseged if he abode in the Castle , priuely fled into Italy with all his princely apparell , treasure and houshold stuffe , being in his banishmente receiued by his confederates the That which is bred by the bone will not out of the flesh . Locrines , as though he had bene their rightfull kyng , he tooke their fortresse , and there exercised his accustomed cruelty . He commaunded the noble mennes wi●…es to be broughte from their husbandes perforce , that he myghte haue his pleasure of them , the maidens when they shuld be maryed , he fetched away , and when he had abused them sent theym to their spouses againe . The richest and welthiest personnes , eyther he draue out of the Citye , or elsse caused them to be put to deathe , and seised theyr goodes . And when he sawe there was no more for him to catche conueniently , he compassed all the whole city by a subtle inuention . At such time as the Locrines were oppressed with the warres of Leophron king of Rhegi●…n , they made a vow The vn●…ayth ●…uines of Dē●…is toward the Locrines that if they wan the vpper hand , they wold vpon a feastfull daye of Venus , set their virgins in the open stewes for all men to abuse . The which vow being left vnperfourmed , & hauing vnfortunate warres with the Lucanes , Dennis called them together before him , and there exhorted them to send their wiues & daughters , as gorgeously apparelled & decked as they could into the temple of Venus , out of the which ther should be a hundred drawen by lot to perfourme the common vow , the whiche for religions sake should stand in the stewes for the space of one month all their husbandes being before sworn , not to haue to do with any of them . And to th entent the maidens thus per forming the common vow , should not be hindred therby , they should make a decre that none other maid should be ensured to any husband before those other were maryed . This counsel was wel alowed , as in the which prouision semed to be made , both for the performans of their superstitious vow , & allo for the preseruation of the chastity o●… their virgins . Whervpon al the women assembled into the temple of Venus so gorgeously & costly attired , as who might be best , among whom Dennis sent his men of war , & stripped them euery one , conuertinge their iewels & sumptuous ornaments to his own gain and pro●…it , som of their husbands being very welthy men , he killed , and some of the women he put to the torture to make the confesse where their husbands mony lay . When he had with these & such Dennis is ex ●…uised , 〈◊〉 recou●…reth 〈◊〉 . like suttle●…ies raigned by the space of . vi . yeres , the Locrines conspired against him , and draue him out of the city , from whence he returned into Sicil , and there by treson ( no man mistrusting any thing after so long continuauns o●… peace ) recouered the city Syracuse . While these thynges were a do●…ng in Sicil , in the meane time in Affricke , Hanno prince of Carthage , began to employe his richesse , ( by Hann●…s 〈◊〉 spiracies agaynst Ca●… th age . the which he surmounted the power of the common weal , about compassing of the souerainty , entendynge to haue slaine the Senate , and to haue made himself king .

To the perfourming of the whiche mischeuous enterprise , he had chosen a certain day , in the whiche he should marry his daughter solempnly ? to the entent that vnder the coloure of perfourming hys vowes , he might the easyer woorke his wickednesse , and the 〈◊〉 brynge hys mischeuous deuises to effecte vnespied . And therfore he prepared a feaste for the people in the open porches and galleries of the Citye , and for the Senate in his owne house . To the entent that hauing couertly and wythout witnesses killed the Senatoures with poyson●…d drinkes , he might with the more ease vsurpe vppon the common weale , being destitute of her patrones and defendoures . The whiche thynge beynge by the seruauntes bewrayed to the Magistrates , the mischief was auoided but not punished : least in a man of so great power , the matter being knowen might putte them to more trouble , then beinge but only surmised . Being therfore contented to haue restrained him of his purpose , they made a decree , wherein was limited what coste shoulde be bestowed vpon mariages , straightly charging and commaundinge the same to be obserued , not of any one man , but of all men in generall , to the entent the person should not seme to be noted , but the vices rebuked . Beinge by this d●…uise preuented , he stirred the bondmen to rebellion , and hauing appoynted a day againe for the slaughter , when he sawe himselfe the second time bewrayed , fearing to be arraigned of treson , he tooke a certaine stronge hold with twentye thousand bondmen well armed .

There whiles he sollicited the Afres and the kynge of Hanno is take & punish●… Mauritane , he was taken , and beinge sore whipped , and hys ●…yes pulled oute , and hys armes and legges broken , as th●…ughe euerye member were seuerally punished , he was put to death in the open sight of the people , and hys body being torne with whippinge , was hanged vppon a gibbet . Moreouer his sonnes and kinsmen euerychone of them , ( were they neuer so giltlesse , ) were all put to execution , to th entent there should not of so wicked a stocke remaine any impe , either to ensue his example in doynge the like mischiefe , or to reuenge his death . In the meane time Dennis being receiued Syracuse , persisting euery daye more cruell then other toward the Citye , they conspired against him again , and besieged him . Then seinge no remedy , he deposed himselfe , and yealded to the Syracusanes Dennis dep●… seth hym self . bothe his holde and his hoste , and receiuinge no more but his owne priuate stuffe , went his way as a banished man to Corynthe . There thinkinge the basest to be the surest estate , he fell to a most filthy and lothsome trade of liuing . The vile and lothsome life of Dennis . For he thought it not inough to loyter vp and down the streates , onlesse he wer bibbing in euery tippling house , nor to be sene in Tauernes and houses , but to sytte stil in them all day from morning to night . Moreouer he would braule with euerye raskall and varlet for moone shine in the water , goo all to ragged and slouenlye , prouoke men to laughter rather then laugh himself , stande gaping and gasing in the shambles , deuouring with his eies the thinges he could not bye with his monye , skolde with baudes before the Wardens , and in fine doo all thinges in suche wise , that he might s●…me rather to be despised than feared . Dennis pro●…esseth him selfe a schole master . Last of all he professed himself a scholemaster , and taught children in a threwaylet , to th entent he might eyther be openly sene of them that feared him , or els might the easier bring himselfe in contempt of them that feared hym not . For all be it he alway abounded in tirannous vices , yet notwithstanding this was but a counterfetting of vices , and no naturall disposition : and he did theese thinges of a pollicye , then for that he had forgotten his royall and princely behauiour , because he knew by profe how hatefull the name of a Tyran is , yea thoughe they haue no ●…chesse nor power at all . And therfore he labored to take a way the enuy of thinges past , by bringing himself in contempt for his present demeanor , hauing not so muche regarde what was for his honor , as what was for the sauegard of his life . Yet notwithstanding among al these counterfet dissimulations and policies , he was thrise accused to haue sought meanes to make himself kyng again , and nothing auailed so muche to his acquitall , as that all men had him in disdaine . In the time that these thinges were a doing , the Carthaginenses beinge afraid at the prosperous 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 to note the do ings of great Alexander . successe of great Alexanders affaires , for doubt least hauing conquered the kingdome of the Persians , he wold also adioyne Affricke ther vnto , to f●…le how he was mineded , Hamil●…ar surnamed Rhodanus a man farre passynge all others in wit and eloquence . For it encreased their f●…ar ▪ because they saw their mother city Tyrus , the authoure of their beginning was taken , and the city alexandria an enemy to the estate of Carthage builded in the bound●…s of Affricke and Egipt , and also the fortunate felicity of the king himselfe , of whose couetousnesse and good fortune , they thought there woulde neuer be none ●…nd , Hamilcor therefore attaining to the speche of Alexander , by the helpe of Parmenio , fained him selfe to be driuen oute of his country , and that he was fled to the king for succour , off●…ryng him self to serue him as a souldiour in his warres , by the whiche pollicy hauinge perfect intelligence of the king●…s entent and purpose , he aduertised his countrye men therof in tables of woode , couered ouer with plaine waxe . But The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of th●… 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . the Carthaginenses after the death of the king , when he retourned into his country , not only rewarded him not , but also most cruelly put him to death , as though he had gone about to chalenge the Citye to the king .

The. xxii . Booke .

AGathocles the Tiranne of Sicill , whiche succeaded in the estate of Dennis laste before him , clymbed from a lowe and base degre , to the maiestye of the kingdome . For he was a potters sonne of Sicill , and there was no more honesty in his childhode , then there was honour in the stocke of his auncestry . For being of fauor and personage exceding beautiful , he liued a great while in sufferance of most filthy bugge●…y , when he was ones paste boyes estate , he tourned his lecherous lust from men vnto women . After this beinge disfamed with bothe kyndes , he chaunged that trade of liuing , and fel to robberye . In processe of time when he came to Syracuse , and was taken into the city as amonge others inhabiters , he was a great while without credit or estimation . Because he semed not to haue any good to loose , nor any honesty to distaine . In fine obtaining the roume of a rascall souldiour , loke how dishonest he was in his liuing before , euen as seditious was he in his doinges then , and moste readye and forwarde to doo all kinde of mischiefe . For he was counted strong of hand , and in talking to the people verye eloquent . Therfore within shorte space he was made captaine of a hundred men , and anone after The firste risyng of Agathocles vnto estimation . marshall of the hoste . In the firste battell , whiche was against the Aetneās , he gaue the Syracusanes great profe of his towardnesse . In the nexte followinge agaynste the Campaines , he made all men conc●…iue so good opinion of him , that he was substituted in the roume of the graunde captaine Damasco deceased , whose wife ( with whome he had committed aduoutry in the life of her husband , ) afte●… his decease , ) he toke in mariage . And beinge not content that of a begger he was sodainly made riche ; he exercysed rouing on the sea againste his owne country . But it was his chaunce to be saued , because when his mates wer taken , and putte to the torture , they confessed nothynge of him . Twise he went abou●… to vsurpe the Empire of Sy●…acuse , and twise he was banished for hys laboure . The Murgantines amonge whome he liued in the time of his exile , for hatred they bare to the Syracusanes , created him first their Pretor , and afterwarde their captayne . In that warre he bothe tooke the city of the Leontines , and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…racuse . besieged the city of Syracuse . To the r●…ue wherof Hamilcar captaine of the Carthaginenses beinge requested to come , laying a side all emnity and hatred sent thither a crew of souldioures .

And so at one time and instant , the City Syracuse was defended louingly and frendly by the enemy , and ●…ye assailed by her owne Citizen . But Agathocles when he sawe that the towne was more manfullye defended then assaulted , he sent a pursiuant to Hamilcar , desiringe hym to doo so much for him , as to take vp the mater betwene him and the Syracusanes , and to bee as an indifferente iudge for the determination of some peace betwixt them , promisyng to doo the best that laye in him to recompence hys gentlenesse .

Where vppon Hamilcar beinge fulfilled with hoope and partly fearinge his power , entred a league of frendshippe A 〈◊〉 on 〈◊〉 Ha●…●… Agatho●… . with him , vppon condition that looke howe much he furthered Agathocles in strength agaynste the Syracusanes , so muche shoulde Agathocles recompence hym withal againe to the furtheraunce of his aduauncement , at home in his owne natiue country .

By meanes of this composition , Agathocles was not only reconciled and brought to attonement with the Syracusanes , but also hee was made Pretor of the Citye . Then the holy fyre and the tapers were brought forthe , whervpon agathocles laying his hand , sware before Hamilcar to become true subiectes to the Carthaginenses . Herevpon 〈◊〉 is sworne to the Carthagiuenses . receiuing of him fiue thousand afres , he put to death al the noble men that were of greatest power and authority , and so as it were to th entent to refourme the state of the common welth , he commaunded the people to assemble His extreame 〈◊〉 aga●…t the 〈◊〉 . before him in the Theatre , gathering the Senatours into the counsell house , as thoughe he mineded to make some ordinaunce or decree before . When he had brought his matters to this poynt , he sent his souldiers to besiege the people , and he him selfe slue the senators , the whyche slaughter being finished , he put to deathe also all suche of the commons , as were the welthiest and forwardest persons . These thinges beinge thus compassed , he mustered souldiours , and raised an army : with the whyche beynge strengthened , he sodainly inuaded the next cities , lokyng He ●…eth the confederates of the Cartha ●…ses . for no hostility . Furthermore by the sufferance of Hamilcar , he wrongfully entreated and shamefully handled the confederates of the Carthaginenses . For the whiche cause they made complainte to the Senate Carthage , not so muche of agathocles , as of hamilcar , accusinge the one as a The complaint of the confede ●…tes . Lordly Tirant , and the other as a traytoure , by whome they were sold by composition and bargain betwene them two , to the vttermost enemy of their estate , to whome at the beginning in confirmation of the said composition and agrement , was deliuered Syracuse , the city that had euer bene most enemy to the Afres , and an enuier of the Carthaginenses , alwayes contending with them for the Empire of Sicil : and now moreouer were betrayed to the same person , the cities of their confederates , vnder a counter●…aite pretence of peace . Wherfore they gaue them warning , that if they loked not to these matters in time , with in a while they would light vpon their owne heades , and soone after they shoulde feele what damage they shoulde bring , as wel vpon their owne country of Affricke , as vp 〈◊〉 the pore Iland of Sicil. By meanes of these complaints , the Senate was sore moued to displesure against Hamilcar . But forasmuch as he was in Office , they gaue theyr Hamilcar 〈◊〉 condemned 〈◊〉 treson s●… lye . iudgement secretely vpon him , commaundinge their verdits before they shuld be red to be cast into a pot together , and there ●…o be sealed vppe , vntill the other Hamilcar the sonne of Gysgo , wer returned out of Sicil. But the death of Hamilcar preuented the suttle deuises and vnknowen verdites of the Carthaginenses , and he was deliuered by He 〈◊〉 . the benefite of death , whome his owne countrymen had wrongfully condempned without hearing of his answer . The which thing gaue Agathocles occasion to moue war against the Carthaginenses . The first encounter that he Agath●… is ouercome twise , and 〈◊〉 b●…eged . had , was against Hamilcar the sonne of Gisgo . Of whome being vanquished , he retired to Syracuse to raise a great power , and to renue the battel again . But he had like for tune in the second encounter as he had in the first . Therfore when the Carthagin●…nses hauing the vpper hande , had besieged Syracuse , and that Agathocles perceiued he The 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Agath●…s . was neither of power to encounter them , nor sufficiently furnished to endure out the ●…iege , and ●…hat moreouer hys owne confederates being offended with his crueltye , had forsaken him , he determined to transfer the warres into Affricke . I assure you it was a wonderful audacitye , that he should enterprise to make warre agaynste the Citye of them , whome he was not able to match in the soile of his owne city , and that being not able to defend his owne , he should geue the aduenture vppon other mennes , and that being vanquished , he should proudly vaunt him selfe ouer the conqueroures . The keping secrete of this enterprise , was as wonderfull as was the deuise therof , for the people could learne nothinge at his hande , but that he hadde found away to get the victorye . Willing them to doo no more but take good harts to them to abide the siege whiche shoulde not be long : or elsse if there were any that had ●…ot the harte to abide the aduenture of the present estate , he gaue him fre liberty to go his way whether he would . Whervpon when he had discharged a thousand and sy●… hundred , he furnished the reast that remained with vietuall , artillerye , and wages , accordinge as the estate of the siege required . He tooke with him no more but fifty Talents toward his charges to spend at that time , thinking it better to get the reast , ( if neade shoulde require more ) of his ennemies then of his subiects . Then he set at liberty all the bondmen that were of yeres mete for the warres , and toke an othe of them , and put them with the mooste part of his other souldiours into his ships , thinking that forasmuche as he had made them all one in estate and degre , there wold be strife among them who might behaue himself most manfully . All the reast he left to the defence Agathocles sa●…leth into ●…ricke . of his country . This done the seuenth yere of his raigne , hauinge in hys companye his two sonnes Archagathus and Heraclida , noone of his souldioures knowinge whether he wold go , he directed his course into Affrick , wher as all his men supposed they shuld haue gon a forraging , either into Italy , or elsse into the Isle of Sardinia , he neuer made them priuy where about he went , vntill he had set his host a land in Affricke , and then he tolde theym all what he was mineded to doo . He shewed theym in what The effecte of Agathocles oration to his sould youres . case Syracuse stode , for the helpe wherof there remayned none other meane , but to do to their enemy as he had don to them . For warres wer to be handled otherwise at home then abrode . At home a man could haue none other help , then his country is able to auorde him : abrode the enemy myghte be vanquished by his owne power , by reason the adherents and partakers being weary of their long continued Empire would commonlye faile them , and looke for the helpe of forayne Princes And to the furtheraunce hereof , the cities and castels of Affricke were not enuironed with walles , nor situatein mountaines , but set vpon the plaine ground in open and champion fieldes without any munition or defence , all the whych for feare of being destroyed , woulde easely be entreated to take theyr parte in the warre . Wherfore the Carthaginenses should haue whotter warres at theyr owne dores out of Affrick , then oute of Sic●…l , and aide woulde assemble from all partes against that one city , gr●…ater in name then in power , wherfore he should finde the strength there , which he broughte not with him . Moreouer the sodain fear of the Carthaginenses shoulde be no small furtheraunce to his victorye , which being amazed at the wonderful audacitye of theyr enemies , wold tremble and quake for feare . Besydes this to th encrease of the same , they should behold the burning of their villages , the beatinge downe of theyr castles and holdes , the sacking of the stoburne cities , and finallye the besiegement of Carthage it selfe , by all the which things they should well fele , that they them selues , laye as open to the warres of other men , as other men lay open to the warres of them . By the which meanes not only the Carthaginenses might be vanquished , but also Sicill be sette at liberty . For their ennemies woulde not lie styll at the siege there , when they should hear that theyr owne were in ieoperdy . Wherfore they could not haue deuised where to haue founde a more easy warfare , nor a more ryche and 〈◊〉 praye . For had they ones taken Carthage , the conqueroures shoulde haue all Affricke and Sicill in reward for their labour . And the glorye and renowne of so honourable a warfare shuld be so great , as that it might neuer be forg●…tten while the world stands , so that it shuld be said , that they only hade beene the men , whyche hadde turned the warre vpon their enemies heades , which they could not out stand at home in theyr own country , which of theyr owne accord had perased and pursued vpon theyr conqueroures , and whiche had besieged the besiege●…s of their citye .

Therfore they oughte all with val●…aunte and chearfull harts enterprise that ●…atre , then the whiche there could a neither any greater rewarde be geuen them if they wan the victorye , nor more honorable monument if they were ouercome . With these and suche like enforcementes , the harts of his souldiers were greatlye encoraged . But the sight of a wonder that happened , troubled theyr mindes , because that as they sailed , the Sunne was Eclipsed . Of the which thing the kinge was as carefull to geue them a In Eclipse of the Sun , with thynter pretation ther of . due reason , as of the warre : affirmynge that if it had hapned before theyr setting forth , it might haue bene thought that the wonder had manased them that wer to set forth . But now for as much as it chaunced after they wer com forthe , it threatned them againste whome they wente . Furthermore the Eclipsing of the naturall Planets , dyd alwaies alter the present estate of thinges . Wherefore there was none other thinge mente , but that the estate of Carthage florishinge in welth and richesse , and his estate oppressed with aduersitye , muste suffer an alteration and exchaunge . When he had thus comforted his souldiours Agathocles setteth hys ships on fyre . by the consent of his army he set all his shippes on fire , to th entent they might all knowe , that seinge there was no helpe in running away , they must either win or elsse dye . Afterwarde when that they bare downe all that came in their way which way so euer they went , settinge townes and castels on fyre , Hanno captaine of Carthage met them with thirty thousand Afres , in the which encounter was A slaughter of the Ca●…tha ginenses . slain of the Sicilians two , and of the Carthaginenses iii. M and the captain him self , through his victory , the harts of the Sicilians were strengthened , and the hartes of the Carthaginenses discouraged . Agathocles hauing vanqui shed his enemies , wan cities and holdes , toke greate booties and prayes , and slue many thousand of his enemies . Then he pitched his campe about v. miles of from Carthage , to th entent they might behold from the v●…ry wals of the city , the losse of their dearest thinges , with the wasting of their fieldes , and the burning of theyr villages . In the meane time there went a great brute ouer all Affricke , of the ouerthrowe and slaughter of the Carthaginien army , and of the cities that were won . Wherat euery man was amased and wondered how so great an Empire , should haue so sodain an ouerthrow , in espetially by an enemy all ready vanquished . This wonderment turned by little and little into disdaine of the Carthaginenses . For ere it was long after not onlye Affricke , but also the chefest cities there aboutes folowing this sodain alteration , The cities o●… A●…icke , reuolte to Agathocles . reuolted to Agathocles , and aided hym both with victual and monye . Besides these aduersities of the Carthaginenses , to the augmentation of their miserable cala mities , it hapned that their captain withal his army was vtterly destroyed in Sicil. For after the departure of Agathocles A slaughter of the Carth●… ginenses in Sic●… . oute of Sicill , the Carthaginenses became more siouthful and negligent in their siege at Syracuse , which thing Antander the brother of king Agathocles espyinge , issued out vpon them , and s●…ue them vtterlye euerychone , wherof sorowful tidinges were broughte to Carthage . Therefore for as muche as the Carthaginenses had like misfortune abrode as at home , here vpon not only the tributary cities , but also the kings that were in league and amity with them , waying freship by fortune , and not by faithfulnesse reuolted from them . Amonge others there was one Ophellas king of Cyrene , who vpon a wycked hope gapinge for the dominion of all Affricke , entered in The kynge Cyrene Cyrene 〈◊〉 teth to Agathocles . league with Agathocles by his ambassadoures , and bad conditioned with him , that when the Carthaginenses were ones ouercome , Agathocles should take th empire of Sicil , and he th empire of Affrick . Therfore when Tphel las was come with a great host to aid him in the warres , Agathocles entertaining him with fair words and counterfet curtesy , very lowly and humbly , because Ophellas had adopted him his sonne , after they had manye times & often dined and supped together , he slewe him vnwares , and entring vpon his armye , in an other sore encounter , vanquished the Carthaginenses nowe comminge to the fielde withal the power and furniture they were hable to Another great slaug●… ter of the 〈◊〉 thaginienses . make , not without great slaughter and bludshed on both partes . Through the discomfiture of this ouerthrow , the Carthaginenses wer brought to such an after deale , that if there had not risen a mutiny in Agathocles camp , Bomilcar the captaine of the Carthaginenses had wyth hys army reuolted vnto him .

For the whiche offence the Carthagi . nailed him vpon a crosse in the mids of the market place : to th entent that the The punyshment of Bomilcar . same place might be a monument and remembrance of his punishment , whiche had bef●…re times bene an aduauncement of his honor . But Bomilcar toke very stoutlye the cruelty of his country , in so muche that from the toppe of The wordes of Bomilcar vppon the 〈◊〉 . the crosse , as if it had beene from the iudgement seate , he preched against the wickednesse of his citizens , obiectynge to them , somtime their vnrightfull entrapping of Hanno vpon malice and enuy , falsely surmising that he went about to make himself king , someitme the banishment of innocent Gysgo without cause why , sometime theyr seacrete verdits against his vncle Hamilcar , because he sought to make Agathocles their frende rather then theyr enemy . When he had vttred these things with a loud voyce in a great audiens of people , he gaue vp the ghost . In the Agatho●…les returneth into Sicil , and rais●…th the siege of Syracuse . meane season Agathocles hauing put his enemies to the worse in Affricke , deliuering the charge of his host to his sonne Archagathus , returned himself with spede into Sicill , thincking that all that euer he had doone in A●…ricke was to no purpose , if Syracuse were still be●…ieged . For after that Hamilcar the sonne of G●…go was slayne , the Carthaginenses sent thither a new hoste of men .

Therfore assoone as Agathocles was come into Sicil , all the cities hearing of his doings in Aff●…icke , yelded them selues to him , who mighte yelde fas●…est : by meanes wherof ha●…ing driuen the Carthaginenses out of Sicill , he toke vppon him as kingdome of all the whole Ilande . When he came into Affrick again , his souldiours welcomed him with a mutiny . For his sonne had delayed the paiment A mutiny . of their wages , vntill the comming of his father . Wherfore he called them before him , and entreted them with gentle words , saying they ought not to demaund at his hand , but to seke it at their ennemies hand , for as the victory shuld extend to th●…m al so the pray shuld be common to them all in likewise . Desiringe them to playe the men and take pain a litle while , vntil the remnant of the warres wer dispatched , considering they knew wel ●…nough , that if Carthage were ones taken , it were able to satisfy al their desires , with more then they could ●…ope for . Ha uing thus appeased the vprour in his campe , within a fewe Agatho●…es taketh a 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 . daies after he led his army to the camp of his ennemies . There by setting vpon them vnaduisedly , be lost the greater part of his army . Being therfore retired into his campe , when he perceiued howe his sou●…diers grudged & maligued at him for aduenturing so rashly & v●…aduisedlye , fearing moreouer th old displesure for nonpaiment o●… their wages ▪ in the dead of the night , he fled out of the campe , taking no mo with him but onlye his sonne Archagathus . The which thing when his souldiers vnderstode , they Agathocles steal●…th fro●… his 〈◊〉 quaked for fear , as if they had bene taken prisoners by theyr enemies , crying out that their king had now twise forsaken them in the mids of their enemies , and that he had left them in danger of their liues , whome he ought not to haue left vnburied . As they would haue pursued the king , they wer stopped by the Minidians , and so returned into their camp●… hauing taken archagathus , who had lost hys father by reason of the darknesse of the night . agathocles in the same ships that he came in out of Sicil , with suche as he had left in them to kepe them , was transported vnto Syracuse : a singuler example of wickednesse , a kyng to be a forsaker of his own army , and a father to be a betrayer of his own children . In the meane time in affrike , after the flying away of the king , his souldiours falling to composition with their ennemies , slue agathocles sonnes , & yelded them selues to the Carthaginenses , archagathus when Agathocl●…s sonns are 〈◊〉 to death . he shuld be put to deth by arces●…laus one that before time had bene his fathers frend , asked him what he thought agathocles woulde doo to his children , by whome he was made childelesse ? Then he answered it was inough●… for him , that he knewe they were a liue after the children of Agathocl●… taketh 〈◊〉 wyth the C●… thaginenses . agathocles : after this the Carthaginenies sent captains into Sicil to pursue the remnaunt of the war , with whome agathocles made peace vpon indifferent articles .

¶ The. xxiii . Booke .

AGathocles king of Sicil , hauynge made peace with the Carthaginienses , subdued certaine of the Cities , whiche vppon truste of theyr owne strengthe rebelled agaynste him . Here vpon as thoughe he had bene enclosed in a straight wythin Agathocles maketh war in Italy . the Ilande , ( of the Empire where of at the first beginning he looked not for any part at all ) he passed in to Italye , following the ensample of Dennis which subdued manye cities of Italy . The first therfore whome he proclaimed his enemies , were the Brutians . whiche seemed to be bothe of mooste puissaunce and of most wealth , and also rediest to do their neyghboures wrong . For they had erpulsed many cities of the Greke discent out of Italye . Furthermore they hadde also v●…nquished the●…r owne founders the Lucanes and made peace with them vppon equall conditions . So cruell harted were they , that they spared not euen theyr owne fyrste founders . The Lucranes did bring vp theyr children after the same mane●… that the Lacedemonians are wont to doo . For from the verye fyrst time they began to grow past children , they wer kept in the country among shepherdes and grasiers , wythout attendans or seruice , without garmentes to put on theyr backes , or bed to lie vpon , to th entent that from their tender The manner of the educati on of the Lucanes . yeres they might enure them selues without help of the city , to away with hardnesse and sparinge . Their meate was such as they could get by huntinge , theyr drynke was eyther methe , milcke , or elsse faire water of the sprynge , so were they hardened to endure the paynes of warrefare , of this sort of people , fifty at the first being wont to steal cattel out of their neighboures grounde , and afterwarde The 〈◊〉 of the Bru●…ans . growing to a greater noumber , by the resort of such persons as were allured to liue vppon the spoyle , made the country so hot , that no man almost durste stirre abroade . Dennis therfore king of Sicil , being in manner wearyed with the continuall complaintes of his confederates , sent . ouer syre hundred Afres to suppresse them , whose castle by the treason of a woman called Brutia they won , and there builded a city which was soone peopled by the confluens of the shepheardes , resorting thither vpon hope of the new city , and they called them selues Brutians after the name of the woman . The firste warre that they had , was with the Lucanes the authors of their begynninge . The war●… of ●…he Brut●…ans . With the which victory being encouraged , and hauynge concluded an equall and indi●…erent peace with them , they conquered their other neighbours by the sword , and they gat so great richesse and power within a while , that they seemed pernitious and able to doo displeasure euen vnto kinges . Finally A lerander king of Epire comminge into Italy with a great hoste to the aid of the Greke Cityes , was wythall his army by them vtterly destroyed . Wher vppon their cruelnesse being enflamed wyth contynuall successe of prosperity , became terrible to their neighbors a long time after . At the last Agathocles beinge called to help , in hope to enlarge his kingdome , passed out of Sicilie Agathocle●… arriued in 〈◊〉 ▪ taly . into Italy . As he was comming toward them , for fear of his puissaunce , they sent their ambassadoures to hym , requesting him of peace and frendship . Whome Agathocles biddinge to supper , to the entent they shoulde not see the shippinge of his armye , appoynted to common wyth them the next day , and so in the meane while toke shippe priuely , and stale ouer from them . But the ende of thys fraude was not to be reio●…sed at . For within a few daies after , he was constrained to retourne into Sicill , by the Agathocles falleth syck●… . force of a disease , wherwith he was taken ouer all his body ▪ the pestilent humor spreding it self throughe euery sinew and ioynt , as thaugh that euery member had ben at ciuil war one against another . Of the whiche no hope of recouery appering , there arose war betwene his sone and his nephew , eche of them chalenging the kingdome , as if he had bene dead all redy , in the which his son was slain , and his nephew vsurped the kingdom . Agathocles therfore when he saw the grief of his disease , & the thought of his minde stil greuouser and greuouser , eche encreasyng by the furtherance of the other , being vtterly in despair , caused his wife Theogen to take his two litle sonnes that he hadde begotten of her , withal his treasure , housholde , houshold stuffe and princelye furniture appertaining vnto him , of which no king was better stored then he was , and to saile into Egipte from whence he tooke her to hys wife , for feare least his nephewe who had robbed hym of his kingdom , shuld also play the enemy with them . How be it his wife entreted him earnestly a great while , that A fay●…hful and louynge wyfe . she mighte not be drawen from him in his sicknesse , least her departure might be worthely likened to the murther done by his nephew , and men might reporte that she had as cruelly abandoned her husbande , as he had supplanted his graundfather : saying , that when she was marryed to him , he toke her not to be his companion and partaker of prosperitye onlye , but of all other fortune what so euer should happen . Wherfore it should not greue her to loose her life , so she mighte tarye with her husband to the laste gaspe , and according to her duty , as she was bound of loue and womanhode to do , see him honorably entred , whyche thing were she ones gone , no man would take vpon hym A descriptyon of a lamentable departure to do . When the litle ones should goo away , they embraced their father and held him aboute the necke , wepynge and crying oute : on the other side the wife , as she that neuer loked to se her husband more , had neuer done kissyng him . And it was a lamentable thing to se how pit●…ouslye th old man wept : the children bewailing the father ready to die , and the father moning his banished children . The one sorowing to leaue their sicke and diseased olde father all alone as desolate , the other lamentinge to leaue hys sonnes in penury , whom he had begotten to inherite his kingdome . Moreouer all the palace range with the noyse of such as stode about weping and sorowing to se ●…o cruel The death 〈◊〉 Agatho●…s . a deuorce and departure . At the lengthe the necessitye of their forced departing , was the end of their wepyng , and the death of the king ensued immediatly vpon the departure of the children . While these thinges were a doinge , the Carthaginenses hauing intelligence howe the world went in Sicil , thincking good occasion to be geuen them of recouering the whole Iland , sailed thither with a greate power , & subdued manye cities . The same time , Pyrrhus The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…uade 〈◊〉 . made warre against the Romains , who ( as is said before ) beinge desired to come to the ayde of the Sicilians , when he came to Syracuse and hadde subdued many Cityes : he was proclaimed king of Sicil like as he was of Epyre. In the prosperous successe of which things greatly reioysing , He 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 of Pyrrhus mentioned 〈◊〉 the. xviii . boke . he appoynted that his sonne Heleu should be king of Sicil , as in the righte of his graundfather ( for he was begotten of king Agathocles daughter ) and his sonne Alexander should be king of Italy . After this he foughte many prosperous battels with the Carthaginenses . Wythin a while after , there came ambassadors from his con●…ederates in Italy , bringing him word that it was not possible to make resistens againste the Romaines , but that they must nedes yeld , onlesse he reseued them . Being troubled with so doutful a daunger , and not knowing what to do , or which of them he might rescue fyrst , he toke spedy aduice as concerning both . For the one side the Carthaginises assailed him , and on the other side the Romaines , so that it semed a daungerous matter not to passe his army into Italy , and yet more daungerous to lead his hoste 〈◊〉 of Sicil , least the one should be lost for want of succoure , or the other by withdrawing his helpe from them .

In this rage of daungers , the sure●… hauen of all other counsels , and aduises semed to be , fyrst with al his power to try the matter in Sicil , and then hauing vanquished the Carthaginenses , to transport his victorious army into Italy . Therfore all be it he gate the vpper hande in that battel , yet notwithstanding for as muche as he went hys Pyrrhus lo●…eth the king dome of Sicill . way out of Sicil , he was accompted to run away as a vanquished person , and therefore his alies and confederates reuolted from him . By meanes wherof he lost the kyngdome as lightly , as he came by it easly . Furthermore finding no better successe in Italye then he had in Sicill , be retired into Epire. The wonderfull chaunce of bothe , is to be noted for ensample . For euen as before throughe prosperous fortune , all things flowing beyond his desire and expectation , he had gotten the Empire of Italye and A notable example of the variablenesse of fortune . Sicill with so manye victories againste the Romaines : so now when fortune had chaunged her copy , as it were to make a show of the frailty of man , throwinge downe the thinges she had builded , besides the losse of Sicil she paid him home with shipwracke on the sea , wyth a shamefull ouerthrow against the Romaines , and with a dishonorable departure out of Italye . After the departure of Pyrthus oute of Sicil , Hiero was created chiefe officer , who was a man of such modesty , that by the fauorable consent Of the education , and preferment of Hiero. of all the Cities , he was first made captayne agaynste the Carthaginenses , and afterwarde kinge . Of this royall estate to come , his bringing vp when he was a very babe , was as it were a foreteller . For he was begotten of a noble man called Hieroclytus , whose pedegre was fet from Gelus an auncient king of Sicil. But by his mothers side he was borne of a base and verye dishonorable stocke , for he was be gotten of a bondwoman , and therefore caste away by his father as a dishonor and reproch to his stock . But the Bees fineding the litle babe without healpe of man , wroughte their combes aboute him , and nouryshed him with honny many dayes together .

Uppon which occasion his father at them warnynge of the southsayers , which tolde him that the childe shoulde be a king , toke the childe to him , and brought him vp wythall diligence in hoope of the state that was be highte him . As the same childe sate at his boke in the schole among other of his felowes , sodainly there came in a wolfe among them and snatched the boke out of his hande . Moreouer beyng a yongman when he went firste to the warres , an Eagie came and ●…ate vppon his target , and an Owle vppon hys speare . The whiche wonder betokened that he should be aduised in councel , & ready of hand , and also that he shuld be a king . Finally he fought hand to hand agaynst many chalengers ; and euer went away with the victory . Kyng Pyrrhus rewarded him with many rewardes of ch●…alry . He was of personage exceding beautiful , of strengthe wonderfull as mighte be in a man , gentle to talke vnto , iust in his dealinges , in his gouernment vprighte and indifferent , so that nothing in the world wanted in him appertaining to a king , saue only a kingdome .

¶ The. xxiiii . Booke

WHile these thinges were a doing in H 〈◊〉 l●…ft th●… xvi . 〈◊〉 . Sicil , in the meane time in Grece , through the dissention and warres of Ptolomeus Ceraunicus , Antiochus , & Antigonus amonge them s●…lues , almoost all Grece at the instigatyon of the Spartanes the ringe leaders Ant●…chus the sonne of 〈◊〉 , and An●…gonus the sonne of 〈◊〉 therof , encouraged with hope of liberty , as if occasion had ben geuen to pul their neckes oute of the yoke of bondage , sendynge ambassadoures one to another , to knit them selues togetogether , in aliance and society , fel to rebellyon . And least they might seme to haue taken wepon in hande agaynste The Grekes rebeil agaynst them●…yre . Antigonus , vnder whose gouernaunce they were , they assailed the Aetolians his confederates , pretendynge the cause of their warre to be , for that the said Aetolians had entred & held by force the feld Cyreus , which by the whole consent of Grece was consecrated to Apollo . As captaine of this war , they chose one Aran. Who assemblynge hys whole power together , spoyled the townes & foraged the The Grekes are ●…ut to ●…ght by the ●…lian ●…heardes . corne that was situate and growinge in the forenamed fields : & such as they could not carye away with them , he set on fire . The which thing the shepherds of the Aetolians beholding out of the mountaines , gathered them selues to the nomber of fiue hundred , and fell vpon theyr enemies as they were skattered , ( and not knowinge how many there were of them , by reson that the sodaine feare together with the smoke of the fyres , had taken their sight from them , ) and hauing slaine nine thousand of them ; put the residue of the foragers to flighte . Aft●…rwarde when the Lacedemonians went aboute to renue the warres again , many cities denied them aid , because they thoughte He pursueth the treachery and deceit of Ptolomy , ●…ē●…oned in the xvi . boke . they sought the souerainty , and not the liberty of Grece . In the meane season the warre was ●…yshed among the kynges . For Ptolomy hauinge expulsed Antigonus , and seised the whole kingdome of Macedone into hys hande , tooke a truse with Antiochus , and ioyned aliaunce wyth Py●…hus by geuing him his daughter in mariage . Afterward being rid of outward fear , he turned his vngodly & wicked mind to deuising mischief against his own house ▪ imagining treson against his sister ▪ 〈◊〉 , to the entent to depriue her children of their liues , and her of the possession of the city Cassanoria . The fyrst ●…ynte of his crafty conuey●…nce , was vnder the pretence of counterfet loue , to desire his 〈◊〉 in mariage . For otherwise then vnder colour of concord , he coulde not compasse to get her chyldren into his handes , whose kingdome be hadde wrongefully taken front them . But his ●…ister knewe his wicked entent wel mough . Whervpon perceiuinge that she trusted him not , he sent her word that he wold make her children felowes in Empire with him . Against whom he had made warre , not because he was minded to take the king dome from them , but because he desired that they should haue it of his free gift and mere liberty . For the more assuraunce wherof , he willed her to send some trusty frend of hers to receiue an othe of him , and he wo●…ld in the presence of the party , before the Gods of his countrye , bynde himself with what othe or curse she wold desire in all the world . Arsinoe being in doubte what she were best to do , ( for if she sent she knew she should be deceiued by forsweringe of himselfe , and if she sent not , she was afrayde sh●… should prouoke her cruel brother to rage , ) & taking more care for her children then for herselfe , whome she partlye hoped to saue by meane of this marriage , sent one of her frendes called Dyon . Whome Ptolomy brought into the most holy temple of Jupiter the aunc●…test place of religion & of greatest reu●…rence in all Macedone , & there laying his handes vpon the aultares , and touching the very images of the godd●…s as they stode in their shrines , sware before him with suche terrible othes & extreme curses as neuer wer hard of , that he desired his sisters marriage with out any fraud , craft , deceipt , or dissimulation , and that he wold proclaim her Duene , not purposinge to take any other wife to spite her withall , or to haue any other children then her sonnes . Arsinoe after the time she was thus fulfilled with hope , and deliuered from fear , came and commoned with her brother her self . Whose smilinge l●…s & flattering countenaunce , pretending as much good ●…ayth as he promised by his othe , brought her into such a fooles paradise , that she consented to marrye with her brother , contrary to the minde of Ptolomye her sonne , who euer tolde her there was deceite in the matter . The maryage 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ryeth hys owne●… 〈◊〉 . was solempnised with great sumptuousnesse and ioye .

Furthermore he sommoned all his hoste before him , an●… there himself setting the crown vpon his sisters hed proclaimed her Duene . Whervpon ar●…noe being exceadynge glad and ioyful , for as much as she had recouered the which she had lost by the death of her first husbande Ly●…chus , of her owne accord and fre wil desired her husbande into her city Gassandria , for couetousnesse of whiche city , all this craft and deceit was wroughte . She went thither before him , and proclaimed that the day of his comming shoulde be kept holy day through all the city , geuinge commaundement that the houses , the temples , and all other places shuld be decked and garnished , and that altares and sacrifices should be set forth orderly in a read●…esse . Moreo●…er she caused her two sonnes Lysimachus of xvi . yeares , and Philip three yeres yonger then he , both children of excellent beuty and fauor , to goo meete him with crownes on their heades . Whome Ptolomy to cloke his de●… wyth all , desirously and beyond all measure of true loue and affection , 〈◊〉 Iudas 〈◊〉 . enbrased and kissed a greate while together . But assone as he came within the gate , hee com●…aunded hys men of warre to take the holde of the towne , and to kyll the children . Who flying to their mother for helpe , were slaine euen in her bosome as they hong kissing about her necke . Arsinoe cried out and asked what she had done , or wherin she had trespassed , eitherin her mariage or a●…er her mariage , wherby she should des●…rue to be delt wyth so cruelly . Oftentimes she put herself betwene the sworde and her children offering to die for them , oft●…times she embraced and couered her childre●…es bodyes wyth her own body , and would gladly haue receiued the woundes that they should haue . At the laste beinge not suffered so muche as to haue the buriall of her children , shee was thruste out of the towne with two ●…untes in a torne ●…ne , and her hear about her eares , and so wente as a The naturall affectyon of amother . 〈◊〉 person to Samothorace , so muche the more miserable , in that she might not be suffered to die with her children , offeringe to dye for them , oftentymes she embraced and couered her childrens bodyes wyth her owne bodye , and woulde gladlye haue receiued the woundes that they shoulde haue . At the 〈◊〉 being not suffered so muche as to haue the buriall of her children , she was thru●…e out of The 〈◊〉 crucity of P●…o 〈◊〉 toward hys syster . the towne with two seruauntes in a torne gowne , and her heare abeute her eares , and so wente as a banishedde person to Samothorace , so muche the more miserable , in that she mygh●…e not be suffered to die with her children . But Ptolomye eskaped not with his wickednesse vnpunished . Murd●… 〈◊〉 peth not 〈◊〉 pun●… . For within shorte time after throughe the vengeaunce of the Goddes immortall , for so manye wilful periuries and so manye cruel murders , he was berefte of hys kingdome by the french menne and being taken prysonner , as he worthelye deserued , his head was striken from his shoulders .

For the frenche menne aboundinge in multitude , in so Of the ●…ges of the 〈◊〉 . muche that the countrye where they were bred was not hable to fynde them , sent forthe three hundred thousande men as it were on pilgrimage to seke them a new dwellynge place . Of the which one part rested in Italy , which also tooke the c●…ye of Rome and burnte it . Another parte followinge the flighte of byrdes ( for the frenchmen are aboue all other nations comminge in birdspillinge ) wyth muche slaughter of the barbarous nations , pearsed vnto the coste of Sclauonie , and reasted in Pannonie . A kynde of people fierce , hardy , warly , which firste after Hercules ( who by doinge the same before , purchased himselfe an immortall fame of his prowesse ) climbed ouer the hyghe toppes and vnmercifull colde places of the Aipes . There hauing 〈◊〉 the Pan●…onians , they made warre with their neighbours many yeres together , somtime to theyr gaine , and somtime to their losse . Afterwarde beinge prouoked by their fortunate successe , they raised two armies , wherof th one went toward Grece , the other toward Macedone , putting al to the sword that came in theyr danger . By meanes wherof the names of the Frenche men was so terrible and so redouted , that euen kinges before they were assailed , were gladde and faien to geue them greate 〈◊〉 of mony , that they might liue in rest by them . Only Ptolomy king of Macedone made lighte of the matter , The 〈◊〉 hardynesse of Ptolomy . when he hard of the comming of the frenchmen . And euen as if it had bene as easye a matter with him , to dispatche warres as to do mischief , being pricked forwarde there to with the furious remorse of his conscience , obiectinge before his eies the rememberaunce of his wicked murders , be met them with a few ▪ and those out of order . Furthermore he toke skorne of the frendly offer made by the ambassadoures of Dardanie , which was to send him twenty thousand menne well armed to helpe him , geuinge them moreouer this taunt for their labor , saying that the good dayes of Macedone wer farre spent , if after the time they had of their own puissance alone , conquered all the East , they should haue nead of the Dardanians to defend theyr owne country .

For he had in his ●…oste the sonnes of them that hadde serued vnder great Alexander , and had subdi●…ed the whole worlde . The whiche thinges when they were reporsed to the kynge of Dardanie , he sayde that the famous and renowmed Empire of Macedone , woulde shortlye decaye throughe the rashnesse of an vnaduised and hastye yonge man . The french men therfore by the aduise of 〈◊〉 captaine Belgius ▪ to the entent to trye howe the Macedones were mineded ; sent ambassadours to Ptolomye offeryng him peace , if so be it he would by it . But Ptolomy 〈◊〉 amonge his men , that the French men desyred peace for feare of him , no lesse vauntinge himselfe before the ambassadoures ▪ then he had doone among his owne frends ▪ Denying to graunt them peace any otherwise , them if they gaue him theyr noble men for hostages , and deliuered 〈◊〉 ●…heyr armour and weapons , so 〈◊〉 would not truste them onless●… they were disarmed . When the ambassadors had reported this answer , the frenchmen laughed 〈◊〉 it , crying out on euery side that he should shortlye fele 〈◊〉 they offred him peace to his owne behofe or to theirs within a few daies after , the matter came to hand strokes , and the Macedones being vanquished were slayne rygh●…e down . Ptolomy being very sore wounded in diuers 〈◊〉 , was The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 taken prisoner , his head was striken of , and being put vp on a speares poynt , was caried vp and downe all the host , to the terroure of their ennemies . Few of the Macedones eskaped by flyght , the rest were either slaine or taken prisoners . When newes hereof was spred throughe Macedone , they shut in the gates of their citi●…s and all was ful The ●…ful 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 . of sorowe and mourninge . One while they bewayled the losse of their sonnes , another while they feared the besieging of theyr cityes , at another time they called vpon the names of Philip and Alexander theyr kynges , as if they had bene Goddes , for helpe , casting in their myndes , how that vnder them they had not onlye liued in safety , but as conqueroures of the whole worlde . Beseechinge them to defende their countrye , whiche throughe the 〈◊〉 of their chiualrye they had aduaunced to the 〈◊〉 , and to help them nowe in theyr aduersitye , whome the wilfull rage and rashnesse of Ptolomy , their kyng had wel nie destroyed . 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 All men standinge thus in despaire ▪ 〈◊〉 one of the princes of Macedone , perceiuing it auailed not to trust to praying only , raised a noumber of lusty yong men , and bothe asswaged the courages of the Frenche men then in theyr ruffe for theyr late victorye , and defended Maced●…ne from wasting and destroying by the enemy .

In recompence of which his valiant dede , wheras in any noble men sued to haue the kingdome of 〈◊〉 , he being no noble man born , was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them all . The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 And at suche time as his men of warre 〈◊〉 hym king , he compelled them to swere to him ▪ not by the name of king , but by the name of captaine .

In the meane season Brennus captaine of that portion The 〈◊〉 men inuade ●…gayne . of the Frenche menne that bent them selues into Grecehearinge of the victorye of his countrye men , whiche had vanquished the Macedones vnder the conducte of Belgius , freatynge for anger that so fatte a booty , and so laden with the spoyles of the East was so lightly forgone after they had gotten the vpper hand , raised an hoo●…t of a hundred and fiftye thousande footemen , and fiftene thousand horsemen , and inuaded Macedone again . When Sosthenes sawe how they wasted the countrye and the villages , he met them with his ho●…te of Macedones wel appoynted and in good order of battel . But by reson they were few , and their enemies manye , they halfe discouraged , and the other strong and lustye , they were sone put to the worser . Wherfore while the Macedones being beaten , kept them selues within the walles of their cities , Brennus lyke a conqueror , against whome no man durst shewe hys heade to make resistence , forraged all the fieldes of Macedone . From thence , as thoughe those boties and spoyles semed to base and simple in his eie , he tourned hys mynde to the The malap●…r te scoffyng of Brennus . temples of the Goddes immortall , malapertlye scoffynge that the Goddes were ryche , and ought to depart liberally to men . Thervppon immediatly he tooke his iourney toward Delphos , setting more by the gaine of the gold that had bene offered to the Goddes , then by their displesure , whome he affirmed to haue no neade of richesse , as they that are wont to bestow them vppon men . The temple of Apollo at Delphos , is situate in the mount Parnasus , vp on a cliffe on euerye side fallinge stepe downe . There the The situation of the temple of Delphos . confluens of men ( whiche vpon trust and confidens in the maiesty of that God resorting thither from diuers places , builded them houses in that rocke ) hath made a populous city . And moreouer both the temple and the town are enclosed , not with walles , but with the stepenesse of the rocke neither are they defended with fortifications made by mannes hand , but with fortifications growen by nature . So that there is no man in the world able to say , whether the strength of the place , or the maiesty of the god be more to be wondered at . The middle part of the rocke inwarde is in fashion like a Theatre . By meanes where of when men make anye shoutinge or hallowinge , or when anye trompet is blowen , the sound beateth and reboundeth in suche wise vppon the stones from one to another , that the Echo is hard double and treble , and the noyse resoundeth farre louder and greater then it went forth . The whyche thyng causeth the simple and ignorant folke to stande in more fear , thincking it to be the presence of the godhead , and oftentimes maketh them to stand wonderinge at it , as if they were straught . In this wineding of the rocke , almost midway to the top of the hil , there is a litle playn , The description of the place , where the 〈◊〉 are geuen . and in the same a depe hole into the grounde , whiche serueth to geue Oracles . Out of t●…e whiche a ce●…tayne colde breth , driuen vp as it were in a certain winde , ascendyng vpward , stirreth the mindes of the Prophets into a madnesse , and so hauing filled them with the spirit of the god , compelleth them to geue answer to suche as come for counsel . In the same place therfore there are to be sene many & riche giftes of kings and peoples , which by their cost and sumptuousnesse , do well declare the thankfulnesse of such as receiued aunswers , in performing of theyr vowes . Wherfore when Brennus came within the view of the temple , he was in doubte with him selfe a greate while , whether he were better to attempt the matter forthwith , or geue his souldiers that nightes respite to rest them and gather theyr strength to them . Euridanus and Thessalonus , who for couetousnesse of the pray , had ioyned theym The ●…of Euridanus and 〈◊〉 salonus . selues with him , willed to cutte of all delaye , while theyr enemies were vnprouided , and no dout but theyr sodayne approche shoulde be a great terror vnto them . Where as by geuinge theym that nightes respite , theyr ennemyes should perchaunce get both courage and succoure , and the wayes that nowe lay open mighte be stopped vp . But the common souldiers of the frenchmen , when as after longe penury and skarsity , they then found a countrye replenyshed with wyne and all other kynde of victualles , beynge as glad and ioyfull of the aboundaunce as of a victorye , they dispersed them selues in the fields , and leuyng theyr standerd ran abrode , making hauocke of all thynges lyke conqueroures , the whiche thinge was a meane that the Delphians had respite to lay for them selues . For at such time as it was firste reported that the Frenchmen were comminge thither , the husband men and men of the country The Oracle before the 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 were prohibited by the Greke oracles , to conuey their corne and wines out of the villages . The wholsome meaning of which commaundement was not vnderstanded , before that the aboundaunce of wine and other victualles being cast as a stop in the frenche mennes waies , the succoures of theyr neighboures had leisure to resorte thither together . The Delphians therfore had manned & strengthened the towne by the helpe of theyr neighboures , or euer the french men , ( who were as greadye of the wine as of a bootye , coulde be called from the wine fatte to theyr standard . Brenne had three skore and fiue thousande chosen footemen of the best in all his hoste , wheras the Delphians and their aiders were in all but foure thousande fighting men . In disdaine of whiche f●…al handful , Bren to the entent to sharpen the mindes of his menne , shewed theym all what a riche and plentifull praye they shoulde haue , affirminge that the Images with the chariottes , ( where of they might behold greate store a farre of , ) were made all of massye golde , wherefore the booty shoulde be better in the hande then it seemed to the eye . The frenche men being by this vouching of their captain , or rather by The frenche men assalte the citie of Delphos . theyr owne beholding stirred vp , and also wounded wyth the wine they had poured in the day before , wythoute respecte of any danger , ran 〈◊〉 to the encounter . On the contrary part the Delphians putting more truste in God then in their owne strength , resisted their ennemies euen with a contempt , and what with stones , and what wyth theyr wepons , threw the frenchmen as they skaled , headlong from the top of the mountaine . While the two parties wer thus striuing one with a nother , sodenly the prtestes note the ilusi on of y● 〈◊〉 of all the temples & the Prophets them selues also , with their heare aboute their eares , with the reliques in theyr hands , and their miters on their heds , like men straught & out of their wits , came running forth & preased into the forefront of the battel , crying oute that God was come among them , and that they had sene him leape down into the temple at the open rofe top . Moreouer while they ●…er all makinge their humble supplications to God forayde , they said they met a yonge man of beauty and personage far excelling anye mortall creature , and in his companye with him . ii . virgins in armor , which came vnto hym out of the. ii . temples of Diane and Minerua therby , the which thing : they not onlye had perfectlye seene with their eyes , but also more ouer had harde the clatteringe of their harnesse and the sounde of theyr bowes . Wherfore they earnestly & hartely besought them , seing the Gods them selues did gard their standerd , they should not sticke to dispatche their ennemies , and to ioyne them selues as partakers with the Gods of the victory . With which words being greatly encouraged , they preased forth wh●… might be formoste in the flight . And there withall they forthwith perceyued The frenche men are put to the 〈◊〉 and oppressed wyth lyght●… and 〈◊〉 . that God was presente on their side . For bothe a piece of the mountaine being broken of by a sodaine earthquake , ouerwhelmed the Frenche hoste , and the thi●…st of theyr enemies not without great slaughter were 〈◊〉 & put to ●…ight . In the necke wherof there ensued a tempest , with hail , thonder and lightning , consumed as many as were any thing sore wounded . The captaine Brenne himselfe 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . being not able to abide the smarte of his woundes , toke a ●…word and killed himself . Another of the captaines , when he saw how greuously th autors of the war had ben punished , with x. M. of his retinue departed in post hast out of Grece . But they sped neuer the better for theyr flying a The 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 ●… men 〈◊〉 way . For they were so afraid that they durste neuer lye a night in any house , they passed no day without 〈◊〉 .

Moreouer continuall raine , frost and snow , hunger and of Grece , and the vtter destrucryon of them . wearinesse , and thervnto continual watching worse then all the rest , consumed and broughte to nothinge the wretched remnaunt of this vnfortunate warre . The people al so and the nations through whiche they trauelled , lycked them vp as they s●…attered abrode , as a praye . Where by it came to passe , that of that so huge and populous army , which lately before vpon trust of their own strength , dyd despise euen the very gods , there was not so much as one man left , that mighte saye hereafter he had beene at that slaughter and eskaped .

The. xxx . Booke .

DUringe the time that Phillippe w●…s earnestly occupied aboute greate and ●…aightye affair●…s in Macedone , Ptolomy behaued himselfe cleane contrary wise in Egipt . For after he had obtained the kingdome by murtheryng of bothe his parentes , and that he had moreouer killed his owne brother , as thoughe he hadde afchieued all thinges prosperously , he gaue hym selfe to ryot . And all the realme followed the See what the euyll ensample 〈◊〉 a prince dot●… . steppes of theyr king . By meanes wherof not onlye hys noble men and Officers , but also all his men of warre , laying a side the exercise of cheualry and feates of armed vtterly wasted and spoiled them selues wyth slouthe and idlenesse . Antiochus kinge of Syria , who therof beinge prince , through a certain old grudge betwene those two , raised a power sodainly , and wan many cities from him , and entred forceably into Egipte , Ptolomy trembled for feare , and besought Antiochus by his ambassadours , that he would respite him but so long as he mighte raise a power . Afterward hauing hired a great host out of Grece , he fought a prosperous battel , and he had vtterly berefte God sende●… fortune to fooles . Antiochus of his kingdome , if he had anye thinge furthered his good fortune , wisdome and audacity . But he was content with the recouery of the Cities that he ▪ had lost , and so concluding a peace , desirously tooke the occasion of quietnesse when it was offered him , and so wallowinge The 〈◊〉 and abheminable 〈◊〉 of P●…olomy Ph●… . pat●…r . againe into his olde accustomed ●…outhfulnesse , he sl●…we his wife Eurydice , beinge hys owne syster , ( through the enticementes of a harlot called Agathoclea ) with whom he was taken in loue .

And so forgetting quite the renoume of his nauy , and the maiesty of his kingdome , he spent the nightes in lechery , and the daies in feastinge and bankettinge . Besides this the more to encrease and enflame his lecherous appetite withall , he had at his feastes musicall drincking and dansing . Neither could the king nowe content himselfe to beholde and heare others , but also like a master of naughtinesse , would play vppon instrumentes and daunce to the same . These were the fyrst plagues and preuy maladies , which afterward were the ruine and decay of the kinges house . For within a while after , they grewe to suche a licentious libertye , and the harlot waxed so bolde that the walles of the court were not able to holde her . Whome being of herselfe proud and arrogant inough , th vnspekeable lechery that the king vsed daily with her brother Agathocles , a strompet of more beauty then was requisite in a man , made yet more stately and arrogant . And to the encreasemente thereof , made also her mother Euanthe , whiche with her daliaunce and enticementes had so allured the kinges harte vnto her , that he had begotten two children of her . By meanes wherof beinge not contente with the kinge , now they helde the kingdome also , nowe they muste come abrode to be seene in the open face of all the world , now they must be saluted , now they muste be waited vpon . Agathocles sitting cheke by cheke with the kinge , ruled the citye at his owne pleasure . The women disposed marshalships of the hoste , lieuetenan●… shippes of prouinces , and captainships as pleased them so that ther was no man in all his realme , that could do lesse then the kyng him selfe .

At the length he died , leauing a sonne behinde hym of The death of Prolomy and the banyshment of hys strumpets . fiue yeres old by his sister Eurydice . But whiles the women went about to spoile the treasure , and made confederacy with the wickeddest personens that could be picked out , to the entent to depriue the righte heire of his kyngdome , his death was kept secrete a greate while after he was dead . Neuerthelesse assone as y● matter cam to light , the people ran vpon Agath●…cles and s●…ue him , and the women in reuengement of Eury●…ice , were hanged vp vpon gibets . The notorious in●…amy of the realme , being thus purged and put away by the death of the king and the punishment of the harlots , the men of Alexandria sente ambassadors The Rom●…nes are 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Egypt . to the Romaines , desiring them to take vppon them the protection of their Orphan king , and the gouernment of the kingdome of Egipt the which they auouched that Philip and a●…d had already bought and solde betwene them selues , entending to part it betwixt them . The Romaines wer v●…ry glad of that ambassade , as they that soughte occasion of war against Phillip to be r●…uenged for his lying ●…n wait to do them displesure in the time of their warres with the Carthagi●…enses . Besides this , after the time they had subdued the Carthaginenses , and driuen away Hanniball , they fe●…red no mannes p●…ssans more then Phillips r●…counting with 〈◊〉 selues what a stir ●…yrrhus had kept in ●…taly with so small a handfull of Macedones , and how great adu●…ntures and enterprises the Macedones had atchi●…ued in the East . Her●…vpon ambassadors were sent to Antiochus and Phillip , willing them not to medle with the kingdome of Egipt . Furthermore M. Lepidus was sent into Egipt to take vppon hym the protection of the childe , & th administration of the realme . While these thinges were a doing ▪ the ambass●…doures of Complaint●… 〈◊〉 a●…st Phil●… a●… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 made agay●… hym by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Attalus king●… of Perga●…us , and the ambassadors of the Rhodians came to Rome to complain of the wrongs that king Philip had don vnto them . The which thing caused the Senate to goo in hand with the warres of Macedone forthwith . For vnder pretence of aiding their confederates war was decreed against Phillip , and a consull was sent with an army into Macedone . And ere it was long after , all Grece vpon truste of the Romaines rose against Phillip , in hope to recouer their ●…uncient liberty , & made war vpon him . By meanes wherof the king was so assaulted on euery side , that he was constrained to desyre peace .

When the articles of peace should be propounded by the Romains , both Attalus & the Rhodians & the Acheans , & the Aetolians demaunded restitution of that that had ben theirs . On thother side , Philip graunted that he could finde in his hart to be ruled bi the Romains , but he said , it was an vnsemely matter , that the Grekes being vanquished by his predecessors Philip and Alexander , & subdued vnder the yoke of the Empire of Macedone , should like conquerors prescribe him articles of peace , and not rather be driuen to a strait accompt for their disobediens , or euer thei ought to chalenge any libertye . Neuerthelesse at lengthe by much intretaunce , they graunted him truce for ii . moneths . In the which time the peace that could not be agreed vpon in Macedone , might be requested of the Senate at Rome . The same yere , betwene the Ilands of Theramene & Therasia , in the mid way betwene both shores , ther An earthquake . was a great earthquake in the sea . By means of the which ( to the great admiration of such as sailed that way ) sodenly out of the depe , floted vp an Iland with hot waters . And in Asia the very same day another earthquake shaked the Rhodes and many other cities , throwing downe the houses and buildings , wherof some wer swalowed vp whole . At the which wonder all men wer sore afraid , & the sout●… sayers prophesied , that the Romain Empire then beginning to spring vp , shuld deuour th old Empire of the grekes and Macedones . In the meane season , the peace was reiected by the senate , whervpon Phillip sollicited the tyrant Nauis to take his part against the Romains : and so Phillip encourageth the Macedones a gainst the Romaines . when he had brought his host into the field , his ennemyes standing in order of battel against him , he began to encorage his men , rehersing how the Macedones had conquered and subdued the Persians , the Bactrians , the Indians , and to be short all Asia euen to the vttermooste border of the East . Sayinge that so muche more force and courage ought to be shewed in this battel , then in the other , as liberty is a thing of greater price then dominion .

Flaminius also the Romaine Consull , in like manner encouraged his men to the encounter , by puttinge them in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 rememberaunce of the thinges atchieued latelye before . Shewing them how on the one side Carthage and Sicil wer conquered , and on the other side Italy and Spain recouered by the prowesse and puissance of the Romaines , and that Hanniball was nothinge inferioure to great Alexander , who being ones driuen oute of Italye , they had subdued Affricke the third part of the world . And yet the Macedones were not to be esteamed by the auncyent renow●…e of theyr predecessoures , but accordinge to the power and strength that they were of at that present . For they shoulde not encounter with greate Alexander who was reported to be inuincible , nor with his armye that conquered all the East , but with Philip a child yet skarce come to yeres of discretion , who had much a do to defend his kingdome againste his nerte neighboures , and wyth those Macedones which but euen thother day almooste , were spoiled and led away prisoners by the Dardanians , who wer able to talk of nothing saue the renoumed acts of their ancestors , wheras the Romaines might worthely report the dedes done by them selues and theyr souldiours . For it was none other hoste that had subdued Hannibal and the Carthagine●…ses , and almoste all the West , then the very same souldiers whom he had ther standing in battel ray , with these encouragements the myndes of bothe armies being enflamed , ran fierslye to the encounter , the one part glorying in the Empire of the East , the other in th empire of the West , the one bringing into the battel with them the auncient and forworne renoume of their predecessors , the other the fresh and fragrant flour of their late tried knighthode and cheualry . But the Romains had the fort●…ne to vanquish the Macedones . Phillip Phillip 〈◊〉 ●… 〈◊〉 . being vtterly discouraged by this battel , and d●…siring peace of the Consull Flaminius , retained styll the name of kynge , but he was bereste of all the Cityes of Gre●… , as it were the members of his kingdome , which were situate without the boundes of the auncient inheritaunce , and so he had no more left him , but onlye the countrye of Macedones . And yet the Aetolians being offended that at their plesure Mace●…one also was not taken from him and geuen to them in rewarde of theyr paynes taken in the warre , sent ambassadoures to Anti●…chus , who by flattering him in ad●…uncing his puissaunce & cheualry , might enforce him to make warre against the Romains , in hope that all Grece would take his part .

The. xxxi Booke .

PTolomy Philopater being dead , Antiochus k●…ng of Syria disdaimng his Antiochus inuadeth the Empyre of Egypt . little sonne because he was so yonge , ( who being the onl●…e hope of the posteritye of the Ptolomtes , lefte to enherite the kingdome , was euen as a pray to his owne subiectes , purposed to conquere Egipt . Whervpon wh●…n he hadde inuaded Phenice , and the other cities situate in Syria , but vnder the dominion of Egipte , the Senate of Rome sent an ambassade vnto him , willinge hym to abstaine from the Orphans kingdome , whiche was committed to their charge , by the laste bequest that his father made . The whiche being sent away with a 〈◊〉 answeare , within a while after came another ambassade , which leauing the personne of theyr pupill , commaunded him to make restitution with full amendes and satisfaction , of the cities that by the lawe of armes appertayned of right to the Romaines .

Upon his refusall they made their defiaunce , the which as he lightly receiued , so he as vnfortunately performed . The same time the Tirant Nabis subdued manye cityes in G●…ece . The Senate therfore least the power of the Romaines King of the Lacedemonians . shoulde bee entangled in two warres at one instaunte , wrate vnto Flamminius , that like as he had deliuered Macedone from the bondage of Phillippe , so ( if he thoughte it good ) he shoulde deliuer Grece from the bondage of Nabis . In consideration whereof his authorit●…e was proroged . For the name of that Hanniball made the warres of Antiochus terrible , whome his enuious aduersaries hadde accused to th●… Romaines of secreate conspiracye with Antiochus , alledginge that hys harte woulde not serue him to liue vnde●… a lawe , beinge accustomed to beare rule , and beinge accustomed to the ouer licentyous liberty of the campe , and that he was so weary of the rest and quietnesse of the citye , that hee euer more soughte to picke some quarel , to th entent to haue occasyon agayn of some newe warres . The whiche thinges all be it they were report●…d vppon malice contrary to the truth yet not withstandinge amonge them that stode in dreade of hym , they were b●…leued for a truthe . For the ●…enate beynge strycken with f●…are , sente Seruilius of ambassade into An ambassa●… sent into ●…fricke to surprise 〈◊〉 . Affricke , to note the demeanor of Hanniball , geuing him secreatelye in charge , that if it were possyble , hee shoulde fynde the meanes to kill him by some of his aduersaries , and so deliuer the Romaines from the dreadfull feare of his hatefull name . But this secreate working coulde not be longe kepte from Hanniball , beinge a wise and expert person in foreseing and auoidynge of daungers , and such as looked as well for aduersitye in the time of prosperity , as for prosperity in the time of aduer●…ye .

Therefore when he had shewed himselfe all day longe before the eyes of the noble men , and of the Rom●…in ambassadoure Hanniball pr●…uenteth the deuyses of the Romaines . in the face of the courte , euen to the 〈◊〉 , in the shuttynge in of the euenyng , he toke horseback , and rode to a manor that he had in the subburbes neare vnto the sea syde , not makynge anye of his seruauntes preuye wher about he went , but willed them to wait at the gate til he came again . He had at the said manor shippes & mariners hidden for the nones in a noke of the sea . Moreouer he had there a great sum of monye in a readinesse in the same pece of ground , to th entent that if he wer driuen to such necessity , he wold not be letted of his iourney for want of ships or for want of mony . There vppon wyth a company of his moste picked seruauntes ( the noumber of whom was incresed with Italian prisoners , ) he toke ship ping and directed his course toward Antiochus . The next day the city waited in the iudgement hal for their prince , and the same time their Consul . When they hard that he was gone , they trembled for feare , as if the City had ben taken by the enemy , mistrusting that his departure wold tourne to theyr vtter destruction . And the Romaine ambassador , ( as though Hanniball had euen then made war again vpon Italy ) , made no more a doo , but retourned to Rome , and brought the sorowful tidinges therof with him . In the meane time Flaminius hauing made confederacy with certaine Cities in Grece , vanquished Nabis in two Nabis is o●…ercome . pitched fieldes one after a nother , by meanes wherof hauing brought him to alow ebbe , he lefte him in his kyngdome lyhe a man without life or soule . But after that he had withdrawen his garisons out of the cities , and conueied Nabis renu●…th the wars 〈◊〉 . his host again into Italy , Nabis being entised againe , for as much as he saw no man to kepe possessyon agaynst him , raised a power and sodenlye inuaded manye Cityes . Wherwith the acheans being put in fear , for doubt least the mischiefe wherwith their neighbors were entangled shuld crepe vpon them , determined to make war against Nabis . Of the which warres they made lieuetenant general their Pretor Philopemenes a man of excellent actiuity , The 〈◊〉 of Philopemenes . who behaued himselfe so valiantly in that war , that by al mennes iudgement , he was to be compared to Flaminius the graundcaptaine of the Romaines . The same time Hanniball when hee was come to Antiochus , was entertained and wellcomed as a gift sent from God : and the kynge tooke suche a courage to him vppon hys comminge , 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with Antiochus . that he semed not so carefull for the war , as howe he myght rewarde him for getting the victorye , he thought himselfe so sure of it .

But Hanniball who knew by profe the prowesse and He that ●…kens wyth out hys hoste , muste 〈◊〉 twise . puissaunce of the Romaines , denied that it was possyble to ouercome them but in Italy : to the performans wher of , he willed him to deliuer him an hundr●…d shippes , with tenne thousand footemen and thre thousande horsemen , promisinge to make as hotte warres in Italye with that little band , as euer he had done before , so that his maiesty Hannibals counsel to An tiochus agaynste the Romaines . sitting in quiet in asia , he woulde either bring him home victory and conquest , or elsse indifferent articles of sinall peace and attonement . For bothe the Spaniyards were desirous to renue the warres if they had a captaine to set them a woorke , and he himselfe was better acquaynted with Italy now , then he had beene in foretimes . Moreouer he knewe that Carthage woulde not syt at reast , but adi●…yn herself as partaker of his enterprises out of hand . The king lyked the counsel wel , and there vppon one of A messenger is sent to Carthage from ●…ball . Hanniballes retinue was sente vnto Carthage , to stirre them to the warre beinge of them selues all readye desirous there of , declarynge vnto them that Haniball wold shortlye come thither with an army .

Neuerthelesse he was charged to saye nothinge to the factions , but only that the Carthaginenses wanted hart , for asia shoulde fynde them bothe men and mony . When The 〈◊〉ger is apprehended . newes hereof came to Carthage , the messenger was apprehended by the enemies of Hanibal , and being brought into the Senate , and there examined to whome hee was sent , he aunswered like a suttle afre , that he was sente to the whole Senate . In as muche as this matter was not the peculier case of anye one of them , but appertained in generall to them all .

While they were debating of the matter in counsel many daies together , whether it were best for dischargynge of their own consciences to send him to Rome , ther to make The messanger eskapeth and returneth to Hannibal . his purgation or no , he toke ship priuely , and returned to Hannibal . Whervpon the Carthagi . immediatly sent an ambassador to Rome . The Romaines also sent ambassadors to antiochus , the which vnder the coloure of ambassade , An ambassad sente from Rome to Antiochus . should bothe marke and note the kynges furnyture for the warres , and also eyther reconcyle Hannibal to the Romaines , or elsse through their daily and continuall commoning with him , bring him in suspition and hatred with the king . Th ambassadors therfore when they were come before the king antiochus at Ephesus , de●…yuered him the●…r commission from the Senate . Duringe the time they laye Flatterye . there , geuing attendaunce for theyr answer , daye by daye they were euer in hand with Hannibal , saying that there was no cause why he should haue fled so fearfullye out of his country ▪ seing the Romains withall faithfulnesse obserued the peace concluded , not so muche with the body of the common weale of Carthage , as with him : consideryng they knew he had made war againste the Romaines , not so much for ill wil he bare towardes them , as for the loue he bare towardes theym , as for the loue he bare towarde his owne country , in the whiche quarell euery good man ought to spend his life . For the occasyon of those warres , grew vpon the displesure that the one country bare openly against the other , and not vpon anye priuate quarell of the captaines amonge them selues . Herevpon they too●…e occasyon to commend his noble actes . the which communication so greatlye delighted him that hee was desyrous to talke with the ambassadors oftner , not foreseinge that for the familiarity he had with the Romaines , he shoulde purchase himself the kings displesure . For antiochus vpon Antiochus is displeased 〈◊〉 Haniball for kepyng compani with the Romaines . this ●…is daily communication , thinking hym to be reconciled and faln in fauor with the Romaines , wold not aske his deuise as he was wont to do , nor make him preuy to any part of his doinges , but hated him as an ennemy , and abhorred him as a traytoure .

The whiche thing laide a water all that great furniture for the warres after the time that the policy of the graund captaine was thus dashed out of countenaunce . Th effect of the commissyon , was to commaund Antiochus in the name of the Senate , to be contente with the boundes of The effect of the Romayne ambassade , & the answer of Antiochus . Asia , onlesse he would driue them to enter into asia whether they would or no. Antiochus making light there of , answered howe he was fullye resolued before , not to receiue warre at theyr handes , but to make warre vppon them . When he had oftentimes debated with hys counsell Consultation concernyng the warres of the 〈◊〉 nes . and his captaines as concerning this warre , not making Hannibal preuy there to , at the last he sent for him , not to th entent to doo any thinge after his deuise , but to th entent he wold not seme to haue vtterly despysed him , and there vpon when euery man had said his minde , lastly he asked him ●…is aduise . The whiche thing Hanniball vnderstanding wel inough , said that he perceiued he was called , not because the king thought himself to haue nede of his counsel , but onlye to supply the noumber of sentences . Neuerthelesse for the hatred he bare to the Romains Hannibals adusye as concernyng the maintenance of the wars with the Romaines . and for the good will hee bare to the kinge , as in whose courte onlye he had had safe refuge in the time of hys banishment , he wold discusse what way he were best to enterprise his warres . Thervpon he desired pardon in that he should speake so largely : for he said he liked no part of their counsels nor opinions in that behalf , as that Grece should be appoynted the place of the warre , seing that Italye was better for the maintenaunce of the same . For the Romains might not be vanquished , but by their own weapons , nor Italye otherwise bee subdued then by her owne power . For those kinde of people were of a cleane contrary nature from all other menne , and therefore the warres were to be ordered farre otherwise against them then agaynst all other men . In other warres it is wonte to be a great furtheraunce and healpe for a man to haue taken some aduauntage of the place , or of the tyme , to haue wasted the fieldes , or to haue wonne some Cityes . But with the Romain whether ye haue gotten anye aduauntage before , or whether ye haue ouercome him , ye must be faine euen then to wrestle with him , when he is vanquished and lyeth at your fote . Wher●…ore if a man assaile them in Italy , he might ouercome them with theyr owne weapons , their owne richesse , and theyr owne power , like as ●…e himselfe had doone . But if anye man shall suffer them to enioye Italye as the well springe of theyr strength , he shal be as sore deceiued of his purpose , as if a man woulde goo aboute to driue backe a riuer agaynste the streame , or to dry it vp , not beginninge to stoppe it at the heade , but at suche place as the waters were deep●…st and mooste encreased . This he saide was his opi●…yon in himself , whervpon he was mineded to haue offered hys seruice and aduise vnrequested , the which he now hadde vttered in the presence of al his frendes , to th entent they mighte all vnderstande howe to make warres with the Romaines , who out of theyr own country were inuincible , and at home at their owne doores weake and easy to be ouercome . In so much that it was an easyer matter to set them beside Rome , then beside their Empire , and to driue them out of Italy , then out of their prouinces . For their city had bene sacked by the frenchmen , & they them selues almost vtterly destroyed by him , and yet he neuer vanquished before he departed out of their country . But assone as he was retourned to Carthage , immediatlye with the place , was also aultered the fortune of the warres ▪ The kings councel held as muche against this aduyse as The nature of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 . could be , not waying the vtility of the mater , but for fear least if his counsel should be alowed ) he should be more in fauor with the king the any of them . Antiochus misliked not so muche the counsell as the author therof , leaste the glory of the victory should redound to Hannibal , and not to him . Thus throughe assentation and flatterye all was marde , and nothing was done by counsell or reason . The king all the winter time geuinge himselfe to riot and pastime , was euery day making of new marriages . On the contrarye part , attilius the Romaine Consull , who was sent to these warres , withal diligence prepared men and armor , withal other munitions , artillery and habilimentes for the war , confirmed and strengthened the cityes that were in confederacy , allured such as wer neuters , and in conclusion according as either part laid before hande for their furniture , so did they spede in the war. In the fyrste encounter when the king saw his men geue back , he did 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 flygh●… . not releue them with freshe succors , but offred hymselfe captain of such as first ran away , and lefte his campe replenished withall richesse to his enemy . When he had eskaped by flight into asia , while the Romaines were occupied in gathering the spoyl , he began to repent him that Hannibal is taken into 〈◊〉 uor again . he had reiected Hanniballes counsel , and there vppon taking him into fauoure againe , he sayde he woulde doo all thinges by his aduisemente . In the meane season it was told him that Liuius 〈◊〉 a Romaine captaine , appoynted admirall of the sea by the Senate , was comming towardes him with foure 〈◊〉 shippes of war , the whiche tidinges put him in good comforte to receuer his misfortune . Therfore he determined to encounter with him by the way , before that the Cities which as yet held their aliance with him , were reuolted to the Romains , hoping to abolish the dishonor of the 〈◊〉 taken in Grece by a new victory . And thervppon Hanniball was sent to Hannibal being made admiral of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 by the Romaines . the sea with the kinges flete . But neither were the men of asia able to matche the Romaines , nor theyr shippes of lyke force as were the Romaine galleis , whose 〈◊〉 were armed with brasse . Yet notwithstading the slaughter was the lesse , by meanes of the pollicy of the captain . The fame of the victorye was not yet reported at Rome , and therfore the city stayed the creating of their consuls . But who was better to be made captaine againste Hannibal , then the brother of affricanus ? seing it was the peculier worke of the Scipions , to vanquish the Carthaginenses . Lucius Scipio was created consull , and hys brother affricanus was geuen him to be his lieuetenaunt , to th entent Antiochus should vnderstande that they had as muche confidence in theyr conquerour Scipio , as he had in his vanquished Hanniball . As the Scipios were conueying ouer their hooste into asia , woorde was broughte them , that the warre in bothe places was all redye broughte paste the worste , and so they founde antiochus vanquished in battel on the land , and Hannibal ouercome vp on the sea . At theyr firste arriuall antiochus sent his ambassadoures vnto them for peace , sendinge moreouer by Antiochus ●…esyreth peace . them as a peculiare presente vnto affricanus , hys sonne whome the kynge hadde taken passynge ouer in a little barke . But affricanus aunswered that there was greate difference betwene benefites done to any one person priuatelye , The constante and vncorupt minde of Affricanus towarde hys countrye . and the benefites that were done to the publyke weale of a whole country , and that the person of a father was one thinge , and the person of a common weale was another , whiche ought in dede to be preferred , not o●…lye before children , but also before the very life it self , wherfore he thancked the king withall his harte for his honorable present , promising to requite his b●…unteous liberalitye , by some good tourne that lay in his owne pryuate power to doo . But as touchinge warre and peace , he answered that he coulde shewe him no fauour , neither that he woulde doo more or lesse then was of right meete and requi●…ite to the behoufe of his country . For he neuer entreated for the raunsominge of his sonne , nor suffered the Senate to go about it , but as appertained to his honour , he said alwaies he would recouer him by force of armes . After this , were articles of peace propounded , the content wherof was that he shoulde departe out of asia , suffring Articles of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Romaines to enioy it peaceablye , delyuer them theyr prisonners and runnagates , withall theyr shippes , and make 〈◊〉 of all charges and expenses that the Romaynes had beene put to in those warres . Antiochus hauing intelligence therof , answered that he was not as yet so vtterly vanquished , that he should suffer himselfe to be spoyled of his kingdome , saying that it was the next way to prouoke him to warre , rather then to allure hym to peace . In the meane time that the warre was in preparing on bothe sides . The Romaines enteringe into Asia The 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . came to Troy wher was great reioycement betwene the 〈◊〉 and the Romaines , the Troianes declarynge how Eneas and thother captaines came from them , and the Romaines vaunti●…ge them selues to be descended of them . And there was as great reioycement betwene both partes , as there is wont to be at the meting of the parents and their children , after longe beinge a sonder . It dyd the Troianes good , that their linage hauinge conquered the west and subdued Affricke , did now chalenge th empire of Asia also , as their auncient inheritaunce and the rightful possession of their forefathers , saying it was good fortune to Troy . that it was destroyed , considering howe luckelye it had risen againe ? On the other side , the Romaines had an vnmeasurable desire , to see the houses of their auncestry , and the places wher theyr forefathers were bred and borne , with the Temples and Images of theyr Goddes . When the Romaines were departed from Troy , kynge Emnenes met them with a nomber of men to aid them . And ere it was long after , a fielde was foughte againste Antiochus , in the whiche when as a legion of the righte A battel betwene 〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉 . wing of the Romaine ▪ battel , being put out of aray fled to the campe with more shame then daunger , Marcus Aemylius marshal of the hoste , being left behinde for the defence of the campe , commaunded his souldiours to arme them selues , and to go out of the trenche , and wyth theyr swordes drawen to manace suche as fled awaye , sayinge they should die for it euerychone , if they retourned not into the battel againe , and that they should find their owne campe hotter for them , then the battel of their enuemies . The legion being astonied at so great daunger accompanied with their felowes that stopped them of their flight , returned into the field , and there making a great slaughter vpon their enemies , were the beginning of the victory . There were of the enemies fifty thousand slain , and a ri . M. taken prisoners . Yet notwithstanding when Antiochus desired peace , nothing was added to the former articles . The magnam●…ty of the Romain●…s . For Affricanus saide , it was not the custome of the Romains , to be discouraged for a losse , nor to be proud by reason of prosperity . The cities that they had taken , they deuided among theyr confederates ▪ iudginge it a greater reward to the Romaines to haue honoure and renowue , then possessyons gotten by force . For he said , it was mete for a Romaine to chalenge glorye and fame , and to leaue the superflouity of richesse to his partakers .

The xxxii . Boke ▪

THe Aetolians which hadde prouoked Antiochus to warre againste the Romaines , after the time that he was onercome , The Aetolians are subdued by the Romaines . remained all only againste the Romaines , both 〈◊〉 to match them in strength , and also destitute of all healpe and comforte . By meanes where of within a 〈◊〉 after , they were vanquished and lost their liberty , the which they all only among so manye cities of Grece had reteined vntouched , against the dominion of the Atheniens and Lacedemonians . The which estate of bondage was so much the bitterer vnto them , as it was later or it came ▪ r●…oltynge with them selues those times , in the which with the only power of theyr owne countrye , they had withstoode and burne oute the greate force and power of the Pers●…ans , in the which they hadde repressed the violence of the 〈◊〉 men , so terrible to Asia and Italye in the bat●…ell at Delphos , the glor●…ous remembraunce of which things kindled in them a 〈◊〉 desire of liberty . While these thinges The 〈◊〉 ou 〈◊〉 the ●…ans and th●… Achca●…s . were a doing , in the meane time the Messenians and the Acheans f●…ll ●…irst at conte●…ion , & anone after to plain sighting for the s●…raigntye .

In that battel Philopenienes the noble graund captain of the Acheans was tak●…n prisoner , not through his own defaulte , because he 〈◊〉 not fyghte for sauynge of hys life , but as he was about to bringe his men in araye that were s●…attered , in the leapinge of a ditche his 〈◊〉 ouerthrew , and so his enemies clustered about him , and tooke him ere he coulde r●…couer vp againe . And y●…t the Messenians when they fo●…nd him ouerthrowen , whether it were for f●…are o●… his prowess●… , or for reuerence of hys estate , durst not kill him . Therfore as though by taking of hym they had finished all the warre , they led him like a prisonner about all the citye in manner of a triumphe , the people ruuninge out by heapes to meete him , as if their own captaine , and not the captaine of their enemies had bene comming . And I beleue the Acheans would not haue ben more desirous to haue sene him if he had gotten the vpper hande then were the Messenians his enemies , to beholde him being a prisonner . For they led him into a Theatre , to the entente t●…ey mighte all beholde him , whome they thought an vncredible and vnposs●…ble m●…tter to be taken . From thence they couueyed him to pryson , wher for shame The 〈◊〉 ble courage of Philopemenes a●…hys death . of the villany they had offred to such a worthy estate , they gaue him poyson : the which he drancke with as mearye a cheare as if he had wonne the victory . Demaundyng first of all whether Lycortas the lieuetenante of the Acheane ( whome he knewe to be the manne of best knowledge in feates of armes nerte vnto hymselfe , ) hadde eskaped in safetye or no.

When he vnderstoode that he was eskaped , he sayde , the world goeth not alltogether against the Acheans , & wyth that word he gaue vp the ghoste . But ere it was longe after , the warre was renued , in which the Messenians being vanquished , suffered worthy punishment for putting Philopemenes to death . In the meane season Antiochus The death of Antiochus . kinge of Syria , beinge sore ouercharged with the tribute that he should pay to the Romaines , and seinge hymselfe vanquished and burdened , whether it were that he were compelled for want of mony , or that he were allured with couetousnesse , because he hoped that vnder pretence of the necessity ( the whiche he was put to for the payment of the tribute , ) he should be held the better excused if he committed sacriledge , he assembled an armye , and in the nyghte time assaulted the temple of Iupiter of Dodon , the which attempte was bewrayed , and he withall his hooste was slayne by the inhabitauntes of the countrye that resorted to the reskue . At Rome , when many cities of Grece were The modesty of D●…metrius wyth the frute therof . come thither , to complaine of the iniuries that Phillyppe king of Macedone hadde d●…one vnto them , and that there was great contention in woordes in the senate house , betwene Demetrius the sonne of Phillippe sent thither by his father to make satisfaction as the Senate shuld think righte , and the ambassadoures of the Cities : the yonge man beinge confounded with the noyse and exclamatyon of the appellantes , sodenly helde his peace . Then the Senate being moued with his modest shamefastnesse , for the whiche he had bene well beloued of all men before times when he lay in hostage at Rome , gaue iudgement on hys syde . And so Demetrius obtained pardone for his father , not by defending his righte , but by the helpe of his modesty and shamefastnesse . The which thinge was signifyed vnto him by the decree of the senate , to th entent it should appeare , that the kinge was not acquited as giltlesse , but ●…rtue pro●…●…nuy . rather pardoned for his sonnes sake , the whiche thynge purchased vnto Demetrius , not thanke for his behauiour in that ambassade , but hatred through the maliciousnesse of backebyters . For with his brother Perses , who sought by al meanes to surprise him , ) it procured him enuy , and with his father ( when he knew the occasion of his acquitall ) it procured him displeasure , disdaininge that ●…he person of his sonne shoulde be of more force or strengthe with the Senate , then the authority of the father , or the estimation of his estate being a king . Perses therfore per Wh●…e 〈◊〉 a man 〈◊〉〈◊〉 worse neyghboure 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bringeth 〈◊〉 home . ceiuing his fathers disease , made complaintes daily vnto him of his brother Demetrius , and first he broughte him in mistrust with him , and shortly in vtter displeasure , obiecting against him that he sought the freudshippe of the Romaines to betray his father .

At the last he surmised that he went about tr●…ason , for the prouse where of he broughte in recorde , and suborned false witnesses to vphold ●…he crime that he charged hym wythall . By meanes whereof he compelled his father to murder his owne sonne , and brought all the courte in sorow and heauinesse . After Demetrius was thus put to death , the party being dispatched out of the way , whome he feared as his enemye , Perses beganne to be not onlye more slacke in doing his duety , but also more stubborn against his father , behauing himselfe , not like an heire but like a kinge . Phillip beinge sore offended with his misdemenor , bewailed the deathe of Demetrius verye vnpaciently from day to daye . Where vppon mistrustynge hym self to be deceiued by cautele and treason , he put the wytnesses and record bearers to torture . Throughe whyche hauing boulted out their treason , he was vexed as much with the wickednesse of Perses , as with the vndeserued death of Demetrius . And he hadde punished him for hys laboure , had not death preuented him of hys purpese . For shortly after , throughe very sorow and pensiuenesse The death of Phil●…yp kyng of 〈◊〉 . of hart , he fell sicke and died , leauing behinde hym greate furniture for the warres against the Romaines , the whiche Perses afterward vsed .

Moreouer he had allured the Frenchmen , called Rascians , to take his part , & was mynded to haue made greuous What natyons Perses procured to take his part agaynste the Romaines . warres vppon the Romaynes , yf he had not dyed . For the Frenchmen after the vnfortunate battell at Delphos , ( in the which the wrath of God , dyd them more displeasure then the puissance of their enemies ) hauyng lost their Captayne Brenne , fled lyke owtlawes , some into Asia , some into Thrace : From thence they retyred into their natiue countrie , by the very same way they came oute . A certeyn of them rested at the metyng of the ryuers of Danow and Say , & called themselues Rascians . The people of Languedocke , beyng returned into their The punyshmente of Sa●…ledge . olde countrie of Tolouse , and there stryken with a Pestilent murreyne , could not recouer their health , vntil such tyme as by th admonishment of their Southsayers , they had throwen into the lake of Tholouse , all the golde and Siluer that they had gotten in the warres , by the robbyng and spoilyng of Temples . All the which , Cipio the Romayn Consull , long tyme after toke away euery pennie . There was of golde , a hundred and tenne thousand pound weight , of syluer fiftie hundred thousande pound weight : the which sacrilege was afterward the confusion of Cipio and his hoste . Furthermore , there followed anone after the warre of the Cymbrians agnynst the Romayns , as it were to punish them for takyng away of the holly mony . A great nomber of the people of Languedock , beyng enticed with the swetenes of the praye , ( as men wonte to liue altogether vppon the spoyle ) went into Illyria , and there hauyng syoyled the Istrians , rested in P●…nnonie . It is reported that the nacion of the Istrians , descended from the men of Colchos , that were sent by Kyng Aetis , to pursew the Argonantes , and Iason that ledde away his daughter by force , who enteryng oute of the Sea of Pontus , into the ryuer of Istre , and so directlie The original of the Istrians . into the ryuer Say , followyng the Argonantes , at the hard heles , caried their ●…ippes vppon their shoulders , ouer the toppes o●… the mountaynes , ●…uen vnto the shore of the Adriatike sea , the which thyng they vnderstoode , that the Argonantes for the length of th●…ire shippe , had donne before them . But when the men of Colchos could not synde them , whether it were for feare of the kyng , or for tediousnesse of the longe sayling , they setteled them selfes nere vnto the Citie Aquiuerlera , and called them selues Istrians , after the name of the ryuer , into the which they first entered oute of the sea . The Daces also , are the yssue of the Getes : who with Dlor their kyng , beyng van Cowardise punysh●…d with r●…proch . quished in battell by the Bastarnes , were put to this penance for theire cowardyse , that when they shoulde take their slepe , they should lay their headdes , wher their fete shoulde lye , and serue their wyues in suche sorte , as their wyues were wonte to serue them , the whiche penaltie layd vppon them by the commaundement of their kyng , they shoulde not be so bolde to infringe , before they had by their manhode and prowesse , put awaye the schlaunder and ignominie , purchased by their former siouts , and cowardyse . Perses therfore , beyng crowned kyng in his father Philyppes stead , styrred all these nacions , to take his part agaynste the Romaynes . In the m●…ane whyle , Warre betwene Prusias as and Eumenes there arose warre betwene Prusias ( vnto whome Hanniball was fled , after that peace was concluded betwene Antiochus and the Romaynes ) and Eumenes : the which warre , Prusias ( breakyng the league vppon trust that he had in Hanniball ) dydde first moue . For when as the Romaynes among other articles of peace , put in the deliueraunce of Hanniball for one : the kyng gaue him warnyng of it , and he fled into Candie .

In the ▪ whiche I , when he had lyued quiet●…ie a long tyme , and sawe that men repyned and grudged at hym , The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . for his greate wealth and rychesse , he fylled pottes with leadde , and set them in the Temple of Diana , as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for the preseruacion of his lyfe and verie goo●… 〈◊〉 : By meanes where of the Citye hauinge no feare nor infstruste of his dooinges , in as muche as they beleued that they had his richesse for a pledge , he went to Prusias , carying all his golde with hym , poured into Images of timber , least if his richesse should be espied , he might happen to be put in ieoperdy of his life for them .

Afterwarde when Emnenes had ouercome Prusias in battel vpon the lande , and that Prusias would try the Ha●…ibals ●…tageme . aduenture of the sea , Hannibail by a new deuise was the occasion that he gate the victory . For he caused of all kindes of Serpentes to be put into earthen pots , the whiche in the middes of the battell , were caste into the enemyes shippes . This stratageme semed at the first to the menne of Pontus , to be but a mockerye to leaue weapones and fyghte wyth earthen pottes . But when the Serpentes began to swarme about them in the shippes , they wer so troubled wyth the doubtfull daunger , that they wist not what to do , and so they gaue their enemy the vpper hand . When fidinges hereof came to Rome , the Senate sente ambassadoures to cease the strife betwene bothe the kinges , and to demaund to haue Hannibal yelded vnto them . But Hanniball hauynge knowledge of the matter , poysoned hym self , and dyed ere the ambassadour could come The deathe of Hanniball . by him .

This yeare was notable for the deathes of three of the mooste puissaunte captaines in all the whole world , that is to saye , of Hanniball , Philopemenes , and Scipio Affricanus . Of the whiche it is well knowen , that Hanniball , The commen dation of Hanniball . neither in the time that al Italy quaked to see him thunderinge like a tempest in the Romaine Empire , nor when he was returned to Carthage and helde the soueraintye , did euer sytte downe to his meat , or drynke aboue a pinte and a halfe of wine at a meale . And as for chastitye hee kepte it so immaculate and vndefiled amonge so manye prisonners as he hadde , that a man would sweare he had neuer bene borne in Affricke .

Certesse he was of that mod●…stye and gouernmente , that all be it had sundrye kindes of people to rule in hys hoste , yet his souldioures neuer wente aboute to betraye him , neither coulde he be entrapped by any policye , both the whiche thinges his ennemies full often attempted ●…gainst hym .

The xxxvi . Boke .

DEmetrius hauyng recouered his Fathers kyngdome , was himself also cor rupted , through the prosperous successe in all his affaires , & through the inclinacion to vice , that is commonly wonte to be in youthe , he fell to slouth and 〈◊〉 ▪ by meanes whereof , he purchased himself , as much hatred at all mennes handes for his cowardnesse , as his father had gotten for his statelynesse : whervppon perceyuyng howe the cyties euerye where began to withdrawe their obedience , to th entent he might wype oute the spot of cowardyse , Demetrius maketh war against the Parthi●…ns . he determined to make warre vppon the parthians . Whose commyng the people of the East were not a litle glad to behold , bothe , by reason of the crueltie of Arsaces kyng of the Parthians , and also bycause the countries , beyng enured with the gentle entreatans of the auncient dominion of the Macedones , coulde not well away with the pryde of the newe Empyre of the Parth●…ans . By meanes whereof , beyng ayded with the power of the Per sians , Emylians , and Bactrians , he vanquished the Par ●…sans in many battels . Neuerthelesse at the last , beyng deceyued vnder a counterfet color of peace , he was taken Demetrius is tak●…n prisoner , & kept like a kynge . prysoner , and ●…rawen through th open face of the cyties , that had reuolted and shewed in meckage to the people , that had rebelled , as who should say , they should see what a one he was , whome they had so highly fauoured .

Afterward he was sente into 〈◊〉 , and there courteou●…ly enterteyned , accordyng as belongeth to his for mer estate .

Whyle these thynges were in doyng , in the meane tyme 〈◊〉 , who through sute to the body of the Realme had obteyned to be admitted Protector , ouer Antiochus 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . sonne in lawe to Demetrius : kylled the childe , and vsurped the kyngdome of Syria , the which he enioyed a great whyle : but at the length , when the ●…our that men bare him , beyng newlie made kyng , began to weare oute . Antiochus the brother of Demetrius , who at that tyme was 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . brought vp in Asia , being but a very child , ouercame him in battell , and so the kyngdome of Syria was redu●…ed agayne to the stocke of Demetrius . An●…iochus therfore remembryng , that both his father was hated for his pryde , and his brother despysed for his slouthfulnes : because he would not fall into the same vices himselfe , after he had taken in mariage Cleopatra his brothers 〈◊〉 , he with all diligence pursuwed the Cy●…es that had reuloted from his brother , at the beginn●…g of his Reygne , and hauyng subdued them , brought them agayn to 〈◊〉 of th empyre . Also he subdued the Iewes , who in the tyme of his father Demetrius takyng weapon in hande , had pulled their neckes from subiection of Th empyre of Macedone , and set themselfes at libertie . And they grewe to suche strength , that after this man was once dead , there 〈◊〉 as no kyng of Macedone ●…ble to kepe them in obedience , but that they made a Ruler among themselfes , and di●…roubled all Syria with their warres . The originall of the The 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 . Iewes , was Damasco , whiche is the noblest cytie of all Syria , from whence the kynges of Syria also ( fetchyng theire pedegre from Semyramis ) descended . The Cytie had her name of a Kyng called Damascus , in honor of whome , the Syrians worshipped the Sepulchre of hys wyfe Arates for a Temple , & reuerenced her with much deuocion and superstitio●…s Ceremonies for a Goddesse . After Damascus , 〈◊〉 Abraham , Israel and 〈◊〉 , as kings : But Israel was more notable than his ance●…ors by reson of the 〈◊〉 encrease of his ten sonnes . Therfore he deuided his people into ten kingdoms , and deliuered it to his sonnes , calling them all Iewes after the name of Iuda , whiche deceased anone after the deuision , the remembraunce of whome he commaunded that all the rest should haue in reuerence and veneration . His portion was the head of all the other . The yongest of the brothers was Ioseph , of whose excellent wit his brothers being afraid , The history of Ios●…phe in 〈◊〉 . ●…ais wait for him preuely , and solde him to marchauntes straungers , by whome he was caried into Egipte : where throughe the sharpnesse of his wit , he so pro●…d in the magicall artes , that within a shorte space , he became in great fauor with the king . For he was both a very witty diuinor of wonders and foretokens , and also he was the firste that inuented the interpretation of dreames . Yea there was nothing appertaininge either to God or man , wherin he semed not to haue had exact knowledge . In so muche that he foresaw the barrennesse of the land , many yeres before it came , and all Egipt had pearished for , if the king through his counsel had not geuen 〈◊〉 commaundement , to laye vp in store the corne and frute of many yeres before hand . Finally he was so well tried that his answeres seemed not to be geuen by man , but by God . His sonne was Moises , who besydes the inheritans of his fathers knowledge , was also commended for hys An 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Moses , and of the goyng of the 〈◊〉 out of Egipt . excellent beuty and personage . But the Egiptians being stricken with a great itch and skabbednesse , to the entent that the contagion should infect no mo , by the warnynge of an Oracle , draue hym and all the infected oute of the borders of Egypt . Moyses therfore being made captayne of the banished people , stale away the sacrifices of the Egiptians : the which the Egiptians entending to recouer by force , were compelled by Tempestes to retire home againe . Moyses e●…ones resortnig to Damasco the natyue The ●…inge of the sa●… day . country of his ancestors , went vp into the mountain Synai , in the which , ( for as much as he first rested ther after seuen dayes ●…asting and trauel of hymself and hys people through the desertes of Arabie ) he hallowed the seuenth day , and called it after the manner and vsage of the countrie , the Sabboth day , commaundyng it to be kept . Fastyngday for euer after to the worldes ende , because that that day had made an ende of all their trauell and hunger . And forasmuch as they remembred howe they were dryuen oute of Aegypt , for feare of infection , they made a lawe , neuer after to communicate with stravngers , the which thyng rysing at the first vppon good cause and con syderacion , by lytle and lytle grewe into custome and superstition . After Moyses , his brother Aaron was consecrated 〈◊〉 . first Priest of the Ceremonies of Israel , and anon after created kyng . And euer after it remayned as a custome among the Iewes , that they that wer their priests were also their kynges : through whose Iustice and vprightnesse ioyned with 〈◊〉 , it is an vncredible thing , how greatly they encreased . The enryching of the Iewes Of ●…growing only in 〈◊〉 . came by the reuenewes of Balme , whiche groweth no where , but only in their countrie . For there is a certayn valey , inclosed round about with continuall hylles , as it were walles , like vnto gardines . The place conteyning two hu●…dred thousand Acres , is named Iericho . In the same vale there is a wood , notable , bothe for the frutefulnesse The ●…tion of the countrye of Iericho . and for the pleasauntnesse thereof . For it is beset with date trees and balme trees . The Balme trees are lyke in makyng and groweth vnto pytche trees , sauyng that they be much lower , and are dressed as vines are . These at certeyn tymes of the yere doe swete out balme : But the place is not so muche to be wondered at for the frutefulnesse , as for the colenesse thereof . For whereas throughout all the Clymate of that Countrie , the sunne is excedyng hote , there is in that place , as it were a naturall warmenesse , and a continuall shadowe .

In that countrie is a lake , which for the greatnesse therof , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . and for the vnmouable standyng of the water , is called the dead sea . For neyther is it moued with y● wyndes , by reason , the bytumen resisteth the force of them , wher with all the water is made to stand immouable : neyther can it be sayled vppon , bycause that all thynges wantyng lyfe , synke downe to the bottom , and it will not beare any substaunce , onlesse it be ouerlayed with Alume . Xerxes Who fyrste subdued the Iewes . kyng of Persia fyrst subdued the Iewes . Afterward they and the Persians also , were brought in subiection by great Alexander , and continued a longe tyme vnder the gouernaunce of the Empyre of Macedone . Lastely rebellyng agaynst Demetrius , by sekyng the frendshyppe and Aliance of the Romayns , who at that tyme dyd cut large thonges of other mens lether , they were the fyrste of all the Nacions of the East , that requested lybertie . Duryng the same tyme that there was such alteracion of the kyngdome of Syria among the new kynges : Attalus kyng of Asia , distayned his moste florishyng kyngdome which he The doyngs of Attalus . kyng of Asia the lesse . had receyued of his vncle Eumenes , with the slaughter of his frendes , and th execucion of his kynsfolke , false lye surmisyng one whyle , that the olde lady his mother , another while , that his owne spouse Beronice were by their sorcery and enchauntmentes kylled . After the committyng of this wicked and outragious crueltie , he put on The sorowe●…ul repentans of Attalus . fylthie apparell , he let his hed and his beard growe long , lyke as offenders are wont to dooe in person , he woulde not come abrode , he would not shew himself to the people he would not make any myrthe or good chere in his house no nor pretend anie token at all , of a manne that is in his right wittes , so that it was not to be thought , but that he punished himselfe , to pacifye the Ghostes of suche as he had wrongfullie put to death . There vppon leauyng the gouernement of the kyngdome , he gaue himselfe to makyng of gardynes , and sowed sedes , settyng herbes an●… wedes myngled togyther , all the which he woulde stepe in venemous liquors , and send as a speciall present to his frendes . Furthermore he gaue himselfe to the studie of Smyths craft , and to founding of metalles , maruelously delightyng in meltyng and casting of brasse . Fynallie entendyng to make his mother a Tumbe , as he was earnestlie The dea●… of A●…alus . occupied about the same , he caught a Surfett●… by the heate of the sunne , of the which he dyed within seuen dayes after . By his last will he made the people of Rome his h●…ire . But there was one Aristonicus the sonne of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Eumenes , not begotten in lawfull wedlocke , but borne of a single woman of Ephesus , the daughter of a certayn Mynstrell , who after the death of Attalus , toke vppon ●…im the kyngdome of Asia , as yf it had ben his by right of inheritaunce . When he had fought manie prosp●…rous battelles , agaynst such of the Cities as woulde not yelde themselfes vnto him for feare of the Romayns , and thervppon semed now to be righfull kyng in dede . Licinius The 〈◊〉 of cou●…ousnesse . Crassus the Consul , was appoynted to haue the charge of Asia : who hauyng more mynde of Attalus riches , then of the warre , ( by aduenture in the later end of the wynter , for wante of good order and gouernaunce in the fyelde ) was ouercomme , and with the losse of his lyfe , suffered due punishement for his vnaduised rashenesse and couetousnesse . In his roume was sent the Consull Perpenna , who in the fyrst encounter vanquished Aristonicus , and toke him prisoner , and also shipped all the riches of Attalus , belongyng to the Romayns , by force of Legacie , and conueyed them to Rome . The which his successor , Marcus Aquilius the Consul , takyng sore to hart , made al the hast and spede he could deuise , to take Arystonicus perforce out of Perpennas hand , as who shoulde say , that he himself ought rather to haue the honor of Tryumph fo●… vanquishyng hym . But the deathe of Perpenna brake the stryfe of the Consulles : and so Asia beyng made the right of the Romayns , with her richesse , sent also her vices vnto Rome .

Morrouer , he sent his wyfe Laodice to Rome , to testifye that she ha●…e t●…ree sonnes by Ariarathes . The which thyng when Mithridates knew of , he also with lyke impudent vnshamefastnesse , sent Gordius vnto Rome , to auouche before the Senate , that the chylde , to whome he had deluded the kyngdome of Cappadocia , was the sonne of the same Ariarathes , whiche in the quarell of the Romaynes was slayne , in the battell agaynst Aristouicus . But the Senate vnderstandyng the meanyng and endeuour Th order taken by the senate . of both the kynges , wold not gene other mens kingdoms to vsurpers , that tooke wrong names vppon them . Whereupon they tooke Cappadocia from Mithrydates , and to comfort him withall , they toke Paphlagonia from Nicomedes . And to th entent it should not seme they wold take any thynges from the kynges in despight of them , to bestowe it vppon others , bothe the Nacions were se●…at at free lybertie . But the Cappadocians refusyng the gyfte Ariobarzanes is made kyng of Cap padocta . of ly●…ertie , sayd that their countrie could not liue without a kyng : Whervppon Ariobarzanes was appointed by the Senate to be their kyng . There was at the same tyme , one Tygranes king of Armenia kept in hostage not long before by the Parth●…ans , and now lately remitted by them into his fathers kyngdome : Hym dyd Mithridates couet , to allure to take his part in the warres , that he had of long tyme purposed agaynst the Romaynes . Wherfore by the meanes of Gordius he pers●…ded him ( as one that knew not what it was to displease the Romaynes ) to make war vppon Ariobarzanes who was a very cowarde . And to th entent it shoulde not seme , be dyd it for anye cautele or pollicy , he gaue him his daughter Cleopatra in mariage . At the fyrst commyng of Tygranes , Ariobarzanes conueying Mithridatis recouereth Cappadacia . away all his stuffe , gat him streight to Rome : & so by the meanes of Tygranes Cappadocia was again vnder the dominion of Mithridates : Thesame time died Nicomedes whose son named Nicomedes also , was dryuen out of his kingdom bi Mithridates : who resorted to Rome for succor vpon whose humble sute , it was decreed by the Senate , that both be & Ariobarzanes should be set in possession of their kyngdomes agayne . For the perfourmaunce whereof , Aquilius Manlius , and Malthinius , were sent to be Lieuetenauntes of the warre . Mythridates hauyng knowledge hereof , and entendyng to make warre with the Romains : alied himself with Tygranes . And it was couenaunted 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . betwixt them , that Mythridates should haue for his parte the cyties and landes , and Tygranes should haue for his share , the men and cattell , and whatsoeu●…r els was moueable . After this , Mithridates 〈◊〉 what a warre he had taken in hande , sent out his Ambassadours , some to the Cymbrians , some to the Frenchegrekes , some to the Sarmatians , and some to the Bastarnes , to request them of their ayde and help . For all these Nations had he 〈◊〉 nations 〈◊〉 vp 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . allured a good while before , by shewyng them ●…endshyp and pleasure diuers wayes , euer synce he fyrste purposed warre agaynst the Romayns . Moreouer he raysed an host of men in Scythia , and armed all the East agaynste the Romayns . It was no great matter for hym therefore , to ouercome Aquilius and Malthyne , hauyng none but the men of Asia about them : after the discomfiture of whome and of Nicomedes , all the cyties were glad to seke his fauor . There he found great plentie of gold and syluer , laid vp in store by the kynges in tymes past , and much furniture for the warres , the which for as muche as they made greatlie to his furtherance , he released the cyties all their dettes , as well publike as priuate , and exempted them frelie from all charges , as well of the warres , as of trybutes and taxes for fyue yeres space . Then assembled he his souldiours before him , and encouraged them with ●…iuers exhortacions to the warres of the Romains , otherwise cald the wars of Asia . The copi of which Oracion I haue thought worthie to be put into this worde ( albeit I co●…et to be short ) in the same maner , as Pompeius ●…rogus hath indirectly set it forth : because he fyndeth fault with ●…iuie & Salust , for putting Oracions in their works directly as they were spoken , & so doyng exceded the bounds of an history , He said he would gladly haue wished , that he might haue consulted vpon this poynt , whether it wer better to haue The oratyon of Mythridates to hys captains and men of warre warre or peace with the Romaines : but nowe there was no remedy but to go through with the matter , and not to feare them , yea thoughe there were no hope of victorye at all . For all men would draw their wepons vpon theues , thoughe they were not able to defende them selues , yet to reuenge theyr deathes . But for as muche as he purposed not to debate , whether it were mete to be in quiet , ( considering they were not only ennemies in hart , but also had encountered like enemies in open field , ) he woulde fayne knowe by what meanes , and vpon what hope , they shuld maintaine the warres that they had begone . Neuerthelesse he had good hope of the victorye , if so be it they hadde good hartes . That the Romaines might be ouercome , his souldiers that vanquished Aquilius in Bythinia and Mal thinius in Cappadocia , knewe as well as he . But if hee thoughte the examples of other menne could moue them more , then theyr owne triall and experiens , ●…e harde saye that Pyrrhus king of Epyre , hauyng no mo but fiue thou sand Macedones in his host , vanquished the Romaines in thre pitched fieldes . He heard saye that Hanniball by th●… space of . xvi . yeres abode in Italy like a conqueroure , and ●…ad taken the city of Rome it selfe had not the preuy malice and enuy of his owne country men , ben a greater hinderaunce to him , then the power of the Romaynes . He hard say that the Frenchmen inhabiting on the other side of the Alpes , entered into Italye , and there placed theym selues in moste of the welthiest cityes of all the countrye , seisynge into theyr possession somewhat a larger piece of ground euery way , then that which they had gotten in Asia , for all it is counted so weake and cowardly . Moreouer that the said French men hadde not onlye vanquished the Romaines , but also taken their city , in so muche that they left thēno more in all the world , but one hill from whens whence they were saine to remoue theyr ennemye , not by battel , but by raunsome .

The which Frenchemen ( whose name had alwa●…es ben so terrible to the Romaynes ) he had to strenghten him in his host . For there was no difference betwene the Frenchmen that inhabit Asia , and the Frenchmen that inhabit Italy , but onely the distance of their dwellyngs asunder . As for their originall , their prowesse , and their maner of feightyng was all one , sauyng that these in Asia mus●… nedes be of so much more pollicie and witte , as they haue comme a wore longe and ●…edious you●…ney through Sclauany & Thrace , beyng a farre paynfuller matter to make themselues waye through those countries , then to place themselues where they nowe inhabit .

Furthermore he heard say that Italy it selfe was neuer yet well pleased with Rome , synce it was fyrst buylded : but that continuallie from yere to yere , incessant warre had ben made , by some for their libertie , and by other s●…m for the right right of th empyre : insomuch that ( by report ) manie cyties of Italie , had vtterlie destroyed the Romain Armies by the sworde , and some with a new kynde of reproche had compelled them shamefullye to crepe vnder a yoke . And forbycause he should not seme to make long tarians in matters of old tyme , euen the very same present , all Italy was rysen to warre ioyntlie togyther with the marses , not to demaund lybertie , but Societie in Th empyre , and in the Cytie itself . Neyther was the Cytie oppressed more by the warres of their neighbours in Italie , then by the partakyng of her owne noblemen at home : so that the Ciuil warres were farre more dangerous , then the forren warres of Italy : besydes that , the Cymbrians that vnmeasurable , and moste fyltierable of sauage and vnmercifull rascalles , were swarmed oute of Germanie , and ouerwhelmed all Italy lyke a storm . Of al the which forenamed nacions , although the Romayns mighte perchaunce be able to withstande the brunt , one after an other , yet by all at once , they must nedes be oppressed : and that so sone , that they should haue no leasur at al , to think vppon his warres : wherfore occasion ought to be taken , when i●… was offered , and good holde ought to be layed , with spede vppon the iucreasment of their strength , least yf they now sate still , whiles thother were busie and had their handes full , anone after they haue might haue more a doe with them when they were in quiet , & had nothyng els to dooe . For it was not in question , whether warre ought to be made or no , but whether it ought to be doone to their owne behofe , or to the behofe of the Romaynes . For the warres were begonne betwene him and them , from the time that they toke from him in his nonage , the lesser Phryg●…a , with they had gyuen vnto his father , in reward , for aydyng them in the battell agaynste Aristonicus : the which countrie Seleucus Callenicus also had gyuen in dourie with his daughter to his great graundfa ther Mythridates : what should a man say to that they commaunded him to depart oute of Paphlagonia , was it not an other kynde of defyaunce ? The whiche realme fell to his father , not by force of armes , nor by conquest , but by adoption and Legacie of laste will and testament , but by the death of the rightfull kynges , and so consequenlie by lawefull inheritaunce : wheras neuerthelesse , all his humble obedience to their bitter decrees , coulde not one whit mitigate them , but rather was an occasion that they bare themselfes more cruellie agaynst him : for what submission could they deuise , but he vsed it towardes them : dyd be not let go Phrygia and Paphlagonia ? dyd he not with drawe his sonne out of Cappadocia , which he had conque red , and therefore was his by the lawe of armes ? and yet his conquest was taken out of his hande , by them which ●…aue nothyng of their owne , but that whiche they holde by the sworde ? dyd he not for their pleasure kyll Creston , kyng of Bythinia , agaynste whome the Senate had proclaymed warre ? and yet notwithstandyng what so euer Gordius or Tygranes hath done , was imputed altogyther to hym . Moreouer in despight of him , the Senate had of their owne voluntarie will , set Cappadocia at lyberty , which thyng they themselfes had taken from other Nacions . Afterwarde when the people of Cappadoria , thankyng them for their lybertie , sued to haue Gordius to theyr kyng , it might not be graunted , and that for none other occasion , but bycause he was counted his frende . Nicomedes at their commaundement , made warre vppon hym , and bycause he coulde not be reuenged vppon hym as he woulde , they themselfes had taken the matter in hande : Wherevppon partly grew th occasion of his warres with them , namely because he woulde not sytte styll lyke a cowarde , and suffer that dauncyng Damoselles sonne Nycomedes , to teare him in peces at his pleasur : For it was not the faultes of kinges , that they were offended with , or sought to redresse : but with their power and Maiestic 〈◊〉 they sought to suppresse . The which cautel and pollicy they dyd not vse agaynst him onely , but agaynst all other kynges . After the same maner , his graundtfather Pharnar , by right of kynred , appoynted as heyre and su●… cessor to Eumenes kyng of Pergamus : and agayne , Eumenes himself , in whose shyppes they were fyrst brought ouer into Asia , by the help of whose men of warre , more then by theyr owne puissaunce : Fyrst they conquered the greate Antiochus , and the Frenchmen in Asia , and anone after kyng Perses in Macedone , they vttered as an ennemie , forbiddyng him to come within Italye : and ( whiche they thought they myght not doe to hym for shame ) made warre vppon his sonne Aristonicus . There was neuer none that deserued more at their hande , or that had done more for them , than Massinissa kyng of Numidie . To him they imputed the ouercommyng of Hannyball , him they thanked for the takyng of Syphax , to him they imputed the destroying of Carthage , him they registred among the two Affricanes , as the thyrd preseruer of their Cytie : and yet with the same mans nephew , they euen this other day had made warre in Affricke , so deadlye cruell , that after they had vanquished him , they coulde not fynde in thei●… harts for their graundfathers sake to pardon him , but that they emprysoned him , and led him through the Cytie in maner of Triumphe , and made him a gazyng stock to all the world . Thus had they made a lawe to themselues , to beare continuall hatred agaynste all kynges , verelie , bycause they had such kynges themselfes , whome they may be ashamed to heare spoken of , that is to say , eyther shepe herdes of Thaborigines , or soothsayers of the Sabynes , or outlawes of Corynthe , or els ( which is the honorablest name that euer was among them ) proued men , and ( as they themselues reporte ) suche founders as a wolfe gaue sucke to : which may well be , in that all the ofspryng of that people haue wolues hartes , vnsaciable of blood , gredie of Dominion , and raueners of riches : whereas hymself for his owne person ( yf comparison should be made be twene him and then , as touchyng nobilitie ) was of a more famous lynage , then that ragged heape of rascalles , for he dyd fetch his pedegre on the fathers syde , from Cyrus and Darius the fyrste founders of the Monarchie of the Persians , and on the mothers syde from greate Alexander , from Nicanor and Selencus the fyrst founders of them pyre of Macedone : or if he should compare his people with theirs , he sayd he was ruler of those Nacions , whiche not only are able to match the Romayne Empyre , but had also withstood the Empyre of Macedone . For there was none of the nacions , of whome he was Ruler , that had ben subdued vnder forreyne Princes , or that euer submitted themselfes to anie kyng , but if he were of their owne countrie , chose whether they would name Cappadocia or Paphlagonia , agayn Pontus or Bythinia , Armenia the greater , or Armenia the lesse , of the which countries , neyther Alexander ( euen he that conquered all Asia , ) nor any of his successors or posterity euer touched anie : as for Scithia , there were neuer but two kynges before hym , name lie Darius and Philyppe , that durst so much as enter into it , who being not able to make anie conquest , had much a doe to wynde himself oute agayne with their lyues , from whence he had a great parte of his strength agaynste the Romaynis : wherfore he had more cause to be afrayed and mistrustfull , when he entred into the warres of Pontus , at suche tyme as he hymself was but a yonge nouice and a fresh water souldiour . Nor the Scythians , besydes that they be well harnessed , and well harted , they are also fen sed , eyther with desertes and wast groundes , or els with colde , whiche bydde the souldiour loke for greate trauell and perill : among the which distresses , there was not almoste any hope of rewarde to be gotten of the wandering enemie , hauyng not onely no mony , but also not so much as a house , to hyde his head in . But nowe he was entered into a farre other kynde of warrefare : For neyther was the ayre more temperate in all the worlde then in Asia , nor the soyle more fertyle , nor more plentie of fayre and pleasaunt Cyties , so that they should spend a great parte of the ●…yme , not as in warfare , but as in feastyng : and it was to be doubted , whether the warre shoulde be more easie or profytable , whether they woulde aduenture vppon the ryches of the kyngdome of Attalus nexte vnto them , or vppon Lydia and Ionia , so greatly renoumed for their richesse in old tyme , the which they should not nede to go to fyght for , but to go to take possession of . For Asia was so desyrous of their commyng , that she called & cryed to them a loude to make speade . So greate a hatreded toward the Romayns , hadde the greadie rauenousnesse of their Proconsultes , the pollyng and shauing of their tolle gatherers , the wrongfull delyng in sutes , and controuer lies of the lawe of their officers , rooted in the hartes of them all . Wherefore he willed them to doe no more , but followe him manfully , & ponder with themselfes what so great an army might be able to doe , hauyng such a Capitayne as he was whome they themselfes had sene , without the helpe of any of his souldiers , by his own industrie onely , slea the kyng of Cappadocia , & seyze his kyngdome who onely of all the men that euer lyued , conquered all the countries borderyng vppo●… the sea of Pontus , & Scythia also , the whiche before his tyme no man could trauel through , no nor go vnto in sauftie . As for his own Iustice and lyberalitie ; he woulde not refuse that his souldiers which had had sufficient tryall and experience of them , should beare wytnesse to the same , as of the whiche these were manifest tokens , that he only of all kyngs enioyed , not onely the kyngdomes that his father possessed before him , but also for his bountie and magnificence , was adopted to be heyre of other forreyne Realmes , as Colchos , Paphlagonia , and Bosphorus , whiche he nowe peaceablie helde ▪ When he had thus encouraged his souldiers , He returneth to the storyes of Egipt . after the. xxiii . yere of his reygne , he entered into warre agayn●… the Romayns . At that tyme in Egypte , after the death of P●…olomy kyng of Cyrene , both , the kyngdome and the Quene Cle●…patra his syster to be his wy●…e ▪ ●…lomy was glad in that he had recoured his brothers king dome without battell , the which , he knewe his mother Cleopatra and certeyn of the noble men went preuelye about to assure vnto his brothers sonne . But assone as b●… The crueltye of Ptolomy . came vnto Alexandria , to the great displeasure of all the Cytie , he caused all such as fauored the chylde , to be put to death . The chylde himself also , he slew in his mothers armes , the very same day that he maried her , in the myd des of all the feastyng and solemne ceremonies of wed●…cke . And so he went to bed with his syster , all bestayned with the blood of her sonne . After the whiche dede he became euen as meke to his other countreymen , that had called him to the kyngdome . For he gaue his souldiers ( which were straungers ) leaue to kill whome they wold , so that daylie all places were on a gore blood , and he put away his syster , and toke to wyfe her daughter a fayre yong mayden , hauyng firste rauished her per force : with the which thynges the people wer so dysmayed , that they shronke away , so●…e one whether and some another , forsakyng theire natife countrie like banished folk , for dread of death .

Ptolomy beyng left alone with his souldioures , in so greate a Cytie , when he sawe howe he was a Kynge of emptie houses and not of men , made proclamacion that straungers shoulde come and inhabite the Cytie , after whose resor thyther , he went forth to mete the Romayn Ambassadors , Scipio Affricanus , Spurius Mumius , and Lucius Metellus , which came to see howe the Realmes of their confederates wer ordered . But loke howe cruell he was to all his owne countriemenne , so much was he a laughyng stocke to the Roma●…ns . For he was yll visaged , Ptelomy is had in deris●… by the Romain ambassade . a dwarfe of stature , & he had such a fat paunche , that he semed more lyke a beast then a man : the whiche fouldnesse and deformitie , his smal shyrle voyce , and his thinne garmentes dyd more encrease , as thogh of set purpose he had set oute the thynges to be sene , which he that had any regarde of shame , oughte with all care and studie to haue hydden moste secretlie .

After the departure of Thambadoures ( of the whiche Affricanus , whiles he behelde , the Cytie was himselfe a spectacle to the Alexandrians : ) Ptolomy beyng nowe hated euen of his Alientes also , fledde preuely oute of the Realme with his sonne , whome he had begotten of hys syster , and with his wyfe , her owne mothers paramour , for feare of treason : and hauyng gotten an hoste of hyred souldiours , he made warre , bothe agaynst his syster , and agaynst his owne countrie . Afterwarde he sent for his eldest The vnnat●… ral cru●…sse of Ptolomy towarde hys own children sonne from Cyrene , & for bycause the Alexandrians shoulde not make him kyng agaynste him , he putte hym to deathe .

Then the people in despyght of him , brake doune his ymages , and tare doune hys pictures . The which thyng , thynkyng to be doone by the procuremente of hys syster he slew the sonne , whome he hadde begotten uppon her , and then cuttyng hys bodie in gobbettes , closed it vp in a Casket , and sent it for a present to the mother , as she was makyng feast and great chere vpon the day of her byrth . The whiche was a bitter and sorowfull syght , not onelie to the Quene herself , but also to all the whole Cytie , and it cast such a grief vppon that ioyfull feast , that sodaynlie in all the Court was nothyng but mournyng and lamentyng . The noble men therfore , turnyng themselfes from feastyng to funeralles , shewed to the people the mangled bodie , declaryng what hope they oughte to haue of theyr kyng , who hadde so cruelly murdered his owne chylde . Cleopatra after that the sorow for losse of her sonne was ceased , perceyuyng herselfe to be sore infested by her brothers warre : Demaunded help of Demetrius Kyng of Syria by his Ambassadors , whose chances were strange and worthie to be spoken of . For Demetrius ( as it is shewed He returneth to the story of Demetrius , taken pryson net by the Parthiens in the. xxxvi . booke . before ) makyng warre agaynst the Parthians , & gettyng the victorie in manie encounters , was sodaynlie sur prised by pollicie , and besydes the losse of his armie , was also himself taken prysoner . Whome Arsaces kyng of the Parthians , sent into Hyrcanie , and of his noble and Royall courage , not onely gaue him enterteynement lyke a kyng , but also gaue him his daughter in mariage , promisyng moreouer to restore him the kyngdome of Syria , which Tryfo hadde vsurped in his absence . After whose death , Demetrius beynge past hope of returnyng into his kyngdome , and beyng not able to away with captiuitie , beyng wearie of his priuate lyfe , though he lyued neuer so welthelie , assayed a faithfull frende to steale home A faythfull fre●…d . into his owne kyngdome . His counseler and companyon in this enterprise was a frend of his , called Callimander , who after his Maisters captiuitie , hyryng guydes for mo ny , himself disguysed in Parthian apparell , came oute of Syria through the deserts of Arabie vnto Babylon . But Phrahartes , which succeded Arsaces , sent oute post horses after him , who made such spede by gayner ways , that they ouertoke him , and brought him back agayn . When An example of clemency in in a barbarus prince . he came before the kyng , Callimander was not only par doned , but also highlie rewarded for his faithfulnesse towards his Master . But Demetrius with a great rebuke was sent agayn to his wyfe into Hyrcanie , and ther kept more straightlie then he was before . In processe of tyme when it was to be thought , he would haue taryed for his chyldrens sake , that he had by his wyfe , accompanied with his foresayd frende , he stale away agayn . But euen with Demetrius is taken flying the 〈◊〉 tyme , and brought 〈◊〉 agay●…e . lyke infelicitie as before , he was apprehended , nere vnto the lymites of his owne kyngdome , and beyng broughte backe agayn vnto the kyng , was commaunded out of his presence in great displeasure . Neuerthelesse beyng then also graunted his wyfe and children , he was sente agayne into Hyrcanie his olde place of penaunce , and was rewarded with a payre of dyce of golde , in exprobration of hys chyldishe lightnesse . But this so gentle and fauorable demeanor of the Parthians towarde Demetrius , proceded not of any mercie naturally engraffed in that nacion , or in respect of Aliance and affynitie , but bycause they coueted the kyngdome of Syria , entending to vse Demetrius as an instrument agaynst his brother Antiochus , accordyng as eyther the matter , the tyme , or the chaunce of warre should requyre . Antiochus hearyng therof , thoght it wysedome to preuent the warre , and there vppon led Antiochus 〈◊〉 deth an host a gaynste the Parthiens . his his host ( whiche he had hardened through manie viages and battelles agaynst his neyghboures ) agaynste the Parthians . But he made preparacion as much for ryot , as for warre . For wheras he had eight hundred thousand men of warre , there wer besydes , thre hundred thousand others that followed the host , of the which the moste part were Cokes , bakers and mynstrels , & players of enterludes . Surely of gold & syluer ther was so great abundance , that euen the common souldiers ware their hosen enbroydered with golde , & trode vnder their fete the metall , for loue of which other people were wonte to fyght and kyll one another : Moreouer all the furniture of kytchens wer of cleane syluer , as though they had gone to banquetting and not to battell . At Antiochus fyrste commyng , manye kyngs of the East mette him , & yelded themselfes & their kyngdomes vnto him , vtterlie detestyng the pryde of the Parthians . It was not long ere it came to th encounter . Antiochus 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Antiochus gettyng th upper hand in thre fought fieldes , and thervppon winnyng Babylon by force , began to be counted great . By meanes whereof all countries reuolted so fast vnto him , that the Parthians had nothyng left them , more then the bare soyle of their owne Realme of Parthia . Then Prahartes sent Demetrius into Syria , with an host of Parthians , to inuade the kyngdome , to th intent that by that pollicie , Antiochus might be enforced 〈◊〉 is let go into Syria . to withdrawe himself out of Parthia , to the defence of his owne Realme . In the meane whyle , bycause he could not ouercom Antiochus by force , he sought meanes to surprise him by pollicie . Antiochus by reason he hadde such a multitude , dispersed all his army into the Cyties , duryng the wynter season , the which thyng was his vtter vnd●…yng . For the Cyties felyng themselfes greued with victailyng of hiis hoste , & also with the iniurious demeanour A 〈◊〉 conspiracy against 〈◊〉 . of the souldiers , reuolted agayn to the Parthians , and on a day appointed for the nones , all at one tyme by trayterous conspiracie set vppon the hoste , as it was deuided among them seuerllie , to th entent they shoulde not be able to rescowe one another : when tydinges herof came to Antiochus , he assembled suche as wyntered with him , & went to rescow them that were nerest . But in his way , he met with the kyng of Parthians , against whome he fought more valiauntlie himself , then dydde his hoste . Notwithstandyng at the laste ( forasmuche his ennemies The death of 〈◊〉 . were of more force and courage ) his men for feare forsoke him , and so he was slayne . For whome , Phrahartes made a royal herce , & dyd exequies after the maner of Prynces , and moreouer beyng taken in loue with the daughter of Demetrius , whome Antiochus had broght with him , he toke her to wyfe . Then it repented him , that he had let go Demetrius , & he sent oute menne in post after him to fetche him backe . But Demetrius , dreadyng the same thyng before hand , had made such spede , that they founde him in his owne kyngdome , & so beyng frustrate of theire trauell & expectation , they returned to the kyng .

The. xxxix . Boke .

AFter that Antiochus with all his army was thus destroyed in Parthia , his brother Demetrius , beyng delyuered from captsuitie of the Parthians , and restored to his kyngdome , ( when as all Syria as yet mourned for the losse of the armye ) as though the warres that he and his brother made in Parthia , in the whiche th one was taken prysoner , and thother slayn , had had prosperous successe , he purposed to make warre in Egypt at the request of Cleopatra his wifes mother , who promysed to gyue him the kyngdome of Egypte , in recompence , yf he would helpe to support her agaynste her brother . But whyles he went about to get that , that was another mans , he lost his owne , by meanes of a sodayne 〈◊〉 is hated of his sub●…ects for his pryde . insurrection in Syria . For first the Cytizens of An tioche , throgh the instigacion of their Capitayne Tryfo , 〈◊〉 the kynges pryde ( which by his conuersacion , among the cruell Parthians was becomme intoierable , ) and anone after the Apameniens , with all the rest of the Cyties , followyng their ensample , toke occasion vpon the kynges absence , and rebelled against him .

Ptolomy also kyng of Egypt , against whome the sayd Demetrius made warre , when he vnderstode that hys syster Cleopatra had shypped all hhr goods & treasur , and An 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 king agaynst 〈◊〉 . was sled into Syria to her daughter & her 〈◊〉 in lawe Demetrius , he suborned a certayn yong men of Egypte , the son of Merchantman called Protarchus , to chalenge the kyngdome of Syria by b●…ttell , forging a pedegre , as though Antiochus had adopted him into the blood royall . And the Syrians cared not who were theyr kyng , so they might be delyuered from the pryd of Demetrius . So the yong man was proclaymed by the name of Alexander , & great succor was set to him oute of Egypt . In the meane while the bodie of Antiochus slayne by the kyng of Parthia , was sent into Syria in a coffyn of syluer to be buried the which was receyued with great reuerence by all the Cyties , but chiefly by Alexander himselfe , to th entent to make men oredyte the tale , that he was adopted to be his heire . The which his doyng , wann him much fauor of the commonaltie , all men thinkyng no lesse , but that he ment good faith without dissimulacion , in his sorowfull mournyng . Demetrius , beyng vanquished by Alexander , and being enuyroned on all sydes with vnauoydable daungers was at the last forsaken of his own wyfe & children , being therfore left desolate sauyng a fewe seruaunts , as he was purposed to haue fled to the temple of Tyrus , there to registre himself as a sanctuarieman , yf percheunce the reue rence of the place might saue his lyfe , when he went out to lande , he was slayne by the commandement of the Ma The due reward of sacri ledge and vsurped autho ritye . ster of the shyppe . The one of his sonnes , whose name was Seleucus , bycause he crowned himself kyng , without his mothers conset , was by her slayn . Thother of his sonnes , who for the greatnesse of his nose was surnamed Grypho , was created kyng by his mother vppon this condicion , that he should bear the name , but she herself haue all the power and authoritie of the whole Empyre . But The desire of souerainty . Alexander the vsurper of the kyngdome of Syria , being puffed vp with contynuall successe in his affayres , began of greate pryde and insolencie to mocke and despyse Ptolomie himselfe , by whome he was put in and inuested in that kyngdome .

Ptolomy therfore reconcyling to his syster , endeuored by all the meanes he coulde deuise , to depose Alexander from his Royaltie , the which he had obteyned by his help for hatred that he bare towardes Demetrius . Wherevppon he sent ayd to Grypho into Grece , and his daughter Gryphin also to be his wyse , to th entent he mighte procure the people to helpe his nephew , not only by confederacie , but also by alsance of affinitie . And the matter came so to passe in dede . For after the time they perceyued , that Grypho was supported with the power of Egypte , they began by litle and litle to reuolt , euerychone from Alexander . Afterwarde there was a battell foughte betwene The 〈◊〉 an kyng is put to flyght . them , in the which Alexander beyng put to the worse , fled vnto Antioche . Ther for want of mony , hauing not wher with to pay his souldiers their wages , he commaunded a sygne of victory of Massie golde to be taken out of the Temple of Iupiter , coloryng his sacryledge with a pleasaunt skoffe : For he sayd that Iuppiter had lent him victorie . Within a 〈◊〉 dayes after , when he had geue commaundement preuely , to pull oute of the temple the Image of Iupiter made all of cleane gold , of an vnknowen weight , and that beyng taken in doyng of the dede , he was put to flyght by the multitude that came to the reskowe , he was oppressed by the violence of a tempest , and forsaken of his owne men , and taken by theues , and brought vnto Grypho , and there put to death . Furthermore Gripho hauing recouered his fathers kyngdom , & beyng delyuered from The 〈◊〉 ●…warde o●… sacryledge and vsurp●…d authority . owtwarde daungers , was assaulted by the treason of his owne mother : who beyng inflamed with desyre of Soueraintie , after she had betrayed her husbande Demetrius , and kylled her other sonne , for spight and malice that her authoritie and estimacion should be diminished by the victory The desire of Souerainty . of this other sonne , offered him a cup of poison , as he came from his pastyme . But Grypho hauyng intel ●…gence of his mothers treason , ( as though he had stryued with her for courtesie ) desyred her to drynke to him , the which vppon her refusall , he requested more earnestlie . At the length bringyng forth the author of the reporte , he layde the matter to her charge , affirming he would admit none other excuse to defend her offence with al , but yf she wold drynke the same herself that she had profered to him . The Quene beynge by this meanes conuicted of her mischeuous The death of the Quene . intent , by receyuing the poyson herself that she had prepared for her sonne , was depryued of her ●…yfe . Grypho hauyng thus brought his Realme in quietnesse , not only lyued himself at hartes ease , but also gouerned his kyngdome in tranquillitie , by the space of eyght yeres after : the which terme beyng expyred , there arose an enemie to his kyngdome , namely his owne brother Cyricenus , borne of his own mother , but begotten by his vncle . Antiochus Whome whiles he went about to ryde out of the way by poysonyng , he styrred him the soner to contende with him by force for the kyngdome . Among these parrycidiall discordes of the Realme of Syria , dyed Ptolomy kyng of Egypt , The death of Ptolomy king of egipt leauyng the kyngdome to his wyfe and one of his sonnes , which so euer she would chose , as though the state of Egypt should be in better quiet then the realme of Syria , when the mother by chosyng the one of her sonnes , should make thother her enemie . Therefore whereas she was of herself more enclyned to the yonger sonne , the people compelled her to chose the elder . From whome ( before An vnequall dealinge of a mother . she gaue him the kyngdome ) she toke away his wyfe and hauyng compelled him to forgo his moste dear beloued syster Cleopatra , she caused hym to marry his yonger syster Seleuce . Wherein she delt not lyke a mother betwixt her daughters , consyderyng she tooke her husband from th one and gaue him to thother . Cleopatra beyng not so muche put away by her husband , as by violent diuorce separated from him by meanes of her mother , was maried to Cyricenus in Syria : and to th intent she woulde not seme to haue brought nothyng elles vnto him more then the bare name of wyfe , she raysed an host of men in Cyprus , and brought it to her husband for her doury .

Cyricenus beyng now made as strong as his brother , encountred with him in open fyelde , where beynge vanquished and put to flight , he came vnto Antioche . Then Grypho beseged Antioche , where Cleopatra the wyfe of War betwene Gryphus and his brother 〈◊〉 . Cyricenus lay . At the takyng whereof , Gryphin the wife of Grypho , toke care for nothyng so much , as to fynd oute her syster Cleopatra : not to th yntent to helpe saue her out of captiuitie , but to th yntent she should not escape the mi●…eries A cruell syster . of captiuitie : Because ( as she thought ) in disdanye of her estate , she had entred forciblie into that kyngdome inespeciallie , and by marying herselfe to her s●…sters ennemie , had made herselfe an ennemie to her . Alledgyng agaynst her moreouer , that she had raysed forreyn powers agaynste her brother , she had maryed herselfe agaynst her mothers will , oute of the Realme of Egypte . On the con trarie parte , Grypho besought her , that she woulde not constreyne hym to committe so shamefull an acte . For it ●…he ●…syon of Gryph●…s from that cruelty . was neuer hearde , that any of his auncestours , among so manie ciuill , and so manie outwarde warres , dydde after the victorie extend crueltie agaynste women , the whiche for thymbecilliti of their nature , had euer ben accustomed to be exempted , bothe from the daungers of the warres , and also from the crueltie of the conquerors .

A nowe in this case besydes the lawe of armes , there was also the bounde of aliaunce , to withhold him from doyng suche a wickednesse . For on th one syde , she was her owne syster , whose blood she sought so cruellie , and on the other syde , she was his cousyne Germane , yea and moreouer , she was aunte to the chyldren of them bothe . Moreouer besydes all those boundes of kynred and greate aliaunce , he 〈◊〉 alledged , that it was not right or lawefull for to suffer to violate the Temple , in the whiche she had hyd her selfe , and the whiche she hadde taken for saufegard of her lyfe , but that the Goddes with so muche the more humilitie and deuocion ought to be re●…erenced on his parte , as by theire greate mercye and fauour , be hadde gotten the victorye at that tyme ouer hy●…●…nnemyes .

For neyther by killyng her , could he any thyng abate the strength of Cyricenus , neyther by preseruyng their lyfe , anie thyng encrease his power . But the more vnwyllyng that Grypho was , the more was she of womanlie wilfulnesse incensed agaynst her syster , supposyng him to speake these wordes , not of pytie and compassion , but of loue . Whervppon callyng to her the souldiers , she sent certayn of them herself , to thrust her syster through . Who enteryng Gryphin sen deth to kyll her syster Cle o●…atra . into the temple , when they could not pull her oute , they cut of her handes , as she had clasped them about the Image of the Goddesse . Then Cleopatra cursyng those wicked murderers , & besechyng the Goddes ( whose sanctuary they had defyled ) to reuenge her vppon them , dyed . It was not long after , but Cyricenus encountered again The death of Cleopatra . with his brother , where gettyng th upper hand , he tooke Gryphin the wyfe of Grypho prysoner , which latelie had put her syster to death : with execucion of whome , he dyd Such mesure as she dyd mete , is ●…ten to her . obsequies to his wyues Ghoste . But in Egypt , Cleopatra beyng greued that her sonne Ptolomy , should be partener with her in the kyngdome , incensed the people agaynste The Quene of Egypt deposeth one of ●…er sonnes , & setteth vp an 〈◊〉 . him , and hauyng taken his wyfe Seleuce awaye from him , ( which was so much to more griefe to him , bycause he had begotten two sonnes by her ) bannished him the Realme : sendyng for her yonger sonne Alexander , whome she crowned kyng in his brothers stead . And yet beyng contented to haue banished her sonne , she pursued him with battell , where he kept as a bannished man in Cyprus . When she had dryuen him from thence also , she put the Capitayn of her host to death , bycause he had suffered him to escape alyue out of his handes . Albeit to say the truthe : Ptolomy departed oute of the Ilande , rather because he was ashamed to fyghte with his mother , then that he was not of power able to encounter her . Alexander therefore , dreadyng this his mothers crueltie , departed his waye , and left her alone , desyring rather to lyue Lyfe is dearer then a ●…yngdome . meanely in quiet & saufegarde , then to reygne as a kyng , alwayes in daunger of his lyfe . Cleopatra fearyng least Cyricenus should helpe her elder sonne Ptolomy to recouer the kyngdome of Egypt , sent great ayde to Grypho , and her daughter Seleuce to be his wyfe , to th entent , he should persyst enemie to her fyrst husband , as he had ben before , and also sent Ambassadors to her sonne Alexander to call him to the kyngdome agayne . Agaynst whome The death of the Quene of Egyp●…e . as she was practisyng of mischief to bryng him to destruccion , she was by him preuented and put to death , and so she ended her lyfe , not by naturall destynie , but by deserued murder . Surelie she was well worthie of such a slaunderous death , which had defyled her owne mothers bed , and put her besyde her husband , whiche had made two of her daughters so oftentymes wydowes , by choppyng and chaungyng of their husbandes , which had banished th one of her sonnes pursewyng him with battell when she had done , and hauyng wrested the kyngdome from thother , had practised also to bryng him to his ende through treason . Neuerthelesse Alexander himself escaped not altogyther vnpunished , for committyng so abhominable a murder . Alexander 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . For assone as it was knowen , that the mother was slayne by the wickednesse of her sonne , the people rose agaynst him , and draue him into exyle , and callyng home Ptolomy agayne , set him in possession of the kyngdome , who was of that modestie , that he would neyther make warre agaynste his mother , nor yet chalenge that of his brother by force , which was his before by right of inheritance . Whyle these thynges were a doyng , a bastard brother Cyrene 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the Romains The original of his , to whome his father had by his laste will bequeathed the kyngdome of Cyrene , deceased , and lefte the people of Rome to be his heyre . For by this tyme the fortune of Rome was such ▪ that beyng not content with the boundes of Italie , it began to stretche itselfe to the kyngdomes of the East . By meanes whereof , that part of Lybie , was at that tyme made a prouynce , and shortlie after Candy and Cilicia beyng subdued in the warres agaynst the Pyrates , were brought in lykewyse , in order of prouynces . By the which dede bothe the kyngdomes of Syria and Egypt , were streightned by the neyboured of the Romaynes , and whereas before tymes they were wonte to encrease their Dominion , by warryng vppon their borderers , now beyng abridged of their lybertie to roue wh●…r they lyst , they turned their power to their own confusion . In so much , that beyng consumed through continuall feightyng , they were had in despight of their next neighbours , and were as a praye to the Arabians , whiche before that tyme were neuer knowen to be menne of warre . Whose kyng Herotymus , vppon trust that he had in his syx hundred sonnes , whiche he had begotten of his concubynes , ) Herotymus , great number ●…f sonnes . with sundrie Armies made rodes , somtimes into Egypt , and sometyme into Syria : by meanes whereof within a while , through the weaknesse and feblenesse of his neighbours , he made the name of the Arabians famous and redoubted .

The. xli . Boke .

THe Parthianes , in whose hande , ( the whole worlde , beyng as it were denided betwene them and the Romains ) Th empyre of the East as than was , of the Parthens with their encreasement and battels . were banished men of Scythia : The which thyng the verie name of them bewrayeth : for in the Scythian language , bannished men are called Parthians . These in the tyme of Thassyrian & Median Empyres , were of all the peoples of the East moste base . After warde also , when Th empyre was translated from the Medes to the Persians , they were as a sorte of Rascalles without name , and a continuall pray to the Conquerors . Lastely when the Macedones ruled the East , lyke triumphant conquerors , they were in subieccion vnto them , in so much that there is no man , but woulde wonder to see , howe by their prowesse and actiuitie , they shoulde aspyre to so great felicitie , as to haue dominion , euen ouer those kynges and kyngdomes ▪ vnder whose Empyre they serued sometyme as rascall slaues . Furthermore , beyng assayled of the Romaynes , in three battels by Capytaynes of great experience & actiuitie , in the chefest tyme of their prosperitie , when they florished moste in the renowme of onelie , they onelie of all Nacions were able , not onely to matche them , but also to conquer them . Although in dede it may be counted a greater glory , that thei could ryse and put vp their head from among those Empyres of Assyria , Media and Persia , that were so renoumed in tymes past , and also from vnder that moste ryche and wealthie Empyre of Bactria , that had a thousand cyties vnder it , then to haue vanquished the force of traungers so farre from them . Furthermore whyle the Scythians were sore vexed with the continuall warres of their neighbours , and in maner oppressed with the continuance of daungerous encounters , these Parthians , beyng through domesticall dissention expulsed oute of Scythia , toke by ●…telth the desertes betwene Hyrcanie and the Daces , & the Areans , and the Spartanes , and the Maianes . In continuance of The situacion of Par●…hia . tyme , fyrste without let or interrupcion of theire neighbours , and afterwarde maugre their headdes , dooe the best & worst they coulde , they dilated the borders of their countrie so farre , that they posfessed not onely the wyde fyeldes & bottomes of all the champion countrie , but also the cragged clyffes , and the the toppes of the high mountaynes , whereby it commeth to passe , that moste places within the coast of Pa●…a are eyther excessinely who●…e , or extremely colde : by reason that the 〈◊〉 are commonly infested with snow , and the open ●…yelds with The●…e of the common weale of Parthia . the heate of the sunne . After the decay of th empyre of Macedone , the countrie was gouerned by kinges . Next vnto the Mayestie of the king , is the state of the commonaltie : for out of it are chosen Capitaynes in tyme of warre , and Their language . magistrates in time of peace . Their language is a meane betwene the Scythian and Median , mixed indifferentlie of them bothe . They had sometyme a fashion of apparell Their Apparell . peculiar by them selfes , but after the tyme they grewe ryche , it became fyne , and full of clothe after the maner of the Medes . They kepe the same order in their warres and in feightyng , as doe the Scythians their ancestours . The order of their warres Their armie is not as other nacions be of free men , but for the more part of bondmen . Th●… which sorte of people ( forasmuch as it is not lawfull for anie man to set anie of The briging vp of their bondmen . them at libertie , and therevppon all are bondemen borne ) daylie multiplieth and encreaseth , enstructing them with great diligence to ryde horses and to shote . Accordyng as euery man is of welthe , so fyndeth he the kyng mo horsemen to the warres . Finally when Antonie made warre agaynst the Parthians , of fyftie thousand horsemen , that met him in the fyelde , there were but eight hundred of them that were fre borne . They cannot skyll of feighting at hand in the battell , nor of wynnyng Cyties by siege . ●…horder of their warres They feight eyther runnyng right forth with their horses , or els retiryng backe , oftentymes also they wil make as though they sled , to th entent their enemie pursewyng them vnaduisedlie , may ly more open to receyue a wonde of them , when they shall ioyne battell , they vse not to sound a trumpet , but a Tympane , neyther can they endure to feight any long whyle . But if they wer of lyke force and as good in continuance as they are at the fyrst brunt , no Nacion in the worlde were able to abyde them . For the mo●…e part , euen in the whotest of the skyrmysh they forsake the fyelde , and anone after they turne agayne , & begynne the battell a freshe , in so muche , that when a man thynkes himself moste sure of the victorie , then standes Their Armoure . he in moste hasarde of discomfyture . Theire armour as well for themselfes as for theire horses , are made all of plates of stele , ouerlayd with fathers , wherwithall both of them are keuered from top to toe . Golde and syluer they occupye not , but in their Armour . Euery man ( for delight Their seueritie ●… keptng their wiues . that they haue in sensualitie ) hath many wyues a piece , and yet th●…y chastire no offence so sore as aduoutrie and whoredome . Wherevppon they vtterlie forbid women , not onely the conuerfacion with men , but also communicacion for once to loke vppon a man . They eate no flesh onlesse Their dyet . they catch it in huntyng . They are caryed on horseback at al tymes : On horseback they feight with the enemy , Their continuall rydyng on hrsebacke they feaste , on horsebacke they execute all affayres , as well publike as priuate : on horsebacke they gooe from place to place , on horsebacke they bye and fell , and on horsebacke they talke one with an other . Fynally this is the difference betwene a gentleman and The difference betwene their gentlemen & their slaues . a slaue , that the slaue neuer rydeth , nor the genleman neuer goeth on fote . Their common buryall is eyther to be de●…oured with dogges , or to be eaten with byrdes , and when the bones are left bare , they to burye them in the Their burial earthe . They are all a lyke maruelous superstitious in doyng honor and reuerence to the Goddes . The natur of Their 〈◊〉 . the people is arrogant , seditious , deceitful , and malapart . For they thynke that boysterousnesse is mete for menne , and mekenesse mete for women . They are euer vnquiet , Their naturall disposicion . gyuen to quarrell , eyther with straungers , or els among themselfes , of nature close and secret , more readie to dooe then to talke : and therfore , whether they spede wel or yl , they make no boaste of . They obey their rulers for feare more then for shame , to sensualitie they are altogyther prone and enclyned , and yet they are but small feders . There is no trust to be gyuen to theire wordes , for they will kepe promyse no further , then is for their owne profyte . Un●…er whom the Parthians serued . After the death of great Alexander , when the kingdomes of the east were diuided amongest his successou●…s , There was none of the Macedones , that would vouchesafe to take vppon him the kyngdome of Parthia . By meanes whereof it was committed to Satagenor a stranger , that had serued Alexander in his warres . These afterward , when the Macedones fell to ciuill warre , with thother nacions of th upper Asia , toke part with Emnenes , after whose discomfiture they submitted themselfes to Antigonus : after Antigonus , Nicanor , Seleucus , Antiochus When the Parthians first rebelled . and his successors kept them in obedience , from whose graundchylde Seleucus , they fyrst of all reuolted , in the fyrst warre that was betwene the Romayns & the Carthaginenses , L. Manlius Piso , and M. Attilius Regulus beyng Consuls . The occasion that they escaped clere with this their rebellion , was the discorde betwene the two brothers , kyng Seleucus aad kyng Antiochus : who were so earnest to plucke the kyngdome one from another , that they hadde no leasur to pursewe the rebelles .

The same tyme also rebelled one , called Theodotus , the whiche was the Lieuetenaunt of the thousande Cyties of the Bactrians , and proclaymed hymselfe Kynge . Whose ensample all the other resydewe of the people of the East ensewyng , reuolted from the Macedones . Ther was at the same tyme one Arsaces , as of vnknowen lynage , Arsaces the first king of Parthia . so of approued actiuitie . This man beyng wonte to lyue by rauyne & robberie , hearyng say that the Frenchmen had vanquished Seleucus in Asia , beyng out of feare of his Prince , entered into Parthia with a bande of robbers , and ●…ewe their Lieuetenaunt Andragoras , and after he had dispatched him out of the way , vsurped the dominion of the countrie . It was not long after , but he con●…uered the kyngdome of Hyrcanie also , and so beyng esta blished in the Empire of two Realmes , he leuied an huge hoste for feare of Seleucus and Theodotus kyng of the Bactrians . But he was sone deliuered from feare of Theodotus , for he dyed ▪ with whose sonne called Theodotus also ▪ he concluded a league & continuall peace . And within a while after , he enconntred with Seleucus that came to subdewe the rebelles , and ouercame him . The whiche day the Parthians haue euer sythens kept holye , with much solemnitie , as the beginnyng of their lybertie . Afterwarde when Seleucus was through newe Insurreccions called backe into Asia , Arsaces hauyng thereby re●…pite Arsaces reformeth the common weale of 〈◊〉 . and oportunitie , sette order in the publike weale of Parthia , mustered souldiers , builded for tresses & stronge holdes , strengthened cyties , and also edified a Cytie new oute of the ground in the mountayn Thabortene , which he named Dara . The situacion of whiche place is suche , that there cannot be any deuised , eyther more strong and The bu●…ding and situacion of the cytie D●…a . defensible , or more pleasaunt and delectable . For it is so enuyroned round about with stepe rockes , that the place of it self is able to hold out the enemie , though there wer no bodie to defend it . And the soyle thereaboutes is so fer tile and frutefull , that it is able to suffice the whole cytie without helpe of any other place . Besydes this , there is suche abundaunce of sprynges and woodde , that besydes the commoditie of the water , wherewith it is moste plen tifullie moystured : they may also haue the pleasur of haukyng and huntyng when they lyste . Arsaces hauyng in The 〈◊〉 of Arsaces . this wyse bothe gotten and established his kyngdome at once , dyed an olde man as greatlie renoumed among the Parthians , as was Cyrus among the Persians , Alexander among the Macedones , or Romulus among the Romayns . In remembraunce of whome , the Parthians attributed this honor , that they called all theire kynges by the name of Arsaces euer after . This mans sonne & heire The seconde Emperour of Parthia . named Arsaces also , hauyng an army of an hundred thou sand sootemen and twentie thousand horsemenne , fought very valiauntlie agaynst Antiochus the sonne of Seleucus , and at length was receyued by him into aliance and frendshippe . The third kyng of the Parthians was Pam The thyrde Empeour Pampatius . patius , lykewyse surnamed Arsaces , ( for as I told you before ) they called all their kinges by that name , lyke as the Romaynes call theirs by the name of Cesar & Augustus . This man hauyng raigned twelue yeres , deceased leauyng two sonnes , Mythridates & Pharnax . Of the which The fourth Emperour . Pharnax the elder , inherityng the kyngdome accordyng to the custome of their countrie , conquered a stout kynde of people called the Mardes , and within a while after deceased , leauyng manie sonnes behynde him , the which he made no accompte of in that case , but left the kyngdome An example of loue towardes a mans countrey . to his brother Mythridates , a man of excellent prowesse and actiuitie , thinkyng that the kyngdome was more to be regarded , then the name of father , and that he oughte The fyfthe 〈◊〉 . rather to prouyde for his natiue contrey ▪ then for his children . The same tyme lyke as Mythridates in Parthia , so Eucratid●…s in Bactria , bothe of them notable Princes , began their raygnes at once . But the Parthians had the Euera●…des king of ●…tria . happier fortune . For through the pollitique gouernance of their kynge , they aspyred to the Souerayne preh●…minence of th empyre . Wheras the Bactrians beyng tossed to and fro with the vncertayn fortune of the warres , lost not onely their kyngdome , but also their lybertie . For after the tyme they had wearied themselfs with the continuall warres of the S●…gdianes , Dranganitanes , and Indians , last of all as when half dead , and without of harte , they were subdued by the Parthians , which wer weaker The valiant prow●…s of Eucratides . then they . Yet notwithstadyng Encratides atcheued many battels with great prowesse , through the which being brought lowe , when as Demetrius king of Inde had beseged him , he hauyng no mo but thre hundred souldiours about him , by his continuall yssuyng oute preuelye , vanquished threscore thousand of his enemies . Wherevppon beyng after fyue monethes siege enlarged agayne , he brought Inde vnder his subiection . From whence as he An vnnaturall and abho minable mur ther. was returnyng homewarde , he was slayn in his iourney by his owne sonne , whome he had made fellow in Them pyre . Who nothyng dissemblyng the vnnaturall murder but rather reioyc●…ng , as though he had killed his enemie , and not his father , draue his chariot throgh his blood , and commaunded his bodie to be throwen awaye vnburied . While these thyngs were a doyng among the Bactrians , in the meane space there arose warre betwene the Parthians The conque●…tes of Mythridates y● ▪ iiii . kynge of Parthia . and the Medes , in the whiche after diuers aduentures of bothe nacions , at length the Parthians gate the vpper hand . Mythridates beyng increased in strength by their power , made one Bachasus Regent of Media , and himselfe went into Hyrcania . At his returne from whence he made warre vppon the kyng of the Elymeans , whom he ouercame , and adnexed that Realme also to his kyngdome . And there vppon receiuyng many contries by com posicion , he dylated th empyre of Parthia from the montayn Cancasus , euen vnto the ryuer of Euphrates . Fynallie beyng taken with a sicknesse , he dyed honorablie in his olde age , of no lesse fame and renoume , then his greatgraunfather Arsaces .

The. xlii . Boke .

AFter the decease of Mythridates kynge of the Parthians , his sonne Phrahartes was The. i. ●…peroure of Parthia , & of his doinges . crowned kyng . Who beyng fully purposed to warre vppon Syria , to be reuenged vppon Antiochus for attemptyng the kyngdome of Parthia , was by 〈◊〉 of the Scythians reuoked to the defence of his owne . For the Scythians beyng solicited vppon promise of wages , to ayde the Parthians against Antiochus kyng of Syria , when as the warre was fynished ere they came , and thei in reproche of their late commyng were defrauded of their hyre , beyng greued to haue trauailed so farre for nothing when as they demaunded eyther theire wages for theire paynes takyng , or els some other ennemie to fyght with , such a skornefull aunswere was gyuen them , that they beyng offended therewith , began to waste the borders of Parthia .

Phrahartes therefore , when he should take his iourney agaynst the Scythians , left to gouuerne his Realme in his absence one Hym●…rus , highlie in fauour with him , for th abuse of him in the florisshing prime of his childhod . It is 〈◊〉 trustynge them to whom a man hath d●… displeasure . Who forgettyng bothe , his owne former lyfe , and whose persone he represented , through his tyrannous crueltie , vexed importunatlie , bothe , Babylon and man●…e other cities . And Phrahartes himselfe ledde to the warres with him , the Grekysh hoste , the whiche he hadde taken in the warres of Antiochus , & had entreated cruelly & proudelie quite forgettynge that their captiuitie hadde not mitigated their enemielyke myndes so much , but that his wrongfull demeanor towardes the , had more styrred the to displeasur against him . Therfore when they espied that the Parthien battel began to haue the worse end of the stāffe they turned themselfes and tooke part with the enemie , The sixthe Emperonr of Parthia . and so with the bloudie slaughter of the Partbien hoste , & of the kyng Phrahartes himselfe , they executed the reuengement of their wrongfull captiuitie , which they had so longe tyme desyred . In stead of him , at his vncle Artabanus was created kyng . And the Scythians , beyng with the victorie , after that they had wasted Parthia , The seuenth Emperour and of his doynges . returned into their owne countrih . But Artabanus dyed immediatlie , of a wounde in his arme that he receyued in a battell agaynst the Colchatarians . After him suc ceded his sonne Mythridates , who for his noble acts was surnamed the Greate . For beyng enflamed with desyre to excell in prowesse , he behaued himself so noblie , that in magnanimitie he surmounted al his famous progenitors . Therefore he accomplished manie warres agaynste his neighbours with greate prowesse , and subdewed manie nacions , vnder the Dominion of Parthia . Moreouer he foughte diuerse tymes to his aduauntage , agaynste the Scythians , and reuenged the displeasur doone to his predecessours , At the laste , he made warre agaynst artoadistes , kyng of the Armenians . But forasmuche as we be The original of the Armentans . passyng into Armenie , I thynke it necessarye to repete th originall thereof somewhat deper . For me thynkes , it is not lawfull to passe ouer so great a kyngdome with sylence , consyderyng that next vnto Parthia , it surmounteth al other kingdoms in greatnes . For armenia is in length The situacion of Armenie . from Cappadocia vnto the Caspian sea , eleuen hundred myles , and in bredthe seuen hundred myles . It was founded by Armenius one of the companyons of Iason the Thessalien . whome kyng Pelias couetyng to destroy for his notable prowes , which semed dangerous to his kingdome The viage for the golden 〈◊〉 . for feare , least he should depose him , told him what a noble viage ther was for him into Colchos , perswading him to take th enterprise vpon him , & to fetche the golden fliece , that was so famous & notably talked of 〈◊〉 the worlde . Hopyng that eyther through so long and per●…llous a saylyng , or eis by feightyng agaynst so sau●…age and Barbarous a people , he might br●…ng the aduenturous knight t●… confusion . Iason therefore when he had made proclamacion of so notable a voyage , and that therevppon the noble yong men almoste of all the whole worlde resorted in great number vnto him , he assembled an armie of moste valiaunt knightes , whiche were all called by the name of Argonantes . Whome when after th accomplishement of his aduenturous enterprises , he had brought home again in sauftie , he was expulsed agayn oute of Thessaly by the sonnes of Pelias . Wherevppon with a great multitude ( which for the renowme of his prowesse , daylie resorted to him oute of all Realmes , hauyng in his companie , his wyfe Medea ( whome after his late diuorcement for pytie of her exilement , he had receyued agayn ) with her sonne Medeus ( begotten by Egeus kyng of Athenes ) he wente The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iason . agayn to Colchos , and restored his father in lawe to his kyngdome , from whiche he was deposed . After that , he made manie battels with his neighbours , and their Cyties whiche he had taken , he partlie annexed to the kyngdome of his father in lawe ( to th entent to abolishe the reproche of his former warfare , wherein he had , both ledde away his daughter Medea , and 〈◊〉 slayne his sonne Aegialus , and partly gaue them to the 〈◊〉 that he broght with him to inhabyte . By report he was the fyrste of all men next after Hercules and Liber ( whiche as the same goeth were kynges of the East ) that conquered that clymate The original of the Alban●…s in As●…a . of the worlde . Ouer some Nacions he assygned captaynes , Phrygius and Ansystratus the wageners of Castor & Pollur . He made a league with the Albanes , which as it is reported ) followed Hercules out of Italy , from the mountayn Albanus , when after the slaying of Gerion , he draue his cattell through Italie : who also bearyng in mynde that they came oute of Italie , saluted the armie of The great 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Pompeius by the name of broth●…rs , when he warred with Mythridates . By meanes whereof all the whole 〈◊〉 almoste , buylded Temples and dyd diuine honors to Iason , as to their fyrst founder . The whiche Parmenion , one of the Capitaynes of great Alexander , manie yeres after commanded to be beaten doun , to th entent that no mans name shoulde be had in more honor in the East , then the name of Alexander : after the death of Iason , Medus being 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . an earnest follower of his vertues , in honor of his mother Medea , buylded the cytie M●…dea , and established the kingdome of the Medes , callyng it after his own name , which in continuance of tyme grewe to that estate , that all the Cast was in subieccion to th empyre thereof . The Albans are next neighbors to the Amazones , whose Quene Tha lestres , manie authours haue reported to ●…aue desyred the carnall companie of Alexander . Armenius beyng also a Thoriginal of the Armeni●… . Thessalien , and one of the number of Iasons Capitains , hauyng gathered togyther the multitude , ( whiche after the death of Iason their kyng , wandred vp and doune euery where , ) founded the toune of Armenie in the mountaynes , whereof springeth the riuer Tygris , which at the The head of the riuer Tygris . fyrst is a very small streame . Then a good waye from the head , it falleth into the grounde , and a fyue and twentie myles beyonde , it ryseth vp a great 〈◊〉 in the contrie Sophone , and so is receyued into the lakes of Eufrates . Therefore Mythridates kyng of the Parthians ( after his He returne●…h to the storie of the 〈◊〉 warre in Armenie ) was for his crueltie deposed from the kyngdome by the counsell of the Realme . His brother Ho rodes inuadyng the Royal sea beyng vacant , beseged Ba bylon a greate whyle , bycause his brother Myth idates The viii king of 〈◊〉 . was fledds thither , so long vntill he 〈◊〉 them for famyn to yeld vp the toune .

Mythridates vppon trust and confidence in that he was so ners of his kynne , willynglie submitted himself to his brother Horodes . But Horodes takyng him rather for an The 〈◊〉 of Horodes to wardes his brother . enemie then for a brother , commaunded him to be cruelly slayne before his face . After this he made warre with the Romaynes , and vtterlie destroyed their graund capytay●… The death of 〈◊〉 . Crassus , with his sonne and all the Romayne hoste . His sonne Pa●…orus beyng sent to pursewe the remnaunte of the Romayne battell , after that he hadde atcheued manie hault enterpryses in Syria , was called home agayne , as mistrusted of his father . Duryng whose absence , the host of the Parthians that he left behynd him in Syrta , was A 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 . with all the Captaynes thereof vtterlie slayn by Cassius Lieuetenaunt of Crassus . These thynges thus done , not T●…e 〈◊〉 warres betwene 〈◊〉 and Pomp●…y . long tyme after arose the Ciuill warres betwene Cesar and Pompey : in the which the Parth●…ans toke part with Pompey , bothe for the frendshyp that was betwene them and Pompey in his warres agaynst Mythridates , and also for the death of Crassus , whose sonne they hearde say , helde with Cesar , whome they knew well ynough , wold reuenge his fathers death , yf Cesar should chaunce to get th upper hand . Therfore after that Pompey and his adhe rentes had taken the foyle , they bothe ministred ayde to Cassius and Brutus , agaynste Augustus and Antonie , and also after th end of the warre , enteryng in leage with Labienus , vnder the conduct of Pacorus , they wasted Siria and Asia , and moreouer gaue a proude assaulte vppon the camp of Uentidius , who after Cassius in the absence of Pacorus hadde gyuen the Parthien armie an ouerthrowe .

But Uentidius pretendyng a counterfeact feare , kept The 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . himself in a good while , and suffered the Parthians for a tyme to vaunte 〈◊〉 . At the length he sent out part of his host , vppon them as they were mery and careless●… , with whose sodayne asfaulte , the Parthians beyng dismayde , fledde hither and thither to ●…aue themselfes . Pacor●…s supposynge that his menne whiche were ●…led , had withdrawen all the Romayne Legions after them , assayled in haste the Campe of Uentidius , in hope , that he shoulde haue found it withoute defendantes . Then Uentidius , A gr●…at 〈◊〉 ter of the Pa●… thians 〈◊〉 the kynges 〈◊〉 . sendyng quicklie oute the residue of his Legions , slewe all the whole band of the Parthians with the king Pacorus himself also .

Neyther dyd the Parthians at anie tyme receaue a greater losse . When tydinges hereof was brought into Parthia , Horodes the father of Pacorus , which latelie before ( hearyng that the Parthians had wasted Syria , and inuaded Asia ) had boasted that his sonne Pacorus , was a Horodes falleth besyde hym selfe for sorow . conqueror of the Romayne ▪ ) when he ones hearde of hys death and of the slaughter of his army , sodaynlie for sorrowe he fell m●…dde . Manie dayes after , he would not talk to anie man , he would not take anie sustenaunce , he wold not speake anie one worde , in so much that a man would haue thought he had ben domme . After that manie dayes were expyred , when sorow had losened his tong , he spake of nothyng but Pacorus , he thought he sawe Pacorus he thought he heard Pacorus , he woulde talke as though he had ben with him , he woulde stand still as though he had stood with him , and anone he would lamentably bewaile the losse of him . When he had mourned thus a long season , an other heauinesse came vppon the miserable olde man , namelie , which of his thyrtie sonnes he should ordeyne kyng in Pacorus stead . He had manie concubynes , of whome he begate al that youth , of the which euery one makyng sute for her owne chylde , dyd as it were besiege the olde mans mynd . But it was the destinie of Parthia , The nynthe Emperor of Parthia . ( in the which it is an ordinarie custome , to haue vnnaturall murderers to their kynges ) that the wickedest and vngraciousest of them al , whose name was Phrahartes was substituted kyng . Therfore as though it semed his father 〈◊〉 is killed by hys sonne Phrohartes . would not dye naturallie , he forthwith kylled him , & put his thirtie brothers to death . Neyther ceased he his slaghter in the children . For when he perceyued that the noble men hated him for his outrageous cruelti , and continual workyng of mischief , and that there was none that might be nominated kyng , he commaunded his owne sonne , who was man growen , to be put to death . Agaynst this man , Antonie with syxtene of his strongest Legions , made warre , for ministeryng , ayd agaynst hymself and Cesar . But he was so sore afflicted in many battels , that he was fayne to flye backe oute of Parthia . Through the whiche victorie Phrahartes beyng made more proude and insolent , 〈◊〉 is deposed , & restored by the Scythians . when as he 〈◊〉 to deale cruellie in manie thynges , he was dryuen into exil●… , by his owne subiectes . Wherevppon after longe and earnest sute made vnto the countries , borde●…yng vppon Parthia , at the lengthe by muche intreatans , he so perswaded the Scythians , that through their ayde he was restored to his kyngdome agayne . In the tyme of his absence , the Parthians hadde constituted one Tyridates kyng , who hearyng of the comming of the Scythians , fled with a great bande of his frendes to Cesar The tent●… Emperour of Parthia . Augustus , makyng war at that tyme in Spayn , bryngyng with him to Themperor , the yongest sonne of Phra ●…artes for a pledge , whome through the negligence of such as were put in trust with the kepyng of hym , he had stolen away . Uppon knowledge whereof , Phrahartes forth Phrahar●…es sendes Embassadours to Rome . with sent his Ambassadors to Cesar , requiryng him to sende him home his seruaunt Tyridates , and his sonne with him . Th emperour when he had hearde th ambassadours of Phrahartes , and vnderstode well the requestes of Tyridates ( for he also desyred to be set in possession of his kyngdome agayn , assuryng that Parthia should euer after be at the commaundemente of the Romaynes , y●… it would please him to bestowe the kyngdome vppon him ) answered howe he wolde neyther deliuer Tyridates into the handes of the Parthians , nor yet minister ayd to Tyridates agaynst them .

Neuerthelesse bycause it should not seme , that they had The 〈◊〉 ans submitte them s●…lues to Augustus obteyned no part of their demand at Th emperours hand he sent Phrahartes his sonne without raunsome , and allowed Tyridates ●…onorable enterteynement to fynd him with as longe as he lysted to abyde with the Romaynes . After this hauyng fynished his warres in Spayn , when he came into Syria to set a stay in affayres of the East , he put Phrahartes in such a feare , that to th entent he should not make warre vppon Parthia , all the Captiues and pri soners that wer in the Realme , either of y● army of Crassus , or of th armie of Antonie , wer gathered togyther , and with all the baners and Antesygnes taken at those times , sent agayn to Augustus . Moreouer Phrahartes gaue to Augustus his sonnes and nephewes in hostage , & Them peror dyd more with the onely Maiestie of his name , then anie other Emperour could haue done by force of Armes .

The. xliii . Boke .

T●…ogus Pompeius hauyng made a long discourse of the doynges of the Parthians , ofy● East , and wel nye of al the whole worlde , returneth as it were after a long pylgrimage , home to the fondacion of the Cytie of Rome : thinkyng it the part of an vnthankfull cytizen , yf when he had paynted out the actes of all nacions , he should speake nothyng at all of his owne natife countrie . Therfore he toucheth brieflie the beginnyng of the Romayne Empyre , so that he neyther excedeth the boundes which he propounded to himselfe in his worke , nor yet passeth ouer with silence the fondacion of that Cytie , which out of doubt is head of all the world . The fyrste inhabiters of Italye , were the Aborigines , The first inhabiters of Italy . whose kyng Saturne is reported to haue ben of suche Iustice and vprightnesse , that duryng his ●…eygne , ther was not any slaue or bondman , nor any man that had oughte The Iustice and equitie in the tyme of Saturne . priuate to himself , but all thynges were common and vndeuided to all menne a lyke , as thoughe it hadde benne one Patrymonie , and one Inheritaunce , equallie belongyng to all menne .

In remembraunce of the which example , it is enacted , that in the feast of S●…turne , no man shoulde be more set by then another , but that the bondemen should syt doune to their meale fellowelyke with theire Maysters eueryewher . The 〈◊〉 of Saturn●… . Furthermore Italy was called Saturnia after the name of the foresayd kyng : The Hyll also where he dwelled was called Saturne , on the which at this day , ( Iupiter The 〈◊〉 hauyng , as it were remoued Saturne out of his place ) standeth the Capitoll . After him in the thirde place by reporte , reygned Faunus , in whose tyme Euander with a small companie of his countrymen , came from Palantener , The comming of Euand●…r into Italy . a cytie of Arcadie into Italie : to whome Faunus of gentlenesse and courtesie , assigned landes to lyue vppon , and the mountayne which afterward he called Palantine . In the foote of this hill , he builded a Temple to Lycens , whome the Grekes call Pan , and the Romaynes Lupercus . The Image of the God beyng otherwise naked , is clade in a goates skynne , in the whiche maner o●… attyre , menne are yet wonte to runne vp and doun the stretes of Rom●… , in the celebracion of the feastes kepte vnto Pan. Faunus had a wyfe named Fatua , whiche beyng continuallie rauished with a holy spirite , as it were in a furie Prophecied of thynges to comme : whervppon such as are The ●…tynge of L●…tinus . wonte to be so inspyred , are sayd to playe fatua vnto this day . Of the daughter of Faunus and Hercules ( who the same tyme hauyng kylled Gerion draue his cattel which he had gotten in reward of his victorie , throughe Italie ) was vnlefull begotten Latinus . Duryng whose raygne , Aeneas after that Troye was destroyed by the Grekes ▪ The comming of Eneas into Italy . came from thence into Italie . Where at his fyrst arriuall he was bydden battell .

But when he hadde brought his menne into the field , before th encounter they fell to communicacion . In the whiche he brought Latinus in suche admiracion of him , that he was content to make him Compartener of hys kyngdome , and also made him his sonne in lawe , by geuyng him his daughter Lauinia in mariage .

After this they made warre 〈◊〉 agaynste Turnus kyng of the Rutilians , who chalenged them for defraudyng him of Lauinia , that by promis should haue ben his The building of 〈◊〉 . wyfe . In the which bothe Turuus & Latinus wer slayn . Aeneas therfore obteynyng bothe the nacions by the law of armes , buylded a cytie & gaue it the name of his wyfe . Afterward he made warre agaynste Mezentius kyng of the Hetruscians , in the which he was slayne , and his son Ascanius succeded in his stead . Who leauing Lauinium , buylded Alba longa , the whiche for the space of thre hundred yeres togyther , was the head of the kyngdom . After The building of long Alba. manie kynges of this Cytie , at length raygned Numitor and Amulius . But Amulius hauyng wrongfully deposed his elder brother Numitor , to th entente none yssue male should ryse of the stock of Numitor to chaleng the croune , thrust his daughter Rhea into a nonrie , there to leade all her lyfe in vow●…d virginitie , clokyng his iniurie with an honorable color , that men might suppose she was not put there as a condemned persone , but rather made chief prio resse of the place by election . Beyng therefore as a recluse The byrth of Romulus & Remus , with their educacion . in the Groue , consecrated to Mars , she was delyuered of two sonnes , whether she conceyued them by aduouterye , or by Mars , no manne is able to say of a truthe . Amulius vppon knowledge hereof , beyng in more feare then euer he was , by reason of the byrth of the two children , comman ded them to be cast away , and layd their mother in prison , through distresse wherof she dyed . But fortune prouiding before hand for th originall of the Romaynes , sente a she-wolfe to nource the children , the whiche hauyng loste her whelpes , for desyre to haue her dugges drawen , that wer payned with fulnesse of mylke , offered herselfe to be nourice to the chyldren . As ●…he came and went oftentymes to the children , lyke as yf they had ben her whelpes A shepeherde named Faustulus , perceyued the matter , and stealyng them from the wolfe , brought them vp lyke shepeherdes among his Cattel . Now whether it were for that they were borne in the Groue of Mars , or for that they were nourished by a wolf , which is in the tuicion of Mars it was beleued to be as a manifest proofe that they were the sonnes of Mars . The one of them was named Remus , & thother Romulus : When thei were men growen , they accustomed to trye Maystries daylie , one with an other , wherby they encreased as well in strength as in agilitie and swyftnes . Therfore when they had oftentymes man fully & pollitiquely chased away the thefes from stealyng R●…mus is 〈◊〉 ken & brought to the kynge . of the cattell , Remus was taken by the sayde thefes , & as though he had ben th●… same himself , whiche he had prohibited thothers to doe , was brought before the kyng , and there accused for a stealer of Numitors cattell . Whervppon the kyng deliuered him to Numitor , to punish as he thought good . But Numitor hauyng pitie of the yonge man , had half a mistrust that he should be one of his nephewes that were cast away , by reason he resembled his daughter so much in fauor and makyng , & by reason , that the tyme of her deliueraunce was agr●…able vnto his yeres . As he was in this doubtfull perplexitie with himself Faustulus came sodaynlie in with Romulus , by whome beyng further instructed of the byrthe & bringyng vp of Romulus & Remus mak a conspyracie against Numitor . the children , they made a conspiracie , and toke weapon in hand , the yong men to reuenge their mothers death , and Numitor to recouer the kyngdome wrongfully witholden from him Amulius was slayne , and Numitor restored to the crowne . Anone after the yongmen builded the cytie of Rome . The whiche beyng finished , there was ordeyned a Senate of an hundred elders , which were called fathers . Then because the neighbours disdeyned to marry their daughters to shepeherdes , they rauished the maydens The building of Rome . of the Sabines , and hauyng subdued the people that were next about them , fyrst they gate thempore of Italy , and anone after th empyre of the whole worlde . At those dayes , as yet the kynges in stead of Diademes hadde maces , which the Grekes call Scepters . For euen from the fyrst begynnyng of thynges , men in olde tyme dyd worship maces for Goddes . In remembraunce of which Religion , the ymages of the Goddes are yet styll ●…ade with Maces in their handes . In the tyme of kyng Tarquine , a companie of the Phocenses comming oute of Asia , entred the mouth of Tyber , & ioyned amitie with the Romayns . From thence they went by water to th uttermost coast The buiding of 〈◊〉 . of Fraunce , and there among the Liguriens , & the cruell Frenchmen 〈◊〉 buylded the cytie Marsielles , and dyd many noble actes , bothe in defendyng themselfes by the sworde agaynst the sauage Frenchmen , & also in assailyng those that had assayled them before . For the Phocen●…es by reason of the barrei esse and sterilitie of their contrie , were compelled to set their myndes more earnestlie vppon the water , then vppon the land , and so they lyued by fishyng , by traffike of merchandyse , and oftentymes by rob bing on the sea , which in those days was conted for a praise . By meanes wherof they aduentured to th uttermost border of Thocean , & arriued vppon the French coast by the ryuer of Rone , with the plasauntnes of which place , they were so taken in loue , that at their returne home , theyre ported what they had sene , and procured mo of their contrymen to go thither with them . The Captaynes of their flete were furius , & Peranus . Who with their company presented 〈◊〉 before Senanus kyng of the Segoregians , in whose territorie they coueted to buyld them a cytie , desyring his amitie & frendship . By chaunce the very A mariage . same day the king was occupied in preparacion for the mariag of his daughter Eyptis , whome accordyng to the custome of the countrie , he purposed to marry to suche a one , whome she herself at the feast would chose to be her husband . Among other that were bydden to the Mariage the straungers of Grece were desyred to the feaste also . Anone the yong lady was brought in who beyng commanded by her father to reache a cup of water to him whome she wold haue to her husband , passed ouer all thother gestes , & turnyng herselfte the Grekes , gaue the water to Peran . Who by this meanes beyng made of a straunger the kynges sonne in law , obteyned of his father a plo●…te , to buyld a Cytie vppon . So was the Cytie of Marsielles buylded , hard by the mouthe of the riuer of Rone , in an out nooke , as it wer in an angle of the sea . But the Ligurians enuying the prosperitie of the Cytie , distroubled The 〈◊〉 of the Ma 〈◊〉 . the Grekes with their continuall warres . Who through valeaunt defendyng of themselfes , became so renoumed , that after they had vanquished their enemies , they buylded many cyties in the groundes that they toke from them . At theire handes , the Frenchmen lerned a more ciuill trade of liuynge , ( throughe the whiche ' . theire Barbarousnesse was layde a syde , and as it were tamed , ) togither with the tyllage of the grounde , and the wallyng in of their cyties . Then they framed themselfes to lyue by lawes , and not by force , then they lerned to shred theire vynes , then they lerned to plant and graffe their olyues , fynally bothe the men & all other thynges were so exquisytely polyshed , that Grece semed not to be remoued into Fraunce : But rather that Fraunce was transformed into Grece . After the death of Senanus kyng of the Gegoregians , by whome the place to buylde the cytie vppon was graunted his sonne Comanus , succedyng him in the kyngdome , was inuegled againste the Massiliens , by one of his Lordes , alledgyng that the tyme would come , that Marsielles shoulde be the destruccion of the people that were next neig●…bors about it , wherfore it was to be suppressed now in y● very rising therof , least afterward being suffred to grow stronger , it might oppresse him . For the further manifestacion wherof , he recited this fable , how A 〈◊〉〈◊〉 applyed . vppon a tyme a byt●…h , beyng great with whelpe , desyred a shepeherde to lende her houseroume to whelpe in , the whiche beyng obteyned , she desyred of hym eftsones , to respite her so longe , but tyll she mighte brynge vp her whelpes : at length when they were full growen , she and her whelpes were so strong , that she chalenged the place to her selfe for euer .

In lykewise the Massilians whiche then semed to be but soieourners , would perchaunce hereafter become Lords of the countries . The king beyng prouoked by this instigacion , deuised how to surprise the Massilians . So vppon a so lemne feastfull day of the Goddesse flora , he sent a greate Treson against the Mas silians . sorte of strong & stout men into the Cytie , as it had ben to make merrie , causyng a great number mo to be conueyed in cartes and wagens hydden with rushes and leaues , and he himself with his host lay in ambushe in the next moun taynes , to th entent that in the night , when thother had set open the gates , he might comme with all spede to the performance of his prepensed pollicie , & put the cytie to the sworde as they were dead a sl●…pe , or elles eatyng and drinkyng . But a kynswoman of the kynges bewrayed Women can kepe no counsell . this treason : who beyng wonte to playe the goodfellowe with a certayn yong man of the Grekes , as she embraced him , hauing pytie on him for his beautie , vttered the matter vnto him , & counselled him to auoyde the daunger . He forthwith tolde the matter to the Officers of the Cytie . By meanes whereof the treason commyng to light , the Liguriens were layd hand on , and they that laye hydden in the rushes , were pulled oute by the heles . The whiche beyng euerichone ●…layne , the treason was turned vppon the kynges owne head : for the Massilians slewe the kyng himselfe , and seuen thousande of his souldiers with him . From that day forward , the Massiliens vppon their feast full dayes , kept their gates shutte , made good watche , set men to warde vppon the walles , serched all straungers , tooke good hede : and euen as yf they had had warre , so kept they the Cytie in tyme of peace . So well is good order kept among them at al tymes , not so much in time of The fortunate successe of the Mas●… . nede , as vpon custome of doyng well . Afterward thei had sore warres with the Ligurians , & with the Frenchmen . The which thyng bothe encreased the renoume of the city , & also by atcheuing so many victories made the knight ●…ode & ●…heualry of the Grekes , famous & redouted among their neighbors . Moreouer thei diuerse times vanquished the armies of the Carthaginenses . When they warred vpon them for taking of their fisher botes , & gaue the peace at their pleasure like conquerors . With the Spanyardes they entered in leage of amitie : with the Romayns they made a continuall confederac●…e & aliance almost from the fyrst laying of the foundacion of the cytie , the whiche they obserued moste faithfullie and to th uttermost of theire power ayded them as their confederates , in al their warres . The which thyng , both , made them to be bolder to trust to their own strength , & also purchased them peace of their en nemies . Therfore at such time as Marsiels florished most in renowme of cheualrie , & in abundance of riches , & was in the chief flower of her strength , sodaynly al the people bordering about them , gathered themselfes together to rote vp the name of the Massiliens , as it had ben to ertinguish The 〈◊〉 of Caram●…us some common fyre . A noble man called Caramandus was by a common consent chosen to be captayn general agaynst them : who as he lay at siege before the cytie with a great host of the best men that could be chosen , in all the countrie , saw in his slepe the likenesse of a woman with a grim & terrible contenance , which saide she was a Goddesse : at her syght he was so astraught , that of his own mynde vnrequested , he made peace with the Massiliens . And making request that he might enter into their cytie to worship their Goddes , when he came into the temple of Minerua , espiyng in the porches the ymage of the Goddesse whiche he had sene in his dreame , he cryed out sodaynlie that is was euen she that had feared him in the night , it was she that c●…maunded him to raise his siege . Wheruppon greatly reioysing with the Massyliens , bycause he perceyued that the Goddes immortall had suche care and regarde ouer them , he gaue the Goddesse a chayne of Golde for an offering , and made abonde of frendshyp and amitie with the Massiliens to continue for euer . After that they had thus gotten peace , and established quietnesse , the Massilieu 〈◊〉 returnyng from Delphos ( whether they had ben to carie presents vnto Apollo , ) heard say that the Citie of Rome was taken and burnt by the Frenchmen . The which ●…dynges when they had brought home , the Massiliens pro A faythfull frend is tried in aduersytie . claymed an vniuersall mournyng , as if it had ben for the deathe of some especiall frendes , and gathered all their Golde togyther , as well priuate as publike , the whiche they sent to make vp the Summe , that the Frenchmen demaunded of the Romaynes for their raunsome , and for to graunt them peace . In recompence of whiche good turne , they were made free of the Citie of Rome , and placed amonge the Senatoures at all showes and pageantes . And Alyance was knytte with them to be contynuallye reputed as Romaynes . In his laste Booke , The auncestours of ●…rogus Pon pcius . Trogus declareth , that his Auncestours fetche their Pe tegrie from the Uolces , that his Graundfather Trogus Pompeius in the warres againste Sertorius , dyd saue the Citie to Eneus Pompeius , that his vncle hadde the leadynge of the Horsemen vnder the said Pompey in the warre againste Mythridates : and that his father also serued in the warres vnder C. Caesar , in the roume of Secretarie , Lieuetenaunt , and keper of his Seale .

The xliiii . Boke

SPayne , lyke as it is the vttermost Thauncient names of Spayne . bownd of Europe , so shall it also be th end of this woorke . Men in olde tyme called it Iberia after the Ryuer Iberus , and afterwarde they called it Spayne after the name of Hispalus . This Countrey lyeth The situacion of Spayne & the fertilitie therof . betwene affrike and Fraunce , and is enclosed with th ocean Sea & the mountaines Pyrenei . Lyke as it is lesser then anye of bothe those landes , so is it more fertile then them bothe . For neyther is it scorched with the outrageous heat of the sonne as Affrike is , nor infèsted with contynuall windes as Fraunce is . But as it is mydde betwene them both , so on th one syde through temperate heat , and on thother through the moysture os pleasaunt shoures fallynge in due season , it becommeth fertilie of all kynde of fruite and graine , in so muche that if not onely suffiseth th inhabytants therof , but also sendeth abundaunce of all thynges into Italye , and euen vnto Rome it selfe . For there commeth from thence , not onely great plentie of Corne and graine , but also of wine , honny and Oyle . Besydes that , there is not onely the best yron and steele that can be , but also many races of most swifte horses : neyther are the commodities that growe aboue the ground to be praysed onely , but also the plentyfull & riche Mynes of Mettalles hydden deepe within the grounde . Of Flaxe and Baste there is great store : and as for Uermilion , there is no lande hath more plentie of it . In this land are running Ry●…ers , not violently & outragiously flo wing to do any harm , but gently moisting the vineyards and cornefieldes , and where they ebbe and flow with the Oceane , very full of all kynde of fys●…hes , wherof many al so are riche of gold , whiche they carrye to their great commendacion . Onely by the rydge of the mountains Pyrenei is it parted from Fraunce , being on all other partes besyde enuironed rownd about with the Sea . The platte of the land is almost fouresquare , sauing that the Sea beatyng The platte & bygnesse of Spayne . on both sydes doth gather it somewhat narrower at the mountaynes Pyrenei . Moreouer whereas the Mountaynes Pyrenei ronne , it is in bredth syx hundred myles . The aire is holsome throughe all Spayne , and the winde so coole in a temperate , that there ryseth no stynkynge mi●…tes out of the lowe groundes and marisses to infect it Besydes this the continuall ayre of the saltwater rysyng from the Sea round about on all sydes , perseth throughe the whole countrie : the whiche beyng qualyfied with the open aire of the land , do chiefly preserue al men in health . The bodies of the men are readie to endure hunger and payne , & their myndes readie to abyde deathe . They liue The nature and disposition of the S paniardes all very nigardly and hardly , they couet rather war then peace . If they want a foreyn enemie , they will seke one at home . Oftentymes haue they dyed vpon the racke , for concealyng thinges put to them in secret . So much dooe they esteme more their secresie than their lyues : the which may well be perceyued by the sufferance of that seruaunt in the warres of Carthage , who hauyng reuenged the death of his Master , in the mids of his torments , laughed & reioysed , & with a mery and gladsome countenance vanquished the crueltie of his tormentours . The people of A notable ex ample of constant pacience . that contrie are excedyng swift of foote , vnquiet of mynd , and many of them set more by their horses and armour , then by their owne blood . They make not anye preparature for feastyng , but onely vppon high & solemne dayes , to washe in warme water , they lerned of the Romayns , after the second warres with Carthage . Duryng the continuance of so many hundred yeres , they neuer had anye worthie captayne sauyng Uiriatus . Who by the space of The doyngs and commendacions of Uiriatus . tenne yeres togither helde the Romains at the staues end , sometime to his gain , & sometime to his losse ( so much wer they of nature more like brute beastes then like men ) the which forenamed captayn they followed , not as one chosen by the discretion of men , but onely bycause he was pollitique & connyng in auoidyng & eschewyng of daungers . Yet notwithstandyng he was of that vertuous behauior & modestie , that albeit he oftentmies vanquished the consuls with their armies , yet after so greate enterprises atcheued , he neither changed the fashion of his armour , neyther altered the fashion of his apparell , nor brake he thor der of his dyet , but loke in what sorte he began fyrste his warres , in the same he continued to the last : so that there The swiftenes of the Spanish Genettes . was neuer a common souldier but semed welthier then the Captayn . It is reported of diuers writers , the about the riuer Tagus in Portingal , mares doe conceiue with the wind : The which fable sprang fyrste of the frutefulnesse of the Mares , & of the great number of the races of the which in 〈◊〉 of the Gallecians in 〈◊〉 . Gallice and Portyngale , there are such store to be sene , & those so swift , that not without good cause , thei may seme to be conceyued by the wynde . The Gallictans alledge themselfs to be Grekes by descent . For after th end of the battell of Troy ▪ they say that Teucer beyng hated of his father Telamon , for the death of his brother Ayax , & ther vppon not permitted to enter into his Realme , departed to Cyprus & there buylded a Cytie , which he named Sala mine , after the name of his natif countrie , that he came fro . Where hearyng of the decease of his father , he returned to his countrie agayn , but beyng prohibited from arri uall by Eurysaces the sonne of Ayax , he arriued in Spain and toke the ground wher new Carthage standeth now . From whence he remoued to Gallice , & ther placing himself & his , gaue the countrie that name . For a porcion of The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Gallice are called 〈◊〉 , a contrie moste plentifull of brasse and lead , and of Uermilion , which also gaue the name to the ryuer thereby . Furthermore it is moste riche of Golde , insomuche that diuerse tymes they ere vp cloddes of golde with the ploughe . In the borders of this Countrie there is a holy hill , the which it is not lawful to cut with anie yron . But yf it chaunce that the earth is broken with thunder & lightning ( which is a common thyng in those places , they are permitted to gather vp the gold as a gift of God . The women haue all the doyng in houskeping and husbandrie , & the men geue themselfs to warre & robbyng . 〈◊〉 . They haue the hardest yron that is , but yet their is of more force then the yron : for by temperyng the metall there with , it is made tougher & sharper , neyther dooe they count any weapon good , that is nor dypped eyther 〈◊〉 the riuer Bilbo , or in the riuer Chalybs . Wher vpon the people that dwell about the sayd riuer , are called Chalybes , & are reported to haue the best yron of all others . In the playnes of the Tartesians , ( where it is reported that the Tytanes made warre 〈◊〉 the Goddes ) dwelled some tyme the Curettes : an auncient kyng of the which people named Gargoris , fyrst inuented the maner to gather hony . The Inuentions of Gargoris . This man perceiuyng that his daughter had played the miswoman , for shame of her wicked dede , attempted diuers wayes to haue destroyed the chylde . But through good for tune he was preserued from al those daungers , and at the length for compassion of so many perils , was created kyng . Fyrst of all when he had commaunded him to be cast away , & certayn dayes after hadde sent to seke his bodie , he was found nourished with the milke of sundrie wylde beastes . Secondlie , when he was brought home , he commaunded him to be layd in a narrow path where cattell wer wont to go through , surelie he was verie cruell , that wold haue That which God wyll haue saued can not be 〈◊〉 . his nephewe rather troden to death , then simply kylled . There also perceiuyng he lay vnhurt , & not vnfed , he ca●… sed him to be cast fyrst to hungry dogges that he ●…adde pyned from meate many dayes before for the nones & afterwardes also to Swyne . Finally when they not onely dyd him no harme , but also some of them gaue him sucke , last of all he had throwe him into the sea . Then as it were by the open and manifest prouidence of God , among the ragyng sourges , and the wallowyng waues , as though he had ben ●…aried in a ship and not in the streame , the calme sea bare him vp alo●…t , & brought him softlie to shore . By and by came a hynde and gaue him sucke . Wherevppo●… by kepyng companie with his nourice , the childe became excedyng swift of foote , & kept in the mountaynes and forestes among the herdes of red dere as swift a fote as the wightest of them . At the lengthe beynge ouerthrowen in a toyle & taken , he was presented to the kyng for a gift . Ther by reason of his stature & makyng , wherin he much resembled the kyng , & by certayn markes that wer growen in the chylde from his byrth , the kyng knew him to be his neph●…w . And bycause he hadde so wonderfullie escaped so The doyngs of 〈◊〉 . many perillous chaunces , he proclaymed him heyre & successor of his kingdome . His name was called 〈◊〉 , who after that he had taken the crowne vppon him , became a Prince of such Maiesty , that men thoght it was not for no thyng , that he was so preserued by the prouidence God from so many perilles . For he fyrst ordeyned lawes , to kepe the sauage people in good order & conuersacion one with another . He fyrst taught them to breake oxen to the ploughe , and to tyll & so we the ground , he fyrst ( for 〈◊〉 of such thynges as he had suffered himself ( caused men to for sake their 〈◊〉 meates , & to fede vpon better . The chances of this man might seme to be but a fable : yf the buylders of Rome had not ben nourished by a wolfe , and Cyrus kyng of Persia nourished of a bytch . This man forbad the people all seruill occupacions , & diuided the commons into s●…uen cities . After the death of Habis , the kyngdome remayned in his posteritie many hundred yeres . In another The Story●… of Geryon . part of Spayn which consisteth of Isles , Gerion was kyng : in the which part there is so great plentie of swete pasture , that onles the cattell were kept hungry , and not suffered to fede their fyll , their bellies wold brust . In the same place wer the cattel of Gerion ( wherin at those daies mens substaunce did chiefly consyst ) which wer of so great fame , that Hercules allured with the richnes of the botie came out of Asia thither . Moreouer Gerion was not triple as the fables report , but three brothers which accorded so frendly one with another , that it semed as though one soule & one mynde ruled them all thre . Neyther dyd they of theyre owne motion make warre vpon Hercules , but when they Howe the Carthaginobteyned the 〈◊〉 ●…f Spayn . sawe their cattell driuen away , they soughte with him for the recouering of them . After that y● kings ceased in Spain , the Carthaginenses fyrst toke vpon them the Dominion and rule of the contrie For when the Gaditanes ( commaunded so to doe in a dreame ) had brought from Tyrus ( out of the which Cytie the Carthaginenses hadde also their begynnyng ) the sacred Ceremonies of Hercules into Spayn , & there builded a cytie , through●… the malice of the people of Spain their next neybors , enuying thēcreasment of their new city , & thervpon infestyng the Gaditanes with warre , they sent to their kynsmen the Carthaginenses for helpe : Who hauyng a prosperous iourney , bothe defended the Gaditanes from takyng wrong , & also subdued the more part of the countrie vnder their domini●…n . Afterward also The doyngs of the Cartha ginenses in Spayne . encouraged by the fortunate successe of their fyrst viage they sent Hamilcar , as granndcapitayn with a great host to conquer the whole Realme . Who hauyng atcheued many hault enterprises , whiles he followed his good lucke without aduisement , was en●…rapped by a pollicy and slayn . In his roume was sent his sonne in lawe Hasdrubal , who also was slayn by a seruaunt of a Spanyard , in reuengement of his Maisters death . Han niball the sonne of Hamilcar , greater than thei both succeded in the Capitainship For he surmountyng the actes of them bothe , conquered all Spayne . And then makyng war agaynst the Romans , vexed Italy with sundry slaughters , by the space of sy●… yeres togither . Whereas in the meane season the Romayns , How the Romaynes conquered spaine sendyng the Scipios into Spayne , fyrst draue the Carthaginenses out of the countrie , & afterward had sor●… warres with the Spanyardes themselfes . Neuerthelesse the countries of Spayn could neuer be brought vnder the ●…oke of bondage , vntil that Cesar Augustus hauyng conquered the whole worlde , came agaynste them with his victorious army , brought those Barbarous and cruel people , to a more ciuill trade of liuyng by order of lawe , and substituted a Lieuetenaunte ouer them , lyke as was done in all other Prouynces of Th empyre .

FINIS .