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THE TUDOR TRANSLATIONS

EDITED BY

W. E. HENLEY XI

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O-TC

k. V,

UTARCH'S

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

GRECIANS AND ROMANS

ENGLISHED BY

SIR THOMAS NORTH

ANNO 1579

With an Introduction by GEORGE WYNDHAM

FIFTH VOLUME

LONDON

Published by DAVID NUTT IN THE STRAND

1896

I

7

Edinburgh : T. and A. Constable, Printers to Her Majesty

THE TABLE OF THE NOBLE GRECIANS AND ROMANES

compared by PLUTARKE of CHiERONEA

VOLUME	V
lULIUS C^SAR .	PAGE 1
PHOCION	55	72
CATO UTICAN	?»	109
AGIS AND CLEOMENES .	5>	180'
TIBERIUS AND CAIUS			■ compared page 276
GRACCHI .	55	235 J
DEMOSTHENES . CICERO ....	55 55	280) 313)	compared „ 367
DEMETRIUS .	55	372

THE LIFE OF lULIUS CESAR

T what time Sylla was made Lord of all, he would have had Cassar put away his wife Cornelia, the daughter of Cinna Dictator: but when he saw, he could neither with any promise nor threate bring him to it, he tooke her joynter away from him. The cause of Caesars ill will unto Sylla, was by meanes of mariage : for Marius thelder, maried his fathers oAvn sister, by whom he had Marius the younger, whereby Caesar and he were cosin germaines. Sylla being troubled in waightie matters, put- ting to death so many of his enemies, when he came to be conqueror, he made no reckoning of Caesar : but he was not contented to be hidden in safety, but came and made sute unto the people for the Priesthoodshippe that was voyde, when he had scant any heare on his face. Howbeit he was repulsed by Syllaes meanes, that secretly was against him. Who, when he was determined to have killed him, some of his frendes told him, that it was to no purpose to put so young a boy as he to death. But Sylla told them againe, that they did not consider that there were many Marians in that young boy. Caesar understanding that, stale out of Rome, and hidde him selfe a long time in the contrie of the Sabines, wandring still from place to place. But one day being caried from house to house, he fell into the handes of Syllaes souldiers, who searched all those places, and tooke them whom they found hidden. Caesar bribed the Captaine, whose name was Cornelius, with two talentes which he gave him. After he had escaped them thus, he went unto the sea side, and tooke shippe, and sailed into 5: A 1

Caesar joyned with Cinna and Marius.

Caesar tooke sea, and went unto Nico- medes,kingof Bithynia.

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

lULIUS Bithynia to goe unto king Nicomedes. When he had bene C^SAR with him a while, he tooke sea againe, and was taken by Caesar taken pyrates about the He of Pharmacusa : for those pyrates kept of pirats. g^jj uppon that sea coast, with a great fleete of shippes and botes. They asking him at the first twentie talentes for his ransome, Caesar laughed them to scorne, as though they knew not what a man they had taken, and of him selfe promised them fiftie talents. Then he sent his men up and downe to get him this money, so that he was left in maner alone among these theeves of the Cilicians, (which are the cruellest butchers in the world) with one of his frends, and two of his slaves only : and yet he made so litle reckoning of them, that when he was desirous to sleepe, he sent unto them to commaunde them to make no noyse. Thus was he eight and thirtie dayes among them, not kept as prisoner, but rather waited uppon by them as a Prince. All this time he woulde boldly exercise him selfe in any sporte or pastime they would goe to. And other while also he woulde wryte verses, and make orations, and call them together to say them before them : and if any of them seemed as though they had not understoode him, or passed not for them, he called them blockeheades, and brute beastes, and laughing, threatned them that he would hang them up. But they were as merie with the matter as could be, and tooke all in good parte, thinking that this his bold speach came, through the simplicity of his youth. So when his raunsome was come from the citie of Miletum, they being payed their money, and he againe set at libertie : he then presently armed, and manned out certaine ships out of the haven of Miletum, to follow those theeves, whom he found yet riding at ancker in the same Hand. So he tooke the most of them, and had the spoile of their goods, but for their bodies, he brought them into the city of Pergamum, and there com- mitted them to prison, whilest he him selfe went to speake Junius Praetor with lunius, who had the government of Asia, as unto whom the execution of these pirats did belong, for that he was Praetor of that contrie. But this Praetor having a great fancie to be fingering of the money, bicause there was good store of it: answered, that he would consider of these %

of Asia.

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

prisoners at better leasure. Caesar leading lunius there, lULIUS returned againe unto Pergamum, and there hung up all C^SAR these theeves openly upon a crosse, as he had oftentimes promised them in the He he would doe, when they thought he did but jeast. Afterwardes when Syllaes power beganne to decay, Caesars frendes wrote unto him, to pray him to come home againe. But he sailed first imto Rhodes, to studie there a time under Apollonius the sonne of Molon, whose scholler also Cicero was, for he was a very honest man, and an excellent good Rethoritian. It is reported that Caesar had an excellent naturall gift to speake well before the people, and besides that rare gift, he was excellently well studied, so that doutlesse he was counted the second Caesars man for eloquence in his time, and gave place to the first, eloquence, bicause he would be the first and chiefest man of warre and authoritie, being not yet comen to the degree of perfection to speake well, which his nature coulde have performed in him, bicause he was geven rather to followe warres and to mannage great matters, which in thende brought him to be Lord of all Rome. And therefore in a booke he wrote against that which Cicero made in the praise of Cato, he prayeth the readers not to compare the stile of a souldier, with the eloquence of an excellent Orator, that had followed it the most parte of his life. When he was returned againe unto Rome, he accused Dolabella for his ill behavior in the government of his province, and he had divers cities of Graece that gave in evidence against him. Notwithstanding, Dolabella at the length was dismissed. Caesar, to requite the good will of the Graecians, which they had shewed him in his accusation of Dolabella, tooke their cause in hand, when they did accuse Publius Antonius before Marcus Lucullus, Praetor of Macedon : and followed it so hard against him in their behalfe, that Antonius was driven to appeale before the Tribunes at Rome, alleaging, to colour his appeale withall, that he coulde have no justice in Graece against the Graecians. Now Caesar immediatly wan many mens good willes at Rome, through his eloquence, in pleading of their causes : and the people loved him marvelously also, bicause of the curteous manner he had to speake to every man, and to

3

lULIUS CiESAR

Caesar loved hospitalitie.

Caesar a fol- lower of the people.

Ciceroes judgement of Caesar.

The love of the people in Rome unto Caesar.

Caesar chosen

Tribunus

militum.

Caesar made the funerall oration^ at the death of his aunt lulia.

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

use them gently, being more ceremonious therein, then was^ looked for in one of his yeres. Furthermore, he ever kept a good bourde, and fared well at his table, and was very liberall besides : the which in deede did advaunce him forward, and brought him in estimacion with the people. His enemies judging that this favor of the common people would soone quaile, when he could no longer hold out that charge and expence : suffered him to runne on, till by litle and litle ^e was growen to be of great strength and power. But in fine, when they had thus geven him the bridell to grow to this greatnes, and that they could not then pull him backe, though in dede in sight it would turne one day to the destruction of the whole state and common wealth of Rome : too late they found, that there is not so litle a beginning of any thing, but continuaunce of time will soone make it strong, when through contempt there is no impediment to hinder the greatnes. Thereuppon, Cicero like a wise ship- master that feareth the calmnes of the sea, was the first man that mistrusting his manner of dealing in the common wealth, found out his craft and malice, which he cunningly cloked under the habit of outward curtesie and familliaritie. And yet, sayd he, when I consider howe finely he combeth his faire bush of heare, and how smooth it lyeth, and that I see him scrat his head with one finger only : my minde gives me then, that such a kinde of man should not have so wicked a thought in his head, as to overthrow the state of the common wealth. But this was long time after that. The first shewe and proofe of the love and good will which the people did beare unto CfEsar, was : when he sued to be Tribune of the souldiers (to wit, Colonell of a thowsand footemen) standing against Caius Pompilius, at what time he was preferred and chosen before him. But the second and more manifest proofe then the first, was at the death of his aunt lulia, the wife of Marius the elder. For being her nephew, he made a solemne oration in the market place in commendacion of her, and at her buriall did boldly venter to shew foorth the images of Marius : the which was the first time that they were scene after Syllaes victorie, bicause that Marius and all his confederates had bene proclaimed traitors

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

and enemies to the common wealth. For when there were lULIUS some that cried out apon Caesar for doing of it : the people CAESAR on thother side kept a sturre, and rejoyced at it, clapping of their handes, and thanked him, for that he had brought as it were out of hell, the remembraunce of Marius honor againe into Rome, which had so long time bene obscured and buried. And where it had bene an auncient custom of long Caesar thefirst time, that the Romanes used to make funerall orations in ^^^ praised praise of olde Ladies and matrons when they dyed, but not f^^n^alVora- of young women : Caesar was the first that praised his owne tjon^ wife with funerall oration when she was deade, the which also did increase the peoples good willes the more, seeing him of so kinde and gentle nature. After the buriall of his wife, he was made Treasorer, under Antistius Vetus Praetor, whom Caesar made he honored ever after : so that when him selfe came to be Quaestor. Praetor, he made his sonne to be chosen Treasorer. After- wardes, when he was come out of that office, he maried his thirde wife Pompeia, having a daughter by his first wife Pompeia, Cornelia, which was maried unto Pompey the great. Now Caesars third for that he was very liberal in expences, bying (as some ^^ ®* thought) but a vaine and short glorie of the favor of the people : (where in deede he bought good cheape the greatest thinges that coulde be.) Some say, that before he bare any office in the common wealth, he was growen in debt, to the summe of thirteene hundred talentes. Furthermore, bicause he was made overseer of the worke, for the high way going unto Appius, he disbursed a great summe of his owne money towardes the charges of the same. And on the other side, when he was made ^dilis, for that he did show the people the pastime of three hundred and twentie cople of sword players, and did besides exceede all other in sumptuousnes in Caesars pro- the sportes and common feastes which he made to delight digality. them withall : (and did as it were drowne all the stately shewes of others in the like, that had gone before him) he so pleased the people, and wan their love therwith, that they devised daily to give him new offices for to requite him. At that time there were two factions in Rome, to wit, the faction of Sylla, which was very strong and of great power, and the other of Marius, which then was under foote and durst not

5

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

lULIUS shew it selfe. But Caesar, bicause he would renue it again, CiESAR even at that time when he being ^Edihs, all the feasts and common sports were in their greatest ruffe : he secretly caused images of Marius to be made, and of victories that caried triumphes, and those he set up one night within the Capitol. The next morning when every man saw the glister- ing of these golden images excellently well wrought, shewing by the inscriptions, that they were the victories which Marius had wonne apon the Cimbres : every one marveled much at the boldnes of him that durst set them up there, knowing well enough who it was. Hereuppon, it ranne straight through all the citie, and everie man came thither to see Caesar accused them. Then some cried out apon Caesar, and sayd it was a to make a tyranny which he ment to set up, by renuing of such honors rebellion in g^g before had bene troden under foote, and forgotten, by common decree and open proclamation : and that it was no more but a baite to gage the peoples good wils, which he had set out in the stately shewes of his common playes, to see if he had brought them to his lure, that they would abide such partes to be played, and a new alteracion of things to be made. They of Marius faction on thother side, incoraging one an other, shewed them selves straight a great number gathered together, and made the mount of the Capitoll ring againe with their cries and clapping of handes : insomuch as the teares ranne downe many of their cheekes for very joy, when they sawe the images of Marius, and they extolled Caesar to the skies, judging him the worthiest man of all the kinred of Marius. The Senate being assembled thereuppon, Catulus Luctatius one of the greatest authoritie at that time in Rome, rose, and vehemently inveyed against Csesar, and spake that then which ever since hath bene noted much : that Caesar did not now covertly go to worke, but by plaine force sought to alter the state of the common wealth. Neverthelesse, Caesar at that time aunswered him so that the Senate was satisfied. Thereupon they that had him in esti- macion did grow in better hope then before, and perswaded him, that hardily he shoulde geve place to no man, and that through the good will of the people, he should be better than all they, and come to be the chiefest man of the citie. 6

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

At that time, the chiefe Bishoppe Metellus dyed, and two of JULIUS the notablest men of the citie, and of greatest authoritie CAESAR (Isauricus, and Catulus) contended for his roome : Caesar The death notwithstanding their contention, would geve neither of ^f .^l^^p^^V^ them both place, but presented him selfe to the people, and ^f Ro^g^ ^^ made sute for it as they did. The sute being equall betwext either of them, Catulus, bicause he was a man of greater calhng and dignitie than the other, doubting the uncertaintie of the election : sent unto Caesar a good summe of money, to make him leave of his sute. But Caesar sent him word againe, that he would lend a greater summe then that, to maintaine the sute against him. When the day of thelection came, his mother bringing him to the dore of his house, Caesar weeping, kissed her, and sayd : Mother, this day thou shalt see thy sonne chiefe Bishoppe of Rome, or banished from Rome. In fine, when the voyces of the Caesar made people were gathered together, and the strife well debated : chiefe Bishop Caesar wanne the victorie, and made the Senate and noble ^ ^™^" men all afFrayed of him, for that they thought that thence- forth he would make the people do what he thought good. Then Catulus and Piso fell flatly out with Cicero, and con- Caesar sus- demned him, for that he did not bewray Caesar, when he pected to be knew that he was of conspiracie with Catiline, and had ^^.^f^°f^^^^ oportunitie to have done it. For when Catiline was bent j^ j^jg g^jj, and determined, not onely to overthrow the state of the spiracy. common wealth, but utterly to destroy the Empire of Rome, he scaped out of the handes of justice for lacke of sufficient proofe, before his full treason and determination was knowen. Notwithstanding he left Lentulus and Cethegus in the citie, companions of his conspiracie : unto whom, whether Caesar did geve any secret helpe or comfort, it is not well knowen. Yet this is manifest, that when they were convinced in open Senate, Cicero being at that time Consul, asking every mans opinion in the Senate, what punishment they should have, and every one of them till it came to Caesar, gave sentence they should dye : Caesar then rising up to speake, made an Caesar went oration (penned and premeditated before) and sayd, that it about to de- was neither lawefull, nor yet their custome did beare it, to "^^^ *"6 ^ou- put men of such nobilitie to death (but in an extremitie)

7

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

lULIUS without lawefull inditement and condemnation. And there- CiESAR fore, that if they were put in prison in some citie of Italie, where Cicero thought best, untill that Catihne were over- throwen : the Senate then might at their pleasure quietly take such order therein, as might best appeare unto their wisedoms. This opinion was thought more gentle, and withall was uttered with such a passing good grace and eloquence, that not only they which were to speake after him did approve it : but such also as had spoken to the contrarie before, revoked their opinion and stucke to his, until it came to Cato and Catulus to speake. They both Catoes oration did sharpely invey against him, but Cato chiefly : who in his againstCaesar. oration made Caesar suspected to be of the conspiracie, and stowtly spake against him, insomuch that the offenders were put into the hands of the officers to be put to death. Caesar comming out of the Senate, a company of young men which garded Cicero for the safetie of his person, did sette apon him with their swordes drawen. But some say, that Curio covered Caesar with his gowne, and tooke him out of their handes. And Cicero selfe, when the young men looked apon him, beckened with his head that they should not kil him, either fearing the fury of the people, or els that he thought it too shamefull and wicked a parte. But if that were true, I marvell why Cicero did not put it into his booke he wrote of his Consulshippe. But certainly they blamed him afterwards, for that he tooke not the oportunitie offered him against Caesar, onely for overmuch feare of the people, that loved him verie dearely. For shortly after, when Caesar went into the Senate, to cleere him selfe of certaine presumptions and false accusations objected against him, and being bitterly taunted among them, the Senate keeping him lenger then they were wont : the people came about the counsell house, and called out alowde for him, bidding them let him out. Cato then fearing the insurrec- tion of the poore needie persons, which were they that put all their hope in Caesar, and did also move the people to sturre : did perswade the Senate to make a franke distri- bucion of corne unto them, for a moneth. This distribucion did put the common wealth to a new charge of five hundred 8

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

and fiftie Myriades. This counsell quenched a present great lULIUS feare, and did in happie time scatter and disperse abroade CiESAR the best parte of Caesars force and power, at such time as he was made Prsetor, and that for respect of his office he was most to be feared. Yet all the time he was officer, he never sought any alteracion in the common wealth, but con- trarily he him selfe had a great misfortune fell in his owne house, which was this. There was a young noble man of the order of the Patricians, called Publius Clodius, who lacked neither wealth nor eloquence, but otherwise as insolent and impudent a person, as any was else in Rome. He became in The love of love with Pompeia Caesars wife, who misliked not withall : P- Clodius notwithstanding she was so straightly looked to, and that unto Pompeia, Aurelia (Caesars mother) an honest gentlewoman had such an eye of her, that these two lovers could not meete as they would, without great perill and difficultie. The Romanes doe use to honor a goddesse which they call the good goddesse. The good as the Graecians have her whom they call GyTiascia, to wit, goddesse what the goddesse of women. Her, the Phrygians doe claime to -^^^ sacrifices be peculiar unto them, saying : that she is king Midas mother. Howbeit the Romanes hold opinion, that it is a nimphe of wodde, maried unto god Faunus. The Graecians, they say also, that she was one of the mothers of the god Bacchus, whom they dare not name. And for proofe hereof, on her feast day, the women make certaine tabernacles of vine twigges, and leaves of vine braunches, and also they make as the tale goeth, a holie dragon for this goddesse, and doe set it by her : besides, it is not lawful for any man to be present at their sacrifices, no not within the house it selfe where they are made. Furthermore, they say that the women in these sacrifices do many things amongest them selves, much like unto the ceremonies of Orpheus. Now when the time of this feast came, the husband, (whether he were Praetor or Consul) and all his men and the boyes in the house, doe come out of it, and leave it wholly to his wife, to order the house at her pleasure, and there the sacrifices and ceremonies are done the most parte of the night, and they doe besides passe the night away, in songes and musicke. Pompeia, Caesars wife, being that yeare to celebrate this feast, Clodius 5:B 9

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

lULIUS who had yet no heare on his face, and therby thought he

CiESAR should not be bewrayed: disguised him selfe in a singing

wenches apparell, bicause his face was verie like unto a young

wenche. He finding the gates open, being secretly brought

in by her chamber maide that was made privie unto it : she

left him, and ranne to Pompeia her mistres, to tell her that

he was come. The chamber maide taried long before she

came againe, insomuch as Clodius being wearie waiting for

her where she left him, he tooke his pleasure, and went from

one place to an other in the house, which had very large

roomes in it, still shunning the light, and was by chaunce

met withall by one of Aureliaes maides, who taking him for

a woman, prayed her to play. Clodius refusing to play, the

maide pulled him forward, and asked him what he was :

Clodius then answered her, that he taried for Abra one of

Pompeiaes women. So, Aureliaes maide knowing him by

his voyce, ranne straight where the lightes and Ladies were,

and cried out, that there was a man disguised in womans

apparell. The women therewith were so amazed, that

Aurelia caused them presently to leave of the ceremonies of

the sacrifice, and to hide their secret thinges, and having

seene the gates fast locked, went immediatly up and downe

the house with torche light to seeke out this man : who at

Clodius taken the last was found out in the chamber of Pompeiaes maide,

in the sacri- ^j^jj whom he hidde him selfe. Thus Clodius being found

ffood ffod-^ out, and knowen of the women : they thrust him out of the

desse. dores by the shoulders. The same night the women tolde

their husbandes of this chaunce as soone as they came home.

The next morning, there ranne a great rumor through the

citie, how Clodius had attempted a great villany, and that

he deserved, not only to be punished of them whom he had

slaundred, but also of the common wealth and the goddes.

Clodius There was one of the Tribunes of the people that did indite

accused for him, and accuse him of high treason to the gods. Further-

prophaning more, there were also of the chiefest of the nobilitie and

of the ffood Senate, that came to depose against him, and burdened him

goddesse. with many horrible and detestable facts, and specially with

incest committed with his owne sister, which was maried unto

Lucullus. Notwithstanding, the people stowtly defended

10

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

Clodius against their accusations : and this did helpe him lULIUS much against the ludges, which were amazed, and affraid to C^SAR stirre the people. This notwithstanding, Caesar presently Caesar putteth put his wife away, and thereupon being brought by Clodius *^^y ^^ ^^^e accuser to be a witnes against him, he aunswered, he knew ^^mpeia. nothing of that they objected against Clodius. This aun- swere being cleane contrarie to their expectacion that heard it, the accuser asked Caesar, why then he had put away his wife : Bicause I will not, sayd he, that my wife be so much as suspected. And some say, that Caesar spake truely as he thought. But others thinke, that he did it to please the common people, who were very desirous to save Clodius, So Clodius was discharged of this accusation, bicause the most Clodius quit parte of the ludges gave a confused judgement, for the feare V t^e Judges they stoode one way of the daunger of the common people if , propnan- they condemned him : and for the ill opinion of thother side g^gg ^f ^^le of the nobilitie, if they did quit him. The government of good god- the province of Spayne being fallen unto Caesar for that he desse. was Praetor : his creditors came and cried out apon him, and Caesar Praetor were importunate of him to be payed. Caesar being unable of Spaine. to satisfie them, was compelled to goe unto Crassus, who was the richest man of all Rome, and that stoode in neede of Caesars boldnes and corage to withstand Pompeys greatnes in the common wealth. Crassus became his suretie unto his Crassus ereediest creditors for the summe of eight hundred and surety for thirtie talentes : whereuppon they suffered Caesar to departe Yr a-^q^s to the government of his province. In his jomey it is reported, that passinge over the mountaines of the Alpes, they came through a litle poore village that had not many householdes, and yet poore cotages. There, his frendes that did accompanie him, asked him merily, if there were any contending for offices in that towne, and whether there were any strife there amongest the noble men for honor. Caesar speaking in good earnest, aunswered : I can not tell that said he, but for my parte, I had rather be the chiefest man here, then the second person in Rome. An other time also when he was in Spayne, reading the history of Alexanders actes, when he had red it, he was sorowfull a good while after, and then burst out in weeping. His frends seeing

11

lULIUS C^SAR

Caesars actes in Spayne.

Caesars order betwext the creditor and detter.

Caesars soul- diers called him Impera- tor.

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

that, marveled what should be the cause of his sorow. He aunswered them, Doe ye not thinke sayd he, that I have good cause to be heavie, when king Alexander being no older than my selfe is now, had in old time wonne so many nations and contries : and that I hitherunto have done nothing worthy of my selfe ? Therefore when he was come into Spayne, he was very carefull of his busines, and had in few dayes joyned ten new ensignes more of footemen, unto the other twenty which he had before. Then marching- forward against the Calla?cians and Lusitanians, he con- quered all, and went as farre as the great sea Oceanum, subduing all the people which before knew not the Romanes for their Lordes. There he tooke order for pacifying of the warre, and did as wisely take order for the establishing of peace. For he did reconcile the cities together, and made them frendes one with an other, but specially he pacified all sutes of law, and strife, betwext the detters and creditors, which grewe by reason of userie. For he ordained that the creditors shoulde take yearely two partes of the revenue of their detters, untill such time as they had payed them selves : and that the detters should have the third parte to them selves to live withall. He having wonne great estimacion by this good order taken, returned from his government very riche, and his souldiers also full of rich spoyles, who called him Imperator, to say soveraine Captaine. Now the Romanes having a custome, that such as demaunded honor of triumphe, should remaine a while without the city, and that they on thother side which sued for the Consulship, should of necessitie be there in person : Caesar comming unhappely at that very time when the Consuls were chosen, he sent to pray the Senate to do him that favor, that being absent, he might by his frendes sue for the Consulshippe. Cato at the first did vehemently invey against it, vowching an expresse law forbidding the contrarie. But afterwards, perceiving that notwithstanding the reasons he alleaged, many of the Senators (being wonne by Caesar) favored his request : yet he cunningly sought all he could to prevent them, prolonging time, dilating his oration untill night. Caesar thereupon

determined rather to geve over the sute of his triumphe, and 10

J. rv

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

to make sute for the Consulshippe : and so came into the citie, lULIUS and had such a devise with him, as went beyond them all, C^SAR but Cato only. His devise was this : Pompey and Crassus, Caesar recon- two of the greatest personages of the city of Rome, being at cileth Pompey Jarre together, Caesar made them frends, and by that meanes f" -^rassus got unto him selfe the power of them both : for, by colour of that gentle acte and frendshippe of his, he subtilly (unwares to them all) did greatly alter and chaunge the state of the common wealth. For it was not the private discord betwene Pompey and Caesar, as many men thought, that caused the civill warre : but rather it was their agreement together, who joyned all their powers first to overthrowe the state of the Senate and nobilitie, and afterwardes they fell at jarre one with an other. But Cato, that then foresaw and prophecied Catoes fore- many times what woulde followe, was taken but for a vaine sight and man : but afterwardes they found him a wiser man, then ^^^^ ^^^'' happie in his counsell. Thus Caesar being brought unto the assemblie of the election, in the middest of these two noble persons, whom he had before reconciled together : he was there chosen Consull, with Calphurnius Bibulus, without Caesars fii-st gaine saying or contradiction of any man. Now when he Consulship was entred into his office, he beganne to put foorth lawes ^. rmI^i ^ meeter for a seditious Tribune of the people, than for a Consull : bicause by them he preferred the division of landes, ^aesars lawes. and distributing of corne to everie citizen. Gratis, to please ^-^^S'"'^"' them withall. But when the noble men of the Senate were against his devise, he desiring no better occasion, beganne to crie out, and to protest, that by the overhardnesse and austeritie of the Senate, they drave him against his will to leane unto the people : and thereupon having Crassus on thone side of him, and Pompey on thother, he asked them openly in thassemblie, if they did geve their consent unto the lawes which he had put forth. They both amiswered, they did. Then he prayed them to stande by him against those that threatned him with force of sworde to let him. Crassus gave him his worde, he would. Pompey also did the like, and added thereunto, that he would come with his sword and target both, against them that would withstand him with their swords. These wordes offended much the Senate, being

13 ^

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

lULIUS farre unmeete for his gravetie, and imdecent for the majestie CjESAR and honor he caried, and most of all uncomely for the presence of the Senate whome he should have reverenced : and were speaches fitter for a rash light headed youth, than for his person. Howbeit the common people on thother side, they rejoyced. Then Cassar bicause he would be more Caesar maried assured of Pompeis power and frendshippe, he gave him his his daughter daughter lulia in manage, which was made sure before unto luhaunto Servilius Caepio, and promised him in exchaunge Pompeis wife, the which was sure also unto Faustus the sonne of Caesar maried Sylla. And shortly after also, Caesar selfe did marie Cal- Calphurnia phurnia the daughter of Piso, whom he caused to be made the daughter (^q^suI, to succeede him the next yeare following. Cato then cried out with open mouth, and called the gods to witnes, that it was a shamefull matter, and not to be suffered, that they should in that sorte make havoke of the Empire of Rome, by such horrible bawdie matches, dis- tributing among them selves through those wicked manages, the governments of the provinces, and of great armies. Calphurnius Bibulus, fellow Consul with Caesar, perceiving that he did contend in vaine, making all the resistaunce he could to withstand this lawe, and that oftentimes he was in daunger to be slaine with Cato, in the market place and assemblie : he kept close in his house all the rest of his Pompey by Consulshippe. When Pompey had maried lulia, he filled all force of armes ^\^q market place with souldiers, and by open force authorised authorised ^j^^ lawes which Cffisar made in the behalfe of the people. Furthermore, he procured that Caesar had Gaule on his side, and beyond the Alpes, and all Illyria, with foure legions graunted him for five yeares. Then Cato standing up to speake against it : Caesar bad his officers lay holde of him, Csesar sent and carie him to prison, thinking he would have appealed Catotoprison. unto the Tribunes. But Cato sayd never a worde, when he went his way. Caesar perceiving them, that not onely the Senators and nobilitie were offended, but that the common people also for the reverence they bare unto Catoes vertues, were ashamed, and went away with silence : he him selfe secretly did pray one of the Tribunes that he would take Cato from the officers. But after he had played this parte, 14

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

there were few Senators that would be President of the lULIUS

Senate under him, but left the citie, bicause they could not C^SAR

away with his doinges. And of them, there was an old

man called Considius, that on a time boldly told him, the

rest durst not come to counsel, bicause they were afrayed of

his souldiers. Caesar aunswered him againe : And why then,

doest not thou kepe thee at home, for the same feare ?

Considius replied, Bicause my age taketh away feare from

me : for having so short a time to live, I have no care

to prolonge it further. The shamefullest parte that Caesar

played while he was Consul, seemeth to be this : when he

chose P. Clodius Tribune of the people, that had ofFred his

wife such dishonor, and profaned the holy auncient misteries

of the women, which were celebrated in his owne house,

Clodius sued to be Tribune to no other end, but to destroy

Cicero : and Caesar selfe also departed not from Rome to his Cfesar by

army, before he had set them together by the eares, and Clodius, drave

driven Cicero out of Italy. All these things they say he ^l.^:^^^. ^^^

did, before the warres with the Gaules. But the time of the ° ^ '

great armies and conquests he made afterwards, and of the

warre in the which he subdued al the Gaules : (entring into

an other course of life farre contrarie unto the first) made

him to be knowen for as valliant a souldier and as excellent Caesar, a val-

a Captaine to lead men, as those that afore him had liant souldier,

bene counted the wisest and most valliantest Generalles that ^^^ a skilfuU

ever were, and that by their valliant deedes had atchieved ^^' ^^^'

great honor. For whosoever would compare the house of

the Fabians, of the Scipioes, of the Metellians, yea those

also of his owne time, or long before him, as Sylla, Marius,

the two Lucullians, and Pompey selfe.

Whose fame ascendeth up unto the heavens :

it will appeare that Caesars prowes and deedes of amies, did excell them all together. The one, in the hard contries where he made warres : an other, in enlarging the realmes and contries which he joyned unto the Empire of Rome : an other, in the multitude and power of his enemies whome he overcame : an other, in the rudenesse and austere nature of

15

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

lULIUS CiESAR

Caesars con- questes in Gaule.

The love and respect of Caesars soul- diers unto him.

The wonder- full valliant- nes of Acilius, Cassius Scaeva, and divers others of Caesars soul- diers.

men with whom he had to doe, whose maners afterwardes he softned and made civill : an other, in curtesie and clemencie which he used unto them whome he had con- quered : an other in great bountie and liberality bestowed upon them that served under him in those warres : and in fine, he excelled them all in the number of battells he had fought, and in the multitude of his enemies he had slaine in battell. For in lesse then tenne yeares warre in Gaule he tooke by force and assault above eight hundred townes : he conquered three hundred severall nations : and having before him in battell thirty hundred thowsand souldiers, at sundrie times he slue tenne hundred thowsand of them, and tooke as many more prisoners. Furthermore, he was so entirely beloved of his souldiers, that to doe him service (where otherwise they were no more then other men in any private quarrell) if Caesars honor were touched, they were in- vincible, and would so desperatly venter them selves, and with such furie, that no man was able to abide them. And this appeareth plainly by the example of Acilius : who in a battell by sea before the city of Marselles, hording one of his enemies shippes, one cut of his right hand with a sword, but yet he forsooke not his target which he had in his left hand, but thrust it in his enemies faces, and made them flie, so that he wanne their shippe from them. And Cassius Scaeva also, in a conflict before the city of Dyrrachium, having one of his eyes put out with an arrow, his shoulder striken through with a dart, and his thigh with an other, and having received thirty arrowes upon his shield: he called to his enemies, and made as though he would yeelde unto them. But when two of them came running to him, he clave one of their shoulders from his bodie with his sword, and hurt the other in the face : so that he made him turne his backe, and at the length saved him selfe, by meanes of his companions that came to helpe him. And in Britayne also, when the Captaines of the bandes were driven into a marrisse or bogge full of mire and durt, and that the enemies did fiercelie assaile them there : Caesar then stand- inge to viewe the battell, he sawe a private souldier of his thrust in among the Captaines, and fought so valliantlie in 16

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

their defence, that at the length he drave the barbarous lULIUS people to flye, and by his meanes saved the Captaines, which CAESAR otherwise were in great daunger to have bene cast away. Then this souldier being the hindemost man of all the Cap- taines, marching with great paine through the myre and durt, halfe swimming, and halfe a foote : in the end got to the other side, but left his shield behinde him. Caesar wondring at his noble corage, ranne to him with joy to im- brace him. But the poore souldier hanging downe his head, the water standing in his eyes, fell downe at Caesars feete, and besought him to pardon him, for that he had left his targette behinde him. And in Africke also, Scipio having taken one of Caesars shippes, and Granius Petronius abourde Granius on her amongest other, not long before chosen Treasorer : he Petronius. put all the rest to the sword but him, and sayd he would geve him his life. But Petronius aunswered him againe : that Caesars souldiers did not use to have their lives geven them, but to geve others their lives : and with those wordes he drewe his sworde, and thrust him selfe through. Nowe Caesars selfe did breede this noble corage and life in them. First, for that he gave them bountifully, and did honor them also, shewing thereby, that he did not heape up riches in the warres to maintaine his life afterwards in wantonnesse and pleasure, but that he did keepe it in store, honorably to reward their valliant service : and that by so much he thought him selfe riche, by howe much he was liberall in rewarding of them that had deserved it. Furthermore, they did not wonder so much at his valliantnesse in putting him selfe at every instant in such manifest daunger, and in taking so extreame paines as he did, knowing that it was his greedie desire of honor that set him a fire, and pricked him forward to doe it : but that he alwayes continued all labour and hardnesse, more then his bodie could beare, that filled them all with admiration. For, concerning the constitucion of his bodie, he Avas leane, white, and soft skinned, and often sub- ject to headache, and otherwhile to the falling sickenes: (the Caesar had the which tooke him the first time, as it is reported, in Corduba, falling sicke- a citie of Spayne) but yet therefore yeelded not to the disease ^^^' of his bodie, to make it a cloke to cherishe him withall, but 5:C 17

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

lULIUS contrarilie, tooke the paines of warre, as a medicine to cure

CiESAR his sicke bodie fighting alwayes with his disease, travelling

continually, living soberly, and commonly lying abroade in

the field. For the most nights he slept in his coch or litter,

and thereby bestowed his rest, to make him alwayes able to

do some thing : and in the day time, he would travell up and

downe the contrie to see townes, castels, and strong places.

He had alwayes a secretarie with him in his coche, who did

still wryte as he went by the way, and a souldier behinde

him that caried his sword. He made such speede the first

time he came from Rome, when he had his office : that in

eight dayes, he came to the river of Rhone. He was so

excellent a rider of horse from his youth, that holding his

handes behinde him, he would galloppe his horse upon the

spurre. In his warres in Gaule, he did further exercise him

selfe to indite letters as he rode by the way, and did occupie

two secretaries at once with as much as they could wryte :

and as Oppius wryteth, more then two at a time. And it is

reported, that Caesar was the first that devised frendes might

talke together by wryting ciphers in letters, when he had no

leasure to speake with them for his urgent busines, and for

The temper- the great distaunce besides from Rome. How litle accompt

ance of Caesar Caesar made of his dyet, this example doth prove it. Caesar

in his dyet. supping one night in Milane with his frende Valerius Leo,

there was served sparrage to his bourde, and oyle of perfume

Caesars put into it in stead of sallet oyle. He simplie eate it,

civilitie not and found no fault, blaming his frendes that were offended :

to blame ^^^ ^^^d them, that it had bene enough for them to have

absteyned to eate of that they misliked, and not to shame

their frend, and how that he lacked good manner that found

fault with his frend. An other time as he travelled through

the contrie, he was driven by fowle weather on the sodaine

to take a poore mans cottage, that had but one litle cabin

in it, and that was so narrowe, that one man could but

scarce lye in it. Then he sayd to his frendes that were

about him : Greatest roomes are meetest for greatest men,

and the most necessarie roomes, for the sickest persons. And

thereuppon he caused Oppius that was sicke to lye there all

night : and he him selfe, with the rest of his frendes, lay

18

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

with out dores, under the easing of the house. The first lULIUS warre that Caesar made with the Gaules, was with the Helve- C^SAR tians and Tigurinians, who having sette fire of all their good cities, to the number of twelve, and foure hundred villages besides, came to invade that parte of Gaule which was sub- ject to the Romanes, as the Cimbri and Teutons had done before : unto whome for valliantnesse they gave no place, and they were also a great number of them (for they were three hundred thowsand soules in all) whereof there were a hundred, foure score, and tenne thowsande fighting men. Of those, it was not Caesar him selfe that overcame the Tigu- The Tigurin- rinians, but Labienus his Lieutenaunt, that overthrewe them ians slaine by the river of Arax. But the Helvetians them selves came ^^ Labienus. sodainly with their armie to set apon him, as he was going -A^^ax fl. towardes a citie of his confederates. Caesar perceiving that, made hast to get him some place of strength, and there did sette his men in battell raye. When one brought him his Caesar refused horse to gette up on which he used in battell, he sayd unto ^is horse, them : When I have overcome mine enemies, I will then get J'^^^}^^ up on him to followe the chase, but nowe lette us geve them battell charge. Therewith he marched forward a foote, and gave charge : and there fought it out a long time, before he The Helve- coulde make them flie that were in battell. But the greatest ^^^^^ slaine trouble he had, was to distresse their carape, and to breake ^ *^«sar. their strength which they had made with their cartes. For there, they that before had fledde from the battell, did not onely put them selves in force, and valliantly fought it out : but their wives and children also fighting for their lives to the death, were all slaine, and the battell was scant ended at midnight. Nowe if the act of this victorie was famous, unto that he also added an other as notable, or exceeding it. For of all the barbarous people that had escaped from this battell, he gathered together againe above a hundred thowsande of them, and compelled them to returne home into their contrie which they had forsaken, and unto their townes also which they had burnt : bicause he feared the Germaines would come over the river of Rheyne, and occupie Rheynus fl. that contrie lying voyde. The second warre he made, was in defence of the Gaules against the Germaines : although

19

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

lULIUS C^SAR

Cffsar made warre with king Ario- vistus.

The wise women of Germany how they did fore- tell thinges to come.

before, he him selfe had caused Ariovistus their king, to be received for a confederate of the Romanes. Notwithstand- ing, they were growen very unquiet neighbours, and it ap- peared plainely, that having any occasion offered them to enlarge their territories, they woulde not content them with their owne, but ment to invade and possesse the rest of Gaule. Caesar perceiving that some of Iiis Captaines trembled for feare, but specially the young gentlemen of noble houses of Rome, who thought to have gone to the warres with him, as onely for their pleasure and gaine : he called them to counsel!, and commaunded them that were afFrayed, that they should depart home, and not put them selves in daunger against their willes, sith they had such womanishe faint hartes to shrinke when he had neede of them. And for him selfe, he sayd, he would set apon the barbarous people, though he had left him but the tenth legion onely, saying, that the enemies were no vallianter than the Cimbri had bene, nor that he was a Captaine inferior unto Marius. This oration being made, the souldiers of the tenth legion sent their Lieu- tenauntes unto him, to thanke him for the good opinion he had of them : and the other legions also fell out with their Captaines, and all of them together followed him many dayes jorney with good will to serve him, untill they came within two hundred furlonges of the campe of the enemies. Ariovistus corage was well cooled, when he sawe Caesar was come, and that the Romanes came to seeke out the Germaines, where they thought, and made accompt, that they durst not have abidden them : and therefore nothinge mistrustinge it woulde have come so to passe, he wondered much at Caesars corage, and the more when he sawe his owne armie in a maze withall. But muche more did their corages fall, by reason of the foolishe women propheciers they had among them, which did foretell thinges to come : who, consideringe the waves and trouble of the rivers, and the terrible noyse they made runninge downe the streame, did forewarne them not to fight, untill the newe moone. Caesar havinge intelli- gence thereof, and perceivinge that the barbarous people thereuppon sturred not : thought it best then to sette uppon them, being discoraged with this supersticious feare, rather 20

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

then losinge time, he shoulde tarie their leasure. So he did lULIUS skirmishe with them even to their fortes, and litle hilles C-3ESAR where they lay, and by this meanes provoked them so, that with great furie they came downe to fight. There he over- King Ario- came them in battel!, and followed them in chase, with great ^'istus over- slaughter, three hundred furlonge, even unto the river of ^^<^^^° "Y Rheyn : and he filled all the fieldes thitherto with deade bodies and spoyles. Howebeit Ariovistus flyinge with speede, gotte over the river of Rheyn, and escaped with a fewe of his men. It is sayd that there were slaine foure score thowsande persons at this battel. After this exployte, Caesar left his armie amongest the Sequanes to winter there : and he him selfe in the meane time, thinking of thaffayres at Rome, went over the mountaines into Gaule about the river of Po, being parte of his province which he had in charge. For there, the river called Rubico, devideth the rest of Italie from Gaule on this side the Alpes. Caesar lying there, did practise to make frendes in Rome, bicause many came thither to see him : unto whom he graunted their sutes they demaunded, and sent them home also, partely with liberall rewards, and partely with large pro- mises and hope. Now during all this conquest of the Gaules, Pompey did not consider how C«sar enterchaungeablie did conquer the Gaules with the weapons of the Romanes, and wanne the Romanes againe with the money of the Gaules. Caesar being advertised that the Belgae (which were the war- likest men of all the Gaules, and that occupied the third parte of Gaule) were all up in amies, and had raised a great power of men together : he straight made towardes them with all possible speede, and founde them spoyling and over- runninge the contrie of the Gaules, their neighbours, and confederates of the Romanes. So he gave them battell, and The Belg* they fighting cowardly, he overthrew the most parte of them overcome which were in a troupe together, and slue such a number of ^^ ^'«sar. them, that the Romanes passed over deepe rivers and lakes a foote, upon their dead bodies, the rivers were so full of them. After this overthrow, they that dwelt neerest unto the sea side, and were next neighbours unto the Ocean, did yeeld them selves without any compulsion or fight : where-

21

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

lULIUS CiESAR

Nervii the stowtest war- riers of all the Belgae.

The Nervii slaine by Caesar.

upon, he led his army against the Nervians, the stowtest warriers of all the Belgae. They dwelling in the wodde contrie, had conveyed their wives, children and goods, into a marvelous great forrest, as farre from their enemies as they could : and being about the number of sixe score thowsand fighting men and more, they came one day and set apon Caesar, when his armie was out of order, and fortifying of his campe, litle looking to have fought that day. At the first charge, they brake the horsemen of the Romanes, and compassing in the twelfth and seventh legion, they slue all the Centurions and Captaines of the bands. And had not Caesar selfe taken his shield on his arme, and flying in amongest the barbarous people, made a lane through them that fought before him : and the tenth legion also seeing him in daunger, ronne unto him from the toppe of the hill where they stoode in battell, and broken the ranckes of their enemies : there had not a Romane escaped a live that day. But taking example of Caesars valliantnes, they fought de- speratly beyond their power, and yet could not make the Nervians flie, but they fought it out to the death, till they were all in manner slaine in the field. It is wrytten that of three skore thowsand fighting men, there escaped only but five hundred : and of foure hundred gentlemen and coun- sellers of the Romanes, but three saved. The Senate under- standing it at Rome, ordained that they shoulde doe sacrifice unto the goddes, and keepe feastes and solemne processions fifteene dayes together without intermission, having never made the like ordinaunce at Rome, for any victorie that ever was obteined. Bicause they saw the daunger had bene marvelous great, so many nations rising as they did in armes together against him : and further, the love of the people unto him made his victory much more famous. For when Caesar had set his affaires at a stay in Gaule, on the other side of the Alpes : he alwayes used to lye about the river of Po in the winter time, to geve direction for the establishing of thinges at Rome, at his pleasure. For, not only they that made sute for offices at Rome were chosen Magistrats, by meanes of Caesars money which he gave them, with the which, bribing the people, they bought their voyces, and 22

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

when they were in office, did al that they could to increase lULIUS

Cassars power and greatnes : but the greatest and chiefest CiESAR

men also of the nobilitie, went unto Luke unto him. As The great

Pompey, Crassus, Appius, Praetor of Sardinia, and Nepos, Lordes of

Proconsull in Spa\Tie. Insomuch that there were at one ^^me, came .. . ^-' , . jj J vpto Luca to

time, sixe score sergeaunts carymg roddes and axes beiore Qg^^j.^

the Magistrats : and above two hundred Senators besides. There they fell in consultacion, and determined that Pompey and Crassus should againe be chosen Consuls the next yere following. Furthermore, they did appoint, that Caesar should have money againe delivered him to pay his armie, and besides, did proroge the time of his government, five yeares further. This was thought a very straunge and an un- reasonable matter unto wise men. For they them selves that had taken so much money of Caesar, perswaded the >.

Senate to let him have money of the common treasure, as though he had had none before : yea to speake more plainly, they compelled the Senate unto it, sighing and lamenting to see the decrees they passed. Cato was not there then, for they had purposely sent him before into Cyprus. How- beit Faonius that followed Catoes steppes, when he sawe that he could not prevaile, nor withstande them : he went out of the Senate in choller, and cried out amongest the people, that it was a horrible shame. But no man did hearken to him : some for the reverence they bare unto Pompey, and Crassus, and others favormg Caesars proceed- inges, did put all their hope and trust in him : and therefore did quiet them selves, and sturred not. Then Caesar return- ing into Gaule beyonde the Alpes unto his armie, founde there a greate warre in the contrie. For two great nations of Germanic had not long before passed over the river of Rheyn, to conquer newe landes : and the one of these people were called Ipes, and the other Tenterides. Now touching Ipes, and the battell which Caesar fought with them, he him selfe doth Tenterides, describe it in his Commentaries, in this sorte. That the P^^'P^^ ^^ barbarous people having sent Ambassadours unto him, to require peace for a certaine time : they notwithstanding, against lawe of armes, came and sette apon him as he travelled by the way, insomuch as eight hundred of their

23

lULIUS CiESAR Caesars horse- men put to

flight.

The Ipes and Tenterides slaine by Caesar.

Sicambri, a people of the Germaines.

C«sar made a bridge over the river of Rheyu,

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

men of armes overthrewe five thowsande of his horsemen, who nothinge at all mistrusted their comming. Againe, that they sent him other Ambassadours to mocke him once more : but that he kept them, and therewith caused his whole armie to marche against them, thinking it a follie, and madnesse, to keepe faith with such trayterous barbarous breakers of leagues. Canutius wryteth, that the Senate appointing againe to doe newe sacrifice, processions, and feastes, to geve thankes to the goddes for this victorie: Cato was of contrarie opinion, that Caesar should be delivered into the handes of the barbarous people, for to pourge their city and common wealth of this breache of faith, and to turne the curse apon him, that was the author of it. Of these barbarous people, which came over the Rheyn (being about the number of foure hundred thowsand persons) they were all in maner slaine, saving a very fewe of them, that flying from the battell got over the river of Rheyn againe, who were received by the Sicambrians, an other people of the Germaines. Caesar taking this occasion against them, lack- ing no good will of him selfe besides, to have the honor to be counted the first Romane that ever passed over the river of Rheyn with an armie : he built a bridge over it. This river is marvelous broade, and runneth with great furie. And in that place specially where he built his bridge, for there it is of a great bredth from one side to thother, and it hath so strong and swift a streame besides : that men casting downe great bodies of trees into the river (which the streame bringeth downe with it) did with the great blowes and force thereof marvelously shake the postes of the bridge he had set up. But to prevent the blowes of those trees, and also to breake the furie of the streame : he made a pile of great wodde above the bridge a good way, and did forciblie ramme them in to the bottome of the river, so that in ten dayes space, he had set up and finisht his bridge of the goodliest carpenters worke, and most excellent invention to see to, that could be possiblie thought or de- vised. Then passing over his army upon it, he found none that durst any more fight with him. For the Swevians, which were the warlikest people of all Germany, had gotten 24

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

them selves with their goodes into wonderfull great valleis lULIUS and bogges, full of woddes and forrestes. Nowe when he C^SAR had burnt all the contrie of his enemies, and confirmed the league with the confederats of the Romanes : he returned backe againe into Gaule after he had taried eighteene dayes at the most in Germany, on thother side of the Rheyn. The jorney he made also into England, was a noble enterprise, Caesars jorney and very commendable. For he was the first that sailed the ^^^^ England, west Ocean with an army by sea, and that passed through the sea Atlanticum with his army, to make warre in that so great and famous Ilande : (which many auncient wryters would not beleve that it was so in deede, and did make them vary about it, saying that it was but a fable and a lye) and was the first that enlarged the Romane Empire, beyonde the earth inhabitable. For tAvise he passed over the narrowe sea against the firme lande of Gaule, and fighting many battells there, did hurt his enemies more, then enriche his owne men : bicause, of men hardlie brought up, and poore, there was nothing to be gotten. Whereuppon his warre had not such successe as he looked for, and therefore takinge pledges onely of the kinge, and imposing a yearely tribute apon him, to be payed unto the people of Rome : he re- turned againe into Gaule. There he was no sooner landed, but he founde letters ready to be sent over the sea unto him : in the which he was advertised from Rome, of the death of The death of his Daughter, that she was dead with child by Pompey. I ulia, Caesars For the which, Pompey and Caesar both, were marvelous Daughter, sorowfull : and their friends mourned also, thinking that this alliance which mainteined the common wealth (that otherwise was very tickle) in good peace and concord, was now severed, and broken a sonder, and the rather likely, bicause the childe lived not long after the mother. So the common people at Rome tooke the corps of Julia, in dispite of the Tribunes, and buried it in the fielde of Mars. Now Caesar being driven to devide his armie (that was very great) into sundry garrisons for the winter time, and returning againe into Italy as he was wont : all Gaule rebelled againe, and had raysed great armies in every quarter to set apon The rebellion the Romanes, and to assay if they could distresse their forts of the Gaules. 5 :D 25

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

lULIUS where they lay in garrison. The greatest number and most

C^SAR warlike men of these Gaules, that entred into action of

rebellion, were led by one Ambiorix : and first did set upon

Cotta, and the garrisons of Cotta, and Titurius, whom they slue, and

Titurius, with all the souldiers they had about them. Then they went

their armie with three score thowsand fighting men to beseege the gar-

s aine. rison which Quintus Cicero had in his charge, and had almost

taken them by force, bicause all the souldiers were every man

of them hurt : but they were so valiant and courageous, that

they did more then men (as they say) in defending of them

selves. These newes being come to Caesar, who was farre

from thence at that time, he returned with all possible

speede, and levying seven thowsand souldiers, made haste to

helpe Cicero that was in such distresse. The Gaules that

did beseege Cicero, understanding of Caesars comming, raysed

their seege incontinently, to goe and meete him : making

accompt that he was but a handfull in their handes, they

were so fewe. Caesar to deceive them, still drewe backe,

and made as though he flied from them, lodging in places

meete for a Captaine that had but a few, to fight with a

great number of his enemies, and commaunded his men in

no wise to sturre out to skirmish with them, but compelled

them to rayse up the rampers of his campe, and to fortifie

the gates, as men that were afraid, bicause the enemies

should the lesse esteeme of them : untill that at length he

tooke opportunitie, by their disorderly comming to assaile

the trenches of his campe, (they were growen to such a pre-

Caesar slue the sumptuous boldnes and bravery) and then salying out apon

Gaules led by them, he put them all to flight with slaughter of a great

Ambiorix. number of them. This did suppresse all the rebellions of

the Gaules in those partes, and furthermore, he him selfe

in person went in the middest of winter thether, where he

heard they did rebell : for that there was come a newe supply

out of Italy of three whole legions in their roome, which he

had lost : of the which, two of them Pompey lent him, and

the other legion, he him selfe had leavyed in Gaule about

the river of Po. During these sturres, brake forth the

beginning of the greatest and most daungerous warre that

he had in all Gaule, the which had bene secretly practised

26

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

of long time by the chiefest and most warlike people of that lULIUS contry, who had lea\4ed a wonderfuU great power. For C^SAR every where they leavied multitudes of men, and great riches The second besides, to fortefie their stronge holdes. Furthermore the rebellion of contry where they rose, was very ill to come unto, and speci- t^^.^^^^^s ally at that time being winter, when the rivers were frosen, (^sar. the woodes and forrests covered with snowe, the meadowes drowned with fluddes, and the fieldes so deepe of snow, that no wayes were to be found, neither the marisses nor rivers to be decerned, all was so overflowen and drowned with water : all which troubles together were enough (as they thought) to keepe Caesar from setting upon the rebels. Many nations of the Gaules were of this conspiracy, but two of the chiefest were the Arvernians and Carnutes : who had chosen Ver- Vercingento- cingentorix for their Lieuetenant generall, whose father the rix Captaine Gaules before had put to death, bicause they thought he f *Jjfst"^^s3r aspired to make him selfe king. This Vercingentorix devid- ing his armie into divers partes, and appointing divers Captaines over them, had gotten to take his part, all the people and contries thereabout, even as farre as they that dwell towards the *sea Adriatick, having further determined *Sonie say, (understanding that Rome did conspire against Caesar) to *^** ^° V^^^ make all Gaule rise in armes against him. So that if he ^g^^edde in had but taried a litle lenger, untill Caesar had entred into his the Greeke civill warres : he had put all Italy in as great feare and Trpos t6v daunger, as it was when the Cimbri did come and invade it. 'Apapii/, which But Caesar, that was very valiant in all assaies and daungers ^i' ® ^^^^^ of warre, and that was very skilfull to take time and opor- tunitie : so soone as he understoode the newes of the rebellion, he departed with speed e, and returned backe the selfe same way which he had gone, making the barbarous people know, that they should deale with an armie unvincible, and which they could not possibly withstand, considering the great speede he had made with the same, in so sharpe and hard a winter. For where they would not possibly have beleeved, that a poste or currer could have come in so short a time from the place where he was, unto them : they wondred when they saw him burning and destroying the contry, the townes and stronge forts where he came with his armie,

27

lULIUS C^SAR

The Hedvi rebell against the Romanes.

*Sequaui.

Verciugen- torix over- throwen by Caesar.

The seege of Alexia.

Caesars daun- ger, and wise policie.

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

taking all to mercy that yelded unto him : until such time as the Hedvi tooke armes against him, who before were wont to be called the brethren of the Romanes, and were greatly honored of them. Wherfore Caesars men when they under- stoode that they had joyned with the rebells, they were marvelous sory, and halfe discouraged. There uppon, Caesar departing from those partes, went through the contry of the Lingones, to enter the contry of the *Burgonians, who were confederats of the Romanes, and the nearest mito Italy on that side, in respect of all the rest of Gaule. Thither the enemies came to set apon him, and to environne him of all sides, with an infinit number of thowsands of fighting men. Caesar on thother side taried their comming, and fighting with them a long time, he made them so affraid of him, that at length he overcame the barbarous people. But at the first, it seemeth notwithstanding, that he had receyved some overthrowe : for the Arvernians shewed a sworde hanged uppe in one of their temples, which they sayde they had wonne from Caesar. Insomuch as Caesar selfe comming that way by occasion, sawe it, and fell a laughing at it. But some of his friendes going about to take it away, he would not suffer them, but bad them let it alone, and touch it not, for it was a holy thinge. Notwithstanding, such as at the first had saved them selves by fleeing, the most of them were gotten with their king into the citie of Alexia, the which Caesar went and beseeged, although it seemed inexpugnable, both for the height of the wals, as also for the multitude of souldiers they had to defend it. But now during this seege, he fell into a marvelous great daunger without, almost incredible. For an armie of three hundred thowsand fight- ing men of the best men that were among all the nations of the Gaules, came against him, being at the seege of Alexia, besides them that were within the citie, which amounted to the number of three score and tenne thowsand fighting men at the least : so that perceiving he was shut in betwixt two so great armies, he was driven to fortifie him selfe with two walls, the one against them of the citie, and the other against them without. For if those two armies had joyned together, Caesar had bene utterly undone. And therefore, this seege 28

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

of Alexia, and the battell he wanne before it, did deservedly lULIUS winne him more honor and fame, then any other. For there, C-S)SAR in that instant and extreame daunger, he shewed more valiantnes and wisdom, then he did in any battell he fought before. But what a wonderfull thing was this ? that they of the citie never heard any thing of them that came to ayde Caesars great them, untill Caesar had overcome them : and furthermore, ^'ictorie at that the Romanes them selves which kept watch upon the ®^^*" wall that was built against the citie, knew also no more of it, then they, but when it was done, and that they heard the crves and lamentacions of men and women in Alexia, when they perceived on thother side of the citie such a number of glistering shields of gold and silver, such store of bloody corselets and armors, such a deale of plate and move- ables, and such a number of tents and pa\ilyons after the facion of the Gaules, which the Romanes had gotten of their spoyles in their campe. Thus sodainely was this great armie vanished, as a dreame or vision : where the most part of them were slaine that day in battell. Furthermore, after that they within the citie of Alexia had done great hurt to Caesar, and them selves also : in the ende, they all yelded Alexia yelded them selves. And Vercingentorix (he that was their king "^P *° Caesar, and Capteine in all this warre) went out of the gates excel- lently well armed, and his horse furnished with riche cap- parison accordingly, and rode round about Caesar, who sate in his chayer of estate. Then lighting from his horse, he tooke of his capparison and furniture, and unarmed him selfe, and layed all on the ground, and went and sate downe at Caesars feete, and sayd never a word. So Caesar at length committed him as a prisoner taken in the warres, to leade him afterwards in his triumphe at Rome. Nowe Caesar had of long time determined to destroy Pompey, and Pompey him also. For Crassus being killed amongest the Parthians, who onely did see, that one of them two must needes fall : nothing kept Caesar from being the greatest person, but bicause he destroied not Pompey, that was the greater : neither did any thing let Pompey to withstand that it should not come to passe, but bicause he did not first overcome Caesar, whom onely he feared. For till then, Pompey had not long feared

29

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

lULIUS him, but abvayes before set light by him, thinking it an CiESAR easie matter for him to put him downe when he would, sithe The discord he had brought him to that greatnes he was come unto, betwixt Caesar g^^ Caesar contrarily, having had that drift in his head from and thrcau^'e ^^^ beginning, like a wrestler that studieth for trickes to of the civill overthrowe his adversary : he went farre from Rome, to warres. exercise him selfe in the warres of Gaule, where he did

Caesars trayne his armie, and presently by his valiant deedes did

craftines. increase his fame and honor. By these meanes became Caesar as famous as Pompey in his doings, and lacked no more to put his enterprise in execution, but some occasions of culler, which Pompey partly gave him, and partly also the tyme delivered him, but chiefly, the hard fortune and ill government at that tyme of the common wealth of Rome. The peoples For they that made sute for honor and offices, bought the voices bought voyces of the people with ready money, which they gave out at Rome for openly to usury, without shame or feare. Thereupon, the ^* common people that had sold their voyces for money, came

to the market place at the day of election, to fight for him that had hyered them : not with their voices, but with their bowes, slings, and swordes. So that the assembly seldom tyme brake up, but that the pulpit for orations was defiled and sprinckled with the bloode of them that were slayne in the market place, the citie remayning all that tyme with- out government of Magistrate, like a shippe left without a Pilote. Insomuch, as men of deepe judgement and dis- cression seing such furie and madnes of the people, thought them selves happy if the common wealth were no worse troubled, then with the absolut state of a Monarchy and soveraine Lord to governe them. Furthermore, there were many that were not affi-aid to speake it openly, that there was no other help to remedy the troubles of the common wealth, but by the authority of one man only, that should commaund them all : and that this medicine must be minis- tred by the hands of him, that was the gentlest Phisition, meaning covertly Pompey. -Now Pompey used many fine speeches, making semblance as though he would none of it, and yet cunningly under hand did lay all the yrons in the fire he could, to bring it to passe, that he might be chosen 30

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

Dictator. Cato finding the mark he shot at, and fearing lULIUS least in the end the people should be compelled to make him C^SAR Dictator : he perswaded the Senat rather to make him sole Consul, that contenting him self with that more just and lawful government, he should not covet the other unlawfull. The Senate following his counsel, did not only make him Consul, but further did proroge his government of the pro- vinces he had. For he had two provinces, all Spayne, and Poi. ey Africk, the which he governed by his Lieuetenants : and governed further, he received yearely of the common treasure to pay Spain and his souldiers a thowsand talents. Hereuppon Caesar tooke occasion also to send his men to make sute in his name for Caesar sueth the Consulship, and also to have the government of his pro- t^e second vinces proroged. Pompey at the first held his peace. But p"*® *? ^® , Marcellus and Lentulus (that otherwise hated Caesar) with- ^^ hayg jj^g stood them, and to shame and dishonor him, had much government needeles speech in matters of weight. Furthermore, they proroged. tooke away the fredom from the Colonyes which Caesar had lately brought unto the citie of Novum Comum in Gaule towards Italy, where Csesar not long before had lodged them. And moreover, when Marcellus was Consul, he made one of the Senators in that citie to be whipped with roddes, who came to Rome about those matters : and said, he gave him those markes, that he should know he was no Romane Citizen, and bad him goe his way, and tel Caesar of it. After Marcellus Consulship, Caesar setting open his cofers of Caesar bribeth the treasure he had gotten among the Gaules, did franckely t^^ Magis- give it out amongest the Magistrates at Rome, without *5"^*^^ ^* restrainte or spare. First, he set Curio, the Tribune cleare out of debt : and gave also unto Paule the Consul a thow- sand five hundred talents, with which money he built that notable pallace by the market place, called Paules Basilicke, in the place of Fulvius Basilicke. Then Pompey being affraid of this practise, began openly to procure, both by him selfe and his friends, that they should send Caesar a successor : and moreover, he sent unto Caesar for his two lesions of men of warre which he had lent him, for the conquest of Gaule. Caesar sent him them againe, and gave every private souldier, two hundred and fiftie silver drachmas. Now, they that

31

lULIUS C^SAR

Pompey abused by flatterers.

Caesars re- quests unto the Senate.

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

brought these two legions backe from Cassar, gave out ill and seditious wordes against him amonge the people, and did also abuse Pompey with false perswasions and vaine hopes, informing him that he was marvelously desired and wished for in Caesars campe : and that though in Rome, for the malice and secret spite which the governours there did beare him, he could hardly obteyne that he desired : yet in Gaule he might assure him selfe, that all the armie was at his commaundement. They added further also, that if the souldiers there did once returne over the mountaines againe into Italy, they would all straight come to him, they did so hate Caesar : bicause he wearied them with too much labor and continuall fight, and withal, for that they suspected he aspired to be king. These words breeding securitie in Pompey, and a vaine conceit of him selfe, made him negli- gent in his doings, so that he made no preparation for warre, as though he had no occasion to be affraid : but onely studied to thwart Caesar in speech, and to crosse the sutes he made. Howbeit Caesar passed not of all this. For the report went, that one of Caesars Captaines which was sent to Rome to prosecute his sute, being at the Senate dore, and hearing that they denied to proroge Caesars time of government which he sued for : clapping his hand upon his sword, he said, Sith you wil not graunt it him, this shal give it him. Notwithstanding, the requests that Caesar propownded, caried great semblance of reason with them. For he said, that he was contented to lay downe armes, so that Pompey did the like : and that both of them as privat persons should come and make sute of their Citizens to obtaine honorable recom- pence : declaring unto them, that taking armes from him, and graunting them unto Pompey, they did wrongefully accuse him in going about to make him selfe a tyranne, and in the meane time to graunt the other meanes to be a tyranne. Curio making these offers and perswasions openly before the people, in the name of Caesar: he was heard with great rejoycing and clapping of hands, and there were some that cast flowers and nosegayes upon him when he went his way, as they commonly use to doe unto any man, when he hath obteined victorye, and wonne any games. Then Antonius 32

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

one of the Tribunes, brought a letter sent from Caesar, and lULIUS made it openly to be read in despite of the Consuls. But CiESAR Scipio in the Senate, Pompeys father in law, made this motion : that if Caesar did not dismisse his armie by a cer- taine day appoynted him, the Romanes should proclayme him an enemie unto Rome. Then the Consuls openly asked in the presence of the Senators, if they thought it good that Pompev should dismisse his armie : but few agreed to that demaund. After that againe they asked, if they liked that Caesar should dismisse his armie : thereto they all in manner aunswered, Yea, yea. But when Antonius requested agayne that bothe of them should lav downe armes : then they were all indifferently of his minde. Notwithstanding, bicause Scipio did insolently behave him selfe, and Marcellus also, who cryed that they must use force of armes, and not mens opinions against a theefe : the Senate rose straight upon it without further determination, and men chaunged apparel through the citie bicause of this dissention, as they use to do in a common calamity. After that, there came other letters from Caesar, which semed much more reasonable : in the which he requested that they would graunt him Gaule, that lyeth betwene the Mountaines of the Alpes and Italy, and Illyria, with two legions only, and then that he would request nothing els, until he made sute for the second Consulship. Cicero the Orator, that was newly come from his government of Cilicia, travelled to reconcile them together, and pacified Pompey the best he could : who told him, he would yeld to any thing he would have him, so he did let him alone with his armie. So Cicero perswaded Caesars friends to be con- tented, to take those two provinces, and six thowsand men onely, that they might be friends and at peace together. Pompey very willingly y elded unto it, and graunted them. But Lentulus the Consul would not agree to it, but shame- fully drave Curio and Antonius out of the Senate : whereby they them selves gave Caesar a happy occasion and culler, as could be, stirring up his souldiers the more against them, when he shewed them these two notable men and Tribunes of the people that were driven to flie, disguised like slaves, in a cariers cart. For, they were driven for feare to steale 5:E * 33

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

lULIUS out of Rome, disguised in that manner. Nowe at that CiESAR time, Caesar had not in all about him, above five thow- Antonius sand footemen, and three thowsand horsemen : for the and Curio, j-gg^- Qf j^jg armie, he left on thother side of the Moun- the Deorfle' fly Raines to be brought after him by his Lieuetenants. So, from Rome considering that for thexecution of his enterprise, he to Caesar. should not neede so many men of warre at the first, but

rather sodainly stealing upon them, to make them affraid with his valiantnes, taking benefit of the oportunitie of tyme, bicause he should more easily make his enemies affraid of him, comming so sodainly when they looked not for him, then he should otherwise distresse them, assailing them with his whole armie, in giving them leysure to provide further for him : he commaunded his Captaines and Lieue- tenants to go before, without any other armor then their swords, to take the citie of Ariminum, (a great eitie of Gaule, being the first citie men come to, when they come out of Gaule) with as litle bloodshed and tumult, as they could possible. Then committing that force and armie he had with him, unto Hortensius one of his friends : he remeyned a whole day together, openly in the sight of every man, to see the sworde players handle their weapons before him. At night he went into his lodging, and bathing his body a litle, came afterwards into the hall amongest them, and made mery with them a while, whome he had bidden to supper. Then when it was well forwarde night, and very darke, he rose from the table, and prayed his company to be mery, and no man to sturre, for he would straight come to them againe : howebeit he had secretly before commaunded a fewe of his trustiest frendes to followe him, not altogether, but some one way, and some an other way. He him selfe in the meane tyme tooke a coche he had hyered, and made as though he woulde have gonne some other waye at the first, but sodainely he turned backe againe towardes the citie of Ariminum. When he was come unto the litle ryver of Caesars doubt- Rubicon, which devideth Gaule on this side the Alpes from full thoughts Italy : he stayed uppon a sodaine. For, the nearer he came ^ the river of ^^ execute his purpose, the more remorse he had in his con- science, to thinke wliat an enterprise he tooke in liand : and 34

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

his thoughts also fell out more doubtfull, when he entred lULIUS into consideration of the desperatnes of his attempt. So he CAESAR fell into many thoughts with him selfe, and spake never a word, waving sometime one way, sometime an other way, and often times chaunged his determination, contrary to him selfe. So did he talke much also with his friends he had with him, amongest whom was Asinius Pollio, telling them what mis- chieves the beginning of this passage over that river would breede in the world, and how much their posteritie and them that lived after them, would speake of it in time to come. But at length, casting from him with a noble courage, all those perillous thoughts to come, and speaking these words which valiant men commonly say, that attempt daungerous and desperat enterprises, 'A desperat man feareth no daunger, The Greeke come on ' : he passed over the river, and when he was come useth this over, he ranne with his coche and never staled, so that before P^^ase of day light he was within the citie of Ariminum, and tooke it. ^^ ^ ' It is said, that the night before he passed over this river, ^ ,

he dreamed a damnable dreame, that he carnally knew his ^jje citie of mother. The citie of Ariminum being taken, and the rumor Ariminum. thereof dispersed through all Italy, even as if it had bene Ceesars damn- open warre both by sea and land, and as if all the lawes able dreame. of Rome, together with thextreme bounds and confines of the same had bene broken up : a man would have sayd, that not onely the men and women for feare, as experience proved at other times, but whole cities them selves leaving their habitations, fled from one place to another through all Italy. And Rome it selfe also was immediatly filled with the flowing Rome in repaire of all the people their neighbours thereabouts, which uprore with came thither from all partes like droves of cattell, that there ^**^^ was neither ofl[icer nor Magistrate that could any more com- mamid them by authoritie, neither by any perswasion of reason bridle such a confused and disorderly multitude : so that Rome had in maner destroyed it selfe for lacke of rule and order. For in all places, men were of contrary opinions, and there were daungerous sturres and tumults every where : bicause they that were glad of this trouble, could keepe in no certaine place, but running up and downe the citie, when they met with others in divers places, that seemed either to

35

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

lULIUS CiESAR

Pompey flyeth from Rome.

be affraid or angry with this tumult (as otherwise it is impossible in so great a citie) they flatly fell out with them, and boldly threatned them with that that was to come. Pompey him selfe, who at that time was not a litle amazed, was yet much more troubled with the ill wordes some gave him on the one side, and some on the other. For some of them reproved him, and sayd that he had done wisely, and had paid for his folly, because he had made Caesar so great and stronge against him and the common wealth. And other againe did blame him, bicause he had refused the honest offers and reasonable condicions of peace, which Caesar had offered him, suffering Lentulus the Consul to abuse him too much. On thother side, Phaonius spake unto him, and bad him stampe on the ground with his foote : For Pompey beeing one day in a braverie in the Senate, sayd openly : Let no man take thought for preparation of warre, for when he lysted, with one stampe of his foote on the ground, he would fill all Italy with souldiers. This not- withstanding, Pompey at that tyme had greater number of souldiers then Caesar : but they would never let him follow his owne determination. For they brought him so many lyes, and put so many examples of feare before him, as if Caesar had bene already at their heeles, and had wonne all : so that in the ende he yelded unto them, and gave place to their furie and madnes, determining (seeing all thinges in such tumult and garboyle) that there was no way but to for- sake the citie, and thereuppon commaunded the Senate to follow him, and not a man to tary there, unles he loved tyrannie, more then his owne libertie and the common wealth. Thus the Consuls them selves, before they had done their common sacrifices accustomed at their going out of the citie, fled every man of them. So did likewise the moste parte of the Senators, taking their owne thinges in haste, such as came first to hande, as if by stealth they had taken them from another. And there were some of them also that alwayes loved Caesar, whose witts were then so troubled and besides them selves, with the feare they had conceyved: that they also fled, and followed the streame of this tumult, with- out manifest cause or necessitie. But above all thinges, it 36

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

was a lamentable sight to see the citie it selfe, that in this lULIUS feare and trouble was left at all adventure, as a shippe tossed C^SAR in stomie of sea, forsaken of her Pilots, and dispairing of her safetie. This their departure being thus miserable, yet men esteemed their banishment (for the love they bare unto Pompey) to bee their naturall contry, and reckoned Rome no better then Caesars campe. At that tyme also Labienus, Labienus for- who was one of Caesars greatest friendes, and had bene sooke Caesar, alwayes used as his Lieuetenant in the warres of Gaule, and p° had valiantly fought in his cause : he likewise forsooke him then, and fled unto Pompey. But Caesar sent his money and cariage after him, and then went and encamped before the citie of Corfinium, the which Domitius kept, with thirty cohorts or ensignes. When Domitius sawe he was beseeged, he straight thought him selfe but undone, and dispayring of his successe, he bad a Phisition, a slave of his, give him poyson. The Phisition gave him a drinke which he dranke, thinking to have dyed. But shortly after, Domitius hearing them reporte what clemencie and wonderfull curtesie Caesar used unto them he tooke : repented him then that he had dronke this drinke, and beganne to lament and bewayle his desperate resolucion taken to dye. The Phisition did com- fort him againe, and tolde him, that he had taken a drinke, onely to make him sleepe, but not to destroy him. Then Domitius rejoyced, and went straight and yelded him selfe unto Caesar : who gave him his life, but he notwithstanding Domitius stale away immediatly, and fled unto Pompey. AVhen these escaped from newes were brought to Rome, they did marvelously rejoyce fl^^x'''j*'^ and comfort them that still remayned there : and moreover pompey. there were of them that had forsaken Rome, which returned thither againe. In the meane time, Caesar did put all Domitius men in paye, and he did the like through all the cities, where he had taken any Captaines, that leavied men for Pompey. Now Caesar having assembled a great and dreadfull power together, went straight where he thought to finde Pompey him selfe. But Pompey taried not his comming, but fled into the citie of Brundusium, from whence Pompey he had sent the two Consuls before with that armie he had, ^^}^ "^^'^ unto Dyrrachium : and he him selfe also went thither after- P*'^"^,

37

lULlUS C^SAR

Silent leges inter arma.

Caesar taketh money out of the temple of Saturne.

Caesars jorney into Spayne, against Pompeys Lieuetenants.

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

wards, when he imderstoode that Caesar was come, as you shall heare more amply hereafter in his life. Caesar lacked no good will to follow him, but wanting shippes to take the seas, he returned forthwith to Rome : So that in lesse then three skore dayes, he was Lord of all Italy, without any blood shed. Who when he was come to Rome, and found it much quietter then he looked for, and many Senatours there also : he curteously intreated them, and prayed them to send unto Pompey, to pacifie all matters betweene them, apon reasonable conditions. But no man did attempt it, eyther bicause they feared Pompey for that they had for- saken him, or els for that they thought Caesar ment not as he spake, but that they were wordes of course, to culler his pur- pose withall. And when Metellus also, one of the Tribunes, would not suffer him to take any of the common treasure out of the temple of Saturne, but tolde him that it was against the lawe : Tushe, say d he, tyme of warre and lawe are two thinges. If this that I doe, quoth he, doe ofFende thee, then get thee hence for this tyme: for warre can not abyde this francke and bolde speeche. But when warres are done, and that we are all quiet agayne, then thou shalt speake in the pulpit what thou wilt : and yet I doe tell thee this of favor, im- payring so much my right, for thou art myne, both thou, and all them that have risen against me, and whom I have in my hands. When he had spoken thus unto Metellus, he went to the temple dore where the treasure laye : and finding no keyes there, he caused Smythes to be sent for, and made them breake open the lockes. Metellus thereuppon beganne agayne to withstande him, and certen men that stoode by praysed him in his doing : but Caesar at length speaking biggely to him, threatned him he would kill him presently, if he troubled him any more : and told him furthermore, Younge man, quoth he, thow knowest it is harder for me to tell it thee, than to doe it. That word made Metellus quake for feare, that he gotte him away rowndly : and ever after that, Caesar had all at his com- maundement for the warres. From thence he went into Spayne, to make warre with Petreius and Varro, Pompeys Lieuetenants : first to gette their armies and provinces into 38

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

his hands which they governed, that afterwardes he might lULIUS follow Pompey the better, leaving never an enemie behinde C^SAR him. In this jorney he was oftentymes him selfe in daunger, through the ambushes that were layde for him in divers straunge sortes and places, and likely also to have lost all his armie for lacke of vittells. All this notwithstanding, he never left following of Pompeys Lieuetenants, provoking them to battell, and intrenching them in : untill he had gotten their campe and armies into his handes, albeit that the Lieuetenants them selves fled unto Pompey. When Caesar returned agayne to Rome, Piso his father in lawe gave him counsell to sende Ambassadors unto Pompey, to treate of peace. But Isauricus, to flatter Caesar, was against it. Caesar beeing then created Dictator by the Senate, called home againe all the banished men, and restored their children to honor, whose fathers before had beene slayne in Syllaes tyme : and did somewhat cutte of the usuries that did oppresse them, and besides, did make some such other ordinances as those, but very fewe. For he was Dictator Caesar but eleven dayes onely, and then did yeld it uppe of him Dictator, selfe, and made him selfe Consul, with Servilius Isauricus, Caesar and and after that determined to followe the warres. All the Isauricus rest of his armie he left comming on the way behind him, ^^^^ ^' and went him selfe before with six hundred horse, and five legions onely of footemen, in the winter quarter, about the moneth of lanuary, which after the Athenians, is called Posideon. Then having past over the sea Ionium, and landed Caesar goeth his men, he wanne the cities of Oricum and Apollonia. Then i^^to the he sent his shippes backe againe unto Brundusium, to trans- ^^^^'^^"^ ^' port the rest of his souldiers that could not come with that speede he did. They as they came by the way, (like men whose strength of body, and lusty youth, was decayed) being wearied with so many sundry battells as they had fought with their enemies : complayned of Caesar in this sorte. To Complaints what ende and purpose doth this man hale us after him, up of t^^ olde and downe the world, using us like slaves and drudges ? It souldiers is not our armor, but our bodies that beare the blowes awav : cLlar. and what, shall we never be without our harnes of our backes, and our shieldes on our armes ? should not Caesar thinke, at

159

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lULIUS the least when he seeth our blood and woundes, that we are C^SAR all mortall men, and that we feele the miserie and paynes that other men doe feele ? And now even in the dead of winter, he putteth us unto the mercie of the sea and tempest, yea which the gods them selves can not withstand : as if he fled before his enemies, and pursued them not. Thus spend- ing time with this talke, the souldiers still marching on, by small jorneys came at length unto the citie of Brundusium. But when they were come, and found that Caesar had already passed over the sea, then they straight chaunged their com- plaints and mindes. For they blamed them selves, and tooke on also with their Captaines, bicause they had not made them make more haste in marching : and sitting upon the rockes and clyfFes of the sea, they looked over the mayne sea, towards the Realme of Epirus, to see if they could discerne the shippes returning backe, to transport them over. Caesar in the meane time being in the citie of Apollonia, having but a small armie to fight with Pompey, it greved him for that the rest of his armie was so long a comming, not knowing what way to take. In the ende he followed a daungerous determinacion, to imbarke unknowen in a litle pynnase of twelve ores onely, to passe over the sea againe unto Brundusium : the which he could not doe without great daunger, considering that all that sea was full of Pompeys shippes and armies. So he tooke shippe in the night apparelled like a slave, and went aborde upon this litle pynnase, and said never a word, as if he had bene some poore man of meane condicion. The pynnase laye in the Anius fl, mouth of the river of Anius, the which commonly was wont

to be very calme and quiet, by reason of a litle wind that came from the shore, which every morning drave backe the waves farre into the maine sea. But that night, by il fortune, there came a great wind from the sea that overcame the land wind, insomuch as the force and strength of the river fighting against the violence of the rage and waves of the sea, the encownter was marvailous daungerous, the water of the river being driven backe, and rebounding upward, with great noyse and daunger in turning of the water. Thereuppon the Maister of the pvnnase seeing he could not possibly get 40

A great adventure of CsBsar.

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

out of the mouth of this river, bad the Maryners to cast lULIUS about againe, and to returne against the streame. Caesar C^SAR hearing that, straight discovered him selfe unto the Maister of the pynnase, who at the first was amazed when he saw him : but Caesar then taking him by the hand sayd unto him, Good fellow, be of good cheere, and forwardes hardily, feare not, for thou hast Caesar and his fortune with thee. ^- Then the jMaryners forgetting the daunger of the storme they were in, laid on lode with ores, and labored for life what they could against the winde, to get out of the mouth of this river. But at length, perceiving they labored in vaine, and that the pynnase tooke in aboundance of water, and was ready to sincke : Csesar then to his great griefe was driven to returne backe again. Who when he was returned unto his campe, his souldiers came in great companies unto him, and were very sory, that he mistrusted he was not able with them alone to overcome his enemies, but would put his Caesars person in daunger, to goe fetch them that were absent, daungers and putting no trust in them that were present. In the meane ^f'^^^ i ^^ time Antonius arrived, and brought with him the rest of his of ^pirus armie from Brundusium. Then Caesar finding him selfe strong enough, went and offered Pompey battel, who was passingly wel lodged, for vittelling of his campe both by sea and land. Caesar on thother side, who had no great plenty of vittels at the first, was in a very hard case : insomuch as his men gathered rootes, and mingled them with milke, and eate them. Furthermore, they did make breade of it also, and sometime when they skirmished with the enemies, and came alongest by them that watched and warded, they cast of their bread into their trenches, and sayd : that as longe as the earth brought forth such frutes, they would never leave beseeging of Pompey. But Pompey straightly commaunded them, that they should neither cary those words nor bread into their campe, fearing least his mens hartes would faile them, and that they would be affraid, when they should thinke of their enemies hardnes, with whome they had to fight, sithe they were weary with no paynes, no more then brute beastes. Caesars men did daily skirmishe hard to the trenches of Pompey s campe, in the which Caesar had ever the 5 : F ^ 41

lULIUS C^SAR

CsBsars armie fled from Pompey.

Caesars wordes of Pompeys victory.

Caesar troubled in mind, after his losse.

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

better, saving once only, at what tyme his men fled with such feare, that all his campe that daye was in greate hazarde to have beene caste awaye. For Pompey came on with his battell apon them, and they were not able to abyde it, but were fought with, and dryven into their campe, and their trenches were filled with deade bodyes, which were slayne within the very gate and bullwarkes of their campe, they were so valiantly pursued. Caesar stoode before them that fledde, to make them to turne heade agayne : but he coulde not prevayle. For when he woulde have taken the ensignes to have stayed them, the ensigne bearers threw them downe on the grounde : so that the enemyes tooke two and thirtye of them, and Caesars selfe also scaped hardely with lyfe. For stryking a greate bigge souldier that fledde by him, commaunding him to staye, and turne his face to his enemie : the souldier beeing aft'rayde, lift uppe his sworde to stryke at Caesar. But one of Caesars Pages preventing him, gave him suche a blowe with his sworde, that he strake of his showlder. Caesar that daye was brought unto so greate extremitie, that (if Pompey had not eyther for feare, or spytefull fortune, left of to followe his victorie, and retyred into his campe, beeing contented to have dryven his enemyes into their campe) returning to his campe with his friendes, he sayde unto them : The victorie this daye had beene our enemies, if they had had a Captayne, that coulde have tolde howe to have overcome. So when he was come to his lodging, he went to bedde, and that nyght troubled him more, then any nyght that ever he had. For still his mynde ranne with great sorowe of the fowle faulte he had committed in leading of his armie, of selfe will to remaine there so longe by the sea side, his enemies being the stronger by sea : considering that he had before him a goodly contrie, riche and plentifull of all thinges, and goodly cities of Macedon and Thessaly, and had not the witte to bringe the warre from thence, but to lose his tyme in a place, where he was rather beseeged of his enemyes for lacke of vittells, then that he did beseege them by force of armes. Thus, fretting and chafing to see him selfe so strayghted with vittells, and to thinke of his yll lucke, he raysed his campe, intending to goe sette uppon Scipio, 42

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

making accompt, that either he should drawe Pompey to lULIUS battell against his will, when he had not the sea at his backe C^SAR to furnish him with plenty e of vittells : or els that he should easily overcome Scipio, finding him alone, unles he were ayded. This remove of Caesars campe, did much encourage Pompeys armie and his captaines, who would needes in any case have followed after him, as though he had bene over- come, and had fled. But for Pompey him selfe, he would in Pompeys no respect hazard battell, which was a matter of so great determination importance. For finding him selfe wel provided of all ^or the warre. thinges necessary to tary tyme, he thought it better to drawe this warre out in length, by tract of time, the rather to con- sume this litle strength that remayned in Caesars armie : of the which, the best men were marvellous well trayned and good souldiers, and for valiantnes, at one dales battell, were incomparable. But on thother side againe, to remove here and there so ofte, and to fortifie their campe where they came, and to beseege any wall, or to keepe watch all night in their armor : the most part of them could not doe it, by reason of their age, beeing then unable to away with that paynes, so that the weakenes of their bodies did also take away the life and courage of their hartes. Furthermore, there fell a pestilent disease amonge them that came by ill meates hunger drave them to eate : yet was not this the worst. For besides, he had no store of money, neither could tell how to come by vittells : so that it semed in all likeli- hood, that in very short tyme he would come to nothing. For these respectes, Pompey would in no case fight, and yet had he but Cato onely of his minde in that, who stucke in it the rather, bicause he would avoyde sheding of his contry mens bloode. For when Cato had viewed the deade bodies slajTie in the campe of his enemies, at the last skirmish that was betweene them, the which were no lesse then a thowsand persons : he covered his face, and went away weeping. All other but he, contrarily fell out with him, and blamed him, bycause he so long refrayned from battell : and some prickt „ him forward, and called him Agamemnon, and king of called Aga- kinges, saying, that he delayed this warre in this sort, memnon, and bicause he would not leave his authoritie to commaund them king of kings.

Ad

lULIUS CiESAR

The citie of Gomphes in Thessaly.

Pompeys dreame in Pharsalia.

The securitie of the Pompeians.

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

all, and that he was glad alwaies to see so many Captaines round about him, which came to his lodging to honor him, and waite upon him. And Faonius also, a harebraynd fellowe, frantykly counterfeating the round and playne speeche of Cato, made as though he was marvailous angry, and sayd : Is it not great pitie, that we shall not eate this yeare of Tusculum figges, and all for Pompeys ambicious minde to raigne alone ? and Afranius, who not long before was but lately come out of Spayne, (where, bicause he had but ill successe, he was accused of treason, that for money he had solde his armie unto Caesar :) he went busily asking, why they fought not with that Marchant, unto whom they sayde he had solde the province of Spayne ? So that Pompey with these kinde of speeches, against his will, was driven to follows Caesar, to fight with him. Then was Caesar at the first, marvailously perplexed, and troubled by the waye : bicause he founde none that would give him any vittells, beeing despised of every man, for the late losse and overthrowe he had receyved. But after that he had taken the citie of Gomphes in Thessaly, he did not onely meete with plentie of vittells to relieve his armie with : but he straungely also did ridde them of their disease. For the souldiers meeting with plentie of wyne, drinking harde, and making mery : drave awaye the infection of the pestilence. For they disposed them selves unto dauncing, masking, and playing the Bac- cherians by the waye : insomuch that drinking droncke they overcame their disease, and made their bodies newe agayne. When they both came into the contry of Pharsalia, and both campes laye before thother : Pompey returned agayne to his former determination, and the rather, bicause he had ill signes and tokens of misfortune in his sleepe. For he thought in his sleepe that when he entred into the Theater, all the Romanes receyved him with great clapping of handes. Whereuppon, they that were about him grewe to suche boldnes and securitie, assuring them selves of victorie : that Domitius, Spinther, and Scipio, in a bravery contended betweene them selves, for the chiefe Bishoppricke which Caesar had. Furthermore, there were divers that sent unto Rome to hyre the nearest houses unto the market place, as 44

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

beeing the fittest places for Praetors, and Consuls : making lULIUS

their accompt already, that those offices could not scape CjESAR

them, incontinently after the warres. But besides those,

the younge gentlemen, and Romane knightes were marvelous

desirous to fight, that were bravely mounted, and armed

with glistering gilt armors, their horses fat and very finely

kept, and them selves goodly young men, to the number

of seven thowsand, where the gentlemen of Caesars side, were

but one thowsand onely. The number of his footemen also

were much after the same reckoning. For he had five and Pompeys

forty thowsand against two and twenty thowsand. Where- armie as great

fore Caesar called his souldiers together, and told them how ^^^^^ ^^

Comificius was at hande, who brought two whole legions,

and that he had fifteene ensignes led by Calenus, the which

he made to stay about Megara and Athens. Then he asked

them if they would tary for that ayde or not, or whether

they would rather them selves alone venter battell. The

souldiers cryed out to him, and prayed him not to deferre

battell, but rather to devise some fetche to make the enemy

fight assoone as he could. Then as he sacrificed unto the

gods, for the purifying of his armie : the first beast was no

sooner sacrificed, but his Soothsayer assured him that he

should fight within three dayes. Caesar asked him againe,

if he saw in the sacrifices, any lucky signe, or token of good

lucke. The Soothsayer aunswered. For that, thou shalt

aunswer thy selfe, better then I can doe : for the gods doe

promise us a marvelous great chaunge, and alteracion of

thinges that are now, unto an other cleane contrary. For if

thou beest wel now, doest thou thinke to have worse fortune

hereafter ? and if thou be ill, assure thy self thou shalt have

better. The night before the battell, as he went about

midnight to visite the watch, men saw a great firebrand in A wonder

the element, all of a light fire, that came over Caesars campe, seene in the

and fell downe in Pompeys. In the morning also when they f f"^ p^+he

releeved the watche, they heard a false alarom in the enemies battell in

campe, without any apparant cause : which they commonly Pharsalia.

call, a sodaine feare, that makes men besides them selves.

This notwithstanding, Caesar thought not to fight that day,

but was determined to have raised his camp from thence, and

45 ^

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

lULIUS C^SAR

Caesars armie and his order of battell, in the fieldes of Pharsalia.

Pompeys army, and his order of battel.

An ill counsel and fowle fault of Pompey.

to have gone towards the citie of Scotusa : and his tents in his campe were already overthrowen when his skowtes came in with great speede, to bringe him newes that his enemies were preparing them selves to fight. Then he was very glad, and after he had made his prayers unto the gods to helpe him that day, he set his men in battell ray, and devided them into three squadrons : giving the middle battell unto Domitius Calvinus, and the left winge unto Antonius, and placed him selfe in the right winge, choosing his place to fight in the tenth legion. But seeing that against that, his enemies had set all their horsemen : he was halfe affraid when he saw the great number of them, and so brave besides. Wherefore he closely made six ensignes to come from the rerewarde of his battell, whom he had layd as an ambushe behind his right winge, having first appointed his souldiers what they should do, when the horsemen of the enemies came to give them charge. On thother side, Pompey placed him self in the right winge of his battell, gave the left winge unto Domitius, and the middle battell unto Scipio his father in law. Now all the Romane knightes (as we have told you before) were placed in the left winge, of purpose to envyrone Caesars right wing behinde, and to give their hottest charge there, where the generall of their enemies was : making their accompt, that there was no squadron of footemen how thicke soever they were, that could receive the charge of so great a trowpe of horsemen, and that at the first onset, they should overthrow them all, and marche upon their bellies. When the trompets on either side did sound the alarom to the battell, Pompey commaunded his footemen that they should stande still without sturring, to receyve the charge of their enemies, untill they came to throwing of their darts. Where- fore Cassar afterwardes sayde, that Pompey had committed a fowle faulte, not to consider that the charge which is given ronning with furie, besides that it giveth the more strength also unto their blowes, doth sette mens hartes also a fire : for the common hurling of all the souldiers that ronne together, is unto them as a boxe of the eare that settes men a fire. Then Caesar making his battell marche forwarde to give the onsette, sawe one of his Captaines (a valiant man, and very 46

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

skillfull in warre, in whome he had also greate confidence) lULIUS speaking to his souldiers that he had under his charge, CiESAR encouraging them to fight lyke men that daye. So he called him alowde by his name, and sayde unto him : Well, Caius Crassinius, what hope shall we have to day ? how are we determined, to fight it out manfully ? Then Crassinius casting up his hand, aunswered him alowd : This day, O Caesar, we shall have a noble victory, and I promise thee ere night thou shalt prayse me alyve or dead. When he had The battell in told him so, he was him selfe the foremost man that gave ^^ fieldes of charge upon his enemies, with his band following of him, ^^^^ ^' beeing about six score men, and making a lane through the foremost ranckes, with great slaughter he entred farre into the battell of his enemies : untill that valiantly fighting in this sort, he was thrust in at length in the mouth with a sworde, that the poynt of it came out agayne at his necke. Nowe the footemen of both battells being come to the sworde, the horsemen of the left winge of Pompey, did marche as fiercely also, spreading out their trowpes, to com- passe in the right winge of Caesars battell. But before they beganne to give charge, the six ensignes of footemen which Caesar had layed in ambushe behinde him, they beganne to runne full apon them, not throwing away their dartes farre of as they were wont to doe, neyther striking their enemies on the thighes nor on the legges, but to seeke to hit them full in the eyes, and to hurt them in the face, as Caesar had Caesars taught them. For he hoped that these lusty younge gentle- stratageme. men that had not bene often in the warres, nor were used to see them selves hurt, and the which, beeing in the pryme of their youth and beautie, would be affrayd of those hurtes, aswell for the feare of the present daunger to be slayne, as also for that their faces should not for ever be deformed. As in deede it came to passe, for they coulde never abyde that they shoulde come so neare their faces, with the poyntes of their dartes, but honge downe their heades for feare to be hitte with them in their eyes, and turned their backes, cover- ing their face, bicause they shoulde not be hurt. Then, breaking of them selves, they beganne at length cowardly to flye, and were occasion also of the losse of all the rest of

47

lULIUS CiESAR Caesar over- comtneth Pompey.

Pompeys flight.

Bi'utus that slue Caesar, taken prisoner at the battell of Pharsalia.

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

Pompeys armie. For they that had broken them, ranne immediatly to sette upon the squadron of the footemen behind, and slue them. Then Pompey seeing his horsemen from the other winge of his battell, so scattered and dispersed, flying away : forgate that he was any more Pompey the great which he had bene before, but rather was like a man whose wittes the goddes had taken from him, being afFrayde and amazed with the slaughter sent from above, and so retyred into his tent speaking never a worde, and sate there to see the ende of this battell. Untill at length all his army beeing overthrow en, and put to flight, the enemies came, and gotte up upon the rampers and defence of his campe, and fought hande to hande with them that stoode to defende the same. Then as a man come to him selfe agayne, he spake but this onely worde : What, even into our campe ? So in haste, casting of his coate armor and apparell of a generall, he shifted him, and put on such, as became his miserable fortune, and so stale out of his campe. Furthermore, what he did after this overthrowe, and howe he had put him selfe into the handes of the ^Egyptians, by whome he was miserably slayne : we have sette it forthe at large in his life. Then Caesar entring into Pompeys campe, and seeing the bodies layed on the grounde that were slayne, and others also that were a killing, sayde, fetching a great sighe : It was their owne doing, and against my will. For Caius Caesar, after he had wonne so many famous conquests, and overcome so many great battells, had beene utterly condemned notwithstanding, if he had departed from his armie. Asinius Pollio writeth, that he spake these wordes then in Latyn, which he after- wards wrote in Greeke, and sayeth furthermore, that the moste parte of them which were put to the sworde in the campe, were slaves and bondmen, and that there were not slayne in all at this battell, above six thowsand souldiers. As for them that were taken prisoners, Caesar did put many of them amongest his legions, and did pardon also many men of estimation, amonge whome Brutus was one, that afterwardes slue Caesar him selfe : and it is reported, that Caesar was very sory for him, when he could not immediatly be founde after the battell, and that he rejoyced againe, when he knewe 48

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

he was alyve, and that he came to yeelde him selfe unto him. lULIUS Caesar had many signes and tokens of victorie before this CAESAR battell : but the notablest of all other that hapned to him, Signes and was in the citie of Tralles. For in the temple of victorie, tokens of within the same citie, there was an image of Caesar, and victory, the earth all about it very hard of it selfe, and was paved besides with hard stone : and yet some say that there sprange uppe a palme hard by the base of the same image. In the A straunge citie of Padua, Caius Cornelius an excellent Soothsayer, (a *^^^ ^f Cor- contry man and friende of Titus Livius the Historiographer) " jj^^^p ^^' was by chaunce at that time set to beholde the flying of nosticator. birdes. He (as Livie reporteth) knewe the very tyme when the battell beganne, and tolde them that were present. Even now they gave the onset on both sides, and both armies do meete at this instant. Then sitting downe againe to con- sider of the birdes, after he had bethought him of the signes : he sodainely rose up on his feete, and cryed out as a man possessed with some spirit. Oh, Caesar, the victory is thine. Every man wondi'ing to see him, he tooke the crowne he had on his heade, and made an othe that he would never put it on againe, till the event of his prediction had proved his arte true. Livie testifieth, that it so came to passe. Caesar afterwards giving freedom unto the Thessalians, in respect of the victory which he wanne in their contry, he followed after Pompey. When he came into Asia, he gave freedom also unto the Guidians for Theopompus sake, who had gathered the fables together. He did release Asia also, the thirde part of the tribute which the inhabitants payd unto the Romanes. Then he came into Alexandria, after Pompey was slaine : and detested Theodotus, that presented him Pompeys heade, and turned his head at toe side bicause he would not see it. Notwithstanding, he tooke his seale, and beholding it, wept. Furthermore, he curteously used all Pompeys friendes and familiers, who wandring up and downe the contry, were taken of the king of ^gypt, and wanne them all to be at his commaundement. Continuing these Csesars curtesies, he wrote unto his friendes at Rome, that the clemency in greatest pleasure he tooke of his victorie, was, that he dayly ^'^^^^^^'y* saved the lives of some of his contry men that bare armes 5: G 49

lULIUS C^SAR The cause of Caesars warre in Alexan- dria.

Pothinus the Euenuke caused Pompey to be sla3'ue.

Cleopatra came to Caesar.

Cleopatra trussed up in a mattressCj and so brought to Caesar, upon Apollodorus backe.

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

against him. And for the warre he made in Alexandria, some say, he needed not have done it, but that he willingly did it for the love of Cleopatra : wherein he wanne litle honor, and besides did put his person in great daunger. Others doe lay the fault upon the king of ^Egypts Ministers, but specially on Pothinus the Euenuke, who bearing the greatest swaye of all the kinges servaunts, after he had caused Pompey to be slaine, and driven Cleopatra from the Court, secretly layd waite all the wayes he could, how he might likewise kill Caesar. Wherefore Cassar hearing an inckling of it, beganne thenceforth to spend all the night long in feasting and bancketing, that his person might be in the better safetie. But besides all this, Pothinus the Euenuke spake many thinges openly not to be borne, onely to shame Caesar, and to stirre up the people to envie him. For he made his souldiers have the worst and oldest wheate that could be gotten : then if they did complayne of it, he told them, they must be contented, seeing they eate at anothers mans coste. And he would serve them also at the table in treene and earthen dishes, saying, that Caesar had away all their gold and silver, for a debt that the kings father (that then raigned) did owe unto him : which was, a thowsand seven hundred and fiftie Miriades, whereof Caesar had before forgiven seven hundred and fiftie thowsand unto his children. Howbeit then he asked a Myllion to paye his souldiours withall. Thereto Pothinus aunswered him, that at that tyme he should doe better to follow his other causes of greater importance, and afterwardes that he should at more leysure recover his dette, with the kinges good will and favor. Caesar replyed unto him, and sayd, that he would not aske counsell of the ^Egyptians for his affayres, but would be payd : and thereupon secretly sent for Cleopatra which was in the contry to come unto him. She onely taking Apollo- dorus Sicilian of all her friendes, tooke a litle bote, and went away with him in it in the night, and came and landed hard by the foote of the castell. Then having no other meane to come in to the court, without being knowen, she laid her selfe downe upon a mattresse or flockbed, which Apollodorus her frend tied and bound up together like a bundel with a 50

I

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

great leather thong, and so tooke her up on his backe, and lULIUS brought her thus hamperd in this fardell unto Caesar, in C^SAR at the castell gate. This was the first occasion, (as it is reported) that made Caesar to love her : but afterwards, when he sawe her sweete conversation and pleasaunt enter- tainment, he fell then in further liking with her, and did reconcile her again unto her brother the king, with condi- tion, that they two joyntly should raigne together. Apon this newe reconciliation, a great feast being prepared, a slave of Caesars that was his barber, the fearefullest wretch that lived, stil busily prying and listening abroad in every corner, being mistrustfull by nature : found that Pothinus and Achillas did lie in waite to kill his Maister Caesar. This beeing proved unto Csesar, he did sette such sure watch about the hall, where the feaste was made, that in fine, he slue the Euenuke Pothinus him selfe. Achillas on thother side, saved him selfe, and fled unto the kinges campe, where he raysed a marvelous daungerous and difficult warre for Caesar : bicause he having then but a few men about him as he had, he was to fight against a great and strong city. The first daunger he fell into, was for the lacke of water he had : for that his enemies had stopped the mouth of the pipes, the which conveyed the water unto the castell. The seconde daunger he had, was, that seeing his enemies came to take his shippes from him, he was driven to repulse that daunger with fire, the which burnt the arsenall where the shippes lay, and that notable librarie of Alexandria withall. The third The great daunger was in the battell by sea, that was fought by the ^^'"^'"^'f^- tower of Phar : where meaning to helpe his men that fought j^m-nt by sea, he lept from the peere, into a boate. Then the Egyptians made towardes him -svith their owers, on everie side : but he leaping into the sea, with great hazard saved him selfe by swimming. It is savd, that then holding divers Caesars swim- bookes in his hand, he did never let them go, but kept ^'^^S ^^'l*^, . them alwayes upon his head above water, and swamme with ^^*^ j^^ ^^ ^^ the other hand, notwithstanding that they shot marvelously at him, and was driven somtime to ducke into the water : howbeit the boate was drowned presently. In fine, the king comming to his men that made warre with Caesar, he went

51

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

lULIUS CiESAR

Csesar made Cleopatra Queene of iEgypt.

Caesarion, Caesars sonne, begottea of Cleopatra.

Caesars vic- torie of king Pharnaces.

Caesar wry teth three wordes to certifie his victory.

against him, and gave him battell, and wanne it with great slaughter, and effusion of blood. But for the king, no man could ever tell what became of him after. Thereuppon Caesar made Cleopatra his sister, Queene of ^gypt, who being great with childe by him, was shortly brought to bedde of a sonne, whom the Alexandrians named Caesarion. From thence he went into Syria, and so going into Asia, there it was told him that Domitius was overthrowen in battell, by Pharnaces, the sonne of king Mithridates, and was fled out of the realme of Ponte, with a few men with him : and that this king Pharnaces greedily following his victorie, was not contented with the winning of Bithynia, and Cappadocia, but further would needes attempt to winne Armenia the lesse, procuring all those kinges, Princes, and Governors of the provinces thereabouts, to rebell against the Romanes. Thereupon Caesar went thither straight with three legions, and fought a great battell with king Pharnaces, by the citie of Zela, where he slue his armie, and drave him out of all the realme of Ponte. And bicause he would ad- vertise one of his frendes of the sodainnes of this victorie, he onely wrote three words unto Anitius at Rome : Veni, Vidi, Vici : to wit, I came, I saw, I overcame. These three wordes ending all with like sound and letters in the Latin, have a certaine short grace, more pleasaunt to the eare, then can be well expressed in any other tongue. After this, he returned againe into Italie, and came to Rome, ending his yeare for the which he was made Dictator the seconde time, which office before was never graunted for one whole yeare, but unto him. Then he was chosen Consul for the yeare following. Afterwardes he was very ill spoken of, for that his souldiers in a mutine having slaine two Praetors, Cos- conius, and Galba, he gave them no other punishment for it, but in steade of calling them souldiers, he named them citizens, and gave unto every one of them a thowsand Drachmas a man, and great possessions in Italie. He was much misliked also for the desperate parts and madnes of Dolabella, for the covetousnes of Anitius, for the dronkennes of Antonius and Cornificius, which made Pompeys house be pulled downe and builded up againe, as a thing not bigge 52

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

enough for him, wherewith the Romanes were maruelously lULIUS offended. Cassar knew all this well enough, and would have CiESAR bene contented to have redressed them : but to bring his matters to passe he pretended, he was driven to serve his turne by such instrumentes. After the battell of Pharsalia, Cato and Scipio being fled into Africke, king luba joyned with them, and leavied a great puisant army. Wherefore Caesar determined to make warre with them, and in the middest of winter, he tooke his jorney into Sicile. There, Caesars jomey bicause he would take all hope from his Captaines and 'i*^o Africke, souldiei-s to make any lonff abode there, he went and ^^^°^* 9^*** lodged upon the very sandes by the sea side, and with the next gale of winde that came, he tooke the sea with three thowsand footemen, and a few horsemen. Then having put them a land, unwares to them, he hoysed sayle againe, to goe fetche the rest of his armie, being afrayed least they should meete with some daunger in passing over, and meet- ing them midde way, he brought them all into his campe. Where, when it was tolde him that his enemies trusted in an auncient Oracle, which sayd, that it was predestined unto the family of the Scipioes to be conquerors in Africke: either of purpose to mocke Scipio the Generall of his enemies, or otherwise in good earnest to take the benefit of this name (geven by the Oracle) unto him selfe, in all the skirmishes and battells he fought, he gave the charge of his army, unto a man of meane quality and accompt, called Scipio Sallutius, who came of the race of Scipio African, and made him alwayes his Generall when he fought. For he was eftsoones Caesars compelled to weary and harrie his enemies : for that neither troubles in his men in his campe had corne enough, nor his beastes ■^"^*^*'®- forrage, but the souldiers were driven to take sea weedes, Alga, and called Alga : and (washing away the brackishnes thereof ^ogges tooth, with fresh water, putting to it a litle erbe called dogges horse\o^eate tooth) to cast it so to their horse to eate. For the Numi- dians (which are light horsemen, and very ready of service) Caesars being a great number together, would be on a sodaine in daungers in every place, and spred all the fieldes over thereabout, so "*^ ^' that no man durst peepe out of the campe to goe for for- rage. And one day as the men of armes were staying to

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lULIUS CiESAR

Caesars great victorie and small losse.

Caesar trobled with the fall- ing sickenes.

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

beholde an African doing notable thinges in dauncing, and playing with the flute : they being set downe quietly to take their pleasure of the viewe thereof, having in the meane time geven their slaves their horses to hold, the enemies stealing sodainly upon them, compassed them in round about, and slue a number of them in the field, and chasing the other also that fled, followed them pell mell into their campe. Furthermore had not Caesar him selfe in person, and Asinius PoUio with him gone out of the campe to the rescue, and stayed them that fled : the warre that day had bene ended. There was also an other skirmish where his enemies had the upper hande, in the which it is reported, that Caesar taking the ensigne bearer by the coller that caried the Eagle in his hande, stayed him by force, and turning his face, tolde him : See, there be thy enemies. These advantages did lift up Scipioes hart aloft, and gave him corage to hazard battell : and leaving Afranius on the one hand of him, and king luba on the other hande, both their campes lying neere to other, he did fortifie him selfe by the citie of Thapsacus, above the lake, to be a safe refuge for them all in this battell. But whilest he was busie intrenching of him selfe, Caesar having marvelous speedily passed through a great contrie full of wod, by bypathes which men would never have mistrusted : he stale upon some behinde, and sodainly assailed the other before, so that he overthrewe them all, and made them flie. Then following this first good happe he had, he went forth- with to set apon the campe of Afranius, the which he tooke at the first onset, and the campe of the Numidians also, king luba being fled. Thus in a litle peece of the day only, he tooke three campes, and slue fifty thowsand of his enemies, and lost but fifty of his souldiers. In this sorte is set downe theffect of this battell by some wryters. Yet others doe wryte also, that Caesar selfe was not there in person at thexecution of this battell. For as he did set his men in battell ray, the falling sickenesse tooke him, whereunto he was geven, and therefore feeling it comming, before he was overcome withall, he was caried into a castell not farre from thence, where the battell was fought, and there tooke his rest till thextremity of his disease had left him. Now, for 54

GRECIANS AND ROMANES

the Praetors and Consulls that scaped from this battell, many lULIUS of them bemg taken prisoners, did kill them selves, and others CiESAR also Caesar did put to death : but he being specially desirous of all men else to have Cato alive in his hands, he went with all possible speede unto the citie of Utica, whereof Cato was Governor, by meanes whereof he was not at the battell. Not- withstanding being certified by the way that Cato had slaine him selfe with his owne handes, he then made open shew Caesar was that he was very sory for it, but why or wherfore, no man sory for the could tell. But this is true, that Caesar sayd at that present ^®''*^ ^^ ^**°- time : O Cato, I envy thy death, bicause thou diddest envy my glory, to save thy life. This notwithstanding, the booke that he wrote afterwardes against Cato being; dead, did shew Caesar wrote no very great affection nor pitiefuU hart towardes him. For against Cato how could he have pardoned him, if living he had had him "^^^S dead, in his handes : that being dead did speake so vehemently against him ? Notwithstanding, men suppose he would have pardoned him, if he had taken him alive, by the clemencie he shewed unto Cicero, Brutus, and divers others that had borne armes against him. Some reporte, that he wrote that booke, not so much for any private malice he had to his death, as for a civil ambition, apon this occasion. Cicero Cicero wrote had written a booke in praise of Cato, which he intituled, * booke in Cato. This booke in likelyhoode was very well liked of, by gg^n ^dlad?*'' reason of the eloquence of the Orator that made it, and of the excellent subject thereof. Caesar therewith was marvel- ously offended, thinking that to praise him, of whose death he was author, was even as much as to accuse him self: and therfore he wrote a letter against him, and heaped up a number of accusations against Cato, and intituled the booke Antkaton. Both these bookes have favorers unto this day, some defending the one for the love they bare to Csesar, and others allowing the other for Catoes sake. Caesar being now returned out of Africke, first of all made an oration to the people, wherein he greatly praised and commended this his last victorie, declaring unto them, that he had conquered so many contries unto the Empire of Rome, that he coulde furnishe the common wealth yearely, with two hundred thowsande busshells of wheate, and twenty hundred thow-

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lULIUS CiESAR

luba, the Sonne of king luba, a famous his- toriographer.

Caesars feast- ing of the Romanes.

The muster taken of the Romanes.

Cfesar Consul! the fourth time.

Battell fought be- twixt Caesar and the young Pompeyes, by the city of Munda.

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

sand pound weight of oyle. Then he made three triumphes, the one for ^gypt, the other for the kingdom of Ponte, and the third for Africke : not bicause he had overcome Scipio there, but king luba. Whose sonne being likewise called luba, being then a young boy, was led captive in the showe of this triumphe. But this his imprisonment fel out happily for him : for where he was but a barbarous Numidian, by the study he fell unto when he was prisoner, he came afterwards to be reckoned one of the wisest historio- graphers of the Graecians. After these three triumphes ended, he very liberally rewarded his souldiers, and to curry favor with the people, he made great feasts and common sportes. For he feasted all the Romanes at one time, at two and twenty thowsand tables, and gave them the pleasure to see divers sword players to fight at the sharpe, and battells also by sea, for the remembraunce of his daughter lulia, which was dead long afore. Then after all these sportes, he made the people (as the manner was) to be mustered : and where there were at the last musters before, three hundred and twenty thowsande citizens, at this muster only there were but a hundred and fifty thowsand. Such misery and de- struction had this civill warre brought unto the common wealth of Rome, and had consumed such a number of Romanes, not speaking at all of the mischieves and calamities it had brought unto all the rest of Italie, and to the other provinces pertaining to Rome. After all these thinges were ended, he was chosen Consul the fourth time, and went into Spayne to make warre with the sonnes of Pompey : who were yet but very young, but had notwithstanding raised a marvelous great army together, and shewed to have had manhoode and corage worthie to commaunde such an armie, insomuch as they put Caesar him selfe in great daunger of his life. The greatest battell that was fought betwene them in all this warre, was by the citie of Munda. Fo- then Caesar seeing his men sorely distressed, and having their hands full of their enemies : he ranne into the prease among his men that fought, and cried out unto them : What, are ye not ashamed to be beaten and taken prisoners, yeelding your selves with your owne handes to these young boyes .? 56

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And so, with all the force he could make, having with much lULIUS a doe put his enemies to flight: he slue above thirty thowsand C^SAR of them in the fielde, and lost of his owne men a thowsand of Caesars victory the best he had. After this battell he went into his tent, of thejonnes and told his frends, that he had often before fought for ^ ompey. victory, but this last time now, that he had fought for the safety of his owne life. He wanne this battell on the very feast day of the Bacchanalians, in the which men say, that Pompey the great went out of Rome, about foiu'e yeares before, to beginne this civill warre. For his sonnes, the younger scaped from the battell : but within few dayes after, Diddius brought the heade of the elder. This was the last warre that Caesar made. But the triumphe he made Caesars into Rome for the same, did as much offend the Romanes, triumphe and more, then any thing that ever he had done before : "ompeis bicause he had not overcome Captaines that were straungers, nor barbarous kinges, but had destroyed the sonnes of the noblest man in Rome, whom fortune had overthrowen. And bicause he had plucked up his race by the rootes, men did not thinke it meete for him to triumphe so, for the calamities of his contrie, rejoycing at a thing for the which he had but one excuse to alleage in his defence, unto the gods and men : that he was compelled to doe that he did. And the rather they thought it not meete, bicause he had never before sent letters nor messengers unto the common wealth at Rome, for any victorie that he had ever wonne in all the civill warres : but did alwayes for shame refuse the glorie of it. This notwithstanding, the Romanes inclining to Caesars pro- sperity, and taking the bit in the mouth, supposing that to be ruled by one man alone, it would be a good meane for them to take breth a litle, after so many troubles and miseries as they had abidden in these civill warres : they chose him perpetuall Dictator. This was a plaine tyranny : Caesar for to this absolute power of Dictator, they added this. Dictator never to be affraied to be deposed. Cicero propounded Perpetuall. before the Senate, that they should geve him such honors, as were meete for a man : howbeit others afterwardes added to, honors beyonde all reason. For, men striving who shoulde most honor him, they made him hatefull and troublesome 5 ; H 57

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

lULIUS CiESAR

The temple of clemency, dedicated unto Caesar, for his curtesie.

Cassius and

Brutus

Praetors

Caesars saying of deatli.

Good will of subjectes, the best gard and safety for Princes.

to them selves that most favored him, by reason of the unmeasurable greatnes and honors which they gave him. Thereuppon, it is reported, that even they that most hated him, were no lesse favorers and furtherers of his honors, then they that most flattered him: bicause they might have greater occasions to rise, and that it might appeare they had just cause and colour to attempt that they did against him. And now for him selfe, after he had ended his civill wan'es, he did so honorably behave him selfe, that there was no fault to be founde in him : and therefore me thinkes, amongest other honors they gave him, he rightly deserved this, that they should builde him a temple of clemency, to thanke him for his curtesie he had used unto them in his victorie. For he pardoned many of them that had borne armes against him, and furthermore, did preferre some of them to honor and office in the common wealth : as amongest others, Cassius and Brutus, both the which were made Praetors. And where Pompeys images had bene throwen downe, he caused them to be set up againe : whereupon Cicero sayd then, that Caesar setting up Pompeys images againe, he made his owne to stand the surer. And when some of his frends did counsell him to have a gard for the safety of his person, and some also did offer them selves to serve him : he would never con- sent to it, but sayd, it was better to dye once, then alwayes to be affrayed of death. But to win him selfe the love and good will of the people, as the honorablest gard and best safety he could have : he made common feasts againe, and generall distributions of come. Furthermore, to gratifie the souldiers also, he replenished many cities againe with inhabi- tantes, which before had bene destroyed, and placed them there that had no place to repaire unto : of the which the noblest and chiefest cities were these two, Carthage, and Corinthe, and it chaunced so, that like as aforetime they had bene both taken and destroyed together, even so were they both set a foote againe, and replenished with people, at one selfe time. And as for great personages, he wanne them also, promising some of them, to make them Praetors and Consulls in time to come, and unto others, honors and preferrements, but to all men generally good hope, seeking 58

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all the wayes he coulde to make everie man contented with lULIUS his raigne. Insomuch as one of the Consulls called Maximus, C^SAR chauncing to dye a day before his Consulshippe ended, he declared Caninius Rebilius Consull onely for the day that Caninius remained. So, divers eoing; to his house (as the rr^mier was) Rebilius to salute him, and to congratulate with him of his calling and ^^\ ^ preferrement, being newly chosen officer : Cicero pleasauntly sayd, Come, let us make hast, and be gone thither, before his Consulshippe come out. Furthermore, Caesar being borne to attempt all great enterprises, and having an ambitious desire besides to covet great honors : the prosperous good successe he had of his former conquestes bred no desire in him quietly to enjoy the frutes of his labours, but rather gave him hope of thinges to come, still kindling more and more in him, thoughts of greater enterprises, and desire of new glory, as if that which he had present, were stale and nothing worth. This humor of his was no other but an emulation with him selfe as with an other man, and a certaine contencion to overcome the thinges he prepared to attempt. For he was determined, and made preparacion also, to make warre w ith the Persians. Then when he had overcome them, to passe through Hyrcania (compassing in the sea Caspium, and mount Caucasus) into the realme of Pontus, and so to invade Scythia : and overrunning all the contries, and people adjoyning unto high Germany, and Germany it selfe, at length to returne by Gaule into Italic, and so to enlarge the Romane Empire round, that it might be every way compassed in with the gi-eat sea Oceanum. But whilest he was preparing for this voiage, he attempted to cut the barre of the straight of Peloponnesus, in the place where the city of Corinthe standeth. Then he was minded to bring the rivers of Anienes and Tiber, straight Anienes, from Rome, unto the citie of Circees, with a deepe channell Tiber flu, and high banckes cast up on either side, and so to fall into the sea at Terracina, for the better safety and commodity of the marchants that came to Rome to trafficke there. Further- more, he determined to draine and seawe all the Avater of the marisses betwext the cities of Nomentum and Setium, to make it firme land, for the benefit of many thowsandes of people :

59

Caesar re- formed the inequality of the yeare.

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lULIUS and on the sea coast next unto Rome, to cast great high CiESAR bankes, and to dense all the haven about Ostia, of rockes and stones hidden under the water, and to take away all other impedimentes that made the harborough daungerous for shippes, and to make new havens and arsenalls meete to harbor such shippes, as did continually trafficke thither. All these thinges were purposed to be done, but tooke no efFecte. But, the ordinaunce of the kalender, and reformation of the yeare, to take away all confusion of time, being exactly cal- culated by the Mathematicians, and brought to perfection, was a great commoditie unto all men. For the Romanes using then the auncient computacion of the yeare, had not only such incertainty and alteracion of the moneth and times, that the sacrifices and yearely feasts came by litle and litle to seasons contrary for the purpose they were ordained : but also in the revolution of the sunne (which is called Annus Solaris) no other nation agreed with them in account: and of the Romanes them selves, only the priests understood it. And therefore when they listed, they sodainly (no man being able to controU them) did thrust in a moneth, above their ordinary number, which they called in old time, *Merce- donius. Some say, that Numa Pompilius was the first, that devised this way, to put a moneth betwene : but it was a weake remedy, and did litle helpe the correction of the errors that were made in the account of the yeare, to frame them to perfection. But Caesar committing this matter unto the Philosophers, and best expert Mathematicians at that time, did set foorth an excellent and perfect kalender, more exactly calculated, then any other that was before : the which the Romanes doe use untill this present day, and doe nothing erre as others, in the difference of time. But his enemies notwith- standing that envied his greatnes, did not sticke to finde fault withall. As Cicero the Orator, when one sayd. To morow the starre Lyra will rise : Yea, sayd he, at the com- maundement of Caesar, as if men were compelled so to say and thinke, by Caesars edict. But the chiefest cause that Why Caesar made him mortally hated, was the covetous desire he had to was hated. be called king: which first gave the people just cause, and next his secret enemies, honest colour to beare him ill will. 60

•Mercedo- iiius, mensis intercularis.

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This notwithstanding, they that procured him this honor lULIUS and dignity, gave it out among the people, that it was C^SAR written in the Sybilline prophecies, how the Romanes might overcome the Parthians, if they made warre with them, and were led by a king, but otherwise that they were unconquer- able. And furthermore they were so bold besides, that Caesar returning to Rome from the citie of Alba, when they came to salute him, they called him king. But the people being offended, and Cagsar also angry, he said he was not called king, but Caesar. Then every man keeping silence, he went his way heavy and sorowfull. When they had decreed divers honors for him in the Senate, the Consulls and Praetors accompanied with the whole assembly of the Senate, went unto him in the market place, where he was set by the pulpit for orations, to tell him what honors they had decreed for him in his absence. But he sitting still in his majesty, dis- daining to rise up unto them when they came in, as if they had bene private men, aunswered them : that his honors had more neede to be cut of, then enlarged. This did not onely offend the Senate, but the common people also, to see that he should so lightly esteeme of the Magistrates of the common wealth : insomuch as every man that might lawfully goe his way, departed thence very sorrowfully. Thereupon also Csesar rising, departed home to his house, and tearing open his doblet coller, making his necke bare, he cried out alowde to his frendes, that his throte was readie to offer to any man that would come and cut it. Notwithstanding, it is reported, that afterwardes to excuse this folly, he imputed it to his disease, saying, that their wittes are not pei*fit which have his disease of the falling evil, when standing of their feete they speake to the common people, but are soone troubled with a trembling of their body, and a sodaine dimnes and guidines. But that was not true. For he would have risen up to the Senate, but Cornelius Balbus one of his frendes (but rather a flatterer) would not let him, saying : What, doe you not remember that you are Caesar, and will you not let them reverence you, and doe their dueties ? Besides these occasions and offences, there followed also his shame and re- proache, abusing the Tribunes of the people in this sorte.

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The feast Lupercalia.

Aiitonius beingConsuU, was one of the Lupercalians.

Antoiiius pre- sented the Diademe to Caesar.

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At that time, the feast Lupercalia was celebrated, the which in olde time men say was the feast of sheapheards or heard men, and is much like unto the feast of the Lycaeians in Arcadia. But howesoever it is, that day there are divers noble mens sonnes, young men, (and some of them Magistrats them selves that governe then) which run naked through the city, striking in sport them they meete in their way, with leather thonges, heare and all on, to make them geve place. And many noble women, and gentle women also, goe of purpoap to stand in their way, and doe put forth their handes to be striken, as schollers hold them out to their schoole- master, to be striken with the ferula : perswading them selves that being with childe, they shall have good deliverie, and also being barren, that it will make them to conceive with child. Caesar sate to beholde that sport apon the pulpit for orations, in a chayer of gold, apparelled in triumphing manner. Antonius, who was Consul! at that time, was one of them that ranne this holy course. So when he came into the market place, the people made a lane for him to runne at libertie, and he came to Caesar, and presented him a Diadeame wreathed about with laurel!.* Whereuppon there rose a certaine crie of rejoycing, not very great, done onely by a few, appointed for the purpose. But when Caesar refused the Diadeame, then all the people together made an outcrie of joy. Then Antonius offering it him againe, there was a second shoute of joy, but yet of a few. But when Caesar refused it againe the second time, then all the whole people showted. Caesar having made this proofe, found that the people did not like of it, and thereuppon rose out of his chayer, and commaunded the crowne to be caried unto lupiter in the Capitol!. After that, there were set up images of Caesar in the city with Diadeames upon their heades, like kinges. Those, the two Tribunes, Flavins and Marullus, went and pulled downe : and furthermore, meeting with them that first saluted Caesar as king, they committed them to prison. The people followed them rejoycing at it, and called them Brutes : bicause of Brutus, who had in old time driven the kings out of Rome, and that brought the kingdom of one person, unto the government of the Senate

m

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and people. Caesar was so offended withall, that he deprived lULIUS Marullus and Flavins of their Tribuneshippes, and accusing C^SAR them, he spake also against the people, and called them Bruti, and Cumani, to witte, beastes, and fooles. Hereuppon the people went straight unto Marcus Brutus, who from his father came of the first Brutus, and by his mother, of the house of the Servilians, a noble house as any was in Rome, and was also nephew and sonne in law of Marcus Cato. Notwithstanding, the great honors and favor Caesar shewed unto him, kept him backe that of him selfe alone, he did not conspire nor consent to depose him of his kingdom. For Caesar did not onely save his life, after the battell of Pharsalia Caesar saved when Pompey fled, and did at his request also save many Marcus more of his frendes besides: but furthermore, he put a ^^*^?^ '^' marvelous confidence in him. For he had already preferred battell of him to the Praetorshippe for that yeare, and furthermore was Pharsalia. appointed to be Consul, the fourth yeare after that, having through Caesars frendshippe, obtained it before Cassius, who likewise made sute for the same : and Csesar also, as it is reported, sayd in this contention. In deede Cassius hath alleaged best reason, but yet shall he not be chosen before Brutus. Some one day accusing Brutus while he practised Brutus this conspiracy, Csesar would not heare of it, but clapping conspireth his hande on his bodie, told them, Brutus will looke for this ^^"^^* skinne : meaning thereby, that Brutus for his vertue, deserved to rule after him, but yet, that for ambitions sake, he woulde not shewe him selfe unthankefull nor dishonorable. Nowe they that desired chaunge, and wished Brutus only their Prince and Governour above all other : they durst not come to him them selves to tell him what they woulde have him to doe, but in the night did cast sundrie papers into the Praetors seate where he gave audience, and the most of them to this effect : Thou sleepest Brutus, and art not Brutus in deede. Cassius finding Brutus ambition sturred up the more by Cassius these seditious billes, did pricke him forwarde, and egge him ^tirreth up on the more, for a private quarrell he had conceived against '" "! Caesar : the circumstance whereof, we have sette do\vne more Csesar. at large in Brutus life. Caesar also had Cassius in great gelouzie, and suspected him much : whereuppon he savd on

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Predictions, and fore- shewes of Caesars death.

Caesars day of his death prognosti- cated by a Soothsayer,

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a time to his frendes, What will Cassius doe, thinke ye ? I like not his pale lookes. An other time when Caesars frendes complained unto him of Antonius, and Dolabella, that they pretended some mischiefe towardes him : he aunswered them againe, As for those fatte men and smooth corned heades, quoth he, I never reckon of them : but these pale visaged and carian leane people, I feare them most, meaning Brutus and Cassius. Certainly, destenie may easier be foreseene, then avoyded : considering the straunge and wonderfull signes that were sayd to be scene before Caesars death. For, touching the fires in the element, and spirites running up and downe in the night, and also these solitarie birdes to be scene at noone dayes sittinge in the great market place : are not all these signes perhappes worth the noting, in such a wonderfull chaunce as happened ? But Strabo the Philosopher wryteth, that divers men were scene going up and downe in fire : and furthermore, that there was a slave of the souldiers, that did cast a marvelous burning flame out of his hande, insomuch as they that saw it, thought he had bene burnt, but when the fire was out, it was found he had no hurt. Caesar selfe also doing sacrifice unto the goddes, found that one of the beastes which was sacrificed had no hart : and that was a straunge thing in nature, how a beast could live without a hart. Furthermore, there was a certaine Sooth- sayer that had geven Caesar warning long time affore, to take heede of the day of the Ides of Marche, (which is the fifteenth of the moneth) for on that day he shoulde be in great daunger. That day being come, Caesar going unto the Senate house, and speaking merily to the Soothsayer, tolde him. The Ides of Marche be come : So be they, softly aunswered the Sooth- sayer, but yet are they not past. And the very day before, Caesar supping with Marcus Lepidus, sealed certaine letters as he was wont to do at the bord : so talke falling out amongest them, reasoning what death was best : he prevent- ing their opinions, cried out alowde. Death unlooked for. Then going to bedde the same night as his manner was, and lying with his wife Calpumia, all the windowes and dores of his chamber flying open, the noyse awooke him, and made him affray ed when he saw such light : but more, when he 64

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heard his wife Calpumia, being fast a sleepe, weepe and sigh, lULIUS and put forth many fumbling lamentable speaches. For she CiESAR. dreamed that Caesar was slaine, and that she had him in her The dreame ai'mes. Others also doe denie that she had any suche dreame, of Calpurnia, as amongest other, Titus Livius wryteth, that it was in this Caesars wife, sorte. The Senate having set upon the toppe of Caesars house, for an ornament and setting foorth of the same, a certaine pinnacle : Calpumia dreamed that she sawe it broken downe, and that she thought she lamented and wept for it. Insomuch that Caesar rising in the morning, she prayed him if it were possible, not to goe out of the dores that day, but to adjorne the session of the Senate, untill an other day. And if that he made no reckoning of her dreame, yet that he woulde searche further of the Soothsayers by their sacri- fices, to knowe what should happen him that day. Thereby it seemed that Caesar likewise did feare and suspect somewhat, bicause his wife Calpurnia untill that time, was never geven to any feare or supersticion : and then, for that he saw her so troubled in minde with this dreame she had. But much more afterwardes, when the Soothsayers having sacrificed many beastes one after an other, tolde him that none did like them : then he determined to sende Antonius to adjorne the session of the Senate. But in the meane time came Decius Brutus, surnamed Albinus, in whom Csesar put such confidence, that in his last will and testament he had ap- pointed him to be his next heire, and yet was of the con- spiracie with Cassius and Brutus: he fearing that if Caesar Decius Brutus did adjorne the session that day, the conspiracie woulde out, Albinus per- laughed the Soothsayers to scorne, and reproved Caesar, say- ^wasion to ing : that he gave the Senate occasion to mislike with him, and that they might thinke he mocked them, considering that by his commaundement they were assembled, and that they were readie willingly to graunt him all thinges, and to proclairae him king of all the provinces of the Empire of Rome out of Italie, and that he should weare his Diadeame in all other places, both by sea and land. And furthermore, that if any man should tell them from him, they should departe for that present time, and retume againe when Calpurnia shoulde have better dreames: what would his 5; I 65

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lULIUS enemies and ill willers say, and how could they like of his

CiESAR frendes wordes ? And who could perswade them otherwise,

but that they would thinke his dominion a slaverie unto

them, and tirannicall in him selfe ? And yet if it be so,

sayd he, that you utterly mislike of this day, it is better

that you goe your selfe in person, and saluting the Senate,

Decius Brutus to dismisse them till an other time. Therewithal! he tooke

brought Caesar by the hand, and brought him out of his house.

Se^-^t ^ h " Caesar was not gone farre from his house, but a bondman, a

straunger, did what he could to speake with him : and when

The tokens of he sawe he was put backe by the great prease and multitude

thecouspiracy of people that followed him, he went straight unto his house,

against Caesar, g^j^^ p^|. j^j^^ gg|fg Jjj^q Calpurniaes handes to be kept, till

Caesar came backe againe, telling her that he had great matters to imparte unto him. And one Artemidorus also borne in the He of Gnidos, a Doctor of Rethoricke in the Greeke tongue, who by meanes of his profession was verie familliar with certaine of Brutus confederates, and therefore knew the most parte of all their practises against Caesar : came and brought him a litle bill wrytten with his owne hand, of all that he ment to tell him. He marking howe Caesar received all the supplications that were offered him, and that he gave them straight to his men that were about him, pressed neerer to him, and sayed : Caesar, reade this memoriall to your selfe, and that quickely, for they be matters of great waight and touche you neerely. Caesar tooke it of him, but coulde never reade it, though he many times attempted it, for the number of people that did salute him : but holding it still in his hande, keeping it to him selfe, went on withall into the Senate house. Howbeit other are of opinion, that it was some man else that gave him that memoriall, and not Artemidorus, who did what he could all the way as he went to geve it Caesar, but he was alwayes repulsed by the people. For these things, they may seeme The place to come by chaunce : but the place where the murther was where Caesar prepared, and where the Senate were assembled, and where was slaine. g^jg^ there stoode up an image of Pompey dedicated by him selfe amongest other ornamentes which he gave unto the Theater: all these were manifest proofes that it was the 66

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ordinaunce of some god, that made this treason to be exe- lULIUS cuted, specially in that verie place. It is also reported, that CiESAR Cassius (though otherwise he did favour the doctrine of Epicurus) beholding the image of Pompey, before they entred into the action of their traiterous enterprise : he did softely call upon it, to aide him. But the instant daunger of the present time, taking away his former reason, did sodainly put him into a furious passion, and made him like a man halfe besides him selfe. Now Antonius, that was a Antonius, faithfull frende to Caesar, and a valliant man besides of his 9^f^^ faith- handes, him, Decius Brutus Albinus entertained out of the ^^

Senate house, having begon a long tale of set purpose. So Caesar comming into the house, all the Senate stoode up on their feete to doe him honor. Then parte of Brutus com- panie and confederates stoode rounde about Caesars chayer, and parte of them also came towardes him, as though they made sute with Metellus Cimber, to call home his brother againe from banishment : and thus prosecuting still their sute, they followed Caesar, till he was set in his chayer. Who, denying their petitions, and being offended with them one after an other, bicause the more they were denied, the more they pressed upon him, and were the earnester with him : Metellus at length, taking his gowne with both his handes, pulled it over his necke, which was the signe geven the con- federates to sette apon him. Then Casca behinde him strake Casca, the him in the necke with his sword, howbeit the wounde was first that not great nor mortall, bicause it seemed, the feare of such a ^^^ ^ develishe attempt did amaze him, and take his strength from him, that he killed him not at the first blowe. But Caesar turning straight unto him, caught hold of his sword, and held it hard : and they both cried out, Caesar in Latin : O vile traitor Casca, what doest thou ? and Casca in Greeke to his brother, Brother, helpe me. At the beginning of this sturre, they that were present, not kno^ving of the conspiracie were so amazed with the horrible sight they sawe : that they had no power to flie, neither to helpe him, not so much, as once to make any outcrie. They on thother side that had conspired his death, compassed him in on everie side with their swordes drawen in their handes, that Caesar turned him

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Caesar slaine and had 23 wounds apon him.

The mur- therers of Caesar doe goe to the Capitoll.

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no where, but he was striken at by some, and still had naked swords in his face, and was hacked and mangeled amonge them, as a wilde beaste taken of hunters. For it was agreed among them, that every man should geve him a wound, bicause all their partes should be in this murther : and then Brutus him selfe gave him one wounde about his privities. Men reporte also, that Caesar did still defende him selfe against the rest, running everie waye with his bodie : but when he sawe Brutus with his sworde drawen in his hande, then he pulled his gowne over his heade, and made no more resistaunce, and was driven either casually, or purposedly, by the counsell of the conspirators, against the base where- upon Pompeys image stoode, which ranne all of a goare bloude, till he was slaine. Thus it seemed, that the image tooke just revenge of Pompeys enemie, being throwen downe on the ground at his feete, and yelding up his ghost there, for the number of wounds he had upon him. For it is reported, that he had three and twenty wounds apon his body : and divers of the conspirators did hurt them selves, striking one body with so many blowes. When Caesar was slaine, the Senate (though Brutus stood in the middest amongest them as though he would have sayd somewhat touching this fact) presently ran out of the house, and flying, filled all the city with marvelous feare and tumult. Insomuch as some did shut to their dores, others forsooke their shops and warehouses, and others ranne to the place to see what the matter was : and others also that had seene it, ran home to their houses againe. But Antonius and Lepidus, which were two of Caesars chiefest frends, secretly conveying them selves away, fled into other mens houses, and forsooke their owne. Brutus and his confederats on thother side, being yet hotte with this murther they had committed, having their swordes drawen in their hands, came all in a troupe together out of the Senate, and went into the market place, not as men that made countenaunce to flie, but other- wise boldly holding up their heades like men of corage, and called to the people to defende their libertie, and stayed to speake with every great personage whome they met in their way. Of them, some followed this troupe, and went amongest 68

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them, as if they had bene of the conspiracie, and falsely lULIUS chalenged parte of the honor with them : among them was C^SAR Caius Octavius, and Lentulus Spinther. But both of them were afterwards put to death, for their vaine covetousnes of honor, by Antonius, and Octavius Caesar the younger : and yet had no parte of that honor for the which they were put to death, neither did any man beleve that they were any of the confederates, or of counsell with them. For they that did put them to death, tooke revenge rather of the will they had to offend, then of any fact they had committed. The next morning, Brutus and his confederates came into the market place to speake unto the people, who gave them such audience, that it seemed they neither greatly reproved, nor allowed the fact : for by their great silence they showed, that they were sory for Caesars death, and also that they did rever- ence Brutus. Nowe the Senate graunted generall pardonne for all that was paste, and to pacifie every man, ordained besides, that Caesars funeralls shoulde bee honored as a god, Caesars and established all thinges that he had done : and gave cer- luneralls. taine provinces also, and convenient honors unto Brutus and his confederates, whereby every man thought all things were brought to good peace and quietnes againe. But when they had opened Caesars testament, and found a liberall legacie of money, bequeathed unto every citizen of Rome, and that they saw his body (which was brought into the market place) al bemangled with gashes of swordes : then there was no order to keepe the multitude and common people quiet, but they plucked up formes, tables, and stooles, and laved them all about the body, and setting them a fire, burnt the corse. Then when the fire was well kindled, they tooke the fire- brandes, and went unto their houses that had slaine Caesar, to set them a fire. Other also ranne up and downe the citie to see if they could meete with any of them, to cut them in peeces : howbeit they could meete with never a man of them, bicause they had locked them selves up safely in their houses. There was one of Caesars frends called Cinna, that Cinnaes had a marvelous straunge and terrible dreame the night dreame of before. He dreamed that Caesar bad him to supper, and that he refused, and would not goe : then that Caesar tooke

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The murther of Cinna,

Caesar 56 yere olde at his death.

Tlie revenge of CsBsars death.

Cassius being overthrowen at the battell of Philippes, slue himselfe with the selfe same sword wherewith he strake Caesar.

Wonders scene in the

LIVES OF THE NOBLE

him by the hand, and led him against his will. Now Cinna hearing at that time, that they burnt Caesars body in the market place, notwithstanding that he feared his dreame, and had an agew on him besides : he went into the market place to honor his funeralls. When he came thither, one of meane sorte asked what his name was ? He was straight called by his name. The first man told it to an other, and that other unto an other, so that it ranne straight through them all, that he was one of them that murdered Caesar : (for in deede one of the traitors to Caesar, was also called Cinna as him selfe) wherefore taking him for Cinna the murderer, they fell upon him with such furie, that they presently dispatched him in the market place. This sturre and furie made Brutus and Cassius more affrayed, then of all that was past, and therefore within fewe dayes after, they departed out of Rome : and touching their doings afterwards, and what calamity they suffered till their deathes, we have wrytten it at large, in the life of Brutus. Caesar dyed at six and fifty yeres of age : and Pompey also lived not passing foure yeares more then he. So he reaped no other frute of all his raigne and dominion, which he had so vehemently desired all his life, and pursued with such extreame daunger : but a vaine name only, and a superficial! glory, that procured him the envy and hatred of his contrie. But his great prosperitie and good fortune that favored him all his life time, did continue afterwards in the revenge of his death, pursuing the murtherers both by sea and land, till they had not left a man more to be executed, of al them that were actors or counsellers in the conspiracy of his death. Furthermore, of all the chaunces that happen unto men upon the earth, that which came to Cassius above all other, is most to be wondered at. For he being overcome in battell at the jorney of Philippes, slue him selfe with the same sworde, with the which he strake Caesar. Againe, of signes in the element, the great comet which seven nightes together was scene very bright after Caesars death, the eight night after was never scene more. Also the brightnes of the sunne was darkened, the which all that yeare through rose very pale, and shined not out, whereby it gave but

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small heate : therefore the ayer being very clowdy and darke, lULIUS by the weakenes of the heate that could not come foorth, C^SAR did cause the earth to bring foorth but raw and unrype element after frute, which rotted before it could rype. But above all, the Caesars death. ghost that appeared unto Brutus shewed plainly, that the A great goddes were offended with the murther of Caesar. The Comet, vision was thus : Brutus being ready to passe over his army Brutus vision. from the citie of Abydos, to the other coast lying directly against it, slept every night (as his manner was) in his tent, and being yet awake, thinking of his affaires : (for by reporte he was as carefuU a Captaine, and lived with as litle sleepe, as ever man did) he thought he heard a noyse at his tent dore, and looking towards the light of the lampe that waxed very dimme, he saw a horrible vision of a man, of A spirit a wonderfull greatnes, and dreadfull looke, which at the appeared first made him marvelously afraid. But when he sawe '^" *^ ^" *^^* that it did him no hurt, but stoode by his bedde side, and sayd nothing : at length he asked him what he was. The image aunswered him : I am thy ill angell, Brutus, and thou shalt see me by the citie of Philippes. Then Brutus replied againe, and sayd : Well, I shall see thee then. Therewithall, the spirit presently vanished from him. After that time Brutus being in battell neere unto the citie of Philippes, against Antonius and Octavius Caesar, at the first battell he wan the victorie, and overthrowing all them that withstoode him, he drave them into young Caesars campe, which he tooke. The second battell being at hand, this spirit ap- The second peared again unto him, but spake never a word. Thereuppon appearing of Brutus knowing he should dye, did put him selfe to all the spirit, hazard in battell, but yet fighting could not be slaine. So seeing his men put to flight and overthrowen, he ranne unto a litle rocke not farre of, and there setting his swordes point to his brest, fell upon it, and slue him selfe, but yet as it is reported, with the helpe of his frend, that dispatched him.

THE END OF C.ESARS LIFE

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THE LIFE OF PHOCION

Demades arrogant saying.

The power of vertue and fortune.

HE Orator Demades on a time florished in Athens, bicause in all his doings and say- ings in the administration and govern- ment of the common wealth, he alwayes favored the Macedonians and Antipater : in respect whereof he was eftsoones com- pelled, both in his comisell and lawes, to preferre many things to the dishonor of his city, saying, that they must pardon him, bicause he governed the shippewrackes of his contrie. This wsis an arrogant speache : but yet referring it to the government of Phocion he said truely. For in deede Demades selfe was the shippewracke of the common weale, bicause he lived so insolently, and governed so lewdly. Insomuch as Antipater sayd of him, after he was very old : that there was nothing left of him, no more then of a beast sacrificed, but the tongue and belly. But the vertues of Phocion, which had to fight against the cruell and bitter enemy of the time, were so obscured by the calamities of Graece : that his fame was nothing so great as he deserved. For we must not credit Sophocles words, making vertue of it selfe but weake, in these verses :

When stormes of sore adversities (O king) do men assaile. It dauntes their corage, cuts their combs, and makes their harts to quaUe.

But we must onely give place to fortune, who when she frowneth uppon any good and vertuous men, her force is so great, that where they deserve honor and favor, she violently heapeth false and malicious accusations against them, which maketh their vertue lame, and not of that credit which in dede it deserveth. And yet it seemeth to many, that free cities are most cruel unto their good citizens in time of pro- sperity : bicause they flow in wealth and live at ease, which maketh them of hauty mindes. But it is cleans contrary.

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For adversity commonly maketh mens maners sower, chol- PHOCION lericke, and very hasty : besides, slow to heare, churlish, and Adversitie offended with every litle sharpe word. For he that cor- n^aketh men recteth them that offend, seemeth to cast their adversitie in "^^'■y* their teeth : and he that telleth them plainly of their faultes, seemeth also to despise them. For like as honnie sweete by nature, applied unto woundes, doth bring both smart and paine : even so, sharpe wordes, though profitable, doe bite the unfortunate man, if they be not tempered with discre- tion and curtesie. And therefore Homer the Poet calleth swete and pleasaunt thinges /MevoeiKrj, as yeelding and not stri\ang with contrariety, against that parte of the minde, whereby we be angrie and froward. For even as sore eyes doe like to looke on blacke and darke colours, and can not abide the bright and glaring : so in a city, where for want of foresight and government, things goe not well, men be so divers and unwilling to heare of their owne fault and estate, that they had rather continue in their follie and daunger, then by sharpnes of words to be rebuked and restored. So that it being impossible to amend one fault with a greater, that common wealth must be in great daunger, that when it hath most nede of helpe, is lothest to receive any : and he also hazardeth him selfe, that plainly telleth them their faultes. Like as therefore the Mathematician sayth, that the sunne doth not altogether follow the motion of the highest heaven, nor yet is moved directly contrary, but fetching a compase a litle overthwart, maketh an oblique circle, and by variety of approching and departing pre- serveth all things, and kepeth the world in good tempera- ture. Even so, too severe government, contrarying the peoples mindes in all things, is not good : as also it is marvelous daungerous, not to correct offendors Avhen they offend, for feare of the peoples displeasure. But the meane, sometime to yeelde unto the people to make them the more willing to obey, and to graunt them things of pleasure, to demaund of them againe things profitable : that is a good way to governe men the better by. For, by gentle meanes they are brought to doe many profitable things, when they seeke it not of them, by rigor and authority. In deede this 5:K ' 73

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Ciceroes say- ing of Cato, and the com- mon wealth at Rome.

Catoes plaine maner, be- came not tlie corrupt and suttle time.

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meane is very hard to be observed, bicause authority is hardly tempered with lenity. But when they meete together, there is no harmony more musicall, nor concordance more perfit than that : and therfore it is said, that thereby God doth governe the world, working rather a voluntary, then a forced obedience in men. But this fault of severenes was in Cato the younger, for he could not fashion him selfe to the peoples maners, neither did they like his : neither did he win his estimacion in the common wealth by flattering of them. And therefore Cicero sayd, that he was put by the Consulship, for that he behaved him selfe as though he lived in the common wealth devised by Plato, and not amongest the disordered and corrupt posterity of Romulus. Me thinketh I can liken him properly unto untimely frute : the which though men doe take pleasure to see and wonder at, yet they eate them not. Even so, the auncient simplicity of Catoes maner (having so long time bene out of use, and comming then to shew it selfe in that corrupt time and ill maners of the city) was in deede much praiseworthy : but yet not the convenientest, nor the fittest for him, bicause it aunswered nor respected not the use and maners of his time. For he found not his contry (as Phocion did) utterly destroyed, but tossed in a daungerous tempest : and being not of authority like the pilot to take the stern in hand, and governe the shippe : he tooke him selfe to tricking the sailes, and preparing the tacle, so to assist men of greater power. And yet being in no greater place, he so thwarted fortune (which seemed to have sworne the overthrowe of the estate of Rome) that with much a doe, with great difficulty, and a long time after, she executed her malice. And yet the common wealth had almost gotten the victory of her, by meanes of Cato and his vertue : with whom I doe compare the vertue of Phocion, who yet in my opinion, were not in all thinges alike, neither in their honesty, nor policy of government. For there is difference betwext manhood and manhood, as there was betwext that of Alcibiades, and that of Eparainondas : betwext wisedom and wisedom, as betwext that of Aristides, and that of Themistocles : and betwext justice and justice, as betwext that of Numa, and that of 74

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Agesilaus. But the vertues of these men (to him that shall PHOCION superficially regard, and slightly consider them) seeme all one in quality, in maner, and use, both alike in temperance of curtesie with severity, and manhood with wisdom : a vigilant care for others, with presence of corage and security of mind for them selves, abhorring all filthines and corrup- tion, and imbrasing constancy and love of justice: that for any man to discerne the difference betwene them, it requireth an excellent good wit and judgement. Now touching Cato, every man knoweth that he was of a noble house, as we wil shew you hereafter in his life : but for Phocion, I gesse he came of no base parentage. For if he had bene the sonne The parentage of a spoonemaker, as Idomeneus testifieth : Glaucippus the ^^ Phociou. Sonne of Hyperides, having in an invective he wrote against him, rehersed all the mischiefes he could of him, he would not have forgotten to have upbraid him with his base parentage, neither he him self also (if that had bene true) had bene so well brought up as he was. For when he was but a young man, he was Platoes scholler, and afterwards Xenocrates scholler, in the schoole of Aca- demia : and so, even from his first beginning, he gave him selfe to followe them that were learned. For as Duris Phocion writeth, never Athenian saw him weepe nor laugh, nor never wept, washe him selfe in any common bathe, nor his hands out of ^^^ laughed, his sleeves when he ware a long gowne. For when he went to the warres, he would alwaies goe afoote, and never wore gowne, unles it were extreame cold : and then the souldiers to mocke him withall, would say it was a signe of a sharpe winter, when they sawe Phocion in his gowne. Nowe, though Phocious in deede he was very curteous and gentle of nature, yet he maners. had such a grymme looke withall, that no man had any desire to talke with him, but such as were of his familliar acquaintance. And therefore when Chares the Orator one day mocked him for the bending of his browes, and that the Athenians fell in a laughter withall : My Maisters, quoth Phocion, the bending of my browes have done you no hurt, but the foolery and laughing of these flatterers, have made ye oftentymes to weepe. Furthermore, his maner of speech was very profitable, for the good sentences and counsells he

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Wherein excelleucie of speech consisteth.

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PHOCION uttered : but it was mixed with an imperious, austere, and bitter shortnes. For as Zeno the Philosopher sayeth, that the wise man should temper his wordes with witte and reason, before he utter them : even so was Phocions speech, the which in few words comprehended much matter. And thereupon it seemeth that Polyeuctus Sphettian sayd, that Demosthenes was an excellent Orator, but in speech, Phocion was very wittie. For like as coynes of gold or silver, the lighter they waye, the finer they be of goodnes : even so the excellencie of speeche consisteth in signifying much, by fewe wordes. And touching this matter, it is reported, that the Theater being full of people, Phocion walked all alone upon the scaffold where the players played, and was in a great muse with him selfe : whereuppon, one of his friendes seeing him so in his muses, said unto him. Surely Phocion, thy minde is occupied about somewhat. In deede so is it, sayd he : for I am thinking with my selfe, if I could abridge any thing of that I have to say to the people. For Demosthenes selfe litle esteming all other Orators, when Phocion rose up to speake, he would round his friendes in their eares, and told them : See, the cutter of my wordes riseth. Perad- venture he ment it by his manners also : for when a good man speaketh, not a word onely, but a wincke of an eye, or a nod of his head, doth countervaile many artificiall words and speeches of Rethoritians. Furthermore, when he was a young man, he went to the warres under Captaine Chabrias, and followed him : of whom he learned to be a perfit souldier, and in recompence thereof, he reformed many of his Captaines imperfections, and made him wiser then he was. For Chabrias otherwise beeing very dull and slothfull of him selfe, when he came to fight, he was so hotte and corageous, that he would thrust himselfe into danger with the desperatest per- sons : and therefore for his rashnes, it afterwards cost him his life, in the citie of Chio, where launching out with his gaily before the rest, he pressed to land in despite of his enemies. But Phocion being wise to loke to him selfe, and very quicke to execute : on the one side quickned Chabrias slownes, and on the other side also, by wisedom cooled his heate and furie. Chabrias therefore, being a good man and 76

Phocions first souldierfare.

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curteous, loved Phocion very well, and did preferre him in PHOCION matters of service, making him famous amongest the Graecians, and employed him in his hardiest enterprises. For by his meanes he atchieved great fame and honor in a battell by sea, which he wanne by the He of Naxos, giving him the left The victory of winge of his armie : on Avhich side the fight was sharpest of Chabrias and all the battell, and there he soonest put the enemies to flight. K^^n**"'/" This battel being the first which the citie of Athens wanne j^axos. with their owne men onely, after it had bene taken : gave the people cause to love Chabrias, and made them also to make accompt of Phocion, as of a noble souldier, and worthy to have charge. This victory was gotten on the feast day of the great misteries, in memory whereof, Chabrias did yearly, on the sixtenth day of the moneth Boedromion (now called August) make all the people of Athens drinke. After that time, Chabrias sending Phocion to receive the tribute of the Ilanders, their confederats, and the shippes which they should send him : he gave him twenty gallies to bringe him thither. But Phocion then (as it is reported) said unto him : if he sent him to fight with his enemies, he had neede to have moe shippes : but if he sent him as an Ambassador unto his friendes, then, that one shippe would serve his turne. So he went with one gallie onely : and after he had spoken with the cities, and curteously dealt with the governors of every one of them, he returned backe, furnished of their confederats, with a great fleete of shippes and money, to cary unto Athens. So Phocion did not onely reverence Chabrias while he lived, but after his death also he tooke great care of his friendes and kinsmen, and sought to make his sonne Ctesippus, an honest man : whom, though he sawe very wilde and unto- ward, yet he never left to reforme him, and hide his fault. It is sayde also, that when this young man did trouble him much with vaine frivolous questions, serving then under him, he being Captaine, and taking upon him to give him counsell, to reprove him, and to teache him the dutie of a Captaine : he could not but say, O Chabrias, Chabrias : now doe I paye for the love thou didest beare me when thou wert alive, in bearing with the folly of thy sonne. But when he saw that the heads of the citie of Athens had as it were by lot devided

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Phocions notable

sayings,

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amonge them selves the offices of warre and peace, and that some of them, asEubulus, Aristophon,Demosthenes,Lycurgus, and Hyperides were common speakers and preferrers of matters in counsells and Senate : and that others, as Diopithes, Menes- theus, Leosthenes, and Chares, became great men by the warres, and had charge of armies : he determined rather to follow the manner of government, of Pericles, Aristides, and Solon, as being mingled of both. For either of them, seemed (as the Poet Archilocus sayth) :

To bee both Champions stowt, of Marsis warlyke band^ And of the Muses eke, the artes to understand.

He knew also, that Pallas the goddesse and protector of Athens, was called Polemica, and Politica : to wit, skilfuU to rule both in warre and peace. So, having thus disposed of him sclfe in government, he alwaies perswaded peace and quietnes, and yet was often chosen Captaine, and had charge of armies, being the onely man that of all the Captaines afore him, and in his time, did never sue for charge, neither yet refused it at any time, when he was called to serve the common wealth. It is certen that he was chosen five and forty times Prsetor, and was alwaies absent at the elections, but yet sent for. Whereuppon all the wise men wondred to see the manner of the people towards him, considering that Phocion had never done nor sayd any thing to flatter them withall, but commonly had bene against their desires : and how they used other governours notwithstanding, that were more pleasant and deiightfuU in their orations, like men to sport at, as it is sayd of kings, who after they have washed their handes to goe to their meate, doe use to have Testers and flatterers to make them mery : but on thother side when they had occasion of warres in deede, how then like wise men they could bethinke them selves, and choose the wisest and stowtest man of the citie, and that most would withstand their mindes and desires. For on a time an oracle of Apollo Delphias, beeing openly red before them, which sayd, that all the other Athenians being agreed, yet there was one amonge them that was contrary to all the rest of the citie : Phocion stepping forth before them all, bad them never 78

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seeke further for the man, for it was he that liked none of PHOCION all their doings. Another time he chaunced to say his opinion before all the people, the which they all praised and approved : but he saw they were so sodeinly become of his minde, he turned backe to his friendes, and asked them : Alas, hath not some evill thing slipped my mouth unawares ? Another time a generall collection being gathered of the people at Athens, towardes the solemnizing of a sacrifice : other men of his estate having payd their part, he was often also called upon to pay his. But he aunswered them againe, Aske them that be rich, for it were a shame for me to give you any thing, being yet in this mans debt : pointing to Callicles the Userer, who had lent him money. But when they left him not for all this, to cry out apon him for the contribution, he began to tell them this tale : that on a time there was a coward preparing to goe to the warres, and as he was ready to depart, he heard the Ravens what a cry- ing they made, and taking it for an ill signe, he put of his hames, and kept him at home. After that he put on his hames againe, and went on his way towards the campe : the Ravens beganne againe to make a goodlier cry behind him. But thereuppon he staled straight, and at length sayd : Ye shall crooke as lowd as ye list, before ye feede of my carkas. An other time the Athenians being in warre under his charge, M'ould needes have him to leade them to give charge uppon their enemies, but he would not : thereuppon they called him coward, and sayd he durst not. Well, sayd he againe, it is not you can make me valiant, no more then my selfe can make you cowards : and yet one of us know an other. Another time in a marvelous daungerous time, the people handled him very churlishly, and would needes have him presently deliver accompt of his charge : but he aunswered them, O my friendes, first save your selves. Furthermore, the people beeing very lowly and humble, for feare, in time of warres : and presently in peace againe waxing brave in wordes against Phocion, charging him that he had taken the victorie out of their handes : he onely sayd this to them. You are happy that have a Captaine that knowes you, els you would singe a new songe. Another time there was a quarrell betmxt the

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PHOCION Boeotians, and them, about their bounds and fronters : the which they would not try by lawe, but by battel. But Phocion told them, they did they wist not what, and coun- selled them rather to fight it out in words, in which they were the stronger, and not with weapons, where they were the weaker. Another time they so much misliked his opinion in the assembly, that they woulde not abide to heare him, nor suffer him to speake. Wei, my Maisters, quoth he then, you may make me doe that which is not to be done : but you shall never compell me, against my minde, to say that which is not to be spoken. He would as gallantly also gird the Orators his adversaries, when they were busie with him. As on a time he aunswered Demosthenes, that sayd unto him : The people, Phocion, will kill thee one day, and if it take them in the heades. Yea thee, quoth he, if they be wise. Agayne, when Polyeuctus Sphettian, in a hotte day perswaded the people of Athens to make warre with king Philip, sweating, and with much a doe fetching his breath, being a fatte man, that he was driven oftentymes to drinke water, to ende his oration : Surely sayd Phocion, ye shall doe marvelous wisely, to make warre at such a mans motion. Why, what thinke ye will he do, when he hath his curats and his target upon him, and that the enemies be ready to fight : that now in making an oration onely before you, which he hath studied long before, is almost stifled ? Another time also when Lycurgus in his oration had openly reproved him for many things before the people, and among the rest, for that Alexander demaunding tenne Citizens of Athens to do with them what he thought good, that he had counselled them to deliver them : Phocion aunswered him, I have oftentimes counselled them for the best, but they would never follow my councell. There was one Archibiades at that time in Athens, that counterfeated the Lacedaemonian, with a marvelous long beard, a beggerly cloke, and a sower looke. Phocion being checkt one day before the people, appealed unto Archibiades for a witnes, to confirme that he spake. But he rising up, counselled the people contrarily, to flatter them withall. Phocion perceiving it, tooke him by the beard, and sayd unto him ; Alas Archibiades, why "80

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diddest thou not then clippe thy beard, seeing thou wouldest PHOCION needes flatter ? There was another great pleader, one Aris- Aristogiton, togiton, that in all assemblies of the citie, did nothing but ^ Sycophant, busse warres continually in their eares. Afterwardes when ^° cowar . men were to be leavied and mustered, and their names entred that should goe to the warres : Aristogiton came halting into the market place with a staffe in his hand, and both his legges bound up, to make the people beleeve that he was sicke and disseased. Phocion spying Aristogiton farre of, cryed out to the Clearke that wrote the bills : Put in Aris- togiton, lame, and impudent. So that oftentymes it makes me muse, howe, or wherefore so sharpe and severe a man (as by these examples it appeareth he was) could come to the Phocion surname of good. Notwithstanding, in the ende I find it a caUed by hard thing, but not impossible, that a man should be like Iq^T"^^' wine, both sweete and sharpe together : as there are others to the contrary, that at the first sight, seeme very curteous and gentle of conversation, and apon better acquaintance, prove churlishe and dogged. It is reported also, that Hyperides the Orator one day should say to the Athenians : I pray you (my Lords) note me not for my sharpenes, but consider if my sharpenes be without profit. As who should say, men were not troublesom, but for covetousnes onely, and as if the people did not rather feare and hate them, that of insolencie and malice did abuse and contemne their authority. Phocion on thother side, he never did Citizen hurt, for any private malice he bare him : but was ever sharpe and cruell to them, which were against any matter he preferred for the benefit of the common wealth. For in all other things, he shewed him self marvelous lowly and curteous to every body, and would be familliar with his adversaries, and helpe them if they wanted, or were other- wise in daunger of displeasure with the state. Insomuch as his friendes therefore reproved him on a time, when he spake in the behalfe of a naughty man, an offender : O, sayd he, honest men neede no helpe. An other time, Aristogiton the Sycophant, beeing clapped up in prison, sent unto Phocion to pray him to come and speake with him, after he was condemned. Phocion went into the prison to him, 5:L 81

PHOCION

Phocions jorney into Euboea.

Phocion per- swadeth his Captaines^ to suffer the mutinous souldiers and cowards to depart the campe.

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though his friendes perswaded him the contrary, and aun- swered them : O, let me alone, sayd he, for where could I see Aristogiton more gladly then in prison ? Furthermore, when there went any army to sea out of Athens, if there were any other chosen generall but Phocion : the townes and Ilandes all alongest the sea coast, (which were friendes and confederats of the Athenians) fortified their walls, filled up their havens, and brought their wives, slaves, and cattell, and all their goods into their townes and cities, as if they had bene enemies, and open warre proclaimed. Contrarily also, if Phocion had bene Capteine and generall : they would send out their shippes to the sea to meete him farre of, crowned with garlands in token of common joy, and so would bringe him to their cities. King Philip secretly seking to winne the He of Eubcea, sent an armie thither out of Macedon, and intised the townes by tyrannes to rebell : whereuppon, Plutarke Eretrian praied in ayde of the Athenians, to take this Hand from the Macedonians, which they daily wanne more and more, if they came not presently to ayde them. So Phocion was sent general thither, but with a fewe men onely, bicause they made account the men of that contry would straight joyne with him, for the good will they bare him. But when he came thither, he found them all traytors, and rebells, and brybed with king Philippes money, which he lavished out amonge them : so that he was brought into great daunger. Thereupon he retyred to a litle hill that is severed from the fieldes of Tamynes, with a great large valley, and there fortified him selfe with that litle armie he had. Then he perswaded his Captaines not to care for all those rebels, pratlers, and cowards which fled out of their tents, and forsooke their ensignes and Captaines, but that they should let them goe out of the campe where they would. For, sayd he, such disobedient souldiers here will doe us no service, and moreover will hinder them that have good will to serve well : and at home also, knowing them selves in faulte, for that they forsooke the campe with- out licence, they dare not complayne apon us. Afterwards when the enemies came to set apon him, he commaunded his men to arme, and put them selves in readines, and not 82

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to sturre, untill he had done sacrifice : but he stayed long PHOCION before he came, either bicause he could have no lucky signes of the sacrifices, or els for that he would draw his enemies nearer. Thereuppon Plutarke Eretrian supposing he deferred to marche for feare, went him selfe first into the field, with certen light horsemen he had in pay. Then the men of armes seeing them give charge, could hold no lenger, but followed him also, stragling out of the campe one after an other disorderly, and so did set apon their enemies. The first being overthrowen, all the other dispersed them selves, and Plutarke him self fled. Then certen bandes of the enemies thinking all had bene theirs, followed them even into their campe, and came to throw downe their rampiers. In the meane time, Phocion having ended his sacrifice, the Phocions Athenians came out of their campe, and set apon them, and p^^^^^^^ "^ made part of them flie immediatly, and part of them also ^ ^^' they slue hard by the trenches of their campe. Then Phocion commaunded that the battell should stand still, to receive their men that were scattered up and downe the fieldes : and in the meane space, he him selfe, with the choycest men of his armie, gave charge apon the enemies. The fight was cruell betwene them. For the Athenians fought very valiantly, ventring their persons : but of them all, two young men fighting by their generall, (Glaucus, the sonne of Polymedes, and Thallus, the sonne of Cineas) caried the praise away. And so did Cleophanes that daye also shewe him selfe very valiant. For he crying out still apon the horsemen that fled, and perswading them to come and helpe their generall that was in daunger : brought them backe againe, and thereby gotte the footemen the victorie. After this battell he drave Plutarke out of Eretria, and tooke the castell of Zaretra, standing in a very commodious place for this warre, where the He draweth to a straightnes, en- vyronned on either side with the sea : and would not suffer his men to take any Graecians prisoners, fearing least the Orators at Athens might move the people sodeinly in a rage, to put them to death. After all these thinges were done, Phocion returned backe to Athens. But then did the confederats of the Athenians straight wishe for his justice

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PHOCION and curtesie : and