THE HISTORIE OF Octauius Cæsar Augustus,

THat the principall name & linage of the Octavii, dwelt in times past at Velitrae, there be many evidences to shewe: For, both a street in the most frequented place of the said towne long since carried the name Octavivs, and also there was to be seene an Altar there consecrated (*) * Or to Octavivs: Octaviv Consecrata: by one Octavivs, who being Generall of the field in a warre against the borderers, whe͏̄ he happened to be sacrificing to Mars. upon newes brought that the enemie gave a suddaine charge, caught the Inwards of the beast sacrificed halfe raw as they were, out of the (*) * where they were a boyling or rosting. fire; cut and offered them accordingly: & so entred into battaile and returned with victorie. There is beside, a publike Act extant upon record, wherein decreed and provided it was, that everie yeare after, the inwards in like manner should bee Page 38 presented unto Mars, and the rest of the sacrifice remaining, carried backe unto the Octauij.

(*) * Eagen inter Rom [•…] . o [•…] [•…] llect. These Octauij, being by K. Tarqvinivs Priscvs naturalized Romaines2 soone after translated and admitted by Servivs Tvllvs, into the Senate among the Patritians, & Nobles, in processe of time ranged themselues with the commons, and with much adoe at length, by the meanes of Ivlivs of sacred Memrie returned to the Patritian degree again: The first of these that by the peoples election bare any Magistracie, was C. Rvfvs: who having beene Questor begat Cn. and C. From the͏̄ descended two families of the Octavii, and those for their estate of life farre different. For Cn. and all the rest from him one after another, attained to places of highest honour but Caivs and his posteritie everie one eve͏̄ unto the father of Avgvstvs, (such was either their fortune or their will,) staied in the order and degree of gentlemen, and rose no higher. The great Grand father of Aagvstvs, in the second (*) * Against An [•…] ball and the Carthaginians: Punike war, serued in qualitie of a Militar (*) * Colonel of 1000 footmen Tribune, in Sicilie, under Aemilivs Pa [•…] Vs Lord generall. His father contenting himselfe with bearing office like another Burgesse in his owne Bourrough, being left welthie by his father, grew to a good estate, and lived to be an olde man, in much peace and tranquilitie. But of these matters let others make report. Avgvstvs himselfe writeth noe more but thus. That the house from whence he came. was of Romaine Gentlemen, welthie and ancient withall, wherein the first that ever came to be Senatour was his father. M. Antonivs hi [•…] teth him in the teeth with his great Grandfather: saying he was but a Libertine borne, and by occupation a (*) * A seller of ropes: restione͏̄, not Restionem with a Capitall R as if it were a proper name. roper, & come out of a Village of the Thurines: also that his Grandfather was no better then a verie (*) * Arg [•…] ntarium an exchanger of monie for gaine. banquer. Neither have I founde any more, as touching the Auncestours of Avgvstvs by the Fathers side:

Octavivs his father, from the verie beginning of his age, was of great3 welth and reputation; so that I cannot but mervaile, that hee also hath beene reported by some a banquer or monie changer: yea and one of the (a) dealers of monie and servitours employed in Campvs Martivs, by those that stand for offices: For having beene from his verie cradle brought vppe in wealth highly and plentifully; he both attained unto honorable dignities with facilitie, and administred the same with credite and reputation. Presently uppon his Pretourshippe, the province of Macedonie fell unto his lot. And in his iourney thither, the fugitives, to wit the reliques of Spartacvs and Catilines forces, who then helde the Thurine teritorie hee defaited; having commission extraordinarily given unto him in the senate so to doe: This province hee governed with noe lesse iustice then fortitude. For having discomfited in a great battaile the Bessi and the Thracians, he dealt so well with the Allies and confederats of that Kingdome: that there be certaine letters of M. Tvllivs Cicero extant, wherein he exhorteth and admonisheth his brother Qvintvs, (who at the same time, little to his credite & good name, administred the proco͏̄sulship of Asia) for to imitate his neigbour Octavivs, in doing well by the Allies, and winning their love thereby.

As he departed out of Macedonie before that he could professe himselfe to4 be a suiter for the Consulship, he died a suddaine death. leaving these children Page 39 behind him alive, namely two daughters Octavia the elder, which hee had by Ancharia: Octavia the younger, and Avgvstvs likewise, by Atia. This Atia was the daughter of M. Ativs Balbvs, and Ivlia the sister of C. Cæsar. Balbvs by his fathers side was an Aricine, a man that shewed Senatours Images and armes in his house: by his mother linked to Magnvs Pompeivs in the neerest degree of consanguinitie. And having borne the office of Pretorship he among the Xx. Commissioners devided by vertue of the Law Ivlia, the lands in the territory of Capva among the Commons. But M. Antonivs, despising the parentage and petegree of Avgvstvs by the mother side also, twitteth him and layeth in his dish, that his great Grandsire was an African borne saying on while, that he kept a shop of sweete oyles, Ointments and perfumes; another while, that he was a baker in Aricia. Cassivs verily of Parma, in a certaine Epistle: taxeth Avovstvs as being the* Al this is spo ken allegorically of his base parentage. Nephew not of a Baker onely, but also of a banker, in these termes. Thou hast meale for thy mother. And then comes a banker of Nerulone, who out of a most painefull backe house in Aricia knedeth and mooldeth it with his hands sullied by telling & exchanging monie. 5

Avgvstvs was borne, when M. Tvllivs Cicero and Antonie wereA. V C. 691. Consuls, the (*) * 23. Of September. ninth day before the Calends of October, a little before the Sun rising, in the (a) palatine quarter of the Citie, at a place: called (*) * Oxe or Bullheads. Capita Bv [•…] Vla: where now it hath a sacred Chappel, built and erected a little after he depar ted out of this world: For, as it is found in the records of the Senate, when C. Lectorivs a yong gentleman of the Patritian order, pleaded to have some easier punishment for the adulterie, & alledged, over and besides his yong yeares & pare͏̄tage, this also in his plea. before the Senatours, that he was the possessor and as it were, the warden & Sextaine of that ground or soyle, which Avgvstvs of happy memorie touched (b) first, & requested that it might be given & gran ted unto the said Avgvstvs as to his domestical and peculiar god: decreed it was that the same part of the house should be consecrated to that holy use. There is yet to be seene the place of his nourcery, within a suburbian house belonging6 to his Auncesters, neere unto Velitra: a very little Cabin, about the bignes of a Larder or Pantry: the neighbours are possessed with a certaine conceit, as if he had been there also borne. To enter into this row me unlesse it be of necessitie & with devout chastitie, men make it scrupulous & are affraide: upon an old conceived opinion, as if unto as many as came thether rashly and inconsiderately, a certaine horror and fearefulnes were presented. And verily, this was soone after confirmed by this occasion: For when the new Land lord & possessor of that farme house, either by chance & at unwares, or els to try some experime͏̄t, went into it, there to take up his lodging, it happened that in the night within verie fewe houres after, being driven out from thence by some sodaine violence, (he knoweth not how,) he was found in manner halfe dead, together with bed and all, before the dore,

Being yet an infant, surnamed he was Thurinvs, in memorial of the beginning7 of his Auncestours: or else because in the countrie about Thurij, when hee was newly borne, his father Octavivs fought a battaile against the Fugitiues. That he was surnamed Thvrinvs, my selfe am able to report by a god and sufficient evidence, as having gotten an olde little counterfeit in Page 40 brasse representing him being a child: which had in yron letters and those almost worne out, this name engraven. This said counterfeit, being given by me unto the (*) * Hadrian the Emperour. Prince, is now devoutely kept and worshipped among other his bed chamber Images. Moreover called he is oftentimes in taunting wise by M. Antonivs in his Epistles; Thvrinvs: and himselfe writeth unto him backe againe as touching that point, nothing but this. That he marvaileth why that former name of his should be obiected unto him as a reproach. Afterwardes, he assumed the surname of C. Cæsar. and after it of Avgvstvs: the one by the last will of his great Vncle, by the mother side, the other by the uertue of Mvnativs Plancvs his sentence: For when some gave their opinion, that he ought to be stiled Romvlvs, as if he also had beene A Founder of the Cittie, Plancvs preuailed, that he should be called rather Avgvstvs: not onely for that it was a new Surname, but also greater and more honourable, because Religious and holy places, wherein also any thing is consecrated by bird flight, and feeding of them be called Avgvsta, ab auctu. i. of growing, or else ab avium gestu gustuve: i. Of birds gesture and feeding. Like as Ennivs also teacheth writing in this manner.

“Auguste Augurio postquam inclyta condita Roma est.”

“After that Noble Rome was built by sacred flight of Birds.”

He was 4. yeares old when his father died: and in the xij. yeare of his age8 he praised in a publike assemblie, his Grand-mother Ivlia deceased. Foure yeeres after hauing put on his virill robe, he had (a) militarie (b) gifts bestowed upon him at the African tryumph of Cæsar, albeit by reason of his yong yeares he had not once serued in the warres: Soone after, when his Vnkle (Caesar) was gone into Spaine against Cn. Pompeivs children, he followed with in a while, (being as yet not well recovered out of a greevous sicknesse,) euen through waies infested by enemies, with verie few in his traine to accompany him, and hauing suffred shipwracke besides: whereby he mightily won his Vncles love, who quickely approved his towardly behauiour and disposition, over and above his diligence in travaile. Whe͏̄ Cæsar, after he had recovered Spaine and brought it to his subiection, intended a voiage against the (*) * otherwise called [〈◊〉] , Daci, and from thence against the Parthians, he being sent afore to Apollonia, became a Student there and followed his booke. And so soone as he had certaine intellige͏̄ce that Ceasar was slaine, and himselfe made his heire: standing in doubt and suspense a long time, whether he should implore the helpe of the Legions os no? at length he gave over that course verily, as too hastie & untimely, but whe͏̄ he was returned againe to Rome, he entred upon his inheritance, not withstanding his mother made some doubt thereof & his father in law Martivs (*) * His mothers husband. Philippvs a man of Consular degree much disswaded him there fro. And from that time having levied & assembled his forces, he governed the co͏̄mon welth first ioint ly with (c M. Antonivs and M: Lepidvs for the space almost of 12: yeres, and at the last for xliiij: yeares by himselfe alone:

Having thus laid open the very sum as it were, of his life, I will goe through9 the parts there of in particular: not by the times but by the seuerall kinds therof. to the end the same may be shewed and knowne more distinctly: Five civill warres he made to wit, at Mutine, Philippi, Perusium in Sicilie, and at Actium. Of which the first & last were against M: Antonivs: the seco͏̄d against Brvtvs Page 41 and Cassius the third against L. Antonius brother to the Triumvir, the 4. against Sex. Pompeius, Cn. Pompeius his sonne. Of all these warres he tooke the occasion and quarrell from hence, namely, reputing and iudging in his mind nothing more meet and conuenient than the revenge of his unkles death and the maintenance of his acts and proceedinges.

No sooner was he returned from Apollonia, but he purposed to set upon Brvtus and Cassius at unwares: and (because upon foresight of daunger they10 were fled secretly out of the way) to take the course of law, and in their absenceA, V, C 710. to endite them of murder. As for the Plaies and games for Ceasars victory because they durst not exhibit them, whose lot and office it was so to do, himselfe set them forth. And to the end that he might go through all other matters also more resolutely; he professed himselfe to labour for the (*) * Of the commons. Tribuneship in the rowme of one who fortuned to die: albeit he was one of the Nobility, though not of the Senate. But seeing that M. Antonius the Consul withstood his attempts, where as he hoped he would have beene his principall friend in that suit: and vouchsafed not unto him so much as the assistance of his owne publike authority, or helpe procured from others in any thing, without he agreed and covenanted to yeeld unto him some exceeding consideration: he betooke himselfe unto the protection of those Nobles & chiefe Senatours unto whom he perceiued that Antonius was odious: in this regard especially, that (*) * [•…] Antonius. he endevored all that he could by force of armes to expell Decimus Brvtus besieged at Mutina, out of that province which by Ceasar was granted and by the Senate confirmed unto him. And thereupon by the aduice and perswasion of some he set certaine persons priuily in hand to murder Antonius; which perilous practise of his being detected and fearing still the like danger to himselfe, he waged the old soldiers with as beautiful a larges as possiblie he could,A. V. C. 711. for the defence as well of his owne person as of the state. And being appointed to lead this armie thus levied, in qualitie of propretour & together with Hirtius and Pansa, who had entred upon the Consulship. to aide D. Brvtus, he made an end of this warre committed unto him within three moneths, in two fought fieldes. In the former of which, Antonie writeth that he fled, and without coat armour or horse appeared at length after two dayes and shewed himselfe. But in the battaile next following, well knowne it is, that he performed the part not onely of a Captaine but also of a soldier. and in the very heat and midst of the medly, by occasion that the Standerd bearer of his owne Legion was grievously hurt, he supported the Aegle with his owne shoulders (*) * As mass [•…] e & heavie as it was. and so carried it a good while.

During this warre, when Hirtius had lost his life in the conflict, and11 Pansa soone after of his wound, it was bruited rifely abroad, that both of them were by his meanes slaine: to the ende that having defaited Antonius, and the Common-wealth beeing bereift of both Consuls, he alone might seize uppon the victorious armies. And verily the death of Pansa was so deepely suspected that Glyco the Physitian was committed to ward and durance, as if he had put poyson into his wound. Aqvillius Niger addeth moreover and saith, that the one of the Consuls, to wit, Hirtius, was in the verie confused medly of the battaile killed by Avgustus himselfe.

Page 42But so soone as he understood that Antonie after his flight was intertained12 by M. Lepidvs: that other Captaines also and armies consented to take part with (*) * Prop [•…] rtibus: of Pomperus and the common wealth. if you read pro petri [•…] i. with the Nobilitie the side. he forsooke without all delaies the cause of the Nobles and principall Senatours: and for the better pretence of this change and alteration of his minde, craftily and uniustly alleadged the words and deedes of certaine of them. as if (a) some had given it out of him: That he was a boy, (b) Others, that he was to be (*) * Et tollendum. adorned, and * honoured: That neither himselfe nor the olde beaten soldiers might be rewarded according to their desarts. And the better to approove his repentance of the former side and faction that he tooke: He fined the Nursines, in a great summe of monie, and more than they were able to pay; For that upon the Monuments or Tombe of those Citizens that were slaine in the battaile at Mutina (which at their common charges was reared) they wrote this Title, That they died for the Libertie and Free-dome of their Cittie.

Being entred into Societie with Antonie and Lepidvs, hee finished13 the Philippian warre also, (although he was but weake and sickely,) and thatA. V. C 712. with two battailes. in the former being discamped and driven out of the field, hardly hee escaped by flight and recovered the Regiment or wing of Antonius. Neither used he moderately the successe of his victorie, but when hee had sent the head of Brvtus to Rome for to bee bestowed under the Statue of Cæsar, he dealt cruelly with the Noblest and most honourable prisoners, and not without reproachfull words: so farre forth verily, that to one of them, making humble suite and prayer for his Sepulture, he answered, (by report) in this wise. That it would be anone, at the dispose of the f [•…] ules of the Aire: and when others, to wit, the (a) Father, and sonne together intreated for their lives; he commanded them either to cast lots or trie by combate whether of them should have life granted. and so beheld them both as they dyed, whilest the father who offred himselfe to die was slaine, and the sonne voluntarily take his death. Whereuppon the rest, & amongst them M Favonius that worthie follower of Cato, when they were brought forth with their yrons and chaynes to execution, after they had in honorable termes saluted Antonius by the name of (*) * Soveraine commander Emperour, openly reviled and let flie at him most foule and rayling words. Hauing parted betweene them their charges & offices after this victorie, whe͏̄ Antonius undertook to settle the East in good order, and himselfe to bring the olde Soldiers backe into Italie, & to placethem there, in the lands & teritories belonging to the free Townes and Burowghes, he kept himselfe in favour neither with the said old soldiers, nor the former possessors of those lands: whilest the one sort complained, that they were disseized: and the other, that they were not well entreated according to their hope, for so good deserts.

At which verie time, he forced L. Antonius (who confidently presuming14 upon the Consulship which he then bare, & his brothers power withall, wentA. V. C. 713. about to make an insurrection and alteration in the state) to flie unto Pervsia, and there for verie hunger compelled him to yeeld. but yet not without great jeopardie of his owne person, both before and after the warre: for whe͏̄ at a certaine solemne sight of stage plaies; he had commanded an ordinarie and co͏̄mon soldier who was set within the (a) 14. ranks, to be raised by an officer, & Page 43 thereupon a rumor was carried and spred by his malicious ill willers and backbiters, as if presently after torture he had put the same soldier to death. There lacked verie little, but that in the concourse and indignation of the militarre multitude, he had come to a mischiefe and beene murdered. This onely saued his life: that the man for a while missed, sodainely was to be seene againe alive and safe without any harme done unto him. About the walls of Perusia, as hee sacrificed, he had like to haue been intercepted by a strong companie of sword fencers that sallied out of the Towne.

After he had forced Pervsia; he proceeded to the execution of verie many,15 A. V. C. 714. & euer as any went about either to crave pardon or to excuse themselues, with this on word he stopped their mouthes, Die yee must. Some write, that iij: hundred of both degrees (to wit Senatours and Knights) chosen out of them who had yeelded, were killed (*) * Brained with an axe: and no [•…] beheaded as sacrifices upon the (*) * On which day [〈◊〉] [〈◊〉] was murdred. Ides of March, at the Alter built in the honor of Ivlivs (Cæsar) of famous memorie. There have been others who wrote, that of verie purpose he tooke armes and made this warre to the end that his close aduersaries and those who rather for feare, then of good will held in, upon occasion given and opportunitie by L. Antonius there leader, might be detected: that having once vanquished them and confiscated their goods, the rewards promised unto the olde soldiers he might the better performe.

The warre in Sicile he began betimes and with the first, but drewe it out16 along time; as being often intermitted. one while, for the repairing and rigging of his fleete which by two ship-wrackes in tempest, (and that (*) * When commonly it is c [•…] lme in those Seas. in summer time) he had lost: another while. by occasion of peace made at the earnest cry of the people, for the provision of their victuales cut off and kept from them: and the famine thereby dayly growing: untill such time as having built neweA. V. C. 717. ships, manurnised and set free xx. thowsand slaues, and those put to the ore for to learne to row gallies, he made the Hauen Iulius at Baiz by letting the sea into the Lakes, Lvcrinvs and Aluernvs. In which when he had trained and exercised his sea forces whole winters, he overcame Pompeius betweene (*) * A port town in [〈◊〉] , Milae and (*) * An harbour neere Messanah. A. V. C, 718. Naulochus. at the verie houre and instant time of which Naual battaile, he was suddenly surprized with such a sound sleepe, that his friends were faine to waken him and raise him out of bed for to give the signall. Wherupon occasion and matter was ministred (as I thinke) to (*) * Marcus, the Triumvir. Antonius, for to cast this in his teeth, that he could not so much as with his eyes open see [•…] directly before him the battaile set in ray, but lay like a sencelesse b [•…] ocke on his backe, looking onely into the (*) * For Gods helpe. skie aloft: nor once arose and came in sight of his soldiours, before that M. Agrippa had put his enemies 12 ships to flight. Others blame and charge him both for a speech and deede also of his: as if he should crie out and say, That seeing his owne regiment of ships were cast away by tempests, he would even against the will of Neptvne obtaine victorie. And verily the next day of the (a) Circensian Games, he tooke out of the solemne pompe there shewed, the Image of the said God: Neither in any other warre lightly was hee in more and greater dangers For hauing transported one armie into Sicilie, when he sailed backe againe for to waft ouer the rest of his forces from the continent and firme (*) * Of [〈◊〉] . land, he was at unwares overtaken and surpri [•…] ed by Demochares and Apollophanes the Lievetenants and Admirals of Page 44 Pompeius, but at the length with uerie much ado, he escaped with one onely barke In like manner as he travailed by land unto (b) R [•…] egium neere Locrse, kenning a farre of (*) * Sext. Pompeis gallies sayling along the coasts, and weening them to he his owne, he went downe to the shore, and had like to have been caught and taken by them. And even then as he made shift to flie and escape through by-waies aud blind-lanes: a bond-seruant of Aemilivs Pavlus a companion of his, taking it to the heart that his Maisters father Pavlus, was in times past by him proscribed and outlawed, and imbracing, as it were, the good occasion and opportunitie of revenge now offered, gave the attempt to kill him. After the flight of (*) * Sext. Pompeius, when M. Lepidus one of his (*) * In the Triumvirate. Collegues, whome hee had called forth of Afrike to his aide, bareA. V. C. 718. himselfe proude uppon the confidence of xx. Legions, challenged a souerainetie over the (*) * M. Antonius and [〈◊〉] Augustus. rest, and that, with terrour and menaces: hee stript him of all his armie, and uppon his humble submission and supplication, pardoned his life, but confined him for ever to Circeij. (*) * Some Critickes begin here a newe Chapter. The Societie of M. Antonius wauering alwaies in doubtfull tea [•…] mes and uncertaine, and notwithstanding many and sundrie reconciliations, not well knit and confirmed, he brake of quite in the ende: and the better to proove and make good that he (c) had degenerated from the ciuill behauiour and modestie of a (Romaine) Citizen, he caused the last will and testament of the said Antonie, which he had left at (d) Rome, and therein nominated even the Children of Cleopatra among his heires to be opened and red in a publike assemblie. Howbeit when hee was judged by the State an enemie, hee sent backe unto him those of his neerest acquaintance and inward friendes and among other C. Sosius, (e) and T. (*) * Cn. Domitius Domitivs, being Consuls at that time still. The Bononians also, for that of olde they were dependantes of the Antonij and in there retinue and protection, hee by a publicke ActA. V. C. 722. acquit and pardoned for not entring into a confederace with all Italie, (f) on his side. Not long after, he vanquished him in a Nauall battaile before (g) Actium, what time by reason that the fight continued untill it was lateA. V. C. 723: in the euening hee was forced to lodge all night conqueror as he was, on ship board.

When he had retired himselfe from Actium into the Iland Samos for his17 winter harbour, being disquieted with the newes of his soldiers mutinie demanding rewardes and discharge from service; those I meane, whom after the victorie atcheived hee had from out of the whole number sent before to Brindis, he went againe into Italie: but in crossing the Seas thither; twice was he tossed and troubled with Tempests: first betweene the promontories or Capes of Pol [•…] ponensus and Actolia: againe, about the Mountaines or Cliffes Ceraunij. In both which places, part of his pinnaces were cast away and drowned: and with all, the verie takling of that shippe wherein he embarked was rent and [•…] orne a sunder: yea, and the rudder thereof quite broken. Neither staied he at Brindis above 27, daies, that is to say untill hee had setled hisA. V. C. 724 soldiers and contented them in their desires and requests: but fetching a compasse about Asia, and Siria, sailed into Aegypt where after hee had laied seige unto Alexandria, whether Antonie and Cleopatra were together fled. He soone became Mais. of that Cittie. And as for Antonie, Page 45 who now (all to late) made meanes for conditions of peace hee enforced to make himselfe away, and (*) * Viditque mor [•…] : In some copies we read thus: [〈◊〉] mort [•…] am Cleopatram, [〈◊〉] And he saw [〈◊〉] dead: For he heard onely of Antonies death and saw the sworde wherewith hee wounded himselfe. saw him dead And to Cleopatra whom most gladly he would have saved alive for to beautifie his tryumph hee set the (a) Psylli to sucke out the venime & poyson within her bodie: for that supposed it was she died with the sting of the Serpent (b) Aspis: This honour he did unto them both, namely to burie them in one sepulcher: and the Tombe by them begun, he commanded to be finished. Young Antonie the elder of those twaine whom he had by Fvlvia, he caused to be violently haled from the Statue of Ivlivs Cæsar of famous memorie, unto which, after many prayers but all in vaine; he was fled as to sanctuarie, and so killed him. Likewise Cæsario, when Cleopatra gave out openly that she had conceived by his (*) * His great Vnkle indeede but father by adoption: father Cæsar, he fetched backe againe from the place whither he was fled, and put him to death. The rest of the Children of Antonie and the Queene togither, he both saued (no lesse than if they had beene linked in neere Alliance unto himselfe,) and also according to the state of euerie one of them, he maintained and cherished respectively.

About the same time, when he beheld the Tombe together with the corps of18 Alexander the great, taken newly foorth of the vaute or secret Chappell where it was bestowed; he set upon it a coronet of gold: and strewing flowers thereupon worshipped it: And being asked the question, whither hee would* Or [〈◊〉] i. the bodies [〈◊〉] Tombes of the Ptolemoees, If you read [〈◊〉] , it is ment of [〈◊〉] . looke upo͏̄ the Ptolomes also? he answered that he was desirous indeed to see a King but not the (a) dead. When he had reduced Aegypt in the forme of a province, to the end that he might make it more fruitfull and fit to yeeld corne and victuals for the Cittie of Rome, he skowred and cleansed by helpe of soldiers, all those ditches where into Nilus overfloweth, which by long time had been choaked with mud. And that the memorie of his Actiake victorie might be more renowmed among posteritie, he built the Cittie Nicopolis over against Actium, and ordained certaine games and plaies there, everie 5. yeeres: and hauing enlarged the old (*) * Which stood upon the saide promontarie actium. Temple of Apollo: and the place werein he had encamped; he beautified with Navall spoiles and then consecrated it to Neptune and Mars.

After this, sundry tumults and the verie beginnings of commotions and insurrections,19 many conspiracies also detected before they grew to any head, he suppressed: and those, some at one time and some at an other. Namely first one of Lepidvs the younger: then, another of Varro Mvraena, and Fannivs Capio: soone after that, of M. (*) * Or Egnatius. Genativs: and so forward of Plavtivs Rvfvs and L. Pavlvs, his neeces husband: and besides all these, that of L. Avdasivs accused of forgerie, and counterfeit seales; a man neither for yeares able nor bodie sound: Likewise of Asimivs Epicadvs descended from the Parthynes Nations a (a) (*) * Begotten be tweene a bond slaue and a mungrel. Mungrell: and last of all, of Telephvs, a base (*) * Or Prompter of names, emploied in telling of their names who came to salute and bid good morrow, and placing also of guests a [•…] the Table, and in no better service: Nomenclator, seruant to a woman: For free was not Avovstvs from the conspiracie and daunger, no not of the most abiect sort of people. As for Avdasivs and Epicadvs, they had entended to carrie away Ivlia his daughter and Agryppa, his Nephew (out of those Ilands wherin they abode confined) unto the armies: and Telephvs purposed upon a deepe conceite that the soveraintie of dominion was by the Destinies and will of God due unto him, even to lay upon him and the Senate violent hands. And more then that, Page 46 one time there was taken neere vnto his bed-chamber by night, a camp-slave belonging to the Illyrian armie, who had deceiued the porters and gotten thither with a wood knife at his side, but whether he were out of his wits, or feigned himselfe mad, it was uncertaine: for nothing could bee wrung out of him by examination upon the racke and torture.20

Foraine warres he made in his owne person ij in all and no more: that is toA. V. C. 721. 727. say, the (a) Dalmatian, when he was yet a verie youth: and the Cantabrian, after he had defaited Antonie. In the Dalmatian warre, he was wounded also: for in one battaile he gat a blow upon his right knee with a stone: and in an other, not his leg onely, but also both his armes were hurt with the fall from a (b)* Or turret of woode. bridge, The rest of his warres he managed by his Lieftennants: yet so as that in some of them namely the Pannonian and the Germaine; hee would either come betweene times, or else remaine not farre of: making his progresse from the Cittie of Rome, as farre as to Rauenna, or Millaine or to Aquileia.

He subdued partly by his owne conduct in proper person, and in part by21 his Lieftenants hauing co͏̄mission immediatly from him & directed by his auspicies Cantabria, Aquitaine, Pannonia and Dalmatia together with all Illyricum, Rhaetia likewise, the Vindelicis, the Salassians and the Nations inhabiting the Alpes. He repressed also the Incursions of the Dukes, having slaine three of their Generals with a great number of them besides. And the Germaines he remooved and set further of; even beyond the riuer Albis. Howbeit, of these the Suevians and the Sicambrians, because they yeelded themselues, he brought over into Gaule, and placed them in the lands next unto Rhene. Other Nations being mal-content, he reduced unto his obedience. Neither made hee warre upon any people without iust and necessarie causes: and so farre was he from desire of enlarging his Empire, or aduancing his martiall glorie, that he compelled certaine princes and potentates of the Barbarians, to take an oath in the Temple of Mars (a) the Revenger for to continue in their allegiance, & in the protection and peace which they sued for: yea and from some of them he assaied to exact a new kind of Hostages, even (*) * V [•…] usuall in those daies. women, for that he perceived, that they neglected the pledges of the males. And yet he gave the͏̄ libertie, as ofte͏̄ as they would, to receiue their hostages againe. Neither proceeded he at any time against those, who either usually or trecherously above the rest tooke armes & rebelled, to any punishme͏̄t more greivous then this, euen to sell the͏̄ as captives: with this condition, that they shold not serve in any neighbour Country, nor be manumised and made free within the space of (*) * Or 20. rather 30. yeares. By which fame of vertue and moderation that went of him, he induced and drew the very Indians and Scythians, Nations knowen by report and heere say onely, to make suite of their owne accord by Embassadours, for amitie of him and the people of Rome. The Parthians also, when as he laied claime unto Armenia, yeelded soone unto him: and those militarie Ensignes which they had taken from M. Crassvs & M. Antonivs, they delivered unto him againe at his demaund: and moreover, offred hostages unto him. And finally when there were many Competitours together at one time claiming a title to the Kingdome, they would not allow of any, but one by him elected.

The temple of Ianus Quirinus, which from the foundation of the City before22 his daies had once and twice beene shut, he in a farre shorter space of time Page 47 (having peace both by sea and land) shut a third time. Twice he rod on horsebacke* Tertio. or ter [•…] . thrice. (b) ovant into the City: once presently upon the Philippian warre; and againe, after the Sicilian. He kept three Triumphes riding in his chariot: to wit, the Dalmatian, the Actiak, and the Alexandrian. and these continued all for three dayes together.

Of shamefull foiles and grievous overthrowes, he received but two in all:23 and those in no place else but in Germanie; namely when Lollivs and (*) * Quintilius Varus. Varvs were defaited. That of Lollivs, was a matter of dishonour more than losse and domage; but the other of Varvs, drew with it in manner utter destruction as wherein three Legions with their Generall; the Lieutenant; andA. V. C. 738 762 (a) Auxiliaries, all were slaine. Vpon the newes of this Infortunity. he proclaimed a set watch both day and night through the City of Rome; for feare of some tumult and uprore: and the commissions of Presidents and Deputies over Provinces, he renewed and enlarged their time of government: to the end, that the Allies of the people of Rome might bee kept in a leageance by governours, such as were both skilfull and also acquainted with them. Hee vowed also the Great (Romaine) Games and Playes to the honour of Ivpiter Opt. Max. If (*) * Si Resp. in meliorem statum vert [•…] sset. the Commonwealth turned to better State. This happened, during the time of the Cimbrian and (*) * Vvhich also was called Bellum sociale, wherein. the Associate nations in Italy rebelled: of which Rebellion the Authors were the Marsi. Marsian warre. For, therewith (by report) hee was so troubled and astonied, that for certaine moneths together hee let the haire of beard and head grow still and wore it long, yea and other whiles would runne his (*) * Vpon an opinion of the Painims. that if they did [•…] njurie to their owne bodies they should sooner pacifie the Gods. head against the dores, crying out, Quintillvs Varvs, Deliver up thy Legions againe. And the very (b) day of this infortunate calamity he kept every yeere mournfull, with sorow and lamentation.

24 In warfare & feates of armes, he both altered and also instituted many points: yea and some he reduced to the auncient manner. (a) Militarie discipline he exercised most severely. He permitted not so much as any of his Lieutenants, but with much adoe and discontentment, to visite other-whiles their wives; and never but in the (b) winter moneths. A Romaine Knight, for cutting off the (c) thombs of two young men his sonnes, to avoid the militarie oath and warre service, he set in open po [•…] t sale, himselfe (I say) and all his goods. Whom notwithstanding, because he saw the (d) Publicanes about to buy, and bid very well for him, he appointed and delivered to his owne Freed man; that being confined and sent away unto his living & lands in the Country, he might permit him to live as Free. The tenth Legion, for being stubborne and unwilling to obey, he dismissed all and whole with ignominie. Other legions likewise, requiring malapertly their discharge he cassed without allowance of rewards due for their service. Whole bands or cohorts, if any of them gave* The Generals Pavilions. ground and reculed, he tithed, that is to say, executed every tenth man of them: and the rest, he allowed barly in steed of wheat to feede upon. Those centurions who forsooke their Stations, he punished with death, even as well as the common soldiors of their bands: and for other kinds of Delinquencie he put them to shame sundry waies, as co͏̄manding them to stand all the day long before the Praetorium sometimes in their single (*) * Or wastcoates, without their Saga: coates and ungirt; other-whiles with ten (*) * Or meeting poles, in token of Regradation or putting downe to a lower place. foote perches in their hands; or else carying turfes of earth.

After the civile warres, he called none of his soldiours either in any publike speech, or by way of edict or proclamation, by the name of (a) Fellow soldiours, 25 Page 48 but plaine Souldiours. Nay hee would not suffer them otherwise to be termed so much as by his sonnes, or his wives sonnes: thinking it was a more affected manner of Appellation than stoode either with martial Law, or the (a) quietnes of those times, or the maiestie of himselfe and his house: (b) Libertines he emploied in soulderie unlesse it were at Rome about skarfires by night, (not withstanding there was feared some tumult and uprore by occasion of great dearth and scarcity) but twice onely: once in garizon for defence of those Colonies which bounded fast upon Illyricum; a second time for keeping the banks of the riuer of Rhene.. And those, being as yet bond, imposed upon men and women of the wealthier sort for to set out, but without delay manumised, he kept with him to serve under one of the formost (*) * Sub primore vexillo or sub proprio vexillo l: under his owne banner. banners in the vantguard; neither intermingled with such as were Free borne, nor in the same manner armed. As for militarie gifts hee gave unto his souldiours trappers collars and (*) * Quicquid auro argentoꝫ constaret: or rather, quanqua͏̄ au r [•…] argentoꝫ co͏̄ st [•…] rent. i. Albeit they were made of gold and silver. whatsoever stoode upon gold or silver, much sooner than (c) Vallar or Mural coronets which were more honourable. These he bestowed most sparily; and when he did, it was without suit made therefore: and many times upon the co͏̄ mon (d) and base souldiers. He gave unto M. Agrippa after a nauale victory in Cilicia a blew streamer. Those Captaines onely who had triumphed, albeit they were both companions with him in his expeditions, and also partakers of his victories, he thought not meete to be rewarded with any gifts at all: because they also had power to bestow the same upon whom they would. Moreover he deemed nothing lesse beseeming a perfit and accomplished Captaine, than hast-making and rashnesse. And therefore, these mots and sentences were rife in his mouth. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ,

His saying was, That neither battaile nor warre was once to be under taken, unlesse there might be evidently seene more hope of gaine than feare of domage: for such as sought after the smallest commodities. not with a little daunger, he likened unto those, that angle or fish with a golden hooke: for the losse whereof, if it happened to be knapt or broken off. no draught of fish whatsoever, was able to make amends. 26

He managed magistracies and honorable places of government before due (*) * By the lawes Annuar. oe, or Anuales. time; some of them also of a (*) * As the Triumvirate: new kinde; and others in (*) * As the Tribunes authoritie and Censureship. perpetuity. The Consulship hee usurped and entred upon in the twentieth (a) yeere of his age, presenting forcibly and in hostile manner his legions before the City, sending some of purpose to demaund it, euen in the name of the Armie for him. What time verily, when the Senate made some doubt and stay of the matter, Cornelius a Centurion and the chiefe man of that message, casting (*) * Or casting it behind him reiecto sagulo. of his souldiours Iacket and shewing his swords haft, stucke not to say thus openly in the Senate house, This here shall doe the deede, if yee will not. His second Consulship hee bare nine yeares after: the third, but one yeare betweene: the rest ensuing hee continued one after an other unto the eleuenth. Afterwardes hauing refused many Consulships when they were offered unto him; his twelfth Consulship a greater while after, even 17 yeares, himselfe made suite for. so did hee againe, two yeares after it, for his thirtenth: to the ende that being himselfe in place of the Soueraine and highest Maiestrate, hee might bring honorably into the Common Hall. C. and L. his Page 49 adopted) (*) * The naturall sonnes of his daughter Iulia and [•…] . A [•…] rippa. sonnes; each of them to Commence and performe their first pleadings at their (*) * The elder in his twelfth, the younger in his thirteenth Co͏̄ sulate due time in virile gownes. The five middle Consulships betweene, to wit from the sixth to the eleventh he helde the whole yeeres thorough: the other, for the space of sixe, or nine, foure, or three moneths: but the second, very fewe howers: for uppon the very Calends (*) * The first of Ianuarie or New yeeres day. of Ianuarie, when hee had sitten a while upon his curule chaire of estate before the temple of Iupiter Capitolinus; hee resigned up the Office, and substituted another in his place. Neither entred hee upon all his Consulships at Rome: but the fourth in Asia; the fifth, in the Iland Samos; the eigth and ninth at Tarracon.

27 The Triumvirate for (*) * That was the coloci & pretence of it. setling of the Common-wealth, hee administred for the space of tenne yeeres: Wherein verily, hee stoode against his colleagues proceedings for a good while, That there might be no proscription. but when it was once on foote, hee executed it more sharply than they both. For, whereas they were exorable and would bee oftentimes intreated by favour and prayer, to respect the persons of many; hee alone was very carnest, that none might bee spared: among the rest, hee proscribed C. Toranivs also, his owne Tutour and guardian, yea and the companion in the Office of Aedileship with his father Octavivs. Ivnivs Satvrninvs writeth moreover, that after the proscription was ended, when M. Lepidvs had in the Senate-house excused all that was past and given good hope of clemencie for the time to come, because there had beene execution enough done alreadie: he on the contrarie side professed openly, That hee had determined no other end of the saide proscription, but that hee might have liberty still to proceede in all things as he would. Howbeit, in testimonie of repentance for this rigour and obstinacie of his, hee honoured afterward with the dignitie of Knighthood (*) * Or Vinius, for so was his Patrone named. T. Ivnivs Philopaemen, for that hee was reputed to have in times past hid his owne Patron, that was proscribed. In the same Triumvirate, hee incurred many waies the ill will and heart-burning of the people: for he commaunded that Pinarivs a Gentleman of Rome, (what time as he himselfe made a publike speech in an assembly whereunto hee had admitted a multitude of Paganes, that is to say, such as were no souldiours, and espied him there to take notes of something that he delivered before the souldiours, supposing him to be over busie and a spie,) should be stabbed to death even in his sight: yea, and hee terrified Tedivs Afer, Consull elect, (because hee had maliciously in some spitefull termes depraved something that he had done) with so great menaces, that in a melancholy hee cast himselfe headlong and brake his owne necke. Likewise, as Q. Gallivs the Pretour held under his robe a paire of duple writing tables, when hee came of course to doe his duty and salute him; he suspecting, that he had a (short) sword hidden underneath, and not daring straight-waies to search him farther, for feare something else than a sworde should bee found about him; within a little while after caused him to be haled out of the Tribunall seate of Iudgement, by the handes of certaine Centurions of Souldiours, and put to torture like a bondslave; yea & seeing he would confesse nothing, commanded him to be killed; having first Page 50 with his owne hands plucked his eies out of his head. Howbeit Avgvstvs writeth, that the said Gallivs by pretending to parle secretly with him, laid waite for his life; whereupon hee committed him to prison, and afterwards dismissed and enlarged him onely to dwell in Rome: and that in the end hee perished either by shipwracke, or else by the hands of theeves who forlayed him. Hee received and held the Tribunate in perpetuity. Therein, once orA. V. C. 731 twice, he chose and assumed unto him a colleague, for severall (*) * [•…] The space of 5. yeeres. Lustra. Hee tooke upon him likewise the government of manners and Lawes as a perpetuall Censour: In full right whereof, although hee had not the honourable title of Censureship, yet hee helde a survey and nombring of the people thrice: the first and third with a companion in office; the middle by himselfe alone.

28 Twice hee was in minde, to have resigned up his absolute government. First, immediatly uppon the suppressing of Anthonie, mindfull of that which oftentimes (*) * The saide Antonie. hee had objected against him, namely, as if it had beene long of (*) * [•…] Augustus. him, that it was not resigned, and the Common-wealth brought to a free state againe: and secondly, by reason that hee was weary of a long and lingering sicklinesse. what time he sent also for all the Magistrates (*) * A [•…] Senatu͏̄ . or, esenatu. i. out of the Senate. and the Senate, home to his house; and delivered up an Account-booke or Register of the (*) * Or of his acts & proceedings in the government. whole Empire. But considering better with himselfe, that were he once a private person, he could not live without daunger; and withall, that it would greatly hazard the Common wealth, to be put into the hands and dispose of many; he continued in the holding thereof still. And whether the event ensuing, or his will heerein were better, it is hard to say. Vvhich will of his, as hee pretented oftentimes when he sate in place, so hee testified also by a certaine edict in these wordes: O that I might establish the Common wealth safe and sound in her owne (*) * Base or Piedstall. proper seate, and thereof reape that fruite which I desire: even that I may be reported the Author of an excellent estate, and carie with mee when I die this hope, that the ground worke and the foundations of the Common-wealth which I shall lay, may continue and abide stedfast in their place. And verily what hee wished, (*) * As if he had beene a God himselfe; according to the saving. S [•…] ns [〈◊〉] fingit fortu [•…] am [•…] ibi. himselfe effected and brought to passe, having endevoured and done his best every way, that no man might repent of this newe estate. For the Citie beeing not adourned according to the maiestie of such an Empire and Subiect to the casualties of Deluges and fires, hee beautified and set out so, as iustly he made his boast, that where he found it built of bricke, hee left it all of marble. And for the safety therereof, hee performed as much for future posterity as could be fore-seene and provided for by mans wit and reason.

29 Publike works he built very many whereof the chiefe and principal was his Forum or stately Hall of Iustice, together with the temple of Mars the Revenger: The temple of Apollo in Palatinus; The te͏̄ple likewise of Iupiter the Thunderer, in the Capitol. The reason why he built the said Foru͏̄, was the multitude of men & their suites: which because, (a) ij. would not suffice, seemed to have need of a third also. And therfore with great speed erected it was for that publike use, even before the temple of Mars was finished. And expresly provided it was Page 51 by law, that in it publike causes should be determined apart, and choosing of Iudges (or Iuries) by it selfe. The temple of Mars hee had vowed unto him, in the Philippian warre which hee tooke in hand for the revenge of his fathers death. He ordained therefore by an Act, that heere the Senate should be consulted with, as touching warres & triumphs: that from hence those Pretours or Governours who were to goe into their provinces should be honorably attended & brought onward on their way: and that hither they should bring the ensignes and ornaments of triumph, who returned with victorie. The temple of Apollo he reared in that part of the Palatine house, which being smitten with lightning was by that God required, as the Soothsayets out of their learning had pronounced: hereto was adioyned a gallerie, with a librarie of Latine and Greeke bookes. In which temple, he was wont in his old age both to sit oftentimes in counsaile with the Senate, and also to over-see & review the Decuries of the Iudges. He consecrated the temple vnto Ivpiter the Thunderer, upon occasion that he escaped a daunger, what time as in his Cantabrian expedition, as he travailed by night, a flash of lightning glaunced upon his licter, & strucke his seruant stone dead, that went with a light before. Some works also he made under other folkes names, to wit his nephew, his wife and sister; as the Gallerie and stately Pallace of (*) * His daughters children by Agrippa. Lvcivs and Caivs: likewise the Gallerie or Porches of Livia and Octavia: the Theatre also of Marcellus. Moreover divers other principall persons hee oftentimes exhorted to adorne and beautifie the City, every man according to his ability either by erecting new monuments, or else by repairing and furnishing the old. By which meanes many an Aedifice was by many a man built: as namely the temple of Hercules and the Atriu͏̄ libertatis A trium, quasi aithrio͏̄. A place where learned men were wont to meete and conferre, as our Merchants doe in the Royall Exchange. built not unlike unto it with arched walks on every side standing upon pillers: & as this cloi [•…] ure was called Peristylium, so, the open yard within, A tra [•…] or Subdi [•…] d. Muses by Marcus Philippus: the temple of Diana by L. Cornificius. The * Court of Liberty by Asinius Pollio: A temple of Saturne by Munatius Plancus: a Theatre by Cornelius Baleus; and an (b) Amphitheatre by Statillus Taurus: but many and those very goodly monuments by M. Agrippa.

30 The whole space of the City he devided into (a) wards and streetes. He ordained, that as Magistrates or Aldermen yeerely by lot should keepe and governe the former: so their should be Maisters or Constables elected out of the Commons of every streete, to looke unto the other. Against skarefires he devised night-watches and watchmen. To keepe downe Inundations and Deluges, he enlarged and cleansed the channell of the River Tiberis, which in times past was full of rammell and the ruines of houses, and so by that meanes narrow and choaked. And that the Avenues on every side to the City might be more passable, he tooke in hand himselfe to repaire the high way or Cawsie Flaminia, so farre as to Ariminnum. and the rest he committed to sundry men who had triumphed, for to [•…] ave; and the charges thereof to be befraied out of the money raised of spoiles and sackage. The sacred Churches and Chappels decayed and ruinate by continuance of time, or consumed by fire he reedified: and those together with the rest hee adorned with most rich oblations; as who brought into the Cell, or Tabernacle of Iupiter Capitolinus at one Donation, 16000 pound weight of gold, besides pretious stones valued at 50 millions of Sesterces.

But after that hee entred now at length upon the High priesthood when31 A. V. C. 741. Page 51 Lepidvs was once dead, which he never could finde in his heart to take from him whiles he lived: what bookes soever of prophesies & destinies went commonly abroad in Greeke and Latine, either without authors, or such as were not authenticall and of credite, he caused to be called in from all places, to the number of 2000 & aboue: and when he had burnt them, he reteined those only of Sibyls prophesies. And even of those also he made some special choice: and bestowed them close in two litle Desks or coffers under the base & piedstoole of Apollo Palatinvs. The yeeres revolution reduced as it was into order by Ivlivs of sacred memory, but afterwards through negligence troubled and confused, he brought againe to the former calculation. In the dispose whereof, he called the moneth Sextilis (rather than September wherin he was borne.) by his owne name, because in it there befell unto him both his first Consulship & also notable victories. Of all the Religious & priests, but especially of the vestall virgins he augmented the number, the dignity and the commodities also. And whereas in the rowme of any vestall Nun deceased, there must another of necessity be chosen & také, he perceiving many to make suite that they might not put their daughters to the lottery; protested and bound it with an oath, that if any one of his owne Nieces or daughters daughters were of competent age he would present her to the place. Divers auncient ceremonies also which by little & little were disused and abolished, he restored againe, as namely the (a) Augurie of Salvs, the Flaminship of Ivpiter, the sacred Lupercal, the (b) Saecular playes and the Compitalitij. At the Lupercall Solemnities, he commanded that no beardlesse boyes should runne. Likewise, at the Secular playes, he forbad young folke of both sexes, to frequent any shew exhibited by night; unlesse it were in the company of some auncient person of their kindred. The Tutelare Images of crosse-wayes called Lares Compitales he was the first that ordained to adorne twice in the yeere with flowers of the spring & sommer seaso͏̄s. The principal honour next unto the immortall gods, he performed to the memoriall of those worthy Captaines, who had raised the Romaine onpire from a small thing to so high and glorious a state. And therefore both the works & monuments of every of them he repaired & made againe, reserving their titles and inscriptions still; and all their Statues also in triumphant forme and shape he dedicated in both the Porches or galleries of his Hall of Iustice. And in a publick edict he professed thus much, That he devised it to this end, That both himselfe whil [•…] s he lived, and the Princes or Emperours his successors for the ages to come, might be called upon and urged by their subiects and Citizens to conforme themselnes as it were to their pattron and example. The Statue* Suppo suit: some reade, superpofuit. iupon such an arched Ianus or Through-far [•…] . likewise of Pompeivs, translated out of the Court wherein C. Cæsar was murdered, he placed over against the princely Pallace of his Theater under an Arch of marble in manner of a Through fare.

Many most daungerous enormities and offensive abuses, which either had32 continued by custome and licentious liberty during the civill warres, or else crept in and began in the time of peace to the utter ruine of the Commonwealth, he reformed. For a number of bold roisters & prosessed Robbers ietted openly with short swords & skaines by their sides, under colour of their owne defence. Passengers & waifaring men, as they travailed through the Country, were caught up (by them) as well Free borne as slaves without respect; & kept Page 54 hard to worke in the Prisons of landed men: many factious crewes also, under the title of a New Colledge had their meetings & joyned in fellowship to the perpe trating of mischiefe whatsoeuer. Where upon, he disposed streng guards, and set watches in convenient places: he repressed those Robbers and Hacksters, he visited and surveyed the foresaid Prisons: and all Colledges or Guilds save onely those of auncient found ation and by law erected, he dissolved and put downe. The (*) * In manner of B [•…] dewels or houses of correction. bills of old debts due to the Chamber of the City, he (*) * Or obligations. burnt, as being the chiefe matter and occasion of malitious accusations. The publike places & houses in the City, whereof the tenure & hold was doubtfull, he adiudged unto those who were in present possession. The debts & actions commenced against such as had been troubled and sued a long time in the Law, by whose mournfull habite & distressed estate their adversaries sought for nothing but pleasure and the fulfilling of their wils he anulled & denounced this condition withall, that if any one would needes bring them into new trouble againe, he should be liable to the like daunger of punishment or penalty as the molested party was. And to the end that no lewdOr cause. Act might escape with impunity; nor (*) * Exussit or excussi [•…] . i. canc [•…] led. businesse in Court be shuffled over by delaies, he added unto the (*) * Law daies, or pleading time: Terme time 30. (a) daies over & above: which daies the Honorari [•…] (*) * Libetalia, Bacchanalia, Prassoria, or others in the honour of men liuing which might be well spared. Games & playes tooke up (before.) To three Decuries of Iudges he added a fourth out of a lower & meaner degree, which went under the name of (*) * For that they were valewed at 200 Sellertia. where as the other were worth 400: Ducenarij, and were to iudge of smaller summes. As for those Iudges hee enrolled & elected them into the Decuries after they were once (*) * Or 20 rather for the ordinatie age was 25: yeares, at which they were eligible: 30 yeeres of age: that is to say, five yeeres sooner then they were wont. But seeing that most of them refused & were loth to execute this burdensome office of iudging, he hardly granted that each Decurie should have their yeeres (*) * Quarto quoꝫ anno: everie 4, yeare. vacation by turnes; and that the law matters which were wont to be pleaded and tried, in the (*) * Vppon certaine daves of those moneths, during which, there were Sports & Reuels and the licentious. feast Saturnalia. moneths of November & December should be let passe & omitted quite.

33 Himselfe sat daily in Iudgement, yea and other whiles untill it was darke night, lying if he had not his health, in a licter which was of purpose set before the tribunall seate, or else in his owne house: and he ministred iustice not onely with exceeding severity, but also with as great lenity. For when upon a time there was one accused for a manifest parricidy, because he should not be sowed up in a leather (a) male or budget (a punishment that none suffred but such as had co͏̄fessed the Fact) he examined (by report) upon interrogatiues in this maner, Certes thou never murderedst thy father, diddest thou? Againe, when as a matter was handled before him as touching a forged will, & all the witnesses that set their hands & seales thereto, were attaint by the (b) Law Cornelia, he delivered unto the Commissioners who had the hearing & deciding together, of the cause, not onely the two (ordinatie) tables of condemnation and acquitall, but a third also; whereby they might have their pardon, who were certainly knowne to have beene seduced & brought to be witnesses as is before said, either by fraudulent practise or error & over-sight. As for the appeales in Court, he yeerely assigned those which were for the City-Suiters unto Pretours of the City; but if they were for Provinciall persons unto certaine men of the Consuls degree, such as he had ordained, in every province one, for to be in commission and to determine provinciall affaires.

34 The lawes made before time he revised & corrected: some also hee ordained & established a-new: as namely (a) Sumptuaria, as touching expenses Page 53 at the bord: Of (b) Adulteries & (*) * De p [•…] dicitia, or impudicitia unnaturall filthinesse co͏̄mitted with the male kind: Of (c) indirect suite for offices. Of the (d) mutuall mariages of Senatours and Gentlemen with Commoners. This act last named, when he had amended and reformed somewhat more precisely and with greater severitie then the rest, he could not carie cleerely and go through with, for the tumult of those that refused so to do, but that part of the penalties at length was quite taken away or els mitigated; an (*) * Of living unmarried. immunity also & toleration (of widow-head) graunted for (*) * After the decease of a former wife or husband. 3 yeeres, & the rewards besides augmented. And notwithstanding all that, when the order of Gentlemen stood out stifly & stoutly calling in open sight, & publikely for the repealing of the said Statute; he sent for Germanicus his children, and taking some of them himselfe, & bestowing the others in their fathers armes, shewed & presented them unto their view signifying as well by the gesture of his hand, as by countenance, That they should not be loath nor think much, to imitate the example of that young Gentleman. Moreover perceiving that the force and vigor of that Law was dallied with, & avoided by the (*) * V [•…] ripe age. i. under 12 yeres immaturity of young espoused wives, as also by often (*) * By meanes of divorses. changing of mariages: he brought into a narrower compasse the time of wedding and having such spaces, and also limited divorcements.

The number of Senatours growing still to a shameful & confused company35 (for there were not of them so few as a 1000, and some most unworthy, as who after Cæsars death were taken into the house for favour or bribes; who͏̄ the common people termed (*) * Abortiv [•…] : Some reade orcivos or orcinos, velut Orcoseu [•…] rra natos [•…] . obscure & base. abortive, (as it were untimely births or born before their time): he reduced to the auncient (*) * 300. stent & honorable reputation: and that in two elections the former, at their own choise, wil, & pleasure, whereby one man chooseth his fellow. The second, according to his owne & Agrippaes mind: at which time he is thought to have sitten as president, armed with a shirt of maile or privie coate under his gowne, & a short sword or skeine by his side; having a gard also standing about his chaire of estate, to wit, ten of the stoutest & tallest men that were of Senatours degree & all his friends: Cordus Cremutius writeth that there was not so much as admitted then into the Senatehouse any Senatour but singly one alone by himselfe, & not before his clothes were well serched & felt for having any weapon under them. Some of them he brought to this modestie, as to excuse (*) * For taking upon them that dignity. themselves: and yet for such as thus made excuse he reserved still the liberty to weare a Senatours (a) habite: the honor also to sit & behold the Games & plaies in the (*) * Among other Senators. Orchestra; together with priviledge to keepe their place at the solemne publique feasts. Now, to the end that being thus chosen & allowed (as is above said) they might with more religious reverence & lesse trouble execute the functions belonging to Senatours: he ordained, That before any one sat him downe in his chaire, he should make devout supplication & sacrifice with frankincense & wine, at the (*) * And that they should not need to come and salute him, but save that labour. altar of that God, in whose temple they assembled for the time: and that ordinarily the Senate should not be holden oftner then twice in a moneth, to wit upon the (c) Calend, & (d) I [•…] es of the same: and that in the moneths (*) * Haply, by [•…] easo of u [•…] tage that was not [•…] o be neglected. September & October, none els should be bound to give attendance, save those that were drawne by lot: by whose number, Decrees might passe. Furthermore, he devised to institute for himselfe, & that by casting lots, a privie Counsell for 6 moneths: with whom he might treat before hand of businesses and affaires to be moved unto a frequent Senate-house fully assembled. As touching matter of greater importance Page 55 put to question, he demanded the opinion of the Senatours, not after the usuall manner & in order, but as it pleased himselfe: to the end that everie man should bend his mind so intentively thereto, as if he were to deliver his owne advise, rather then give assent unto another.

Other things there were besides, wherof he was the author and beginner:36 and among the rest: That the (*) * Acta Senat [•…] and not Senatu [•…] onsulta: H [•…] meaneth Diurn [•…] acta [•…] . the proceedings that passed there every day of sitting. Acts of the Senate should not be p [•…] blished nor appeare upon record: Item that no magistrates after that they had left or given up their honorable places, should est soones presently, be sent as governours into an [•…] provinces. That for proconsuls or presidents, their should be a certaine rate in moni [•…] set downe and allowed, For their sumpter-mules, for their tentes and hales: which were wont really before time to be set out and allowed for them, at the publike cost of the Citie. Item, that the charge of the Citties Treasure should be tra͏̄slated from the Questours or treasurers of the Citie, unto those that had been pretours, or to the pretours for the time being: lastly that certaine (*) * Ten men either chosen out of the Centum virs by lot; or created of purpose. [•…] D [•…] cem virs should summon and assemble the (a) Centum viral [•…] court, and call the Centum virs to the speare, which they onely were wont to do, that had borne the office of Questour shippe.

And to the end that more men might beare their part in administration of37 the common weale, he devised new offices: to wit, The overseeing of the publike workes, the surviying of the waies streetes, and causies, of the water courses or conduits, of the channel of Tybris, and distributing corne among the people. Also the prouostship of the Cittie: One (*) * An office which 3: me [•…] ioinctly bare: Triumvirate, for chusing Senatours; an another for reviewing & visiting the troupes or cornets of horsemen, so ofte͏̄ as need required. The Censours, whose creation was forlet and discontinued, after a long time betweene, he created againe. The number of pretours he augmented. He required also and demanded, that so often as the Consulship was conferred upon him he might have for one; ij. colleagues or co͏̄panions in office: but he cold not obtaine it; whilest all men with one voice cried out, That his maiestie was abridged enough alreadie, in that he bare not that honourable office by himselfe, but with another. Neither was he more sparing in honorably rewarding martial prowes, as who38 gave order, that to 30. Captaines and above, there should be granted by publike decree full tryumphs: and to a good many more tryumphall (a) ornaments. Senatours Children, to the end they might be sooner acquainted with the affaires of State, he permitted to put on even at the first their viril gown: to weare likewise the Senatours robe poudred with broad headed purple studs; and to have their places in the Senate house. Also at their first entrance into warfare, he allowed them to be, not onely (*) * O [•…] men of Armes. militarre Tribunes in the legions, but also captainesColonels of 1000. foremen. over the (*) * Transr [•…] ctianis. horsemen in the wings. And, that none of them might be unexpert of the Campaffaires. he ordained for the most part over everie wing or Cornet, ij such Senatours (sonnes) to be provosts. The troupes & co͏̄panies of Romaine Gentlemen, he often reviewed; & after a long space of time betweene, brought into use againe the manner of their* muster o [•…] (b) riding solemnly on horse backe, to shew the͏̄selues Neither wold he suffer any on of the͏̄ during this solemnity, to be unhorsed & arrested by his adversary, that prete͏̄ded any matter in law against him: a thing that was usually don. And to as many as were known to be aged or to have any defect or imperfection of body, he gave leave to send their horses before, and to come on foote to aunswere when so ever they were cited. And soone after he did those this favour, to deliver uppe Page 56 their (publike) horses, who being above 45. yeares of age, were unwilling to keepe them still.

Having obtained also by the (*) * A senatu or Senatoribus. [•…] : out of the Senatours degree Senate. x. Coadiutours, hee compelled euerie39 Gentleman (that served with the Citties horse) to render an accoumpt of his life. And of such as were blameable and could not approve their living; some he punished, others he noted with shame & ignominie: the most part of them with admonition, but after sundrie sorts. The easiest & lightest kind of admoniti on, was the tendering unto the͏̄ in open place & all mens sight, a paire of (*) * wherein were written al their faults. writing tables, to read unto themselues presently, in the place where they stood. Some also he put to rebuke & disgrace for taking up of mony upo͏̄ smal interest for the use, and putting it forth againe for greater gaine and usurie.

At the Election of (*) * Of [•…] entlemen or of the Senatours Tribunes (of the Commons) if their wanted (a) Senatours to40 stand for that office, he created the͏̄ out of the degree of Romaine Gentleme͏̄: so as,Demarchia. Dion. after they had born that magistracy, they might remaine ranged in whether degree (*) * parentibus: comprehe͏̄ding all auncestours. they would the͏̄selues. Now, when as many of the Romain Gentleme͏̄, hauing wasted & decaied their patrimonie, & estate in the civil wars, durst not out of the 14. for most seats behold the publike plaies & games, for feare of the penalty by the (law Roscia & Ivlia) caled Theatralis. he pronou͏̄ced ope͏̄ly & made it knowne, that such gentlemen were not liable thereto if either themselues or their (*) * 400. Sestertia or 400000. Sestertij. [•…] . 3125. [•…] sterling fathers before them, were euer at any time valued to the (*) * Nonis cu [•…] sꝫ Mensis. worth of Romaine Gentlemen: He made a review of the people of Rome, street by street: & to preuent that the co͏̄mon people shold not be ofte͏̄ called away fro͏̄ their affaires by occasion of the dole and distributio͏̄ of corne, he purposed to give out thrice a yeare, tiquets or talies for to serve 4: moneths: But when the people were desirous of the old custom, he gra͏̄ted the͏̄ again to receive the same upo͏̄ the (b) Nones of every moneth: The ancient right and libertie also, in Elections & Parliamentes he brought in again: & having restrained the indirect suing for dignities by manyfold penalties, upo͏̄ the day of such electio͏̄s he distributed out of his own purse among the (e) Fabians & Scaptians, who were of the same Tribes, wherein himselfe was incorporate; a thousand Sesterces a pecce, because they should not look for ought at any of their hands who stood for offices. Moreover supposing it a matter of great consequence to keepe the people incorrupt & cleare from all base mixture of forain & servile blood; he both granted the freedom of the City of Rome most sparily, & also set a certain gage & limitatio͏̄ of manumising & enfranchising slaves. When Tiberivs made request unto him by letters, in the behalfe of a Grecian, his client to be free of Rome: he wrot backe unto him, That he would not grant it unlesse he came personally himselfe and could perswade him, what iust causes he had of his suite: And, what time as Livia intreated the like for a certaine French-man, tributarie to the Romains: he flatly denied the freedome of the Citty, but offred in lieu thereof immunitie and remission of Tribute; avowing, that he would more easily abide that somewhat went from the publike treasure and chamber of the Cittie, than have the honour of the Romaine Citie to be made vulgar, & common. Nor content, that he had by diverse straight edicts & provisoes kept many slaves from all manner of freedome, but more a great deal fro͏̄ful freedom in the best co͏̄dition; as having precisely & with much curiositie put in caveats both for the nu͏̄ber & also for the condition & respect otherwise of those that were to be made free: he added thus much moreover. Page 57 That no slaue, who had ever beene bound and imprisoned, or examined by torture should obtaine the freedome of the Cittie, in any kind of enfranchisement what soeuer. The olde manner of going and wearing apparell also, he endevoured to bring into use againe. And having seene upon a time assembled to heare a publike speech, a number of Citizens cladde all in blacke (*) * By blacke [•…] e meaneth cloke. or gownes o [•…] a sel [•…] e russet colour, for their gownes should be white and faire not [•…] ullied clokes or (*) * By the trope Ironia meaning those that were in clokes or soule gownes, sullied gownes, taking great indignation thereat crying out with all. Beholde, quoth he.

“Romanos rerum dominos gentemque togatam.”

The (*) * the Ptolomae [•…] s Romaines, Lords of all the world, and longe rob’d Nation.

He gaue the Aediles in charge not to suffer any person from thence forward, to abide or stay, either in the Common place or the Cirque. but (d) in a gowne, laying a side all clokes or mantills thereupon.

His liberality unto all degrees of Citizens he shewed often times as occasions41 and opportunities were offred: for both by bringing into the Cittie in the Allexandrine Tryumph the treasures of the (Aegyptian Kings he caused so great plentie of monie, that usurie fell, but the price of Landes and Lordships arose to auerie high reckoning: and also afterwards, so often as out of the goods of condemned persons there was any surplusage of monie remaining above their fines; he granted for a certaine time the free lone and use thereof to as many as were able to put in securitie for the principall, by an obligation in duple the summe. The substance and wealth of Senatours hee augmented, and whereas the valew thereof before amounted to the summes of (*) * Duple the worth of Gentlemen. 800000. Sesterces. he taxed or sessed them at 1200000: and looke who had not so much, he supplied and made it up to the full. Hee gave (*) * Largesses: Congiaries often times to the people but lightly they were of diuerse summes, one while 400, another while 300. and some times 200. and fiftie Sesterces: and he left not so much as boyes under age, whereas they had not wont to receive such congiaries, unlesse they were above eleuen yeares olde: Hee measured out also to the people by the Poll, Corne in times of scarcitie oftentimes at a verie lowe price, and otherwhiles freely, without payinge therefore: and as for the Tickets, of monie, he dupled the summe in them conteined,

And that you may know, hee was a prince more respectiue of thrift and42 holesomenes, than desirous of popularitie, praise, & honour: when the people co͏̄plained of the want & dearth of wine, he checked and snibbed the͏̄ with this most severe speech, That his sonne in lawe Agrippa had taken order good enough that men should not be athirst, by conueighing so many waters into the Cittie Vnto the same people demanding the congiarie; which indeede was by him promised, he aunswered; That his credite was good, and he able to performe his word: but when they earnestly called for one which hee had never promised, hee hit them in the teeth by an edict or proclamation with their dishonestie, & impudencie: assuring them, that give it he would not although he had intended it.

And with no lesse gravitie and resolution, when uppon his proposing & publishing of a congiarie, he found that many in the meane time were manumised and inserted into the number of Citizens, he reiected such, and said; they should not receiue any, unto whom he had made no promise: and to all the rest hee Page 58 gave lesse than he promised: that the summe which he had appointed, might hould out and be sufficient. When upon a time, there was great barrainnesse and scarcitie of corne, being put to an hard exigent and to seeke a difficult remedie, in so much as he was driven to expell out of the Cittie, all the sort of young slaves pampered aud trimmed up for sale, as also whole scholes & companies of Novice-fencers and sword players: all strangers and forainers, except Physitians and scholemaisters: yea and some of the ordinarie houshold seruants: so soone as the market began to mend, and victuals grew plentifull, he writeth, That it tooke him in the head to abolish those publike doles of Corne for euer: because upon the trust and confidence of them, tillage was cleane laid downe. Howbeit he continued not in that mind long, as being assured, that the same doles might be set up againe one time or other by the ambitious humour (of Princes his successors.) And therefore after this he ordred the matter so indifferently, as that he had no lesse regard of the Citties fermours of tillage, & other undertakers and purueiours of the publike corne, than of the people and commons of the Cittie.

In number, varietie, and magnificence of solemne shewes exhibited unto the43 people he went beyond all men. Hee reporteth of himselfe that he set foorth* [〈◊〉] [〈◊〉] [〈◊〉] . plaies and games in his owne name foure and twentie times: and for other magistrates who either were absent or not sufficient to beare the charges, three and twentie times Diuers times, he exhibited plaies by everie streete, and those uppon many stages, and acted by plaiers skilfull in all languages not in the Common forum onely, nor in the ordinarie Amphitheater, but also in the cirque. In the enclosure called Septa, he never represented any sportes but the baiting and coursing of wild beasts and the shewes of champions-sight; having built woodden scaffolds and seates for the nonce in Mars field. In like manner, he made the shew of a Navall battaile about the River Tiberis, having digged of purpose a spacious hollow pit within the ground, even there whereas now is to be seene the grove of the Cæsars. On which dayes he bestowed warders in diverse places of the citie, for feare it might be enda͏̄gered by sturdie theeues and robbers, taking their vantage, that so few remained at home in their houses. In the Cirque he brought forth to doe their deuour. Charioters, Run: ners, and killers of savage beasts: otherwhiles out of the noblest young gentlemen of all the Cittie. As for the warlike Riding or Turnament called Tr [•…] ie, he exhibited it oftenest of all other, making choyse of boyes to performe it, as well bigger as smaller. supposing it a matter of antiquitie. a decent and honorable maner besides, that the towardly disposition and proofe of noble bloud should thus be seene and knowne. In this solemnitie and sport, he rewarded, C. Nonivs Asprenas (*) * Or lamed. weakened by a fall from his horse, with a wreath or chaine of gold, and permitted both himselfe and also his posteritie to beare the surname of Torqvatvs. But afterwards he gave over the representation of such pastimes, by occasion that Asinivs Pollio the Oratour, made a grievous and invidious complaint in the Senate house, of the fall that Aeserninvs his nephew tooke, who likewise had thereby broken his legge. To the performance of his stage plaies also and shewes of sworde fight, he employed some times even the Gentlemen and knights of Rome: but it was before he was inhibited by vertue of an Act of the Senate. For after Page 59 it verily, he exhibited no more, save onely a youth called L, Ivivs, borne of worshipfull parentage, onely for a shew: that being a dwarfe not two foote high, & weighing but 17. l’. yet he had an exceeding great voice. One day of the sword fight that he set forth, he brought in for to behould the solemnitie, euen through the midst of the Shew place, the Parthians hostages who then were newly sent (to Rome) and placed them in the second (*) * His lightnes was more to be noted than his short stature: For wheras the full height is 6: foote and the weight somewhat above 100: [•…] : this [〈◊〉] of 2. foot [•…] s vnder that [〈◊〉] portion the [〈◊〉] : ranke or row o [•…] seates (*) * [〈◊〉] se [•…] or behind at his backe higher, and therfore [〈◊〉] of: or [〈◊〉] in a second seat from him of the one side, but in the same ranke fo [•…] honor sake: above himselfe: His manner was moreover, before the usuall daies of such spectacles and solemne sights, and at other times, if any strang and new thing were brought over unto him, and worthie to be knowne, to bring it abroad for to beseene upon extraordinary daies, and in any place whatsoever. As for example, a Rh [•…] noceros within the empaled or railed enclosure called Septa. a Tigre upon the stage: and a Serpent 50: cubits long, within the Hall Comitium. It fortuned that during the great Circeian games which he had vowed before, he fell sicke: whereby he lay in his litter and so devoutly attended upon the sacred chariots called Th [•…] nsae. Againe, it happened at the beginning of those plaies, which he set out when he dedicated the temple of Marcellus, that his curule chaire became unioincted, and thereby he fel upon his back: Also at the games of his nephewes when the people their assembled were mightily troubled & astonied, for feare that the Theater would fall: seeing that by no means he cold hold them in, nor cause them to take heart againe, he removed out of his owne place, and sat him downe in that part thereof which was most suspected: The most confuse and licentious ma͏̄ner of beholding such spectacles, hee reformed and brought into order; mooved thereto, by the wrong done to a Senatour, whom at Puteoli in a frequent assemble sittinge at their right solemne Games, noe man had received to him and vouchsafed a rowne.

Hereupon when a decree of the Senate was passed, That so often as in any place 44 there was ought exhibited publikely to be seene, the first ranke or course of Scates should be kept cleere and wholly for Senatours: he forbad the Embassadou [•…] of free nations and confederats to sit at Rome within the Orchestra: because he had found, that even some of their libertines kind were sent in embassage. The soldiers hee severed fro͏̄ the other people. To maried men that were co͏̄moners, he assigned several rewes by the͏̄selues. To Noble mens childre͏̄ under age his (*) * [〈◊〉] [〈◊〉] or a rancke of their owne: own quarter: and to their teachers and governers the next thereto. He made an Act also, that not one of the base Commons wearing blacke and sullied gownes should sit so neere as the midst of the Theatre. As for women he would not allow them to behold so much, as the sword Fencers, (who customarily in the time past were to be seene of all indifferently) but from some higher (*) * And by conseque͏̄ce farther of [•…] . loft above the rest, (*) * Spectare con [〈◊〉] [〈◊〉] . sitting there by themselues. To the Vestall Nunnes he graunted a place a part from the rest within the Theatre, and the same iust over against the Pretours Tribunall. Howbeit from the Solemnitie of Champions shew, he banished all the female sex: so farre forth, as that during the (*) * which him selfe exhibited being [〈◊〉] [〈◊〉] : [•…] the High priest: Pontificiall Games, he put of a couple of them who were called for to enter in to combat, untill the morrow (b) morning. And made proclamation, that his will and pleasure was, That no woman should come into the Theatre before the. (*) * Eleven of the clok, by which houre all that [〈◊〉] was past. fift hower of the day.

Himselfe behelde the Circeian Games, for the most part from the45 Page 60 (*) * And not, [•…] [〈◊〉] . i. The bedlost wher the sacred Images of the Gods were devoutly bestowed, which had beene brought in their Thenses and carried thether, at these solemn games. upper lofts and lodging of his friendes and freed-men Sometime out of the Pulvinar, sitting there with his wife onely and children. From these shewes and sights he would be absent many houres together, and otherwhiles whole dayes: but first having craved leave of the people, & recommended those unto them, who should sitte as presidentes of those Games in his turne. But so often as he was at them, he did nothing els but intend the same: either to avoide the rumor and speech of men, whereby his father Cæsar (as he said himselfe) was commonly taxed, namely for that in beholding those solemnities he used betweene whiles to give his mind to read. letters & petitions, yea and to write backe againe: or els uppon an earnest desire and delight he had, in seeing such pastimes, pleasure and contentment, wherein he never dissi [•…] nuled, but oftentimes frankely professed. And therefore he proposed and gave of his owne at the games of prise and plaies even of other men, Coronets and rewards. both many in number, and also of great worth: Neither was he present at any of these Greeke games (a) and solemnities, but he honored everie one of the Actors and provers of Maisteries therein according to their deserts. But moste* Pugiles aunswerab [•…] e in Greece to the Romaine Gla [•…] . affectionately of all other he loved to see the Champion (*) * As if he had no delight in those games. at fist fight: and the Latines especially; not those onely who by lawfull calling were (*) * And [〈◊〉] had learned the skil and reate of [〈◊〉] . professed, & by order allowed (and even those he was wont to match with Greeks) but such also as out of the common sort of townes-men; fell together by the eares pell mell in the narrow streets, and though they had no skill at all of fight, yet could lay on load, and offend their concurrents one way or other. In summe all those in generall, who had any hand in those publike games or set them forward any way, he deigned good rewards and had a speciall respect of them. The priuiledges of Champions he both maintained entier, and also amplified. As for sword fencers he would not suffer the͏̄ to enter into the lists, unlesse they might be discharged of that profession, in case they became victours. The power to chastice Actours and plaiers at all times and in everie place (granted unto the Magistrates by auncient law) he tooke from them, save onely during the plaies and uppon the stage. Howbeit he examined streightly neverthelesse at all times either the matches or combats of Champions called (b) Xystici, or the fights of sword fencers. For the licentiousnesse of stage plaiers he so repressed, that whe͏̄ he had for certaine found out, That Stephanio. an actor of Romaine playes had a mans wife waiting upon him shor [•…] e & rounded in ma͏̄ner of a boy, [•…] e confined & sent him away as banished (*) * B. beating with rods. but well beaten first with rods through all the (*) * Pompeij, [〈◊〉] . Metell [•…] For so many there were in Augu stus dayes, be sides the Amphitheatre of Statilius Taurus A cunning Actour coun: terfaiting all parts. three Theatres. And Hylas the (*) * Pretours and Aediles. Pantomime at the complaint made of him by the Pretour, he skourged openly in the Courtyard before his house: and excluded no man from the sight thereof: yea and he banished Pylades out of the Cittie of Rome and Italie, because he had pointed with his finger at a Spectatour who hissed him out of the stage, and so made him to be knowne-

Having in this ma͏̄ner ordred the Cittie and administred the civile affaires therin,46 he made Italie populous and much frequented with (a) Colonies to the num ber of 28, brought thither and planted by him; yea he furnished the same with publike workes and revenues in many places. He equalled it also after a sort, and in some part with the verie Cittie of Rome in priviledges and estimation: by devising a new kind of (*) * Voices: Suffrages which the decurions or elders of Colonies gave every one in their owne Towneshippe, as touching Maiestrates to bee Page 61 created in Rome, and sent under their hands, and seales to the City against the day of the solemne Elections. And to the end, there should not want in any place either honest and worshipfull inhabitants, or issue of the multitude; looke who made suite to serve as men of armes on horse-backe upon the publique commendation of any towneship (*) * [〈◊〉] ; [〈◊〉] . whatsoever, those hee enrolled and advanced unto the degree of Gentlemen. But to as many of the Commoners as could by good evidence prove unto him as hee visited the Countries and (*) * And those were eleven, Regions of Italy, that they had sonnes and daughters he distributed a thousand sesterces a piece, for every child they had.

As for those Provinces, which were more mighty than other, and the government47 A. V. C. 726 where of by yeerely Magistrates was neither easie nor safe; he undertooke himselfe to (a) rule: the (b) rest hee committed to Proconsuls by lot: And yet otherwhiles he made exchange of such Provinces: and of both sorts, hee oftentimes visited many in person. Certaine Cities, confederate and in league with Rome, howbeit by over-much libertie running headlong to mischiefe and destruction, hee deprived of their liberties. Others againe, either deepely in debt he eased, or subverted by earthquake he reedified, or able to alledge their merits and good turnes done to the people of Rome hee endowed with the franchises of Latium; or else with freedome of Rome. There is not, I suppose, a Province, (except Affrick onely and Sardinia) but hee went unto it. Into these Provinces after he had chaced Sextus Pompeius thither, he prepared to saile out of Sicilie and to crosse the Seas: but continuall stormes and extreame tempests checked him: neither had hee good occasion or sufficient cause afterwards to passe over unto them.

48 All those kingdomes which he wan by conquest and force of armes, unlesse some fewe, hee either restored unto those Princes from whom hee had taken them, or else made them over to other. Kk. mere Aliens, Princes, his Associates hee conioyned also together among themselves by mutuall bonds of alliance, as being a most ready procurer and maintainer of affinity and amity of every one; neither had he other regard of them all in generall than of the very naturall members and parts of his owne Empire. Moreover, he was wont to set Guardians and Governours over the saide Princes, when they were either young and under age, or lunatick and not well in their wits; untill such time as they were growne to ripe yeeres, or began to come againe to themselves. The children of very many of them, he both brought up and also trained and instructed together with his owne.

49 Out of his militarie forces, he distributed both Legions and Auxiliaries by Provinces. He placed one fleete at Misenum, and another at Ravenna, for the defences of the (*) * Superi, called otherwise the Adriatich Sea: Venice gulfe. upper and (*) * Inferi, otherwise. Tu [•…] ci, or [〈◊〉] . i. the Tuskane Sea. nether Seas. A certaine number of Souldiours he selected for a guard, partly of the City, and in part of his owne person, having discharged the regiment of the (*) * People of Spaine. Calagurritanes; which hee had retained about him, untill he vanquished Antonius. and likewise of the Germaines which hee had waged among the Squires of his body, unto the disasterous overthrow of Varus: And yet he suffred not at any time, to remain within the City more then 3 cohorts, and those without their pavilions. The residue, his manner was to send away to wintering places & sommer harbours about the Page 52 neighbour-townes. Moreover, all the souldiours that were in any place whatsoever, hee tied to a certaine prescript forme and proportion of wages and rewards, setting downe according to the degree and place of every one, both their times of warfare, and also the (*) * Fees, pensions, land and living. commodities they should receive after the terme of their service expired & their lawfull discharge, least that by occasion of old age, or for want, they should after they were freed from warfare, be solicited to sedition and rebellion. And to the end, that for ever, and without any difficulty, there might be defrayed sufficient to maintaine and reward them accordingly, he appointed a peculiar Treasuri [•…] for soldiors with new (*) * Ducent [•…] fimis et quinquag [•…] simisr [•…] um ven [•…] lium [•…] onis etia͏̄ damnatorum [•…] . with the two hund [•…] eth peny, and the fiftieth peny of wares sold: with the goods also of condemned persons. revenewes devised for their mainta [•…] nance. And that with more speede and out of hand word might be brought, and notice taken what was doing in every province, hee disposed along the rode high-waies, within small distance one from another; first, certaine young men as posts; and afterwards swift wagons to give intelligence. This he thought more commodious, and better to the purpose, that they who from a place brought him letters might be asked questions also, if the matters required ought.

50 In charters, patents, writs, bils and letters he used for his seale, at the first, the image of (a) Sphinx: Soone after, that of Alexander the great: and last of all, his owne; engraven by the hand of (*) * A cunning Lapida [•…] ie and graver in preticu, stones. Dioscurides: wherewith the Princes and Emperours his successours continued to signe their writings. To all his missives his manner was, to put precisely the very minutes of houres, not of day onely but of night also, wherein it might be knowne, they were dated

Of his clemencie and civill (a) curtesie, there be many, and those right great51 proofes and experiments. Not to reckon up, how many and who they were of the adverse faction, that he vouchsafed pardon & life; yea, and suffred to hold still a principall place in the City: he was content and thought it sufficient, to punish Iunius Novatus and Cassius Patavinus, two commoners; the one with a fine of money and the other with a slight banishment: notwithstanding that Iunius Novatus in the name of young Agrippa had divulged a most biting and stinging letter, touching him, and Cassius Patavinus at an open table and full feast. gave out in broad termes, That he wanted neither harty wishes nor good will to stab him. Moreover in a certaine iudiciall triall, when among other crimes this article was principally obiected against Aemilius Aelianus of Corduba, That hee was wont to have (*) * Male opinari. The san [•…] e in this Author, that Male dicere. a bad conceite and to speake but basely of Cæsar, himselfe turned unto the accuser, and as if he had beene sore offended, I would, quoth he, thou wert able to prove this unto me: In faith Aelianus should well know that I also have a tongue: for I will not stick to say more by him. And farther than this he neither for the present nor afterwards inquired into the matter. Likewise, when Tiberius grieved and complained unto him of the same indignity in a letter, and that uncessantly and after a violent manner, thus he wrote back againe: D [•…] e not m [•…] goo [•…] d Tiberius in this point follow and feed the humor of rour (*) * Young imputin. his coller & cruelty to the heate of youth & hote bloud: measuring Tiberius by himselfe. age neither set it too neere your heart, That there is any man who speaketh euill of me; For it is enough for us, if no man be able to doe us harme

52 Albeit, he wist well enough, that Temples were usually graunted by decree even unto Proconsuls, yet in no Province accepted hee of that honour, but ioyntlie in the name and behalfe of himselfe and of Rome. For in Page 63 Rome verily, he forbare this honour most resolutely: yea, and those silver Statues which in times past had beene set up for him, he melted every one. (*) * With the money, for which they were sold. Of which, he caused golden (*) * Cortinas, otherwise called Tripodas, stancing upon 3. feete: From which Oracles were delivered. Tables to be made, and those he dedicated to Apollo Patavinus. When the people offered and instantly forced upon him the Dictatourship, he fell upon his knees, cast his gowne from off his shoulder, bared his brest, and with detestation of the thing, besought them not to urge him farther.

53 The name and title of (*) * Dom n [•…] , or S [•…] . Lord (a) he alwaies abhorred as a contumelious & reproachfull terme. When upon a time, as he beheld the plaies, these words were pronounced out of a Comoedie (*) * Or Enter [•…] ude M [•…] mo. , O good and gracious (*) * Or Sr. Lord: whereupon the whole assembly with great ioy and applause accorded thereto, as if they had beene spoken of him: immediatly both with gesture of hand and snew of countenance, he repressed such undecent flatteries: and the next day reproved them most sharply by an edict: neither would hee ever after suffer himselfe to be called Dominus, no not of his owne children and nephewes either in earnest or boord. And that which more is, such faire and g [•…] avering wordes hee for bad them to use among themselves. Lightly, you should not have him depart forth of the City or any Towne, nor enter into any place, but in the evening, or by night: For disquieting any person in doing him honour by way of dutifull attendance. In his Consulship hee went commonly in the streetes on foote. out of his Consulship oftentimes in a close (*) * Ad [•…] ta: if adaperta the sence is contrarie. (b) chaire or licter. In generall Salutations and duties done unto him he admitted the very Commons, entertaining the suites and desires of all commers with so great humanity as that he rebuked one of them merily, because in reaching unto him a supplication, he did it so timorously, as if hee had raught a small peece (*) * Stipem Quintilianus reddidi [•…] a [•…] em lib. 6, cap. de risu. of coine to an Oliphant. On a Senate day, he never saluted his Nobles but in the (c) Curia: and those verily as they sat, every one by name without any (*) * Or Nomin [•…] ator. prompter: and at his departure out of the house, he used to bid them farewe [•…] l one by one as they were set, in the same manner. With many men he performed mutuall offices yeelding one kindnes for another interchangeably. Neither gave he over frequenting their solemnities & (*) * As Birthdayes, & Mariage Minds. feasts untill he was farre stept in yeeres: and by this occasion, that once upon a day of (*) * A [〈◊〉] making o [•…] 2 mariage. Espousals he was in the presse & throng of people sore crouded. Gallus Terrinius a Senator, & none of his familiar acquaintance, howbeit fallen blinde and purposing resolutely to pine ( [•…] ) himselfe to death, he visited in proper person, and by his consolatory and comfortable words perswaded him to live still.

As he delivered a speech in the Senate one said unto him, I conceived you not: 54 & another, I would gain-say you if any place were left for (*) * As if Augustus by his absolute power had take͏̄ up [•…] l. me to speake. Divers times when upon occasion of excessive altercation and brabbling among the Senatours in debating matters, he was about to whip out of the Senate a pace in a great chafe, some of them would choke him with these words, Senatours ought to have liberty to speake their mindes concerning the Common-weale. Antistius Labeo at a certaine Election of Senatonrs, when (*) * C [•…] m vi [•…] viru͏̄, no [•…] Trium [•…] . one man chooseth another, made choise of M. Lepidus, who sometime was (Augustus) mortall enemie, and then in Exile. Now when he demaunded of the said Antistius, If there were not others more worthy to be chosen? hee returned this aunswere, That every man had his owne liking and iudgement by himselfe. Yet for all this. d [•…] d no Page 64 mans free speech or froward selfe-will, turne him to displeasure or danger.

Moreover, the diffamatory libels of him cast abroad & dispersed in the Curia, 55 he neither was affrighted at, nor tooke great care to refute; making not so much as search after the Authors. Onely this he opened, That from thence-forth there should be inquisition made, and examination had of those that either in their owne name or under other mens, did put forth libels, rimes. or verses to the infamie of any person. Furthermore, to meete with the spitefull taunts and skurrile scoffes of some, wherewith he was provoked, he made an Edict against such. And yet, to the end that the Senate should passe no Act, for the Inhibition of their (a) licetious liberty in their (*) * Wherein, the manner was to use broad jests, of any person. Casa [•…] bonus. last wils & testaments, he interposed his negative voice.

56 Whensoever he was present himselfe at the Generall Ward-motes for Election of Magistrates, he went with his owne (a) Candidates round about to the Tribes, and humbly craved their (*) * Or graces. voices according to the usuall custome. Himselfe also gave a voice in his (*) * In Trib [•…] . or in Tribubus. [•…] . among other Tribes. owne Tribe as one of the ordinary people. When hee appeared as witnesse in iudiciall courts, hee suffred himselfe right willingly to be examined upon interrogatives, & also to be impleaded against and confuted. His common (*) * Than the other. Hall of Iustice he made lesse of narrower (*) * Called Fo [•…] u͏̄ Augusti. compasse; as not daring to encroch upon the next houses & dispossesse the owners. He never recommended his sonnes unto the people, but with this clause added thereto, If they shall deserve. When, beeing yet under age, and (*) * Pr [•…] textaris adhuc. in their purpled childs habit, al the people generally that sat in the Theater rose up unto them, and the standers below clapped their hands, hee tooke it very ill and complained grievously thereof. His minions & inward friends he would have to bee great and mighty men in the City; yet so, as they should have no more liberty than other Citizens, but be subiect to lawes and iudgements as well as the rest When Asprenas Nonius (b), a man of neere alliance & acquaintance with him was accused by Cassius Severus, for practising poison, & pleaded for himselfe at the Barr, hee asked counsell of the Senate, what they thought in duty he was to do? For I stand in doubt, quoth he, least being here present as an advocate, I should acquit the prisoner (*) * Or offender. defendant and so hinder the course of law; againe, if I be absent & faile him, least I might be thought to forsake and preiudice my friend: Whereupon, by all their consents, he sat there in the (*) * Within the Ba [•…] r, among the Advocates, as a well willer. Pues certain houres, but spake never a word nor affourded so much as a co͏̄mendatorie speech in the defendants behalfe, as the maner of friends was to do in the triall of such cases. He pleaded the causes even of his very clients, and by name, of a certaine (*) * Or Targuatier, S [•…] tarie some take this for a proper name of some souldiour of his. shield-bearer, (c) whom in times past he had called forth to serve him in the wars: he spake I say in his defence, when he was sued in an action of the case. Of all those that were thus in trouble, he delivered one & no more from making his appearance in Court: and him verily no otherwise, but by earnest praiers & entreating the Accuser before the Iudges: and him he perswaded at length to let fal his action. And Castritius it was. a man, by whose meanes he came to the knowledge of Murenaes conspiracie.

How much, and for what demerits of his, he was beloved, an easie matter it57 is to make an aestimate. The acts & decrees of the Senate concerning his honors I passe over, as which may be thought wrested fro͏̄ them either upon mere necessity or bashfull modesty. The Gentlemen of Rome of their owne accord and by an uniforme consent celebrated his birth feast alwaies for 2 daies to gether. All States & Degrees of the City, yeerely upon a solemne vow that they Page 65 made, threw small pieces of brasse-coine into (*) * Into the railed or empaled place named Septa. where sometime was that Lake. Curtius lake for the preservation of his life & health. Semblably, at the Calends of Ianuarie every yeere they offred a newyeeres-gift in the Capitol unto him, although he were absent. Out of which masse & grosse sum he disbursed as much money, as where with he bought the most pretious Images of the Gods, and dedicated them in divers streets: as namely Apollo (*) * In the S [•…] omakers s [•…] reet. Sandaliarius, & Iupiter (*) * In the Tragaedians street. Tragaedus, and (*) * Ali [•…] ꝫ. In restitution [•…] &c. others besides. For the reedification of his house in (*) * Mount Palatine. Palatine consumed by fire, the old soldiours, The Decuries (of the Iudges) the Tribes, & many severall persons by themselves of all sorts, willingly & according to each ones ability brought in their monies together. Howbeit, he did no more but slightly touch the heapes of such money as they lay, & tooke not away out of any one above one single (*) * 7d. ob. denier. As he returned out of any province, they accompanied him honorably, not onely with good words & lucky (*) * Faustis omi [•…] bus. or, nominatus. [•…] . names. wisnes, but also with songs set in musicall measures. This also was duly obserued, that how often so ever he entred Rome, no punishment that day was inflicted upon any person.

58 The (*) * Or addition A. V, C. 758 surname in his stile of Payer Patriae, they all presented unto him with exceeding great & unexpected accord. The Commons, first, by an Embassage which they sent unto Antium. then, because he accepted not therof, at Rome as he entred the Theater to be hold the plaies, they tendered it a second time themselves in great frequencie, dight with Lawrell branches & Coronets. Soone after, the Senate did the like, not by way of decree nor acclamation, but by Valerius Messalla, who had commission from them all, to relate their minds in this maner. That, quoth he, which may be to the good and happinesse of thee & thy house O Cæsar Augustus (for in this wise we think, that we pray for perpetuall felicity & (*) * Felicit it [•…] m Re [•…] p. et lata h [•…] ic: pro, fel. citatem et l [•…] ta [〈◊〉] . prosperity to this Commonwealth.) The Senate according with the people of Rome, do iointly salute thee by the name of (*) * Father of the Cour [•…] ey. Pater Patriae. Vnto whom, Augustus with teares standing in his eyes, made answere in these words, (For I have set the very same downe, like as I did (*) * Sicut Messella those of Messala) Now that I have (mine honorable Lords) attained to the heighth of all my vowes and wishes, what remaineth else for me to crave of the immortall Gods, but that I may carie with mee this universall consent of yours unto my lives end?

Vnto Antonius Musa his Physitian, by whose meanes he was recovered59 out of a dangerous disease, they erected a Statue, by a generall contribution of brasse, iust by the image of Aesculapius. Some (*) * Patres [〈◊〉] good honest Citizens of Rome that were sui iuris. housholders there were who in their last wils and testaments provided, That their heires should leade beasts for sacrifice into the Capitoll and pay their vowes, with this title caried before them containing the reason of so doing, Because (*) * [•…] Their Fathers, the testatouis. they had left Augustus living after them. Certaine Cities of Italy began their yeere that very day, on which he first came to them. Most of the Provinces, over & above Temples & Altars (*) * As if he had beene [•…] Demi-God., ordained almost in every good Towne, solemne Games & Playes every fifth yeere in his honor.60

Kings his friends and Confederates both severally every one in his own kingdome built Cities calling them Cæsareae, and iointly altogether intended, at their common charges fully to finish the temple of Iupiter Olympicus at Athens which long time before was begun, & to dedicate it unto his Genius. And oftentimes, the said Princes leaving their realmes, going in Romaine gownes, without Diadems & regall Ornaments, in habit & manner of devoted Clients, performed Page 66 their dutifull attendance unto him day by day: not at Rome only, but also when he visited and travailed over the provinces.

For as much as I have shewed already what his publique cariage was in places61 of Commaund and Magistracies: in the managing also and administration of the Common-weale throughout the world both in warre and peace: Now will I relate his more private and domesticall life: as also what behaviour heeA. V: C. 711: 745 shewed and what fortune hee had at home, and among his owne, even from his youth unto his dying day. His mother he buried during the time of his first Consulship, and his sister Octavia in the 54 yeere of his age. And as he had performed unto them both, whiles they lived, the offices of pietie and love in the best manner: so when they were dead, he did them the greatest honours he possibly could.

He had espoused, being a very youth, the daughter of P. Servilius Isauricus:62 but upon his reconciliation unto Antonie after their first discorde at the earnest demaund of both their soldiours, that they might be conioyned and united by some nere affinitie, he tooke to wife (Antonius) daughter in law Claudia, the naturall daughter of Dame Fulvia by P. Clodius: a young Damosell, scarce mariageable. And upon some displeasure, falling out with Fulvia his wives mother, he put her away, as yet untouched and a virgine. Soone after, he wedded Scribonia, the wife before of two husbands, both men of Consular dignity, and by one of them a mother. This wife also he divorced, not able to endure, as hee writeth himselfe, her shrewd and perverseA: V. C: 715: conditions: and forthwith, tooke perforce from Tiberius Nero, Livia Drusilla his lawfull wife & great with child. Her he loved entirely, her he liked onely, and to the very end.

Vpon Scribonia he begat Ivlia By Livia he had no issue, although63 full faine he would. Conceive once she did by him; but she miscaried, and the Infant was borne before time. As for Ivlia, hee gave her in mariage first to Marcellus the sonne of his sister Octavia, even when he was but newly crept out of his childes age. Afterwards, when Marcellus was departed this life, he bestowed her upon M. Agrippa, having by intreatie obtained of his sister, to yeeld up unto him her right and interest in her sonne (*) * Her daughters husband: in law. For, at the same time Agrippa had to wife one of the (*) * It seemeth the younger: Marcellae (her daughters) and of her body begotten children. When this Agrippa was likewise dead, he cast about and sought for divers matches a long time, even out of the ranks of Romaine Gentlemen, and chose for her, his wives sonne (*) * Emperour after him. Tiberius: whom he forced to put away a former wife then with child, and by whom hee had beene a father already. M. Antonius writeth, that he had affianced the said Ivlia first, to Antonie his sonne: and afterwards to Cotiso King of the Getes: what time Antonie himselfe required to have a (*) * [〈◊〉] the Median K. of Armen [•…] a or els he meaneth [〈◊〉] : Kings daughter likewise to wife.

64 By Agrippa and Iulia he had 3 nephewes, Caivs, Lucius, and64 Arippa: nieces likewise twaine, Iulia and Agrippina. Iulia he bestowed in mariage upon Lucius Paulus, the Censors sonne: and Agrippina upon Germanicus, his (*) * [〈◊〉] , or [〈◊〉] . his wiues nephewe, and both true; sisters (a) Nephew. As for Caius and Lucius he adopted them for his owne children at home in his house, having bought them of Agrippa their Father by the brazen coine (*) * Per [〈◊〉] , vel [〈◊〉] as [〈◊〉] [•…] bram. and (b) the balance. Whom being yet in their tender yeeres, he emploied in the charge of the co͏̄ mon Page 67 weale: and no sooner were they Consuls Elect, but hee sent them abroade to the government of Provinces and conduct of armies. His daughter and [•…] ces above named, hee brought vppe and trained so, as that hee acquainted them with housewiferie, and set them even to carde, spinne and make cloth: forbidding them streighly either to say or doe ought but openly in the sight and hearing of all men, and that which might be recorded in their day (*) * Of accomp [•…] . bookes. Certes, so farre forth he prohibited and forewarned them the companie of strangers, that he wrote uppon a time unto L. (*) * Or [〈◊〉] . Tucinivs, a noble young gentleman and a personable, charging him that he passed the bounds of modestie, in that he came once to Baiae for to see and salute his daughter: his nephewes, himselfe for the most part taught to reade, to write (c) & to swimme, besides the rudiments & first introductions to other Sciences. But in nothing travailed hee so much as in this, that they might imitate his handwritinge. Hee never supped togither with them, but they satte at the nether ende of the Table: neither went hee any Iournie, but hee had them either goinge before in a Wagon, or else abovt him rydinge by his side.65

But as jo [•…] ous and confident as hee was in regard both of his issewe, and also of the discipline of his house, fortune failed him in the proofe of all. His daughter and niece either of them named Ivlia [〈◊〉] with all kinde of leawdnesse and dishonestie he sent out of the way as banished: (*) * ij. of his Nephewes. Caivs (a) and Lvcivs both, hee lost in the space of 18. moneths, Caivs died in Lycia, Lvcivs at Massilia. His third nephewe Agrippa, togither with his wives sonne Tiberivs (b) hee adopted his sonnes in the Forum of Rome by an Act of (*) * These Actes were called L [•…] ges Curiatae: made in a [〈◊〉] hament of all the Curiae, in nomber 30, into which, Romain [•…] divided the Cittie. These lawes Sext. Papyr [〈◊〉] collected into one Booke, and called it was [〈◊〉] Papyrianum. [〈◊〉] , others re [•…] d Sto [•…] idum, & H [•…] rridum. i [•…] Sott [•…] sh & rude. all the Curiae. But of these twaine within a small time hee cast out of his favour, yea and confined aside unto [〈◊〉] Agrippa, for his base (*) * Or that his daughter had beene Phoebe disposition and fell nature. Moreover he tooke much more patiently the death, than the reprochfull misdemeauours of his children. For, at the infortunitie of Caivs and Lvcivs he was not extreamely dismaied and cast downe: mary, of his daughter & her leawd pranckes, he gave notice in his absence to the Senate, and that in writing, which his (c) [〈◊〉] red openly before them: and for very shame he absented himselfe a long time and avoyded the company of men: yea, and that which more is, once he was of mind to put her to death. And verely, when as, about the same time a freed woman of his named Phoebe, one of them that were privie to her naughtines, knit her own neck in a halter, & so ended her dayes, he gave it out, that he wisht with all his heart he had beene * Phoebes father. Confined thus when she was, he debarred her wholly the use of wine, and all manner of delicate trimming and decking her bodie: neither would he permitte any man, one or other, bond, or free to have accesse unto her without his privitie and leave asked: nor unlesse he might be certified before, of what age, of what stature and colour hee was, yea and what (a) markes and skars he caried about him. After 5. yeares ende, he remooved her out of the (*) * and [〈◊〉] [〈◊〉] , lib 1. Iland into the Continent where shee abode at more libertie somewhat, and not so streightly looked unto: For, to call her home againe once for all, he could by no meanes bee intreated: as who, many a time when the people of Rome besought him, earnestly and were very instant with him in her behalfe, openly before a frequent assembly of them cursed such daughters and such wives: saying God blesse yee al from the like. The infant that his niece Ivlia bare after she was condemned, hee forbad expressely to take knowledge of, & to give it the rearing. As touching his nephew Agrip [•…] A seeing him to proove nothing more tractable, but rather braine sicke every day more than other, he transported him (from Surrentum) into an Iland and enclosed him there, besides with a guard of soldiers. He provided also by an Act of the Senate, that in the same place he should be kept forever. And so often, as there was any mention made either of him or his ij. (*) * Daughter [•…] : neice. Ivlie, he used to fetch a sigh and grone againe, and with all to breake out into this speech.

“ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ”

Page 68Friendship with any perso͏̄ as he did not easily intertain, so he maintained & kept the same most co͏̄stantly; not honoring only the vertues & deserts of euery man66 according to their worth, but enduring also their vices & deliquences at least wise if they exceeded not: for out of al that nu͏̄ber of his depe͏̄dants ther wil hardly be any found, during his frendship to have bin plunged in adversity & therby overthrown: except Salvidienvs Rvfvs whom he had before advanced to the dignitie of Consul; & Cornelivs Gallvs promoted by him to the pro vostship of Aegypt, raised both from the verie dunghill. The one of these for pra ctising seditiously an alteration in the state: & the other for his unthankeful andA, V. C, 714. 728, mal [•…] tious mind, he forbad his house & all his provinces. But as for Gallvs, whe͏̄ as both by the menaces of his accusers, & also by the rigorous Acts of the Senate passed against him, he was driuen to shorten his owne life: Avgvstvs co͏̄me͏̄ded verely their kind harts to him for being so wroth & grieuing so much in his behalfe: howbeit for Gallvs sake he wept, & complained of his owne hard fortune, in that he alone might not be angrie, with his friends, within that measure as he would himselfe: all the rest of his fauorites flowrished in power & welth to their lives end, as chiefe persons every one in their ranke: notwithstanding some discontentment & mislikes came between. For otherwhiles, hee found a want in M. Agrippa of patience, and in Maecenas of Taciturnitie & secrecie; when as the (*) * M. Agrippa: one upon a light suspicion of his cold love, (*) * [〈◊〉] : or [〈◊〉] , as i [•…] Augustus, had looked sternely or strangly upon him. & affection, with a ielousie besides, that Marcellvs should be preferred before him left all & went to Mitylenae: the (*) * Mecaen [•…] s. other (b) unto his wife Terrntia revealed a secret, as touching the detection of Mvrenaes conspiracie. Himselfe also required semblably mutual benevolence of his friends, as wel dead as living. For although he was none of these that lie in the winde to mung and catch at Inheritances, as who could never abide to reape any co͏̄moditie by the last will & testame͏̄t of an unknown person; yet weighed he most strictly & precisely the (*) * Finall or last. supreme iudgments & testimonies of his friends concerning him, delivered at their deaths: as on who dissimuled neither his grief in case a man respected him slightly & without honorable tearmes; nor his ioy, if he remembred him thankfully & with kindnes. As touching either legacies or parts of heritages, as also portions left unto him by any parents whatsoever, his manner was either out of hand to part with the same unto their children, or if they were in their minority, to restore all unto them with the increase, upon the day that they put on their virile gownes, or else whereon they maried.

A patron he was (to his freedmen) and a Maist. (to his bondservants) no lesse67 severe, than gratious & gentle. Many of his enfranchised men he highly honoured and imployed especially: by name, Licinivs Enceladvs, with others. His seruant Cosmvs, who thought & spake most hardly of him, he proceeded to chastice no farther, than with hanging a paire of fetters at his heeles: As for Diomedes his Steward, who walking together with him, by occasion of a wild Bore running full upon them, for very feare put his Maist, between himselfe and the Beast, hee imputed unto him rather timiditie, then to bee any fault else: and although it were a matter of noe small perill, yet because there was noe prepensed mallice, hee turned all into a iest. Contrariwise, the selfe same man, forced to death Procillvs a freed man of his and whome hee set geatest store by, because hee was detested for abusing mens wives. (*) * Or [〈◊〉] . Gallvs his (*) * Clerke or s [•…] etary: scribe, had receiued 500: deniers Page 69 For making on priuie unto a letter of his hands: but he caused his legges to be broken for his labour. The paedagogue and other servitours attendant uppon Caius his sonne, who taking the vantage of his sickenesse and death bare themselues proudly and insolently in his (*) * [〈◊〉] . province and therein committed many outrages, he caused to be throwne headlong into a River, with heavie weights about their neckes.68

In the Prime and flower of his youth he incurred sundrie waies the infamous note of a vicious and wanton life. Sext. Pompeius railed uppon him as an effeminate person. M. Antonivs layed to his charge, that he earned his unkles adoption, by suffring the filthy abuse of his bodie: Semblably, Lucivs brother to the said Marcus enveied against him, as if he had abandoned and prostituted his youth (deflowred and tasted first by Cæsar) unto A. Hi [•…] Tivs also in Spaine for 300000: sesterces: and that hee was wont to sindge his legges with red (*) * A kind of [〈◊〉] . hotte Walnutshels, to the end the haire might come up softer: The verie people also in generall one time on a day of their Solemne Stage playes, both construed to his reproach, and also with exceeding great applause verified of him a verse pronounced vppon the Stage, as touching a priest of (Cybele) mother of the Gods playing upon a Timbrell;

“Vides (a) ne [•…] Cinaedus [•…] rbem digito temperat.”

That he was a common adulterer his verie friends did not denie: but they69 excuse him for sooth: saying, That he did it not upon filthy lust, but for good rea son and in pollicy: to the end he might more easily search out the plots & practises of his adversaries, by the meanes of women & wiues, it skilled not whose. M. Antonivs obiected against him besides his over hastie mariage (*) * Whome hee could not forbeare, but many when she was, great with childe. with Livia, that he fetched a certaine Noble dame, the wife of one who had beene Consul, forth of a dining parlour, even before her husbands face, into his own bed chamber, and brought her thither backe again to make an end of the banquet with her haire all ruffled, even while her eares were yet glowing red. also that he put away (*) * His owne wife. Scribonia, because she was too plaine & round with him, upon griefe she tooke, that a Concubine was so great & might do so much with him: as also that there were bargaines and matches sought out for him by his friends, upon liking: who stucke not to view & peruse both wiues, & young maidens of ripe yeares, all naked, as if Toravivs the baud were a selling of them: Moreover he writeth thus much to himself, after a familiar sort, as yet being not fallen out flatly with him, nor a professed enemy: What hath changed and altered you? Is it because I lie with a Queene, she is my wife. And is this the the first time? Did I not so 9. yeares since? Alas good sir. you that wold haue me co͏̄pany with Octavia my wife onely tell me true. know you for your part none other women but Drvci [•…] La [•…] go to: so may you fare well & have your health, as when you shall read this letter, you be not redy to deale carnally with (*) * Tertia. [〈◊〉] , Rufa [•…] as louers v [•…] e to name their sweete hearts. Tertvlla or Terentilla, or Rvfilla, or Salvia Titiscenia or with all of them. And thinke you it skilleth not, where and whom you lust after and meddle with?

Moreouer, much talke there was abroad, of a certaine supper of his more70 secret, ywis then the rest, & which was commonly called * (a) Dodecatheos: At which, that their sat guests in habit of Gods & goddesses, & himselfe among the͏̄ adorned insteed of Apollo: not onely the letters of Antonie, who rehearsed most bitterly the names of every one do lay in his reproach, but also these verses without an author so vulgarly knowne and rife in everie mans mouth:

The rumor of this supper was increased by the exceeding dearth & famine at that time in Rome: and the very next morrow, there was set up this cry & note within the Cittie. That the Gôds had eaten up all the Corne: and that Cæsar was become (*) * [〈◊〉] , al [•…] beds or, T [•…] olos, S [•…] utcheons in [•…] tecture. Apollo in deede, but yet Apollo the (a) tortor: under which surname that God was worshipped in one place of the Cittie. Furthermore, taxed hee was for his greedie grasping after pretious house furniture and costly Corinthian Vessels: as also for giving himselfe much to dice play. For, as in time of the proscription, there was written over his statue; Pater Argentarius, Ego Corinthiarius. * Not counterfaite as at the supper overnight.

Because it was thought he procured some to be put into the bill of those that were proscribed, even for the love of their Corinthian-Vesselles: so afterwardes, during the Sicilian warre, this Epigrame of him went currant abroad.

Of these criminous imputations or malicious slanders (I wot not whether)71 the infamie of his unnatuall uncleannesse he checked and confuted most easily by his chast life both at the present and afterward. Semblably the invidious opinion of his excessiue, and sumpteous furniture: considering, that when he had by force won Alexandria, he retained for himselfe out of al the kings houshold stuffe and rich Implements, no more but on cup of the pretious stone (*) * Or Murrha. Th [•…] [〈◊〉] Myrrh [•…] . and soone after, all the brasen vessels which were of most vse, hee melted everie one. Mary for fleshly lust otherwise and wantonnes with women he went not cleere, but was blotted therwith. For afterwards, also as the report goes; he gave himselfe overmuch to the deflowring of young maides whome his wife sought out for him from all places. As for the rumour that ran of his diceplaying he bashed no whit thereat. and he played simply without Art and openly for his disport, even when he was well striken in yeares: and besides the moneth (a) December, upon other play dayes also, yea and worke daies too. Neither is there any doubt to bee made thereof. For in a certaine Epistle written with his owne hand: I supped, quoth hee, my Tiberius with the Page 71 same men: there came moreover to beare us companie these guests, Vinicivs, & Salvivs the father. In (*) * For Talorum lusus fuit [〈◊〉] . supper time we played (*) * Or bones. like olde men, both yesterday and to day. For when the (*) * Betweene dishes or courses of services. dice were cast (b) looke who threwe the chaunce, Canis or Senion, for everie die he staked and layed to the flooke a denier: which he tooke up and swooped all cleane, whose lucke it was to throw Venus. Againe in another letter. We liued full merily, my Tiberius, during the feast (c) Quinquatria: for, wee played everie day: wee haunted I say and heat the dicing house. Your (*) * Drusus [〈◊〉] : brother did his deede with many great shouts and outcries: Howbeit, in the ende he lost not much: but after his great losses gathered uppe his crummes pretily well by little and little beyond his hope and exspectation. I for my part, lost 20000. Sesterces in mine owne name: but it was when I had beene over liberall in my gaming, as commonly my manner is. For, if I had called for those loosing-hands which I forgave my fellow gamesters, or kept but that which I gave cleane away. I had wonne as good as 50000. cleere. But I choose rather thus to doe. [•…] or my bountie exal [•…] eth me unto caelestial glory. Vnto his daughter thus he writeth, I haue sent unto you 250. deniers: just so many as I had given to [•…] y guests a peece, if they would have played togither in supper time either at cockeall, or at even and odde. For the rest of his life, certaine it is, that in everie respect he was most continent, and without suspition of any vice.

Hee dwelt at first, hard by the Forum of Rome above the winding staires72 Anulariae, in an house which had been Calvus the Oratours: Afterwards in the mount Palatium: howbeit in a meane habitation, belonging sometime to Hortensivs, and neither for spacious receite nor stately setting out, and trim furniture, conspicuous: as wherein the galleries were but short, standing uppon pillers made of (soft) Albane stone: and the Refection Roumes without any marble or beavtifull pavements. For the space of 40. yeares and more, hee kept on bedchamber winter and summer: and albeit hee found by experience the Cittie not verie holesome in the winter for his health, yet continually he wintred there: If hee purposed at any time to do ought secretly, and without interruption: hee had a speciall roome alone by it selfe aloft which hee called (a) Syracusae. (*) * Or Techn [•…] phyon: Hither would hee withdrawe himselfe orderly, or else make a steppe to some Country house neere the Cittie, of one of his Libertines. Was hee sicke at any time? Then hee used to lie in Maecenas his house. Of all his retyring places of pleasure, hee frequented these especially, that stood along the Maritime tract, and the Isles of Campania; or else the townes nere adioyning to the Cittie of Rome, to wit, Lanuvium, Praeneste and Tibur: where also within the Porches of Hercules Temple, he sat verie often to minister iustice. Large palaces and full of curious workes hee misliked: And verily, those that were sumpteously built he rased downe to the verie ground: his own [〈◊〉] , [•…] ting the winter sun ne. as little as they were, he adorned and beautified not with trim statues and gay painted Tables, as with open (*) * For shad [•…] in Summer: walks, pleasant (*) * [〈◊〉] . as whales within pooles, &c. groves, and such things, as for their antiquitie and rarenesse were notable: Of which sort were at Capreae the huge members of monstrous * fishes and wilde beasts: the bones that are saide to bee of the Gyants, and the armour of the demigods and worthies in olde time:

How slenderly provided he was of houshold stuffe and furniture otherwise73 Page 72 appeareth by his dining pallets and tables yet remaining: the most part whereof be scarce answerable to the elegancie of a meere private person. Neither slept he by mens saying otherwise than upon a (*) * Not raysed uppe and swelling high with downe. low-bed, and the same but meanely spread and laid with Coverlets. He wore not lightly any apparell but of huswifes cloth, made within house; by his wife, his sister, his daughter and neipces. His gownes were neither streight and skant, nor yet, wide and large. His Senatours robe neither with overbroad studs of purple guarded, nor with narrow. His shoes underlaide somewhat with the highest, that hee might seeme taller than hee was. As for the raiment which hee used abroade, and his shooes, hee had them at all times layed readie within his Bedchamber, against all suddaine occurrents and unlooked for occasions whatsoeuer.

He feasted daily: and never otherwise than at a set (*) * Coena rect [•…] , or rect [•…] , absolutely, or diffe. rence of sportula. table: not without great74 respect and choise of degrees and persons. Valerivs Messalla writeth, that hee never intertained any of his libertines at supper except Meanvs, and him (*) * Restored to his blood and created a gentle man, for he was Donatus [〈◊〉] annuli [•…] ut inter inge [•…] uos haberetur Dion. naturalized first, even after the betraying of Sex: Pompeivs fleete; Himselfe writeth, that he invited one, in whose ferme hee would make his abode, and who in times past had beene a (*) * Speculator, or a squire of his bodie. Spie of his. Hee came to the bourde himselfe when he made a feast, sometimes very late, and otherwhiles left the same as soone: and then his guests would both fall to their suppers before he sat downe,, and also continued sitting still after hee was gone. The suppers hee made consisted ordinarily of three dishes (*) * Tribus ferculis, not such as ours be: but framed in manner of Tropees, with devises that some meates might lye flat others hang thereupon. of meate and when hee would fare most highly of 6: at the most; and as he entertained his guests in no exceeding sumpteous manner, so he welcomed them with all the kindnesse and curtesie that might be. For he would prouoke them, if they either sat silent or spake softly to the fellowshippe of discourse and talke: yea and interpose either (*) * As minstrels Musitians, Quiristers &c. Acroames and players or else (*) * As fortune tellers, iuglers Baffors &c. Triviall fellowes out of (*) * Aretalogos, the Cirque, but most commonly these discoursing poore (*) * Or fire forks, threedbare Phylosophers:

75 Festivall and solemne daies he celebrated sometimes with unmeasurable expenses, otherwhiles with mirth and sport onely: At the Saturnalia, and at other times when it pleased him, hee used to send abroade as his gifts, onewhile apparaile, golde and silver: otherwhile mony of all stampes, even olde peeces currant in the Kings dayes, and strange coynes; sometime nothing but haire clothes, spunges, cole (*) * Or snipper [•…] , rakes, (*) * A kinde of Lott [•…] rie. cizars and such like stuffe, under obscure and doubtfull titles symbolizing somewhat else; Hee was wont also to offer sale, by marting in the time of a banquet to his guestes, of such thinges, as were in price most unequall, yea and to tender blinde bargaines unto them also of painted Tables, with the wronge side outwarde, and so by uncertaine venturinge uppon their happe, either to frustrate and disappoint, or fully to satisfie the hope of the Chapmen: yet so, as the cheapninge of the thinge should alwayes passe through everie bourde, and the losse or gaine growe to them all as common,

As touching diet (for I may not over passe so much as this) hee was76 a man of verie little meate, and feedinge for the most part grosse. (*) * Or cheat, Seconde breade and small fishes: cheese made of cowes milke and the same Page 73 pressed (*) * Much like Angelots ma [•…] pressum, or mane pressum i. Greene cheese new made. with the hand, & greene figges especially of that kinde which beare twice a yeere, his appetite served unto. His manner was to eate even iust before supper, when and wheresoever his stomacke called for foode. His very wordes out of his owne Epistles shewe no lesse, which are these: Whiles wee were in a (*) * Or Germain, essedo. For they were used in both countries indifferently. British Waggon, wee tasted of bread and Dates. Againe, As I returned [〈◊〉] in my Licter from the Palace, I eate an ounce weight of bread with a fewe hard coated Grapes. And once more, The very Iewe, my Tiberius, observeth not his Fast upon the (a) Sabbath so precisely, as I have this day: who in the baines, not before the first houre of the night was past, (*) * Vuis dur [•…] cinis, or, with hard kernels. chewed two morsels of bread, even before I began to be anointed. Vpon this (*) * Or, did eate. retchlesse neglect of diet, he used divers times to take his supper alone, either before his other guests were set and fell to meate, or else after all was taken away, and they risen: whereas, at a full bourd he would not touch a bit.

77 Hee was by nature also a very small drinker of wine. Cornelius Nepos reporteth of him, that his usuall manner was during the time hee lay encamped before Mutina to drinke at a supper not above thrice. Afterwards, whensoever hee dranke most liberally hee passed not (*) * Ex hac in observanti [•…] , vol, ex [•…] ac observanti [•…] : upon this due observing of his, to cate when his stomack called for it, & not els. sixe Sextants; or if hee went beyond, he cast it up againe. Hee delighted most in Rhetian wine; and seldome dranke hee in the (*) * 6 measures, containing either 2. [〈◊〉] a peece, [•…] r two cyathes. [•…] . 3 ounces. In all, at the most not above a good pint, or a small wine quart, called Sextarius, [〈◊〉] of 18 ounces. day time. In steede of drinke hee tooke a sop of bread soaked in colde water; or a peece of a Coucumber, or a young lectuce head, or else some new gathered apple, (*) * [〈◊〉] , as we say, betwixt meales. sharpe and tart, standing much upon a winish liquour within it.

78 After his noones repast hee used to take his repose, and to sleepe a while, in his cloathes as he was, with his shooes (a) on, stretching (b) out his feete, and holding his hand before his eyes. After supper hee retired himselfe into a little Closet (c) or Studie. And there continued hee by a candle farre in the night, even untill he had dispatched the rest of that daies businesse, either all or the most part. From thence, he went directly to his bed: Where, hee slept at the most not above seaven houres: and those verily not together but so, as in that space of time hee would awake three or foure times: and if hee could not recover his sleepe thus broken and interrupted (as it happened otherwhiles); hee would send for some to reade or (*) * Ac [•…] dum, or aridum. i. dried, but yet of a winish tast. tell tales; and by their meanes* Or, to bold him with talke. catch a sleepe againe, and drawe the same out often after day-breake. Neither would he ever lie awake without one sitting by his beds side. Much offended hee was with want of sleepe (or waking) early in a morning: and if hee were to bee awakened sooner than ordinarie, either about some worldly affaires of his friends, or service of the Gods, because hee would not preiudice thereby his owne good or health; hee used to stay in some of his familiar friends upper roomes and loft, next to the place where his occasions lay. And even so, many a time for want of sleepe, both as he was caried through the streetes, and also when his licter was set downe, hee would betweene whiles take a nap and make some stay.

79 Hee was of an excellent presence and personage, and the same throughout Page 74 all the degrees of his age most lovely and amiable; negligent though hee were in all manner of pikednesse, for combing and trimming of his head so carelesse, as that he would use at once many Barbers, such as came next hand, it skilled not whom: and one while hee clipped, another while hee shaved his beard; and yet at the very same time, he either read, or else wrote somewhat. His visage and countenance, whether he spake or held his peace, was so mild, so pleasant and lightsome, that one of the Nobles and Potentates of Gaule; confessed unto his Country-men, he was thereby onely staied and reclaimed, that he did not approach neere unto him, under colour of conference as hee passed over the Alpes, and so shove him downe from a steepe cragge to breake his necke, as his full intent was. Hee had a paire of cleere and shining eyes: wherein also, (as hee would have made men beleeve) was seated a kinde of Divine vigour: and hee ioyed much, if a man looking wistly upon him helde downe his face, as it were against the brightnesse of the Sunne. But in his olde age he saw not very well with the left eye. His teeth grewe thinne in his head, and the same were small and ragged: The haire of his head was somewhat curled and turning downeward; and withall of a light yellowe colour. His eye-browes met together: his eares were of a meane bignesse: his nose both in the (*) * Toward his forehead. upper part, bearing out round, and also beneath somewhat with (*) * Ded [•…] ctiore, or as some expound it, sharp & thin, Lepton. the longest. Of colour and complexion, hee was betweene a browne (*) * Inter aquilum candidumꝫ, somewhat tanned and sunneburnt, as Casan [•…] on seemeth to interpret it. and faire white. His stature but snort: (and yet Iulius Marathus his freedman writeth in the Historie of his life, that hee was five foote (a) and nine inches high). But as lowe as the same was, the proportionable making and feature of his limmes hid it so, as it might not be perceived, unlesse he were compared with some taller person than himselfe standing by.

80 His body, by report, was full of spottes: having upon the brest and bellie naturall markes which hee brought with him into the worlde; dispersed, for the manner, order, and number, like unto the starres of the celestiall (*) * Charlemaine his waine. beare; as also certaine hard risings of thicke brawnie skinne, occasioned in divers places by the ytching of his bodie, and the continuall and forcible use of the (*) * Much like a curry comb. Strigil in the Baines: Which callosities resembled a Ringworme (a). In his left hucklebone (b), thigh and legge, hee was not very sound. in so much, as many times for griefe thereof he halted on that side: but by a remedie that he had of Sand (c) and Reedes, he found ease and went upright againe. Also, the fore-finger of his right hand hee perceived otherwhiles to be so weake, that* Destillationibus i [•…] cinore vitiato. What if we thus point and read? De [•…] , iocinore vitiato: to this sence. That he was much su [•…] iect to rhewmes by occasio͏̄ that his liver was diseased, to wit, obstructed or stopped. being benummed and shrunke by a crampe upon some colde, he could hardly set it to any writing, with the helpe of an hoope and finger stall of horne. Hee complained also of the griefe in his (d) bladder, but voiding at length little gravell-stones by urine, he was eased of that paine.

81 All his life time hee tasted of certaine grievous and daungerous sicknesses, but especiallie after the subduing of Cantabria: vvhat time, by reason of his liver diseased and corrupted by Destillations, hee was driven to some extremitie: and thereby of necessitie entred into a contrarie (a) and desperate course of Physicke: For, seeing that hote fomentations did him no good, Page 75 forced hee was by the direction and counsell of Antonius Musa his Physitia͏̄, to be cured by colde. He had the experie͏̄ce also of some maladies which came (b) yeerely and kept their course at a certaine time. For about his (c) birth-day, most commonly he was sickish and had a faintnesse upon him: likewise in the beginning of the (d) Spring, much troubled hee was with the inflation of the midriffe and (*) * Vnder the short [〈◊〉] . hypochondriall parts: and whensoever the winde was southerly, with the murr and the pose. By occasion whereof, his body beeing so shaken and crasie, hee could not well endure either colde or heat.

82 In winter time clad he went against the colde with foure coates, together with a good thicke gowne, and his Wastcoate or Peticoate bodie of woollen: well lapped also about the (a) thighes and legges. During Sommer he lay with his bed chamber dores open, and oftentimes within a cloisture supported with pillers, having water (b) walming out of a spring, or running from a [〈◊〉] in a Conduit; or else some one to make (c) winde hard by him. Hee could not away so much as with the Winter sunne shine: and therefore even at home hee never walked up and downe in the aire without (*) * Or Bondgrace. a broad brimd Hat upon his head. He travailed in a licter, and never lightly but in the night. The iourneyes that he made were soft and small: so as if hee went from Rome but to Tibu [•…] (a) or Preneste, he would make two daies of it. Could hee reach to any place by sea: hee chose rather to saile thither, than goe by land. But as great infirmities as he was subiect unto, hee maintained and defended his body with as much care and regard of himselfe: but principally by seldome (*) * In hot waters. bathing (e): For, anointed hee was very often and used to sweate before a light fire: and then upon it to be dowssed in water luke warme, or else heated with long standing in the Sunne. And so often as he was to use the Sea waters hote, or those of (*) * Which naturaly were hot standing upon a veine of [〈◊〉] stone. Albul [•…] for the strengthening of his sinewes, hee contented himselfe with this: namely to sit in a wooden bathing Tub, which himselfe by a Spanish name called Dureta, and therein to shake up and downe his hands and feet one after another, by turnes.

83 The exercises in (Mars) field of riding on horse-backe and bearing armes, he laid aside immediatly after the civile warres, and tooke himselfe, first, to the little (a) tennis-ball, and the hand-ball blowne with (b) winde. Soone after, he used onely to bee (*) * Either o [•…] horse backe, or in a charrlicter caried and to walke, but so as that in the end of every walke he would take his runne by iumpes, lapped and wrapped within a light garment ca [•…] led (*) * Two foote & a halfe square. Sestertius (c) or a thinne vaile and sheete of linnen. For his recreation and pastime, his manner was sometime to angle or fish with the hooke, otherwhiles to play with cockall bones, or (*) * These the Romaines called Veneres suas, their playferes and dear [•…] in a [•…] honest sence no [•…] such as the Greeks in [〈◊〉] uncleane signification. named [〈◊〉] . [〈◊〉] baggages, Catamites trundling round (e) pellets, or else with nuttes even among little boyes; vvhom hee would lay for, and seeke out from all parts, if they were of an amiable countenance and could * prattle pretily with a lovely grace, but principally those of the Moores and Syrians kind. As for Dwarfes, crooked and mishapen Elves and all of that sort, he could not abide such, as being the very mockeries of natures work, and of unlucky [〈◊〉] .

Page 76Eloquence, and other liberall professions he exercised from his very childhood right willingly, and therein tooke exceeding great paines. During the84 warre at Mutina, notwithstanding that huge heape of affaires and occurrents, (by report) he read, he wrote, hee declaimed every day. For afterwards, neither in the Senate-house, nor before the people, ne yet to his souldiours made he ever speech, but it was premeditate and composed before: albeit hee wanted not the gift to speake of a sodaine and ex tempore. Now, for feare least his memorie at any time should faile him, least also he might spend too much time in learning by rote, hee began to reade and rehearse all out of his written copie. His very speeches also with folke by themselves, even with Livia his wife about any grave and serious matters were never but penned and put downe in writing. out of which hee would rehearse the same, that hee might not speake otherwise ex [•…] empore or lesse than was meete. His pronunciation and utterance was sweete, carying with it a peculiar and proper sound of his owne: and continually he used the helpe of a Phonascus to moderate his voice: but sometimes when his throate was (*) * When he was hoarse, by [•…] eason of rhewme. weakened, he delivered his orations to the people, by the mouth of a Crier.

Many compositions he made in prose, of sundry arguments. Of which he85 would reade some in a meeting of his familiars, as it were in an Auditorie. as namely a Reioinder, called Rescripta, unto Brutus, against (*) * Vticensis. Cato. Which volumes, when for the most part, hee had rehearsed, being now well stricken in yeeres and growing wearie, hee made over to Tiberius for to be reade through. In like manner hee wrote certaine Exhortations unto Philosophie, and somewhat of his owne life: which hee declared in (*) * Xxx. Libris, or rather xiii. according to [〈◊〉] , and all old Copies. thirtie bookes, even unto the Cantabrian warre, and no farther. As for Poetrie hee dealt in it but superficially. One Treatise there is extant written by him in Hexametre verses, The argument whereof, is Sicilie, and so it is entituled. There is another booke also, as little as it, of Epigrammes: which for the most part hee studied upon and devised whiles hee was in the Baines. For, having in a great and ardent heat begun a (*) * Called Aiax. Tragaedie, when he saw his stile would not frame thereto and speede no better, he defaced and wiped it quite out. And when some of his friends asked him, How Aiax did? he answered, that his Aiax was (*) * Was wiped away or blotted out with a spunge: alluding to Aiax that fell upon his own sword: whereof Sophocles made a Tragaedie entituled Aiax. fallen upon a (a) Spunge.

86 The Eloquence that he followed was of an Elegant & temperate kind: wherein he avoided unapt and unfit Sentences, as also the stinking savours, as himselfe saith, of darke and obscure words: but tooke especiall care how to expresse his minde and meaning most plainely and evidently. For the better effecting whereof, and because hee would not in any place trouble and stay reader or hearer, hee stucke not either to put Prepositions unto Verbes, or to iterate Coniunctions very oft: which being taken away breed some obscurity, although they yeeld a greater grace. As for those that affect (a) new-made words, such also as use old termes past date, hee loathed and reiected alike, as faulty, both the sorts of them in a contrary kinde. Those he shooke up divers times, but especially his friend Maecenas, whose (b) Murobrecheis (*) * Curled lokes or feakes, glib and dropping againe with sweat. cincinnos for these were his termes he evermore curseth and taxeth, yea and by way of (c) imitation merrily scoffeth at. Neither spared he so much as Tiberius for hunting otherwhiles after old words out of use, and such be obscure and hardly Page 77 understood. As for Marcus Antonius, he rateth him as if he were frantick, for writing that which men may rather wonder at, than under stand. And proceeding to mocke his lewd and unconstant humour in choosing a kinde of eloquence by himselfe, he added thus much moreover. And are you in doubt to imitate Cimb [•…] R (d) Annius and Veranius Flaccus, so that you might use the wordes which Crispus Salustius gathered out of (*) * [〈◊〉] , who wrote a booke of Antiquities, so called. Catoes Origines? or rather transfer the rolling tongue of Asiatick Oratours, full of vaine words, and void of pithy sentences into our language and manner of speech? And in a certaine Epistle, praising the ready wit of Agrippina (*) * By his daugh [•…] ter Iulia, and M. Agrippa the mother of Cal [•…] gula. his owne niece, But you have neede, quoth hee, to endevour that neither in writing nor in speaking, you be troublesome and odious.

In his daily and ordinary talke certaine phrases hee had which hee used very87 often and significantly: as the letters of his owne hand writing doe evidently shew: In which, ever and anon, when hee meant some that would never pay their debts. He said, They would pay ad (*) * At the Greek Calendas at latter [〈◊〉] for the Greeks had no Ca lends, no more than the Lati [•…] es [•…] as, i. rewe moones to begin their moneths with. And yet the word seemeth to be derived of Kal [•…] in Greeke. Calendas Graecas. And when he exhorted men to beare patiently the present state what ever it was, Let us content our selves, quoth hee, with this (*) * Read [〈◊〉] . Saturnal. 2. Cato. To expresse the speedy expedition of a thing done hastily. Quicker, would he say, than Sparages can be sodden. Hee putteth also continually for St [•…] ltus *, Baceolus (*) * [•…] A foole.: For (*) * Vel [〈◊〉] a [〈◊〉] , vel [•…] lus, a Blax, vel [〈◊〉] . Pullus, Pulleiace [•…] s: and for Ceritus, Vacerrosus; and in steede of Male se habere, Vapi [•…] e se habere: and for Languere, Betizare, which commonly we meane by Lachanizare (*) * Or for [〈◊〉] . i. Pul [•…] gium, Puleiace [•…] m. . Semblably, for, simus, sumus; and d [•…] mos, in the genetive case singular for [〈◊〉] . And never used hee these two words otherwise, that no man should thinke it was a fault rather than a custome. Thus much also have I observed, especially in his manuscripts, That he never cutteth a word in sunder: nor in the end of any (*) * Or [•…] sare. rewes transferreth the overplus of letters unto those next following, but presently putteth them downe even there underneath, and encloseth them (within a compasse line).

88 Orthographie, that is to say, the forme & precise rule of writing set down by Grammarians, he did not so much observe: but seemeth to follow their opinion rather, who thinke, Men should write according as they speake. For, whereas oftentimes he either exchangeth or leaveth cleane out, not letters onely but syllables also, that is a common errour among men. Neither would I note thus much, but that it seemeth strange unto mee, which some have written of him, namely, That he substituted another, in the place of a Consulare Lieutenant* Or [•…] nes. (as one altogether rude and unlearned) because hee had marked in his hand-writing, ixi, for, ipsi. And looke how often himselfe writeth darkly by way of ciphring, hee putteth . b. for . a.. c. for . b. and so forth after the same manner, the letters next following in steede of the former: and for. x. a duple [•…] a.

Neither verily was he lesse in love with the studie of Greeke literature: For,89 even therein also he highly excelled, as having beene brought up and taught under the professed Rhetorician Apollodorus of Pergamus. Vvhom beeing now very aged, himselfe as yet but young had forth of Rome with him to Apollonia. Afterwards, also when he was well furnished with variety of erudition and learning of (a) Sphaerus; he entred into familiar acquaintance, with Page 88 Areus the Philosopher and his two sonnes, Dronysius and Nicanor: yet so, as for all that he neither could speake readily, nor durst compose any (*) * In Greeke: thing. For if occasion required ought, he drew it in Latine, and gave it unto another for to be translated into Greeke. And, as he was not altogether unskilfull in Poemes, so he tooke delight even in the (b) olde Comoedie also, which he exhibited oftentimes to be acted in publique solemnities. In reading over and perusing Authors of both Languages, hee sought after nothing so much as holsome precepts and examples, serving to publique or private use: and those, when he had gathered out of them word for word, hee sent either to his inward friends and domesticall Servitours, or to the Commaunders of armies and Governours of Provinces: or else for the most part to the Magistrates of the Citie, according as any of them needed admonition. Moreover, whole bookes he both read from one end to the other unto the Senate, and also published oftentimes to the people by proclamation: as namely, the Orations of Q. (c) Metellus touching the propagation and multiplying of children: those likewise of Rutilius concerning the model (*) * As wel to cut of the expenses of sumpteous aed fices as to prevent danger by Skare-fires. and forme of buildings: thereby the rather to perswade them, That hee was not the first that lookt into both these matters, but that their fore-fathers in old time had even then a care and regard thereof. The fine wits flourishing in his daies he cherished by all meanes possible. Such as rehearsed before him their Compositions he gave audience unto, courteously and with patience: notonely verses and histories, but (*) * Which were not so usually red and rehersed in open audience. orations also and dialogues. Mary, if anything were written of himselfe, unlesse it were done with serious gravity and by the best, hee tooke offence thereat; and gave the Praetours in charge not to suffer his name to be made vulgar and stale, in the trivial contentions (of Oratours, Poets, &c) when they were matched one with another.

For Religious scrupulosity and Superstition, thus by heere-say hee stoode90 affected. Thunder and Lightning hee was much affraide of: in so much as alwaies and in every place, hee caried about him for a preservative remedie a (*) * Or of a sea calfe, wich as Plinie writeth checketh all lightnings: Seales skinne: yea, and whensoever he suspected there would be any extraordinarie storme or tempest, he would retire himselfe into a close secret roome under (a) ground, and vaulted above head: Which hee did, because once in times past, he had beene frighted with a flash of lightning, crossing him in his iourney by night; as we have before related.

As for dreames, neither his owne, nor other mens of himselfe, he neglected.91 At the battaile of Philippi. albeit hee meant not to step out of his pavilion by reason of sicknesse, yet went hee forth, warned so to doe by the dreame of his (*) * Medici, Some read, am [•…] ci, •. a friend: Physitian. And it fell out well for him: considering that after his Campe forced and woon by the enemies, his licter was in that concurse of theirs stabbed through and all to rent and torne, as if hee had remained there behind lying sicke. Himselfe every spring was wont to see many visions most fearefull, but the same proved vaine illusions and to no purpose: at other times of the yeere he dreamed not so often, but yet to more effect. When as hee ordinarily frequented the temple dedicated to Iupiter, the Thunderet in the Capitoll, he dreamed that Iupiter Capitolinus complained, How his worshippers were taken from him perforce: and That hee answered, Hee had placed Thundering Page 79 Iupiter hard by him, insteede of a (*) * Dore keeper, & Or top. Porter: whereuppon soone after hee adorned the (*) * Or chime Lanterne of that Temple with a (*) * To raise the porters. Ringe of belles, because such commonly do hange at mens (*) * As beggers do. Gates. By occasion of a vision by night, he begged (a) yearely uppon a certaine day mony of the people, and held out his hand (*) * Or peeces, worth, ob. q q. hollow to those that brought and offred unto him brasen * Dodkins or mites called Asses.

Certaine foretokens and ominous signes he observed as unfallible presages,92 to wit, if in a morning his shoes were put one wronge, and namely, the left for the right, he held it unluckie: Againe, when hee was to take any long journey by land or sea, if it chanced to mizzle of raine, hee tooke that for a luckie signe betokening a speedie and prosperous returne. But mooved he was especially with uncouth and supernaturall sights. There happened a date tree to spring forth betweene the very joincts of the stones before his dore, which he remooved and transplanted in the inward court of his domesticall (*) * Wherin they stood, Gods; taking great care that it might get roote and grow there. Hee joied so much that in the Iland Capreae, the boughes of a very old holmetree hanging and drouping now for age down to the ground, became fresh againe at his comming thither, that he would needes make an exchang with the State of Naples, and in liev of that Iland geve them Aenaria. Certaine dayes also hee precisely observed: as for example: hee would not take a journey any whither, the day after the (a) Nundinae: nor begin any serious matter uppon the Nones of a Moneth: Herein verily avoyding and eschewing nought ese, as he writeth unto Tiberivs, but the unluckie (*) * Dusphemian nominis: ominousnesse of the name.

Of foraine ceremonies and religions, as hee entertained with all reverence93 those that were auncient, and whereof hee conceived good reason: so hee despised the rest. For having beene instituted and professed (in the sacred mysteries of Ceres) at Athens, when afterwards he sat judicially upon the Tribunall at Rome to here and determine a controversie as touching the priviledge of Ceres priests in Attica, and perceiued that certaine points of great secrecie were proposed there to be debated: hee dismissed the assembly and multitude of people standing all about in the Court, and himselfe alone heard them plead the cause; But contrariwise, not onely when hee roade in visitation all over Aegypt, himselfe forbore to turne a little out of his way for to see (a) Apis, but also co͏̄mended his nephew Caivs, because in ryding through Iurie, he did not so much as once (*) * Or do his devotions: make supplication in (b) Hierusalem.

And seeing we have proceeded thus (*) * In the historicall reports of so great and worthy a prin [•…] farre, it would not be impertinent to annex hereto, what befell unto him before hee was borne? What happened94 uppon his verie birth day? And what presently ensued thereupon? Whereby, that future greatnes and perpetuall felicity of his, might be hoped for and observed. At velitre, part of the (Towne) wall in olde time had beene blasted by lightening: uppon which occasion, answere was given by Oracle, that a Citizen of that Towne should one day be ruler of the world. The Velitrines, in confidence hereof, both then immediatly, and afterwardes also, many a time warred with the people of Rome, even wel neere to their own finall ruine and destructio͏̄. At length (though late it was) by good proofes and evidences it appeared that the said strange accident, portended the mightie Page 80 power of Avovstvs. Ivlius Marathvs reporteth, that some sixe moneths before Avgvstvs Nativitie, there happened at Rome a prodigie publikely knowne, whereby foreshewed and denounced it was, That nature was about to bring forth a King (a) over the people of Rome, at which the Senate beeing affrighted made an Act, That no man child that yeere borne should be reared and brought vp. But they whose wives then, were great bellied (for everie one was readie to drawe the hope unto himselfe,) tooke order, That the saide Act, of the Senate shold not be brought into the Cittie Chamber and there enrolled. I reade in the bookes of Asclepiades (*) * or Mendesius bearing the name of the Cittie Mendes in Aegypt. Mendes entituled Theologoumenon, (*) * Of diuine discourses. Howe Atia, being come at midnight to celebrate the solemne sacrifice and divine seruice of Apollo, whilest other dames slept, fell fast a sleepe also; and sodainely a (b) serpent crept close unto her, and soone after went forth from her: She therewith being awakened purified her selfe, as she would haue done uppon her husbands companie with her; and presently there arose to bee seene uppon her bodie a certaine marke or specke representing the picture of a serpent, which never after could be gotten out: in so much as immediatly thereupon shee forbore the publike baines for ever: Also, how in the x. moneth after, she was delivered of Avgvstvs: & for this cause he was reputed to be the sonne of Apollo. The same Atia, before she was brought to bed of him, dreamed that her entrails were heaved up to the stars, and there stretched foorth & spred all over the co͏̄ passe of earth and heaven. His father Octavivs likewise dreamed, that out of the wombe of Atia; there arose the shining beames of the Sun. The very day on which he was borne, what time as the conspiracie of Catiline was debated in the Senate house, and Octavivs by occasion of his wives Childbirth came verie late thither, well knowne it is and commonly spoken, that P. (*) * The mother of Augustus. Nigidivs understandinge the cause of his stay, so soone as he learned the houre (*) * famous Astrologer. also when shee was delivered, gave it out confidently, That there was borne the Soveraine Lorde of the Worlde. Afterwardes, when Octavivs leadinge an Armie through the secret partes of Thracia, inquired in the Sacred grove of Liber pater (according to the rites and ceremonies of that Barbarous Religion,) concerning his sonne, the same aunswere hee received from the Priestes there; For, that when the wine was powred uppon the Altars, there arose from thence so great a shining flame, as surmounted the (*) * And thereby the Horoscope of his Nativity Lanterne of the Temple. and so ascended uppe to Heaven: and that in times past the like strange token happened to Alexander the great, and to none but him, when hee sacrificed uppon the same Altars. Moreover, the night next following, hee (*) * Or Steeple. presently thought he sawe his sonne carrying a stately Maiestie above the ordinarie proportion of a mortall wight; with a (*) * Octavius: Thunder bolt and a Scepter (in his hand) with the Triumphant Robes also of Iupiter. Opt: Max. (uppon his backe) and a Radiant Coronet (on his head): over and besides* Which properly are attributed unto Iupiter: his Chariot dight with Lawrell and drawne with 12: steedes exceeding white. While hee was yet a very babe, (as C. Drvsvs hath left in writing extant,) being by his nource laide in the evening within a Cradell in swadling bands, beneath uppon a lowe floure: the next morning hee could no where bee seene: and after longe seekinge was found at last, lying uppon a* Augustus Page 81 verie high Turret just against the Sunne-rysinge. So soone as hee began to speake, hee commaunded the Frogges to keepe silence, that by the mannour of his Grandsires by the Cittie side, chaunced to make a foule noyse: and thereuppon ever after, the Frogges in that place are not able to croke. About foure miles from Rome, as yee (*) * In the way App [•…] . goe directly to Capua, it fell out, that sodainely an Aegle snatched a peece of bread out of his hand as hee tooke his dinner within a pleasant grove: and when he had mounted up a very great height, came gently downe of a suddaine againe and restored unto him the same: Q. Catvlvs after the dedication of the Capitol dreamed two nights together: In the former. him thought, that Iupiter Optimus Maximus: Whiles many young boyes, Noble mens sonnes, were playing abovt his Alter, seuered one of them from the rest and bestowed in his bosome the publike broade (c) Seale of the (*) * Or Ci [•…] State to carrie in his hand. And the next night followinge he saw in another dreame the same boy in the bosome of Iupiter Capitolinvs: Whome when hee commaunded to bee pulled from thence, prohibited hee was by the admonition of the God, as if the same boy should be brought up for the defence and tuition of the Common-weale: Nowe the morrowe after, chauncing to meete with (young) Avgvstvs, (whome earst hee had not knowne before,) hee beheld him wistly not without great admiration, and withall openly gave it out, That hee was for all the world like unto that boy of whom hee dreamed. Some tell the former dreame of Catvlvs otherwise: as if Iupiter, (when as a number of those boyes required of him a Tutor) pointed out one of them, unto whome they should referre all their desires: and so lightly touching his lipps, & taking as it were an assay therof with his fingers, brought that kisse backe to his own mouth; M. Cicero having accompanied Caivs Cæsar into the Capitoll, happened to report unto his familiar friendes the dreame hee had the night before: namely how a boy of an ingenious face and countenance, was let downe from heaven by a golden Chaine, and stoode at the doore of the Capitoll, unto whom Iupiter deliuered a (d) whip: Hereuppon espying at unawares (little) Avgvtvs whom (as yet altogether unknown to most men) his Vnkle Cæsar had sent for to the sacrifice, hee avouched plainly, that this boy was very he, whose Image was represented unto him in a vision as he lay a sleepe. When hee was putting on his virile gowne, it fortuned that his broad (*) * Which Cæsar had giuen him instead of [•…] carecta. studded Coate with purple; being unstitched in the seames of both shoulders, fell fro͏̄ about him downe to his feete. There were who made this interpretation; That it betookened nothing else, but that the (*) * Senators. degree whereof that Robe was a badge shold one day be subiected unto him. Ivlius of sacred memorie being about to choose a plot of ground: for to encamp in, about Munda, as he cut downe a wood, chanced to light upon a date tree which he caused to bee spared and reserved as the verie presage of victorie: from the root of it, there sprung immediately certaine shoots which in few dayes grew so fast, that they not onely equallized but over topped also and shadowed their stocke: yea and * doves haunted the same, therein to nestle and breede. notwithstanding that kind of birde cannot of all others away with any hard leaves and rough branches. Vppon this straunge sight especially, Cæsar, by report was mooved to suffer none other to succeede him in the Empire but his sisters (*) * Doues or consecrate to Ve [•…] from whence the Iulij are descended. By them therefore & the date tree was infigured perpetuall felicitie to that name and familia. Nephewe. Avgvstvs, during the time that he was retired to Apollonia, went up in the Page 82 companie of Agrippa, into the (*) * Or schoole. gallerie of Theogenes the (*) * Or Astrologer. mathematician. Now, when Agrippa, (who inquired first what his owne fortune should be) had great matters and those in manner incredible foretold unto him; Avgvstvs (*) * Aug [•…] stus. himselfe concealed the time of his owne nativitie, and in no wise would utter the same; for feare and bashfulnesse, least he should be found inferiour to the other. But when, hardly after many exhortations and much a doe, hee had delivered the same, Theogenes leapt foorth and worshipped him. Avgvstvs then anone conceived so greate a confidence in his fortunes, that hee divulged his Horoscope and the ascendent of his Natiuitie: yea and also stamped a peece of silver coyne, with the marke of the Celestiall signe Capricornus, under which figure and Constellation hee was borne.

After Cæsars death, being returned from Apollonia, as he entred Rome 95 Cittie, sodainely when the skie was cleere and wether verie faire, a certaine round coronet in forme of a raine bowe compassed the circle of the Sunne, and therewith soone after, the monument of Ivlia, Cæsars daughter was smitten with lightening. Moreover in his first (a) Consulship, whiles he attended to take his Augurie, there were presented unto him, like as to Romulus, 12 (*) * Or Vulturs. geirs: and as hee sacrificed, the Livers of all the beasts then killed appeared in open view enfolded double, and turned inwardly from the nether fillet; And no man of skill conjectured otherwise, but that prosperitie and greatnes hereby was portended.

Furthermore, the very events, also of all his warres hee foresaw. What96 time as all the forces of the (*) * Antonie Lep [•…] dus, and Octa [•…] ius Augustus. Tri [•…] mvirs were assembled together at Bo [•…] onia, an Aegle perching over his tent, all to beat ij. Ravens that assailed and fell uppon her of either side, and in the end strucke them both down to the ground: which sight the whole armie marked verie well, and presaged thereby that one day, there would arise betweene the Colleagues of that Triumvirate such discorde, and the like ensued thereof, as after followed. At Philippi there was a certaine (*) * And therfore by likelihoode a wizard. Thessalian, who made report of the future victorie: alledging for his author Cæsar of famous memorie, whose (*) * Orspectre. Image encountred him as he journied in a desert and by-way. About Perusia whe͏̄ he offred sacrifice & could not (*) * [•…] Obtaine the fauour of the Gods. speede, but demaunded (a) more beasts still to be killed: behold, the enemies made a sodaine sallie forth, caught up and carried away the whole provision of the Sacrifice. The Soothsayers then agreed uppon this point, Teat those perilous and adverse calamities which had beene threatned and denounced to him that sacrificed should light all, and returne upon their heads, who got the Inwards; And so it fell out in deed. The day before he fought the battaile at Sea neere Sicilie, as he walked upon the shore, a fish leapt out of the sea and lay at his feeet. At Acti [•…] m, as hee was going downe to fight the battaile, there met him in the way an Asse with his driver, the mans name was (b) Evtychvs, and the beasts Nicon: After victorie obtained, hee set uppe the Images of them both in brasse, within that Temple, into which hee converted the verie place where he encamped.

His death also (whereof from hence forth I will write) and his deification97 after death was knowne before by many signes most evident, when hee had taken a review of the Cittie; and was about the solemne (*) * Called Lustr [•…] purging therof within Page 83 Mars fiela before a frequent assemblie of people: an Aegle there was that soared oftentimes round about him, and crossing at length from him unto a house thereby, setled upon the name of Agrippa, and iust upon the first (*) * A. letter of that name; Which when he perceived, the vowes which the manner was to be made untill the next (a) Lustrum, he commanded his colleague Tiberivs to nuncupate and pronounce. For, notwithstanding the Tables and (b) instruments containing them were now written and in readinesse, yet denied he to undertake those vowes which he should never pay. About the same time the first (*) * C. in [〈◊〉] . letter of his owne name, upon a flash and stroke of lightening went quite out of the Inscription that stood uppon his statue: Aunswere was made by the Soothsaiers, that he was to live but iust one hundred dayes after: which number that letter did betoken; And that it would come to passe that hee should bee Canonized and registred among the Gods, because Aesar, the residue of the name Cæsar, in the Tuskane Language signified God. Being about therefore to send Ti [•…] Ivs away into Illyricum and to companie him as far as Beneventum, when diverse suiters, for one cause or other interrupted him, yea and detained him about hearing and determining matters iudicially, hee cryed out alowd (which also within a while was reckenedFor Ast [•…] ra was a water towne with a river also of that name running by it as a pr [•…] saging osse,) That were he once out of Rome, he would never after be there againe what occasion soever might make him stay. And so being entered upon his journie he went forward as far as to Astura: and so presently fro͏̄ thence (contrary (c) to his usuall maner,) with the benefite of a forewind & gentle gale * tooke water by night and sayled over.

The cause of his sickenes he caught by a flux of the bellie. And for that98 time having coasted Campanie and made circuit about the Ilands next adioyning, he bestowed also foure dayes within a retiring place of pleasure at Capre [•…] : where he gave his minde to all ease and courteous affabilitie. It happened as he passed by the Bay of Puteoli, certaine passengers and souldiers out of a ship (a) of Alexandria, which then was newly arrived, all clad in white, dight also with garlands, and burning frankincense, had heaped upon him all good & fortunate words, chaunting his singular prayses in these terms. That by him they liued, by him they sayled, by him they enioyed their freedome, and all the riches they had. At which, he tooke great contentment and was cheered at the heart; Insomuch as thereupon he divided to everie one of his traine about him 40, (b) peeces of gold, but he required an oath againe & assurance of ech one, that they should not lay out that monie otherwise than in buying the wares (c) & commodities of Alexandria. For certaine dayes together that remained, among diverse and sundrie gifts, he distributed among them over and above, gownes and clokes, with this condition, that Romans should use the Greekish habite and speake likewise Greeke; the Greekes also weare Romaine attire and use their language. He beheld also continually the youthes exercising themselues (of whome their remained yet some store at Capreae) according to the (*) * of the greeke who sometime inhabited those parts. auncient custome. And even unto them he made a feast in his owne sight, permitting them or rather exacting of them, their olde libertie of sporting, of snatching appels and cates, and of sk [•…] mbling for such small gifts and favours as were sent or skattered abroad. In one word, he forbare no manner of mirth and pastime. The Isle (d) hard by Capreae, he called Apragopolis, of the Idlenesse of such as Page 84 out of his traine retired themselues thither. But one of his beloved minions named (f) Masga [•…] As, hee had wont merily to call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , as one would say, The fo [•…] der of that Iland. The sepulcher of this Masga [•…] As (who died a yeare before) when he perceived one time out of his dining chamber to be frequented with a sort of people and many lights: he pronounced this verse a loud which he made ex tempore.

“ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ”

“ [•…] see the Tombe of (*) * The founder Ktistes all on fire.”

And therewith turning to Thrasyllus a companion of Tiberiv [•…] sitting over against him, and not woting what the matter was, he asked him of what Poets making he thought that verse to be? And when he stucke at the question and made no answere, he came out with an other to it.

“ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ”

“Thou seest with lights Masgabas honoured.”

Of this verse also he demaunded whom he thought to be the maker? but when Thrasyllvs returned no other answere but this, That whosoever made them, right excellent they were; he laughed a good and made himselfe exceeding merie. Soone after he crossed over to Naples, albeit even then his guts were greatly enseebled & (*) * Or if yee distinguish thus Morbo var [•…] ante tamen &c yet by reason that his disease a [•…] terod, & himselfe was better some time then other, the disease (g) grew variable: yet for all that, the (h) Quinque͏̄nal Gymnick games instituted in the honor of him, he beheld to the very end, and so together with Tiberivs went to the place appointed. But in his return from thence, his disease increased more and more, so as at length he yeelded to it, at Nola: where, having sent for Tiberivs and called him backe from his journey, he held him a great while in secret tal [•…] e; neither from that time framed he his minde to any greater affaire.

Vppon his dying day, enquiring ever and anone, whether there was as yet99 any sturre and tumult abroad as touching him? hee called for a (*) * A looking glasse. mirror, and commanded the haire of his head to bee combed & trimmed. his chawes also readie for weakenesse to hang or fall, to be composed and set straight. Then having admitted his friends to come unto him, and asked of them whether, they thought he had acted well the Enterlude of his life? he adioyned with all this finall (*) * Or chaps. conclusion, for a Plaudite,

“ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ”

“Now clap your hands and all with ioy resounda shout.”

After this he dismissed them all, and whiles hee questioned with some that were new come fro͏̄ the Cittie, co͏̄cerning the daughter of Drvsvs the͏̄ sicke. sodainely amidst the kisses of Livia, and in these words he gave up the ghost, Live minafull Livia of our wedlocke, and so farewell. Thus died he an easie death and such as he had euer wisned to have, For lightly, so often as he heard of any body to have departed this life quickely & without all panges, he prayed unto God, that hee and his might have the like (*) * As the manner is at the ende of Co [•…] dies to call for a Piaudite. hee persisted therfore in the metaphor, and by this p [•…] audite, allego [•…] izeta t [•…] e end of this life, which hee called before M [•…] mumrite. E [•…] thanasia, for, that was the verie word he was wont to vse. One signe onely and no more he shewed of a minde* E [•…] thanasia. disquieted and distracted, before he yeelded up his vitall breath: in that he suddainely started as in a fright and complained, That hee was harried away by 40. tall and lustie younge men. And even that also was rather a pregnant presage of his minde, than a raving fitte and idle conceit of light braine. For so many souldiers they were indeede of the Pr [•…] torian bande: who carried Page 85 him forth (dead) into the streete upon their shoulders.

Hee died in that very bed-chamber wherein his Father Octavius left his100 life before him, when Pompeius and Appuleius, having both their forenameA. V. C. 769. Sextus, were Consuls: (*) * The Ni [•…] eteenth of August. Foureteene daies before the Calends of September, at the (*) * About three of the clocke after noone. ninth houre of the day: being 76 yeeres olde wanting five and thirtie daies. His corps was conveighed and borne by the Decurions (*) * Aldermen, [〈◊〉] Senat [•…] . of the free burrowghes and Colonies from Nola to Bovillae by night, for the hote season of the yeere: whereas till the day time it was bestowed in the Hall of every towne, or else in the greatest (a) temple thereof. From Bovillae the degree of Romaine Gentlemen tooke charge of it, and brought it into the Citie of Rome, where they placed it within the Porc [•…] of his owne house. The Senate both in setting out his Funerals, & also in honouring his memorialls, proceeded so farre in striving, who should shew greater affection, That among many other complements, some were of minde, That the pompe and solemne conv [•…] y of his obsequies, should passe forth at the Triumphal gate with the image of victorie, which is in the Court Iulia going before: and the chiefe Noble-mens chi͏̄ldren of both sexes singing a dolefull and lamentable song, others opined, that upon the very day of this funerall, their (b) rings of gold should be layd away and others of [•…] ron put on. Againe, divers gave advise, That his bones should be gathered (*) * A thing aga [•…] st the olde rece [•…] ued religion. ap by the (c) priests of the most [•…] ncient Societies. And one above the rest would have had the name of the moneth (*) * Before him called [〈◊〉] . August to be shifted and transferred unto September; For that, Augustus was borne in this and died in the other. Another perswaded, That all the time from his very birth unto the dying day,The August age. should be named (*) * Or before. S [•…] Culum Augustum, and so recorded in the Kalendars and Chronicles. But, thought best it was, to keepe a meane in the Honours done unto him. Whereupon, twice, and in two severall places praised hee was in a funerall Oration: once before the temple of Iulius late deceased, of sacred memorie, by Tiberius; and againe (*) * D [•…] o namet [•…] him [〈◊〉] Atticus: & saith, he was hired by L [•…] via for two millians of Sesterce [•…] , to sweare that of Augustus, which Procul [•…] had somtime swora of Rem [•…] s. at the (d) Rostra under the Veteres, by Drusus the sonne of Tiberius, and so upon Senatours shoulders was hee borne into Camp [•…] s Marti [•…] s, and there committed to the fire & burnt. Neither wanted there a (*) * Or true Portraict. grave personage, one that had been Pretor, who affirmed & bound it with an oath, That he saw his very (*) * Or shir [•…] s, [〈◊〉] some would e [•…] pound [•…] nicis. image when he was burnt, ascending up to heaven. The chiefe Gentlemen of the Knights order, in their single (*) * In [〈◊〉] . wastcoates, ungirt & bare-footed gathered up (e) his reliques together, & bestowed them in a stately (f) monument (*) * The third of Ap [•…] ill.: which peece of work himselfe had built between the street Flaminia & the bank of Tiberis in his sixth Consulship, & even then given the Groves growing about it & the walks adioyning to be common for the use of the people of Rome for ever.

101 His last will & testament made by him when L. Plancus and C. S [•…] Lius were Consuls, the third day before the (*) * For default of the other if they dyed. Nones of April, a yeere and foure moneths before hee died, and the same in two bookes written partly with his owne hand, and in part with the hands of Polirus and Hilarius his freed men, the vestall virgins (a) who had the keeping thereof upon trust brought forth; together with three other rolls or volumes sealed alike. All which Instruments were opened and read in the Senate. He ordained for his 6 heires; In the first place, Tiberius of the one halfe and a (b) sixt part: and Livia of a (c) third: whom also he appointed to beare his owne (a) name. In a second Page 86 ranke, hee appointed Drusus the sonne of Tiberius to inherit one third part: and Germanicus with his three male children, the other parts remaining. In (*) * If the second heires failed, a third degree, he nominated of his owne kinsfolk, Allies & friends, very many. Hee bequeathed as a legacie to the (e) people of Rome (*) * Som read qua aringe͏̄t [•…] es tricies quinquies: and then it is three millions and a halfe more. 400000 Sesterces an hundred times told. To the Souldiours of the (*) * Or Praetorium band. guard a thousand Sesterces a peece. Among the Cohorts of the City Souldiours 500, & to those of the Legionarie cohorts 300 a peece. Which summe of money he co͏̄maunded to be paied presently: For hee had so much in store at all times (put up in bagges and coffers) lying by him. Sundry parcels gave hee besides by legacie parole. And of some thereof he deferred the (*) * Produx t [•…] quaedam ad vicena Sestertia. So [•…] orrentius expoundeth it. payment, if the same were above 20000 Sesterces. For paying of which he set a yeeres day at the farthest: alledging for his excuse his meane estate; and protesting, that by this account there would not come to his heires hands, above 150 (*) * Of Sesterc [•…] s. millions: albeit within the compasse of 20 yeeres immediatly going before, hee had received by the wills and testaments of his friends (*) * Quater decies millies, foure thousand millions. 4000 millions. All which masse of treasure, together with two patrimonies by his (*) * Octarius and Iulius Cæsar. two fathers and other inheritances, hee had spent wel-neere every whit upon the Common-weale. The two Iulie, to wit, his daughter & (*) * His daughters daughter. niece, (if (*) * If they died. ought hapned unto them), he forbad expresly to be enterred in his owne Mausoleum. Of those three Rolls or Instruments above named, in the first he comprised his owne directions as touching his funerall: The second contained a Register or Index, of those Acts which he had atchieved: and his pleasure was, that the same should be engraven in brazen (*) * A [•…] is tabulis, other writers say, Pillers. tables, and erected before his Mausoleum. In the third he represented a Breviarie and abstract of the whole Empire: to wit, How many Souldiours were enrolled and in pay, in any place whatsoever? as also, How much money was in the common Treasurie of the City and in his owne coffers? Lastly, what the arrierages were of such revenewes and tributes as were due to the state and unpaid: Whereto he annexed also a Shedule, containing the names of Freed men and bond, his receivers, at whose hands the reckoning might be exacted.