THE HISTORIE OF Caius Cæsar Caligula,

GErmanicus father of Caius Cæsar, sonne of Drusus Chap. 1 A, V. C. 757 765 and (*) * Daughter of Antoni [•…] s the Tr [•…] umvir, by Octaria. Au gustus fister. Antonia, no sooner was adopted by his Vnkle Tiberius, but forthwith he bare the office of Questureship five yeeres before hee might by the (*) * Annari [•…] . Lawes (a), and after it, the (*) * 7 yeeres after. A. V. C 767 770 771 Consulate. And being sent into Germanie to the Armie, when upon newes brought of Augustus death, the Legions all throughout stoode out most stifly & refused Tiberius for their Emperour, offring unto him the absolute government of the State (whether their constant resolution or kinde affection herein were greater it is as hard to say) he stikled & repressed the͏̄, yea & soon after having subdued the enemie, triumphed. After this, being created Consul the second time, and (b) driven forth (*) * From the said armie, where with he was acquainted. perforce, (before he entred into that honorable place) to compose the troubles and to quiet the State in the East parts: Page 123 when hee had (*) * [〈◊〉] : A. V. C. 772. deposed the King of Armenia, and brought Cappadocia into the forme of a Province, in the 34 yeere of his age, he died of a long disease at Antiochia, not without suspition of poison. For, besides the blackish and swert spots which were to be seene all over his body, and the frothie slime that ranne forth at his mouth; his heart also (after he was burnt,) they found among the bones all sound and not consumed: the nature whereof is thought to be such, that if it bee infected with poyson, it checkes all fire and cannot possibly bee burnt.

But, as the opinion of the world went, his death contrived by the wicked2 plot of Tiberius, was effected by the ministerie and helpe of Cn. Piso: who about the same time being President of Syria, and not dissimuling that hee was to offend either father or (*) * Tiberius himselfe, or Germanicus his adopted sonne. sonne (as if there were no other remedie but needes he must so doe) made no spare, but beyond all measure dealt with Germanicus (sicke as hee was) most rigorously, both in word and deede. For which, so soone as he was returned to Rome, hee had like to have beene pulled in peeces by the people: and by the Senate condemned he was to die.

It is for certaine knowne and confessed, that there were in Germanicus3 all good parts and gifts as well of body as mind: and those in such measure, as never to any man befell the like: to wit, for shew full of passing beauty, favour and feature; with strength & valour answerable thereto & for wit excellently well seene in eloquence and learning of (*) * Greeke and Latine, both kinds: The very attractive obiect, he was of singular (*) * The good wil and affection of men, counted ameng the gifts of fortune benevolence, endowed with a wonderfull grace and effectuall desire to win mens favour and deserve their love. The onely defect that he had in his making and personage, were his slender shankes: and yet the same also by little and little became replenished with continuall riding on (*) * For they used the͏̄ [〈◊〉] and therefore the bloud and humours wold descend to the legges. horseback after (a) his meate. Many a time wounded hee his enemie in close fight hand to hand He pleaded causes of great importance, even as touching the (*) * Triumphale [•…] , some reade Triumphali [•…] , as if, he gave not over pleading when he had triumphed, or received triumphail Ornaments. Decree of Triumph. And among other monuments of his studies he left behind him in Greeke, Comaedies also. Both at home and abroad (b) civile he was, in so much as he would goe to free and confederate Cities without any (*) * Sergeants or officers. Lictors. Where ever he knew any Sepulchers of brave and worthy men to be, there his use was to offer unto their ghosts. Being purposed to enterre in one tombe the olde reliques and bones dispersed of those that were slaine in that great overthrow with Varus, he first gave the assay with his owne hand to gather and carie them together into one place. Moreover, to his slaunderers and backbiters (if he lighted upon them); of what quality so ever the persons were, or how great cause so ever they gave, so milde, so remisse and harmelesse hee was: that notwithstanding Piso reversed and canciled his Decrees, plagued and persecuted a long time his Dependants, yet could he not finde in his heart to be angry with him, before he had for certaine knowne, that hee attempted his person with poysons and sorcerous execrations: and even then verily, hee proceeded no farther against him, but, more maiorum to renounce all friendshippe with him, and to give his domesticall friendes in charge to bee revenged, if ought happened to himselfe otherwise than well.

Of these vertues hee reaped most plentifull fruite; so liked and loved of his4 kinsfolke and friendes, (for I let passe all other affinities and acquaintance Page 124 of his) as that Augustus after hee had continued a long time in suspence, whether he should ordaine him for his Successor or no? recommended him at length unto Tiberius for to be adopted: so highly favoured of the Common people, as that many doe report and write; whensoever hee came unto a place or departed from thence, divers times by reason of the multitude flocking to meete him and to beare him companie, he endangered his owne life in the preasse. As he returned out of Germanie, after the suppressing of seditious tumults and mutinies there, all the Praetorian cohorts every one went out to encounter him upon the way: albeit warning was given before hand by proclamation, That no more than twayne of them should goe forth. But as for the people of Rome, of all sexes, ages, and degrees, they ran out by heapes to meet him xx miles from Rome.

How beit, farre greater, and more assured testimonies of mens iudgement5 touching him appeared at, and after his death. The very day wherein he left this life, The (*) * Or, the images of the Gods within the temples. temples (a) were pelted with stones: the altars of the Gods cast downe: the Domesticall (b) Lares, by some flung out of dores into the street; yea, and new-borne (c) babes of wedded parents throwne forth to be destroied. And, that which more is, the report goeth, That the very Barbarians, notwithstanding they were at variance and civil warre among themselves, yea and had taken armes against us, yet, as it were in some (*) * Touching them all and every one privatly. domesticall and common sorrow, agreed all to make truce and a cessation of armes for a time. Some of their Princes also and Potentates, to declare their extraordinarie mourning and regret, did cut off their owne beards and shaved their wives heads: Yea, the very King (d) of Kings himselfe, gave over his exercise of hunting and dissolved the Societie of his great Peeres and Princes at his table: which among the Parthians is as much as a (e) (*) * At Rome. [•…] . a stay of all Courts and Pleas, in token of a publ [•…] ck sorrow. Law-steed.

At Rome verily, when as the Citie upon the first rumour of his sicknesse, in6 amazednes and heavie chere expected the messengers that came after; and all of a suddaine in the evening the voice went currant, (although the Authors were unknowne,) that now at length he was recovered: running there was every where from all parts with (*) * Torches, Tapers, &c. lights and sacrifices into the Capitoll: yea the very dores of the temple were like to have been burst open, that nothing might* Which they had made, pro salute [〈◊〉] , for the health and welfare of Germanicus. stand in their way & hinder them, so desirous and earnestly bent with ioy to pay their vowes. In so much as Tiberius was awakened out of his sleepe with the shoutes and voices of the people reioycing, and from every side with one accord resounding this Note,

Also, when now at the last it was knowne abroad that he was departed this life, the publick sorrow by no comfortable words nor edicts & proclamations could be repressed, but continued still even all the festivall daies of (a) the moneth December. His glory and the misse of him thus deceased, was much augmented also, by the outrages of the times ensuing: whiles all men were of opinion (and not without good reason) That the fiercenesse of Tiberius which soone after brake forth, was held in and kept downe by the reverent respect & feare that he had of him.

He wedded Agrippina, daughter to M. Agrippa and Iulia: by whom7 Page 125 he had nine children: of which faire issue twaine being yet Infants were taken away by untimely Death: one died when he was now waxen a iolly boy, passing full of lovely mirth and prety talke; whose counterfait in the habite of Cupid, (*) * Augusta. Livia dedicated in the Chappell of Venus Capitolina: and the same Augustus was wont to kisse while it stood in his bed-chamber, so often as he entred into it. The rest survived their father: three of the female sex Agrippina, Drusilla and Livia, borne all one after another in the space of three yeeres: likewise as many male children, Nero, Drusus and Caius Caesar: As for Nero and Drusus, the Senate upon imputations laid by Tiberius, iudged them to be enemies untothe State.

Caius Cæsar was borne the day next (*) * The last of August. A. V. C 765 preceding the Calends of September,8 when his Father and C. Ponteius Capito were Consuls. The place of his Nativitie, by the disagreement of writers, is left uncertaine. Cn. Lentulus Gaetulicus writeth, that hee was borne at Tibur. Plinius Secundus, within the Country of the Treviri, in a towne called (*) * Or Ambiti [•…] . Ambiatinum, upon the very (*) * The meeting of two rivers. Confluents. For evidence and proofe whereof hee farther saith, That certaine Altars are there to be seene carying this Inscription, (*) * Ob Agrippina puerperi [•…] m. For the child-birth and deliverie of Agrippina. But these verses following, divulged soone after that he came to be Emperour, do plainly shew, that borne he was in the very Camp, where the Legions wintered.

I my selfe do find among the Records, that Antium was the place of his birth. Plinie refelleth Getulicus, as if he made a lie by way of flattery, because to the praise of a young and glorious Prince, hee would fetch some argument & matter even out of a Citie consecrated to Hercules: and was the bolder, as he saith to abuse the said Lie, for that, indeede, a yeere almost before, Germanicus had a sonne borne at Tibur, named likewise Caius Cæsar: of whose amiable childhood and untimely death we have spoken before. And as to Plinie himselfe, confuted he is by the Calculation of the times. For, they who have recorded the Acts of Augustus doe all agree, That Germanicus was sent into Germanie after the time of his Consulship expired, when as Caius was already borne. Neither can the Inscription of the Altar one iote make good his opinion: considering that Agrippina was delivered of daughters twice in that Country. And what child-birth so ever it was, without respect & difference of sex, called it is Puerperium: For that in old time folk used to name little girles also Puerae, like as little boyes Puelli. There is besides, an Epistle of Augustus written, not many moneths before he died unto Agrippina his Niece as touching this Caius, (for there was not now living any other Infant of the like name) in these wordes. I have no longer agoe than yesterday taken order with Talarivs and Asellius, that with the leave of God they bring the boy Caius upon the 15 (*) * 18 of May. day before the Calends of Iune. I send besides with him of mine owne servants a Physician whom Germanicus (as I have written unto him) may if he will retaine & keepe with him still. Farewell my Agrippina and endeavour to come well & in health to thy Germanicus. It appeareth I suppose sufficiently that Caius could not in that place be Page 126 borne, unto which he was conveied from Rome not before he was well-neere two yeares old. And as for those verses, these selfe same evidences likewise discredite them: and the rather, because they have no Author. We are to follow therefore the onely authority that remaineth, of the Records & publick Instrument: seeing especially that Caius evermore preferred Antium before all other retiring places, and loved it no otherwise than his native soile: yea, and by report, was fully minded once (upon a tedious wearinesse that he had of Rome City), to transferre thither even the very seat and habitation of the Empire.

He gat his surname Caligula by occasion of a merry word taken up in9 the Camp, because he was brought up there in the habit of an ordinarie (a) and common souldiour among the rest. With whom, how much besides he was able to doe in love and favour by meanes of his education & daily feeding with them, was most of all knowne; when after the death of Augustus, he onely (no doubt) with (*) * He was then but a child, about 3 or 4 yeeres old. his very sight & presence quieted them; what time they were in an uprore & at the very point of furious outrage. For they ceased not to mutinie, untill they perceived that he was about to be sent out of the way for danger of the sedition, and appointed to the next City adioyning. Then and not before, turning to repentance, they staied and held back his coach, and so by prayer averted the displeasure that was toward them.

He accompanied his Father also in the Expedition into Syria: From whence10 being returned, first hee abode in house with his Mother: and after that shee was banished and sent away, hee remained with his great Grandmother Livia Augusta: whom deceased hee praised in a funerall Oration at the Rostra, when hee was as yet but a very youth in his Praetexta: and then removed he to his Grandmother Antonia. From her in the twentieth yeere of his age hee was sent for to Capreae by Tiberius, and upon one and the selfe same day, he did on his virile (a) gowne and withall cut the first downe of his beard, without any honourable solemnitie, such as his brethren before him had at their Commencements. Heere, notwithstanding hee was tempted by all the deceitfull traines that they could devise, who would have drawne and forced him to quarrels, yet gave hee never any occasion, having rased out and quite forgotten the fall and calamity of his mother, brethren and neere friends, as if nothing had befallen to any of them: passing over all those abuses which himselfe had endured with incredible dissimulation: so obsequious and double diligent besides, to his Grandfather and those about him, that of him it was said and not without good cause, (*) * Passienus was the Author of this Apophthegm. A better servant and a worse Mr. there never was.

Howbeit, the cruell disposion and villainous nature of his owne, hee could not even then bridle and hold in. but both at all castigations and punishments11 of such as were delivered over to execution, most willing he was to be present: and also would haunt Tavernes and Brothel-houses, mens wives also suspected for adulterie, going about from place to place disguised under a (a) peruke of false haire, and in a side (womans) garment: yea, and most studiously gave his minde to learne the artificiall feate of dauncing and singing upon the Stage. And verily Tiberius was well content to winke heere at and suffer all, if haply thereby his fierce and savage nature might have been mollified and become tractable. Which the old man (as he was a Prince right prudent and one most quick of sent) had foreseene well enough long before: in so much as divers times he gave out & said openly, That Caius lived to the destruction of him and Page 127 them all: likewise, That he cherished and brought vp a verie (*) * Commonly taken for a water snake. Natrix, which is a kind of Serpent, for the people of Rome, and another (b). Phaethon to the whole world.

Not long after, he took to wife Ivnia (*) * For Claudiae: as Lirilla for Liria, after his ordinary maner, to name women [〈◊〉] , by their Dimunitives Clavdilla, the daughter of M. Silanvs a right noble gentleman. And then, being nominated to succeede12 Augur in the roume of his brother Drvsvs, before his inuesture & installation therein, he was aduanced to the sacerdotall dignitie of a Pontifie; a notable testimonie of his pietie, and towardnesse, when as The royall line and imperial Court beeing desolate and destitute of all other (*) * A Bishop. helpes; Seianvs also suspected and soone after ouerthrowne, he should thus by small degrees arise to the hope of succession in the Empire. Which hope, the rather to confirme, after his wife aforesaid Iunia was dead in childbirth, he sollicited unto filthie wantonnesse dame Ennia the wife of Naevius Macro, then captaine of the guard and Pretorian cohorts: hauing promised her mariage also, in case he ever attained to the Empire: and for assurance here of he bound it with an oath and a bill of his owne hand. By her meanes being insinuated once into the inward acquaintance of (*) * Issew Male, except himself, and Tiberius a very child the so [•…] n of Drusus. Macro, hee attempted, as some thinke, Tiberius with poison: and whiles he was yet living, but labouring for life, commanded his (*) * Enniam, N [•…] ij Macron [•…] s. ring to be plucked from his finger: but perceiving, that he gave some suspicion of holding* Signet. it fast, hee caused a pillow to be forced vpon his mouth, and so with his owne hands stifled and strangled him: yea, and when (*) * Who wrought the fall of Seianus. his freed-man made an outcrie at this cruell and horrible act, he gaue order immediatly to crucifie him. And verily this soundeth to truth, considering there bee some Authors* Tiberius freed-man. who write, That himselfe afterwards professed, if not the murder done, yet at lestwise his intention, one day to doe it. For, hee made his boast continually, in reporting his owne pietie, That to reuenge the death of his Mother and brethren, hee entred with a dagger into Tiberius bed-chamber whiles he lay asleepe; * Rapier or spud. and yet upon meere pittie and commiseration bethought himselfe, flung away the weapon and so went backe againe. Neither durst Tiberius although hee had an inkling and intelligence of his disguisement, make anie in quisition at all of the matter or proceede to revenge.

Thus having obtained the Empire he procured unto the people of Rome, or13 A. V. C. 790. (as I may so say) to all mankind their hearts desire: being a prince of all that ever were, most wished for of the greatest part of provinciall Nations & of the souldiors, because most of them had known him an infant: and generally of the whole co͏̄minalty of Rome; in reme͏̄brance of his father Germanicus, & upon compassion they took of that house in manner ruinate & extinct. As he removed therfore fro͏̄ Misenu͏̄, albeit he was clad in mourning weed & reuere [•…] ly did attend the corps of Tiberius, yet went he among the altars, (a) sacrifices and burning torches in a most thick throng & ioifull traine of such as met him on the way: who beside other luckie & fortunate names called him Sidus. i. their starr: Pullum. i. their chick, Pupum. i. their babe, and Alumnum. i. their nurceling.14

No sooner was he entred into the citie of Rome, but incontine͏̄tly with co͏̄sent of the senate & the multitude rushing into the Curia, after they had annulled the wil of Tiberius, who in his testame͏̄nt had adioyned coheire unto him another of his Nephews (*) * Tiberius the son of Drujus: under age, & as yet in his pretexta, permitted he was alone, to have the ful & absolute power of all, & that with such an vniversal ioy, that in three moneths space next ensuing & those not fully expired, there were by report above 160000. Beastes slaine for sacrifice. After this, when as within some fewe dayes Page 128 he passed over by the water but to the next Ilands of Campania, vowes were made for his safe returne: and no man there was who did let slip the least occasion offred, to testifie what pensive care he tooke, as touching his health and safetie. But so soone as he was once fallen sicke, they all kept watch by night about the Pallace. neither wanted some, who vowed to fight armed to the very outrance for his life thus lying sicke, yea and devoted (*) * Offred to lay down their owne lives. their (a) verie lives for him if hee recovered, professing no lesse in written bils set uppe in publike places. To this surpassing love of his owne Citizens and Countrie men, was adjoyned the notable favour also of foraine states. For, Artabanns King of the Parthians, professing alwaies his hatred and contempt of Tiberivs, sought of his owne accord to him for amitie: yea he came in person to a conference with one of his legates (or Lieutenants) that had beene Consul, and passing over Euphrates, adored the (*) * The maine standards. Aegles and other militarie ensignes of the Romaines, as also the Images of the Cæsars.

Himselfe also enkindled and set more on fire the affections of men by all15 manner of popularitie. When he had with many a teare praised Tiberius in a funerall Oration before the bodie of the people, and performed the complement of his obsequies most honorably, forthwith he hastened, to Pandataria and Pontiae, for to translate from thence the ashes of his mother & brother, and that in foule & tempestuous wether, to the end that his pietie & kindnes might the more be seene. And being come to their reliques, very devoutly himselfe with his owne hands bestowed them in severall pitchers with no lesse shewe in pagent wise, having wafted them first to Ostia with a flag (or streamer) pitched in the poupe or sterne of a galley guided by two rankes of Oares and so foorth to Rome up the Tiber, by the ministerie of the most worshipfull gentlemen of Rome: he conveighed them within two Fercules (or frames) devised for the purpose into the Mausoleum; even at noone day whe͏̄ people were assembled there in great frequencie. In memoriall likewise of the͏̄ he ordained yeerely dirges & sacrifices to be performed with religious devotion to their ghosts by the whole Cittie. And more the͏̄ that, he instituted for his mother solemn games within the Cirque; and a sacred Chariot withal wherin her Image to the ful proportio͏̄ of her bodie should be carried in the pompe. But in remembrance of his father he called the moneth September, Germanicvs. These ceremoniall duties done, by vertue of one sole Act of the Senate, he heaped upon his grand-mother Antonia whatsoever honours Livia Avgvsta had received in her whole time. His Vnkle Clavdivs, a knight of Rome untill that time and no better, he assumed unto him for his Colleague in the Consulship. His brother (*) * His cosin germaine for such are called brethren. Tiberivs be adopted the verie day that he put on his Virile growne, and stiled him Prince of the youth: As touching his sisters, hee caused in all Oaths this clause to be annexed, (*) * The forme of oth, that any man tooke. Neither shall I prise my selfe and children more deere, than I do Caivs and his sisters. Item, he ordained that in mooving and propounding of matters by the Consuls unto the Senatours, they should begin in this forme, Quod bonum, &c. i. That which may be to the good and happie estate of Caivs Cæsar and his sisters &c. In the semblable veine of popularitie, he restored all those that had beene condemned, confined and exiled, yea he freely dispensed with them, pardoning whatsoever crimes or impurations remained still behinde (*) * As we say, fro͏̄ the beginning of the world to this day. from before time. All the bookes and registers Page 129 pertaining to the causes of his mother and brethren, because no informer or witnesse should afterwardes neede to feare, he (*) * C [•…] urectos. brought together into the Forum: where protesting before hand, and calling the Gods to record with a lowd voice, that he had neither red ought nor medled once therewith, he burnt them. A certaine pamphlet presented unto him concerning his life and safety, he received not, but stood upon this point. That he had done nothing wherefore he should be odious to any person: saying withall, That he had no eares open for informers and Tale-bearers.

16 The Spintriae, inventers of monstrous formes in perpetrating filthie lust, he expelled forth of Rome, being hardly & with much ado intreated not to drown them in the deepe sea. The writings of Titvs Labienvs, Cordvs Cremutivs and Cassivs Severvs, which had beene called in and abolished by divers Acts of the Senate, he suffered to be sought out againe, to be in mens hands extant, and usually to be red: seeing that it concerned him principally and stood him upon most, to have all actions and deedes delivered unto posteritie. The Breviarie of the Empire, that by Avgvstvs had beene wont to bee proposed openly, but was by Tiberivs intermitted, he published: Vnto the Magistrates he granted free Iurisdiction, and that there might be no appealing to himselfe. The Gentrie and knighthood of Rome he reviewed with severity and great precisenesse: yet not without some moderation of his hand. Hee openly tooke from them their (*) * Publike horses of service. horses, in whome was found any foule reproch or ignominie: as for those, who were culpable in smaller matters, hee onely passed over their names in reading the Roll. To the ende, that the Iudges might bee eased of their labour, unto the foure former decuries hee added a fifth. Hee gave the attempt likewise to bring up againe the auncient manner of Elections, and to restore unto the people their free voices. The legacies due by the last will and testament of Avgvstvs (although the same was abolished): as also of Livia Avgvsta, which Tiberivs had suppressed,* Some read Cent [•…] simam he caused faithfully and without fraud to be tendred and fully paide. The exaction called (a) Ducentesima of all bargaines and sales, he remitted throughout Italie. The losses that many a man had sustained by fire he supplied: & if to any princes he restored their kingdomes, hee adioyned withall the fruicte and profits also of their rents, customes aud imposts growing to the Crowne in the middle time between. as namely, unto Antiochvs Comagenvs who had been confiscate and fined in an hundred millians of Sesterces. And that he might the rather be reputed a fauourer of all good examples, hee gave unto a woman, (by condition a libertine) (*) * Ostingenta sestertia. Some read Ostoginta: i. 80000, and this commeth neerer to the truth. 800000 Sesterces, for that she being under most grievous and dolorous torments, concealed yet & would not to die for it, utter a wicked fact committed by her Patron. For which things, among other honours done unto him there was decreed for him a (b) shield of golde, which upon a certaine day everie yeare, the colledges of the Priestes shoulde bring into the Capitoll, with the Senate accompanying them, and Noble mens children as well boyes as girles, singing the praises of his vertues in musicall verse tuned sweetely in meeter. Moreover, there passed a decree, that the day one which hee beganne his Empire, should be called (c) Palilia, imploying thereby, as it were a second foundation of the Cittie.

Page 130He bare foure Consulships: the first, from the Calends of Iulie for ij. monethes:17 the second from the Calends of Ianuarie, for 30 dayes: the third untoA. V. C. 790. 791. 793. 794. the Ides of Ianuarie: and the fourth unto the seventh (*) * The seuenth of Ianuarie. day before the said Ides. Of all these, the ij. last he held joyntly together. The third, he alone entred upon at (*) * In France: Lions: not, as some deeme, upon pride or negligence: but because, being absent, he could not have knowledge that his Colleague died just against the very day of the Calends. He gave a (*) * Congiarium largesse to the people twice, to wit, 300 sesterces to them a peece, and a most plenteous dinner he made as oft unto the Senate and degree of gentlemen, as also to the wives and children of them both. In the latter dinner of the twaine, he dealt over and above, among the men garments to be worne abroad: unto the women and children, (*) * Fascias: Some expound these to be ribbands garters and gorgets. gardes welts, or laces, of purple and violet colour. And to the ende, he might augment the publike ioy of the Cittie with perpetuitie also; hee annexed unto the feast Saturnalia one daye more, and named the same [•…] nvenalis.

He set foorth games of Sword-fencers, partly in the Amphitheater of Tavrvs,18 and partly within the Septa in Mars feild, into the which he inserted and brought in, certaine troupes of African and Campane Champions to skirmish by companies. even the very best, selected out of both Countries. Neither was he alwaies himselfe president at these solemnities and publike shewes, but otherwhiles enjoined the Magistrates or else his freinds to take the charge of presidencie. As for stage plaies, he exhibited them continually in diverse places and in sundrie sorts: once also in the night season, burning lights throughout the Cittie. He skattered likewise and flung (among the common people) missils, of many and sundry kinds to skamble for: and dealt man by man, paniers with viandes therein. At which feasting, to a certaine gentleman of* Mis [•…] ilia small gifts. Rome who over against him plyed his chawesfull merily, and fedde right hartily with a greedie stomacke, he sent his owne part: as also to a Senatour for the same cause, his letters patents, wherein he declared him extraordinarily, Praetour. He represented besides, many Cirq-games, which held from morne to euen: interposing one while, the baiting of (*) * Or Leopards Panthers; another while the Troie-justing and Turnament. But some especiall sports there were aboue the rest, and then the Cirq-place was laide all over with (*) * Red & greene vermillion and * Borax Minerall: Where none but of Senatours degree ruled and drave the Chariots. Some also he put foorth upon a sodaine, namely when as he beheld from out of the house Gelotiana, the preparation and furniture of the Cirque, some few from the (a) next (*) * Manianis. open galleries jettying out, called unto him for the same.

Furthermore, he devised a new kind of sight, and such as never was hearde19 of before: For, ouer the middle (*) * An arme of the se [•…] Space betweene Baiae and the huge piles or dammes at Puteoli containing three miles and 600 paces well neere, hee made a bridge: having gotten together from all parts ships of burden, and placed them in a duple course at Anchor, with a banke of earth cast thereupon, direct and straight after the fashion of the high way Appia. Vppon this bridge he passed to and fro for two dayes together: the first day mounted one a courser richly trapped, himselfe most brave and goodly to be seene with a chaplet of Oke-brances: armed with a battaile axe, a light sargnet and a sword, Page 131 clad also in a cloke of gold: the morrow after he appeared in the habit of a Chariotier, ryding in a chariot drawne with two goodly steedes of an excellent race: carrying before him Darivs a boy, one of the Parthian hostages with a traine of the Praetorian souldiers marching after in battaile raie: and accompanied with the Cohort of his minions in (*) * Essodis, [•…] elgick or French. British wagons, Most men I wote well, are of opinion that Caius inuented such a kind of bridge, in emulation of Xerxes, who not without the wonder of the world, made a bridge, of planks over Hellesponte an arme of the Sea, somewhat narrower than this: others, that by a bruite blazed abroad of some huge and monstrous peece of worke, hee might terrifie Germanie and Britaine, upon which countries hee meant to make warre. But I remember well that beeing a boy, I heard my Grandfather report and tell the cause of this worke, as it was deliuered by his owne Courteours, who were more inward with him than the rest: namely, That Thrasyllus the great Astrologer assured Tiberius when hee was troubled in minde about his successour, and more enclined to his naturall and lawfull Tiberius, the sonne of Drus [•…] . Tiberius the Emperors son. nephew indeede by lineall descent, That Caius should no more become Emperour than able torun [•…] e a course to and fro on horse-backe, through the gulfe of Baiae.

He set forth shewes also euen in forraine parts, to wit in Sicilie at Saracose, 20 the games called (*) * Some reade Hast [•…] ces, as running at tilt. Actiaci: Likewise at Lions in Fraunce, playes of a mixt nature and argument: as also a solemne contention for the prise in Eloquence both Greeke and Latine. In which tryall of maisteries, the report goeth, that those who were foiled and ouercome, conferred rewards upon the winners, yea and were forced to make compositions in their praise. But looke who did worst, they were commanded to wipe out their owne writings, either with a spunge or els with their tongues, unlesse they would chuse rather to be chastized* Rhod [•…] s Rhos [•…] . with ferulars or els to be ducked ouer head and eares in the next riuer.

21 The buildings left halfe vndone by Tiberius, namely, the Temple of Augustus, and the Theatre of Pompeius, he finished. He began moreover a conduict in the Tiburtine territorie: and an Amphitheatre neere unto the Enclosure called Septa: Of the two works, the (*) * The Co͏̄duict one was ended by his successor Claudius, the other was forlet and given over quite. The wals at Saracose by the injurie of time decaied and fallen downe were by him reedified: and the temples of the gods there, repaired. Hee had fully purposed also to build a new the palace of Polycrates at Samos: to finish Apolloes temple called Didymeum at Miletum: as also to found and build a Cittie upon the top of the Alpes: but before all to dig through the Isthmus in Achaia: and thither had he sent alreadie one of purpose, who had beene a principall Captaine of a Cohort in the Vaward to take measure of the worke.

Thus farre forth as of a Prince: now forward, relate we must as of a Monster.22 Hauing assumed into his Stile many surnames, For called he was Pius. i. kind. Castrorum filius. i. the sonne of the camp. Pater exercituum. i. Father of hosts, and Optimus Maximus Cæsar. i. the most gracious and mightie Cæsar, when he hapned to heare certaine (*) * Vsurping the Attributes of Iupiter. Kings (who were come unto the Cittie for to do their duties and to salute him) contend as they sate with him at* Agri [•…] and [〈◊〉] . supper, about the Nobilitie of their birth and parentage, hee cryed foorth Page 132 “ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ” “One Soueraigne Lord, one King let there be.” and there lacked not much but that presently he had taken the Diademe upon him and conuerted wholly the shew of (*) * Vnder Caesars. Empire, into the (b) forme of a Kingdome. But being told that he was mounted alreadie above the heigth and state both of (*) * Principum, for the Romaine Emperours were called Principes Emperours and also of Kings, thereupon from that time forward hee began to challenge unto himselfe a divine Maiestie: and having given order and commission, that the images of the gods, which either for deuout worship done unto them, or for curious workemanship seene upon them, excelled the rest, (among which was that of Iupiter Olimpicus) should bee brought out of Greece unto Rome, that when their heads were taken of, he might set his (*) * The portraict and proportio͏̄ of his owne owne in the place: he enlarged the (*) * The Palace in that Mount. that stood in Forum Romanum. Palatium and set out one part therof as far as to the forum. Transfiguring likewise and turning the Temple of* Castor and Poliux into a (*) * To his Pallace. porch or entrie, he stood manie times in the middle between the said two gods, brethren, and so exhibited himselfe to be adored of all comers. And some there were who saluted him by the name of Iupiter Latialis. Moreover he ordained a Temple peculiarly appropriate to his owne godhead as also priests and most exquisite (*) * Sacrifices. Osts. In his saide Temple stood his owne image all of gold, lively portraied and expressing his full proportion: the which was daily clad with the like vesture as himselfe wore. The masterships of the priest-hood by him instituted, the richest men that were, every time of vacancie purchased: such as made greatest suite and offered most therefore. The Osts or sacrifices aforesaid were these foules (b) Phaenicopteri, Peacocks, (d) Tetraones, (e) Numidicae, (f) Meleagrides and (g) Phesants, and those to be sorted by their kinds; and so every day killed. And uerily, his usuall manner was in the night to call unto the Moone when she was at full and shining bright out for to come and ly with him in his armes: but in the day time, he talked secretly and apart with Iupiter Capitolinus: one while by whispering and rounding one another in the eare, otherwhiles speaking more lowde and not without chiding: For he was heard in threatning wise to utter these words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , I will remove and translate thee into the lande of the Greeks: untill such time as being intreated (according as he tolde the tale himselfe) and inuited first by him for to cohabite, he made a bridge over the temple of Augustus of sacred memorie and so ioyned the Palatium * From the Pala tium to the Capitoll. and Capitol together. And soone after, to the end that he might be nearer unto him hee layed the foundation of a newe house in the voide base.court of the Capitoll.

Hee could in no wise abide to be either reputed or named the nephew of23 Agrippa by reason of his base and obscure parentage: yea and angrie hee would be, in case anie man either in Oration or Verse inserted (*) * Agrippa. him among the images of the Cæsars. But he gave it out openly, that his (*) * Agrippi [•…] a sup posed to be the daughter of M. Agrippa and Iulia. owne mother was begotten by incest which Augustus committed with his owne daughter Iulia. And not content with this infamous imputation of Augustus, the Actiack and (*) * Siculasq: not Singulasꝫ Sicilian victories by him atchieved, hee streightly forbad to be celebrated yeerely with solemne holidaies, as beeing vnluckie and hurtfull to the people of Rome. As for Livia Augusta his great Grand-mother, he called her ever and anon Vlisses in a womans habite: yea and in a certaine Page 133 Epistle unto the Senate he was so bold as to lay unto her, (*) * i. Base [•…] es of birth. Ignobility as descended from a Decurian (*) * Aufidius Lingo, or L [•…] rco. of Fundi who was her Grandsire by the mothers side, whereas it is evident and certaine by publick records that Aufidius (*) * Or L [•…] rco. Lingo bare honourable Offices in Rome When his Grandame (*) * By the father side, to wit, the mother of Germani [•…] . Antonia requested secret conference with him, he denied her, unlesse Macro Capitaine of the Guard might come in betweene to heare their talke. And so, by such indignities and discontentments as these, hee was the cause of her death and yet, as some thinke, he gave her poison withall. Neither when shee was dead daigned hee her any honour, but out of his dining chamber beheld her funerall fire as it was burning. His brother Tiberius he surprised suddainly at unwares, sending a Tribune (a) of Souldiours, who rushed in upon him and so slew him. Likewise (*) * Vvhose daughter hee had maried. Silanus his Father in law hee forced to death, even to cut his owne throate with a Razour, picking quarrels to them both and finding these causes: to wit, that the (*) * Silanus. one followed him not when hee tooke sea beeing very rough and much troubled, but staied behind in hope to seize the Cite of Rome into his owne hands, if ought hapned but well unto him by occasion of tempests: (*) * Tiberius. the other smelled strongly of a Preservative or Antidote, as if hee had taken the same to prevent his poisons. Whereas, in very truth Silanus avoided thereby the unsufferable paine of being Sea-sick and the grievous trouble of sayling: and Tiberius for a continuall cough that grew still upon him used a medicine. For, his Vnkle (*) * His Successour in the Empire. Claudius he reserved for nothing else but to make him his laughing-stock.

24 With all his sisters, hee used ordinarily to be naught: and at any great feast hee placed evermore one or other of them by turnes beneath himselfe, while his wife sat above. Of these sisters (as it is verily thought) he defloured Drusilla being a virgin, when himselfe also was yet under age and a very boy: Yea, and one time above the rest hee was found in bed with her and taken in the manner by his Grandmother Antonia; in whose house they were brought up both together. Afterwards also when shee was bestowed in mariage upon Lucius Cassius Longinus, a man of Consulare degree, hee tooke her from him and kept her openly, as if shee had beene his owne lawfull wife. Also when he lay sicke, he ordained her to be both heire of all his goods and Successour also in the Empire. For the same sister deceased, hee proclaimed a generall cessation (*) * To signifie a solemne mourning: of Law in all Courts. During which time, a capitall crime it was for any man to have laughed, bathed, or supped together with parents, wife or children. And being impatient of this sorrow, when hee was fled suddainly and by night out of the Citie, and had passed all over Campania, to Saracose hee went; and so from thence returned speedily againe with his beard and haire of head overgrowne. Neither at any time ever after, in making a speech before the people or to his Souldiours concerning any matters were they never so weighty would hee sweare otherwise than by the (*) * Per nomen, s [•…] e reade Numen i. the godhead or divine power: For he equalled her with Ven [•…] s, and commaunded that she should be worshipped as a Goddesse; and as Dion writeth, named she was Panthea, and women were compelled to sweare by her, as by Iun [•…] . name of Drusilla. The rest of his sisters, (Livia and Agrippina) hee loved neither with so tender affection nor so good respect as who͏̄ he ofte͏̄times prostituted & offred to be abused by his own stale catamites. So much the more easily therefore Page 134 condemned he them in the case of Aemilius Lepidus, as adulteresses and privie to his treasons and waite-layings addressed against his person. And he not onely divulged the hand-writings which were sought out by guile and adulteries, but also consecrated unto Mars Revenger those three daggers prepared (*) * By them, to wit Lepidus and his two sisters: or by him, for their death. for his death, with a title over them, containing the cause of his so doing.

25 As for his mariages, a man may hardly discerne, whether hee contracted, dissolved, or held them still with more dishonesty. Livia Orestilla, what time she was wedded unto C. Piso, himselfe, (being one who came in person to the Solemnization of the mariage), commaunded to be brough home unto him as his owne wife: and having within few daies cast her off, two yeeres after he banished and sent her away; because in the middle time betweene, shee was thought to have (*) * Or sought againe for the company &c. repetijsse. had the company againe of her former husband. Some report, that being an invited guest at the Nuptiall supper, he charged Piso sitting over against him, in these termes, Sirra, see you sit not too close unto my wife: and so, presently had her away with him from the table: and the next day published by Proclamation, That hee had met with a mariage after the example of (a) Romulus and Augustus. As touching Lollia Paulina maried already to C. Memmius, a man of Consular degree and ruler of Armies: uppon mention made of her Grandmother as the most beautifull Lady in her time, he all of a suddaine sent and called her home out of (*) * Where she was with her husband aforesaid. the Province: and taking her perforce from her husband, wedded her and shortly turned her away: forbidding her straightly for ever the use of any mans body whatsoever. Caesonia, for no speciall beauty and favour of her owne above others, nor yet because she was in the flower of her youth, (considering shee had beene the mother already of three daughters by another man): but onely for that shee was a most lascivious woman and of unsatiable lust he loved with more ardent affection and constancie: in so much as many a time he would shew her to his Souldiours in her haire, clad in a Souldiours (*) * Short cloake or horsemans coats chlamyde. Cassocke with a light Target and an helmet riding close unto him: but to his friends, (*) * Like as Can [•…] King of Lydia, did to his friend Gyges. starke naked also. When she brought him a (*) * A daughter. childe, hee vouchsafed her then, the name of his wife and not before; professing and making it knowne, that in one and the selfe same day, he was become both her husband and also father of the Infant of her body borne. This babe he named Iunia Drusilla: whom hee caried about with him through the temples of all the Goddesses; and bestowed at length in the lap of (*) * Goddesse of good arts and sciences. Virgil, operum [〈◊〉] ignara mi [•…] . Minerva, recommending it to her for to be nourished, brought up and taught. Neither had hee any surer signe and evidence to believe she was his owne and of his naturall seede conceived, than her curstnesse and shrewdnesse: and that qualitie had shee even then at the first, in such measure; as that with her perilous fingers shee would not sticke to lay at the face and eyes of other small Children playing together with her.

26 Vanitie it were and meere folly, to adioine hereunto, how he served his kinsfolke and friends, to wit Ptolemaeus K. Iubaes son & his owne cousin (*) * Remoued. german Page 135 (for hee also was the Nephew of M. Antonius by his daughter [•…] Na (a): but especially Macro himselfe yea and Ennia likewise, who were his chiefe helpers & aduanced him to the Empire. All of the͏̄, in right of their neere affinity, and in consideration of their good deserts were highly rewarded, even with bloudy death. No more respective was hee one whit of the Senate, nor dealt in gentler wise with them: Some, after they had borne the highest honours, hee suffred to runne by his (*) * Essedum, [〈◊〉] carroch. Wagon side in their gownes for certaine miles together. and as he sat at supper, to stand waiting one while at the head, another while at the foote of the table, girt with a white linnen towell about them. Others, whom hee had secretly murdred, he continued never the lesse calling for, as if they were alive: giving it out most untruly some few daies after, that they had wilfully made themselves away. The Consuls had forgot by chaunce to publish by proclamation his Birth day; For which, hee deprived them of their magistracie: and so for three daies space the Common-wealth was without the soveraine (b) authoritie. His owne Questour, who hapned to be nominated in a conspiracie against him, hee caused to be scourged: and the cloathes out of which hee was stripped to be put under the Souldiours feete, that they might stand more steedily whiles they were whipping him. In semblable pride and violence hee handled other States and degrees of Citizens. Beeing disquieted with the stirre and noise that they kept, who by midnight tooke up their standings in the (*) * Or shew, place. Cirque, which cost them nothing; hee drave them all away with cudgels: in which tumult and hurl [•…] burly, there were twenty Knights of Rome and above, crowded and crushed to death; as many matrones and wives also; besides an infinite number of the common multitude. At the Stage Plaies, being minded to sow discord, and minister occasion of quarrell betweene the Commons and Gentlemen of Rome: he gave his (c) Tallies forth sooner than ordinarie: to the end that the (*) * Or Tickets. Equestria might be possessed afore-hand even by the basest Commoners that came. At the swordfight, he other whiles commaunded the Curtaines to be folded up and drawne together, during the most parching heate of the sunne: and forbad that any person should be let (*) * Roomes and sea [•…] es in the Theater appointed for the Gentlemen. forth: and then, removing and sending quite away the ordinarie furniture of shewes provided to make pastime, he put forth unto the people for to behold, poore wild-beasts and carian-leane, to bee baited: the basest sword-fencers also and worne with age, to combat: yea, and appointed (*) * Emitti, some read [〈◊〉] , [•…] . to be covered with Hat, veile, be net or Bongrace against the sunne. housholders such as were of quality and well knowne, but yet noted for some speciall feeblenesse and imperfection of body to goe under the (d) (*) * i. Citizens. Pegmes and carie them. And divers times hee (*) * Pegm [•…] tis, in the da [•…] ive case. or frames for Pageants. brought a dearth and famine among the people, by shutting up the garners and Store-houses from them.* [〈◊〉] .

27 The crueltie of his nature he shewed by these examples most of all. When Cattell which were to feede wilde beasts prepared for baiting, grew to be sold very deere, he appointed malefactours found guilty to be slaughtered for that purpose. And in taking the review of Goales and prisoners therein, as they were sorted according to their offences: he, without once looking upon the title & cause of their imprisonment, standing only within a gallerie, co͏̄maunded al in the mids, a calvu͏̄ ad calvu͏̄ (a) [•…] . from one bald-pate to another, to be led forth* Medios, [•…] [〈◊〉] ad calrum. to execution. He exacted of him the performance of a vow, who had promised Page 136 to doe his devoir in publick sword-fight for the recoverie of his health: and him he beheld fighting at sharpe: neither dismissed he him before he was victour, and after many prayers. Another there was, who for the same cause had vowed to die. This man being not very forward to pay his vow, hee caused to be dight with sacred hearbs, and adorned with (*) * Ribbands. Infules, like a sacrifice; and so delivered him into the hands of boyes: who calling hard vpon him for the discharge o [•…] his vow, should course and drive him through the streets of the City, untill he were throwne headlong downe the steepe (*) * Of Tarquinius, as some thinke. Rampier. Many honest Citizens of good calling and estate, after he had first disfigured with markes of branding yrons, he condemned to dig in mines, and to make high-waies, or to encounter with beasts: or kept them creeping with all foure like brute beasts within a cage for the nonce: or else slit them through the mids with a sawe. And those whom hee thus served, were not all of them guilty of any grievous offences: but sufficient it was, if they had a base conceite and spake but meanly of some shew that he exhibited: or because they had never sworne stoutly by his (*) * These [〈◊〉] , are of a middle essence, be tweene men & Gods, calle [•…] therefore. Me dioxumi. [〈◊〉] signifieth here, the Damon, Tutelar angel or spirit of the Prince: For the maner of the Romaines was in flattering wise, thus to sweare, as also by the helth the life, the honour of their Emperours. Genius. Parents he forced to be present at the execution of their owne children. And when one Father excused himselfe by reason of sicknesse, hee sent a Licter for him: another of them immediatly after the heavie spectacle of his sonne put to death, he invited to his own (c) bourd; made him great cheere, and by all manner of courtesie provoked him to iocondnesse and mirth. The Maister of his sword-fights and beast baitings, he caused for certaine daies together to be beaten with (d) chaines in his owne sight: but killed him not quite, before himselfe could no longer abide the stench of his braine by this time putrified. A Poet, the Author of Atellan [•…] Enterludes, for a verse that he made implying a iest, which might be doubly taken, he burnt at a stake in the very middle shew-place of the Amphitheatre. A Gentleman of Rome, whom he had cast before wild beasts, when he cried out, That he was innocent, he commaunded to be brought back. and after hee had cut out his tongue, sent him among them againe, (to fight for his life or to be devoured).

Having recalled one from exile which had been long banished, he demaunded28 of him, what he was wont to do there? who made answere thus by way of flatterie, I praied quoth he, to the Gods alwaies that Tiberius (*) * Who had banished him (as now it is come to posse) might perish, and you become Emperour. Hereupon Caligula weening that those whom he had banished praied likewise for his death, sent about into the (*) * Where they were wont to live banished. Ilands, to kill them every one. Being desirous to have a Senatour torne & mangled peecemeale, he suborned certaine of purpose, who all on a suddaine as he entred into the Curia, should call him enemie to the State, & so lay violent hands upon him: and when they had with their (a) writing yrons all to pricked and stabbed him, deliver him over to the rest, for to be dismembred and cut in peeces accordingly. Neither was hee satisfied, untill he saw the mans limmes, ioints and inwards drawne along the streetes, and piled all on an heape together before him.

His deeds most horrible as they were, hee augmented with as cruell words.29 His saying was, That he commended and approved in his owne nature nothing more, than (to use his own terme) adiatrepsian. i. unmoveable rigour. Whe͏̄ his Grandmother Antonia seemed to give him some admonitio͏̄, he (as though it were not enough to disobey her), Go to dame, quoth he, reme͏̄ber I may do what I wil against all persons who͏̄soever. Being minded to kill his owne brother, whom Page 137 for feare of poison he imagined to be fortified afore-hand with (*) * Or Counter. poisons. Preservatives; What? quoth he, is there any Antidote against Cæsar? When he had banished his sisters, he threatned them in these termes, saying, That hee had not (a) Ilands onely at commaund but swords also. A certaine Citizen of Pretours degree, desired oftentimes fro͏̄ the retiring place where he was at Anticyra, (b) (into which Isle he went for his health sake) to have his licence (*) * By letters or friends that he made. continued. But hee gave order he should be killed outright: adding these words therewith, that Blo [•…] dletting was necessary for him, who in so long time had found no good by (*) * Renewed. Hellebor.* [•…] . By [〈◊〉] Once every ten daies, his manner was to subscribe and write downe a certaine number out of the Goale to be executed, and said withall, That hee cast up his reckonings, and cleared the booke of accompts. When hee had at one time condemned a sort of French-men and Greekes together, hee made his boast That he had subdued (*) * A Nation [〈◊〉] , of French and Greekes. Gallograecia.

He would not lightly permit any to suffer death, but after many strokes given30 and those very softly; with this rule and precept evermore, which now became rife and well knowne, (*) * Ita feri, &c. Strike so; as they may feele that they are dying. Hee executed on a time one whom he had not appointed to die, by error onely and mistaking his name: But it makes no matter, quoth he, for even he also hath deserved death. This speech of the (*) * Atreus. Of [〈◊〉] Tyrant out of a Tragaedie, hee often repeated Oderint dum metuant. i. Let them hate me so they feare me. Many a time hee inveighed bitterly against all the Senatours at once, as the Dependants and adhaerents of Seianus, or the Informers against his mother and brethren; bringing forth those evidences which hee had made semblance before were burnt. And therewith excused & iustified the cruelty of Tiberius as necessary: seeing he could not otherwise chuse but beleeve so many that made presentments unto him. The degree of Gentlemen he railed at continually, as devoted wholly to the Stage and shew-place. Being highly displeased upon a time with the multitude favouring as they did the contrary (*) * For he favoured the greene Liverie. faction to (*) * Worthy and meet to be put to sword-fight. his, Woula God, quoth he, that the people of Rome had but one neck. And when Tetrinius (a) Latro was by them called for to fight at sharpe, he said, That they also who called for him were (*) * So named of a net that they used in fight to catch their adversarie with: they handled also a weapon with three ti [•…] es or pikes like a Trout-spea [•…] e. They were called Threcos. Tetrinii every one. It fortuned that five of these * Retiarii, fighting in their single coates, and (*) * Gr [•…] gatim dimicantes. for destruction of those that were called Monomachi, & implo [•…] ed in single sight. together by companies, had without any combat yeelded themselves as overcome to as many other Champions or Fencers called (*) * Otherwise, Mormillones, These were armed, whereas the Retiarij, were lightly appointed, and Tunicati, [•…] versing their grou͏̄d nimbly, and seeming otherwhiles to flie whereupon the others took their name, Secuto [•…] es, as following them. Secutores. Now when commaundement was given (by the people) That they should be killed; one takes me up his Trout-speare againe into his hand and slew all the other five who were thought the Conquerours. This slaughter he both bewailed in an Edict as most cruell, and also cursed them that endured to see the sight.

31 Hee was wont moreover to complaine openly of the condition of his time wherein he lived, as not renowmed by any publick calamities: Whereas the raigne of Augustus was memorable for the overthrow of Varus: that of Tiberius ennobled by the fall of scaffolds in the Theater at Fidenae. As for himselfe, like hee was to be forgotten, (such was the prosperity in his daies). And evermore he wished the carnage and execution of his armies. Famine, Pestilence, and Skarfires, or some opening chinks of the ground.

32 Even whiles he was at his recreations and disports, whiles he set his mind upon gaming and feasting, the same cruelty practised he both in word & deed. Page 138 Oftentimes as hee sate at dinner or banquetted, were serious matters examined in his very sight by way of torture: and the Souldiour that had the skill and dexterity to behead folke, then and there used to cut off the heads of any prisoners indifferently without respect. At Puteoli, when he dedicated the bridge, which as we noted before, was his owne invention: after hee had invited many unto him from the shore and strond, suddainly hee turned them all headlong over the bridge into the water. And seeing some of them taking hold of the (*) * For this bridge was made of barks. helmes for to save themselves, he shooved and thrust them off, with poles and oares into the sea. At a (*) * A g [•…] eat dinner. publick feast in Rome, there chaunced (*) * waiting at the bord. a servant to pluck-off a thin (*) * Or lease. plate of silver from the (*) * For tables in those dayes were laid & couered ouer with [〈◊〉] plates. Plin. lib, 33. table: and for this, immediatly hee delivered him to the hang-man for to be executed; namely to have his hands cut off, and hung about his neck iust before his brest with a written Title caried before him declaring the cause of this his punishment; and so to be led round about all the companies as they sat at meate. One of these Fencers called (*) * Or secutores, aforesaid. Mirmillones, comming out of the Fence-schoole plaied at wooden wasters with him; and there tooke a fall for the nonce, and lay along at his feete: him he stabbed for his labour, with a short yron skeine that hee had: and withall, after the solemne manner of Victors, ranne up and downe with his garland of Date tree branches. There was a beast brought to the Altar ready to be killed for Sacrifice: he comes girt in habite of these (*) * At sacrifice. Beast slayers, and with the axe head that he lifted up on high, knocked downe the Minister himselfe, who was addressed to cut the said beasts throat, and so dashed his braines out. At a plenteous feast where there was great cheere, he set up all at once an unmeasurable laughter: And when the Consuls who sate iust by him asked gently and with faire language, Whereat he laughed so? At what else, quoth hee, but this, That with one nod of my head, I can have both your throats cut immediatly.

33 Among divers and sundry iests and merie conceites of his, as he stoode once hard by the image of Iupiter, he demaunded of Apelles an actour of Tragaedies, whether of the twaine he thought to be the greater and more stately, Iupiter or himselfe? And whiles he made some stay ere he answered, he all to tare and mangled him with whipping cheere, praising ever and anone his voice crying unto him for mercy, as passing sweet and pleasant, even when he groned also under his lashes. So often as he kissed the neck of wife or (*) * Or Paramo [•…] r. concubine, he would say withall, As faire and lovely a neck as this is, off it shall goe if I doe but speake the word. Moreover, he gave it forth many a time, That he would himselfe fetch out of his wife Caesonia, though it mere with Lute-strings, what (a) was * By cramping and tortering her therewith the reason that he loved her so entirely?

34 Neither raged he with lesse envie and spitefull malice, than pride and cruelty, against persons, in manner, of all times and ages. The Statues of brave and worthy men brought by Augustus out of the Capitoll Courtyard for the straightnesse of the place, into Mars-field, he overthrew and cast here and there in such sort, as they could not be set up againe with the Titles and Inscriptions whole forbidding that ever after there should be any where Statue or Image erected unto any person living, without his advice asked and graunt passed. He was of minde also to abolish Homers verses: For why may not I, quoth he, doe Page 139 that which Plato lawfully did? who banished (*) * Being a [〈◊〉] . him out of the Cittie that he framed and ordeined. The writings likewise and images of Virgil and T. Livius, he went within a little of remooving out of all libraties. The (*) * Virgill. one of these he carped, as a man of no witte and uerie meane learning: the (*) * Lirie. other, for his verbositie and negligence in penning his Historie. Moreouer, as touching Lawiers, (as if he meant to take away all use of their skill and knowledge) he cast out these words many times, That he would surely bring it to passe, They should bee able to give none other answere nor councell than according to reason and aequitie.

He took from the noblest personages that were, the olde armes and (*) * Or Ensignes. badges35 of their houses: Fro͏̄ Torquatus the (*) * Or Cheme. collar: fro͏̄ Cincinnatus the curled lock of haire: & from Cn. (*) * Who afterwards, married the daughter of Claudius the Imperour. Pompeius, of an ancient stocke descended, the surname of Magnus belonging to that linage. As for King Ptolemeus, (of whom I made report before) whe͏̄ he had both sent for him out of his realme and also honorably intertained him he slewe all of a sodaine, for no other cause in the World but for that as he entred into the Theatre to see the shewes and games there exhibited, hee perceived him to haue turned the eyes of all the people upon him, with the resplendent brightnesse of his purple cassocke. All such as were faire, and caried a thick bush of haire growne long, so often as they came in his way, he disfigured by shaving their heads all behind. There was one Esius Proculus (whose father had beene a principall captaine of the formost cohort) for his exceeding tall personage and louely fauour withall named (a) Colosseros, Him hee caused sodainly to be pulled downe from the scaffold where he sat, and to be brought into the plaine within the lists: where he matched him in fight with a sword-fenser of that sort which be called Threces, and afterwards with another, all (*) * [〈◊〉] , with shield and helmet. armed. Now when he had giuen the (*) * To the [〈◊〉] & [〈◊〉] . foile twice, & gotten the upper hand, he commanded him forthwith to be pinniond & bound fast, & being put into foule and overworne clothes to be led round about the streets to be shewed unto wome͏̄, & so to have his throat cut in the end. To conclude there was none of so base & abiect condition, nor of so mean estate, whose commodities & good parts he depraved not. Against the great Prelat stiled by the name K. Nemorensis, because he had many yeares already enioyed his sacerdotall dignitie he suborned under hand a comcurrent and aduersarie mightier than himselfe. When as vpon a certaine day of publike games, there was greater applause & more clapping of hands than ordinarie at Popius the (*) * To wit, sword fight. fenser, manumising his slave for ioy of the fortunate co͏̄bate which hee had made, he flung out of the Theatre in such hast, that treading* Essedari [•…] . o [•…] Champion that vse to fight and play his prises out of a British or Fre͏̄ch Chario [•…] called [〈◊〉] . vpo͏̄ his own gown skir [•…] he came tumbling down the staires with his head forward: chafing and fuming yea and crying cut That the people of Rome, Lord of all nations, yeelded more honour, and that out of a most vaine and frivolous occasion unto a sword-fenser, than to consecrated Princes, or to himselfe there in personall presence.

No regard had he of chastitie and cleannesse, eyther in himselfe or in others.36 M. Lepidus Mnester the (*) * A player counter feiting all partes, and kindes of gesture. Pantomime, yea & certain hostages he kept and loved as the speech went, by way of reciprocall co͏̄merce in mutuall impunity, Doing & suffering against kind, Valerius Catullus, ayong gentleman desce͏̄ded from a familie of Consuls degree, co͏̄plained & openly cried out, that Page 230 hee was unnaturally by him abused; and that his uerie sides were weried, and tyred out with his filthie companie, Over and above the incests commited with his owne sisters, and his love so notorious of Pirallis that common and prostitute strumpet, there was not lightly a dame or wife of anie worship and reputation, that hee forbare. And those for the most part would he inuite together with their husbands to supper: and as they passed by at his feete, peruse and consider curiously; taking leasure thereto after the maner of those that cheapen and buy wares in ouvert market: yea and with his hand chocke them under the chin and make them to looke up, if happily any of them in modesty and for bashfulnesse held downe their faces. And then so often as he listed, out he goes from the refection roome, and when he had called her unto him apart that liked him best, hee would within a little after: (even whiles the tokens were yet fresh testifying their wanton worke) returne: and openly before all the co͏̄ panie, eyther praise or dispraise her: reckoning up everie good or bad part of bodie and action in that brutish businesse. To some of them, himselfe sent bils of divorsement in the name of their husbands absent and commanded the same to be set upon the file and stand in publike record.

In riotous and wastfull (a) expense, he outwent the wits and inuentions of37 all the prodigal spend thrifts that ever were; as having devised a new found manner and use of baines, together with most strange and monstrous kinds of meats and meales: namely, to bath with hote and cold (*) * Or Oiles ointments: to drinke off and quaffe most pretious and costly pearles dissolued in vinegar: to set upon the bourd at feastes loaves of bread and other viands to them before his guests, all of golde, saying commonly withall, That a man must either be frugall or els Cæsar. Moreover for certaine dayes together, he flung and scattered among the common people from the Lovuer of the stately Hall Iulia, mony in peeces of no meane ualew. He built moreover tall galiaces of ceder (b) timber, with poupes and sternes beset with precious stones, carying sailes of sundrie colours conteining in them barnes large galleries, walking places, and dining chambers of great receit: with vines also and trees bearing apples and other fruit in as much varietie: wherein he would sit feasting in the uery day time among quires of musicians and melodious singers, and so saile along the costs of Campania. In building of stately Pallaces and mannor houses in the countrey he cast aside all rules and orders as one desirous to do nothing so much as that which was thought unpossible to be done. And therfore he laid foundations of piles where the sea was most raging and deep withal, and hewed rocks of most hard flint & rag: plains also he raised even with mountaines & by digging down hill tops levelled them equall with the plaines: all with incredible celeritie: as punishing those who wrought but slowly even with death. In summ, (and not to reckon vp euerie thing in particular) That infinite wealth and masse of Treasure which Tiberius Cæsar left hehind him valued at (*) * Vicies ac septies millies 2700. millians of Sesterces, hee consumed to nothing, before one whole yeare was gone about.

Being exhaust therefore and growen exceeding bare, he turned his mind to38 rapine and polling by sundrie and most nice points; of forged calumniation, of sales, of imposts and taxes. He affirmed plainely, that those held not by lawe and rightfully the freedome of Rome Cittie, whose Auncestours had obtained Page 231 the grant thereof in these tearmes, to them and their posteritie: unlesse they were sonnes: For, by Posteri. i. Posterity quoth he, ought to be understood none beyond this degree of descent. And when the Letters-pattens and graunts of Iulius and Augustus, (late Emperours of sacred memorie) were brought forth as evidences, he (*) * Deflebat, or defl [•…] bat. i. he reiected and despised. bewailed the same as olde, past date and of no validitie. Hee charged those also with false valuation and (*) * Perpera [〈◊〉] editi Census. wrong certificate of their estates, unto whom there had accrued afterward (upon what cause soever) any encrease of substance. The last willes and testamentes of such as had beene principall Centurions of the formost Cohorts, as many I say, as from the beginning of Tiberius Empire, had left neither the sayd Tiberius, nor himselfe Heire, he canciled for their unthankfulnesse: of all the rest likewise, he held the wils as voide, and of none effect: in case any person would come forth and say, that they purposed and intended, at their death to make Cæsar their Heire. Vpon which feare that hee put men in, beeing now both by unknowen persons unto him, nominated Heire among their familiar friends, and also by parents among their children, he tearmed them all mockers and cousiners, for that after such nuncupative wils they continued stil alive: and to manie of them he sent certaine (*) * M [•…] cteas or Mattyas, such as Marchpanes dainties empoisoned. Now such causes as these above-saide he heard judicially debated: having before hand set downe a certaine rate and summe of money, for the raising whereof he sat iudicially in Court: and when that summe was fully made vp, then and not before hee would arise. And (as he was one who in no wise could abide any little delay) he condemned vpon a time by uertue of one definitive sentence above fortie persons, liable to judgement for divers and sundry crimes: making his boast withall unto his wife Caesonia newly wakened out of her sleepe What a deale he had done, while she toooke her noones repose. Having published an open port sale of the residue remaining of furniture provided to set out all shews and games, he caused the said parcels to be brought forth and sold: setting the prices thereof himselfe and enhaunsing the same to such a prick, that some men enforced to buye certaine things at an extreame and exceeding rate (whereby they were empoverished and stript of all their goods) cut their owne veines and so bled to death. Well knowen it is that whiles Aponius Saturninus tooke a nap and slept among the seats and stauls where these sales were held; Caius put the (*) * Or Crier. Bedell in mind not to let slip and overpasse such an honorable person of Pretours degree as he was: considering quoth he, that with his head he had so often nodded and made (*) * As it were, to buy th [•…] s & that signes unto him, and thus taking that occasion, he never rested raising the price whiles he sat and nodded stil, untill there were fastened upon the man, (ignorant God wote, altogether of any such matter) thirteene sword-fensers, at nine millians of Sesterces.

In Gaule likewise, when he had sould the jewels, ornaments, and housholdstuffe39 of his (*) * Livilla and Agrippina. sisters by him condemned; their seruants also and uerie children at excessive high prices: finding sweetnesse in the gaine growing thereupon and thereby drawen on to proceede in that course, looke what furniture belonged to the old imperiall Court, hee sent for it all from the Cittie of Rome. For the cariage whereof, hee tooke vp even the passengers wagons that usually were hired, yea the uery jades which serued (*) * In grinding Corne, and carrying brea [•…] mils and backe-houses: In so much, as manie times there wanted bread in Rome: and a number of Termers, Page 232 such as had matters depending in lawe, for that they could not make their appearance in Court at their dayes appointed, by absence lost their suits. For the selling of which furniture, there was no fraude, no guile, no deceitful allurement to be devised that he used not: one while checking each one for their auarice, and rating them because they were not ashamed to be richer than he: otherwhiles making semblance of repentance, in that he permitted persons to have the buying of such things as belongd to the Empire. Intelligence was given vnto him, that a certaine wealthy and substantiall man in that province, had paide 200000. sesterces unto his officers (who had the bidding of guests unto his owne table) that by some suttle shift, himselfe might be foisted in among other guests: neither was he disco͏̄te͏̄ted that the honor of supping with him was prized so high. The morrow after therfore, as this provinciall man was sitting at a publike portsale, hee sent one of purpose to tender and deliver unto him some frivolous trifle (I wot not what) at the price of 200000 sesterces: and withall to say unto him, That take a supper he should with Cæsar, as a guest inuited by his owne selfe.

He levied and gathered new tributes and imposts, such as never were heard40 of before: at the first by the hands of Publicanes; and afterward (by reason of the excessive gaines that came in) by the Centurions and Tribunes of the Pretorian cohorts. For he omitted no kind of thing, no manner of person, but he imposed some tribute upon them. For all cates that were to be solde throughout the Citie, there was exacted a certaine taxation & set paiment, For actions for suits, for judgeme͏̄ts whersoever co͏̄mensed or drawn in writing, the fortieth part of the whole summe in suite went to his share in the name of a tribute: not without a penaltie, in case anie one were conuinced, to have eyther growen to composition or given the thing in question. The eighth part of the poore porters and Cariers daies-wages: out of the gets also and takings of common strumpets, as much as they earned by once lying with a man, was payed nomine tributi. Moreover to the chapter of the law, this branch was annexed that there should bee liable to this tribute, not onely the parties themselues that by trade of harlotry gat their living, but even they likewise who kept houses of bawderie: As also that (*) * Nec [〈◊〉] [•…] t [〈◊〉] ob [•…] [•…] ssent. Some interpret this of wedded folke playing false & co͏̄mitting adulte [•…] ie. wedded persons should paye for their vse of mariage.

After these and such like taxes were denounced by proclamation, but not yet41 published abroad in writing, when as through ignorance of the written lawe (a) many trespasses and transgressions were committed: at length, upon instant demaund of the people, he proposed indeede the act, but written in very small letter and within as narrow a place, so that no man might exemplifie the same or copie it out. And to the end that there might bee no kinde of spoile and pillage which he attempted not, he setup a stewes and brothelhouse in the verie Palace, with many roomes and chambers therein distinguished asunder, and furnished according to the dignity and worth of that place. In it there stood to prostitute themselues, maried wives, youths and springals free borne. Then sent he all about to the frequented places as well markets as Halles of resort, certaine Nomenclatours, to inuite and call thither by name, young men and olde, for to fulfill and satisfie their lust. All comers at their entrance payde money (as it were) for usurie and interest. Certaine persons also were appointed Page 143 to take note in open sight, of their names, as ofsuch as were good friends increasing the revenewes of Cæsar. And not disdeining so much as the lucre and vantage arising out of hazard and dice play, hee gained the more by cogging, lying, yea and forswearing (of gamesters). And upon a time, having put over to his next fellow gamester his owne course, to cast the dice for him in his turne: out he goes into the court-yeard and foregate of the house: where, having espied two wealthy gentlem [•…] of Rome passing by, he commanded them to be apprehended incontinently, and condemned in the confiscation of their goods: which done he returned in againe, leaping for joy & making his vaunt, That he never had a luckier hand at dice.

But when he had once a daughter borne, complaining then of his povertie42 and the heavie charges that lay upon him not onely as Emperour, but also as a father, he gently tooke the uoluntarie contributions and benevolence of men toward the finding of the girle her food, as also for her Dowry another day. He declared also by an edict, that he would receive newyeares gifts: and so he stood the first (*) * Or a Kalendis [〈◊〉] the first day, &c. day of Ianuarie, in the porch or entrie of his house Palatine, readie to take what peeces soever of money came, which the multitude of all sorts and degrees, with full hands and (*) * Or laps of their clothes bosomes poured out before him. Finally, so farre was he incensed with the desire of handling money, that oftentimes he would both walke bare-footed up & down, yea & wallow also a good while with his whole body upo͏̄ huge heapes of coyned gold peeces, spred here and there in a most large and open place.

In militarie matters and warlike affaires he never dealt but once: and that43 was not vpon any intended purpose: but what time as he had made a progresse to Mevania, for to see the sacred grove & river of Clitumnus; being put in mind to supply & make up the number of the Batauians whom he had about him for his guard, it tooke him in the head to make an expedition into Germanie. Neither deferred he this disignement, but having levied from al parts a power consisting of legions and auxiliarie forces; and taken musters most rigorously in every quarter, as also raised & gathered together uictuals & provision of al sorts in that quantity, as never any other before him the like, he put himselfe on his journey. Wherein he marched, one while in such hurrie and haste, as that the Pretorian cohorts were forced (against the manner and custome) to bestowe their ensignes vpon the sumpter beasts backs & so to follow after: otherwhiles, after such a slow and delicate manner, as that he would be carried in a litter vpon eight mens shoulders, and exact of the common people inhabiting the neighbour cities adioyning, that the high waies might be swept & watered for the dust, against his comming.

After that he was arrived once at the campe, to the end that he might shew44 himselfe a sharpe and severe Captaine. Those Lieutenants who had brought aid with the latest, out of divers and dissituate parts, he discharged with ignominie and shame. But in the reuiew of his armie the most part of the Centurions who had alreadie serued out their complete time, yea and some whose terme within uery few dayes would have beene fully expired, he deprived of their places: to wit, the leading of the formost bands, finding fault forsooth with the olde age and feeblenesse of every one. As for the rest, after hee had given them a rebuke for their avarice, he abridged the fees and availes due for Page 144 their seruice performed; and brought that same downe to the valew of 6000. sesterces. And having atchieved no greater exploit, than taken to his mercie, Adminius the sonne of Cinobellinus King of the (*) * Batavorum,. i. the Batavorians. Britains, who being by his father banished, was fled over sea with a small power and traine about him, he sent magnificent and glorious letters to Rome, as if the whole Isle had beene yeelded into his hands: warning and willing the carriers euer and anon, to ride forward in their wagon directly into the market place and the Curia, and in no wise to deliver the sayd messives but in the Temple of Mars vnto the Consuls, and that in a frequent assembly of the Senate.

Soone after, when there failed matter of warre, he commanded a few Germanes of the (*) * De Custodia, or that were prisoners and in vvard Corps de guard, to be transported & hidden on the other side of45 Rhene, and that news should be reported unto him after dinner in most tumultuous manner, That the enemy was come: which done, he made what haste hee could, and together with some of his friends and part of the Pretorian horsemen he entred the next wood: where after he had cut off the heads of trees and adorned their bodies in manner of Tropaees, hee returned into the Campe by torch-light. As for those uerily who followed him not in this seruice; he reproved and checked them for their timorousnesse and cowardise: But his companions and partners in this douty uictorie, he rewarded with a new kind and as strange a name of Coronets: which being garnished and set out with the expresse forme of Sunne, Moons, and Stars he called (a) Exploratorias. Againe, when as certaine hostages were had (*) * By his means. away perforce out of the Grammer schoole, and privily sent before, he suddenly left his supper, and with his men of armes pursued them as runawaies, and beeing overtaken and caught againe he brought them backe as prisoners bound in chaines; shewing himselfe even in this enterlude also, beyond all measure insolent and intemperate. Now after he was come backe to supper, those who brought him word that the battailes were rallied and come forward in safetie, hee exhorted to sit downe to meate armed as they were in their Corselets: yea and aduertised them out of that most vulgar Verse of Virgil. Durarent, Secundisque rebuise seruarent.. i.

Moreover, amid these affaires, he rebuked most sharply in a proclamation, the Senate and people both, in their absence: For that whiles Cæsar fought battailes and was exposed to so many perils, they could so unseasonably celebrate feastes, haunt also the Cirque, The Theatres, and their retyring places of solace and pleasure.

Last of all, as if he meant now to make a finall dispatch for ever of the warr46 having embattailed his armie upon the Ocean shore, planted his balists and other engins of Artillerie in their seuerall places, (and no man wist the while or could imagine what he went about) all at once he commanded them to gather fish-shels, and therewith to fill their headpeeces and laps, tearming them the spoiles of the Ocean, due to the Capit [•…] l, and the Palatium. In token also and memoriall of this brave uictorie, he raised an exceeding high turret, out of which as from a watch-towre, there might shine all night long lights and fires for the better direction of ships at sea in their course. And after hee had pronounced Page 145 publikely a donative to his Souldiours, even an hundred good Deniers a peece; as if thereby hee had surmounted all former precedents of liberality,* As if with 3 l. 2 S 6 pence, they had beene made for ever. Now goe your waies, quoth hee, with ioy, Goe your wayes Isay, enriched and wealthy.

47 Turning his minde after this to the care of his Triumph, hee selected and set apart for the pompe (over and above the Captives and runnagate Barbarians) the tallest men of Stature also that were to be found in Gaule: and everie one that (as hee saide himselfe) was axiothriambentos, that is, worthy to be seene in a Triumph, yea and some of the Nobles and principall persons of that Nation: Whom hee compelled not onely to colour the haire of their heads yellow like burnished gold, and to weare the same long: but also to learne the Germaines language, and to beare barbarous names. He gave commaundement also; that the Gallies with three rankes of Oares, wherein hee had embarqued and entred the Ocean, should bee convaied to Rome, a great part of the way by land. Hee wrote likewise unto his procuratours and Officers, To provide the furniture of his triumph, with as little cost as might be: but yet the same in as ample manner as never before was the like, seeing they had both might and right to seize all mens goods into their hands.

48 Before his departure out of that Province, hee intended the execution of an horrible and abhominable designement; even to put to sword those Legions, which long a goe upon the decease of Augustus, had made a commotion: because, forsooth, they had beset both his father Germanicus their Captaine, and himselfe also, then an Infant. And being hardly and with much a-doe reclaimed from such a rash and inconsiderate proiect, yet could hee by no meanes be stayed: but stifly persisted in a full minde and will to (*) * [〈◊〉] To kill every tenth man of them: tith them. When hee had summoned them therefore to a publique assembly, unarmed, and without their swords which they had put off and bestowed heere and there, he environed them with his Cavallerie all armed. But seeing once, that many of them suspecting where-about he went, slipped away in sundry places for to resume their weapons if any violence were offred, himselfe abandoned the assembly and fled, taking his direct way immediatly to the Citie of Rome; diverting all his bitternesse and crueltie upon the Senate: Whom, (to avert from himselfe the odious rumours of so great and shamefull villanies) hee openly threatned; complaining among other matters that he was by them defrauded and put by his iust and due triumph: whereas, himselfe but a little before, had intimated and denounced upon paine of death, that they should not make nor meddle in any matter about his honours.

49 Being encountred therefore and met upon the way by Embassadours from that most honourable (*) * Of Senators Order, entreating him to make speed: with a most loud voice, Come I will, quoth he, I will come, I say and this with me heere, beating oft upon the swords (*) * Or haft. hilt which he ware by his side. He made it knowne also by an Edict, That he returned in deede, but it was to them alone who wished it, namely, The degree of Gentlemen and the co͏̄mon people. For himselfe would be no longer a Citizen or Prince to the Senate. He commaunded moreover, That not one of the Senatours Page 146 should meete him. And thus, either omitting quite or putting of his triumph, hee entred the Citie riding ovant, upon his very birth-day: and within foure moneths after came to his end, having attempted and done notable outrages and very great villanies, but plotting still and practising much greater. For hee had purposed to remove his imperiall Court to Antium, and afterwards to Alexandria: but having massacred first the most choise and chiefe persons of both (*) * Or Alexandrea is Antiochea, in old Manuscripts. degrees. And that no man may seeme to doubt heereof, there were in his secret Cabinet found two bookes bearing divers titles. The one had for the Inscription Gladius. i. the sword: the other, Pugio, that is to say, the dagger. They contained both of them the markes and names of such as were appointed to death. There was found besides, a bigge chest full of divers and sundry poisons, which soone after being by Claudius drowned in the Seas, infected and poisoned the same, not without the deadly bane of fishes killed therewith, which the tide cast up to the next shores.

50 Of Stature hee was very tall, pale and wan-coloured: of body grosse and without all good making: his necke and shanks exceeding slender: his eyes sunke in his head, and his temples hollow, his forehead broad, and the same furrowed and frowning: the haire of his head growing thinne, and none at all about his crowne: in all parts else hairie he was and shagged. It was therefore taken for an hainous and capitall offence, either to looke upon him as he passed by from an higher place, or once but to name a Goate upon any occasion whatsoever. His face and visage being naturally sterne and grim, hee made of purpose more crabbed and hideous: composing and dressing it at a lookingglasse, all manner of waies to seeme more terrible and to strike greater feare. He was neither healthfull in body nor stoode sound in minde; Being a child, much troubled with the falling sicknesse. In his youth, patient of labour and travaile: yet so, as that ever and anone upon a suddaine fainting that came uppon him, he was scarce able to goe, to stand, to arise, to recover himselfe and to beare up his head. The infirmitie of his minde, both himselfe perceived, and oftentimes also was minded to goe aside (unto (*) * An Isle, where grew the best Ellebor, a purgatiue meete [•…] or lunaticke & distracted persons. Anticyra), there to purge his braine throughly. It is for certaine thought, that poysoned he was with a Potion given unto him by his wife Caesonia: Which in deede was a love (*) * Or drinke. medicine, but such an one, as crackt his wits and enraged him. He was troubled most of all with (*) * Insomnia want of sleepe; For, he slept not above three houres in a night: and in those verily hee tooke no quiet repose, but fearefull; and skared with strange illusions and fantasticall imaginations: as who among the rest, dreamed upon a time that hee saw the very forme and resemblance of the sea talking with him. And heereupon for a great part of the night, what with tedious wakefulnesse and wearinesse of lying, one while sitting up in his bed, another while roaming and wandering too and fro in his Galleries (which were of an exceeding length) hee was wont to call upon and looke still for the day-light.

51 I should not doe amisse, if unto this mindes sicknesse of his I attributed the vices which in one and the same (*) * Or person subiect were of a most different nature: to wit, excessive confidence, and contrariwise, overmuch fearefulnesse. Page 147 For, hee that set so light by the Gods and despised them as hee did, yet at the least (a) thunder and lightning, used to winke close with both eyes, to enwrap also and cover his whole head: but if the same were greater and somewhat extraordinarie, to start out of his bed, to creepe and hide himselfe under the bedsteede. During his peregrination verily and travaile through Sicilie, after hee had made but a scorne and mockerie at the miracles and strange fights in manie parts there, he fled suddainly by night from Messana, as affrighted with the smoake and rumbling noise of the top of Aetna. And hee that against the Barbarians was so full of threats and menaces, when as beyond the river Rhene he rode in a Germaines Chariot betweene the Streights, and the Armie marched in thicke squadrons together: by occasion onely that one saide, There would be no small trouble and hurliburly, in case the enemie from any place appeared in sight: forth-with hee mounted on horsebacke and turned hastily to the bridges: but finding them full of Camp-slaves and cariages wherewith they were (*) * Or guarded. choaked as one impatient of any delay, he was from hand to hand and over mens heads conveied to the other side of the water. Soone after likewise, hearing of the revolt and rebellion of Germanie, hee provided to flie; and for the better meanes of flight, prepared and rigged shippes: resting and staying himselfe upon his onely comfort; That hee should yet have Provinces beyond sea remaining for him, in case the Conquerours following the traine of their victorie, either seized the Hill tops of the Alpes (as sometimes the Cimbrians), or possessed themselves of the very Citie of Rome, as the Senones in times past did. Heereupon I verily beleeve that the murderers of him afterwards devised this shift, namely to hold up his Souldiours with a loude lie when they were in an uprore, and to beare them in hand that hee laide violent hands on himselfe, affrighted at the fearefull newes of the field lost.

52 As for his apparrell, his shooes and other habite, hee wore them neither after his owne Country-guise, nor in a civile fashion, no nor so much as in manlike manner, nor yet alwaies, I may tell you, sorting with the state and condition of a mortall wight. Beeing clad oftentimes in cloakes of needleworke and embroidred with divers colours, and the same set out with pretious stones: in a coate also with long sleeves: and wearing bracelets withall, hee would come abroade into the Citie. Sometime you should see him in his silkes, and veiled all over in a loose mantle of fine (*) * Lawne or Tiffame. Sendall with a traine: one while going in Greekish (*) * Or Pantofle [•…] slippers, or else in buskins: otherwhiles in a simple paire of broges or high shooes, such as common Souldiours emploied in espiall used. Now and then also was he seene shod with womens (*) * Or [〈◊〉] pumps. But for the most part he shewed himselfe abroade with a golden (a) beard carying in his hand either a (b) thunderbolt or a three-tined (c) mace, or else a warder* With three graines like an ele speare; or rod called (d) Caduceus (the ensignes all and ornaments of the Gods) yea and in the attire and array of Venus. Now, for his triumphall robes and ensignes hee used verily to weare and beare them continually, even before any warlike expedition: and sometime the cuirace withall of K. Alexander the great, fetcht out of his Sepulcher and monument.

Of all the liberall Sciences, hee gave his minde least to deepe literature and53 Page 148 found learning: but most, to eloquence: (*) * [〈◊〉] is facundus: or, [•…] beeing very faire [〈◊〉] . &c albeit he was (by nature) faire-spoken and of a ready tongue. Certes if it had beene to pleade and declame against one, were he angred once, he had both words and sentences at will. His action, gesture and voice also served him well: in so much as for very heate and earnestnesse of speech, uneth was he able to stand his ground and keepe still in one place, yet might hee bee heard nothlesse of them that stoode a farre off. When he was about to make an Oration, his manner was to threaten in these termes, Namely, That he would draw forth and let drive at his adversarie the keene weapon and dart of his night-studie by candle light; contemning the milder and more piked kinde of writing so farre forth, as that hee said of S [•…] Neca, a writer in those daies most accepted, That his compositions which he made were plaine exercises to bee shewed onely: and was no better himselfe, than sand without lime. His wont was also, to answere by writing the Orations of those Oratours who had pleaded well and with applause: to meditate and devise as well accusations and defences of great persons and waighty matters in the Senate; and according as his stile framed, either to over-charge and depresse, or to ease and relieve every man with his sentence: having called thither by vertue of his Edicts, the degree also of Gentlemen to heare him speake.

The Arts moreover and maisteries of other kinds hee practised right studiously,54 even those of most different nature. A professed (*) * [〈◊〉] . Sword-fencer he was and a good Chariotier: A singer withall and a dauncer. Fight hee would even in earnest with weapons at sharpe: and runne a race with chariots in the open Cirque, which he built in many places. As for chaunting and dauncing, he was so hotly set thereupon, that hee could not forbeare so much as in the publick Theaters and Shew-places, but that hee would both fall a singing (*) * Or, [〈◊〉] with the Tragaedian as he pronounced, and also counterfaite and openly imitate the gesture of the (*) * Or Actou [•…] . player, as it were by way of praise or correction. And verily, for no other cause proclaimed hee (as it is thought) a wake or Vigile all night long, that very day on which hee was murdred, but that by taking the opportunity of the nights licentiousnesse, he might therewith begin to enter upon the Stage. And divers times daunced he by night: But once above the rest, having raised out of their beds three honourable persons that had beene Consuls, and sent for them at the reliefe of the second watch into the Palace; whiles they were much afraid and doubted some extremity he caused them to be placed aloft upon a scaffold, and then suddainly with a great noise of hantbors and sound of shawlmes or Cimbals, out commeth he leaping forth with a palle and cassocke reaching downe to his ankles; and after hee had daunced out the measures to a song, vanished & went his way againe. Now, this man so apt a schollar as hee was to learne all other feates, had no skill at all in (*) * A laudable exercise in Rome, as may appeare before in Augustus. swimming.

55 Looke, whom he tooke a love and liking unto, he favoured them all exceedingly and beyond all reason. Mnester the famous (*) * A Gesturer or dauncer that counterfaited all parts. Pantomime he affected so much, as that he bashed not to kisse him even in the open Theater; and if any man whiles (*) * The said Mnester. he was dauncing or acting a part, made never so little noise and interrupted him, hee commaunded the party to be pulled out of his place, and with his owne hand scourged him. A Gentleman of Rome chaunced to keepe some sturre whiles the said Mnester was upon the Stage: unto Page 149 him hee sent word peremptorily by a Centurion to depart without delay, and goe downe to Ostia (there to take Sea) and so to carie unto King Ptolomaeus as farre as into Mauritania his letters in writing tables, The tenour whereof was this, To this bearer, whom I have sent hither to you, see you doe neither good nor harme. Certaine Fencers called (*) * Or Retiarij, as some think. Others take it to be a generall name of all Sword-fencers. Thraces hee made Capitaines over those Germaines that were of his Guard and Squires to his body. As for the (*) * A faction or crew of fencers opposite to the Thraces or Retiarij, whom in respect of the Thraces, he favoured not. Mirmillones, hee deprived them of their armour. One of them named Columbus, fortuned to foile his concurrent, howbeit hee had gotten before some small hurt: He made no more adoe but put poison into the wound, which thereupon he called Columbinum. So much addicted and devoted was he, to the (*) * Prafi [•…] ae factioni. greene faction of Chariotiers, that day by day hee would take his suppers and make his abode, in their (*) * Or lodging, [•…] Of that green livery. hostelrie. Vpon Eutychus a (*) * [〈◊〉] , cuins equi causa, some interpret it otherwise thus. To Incitatus, for whose horse sake taking Incicatus to be the name of the Maister, & not of the horse, because in the Poet Martiall, there is mention made of Incitatus a famous Chariot ricer & a mulitier. Yet L. Verus Antoninus erected an Image of gold for on horse that he had named Voluce [•…] whiles he lived: and a sepulcher when he was dead. And why might not this brair [〈◊〉] sicke Prince be as absurd? Chariotdriver, he bestowed in hospitall gifts at a certaine banquet, two millions of sesterces. To one of their Chariot-steedes named Incitatus, for whose sake (because he should not be disquieted), he was wont the day before the games Circenses, by his Souldiours to commaund the neighbours there adioyning to keepe silence, besides a Stable all built of marble stone for him, and a manger made of Ivorie: over and above his caparison also and harnois of purple, together with a brooch or pendant Iewell of pretious stones at his poictrell: he allowed an house and familie of servants, yea and houshold-stuffe to furnish the same: all to this end, that guests invited in his name might be more finely and gaily intertained. It is reported moreover that he meant to preferre him unto a Consulship.

56 As he rioted thus and fared outragiously, many there were who wanted no hart & good will to assault his person. But after one or two conspiracies detected, when others for default of opportunitie held-of and made stay, two at length complotted and imparted one unto the other their designment, yea and performed it; not without the privitie of the mightiest freed-men about him, and the Capitaines of his Guard. The reason was, for that they also, beeing nominated (although untruly) as accessarie to a certaine conspiracie, perceived themselves suspected and odious unto him therefore. For, even immediatly, by sequestring them a part into a secret place he brought upon them great hatred, protesting with his sword drawne, That die he would upon his owne hand, if they also thought him worthy of death. Neither ceased hee from that time forward to accuse one unto the other, and to set them all together by the eares. Now when these Conspiratours were resolved and agreed to assaile him during the Palatine (a) games, as he departed thence out of the Theater at noonetide, Cassius Cherea Tribune of the Pretorian Cohort tooke upon him to play the first part in this Action: even hee, whom being now farre stept in yeeres (*) * [〈◊〉] , Caius was wont to frump and flout in most opprobrious termes as a wanton and effeminate person: and one while, when he came unto him for a watch-word, to give him Priapus or Venus; another while, if upon any occasion he rendred thanks, to reach out unto him his hand, not onely fashioned but wagging also after an obscoene and filthy manner.

Many prodigious signes were seene, presaging his future death and murder.57 The image of Iupiter at Olympia, which his pleasure was to bee disiointed and translated to Rome, did set up all on a suddaine such a mighty laughter that Page 150 the workmen about it, let their Engines and Vices slip and so ranne all away. And straight-waies came there one in place whose name also was Cassius, that avouched, he had warning and commaundement in a dreame to sacrifice a Bull unto Iupiter. The (a) Capitol in Capua upon the Ides of March was smitten with lightning. Likewise at Rome the Porters lodge belonging to the Princes Palace. And there wanted not some who gave their coniecture, that by the one Prodigie was portended danger to the Master of the house from his Guard and the Squires of his person; by the other some notable murder againe, such as in times past had beene committed upon (b) the same day. Also, Sulla the Astrologer, when Caius asked his counsell and opinion, as touching the Horoscope of his Nativitie, told him plaine, That most certaine and inevitable death approached neere at hand. Semblably the Oracle at Antium, gave him a caveat, to beware of Cassius. For which very cause, hee had taken order and given expresse commaundement, That Cassius Longinus Proconsull then in Asia, should bee killed: not remembring that the fore-saide Chaerea had to name Cassius. The day before he lost his life, he dreamt that he stoode in heaven close unto the throne of Iupiter: and that Iupiter spurned him with the great toe of his right foote, and therewith threw him downe headlong to the earth. There went also for currant prodigies and fore tokens of his fall; even those occurrents that hapned unto him that very day, a little before he was murdred. As himselfe sacrificed, bespreinct he was with the bloud of the foule Phaenicopterus. And Mnester the skilfull Actour above named, represented that very (*) * [〈◊〉] . Tragaedie which whilome Neptolemus the Tragaedian acted at the solemnitie of those games, wherein Philip (*) * The sonne of [〈◊〉] . King of the Macedonians was killed. And when as in the shew or Enterlude entituled (c)* Of some house represen ted upon the Stage. Laureolus, wherein the chiefe plaier making hast to get away out of the (*) * Fit actours & expositours such an argument. ruine, vomited bloud, many more of the Actours in a second degree strived a vie to give some triall and experiment of the like cunning; the whole stage by that meanes flowed with bloud. Prepared there was likewise against night another shew, wherein the darke fables reported of Hell and the Infernall Spirits there, were to be exhibited and unfolded by Aegyptians and Aethiopians.

58 Vpon the (*) * 24. of Iannarie. A. V. C. 794. ninth day before the Kalends of Februarie, about one of the clocke afternoone: Doubting with himselfe, whether he should rise to dinner or no? (for that his stomacke was yet rawe and weake upon a surfait of meate taken the day before), at last by the perswasion of his friends hee went forth. Now, when as in the very (*) * Or [〈◊〉] . cloisture through which hee was to passe certaine boyes of noble birth sent for out of Asia (to sing Himnes, and to skirmish martially upon the Stage) were preparing themselves, he stood still and staied there to view and encourage them. And but that the leader and chiefetaine of that crew, said, He was very cold, hee would have returned and presently exhibited that shew. But what befell after this, is reported two manner of waies. Some say, that as he spake unto the said boies, Chaer [•…] A came behind his back, and with a drawing blow grievously wounded his neck with the edge of his sword, giving him these words before, Hoc age. i. Mind this: Wherupon, Cornelius Sabinus, another of the Conspiratours, encountred him a-front, and ranne him through in the brest. Others write, that Sabinus, after the multitude about him was voided by the Centurions (who were privie to the Conspiracie) Page 151 called for a watch-word, as the maner is of souldiers, and when Caius gave him the word, Iupiter, Chaerea cryed out alowde, Accipe ratum. i. Here take it sure: and with that, as he looked behind him, with one slash cut his chaw quite thorough: Also as he lay on the ground and drawing up his limmes together cryed still, That he was yet alive, the rest of their complices with thirtie wounds dispatched and made an end of him. For, this mot, Repete. i. Strike againe, was the signal of them all. Some of them also thrust their swords through his privie members. At the very first noise and outcrie, his licter-bearers came running to helpe, with their litter staves: Soone after, the Germans that were the squires of his bodie came in: & as they slew some of the murderers, so they killed certaine Senatours also that were meere innocent.

He lived 29. yeares, and ruled the Empire three yeares 10. moneths and 8.59 dayes. His dead corps was conueyed secretly into the Lamian hortyards, where being scorched onely, or halfe burnt in a tumultuary and hasty funerall fire, covered it was with a few turfs of earth lightly cast over it; but afterwards, by his sisters now returned out of exile, taken up, burnt to ashes and enterred. It is for certain knowen and reputed; that before this Complement was performed, the keepers of those hortyards were troubled with the walking of spirits and ghosts: and in that uery (*) * Which hee called a [〈◊〉] cloyster, [•…] fore. house wherin he was murdred there passed not a night without some terror or fearefull object, until the uery house it selfe was consumed with fire. There dyed together with him, both his Wife Caesonia, stabbed with a sword by a Centurion, and also a daughter of his, whose braines were dashed out against a wall.60

What the condition and state was of those dayes, any man may gather, even by these particulars. For neither, when this massacre was divulged and made knowen abroad, men gave credite by and by thereto; but there went a suspicion, that Caius himselfe had feigned and given out a rumour of this murder, by that meanes to sound mens minds, and find, how they stood affected unto him: nor yet had those conspiratours destined the Empire to anie one. And the Senators in recovering their antient freedome againe accorded so, as that the consuls assembled them not at the first into the (*) * A new Senate house in liew of Curia Hostilia. Curia, because it bare the name (*) * For now the name of the Cæsars and their race became odious, as oppressers of the co͏̄mon weale. Iulia, but into the Capitol: yea and some of them, when their turnes came to speake, opined, That the memorie of the Cæsars should be utterly abolished and razed out, giving aduise to pull downe their temples. Moreover, this hath beene obserued and noted especially, That the Cæsars, who had to their forename (*) * And yet wee reade not so much of Caius one of Augustus sonne, brother of Lucius. Caius, beginning at him first who was slaine in the troublesome dayes of Cinna, dyed all of them a violent death.