THE HISTORIE OF Caius Iulius Cesar Dictator,

CÆsar in the sixteenth yeare of his age, lost his (a) Father: Chap. 1. A. V. C. 670. and in the (*) * Sequentibus Coss. For at Rome they reckoned the yeares according to their Consuls: whose office ordinarily continued one yeare, and begin with the yeare. upon the first day of Ianuarie. yeare following, being elected (b) Flamen Dialis, he cast off Cossvtia (a Gentlewoman borne but very wealthie) affianced unto him during his childhood; and espoused Cornelia the daughter of Cinna foure times Consul: who bare vnto him soone after, his daughter Ivlia: neither could he by any meanes be forced by Svlla the Dictatour, to (c) put her away: Whereupon, deprived of his sacerdotall dignitie, loosing the dowrie in the right of his wife, and forfeiting all his heritages (d) descended unto him from his linage and name, hee was reputed one of the (*) * O [•…] Diuorse. contrarie Faction. In so much as he was constrain’d to (*) * Of Ma [•…] s. hide his head; and (albeit the quartaine Ague hung sore upon him) to change almost every night his starting holes wherein hee lurked. yea. and to redeeme himselfe with a (e) peece of money out of the Inquisitours* To flie into the Sab [•…] s Countrie, hands that made search for him: untill such time, as by the mediation of the religious Page 2 (f) vestall virgines, by the meanes also of Mamer [•…] Vs Aemilivs and Avrelivs Cotta, his neere (*) * For Aurelia was his mother. kinsfolke and allied vnto him, hee obtained pardon. Certaine it is, that Svlla, when he had denied a good while the request of those right worshipfull persons, and his singular good friends intreating in his behalfe, and yet they persisted earnest suiters still for him, being thus importuned and at length overcome, brake forth aloud into these words, either in a Diuine prescience, or some pregnant coniecture, Goe to (quoth hee) my Mrs: Take him to you, since yee will needes have it so: but know this withall; that he whose life and safety yee so much desire, will one day be the overthrow of the Nobles, whose side yee have maintained with mee. For in this Cæsar there be many Marii.

The first time that Cæsar served in the Warres, was in Asia, and that2. in the (a) domesticall retinue of (*) * M. [〈◊〉] Thermus. M. Thermvs the Pretour: By whom being sent into Bithynia for to levie a Fleet, he made his aboade with K. Nicomedes: not without a foule rumour raised, that he prostituted his bodie to be abused by the King. which rumour he augmented himselfe, by comming againe into Bithynia within fewe dayes, vnder a colour of calling for certaine money, which should be due to a (b) Libertine and (c) Client of his. The rest of his soulderie he caried with better fame and reputation: and at the winning of Mitylenae, Thermvs honored him with a (a) Civike guirland.

He was a Souldiour also vnder Servilivs Isavricvs in Cilicia, but it3. was not long: For vpon certaine intelligence given of Svlla his death, and theA. V. C 676. hope withall of the new dissention that was stirred & set on foote by M. (a) Lepidvs, he returned in all hast to Rome. And notwithstanding hee was mightily solicited by many large offers and faire promises, yet forbare he to ioyne in societie with Lepidvs, partly distrusting his (*) * Surnamed so of the people in Cilicia named [•…] auri, whom he subdued. nature, and in part doubting the present oportunitie, which he found nothing answerable to his expectation.

Hovvbeit when that ciuill discord and sedition was (a) appeased, hee judicially4. accused for (*) * So variable and indiscreet extortion Cornelivs Dolobella, a man who had beene Consull, and triumphed. But seeing that the Defendant was found vnguiltie and acquit, hee determined to retire himselfe vnto the Citie of Rhodes, as well to decline the (*) * Wh [•…] es hee gouerned his Prouince. hatred of the world, as by occasion of that leasure and repose to learne the Art of Oratorie vnder Apollonivs (*) * For calling into question so honorable a person. Molon a most renowmed Rhetorician in those daies. As he crossed the Seas thitherward (*) * Molon [•…] , not Molonis, as Plutar [•…] taketh it, that is, the son of Molon. (being now Winter time) his fortune was about the Isle Pharmacusa to be taken by Rovers, and with them he remained in custodie (not without (*) * [〈◊〉] men [•…] us, that is, In the Winter moneths which were Decemb; Ianuar. Febr: exceeding indignation) for the space well neere of xl. dayes, accompanied with one (*) * Some reade d [•…] gnatione in a divers sense. Physician and two Groomes of his chamber. For, (*) * M [•…] dico, vel am [•…] , that is, a friend. his (*) * O [•…] the rest of his companions & [•…] eruants. companions and the rest of his servants belonging to his traine. he had sent (*) * To the Cities of Asia, a Province adioyning. away immediatly at the very first, to procure him money with all speed for his ransome. After this upon the payment vnto them of L. talents being set a shoare, he delayed no time, but presently put his Fleet to Sea againe, embarked, and never gave over pursuing the said Pirates, vntill he had over-taken them: and no sooner were they within his power, but as hee often times had threatned in mirth, hee put them all to death. Now whiles Mithridates wasted the Countries next adjoyning, because he would not be thought to sit still & doo nothing in this dangerous & doubtful state of confederate Nations and Allies to the Romaines, he left Rhodes whether Page 3 he had directly bent his course, gathered a power of Auxiliarie Souldiers, expelled the Governour under the King out of the Province, and so kept the Cities and States in their alleageance, which were wavering and at the point to revolt.

In his Militarie (a) tribuneship, which was the first dignitie after his returne5. to Rome, that befell vnto him by the voyces and election of the people, hee assisted with all his might (*) * C. Co [•…] ta. M. Cras [•…] s, & C [•…] . Pompe [•…] us. who were the chiefe. those Patrones of the Commons, who stoode out for the restitution of their Tribunes authoritie; the force and strength whereof Svlla had abated. Hee effected moreouer thus much, by vertue of an Act proposed by (*) * A Tribune of the Commons. Plotivs, that L. Cinna his wiues brother, that they, who together with him in the time of the ciuill discord aboue-saide, tooke part with Lepidvs, and after the (*) * Lepidus. Consuls death, fled vnto Sertorius, might returne safely into the Citie, and enjoy their freedome. As touching which matter, himselfe made an Oration before the body of the people.

Being (*) * Treasurer. Questour hee made as the auncient manner was Funerall Orations6. out of the publique Pulpit called Rostra, in the praise of Ivlia his Aunt by the Fathers side, and of his wife Cornelia, both late deceased. And in the commendation verily of his said Aunt, speaking of the pedigree and descent by both sides, namely of her selfe, and also of her Father, hee maketh report in these termes: Mine Aunt Ivlia (quoth he) by her Mother is lineally descended from Kings, and by her Father vnited with the race of the immortall Gods: For, from Ancus Marcius are derived the Marcij surnamed Reges, id est. Kings, which name my Mother was stiled with: and from Venvs the Ivlii draw their originall of which house and name is our familie. So then, in this stock there concur and meete together, as well the sanctitie and sacred Maiestie of Kings, who among men are most powerfull, as the religious Caeremonies and seruice of the Gods, in whose power Kings themselues are. In the place of Cornelia departed, hee wedded Pompeia, daughter of Q. Pompeivs, and Neece to L. Svlla. But her afterward hee divorced, suspecting that she had beene naught with P. Clodivs, of whom there went so constant a report abroade, how at the celebration of certaine publique Divine ceremonies, he being disguised in womans aparel had accesse secretly unto her, that the Senate by Decree directed a Commission to Iustices Inquisitours, for to sit upon the pollution of those sacred Rites and (*) * Of the Goddesse Bona. which wee celebrated in Caesars house, being the Ponti [•…] ex. Misteries.

Dvring his Questureship, it fell unto him by lot to execute his Office in7. A. V. C 687. the (*) * Called [•…] ca. farther Province of Spaine: where, when as by the commaundement of the (*) * A [•…] tist [•…] s Vet [•…] s. Lord Pretour, he rode his circuit to keepe the (*) * In head shire Townes which were called Co͏̄uentu [•…] . Pl [•…] . Assises, and came to Gades, beholding advisedly the Image or pourtracture of K. Alexander the Great in the Temple of Hercvles there: at the sight there of hee fetched a deepe sigh, yea, and as one displeased and yrked with his owne sloathfulnes, in that hee had performed yet no memorable Act at those (*) * That is, 33. C. Ph [•…] lip. 5. yeeres, wherein Alexander had conquered the whole world, hee presently made earnest suite for his discharge and licence to depart, thereby to take the first oportunitie of all occasions to compasse greater enterprizes at home within the Citie: and being moreover much disquieted and dismayed with a dreame the night before (for he imagined in his sleepe that he had carnall company with his owne Mother) the Divinours and Wizards incited him to the hopes of most glorious atchievements, making this exposition of his dreame, that thereby was portended unto him the Soveraigntie Page 4 of the whole world, considering that his Mother whom hee saw under him betokened nought else but the subjection of the earth, which is counted the Mother of all things.

Departing therefore thence before his time was fully expired, hee went8. unto the (a) Latine Colonies, which were now devising and in counsell to sue for the freedome of the Citie of Rome, and no doubt had solicited and excited them to attempt some tumult and trouble in the State, but that the Consuls for the avoiding of this very dunger, kept back the Legions for a while which were enrolled for to be sent into Cilicia.

And yet for all that, soone after he projected greater designes within the Citie.9. For, not many daies before he entred upon his Aedileship, suspected he wasA. V. C. 688. to have conspired with M. Crassvs ( (*) * That had been Consul. a man of Consular degree) with P. Svlla likewise and (*) * Or L. rather. P. Antronivs, (who after they were Consuls elect stoode condemned for suing indirectly and by corruption for that place) to set upon the body of the Senate in the beginning of their yeare; and that after they had massacred whom it pleased them, M. Crassvs should usurpe the Dictatourship; himselfe be chosen by him Maister of the Horsemen: and so when they had setled the State at their pleasure, Svlla and Antronivs should be restored againe unto their Consulship. Of this conspiracie, Tanvsivs Geminvs maketh mention in his Storie, M. Bibvlvs in his Edicts and C. Cvrio the Father in his Orations. Cicero likewise seemeth to signifie as much in a certaine Epistle unto Axivs wherein hee reporteth that Cæsar established in his Consulship that Kingdome and roiall government, which he plotted and thought upon when hee was Aedile. Tanvsivs writeth farther, that Crassvs either repenting himselfe, or else upon feare, was not present nor kept the day appointed for the said massacre. and therefore Cæsar neither gave that signall which by agreement hee should have given. Now agreed it was as Cvrio saith, that he should let his gowne fall from his shoulders. The same Cvrio yea and M. Artorivs Naso doo write, that he conspired also with Cn. Piso anoble young Gentleman, who being in suspition for a conspiracie within the Citie, had the Province of Spaine extraordinarily and without his owne suite bestowed upon him: and complotted it was, that both hee in forraine parts abroade* Who was slaine by Spanish Horsemen, of whom hee had the conduct. and himselfe also at Rome should at once make an insurrection for to alter the State; and that, by the occasion and meanes of the (*) * So called of a riuer, neere into which they dwelt beyond the Po. Lambranes and inhabitants beyond the Po. That is, But the designement both of the one and the other was defeated and frustrate by reason of Piso his death.

When he was Aedile, besides the (a) Comitium, the Market-place, and statelie10 Halls of Iustice, hee beautified the Capitoll also with faire open GalleriesA. V. C. 689. built for the present occasion to stand onely during the publique shewes and plaies: wherein if the number of Images, Statues, and painted Tables fell out to be greater than was needefull, part of that furniture and provision might be set forth to the view of all men. As for the chasing and baiting of wilde beasts, the Stage plaies & solemne sights, he exhibited the͏̄ both jointly with his co͏̄panion in Office, and also severally by himselfe. Whereby it came to passe, that howsoever the charges of these Solemnities were borne in commune by them both, yet he alone went away with all the honour and thanke thereof: Neither did M. Bibvlvs his Colleague dissimule the matter, but utter as much, when Page 5 he said that the same befell unto him which unto Pollvx: For like as (quoth he) the Temple erected in the Common Market place of Rome unto (*) * Geminis fran͏̄ tribus, that is, Costor and Pollux, who commonly be called Gemini fratres both the Twin-brethren, beareth the name of Castor alone: even so my munificence in expence and Cæsars together in setting out these games and plaies, goeth under the name of Cæsar onely. Cæsar over and above, did exhibite another shew of Sword-fight even at the sharpe: but hee brought into the place (*) * And yet hee exhibited 320. paire, as Plutarch writeth. fewer couples of champions by a good many than he purposed: For, buying up (as he did) such a sort of Fencers from all parts out of every Schoole, and putting his adversaries of the other faction in great affright thereby, hee gave occasion unto the State to provide by a speciall Act in that behalfe, For a certaine set number of Sworde-plaiers, above which no man might retaine anie at Rome.

11 Thus when he had gained the harts & favour of the people, he gave the attempt by some of the (*) * That hee might governe it and place the King [•…] gaine in his ro [•…] all Seate. Tribunes, and sued to have the Province of Aegypt by an Act of the Commons conferred upon him: taking occasion to make suite for this extraordinarie Governement, For that the Alexandrianes had driven their (*) * P [•…] lomeus Au [•…] etes the Father of Cleopa [•…] , who many yeares after by Gabi [•…] was restored to his Kingdome. A. V. C. 690. King out of his Roialme, whom the Senate had styled with the title of Allie and Friend, An Act of theirs generally misliked. Howbeit hee could not carie it, by reason that the faction of the Nobles crossed him. Whose authoritie* As [•…] orrentius saith. because hee would by way of quittance infringe and impaire by all meanes possible; the Tropaees and victorious Monuments of C. Marivs for subduing K. Ivgvrtha, the Cimbrians and the Teutons, which before time had beene demolished (*) * This is by the figure Prol [•…] sis to be understood of Cæsar when hee was [•…] raetour of the Citie: as who favoured the Faction of M [•…] rius both then and before, howsoever it may seem that [〈◊〉] speaketh this of him being Aedile, or presently after his Aedileship: which by Torre [•…] tius leave, may well stand with the truth. and cast downe by Svlla, he erected and set up againe: (*) * In place of the [•…] retor. Also in sitting upon a Commission for the examination of (*) * Cae [•…] r. A. V. C. 691. murderers, hee reckoned those in the number of them, who in the time of the Proscription, had received money out of the publique Treasurie for bringing in (a) the heads of Romaine Citizens, notwithstanding they were excepted by vertue of the Lawes (*) * That is, Egipt and the restoring of the king afore said. Corneliae.

12 Moreover, he suborned one (a) and set him on, to endite C. Rabirivs of high treason, by whose helpe especia [•…] ly some yeares before the Senate had repressed and restrained the seditious Tribuneship of L. Satvrninvs: and being by lot chosen a (*) * Which were 35. Iudge Delegate to passe sentence of the prisoner, so willing he was to condemne him, that when Radirivs appealed unto the people, nothing did him so much good as the rigour of the (*) * But not entred y [•…] t i [•…] to the Office. Iudge.

13 Having laied a side all hope of the foresaid (*) * [〈◊〉] suppl cium. Province, he stood to be the Highest Priest, not without excessive and most lavish largesse. Wherein, considering how deepely hee engaged himselfe in debt, the same morning that hee was to goe unto the assemblie for the Election, when his Mother * kissed him he told her (by report) afore-hand, that he would never returne home but Pontife. And so farre overweighed he (a) two most mightie Competitours, who otherwise for age and dignitie much outwent him, that in their owne Tribes hee alone caried more voices, than both of them in all * throughout.

Being * created Pretour, when as the Conspiracie of Catiline was14 detected, and all the Senate generally awarded no lighter punishment than * death, for as many as were parties and accessarie in that Action; hee onely gave his sentence, That their goods should be confiscate, and themselves put into severall Page 6 free Cities and Burrowghes under the people of Rome, and there to bee kept in ward: and furthermore hee put them in so great a fright that gave sharper censure (intimating eft-soones and setting before their eyes the exceeding great hatred of the Romaine Communaltie, which in time to come they should incurre) that D [•…] Cimvs Silanvs Consul elect was not abashed nor unwilling to mollifie his owne (*) * As if he ment by [•…] mum supplicium, impri sonment or some lesse punishment then death. award, with a gentle exposition (because it had been a shame to alter it and eate his owne words) as if it had beene taken and construed in an harder sence, than hee meant it. And verily prevailed hee had, and gone cleare away with it (for many there were alreadie drawne to his side, and among the rest, (*) * Quintus Cicero Cicero (*) * M. Cicero. the Consuls brother) but that a speech made by M. Cato emboldened the whole house, and confirmed all the Senatours in their former sentence, who now were at the point to yeeld unto him. And yet for all this, he ceased not to hinder their proceedings, untill such time as a troupe of Romaine Knights, who stood round about the place in Armes for (*) * Of Consul and Senate guard and defence, threatned to dispatch him out of the way, in case hee continued still in his obstinate contumacie, holding and shaking their drawne Swords so neere unto him, as that his next fellowes forsooke him as he sate with them, and very few taking him in their armes and putting their (*) * Plutarch nameth Curio for one of them Gownes betweene, hardly and with much a doo saved him from violence. Then was hee scared in deede, in so much as hee not onely condiscended unto them, but also for the rest of that (*) * Of M. T Cicero the Consul his yeere which now drew to an [•…] nd. yeare forbare to come into the Senate house.

The very first day of his Pretourship, he convented Q Catvlvs before15 the body of the people to receive their order upon (a) a matter to be discussedA. V. C. 692. by them, as touching reedification of the Capitoll, having withall promulged a Lawe, by vertue whereof hee transferred the charge of that worke unto (*) * That i [•…] , to Cn. Pompeius. another. But not able to match the Nobles and better sort, nor to make his part good with them drawing in one line, as they did, whom hee sawe in great frequencie to runne by heapes together, so fully bent to ma [•…] e resistance, that presently they left their officious attendance upon the new Consuls, hee gave over this action.

Bvt, whereas Cecilivs Metellvs (*) * Surnamed Nepos (as Va [•…] erius witnesseth) for his riotous life and beha viour. a Tribune of the Commons, proposed16 most turbulent and seditious Lawes, malgre his Colleagues with all their opposition, he shewed himselfe a stout ab better and maintainer of him: most stifly bearing him out in the cause, so long untill both of them were by an injunction and decree of the Senatours remooved from the administration of the Common wealth. Howbeit presuming neverthelesse to continue in his magistracie, and to execute his jurisdiction, when he understood once that some were ready to prohibite him by force and Armes, hee sent away his Serjeants, cast off his (e) embrodered purple Robe, and retired priv [•…] ly to his owne house, minding there to keepe himselfe quiet in regard of the troublesome time. And when two daies after, the multitude flocked unto him willingly and of their owne accord, promising after a very tumultuous manner their helpe and assistance in the recoverie of his former place and dignitie, he repressed them. Which thing happening thus beyond all expectation, The Senate which was hastily met together about that riot and uprore, gave him hartie thankes; and that by the principall and noblest personages among them, sent for him into the (f) Curia, and Page 7 after they had in most honourable termes commended him, they restored him fully to his Office, and reversed their former Decree.

He fell againe into another newe trouble and daunger, being called into17. question as one of Catilines conspiracie, both before the Questor Novivs Niger in his house, and that by L. Vettivs (*) * Indice, some reade Indice, that is, as if Index were his surname. who appeached him; and also in the Senate. by P. Cvrivs: unto whom for that he detected first, the plots & designments of the Conspiratours, were rewards appointed by the State. Cvrivs deposed that he knew so much by Cattiline: and Vettivs promised to bring forth even his owne hand-writing which he gave unto Catiline: But this was such an indignitie as Cæsar in no wise thought tollerable; whereupon, craving the testimonie of Cicero by which he proved, that himselfe merely of his owne accord had given some information unto him of the said Conspiracie, [•…] e prevailed so much that Cvrivs went without those rewards. As for Vettivs, after his goods were arrested and stresses taken, his houshold-stuffe rifled, himselfe evill entreated, beaten, and in the open assemblie of the multitude even before the Rostra wel-neere pulled in peeces, him he clapt up in prison. After the same sort he served Novivs the Questour, because hee suffered him, (g) a superiour Magistrate of State, to be accused and defamed in his house.

(*) * Ex praetura whereby it appeareth he was Praetor Viba [•…] . After this Pretourship of his, having the Government of the farther18. Province in Spaine allotted unto him, hee tooke order with his Creditours (thatA. V. C. 69 [•…] . were in hand to stay him) by the meanes of certaine (a) sureties who came in and undertooke for him: and before the Governours of the Provinces were disposed-of by the State, with Commissions sealed for their jurisdiction and other affaires, with allowance and furniture also set out for them accordingly, he contrarie to all right and custome put himselfe in his journey: were it for feare of some judiciall proceeding intended against him whiles he was a private person, or because he might more speedily succour the Allies of the Romaines, who craved helpe, it is uncertaine. Well, when he had setled the Province in peace, he made as great hast to be gone. and not expecting a Successour hee departed, as well to ride in Triumph as to take upon him the Consulship. But after the Writs and Proclamations were out for the great Assemblie to Election (ofA V. C 695. Consuls) when he might not be pricked nor propounded (Consull) unlesse hee entred the Citie in qualitie of a private Citizen, and (*) * Cato, and his followers. many withstoode him labouring as he did to be dispensed-with for the Lawes, forced he was for feare of being put by the Consulship to forgoe (b) his triumph.

Of the two Competitours with him for the Consulship, to wit, L. Lvceivs19 and M. Bibvlvs, hee made choise of Lvceivs to be his Companion in Office; vpon this compact and condition, That since hee was a man not so gracious, but better monied than himselfe, he should of his owne purse pronounce in the name of both, & promise to deale monies among the Centuries. Which devise being known the (*) * Optimates. Nobles and great men who were afraide, that being once a soueraigne (*) * Consull. Magistrate, & hauing a collegue ready at his beck to agree & consent with him, he would both dare & do any thing; perswaded with Bibvlvs to make promise of as great a Donation as the other did: and the most part of them contributed their monies thereunto. Yea, Cato himselfe verily was not against it, but saide, This Largesse stoode with the good of the weale Page 8 publique. Heereupon created Consul hee was with Bibvlvs. For the same cause, the saide Nobles and principall persons of the Citie gaue order, that the Consuls for this yeere following, should haue (b) the Prouinces and Commissions of least affaire and importance, to wit, the looking vnto Forrests & Woods, vnto Lanes and Pathes. Cæsar taking this wrong and disgrace most to the heart, made court all that euer he could vnto Cn. Pompeivs, who had taken offence against the Senatours, for that hauing vanquished K Mithridates, his Acts and Decrees were no sooner ratified and confirmed. He reconciled also vnto Pompeivs, M. Crassvs, an olde enemie ever since that Consulship, which they bare together with exceeding much jarring and disagreement: Hee entred likewise into a Societie with them both, vpon this contract, That nothing should be done or passe in the administration of the Common-weale, that displeased any of them three.

When he was entred into this Honourable place of Consulship; hee (first20 of all that ever were) ordained, That all Acts, as well of Senate as People shouldA. V. C. 695. day by day as they (a) were concluded, bee recorded also and published. Hee brought-in likewise the ancient custome againe, that in what (b) moneth hee had not the Knitches of rods with Axes borne before him, a publique Officer called Accensvs should huis [•…] er him before, and the Serjeants or Lictours follow after behinde. Hauing promulged the Lawe Agraria, as touching the division of Lands among the Commons, when his fellowe Consull withstoode and resisted his proceedings, hee drave him out of the Common-place, by violence and force of Armes. The morrow after, when the saide Bibvlvs had made his complaint in the Senate of this outrage, and there would not one be found that durst move the house about so great a garboile and hurliburly as that was, nor give his censure thereof (as often times in lighter (*) * Turbis alias culp [•…] , that is, Trespasses or offences. tumults and stirres there had passed many Decrees) hee drave him to such a desperate feare, that untill hee went quite out of his magistracie, hee kept close within house and never prohibited (*) * [〈◊〉] , by pronouncing out of the Augurs learning, that the day was nefa [•…] tus & non comitialis, that is no Law-day. any proceedings else, but by way of (*) * Per edicta, some read, per list [•…] es, that is, by his Ser [•…] nts and Officers. Edict. From that time forward, Cæsar alone managed all the affaires of State, even as hee would himselfe: in so much as diuers Citizens pleasantly conceited, when so euer they signed, subscribed, or dated any writings to stand vpon record, would merily put it downe thus, Such a thing was done, not when Cæsar and Bibvlvs, but when Ivlivs and Cæsar were Consuls: setting downe one and the same man twice, by his name and surname: yea, and soone after, these verses were commonly currant abroad,

The Stellat champian fields held consecrated & religious by our Auncestors, together with the Campane territorie reserued to yeeld rent and pay tribute for a Subsidie to the Common-weale, hee divided without casting (*) * At the discretion of [•…] x. men d [•…] puted Commissioners for that purpo [•…] . lots, among Page 9 twentie thousand Citizens who could shew three children or more. The Publicanes making request for some (*) * For that they had take͏̄ things at too high a rate. easement hee relieued, by striking of a third part of their rents, and warned them openly, that in the setting and letting of the new commodities and renenues of the Citie, they should not bid and offer too much. All other things likewise he gaue and graunted, according as euery mans mind and desire stood thereto, and no man gaine-said him: but, went any about to thwart him, he was soone frighted away. M. Cato, when hee seemed to interrupt and stop his proceedings, hee caused to be haled violently out of the Senate house by an Officer, and committed to prison. As L. Lvcvllvs stoutly withstood his doings, he put him into so great a feare of sundry Actions and criminations, that hee was glad to come and fall downe before him at his knees. When Cicero pleading vpon a time in Court, had lamented the wofull state of those times: the very same day, at the (*) * Three a clock in the after-noone. ninth houre thereof, hee brought P. Clodivs his enemie to be adopted into the house and name of a Commoner; one who long before had laboured in vaine to goe from the Nobles, and be incorporate among the Commons. Last of all, it is credibly reported, that he induced by rewards, against all those in generall of the contrary faction, (*) * Indice͏̄, others read Iudic m id est Vettius Iudex. an appeacher, to professe that he was sollicited by some for to murder Pompeivs;* L. Vettius according to Di [•…] and [•…] ptian. who being produced forth by him before the body of the people, nominated (as he had instructions, and as it was agreed betweene them afore) those that set him a worke: but when one or two of them were named to no purpose, nor without pregnant suspition of some fraudulent practise; he despairing the good successe of so rash and inconsiderate a project, poysoned the (*) * Id est Vettius Iudex aforesaid: For, dead hee was found in prison by night. partie whom he had thus suborned, and made him away for telling any more tales.

Abovt the same time, hee tooke to wife Calpvrnia the daughter of L.21. Piso, who was to succeede him in the Consulate; and affianced hiw owne daughter Ivlia vnto Cn. Pompeivs, rejecting and casting off her former spouse (*) * Whom hee promised in marriage the daughter of Cn. Pompeius. Servilivs Caepio, by whose helpe especially a little before, he had impugned Bibvlvs. After this new contracted affinitie, hee began (in Counsell) to aske (a) Pompeivs opinion first; whereas before, hee was wont to begin with Crassvs: notwithstanding also the custome was, that the Consul should observe that order all the yeere following, in asking the Senatours sentences, which he began with, the first day of Ianuarie.

Being backed therefore by the favour and assistance of his wives (*) * Piso. Father22. and (*) * Cn. Pompeius. Sonne in Law, out of all that choice of Provinces hee chose especially the Gaules, the wealth and commoditie whereof might fit his hand, and minister matter sufficient of (a) triumphs. And verily at the first by vertue of the Law (b) Vatinia he tooke vpon him the gouernment of (c) Gallia Cisalpina together with Illyricvm. Soone after by the meanes of the Senate, that also which was called (d) Comata: For, the nobilitie feared, least if they had denied him it, the people would have bestowed the same also vpon him. With joy whereof he grew so haughtie and proud, that he could not hold and temper himselfe, but after some fewe daies make his boast in a frequent Senate house, that he had gotten now what he desired in despite of his aduersaries, and full [•…] ore against their wills; and therefore from that time forward, would (e) insult vpon all their heads: whereupon, when one by way of reproach denied that and said, That it was no easie matter for a woman so to doo: he answered againe, as Page 10 it were alluding merily to another sence, That, euen in Assyria there some time raigned Queene Semiramis: and that the women named (f) Amazones held in times past a great part of Asia in subjection.

When hee had borne his Consulship, C. Memmivs and L. Domitivs23 Pretours for the time being (*) * vvhether they should be repealed or stand in force., put to question his Acts passed the former yeere:A V. C 696. wherevpon hee referred the examination and censure thereof unto the body of the Senate but seeing they would not underta [•…] e the thing, after three daies spent to no purpose in vaine brables and altercacions, he departed into his Province. And immediatly his (*) * When he was Consul. Questour (a) for to prejudice him, was drawne into trouble & indited upon certaine crimes. Within a while himselfe also was brought judicially to his triall, and accused by L. Antistivs a Tribune of the Commons: but by appealing unto the Colledge of the Tribunes, hee prevailed through their favour thus much (in regard of his absence about the affaires of Common-weale) that he should not be liable to the accusation. For his better securitie therefore against future times, he travailed much to obligue and make beholden unto him the Magistrates every yeare: and of those Competitours who sued for any honourable Office, to helpe or suffer none other to come unto the place, but such as covenanted with him, and undertooke to defend & maintaine (*) * For that hee was extraordinarily absent, longer than the Law Sempronia did permit. him in his absence. For assurance of which their covenant, he stuck not to require of some an oath, yea, and a bill of their owne hands.

Bvt when L. Domitivs a (a) Candidate for the Consulship threatned openly,24. that were he once Consul, he would effect that which he could not whileA. V. C. 698. he was Pretour, yea, and take from him his Armies, hee made meanes to draw Crassvs and Pompeivs unto Luca a Citie within his Province: with whom hee dealt effectually, that for to give Domitivs the repuise, they should both sue for themselues to be Consuls the second time, and also labour that his government might be prorogued or continued for five yeares longer; and he effected both. Vpon this confidence hee presumed to assume unto those Legions which hee had received from the State, others beside, maintained partly at the Cities charges, and in part with his owne private purse. And one Legion aboue the rest, enrolled from out of the Countries beyond the Alpes, hee termed by a French word, For named it was (*) * The bird Galerita or Cassita, so called of a crest, upon the head. This Legion it should seeme ware P [•…] umes of feathers in their crests of Helmets, whereupon it tooke that name. Alauda. Which, being trained in militarie discipline, armed also and set out after the Romaine fashion, hee afterwards enfranchized throughout and made free of Rome. Neither from this time forward forbare he any occasion of warre, were it never so unjust or dangerous: picking quarrels as well with confederate Nations, as those that were enemies, savage and barbarous; whom he provoked to take Armes: in so much as the Senate one time decreed. to send certaine Embassadours for to survay & visite the state of the Gaules: yea, and some (*) * Namely Cato, Plutarch. were of opinion, that he shovld be delivered unto the enemies hands. But by reason that his affaires sped well and had good successe, hee obtained in regard thereof solemne Supplications both oftner, and to hold more daies than ever any man did (before himselfe.)

Dvring the time of his (provinciall) gouernment, which continued nine25. yeares space, these, in manner, were the Acts which hee performed. All that part of Gaule, which from the Forrest and Mountaine Pyrenaeus, the Alpes, and the hill Gebena, is enclosed within the Rivers Rhene and Rhosne, containing in circuit 3200. miles, not accounting the associate Cities and States Page 11 well of the people of Rome, hee reduced into the forme of a Province, and imposed upon them a payment of tribute yeerely. The Germanes inhabiting beyond the Rhene, he of all the Romaines first assailed by meanes of a bridge which he built over the said River, and those he grievously plagued and gave them manie great overthrowes. He set upon the Britaines also, a people before time unknowne, whom hee vanquished and compelled both to pay money, and also to deliver hostages. In so many prosperous battailes and fortunate exploits, he tasted of adverse fortune thrice onely & no more: once in Britaine, when his Fleete had like to have beene lost and cast away in a violent tempest: a second time in Gaule, where a Legion of his was discomfited and put to flight, neare unto Gergov [•…] a: and last of all, in the marches of Germanie, when Titvrivs and Avrvncvleivs his Lievtenants were forlayed by an ambush and put to the sword.

Within the compasse of which very same time, hee lost by death, first, his26 (*) * Aurelia a Dame of singular chastitie Mother, then his daughter (Ivlia) and not long after his (*) * neptem, alij nepotem, that is, Nephew. Neece by the saidA. V. C. 700. daughter. And in this meane while, the Common-wealth being much troubled and astomed at the murder of Clodivs, (*) * By Milo [•…] when the Senate thought good there should be but one Consul created, namely Cn. Pompeivs, hee dealt with the Tribunes of the Commons (who intended that hee should be the Colleague in Office with Pompeivs) to propose this rather unto the People, That they would grant leave unto him in his absence, whensoever the terme of his government drew toward an end, to sue for his second Consulship: because he might not be constrained upon that occasion, and whiles the warre was yet unfinished, to depart out of his Province. Which whe͏̄ he had once obtained at their hands, reaching now at higher matters, and full of hopes, there was no kind of largesse, no manner of dutifull Office either in publique to the whole Citie, or privately unto any person that he omitted and left undone. His Forvm or stately Hall he began to build with the money raised of the spoiles gotten in warres: the very plot of ground whereon it should stand, cost him (*) * That is, a hundred millians of Sesterces, and 20, as P [•…] me writeth, lib 36 Cap. 15. if G [•…] areanus readeth truly, Millies aucenti [•…] s. Millies sestertium and above. He pronounced also a solemne Sword-fight and Feast unto the people, in the honour and memoriall of his Daughter, a thing that never any man did before him. And to cause an expectation of these solemnities in the highest degree, the viands & whatsoever pertained unto the feast, albeit he had agreed with B [•…] tchers and Victualers for the same at a certaine price, he provided neverthelesse by his (*) * Domesticatim. houshold-servants. All the notable and well knowne sword players, when and wheresoever they fought so, as upon the mislike and displeasure of the beholders they were in danger to be killed in the place at their commaundement, he tooke order and charged they should be had away by force and reserved for himselfe. As for new-Fencers and young beginners, hee trained them neither in any publique Schoole, nor under professed Mrs: of that Facultie, but at home in private houses, by Gentlemen of Rome, yea, and Senatours also, such as were skilful [•…] in their weapon and in feates of Armes praying and beseeching them earnestly (as appeareth in his Epistles unto them) to take the charge of every one severally, and to have a speciall care to instruct each one, and giue them rules in their exercises. The legionarie Souldiours pay in money he doubled for ever. And so often as there was plenty of corne, hee gave them their allowance of it without stint and measure and other-while he bestowed upon every one a slave or bondservant, yea and possessions by the poll.

Page 12Moreover, to retaine still the bond of acquaintance, affinitie, and good27. will of Pompeivs, Octavia his sisters (*) * So, hee was great Vnkle unto her. like as he was to Octavivs A [•…] gustus, the Emperour. Neece wedded unto C. Marcellvs, hee affianced and made sure unto him: but withall, he craved his daughter to wife, promised in mariage before unto Faustus Sulla. Hauing thus obligued and brought to his devotion all those about him, yea, & the greater number of Senatours, by crediting out his money unto them, either gratis, or vpon a slight co͏̄sideration: those also of other sorts & degrees, either invited kindly by himselfe, or resorting unto him of their owne accord, hee gratified with a most magnificent and bounteous (a) congiarie. The freed men besides, yea, and the Servants and Pages belonging to every one, according as any of them were in favour with their (*) * Or Patrone. Lord and Maister, tasted of his liberality. Moreover, there was not a man sued in Court judicially and in danger of the Law; there was not any deepely engaged and endebted unto their Creditours; there were no prodigall young spend-thrifts, but he was their onely supporter, and most readie at all assaies to helpe them: unlesse they were those that either had committed such grievous crimes, or were so low brought, or had been so excessiue in riot, as that they could not possibly be relieved by him. For such as these, hee would say in plaine termes and openly, there was no other remedie but civill warre.

No lesse carefull and studious was he to al [•…] ure unto him the hearts of Kings,28 yea, and whole Provinces throughout the world: unto some, offering in free gift the deliverie of Captives and prisoners by thousands at a time: unto others, sending aide secretly and under-hand without authoritie or commission of Senate and people, whether and as often as they would: and more than this, adorning with goodly building and excellent peeces of work the mightiest Cities of Italie, Gaule, Spaine, yea, and of Asia and Greece. This he did so long, untill all men now were astonied thereat: and when they cast with themselves whereto this might tend, at last M. Clavdivs Marcellvs the Consul, after a preface and preambleA. V. C. 703. made to his Edict, namely, That he would speake as touching the maine point of the Common-weale, proposed unto the Senate, That for as much as the warre was now ended, and peace abroad established, there might be one sent to succeede him, before his time was fully expired; also, That the victorious Armie ought of right to bee dismissed and have their discharge from warfare: Item, that in the High Court and assembly for the Consuls election his name should not bee propounded, considering Pompeivs afterward had anulled (*) * [•…] i plebis [•…] ito. that Act of the people (by vertue whereof it was graunted that he might be chosen Consul in his absence.) Now it had fallen out so, that hee making a Law as touching the right of Magistrates, in that Chapter and branch thereof, wherein he disabled those who were absent for being capable of honours and dignities, forgat to except Cæsar: and soone after, when the said Law was once engrossed and engraven in brasse, & so laid up in the Treasurie, corrected his error and oversight. Neither was Marcellvs content to deprive Cæsar of his Provinces, and to put him by the priviledge of a former Act passed in especiall favour of him, but he made a motion moreover, that those inhabitants, whom by the Law Vatinia Cæsar had planted in the Colonie of Novocomum, should leese the freedome which they had, as Citizens of Rome: For that this prerogative of theirs had been graunted by ambitious meanes, and beyond that prescript number which was appointed and warranted by the Decree in that behalfe.

Page 13Cæsar highly displeased and troubled at these proceedings, and judging it, (as he was heard by report many times to give out) an harder matter for him a29 principall man of the Citie, to be deposed and thrust downe from the highest and first place of degree into the second, than from the second into the lowest and last of all) withstood him with all his might and power, partly by the opposition and negatiue voice of the Tribunes, and in part by Servius SulpitiusA. V. C. 904. the other Consull. Also in the yeare following when C. Marcellus who succeeded his cousen Germain by the fathers side Marcus, in the co͏̄sulship. assaied to bring the same about, he bribed & made sure vnto him, with a mightie summe of mony, Aemilius Paulus, companion with him in office, and C. Curio a most violent Tribune. to sticke unto him, & defend his honor. But seeing all things carried still against him more obstinately than before, & the new Consuls elect take the contrarie side & bent another way, he wrote unto the Senate, and by his letters humbly besought them, not to suffer the benefit granted unto him by the people to be taken from him: or if they did, yet to giue order that other Generals like wise as well as hee, might leave their Armies: presuming confidently, as men thinke, vpon this, himselfe should be able whe͏̄soeuer he pleased to assemble together his souldiers more easily the͏̄ Pompeiusto levy new. But with his aduersaries he wold haue treated by way of Capitulation in these termes, that after he had discharged and sent away 8. Legions, and giuen over the prouince of Gaule beyond the Alpes, he might be allowed 2. legio͏̄s with the prouince on this side the Alpes: or if not so, yet atleast wise one, together with Illyricum, vntil such time as he were created co͏̄sul.

But perceiuing that the Senate came not betweene nor interposed their authoritie to stop the course intended against him, & his aduersaries denied flatly to admit all manner of capitulating & composition concerning the commonwealth, he passed into the hither part of Gaule, & having kept the Assizes there and executed his provinciall jurisdiction stayed at Rauenna, with full resolution to be reuenged by open warre, in case there had passed fro͏̄ the Senat, any sharp and cruell decree, touching the Tribunes of the Commons opposing the͏̄selues in his behalfe, & quarrell: And verily this was the colour and occasion which he pretended of ciuill warre: yet men thinke there were some other causes & motiues thereto. Cn. Pompeius was wont to giue out that for as much as Cæsar was not able of himselfe and with his owne priuate wealth, either to consummate and finish those stately workes & aedifices which he had begun, or to satisfie the expectation of the people which he had raised & wrought of his comming, therefore he intended to trouble the state and set all on a garboyle. Others say, that he feared least he should be compelled to giue an accoumpt of those things which in his first Consulship he had done against the sacred Auspices, the lawes, and prohibitions of the Tribunes (in the name of the people) considering that M. Cato had threatned and professed eftsoones, & not without an oath, that no sooner should he and his armie be parted, but he would judicially call his name in question & bring him to his answere: Also for that it was commonly spoken abroad that if he returned ones in qualitie of a priuate person, he should after the example of Milo plead before the iudges, with a guard of armed men about the Court and Tribunall. And this seemeth to bee more probable by that which Asinius Pollio writeth, who reporteth, that in the battaile of Pharsalia, whe͏̄ he beheld his aduersaries before his face, slaine Page 14 and put to flight, he vttered this speech word for word. Loe, this was their own doing: this would they needes haue, And I Caius Ceasar after so many worthie exploites atchieved should haue beene a condemned man, had I not craued helpe of mine armie. Some are of opinion, that being so long inured & acquainted with soueraigne command, & weighing his owne puissance & the power of his enemies, in balla͏̄ce one against the other, took the occasion & opportunitie to usurpe that absolute dominion, which in the uerie prime of his years he aspired unto; and of this mind, it seemeth Cicero was, who in his 3. book of duties writeth, that Ceasar had alwaies in his mouth, these verses of Euripides

Which Cicero himselfe translated thus.

When word therefore was brought unto him, that the Tribunes inhibition31 & negatiue voice was put down, and themselues departed out of the Citie:A. V. C. 705, hauing immediatly sent before certaine Cohorts priuily, because no suspition might arise, he dissimuled the matter, & was present in person to behold a publike Game, viewed, and considered the plotforme according to which he was about to build a Schoole of sword fencers, and according to his usuall manner gaue himselfe to feast & banquet often. After this presently vpon the Sun-setting, he tooke vp certaine Mules from the next Bakersmil-house; set the͏̄ in their geires to his wagon, and as closely as possibly he could with a small retinewe and companie about him put himselfe in his Iournie; and when by reason that the lights were gone out, he had lost his way, after he had wandred a long time, at the length meeting with a guide by that time it was day, he passed on foote through most narrow crosse lanes and by-pathes untill he recovered the right way againe. Now when he had ones ouertaken his Cohorts, at the riuer Rubicon, which was the utmost bound of his province, he rested & stoode still a little while. the͏̄ casting in his mind, how great an enterprise he went in hand with, he turned vnto them that were next unto him and said. As yet my maisters wee may well returne backe; but passe we once ouer this little bridge, there will be no dealing but by force of armes and dint of sword.

As he thus staied, and stood doubtfull what to doe, a strang sight he chanced to see in this manner. All of a suddaine their appeared vnto him a certaine man of an extraordinary stature & shape withall, sitting hard by, & piping with a reed. Now when beside the shepheards & herdmen many soldiours also from their standing wards ran for to heare him, & among them the Trumpetters likewise, he caught from on of the͏̄ a Trum pet, leapt forth to the riuer, & begining with a mightie blast to sound the battaile, kept on his pace to the very bancke, on the otherside. Then Ceasar, Let vs march on quoth he & goe whither the toke͏̄s of the Gods & the iniurious dealings of our enemies call vs. The dice be throwne: I haue set vp my rest. Come what will of it.

And thus hauing conueyed his armie ouer the riuer, he ioyned with the Tribunes of the commons, who vpo͏̄ their expulsion out of the Citie were come vnto him, & in a ful & freque͏̄t asse͏̄blie, with shedding teares & re͏̄ting his garme͏̄t down the brest, besought3 [•…] the faithfull helpe & assistance of his soldiers. It is supposed also that he promised unto every on of the͏̄ a knights liuing: which happened upo͏̄ a vain & false perswasio͏̄, for whe͏̄ in his speech & exhortatio͏̄ unto the͏̄, he shewed euer & a non the (ring.) finger of his left hand, & therwith auouched & promised for the satisfaction & contentme͏̄t of al those by whose meanes he should maintaine his honour & dignitie, that he would willingly (b) plucke the ring from off his owne finger: those that stood hinmost in the assembly, Page 15 who might better see than heare him speak, took that for spoken which they imagined by bare sight, and so the speech went for currant, That hee promised them the dignity of wearing the ring (of gold) together with 400000 (sesterces.)

The order. proceeding a final complement of those Acts, which from thence34 forth he atchieved, summarily goeth in this maner. He seized into his hands and held Picenum, Vmbria, & Hetruria. L. Domitivs, who in a factious tumult was nominated to be his successor, & kept Corfinivm with a garison, he subdued & forced to yeeld: and when he had dismissed him, hee marched along the coast of the Adriatick (*) * That is Venus-gulfe. sea, to Brundis, whether the Consuls & Pompeivs were fled, intending with all speed to crosse the narrow Seas: whose passage after he had assaied by all manner of lets to hinder & stop (but in vaine) he turned his journey and took the way directly to Rome. And when he had curteously moved the Senatours to give him meeting in the Senate house, there to treat & consult [•…] T [•…] as touching the State of the Common-weale, he set upon the most puissant forces of Pompeivs, which were in Spaine under the conduct of three Lieutenants, M. Petreivs L. Affranivs & M. Varro: having given out before among his friends and openly professed, that he was going to an Armie without a (a) Captaine; and would returne from thence to a (b) Captaine without an Armie. And albeit the besieging of Massilia, which Citie in his journey forward, had shut the gates against him, & exceeding scarcity of corn & victuals was some impeachment & stay unto him, yet within a short time he overcame & subdued all.

From hence having returned to the City (of Rome) againe, & passed over into35. Macedonie, after he had held Pompeivs besieged for the space wel-neare of 4.A. V. C. 706. moneths, & that within most mighty trenches & strong rampiers, he discomfited at the last in the Pharsalian battel & put him to flight: and following him hotly in chase as he fled to Alexandria, so soone as he understood that he was slaine, and perceived likewise that King Ptolomaevs laid wait for his owne person also, he warred upon him. which, to say a truth, was a most difficult & dangerous peece of worke, by reason that he managed it, neither in place indifferent, nor time convenient, but in the very Winter season, and within the walls of a most wealthy & politick enemie, being himselfe in distresse & want of all things, and unprovided besides to fight. Having atchieved the victory, he graunted the kingdomeA. V. C. 707. of Aegypt unto Cleopatra & her younger brother, fearing to reduce it into the forme of a Province, least at any time, beeing governed under some L. President of a more stirring spirit & violent nature than others, it might give occasion & yeeld matter of rebellion. From Alexandria he went over into Syria, & so from thence into Pontus, upon the urgent newes as touching Pharnaces; Whom, notwithstanding he was the sonne of that great Mithridates, & taking the opportunitie of the troubles & civill warre among the Romanes, made warre, yea, and now bare himselfe presumptuous and overbold for his manifold victories & great successe, yet within 5 dayes after his arrivall thither, & 4. houres after he came into sight of the enemie, he vanquished and subdued in one onely battaile: eft-soones & oftentimes recounting the felicity of Pompeivs, whose708. A. V. C. 709. hap it was, to win his principall name for warfare, of so [•…] owardly a kinde of enemies. After this, he defeited Scipio and Ivba, repairing the reliques of that side in Africk, and the children of Pompeivs in Spaine.

In all the civill warres, hee sustained no losse or overthrow but by his owne36 Lieutenants: of whom, C. Cvrio was slaine in Affrick: C. Antonivs yeelded Page 16 himselfe into the hands of his enemies in Illyricum: P. Dolabella in the same Illyricum lost his fleete, and Cn. Domitivs his armie in Pontus. Himselfe fought his battailes alwaies most fortunatly, and never was so much as in any hazard, save only twice: once before Dyrrachium, where being discomfited and put to flight, when he saw that Pompeivs followed not on in chase, he said of him, That hee knew not how to use a victorie. A second time, in Spaine, at the last battaile that ever he fought, what time, being in great despaire, hee was of mind even to have killed himselfe.

Having finished all his warres, he rode in 5. triumphs: to wit, when he had37 vanquished Scipio, 4. times in one and the same moneth, but certaine daies betweene:A. V. C 708. 709. and once againe, after hee had overcome the children of Pompeivs. The first and most excellent triumph that hee solemnized, was that over Gaule: then followed the Alexandrine; after it the Pontick; next thereunto the Affrican: and last of all the Spanish: every one set out diversly, with variety of Ordinance, provision and furniture. On the day of his Gaules triumph, as he rode along the (*) * A Streete in Rome. Velabrum, he had like to have beene shaken out of his Chariot, by reason that the Axel-tree brake. Hee mounted up into the Capitoll by torch-light, having xl. Elephants on his right hand & left, bearing (a) branches and candlesticks. In his Pontick triumph, among the Pageants and shewes of that pomp, he caused to be caried before him the title & superscription of these three words, Veni, vidi, vici, I came, I saw, I conquered: signifying, not the acts atchieved by warre, as other* Sicut caet [•…] ri. Conquerours, but noting his expedition in despatching the warre.

Throughout the Legions of old Souldiers, he gave in the name of pillage,38 unto every footman (over and above the (a) 2000. sestertij, which he had paied at the beginning of the civill tumult) (b) (*) * Or rather [•…] cena, that is, 20000. 4000. sestertij: and to the horse-men (c) (*) * Rather quadrag [•…] , that is 40000. 24000. a piece. He assigned lands also unto the͏̄, but not lying all together, because none of the owners should be thrust out (of their livings.) Among the people (of Rome) beside x. modij of corne, & as many pints of oyle, he distributed & dealt 300 Sesterces also by the poll, which hee had in times past promised, with an overdeale of 100. a peece to boote, (*) * By which reckoning the proportion to horsemen was double. for time. Hee remitted moreover one yeeres house rent, unto all tenants in Rome, if it amounted to 2000. Sestertij and not above: but to those in Italie, if the said rent exceeded not 500. Furthermore, hee* That is, for bearing so long. made them a generall great feast, & distributed a dole of raw flesh: yea, and after his victorie in Spaine he gave them 2. dinners: For, deeming the former of them to have beene made niggardly and not beseeming his liberality, he bestowed upon them 5. daies after, another, and in most large and plenteous manner.

39 He exhibited shewes of sundry sorts (as namely) a sword-fight of Fencers at sharpe: hee set forth Stage Plaies likewise in severall quarters and (a) Regions of the Citie throughout, and those verily acted by (*) * Vi [•…] eeratione͏̄: which as some thinke Porfi [•…] , calleth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and is expounded 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 whereupon the Genius of such merriments, is named 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . A. V. C. 708. x To gratifie all strangers that conflowed to Rome. Plaiers in all languages: Semblably, the solemne games (b) Circenses, hee shewed; and brought foorth Champions also to performe their devoir, and represented a naval-fight. At the saide solemnity of sword-plaiers, there fought to the uttrance in the Market place of Rome, Fvrivs Leptinvs, descended from the race of Pretours, and A. Calpenvs, one who had beene sometime a Senatour, and a pleader of causes at the barre. There daunced the (c) Pyrrhick warlike daunce, the children of the Princes and Potentates of Asia and Bithynia. During the Stage plaies aforesaid (d) D. Laberivs a Gentleman of Rome acted his owne Poem or Enterlude: For which, being rewarded with 500. thousand Sesterces, and a ring Page 17 of gold, he passed directly fro͏̄ the Stage by the (e) Orchestra, to take up his place among the Knights in the 14. foremost seates. At the Games Circenses, against which the Cirque was enlarged on both sides and mo [•…] ed round about, there drave the Steedes drawing Chariots foure and two together, yea and mounted the vaunting Horses from one to another, the greatest gallants & bravest young Gentlemen of the Nobilitie. The (f) warlike Trojan Game was performed by a two-fold troupe of greater boyes and lesse. The hunting or baiting of wilde beasts was presented five daies together. And the last day of all, there was a fight betweene two battailes of 500. footmen, 20. Elephants, and 30. horsemen on a side, put to skirmish one against the other. For, to the end that they might have more scope to bicker together. the (g) goales were taken up and removed: but in steed of them were pitched two (*) * Or Tents. Campes confronting one another. As for the (h) Champions above-said, they having a place for to exercise their feats of Activitie set out and built for the present time, strove for the prize or best Game three daies together in the Region of Mars field. To set out the Naumachie or naval battaile, there was a place digged for a great poole, in the lesse (i) Co [•…] eta; wherein certaine gallies as well with two ranks of Oares as with three; the ships of Tyros also & of Aegypt encountred, being manned with a great number of fighting men. To behold these sights and shewes, such a number of people resorted from all parts, as most of the strangers either within the streetes of the Citie or in the high waies without, were faine to abide within booths pitched of purpose: yea, and often-times very many were in the presse crowded and crushed to death; among whom were two Senatours.

Tvrnin [•…] after this to set the State of the Common-weale in good order,40 he reformed the Kalender, which long since through the Prelates default, by their liberty of interlacing (moneths and daies) at their pleasure, was so confused, that neither the feastivall holidaies of harvest fell out in Sommer, nor those of the vintage in Autumne. And he framed the whole yeare just unto the course of the Sunne, that it should containe 365. daies; and by abolishing the leape moneth, one (a) day every fourth yeare might be inserted betweene.

Now to the end that the computation of the times to come, might from the (*) * Calen [•…] is Iauxarijs [〈◊〉] . new Kalends of Ianvarie agree the better, betweene November and December, he put two other moneths. So as, that yeare wherein all this was ordained, had 15. moneths, reckoning the ordinarie interlaced moneth, which by course and custome fell just upon the said yeare.

He made up the full (a) number of the Senatours, and chose unto that place41 (*) * According to the Law Ca [•…] . new (b) Patritij. The number of Pretours, Aediles, Questors, and of other (c) inferiour Magistrates hee augmented. Such as were displaced and put downe by vertue of the Censors Office, or otherwise by sentence of the Iudges condemned for unlawfull briberie, and suing indirectly for any Office, hee restored to their former roomes. In the election of Magistrates he parted with the people thus farre forth; as (excepting the Competitours of the Consulship) for all the number besides of Candidates, the one halfe should be declared those whom the People were disposed to propound, the other halfe, such as himselfe would nominate. Which nomination passed by certaine bills sent about unto the Tribes, in a briefe kind of Writ after this manner: Cæsar Dictatovr unto this or that Tribe (greeting) I commend unto yov, such an one Page 18 and such an one, that by vertue of your voices and suffrages they may have and hold the dignitie they sue for. He admitted unto honorable places the children (*) * Contrary to the Law Cornelia. of those who had been proscript and outlawed. He reduced all Iudgements unto two sorts of Iudges, namely of the Knights degree and the Senatours: As for the Tribunes of the Treasurie or chamber of the Citie, which had been the third, he utterly (*) * Disabled the͏̄ for being Iudges. abolished. The generall survay and numbering of the people he held, neither after the accustomed (d) manner, nor in the usuall place, but streete by streete, and that by the (*) * As who best knew the number of their tennants and inhabitants in their houses. Land-lords & owners of messuages and tenements standing together: and whereas 3020000 Citizens (e) received allowance of corne from the State, he brought and reduced them to the number of one hundred & fiftie thousand. And to the end that no new conventicles & riots at any time might arise about this review, he ordained, That every yeare, in the place of those that were deceased, the Pretour should make a new supply and choise by casting lots, out of such as had not beene reckoned and enrolled in the former survey.

Moreover, when as to the number of 80000. (Romaine) Citizens were bestowed42 in sundry Colonies beyond the Sea; hee made a Law for the more frequent inhabiting of the Citie (of Rome) thus exhausted and dispeopled; That no Citizen above 20. yeares of age, and under 40. (unlesse he were a sworne (f) souldiour to the State, and so bound by his oath) should remaine out of Italie above 3. yeares together: Item, That no Senatours sonne, except hee lodged within the house or Pavilion, or belonged to the (g) familiar triall of a chiefe Magistrate, should travaile (forth of Italie.) Item, That no Grasiars should keep and reteine fewer than a third part of free borne young men, among the keepers of their cattell. All professours of physick at Rome, and teachers of the liberall Arts, he enfranchized Citizens: that both they themselves might more willingly dwell in the Citie, & others beside desire there to inhabite. As touching money lent out; when he had quite put down the expectation of (h) cancelling debts, (at thing that was often (*) * Either by the Tribunes of the Co͏̄mons, or the debters themselves.moved) hee decreed at length; That all debtours should satisfie their Creditours in this manner: Namely by an estimate made of their possessions, according to the worth and value as they purchased them before the civill warre, deducting out of the principall whatsoever had beene paide or set downe in the Obligations for the use: by which condition, the third part wel-neare of the money credited forth, was lost. All the Societies and Colledges, saving those that were of auncient foundation, he dissolved. The penalties of hainous crimes he augmented: And whereas the rich & wealthier sort fell to wickednes so much the sooner, because they went (*) * In the free State before the Emperors, Citizens of Rome might depart before sentence pronounced, & so avoid with co͏̄ demnation and losse of goods. into banishment, and saved their whole patrimonies and estates: (i) parricides therfore and wilfull murderers (as Cicero writeth) hee deprived of all their goods; other manslaiers besides he fined with the losse of one halfe.

He ministred Iustice and decided matters in Law, most painfully and with passing great43 severitie. Such as were attaint and convict of (a) extortion, hee removed even from their Senatours place and degree. He brake the mariage of a man that had beene Pretour, marying a wife presently after two daies that she was divorced and went from a former husband, albeit there was no suspition at all of adulterie and naughtinesse. Hee ordained customes and imposts of forraine merchandize. The use of Licters, likewise the wearing of purple (*) * Or scarlet in graine. cloathes and of pearle he tooke away, saving onely in certaine persons and ages, and upon special daies. The Law Sumptuaria, (b) to represse excessive cost in fare, he executed most of any other: And for this purpose, he set certaine Watchmen and Warders in sundry places about the shambles and markets where victuals were sold, to lay hold upon all cates and viands contrarie to the prescript rule of the Law in that behalfe, and to bring the same unto him. Otherwhiles also, he sent secretly his owne Officers & Souldiours, to fetch away such meates our of the very dining Parlors and banquetting roomes, even when they were set upon the bord, if happily they had any way escaped the hands of the foresaid warders.

For, as concerning his purpose to adorne and beautifie the Citie of Rome with gallant44 works, as also to maintaine & amplifie the Empire, hee had more matters in his head and greater every day than other. Principally his intent and meaning was, to build so stately a temple in the honour of Mars, as the like was no where to be seene; having filled up and laid levell that huge pit, wherin he had exhibited the shew of a Naval battel: & also to erect Page 19 an exceeding great Theater, fast adjoyning to the Mount Tarpei [•…] s. Ite͏̄, to reduce the whole corps of the civill Law to a certaine meane and mediocrity: and out of that huge and diffused number of Lawes, to choose out the best and necessarie points, and those to bring into as few volumes as possibly might be. Item, to erect publiquely the greatest Libraries that he could, as wel of Greeke as Latine Authors: committing unto (a) M. Varro the charge, both to provide the said books, and also to digest & place them in order. Item to lay the Meeres & Fennie Plashes Pomptinae drie: to draw & let forth the lake Fucinus: to make a cawsie or high-way, from the Adriatick Sea, by the ridge or side of the Apennine hill, as farre as to the river Tibris, & to digge through the (b) Isthmus. Moreover, to bridle the Dakes who had invaded Pontus and Thracia: and soone after, to make warre upon the Parthians by the way of Armenia the lesse. but not to give them battell before he had made (c) triall of them. Amid these purposes and designes, death prevented him. Concerning which, before I enter into speech, it shall not be impertinent to deliver summarily those points which concerne the snape, feature, and proportion of his body: his habite & apparell: his fashions and behaviour: and withall, what may touch both his civill and also his martiall affaires.

Of stature he is reported to have beene tall; of complexion white & cleare;45 with limbs well trussed and in good plight; somewhat full faced; his eies black, lively, and quick; also very healthfull, saving that in his latter daies he was given to faint and swoune sodainly; yea, and as he dreamed, to start and be affrighted: twice also in the midst of his martiall (*) * Inter re [•…] gerenda [•…] vel agendas, that is, cum acie [•…] ordinar [•…] t, Plutarch. Whiles he was setting his Armie in battaile ray. affaires, he was surprized with the ( [•…] ) falling sicknes. About the trimming of his body, he was (*) * Or fantasticall. over-curious: so as he would not onely be notted & shaven very precisely, but also have his haire plucked, in so much as some cast it in his teeth, and twitted him therewith. Moreover, finding by experience, that the deformity of his bald head was oftentimes subject to the scoffes and scornes of back-biters and slaunderers, hee tooke the same exceedingly to the heart: and therefore he both had usually drawne downe his haire that grew but thin, from the crowne toward his forehead: and also of all honours decreed unto him from the Senate and People, he neither received nor used any more willingly, than the priviledge to weare continually the triumphant Lawrel guirland. Men say also. that in his apparel he was noted (*) * His attire different from others, or of a new fashion which the Greekes call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . for singularity, as who used to goe in his Senatours purple studded robe, trimmed with a jagge or frindge at the sleeve hand: and the same so, as hee never was but girt over it, and that very slack and loose: whereupon, arose (for certaine) that saying of Svlla, who admonished the Nobles oftentimes, To beware of the boy that went girded so dissolutely.

He dwelt at first in the (*) * A Streete i [•…] Rome much frequented. Suburra; but after he was high priest, in the streete46 Sacra, in an edifice of the Cities. Many have written, that he was exceedingly addicted to neatnesse in his house, and sumptuous fare at his Table. The Mannor house which he founded out of the very ground, & with great charges finished in the territorie Nemorensis, because it was not wholly answerable to his minde, he demolished and pulled quite downe: although as yet he was but of meane estate and deepely endebted. Finally, this speech goeth of him, That in his expeditions he caried about with him (*) * The paving tiles of marble &c, whereof such floores are made. pavements of checker worke made of quarels square cut, so as they might be taken asunder, and set againe together.

He made a voyage (as they say) into Britaine, in hope of pearles: and47 Page 20 otherwhiles, in comparing their bignesse, would with his owne hand peise them to finde their weight. For to get and buy up pretious stones, engraved and chased peeces, Images, and painted Tables of antique worke, he was ever most eager and sharp set. Slaves likewise, if they were any thing fresh and new come, trimly set out with all, and fine, he procured at an exceeding price, such as himselfe also was ashamed of: so as he forbad expresly the same should be brought in any of his reckonings and accoumpts.

It is reported of him, that in all the Provinces which he governed, hee feasted48 continually, and furnished two Halls or dining chambers ordinarily; the one, wherein either (*) * Thus Turnebus expoundeth it: But it may be meant of the meaner [•…] ort of his Cohor, prae oria, who were Sag [•…] or pall at [•…] : to put a difference betweene them & the persons of better qua [•…] ty, who were Toga [•…] . Gaules in their warlike habite, or Greeks in their cloakes; the other, in which the gown’d Romaines, together with the more noble and honourable personages of the Provinces sat. The domesticall Discipline of his house hee kept so duly, so precisely, and with such severity, in small matters as well as greater; that hee bound with fetters and yrons his Baker for serving up secretly unto his guests other bread than to himselfe: And a freed man of his owne (whom otherwise he did set very great store by) he put to death, for dishonouring by adulterie a Romaine Gentlemans wife, albeit no man made complaint thereof.

His good name for continencie and cleane life, nothing verily blemished,49 save onely the aboade and inward familiaritie with Nicomedes: but a foule staine that was, which followed him with shame for ever; yea, and ministred taunting and reproachfull matter unto every man. I omit the notorious verses of Calvus Licinivs.

I let passe the invectives and accusatorie actions of Dolabella and Cvrio the Father: In which, Dolabella for his part, termeth him the Kings Concubine in the Queenes place, and the inner roome of his Licter: and Cvrio. nameth him Nicomeedes his (*) * Stabul [•…] . filth and harlot, yea and the Bithynian Brothel house. Ioverpasse likewise those Edicts of Bibvlvs, wherein he published his colleague, and made him knowne, by the name of the Bithynian Queene: saying moreover, That before, he had loved the King, and now cast a fansie to the Kingdom At which verie time, as M. Brvtvs makes report, there was one Octavivs also, a man upon distemperature of his braine given to jest and scoffe over broadly, who in a most frequent assembly, after he had called Pompeivs, King, saluted him by the name of Queene: C. Memmivs likewise layd in his dish, that he stood with the rest of the stale Catamites as Cup-bearer, to serve Nicomedes with wine at a full feast, where sate at the Table divers Merchants and Occupiers, Citizens of Rome, whose names he putteth downe. But Cicero not contented herewith, that in certaine Epistles he had written, how by the Guard or Pensioners of the said King being (*) * Deductum, or E [•…] uctum, that is, brought out of his owne bed than b [•…] [•…] nto the kings. conveied into his bed-chamber, hee lay downe upon a bed of gold, arraied in purple: and so the flower of youth and maidenhead of him, who was descended from (a) Venus, became d [•…] filed and desteind in Bithynia. One time also, as Cæsar in the Senate house pleaded to the cause and in the behalfe of Nysa Nicomedes his daughter, and therewith rehearsed Page 21 up the gracious favours that the King had done unto him, Let be (quoth he) these matters I pray you, and away with them, since it is well knowne, both what hee bestowed upon you, and also what you gave to him. Finally, in the Triumph over Gaule, his Souldiers among other Sonnets (such as they use to chaunt merily when they followe the (triumphant) Chariot) pronounced also these verses so commonly divulged.

An opinion there is constantly received; That he was given to carnall pleasures,50 and that way spent much: also, that he dishonoured many Dames, and those of noble houses: by name among others, Postumia the wife of Servivs Svlpitivs; Lollia, wife to A. Gabinivs; Tertvlla, M. Crassvs his wife, and Mvtia the wife of Cn. Pompeivs. For, certaine it is, that not onely the Curiones, both Father and Sonne, but many others also reproached Pompeivs; That for whose cause, he had put away his owne wife after she had borne him three children, and whom hee was wont with a deepe sigh and groane to call (*) * That is, Adulterer: For that Aegysth [•…] committed adultery with Clytemnestra the wife of Agame [•…] . Aegisthvs; his daughter (I say) afterwards, hee espoused; upon a desire of power and greatnes by that mariage. But above the rest, he cast affection to Servilia the mother of M. Brvtvs; for whom both in his (*) * Proximo, alij le [•…] t pr [•…] o, that is, first, [〈◊〉] Bibulo. last Consuiship he had bought a pearle that cost him (*) * 46875. pound sterling, or 150000. Fr [•…] ch crowns. according to Budaus. sixe millions of Sesterces: and also unto whom during the civill warre, over and above other free gifts, hee sold in open port sale, faire Lands and most goodly Manors at a very low price: what time verily, when most men mervailed that they went so cheape, Cicero most pleasantly and conceitedly, That yee may know (quoth hee) shee hath the better pennyworth in the purchase, (a) Tertia deducta est. For it was thought that Servilia was bawd also to her owne daughter Tertia, and brought her to Cæsar his bed.

Neither forbare he so much as mens wives in the Provinces where he was51. governour, as appeareth even by this his Distichon, taken up likewise by his Souldiours at the Gaule Triumph. (a)

He was enamoured also upon Queenes, and among them he loved Evno [•…] ,52. the Moore, wife of Bogudes (King of Mauritania) upon who͏̄, as also upon her husband, he bestowed very many gifts and of infinite value, as Naso hath left in writing: but most especially hee fancied Cleopatra (*) * Of which the Aegyptians Kings had alwaie [•…] ready rigged 800 as Appian writeth. For, with her, hee both sate up many times and feasted all night long even untill the breake of day; and also in the same Barge or Galley called Thalamegos, had passed into Aegypt, almost as farre as to Aethiopia, but that his Armie refused to followe: and in the end having trained her into the Citie of Rome, he sent her back againe, not without exceeding great honours, and enriched with many rewards: yea, and suffered her to call the sonne she bare, after his owne (*) * That is Ptolomaeus Caes [•…] . name. Whom verily, some Greek writers have recorded, to have been very like unto Cæsar both in shape Page 22 and also in (*) * Incessu, in his gang or manner of going. gate: And M. Antonivs avouched unto the Senate, that by the same resemblance he knew him to be his sonne: averring withall, That C. Mativs, Caivs Oppivs & the rest of Cæsars friends knew as much. Of who͏̄, C. Oppivs (as if the thing were so pregnant, that it required some Apologie & defence) put forth a book entituled thus: Taat He Was Not Cæsars Sonne, Whom Cleopatra Fathered Vpon Him. Helvius Cinna, a Tribune of the Com confessed unto many persons, That hee had a Law drawne out in writing & in readines, which Cæsar being absent himselfe co͏̄ maunded him to propose, to this effect, That it might be lawfull for him to marrie (*) * Quas et quot, ducere [•…] llet, even an Alien. what wives and as (*) * For other wise, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 was unlawfull. And Ant [•…] nius was the first Romaine that had two wives at once. many as he would for to get children upon. And that no man need at all to doubt how infamous he was, both for (b) uncleannesse of body against kinde, and also for adulteries, Cvrio the Father in a certaine Oration calleth him a woman for all men, and a man for all women.

That he was a most sparie drinker of wine, his very enemies would never denie.53. Whereupon arose this Apophthegm of M. Cato, That of all that ever were, Cæsar alone came sober to the overthrow of the State. For, about his foode and diet C. Oppius sheweth hee was so indifferent & without curiosity,* Conditum [•…] leum penult. cor. or conditum product [•…] est [•…] nguentum, an ointment. that when upon a time his Host set before him upon the bord olde ranke oile in steed of greene, sweet, & fresh, so that other guests refused it, he onely (by his saying) fell to it & eate thereof the more liberally; because he would not be thought to blame his (*) * Or friend. Host either for negligence or rusticitie.

From other mens goods he held not his hands, neither when he had the co͏̄ mand54 of Armies abroad, nor when he was in place of magistracie at home: For, in Spaine (as some have recorded) he took money of the (*) * Tubero. Proconsul, & the Allies there, and that by way of begging, to help him out of debt: and certaine townes of the (*) * That is, in Portugale. Lusitanes, he sacked in hostile manner, albeit they denied not to do whatsoever he commanded them; and besides, did set open their gates for him against his comming: In Gaule he robbed & spoiled the Chappels & (*) * Ie͏̄plaꝫ deoru͏̄, &c. or templaꝫ dearum, &c. the tem les, ful of rich gifts and oblations to the Gods. Temples of the Gods, full of rich gifts & oblations. As for Cities, he put them to the sack, more often for bootie sake and pillage, than for any trespasse committed. Whereupon it came to passe, that he got abundance of gold, so as of it which he had to spare and did set to sale, (*) * D [•…] venderet, some reade dir deret, hee distributed and dealt away. he fold throughout Italy and in the Provinces after (a) 3000 sesterces of silver the pound weight. In his first Consulship, when he had stollen out of the Capitoll three thousand pound waight of gold hee bestowed in the place thereof as much brasse guilt. The priviledges of Societie and alliance with the Romanes, as also Kings Titles he gave for summes of money: as who (for example) from (*) * Auletes. S [•…] : of silver [〈◊〉] ter 80 pound weight the ta lent. Ptolomevs that was but one, tooke away wel-neere 6000 (*) * Mu [•…] um talents, in the name of himselfe & Pompeivs: But afterwards by most open pilling poling. and sacriledges, he maintained the charges both of civill warres, and also of his triumphes and (*) * Eloque [•…] ria, militarique re, after Lipsus. solemne shewes exhibited to the people.

In eloquence and warlike feates together, he either equalled or excelled the glory of the very best. After his accusation of Dolobella, he was no doubt 55 ranged in the ranke of the principall Advocates at Law. Certes, Cicero in his Catalogue of Oratours to Brvtvs, sayeth; He cannot see any one, unto whom Cæsar might give place; affirming withall, That hee holdeth an elegant and gay, a stately also, and in some sort a generous and Gentleman like kind of pleading: And unto Cornelivs Nepos, thus wrote he of the same Cæsar. What should a man Page 23 say more? which of all there Oratours that practised nothing else but Oratorie, will you preferre before this Cæsar? who is there in sentences either quicker or comming thicker? who for words, yeelded more gallant or more elegant? Hee seemeth whiles he was yet but young, to haue followed that forme of eloquence onely, which Strabo Cæsar professed: out of whose Oration also intituled, Pro Sardis; he transferred some sentences, worde for word, into his owne; called Diuinatio. It is said, that in his (*) * Take it ge [•…] [•…] rally for the whole Actio [•…] Pronunciation, he used an high and shrill voyce; an ardent motion; and earnest gesture, not without a lovely grace. Some Orations he left behind him (in writing.) Among which certaine goe under his name, but vntruely as namely that pro; Q. Met [•…] Llo: which Avgvstvs deemeth (and not without good cause) to to haue beene written rather by Notaries, who either tooke not his words aright, or wrote not so fast, as he deliuered them, than penned by himselfe. For in certaine copies I find that it had not so much as this Inscription, Pro Metello: but (*) * Which he wrote for, or [〈◊〉] Metellu [•…] . quam scripsit Metello: being (as it is indeede) a speech comming from the person of Cæsar, cleering Metellvs and himselfe, against the criminations and slaunders of common backebiters to them both. The Oration likewise, (*) * Orat, [〈◊〉] Mi [•…] . Ad Milit [•…] S, in Spaine, the same Augustus hardly thinketh to be his: And yet there be 2. of them extant: the one, was pronounced at the former battaile: the other, at the latter: when, by the report of Asinivs Pollio, he had not so much as any time to make a speech; the enemies ran upon him & charged so suddainly.

He left Commentaries also of his owne Acts, to wit, as touching the Ga [•…] lewarre, and the Ciuill warre with Pompeius. For, of the Alexandrin [•…] , African, and Spanishwarres, who was the writer it is uncertaine: Whilest some thinke it was Oppivs; others, Hirtivs; who also made up and finished the last of the Gaule-war, which was unperfect. As concerning those Commentaries aforesaid of Cæsar, Cicero in the (*) * Ad [〈◊〉] . same booke, writeth thus. Hee wrote Commentaries exceeding well, I assure you, to be liked: (n [•…] ked they be, straight and vpright, yea and louely too, being deuested, as it were, of all ornaments & trimme attire of Style. but while his mind was. that other [•…] disposed to write a complet historie, should furnish and serue themselues with matter there ready to their hands, happilie, to some foolish folke he did some pleasure, who are willing to curle and frizle the same with their crisping pins, but surely the wiser sort he skared altogither from writing. Of the same Commentaries, Hirtivs giueth this report, They are quoth he, in the iudgement of all men so approved, that it seemes he hath prevented writers, and not given them any helpe. And yet, our admiration of this matter is more than all mens beside. For, whereas others doe know onely how well and purely they were penned, wee note also with what facilitie & expedition he wrote them. Pollio Asinius thinketh* Asi [•…] Poll [•…] . they were compiled with smal care & diligence: with as little regard also of sound truth: seeing that Cæsar receiued hand ouer head, & beleeued most things lightly: namely such as were by others atchieued; and euen those Actes which himselfe exploited either of purpose or for default of memorie hee put downe wrong: He supposeth also that he meant to haue writte͏̄ the same a new & corrected the͏̄. He left moreouer ij. books, de Analogia. & as many (*) * Against Ci [•…] in the dispraise of Ca [•…] o Vticen [•…] in whose commendation Ci [•…] ro had writ [•…] ten before. Anticatones Page 24 besids a Poeme, entituled Iter; of which books the (*) * De Analo [•…] ia for most he made in his passage ouer the Alpes, what time as hauing ridde his Circuits and finished the Assises, he returned out of the hither prouince of Gaule to his armie: Those next (*) * Anti [•…] Catones following, about the time of the battaile at Munda. And the last (*) * Iter. of all, whiles he trauailed from the Citie of Rome into the farther prouince of Spaine, and performed that iourney within (*) * Or rather 27. 24. dayes. Extant, there bee also Epistles of his written unto the Senate: which (as it seemeth) he was the first that turned into pages and leaues, euen to a forme of a (*) * A Booke of remembrance. Memoriall: whereas before time, the Consuls and generalles, never sent any letters but writte͏̄ overthwart the paper. Missiues likewise there be of his written to Cicero, and to familiar friends as touching home-affaires. In which, if any matters of secrecie were to be carried, he wrote them by priuie (*) * In manner of Cyphr [•…] s. markes: that is to say, placing the letters in such order, as there could not one word be made of them. Which if a man would descypher and find out, he must of Necessitie exchaunge euerie fourth letter of the Alphabet; to wit. d. for a. and the rest (*) * e for b &c. likewise. Further more there be certaine workes of his abroad in mens hands written when he was a boy & a very youth: as namely, The Praises of Hercules, the Tragaedie of Oedipus: as also, Collects of Sayings and Apophthegmes: All which pamphlets, Augustus forbad to be published, in a certaine Epistle of his; which beeing verie briefe and plaine; he sent to Pompeius Macer whome hee had appointed for the disposing and ordering of his Libraries.

In (*) * Or bearing armes. handling his weapon most skilfull he was, and in horsemanship as cunning:57 But what paines he would take, it is incredible. In the marching of his armie, his manner was to be formost: sometime on horsebacke, more often on foote: bare headed, whether the Sunne shone, or the Clouds poured raine. He made exceeding long Iournies with incredible speede: euen an hundred miles a day riding in some hired (*) * Or riding an horse. wagon, if he were lightly appointed otherwise and without cariages. Were riuers in his way to hinder his passage? crosse ouer them he would; either swimming, or els bearing himselfe upon blowed lether (*) * Or carroch with fowre wheeles, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . Graecè. In imitatio͏̄ here of the Romains deuised Ascogephr [•…] s, quisi 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , bridges founded upon such leather bottles blowne with wind or lightly stuffed with straw. bottles: so that, verie often he preuented the letter-cariers, and messengers of his comming.

58 In performing his expeditions & martial exploites doubtful it is, whether he were more warie or adventurous? He neither ledde his armie at any time through wayes dangerous for ambushments, before he had throughly vewed and descried the situation of the quarters. nor put ouer his fleete into Britaine, vntill he had before hand in (*) * Yet himselfe writeth that he sent C. Vossenus before. proper person sounded the hauens, and tryed the manner of sayling, and arriuall to the Iland. How be it, the same man, (as circumspect as he was) upon newes brought unto him, that his Campe was beleagured in Germaine; passed through his enemies Corps de guard in French habite, and so came unto his owne men. From Brindis to Dirrhachium, he sayled ouer Sea in (*) * Hieme, or in a tempestuous and stormie season, as Virgil and others, vse the word. winter, betweene ij. Fleetes of the enemies riding opposite one to the other: and whiles his own forces which he had commanded to follow streight after him, lingered still behinde; hauing sent messengers oftentimes to call them away but all in vaine, at last himselfe secretly in the night went abourd into a verie small botume, with his head hooded: and neither discovered who he was, nor suffered the pillot to giue way vnto the Tempest. that Page 25 came full affront the vessell, before hee was well nere overwhelmed with the waves.

No religious feare of diuine prodigies could ever fray him from any enterprise,59 or stay him if it were once in hand. As he sacrificed vpon a time, the beast made an escape & ran away: yet for all that differred not he his journey against Scipio and Ivba He fortuned also to take a fall then, even as hee went forth of the ship to land: but turning this foretoken to the better presage, I take possession quoth hee, of thee, O Afrike. Moreouer, in verie skorne, and to make but a mockerie of those prophesies, whereby the name of Scipions was fatall to that province, and held luckie and invincible there, he had with him in his Campe the most base and abiect fellow of all the Cornelian family, & who in reproch of his life was surnamed (*) * Or Saluti [•…] . Read [〈◊〉] Natur Hist. lib. 7. cap. 12. Salvito.

He fought (*) * Non [〈◊〉] . Some read, non tantum [•…] . not onely &c. but also. not often set fields appointed before hand. but uppon the present60 occasion offred; Many times he struck a battaile immediatly after his iourny, otherwhiles in most foule & stormie wether, when no man ever thought he would once sturre. Neither held he off, and detracted fight, but in his latter daves: being then of this opinion that the oftener he had gotten victorie, the lesse he was to venture and make tryall of fortune; Also, That a victorie could gaine him nothing so much, as some disasterous calamitie might take from him. No enemie put he ever to flight, but he discamped him and draue him out of the field. By this meanes he gave them whom hee had once discomfited, no time to be thinke themselues. In any doubtfull and dangerous service, his manner was to send away the horses, and his owne with the first: to the ende, that when all meanes of flight were gone, they might of necessitie be forced the rather to stand to it and abide to the last.

The horse he used to ride upon was strangly marked, with feete resembling61 verie neere a mans, and the houes cloven like toes, which horse was foaled about home: and when the Soothsayers of their learning had pronounced; that he presaged unto his owner the Empire of the whole world, verie carefull hee was to reare him and nourish him. Now when as the beast would abide no man els to ride him, himselfe was he that backed him first. The full pourtraict and proportion of which horse, he dedicated also afterwards before the Temple of Venus (a) Genitrix.

Many a time himselfe alone renued the battaile when it was discomfited,62 sta͏̄ding in their way that fled & holding the͏̄ one by one backe: yea & by wreathing their throats he turned them againe vpo͏̄ the enemies. Thus dealt he I say with his own soldiers, whè they were many times verily so fearefully maskared, that a (*) * Aquilifer. Some read Aquilifer [•…] , as if Cæsar threatned the Standerd [•…] bearer. See valer. Max lib. 3 cap 2. Standerd bearer threatned as he staied him, to smite him with the (*) * Wherewith it was pitched. into the ground. footepoinct of the speare that carried the (b) Aegle: and another left behinde him the Ensigne in Ceasars hand as he deteined it.

63Of his constant resolution these be no lesse tokens, if not greater (which I shall now reherse). After the battaile af Pharsalia, when he had sent his forces before into Africke, and himselfe crossed the seas through the streight of Hellespont in a small (*) * Vectoria na [•…] icula. a ferrie boate If you read victor, [•…] . being conquerour, distinguish there. passengers barke, where he met with L, Cassius one of the adverse part, with x. strong war-ships armed with brasen beakeheads; he avoided him not, nor, gave way: but affronting him, began to exhort him for to yeld: and so upon his humble supplication receiued him abourd.

Page 26At Alexandria being busie about the assault and winning of a bridge where64 by a sodaine sallie of the enemies he was driven, to take a boat, & many besides made hast to get into the same, he lept into the sea, and by swimming almost a quarter of a mile recouered cleare the next ship: bearing up his left hand all the while, for feare the writings which he held therein should take wet, and drawing his rich coate (a) armour after him by the teeth, because the enemie should not haue it as a spoyle.

His soldiers hee allowed for good, in regard neither of* manners and behauiour,65 nor of (*) * a fortuna, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , others read a forma, 1 be [•…] ty, fauour and feature of body welth and outward estate, but onely of bodily strength: & heThis seemeth strang and co [•…] trary to the Romane discipline. used them all with like severitie: with like indulgence also and sufferance. For he awed and chastised them not in all places nor at all times: but only when the enemie was very neere at hand: and then especially was he most severe, and precise in exacting and executing of discipline: in so much as hee would not give the͏̄ warning of the time; either of journey or of battaile, but kept the͏̄ readie, intentive & prest to be [•…] ed forth vpo͏̄ a suddaine, everie minute of an houre, whether soeuer he wold; this did he also many times without any cause, especially upo͏̄ rainie daies & festivals. And admonishing his soldiers ever & among, to obserue aud haue an ey unto him, he would suddainely in the day-time or by night, withdraw himselfe out of the way yea & stretch out his iourny more the͏̄ ordinarie; even to tyre them out who were late in following after.

As for his soldiers that were terrified with the rumor of their enemies, his66 manner was to animate and encourage them, not by denying or (*) * Minuendo. oin [•…] bendo [•…] Suppressing. which might [•…] eeme good pollicie. diminishing, but by augmenting the same to the highest degree, even above the truth. And thus upon a time, when the expectation of Ivba his comming was terrible, he called his soldiers togither: and in a publike speech unto them. Be it knowne unto you all, quoth he, That within these very fewe dayes the King will bee here with a power of (*) * Fotemen he [〈◊〉] armed. Legions of 30000. men of armes: an hundred thowsand light (*) * Foote men lightly armed. armours and three hundred Elephants. Forbeare therefore some of you to enquire or imagine further of the matter: but giue credite unto me, that know this for a truth: Or else verely I will embarque you in the Oldest ship, I can get, & cause you to be carried away with any winde, into what Landes and Countries it shall be your fortunes to fall upon.

As touching his soldiers trespasses and delinquencies, he neither obserued and tooke knowledge of them all, nor yet punished them fully to the67 (*) * Pro modo, [〈◊〉] , pro more. [•…] . after the manner of militarie discipline. proportion. But as he made streight inquisition after those who trayterously forsooke their colours, and were mutinous, and proceeded against them with rigour so, at others he would winke. Sometimes also, after a great battaile and victorie obtained, he released them all of militarie duties; permitting them in all licentiousnesse to roist and royot wantonly here and there: beeing wont to giue it out, That his souldiers (perfumed though they were with Odours: and besmeered with sweete oyles) could fight valiantly. Neither called he them in his publike oration, plaine soldiours, but by a more pleasing name, Fellowsoldiers. Furthermore he maintained them so trim and braue, that he stucke not to set them out in polished armour, damasked with filuer and gold: as well for goodly shewe, as because they should in battaile take better hold and keepe the same more surely for feare of damage and losse. Moreouer he loued them so affectionatley, that when he heard of (*) * And [•…] he Legro [•…] s [〈◊〉] him A. V. C. 700. Titvrivs his ouerthrow, he Page 27 suffred the haire of his head and beard to growe long, and would not cut the same before he had reuenged their death. By which meanes, he both had his soldiers most devoted unto him and also made them right valorous,

When he was entred into the Ciuill warre, the Centurions of euerie Legion68 presented vnto him one horseman a peece, provided out of their owne (a) priuate stocke; and generally all his soldiers offred their seruice freely, with out allowance of corne or wages out of his purse: considering that the welthier sort had taken uppon them the finding and maintenance of the poorer. Neither all that long time of solderie, was their any of them that once revolted from him; and verie many being taken prisoners (by the enemies) & hauing life granted vnto them upon co͏̄dition, they would serve as soldiers against him, refused it. Hunger and other extremities which necessarily follow warre, not onely whilst they were beseeged, but also when themselues beleagured others; they indured so resolutely, that during their strong siedge and fortification against Dyrrachium, Pompey, when he saw what kinde of bread made of a certaine (b) Herbe they liued upon, said, He had to deale with wild beasts. commanding withall, the same quickly to be had away, and not shewed to any one: For feare, least his owne soldiers hearts should be utterly daunted, seeing once the patience and constancie of their enemies. And how valiantly they bare themselues in fight, this on thing may testifie that hauing taken one foyle in a battaile before Dyrrachium, they volu͏̄tarily offered to be (c) executed therfore; in so much as their Generall was more troubled about comforting then punishing the͏̄. In all other battailes, they fewer in number by many parts, easily vanquished, infinit forces of their enemies. To conclude, one (d) cohort & no more of the 6. Legion, which had the keeping of a (*) * Or fort, at the Siege of Dyrrachium. skonce, made good the place & held out for certaine houres against foure of Pompeis Legions: and were in manner all of the͏̄ throughout shot into their bodies with a multitude of their arrows: of which were found one hu͏̄dred & thirtie thousand within their tre͏̄ch and rampires. And no mervaile, if a man co͏̄sider their seueral facts singly by the͏̄ selues, either of Cassius Scaeva a Centurion, or of C. Acilivs a co͏̄mon soldier: to say nothing of many more. Scaeva, when his eie was smitte͏̄ out, his thigh & shoulder shot through, and his buckler perced likewise with the shot of (*) * Plutarcha 30. 120. arrowes yet defended the gate of the porte co͏̄mitted to his charge, & kept it still. Acilius in a fight at sea before, Massilia, after his right hand was quite cut off, wherwith he had cuaght the Poope of his enemies ship, following herein that memorable example of Cynecirvs among the Greekes, leapt notwithstanding into the saide shippe, shouing and driuing before him with the bosse and pike of his buckler those that he met in his way:

In ten yeeres space during the Gaule-warre, they neuer so much as once mutined:69 In the Ciuill warres some times they did: yet so, as they were soone reclaimed and came againe into order: not so much by the remisse indulgence as the authoritie of their Captaine. For, neuer would he yeeld one jot unto them in these their seditious tumults nay, hee alwaies withstood and crossed them: And verily the 9. Legion at Placentia, notwithstanding Pompeius yet was in armes with his power in the field) he casherde ful and wholy & sent away with shame: yea & after many humble prayers & supplicatio͏̄s with much a do restored he the͏̄ to their places again, & not before executio͏̄ done vpo͏̄ the offenders.

Page 28As for the soldiers of the tent Legion, when as in Rome they earnestly called70 for their discharge from warfare, & required their rewards euen with mightie threats, & that to the exceeding da͏̄ger of the whole Citie at what time also, the war was verie hote in Afrike, he neither would admit the͏̄ into his presence, nor yet dismisse the͏̄ albeit his friends seemed to scare him fro͏̄ taking that course: but with one onely word, wherby he named them (a) Quirites, insteed of Milites, he did so gently turne and winde, yea and bring them to his bent, that forthwith they made answere. They would be his souldies still: and so of their owne accord followed him into Africk, notwithstanding he refused their seruice, And yet for all this, he ammerced and fined the most mutinous sort of them with the losse of a third part, both of the pillage and also of the Lands appointed for them.

In affectionate love and faithfull protection of his dependants, he was not71 wanting in his verie youth. When he had upon a time defended Masintha a noble young Gentleman against King (*) * Who laid claime unto Masintha as his Tributa [•…] ie. Hiempsal, so earnestly, that in the debate & altercatio͏̄ between them he flew upon Ivba the Kings sonne & caught him by the (a) beard: after that the said Masintha was pronounced definitively the Kings (*) * Stipendiarium quoque pronun tiatum: how euer some read pronuntiav [•…] t: as if Cæsar had auerred openly that he was his waged soldiour. Tributarie: he forthwith both rescued him out of their hands that would have haled him away: and also kept him close a long time in his owne Lodging; & soone after his Pretorship there expired, when he went into Spaine, tooke the young gentleman away with him in his own litter among others his followers; and fauorites, and those officers that attended upon him with their knitches of rods.

His friends he used at all times with so great curtesie and tender respect, that72 when C. Oppius who acco͏̄panied him in his iourney through a wild forest fell suddainely sicke, he gaue him rowme in the onely Inne, that was, while him selfe lay all night (*) * In a pallet or mattrice upon the ground. upon the ground (*) * Vnder the Ietty of the house. without doores. Moreouer, being now become Emperour & Lord of all some of them he aduanced euen fro͏̄ the lowest degree unto the highest place of honour. And when he was blamed & reproved therefore, he professed openly. That if he had vsed the helpe of robbers by the highway side of cutters and swasbucklers in maintaining of his owne dignitie; he would not faile but requite them and be thankefull euen to such.

He never entertained malice & hatred against any man so deepely but willing73 he was to lay downe the same upon occasion offered. Notwithstanding, C. Memmivs had made most bitter invectives against him, and hee againe written unto him as bitterly, yet soone after when the said Memmivs stoode for the Consulship, hee friended him all that he could with his good word and procured him voyces. When C. Calvus after certaine Libels and defamatorie Epigrams against him, dealt by the mediation of friendes for a reconciliation, he of his owne accord wrote first unto him. As for Valerivs Catvllvs (by whose verses concerning Mamvrra he could not chuse but take knowledge that he was noted and branded with perpetuall infamie when he excused himselfe unto him and was readie to make (*) * by saying Nollem factum & I am sorrie for it: and I would I had not so done. satisfaction, he bad him to supper that verie day: & as he used before time, so he continued still to make his fathers house his lodging.

Moreouer, in his reuengements hee was by nature most milde. Those rouers74 by whome he was taken prisoner, after he had forced to yeeld, because Page 29 he had sworne before that he would hang them vpon a crosse, he commanded that their throats should be first cut, and then to be (*) * Where [•…] ote, that cruiying was a painefull death. ctucified. Cornelius Phagita, whose for-laying him by night, he lying sicke, & Latitant hard ly had escaped (although he gaue him a good reward (*) * 2. Talents, Plutarch. ) but had like to have beene brought unto Svlla, he neuer could find in his heart to hurt. Philemon a seruant and secretarie of his, who had promised his enemies to take his life away by poyson, he punished onely by simple death, without any other torment. Being cited and called much upon to beare witnesse against P. Clodius, for being naught with his wife Pompeia, who was accused besides for the same cause to haue polluted the sacred (*) * Of Bona Dea. in whose chappell it was the ug [•…] the did the deede disguised in womans apparell. Ceremonies, he denied that he euer knew any thing of the matter, or was able to bring in evide͏̄ce albeit both his mother Avrelia, & Iulia his sister, had simply related all upon their credires euen before the same Iurie and Iudges. And being demanded therupon, wherefore then he had put away his wife? Because I deeme, quoth he, that those of my house ought to be cleere as well of suspition as of crime:

The moderatio͏̄ & clemencie which he shewed as well in the menaging of the75 ciuil war, as in his victorie, was admirable: Whe͏̄ Pompeivs denounced in minatory terms, that he would recke͏̄ him for an enenemie, whosoeuer he was, that failed to maintaine the Co͏̄mon-wealth: He for his part pronounced openly, That he wold make sure account of them to be his, who stoode indifferent betweene and were Neuters. And so many, as upon the commendation of Pompeius before time, he had give͏̄ any charg or place of co͏̄mand unto, in his armie under him, he granted the͏̄ all free leave and libertie to depart unto him. Vpon Articles and conditions of yeelding moved and propounded to Pompeius at Ilerda, whiles between both parts there passed reciprocall dealing & commerce continually. when Afranivs and Petr [•…] Ivs had taken within their Campe certaine of Ceasars soldiers, & (which they repented soone after) put them to the sword, he would in no wise imitate the same perfidious treachery of theirs practised against him. At the battaile of Pharsalia he cryed out, spare all Citizens; & afterwards granted unto everie one of his owne soldiers (none excepted) this fauour to save each of the͏̄ one of the aduerse part, whom he would: neither were any found or knowne slaine but in the uerie medly, except Afranivs, Faustus, & L. Ceasar the younger and even these uerely, men thinke, were not with his good will put to death. Of whom notwithstanding: both the former, to wit, Afranivs & Faustus, after pardo͏̄ obtained had rebelled and entred into armes againe & L. Ceasr for his part, when in cruell manner by fire & sword he had made hauock of his freed men & bondseruants, spitefully slew the verie wild-beasts also which Ceasar had prouided against the solemnitie of a publike shew to be exhibited before the people. To co͏̄clude, in his very latter daies he permitted al those also whom beforetime he had not pardoned to return into Italy, to gouern as magistrates in the Citie, & to co͏̄mand as generals in the field. Yea the very Statues of L. Svlla & Pompeivs which the co͏̄mons had o [•…] erthrown & cast up & down, he erected again in their due places. And if after this, there was any plot intended or word spoken against him by his aduersaries to his h [•…] rt, he chose rather to represse than to revenge the same. And so, diuerse conspiraces detected and night conuenticles; hee found fault with no farther then thus, by giuing notice in some edict and proclamation. Page 30 That he had intelligence therof. And as for such as gaue out bitter speeches of him, he thought it sufficient in an open assemblie to give them an Admonition, not to persist therein. Finally, when in a most slaunderovs booke written by A. Caecina, and certaine verses as rayling and reprochfull as it; devised by Pitholaus, his credite and reputation was much cracked and empaired he tooke the matter no more to the heart; than (*) * Ciuilianim [•…] [•…] ulit. one Citizen would haue done at an others hand:76

How beit, the rest of his deedes and words ouerweigh and depresse his good parts downe: so as he might be thought both to haue abused his soueraintie, and worthily to haue beene murthered. For, he not only tooke upon him excessiue honours, to wit, continued Consulship, perpetuall Dictature, & (*) * 1. Censorship indeed though not in name: Presidency of Manners; and more than so, the forename of (*) * Imperator is [•…] . Soueraine and absolute commander. Emperour, the Surname Father of his Countrie. His statue among the Kings, an eminent seate of Estate raised aboue the rest in the Orchestra, among the Senatours. but hee suffered also more stately dignities than beseeming the condition of a mortall wight to bee decreed and ordained for him namely, a golden Throne in the Curia, and before the (*) * In the forme Tribunal: a sacred (a) Chariot & therein a frame carying an (*) * Of himselfe, as a God, Image, at the solemne pomp of his Games Circenses: Temples Altars, his owne Images placed neere unto the Gods. a sacred Bed-lost for such Images to be bestowed upon: a flamin, (c) certaine (*) * [〈◊〉] Luperci (d): and the denomination of one (e) moneth after his owne name. Besides, no honourable offices there were but he tooke and gaue at his owne pleasure. His third and fourth Consulship in name onely and title he bare: co͏̄tenting himselfe with the absolute power of Dictatourship decreed unto him with his Co͏̄sulares all at one time: & in both yeeres, he substituted two Consuls under him for the three last moneths: so as, in the meane time, he held no Election but of Tribunes and Aediles of the Commons. In steed of Pretours he ordained Provosts, who should administer the affaires of the Citie even (*) * Etiam pr [•…] sente se: some read absense te: cleane contrarie: whiles he was present. And upon the very last day of the yeare to wit next before (*) * The last of December; A. V. C. 709. the Kalends of Ianuarie, the place of a Consulship being vacant by the suddaine death of a Consull he conferred uppon one (f) that made suite to enioy the same but a few houres. With semblable licentiousnesse despising the custome of his Countrie, he ordained maiestrates to continue in office many yeares together. To. x. men of Pretours degree he graunted the Consulate Ornaments. Such as were but enfranchized Citizens,* Made free [〈◊〉] of Rome. and diuers mungrell Gaules no better then halfe Barbarians, he admitted Senatours. Furthermore, ouer the Mint and receipt of the City-revenewes, he set certaine peculiar seruants of his owne to be rulers. The charge and commaund of three Legions which he left in Alexandria, he committed wholly to a sonne of Rvfinus his freed man, a stale youth and Catanite of his owne.

Neither did some words of his which he openly deliuered, bewraie lesse presumptuous77 Lordlines, as T. Ampius, writeth. For example, That the Commonwealth was now no more any (a) reall thing, but a name onely, without forme & shape: That Svlla was altogether unlettered and no (b) (*) * [•…] am Grammati [•…] e [〈◊〉] . Grammarian. in giving over his Dictature. That men ought now to speake with him more consideratly, and to [•…] old every word that [•…] e saith for a Law. Nay he proceeded to this point of Arrogancie, that when upon a time in a certaine Sacrifice, the South-sayer brought him Page 31 word of unlucky Inwards in the beast; and such as had no heart at all, he made* Should signifie better fortune. answere and said, That those which were to follow afterwards should proue more ioyfull and fortunate if it pleased him: neither was it to be taken for a prodigious and strange token, if a beast wanted an heart.

But the greatest envie and inexpiable hatred he drew upon himselfe by this78 occasion most of all. What time as al the Senatours in generall came unto him with many and those most honourable decrees, he receiued them sitting (*) * In expiabilem or exitiabilem. 1 deadly, & that which brought him to mischeife. still before the Temple of Venus Genitrix. Some thinke, that when he was about to rise up, Cornelivs Balbvs stayed and held him backe: others are of the mind, that he never went about it. But when C. Trebatius aduertised* Not so much as rising vp vnto them. him to arise unto them, he looked backe upon him with a strang kind of looke: Which deede of his was thought so much the more intollerable, for that himselfe,* Saying with all, what Sir. Remember you are Caes [•…] when Pontivs Aqvila on of the (a) Colledge of Tribunes; stood not up nor did reuerence to him as he rode in Tryumph and passed by the Trybunes Rues, tooke such snuffe and indignation therat, that he brake out alowd into these words: well done Tribuns Aquila, Recouer thou then the common-welth out of my hands: and for certaine dayes togither, neuer promised ought vnto any man without this Prouiso and Exception, (b) If Pontius Aquila will giue me leave:

To this Contvmeliovs and notorious (*) * Or gesture. behauiour of his toward the Senate79 thus despised, he adioyned a deede much more arrogant: For when as in his returne from the solemne Sacrifice of the Latine Holie dayes, among other immoderate and new acclamations of the people, one out of the multitude had set upon his Statue; a Coronet of Laurell tied about with a white (*) * Resembling a [〈◊〉] . band; and Epidius Marullus; a Tribune of the Co͏̄mons together with his colleagues Ceasetivs Flavus co͏̄manded the said band to be plucked of, & the man to be had away to prison, he takjng it to heart, either that this overture to a kingdome sped no better, or, (as he made semblance & pretended himselfe) that he was put by the glorie of refusing it, sharpely rebuked the Tribunes, & depriued them both of their authoritie. Neither for all this, was he willing afterwards to put away the infamous note of affecting and seeking after the title of a King: albeit he both made answere unto a (a) Comnoner saluting him by the name of a King, That he was Cæsar and no King: and also at the Lupercali [•…] , when Antonius the Consul imposed the Diademe oftentimes vpon his head before the Rostra, did put it backe againe, and send it into the Capitoll to (b) Iupiter Optimus Maximus. Moreouer sundrie rumours ran rife abroad, that he would depart (for euer) to Alexandria or to (d) Ilium, hauing at once tra͏̄slated and remooued thither the puissance and wealth of the Empire: dispeopeld Italie with mustring of soldiers; and with all be taken the administration of Rome-Citie unto his friends: As also, that in the next Session of the Senate, L Cotta on of the (e) Quindecimvirs would move the house to this effect, That for as much as it was contained in the Fatall bookes of Sy [•…] Illa, that the Parthians could not possiblie be vanquished but by a King, therfore Ceasar should be stiled King.

This gave occasion to the Conspiratours for to hasten the execution of80 their designe, least of necessitie they should be driuen to assent thereto. Their counsels therefore and conferences about this matter, which before time they Page 32 held dispersed here and there, and proiected oftentimes by two & three in a companie, they now complotted altogither, for that by this time the very people joyned not in the present state, seeing how things went; but both in secret and openly also distasted such soueraintie, and called earnestly for protectors and maintainers of their liberties. Vpon the admission of Aliens into the order of Senatours, there was (*) * Or [•…] ill, a Libell proposed in this form (a) Bonum Factum &c. That no man would shew the Senate-house to any new Senatours. And these verses were commonly chaunted.

As Q. Maximus substituted (by Ceasar) to be a Consul for 3. Moneths entred the Theater, and the * Sergant commanded (as the manner was) that the people should obserue and (c) regard him according to his place, they all with one accord cryed out. That he was no Consul: After that Caesetivs and Marullus the Tribunes aforesaid, were removed out of their office at the next Solemne assembly, held for Election, verie many voices were found declaring them ij. Consuls Some there were who subscribed under the Statue of L. Brutus these words. (d) Would God thou were aliue. Likewise under the Statue of Cæsar himselfe.

“(e) Brutus for expelling the Kings, was created Consul the first.”

“This man for expelling the Consuls is become King, (*) * Postremus or Postremo at last the last.”

There conspired against him more than three-score the heads of which conspiracie were C. Cassivs, (*) * M. Brutus. Marcvs and Decivs Brutvs; who hauing made doubt at first whether by (*) * Some vpon the bridge others under it. diuiding themselues into partes, they should cast him downe the (f) bridge, as he called the Tribes to giue their voices at the Election in Mars fielde, and so take him when hee was downe and kill him right out: or set uppon him in the high streete called (*) * In which Caesar dwelt after he had beene high Priest, Sacra via: or else in the very entrance to the Theater? after that the Senate had summons to meete in Counsell within the Court of Pompeivs upon the (*) * 15. of March in honor of Anna Perenna. And because the plaies were exibited i [•…] Pompe [•…] Theatre. Therfore the Senate met also in his C [•…] ria. Ides of March, they soone agreed of this time and place before all others.

81 But Cæsar surely had faire warning of his death before it came, by many euident prodigies and strang foretokens. Some few moneths before, when certaine new inhabitants, brought by vertue of the Law (*) * Which him selfe promulged. Ivlia to dwell in the Colonie Capua, ouerthew most auncient Sepulchers for to builde them houses to their landes; and did the same so much the more diligently and with better will, for that in searching they light vpon manufactures and vessels good store of Antique worke: there was found in that verie monument, wherein by report, Capys the founder of Capua lay buried, a brasen Table with a writing vpon it in Greeke words and Greeke letters to this effect: When the bones and reliques of Capys happen to be discouered, it shall come to passe, that one descended from Ivlvs shall be murdered by the hands of his neere kinsfolke, and his death soone after revenged with the great calamities and miseries of all Italie. And least any man should thinke this to be a fabulous tale and forged matter, know he that Cornelius Balbvs a verie inward and familiar friend of Cæsar Page 33 is the author thereof: And the uerie day next preceeding his death, those troupes of horses which in his passage ouer the Riuer R [•…] bicon hee had consecrate and let go loose ranging here and there without a keeper, (as he understood for certaine) for bare their meat and would not to die for it, touch any, yea, and shed teares aboundantly. Also, as he offered sacrifice, the Soothsayer Spvrina warned him to take heede of danger toward him, and which would not be differred after the Ides of March. Now; the verie day before the said Ides, it fortuned that as the birde (a) (*) * Or Regaviolus quasi re [•…] arium. Regaliolus, was flying with a little branch of Lawrell, into the Court of Pompeivs, a sort of other birdes of diverse kindes from out of the grove hard by, pursued after and there pulled it in peeces: But that night next before the day of his murder, both himselfe dreamed as he lay a sleepe, one while, that he was flying aboue the clouds: another while, that Iupiter and he shooke hands: and also his wife Calpvrina, imagined, that the Finiall of his house fell downe, and that her husband was stabbed in her verie bosome: and sodainely with all the chamber doore of it selfe flew open. Hereupon, as also by reason of sickelinesse, he doubted a good while whether he should keepe at home and put off those matters which he had purposed to debate before the Senate, or no? At the last, being counselled and perswaded by Decivs Brvtvs, not to disappoint the Senatours who were now in frequencie assembled and stayed for his comming long since; he went forth when it was well neere eleuen of the clocke. And when (*) * Ab Obvi [•…] q [•…] dam, vel Ovi [•…] , 1, one Ori [•…] . one met him by the way, & offered him a written pamphlet, which layd open the conspiracie, and who they were that sought his life, he shuffled the same among other skroes and writings which he held in his left hand as if he would haue red it anone. After this when he had killed many beasts for sacrifices & could speede of the Gods fauour in none, he entred the (*) * Of [〈◊〉] Curia in contempt of all Religion; and therewith laughed Spvrina to scorne: charging him to bee a false Prophet,A. V. C. 710, for that the Ides of March were come: and yet noe harme befell vnto him; albeit hee aunswered, That come indeede they were, but not yet past

82 When they (*) * Conspicati, o [•…] conspirati [•…] the conspiratours stood round about him. saw once that he had taken his place, and was set, they stood round about him as service able attendants readie to do him honor: and then immediatly (*) * Who before had beene his great friend & sided with him Cimber Tvllvs. who had undertaken to begin first, stepped neerer unto him, as though he would have made some request. When Ceasar seemed to mislike and put him backe, yea and by his gesture to post him of unto another time he caught hold of his gowne at both shoulders: whereupon as he cried out, This is violence, (*) * Alter Cassius or alter [•…] Cassi [•…] s one of the Cassi, rel alter, Casca. Cassivs came in 2. full a front & wounded him a litle beneth the (*) * Ingulum, or the chanell bone. throat. Then Cæsar catching Cassivs by the arme thrust it through with his stile or writing punches; and with that being about to leape (*) * Out of his chaire. forward he was met with another wound and stayed. Now when he perceiued himselfe beset on everie side and assailed with drawne daggers he wrapped and couered his head with his gowne: but withall let downe the large (*) * Which they were wont to cast ouer their shoulders. Senec [•…] de benefic [•…] . Or tucke up slack above the wast. Some rea [•…] [〈◊〉] [〈◊〉] . lap with his left hand to his legges beneath, hiding thereby the inferiour part also of his bodie, that he might fall (d) more decently: and so, with 3. and 20. wounds he was stabbed: during which time he gave but one grone, without any worde uttered, and that was at the first thrust; although some have written, that as M. Brvtvs came running upon him he said, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ; I: (e) And thou my sonne. Page 34 When all others fled sundrie waies, there lay he a good while dead, untill three of his owne pages bestowed him in a licter: and so with one (*) * Some expou͏̄d this of the licter as if one corner thereof hung downe, carried as it was by three. arme hanging downe, carried him home Neither in so many wounds, was there, as Antistivs his Physitian deemed, any one found mortall, but that which he receiued (*) * Whereby it seemeth he had one giuen him in his neck before: which the Author hath omitted. second, in his breast. The conspiratours were minded to haue dragged his Corps, after hee was thus slaine, into the Riuer Tiberis; confiscated his goods, and repealed all his acts: but for feare of M. Antonius the Consul and Lepidvs. Maister of the Horsemen, they held their hands and gaue ouer those courses.

83 At the demand therefore of L. Piso whose daughter he married, his last will and Testament was opened and red in the house of Antonius which will, upon the (*) * 13. of September. Ides of September next before, he had made in his own house at Lauicium & co͏̄mitted to the keeping of the chiefe (a) vestal Virgin. Q Tuber [•…] w [•…] iteth, that from his first Consulship unto the beginning of the Civi [•…] l war, he was euer wont to write downe for his heire, Cn. Pompeivs, and to reade the saide will unto his soldiers in their publike assemblie. But in this last Testament of his, he ordained three Coheires, the nephewes all (*) * So hee was there great Vnk [•…] e. of his sisters. To wit (*) * Afterwards Augustus, sonne of A [•…] a Iulius Cæsars sisters daughter. C. Octauivs. of three fouth parts, L. Pinarius, and Q. Pedius of on fourth part remaining. In the latter end and bottome of this Testamentarie Instrument, he adopted also: C. Octauivs into his house & name; and many of those that afterwards murdered him, he nominated for guardiers to his (*) * As Post [•…] nimus 1. borne after his death. sonne, if it fortuned he had any borne. Yea and Decimus Brvtus to be one of his second heires in remainder. Hee bequeathed in his legacies unto the (*) * Of Rome. people his hortyards about Tiberis to ly common; & three (*) * 46 [•…] . 10. d. obstarling. hundred Sesterces to them by the Poll.

84 The solemnitie of his Buriall being proclaimed, there was a pile of wood for his funerall fire reared in Mars field, neere unto the Tombe of (*) * His owne daughter, wife to Pompey who died of childbirth, and by speciall priuiledge, was enter red in Mars field. Ivlia. Before the Rostra was placed a (*) * Or Herfe. chappell all guilt resembling the Temple of Venus Genetrix. and within it (*) * Or B [•…] erre. Appion, a pole. a Bedsteed of Ivorie, richly spred with cloth of gold and purple, and at the head thereof a (*) * Which was, That the magistrates and Senatours shold go before without their badges & robe [•…] of dignitie: the knights and gentlemen follow in murning weed: then the soldi [•…] rs, carrying the heads or points of their weapons downeward: last of all. the common people marshalled according to their Tribes. Trop [•…] e supporting the Robe wherein he was slaine. Now because it was thought, that those should not have day enough who came to his offerings and brought their oblations, commandement was giuen, that without obseruing the (*) * or [〈◊〉] . who wrote a Trage die bearing the same title: strict order, euery man might bring which way & by what streete of the Cittie he would, his gift into Mars field above said. During the Games and playes then exhibited there were chaunted certaine verses fitly applyed as well to moove pittie as hatred withall of his death, and namely out of the Tragedie of Pacuvius, entituled, (a) The iudgement of Armour, Men’ Men’ servasse, ut essent qui me perderent? Alas the while, that I these men should saue: By bloudy death, to bring me to my grave; As also another out of that of Accius to the same sence. Insteed of a laudatorie oration, Antonivs the Consvl pronounced by the publike Crier, that Act of the Senate, wherein they decreede for him all honour, both diuine and humaine: likewise the solemne oth wherewith they all obliged themselues to defend the life and person of him and none but him: whereunto he added some few words of his owne. The fore saide (*) * Or [〈◊〉] . Bed, the Magistrates for the time being, and such as had borne office of State alreadie, had (*) * De [•…] erant. conveied into the forum before the Rostra; which when some intended Page 35 to burn within the cell of Ivpiter Capitolinvs, others in the (*) * Where he was murdered. Court of Pompeius: all of a sodaine there were ij. fellowes with swords girt to their sides: and carrying ij. Iavelins. who with light burning Tapers, set it on fire: and with that immediatly the multitude that stood round about gat drie sticks together and heaped them thereupon, with the Tribunall seats and other pues, (*) * Or Benches. of inferiour Magistrats, & whatsoeuer beside was readie & (c) next at hand. After them, the Minstrels and stage players disrobed themselues of those vestiments which out of the furniture of his Tryumphs they had put on for the present use and occasion, rent the same in peeces and flung all into the flaming fire. The olde Legionarie soldiers also did the like by their armour, wherein they brauely went to solemnize his funerall, Yea and most of the Cittie Dames did no lesse by their Iewels and Ornaments which they had about them: Their childrens pendant brooches also and rich coats embrodred and bordred with purple. In this exceeding sorrow and publike mourning, a number there were besides from forraine Nations: who euerie one after their Countrie manner, lamented round one after another, by companies in their turnes: but above all other the (*) * They affected Cæsar (it should seem) in re [•…] ard o [•…] many benefits, and namely for bringing l’ompele to confusion who had forced their cheife Citie. Iewes. who also for many nights together frequented the place of his sepulture and where his bodie was burnt.

The common people streight after his funerall obsequies went with burning85 fire-brands and torches to the dwelling houses of Brvtvs and Cassivs: From whence being hardly repelled, they meeting with Helvius Cinna by the way, and mistaking his name, as if he had beene Cornelivs Cinna (one who the the day before had made a bitter invective as touching Cæsar and whom they sought for) him they slew. set his head vpon a speare, and so carried it about with them. After this they erected in the Forum a solide (*) * Or Piller. Columne almost 20. foote high. of Numidian Marble: with this title graven therupon; Parenti Patriae. To the father of his Countrie. At which piller for a long time they used still to sacrifice, to make vowes and prayers, to determine and end certaine controversies interposing alwaies their oth by the name of Cæsar.

Cæsar left behind him in the minds of certaine friends about him, a suspition,86 that he was neither willing to have lived any longer, nor cared at all for life: because he stood not well to health, but was euermore crasie: & thereupon neglected as well all religious warnings from the Gods, as also what reports soeuer his friends presented unto him. There be that thinke, howe trusting upon that last Act of the Senate, and there oth aforesaid, he discharged the Guard of Spaniards from about him, who armed with swordes, gaue attendance (*) * Insectanti [•…] m. upon his person. Others contrariwise are of opinion; that seeing as he did how he was forelaied on euerie side, and confessing, it were better once for all to undergoe those imminent daungers, than alwaies to stand in feare thereof, he was wont to say: It concerned not himselfe so much as it did the state, that hee should liue and bee safe: As for him. he had gotten long since power and glorie enough: marie the Common-wealth (if ought but well came to him) should not bee at quiet, but incurre the troubles of Ciuill warre. the issue whereof would be farre worse then euer it had beene.

This one thing verily, all men well neere are agreed upon, That such a 87 Page 36 death befell unto him as himselfe in manner wished. For not onely uppon a time when he had read in (*) * Cyripaedia, 8 Xenophon, how Cyrus beeing at the point of death gaue some order for his funerall, hee setting light by so lingering and slow a kind of death, had wished to die quickely and of a suddaine; but also the verie daie before he was killed, in a certaine discourse mooved at supper in Marcus Lepidus house uppon this point, What was the best ende of a mans life? preferred that which was sodaine and unlooked for.

He died in the (*) * In the 8, Septimane. 56. yeare of his age and was canonized among the88 Gods, not onely by their voice who decreed such honour unto him, but also by the perswasion of the common people. For at those Games and playes which were the first that Augvstvs his heire exhibited for him thus (*) * Consecrate. deified, there shone a blazing starre for seuen dayes together, arising about the eleuenth houre of the day; and beleeved it was to be the soule of Cæsar received up into heaven. For this cause also uppon his Image there is a starre set to the uerie Crowne of his head. Thought good it was to damme vp (b) the Court where in hee was murdred: to name the Ides of March (c) Parricidium, and that the Senate should neuer meete in Counsell upon that day.

Of these murderers, there was not one in manner that either survived89 him aboue three yeares, or died of his naturall death. All stood condemned. and by one mishap or other perished: some by ship-wracke, others in battaile. and (*) * Cassi [•…] : as Plutarch reporteth, and [〈◊〉] according to Dion, and the ij. Cascaes. A notable iudgement of Almightie God upon the unnatural murderers of their Soueraine. and some againe, shortened their own daies, with the verie same dagger, wherewith they had wounded Cæsar.