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'Si.
vi-'-v
i\
V*
3oIm ^^am5
IN
._;^HELF
AUAMS
^%.'
\1.V.
THE
TO
OF TH
ROMAN REPUBLIC,
By
ADAM FERGUSON,
LL. D.
IN
THREE VOLUMES.
VOL.
LONDON:
P'RINTED FOR W. STRAHAN;
T.
AND W.CREECH,
IN EDINBURGH. MDCCLXXXIU.
CONTENT
BOOK
CHAP.
OT^TE
'
S.
III.
I.
Page
I.
People.'
appear in the 'Thnes of Sylla, Sertorius harbours the Marian Party FaElion of Lepidus. Is attacked His Death ^ in Spain. by Metellus and Pompey,
to
CharaEler of Perfons
who began
Firf Appearance of
C. yulitis
Tribunes begin
trefpafs on the
Romans.
Raifed.
Flight of Mithridates.
into
Pontus.
Rout and Difperfwn of the Army of Mithridates. Armenia. ConduSl of Lucullns in the Province into His Flight
of Afuj.
CHAP.
II.
Page 27.
Efcapc and Revolt of the Gladiators at Capua Spartacus.' And ASiion and defeat of Lentulus the Roman Confid
of
this
the C.iJJius
Prater of Gaul.
Appointment oj
M.
Crajfus
for
Service.
Triumph of Metellus
ivid
a 2
CONTENTS.
and Pompey.
Cojxfuljhip
War
in
Tribunet of Ponipey atrd Crajfus. Powers. Metellus and HorCovfulate of Crete. Renewal of the war in Pontus and
Negotiation with the
Artnettia.
'Defeat of T'igranes.
King of
Parthia.
connnitted in
Mutiny
Complaints ofPyracies
the Roman Seas.-^CommiJJion propofed ta Pompey. His ConduEl againfl the Pirates. His Commiffion extended
to
Pontus.
of that Prince.
Operations of
RxduSiion of ferufcJem.
and
CHAP.
Crowing Corruption of
the
Page 80.
of
State.
Roman
Officers
The Love of
Confideration changed for Avarice^ Rapacity ^ and Prodigality. Laws agaifijl Extortion."Cataline, a Candidate^for the Confulfjip.
fulate.
Competition
Times.
Agrarian Law
Ele&ion
of Cicero
and Antonius.
Condition of the
of Rullus.
Trial of Rabirius.
Of
Cataline.
CHAP.
Chara^er of
taries.
IV.
Page iia.
Oppoftc Tenets and VoTribunate of Metellus,
at the
the Times.
Philofophy.
-Proceedings
of
the
Senate
to
Nepos,
his
and of
Cato.
Propofal
recal Pompey,
in
Italy
Head of
Army,
frujlrated.
His Arrival
And
Triumph.
CHAP.
TranfaSlions at Rome,
V.
Page 132.
Julius Cafar appoint^ Province in Lufitatiia.
and in
the Provinces.
to his
ed
in the S^ality
of Propraetor
firfl
CONTENT
Trial of Clod'ius.
Conful/hip of
Sv
Fropofcd Adoption mio a Plebeian Family^ to Cafar, a Candidatefor the qualify him for the Office of Tribune. The Triumvirate of Cafar^ Pompey, and Crajfus. Co7ifiilfloip.
Cafar.to
Motion ofVatiniits^
to
confer on Cafar^
to
Marriage of Pompey
Attack made upon
Plot ofVettius.
Co?ifulate
Cicero,,.
CHAP.
Gafar tales
Poffejfion
VI.
Page 178.
of
his Province.
Migration
War with
Italy.
Ariovifus.
garit,.
Motion
to recal Cicero.
Conftdtations
Augmentation of the
Operations on
Battle with the Nervii.
re-
Army
.
in
Gaul.
the Aifne
On
the
Reforation of Cicero.-Controverfy
Repeated Riots of Clodius.
Houfe.
Trial of
Milo.
CHAP.
Vn.
Page
2 15.
His Repulfe at the EleHicn of Prcetors, Return of Cato from Cyprus. and Arrival of Ptolomy Aidetes at Rome. Vifit of Pompey
Grajfus to Ccefar s
ation~
garters
at Lucca.
in
Renewal of their
Ccefar s
AfociViolent
Military
us Graf
Operations
Province,
Ele&ion of
Syria.
and Pompey.
in Spain,
Provinces.'-
Of
Crajfus in
Of Pompey
for Syria,
3 O O
ii
CONTENTS.
BOOK
CHAP.
.State
I.
IV.
Page 237.
of the Commonwealth.
of
Operations of
Ccefar in Gaiil^
Germany^ and
Britain,-"State
Pompey
at
Rome.
Kingdom
of Parthia.
CHAP.
Death of
'Trial
Julia.,
II.
Page 265.
the
of Gabinius.
and
the Meufe.
His Death,
Riot in the
Pompey fole
III.
Trial of Milo.
CHAP.
CharaEler
Page 302.
of fole Conful.
Privilege oj
of Pompey
in
Capacity
Cafar
to
be admitted as Candidate
his Province.
for
the Ojfice
of Conful^ without
refigning
tions in
that Country.
Difribution of Cajars
Army
in Gaul.
CHAP.
Cafar remains
Conful.
cellus._
in
IV.
Page 332.
Gaul.
Motion
to
recal
Ca-far.
CONTENTS.
Cafar,
in
Operations of Ccefar
iti
GauL'Ititrigues
in the City
the
City.
Affairs
SiicceJJion
vinces.
Campaign of Cicero.
cf Parties
to
and in
the Senate.
to
Return
the Senate.
Gaul.
gions
Pompey and
Alarm of Ccefar
March,
The
Sword
to
Pompey.
CHAP.
Return of
Senate
to
V.
Page 371.
Decree of the
different Officers
from
to
their Provinces.
fuperfde
the
Caifar.
the miffion to
Confuls
and
Flight of
Ccefar
to
Tribunes Antony
and ^iutus
and
Cajfms.
Speech of
the Legion at
Ravenna.
Surprife of Arnninum.
the Senate^
March of
Cafar.
Flight of Pompey
^c.
Embarkation and Departure of Pompey from Approach of Ccefar. Return of Ccefar to Rome. R'ff^^ by MarfeillesBrundifmm.
into Spain.
Legions of Pompey in
Spain conduEled
Far.
CHAP.
The
Siege
VI.
Page 431.
Its
DiBator.
furrender.
Forces
Ccefar
named
Ccefar.^.
Mutiny
at Placentia.
with Servilius
Pompey.
firfl
Confuls.
and
Difpofition
of
Tranfports the Departure of Ccefar to Brundifium. his Acrocer annus.' to Army Meffage to Pompey y Divifion of
their
and
feveral Operations.
in his
Cafar
baffied
feat of Ccefar.
faly.
>
ASlion and DeAttempt to invejl Pompey. March of both Armies in Thef-His Retreat. "
-
Battle of Pharfalia,
HA
B,'.
CONTENTS.
CHAP.
Cato, with the Fleet
Pom-' Comparative Lofs on the different Sides in the late A6lion, His Death. Arrival at Alexandria. peys Flight. of Cafar
'
falia^ Jleers
Party.
naces.
for Africa. Adventures of Cafar in Egypt.Vi&ory over PbarArrival in Italy. Mutiny of the Legions. Ccefar
His Operations^ and A6lion tvith the Horfe
the
and Retnains of the Army from Phar" State of Italy ^ and of the Republican
and
Irregulars of
Enemy.
Pojl at
Rufpina,
Siege of
Uzita.
Battle of Thapfus,
Death ofCato,
ERRATA.
iPage 154,
19b,
line
i,
for
read
of.
435, 444,
447,
of the empire. 15, for liefiegers read bejieged, 18, for Sextiis rtzACneus.
6, for Acroferaunus read Acroceraunus, 3, ior exercife read the exereife,
15, for nvhen read at luhich. 25, for Macedonia read Epirus. 'S> ^^ ''^^' '^^y ^^^^ 'who.
HISTORY
O
F
THE
THE
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
BOOK
C
State
in.
I.
HA
p.
Numbers of the People, of the Commowwealth and to ivho appear in the Times of Sylla. began of Perfons
Sertorius harbours the
-^Fa&ion of
Is
Characters
Lepidiis.
Marian Party
in Spain.
attacked by MeteUus
and Pompey.
of the Party.
begin
to trefpafs
Laws
of
Sylla.
Progrefs of
Preparations of
Mithridatcs.'War
Siege of Cyzicus.
Rai/ed.
into
Fight
i?c///
cf Mithridates.
xind
War
Pont us.
menia.
Ar^
is recorded of the period in Writers have not given us any diftinct account As the of the condition of the city, or of the number of citizens.
took place.
\^OL.
II.
Stat^
BOOK
was divided
into
two
was become
with their
The leaders of every fadtion, opponents, or even in neutral hands. in their turn, made up the rolls of the People, and difpofed, at their and fenatorian dignities. pleafure, of the equeftrian
At
a furvey of the city,
which
is
mentioned by Livy
',
preceding.
number of
and
was three hundred and ninety-four thoufand three hundred At another furvey, which followed foon after that thirty-fix.
to*
and
and it feems that the whole acceflion of citizens fixty-three thoufand''; no more than fixty-eight thoufand fix hunmade from the country
dred and fixty-four.
in
The
great flaughtcr of
which
it
is
faid
lafl;
that three
preceding the
of making
dlfperfed,
when
the citizens
were
fo
much
numbers.
In this period were born, and began to enter on the fcene of was now to determine public affairs, thofe perfons whofe condudl
the fate of the republic.
felf,
Pompey had
real confec^uence.
already diftingui/hed
him-
He
the
camp of
by
or political prefer-
He
of Sylla, the caufe of Rofcius Amerinus, in which he was led to cenfure the adions of Chryfogonus and other favourites of the Dictator, and,
hirafelf.
'
by
his
Liv. lib,
'
l.xiii,
Euieb. in Chronico.
CcefaPj
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
Ccefar, now connected with the family of Cirina, whofe daughter he had married, and being nearly related to the elder Marius, who had married his aunt, narrowly efcaped the fword of the prevailing party.
Being commanded to feparate from his wife, he retained her in defiance of this order, and for his contumacy was put in the lift of the
laved, however, by the interceffion of fome whofe friends, requeft in his favour Sylla granted, with that memorable faying, " Beware of him there is many a Marius in the
profcribed.
He was
common
"
circumftance which marked at perfon of that young man." and the once the penetration of Sylla early appearances of an extra-
Marcus Porcius, afterwards named Cato of Utica, was about three an orphan, was educated years younger than Csefar, and being early
in the houfe of
ing to
an uncle, Livius Drufus. While yet a child, liftenthe converfation of the times, he learned that the claim of the
was dangerous
to the
monwealth.
lians,
Pompedius
Silo,
who managed
amufmg
young Cato,
him by threatening
a
with his uncle in their behalf; and, finding that he was not to be won by flattery, likewife tried in vain to intimidate from the window. " If this
refTes to intercede
to
throw him
were
In
man," he
"
faid,
believe
we
when
his
portico W'as
crowded with perfons who brought the heads of the profcribed to be exchanged for the reward that was offered for them, Cato being
carried
by
his tutor to
to kill
pay
?"
no one hated
ftill
this
man
"
him
"
him
" and I will " Then give me a fword," faid the boy, of charaders which Such were the early indications
Witli
4.
BOOK
VV
III.
'
and
the fubfequent murder of Tiberius Gracchus, began, among the a fcene of injuries and retaliations, with intervahi parties at Rome,
of anarchy and violent ufurpation, which mufl have fpeedily ended in the ruin of the commonwealth, if the fword had not pafled at laft into
it
indeed probable, that none of the parties in thefe horrid fcenes to fubvert the government, but all of them
commonwealth with
too
little
refpedl
and,
fome revenge of the wrongs which they themfelves apprein their turn to violate the laws
v>riihed to
hended or endured, did not fcruple But to thofe who their country.
wealth, the experience of
lifty
of
preferve the
common-
years
was now
by
illegal
by
retorted injuries
The
parties
fo plentifully to drink.
began to naufeate the draught of which they had been made There were, neverthelefs, fome dregs in the
bottom of the cup, and the fupplies of faQion which were brought by the rifing generation, were of a mixture more dangerous than
thofe of the former age.
lord of the
The example of
a
Sylla,
who made
force,
himfelf
commonwealth by means of
vv'hich
curity with
and the
more powerful
litical
ufcs wb.ich
it,
of that dangerous without provoAdventurers who, arofe, precedent. accordingly cation, and equally indifierent to the interefts of party as they were
figning
to reftrain or to correct the efieds
had
to
gratify
OF THE
gratify their
ROMAN
.^
REPUBLIC.
own
vernment of
their country
CHAP, iv^_/
U. C. Gi^.
While
Sylla
profligate
ambition, but of mean capacity, fupported by the remains of the po- pidus^Qi pular fadlion, flood for the Confulate, and was chofen, together with
fon of him who, with Marius, triumphed Q^Lutatius Catulus, the over the Cimbri, and who afterwards perifhed for their joint vidory
Cofi^^'"^"^'
by
'
was
told
occafion
Sylla, that
he was
fire
would
confume the
appeared, from a
mark
Pompey had
loft
his
This prudent young man, however, in oppofition to Leand others, who wilhed to infult the memory of Sylla, was pidus among the firft in recommending and performing the honours that
cfteem.
were paid
to his remains.
Lepidus, upon his acceflion to the Confulate, moved for a recal of the profcribed exiles, a reftitution of the forfeited lands, and a This motion was the late Didator. repeal of all the ordinances of
formally oppofed by Catulus
fuls a debate
;
pi-evailed
to
Lepidus
and,
upon
it
his
had been fome time the practice for Confuls People, although Rome at remain during their continuance in office, he prepared
leave the city, in order to take pofleffion of his province.
hition, as
it
This refo-
implied great im.patience to be at the Iicad of an armv, to the Senate, v;ho dreaded the defigns of a fome jealoufy gave
Conful
y~
BOOK
Conful defirous to join militaiypower with his civil authority. They recolleled the progrefs of fedition which began with the Gracchi and
Apulcius raifing popular tumults, and ended with Marius and Sylla leading Confular armies in the city, and fighting their battks in the
ftreets.
it it
may
And in this point the decifive fpirit of Sylla, although have fnatched the commonwealth from the flames hy which
began to be confumed, yet Ihowed the way to its ruin in the means which he employed to preferve it \ The Senators were willing that but they had the precaution to I^cpidus fliould depart from the city
;
exat from
him an
This oath, to avoid the appearance of any particular they likewlfe exadled from his colleague *.
in him,
made
Inc;
Lepidus, nctwithftanding his oath, being arrived in his province, preparations for war ; and, thinking that his oath was bind-
office,
at
the term
was expired.
array,
nate,
appointed
The Sehim to
him
was by
this
means
any
elec-
was made.
ordinary fucceffion being thus interrupted, the Senate
at
The
named
the llnne
command
in Gaul.
Upon
this
inform-
and greatly alarmed the republic. The Senate gave to Appius Claudius, aid to Catulus, in the quality of Proconful, the ufilal charge to watch
over the fafety of the State.
Thefe
officers accordingly,
without delay,
lib. i.
Ibid.
and
OFTHEROMAN
with the confular power.
pidus,
Prjetors
RE PUBLIC.
C
>
and publilLed a manifefto, in which he invited all the friends of liberty to join him, and made a formal demand of being re-invefted
In oppofition to this treafonable ait of Lethe Senate
H A .-
P. _j
were required,
all
republifhed the law of Plautius, by which the in the ordinary courfe of juftice, to take cogit
nizance of
an additional
ftrates to
on holy-days,
time Lepidus advanced to the gates of Rome, feized the Janiculum and one of the bridges that led to the city. He was met
Catulus in the
difperfed
;
Mean
by and All routed. his Campus Martins, repulled party he himfelf fled to Sardinia, and foon after died. His fon,
part of the army, retired to Alba, and was there foon after taken, and fuffered for a treafon in which he was engaged
by
fxther of
him who,
in the continuation
of thefe
and
Mantua
to furrender himfelf to
Pompey, and, by
put to death.
But the
anny of Lepidus
its diftrefs,
In
this'
Italy,
a fource
was opening
count of the
The
was
willing to grant
an indemnity, and to
drop
;
on ac-
late offences, to
minds of men
to the
army
in Italy, Mithridates
had
lent to obtain
he had
concluded
'
BOOK
on
He
accordingly complied
much occupied by the war they had to maintain againft Lepidus and his adherents, that they had no leifure This inteUigence encouraged Mithridates to for foreign affairs. Senfible that he could not rely on a think of renewing the war.
Romans were
permanent peace with the Roman republic, he had already provided an army, not io confiderable in refpedt to numbers as that which he
formerly had, but more formidable by the order and difcipline he had endeavoured to introduce on the model of the legion. He flattered
himfelf that the diflradlion under which the
Romans now
laboured
at home, would render them unable to refift his forces in Afia, and give him an opportunity to remove the only obftrution that remained
to his
own
conqueils.
He
without the pretext of a new provocation, to break out into open hoftilities ; but he encouraged his fon-in-law Tigranes, king of Ar-
menia
neighbourhood, and thereby laid the foundation of a quarrel which he might either adopt This prince accordingly, being then building or decline at pleafure.
to
make war on
the
Roman
allies in his
name of
made an
kingdom of Cappadocia,
carried
off
his
to rcplenilli
new
fettlement.
after this
Soon
have the co-operation of fome of the parties into which the Roman State was divided, entered into a treaty with Sertorius, and wilhed, in concert with this general, to execute the projedl of a march, by a
route afterwards prailifed
OF
empire.
land
to
From
arid of
Euxine
It
CHAP.
'
the Adriatic,
of
Pyrrhus
Romans
in their
own
country.
Sertorius,
gave refuge
at the
who had ereded the ftandard of to the Roman exiles from every
was now
head of a formidable power, compofed of Italians as well as natives of that country. By his birth and abilities he had pretenfions to the highefl: preferments of the State, and had been early diftinor to execute. He was guifhed as a foldier, qualified either to plan attached to Marius in the time of the Cimbric war, and became a
with Sylla. His animofity to party with this leader in his quarrel the mutual of their interefts in oppofition by
At
war
fhowed more refped to the conmore ftitution of his country, and mercy to thofe who were oppofed When his to him, than either of his aflbciates Marius or Cinna. he of the was in to were government, appointed poffeffion party
command
drew
with;
He
was received
as a
Roman
governor
was attacked on
their
part
by Caius Annius, who came with a proper force to dillodge him. He had eftftblifhed ports on the Pyrenees for the fecurity of but the officer to whom they were entrufted being afhis province
;
faflinated,
and the
enemy had
free accefs
on
that
fide.
Not
in
condition to maintain
continued for fome years, with a fmall fquadron of Cilician galleys, to fubfift by the fpoils of Africa and the contiguous coafts. In this
ftate
vifit
and
Vol.
the
.,o
BOOK
v..
the
Roman
world
to itsfaftions,
fet fail in
its
divifians,
and
its
troubles.
But
'
fearch of this
famous retreat
niitives
in the ocean,
of Lufitania to
become
their leader.
At their head
his abilities
fpicuous.
He
affected to confider the Lufitanians as the Senate in Italy as a treating the eftablifhment of Sylla
and
People of
Rome,
mere
of
ufflrpation.
He
Roman
officer
whom
he gave the
of Senate, and in
all
his tranfaftions
fiimed the
name and
ftile
of the
Roman
by any
Roman
While
Sertorlus
was adiing
of his formidable
by the
junilion of
fome of
under the command of Perperna, and his fuppofed a defcent upon Italy, gave an alarm at Rome. to make preparations Metellus had been fome time employed againfl him in Spain but
Marian
forces
U. C. 676. D. Junius
Brutus,
being fcarcely able to keep the field, his oppofition tended only to augment the reputation of his antagonift. The Confuls lately cleded
anu"Liv^-^'
nus.
were judged unequal to this war, and the thoughts of all men were turned on Pompey, who, though yet in no public character, nor arrived at the legal age of ftate preferments, had the addrefs on this,
occafions, to make himfelf be pointed at as the could He was aconly perfon effedually .ferve the republic. cordingly, with the title of Proconful, joined to Metellus in the conas
on many other
who
dud
It
no doubt
of this
men
faid,
of diftinguifhed
that
abilities
were
Claudius, in
making
this
luding
to the infignificance
Pompey
Ihould
fuJibus.
now
OF THE
now
in
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
Such men, of
>
n
CHAP.
--^
--
view
whatever party, had always, in their turns, been the lirft vidbiins of the late violent mafTacres and the party of Sylla, which was now
;
the republic,
when
confidered as
a nurfery of eminent
its
men, had
in the fuperiority of
leader,
who was
for themfelves.
and taught others to confide and obey, Pompey was not of an age to have fuffer-
ed from this
influence.
He came
its
bufieft
He had altime, and had been entrufted with feparate commands. for obtained himfelf of that artificial confideration ready which, part
though it cannot be fupported without abilities, often exceeds the degree of merit on which it is founded ; and this confideration to the
end of
his
life
many
whofe
concerted intrigues.
it
he continued to augment with much attention and He had a genius for war, and was now
in the conteft with Sertorius,
inftrudlive.
this fervice, pafl'ed
about to improve
leflons
an excellent mafter,
the Alps
his
Pompey having made the levies deftined for by a new route, and was the firft Roman
general
who made
Soon
after
way
army was
inter-
Sertorius was engaged in the fiege cepted and cut off by the enemy. of Laura. advanced to relieve it. Sertorius, upon his apPompey
proach, took
poll:
on an eminence.
Pompey
relief.
manner, that Pompey could not advance without expofing his own rear to a party that was placed to " I will teach this " to look attack him. of he
his difpofition in fuch a
made
pupil
Sylla,"
faid,
" behind
;" and Pompey, feeing his danger, chofe to withdraw, leaving the town of Laura to fall into the enemy's hands, while he himfelf continued a fpetator of the fiege,
as well as before
him
place.
ginning
12
BOOK
U. C. 677.
Cn.Oaavius,
C. Scribonius
Curio.
into
Gaul
for
the
The
,
Confuls, Ponipey
....
remained in
to
;
his
command
to join
march
Met ellus.
lay
on the Sucro
and wifhed
and
Pompey, on
tory,
an adtion enfued, in which the wing on which Pompey fought was defeated by Sertorius but the other wing had the victory over Perperna. As Sertorius was about to renew the action on the following
" If the old woday, he was prevented by the arrival of Metellus. " " man had not I fhould have interpofed," he fliid, whipt the boy,
*'
and
fent
him back
to his fchools at
Rome."
This war continued about two years longer with various fuccefs, but without any memorable event, until it ended by the death of Sertorius,
who,
at the inftlgation
aflaf-
own
attendants.
by this bafe adllon, put hlmfelf at the head of the army, and endeavoured to keep them united, at leaft until he fhould be
able to purchafe his peace at
Rome.
and
He
numbers of
his
own people,
at laft fui-prifed
He
had made
many
him
Rome
a formidable power. The letters without burned. So mafterly an were being opened, Pompey, and, at of prudence, in a perfon who was yet confidered as a young man,
him with
It
ferved to extinguifh
'
all
the remains
Bay of
Plutarch, in
Pompeio
&
Sertorio.
Ap-
falls
into the
pian. Liv.
lib.
ii.
Obfequens.
FrontinusStratagim,
Valentia.
c. c.
of
OF THE
to a
fituation
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
13
CHAP,
cealment.
C.Julius
being about feven years younger, that is, twenty-three years of age, was returned from Afia and, to make fome trial of his late Proconful of Macean accufation laid Dolabella, againil parts,
;
Cotta and
Hor-
Cicero
he himfelf v/as then returned from a journey he had made The following year Caefar into Afia, and was prefent at this trial. left Rome, with intention to pafs fome time under a celebrated
mafter of rhetoric
at
Rhodes.
In his
way he was
taken by pirates,
Ele Metellus a fum of fifty talents % which was paid for his ranfom. had frequently told the pirates, while yet in their hands, that he would punifh their infolence and he now told them to expedl the
;
Upon being fet on fhore, he aflembled performance of his promife. and armed fome veffels on the coaft, purfued and took his captors.
Leaving
Jthe
his prifoners where he landed, he haftened to Junius Silanus, Proconful of Bythinia, and applied for an order to have them executed ; but being refufed by this officer, he made his way back
ftill
with
to the contrary,
had the
Such
lawlefs
banditti had long infefted the feas of Afia and of Greece, and furniflied at times no inconfiderable employment to the arms of the republic.
Servilius Vatia,
who
title
of Ifauricus,
and, after clearing the feas, lately been employed againft them endeavoured likewife to deftroy or fecure their ports and flrong holds
had
Near
to
10,000
1,
-^
on
*4
E O o k
HI-
They,
.
and continued
to appear at intervals
m
.
of commerce by
fea,
and of
by difarming the tributhe meafure fhut fource of former difnitian power, up orders, the republic was now reflored to fome degree of tranquillity, and refumed its attention to the ordinary objedls of peace. The
in a great
Under
down and
bridge on the Tiber, which had been eredted of wood, was taken rebuilt with ftone ; bearing the name of jEmilius, one of
the Queftors under whofe inlpedlion the fabric had been reared
as a public
treatife
;
and
work of
ftill
greater confequence,
it is
mentioned, that a
on
Mago a
Carthaginian, and in
by At the redudion of Carthage, the Romans were yet governed by hufbandmen, and, amidft the literary book alone, confifting of twenty-eight rolls fpoils of that city, this
now
or volumes, was fuppofed to merit public attention, and was fecured A number of perlbns (killed in the Punic language, for the State.
together with Silanus,
who had
it '.
employed in tranflating
The calm, however, which the republic enjoyed under the afIn the cendant of the ariftocracy, was not altogether undifturbed. Conlulate of Cn. Odavius and C. Scribonius Curio, the Tribune Licinius
made an attempt
to recover the
office.
He
ventured, in prefence of both the Confuls, to harangue the antient rights. As a People, and exhorted them to reaflume their of boldnefs thefe to mark the which ferves circumftance petulant
men,
ing
it is
this occafion,
be-
ill,
a drelling
which brought
Plin
lib. xviii.
c.
3.
flies
OF THE
files
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
C H A
>.
-
15
p..
His colleague Curio, having made in great numbers about him. a vehenvent fpeeeh, at the clofc of it, the Tribune called out to Odxanever can repay your coUeague's fervice of this day vius, " if he ha.d not been near you, while he made this fpeeeh, and beat
air fo much with his gefticulations, the flies muft by this time " have eaten you up "." The fequel is imperfedly known ; but the difpute appears to have been carried to a great height, and to
_>
"
You
" the
have ended in a tumult, in which the Tribune Licinius was killed. Upon a review of Sylla's afts intended to reftore the authority of
the Senate,
it
may
lavv^
re-
which all perfons having accepted of this lating to the Tribunes, by office were excluded from any further preferment in the State, may
not have had an
ill
effecfl:,
It
rendered the
Tribunate an objedt only to the meaneft of the Senators, who, upon their acceptance of it, ceafmg to have any pretenfions to the higher*
of State, wci-e, by this means, deprived of any intereft in the governrnent, and exaiperated againft the higher dignities of the
offices
commonwealth.
C. 678.
Cn. OtSlavius and Curio, moved perhaps by this cdnfideration, prohave that claufe repealed, and was warmly fupported .pofed to by the Tribune Opimius, who, contrary to the prohibition lately enventured to harangue the People ; and for this offence, expiration of his office, was tried and condemned ".
a(3:ed,
c. Aurelius'
Cotta.
at
the
By
the defe<5ts
f^nt inflitutions, or
which the People began to apprehend in their preby the part which their demagogues began to take
Roman
State, after a
very
fliort refpite,
its
councils,
in
all
its
ope-
"
&
Pasdianus, ibid.
rations
i6
BOOK
'
and gained continual acceffions of empire, under the of convulfions which fhook the commonwealth Itfelf to Its bafe ;
is
and, what
ftlU lefs to
be paralleled in the hiftory of mankind, was of a nation, which proceeded in its affairs may be imputed in a great meafure to its
operations, if not even in the formation
home.
Its
War,
in the detail of
is
ofjts plans,
more
likely to fucceed
under
fingle
men
than under
numerous
councils.
The Roman
conflltutlon,
far
from an
-
tranquillity,
To
perfons
this fchool,
all
The ruling paflion, even of refponfiblllty the lead virtuous citizens, during fome ages, was the ambition of being
and
lefs
controul.
at
;
home.
They
but they valued this condition only as it furnilhed them with the occafion of triumphs, and contributed to their Importance at Rome.
They were
and honours
very
factious
and turbulent
;
power
all
in the capital
conteft,
were
faithful
and
inflexible
in maintaining
the
Thus Sylla, though deprived of his the State abroad. pretenfions of command by an ail of the oppofite party at Rome, and with many
of his friends,
condemned and outlawed, ftill maintained the part of a Roman officer of ftate, and prefcrlbed to Mithridates, as might have been expelled from- him in the moft undlfturbed exercife of his truft. Sertorius, in the
fadlion, in
fome
meafure preferved'a funilar dignity of charadler, and rcfufed to make conceihons unworthy of the Roman republic. Contrary to the fate
of other nations, where the
ftate is
OF THE
viduals
is
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
ry
regular
CHAP,
i-_-~J._ji
The
acceflions of territory
arms of the Romans, procured them without labour, and without expence. Kingto
of Pergamus formerly by the will of Attains that of Cyrene by the will of Ptolomy Appion and that of Bithynia, about this time, by the will of
will
;
them by
;
as that
Nicomedes.
did not
To
the
fame
efFe<5t,
ceffion
of their fovereignty,
what equivalent, by fubmitting their rights to difcuflion at Rome, and by foliciting grants from the Romans, of which the world now
feemed to acknowledge the validity, by having recourfe to them as the bafis of tenures by which they held their poireffions. la
this
laft
Roman
People, having
two years
at
Rome,
and
foli-
pretenfions.
In Afia, by thefe means, the Roman empire advanced on the ruin who had formerly oppofed its progrefs. The Macedonian The line, in the monarchy of Syria, was now broke off, or extind:. of thofe
kingdom
itfelt^
ccnfifting of
many
provinces, began to be
difmem-
and tributary princes, who, no longer awed their former mafler, entered into a correfpondof power by ence with the Romans, and were by them acknowledged as foprovincial governors the
vereigns.
to
In
this
the
Perfians,
feat this
manner the ftates of Armenia, long fubject and afterwards to the Macedonians, now be-
came the
complete
of a
Tigranes.
And,
to
of
own court, of the irregularity of the their own kingdom weary of the frc;
VoL.
II.
quent
j8
BOOK
them in blood, invited Tigranes quent competitions which involved to wield a Iceptre which the defcendants of Seleucus were no longer
in condition to hold.
his
dom
its
itfelf as
kingone of
divifions '^
Romans were
:
left
undifturbed to re-
and under the aufpices of Servilius, who, from his principal acquifition in thofe parts, had the name of Ifauricus, were extending their limits on the fide of
eflablilh their province in the Lefler Afia
Cilicia,
when
their progrefs
was fuddenly checked by the re-appearance of an trouble in that quarter. had already given them much enemy, who
Mithridates, king of Pontus,
who
own
Pyrrhus
with Sylla, to devife the means of renewing the war. Having in a league with himfelf againft attempted in vain to engage Sylla Afthe Romans, he made a fimilar attempt on Sertorius in Spain.
feding
with his
little
he prefled for a ceffion of the Roman province in Afia in i-epublic, his own favour, and in return offered to affifl the followers of Sertorius
with
all
In this negotiation,
that whoever however, he found, as has been already remarked, aflumed the charader of a Roman officer of ftate, fupported it Sertorius refufed to difmember the with a like inflexible dignity.
aid from Mithridates, and empire, but accepted of the proffered in the formation and affift to Roman officers him agreed to fend
difcipline of his
army.
common
bent on correding the error which is in extenfivc and barbarous monarchies, of relying intirely
i
StrabOi lib.
xi,
fine.
on
OF THE
en numbers,
a
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
19
inftead of difcipline and military fkill, propofed to form more regular army than that which he had afTembled in the former war ; arid, however little fuccefsful in his endeavours, meant to rival
his
enemy
With troops beginning to weapons, and in the form of their legion. make thefe reformations, and amounting to one hundred and twenty
thoufand foot, and fixtcen thoufand horfe, he declared war on the
refiftance,
to al both by fea and by land, he began with cufloraary oblations Neptune and to Mars. To the firft he made an offering of a fplendid carnage, drawn by white horfes, which he precipitated and funk in
to
the fea
to the other
he made a
facrifice,
ufually
The
fummit
a great pile
laid the
firft
materials,
and ordered
The
top
As foon
with a
as
it
feaft,
offerings of honey, milk, oil, wine, and perfumes. was finifhed, the army around it began the folemnity at the end of which the pile was fet on lire, and in pro-
army extended their circle, and The flames continued to afcend for
faid, at the diftance
many
it
is
of a thoufand
iladia, or
"'.
mate and
that
to unite in a
common
form
his
army.
'
Appian.
had
20
BOOK
*-^
raifed his
fented the
kingdom to its prefent pitch of greatnefs, and reprenumerous vices of the enemy with whom he was now to
home and
and
infatlable luft of
dominion.
fhould
formidable enemy.
likely
at
Pompey, being
fidl
ftill
in Spain,
;
to
could arrive
He
to
accordingly
in
about this
to
the
Senate,
complaining,
petulant terms,
ftraits
which the
command were
if
and threatening, not fpeedily fupplied, to march into The Conful Lucullus, apprehending the confequence of PomItaly. pey's prefence in Italy, at the head of an army, and wilhing not to furnifh him with any pretence for leaving his prefent province, had
in Spain completely fupplied, and, at the fame time, took meafures to fupport his own pretenfions to the command in proper Afia. From his rank as the Conful in office, he had a natural claim
the
army
knowledge of the country and of the which he had alread)' borne fome very enemy, under was to plead his qualifications and his iutitled part Sylla "',
to this ftation
;
and from
his
war
'^
with
this
in
merits.
'*
''
might be formed
in this
manner
and
it is
4to. vol.
Cicero
is
probable, that he affeftcd to confide.- the part which was afligned to Lucullus by Sylla, as
war, and owed the knowledge by which he came to be difHnguifhed, to fpeculation and
It is obferved by .ftudy, not to experience. lord Bolingbroke, that Cicero had an intereft in
He is mentioned as civil employment. having charge of the coinage with which Sylla paid his army, and of the fleet with which he tranfported them into Afia but it is not to be fuppofed, that thefe were the
mere
:
having
;t
When
OF THE
ROMAN REPUBLIC
to be diftrlbuted, the difhculties v/hich
21
The kingdon of
Romans, was
in
danger of being invaded before a could obtain formal they pofTelTion of this Inheritance; at the fame time that the enemy, by whom they were threatened, was not
likely
bequeathed to the
Of the
elfe
Confuls,
army
Cotta
fet
Lufome
making
time afterwards
The king of Pontus, being and over-ran the country in the neighland, by by bourhood of this place ; and, having broke the chain which fhut up
obliged
to take refuge in Chalcedonia.
fea
him
fuperior both
the
mouth of
fome Roman
gallies,
which were
ftationed there.
Not thinking
it
on
by
fea
and by land
and,
being well-provided with battering engines, and the other neceffaries of a fiege, he had hopes of being foon able to reduce it by ftorm.
The
by the Romans.
arrived in Afia
;
ftate
of
affairs
when LucuUus
and
having joined his new levies to the legions which had ferved under Fimbria, and to the other troops already in the province, heaflembled
re-eftabliili
an army of about thirty thoufand men, with which he advanced to Cotta in his province, and to relieve the town of Cyzicus.
of Pontus, being elated by his fuccefTes, and by the fupeof his numt)ers, gave no attention to the motions of Luculriority
lus,
The king
22
^
^rr
^'^'^^^^^ ^'^^
^'^
and forage.
Trufting,
however,
liege.
have forced the town of Cyzicus to furrender, he continued the But his engines not being well ferved, and the defence being
obftinate, his
it
army began
to
to
be
diftrefred for
want of
For
provifions,
this
and
became neceffary
lefTen his
confumption.
purpofe he
Thefe were intercepted fecretly moved away by the Romans on their march, and cut off or difperfed ; and the king, being reduced with the remainder of his army to the greate-ft
part of his cavalry.
diftrefs,
army
to
force their
way
to
The army being attacked by LucuUus, the greater of them perifhed in paffing the Afopus and the Grannicus. The part
with his
fleet.
king himfelf, having put into Nicomedla, and from thence continuing his voyage through the Bofphorus to the Euxinej was overtaken,
on
that fea
by a ftorm, and
force with
loft
fleet.
His
own
The whole
which the king of Pontus had invaded Bylil:e a cloud, Lucullus employed fome
time in reducing the towns into which any of the troops of Mithridates had been received ; and having effedlually deftroyed the relatia
mains of the vanquifhed army, took his route by Bythinia and Gatowards Pontus. At his entrance into this kingdom was fitu-
ated the
Euxine, into
town of Amyfus, a confiderable fortrefs on the coaft of the which the king had thrown a fufficient force to retard
his progrefs. Mithridates, under favour of the time he gained by the defence of this place, affembled a new army at Cabira, near the
frontier of
Armenia.
body of horfe, and was foliciting the Scythians, Armenians, and all the nations of that continent to his aid. Lucullus,
3
in
and
a confiderable
OF THE
enemy, committed the
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
-as
man
by means of
until the
his cavalry,
was greatly
enemy
The
fkir-
mifhes which happened between the foraging parties drew confiderand the troops able numbei^s from the refpetive armies to engage
;
of Mithridates, having been routed in one of thefe partial encounters, the king took a refolution to decamp in the night, and remove
to a greater diftance
As foon
as
it
eqvfipage and the attendants of the leading men in the camp, to whom he had communicated this refolution, began to withdraw ;
and the army, greatly alarmed with that appearance, was feized with a panic, and could not be reftrained from flight. Horfe and foot,
and bodies of every defcription crowded in diforder into the avenues of the camp, and were trod under foot, or in great numbers perifhed
by each other's hands. Mithridates himfelf, endeavouring and to undeceive them, was carried oft' by the multitude.
to flop
The
his
occafion being
known
in the
Roman camp,
many
army
_fallen,
and by
to the fword,
their difperfion.
The king was, by one of his fervants, with difficulty mounted on horfeback, and muft have been taken, if the purfuing party had not been amufed in feizing fome plunder, which he had ordered on
purpofe to be
left
in their
way.
24
B
*V
^
'
himfelf
made
his efcape.
In his
flight
women.
The
he appeared to be mod afleded with the fate of his greateft number of them were left at the palace of
fall
enemy.
He
them
few
to
manner
to themfelves.
are
Of two, who were his own lifters, Roxana died one and Statira, uttering execrations againft her brother's cruelty, the other extolling, in that extremity of his own fortune, the generous care he took of their honour.
lebrated for her beauty,
whom
wooed
in vain
with profters of great riches, and whom he won at laft only by the participation of his crown, and the earneft of the nuptial rites, had ever lamented her fortune, which, inftead of a royal hufband and a
palace,
told,
had given her a prifon, and a barbarous keeper. Being now that fhe muft die, and that the manner of her death was left
to her
own
it
choice,
ftie
unbound
the royal
fillet
from her
hair, and,
ufmg
as a
:
the attempt
It broke in bandage, endeavoured to ftrangle herfelf " it is " ftie not lit even for this !"
Bauble,"
faid,
then ftretching out her neck to the eunuch, bid him fulfil his mafter's Berenice' of Chios, another Gra^cian beauty, had likewife purpofe.
been honoured with the nuptial crown; and, having been attended in her ftate of melancholy elevation by her mother, who, on this
occafion, likewife refolved to partake of her daughter's fate they chofe to die by polfon. The mother intreated that Ihe mght have the The remainder of the firft draught ; and died before her daughter.
;
dofe not being fuflicient for the queen, (he put herfelf likewife into the hands of the executioner, and was ftranglcd. By thefe deaths,
the barbarous jealoufy of ihe king
was
its
gratified,
of the
Roman
general deprived of
principal ornaments.
Lucullus,
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
\_
.'-
Lucullus, after his late vidory, having no enemy in the field to oppofe him, pafled through the country, and entered without moleftation into many of the towns in the kingdom of Pontus. He found
CHAP,
,
_f
many
magnificence
diftruftful
and, as
government, every where places of confinement crowded with prifoners of ftate, whom the jealoufy of the king had fecured,
and
whom
his fupercilious
even
was
Mithridates, from his late defeat, fled into Armenia, and claimed
already favoured
him
Romans.
Armenia,
and
file
now become fovereign of Syria as well as continued his refidence in the laft of thefe kingdoms at Tigranocerta, a city he himfelf had built, filled with inhabitants,
This powerful prince,
ftill
diflinguiflied
by
his
own name.
On the
arrival of Mithridates to
decUned
to fee
him
enemy only
to the
Armenia, and from thence, fending Publlus Clodius, who "was his-brother-in-law, to the court of Tigranes, with inftrudions to
require that Mithridates fhould be delivered up as a lawful prey, he
back into the kingdom of Pontus, and foon after reduced Amyfus, together with Sinope', and other places of ftrength, which were held 'by the troops of the king.
Tiimfelf
fell
The
Greece, and having been fubdued by the Perfians, were, on the arrival of Alexander the Great, from refpe<fb to their origin, reftored to
their freedom.
profefllion which the Romans ever made of proteding the liberties of Greece, Lucullub once more declared thofe cities to be free. Having
Vol.
II.
no-v/
26
B O O
jiijl*
jiQ^y fufficient
of the
Roman
by
Sylla,
pay
this
Roman
debts
and,
when the
became equal to
whole
effedts^
were then
diftrained for
:
even tortures
payment, under pain of imprifonment and that priA'ate perfons were reduced to the necefTity of
inhuman
creditors.
Willing to
where the
intereft
;;
exadled was
equal
and in other
cafes, fixed
at a
moderate
rate.
Thefe
afts
provinces were, by the farmers of the revenue, reprefented as ad;s^ of oppreffion and cruelty to themfelves, and were, among their con-
at
Rome,
ftated againft
Lu^
and
reproach..
CHAP.
OF THE
ROMAN REPUBLia
C
27
H A
P.
IL
and
defeat
of Lentultis the
Roman
Co)fid.
Spartacin. A7id of
Crafus for
this
Caffius the
Pmtor of Gaul.
DeJIruffiott
Appointment of
the Gladiators.
Pot?ipey
M.
Service.
of
'Triumph of Metcllus
Crajfus.
and Pompey.
refored to
tenfius.
and
Tribunes
Confulate of Metcllus
and Hor-
War
in Crete.
and
Armenia.
Parthia.
Defeat of Tigranes.
King of
Complaints ofPyracies
committed in the
Roman
Seas.-
Cornmiffion propofed to
Pontus.
that
of
Primi.
ReduElion of ferufilem.
in Syria.-
and
CON
by
after the
war, of which
in Aiia, Italy
we have
CHAP,
^^'
had commenced
was thrown
few
gladiators
^- ^-
confinement
Capua.
Thefe were
flaves trained
up
to furnifli their
Vano,
rus.
mafters with a fpedacle, which, though cruel and barbarous, drew numerous crowds of beholders. It was at rfl introduced as a fpecies
kept by ihe wealthy in great numbers for the entert<\inment of the People, and even for private amufement. The handforaeft, the mod aftive,
funerals,
of
human
facrifice
at
and the
vil:ims
were
now
flaves
to decline
and captives were fcleiSled for this purno combat, and to fhun no hardtheir mailers
;
ihip, to
they were of
.different
*
2.
zB
^
'^
THE PROGRESS
p
^
dlflerent denominations,
ANI>
TERMINATION
to fight in different
and accuftomed
ways
the whole received their defignation, employed fword and buckler, or target ; and they commonly fought naked,
whom
more
plainly appear.
in this proftitutlon of valour, refinements of
Even
ator
honour were
introduced.
There were
was not permitted to quit, even to was a manner which he ftudied to preferve in
in his bleed-
He was applauded, or hilled, ing pofture, and even in his death. or failed in as he fucceeded according any of thefe particulars. When,, after a tedious ftruggle, he was fpent with labour and with the lofs
endeavoured to preferve the dignity of his charadler, dropt or refumed the fword at his mailer's pleafurc, and looked round to the fpedators for marks of their fatisfadlion and apof blood, he
ftill
plaufe
'.
Perfons
exhibitions
of every
;
fex,
attended
at
thefe
to flrain
and
the fpedtators, being divided in their inclinations, endeavoured to excite, by their cries and acclamations, the party they favoured; and when the conteft was ended, called to the
to bleed,
was fuppofed
thefe exhibir
in the rei
life
With
which muft
the
create
fo
much
difgufl
and horror
intoxicated
of horfes, probably becaufe they were more deeply affetSed, and more violently moved..
Cicer.
Tufculanarum,
lib. ii.
c.
17.
lib.
ii.
c. :7.
c.
17.
SpartacuSp
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
29
Spartacus, a Thracian captive, who, on account of Iiis frrength and adivity, had been deftlned for this barbarous profeffion, with about feventy or eighty of his companions, efcaped from their placg
CHAP,
of confinement, and arming themfelves with fuch weapons as accident prefented to them, retired to fome fallnefs on the afcent of
thence haraffed the country with robberies to fight," fiiidthe leader of this defperate
"
let
own
"
liberties,
not to
make
Multitudes of flaves from every quarter flocked to his ftandard.' The Prsefeft of Capua armed the inhabitants of his diftrid againfl;
This feeble and unfuccefsful attempt to quell the infurredion, furnlfhed the rebels with arms, and raifed their reputation and their
Their leader, by his generofity in rejeling his own fliare of any booty he made, by his conduct and his valour, acquired the authority of a legal commander ; and, having named Crixus and
courage.
for his
to
fubordinate officers, he
into regular bodies,
him
em-
number
to fabricate arms,
accommodations of a camp, till at of feventy thoufand men, with which he commanded the country to He had already /ucceffively defeated the Prxtors Cloa great extent.
dius, Varinus,
and Coifinius,
it
who had
been
'fent againfl
him with
formidable
became neceflary
and
of repreffing-
enemy.
Spartacus had too
much prudence
to think himfelf
fit
to
contend
Roman
State,
He
more
rational
fcheme of conducing
,3
BOOK ^
V
till
he fhould
gam
whether Gauls, Germans, or Thracians, might feparate, each into the had been oricountry of which he was a native, or from which he
ginally brought.
had already
the heights
Clodimms.
taken the
fiderable
field againft
him.
They
at firfl furprifed
fallen
down from
But Lentulus afterwards preffing in order to pillage the country. hard upon Spartacus, who led the main body of the rebels, brought
on an adion,
fiderable
lofs.
in
advanced upon
Caflms too, the Prsetor of Cifilpine Gaul, having him with an army of ten thoufand men, was repulfed
with great flaughter. In confequence of thefe advantages, Spartacus might no doubt have cffeded his retreat to the Alps ; but his army being elated with victhemfelves as mafters of Italy, were unwilling tory, and confidering He himfelf formed a new projed of to abandon their conqueft.
Rome
cattle,
pupofe deftroyed all his ufelefs refufed to receive put his captives to death, and
and for
this
flaves,
who were
expeded
ftill
Pie probably
to pafs the
Roman
armies without
by an unexpeded afIn this he was dilappointed by the Confuls, with whom he fauk. was obliged to fight in the Picenum ; and, thouph vidorious in the But ftill thinking himadion, he loft hopes of furprifing the city.
itfelf
Rome
felf in
The Romans,
thrown
into
fome degree
of confternation, by the unexpeded which had given them much trouble, expoicd
2
continuance of an infurredion
their armies to
much
ilanger.
OF -THE
danger, with
for the
little
ROMAN
;
REPUBLIC.
not being courted, as ufual,
Craffus, then in the rank
^-
31
profpedl of honour
it
CHAP.
on Marcus
of ProEtor,
to be a
though in
had
failed, at the
They
war
fame time
Pompey, whoJiad
army; and
finilhed the
to the Proconful
affembled no
lefs
the
Of
and
he
is
faid to
new
levies,
warning of the feverities they were to expert for any failure in the remaining part of the fervice.
Upon
his arrival in
from the main body of their army, and he endeavoured tofhut up Spartacus in the peninfula of Brutium, er head of land which extends to the Straits of Meflina. The glaat a diftance
where
of that iiland, were not yet intirely fubdued,. and where great numbers at all times were prepared to revolt but they were preCraflus at the fame time undertook a vented by the want of Ihipping.
;
work of
from
fea to fea
wide, and as many deep, extending, accordhundred three to Plutarch, ftadia, or above thirty miles. Sparing tacus endeavoured to interrupt the execution of this undertaking ; but
with a ditch
being repulfed in every attack, his followers began to defpond, and In order to fupply
defpair
by
what they
loft in
courage, he put
them
In
;
mind
that they
that they
muft
either
yi
BOOK
conquer or be treated
as fugitive flaves
admonitions, he ordered one of his captives to be nailed to the crofs " is " in fight of both armies. This," he faid to his own people,
"*'
fuffer if
you
fall
*'
my's hands."
Whilft Craflu* was bufy completing his
line, Spartacus prepared and, having provided faggots and other materials for
lo force
it
up the ditch at a convenient place, and paffed it whole body of his followers. He directed his was purfued, and greatly haraffed in
his flight.
march
to Apulia, but
Accounts being received at once in the camp of Craflus and in that of Spartacus, that frefh troops were landed at Brundufium from Macedonia, and that
Pompey was
on
his
march
to
;
to hazard a battle
at
once by
fo
many
enemies as were
Cralkis, that
colle<fl:ing
them
of
different
ready to engage, Spartacus, with the valour rather of a gladiator than of a general, alighting from his horfe, and faying aloud, in the hear" If I ing of his followers, conquer to-day, I (hall be better mount" ed if I fnal! not have occafion for a horfe," he plunged his not,
;
fword into the body of the animal. With this earnefi: of a refolution to conquer or to die, he advanced towards the enemy ; directing the
divifion in
to
make
their attack
where he
undcrftood the
Roman
He
;
adion
Ijy
forcing the
Romans
In that quarter
Itill
much
blood-
he continued to
fight
till
were
OF THE
were
flain
;
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
'
33
tient battles,
of the vanquiflied the greateft flaughter, as ufual in antook place after the flight began. The dead were not
CHAP.
>
'
numbered
Rome.
Such
as
efcaped from the field of battle, being about five thoufand, fell into the hands of Pompey, and furnifhed a pretence to his flatterers for
afcribing to
him
quality of the enemy, however, in the prefent cafe, Craifus from the honour of a triumph even he could precluded But inftead of have only an ovation or military procefllon on foot.
;
The mean
on fuch
occafions, he
had
credit
enough with
Pompey
too
arrived
at
the
mon
pretenfions,
commonwealth.
civil
Roman
citizens
at their
Pompey himfelf was yet under the legal gular claim to a triumph had and not pafled through any of the previous fleps of Queftor, age,
iEdile
and Prxtor
an immediate nomi-
now became
the State, conferred in the ufual way, were not adequate to the pre-
muft have new and fingular appointments, or thofe already known beftowed on him in fome new His enemies obferved, that he avoided every and fingular manner.
tenfions of this
:
young man
that
A. Gellius,
Vol.
ir.
which
34
BOOK
III.
^__
examined
and
that
he ever afpired
-,-
_!
on the contrary, ftated the extraordinary honours which had been done to him, as the foundation of ftill farther diPIn enumerating his fervices upon his return from Spain, tintions *.
partizans,
they reckoned up, according to Pliny, eight hundred and feventyone towns, from the Pyrennees to the extremities of that country,,
who
obferved that he had furpafled the glory of all had gone before him in that fervice and, in confe; ;
he quence of thefe reprefentations, though ftill in a private ftation, honour. in this was admitted to a triumph, or partook with Metellus
Pompey had
the
;
hitherto,
in
all
the
late difputes,
without fufpicion of aiming too high ariftocracy While he fupported the for republican government of any fort. of affedled a he Senate, pre-eminence above thole who comdegree
but not
pofed
it,
firft
mere Nobles of his country. He ihew of importance, without affuming a power which might have engaged him in contefts, and expofed his pretenfions to too near an
infpedion.
the Senate
Upon
his
approach
;
at the
army
have attended
The Senate
accordingly gave
ftill
way
to this
irregular pretenfion,
and afterwards
to the pretenfion,
more dan-
U. C.
(^83.
conditions which the gerous, which, without any of the previous law required, he made to the Confulate. Craffijs, who had been
OrafruT"cn.
Pomp. Mag-
j^^j.^
Prxtor in the preceding year, now ftood for the fame office, entered ^ concert with Pompey, and, notwithftanding their mutual jeaother, they joined their interefts,
loufy of each
together.
Under
OF THE
Under
faid to
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
35
the adminiftiation of thefe officers feme important laws are have pafled, although moll of the particulars have efcaped the
It
Pompey now began to pay his he court to the People ; and, though profefled to fupport the authoto have it in his power, on occalion, to wiflied rity of the Senate,
notice of hillorians.
appears that
what was
them,
or, in other
called the affembly of the People againft words, to counteradl them by means of the po-
The
of
ceffively laboured to
conftitution
been oppofed to the tribunitian power. They had been Sylla, Lucullus and who held the office of refilled others, by flrenuouily
Conful, during the dependence of the queftions which had arifeu on that fubje<l. By the favour of Pompey and Craffiis, however, the
rellitution of the privileges which their predeformer times of the republic, had fo often abufed ; and, of their facred and inviolable charader, together with the fecurity and their negative in all proceedings of the State, they were again
Tribunes obtained a
ceflbrs, in
and to harangue the people ; a dangerous permitted to propofe laws, meafure, by which Pompey at once rendered fruitlefs that reformation
Caius Julius Cslar, at not only by Sylla, but likewiie by himfelf. the fame time, having the rank of Legionary Tribune conferred upon
him by
was extremely
adlive in procuring
a policy in which he was Tnore confillent with ; than himfelf Pompey, and only purfued the courfe of the party with
thofe popular
ads
which he embarked
Under
this
in his
motion
36
B
motion of the
and
it
was
\_. .
Xex
Aurelia
draught the judges in equal numbers from. the Senate, the knights, and a certain clafs of the People ', whofe:
defcription
relix^n
is
accompanied by the former adt, which reftored the tribunitian power, might have merited applaufe.
In the
mean
among
all
orders of
men;
in
among
abufe.
lucrative provinces,
and the opportunities of extortion and flagrant' As the offices of State at Rome began to be coveted with a-
view
Pompey,
in
own
with an-
who
mercenary views, took a formal oath in entering on his Confulate, that he would not, at the expiration of his office, accept of any go-
vernment
himfelf,
credit
; example of generofity in and by the cenfure it implied of others, obtained great, with the People, and furniflied bis emiffaries, who were evert
in the provinces
and by
this
praife,
inftances,
may, however, from his charader and policy in other; be fufpeted, that he remained at Rome with intention to
his
own
miffion of
by the ftrength of his party, any extraordinary which the occafion fhould arife.
in the adminiftration of his Confulate,
com-
Pompey,
had procured
the-"
fixteen years, during great part of wliich time the republic had been
Tribuni
Erarii.
in
OF
In a ftate of civil
t-ually
j7
mu- C
-^
II
f.
had recourfe
to ad;s of
and militarv
_;
heat of party-refent;
and
monwealth.
though permanent footing in the comThe public was arrived at a ftate ia which men comIt
now made
a
in appear-
L. Gellius Poplicola and Cn. Cornelius Lentulus, being entrufted, in the capacity of Cenfors, to make up the rolls of the People, muftered four
hundred and
iifty
thoufand
citizens..
They purged
the.
Senate with great feverlty,. having expunged ilxty-four. from the. rolls, and among thofe CAntonius, afterwards Conful, afhgning as..
having the command on the coafts of Alia and had Greece, pillaged the allies,, and. rportgaged and. fquandered hisown eftate. But what moft dlillnguflied this Cenforfhip was an in-their reafon, that he,,
it is
likely,
they had already fervedthe ten they, an exemption from future received bed by law, they years prefcrl fervices, and were vefted,.wlth the privileges which were annexed to
If
.
command
had ferved
and
this circumftance.
At
this part
market-place, leading
his
and preceded by the liftors. Being, queftioned by the Cenfor, whether he had ferved the ftated numbeidrelfed in his confular robes,
of years, he anfwered that he had, and ^11 of them in armies com-^ maiuled
3S
BOOK V
III.
V,
himfelf.
;
of the People
rofe
their feats, and, followed by a great multitude, emption, attended this equeftrian Conful to his own houfe '.
It is
from
fubjedts
which
As
Craffus
was
in
poffefTion of great wealth, he endeavoured, by his liberaUties, to vie with the Impofmg ftate and popular arts of his colleague. He gave an entertainment to the whole People at ten thoufand tables, and dif-
tributed three
To
is
faid,
from
hundred
that he increafed it, by purchafmg at a low price thoufand pounds the eftates of thofe who were profcribed in the late troubles, and by
letting for hire the labour of a
in various arts
and
callings
numerous family of flaves, inftrudled and was become fo rich by thefe means,
he was about to depart for Afia,
that
and confecrated the tenth part of his eftate to Hercules, he was found to poflefs feven thoufand one hundred talents, or about one million three
hundred and feventy thoufand and three hundred pounds
fterling
Pompey,
at
Rome
in a private ftation;
and
ftatelinefs
citizen, or
ev^a above
that of the
Other can-
and eloquence,
to
make themfelvcs
Plutarch, in Pompelo.
was un-
Plutarch, in Craflb.
As the
Intereft
of
money was
prohibited at
.8
Rome, under
the
OF THE
affairs to folicit
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
They
39
by procuring the fupwere or might become of importance. Pompey, on the contrary, Rating himfelf as an exception to common rules, avoided the courts of juftice and other places of
port of thofe to
and
whom
ordinary
refort,
did not
commit
judgment,
nor prefent
paid to
him
took the refpedt that was a right; feldom went abroad, and never without a nu;
view
'.
He
was formed
even
at
Rome,
if
men,
born to equality, could have fuffered an elevation which was not fupported by adequate abilities ; or had been willing, when troubled with faction,
to forego their
own
The
pretenfions of
and
Pompey was fucceeded by that of Metellus. In the diftribution of and Q^Cjecilius proQ^Hortenfms of an annament command to be fent into that vinces, Crete, with the
The
u. C. 684,
fi^s,
o.'ca^-
^''
'V'^'^''""^
of Hortenfius
his confideration
by
and being accuftomed to the bar, perhaps in a degree that interfered with his military charadler, declined to accept of this government ; of the army that was to be emleaving it, together with the command
ployed in the redudion of the
ifland,
who
he acquired in
this fervice.
9
The
40
BOOK
v_
war taken an
adlive part
againft the
Romans.
They
and by
their
own
upon
difporuion to rapine and piracy, been led to prey upon the carriers of the revenue that were fre-
Rome.
The
defirex)f Iharing
filled
were made by this -fpecies of war, had and freebooters, againft whom the Romans
the
fent forth
a fucceflion of
officers,
Among
others,
who
left
w^ere
and was accufed of abufing his power, by opand the people of other maritime provinces, innocent of the crimes he was employd to reprefs. In
killed
',
and
war
The
lot,
been obferved,
Y'cxc^etellus
^"'^^
'^'^'^^
Ro-
Q^
man
when LucuHus received from Tigranes a return demand which he made of having Mithridates delivered up
officers,
to the
as his
prifoner.
fage,
This prince,
at the arrival
of Clodius,
who
To
wMch
he
alTumed of King of Kings, he afleded, when he mounted on horfeback, to have four captive foverelgns to walk by his ftirrup^ and obliged them, on other occafigns, to perform every office of menial duty and fervile attendance on his perfon. LucuUus, inftcad of the
ftile
this prince,
his letter
only
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
41
His meflenger, however, was only with the fimple title of king. admitted to an audience, and made his demand that Mithridates, a
vanquifhed prince, whofe territories were already In the pofleflion of the Romans, fhould be delivered up to adorn the vidlor's triumph.
would be
This, if refufed, faid the bearer of the meffage, the Roman general intitled to extort by force^ and would not fail, with a mighty
for
army
that purpofe,
to purfue
his
fugitive
wherever he was
much
nation
lefs
;
to infult
and
heard this
demand with
real indig-
and though, with an appearance of temper, he made offer of the cuftomary prefents and honours to the perfon who delivered
it,
mined
He
would not
Invaded
deliver
Romans
to fup-
his territories,
how
to defend them.
He
foon after-
his prefence,
tiis
and determined
him with
enemies.
Upon
receiving
LucuUus refolved
for this expedition
prevailed,
without delay to march into Armenia. two legions and a body of horfe, on
He chofe whom he
though
with fome
difficulty, to
enter
on a new war
at a
time
when they
wards they expedled were within their reach. With hafty marches he arrived on the Euphrates, and paffed that river before the enemy were aware of his approach. Tigranes treated the firft reports of
his
coming with contempt, and ordered the perfon who prefumed to But being affured, beyond a
of doubt, that an enemy was adually on his territories, he Metrodorus, one of his generals, at the head of a confiderable
fent
force,
whom
he
Vol.
was
42
^
V..I
^
^
fpare
man
of the whole
army
befides.
With
Armenian general
fet
out
on the road
by which the Romans were fuppofed to advance, and haftened ta meet them. Both armies, on the march, had intelHgence of each
other.
Lucullus,
halted,
began
to
intrench, and, in
about three thoufand men, to obferve the Armenians, and, if poffible, without rifking an adlion, to amufe them till his works were completed.
Roman army
and
After this vidory Lucullus, in order the more efFedually to alarm to diftrad the Armenians, feparated his army into three divifions.
intercepted and difperfed a
With one he
marching
I
to join the
king
body of Arabs, who were with another he furprifed Tigranes himand obliged him
to fly
felf,
in a difadvantageous fituation,
with the
of his attendants, equipage, and the baggage of his army. At the head of the third divifion he himfelf advanced to Tigranocerta,
lofs
and inverted
that place.
made an
of his kingdom
allies,
as
and
fifty
and bringing into the field all the troops of hiswell as his own, he muftered an army of one hundred thoufandheavy-armed foot,, fifty-five thoufand horfe, and
;
flingers.
He
Romans were
them
to raife the
fiege of Tigranocerta, and repafs the Euphrates, with the difadvantage This f having an enemy ftill in force to hang on their rear.
counfel
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
"
43
counfel of Mithridates, founded in the experience he had fo dearly He therefore bought, was ill fuitcd to the prefumption of the king.
CHAP.
advanced towards the Romans, impatient to reUeve his capital, and the principal feat of his magnificence. Lucullus, trufling to the
fpecimens he had already feen of the Armenian forces, ventured to divide his army, and, without raifmg the fiege, marched with one divifion to
meet
this
numerous enemy.
in the van,
array, threw them into confufion, and gave the Romans an eafy victory, in which, with very inconfiderable lofs
own
made
The king
the royal
unbound
diadem from
the day.
Mariseus,
and
left it
to
become
who commanded
defeat, and fearing a revolt of the Greeks and other foreigners, who liad been forced to fettle at that place, ordered them to be fearched
and difarmed.
facre,
This order they looked on as the prelude to a mafand crowding together, defended themfelves with the ftaves and
They
furrounded a party
tliat
was
and having by that means got a fupply of arms, of a tower which commanded one of the principal
Romans
Luat the
The
fpoil
was
great
principal feat
his court.
Mithridates,
who had
been prefent in the late alion, met the king and, having endeavoured to re-ellab!ifli
;
and
his retinue
by a
participation of his
own, exhorted
to perfift in the
him not
war.
and
They
Parthioj
44
BOOK
u.->r^
was
at
war with
that prince,
fubjeiSls in conteft
between them, provided the Parthians would join Romans. They endeavoured to perthat the quarrel
now
;
had with the kings of Armenia and Pontus, was the fame with that which they formerly had with Philip and with Antiochus and
not prevented, they would foon have with Arfaces, and was no other than his being pofleft of a rich territory, which tempted
which,
if
and avarice. Thofe republicans, they faid, originally not bad any poffefTions of their own, and were grown rich and great From their ftrong hold in only by the fpoils of their neighbours.
their ambition
the ocean
they had extended their empire on the Weft to the coaft of ; and, if not ftopped by the powerful monarchies that lay in their way, were haftening to reach a fimilar boundary on the
Italy,
The king of Parthia, they added, might exped: to be invaded by thefe infatiable conquerors, and muft now determine whether he would engage in a war joined with fuch powerful allies, of
Eaft.
whom
enable
one by
his experience,
the other
by
his
refources,
might
',
him
to
own kingdom
or wait until thefe powers being overthrown, and become an acceffion to the
his
Roman
force,
own
territory
fingly
To
thefe
had formerly claimed, was now delivered up to him. At the fame time he endeavoured to amufe Lucullus with offers of alliance againft
the king of Armenia.
." Letter
la
OF THE
In this conjundure
It
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
'
45
probably was, that Lucullus, in the apprehenfion of being fuperfeded and deprived of the honour of terminating the war,
made
kingdom of Mithridates
was now
in his poffeflion,
alfo in his
power
and that the kingdom of Tigranes was and therefore, that the Senate ihould, inftead of
fettle
vince, and to make a proper eftabliihment to preferve the territories which he had already fubdued. But after thefe reprefentations were difpatched, it became apparent that the king of Parthia had deceived
him with
falfe profeflions,
while he adually
made
great progrefs in
port them with all his force. and to prevent the effeds of
into Parthia
;
ad
to fupof treachery,
were
ftationed in Pontus to march without delay into Armenia. Thefe troops, however, already tired of the fei'vice, and fufpedting
that they were intended for fome diftant
and hazardous
enterprlfe,
broke
out into open mutiny, and refufed to obey their officers. This example was foon afterwards followed by other parts of the army ; and the
general was obliged to confine his operations to the
kingdom of Ar-
menia.
He endeavoured, by pafling
of the Euphrates and the Tigris, to penetrate as far as Artaxata, the By this march he forced Tigranes once capital of the kingdom.
more
to hazard a battle,
notwlthftanding their
and obtained a victory but his own army, fuccefs, were fo much difcouraged with the
;
tains of
change of climate, which they experienced in afcending the mounArmenia, and with the early and fevere approach of winter
and obliged
their
gene-
He
the fouthward,
down on Mefopotamia,
made
with
46
B O o
who com-
:manded
in the place.
fpirit ftill
continuing to operate in
Roman
army,
it
who had
fo
was
better quali-
will of his
own
troops.
A
that
was foon
to
be
recalled, he,
;
from
moment,
loft
authority
tempt or indifference,
the attempts he
made
to retain
them.
This mutiny began in that part of the army, which, having been tranfported into Afia, under the command of Valerius Flaccus, had
murdered
this
command of
new
Such crimes, under the late unhappy divifions of the republic, either remained unpunilhed, or were ftated as merits with the party in
who was
own, or the
in Afia,
and they
accordingly
made
com-
difpofition which they now fhewed, and that of the whole army, to diforder and mutiny, was greatly excited by the fadtious fpirit of Publius Clodius, the re-
Lucullus.
The
lation of Lucullus,
offence
at
the ge-
"
neral, gave this fpecimen of his future condudt by en" We who deavouring to ftir up rebellion among the troops. " are ftili have already undergone fo many hardfhips," he faid, " kept on foot to efcort the camels that carry the treafures of our gene" ral, and made to purfue, without end, a couple of barbarous princes,
in the State,
;
diers
OF
iC
*'
47
C
diers of
Pompey,
few campaigns
p.
*'
Lucullus was fo
that
much aware
of the
decline
of his authority,
he did not chufe to expofe it, by attempting to effet even a mere change of pofition. He hoped, that while he iffued .no orders of any moment, the refolution of his not to
army
This ftate however, foon became known to Mithridates, and filled him with hopes of being able to recover his kingdom. That he might not fuffer the opportunity to efcape him, he fell
obey
him
might remain a
fecret.
to
the
enemy.
of his
affairs,
back into Pontus, with what troops he had then under his command, and, by his authority and influence over his own fubjeiSs,
foon augmented his force,
ters
penetrated
left
among
of the Romans,
furprifed
who were
to
rately
or deftroyed
Among thefe, he attacked and defeated Fabius, the ofRcer who was trufted with the general command in that kingdom ; and though now
turned of feventy, expofed his ownperfon in the action, and received
wound which
flopped
him
in the pvirfuit,
vented the
of his vidlory. Lucullus, being informed of what had paHed in Pontus, had influence enough with the army to put them in motion towards
full effedl
that
Here again the old man was wounded army that he was not dead, was raifed up into
;
In
fifty
men.
It
48
^
<
^* ^'^
"''
'^o^^t^^j
the
difpofed to
affairs
:
however, that Lucullus, on his arrival, if ad under him, would have been able
but he was
at this
Rome
felves,
command.
The
was no longer
and the
their general,
and
that they
them-
by
had received
fufed to obey
him
men
on
ftate
of
affairs
when
the commiflioners,
who, upon
to
fettle
by the Senate
the
kingdom of Pontus in the form of a province, adtually arrived. They found the Proconful deflitute of power in his own camp, and
Mithiidates,
his
whom
they believed to be vanquifhed, again mafler of joining to the experience of old age all the
".
ai-dour
to upbraid the
parfimony of their
own
general
by
a comparifon with the liberality and munificence of Pompey, and in this comparifon fhowed a difpofition to change their leader, which,
it is
by
his intrigues,
his
which, by his
He
brook the private late oath, in entering on the Confulate, he fludied to fupport the public opinion of his
could in reality
He
importance, and wifhed for an occafion to derive fome advantage from but nothing had occurred for two years that was worthy of it ;
the high diftindtion to which he afpired.
The command
in Afia
he
It
was fecured
to Lucullus
by the fplendor of
own
fuccefTes,
"
Dio
Caflius.
and
OF
49
of the conftitution.
The
difficulties
were over, and nothing but the glory of terminating the war remained. Pompey, either from envy to Lucullus, or from
a defign to open a
way
nomination of Glabrio, and to the nomination of the Printers, who were fent with feparate commands into the provinces of Afia and
If, upon this change, the war fhould become unfuccefsful, or languilli, he had hopes to be called for by the general voice of the People, as the only perfon fit to conclufion. bring it to a
Bythinia.
happy
if
Meantime
a projet
was
ftarted,
which was
likely to place
him near
judged expe-
command
ftill
af the
army
in Pontus.
feas,
The
pirates
in their prefumption, and increafing in their flrength. They received continual acceffions of numbers from thofe, who, the unfettled
by
ftate
The impuwhich the diftradions of the Roman comnity they enjoyed during and the made monwealth, profits they by their depredations encou-
raged
many who
way
of
life.
by
Servilius Ifauricus,
the father of
come
fo confpicuous
;
their retreats
in the capacity of Triumvir, is to bethe fequel of this But they had hiftory. and, upon the lead remiffion of vigilance in the Roin
him who,
man
abled
officers,
them
to
to
but likewife to
make
and
ofl'
defcents
pillage
on
the
the coafts,
maritime
of the
harbours,
deftroy ffiipping,
to
towns.
appear
the
mouth
th
town of
Oftia.
Vol.
50
BOOK
*
in
paffing to and
from
and
taken by them, were forced to The fupply of proor to death. in put ranfom, captivity, kept pay
citizens of every denomination,
when
tion enhanced.
the intrigues of
diftrefs,
Pompey, who
the objedl of a
new and
Frequent complaints having been made, and frequent deliberations held on this fubjedl in the Senate, Gabinius, one of the Tribunes,
at laft propofed, that
fome
oflicer
during three years, with abfolute powers, in order to put an effectual ftop to thefe outrages,
and
them,
fo as
to fecure for the future the inhabitants of the coaft, as well as to protect the navigation of the feas.
to be in
;
concert with
and
"
it
was manifeft
" For
this,"
*'
*'
was
"
faid,
Pompey
that
he might
and
if
thought
proper to
bled at the doors of the Senate-houfe, and great diforders were likely to follow ; it was judged prudent for the Senate to adjourn ; and
the members, dreading fome infult from the populace, retired
feparate
by
ways
to their
own
houfes.
gard to the difTent of the Senate, prepared to carry his motion to the People but the other nine Tribunes were inclined to oppofe him. Trcbellius and Rofcius, in particular, pix)mifed, by their ne;
gative.
OF THE
gatlve, to
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
which
conflituted part
51
Pompey,
in the
mean
of his charater, afFedted to difapprove of the motion, and to decUne He had the commiflion with which it was propofed to veft him.
recourfe to this affeflation, not merely as the
fitteft
means on the
prefent occafion to dlfarm the envy of the Nobles, and to confirm the
own
difpoiition,
as a manner of proceeding which defuous to appear forced and courted than folicitous to gain and to hold them. He
;
but
ftill
more
no
lefs
arts
own rank, no lefs by the fliallow which he pradifed to impofe on the public, than by the (late He could fcarcely expedl to find a fupport which he aflumed.
thus provoked the citizens of his
in
the
ordei;,
of Nobles,
and
leaft
of
all
among
thofe
who were
likely to
wealth
become the perfonal rivals of his fortune in the commonand yet it is mentioned, that Julius Cjefar, now about two-
and-thirty years of age, and old enough to diftinguifli his natural with the creatures of antagonifts in the career of ambition, took part on this occafion. He wasdifpofed to court the People, and
Pompey
condud
which
principles
may
explain his
He
more
the State, in
In
with the youth of his time, he difliked the Senators, on account of the remaining aufterity of their manners, no lefs
common
than the inferior people difliked them on account of their ariftocratical claims to prerogative. But whatever we may fuppofe to have been his motives, Csefar, even before he feemed to have formed
his own, was ever ready to abet thofe of who counteracted the authority of the adventurer every defperate Senate, or fet the orders of government at nought j and feemed
to be
aduated by a
fpecies
of inftind,
which
fet
him
at variance
-with
52
1
civil
nature,
licence
of
fation
,1
.
On
was
and,
the day
to be put to the
if
on which the queflion on the motion of Gabinius People, Pompey appeared in the Comitium
;
is
afcribed to
gro-fs
fomewhat too
took occafion to thank the People for the honours he had fo often received but complained, that, having al;
He
ready
for
he ftill fhould be deftined " You have " the forgotten," he faid, dangers I " encountered, and the fatigues I underwent, while yet almoft a " boy, in the war with Cinna, in the wars in Sicily and in Africa, " and what I fufFered in Spain, before I was honoured with any " of or was age to have a place in the Senate. But I magiftracy,
toiled fo
much
new
labours.
^'
mean
on the contrary,
have
**
*'
Your nomination of me to condudt the war been fully repaid. with Sertorius, when every one elfe declined the danger, I confider as a favour
;
" "
confequence of
it,
and the extraordinary triumph you beftowed in as a very great honour. But I muft entreat and labour exhauft the
Truft not
to,
"
*'
**
you
of the body.
flill
my
am
"
they " I cannot longer endure the labours and cares which are now " But if this be not granted me, I muft propofed for me. beg ** of you to confider what loads of envy fuch appointments are
likely to
my number of years is fhort of what others have attained. my fervices and the dangers to which I have been expofed will exceed the number of my years, and fatisfy you, that
difpleafure, I
know^
c. 3.
4(
you
OF
"
53
their
all
you neither do, nor ought to " would be a great misfortune " cultles and dangers of war, I " live with envious to
:
me
envy
CHAP.
and
confefs, that, of
the diffi-
fear nothing fo
much
as this.
To
"
**
if
one
fails
be called to account for mifcarriage, perfons in public affairs; to be envied, if one fucceeds,; who
;
would chufe
to be
For
;
thefe, and-
*'
many
other reafons,
my
fo leave
me
at reft
leave
me
to
affairs.
As
"
"
you to chufe,. among thofe who defire the em fome proper perfon ployment, among fo many, you cannot furefont fervice, I pray
;
"
ly be at a lofs.
am
in military affairs.
flattery,
;
will not
mention."
To
this fpeech
Gabinius replied
cerity of Pompey's declarations, obferved, that it was agreeable to the character of this great man, neither to defire command, nor
" They who are ralhly to accept of what was prelfed upon him. " " beft able to furmount are likewife leafl difficulties," he faid,
**
But
is
it
is
**
agreeable to
is
"
neceffary to
offices,
" for
your own affairs; not to regard thofe who but thofe; who are fit to difcharge the duties
you
of them.
" I wifh we had many perfons of this defcription, befides the man I " have Did we not all wifh for fuch perpropofed to your choice. " fons we fearched when likewife, among the young and the old for
fome one whom we could oppofe to Sertorius, and found none " but himfelf? But wifhes cannot avail us we m-ufl- take men as ; " but one man formed be we cannot create them. If there are
'
they
**
fortune,.,
"
we muft
force.
"
Compulfiou here
parties
i-
54
^
"
parties
;
for thofe
who employ
it,
becaufe
;
it
is
to find
them a
it,
"
*'
perlbn becaufe he
object for
who
is
affairs
for
him who
fuffers
"
which no good
that
" or to " Do
*'
you think
fit
to
command
*-'
*'
your your empire ; but that now in the prime of life, ripe in wifdom and experience, he can fen'e you no longer ? You em-
enemies, to extend
"
When a private ployed the boy, you fuffer the man to be idle. " citizen of he was fit for war and affairs of Hate ; Equeftrian rank, " now he is a he is fit for Before Senator, nothing you had any " trial of made choice of him for the mofl: him, you important truft ;
!
*'
now that you have experience of his ability, of his conduit, and " of his Is the prefent occafion lefs fuccefs, you hefitate. preffmg " than the former
?
Is the antagonift
of Sertorius not
fit
to
contend
pirates
But fuch
by
the
Ro-
People.
As
for you,
this
"
fellow-citizens.
I call
For
Pompey, fubmit to the will of your you was born, for this you was edu-
upon you
its
as
as the property of your country ; I call defence and fafe-guard ; I call upon you to lay
if
life,
neceffary.
This
know,
if
*'
you
will not,
" But it is ridiculous to accoft you in this manner ; you, " have proved your courage and your love to your country " and fuch
who
in fo
many
arduous
trials.
Be
ruled
"
by
envy of a few, or ftudy the more to deferve the ge" neral favour. Let the envious pine when they hear of your
Defpife the
" "
adions,
it is
what they
deferve.
evils that
<c
began
it,
furround us, while you proceed to end your with fuccefs and v/ith glory."
you
When
OF THE
When
ROMAN
;
REPUBLIC.
II.
S5
Gabinius had finifhed his fpeech, Trebellius, another of the but fuch a clamour was immediately Tribunes, attempted to reply
raifed
CHAP.
by the multitude
He then, by the
and Gabinius inftantly ; office, to fenfe of the Whether have the Tribellius had not Tribes, propofed forfeited the charader of Tribune ? Seventeen Tribes were of this
authority of his
made
the majority,
when
Rofcius, an-
Pompey
in this commiffion.
riot
But the clamour was renewed, and the meeting likely to end in and violence. Then all oppofitlon to the motion was dropt. In
ftate
this
Gabinius, trufling that, in the prefent humour of the People, no man would dare to oppofe the meafure, and wlfhing to
of
affairs,
jncreafe the
who was
citizen,
on the
roll
him up into the roftra for this purpofe. by the equability of his condudt, and by his moderation in fupport of the ariftocracy had great authority even with the oppofite
opinion, and led
This
party.
He began his fpeech to the People with profeffions of public zeal, which obliged him to deliver with plainnefs what he thought was conducive to their good, and which intitled him to a deliberate hearing,
what he was about to " If " he faid, you llften," fomething may ftill be offered to inform your judgment ; if you break forth again into diforders
" and tumults, your capacity and good underftanding will avail you I muft nothing. begin with declaring my opinion, that powers " fo great, and for fo long a time, as are now propofed for Pompey, " fhould not be committed to any fingle citizen,
*'
" The
56
^
is
itfelf,
in the
higheft
<
.>
degree, dangerous Marius, but from the habit of continued command ; from his *' being put at the head of every army, entrufted with every war, " and no lefs than fix times re-eleted Conful in the fpace of a few
to the
Whence
"
years
What
fpirit
of
"
*'
power of Didlator
Such
command is human
and
if
" time
'"
to ait as fuperiors,
we
and moderate
ftation of citizens.
"
*'
Pompey
fpeak
high office " tenfions fhould a enjoy them in his turn ; if they be a load or " Thefe are the laws or burden, every one ought to bear his part. ' juftice and of republican government. By obferving them, republics
*'
"
If requires, and what I am fure is for your good. has and command be an "honour, every one who pre-
"
have an advantage over every other ftate. By employing many " men in their turns, they educate and train many citizens for the
public fervice, and have numbers amongft whom thev may chufe " the fitteft to ferve on every particular emergence. But if we fuffer " one or a few to engrcfs every office of public fen'ice or public
truft,
" "
"
the
lift
of thofe
who
If
creafe in proportion.
we
"
Why
were we
fo
any fuch truft will dealways employ the fame perfon in foon have no other perfon to employ.
for experienced
commanders when
command,
groffed
Italy with an invafion ? Becaufe confiderable time before that period, had been en-
'*
'**
and thofe few alone had any experience. Although, therefore, I have the higheft opinion of Pompey's abilities
by
a few,
*'
4.
for
O F T H E R O M A N R E P U B L I C.
*'
s7
^
utility
^^
'>
for this fervice, I muft prefer to his pretenfions the public " and the exprefs declaration of the laws.
J^
^'
v-
"
*'
You
annually
eledl
to
what purpofe
to
?
"
*'
"
commiffions to perform what your magiilrates are either fit to have been eledted?
If there be
"
*'
that requires
more than
" an You may name a DitTtator. 1 he power of this expedient. ofiicer has no bounds, but in refpedt to the place in which it is to *' be exercifed, and to the time during which it is to laft. It is " to be exercifed within the limits of where alone the vitals
*'
Italy,
" of the State can be expofed to any great or preffing attack; it is " limited to fix mouths, a fufficient period in which to remove the " caufe of But this unlimited power, which is any fudden alarm. " now fo for a time, and over the whole empire, muft propofed long " end in fuch this and other nations have fuffered as calamities, " from the ambition and of and feditious men.
ufurpation
arbitrary
" If you beftow unlimited power by fea and by land on a fingle " man, in what manner is he to exercife his power ? Not by him" felf in perfon, for he cannot be every where prefent ; he muft " have lieutenants or fubilitutes who aft under his orders. He can" not even attend to what is at once in and in
palling
Egypt
Spain,
"
in Africa, Syria,
and
in Gi-eece.
If {o^ then
why may
not thofc
officers named by you, and not by any interme" diate and to not to accountable another; and in the perfon ; you, " with the animated dangers they run, profpeft of honour to them-
"
felves,
*'
not to a perfon
their country
who
?
is
them and
to
name many
Vol.
II.
BOOK
.
"
*'
fhould depend upon any intermediate perfon, ? and whether there be fufficient caufe to alone upon yourfelves in. all the legal powers, and to fuperfede all the magiftrates fufpend the commonwealth, and all the governors of provinces in every
officers
make war on
pirates ?"
is
fuppofed to
have delivered on
this
It
is
preferved
among
the fragments of
Dion
Caflius.
mentioned by others, that the audience exprefled their good-will and to him, refped; for this Senator in a compliment which they paid his fpeech, when urging fome of his the clofe of near probably " If this man to whom former arguments, he afked, alone, by thus " an in him opportunity of every fervice, you give employing
"
"
learning the profeffion of a ftatefman or foldier, fhould fall, to whom will you next have recourfe?" The People anfwered, v/ith
They
revered, for a
moment,
with-
and
ability of
this
eminent
tide of popularity,
much
in his favour.
far fpent in debate,
which
when
over
all
Pomp^
command
diftinftion or limit, and on every coaft public, in every fea without This comwithin four hundred ftadia, or fifty miles of the fhore.
and extended throughout every province, during three years from the time of paffing the edit. As Pompey owed thefe extraordinary powers intirely to die TriMiiflion
took place in
Italy,
bune Gabinius, he intended to have employed him next in command but the law which excluded the Tribunes from fucceedto hirafelf
;
firft
"
their
OF THE
their office, flood in the
perfift in
it.
ROMAN
way of
edi(3:
REPUBLIC.
;
59
this choice
CHAP.
Upon
with
fo
the publication of an
renown
Rome
confiderably
fell
The
friends of
in the fuc-
notwithftanding the
meannefs of the enemy oppofed to him, gained much credit by the rapid, decifive and effe^Stual meafures he took to obtain the end of
his appointment.
Although
it
a feafon
too rough, even in the Mediterranean, for fuch (hipping as was then in ufe, he gave orders to arm and put to fea as many veflels as could
coaft.
gallies
In a
fit
little
for fervice,
one hundred
and twenty thoufand foot, and four thoufand horfe embodied on the That the pirates might be coafts to which his command extended. no find and refuge by changing their every where attacked at once,
ufual places of retreat, he divided the maritime parts of the empire into feparate diftrits, appointed lieutenants with full powers in each,
affigned
their ftations,
and
allotted their
himfelf, with a fquadron of fixty troops. where every quarter, and to give his prefence
He
fliould
quired.
began with the coafts of Spain and Gaul, and the feas of Sardinia and Corfica ; and in paffing from thence, while the fleet coafted round the peninfula of Italy, he himfelf went on fhore, and
travelled
He
his approach to
In this journey, upon to meet them at Brundifium. Rome, he enjoyed, in all refpeds, the ftate of a great monarch, was received with acclamations by the People, and was
by land
who went
forth to receive
as
him.
were received
comwith
mands.
The Conful
6o
B
intended to
make
The
it,
fleet
being arrived
to join
and fiom thence pafTed by the ftations of his feveral lieutenants in the fea-ports of Macedonia and Greece, to the coafts of Pamphylia
and
Cilicia,
Such
of thefe banditti, as he took in his way, were treated with mildnefs ; and this circumftance, together with the great preparations which,
were reported from every quarter to be making againft them, with, the fmall hopes they had of being able to efcape, induced them,
licia
In the bay of Cinumbers, to furrender themfelves. he found a fquadron of their fhips affembled, and ready to cover the harbours at which they had been accuftomed to colled their
in
great
ftores,
and
to lodge
their booty.
They
feparated,
at difcretion, delivering
up
all
the
their ftores
made
a confiderable provifion.
finifhed about the middle of
By
fix
fummer,
nomination of Pompey to this command. In that time feventy-two gallies were funk, three hundred and fix were
months
taken, and a hundred and twenty piratical harbours or ftrong-holds on (bore were deftroyed. Ten thoufand of the pirates were killed
in adlion, and twenty thoufand,
who had
furrendered themfelves,
remained prifoners
at the
to their former way fuffic'ently deprived of the means of returning of life, tranfplanted to different parts of the continent, where the
late or prefent troubles,
by thinning the
inhabitants,
for them.
licia,
Upon
4
its
inhabitants
OF THE
Inhabitants
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
newly
be
eftablifliecl capital
6i
of C
by Tigranes,
its
to replenlfh his
H A
P.
Tigranocerta in
place,
Armenia.
in
honour of
'*.
reftorer,
came
to
known by
the
name
of Pompeiopolis
Whilft
Pompey was
Lappa
in the ifland'
of Crete,
this place,
now beneged by
of
furrender to Pompey.
although they held out againft Metellus, were willing to This fort of preference implying eftimation
and popular regard, was one of the temptations which Pompey was
fuppofed unable to
Metellus, fent
refift
;
an
officer to receive
Metellus had
now been
almoft entirely reduced it, and had a near profpedl of that triumph, which he afterwards acflually obtained, with the title of Creticus,
on account of
in chief of
this conqueft.
all
Pompey's commiflion,
as
comfifty
mander
Rome
within
it
was juftly
reckoned invidious to interfere in the province of a Proconful, whofe And this ftep revived all the former appointment preceded his own.
imputations againft him, that he confidered himfelf as every one's"
fuperior^ ftrove to fupprefs every growing fame, and threw his perfonal confideration as a bar in the way of every rifmg merit. Metellus,
ventured to contemn
fent
his orders
even
after Odlavius,
by Pompey
to take the
tovrn,
inhabitants of
Lappa under
pro-
and in
his
Romans.
He
neverthelefs
continued the
fiege,
Dion. Caffius,
lib,
xxxvi.
c.
20.
obliged.
62
^
obliged
him
The
Senate, without
otherwlfe
which was
likely to arife
on
this fubjedt,
him
The
difpute,
however,
at this time,
Pompey, while he was preparing to pafs into Crete againft Metellus, had not found another object of more imLucullus had always appeared portance to his plan of greatnefs '*.
able confequences, if
to
him
more formidable
in
rival in
tellus,
ample
Pontus and Armenia likely to furnifh a more of glory than the deftrudtion of pirates.
by means of commmunicating from the popular fadtions at Rome, had infeded the army of Lucullus, enabled to renew the war with frefti vigour. Knowing that the Roman general was no
the diftradlions which,
own kingdom,
began to
aft
on the
oftenfive,
Cilicia.
Acilius Glabrio,
command
of the
Roman
army, hearing the bad ftate of affairs, flopped fhort in Bithynia, and even refufed to furniih Lucullus with the reinforcements he had
brought from
likely to
Italy.
become
commonwealth,
was
in
their hands.
The
friends of
Pompey
his powers. Manilius, one of the Tribunes, in concert with Gabinius, moved the People to extend his commilTion to the and Pontus ; and of provinces of Phrygia, Bithynia, Cappadocia,
ment of
courfe to
commit
the
war
in
to his dirediicn.
"
**
Dion.
lib.
xxxv,
This
OF THE
all
ROMAN REPUBLrC
C
63.
H A
P.
members of the
It was Senate. fupported by Marcus by Caius Juhus Cxfar, who both intended, on this
fon fo
much
of the
Romans who
refted his
con-
accomplifhments, and who became great by the fervices he was qualified to render his friends in a civil caThe cha-^ pacity, without any pretenfions to the merit of a foldier.
on
civil
was become one of the moft powerful recommendations to public notice, and one of the fureft roads to confequence and civil preferments. Cicero, with a fine genius and great
rafter of a pleader
application,
was fuppofed to excel all who had gone before him His talents were powerful inftruments in
;
they rendered him neceflary to others, and procured him the courtfliip of every party in its turn. He was underilood to favour the ariftocracy, and was inclined to fupport the Senate, as
the great bulwark of the State, againft the licence of the populace,
own hands
factious leaders. But being now Prstor, with a near prolpedt of the Confulate, he facrificed much to his ambition in
in his family,
and which
His fpeech, upon the antient nobility were difpofed to envy him. the motion of Manilius, was the firft he had ever made in a political
charafter
:
it
is
fl:ill
extant,
to his talents as
than to his fteadinefs in fupport of the conftitution and gopleader,, vernment of his countiy '^ He turned afide, by artful evafions, the wife covmcils of Hortenfius and Catulus and, vmder pretence of
;
favour,
by enumerating the
irregular
ho-
noufs
.64
BOOK
<..
this objel
of
..
their favour.
With
fuch able advocates, in a caufe to which the People were of Pompey could not mifcaiTy;
to his
former commiffion, by
which he became
pire.
em-
Upon
news
in Cilicia,
affedled furprife
"
to give
my enemies," he faid, never me any refpite from war and trouble ?" He had talents, undifpleafure.
and
" Are
doubtedly, fufFicient to fupport him in the ufe of means lefs indiredl ; but a difpofition to artifice, like every other ruling pafTion, will flifle the plaineft fuggeftions of reafon, and feems to have made him forget,
that his
own
attendants at
farce
leafl:
had
common
They
turned
fhame and
difgufl '^;
fhowing the
;
he received what he thus alFefted to diflike laid avidity with which of other bufmefs ; immediately difpatched his orafide all thoughts
ders to
all
were now fubjefted to his power ; and, mandates through the hands of Lucullus, fum-
moned
cretion.
army of between
thirty
and forty
thoufand
men on
This prince, being then in treaty with Phraatcs, who had his father Arfaces in the kingdom of Paithia, and fucceeded lately in expetation of a powerful fupport from that quarter, refufed being
being difappointed in his hopes from the of affiftance Parthians, and fmding that Phraates had joined in a league with his enemies, he at firft endeavoured to pacify the
to liften to this imperious mefllige
:
Roman
no
general
efFedt,
Plutarch, in Pcmpeio.
Pompey
OF THE
Pompey
Lucullus,
firft
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
way had an They accoftea
interview with
6s
fet
who was
then in Galatia.
each other
at
with laboured expreffions of refpeiSl and of compliment on their refpedive fervices, but ended with difputes and fliarp altercations.
Pompey
kingdom of
Pontus as a
at liberty.
Roman
province, while the king himfelf was alive and Lucullus fufpeded that the late mutiny had been foemiflaries of
mented by the
ceffion to the
Pompey,
to
make way
for his
own
fuc-
command.
perfifted in maintaining the propriety he had made to the Senate, and in which he had
He
kingdom of Pontus
as conquered,
and
in
which he
had
poffeffion
obferved, that
it
no province could be
ftationed to preferve
orders were
lofs
had worfe confequences to fear than the of any diftant province ; that although the fugitive king had taken advantage of the fadions at Rome and in the army, to put himfelf again at the head of fome forces, he had not yet recovered
for office, the republic
any confiderable portion of his kingdom, nor been able to difturb the commiffioners of the Senate, who were employed in fettling the
province
;
that there
was nothing
left for
won by another.
From
of
his
this
conference
Pompey
entered on the
;
indications
of animofity to Lucullus
; changed the plan of his operations ; remitted the punlfiiments, and recalled the rewards he had decreed to particular
orders
perfons, in a
having encouraged the late diforders, fuffering them to pafs with impunity ; and treating with the ufual confidence even the legions
to
their genei-al.
His own
authority
Vol. 1L
66
BOOK
by the animofity of the army defire and their to contraft their own commander, by war of the under their and the fuccefs conduct, prefent leader, with that which had taken place under his predeceflbr. Finding himfelf,
therefore, at the
forces,
both by
fea and by land, he lined the whole coaft of the Egeaa and Euxine Sea with his galleys, and, at the head of a great army, advanced in
Mithridates,
before
the approach of
Pompey, continued
wafle the
to pafs,
retiring
them by
the
forage.
For feveral days fucceflively the armies encamped in fight of each Mithridates chofe his ftations, fo that he could not be fafely other.
attacked; and as his object
was
by
his
in which fuperior knowledge of the country, pafled tlirough ways the Roman army could not haftily follow without manifeft danger of
furprize.
Pompey,
fenfible that,
upon
this
king of Pontus muft effect his retreat, took a refolution to pafs him by a forced march, not in the night, but in the heat of the day, If he fhould v.'hen the troops of Afia were moft; inclined to repofe.
fucceed in this defign, and get between their army and the Euphrates, to a battle, or oblige them to change their
He
at noou-day unobferved, and was actually ported on their route,, whea they began to decamp, as ufual, on the following night. In the encounter which followed, having
all
army on
toiy,.
its
march, and
little
OF
tory, ia
67
the forces
on which the
king of Pontus relied for the defence of his kingdom ''. Mithridates efcaped with a few attendants ; and, in this extremity, himfelf again into the arms of Tigranes; but was propofed to throw
refufed
by
this prince,
who was
this
of his
own
fon.
Upon
pafhng by the fources of the Euphrates to the kingdom of Colchis, and from thence, by the eaftern coafts of the Euxine, to the Scythian Bofphorus,
fonefus,
now
or
the capital of a kingdom which he himfelf had acquired, and which he had bellowed on Maat Panticapasa,
Crim Tartary,
chares, one of his fons. Upon his prefenlmg himfelf at this place he found that Machares had long fmce abandoned his father's for-
tunes
flight
and, upon hearing of the ill ftate of his affairs on his firfl: from Lucullus into Armenia, had fent, as an offering of peace,
a golden crow^n to that general, and fued for the protedion of the Romans. The father, highly provoked with this adt of pufillanimity or treachery, aflembled a force among his Scythian allies, and, deaf all offers of fubmiffion or intreaties of this undutiful fon, dragged
to
him from the throne, and either ordered him to be put to death, or made his fituation fo painful, that he thought proper to put an end
to his
own
life.
In this manner Mithridates entered anew on the poffelfion of a kingdom, in which he had not only a fafe retreat, but likewife the
means of executing new projects of war againft his enemies. By the maxims of the Romans, no kingdom was fuppofed to be conquered, till the king was either killed, taken, or forced to furrender himfelf;
and Pompey, by this flight of the king of Pontus, found himfelf under a necefTity either of purfuing him into his prefent retreat, or of doing "
Dio. CaiT.
lib.
xxxvi.
c.
32.
what
68
in Lucullus,
fully completed. meafures to be taken in thefe circumftances, he was invited by Tigranes, fon to the king of Armenia, then in rebellion againft his
father, to enter
his army into that kingdom, and to give judgthe diiierences fubfifting between the father and the fon.
was
with
ment on
Pompey marched
kingdom, when
into
Armenia
joined the rebel prince, and, under pretence of fupporting the fon,
was about
this
monarch,
with an excefs of meannefs, proportioned to the prefumption w-ith which he had enjoyed his pi-ofperity, now refolved to caft himfelf
For this purpofe he defired to be intirely upon the vidtor's mercy. admitted into Pompey's prefence, and, with a few attendants, prefented himfelf for this purpofe. Being told, at the entrance of the that could on no horfeback, he difmounted, and camp, ftranger pafs
was conduced on
diadem on
his head,
foot to
the
it
general's tent.
Sill
bearing
the
he took
;
from thence, and offered to lay it on but was told with great courtefy, that
he might refume it ; that, by fubmitting himfelf to the generofity of the Romans, he had not loft a kingdom, but gained a faithful ally ". At the fame time, under pretence of reimburfing the expence of the
war, a fum of
fix
thoufand
talents, or
and twenty-eight thoufand pounds fterling, was exacted from him ; and he himfelf, to this great fum which was paid to the State, added
a gratuity to the
army of a
""
talent
to each of the
^^
ribunes, ten
minse"
to each private
man.
Pompey,
his
in
now
in
Sophene, or the Leffer Armenia, on the right of the Euphrates, to Tigranes the fon, referving Syria and Phoenicia, to
power,
allotted
*"
*'
Dio
ll.
I2S.
3|d.
*'
93I.
15s.
" 32I.
5s. lod.
which
OF THE
which Antiochus, the
laft
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
Macedonian
line,
69
had
reprefentative of the
CHAP,
Cilicia
and Galatia,
to the
Tigranes the father with great fubmiffion acquiefced in this parbut the fon, who probably expected to have been put in potfeffion of the whole of his father's kingdom, was greatly difcontented,
tition
;
Pompey was yet in Armenia, entered into a con-efpondence with the king of Parthia, and folicited his afhlliance to overturn this eftablifhment.- On account of thefe pradlices, whether real or
and, while
fuppofed, the fon was taken into cuflody, carried into Italy, and a part in the ornaments of the vidtor's triumph ".
made
The Roman
dom
general, having in this manner difpofed of the kingof Armenia, and fecured the permanency of his fettlement by
the confinement of the rebel prince, refumed the thoughts of purfuing Mithridates into his prefent retreat.
For
this pui-pofe
he
left
any diflurbance on
this fide
of the Euphrates.
He
him-
Iberia.
where he was joined by his then in the Euxine under the command of Servilius. fleet, Sea, plying Here he appears to have deliberated, whether he fhould attempt to
to the mouth" of the Phafis,
purfue Mithridates any farther ; but upon confidering the difficulties of the voyage, and of the march along a coaft and a country intirely unknown, unfurnifhed with any fafe harbour for his Ihips, or even
with any means of fubfifience to his army by land, he took his refolution to return, and to avail himfelf, in the beft manner he was able,
of the poffelTions which had been abandoned to him by the
flight of.
"
the
70
'
BOOK
u.v~.-.i
With this refohition he dh-eded his march, by the coaft, king ". back into the kingdom of Pontus ; and, finding no refiftance, took
all his
At one
place he found
whom
that, if
the chance of war fhould throw Xiphares into the hands of the conqueror, his life fhould be fpared. But this unhappy fon was expofed to other dangers befides thofe the mother appre-
on condition
hended.
for his
*'
Mithridates,
life,
ordered
upon hearing of the price which was him to be flain. " That woman," he
paid
faid,
have likewife bargained with me in favour of her fon." At Roman army found the veftiges of great magnifimonuments of fuperftition and of cruelty. They to cence, joined found fome produdtions of an art, in which the king was fuppofed to
fliould
be mafter, relating to the compofition of poifons, and of their antidotes, and fome records of dreams, together with the interpretations ",
his
women.
a proper difpofition of the
From
fleet in
made
Miout
thridates
the Bofphorus
and oppofite
coafts,
fet
for the
kingdom cf Syria, which he now determined to feize in beLucullus had already, agreeably to the policy half of the Romans. of his country, and under pretence of fettlng the Syrians free,
feparated their
kingdom from the other poflefllons of Tigranes but aded in this matter being fufficient to feizing upon Syria as a Roman province, he was content
:
it to Antiochus, the laft pretender of the Macedonian v/ho had lived eighteen years in the greateft obfcurity in Cilicia.
by
37. c. 3.
Applan. in Mithridat.
** Plutarch, in
Pomp.
p. 462.
Romans
OF
owner
**
;
71
CHAP.
^
intended owner
now
'
Romans
which Lu^'.
much
On
his
the
march
into Syria
Pompey,
all
by
his lieu-
way, and made the following arrangements. The Lefler Armenia, once intended for Tigranes the fon, he gave to Dejotarus, king
of Galatia "\
who
the empire as a faithful dependant, and with pofleffions which ferved as a barrier againft hoftile invafions from that quarter.
Paphlagonia
and Pylacmenus, who were likewjfe liberal tributaries to the Roman officers, and vigilant guards on the fron-
was given
tiers
to Attalus
of the empire.
Upon
late
his arrival at
DamafcuSj he had
many
mo-
narchy
among
others,
who now
repaired to
him
judgment, and requefted the interpofition of behalf of the party he fhould be pleafed to favour.
for
his
power
in
Of
andra,
thefe rivals,
who were
of the Jews, Hyrcanus the elder had fucceeded to his mother Alexwhom the father had left his immediate fucceffbr in the throne j
but was difpofreffed by his younger brother Ariftobulus, who, being of a more adive fpirit, had formed a powerful fad:ion among the
people.
Hyrcanus took refuge among the Arabs, and prevailed upon Aretas, the chieftain of fome powerful tribe of that people, to fupport him
with an army, in recovering the fovereignty of the Jews. In conjundion with this ally, he accordingly laid fiege to Jerufalera, but
Juftin..lib. xl. c. I
&
2.
*'
Appian.
in Mithridat. p. 244.
*'
Eutropius,
lib.
vL
was
72
BOOK
lieute-
nants,
from
whom
he received a prefent of three hundred talents, or about fiftyfeven thoufand and nine hundred pounds fterUng, interpofed, and
Upon the arrival of Gabinius, obliged the Arabs to raife the fiege. whom Pompey had fent before him into Syria, Ariftobulus thought proper to make him likewlfe a prefent of fifty talents, and by thefe
means remained
in poffeffioa of the fovereignty at the arrival of
Pompey.
It is
made
their pre-
Hyrcanus
of plate, admired for its workmanfliip and weight, being the imitation of a fpreading vine, with its leaves and fruit in mafly " gold ; and thefe circumftances merit attention, as they furnifh fome
inftances of the
manner
in
which
great riches,
now
in fo
much
re-
Rome, were amafled by Roman generals in the courfe of their Befides what they gained in this manner, it is fervices. likely that
queft at
and every protedlion they granted were extremely profitable. Pompey, on hearing the merits of the queftion between the two brothers, declared for Hyrcanus, and advanced towards the city, to execute the decree he had pafled.
by Ariftobulus,
contribution in
who made
money
;
frefli offers
and Pompey fent forward Gabinius to take in terms of this fubmiflion. But upon a repofleflion of the place, port that the gates were ftill kept fhut by the party of Ariftobulus,
who
yet remained in his camp, he ordered ment, and advanced with his army.
The
who
Hyr-
canus were
Romans
c.
the others,
who were
attached
Jofeph. Antjq.
lib. xiv.
2.
OF THE
bridge by which
ROMAN
was joined
REPUBLIC.
down
the
to the ftreets,
laft
73
CHAP,
extremity.
gates of the city, in the mean time, were thrown open by the party of Hyrcanus ; and the Romans being admitted, took pofleflion of all the principal ftations within the walls, and prepared to attack
The
the temple.
all
on
overhung with
bourhood
and
towers."
all
Pompey
woods
tering engines to
the
in the neigh-
to furnifh
up
mound
All his works were of approach ", and ereting his towers. with great obftinacy counteradted by thofe who had taken refuge in
the Temple.
He
when
attacked on the Sabbath-day, yet they did not labour, either in repair-
ing any of their own defences, or in oppofing or demolifhing the works of the befiegers. He accordingly took advantage of this circumftance,
made no
ditch,
aflaults
on
on his attack
in filling
and carrying on his approach. In this manner his towers, without interruption, were raifed to the level of the battlements, and
up the
from thence, made great havock among the beThe Jews, however, even under the difcharge of the enemy's
continued
at the altar to
ftill
rites.
While
pre-
little
num-
up the
facrifices,
and mingled
their blood
in ruin to the
'
began, one of the towers of the ground ; and Fauftus, the fon of
The Agger.
Vol.
II.
Sylla^
74
BOOK
at the
manded, entered the breach, and putting all whom they met to the fword, made way for more numerous parties to follow them, and The covered the avenues and porches of the Temple with the flain.
priefts,
who were
facrifices,
waited for
the
enemy with great compofure, and, without difcontinuing their Numbers of the people threw themduties, were flain at the altars.
felves
and
others,
fetting
fire to
the booths
in which they had lodged under the walls of the Temple, were confumed in the flames. About twelve or thirteen thoufand periflied on
this occafion,
lofs to
the befiegers, or to
thofe
Pompey, being
obflii-
its
pre--
This place, into which no one was ever admitted befides the high priefl:, he fuppofed
was curious
with
unconquerable a zeal. And he ventured, to the horror of his own party among the Jews, as confl:ernation and equal of thofe who oppofed him, to enter with his ufual attendance into
fo ardent
and
fo
the
Holy of
vefl^els
Holies.
He
found
it
cups,
a great coUedtion of the richefl: perfumes and a facred treafure of two thoufand talents, or about three hundred and eighty-fix thoufand pounds
fl:erling.
Having
fatisfied
his curiofity,
it
is
much
as to
and
to
He
refl:ored
Hyrcanus
to the priefthood
him with a
confiderable
tribute.
OF THE
tribute to the
ROMAN
at the
REPUBLIC.
flript
75
all
Romans, and
fame tune
the nation of
HA
p.
thofe poffefTions or dependencies in Paleftine and Celefyria, which had been acquired or held in fubjedion by their anceftors. Such
Azo-
and Dora, with what was tus, Jamana, Arethufa, Gaza, Joppa, then called Strato's Tower, and afterwards Cefarea. XJnder pretence
of reftoring thefe feveral places to their liberties, they were detached from the principality of the Jews, but in reality annexed to the Roman province of Syria ^'.
Pompey now recolledling that he had formerly carried his arms to the fhores of the Atlantic, and to the boundaries of Numidia and of
and
he had recently penetrated to the coafts of the Euxine, neighbourhood of the Cafplan Sea ; to the end that he might not leave any part of the known world unexplored by his anus, now formed a project to finifh this round of exploits, by vifitSpain
;
that
to the
a circumftance which ing the fhores of the Afiatic or Eaftern Ocean was to complete tlie glory of his approaching triumph, and raife him,, as his flatterers were pleafed to obferve, to a rank above every con:
^.
But while Pompey was employed In the fettlement of Syria, In the redulion of Jerufalem, and meditating thefe farther conquefts,
Mithrldates was bufy In making preparations to renew the war. Having heard of the extremities to which the citizens of Rome had
been frequently reduced by the Invafion of the Gauls and of Hannibal, and by the infurredlions of their own fubjets and flaves, he concluded that they were weakeft
at
He
i.
&
vii.
&
Ant.
lib. xiv. c. 6,
Alps.
-6
BOOK
He
vifited all
made
al-
liances with
his
them, which he couilrmed by giving to feme of them daughters in marriage, and perfuaded them, by the hopes of a
him
He
even difpatchcd
of nations on .that
in Italy,
fide of the
Gaul, to fecure the co-operations world, and trufted that, on his appearance
many
they had joined Hannibal ; and that the flaves, fo lately at open war with their maflers, would likewife be a plentiful fupply of recruits to
his
army.
Thefe projects, however, appeared to his own nation too hazardous and vaft. They were fuited to the ftate of a king who wifhed to with fplendor ; but not to that of fubjedts and followers who perifla
The king
extenfive defigns, being confined by an ulcer in his face, had been for a confiderable time concealed from public view, and had not ad-
mitted any perfon to his prefence befides fome favourite Eunuchs. The minds of his fubjefts, and of his own family in particular, were
much
alienated
late
ads of barbarous
feverity
againft Machares and Xiphares, two of his children, who, with fome others as we have mentioned, had incurred his refentment.
him, was
ftill
much
in his confidence.
The
people of
PJianagoria,
fortrefs at
a town on
now
refid.ed,
him
his
and the army, during his confinement, lofing the ufual awe of perfon, mutinied, and acknowledged Pharnaces for king. They
;
lodged,
and
which he had
When
he ap-peared
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
:
77
" To
peared on the battlements, nnd defired to know their demands " for Pharnaces an old " ; king for a young exchange you," they laid, " one." Even while he received this anfwer, and while many of his guards deferted him, he
retrieve his affiirs.
ftill
hoped
that, if
he were
at liberty,
he might
to
He
defired, therefore,
by repeated meflages,
know whether
he might have leave to depart in fafety ? But none of the with this queftion being fufFered to return, he aphe fent melTengers
prehended that there was a defign to deliver him up into the hands Under this apprehenfion he had recourfe to his lafl of the Romans.
refort, a dofe
of poifon, which,
it is
faid,
Being to employ this fovereign remedy of he difmifled, with exprefTions of kindnefs and gratitude,
ftill
fiich
left
of his attendants as
and being
who
father,
pire.
likely
But the portion which he had referved for himfelf not being to overcome the vigour of his conftitution, or, as was believed
by the
of
faithful
Have
many who
antidotes he
had taken againft poifon, he ordered a attended him, to perform with his fword what was
it
was
the- laft
ad, of
Accounts of
this
at
army
was encamped
the diftance of
capital
The meffengers appeared carrying of Judea, in his vray to Arabia. wreaths of laurel on the points of their fpears and the army, crowding around their general to learn the tidings, were informed of the
;
death of Mithridates.
immediately proceede.l to
make all
Pompey, having
dropped
now
his defigii
army
to-
wards
78
BOOK
Jir.
Here he received
gifts, was prefented with the embalmed corpfe of many The whole army crowded to fee it, examined the features the king.
other
and the
refpedt
fcar, teftifying,
by
man.
He had,
with fhort
;
intervals, occupied the arms of the Romans during forty and, though he could not bring the natives of Afia to match years with the Roman legions, yet he frequently, by the fuperiority of his
own
with new genius, flood firm in diftrefs, or rofe from misfortune He was tall, and of a vigorous conftirefources.
to
women,
made him
He appears to have loved and trufted a frequent and an eafy prey. many of that fex with a boundlefs paflion. By fome of them he
was followed
laces
;
in the field
had
many
own
children,
others he diftributed in his different pa~ and entertained more parental afFedion
than
commonly
attends the
polygamy of
Afiatic princes
yet even,
towards his
towards every one elfe, on occafions which alarmed the jealoufy of his crown, he was fanguinary and infons, as well as
exorable.
Pompey proceeded
and,
annexed the kingdom of Pontus to the province of Birhynia, gave the Bofphorus to Pharnaces, and put the province of Syria, extending to the frontier of
Egypt, under the government of Scaurus.
He
the time of his appointment to fucceed Lucullus, for about three years, " had the fole diredion of the affairs of the Romans in Afia ; and
-in
had exchanged with the king of Parthia provoking melTages, which, But a different conjundure, might have led to immediate war.
5'
Dion. CafT.
lib. xxxvii.
c.
6.
the
OF THE
had provided
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
triumph, without attempting
fo
79
the circumflances were not yet ripe for fuch a meafure, and
fufficient materials for a
Pompey CHAP.,
generals
on which
many Roman
were doomed
empire
itfelf
to difappointments,
was deftined
to flop.
Without entertaining any farther projeds for the prefent, he fet out with two legions on the route of Cillcia towards Italy, having
Tigranes, fon to the king of Armenia, together with Ariftobulus, late ufurper of the Jewifh throne, with his family, two fons and two
daughters, as captives to
3
.
^\
c. 7..
8o
C
Growing Corruption of
the
HAP.
Roman
III.
Officers
of
State.
The
love
of
Confideration changedfor Avarice^ Rapacity^ and Prodigality. Cataline a Candidate for the Confulffilp. Laws agahi/i Extortion.
Election of Cicero
and
Antonlns.
Agrarian
of the Tribunes.
Dlfcovery of
Law
of
Rtdliis.
Of Catallne.
his Accomplices.
Their Execution.
obtained his comm'iflion to
in the fuppreffion of the
BOOK
._
,
A BOUT
A\.
The
tiie
Pompey
_f
command with
fo extenfive a
power
C.'calpur-'
pirates, the tide began to run high againft the ariflocratical party.
M"Aui'Glabrio.
populace, led by fome of the Tribunes, were ever ready to infult authority of the Senate ; and the vices of particular men gave
Corruption
at eledtions,
fteps to the government of provinces, where fortunes were amafled by every fpecies of abufe, opprefTion, and violence. Envy and indignation concurred in roufing the People
-Lex Cornelia
by which perfons convidled of this crime The Senate wifhed to be difqualified for any office of State. foften the rigour of this law, by limiting the penalty to a pecuniary fine; and the Conful, Calpurnius Pifo, moved for an edict to this
fevere law againft bribery,
fliould
purpofe, in order to anticipate and to preclude the more violent law of Cornelius. But the Tribune prevailed, and obtained an adl im-
He
likewife,
OF THE
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
^
8i
People, attacked the dlfcretionary jurii'diftion of the Pn'etors ', obliged them to be more explicit in the edi(51:s they publifhed, and to obferve
v_vj
^^
^^
them more
exadlly.
The crime
v^^as
the great
To have found an effedual remedy for this difgrace of the Romans. would have done more honour to the commonwealth than evil,
they had derived from
all
their conquefts.
encouraged.
this title
to
has
left
only
piece
of inflrudlion to mankind:
is
That
jufl:
conquered provinces
fcarcely to
be hoped
for,
XA
by
furprize an at
by which the
inrolJed in
all
were
to be promifcuoufly
the Tribes.
This
al,
fcntment of the Senate, compelled him to feek for fecurity under the With this view he moved hh protedlion of Gabinius and Pompey.
famous
which Cicero concurred, to veft Pompey with the command in Afia. This motion procured him a powerful fupport, and, on fome occafions, the general voice of the People in his favour. Soon
aft, in
Lex Manllia.
fome offence
at
the tri-
bunal of Cicero,
who was
told
was obliged
People
in
which he
and
that, his
own term
favour
him more
'
effcdtually,
trial,
and by not
Dio. CafT,
lib.
xxxvi.
c.
lib. xxxvi.
Vol. IL
leaving
82
B
him
in the
power of a fucceflbr, who might not be equally Such were the loofe and popular notions of
Rome
At
the
elecTtioii
an opportunity to apply the law againft bribery. Of four candidates, Publius Autronius Psetus, Publius Cornelius Sylla, L. Aurelius.
Cotta, and L. Manlius Torquatus, the majority had declared for the
former two
but thefe being convidled of bribery, were and their competitors declared duly eleQed.
;
fet afide,,
Catalina,
who
as
was
by a
ment, he was ripe for any diforder; and, being readily joined by Autronius and Pifo, formed a confpiracy to affaflinate their rivals *, to maffacre the Senate, to feize the enfigns of power, and, with the
aid of their fadion, to lay hold of the government '. Julius Csefar and CrafTus are mentioned by Suetonius as accomplices in this plot. Craflus was to have been named DitStator, and Casfar his general o
the horfe \
Caefar
the maffacre,
have given the fignal for the execution of by uncovering his fhoulders of his gown ; but Craffusto
was
having relented, abfented himfelf from the Senate on the day appointed,, and C:efar, thougb prefent, omitted to give the fignal, by which means,
the whole was difconcerted;
acceffory,
Sylla
was
tried
fome years
after as
ait,
Cicero.,
of thofe who, by their birth and diftin<SHon, were deftined to run the career of political, honours, found their fortunes, by the-
Many
'
Dion.
* Cic. in Catal,
c. 6.,
Sjieton. in Crefar.
cxtravagaat
OF THE
by
ROMAN REPUBLia
^
i
85
P.
well as by their own debauchery and attained their end. They fought to
^^^^
^-
'
cns^age in
any dangerous
The
hended an increafe of this danger from the number of foreigners, v>'ho, from every quarter, crowded to Rome as to the general refort of perfons
\A\o wifhed to gratify their
own
of others.
Under
this apprehenfion,
the motion of C. Papius, Tribune of the People, to oblige all ftrangers Lex Papia d e "'S"nis. but it is likely, that the ftate was in greater danger to leave the
city
:
Cataline, having prevailed upon Clofum of money, to drop the profecuof a dius, by the confideration intended againft him, was left to offer himfelf tion, which had been
from
a candidate for the Confulate of the following year ^ The office of Cenfor had been revived in the perfons of Catulus
and Craffus
its
authority, fo powerful
fcarcely ventured to
in former times,
effect.
They
give
it
trial
and, having
beyond the Po, and about fome other par'. Cenfors were again named ia ticulars, they refigned their power the following year, but with no greater effed ; fome of the Tribunes,
ment of
citizens refiding
them
to proceed in
making up
the roll
'.
In the next Confulate, Caius Julius Cajfar, at this time thirty-five U. C. 68g. entered on his career of popularity and ambition. Be- c!"Mar. Fi' 1years of age,
with Marcus Bibulus, he not only concurred ing Edile, together with his colleague in all the expenfive fliews that were given to the
'
gulus.
'
Dion.
lib.
xxxvi.
Plutarch, in Crafib.
"
Ibid. PUit.
People,
84
B
own
account.
The
mukitudes of gladiators he had aflembled on this occafipn gave an alarm to the magiftracy, and he was ordered not to exceed a certain
number.
fteps that
were
of
Mariu3 and Sylla ; and, notwithflanding the at of indemnity which had pafled^ raifed profecutions on a charge of affalfination, againft all
thofe
who had
profcription ".
From
put any citizen to death in execution of Sylla's this time Suetonius obferves, that Cicero dated
make
What
has
mod
however,
is
the
com-
petition of candidates for the fucceffion to that office on the follov/ing year, and the confequences of the eledtion which followed. The
candidates were
M.
of his family
who had
of Arpinum, a joyed any honours, at Rome. He was a native as an obfcure perfon by confidered was and of Italyf country-town
thofe
defcended of antient families, but had great conlrderation on account of his eloquence and the confequences of it, to
who were
all
fuch as had any Interefts at flake before the tribunals of juftice. Being folicited by Cataline to undertake his defence on a trial for
at once rejed the requeft, nor always, in fupport of their meafurcs. Tribunes aid to the fadious
He
"
'*
like other
ambitious
men
at
Rome,
difpofed
Vit. C.
J. C.rfaris.
and
far,
Sylla, in
which Craflus,
be engaged.
as well
as Cac-
was
faid to
OF THE
to court every party,
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
individuals''*;
Sj-
and had of
L-fe,
by having fupported
in
the pretenfions of Pompey, and by having joined the popular Tribunes, what they propofed in behalf of that officer. He v/as, notwith-
ftanding, probably
Cataline, faved
by
his averfion to
and by
his
from the reproach of having efpoufed knov/n inclination in general to fupport the
caufe
authority of
the Senate, he difpofed the ariftocratical party to forgive the occafional part
in particular queftions,
In the courfe of this competition for the Confulfhip, Antonius interefts together, and fpared no kind or degree of corruption. Cicero complained of their pradices in the Senate,
to revive the law of Calpurnius againft bribery, with an additional penalty of ten years baniihment ". Cataline confidered this meafure as levelled againft himfelf ; and incited by this provocation, as well as by the animofity of a rival, was then fuppofed to have formed a defign againft Cicero's life, and to have exprefled
and moved
and determined great numbers againft himfelf. He had drawn to his interefts many perfons of infamous charader and defele(3:ors,
many youths of good family, whom he debauched or encouraged in their profligacy. His language, at their meetings, was full of indignation at the unequal and fappofed unjuft diftribu" All the wealth of the tion of fortune and power. State, all authoperate fortune,
"
rity,"
*'
he
"
fold,
is
engrofled by a few,
merit
and
obfcurity,
" debts."
He profefled
his intention,
when in
office, to
them by
Ep. ad Attkum,
lib.
i.
ep. 2.
'^
Dio.
lib. xxxvii.
c.
39.
plentifiil
'86
BOOK
V,
.
tions.
concealed.
numerous meeting, were ill Curius, one of the fadxion, boafted to Fulvia, a woman of
to
made
rank, with
'tion
whom
he had
muft foon take place, and fpecified the particular hopes and deThis woman mentioned the fubjedt to her own figns of their party.
confidents, but concealed the
In the
mean
time, Cataline
was confidered
gerous defigns, and was oppofed in his eledlion by all who had arnv Ciregard to public order, or to the iafety of the commonwealth.
cero, at
The
latter flood
candidate
upon the
fame
intereft
majority.
U. C.
of Cataline were fuppofed to be fruftrated ; Confuls Were not ^^^ Cicero likely to enter on a quiet adminiftration. C. Antomus. 'j'j^g Tribunitian power, from the time of its reftoration, was gradually
690.
'"^
By
^^^^
recovering
its force, and extending its operations. Every perfon that could give any public difturbance, that could annoy the Senate, or mortify any of its leading members ; every one that had views of
who
who
; every perfon who, by his profligacy or crimes, was at variance with the tribunals of juftice, was compre-
The
"Roman People had once been divided into Patrician and Plebeian, but now they took fides with next into Noblemen and Commoners
;
little
public order,. In the affembly of the centuries, as well as in that of ihe Tribes, the diforderly and the profligate began to prevail ; and
as
OF THE
as
it
ROMAN REPUBLIC
body of the People could was but another name for fuch
^
'
Sj
was impoffible
U
.
P.
'
of
Rome.
who
full
haunted the
of fear and
diftruft,
imited their influence, not to carry eleftions or attain to preferments, but to overturn the government, or to fliare
defperate perfons,
in
its
who
fpoils
'*.
One
Servilla
fettle-
rian
ments for many of the citizens, promulgated the heads of an AgraLaw, which he carried to the Senate and the People. The
was now
in a great
citizens.
Italy
new
queft, but
by purchafe.
any
that
all
was propofed,
that to
or poffeffions of
fort,
which belonged
be fold ; acquifitions of territory recently made, and the from any enemy, fhould be difpofed of in the fame fpoils taken
manner
that
the
money
arifing
from fuch
fales
fliould
be
em-
ployed in purchafmg arable and cultivable lands, to be afligned in lots to the needy citizens; and that, to cany this law -into execution, ten commiffioners fhould be
named
lot
in the
fame manner in
which the
Pontiffs
that
thefe
commiffioners
be judges, without appeal, of what was or was not public of what was to be bought, and at property; of what was to be fold,
what
price
that they
were
to receive
officer,
except Pompey,
commanding
in anyr
'*
province.
88
BOOK
-
territory acquired
-'
and
in fliort, that
years,
fole mafters
pro-
On
new
office,
when
they returned in proceffion from the Capitol, and gave the firft meeting to the Senate, Rullus had the prefumption to propofe this law,
and
give
to
it
move
they would be pleafed to the landion of their approbation and authority in being carthe Confcript Fathers, that
Upon
this occafion,
Cicero
made
it
his
firft
fpeech
the re-
The former
part of
is
loft
mainder
may
be reckoned among the higheft fpecimens of his eloIn this and the two fpeeches he delivered to the People, on
(if
we may
venture
own
expreffions) that,
from the
of,
firft
claufe of this
law
to the
nothing propofed, nothingdone but the erecting, in ten perfons, under the pretence of an Agrarian Law, an abfolute fovereignty over the treafury, the revenue,
lafl',
there
the provinces, the empire, the neighbouring kingdoms and ftates ; and, in fhort, over all the world as far as it was known to the Ro-
He painted in fuch lively colours the abufes which might be committed by Rullus, and by his aflbciates in judging what was private and what public property, in making fales, in making purchafes, in
mans.
planting the colonies
;
and
fo to
by which
it
was propofed
of fuch powers, the abfurdity and the ruinous tendency of the whole nieafure, that it was inftantly rejeded, and its author hifled from the
nffembly,-
and treated
as
fplendour of the Conful's eloquence, on this occafion, appeared with great diftindion, and the fpirit of the times continued to furnifh
The
OF
null
89
Amerinus,
C
difplay
it '*.
Rofcius
P.
having been Tribune of the People a few years before, had, by the authority of his office, fet apart fome benches in the theatre for the
gave offence to the People, fo that Rofcius at any of the public afcommonly one of On fome thefe occafions the Conful interpofed fcmblies.
Equeftrian order.
Tliis
hifTed
vs'as
when he appeared
and, in a popular harangue, fecured the attachment of the Knights to himfelf, and reconciled the People to the diftinflion which had been
made
in flavour
of that body.
There happened under the fame Confulate a buhnefs of greater difficulty, being a motion to reftore the fons of the profcribed to the
privilege of being chofen into the oflices of State, of which they had Their fate was undoubtbeen deprived by an ordinance of Sylla. and fevere. of who had been too young calamitous them Many edly
to
guilt
of their party, were now ccme of age, flript of their birthright, and ftigmatized with
It
mark of
diflionour.
w^as
arm and
to
But Cicero, apprehending that this proftrengthen perfons, who, from long ufe,
government,
it
motion,
and fucceeded
in
having
re-
jeded
".
two fubjefls lafl mentioned have peof that which he fpoke on the trial of C. Rabirius rifhed, great part This man, of a great age, a refpedable Senator, at flill remains.
Though
was brought
to trial as an ac-
who,
as
" It is probable that Cicero did not write in order to fpeak, bat his friends. Epift. ad Atticiun, lib. ii. c. I, fpoken, for the ufe of
''
Vol.
TI.
Confuls
90
BOOK
Marius and Valerius Flaccus, allng under the authority of by all the moft refpedlable citizens in arms,
Titus Atius Labienus, one of the Tribunes, was the declared prcfecutor of C. Rabirius
at the inftigation,
;
The
this
by making an example of
where the authority of the Seand the commands of the moft popular Conful, where even the
from adting in fup-
prefcription of fo old a date fhould have repelled every danger, effed:ually, for the future, to deter every perfon
oppofmg
The
Senate, and
who
were earneft to weaken the hands of government, and in hafte to bring on fcenes of confufion and trouble, took the oppofite fide.
The
to die on the crofs, the ordinary " The execuof the of death on flaves. fentence manner executing " and the crofs " tioner ftalks in the is ereled Forum," faid Cicero, " for a Roman citizen in the field of Mars." The accufation was firft
fuch
brought before the Prretor, who poflefled the ordinary jurifdiftion in cafes. This magiftrate empannelled two judges, who were to
determine in
Caefar.
this
mighty
caufe.
At
pearances of animofity, on the part of Caius Caiflu-, that greatly encreafed the alarm. This rifing citizen had always courted the
popuand was ftrongly fupported by them. That he fliould aim at honours and pow^er, it was faid, is common ; but that he wiflied to
lace,
provide
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
HA
-91
P.
C provide impunity for the diflurbers of the commonwealth, was The crime of Rabirius, even if he could be convidled of alarming.
had been committed the year before Csefar was born. In the perfon of the accufed every circumftance, even on the fuppofition of
it,
the fad:,
fame time, was denied, and a pofitive evidence was brought, that but the policy of another had received a reward for killing Saturninus
:
vidim
executed,
if
the
by
appeal, to the
judgment
of the People, where indeed his caufe might be reckoned more defpeThe parties attended rate than if it had been before a feled: court.
this
trial
with
and defence.
Hortenfms conducted the appeal great ardour. Cicero pleaded in behalf of juftice and government;
painted the age, the infirmities, the forlorn ftate of the defendant,
who had
to
He
danger government and to order from this precedent, in terms that muft have melted every heart, not callous from ambition, faction, or profligacy
of manners
but in vain.
Even
in the afl'embly
when Q^
Csecilius
Augurs, haftened to the Janiculum, and tore down the enfign which was planted there as a fign of peace. A filly piece of fuperftition
ftopt the proceedings of thofe
whom neither juftice nor compaflion, nor regaixl to government, could reftrain. It was eftablifhed, as has been formerly noticed ", that the afl'em-
bly of the Centuries could not proceed without this fignal in view. In the firft ages of Rome, the enemy were always at the gate. While the People were afl'embled in the field on one fide of the city, they
were
in
danger of being
afl!ailed
on the
i.
other.
When they
aflTembled,
'
See book
c.
i.
therefore,
ga
BOOK
L
Mars, a guard was always pofted on the If any enemy appeared, the an and enfign difplayed. Janiculum, the taken was down, afl'embly difmided, and the People took enfign This to their armS. ceremony, like many other cuftoms both of fupertherefore, in the field of
ftition
had ceafed
and
it
was
held
illegal
By
this
means the
trial
was put
off,
and the
of being able to work up the People again intoprofecutors, defpairing of an equal degree violence, dropt the profecution. The caufe fl:ill re-
to defend
its
own
laid afide
to repeal the almofl: only remaining ordinance of Sylla ; that particular, The right of eledtion was. which related to the eledion of priefts.
to the law of Domitius,, again taken from the college, and, according be drawn by lot. This, to that were of the Tribes given to feventeen
Gains Juhus Cxfar into that change was intended to open the way of and he was accordingly promoted to It in the following year.. off.ce
;
to.
diftingulfh
them
by
adts
voured to repeal that claufe of the adl againft bribery and corruption^
ccnviiled. to be difqualified for any of the This Tribune,, though fufficlently difpofed to diforderly courfes, had many connedlions pjnong the moft refpedlable citizens, and was perfuaded, in this inftance, to drop his defign.
of State.
But among
tlie
was
divided,
that of Cataline, the late difappointed candidate for the gerous, than, His rival Cicero had intimation, before the eledlions, of Confulfliip.
own
perfon, and;
mi
OF THE
fllll
ROMAN
He
firft
REPUBLIC.
entered into a correfpondence
; i_
93
CHAP.
with Fulvla,
who had
given the
who
woman, procured the confidence of Curius, gave him minute information of all the proceedings of the party.
In pubUc, CataUne again profelTed himfelf a candidate for the office of Conful, in competition with Servius Sulpicius, P. Mur.'Kna, and
J. Silanus.
but Cicero, to
from
this
conceffion.
he yielded
it
up
to
Antonius
which was thought to be preferable, and by this, and every other means
in his power, perfuaded him to value the fecure poiTeflion of dignities and honours, lawfully obtained, in preferen<:e to expectations formed on the projects of a few defperate men.
In
fecret,
by
profeffing to
have
by numbers who were ready to take arms at his command. In a numerous meeting of his party in Odober, a few days before the Confular decisions, he opened the whole of his defign and in the fpeech which he made on that occa-
many
refources,
and
to be fupported
ffon,
is
faid to
" "
"^
diftrefied
have ufed expreflions to the following purpofe " The can rely for relief only on thofe who have a common
:
caufe with themfelves. Whoever, in his own fortune, is at eafe, " will not If you would know how I regard the mifery of others.
"
''
*'
that I
and needy debtors^ recollect what every one knows, have no fafety but in the deftrudion of the one, and in
:
T^X
that
my
intereft
is
may
be neceflaiy for
your benefit."
From
li
whom
ss-ho.
may
be eafily coUeded.
Cicero,,
94
B
who had
been held on the eighteenth of Od:ober, to a future day, and aflemCataline having, with the other members, at-
tended, and hearing the charge, did not pretend to deny or to palliate
" There " in this his words. are," he faid, republic two parties " one weak both in its members and head the other ; ftrong in its
;
"
"
while
fhall
have a head."
Upon
;
thefe
but no re-
was taken.
there prefent as
;
were pleafed
condition to brave
xmguarded
in the ftreets
and
in the Senate.
this
;
To
if
with a profecution
"
:
Do," he
laid
it
" but
you
light a flame in
"
'
my
fortunes,
will extinguifh
wealth '^"
A profecution
Paulus, a
public peace.
was adually
raifed againft
him
in the
name of Lucius
young man of
On this occafion, however, he thought proper to diffemble his thoughts, and offered to commit his perfon to cuftody " No " who knows till his innocence fhould one," he faid, appear.
*'
my rank, my pretenfions, and the intereft I have in the prefervation " of the commonwealth, will believe, that its deftrutStion is to be *' apprehended from me, and that its fafety is to come from a native
of
*'
Arpinum
"."
He
offered to
commit himfelf
to the cuftody
till
of
Cicero, of Metellus, or of
this injurious
"
Murxna.
afperfion
OF THE
afperfion
ROMAN
To
REPUBLIC.
Conful replied, That
'
95
were removed.
did not think
CHAP.
,
'
he
who
enjoyed by Roman citizens, perfons accufed of the moft dangerous crimes were at liberty, during the dependence of their trial, either to proceed in
By
one
effedl
now
perpetrating
their crime, or to
withdraw from
juftice.
This
effedl
was derived
from the laws of Valerius and Porcius, which fecured againft violence, or the power of the magiftrate, the perfon of every citizen, until he
were
finally
condemned by the
People.
which was
falutary,
when
the abufe of
power
in the magiftrate
was
to be dreaded
Ro-
mans
was become too ftrong for the lav/s, and when exemption from every juft reftraint was fatally miftaken The State had now been thrown, on many occafions, for liberty.
perfifted even
after vice
regular
their
method of preventing
appearance.
diforders,
firlt
given to
his
Mursena and
hopes of the Confulfhip, fent Mallius, or Manlius, an experienced foldier, who had ferved with himfelf under Sylla, to prepare for an infurredion in the diftril of Etruria. This officer, in the end of
October, under pretence of giving refuge to debtors from the oppreffion of their creditors, had adlually affembled a confiderable body of
men
".
Accounts
at
was making a large purchafe of gladiators at Capua, and infurrections were accordingly apprehended on the fide of Campania and
Apulia. In this ftate of affairs continual informations being brought of
*'
Cicero in Catalinam,
i. c.
8.
"
Ibid, in Catalinara,
i. c.
j.
Cataline's
96
BOOK
watch
and thefe
officers
all
bodies of
men under
in tiie city. Metellus, the conqueror of Crete, who ftill remained without the walls in hopes of a triumph, was appointed to command on tlie fide of Apulia. The Prxtor Metellus Celer was fent into Cifalpine Gaul, in order to fecure the peace of that province ; and the Conful Antonius was deftined to fupprefs the infurredtion of
"
Mallius
at Ftefula;
''\
Cataline
in the city,
and had
frecfuent
con-
his plot.
At
meeting of the party, held in the beginning of November, in the houfe of M. Porcius Lecca ^', a general maflfacre of the principal Senators
was projedled.
their
The
and undertook
feveral parts.
Two
in
particular,
who were
of a
vifit,
undertook next morning, under pretence But he being the the Conful. and afTaflinate to furprife
fame night apprifed of his danger by Fulvia, gave the proper orders, and the intended murderers, upon their appearance at his door, were
refufed admittance.
He
immediately
as appears
after aflembled
the Senate in
prefumption
and Cicero,
accofted Cataline in a
vehement
all
invelive, urging
from the
his
city,
where
his
fteps
you," your emilfary arms by the firft of November ; that you in" tended a maffacre of the Senators about the fame I now time.
defigns.
meaning was underftood, and precautions taken " I told " that faid the
Conful,
his
Mal-
"
lius
would be
in
'^
Cicero in Cat.
i.
c.
12.
* Now
Florence.
*'
c.
16.
"
repeat
QF
"
repeat the
that
97
"
" fhould be fatisfied, you faid, with the blood of thofe who re" mained. Were you not furrounded, hemmed in, and befet on " fide the every by guards polled to watch you ? Did your intention " to furprife Pr^enefte, on the night of the firft of November, efcape " me ? Did you not find precautions taken that argued a knowledge " of your defign ? There is nothing, in fliort, that you do, that you " prepai-e, that you meditate, which is not heard, which is not feen, " which is not felt by me in every circumftance. What of laft " ? Were not at the houfe of Porcius Lecca ? night you Deny it " I have evidence. There are here prefent perfons who were of your " company. But where are we ? What manner of government or
!
memorable words you made ufe of when you were told, many of the Senators had withdrawn from the city. You
chap.
__i
"
republic
is
this
deftroyers of the
commonwealth
We
But, be gone.
convinced of your guilt. part. Stay only till " there is not a fin'gle perfon that can pretend to doubt of it ; till " your own partizans muft be filent, and till the clamour, which they " would willingly raife againfl every necefTary adt of government, be "
is is
"
The world
fuppreffed."
This being the general tendency of the Conful's fpeech, fraught with fuch alarming matter, and urged with fo much confidence, the audience was feized with terror, and numbers, who happened to be on the fame bench with Cataline, withdrew from his fide. He himfelf arofe,
and attempted
was
filenced
with a general cry of indignation upon which he left the Senate ; and, after concerting farther meafures with thofe of his party, not
of any ufe to his thinking that a longer ftay in the city could be
affairs,
letters
behind him
to
fome
of
that,
by
a combination
-
Vol.
II.
his
98
E
*
,^
: '
and
than be the
occafion of
to
retire.
thefe letters
took his way, preceded by the ufliers and enTigns of a Roman Proconful, ftreight for the camp of Malliuf, and entered into a ftate of
open war.
rated
The
is
by
the
vehement
and
and of
Salluft.
He
reprefented as able to
;
and
as fearlefs in
afllifTmations,
as,
as
profcrlption,
murdered
own
hav-
own
child, to
him
by
woman who
refufed to
is
flep-mother.
petuous,
He
imof
unquiet,
and perfidious
:
defcription,
it
cannot
much
all
thofe
who,
commonwealth.
Cicero always profefred to have particular intelligence of the proThis, according to Salluft, he owed to Fulvia, grefs of Cataline.
by whofe means he obtained a correfpondence with Curius ; but hs himfelf, in none of his orations, gives any intimation of the manner
in
which he obtained
his information.
It
is
Infifted
on being concealed, that he might not be expofed to the rage of the confpiratoi-s as an informer and a traitor. On this account the
Conful, although he was minutely apprifed of particulars, was obliged to adopt the plan he hitherto followed, to urge the confpirators into
open
hoftilities,
and into a
full
He had
T.erj:
OF
.
99
and were
.
takin"; ^ their
meafures to co-
CHAP.
ilf.
\
who were
in arms.
,,.-
In this
ftate
Roman
is
citizen of diflinftion,
came
to the Conful,
what
now
made him
privy to a
in a iuit,
very momentous
affair
that,
been carried by P. Umbrenus to Puhlius Cornelius Lentulus the Prsetor, who condoled with them on the fubject of the wrong they
had received, affured them of redrefs if they would merit the favour of a party that was foon to have the afccndant at Rome and pro;
pofed, that they fliould immediately, upon their return to their ov/n country, prevail on their nation to march an army, for this purpofe, Cicero immediately laid hold of this hito Italy. as afintelligence,
He
defired
Sanga
infift
to
encou-
on proper
lift
fhown
to their
countrymen, to procure a
of the
who, in cafe they fliould rife in rebellion againft the Romans, were to become bound to proteft them ; and when they fliould be thus provided, and about to depart, he inftruiled Sanga
citizens
Roman
to bring
him
cured,
to be
Sanga, having inftrudled the ambalfadors accordingly> In the evening before gave notice of their mf tions to the Conful.
afcertained.
L. Flaccus and
parties, after
was dark,
a fufficient
by armed
different
the Allobroges.
The
parties
were ftationcd on
of the
and
loo
THE PROGRESS
jind
x\ND
TERMINATION
BOOK
without having any fufpicion of the purpofe for which they were placed, farther than arofe from their having been told, that they were to feize any perfon who fhould attempt to pals. About three
morning the ambafladors entered on the bridge with a numerous retinue ; and being challenged, and commanded to flop
o'clock in the
by
force their
way
was placed to intercept them, they endeavoured to and fome blood was fhcd. But on the appearance
office,
zen,
who
Their difpatches were fecured. Volturcius, a Roman citiwas found in their company, was taken and fearched.
upon him,
Cataline.
in different hands,
and under
different
to
Conful being apprifed of the fuccefs which attended this part of his defign, fent, before any alarm could be taken by the party,
meffages to Gabinius, Statilius, Cethegus, and Lentulus, defiring to
fee
The
them
;
at his
own
houfe.
The
three former
came with
the mef-
but Lentulus was newly gone to bed, and, by his delay, gave fome cavife to fufpetS that he was aware of his danger. He too, howfenger
came and the houfe of Cicero v/as prefently crowded, not with numbers of the Equeftrian order that were in arms for only the defence of his perfon, but likewife with many fenators whom he
ever,
;
defired to be prefent.
The
now
likewife conduced thither and the letters foimd upon prifoners, were them were produced unopened. Cicero declared his intention to
affemble the Senate without delay, in order to lay the whole matter
before them.
fliould
be
fir ft
matter of fo
much moment,
were of opinion, that the letterswhether they contained any require affembling the Senate, at a
fee,
time
when
fo great
an alarm was
likely to be taken.
letters,
Cicero,
how-
OF THE
ROMAN REPUBLia
loi
portance of the matter, over-ruled thofe fcruples, and the Senate was Mean time the Allobroges dropt fome exprefaccordingly called.
fions
^^ A
P,
which implied,
that
This occafisned a fearch being then made, and a confiderable quantity of daggers and fwords were accordingly found.
thegus.
At
was
firft
examined; he
denied his knowledge of any treafonable defigns, but appeared difconcerted ; and, upon being reminded of the reward that had been offered
any plot againft the State, and of the danger which he himfelf would be expofed in prevaricating, he confefTed, that the letters feized in his cuftody were fent by the Prxtor Lentufor the difcovery of
to
lus
and others
that he
to Cataline, in;
forming him,
fet fire to
now
;
that the
was
fome were appointed to affigned places, and fome to mafl'acre their ene-
mies in the midft of the confufion that was likely to be occafioned by the fire ; and defiring that Cataline, in order to fupport his friends^
and
to profit
to
make
in his favour
flaves,
withthat
arm the
and
he himfelf
fliould
Rome.
acknowStatilius,
The
and
with affurances of fupport to the council of their naconfirmed tion, by oath, accompanied with directions, without delay, to march a body of horfe into Italy, where they fhould be joined by
a
numerous
infantry,
quoted a prophecy,
that, to encourage them, Lentulus found in the colledion of the Sybils, by which "
as the third
of the Cornelii
deftined to
Sjlla.
arrive
I02
^
9r/^
Rome
had
differed
about the time of executing their defign. Lentulus was of opinion it ihould be deferred to the holy-days in December ; that Cethegus,
notwithftanding,
were impatient,
and defired a
nearer day.
The
letters,
fuppofed confpirators were next called in their turns ; and the with the feals unbroken, were exhibited before them. Cethefirft
examined,
perfifted in
any confpiracy accounted for the arms that were found in his houfe, by faying. Pie was curious of workmanlhip of that nature, and al;
ways bought what he liked. He maintained his countenance well, till his letter was produced, and then fell into great confufion, as
the feal
to be his.
Lentulus next, with great confidence, denied the charge ; affected not to know either Volturcius or the ambaffadors ; afked them upon
to
now produced
But the
letter
He, however, owned the feal affixed to the letter that was It was the head of his grandfather. againft him.
being opened, was found to be unfigncd, and in the " The bearer will inform you who I am. following general terms *' Remember where you ftand ; and negled: noFear nothing.
:
"
While he perevery aid, even the meaneft." fome one afked him. If he had never quoted the Sybilline oracles to thefe Gauls ? Confounded with this queftion, he
thing.
Call in
fifted in his denial,
at laft
brought to
fully laid
own
open.
his
guilt
and in
this
manner
the confpiracy
was
lifter, gave " is no " be immediately put to death. This," he faid, unprece' dented meafure. grandfather, Fulvius Flaccus, was llain by " 2
My
order
OF THE
*'
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
His fon was taken
into cuflody
103
and
"
In the
mean
with
his
accom-
was committed
to clofe
imprifonment.
tulus
He
about eight years before, and was afterwards, for his debaucheries', He had now again condefcended ftruck off the rolls of the Senate.
to accept of the office of Prcetor, in order to recover, in the capacity
A proclamation was iflued to apprehend IM. Csparius, who had been fent to raife an infurre(tion in Apui'a, together with P. Furius, Magius Chilo, and P. Umbrenus, who had firft introduced the Gauliili
ambalTadors to Gabinius.
The
Cicero for his great vigilance, and for the confummate ability he had fliewn in the difcovery and fupprefhon of this treafonable defign ; to
the Prxtors, for the faithful execution of the Conful's orders
to Antonius, his colleague, for having detached himfelf
;
and
whom
he was known to have been formerly conneded. A public thankfgiving to the gods was likewife decreed in honour of the Conful, and in confideration of this deliverance of the city from fire,
of the People from maffacre,
and of
Italy
war.
An
aflembly of the
Peopk being
called, Cicero
is ftill
gave
this
account
and early on ""', the following day aflembled the Senate to deliberate on the farther refolutions to be taken with refped: to the prifoncrs. An agent had
extant
been bufy in the night to raife fome difturbance in favour of Lentulus but the defign of fetting fire to the city ftruck the people in
;
general with fo
much
were
polfeiTed of
"
Li Cat. 3.
property,.
I04
2
O O K
for
The avenues
Forum, all the Temples in the neighbourhood, by break of day, were crowded with armed men. The Conful had fummoned the
equeftrian order in arms to protedt the Senate, and citizens of every
When
members
differed in their
judgment.
Junius Silanus, one of the Confuls-eled, being called up firft in order, declared himfelf for a fentence of death. Tiberius Nero differed
from him, and propofed perpetual imprifonment. The majority, however, joined Silanus, until Caius Julius Cxfar {poke. This able
advocate declared againft the opinion of Silanus, not as too fevere, but as contrary to law ; and infifled on the danger of a precedent
which might
the Senate.
fet
the
life
Death, he
laid,
of every citizen at the mercy of a vote in was the common deftination of all
men
coveted.
what no one could avoid, and what the wife frequently It was not, therefore, a punifhment and he did not propofe
;
He
confifcated
that
committed for
life
to the
that
keeping of the rnofl fecure' and beft affefted towns in Italy ; and it fliould be declared treafon for any one hereafter to move the
Senate or the People for any mitigation of their punifhment. Caefar might be confidered as uttering what the popular fadlion were to urge, and as laying the ground upon which the proceedings
of the Senate, and the condul of each particular member, might be
afterwards arraigned before the People.
The
terrors
of the Porcian
fo
likely to be
urged by
powerful an
is
Silanus
faid to
fubmitted the queflion to the judgment of the Senate, and declared his willingnefs to execute
The Conful
any
OF THE
any
and
laid
ROMAN
He
REPUBLIC.
lo^
hold of the fevere terms in which he fpoke of the confpiof his as a future pledge condud, in cafe the proceedings of racy, government, with refpel to the matter now before them, fhould
hereafter be queftioned or brought under review.
" The
Senate,'*
'
he obferved, " had no caufe to dread the imputation of It cruelty. " was to in the mod efFedual a crime to mercy prevent, manner,
"
" be If this crime were not perpetrated in fo much blood. prevented, they were to fee that city, the refort of nations, and the " light and ornament of empire, perifh at one blow. They were to
fee heaps of her citizens unburied,
fee the fury
*'
*'
*'
of Cethegus
let
loofe in
come
a king, Cataline
cries
to
virgins,
of children, and the rape If the father of a family," he continued, " fliould
of mothers, to
fpare a Have
who had
wife,
who had
and
confidered-
as cruel, or as void
of affedioa
He defired them not to regard what was given out, of their not being in condition to attempt any thing vigorous againft thefe
men.
*'
He
himfelf, as
;
"
ceflary precautions
*'
firft magiftrate, had not negleded the neand the general ardour with which all ranks
of
men
*'
of empire, rendered every refolution they could take " fecure of the utmoft effed. The forum is full, all the temples in *' its neighbourhood are full, all the ftreets and avenues to this place
*'
*'
and the
" would
**
of affembly are full of citizens f every denomination, armed for the defence of their He requefted that the Senate country.
iflfue
if thefe
VoL.
II.
determined.
io6
determined, and the city expofed to the accidents of the following For himfelf, he profefled to have taken his refolution. Alnight.
BOOK
" though he felt the occafion full of perfonal danger, he would exe" cute the orders of the " but, if he fell confcript fathers," he faid
;
*'
*'
children '\"
This
former part of his life, taken a very different courfe from the youths of his own time, and, both by his temper and education, was averfe to the libertine principles which had crept into the politics and the
fpoke chiefly in anfwer to Gains Caefar, " are not who, he obferved, feemed to miftake the queftion. " *' what is the of a crime he faid, punifhment proper enquiring,"
manners of the
age.
He
We
**
may
is
threatened.
propofed to
*'
into the fend the prifoners to fafe keeping in the country. " of the faction citizens is more profligate country ? Becaufe perhaps
*'
Why
numerous
place to
in
refcue them.
refort,
Is
Rome
?
the only
*'
which
men 'may
" moft fecure where the force of government is idle if the author of an is one, furely pofal " tertain in this fear of thefe men. But
"
" the
*'
*'
if, general alarm of all any and fuch not be he afraid, fo much the more perfons city, caufe have we to be on our guard. We are befet with enemies,
fire
and
" fword
" cut
off
or fpare his aflbciates, that are taken with the torch in their
at
your
breaft
You mull
ilrike thofe
who
are
OF THE
"
*'
ROMAN
if
REPUBLIC.
to intimidate thofe
107
are
now
in
to
your power,
you mean
who
are
P.
The
remiflriefs or the
vigour
will be attended
that
we
with fuitable effets. I am therefore of opinion, order thefe men, agreeably to the practice which our anof treafon and of open war againft the
commonwealth,
Such
is
to
immediate death."
faid to
was determined
in the
have been the fpeech of Cato, by which the Senate very momentous refolution which was taken
;
and however
little
we may
be inclined to
many
much
by
a perfon
itfelf
who
credit
due to
fpeech
to the perufal of
".
The
accordingly determined, and Cornelius Lentulus, in the beginning of the following night, was, by order of the Conful, committed to
a vaulted dungeon under ground, and ftrangled. His accomplices had the fame fate ; and the minds of men, though fomewhat quieted of
their fears,
fcene,
amazement
the
rank in
commonwealth, who
trial,
by the hands of
common
executioner of
While
thefe things
were
in agitation at
Rome,
Cataline
was en-
field.
He
tentiam Catonis
et pluribus,
remains.
thoufand
loS
BOOK
men under
Mallius.
he completed their numbers. He refufed for fome time to inrol the fugitive (laves, of whom many took refuge
and
in his
camp
ill
thinking
it
it
would
difcredit
and weaken
any part of
on
this
fupport.
that joined
him
armed, he was obliged to keep in the neighbourhood of the being mountains, and frequently to change his ground, to avoid an engagement with the Conful ; and he endeavoured to gain time, in
Jiopes that, the intended
blow being ftruck at Rome, a general defecwould enfue. But when accounts came that
and
that his principal aflbciates
had
were
more, thofe
who were
numbers who had already joined him began to to remove to a diftance from his enemies ; and
for this purpofe direded his march to a pafs in the Apennines, by which he might This defign the Prxtor Metellus had forefeen, efcape into Gaul.
made
battle.
a forced
march
it,
and Catallne
at laft,
on eveiy quarter, determined to hazard a Of the armies that were in the field againft him he chofe to
Antonius
either becaufe it lay on his route to Rome, ; or removed, might open his way to the city, or
face that of
and,
if defeated
commander of
it
fome remains
of
inclination
at
;
were
dation
whatever degree thefe hopes firft conceived, reafonably they ceafed to have any founas Antonius, being taken ill, had left the army under the
in
his
favour.
In
command
and,
of Petreius.
in battle,
after
many
efforts
with the
greater part
of his followers,
the hiftorian,
I
much of his celebrity to the orator and who have made him the fubjed of their eloquent
compo-
OF THE
compofitlons,
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
fo intent
109
raifing
Salluft appears to
have been
on
and
CHAP,
work, that he neglected the general have, therefore, in moft parts of the reof Cicero to
his.
This great
man
was undoubtedly beft informed, and he refted fo much of his reputation on this tranfad;ion, that he lofes no opportunity of returning
to
it,
and in
different parts
full
of his writings,
when
nifhed a pretty
and termination of
no
CHAP.
GharaEler of the Times.
taries.
IV.
Fhilofophy.
the Senate.
Oppofite Tenets
and Fb-
Proceedings of
Tribunate of Metellus^
Nepos,
and of
Cato.
army frufrated.
^
Propofol to recal Pompey at the head of his His arrival in Italy And Triumph.
^m III.
T '^
-1-
'^^y appear ftrange, that any age or nation fhould have fur-
much
guilt, or
under which the accomplices of Cataline are defcribed by the eloquent orator and hiftorian ', from
of charaders
as thofe
"whofe writings the circumftances of the late confpiracy are collected. The fcene, however, in this republic was fuch as to have no parallel,
either in the paft or in the fubfequent hiftory of
mankind.
There
government, and more to be governed, than has been The people of Italy were become exhibited in any other inftance.
was
lefs
was impoffible they could ever meet in a fair and adequate convention. They were reprefented by parand to take tial meetings or occafional tumults in the city of Rome
inafters
of the
known world
it
Indivithe fenfe of the People on any fubjedl was to ralfe a riot. duals were vefted with powers almoft difcretionary in the provinces, or continually afpired to fuch fituations. The nominal aflemblies of
Ruined
in their fortunes
by private pro;
tempted to
command,
by defperate attempts
Cicero in
Salluft,
ment
OF THE
ment of
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
in
Not only were their country if difappointed in their hopes. law itfelf was but the the of prevaiUng pradtices diforderly, many a at firft virtuous indeed people, becaufe it erroneous*; adopted by
fecured the perfons and the rights of individuals, but
now
anxioufly
prefervedby
it
The
the
Italians themfelves by the afcendant of the capital ; and in this capital all was confufion and anarchy, except where the Senate, by its au-
wifdom of
its
councils, prevailed.
It
was expedient
power ; but
the colledlive
when
the fovereignty
vs^as
exercifed
in
the
name of
body of the Roman People, the anarchy and confufion that prevailed at Rome fpread from one extremity of her dominion to the other.
The
provinces were opprefTed, not upon a regular plan to aggrandize few of the
moft outrageous and profligate citizens. The People were often affembled to eredt arbitrary powers, under the pretence of popular goThe public interefts and the order of the State were in vernment.
perpetual flruggle with the pretenlions of fmgle and of profligate men. In fuch a fituation there were many temptations to be wicked ;
and in fuch a
fituation likewife,
minds
that
were turned
to integrity
and
purfuits.
The range of
were not
the
human
likely to trifle
was great and extenlive, and men within narrow bounds they were deftined to
character
;
be good or to be wicked in the higheft meafure, and, by their ftruggles, to exhibit a fcene interefl:ing and inftrudlive beyond any
other in the hiftory of mankind.
*
lata.
Lex Valeria
Liv.
lib.
ii.
&
to
c. 8.
lib. x.
By thefe laws a Roman citizen could C.9. not be imprifoned, any more than (ufFer punilhment, before convidion ; he might flop
and, being at liberty diiring triaJ, might withdraw whenever he percdved the fentence likely to be given againll
him.
Among
112
BOOK
'
men
la
i_
this
may
come
into fafhion,
afFeded by the higher ranks of men in the State'. Literature being, the difficulty and expence of multiplying copies of books % con-
by
fined to perfons having wealth and power, it tvas confidered as a diftindion of rank, and was received not only as an ufeful, but as a
fafhionable accomplifhment
*.
The
leflbns
were pradifed
the
at
field, in
and adtive profefTion, and they the Senate, and every where in
condud of real
practice of
life.
Men
employ
its
and
to be
governed by
their
its
rules fo
much
as to afTume, in
com-
They embraced
honoured
forms
theirs in religion
and probably
as
in the
their choice
by
much
fame degree
they have
done
in the other.
latter
times of the Roman republic the fed of Epicurus have prevailed ; and what Fabricius wifhed, on hearing the tenets of this philofophy, for the enemies of Rome, had now
In thefe
appears to
were glutted with national profperity ; they thought that they were born to enjoy what their fathers had won,
'. '
Men
Vid. Cicero's Philofophical Works. The grandees had their flaves fometimes
to themfelves, or as preceptors to their children, ' See Plutarch, in Pyrr. Ti>e philofopher
Cyneas, in the hearing of Fabricius, entertainedhi" prince with an argument, to prove that plealure was the chief good. Fabricius
wiflied that the
enemies of
and
OF THE
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
^
iij
an3 faw not the ufe of thofe auftere and arduous virtues by which The votaries of this the State had increafed to its prefent greatnefs.
fedt afcribed the
CHAP.
'
exiftence of Providence.
They
and
mere appellations of pleafure to was himfelf the fupreme rule of man's and pain. Every pleafure Ail was The public was a eftimation and of adtion. private. good
wrong, of honour and
diftionotir, into
that might be fuccefsfully employed, perhaps to defraud the ignorant of their private enjoyments, while it furnifhed the To perfons fo inftrudted, the care of faconveniences of the wife *.
mere impofture,
milies
and of
ftates,
with whatever
elfe
under thefe imputations might be confidered aS hfe. both in morality and religion, and depatrons of licentioufnefs, Yet the Epicureans, when urged in arclared enemies to mankind.
fet
And a
gument by their opponents, made fome conceflions in religion, and many more in morality. They admitted the exiftence of gods, but
a nature to have any concern in fuppofed thofe beings of too exalted owned human affairs. They that, although the value of virtue was
to be meafured
by the
;
pleafure
it it
might be enjoyed in the higheft in the midft of bodily pain. even Notwithftanding this dedegree cifion on the fide of morality, the ordinary language of this kSt,
that
and
as a mere prudent choice among the pleafures to reprefenting virtue which men are varioufly addicted, ferved to fupprefs the fpecific fen-
or vilenefs, by which even bad proaches of criminality, profligacy, men are reftrained from iniquity, into mere imputations of miftake, or variations of
tafte.
* Cicero in Pifonemt
Vol.
II.
Q^
Other
114
^
<
%?
^
ahiioll in
every particular, the reverfe of thefe tenets. They maintained the Yeality of Providence, and of a common intereft of goodnefs and of
juflice, for
in
which
all
rational
creatures
They
the objeds that prefent themfelves to us, but that the choice which
we make,
that right and wrong are the mod important and the -our mifery only grounds upon which we can at all times fafely proceed in our
choice,
is
and
that, in
;
comparifon to
this difference,
every thing
elfe
of no account
that a juft
man
was no-
thing good but what is right, and nothing that the Epicureans miftook human nature
its
but what
is
wrong
when they
fuppofed
all
pain
that
defedt,
were coa-
fideratons
much
of
much
pleafure
of floth
the love of greater power in commanding the human will was groveling and vile, was the fource of diffipation and the love of excellence and honoiu- was afpiring and noble, ;
and
nature.
They
and
the heart,
for the
may
that
pofl^efs,
and
whoever does
independent of fortune or the will of other men, ; pofTefs them has nothing to hope, and no-
thing to fear, and can have but one fort of emotion, that of fatiffaction and joy ; that his afFelions, and the maxims of his ftation,
God, and as a member of fociety, lead him to ad for the good of mankind ; and that for himfelf he has nothing more to
as a creature of
defire,
OF
defire,
115
Thefe, they
faid,
were
CHAP,
which ought
to be the
aim
of every perfon who means to preferve his integrity, or to confult his happinefs, and towards which every one may advance, although
it.,.
,j
,-.r >.,..
and attempted, in fpeculation, to render their doiSti'ines more plaufible; that is, more agreeable to common opinions than either ; but were,
in faft, of
no
farther
moment
in
human
life
than
as
they approached
,
Csefar
is
faid
to
thofe of Zeno.
bias of
have embraced the doiflrines of Epicurus Catd The firft, in compliance with falhion, or from the
;
an original temper.
The
other,
a
as well as
When
fuch charadters occur together, it is impofhble not to fee them "When Saluft writes of the proceedings of the Senate, in in contraft.
the cafe of the Cataline confpiracy, he feems to overlook every other
chai-ater, to
dwell
upon
thefe alone.
Caefar, at the
time
when
this
hiftorian flourillied,
to his notice
'
;
owe
it
He
his infancy
his charater
by an ardent and affedionate difpofition. This part of is mentioned on occafion of his attachment to his brother
vehement forrow with which he was feized
at his
mentioned, on occafion of
difficulty reftrained
by the
He
to be
moved by
flattery,
nor to be fhaken by
Without
civil wars.
0^2
fawning
ii6
BOOK
.
I
fawning or infinuation, he was the favourite of his companions, and had, by his unaffedled generofity and courage,, the principal place in
rfieir
confidence^
Though
in appearance
ftem and
inflexible,
he
wa& warm
and
juftice.
by
So
fitted
by
nature,
he imbibed with
eafe
ardice, and malice, were the only evils to be feared ; courage, inand that the tegrity, and benevolence, the only good to be coveted proper care of a man on every occafion is, not what is to happen to
;
is
to do.-
With
this profeflion
;
he became a
many
of his contemporaries
and
to Caifar in par;
and though
he afforded always
be thrown into the oppofite fcale. They were both of undaunted courage, and of great penetration ; the one to diflinguifh
much weight to
what was
means
for-
were to miftake
to
by
ficulties
of which the vices and weakneffes of the age, except when he was refifted by perfons bent on the fame purpofe with himfelf, gave him
an eafy
poffeffion.
civil
government, however defperate, becaufe this was the part it became him to act, and in which he chcfe to live and to die. Csefar propofed:
to overturn
it
;
all
ho-
own pleafure.
his
In
genius, as Cato
in
debate
OF THE
pity,
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
1-17
debate he could derive his arguments from any topic ; from topics of of which he was infenfible ; from topics of juftice and pubUc
^
H^
P.
His vigour in
refifting perfonat
when he
withftood
the imperious
commands of
Sylla to part
ef Cinna, and when he revenge;! the infults offered by the pirates to himfelf ; but while his temper might be fuppofed the moft animated
and warm, he was not involved in bufmefs by a predile<3:ion for any So long as the apof the interefts on which the State was divided. fufficient to occupy him, he faw every objed: petites of youth were
of State, or of fiidlion, with indifference, and took no part in public But even in this period, by his application and genius, in affairs.
both of which be was eminent, he made a diftinguifhed progrefs in When he turned his mind to objedts of amletters and eloquence.
bition, the
ftill
more confpicuous
but,
dire6:ed,
and he feemed
was exercifed
infult
by
on
himfelf, as
an
and a
wrong.
Csefar
had attained
any
part as a
member
of the commonwealth.
He
or better fort
his firft appearance in fupport of the profligate, againft the With perfons of defperate fororder and authority of government. tune and abandoned manners, he early bore t*ie charadler of liberality
made
refcue
and frlendfhip. They received him as a generous patron come to them from the morofe feverity of thofe who judged of merits by the ftandard of public virtue, and who declared public
againft practices,
however
fafhionable,
which were
inconfiftent with
public
fafety.
moft accomplifhed
having an opportunity to
live
on terms of
equality
ii8
BOOK
_.
^
men that have yet appeared in the world, equality with the greateft he chofe to ftart up as the chief among thofe who, being abandoned
to every vice,
and
averfion.
When
virtue in their country with diftafte he emerged from the avocations of pleafure, which accompanies the languor of diffipation, his
ambition or defire to counteradl the eftabliihed government of his country, and to make himfelf mafter of the commonwealth, became
extreme.
To
this paflion
he
facrificed
The phior animofity, of honour, intereft, refentment, or hatred. for men to look which enjoyment indifcriminately taught lofophy
ready acceptance in fuch a But while he poffibly availed himfelf of the fpeculations "difpofition. of Epicurus to juftify his choice of an objedt, he was not inferior to the followers of Zeno, in vigorous efforts and adive exertions for the
wherever
it
pleafed
Being about feven years yolmger than Pomand than Cato ; the firft he occafionally emthree older years pey, a to his as ambition, but probably never ceafed to conprop ployed
attainment of his ends.
fider
him
as a rival
opponent
In
all
his
Cato began his military fervice in the army that was formed
againft the gladiators, and concluded
it
as a legionary
Tnbune, under
Pompey remained in Syria. He was about three-and-thirty years of age when he made his f]>eech relating to the accomplices of Cataline ; and by the decifive and refolute fplrit
he had Ihown on
this occafion,
came
to be confidered as
To
this
WAS
,
a vidory.
The
'
body, as ufual, every flagrant diforder repreffed difcovery of a dcfign, fo odious as that of CataPjutarch. in Caton. edit. Londin. p. 238.
line,
OF THE
'Jine,
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
,i^{j
covered under popular pretences, greatly weakened their antaOne of the firil ules they propofed to make of their adgonifts.
vantage, \yas to have Cato elefted
among
fequent year.
His
fervices
were
likely to be
wanted
in oppofition
recommendations from
'the
fame
office
his general to offer himfelf a candidate for and, as was expe<ted, to ftart fome new gratifica-
difputes that
late
had not yet appeared what part Pompey was to take in the were likely to arlie on the legality or expedience of the
j
meafures
but
it
is
come prepared
importance.
was moil
likely to
promote
his
own
by
on before him
office
to be fupported
The leading likely to favour the pretenfions of his general. of the Senate were now, for fome time,, aware of the intrigues of Pompey, and bore, with indignation, the perfonai fuperiority
as
were
men
to the
lirft
their order.
They took occafion, in the prefent crlfis, to mortify him by admitthe triumphs to which, ting Lucullus and Metellus Creticus to by
their vitories in Pontus
intitled.
Hi-
had been over-ruled by the popular fad;ion, either Senatorian the to amioy party, to which they were attached, or to flatter Pompey, who was fuppofed to be equally averfe to the hotherto their claims
nours of both.
who
ftill
from en-
command
^
* Cicero
in Lucullo.
Lucullu%
.110
BOOK
acknowledgment of
his
right
and, as if
merely to fhow with what fort of enemy he had fought, he entered the city with a few of the Armenian horfemen cafed in ar-
mour, a few of the armed chariots winged with fcythes, and about who were his capfixty of the officers and courtiers of Mithridates,
tives.
He
ordered the fpoils he had gained, the arms and enfigns of to be difplayed to public gallies he had taken,
view
The
ambition of Pompey, and the fadious defigns of the popular leaders; but he was difgufted, and fcarcely ever after took any part in the
affairs
The triumph
acccffion
after the
Muraena,
own
office
Muraena, againft a charge of corruption brought upon the ftatute of Calpurnius, by Servius Sulpicius, one of his late competitors, fup-
The oration of Cicero on this occafion ported by Cato and others. is ftill extant, and is a curious example of the topics, which, under
Great part popular governments, enter even into judicial pleadings. of it confifts in a ridicule of law terms becaufe Sulpicius, one of the
;
profecutors,
fulted
was accuftomed
in matters of
who
con-
him
law
and
fophy, becaufe Cato, another profecutor, was fuppofed to have embraced the dodlrines of that fet. Cato made no other remark on
this pleading, but
The argument
he was
That the republic was provided with a merry Conful. appeared fufficiently ftrong on the fide of Murscna, and
Cicero, about to refign his
acquitted.
trial,
At
OF THE
beft
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
;
121
the fame
of his
abilities,
he propofed,
at
C
\
HA
y
P.
He
he
took an oath. That he had preferved the republic '. It was on this that now another of the occafion, probably, Cato, Tribunes, in a fpeech to the People, alluding to the fuppreffion of the late confpiracy, called Cicero the Father of his
entei'ed
Country"
and from
this
time
upon an oppofition
after the acceffion
drop while they continued in office. of the new maglftrates, a ftorm began to ftill aimed at the which, though gather, party of the Senate, burft at lall in a perfonal attack upon the late Conful, who had been the
likely to
Soon
C. 691.
siianus,
L. Muraena.
come from
his
Afia,
and
to
of Tribune, with
Pompey with
by Caius
Julius
in this project
Caefar '\
now
who
bune, as an al of hoftility to the Senate, if not as the means of difembaraffing himfelf from the prefent forms of the commonwealth. In confequence of a plan concerted with Csefar, the Tribune
tellus
Meits
moved
in the Senate, as
in
the times of
aflembly of
Pompey from
terms he afterwards employed to the People, had been violated by the arbitrary adminiftration of Cicero. This was the firft attempt of the
tlie
""
Plutarch, in Cicerone.
"
Cicer, in Pifonem. c. 3.
c. 16.
Vol.
II.
partj
121
^
ni^
party to inflame the minds of the People on the fubjed of the late executions ; and Pompey was, in this manner, offered to the popular
party as their leader to avenge the fuppofed wrongs they had received. Cato, when the matter was propofed in the Senate, endea-
voured to perfuade Metellus to drop it, reminded him of the dignity of his family, which had been always a principal ornament and fupThis treatment ferved only to raife the prefumppcfrt of the State. tion of Metellus, and brought on a violent altercation between the
Tribunes.
The
Senate
applauded
Cato,
enough
to prevent the
to the People.
Metellus, apprehending an obftinate refiftance from his colleague, endeavoured to fill the place of afliembly with his own partizans ^
men
opponents, paraded in the ftreets with a numerous attendance of in arms. The friends and relations of the other Tribunes
earneftly befeeched
them not
party being already aflembled by Metellus, at the temple of Caftor, and the place having been in the night occupied by perfons under
his diredlion,
armed with
fticks,
pons
'\
They
M'cre joined
by
numbers
in the ftreets,
who
by the multitude of armed men that already crowded the avenues and the fteps of the temple. But they themfelves, from refpedt to their office, being fuffered to pafs, dragged along with them through the crowd, as an aid, in cafe any violence were offered, Munatius, a citizen much attached to
'^
Cato,
OF THE
Cata
there
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
concert their operations in the
clofely feated together.
123
When
;
Metelhis,
they came to the bench of Tribunes, they found that with the Prsetor Julius Csefar, had taken their places
that, in order to
affair,
and
con-
dud: of this
they were
Cato, to dif-
appoint this intention, forced himfelf in betwixt them, and, when the ordinary officer began to read the intended decree, interpofed his
negative, and forbade
him
;
to proceed.
from
his
memory.
remained
Therraus
clapt his
hand
to his
mouth.
A
made
general
filence
in the affembly,
clear
till
Metellus, having
the comitium of
;
arofe
who
danger.
The
mark
their fenfe of
commonwealth
apprehenfion of fome fignal calamity, gave a charge to the Confuls to watch over the fafety of the State, and impowered them to take
fuch meafures as might be necefHiry to preferve or to reftore the
public peace
'*.
In confequence of this charge, the Conful Mursena appeared with a body of men in arms, had the good fortune to refcue Cato and
Minucius Thermus
effaced
fifled
and probably by this feafonable interpofition ; of remains mifunderflanding which might have fubany Cato and between himfelf, on account of the profecution for
". bribery which followed the late eledions was compofcd, having again obtained Metellus, after the tumult
filence,
began
headed by the Confuls, being then in the comitium, he found it with the Prsetor Caius Julius impoffible to proceed ; and, together
* Plutarch, in
Catone,
edit.
Londin.
p.
24', &c.
"
Plutarch, ibid.
Cxfar,
124
BOOK
HI.
from the affembly. From this time, thefe officers to their refume made no attempt motion, but complained that the
a violent fa(3:ion,
under
whom
even the
perfons of the Tribunes were unfafe ; and Metellus, as if forced to break through the rules which obliged the Tribunes to conftant refidence at
Rome, abandoned
left
Italy,
and
fled to the
'".
camp
of
Pompey
in Afia,
lately arrived
He
had already threatened his opponents at Rome with the refentment and military power of his general, and now endeavoured to excite the army and their commander to follow the example which had
been
fet to
defcription
them by Sylla and his legions, when opprefled citizens, a in which he now comprehended himfelf, fled to them fc^ ^
protedion and revenge. It may well be fuppofed, thatCsefar, remembering his own efcape from the ruin of the Marian fadlion, and confidering Pompey as the
head of an oppofite intereft, and a principal obftacle to his own ambition,, muft look upon him with fome degree of perfonal diflike and animofity
;
how
little
he was the dupe of any pafFiOn or fentiment which had a tendency to check his purfuits. Meaning for the prefent only to weaken the
Senate, and to ftep in before
them
rival,
in the favour of
Pompey
he
the.
po-
commonwealth
But if he really meant remain under a government which he hated. to overthrow the Senate by force, he miftook his inftrument. Pompey,
no doubt,
receive as
and Avifhed
to
with a military power ; but even this he defired to the fruit of confideration and perfonal refpedt, and he ever
the People bellow
it,
Jhoped to
make
to accept
"
Dio
of
OF THE
of
It
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
125
as their gift.
and
retainers to
For this purpofe he encouraged fo many agents found his praife ; and for this purpofe he had re-
Nepos from
;
his
camp to
take
Tribune
by
no means could think of extorting it by force. diftin(3:ion with a more inceflant emulation to
No
his rivals
but he was
intirely dependent on the public opinion for any fatisfadion he enjoyed in the polTeflion of power. Trufting to this laft part of his-
charader, Caefar, though himfelf of unbounded ambition, was not yet alarmed at the elevation of Pompey, and thought that he was fafe even in offering him the dominion of the State.
,
Pompey
with his army moving towards Italy,. and his coming was matter of great folicitude to the friends of
was,
at
this
conjundure,
the commonwealth,
who
feared
that, in
army, upon the motion of Metellus, he would employ it in perfon to enforce his commands. Upon his an-ival at Brundifium, however, as formerly
come with
his
upon
his return
from Africa, he
by an imme-
would attend
at
troops, with inftrudions, merely that they his triumph. He himfelf came forward to Rome
his
Proconfular rank.
Multitudes of
every condition went forth to receive him, and with ihouts and acclamations recompenfed the moderation with which he acquiefced in the condition of a citizen.
Csefar, from whatever motive he aded in regard to Pompey, gave every other fign of difaffedion to the Senate, and employed the name of this rifmg favourite of the People, to mortify fuch of the
members
felf.
in particular as
to
him-
The
in the infcription
honour of dedicating the- edihce, and of being named it was to bear, had, by a refolutlon of the Senate,
been
126
BOOK
ecuted.
But
vice
that
for Pompey, had embezzled the rhoney allotted for this fermuch )'^t remained to be done and moved, that the inCsefar, affedting
to procure this
honour
work
".
being
left to Pompey, ftiould carry an infcription with Here he probably aded as much from antipathy to one,
name
from an
to the
who
,prGpofal an attempt to affront a moft refpedtable citizen, in order to flatter the vanity of one perfon, and to gratify the profligate refent-
to
withdraw
his
motion
".
fore
was probably during this year in which C^far was Prsetor, and bethe arrival of Pompey from Afia (although hiftorians refer it to
an
profecutions
upon
The Prsetors were cerned in the execution of Sylla's profcriptions. laws into lot to execution. The law carry particular appointed by
refpeding
aflaflination appears to
lot
of Csefar
and
he was
ftlU
which was
very arbitrary, to extend, by his edit or plan of proceeding of the crime under his cognizance to
to have formed fo many defigns againfl: the peace of the commonwealth, and in the capacity of Prxtor fupported them with the authority of a magiftrate, the Senatorian party made a
powerful exertion of their influence to have him fufpended, and acHe affeded at firfl to tually obtained a decree for this purpofe.
flight their authority;
force
it,
perhaps
at the
hazard of his
c. 15.
life,
he
fome time
"
" Dio
OF
^e
ftained
offer
127
HA
P.
from the fundions of Prsetor, until, having rejeded an of the People to reftore him by force, he was, with proper marks of regard, for this inftance of moderation, reinftated by an ad
of the Senate ".
The ariftocratical party, at the fame time, to confirm and perpetuate the evidence on which they proceeded againft the accomplices of CataUne, continued their profecutions on this fubjed,
and obtained
fentence of condemnation,
in particular,
name of Vergunteius, and againft Autronius, v\^ho, about two years; before, having been ekded Conful, was fet afide upon a charge of
and who,^ from the difguft which he took to the Senate upon that occafion, had conneded himfelf with the more defperate party.
bribery
;
but,
is ftill
ex-
was
acquitted.
was accufed by Vedius as accefTary to the confpibut it is not likely that he was concerned farther of Cataline ; racy the than by general encouragement he gave to every party at va-Csefar likewife
Oppofition to this body was called the inof the People, and was adopted by every perfon who had any paflions to gratify by crimes of State, or who wifhed to weaken the
Among
the fupporters of this intereft, Craffus alfo was accufed, but probably on no better grounds than C^far.
The whole
all
approach of Pompey.
now drawn
the attention
of
every harangue as the great' and courted multitudes, who, without in-rby fupportofthe empire,
himfelf,
in
*-SHeton. in Jul. Csefare,
c. i6i.
men upon
was quoted
quify,..
J28
BOOK
i_
-^-
his admirers and friends. The con-' quliy, affeded to be claffed with the fafhion of like a among vulgar every defcription. tagion fpread
He
with
himfelf afFedled
indifference to this
much
dignity and
ftate,
employing the greatnefs he poflefled to give the His manner, though acceptable was and the the to difagreeable to the Senate. Having army, People fent Pifo, one of his lieutenants, before him to ftand for the previoufly
more value
to his condefcenfions.
would
his friend.
fuse
;
The
he himfelf could be prefent to canvafs for Senate, according to Dio, complied with his de-
This author imputes the refolution, which they took upon this occafion, to Cato, and fubjoins, that Pompey endeavoured to gain this
opponent by a propofed marriage with one of his near relations ; and that Cato declined the connexion, faying. That he fhould not
be caught in a female fnare. Pifo, however, was eledted togethfr with Valerius MefTala, and entered on his office before the triumph
of Pompey.
U. C. 692.
Calniirnias,
i"alaNi"er.
after
for
all
The
at
lift
Ar-
Mefopotamia,
all
PhEenicia,
coafts.
Judsa, Arabia,
Scythia,
its
Among
fubdued,
Among
duced,
were the Barterni, Mithridates, and Tigranes. fortrefl'es, nine hundred cities re-
"
Plin. Nat.
HL1.
lib. vii.
c.
26.
in
OF
In captivity.
129
Towns
lefs
CHAP,
ninety-nine.
that, this
To
this
being his
was fulyoined by his friends, pompous third triumph, he had been round the known
all
Europe, and
Afia.
whom
none received
lefs
than
hundred denarii
",
he carried
to the treafury
twenty thoufand
talents".
He
led,
among
his daughter,:
five fons,
and
hoftages of the
for
and the
Com-
every battle he had fought, in all a more exhibition than any that was to be making fplendid found on the records of the State.
mageni,
The
triumphal procefTions of
Pompey
thofe of
any other perfon, becaufe they contained a public evidence of his charader. Others took the benefit of an eftablifhed prac;
but ratify the honours they had acquired Pompey, it is likely, would have invented the triumph, even if it had not been formerly thought of and it is not to be doubted, that
tice to publifh and. to
;
he over-ran fome provinces in which the enemy were fubdued, or in which they were fo weak, as not to be able to make any refiftof his conquefts ; and that he made fome part of his progrefs in Afia to colled: curiofities and^
ance, merely to place
in
them
the
lift
ornaments for
this
pompous
in
its
fcene.
The triumph,
bitions as
had a reference
which
it
was obtained ;
the captives and fpoils of the enemy, with effigies and reprefent*'
About 50
1.
*-
About 3,860,000
1,
Vol.
IL-
ations
ijo
B o
*
ations
where the
originals,
by any
But in
admitted
whatever
could
diftlnguiili
or
figna.ize
the
occafion.
*',
Among
by Pliny
there
were many coftly ornaments of gold and of precious ftones, which Tables or plates, ufed were fabricated on purpofe to be fhown.
for
fome
fpecies of play,
made of one
intire chryftal
;
a reprefent-
ation of the
flatueEf,
weighing thirty pondo tables, utenfils, forts in gold and precious ftones, with the reprefentatlon of a mountain in gold, having lions, deer,
crowns, models of different
moon
in gold,
it
and what
ferves
as
an evidence that
taken in
to the
fpoils adlually
mentioned an image of Pompey himfelf incrufted war, with pearls. The whole conduced with more arrangement and order, than were neceflary, perhaps, in the difpofition of any of the
there
is
battles
to
celebrate.
Among images, reprefentations, and memorials which were carried before the victor on this occafion, there was held up to view a ftate of the public revenue, from which it appeared, that,
before Pompey's time
it
amounted
to
no more than
to
fifty millions
it
"''
amounted
to
Soon
after this
pomp was
over, an alTembly
I
i|
vido-
rious general
but,
to
offend
any
to none.
Nat. Hift.
"
which he made, upon this occaiion, was accept*' It to the poor ; gave no hopes," fays Cicero '*,
c. z.
" "
'*
lib. xxxvii.
edit.
^*
no
OF
" no
*'
131
flattery to the
no fatisfadion
to the
good
no encouto
pofl!efs
HA
P.
ragement
he aflumed
to
the profligate."
Pompey was
fuffered
his reputation
riety of arts
and he preferved his dignity, by never committing ; without being prepared, and having concerted a vaby which it might be fupported.
it
132
CHAP.
TraitfaBiotis
V.
Ccejar ap-
at
Rome^ and
in the Provinces.
to his firjl
jid'iiu
Province of Lufita'Trial of Clodius. nia. Propofed Adoption into a Plebeian to him the Office Ccefar, a Canof Tribune. Family qualify for The Triumvirate of Ccefar^ Pompey^ didate for the Confidfiip.
and
Crajfns.
confer on Cafar^
Co7ifulflnp
to
Of Cafar
His Exile.
Calpurnia.
Plot of
and A.
Gabinius.
BOOK
III.
TT^OMPEY,
at his
left that
province with
legions under the command of M. iEmilius Scaurus, one This officer occupied the country from the Euof his lieutenants. frontier of Eg)'pt, and continued the war which his the to phrates
two
predecefTor
proceeded to the province of Macedonia, of which, by the arrangements of the year, he had been appointed He entered Jiis province with the enfigns of viclory, governor. had been obtained by the defeat of Cataline ; but thefe he which
foon forfeited by his mifcondul in a war agalnft the Thracians, and by the difgrace which he otherwife incurred for the mal-adminiftra-'
tion of his province.
extortion.
On
this
Complaints were exhibited againft him for occafion it had been reported by himfelf, or by
profits
fome of
having agreed to divide the with Cicero, part only was exadled on his government
his family, that,
5
of his
ov^'n account.
This
OF
and,
133
to Atticus,
C
,
HA
P.
being a&ed
io
to undertake his
v'
imputation foon afterwards undei'took the caufe of Antony, and employed his intereft to have him continued in his command, it is probable that this imputation either gained no credit, or was entirely removed ^
Allobroges, though deprived of the fupport they were made to expert from the party of Cataline, neverthelefs took arms, and
under
this
But
as
he
The
invaded the
Roman
province of Gaul.
they were repulfed by Pontinius, man forces in that quarter, and forced
country \
who
into their
own
upon
firft
the expiration of
term
military
command,
being appointed by
fhew
and
to lay
fome ground
for his
claim to a triumph
In pufhing his
way
to the preferments
which
he
now
fliews,
and entertainments
needy and
to the People,
by
his lavifh
bounty in
private to
profligate citizens,
have
lions
Roman money,
fterling, to be
city,
worth nothing \
When
who
'
'^
he was prefTed by his creditors, and had recourfe to CrafTus, became his furety for great fums ^
at
Vid. Cicero
Atticum,
lib.
i.
ep. 12.
Ad
Ibid.
Appian. de Bell. Civ. lib. ii. "p. 715. About 160,000 1. Plutarch,
ir.
Dio, Dio,
Ca;fare.
52,
perfon,
134
^
^
'
A perfon, who, in any other ftate than that of Rome, could fuppofe fuch a fortune reparable, muft have thought of means alarming to the State itfclf; but Cacfar had now quitted the paths of pleafure for thofe of ambition
fo
;
many
extent of his power. Although the province into which he was was of none the richeft, and was only a ftep to fomewhat then fent
farther,
more
confiderable, and
more
likely to fupply
was nevcrthelefs
own
way
army
''.
into Spain, at
village
on the
his
bably parties
I
Here company obferved, that and coiiteJIs for powery " Ay,"
firft
"
too there
faid Ca^far,
man
the fecond at
Rome \"
Upon
his arrival
in Lufitania,
augmentation of the aiTny, and fbon over-ran all the diftridls that were difpofed to refift his authority. With the fame ability with
which he condudled
of a
Roman
governor, no
to them, that have rendered him partial to might at to infolvent debtors, are pains acquit him of any fuch charge, and obferve that he gave proofs of the contrary, and for the moft part ordered two thirds of the debtor's effedts to be fequeftered for the ufe
ment.
Hiftorians,
upon an
idea
which occurred
own
affairs
of
,
his creditors
'.
I
While
thefe things paffed in the provinces, the city
affairs,
was occupied
political
Ibid.
with ordinary
*
dif-
Jbid.
p.
iiz;
tempers
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
135
tempers with which the pubHc had been for fome time infedled. The expence and diffipation attending the pubHc fliews, in particular, were augmented to a great degree. Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus
exhibited the baiting of an hundred bears
CHAP.
by African huntfmen
'
;
and whereas fuch entertainments had formerly ended at one meeting, they were now continued through many ads ", and were intermitted
only while the People retired to their meals. The office of Cenfor, as appears from the tranfadions which are
mentioned relating
rolls
of the
by
whom
it
was
The
terwards complained, alleging, that their own avidity in grafping at the profits to be made in this new province had mifled them ".
They likewife put upon the rolls of the Senate all who had ever held any office of magiftracy, and by this addition increafed the number of members beyond the former and ordinary rate '\
About
the
hme
trial
of Publius
in to
by profaning the facred rites This debauchee was fuppofed, for fome time,
have fought for an opportunity of a criminal correfpondence with Pompeia, C^fivr's wife ; but to have been prevented, if not by her
own
difcretion, at leaft
by the
attention
'*.
Li thefe circumftances, in the preceding year, it fell to the lot of Pompeia, as being wife to one of the Prxtors in office, to celebrate,
of a certain female deity" worihipped by the rites women alone were admitted. ; Eveiy male domeftic, even the hufband, was obliged to abfent himfelf from
at
feilival
Romans
and
at
whofe
'"
" "
Plin.
Nat. Hift.
lib. viii.
c. 36.
"
''
Bio.
lib. xxxvii.
c.
46.
p. 109.
Dio. CafT.
lib. xxxvii. c,
i.
47.
ep. 17.
Plutarch, in
"
2
Called the
home
J36
BOOK
'
'
were adminiftered.
;
nity to carry
on
his intrigue
being young and of an effeminate afpedl, expeted to pafs for a woman '*. Pompeia v/as fuppofed to be apprifed of the defign, and to
it
The college of Pontiffs made a report, that the facred The Senate refolved, that inquiry fhoulA
be made into the grounds of the fcandal ; and that the People fhould be moved to authorife the Prsetor to feledt, without drawing lots,
proper judges for the
Clodius,
fifter,
trial
of the accufed.
by
commerce with
his
own
of
by
and by
;
way of removing him from the commonwealth, in the profecution againfl him. urging
He himfelf,
of infamy, by profeffing and vehement oppofition to the Senate. Thefe parties accordingly became interefted in the ifllie of his caule. The popular leaders endeavoured to preferve him as an
extraordinary zeal
for the People,
ufeful inftrument,
as a vile
and danthough
Even
Csefar,
moved by
lib.
i.
"
Cicero ad Atticum,
given
OF THE
given in his
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
ftill
1^,7
own
afFedted to con;
CHAP,
v__^Zy
was brought
and being afked, why he had parted with a woman who, upon this fuppofition, muft appear to be innocent, faid, that his wife miift
not only be innocent,
Pompey,
to
avoid
giving offence, dechned to favour either party; but being called upon in the affembly of the People to declare his opinion, whether
this trial fhould proceed according to the decree of the Senate
;
made
a long fpeech,
full
ever with
him have
He
afterwards, in the
Senate
itfelf,
being called
when he had done, whifpered Cicero, he thought he had now fufficiently explained by him, himfelf; intimating probably, that he meant to comprehend, in this declaration, his judgment with refped: to all the ads of the Senate
who
fat
that
The Conful
affent,
of Clodius, dil-
rifmg the
mode of draughting judges by lot, and authoPrastor to felet them, that he might name the more refpedt-
able perfons. On the day on which this motion was to be made, a numerous party of young Nobility appeared for the defendant. His hireEven Pifo, who moved lings and retainers crowded the Comitium.
the queftion, diffuaded the People from paffing the law, and allowed
the friends of Clodius to put a ridiculous trick on the affembly, by diftributlng to the People, as they came forward to vote, two ballots,
which, inftead of being, as ufual, one negative and the other affirmThis trick being obferved, Cato fufative, were both negative.
"
Cicero ad Atticum,
lib.
i.
Vol.
II.
pendcd
138
BOOK
c
>
ballot,
He
and flrongly remonflrated againft the proceeding of was fupported by Hortenfius and Favonius. The
affair
The
Clodius,
who
caft
lation
by
a majority of four
hundixd
to fifteen ".
fele<3;ion
of the
to grant
com-
trial,
drawn by
an edidt was framed and paffed to thi effect. Hortenfius, who trial, was confident that no jury could acquit the acThe court cufed. accordingly, in all their proceedings, feemed at
conducted the
firft
inclined to feverlty.
They even
the courfe
of the
trial.
Of
fifty-fix
twenty-five gave their voice to condemn, and thirty-one to acquit. Catulus, on this occafion, afked the majority to what purpofe they had defined a guard ? " Was it," he faid, " to fecure the money
"
to receive for
your votes
"'
?"
after this
judgment the Senate refolved that enquiry fnould who had been corrupted in the trial.
order,,
And by this refolution gave a general offence to the equeftrian who confidsred it as an imputation on their whole body ".
Pompey,
in the courfe of this tranfadlon,
;
"
16.
Cicer.
ad Alt.
lib.
i.
epift.
13,
14,
Dio. Caff.
lib. i.
lib. xxxvii. c.
46.
Cicero ad
"
cp. 16.
terms;
OF
terms with
all
139
forae
parties,
manage
his intereft,
by having
of
State.
HA
P.
offices
He
one of his dependants, who is reprefented by Cicero as a perfon of mean charadler, and who, having no perfonal dignity, nor any
alone.
with the People, was to be fupported in his canvafs by money Pompey himfelf, and the Conful Pifo, openly employed in obtaining votes in his favour ". bribery
credit
A variety
The
on
firft
thefe pradices.
Two
was
of them were propofed by Cato and Domitius. Conful Pifo, and gave permiflion,
the fufpicion of illicit pralices refpeding eledlions, to vifit the houfe even of a magiftrate. By the other it was declared, that all who were found thofe diftributing money to the People ihould be
'".
The
Senate, at the
fame time, encouraged Lurco, one of the Triclaufe to corroborate the laws againft bribery.
bunes, to propofe a
new
By
this claufe
promifes of
money made
;
but,
if
perfon from thenceforward to pay to each of the Tribes an annual tax of three thoufand Roman money, or about twenty-four pounds
fterling
all
and there being thirty-five Tribes, this tax amounted in hundred and forty pounds of our money. That the Tribune might not be interrupted in the Senate this law, carrying
;
to about eight
Lex ^lia
and Fufia
"
him "'.
It
appears, however,
Pompey
"
Cicero ad Att.
lib. i.
ep. i6.
reftriftions
"
i.
ep. i6.
Soon
I40
BOOK
eledion of thefe
officers the
of Afia, fupported by the whole equeftrian order, complained, as has been mentioned, of the terms of their contract, in which they alleged that they had greatly exceeded what the funds of that province could afford, and
made
Their plea was contefted for fome months with great animofity on both fides
''''.
Upon
new
Metellus ing to innovation and public difturbance, were introduced. now in late the of office Tribune, Prator, being procured a Nepos,
law
Italy.
The
been obferved, upon the acceffion of wealth derived Romans, from. Macedonia, had exempted themfelves from all the antient affeffinents,
and they
now
all
the Italians
and the
when
fold
or emancipated.
to receive,
at the
to enable Publius Clodius to be adopted into a plebeian family, which, though an ad of a more private nature than any of the former, tended ftill more to embroil the parties of the Senate and the
This fadtious and profligate perfon had entertained great refentments agalnft many of the Senators on account of the profecution
People.
he had
lately incurred,
been called as
and againft Cicero in particular, who, having an evidence on his trial, gave a very unfavourable ac-
The fummary proceedings againft the acof in which Cicero prefided as Conlul, expofed Cataline, complices
count of his charader.
"
Cicero ad Att.
c.
lib. i.
ep. 17,
18.
"
Ibid. lib.
ii.
ep. i6.
Dio. CalT.
lib. xxvii.
51.
him
OF THE
him
to
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
;
141
and Clodlus
now CHAP.
t.,
-.
_-
on the other
was
rejeled,
though not
dropt,
by
Two
terefted
made
in "which
all
Pompey was
deeply in-
of
Afia
who had
ferved
The
firft,
as
it
implied a refledion on
Lu-
many
of whofe judgments
this ftatefman
his
He oppofed this motion with vigour, and infifted of the republic ". that the ads of Pompey fhould be feparately examined, and not confirmed in a fingle vote.
Cato,
nius,
In
this
by
though vefted with the Confulate, and ading almoft as the agent of Pompey, had neither dignity nor force to fupport fuch a meafure ; and Pompey, finding it rejeded by the Senate, declined
carrying
it
to the People ^^
The
foldiers
made
for the
of Pompey, was, by L. Flavius, one of the Tribunes, moved title of an Agrarian Law,
In
ad, to prevent the imputation of partiality to any particular defcription of men, certain gratuities were projeded for the indigent
this
citizens in general
its
^'
;
commonwealth
to extend
bounty,
it
was propofed
of
all
to revoke the
conveyance of
*
"
Dio. CafT.
"
*'
Dio.
lib. xxxvii. c.
49,
of
142
BOOK
and that
like-
was propofed
confifcated
by
Sylla, but
not appropriated
late conquefts in
and
terms of
this aO.
Conful Metellus Celer, fupported by the Senate, ftrenuoufly The Tribune perfifted with great oppofed the pafling of this law.
obftinacy, and, to
The
remove the obftrudion he met with, committed The whole Senate would have attended him
to the place,
when
the Tri-
bune, veiled with the facred defences of his perfon, to bar their
planted his ftool or chair of office in the door of the prifon
;
way,
and, hav-
" " This you cannot pafs ; way," he faid, the walls ""'." He if you mean to enter, you muft pierce through The parties declared his refolution to remain all night where he fat.
ing feated himfelf upon
it,
"
were
collefting
their
ftrength,
likely to
end in
although he engaged all his friends to fupport the motion of Flavius, affeded to have no part in the meafure, and now probably inftruded the Tribune to remove from the
Pompey.
This
politician,
fo at the requeft
of the prifoner,
who begged
for
fuppofed that Pompey, on this occafion, feverely felt the that he rechecks which his ambition received from the fenate
It
is
;
gretted for a
moment
in condition to enforce
to obtain.
what
The
it
error he
he conceived
as
had committed in refigning the fword, if fuch, might have ftill been correded by recovering
ep. 19.
'
f Cicer. ad Att.
lib.
i.
Dio.
lib. xxxvii.
p. 50.
"* Ibid.
the
OF
143
the pofleffion of fome confiderable province, which would have of an army and of proper refources to fupgiven him the command
CHAP.
v '
He,
neverthelefs,
appears
to
a choice
which he was probably confirmed by CiEflir, who profelfed great attachment to him, and who was about this time returned from the
government which he held as Proprietor in Lufitania. This officer, according to Dio, had found fome pretence
with the nations on the frontier of the
for a
war
Roman province
iflands
them
to take refuge
in
fome of the
on the
coaft,
in that retreat.
His
objeifl
was
a
to return to
Rome
For
vi6tor)^, to obtain
triumph, and to
purpofe he quitted
his province
cefTor, and,
upon
at the
his arrival at
of the following year. without waiting for a fucRome, halted, as ufual, with the enfigns
of the
city,
of his miUtary
ximph, and ing eledion
neral,
command
The
at the gates
approach-
^\
were become extremely jealous of his defigns, and of hi* From a libertine he was become an ardent with the People. have no paffion but ambition or animofity to the feemed to politician,
credit
without committing himfelf, he had abetted every fai;ious leader againfl: them, and feemed to be indifFerent to confideration or
Senate
;
at this
Cicero and Cato were honours, except fo far as they led to power. time the principal, or mofl confpicuous, members of the Senate.
wit,
andaccom-
refolution,
that others
own
ambition, their
Dio,
Cafl",
lib. xxxvii.
c.50, &c.
pleafureSj
144
BOOK
^i-i
He
and
make a prey of the republic. Under this him with a degree of keennefs which Caefar he oppofed apprehenfion endeavoured to reprefent as a perfonal animofity.
profligate citizens, to
'
The
-were
Senators in general,
to
refift
now aware
difpofed
his
applications,
truft.
They, on the prefent occafion, difputed triumph and, while he remained without the
;
him on
the
lift
of candidates
'
ConfuL
umph,
laid
down
command, aflumed
the gown, and entered the city as a candidate for the Confulffiip '\
The
Csefar.
People were
Craffias
at this
Pompey and
time divided into a variety of fadlions. diftrufled each other, and both were jealous of
Their divifions ftrengthened the party of the Senate, and furnifhed that body with the means of thwarting feparately many of
their ambitious deiigns.
This
Ca^flir
both to
Pompey and
The expedience of
is
precaution
now
which
their
enemies
if
among
themfelves
all
and difappoint every eneiiiy. Upon xbis reprefentation Pompey and Craffus were reconciled, and agreed
republic, gratify every friend,
'^
Sueton.
Cacfare, c. i8.
Dio.
lib. xxjcvii.
c.54.
to
OF THE
to
ROMAN
and
REPUBLIC.
him
in his pretenfions
145
ad
to fupport
CHAP,
v.,
at the
~J
This private combination, which remained fome time a fecret, was afterwai'ds, by a kind of mockery, alluding to the ordinary names
of public
in
office,
who were
joined
them ",
mean
They paid
and
took a favouriible appearance of moderation and candour. their court feparately to perfons whom they wifhed to gain,
flattered
their country.
of court they paid in particular to Cicero ; and real or pretended admiration of his talents,
pofleffion of his
mind.
Pompey
"
I,
affedted to
indeed," he
it
The
and
my country, but this man has whom Cicero had hitherto ad:ed,
preferved
".
;
were alarmed
him with
leav-
ing his party, to commit himfelf into the hands of their enemies. In his anfwer to this imputation, he feems to have flattered himfelf
that he into his
had made an acquifition of Pompey, not furrendered himfelf power ; at leaft, that he had reclaimed or diverted him from
which he had been lately engaged, and himfelf that he thought likely to fucceed in the fame manner with
fo much, that he triumphed in the CsHir fuperiority of his own condul to that of Cato, who, by his aufterity and vehemence, had
:
alienated the
^5
to the republic
^*,
Dio. Caff.
Plu-
gave
to the farmers
&
&c.
But petition for an abatement of their rent. Cato followed his judgment in this matter;
and there of Cic?ro
is
Cicero ad Atticum,
no reafon
to prefer the
judgment
^"
to his.
Vql.
*'
While
146
BOOK
<
little
difcretion, reclaim, or
even difr
Few
more penetration
than-
Cicero, although
miftaken on
this occafion
how
to
him
by Pompey and
ject
Ca^far,
His
own
from
his view,
and made
gloiy intercepted every other obhim the dupe of every perfon who
profefled to
fecretly difpleafed
who
a defcription
on every occafion, the expedled tribute of praife;: under which Cato, though his moll fmcere well-wifher
have
fallen.
and
Csefar, to the other arts which he employed to fecure his eledlion, added the ufe of money, which he obtained by joining his intereft, in oppofition to Bibulus with that of Lucceius, another of the can-
He himfelf
ftill
was
money
that
was given
name of
both.
This
illegal
concerts of
which he began
to be fufpe(fl;ed with
Pompey and
Crafliis,
greatly alarmed the friends of the republic. They determined to in Bibulus Lucceius order to give Csefar a col; and, againft fupport
league
who might
even went
fo far as to contribute
fums of money, and. to bid for In this crifis, even Cato owned
to bribe ^^
Lutatius Catulus,
was deprived of an
able mem.ber,
moderation,
and
Cicero ad Atticum,
lib.
ii.
epift. i.
c. xix.
lib.
ii.
ability 5
OF
t^y
^
<-
riibllity;
order to have
He
^
y
"^
Pf
averfion which
and would probably have taken part with fupports of the Senate, efforts he made to preferve its authothe continual in him likewife
rity.
The
ariftocratical
lofs,
prevailed
in carrying the eledlion of Bibulus againft Lucceius ; and though they could not exclude Csefar from the office of Conful, they means of his colleague, to oppofe and to fruftrate his
hoped, by
defigns
^'.
C^cfar, well aware of their purpofe, opened his adminiftration with a fpeech praifmg unanimity, and recommending good agreement between thofe who are joined in any public truft. While he meant
every diforderly party againft them, guarded his own behaviour, at leaft in the firft period of his and candour, paid Confulfhip, with every appearance of moderation
and to
fofter
Jiis
court not only to leaders of fadion, but to perfons of every decare to efpoufe the popular fide in every fcription, and while he took
queftion,
was
adlive likewife in
:
fo
however
inclined to
him
in
He
fet
of Pompey; propofing to fettle them on fome He gave out that he expedted the conItaly.
this
meafure, fent
to confult
him
a mefl'age
by Balbus *,
all
Ap.
* Dio.
in Csfare.
matters
148
BOOK
hopes of bringing Crajfus int* mind: words, from which it is manifeft that the coaUtion of " What a fine thefe perfons was not yet pubUcly known. profpet " a *' I have before me," fays Cicero to Atticus union with perfed:
;
had
*'
*'
Pompey, even with Casfar if I pleafe j peace with my enemies, and tranquillity in my old age." But his heart mifgave him ;
life
With
his great
he was deftined
to tranfmit a
to pofterity,
and
to
This Confulate
ticularly this,
is
diftinguifhed
by the
pafling of
many
laws, par-
rian
Law.
On
and therefore known by the title of the Agrawas to reft his popularity, and his
He
citizens,
gave out that he was to make a prowithout any burden to the re-
tendency of the law, and not fufFer it to pafs without oppofition j and he afFefted great moderation in the general pui-pofe, and in
framing every part of his plan affeding folicitude to obtain the confent of the Senate but, in reality, to make their oppofition appear
; ;
the
the
more odious
to the People.
He
dethat
mean
any branch
was known
he only meant to plant with inhabitants certain unprofitable waftes, and to provide for a number of citizens, who, being indigent and uneafy in their circum
that
fiances, filled the city itfelf
and
that
and perfons of
State..
Cicero ad Atticuni,
3.
la
OF THE
In a
Csefar
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
and with
thefe profeflions,
149
way
draught of an adt which he brought to the Senate for their approbation, and the fupport of their authority in
formed the
propofing
it
to the People.
It
was
on which
fo
much ap-
But the tendency of the adt pearance of moderation and candour. the not to itfelf was evidently promote peace of the commonwealth,
but to conftltute a merit in the party that procured it, and to give power to thofe who were to be entrufted with its execution.
In great and populous cities indigent citizens are ever likely to be numerous, and would be more fo, if the idle and profligate were
taught to hope for bounties and gratuitous provifions, to quiet their
If
all
ous
would not be
commiffioners appointed for the diftribution of fuch public favours would be raifed above the ordinary magiftrates, and above the laws of their country. They might reward their own creatures,
The
dependence on their will. The authors of fuch propofals, while they were urging the State and the People to ruin, would be confidered as their only pa" It is not this law I " it isfaid Cato trons and friends.
citizens in general
in a ftate of
dread,"
*'
it."
Odious
on fuch
difficult
it.
ground might
not decline
change that was now propofed in the ftate of the public lands ; and entered on an argument with which he meant to exhauft the whole
time of the
queftion.
fitting
He
was
of the Senate, and to prevent their coming to a intitled, by his privilege as a member in that
aflembly,
j^o
BOOK
and might, if he chofe t aflembly, to fpeak without interruption, continue fpeaking, perfift until all the members had left the houfe.
Caefar fufpedting his defign,
filence
and finding
it
impoflible otherwife to
him,
oi'dered
him
into cuftody.
The whole
Senate inftantly
" Whither rofe in a tumult. go you before the meeting is adjourned ?" " I faid Caefar to Petreius, who was moving from his fide. go,*' " is With him a into confinement with Cato. faid the
other,
prifon
**
The
greater part
of the members were aftually moving away with Cato, and Caefar
felt
himfelf at once
ftript
fumed, and dreaded the fpirit which he faw rifing in fo numerous a body of men, who, on former occafions, had maintained their
authority with becoming vigour.
decifion,
He
had
relied
on
their
want of
But his ignorance of their own ftrength. He wifhed that the prifoner would proraflinefs broke the charm.
and on
their
cure fome friend among the Tribunes to interpofe but Cato, feeing him ^mbarraffed, and the Senate engaged in the caufe, went off in the cuf;
tody of the Lidtor without any figns of reludlance. Csefar immediately recollecting himfelf, and never hurried too far by any paffion, difpatched a Tribune of his
prifoner
places.
**'
;
and
"
I
this
"
this
it
law to
you throw
afide, the
up "'."
upon
in
in the Senate,
fome other
inftances, to withfland
jneafure that
was devifed
The im-
putations
**
call
out againft
lib. xxxviii.
others,
were fuppofed
Dio.
c. i, 2, 3.
OF THE
fo proceed
ROMAN
his
REPUBLIC.
He
found himfelf
iji?
prejudices.
CHAP.
~^
to the People, fo as to
and the
diftridt
richeft demefne of the public, together with a valuable near the confluence of the Vulturnus and the Sabbatus, former-
an ample provifion for the foldiers of Pompey, and for the retainers of thofe who, together with Craffus and Csefar
himfelf,
were propofed
execution.
alfembly of the People, Cxfai- propofed his fcheme to impropriate the lands of Campania, with the above additions; and
the
firfi;
At
of all called on his colleague Bibulus to declare his mind on the fubBibulus fpoke his diflent; and in vehement terms declared, that jed-.
firft
no fuch
fulate.
his
Con-
upon Pompey, though and the audience, ignorant of the concert into which thefe leaders had entered, were impatient to hear him on the fubjed of a meafure
which was
the People.
likely to elevate a fuppofed rival fo
in a private ilation ;
To
the
furprize
of
all
who
w^ere prefent,
Pompey
applauded the general defign, and, in a fpeech of confiderable length, difcufled all the claufes of the ad, and with great approbation of each. When he had done fpeaking, Cxfar, alluding to
"
*'
in cafe
lift
we
a
his colleague, and affeding to fear the inter" Will you fupport us," he faid to Pompey,,, " If " fliall are attacked ?" any one," faid the other,
up
I fhall lift
parties
Cicero ad Att.
lib.
ii.
Plutarch, in Fompeio.
Dio. Caff.
lib. xxxviii. c. 5.
and
1^2
BOOK
To
To
this aid
which he was
neral fall, and a fufpenfion for the prefent year of all the affairs of State. The defign of this fufpenfion, and the extravagant length of time to which it was extended, probably enabled his colleague to treat
it
as if
with contempt, and to proceed in the defign of putting his queflion, no fuch proclamation had been iffued. The aflembly was ac-
Cxfar, early in cordingly fummoned in the temple of Concord. the morning, fecured all the avenues and the ileps of the portico
who was
intirely
had Vatinius, one of the Tribunes of the devoted to his interell, and even in his
pay
**,
odium of
all
violent meafures
Bibulus, however, attended by numbers of the Senate, and three of the Tribunes, who were prepared,
on
himfelf.
by
came
into the
place of aflTembly with a firm countenance ; he protefted againft the but legality of any meeting to be formed in a time of general fall
:
him from
wounded
the Tribunes
all
and
effectually
removed
farther
obftrudion to their
own
defigns.
The
law pafled without oppofition, including a claufe to oblige every Senator, under pain of exile or death, to fwear to the obfervance
of
it.
Cicero in Vatinium.
Caefar
was
re-
ported to have faid at Acquileia, fome time after this date, when Vatinius was difap-
bufinefs with honours, being intent on money only ; and that he was paid for all his fervices in the Tribunate,
Thi
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
153
This oath was probably a fnare laid by Cxfar for the moil refokite of his opponents, Hke that which was formerly laid by Marias, on a like occafion, for Metellas Numidicus, and by which that virtuous
citizen
CHAP.
was adlually
*'.
for
wealth
late
were
likely to
have
fallen
They
at firft
declared
law but, on mature confideration, they became fenfible that in this " You they were ferving the caufe of their enemies. may have " no need of " and may go into exile Rome," faid Cicero to Cato, " with Give not fuch a pleafure ; but Rome has need of you. *' enemies and her to own." thefe confiderations your vidtory Upon
it
was determined
to
comply *^
from
ftate
of the republic to
But even
this
above
tute
fix hundred of the moft powerful citizens of Rome, not deftieven of courage, were declined in their fpirit, and became
rank.
"
They
if
and of high " to think Cicero this occafion, upon appear," fays
The Conful
ambiguity of condufi:,
faw no
poffibility
The
*5
firft
retired to his
own
See
b.
ii.
c.
6.
lib. ii.
Vol.
11.
the
!54
BOOK
remainder of the year, did not appear in any public place, Cato abfented himfelf from the Senate *\
While
JBibulus
containing protefts, by which he endeavoured to ftop all proceedings in public affairs on account of the religious faft, or continuation of
holidays,
which he had
In thefe
writings he publilhed violent invedtives againft Cxfar, in which, among other articles, he charged him with having had a part in the
confpiracy of Cataline
'*'.
The Tribune
and, in order
but in this he
own
houfe
was
foiled,
and the
was
called
"'.
This able adventurer, though fufpedted of the deepeft defigns, went ftill deeper in laying his meafures for the execution of them than
his keenell opponents fuppofed.
He
found means to
tie
up every
hand
and
that
was
likely to be lifted
up
Pompey
were
the
all
CrafTus,
by
which the
articles
He
confirmed to
Pompey
by putting him on
the
com-
mifTion ^or dividing the lands of Campania, and for fettling a colony
Capua, gave him an opportunity, which the other earneftly deHefired, of providing for many neceffitous citizens of his party.
at
and by admitting him to a fuppofed equal participation of that political confequence which the Triumvirs propofed to fecure by.
*' Cicero pro Sextlo.
*'
Plutarch, in Catone.
Cafl".
**
Sueton, In C. Cafare.
Ibid. c. 20.
Dio.
lib. xxxvii.
c, 6.
8.
their
OF THE
tKelr
fuit
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
by granting a
C
^(;S
union.
He
by
gained the
Equeflrian order,
HA
P.
w--^-~--*
rents payable
third
;
Thefe he reduced a
men
liberality
and candour.
He
who
in ap-
to profit
by
He was occupied,
and
in promoting and the indigent,
the dirtreffed
With
his confent,
his
authority, Fufius,
one of the
Prstors, and Vatinius, one of the Tribunes, obtained two laws, the firft, relating to the ufe of both of them equitable and falutary
:
the
ballot in the
the
other,
The
over the determigreatly weakened the influence of the ariftocracy and refolutions were frequently carried in this nations of the People
;
particular order of
men, were
the
acknowledge
as their meafure.
and
To
leave
no
dotibt in
cian, Equeftrian,
fuch matters for the future, Fufius propofed that the orders of PatriThis reguand Plebeian, fhould ballot apart '. lation had fome tendency to reflore the influence of the fuperior
clafles.
when
drawn by lot, the defendant and profecutors might, in their turns, took a challenge, or flrike off from the lift, perfons to whom they
particular exception
''.
"
Cicero ad Att.
lib.
ii.
ep.
i.
Appian.
Dio.
Ibid.
lib. xxxviii.
c. 8,
de Bell. Civil,
lib. ii.
p. 435.
"
2
Appian.
Csfar
156
^
*^-J-^
Cc'efar
V-
>v
mode
himfelf was bufy in devifing new regulations to reform tlie of elections, and to improve the forms of bufmefs in fome of
By one
another of his
By
a third, perfons
convided of trea-
additional reftraints
penalties, and governors of provinces to Such officers were in the exercife of their power.
gift
new
from
have
intitled
them
to a
triumph
'".
They were
from encroaching on
the right of any State or piincipality beyond the limits of their province. They were obliged to leave copies of their books and of their
acts at
two of the
principal
towns in
their
government
to
", and,
im-
their arrival at
Rome,
to give in a
With
adorned
his Confulate,
fome meafure
difcountenanced the party which was difpofed to traduce him. He of ftolen accufed from the to which nevcrthelefs, having is, treafury,
he had
accefs in the capacity df Conful, bars of gold weighing three thoufand pondo, and of having concealed the theft by fubltituting brafs gilt, and of the fame form, in its place ".
5*
&
lib. vi.
cp. 7.
5^
&
lib. v.
ep-
20.
'' Sueton. in Jul. c. 54. defar is- faid to have fold the gold bullion he brought from Spain .it 300Q H. S. or about 2,1. of our moThis will make his fuppofed theft ney.
'*
about 75,000!.
Whatever
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
for this report,
it
157
foon
CHAP,
appeared that Ceefar had objedls of a more ferious nature, could copy^ on occafion, the example of Pompey, and, in his manner, caufe what
was perfonal
to himfelf to be propofed
by
others,
whom
he might be
difavow according to the reception which his propofal met from the public. It cannot be doubted that he now conceived the
free tofupport or
defign
the city.
of bringing a military force to fupport his pretenfions in Hitherto kingly power being odious at Rome, whoever
to
it had always perifhed in the attempt, and the mere however The mcft profligate imputation, fupported, was fatal. the were unable or party among populace unwilling to fupport their to this extent and the People in general became jealous demagogues
;
had afpired
it
how
to
to reiign.
govern
avenge
his
own wrongs
and
refl:ore
andthe
He
led his
army
againft
power
to
fuccefsful
he was put in pofleffion of a fovereignty which he no So far he was a model to every am-doubt niight have retained. bitlous adventurer, and pointed out the only means which could in-fure to a fmgle perfon the fovereignty of
Rome.
accomplices Lentulus and Cethegus, had vainly attempted to over-turn the State,- or to ufurp its government, by means of a profligate
party
5'
among
Ca^far"
State of
that
a city would
its
be
own ken--
we
rnig;ht
mach
fear,
wag.
.138
BOOK
were
to carry it againft; his necelTary to fupport the conteft, and to a favourable ilTue. the rivals, as w^eil as againft repubUc itfelf,
The
many
at
dudion of
power
Rome.
to the
and military characters, except in the cafe of a Didator, were never The officer of State refigned his -united at once in the fame perfon.
civil
foldier,
and the
foldier
was obliged
to lay afide his military enfigns and charader before he could enter the
city
;
that fuit
was
difcufled.
The command
was limited
were not exon a
officer
it
prefsly prolonged,
fucceffor
it
was underftood
to expire,
and
to devolve
named by
the Senate.
That no
an army
at
hand
to over-
awe
was fuppofed
Mfl
'11
limits of Italy.
The purpofe, however, of this precaution was in fruftrated meafure fome by the near fituation of a province in which within the Alps. an army was kept Italy was underftood to extend
only from the
fea
U/'/yfl
'
be-
Jlffmi
U/'fli^'^^'^^'^
yond
tradls
thefe boundaries,
on both
now make
States of
on the northweft, all thofe extenfive and rich of the Apennines, and within the Alps, which the dutchies of Ferrara, Bologna, Modena, Milan, the
fides
the whole of
Piedmont and Venice, with the dutchy of Carnlola, and Lombardy, were confidered, not as a part of Italy, but
termed the Cifalpine Gaul, and,
to be held
like the other
/' 't^
i'iQ/l/}i^ vI6Ma>,
'
as a province
Roman
by an
This
provinces,
was
by
army.
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
at
159
political
which a
adventurer might unite the greateft advantages, that of having an army at his command, and that of being fo near the capital as to be the feats of government whenever his deable, furprife, to occupy
figns
by were
an attempt.
to his pleafure ; but, having the feas Sylla had an army devoted of Alia' and Ionia to pafs in his way to Italy, could not, without a great diftance, and without putting his enegiving an alarm from
city.
He
therefore,
when he
^
had
view,
made no
fecret
of his purpofe.
had formed a defign on the commonwealth, and adled from- [.^l^^^^ iXiU'^^H^^i^ his original difpofition, and a deliberate intention to make himfelf ^^^^^y^^^^i^/*!^ ^^^f'n
CcEfar
Sylla,
//^
He arranged fuggeftion of fmgular circumftances. the plan of a campaign, which he had the ability to digeft, and the He propofed to the greateft deliberation. patience to execute with
make
himfelf mafter of an
army
at the gates
He
fecured
without a breach of
grant
upcn
which lay from the RuCifalpine Gaul, or that part of Italy the purpofe of Caefar. to fuited bicon to the Alps, was peculiarly
The
m,
,/
*.,
But the
was
ftill
^*^ ^'
^
of the Senate; and the provincial governments were filled by their Ut afcribed to Caius appointment, in purfuance of an exprefs regulation
of the Sempronian Gracchus, and known, from his name, by the title of the variance with at been ever Law ". Caefar had greater part
^*
.
f^
J-t-^tfZt^,
^
J i^mlrrn^Ci/n
ca/ 0^,
Lex Sempronia,
Vid. b.ii.
c. 3.
the
i6o
3 O O K
III.
In the
office
office of Conful he had fet them at open had no profpet of being able to obtain from them the choice he had made of a province ; and the propofal to put him in
In his prefent
defiance.
He
Gaul for
ceding parts of his conduft, would have given a general alarm, and opened at once the whole extent of his defign.
It
was
gree of lurprize.
Alps, were hkely
accordingly,
upon
frontier of Gaul,
moved
by
vir-
tue of their
Cifalpine
legions.
to
name
army of
three
The fenatorian party, as might have been expedled, were greatly alarmed at this propofal. They vainly, however, hoped to
evade
it
by
fubftltuting another
It
this province.
was propofed
to
though not, was however, like every -ether public department in that empire, known by this name. This fubflitute for the government of the Cifalpine Gaul was thought to be
in our acceptation of the
v.'ord, a province,
a charge which,
it
command of
to
withhold the engine of military power from a it. This weak attempt, however, againft
whom
it
an adverlliry, only tended to expofe the meaning of thofe by was made, and by ihewing to the Senate their own weak-
nefs, hurried
them
into conceffions
otherwife avoided.
owe every
thing
command at once
to
OF THE
to both fides of the Alps.
ROMAN
On
REPUBLIC.
had
city
:
igx
on the
other, he
had a
war on which he might form an army and inure them to fervice. The Senate, feeing he had already, by a vote of the People, obtained the firft with an army
;
of three legions for five years ; and imagining that it was no longer of any ufe to oppofe him or hoping to occupy his attention, or to wear out the five years of his command in wars that might arife
to his province on the Po that of the In this manner, wheTranfalpine Gaul, with an additional legion.
it
is
affirmed
by fome of
the hiftorians ", that the Senate even outran the People in conceflions \o Csefar ; and to this occafion is referred the memorable faying of
Cato
*'
"
:
Now
to yourfelves a king,
him with
his guards in
Citadel ^^"
Cxfar, at the fame time, on the motion of the Tribune Vatinlus, was empowered to fettle a Roman colony on the Lake Larius at No-
vum Comum,
citizens
with
full
on thofe he fhould
authority to confer the privilege of Roman fettle in this place. Having obtained the
command of an army M'ithin the Alps, he no longer kept any meafures with the Senate, nor allowed them any merit in the adHe was aware of their malice, he faid, vantages he had gained.
to the
by
to their will.
Though
capable of great
command of
temper, and of the deepeft diflimulatlon when in purfuit of his objedt, he appears, on this and other occafions to have had a vanity
^tained ".
'5
which he indulged, in braving the world when his end was obAs he infulted the Senate when no longer depending on
5*
"
lib.
ii.
Sueton. in Csfare,
lib, ii.
c.2?.
Vol.
II,
their
i62
BOOK
tained.
As
cabals
afpet to thofe
it
who are
began to be
called in deteftation
and irony
^\
notwithftanding the
popularity or influence enjoyed by thofe who had formed it,, became an objedt of averfion and general abufe ". They were received at
all
An
The
adlor,
Pompey
a fentence of
appli-
in
again ^\
The edids
were
at
that
in oppofition to Cjefar
extolled,
The
w^ere fo
Csefar and fembled to read them, that the ways were obftrudled. Pompey endeavoured to lefTen the effedt of thefe edidls in fpeeches
to the People, but
{pirit,
were
ill
heard.
and funk
in his confideration as
power. It became manifeft, even to the People, that Cxfar had pro'' cured their conjundion for his own conveniency but Pompey ;
himfelf probably
'*
felt
that
of Duumvirs, Triumvirs, were the defignatiors of legal commiflions at Rome afting under public authority ; fuch title was given to the private
titles
The
when thou
and
fo on,
with peals of
applaufe,
19.
'*
"
''
" To
was
He
mere irony. ep. 16. our misfortune thou art great." called upon to repeat thefe words
ii.
&c Cicero ad Att. lib. ii. epift. Max. lib. vi. c. 2. One of the fentences, fo much applaudVal.
its
ed in
was,
" Eandem
"
" The
graviter
gemes."
The
OF THE
The
Senate, and
all
ROMAN
mod
REPUBLIC.
Rome, though
,6j
the
refpetable citizens of
chap.
tinanimous in their deteftation of the defign that was formed by Csefar, Pompey, and Craffus, to difpofe of the republic at their pleafurc,
yet
either were, or believed themfelves, unable to cope
of
fo
many
fadlions united.
by
force
what
he gained by artifice, and by fome degree of furprife, filled the ftreets with his retainers in arms, and fliowed, that, in cafe of any attempt to recal what had been fo weakly given up to him, he was in condition
to refift,
and
If
he had provided within the Alps an army of two or three complete with which he could maintain his province, or even recover legions,
his poffefllon of the city.
mented
little
Every one cenfured, complained, and laconcert, and lefs vigour, even among the
members of the
Cato, with his declared difapprobation of the late meafures, was reduced to the fingle expedient of affifting Bibulus in drawing up
the edits or manifeftos againft the proceedings of Ca^far, which were,
at this time, received
Cicero
affairs in dependence before the courts of juftice ; and apprean attack which was likely to be made upon himfelf, on achending count of the tranfadlions of his Confulate, he avoided, as much as
avidity by the People. declined taking part in any affair of State; but being for an advocate, was courted in this capacity by many citizens,
fo
with
much
now
giving offence to any of the parties which divided the commonwealth. The ftorm was to be diredted againft him by Publius
pofiible,
and to Cicero in
gathering
"'.
particular,
it
was perceived
for
fome time
to
be
that he
This buftling profligate having, in the former year, in order himfelf might be qualified for Tribune of the People, got
*'
Cicero ad Att.
adopted
i64
BOOK
III.
was efpoufed by
Csefar,
who
in refentment of fome infinuations thrown out againft himfelf by Cicero in pleading for M. Antonius, his late colleague in the Confulate.
Antonius being,
ftration in
as has
who
Macedonia, accufed of extortion, was defended by Cicero, took that occafion to lament the ftate of the republic, brought
fubje3;ion as
it
under
was by a
cabal
which ruled by
:
violence, and in
" Csefar was greatly provoked contempt of the law. Thisperfon,'* " takes the fame liberty to vilify the reputation of he faid, others,
*'
own
;"
expreflions, con-
warning of the part which Cicero was likely to take in his abfence, he determined not to leave him at the head of the Senatorian His deftrud;ion might be efFedled party to operate againft him.
fidered as a
merely by expediting the formality of Clodius's adoption into a Ple*^ and Csefar, beian family, to qualify him for Tribune of the People ;
in
which he received
this
Pompey
Clodius, in the
Augur to carry it through the mean time, gave out, that he had
foliciting
no defign on the Tribunate, but was Cicero was granes king of Armenia.
tence, that
fo
much
letter to Atticus
on the ablurdity of
him
with his not being put on the commiffion of twenty for the execution " of Caefar's Agrarian Law. Strange !" he faid, ." that he who was
** Dio. Caff. lib. xxxviii. c. de Provinciis Confularibus, &Co
lo.
&c,
Plutarch, in Cicerone.
Cicero pro
domo
fua,
"once
'
i6;
the only male creature in Casfar's houfe, cannot now find one ' " in this lift of his friends *\" place among twenty to The more effedually impofe upon Cicero and his friends, Csefar
CHAP.
\___^-/
afFeded to believe, that the intention of Clodius was againft himfelf, and taken up with the animofity of a perfon who had already at'* and he pretended to tempted to difhonour his houfe
; difpute the validity of his adoption, and of confequence, his qualification
to be eledled a Tribune.
"
joined in the fame vile artifice.. Nay," fays Cicero, upon hearing of their pretended oppofition to> Clodius, "this is perfect tyranny. Only fend the proper officers to.
Pompey
"
**
1 will
give
my
affidavit, that
Pompey
told
me
himfelf he-
affifted as
Augur
With
clofe.
drew
to a
Julia
He ratified his treaty with Pompey, by giving him his daugther in marriage. During the former part of the year, this lady
to Servilius Ca^pio,
her father, by fecuring the fervices of Cxpio againft Bibulus. villus, on his difappointment, was pacified by the promife of
pey's daughter.
Pifo,
Pom-
who
"
doms,"
faid
Cato on
this occafion,
itfelf
"
the empire
an appendage of female
tion.
In
this fituation
of
affairs,
and among
parties
who
dealt In
impo-
fitlons
and
artifices, as well as in
particulars
quaintance
open and daring meafures, fome to are recorded, which, gain our belief, require fome acof the times. Vettius, a citizen of fome. with the manners
ii.
"
*' epift. 7.
Vul.
iz.
*'
Plutarch, in Catone,
note.
i66
BOOK
now
himfelf ap-
of which the origin and the iffue were a peared as the author of plot, matter of various conjelure. Knowing that Curio, a young man
of high rank, and a declared
wife with
like-
Pompey, he told him in confidence, that he himfelf had determined to affaffinate Pompey, and propofed to Curio to join wath
him
in that deiign.
his fiither,
The young man communicated the matter to to Pompey, who laid it before the Senate.
firft
with Curio, but afterwards confeffed, that he had been drawn into a confpiracy with this young man, with Lucullus, Brutus, Bibulus,
and fome
It
others,
was ftrongly
to
frame
this impofture, in
and
it
was intended,
as
fdon as he had laid fome foundation for an imputation of guilt with a party of flaves, armed with againft them, that he fliould,
in the way of being taken ; that he fhould at daggers, put himfelf firft deny the plot, but afterwards fuffer himfelf to be forced, by degrees, to confefs,
and
that this
plan was
difconcerted
all
by
to
an
aiT
of
probability
'
were in
readinefs.
It
was
fcarcely poflible,
mitted his reputation to the hazard of detedlion in fo infamous a He laid hold of it indeed with fome avidity, and endeaprojedt.
voured to turn
it
examination, Casfar prefented him to the People, and brought him into the roftra, to declare what he knew of this pretended bloody defign. The
prifoner
OF
167
in the account of his acprlfoner repeated his confefTion, but varied complices, particularly in leaving Brutus out of the lift ; a circum-
CHAP,
y /
imputed
to the partiality
of Caefar, and tonfidered as proof of his clandeftine relation to this young man. Vettius was remanded to prifon, and a procefs com-
menced
againft
him on
aflafFi nation.
trial
muft have probably dii'clofed the whole fcene, and for this reafon was faid to have been prevented, by the fudden death of Vettius, who
was fuppofed
to
By
the influence of
;
have been ftrangled by order of Csefar in prifon *'. Pompey and Csefar, Gabinius and Pifo were U.
and,
C. 695.
eledled Confuls
by
became Tribune
ni'usPifoCe-
afcendant they had gained, however, was ex- ^"Gabimus to many of the other officers of State, and even ^^P^tremely difagreeable L. Domitius Ahenobarbus and C. Alemto fome of the Tribunes.
of the People.
The
in
late
Conful, for
Ca'far,. for
contrary to law^and
ifllie
religion.
fome time,
affected to join
fubmit his caufe to judgment but apprehending delay and trouble, without any advantage from fuch an inquiry, he pleaded his privilege
;
ftaying
to
to
anfwer
his
this charge,
make
levies, ar-d to
army
in
the fuburbs of
Rome.
Inthispofture of
affiiirs,
who had
ferved un**
employed had been charged with bribery by Calus Cato, then a young man.
*'
der Csefar in his Confulflilp, was convidled of fome mifdemeanor ; and the oppofite party, as if they had of a fudden broke the chains in which they were held, commenced fults againft all. the tools that had been by him in his late violent meafures. Gabinius
Cicero ad Att.
*'
Sueton. in Nerone,
c.
ii.
&
c.
20.
But
,i58
BOOK
'
Prastor,
whofe
lot it
jurifdidtion in fuch
being under the influence of Pompey, evaded the queftion. Caius Cato complained to the People, and, having faid that Pompey
ufurped a Dictatorial power, narrowly efcaped with his life"'. Vatinius was accufed before the Prjetor Memmius, who willingly
received the accufation
but all proceedings were fuddenly flopped ; in the capacity of Tribune of Clodius and the by the interpofition foon came to be more inattention of the People and of the Senate
;
tirely occupied
The
with the defigns of this factious adventurer. ruin of Cicero appears to have been the principal objedl which
Clodius propofed to himfelf in entering on the office of Tribune ; and this, though affedling to be of the popular party, he purfued chiefly
evidence againft
from motives of perfonal animofity and refentment. Cicero had given him on his trial, and afterwards in the Senate made
him
'.
He
is
generally repre-
fented
by Cicero
as effeminate
and
profligate, void
of difcretion or
On the prefent occafion, however, he feems to have maprudence. naged with confiderable fteadinefs and addrefs. He adled evidently in concert with Csefar, Pompey, and Craflus ; but probably had not
from them any particular diredion
in
was
He began with
ders of
paying
and
different or-
men
in the republic,
=
to each.;
and he
People againft
arbitrary executions,
as but
to apply to Cicero,
one of
-the public,
many regulations intended by him fiar the benefit of and which he joined with fome a<fls of gratification to
Qumt,
Frat. lib.
i.
* Cicero ad
epift. 2.
' Cicer.
ad Att.
lib. i.
privat-e
OF
private perfons.
lucrative
i6g
CHAP.
'
appointments,
of their year in
Gabinius,
office
r^
'
to Pifo,
to
Syria
w^ith
confiderable
vince ".
remit
all
progained the indigent part of the People by an at to the debts which were due for corn at the public granaries ;
beyond the
ufual
bounds of the
He
and by ordering,
from thence
to
be
made
gratuitouily '\
He,
at
ad
extremely agreeable to
creafing the
many
corporations which had been abolifhed about nine years before, on account of the troubles to which they gave rife.
number of
The meeting of corporate bodies, in a city fo much addicted to fadion and tumult, had been the caufe of frequent diforders. As
perfons, affeding to govern the State, endeavoured to gain the People by indulging their paffions for idlenefs and pleafure, with games,
theatrical entertainments,
beafts
fcale,
head of every corporate body, though upon a fmaller had his feafts, his entertainments, and Ihews, forming his party of
;
fo the
retainers,
on occafion,
by
force.
The
re-
even gained a confiderable party in the Senate by affeding to circumfcribe the difcretionary power of the Cenfors over this body. Many of the members had reafon to dread
their zeal to his oviai purpofe ".
He
which he
obtained to provide, that, for the future, no one could be ftruck off
''
Plutarch, in Cicerone.
''
Dio.
lib. xxxviii. c.
"*
lib. xxxviii.
fonem,
c. 4.
&
Cicer. pro
Domo
II.
fua.
Vol.
the
jyo
BOOK ^
...
trial
Joined to fo many arts pradifed to reconcile different parties to 4lie meafures he affeted to take for the fecurity of the People's liberties,
Clodius promulgated his law of provifion againft arbitrary executions,
and gave
it
a retrofpel
to
compre-
hend
the
While the fubjedl was gus and Lentulus in the Confulate of Cicero. in dependence, he thought of two circumftances that might operate
againft him, and
to prevent.
One
proceedings of the People were fometimes fufpended ; was, the oppofition which he might expeft from Cato, who was likely
to confider the caufe of the Senate and the republic as involved in that
of the magiftrate,
by executing their he decrees. firft, procured an edid: to prohibit all perfons from obferving the heavens while the People were deliberating on any affair of State ; and to obviate the fecond,,
who had
To
-f-
a pretence for a temporary removal of Cato from Rome. In the preceding Confulate, Cato, though armed as he was folely with the reputation of integrity, unable to prevent the progrefs of a
he thought of
on
occafion, to
was extremely defirous to conceal, that they prevailed by corruption and force, not by what they pretended, the free choice of their fellow-citizens. Clodius, forefeeing a like oppofition, and pof
fibly a
at
Rome,
difappointment in his defign againft Cicero, if Cato continued devifed a commifllon to employ him in foreign fervice.
Ptolomy, king of Cyprus, had put a perfonal affront on Clodius, by refufing to pay his ranfom when taken by pirates on the coaft of Afia near to that ifland. He now took an opportunity to be revenged'
">*
Ibid. See a
fummary of
thcfc afts,
c.
15 to c. 28.
on
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
;
171
on him, by procuring an adt to forfeit his kingdom and his treafure and by making Cato the inftrument of his revenge, he propofed to free himfelf at the fame time from the interruption which this citizen was Hkely to give to his projeds at Rome ". At an interview with Cato, Clodius had the impudence to pretend great admiration of his virtue ; told him, that the commiffion
to reduce
CHAP,
but that he
Cyprus into the form of a province was foUcited by many; knew of none who, by his faithfulnefs and integrity,
was
fo
meant
to
"
That,"
faid
Cato,
"
know
is
" mere
*' *'
artifice;
Nay,"
faid Clodius,
by
force ;"
if you do not go willingly, you fliall go and on that very day moved and obtained his nomi-
"
him
repair to
Byzantium
to reftore
fome
exiles,
and
to quiet
fome troubles
which had
Csefar
fion to
and Pompey likewife concurred in procuring this commifCato, in order to remove a powerful fupport from the Praetors
Domitius, whofe propofal to repeal
all
Memmius and
the ats of
to fall
upon the
left
magiftrate
who had
Cato, before he
Rome,
in the event of any pofleffion of the gates with an army, and ready, to en^er the city by of tumult, under pretence quieting diforders,
force,
and
to feize
on
the government
caufe in dependence, however juft, was altogether dtfperate, earneftly exhorted Cicero, rather to yield and to withdraw from the city, thaa
ftate
of the republic
"o
"
'
riuurch. in Catone.
CicerOs
172
S
Cicero, however,
was
for
Having fecured
the fupport of L. Ninius Quadratus, one of the Tribunes, he propofed to obftrul the proceedings of his enemy, and to give a negative to
all
his
motions.
of
having obtained this advantage, no longer made any of his defign againft Cicero, and boafted of the concurrence of Csefar and Pompey. In this neither of thefe profeflTed friends of
Clodius,
fecret
Cicero denied the imputation"; but excufed themfelves in private by pleading, that while their own acfts of the preceding year were ftill
with
queftioned by the Prxtor, it was necefl'ary for- them to keep terms " but fo violent a Tribune ; Pompey, together with this apo-
condu(!l:,
"
faid,
fhall kill
me
before
" he It Is not credible that injure you." Pompey then meant to behim it was in bafe the that, tray fufficiently fequel, he did not keep
;
his word.
On
the contrary,
when
his aid
came
to be
moft wanted
by
he
under pretence of
bufinefs
and being
at his villa
and many of the moft refpe(Stable Senators repaired to him with the warmeft intreaties in behalf of a perfon to whofe eloquence and panegyric he
owed
fo
many
the ordinary officers of State for protetElion, faying, That as a private citizen he could not contend with a furious Tribune at the head of an.
"
*'
D!o.
lib. xxxviii.
c. 14.,
"
**
I'oid.
pro Sextio,
c.
17
&
18.
Cicerain Pifonem.
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
IJ^
In the mean time, the Conful Gabinlus, though under the abfolute direction of Pompey, promoted the attack againft Cicero, and
checked every attempt that was made in his favour. When the Equeftrian order, together with numbers of the moft refpedable
citizens
Italy,
to take mourning, and to intercede with the Gabinius fuddenly left the chair, broke up the meeting, People, went diredly from thence to the aflembly of the People, where he
members propofed
threw out injurious infmuations againft the Senate, and mentioned the meetings which had been held by the Equeftrian order, as riotous and feditious tumults ; faid, that the Knights ought to be cautious
how
memory
had aded
fo likely to
withdrew
at
another
'".
No
longer doubting
that he was betrayed by a perfon on whom he had fo fully relied, he began to be agitated by a variety of counfels and projeds. Hewas invited by Cxfar to place himfelf in the ftation of lieutenant in
his province of
Gaul
was gathering
fo
againft
him
in Italy.
But
who had
much
was fuppofed
beft to reduce
to proceed
from
him
or at
dependence on himfelf. Being attended by a numerous body of citizens, chiefly of the Equeftrian order, who had taken arms in his caufe, he fometimes had thoughts
him
to a ftatc of
'" Plutarch,
in
Cicerone,
of
174
BOOK
at
from
his letters,
propofed to
kill
himfelf;
this intention
pafs the
ftate of affairs, when Clodius aflembled the People to he had framed againft arbitrary executions. He had fummoned them to meet in the fuburbs, that Csefar, who on account
of
his military
command was
city,
might be
firft
prefent.
This
artful politician
upon among
the
to
and unwil-
on any perfon
to
whom
;
knew
his
mind on
al
that
proved the
any
While
own
opinion, alTeded to go
no farther than
with Clodius, and meant either to ruin Cicero, or force him to accept of proteftion on the terms that fhould be prefcribed to him.
When
Cicero
;
enemies might have ftill found it a difficult matter to carry the application to him ; but he himfelf, in the anguifh of his
his
and
itreets,
mind, anticipated the accufation, went forth in mourning to the and imploi-ed mercy of every citizen with an afpedl of de-
jecflion,
which probably did not encourage any party to efpoufe his this condition, and inlulted by attended by an armed rabble ;
at laft to
and he determined
abandon the
city.
Being efcortcd by a
the
company
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
175
the night on the firft of April, took the road of Lucanla, and intended to have made his retreat into Sicily, where the memory of
his adminiHration in the capacity of Qusefior,
fects of his
ef-
patronage at
Rome, were
by
likely to procure
him
a fa-
his departure,
of fuch
and water
him; Virgihus,
him.
though
He
but apprehending that this place was within the diftance prefcribed to him by the al of banifhment, he went to
refidence
at
;
Athens
Theffalonica in his
way
to
Cyzicum.
Here he had
letters,
that
gave
Him
to wait
We have
haps
is
better
frailties
nary defers of human nature. He was open and undifguifed to his Exfriends, and has left an extenfive correfpondence behind him.
preffions of vanity in
others, efcape
fome paffages of
his
life,
facility.
Being at
it full fcope in his exile, perhaps not more from weaknefs, than from defign to- excite his friends to redouble their efforts to have himreftored. He knew the value of fortitude
as a topic of praife,
and might have afpired to it ; but would it not, he may have queftioned, encourage his party to fleep over his wrongs ? In any other view, his complaints refemble more the wailings of aa:
.
*'
Vid.
Adionem
in
Verrem.
infantj
176
BOOK
Atticus,
" in which
I fhall
"
to
for
it
of bitter regret to
me
him
I
that
yielded to
"
you
who had
chid
for
want of forti?
not endure
Did
?
from
fo
high a ftate
in fo good a caufe
with
fuch abilities and knowledge ? with fo much public efteem ? ^A^itU " the Can I refupport of fuch a refpedtable order of citizens ? *' member what I was, and not feel what I am ? Stript of fo many
*'
much
*'
*'
from the arms of fuch children, debarred the view of fuch a brother, dearer to me than I was to myfelf, yet now debarred from my prefence, that I may fpare him what he muft
fufFer
from fuch a
fight,
the caufe of fo
-of evils
much
mifery to him.
which
is
me
to bear
but
am
flopped by
*'
my
tears "."
From
we
may
colledl to
fuffered,
what degree the unjuft reproaches which he had the defertion of thofe on whom he relied for fupport, the
left his
The family expofed, affeiled his mind. and his confcioufnefs of his integrity, even his vanity forfook him
dangers to which he
;
fine genius,
bufied in
no longer employed in the Forum or in the Senate, or ** in a the literary ftudies which amufed him afterwards
republic,
'+
dif-
lib.
iii.
epift. 10.
trefs
OF THE
trefs this,
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
ly-r
It appeared from of his fortunes, preyed upon himfelf. and many other fcenes of his life, that although he loved virtuous adions, yet his virtue was accompanied with fo unfatiable a
thirfl;
it
intitled
to fuftain itfelf
without
to his Confulate
loft
was changed
into
own
condu(Sl: or
and
at Theflalonica,
his exile,
own
Rome ".
"
Vid,
Cicero ad Act.
lib. iji.
Vol. 1L
I7S
CHAP.
Ccefar takes
VI.
PoJJ'eJfton
of
his Province.
Their Defeat.
War
ivith Ariovifitis.
Great Concou?fe of Citizens to his for the Winter into Italy. Motion to recal Cicero. Diforders that folloivcd garters.
upon
it.
Co?ifultations
of the
Operations On the Meufe and Sambre. on the Aifne. Battle with the Nervii. Succefsful Attempt for the Reforation of Cicero.
Army
in Gaul.
Augmentation
to
his
Houfc
Repeated Riots of
Clodius..
which terminated
In the exile
of CI-
VV
cero was
ftlll
by affuming
in
the military charaler, he had difqualified himfelf to take any part civil affairs, had adlually gone from the city and embodied his
legions, yet he
iflue
ftill
Rome
to obferve the
of that bufinefs, and to direl the condudl of his He party. thought himfelf too much interefted In the event to leave it intlrely
vmder the direction of Pompey, with whom his own connexion was Pie was inclined to precarious, and might be of fhort duration.
ruin, if he could, not gain, a
made him of
power
fo
much confequence
who
contended for
in the State.
him
as a
his
own
he
tainers
pllflied.
promoted the defmgs of Clodius, and employed his own reand friends againft him, until he faw the purpofe accom-
The
OF THE
The
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
C
'
179
provinces of which Cxfar had obtained the command, comprehended, as has been obferved, under the denomination of the
HA
P.
'
two Gauls, confiderable territories on both fides of the Alps. The Cifalpine Gaul, which was joined to Italy, extended to Lucca, not flu- from Pifa on one fide of the Apennines, and to the Rubicon,
not far from
territory
Ariminum on
the other.
to the
known by
name of Gaul.
Beyond the Alps, the whole Rhine and the Meufc, was part of this trat, which was
bounded by the Rhone, the mountains of Auvergne, the Garonne, and the Pyrenees, was already a Roman province, including, together with
to, the
its
early fubjedion
Romans,
named Provence.
The remainder
parts, occupied
by
and cuftoms.
;
The
firft
divi-
from the Pyrenees to the Garonne the fecond from and the third from thence to the Meufe the Garonne to the Seine
ilon extended
;
by
his account,
was broken
into parties
and fadions,
who
had feparate objeds, and were engaged in oppofition to each other. The People, in general, were held in a ftate of dependance by two
feparate orders of
for the manifold divifions
men, whofe condition and charader may account and animofities that took place in their
ecclefiaftical, compofed of the Druids, who, had the by keeping of fuch myilcries, and the perof formance fuch rites as were then in ufe and, having over their
country.
One
order was
their profeffion,
a 3
tlae
i8o
BOOK
own
order,
The
whofe
other order
was
intirely military,
adherents
their armed and who, therefore, vied with each other in the multi'.
The
countr)',
we
learn, in general,
was
interfperfed
with what
and what were, in. reality, fafe retreats, or places abounded in corn and cattle, the refources of a nuarmies were colleded, and political aflemblies were
:
dated, or in
but how the people were accommowhat degree they were fupplied with the ordinary produdions of mechanic or commercial arts, is no where defcribed.
called ftatedly, or occafionally
In thefe particulars however, as they were probably lefs fkilful than the Italians, fo they furpafled the Germans, to whom the^ and they were now in on yielded in the reputation of valour
;
reality
and ferocity of the one, or to the ambition, refined policy, and fuperior arts of the other.
the eve of
becoming
prey
to the rapacity
were already
fo
numerous, and
likely
to
be
by
which he undoubtedly fought for, of raifin<'- his and his dependants, and of forming an army inured to fervice, and attached to himfelf. While he was yet in Italy, he had intimation of a wonderful projcd formed
to find the occafions,
by the
their
to
to quit
own
lefs
country in order to exchange it for a better fettlement, in inclement region, on the lower and more fertile plains of
Gaul.
'
t.
lo-zo.
They
i8i
their
an exadt account of
lefs
own
CHAP,
in every canton,
and muftered no
of
fifty-eight
thoufand
fit
fouls,
whom
To
warriors, or
men
to bear arms.
and they
allotted
now
elapfed,
two years for the neceflary preparations. and the fwarm began to diflodge on the
furprife,.
March of the year in which Csfar was to take pofOn receiving the alarm, he fet out from of his province. with and haftyjournies arrived at Geneva, where, to prevent Italy, down the bridge of the Rhone, and took other mea broke he
twenty-fifth of
feffion
In the
that they
mean time
that they
might be allowed to pafs the Rhone, and giving affurances would abftain from every fort of hoftility on their march
through the
Roman
province.
Casflu-,
and
in this
manner amufed
was
new levies to be made with the greateft difprovince, and ordered he fortified the banks of the river, fromfame At the time, patch.
the Lake of Geneva, to the narrow pafs
'
at
between the Jura and the Vuache, and from thence running under cliffs and fteep mountains, renders the accefs from Helvetia to Gaul
either impradticable or eafily obftrudted.
gave them
to pafs
for anfwer.
lowed ftrangers
were made on
his province,
through their country; and that if any attempt he fhould repel it by force. Upon reHelvetians,,
Fort
I'Eclufe.
though too
late,
endeavoured;
to*
i82
BOOK
where the
river
Rhone, and made repeated attacks, either was fordable, or where it admitted the ufe of rafts
at
laft
where, by the confent of the Sequani, their neighbours in that part of the country, they pafled over the Jura into Gaul.
obUged
Csefar, probably not more alarmed for the fafety of his province, than defirous to render it a fcene of adlion, determined to obferve the
him
fervice.
For
this
purpofe he himfelf, in
perfon, repafled the Alps, and without any regard to the limitations reftrifted his military eftablifhment to three
In
march he met
with oppofition from the inhabitants of the mountains, who endeavoured to obilrudt his way but he had traverfed the country of the Al:
Rhone above
its
when he had
of Jura, and marched through the country of the Sequani, were arand although they had hitherto, agreeably to ;
from
hoftilities, that
fire
they
and
Upon
habiting
application
made to him for protedion from the natives Inbetween the Soane and the Loire, this willing auxiliary
;
in four divifions
firfl:
had already pafled the Soane ; and that the follow, yet remained on the nearer bank of
three legions, furprifed
Then
the Arar.
this
OF THE
this rear-divifion ;
ROMAN
many
REPUBLIC.
of them to the fword, forced
*
183
chap.
^
As foon
as the
main body of
C;Efur's
army
arrived
on the Soane,
he conftruded a bridge, and pafled that river in his way to the enemy. The Helvetians, fenfible of their lofs in the late alion, and alarmed
of his motions, he having executed in one day the paffage of a river which had detained them above ninety days, fent a deputation to treat with the Roman Proconful, and to obtain, if pofat -the rapidity
fible,
of a
new
fettlement
to
fit
on
amicable terms.
They
were allowed
;
down
bidding him
" the arms of the Helvetii had, remember, at the fame time, that " on former That the recent occafions, been felt by the Romans.
"
"
fate of a fingle
flatter
him
" too
much
their fathers to
rely more on valour than on artifice or on negociation ; but that they " did not wifh to have their prefent migration fignalized with any " flained with Roman blood." new fettlement nor their maflacres, " he could recolledl to have That Csefar this
To
mefiage,
infults
replied,
"
offered to the Romans by their which they now probably alluded that he likewife " had more recent provocation? which he knew how to refent r " if neverthelefs, they meant to comply with his demand, to repair *' the injuries they had done to the Allobroges and to the Edui *, " and to for their future behaviour, that he was will*
heard of
nation,
and
to
give hoilages
*'
ing to grant
them peace."
Helvetian deputies withdrew, faying. That it was the practice of their countrymen to receive, not to give hoftages ; and both armies moved on the following day : the Helvetians,, ia
Upon
territory
i84
BOOK
and
fome quarter where they might fettle without interruption ; Csefar, to obferve their motions, and to reflrain them from phm-
allies. Both continued on the fame route dering the country of his no more than an interval of five or fix miles with during fifteen days,
other.
On
this
march Csfar's
was
enemy, when he had intelhad taken poft at the font of a hill, about eight and feemed to have formed a refolution to receive
if
Having
examined the ground on which they were ported, and obferving* that the height in their rear was not by nature inacceflible, nor fufat ficiently fecured agalnft him, he difpatched Labienus in the night
the head of two legions, with orders to poiTefs himfelf of the eminence,
and
to
them
thence on the enemy's rear whenever he faw attacked by himfelf in front. Labienus accordingly got pofTeffall
down from
fion of the
hill,
it
to
occupy
But the the attention of the enemy, and to attack them in front. of mifinformation of this the was fruftrated difpofition by purpofe
an
officer
that the
of horfe, who, being advanced before the army, reported, enemy ftill appeared on the height, and that Labienus proit.
Csefar, difconcerted
loft fo
by
made
a halt, in
which he
much
time as to
give the
enemy an opportunity
to
decamp, and to
retire in fafety.
He
on
f)rovirions,
the following day, to alter his route in order to receive a fupply of the believed that he was retreating, and began to
enemy
I
purfue
in their turn.
He
halted
on
a rifing
ground
to receive
them,
placed
OF THE
ROMAN
an
REPUBLIC.
v.
i8-
placed his new levies with the baggage on the higher ground, and the choice of his army on the declivity towards the plain. Here the
CHAP,
enemy advancing
Lifted
to attack
him,
after
till
obftinate
engagement which
and the re-
from one
in the afternoon-
flaiighter
mainder, amounting to no more than one hundred and thirty thoufand fouls, reduced to defpair by the fenfe of their lolTes, and the
want of
Caefar ordered
them them
country, charging the Allobroges to find imtil fubfiftence, they fhould be able to provide for themfelves.
own
The
by
the Edui,
who,
their
own
lands to
accommodate
firft
thefe ftrangers \
At
the
yet remained, another fervice on which to employ his foon The nations who inhabited the banks of prefented itfelf. army the Soane and the Loire, being fenfible of the deliverance they had
fummer
by the uncertainty of
fent deputies to
its
diredlion,
congratulate the
Roman
The
their ftates.
objedt of their meeting, as it foon appeared, was to obtain fofne relief from the common oppreft!ion they underwent from the
ty-
ranny of Ai-iovlftus, a German chief, who, when the Gauls were at war among themfelves, had been invited as an auxiliary to one of
the parties, and had obtained the victory for his
for the
allies
;
but took
reward of his fervices pofleflion of one third of their terriwhich he beftowed on his own people, and aflumed for himfelf tory, the fovereignty of the whole. His force was daily augmented the
by
lib. i.
c.
28, 29.
Vol.- IL
continual
i86
BOOK
fo that,
from
whom
had multiplied to an hundred and twenty thoufand. To accommodate this numerous people, he had recently made a demand of another third of the territoiy of the Sequani, and
was extending
his
pofTefTions from the neighbourhood of the Rhine to the Soane. Mod of the nations on this trad; had been obliged to fubmit to a contri-
bution levied by
threfe ftrangers,
and
payment of
it.
The
to the
protedion of
now
end
of
in the
Senfible
the hazard to which they expofed their hoftages by entering into any open concert againft the Germans, they made their application
to Cxfar in fecret,
to
embrace
every opportunity of rendering his province a theatre of adtion to his army, and of renown to himfelf. He fent without delay a meflage
to Arioviftus, defiring to have a conference with
him on
affairs that
concerned the general interefts of Gaul. This haughty chieftain" That if the Roman with difdain,. replied general meant to have " an Interviev/ with his of refidence was known ; that him, pLice " he neither could truft himfelf in the quarters of Carfar, without an
"
army, nor would be at the expence of aflembling one, merely for " the fatisfadlion of a conference with him."
Cxfar renewed the mefilige with an exprefs requifition that the, that Arioviftus (liould abhoftages of the Edui fliould be reftored
;
ftain
from
the
Romans
any more of
his country-
men
To
OF THE
To
this
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
187
meflage Arioviftus replied, That he had conquered the he held in Gaul, and that he knew of no power who poflefTions which to diredl him in the ufe of his conquefts j that whoever had a
right
attacked
him fhould do
fo at his peril
if
he thought
the fpirit of his people ; they were ready to reproper, might try ceive him, and had not for fourteen years flept under any cover.
Ca;far, not to
feem backward
and
That, compliance with a maxim which he often obferved withfuccefs. his blows fiould anticipate his thixats, and outrun the expcSlations of
his
encm)\
him
in condition to ail
advanced upon the Germans before they could think For this purpofe, without againil them.
communicating
Vefontio,
Arioviftus
now
any perfon of his own army, he reand afcended by the courfe of the Doufe to Befancon, a place of ftrength, which he underftood
his defign to
meant
Here,
for the
mans began
report
and the legions, taking ; of that enemy from the and the of account their ferocity ftrength were of the Gaulifti auxiliaries, greatly alarmed. Many cito be fufpeded in his
own army
tizens of diftinfticn
vidory and honour, now, under various pretences, to retire. Their example fpread a kind of panic in for leave applied and men muttered their refolution not to both officers and the army,
to a place of
obey,
were pleafed to conthey ihould be ordered upon what they wild. and unreafonable fider as a fervice fo
if
Cxfar, being thus called upon to exert that undaunted courage and mafterly eloquence by which he was diftinguiilied on many
occafions,
affembled
all
the officers of his army, and reprimanded the defigns of their general, or
them
The
matter
he
faid,
might be terminated in an
amicable
b 2
i88
BOOK
army
fupplied
provifions.
*'
But our
allies
we
we
are to pafs
is
covered with
commanders, who, by by had forfeited the regard or the confidence of their mifcarrlages, " what will happen to me a little time will dlfcover. I troops " meant to have made a halt at this but fhall not defer
"
;;
As for the roads, you fhall fpeedily fee and judge of ripe corn. " them. I am little affedled with what I hear of a defign to aban" don me in cafe I Such infults, I know, perfift in this expedition. " have been offered to their avarice or their
"
longer place, giving you an opportunity to fhow, whether regard to your duty, or " the fear of a fuppofed enemy, is to have the greateft effedl on your " minds. I mean to-morrow, at two in the morning, to
" and
*'
fhall
proceed,
if
This fpeech had a very fudden effeft. The tenth legion, having been formerly diftinguiflied by their general, felt this expreffion of
confidence as an additional motive to dcferve
tation of their officers to return their thanks.
it,
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
189
refolution to fupport their general in any fervice on which he might He accordingly decamped at the hour be pleafed to employ them. of forty miles, to avoid fome difa circuit and making appointed
;
which lay on the direct road, after a continual march of feven days, in v/hich he was condudted by Divitiacus, a native of
ficulties
Gaul, he
amved
this
German
quarters.
unexpedted thought Upon with Csfar. He propofed that they proper to defire a conference In this fhould meet on horfeback, and be attended only by cavalry.
part of his army,
Csefar
which
w\is
compofed
chiefly of Gaulifli
liorfe,
was weak.
made
to
him, he mounted his fuppofed favourite legion on the horfcs of the Gauls, and with this efcort came to the place appointed for the
conference.
It
was an eminence
way between the two armies. The leaders, each attended by ten of Their efcorts drew up at the his officers, met at the top of the hill.
diftance of
fide.
Caefar began the conference, by reminding Arioviftus of the honours recently beftowed upon him by the Roman Senate, who or" The dered him the ufual prefents, and gave him the title of king. " " the allies of the Roman People ; were he laid, Edui," they had " formed this connedlion in the of their and when height profperity,
" to be at the head of the Gaulifli nations ; they were fuppofed " that it was not the cuftom of the Romans to let nations fuffer by " their alliance, but to render it in every inftance, to the party who " embraced of profperity and honour. He therefore it, a fource " renewed his former requifition, that Arioviftus fhould not make " war on the Edui, or on any nation in alliance with " fhould remit their tribute, and releafe their
" could not fend back into their
Rome
;
that
if
he
he
hoftages
fiich
and,
own
country
of the
Germans
" as
,1^0
BOOK
"
prevent
of the Rhine, that he fhould at lead already on this fide from that quarter." more the arrival of any
been invited into Gaul by the natives of this country ; that he had done them fervices, and had exacted no more than a juft reward ;
that, in
them and
himfelf, the
Gauls had
been the aggreflbrs, and had fufFered no more than the ufual confethat to indemnify him for his lofTes, they had quences of a defeat
;
and had given hoftages for the re" " I too," he laid, not it. of by your own account, gular payment " in alliance with the Romans ? Why fhould that alliance, which is
a tribute, fubjeifled therafelves to
Am
" a fafeguard and an honour to every one elfe, be a lofs and a mif" fortune to me ? Muft I alone, to pi^eferve this alliance, refign the
*'
advantage of
treaties,
*'
*' *'
No
let
me
rather be confidered as an
and remit the payments that are due to me ? enemy than as an ally upon
thefe conditions.
My
to
If ftrangers are to opprefs the Gauls, but to defend their leader. " be admitted firft as the the Germans, here, occupiers, liave a right
*'
Romans.
What do Roman
of yours.
poiTefTion
Muft
which
make of
my own
r"
To
Rome.
*'
this
"
in this
" that the Romans are not interefted know," he faid, quarrel, and that, by cutting you off, I fhould perform an
I
"
'*
acceptable fervice to
many
of your countrymen.
But
I ftiall
take
no part in your
internal divifions.
Leave
me
"
*'
you
pleafe
I fhall
cern myfelf."
Csfar
OF THE
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
which the Romans had
igt
contracted with many of the nations who now claimed their pro" If tedion. conquefl could give any right to poffeflion," he faid, " we are the firft have long fince fubdued the Arconquerors. " vcrni but it is not our pradlice to enflave every nation we van" to forfake thofe we have once patronized." While quifh, much lefs
We
which made
advanced, and even began to throw expedient for C2;rar to break up the conference.
ftridl
He
In a few days after this conference, the German chieftain propofed another perfonal interview, or, if that were declined, defired that fome perfon of confidence fhould be fent with whom he might treat. Being gratified in the fecond part of this alternative, but intending
no more by this requeft than a mere feint to lull the enemy into fome degree of fecurity, he pretended to take offence at the quality
of the perfons
who were
fent to
on the fame day put his army in motion upon a real defign, which fhowed that, barbarian as he was, he underftood the plan, as well as
Obferving that the Romans derived their fubfiftence from the country behind them, he made a
the execution, of military operations.
movement, by which he
pafled their
eleven miles in their rear, and by this means intercepted their ordinary fupply of provifions..
Cccfar for
many
the two armies, to provoke the enemy to a battle ; but plain between having failed in this purpofe, he Vv'as obliged to divide his army, and
to place
it
in feparate polls,
which he
fortified,
in order to recover a
communication with the country behind him. He learned that the Germans had borne with great impatience the defiances he had given
them
192
BOOK
women, who
if
they
fhould
moon.
The Germans,
this prediction,
notwithftanding the awe in which they flood of endeavoured to diflodge one of the divifions of Casfar's
failed in that attempt,
camp, and defeated with great flaughter. by the with remains of his followers, fled to the the i^rioviftus himfelf, Rhine, about fifty miles from the field of battle, paffed that river in
in their
Romans
a fmall canoe
numbers of
his
him, and the greater part of thofe who remained were overtaken, and put to the fword by Cxfar's cavalry.
In this manner Cxfar concluded his
laid the foundation
firft
campaign
in Gaul.
And
of his future conquefts in that country, by ftating himfelf as the protedor of its native inhabitants againft the Helvetli
likely to
fubdue
it.
He
placed his
army
among
fet
the nations
Italy,
whom
he had
out for
under pretence of
on
more probably
terefts at
to be near to
of State.
Rome
and
gan
to be frequented
who
defired to
by numbers who were already of his party, or be admitted into it, and with whom he had previoufly
were
to
made
At
make
for
afTift
them.
Spinther was joined with Q^Cscilius Aletellus Nepos, of whom the latter had, in the capacity of Tribune, diftinguifhed himfelf as an
OF THE
tron, probably
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
He had
been Edile in
193
now
the Confulate of Cicero, and had taken a vigorous part in thofe very meafures for which Cicero was now fuffering in exile ^ He was
likely to favour the reftoration
of that injured
acceptable to
citizen,
and upon
this
ac-
Pompey, who, having an with was to Clodius, open rupture difpofed mortify him by eipoufmg the caufe of his enemies.
the
Clodius, foon after his late vidtory ovfer Cicero, greatly rofe in his
count was
now
more
prefumptlon, and, forgetting that he had prevailed more by the connivance of Pompey and Ca^far, and by the fupport of their friends, than by any influence of his own, ventured to fet Pompey himfelf
at defiance,
late fettlement
of Afia, to
the
young Tigranes,
the prifoner of
Pompey,
at
In the liberty ', and propofed to reftore him again to his kingdom. debates which arofe on thefe meafures in the aflembly of the People, Pompey had the mortification to find that the farcafms of Clodius
as well as
by
Chiefly, governed by vanity and impatient of obloquy, he abfented himfelf from the public aflemblies during the remainder of Clodius'
term
in office,
to
might be revenged of that fadlious Tribune, or regain with the more refpeclable clafs of the citizens '.
own
credit
Encouraged by
the Senate,
this divifion
among
who
own,
had ventured, on the twenty-ninth of Odober, while Clodius was yet in office, to move for his recal. Eight of the Tribunes concurred
' "
Cicero ad Att.
lib. iii.
ep. 22.
'
&
476.
Vol.
it,
in
194
^
^-
'^uP *
^I'gi^o
t^^^s
motion, and
it
was
rejedled only
in
'
whom
whom he
new
Upon
lowing year, better hopes of fuccefs were entertained by the friends of Gcero. Lentulus declared that the reftoration of this exile fhould
be the
to
firft
it
and
that
he would not
fail
move
on the day
that
he entered on
office.
Metellus too,
the brother-in-law of Clodius, though always inclined to favour the popular fadlion, could not in this matter fet himfelf in oppofition to
Pompey, and
to concur
'>
the Prxtors
except Appius Claudius, the brother of Publius, declared their intention to take an adlive part in forwarding this raeafure.
Encouraged by thefe appearances, Cicero left his retreat at Theflalonica, and arrived at Dirrachium, before the twenty-fifth of November,
to be at
his friends
on the
vioufly taken.
figned.
Mean
command
in Cilicia
them
in
left
the
interefl;
of the Senate
and, being
made be-
fore the
new Tribunes
was
entered on
afraid left
office,
it
tliefe deftinations,
might
from
P.Corn. Lenther! q!^"" Cjccil. Metell.
his party,
lefs
zealous to
move
word
;
The Conful
firft
office,
moved
Nepos,
Cicero ad Att.
lib.
'"
iii.
ep. 23.
to
OF THE
ment
that
all
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
igs
banifli'
from
CHAP.
'
,
perfons oppofing
;
and that
if the
it
it
".
This motion was received in the Senate with general applaufe. On the conEight of the Tribunes were zealo.us in fupport of it.
trary,
college,
it.
no
gative,
Senate.
It
was
and a day was fixed for this purpofe. ; Early in the morning of that day Fabricius, one of the Tribunes in the intereft of the exile, endeavoured to occupy the place of affembly
force, but
with an armed
of
gladiators,
conflict enfued, in
which
from
who came
Forum.
Clodius, at the head of his gladiators, with fwords already ftained in blood, purfued his victory through the ftreets.
in
The temple of
which were kept fome public records which he the Nymphs, '^ the houfes of MUo and Cxwilhed to deftroy, was fet on fire
;
cilius
" The
filled
flreets,
the
common
fewers,
all
the
" were
No
"
'*
Cicero ad Att.
lib. iii.
ep. 26.
&
in Oral,
27 Parad. ^d.
aded
196
BOOK
when
armies fought in
'*.
of his
Quintus Cicero efcaped by hiding himfelf under the dead bodies own fervants, who were (lain in defending his houfe. The
received
Tribune Publius Sextius adtually fell into the hands of his enemies, many wounds, and was left for dead among the flain. This
circumftance, however, alarmed the party of Clodius not lefs than it alarmed his opponents. The odium of having murdered, or even
violated the perfon of^a Tribune,
was
the People
by putting
to
death Numerius,
own
fide,
artifice,
made
life,,
and made
After fo flrange a diforder, parties for fome months, mutually afraid of each other, abftained from violence. The Tribune Milo
commenced
for
but
it
was
fome time eluded by the authority of Appius Claudius, brother of the accufed, who was now in the office of Prastor; and the courts,,
when
adtually called,
of gladiators,
public place.
with which Publius Clodius himfelf infefted every It was vain to oppofe him without being prepared to
and Milo accordingly had recourfe to this method. purchafed a troop of gladiators, and of Beftiarii, or baiters of wild beafts, the remainder of thofe who had been employed
employ a
fnnilar force,
He
in the
name
ordered the bargain to be fecretly ftruck, conof the buyer, left the oppofite party, fufpeding the
He
c.
35, 36.
"
3b'.
So
OF THE
parties frequently
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
with Clodius. Their
197
to encounter
engaged in the ftreets, and the populace, fond of fuch flicws, enjoyed the fpe(Sacle which was prefented to them in of the city every corner
' .
While the
diforders
which thus
arofe
from the
dlfputes relating to
Cicero's reftoration
height of his
were daily augmenting, he himfelf fell from the hopes to his former pitch of dejedlion and forrow.
The
made
in his favour
ceeded,
fully prepared to
concur in
Pompey was
own
inclinations
on
who was
much
confo-
quence, and who was to owe the favour of his reftoration to any other The Tribune Sextius,. before the late diflblution, had than himfelf.
made a journey
Utician
and
it is
was unwilling
to reftore
an exile
who was
likely to afcribe
that fervice to
which
his
and
in
power.
was
made
this
with Pompey and Crafllis ; and from animofity to he wifhed to crufh every perfon of confequence to their body, to favour the and pretenfions of every ambitious citizen who party, ventured to at in open defiance of their government.
his coalition
Pompey,
into the
in the
mean
hands of
Csefar,
was
flattered
in the city,
Cicero ad Att.
lib. iv.
ep. 2
Cceflir
198
^
*^
"THE PROGRESS
P
^ Cxfav
in every
AND TERMINATION
fix his attention abroad,
con-
army
in Gaul,
and ap-
proved of every enterprize in which their leader vpas pleafed to employ them.
In this year, which was the fecond of
C.-sfar's
command, two
;
were by his orders levied in Italy and, under pretence of an approaching war with the Belg.ie, a nation confilling
additional legions
more
of
many
to pafs the Alps to the northward in the fpring. As foon as the forage was up, he himfelf followed in perfon, took the
field,
fpirit
His force now confifted of eight Roman legions, befides numerous bodies of horfe and foot from different cantons in Gaul, archers from
Crete and Numidia, and flingers from the Balearian iflands
it is
;
fo that
likely the
men.
may have amounted to about fixty thoufand The greater part of his army had wintered on the Soane '^
'\ as protestors,
whole
Cxfar having
now
taken
numbers of
army
as auxiliaries or as hoftages,
and having fpent twelve days in preparing for his march, took his route to the northward, under pretence of carrying the war into the
enemy's country, or of preventing them from gaining, to
their fup-
pofed confederacy againft the Romans, any of the nations in the fouthern parts of Gaul.
His way lay through the high, though level, countries, now termed Burgundy and 'Champagne, in which the Soane, the Mofelle,
ihe Meufe, and the Seine, with fo
many
"
Antiently
named
the Arar.
" The
Dubis.
.4
that
199
^*
found
a people,
him
as a friend,
this
though of the Belgic extradlion, difpofed to receive and to place themfelves under his protedlion.
From
forces
that
is
which they had already afl'embled. From the track of country watered by the rivers, which are now called the Oife,the Scheld,
that
no
lefs
thoufand
men
To prevent the junction of or preparing to affemble, againft him. this formidable power, or to difl:rat part of Its force, he detached
his Gaulifh auxiliaries to
make
a diverfion
on the Oife
", while
he
himfelf advanced to the Aifne ", palled this river, and fortified a
ftation
fix
on
its
northern bank.
Having
he
lefc
to fecure his
communi--
While he remained
front ;
and having fpent many hours in endeavouring were about to renew their aflault on the following day.
to reduce
it,
But Caefar
having in the night thrown into the garrifon a confiderable reinforcement of archers and {lingers, the appearance of this additional ftrength on the battlements induced the enemy to defift.
They
neverthelefs continued to advance, laid wafte the country, his camp. They had a front, as ap-
Cxfar, confidering the numbers and reputation of this enemy, Fie obferved them for thought proper to proceed with caution.
9
Now
the
dillrift
of Rheims.
*"
Jafara and
Axona.
fome
20O
BOOK
*-V
'
and made
fkill in partial encounters before he ventured to offer them battle. But being encouraged by the event of thefe trials, he chofe a piece
of floping ground that lay before his camp, and was fit to receive As the enemies front w^as likely to extend farther than his army.
he threw up intrenchments on the right and left to cover his and with this fecurity, to prevent his being furrounded, drew ; The BelgK too were formed on their part ; but the forth his army.
his,
flanks
and
after a
few
fkir-
Romans
re-entered their
,
tions of a battle,
took their
way
Aifne^', in
order to pafs the river, and get poffeffion of the bridge in the rear of
the Romans.
officer
Csefar
had
intelligence of this
movement from
the
^who was
fl:ationed to
and marching
inftantly
with
all
time to overtake them, while yet entangled in the fords, and obliged
with
much imill
petuofity, but without proper forefight, foon appeared to be lified to maintain a permanent war with fuch an enemy.
qua-
They
were difheartened by
their difappointments,
mour
made
in a part
of their
own
country.
their provifions,
and
camp.
It
was
therefore refolved in their general council, that thdr forces, for the
prefent, fhould feparate
;
and
if
any of
terwards attacked by Csefar, that the whole fhould aflemble again for their common defence.
*'
Axona,
Whh
OF THE
"With
this
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
'^
201
refolution they decamped in the night, but with fo and diforder that Cgefar fufpedled a feint, or an intention He therefore remained in his Unes till to draw him into a fnare.
^A
P.
much
noife
the morning,
when
it
were feen
and
at a diftance
on the
plain
moving
who
He
long
was day, and, though with great bravery refilled in his attacks on their rear, made confiderable havock. At the approach of night
he difcontinued the
in the morning.
purfuit,
On
the following
and withdrew again to the camp he left day he moved with his whole
to re-affemble their
determined
In
the beginning of his march he followed the courfe of the Aifne, and in his way reduced the Sueflbnes and Bellovaci, two cantons that
lay
on the
right
and the
left,
the Oyfe.
From
march
to the northward,
young
Craflus,
with a confiderable
coafts, to
occupy thofe cantons which now form the provinces of Normandy and Bretanny.
Part of the country through
pafTed,
now forming
heard with indignation of the furrender of the Bellovaci and Sueffones, their neighbours, prepared for refiftance, fent fuch of their
people as, by their fex or age, were unfit to cany arms into a place of fecurity, afl'embled all their warriors, and fumm.oned their allies
to a place of general refort.
They took
poft
the heights on both fides of the river being covered with woods, en-
They
had
202
^
had
an enemy, ufually
moved
by
baggage and they made a difpofition to furprife him on For this purpofe they chofe the march, and under this diladvantage.
their
their
that the
van of the
Roman
army
of the
be fufFered to pafs unmolefted, but that the appearance column of baggage fhould be the fignal for a general atat
tack to be
parties
made
once from
all
which
their
were ported.
Cxfar, in the
mean
marched
river,
enemy was
form of
van of
legions, clear of
incumbrance, in the
the whole of his baggage, and in the rear the two legions that were
levied in Italy.
a few parties
"When he entered the open grounds on the Sambre, of horfe appeared, but were foon driven into the woods
by
his cavalry.
The
legions that
came
firft
to their
till
as ufual, to intrench,
baggage came in
to cover the
fight.
At
fented themielves on every fide, drove in the cavalry that were ported
working
parties,
and
in
many
places
were
clofe in
with
body of the army before the infantry had time to uncover The Roman foldier, netheir fhields, or to put on their helmets.
the main
verthelefs, ran to his colours, and,
his general,
from v;hofe
abilities,
on
aftion
was various
in
different
The
Nervii, in
works of the
Roman
one part of the adtion, forced the imperfedt camp but in another part of it were themfelves
;
forced
OF THE
Some
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
<
203
forced from their ground, and driven in great numbers into the river. of the Roman legions vi^ere broken, loft the greater part of
CHAP.
^.i.^j
their officers,
to rally
together in confufion.
legionary, foldier, and,
He
was reduced
and
to at the part of a
mere
men, joined
in the battle,
by
his
enemy
at bay,
of two legions of the rear-guard, and of two others, that were fent by Labienus to fupport him.
arrival
This feafonable
relief,
diftrefled,
changed the fortune of the day; and the confufion, which in the
beginning of the adtion had been turned to
Nervii,
fell
fo
now became
fatal to themfelves.
The
in heaps
on the ground where they firft began the attack. The to fly were met at every opening of the woods
enemy, by
;
by
parties of the
whom
as
or put to
ance,
the fword
and
they
in the
end with
little refift-
many became
who
put
Of
four
hun
dred chiefs only three efcaped ; and of an army of fixty thoufimd men, no more than five hundred left the field of battle. The piteous
remains of
and of children,
pear in
fent,
but
it
The Attuatici,
defcendants
of the Cimbri and Teutones, the late terrors of Gaul, of Spain, and of Italy, being fettled below the confluence of the Sambre and the Meufe,
had been on
their march to join the Nervii, when they heard of this unfortunate adlion ; and then withdrew to their own country. Being
fortrefs.
Here
204
B O O K
a voluntary fubmiffion
down
their arms,
battlements, as almoft
filled
up the ditch
But
having delayed taking pofleflion of the place till the following day, the befieged, whether they only meant to deceive him, or repented of their furrender, took arms again in the night, and in
Csefar,
Roman
army.
of them being
killed
being forced into the town, were, in confequence of their former breach of faith, to the amount of fifty thoufand perfons, fold for
flaves.
trated to the
command, pene-Meufe and the Scheld, and being mafter of the eaftern frontier of Gaul as far as the Rhine, and even from beyond that river having received fome offers of fubmiffion mafter too of being
;
Thus
feveral
the
young
army
thefe conquefts,
fet
and himfelf, as at the end of the former campaign, and the neighbourhood of Rome.
Here
which he
left in
contefl
between the
determined.
as often as
Clodlus had found a proper antagonift in Milo, and, he himfelf, or any of his party, appeared in the afTemblies
ftreets,
his
own
weapons.
citizens
Every one agreed, that if the laws could not give protedlon to the who were moft willing to be governed by them, they Ihould not by their formalities fcreen the diforderly and profligate in thepradice of every fpecies of crime.
Clodius had now for fome months lain under an Impeachment from; Milo, and had declared himfelf candidate for the office of jEdile,.
endeavouring
OF THE
off the
trial
till
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
of his brother, to put when, if he ihould be veiled
artifices
205
C
H A
-.
P.
.j
with any public charadler, he might be able to fcreen himfelf under the privilege of his office. His own credit, however, and the fear
which
armed
banditti,
fo
in a
of the Senate determined to make another vigorous ftoration of their exiled member.
This bufmefs was accordingly again moved in the Senate and about the beginning of June a decree was paffed in the fulleft terms for the reftoration of Cicero. The Conful was charged with
;
condud of
this
meafure
officer
as
commonwealth.
This
accordingly
a proclamation,,
all
in terms
who
fafety of the republic at heart' to fupport him in the execution of this decree. There was, in confequence of this procla-
had the
mation, a great concourfe of citizens from all parts of enemies of the meafure fhrunk and withdrew their
ad: pafled
in
Italy.
The The
Cicero had been fo confident of this event, that he on the fame day failed from Dyrrachium, and on the following arrived at Brundifium.
Ou
ftill
at this place,
he had
inti-
being pafl'ed, Rome, and continued his journey through multitudes of who were affembled on people, the roads to teftify their joy upon his return he entered the city on
fet
mation of the
ad
out for
which
is ftill
ex
compofed of
ing to
tion.
vehement invedive, con-efpond the demerit or merit of parties in his late difgrace and reftoralavifh panegyric or
The
raifeJ
2o6
CHAP,
repay
former pitch of glory, and appeared to the fervices he had rendered to the public, and to compento his
forrows of his
late difgrace.
The whole
matter was, to
this perfons of refledion, an evidence of that weaknefs with which himfelf to be affedted man fuffered by popular opinion, and ingenious
During
was
at a
northern extremities of Gaul, engaged with fierce and numerous enemies, and involved in difficulties, concerning which there were
various reports, and of which the
his
ifllie,
army, was fuppofed to be uncertain. In thefe circumftances, however willing Pompey may have been to perfevere in the meafures
concerted with Cxfar,
refifl it is
probable that he found himfelf unable to which was now exerted to obtain the
relloration of a perfoa
who had
meafures.
It is pofTible
likewife,
Pompey may
independently of Cxfar, though he afterin to the party of the triumvirate, afto Cicero wards, gain trying
to
ad
Cifar equal merit with himfelf in procuring his recal, and he appealed to Quintus, the brother of Marcus Cicero, for the
Cicero himfelf, however,
was not
dif-
any
credit
upon
this
account
was done
him
".
Pompey, not the lefs jealous of Csefar for their pretended union, and fenliblc of the advantage he had gained in a militaiy command of
**
Cicero ad Familiar,
I
lib.
i.
ep. 9.
" DraL
in Scnst. poft
Reditum,
c. 15,
fo
OF
fo
207
for himfelf
long a duration at the gates of Rome, now wiflieJ to propofe Ibme appointment of equal importance. The moment of
and the
cordiaUty in the Senate on their recovering a favourite member, firft emotions of gratitude in the breaft of Cicero, whom
he had obliged, appeared to form a conjundture favourable for iuch a propofition and he laid, with his ufual addrefs and ap;
importation of corn into Italy had lately mifcarfled, and a The populace being riotous great fcarcity and dearth had followed.
The
upon
this complaint,
violence
who were
prefent,
and
the Capitol.
report induftrioufly
that
by the enemies of Cicero was propagated, to make it be believed the diftrefs arofe from his engroffing for fome time the attention
;
of the State
and
it
ad
was reprefented, in oppofition to this clamour, of Clodius, and the mifcondua: of one of his
Pompey,
called
that
by him with the care of the public granaries, was. It was infmuated by the adherents of no man was fit to relieve the People befides himfelf;,
diftrefs.
committed
to
him alone
pur-
pofe, as
bound
to procure
fome
in return to
owed
Pompey
and, however
was convenient
to appear
He
to
run in favour of
cafe
tlie
this falhionable leader. As if the neceflity of had fuggefted the meafure, he moved the Senate that a
all
granted
2oS
E o O K
.
:
..
Pompey
'
./
The
-won by the eloquence of their newly recovered member, inftructed the Confuls to frame a refolution to this purpofe, and carry it to the
aflembly of the People for their aflent.
,
Here
commiiTion, and to comprehend the fuperintendency of the revenue, with an allotment of fleets and armies fulted to the extent of this unprecedented
ill
truft.
Pompey, obferving
any
was
fhare in propofing
and
affeled
him
in terms of the at
which
to be
drawn up by
the Confuls.
His partizans,
pleaded for the extenfion of the commiffion as proThe extravagance of the propofal pofed by Meflius, but in vain. gave a general alarm, not only to the Senate, but even to the party
to
employ Pompey
but
him
in reality that
fovereignty of whic^ he fo
much
The
all
although
extraordinaiy commiflion, now adlually granted to Pompey, it was exorbitant in refpeft to the influence it gave him over
yet, as
it
command
of an
army, principally dreaded in his rival and though probably the caufe of fome jealoufy, did not produce any immediate breach between them. Pompey, being intitled by this commiflion to appoint fifteen lieu;
which Cxfar
lift
and
this place
was ac-
cepted of by him', on this exprefs condition, that it fhould not prevent his ftanding for the office of Cenfor, in cafe an eledtion took place on
**.
He
was now
in the
c.
way
of recovering his
Cicero Orat. in
13.
ad Att.
conlideration
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
more
dif-
09
care to
have
forfeited, -having
even demolifhed
the ground to pious ufes. This laft circumftance had placed a bar in his way, which could not be removed without a forma! decree of the
pontiffs.
The
caufe.
college
met on the
laft
extant
among
his
works on the
The
queftion
common
any
ufe
The
Pontiffs appear to
explicit decifion,
They gave
be found that
Both
parties
ground was void, unlefs it fhould had teen properly authorifed by the People. and the Interpreted this judgment in their own favour
this at
;
of confecration, the
confent of the People had been properly obtained. The Senate being met on the firft of October, and
all
it
name of
in their
judgment
fhould
ceremony, had been properly authorifed by the People but that this was a A debate enfued, in which queftion of law now before the Senate.
;
that
Lentulus Marcellinus, Conful-elecfl for the following year, gave his opinion againft the legality of the confecration he was followed by
:
likely to be
on
that fide.
Pro
Domo
fua.
Vol,
II.
Clodius,
210
BOOK
III.
clamours.
refokition being
:
moved
had been
propofed by MarcelUnus
the
Tribune Serranus,
merly fufpended the decree for the recal of Cicero, The Senate, neverthelefs, proceeded to pofed with his negative. engrofs the decree, in which it was refolved, that the ground on
which
to
Cicero's houfe
in property
;
him
had formerly ftood, fhould be again reftored that no magiftrate fliould prefume to conteft.
;
and
if
any interruption
were given
in the execution
of
this
who
now
confequences.
to give
His
Cornicinus,
him
the prefent on the negative he had given ; but he begged the delay The Senate, recolle(ting the of a night to confider of the matter.
ufe
was
himfelf,
was granted
Roman money
^'
to rebuild
his houfe in
town
five
hundred thoufand
" to rebuild that at Tufculum, and two hundi-ed and fifty thoufand The firfl; Turn he feems to have confidered as adequate to Formioe.
his lofs, but complains of the other
two
"".
He
to
proceeded, without
ground, and
employ workmen in
lib. iv
8 d.
"
'
Ad
Atilcuni,
epiil.
rebuilding
OF THE
rebuilding his houfe.
ROMAN REPUBLIC
liad
211
Clodiiis,
He
made fome
progrefs,
when
CHAP,
on the the
the
third of
force, difperfed
that
was
adjoining,
ftreets
till
on
fire,
retainers
in the
was burnt
to the ground.
By
this
had rendered
in a great
meafurc
His
him from
accordingly attacked Cicero as he pafled in the ftreets on the eleventh of November, attended by a company of his friends, forced
He
them
felves.
difficulty
defended them-
I have put my affairs," he writes " in all the cures I am to under a gentle regimen ; and, to Atticus, " apply for the future, have renounced the ufe of the furgeon's knife."
"
Clodius,
Cicero's
upon this occafion, being difappointed of his defign upon life, came into the ftreets on the following day, which was
number of
for a
flaves
provided with
fliields
and fwords.
with intention
its
They made
to fet
it
on
neighbourhood,
as a fortrefs in
till
which
to defend themfelves,
to fet
and
to keep off
all affiftance,
on
fire fliould
this purpofe, a
number of Milo*s
by one Flaccus, fallied forth againft the incendiaries, killed feveral of the moft forward, put the reft to flight, and would
not have fparcd Clodius himfelf,
if
212.
^in
V
retreat,
which ^ in entering on
this, defign,
his--
party.
On
his
fift
made
remained (hut up in
own
houfe.
It
appears fcarcely credible, that a ftate could fub; yet the author of them had been
long under profecution for crimes of the fame nature ; and it was ftill a queftion, whether the charge againft him fhould be heard, or
to take refuge in
one of the
offices
.
of State, to which he was fure of being named by the People, provided the ele<3;ions were allowed to precede his trial.
.
by
-
the criminal to the former articles of the charge which lay againft: But Metellus Nepos, one of the prefent Confuls, and the rehim.
,
lation of Clodius,.
trial,,
altogether,
by haftening the
elec-
candidate..
He
endeavoured 1
-
to prevent any immediate determination of the Senate by prolonging But the majority of the members were greatly exafpcrthe debate.
rated,
violence,
tellus,
and refolved, that the trial of Clodius for thel'e repeated adls of" and outrage fhould precede the elections. The Conful Me-
notwithftanding,.
was determined
to give
him
a chance to have
refuge from this profecution in the public office to. which he afpired,. and would have brought on the eleftions on the. nineteenth of No
vember,
if
in the
middle;
:
of the preceding night, had, with an armed force, occupied the place of affembly, and was prepared to obferve the heavens, and to announce
fpme of the
methods
*-
celeftial
have prevailed.
Metellusj,
OF THE
Metellus,
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
*"
213
and the two brothers, Appius the Prsetor, and Publlus Clodius, being apprifed of this intention, and of the power with which it was fupported, did not make their appearance in the field,. and Milo kept his ftation till noon, when he withdrew with the
the Senate,, and of the more orderly citizens. general applaufe of The meeting, or afTembly of the People, being adjourned to next
^.^
^*
lull
was no occafionto occupy pofts in the dead of the night;, that he meant to do nothing before it was day; that if any one meant to fufpend the eleftion, he fhould, in the morning, be found
in the market-place,
was
legally intitled to
at
ingly,
Milo, accordplead againft his proceeding. break of day, repaired to the market-place, where he ex-
Conful ; but foon afterwards was told, pected to be joined by the that Metellus had. deceived him,, was haftening to the field of Mars,
where the
elections
inftantly be-
when
it
under the pretence f religion. Upon this information, he immeovertook him before the eledlion began; and, diately purfued and
declaring his intention to obferve the heavens, once ftrated the defigns of the fation_
by
more fru-
On
public
the twenty-firft, the People could not aflemble by reafon cf the market; and their meeting being called for the twenty-third,
poffefTion of the field
and
who
of aHairs,
made no doubt of
;
What
palled
on
;
this
that,
day
is
uncertain
but
it is
known,
being eleited jEdlle, he was, by the privilege of his office, fcrcened from the profecution that was intended againft him ; and being him'* Cicero
ad Att,
lib, iv.
epift.
^^
felf
21
BOOK
111.
Pvlilo's
Tribunate, to
to trial
/
,
and accordingly brought him upon ; on the fecoud of February, for adts of violence and breach
as
oi the peace.
Jippul"''
Pompey,
and
they fucceeded in having him acquitted, while they incurred a torrent of reproach and invedive on the part of the profecutor. The marketplace
retainers of Clodius
he
and
to diredt all
"
Pompey.
Who
Who ftarves the People for want of corn? wants to be fent to Alexandria ? Pompey." This
His
confideration,
principal objedl
was
tempt.
He was
and they
liftened to
He
that
complained
the Nobility were his enemies ; that the Senate was adverfe, and He had indeed fubmitted the youth in g^eneral ill difpofed to him ^'. ef Casfar at Rome the to become j and, with the friends of the agent
republic, incurred the
odium of
republic in awe,
own
life
he af-
fembled a numerous party of his retainers from the country, and abfented himfelf, during fome time, from the Senate and from the
aflemblies of the People.
''
ii.
epill. 3.
OP THE
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
CHAP.
415
VII.
His Repulfe at the EleBlon of PraReturn of Cato from Cyprus, Arrival of Ptolomy Aidetes at Rome. ters. Vift of Pompey
and
Crajfus to
Renewal of
their
Affociation.
Cafars Province.
Provinces.
Tears.
Violent
Elelion of Crajfus
Syria.
and Pompey.
in Spain
Of Crajfus
in
Of Pompey
for fve
Crajfus departs
for
Syria.
chapter have led of Lentulus Confulate us on tp the middle of February, in the The firft was attached to the Marcellinus and L. Marcius Philippus.
THE
particulars
we have
related In the
lafl:
HA
Pi-
forms of the republic, and was a ftrenuous partizan of the Senate; His eledion was probably a continuation of the vidory which this
of Cicero. Philippus was now party had obtained in the reftoration his niece, the widow of nearly related to Csefar, having married
ncdion.
his preferment in part to that conwas, by this alliance, become the ftep-father of youngOdavius, now a boy of ten years of age, brought up by his mother This appears to have been ar in the houfe of her fecond hufband.
0tavius
He
man
of great moderation, no way qualified to be a party in the dewith which he was now con figns or ufurpations of the family
neded.
Some time
commiffion to
office,
in
tlrc
end of
Marcus Cato arrived from having executed' his Byzantium and Cyprus. The bafmefs upon which he
firft
had been
fent to the
of thefe places, was to reftore fome exilesthelir country in- the violence of fadions.
2x6
BOOK
^
-
was
'
-f
his kingdom to the form of a Roman proPtolomy:, and to reduce This meafure, by all accounts, was unjuft, and the office vince.
it
'While he himfelf went to Byzantium, he fcnt forward Canidius to Cyprus, to intimate the commands of the Roman People, and to ex;hort the
king to fubmiflion.
Upon
his return to
Rhodes, in his
way
to Cyprus, he
had
His treafure
was
the whole yielded to the treafury feized, about feven thoufand talents of filver. Upon the approach of Cato
and
:to
Rome,
went forth to receive him. The Senate thought proper in this manner to diftinguifh their friends, and to favour them with fome marks of confideration, in order to balance, if poffible, the public honours that were frequently lavilhed on their enemies. For the fame name of refolved to infert the Cato likewife purpofe they among the
Praetors of this year
;
The year following, however, when he flood candidate for this office in the ordinary form, he was rejeded ; and
cedented and illegaL
Vatinius, the well-known tool of Ca;far,
who had
been employed by
him
in
all
mean
for himfelf to
acknowledge,
was chofen
Casfar, as has
been obferved on
different occafions,
as a
had a ferious
him
from the
and accordingly employed all offices of State, and probably had a particular pleafure in procuring him arepulfe, by the preference of fo mean an antagonift
ponent
;
&
Cicero in Vatinium.
as
OF THE
as Vatimus,
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
217
P.
^ the prefent majority of votes againft him. to reBut, in mentioning this event, Valerius Maximus is pleafed verfe the form of exprellion, ufual in fpeaking of difappointed candi-
who had
H^A
"
dates, faying,
lift
of Prsetors for
this
of all the
effefts fold at
Cyprus
loft,
or burnt
him with
on the voyage, Clodius frequently threatened a profecution to account for the fums he had received ; and
in this he
was
ferioufly inftigated
all
his winter
the proceedings at
Rome.
From
in perfon,fent his agents to the city, took part in every tranfadtion of mo-
ment that
his
It
appeared to be
maxim,
no man fhould be
Mcmmius,
commenced
fulate, having fmce been Prsstor of Bithynia, and accufed of mifcondudl in his province, was attacked by him in a memorial which
Memmius,
from
and
to efcape
The power
ftation,
was
daily increafing
thofe
fice to
whom
of Caefar, aided by his influence in fo important a and as he fpared no pains to crufh ; he defpaired of gaining, fo he declined no arti-
All the fpoils of his province were diftrigain every one elfe. buted in gratuities at Rome. He knew the ftate of every man's faand not where he could reach the mafter, paid his court to the mily,
*
Val. Max.
lib. vli. c. ;.
Vol. IL
F f
miftrefs.
2i8
BOOK
s.
^
I
While
at
Lucca,
many
lefs
Rome
pay
their court,
at
of
thefe
no
;
one
time
and
fo
many
Li(9:ors,
office,
who paraded
amounted
During
to
at the
of Pto-
lemy Auletes to the throne of Egypt, gave rife to warm debates in Tliis prince had been dethroned by his fubjeds ; and, the Senate.
conceiving that he had fufficient credit with
many
perfons at
Rome,
he repaired tiuther to folicit his who own reftoration. In his way he had an interview with Marcus Cato at Cyprus, and was advifed by him to return to Egypt, and to ac-
had experienced
his bounty,
cept of
to enter
on fuch
a fcene of anxiety and mortification, as he fhould find every fuitor The giddinefs of the multifor public favour engaged in at Rome.
tude, the violence of the parties of
fure
to oppofe
what
to
pretend be his friends, and whofe rapacity the treafures of his kingdom could not aflwage, were fufficient to deter the king from proceeding
who might
on
his voyage.
his attendants,
who wifhed.
to have
him
reftored without
any
firmed
Rome
accordingly proceeded to of his hopes, was favour; encouragement then who was poffeffed of the reigning ably received by Pompey, influence in the city, and who confidered this as a proper opportuand, to the great
him
He
which he
was already
poflefTed.
tliat
Plutarch, in CjefarCi
put
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
219
put his daughter Berenice in pofTefTion of the kingdom. Beuig afterwards informed, that he had fleered for Italy, and was likely to
CHAP,
engage the Romans againft them, they fent a deputation to counterBut thefe deputies being at his folicltations in the Roman Senate.
intercepted,
and murdered by
his order,
The king of Egypt, by having procured an act in his own favour, yet made but a fmall progrefs in the bufmefs on which he was
come.
New
difficulties arofe in
its
Soon
after
this
Spinther,
Conful
of the prefent year, being deftined at the expiration of his magiflracy in the city to command in Cilicia and Cyprus, had inferted the buflnefs of reftoring the king of
Egypt
as a part
of his
own
commiffion.
Lentulus was gone for his province, this part of the commiffion, probably by the influence of Pompey, "who had views on that expedition, as the objedt of a military command for himfelf, was
But
after
recalled.
the
ftate
which Pompey
and of
his continual
aim
at extra-
ordinary powers, conceived an expedient to difappoint him on this occafion, or to render the commiffion unworthy of his acceptance.
books of the Sybils, verfes were faid to be found, containing an injundlion to the Romans, not indeed to withhold their " to friendfhip from a king of Egypt foliciting their protedtion, but
In
vifiting the
"
beware
The
they attempted to reftore him with a military force." authenticity of this oracle was acknowledged, or declared by
how
the Augurs ; and the Tribune Caius Cato, who was averfe to the caufe of Ptolomy, availed himfelf of it, to fufpend the effe(3: of
the refolution which had been already taken in favour of that prince. The F f 2
220
BOOK ^
One party Senate and People were divided in their opinions. of Egypt urged, that Pompey fhould be appointed to reftore the king to his throne ; others agreed, that he might be appointed, provided that The
he undertook the commiffion,
as Proconlul, attended
by two Lidors,
*.
any
military force
Pompey
left
as
was
in
;
Cyprus
ing
but
hi-s
this a military
commiffion, or of making
he Ihould be employed
as the
in
it.
have
this
bufmefs devolve
the force of the
favour.
;
upon Pompey,
mod
likely perfon to
it
command
commonwealth, and
both defpairing
people, and
at
to
employ
efFedually in his
But
and,,
lafi:
own
murder of
a retreat
two years
to
by Gabinius, and replaced on his throne with his difappointment in not being named was difgufted Pompey this fervice, and probably more by the little refpedl that was paid
afterwards,
to
him by
all
parties while
lafh
of continual in-
vedlives
from Clodius, and from Caius Cato. Having obtained, on the fifth of April, a grant of fome money towards executing his and having office of general purveyor of corn for the People
;
heard his
own and
Ctcfar's
treafure, efpe-
*,
of the revenues of Campania, feverely cenhe left Rome on pretence of applying the funis
entrufled for the purchafe of corn in SarCicero ad
lib. vii.
'
now
lib.
ii.
5.
'
Cicero ad Quint-
frat. lib.
ep. 5
&
6.
dinia
OF
dinia and Sicily.
221
^
way he pafled by
number of
H A
P.
attendants
who
of Casfar.
thefe three leaders they that
At an interview of
confederacy
;
renewed
their
former
and
it
being known,
how
by
much
inftigated
Cato, and fupported by the party of the Senate, might attempt or execute againft him in his ab fence, propofed, that the oppofition to
this candidate fliould
Pompey and
Craffus fhould:
in order to
Confulate ^
was agreed likewife, at this conference, that, upon the expiration of the term for which they were to hold this office, Pompey fliouId
It
'
have the province of Spain, Craffus that of Syria, each with a great army: that Qefar fhould be continued in his prefent command, and have fuch additions to the eftablrfliment of his province as an army of eight Roman legions, with the ufual accompaniments of auxiliaries and irregular troops. Such was already the flate of his forces ', including a legion of nati\e'
'
to fupport
Gauls; he having, contrary to the exprefs limitations of his com-^ miffion, by which he was reftriiled to three legions, made this enThis convention, ormous augmentation. fome time, kept a fecret, and only began
ufual time of the elections.
like the former,
was, for'
Soon
Italy,
were
his
fettled, Craffus
being to remain in
'
Pompey proceeded on
army
in
paired to his
'
voyage to Sardinia, and Csefar rethe war in different places hadwhere Gaul,
'
Suet., in
Csfare,
c.
24.
Ibid.
been
422
BOOK
Among
made
was
young
;
command on
the coafts
of the
polled
Britifh
Channel
his lieutenants,
among
many of their ftrong holds, whence they were accuftomed to infeft the highways, and to lay fuch as paffed into Italy under contributions
ture.
;
their
good behaviour
He
Ododurus, now
of the
which
Bernard.
;
Here he remained
for
fome time in
by the
fervices
of the preceding campaign, and by the detachments which he had to recently made from his quarters, formed a defign to furprife and
cut
him
off.
For
he was quartered, fuddenly withdrew from him, and foon after appeared with multitudes of their countrymen on the neighbouring From thence they made a furious attack on the Roman mountains.
entrenchment, continually fending frelh numbers to relieve thofe became fatigued, or who had exhaufted their weapons.
who
The Romans, on
the
firft
whether they fhould not abandon maintain it, and were now become
fenfible that
they could not, by fome impetuous faily, difperfe the numbers that were affembled againft them. For this purpofe, they determined to
break from their
lines,
in
hand
a manner of fighting, in which, by the fuperiority of the Roman Ihield and fword, they always had a great advantage. They accordingly
fallied
from
their
ta
OF THE
fand,
it
ROMAN
who
REPUBLIC.
not thinking
223
CHAP,
VII.
retire.
a fituation in
fo
much
neighbourhood of Geneva. The war had broke out at the fame time in the quarters of Craifus, at the other extremity of the province. Some nations, who had
and given hoftages at the end of the preceding compaign, repented of this ftep, and entered into a concert to recover their Hberties. They began with feizing the Roman officers
their fubmiffion,
made
who had
been ftationed
among them
them
recovery of their
own
hoftages.
The
Is
now
and
Blavet.
They
trufted to
iflands, or peninfulas, that were joined to the continent only by forae narrow beach or ifthmus, which the fea, at high water, overflowed.
on the ftrength of their ftiipping, in the ufe of which, by the pradice of navigation on that ftormy fea, and by their frequent voyages even to Britain, they were extremely expert. They
They depended
likewife
want of canvas and hempen cordage with hides and of and the want of cables with iron chains, to which leather, thongs
fupplied the
this
enemy while he
to build as
re-
mained in
quarters
at
Lucca,
fent
orders
many
fliips as pofTible
upon the
neighbouring coafts. Apprehending, at the fame time, a general defection of the province, and perhaps a defcent from the Germans,
that
were ever ready to profit by the diftrefs or divifions of their neighbours, he fent Labienus with a large body of horfe to the
Mofelle,
224
^
9rr^
V
Mofelle, at once to
fage of the Rhine.
awe the
<
He
into
young
ficient
Gafcony
fuf-
occupation in their
own
country, and
to
prevent their
jundion
in to
this revolt.
He
himfelf
made
were ftationed
and
Britanny, and ordered Declmus make fail without lofs of time for the bay of Vanne^;.
arrival
After his
on the
coaft,
he met with
all
reafon to expe(D: from the nature of the country, and from the difpofitioA
-.and fkill
of
its
inhabitants.
retired
from
fea.
Being atand ;
by
their
fituation
feemed
to
pot in a condition to
make his
be fecure from any enemy, who was attack, at once, both by fea and by land.
veffels
j
They
by Janding from
their boats,
which they
As foon
as
it
depended on the event of a fea-fight, embarked the moft expert of their warriors, got under fail with all their force, amounting to two hundred and twenty veflels, and fleered diredly
for their enenjy.
While the
fleets
;
drew near
fpe^tators
Csefar
himfelf
fcene.
on the
heights,
inferior to their
enemy
by an
effort
They
OF THE
They had
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
^
*
y,
225
^^
^'^
provided themfelves with fcythes, faftened to fhafts of a proper length, in order to cut the enemy's rigging, and let loofe or
P'
and having
thus, in the
firft
encounter, dif-
of their fhips, they grappled with them, and boarded them fword in hand.
many
The Gauls,
loft,
would have efcaped with the remainder but were fuddenly becalmed, and being, from ten in the morning till night, continually
expofed to the attack of the Romans, were all either taken or deand the nation, thus bereft of its principal ftrength and the ftroyed
;
flower of
its
Under
pretence
who were
ftationed
among them
in a
their leaders were put to death, and their people public charader,
The
having been defeated by faid to be the character of Gaulifh nations, to their former fubmiffion, with the fame levity with
The
to
refift
To
the advantage
of numbers, they joined a lively courage, of which the Romans themfelves had frequently felt the effeds. Every chief was attended by a number of followers,
whom
he
fervice.
While the
chieftain
;
but
if
he perilhed
their
by
of their engagement.
of other
Roman
II.
officers,
on the Garonne, and warned by the example who had fallen or mifcarried in this fervice,
till
Vol.
jundion
:3co
O O K
on
this occafion,
unwilling to join
even in their
common
defence.
They
accordingly,
hands of the
Romans, and
fion.
in the
By
on the Seine
and the Marne, had a direift communication with the diflridts of Touloufe and Narbonne, or what was already called the Roman
province of Gaul.
Caefar himfelf, having re-eftabliflied peace in
termed Britanny and Normandy, clofed the campaign with a march to the northward, where he penetrated through the marfhes and woods into Brabant ; but being flopped by
now
rains, and the approach of winter, he returned on his route, without making any fettlement ; and having put his army into win* ter quarters among the nations who had lately revolted, he fet out
heavy
There
and
CrafTus,
elections,
to meet v/ith
in executing
At Rome,
fummer had
pafTed in difputes
parties.
Clodlus had
in the perfons
own
and
of his friends.
P. Sextius,
who,
had been
in the riots
to
and brought
in
and who had expofed his to which that queflion gave rife, was now accufed, trial for fuppofed aQ.s of violence committed by him
He
OF THE
joint endeavours was,
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
'.
227
chap.
fiiperftition,
curious as
it
forms
and
his
enemy
Clodius.
Upon
ing of arms had been heard under ground in one of the fuburbs, the Senate thought proper to take the fubjed under confideration, and they referred it for interpretation to the college of Arufpices. This
body
other things, by the ncgled and profanation of the holy rites, and This refponfe by the proftitution of facred places to profane ufes.
once
now
again profaned
by
Cicero endeavoured to remove being reftored to its former owner. the charge of profanation from himfelf to Clodius, by reviving the " If I quote memory of his famous adventure in Casfar's houfe. " " this citizen will recal any more recent ad of impiety," iays he,
*'
me
to the
*'
adultery."
He
Augurs an armed
with
games were
celebrating in
honour of the
great Goddefs.
Senate for two days together liftened to the mutual invedlves of both parties, and were entertained with their endeavours to fur-
The
in declarations of zeal for religion. Cicero, howpafs each other his admirable talents, of the of his force the caufe, ever, by goodnefs
and perhaps
ftill
more by the
whofe favour
* Cicero ad Quint.
Frat. lib.
ii.
epift. 4.
Gg
This
228
BOOK
martyr in the caufe of the Senate, ever fince his return fron^
whofe power,
at leaft
ta
hurt, he
had experienced. He committed, or affeded to commit, himfelf intirely into the hands of Pompey ; and, with a declaration
attachment alfo to Csefar, compofed a flattering panegyric, with great pleafure ', probably more on account of the breach it was likely to make among his opponents
of
much
which
on account of the
fatisfadtion
it
he received from
it,
By
this
gave him in the purfuit of condudt Cicero difgufted his former friends^
and
he abfented himfelf,
during great part of the fummer, from Rome j a circumftance which interrupted the courfe, or changed the fubjeft of thofe letters to yv^hich
we
rials
have indeed great reafon to regret any interruption of matefrom which the hiftory of this Confulate might be colledled. The republic feems in part to have recovered its dignity by the able
We
and
and by the
tacit
concurrence
of his colleague Philippus, who, though connefted with C^efar, did not co-operate in the execution of his defigns ". By the influence
of thefe Confuls the applications made to the Senate by Gabinius, now commanding in Syria, for certain cufl;omary honours were re-
jeded
".
This
refufal
was intended
to mortify
who
himfelf was
commonly
by Mar-
The ariftocratical party with great freedom and feverity. recovered their courage, and Domitius Ahenobarbus, by their influence,
was
in a fair
way
of
ep. 5.
ii.
ep. 6.
"
Ibid. ep. 7.
The
OF THE
The
Tribunes, excited
pofite intereft,
ROMAN
cliiePiy
REPUBLIC.
229
CHAP.
and propofed
defigns.
to favour their
-~_/
interrupt
it
them by the appointment of fafts and holidays, in Avhich was not lawful to tranfa<St affairs in the affembly of the People.
Tribunes, in their turn, fufpended the election of Confuls, and in
The
this
were encouraged by Pompey and Craffus, who feared the effect of a choice to be made under the diredion of Marcellinus, and had not
even openly declared their own intentions to offer themfelves. Their late interview with Csefar, and the part they fmce took, had created
fufpicion of their views.
Pompey
in
And
this
were no ill-difpofed citizens in the commonindiredly. That if there no fuch defire. have he fhould Craffus, to the fame queftion, wealth,
made
by what he
Both appear to have perceived that they chiefly on popular tumults ; and as thefe
againft fuch
would come
an able and
to be
defer the eledions until the term of the prefent Confuls in olEce fliould
expire ".
They found
and employed it repeatedly to fufpurpofe, fecured his negative, The elections. the republic, upon the approach of the new pend
lofe year, being to
former magiftrates, without any fucceffion of new ones, was likely to fall into a ftate of great confufion. The Senate went into mourning, and difcharged every member from afits
fifting at
diverfions.
In this
ftate
of fufpence and
lib.
xxxix. c. 37.
public
2.0
"THE PROGRESS
Publius Clodius, -public alarm,
riance with
this
AND TERMINATION
who had
for
BOOK
at
va-
Pompey, as if gained by the fympathy of meailires on occafion, was reconciled to him, and attacked Marcellinus with
this
continual inveclives.
In
manner
the year
fafces
was
any
election
of Confuls.
The
dropped from the hands of Marcellinus and Pompey and Craflus then
offices
of State.
Young
body
came from
the
army
in
of citizens then ferving under Csfar they brought a confiderable acceflion of votes to the party of their general, and were themfelves
not likely to be outftripped by their opponents in ads of fedition and Domitius Ahcnobarbiis alone, fupported by the
councils of his kinfman
to perfift in a
The time of conteft with thefe powerful and dangerous antagonifts. to election being fixed, he went before break of day occupy his place
in the field of
a light before
him was
killed.
'*;
way already obftruded by a difmen in arms. The flave who carried Some of his friends, particularly
and
his adherents, not being in con-
was aflembled
againft
to be
own
houfes, leaving
named
witliout oppofition*
and
them.
expence of the lives of fome of thofe who oppofed Pompey himfelf having been entangled in one of thefe tumults,
at the
retired
OF THE
Eetired to
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
ftained with blood.
231,
change
his clothes,
which were
They
H A
.
P.
were difappointed in the nomination only of two of the Tribunes, Publius Acquilius G alius and Ateius Capito, who were of the oppofite party.
...r
queftion,
Thefe events however were, by the conteft which aro{e on every U- c. ^98. deferred for all the months of winter and ipring. The offices peius Magjvr.
The eledions filled up by the middle of May '\ had begun for this purpofe fome time before but it being obferved that Marcus Cato had the firft Centuries, Pompey, under a pretence, allowed by the Roman fuperftltion, that he was to obferve the heavens,
of Prxtor were not
;
LkiniuK
"^*
^^
The fadion employed the time the ballot. interpofed to fufpend which they obtained by this delay in procuring votes, and were fa
unguarded in giving money, that they laid themfelves open to a criminal profecution, and had reafon to apprehend that whatever To prevent this conelection they made would be difputed at law.
a perfon intirely under the diredton of Pompey, fequence, Afranius, in the moved aflembly of the People for a difpenfation from the
of bribery in the cafe of eledlions then depending for the ofBce of Prsetor and having obtained this extraordinary indulgence, feftatute
;
fruits
money
**.
ads of Pompey and Craffus, in their fecond Confulate,, Among are mentioned fome regulations refpeding the courts of juftice by
though taken in equal numbers from the Senate, the Equeftrian order, and the mafs of the People, were neverthelefs There are likewife limited to perfons of confiderable property.
which the
juries,
mentioned fome refolutions then pafTed to enforce the laws againft murder, and to amend thofe againft bribery by additional penalties,
.,
and pro?together with a fumptuary law to check the extravagance " So faid Hoe-of the thefe were magiftrates," age. willing digality
"
Cjcer.
ad Quint.
Frat. lib.
ii.
ep. 9,
"
tenfms^.
232
THE PROGRESS
tenGus,
Als^D
TERMINATION
4
BOOK
,
_,
compenfate by their ats for the defels of their prallce, that limit the expence of the table." Such they made laws even to were to reform the age probably intended to retrieve the profeffions
to
"
charader which the popular leaders had loft by the violence and barefaced corruption of their recent canvafs, and to mark their adminiftration with
to difprove the
impu-
tations
commonly
at the
Pompey,
Confulate,
theatre
fignalize his
for the
fhows.
At
this
foleranity
many
lions
tainments of every
,no lefs than five
Among
hundred
were
loofe
and
killed
huntfmen
and the whole concluded with the baiting of eighteen that feemed to have fagacity enough to be conanimals elephants, fcious of the indignity and the wrong which they fuffered. By
;
moved compaflion
The
Confulate,
allotment of provinces, which was the principal obje^l of this was for fome time kept from the view of the People.
Pompey
continued to profefs that he did not intend to accept of any But the public gave no credit to fucli deprovince whatever.
xlarations
prefs
on
his part
and
his
own
to decline ".
Every one,
therefore,
converfatlons, endeavoured to accommodate him in a province, fome with Syria, others -with. Spain and Africa ; to all which fugin
all
geftions,
or
officious
projects,
he affeded indifference,
at this
or even
averfion.
Trebonius, however,
lib. xxxix.
"
''
Dio.
Cicero ad Familiar.'
lib, iv,
lib. vii,
Cicero ad Att.
ep. 9.
made
OF THE
made
a motion,
ROMAN
refult
REPUBLIC.
to be the real
:
^33
mind of
CHAP,
vn.
u
'
of his counfels
of Syria fliould be affigned to CrafTus ; that of Spain, together with each in imitation of Csefar's appointment in Africa, to himfelf
;
Gaul, to continue for five years, with fuch eflablifhments of men and of money as the neceffity of the fervice during that period might
This motion was made in execution of the original plan concerted with Ctefar, and it ferved to bring to light the objedt of
require.
their late conference at Lucca,
which had
fo
of the republic.
was made in the afTembly, Marcus of the Tribunes Atteius means Cato, by Gapito and Acquilius Gallus,
the day that this motion
On
He
coming
and
In
to fpeak, perfifting
this
manner
any decifion. Being commanded filence, he was ordered by Trebonius into cuftody. However, the firfl day was fpent, and the afTembij
to
The Tribunes
vifed to
means might be
exclude them from the aflembly which was then to be held, took For this purpofe Gallus remained meafures to fecure their admiffion.
all
night in the fenate-houfe, which fronted the Comitia or place of But this device was turned againft himfelf; the oppofite afTembly. a guard to confine him in that place during the party having placed His colleague Atteius, with Cato, of the following day. greater part fome eluded the and others, Favonius, parties that were placed to intertheir cept them, and found
way
V/hen the
queftion
friends
was put, Cato, being lifted up into view by thofe of his who were about him, gave an alarm that it thundered an
;
Vol, IL
Hh
be
434
BOOK
>
of
State.
He
fufpend their procedure in any bufinefs was, however, on this occafion forced from the Co-
fufficient to
mitium with the flaughter of fome of his friends, who refifted the About the fame time the force that was employed agalnft them.
Tribune Acquilius was wounded in forcing his way from the Senatehoufe, and a great concourfe of people was forming round him as
he flood bleeding in the
ftreets.
bune was
ftill
whofe behalf
this tumult had been railed, fearing the confequence of fuffering fuch a fpetacle to remain in the view of the People, ordered the multitude to withdraw, and removed the Tribune, ilili
In the fequel of thefe operations, Pompey and Craflus obtained the provinces in queftion, and in the terms propofed ; they proceeded to
fulfil
engagement
to Csefar,
by moving
that his
command
" Now, indeed," faid Cato (addrefling himfelf to " the burden is preparing for your own fhoulders. It will Pompey), " one fall on the republic, but not till after it has crufhed day you " to the ground." Thefe arrangements being made, the officers thus appointed proyears more.
truft.
Proconful of Spain, under pretence of a war fubfifting with the Vaccei, raifed the eftablifhment of his province to four legions, two
after,
fervice in
to
Pompey
to him.
either
That the
to
he had to
fear, in preferving
;
eminence
which he
and that
them
or he flattered
himfelf
OF THE
himfelf that,
like
ROMAN
.
REPUBLIC.
.
235
who ftays at the helm, he was and ; by remaining at the feat of governand his aflbciates rivals accepted of appointments at while ment, that he continued to a diftance, prefide as fovereign, and fupreme
the perfon
to
CHAP.
VII.
command
the vefTel
Under
though
was Spain, he either procured, or at leaft motion that was made by feme of the Tribunes
;
him
in Italy
his
own
lieute-
nants, Afranius
and
character,
Csefar and CraflTus, though in a more publick province, that even were however to al in a fubordinate ftation to himfelf.
Craflus ever confidered riches as the chief conftituents of power* and he expected, with the fpoils of Afia, to equal the military or political advantages that were likely to be acquired by his rivals in Europe.
From
vince,
which he made for his profoon appeared that he intended a war with the Parthians,
Romans had
left
on the
frontier
of
Obferving that he was likely to meet with an oppofitiou to this defign from the Senate and from the Tribunes, who exerted their powers to interrupt his preparations, and took meafures to de-
home, he became the more impatient to fet out for his and left Rome before the expiration of the year for which province, he was eleded into the office of Conful, The Tribune Atteius endeatain
him
at
voured to ftop him, firft by his tribunitian negative, next by adual force, and laft of all by folemn imprecations, devoting the Conful himfelf, and all who fhould follow him on that fervice, to deftrudion.
While
Rome, on
his intended
departure for Afia, this Tribune, with a lighted fire, the ufual form of devoting a vidim to the infernal gods, denounced a curfe, which greatly
alarmed
llition
many
he might, in
own mind,
but
it
Hh
was
236
BOOK
jll.
form doomed
ill
to deftru(r\;ion,
head of troops
prepared to
ward
were thus made to believe hung over them, in confequence of im?' precations of which they did not queftion the efficacy.
HISTORY
OF THE
THE
ROMAN REPUBLI
B
O O K
C
IV.
HA
P.
State
of the Commonwealth.
at
and
Britain.
State
of
Pompey
Rome.^^Progrefs of
Kingdom
Se-
of Parthia.
THE
danger.
Pompey and
q
^
h ak.
^_
which was
great
Of
Pompey and
Caefar, apart
from the
evil particularly
2-, -J
^
<
S J^ ^
'
dignity of
mind which
;
republican State
confideration or
him
power which other Senators had enjoyed before where he did not command as mafter,
the principal object in every fcene in which he
or appear at
was employed.
This paltry ambition, fome ages before, might have been held in contempt by the meaneft of the People, or muft have fhrunk before
that noble elevation of mind by v^'hich the ftatefman conceived no eminence befides that of high perfonal qualities employed in public
fervices,
or before
to
that
efteem
ads of public
life.
tation in private
utility, fupported by unblemiflied repuBut in the prefent age, there was a fafhion
which
fet
tachment which belonged to the commonwealth, and the deference which was due to its legal head.
In the progrefs republic the character of parties has already repeatedly changed, and the danger to be apprehended from them
this
of
accordingly varied.
In the
firft
periods of
its
hiftory, citizens
;
much
emulation,
little
men
in the
jea-
loufy of perfonal
interefts.
In a fubfequent period, when the invidious part of -the former diftindion was removed, citizens having no longer the fame fubjed
of animofity, as being born to different pretenfions, they entered more fully on the competition of individuals, and the formation of
feparate fadions.
They
democratical
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
They were ready
to fa-
239
own
paflions,
and
They thought
public diforders
;
were
fufficient to juftify
by
vehement
of their antagonifts. But, though fariguinary and cruel in their immediate executions, they formed no deliberate plans of ufurpation to enflave their countiy, nor formed a fyftem of evils to continue
beyond the outrage into which they themfelves were -led by wrongs or factious refentments. once more to change the fcene, and to have now are We again
in reality as
indifferent to any intereft of party as they were to that of the reor to any obje!: of State; who had no refentments to gratify ; public, or who eafily facrificed thofe which they felt to the purpofes of a cool
their country. Though enter into for mutual combinations could occafionally they
had no permanent
but with thofe who uniformly wifhed to preferve the republic. quarrel They were furrounded by perfons who admired the advantages of
at the
and
turer
who indeed were ready to extol the virtues of any advenwho led a numerous lift of retainers to fhare in the fpoils of the
commonwealth.
Peace had now, for fome years, except in that part where Csefar Inftead of commanded, been eftablilhed throughout the empire.
military operations, the State was occupied in directing the farms of the revenue, in hearing complaints of oppreflion from the provinces,
Befides the
difputes
24
^'
?v^
dilputes
It
and even
Caefar, fhould
who were
intitled
to
fnnilar
This mealure was fupported in part tended, that Pifo and Gabinius fhould be fuperfeded ; but urged the continuance of Csefar in his ftatlon, a circumftance for which this
able adventurer had taken fufficient precaution not to leave
it
make way command in their turns. by Cicero, who vehemently conbe recalled to
in ha-
tliefe deliberations,
upon
complained
Pompey and
pronounced againft Pifo that violent inventive which ftlU remains among his works, and which the fubfequent condudl of the perfon
agciliift-whom
it
was
and during
Gabinius had for fome years enjoyed the government of Syria, this time had ventured to employ the force of his pro-
vince in a manner, which, together with fome other offences, drew upon hinx, at his return to Rome, the animadverfion of the Senate.
has been mentioned that Ptolemy Aulctes, king of Egypt, in exile from his kingdom, had applied to the Romans for aid in reIt
Incovering his crown ; that his fuit had been griinted, but rendered effedual by the regard which was paid to a fuppofed oracle, which that he had withforbade his being relnfcated with a military force
;
drawn
to Ephefus,
In the temple,
where he
Lentulus, the
governor
OF THE
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
241
whom the bufinefs of reftoilng him, though governor of Cilicia, to without mlUtary force, had been committed by the Senate, deliberated whether he fhould not venture to difregard the reftridion
im-
march with an army to reftore the king of Egypt ; himfelf of the wealth which was to be found in effedting
;
Rome
in procuring his pardon from the Senate, and even their approbation of what he lliould have done.
Upon
this queftlon
fufficient to
an opportunity of
ftill
the fame purpofe with that of Cicero to Lentulus, undertook, in oppofition to a decree of the Senate
of
this
Having
great
fleet
fum of money
he advanced with a
Paleftine,
and on
his
way
Berenice, the
daughter of Ptolomy,
now
in
poflAifflon
of the
crown, had married Archelaus ; and, in order to ftrengthen her hands againfl her father, had afliimed her hufband as a partner in
the throne.
feated
But the
were de-
and Ptolomy was reftored to his kingdom. the treafure amafled on this occafion, hoped to be with Gabinius, fecure agalnft the attacks which, at his return to Rome, were likely
by Gabinius,
to be
oracle,
contempt of the Senate, and of the and for the extortion of which he was accufed at the fame
for his
own
province.
Li this bufy time of Cxfar's fadion at Rome, he himfelf, upon aa alarm of an invafion from Germany, had been called to defend
Vol. IL
ttir
242
BOOK
'
Two
'
'
'
tf
and
Ufupetes^ pretending
to
The
on
it
native inhabitants of
the right of that river inftantly abandoned their habitations, and collecting
all
made
The Germans,
and,
by
changing their courfe, made a feint to divert the attention of their In execution of this purpofe, they continued for three antagonifts.
that their opponents
At the end of this time, fuppohng days to retire from the river. would be off their guard, and returned to their ordinary way of life, they fuddenly turned their whole cavalry,
and in one night repaffed the ground over which they had maixlied on the three preceding days, furprifed a fufficient number of boats
with which to accompliih their paffage, diflodged the natives of the country on the left of the river before them, and from thence continued their migrations betwixt the Rhine and the Meufe, over what is now called the dutehies of Juliers, of Limburg and Luxemburgh.
C3Erar's account, to
upwards of four
that of the inParis,
hundred thoufand
habitants of
^^
'
fouls
city in
raife
Europe,
London and
and
or of exaggeration in
fome fufpicion of error in copying the text, the commentaiy, which was itfelf intended to
of Cxfar at
Rome.
it
On
of To great a number,
may
migrating nations, certainly unacquainted with many of the arts which are pradifed to fnpply and accommodate populous cities, were.
.
'
likewife
OF THE
iikewife
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
>
24^,
exempt from the want of fuch fupplies, and acqulefced In what was neceflary to mere fubfillence. Such nations have lefs fkill and induftry than the manuflicturer and the trader in a fettled and
;
C H A
v
P.
'
but they have lefs wafte and lefs well regulated city mifapplication of labour to fuperlluous and unprofitable purpofes than take place in
great
cities.
The German
to obferve
among
advantages of land-property,
and induftry, yet frequently of migration, and from policy declined making
any permanent fettlement, left the care of property, and the ftudy of unneceflary accommodation, lliould corrupt or enervate their people^ Their favourite occupation was hunting, which they confidered as a
preparation for war.
They
traverfed the
woods and
pafture lands,
with numerous herds, and fubfifted chiefly by milk, flefli, and game. They Iikewife knew the ufe of corn, of which they fomctimes took
a crop from favourable lands
but without remaining any longer cultivate any particular portion of ground.
;
They moved
in great
to a great
hce of
which they
pafled
moving together were diftinguifhed into feparate and fraternities, led by their headmen or chiefs, who kept order
They
make war
country, and to chufe their leaders beyond In peace, the feparate clans had no band of confor this purpofe. nexion. If they had at any time a general government which comprehended the whole of their tribes, it was but a temporary expethe limits of their
dient, to
cafions.
own
in war,
Under fuch
.1
who was
fubfift
of
proper age,
was obliged
and to
li 2
by what
244
if
we may
rely on the teftimony of Cxfar in this place, or on the evidence of ancient hrftory in general, was certainly great \ The Suevi, before whom the prefent invaders of Gaul had retired, were faid to confifi: of a hundred cantons, each furnifhing animally a
thoufand
men
for war,
and
a like
number
of
accordingly aflembled his army, and advanced between the Rhine and the Meufe.
He
The Germans, in general, were accuftomed to defpife the Gauls,, and the prefent invaders expected no formidable oppofition on this fide of the Rhine they had ventured to divide their forces, and had
;
body of
their horfe
Ccefar's apthey offered to treat with him. They neither fought " It (they faid) nor would they decline a war with the Romans. " was their way to repel injuries with the fword, not to elude them
Meufe
proach,
by negociatlon. But in the prefent cafe, they fhould neverthelefs " condefcend fo far as to affure the Roman general, that they had " the Rhine from and not with pafTed neceffity, any intention to in" vade his That if he were province. pleafed to receive them as " in were condition to merit this title, fhould be coi>friends, they " tent with the ground they had gained, or accept of any other *' which he might chufe to afFign them." Cxfar replied, " That while " they remained in Gaul, he could not conilder them as friends. " That if they repafled the Rhine, he had allies in Germany, with ** whom he fhould endeavour to jom them in a league of defence
I CsefardeBell. Gal.
lib. iv. vi.
*'
"
agalnft
GF THE
"
**
ROMAN
bounds."
REPUBLIC.
they had been thus forced
245
agalnfl the
CHAR.
Having
German
deputies, to
make
their
report, and to receive the command of their nations, defired a ceffation of arms for three days. But C^efar, fufpeiling that they only
to gain time for the junction of all their with this requeft, and continued his march-. comply arrived within twelve miles of their camp, he was again met Being with frefh intreaties that he would advance no by their deputies, to
forces, refufed to
meant
who made
the
vanguard of
days
:
his
that in
army, orders to abftain from hoftilities for three this time, they might have an anfwer from the Gerlaft
man
conference, and
know whether
to give
them
feme profpedl of
Ca;far,
upon
this
though on account of what afterwards happened, he is willing to diminifh the extent of his own engagement, and to impute He agreed to the breach of faith which followed to his enemies.
arms
advance no farther than four miles for the convenience of water, and
his van-guard to abftain from hoftilities. This His had no effeft. advanced order, however, guard, confifting of five tlioufand horfe, had an encounter with eight hundred of the
fent
an order to
enemy.
When
by
this
the great
encounter happened, the Germans were not yet joined body of their horfe. They had earneftly fued for a cef;
fation of hoftilities
it
was not
Yet Ccefar accufed them of a defign, with attack. to furprlfe the whole of his cavalry.
On
leaders
the
day which followed this Ikirmifh of the cavalry, the and principal men of the Germans leaving their own camp',
iinfurnilhed
246
Bj
TERMTNATIOlSl
came
in great
o O K
with
officers,
in perfect' fecurity,
numbers
of Cxfar to exculpate themfelves, to convince him of their pacific dii})ofitions, and to prevent the farther progrefs of his army.
to that
This he thought a favourable opportunity to cut off, by a complete furHaving accordprize, this enemy entirely, and to fmifh the war.
.
who had
thus put
them-
eafily
he advanced with his whole army diredly to overcame the few that took arms to oppofe him,
country, over all the ways by which they endeavoured to efcape from the camp, at which the flaughter began, to the confluence of
The
the Rhine and the Meufe, was flrowed with the flain ^
The Roman
enemies, were fhocked at the recital of this extraordinary maffacre ; and when Csefar, on account of this vidlory, applied for a thankfgiving, and for the ufual honorary decrees of the fenate, he
was
charged with having wantonly invaded the nations of Gaul, and of having diihonoured, by an aft of treachery, the arms of the Republic.
It
was propofed
to deliver
his
up
fufferings, fo manyats of injuftice might expiate, by and impiety, which the Gods might otherwife avenge on his
that he
own
country.
The German
mity which
horfe, that
by
their abfence
had efcaped
this
cala-
countrymen, appear foon after to have repaired the Rhine, and to have taken refuge with fome of the Hordes mho lived near the fources of the Roer and the Lippe. Thither
befel their
Cxfar, to fpread the terror of his arms, foon afterwards purfued them; and pafled the river, not in boats and by furprife, as the Ger-
to do, but in a
falls
to
of
That branch of
the
Rhine which
into
the Meufc,
name
for that
have
247
ftate
;
of the
Roman
fkill.
he
in-
CHAP,
was executed
much
This work
being finifhed, he placed proper guards at both its extremities, and advanced with the main body of his army into the contiguous parts of Germany, where, on account of the reception given in that
quarter to the cavalry
who had
Meufe, he
country under military execution. Csefar, from the place at which he had pafled the Rhine, appears to have gone up the eaftern fide of the river, where he vifited the Ubii, a
laid the
now
the
cities
of
Bonne and
Cologn.
as has
Here he had
been obferved, of a hundred cantons, and muftering two hundred thoufand warriors, who were divided into two fquadrons that took
..
field, and conducted the domeftic affairs of the nation by turns, were preparing to oppofe him ; that they had'adually fent their wives, children, and fuperannuated men into places of fafety, andhadaflembled
the
their warriors to
all
meet him.
the cantons of
that
confidercd
to fettle
;
on the
tradl
of their migrations,
to a great
around them., was accordingly warte. In their own movements, they never halted above a year to raife a fmgle crop from fields, which, to keep up the martial fpirit of their nation, and to
preclude the defire of property, with the other paffions that accomfettlement, they fucceffively abandoned.
pany
Csefar,. not
and being
being prepared to enter on a war with fuch an enemy, might expcfe his army to ruin, while
even a victory could procure him no adequate advantage, having remained eighteen days on that fide of the Rhine, and employed no
in the
whole
fervicc, chofe,
while he
ftiil
.243
-^
and
break
down
his bridge.
This fingular man, whofe abilities were equal to any taflt, and who had no occafion to court the publick admiration by meafures
concerted on purpofe to obtain
'tation,
it,
and gave way to it not only where it might contribute to iraon an enemy, but even where it would do no more than grapofe
tify his
own
fame of
his
adions
at
Rome.
at
To
this
motive
we may
an
advanced feafon of the year, and at the end of the fame fummer in which he had, between the Meufe and the Rhine, vanquilhed the nu-
merous army of the Tenchteri and Ufepetes, in which he had pafled the Rhine, and infulted the warlike nations of Germany, even on
their own ground, he nowprojedted the invafion of Britain, though furrounded by the ocean, and untouched by the arms of any foreign
invader.
To
he had
While we
the leader,
we muft admire
who
The
people
were then
unknown on
the continent.
deavoured to procure information in thefe particulars, fent a galley with orders to explore the coaft, and to obferve the countenance of
the natives.
He
ordered
all
his flilpping,
vefTels
which he had employed the preceding year agalnft the Veneti \ fail round the Cape of Britanny into the Britifh channel, and repair
the
ftraits
to to
which
**
'
'On
OF
On
249
the report of thefe preparations, which evidently pointed at Britain, fome of the natives, willing to avert by negociation the ftorm
which threatened them, fent to the Roman Proconful a fubmiffive meflage, and offered to come under his protedlion.
founding a claim to the poflefllon of the ifland on thefe advances which were made to him, proceeded with more boldnefs to That the natives of the country he the execution of his enterprifc.
Caefar,
them
to give hoftages,
army
to
He
at the mofl:
convenient haven
on the
now fuppofed to be the Wiflan, between Calais and eighty tranfports or Ihips of burden, with a number of the officers of rank, and their galleys to accommodate equipage. The remainder of his fhipping was yet detained, by contrary winds, in a creek at fome miles diftance, fuppofed to be Boulogne ; thither
Gaulifli fide,
',
Boulogne
to embark on board the fliips where on board, with the infantry of two legions, they lay. at the former haven, and having found a favourable wind and
he
with orders
He himfelf went
moderate weather, weighed about ten at night, and reached the coafl of Britain, on the following day, at ten in the morning. The firft came near to the fhore, were he where and cUfTs, high fteep,
and the
hills
foot,
of
men on
horfeback, and even in wheel carriages, from which the natives of It this country were accuftomed to make war. being impoffible to
away,
difficulties ; and in the face of this oppofition he bore probable, to the northward about eight miles, with a fa' vourable wind to fome part of the flat fhore which furrounds the
as
is
Downs
*
'
Planum
&
apertum
littus.
Vol.
II.
the
250
BOOK
was
built,
prepared to land.
In the
mean time
the Britons,
who
march on the
hills
had kept pace with the Roman galleys, came down to the ftrand, and advanced even lome way into the water to oppofe the defcent. As the furf on that fhore ufually I'uns high, and the Romans, from
where
to
wade
in water that
was
too deep to allov/ them the free ufe of their weapons, they remained on board, and durft not meet the enemy under fuch difadvan.tages.
men
them
farther
engines,
or
row
they
enemy.
of the landing place, and from thence This difpofition fucceeded fo well, that the beach
left
clofe to the
Romans were
to the land.
left
to defcend
from
and
to
wade undifturbed
The
enemy in
furrender, and were about to deliver their hoftages, when an accident On the happened, which encouraged them again to take arms.
fourth day after the Roman infantry had landed, a fecond divifion of fillips, with'the cavalry, appeared in fight ; but before they could reach the land, were difperfed by a violent florm ; part was driven
down
Even the fl:iipping, from cafl: in diftrefs on the contiguous fliores. which the legions had difcmbarked, lying aground in the furf,
or
at
lians
were unacquainted, were fet adrift, or filled with water, many of them beat to pieces or greatly fliattered, and rendered unfer-
viceable.
By
OF
By
-25.1
he had made no provifion to fubfift for the winter in Britain, was in danger of being obliged The natives retraded their to remain in it for want of fnipping. late fubmifTion, began to drive away the cattle, and to lay wafle
thefe misfortunes, Csefar, although
CHAP.
'
of the Roman camp. They flattered to be would obliged depart, cr muft perifli enemy that and for want of provifions they would, by the example of io vain and calamitous an attempt, deter every ftranger for the future
the
from invading
their ifland.
Cxfar, in the
mean
all
his
workmea
with the greateft diligence The natives afcollel fome provifions, and to form a magazine. fembled In great bodies to intercept his foragers, and obliged him to
endeavoured to
The legions were at cover them with the whole force of his army. of the Britifli chariots, unufual effed; the difconcerted firft greatly by
and by the want of
clofe
fight,
their
own
bound
number of hof-
with fhattered
veffels,
at
But Cjefar not thinking it proper, the mercy of autumnal winds and ftormy
this article,
performance of
into
to be fent after
him
Gaul,
and
with the
rival,
firft
favourable wind
At
his ar-
he found that the Gauls, upon the report of his late misfortunes, had revolted ; that one of his tranfports, with three hundred men on board, having parted with the fleet, and landing at a
feparate place,
were attacked
and that
it
was
The Morini, inhabiting what remains of his cavalry to their relief. are now the diftrids of Calais and Dunkirk, with other nations of
the low countries, had taken arms againft the officers he had ftationed to keep
them
in awe.
The campaign
therefore concluded
with
252
B
*
^ J^
with the operations, which were necefTary to quell this revolt. Labienus fubdued the Morini. Quintus, Titurius, Sabinus, and Lucius Cotta having laid wafte great part of the low countries, fell back to
the coaft.
and
attempt on Britain with too fmall a force, and whatever reprefentation he might give of
as
if
fenfible that
he had made
his
particulars,
had incurred the imputation of a mifcarriage, gave orders and to add, during the winter, as many more fhips
built
fit
for
that
fervice,'
broader, and more capacious in the hull, for the reception of men and horfes, and lower in the gunwale, for the convenience of land-
timber was probably taken from the neighbouring forefts ; but the materials of his rigging, it is faid, were brought from Spain.
ing.
The
feafon to
Italy,
Having taken thefe meafures to enable him at renew his expedition into Britain, he
and
for the
a
fet
more convenient'
out as ufual for
neighbourhood of
Rome.
ready related, in obtaining for themfelves, and for him, the objeda
Craffus had fixed his thoughts
fale
on
of kingdoms, of eaft, which he hoped to have the difpofal in that part of the world,
Pompey
command
of an
army, and the pati^onage of a great province, while he continued at Rome to enjoy his confideration, and was vefted with a fpecies of
monarchy, in wielding the united powers of the party. Cacfar had in the end was to decide every controverfy, provided, what he knew to inured a great army, fervice, and in a ftation which gave an eafy
accefs to Italy,
interefts,
As
if
fecure of theic
they permitted the eledion of Confuls to proceed without difturban.ce j and fuffered Lucius Domklus Ahenobarbus, a profeffed
1
partizan.
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
"---'
L.
253
with Appius Claudius, to be eledled partizan of the fenate, together confuls ; Marcus, Cato, and Milo, to be placed in the ilil of Praetors ;
CHAP,
'
and
Dom.
college or
1 nbunes.
bus,
AhenobarApp.
'
winter and fpring, however, were inadlive on the part of the Cato, probably did not fee any publick objet in which ariftocracy.
The
^.j^^^^
engage with advantage beyond the duties of his office, in which he endeavoured to reftrain by his authority, and by his example, the The dangerous powers which extravagance and luxury of the age.
to
had been recently granted to perfons, from whofe ambition the rebut public had much to fear, no doubt greatly alarmed the fenate
;
by Domitius, one of the Confuls, by Cato and body, though of the two Praetors, and fupported by many of the Tribunes^ Milo,
this
led
lb recently
confirmed by the people. Pompey, now mafter of Spain and part of Africa, with an adequate army, ftill under the pretence, as has been mentioned, of his commiffion to furnifh the public granaries with corn, remained in Italy, and
and managing his intrigues in the city by means of his agents and He was attended by numbers of every rank and condition, friends. who reforted to him with the affiduity of real courtiers, and with a
which, in a republic, implied the utmoft corruption cf He even maintained the appearances of royalty in the manners.
fervility,
ftate
which he
affiamed,
as well
as
in the
influence
he acquired. ap-
While he himfelf
affedted referve
and moderation,
in order to
pear worthy of his rank, his retainers ever treated him as a. great prince, and with his connivance fomented diforders tending to fhake
the
to
the
end
that
the
republic
might
254
^
In the
fuccefs,
firft,
management of thefe intrigues, and in the full hopes of their Pompey was now left by Craffus, as well as by Csefar. The
that
to
ken through all the impediments parture from Rome, made hade
confiderable
government, had browere placed to hinder his deBrundifium with his army, em-
both of
men and of fhipping in a ftorm, made his The prohibition of the Prxtor ftill founded
He
It
commiflion.
ijeen adlually
dreaded a vote of the Senate or People to recal his appears, that foon after his departure, a motion had
made for this purpofe ; and that Cicero, though forterms with CralTus, being taught by his late fufferings to court the favour of thofe who could either hurt or protect him,
merly on
ill
appeared on this queftion in his favour, and claimed a fliare in the merit of obtaining the decifion that was given to confirm his commifTion '.
But without attending to the Il:ate of thefe deliberations at Rome, march by Macedonia and the Keliefpont into
In pafTmg through Galatia, finding Dejotarus, fovereign of principality, then of an advanced age, occupied in a work
is
Afia.
that that
^ige,
;
building a
is
new
city,
and making a
he
faid to
at
that
late,
his
nev/ fettlements
*'
was turned of
iixty,
at
the
furefl:
means of arriving
and having ever confidered riches as eminence and power, now joined,
Upon
Cicero ad Famil,
lib. v.
ep. ^, ad Crail'um.
Ills
OF THE
his arrival in Syria,
ROMAN REPUBLICK.
made
255
of treafure wherever
he pillaged the temple of the Jews, and laid hold elfe he could find it. He made a pretence of
in the provinces for extorting
money
own
ufe,
He
large quotas of
men and
money '.
In the fame
The
which before or
fince
have
neighbourhood of the and the of were On the deextrad:ion. Tigris, Euphrates Scythian cline of the Macedonian power, about two hundred years before the
prefent date, a fwarm from the north had migrated to the lower banks of the Tigris, over-ran the country round Ctefiphon, conti-
nued
laft,
neighbourhood by their depredations and, at commanded being by Arfaces, -the founder of this new kingdom,
;
to harafs the
took poflelhon of an extenfive country, and though under a name, in fnQ. reftored the monarchy of Perfia '".
new
The
Parthian, or
new
its
vigour,
>
Roman
arms.
Its
heavy armour, and ufing the lance part mounted in a lighter manner for expediWhile in the field they were tion and fwiftnefs, and ufing the bow.
;
With
this
fupply,
upon any
reliefs
occafional
they new-mounted
Dio. Caff,
having
of frefh
lib. xl, xli.
Dio. Caff.
horfes,
25^
B
THE:>PROGRESS
horfes,
'
AND TERMINATION
it
o C K
>__v
where
They
had
was not expected they could appear. and defeat from other nations ;
when, by their flights, they drew an and unguarded purfuits ", and often enby hafly .enemy the when greateft advantage they feemed to be routed and to joyed
they always counted
into ftraits
a vidtory,
fly.
"When CraflTus advanced to the Euphrates, Orodes king of Parthia, then engaged in a war with Artabazes, on the fide of Armenia, fent a deputation to expoftulate with the Roman general on the
caufe of his hoftile approach, Crafliis
" Here," give the reafons of his coming when he arrived at Seleucia, faid one of the Parthian meflengers (fhowing the palm of his hand)
" hair
will grow before you fhall arrive at Seleucia." Craffus proceeded in his march, pafTed the Euphrates, and ravaged Mefopotamia without any refiftancc. Having continued his operations until
-the en<l of the feafon,
was joined by
Upon who
had ferved fome years in a confiderable rank in the army in Gaul, and was now detached by Cxfar with a tliouliind horfe, and many
marks of honour, to ad under his father in Syria. This invafion of Mefopotamla, after the feafon had become
fpent, ferved only to
far
alarm and provoke the enemy, without procuring any advantage to the arms of the Romans and hoftilities were likely to proceed in the fpring with great anlmofity, when Craffus was
;
to profecute the
gerous ground.
Caefar^ In the
mean
in Gaul, or
ia the
He
himfelfi
xl.
c. 1.5.
"
Dio.
lib. xl.
Plut.-in Crafla.
'With
OF THE
with his ufual
acStivity,
ROMAN
REPTJBLIC.
277 J/
management of
report, that this
of the Pyrufta;,
to Illyricum, upon a was infefted by the incurfions part of his province a warlike tribe on the frontier. Upon his arrival,
his affairs at
Rome, proceeded
by
their nation.
The
had ever given a commiffion to make war on bound for the future to reftrain the became Roman the province, depredations of private adventurers, and gave hoftages for the obfervance of this article.
army
in the
Low Countries,
in confe-
cam-
veffels,
and twenty-eight
in different harbours from Oftend to Bugalleys, were actually built He accordingly in a few and days might be ready for fea. logne, ordered them to be launched, and diredled the whole to affemble at
the fame port from which 'he failed on the preceding year, in order to
receive the
army on
But, before
Germans
to
come over
not leave
any enemy on foot in his rear, and that he might fecure the peace of" Gaul in his abfence, he marched to the Mofelle with four legions and
he had the good fortune to find the people divided between 'two leaders, v/ho, being jealous of each other, made their fubmiffions feparately, and gave the.neceffary
eight
horfe.
hundred
Upon
his arrival
With
armed
alTembled
thefe
fecurities,
found
all
his
galleys
;
and
five
hundred and
by contrary
winds,
Vol.
II.
2-8
B
TI^E
.
o O K
built.
IV. w,_-^-^.<
The
conhfted of five
on the probable fuppofition that they legions, amounting poffibly, were not complete, to about twenty thoufand men ", together with a body of Gauls, including many of their chiefs, whom Csefar chofe
to retain with his army, rather as hoflages for the fidelity of their countrymen, than as auxiliaries in the war. The. fl^et confifled of five hundred and fixty tranfport veflels, twenty-eight armed gallies, with many tenders and fmall craft, provided by officers for their own
.
in
all
eight
'*
after
the
was
At the ex-
embark, but were fuddenly interrupted by the defertion of a GaulifK chief, who, being averfe to the fervice, thought this a favourable
Csefar confiopportunity to difengage himfelf with his followers. dered this defertion as a declaration of war, and being fenfible of the
difafter
embarkation, and
horfe in purfuit of the fugitive, who, being overtaken, was killed in His followers were brought back and attempting to defend himfelf.
obliged to embark for Britain. On the return of the party employed in this fervice the
ation proceeded,
embark-
at funfet
the
nel
fleet
having
or fhifted
more
were
to the
carried,
being
a confiderable
way
at the
" The
*
legions,
to 3,500
fteered.
OF THE
fleered.
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
on
their left,
H9
CHAP.
ifland, probably the but with the turn of the tide, and the help of their oars, they arrived at noon at a convenient part of the coaft
and feemed
South Foreland,
aftern:
not far diftant from the landing-place of the former year, but
lefs
ex-
This place we may fuppofe to have been Pigwell the mouth of the Stour, or the entry to Sandwich Bay, beyond
pofed to the
fea.
Haven ". The Britons had aflembled as formerly to oppofe the defcent of the Romans but, on the appearance of fo great a fleet, were intimidated,
;
coaft.
he had found a
fl:ationed
fafer
which he had
them
in the preceding
natives
by
and guarded againft any attempts of the of ten cohorts and three hundred horfe, that were body
Being informed that the Britons properly entrenched on the fhore. had their ibrces aflTembled on a fmall river (probably the Stour), at
the difl^nce of ten or twelve miles from his landing-place, he put his
in
army
at
withdraw
to a place of retreat in that neighbourhood, which, on occafion of their own wars, had been fortified in their manner with a mote, and
ramparts of wood.
To
vefted the place, the only effedt of his attack was, to force the
Mr. d'Anville, on a fuppofition that Ca;far mull have pafi'ed into Britain by the
upon Hith, about of eight miles weft of Dover, as the place
fhorteft poffible line,
fixes
'5
enemy
as the
num
et
apertum
littus,
Stour to be paffed in his march, about twelve The coaft at Hith, miles from the ftiore.
his landing in his firft invafion of Britain ; and, confequently, on fome other contiguous fecond part as the place of his landing in the invafion: but this does not agree, either
though not altogether inaccefhble, is fteep and hilly, and would have expofed Csefar to difficulties in his firft operations on (liore,
poilibly
have omitted to
of the
coaft,
being pla-
XI
JO
26o
to
and
He
had taken
his refb-
lution to piufue
them on
when it appeared, that of Britain, though not always fufficient to keep its enemies fafeguard at a diflance, yet is^ fubjeft to accidents which render the attempt o
in three divifions,
invaders very
difficult,
and
their condition,
this
even
when on
fhqre,
fufficiently hazardous.
purpofe a mefienger overtook Caefar on his march with tidings, that all his Ihips, in a florm which arofe in the preceding night, had been driven from their anchors,
foul of each other, that
all
To
had run
many
wrecked, and
Carfar,
on
this report,
main body of
of his
his
army
in a well-fortified
fufpended his march, and, having fixed the camp he himfelf, with a
;
At
;
his arrival,
were irrecoverably
all
loft
he
many workmen likewife from Gaul, and gave diredlions for building a number of new veffels on different parts of that coaft; and to
called
guard, for the future, againft fuch accidents as had lately befallen his In this work (hips, he ordered that they fhould be drawn on fhore.
the
army was
inccfllmtly
employed
The
fleet, at
manner
on the
fide
many
frequently at
war among
;
when
Caefar^ arrived
but,
during the
iliort
refpite
which the
dlfafter
OF THE
difiifter
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
a6i
had given them, that they had agreed and were aflembled in greater numbers quarrels, than formerly, under Callivelaunus, a chieftain of Middlefex, or, as Csefar defcribes him, a prince refiding on the northern banks of the
that
befi.illea
had
his fleet
CHAP.
'
to fufpend their
own
,'
./
Thames, and
at
fea.
This chieftain brought into the field a numerous army of infi\ntry, of His knowledge of the woods enabled horfemen, and armed chariots.
him
that
to harafs the
Romans on
their
were
clear of
thickets,
from the
and
the
underwood, not only to gall them with miffiles but to charge them likewife with his horfemen
chariots,
movement of
even in places where the ground feemed leaft fitted to fuch bodies. Encouraged with his fuccefs in this
fpecies
Roman
an
army, which, being on a foraging party, were fupported by intire legion. But the Britons being, in this attempt, defeated
followers,
with great fiaughter, their chief loft courage, or was deferted by his and never more attempted to face the Romans. Caefar, finding this enemy remit his ardour, advanced with a
quicker pace.
pafling the
From
his filence
on the
fubjeft of
to
any
difficulty
in
Medway, we muft
fuppofe him
of the Stour to Afhford, and from thence to have kept on the plains to
Maidftone, near to which place the river Medway is every where natuof his march, being about eighty rally fordable ; and from the length
miles from the fea,
Thames,
we may
ford.
fuppofe him
reach which
There he obferves,
was fenced
and guarded; that a row of Iharp ftakes was driven under water j that the oppofite bank was lined with a palifiide, and manned by a
his
numerous body of the natives. He neverthelefs proceeded to force way, and by the impetuofity of his attack, drove the enemy
) _
from
262
"THE PROGRESS
from
his
AND TERMINATION
to the chin.
to
refifi;
.BOOK
"
wade up
the
Roman army
tions,
and with endeavouring to ftrip the covmtry before them of Caefar, every particular by which they could profit on their march. on his part, advanced with the precautions neceflary againft fuch an
as they had deftroyed what could be of immediate ufe he army, deftroyed what was left, in order to force the natives In to fubmiflion. this ftate of the war, having leifure and opportunity to obferve the condition of the country and the manners of the " That on the account of both he the
enemy, and,
to his
people,
gives
following
^'
were colonies from the neighbouring continent, ftill " diflinguifhed by the names of the countries from whence they had
coaft there
*'
*'
come
and well
*'
flocked with cattle, were extremely populous; that they had money made of iron or brafs ; the firft of which metals, with great quantitles
*'
*'
of
tin, v/ere
found in their
;
own
ifland
was
j
" that the woods of Britain furnilhed the fame timber with thofe of " Gaul, except the fir and the beech ; and that the houfes were built " in the fame manner in both countries." From this account of the
" That the inland parts were occupied by " the with little corn, fubfified chiefly by milk original natives, who, " and the other produce of their herds ; that, by a particular fuperfticoaft he proceeds to obferve,
"
tion,
" forbid
**
although poflefled of hares, of geefe, and other fowls, they were to eat of thefe animals ; that they were curious in the ornato
'*
**
no
"
cun.ftaace,
OF
camftance,
in
263
is
he were not
deceived,
as
common C H A
fuffiv
P.
enough
to foreigners,
_*
him, he gives a ftriking example of the dLverfity which takes place among mankind in fettling the canon of The brothers, the fother, and the fon, though external adions.ciently explained to
feparately married,
forth
by
of
e\'ll,.
common
'".
Csefar,
being on the
left
of the Thames,
made an
alliance
with the
Trinobantes, fuppofed to have been inhabitants of Effex and Suffolk, The fovereign of this canton having, in fome quarrel with his own from his kingdom, had taken refuge with people,, been expelled
Roman arms,
reftored
at
,
to his
made
their fubmiflion
which,
and a ditch
was by the iiatives, as Cxfar is pleafed to exprefs part of the woods, himfelf, called a town, and was in reality, in cafe of alarm, a place
of retreat for themfelves and their
tack of Cxfar
cattle.
On
on one
fide,
Caflivelaunus retired
by an
his
outlet
on the
men,
laft
to fall into
Britiflu
prince endeavoured, as a
refource,to
and for
this
and endeavour
deftroy the
Roman
fliipping,
where
They
many
"
expedition to Britain
.^
repeated
2<^4
^ ^
make
his fubmiflion.
The
feafoa
Km>r
of the year being far advanced, and Csefar, defirous to retire with honour from a country in which he was not prepared to make any
fettlements, accepted this
on eafy terms.
A certain tribute
of the Thames,
invaders, with a
was impofed on the nations inhabiting the banks hoftages taken for the payment of it, and the
prifoners, then the only
numerous affemblage of
receive
;
ndt
being
fufficient
to
them
in
at
this
and
way
fucceflively,
without any
into
Roman army
Gaul.
^S^
CHAP.
Death of Julia
onius
II.
the
Trial of Gabinius.
Daughter of Cafar and the Wfe of Ponipcy. Detection of an infamous Tranfadlion of Mem-
Low
Counti'ies.
Mili-
Rhine and the Meufe, Operations of Crajpis in Mefopotamia. His Death. Death of Competition for the Cotfulate.
Clodius.-
Trial of
Milo.
in Britain, there happened, of the Julia, daughter of Csefar and the wife by the death of Pompey, a great change in th dlfcontinuance of the relation which
HILE
the
CHAP,
fubfifted
interefts.
between them, and in the feparation of their fuppofed political The connexion which then came to be difTolved, had been
bond of confederacy between parties whofe interfering obmuft have otherwife, on many occafions, excited of ambition jefts Neither the father-in-law, nor the fon was their mutual jealoufy.
devifed as a
mere
may have
little
by
his fituation
from having been extinguifhed in the rnind of either. The choice which Pompey made of Spain for his command for a term of five years, probably province, with a military
however,
believe
far
we may
was
proceeded from a defire to retain his fuperiority over Csefar, and to have in his power, in cafe of a breach between them, a province,
though
lefs
II.
Vol.
Mm
265
BOOK
IV.
fitted
to
furnifli
refources of
lation of father-in-law
Notwithftanding thefe efFeds of jealoufy, while the familiar reand fon fubfifted between Cxfar and Pompey,
fpecies of balance
in
their
couhcijs, they feemed to acquiefce in a participation of confequence and power.- But the death of Julia, and that likewife of the child
of which fhe had been delivered only a few days before her death, put an end, not only to any real cordiality in this connection, but even to any femblance of friendfhip, and rendered them, from
this
time
whether
rity at
It is
and popula-
Rome.
obferved, that, from this date, Csefar became
attentive to reports
more than
for-
merly
from the
city,
and more
he endeavoured to gain every be of confequence in deciding the conteft which perfon he perceived muft arifc Among thefe he paid his court in particular to Cicero, who was likely, about this time, to devote himfelf
telligence
;
from thence
'
and
that
who might
Pompey, and whom he wifhed, at leaft, to keep in fufpence between them for this purpofe, as appears from their correfpondence,
to
:
he applied, as ufual, to his vanity, and, while he was piercing the woods of Britain in purfuit of Caffivelaunus and his painted followers % affefted to read and to admire verfes which were fent to
him by
a perfon
much more
into Britain by the hopes of of but were mines filver, for, befides flaves, they difappolnted finding found no booty in that ifland. Such probably likewife were the prin;
cipal fpoils
of Gaul
'
Cicero ad Quint,
Ibid. lib.
ii.
frat. lib.
ep. 15.
&
lib. iii.
'
ep, ult.
Ad Auicum,
lib. iv.
i.
Kis
OF
257
Rome.
appointment to the command of an army, in order to keep pace with Ctefar in the provinces, Cefar, in his turn, projected pubHc works at Rome to vie with the magnificence of Pompey, and with
that of other citizens,
who made
purpofe Casfar propofed to build a Bafilica', and to enlarge the Forum, at an expence of fix millions Roman money, or about fifty thoufand pounds to rail in the field of Mars
gain the People.
this
;
For
with marble
ballifters,
or portico extending a thoufand paces, or about a mile. In thefe feveral works Cxfar affedted to confult or to employ Cicero
in a
manner which
alfo to
flattered
his vanity,
*
and renewed
his
being able
State.
dired his
c'ouncils
in
what
related to matters
hopes of of
In the
mean
on the
fide
approaching eledions, were This officer, while yet in likewife intent on the caufe of Gabinius.
of different competitors for
his province,
nate, and
for
had been impeached for difbbeying the orders of the Secontempt of religion In his expedition to Egypt. But
having, by the influence of Pompey and of Csefar, eluded this firft attack, he fet out for Rome in great confidence, and, on his journey,
But, upon his approach what manner the Senate and People were
night
he thought proper to make his entry In the and being arrived, on the eighteenth of September, did not
to appear
even venture
No
lefs
than
him
What
the
Romans
Cicero ad Atticum,
ep. 16,
Mm
tortlon
268
BOOK
The fnft day on liis province, and for other crimes. .... which he prefented himlelt in the Senate, the Confuls, Avhen he would have withdrawn, commanded him to flay. And, having
,
called, the
who
attended with a
complaint from the province, bid them ftate their charge. An altercation enfued, in which Cicero, mindful of the
injuries
he had received from Gabinius, took a principal part againft him, and pronounced an invedive, which the other returned with the
abufive appellation of yJ/^/V/'Uf, in allufion to his late exile'.
Yet,
fcon
after,
when
this criminal
was brought
the follcitation of
Pompey,
trial
Memmius, one
of the
the ninth
Gabinius *. The judgment great force, a charge of treafon againft of and fentcnce Tribes condemnation of the to being called,
likely
Lidors were preparing to feize their prifoner, his fon, a young man, with much filial piety, a virtue highly efteemed by the Romans, threw himfelf at the feet of the Tribune, and, being
rudely fpurned on the ground, happened to drop his ring, the badge
of
Roman
nobility
moved
Lelius
Balbus,
another of the Tribunes, interpofed, and, with the general approbation of the People, commanded the procefs to ftop '.
The
nius.
One
who
voted guilty \
amount of quater
millies,
four
hundred millions
'
Roman money,
frat.
lib. iii.
Cicero ad Quint,
Ibid. lib.
iii.
Val.
Max.
lib. viii. c. i.
Cicero ad Att.
Jib. iv.
ep. i6.
this
OF THE
this Lift
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
At
this trial,
269
Po:n-
into exile.
influence in his favour. pey and Csfar continued to employ their And Cicero, although he had hitherto treated Gabinius as the author
of his own exile, being reconciled to Pompey and Csefar, no longer continued at variance with a perfon, who had been no more than
their tool or
fcended, on
occafion,
though inefFedually,
rife to
'.
The approaching eledions gave competitions and intrigues of the more conneded with the ftate republic, and more an indication of the
came
The poorer citizens manners which then prevailed. on the diflributions of corn and
other gratuities, which w-ere made or procured by thofe- who courted or who afpired to the offices of State. Corruption bepopularity^,
flagrant
and
lefs
difguifed
were lofiag their force for want of perfons to proagainft bribery fecute a crime, of which, fo many either wiflied to reap the benefit,
many were fo (Irongly tempted to commit. To fupply this moved in the Senate, That every one eleded- into office Cato defed, fhould be fubjeled to an inqueft, even if no one fliould profecute ';
or which
the ordinary judges, that atually obtained an edict, requiring to take cognizance of the trials the for within were named year,
and
means by which candidates fucceeded. to office and to fet thofe afide who were found to have, incurred the. penalties of corruption". The
;
refolution, until
Tribunes interpofed their negative, or fufpended the effed of this an at of the People fhould be obtained to confirm it.
The. propofal gave great offence, to the paities concerned ; and Cato, He the populace, na,rrowly efcaped with his life. being attacked by was more the full of a in citizens, refpedable afterwards, alTembly heaixi on this fubjecT;. But Terentius, one of the Tribunes,
favourably
9
Dio.
lib.
xxxix.
1
c.
3.
63.
Ckero ad Qnint,
'"
Plutarch.
Cicero ad Att.
lib. iv.
&
" Cicero
ad Att.
e.p.
16.
am
tyo
ftill
practices of thofe
who
eft'edl.
The
mean
time,
if
from the
pradlice of giving
relied
money
or
if
frain
upon an agreement to be entered Into among themfelves to refrom it, would, it is probable, have been glad to be relieved
their pretenfions fo expenfive
and
for
fo
Moved by
thefe
confiderations,
candidates
the
of the Tribune entered into an agreement not to bribe, and ' in the hands of Cato, to be fordepofited each a fum of money
feited
by any perfon who fhould be found ading in contravention to One of them, however, was detedted in giving money,
and
greateft excefs.
In the competition for the Confulate, corruption was carried to the An office was opened, at which the candidates dealt
out
money to
it '*.
the People,
who came
gratuity of ten millions of fefterces '\ was offered to fhould fecure the vote of the firft Century, or, as it who .any perfon was called, the Prerogativa. The demand for money to be employed
receive
became
fo great, that
"*.
by the
firft
of July in-
rofe
from four
Memmius, M.
raifed
profecutions
it appeared that Caius Memmius, once a vehement partizan of the Senate, had made his peace with Cxfar,
his party at
a-
Rome.
Att. lib. iv. ep. 17.
Quingena, 500,000
Roman money
iv.
" Ad
iout40ool.
"
ep. 15.
Ad
Qjjint.
'* lib. ii. ep. 15. Idibus quintilibus foenus fuit beflibua ex triente.
Memmius,
OF THE
Memmius,
it
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
at the
271
ex-
may
piration of Cxfar's Confulate, brought a charge of high mifdemeanour in office againft him. And Cxfar appeared for fome time to refent but was in reahty as little to be diverted from his this attack
;
pur-
knew how
to choofe
who had
well as from
cordingly the reft of his enemies, and by his means brought to light a fcene of
corruption, in
among thofe who inclined to ferve him. Cxfar acmade ufe of this opportunity to feparate Memmius from
which Memmius
himfelf, with other profefled fup-
been concerned, and which furnifhed the and Csefar, fuppofed popular party, with a great triumph againft thefe pretenders to purity and public virtueIt
appeared that,
among
other
irregulatities
at
Rome
in
the
admlniftration of government, even laws, and fuppofed adls of the Senate or People, could be forged or furreptitioufly obtained. The
Cn. Domitius, Ahenobarbus, and Ap. Claud. Pulprefent Confuls, into a compatS: with two of thofe who were candidates entered cher,
to fucceed them, Caius
two
firft,
to fecure their
Memmius and C. Domitius Calvlnus the own nomination to lucrative provinces at the two others now ftanding Confulfhip
:
The
an
vinces.
And
and of the People, fixing the confular profum of money was depofited by the candidates in the
if they did not fupport this the evidence of three Augurs, who fhould vouch for with forgery, the paffing of the law in the affembly of the People, and two Se-
when
was notorious
that
purpofe,
Memmius
Mem mi us
Domitius Ahenobarbus.
been drawn up
He
in writing, together
Appius Claudius braved the granted upon it, before the Senate. but Ahenobarbus, profefling himfelf to be of a party which detection contended for purity and reformation of manners, incurred much
;
From this tranfadlon it fhould appear, not only that the aflemblles of the People were extremely irregular and tumultuary, and might be made up of fuch perfons as were by any party purpofely brought to the Comitium ; but that even the meetings of the Senate might
that their proceedings were carelefly recorded, and be packed The numbers required to form a Comimight be eafily forged.
;
tium or alTembly of the People not being fixed, any convention of perfons brought from any part of Italy, occupying the ufual place of affembly, might take upon them the defignation and powers of
the
Romao
this
People
and
of the People
means pafled from one party to another, its orders were often fun-eptitious and contradictory, and every law might be con-
by
fidered as the
'*.
mandate of
Great
a party or fadion,
as thefe diforders
times
;
intereft in the
continuance of them
and the age, though fuffering under the moft grievous abufes, was
more
a^'erfe to the
neceflary reformations.
The
elections, until
was exof
pired.
An
Pompey
hinted
partizans
He
himfelf
xsju?:
^^^
affeded
OF THE
afFeifled great referve,
ROMAN
REPUBLIC,
to fupprefs
'/
in
CHAP,
*
v
came
powers neceffary
them would,
'
'.
by
In the mean time Csfar, whofe councils had fo great a fhare in determining thefe events, was detained in the northern parts of
Gaul, and was obliged, contrary to his ufual pradice, to pafs the
whole winter on
this fide
of the Alps.
On
his return
from Britain,
had been unfavourable, he was tempted, the fubfiftence of his army, to extend his
quarters
much
farther than
had been
Labi-
was
Titurius Sabinus,
with another,
are
to
what
now
pofted on fome of the branches of the Scheld or the Sambre, in the county of Hainault. And the whole army, by this difpofition, ex-
tended from the Seine to the Meufe about Maeftricht, and from the The diftance at which the polls fea to the neighbourhood of Treves.
were placed from each other being obferved by the natives, who ftill bore with impatience the intrufion and ufurpation of thefe ftrangers, tempted
them
to
form a defign
by cutting
infatiable
them
off,
and
aled ag proprietoi's in every territory on which they guefts, "who "Were received, and branded every adl of refiftance to their unjufl ufurpation with the name of defection and rebellion.
Ambiorix, leader of the nations which were fituated in the angle, above the confluence of the Meufe and the Rhine, and round the quarters of Sabinus, which are fupIn execution of
this defign,
pofed to have been at a place which is now called Tongres, fuddenly prefented himfelf with a numerous body before the Roman ftation, and endeavoured to force the intrenchment ; but being repulfed,
had recourfe to an
artifice in
which he fucceeded,
AfFediiag a great
Vol.
II.
Nn
regard
274
^
^P
Romans, he defired that he might have an opporcommunicate to their general a matter of the moft ferious
importance.
to
him upon
this requeft,
he pre-
tended to
difclofe,
by
Roman army
pafled the
Rhine
that he himfelf
but had been obliged to give way to the popular impe; of his countrymen, which he could not refill ; that all he tuofity do to warn the Romans of their danger, to the end that was could
own
and
fafety.
was
to gain
own
enough to
but if they fhould hefihinder their being molefted oa the march tate for any time, or wait till the Germans arrived, it would na
longer be in his power to avert the ftorm with which they were
threatened.
This admonition, even from an enemy, council of war, determined Sablnus to quit
accordingly began a march of
fifty
the
'
He
miles towards the quar.ers of falling into a fnare, which the treacherous
periilied,
with an
intire legion
and
five
whom
Some
got back to the ftation they had left, but finding no fecurity in that in defpair. very few efcaped^ by the place, killed themfelves on the Mofelle. woods, to Lablenus
The
natives, thus
firft
operation,
puftied on
to the quarters of
Quintus Cicero,
the country as they pafled, and arrived with fuch expedition, that they intercepted all the parties which were abroad in iearch of wood,
provifions, or forage,
and made
fo
unexpeded an
attack
on the
RomaEi
OF THE
Koman
trenchments.
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
time
fufficient to
27^-
man
his in-
CHAP.
II.
which they had pradlifed with lb much fuccefs agalnft Sabinus. But Cicero, though unacwith the manner in which that officer had been quainted betrayed, de* termined to i-emain in his camp, and as foon as poffible to give intiartifice
mation of
pofk
his danger to Casfar. For this purpofe he ftrengthened his with additional works, and publifhed a reward to the firfl
perfon
who
fliould fucceed in
quarter of the
Roman
army.
The enemy
more
formed a
;
circle,
Roman
intrenchment
and, the
intelli-
communication of fupplies or
of
and
In this work, being un". were they obliged to cut the turf But having begun it by a fufficient number of
tools,
hands in
all
its
completed the
whole
From
ment
this line,
lian deferters,
;
they
made
Roman
intrench-
up
by means of
fire
camp
them on
who
v.-^ere
The
in-
42.
tellieence.
276
BOOK
^
by means of a native Gaul, who, availnig hunfelf of the drefs, manners, and language of his country, pafTed unoblerved through the lines of the enemy, was at laft carried to the
telHgencc,
however,
head-quarters of the
Csfar, as
ullial,
Roman
trufting
his
army.
more
men,
to difpatch
left
than to
tlie
numbers of
a legion at Samarobriva
to
le-
guard
his
ftores,
men, being
all
that, without'
hazarding an improper delay, he could affemble, haftened his march to the quarters of Cicero. He difpatched two melfengers, one to Labienus, with orders, if poffible, to put the troops under his
in
command
motion towards the Meufe, and another to Quintus Cicero himfelf^ with hopes or affurances of immediate relief. The firft mefienger
found Labienus
unable to
befet with a
;
move
cafi:
the other,
the billet
numerous army of Gauls, and therefore having come to the foot of Cicero's inintelligence,
it
trenchment,
wound up
fluck,
on the
fhaft
and
hung
for
ried to
fome days unobferved ; but being found at laft, it was carAt the fame Cicero, and gave notice of Csfar's approach.
fire
time the
his
camp began
to appear
on the
plain^
coming.
Gauls, without delay, got in motion with all their force, and liaving abandoned their lines of circumvallation, advanced to meet Cicero fent him intelligence of this movement of the Caefar. enemy.
The
The
armies arrived nearly at the fame time on the oppofite fides of a brook running in a hollow trad between fteep banks, which neither
party in the prefence of the other could venture to pafe. Caefar, fuppofmg that the great inequality of his numbers might infpire the Gauls with contempt, endeavoured, by exceeding his iifual caution, to feed their prefumption. He affeded to chufe a
**
ground
Amiens.
that
OF THE
that
ROMAN
the
REPUBLIC.
Its
277
crowdufually
was
both
fit
to fecure his
limits,
l\
ed
II.
his legions
within
which
v/ere
occupied by one.
tlie effedls
of
the enemy's temerity, or, if they declined pafhng the brook, to avail himfelf of the fecurity they were to and to attack them ia
likely
feel,
their
his firft expctaatron. The GaiHs, trufting to the fuperiority of their numbers, thought they had nothing to dread but the efcape of their enemy; and they accordingly pafled the Inftcad' of defending his rivulet, with intention to force his lines.
camp, he poured forth his army at once from all Its avenues, and, with the advantage of a furprize upon thofe who came to attack irim, and by the great fuperiority of the Romans, when mixed fwcrd in
down
their
him
he
much
ferocity
and confidence.
Quintus Cicero,
By this vidory
hung
at the
whom
but llkewlfc difpelled the cloud which over the other quarters of his army, of which many had l;een
natives.
ever,
which kept
all
even in the moft unfavourable feafon, gave him the profpcdl of an early and a bufy campaign, and fo much difconcerted the plan which
tlie
journey
interells
During this necellary ftay in Gaul, it does not appear that the which Ciefar commonly ftudled were fuffering in arjy condegree
fall
The civil government In the city was and the longcft fword was foort likely to decide the fovereignty of the empire. The office of Conful was unoccupied, and continued to be fo from the beginning of January to the
fidei-able
at
Rome.
ruin,
hallening
to
its
middle
278
no other objedt
The popular tuvainly attempted by every iucceflive interrex. mults were fomented by the Tribunes who were in the intereft of
Pompey
ally
The Senate ftriving to put even ventured to commit to prifon Q^Porapeius Rufus, a Tribune, who feemed to be mofl a^Stive in difturbing The occafion feemed ripe for the execution of the public peace.
alleged, to prevent the elelions.
to thefe diforders,
an end
Pompey's defign
knowp
to be in
the
and accordingly another Tribune, Lucceius Hirrus, fecret of Pompey's intrigues, moved that he
'\
fhould be
named Dictator
He himfelf,
as ufual
on fuch
it
occafions,
ftill
kept
in his
power
to
and appeared to
the Senate ".
the principal
members of
Pompey
encouraged the Tribune to make it, Didtatorfliip ; adding, That he had been called to the exercife of
great powers earlier than he himfelf had expected
;
and
that
he had
always
refigned his
one
elfe ".
;
than had been expeifled by any powers In this was exprelTed the great objed: of Pompey's
earlier
ambition
he preferred this point of eflimation to the poffefTion of power. The odium of the propofed meafure fell upon Lucceius Hirrus, the Tribune who moved it, and had iiearly brought upon him a
depofition or degradation from his oflice.
" "
cpift.
"
Ibid.
ad Quint,
fiat, lib,
iii,
ep. 9.
Pompey,
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
^
'
279
Pompey, or to confirm him in the virtue he aflumed, pronounced an encomium on this ad: of moderation, recommended the republic to his care, and encouraged him in the refolution he had taken, to prefer
the efteem of his fellow-citizens even to the
their lives
HA P.
.r->
power of
difpofrng of
Pompey from thenceforward with in on the elelions and accordingly, the Senate joined bringing after feven months interval of confufion and anxiety, " Cn. Domitius
at his pleafure.
;
and fortunes
^- C. 700, Cn.Doni.
Calvinus,
MciTuIa, CofT.
Calvinus and
jn the
M.
month
ot July.
his intrigues in the city, to
make
a fpecies of
monarchy
in his
own
fary, Csefar
was
means which,
He
on the Meufe, or of he had the addrefs to bring into his own fervice a legion which had been recently formed in Italy under the commiffion of Pompey. Thefe he now borrowed, and
province
and, under pretence of his
his fears of a general defection in Gaul,
it
While he took thefe meafures for the augmentation of his forces, and before the end of winter, having intelligence that the Nervii, or
the inhabitants of the county of Hainault, held frequent confultations together,
to take arms,
he determined
to pre-
with four legions drawn from the vent them ; neareft quarters, he marched into their country, and, without meeting with any oppofition, deftroyed their habitations, moved away
and
their cattle,
prifoners.
He
reduced to great
diftrefs,
Having,
28o
B
-
Tlili
o o K
'
Having, in the courfe of this winter, called the nations of Gaul to a general convention at an idand in the Seine "", he began the operations of the follovvang hunmer by punifliing fome of the cantons *\
who
aflenibly,
and who, by
this
ad: of difrefpecl,
him
fufpicion
of hoftile intentions.
The principal
been
his countrymen, by whom, with a related, Sabinus, legion and live cohorts, had
As
had
the
Romans
fcarcely appear to
attempt a nation once vanquiilied made to recover its liberties, Caefar ftates it as neceflary for the credit of the Roman army, for the fecurity of their quarters,
and
ads of fuppofed
fuffer
Ambiorix fhould
an
peditions
To
two exenemy's
on
either fide.
He
left
them from any retreat or afliftance penetrated into the woods and marfhes of Braof the Meufe, and obliged the inhabitants to
bant, or
on the
come under engagements not to aflift or harbour his enemies. From thence, ftill avoiding to give any alarm to the nation which was the principal objed: of thefe operations, and having formerly
fent his
baggage under an
efcort of
two
legions to
tlie
Mofelle, he
;
now
army
and
find-
Labienus had, by a recent vidoiy, yanquifhed all his enemies in that quarter, he continued his march to the Rhine, conftruded a
ing that
little
way
" Now
Paris.
Carnutes.
he
OF THE
he had formerly paffed
ground.
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
it,
281
fet foot
upon German
CHAP;
The Suevi, and other great migratuig nations of that continent, having moved to the eaftward, leaving nothing behind them but defarts, on which no army could fubfift, he contented himfelf with
exadling hoftages from the Ubii and other contiguous nations, to fecure their neutrality, or rather to make fure of their concurrence
in the future operations of the war.
And
broke down part of his bridge, and left a guard paffed the Rhine, cohorts of twelve properly intrenched to fecure the remainder.
From
make
quick and
Amall
who were
upon the arrival of Csefar's horfe, no more than time, by a general inti-
mation, to warn his people to confult their own fafety. They achid in themfelves the contiguous marfhes, cordingly feparated, part
others endeavoured to find refuge with
Meufe
Meufe
Ambiorix, directed
his
march
all
to the Scheld.
they
rriet
and calculate
rendezvous in feven
days.
Vol.
II.
To
282
BOOK
the neighbouring
was
doomed
to deftruilion.
Among
before
the parties
invitation,
liad
and
continued to ravage
army
at the flation
them in a body. Csefar, in making a march, had lodged the whole baggage of (fuppofed to, be Tongres)., which in the pre-
Here ceding winter had been fortified for the quarters of Sabinus. the works being ftill intire, he left a guard with his baggage under
the
command
The Germans,
friend or
knowing no
diftinilion of
enemy,
and
turned
all
their thoughts
on
Roman army.
Their coming was fo little expected, -that the traders and futtlets who had eredted their ftalls and difplayed their merchandife, as ufual,
without the intrenchment, had no time to fave their
bers of Cicero's baggage- guard wer-e
arbroad
tl>e
ti>-.
efFe<Ss.
Numforage
fearch of
difficiilty
manned
mufl have been forced, if the foragers, upon hearing the noife with which the Germans began the attack, had not returned to their relief, and forced their way through the enemy who, miftaking
,^
them
their
for the
own
Cxfar,
upon
which he had
left
his
bag-
commanding
fecurity whatever,
He
any part of the precautions ufual upon fuch a duty. had projedted againft the
unhappy
redion
burn every houfe, and lay wafte every field that had been and this being done on the approach formerly fpared or overlooked of
;
OF THE
the
fvvord
ROMAN
to perilh
REPUBLIC.
C
283
were certain
H A
P-
the feafoa.
CEefar having in this
was
to
overawe
all
with his army from a country in which he had made it impoffible for any numbers of men to fublift and having ftationed two of his
;
on the Molelle, and the remainder on the Marne, on the Seine, and the Loire^ he himfelf haftened into Italy, where all his views and preparations ultimately centred. The fcene of political
legions
intrigue,
in
a part with
Pompey
field
on the
frontier of Syria,
with feven legions, four thoufand horfe, and an equal number of With this force he pafled the Euphrates, light or irregular troops.
chieftain,
'''
who
is
mentioned by
hiftorians
names, of Acbarus
or Ariamnes, in
whom, on
ac-
Roman
general
had placed great confidence. Here he expected likewife to have been joined by Artabazes, King of Armenia but Orodes, now on
;
the throne of the Parthians, prevented this junlion, by invading the kingdom of Armenia in perfon, while he left Surena, a young warrior of great reputation, in
where
it approaches nearefl to Seleucia and Ctefiphon, the capital of the Parthian kingdom ; but was difluaded by Ariamnes, who pre-
vailed
on him
to diredl his
plains
to
meet
^^
Plutarch
o 2
Sureua,
284
B O O
Some
parties too,,
examine the country, reported that they had been on the trad of departing cavalry, but that no enemy was any where to be feen. Thus CrafTiis was induced to quit the Euphrates,
were advanced
to
and, agreeably to the diredlions of his guide, took the route of Carras
eaftward.
garrifon.
This place he
fortified in his
From
thence, in a
trees,
way, and occupied with a few marches, he arrived in fandy and While the army, herbage, or water.
ftill
though difcouraged by
thefe appearances,
continued
its
march, a
few horfemen
main
body with figns of terror, and brought an account that their divifion had been furrounded by numerous bodies of horfe, and to a few cut
off.
That the enemy were advancing apace, and mull foon appear.
firft
Craffus at
enemy, extended
his
front as far as
he poffibly could
were
eafily
all
on horfeback, and by the rapidity of their motions might gain either or both his flanks, fo that it was proper to prefent a from a
line to a-
on the
angles.
being thus compadled, the Parthians appeared came within reach of an arrow Ihot, and galled them
The weapons of
;
the
Romans, in
this fituation,
them nothing
many
different
fome degree of They muft of the foon be exthe Parthians that in quivers hopes courage, haufted, and that this enemy would be obliged either to join them in
ftood
however
But they found themfelves deceived in this enemy had a herd of camels in their
with arrows, and that the quivers of thofe in the front were continually replenilhed from thence* At the fame time Ari-
amnes.
OF
The
285
amnes, the Arabian, deferted, and was perceived to go over to the enemy. defertion of this traitor, by difcovering that his pretended at-
tachment, and his council, which had been unhappily followed, was only a piece of barbarous treachery to draw the army into its prefent
lituation,
Romans
They crowded
or
ftifled
thirft,
In this extremity, CraiTus determined to make an effort with his cavalry to drive the enemy fo far oft', as not to be able to reach his
His fon Publius accordingly formed the Roman horfe into one body, and made a general charge. The EarThe young man advanced thians gave way in feeming difordcr.
Infantry with their arrows.
as againft a flying
enemy, and
in hopes of
which every where arofe, inftead of flying before him, as he fuppofed, were aiStually turning on his flanks, and even tailing behind
him to encompafs his rear. The legions at the fame time, happy to be relieved from the attack of the enemy, quitted their ground, and
for a
little
refumed
their
more effedually to furround the horfe but the father, recolledling the danger to which he expofed his fon, again prevailed on them to
halt.
that they
was
.to
flain,
and
the
except a few
who
efcaped
the- father
them
to
many
tice to
retire
night to
whom
<M
BOOK
IV.
tliey
make
arms.
it
fafe
army defeated, until they had removed fo far, for them to pafture their horfes, and to ftore up
wounded
of his army, made a confiderable march before it was day. But the advance he had gained, was not fufficient to hinder his being overtaken by the fame enemy, and again involved in the fame
his defeats
diftrefs.
renewed on every fucceeding day, Having which he had fortified at Carrx, and he arrived at laft at the poft At this there found fome refpite from the attacks of the enemy.
and
his flights
place, as the
however, it was not pofTible to make any confiderable flay, whole provifions of the army were loft or confumed, and fuch
araand might have furniflied, were entirely Nor was it convenient to depart imme-
The moon w^as then at the full, and night was almofl: as diately. In thefe circumflances, it was favourable to the Parthians as day. determined to wait for the wain of the rhoon, and then, if pofiible,
to elude the
in the night.
command
army mutinied againft Crafllis, and offered the to Caius Cafl^ius but he, although defired even by Craffus
;
it "*.
The
troops of confequence
into
no
command, and
plains
feparated
two
bodies.
:
The
on the nearcft way into Syria the other took the route of the mountains and if they could reach them be-
went
off
by the
The
was accompanied or commanded by Caffius, who, The other, though with confiderable lofs, led them back into Syria. with Craffus himfelf, was purfued by Surena, and haraffed on every
divifion
*+
Dio.
lib. iv. c.
28.
ground
GF THE
rear.
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
their flank or their
2S7
Being minution of their nunmbers, and were not likely to be long in condition to avoid the
refiftance.
them
two
'
armies, a conference, to
attendants.
number of
While
this
himfelf appeared at a
little
diftance
enemy, who was fuppofed to hold perof war, declined the conference but his
;
weary of continual fatigue and danger, and flattering themthat by an accommodation an end might be fpeedily put to
their
He put himfelf
few
friends,
fubmitted to be led to their general ; but on the way^ fengers, and as a prifoner, he refufed to proceed, and hav_ finding himfelf treated
flain. The army feparated into fundry few efcaped into Armenia or Syria, the greater part fell into the enemy's hands ^\
Thus
died CrafTus,
commonly
It is not to be doubted, joined with avarice, and a mean capacity. that in point of ambition he even rivaled Pompey and Casfar ; and
it is
was merely
fubfervient to
this paflion.
quoted, faying of his, that no man who in the a to republic Ihould be reputed rich, principal place afpired
as a
5
Dio. Caff.
lib. xl.
Plutarch in Craff.
unlefs
28
^
'^v
""^
an army
at his
Such was
the ufe of weahh, which, in place of equipages, hoifes, and dogs, occurred to a rich man of that age at Rome. Of his capacity
we
cannot form a high opinion, either from the judgment of his It appears indeed, contemporaries, or from his own condud: ".
that he owed hia confcquence more to his wealth, than to his genius or perfonal qualities of any kind. On account of his wealth, pro-
bably, he
was confidered by
Ca^far
and Pompey
as a perfon,
who,
if
neglected by them, might throw a weight into the fcale of their enemies ; and he was admitted into their councils, as a perfon fit to witnefs their tranfadlions, and on occafion to hold the balancp in
fiifpence
Thefe circumftances placed him among tlie competitors for the principal influence at Rome, and makes his death an sera in the hiftory of thofe fadtions which were haflening
between them.
to
overwhelm the
republic.
Pompey, already
nexion, were
left
disjoined
by
any
third
between them.
of
flaort
duration.
The time
faft
Clodlus, at
Scipio, Milo, and Hipfa^us, were the fame time, flood for the office of
Scipio
was by
birth
by
Scipio Nafica.
His daughter,
in
adopted con-
fcquence of this adoption, bearing the name of Cornelia, the widow of youngCraflVis, was recently married to Pompey, who, upon this
Cicero de
ofiiciis,
lib.
i.
c. 8.
;
"^ Is Jgitur
Scz,
Cicero de
Claris
oratoi bus,
66.
Ad
Aiticum,
lib. iv.
ep. 13.
to
OF THE
to the Confulate. in
Mi'.o
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
ha(,l
289
^
^^
-'^
a powerful fljpport
from the
fenate,
^^
fedi-
v.~v~>o/
tious
againfi:
themfelves.
party, joined
with the populace, and from inveterate aniinofity to Milo and to his all his intereft with Scipio and Hypfseus againft him. It is in the nature of human things to advance, in acciimulating the
evil to
good or
which they
tend.
Thefe competitors,
in
contending
for the ftreets and the ufual places of canvafFmg the people, joined to
the former
ai'ts
Three
parties in
different
quarters of the town, and wherever they encountered, violence and The oppofite parties of Hypf^eus and bloodlhed generally followed. Milo had fought a battle in the Via Sacra ; many of both fides were
killed,
the
riot.
fo long obftruded the elei5tions, that the term of the prefent Confuls in office expired, before the nomination of any
Thefe diforders
fuccefl'ors
and every
legal
power
in
the
commonwealth being
fufpended, the former ftate of anarchy, with accumulating diflractions, again enfued.
The
would
by the par-
The
competitors continued to wafte their fortunes, were glad to have the canvas prolonged "..
When
remedy
ufual In
title
under
by an
Voj.,
II.
P p
eledloQ
290
B
^
- ,~,^
O^
election of Confuls,
Plancus,
fign,
to
In the midft of this fcene, which kept the minds of men in fear of fome general calamity, an accident happened, which brought the diforder to a height, and forced every party to accept of a remedy.
On
Milo going to Lanuvium, a town about fifteen miles from Rome, of which he was chief magiftrate, about three o'clock in the afternoon, met with Clodius returning from his country feat at Aricia. Milo was in a carriage with his wife Faufla, the daughter of Sylla, and a friend Fufius. He had a numerous efcort, amounting to fome
hundreds of fervants in arms, and, in particular, was attended by two
noted gladiators, Eudamus and Birria. Clodius was on horfeback, with a retinue of thirty fervants likewife in arms. It is likely that
this
on
their
for the
companies continued
till
un-
little
followers of Clodius.
quell
it,
behind his party, quarrelled with fome of the A fray enfued Clodius himfelf returned to
:
it
little refpecft
among
wound
in the fhoulder,
and was
Milo being told of what had pafled, likewife returned to the place; and thinking it fafer to end their quarrels there, than await the revenge of an enemy thus provoked, who would not
difturbance began.
fail,
at
the head of his faction in the city, to roufe the fury of the
populace againft him, encouraged, his people to purfue their advantage : they accordingly forced their way into the inn, dragged Clo-
dius
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
all
291
his fol-
dious from thence, and having killed him, and difperfed lowers, left him dead of many wounds in the highway.
his
Sextus Tedius, a Senator, happening to pafs, put the body into own carriage, and fent his fervants with it to Rome. They ar-
rived before fix at night, and proceeding diredly to the houfe of the
deceafedj
hill
The
flood
ftreets
imme-
diately crowded
tinued to encreafe
natius Plancus, and
night, and
wife repaired to the fame place, and gave orders to carry the dead body naked to the market place, and there to leave it expofed to Roftra publick view on the
;
and
at the
this
with inflammatory harangues to the people. fpelacle Sextus Claudius, kinfman of the deceafed, foon after removed the
body from
flill
meaning
to reproach
The
populace,
who
benches, and brought into a heap the materials, defks of the clerks, the journals and records of the Senate, and hav-
ing
pile.
fet
the whole on
The
buildings.
fire, confumed the corpfe on this extraordinary foon reached the roof, and fpread to the contiguous The Tribunes, Plancus and Rufus, who were all this
fire
Roflra by the flames which burfl from the buildings around them*
The
duced to
Pp
The
292
BOOK
The fame
the houfe of
tion,
perfons,
by
whom
this fire
firft alarm of an infurrecLepidus, who, upon had been named Interrex, forced into the hall, broke down the
M.
images of the family anceftors, tore from the looms the webs, in weaving of which the in'duftry of Roman matrons was flill employed, and deftroyed what
elfe
From
in
thence,
met with a
more proper
mafter of
it
reception.
riots,
which the
and,
among
defence,
was manned
who
plied thofe
in
who
attacked
as
terrace,
fuch
manner
The rioters being repulfed from the houfe of Mllo, crowded to the Temple, in which the Confular Fafces, during the Interregnum, were kept, feized them by force, and carried them to the houfes of Scipio and Hypfasus, the prefent popular candidates for the Confulate;
thefe, without any other form of elecflion, they preifed to aflume the But not having prevailed in this proenfigns of Confular power. pofal, they
mixed
him
or dignities.
From
flaves,
ad-
And
thepartizans
of the candidates, Hypfasus and Scipio, thinking they had Milo at a difadvantage, befet the houfe of the Interrex ; and, though it was
not cuftomary for the fii^ in this nomination to proceed to the elections, they clamoured for an immediate aifembly of the people for
*
Appian de
ii.
this
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
<
^
'tp$
The party of Milo, though profefling Hkewlfe to join this purpofe. the fame clamour for an immediate eleftion, came to blows with
their opponents,
CHAP.
.r
terrex
from farther
himfelf,
Milo
exile,
who was
have
fled or
gone
into'
hearing of the excefles committed by the oppofite party, and of the general inclination of the more fob er part of the citizens to
check and difappoint their violence, ventured again to appear in the fuccity, and at the head of his friends, renewed his canvafs.
ceffion of officers,
at the expiration
with the
title
of Interrex, continued to be
named
of every ufual term of five days ; but fuch was the and diftradion of the fcene, that no eledion could be confufion
made.
The
whom they joined Pompey, of his proconfular commiffion as Purveyor of Corn for the People, held a public character .in the State, the ufual charge given to the Confuls, to watch over the fiifety of the republic. They
and
to the Tribunes of the People, to
who by virtue
even recommended to
Italy,
and
for office.
Under
fome
parties
endeavoured to do themfelves
juftlce,
The two
manded
which
Claudli,
nephews
way
The two
Valerii,
On
;
the
a like
Vv^as
demand
Publius Clodius
made by
and a
profecutioa
tg4
BOOK
of Conful.
Milo, in anfwer to the demand that was made to have his flaves
put to the torture, pleaded that the perfons, now demanded as flaves, were actually freemen, he having manumitted them as a reward for
their faithful fervices in defending his perfon againft a late attempt
made by
Clodius on his
life.
It
was
alleged,
they were manumitted to evade the law, to preferve them from the torture, and to fcreen himfelf from the evidence which they might M. Cselius and Manlius Csenianus in that manner be obliged to give.
being Tribunes, and difpofed to favour Milo, had ventured to vindicate him to the People, and to load Clodius as the aggreflbr, and
the intended
aflaflin in
him
his
life.
Cicero too,
with great zeal and courage, while the friends of Milo were yet unfafe in the ftreets, maintained the fame argument in the Senate, and
before the people
^.
Milo,
make
a compofition; and as
however, would have been glad to Pompey had all along, in the competi-
tion for the Confulate, favoured not only Scipio but like wife
fsEUS againft
Hyp-
him, he offered
to
candidates, if
Pompey would
To
thefe
propofals
Pompey
re-
He
and by affeding a zeal for juftice, hoped to encreafe his auwith the people. thority The partizans of Pompey, in the midft of this wild and dlforderly
ftate
of
affairs,
were bufy
in
raifed
named
Di(Stator, for
Such
OF
2^'S
Such an extraordinary power had never been at any time more wanted in the republic ; but the times, in which it might be fafely
applied,
^^
7
^*
^,
were no more.
The name of
me-
of Sylla's executions, and it appeared to be uncertain againft whom they might now be diredled. To avoid the title more thaa
mory
the
all
the pre-
Pompey
fole
Conful.
He
if
was preferable
to none,
and that
fit
now
propofed.
Pompey being
and
faid
prefent,
this
he would Cato
by
his council.
made
literally interpreted,
but which,
flatter,
to
Pompey,
him
was
to ferve the
was
refolved. In terms
of
this
motion, that
Pompey
fhould be
of Conful, and
elapfed,
^'
accordingly brought on by the Interrex Servius Sulpitius, on the twenty-fourth of February, and Pompey declared fole Conful ^'^, with Pompey
a commiffion from the Senate
to
fole-
arm,
if
of Italy, for the better eftablifhment of order in the city. The firft objeiSt of Pompey, in the high and unprecedented dignity
to
Plutarch, in Vit.
Pomp.
&
Catonis, Die.
lib. xl.
2p5
BOOK
IV.
lately prevailed,
and
For
this purpofe,
he obtained an
and
to
on fuch criminal
the regulations
in four days.
firft
;
accufations.
By
end
three
now luggeited by Pompey, every trial was to The examination of evidence might occupy the
The
cates
the hearing of parties, and the judgment, the fourth. profecutor was allowed two hours to fupport his charge, and the
was
reftridled,
and the ufe of commendatory charadlers prohiheld the office of Conful, and eighty judges or
bited ".
The
thofe
among
who had
jurors were to be impannelled, and obliged to attend the trial. After the evidence and pleadings were heard, the parties were then
allowed each to challenge or rejeft fifteen of the jury or judges, or five from each of the orders of which they were compofed; and
the court being thus reduced to
to. give
fifty
fo frequent,
it
and
fo
much
a neceflary art
was
difficult to find
To remedy
in the law of
by
convicting any one other perfon of a crime equal, or by conviding two perfons, though of a crime lefs heinous than his own. By
it
thefe means,
more
in fucceffion.
wa propofed that one conviction fliould produce Hill That conviction, in every inftance, fhould be
;
c.
53.
?xd,
ibid.
OF THE
reft
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
whom
to fhift
197
only on fuch perfon as could not find another on the burden from himfelf ".
Thefe regulations were made with a particular view to the trial of Milo, now arraigned on the ftatutes both of corruption, and of vio-
The pafling of thefe laws was oppofed on this account by the friends of the accufed, who alleged, that they were not adis of legiflation, but als of attainder, having a retrofped to Cslius the the cafe of a party concerned in a paft tranfadtion.
lence or affaflination.
Tribune, and Cicero, maintained this argument. Pompey replied with impatience, That if he were hindered to proceed in a legal way,
'*. He appeared to entertain fome animofity fuch at leaft as they who love to govern, have to others againft Milo, who appear not to be eafily governed. He either had, or affefted to
have, apprehenfions of danger to his own perfon, confefTed or affedted this apprehenfion in the Senate, and retired, as for fafety, to his owa
men
and there
too,
The
was much
interefted in the
of Milo prefervation
rioters,
who
fet
they had been frequently affailed by the popular the laws at defiance ; and as the laws had not always
force to protedl their perfons,
fet
it
been of
fufficient
was
their interell
afide
The argument,
During were rather feparate parties at war, than fubjeds enjoying the procivil power whattedion, and amenable to the jurifdidion of any ftate of anarchy, were this or who ever. prolonged procured They
of Milo.
in equity, Indeed was fl:rong on the fide the late fufpenfion of government, the fadions
done
35
In
this conteft,
which could
Dio. Caff.
II.
"*
52,
Vol.
Q^q
not
epS
repubUc and of the Senate were badly circumftanced. They contended which might be turned againft the very irregularities which had been neceffiiry to their own prefervation,
for laws, and a conftitution
while the oppofite fadion, if defeated, might claim the protedioii of forms, which they had endeavoured to fubvert.
It
juft, perliaps, to
late fcene
for
confufion with a general indemnity, and to have taken precautions the regular uninterrupted exercife of government in future.
who
were aggrieved, and Pompey determined to fignalize his government by a more fpecious appearance of juftice. Domitius Ahencbarbus
was chofen commiffioner for the trial of Miio,
;
on the charge of murder and the other judges, taken from among the moft refpetable of each order in the comTnonwealth, were impannelled in terms of tha
late ftatute.
The
;
on the
and on the fame day, to anfwer a charge of corruption brought againft him in the ordinary court of the Pi'setor Man- Marcellus appeared for him at the bar of the Frcctor, and prc-r lius.
fourth of April
trial
Ihouldbe endedi.
in the
The
place.
court,
it
appears,
was aflembled
Eorum
or open market
There was a
fpace
tribunal or
bench
railed
The whole
fecutors
The prow
began with examining Caflinius Schola, who had been ia company with Clodius when he was Idlled. This witnefs gave di^red: evidence to the fadt,
Marcellus would have cro{s-queftioned him; but the populace, and many others who aiTembled in the crowd who favoured the profecution,
raifed a
menacing
cry,
his
counfel fo
much,
court.
They were
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
99
who had taken his ftation near to the place of plied to the Conful, his prefence, any diforders that affembly, in order to reftrain, by arife at the trial. Pompey, who was then attended only by
might
his lidtors,
was himfelf
likewife alarmed
by
and
He
filled
;
every
and, avenue, which led to the Forum, with men under arms upon fome tumult among the populace, gave an order that the place
fliould
killed.
be cleared.
Under
ance.
the Impreffion
made by
this
witneiTes continued to be
examined
for
difturbrelations
Among
of Clodius, and his wife Fulvia, were examined on the feveral clrcumwithin their knowledge, and The minds of fal. ing with refped: to the
ftances that
fell
left
men
more
intent
on the
iflue
when
the
j
all other bufinefs was fufpended in the parties were to plead, the {hops and offices were fhut.
city
There appeared for the pi^ofecutors Applus Ckutlius, M. AntoThey began at eight, and fpoke till ten. nlus, and Valerius Nepos.
For the defender appeared Q^Hortenfius, M. Marcellus, M. CaUdius, Fauftus Sylla, M. Cato, and M. T. Cicero, of whom the laft only
of opinion, that, as the fad was on the plea of neceffity and public undeniable, it ought to be juftified himfelf thought this too bold a plea, and thereCicero expedience. fore chofe that of felf-defence, alleging that Clodius was the aggreflbr, and intended to aflaffinate Milo. It is remarked of this celebrated
-attempted to fpeak.
Some were
orator, that
he began
all
his
.
and awe of
his audience.
On
when he
flood
up
to
who were
,00
BOOK IV.
menacing
cries.
The
commanded
by an
it is
be prejudiced againft his client, officer, and funk his fpirit, that he fpoke feebly,, fo far overcame faid,
fuppofed to
;
who was
and
that
what he
alually delivered
was
which he compofed, and afterwards under the title of Milo's defence. publiflied The accufed however, even in this alarming fcene, flood at the bar with an lindaunted countenance ; and while every one elfe, in imitation of the Senators, appeared in mourning, he alone appeared in
an ordinary
it
drefs.
When judgment
ballots in-
appeared that, of the Senators, twelve condemned, and fpeCted, the knights, thirteen confix, or perhaps rather five, acquitted ; of
of the Tribuni
jErarii,
or reprefenta-
acquitted.
And
condemned, and three or four Milo, upon the whole, was condemned by thirtyftill
at liberty to
withdraw^,
he
and fixed
Thither
Cicero fent
leifure,, as
him
an
effort
packet containing this writing, " delivered or read to Milo while he fat at dinner.
*'
The
it
feems,
was
it
How
lucky
"
faid,
*'
with apparent or unmerited difgrace, that fingle addition of conftancy and force to his character would have undoubtedly placed
"
Afconius Pa;dianus
et
Argument,
et Notis in
Dio. CalT.
lib. xl..
him
OF THE
Hun
as
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
^
301
high In the order of ftatefmen, as, by the other parts of his charater, he flands in the hft of ingenious men and virtuous ci-
^^
P*
tizens.
after
upon
a charge of bribery
and corruption.
Some
of his competitors,'
particularly Hypfseus
offence.
and Scipio, were brought to trial for the fame The Tribune Munatius Plancus and Pompeius Rufus were,
of their
office, tried
at the expiration
they had
affault
in the fire
M.
Lepidus the
Interrexv
302
CHAP.
CharaBer of Tompey
in
III.
Capacity
of fole Conful.
'Privilege
of
for
the Office
of Confd,
without
that Country.
Dlflrlbutlon of
Cafars Army
5 O O K
I^OMPEY,
poifeffed
which he always affeded, much of the influence and confideration of a real monarch ;
for the State, if he could
^nd
it
have
made
.ftitution,
commonwealth
of
fieed.
ties
kingly government, of which it appears to have flood fo greatly in In his prefent elevation he rofe for a while above the partialiof a fadious leader, and appeared to adopt that
intereft
which
-the
He even feems to fovereign ever has in the fupport of juftice. the of a have charader or to confidered himiiave perfonated prince,
felf as
citizen.
Among
purpofe, is mentioned his haughty faying to Hypfa'us, late candidate for the Confulate, now under profecution for bribery, who, as Pom-
pey
*'
palTed
way
to
im-
" Detain
me
'."
not," he
"
faid,
no purpofe
his courtiers
and
flatterers,
own
regulations.
he himfelf had
lib. ix.
c.
laid
down
for the
Val. Max.
5.
idiredion
OF
c!ire\:ion
of cnmlnal
to the bar,
when
with a conimendatory teftimony, " I cannot prefer brought " to the law of " this which he writing of Pompey," faid Cato, " himfelf is the author." On account of this faying, Plancus, when
the Judges
came
to be inclofed,
condemned
it
was thought
fome laws
The
government of Jucrative provinces. To remove this temptation, it was ordained, at the fuggeflion of Pompey, that no man could be
appointed to a province till five years after the expiration of that office, whether of Conliil, Praetor, or Qusftor, in virtue of which he
claimed a proportionate flation in the provinces; Before the enafting of this law, however, Pompey had the addrefs
to procure for himfelf a prolongation of his
'
army abroad, while he llkewife' bore the highefl civil office in the State at home, fet a very dangerous precedent for the commonwealth. Casfar's command in Gaul was foon to expire and, according to
of
an;
command
it
the Confulate,
cope with his rival in civil preferthat the perfons It had been ments. wifely ordained by the laws, fhould apoffering themfelves as candidates for the office of Conful,
or pretend to
command and
beyond the
difmiffing his
limits
and that no man, v/ithout refigning his army, could enter the city, or even go of the province in which he had governed. By
it
;
PI march, in
Pompeio,
p. 484.
304
T'HE
this
BOOK
IV.
reflation
was intended
of clvU
power
ever,
command
of an army.
Pompey, how-
though veiled with fuch a comman^l in Spain, had contrived to be exempted from the ohlervance of this law and, under pretence
;
Roman
Hill
People did
him
to
any
ftation,
and
whole
continued to
Rome.
keep pace with his rival, openly afpired to the fame with Pomjicy, and claimed, as a mere inftance of equal privilege treatment, what the other had obtained; but M^hat, if bellowed on
himfelf, with his other advantages,
The army he commanded was already in the .mediate fuperiority. The addition of Confular power at moll advantageous fituation.
Rome, to that of general in both the Gauls, was joining Italy itfelf to his provinces, and putting him at once in poffeflion of the empire. Any oppofition made to his aut-hority as Conful would be conllrued
as rebellion againft the State itfelf
from the helm of affairs to the which he, at moll, could only defend himfelf; but not entertatin any defigns on the fovereignty of Italy, which would be covered from his
attempts
by
the Pyrennees and the Alps, and the great armies of Gaul.
his partizans
With
among
the Tribunes Xfi move, That, being continually engaged in a hazardous war, which required his prefence, and being necelTarily detained abroad In the fervice of his country, he might be exempted
from the law, which required the candidates for office to attend their canvafs in perfon, and might therefore be eledled into the Confulate
without prefenting himfelf to the People for that purpofe.
This propofition was fufficiently underllood by the leading men and by the few who joined with them in fupport of the
common-
OF
commonwealth.
3^5
have
was known
a privilege of being elefted Conful, without refigning his province, or of the moft difmiffing his army; and they, withftood the motion as
But Pompey, who ought likewife, for confequence. own fake, to have been alarmed at the progrefs of Caefar, and at the uncommon advantage at which he now aimed, was either lulled
dangerous
his
into fecurity
ciently raifed
by the
artifices
of his
rival,
any other quarter. He had accepted, in his own perfon, many unprecedented honours, and was pofllbly unwilling to contend for forms which, at fome fuabove any danger from
this or
own
pretenfions.
Pompey.
He had been
bias
by
by
the other.
confideration he
owed
for
to
Pompey on
was on the
were
fide
provided
commonwealth.
He
ne-
which
Caefar
paid to him for fome time, with a view to this very queftion ; he condemned the indifcreet zeal of Cato, who, in his opinion, was ruining the caufe of the republic by fetting both Cffiflir and Pompey
at defiance,
while he himfelf, by temporifing, and by managing the had fecured them both in its intereils.
He
danger of a quarrel with Csefar at this time, fupported as he was by a powerful army, and in the bowels of Italy ; but did
ftated the
not confider that he was then giving up, without a quarrel, any quarrel could extort.
all
that
The army of
juftice,
Csefar
was not then fo well prepared to follow him nor he himfelf furnifhed with the fame colours of
If a civil
war were
was
to give a delay
enemy, or rather, in
efFed,
Vol.
II.
3o6
BOOK
V-
up the
which
Under
fupported the Tribunes in their motion, and obtained for the Proconful of Gaul the dlfpenfatlon he defired, to retain his army, while he offered himfelf a candidate for the higheft office of the ftate at
Rome.
Csefar,
fide
of the Alps In
upon
murder of Clddius,
affedted
in
much
grofsly violated
that inflance
and,
under pretence of furnifhlng himfelf with the means of fupportlng the ftate againft thofe who were inclined to difturb it, ordered new
levies in every part of his provinces,
tion to his
army
hands of Pompey
on the report of
paifed the Alps.
a general defedtion of
re-*
that lay
Roman
by the
They had
fubmitted
to Caefar,
by him, under the fpeclous or protedlion againft their enemies ; and But fufFered him to become their mafter.
themfelves from the convention which he
feverities
nutes \
for abfentlng
executed
by
Now
I
Chartres,
liira
OF THE
htm
and the Meufe
*,
ROMAN
all
REPUBLIC.
between the Rhine
that they
-507
H A
p.
convinced
the nations of
;
Gaul
were
made
of
for
their
and that every exertion they to be punifhed as a crime. was They faw the folly liberty former diflentions, and fufpended all their animofities to
common
fafety.
The
occafion^
they
faid,
was favourable
The
Romans were diftraded at home, and Cxfar had fufficient occupa* His army could not ad in his abfence. The prefent tion in Italy.
time, they concluded,
to fhut out
the
Romans
for ever
to force
them
to retire
v ithin
the Alps.
Garonne, quite
with joy. They
round
held private meetings, and inilead of exchanging hoflages, which would have been too public a meafure, and have led to a difcovery
of
by
more
fecret
form,
comtheir
of preffing
The
'
accordingly, on a day
they put
many Roman
of the army, to death. was the cuftom of the Gauls to convey Intimation of fuch events of a cry which they raifed at the place of adion, and means by the voice was heard, till paffing almoft v/lth the wherever repeated found it of itfelf, gave the fpeedieft information of what was velocity
It
done. In this manner intelligence of what had been tranla6led at Genabum at the rifing of the fun, was, before night, propagated in"
Now
chiefly Liege
and Guelderland.
'
Chartres.
-
Orleani.
r 2
cv^ry
3oS
BOOK
every diredtion to the diftance of a hundred and fixty miles, and put the nations within this compafs in a ferment. Its firft and principal
effeils,
Here Vercingetorix,
however, were produced in the country of the Arverni '', a youth of heroic fpirit and great capacity, af-
fembled his retainers, took poffeffion of Gergovia, now Clermont, the capital of his country, and from thence fent meffengers in every
diredtion to urge the execution of the meafures lately concerted for
He himfelf, in return for his zeal, the general freedom of Gaul. of the confederacy, in this capacity, head common the chofen being
of arms to be furnifhed by each feparate canton, and took hoflages for the regular obfervance of the conditions
fixed the quota of to
men and
which the
feveral parties
had agreed.
Vercingetorix having aflembled a confiderable army, fent a part of his force to aft on the Garonne, and to harafs the frontiers of the
Roman
moved
appeared to be too fecure ; and he accordingly brought to his ftandard all the warriors of thofe canHis party on the Garonne, at tons that lay on the left of that river.
roufe the nations of that quarter,
who
all
formidable
cities
numbers, threatened
with immediate
deftruftioii
the
diflrifts
at leaft as
were open
to invafion.
all
upon
his ar-
and, having put the proItaly, immediately repaired vince of Narbonne in a condition not to be infulted, proceeded to
give the
pofTible,
from
enemy an alarm
to put himfelf at
in their
His objeft was, if the head of the legions which he had left
country.
own
on the northern
frontiers of his
new
acquifitions.
He
move
'
Auvergne.
themfelves
OF
309 him-
Nor was
it
eafy for
CHAP.
III.
'
with the force under his command, to penetrate through fo many enemies as lay in his way to join them. It was yet winter^
'
and the mountains were deeply covered with fnow. This circumwhich increafed his as it was difficulties, ftance, likely to render the
enemy fecure,
in
ftill
He accordingly
when
the fnow,
many places, being fix feet deep, mull be removed with fhovels, and when that paffage was fuppofed to be intirely impradticable.
After he had furmounted this difficulty, his objet being to draw the
attention of the prince of the Arverni to his
his cavalry abroad in
own
country, he fent
fire
numerous
parties to deftroy
with
and fword
When
he thought
was
fufficiently fpread,
the Loire, he pretended, that his prefence was required in province behind him, gave the command of the troops in Auvergne to Decimus Brutus, then a young man; 'giving him or-
army on
tlie
ders at the fame time to keep his parties abroad, and to continue to
harafs the country as he himfelf
had done.
attention of the
Having taken
enemy
few attendants, made hafte to pafs Vienna on the Rhone, where he was re-
ceived
by a party of horfe, which he had appointed at that place to wait his orders ; and, under this efcort, without halting by day or
night, he paffed
by
by Bibrade
and the country of the Lingones ", army on the Seine ; and while he was
'"
yet fuppofed to be in Auvergne, had adtually affembled his legionswhich had been diftributed on the courfe of that river.
'
*
The Cevennes.
Afterwards Augu(lodunttm,now Autun,
"
Langres.
Verclngetorix
310
BOOK
Vefcingetorix having notice that Czefar, in this manner, had pafled Tiim, and that the Roman army on the Seine was in motion, perceived
that the invafion of his
own
feint,
and that the chief force of the enemy was to be expeded from a different quarter, he refamed the operations which he had intermitted ou
the Loire, and endeavoui-ed to poflefs himfelf of a
pod
in the territory
ftill
of procuring provifions and thought himfelf under a neceffity of oppofmg the progrefs of the enemy. For this purpofe he left his baggage, under the guard of two legions, at Agendicum'*; and from thence, with
Cssfar, notwithftanding the difficulty
the remainder of the army, proceeded to Genabum '', leaving Trebonius by the way to take pofleffion of a town which the natives,
after a little
fhow of
refiftance,
had furrendered.
the Gauls,
;
Upon
at
Genabum,
who were
in
arms
that
place,
refolved to
Romans on one
But
Csifar,
defign, forced open their gates, and overtook them, while crowded
together in the entrance of the bridge, and in the narrow ftreets which led to it, put ,the greater part to the fword, and, under pre-
tence of revenging the mafl'acre of the Roman traders, who had been cut off at this place, ordered that the tov/n fhould be deftroyed.
From
the
left
thence he penetrated into the country of the Bituriges '*, on of the Loire ; and, on his way towards Avaricum ", the
Romans, and
linowing that the Gauls, being without order or difcipline, could not
**
Sens,
*J Orleans,'
'*
Now
Bern,
"
Bourges.
withftand
OF THE
to dillrefs the
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
,
on
CHAP.
III.
enemy by
He
had
authority enough with his own people to perfuadc them to lay their country wafte every where within many miles of Csefar's route. Twenty towns of the Bituriges M'ere burnt in one day. Avaricum
alone, contrary to the opinion of Vercingetorix, and at the earnefl:
requeft of
its
inhabitants,
who
undertook to defend
it
to the lafl
ex-
tremity, was
fpared.
Thither, accordingly, Cxfar advanced as to the only prize that was left. He attacked the place, under great diiadvantages, in the
army
to
who,
notwithftanding their profeflions, were far from being hearty in his caufe, or diligent in fending their fupplies of provifions to his camp.
as they fent were intercepted by Vercingetorix, who had occu-. pied a ftrong poft with his army, and infefted the highways with his In thefe circumftances, Cxfar's army was fometimes reparties.
Such
duced to great
foldiers,
diftrefs
no longer
"
;
got
if
To this affedled tendernefs for the couraged, I fhall withdraw." of his he was men, fufFerings every where anfwered, with intreaties
that he
"
that
any hardfhipa
could oblige them to forfeit the charadler they had acquired by the He accordingly continued labour of fo many fuccefsful compaigns. the attack of Avaricum under all his difcouragements.
The
was
place
fides
by
acceffible
The
walls of the
ments or pannels
filled
15
the mafonry againfl the effeds of the battering ram, which could aft
only on the ftones contained within a fmgle pannel or divifion of the frame, without ruining at once any confiderable part of the wall, or
effedting a breach.
naoft laborious
to this wall
by the
and
They beand on a
rifing
form of
proper diftance,
breadth of eighty-three
mound
'*,
which
by degrees on
level
of the battlements.
timbers,
The
advanced, an eafy afcent to the earrh on the fide.s of this mound was
fupported by
hurdles,
and
faggots,
The
their
might
ftill
raifed
walls
hides,
by
additional frames of
againft
as a fecurity
wood, which they covered with raw the burning arrows and fliafts which
fides
were darted
In
feet,
againft them.
works on both
were
to
by
railing their
own
by undergal-
They made
own
enemy's mound, by which they endeavoured to remove the earth and other materials from below, as faft as they were accumulated above. They came from their fally-ports on different fides of the mouml,
nd endeavoured to
ported.
fet fire to
the
wood by which
In
all
thefe particulars
arts of defence in
common
Vercingetorix,
in the
mean
with-
by means of the
Vid. Thucidid.
"
lib.
The Agger.
"
c.
22, &c.
river
OF THE
Tiver
ROMAN
his
REPUBLIC.
313
^ H A
"
P.
and
^-j
Notwithftanding all thefe difficulties, Caefar by degrees brought forward and ralfed his mound of approach to the height of the
battlements
;
fo that
by a fmgle
as
aflault
fate
of the town.
And
laft effort,
make
his attack.
The
He
got pofTeffion of the battlements with little refiflance, who manned them before him from the walls.
and
The
entered,
and
left
when
gates.
by
the
could
make no
refillance.
Of
who had
taken
Ihelter in
than eight hundred efcaped. This mafTacre it, no more was joined to that lately performed at Genabum, under the pretence
of completing the vengeance which was due for the murder of the Roman traders who were put to death at the breaking out of the
prefent revolt.
Gauls, as ufual on every calamitous event, were greatly difheartened, and were about to defpair of their caufe, when their
The
leader reminded
undertaken to
that, contrary to his judgment, they had from the general devaflation, and had themfelves defend it that what they fufieved was the confequence
them,
His authority
ufual rofe
on the
ill
fuccefs
Vol,
II.
S f
Caefar,
314
^
^v^
The
Avaricum, remained fome days to relieve and to country around him, however, being Intirely
refrefh his
laid
v^'^afte,
army.
or oc-
it became neceflary for him to repafs the Loire, and to open his communication with a country of which the inhabitants flill profefled to be in alHance with the Romans, and
having had their pofTeffions covered by the river from the incurfions of the enemy in their late devaftations, were ftill in condition to fupply
to retire and to give up the ground he had difputed with the prince of the Arverni, he pretended that he was called to fettle a difpute which had arifen among the Jidui, his
camp.
As
in this
movement he feemed
relating to the
head of their
canton.
he made
Having 3emand on
all
any
lofs,
men
on
foot,
and
it was good policy to For this purpofe keep them divided, and to occupy them feparately. he fent four legions towards the Seine while he himfelf took the
;
He now had
route of
Noviodunum
'',
at the
and there leaving his money, fpare horfes, and unnecelfary baggage, he continued his march on the banks of the Allier, with intention to
pafs that river,
and
from
at the
whom
this revolt
it.
head of
This
knowing
is
never fordable
till
autumn,
and
all
till
the bridges
upon
it
to
it
Romans from
pafling
on the Cevennes begin to abate, ordered be demolifhed, and hoped to prevent the As during the greater part of fummer.
foon as Csefar marched from Noviodunum, he prefented himfelf on the oppofite bank of the river, and regulated his motions by that of
"9
Nevers.
the
OF THE
the enemy.
ROMAN
;
REPUBLIC.
and Caefar never affetled
to to
fo
315
The two
armies
CHAP,
^-',
encamped
he faw an opportunity
do
with advantage.
one of the bridges of the Allier had been but imperfedly deftroyed ; moft of the piles were yet faft in the ground, and appeared above water ; fo that a paflage might be efFedled in a
It
happened
that
few hours.
furnifhed cover,
or a place of ambufh, to
From
thefe cir-
He
cumftances Csefar conceived the defign to over-reacch the enemy. put his army in motion as ufual, but himfelf remained with a
detachment in the neighbourhood of the ruined bridge, In order that the Gauls might not be. to repair. led to fufpedl that any part of his army was left behind, he ordered
fufficient
which he meant
that thofe
who were
feparate
to
move
number of
ftandards,
bodies,
diftindion
of colours and
which they were accuftomed to fhow on a march of the whole army at the fame time, as he knew that the Gauls would
;
endeavour to keep pace with his people, in order to haften and increafe their diftance, he ordered them to make a quicker and a longer
march than
taken
the river,
When he fuppofed that this feint or ftratagem had he began to work on the piles which were left in and in a few hours repaired the bridge fo effedlually, that
ufual.
he pafled with the divifion of the army he had referved for this purpofe, and inftantly fortified a poft to cover them on the oppofite bank. From thence he fent orders to recall the main body ; and before the
enemy were
the
left
all his
forces
on
of the river.
Romans had
of his
fell
capital
own
Now
S f 2
principality,
3i5
BOOK
.?rt
being fituated on a height, having an afcent of above a mile from the plain, and furrounded by other hills, which made part of the
It
fame
half
way up
the afcent
to
encamped
as
many
as
He
oc-
hills at
By tliis difpo-
poffibility
all the approaches of the place commanded, and no of invefting the whole by lines of circumvallation, or by any chain of pofts. He pitched his camp at fome diftance from the foot of the hill, and from thence in a few days got poffefTion of a
Cxfar found
height in his way to the town, on which he polled two legions, with a lane of communication, fortified on both its flanks, leading from
this
advanced
ftation to his
main encampment.
all
In
bourhood being in pofleffion of the enemy, while he prefTed upon ^e town, he himfelf might be hemmed in, and cut off from all the
fupplies neceffary for the fupport of his army.
To
preferve his
com-
munication, therefore, with the Allier and the Loire, he ordered his
allies
fide
he had formerly required of them, to occupy the country in his rear, and to cover his convoys. They accordingly took the field but their
;
eaufe of the Gauls, they thought this a favourable opportunity to declare their intentions. Being arrived within thirty miles of Casfar's
in his
all
the
Romans
m their company to
men who were
They had
not
GF
not yet
317
moved
.
..... when
all
chap.
III.
march
his cavalry, in
;
time to
He
and thinking
killed
fafeft for
public view
orders,
the perfons
who were
faid to
have been
by
his
convinced fuch as had been deceived of their error, and brought them, with the feeming cordiality of allies, to his camp.
Csefar
made
a merit
;
this adl
of clemency to-
wards
their people
fpirit
had pervaded the nation ; the violence committed in the camp was an effed; of the refothat
it
lutions adopted
by the whole people ; that, in purfuance of the fame meafures, his purveyors and commiffaries had been aflaulted and
where they thought themfelves
fecure, as in a friend's
pillaged even
country
nation in Gaul.
The
was fhown
pretended to return to their duty ; and Caefar, not to break at once with the only fuppofed ally which remained to him beyond the Cevennes, afFeded to confider the late diforders as the effed of a mere
popular tumult, and declared himfelf willing to rely on the wifdom of the State itfelf for the reparation of wrongs which a few illadvifed perfons of their country had committed.
This able commander appears, on many occafions, to have trufted greatly to the fuperiority of the Roman foldiers, as well as to that of
his
own
reputation
and condud
as a
general.
His confidence
in
both was required in the higheft degree to fupport him in continuing, r even in attempting, a fiege under his prefent difficulties, befet by
numerous
3i8
^
^^
9 J' ^
numerous enemies, who were in appearance ably condudbed while he himfelf was deferted by thofe who were reputed his friends.
;
In his
his
lafl
march
to reprefs the
defedion of his
allies,
he had
left
camp enemy, and defended only by two legions againft the whole force of fo many nations as were affembled for the defence of Gergovia.
in his abfence,
Thefe feized their opportunity a vigorous attack, and mufl have prevailed, if he had not returned with the utmoft celerity to relieve his camp.
made
With
men, Cxfar
foon afterwards made an attempt to force the wall, which, as has been mentioned, the Gauls had built on the afcent of the hill which
led to the
town
feint
who fhowed themfelves at a diftance to appear like cathe enemy from the place he meant to attack, ache drew valry, the wall, and made himfelf mafter of part of their tually pafl'ed
horfeback,
camp.
few of
his
men
town
but not
being fupported, were furrounded and flain ; even thofe who had fucceeded at firft under favour of the feint by which he had drawn
off the
to the defence
of
their
lofs.
In confequence of
this defeat,
that Csefar
would be under
fear,
he
en-
formed
his
fucceflively
his
enemy
battle.
On
camped
he arrived
His paflage of
the fame river, a ihort time before, was efteemed as a and his vi^ftory,
return,
OF
iafety of his
319
CHAP,
*
The
low
ftate
the nations on the right yet a youth, and unexperienced, encouraged towards while he was even the of them, to declare Loire, advancing
for the liberties of
Gaul
and
as
and feized
all
'",
No-
viodunum
of fecurity
at the
He
his
enemies on every
himfelf was yet inclofed between thefe two rivers, having fide, and no magazines or ftores for the fupply of
army.
He
deliberated
;
fall
back on the
province of Narbonne
Labienus, commanding
but the danger to which he muft expofe a divifion of the Roman army on the Seine,
by
and the
difcredit
which
his
He
its
paffed
coii-
by
a ford
above
found a
and continued
his
and forage in the country of the jEdui, march from thence to the Seine.
commanded
in that quarter,
had be-
when he heard
of the defection of the jEdui, and of preparations 'which were making by the nations on his right againft himfelf. In thefe circumftances,
he
on
by the
letc
of the
^eine country of the Senones, through which Caefar waa now advancing to meet him. In paffing the river at Melodunum "%
to the
*'
Nevers.
" New
Melun,
he
320
B o
he was attacked by the enemy, but obtained a confiderable viftbry and, with the credit of this event in his favour, continued his march
,
to a place
which
is
now
after-
wards joined by
Csefar.
their forces
on the Seine,
Vercingetorix had pafled the Loire, and held a general convention of the Gaulifli. nations at Bibradte. He was attended by deputies
of
all
the cantons from the Mofelle to the Loire, except the Tre-
viri,
who
Remi, and Lingones ^'. The firft flood in awe of the Germans, The two laft profefled an atkept them in continual alarm.
who were
ftill
mafters of the
field in their
The
made
a requifition for
an augmentation of
to fifteen thoufand.
fufficient
To
army Romans
feparate
occupation in their
own
defence, he projedted
:
two
one to be executed by the nations which lay between the Rhone and Garonne, towards Touloufe the other, from the Soane and the upper parts of the Loire,
;
Narbonne
left
of the Rhone.
action,
He himfelf,
though
ftill
was
to harafs the
enemy
in
their fupplies
of provifions.
Caefar,
on
open
his
Roman
againft the
defigns of the enemy, and to avail himfelf of its refources for the fubfiftence of his army. For this purpofe it was neceffary for him
to return, by the Soane and the Rhone, through a level country which was in pofTeffion of the enemy, to whom he was greatly in*^
Now
OF THE
tenor in cavalry.
horfe
;
ROMAN
fent into that part
REPUBLIC.
for a
321
He
Germany
reinforcement of
CHAP,
>
of the continent being already feafible, that wherever they were admitted to adl as foldiers of fortune, they were qualifying themfelves to adt as mailers, without fcruple beftowed their fervices for or againft any caufe ; two thou-
<
ill
mounted
that he
was obliged
his cavalry.
them with
horfes,
by borrowing
fiich as
belonged to his
of infantry, and as
many
as could be fpared
from
compenfate their defel in horfes, the men were brave, and, in many of the operations which followed, turned the event of battles,
To
fate
of the war.
to the fouthward
thus reinforced, Csefar began his march and ; having paiTed the heights at the fources of the Seine, found the Gauls already polled in three feparate divifions, contiguous to the different routes he might take, with
numerous
him
in
any move-
continuing his march, he foon gave their leader an opportunity to try his fortune in a fharp encounter, in which the whole cavalry of both armies came to
By
The Gauls were routed chiefly by the valour and adbe engaged. This drefs of the Germans, to whom Caefar imputed his vid:ory.
event was
decifive in refpedl
it
to
the
cavairy,
that
part
of both
turn.
armies on which
was fuppofed
war
miifl:
And
Vercingetorix,
from which the Seine, general adion, infl.antly retired to the heights rivers which mix with it before its confluence
with the Marne, have their fource. Ca^far, no longer apprehenfive ef the enemy's horfe, refumed the confidence with which he always
purfued his advantages,
retreat.
and followed
his flying
enemy
into this
Vol. IL
Tt
Vercingetorix,
322
THE PROGRESS
a place raifed on a
hill at
ANI>
TERMINATION
two
rivers
;
on
which
it
channels by which thefe rivers defcended to the plain. on one fide were level, on the other mountainous.
refources, enterprize,
and genius of
their
felves inacceflible,
cooped up ; a proper dilbibutlon of his army, and employing working parties at Cnce on a chain of twenty-three pofts and redoubts.
Vereingetorix, though too
fent his cavalry to colledt
they had got into a place in which they might be Cxfar and immediately began to furround them, making
late, perceiving the enemy's defign, what provifions could be found in the
neighbouring countiy
keep the
man
by
horfe, he propofed
to diminifh the
difmifling
them
inftrudtions to
make
way
and there
to repre-
which they had left the army, and the neceffity of making a great and fpeedy effort from every quarter to relieve it. He had eighty thoufand men under his command, and might be able
fent the fituation in
to fubfift
them
and no longer.
Csefar, from the enemy's having fent away their cavalry, coneluded that they meant to a.t on the defenfive, and to remain in
With
little
ap--
prehenfion of difturbance, therefore, from within his lines, he proceeded to execute amazing works ; at once to fecure his prey and to
cover himfelf againft any attempts which might be made to refcue them. Tliisgreat commander owed many of his diftinguillied fuccefTes to
5
the
OF THE
ROMAN
that
REPUBLIC.
;
323
^
exceeding the fears found themfelves unexor apprehenfions of his enemy, they with which they were not prepared pedledly forced into difficulties
fo far
^^
to contend.
In particular,
fliovel,
The Roman armies in general, and thofe which ferved under Cx'far had learned to make war with the pick-ax and the
no lefsthan with the javeline and the fword, and were inured
In the prefent cafe they
to execute lines of circumvallation
were made
and countervallation
They began with of the foot the a ditch round hill, twenty feet wide, digging, quite with perpendicular fides, in order to prevent any furprife from the
town.
At the
diftance of four
hundred
feet
from
this ditch,
and
beyond
drawn the
line
of coun-
tervallation, confifting of a
fifteen feet
At a proper twelve feet high, furnifhed, as ufual, with a palifade. diftance from this firft line which fronted the town, fo as to leave a
of his army, he drew proper interval for the lodgement and forming another line, confifting of the fame parts and dimenfions, fronting From the nature of the ground, part of thefe works were the field.
upon
the
hills,
and part
wherever
'
allowed to be
began to from a garrifon, which exceeded his own army in n-umbers, the moft vigorous failles from within ; and, by the united
be
felt,
As he had
to expedt
exertions of
all
and
as his
own
army, con-
in every place,
of no more than fixty thoufand men, could not equally man, works of fuch extent, he thought it necefTary to cover
Tt
his
324
BOOK
art
oS
The
in
firft
were forked
flakes, or large
five
rows
to
in the
bottom of a ditch
ther
feparately,
and pointed
them.
wound
the
enemy who
fhould attempt
The fecond, or litias, confifted of fmgle flakes fharpened and made hard in the fire, planted in the bottom, of tapering or conical
which there were many rows placed in quincunx; fo thafi a perfon who had pafTed in the interval of any two mufl neceffarily This device was commonly mafked or concealed^ fall into a third.
holes, of
The
laft,
wooden
ground' and"
ftuck thick with barbed hooks, to faften or tear the flefh of thofe
who
attempted to pafs
cautions.
them
it
appears, the
Roman army
completed,'
computed
might
laft.
this blockade,
wait for the feveral circumftances on which they relied for the iflue. Csfar trufted to the effeds of famine, and the Gauls to the afliftance
of their friends,
who were
^^
numbers
to
from
They
are faid
have
no lefs than two hundred and forty thoufand muftered at Bibrade But if thefe numbers are not exfoot, with eight thoufand horfe.
aggerated, they
may
be confidered as a proof
how
Autun
really
OF THE
really turn.
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
of
this
525.
in his
own
men
the contagion of that general ardour with which his countrynow rofe to recover their freedom-.
this great hoft
While
Alefia received
no
tidings of
council
was held
and
to
on
their
condud, and
to
efcape.
Some
to
to furrender themfelves,
im-
make
a general
way through
Critognatus, a warrior of rank perifh with fwords in their hands. the opinion of thofe who treated from the canton of the Arverni",
propofed to furrender as mean and daftardly as brave rather in appearance than in reality.
*'
*'
Bravery," he faidj does not confift in fudden efforts of impatience and defpair, but in time what the circumftances of firmly enduring for any length of think Shall we war merely, becaufe we have no require.
"
may
" communication with our friends, that they have deferted us, and " do not intend to make us ? Againfl whom do to fave any effort '* works in his rear ? you think Caefar hath conftruded fo many " in your fight with fa much man them does he whom Againft " care ? He has intelligence, although you have not, that a power" ful Take courage, and wait is preparing to relieve you. army " the coming of your friends. Even if your provifions fhould
"
fail,
Your
"
anceflors, being
Auvergne.
Teutonesi,
32'6
'BOOK
IV.
who were
till
unferviceable in the
war
and by
this
expedient
held out
the
enemy was
obliged to retire.
And
yet,
on
that
*' *'
occafion, our anceftors had lefs caufe than we have to make every Their enemies were pafljiig, effort of conftancy and fortitude.
*'
*'
*'
abandon
and meant only to plunder a country which they were foon to our enemies come to bind us in perpetual chains, and to
;
eftablifh a
dominion
at
revolts."
The Gauls
that
means
were propofed to fupply their neceffities, or referved them for a time of greater extremity. The pi-opofition of Critognatus is, by
Csefar, who was himfelf the unprovoked author of fo much diftrefs, and who continued, without remorfe, to gratify his ambition at the
expence of
fo
much
farious cruelty ^\
So much
men
affedted
what
is
hurtful to
cruel
mankind.
on the part
;
followed, however, was probably no lels of the Gaulilh army than it was on the part of
What
Cxfar
the
firft,
to lefTen the
women,
children,
;
confumption of food, turned out the and unarmed inhabitants of the town to the mercy
Coefar, in order to
of the enemy
and
the befieged, would neither relieve nor fuffer them to pafs. From not it is thefe circumftances we may prefume, although mentioned, that they muft have perifhed a fpedacle of extreme anguifli and fuffering in the prefence of both armies.
In the midft of thefe extremities, Comius, with the united force of the
Gaulilh nations,
at laft
the nature of the ground, they were enabled to advance within five
*'
Nee
deliiateiB.
practereunda videtur oratio Critognati propter ejus Cngularem ac nefariam De Bell. Gall. lib. vii. e. 76.
cru-
hundred
OF THE
fiundred paces, or
lefs
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
lines.
^py
On
the fol-
CHAP,
.
The Gaulifh _
_*
Romans were
likely to follow
drew
forth
en-
Ca^far thought it necourage their friends by braving the enemy. ceffary to repel this fpecies of infult, and fent his cavalry to accept the An adion began about noon, and lafted till the fetting of challenge.
the fun,
when
who
till
fight with great obftinacy and valour, being taken in flank by the Germans in Caefar's fervice, were obliged to give way. Both fides,
on
this occafion,
had mixed
parties of infantry
and
now aban-
doned
utmoft confufion to
own
but
it
apand-
this
army
in the field
Casfar,
;
were
and
up the trenches of
down
thefe
make
down
a vigorous attempt to raife the fiege. They accordingly came in the middle of the night, and, with a great fhout, the only
gave a general
their
aflliult
on
Ca^far's
it,
line
Csefar
ftation,
had affigned to every legion and feparate body of men their and had repeatedly, to render them familiar with his difpofition,
them
he had
lines that
So prepared, he now
received, without
any
furprife, the
generali
aifaulti
^^%
BOOK
of the Gauls.
mifliles that
Kis men
advanced to
fuffered confiderably
from the
;
firft
ihower of
came from
ibon as the
affailants
which they had taken no precaution, they were fenfible that they fought at a great difadvantage, and defifted at once from this rafh
^nd
inconfiderate attempt.
in
The befieged,
anxious expedtation of what was to pafs in the field, was raifed by their friends, returned it to make
known
and
inftantly
to
fill
they likewife
had made
up the trenches, or
part of the night, to call fuch materials as they could throw into the broad ditch at the foot of the hill ; but, when day appeared, feeing that
their friends
had
retired,
they were not to be feconded, withdrew to their ftation on the hill. From this diiappointment the Gauls, both within and without the
blockade, were fenfible of their .error in having
made an attack
before
they had examined the enemy's works. To corredt this miftake, they vifited the whole circumference of Casfar's lines. They obferved, in
which
a particular place, that the exterior line was interrupted by a hill it could not embrace without making a great circuit. That
Caefar, to avoid fo great
an addition to
his
labour, and fo
much
encamped two legions in that place with their ufual entrenchment, which formed a kind of fortrefs on the fummit of the hill, trufting to this camp as a redoubt that would connedl his
outline to defend, had
defences on that
fide.
This place was chofen by the Gauls for a fecond and better concerted attempt than the firft ; and they determined, inftead of the
Slight to
make
their attack at
noon-day,
when
the
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
men were
ie-
329
C H A
P.
Five-and-fifty thoufand
ledled for this fervice; and they began their march early in the night, arrived at their ground before break of day, and lay concealed Under
At this time they came forward, furniflied a ridge of hills till noon. not only with grappling irons to tear down the palifade, which was
formed on the parapet, but witli hurdles and faggots to ditch, and to fmother the ftimuli from which they had
fill
up. the
fullered fo
much
Csefar,
day, or
though not thrown off his guard, either by the time of the by his former fuccefs, was fenfible, that he was now attacked
ftation
and
as he.
had reafon
to expet, at
affault,
both from
ordered every feparate body to its with a confiderable referve, took a ftation from which he could bell
obferve the whole, and be ready to fuftain any part that was preffed.
had given Labienus inftrudions, in cafe he found that the lines could not be defended, to fally forth, and bring the alion to an iffue, in which the Romans were generally found to have an advantage by
He
mixing with the enemy fword in hand. The Gauls, who were fliut up on the heights of Alefia, only waiting to fecond the attempts of their friends in the
adtion
on
fame time
and fhouts,
at
beft fo
were in danger of being feized with a panic, troops, on occafion, are not exertipted.
preffed
was
much
a
their princl-^
ttf
two
from
his referve
under Decimus Brutus,, and" afterwards a body of feven cohorts under Fabius. At length, upoil
him.
Firft,
body of
fix cohorts
Vol.
II.
Uu
receiving
330
enemy from
the troops
all
amounting to
he himfelf
nine-and-thirty cohorts, to
ftrudlions,
and to mix with the enemy fword in hand him. inftantly moved to fupport
Ciefar had,
by
this
enemy, by a grofs no attempt on any other part of and he therefore,, with principal attack
;
retained as a
body of
even
to unfurnifh
fome other
and ad-
vanced with great rapidity to join in the fally which Labienus was In his coming he was known from afar by the about to attempt.
confpicuous drefs which he generally wore in time of battle ^ and his arrival, on this occafion, with the reinforcement which he brought,
greatly animated that part of his
of the event.
He
army which had begun to defpair moment, with his ufual genius
;,
and prefence of mind, ordered his cavalry to get out of the lines and, while the foot were engaged in front, to take the enemy ia
flank or inthe rear.
If the event had been otherwife doubtful, this
is
movement
alone,
it
it
in his favour.
The
loft
courage when pulhed to defend themfelves ; and, upon the appearance of Cxfar's cavalry in their rear, took to flight, and were
purfued with great flaughter. This flight at once decided the fate of both attacks
of the Gauls^
who were
come
fhut
up
in Alefia,
and of
their
countrymen,
who had
to their relief.
During
Many
fell a
who
OF THE
who were fent in who had fuffered
relief at
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
tlie
331
lines,
purfuit of them.
fo
^
'
^^
^
^
'
long a blockade,
now
feeing
all
their hopes of
Vercingetorix, having aflembled the leaders together, told them. That, as he had undertaken this war, not from motives of private
earnefl;
defire
to recover, if
he could, the
facrifice
freedom of
his country, fo
he was
now
and
ready to become a
proper to difpofe
any manner they thought of him, whether dead or alive, was willing to be
in
made
At
was determined
to furrender
and Vercinto
himfelf to be delivered up. getorix fuffered treatment he received, Casfar is filent ; but
With refped
it is
the
other captive chiefs, on fuch occafions, he was deftined to grace the future triumph of his conqueror ; though, upon a fair review of the
parts they
had
feverally
aded, likely to furnifh a comparifon not and in fome refpects fit to obfcure his
The
who
of captives
were expofed
to
fale,
or divided as plunder
among
the troops.
^dui and
him
UU
332
CHAP.
Cafdr remmns
IV.
in
Gaul.
Pompey
the
ajftimes
of
Conftil.
eelliis.
ArrMigennent- for
Provinces.
Cafar.
in Gaul. ^ vinces.
'
Operations of Cafar
Pro"
Cajnpaig7i
State of Cicepo.^SucceJJion of Confuls. and in the Senate. Arrival of Cafar in Return to Gaul. Parts itiih two Ze-
gions
Alarm
his
of Cafar
to
March.
Sword
Pompey,
BOOK
^HE
feventli
difficult
A.
legions
Gains Fabius, with two more, to the heads beyond the Soane of the Marne and the Meiife other officers with feparate bodies,
; ;
amounting in all to three legions, into different ftations beyond the Loire and towards the Garonne ; Quintus Tullius Cicero, with fome
ether officers, to a ftation allotted
them on
river.
Cxfar himfelf having now no other objel of equal importance with that of fecuring the pofTeffion of a countiy fo populous and of
fo great extent,
and of revenue,
from which he might draw.fuch refources of men. as muft put him on the foot of a great mionarch,
fide
of the Alps,
He
had ob-
The
Arar,
taiaed
OF THE
Confulate, fo
as
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
3Z3
CHAP.
he retained his army ; but as it was not yet long time to avail liimlelf of his privilege, he refolved, by remaining at a diftance, as much as poffible to Ihun the notice of fuch parties at
Rome
as
his proceedings,
and
to ftate
them
as
any thing of moment to pafs in the city without taking fome part by means of his agents and partizans, and was continually employed in gaining
to his interefts
all
He
thofe
to
likely to come into office, or whoj, were of any importance in the State,, exclude from offi.ce fuch as were difmclined to him-
who were
or
who
Pompey had now, for fome months, exercife-d the office of fole In that time he had, in fome meafure, reftored the autho Conful.
rJty of
it
with moderation.
He
had
Ihown
ill
which
of a commonwealth.
His continual
defire
of unprecedented ho-
the republic.
This
evil,
facility with which he parted with power. Having enjoyed his prefent dignity from the lirfl: of March to the beginning of Auguft, he took for colleague his father-
in-law Met ellus Scipio, fufpending the profecution under which lie then lay, for bribery, in foliciting votes at a preceding eledion. The nev/ly elected colleague of Pompey, defirous to fignallze his adminiftration
of the al
by fome aCc of reformation, moved and obtained the repealin which Clodius had fo greatly circumf:ribed the power of
;.
the Cenfors
ftracy,.
this
magi-
but in vain.
Few
citizens,
now
the rigorous" infpedion of this once awful Tribunal, as few had the
its trull.
The
inflitutlon
accordingly
^
334
2 o
And
ingly had fallen Into difufe, becaufe it was not fitted to the times. there being few of the People that were fit either to cenfure, or
it was not in the power of laws to what the general fenfe and manners of the age had abolifhed. Dlforders arifing from the weaknefs of government had come to
revive
that extreme at
which
ftates
dergo fome fatal change. The example of punifhments inflidcd, and of profecutions ftill carried on againft perfons lately in office,
for the illegal methods
employed
at
eledions, deterred
;
many from
and the late law, offering themfelves for any of the offices of State and other Confuls, Prsetors, magiftrates from any proexcluding
vincial appointments for five years after the expiration of their term,
citizens
were induced to
the elections for the enfuing year only three candidates appeared ; M. IVIarcellus, Servius Sulpicius, and M. Cato all of them
:
At
but very differently confifuppofed to be of the Senatorian party dered by thofe who now endeavoured to rule the State. Marcellus
;
had, in
fat,
recommended himfelf
to
Pompey
warmly efpoufed by
it
was
carried
on without
all
bribery or tumult.
As
of the
Senatorian party, the Senators thought their intereft fecure whichever of the candidates fhould prevail.
And
divided
upon
and Pompey
eafily
on the
fide
Cato,
during the competition, continued in the fame habits of friendfhip as ufual with both ; and when the choice was decided in their favour,
inflead
OF THE
hiftead
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
<-
^35
^ ^ ^
^
of withdrawing from public view, as was common under fuch difappolntments, he went to the field of Mars as ufual from the
aflemblies of the People, ftript and
v- -^
went
to exercife, in his
and continued
'
to frequent the
Forum
common
undrefs.
To
fuit
condoled with him, or preffed him to continue his for another year, as he had done when firft difappointed of the
thofe
who
Prsetorfliip,
it
was the
part of a
good man to undertake the public fervice, whenever he was intrufted. with it, and to make his willingnefs known, but not to court the
public for employments as a favour to himfelf.
"
faid,
at the
me
appears that I
good-will.
muft either
my own mind,
chara<f^er,
or renounce their
*'
My own
;
mind
of more confequenee to
me
than
but,
if I retain
my
I fhall
not be fo un-
whom
it
i&
*'
When
the
new
office, '
their
immediate
tt
u.
c
/-.
702,
predeceflbrs being
by
^"''- ^"'P'"
ing any provincial government, it became neceflary to fill ftations of this fort with thofe who had formerly been in office, and who hitherto had not been appointed to
Claud.
Mar-
been the colleague of Csefar in his Confulate, v;as appointed to the government of Syria, vacant by the
Accordingly Bibulus,
death of Craflus.
Cilicia
who had
Cicero was named to fucceed Appius Claudius in and Cyprus, Atius Varus was appointed Praetor in Africa, and P. Cornelius Spinther in Achaia. Pompey,.who had hitherto enjoyed
a difpenfation from the law, in continuing to hold by his lieutenants the government and command of the army in Spain, while he filled.
*
2.
the
2:^6
now
profefled
an intention
to take
Rome
and he actually fet out from but was induced to fufpeud his journey by
by Marcellus, fcon
after
Cxfar was
entitled
now
which
him
command
continual
of his armyx
this privilege
his
augmentation of the troops in his province; his addrefs in attaching the army to himfelf; his infmuation ; his liberality; his affiduity to
gain every perfon that could be won, and to preclude from power every one likely to oppofe himfelf: the whole tendency of his con-
enormous power he had acquired, began to be obferved, and gave a general alarm. ^Yhat Cato had &> often reprefented to no purpofe, began to be generally perceived ; and perfons, formerly
duit, and the
the
leaft
attentive to the
been glad
him.
to
remove
Casfar
warnings they received, would now have from the poll of advantage they had givea
The
become remifs
in their attend-
The few ance, and regardlefs even of their own political interefts. who exerted themfelves, were diftraded with perfonal jealoufies and
diftruft
of each other.
Cicero in particular,
fide
who
of the ariftocracy,
now grown
timorous from the fufferings he had incurred, was chiefly attentive to his own fafety, which he ftudied by paying his court to the prevailing powers.
Ca^far's
Pompey, who
him
;
in
but
It. was probably, its tendency, and wifhed to recall it. with after his departure the of therefore, approbation Pompey, though was delithat the Senate the Conful while ijrom Rome, Marcellus,
now
faw
berating
or THE
ROMAN REPUBLIC
on
.-^37
berating on the other removes and appointments in the provincial Cajfar governments, propofed that, the war in Gaul being finilhed,
HA
p.
fhould be recalled
in his
or,
command,
that
he
fliould not
be admitted on the
of candi-
dates
until
this purpofe.
rife in
the Senate to
warm
debates,
which were
The Conful Sulpicius, frequently adjourned, and as often refumed. who in the intereft of were of the Tribunes numbers fupported by Pompey himfelf, under pretence oppofed the proceeding. of the thefe he ifliie that waited debates, flopped fhort in his jourtime at Ariminum in reviewing the new ney to Spain, palled fome
Ci^far,
levies
to reinforce the
and
at laft,
fummoned
on the
fifteenth
of
Rome.
On
it
this day,
Pompey
with which
of his term, an
ought not to of an army, with the dignity of Conful ; but diflliaded the Senate from taking an immediate refolution on that head. The debate was
acknowledged his opinion, that Ccefar unite the government of a province, and the command
He
Then no meeting of the Seadjourned to the firll of September*. nate could be formed ; but as foon as the fubjedl was again refumed, the late Conful Cornelius Sclpio, the fathr-in-law to Pompey, propofed, that
on the
firft
of March,
when
ceed the prefent Confuls muft have entered on office, a day fhould be fixed to confider of the province of Gaul, and moved that this quefr
3
viii.
cp. 4.
viii,
ep. 9,
Dio.
lib. iv. c.
58,
59.,
Vol,
II.
tion
538
Mar-
accordingly prepared, and laid before the Senate, a decree for this purpofe on the Lift of September. By the firft claufeof this decree, the Coniuls eledled for the following year
were required, on
the
firft
of March, to
move
to admit no other bufmefs to precede or to be with and to fufFer no interruption in the meetings of the this, joined even on account of the aflemblies of the people. Senate, By the
fular provinces,
was refolved, That the three hundred Senators, appointed judges for the year, might be called oif from their fittings in the courts to attend the Senate on this bufinefs ; and if it ihould be
claufe,
it
fame
neceflary to
of the
People
at
large,
or of the Plebeians
feparately,
that
the
Con-
fuls Sulpicius
them
as fhall be agreed
this claufe
To
By
againft
any obftrudion
ftiould
and
enemy
put a negative on this decree, fliould be deto his country ; and that the Senate, notwithftand-
in recording its own decree, and ing any fuch negative, fliould perfift In the face of this refolution, in carrying its purpofe into execution. the Tribunes C. Cxlius, L. Venicius, P. Cornelius, C. Vibius Panfa,
By
tion,
'
another claufe, the Senate refolved. That on the fame day, the
and
all
who
claimed their
lib. viii. ep. 9.
difiniifion, either
on account of the
ferrent.
Cker. ad Familiar.
Ad Populum Plebemve
Ibid.
length
OF
339
A
P,
length of fervice, or any other confideration, fhould be heard ; and that this likewife fhould be entered as a decree of the Senate, notcontrary. withftanding any Tribunes C. Cflius and C. Panfa, again forbad the decree.
^-v
Here the
The
laft
claufe related to the mode of carrying into execution the purpofe of the Pompeian law, with refpefl to the nomination of Pro-prsetors to
the province of
Ciliciii,
and on
and the other eight Prsetorian provinces ; the two lafl mentioned Tribunes entered
their negative \
Thus
own
records, were,
by
And
Csefar,
which had
arifen
on
his account,
had
fufficient
indeed likely, that though in adlion the principal charadters of his mind were decifion and rapidity, yet no man ever laid his defigns
more deep, looked forward to confequences more remote, or waited with more patience the proper time for the execution of his purhad now, by the unremitted application of eight years, the advantage, for the fake of which he had coveted the comacquired mand in Gaul; he was at the head of a numerous army, which he had
pofe.
He
gradually augmented from two or three legions, the eflablifliment of his province, to twelve, well inured to fervice, and attached to his
perfon.
He was
without difbanding
army
and when he
and
capital, there
with an army at the gates of the no doubt that he might be confidered as fovereiga
right to the advantages he had gained
of the empire.
His apparent
was
however
Cicei9 ad Familiar,
lib. viii.
ep. J.
X 2
necelTary
54^
5
^^^P
femblance of
injuftice,
and
own army
Rome
He
by removing every
frefli
by paying
command
with
gratifications
and bounties.
all
He
moft
of the Gaulilh nations, in the preceding campaign, had been able to affemble againft him but he had not reconciled the fpirits
efforts
;
He
had
a plau-
ground, therefore,
from which
of the
Senate,
who proceeded
war
In his province
at
had a
try.
fair
army with
after
winter quarters, he had intelligence, or affeded to believe, that the war w^as likely to break out afrefh in different cantons ; and under
this
pretence,
into-
adtlon.
Leaving M. Antony to command at Bibrade on the right of the Loire, he himfelf, with the eleventh and twelfth legions^
by
furprize, pluncaptivity,,
many
and continued
lay wafte the country, imtil they and all the on the left of the Loire, to avert thefe calacantons neighbouring
to
mities, furrendered themfelves at difcretion.
From
this expedition, in
to his quarters, and ordered the two legions, which had been thus employed, a gratuity of two hundred feftertii, or about thirt) lliiliings a
man
Afterwards Auguftodunum,
tertlij
OF THE
rertli,
ROMAN
his
REPUBLIC.
This money,
;
34J
it is
ob-
C H A
\.~->,
p.
ferved
by
the hiftorian
',
by
Ciclar as a pledge in
to the
own
hands,
or remained as a debt
in the
due
army, giving
luccel's
fafety
and
of his general.
after
this firft
dlvifion of
the
army was
brought back to its quarters, other two legions were employed on a iike expeditioa between the Loire and the Seine '". The inhabhants
f this tradl were to fuffer milkary execution, upon a complaint that they infefted the newly acquired fubjeds of Cxfar beyond the Loire^
He
accordingly marched to proteifl his new allies; and being arrived in the couritry, from whence they were faid to be invadec^, found the fuppofed enemy, by the devaftatlons of the preceding
campaign M'hich: had ruined their towns and villages, reduced to Hve in temporary huts, in which they withftood with difficulty ths
inclemency of the feafon, and were rather objefts of pity than of On: the approach of the Romans, hoftile refentment. they fled to the
woods, where they perifned in great numbers,, from the efFedls of famine and cold. To force them to an h-nmediate furrender, or to
cut off
all
any
refpite
from
He
fieU
ordered the
rui-ns
of Genabum
"
to purfue the natives, to felze their perfons, and to multiply the evils
which they were expofed. Li this fervice too, it was likely that army was rewarded by the diftribution of captives, the only ipoils of fuch an enemy,, and came to have a demand on Ca:far for
to
the
gratuities equal to thofe which had been granted to the eleventh twelfth legions..
* Hirt. de Bell. Gallico,.
**-
and
To
Thefe
342
BOOK VV
real fervice
took place on the frontiers of the low countries. From that quarter, " the people of the Remi had given information, that the Bellovaci, or inhabitants of what is now called the Beauvais, with other cantons
on the
to
make
On
this intimation,
Cxfar thought proper again to call forth the and it is remarkable that this legion,
;
though now
which,
be
ftill
in
its
eighth campaign,
its
is
turn, in order to
defeilive.
ftation of Fabius,
were ordered
of
;
to join
them
With
this force
enemy. The Bellovaci '\ with fome of their neighbours, apprehending, from the fate of the nations on the Loire, that they could not rely for fafety on their innocence, nor on the care which they had taken to avoid giving offence to
but arrived too
late to furprize
his
the
for their
own
fecurity,
and had
retired
w^ith
They had
lay a morafs,
and
thought
themfelves fufficiently fecure without any artificial work. Csefar pofted himfelf in their neighbourhood ; and fuppoflng that
the fuperiority of their numbers
would
were
infpire
them with
confi-
errors they
likely to
commit, under
He
care, fcarcely
*
Rheiras.
The
Soiflbnj,
"
TheBcauvois.
his
OF
his foragers,
felf.
343
and feemed
hhn-
P*
Roman camp. BeGerman hundred horfe, they attacked and dejoined by to the afliftance of Csefar from had come which the cavahy, ftroyed the cantons of the Remi and Lingones '*, and on which he chiefly
the foraging parties which were fent from the
five
ino-
reUed for covering the avenues to his camp. By this lofs he might to have been in a Uttle time reduced great diflrefs, or even forced to
he had not procured a fpeedy reinforcement, by ordering Trebonius, with the two legions lately ftationed at Genabum", and
retire, if
"",
to join
him without
delay.
They began
their
fick,
to execute
this
night,
by removing
Caefar, before
but had
made
of
they began had time to pafs the morafs, and to take pofTefTion This he did with the greatefl; of the rifmg ground in their front. it think did not he and expedient to attack them though difpatch ;
had
it
in his
power
to take
advantage cf
The Gauls
pected
before day-light,
to
front
the
ftill
enemy,
They
flattered themfelves,
'*
"
Orleani.
Bourges.
retire
34^
camp but obferving, that while the greater part of his army continued in readinefs for action, he began to entrench himfelf where he ftood, they bethought themfelves -of a ftratagem to
;
ehide
liis
defign.
the
wood and
ftraw,
which remained, as ufual, on the ground of their late encampment, laid them in a continued train along the front, and having fet them
line
Under
of fmoke, as darkened the whole fields this cover they began their retreat,
and before
fight of
of fmoke in
On
the
firfl
uncommon
;
began
to
advance
to
efFed
Before night they halted again, about ten miles from their former
ftation,
and recurred
to the
to diftrefs the
Roman
fame means they had hitherto employed army. They fucceeded in moft of their at-
tempts on the parties that were fent abroad by Csefar to procure him provifions ; and having reduced him to the ncceflity of depending
intirely for the fubfillcnce of his
army on what
a particular diftridl
could fupply, they formed a defign, with the choice of their army, to furround and cut off the parties, which they expedted he mull
employ on
that fervlce.
Ca^far
had
intelligence
He
army
in a
proper pofition to furprife the great detachment they had made ; and or dellroyed the flower of their army, obliged the fc.a\'ing thus taken
remainder,
into defpair
;
by
render themfelves
b,t
difcretion
got ^(Qflelliou of
the cantons in
neighbourhood.
o The
OF THE
The
Tio longer
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
IV.
-.45
Belgic nations being thus finally fubdued, and Csefar having any enemy to oppole him in the field, except a few def-
CHAP.
from different parts of the country, who, either from perate bands fear of his feverity, or averfion to his government, had deferted their fettlements, he determined to adl againft them in different quarters at once^ and to cut off the retreats, which, in cafe of diftrefs, this
lately oppofed him mutually gave to each with other. He fent C. Fabius, twenty-five cohorts, to al on the left of the Loire ; the twelfth legion, towards the fources of the Garonne
who
any flragglers, whom his intended feverities might force upon defperate He himfelf, with Labienus and Mark Anattempts on that fide.
tony, proceeded to the Meufe, where the territories of the late unfortunate
reinflated
Ambiorix
under
its
beginning to be re-peopled, and the nation former leader, were become again the object of his
'\
vengeance.
To
enjoy peace under the government of a Prince who had prefumed to circumvent and to deflroy a part of the Roman army, he renewed
his military execution againfl
them, iffuing his orders, as in the former inftance, to fpare neither fex nor age.
this
arriygd at the place of his deftination, between the lower parts of the Loire and the Garonne, found a confiderable force in arms againfl Caninius Rebilus, the
Roman
officer,
who was
The natives had laid fiege to a fortrefs that was In pofTeffion of the Romans but alarmed- by the approach of Fabius, they withdrew, and
;
-intercepted in their
In this attempt, being march, and obliged to fight the Roman detachment, they were defeated with great flaughter. After this calamity,
" Now
Vol. IL
about
346
who efcaped from the field under Drapes, a of that prince country, formerly diftinguiihed in the war againft the took their flight in the oppofite direction, and propofed to Romans,
attack the
their loflea
Roman
with
its fpoils.
the nations
to the Seine,
to the
having taken meafures to fecure his conqueft, followed Drapes to the fouthward, overtook him beyond the Garonne, and obliged him, being no longer in condition to make any attempt
fea coaft.
And
on the Roman province, to take refuge at Uxellodunum '\ a place of ftrength, fituated on a fteep rock, at the confluence of fome of thofe ftreams, which, falling from the Cevennes, form the Garonne by
their jundlion.
Here Caninius and Fabius having joined their forces together, made difpofitions to invefl: their enemy but before their works were
;
fields,
willing to
which he had made up in the town, ventured Ipare the magazines a abroad with detachment, at the head of which he was furprifed and
taken.
however, who remained in the place, being time with provifions, refolved on a vifupplied for a confiderable the Roman army for fome time at defence ; and, keeping by gorous
The
natives,
the hopes and expedations of the nabay, began to raife up anew Ca:far thought the reduction of this place an tions around them.
own prefence. object that required his bienus to the Mofelle, and having left
Having
tkerefore fent
to
Lain
M. Antony
command
the low countries, he himfelf, with his ufual difpatch, crofled great part of Gaul, and appeared on the Garonne, equally unexpedted
'
Suppofed to be Cadenau,
by
OF THE
by
his
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
in the
347
town
own
people, and
of Uxellodunum.
The
by
no want of provifions,
For
this
by
cutting
accefs to water.
pur-
(lingers,
and
from thence.
life
He
proceeded next
burft
exclude
of a fpring
which
of the ground, he puflied a town ; mine to the fource from which the water came, diverted it from
for having got the
command
former direlion, and, by depriving the befiegers of this laft refource, obliged them to lay down their arms and truft to his mercy.
its
In
this,
however, they experienced what the author ", from whom, more than the ufual feverity
Cxfar, according to this hiftorian, having given of his clemency, bethought himfelf now of an example of proof for this purpofe ordered fuch as had carried arms in dejuftice ; and
fence of
of antient war.
Uxellodunum
to
And
this
many
barbarous executions
with which the conqueft of that country had been atchieved, thus ended the war in GauL
The
being
is
new
conquefts in
upon Gafcony ; the only part of the acquifition of which he had not aded
thought proper to
vifit
the nations
now
called
"
in perfon.
legions,
'
He marched through this country at the head of two and was every where received with the moft perfed fubFrom
thence he repaired to Narbonne, the capital of his
teftatior eflet
milTion.
Hift. de Bell. Gall. lib. viii. c. 44. * Ccefar quum fuam leiiitatem cognitam
"
pcena improborum.
c.
De
Bell.
Gall.
^'
lib. viii.
41.
.ieraut
Omnibus qui arma tuomnibus fciret. manus precidit. Vitam conceffit quo
Acquicania,
-2
original
;548
BOOK
and made a
army during
the winter.
By
this difpofition
two
high country, from which fpring the Garonne and the Loire, or in " two at Bibradte' bethe territories of the Liinovaci and Arvernl
:
command
of Trebonius,
in different parts
of the low
To
this
extremity of his
new
paired,
and fixed
ftalions.
his quarters at
Nemetocenna
northern
By
of his
this dillribution
from the
new
Meufe and
the Beheld.
And by
his
own
diftance
from
Italy,
he probably
Rome.
lefs
His own
remitted.
attention,
however, to the
ftate
of
politics
was
never
Mark Antony,
a perfon profligate
and
diffipated
but
when
the
quently mentioned iu the fequel of this hiftory, now began to be employed by Ca^far in the affairs of the city ; and, under pretence of
ftanding for the priefthood, was fent from Gaul, where he had recently ferved in the army, to bear a principal part among the agents
Thefe agents v>'ere continually and emiffarles of his general. bufied in magnifying his fervices, and in gaining to his intereft every perfon of confideration who could in any degree advance or obftrud:
his defigns.
~-
At Tours
&
Chartres.
'**
Suppofed
to
be Arras.
to
OF THE
fo the
ROMAN
Roman
REPUBLIC.
^
349-
People a territory of no lefs than three thouiand miles in circumference, and a revenue of forty millions
patrimony of the
HA P.
at the
fame time, in
his
name and
memory
Pompey,
and proceeded to execute, at a great Ca'far had formerly ordered. which expence, the fplendid works
He himfelf, at the fame time, was careful to fecure the affedtions of the
army
;
all
which
what
was
a confiderable
In the city he even entered into the fecrets of every family, objedl.' as has been mentioned, gained the mafter by courting the miftrefs and, or favourite flave. His purfe was ever open to gratify the covetous with
prefents, to relieve the necefhtous,
and
of thofe
who were
He
aids which their fquander their patrimonies, and freely lent them the a correfpondence He them. to rendered kept neceflary extravagance
at the
and took
upon him
While
order to fecure
their affection
and
Csefar
he
had amufed Pompey by afhgning to him, in all their arrangements, what was apparently the place of honour and of importance at the head of affairs at Rome; as he had gratified Craffus likewife by leaving him to choofe the mofl lucrative government, while he himfelf fubmitted to be employed as a mere provincial
officer,
to explore a bar-
its
natives.
But by thus
Between about three
c.
yielding
250
D
O O K
yielding the fuppofed preference of ftation to his rivals, he adually employed them as the -willing tools and minifters of his own
ambition.
The
former, with
for
all
his difpofition to
emulation and
thefe artifices,
ima-
by
his permiflion,
and
own
addrefs.
As he
himfelf, for
the moft part, endeavoured to obtain his ends by means indiredl and artificial, he was the more eafily duped by thofe who affedted to be
who were
to
Although
was
impoffible for
him now
infenfible to the
fuperiority
objedts at
which
Csefar
had acquired, or
more important
part openly nor diretly againft him, but contented himfelf with employing others in ill-concerted and ineffedlualattacks, which he
At
laft,
and in
the profecutiou of the meafures of which we have obferved the beginning in the Senate, he hazarded the whole authority of that bodv without- having provided any military power to enforce againft Ca^far,
their
commands.
while moft under the influence of ambition, and
in his
power to trample on
had fhewn
that
were
that
above the ordinary level. .In the courfe of debates he generally fpoke ambiguoufly,
;
but
finding,
on the
laft
to
recall
him from
Gaul, that the eyes of the whole Senate were turned upon himfelf he was forced to break filence ; and, with fome degree of embarrafliment,
flild,
that although
it
was
his^
Gaul could
OF THE
that after
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
351
difficulties on the " What if this motion of the one Senators, But," fays fubjedt. " I fliall make no dif" fhould then have a negative put upon it ?"
the
firft
"
" between C^efar's refufing to obey the tindlion," repUed Pdmpey, " order of the Senate, and his procuring fome one here to forbid that " order." " But what if he perGft in demanding the Confulate while " he retains his and his ?''
"
province
army
What,"
''^
replied
Pompey^
"
if
my own
me
violence
?"
After the attempt which had been made to fix the queflion of of March, Pompey being at Naples, was in danger. His recovery gave a ge-* to be and taken ill, fuppofed
Csefar's recall for the firft
which he had afterwards very flattering proofs: He was every where met by proin his progrefs through Italy. flrowed before him with flowers, and was: ceffions, found the ways
neral fatisfalion, of
.
received
to be frantic
Whatever
part
Pompey
in
and
affedlion,
probable:
with them, and either miflook them himfelf,: or hoped that others fhould mifkke them, as the proofs of a confideration and power which no attempt of his rival could overfet or'
he was highly
flattered
impair.
The
principal
attention of
all
parties,
during
this
fummer
and'
autumn, as has been mentioned, had been turned to the affairs cF and Gsfar,. and the dangerous tendency of the courfe he purfued for a little while diverted from this objecEl by an alarnx but were they
:
on the
fide of Syria.
The
Parthians, encouraged
by
commanded-
by
4.
*^"^^
--2
BOOK
and experienced
made an
alliance
the Parthian
name
terrible at
Rome
the
and
momentary
enemy were
Some
propofed
Pompey
command
in Syria;
fome
to fenel
Cxfar thither; and others, to fend both the prefent Confuls to the army with a proper reinforcement
''*.
But before
any re-
inforcement could be ready to join the army in Syria, the people by Caius Caffius, the general then com-
manding
flaughter.
in that province,
;
who had
"from Antioch
in a
in
their retreat
war
folated frontier
might be ruinous
it
was
at-
tempted.
BibulusJ the prefent Proconful of Syria, foon after the retreat of
the Parthians, arrived in his province, and, according to the efta.blifhed practice of the
Romans,
triumph for
the vilory which, under his aufpices, though before his arrival, had
as
fome difturbances in
his
own
fome military
operations, of
which we have a
particular account,
in his letters, and which, though not material to the military hiftory of the times, are not unworthy of notice, as the relate to this eminent
perfonage.
He
had taken
pofleflion of his
vlii.
command
in Cilicia,
and
**
ep. lo.
r
however
OF THE
however
better fitted
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
Forum and
the political
qualify
abilities to
t
^si
by
CHAP.
.-.^
aflemblies at
Rpme
ftatlon,
field, poflefled
put himfelf at the head of an army, and preHe had fet out from Rome the defence of his province. pared for a had conference w^ith in May ; and having Pompey at Tarentum
him
for
any
arrived at Brundifium
on the twenty-firft of
that
month
'"'.
military eflablifhment of Cilicia being no more than twelve thoufand foot and two thoufand horfe, Cicero applied for an aug-
The
and on the fourth of June was ftill at Brundifiuno, But finding that his rewaiting for an anfwer to this application. queft, having been oppofed by the Conful Sulpicius ^, was unfuccefl"mentation of
it,
ful,
he
fet fail
from that
place, arrived at
Adium
on the
fifteenth
of
month, and, pafling through Athens, reached his province on the laft of July. Here he found the troops, in confequence of a
that
mutiny which had recently broke out among them, feparated from their officers, difperfed in places of their own choofing, the men of
entire cohorts abfent
from
their colours,
as
exempt from any authority or government whatever. Trufting to the of Proconful, he refpet that was due to the name and commiffion
ordered
M.
many
as
he couUl of the mutinous troops, and to encamp at Iconium in Licaonia. There he joined them on the twenty-fourth of Augufl; and, having .intelligence of the Parthian invafion, took -meafures for the
fecurity of his province
on the
frontier of
Ariobarzanes,
who
marched, without lofs of tinie, to Cybiftra, Cappadocia ; took under his protedlion the king was then threatened by a powerful fadlion in his
;
receiving
him
as a prince in alliance
with the
He
accepted, at the
'9
had been gathering againfl him. offers that were made by Deep. 3,
Cicero ad Familiar,
Ibid.
Vol.
II,
jotarus
3r4
BOOK
<
and being in this fituation when he received accounts that the Parthians had prefented themfelves before Antioch, he fuppofed that his prefence might be wanted
jotarus to join
all
him with
his forces
to cover
his
own
frontier
on the
fide
of Syria.
He
accordingly-
moved
Here however he
that the
enemy had
retreat;
retired,
Antioch.
at
This intelligence
The province of Cllicia had been for fome years fabjedltothe Romans but the inhabitants of the mountainous parts had never acknow;
own national
fovereigns.
Cicero,
on
neighbourhood of
their country,
fmding
ilill
and were
de-
termined to oppofe his authority, formed a defign to furprife them ; and, for the better execution of his projed:, made a feint to with-
draw
to Epiphania,
where he halted
troops.
On the
day following,
army
who
and before morning arrived in the midft of his enemies, by this time had returned to their ufual habitations cut them
;
and in
vernment.
The
troops,
;
the
title
^',
of
Imperator
to victorious leaders
was
commonly underftood
a triumph.
army
for obtaining
He
himfelf,
''
accordingly, on
lib.
Cicero ad Familiar,
xv. ep. 4.
with
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
355
with the fervice which gave occafion to it, afterwards grounded his This claim he fcarcely feems to have ferioufly it as a treats he even entertained ; jeft in fome of his letters yet the
:
triumph being
means of
ward of
acquiring a certain rank in the commonwealth, than as the juft remilitary merit, he fubmitted his claim to the Senate, and
His conducl as governor of a urged his friends to fupport it. this ffation was fuppofed to give a licence when a time at province,
and oppreffion, did honour to his own difwhich he was taught to pofition, In this and habits of life. am.bition his of his choofe the objects all thofe charadler he declined, both for himfelf and for his attendants,
to every fpecies of rapine
and
prefents,
contributions,
Roman
humanity, condefcenfion, and difrntereftednefs ; was eafy of accefs and hofpitable ; open, in particular to all perfons of hterary m.erit and ingenuity, whom he entertained
by
his
without oftentation.
Roman
generals,
though
of great merit, indulged themfelves in what was the cuftom of their own fortunes, times they drained the provinces to accumulate their
;
or placed their
money
He
poraries
verned by different maxims, and wifhed to rife above, his by the fame of his difintereftednefs, as well as of his incivil
was gocontem-
genuity and
accomplifhmenrs.
Other
citizens
;
might
poflefs
greater fteadinefs,
nius, his talents
full effet.
And
as
they
endeavoured to gain,
their turns,
his fupport in
Whilft
<v-5
BOOK
-v-^
Whilfl the
'
affairs
they were intruded, the ufual time of eledions at Rome being arrived, L. iEmilius Paulus, and C. Claudius Marcellus were eledted to fucceed to the Confulate for
niftered
by
the
commanders
whom
Soon
though without
devifed
by Pompey,
of the times.
competition,
in his canvafs.
refentment, retorted the charge on Marcellus, in order, if poffible, but failed in the attempt. ;
ftood to
and immediate predeceffor Marcus Marcellus, was underbe in the intereft of Pompey. ^milius Paulus, a Senator of
fo well intitled to fhare,
was expeded
to
fupport the meafures of the Senate, and adhere to the eftabliflied forms.
internal tranquillity, the
government feemed
to re-
its antient Appius Claudius, late Proconful of Cifeverity. and Calpurnius Pifo were chofen Cenfors, and appeared to
thefe Cenfors
It
Ap-
pius favoured
Ccefar,
from
was
neceffarlly difpofed to
The hopes
Tribunes.
of the Senate were likewife confiderably raifed by the unexpected nomination of Caius Scribonius Curio to be one of the
Servius Pola,
after
office,
had
been convidted of bribery, the eledion was fet afide, and Curio fubftituted in his place. This young man was of an honourable family j,
and
OF THE
and
pofTefling talents
ROMAN
qualified
REPUBLIC,
for the highefl preferments,
<
3S7
which
him
CHAP*
.
were
for
on a foot of independence, and joined ihofe who maintaining the freedom of the commonwealth, and their
Being adlive and bold, were fond of a partizan who was
that fatigue
_^
own
many
nities
own
were concerned,
upon
others.
The new
pedations that the dangerous pretenfions of ambitious citizens, particularly thofe of Cxfar,
and
The
Confuls MaSellas"^
were
pofleffed of a refolution of the Senate, requiring them to proceed to the bufinefs of Csefar's province by the firft of March. This
refolution wanted only the confent of the Tribunes to render it a formal aft of the executive power, of which this branch was by
M.
moved
that ap-
made
to this officer to
which prevented the effect the motion was rejeded by a majority'* of the Senate
and
this
many other fymptoms of Csefar's great influence, even over order of men, foon after appeared.
This able
views upon
politician,
Itrly,
had fixed
at the
probably that he might not feem to have any his quarters, and that of his army, in the
extremity of his recent conquefts.
But,
low
countries,
ond
making war on
-
the natives of Gaul, he endeavoured to quiet their fears, and to con" and while he kept the whole province ciliate their affedions ;
in a
3*
ftate
money,
provided.
49.
Cicero ad Familiar,
ep. 13.
^3
lib, viii. c.
arms,,
358
BOOK
4_
important war. nents, and enabled him to carry on his operations unobferved.
preparing for a dangerous and His diftance from Italy lulled the jealoufy of his oppoif
He fpared
no expence
were accepted, feemed to make them with unbounded confidence in the means on which he relied for the performance of them. In, this
he adled
as
was
to raife
him above
faith
on the eve of a great revolution, the event of which the want of refources, or above the necefiity
with private perfons. He actually remitted at this time great fums of money to Rome; and no lefs than fifteen hundred talents, or about ;^ 289,500, to the management of the
of a fcrupulous
who was
leafl;
ereding
to
fuperior to
corruption, at
in
fuppofed to expend this money in ufe of the city. But not being not to that which was addrefled
truftee for fo popular a
his
his vanity,
leader as
in
all
Ca-far,
friends,
and
atSlive
flattering
truft.
It
of Curio,
to abate
;
who
out with violent invedlives agalnft C;Efar, began that he for a while endeavoured to divert the attention
fet
''
of the public to other objeds ; and at laft fairly withdrew himfelf from the fupport of the Senate, and efpoufed the intereft of Ca;far in
every queftion.
This
to
it
intereft
acceflions
ftrates
were of
concurred in expunging from the Rolls of the Senate fuch as fervile extradion, and many even of noble family, on account
^*
Appian. Plutarch.
^'
Cicero ad Familiar,
lib. viii.
ep. 6.
,
of
OF
359
But Appiu?, having f Tome Infamy or blemifli in their charadler. carried his aiFedation of zeal beyond what the age could bear, and
bcinpPifo,
HA
P.
^~j
who, by protecting many citizens who were ftigmatlzed by his of Csfar. From thefe feveral colleague, gained them to the Intereft
caufes this party
tinued to
his
became veiy numerous even in the Senate, and confufpend any decrees that were propofed to deprive Csefar of
or to
recall the
command,
was afterwards difcovered, in the fequel of thefe tranfadions, that Curio, fome time before he openly declared himfelf for Csefar, had
It
This young man, like the youth of been actually gained by him. had in that age diffipated his fortune, and contracted immenfegeneral,
of his profufion ; and the load of his debts made him a very uncertain friend to government,
debts.
effeifl
and
him.
to laws
He
who
offered to relieve
him of
^^
;
this burden, and adlually paid his debts to a great amount cording to fome reports, to the amount of ten millions
ac-
Roman
money";
according to others, of fix times that fum ^*. Curio, after he took his refolution to join Csefar, continued to
fpeak the language of his former party, and to at in concert with them, until he ihould find a plaufible excufe for breaking with them.
Such a pretence " he fought by ftartting many fubjedts of debate without confulting them, and by making propofals In which he
knew
this
men
To
he devifed a projedl for the reparation of the highways, offering himfelf to have the infpelion of the work for five
effed:
^^ ^'
Plutarch.
Dio.
ii.
Sueton.
Appias.
^'
^'
Valerius Maximus,
lib. ix.
c.
i,
Velleius, lib.
0.48.-80,7291. See
Dio. CafT.
lib. xl.
c.
61.
Appian.
de
Aibuthnot's Tables.
Bello Civile.
years..
^60
years.
debates on
this fubjedl,
made
him
by
fufficient
projedts.
Being oppofed in
his Tribunitian
this
the college of
all
Augurs
*',
he
employed
power
to obftrudl;
manner withdrawn
hiinfelf
from
his
former
at once openly join their opponents ; but, with proparty, did not feffions of independence, affedted to oppofe the errors of both ; and,
by
this artful
When the great queftion to have imitated the policy of his leader. of Ca:far's recall was revived, he inveighed, as formerly, againft the
exorbitant powers which had been committed to this general, and urged the aeceflity of having them revoked ; but fubjoined, that the powers granted to Pompey were equally dangerous, and propofed,
that both fhould be ordered to difband their armies,
and return
to a
private ftation.
The
partizans of
Pompey
;
infifted, that
the term
nor that of
Csefar's, replied
is
if
we
that
which remains.
;
There were probably now three parties in the State one devoted to Ccefar, another to Pompey, and a third that meant to fupport
The latter the republic againft the intrigues or violence of either. muft have been few, and could not hope to be of much confequence,
except by joining fuch of the other two, as appeared by the character
of
its
commonwealth.
Csefar
had fhown
himfelf in his political courfe a dangerous fubjeft, and an arbitrary In the capacity of a fubjed, he had fupported every magiftrate.
*'
Cicero ad Familiar,
lib. viii.
ep, 6.
4-
iP^^J
OF THE
the hands of government.
ROMAN
RETUBLIC.
361
party that was inclined to commit diforder in the State, or to weaken In that of a magiftrate he fpurned every adted the part of a demagogue, fupporting himfelf legal reftraint,
CHAP,
by popular
his
was the general opinion of confiderate perfons, that country his thirft of power and emolument was not to be fatiated without
and
it
if,
in the conteft
which Teemed
and rapine
impend,
his
fword fhould
exceeding what had yet been exhibited in any cabefallen the republic. that had ever The defcription of his lamity adherents *', and the charafter of perfons that crowded to his ftandard,
would enfue,
far
juftihed the
deiigns.
was entertained of
his
who had fallen under fentence of the law, all who dreaded this fate, all who had fuffered any difgrace, or were confcious they deferved it young men who were impatient of government the populace who had an averfion to order the bankrupt,
All
; ;
;
to
law and property itfelf were enemies ; all thefe looked for his approach with impatience, and joined in every cry that was raifed
in his favour.
whom
Pompey, the
his impatience
embroil the State with his intrigues, and even invaded the laws by
when
for extraordinary and unprecedented honours ; yet, of power, he had employed it with moderation, and poffefTed
to delight in receiving thefe lingular trufts
;
feemed
by
not in extorting them, not in making any illegal of his country ufe of them, nor in retaining them beyond the terms prefcribed by
his commifiion.
It
commonwealth
fo deeply, as in caballing
'
"Vol.
it.
Cicero ad Atticum,
lib. vii.
ep. 7.
to
3^2
BOOK *
V
likely to defcend,
without fome fignal convulfion in the State **. This comparifoH of the parties which were
now
to contend for
power
at the
it
eafy for
good
citizens
wiflied
to
coming
it
to extremities
as in the event
of
was
They
but
they faw that there was no force in the republic him. They wifhed to arm Pompey for this purpofe ; but were prevented, either by the confidence which he ftill gave them of his own
fufEcient to refift
fuperiority, or
by
their fear
civil
war, by feeming any precautions againfl Caefar would have confidered every attempt to arm the republic as
iL
to take
lities
before
any
fuch
and was ready to commence hofti; meafure could be carried into execution.
The propofal for difarming at once both Csefar and Pompey, in the mean time, was extremely acceptable to the popular party, who
perpetually
founded
the
cry of liberty
himfelf,
lafl:
againfl:
the
Senate,
and
Pompey
in
office,
bribery
and
other offences,
in
was become
to
confiderable
degree un-
aim
at a
it
tyranny.
was reckoned an effort of courage And Curio, in coming from the Senate, with to oppofe him. the luftre of having adled fo bold a part, was received by the po-
Pompey
already pofTefl^ed,
was conducted
to
his houfe
circus,
over ways
vidor in the
pre-
Cicero ad Atticum,
lib. vii.
ep. 3.
fented
OF THE
ROMAN
in
REPUBLIC.
reward of his courageous,
^6^
CHAP,
^..--.^
This happened about the time patriotic and impartial condufl:. as has been that Pompey, obferved, was making a fhew of his
great popularity in the country towns,
feafls, proceffions,
witJi
recovery
but
it is
that of thefe
popularity, Pompey was moll elated with his of the public flivour, and the moft likely to raiftake thefe ap-
Under
of his friends afked him, probably with what force he was to oppofe Ca^far if he Ihould march into Italy with his army ? " In Italy," he anfwered, " I can raife forces with
was, that
when one
" a
ftam.p of
my
foot."
He
motion which had been made by Curio, and by the reception it met, both in the approbation of the Senators, and in the acclamations of
the People.
He
wrote a
letter,
on
which he acknowledged the fervices of CxQxv, and mentioned his own. " His late Confulate," he faid, " was not of his feeking j
*'
it
was
prefled
upon him
to
*'
great dangers ; the command he then bore had devolved upon " him in confequence of his having been Conful, and was given for " a term of years, yet far from being expired ; but he was ready, " for the of his without to
neverthelefs,
waiting
expiration
term,
what he had accepted with relu^aace." He on continued, every occafion, to repeat the lame profeffions, adding, " That he made no doubt, his relation and his friend Cafar would " make a like facrifice to the fears and of
refign with alacrity
"
cheerfully
"
and
that,
after
many
" with warlike enemies, he would now haften to retire in peace, " and to folace himfelf in the midfl of domeftic repofe,"
3
Pompey,
364
BOOK
and
advanced to his purpofe by indired: meaiis ; he was therefore like moft artful men, eafily over-reached by perfons who perceived his defigns ; and probably, on the prefent occafion, was
the only dupe of his
againft him.
own
artifices,
Curio, in the Senate, openly attacked this part of his charadler, infifting that adlions, and not profeffions, were now to
be regarded
that the
army of
Pompey
dered to difband, under pain of being declared, in cafe of dilobedience, enemies to their country ; and that an army fhould be inftantly levied " " to enforce thefe orders. Now," faid he, is the time to reduce this
"
*'
afluming and arrogant man, while you have a perfon who can difpute his pretenfions, and who can wreft thofe arms out of his
hands, which he never would have willingly dropped." The friends of Casfar, in the Senate, offered to compromife the
;
"
difpute
retired to his
province,
and Cxfiir
were allowed
propofed,
*' *'
the Cifalpine
to difband the
name,
they remainder of his army, and " Obferve the dutiful citilegions,
is
faid Cato,
if
to quit the
in poffeffion of Italy
ready to accept of your voluntary fub" miffion, rather than employ your own army againft you to enit
and
how
"."
refult
In the
Conful Marcellus, came to a vote on the following queftions, which were feparately ftated, relating to the appointments both of Citfar
and of Pompey. On the firft queftion. Whether Cxdn fhould band his army ? the ^jes were general throughout the lioufe.
*' Plutarch, in
dif-
On
the
Catone.
OF THE
the fecond, relating to
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
greatly prevailed.
s^S
Curio
;
and M. Antony
were not
;
fairly
put
and
might be of opinion, that both fhould difband fore, fhould be included in the fame queftion.
cordingly, a third queftion was put
;
To
this pui-pofe,
ac-
a majority of three hundred and {eventyyijes appeared againft twentytwo Noes **, Whether thefe proceedings of the Senate were annulled
by any informality, or were deprived of effed: by any other circumftance, does not appear ? The only immediate confequence they feem
to have produced,
was an order
to
Pompey and
Cxfar, requiring
army
in
Syria,
and threatened
had wintered in the Cyrrheftica, a diftrld of that province, to repeat their invafion in the prefent fpring and fumand
this
mer
ftrip
he well knew
how
While the
parties at
Rome, he
and
at the
Gaul
end of
it,
He
;
which was
fafc
approaching
and
votes
which
his
friend
a candidate.
Many
to be procured in the colonies and free cities bordering on that of his province which w.ns beyond the Alps ; and he made his part but being informed, journey with uncommon fpeed to fecure them
:
were
on
Augurs was
part,
and
his
journey, and
lib.
a.
with
365
BOOK iV
with the fame diligence as before he received this information, fayhis friends for their good offices, ing, It was proper he fhould thank and requeft the continuance of their favour in his own competition
for the Confulate, which he propofed to declare on the following He alleged, as a reafon for his early application, that his eneyear.
mies, in order to opprefs him, or to withftand his juft pretenfions,
had placed C. Marcellus and P. Lentulus in the magiftracy of the the pretenfions of Galba, though much prefent year, and had rejeded
better
founded.
He was
met
in
all
and pro-
affembled to
where made by innumerable crowds, which were fee and admire him. Having made the circuit of this
province, and founded the difpofitions of the People, he returned with great difpatch to his quarters at Nemetocenna *% in the Low
Countries,
where he
likewife wifhed to
;
know
army
whole
might pofhe muft then depend upon the attachment of his legions, and make war, or fubmit as he found them inclined ; in this, however, it is probable he was in a
to fuperfede fibly pafs a decree
He forefaw,
him
;
and
no doubt of
come
In
the empire.
he affigned to Labienus his ftatlon within the Alps ; and feeming to have conceived a fufpiclon of this to follow him, officer, or rather knowing that he was not difpofed
this ftate
of
affairs
in
.'to
cafe his
co-operate
commifllon Ihould be withdrawn by the Senate, nor in ad of hoftillty againft the republic, he wllhed
any
arlfe
to
OF THE
citizen,
ROMAN Rg^PUBLIC
.
Z^l
who
how he ihould deal with a C H A p. IV. ' ^ an offender being againft himfelf, was neverthelefs in
his
duty to the
State,
ftart
ferings,
might
and
who
by
his
and
the
He
from
army
command on
him
at
and by
means
rid
whom
he
whom
we
underftand this
is
Mofelle, and
made
frequent
and
were
foliciting
troops that
were under
his
Labienus to defert him, and to carry off the command. At the fame time it was reto divefl Csefar of his
Thefe infinuations he affedled to treat as groundlefs ; obferving, that he could not believe fuch an ofEcer as Labienus would betray his truft ; and that for himfelf, he
army.
was
at all times
The
if
propofals of Curio, and his other friends, he faid, had been fo reafonable, that the Senate
that
."
body had not been under the improper influence of his enemies. About the fame time, Csefar received the famous order of the Senate
from
his
to detach a legion
in the
Syria,
and
'
that legion
might be fent to him merely to take off a part of his and though he now, with feeming cheerfulnefs, complied with the requifition to reftore them, yet he afterwards compfained of this meafure refpeding the two legions in queftion, as a
rival's
force
mere
o 6S
BOOK
*-^^
mere artifice to turn his own forces againft him. In compliance with the Senate's order, he fent the fifteenth legion, then upon the In dilmiffing the Po, and relieved it by one from his prefent camp.
foldiers
fervices, mofl; lavifh
of Pompey, he was, under pretence of gratitude for paft of his carefles and thanks j and as an earneft of
man
a gratuity of
two hundred
and
fifty denarii
**.
By
this artful
own
enemies *^
fent to
The
officers,
who were
and
make
thefe
report of
the flate
brought difpofitions of
;
to their
employers a very
Ccefar's
army
to change their
if
commander
Italy,
marched into
would
had a high opinion of Pompey ; and, furely defert to him: that Caefar was be-
the hard fervice in which he had fo long without any adequate reward, and on account of employed them, It is in the rhe fufpicion that he aimed at the monarchy *'. higlieft
degree probable, that their craft leader employed proper perfons to hold this language to the commiiilcners of the Senate, and to the officers of Pompey; and to utter complr-ints of their commander, and
;'
of the fervice, on purpofe that they might be repeated in Italy. His own preparations were not of more importance to him than the fupine
fecurity into
which he endeavoured, by
this
to
lull his
enemies.
On
army back
>
to
their
quarters in the
Low
Countries, and the interior parts of Jaul. Trewith four legions on the Scheld and the Meufe,
and Fabius, with other four between the Soane and the Loire, in the
'
*''
Civile, lib.
ii.
Plu-
canton
OF
winter,
363
/
canton of Bibradle,
was
opponents in
himfelf intended to winter w^ithin the Alps, but had no Italy. He troops on that fide of the mountains that could occafion any fufpicion ; only
is
that,
upon pretence of
away from
his province.
Upon
Italy
he
affeded fyrprife upon hearing that the two legions lately demanded from him had not been fent into Afia, but were kept in Italy,
and put under the command of Pompey. He complained, that he was betrayed that his enemies meant to difarm and circumvent " But while the him. republic is fafe, and matters can be made " with " amicable on terms, I vnll bear," he faid, up any indignities, '*' rather than involve the State in a civil war *'."
;
empire were in
this
now
thii-d
of this
name
in the fucceffion
of
Confuls, together with Publius Lentulus, were chofen for the following year. Before they entered on office a rumour arofe, that Cxfar, with his whole army, was atually in motion to pafs the Alps. Mar-
Conful of the prefent year, afTembled the Senate laid before them this report, and moved, that the troops then in Italy fhould be
cellus,
;
prepared to
fued, in
adt,
and new
levies fhould
be ordered,
debate en-
report, and,
his Tribunitian
this
of the Tribune, the Conful difmifTed the with other expreffions of impatience, the alTembly, ufing, together if he were not fupported by the Senate, in words following That
this
On
interpofition
common-
de Bello Gallico,
.3
lib. viii.
c.
46.
Vol.
II.
wealthy
370
BOOK
V
power
into hands
more
likely to
make
then, together with Lentulus, for the enfuing year, he repaired to the
:
gardens where Pompey refided ; this officer being obliged, on account of his military command, to remain without the city ; and prefenting
his fword, bid
him employ
it
and
this
with
it
to
affume the
command of
To
" If no* addrefs, Pompey, with an air of modefty, made anfwer^ " better devifed can for the commonwealth." te thing
OF THE
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
371
CHAP.
Return of
Senate
to
V.
Decree of the
different Officers
from
to
their Provinces.
fupcrfede Cafar,
the
mijjion to
Conf/ds
and
Flight of the
Tribunes Antony
and ^intus
Pompey and
CaJJius.
Speech
of
Cafar
to
the Legion at
Ravenna.
Surprife of Ariminuni.
the Senate^
Id'c.
March of
Cafar.
Flight of
Embarkation and Departure of Pompey from Approach of C^efar. Return of Cafar to Rome. P'^ff^^ h' Marfeilles Brundifiiim.
into Spain.
Campaign on
to the
the Segra.'
Legions of Pompey
ifi
Spain conducted
Far,
this pofture
of
affairs,
the ofEcers,
who had
IN
command
Caffms defeated the Parthians, yet being then of the province, and the advantage gained, with the number governor of the enemy flain, coming up to the legal defcripticn of thofe fervices for
and
was accordingly,
which the triumph was obtained, he entered his claim upon the motion of Cato, who
this
probably
It
willied
him
confolation
for
the
mortifications
this
he had rehonour.
vidlories,
as the fpeclfic
reward of
ob-
by the flaughter of a
certain
cafe of
Cicero, ne-
372
might have a pretence for his ftay in the fuburbs, and for abfenting himfelf from the Senate, and from the aflembUes of the people, being very
much
perplexed
how
to fleer
between the
parties of Csefar
and Pompey, who had both applied to him by letters to join them in the prefent difpute *. He had, fome time befoi-e his departure from
Cilicla
on
his return to
Rome,
fent
an account of
his friends,
rations to Cato,
and
to
fome others of
with an earneft
had obtained.
greatefl
Such an
might be appointed for the vi6tory he appointment was reckoned one of the
officer
honours which a
Roman
Cato replied in terms that were polite ; might but carrying fome degree of indirect reproof for the improper ambilead to a triumph.
tion which Cicero betrayed in this requefl, intimating that his merit
was not
fo
much
;
that of a general, as of a
able magiflrate
this
that
thankfgiving, which always had a reference to fome event, depending on chance or the valour of ari army ; but that, fmce Cicero had
lafl
done what he thought incumbent on himfelf, and that of finding that the defire of his friend was gratified \ Cicero at firfl; received this declaration of Cato as a proper expref^
fion of friendship,
and
honourable to himfelf
'
but on hearing of the military honours which were decreed to Bibulus upon Cato's motion, he was greatly provoked, and confidered this
condudt
and invidious
to himfelf*.
He was
gladly
inftigated or
by
Ccefar,
who
'
Cicero ad Att.
ep.
i.
'
Cicero ad Familiar,
lib.
vii.
xv. ep. 6.
Cicero s J Familiar,
xv. ep. 5.
ep. 2.
feized
OF THE
ffelzed
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
him
agalnft Cato.
73
P.
"
Obferve," he
H A
one of his letters, which is quoted by Cicero on this fubjedt, " the maUce of the man, he afFefhs to give you the commendations " of and integrity, which you did not defire, and withclemency " holds a common of This piece refpedt, which you had afked. " " continues Cicero to condudl," Atticus, befpeaks the envy from *' which it proceeds. It is not fufferable, nor will I endure it. " Csfar, in his letter to me, has not miffed the proper remarks." Such were the concerns that diftradted the mind of this ingenious
faid, in
but
a conflld, in
which
the republic
and
all
the honours
it
affairs,
day increafed their perplexity.. To leave Cxfar in poffelEon of his army, and to admit him with fuch a force to the head of the commonwealth, was to fubmit, without a ftruggle, to the dominion he meant
to affume.
To
perfift in
confining
him
to
vantages, was
republic.
to furniih
him with
a pretence to
make war on
the
to
neceffary to enable
Pompey
refill Csefar,
feffion
might be equally dangerous to the republic in the pofof the one, as they were in that of the other. This perfon, on
.
whom
the State
was now
to rely,
own
confideration,
feem difpofed
-
were wanting to gratify his ambition With an appearance of cafe and negliItaly,
apprehended that
Rome
a feene of blood.
At an interview with
Cicero,
whom, on
way
as
to
war
un
.
ayoidable.
374
BOOK
<
'. Upon his return to Rome, on the twenty-fixth of December, he even feemed averfe to any accommodation. He declared his mind openly, that if Cxfar fliould obtain the Confulate, even upon lay-
ftate
would choofe
;
to retain his
proceed headlong, and bring matters to the decifion of tlie fword, how contemptible muft he appear, a mere private adventurer againft the authority of the ftate, fupported by a regular army
under
my command.
this fecurityj
To juftify
Pompey,
it
was forming an army in Gaul, muft be remembered Pompey, by means of his lieutenants, likewife formed a great army of fix complete legions, and many auxiliaries, in Spain ; and that if
that while Csefar
Caefar ftiould
Italy,
it is
that his
army
Pyrennees
as
f.ift
as that
the Alps, occupy his province, cut off his refources, and while Pompey himfelf received him with the forces of Italy, that the Spanifti
army
ftiould prefs
It
upon
his rear,
at
attacks.
ought
few troops
was the great nurfery of foldiers for the whole empire, and multitudes could, on any fudden emergency, be embodied in every part of that country \ Pompey, with thefe fecurities in his hands for the final fuccefs of
in Italy, yet this
formed
his views againft Cxfar, fufFered this rival to run his career, leaving
the Senate expofed to the dangers which threatened them ; and under the influence of apprehenfions, which he expcded would render
them more
his
tratable,
own
defires,
and more ready in every thing to comply with than he had generally found them in times of
greater fecurity.
'
Cicero ad Atticuni,
lib. vii.
cp. 8.
In
OF THE
foment or to connive
at
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
575
Pompey had frequently ventured to the growing troubles of the republic, in order to render himfelf the more neceffary, and to draw from the
In the fame ftrain of policy,
Senate and the People offers of extraordinary truft and power. By the addrefs of Cato, and of other adive men in the Senate, he had
been obliged on a late occafion, when he aimed at the powers of It is probable, Dictator, to be content with thofe of fole Conful. he had entertained the fame views on the prefent occafion, and until the remedy he wifhed for permitted the evils to accumulate,
that
He continued accordingly with votes fhould appear to be neceffary. to combat Casfar, who was at the head and refolutions of the Senate
of a numerous army, ready on the firft plaufible pretence to fall upon; the feats of government, and avail himfelf of that Italy, to feize
name and
greatly
fo
relied.
Mean time, the new year commenced, and C. Claudius Marcellus with L. Cornelius Lentulus, entered on their office as Confuls. Both
parties
U. C. 704;
Marceiiu3
&
were prepared
for
decifive refolution
on the fubjed of
iUS<' Len^uiu"^'"^
Csefar's claims.
himfelf for fome years had wintered near to the He was now at Ravenna, the northern extremity of bis provinces. neareft ftation of his army to Rome ; but without any troops, befides
He
what appear
;
to
pine province
that
fent
army
five
in Syria,
fix
making
in
all
between
and
thoufand
arrival at
vifited
by Curio, who,
expi-
journey to receive his diredions and after their in refpeft to the future operations of the party conference, returned to Rome with a letter from Cxfar, addrefled:
this
;
made
'
lib. ii. p.
37^
firft
miflion of the
new Confuls into office '. The Conful Lentuhis moved, that prior
;
ftate
to any other bufmefs, the of the repubHc, and that of the provinces, fliould be taken under
confideration
and alluding
to the refoiutions
on
ihould
not be wanting to the commonwealth. He was feconded by Scipio, and was applauded by the general voice of the Senate ; but Csefar
two of
had procured the admiffion of Mark Antony and of Quintus Caflius, his moft noted and determined partlzans, into the college of
Thefe could make riots, or furnifh the pretence of vioTribunes. lence in the city, whenever the military deiigns of their patron were they wei"e to be the executors of what had been ripe for execution
:
promote
Csefar's defigns.
They
proceedings of the Senate, until Csefar's letter was read ; and preIt was vailed on this meeting to begin with that paper. exprefled, according to Cicero, in terms menacing and harfh ", and contained in
fubftance a repetition of the propofals,
been all along " and his other adherents at Curio, That Rome, making through " he fliould be allowed to retain the honours, which the Roman
Csefar
*'
which
had
" "
upon
a foot
who were
allowed to join
;
civil of-
"
fice at Rome with military eftablifhments in the provinces and that " he fliould not be of out as the fole thefr diftruft and object fmgled
feverity
'.
This
letter
was confidered
as
an attempt to prefcribe
to their
to
the SeIt
authority.
was
Dio. Caffius,
lib. xli. c. i.
Suetonius in Csfare,
c.
20.
"
Cicero ad Familiar,
OF
by many
renewed on
^i,']^
treated as
The
debates were
firft
fome days
laft
fucceflively,
from the
to
of thefe days, a refohition was Csfar to difmifs his fi-amed, ordering army, and by a certain day to retire from his provinces, or in cafe of difobedience, declaring
On the
him an enemy
Quintus
to his country.
Caffius, interpofed
Senate being thus tied up by the prohibition or it was moved that the members fhould put
on mourning, in order to imprefs the People with a deeper fenfe of the calamity which was likely to enfue from the contumacy of thefe factious officers. This likewife the Tribunes forbad ; but the Senate
being adjourned, all the members, as of their own accord, returned to their next meeting in habits of mourning, and proceeded to confider in
difficulty
which arofe
and other
from
In the conclufion of
this deliberation,
was determined
Pompey,
to
preferve the
commonwealth by
necejfary.
to the
minds of the People, what had paffed and of Cataline. The Tri-
who had
fedted to apprehend,
own
perfons
they
difguifed themfelves in the habit of flaves, and, together with Curio, in the night fled from Rome in hired carriages ". The Confuls re-
paired to
Senate,
Pompey in the fuburbs ; and, agreeably to the order of the claimed his affiftance in difcharging the important duties
lib. ii,
"
Appian. de BelloCivili,
Dio. Caff.
lib. xli. c. 3.
Cicero ad Familiar,
lib. xvi.
p. 12.
Vol,
II.
iQ,
with
078
BOOK
s
-^
It was agreed, in conceit with which they were jointly iiitrufted. with him, that they fliould fapport the authority of the Senate with
a proper miUtary force, that they fliould proceed to make new levieswith the greateft difpatch ; and in order to give efFed: to thefe preparations, that
treafury, and
Vv-orld.
Pompey
fliould
command
over the
all
fet
in,
or
faft
approaching.
The
feafon, al-
nominally in the
month of January, being only about fifty autumnal equinox, or about the twelfth of November,
had few troops on the fide of Italy ; the force of his army was and the officers now enti-ufted with the fafety yet beyond the Alps, of the commonwealth, flattered themfelves that much time might be
'
found
army
at
mountains, even
if
he
fliould be fo def-
perate as to make war on the commonwealth ; which Pompey did not even, in this ftate of affairs, appear to have believed.
When
drew
at Ravenna, and in a harangue enumerated the wrongs which for forae years he alleged had been done to himfelf complained that his enemies had now found means to excite
;
a perfon whofe honour he had always with the warmeft affediou ; that the interpofition of the promoted Tribunes, in behalf of the army and of himfelf, had been defeated
againft
by means of threats and of actual force that their facred perfons had been violated, in order to opprefs him that refolutions, which
;
m.oft
by
infurrec-
formed
and
army
profcund tranquillity j he therefore exhorted the honour of an ollicer, under whom they had now,
j
under
whom
they had
gained.
OF THE
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
379
gained many vidtories in Gaul and in Germany, and reduced a iVioft warlike ^fovince into a ftate of abfolute fubmiffion. He was anfwered
CHAP.
'
with a
fliout
that they
were ready
and
Oji receiving thefe afllirances from the troops then prefent, C^efar
immediately difpatched an exprefs to the quarters of the twelfth legion, which, from the time at which it afterwards joined him, appears to have been already within the Alps with orders to march.
The remainder of
his
in the
low countries, or
to
take place before the fpring. At that feafon, indeed, the meafures now taken by both parties feemed to threaten a dangerous convulfion j
but
it is
many
of the moft important circumftances of the prefent conjundure; that he had brought his affairs into that pofture, at which he intended
hoftilities fhould commence ; and that the feeming negledt with vhich" he fuffered himfelf to be taken with fo fmall a force on
the fide of Italy, was probably the beft concerted preparation he could have made for the war. While he brought no alarming force to-
wards Rome,
and made no
effedlual
apprehended more danger from the lewhich had formed in Spain, than from any force then gions Pompey in and he made his difpofition agalnft thofe legions, fubfifting Italy,
provifion to refift him.
He
by placing the ftrength of his army between the Pyrennees and the There the army formed in Gaul, ferved him fufficiently in Alps.
his defign againft Italy,
that quarter.
When
the
by fecuring him from ,any interruption on war broke out, being well aware that
3
the effeds of furprife are often greater than thofe of force, even if
he
38o
B
O^O
^
'
he had wifhed for more troops in not have awaited their coming.
Italy,
it is
On
the legion that was quartered at Ravenna, he ordered a chofen body of men, in the manner of ftragglers roving for pleafure the
through
country, and armed only with fwords, to take the road feparately, and
of Italy beyond the Rubicon, which was the limit of his province ; there to remain, and at a certain time of the night to feize upon one
of the
gates.
He
fome
from Ravenna, and there to wait for an officer who was to deliver them orders. He himfelf pafled the day, as ufual, in forming combats of gladiators, and in attending the exercifes of the legion ;
diftance
at night
he went to fupper
at
fome
flight indifpofition,
which
called
the company, he
mounted
Ariminum, and
having travelled for a little time in that diredion, turned into the road on which he had pofted the party of horfe ; and having joined them, marched about thirty miles before break of day, entered Ari-
minum by
a gate
fent before
and thus without any refiftance took poffeffion of the place. It was of importance, that the firft report of hoftilities at
fhould carry an account of his fuccefs
;
Rome
made an
he took
attempt.
This circumftance
to furprife a place which, might have been eafdy reduced, though at the hazard perhaps of He himfelf indeed, in his Commentaries, delay for a few days. makes no mention of any fuch meafures, nor of the doubts and
hefitations
under which he
is fiiid
to
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
ftate
381
of war
^^
p.
At Ariminum
Ravenna,
joined
his Httle army, on the following day, arrived from and the Tribunes, Mark Antony and Quintus CafTius
He
prefented
them
to the
army
in the dif-
guife in
affedled to
"
Tribunes are reduced, for having fupported their friends, and for The occafioa having pleaded the caufe of an injured army '\"
fuited to popular eloquence
;
was
and
this
is
He
vehemence
to
;
from
his
and
to
have ihed
his
tears
hand
the
on which he wore
ring, the
common
among
the
Romans, and
his
declared, that he
would
facrifice
all
honours of
who were
willing to fupport
who
From
thefe figns,
diftindlly heard,
it
was
of.
money
army '\
Lucius Csefar and the Prsetor Rofcius, who, while the decree in the Senate, made offer of their againftCaius Cxfar was-depending
good offices to treat with him, and bring matters to an amicable accommodation, were now come without any public commiffion, profrom taking any defperate refolution. bably to hinder their friend
They brought, at the fame time, a private meflage from Pompey, with fome expreffions of civility, and an apology, taken from the necefof the public fervice, for the hardfliip which he fuppofed himfelf.
fity
*
lib. ii.
'^
Sueton. in Csf.
c.
35.
o 82
BOOK
" himfelf of
"
republic."
hand
againft the
Such ptofeffions had little credit with Ca;far ; but if they were to be of any weight v.'ith the public he was not likely, in his turn, to fail in the ufe of them. He defired thofe perfons, by whom Pompey " That the had favoured him with this to for
meflage,
carry
anfwer,
" "
*'
him
Roman
*'
People had beftowed upon him in public, to be contemptuoufly torn away by his private enemies. His commiffion, he faid,
*'
"
*'
in fix months ; his enemies, in their eagernefs could not bear even with this delay, but muft him,
him immediately.
"
*'
his attendance at
People had difpenfed with the eledlions, yet he muft be dragged to town at
The Roman
Thefe perfonal
infults
he had
"
"*'
borne for the fake of the public ; and being refolved to difarm, requefted the Senate only that others fhould difarm as well
as himfelf; that even this was refufed, and new levies were or" dered throughout Italy that two legions which had been called " off from his own army, under pretence of the Parthian war, were *' now retained againft him that the whole State was in arms ;
;
;
"
*'
that, neverthelefs,
he
Let
*'
"
*'
*'
to his province
let
;
all
parties difband,
and no
to over-
be afTembled in Italy
let
no one pretend
let
more
let
the
OF THE
**
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
^^.
383
*'
the parties meet and confer together ; let Pompey fay where he will be waited on, or let him name a proper place of meeting ; at a
will be foon removed friendly conference every difficulty
'*."
CHAP.
>
"
time forward Csefar affeded, on every occafion, to have no objeft in view but to prevail on his enemieSj by fome reafonable accommodation, to fave the republic from a ruinous war, and to flop
From
this
"'. He continually repeated his prohis he while of urged military operations with uncompeace, pofals mon rapidity. He ordered new levies at Ariminum, apd fent An-
tony to occupy Arretium '*, a pafs in one of the branches of the Flaminian Way through the Apennines ; and as faft as troops" could march he feized Pifaurum ", Faunum, Auximum, with the town of
Ancona, and
all
him
the
command of
him
that diftrift, or to
open
his
way
to
Rome.
all
the people fled from their habitations, and communicated the alarm, with eveiy fort of exaggeration, to the city. Pompey had relied
much on
the
name and
authority of the
on his own. Others thought themfelves fecure while and experienced commander gave them aflurances of
like a
Now,
a dream,
w^as illufion.
no regard to the authority of the Senate, He was at hand, with the reputation Pompey, at the head of troops frefli from
State.
The
republic
they w^ho compofed it, though refpeiSable at a diftance, were,^ on the approach of an enemy, irrefolute, difunited, and incapable of the exertions which fuch an occa Tion required. Orders had gone forth
"
'5
CsfardeBell.
Casfar.
Civil.
lib. i.
viii.
"
Appian.inlib.
AdAtticum,
"
Arrego.
Pifaro, Feno,
and OCmo.
to
384
BOOK
made
in that fervice.
two
legions which had ferved fo long under Casfar himfelf, there were not any forces embodied in tine country. Thefe were juftly fufpedled
Pompey
commonwealth,
furniflied
him,
ing
at the
at a diflance
head of fuch troops, with particular reafons for his keepfrom the enemy. In a letter to Domitius Aheno-
barbus,
"
I fent
you word," he
writes,
"
two
legions
" "
at his approach,
Domitius had been appointed to fucceed Coefar in the government of Gaul ; and, with fome other officers in the Picenum ", had made
fome progrefs
defend the
himfelf at
in raifing troops.
thofe of Cxfar.
city,
If
Pompey,
therefore,
he muft have haftened to that quarter, and have put the head of thofe troops. But he was timorous in hazardreputation, a weaknefs
ing his
own
exempt, and which was unworthy of the great military talents of either. Pompey feldom committed his fame where the profpedt was
unfavourable, or events extremely uncertain. Cxfar, on fuch ocnever chofe to trufl his other affairs in hands than his cafions, any
own.
Pompey, afting under thefe motives, affembled the Senate, and it was neceffary to abandon Rome ; that he
Capua, where he propofed to aflemble his that he fhould confider all thofe who remained in the capital
at
"'
" Meaning probably that he did not choofe to give them an opportunity to defert.
Cicero ad
Atticum,
lib.
viii.
ep. 2.
Ad Domitium.
*"
March of Anconia.
to
OF
with thofe
It
385
HA
p.
'
who
^--v
to abfent themfelves being unlawful for the officers of the republic from the city, the Senate paffed an adJ: to difpenfe with their attendance
at Rome, and to enable
them
to exercife the
powers of magiftracywhereThefe
with the adtual preparations for dlflodging the government, together in any orof all the that remained flight Pompey, damped courage
der or
clafs
of the People.
It
and more
he
terrible ".
ceed either
city, if
It made Cacfar appear at once more odious " was generally expeded that he would exCinna or Sylla in rapacity and cruelty " and that the
;
of blood.
The
opponents there, would become a fcene Confuls, and moft of the other officers of State, fet
All night the gates
were crowded
with Senators and other perfons of rank who fled on this occafion ; fome with their families and mofl: valuable effeds, others alone, and
diftradted
to retire,
Csefar,
by the general panic, without knowing whither they w^ere or to what fate they were leaving their families. in the mean time, making a rapid march through Umbrla,
is now the dutchy of Urbino% and the Picenum, or March of Ancona ^^ not only took pofl'effion of every place as he paflled, but gained daily acceffions of fl:rength by the juntflion of the new
or what
levies that
had been
lofuig fide;
and Pompey's
in Italy.
if
at
Iguvium
that
"*,
among
Way. Obferving
Pom-
was
ep.
retreating,
Cicero ad Att.
lib. vli.
n.
ep. 7.
**
*'
*^
'5
Cicero ad Atdcum,
lib. vii.
^'
Vol.
II.
towards
386
BOOK
IV.
he refolveJ
to
abandon his
to execute this purpofe, and was on poft ; but as foon as he began him on the march, returned to the deferted road to the Rome, troops
the poft from which he had removed them, and declared for Caefar.
The
made
for
it
difpofitions of the
pofleffion,
unnecelTary for
him
permit<:ed
him
to
advance with
his forces.
him
^'
declared
held that
abandon
it.
This
was overtaken by
deferted
like
Thermus, was
by
his
At Cingulum,
legion, to which,
in the
on
his firft
to march.
With
;
this
Picenum, Casfar was joined by the twelfth motion from Ravenna, he had fent orders acceffion of force, he advanced to Afculum**
on the Fronto
who commanded
to him.
The
command
of Vi-
buUius,
of
principal pufh
on the Adriatic
fide
of the Apen-
nines, the troops that were fuddenly raifed for the republic were,,
without any well- concerted plan, drawn together upon that coaft. And Pompey himfelf had not yet openly laid afide the defign of making head againft Cxfar in thofe parts. VibuUius having aflembled in all
about fourteen cohorts,
cara,
fell
now
to
Corfinium, a pafs in
commanded
the Valerian
way
Rome.
to
This
have joined having aiTembled twenty-five cohorts, fhould be found, and had ordered Thermus to " follow with five cohorts more but imagining probably that Pom;
meant
Ofimo,
Ofcale.
Pomp, ad
pey
OF THE
pey
fllU
ROMAN
Rome from
REPUBLIC.
the incurfions of Casfar, and
387
Intended to cover
CHAP,
that Corfinium
to obferve the
was an important
time had
Pompey by
feemed
to
to Luceria,
and
have taken the refohition not only of abandoning the ports that covered the accefs to Rome, but even all Italy, to Ca^far. The
Confuls, the greater part of the magiftracy, and the Senate, had
Here was
provoking to Pompey; and to this circumftance Caefar probably trufted, that he Ihould not be bound by any of the offers he had made, and that the odium of
rejedling the peace
Rofcius and
to L. Crefar.
would
fall
upon
his enemies.
the commonwealth, deeply imprefled with the neceffity of their own affairs, gladly liftened to any terms of accommodation. They objected indeed to the propofed interview between Pompey and Caefar, remembering the dangerous concerts which at their meetings had been
Pompey
was
taken,
he dilTembled
his refentment
himfelf, and confented to conditions which he had difdain. It was agreed accordingly that he with hitherto rejefted to and fliould repair that, his province being in profound Spain,
fledlions cafl
on
peace, he fhould reduce his military eftablifhment. the conditions he himfelf part, befides
Cxfar, on his
had
offered,
evacuate
all
the towns
which he had
lately
feized
to
it
was propofed
government give
all
the
From
fuch ap-
pearances
it
that
And
chofe
388
^
%?
^^^^ * ^^'^^^ ^y *^^ Senate while the treaty remained ha dependAnd Cicero thought the agreement ahnoft concluded. " The
"
" one," he wrote to his friend Atticus, begins to repent of his preand the is other fenfible he has not a force fufficient to cipitation,
"
fupport fuch a
war "."
to be caught in the fnare he laid for his enemies, or obHged to lay afide the difguife which he had affumed in affeding fuch earneft defires for peace. To avoid either of thefe
inconveniences, he objedled to fome of the conditions which the oppofite party had fubjoined to his propofals, and complained of the
filence which they kept on others, as proceeding from a deliberate " purpofe to circumvent and betray him. Pompey will repair to " " he but when I ? am fald, Spain," required to evacuate all the " towns of while and the whole State continue in Italy, Pompey
" arms againft me, and while my enemies not only make new levies, " but employ for my deftrudion legions which they have adually " taken away from my own army. If Pompey be fincere in de" firing a peace, why does he decline the perfonal interview which " has been for that ?"
propofed
purpofe
advanced with hafty marches to Cordrove in a detachment from the ganifon, which he found linlum, breaking down a bridge about three miles from the town, fat down
Csefar had,
by
this time,
under the walls, and employed three days in fortifying his camp, and in filling the magazines with corn from the neighbouring country. Being joined by the eighth legion and twenty-two cohorts of the new levies from Gaul, with three hundred auxiliary horfe, he ordered proper pofts to be feized on every fide of the town, and effedually fhut up thofe who were within from any relief, or from any
coijimunicatlon with their friends.
3
When
vii,
his
works began
to appear
Ad
Att. lib.
ep. j^.
againft
OF THE
carry letters to
ROMAN
RETUBLIC.
V.
389
any one who fliould Pompey. Different meffengers were difpatched for this
CHAP,
of his having purpore,and brought for anfwer, that Pompey difapproved allowed himfclf to be invefted by Crefar, had foretold him the bad
now
it
was not
power with
thefe
doubtful legions, which had been fo lately drawn from Cazfar's army, or with new levies, to force the hardy and veteran troops of the
enemy
^'.
This anfwer Domitius endeavoured to conceal from his army ; encouraged them with hopes of a fpeedy relief from Pompey, and
feemed intent on the defence of the place, while he was adlu.-.lly taking meafures to get off in perfon, without any hopes of preferving This defign the forces he liad aflembled for the commonwealth.
being fufpedled, the troops furrounded his quarters in the night, took and to pay their court, while they delivered up their him
prifoner,
made
offer
of their
own
fervices
Upon
this
furrender,
Cxhv took
n*
it
pofleffion
the walls,
army
was day. He knew, that befides Domitius and VibuUius, there were many Senators and Roman Thefe he ordered in the morning knights now fhut up in the town.
fliould enter the place before
them on the
fubjel of
enmity
to himfelf,
and
their precipitation in
He
hurrying the State then difmifled them with the refpedl rank ; and being told that a Corfinium for the fupport of
was due
to
Roman
citizens of their
at
confiderable
Pompeius adDomitium,
lib. viii,
unexpe(^ed
:C,0
BOOK
fame of
every where
wonderful mildnefs and generofity, as he expeded, was and though, by over-adllng his part in abftaining ; from the public money, he furnilTied every thinking perfon with a
this
difFufed
fufficient
comment on
of his condudt
yet
many
were happy to underftand, that, in this alarming and properties were, from any motives whatever,
to be fpared.
but he thought the pofleffion of ; open had until he no of moment, fupprefled the military arrangements
to Ca^far
that
were making in the country, and had decided who was to have He therefore, on the very day on which he the pofleflion of Italy. became mafter of Corfmium, detached to Sicily, under the command of
Curio, the troops that deferted to
him
in
making
this
conqueft ^\
He
himfelf
fet
confiderable
march
the
meflengers before him to the leaders of the of friendlhip and overtures of peace. wuth profefhons party, oppofite Immediately after the redudlion of Corfmium, Balbus, an officer
fcnt greateft rapidity,
in Casfar's army,
Len-
would return
to
To induce him to comply with this fufpenfion of government. Balbus had fecret inftrudions to allure the Conful of a proper requeft, appointment in the provinces at the expiration of his year in office.
The bearer of this meflage declared, that Cjefar defired nothing fo much as to join Pompey, and to make peace with him on any equiAnd the father of this young man, one of Csefar's table terras.
retinue, wrote, at the
*
fame time,
had no objed
lib.
i.
c.
25.
but
Vlnly
U''-/,'^
/ryiAiin/ ^n.n/^l,u,'fi
J't//'ft>/u,t ua^rjMit
It)
t;y ll'Stniitifi
^Z/.ti-t-'/i-
OF THE
fame of
to peace
his
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
Pompey
this
".
391
clemency
at
Corfinium, and of
Italy,
many
to
whom
to
he had been
till
While
he hoped
amufe
his enemies,
and
with fo much rapidity, that, in military preparations, he advanced order to avoid him, they had no more than the time that was necefTary to crofs the
from thence
Brundifium.
to
mountains from Capua to Luceria, to fill back Canufuim, and from this laft place, without a halt, to
In this diredion, having fent Metelius
and
his
own
the
neceffary fhipping
embark
his
army
his intention
to
and fhook the great authority Italy began to be fufpeded, which he ftill derived from his military reputation. His officers were
abandon
returned to
His own prefence kept the other parts of and the army together, brought them fafe to the port from which it to take their departure from Italy. Soon after were was fufpeded they
his arrival at this port
he
effedlually verified
thefe fufpicions,
em-
army with the Confuls, while he himfelf, not having fufhcient {hipping to tranfport the whole, remained with a fecond divifion to wait for the return of his fhips.
Such
vx^as
the pofture of
Pompey, when Cxfar, with fix legions, and two newly raifed or completed from
who came
over to
him on
Brundifium.
Even
amufing
his
Cn. Magius, an
ab his qui
diligetui-.
^^
viii.
ep. 9.
eum maxime
timuerant, jnaxime
mehf-rcule
neminem
ademerit,
cccidet,
piutarch. inPompeio.
of
39i
might occafion
This
many
only conftituted a part in of the military plan Cxfar, and was accompanied with effedlual preparations for a blockade and a fiege. It did not as yet appear, whether
pacific melTage, as in other inftances,
Pompey meant
into Italy,
and
to
abandon Brundi-
and
to
command
Ciefar, to try
his intentions,
and either
to fhut
him up,
be
fliut
work
for
He em-
ployed numerous parties to throw flones, earth, and other heavy materials into the palfage between the two moles, and expected, in a
little
all
work
pidity
but being
come
threvvT in
were abforbed or
it
neceffary to
up
the harbour
by means of
anchored in the paflage. In executing this project they were difturbed by a continual difcharge of arrows. Hones, and other miffile
weapons from veflels in the mouth of the harbour, on which proper engines were mounted for this purpofe.
While the
entrance
treaty.
parties
of the port,
were thus, without intermiflion, engaged at the Cxfar again made a fhew of propofing a
received
As he had
no anfwer to
Magius, he affeded
to defpair of
plications
OF THE
plications to
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
393
Pompey, and fent into the town Caninius Rebllus, one of his Heutenants, who, being in great intimacy with Scribonius Libo, had directions to make application to him, and, in Cscfar's name, to intreat his good offices in bringing on a negotiation; particularly, if poffible,
CHAP,
in procuring
an
interview between
if
Pompey
and
himfelf.
tained,
bleffing
fome
which,
in that cafe,
might be difcovered to flop the iffues of blood, a. would for ever be mentioned as the effedl
performed by Scribonius Libo to
thefe propofals, which,
his country.
of
fo effential a fervice
though addreffed
Libo, were carried directly to himfelf, made anfwer. That, in the In this inftance, he perabfence of the Confuls, he could not treat.
'ceived,
and
was not tempted to remit the vigilance of his defence, or the ardour with which he now at laft prepared for the conteft yet he could not altogether prevent one advantage which Ca^far meant to reap from
:
of appearing in the eyes of the People, not the author of the war, but a perfon forced to thefe extremities by the violence and obftinacy
>of
his enemies.
mouth of
the harbour of
Brundifmm had
been continued three days, and had made confiderable progrefs, the tranfports which had carried the firft divifion of Pompey's army re-
bour was
forces.
turned from Dyrrachium, and, as the pafllige at the mouth of the harftill open, he prepared to embark with the remainder of his
The
were
motions
and he made no
as
open their
gates,
he fhould withdraw his guards, they would thi'ow to be attacked in his rear, and pof-
army
and
3
as
To
provide
II.
Vol.
town,
394
up the
and
ftone,
and tra*
veried the ftreets with walls and large ditches replenifhed with fharp
flakes,
flight
covering of brufli-
wood and
When
guard
parts,
move towards
flill
by occupying every
endeavoured to prefent the ufual appearances on the rampofl with archers, flingers, and other light
troops.
Thefe being to remain in their poft while the main body was embarking, had orders, at a fignal given, to abandon the walls, and to repair on board the tranfports which were ready to receive them. The troops in Brundifium thus began to embark in the night, and
Cnsfar, having immediate intelligence of forward his fcaling ladders, and, as foon
it
as the
them
and
one part of
;
oppofition
flreets,
but
having notice of the fnares and obflrudtions which were in his way, he was. obliged to halt, or to advance with i'o placed much precaution, that the enemy had time to put off from the mole^
and get under fail. Only two tranfports, tliat flruck and were aground on the banks which had been formed or begun at the mouth
of the harbour,
fell
into
his
hands.
The
by the
officers
thus
command.
Casfar having, in this
all
days obliged mafter of the forces which began to be muftered againft him,.
his
manner, furprifed the republic, and in fixty opponents to evacuate Italy, and to leave him fole
It
is
pedience
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
^
395
had already pedience of following his enemy into Epirus, that he taken his refolution to confider the redudlion of Spain as the next
object of confequence to that of Italy.
full
HA
P-
of refources, a regular army of feven or eight legions had been for fome time formed, with an evident purpofe to keep him in awe.
He
of
was threatened
from
thence.
Italy.
Some arrangements too were yet wanting The profefTions which he had made of pacific
were
to be confirmed
and of
by fhowing a
proper refpeft to the forms of the conftitution, and by endeavouring to reftore a government which he had adtually overthrown.
For thefe reafons, Cxfar contented himfelf, for the prefent, with having ordered fhipping to be provided at the port of Brundifium,
that
he might amufe the enemy with appearances of his intending to fide, or that he might be acSlually readyfo,
do
when he had
Notwithftanding his pacific declarations, and his ollentation of clemency on every occafion, the People ftill trembled when
he was
bet>t.
from the
they faw almoft every citizen of reputation and honour obliged to fly feats of government, and, in their place, colledled from
and every character '\ at Thefe variance infamous with the of being perfon had to flocked and were their received by laws of Csefar, country,
him under
multiplying around him, having given orders to fecure Brundifiurn from the fea, and pofted there, and
With
this
company,
ftill
'*
ix.
autem
turpem
quemquam hominem
ep. i. qui hie poteil fe gerere non perditi vita mores ante fafta ratio fufcepti negotii,
focil,
S;c.
univerfos,
&:c.
at
396
THE- PROGRESS
at
AND TERMINATION
BOOK
v .-^-. ,>
Sipontum and Tarentum, each a legion ; and having, ordered fhips from every part of the coafts of Italy and Gaul,, he fet out for Spain, intending, while the troops, with whom he had over-run Italy, took
fome repofe
fervice
in quarters,
who
in Spain
Calpurnius Pifo, although, by his relation to following Pompey, yet would not countenance his fon-in-law fo far
as to
Marcus Lepidus, then of highefl rank who continued in his place ; and befide the Tribunes who had been the inftruments in kindling this war, was the only magiftrate who refigned himfelf intlrely to
city to receive
Praetor,
remain in the
him.
was the
officer
the
vidor's
difpofal.
Among
the
Tribunes,
Csecilius
Metellus,
have followed the Senate, being detained in the though the facred duties of his fundion, had taken his refolution to eity by the with which he was intrufted, in reftraining the negative employ
difpofed to
violations of
a fcene
as^
was now
opened
at
Rome.
hoftilities,
Cicero,
upon
the
commencement of
having
ftill
the
Pompey's
of the republic on the coafts of Campania and Latium. Upon retreat, he remained in this ftation with a mind overperplexity and irrefolution.
whelmed with
to
He
aifect^d refpedl
and
gratitude Pompey, though he furely owed him no obligation, bore him no real affedlion, and blamed him highly for his flight from Italy but in the laft perhaps he only meant to juftify him;
felf for
him
in his retreat,
and for
Pie fmcerely
lamented the
ftate
of the republic,
of which he
now
certaintly
defpaired, and only wiflied to fteer a courfe, the his own reputation and his perfon-
fafeft
he could for
Csefar,
OF THE
Casfar, in the
ROMAN
who
REPUBLIC.
had contributed much
to
2,97
beginning of
this conteft,
CHAP.
perplex
tlie
refolution of Cicero,
generally faw fo
many objeds
in
every qucftion of State, that it was difficult for him to decide between He had been kept undetermined by means of a flatteringthem.
correfpondence,
iii
which
Citfar
made repeated
good
the
offices
way
towards preventing the prefent troubles. Being now in of Cxfar from Brundiiium to Rome, he was honoured with
;
a perfonal interview
fhall
at
He
accordingly, on that occafion, refifted his flattery, and withftooda meeting of the Senate, which Csefar had'
" It vs'ill be Cxfar appeared to be piqued at this refulal fuppofed " and others will be led " he excondemn faid, me," by your you "" " That his cafe was different from that of Cicero replied, ample." " " others who had lefs connedlion with Come, then," Pompey." " and treat of an accommodation with continued Csefar, Pompey."
:
"
'*
Shall
way
?"
"
Who will
war
reftrain
fhall
not be
received ?"
indeed,"
thought fo," replied the other, *' and chofe to abfent myfelf." At parting, Cjefar defired him to con" If " I muft have lider of the matter, you defert me," he faid,
*'
**
know
not what
may
be forced to
do".'"
Upon
Rome, fuch of
the
Senators as were in the city, or in the neighbourhood, afiembled at He opened the meeting by enumerating the wrongs his fummons.
3'
Cicer.
ad Atticum.
he
-39^
BOOK
he had received, and by loading his opponents with the guilt of the " He never had " to war. he prefent aipired," faid, unprecedented " honours. The office of Conful was now again open to him by " the laws of the commonwealth ; and the Roman People had dif" An at to penfed with his perfonal attendance in fuing for it. " this " had been obtained in the faireft and moft purpofe," he laid, " conftitutional manner. Ten Tribunes had concurred in
"
"
it.
His enemies,
it,
length againft
*'
*'
when
this
" the ad, why did he not oppofe it then ? " rob him now of the privilege It beftowed " of the moderation with which he
ing
his
-*'
approved of it,
why
command, while
"
**
on him, to which they themfelves would throw the State into confufion, rather than
of their
own
pretenfions.
falfe
He
obferved,
off
that his
pretence to
call
two legions
army
that they
Tribunes,
who were
guilty of
had violated the facred charadler of the no offence, but that of proteding
;
" him that they had rejected againft the oppreffion of his enemies " all offers of an or of a even conference. accommodation, " He now exhorted the Senate not to defert the commonwealth, " nor to oppofe fuch as, in concert with him, might endeavour to " reftore the government ; but if they fhould fhrink in this arduous " He knew how to adt for tafk, he fliould not prefs it upon them. " himfelf. If his were
opinion
to
now
to
"
fent
Pompey, with
that
would
fpare
" the
He
knew,
"
to his
having any fuch deputation fent to himfelf, confidering fuch " advances 6
OF
**
399
" or of
*'
advances as a conceffion of right in him to whom they were made, fear in thofe who made them. Thefc, he faid, were the
^^
reflections of a narrow mind ; for his own part, as he wifhed to " overcome his enemies in the field, fo he wiflied to excel them in
*'
ats of genei'ofity
and candour."
in
effeiftual meafures to maintain it by force, employed likewife an infmuation, and an eloquence not lefs dangerThs propoials of a treaty were received in this ous than his fword.
;
but no
man was
willing,, after
having
aflifted
at
Gamp.
While
men
clemency
taken in arms againft him, Pompey, fupwith the powers and feverities of the law, himfelf entrufted pofmg thofe to had threatened powers and feverities to the utmoft employ
even to thofe
who were
who
ftaid
behind him
at
Rome.
Fro--
and
ma/facre
of thofe
who
abandoned the
commonpropofed
legal
at his quarters ^\
He
by
fear alone,
government
itfelf,
on
certain
occafions, with
authorities
arts.
and
and of popular
iffue
of a
fair
to corranit his
relied
on the
difficulties
that
were
likely
to occur in the
he prefumed upon tliefe difficulties irf making offers which he did not wifli his enemies to accept. His Intention wastiation
;
or
it
is
pro-,
to
had
really
meant
viii.
ep.
u,
renew
400
renew
-authority,
-propofed.
and might have carried their negotiations farther than he He had ever entertained a ferious averfion to the name
Being altogether indifferent
to public
of every fort, the mediocrity of parts, that muft ever appear in the majority of fuch a body, was to him an objedl of contempt. He had efpoufed the caufe of every fa(fl:ion, of every tumult, of every
criminal againft
them
fubjedl: to their
authority, had propofed, that Pompey himfelffhould tranfport this from Afia to ufurp the government. Even the few Senators,
army
who,
upon
from
the former occafion, from indifference to public queftions, or a difpofition to favour his caufe, had remained in the city, be-
came
his inftruments,
feled to treat
Many of them, though willing to be were not yet formed for his purpofe. When he afthem with refpedl:, they received his addreffes as matter
of right
done.
when he
ferious confideration,
"
He
;
propofed any meafure, they took the matter into and affefted to deliberate of what was to be " now detefts the faid Curio to
Senate,"
Cicero,
more
my
"
*'
he will leave them no authority. I meant to have commiffion by a fiditious decree of that body but he
:
faid, I fliould
hold
it
of himfelf
remnant of a legal affembly the tools of every ungracious or improper meafure he had occafion to
this
make
authority in
money.
Pompey, before he
left
"
-authorifed
or THE
authorifed to
ROMAN
At
REPUBLIC.
commonwealth whatever
he ordered the
to execute
his departure,
401
draw from
money he wanted
whole
to be
this order,
defift,
removed
when
left
him
to
and
repofitories.
him time only to carry away the keys of the publick Casfar now moved the Senate, that the doors fhould
be opened
and that the public money fhould be iffued from thence war *. To this motion the Tribune
;
and
Csefar, difdaining
any
fignificant forms,
to be forced.
of being difappointed of his purpofe, or of rendering himfelf the object of popular deteftation, by violating the facred perfon of a Tribune, from a veneration to which, he himfelf profefled to have
On
his ufual
cha-
his temper,
and threatened
"
is
"
This," he
faid,
eafier for
Meme
"
had
It was thought, that if the Tribune not this ofEcer, but numbers of Senators, and perfifted, only of the more refpedable citizens, whom he confidered as many
enemies and promoters of the Tribune's contumacy, vs'ould have been involved in a general maffacre. " Think not," faid Curio, in " that his relating thefe particulars to Cicero, clemency proceeds from *' temper, or is fecured to you by any real difpofition of his mind. " It is a mere efFedt of his he is indifferent to
policy
;
naturally
it
*'
blood,
and,
if
he
is
kennels*"."
* Dio. Caflius, lib. xli. c. 17
provoked, will
make
to
run in the
&
18.
Cicero ad Atdcum,
lib. x.
ep. 4.
Vol.
II.
The
402
BOOK
Metellus, however,
when
removed.
pofed to
its
have remauied from the time of the rebuilding of Rome after deftrution by the Gauls, and flill kept as a refource for the utmofl
exigency of publick affairs, was now carried off. I have fubdued the Gauls, faid Caefar, and there is no longer any need of fuch provifion He is faid, on this occafion, to have carried off in bars, againft them.
"^
25,000
lb.
of gold, 35,ooolb.
*^
of
filver,
and
in coin,
40,000,000
of violence,
it
He
had propofed
prehending that he might be expofed to infult from fome one in the crowd, he declined that folemnity, even avoided the public view al-
and having pafTed but a few days at Rome, fet out for It was no longer a doubt, that his vicSpain fullen and difpleafed. tories led to the fubverfion of the republic, and of every fpecies of
together,
civil
government whatever
*^
this
left
Marcus Emilius Lepidus, who, as has been obfer%'ed, was at time Prxtor, and the officer of higheft rank then at Rome, was
to govern in the city.
forces in Italy
;
the
command
his
of Caefar's
power, treat-
ing perfons of the moft refpelable condition with great infolence, and indulging himfelf in all the extravagance of debauch, for which
his genius appears to
According
4
;^
fitted,
to
*^
o 4
4
ep. 4.
^1,095,982
45 Cic. ad Au.
lib. X.
mal
OF THE
mal apprehenfions of the
ROMAN
public.
REPUBLIC.
faid to
403
He
is
with Citheride, a celebrated adrefs, Italy himfelf in an open litter, followed by feven other carriages replenifhed with courtezans, and
even attended by
Clodius,
his wife
Fulvia, the
widow of
who,
and partake with him in at his infidelities, and connived military power,
The whole, a lively fpecimen a part in this fcandalous train *^ of the purpofe for which the accomplices of Cataline, and many of the followers of Csefar wiihed to be mafters of the republic, and a
made
foretafte
lic,
fo
made Soon
of the wanton caprice with which this overgrown republong a prey to outrageous fadion, was now likely to be the fubjed and the fport of a military ufurpation.
after hoftilities
mand
CjEfar,
had commenced, Cotta had been fent to comand Cato to command in Sicily.
when about
to carry the
war
it
neceflary,
Pompey's
Having ftationed
Dolabella, with C. Antonius, on the coaft of lUyricum, he ordered Valerius, with a proper force, into Sardinia, and Curio, with three
attack Cato in Sicily. legions, to
The
in his
of
Caefar's officers
was appointed,
obliged
him
had occupied
name of the
republic.
command
in Sicily,
and
while there were any hopes of a negotiation, remained at Capua, then the quarters of Pompey, in order to give his affiftance in formfor ing an accommodation, the leaft ruinous that could be obtained into On went he ihe commonwealth. Pompey's retreat into Apulia,
&
xiii,
3 F 2
Sicily,
404
BOOK
and the province being unprovided with every means of dehe fence, gave orders to repair, and to build fhips in all the ports of the ifland, and in thofe of the neighbouring coaft of Italy. He had
Sicily,
likewife ordered
all
but
able to affemble
any
force,
when Curio
landed at Mef-
the ifland.
expofe the
on
this
any attempts to refift this force would only of a few well-afFeded citizens or fubjeds, who might occafion be difpofed to fupport him as an officer of the relives
Senfible that
public,
from the
This
officer
complained particularly of the defencelefs flate in which he had fuffered the republic to be furpriied in all its pofl^efTions.
this occafion,
Csefar,
who no
citizen,
and of his own enemy againfl: Pompey, rcprefents Cato as complain^ ing that he was betrayed, that the Senate had been deceived, and that
the
war
itfelf
was unnecelTary
an
officer
''^
The condud
ftate
as a citizen, but as
of
and
as a foldier, has
;
fured in
many
parts of this
memorable
conteft
when
and
C:Efar himfelf
it is
is
faid to
and
him more,
if
in exe-
cuting this refolution, inftead of paffing into Macedonia, he had gone to the head of his army in Spain. His celebrated faying, in leaving
Brundifium,
*'
when he was
implied an opinion to
general who
about to carry the war into that country, " " from this go," he faid, ha&no army, to an army that has no general."
this purpofe,
We
Cxfar's
own
tioned, in affigning
'
what appeared
Caef.
to
lib.
de Bell. Civ.,
condud.
OF THE
eondu(51:,
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
;
405
and the more, that without ading defign, and In which he embraced. meafui'es forced to the talking of orfuddenly
greateft ability
dinary men, we may err in imputing too much to defign and concert ; but with refpedt to Csefar, the miftake to be feared, is not perceiving
felf
the whole extent of his forefight and plan. He at once armed himwith a military force, and artfully guarded the appearances under
-
which he was
to ufe
it.
When
againft him, he feemed to be caught unprepared to refift ; but the Senate was ftill lefs prepared to attack. He had artfully avoided giving
them any caufe of fufpicion, by any unneceflary aflemblage of forces on the fide of Italy, while he had fufficient ftrength to take the full
which they were thrown by his firft meditating the invafion of Rome with an army, he contrived an incident, in the flight of the Tribunes, to make it apbenefit of the confternation into
alarm.
Though long
pear the
caufe.
efFel
When we
Mark Antony was the Tribune who no doubt that Ccefar had his choice of
of his
it
At
moil
that
army
flill
remained
beyond
the Alps,
and
likely to be
wanted
confiderable difficulty
would probably arife in the war, from the veteran legions which for Pompey, and which were ftationed under Afranius
in Spain
*'.
If thefe legions had attempted to pafs the of Csefar in to was ftationed Gaul army intercept them, and he was accordingly fecure of being able to finifla the war
Pyrennees, the
in Italy, without
was effeded,
his
any interruption from thence. When this fervice army in Gaul remained in the moft advantageous
this chapter.
'
pofitlonj
4o6
BOOK
from which
to enter
likely to
become the
The
antagonifts of
difpofitions, and perfectly fecure before hoftilities commenced, were completely Turprifed, overwhelmed, and routed in every quarter
on which they attempted to make any defence. Armies indeed had been formed in Italy, according to the faying of Pompey, at
that ferved the purpofe of thejiamp of his foot ; but they were armies his enemies, not that of the republic, or his own; and though
raifed to fecure Italy againft Cxfar,
itfelf
became
in the redudtion
of Italy
an acceffion to his force, and were ready to be fent in feparate divifions to occupy different provinces of the empire in his name ; infomuch, that while Coefar himfelf, with the flrength of the veteran
legions with which he had conquered Gaul, haftened into Spain to reduce what was the moft formidable part of his rival's power, his officers
were detached with feparate bodies of thefe newly acquired troops, into Sardinia, Sicily, and Africa.
vifited his
nor fought for occafions of war, as Caefar, in and inure them tofervice, had done in Gaul, had neverthelefs formed
a great military eflabllfliment, confifting of feven Roman legions, with five thoufand horfe, and eighty cohorts of provincial infantry,
equal in
number
to eight legions
more
to
be-
protradted in
Italy,
Gaul
ac-
or obliged
him
to defend himfelf
He
cordingly, inftead of bringing into Italy the legions that lay in the low countries, or the interior parts of his province, had moved them only
to the
neighbourhood of 'Narbonne, to be near the confines of Spain, from which this ftorm was to be dreaded ; and meant, if the fuccefs
his affairs in Italy fhould
of
admit of
it,
that thefe
legions ihould
crofs
OF THE
orofs the Pyrennees,
pofleffions.
ROMAN
fix the fcene
REPUBLIC.
of the war amidft his
rival's
407
^
and
^ ^
P.
Spain had been formerly divided Into two provinces, under two but the whole being united under Pomfeparate Roman governors ;
pey, was committed by him to three lieutenants, Varro, Petreius, The firft commanded, from the river Guadiana and Afranius.
weftward
*'
and
Gallicia
the fecond,
;
mountains of Murcia
and the
from thence
after the
to the Pyrennees.
Soon
in Italy,
Pompey
Varro afFeled indifference prepare for the defence of their province. in the quarrel, or an equal regard to the oppofite parties concerned An accident, he faid, had placed him under the command of in it.
Pompey
The
other two,
from regard to the commonwealth, or from fidelity mander in chief, engaged with more zeal in the caufe.
vince, while they themfelves
to their
comdeter-
They
drew the
;
and by occupying the paffes of the mountains, or fome ftrong poll on the Ebro, endeavoured to defend
the country entrufted to their care, until Pompey fhould either arrive in perfon to take the command on himfelf, or until, having rallied
his forces in
into Italy.
Macedonia, he fhould bring the fcene of the war again, For this purpofe, they took poll at Ilerda '", a place of
Afranius with three legions, Petreius
five
ftrength
Portugal.
Lerida.
Such
4o8
BOOK
\
difpofitions that
rival
were making
in the
In Spain,
when
Caefar,
from
Italy,
city,
manner above
related,
army
in the province of
Narbonne.
pofleffion
of that
gonifts,
and ihut
tribes in
lony, after having long defended their fettlement againft the rude their neighbourhood, had placed themfelves at laft unde
Romans
all
their
immu-
nities, and an exemption from all the burdens of a Roman province. Cxfar propofed to have entered their city as a neutral place, and to
prevail
itfelf,
on the
citizens to receive
and of
all
him, cited the examples of Rome who had opened their gates,
of Marfeilles made
divided
To
Romans were
muft
among
neu-
of either party within their walls ; and that in the prefent cafe particularly, they lay under fuch high obligations to the leaders of both parties, that they muft carefully
as not to receive the forces av^oid giving offence to either.
It
anfwer was
way
to Spain,
and had
fully relied.
a meflage from Pompey, with afluranccs of fupport; on which they The receipt of this mefllige, was followed by a refolution to admit the officers and
men
and
Domitius Ahencbarbus, after he had been difmifTed fi'om CorfiiyuiD, no ways affected by the oftentatious clemency of Caefar, had,
in
OF THE
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
V,
'
409
appointment to the government of Gaul, repaired to that province, railed feme troops, with which he was expensed to take pofleffion of Marfeilles, and adually, in a few days
in purfuance of the Senate's
CHAP.
^
anfwer was given to CLcfar, entered the harbour of that with feven ihips, and fome land forces on board. Upon his arplace the rival, people of this republic called in to their affiftance the force
after this
repaired their
in fabricating
arms
; employed many hands and took every other precaution that was necef-
them
to
make
a vi-
gorous defence,
Cccfar being greatly provoked, invefted the
three legions
prepared to
allail it at
He
and
that
from the
fea to
Decimus Brutus.
While he was making thefe preparations, a report prevailed that Pompey was pafhng the feas into Africa, and intended, with the troops
which were
in that province,
and
body of Numidian
his
cavalry, to
It is
army
in Spain,
pro-
He
appears at
leafl to
it
have
extremely
fomewhat alarmed.
As
if
the profpedt
of meeting with Pompey, having under his diredion and regular foixe, had rendered him doubtful of the
a well-appointed
affedlions of his
by himfelf on this occafion, which may be confidered as a fpecimen of his addrefs, and of the influence which he employed with his army. He borrowed money
artifice pralifed
own men,
he mentions an
from the officers, and gave it in gratuities to the foldiersj thus taking a pledge for the fidelity of the one, and purchiiang that of the others
by
his bounty.
Vol.
II.
While
410
Narbonne, to adwere open or flightly guarded, to penetrate into Spain, and occupy fome advantageous ftation on the frontier of that country. This officer accordingly, hav;
who commanded
and
if the
ing forced the pafTes of the Pyrennees, penetrated to the Segra, or, as it was then called, the Sicoris ; and took pofl on the right of this
river, in the front
commuto
which he had
pafled,
and
keep
the
it,
at
from each
other.
By
thefe communications,
he was
with provifions ; and as the Spanifh army had an eafy accefs by the bridge of Ilerda to intercept his fupplies, it was neceffary to cover every convoy and foraging party with numerous
chiefly fupplied
and powerful
efcorts.
Two
intire
legions,
body of cavalry.
the cavalry was
After the
entered
river,
by a and
on the bridge,
broke
dov\Ti,
and de-
who were already over, of any commimication with The timber and wreck of the bridge floating by the the camp. town of Ilerda, gave the enemy intimation of what had happened,
prived thofe
and fuggefted the defign to fcour the country on the left of the Segra, with a powerful detachment, in order to intercept any parties who
might by
this accident
Tor
Afranius marched with four legions, and might have taken or deftroyed thofe xvho remained under Plancus on the
this purpofe,
L'ft
of the river,
if this officer
had not
refift
retired to a height,
on which
his
the fuperior
numbers of
enemy.
In the
mean
"t
OF THE
his
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
two legions more by the
the appearance of this rein-
411
difpatched
On
forcement, Afranius, whofe plan in the prefent campaign was altogether defenfive, thought proper to retire, without hazarding an adllon, which he might be expofed to a too hafty decifion of the caufe.
in
Two
days after
this
dred horfe, arrived in the camp of Fabius. Having examined the fituation of both armies, and ordered the bridge on the Segra to be
rebuilt,
he proceeded
as ufual to at
on the
offenfive,
and
to
occupy
by
form any defigns of their ownIt was his fortune, indeed, in this and other periods of the prefent war, to need a fpeedy decifion, which made him take meafures that
which he
left
them no
leifure to
forced his enemies to remain on the defenfive, and infpired his jijea
own
it
ha$
verify
itfelf.
In a few days after his arrival, he advanced with his army in three divifions to the foot of the hill on which the Spanlfh army was ento camped, and while they continued to obferve, and endeavoured make to a and he began to break ground, penetrate his intentions, not be That his purpofe might lodgment for himfelf in that place. he kept the firft was work the until coTifiderably advanced, known,
and fecond
lines under arms, and ordered the third, without raifing a parapet, or planting their palifades, to fink a ditch fifteen feet wide, and of a fuihcient length to cover his front. This being done, he re-
tired
with his whole army behind it, and ordered them to lie upon their arms all night. Under cover of this temporary entrenchment, he on
the following day completed the ufual fortifications of his camp, and
his army, which till then brought forward the tents and baggage of former on his a under had remained ground. proper guard or Being now In pofTeflion of a poft within four hundred paces,
lefs
4^2
^
>
^IV.
V
which lay between their camp and the town of Ilerda, extending about three lumdred pacer., and moftly plain, with a fmal?
height in the middle of
it,
he formed a projedt to
their
magazines and ftores in Ilerda, propofed to cut off their communication with the town. In this view, he drew up a of three in a body legions proper pofition,
and knowing
that the
enemy lodged
from which
'*
from
from
their colours,
fpeed to gain the height which he intended to occupy. movement of this body explained his defign to the
inftantly put
all
The fudden
in
camp
motion
to prevent
cfFeds.
Having
a nearer
feflion of the height before they came up, repulfed and beat them back to their main body. Here too, they purfued their advantage ; and as they rufhed with little regard to order, but with an appearance of undaunted courage, on the flanks as well as the front of the
legions
which Cxfar had advanced, they put the whole in fome decree of confufion, and forced them back to the heights in their rear. While the leaders of the Spanifh army probably committed an
error in not redoubling their blow, or remained in fufpence, Csefar ilTued from his camp with a frefh legion to fupport the flying divifion
of his army, obliged the enemy to retire in their turn, and having overtaken them before they could reach their camp, obliged them ta take refuge under the walls of the town.
it
The ground at the foot of thefe walls was was by lanes and narrow Thither ways. Cxfar had renewed the aftion, flufhed with
enemy, and got
into a fituation in
lofs.
fteep,
and the
accefs to
whom
The
lib. i.
c.
4j.
their
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
likely to enfue
413
engagement was
to Csefar.
leaft
poffible appearance of he ordered a general charge, and having drove his antagonifts before him to the foot of the wall, he founded a retreat from thence, and brought off his men, before the enemy could rally or re-
difgrace,
turn to th purfuit.
In
this
manner, Csefar
;
retired to his
camp with
confiderable
Lift
lofs,
and
impreflion he
made on
himfelf.
the
In a few days after this mifcarriage, the army of Cacfar iuffered a worfe and more alarming calamity. The fummer being far advanced, and the fnow on the Pyrennees melting, all the rivers which are fupplied from thence, rofe of a fudden to their greateft height.
The
Segra carried off both the bridges ereded by Fabius, and baffled were ufed to reftore them. As often as any
attempt was made for this purpofe, the work was interrupted by thie enemy from the oppofite bank, or the materials were fwept away
by
the flood.
no longer
furnifli
to Cocfar's
camp.
About
army began
horfe,
confifting of
many
carriages, efcorted
and accompanied with many officers and perfons of diftindion, who came to witnefs the glories of this campaign, the whole, together with their attendants ajid equi-
by
a large
body of Gaulifh
page,
amounting to about fix thonfand men, were attacked by Afranius, and with great lofs obliged to take refuge in the neighIn
bouring mountains.
414
camp
fliil-
a peck.
were
fruftrated
by
by the
vigilance of the
enemy.
As
fnow
in the
fummer, and
their magazines in
enemy were plentifully fupplied from the town of Ilerda, or had, by the bridge of
that place, an open communication with the fertile country which is now named Catalonia on their right, Cxfar could have no immediate
profped; of
their
relief.
The
Spanifh
in
advantage
perfons,
to
all
and
Macedonia.
Many
who had
levied
were
now
and
determined.
Varro began
entire
to exert himfelf in
his province,
two
new
legions
in the
name of Pompey.
Many
haftened from Italy into Macedonia, to be the carriers of fuch agreeable tidings, or to have the merit of declaring themfelves of the
of the war yet remained in any party of the republic, while the ilTue degree of fufpence.
The
ful
;
and,
by the overweening
fecurity
infpire,
facilitate the changes of fortune in his favour. Afranius and Petreius, while they trufted to the ordinary courfe of the feafons, were not fufficiently upon their guard againft the fuperior refources of fo able
an adverfary. They fuffered him to build, unobferved, a number of boats, upon a conftrudion which his workmen had learned in
*' Little
more than
a pect.
Britain
OF THE
Britain
;
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
H
,.
415.
C having a keel in the ordinary form, and fome timbers of of plank, finiflied between thefe ftrength on the fides ; but, inftead timbers with bafket-work and covered with hides. Thefe veffels being
>
P;
of eafy carriage, were tranfported by land about twenty miles above Caefar's camp ; and in a firft embarkation ferried over a party fufficicnt
to
make
force this party, until, having an entire legion intrenched on that fide, he ventured to employ his carpenters openly in conftrudling a bridge
which they began at once from both fides of the river. This work was completed in two days, and again gave him accefs to the left of theSegra,. where he furprifed fome of the enemy's parties, and procured immeby a fupply of provifions to his own camp. About the time that Csfar had effeted this change in the ftate of his army, he had news of a naval fight on the coaft of Gaul, in.diate relief
which
his fleet,
my, and given a fpeedy profpedl of the redudlion of Marfeilies. This report, together with the difappointment he had recently given to the
hopes of his enemies, had
at
once
all
made
him
of fanguine expedation, funk into a proportional degree of defpondency, and became fo much in awe of his fuperior condud:, that they abandoned the country on the left of the Segra to his foragers,, and
never ventured, except in the night, to go abroad for the neceflary Thefe events afFedted the natives of fupplies of their own camp.
the country in a
quarter to
ftill
make
provifions, or in feconding
him
now become
his allies,,
ofFenfive, and.
new
alarms for the enemy. His firft objedl was to render all times pradticable ; and as he had failed:
^io
BOOK
y_
, -
_.
from tlie town of Ilerda, puipofe of feparating the Spaniih army of the his command he now propofed to extend country, and to form
la his
a
chain of pods, by which he might circumfcrlbe the town wliich depended upon it. together with the enemy's camp,
itfelt,
The
and he experienced the iirfecurity of fuch communications over torfuch force and i'o much inequality from the rents, which came with
mountains.
Inftead,
any more
to render the river fordable, by feparating its bridges, he propbfed courfe into many different channels ; and for this purpofe made a
number of
ceive as
cuts,
much
of about thirty feet deep, through the plain, to reof the waters of the Segra as might fufficiently drain
The enemy,
rations,
as foon as
They
foreliiw that
Cxfar, having
the paffage of the river fecured, might command its oppofite banks below, as well as above the town of Ilerda, block up the bridge of that
place, and, with
tlie
late defciftion
of
its
inhabitants,
it
was ready
to fupport
him
in all
his defigns,
diflrefs
might have
in his
fupplies,
and
To remove
to retire
from
a fituation in
which they were expofed to fo many abandon their prefent flation, and
beyond the Ebro, where the people, either from fear or affedion, were ftill in their intereft. They proceeded to the execution of this purpofe with
much feeming
Having
river
fixed
upon
a proper place at
all
to lay a bridge over the the boats, within a certain diftance on that
to
which
They
employ
OF
employ
treat,
4^7
to take.
As
all
movement
in filing off
tov^^n
from
their prefent
encamp-
their baggage, was likely to detain them fome time in prefence of the enemy, and expofed them to the attacks of his cavalry and light troops, they intended no more, on the firft day, than to file
off by the bridge and they fixed on a poft at which they might halt on the left of the Segra, and make the proper difpofitions to con;
occupy and
to fecure.
thefe preparatory fteps, they decamped, defiled without moleftation through the town of Ilerda, and came to the ground on which they had taken care to fecure their reception ; here they halted until the middle of the night, when they again were in
Having taken
motion.
They had
hills,
a plain of
a ridge of
way
to the Ebro.
;
They might
be expofed
enemy.
who
Thither they accordingly direded their march ; but Cxfar, had.obferved their intentions, and who had fo far fucceeded in his
it
greater part of his cavalry. In the beginning of the night, with orders to hang upon the rear of the enemy, and by all poflible means to
retard their progrefs.
This fervice the cavalry performed with fo much fuccefs, that break of day the Spanifli army, in confequence of the frequent interruptions they had received, were ftill to be feen from Cxfar's
at
as often as the
obferved
to
Vol.
II,
4i8
BOOK
when
the
enemy
and were purfued in their turn. The army of Ca;far being ipedtators of this fcene became extremely impatient, and with the
to be led againft the greateft ardour prefled
enemy. Even officers and begged they might be allowed to try the ford they obferved of what confequence it was, that an enemy who had been driven with fo much labour from one poll, fliould
crowded
to their general,
they might renew the war. Cxfar, affeifting to be moved by thefe reprefentations, and to be to do what it Is probable he earneftly defired, inprevailed upon
ftantly
made
He
fele<fled
the leaft
of every cohort for the guard of the camp ; firm and vigorous placed lines of horfe in the river above and below the ford, to break
the force of the ftream, and to fave thofe
men
who might
lofs
be overpowered
by
manner he
without the
of a man.
They
make, in order to avoid the tovv'n of Ilerda ; but notwithftanding this delay, and the advantage which Afranius and Petreius had gained by beginning their march at mid-
had a
night,
and by
It
by
Cxfar advanced, that they overtook the enemy's rear about three In the afternoon, and occafioned at once a general halt In every part of their column.
Petreius and Afranius, ftunned
at
the
head of
receive
adllon.
him
by the unexpe(Sl:ed arrival of Ca^far whole army, formed on a rlfmg ground to and both armies feemed to prepare for immediate
his
But
Ca^far,
knowing
retreat,
enemy were
neceflary to attack
them
OF THE
tliem
ROMAN
;
REPUBLIC.
his
419
^
when
^^,
in order of battle
he took
H A
P.
them
(.-^__^
make
to
change
puHi them
into
all
march
fatigue of fo
many
to halt
than
and wait for the return of night. They had now no more on the plain, and hoped, by a rapid motion in
the night, to traverfe this fpace before Csefar could overtake them, or
them
to halt
any where
on their ground for the night, were brought to Csefar gave information that the enemy were in motion, and muft in a little time be fo far advanced as to reach the hills before he could give them any effedlual
parties appeared to be fixed
when fome
prifoners that
On this fudden emergence, although his army was by no means ready to march, he ordered every trumpet to found, as if he were adually in motion. This feint, however flight, had its effecH: ^
trouble.
the
enemy
when
gage
halt.
fignal
to
firft
part
of their plan, which had been fo reafonably formed, began to lofe and the following courage, and remained on this ground all night,
'Jiift
The want
with that
it
day
420
So
far,
how-
march by day than by night ; and in this a fecond night in the prefent pofition.
vifit
which they were to pafs, found it pradicable to turn their flank and get to the hills before them. He accordingly moved in the
night,
and
at
camp, he appeared on
break of day, before the enemy judged it fafe to detheir right but feeming to retire, and to leave
;
them
at
So long
as his
march had
were pleafed to think that he had moved for want of provifions, and applauded themfelves for having patiently But as foon as he had got a fufficient waited fo joyful an event.
way
lofs
to his left,
to
poflSble fpecd
he changed his diredlion, and marched with all reach the mountains. They were no longer at a
defign, or the danger with
to perceive his
felves
were threatened.
And
moved
vent him.
In
certain of
one or other
of two great advantages j either that he fhould reach the pafs of the mountains before the enemy, and fo cut off their retreat or, if they got there before him, that he fhould be left in pofTeffion of their
;
camp and
their baggage.
firfl
He
trial
of
of thefe advantages by being before them at the afcent of the mountains, where he found a ledge or terras that was
fufficiently capacious to receive his
command
of the
pafs.
Afranius, on feeing CxCixr in pofTeflion of this ground, fent a confiderable party to try the afcent of the mountains at a different place,
and
to gain the
way was
pra^icablcj
OF
421
pradlcable, he might follow with his whole army, and defcend from But the party he employed on this fervice was,
CHAP.
' ,
by
Csefar's horfe,
and put to
of the army, without making any attempt to refcue their friends, beheld this fcene with a kind of torpid dejedtion.
the fword.
reft
The
They dropped
of Csefar,
their arms,
The
troops
who
became
to a degree of
fenfible that the
mutiny impatient
adion
enemy might
;
in that
moment
greatcft advantage
but as he
now
to reduce
them without
a blow, he
opportunity, however unlikely to avail them, of making their efcape by the chance of a battle. While he endeavoured accordingly to
reftrain the unfeafonable ardour of his
own men,
and
retire
left in
with
theirs,
them back
to
and of baggage, which they had been abandon, in order to efTed their efcape.
C^efar having
left
'
proper guards to fecure the pafles of the mountains, followed the enemy, and took poft, as before, fo near them, that they could not move without being expofed to his infults.
In this pofition of the two armies, the centinels and advanced
which they were engaged, and both officers and men becoming by degrees more familiar, met between the lines, and even exchanged vifits in their oppoute camps. Officers of the
unhappy
quarrel in
Spanilh army proceeded fo far as to talk of an accommodation, and got over their fcruples in treating without proper authority from their
generals,
in
by propofmg to ftipulate fome honourable terms the peace which they propofed to conclude,
for
them
C^far
422
BOOK
IV.
at a circumftance
his
correfpondence, and, however irregular, which he hoped his fuperior popularity fortune, would turn to his own account.
He
he might now deprive his of Pompey antagonifts of the army they had formed in the field to oppofe him.
in Italy, fo
The Spanifh
on
executino*
remained for fome time unapprized of the diforderly correfpondence fubfifting between the two armies and ; Afranius, when he came to the knowledge of what was
to fecure their accefs to water, paffing,
feemed
but Petreius was greatly alarmed, ran with the officers and the guard who ufually attended
it
;
to obferve
his perfon to
all
thofe
who
were found
in conference together,
fell
and put
all
army v/ho
in his
way
to
the fword.
through the camp, and with tears exad:ed from every legion apart frefh oaths of fidelity to Pompey. He afterwards affembled the whole
at
the ufual place of audience, before the general's tent ; and in a fpeech, compofed of infinuation and reproach, endeavoured to con-
firm them in their duty ; and, to the end that he might effedually cut off all hopes of conciliation, ordered all the foldiers of Ca^far's
fore
his
officers
and.
men
of the
Spanifh army in his camp, might have retaliated thefe ads of febut he chofe rather to contrafl the charader of verity he
;
clemency
himfelf had affumed, with the auftere and mercilefs policy of his
enemies
and for
this
officers
or
men
own
Afranius
OF THE
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
irregular prac-
423
^
^\^^
^'
delivered up to the enemy, tices, having efcaped the difgrace of being to be treated at his difcretion, or to be fpared only as objeds of pity
at the interceffion of their
but by perfevering in their refiftance, they only enabled their adversary to give ftill more evident proofs of his fuperiov fkill and addrefs.
They were
tained;
it
be long main-
neceffity,
had been taken, in their hafte to reach the mountains, from as an immediate refpite from the attacks of an enemy who
their
annoyed
march
ficult accefs
to water,
to
be fupplied being expofed to the difcharge of arrows, darts, and Their bread, which they had calother mifliles from the enemy. whole route to the Ebro was near exculated to ferve them on the
haufted, and they had
by which they might fooneft get beyond reach of an enemy who They hefitated whether prefled them with fuch unremitted alarms.
they fhould return to Ilerda, where they ftill had fome magazines, '' on their left, at .the diftance of or fhould attempt to reach Tarraco
about
fifty
,
miles.
The
would be expofed
laft
to Cxfar's
and they chofe the firft, as promifmg the neareft and moft im; mediate rel'ief from their prefent diftreffes. They accordingly, without
their
march
to Ilerda.
The Spanifh infantry v/ere now^ more expofed than they had been on any of their former marches ; for their cavalry had been i'o often difcomfited, and had loft courage fo much, that they could not
be kept to their place in the column, lind were now actually received for fafety into the centre of the infantry ; the rear v/as therefore
"
Tarragona,
cruelly
j^:4
'i^HE
cruelly
annoyed by Cxfar's
his
legions. In aicending the lieights, which were frequent in their way, they had tlie better of the enemy, by throwing their javelins and darts
to purfue
and with
this
they made
a (land
;
on every
tage being taken againft themfelves, they generally ran in great difAnd in this manner, the ground being uneven, order to the plains. their march confided of alternate flops and precipitate flights, extremely
fatiguing,
and
likely to
end in a general
retiring
rout.
prevent this fatal confearmy, form upon a rlfing ground, and quence, thought proper again attempted a ftratagem to amufe the enemy, and to gain fome
leaders
to
The
of the
to
For
this
purpofe, affeding to
in the place
where they
halted,
they threw up a breaft-work, but neither pitched their tents nor unloaded their baggage, and were ready to depart the moment their
purfuer gave them an opportunity, by quitting the order of march. Cdefar, trufting to the effedts of his late attacks, and to the appearances which the enemy prefented, had no fufpicion of their purpofe,
gave orders to pitch, and even fufFered his cavalry to feparate in This was no fooner obferved from the Spaniih parties to forage.
army, than they inftantly refumed their march. noon, and they made fome way undlflurbed.
Csefar feeing himfelf over-reached,
It
inftantly put his legions in without their tents or motion, ftriking packing their baggage, and orders for him as foon as they could the to follow leaving cavalry
rear.
He
was
in this fituation
when
with double ardour their former operations, obliged the Spaniih army
again to fufpend their march, and, in defpair, to take fome refpite
from
OF
ing again in a
425
hy haltwhich
harafled,
examine, and
in
much
expofed.
fair
On
this
ground
Cazfar
had again a
the war by a battle ; and, with little doubt of the event, to terminate this unfortunate of in his he but army to furforcing purpofe perfifted In this mind to himfelf he conhazard lofs or render without any
tinued to obferve
them with
They
foon became fenfible of the great difadvantage of the pofition in which they had halted, and endeavoured to change it, without ex-
pofmg themfelves
to the
enemy, who was fo near as to be able to motion they attempted to make ; for this pur-
new intrenchment
in their rear,
and
their
"..
fortrefs,
changed
fituation
under the
the night
tliey
pofition, in
frefh-
which
were
kfs expofed enemy ; inconveniency, till then unobferved, in the great diftance to which they were removed
but fubjedl to a
from water.
As foon
till
as this d'efeft
vfas
perceived,
after
in
his
man
ventured abroad for water, and they remained all night under dreadful appreheniions of vs'hat they might fuffer from this diftrefs.
On
v\ratering-plaee, and,
fupply themfelves with this neceflary article. They were fuffered to avail themfelves of this temporary relief; but none attempted to
after,-
own.
i.
8l,
Vol.
it.
3 I
linmedlate
426
^
^^
?v
<
leflen
their
While they endeavoured, by means of thefe temporary expedients, to await the event of any change that might offer in their favour, Caefar formed
a defign to cut off all their hopes at once by a line of circumvallation. In conduding or covering this work, his legions were commonly
under arms.
And
him
the
enemy,
fenfible
likely to be reduced,
;
and there might have decided their fate by an But they had no courage left ; the
a fenfe
diflruft
of
inferiority,
ading upon the defenfive had imprefled them with and their frequent mifcarriages had made them
officers.
Though now
in a ftate of fuffering,
extricate
thing but the blood of their enemies could avenge, they, without
making any
trenchment.
diftreffes in a little
time became
After four days had pafTed in their camp without water or fuftenance of any fort, their leaders defired an interCasfar; and, not to expofe themfelves in fo
view with
ftate
humbling a
of either army, begged that their meeting might be held apart from both. The conference was accepted; but Caefar would not allow it to be held in any private place he infifted that
:
to the troops
Afranius and Petreius fhould meet him in the fpace between the two iirmies ; and having previoufly demanded, as an acknowledgment of
his vitory, that the fon of Afranius fhould be delivered
ftage,
up
as
an ho-
he came
by multitudes
Afranius pleaded in behalf of the troops he commanded, that they had done no more than their duty to Pompey, and no more than the fervice of the province in which they had been ftationed re-
quired
OF THE
;
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
to
427
but acknowledged the diflrefles quired and implored the vidor's clemency.
obftinate animofity to
himfelf,
and with
cent men,
and that of being defirous " That in unnatural an amicable manner. to terminate this quarrel
embraced
their fellow-citizens as friends,
**
army," he
faid,
raifed
" "
*'
*'
purpofe of making war upon him^ For this purpofe numerous fleets had been equipped in times of profound peace, and kven.
entire legions,
officers,
pretence
;
*' *' **
*'
of a war
that
was concerted
to
in order to raife
one
citizen
of arrangement had taken place, by which a perfon remaining at the gates of Rome, governing in the city " and in every diftrit of Italy, might likewife have the command in
powers, a
new
fpecies
" two warlike provinces, and be allowed a great " in time of on the
profound peace
military eftablifliment
"
diflrefs himfelf,
; that, contrary, in order to the ordinary rules of the fervice had been fet afide ;
" and
"
**-
that to
him
granted to every citizen who faithfully ferved the republic, the privilege of retiring, if not diHinguifhed with honours, at leaft
injuries and aifi-onts ; that he had borne " thefe indignities, however, with patience, and mentioned them " now, not as a prelude to any feverities which he meant to inflidt, " nor as an excufe for any Angular advantage he meant to take of
**
*'
that he
his
that
not to ferve his enemies for the future againft him to take any a<^ive part on his fide
"
that
42S
B
Q O K
*'
this
man were moft dangerous to tlie ftate he attacked. It is probable that many of his prefent audience were as much convinced by his eloquence, as they had been fubdued by his military fkill, and
fmgular
thought him a perfon no lefs forced to his prefent extremities by the wrongs he had fuffered, than able to do himfelf juftice by the force
of his arms-
late partizans
of his
To
moft
faithful fervices
was
that a
favour at the hands of a victorious enemy, by whom they expeded to be treated as captives, gave hidden and unexpedled joy.
After the material articles were adjufted in this manner, fomc
queftions arofe with refpedl to the time and place in which the vanNumbers of quifhed army fhould be difmiffed from their colours.
them, though
Roman
citizens,
in Spain,
and were
from
was determined,
march
to the
fhould be difbanded immediately; the others fet free, and not be fubjed to be
Csefar undertook to fupply
their efFeds, if
preffed into
any
fervice whatever.
them
He ordered
them.
any were
camp, paid his own foldiers a high price for what they were in this manner defired to reftore. By this meafure he gained feveral advantages ; he lightened his baggage ; he made a gratification to his own men, without the impufound
in his to be reftored to
He
tation of bribery
rofity.
The
and he gained
his late
theiv
K
Plate
'V^/fv/it/n^/l,tj/e4'3S.
/cZ^:,/
IIfi:ATBE
oii.fh.e
OF THE
tlielr
It
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
their
429
officers.
own
^ A
P.
mankind
to refift fo
much
ability,
infinuation,
About
in Spain
;
army were
difmifled
from
their colours
; who, being' thus leand rear, always encamping clofe to their parated to to the frontiers of prifoners, led them, in terms of the capitulation, Cifalpine Gaul '*.
While the main body of Cxfar's army thus condudled the remains
of the Spanifh legions to the place of their deftination, Varro yet remained in the weflern province of Spain ; and Csefar, in order either to efFet a conjundtion which had been concerted between them,
or to force
him
to fin-render, fent Quintus Caffius with two legions and himfelf followed with an efcort of fix hundred
the report of his approach, the natives, as ufual, having taken their refolution in favour of the fuccefsful party, declared '' One of the legions of Varro that lay at Gades adfor the vitor.
Upon
to Hifpales to receive vancing in form with their colours, came forward himfelf agreed to furVarro their fervices. of offer made and him,
commanded, both_by fea and by land, and was Here Cxfar held a general convention of the
province;
lliewn to
and having thanked the people for the favours they had his caufe, he remitted the contributions, and withdrew all the
burdens which Varro, ading under the authority of Pompey, had imIn this, as in other examples, he endeavoured to pofed upon them. the fears which his enterprife at firll had occafioned, and fecured
difpel
jdom which
5*
his fuccefs
eafe
fleets
and armies
''
Now
Cadiz.
Virhich
430
2 O
of the war.
He
left,
under the
command of Quintus
and he himfelf embarking troops which had been levied by Varro on board a fleet which had been fitted out for his enemies, went by fea to Tarraco, now Tarragona, and from that place by land, to
Narbonne and
Marfeilles.
OF THE
ROMAN
CHAP.
REPUBLIC.
431
VI.
I'he Siege
DiElator.
of Marfeilles continued,^Its furrender. Cafar named Return to Rom at Placentta. Mutiny Ccefar
Forces
pey.-Departure
divifton
of Cafar
to
to
Brundifium.
of
his
army
Acroceraunus.
Mejfage
Pompey, and
Cafar.
His Retreat,
The Lhies of Dyrrachium. Cafar ABion and Defeat of March of both Annies into Theffaly.
Battle of Pharfalia,
TH
city of Marfeilles
left
to the forces
which
Cxfar had
Brutus to befiege it. Brutus, according to the difpofition which had been made to block up the place by fea, as well as by land, was ftationed under the ifland at the mouth of the bay. His fquadron
confifled of twelve fhips, but fo haftily built, that
no more than
thirty days had elapfed from the felling of the timber to the launching of the velTels. They were manned, however, with the choice
of
Casfar's legions
their antagonifts
might have in the conftrulion or management of were furnifhed with contrivances to grapple and
make faft their gunwales to thofe of the enemy, in order to decide the contefl with their fwords.
had equipped ten gallies, of which the greater not Thefe they joined under all, were decked. number, though who had been named by the Senate to the command of Domitius,
Marfeillians
-fucceed Ca^far in Gaul, with the feven fhips
The
which
this officer
had
4J2
BOOK <
from the neighbouring coafls, they came abroad order to force Brutus from his ftation, and to open
cation with the fea.
communiand
as
being fuperior to Csefar's fleet in the number of their {kill of their mariners, had a confiderable advantage.
in the
But
foon as
they fufFered themfelves to be entangled by the grapple, the Gaulifli failors, though of a very hardy race, could not withftand the arms
and
lofs
difcipline of the legionary foldiers, and were defeated with the of nine of their fhips. This was the victory already mentioned, and which contributed
fo
much
;.
to
the
Ikrda
fortune, procured
him
the alliance of fo
many
nations in Spain.
bonius pratifed all the ufual methods of attack to reduce the city.. This place being covered on three fides by water, and on the fourth
only acceffible by an ifthmus or neck of land, which was defended by walls and towers of a great height ; he opened two feparate attacks, probably on the right and the left of the ifthmus, and at each of thefe
attacks, appears to
mound
or terrace
',
the height of the battlements, correfponded to the fap of the moderns, and was calculated to condudl the befiegers, by a gradual afcent, to the top, as the other
eonduds them to the foot of the walls. This work was fupported on the fides chiefly with timber, and built up
fafcines, hurdles,
feet,
with
and and
vation of eighty
that
was formerly obferved In the Bituriges \ probably no lefs than three fo-as to receive a proper column of infantry
*
^ Aggen
Eourges,
ia
OF THE
In front,
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
walls.
43^
men employed
with fkreens,
.
and penthoufes of great length ; and fuch in the conftrudion of the whole, that the neighbouring country is faid to have been cleared of its woods.
mere trading
long difufed to war, or accuftomed to rely to have been ill provided, of its arfenals, or in the fpirit of its citizens, for
city,
fuch an attack.
But
flill
an independent
habited
its wealth as a by tempting its to the of its walls, and the ftate and owing fafety ftrength prize, of its arfenals, was ftill fuitably provided for its own defence ; and
fierce nations,
which the
neceffities
their country.
Roman
whom,
wealth.
from Pompey,
who
government of
common-
They
and by a continual difcharge from the battlefailles, in which they fet fire to the worksjsof
the befiegers, greatly retarded the progrefs of the fiege. They ha^ arrows of a monwhich darted from of a force, they peculiar engines
and weight, being beams twelve feet long, and proporwith iron, which none of the fcreens or tionally thick, and pointed could refift ; and coverings, ufually employed in making approaches,
ftrous fize
Trebonius was accordingly obliged to proportion the ftrength of bis timbers and penthoufes, and the thicknefs of his parapets, fafcines, and earth on his terrace, to the weight of thefe enormous
weapons.
Voi.
II.
While
434
BOOK
IV.
Pompey had detached Nafidius with fixteen gallies from the coaft of Macedonia to endeavour the relief of Marfeilles. This fquadron
had entered the
ftraits
...
hj
furprife,
fides at this
memorable
fiege,
of Meffina
proceeded on their deftination to the coaft of Gaul. Being arrived in the bay of Tauroentum, now La Ciotat, in the neighbourhood of Toulon, they
the harbour a fhip which belonged to Curio's
feat intimation of their
The
many
fhips as fupplied
now
numbers of
When this fleet was about to dewomen and many citizens, who, on account of
crowded
to
the fhore,
and with
their
tears
own and
to their
enemies.
honour, on the eve of becoming a prey Multitudes of people, at the fame time, drew
crowded
to
and
ftreets
nius,
which was
fituated
upon
a height,
but the Marfeillians, having found a favourable wind, had the good fortune to clear the bay, and, without any interruption from his fquadron, Nafidius at Taujoined roentum. Here an adion foon after enfued, in which the Mar-
was warned
to be
upon
his
guard
feillians
made
were
ill
fupported by
Na-
fidius,
OF THE
fidius,
ROMAN
the
REPUBLIC.
with which he liad been
'
435
who, unworthy of
command
CHAP,
,._?
left to fuftain
nine of their fhips, of which five were funk, and four were
taken.
at
row
method
that could
Pompey
time to devife
accordingly, with great the counteraded and fucceis, ordinary operations of the fiege, vigour confiderable a and part of the works which were demolifliing burning
effedlual
more
means
They
raifed
up
againft them,
befiegers frequently to
renew
their labours.
The
firft
attack, againft
which the
befiegers
to find
an adequate defence, came from a work which had not been a part in the original plan of the fiege, but had been devifed by the foldiers who had fucceeded each other on mound of approach, as a lodgment or
from
furprifc.
It
was
at firft
were
it
and greatly annoy the befieged. were employed to raife it, and great
proted them
in their v^'ork.
of ingenuity were
made to
moveable penthoufe, of great thickand fcreened on the front and fides with net-work
or the ftrongeft ropes,
made of
cables,
was
raifed
on beams or
rafters of a proportional ftrength, and contrived to be hoifted up by machinery, to keep pace with the building, and to cover the work-
men
laid.
as they rofe
on the
With
thefe precautions, a
-I
raifed
K. 2
436
BOOK
They accordingly, under the fpace from thence to the ramparts. cover of engines, that made a coiitinual difcharge from this tower,
filled
up the
ditch,
and pufhed up
In
the efforts of the befieged, by a notwithflanding ftones from the battlements, to deftroy continual difcharge of heavy
this pofition,
it
in ruin to the
ground.
The
which
might foon be enlarged to admit of being ftormed, made fome fignals of truce, and fent to befeech Trebonius that he would fuf-
pend
his
operations,
arrival
of Cxfar, in whofe
clemency they hoped to find fome protedion againft the fury of troopsj who had already threatened the inhabitants with a maffacre.
Trebonius, accordingly, moved by thefe intreatles, and by the inftrudions he had received from Cxfar, not to deliver up the town,
in cafe
it fell
who,
on the fubmiffive
were proportionally remifs in their duty. The citizens, tempted by the opportunity which was thus offered them to ftrike an important
blow, and to threw back to a great diftance
all
my, made
by a which blew on the works of the befiegers, fet high wind, diredtly the whole on fire, and reduced to aflies, in a few hours, what had.
been the labour of
many months
to ere(3:.
As
OF THE
As Trebonius had
rials
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
<>-
437
CHAP.
which the country around him could furnifh, it appeared difficult But he himfelf, as well as the troops him to refume the attack. for
under
his
faith in the
command, being greatly exafperated by the late breach of town, made every effort of ingenuity and courage to relofl'es.
pair their
They
fubftituted brick-
work
;
new
approach,
that the
now
frefh
and difappointed in their hopes of relief, and more alarming apprehenfions of what they
might expel from the refentment of troops whom they had incenfed with a recent and juft provocation and they returned to their fuit for mercy, with-, more humble and more fmcere intentions of fub;
miffion.
paffing to this effecSl, Domitius Ahenobarbus, he could no longer ferve the caufe of his party at this on board of three place, embarked with his attendants and friends ftill waited his orders in the harbour. which Having the galleys
fenfible that
made
it
unfafe for
the fquadron of Brutus to weigh, or to quit their anchors in purfuit of him, he endeavoured to efcape from the bay. In this attempt
two of his
off,
veflels
third,
for him-
in the
war.
of
affairs Vt'hen
much
by-
the reputation of his clemency, as by the terror of his. arms, liftened to the fupplications of the people of Marfeilles, and took pofTefTion of
the
li
While
wasyet
at this place,
his party*
438
B
O O K
VV
had procured an at of the People to veft him with the of Dictator. The ceremony of his nomination had, in the power
abfence of both Confuls, been performed by Marcus JilmiHus Lepidus, then Prxtor in office, who, though a perfon of .mean capacity,
was, by the chance of his fituation, involved in many of the greateft affairs that followed ; and, though but a fmgle accomplice in the crimes of this guilty age, efcaped its violences, to become almoft the
many
others
had merited no
lefs
than himfelf.
though by an irregular
to
ftep, to a legal
place in the
for the
firfl:
commonwealth, haftened
Placentia
Rome,
in order to be invefted,
In his
way he was
by fome diforders which threatened a mutiny flopped who the were aflembled at that place. The legions, among troops filled with a fenfe of their own importance in elated by viiftory, and
at
^
a contell for the fovereignty of the empire, were become impatient of of that military gov^ndifcipline, and in hafte to avail themfelves
to eftablifh.
Roman
and the country as their property. refented the feverities which were pradifed Being reftrained, they and even talked of abandoning againft them, entered into cabals,
citizens as their fubjefts,
and of declaring for Pompey. Here, however, the ufual courage and ability of this fmgular man fupported him. He brought the mutinous troops, under arms, before him, and put them in mind
Caefar,
how much
it
was no'part of
his
" liverers " greateft oppreffors ? Shall I, who am intriifled with the command " of a Roman army, become the patron of licentioufnefs, and, in
" order
" Shall " who we," he l^iid, profefs to be the deof our country from oppreffion, become ourfelves the
OF THE
*'
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
foldiers, fuffer
4J9
**
them
?
" me
*'
*'
The
to ruin their
CHAP.
fhould induce
fear of violence to
my
life
may
it.
be expofed
If
my perfon, or the danger to which my life were attacked, there are enow
compared
defert
to defend
But what
is life
to the
?
honour of a Ro-
*'
officer,
which
am
concerned to maintain
will
have
faid,
That they
my
foon have an opportunity to do If Pompey be my enemy, v/hat is there I fhould more earfo. nellly wilh than to find his caufe enlrufted with fuch men ? men
Pompey.
Let them.
They
fhall
who make war on their " " had been flow," he faid, " were now become
*'
He
neceflary.
to
him
hopes that remoi-fe and fhamcj or the fear of juftice, " would have made the actual application of punifhment unneceffary ;
offences, in
ceed to the
laft
of remedies."
riot
who were
fame defperate caufe, he affected, in this harangue, to the offence he was to punifh as the crime of a few. They were
he
faid,
now
to be fet apart,
and
their
its
honour.
In purfuance of
to believe, that the ninth legion w^ere the principal authors of this
mutiny.
He
whole of the legion from his fervice. The rethus the obtained an of mainder implied exculpation, army, having
in token of their
own
difmiffed
from
threatened to execute as an
ad
44
befet
-to
be gained
by
*.
With
the
and enfigns of Didtator; being the firft example of any the abdication of Sylla, intrufted with this alarming perfon, fmce It was faid to be conferred upon him, however, merely power. and that there might be a proper ofin compliance with form
;
at
the
to
in his condudl,
proofs of clemency and moderation, without any intention, for the or even to exercife any of the high powers of prefent, to perpetuate
Dictator, he proceeded to hold the eledlions, and
was
himfelf, to-
gether with Servilius Ifauricus, chofen Conful for the following year. In the interval that followed, before their inftallation, he continued
to affemble
and the
he procured an
by
debtor to be divided
among
his creditors,
upon an
eftimate of
what
the different fubjeds might have been fold for at the time that the
war broke
out.
Many being fuppofed to hoard great fums of money, as the only means of preferving it from the violence of the times, or being unwilling to lend
Dio. Caff,
on fuch
2735.
fecurities as
were then
to be had,
Ca^far
lib. ii. p.
547.
Sueton. in CasC
X. 69.
Lucan.
244.
procured
441
to
'.
have in
^^^ VI.
Roman money
He
was excepted,
who,
at the
breaking out of the war, lay under the cenfure of the law, and were
in exile for corrupt pradtices in the State; and, in purfuance of this
meafure, procured a pardon for all the diforders which had been committed in oppofition to the late government ; but for none of the made in fupport of it. He opened the irregular efforts that had been
all the inhabitants of the Cifalpine Gaul, and by a fmgle vote gave them a title to be enrolled with the People of Rome In thefe, and in other affairs of lefs as members of the republic *.
city at once to
moment, while
his troops
were
in
motion through
Italy,
he employed
a few days in the city, and being ready to depart, refigned the power This refignation, made by a perfon poffefled of a miof Didator.
and hitherto vidorious, was confidered as an evidence litary force, of his moderation, and ferved to difpel the fears of thofe who expected He to fee the immediate eftablifhment of a military government.
and
to appear
Roman
name and
vefted,
but
who now,
immight and with the adabout to retort upon them was he which putation tlitional charge of an attempt to difmember the empire, and to arm
in their turn,
appear to incur
fo
were in or but a
little
pafb the
The
'
firft
prime of life Pompey was fifty-feven, .and Ca^far fifty. had been early diftinguidied as an officer, and for many
About 500I.
Diou Caff.
lib.
x\l
c.
CxC. de Bell.
Vol.
II.
J L
years
442
^
<
^
9y^
~v
'
,
had enjoyed a degree of confideration, with which that of any other Roman citizen was not allowed to compare. Elis reputation, however, in fome meaRirc, had funk, and that of Cxfar rofe
years
on the
firft
war
abfolutely fettled, and the minds of many were held in anxious fufCxfar, wherever he ated^in perfon, had always prevailed ; pence.
affairs
wore
^efs
promifmg
and
His
forces
poffeflion of Sicily
this officer,
encouraged by
fuccefs,
tranfported two
legions
Varus encamped near Utica, into the town, and was preparing to befiege
obliged
it,
him
to
when he
re-
ceived intelligence that Juba, king of Numidia, w^as advancing to its. powers of his kingdom. This prince had been inhis attachment to
Fompey, and by
had moved
who,
in his Tribunate,
for
an
at to deprive
him of
his
to a
neighbourhood,
their
into Sicily to
While he waited
arrived af his camp, and brought accounts that Juba, with the
main
;.
body of his army, had been recalled to defend and that only Sabura, one of his generals, with
his
own dominions
Pompey
a fmall divifion,
was
in
come
Africa.
Upon
this information.
Numidian general
purpofe, leaving a guard in his camp, he marched in the night to attack the enemy, where he was informed that they lay on the banks
cf t;he Bagrada.
fell in.
with the
'
Numidiau.
OF THE
he haftened
his
ROMAN
flight.
REPUBLIC.
this
443
advantage,
Encouraged by
;
march
whofe
art the
lafl:
and Sabura, by complete the vidtory intelHgence had been conveyed to him, Ukewife,
to
him.
By
this
on
He
in view, and,
army, was put to the fword. The few who efcaped, with thole who had been left in the camp, endeavoured to find a paflage into
his
Sicily,
and,
by whom
being difappointed, furrendered themfelves to Varus, they were treated with clemency; but being obferved, and
diftinguiflied
were claimed
by Juba, who arrived at Utica on the following day, as his captives, and put to death.
time, Dolabella, to whom Casfar had given the both of his fea and land forces on the coaft of Illyricum, was, by Marcus Oilavius and Scribonius Libo, expelled from thence; and Caius Antonius, attempting to fupport Dolabella, was fhut up in
command
a fmall ifland, and, with his party, made prifoners\ The principal fl:orm, however, with which the new government was threatened, appeared on the fide of Macedonia. In this country,
Pompey
hlmfelf was
now
at
He
had
when
empire.
He
had
Metellus,
and Syria, to colledl the forces and the revenues of thofe opulent countries ; and difpatched his own fon Cneius with inftrudions to aflemble all the fhipping that could be found on
into the provinces of Afia
that coaft.
He
all
the
Roman
officers
Dio. Caff.
lib. xli.
c.
41
&
42.
in
444
BOOK
i -^-.^
of the
raife.
of the empire, and to the allies or dependants People, to join him with every power they could Seven thoufand citizens of rank had followed him from Italy '.
Roman
was joined by one legion from Sicily, another fi-om Crete, and two from Afia. He had two legions under Scipio in Syria, had affembled three thoufand archers, and as many flingersj
had
neighbourhood of Macedonia, two thoufand foot and feven thoufand cavalry. Dejotarus fent him fix hundred horfejhired, in the
He
Aiiobarzanes
five
hundred
five hundred, being the ; remains of Gabinius's army, had joined him; his fon brought eight hundred from his own eftates ; Tarcundarius three hundred ; Anti-
ochus Commagen^s two hundred amounting to fifty-five thoufand thoufand legionary troops, eight irregular infantry,, and ten thoufand fix hundred horfe. In all feventy-three thoufand fix hundred '.
:
He
feom
fleet
^gyP^
command
another^
one from Syria, under Cams ; that of under Caius Marcellus and Coponius ; that, Caffius; Rhodes, of Achaia and Lihurnia, under Scribonius Libo and M. Odavius
:
the whole amounting to above eight hundred galleys, of which Bi hulus had the :chief command, with orders to guard the paffage from,
Italy to Greece,
and
to obflrudt the
Pompcy had
likewife
formed
from Thef-
The principal refort of his^ faly, Afia, Egypt, Crete, and Cyrene. land forceS'Was at Berrhosa, on the fertile plains between the Axrus,
Siul
Haliacmon, that run into the bay of Thermae. The Roman Senate
*
Plutarch, in Pompfio.
'
.
lib. iii.
;.
wa*..
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
445
by two hundred of that body, who, two held their aflemblies, and afllimed ail with the Confuls,together The Roman People were likethe functions of the Roman State. wife reprefented by the concourfe of refpetable citizens, who rewas^ reprefented at ThefTalonica
CHAP,
But though fo many mempaired to the army, or to this place '. of the bers government, thus violently expelled from Rome, confidered themfelves as the real conftituents of the commonwealth, they
fuffered the ufual time of elections to elapfe,
made
at
Rome.
the expiration
allotted to
of their year in
ufual,.
office,
title
took the
of Pro--
commands
them, as
under the
confuL
The
ia.
aflembling
powerful armament.
He intended,
to take poffeffion of
on
Dyrrachium, Apollonia, and the other towns fall upon Italy, with a weight
fufficient to enfure the
wiiich
now
appeared
high reputation as a
commander, which
him.
his fuccefles,
on other
occafipns,
had procured:
had drawn
;
all
it
his
army
neighbourhood of Brundifmm
but
attempt to pafs a fea which was commanded by the enemy's fleet, or venture upon a coaft where he had not a fmgle port, and in the face
of a fuperior army, now completely formed and appointed, under the command of an. officer, whom no man was ever fuppofed to excel..
Tlie formality of entering on the office of Conful, to
which he had.
been elefted,
th.c.,firft
it
him
at
Rome
till
after
of.
January
halle ia.;
c.
43.
taking
446
BOOK
y
might either
require ",
It
act
was
difficult,
might attempt.
ftaid no more than eleven days at Rome, while he acted in the character of Didator, and obtained his election
Having
office,
he
fet
out in
all
December
bers of his
for Brundifium.
At
this place
his
He
the
army confiderably impaired by difeafe, being come from more healthy climates of Spain and Gaul to pafs the fickly feafon In any other hands than his own, an of autumn in Apulia. army fo
reduced would have fcarcely been fit for the defence of Italy againft fuch forces as were affembled to invade it ; and his march to Brundilium would have appeared altogether a defenfive meafure, and
intended to counteract the operations of his
feas.
the
The
hoftile
attempts on
Greece.
Casfar,
to prevent
him involved
in
all
the difad-
No more
than were
tranfports
fufficient to
were
colleiSted in the
harbour of Brundifium
and
fix
immediately on his arrival, informed the troops of his intentions to em.bark, and of his refolution to fix the fcene of the war in Greece. He cautioned them not to
horfe.
Casfir, neverthelefs,
hundred
occupy tranfports with unneceflary baggage and horfes, and exhorted them to rely on the confequences of victory, and on his own generofity, for a full reparation
of any
their effeds
behind them.
He
lofs they might fuftain by leaving embarked feven legions in the firft
"
lib.
ii. -
divlfion,
OF
dtvifion,
447
and with
He
unobferved to the
c.' Juliii^'
right,
exped him, on what was reputed a very dangerous part of the coaft, under a high and
apprifed of his
to
s'^r',;!-
Ifauricus.
rocky promontory, that was called the Acroferaunus. As foon as the fleet had come to an anchor,
Ca^far having
till
VibuUius Rufus, one of Pompey's officers who was taken in Spain, now detained as a prifoner, he difuiiffed him with a mefllige
:
" That both to his general in the following terms parties had already " carried their and too far, might learn, from experience obftinacy " to diftruft their fortunes that the one had been ; expelled from " with one hundred and and had loft
Italy,
Sicily, Sardinia,
Spain,
that the other had fuftained ; " the lofs of an army in Africa, cut off with its general ", and had " fuffered no lefs by the difafters of his party in Illyricum that their " mutual difappointments might inftrudl them how little they could " that it was time to confult their own the events of war on rely " to treat of that it was the and to
thirty cohorts (or thirteen legions)
; ;
*'
'
fafety,
I'pare
republic
prudent
"
peace v/hile the fortunes and the hopes of both were nearly equal; " if that time were allowed to elapfe, and either fhould obtain a
"
vidor would diftinguifhed advantage, who could anfwer, that the " be at prefent ? were both tradable as equally " But fmce all former endeavours to procure a conference, or to
"
"
bring on a treaty between the leaders themfelves, had failed, he be referred to the propofed, that all their differences fhould now
;
that, in the
mean
time, each of
them fhould
of their refpedive armies, That^, folemnly fwear, " in three all their forces, in order that, difband fhould days, they " a neceffity to fubmitbeing dlfarmed, they might feverally be under
at
"
the head
government of their country that he himfelf, to remove: " The armies of Afranius,Petreius, and Varro,&c. " The army of Curio and C.Antonius..
to the legal
;
44.S
TOOK
I
all
difficulties
all
on the
'-v~^J
part of
drf-
mifTmg
command, whether
in
if thefe
declarations
in
this offer
it
<be rejected;
and the
rather, that
and of the danger-into w^hich he had fallen by his ralh debarkation with fo fmall a force. At any rate, there is no doubt that
his weaknefs,
his meffage
his
ftrain
the
war from
As he
movements and
out, he
refolutions, the
moment
Vibullius fet
traiifports
on
their return to
and in the night difpatched the Brundifium to bring the remainder of his
-army.
coafl:
was the
firft
.enemy of
guarded by
purpofe to carry the w^ar into a in which themfelves fecure by the fuperiority country, they thought of their numbers, and of their other refources. Blbulus, upon this
his
and of
alarm, put to fea, and came in time to intercept about thirty of the empty tranfports on their return to Italy. Thefe he burnt ; and,
fenfible of his
own
body of the
enemy
to pafs,
he diftributed his
mined, for the future, to keep the <iiid under every diftrefs.
In the
time, Caefar marched diredly to Oricum, where Lucius on the part of Pompey, was pofted, with orders to deTorquatus,
mean
"
Cicf.
de
Bell.
Civ.
lib.
iii.
fend
OF
449
extremity.
But
Cseflir, as
foon as he appeared
CHAP,
Roman
Conful, preceded
received
in
Without flopping here, he proceeded to ApoUonla, was the fame manner by the inhabitants, in oppofition
for Pompey. In confequence of was all the towns of he acknowledged by examples Epirus, and continued his march with the greateft difpatch towards Dyrrachium, to the officer thefe
who commanded
and formed
his
principal
he had hopes of being able magazines. to furprife that important place, and to make himfelf mafter of it, before a fufficient force could be aflembled to cover it.
By
his
unexpected
arrival
Pompey, in execution of the plan he had formed, was on his march from Macedonia towards the coaft of Epirus, when he was met by VibuUius, and received from him the firft intelligence of
He was not amufed with the meflage which this brought him, nor did he attempt to retort the artifice, by afHe even expreffed himfelf in terms harili fefting to be deceived. " That he neither chofe to i-eturn to his and impolitic, country, nor
Cx-far's landing.
officer
"
to hold his
life
by the conceffion of
ing any anfwer, detached fome parties towards the coaft where the enemy was landed, with orders to lay wafte the country, break down bridges, deftroy the woods, and block up the high ways with
the timber they felled '\
He
fent
exprelTes to Scipio,
VN'ith
an ac-
count of Crefar's arrival in Epirus, and with orders to haften his all the forces he had been able to aflemble pafiage into Europe, with
in Afia.
He
Appian.
lib. ii.
Vol.
II.
at
450
S
op
c~,~-.v
dlforder, that
fperate.
and %Yithout flopping, night or day, marched in fuch many deferted as from a caufe ah-eady ruined or de-
however, in time to prevent the defigns of encamped under the walls, fent a fquadron of fiiips immediately to retake or block up the harbour at Oricum, paid ordered fiich a dirpofuion of the fleet as was moft likely to prearrived,
He
Crcnr on Dyrrachium
Italy.
Dyrrachium, halted on the Apfus and, in order to cover Epirus and wait for the fecond divifion of his troops from Italy, prepared to intrench himfelf on the banks
prevented
at
of that river.
Having accordingly
fecured the
main body of
hist
he himfelf returned with a Angle legion to receive army the fubmlflion of the towns in his rear, and to provide for the fupply
in this poft,
of his camp. In the mean time Bibulus, on the part of Pompey, blocked up the harbour at Oricum, and commanded the paflage from Italy with
his fleet.
'
no opportunity of tranfporting his army from Brundifium, alually embarked and put to fea but being met by a packet from C^efar, with intelCalenus, on the part of Cxfar,
orders to lofe
;
who had
which had been made by the enemy to ligence of the difpofitions he returned, fuffering one of the veflels that had acintercept him,
companied
his fleet to
;
of his motions
Bibulus,
keep on her way, in order to carry an account but (he was taken by the eijemy and deflroyed.
fleet
which
lay before
Oricum, being
pofted
parties
which
CiEfar had
along the
'
wood, water, and other neceflaries at a great difadvantage from Corcyra, and reduced to great diflrefs, endeavoured, under pretence of a negoccflatioa of arms.
tiation, to obtain a
But
Ca;far,
who came
ia
OF
451
^^^^
P.
to find an opportunity, under cover of the defign of Bibulus was fome to fupply of provifions and water, rejedled the truce, procure
offer,
and returned
to his
camp on
the Apfus.
Pompey had advanced from Dyrrachium, and took poft on the Dion Caffius and Appian agree that he of that river. oppofite bank
made fome attempt
to pafs the Apfus,
and
but that he was prevented by the breaking of a bridge, or by the difficulties of a ford. According to Csefar's own account, the armies
narrow
river,
Of
the
two
to foldiers
notwithftanding his
own
of the republic, his military retainers flill hoped to remain in pofHe therefore encouraged the communifeffion of the government.
cation of his
men
Vatinius,
by
his direciion,
with thofe of the oppofite party. On this occafion went forward to the bank of the river,
and
complained of the harlh treatment lately offhewn to all his overtures and advances
citizeft,
May
not one
he
faid,
He
many
brave
men
as
were
and was
liftened to
with pi'ofound
by many
of both armies,
who crowded
to the place.
Thefc remonftrances on the part of Csefar, delivered by an officer of high rank, and appearing to make fo deep an impreffion en both
armies,
reported at -Pompey's quarters, feemed to be too An anfwer, therefore, v/as given by the be flighted. diredion of Pompey, that on the following day A. Varo fliould be
ferious to
fent to
when
any place that fliould be agreed upon as fafe between the tvv'o armies, and there receive the propofitions that fhould be made to
3
hini.
452
S
9y^
The
parties accordingly
met
at a place
inftrudlions to break
up the con-
ference, in a
way
greater diftance
darts,
from each
other.
Soon
fome
Both
fi^des
his diredions,
this circumftance,
miffiles, in
wounded.
of the war feemecl to depend on the vigilance of the fleet, with which Ca:far had to contend la bringing any reinforcements or fupplies from Italy. Bibulus, from the effet of fatigue, was taken dangeroufly ill ; but could not,, upon any acdifficulties
The fate
and on the
There
the being nobody leader of each of the feparate fquadrons acted for himfelf without any concert. Scribonius Libo, with fifty galleys, fet fail from the
in the
at fea,
appointed to fucceed
him
command
velTels,
towards Brundifium, where he furprifed and one in particular laden with corn for
fucceffes,
camp.
Encouraged by thefe
he anchored under
:
from thence he kept the town in continual alarm, landed, in the night, parties of archers and flingers, with which he difperied or carried off the patroles
mouth of
the harbour
fliore
and
thus, mafter
of
the port of Brundifium, expefted fully to obftrucl that outlet from To this purpofe he wrote Italy, and to awe the neighbouring coaft.
to
Pompey,
off"
from
Cazfar
all
might go into harhe had taken, was fufficient poll: reinforcements and further fupplies. But
firfl
eflTeds
of his
own
operations,
Antony>
OF THE
Antony,
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
the troops of Cxfar in the
453
who commanded
town of Brun- C
HA
P.
difium, by placing nvimerous guards at every landing-place on the contiguous fhore, effedually excluded the fquadron of Libo from any fupply of wood or water, of which his fliips, for want of ftowage,
could not have at any one time a confiderable ftock them to fuch diftrefs for Want of thefe articles,
and he reduced
that
open
to the fea.
In the
mean
Dion
of
Caffius
impatient
delay,
that
he
difguife
;
on board of a barge, with intention to pafs to Brundifium after he had been feme time at fea, the weather became fo bad,
determine the mafter of the
veflel to
that, as to
put back ; but that being prevailed intreaties of Csefar, he continued to ftruggle with the the upon by ftorm for many hours. They farther relate, that the mariners being
the paffenger at laft difcovered himfelf, and encouraged likely to faint, thorn that they carried Cxfar and his forto them perfift, by telling
tunes
that, neverthelefs,
was known
that
he had been
He
fome
of his fecond divifion had been opportunities of effedling the palTage loft ; that he was become highly impatient, and wrote to haflen the emthat they might run afliore any and Apollonia ; as the enemy's fleets having no harbour in thofe parts, were frequently obliged, by ftrefs of weather, to depart from the coaft.
barkation
informing his
officers,
where between
Oricum
Upon thefe orders, the troops with gi'eat ardour began to embark. They confifted of four legions and eight hundred horfe, under thecommand of Mark Antony and Calenus. The ^Yind being at fouth,.
and
454
BOOK
on which
Csefar
this
to land
and
as
it
was vain
for
them with
to give
wind
way
all
at once,
and
fleer for
ward of
palTed
Pompey's
ftations.
But
they
inftantly chafed
by Quintus Co-
ponius,
fquadron
The wind
at firft
Coponius
ward of
he
ftill
his poft
and, though
it
As foon
as
Antony obferved
this
in the bay of
; being about three on the miles Liflus '*, Nympheus, beyond This bay opened to the fouth, and was very coaft of Dalmatia.
enemy, he crowded
He chofe, though not fecure with the prefent wind. however, to rifk the lofs of fome fliips, rather than fall into the enemy's hands; and made diredly for this place. Soon after he
acceflible,
wind
from which
covered, and he debarked without any At the fame time the wind, in confequence of this change,
were
now fufhciently
blowing more direitly on the land, and more violently, bore hard on Coponius, forced him upon the fhore, where the greater part of
his galleys, being fixteen in
Such of Antony's
landed three veteran legions, with one of the new levies, and eight Iiundred horfe. Two of his tranfportsf one with two hundred and
Caef.
de Bell. Civ.
lib.
iii.
c.
26.
thirty
OF THE
thirty of the
ROMAN
heavy
REPUBLIC.
fomewhat
aflern
;
455
lefs
it
new
railed troops;
than
being
^
^^^'^
?>
>
two hundred
veterans, being
and
their way, and, iaflead of the bay night before they arrived, miftook came to an anchor before LilTus. Ottacilius Craffus, of
Nympheus,
who was
coaft,
ftationed with a
body of horfe
manned fome
fmall
who
boats, furrounded thefe tranfports, and were on board favourable terms if they would
agree to furrender.
Upon this fummons the new levies accordingly ran their veffels alhore, and having landed, but the veterans ftruck ; the lofs of a few men, to Nympheus, where fought their way, with
they joined the main body of their army that was landed
vvitli
Antony.
colony at Liflus had been fettled by Cxfar, as a part of the province of Illyricum, and now appeared to favour his caufe ; Ottacilius therefore thought proper to withdraw with his garrifon; and
The
Antony having ftationed fome of the tranfports at this place to enable Csefar to embark his army for Italy, if, as was reported, Pompey fhould attempt to remove the fcene of the war into that country and
;
remainder back for the troops which were ftill left at having he Brundifium, difpatched meffengers to Casfar with the particulars of his voyage, and an account of the place at which he had landed.
fent the
The
feen
fleet,
with
coaft,
this divifion
on the
from the
;
ftations
of the army under Antony, had been both of Pompey and of Ca^far^
it
fteering to the
northward
but
for
Upon
they had effedled a landing to the northward, both parties determined to move to that quarter. Pompey decamped in the night, and knowing the route which
Antony was
remain in profound filence. Antony, hovrhaving intelligence of this difpofition of the enemy, did not
advance.
456
BOOK
<
Csefar, in the
mean
was
obHged
river
to
make
Apfus
to a ford at v^'hich
he
pafl'ed
his
march
to the northward,
and feemed
to
In this fituation, Pompey, apwhile Antony remained in his front. on different fides at once by he be attacked that might prehending
Csefar
and leav-
was no longer
he had hitherto been for the prefervation of his pofHis enemies, by the fuperiority of their feflions upon the coaft. his could fleets, receiving any regular fupply of provifions prevent
from the
for him, therefore, in order that he might have fome other refource, and be in condition to al on the oftenfive, to extend his quarters by land, and to cover fome tral of
fea.
It
was neceffary
fubfift his
army.
For
this
purpofe he
that place
;
removed from Oricum the legion that was ftationed at taking fuch precautions as were neceiTary to fecure his the port from any furprize by fea. He drew the greater
vefTels
fliipping in
part of the
fliore, funk one in the mouth of the harbour, and placed another at anchor near It, mounted with a confiderable tower, and
on
manned with
fent
a proper force.'
coaft,
he
numerous detachments
and
in different diredlions
levies, into
L. Caflius
Lon-
new
ThelTaly
C. Calvifius Sa;
Cn.
Do-
Macedonia
; giving ftridl charge to each of thefe officers, that they Ihould collecl all the forage and provifions which thofe or the neighbouring countries could furnifli.
As
OF
457
C
As Pompey had
much on
at the
the authority of government, with beginnhig of the war, and which he be-
HA
P.
from exercife of thofe popular to recommend his caufe, he arts, with which Cctfar thought proper threatened topunifh the refractory, more than he encouraged or rewardlieved gave his party a difpenfation
ed the dutiful
fervices
vinces, negledling the necefiary attention to conciliate their affedions ; and fuch were the effeds of this condudl, that the detachments which
now
ceived.
appeared on the part of Cxfar were every where favourably reSabinus made himfelf mafter of JEtolh. Longinus found
the people of ThelTaly divided, and was joined by one of the parties.
Calvilius,
upon his
diftridls
;
towns and
fubmiflion
Macedonia, had deputations from many of the province, with affurances o favour and
arrival in
thofe countries
and by thefe means the pofTefTions of Caefar, even In on which his antagonifts had chiefly depended, began
to be equal to theirs.
was thought an unpardonable error in Pompey, thus to fuffer his an enemy who had but recently acquired a quarters to be over-run by
It
army was, in number of cavalry and of regular foot, greatly inferior to liis own.
interefl
which
Caefar
had in bringing
the conteft to a fpeedy decifion, did not choofe to divide his forces,
eaftern
in
by
He was Hill ochimfelf of the refources of that opulent province. from Pompey received when he in this at fervice cupied Ephefus,
an account of Cxfir's
to tranfport his
arrival in Epinis,
army
into Europe.
He
Vol.
II.
458
BOOK
IV.
deftlnatiorr,
debarked in the bay of Therme, or of Theffalonica, and penetrated into Macedonia, direding his march towards the quarters of the two
legions
which
Coefar
who was
his
To
eight
lighten
his
march,
he
left
cohorts,
feparates
which
fudden approach, and miftaking, at the fame time, for an enemy a body of Thracian horfe which were coming to his own affiftance, haftily withdrew by the mountains, and continued
alarmed
at
his
'
Scipio
was about
to purfue
Longinus on
when he was
recalled
by
earneft reprefent-
gage
from Favonius, the officer he had left to guard his baginforming him, that his poll was in the utmofl danger of
who was on
his
Scipio accordingly returned with all poffible difto the Haliacmon, and arrived at the poft of Favonius, after patch
march of the enemy had appeared on in time to fuftain his party, and to
The
mon
of
and
armies continued to occupy the oppofite banks of the Haliacas Scipio, by the flight of Longinus, was become mafl.er
all
army.
would have been of great moment to Pompey's affiilrs, and not inconfiftcnt with the dilatory plan he had formed for the condud of
the
OF THE
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
his
459
^
P/
the war, to have rifked an adllon between thefe feparate bodies on the
enemy
to retain the
^ j^ com- v>v
and Scipio accordingly pafled many the river with a view to bring on an engagement ; but after fome ftay on the plain, finding no opportunity to attack the enemy with any
of fo
polls of confequence
;
mand
hopes of fuccefs, he repafled the river, and having occupied his former ftation, there pafled fome partial encounters between fuch as
While
fo
many
large bodies,
were thus contending in Thefl~aly for the pofleflion of the country, Pompey remained to cover the ground, which was of greater importance to him, in the neighbourhood of the fea, and the port of Dyrrachium. Having, at the diftance of about a day's march in his I'ear, this
place of arms,
when he had
depofited his
ma-
gazines and ftores, and from which he received his ordinary fupply of provifions, he had taken his meafures to protrat the war ; and trufl:ing to his own fuperior refources, both by fea and by land,
did not doubt that
by waiting
him
from the
he en-
To
and
to
coafl..
Cnxus, the
eldefl:
of
Pompey 's
fons,
commanding
the Egyptian
enemy,
Oricum,
forced the
armed
galley that
was
fta-
tioned befoi'e
up
in the port.
and carried off or deftroyed all the fliips that were laid From thence he proceeded to LilTus, burnt thirty
3
tranfports
46o
BOOK
*
which Antony had left in the harbour an attempt on the town, was repulfed with lofs.
Crefar,
but having
made
on the oppofite
part, fenfible
in bringing the
war
to a fpeedy decifion,
forced a place of fome ftrength that covered his front, and encamped The day after he arrived in this pofition, either to in his prefence.
bring on a general adlion, or to gain the reputation of braving his anon the plain between the two camps but tagonift, he formed his army
;
as
Pompey
continued firm or
unmoved by
this infult,
and
as the re-
cent lofles
coaft,
in his fhipping,
fupplies
and on the
or reinforcements
every day
he projected a movement, by which he proan engagement, or to preclude the enemy from his refources in the town and harbour of Dyrrachium.
fecure,
this purpofe,
and that Pompey might the lefs fufpet any he decamped in the day, and having a large cirimportant defign, cuit to make, directed his march at firll from Dyrrachium, and
For
was thought
to retire for
want of provifions
and with great diligence advanced to the town. changed of the change which Casfar had made in intelligence Pompe)' having his route during the night, perceived his defign ; and having a nearer
his direction,
way
him.
to
Dyrrachium, ftill expelled by a rapid march to arrive before But Csefar having prevailed on his men, notwithftanding the
march with
avenue to
hills.
interruption
all
night,
was
the town,
when
thus
Pompey
was obliged
covered a
magazines and
little
ftores,
coaft,
voured
to
creek or bay not far fupply the lofs of the harbour, by bringing
of burden
to
OF THE
to unload,
(lores
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
C
V
461
and by procuring fupplies in boats from his magazines and and in this manner was ftill in condition to avoid in the town
;
H A
VI.
.
P.
'
adlion. any immediate rifk of his fortunes in a fingle other on the hand, being difappointed in the defign he had C:^far, the formed to exclude enemy from their magazines in the town of Dyrrachium, and feeing no UkeHhood of being able to bring the war
Italy
being en-
cut
off,
and the
fleets
from
and from Gaul, having met with unexpected delays, fent Sicily, an officer, named L. Canuleius, into Epirus, with a commiffion to
draw
into magazines
all
neighbouring
diftridts,
was mountainThis, however, from abroad, with corn itfelf and ous barren, commonly fupplied wafte the was not likely to on laid and lately enemy, purpofe by
ufe of his army.
in a country that
furnifh
by fome
fpeedier courfe to
him for any His genius was therefore at work harafs his enemy, and to haften the end
arti-
of the conteft.
In thefe circumflances, however, he did not negledl his ufual
fices
to
amufe and
to Pompey himfelf, and willing to appeal to the reafon of the father-in-law againft the obftinacy of the
any
common friend,
with
letters
and inflruc-
inform Scipio of the great pains he had taken to obtain an " all which, he prefumed, had hitherto equitable accommodation, *' failed, through the unhappy timidity of thofe he intrufted with his
"
'
meflages, and
from
their
not having courage to deliver them But fubjoined that, through the media' tion
4^2
BOOK
who
"
who
much
And that in this event Scipio would have fair and fo reafonable. the honour of being the reftorer of tranquillity and good order to Italy, of peace to the provinces, and of profperity to the whole
empire."
Clodius was received with refpel
it
;
**
but on delivering
his meflage,
appears, that
all
farther
him
as a perfon
who came
to infult or
amufe with
falfe pretenfions.
Casfar,
indeed, was
from
of thefe propofitions, or
efforts in that
own operations in order to confirm his pacific profelTions, that he even redoubled his
from remitting
his
very quarter which was entrufted to Scipio ; and as he had already poffefied himfelf of Epirus, Acarnania, and jEtolia, he carried his views flill farther on that fide, and fent Fufius Calenus to be
joined by Longinus and Sabinus, and to endeavour, by the ifthmus of Corinth, to penetrate into Achaia.
He
who do not recollect the amazing works which were frequently executed by Roman armies, particularly by that of Csefar himfelf, will appear fo
vafl,
as to
exceed belief:
this projet
at the
was no
lefs
than to inveft
fuperior to his
mit to
camp, though Pompey own, and oblige him to recede from the coaft, or fuhbe inverted with lines, and completely Ihut out from the country.
in his
head of an army
purpofe he occupied feveral hills in the neighbourhood of Pompey's camp, ftrengthened them with forts, joined thofe forts by
this
lirles
For
vallies,
aiid
projedled a complete chain of redoubts, and a lineof circumvallation. Pompey, to counteradt this daring projedl, took poffefTion of fome
heights in his turn, fortified and joined
them
in the
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
endeavoured to
463
^
HA
V 1.
P.
'
The archers and {lingers on of their works. enlarge, the compafs of a in the both fides, as fiege, were employed to annoy operations
the
workmen.
The
When
forced
from one
height which they attempted to occupy, they feized upon another that was contiguous, and fcill continued their line, though obliged to
change
its
dirediion.
In thefe operations, a campaign, that began in January with the landing of Casfar on the coaft of Epirus, already drew on to the middle of fummer, and both parties had undergone great labour, and
Ca^far's army, already inured at the blockade of Alefia, and the fieges of Marfeilles and of Avaricum,
were expofed
to peculiar diftrefs.
were
now
They were want of bread, and obliged to fubftitute in its place a kind of root but were comforted under this hardlhip with boiled up with milk
like glorious
ifliie
wath a
in
They
not only
toil,
but turned or
the rivulets or fprings that formerly which on the enemy were now encamped. grounds
watered the
operations.
Pompey's army, on their part, were lefs inured to fuch toilfome They had plenty of bread, w^hich came to them with eveiy wind, from the different coafts that were ftill In their pofrefTion,
diftrefs
;
and forage
to
many
of
had died
the
filth, and the ground, and to the fame air, exhalation of putrid carcafes, being reduced to the ufe of bad water,
the fame
fickly.
Pompey^
464
BOOK
I.
^
enemy
at
luperiority of his numbers, and by the extent of line which he obliged him to form and to defend ; and it appears that he availed
all
which he was
He not only forced Csefar, without hazarding a general adion, to recede from many of the heights which he attempted to occupy, and obliged him, with great labour, to widen the compafs of his lines ; but likewife alarmed him by
juftly fuppofed to poffefs.
fome
to cover the
works he was executing, it was impoffible, vrithout rifkinga general adtion, which Pompey avoided, entirely to flop his progrefs.
it
appears,
from the
text
of
Csfar's Commentaries, though incomplete, that the armies changed the ground of their principal encampments as v/ell as the difpofition
of fome feparate pofts, and mutually harafled each other with Ircquent And Cxfar mentions no lefs than fix capital furprizes and alarms.
which happened in one day at the lines of circumvalla'ion, or under the walls of Dyrrachium and in moft of them it is probablr that
ations
;
as
he aded on the
moved on
the
bow, tr the
\'Mder
Pompey completed
fifteen miles,
his
own
it
line
of circumvailation to a circuit of
which
was
carried.
By
this
work he
obliged
The
OF THE
The
Csefar having
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
fliore
;
465
and
'
^^
j
^
-^
no boats or
numerous
craft
of his
the confideration
at firft
from
his project.
But
as
he
fought merely for occafions of adlion, he was contented with the hopes of finding them even under fuch difadvantages. While he was obliged
to remain with the ftrength of his
was
of
neareft the
army at that end of his line which town of Dyrrachium, in order to prevent the accefs of
Pompey
it
to his magazines, he propofed to fortify the other extremity with double works, and had already thrown up, at the diftancc
of two hundred yards from each other, two entrenchments, confiding of a parapet ten feet high, and of a ditch fifteen feet wide ; one facing the lines of Pompey, the other turned to the field, in order to
guard againft any furprife from parties which, coming by water, might land in his rear. He was likewife about to join thefe entrench-
ments by a traverfe or flank, to cover him from the fea. Before this work was completed, Pompey made a difpofition to
force
him
at this
way
extremity of his lines, and ofconfequence to open a whole extent of his works. For this purpbfe
he brought in the night fix entire legions, or fixty cohorts, to that He embarked a part of his own works which faced this place.
their helmets
numerous body of archers, flingers, and other light troops, having and fhields fortified, as it feems was the cuftom, with
bafket work, to break the force of the ftones which were likely to ihower from the enemy's parapets, and furnifhed with .great quantities of fafcines and other materials proper to fill up the ditch. This
embarkation was effected in the night ; and the officer who commanded it had orders to land part of the troops in the rear of both
Csefar's entrenchments,
work was
Vol.
ftill
and another part between them where the Thefe feparate divifions were to be fupincomplete.
who were
to take
advantage
466
BOOK
V
advantage of any
effed;
wlileh the
niifiilc?.
from
their boats
might
--
produce on
tlie
Thefe attacks were accordingly made at day break, in three different places at once, and had all the confcquences of a complete furprife. They fell with the greateft effedl upon the ftation of the ninth legion,
of which the picquets and other guards being inftantly routed, the
whole legion was put under arms to fupport them but foon Infected with the panic, was carried off in the flight. Antony, who occupied the neareft ftation on the heights, appearing in that inftant with,
;
twelve cohorts, and a better countenance,, flopped for a while the purfuit of the enemy, and furnifhed a retreat to the troops that were
routed.
Cicfar himfelf,
by fires
lighted
on
all
the
hills, ground with as many cohorts as could be in his from the pofts way ; but he came too late, Pompey had fpared already forced the entrenchments, had burft from his confinement,
to
encamp
in
new
fea,
pofition,
where, withabortive
the iup-
he
rendered
him from
a
or plies of neceflaries
the land, and
was now
command
free accefs to
water and forage, from the want of which he had been chiefly
diftreflfed
Thus
fruits
the labour of fo
vifionary
incur the cenfure of a many months, began who to projedlor, prefumed pradtife on the ableft captain of
to
the age the arts with which he had fucceeded againft ignorant Barbarians, or, at moft, againft generals of mean capacity.
enemy
in
tlieir
OF THE
pitched his
offenfive,
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
lie
'
467
camp
in their prerence,
ftill
CHAP,
had
is
failed.
An
adiion
of which
the refult
evident,
Commentaries, It to afcertain the detail. appears that both armies had changed the ground which they had taken immediately after the lafc adlon that in this remove Pompey had taken poffeffion of the camp wliich
although
;
it is
text of his
Casfar
had
left
and
as his
that of C'xfir
army, being more numerous, occupied had done, he made a fecond en-
which had been formerly occupied by This camp was covered by a wood on one lide, and by a the diftance ot four hundred paces, on the other.
this
polition,
he had thrown up a
line
of
flank of his
camp
But
his
after
he had taken
he
thought proper
to
occupy a new fituation, when, for fome purpofe that is not explained, he thought proper to fend back a legion, or large detachment of his army, to refume the pofleffion of
diftance of half a mile
to
the
camp he had
on
fo recently left.
Cazlar,
camp
111
the
laft
fituation
the enemy, thought it gave him a favourable opportunity, by cutting it off, to recover part of the credit he had loft in the late a(Sfion.
While, to amufe the enemy, he ordered his men to continue the work in which they^ were engaged, he himfelf marched with twenty-three cohorts, in two diviiions, under cover of the wood, came to the ground
unobferved, and with the divifion which was led by himfelf, mixed with
the enemy,
who had
The
mean time
to attack the
fame
46S
^
V
^^P
communication
V^^ which
camp
ment of
camp
laft,
itfelf,
run along
this line to
and before they perceived their miftake, had a great diftance in fearch of an entrance; when
ohferving, at
and were followed by all the cavalrv : but the time which they had loft by their former miftake gave Pompey an opportunity to come to the relief of his detachment. As foon
the Infantry
went over
as
began to
retire
the foot,
who
fell
with great precipitation, and were followed by That part of Pompey's de-
tachment, which, in the beginning of the adion, had been defeated by Caefar, feeing themfelves likely to be fupported, rallied in the reargate of the
camp
faw dangers and difficulties accumulating on every fide. Imagining that they were about to be furrounded, or fhut up within the enemy's works, they betook them to flight, crowded back to the ditch, and,
in attempting to repafs
It,
were
were trodden
ditch,
up the
and
made
In this
and au-
thority of Csfar, which, on other occafions, ufed to be of fo great The bearer of a ftandard, upon effed, were entirely dlfregarded.
Csefar's catching
if, and endeavouring to ftop him, quitted his hold, continued to run without It ; a rider, whofe horfe he had felzed and
by the
plete
;
bridle,
The rout was comdifmounted, and ran off on foot. but the ditches and works, amongft which the ation began,
of the one party, fo they retarded the
;
and Pompey,
who
did not
exped fuch
a vldtory,
remained
OF THE
remained in fufpence.
feint, to
ROMAN
miftook the
REPUBLIC.
flight
4%
He
In this he was governed, the eftimation for probably, by high difcipHne and valour ^o which
into
draw him
feme ambufcade.
Cxfar's
army was
fo juftly entitled
:
formly fupport at all times and if it be true, as is probable, that the flight of an army in adual rout may be always diftinguiflied
from
error
a concerted retreat, he
on
this
be inclined to exaggerate the overfight?, ; Ca^far, not the though advantages, of his enemy, owns that he himfelf loft about a thoufand men, with above thirty ftandards or colours, and
and
who may
owed
of Pompey.
ftantly
;
He
himfelf
army to the exceflive caution or incapacity aded indeed like a perfon defeated, ia-
all his famous lines of Dyrrachium, and all his outand to make head againfl the vitor, brought all the fcattered parts of his army together.
abandoned
pofts
Pompey,
But
this
in the
meaa
fenfible of his
advantage
after the
vidory, although
in
it
moment
army
which
his
own
Im-
of
perator,
adtion,
which he continued
to aflume,
and
by
empire
mode-
ration to abftain
that
was
obtained over foreign enemies, that of binding his fafces and his difpatches with laurel.
Casfar,
into Macedonia,
Tery arduous
He
enemy were
mafters,
own
its
firft
fuccefl'es, excited
aftonilhment,
nov/v
470
BOOK
V^
him
to cenfure,
at
and
an
as
Pompey,
the head of an
army
fuperior to his
own,
appeared altogether wild and extravagant. The merit of all his former campaigns, as is common, began to be queftioned by thofe who, and the glory after the event, can inftruft and correct every general
;
he
Iiad
He
was even
have gained the Spaniih army by corruption, and to liave purchafed with money the furrender which he pretended to have forced by his addrefs and his fword. People returned to their hrll
apprehenfions, that
Pompey was
;
that he
left
reap the advantages of the vidory he had obtained for them. Some tim^e before this event, and while the minds of men were yet
In fufpence, Cato, in one of the councils
had acquired much popular favour by his oftentation of mercy, and by the hopes of protedion which he held out to every man who did not aftually take arms againfl: him ; while Pom-
Pompey, obferved
that Ctefar
pey and
his followers,
by
all
who did
not ac-
jet of terror
proclamation iliould be
in
if-
arms Ihould
be protedled, and that no blood fhould be flied but in the field of battle. " rci'olutlon to this purpofe had been accordingly publifhcd but ;
vidory was forgotten. The times were exemplary juftice, and to juftify executions'and fornot only of thole who were adually in amis againft their
and
profligate neutrality.
^'
who had betrayed its caufe by a mean The favourites of Pompey already, in
ill
Plutarch,
Imagination,
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
^
^^
47r
^
P.
at the Imagination, fated their revenge, and gratified their avarice, one and of its abettors '\ conof the Every oppofite party expence
to
make of
how it might be fecured or rendered complete. The fliock which Cxfar had received in fo critical a time and
tion, was, not
fitua-
he had
His army apand called in all his out-pofts. misfortunes. of their Inferior to the under the weight peared their and fallen in reduced in lofles, numbers, greatly by enemy their own eftimation, they were not foon likely to recover courage
abandoned
his lines,
to fink
renowned and
fo fuperior
however, was not overwhelmed by thefe appearances ; he force of an army which had been taught, by the ex-
many
and which was not likely to fink, without hopes of under any fingle event. Heconfidered their apparent dejedtion recovery, as a fymptom of indignation, and of rage more than of fear or debafe-
and
in their general,
ment
and with the apologies which he induftrioufly framed for He bid them recoUedl their former actions, their late mifcarriage.
folation,
fingle accident
fpirit fo
which
befel
them
in the
much
fuperior to that of
" If fortune has crofl!ed us for every enemy they encountered " " we muft retrieve our he lofles and refaid, once," by diligence "
folution.
;
only excite the brave, and awaken their have you formerly experienced difficulties, and every who was at Gergovia will remember the eiFedls of perfeveDifficulties
lib. iii. c.
88^
472
^
*^
*rHE PROGRESS
^
AND TERMINATION
He
was
fenfible,
;
fliameful
example
however, that fome particular officers had fet a and he fuppofed, that by fingllng out thefe for
punifhment, he might feem to exculpate the foldiers, and reinftate them in their own efteem. For this reafon he dlfmifled, with infamy, fome bearers of ftandards, who, he alleged, had mifled the troops,
whofe objeft
it is
By
thefe
means
the fullen dejedion of the legions was changed into rage, and an
They
foon again with his fortunes; but they impofed voluntary tafks, by way of penance, on themfelves, faying, That they had deferved to be loaded with
fo
of the fuperior officers gave it as their opinion to whatever refolution he might have taken for the future plan of the war, fo favourable a difpofition in the army, and fo fair an opportunity of yet ending the conteft with honour on the very
hardfhips.
Many
Csefar, that
Csefar, however, did not chufe negleded, nor fuffered to efcape. to ftake his fortunes on the chance of a feverifh ardour, which ftill
more of
remain
his
to rely on a fury which had rational than of confidence, againft the impetuofity defpair Nor was he fafe to of a fuperior army recently flufhed with vidlory.
any pofts in his rear to fecure communication with the country, and without any immediate
For thefe reafons, Ca^far determined, without lofs of time, to decamp and to remove to fome diftance from the enemy ". In the firft
fick
night after this refolution was taken, and as foon as it was dark, the and wounded, with all the baggage, under the efcort of a legion,
lent off,
were
till
they reached
"
lib. iiL
"
Ibid.
Apollonia, 2
OF
473
At three in the mornApollonia, being a march of about thirty miles. a ing the main body of the army, obferving profound filence, turned
out of the
^^ cv
^'
'
camp by
different gates,
Two
kgions yet remained for the rear-guard. Thefe, after a proper interval, being ready to depart, founded the ufual march to make the
enemy
believe the
van of the army was then only beginning to move, their way, and without any in-
cumbrance, they foon gained a confiderablc diftance from the enemy,who was likely to purfue them.
Pompey,
as foon as
retreat,
drew
forth his
a
army, and followed with great expedition. After marching miles he overtook, with his cavalry, the rear of Csefar's army
paflage of the river
few
at the
but being received by the enemy's horfe, interlined with infantry, could make no impreffion, and faw
;
Genufus
them effed
any confiderablc
lofs.
Ca^far, having completed an ordinary march, took pofl"eflion of the lines which he had formerly occupied at Afparagium j but not intending to remain on this ground, gave orders to the legions to refl;
on
their arms.
He
if
cavalry
by the
;
of the enemy, as
Pompey
his
fup-
from
and
pitched in the fame lines, which he likewife had formerly occupied at this place, and fuffered his men to ftray in fearch of forage and
wood
to lay
many
alfo
who,
left their
down
their arms,
waited only until the halt he had made fliould proCxfar, duce this efFed in the camp of the enemy, again put his army in
who
Vol.
II.
completed
A74
BOOK
IV.
v.
.
having
to follow.
fame order, having his baggage advanced fome hours before him and Pompey, having loft fome ground by thedelay of the firft day, and having harafled his army in
quent days in the
:
attempting
to regain
it,
This
refpite
Juture operations.
and
wounded,
army, and to make a proper And difpofition for the fecurity of the places he held on the coaft. having already one cohort at LifTus, placing three at Oricum, and
to
pay
four
at
ward.
propofed, without delay, to penetrate into ThefTaly, and to for the fubfiftence of his army, as much as he could of that occupy,
country.
He
fertile
thither, to a diftance
magazines and his fupplies by fea, the war might be continued between them upon If he atequal terms. tempted to retake Oricum and the towns on the coaft, he muft expofe
Scipioand the body under his command, in the eaftern parts of Macedonia, to be feparately attacked ; or, if he wifhed to preferve Scipio and
his
to fupport them. If
army, he would be obliged to quit his defign upon Oricum in order he fliould pafs into to follow Italy, it was
coafts of Dalmatia-
him by the
it
difficulties,
was accordingly debated in Pompey. council^ mafter of the Whether, being fea, and having abundance of {hip-
ping, he ftiould not tranfport his army, recover the poffeffion of the feat of government, and ftrip his antagonift of that authority which he derived from this circumftance ? or, whether he fhould not ftay
OF THE
likely to refult
after
ROMAN
war
in
REPUBLIC.
The
advantages
'
475
Macedonia?
CHAP.
^'
from
his return to
Rome
with fome degree of difgrace, were obvious. But the war appeared to be fo near its conclufion, that it was reckoned It was argued, that, by improper to leave any part of it unfinifhed. he had
left it
would be
left
to recover
and would only exchange the weftern part of the empire for the eaft, from whence Sylla had been able, and from whence Pompey himfelf was now about to re-
cover the city and the pofleffion of Italy. But, what weighed moft of all in thefe deliberations, the fafety of of Pompey In Macedonia. If he fhould Scipio required the prefence
remove
arrived
his
from
this officer,
facrifice to
the enemy.
Upon
and feparate bodies to fupport or to refcue from the the generals determined to march dangers which threatened them into that country, and calculated their refpedive movements, fo as to
In Theffaly,
;
cut off the enemy's parties, or to fuftain their own. Ca;far, by his march to ApoUonia, had been turned from his way ; and having the
difcredit
flight,
was haraffed
or
ill
received
by
The
meffengers,
whom
were intercepted ; and this officer, he had while both armies were advancing, having made fome movements in
difpatched to Domitlus,
he commanded,
Macedonia in fearch of provifions, and having, with the two legions fallen into Pompey's route, narrowly efcaped, and
only by a few hours, being furprifed and taken. Casfar, having arrived in time to refcue Domitlus, and being joined by him as he paffed the mountains into Theffaly, continued his march
to
Gomphi.
The
he
and intending, by
this
476
^
^1^P
example, to deter others from retarding liis march by frultlei's When he arrived refiftance, he put all the inhabitants to the fword. at Metropolis, the people, terrified by the fate of Gomphi, threw open
^^*'^
their gates
and
gave them
fallen
where Scipio, having protedtion. back /rom the Allacmon, then lay with a confiderable army,
to LarifTa,
From hence
the country was open, and Cxfar, or his parties, were every where
Having pafled all the lefler rivers which on the Enipeus, which runs through
extenfive plains, cofertile
Here he commanded
;
had a very
country
and being joined not only by Domibut likewife tius, probably by the legion which Longinus commanded in Jitolia, in all amounting to ten legions, he was in con-
dition to
renew
Pompey
but although he had the more dlret route, and was every where received as vilor in the late adion, was ftill on his march. Scipio
of thirty ftadia, or about three miles ". The armies being fome time fixed in this pofition, Cxfar drew forth, in the front of his intrenchment, to provoke his antagonift. It was
evidently not Pompey's intereft to give an enemy,
whom
he had
brought into confiderable ftraits, an opportunity of relief by the chance of a battle. But as this was a defiance, and had fome efFedl
during
many
it was proper to return it ; and both continued to turn out in the front of their days,
foldiers,
refpeftive lines.
Ccefar advanced,
on each
fucceffive day,
ftill
neaier
lib. ii,
to
OF THE
to
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
C way of
477
Pompey's ground
ha
p.
his farther approach, in which he did not chufe to engage himfelf in the prefence of an enemy, nor did Pompey chufe to quit the eminence on which he had hitherto formed his Une of battle.
far fpent,
and
all
Cxfar began again to fuffer for neighbouring plains being confumed, want of provifions, and having no hopes of bringing the enemy to a battle on this ground, he determined to change it, for fome fituation
own army, or by moving and oblige them with continual marches, enemy to fight them on equal terms. an him lo opportunity give perhaps
in
Having
the
to
refolved
on
this plan,
army ihould move, march given, while the van was palling through the rear-gate of the camp, it was obferved, that Pompey's army, being formed acthan ufual becording to their daily pradice, had advanced farther
fore their lines.
Casfar immediately gave orders to halt, faying to
thofe
*'
who were
is
near him,
let
we have
fo earneftly
wiihcd
for
come
us fee
how we
He
im-
of battle, a purple enfign to be hoifted mediately ordered, as a fignal on a lance in the centre of the camp ". Appian fays, That he likewife ordered the pales to be drawn, and the breaft-work to be levelled in the front towards the enemy, that his army might not hope
for a retreat, not even behind their intrenchments ".
It
intereft to
which
Csefar's
But
this is the
in the general, together with tried part in war, requiring great ability to and difcipline in the troops. general may be qualified
courage
"
"
lib. ii.
fight
478
BOOK
enemy who
prelTes
him
an army
in a(3;ion,
may have that fpecies of courage which impells them but not that degree of conftancy which is required to fup-
In whatport them long unemployed in the prefence of an enemy. ever degree Pompey himfelf was qualified for the part which the
fervice required of
him, he was attended by numbers of Senators and perlbns of high rank, who, thinking themfelves in a civil or
political capacity, equal
with their general, bore the continuance of They faid, he was like Aga-
memnon among
and averfe
the kings, and protradled a war that might have been ended in a day, merely to enjoy his command. Nurfed in luxury,
to bufinefs, petulant in fafety, ufelefs in danger, impatient
to be at their villas in the country, and their amufements in the town ; and anticipating the honours and fucceffions to office which they ima-
gined due to their high merits in the prefent fervice, they railed at the conduit of their general, aifedled courage by urging him to fight, whilft in reality they only wifhed to terminate the fufpence and
anxiety of a campaign, which they had not the refolution to endure.
Many
of the
allies,
then
army,
of high
ftate in their
own
and the troops of every defcrlption, in imitation of fo many refpedtable examples, were loud in their cenfures of fo much caution in
their general.
under a
battle
Pompey, urged by the clamours of his army, thought himfelf neceflity to come to a fpeedy decifion, and had prepared for
on the morning of that very day on which C^efar was about to decamp. Although he was fenfible, that, in this conjundure, it was
not his intereft to hazard a battle,
the rifk was great.
elated
it is
He
**
too,
as well as others
late
his
fuccefs ".
vii,
ep.
furpafled
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
479
In horfe, archers, and (lingers ; furpafled thofe of Casfar, efpecially and he trufted, that, by this part of his army, he fhould prevail on
CHAP,
the wings, and carry his attack to the flank, and even to the rear of the enemy. Having the Enipeus, a fraall river with fteep banks, oa
his right,
which
fufficiently
all
the
cavalry,
to his
amounting
left,
and
flingers
He himfelf, therefore, took pofl: to fecond wing. of the the operations cavalry, at the head of the two famous legions
termined on
which he had
Scipio
called
off
from
was ported
in the centre,
the great body of the infantry divided on his right and his
The
right of the whole was covered by a Cilician legion, and the remains
whole amounted
of the Spanifh army which had joined Pompey under Afranius. The to one hundred cohorts, or about forty-five thoufand foot, drawii up in a line of ten
Csfar, obferving
fions
;
men
deep
his
**.
this difpofition,
formed
army
right
in three divi-
the
left
by
Sylla,
and
the centre
right,
ill
by Cn. Domitius.
The
the field
left of the whole. He had eighty cohorts but thefe fo incomplete, as not to exceed above twenty-
He
faw the
and
irregulars
having no more than a thoufand horfe to oppofe to feven In order to reinforce and fufl:ain them, he thoufand of the enemy.
draughted a cohort from each of the legions in the right to form a referve, which he placed in the rear of his cavalry with orders to fuftain
them, or to repel the enemy's horfe, when they fhould attempt, as he expeded, to turn his flank. This body formed a fourth divifion of.
Ms
fame
iii-.
line
but
lib.
facing
48o
^
^'
9J^
\
riglir,
was expected
and
to fall obliquely
on the
rear.
He
intreated thera not to engage till reminded them of his continual attention
deiiring
them
to recoiled
with what
folicitude
and
how
far
he had always been from any difpofition wantonly to fhed He was anfwered with fhouts that expreiTed an
Pompey had
and inftrudled
fall
upon the
Thefe
of
filence enfued.
The fame
When
;
many
fhed tears
''\
Being
fo near, that
which
to acquire
Casfar's
that rapid
they had only fpace enough in motion with which they commonly
to rufli forward, while Pompey's, he had given them, remained in their places expeding that the enemy, if they were made to run a double fpace in coming to the fhock, would be difordered, or out of breath.
Ihocked,
army began
But the
veterans,
made
a full flop
and,
having drawn breath, came forward again with the They were received with perfed order, but n.ot with
ufual rapidity.
that refiftance
and equal force which motion alone could give. The adlion became general near about the fame time over the whole front. Pom?-
"
Dio. Caffiu5,
lib.
xH.
f.
58,
pay's
OF THE
pey's horfe, as
ROMAN
in the
REPUBLIC.
^
481
^''
charge, put Cxfar's cavahy and to rout, and, together with the archers flingers, were haftening But as foon as they opened their to turn the flank of the enemy.
firft
was expeted,
^^/^
view
to
the rear,
being furprifed
to
at the fight
of a body of in-
and being, proof order ; in their victory, negUgent into thrown the utmoft were it to recover confufion, they attempts and, aUhough there was not any enemy in condition to purfue them,
fantry which was drawn up bably, from their confidence of
oppofe them,
The
the horfe, were put to the fword. he expeded the enemy could not
And Pompey's
refift
left,
by on which
cohorts
who had
own
line
and while
his
referve
turned upon the flank, made a general charge, whick the longer endeavoured to withfl;and.
enemy no
Pompey, on
little
feeing the
flight
of his cavalry,
an event he fo
expeded, either thought himfelf betrayed, or defpairing of the returned into camp. As he enday, put fpurs to his horfe, and tered the Prsetorian gate, he called to the guards to ftand to their " I arms, and to provide for the worfl. go the rounds," he faid, " and vifit the that It is furprife and mortification had polls." likely
unfettled his mind.
He
and yet he awaited the ifl!iie ""'. His army, in the mean time, being routed, fled in confufion through the lanes of their own encampment.
It
were greatly
fatigued
any
refuge to a flying
enemy, not
-
even behind
their intrenchments.
little
He
" Vol.
II.
c.
94.
-
Q_
placed
4?2
^
^iv^ ^
on the parapet, but foon prevailed. The rout and the carnage ftreets and the alleys of the camp, to the rear-gate
and paflages through which the vanquiflied crowded to recover the fields, and from which, without any attempt to rally, they continued
their flight to the neighbouring hills.
When
were
left
equipage of the
were
Csefar had authority enough to from plunder, and continued the purfuit. Seeing crowds of the vanquilhed had occupied a hill in the rear of their camp, he made hafte to furround them, and to cut off" their farther retreat. But they themfelves having obferved, that the place was deftitute of
Notwithftanding
this circumftance,
*'
water, abandoned
it
road to Larifla.
pofleffion of the
army
to
keep
enemy's camp, another part to return to their own, he himfelf, with four legions, endeavoured to intercept the fugitives
in their
way
to Lariifa.
of the ground
;
fo that
after a hafty
march of
in their
and, having
thrown himfelf
feflion
way, obliged them to halt. They took pofof a height over a ftream of water, from which they hoped to
be fupplied. Night was faft approaching, and the purfuers were fpent with fatigue ; but Caefar yet prevailed on his men to throw fome
up
works
enemy
to the brook.
When
in
over-
whelmed with
fatigue and
;
diftrefs, thefe
army
offered to capitulate
dependence
many among them, who were Senators and perfonsof rank, withdrew ia
the night, and
made
their efcape
perfons of diftindion,
*'
who had
The
fpoils
to be -equally divided.
been
OF THE
been
fet at liberty,
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
now
put to death.
43^
fpared at
were
Some were
whom
The
v j
v
^^
P'
one of the
prifoners*'.
private
men
all
took oaths of
Casfar,
and were
enlifted in his
army.
having
night, to be refrefh
body the
fame day
Dio.
Cafl".
lib.
xH. c. 6z,.
3(^2
4S4
CHAP.
VII.
Comparative Lofs on the different Sides in the late AEiion. Pompeyi His Death. Arrival of Cafar at Alexandria."-*-^^ Flight.
Cato, ivith the Fleet
fleers
for Africa.
and Rein a ins of the Army from Pharfalia^ State of Italy and of the Republican Party.
into
Adventures of C^far in Egypt. Vidlory qver Pharnaces. Arrival in Italy. the Mutiny of Legions. Cafar pajfed His Operations and A&ion with the Horfe and Africa.
Pof
at Rufpina.
Siege of Uzita.
Death of
Cato,
BOOK
sIV.
INno more than two hundred men, among whom were thirty Centurions, officers of diftinguiflied merit.
by
his
own
account, loft
He
killed
of the
enemy
fifteen
thoufand, took twenty-four thoufand prifoners, with a hundred and eighty ftand of colours, and nineteen Roman eagles and legionary ftandards ; and on this occafion he cut off many Senators and many of the equeftrlan order ', the flower of the Roman who
Nobility,
likely to bear
changed
having pafTed through the rear gate I.ariffa. On the road he fell in with about thirty horfemen who him. At the gates of Larifla he received what he wanted joined
for his journey, but declined entering the town, faying.
That he
Appian de
ii.
would
I'lalr
4.'''
'/'f/'i
/lAirr,/ y,./'l'yr,-n//ri,//'^,j^
4^4
y/A //
-j;j;^-;;;jz:^;;^^ri^:ii^^^Ff:^i^::^^
OF THE
would do nothing
to
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
485
make a breach betwixt the inhabitants of that From thence he pafTed by the valley of Tempe place and the vidtor *. to the coafl, and refted only one night in a fifherraan's cottage. Next
morning he put off from the fhore in a fmall boat, with a few of his attendants, and coming in fight of a trading vefl'el, made fignals, and was taken on board. In this fhip he fteered to Amphlpolis, came
to
CHAP.
all
the diflridls of
all
Ma-
be made, and
the youth of
But having received of he remained one fupplies only night at Amphipolis. money, His wife Cornelia, and Sextus the youngeft of his fons, were at Mithe province to aflemble forthwith at this place.
fome
thither he propofed to fail, and, ; without having fettled his plan any farther, was anxious to fave this ^ into the hands of his enemies. part of his family from falling
Having taken them on board, and being joined by fome galleys of the fleet, after a delay of fome days, occafioned by contrary winds, he fet fill, continued his voyage to the coaft of Cilicia, and from
thence to Cyprus.
He meant to have landed in Syria ; but being informed that the people of Antioch, upon the news of his defeat, had publifhed a refolution to admit none of his party, he dropt that intention, and contented himfelf with what aids and reinforcements
he obtained on the
coafts
He
feized the
money which was found in the cofters of the farmers of the revenue ; and having borrowed, or otherwife procured, confiderable
fums, he armed two thoufand men, and having fliipping fufficicnt to tranfport them, continued his voyage to Egypt.
The late king, Ptolomy Auletes, had been indebted to the Romans and the patronage of Pompey ; and the kingdom being now oa a
*
Die. Caff.
lib. xlii.
'
c. 2.
CxCslt,
Appian, Plutarch.
refpedablc
4^15
BOOK
Roman
leader,
flattered
himfome
might
find
means
On
who had
by Gabinius, two
the younger, had
eldeft
had
arifen in Eg^-pt.
The king
leaving
by
his will
fifter being by the laws permitted to marry, were in the But the and of hufband wife affociated on the throne. capacity of the will the young king propofed. to fst afide council by excluding
brother and
Cleopatra.
the kingdom,, and to fly for protection into Syria, they had taken poft with a great army at Pelufmm to prevent her return, fhe being
{aid to
have afl!embled a numerous force in Afia for that purpofe *, Pompey obferving this array upon the fhore, concluded that the king
was
prefent,
came
and of
to
an anchor, and
fent a mefl'age
with intimation of
his arrival,
The council of Ptolomy confifted of three perfons, Achillas, who commanded the army; Photinus, an eunuch, who had the care of
the finances; and Theodotus of Samos,
literary tutor of the
who was
the preceptor
or.
the
and
in this capacity
might and that Pompey,. ia name of the republic, might affume the fupreme direction in Egypt, were greatly alarmed upon receiving his meflage, and came to a refolution to put him to death. By this atrocious
a.tiGn
'
Cafar, ibid.
and:
OF
and
to
to merit the favour of his rival, who by this decifive become the fovereign of the empire, and fulljr able
chap.
VIJ.
to rew^ard
With
board Inafmall boat, dellveredameflagefromPtolomyjInvitingPompe^ to land. In the mean time fonxe Egyptian galleys, with an intention
to fecure him,
drew near
to his fliip
king at their head, were drawn out on the fhore to receive him. The fize of the boat, and the appearance of the equipage which came on
this errand,
and
Achillas
made an apology, alleging, that deeper veffels could not go near enough to land him on that fhallow part of the coaft. Pompey's
Improperly delivered
him from accepting of an Invitation but he anfwered by quoting two lines from
Sophocles, which Implies, that whoever vifits a k'lng^ though he arTwo of his fervants went berive a free vian^ miijl become hisjiave.
for^^e
him
and with
this attend-
His wife Cornelia, and Sextus the ance he put off from the fhlp. his fons, with fome other friends, remained upon deck, of youngefi:
fufficiently
which was
Soon after the barge had left the fhip, Pompey afting before them. looking behind him., obferved among the Egyptian foldlers a perfon
whofe countenance he recolleded, and fald to him, Surely, fellow While he turned foldler, you and I have fomewhere ferved together.
to fpeak thefe words, Achillas
beckoned
who
Roman
fo
him with
their fwords.
Pompey was
whole of
much
and funk
This was
making any
flruggle, or uttering
ii.
one word
*.
Plut. in
Pomp.
Livii eptome,
lib. cxii.
done
who
were ranged on a kind of amphitheatre formed by the fhore. The veffel in which the unhappy Cornelia with her family was left, .and
the
little
it,
as if
and
fled.
tation of the
for above thirty years enjoyed the repuThe title of Great^ originally his age. of captain no more than a cafual expreflion of regard from Sylla, continued, in
Thus
died
Pompey, who
firll
the
to be given
him
as a
mark of
efteem,-
He
attained to
more
;
confideration,
and
Roman citizen
years of his life, he thought himfelf too high to be rivaled, and too fecure to be ihaken in his place. His laft defeat, and the total ruin which enfued upon it, was the confequence
at laft, becaufe, for
many
left
him
altogether unprepared
untoward event.
The
was
all
ftill
fo ftrong in the
minds of
Cajfar overlooked
The
that
made him
believe
third
of Pharfalia,
fet
lefpont,
under Lucius
their leader,
he was fainted by fome galleys which guarded the Straits,, Thefe furrendered themfelves, and, with Caffius.
made
offer
From thence
he continued his march by the coafl of Ionia, receiving the fubmiflion. And being come into Alia, he had intelof the towns in his way.
ligence of
from
In or-
of Egypt.
him
thither,
ifland
of
Rhodes,
OF THE
which he had ordered
ROMAN
to follow
REPUBLIC.
fufficient to
489
the legion
embark
book
him from
from Achaia, with eight hundred horfe. To voy of ten armed galleys of this ifland, and fome
With
Here he learned
to
him by the courtiers of Ptolomy, who recommend their fervices, the head of the deceafed
his feal,
the empire, being that with which his fignature was put to all letters, but Cxfar either really was, or affeded als, and public writings
:
momentary compundlion is faid to have turned have wept '. This able ator probably the from fight, and to away at command and could fandify, under as well as had tears, words, ; the evils which his ambition had the moft fpecious appearances,
;
produced.
regret,
From this event, however, which he thus affeded to and no fooner, he became fecure, and feems to have dated
He
caution, and being detained at firft by the ufual periodical winds of the feafon, became entangled in difficulties, or engaged in pleafures, which occafioned a very unaccountable ftay, fufpended the expedations of the
ways.
Cato, upon
the
march of Pompey
into Theflaly,
had been
left
to
command on
battle
and
from
^ *
who,
at
many who efcaped the time of the adion, had been detached
much had
their late
*
Cx{. de Bell. Civ. lib. iii. The two App. de Bell. Civ. lib. ii. he led in this fervice amoimted legions which
the
army
in
general fufFered in
campaigns,
-App. ibid,
fo
Vol.
II.
on
490
BOOK
fervices.
He
fleet at
Cor-
preferved the afpedt cyra of a vigorous party. Cicero, Cnasus the eldeft fon of Pompey, Afranius, Labienus, and other perfons of diftindlion had joined him. Among
thefe Cicero, as being the
firft
in rank,
was
offered the
life
command
it,
caufe,
of young Pompey, who confidered his refufal as a defertion of the and as an at of perfidy to his father, whofe fate was yet unknown ". Cicero, being proteded by Cato and others, who were
prefent, efcaped into Italy
;
in
which he was
occafions, of fo
much
appeared that Cato had even difapproved of his having either party in this war, and wifhed him to have devoted his joined life and his abilities entirely to thofe fervices which he was better
to his country, in the Senate, qualified to render
field.
It is probable that Cato had already taken his own refolution not to fubmit to Csefar, nor to furvive the fall of the commonwealth ;
make
their peace,
at
and
to retire
Having
ftaid a fufficient
time
Cor-
cyra, to receive
on board fuch of the vanquifhed army as chofe to and having afterwards put into Patrce, near the fleet
;
mouth of
the
Gulph of Corinth,
for the
fame purpofe, he
ftill
He gave every one his option to continue in arms, or to retire. feems to have fuppofed that Pompey was gone into Egypt, and he determined to follow him ; hoping, that after the junction of this
great reinforcement, he might, either there or in the province of
Africa,
Dio. Caff.
c 1012.
<3efign^
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
<
491
defign, arrived in the African feas, but weft of the frontier of Egypt, he
CHAP.
^
. .
met the unhappy Cornelia, with the young SextusPompeius, who had
of the hufband and the father near the fhore recently beheld the death at Pelufium. The account which he received of this event determined
him
not to continue his voyage any farther to the eaftward ; but to Roman province of Africa, where the friends
of the republic under Varus, in confequence of the defeat of Curio, and the alliance of Juba, ftill kept the afcendant, and lately received an accelTion of ftrength
bienus,
by
La-
who had
But the
periodical
winds
to detain Caefar at
Alexandria,
made
it
him
to continue his
voyage along a coaft that was covered to a great extent by the famous fhoals and fand-banks of the Syrtes. For thefe, perhaps,
nice
and other reafons which are not mentioned, Cato landed at Bereand from thence conducing his army, then confifting of ten ;
thoufand men, in fmall divifions, through the deferts of Barca, and round the bay of the Syrtes and having, during thirty days, en;
countered with
many
difficulties
his
march
from the depth of the fands and the to the frontier of the Romaa
province
Csefar,
'*.
when he
had
left
Italy
and the
weftern provinces in a
trouble.
affairs,
But the uncertain, and even unfavourable afpedl, of his for fome time after his landing in Epirus, had encouraged
difcontented to queftion the validity of his als, and
thofe
who were
The army
in Spain
having mutinied,
deferted from Q^Caffius, and put themfelves under the command of M. Marcellus ^ferninus, who, however, did not openly declare
**
Strabo,
lib. xvii.
p. 836.
lilmfelf
^c^2
BOOK
till
was decided
in favour
of Csefar.
At Rome
both
it
is
who
were inclined
;
were
indifferent to
defcription,
thought
they had an
the menacing declarations of his adverfary, who, in all his proclamations, treated neutrality between the parties as treafon to the com-
monwealth.
ftate
more
Dyr-
Rome,
Pompey.
Marcus
Caelius,
who,
had, upon difguft, or hopes of promoting his with Antony and Curio to join Csfar, and
the influence of the prevailing party, elected one of the Prsetors ; moved by a frefli difguft from the party he had joined, or
being
by
its
field,
of his laws relating to bankrupts, drove his own colleague Tribonius by force from the Prxtor's tribunal, and gave fuch an alarm, that
iim Senate thought themfelves under the neceflity of giving the Conful Ifauricus the ufiial charge to guard the commonwealth as in times of
extreme danger. Upon this decree the Conful took arms to preferve About the fame the peace, and Ccelius was obliged to leave the city. time Milo, who ftill lay under fentence of banifhment, ventured, at
the head of an
armed
force, to land
on the
coaft,
and attempted to
make
While he was engaged in this enwas he but both were foon after furrounded joined by Cxlius; terprize and cut off by the forces which Ca^far had left for the protedion of
himfelf mafter of Capua.
Italy '.
"
Ljv. Epitome,
lib. cxi.
DIo. CaflT
lib. xlii. c,
22, 26.
Thefe
OF
493
^*
-^
Thefe dlfturbances, and every appearance of oppofition to the ^ the news of his party of Caefar, were again eafily fupprefled upon
vidory at Pharfalia. The populace, who generally range themfelves on the vidlorious fide, and who arc equally outrageous in every
caufe they efpoufe,
ftatues of
celebrated the
Sylla.
refill
occafion,
Pompey and of
There was
either
now
ran on the fide of military government, or the names of Senate and People were, without debate or difference of opinion, put to decrees,
by which
the fupreme
power of
life
was committed
vidor.
By
power of making war or peace, and of naming commanders and governors in all the provinces,, was committed to
Caefar.
He
was, by a
refolution,
made Conful
for five years. Dictator for twelve months, and vefted with the facred
life.
He
in
all
public affemblies,
which the
When thefe decrees were prefented to Cxfar, then in Egypt, he affumed the enfigns and power of Didator, and appointed Antony,, who commanded in Italy, general of the horfe, or fecond to himfelf
in the empire.
The
reputation of Casfar
down
or to other confiderations
more
of Brundifiaav.
Caius Caffius,
for
of Syria and
having failed to Sicily, while the army yet lay in Pharfalia, fui-prifed and burnt the fhipping, amounting to thirty-five veffels, of which
at
Meffma, and
was.
494
BOOK IV.
flirrender,
when he was
In-
Theflaly, and
the coaft
of the Cydnus, without being determined, whether he fhould attempt to deftroy or fubmit to the vidor. From the correfpondence of Caffius with Cicero, it appears that, Hke this diftinguifhed fenator, he was about to withdraw from the ruins of a party which he could no
longer fupport.
Cicero, neverthelefs, afterwards afcribes to
Here he waited
mouth
him a
defign of killing Csefar at this place, if the prey had not efcaped by going to a different fide of the river from where he was
to land.
him
expeded
Upon
this
difappointment Caffius
made
his fubmiffion
Quintus Cicero went to Afia to make and many, expeding him in Italy, reforted thither on the fame errand. In this number, it was reported that
his fleet '\
;
and delivered up
Cato and L. Metellus meant to prefent themfelves as perfons who had done no wrong, and who came openly to refume their flation in the commonwealth. Csefar forefaw the difficulties that might arife to
himfelf from the prefence of fuch men ; that they would greatly embarrafs his government by oppofmg it, or, in order to rid himfelf of fuch troublefome guelts, reduce him to the off neceffity of
pullin"-
the
hitherto af-
fumed.
For thefe reafons, he chofe rather to prevent their coming after they were come and fent pofitive ;
to
orders to Antony, to forbid Cato, Metellus, and every other perfon, whom he had not given exprefs permiffion, to fet their foot in
Italy '^
U. C. yc6i
C. Julius Csefar Did.
Iterum M. Antonius
flate
of
affairs at
.
Rome 70 c /J
dated in the
Dida-
Mag. Eq.
lib. iii.
'
Ibidem, ep. 6
&
7.
tor/hip
OF THE
torfliip
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
495
While he himfelf ftill remained in Egypt, the All orders in the hands of Antony. continued government of Italy of of for the fuccefs the of men vied, in demonftrations vidor, joy,
of Caius Csefar.
CHAP.
VII.
his party had gained. They ftill prohave the form of the republic preferved, vphile no
it
:
in
power
fhould pafs from the ruined party but in the firft fteps of the prefent
The
ufual eledlioa
of magiftrates, which, even in the height of the war had never been omitted, now at the end of it, and when no enemy any where appeared to alarm the party, were
tered in the perfon of
military.
his
all
He
All government cenand the adminiftration was altogether Antony, in immerfed the himfelf, debauch, paft greateft part of
time
in the
company of buffoons and proftitutes frequently of his frolics from the town to the country, and
;
and a numerous
train
of
In thefe pro-
he himfelf
faid to
that
was drawn by
lions '^
was
and deaf to
all
made
of their violence and rapine. Being equally apt to fet the example of diforder and licence in his own pradlice, as he was to indulge them
in others, his retainers frequently alarmed the city with rapes, robberies,
exped,
with the
of Cjefar, a continual increafe of fuch diforderly mafters to fport on the ruins of the Commonwealth.
The
worft men, as ufual, were the moft forward in paying their The neareft relations became fpies oe
* Plat, in Vita AntOflii, p. 74, 75.
informers
496
BOOK
u-^
1
enlued, and
as
all
they
or to gain by the fall of the Commonwealth. In of this interval expeftation, men difcovered their gloomy apprehen-
expefted to
lofe
fions,
by propagating
ftrange fidions of
ominous appearances, or by
magnifying things natural into alarming prefages and prodigies". The daily expectation of Caefar's arrival, for fome time, fufpended
all
of his opponents in
at
the ufual fadions in the city, and fuppreffed the hopes and dehgns all parts of the empire but his unexpeded
:
ftay
Alexandria, and the unfavourable reports of were fometimes brought from thence, began
popularity at
his fituation,
which
to
repub-
lican party,
now
a
up
its
head
'\
Dollabella,
young man of
in
power
the
commonwealth, procured
to hold this office
himfelf,
in
imitation of Clodius, to be
that he
end
and having
by
of his predeceflbrs had endeavoured to debauch the He propofed an abolition of debts, and lower ranks of the People.
which the
a reduftion of houfe-rents.
Being oppofed by
Tribellius,
one of hig
debate until the arrival of Csfiir, fufpend every queftion or fubjed of aflemble the People, kept them in a ferto continued thefe Tribunes
filled
"
Dio. Ca/r.
lib.
xlu. c. 26.
"
lib, xi.
and
OF THE
and bloodlhecl
".
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
in
497
under
command to
Ca^far,
^*
^jf
pretence that fuch dilbrders could not be reftrained without a mihtaiy force, took pofleiTion of the city with an army ; and while he fometimes favoured one party, and fometimes the other, continued to go-
at difcretion ".
;
The
according to the reports that were propagated from Afia or Egypt relating to the ftate of Csefar's affairs.
The
fpirits
late
fome footing in Africa and Spain, likewife fludiuated in the lame manner. It is highly probable, that if Ca^far had purfued the other
remains of
this
Pompey
diately
in perfon, or if he could
his rival,
party with the fame ardour with which he purfued have returned to the capital imme-
on the death of
them, and the ill afpedl of his own affairs, for fome time encouraged and enabled them to recover a ftrength, with which they
he
left
were yet
dominion
to
which he
afpired.
Cato, who, with the remains of the Republican party from Epirus,
coaft
of Africa,
province on this continent iu the name of the that Republic, Scipio was there, and that the king of Numidia perfifled in his alliance againft Cfefar, determined to join them. At his
held the
arrival, Scipio
Roman
offer
of
the
army
being likely to increafe, rather than to appeafe animofities, and the preference being conftitutionally due to Scipio as of confular rank, Cato
had no doubts
fidered
in declining
it.
his fervices they knew "Sv^ere Intended to the Republic, and would turn againfl them whenever
him
'*
in thefe frays.
"
Dio. Caff,
lib. xlii. C.
29.
Vol.
3 S
thej
498
him behind on
tives of jealoufy,
the
coafl:.
which aduated Pompey, a diftruft of the incUnation fhewn recently by the army to prefer him in the command. In
order that he might not interfere in his counfels, he afhgned or fufhim to take a feparate ftation at Utica, where he continued to be the principal fupport of the caufe. The inhabitants of this
fered
place
were obnoxious
Pompey's party ; and having formerly received Curio with the forces of Cxfar, and ever favoured his inter eft, were
to
now doomed
who,
fufferings of
cruelty.
of the Republic thus reviving in Africa, and the party being in condition to receive all who fled to them for protedion, and
fpirit
The
having the alliance of Juba, the moft powerful prince of that continent, foon became formidable both by fea and by land and if they had chofen to invade Italy in the abfence of were in con;
Csedir,
having,
dition to have regained the capital of the empire. at the fame time, was pafled into
Young Pompey
Spain,
favourably received
his father's adherents and clients in that province, and profiting by the mifconduft of Quintus Caflius in thofe parts, was likely to affemble a confiderable force.
by
Gabinius,
who commanded
for C^efar
on the
coaft of Illyricum,
attempting to penetrate
who
to
had affembled a
by land into Macedonia, was cut off by Oftavius, remnant of Pompey's army on the confines
of that kingdom.
command
in
Domitius Calvinus, whom Cxfar had appointed Bithynia, had received a defeat from Pharnaces the
;
fon of Mithridates
ftate
of his
affairs
in other
OF
499
In Egypt, as to ralfe a fufpicion of fome misfortune, fuppofed to be the only way of accounting for his long ftay in that country, and for the feeming negledt of all the advantages he had gained hy a condudt
hitherto in every inftance decifive and rapid.
CHAP,
Pompey had
It
treachery in Egypt,
and
fo
might Cxfar-
of June, and there was no intimation received in Italy of the time He had written no letters at which he might be expefted to return.
fmce the middle of December, nor had any Alexandria fmce the middle of March ^'.
'one
at
The
Cxfar,
at his arrival,
young king under the diredlion of Pothinus ; and Arfmoe, the fifter of the king, in the keeping of Ganimedes, two eunuchs, who had
the care of their education.
fent
From
his
of Pompey's head,
they were
engaged
Roman
empire
and
and feared, although it freed Casfar of an enemy whom he refpeded him. rewarded or avowed was not to be publicly by They dreaded
the interpofition of this dangerous man in their that of Pompey. they had dreaded even
affairs,
more than
The
troops
now
in Egypt,
that
army with
left to
and which he
fe-
They were recruited by deferters from the Roman provinces, and by banditti from Syria and Cilicia. They but had precluded themretained the form of the Roman legion
cure his eftablifhment.
;
felves
tiny,
from any profped of return to the Roman fervice by a muin which they had murdered the two fons of Bibulus, then
Proconful of Syria.
families in
Numbers of
the
men were
Egypt
&
17.
3 S 2
and
500
2 o O
V-
party of this infolent rabble, then in garrifon at Alexandria, and in the character of guards to the perfon of the
itfelf at their pleafure.
king, took offence at the parade with which Ca^far landed, and were offended wdth the number and fhow of his Lidlors, by which he
mults arofe on
feemed to encroach on the majefty of their fovereign. Frequent tuthis account, and numbers of Casfar's attendants were
murdered in the
ftreets.
The
fet in,
and
he finding himfelf detained in a place where he was expofed to fo much infult, ordered a reinforcement of troops from Afia, and
he could
relief.
The
into Egypt,
ried,
came
wrapped up
in a
it
Alexandria by fea, and is faid to have been carpackage of carpet, to the prefence of Cxfar.
is
pretended that Ccefar became acquainted with the perfon of this celebrated woman, then in the bloom of youth, and poffeffed of thofe allurements by which fhe made diffeIn this manner,
rent conquerors of the world, in their turns, for a while renounce the
She is fuppofed at this time to have become the miftrefs of Cxfar, and to have made himj though turned of fifty years, to forget the empire, the republic, the
purfuits of ambition for thofe of pleafure. falions at
Rome, and
Under the dominion of his paffion fcr Cleopatra, he took a refolution to carry into execution the deftination made by the late king, and in the quality of Roman Conful and reprefentative of the
truiled
Roman
People, to
whom,
this office
by the will, he
commanded
down
theic
own
arbitration.
young king,
his pupil,
army
to Alexandria,
in
OF
dom.
501 C
E.
H^A
This army confifted of twenty thoufand men inured to bloodfhed and violence, though long divefted of the order and difcipline of Roman troops. Csfar hearing of their approach, and not being in
a condition to meet
them
and
fortified
a quarter
The young
Ptolomy being
power, was prevailed on to difpatch two perfons of diftindion with a meffage to Achillas, fignifying the king's
in his
;
whofe
name they
Ciefar,
however, being
ifllied
appeared, were by the orders of Achillas feized and flain. ftill in pofTefTion of Ptolomy's perfon, repreftill,
in
name of
the
king,
deavoured to force Cxfar's quarters; but being repulfed, took pofleffion of that part of the town which w^as open to him, and blocked
up
by
fea
and land.
The
Romans fought
in the ftreets,
houfes which they feverally occupied. C^efar, as he defpaired of being able to receive any fuccours by land, endeavoured to keep open his
fea,
and
to
Syria,
Cilicia,
for reinforcements of
men
ftill
and of fhips.
in
his
Having
was
power, corre-
fponded
him
nued
town by additional
and
in order to prevent furprife, demolifhed and cleared away many of the fo much unexpected buildings adjoining to his works. Achillas, finding reriftance,fent for'reinforcements,and a fupplyof ftores and warlike engines,
502
B
^ O K
IV.
kingdom
reprefented
" of Egypt that Gabinius had come as an auxiliary, but adted as a " mafter that ; Pompey, on being defeated in TheiTaly, came into " which he had a as to a
Egypt
"y
property
right to
"
employ
in re-
that
Pompey had
fallen in vain, if
" Csefar were tamely fuffered to fucceed him; that if this Intruder " were allowed to keep pofTeflion of the city, until his fuccours " fhould arrive from Afia, all Egypt for the future mufl exped to be " the flaves of the Romans."
The danger to which Cxfar was expofed, arofe no lefs from the remains of the repuljlican party now affembling againft him in Africa, than it did from the force with which he was adlually ailailed in
If Scipio had been apprifed of his condition in that Egypt. country, he might in a few days have failed to Alexandria, and in conjundion with the Egyptians, who would now have accepted of any affiftance
againft Csefar, have recovered the fall of their party at Pharfalia ; but the beft opportunities are fometimes loft, becaufe it is not fuppofed that an enemy could be fo rafh as to furniih them.
The fcene in Egypt was frequently changing by the intrigues and the treachery of different parties in the court. Ganimedes, who had
the charge of the young princefs, Arfmoe, being hitherto lodged in the quarters of C^far, found means to make his efcape, together with his ward ; and finding the troops difpofed to lay hold of Arfinoe
as a
employed
an
aflaftins
to put
Achillas to death
and, in
name of
on himfelf the
command
of the army.
**
Elis abilities as
confiderable,
OF THE
diers.
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
him
all
503"
CHAP,
>
He
ways
-^r
by
his predeceflbr.
The town
being fur-
by
heights, he uncovered the conduits which led to Caefar's divifion of the town ; and, to render thefe conduits unferviceable, forced into
them
from the
fea.
The
lofs
however was
foon fupplled from welJs, in which, fieged found plenty of frefli water.
at a
While
to
and engines of war, being arrived on the unable to reach Alexandria on account of the winds, he
fca, in
made
On
this occafion,
he
was attacked by
a great part of the enemy's fliips, and brought his own reinforcement fafe into harbour. The Egyptians, with great ardour, fet to
work
vefl'els
in
all
now
fuftained,
a fleet, confiding
five tire,
of four
of oars, five of
Cxfar had to oppofe them, nine galleys from Rhodes, from five from Lycia, and twelve from the coaft of Pontug, eight Five were of five tire of oars, and ten of four tire. Afia. The redimenfions.
With
more engaged
off the
mouth of
the har-
bour, the Egyptians were again defeated, with the lofs of one galley of five tire of oars, another of two tire taken, and three funk. The
remainder retired under cover of the MoJe, and of the towers of the
Pharos.
Soon
5D4
Soon
the
enemy
at the
to fly
harbour, killed
from thence, moft of them fwimming acrofs the many, and took fix hundred prifoners. He forced
to
them
fame time
abandon the tower, which commanded the fide. As he purfued them in their
and
as the
mole
itfelf
his foldiers,
who
the fhips,
the
fl:ations
it
into
quay
ing to efcape in this manner, and finding that the boat into which lie went, being aground and overloaded, could not be got oiF, he threw
himfelf into the water, and
four hundred
fwam
to a
fliip.
In this tumult, he
loft
of the legions, and an equal number of the fleet. The Egyptians recovered all the ground they had loft, got pofl^efl^ion again of the tower at the head of the mole, and of the ifland which
fecured their
ftiips.
men
In fuch operations, with various events, the parties in Egypt paft the winter and fpring. Ca;far ftill retained the perfon of Ptolomy in his pofTeflion, and made ufe of his name to countenance his own caufe,
Or to difcredit that of his enemies
averfe
to this ufe being
;
made of
a
and deiirous to
entered into
his releafe.
In purfuit of their
-defign, they
conveyed fecret intimation to Casfar's quarters, that the troops were greatly difgufted with Ganimedes, and that if
appearance in perfon, they would cerorders, and commit the whole fettlcment of
his
the
kingdom to the arbitration of Ca:far. The king was inftrudred to affed a great diflike to this propofal, and with tears intreated that he
might
""
OF THE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
Cxfar, either being de-
505
^
'
palace.
P.
'
ceived by thefe profefTions, or believing the name of the king to be of little confequence, confented to let him depart ; but this artful
boy, as foon as he was at liberty, laid afide his difguife, laughed at the fuppofed credulity of thofe he had deceived, and urged the attack on the
Roman
While
brought
affairs at
Alexandria were in
accounts were
fent to prox.
that Mithridates of
Pergamus,
whom Csefar
had
was
atually arrived at
PeluCum with
he had reduced that place, and only waited from Cxfar how to proceed. Thefe accounts were
that
,
brought
fame time, and both determined to Ptolomy leaving a proper guard on his
Works, embarked his army on the Nile, having a confiderable naviCxfar, at gation to make by the different branches of that river.
the fame time, put his
army on board
in the harbour,
open courfe by
being joined by Mithridates, was in condition to take the field agalnfl: the Egyptian army. Ptolomy, to prevent the return of Caefar by
of the Nile
feated,
land to Alexandria, had taken a ftrong poft on one of the branches but here, after a few fkirmiflies, he was attacked, de;
his ftation.
*'
Endeavouring to make
his
it
efcape
by
which
carried
Immediately
after this
a<Stion, in
routed and difperfed, Cxfar, efcorted by a fmall party of horfe, returned to Alexandria, and having received the fubmiffion of the inhabitants,
made fuch
kingdom. He placed Cleopatra on the throne, in conwith her younger brother ; and, to remove any farther ocjundion
ceffion to the
3
Vol.
II.
cafion
5o6
^
^P
fifler
Arfinoe
^~^-><^
He left great part of the army to fupto be tranfported to Rome. this new eflabHihment in Egypt, and he himfelf, after this finport
gukr
iaterkide, in the midft of the conquefi: of the
fixth legion
Roman
empire,
by land
into Syria.
At Antioch, he
fmce any orders
this
affairs,
eiapfed,
During
time, the
fiidtions of the city, the relaxation of difcipline in the army, and the
threats of invafion
of hazard, as to urge his immediate appearance in Italy and at Rome; but he thought it of confequence to his authority to leave no enemy behind him in the field "*, nor to fuifer the remains of diforder in any
of the provinces through which he was to pafs. Pharnaces, the fon had the whom to of Mithridates, affigned kingdom of the Pompey
the Bofphorus, imagining that
civil
Romans were
engaged, made
ther's
dominions, had paffed with an army into Pontus, and from leifer Armenia and Cappadocia, which had been
by the Romans
to Dejotarus
and
to Ariobarzanes.
At
who had
been
difpatched
by
Pompey, difpatched to Pharnaces a meffenger, requiring him Inftantly to withdraw his troops from Armenia and Cappadocia and, in order to give the more weight to this meffage, he himfelf at the fame
;
Roman legion,
that had been formed by Dejotarus in the Roman manner, and two hundred Ahatic horfe. He at the fame time ordered Publius Sextius
** Hirt.
de Bello Alex,
OF THE
and C!
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
>
5^7
Prsetorius to bring
up a legion which had been lately raifed him with fome light troops from.
CHAP.
.--/
Thefe forces being aflembled at Camana in Cappadocia, the meffenger, who had been fent to Pharnaces, returned with an anfwer,
that the king
of that province until the arrival of Cxfar, to whofe decifion he was wiUing to fubmit his pretenfions. Domitius, not being fatisfied
with
this
army
in
and
to put
all
him
to receive
him with
to
from Csfar
march
into
Egypt
was defeated,
and obliged to fly with the remains of his army, by the route of the mountains which feparated Armenia from the -Roman province.
Elated with this vlftory, Pharnaces, at the time of Csefar's de-
had returned into Pontus; had taken poffeffion parture from Egypt,
of the principal towns, and with great feverity exercifed the foveAbout the middle of July, Ca^far, having reignty of the kingdom.
Antioch with an account of his own difpatched Trebonius from inftrudions to thofe who commanded in Italy ", with and operations,
went himfelf by
coming
and who,
fea
to Tarfus,
where he
CafTuis,
received,
as
has been
for
hi^
who
waited
till
then was
undetermined, whether he fliould make his peace with the vidor, or attempt to aflafllnate him,
At
5o8
BOOK
^-^^
Cilicia,
At Tarfus, Csefar held a convention of the principal inhabitants of and from thence marched into Cappadocia, flopped at Co-
to make the necefl'ary arrangements in that province, and conHither Detinued his route to the frontiers of Galatia and Pontus.
mana
jotarus,
who had
who had
fought un-
and who, by the gift of that unforturetained the fovereignty of Galatia, came to make
He laid down his diadem, and the enfigns of royalty j in the habit of a fuppliant, pleaded, that, in himfelf And, prefenting the late war, the eaftern part of the empire, being fubjed to Pompey,,
his fubmilTion.
the princes of that quarter had not been free to chufe their party ; that he was himfelf not qualified to decide in a queflion on which the
the
Roman People was divided that he thought it his duty to follow Roman flandard wherever it was eredled, without confidering by
;
whom
it
was
carried.
fulate
rejeding the plea of ignorance or inany prince in alliance with the Romans could, w^ere Confuls in the year that fucceeded the ConCaefar,
who were
Rome
who was
head of the republic, and in pofTeflion of the capital^ and of the feat of empire ; and who of confequence was vefled with the authority of the commonwealth. But that he himfelf, in the caat the
pacity of a private
man, was
part
He
to refume the
fefTion
royalty,
and
to
keep pof-
title,,
by which
formed in the
Roman
now
the remains of the two legions that efcaped with. Domitius from Nicopolis^
OF THE
copolls,
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
59
which had accompanied himfelf from Egypt, now reduced by the fword, and by the fatigues of fervice, to no more
and of the
fixth,
CHAP.
VII.
With
this
Pharnaces fent forward a meflenger to prefent Upon of his late vibories, with a crown of gold, and made in honour him,
offers
fill
up the time
to give
by
affairs,
"
Come
"
faid,
as
an
"
"
**
enemy
Cjefar.
never took part with Pompey^ nor declared war againft Let me not be treated with more fcverity than Dejotarus,,
I
who
did both."
ated
O-efar replied,
That he would
j
liften to
Pharnaces^
he had forgiven Dejotarus, and many others, with pleafure, the injury done to himfelf j but that he could not fo eafily overlook infults which were offered ta
when he had
up
to his profefTions
that
the
provinces of the
*'
he did not pardon wrongs done in the empire, even by thofe of his own party. Your not having joined with Pompey," he faid, " has faved you
State
;
Roman
and
that
Roman
my
vidtory."
demanded
mefTages of Pharnaces, Csefar the inftant furrender of the kingdom of Pontus, and full
this reply to
With
the
reparation of
all
by any Roman
citizens fettled
in that province.
thefe
demands ; but under various pretences delayed the performance of his promife. He had fixed on a hill in the neighbourhood of a that became famous by the vidory which his father Ziecla, place
Roman army
mand
of Triarius
ther's lines,
and rn order to fecure himfelf, repaired his faand feemed to be determined to maintain this poft.
:.
Caefar, having lain for fome days within live miles of the enemy^ advanced to an eminence feparated from the camp of Pharnaces only
by a narrow
valley
He
came upon
thi&
5IO
BOOK v-^-v--
ground
in
As at break of army appeared to be at work, this feemed opportunity to attack them and Pharnaces began to
arms to cover the workmen.
his
;
imagining that he only meant to give an alarm, and to interrupt his workmen ; even after he was in motion, did not order the legions to defift from their work, nor to arm
for this purpofe.
Ca^far,
:
form
but feeing him defcend into the valley, and attempt to pafs it in the face of his advanced guard, he founded to arms, and was fcarcely formed
when the enemy had paiTed both banks of the vale to attack him. The troops of Pharnaces began the ad:ion with an ardour that was
fuited to the boldnefs
with which they had advanced ; and Caefar's of their But contempt defigns had nearly expofed him to a defeat.
the ation, which was doubtful every where elfe, was decided by the veterans of the fixth legion, before whom the enemy began to give
way, hurried with precipitation down the declivity, and fell into aPharnaces fled with a few attendants, and narrowly general rout.
efcaped being taken
compare
his
;
own
This vidlory gave C:cfar an opportunity to glories with thofe of Sylla, of Lucullus, and of
''\
Pompey
and was on this account, probably, regarded by him with " How " when- obtained fmgular pleafure. cheap is fame," he faid, " ^y ^''''^'"0 againft fuch an enemy ?" And in the triumphs
''^
which he afterwards
"
were dlftinguifhed by
I
labels,
exprefling in
thefe words,
came,
faw,
vanquifhed
''^."
From
which
this
vidory
fuperi-
own
and Pompey, we may fufpedt that vanity, not lefs than was the fpring of that emulation from which he had raifed ambition,
**
Vclleius.
lib.
ii.
Florus.
^'
Liv.
Epitome,
Sec.
*5
p. iSj.
The
famoi's words,
/m",
I'/V/,
I'ici.
fuch
OF THE
filch a
all
i|fie
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
.
jir
CHAP,
VII.
he reftored Domitius
to a general infpedlion
Calvinus to his
command
in that quarter,
and
of
affairs
fupply to
This province, which had furnilhed a principal the public revenue of the State, as well as to the private
iil
Afia.
fortune of
Roman
adventui-ers,
arrears of
to
pay
large conto
tributions in
name of
Pompey,
in
Afia,
;
fet
having iffued his orders for the contributions to be levied out by Galatia and Bithynia towards Greece, in his way
he landed
at
to Italy
from Rome.
Many
citizens
Tarentum, having been near two years abfent had waited near twelve months at Brun-
difium in anxious expectation of his coming, and under great unCicero, being of certainty of the reception they were to meet with. this number, fet out for Tarentum as foon as he heard of Csefar's arrival,
When
alighted from his carriage, received him with marks of refpedl, and continued to walk and to difcourfe with him afide for fome time.
There
is
converfation.
no particular account of what paffed bt;tween them in this On the part of Cicero, probably, were ftated the reain a letter to Atticus, for his conduct before that he
fons
which he auigns,
bearing,
to
the
war, that he thought the republic had nothing to gain by the vidory of either party, and that he joined Pompey, more influenced by the Under thefe imprefopinion of others, than decided in his own ^\
fions,
though courted by
Csefar,
-of his
name
to
taken at
Rome, he
chofe to withdraw to a
literary
amufements and
c,
ftudies.
At
"
*'
57.
mofl
512
B
*
V-
c. 706.
'
of his writings on the fubjed of eloquence, as he did feme time afterwards thofe which are termed his philofophical works 3^.
itioft
TJ.
Ca^far arrived at
Rome
in the
Roman
a^ra, in
Dictator.
Egypt.
This year, as has been related, he had paffed chiefly in Being eleded, together with M. Emilius, Conful for the
following year, he applied himfelf, for a little time, in the capacity of civil magiftrate to the affairs of State ; endeavoured to reftore the
tranquillity of the city,
his abfence,
and
to
wipe away
his party.
the reproach
on
He
ftifled
which the
flattered the
more
profligate
part of the
He
;
on
this occafion,
that
that
ftill
he had expended his fortune in the obliged to borrow money for the fame
purpofes.
With
refpeft to
procured, about two years before, in his way from Spain to Epirus. But while he appeared to be intent on thefe particulars, his thoughts
were
in preparing to meet the war which the remains chiefly occupied of the antient Senate and of the republican party were refuming
againfl:
him
in Africa.
This province, in which Varus, fupported by the king of Numidia, had been hitherto able to keep his ftation as an officer of the
commonwealth, was now become the fole or the principal refuge of the Three hundred citizens, many of them Senators, republican party.
and
exiles
from
had
afl'em-
bled at Utica, and confiderlng every other part of the empire as under
-^
free
OF THE
free remains of the
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
republic
.
513
Roman
;
CHAP.
VII.
titles,
the levies
made
in the province,
Many
and contributed largely to fupply the officers of name and of rank, Labienus,
all thfe
remains
they had faved from the wreck at Pharfalia, were now ready to renew The name of Scipio was reckoned ominous the war on this ground.
of fuccefs in Africa, and
tltat
of Cato, even
if
of the prefent conteft were unknown, was held a fufficient mark fide of juftice, and the caufe of the republic. diftinguifli the
Thefe leaders of the republican party, having a confiderable force and having accefs to all tlie ports, not only of Africa, but likewife of Sicily, Sardinia, and Spain, had furniflred themfelves
at fea,
plentifully
with
all
war
".
ten
may
have amounted
to hfty thoufand
Roman
foot.
thoufuid African horfe, a great body of archers and flingers, with a hundred and twenty elephants. They expefted to be joined by the
the eftablifhed characSter-of his countryking of Numidia, who, to men for ftratagem and valour, joined the glory of hie late vidlory
and was fuppofed to mufter, at this time, befides nu; of horfe, of archers, of flingers, and a great troop of bodies merous armed and marfhalled, for the mofl elephants ; thirty thoufand foot, Roman the of the manner legion ^. part, in
over Curio
The army already in Africa, as well as the remains of the fea and land forces ofPompey, who were lately arrived from Macedonia, were as has been mentioned, to have placed Cato at their head. But
willing,
all
's'
Dlo. Can;
lib. Ixii.
c. 5.
lib. ii.
Vol.
II,
tended,
514
who was of confular rank, who had no more than the rank of
fliould
have
Pr^Etor,
and
who
we
could not be acceflary to the infringement of any eftabhlhed or conflitutional form, dedined the command. By this circumftancc
are deprived of an opportunity to judge
man
how far the miUtary his with kept pace integrity, judgment, and
courage in
civil
and
political affairs.
and having the fupreme command of their that the coafts of Italy were expofed to
at
forces, notwithftanding
his
attempts,
and not-
if his fituation
Alexandria had been known, gave fufficient opportunities for enall his meafures for a defenfive war.
affairs in Africa when Ccefai', who, \vith all and authority, frequently experienced the difof commanding mere foldiers of fortune, taught to diveft
ftate
of
themfelves of
perifh in a
civil principle,
mutiny of his own army, and to end fwords which he himfelf had whetted againft the
by the
ordered"
republic.
The
legions,
which
of
becoming infolent in the poffeffion of a military power which they faw was to be formed on the ruins of the commoninto Italy,
own importance, efpecially in the abfence of their leader, would not be commanded by fubordinate officers; nor did they, on the return of Cxfar himfelf, difcontinue habits
of diforder and licence which they had Ibme time indulged. Being neighbourhood of Capua, from whence it was expeled they fhould embark for Africa, they decamped without or-,
ftationed in the
ders,
Rome
of Salluftj who,
with
v-hich
he had
been
OF
been
veftecl
51J
by
killed
many
CHAP.
c
^-
ventured to oppofe them, and threw On the approach of this forcoiifternation. into the city great himfelf is faid to have wravered in his reCaefar midable body,
officers
who
had fome troops attending his perfon, and there was a legion which Antony had flationed in the city on occafion of With thefe he at firft propofed to meet and the late commotions.
folution.
refill
He
the mutiny
but he recolleded, that even thefe troops might fpirit of difobedience, and that if he were
authority,
to
draw the
power he
While he was
by
thefe refledions,
with orders to enquire for what purpofe the mutiThis officer was told, " That they would ? advanced nous legions
he "
fent
an
officer
Having this anfwer, and expeding explain themfelves to Csefar." their arrival at the gates, he chofe that they fliould appear to do by
his permiffion,
likely to
do without
it
he therefore
his leave
fent
that they
had
and took
in a
Being
on a confpicuous
place, they
and, from
many
fliips
which they had received ^, they had fuffered, and with one voice demanded
complained of the fcanty rewards enumerated their fervices and the hardtlieir
inftant
difcharge.
ceffions,
fiill
Cxfar knov/ing that they only meant to extort fome conwhich they hoped the confideration of the war, which was
far
impending in Africa, would oblige him to make ; that they were from wiiliing to be difmiffed, or to rcfignthofe arms to which they
^ Dio. Caffius,
%
c.
5155.
owed
ji6
B
O O K owed
own
<V^
confequence, and on which they grounded their comply with their requeft, owned
reafonable
;
hitherto, retained'
was now
out,
and
new
em-
fatigues.
which he made to
this purpofe,
;
and obferved
how
proper
it
was
that
all,
who had
inten-upted
by a general
It
is
foldiers^
^',
willing to ferve.
name of Roman
citizens
Hand.
to
who wiihed
improve this fentiment in favour of C^^far, defired to be heard ; made an apology for what was paft, and offered to pledge himfelf
for the duty
by
to
Cccfar,
That the
and future obedience of the troops. He was anfwered fervices of this army were now of little moment
by their own in condition to were he had confeffion they taken his refoferve, yet lution, and fhould inflantly difmifs them with the ulual rewards. " fhall " No man," he faid, complain that in time of need I em" and now at him, my eafe forget the reward that is due to ployed " him. Such as continue in the fervice until the
him
public tranquillity
*'
is
fully
"
*'
promifes of
or in a
little
money
at
be paid now,
He
concluded,
how-
Quirites,
Roman
citizens^
OF THE
ever, with faying,
ROMAN
as
REPUBLIC.
no man' to remain
in the
v_
517
" That
he
aficed
CHAP.
VII.
"
*' *'
fervice, fo
prefent
he fhould not rejed the duty of thofe who were willabide by their colours 5 that he owed this indulgence to their ingto their rperit on former occafions." The whole requefts, and to
with one voice defired to be compi-ehended in this al of indulgence, and went headlong into all the extremes of fubmiflion, as they had
gone into every excefs of diforder and infolence ; Ca^far was thus again in full poffeffion of his power ; but he did not venture to It was fafer to reward fuch as authors of the mutiny. punifli the
lately
were confpicuous in any particular merit he therefore feledled a few to be diftinguifhed by immediate effeds of his bounty, and put the remainder in motion towards Africa, where they might have an opportunity of earning future rewards and the pardon of paft of;
fences
which,
their
pretenfions
to the vulgar computation at year was now, according the ufual intercalations of and in confequence being negledted, to the
The
Rome,
nomi-
middle of December, but was in reality little nally advanced or was in the end of September, when pall the autumnal equinox'',
in the city, and in the Cacfar, having made the proper arrangements manner related, appeafed the mutiny which thi-eatened to deprive him The of his army, was again in motion to carry the war into Africa, and which had unfit at for was which fea, thought operations feafon, adluallv forced his antagonift's fhips into port, gave him the opportu-
that the
He knew for to effed: his pafTage into that province. nity he wifhed fleet could not continue to cruize for any time to enemy's
;
he might efcape them with the ad^an-^ he had chofen the fame, opportunity, and tage of a favourable wind,
obferve his motions
and
that
Dio. Caff.
lib. xlii.
c.
51
5S>
"
^^^^- '"
^''"'*
Csefaris, p. 154.
'p.
jrS
BOOK
to tranfport his
army
Into
?.Iacedonia againfl
Pompey, who,
trufting to tlie
lance of his
fleet,
fuifered himfelf to
which he occupied with fo fuperior a force. pofl'effed of a country fo much on that occafion, by the rapidity of C?efar having gained
his motions, now made war with many accumulated advantages of reputation and power, which increafed his boldnefs, and facilitated
his fuccefs.
Having ordered
to
to affemble at Lillybxum,
troops and fliipping from different quarters of Italy from whence he had the fliorteft paffage
there
of
September
fix
and although he
army
new
hundred horfe, he ordered thefe, notwithftanding, to levies, embark on board fuch fhips as were then in the harbour and if the wind had ferved, would have inftantly failed, even with this fmail
;
and
force, trufting
that he miglit be able to furprife fome port on the cppofite fliore, and prepare a fafe landing-place for the troops that were to follow. But while he continued windbound at Lillybceum,
embark
wind
under an
mouth of
Being
fand foot, together with two thouHmd horfe ; and the wind coming fair on the twenty-eight of December, or, as it is computed, on the twelfth of Odober, he himfelf went on board, and leaving orders for the
troops that
v.rere ftill
in motion towards
Lillyb^um
to follow
him
without delay, he fet fail for the neareft land in Africa. Not knowing of any port to which he might fecurely repair, he could not, as iifual, alfign a place of general refort in cafe of feparation, and only
gave
OF THE
gave orders to the of a landuig-place
in
fleet to
till
ROMAN REPUBLia
keep clofe together 5 and deferred the choice he fhould have obferved the coaft, and feen
leaft
5^9
CHAP,
v,^w
after
after
felf,
guarded he got to fea a ftorm arofe, which difperfed the fleet with the Ihips that ftill kept him company, after being
againft a defcent.
;
Soon
he him-r
tofled four
days in a palfage of no more than twenty leagues, got under the land of the promontory of Mercury, and from thence, to avoid the forces
Carthage,
of the enemy, which were ftationed near Utica and round the bay of fl:eered to the fouthward.
The coaft of Africa, from this cape or promontory to the bottom of the great Syrtes, over three degrees of latitude, or about two hundred miles, extends diredly to the fouth. It abounds with confiderable towns, which,
on account of
;
their
Emporix and by their wealth, tempting the rapaof theNumidians and of the Carthaginians, were long a
between thefe powers. Adrumetum lay on of a fpacious bay, bounded by the head of Clupea on the The fouthern coaft of this north, and that of Vada on the fouth.
fubjedl of contention
one
fide
bay contained, befides Adrumetum, the following feaports Rufpina, the bay itfelf extending from the firft of thefe Leptis, and Thapfus Scipio had fecured Adruplaces to the laft about thirty-fix miles.
:
metum and
fiderable forces.
Thapfus, being the extremity of this line, with conIn order to render the province unfit for the re.
ception of an enemy, he had laid wafte the country, and had colthe provillons and forage into thefe and other places of for the ufe of his own army.. ftrength
leted
all
legions,
and and
the
keeping of their
many of^ihe inland towns, were intrufted to own inhabitants. But thefe, on account of the
by order of
Scipio,
geex-^
were
tremely
520
BOOK
tremely dlfaiTefted to his party, and inclined to favour any aMiiift him.
enemy
Se-*
at
Utica as the
laft retreat
of the
Roman
to the
their refoiuxes,
and the
his
feat
qf their councils.
main body of
army near
fame
any attempt
that
might
be made from
Italy.
Labienus and Petreius had feparate bodies, at proper ftations, to guard the inlets of the coaft round the bay of Carthage ; and were
fo difpofcd of, that
they could eafily join and crofs over land to the upon any alarm of an enemy, from that fide.
fleet.
He
fea
during
fummer and on
however, according to his cuftom of taking opportunities \vhen his enemies were likely to be off their guard, venturing to fea,
even in
this feafon,
feems to
him on
approach to the coaft, befides the general report that the were ftrongeft and moft to be avoided in the bay of Carthage. enemy In this belief he paffed the head-lands of Clupea and Neapolis, and
his
Adrumetum. Being feen from the fhore, he Cn. Pifo from Clupea, with three thoufand Numidian by and v\ras received at Adrumetum by Confidius, with a force horfe, greatly fuperior to that with which he himfelf had brought to the coaft.
flood in to the bay of
w^as followed
But
N. C.
biaat.
6.
fo
little
-was
he determined to brave
nrft
that
he landed near
fo much Adrumetum
3tio,
on the nominal
Lepiiius,"
M.
E(i.
zardous ftep his high reputation feem.ed to require or to juftify. not be apprifed of his prefent weaknefs, it being ,occafioned to the accidental feparation of his fleet. They were
likely
OF THE
likely to
ROMAN REPUBLIC.
531
be awed by his name, and to remain at a diflance long him be joined by the remainder of his army. In the mean time he fupported the courage of his own people, by proceeding againfl the enemy with his ufual confidence.
CHAP,
enough
to let
The
force
garrifon of
Adrumetum, upon
this
fudden appearance of a
which came
to attack them,
and Confidius, inftead of taking meafures to crufh fo inferior an enemy before he fhould receive any reinforcement, thought of nothing
but
how
to fecure himfelf
all
from
furprlfe
manned
his
walls,
and placed
command
at their pofts
of alarm,
Cazfar, to
fent
at
him a
fummons
.
to furrender at difcrerion
and afterwards,
the fug-
geftion of Plaftcus,
who had
meflage ; but this officer, being more a man of integrity than he had lliewn himfelf to be an able general, ordered the bearer of the mefto death, and fent the letter unopened to Scipio, fege to be put Caefar having received no return to his meflage, and
fufpedlng
that
his
commander of the
forces at
Adru-
With this view he remove to 'fome place of greater fecurity. marched to the fouthward, and though harafTed in his rear by the enemy's horfe, continued his march without any .confiderable interruption
or
lols.
As he advanced
to
Rufpina,
deputation
from the inhabitants of that place came forward to meet him, with offers of every accommodation it was in their power to fupply, and
He encamped one night of an immediate reception into their town. walls but inclined their to fee more of the coaft, and under j being
not being in condition to divide his
force,
Vol.
II.
having
522
j]
o O K having
own
people.
This was a convenient poft for the reception of his tranfports ; and a few of them accordingly, having fome cohorts of foot and
on board, it being now the third day after he himhad felf debarked, or about the twentieth of Odober, put in to the of harbour Leptls. By the report of perfons who came in thefe
troops of horfe
they had parted company, appeared to be fleering for Utica ; a courfe by which they muft either run into the hands of the enemy, or lofe much time
that fhips he learnt,
numbers of the
fleet,
after
way
to the
fouthward.
In a
ftate
whether
it
for
him
and in confequence of his doubts, probably, though under pretence of the want of forage, he ftlU kept his cavalry on board, and with great difficulty continued to fupply them with frefh
again to
embark
But as foon as he determined to keep his footlanded his cavalry, and took the pecefl'ary meafures he ing in Africa, He fent back the empty of to procure fupplies provifions by fea.
water from the land.
tranfports to receive
any troops that might be arrived at Llllyba^um, and ordered ten galleys from the harbour at Leptls to cruize for the
miffing fhips of his
dinia
laft
embarkation.
He
and other maritime provinces, with orders to haften the reinforcements of troops and the fupplies of provifions which were expected
from thence
liad
fome ma-
thither Crlfpus Salluftlus, the celebrated hiftorlan, now ferving in to endeavour to fecure thofe magazines for his ufe. his
army, Being determined to keep both the ports of Rufpina and Leptls, which the enemy feemed to have abandoned to him, he was now,
by
OF THE
by
felf
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
at Ltptis, In
52;
con-
HA
P.
town with
who were
fame time, of Rufpina. This place being unfor the fupport of a garrifon, he deterof neceflary very provided mined to try what provifions could be found in the neighbourhood
his poffelTion, at the
to fubfift his troops till they could be otherwife fupplied, or enabled For this purpofe he advanced to penetrate farther into the country. with the whole of his little army to forage, followed by all the car-
and had them loaded with corn, wood, riages that could be aflembled, form fome fpecies of magazine for the to and other neceflaries,
As foon as he had effedted in the town. troops he intended to place this fervice, it appeared that he had taken the refolution to go in
on board of which the greater perfon in fearch of the tranfports, with this view having polled And his army v/as difperfed. of part
ten cohorts at Rufpina, he himfel^ with the feven others, that the whole of his ftrength
made
to the harbour,
which was about two miles from the town, and embarked in the night. The troops that were to Ire left at Rufpina, without the leader,
in
whom
;
their confidence
fo few,
was
chiefly repofed,
were aware of
their
likely
fliore,
danger
who were
on
three days
full
The
; they relied on his abilities to repair the efFeds or of miftake whether temerity ; but in his abfence they loft all hopes, and expeded to become an eafy prey to their enemies.
however, fully determined to put to fea, having pafl tlic on board, ftill continued at anchor ; when at break of day night to weigh, fome veflels came iii fight, and were known about being
Cfefar,
to be a part of the
fleet
which he
J
fo
Thefe
were
524
^
*^v
brought him
fhips which appeared fucceflively, and" of the greater part the fix legions with which he had'
by other
originally failed from LillybGeumBeing thus prevented in his intended excurfion, he returned to Rufpina, and took poll between the
town and
In the
the fhore.
mean time
It
com-
manding the horfe and light troops of Scipio's army, in the ano-le that is formed of by the promontory of Clupea, between the
bays Carthage and Hadrumetum, having intelligence that Ccefar was landed, with theutmofl diligence affembled their and marched
forces,.
towards the coaft from which they had received the alarm. Csefar had taken a defenfive ftarion behind tiie town of
Rufpina,. the place which he chofe for the refort and fafe reception of his con^ voys and reinforcements by fea ; but he was far from limiting his On the fourth or plan of operations to the defence of this place.
fifth
day
although by his
own
intelligence of the
enemy's motions, he thought proper to continue the alarm he had given, and marched from Rufpina with a
body
of thirty cohorts, or about fifteen thoufand foot, and four hundred horfe, to penetrate into the country to obferve its fituation, or to
fupplies.
his camp, the back on the main body, and informed him that they had been in Soon fight of an enemv. after this report clouds of dull and began to rife from the
plain,
about noon an
army appeared
in order of battle.
To
cbferve
them
more
form, and to be covered with their helmets, went forward with a fmall He faw bodies of cavalry in every part party to view the enemy. of the field ; and from the imperfedl view which could be had of
them,
as the air
duft,
he fappofed their
line to confiH
intirely
525-
^ ^ A P
^v
and
that he
as
at intervals
he fuppofed, intirely of cavalry, but of troops of horfe interfperfed with bodies of foot, and he had not obferved that con-
fiderable detachments
flanks,
were
feat
hills
to turn. his
and
fall
upon
his rear.
Under
in front
thefe difadvantages
on the part of
Csefar, the
adion began
Numidian
horfe,
who came
ill'
and advancing
which they were placed among thegallop, threw their javelins and darts,
lituation.
and prefently
retired to their
former
and prepared
While
Ca^far s infantry
his horfe
was occupied
in front
with
this
unexpeded
were defeated on the wings; and the enemy^ in confequence of the difpofition they had made, were already on his right and left, even began to clofe on his rear, and, by the fupcr-
mode of attack,
numbers, were enabled to continue the imprefliou fide ;. his men giving way, to fhun the arrows they made on every and darts of the enemy, were prefTed from the flanks to the centre ,
riority of their
fo that they
fi-ont
files,
.
circle,
which did
',
Caefar,
who
fo far
had
fuffered himfelf to
fituation,
ability
reached,
fidence
'
in this
difficult
which
his
known
Caefaris copiis in
orbem
526
B
^-V
O^
cured
him from
their
his troops,
weakened
Hne in every part, by attempting to ftretch a he prevailed on his legions again circumference, great
over fo
to
exvend
and the
and making a front in both diredlions, charged the enemy on the oppofite fides, and drove them in both ways to a diftance from
Without attempting, hov/ever, to improve his adthe ground. vantage, or to urge the purfuit, he took the opportunity of the ene-
my's
own
retreat,
and
fell
Rufpina, from which he had moved in the morning. The fpeedy march of Labienus and Petreius, from a
could not be
the fourth or
fition
lefs
which
fifth
than eighty or a hundred miles, accompliflied by day after the arrival of Ca:far, and their dilpobattle, to avail
on the day of
fighting,
manner of
to
was
able
and
fpirited.
is
fufficient
(how
mere
mlffile
weapons
troops
who
are
armed and
diftrefs
difciplined
may
an enemy, cannot have any decifive effect. In about three days after this encounter, C^efar had intelligence
harafs
and
his in-
fantry, confiding of eight legions, or about forty thoufand men, and an army which he was not in confour thoufand regular horfe
:
to his
coaft,
and
at the
Rufpina lay along the of two miles from the fhorc. As his
part of the
army
town; covering
fpace between
it
up an in-
fide,
;
town on
the other,
by means of the
camp and thefe lines in flank, tthf' whole fpace between Rufpina and the fca was covered with ^Yorks. And the harbour was thus fecured from any attempts of the
in front, the fortifications of his
town
enemy.
OF THE
enemy.
Ihore.
ROMAN
defend
REPUBLIC.
he landed
his
527
^
^^
-^
In order to
man and
tliefe fortifications,
^^
to ferve
them on
cv^
The
pofed to be deprived of any communication with the country, might, in cafe the enemy had feized their advantage, or in cafe the reir>force-
ments which Cxfar had expelled from the fea, had by any accident He been long delayed, have expofed him to the greateft calamities. Hmfelf would not have negleded to hem in an enemy fo pofted with
a-
line
of circumvallation
vafl:
for thofe
who were
arrival
oppofed to him, and he was fuffered in fafety to wait the of his reinforcements, and to colledt fome immediate fupply
of provifions from the neighbouring country, as well as to receive convOys which he had ordered from every maritime province.
Adrumetum,
and having halted there a few days, joined Labienus and Petreius in the ftation they had chofen, about three miles from the town of Rufpina.
Their cavalry immediately over-ran the country, and interThe fpace he rupted the fupplies which Cx-far derived from thence. had inclofed within his entrenchments being about fix fquare miles,
was foon exhaufted even of forage or pafture, and his horfes reduced to feed on fea weed, which was fteeped in frefh water, in order to
purge
it
as
much
as poffible
of
its fait.
To encourage the hopes which Scipio entertained from all thefe circumftances, the king of Numidia, with a powerful army, was on
the march, and likely to join
him
any
for
this jundion, if it had really taken place, fome time by one of thofe ftrokes of fortune to
forefight cannot
extend.
Publius Sitius,
Roman
citizen,,
528
B O O
V-
who had
^r-*
and who, on this account, had fled beyond againft the repubUc, the Roman reach of power, had afTembled a band of warriors or
lawlefs banditti, at the head
quence on the
coafts
the forces of different princes in that quarter. Being now in the fervice of Bogud, king of Mauritania, and being difpofed to court the favour of Casfar, or hoping to make his peace at Rome by means of a
perfon fo Hkely to be at the head of the Roman ftate, he perfuaded the king of Mauritania to take advantage of Juba's abfence, and with fuch troops, as he had then on foot, to invade the kingdom of
Numidia.
news of
felf
this invafion
Juba being about to join Scipio near Rufpina, when the of his own country overtook him, found him-
allies
obHged not only to return on his march, but to call off from his in great part of the Numidian H^ht troops, who were already
camp.
their
Scipio,
accefTion of force
which he expected to receive by the junction of Juba, and though even fomewhat reduced in his former numbers, ftill continued to a(t
on
the offenfive
and
and to receive
from fuppofed offers of battle, repeatedly formed his army on the plain between the two camps. In repeating .thefe operations, he advanced ftill nearer and nearer to Cx-far's enfofne fpecies of triumph
camp with an
Ctcfar,
attack.
In
the
its effedts,
knowing
his tent,
ordinary guards, which lay without the entrenchments, not to be difcompofed, but as foon as the enemy approached them, to retire
this reception,
behind the parapet with the utmofi: deliberation and Scipio, upon when feemingly moft bent on affaulting the lines, being
;
fatisfied
OF THE
fatlsfied
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
529
CHAP.
vn.
camp.
During
thefe operations,
ftill
detained In
Nu-
midia by the diverfion which Sitius had occafioned In his kingdom, Csefar had frequent deferters from the African army, and received
deputations from different parts of the country, with profeffions of
memory was
and popular in that province. Among thefe advances, which were made to him by the natives of the country, he had a
recent
from Rufpina,
offering to
and equally diftant from Adrumetum and come under his proteflion, and inviting
him
The
moft other towns of the province, were extremely difaffedted to Scipio, on account of the feverities which he exercifed, by laying
wafte their poffeffions on the approach of Csefar ; and as they dreaded a repetition of the fame meafure, they were defirous to put
Csefar accepted of themfelves in a pofture of defence againft him. their offer, and fent a detachment of his army, who turning round the
enemy's
flank,
after a
out oppofition.
long night's' march entered the town withConfidius leaving intelligence of what was in agita-
from Adrumetum
and finding that the enemy had already entered the town, brought forward fom.e more forces on the following day, and endeavourt^d, but in vain, to diflodge them.
but coming too
late,
to
rjie
iiland
of
Cercina, and was able to furniili a confiderable fupply of provllion?. from thence. Therg arrived at the fame time from AllieniK), at Lyl-
VoL.
II.
lybxum,
530
BOOK
.
of the army which was ftiil expedled from thence. Thefe fupplies and reinforcements at once relieved Csefar's army from the diftrefs
which they
ftiffered
and by
in
fo
great an
acceffion of flrength
in condition to break to
to twelve thouland
ad:
on the
offenfive.
objeift:
was to feize upon, grounds in the neighbourhood of Rufpina, which Scipio had neglected to occupy, and from thence to purfue fuch advantage as he might find againft the enemy. For this purpofe, he decamped
firft
The
upon
this
change in
his affairs,
fome
rifing
was dark, on the fuppofed twenty-fixth of January or eighth of December, and turning by the fhore round the town of Rufpina,, arrived in the night on the ground, which he intended to occupy.
after
it
This was part of a ridge, which runs parallel to the coaft, miles diftance from the ihore, and which, on the north of
turns in the
at a
few
Rufpinaj.
form of an amphitheatre round a plain of about fifteen miles extent. Near the middle of this plain flood the town of
Uzita, on the brink of a deep marihy trad:, which
is formed by the from the mountains, and fpread upon Scipio had pofl:ed a garrilbn in the town,
fall
and had occupied the ridge on one fide of the amphitheatre beyond the marfh, but had negleded the heights, of which Cxfar now took
It feems, that on thefe pofleffion. heights there remained a num ber of towers, or a fpecies of caftles conftruded by the natives in the; courfe of their own wars. In thjefe Qxfixv was furniihed with a
number
.OF
number of
^31::
^^
feparate lodgments, which he joined by hies, In order ta -^ coutiuue his communication with the camp he had left, and with the
\.^
^
.-
P.
_/,
port of Rufplna.
He
made
day-break, Scipio, in order to iuteiTupt him, plain, and formed in order of battle, about a mile in
own encampment. Cxfar, notwithftanding this move-^ of the enemy, did not at firft think it necefTary to interrupt his njent works but Scipio feeming to come forward with intention to attack
;
the
wholeunder arms,
the heights.
Some
army was at work, he ordered keeping the advantage of his ground on parties of cavalry and light troops came near
ftili
between the two armies, and Labienus being adenough vanced on the right beyond the main body of Scipio's forces,' Caefar fent a detachment round a village to attack him, and obliged him to
to fkirmifh
.
This
that
flight
having narrowly efcaped being entirely cut of Labienus fpread fo great an alarm over Scipio's
witli
army,
tinued to
precipitation, retired to their camp. without and pofl:, any farther interruption, conAs foon as thefe execute the works he had already begun.
the whole,
were
finiflied
fcattle, to return
on the following day, he again formed in order of the defiance which the enemy had fo often given
;
.
,
him, w^hile he lay. in the' lines of Rufpina and obferving that Scipio remained in his camp, he marched on to the town of Uzita, which lay
which he had depofited fome part of his magazines, advanced had pofl:ed in the town ; and Cxfar, believing an adion was likely to follow, made a halt, with the town of
Uzita before his centre, having both his wings extended beyond it to the right and the left. Scipio, not to extend his front beyond the
walls of the town,
drew up
his
army
2
of
many
532
B
K many
1
*__
not chufe to attack the town, fupportcd as it was by Scipio's army, neither did Scipio chufe to expofe any part of his line by advancing
beyond
returned
it.
in this poflure
till
fun-fet,
at
Cxfar
ftill
battle in defence
bis prefent
of Uzita, projedted double lines of approach from camp to the town. As the place was acceflible to the
enemy, and when their army fhould be drawn up in order of battle, might be made a part of their line, it was irapoflible for Cccfar toiaveft the
itlelf.
make
on from
feft,
his
camp on
the hills
right
and the
Between
troops advanced to the walls with perfedt fecurity, and under cover ixonx any attacks that might be made on their flanks. As foon as
this lane
was
he
threw up in front a breafl: work oppofite to the ramparts of the town, and from thence began to couftrudt the works that v.-ere ufually employed in the redudion of fortified places.
reinforcements.
During the dependance of this fiege, both parties received great Scipro was joined by the king of Numidia, who
having repelled the enemy who attempted to invade his own kingdom, now came with three bodies of regular infuitry, formed in the
legion, eight hundred heavy armed or bridled with a multitude of light or irregular troops. Ccefar's cavalry, great on the of this new enemy, were much disarmy, appearance
couraged
iiy the
but
on
even
after
he was joined
king of Numidia,
OF THE
fumed
their
ROMAN
two more
REPUBLIC.
533
former confidence, and were themfelves foon after reinlegions, the ninth and the tenth,
CHAP.
VII.
who on
galleys
their
firft
which
Csefar
approach to the coaft, miftook for an enemy fome had ftationed off the harbour of Thapfus, and
off again to fea,
under
this miftake
Hood
where they
fuffered
many
days from ficknefs, want of provifions, and of water. Thefc legions having been the principal authors of the
.In
late
mutiny
without orders, intending to and to court their general's favour, at a time when
to his fafetv.
have
now come
The
relates only,
that
and Centurions of thefe legions to have occupied intire tranfports with their own equipage, to the exclufion of the troops which were then fo much wanted for the ferCjefar having obferved Tribunes
vice,
he took
this
opportunity to execute
to remit,, or
a piece
of juftice, which he
occafion.
fervice,
to defer
on a former
That
from the
with the following terms of reproach " For you, who have incited *' the troops of the Roman people to mutiny againft the republicj
the
allies,
and been
who,.
and
" horfes
*'
who, without courage in the field, or modefty in your ; quarters, have been more formidable to your country than to her
"
*'
I judge you unworthy of any truft in the fervice of the and therefore order you forthwith to be gone from the republic, " and to keep at a diftance from all the ftations of the province,
enemies,
*'
Roman
The
army."
pendance of the
with'
534
with
"T-HE
its
operations.
The
feafon
are told was ftormy, and Csefar's army, in order to crowd the more eafily on board of the tranfports, had left great part of their
we
Sicily,
and were
to
now
accompafta-
became
on the points of While tliis fiorm continued, the ground upon which their fpears. they lay was overflowed with water, or wafhed with continual torhills.
of
to
flatter
the enemy under foine difadvantage, which might place would lay The armies were furniili him with an opportunity to decide the war. in drawn out often order of and were prefent at battle, accordingly
-
partial, engagements
any general
a(3;ion.
the operations, of
this fiege,
Csefar
to.
had one of the many occafions, on commit his genius, his reputation, and
Varus, with a
in
a'5ts
may admire,
fleet
of fifty
pi^iig
galleys, had furprifed and burnt the greater part of his fliipat, Leptis, and was .in chace of Acquila, who, with an inferior
Csefar
apprehended
fup-
coafl;s.
He knew
that reputation
;
gained or
on
and
which
if fufFered to
accumulate,
may
obfcure
can, if feafonably
encountered, by
daring
OF THE
faring
tage.
efForts "of refolu'tion
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
535
He mftantly
therefore
arid
CHAP,
own
fquadron, which
was
them
to put about,
and
this
to
un-
come
in fight of
fail,
and crowding
condud of his enemy, and fuppofmgthera fome powerful fupport, he fled in his turn fl:eered for the port he had left. Csefar gave
fell afliern,
and forced
the remainder to take refuge in the harbour of Adrumetum. Here he prefented himfelf with an air of defiance ; and having given this
affairs
at
fea,
and
left
peremptory orders
not to refign the advantage which they had gained by the to enemy's flight, he returned to the attack of Uzita. In fuch adions the fortunate often fucceed, beeaufe the attempt appears to be impoffible
;
and
men of
great ability
may no
of
fit
difficulties,
to contend.
by
this fliroke
of fortune he preferved
his
communication
from thence, as well as was favoured by the natives; yet being greatly circumfcribed by the
fuperiority of the enemy's light troops, he fuffered confiderably in from fcarcity- of provifions ; and being, in his prefent opehis
and received confiderable fupplies frohi the couritry around him, in which he
camp
numerous army
in detail, behind
them upon.
or to
remove
to a
more advantageous
fet
fire
fi;ation
undertake fome
enterprife, in
likely to fucceed.
to
He
jfliaw that
was
he had forti
,
fied
v^
53^
BOOK
much labouf, and marching by the fliore, placed his between the column of the army and the fea, and thus cobaggage vered it from the enemy, who he expeded were to follow him by the ridge of hills which overlooked the lin6 of his march.
with fo
The
retreat
of Csefar was
fufficient to
wear
him out by
him accordingly by the They heights, and having obferved that he flopped at Agar, a town which he held by the affections of the natives, they took poft on three fea dilatory war.
from his camp. In not were able to him hinder from making in the they and fields a confiderable acquifition of provifions contiguous villages which relieved his and forage, greatly army ; but, to prevent his
veral heights, at the diflance of about fix miles
this polition,
own
and to fecure its produce to their they fent two legions, under the command of Caius Mutius Reginus, with orders to take poffeflion of the town of Zeta, which lay ahout twenty miles from Agar, and on the right at fome diftance beufp,
yond
camp. CEcfar had intelligence from the natives, that were frequently employed abroad in colledting provifions and forage, and that ihey might eafily be cut off, and the town be He accordingly formed a defign for this purpofe and furprifed.
their prefent
thefe troops
it,
and
fortified a ftrong
camp on
Here
and
leaving a iufficient guard for his lines, he put the remainder of the
army
in
motion
in the
night, palled
by the enemy's
ftations,
furprifed the
town of
Zeta,
tlie
garrifon had
and were
Having placed a fufficient detachment to fecure this new acquifition, he fet out upon his return, making a difpofition, not to pafs the xnemy unobfei'ved, which was no longer pradicable, but to force
his
OF
his
537
march.
fet out,
way through any impediment they might oppofe to The night could no longer be of any advantage to, him
CHAP.
he
P,
therefore,
Alrius,
who
belonged to the affociation of Utica, his prifoners, together with fome part of Juba's equipage, and a train of camels, loaded with
plunder which he had taken in the place. The enemy were by this time apprifed of his motions.
Scipio
was
come
; and, not far from Csefar's route, had ported Labienus. and Afranius, with a great himfelf in order of battle.
power of
heights under
which he was to
and on
pafs,
him on
culties
;
his flanks,
it
his rear.
was neverthelefs neceffary to encounter them. He trufted, and he placed his that the head of his column muft force its way When he came abreaft whole cavalry to cover the rear of his march.
;
affailed, as ufual,
and
in order,
way, and procure to by fome great exertion, in his people fome refpite purfuing the remainder of their march untlifturbed, he ordered the legions to lay down the loads which
to clear his
all
they ufually carried, and to charge the enemy. They accordingly put the Africans to flight ; but no fooner refumed their march, than
they were again attacked, and repeatedly forced to renew the fame They had already been detained four hours in palling operations. over a hundred paces, or
place at
lefs
which they were firft attacked. The fun was the enemy were in hopes of being able to oblige them to
night on a
pofe,
ftill
and
field,
which was
deftitute of water.
morning, and from thence obferved, and occafionally fupported, the operations of
kept the pofition
Vol. IL
Csfar
^38
march
way
to the
obHged
to flop in
till
covered their
ftation,
brought forward the horfe to the head of his column, and fubftituted a chofen body of foot in the rear, who, although under an inceflant difcharge from the enemy, continued to move, and enabled him,
though flowly, to efFecSl his retreat with a regular and uninterrupted In this manner, notwlthftanding the great danger to which pace. he had been expofed, he regained his camp, near Agar, with a very
inconfiderable
lofs.
on Vacca, Sarfura, and Tyfdra, round the fcene of the war. His defigti
on the firft of thefe places was prevented by the Numidians, who, having intelligence of his coming, entered before him, and reduced Both armies being in motion for fome days,, the town to afhes.
he forced Sarfura
tion,
but advancing to Tyfdra, with the fame intenhe thought proper, upon obferving the ftrength of the place, not to make any attempt againft it ; and, on the fourth day, having
;
enemy
former pofition.
While
he received a reinforcement of
who had
been
left
behind the army in Italy, and who now joined their legions, together xvith a body of four hundred horfe, and a thoufand archers and
flingers.
With
this accefllon
which was occupied by a detachment of the enemy, fupported by the whole of their army, encamped at the diftance of a few miles behind
the
town
to force or furprife
it,
about
eight
OF
came forward,
TI-IE
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
ScipIcT,
'
5-39
fame time, about four miles Thefe confiding of ftation, in order to fuftain their detachment. four hundred horfe, divided themfelves on the right and the left of
the town
this poft
;
battle,
with
between them, Caviar gave orders, that the party of horfe, which ventured to Ihew themfelves without the walls of Tegea,
fhould be attacked.
The
events
which followed
this firfl
encounter,
brought
into
adion
fent
of horfe and of
foot, that
were
from the
en-
and both
armies retired In
at
many
of thefe partial engagements which happened in this camway to that of the Africans. In one of
C^far met an
officer,
who was running away with his him under a miftake, took hold of his
" for
it is
"
bridle,
*'
You
arc
wrong," he
faid,
this
to the
enemy."
Even
by
they were, on many occafions, furand they were of agility or cunning formidable number and the intimidated appearance coniiderably by of the elephants, virhich they knew not how to withftand. To fortify
niidian irregulars,
whom
feat
new
them
to
number of
He
men in what places to fti'ike where and how to elude their fury. He likewife
of the legion, fuch as might
to baffle or repel the artful
men
;
and defultory
to depart
Numidians
and
as
them by degrees
from
their
540
*
o O K
fhow
his
own
confidence in the fuperiority of his men,, he frequently made an offer of battle on equal ground ; and, in the manner that was, in their
turns,
common
to both parties,
to fight.
drew a
fpecies of
enemy's declining
In thefe operations the campaign drew on to the middle of February, and had lafted about five months ; during this time Csfar
difficulties, arifing
from the
difperfion
of
fleet, the uncertainty of his communication with Italy, and the fcarcity of provifions in a country laid wafte or poffefled by his ene-
mies.
He
coaft,
and.
of a confiderable extent of territory; but from the many objedls whicli^ required his attention in different parts of the empire, he remained-
under great difadvantage in fupporting a dilatory war, in which it appeared that Scipio and Labienus were refolved to perfift. In order, i
break their meafures, he formed a defign upon Thapfus, their principal gaiTifon and fea-port on the fouthern boundaries oE
poffible, to
the province.
ftation near
With
this
Agar, and direfting his march to the fouthward, arrived before Thapfus on the following day. As he had formerly^ in order to fecure his convoys againft any attempts from thence, blocked up
the harbour with his fhips, he
to the
now
feized
all
town, and invefted it completely from the land. Scipio and Juba, greatly interefted to preferve a place of
fo
much
of
him by
hillsc
Thapfus, they took their firft polls on two feparate heights, about eight miles from the town. Cafar, with his ufual induflry and difpatch, executed lines both of circumvallation and of countervallation. I^'
thefe lines,
which were
in the
form of a
crefcent, terminating at
both
his
encamp
army
OF THE
anny between them.
ground, to
ROMAN
was was
REPUBLIC.
acquainted with the
54,
Sclpio
fufficiently
CHAP.
harbour a narrow channel, know, or falt-pit, feparated from the fea, by a fecond beach or fand-bank, which it was pofTible the enemy might not have obferved, and by which he might ftill have an entry to the town, or be able to throw
that there
iiear the
in his fuccours.
He
therefore
advanced
witli his
v/as
carrying on, fent a party to occupy the fand-bank, or to throw themfelves into the town of Thapfus by that communication. Caefar, however,
and fhut
it
up
with three feveral intrenchments or redoubts, fo placed as to fecure it at once againft any fallies from the garrifon, as well as attacks from
the
field.
being thus difappointed of any commutown of Thapfus, remained all the day under arms, and gave the enemy an opportunity, which he often affedled to defire, of terminating the war by a battle. But Csefar, either becaufe he had
nication with the
not fufFiciently fortified his intrenchments to fecure his rear from the
moment
to fight,
when
to receive
on
Scipio, remaining
ufual intrenchments.
day appeared to be forming the had then probably completed his own
fair,
works
to fuffer the
enemy
his
the
ufual
fignal
force to
man
lodgment in his prefenee, he made adion ; and leaving a proper intrenchments againfl: the town, drew out the reto
to effedt a
prepare
for
mainder of his army to the field, ordered part of his fleet to get under fail, to turn a head-land in the rear of the enemy and as foon
;
as the
adion began in
front, to alarm
them with
fhouts, or a feinf,
to
544
^
9,P
V, .-^.
Having made thefe difpofitlons, he and motion, army put being come near enough to dlftinguiiii the pofture of the enemy, obferved, that their main body was ah-eady in order of battle, with the elephants difpofed on the v,ing3;
to attack their rear.
and
and
that
numerous
parties
were
flill
at
work on
to
encamp.
He
halted,
and made a
enemy.
;
His centre
confifted of five
legion?,
the tenth and fecond legions compofed the the and ninth compofed the left. Five cohorts, right wing, eighth
together with the cavalry, were feleded to fupport the archers and
that w^ere to begin the attack on the enemy's elephants; Csfar himfelf went round every divifion on foot, exhorted the veterans to be mindful of the high reputation which they had to fupilingers
port,
and recommended
to the
new
levies to take
and
againft an enemy.
Csefar
at
they
was thus employed, the legions of Scipio appeared to one time retired behind their imperfed works, again
and came back
to
their ground.
changed
Cxfar's
their purpofe,
Many
of
officers, and many of the veteran foldiers, well acquainted with this fign of diftradion and irrefolution, called aloud for the
fignal of battle.
But he himfelf,
poflibly to
whet
their ardour, as
well as to keep
line.
them
in breath, again
fcized with a
In this fituation of the two armies, Cxf\r is faid to have been fit of the epilepfy, to which he was fubjed ; a difeafe
it
which, although
and of
fenfe,
and
the exercifes of
them
manner, does not appear from this example to impair the faculties, ocr to be inconfiftent with their higheft meafurcs, and their ableft exertions.
OF THE
crtions.
ROMAN
is
REPUBLIC.
543
The
report,
however,
CHAP.
vu.
of Hirtius.
the
laft
part
This hiftorian, although he allows that the troops, in of their motion to engage, adled without any orders ; and
while Ca;far wifhed them to advance more deliberately, that they forced
a trumpet on the right to found the ufual charge, and that the whole other without overwhelming by force all the officers
line,
any
fignal,
ventured to oppofe them, continued to rufh on the enemy yet he obferves that Csefar, inftead of being out of condition to ad, took his
who
reftrain
and, in or-
army
at
commanded
all
on horfeback, rode up with the foremoft ranks. The battle began on the right, where the enemy's elephants being galled with a fhower of arrows and fl:ones, reeled back on the troops that were ported to.
fuflaln them, trod part of the infantry under foot, and broke over, the unfiniflied intrenchments in their rear.
of Scipio's army being thus routed, the main body fbon gave way ; and the whole fled to the camp which they had formerly occupied ; but in their flight, being thrown into the utmoft
The
left
after
confufion, and feparated from their officers, they arrived at the place to
which they fled, without any perfon of rank to rally or command In this ftate of conflernation they threw down their arms, and them.
this
Numidian ally. But attempted to take refuge in the camp of their the in of they continued their enemy, poffeffion being already
;
fate in
and being without arms, awaited their When they faw the troops that
of fubmiffion, and faluted purfued them advance, they made figns in Ihout but vain. a with victors the ; They were inftantly attacked
by the vidorious army of Crefar, who, though affedling clemency on former occafions, now feemed to be adluated with
of blood
;
contrary to
the orders
and
544
B
O^o
<
and
intreaties
'
of their general, they put the whole of this unarmed to the fword. They are faid, on this oc-
fome of their
have feized the opportunity of fatiating their revenge on own officers who had offended them. One was adually
iled
diftindiion, Senators
and
Roman
to
Knights, ob-
withdraw
fome place of
concealment,
In the beginning of this memorable adion, the garrifon of Thapfus had fallied, but were When the contefl was repulfed with lofs.
over, Cxfar, to induce the
town
On
any re-
proach for the diforder and cruelty of the preceding day, declared what were to be the rewards which he intended, at a proper time, for
the veterans
;
mark of his
fa,vour, dlftinguilhed
a few
bellius,
who had
fignalized themfelves.
He
appointed Caius
Ru-
with three legions, to continue the fiege of Thapfus, and Cn. Domitius, with two others, to reduce Tyfdra ; and having fent forward M. Meflala, with a of horfe on the road to body he
Utica,
himfelf followed with the remainder of the army". At Utica were aflembled, from every part of the empire, were obnoxious to Csefar, or who, from a zeal for the
refufed to fubmit to his power.
all
who
had
republic,
On
towards
battle
night,
perfon
who had
efcaped
from the
field
of
coming
to Utica,
tliis
ftruck with
fternation,
the greateft
unhappy convention of citizens was alarm. Under the efteds of their conftreets,
returned
to
public places,
and again crowded They together in the and feparated by turns, and paffcd the night in extreme
habitations.
"
confufion.
OF
confufion.
^^^
CHAP,
/
ceived miglit be exaggerated, and endeavoured Lo compofe their As foon as ifwas day he'called tliem together, and laid before fears.
them
zeal,
which
they had hitherto fhown in defence of the republic, exhorted theui now to make the proper ufe of the means they ftill had of defending
themfelves, or at lead of
that if they
their
making
their peace in a
body
declared,
were inclined
ne-ceffity
;
conduit to
but if tliey
lall
Hake of the
and
fliarc
with them in the confequences of a refolution, which he fhould love and admire. He contended, that they were now to confider them" That the force but in Rome in
Utica,
;
of
the republic
rife
was
*' *'
*'
again from
yet great, and might ftill, as on former occafions, its ruins ; that the forces of Casfar muft ftill be dif-
*'
traded or feparate, to make head againft enemies who were apthat in Spain his owa pearing in different parts of the empire ; the whole and from deferted had him, province had dearmy
clared for the fons of
"
*'
Pompey
that
Rome,
com-
monwealth, was yet ereft, and would not bend under the yoke of " a that his enemies were multiplying while he feemed to ;
tyrant
own example fliould inftrul them; or which he exerted in the paths of guilt and " of infamy, fhould animate thofe who were about, either to die with *' honour, or to fecure for their country bleflings in which they " themfelves were to fhare." At this a refolution was ac*'
deftroy
them
that
his
*'
aflembly and numbers of flaves, cordingly taken to defend the city of Utica, this for who were fet free by their mafters purpofe, were armed and
inrolled.
But
it
unable to
feparately
Vol.
II.
to
546
^
to ad: with
him
in fo arduous a fcene
were
objed of
it
fhould be
no quarter
but
faid,
it, they Cato no longer oppofed that he himfelf muft not be included in
and
that, if they
for themfelves.
that
he
knew
that
what had
hitherto
not of any right Csefar had to difpofe of happened in the war only ferved
convia Caifar of defigns which were often imputed to him which he always denied. He will now, at leaft, own, he that his opponents had reafon for all the fufpicions
to
againft him.
and
laid
they fuggefted
While matters were in this ftate, a party of Scipio's horfe, which had efcaped from the field of battle, appeared at the gates of the town, and were with difficulty, by Cato's intreaties, hindered from
every Roman,
who
putting
Being diverted from this ad of fome money for their immediate fubfiftretreat. Moft of the Senators, who were
to his
klnfman
laid
and efcaped. Lucius Csefar undertook to carry petition from fuch of the Roman, citizens as remainCato, at parting, that he would gladly
his peace.
fall
ed
and
to
at
the
I
vidor's feet to
*'
make
to
;
To which
were difpofed
make
but
I
my
fhould repair to
I
am
not an obin
pardon, and
what
it
were infolence
to offer
obferved to his
father.
me as a own fon,
fit
favour."
that
it
occafion
leave his
" At a
time," he
faid,
you
will
"
vidor's
OF THE
'
ROMAN
REPUBLIC.
^
54,7
young you why," " I was " of the viclor's clemency for yourfelf, as well as for me ?" " ' and cannot, in my old age, be reborn to freedom," he faid, " conciled to fervitude. For thefe times were deftined and it
you
;
times do mercy, but do not take part in public affairs j the ** it would for in which be ftation not afford a proper you to adl." " will " And not take the the benefit faid man,
viclor's
HA
P.
"
to fubmit to
fate."
affedtation of eafe
and fupped as ufual, without any marks of dejedion or and being retired to his chamber, after fome time j which he employed in reading, he killed himfelf. His attendants,
upon hearing
and
expii-ed in
a noife
burfl
it
dreffed the
up with
making
know what was the defign which Cato covered imder the appearance of fo much concern for others, and of fo little care
had been anxious to
for himfelf
On
the
firfi:
the door of his quartei^s, and gave the moft imfeigned demonftrationa
The colony of
ftill in'
and
funeral,
and erected
of interment.
;
under fifty
he was naturally
warm
temper; comprehenfive, impartial, and ftrongly But, in his- conduift, probably poffeffed with the love of mankind.
in his
and affeftionate
fort,
and chofe what was juft believe, with the fedt whofe
in
^e embraced,
that
it
particular cir-
man
to preferve or lay
down
his life
it,
him
Dio. CafT.
Appiah.
confifted
54^
&c.
BOOK
confided in the part which he took, as a friend or an enemy to manHe had long forefeen the dangers to which the republic was
live only while he could counteract the expofed, and determined to formed were The leader of the fuccefsful that againft it ". defigns
for himfelf, by decrying the virtues party thought proper to apologize of bulk in the his but own and the fubfequent Cato of mankind, ; to extol them and he is a rare example ; ages, were equally pleafed
its
praife
and was thought, by the above the reach of commendation or cenfure ".
enemies
;
^'
vir
ille
non
ea,
poteft, nifi
quE nunc
Cujus gloria neque profult quifquam laudando, nee vituperando quifquam nocuit,
dent, at fafta ne videret, vitam reliquerit. Cicer. ad Att. lib. xii. ep. 4. -" See the writings of Virgil and Horace.
Ofeam.
/'/.!,// -'fii^ir
,-
.^
r'.
M,