The historie of the vvorld: commonly called, The naturall historie of C. Plinius Secundus. Translated into English by Philemon Holland Doctor of Physicke. The first [-second] tome

CHAP. I. [unspec K]

¶ When mines of gold grew first into request. The beginning of gold rings. The quantitie of gold in treasure among our ancestors in old time. Of the Cavallerie and Gentrie of the Romanes. The priuiledge of wearing golden Rings.

OH that the vse of gold were cleane gone: Would God it could possibly be quite abolished among men, setting them as it doth into such a cursed and excess•…•…iue thirst after it, if I may vse the words of most renowmed wri∣ters [unspec L] : a thing that the best men haue alwaies reproched and railed at, and the onely meanes found out for the ruine and ouerthrow of mankinde. What a blessed world was that, and much more happier than this wherein wee liue, at what time as in all the dealings betweene men, there was no coine handled, but their whole trafficke stood vpon bartering and exchanging ware for ware, and one commoditie for another; according as the practise was in the time of the Trojane war, as Homer (a writer of good credit) doth testifie. And in that manner (as I take it) began first the commerce of negotiation among men for the maintenance of their society and liuing together: for so he reporteth, That some bought that which they stood in need of, for Boeufes hides, others, for yron or such commodities as they had gotten in bootie from their e∣nemies [unspec M] . And yet I must needs say, that euen Homer himself esteemed gold of great price, as may appeare by the aestimat that he made thereof in comparison of brasse, when he saith, That Glau∣cus exchanged his golden armour, worth 100 oxen, for the [brasen] harne is of Diomedes,

which was valued but at nine Boeufs: according to which manner practised in those daies, euen at Rome also (as may appeare by the old records) there were no other penalties and fines impo∣sed [unspec A] vpon those that transgressed the lawes, but such as consisted in Boeufes and Muttons, and vnder that name passed all the amercements that were leuied. Well, a bad example and presi∣dent gaue he vnto the world, who first deuised to weare rings vpon the fingers: but who he was that did this harm vnto mankind, it appeareth not for certaine vpon any record. For as touching the reports that go of Prometheus, I hold them all but fabulous tales: and yet in all the antient pictures and portraitures of him, he is to be seen by a generall consent of antiquity, with a ring of yron: howbeit, I suppose that they represented thereby his bonds and his imprisonment, ra∣ther than any custome that he had to weare a ring as an ornament vpon his finger. And verily concerning the ring of K. Midas, which if the collet were turned about toward the palm of the hand, caused them to go inuisible that so wore it: is there any man (thinke you) that judgeth it [unspec B] not more fabulous than the other of Prometheus? But to come more particularly vnto gold, the greatest credit and authority that it got, was by wearing it in rings vpon the fingers, and those only and altogether vpon the left hand. And yet this was no fashion at first among the Romans, whose manner was to vse no other but of yron, to shew that they were good souldiers, skilfull and expert in feats of arms. Whether the antient kings of Rome were wont to haue gold rings vpon their fingers, I am not able to say for certaine. Sure it is, that the statue of king Romulus in the Capitoll hath none. Neither is there any to be seen in the other statues of the Roman kings, saue only of Numa, and Servius Tullius; no nor in that of Lucius Brutus: Whereat I maruel much, and especially at the two Tarquines kings of Rome, considering that they were descended of the Greeks, from whence came vp the first vsage of these gold rings, howsoeuer yet at this day in [unspec C] Lacedaemon there be none worne but of yron. Howbeit, this is recorded and known for a truth, That Tarquinius Priscus, the first of all the Tarquins, honoured a sonne of his with a brooch or ta∣blet of gold pendant at his neck, for that whiles he was vnder 16 yeares of age, and as yet in his Praetexta, hee had killed an enemy in plain fight. And thereupon was taken vp the manner first, (which also continued afterward) to hang that ornament about the necks of those gentlemens sonnes who were men at armes and serued in the wars on horse-backe, in token of knighthood and cheualrie: whereas other mens sonnes ware a riband onely. And therefore great maruell I haue at the statue of the said prince king Tarquine, surnamed Priscus, that it should be without a ring on his finger. And yet besides all this, I reade, that there hath been some variance and diffe∣rence in old time about the naming of rings: The Greekes imposed a name deriued from the [unspec D] finger, and called it Dactylios. The Latines here with vs in old time named it Vngulus: but af∣terwards, as well we as the Greeks termed it Symbolum. Certes, long it was first (as appeareth evidently by the Chronicles) ere the very Senators of Rome had rings of gold. For plaine it is, that the State allowed and gaue rings only to certain especial lieutenants when they were to go in embassage to forrein nations: and in mine opinion, it was for their credit and countenance, for that the most honorable personages in strange countries were distinguisht from others by that ornament. And verily, no person (of what degree soeuer) was wont to weare rings, but such as had receiued them first from the common-wealth vpon that occasion: & so it serued them or∣dinarily in triumph, as a token and testimoniall of their vertue and valour. For otherwise, he that triumphed in Rome, although there was a Tuscan coronet al decked with spangles of gold, born [unspec E] vp behind and held ouer his head, had no better than a ring of yron vpon his finger, no more than the slaue at his back, who haply carried the said Tuscan chaplet. For certainly in that maner tri∣umphed C. Marius ouer K. Iugurtha: and as the Cronicles do shew, receiued not a golden ring, nor tooke vpon him to weare it before his third Consulship. And euen those also who from the State had golden rings giuen them, in regard of embassage aforesaid, neuer vsed them but when they came abroad into open place, for within dores they might ware none but of yron: which is the reason, that euen at this day the wedding ring which the bridegroom sendeth as a token of espousals to his bride, is of yron simply without any stone set in it. Neither, so farre as I can finde by reading, were there any golden rings in vse and request about the time of the Trojane [unspec F] war: for sure I am, that the Poet Homer maketh no mention of them at all, who otherwise spea∣keth of the brauery and rich attire of those times. And when he talketh of writing tablets, sent ordinarily in stead of letters missiue; when he writeth of cloths and apparels bestowed in chists and coffers; when he telleth vs of vessels, as well gold as siluer plate; he saith they were all bound

and trussed fast with some sure knot, and not sealed vp with any mark of a ring as the order is in these daies. Moreouer, when he reporteth of any challenge made by the enemy to single fight, [unspec G] and sheweth how the captains fel to cast their seuerall lots for the choise of them which should performe the combat, this was neuer done by the signet of rings, but by some other especiall marks that euery one made. Also, when he taketh occasion to speak of the workmanship of the gods, he rehearseth buckles, clasps, and buttons of gold, other jewels and ornaments also belon∣ging to the attire of women, as eare-rings and such like of their making, which at the beginning were commonly made, but he speaketh not one word of golden rings. And verily in my conceit whosoeuer began first to weare these rings, did it couertly by little and little, putting them vpon the fingers of the left hand, the better to hide them, as if they were ashamed to haue them open∣ly seene: whereas if they might haue auowed the honouring of their fingers by that ornament, [unspec H] they should haue shewed them at the first vpon the right hand. Now if any man object and say, that the wearing them on the right hand might be some impeachment to a soldier for vsing his offensiue weapon which he beareth in that hand; I alledge again, that the hinderance was more in the left hand, which serueth to hold and manage the targuet or buckler defensiue. I reade in the same Poet Homer aforesaid, that men vsed to plait & bind vp the tresses of their haire with gold: and therefore I wot not well whether men or women first began the manner of such brai∣ding the locks of the haire.

As touching gold laid vp for treasure, little was there of it at Rome for a long time; for sure∣ly, when the city was taken & sacked by the Gauls, and that the Romans were to buy & redeem their peace for a sum of mony, there could not be made in all Rome aboue one thousand pound [unspec I] weight of gold. Neither am I ignorant, that in the third Consulship of Cn. Pompeius there was embezeled and stolne 2000 pound weight of gold out of the throne or shrine of Iupiter within the Capitoll, which had bin there bestowed and laid vp by Camillus: whereupon many men haue thought, that there was 2000 pound weight of gold gathered for the ransome of the city. But surely looke what ouerplus and surcrease there was aboue the foresaid weight of one thou∣sand pound, it was of the very booty and pillage of the French, and taken out of the temples and chappels in that part of the city whereof they were masters. Moreouer, that the Gaules them∣selues were wont to goe to the wars brauely set out and inriched with gold, it appeareth by this one example of Torquatus, who slew a Gaule in combat, and tooke from him a massie collar of gold. Apparant it is therefore, that all the gold, as well that of the Gaules, as that which came [unspec K] from the temples abouesaid, amounted to the said sum, and no higher: to the light and know∣ledge whereof we come by meanes of reuelation from Augurie, which gaue vs to vnderstand, that Iupiter Capitolinus had rendered againe the foresaid sum in duple proportions. And here by the way there commeth to my remembrance another thing, not impertinent to this place: con∣sidering I am to treat againe of rings: when the sexton or keeper of this cell was apprehended, and the question demanded, What was become of the treasure aforesaid of 2000 pound which Iupiter had in custody, and which now was out of the way and gone? Hee tooke the stone that was in the collar of his ring which he ware, crackt it between his teeth, and presently dyed ther∣upon: wherby the truth was not bewraied and reuealed, as touching the theefe that robbed the said treasure. Wel, reckon the most that can be, surely there was not aboue 2000 pound weight [unspec L] of gold to be had in Rome, when the city was lost; which was in the 364 yere after the first foun∣dation therof, at what time (as appeareth by the rols of the Subsidie booke) there were in Rome to the number of 152580 free citizens. And what was 2000 pound in proportion to such a mul∣titude of people. Three hundred and seuen yeres after, when the temple of the Capitoll was on fire, all the gold to be found therein, as also in al the other chappels and shrines arose to thirteen thousand pound weight, which C. Marius the yonger seized vpon and conueied away to the city Praeneste. And all the same was recouered againe and brought backe againe by Sylla his enemy, who vnder that title carried it in triumph, besides seuen thousand pound weight of siluer, which he raised out of the spoile of Marius. And yet neuerthelesse, the day before hee had caused to be carried in a pompe of triumph fifteene thousand pound weight of gold, and one hundred and [unspec M] fifteene thousand pound of siluer, which came of the rest of the pillage gotten by that victorie of his.

But to returne againe vnto our discourse of gold rings: I doe not read that they were ordina∣rily vsed, before the daies of Cn. Flavius the sonne of Annius: This Flavius beeing otherwise a

man of mean and base parentage, as whose grandsire by the fathers side had bin no better than a slaue infranchised: howbeit hauing a pregnant wit of his own, & brought vp daily vnder a good [unspec A] schoolmaster Appius Claudius sirnamed the Blind (whom he serued as his Scribe, Clerke, or Se∣cretarie) he grew into inward credit and fauor with his master, that for his better aduancement he opened vnto him the whole course of dayes pleadable and not pleadable, exhorting and per∣suading him withal; to publish that secret and mysterie to the view & knowledge of the whole city: which the said Flavius (after much conference and consultation had with Appius) did, and effected accordingly; wherupon he became so gratious with the whole body of the people (who were alwaies before wont to hang euery day vpon the lips of some few of the chief & principal Senators, for to haue the information and knowledge of the said daies) that in the end a bil pro∣mulged by him, passed by generall assent of them all, for to be created Aedile Curule together [unspec B] Q. Annicius of Praeneste (who not many years before had bin a professed enemy, and born armes against the Romanes) without any regard had in this election, either of C. Petilius, or Domitius, who were nobly born, & had two Coss. to their fathers, who notwithstanding stood for the said dignitie and honorable place. Nay more, This Flavius had a speciall grace besides granted, To be at the same time one of the Tribunes also or Prouosts of the Comminaltie. At which indig∣nitie the Senat took such disdaine, and chafed so for despight and anger, that as we reade in the antient Annals and Chronicles of our city, there was not one Senator of them all but laid away his golden rings and gaue vp his place. Many are of opinion (although they be farre deceiued) that the knights and men of arms also did the semblable, and left off their rings the same time. And this likewise goeth currant and is generally receiued, That they cast aside the caparisons and trappings of their bard horses; for these be the two badges or markes which cause them to [unspec C] be called Equites, as one would say, knights, men of arms, or horsmen. True it is besides, that in some annals we find it recorded, that it was the nobility only of Rome that gaue ouer their gold rings, and not generally the whole body of the Senat. Wel, how soeuer it was, this hapned when P. Sempronius Longus and L. Sulpitius were Consuls. But Flavius abouesaid, seeing what trouble and discontentment was risen hereupon throughout the city, vowed to erect and build a temple in the honor of Concord, if he could reconcile the estate of the Senat, and the order of the gentle∣men again to the common people. And seeing that he could not be furnished with mony out of the common treasure of the city, for defraying of charges requisit to this piece of work, he made means to haue certaine extreme vsurers condemned to pay good round sums of mony: & with these fines a little chappell he caused to be made all of brasse, and reared it in the place appoin∣ted [unspec D] for Embassadors out of strange countries to wait and giue attendance in, called Graeco∣stasis, the which was at the head of the publique grand place or hal of assemblies called Comi∣tium: where in a table of brasse he tooke order there should be cut and engrauen the veritie of the dedication of the said temple, which was 104 yeres after the temple in the Capitol was de∣dicated, and in the 448 yere from the foundation of the city. This is the first and most antient euidence that may be collected out of all the antiquities of Rome now extant, as touching the vsage and wearing of Rings. Another testimonie we haue thereof in the second Punicke War: which implieth, that rings in those daies were vsed more ordinarily, as wel by commons, as gen∣tlemen and Nobles: for otherwise, if they had not bin so vsually worn as wel by one as another, Annibal could neuer haue sent to Carthage those three Modij of rings, which were pluckt from [unspec E] the fingers of those Romans who were slain in the battell of Cannae. Moreouer, the Chronicles beare witnesse, that the great quarrell betweene Caepio and Drusus (from which arose the sociall war of the Marsians, and the ruin of the state) grew by occasion of a ring sold in portsale, which both of them would haue had, the one as well as the other. Neither at that time verily did all Senators weare gold rings; for known it hath bin within the remembrance of our grandfathers, that many of them (and such as beare the Pretorship) in their old age, and to their very dying day, neuer wore any other rings but of iron. The same doth Fenestella report of Calphurnius; and of Manilius also, who was Lieutenant vnder Caius Marius in the war against King Tugurtha. And many other historians affirme the like of L. Fusidius, him I meane vnto whome Scaurus dedica∣ted [unspec F] that Booke which he compiled of his Life. There is a whole house or family at Rome of Quintij, wherein (by antient custome and order) there was neuer any known, so much as the very women, to weare any gold about them. And euen at this day, the greater part of those nations and people who liue vnder the empire of Rome, know not what these rings mean. All the coun∣tries

of the East throughout, and Egypt generally, at this time content themselues with simple [unspec G] writings and bare scripts, without any seale or signe manuel set vnto them. But so far off are we in these daies from keeping vs to the plain hoop rings of our ancestors, that as in all things els, so in them also we loue to change and alter euery day, so giuen we are to excesse and superflui∣tie: for now, many must haue curiously set in their rings, pretions stones of excellent beautie and most exquisit brightnesse; and vnlesse their fingers be charged and loden again with the ri∣ches and reuenues of a good lordship, they are not adorned and decked to their mind. But I pur∣pose more fully to speake hereof in my treatise of gems and pretious stones. Others again wil haue in their rings and stones sundry figures and portraitures as they list themselues engrauen, that as there be some rings costly for the matter, so others again should be as pretious for the workmanship. Yee shall haue many of these wantons and delicate persons make conscience [unspec H] (forsooth) to cut and engraue some of their pretious stones, for hurting them; and (to shew that their rings serue for somewhat else than to seale and signe withall) doe set the said stones whole and entire as they be. And diuers there are who will not enclose the stone with gold on the inside of the colet which is hidden with the finger, to the end (forsooth) that it may touch the naked skin and be seene through. And such an opinion they haue of these stones, that gold is worth nothing in comparison of many thousands of them now in vse and request. Contrari∣wise, many there are who will haue no stone at all in their rings, but make them all of massiue gold, and therewith do seale: a deuise that came vp in the time of Claudius Caesar the Emperor. Furthermore, in these our daies some slaues set iron within a collet of gold, in stead of a stone; and others again hauing their rings of iron, yet they adorn and set them out with the most pure [unspec I] and fine gold that may be had. This licence (no doubt) and libertie of wearing rings in this order, began first in Samothrace, as may appeare by the name of such rings, which therefore are called Samothracia. Now to come again to our golden rings: The manner was in old time to weare rings but vpon one finger onely, and namely that which is the fourth or next to the little finger, as we may see in the statues of Numa and Servius Tullius, Kings of Rome: but afterward they began to honour the fore-finger which is next vnto the thumbe, with a ring, according to the manner which we see in the images of the gods: and in processe of time they took pleasure to weare them vpon the least finger of all: and it is said, that in France and Brittaine they vsed them vpon the middle finger. But this finger now adayes is excepted onely and spared, where∣as all the rest be sped and charged with them; yea and euery joint by themselues must haue [unspec K] some lesser rings and gemmals to fit them. Some will haue the little finger loden with 3 rings; others content themselues with one and no more vpon it, wherewith they vse to seale vp the sig∣net that is to signe ordinarily; for this signe manuel (I may tell you) the manner was to lay vp safe among other rare and pretious things: this might not come abroad euerie day, as beeing a jewell that deserued not to be misused by handling commonly, but to be taken forth out of the cabinet or secret closet neuer but when need required: so that whosoeuer weareth one ring and no more vpon the least finger, hee giueth the world to vnderstand, that he hath a secret cabinet at home stored with some speciall things more costly and pretious than ordinarie. Now, as some there bee that take a pride and pleasure to haue heauy rings vpon their fingers, and to make a shew how massiue and weighty they are; so others againe are so fine and delicat, as they [unspec L] thinke it a paine to weare more than one. Some hold it good, for sauing of the stone or collet (if the Ring should chance to fall) to haue the round hoope or compasse thereof wrought hol∣low or enchased within, yea and the same filled vp with some lighter matter than is gold, that it may fall the softer. You shall haue many that vse to carry poyson hidden within the collet vnder the stone, like as Demosthenes did, that renowned Prince of Greeke Orators; so as their rings serue for no other vse or purpose but to carry their owne death about them. Finally, the greatest mischiefes that are practised by our mighty men in these dayes, are for the most part performed by the meanes of rings and signets. O the innocence of the old world! what a hea∣uenly life led men in those dayes, when as there was no vse at all of seale and signet? But now we are faine to seale vp our ambries and hogsheads with our signets, for feare we be robbed and [unspec M] beguiled of our meat and drinke. This is the good that commeth of our legions and troupes of slaues, which we must haue waiting and following at our heeles: this commoditie we haue by our traine and retinue of strangers that wee keepe in our houses: insomuch as wee are dri∣uen to haue our Controllers and Remembrancers to tell vs the names of our Seruants and

people about vs, they are so many. It was otherwise ywis by our ancestors and fore-fathers daies, who had no more but one yeoman or groome apiece, and those of the linage and name of their [unspec A] Lords and Masters: as may appeare by the ordinary names of Marci-pores, and Luci-pores: and these had all their victuals and diet ordinarily at their masters bourd. And therefore there was no great need to keep safely any thing vnder lockand key from such houshold seruitors: wheras now adayes the cater goeth to the market to prouide cates and viands for to be stollen and car∣ried away as soon as they come home, and no remedy there is against it: for no seale will serue to make sure either such lurchers themselues for filching, or keep the very locks and keies safe and whole that lead to the prouision. And why? an easie matter it is to plucke the rings from their lord and maisters fingers that are oppressed with dead sleep, or when they lie a dying. And verily we hold in these daies a seale to be the best assurance in contracts that may be: but I wot not how long it is since that custom first came vp. And yet if we consider the fashions and man∣ners [unspec B] of strange Nations, we may peraduenture find how these signets came into such credit and authoritie: and namely by the History of Polycrates the Tyrant or King of the Isle Samos: who hauing cast into the sea a ring which he loued and esteemed aboue all other jewels, met with the same againe by meanes of a fish which was taken, in the belly whereof the said ring was found. Now this king was put to death, about the two hundred and thirtieth yeare after the foundati∣on of our citie. Howbeit, the ordinarie vse of these signets (as I suppose by all reason and likeli∣hood) began together with vsurie: for proofe whereof, marke how still at this day, vpon any sti∣pulation and bargaine paroll made, off goes the ring presently to confirme and seale the same. The which custome no doubt came from old time, when there was no earnest nor gods-pennie more ready at hand than a signet. So as we may conclude assuredly and affirme, That amongst [unspec C] vs here at Rome, when the vse of money and coyne was taken vp, soone after came the wearing of rings in place. But as touching the deuise and inuention of mony, I will write anone more at large.

And now to return againe to my discourse of rings: after they began once to bee in any re∣quest, there were none at Rome vnder the degree of a knight or gentleman that carried rings on their fingers; insomuch, as a man might know a gentleman from a commoner by his ring, like as a Senator was distinguisht from the Gentlemen, wearing rings, by his coat embroidered with broad gards and studs of purple. Howbeit, long it was before this distinction was obserued: for I find that the publicke criers wore ordinarily such coats likewise embroidered, as Senators do: as appeareth by the father of L. Aelius Stilo, syrnamed vpon that occasion Praeconimus, because [unspec D] his father had bin a publicke Crier. Certes, these rings certified the middle degree, inserted be∣tween the Commons and the Nobles: and that name which in times past horses of seruice gaue to men of armes and gentlemen of Rome; the same now adaies sheweth men of worth, and those who are of such and such reuenues. But long it is not since this disorder and confusion begun. For when as Augustus Caesar late Emperour of happy memory, ordained decuries of Iud∣ges in criminal matters, the greater part of them consisted of those who wore no other rings but of yron: and those were simply called Iudges, and not Knights or Men of armes: for this name continued still appropriat to the troups of those gentlemen, who serued vpon horses allowed by the Senat. Moreouer, at the first there were no more but foure decuries of Iudges, and hardly might there be found in each of those decuries, a bare thousand: for as yet those of our prouinces [unspec E] might not be admitted to this estate to sit and judge vpon criminall causes: and euen at this day precisely obserued it hath bin, That none but antient citizens might be Iudges: for neuer any that came newly to their free burgeoisie, were taken into this order and degree.

Notes

• It is thought that hereby are meant certaine pieces of siluer coine, stamped with the por∣traiture of a bull or ox, cal∣led Didrachma & were worth two drams or d•…•…niers Romā. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• Gyge•…•… rather, as appeareth by Plato, and Cicero.
• Called Bulla, which was in forme of the heart: & after they were growne to bee men, i. at 17 yeares of age they off•…•…red it vp to the La∣res: like as yong maidens mariageable presented Ve∣nus with yong babies of clouts such as they were wont to make and play withall, as be∣ing now desi∣rous to haue babes indeed of their owne bodies. Alex. ab Alex. lib. 2 cap. 25. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 li. c cap. 18.
• It was called Pronubus Anu∣lus.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * As of Uulcan
• By M. Crassus
• Nomēclatores.
• i, the pages or groomes of Marcus o•…•… Lu∣cius.
• Who therup∣on we•…•…e called Equites.