The philosophie, commonlie called, the morals vvritten by the learned philosopher Plutarch of Chæronea. Translated out of Greeke into English, and conferred with the Latine translations and the French, by Philemon Holland of Coventrie, Doctor in Physicke. VVhereunto are annexed the summaries necessary to be read before every treatise

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The philosophie, commonlie called, the morals vvritten by the learned philosopher Plutarch of Chæronea. Translated out of Greeke into English, and conferred with the Latine translations and the French, by Philemon Holland of Coventrie, Doctor in Physicke. VVhereunto are annexed the summaries necessary to be read before every treatise
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Plutarch.
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At London :: Printed by Arnold Hatfield,
1603.
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"The philosophie, commonlie called, the morals vvritten by the learned philosopher Plutarch of Chæronea. Translated out of Greeke into English, and conferred with the Latine translations and the French, by Philemon Holland of Coventrie, Doctor in Physicke. VVhereunto are annexed the summaries necessary to be read before every treatise." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A09800.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 7, 2025.

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THE LIVES OF THE ten oratours. [ 40]

ANTIPHON. I.

ANtipho the sonne of Saphilus, and borne in the borough and cor∣poration of Karannum, was brought up as a scholar under his owne father, who kept a Rhetorick schoole, whereunto Alcibiades also (by report) was wont to go and resort when he was a young boy, who having gotten sufficiencie of speech and eloquence, as some thinke, himselfe, (such was the quicknesse of his wit, and inclination of [ 50] of his nature) he betooke himselfe to affaires of State: and yet he held a schoole neverthelesse, where he was at some difference with Socrates the Philosopher in matter of learning and oratorie, not by way of contention and aemulation, but in maner of reprehension & finding fault with some points, as Xenophon testifieth in the first booke of his Commentaries, as touching the deeds and sayings of Socrates. He penned orations for some citizens at their re∣quest

Page 919

for to be pleaded and pronounced in judiciall courts: and as it is given out by some, was the first who gave himselfe to this course, and professed so to do: for there is not extant one o∣ration written in maner of a plea, by any oratours who lived before his time, no more by those that flourished in his daies (for it was not the maner yet and custome to compose oraions for others) Themistocles (I meane) Pericles, and Aristides; notwithstanding that the time presented unto them many occasions, yea and meere necessiries so to do: neither was it upon their insuf∣ficiencie, that they thus abstained, as it may appeare by that which Historians have written of everie one of these men above mentioned. Moreover if we looke into the most ancient ora∣tours whom we can cal to mind, to wit, Alcibiades, Critias, Lysius and Archilochus, who have writ∣ten one & the same stile, and exercised the same forme & maner of pleading; it wilbe found that [ 10] they all conversed and conferred with Antiphon, being now very aged and farre stept in yeeres: for being a man of an excellent quicke and readie wit, he was the first that made and put forth the Institutions of oratorie; so as, for his profound knowledge he was surnamed Nestor. And Cecilius in a certaine treatise which he compiled of him, conjectureth, that he had beene some∣time schoolemaster to Thucydides the Historiographer; for that Antipho is so highly commen∣ded by him. In his speeches and orations he is verie exquisite and ful of perswasion, quicke and subtil in his inventions: in difficult matters verie artificiall; assailing his adversarie after a covert maner; turning his words and sayings respective to the lawes, and to move affections withal, ai∣ming alwaies to that which is decent & seemely, and carying the best apparance & shew with it.

He lived about the time of the Persian warre, when Gorgias Leontinus the great professor in [ 20] Rhetoricke flourished, being somewhat yonger than he was: and he continued to the subversion of the popular state and government, which was wrought by the 400 conspirators, wherin him∣selfe seemed to have had a principall hand, for that he had the charge and command of two great gallies at sea, and was besides a captaine and had the leading of certaine forces: during which time he wan the victorie in divers battels, and procured unto them the aide of many allies: also he moved the young and lustie able man of warre to take armes; he rigged, manned, and set out sixtie gallies, and in all their occasions was sent embassadour to the Lacedaemonians, when as the citie Ectionia was fortified with a wall: but after that those 400 before said were put downe and overthrowen, he was together with Archiptolemus one of the 400, accused for the conspi∣racie, condemned and adjudged to the punishment which is due unto traitours. His corps was [ 30] cast forth without sepulture; himselfe and all his posteritie registred for infamous persons upon record: and yet some there be who report, that he was put to death by the 30 tyrants, and name∣ly among the rest, Lysias testifieth as much in an oration which he made for Antiphoes daughter; for a little daughter he had, unto whom Calleschrus made claime in right for his wife: and that the thirtie tyrants wee they who put him to death, Theopompus beareth witnesse in the fif∣teenth of his Philippickes. But more moderne surely was this man, and of a later time, yea and the sonne of one * 1.1 Lysidonides, of whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 maketh mention, as of no wicked man in his commedie called Pytine. For how should he who before was executed by those 400 returne to life againe in the time of the thirtie usurpers or tyrants: but his death is reported otherwise; namely, that being verie aged he sailed into Cicily, when as the tyrannie of the former Denys was [ 40] at the highest: and when the question was proposed at the table, which was the best, brasse? as some said this, and others that: he answered, that for his part he thought that brasse was best, whereof the statues of Harmodius and Aristogiton were made: which when Denys heard, he ima∣gining that the speech imported thus much covertly, as to set on the Syracusians, for to attempt some violence upon his person, commanded him to be put to death. Others report, that the said tyrant gave order that he should be made away, upon indignation that he skoffed at his tragoedies.

There be extant in this oratours name three score orations; whereof as Cecilius saith 25 are untruly reported to be his. Noted he is and taxed by Plato the comicall poet, together with Pysander, for avarice & love of money. It is said moreover, that he composed certaine tragoedies [ 50] alone, and others with Dionysius the tyrant, who joined with him. At the same time also when he gave his mind unto Poetrie, he devised the art of curing the griefes and maladies of the minde, like as physicians pretend skill for to heale the diseases and paines of the bodie. Certes, having built a little house at Corinth in the market place, hee set up a bill on the gate, wherein hee made profession: That he had the skill to remedie by words, those who were vexed and grieved in spi∣rit: and he would demaund of those who were amisse, the causes of their sorrow, and according thereto, apply his comforts and consolations. Howbeit afterwards supposing this art and pro∣fession

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to be too base and meane for him, he turned his studie to Rhetoricke, and taught it. Some there be who attribute unto Antipho the booke of Glaucus the Rhegine as touching poets: but principally is that treatise commended which he made unto Herodotus; as also that which is de∣dicated to Erasistratus touching the Ideaes; and the oration of Message which he penned for his owne selfe; & another against Demosthenes the captaine, which he named Paranomon, for that he charged him to have broken the lawes. Also another oration he wrote against Hippocrates the ge∣neral commander, & caused him to be condemned for his contumacy, in that he failed to answer at the day assigned for his triall, that verie yeere when Theopompus was Provost of the citie, under whom the foure hundred conspiratours and usurpers of the common-weale were put downe and overthrowen. Now the decree of the Senate, by vertue whereof ordained it was: That Antiphon [ 10] should be judicially tried and condemned, Cecilius hath put downe in these tearmes. The one and twentith day of Prytaneia, when Demonicus of Alopece, was secretarie or publike notarie, Phi∣lostratus of Pellene chiefe commander, upon the proposition or bill-preferred of Andron the Se∣nate, hath ordained as touching these persons; namely Archiptolemus, Onomacles and Anti∣phon, whom the captaines have declared against; that they went in embassage unto Lacedaemon, to the losse and detriment of the citie of Athens, and departed from the camp, first in an ene∣mies ship, and so passed by land by Decelia; that their bodies should be attached and cast into prison, for to abide justice and punishment according to law. Item, that the captaines them∣selves, with certaine of the Senate, to the number of ten, such as it pleased them to chuse and nominate, should make presentment and give in evidence, that upon the points alledged and [ 20] prooved, judgement might passe according. Item that the Thesmothetes should call for the said persons judicially, the verie next morow after they were committed, and convent them before the judges, after that they be chosen by lot: when and where they should accuse the captaines with the orators abovesaid, of treason; yea & whosoever els would come in, he should be heard. Item, when sentence is concluded and pronounced against them, then the judgement of con∣demnation shall be executed according to the forme and tenure of the law established, in case of traitors. Vnder the instrument of this decree, was subscribed the condemnation of treason in this manner: Condemned there were of treason, Archiptolemus the sonne of Hippodamus of Agryle, present; Antiphon the sonne of Sophilus, of Rhamus, likewise present: and awarded it was by the court, that these two should be delivered over into the hands of the eleven executors [ 30] of justice; their goods to be confiscate; the disme whereof to be consecrate unto the goddesse Minerva; their houses to be demolished and pulled downe to the very ground; and upon the borders of the plots wherein they stood, this superscription to be written: Here stood the houses of Archiptolemus and of Antiphon, two traitours of the State * * * Also, that it might not bee lawfull to enter or burie the bodie of Archiptolemus and of Antiphon within the citie of Athens, nor in any part belonging to their domain or territorie. That their memorie should be infa∣mous, and all their posteritie after them, as well hastards as legitimate: and that whosoever adop∣ted any one of Archiptolemus or Antiphons children for his sonne, himselfe should be held infa∣mous. Finally, that all this should be engrossed and engraven in a columne of brasse, wherein al∣so should be set downe the sentence and decree which passed as concerning Phrynichus. [ 40]

ANDOCIDES. II.

ANdocides was the sonne of that Leagoras, who somtime made a peace betweene the Athe∣nians and the Lacedaemonians; borne in the tribe of Cydathene or Thurie, descended from a noble house, and as Hellanicus saith, even from Mercurie; for the race of the Ceryces, that is, Heraults pertaineth unto him: and therefore chosen he was upon a time with Glaucon, for to go with a fleet of twentie saile, to aide the Corcyreans, who warred upon the Corinthians. But after all this, accused he was of impietie and irreligion; for that hee with others had man∣gled and defaced the images of Mercurie, that stood within the citie: also for that he had tres∣passed [ 50] against the holy mysteries and sacred ceremonies of Ceres; in as much as being before time a wild youth and loosely given, he went in a maske one night, and brake certaine images of the god Mercurie; whereupon (I say) he was judicially convented. And because he would not deliver and bring foorth to be examined upon torture, that servant of his, whom his accusers cal∣led for, he was held attaint & convict of that crime which was laid to his charge; yea & for the se∣cond imputation charged upon him verie deeply suspected: for which also he was called into question, not long after the setting foorth of the great Armada at sea which went into Sicily,

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when the Corinthians had sent certaine Aegesians and Leontines, into the citie of Athens, unto whom the Athenians privately were to yeeld aid & succour, in the night season they brake all the images of Mercury which stood about the market place, as Cratippus saith. Well, being suspected for offending against the sacred mysteries of Ceres, & thereupon judicially called to his answer, he escaped judgement of condemnation, and was acquit; so that he would discover and declare the delinquents and offenders indeed. Now having emploied his whole studie & endever there about, he wrought so, that he found out those who were faultie as touching the sacred mysteries aforesaid, among whom was his owne father. As for all the rest when they were convicted, he caused them to be put to death: only his fathers life he saved, although he was already in prison; promising with all that he would doe much good service unto the common-weale, wherein he [ 10] failed not of his word. For Leagoras accused many who had robbed and embezilled the cities treasure, and committed other wicked parts, by the meanes whereof he was absolved.

Now albeit Andocides was in great name and reputation for mannaging the affaires of com∣mon-weale; yet neverthelesse he set his mind to trafficke and merchandize at sea; whereby hee got amitie, and entred into league of hospitalitie, which many princes and great potentates, but principally with the king of Cyprus: and it was than, that he stole and carried away a citizens child, the daughter of Aristides and his owne niece, without the privitie and consent of her friends, and sent her closely for a present to the said king of Cyprus: but when he was upon the point to be called in question judicially for this fact, he stole her privily away againe out of Cy∣prus, and brought her home to Athens. Hereupon the king of Cyprus caused hands to be laid [ 20] upon him, where he was kept in prison; but he brake loose and escaped to Athens, at the verie time when the foure hundred conspiratours and usurpers governed the State: and being by them cast into prison, he got away againe when the said Olygarchie was dissolved. Howbeit he was drawen out of the citie, when the thirtie tyrants ruled all and usurped their government. Du∣ring which time of his exile, he abode in the citie of Elis: but when Thrasibulus and his adhae∣rents returned into the city, he also repaired thither, and was sent in an embassage to Lacedaemon; where being taken againe in a trip, he was for his ill demeanour banished.

All these premises appeare evidently by his orations which he hath written; for in some of them we find how he answereth to those imputations which were charged upon him for viola∣ting of the foresaid holy mysteries: in others, he generally craveth for the favour of the judges [ 30] and standeth upon the tearmes of mercie: there is an oration also of his extant, as touching the appeaching or discoverie of those, who were faultie for those sacred ceremonies: as also his Agologie or defence against Phaeax, and cōcerning peace. He flourished at the very same time that Socrates the Philosopher was in so great name. But borne he was in the * 1.2 78 Olympias that yeere wherein Theagenides was provost or chiefe ruler of Athens; so that by this computa∣tion he must needs be more ancient than Lysias by some hundred yeeres. There was one of the Hermes that caried his name, and was called Hermes of Andocides, for that this image being de∣dicated by the tribe or linage Aegeis, stood neere unto the house where Andocides dwelt. This Andocides defraied the charges of a solemne round dance in the name of the line or kinred Ae∣geis, which contended for the prise in the honor of Dithyrambicus at the feast of Bacchus: where [ 40] having obtained the victorie, he consecrated a trefeet, and set it up an high, just against Pori∣nus Selinus.

His stile is plaine and simple, without all art, bare and naked without any figures whatsoever.

LYSIAS. III.

LYsias the sonne of Cephalus, the sonne of Lysanias, who had likewise for his father Cephalus, borne in Syracuse, but he went to dwell at Athens, partly for the affection that he bare to the citie, and in part through the perswasion of Pericles the son of Xantippus, who being his friend & guest, perswaded him thereto, and the rather for that he was a mightie man there, and excee∣ding [ 50] rich: or as some think, he came to Athens by occasion that he was banished out of Syracuse, at what time as the citie was tyrannically oppressed by Gelon: so he arrived at Athens that yeere, wherein Philocles was provost next after Phrasicles, in the second yeere of the 82 Olympias: at his first cōming brought up he was, & taught with the noblest Athenians; but after that the citie sent out the colonie of Sybaris, which afterwards was named Thurij, he wēt with his eldest brother Po∣lemarchus: (for he had besides him 2. other brethrē, Eudemus & Brachillus their father being now departed this life) to have his part set out & allotted unto him out of his fathers lands, being not

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fifteene yeeres old, that verie yeere when as Praxiteles was provost: where he remained, and was instructed by Nicias, & Tisias, two Syracusans. Now having bought him an house, with the portion of land which fell unto his share, he lived there, in state of a citizen, and was called to government of common weale, when his lot came, for the space of 63 yeeres, untill the time that Clearchus was provost of Athens: but the yeere next following when Callias was provost; namely, in the 92 Olympias, when as the Sicilians and Athenians fought a field, by reason whereof many of their, allies stirred and revolted, and especially those who dwelt in Italy and coasted thereupon, accused he was to have favoured the Athenians and sided with them, and thereupon was banished with three other. Now being arrived at Athens in the yeere wherein Callias was provost next after Cleoritus, while the foure hundred usurpers were possessed of [ 10] the State, hee there rested: but after the navall battell was stricken neere to a place called the Goats rivers, when as the thirtie tyrants had the administration of the common weale in their hands, banished he was from thence for the space of seven yeeres; lost his goods and his brother Polemarchus; himselfe escaped with life narrowly out of the house at a posterne gate or backe∣doore; in which house he had beene beset with a full purpose that he should end his life there: and then he retired himselfe to the citie Megara, where he abode. When as those of Phila had made a reentrie into the citie, and chased out the tyrants; for that he shewed himslefe (above all others) most forward in this enterprise, as having contributed (for the exploiting of this service) two thousand dragmes weight in silver, and two hundred targuets: and being sent besides with Herman, waged three hundred and two souldiers, and wrought so effectually with Thrasylaeus the [ 20] Elian, his friend and old host, that he helped him unto certeine talents of silver: in regard wher∣of, Thrasibulus (upon his returne and reentry into the city) proposed unto the people: That for and in consideration of these good services, the right of free burgeosie should be granted unto him. This hapned in the yeere of the Anarchie, when there was no provost elected, next before the provostship of Euclides. This was granted and ratified by the people: onely there was one Archinus stood up, and impeached the proceeding thereof, as being against the law, be∣cause it was proposed unto the people, before it was consulted upon in the Senate: so the fore∣said decree was anulled and revoked. Thus being disappointed of his ritht of burgeosie, he re∣mained neverthelesse (during his life) as a citizen, and enjoyed the same rights, franchises and priviledges that other burgesses did; & so died in the end, when he had lived the space of foure [ 30] score and three yeeres, or as some say, three score and sixteene; and as others write, foure score: so that he lived to see Demosthenes a childe. It is said. that he was borne the yeere that Philocles was provost. There goe in his name foure hundred orations; of which number (according to Dionysius and Cecilius) two hundred and thirtie be of his owne making in deed: in the pronoun∣cing of all which, he failed but twice, and had the foile. There is extant also, that very oration which he made against Archinus, in the maintenance and defence of the said decree; by vertue whereof, the right of burgeosie was given unto him: also another, against the thirtie tyrants. Apt he was to perswade; and in those orations which he gave out to others, very briefe and suc∣cinct. There be found likewise of his making, certeine introductions to Rhetoricke, and spee∣ches delivered publickly before the people; letters missive; solemne praises; funerall orations; [ 40] discourses of love; and one defence of Socrates, which directly seemed to touch the judges to the quicke. His stile was thought to be plaine and easie, howbeit, inlmitable. Demosthenes in one oration which he made against Neaera, saith: That he was enamoured of one Metaneira, servant with Neaera; but afterwards he espoused and tooke to wise the daughter of his brother Brachyllus. Plato himselfe maketh mention of him in his booke entituled Phaedrus, as of an ora∣tour passing eloquent, and more ancient than Isocrates. Philiscus who was familiar with Isocra∣tes, and the companion of Lysias, made an Epigram upon him, wherby it appeareth, that he was more ancient, (as also it is evident by that which Plato hath said) & the Epigram is to this effect:

Now shew Callippes daughter, thou that art so eloquent; If ought of wittie spirit thou hast, [ 50] and what is excellent: For meet it is that thou should'st bring, some little Lysias foorth: To blaze his fathers name abroad, for vertuous deeds of woorth. Who (now transform'd, and having caught

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a bodie strange to see In other worlds for Sapience should now immortall bee) My loving heart to friend now dead, likewise to notifie; And to delare his vertuous life unto posteritie.
He composed likewise an oration for Iphicrates, which he pronounced against Harmodius as al∣so another wherein he accused Timotheus of treason, and both the one and the other he over∣threw: but afterwards when Iphicrates tooke upon him againe to enquire into the dooings of [ 10] Timotheus, calling him to account for the revenues of the State which he had mannaged, and set in hand againe with this accusation of treason, hee was brought into question judicially, and made answere in his owne defence by an oration that Lysias penned for him. And as for himselfe he was acquit of the crime and absolved; but Timotheus was condemned and fined to pay a great summe of money. Moreover, he rehearsed in the great assembly and solemnity at the Olympick games, a long oration, wherein he perswaded the Greekes, that they should be reconciled one to another, and joine together for to put downe the tyrant Dionysius.

ISOCRATES. IIII.

ISocrates was the sonne of one Theodorus, an Erechthian, a man reckoned in the number of [ 20] meane citizens, one who kept a sort of servants under him, who made flutes and hautboies; by whose workmanship he became so rich, that he was able to bring up and set out his children in worshipfull manner. For other sonnes he had besides, to wit, Telesippus and Diomnestus; and also a little daughter unto them. Hereupon it is that he was twitted and flouted by the comicall poets Aristophanes and Stratis, in regard of those flutes. He lived about the 86. Olympias elder than Lysimachus the Myrrhinusian by two and twentie yeeres, and before Plato some seven yeeres. During his childhood, he had as good bringing up as any Athenian whatsoever, as be∣ing the disciple & scholar of Prodicus the Chian, of Gorgias the Leontine, of Tysias the Syracu∣sian, & Theramenes the prosessed Rhetorician: who being at the point to be apprehended & ta∣ken [ 30] by the 30. tyrants, & flying for refuge to the altar of Minerva the Counseller, when all other friends were affrighted and amazed: onely Isocrates arose and shewed himselfe for to assist and succor him, and at the first continued a long time silent. But Theramenes himselfe began and prayed him to desist; saying, that it would be more dolorous and grievous unto him, than his owne calamitie, in case he should see any of his friends to be troubled and endangered for the love of him. And it is said, that he helped him to compile certaine Institutions of Rhetoricke, at what time as he was maliciously and falsely slandered before the judges in open court: which Institutions are gon under the name and title of Boton.

When he was growen to mans estate, he forbare to meddle in State matters, and in the af∣faires of common-weale; as well for that he had by nature a small and feeble voice, as because [ 40] naturally he was fearfull and timorous: and besides, his state was much impaired, by reason that he lost his patrimonie in the warre against the Lacedaemonians. It appeareh that to other men he had beene assistant in counsell, and giving testimonie for them in places of judgement: but it is not knewen that he pronounceed above one onely oration, to wit, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is to say, concerning counterchange of goods. And having set up a publicke schoole, he gave himselfe to the studie of philosophie, and to write; where he composed his Panegyrique oration, and certaine others of the Deliberative kind: and those that he wrote himselfe, some he read, some he penned for others; thinking thereby to exhort and stirre up the Greekes to devise and per∣forme such duties as beseemed them to doe. But seeing that he missed of his purpose and inten∣tion, hee gave over that course, and betooke himselfe to keepe a schoole: first, as some say, in [ 50] Chios, having nine scholars that came unto him: where when he saw that his scholars paid him downe in money his Minervals for their schooling, hee wept and said: I see well now that I am sold unto these youthes. He would conferre willingly with those that came to devise and talke with him, being the first that put difference betweene wrangling pleas or contentious orations, and serious politike discourses of common-weale, in which he rather employed himselfe. He ordained magistrates in Chios, erecting the same forme of government there, which was in his owne countrey. He gathered more silver together by teaching schoole, than ever any professor

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in Rhetoricke or schoole-master was knowen to have done; so that he was well able to defray the charges of a galley at sea. Of scholars he had to the number of one hundred: and among many others, Timotheus the sonne of Conon; with whom he travelled abroad, and visited many cities: he penned all those letters which Timotheus sent unto the Athenians; in regard whereof he be∣stowed upon him a talent of silver, the remainder of that money due by composition from Sa∣mos. There were besides of his scholars Theopompus the Chian, and Ephorus of Cumes; Ascle∣piades also who composed tragical matters and arguments; and Theodectes, who afterwards wrote tragoedies (whose tombe or sepulcher is as men go toward Cyamite, even in the sacred way or street that leadeth to Eleusis, now altogether ruinate and demolished: in which place he caused to be erected and set up the statues of famous poets together with him, of all whom there remai∣neth [ 10] none at this day but Homer alone;) also Leodamus the Athenian; Lacritus the law-giver unto the Athenians, and as some say, Hyperides and Isaeus. And it is said that Demosthenes also came unto him whiles he yet taught a Rhetoricke schoole, with an earnest purpose to learne of him, using this speech: that he was not able to pay him a thousand drachms of silver, which was the onely price that he made and demaunded of everie scholar; but meanes he would make to give him two hundred drachms, so he might learne of him but the fift part of his skill, which was a proportionable rate for the whole; unto whom Isocrates made this answere: We use not, De∣mosthenes, to do our businesse by piece-meale; but like as men are woont to sell faire fishes all whole; even so will I, if you purpose to be my scholar, teach and deliver you mine art full and entier, and not by halfes or parcels. [ 20]

He departed this life the verie yeere that Chaeronides was Provost of Athens; even when the newes came of the discomfiture at Chaeronea, which he heard being in the place of Hippocrates publicke exercises: and voluntarily he procured his owne death, in abstaining from all food and sustenance the space of foure daies, having pronounced before this abstinence of his, these three first verses which begin three tragoedies of Euripides:

  • 1 King Danaus, who fiftie daughters had.
  • 2 Pelops the sonne of Tantalus, when he to Pisa came.
  • 3 Cadmus whilom, the citie Sidon left.
He lived 98 yeeres, or as some say, a full hundred, & could not endure for to see Greece fower times brought into servitude: the yeere before he died, or as some write, fower yeeres before [ 30] he wrote his Panathenaick oration: as for his Panegyrik oration, he was in penning it tenne yeeres, and by the report, of some, fifteene, which he is thought to have translated and borrowed out of Gorgias the Leontine and Lysias: and the oration concerning the counterchange of goods, he wrote when he was fourescore yeeres old & twaine: but his Philippike oration he set downe a little before his death: when he was farre stepped in yeeres, he adopted for his sonne, Aphareus, the yoongest of the three children of Plathane his wife, the daughter of Hippias the oratour, and professed Rhetorician. He was of good wealth, as well for that he called duely for money of his scholars, as also because he received of Nicocles king of Cypres, who was the sonne of Euagoras, the summe of twenty talents of silver for one oration which hee dedicated unto him: by occasion of this riches, he became envied, and was thrice chosen and enjoined to be [ 40] the captaine of a galley, and to defray the charges thereof: for the two first times he feigning himselfe to be sicke, was excused by the meanes of his sonne; but at the third time he rose up and tooke the charge, wherein he spent no small summe of money. There was a father, who talking with him about his sonne whom he kept at schoole, said: That he sent with him no other to be his guide and governour, but a slave of his owne: unto whom Isocrates answered: Goe your waies then, for one slave you shall have twaine. Hee entred into contention for the prize at the solemne games which queene Artemisia exhibited at the funerals and tombe of her hus∣band Mausolus: but this enchomiasticall oration of his which he made in the praise of him, is not extant: another oration he penned in the praise of Helena; as also a third in the commen∣dation of the counsell Areopagus. Some write, that he died by absteining nine daies together [ 50] from all meat: others report but fower; even at the time that the publike obsequies were solem∣nized for them who lost their lives in the battell at Chaeronea. His adopted sonne Aphareus com∣posed likewise certeine orations: enterred hee was together with all his linage and those of his bloud, neere unto a place called Cynosarges, upon a banke or knap of a little hill on the left hand, where were bestowed, the sonne, and father Theodorus; their mother also and her sister Anaco, aunt unto the oratour; his adopted sonne likewise Aphareus, together with his cousen ger∣main Socrates, sonne to the a foresaid aunt Anaco Isocrates mothers sister: his brother Theodo∣rus

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who bare the name of his father, his nephewes, or children of his adopted sonne Aphare∣us, and his naturall Theodorus; moreover, his wife Plathane mother to his adopted sonne Apha∣reus: upon all these bodies there were six tables or tombs erected of stone, which are not to be seene as this day: but there stood upon the tombe of Isocrates himselfe, a mightie great ramme engraven, to the height of thirtie cubits, upon which there was a syren or mere-maid seven cubits high, to signifie under a figure his milde nature and eloquent stile: there was be∣sides neere unto him, a table conteining certaine poets and his owne schole-masters: among whom was Gorgias looking upon an astrologicall sphaere, and Isocrates himselfe standing close unto him: furthermore, there is erected a brasen image of his in Eleusin, before the entrie of the gallery Stoa, which Timotheus the sonne of Caron caused to be made, bearing this epi [ 10] gram or inscription:

Timotheus upon a loving minde, And for to honour mutuall kindnesses, This image of Isocrates his friende, Erected hath unto the goddesses.
This statue was the handi-worke of Leochares. There goe under his name threescore orations; of which five and twentie are his indeed, according to the judgement of Dionysius: but as Cecili∣us saith, eight and twentie; all the rest are falsly attributed unto him. So farre was he off from ostentation, and so little regard had hee to put foorth himselfe and shew his sufficiencie, that when upon a time there came three unto him, of purpose to heare him declame and discourse, [ 20] he kept two of them with him, and the third he sent away, willing him to returne the next mor∣row: For now (quoth he) I have a full theater in mine auditorie. He was wont to say also unto his scholars and familiars: That himselfe taught his art for ten pounds of silver; but hee would give unto him that could put into him audacity, and teach him good utterance, ten thousand. When one demanded of him it was possible that he should make other men sufficient ora∣tors, seeing himselfe was nothing eloquent: Why not (quoth he) seeing that whet-stones which can not cut at all, make iron and steele sharpe enough and able to cut. Some say, that he com∣posed certeine books as touching the art of rhetorick; but others are of opinion, that it was not by any method, but exercise onely, that he made his scholars good oratours: this is certeine, that he never demanded any mony of naturall citizens borne, for their teaching. His maner was [ 30] to bid his scholars to be present at the great assemblies of the citie, and to relate unto him what they heard there spoken and delivered. He was wonderfull heavy and sorrowfull out of measure for the death of Socrates, so as the morrow after he mourned & put on blacke for him. Againe, unto one who asked him what was Rhetorick? he answered: It is the art of making great matters of small, & small things of great. Being invited one day to Nicocreon the tyrant of Cypres; as he sat at the table, those that were present, requested him to discourse of some theame; but he an∣swered thus: For such matters wherein I have skill the time will not now serve; and in those things that sit the time, I am nothing skilfull. Seeing upon a time Sophocles the tragicall poet, following wantonly and hunting with his eie, a yoong faire boy; he said: O Sophocles an ho∣nest man ought to conteine not his hands onely, but his eies also. When Ephorus of Cunes went [ 40] from his schoole non proficiens, and able to doe nothing, by reason whereof his father Demophi∣lus sent him againe with a second salary or minervall; Isocrates smiled thereat, and merily cal∣led him Diphoros, that is to say, bringing his money twice: so hee tooke great paines with the man, and would himselfe prompt him, and give him matter and invention for his declamatorie exercise.

Inclined he was and naturally given unto the pleasures of wanton love; in regard whereof he used to lie upon a thinne and hard short mattresse, and to have the pillow and bolster under his head perfumed, and wet with the water of saffron. So long as he was in his youth he maried not; but being now striken in age and growen old, he kept a queane or harlot in his house, whose name was Lagisca, by whom he had a little daughter, who died before she was maried, when she [ 50] was about twelve yeeres old. After that, he espoused Plathane, the wife of the rhetoritian * 1.3 Gor∣gias, who had three children before, of whom he adopted Aphareus for his owne sonne, as hath beene said before, who caused his statue to be cast in brasse, and erected it neere unto the image of Jupiter Olympius, as it were upon a columne, with this Epigram:

This portraict of Isocrates in brasse, His sonne adopted, Aphareus, who was, Erected hath to Jupiter, in view

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Of all the world thereby to make a shew, That unto gods he is religious, And honoureth his father vertuous.
It is said, that whiles he was but a yong boy, he ran a course on horsebacke; for he is to be seene all in brasse in the castle or citadell of the city, sitting and riding his horse, in forme and propor∣tion of a boy within the tenise court of those priests of Minerva, which attend there, to tarie the sacred secrets, not to be revealed, as some have reported. In all his life time there were two only sutes commensed against him: the former, for the exchange of his goods, being challenged and provoked by Megaclides; for the triall whereof, he appeared not personally at his day, by reason of sicknesse: the second action was framed against him by Lysimachus, for the exchange of his [ 10] goods, with charge to defray the expenses of mainteining a galley at sea: in which processe he was cast, and forced to set out a galley. There was also a painted image of his in the place called Pompeium. And Aphareus composed verily orations, though not many, both judiciall and also deliberative. He made also tragoedies, to the number of seven and thirtie; whereof there be two which were contradicted. And he began to have his works openly heard in publicke place, from the yeere wherein Lysistratus was provost, unto that yeere wherein Sosicles was in place; to eight and twentie yeeres: in which time he caused six civill plaies to be acted, and twice gained the prize of victorie, having set them forth by a principall actour or plaier, named Dionysius: and by other actours he exhibited two more, of the Lenaick kind, that is to say, full of mirth, and to move laughter. [ 20]

There were the statues also to be seene within the citadell, of the mother of Isocrates and of Theodorus, as also of Anaco her sister; of which, that of his mother is yet extant; and it standeth neere unto the image of Hygta, that is to say Health; onely the inscription is changed: but the the other of Anaco is not to be found. This Anaco had two sonnes, Alexander by Coenes, and Usicles by Lysias.

IS AE US. V.

ISaeus was borne in Chalcis: and being come to Athens, he studied the works of Lysias, whom he did so neerely imitate, aswell in the apt couching of his words, as in the witty device & sub∣tiltie of his inventions; that if a man were not very well practised & perfect in the stile and ma∣ner [ 30] of wtiting of these two orators, hardly he should be able to discerne many of their orations, and distinguish one from another. He was in greatest name, about the time of the Peloponne∣siacke warre, as may be conjectured by his orations; and continued unto the reigne of king Phi∣lip. He gave over his publicke schoole, and went to teach Demosthenes privatly at home, for the sum of ten thousand drachmes of silver; whereby he became very famous: and as some say, he it was that composed for Demosthenes certeine exhortatory orations. He left behind him three score and foure orations going in his name; whereof fiftie are his indeed: also some particular introductions of his owne, and rules of Rhetoricke. He was the first who began both to forme and to turne the sense of his stile unto the politicke management of affaires; a thing that De∣mosthenes doth most of all imitate. Of this oratour, Theopompus the comicall poet maketh men∣tion [ 40] in his Theseus.

AESCHINES. VI.

A Eschines was the sonne of Atrometus, (a man who being banished in the time of the thirtie tyrants, was a meanes to aide the people, and to set up the popular state againe) and his mothers name was Glaucothea. He was of the burrough or tribe Cothocis: so that his parents were neither for nobilitie of race, nor yet for wealth and riches renowmed in the citie: but being yoong, and of a lustie and able constitution, he fortified and confirmed the same more by bodi∣ly exercise: and finding himselfe to have a strong brest and cleere voice; thereupon afterwards he made profession to act tragoedies; but (as Demosthenes said of him by way of reproch) hee [ 50] went after others, and could never proceed higher than to act the third and last parts in the so∣lemnities of the Bacchanale plaies under one Aristodemus. When he was but a boy, he taught petties the letters; namely, to spel and reade together with his father: and being of some growth, he served as a common souldier in the warres. The scholar and auditor he was (as some thinke) of Isocrates & Plato; but according to Cecilius, of Leodamas. Being entred into the managing of State affires, and that not without credit & reputation; because he made head & sided against the faction of Demosthenes, emploied he was in many embassages; and namely unto K. Philip,

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for to treat of peace: for which, accused he was by Demosthenes, and charged to have beene the cause that the nation of the Phocaeans was rooted out, and for that he kindled warre betweene the Amphyctions and the Amphissians, what time as he was chosen one of the deputies to be present in the assembly or diet of the Amphyctions, who made also an haven, whereby it hapned withall, that the Amphyctions put themselves into protection of Philip, who being wrought by Aeschines, tooke the matter in hand, and conquered all the territorie of Phocis: howbeit, through the port and favourable countenance of Eubulus the sonne of Spintharus a Proballusi∣an, who was of great credit and reputation among the people, and spake in his behalse, he esca∣ped, and was found unguiltie, and caried it by thirtie voices; although others say, that the ora∣tours had penned their orations, and were at the point to plead; but upon the newes of the over∣throw [ 10] at Cheronaea, which impeached the proceeding of law, the matter was not called for, nor the cause pleaded.

A certeine time after, when king Philip was dead, and his sonne Alexander gone forward in his expedition into Asia, he accused Ctestiphon judicially, for that he had passed a decree con∣trary unto the lawes, in the honour of Demosthenes; but having on his side not the sift part of the suffrages and the voices of the people, he was banished out of Athens, and fled to Rhodes, because he would not pay the fine of a thousand drachines, in which he was condemned, upon his over∣throw at the barre. Others say, that over & beside, he was noted with infamie, because he would not depart out of the citie; and that he retired himselfe to Ephesus unto Alexander. But upon the decease of Alexander, when there was great troubles towards, he returned to Rhodes, where [ 20] he kept a schoole, and beganne to teach the art of Rhetoricke. He read other-whiles unto the Rhodians (and that with action and gesture) the oration which he had pronounced against Cte∣siphon; whereat, when all the hearers marvelled, and namely, how possibly he could be cast, if he acted such an oration: You would never wonder at the matter (quoth he) my masters of Rhodes, if you had beene in place and heard Demosthenes impleading against it. He left behinde him a schoole at Rhodes, which afterwards was called the Rhodian schoole. From thence he sailed to Samos, and when he had staied a time in the Isle, within a while after, he died. A pleasant and sweet voice he had, as may appeare both by that which Demosthenes hath delivered of him, and also by an oration of Demochares.

There be found foure orations under his name; one against Timarchus; another as touching [ 30] false embassage; and a third against Ctesiphon, which in truth be all three his: for the fourth enti∣tuled Deliaca, was never penned by Aeschines. True it is indeed, that appointed and commanded he was to plead judicially the causes of the temple of Delos: but he pronounced no such oration; for that Hyperides was chosen in stead of him, as saith Demosthenes. And by his owne saying two brethren he had, Aphobus and Demochares. He brought unto the Athenians the first tidings of the second victorie which they obtained at Tamyne, for which he was rewarded with a crowne. Some give it out that Aeschines was scholar to none, and never learned his Rhetoricke of any master; but being brought up to writing, and a good pen-man, he became a clarke or notarie; and so grew up to knowledge of himselfe by his owne industrie, for that he ordinarly conversed in judiciall courts, and places of judgement. The first time that ever he made publike speech be∣fore [ 40] the people, was against king Philip: and having then audience with with great applause and commendation, he was presently chosen embassadour, and sent to the Arcadians; whither when he was come, he raised a power of ten thousand men against Philip. He presented and indited Timarchus for maintaining a brothell house; who fearing to appeare judicially, and to have the cause heard, hung himselfe, as after a sort Demosthenes in some place saith. Afterwards elected he was to go in embassage unto Philip with Ctesiphon & Demosthenes, about a treatie of peace, wherein he carried himselfe better than Demosthenes. A second time was hee chosen the teuth man in an embassage, for to goe and conclude a peace upon certaine capitulations and cove∣nants; for which service he was judicially called to his answere and acquit, as hath beene said [ 50] before.

LYCURGUS. VII.

LYcurgus was the sonne of Lycophron, the sonne of Lycurgus; him I meane whom the thirtie tyrants did to death, by the procurement & instigation of one Aristodemus that came from Bata; who having beene treasurer generall of Greece, was banished during the popular govern∣ment. Of the borrough or tribe he was named Buta, and of the family or house of the Eteobuta∣des.

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At the beginning, the scholar he was of Plato the philosopher, and made profession of philo∣sophie: but afterwards being entred into familiar acquaintance with Isocrates, hee became his scholar, and dealt in affaires of State where he wan great credit, as well by his deeds, as words; and so put in trust he was with the mannagement of the cities revenues: for treasur our general he was the space of fifteene yeeres; during which time, there went thorow his hands fortie millions of talents, or as some say, fourscore millions six hundred and fiftie talents. And it was the ora∣tor Stratocles who preferred him to this honor, by propounding him unto the people. Thus I say at the first was he himselfe chosen treasurour in his own name; but afterwards he nominated some one of his friends; and yet neverthelesse mannaged all, and had the whole administration of it in his owne hands; for that there was a Statute enacted and published, that none might be chosen [ 10] to have the charge of the publicke treasure above five yeeres. He continued alwaies an overseer of the citie workes both winter and summer: and having the office and charge committed unto him for provision of all necessaries for the warres, he reformed many things that were amisse in common-wealth. He caused to be built for the citie foure hundred gallies. He made the com∣mon hall or place for publicke exercises in Lyceum, and planted the same round about with trees: He reared also the wrestling hall, and finished the theater which is at the temple of Bacchus, be∣ing himselfe in person to oversee and direct the workmen. He was reputed a man of such fideli∣tie and so good a conscience, that there was committed upon trust into his hands, to the summe of two hundred and fiftie talents of silver, by divers and sundrie private persons to be kept for their use. He caused to be made many faire vessels of gold and silver to adorne and beautifie the [ 20] citie: as also sundrie images of Victorie in gold. And finding many publicke workes unperfect and halfe done, he accomplished and made an end of them all: as namely the Arsenals, the com∣mon hals for armour and other utensiles and implements, serving for the cities uses. He foun∣ded a wall round about the spatious cloisture, called Panathenaike, which he finished up to the verie cape and batilments; yea and laid levell and even, the great pit or chinke in the ground: for that one Dinius, whose plot of ground it was, gave away the proprietie which he had in it unto the citie, in favour especially of Lycurguss, and for his sake. He had the charge and custodie of the citie, and commission to attache and apprehend malefactours, whom he drave all quit out of the citie; insomuch that some of the oratours and subtle sophisters would say, that Lycurgus dipt not his pen in blacke inke, but in deadly blood, when he drew his writs against malefactours: In [ 30] regard of which benefit unto the common-weale, so well beloved he was of the people, that when king Alexander demaunded to had him delivered into his hands, the people would not forgo him. But when as king Philip made warre upon the Athenians the second time, he went in em∣bassage with Polycuctus and Demosthenes, as well into Peloponnesus, as to other States and cities. All his time he lived in good estimation among the Athenians, reputed evermore for a just and upright man, in such sort that in all courts of justice, if Lycurgus said the word, it was held for a great prejudice & good foredoome in his behalfe, for whom he spake. He proposed & brought in certaine lawes; the one to this effect, that there should be exhibited a solemnitie of plaies or comedies at the feast Chytrae, wherein the poets should do their best, and strive a vie within the theatre for the prise; and whosoever obtained victorie, should therewith have the right and free∣dome [ 40] of burgeosie, a thing that before was not lawfull nor graunted unto poets; and thus hee brought unto use and practise againe, a solemne game which he had discontinued. Another, that there should be made at the publike charges of the citie, statues of brasse for the poets Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides; that their tragoedies should be exemplified and engrossed faire, for to be kept in the chamber of the citie; and that the publicke notarie of the citie should reade them unto the plaiers, for otherwise unlawfull it was to act them. A third there was, that no citizen, nor any other person resiant and inhabitant within the citie of Athens, should be permitted to buy any prisoners taken in warre, such as were of free condition before, to make them slaves, without the consent of their first masters. Item, that within the haven Pyraecum, there should be exhibited a solemne play or game unto Neptune, consisting of round daunces, no fewer than [ 50] three: and that unto those who woon the first prise, there should be given for a reward no fewer than ten pound of silver; to the second, eight at the least; and to the third, not under six, accor∣ding as they should be adjudged by the Umpiers. Item, that no dame of Athens might be allo∣wed to ride in a coatch to Eleusin; for feare that the poore might be debased by the rich, and here∣in reputed their inferiours: but in case any of them were so taken riding in a coatch, she should be fined and pay six thousand drachms: now when his owne wife obeied not his law, but was sur∣prized in the manner by the sycophants and promoters, he himselfe gave unto them a whole

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talent, with which afterwards when he was charged, and accused before the people: You see yet (quoth he) my masters of Athens that I am overtaken for giving, and not for taking silver.

He mette one day as he went in the street, a publicane or farmer of the forrain taxes and tri∣butes for the city, who had laid hands upon the philosopher Xenocrates, and would have ledde him to prison in all haste, because he paid not the duties imposed upon strangers; for which he gave the publicane a rappe on the head with the rodde or walking staffe which hee had in his hand, and recovered the philosopher out of his clouches; which done, he cast the said officer himselfe into prison for his labor, as having cōmitted a great indignity unto such a personage: a few daies after, the same philosopher meeting him with the children of Lycurgus: I have (quoth he unto them) my good children rendred thanks unto your father, and that right speedily, in [ 10] that he is so praised and commended of all men for succouring and rescuing me. He proposed and published certeine publicke decrees, using the helpe heerein of one Euclides an Olynthi∣an, who was thought to be a very sufficient man in framing and penning such acts; and albeit he was a wealthy person, yet he never ware but one and the same kinde of garment both winter and summer, yea, and the same shooes he went in every day, what need soever was He exerci∣sed himselfe continually in declaming both night and day, for that he was not so sit to speak of a sudden and unprovided. Upon his bedde or pallet where he lay, he had onely for his covering a sheepes skinne, fell and all, and under his head a boulster, to the end that the sooner and with more ease, he might awake and goe to his study. There was one who reproched him, for that he paid his money still unto sophisters and professed rhetoricians, for teaching him to make [ 20] orations: But (quoth he) againe, if there were any would promise and undertake to profit my children and make them better, I would give him willingly not onely a thousand deniers, but the one moitie of all my goods. Very bold he was and resolute to speake his minde franckly unto the people, and to tell them the truth plainly, bearing himselfe upon his nobility; insomuch as one day when the Athenians would not suffer him to make a speech in open audience, he cried out with a loud voice; ô whippe of Corfu, how many talents art thou woorth? Another time, when some there were who called Alexander god: And what maner of god may he be (quoth Lycurgus, out of whose temple whosoever go, had need to be sprinckled and drenched all over with water to purifie themselves.

After he was dead, they delivered his children into the hands of the eleven officers for exe∣cution [ 30] of justice, for that Thrasicles had framed an accusation, & Menesaechmus endited them; but upon the letters of Demosthenes, which in the time of his exile he wrote unto the Atheni∣ans, advertising them that they were ill spoken of about Lycurgus his children, they repented themselves of that which they had done, and let them go: & verily Democles the scholar of Theo∣phrastus justified them, and spake in their defence. Himselfe and some of his children were bu∣ried at the cities charges, over and against the temple of Minerva Paeonia, within the orchard or grove of Melanthius the philosopher: and found there be even in these our daies certeine tombes with the names of Lycurgus and his children written thereupon. But that which is the greatest thing that soundeth most to the praise of his government, he raised the revenues of the common-weale unto twelve hundred talents, whereas before they amounted but unto three∣score. [ 40] A little before he died, when he perceived death to approch, hee caused himselfe to be caried into the temple of Cybele the great mother of the gods, and into the Senate house, desi∣rous there to render an account of his whole administration of the common-weale: but no man was so hardy as to come foorth and charge him with any unjust and wrongfull dealing, save onely Menesaechmus; now after he had fully answered those imputations which he charged up∣on him, he was caried home againe to his house, where he ended his daies; reputed all his life time for a good and honest man, commended for his eloquence, and never condemned in a∣ny sute, notwithstanding many actions and accusations were framed against him.

Three children he had by Calisto, the daughter of Abron, and sister to Calaeus, the sonne also of Abron, of the burrough Bata, who was treasurour of the campe during the warres that [ 50] yeere wherein Chaerondas was provost; of this affinitie and alliance, Dinarchus maketh menti∣on, in that oration which he made against Pastius. He left behinde him these children, Abron, Lycurgus, and Lycophron; of whom Abron and Lycurgus died without issue; but Abron after he had with good reputation and credit, managed state matters, changed this life: and Lyco∣phron having espoused Calistomacha, the daughter of Philippus Aixenes, begat a daughter na∣med Calesto, married afterwards to Cleombrotus, the sonne of Dimocrates, an Acharnanian, who by her had a sonne named Lycophron, whom Lycophron the grand-father adopted for his owne

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sonne; and he departed this life without children: after the decease of this Lycophron Callisto was remarried unto Socrates, unto whom she bare a sonne, named Symmachus; who begat Aristo∣nymus; and of Aristonymus came Charmides, whose daughter was Philippe, and she bare a sonne, to wit, Lysander Medius, who became an interpreter also, one of the Eumolpides: of him and of Timothea the daughter of Glaucus descended Laodamia and Medius, who held the priesthood of Neptune Erectheus: Philippa also a daughter, who afterwards was a religious priestresse, devoted to Minerva; for before time, had Diocles the Melittean espoused her, and she bare him a sonne named likewise Diocles, who was a colonell of a regiment of footmen; and he tooke to wife Hediste the daughter of Abron, of whose body he begat Philippide and Nicostra∣ta; and Themistocles the torch-bearer sonne of Theophrastus married Nicostrata, by whom he [ 10] had Theophrastus and Diocles, notwithstanding he was priest unto Neptune Erechtheus.

There be sound of this oratours penning, fifteene orations. Crowned hee was many times by the people: and ordeined there were for him divers statues and images, whereof there was one all of brasse, according to a publike decree of the citie, standing in the street Ceranicum, that yeere when Anaxicrates was provost; under whom there was allowed unto himselfe and his sonne Lycurgus, as also to his eldest nephew, table and diet in Prytanneum, by vertue of the same decree of the people: howbeit, after the decease of Lycurgus, Lycophron his eldest sonne made sute by law for this gift and donation. He pleaded also many times for matters of religion, and accused Autolycus the senatour, and one of the high court Areopagus, Lysicles also the captaine, and Demades the sonne of Demius, together with Menesachmus, and many others, whom he [ 20] overthrew and caused to be condemned every one. Moreover, he called judicially into questi∣on Diphtlus, for that he tooke away out of the mettal mines, those middle posts or props which supported the weight of earth bearing upon them, by which meanes he enriched himselfe, directly against the lawes: and whereas the penaltie of this crime was death, he caused him to be condemned. He distributed out of his goods, unto every citizen of Athens fiftie drachmes, or as some say, one mua, or pound of silver: for the totall summe of his wealth amounted unto an hundred and threescore talents. He accused likewise Aristogiton, Cleocrates, and Autolycus, for that being no better than slaves, they caried themselves like men of free condition. This Ly∣curgus was surnamed Ibis, that is to say, the blacke Storke: and men commonly would say to Ly∣curgus, Ibis, like as to Xenophon, Nycteris, that is to say, the Howlet. The most ancient of this [ 30] house, were descended from Erectheus, the sonne of the Earth and of Vulcane; but the neerest, from Lycomedes and Lycurgus, whom the people honoured with publicke funerals and obsequies. And this descent of their race, is drawen from those who were priests of Neptune, and set downe in a full and perfect table, which hangeth up in the temple Erechthium, and was painted by Isme∣nias the Chalcidian; where also stand certeine statues of wood, aswell of Lycurgus as of his chil∣dren, to wit, Abron, Lycurgus and Lychophron, which sometimes were made by Timarchus and Ce∣phisodorus the sonnes of Praxiteles the imager. He who set up and dedicated the painted table beforesaid, was Abron, unto whom by order of hereditarie succession, fell the priesthood, but he gave over his right thereto voluntarily unto his brother Lycophron: this is the reason that he is painted giving a three-forked mace unto his brother. Now this Lycurgus having caused to be [ 40] engraven upon a square pillar, a briefe of his whole administration of the cōmon weale, caused it to be planted just beford the wrestling hall, for every man to see it that would. Neither could any man be foūd so hardy, as to accuse him for robbing the State, or inverting any thing to his own use. He proposed unto the people, that there should be a coronet given unto Neoptolemus the sonne of Anticles, and a statue besides, for that he undertooke and promised to gild (all over) the altar of Apollo in the market place, according to the commandement & direction of the oracle. He demanded also, that honour should be decreed for Euonymus the sonne of Diotimus, whose father was Diopithes, in that yeere wherein Ctesicles was provost.

DEMOSTHENES. VIII. [ 50]

DEmosthenes the sonne of Demosthenes and of Cleobule the daughter of Gylon, of the linage or tribe of Paeania, being left an orphan by his father, at the age of seven yeeres, together with a sister five yeeres olde; during the time of orphanage kept with his mother a widow, and went to schoole unto Isocrates, as some say, or as most men give out, to Isaeus the Chalcidian the disciple of Isocrates, who lived in Athens: he imitated Thucydides and Plato the Philosopher, in whose schoole there be that say he was first brought up: but as Hegesias the Magnesian repor∣teth,

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being advertised that Callistratus the sonne of Empaedes, an Aphidnean and famous orator, who had bene captaine and commander of a troupe ofhorsemen, and who had dedicated an al∣tar to Mercurie surnamed Agoraios, that is to say, the Speaker, was to make a solemne oration un∣to the people, craved leave of his tutour and schoolemaster, that he might go to heare him: and no sooner had he heard him speake, but he was in love with his eloquence.

But as for this oratour, he heard him but a while, even until he left the citie; for banished he was. Now after that he was departed into Thrace, by which time Demosthenes grew to be a yong man, then began he to frequent the company of Isocrates and Plato: howbeit, afterwards hee tooke home into his house Isaeus, whom he enterteined the space of foure yeeres, and exercised himselfe in the imitation of his stile, or (as Ctesibius reporteth in his treatise of Philosophie) he [ 10] wrought so, that by the meanes of Callias the Syracusian, he recovered the orations of Zethus the Amphipolitane, and by the helpe of Charicles the Charistian, he got them also of Alcida∣mus, and those he give himselfe wholly to imitate. But in processe of time, when he was come to mans estate, and past a ward, seeing that his tutours and guardians allowed him not sufficient∣ly out of his living and patrimonie, he called them to account for their guardianship, that yeere wherein Timocrates was provost of Athens. Now three tutours or governours he had, to wit, Aphobus, Theripedes, Demophon aliâs Demea, whom he charged more than the rest, being his uncle by the mothers side: he laied actions upon them of ten talents a piece, and so much he de∣manded of them by law: he overthrew them all; but he could not come by ought of that where∣in they were condemned: for neither recovered he money nor favour of the one or the other. [ 20] * * * * When Aristophon was now so aged, that he could not take paines nor attend to set out the solemne dances and shewes, for which he was chosen commislarie and overseer, he gave over his place, and Demosthenes in his roome was substituted the master of the said dances: and for that in the open theater as he was busie in his office about setting out and ordering the dan∣ces, Medias the Anagyrasian, gave him a box of the eare with his fist, he sued him in an actiō of batterie: howbeit, he gave over his sute for the sum of three thousand drachmes of silver, which Midias paied him. This is reported of him, that being a yoong man, he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 himselfe apart into a certeine cave, where he gave himselfe unto his booke, having caused his head to be shaven the halfe of it, because he might not goe abroad to be seene, and so leave his booke: also, that he lay upon a very streight and narrow bed, for that he would the sooner 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , and with more ease: [ 30] and there he exercised and forced himselfe to frame his speech better: but for that he had an ill grace with him, ever as he spake, to shake and shrinke up his shoulder, he remedied that, by stic∣king up a broch or spit, or as some say, a dagger, to the floore over head, that for feare of pricking his shoulder, he might forget this evill custome that he had in his gesture: and according as he profited and proceeded forward in the art, he caused a mirrour to be made just as bigge as him∣selfe, before which he used to declame, that thereby he might observe the evill gestures or ilfa∣voured faces that he made when he spake, and learne to reforme and a mend them: also, he used otherwhiles to goe downe to the water side, to the haven Phalerium, for to exercise himselfe in declaming, even where the surging waves of the sea did beat upon the banks, to the end that he might at no time after be troubled nor put out and driven to an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , with the noise and cla∣mour [ 40] of the people when hee should speake before them: but for that naturally hee was short∣winded, and his breath commonly failed him, hee 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon Neoptolemus a famous actour or stage-plaier, tenne thousand drachmes of silver, to teach him for to pronounce long periods and sentences with one breath, and not taking his winde betweene.

When he began to enter into the management of 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 State, finding that the citizens were divided into two factions; the one siding and taking part with king Philip; the other spea∣king and pleading still for their liberties and freedom, he chose to joine with that which was op∣posite in all their dooings unto Philip; and all his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 time he continued countelling and per∣swading the people to succour those who were in danger to fall under the hands of Philip: com∣municating his counsels in the administration 〈◊〉〈◊〉 State affaires, & devising evermore with Hype∣rides, [ 50] Nausicles, Polyeuctus, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 : and therefore he drew into league & confederacy with the men of Athens, the Thebanes, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Corryceans, Corinthians, Boeotians, and many others besides. One day he chanced to be out and his memorie to faile him, so that he was histed at by the people in a great assembly of the citie: for which disgrace he was out of heart, and ill appaid, insomuch as in great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he went home to his house; where by the way, Eu∣nomus the Thriasian, being now an ancient man, met with him, who cheered up Demosthenes and comforted him all that he could: out most of all Andronicus the stage-plaier; who said unto him:

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That his orations were as good as possibly might be, only he was wanting somwhat in action; & thereupon rehearsed certaine places out of his oration, which he had delivered in that frequent assembly: unto whom Demosthenes gave good eare and credit, whereupon he betooke himselfe unto Andronicus; insomuch as afterwards when he was demaunded the question which was the first point of eloquence, he answered, Action; which the second, he made answer, Action; and which was the third, he said, Action, still. Another time he put himselfe foorth to speak in open audience of a great assembly, and was likewise whistled at, and driven lusty out of countenance; for speaking some words that savoured too much of youthfulnesse; so that he was flouted by the comicall poets, Antiphanes and Timocles, who used to twit him with these tearmes:

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 [ 10]
That is to say,
By the earth, by the fountaines, by rivers, flouds, and streames.
For having sworne in this maner before the people, hee raised a stirre and hurli-burly among them. He tooke his oath another time by the name of Asclepius, which hee sounded aloft with accent in the * 1.4 second syllable; and although he did this upon errour in Prosodia, yet hee main∣teined and proved that he had pronounced the word aright; for that Aesculapius was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is to say, a milde and gracious god: and for this maner of swearing he was oftentimes trou∣bled; but after he had frequented the schoole of Eubulades the Milesian, and a Logicien, he cor∣rected and amended all. Being one day at the solemnitie of the Olympian games, and hearing Lamachus the Terinaean how he rehearsed an encomiasticall oration in the praise of king Phi∣lip, [ 20] and of Alexander his sonne; namely, how they invaded and over-ran the Thebans and O∣lynthians, he came forward, and standing close unto him, on the contrary side, alledging testi∣monies out of auncient poets, importing the commendation of Thebans and Olynthians both, for the brave exploits by them atchieved; which when Lamachus heard, hee gave over and would not speake a word more, but slipt away as soone as hee could out of the assemblie. King Philip himselfe would say unto them who related unto him the cautions and orations that he made against him: Certes, I beleeve verily, that if I had heard him with mine owne eares pleading in this wise, I should have given the man my voice, and chosen him captaine to make warre upon my selfe. And much to the same purpose the said Philip was wont to liken the ora∣tions of Demoshenes unto souldiers, for the warlike force that appeared in them; but the spee∣ches [ 30] of Isocrates he compared to fensers or sword-plaiers, for the delightfull shew and flourish that they made.

Being now thirtie seven yeeres old, counting from Dexitheus to Callimachus, in the time of whose provostship the Olynthians by their embassage required aid of the Athenians, for that they were fore plagued with the warre that king Philip levied against them; he perswaded the people to send them succour: but in the yeere following, wherein Plato changed this life, king Philip utterly destroied the Olynthians. Xenophon also the disciple of Socrates, had a know∣ledge of Demosthenes, either in his prime when hee began to rise and grow up, or else in the very floure and best of his time; for Xenophon wrote his Chronicles as touching the acts and deeds of the Greeks, and specially of those affaires which passed about the time of the battell at [ 40] Mantinea, or a little after, namely, in that yeere when Charicles was provost; and Demosthenes somewhat before that, had given his tutors and guardians the overthrow at the barre. When as Aeschines upon his condemnation was fledde toward Athens, there to live in exile; Demosthe∣nes being advertised thereof, made after him on horse-backe; whereupon Aeschines imagining that he should be taken prisoner, fell downe at his feet, and covered his face, but Demosthenes willed him to arise and stand up, gave him comfortable words, and besides, put a talent of silver into his hands. He gave counsell unto the Athenians to enterteine a certeine number of mer∣cenarie souldiers, strangers in the isle of Thasos, and to this effect he sailed thither as captaine with the charge of a great galley under his hands. He was chosen another time chiefe purveior of corne, and being accused for demeaning himselfe badly, and purloining the cities money, [ 50] he cleared himselfe and was acquit. When Philip had forced the city Elatia, and was master of it, Demosthenes abandoned the said city, together with those who had sought in the battell of Cheronaea; whereupon is thought that he forsooke his colours and sledde; now as he made haste away, there chanced a bramble to take hold of his cassocke behinde, whereat he turned backe and said unto the bramble: Save my life and take my ransome. Upon his target he had for his mot or device, Good fortune. And verily he it was that made the oration at the funerals of those who lost their lives in the said battell.

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After this he applied his minde, and bent his chiefe care to the reparations of the citie, and being chosen commissarie for repairing the walles, he laide out of his owne (besides the de∣fraying of the cities money) an hundred pounds of silver: over and above that, he gave ten thousand for to be emploied in the setting out of shewes, games, and plaies; which done, he embarked himselfe in a galley, and sailed up and downe from coast to coast, for to levie mo∣ney of the allies and confedetates; for which good services hee was crowned many times: first by the meanes and motion of Demoteles, Aristonicus, and Hyperides; who propounded that he should be honoured with a coronet of gold, and last of all, at the instant sute of Ctesiphon: which decree was empeached and blamed, as contrarie to the lawes by Diodotus and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 : against whom he defended and maintained it so well, that he carried it cleane away; so as his ac∣cuser [ 10] had not the fifth part of the suffrages and voices of the people on his side.

Afterwards when Alexander was passed onward his voyage into Asia, & Harpalus sled into A∣thens with a great summe of money: at the first hee would not suffer him to bee entertained and kept safely; but after he was once arrived and set aland, and that he had received of him a thou∣sand good pieces of gold, called Dariks; then he changed his note and sung another song: for when the Athenians were minded to deliver the man into the hands of Antipater, he withstood them, and withall set downe under his hand-writing, that his money was laid up safe in the Cita∣del; the summe whereof he had declared already unto the people, whereas Harpalus had specified it to be seven hundred and fiftie talents or somewhat above, as saith Philocharus. But after this when Harpalus had broken prison, wherein hee should have beene kept, untill some messenger [ 20] and newes came directly from Alexander, and was escaped and retired, as some say, to Candie, or as others, to Tenarus in Laconia; Demosthenes was called into question for corruption, bribe∣rie, and taking his money; for that he neither declared the just quantitie and summe of coine that thither was brought, not the negligence of those who had the custodie of it and him: thus I say was he brought to his answere judicially by Hyperides, Pytheus, Menesechmus, Hymeraeus, and Patrocles, who followed the sute so hard, that they caused him to be condemned in the high court and chamber of Ariopagus: and thus condemned he went into exile, being not able to pay five fold; for charged he was to have taken thirtie talents: others say that he would not abide the issue of judgement, and therefore went voluntarie before the day of triall into banishment. After this time the Athenians sent Polyeuctus in embassage to the communaltie of the Arcadians, for [ 30] to divert and withdraw them from the league and confederacie of the Macedonians: but when Polyeuctus could not perswade them to revolt; Demosthenes came upon them and shewed him∣selfe to second the motion, where he spake so effectually, that he prevailed with them: for which service he was highly admired, and thereby wanne such favour and reputation, that after a cer∣taine time, by vertue of a publicke decree, he was called home againe out of exile, and a galley was set out of purpose to bring him backe to Athens: and the Athenians moreover ordained, that whereas he owed unto the State thirtie talents, in which he was condemned, he should cause an altar to be built unto Jupiter the Saviour, in the port Pyreaeum; & in so doing be held aquit and discharged. This decree was propounded by Daemon the Paeanian his cousen germain.

By this meanes he returned to the politicke mannaging of affaires as before. Now when as [ 40] Antipater was streightly besieged by the Greeks, and enclosed within the citie Limia, whereup∣on the Athenians offered sacrifices for the good and joyfull tidings thereof, he chaunced to let fall a word in talking with Agesistratus, a familiar friend of his, and to say that he was not of the same mind and opinion with other, as touching the State: For I know full wel (quoth he) that the Greeks are skilfull and able both to run a short carriere, and good to make a skirmish for a spurt and away; but to hold on a long race, and to continue the warre unto the end, they can never abide. But afterwards when Anipater had wonne Pharsalus, and threatned the Athenians to lay siege unto their citie, unlesse he would deliver into his hands those oratours who had inveighed against him: Demosthenes for feare of himselfe, left the citie of Athens, and fled first into the Isle Aegina, for to put himselfe within the liberties and franchises of the temple or sanctuarie, called [ 50] Aeacium: but afterwards being affraid that he should be fetched out from thence by the eares, he passed over into Calauria: where having intelligence that the Athenians were resolved and had concluded to deliver those oratours, and himselfe principally among the rest; hee rested as a poore distressed suppliant within the temple of Neptune: and when there came unto him thi∣there Archias the pursuvant, surnamed Phygadotheres, that is to say, the hunter of Fugitives, who was a disciple and sectarie of Anaximenes the philosopher, perswading him to arise, and that no doubt he should be reckoned one of the friends of Antipater; he answered thus: When you

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play a part in a tragoedie, you can not make me beleeve that you are the man whom you repre∣sent; no more shall you perswade me now to give eare unto your counsell: and when the other laid hands on him and would have drawen him foorth by violence, those of the city would not suffer him; then said Demosthenes unto them: I fledde not unto Calabria for my safetie, and with any intention to save my life, but to convince the Lacedaemonians of their impietie and violence, even against the gods; and with that he called for writing tables, and wrote this dysti∣chon; as saith Demetrius the Magnesian, which the Athenians afterwards caused to be set as an Epigram over the statue:

Had thy good heart Demostenes, mette with as good an hand: [ 10] The Greeks of Macedonian sword, should never have had command.
This image of his standeth neere unto the purprise or cloister, wherein is erected the altar of the twelve gods, and made it was by the hands of Polyeuctus: but as some say, this was found written withall: Demosthenes to Antipater greeting. Philocharus saith, that hee died of poison which he drank: but Satyrus the historiographer reporteth, that the penne was poisoned where∣with he beganne to write his epistle, and chancing to put it into his mouth, so soone as ever he tasted thereof, died: Eratosthenes writeth otherwise, namely that hee standing in feare a long time of the Macedonians, was provided of poison, which he caried within a little ring or brace∣let that he wore about the wrist of his arme: & there be againe who say, that he killed himselfe [ 20] by holding his winde so long, that he was overcome and stifled withall: last of all, others write that he caried a strong poison within the collet of his signet, which he tasted, and died thereof, * * * two and twenty.

When king Philip was dead, he came abroad wearing a faire & rich new robe, although but a while before he had buried his owne daughter, so glad was he of the death of that Macedonian king. He aided the Thebanes alos when they warred with Alexander, and all other Greeks hee encouraged as much as possibly he could at all times; and therefore Alexander after he had de∣stroied the city of Thebes, demaunded of the Athenians for to have him, menacing them if they would not deliver him into his hands. And when the said king warred upon the Persians, and required of the Athenians their shipping, Demosthenes opposed himselfe and demed it: For [ 30] who is able to say (quoth he) that he will not use the same shippes even against our selves that send them. He left behinde him two sonnes by one wife, the daughter of one Heliodorus a principall citizen. One daughter he had, who died before she was maried, being but yet a young childe. A sister also he had, who being married unto Laches the Leuconian his nephew or sisters sonne, bare Demochares, a valiant man in warre, and besides, for policie and eloquence inferior to none in his time. There is an image of his to be seene at this day, standing within the common hall of the citie, called Prytaneum, on the right hand as men do enter in and go to∣ward the altar. The first man he was who made an oration to the people with a sword by his side girded over his robe: for in that habit it is said, that he delivered a speech unto the citizens, when Antipater came to demand their oratours: but afterwards, the Athenians both ordemed allow∣ance [ 40] of diet in the Prytaneum for the kinred of Demosthenes, and also set up a statue for himselfe when he was dead, in the Market place, that very yeere when Gorgias was provost, at the sute of Demochares his nephew or sisters sonne, who required these honours for his uncle: yea, and af∣tewards, Laches the sonne of Demochares a Leuconian, made sute for the like honours for him∣selfe, the yeere that Pitharatus was provost, which was ten yeeres after; namely, his statue for to stand in the market place, and allowance of diet in the palace Prytaneum, aswell for himselfe as for the eldest alwaies of his house and linage in every descent, with a priviledge of the highest roome or uppermost place at all solemne sights and games. And these decrees as touching them both, are registred, and to be seene engrossed upon record. As for the image of Demo∣chares, whereof we have already spoken, it was transported into the palace or hall of the citie na∣med [ 50] Prytancum.

There be extant orations which be his in deed, to the number of three score and five. Some say, that he lived a dissolute and riotous life, and that he would not sticke to goe in womans ap∣parell, to banquet, to be one ordinarily in all masks and mommeries; whereupon he was surna∣med Batalus: though others there are, who say that this was the name of his nourse, and that therupon he was so tearmed by way of flouting speech or nick-name. Diogenes the dogged Cy∣nick, spied him one day in a taverne; whereat Demosthenes was abashed, & retired more inward

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into the house: Nay (quoth Diogenes to him) the more you draw or shrinke backeward, the sur∣ther still you go into the taverne. The same Diogenes said to him upon a time, when he was dis∣posed to scoffe: That in words he was a Scythian, that is to say, a tough Tartarian and a brave warriour; but in warre, a fine and delicate burgesse of Athens. He tooke golde of Ephialies also, being one of the oratours who went in embassage to the king of Persia, and brought with him a great summe of money secretly to distribute among the oratours of Athens, to this end, that they might stirre coales, and blow the fire, to kindle warre against Philip: and it is said, that he for his part had at one clap of the king, three thousand daricks. He caused one Anaxilus of the citie of Orea, to be apprehended, who had otherwise bene his familiar friend; and being cast into pri∣son, put him to be examined by torture, as a spie; and albeit he confessed nought, yet he sued [ 10] out a writ or decree that he should be committed into the hands of the eleven executioners of justice. One day when he meant to make a speech in the full assembly of the people, they were not willing to heare him: Why (quoth he unto them) it is but a short tale that I purpose to tell unto you: whch when they heard, they gave him audience willingly: and then began he in this maner: There was not long since (quoth he) a yong man who hired an asse in the time of Sum∣mer, from this citie to Megara: now when it was noone time of the day, and the Sun exceeding hot, both the one and the other, aswell the owner of the asse as he who hired him, would needs have the benefit of the asses shade, and stand under it, but they hindred and impeached one ano∣ther; for the owner said that he had let to hire, his asse, but not the shadow of him: the other a∣gaine who hired him, pleaded that the asse, shadow and all was in his power. Having thus be∣gun [ 20] his tale, he came downe and went his way: the people then called him backe, and praied him to tell the tale out, and make an end thereof: Why my masters (quoth he) how is it, that you are so desirous that I should tell you a tale of the shadow of asse, and will not give me the hearing when I am to speake unto you of your affaires of great importance? Polus the famous actour and stage-plaier made his boast upon a time, that in two daies wherein he plaied his part, he had gotten a whole talent of silver: And I (quoth he) have gained five in one day, for holding my peace and keeping silence. His voice upon a time, when he made a speech unto the people, failed him; whereupon his audience being not well pleased, and himselfe somewhat troubled, he said aloud unto them: You are to judge plaiers by their pleasant and strong voice; but ora∣tours by their good and grave sentences. Epicles seemed to upbraid and reproch him, for that [ 30] he was alwaies musing and premeditating: I would be ashamed (quoth he unto him) if being to speake before so great an assembly of people, I should come unprovided. It is written of him, that he never put out his lampe, that is to say, that he never ceased studying how to file and polish (as it were) his orations, untill he was fiftie yeres old. He said of himselfe, that he drunke nothing but faire water. Lysias the oratour had knowledge of him: and Isocrates saw him to ma∣nage the affaires of State, untill the battell of Chaeronea, yea, and some also of the Socraticall ora∣tours. The most part of his orations he pronounced * 1.5 ex tempore and of a sudden, as having a ready and pregnant wit, and one who naturally was fitted to speake. The first that ever proposed and put up a bill unto the people, that he should be crowned with a coronet of gold, was Aristo∣nicus the Anagyrasian the sonne of Nicophanes: and Diondas did second the motion with an [ 40] oath.

HYPERIDES. IX.

HYperides the sonne of Glaucippus, who was the sonne of Dionysius of the burrough Colyttea, had a sonne who bare the name of his father Glaucippus, an orator who composed cerreine orations: and he begat another oratour, named Alphinus. He was at one time the scholar of Plato the Philosopher, of Lycurgus and of Isocrates. He dealt in the State at what time as Ale∣xander the Great intended the affaires of Greece, and he crossed him as touching those cap∣taines which he demanded of the Athenians, as also about the gallies which he required to have. He advised the people not to casse and discharge those souldiers which were enterteined at Tae∣nara, [ 50] who had for their captaine, Chares, and whose friend particularly he was. He pleaded ordi∣narily at the first as an advocate for his fee; and was suspected to have received part of that money which Ephialtes brought out of Persia. Chosen he was the captaine of one great galley, at what time as king Philip went to lay siege unto the citie Bizantium: and sent he was to aide the Bizantines. The very same yeere he tooke the charge of defraying the expenses of the so∣lenme dances; whereas the rest of the captaines were exempt from all publicke offices for that yeere. He passed a decree, that certeine honours should be done unto Demosthenes; and when

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the said decree was by Diondas repealed, as made against the lawes, and himselfe thereupon ac∣cused, yet found he was unguiltie, and thereupon acquit. Friend he was to Demosthenes, Lysicles and Lycurgus; howbeit, in this amitie he continued not unto the end: for after that Lysicles and Lycurgus were dead, when Demosthenes was once called in question for taking money of Harpa∣lus, he alone (for that his hands onely were free of bribery) was nominated and picked out from the rest, to frame an accusation against him, because they were all thought culpable in the same fault, and so he judicially accused him: but himselfe was charged by Aristogiton for publishing acts contrary to the lawes, after the battell at Chaeronea, namely; That all the inhabitants and dwellers in Athens, should be burgesses of the citie; that all slaves should manumized and made free; that all sacred and holy reliques; that women and children should be bestowed with∣in [ 10] the port or haven Pireaeum: howbeit, absolved he was, and went cleere away. And when some there were who found fault with him, and marvelled how he should be so negligent and over∣seene, as not to know so many lawes which were directly opposit to the said decrees; he made this answere: If (quoth he) the armes of the Macedonians and the battell of Chaeronea, had not dazzeled and dimmed my sight, I had never written nor proposed such an edict. But certeine it is, that after this, Philip being affrighted, gave the Athenians leave to take up the bodies of their dead that lay in the field, which before he had denied unto the heralds that came of purpose un∣to him out of Lebadia.

Afterwards, upon the defaiture at Cranon, when he was demanded by Antipater: and the peo∣ple resolved to deliver him into his hands, he forsooke the citie, and fled into the Isle Aegina, [ 20] with other persons who likewise were condemned; where meeting with Demosthenes, he desired him to holde him excused, for that he had by constraint accused him. And when he minded to depart from thence, surprised he was by one Archias surnamed Phygadotheres, a man borne in the citie of Thurit, and who at the first was a professed stage-plaier, but then imploied in the ser∣vice and aid of Antipater; so he was apprehended perforce within the temple of Neptune; not∣withstanding hee held the image of the said god in his armes; and from thence brought to Co∣rinth before Antipater; where being set upon the racke, and put to torture, he bit his tongue off with his owne teeth, because he would not discover the secrets of the city, and so ended his daies the ninth day of the moneth October: howbeit, Hermippus saith, that as he went into Macedo∣nie, he had his tongue cut out of his head, and his dead corps was cast forth unto the beasts of [ 30] the field without sepulture: yet one Alphinus his cousen germaine, or as some say, the cousen of Glaucippus his sonne obteined licence (by the meanes of Philopithes a certeine physician) to take up his bodie, who burnt the same in a funerall fire; the ashes and bones whereof, he caried to Athens afterwards, among his kinsfolke and friends, contrary to the orders and decrees set downe, both by the Macedonians and the Athenians: for by vertue thereof they were not onely banished but interdicted, so as they might not be interred within their owne countrey. Others say, that he was carried unto the citie Cleonae with others, where he died; and that his tongue was cut, and afterwards, himselfe murdred in maner aforesaid. Howbeit, his kinsemen and friends gathered up his bones when his corps was burnt, and buried them amongs his parents and pro∣genitours before the gates called Hippades, according as Heliodorus hath recorded in the third [ 40] booke of his monuments. But his sepulchre at this day is quite demolished, and no token re∣maineth thereof to be seene.

He had a singular name above all other oratours, for speaking before the people; insomuch, as some have ranged him even above Demosthenes. There go in his name, three score and seven∣teene orations; of which, two and fitie are truely attributed unto him, and no more. Given he was exceeding much to the love of women, which was the cause that he drave his owne sonne out of his house, and brought in thither Myrrhina the most sumptuous and costly courtisan in those daies: and yet in Pyreaeum he kept Aristagora, and at Eleusin (where his lands and posses∣sions lay) he had another at command, namely, Philte a Thebane borne, who cost him twentie pounds weight of silver. His ordinarie walke was every day thorow the fish market. And when [ 50] the famous courtisan Phryne (whom he loved also) was called into question for Atheisme and impietie, inquisition was made after him likewise; and so he was troubled with her and for her sake, as it should seeme: for, so much he declareth imselfe in the beginning of his oration: now when she was at the very point to be condemned, he brought the woman foorth in open court before the judges, rent her clothes, and shewed unto them her bare brest; which the judges see∣ing to be so white and faire, in regard of her very beautie absolved and dismissed her.

He had very closely and secretly framed certeine accusatorie declarations against Demosthe∣nes,

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yet so, as they came to light in this maner: for when Hyperides lay sicke, it fortuned that De∣mosthenes came one day to his house for to visit him, where he found a booke drawen full of ar∣ticles against him; whereat when he was much offended, and tooke it in great indignation, Hy∣perides made him this answere: So long as you are my friend, this shall never hurt you; but if you become mine enemie, this shallbe a curbe to restreine you from enterprising any thing prejudiciall unto me. He put up a bill unto the people, that certeine honours should be done unto Jolas, who gave unto Alexander the cuppe of poison. Hee sided with Demosthenes, and joined in the raising of the Lamiacke warre, and made an admirable oration at the funerals of those who lost their lives therein. When king Philip was ready to embark & passe over into the isle Eubaea, whereupon the Athenians were in great feare and perplexitie; he gathered together [ 10] in a small time a fleete of fortie saile, by voluntarie contribution, and was the first man who for himselfe and his sonne rigged and set foorth two gallies of warre. When there was a contro∣versie in law betweene the Athenians and Delians to be decided, unto whether of them apper∣teined by right the superintendance of the temple at Delos, and that Aeschynes was chosen to plead the cause, the counsell of Areopagus elected Hyperides; and his oration as touching this matter is at this day extant, entituled The Deliaque oration. Moreover, he went in embassage to Rhodes, where there arrived other embassadours in the behalfe of Antipater, whom they high∣ly praised, as a good, milde, and gracious prince: True it is (quoth Hyperides unto them again) I know well that he is good and gracious, but we have no need of him to be our lord and master how good and gracious soever he be. It is said, that in his orations he shewed no action nor ge∣sture [ 20] at all: his maner was onely to set downe the case and lay open the matter plainely and sim∣ply, without troubling the judges any otherwise than with a naked narration. Sent hee was likewise unto the Elians for to defend the cause of Calippus, one of the champions at the sacred games, unto whom this imputation was laid, that by corruption he had caried away the prize, and indirectly obteined the victorie. He opposed himselfe also against the gift which was or∣deined in the honour of Phocion, at the instant sute of Midias of Anagyrra, the sonne of Midi∣as, the yeere wherein Xenius was provost, the 27. day of the moneth of May; and in this cause he was cast and had the overthrow.

DINARCHUS. X. [ 30]

DInarchus the sonne of Socrates or Sostratus, borne as some thinke in the countrey of Atti∣ca, or as others would have him, in Corinth, came to Athens very yoong, at what time as king Alexander the Great, passed with his armie into Asia; where he dwelt, and frequented the lecture of Theophrastus, who succeeded Aristotle in the Peripateticke schoole: he conver∣sed also with Demetrius the Phalerian, and tooke his time especially to enter into the admini∣stration of State affaires, after the death of Antipater, when the great oratours and states-men were some dead and made away, others banished and driven out of the citie: and being besides friended and countenanced by Cassander, he grew in short time to be exceeding rich, exacting and taking money for his orations, of those at whose request he composed them. Hee banded [ 40] against the most renowmed oratours in his time; not by putting himselfe foorth to come in open place to speake before the people (for no gift nor grace he had therein) but by penning orations for those who made head against them. And namely when Harpalus had broken prison and was fled, he composed divers accusatorie declarations against all such as were suspected to have takē money of him, and those he delivered into the hands of their accusers to be pronoun∣ced accordingly. Long time after, being accused himselfe to have communicated, conferred, and practised with Antipater and Cassander, about the time that the haven Munichia was surpri∣sed by Antigonus and Demetrius, who placed there a garrison in that yeare when Anaxicrates was provost of the city, he sold most part of his goods, and made money, and when hee had done, fled out of the way to Chalcis, where he lived as it were in exile the space well neere of 15. [ 50] yeeres; during which time, he gathered great riches, and became very wealthy, and so retur∣ned againe to Athens, by the meanes of Theophrastus, who procured both him and other bani∣shed persons to be recalled and restored: he abode then in the house of one Proxenus his fami∣liar friend; where being now very aged, and besides weake-sighted, he lost his gold that he had gotten together; and when Proxenus his host would have given information thereof, and see∣med to make inquisition, Dinarchus called him into question judicially for it; and this was the first time that ever he was knowen to speake & plead personally at the barre. This oration of his

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is now extant, and there are besides in mens hands threescore and foure more acknowledged all to be his, and yet some of these are to be excepted, as namely, that against Aristogiton. He did imitate Hyperides, or as some thinke Demosthenes in regard of that patheticall spirit in moo∣ving affections, and the emphaticall force which appeereth in his stile. Certeinly in his figures and exornations he followeth him very evidently.

Notes

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