The workes of Caius Crispus Salustius contayning the Conspiracie of Cateline The Warre of Iugurth. V. bookes of historicall fragments. II orations to Cæsar for the institution of a co[m]monwealth and one against Cicero.

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Title
The workes of Caius Crispus Salustius contayning the Conspiracie of Cateline The Warre of Iugurth. V. bookes of historicall fragments. II orations to Cæsar for the institution of a co[m]monwealth and one against Cicero.
Author
Sallust, 86-34 B.C.
Publication
[London :: Printed by Elizabeth Allde,] Are to be sould at the Eagle and Child in Brittaines Burse by Tho: Walkley,
1629.
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http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A11365.0001.001
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"The workes of Caius Crispus Salustius contayning the Conspiracie of Cateline The Warre of Iugurth. V. bookes of historicall fragments. II orations to Cæsar for the institution of a co[m]monwealth and one against Cicero." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A11365.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed October 31, 2024.

Pages

Page 457

CHAP. 21.

Ambassadours are sent from Lepis to Metellus. A discourse of the Phile∣nian brethren.

BVt together with the taking of Thala, Am∣bassadours from the Town of Leptis came to Metellus; requesting that he would send thither a Garrison & Gouernour: that one Hi∣milear a Noble man of a fa∣ctious spirit did affect in∣nouation: against whom neither the commands of the Magistrates, nor the Lawes were auailable: if he did not speedily doe it, their owne safety, the

Page 458

Alies of them would bee much indangered. For the Leptitanes long since, from the beginning of the Iugurthine warre, had sent to Bestia the Consull, and afterwards to Rome, to require friendship and Aliance. Then hauing got∣ten a grant of this, they alwayes remained true & faithfull, and did per∣forme with diligence all the commands of Bestia, Albinus, and Metellus: therefore easily they ob∣tained of the Generall, whatsoeuer they reque∣sted.

There were sent thither foure Cohorts of Ligu∣rians, and C. Annius for Gouernour. That towne

Page 459

was builded by the Sido∣nians, whom wee haue heard to come hither in shippes, flying from home because of Ciuill discords. Moreouer it is seated betwixt the two Syrtes, who haue their name imposed from their nature. For there are two Gulfes almost in the far∣thest part of Africke of vn∣like bignesse, of like con∣dition: the parts of which, that are neerest to the shoare, are of an exceeding depth: the others are ca∣sually deepe, and at ano∣ther season shoaly: for as soone as the sea groweth high, and rageth with the windes, the waues drawe in slime, sand, and migh∣ty

Page 460

stones: by this meanes the condition of these pla∣ces is altred with the winds; they are called Sir∣es from their extent.

The language of this City is somewhat corrup∣ted by marrying with the Numidians; but their Lawes and habit are for the most part Sidonian which they retained with the more facility, because they liued farre from the Kings Dominion. For be∣tweene them, and the po∣pulous places of Numi∣dia, there lay vncultiued and waste grounds. But because wee are arriued in these Regions by meane of the Leptitan affaires, i seemeth worth the rela∣tion,

Page 461

to remember the braue and memorable ex∣ploite of two Carthagi∣nians. The place intima∣ted this vnto vs.

At what time the Car∣thaginians ruled ouer most of Africke, the Cyrenians also were rich and power∣full: the Frontier betwixt them was sandy and vni∣forme; there was neither mountaine, nor riuer to distinguish their borders: which cause kept them in a great▪ and vndisconti∣nued warre. After their Armies and Fleetes had beene often beaten and chased on both sides, and that they had much im∣paired one anothers strength; they fearing that

Page 462

a third party would in¦uade both the Conquerers & conquered; taking truce, they make an agreemēt, that vpon a day appointed, their Ambassadors should depart from their seuerall homes; at what place they met one another, that should be the common border of both Nations. Vpon this, two brethren being sent from Carthage, whose names were the Phi∣leni, made hast in their iour∣ney: the Cyrenians went more slowly. Whether this happened by negligence or casualty, I know no∣thing at all.

Besides, in those places a tempest no otherwise then in the sea restraineth

Page 463

passage. For when as the wind arising on plaine grounds, and bare of trees, hath raised vp the sand from the earth, that being carried with great violence filleth both the mouth and eyes: thus prospect being hindred, the iourney is staid.

After the Cyrenians saw that they were somewhat the hindermost, and be∣cause of their neglect, fea∣red punishment at home; they taxed the Carthagi∣nians, that departing be∣fore their time from their place of habitation, they had disturbed the Treaty; finally they would rather doe any thing then depart vanquished. But when the

Page 464

Carthaginians required any other condition, so it were equall, the Grecians put the Carthaginians to their choice, that either they should bee buried there quicke, whereas they desired borders for their people, or that them∣selues vpon the same con∣ditions might proceed whither they would. The Philenians allowing the condition, gaue vp them∣selues and their liues to the Common-wealth thus were they interred aliue. In that place the Cartha∣ginians consecrated Al∣tars to the Philenian bre∣thren, and other ho∣nours were instituted for them in their Country.

Page 465

Now I returne to my pur∣pose.

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