The historie of Iustine Containing a narration of kingdomes, from the beginning of the Assyrian monarchy, vnto the raigne of the Emperour Augustus. VVhereunto is newly added a briefe collection of the liues and manners of all the emperours succeeding, vnto the Emp. Rodulphus now raigning. First written in Latine by that famous historiographer Iustine, and now againe newly translated into English, by G.W.

THE EIGHTH BOOKE [ E] of Iustine. (Book 8)

THE ARGVMENT.

THe Lacedemonians and Phocenses condemned in a great summe of money. The Phocenses rob the Temple at Delphos. Phillip is chosen captaine general against these Church-robbers and subdueth them. Afterwards hee setteth vpon the The••anes and spoiled them for whose defence he pretended all his labors. [ F] He cunningly stealeth the kingdome of Cappadocia, destroyeth Olynth in Thrace, dispossesseth two Brother-kings of their Royalties. He concludeth peace with the Athenians. Holdeth subtle answeres with the Ambassadors of Greece, breaketh promise with the Phocenses, remoueth whole Nations and Citties from one coun∣trey to another. He subdueth the Dardanterans, and deposeth Arimba king of E∣pyre, giuing that kingdome vnto his Wiues brother.

WHile the prouinces, and Citties of Greece, were in their pride and florishing estate; while concorde and loue [ G] the chaines that linketh the gouerment of all nations, were the sinewes that knit their harts, they were held the princes of the world: Greece a garden from whence all * 1.1 nations gathered flowers to delight in, and generally a people vnuanquishable. But when an emulating desire to beare rule and bring each other in subiection, like sparkels hid in the ashes, did glow in their bosomes, which after aspired to higher flames, they were themselues the subuerters of the••r goodly buildings, slately monuments, the greedy famine that deuoured their plenty, and their owne hands their owne destruction: for Ppillip king of Macedon seeing this [ H] vnnaturall d••ssention, layd waite like a Spie out of a watch-tower, for fit occa∣sion to be soueraigne of their glorye, and surpriser of their liberty, which he purposed to effect, by nourishing debate betweene Citty and Citty, by being enemy to the stronger, and supporting the weaker; and time so fashioned his intent, that he compelled both the conquered, and the Conquerors, to becom his Vassals and Subiects.

The originall causes of these great mischiefs were the Thebanes, who ha∣uing * 1.2 soueraignty, and wanting discretion to vse it, arrogantly accused at the common counsell of Greece the Lacedemonians, and the Phocenses, whom they had vanquished in the battaile, not contenting themselues with the slaughters, rauishmentes, spoiles, and Trirannies which they had inflicted vppon them, but pursued the aduantage they had gotte with cruelty, and accounted the extreamest punishments to mercifull for them: It was laide to the Lacedemons, that they had taken the tower of Thebes in the time of truce: to the Phocenses, that they had wasted the country of Boetia: So that after they had made spoile of them by warre, they woulde also extort from them what [ A] was possible by law. At last, iudgement was executed (not according to Iu∣stice) but the pleasures of the Conquerors, and the conquered condemned in so great sums of money, as by their weakned estate was held impossible to be paide.

The Phocenses therefore, seeing cruelty chast them as fierce as light∣ning, and knowing they shoulde be bereft of their Landes, Wiues, and Children, and compelled to slauerie, if their imposition were vnsatisfied, chose rather a present deathe, then a perpetuall mischiefe: and foorth∣with elected for their Captaine one Philomelus, vnder whose conducte, they offered their liues by speedy warre, to free theyr bodies from this [ B] subiection: which hee accepting, they presently as men offended euen * 1.3 with the Goddes themselues, gathered their faction to a head, and ran∣sackt the temple of Apollo at Delphos.

From thence inriched with that treasure they coulde make, they strengthned their army with straunger-souldiers, and with such forces they made Warre vppon the Thebanes. This deede of the Phocenses, although all men abhorred, beeing so fowle a facte as Sacriledge, yet in reguarde they were driuen to it by extremitye, it ingendred a more deadely hate in the heartes of the neighbour prouinces, towarde the Thebanes then to them. The Athenians therefore with the Lacedemonians took politick [ C] aduise, and concluded to muster forces and dispatch them in their aid, as well, or rather to saue themselues from a future danger, as to be at league in their defence.

Both Armies being met, and arraide for Battell, at the first encounter Phi∣lomelu•• forced the Thebanes to retreat, and pursued them so farre, that he sub∣dued their tents, and was conquerour of all the ground whereon they were in∣camped. * 1.4 But while he was more forward in this chase, then wise; more rash, then valiant, and more certaine of victory then behoued, he was run so farre into the Thebanes danger, that no reliefe had power to succor him, & by those enemies whom his rash conceit held conquered he was slain, and his life made [ D] worthily a sacrifice for committing sacriledge.

In his place Ornomarchus was selected Captaine, against whome the The∣banes and men of Thessaly, chose for their generall, not an experienced soul∣dior of their owne Nation, doubting least if he should be victor, hee woulde beare himselfe too Lordly ouer them; but vnto Phillip King of Macedon they would willingly submit not only themselues and forces, to becom subiectes

and gouerned by a forrener, which was the thing they pretended to feare in one of themselues. Phillip being thus possest of their power, and fully infor∣med of the originall cause of this warre, tooke vppon himselfe the title of The reuenger of Sacriledge, and not of the defender of the Thebanes: and presently gaue commaund that al his Souldiers should put garlands of Laurell on their heads, and in this maner as hauing the gods chiefe Captaine of his enterprise, he marched into the field.

The Phosenses at the sight of which, being held the cognisance of the gods (for to Appollo is the Laurell dedicate) were struk with an inward remorse of conscience, as remembring the offence they had committed, and presently [ E] * 1.5 without further resistance, cast downe their weapons, tooke them to ••light, willingly offered their liues to the slaughter of the enemies, receiuing ••eser∣ned punishment for violating the sacred law of their religion, and defiling the temple. The renowne of Phillip by this was spred through al nations, who dig∣nified him with the titles of the punisher of S••criledge; the Reuenger of reli∣gion: he onely worthy to comp••ll offenders to make satisfaction, and honord him next vnto the Godds, by vvhom the maiesty of the Goddes vvas main∣tained.

The Athenians hearing of this successe of Philip, vvith entent to stay his pas∣sing into Gr••••••••, tooke the straightes of Thermop••le; in like manner as they had [ F] * 1.6 don before ag••inst the comming of the Persyans: but neither with like corage no•• for like quarell. At first it was for the liberty of Gre••••e, but now for mani∣fest Sacriledge: then in the honor of their temples against the inv••sions of an enemie, now i•• the fortisieng of the Church-robbers against lawfull reuen∣gers, making themselues pertakers and defenders of ••o ••ainous an offence, whereof themselues chiefelye ought to haue bin punishers; not remembring euen in their most aduersity, they had vsed that God as their chiefe counsel∣ler, and by his instrvctions finished so many battels with Conquest, built so many Citti••s with fortunate successe, attained so great an Empire both by sea and land; and finally atchieued nothing either in priuate or publike affaires, [ G] but by his Oracle and deuine inspiration.

This people of excellent vnderstanding, exquisitly furnished with learning and Iudgment, traded in pollitick lawes and institutions, were now like Battes, who haue ci••s to see the sun, yet shun the sun: And made themselues agents in such crueltyes, wherof they could not after iustly blame the most ba••barous nation, if they executed vpon them the like reward. Phillip hauing thus like the fox, got in his head, would make hard shift to draw all his body after: grew * 1.7 persidioas in his promises past, and those Citties which but lately he was Captaine of, which had fought vnder his standard, which had rei••iced in him, which had bin as hands to h••n in his victories, like an vtter enemy he inuaded [ H] and 〈◊〉〈◊〉: Their wiues and children he sould by the drum, he spared not the Temple of the immortall gods, the houses of religion, the publike nor priuate houshold gods, vnto whom he could not choose but remember he was enter∣tain d•• guest: So that it was euident, he fought not so much to punish Sacri∣ledge as to pro••ure free liberty in person to perpe••rate the same.

From thence as hauing accomplished all things to his desire, he passed in∣to

Cappadocia, where he began warre with like trechery: and hauing by policy and seuerall stratigems, either taken or slaine the kings that were Borderers, he setled the whole prouince vnder the Empire of Macedon. Then to abolish the shamefull reportes that were spred of his tirranies, he sent vnto the king∣domes and wealthy Citties, certaine people to raise a tumour, and busie the heads of the multitude, that he would royally extende a masse of treasure to the building of the walles about their Citties, to the reedifying of churches, and honoring their Temples: For which (as if he would be expeditious in this good) the M••isters of such workes were straight procured by proclamation, who presently vpon the rumour comming to Macedon, waited attendance, and were put off••o long with delayes, that they were faine to depart without anie [ A] thing effected, or vrging it any further: Onely resting here, that kinges may forget their promises.

After this he raised warre against the Olinthians, who knowing Phillip had most vniustly put one of his Brothers to deathe, in pitty tooke his two other brothers, borne of his stepmother to safegard, for Phillip brooking no corri∣uallship, * 1.8 in Rule, sought also by all politicke means to dispatch them to their graues. In this warre, and for this occasion, he sent and subverted this aunci∣ent and noble citty, executed his brothers, according as in the counsel of his hart, his thoughts had decreed, inioying thereby a great prey of treasure, and [ B] satisfying his thirst with their innocent bloud; vpon this, accounting whatso∣euer he determined, lawfull; and whatsoeuer he purposed, effected: he seised on the Golde mines in Thessaly, and on the siluer mines in Thrace. And that neither law nor right should be by him vnviolate, he furnished himselfe to be a rover on the sea.

While these things were ordred by Phillip, there were two brothers, (both kings of Thrace) at ciuill variance between themselues; in which continuance * 1.9 of their strife, being vncertaine how to descide it, they agreed to chuse Phillip to be iudge, and arbitrate their difference: not in regarde of his indifferencie, Iustice, and vprightnes, in such controuersies, but doubting least he shoulde [ C] take in hand to support either of them, they well knew it would be to the ruine of the other. Phillip being sollicited in this businesse, and hauing granted his consent, according to his accustomed nature, proceeded to iudgement, as if he had marched to battell, and assailing the brothers before they dreamt of a danger, not l••ke an vpright iudge, but an vnsatisfied tirant, rauisht them both of their kingdomes.

Vpon this the Athenians sent Ambassadors to him to intreat a peace, whom he honourably heard, and their conditions of league being liked by him, he also sent his Ambassadors to Athens; with Articles to the same purpose: so to * 1.10 the content and commodity of both, a peace was concluded. Out of these [ D] prouinces and Citties of Greece, came also seueral Ambassadors, not somuch for desire of his friendship, as for feare of his name. But the Thebanes and Beo∣tians hauing their inueterate rancor and malice vnpurdge out of their bo∣somes, were continuall aduocates both to Phillip himselfe, and to his coun∣sell, to stirre him vp to approoue himselfe a Captaine of Greece, as he had vndertooke and professed himselfe to be. The Phocenses inforcing themselus

to forget all slaughters which their own families had by him indured, and con∣tenting themselues, and their posterity to vndergoe what slauish subuersion soeuer, then that people whom they professed themselues to be at such deadly hare withall, should liue to vnderstand what a calamiti•• and miserable sight * 1.11 this was, to behold Greece which but late, both in strength and dignity was reputed Princesse of the whole world, alwaies a conquer••sse of kings and king∣domes, lady of many populous and goodly Citties, dauncing attendance in sorraigne Territories, either entreating peace, or fearing warre; that such a Nation should be inforced as it were, to put her head vnde••another mans gir∣dle; that they the onely worthyes of that time, should b•• brought to expres••e [ E] misery by their owne dessention and ciuell warres. From Captaines, to be Capu••es, from freemen, bond-slaues; from a g••rden which they e••••oyed, watred with all the Riuers and heauenly showers, and making plenty to her selfe, to be now like Oxen driuen to the yoke in a wildernesse of distresse, and by those whom their one memory could record, they had accounted the ba••est of there retinue, and the inferrior of their friends, and all this disaster to gro•• through the Thebanes and Lacedemons, by whole domesticke I••rres, Greece from a slouri••hing Common-wealth, of which themselues were the Pri••••es and bare soueraignty, was now subiected to a distresfull estate not able to resist aduersity.

Phillip in this season for the aduancement of his owne glory, debated con∣cerning [ F] the prehemenence and dignity of two so mighty Citties, and consi∣dered with himselfe of which he were best to make account, for which when he had seueraly and secretly herd the Embassadors which were arriued from both * 1.12 parties, and to both giuen a Princely and fauorable countenance, to one he promised to discharge them of the warres and danger they consisted in, and tooke an oarh of them, not to discouer their treaty and his promise, to any li∣uing creature.

••o the contrary he offered himselfe, to come personally with his power, in their help and asistance against their enemies: but to both gaue especiall [ G] charge, not by fearing danger to strengthen themselues for warre, but onely to rely on him and his safeguard.

While both Citties were satissied ••ith this variable ansvvere, and both li∣ued peaceably and vvithout distrust, he tooke the straights of Thermopile, to vvhich the Phocenses vvere neare neighbours: vvhich people perceiuing them selu••s entrapped by the pollicy of Phillip, fearefully tooke them to their vvea∣pons, but hauing not time to furnishe their ovvne battels, or stay for succor from their bordering friends, and Phillip threatening he would destroy them vnless•• they yeelded incontinent; ouercome vvith necessity, they submitted * 1.13 themselues to his mercy, their liues onely saued: but euen of as much validi∣ty [ H] to th•••• was this present composition, as his promise past vvas of force to discharge them of their vvarres, and releeue their distresse, for he presently commaunded there should be a sharpe and seauere execution laid vpon them, by a generall slaughter.

The children wer not left to their parents, nor the wiues to their husbands, nor the images of the Goddes in the Temples. Phillip thus a Conquerour, like as Grasiers shift their cattell, sometime into one pasture, sometime in∣to one another, as the season of the yeare inforcoth; euen so remooued he at his pleasure whole countries and citties, as he thought for his aduantage, the scituation fitter to be replenished or forsaken: nor was the desolation of these citties, or the terror of this people like an inuincible army of enimies * 1.14 approach, or when men of warre run massacaring up and down in euery cor∣ner of a citty: or when two hoasts encounter violently in the field; or when the goodes which a peaceable life hath gathered together, are taken awaie [ A] perforce, but farr more miserable in secret was their sorrow and mourning, fearing least euen their enforced tears should be taken for contumacy. The griefe encreased by the concealement thereof, so much the deeper persing the hart as it had lesse liberty to vtter it selfe. Sometimes they considered the sepulchres and ancient monuments of their ancestors raked in the dust: sometimes their old houshould Goddes, to which many posterities had gi∣uen their deuotion, now broken to peeces: sometime remembred the hou∣ses where they were begotten, and hadde increased children themselues, now possest by strangers and their enimies. Bewailing in one another the oppressefull estate wherein themselues liued, cursing themselues for their [ B] sake, that it had not bene their blessednesse to haue bene borne after that desolate time. Some of this people he placed in the vtmost boundes of his kingdome, euen in his enemies mouthos; some, whom he perceiued fit for warres to garrisons, in his armye: some in one climate, some in another: And so of seuerall people, and seueral nations, he made one entire Empire, and one setled people.

Thus the affaires of Macedon being at a stay, continuing his former pra∣ctise and policy, he tooke the chiefe coasts of the Dardamans, forraged their borders, and subdued their countries, not beeing mercifull to his own kin∣dred: for in this hauocke he determined to put Arimba king of Epirus, and [ C] kinsman to his wife Olimpias from his royalty, & thereupon sent for Alex∣ander brother to Olimpias his wife, a youth of excellent beautie, in his sisters * 1.15 name, to come to him to Macedon, vpon whose arriual, by perswasion, part∣ly with the hope of the kingdome of Epire, he won to consent to him in ab∣hominable Sodomy, and so satisfied his inhuman disposition of him, til he came to the age of twenty yeares, when according to his promise, he depo∣sed Arimba from his kingly seat; and possessed Alexander therein. Thus dealt he not like a kinsman with neither: the one he remo∣ued contrary to conscience, the other he made a Harlot, before he made him King. [ D]

The end of the eigth Booke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The ci••••l dis sention a∣mong the ci∣tyes of Greec
• * 1.2

  The Thebās lose th••ir so∣ueraignty.
• * 1.3

  The Phocen ces rob the Temple of Apollo.
• * 1.4

  The besotted Athenians beaten with their owne solly.
• * 1.5

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the Gods.
• * 1.6

  Philip 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.7

  Philip•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dealing
• * 1.8

  Philip makes wa••••e vpon the Olinthi∣ans.
• * 1.9

  Tvvo bro∣thers str••pt out of ••••••ir Kingdomes.
• * 1.10

  Peace con∣cluded with th Athenians.
• * 1.11

  The misera∣•••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Gree••••.
• * 1.12

  Philip hea∣••••th both the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them both.
• * 1.13

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 alon aduan∣tage.
• * 1.14

  The mis••tie of de••olation
• * 1.15

  Phillip abu∣seth his wiu••s brother.