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 NINTH BOOKE [ E] of Iustine. (Book 9)

THE ARGVMENT.

PHillip besiegeth Constantinople, and in that time winneth manie Citties of Chersonesus. He bickereth with the Triballes, but returneth vnfortunately. He maketh warres vpon the Athenians. He getteth the whole Soueraigntye [ F] of Greece. He putteth the Thebanes to a most sharpe execution by the sworde. Hee summoneth a Parliament at Corinth. Making preparation for Warre agaynst the Persyans, and is slaine by Pausamer as at the marriage of his daughter. His condi∣tions and naturall inclination described, with a comparison betweene him and his sonne Alexander.

PHillip hauing with fortunate successe led his forces thus farre into Greece, debated with himselfe though not be∣fore hee pretended, yet before hee vndertooke anye further enterprise, whether the riches and spoile of those [ G] Citties and lesser townes which he had already sacked and subuerted, would be sufficient treasure for him, whereby to conclude a conquest of all Greece, according to his determination, as he had already done of part: for the furtherance of this counsell, he thought it would be a profitable aduantage * 1.1 for him, if he could subdue and make Byzantium, as a Port-refuge for his fleet by sea, and a billeting place, or safe garrison, for his men by land: neare which Cittye hauing drawne his forces, he summoned them concerning this his principallity and their subiection; but they bold of spirit and cofident in theyr owne strength, made slight of his defiance and hostile forces, shutting their [ H] gates against his messengers, and returned him threates for threates, streng∣thening themselues to defend his emminent inuasion.

This Citty was first built by Pausanias king of Sparta, and by him possessed the continuance of seauen yeares. Afterward the Lacedemonians and Atheni∣ans surfetting with their owne prosperity, grew into priuate faction, from thence to publike and domesticke warre: so that as victory enclined itselfe

to either part, sometime it belonged to the one, and sometime to the other, which vncertaine possession, hauing too often fed on the miseries which by such mutations citties indure, made it now stand stifly in the defence of hir own libertie, and the rather, for that during this siedge wherwith Phillip had begirte them, neither the Lacedemonians, or Athenians, rescued it as their owne.

Phillip hauing heere spent the most of his treasure, in the hope he had to make this citty his dignity, and finding by the delay of this warre, the cit∣tizens grew rather hardie then deliberate, purposed by roauing on the sea, to inforce treasure, wherewith to keepe his siedge setled, without which his [ A] necessity was such he should be compeld dishonorably to rise, and against his nature to desist: thus he so farre contriued, that he tooke 170. shippes laden with marchandise, wherewith he refreshed his greedy necessity for a season; at last, considering it was little policy or rather lesse profit, so great an army should be detained and excercised aboute the siedge of one onely citty, he caused to be drawne out a number ofhis experienced souldiers, o∣uer whom himselfe hauing taken aduised muster, he marcht with them in person and tooke many cities of the Chersonesus. At this time he sent for his sonne Alexander, of the age of eighteene yeares, to the intent he might see him traded in the discipline of warre vnder him, holding it a Maxime, that [ B] a Soueraigne fathers life, should be a table ofhonorable presidents for his Princely sonne.

He made an inrode also into Scithia, to fetch booty and spoile from thence, entending after the custome of Marchants, to beare out the charge of one * 1.2 warre with the gaine of another. At the same instant, was Matthey King of the Scithians, who being ouercharged with the warres of the Istrians, sente the Apollonians in his behalfe, to sollicit the aide of Phillip, promisinge for such succor and assistance, to adopt him king of Scithia.

Phillip ambitious after rule, tooke little aduice of this request, but pre∣sently according to the contentes of this treaty, leauied his forces as hee [ C] thought requisite, and dispatcht them in the defence of Matthey. But the K. of the Istrianes deceasing, while these affaires were in furtherance, his death deliuered the Scithians, both from occasion ofbattel, & from cause of helpe. Matthey being now like foules, that feare the snares no longer then they are fettered, vppon the arriuall of the Macedons, reguardlesse of Phillips fauour, commaunded them home againe, willing them to deliuer this message to their maister; that he neither requested him for succour, nor yet gaue the Apollonians in commission to adopt him: That the Scithians had no need of rescue from the Macedones, and pronounced themselues better men then * 1.3 the Macedones: and for himselfe to desire a forren helpe to succeed him, it [ D] needed not, since he had a generation ofhimselfe, a posterity ofhis owne, a sonne in perfect health, to make his seate after him happy.

This message thus deliuered to Phillip, he foorthwith sent Ambassadors to king Matthey, requiring him ofhis helpe toward the charge ofhis siedge, least he should be constrained by pouerty to break vp his campe: to which re∣quest Phillip vrged he should of reason so much the vnwillinger condiscend,

in that he did not allow the so••ldiors he sent in his ayde, so much as Con∣duct money to supply their necessities by the way, nor gratified them wi••h any reward for their labors. M••tthey excusing himselfe by the excessiue cold and barrennesse of his Countrey, which was searseable to yeeld the Scithi∣ans * 1.4 food, m••ch lesse to inrich them with possessions. Againe, he protested he had not riches wherewithall to satisfie ••o great a King, and therefore thought it a greater dishonor to reward him with too little, then to recom∣pence him with nothing: for my people (quoth Matthey) are esteemed for their coa••••age of mind, and hardinesse of body, and not for their treasure or substance. [ E]

Phillip perceiuing himselfe thus scornd, dislodged his siedge from before Bizantium immediatlie, and bent his whole power against the Scythians. All this his pretence might not be discouered vnto them, but keept them care∣lesse (••ay euen suspectlesse) of his intent, he sent Amb••ssadors beforehand, to declare vnto King Matthey, that while he basied himselfe at the siedge of Bizantium, he ••owed to consecrate an Image vnto H••••cules, the which hee was comming to effect in the riuer of D••nubia, desiring to haue peaceable passage and f••rtherance in this his sacred and religio••s Vowe made to that God: protesting, he came not otherwise then as a royall friend, both vnto their King, and the Scythians his Subiectes. But M••tthey sore warned by all his former Inconstancies towardes others, and do••bting indeed as much as [ F] was intended, sent word to Phillip, that if he stood so much vpon the perfor∣mance of his Vow to erect an Image, it should not be by him nor any of his Subiects res••••ted, alwaies pro••yded he would send the same, promising also it should not only be set vp, but should alwaies so remain and continue: but to su••••er any Army to come within his borders, or martch through his con∣trey, he vtterly denied vrging farther, that if Phillip (notwithstanding this contradict should offer to place this Image, himselfe would see it defaced, and the brasse thereof conuerted into Speare and Arrow-heads.

The m••nds of both these Kings being by this occasion encouraged, they [ G] encountred in battell; in which difference, though the Scythians were of far greater number than the M••cedons, yet by the pollicy and experience of phi∣lip to order such warlike actions, they were o••ercome: twenty thousand wo∣men and children were taken prisoners, also a great booty of cartell, but as for gold and sil••er none; in which plainly appeared the Scythians pouertye. Twenty thousand large Mares were brought home to M••••••don, and onelye kept for breed. But as Philip with all his pillage was returning, the Tr••••••lles hauing gathered a head met him, and denied him pass••ge through their con∣trey, * 1.5 except they might haue part with him in those his spoiles.

Thi•• parl•• contin••ed not long in words, but they fell to blowcs; in which [ H] 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Philip was sore wounded in the thigh, his ho••sse slayne vnder him, and he himselfe les•• for dead: so the M••••••dons being discomsited, the s••oyle which they had but la••ely ra••isht from the Sc••thians, was now a reliefe to the ••ri••als. At length Phillip being recouered of his wound, made warre vp∣on the At••••••ians, with whome so long time till then, he helde a dissembled friendship. The Thebanes mistrusting if the Athenians were ouercome, the

brunt of the warre (like as when ones neighbors house is on fire) fell vppon them, tooke part with the Athenians, so that by these means there was a legue contracted betweene these two Citties, which before were at so mercilesse a contention.

This coniunction knit between them, they sent ambassadors to al the pro¦uinces of Greece, importuning their speedy asistance; inferring, so common an enemy as Phillip ought to be remooued by the generall forces of all the Countrey, and withall, making it perspicuous by demonstration, that if he had fortunat yssue in this, his conclusion would be the vtter subuersion of al Greece. Some moued with these reasons, ioyned themselues to the Atheni∣ans, [ A] others terrified with the bruite of his renowne, tooke part with Phillip. The day came wherein these two Armyes assayled each other, though the multitude of the Athenians exceeded the Macedons, yet sell it out to them as * 1.6 before to the Scithians, and Philip hauing this daies honour, finished it with the slaughter of them all; yet died they not vnmindfull of their ancient glo∣rie: for looke in what place euery man had charge vnder his captaine to be kept, that place he as worthily made good againe, that when thorough the daunger of his woundes he was forced to yeeld, hee couered that place hee had in charge with his liuelesse carcasse being dead. With this daye ended the renowne of the Empyre, and the ancient liberties of Greece. [ B]

The ioy of this victory was by Phillip politickly dissembled: This day he made no sacrifice as he was accustomed, he was not pleasant in companye, he had no enterludes at his feasts, ware no Crown, nor annointed himselfe with sweet oyntments: but so much as lay in men to councell, he so ordred * 1.7 this victorie, that no iudgement could discerne by his outward appearance he reioyced to be a conqueror. Moreouer he would not suffer himselfe to be cald the king, but the captaine of Greece, finally he bare so euen a hande be∣tweene his owne priuate gladnesse and the publike sorrow of his enemies, that neither could his own friends report he reioyced, nor his enemies con∣iecture he was proud of their ouerthrow. [ C]

For as touching the Athenians, who by testimony he had tryed to be the most daungerous of his enemies, the prisoners of them he discharged with∣out ransome, and deliuered the bodies of them that were slaine to be bury∣ed: * 1.8 and of his owne disposition, publikely exhorted them, to conuey home their bones, and bestow them in the sepulchers of their ancestors. Besides, he sent his sonne Alexander, with his friend Antipater, to conclude a finall peace and perpetuall friendship betweene them. But concerning the Thebanes, hee did not onely put their prisoners to ransome, but made them pay tribute for the interring of their dead. The Princes of their city, some he beheaded, others banisht, and all their goods were surprised. [ D]

Such as had beene councellers & were exiled out of their natiue country, their banishment he repealed, and made of them three hundred Iudges and rulers of the common-Weale, giuing vnto them full commission to cal be∣fore them, all the guilty procurers of their wrongfull banishment, and pro∣ceed * 1.9 against them. By this Decree, those that were lately great, were now a∣raignd of this trespasse against publike gouernment, who constantly replied

and all confessed themselues to be authors thereof: affirming, it was more prosperous with the Common-wealth, when that their Iudges were condem∣ned, then when they were restored: it was out of doubt a maruelous courage, for prisoners to giue sentence on them whom they knew sat to decide betwixt their life and death: as who would say, they disdained to be acquite at their e∣nemies hands: and for as much as they could not reuenge themselues in work, they would vse their liberty in words.

Phillip hauing setled the estate of Greece in an indifferent stay, summoned a Parliament at Corinth, for reformation of such politick businesses as were yet vnestablished, where he enacted a Statute of peace for all Greece, according [ E] * 1.10 as he had experience of the deseruings of euery Citty, electing out of them all, one Counsell, and (as it were) one Senate. The Lacedemonians onely con∣temned both the king and his lawe, accounting that peace a bondage, which was not agreeable to the Citties themselues, and their ancient liberties, but were graunted at the pleasure of a conqueror.

At this counsell, was appointed vnto euery Citty, what souldiers they should alwaies (as commaund was ministred) furnish for his warres, either to assist him being inuaded by forreign power, or to protect him in what warre soeuer he pretended against other. Vpon this, great preparation was made from all parts, for Phillip had made it apparant to this counsell, that so soone [ F] as their collection ioyned in one, he was resolued to assaile the Empire of Per∣sia; The summe of al his succours mustred together, were two hundred thou∣sand footemen, and fifteene hundred horsemen, besides which number, was also his host of Macedons, and other barbarous Nations bordering therea∣bouts whom he had subdued.

In the beginning of the spring, he sent ouer before into Asia, (which then belonged to the Persians) three of his Captaines Permenio, Amintas, and At∣talus (whose sister he had lately taken in mariage) for he hadde now diuorced himselfe from Olimpias, the mother of Alexander, vpon suspicion of adulte∣ry, which was raised against her. In this season that his army was assembling [ G] * 1.11 out of Greece, he solemnized a marriage, betweene his daughter Cleopatra, and Alexander whom he had made king of Epyre: which day was honoured with the greatest royalty of triumphs and feasting, according to the estate of two so great Kings: there wanted neither musicke to entice the eare, nor di∣uersitie * 1.12 of shewes, to satisfie the eye, that Art could deuise to heare and see: all which as Phillip was going forth without his Guarde, onely betweene the two Alexanders, his sonne, and sonne in law, and himselfe in the middest, a young Gentleman of Noble discent in Macedon, stept to him in a straight place which he intended to passe, and slew him, turning that day into present * 1.13 heauinesse, which was consecrated and onely appointed to myrth and plea∣sure. [ H]

This Pansanias in the prime and delight of his youth, was inforced to com mit detestable incest, by the vyolence of Attulus, who vnsatisfied with that inhumanity his shamelesse disposition executed vpon him, himselfe broght him vnto a banquet, where making him drunke, compelled him like a strum∣pet to sustaine the beastlinesse not onely of his owne desire, but of all the o∣ther

guests present: so that he was not only a iesting-stocke vnto al his com∣panions, but also a prostrate Calamite euen to his inferiours. I he Gentle∣man no way digesting this reproch, but rather ingendring and nourishing reuenge in his secret thoughts, casting cuery way to effect some action fit∣ting so foule disgrace, he oftentimes made complaint of his wrong, and be∣came an earnest suter to the King for Iustice; at whose hand he was eyther put off with delayes, or was answered with a wanton scoffe in stead of helpe * 1.14 and redresse: thus finding his iniury no way to be satisfied, and knowing his aduersary (in stead of receiuing punishment from the king for his offence) to be aduanced to a captainship, he grew resolute to turne his wrath vppon [ A] Phillip himselfe, accounting it happinesse, since he could not bee reuenged vpon so monstrous an enemy, to reuenge himselfe vpon a wrongful ••udge. It was thought that this Pansanias was incouraged to this deed by Olympias the mother of alexander, and that Alexander himselfe was alsopriuy to his fathers murther, nor is it vnlike that Olympias tooke her diuorcement & the the preferment of Cleopatra, as grieuous as Pansanias did the abuse of attu∣lus; and that Alexander feared his brother begoten on his stepmother, as an enemy to his succession after his father, for that his father had refused the the loue of Olimpias, for the vniust daliance of another: for Alexander be∣fore this time, some such like argumentes as these being in question at ta∣ble, [ B] * 1.15 first fell in deffiance with Attalus, whom he perceiued his father to de∣fend, he then spared not to be as liberall in speech to him, insomu••h that his father rose, and with his sword drawn pursued him so violently, that such as were present, (being friends to bo••h could hardly temper to a more coo∣ler iudgement, then rasnnesse of his will from killing him.

Vpon which occasion Alexander with his Mother, sled vnto his Vnckell King Epire, and from thence to the King of the Illirians, in which, though se∣uerall times perswaded, he would hardly be reconcild to his father, no: tho he was sent for, he would scarce imbrace any counsel of his friends, that ten∣ded to aduise him to return, Olimpias at this time was also exasperating her [ C] brother who was King of Epire, to raise warre against Phillip, which sute, no question she had effected, had not Phillip preuented it with the mar∣riage of his daughter; and making him his sonne in law these occurrentes therefore are thought to haue annimated Pansanias forward to this executi∣on, who both hated attalus for his immodest fact, and the king for neglect∣ing his complaint without redresse: this is certaine, Olimpias had made post∣horsses ready to conuey him thence, after he had effected his pretence, yet she her selfe when she heard certainly that the king was murthered, came to his funerall rites the same night, vnder a great pretence of duty, and there set a Crowne of gold vpon Pansanias, as he was hanging vpon the gallows, * 1.16 [ D] which presumption of her••, may bee verye well coniectured none durst haue ventured to vndertake but only shee.

Shortly after this, she tooke downe the body of Pansanias, burnt it vppon her husbands a••hes, built him a monument for euerlasting memorye, in the same place, & possest such a superstitious toy in the heads of the peopl••, that she made them yearly sanctifie a day and keep it holy in remembrance of him

This done, killing Cleopatras daughter euen in the armes of her mother, for whose sake Phillip had deuorced himselfe from her, she compelled her euen in her sight to hang her selfe, and in beholding her while she was strangled en∣ioyed the reuengement, to which she made haste by the murther of her hus∣band. * 1.17

Lastly, she consecrated the sword, wherewith the king her husband was slaine, vnto Apollo by the name of Mytralis, for that was Olimpias name, during the consistance of her infancy, all which she perpetrated so openly as who should say, we feare not least that which we doe should be alowed.

Phillip deceased being of the age of seauen and forty yeares, when he had [ E] raigned fiue and twenty yeares, he begat Larissa a dauncing damsel, & a son named Artdeos who raigned after Alexander, hee had many other sons propa∣gated from seuerall women; of whom, some died of their naturall death, some of the sword: he was a king, more desirous of battel then of banqueting, whose * 1.18 riches chiefely consisted in furniture for warre: he was more cunning in get∣ting riches; then in keeping them: and for al his tyranies, pollicies, conquests, taxations, and the inforced treasure which he daily had, yet was he alwaies needy. Mercy and falsshod he loued alike, he thought it no shame to purchase his desire by what meanes soeuer he was possest of it, where he fauored he would make as though he were displeased. Subtle and captious was he to talke vnto, promising more then he would p••rforme. In deuising serious matters, [ F] and in merie conceites cuuning, winning friendship for aduantage and luker, and not for faithfulnesse. Where he hated most, there he pretended most fa∣uour, and to sovv discord, betvveen such vvhose very thoughts had fraterni∣tye together, seeking for seuerall thankes of both, vvas his solemne custome. His talke vvas eloquent and ready, full of sharp and sententious sayings. So that neither facility wanted to expresse his pleasant inuentions, nor his in∣uentions slack to adorne his eloquence.

After him succeeded Alexander, thriuing beyond his father, both in ver∣tues and in vices. First, for the manner of their conquests, it had no affinitye, for Alexander atchiued his battels by force, Phillip by pollicy; he reioysed [ G] * 1.19 to beguile his enemies, this king to vanquish them in open fielde; the other was more prudent in counsell, but this was of a more Princely and inuincible stomack. The father would oftentimes dissemble his anger, and ouercome it, but this once inraged, there was nothing but reuenge in his thoughts, and ne∣uer alaied without action; which pursued either without mercy or Iustice. But both of them were by disposition, inclind to imoderat and excesse drinking of wine, but in their drunkennesse their purposes had seueral effects, by their se∣uerall disposition. The father, would ordinarily rise from his meate, and en∣counter his enemy euen to handy blowes, and vnaduisedly cast himselfe into [ H] danger: but Alexander, outraged not against his enemies, but his especiall friends: So that where Phillip came oftentimes from battell wounded, by his delperate hardinesse, he rose from the table, a murtherer of his Captaines. The father loued to haue his friends raigne and be neare him, the sonne to be a tyrant, euen vnto his owne. The f••ther desired to be beloued, the sonne to be feared; for learning, it was alike to both of them. The father a man better

tutred in the principles of policy, the son, best to be trusted. Phillip more modest in his conference, but Alexander in his actions. The sonne of a more honorable nature, ready to shew mercy to them he ouercame, but the fa∣thers cruelty was not laide open to his owne confederates. The father was giuen to thriuing the son to riot. By which means, the father to his glorie, laid the foundation of the Monarky of the whole world, and the sonne to his higher renowne finished the whole worke. [ A]

Notes

• * 1.1

  Philip besie∣geth Constā∣tinople.
• * 1.2

  Phillp inva∣deth the Tar tarians.
• * 1.3

  The ingrati∣tude of the Scythian K
• * 1.4

  The ingrati∣••••de of the ••••••thian K.
• * 1.5

  Th•• T••••bals 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ca••••e home.
• * 1.6

  The Atheni∣ans vanqui∣shed.
• * 1.7

  The notable hypocrisie of Philip.
• * 1.8

  Philips mild∣nesse toward th Athenians.
• * 1.9

  His rigor to the Thebans
• * 1.10

  Philip sum∣mon••th a par lyament.
• * 1.11

  Philip diuor∣ceth himselfe from Olym∣pias.
• * 1.12

  He marrieth his daughter to the king of Epyte.
• * 1.13

  He is slaine.
• * 1.14

  The cause of Phillips deth.
• * 1.15

  Occasions of great ••••••lea∣••ure between Philllp and his son Alex∣ander.
• * 1.16

  The behaui∣our o•• O••••••∣pias at the death of king Phillip.
• * 1.17

  The cruelty of a Woman.
• * 1.18

  The descrip∣tion of king Philip.
• * 1.19

  A comparisō between Philip and Alex∣ander.