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 XV. booke of Iustine. (Book 15)

THE ARGVMENT. [ A]

THe conquerors fall at variance about parting the spoile. The abderites are driuen out of their countrey with Frogs and Mice. Cassander putt••th the sonnes of Alexander to death. Ptolomy is vanquished on the Sea by De∣metrius. Alexanders Lieutenants proclaime themselues Kings. Lysim••chus taketh part with cassander against antigonus: The valour and life of Lysimachus descri∣bed. The wonderfull begetting of Seleucus, with his partaking against antigonus, His conquests in the East. Sandrocorte deliuereth the Indians from the subiection [ B] of Macedon, oppressing them tyranously himselfe. Antigonus is slaine, and his son Demetrius put to flight. The conquerors againe fall at variance among themselus, and cassander dyeth.

COnsidering Perdicas and his brother Alecta, with Poly∣perchon and the residue of the aduerse part was slaine, it was thought, that the contention among the successors of great Alexander, had nowe beene vtterly extingqui∣shed; when contrary to opinion the conquerors suden∣ly fell at difference betwixte themselues: for Ptolomy, Cassander, and Lysimachus, requiring to haue the booty [ C] and subdued prouinces, diuided in equall distribution among them▪ antigonus denied to admit them any partnership in the pro∣fit of that Warre, whereof he himselfe had abiden the brunt and hazard: and to the intent he might satisfie the multitude, he had both a fufficient and ho∣nest quarrell, to make warre vpon those which lately had bin their confede∣rates; he caused a rumor to be spred, that he would (as in Iustice it was re∣quisite) reuenge the death of Olimpias, whom Cassander treacherously had slaine, and deliuer the royall yssue, the sonne of his mayster king Alexander and his mother out of Amphypolis, whereas they were detained as prisoners. This his purpose being signified to Ptolomy and Cassander, they presently en [ D] tred league with Lysimachus and Seleucus, furnishing themselues with al ma∣ner defence whatsoeuer might withstand this warlike preparation of Anti∣gonus, both by land and sea. Ptolomy held Egypt, with the greater parte of Africke, cypres and Phenicia: C••ss••n••er ruled Macedon, aud Antigonus go••er∣ned Asia, with part of the East, whose son Demetrius was cleane vanquished

by Ptolomy at Calama. In which battell, the renowne of Ptolomyes modesty exceeded his victory: for he both dischargd the friends of Demetrius, being his prisoners, not only with their own priuate substance, but also honorably rewarded them. Moreouer all the priuate possessions of Demetrius, which he had ransackt out of his tents, he restored, sending him word, that he made warre not for gaine, but for honor; not for treasure, whose glory must de∣termine, but for the dignity of vertue, whose Trophes are perpetual. And that it grieued him, atigonus his father hauing ouercome the Captaines and fa∣uoure••s of his faction, should vsurpe to himselfe, and to his proper vse, the reward of that victory, which was heretage to others. [ E]

While these differences had their passage and euent, cassander returning from apollonia, chaunced vpon the abderites, who for the excessiue swarmes of Frogges and Mice, ranging amongst men, inforest them to relinquish * 1.1 their natiue habitation, and inquire out for residence in some forren coun∣try. Cassander searing heereby, least these straglers, destitute of succour, should inuade Macedon, receiued them to friendship, and made such league with them, that he assigned them lands to inhabit and settle their number, in the vttermost borders of that kingdome.

By this, Hercules the sonne of Alexander hauing attaind to the fourteenth yeare of his age, gaue Cassander cause to grow suspicious, least the settled good will which the people bare to his father (he beeing nowe come to this [ F] ripenes should be remembred on the sonne) and so by their generall voyce be called to the kingdome of Macedon, as the immediate heire to that title. To preuent which, he commaunded both him and his mother Barsiue, se∣cretly to be executed, and their bodies to be buried in the ground, not suf∣fering them to haue the obsequies & funeral rites, according to the custome * 1.2 be sitting their estate; least the murther which he so priuately acted, should come to light. This cassander, not staieng his cruelty herein, accounting the trespasses he had thus past through triuiall, forced on king Alexander him∣selfe, on Olimpias his Mother, and Hercules his sonne, nowe persisted and [ G] buchered another sonne of Alexanders, with his mother Roxane by like trea∣son: holding it impossible for his ambition, to cut a path to the peaceable soueraignty of Macedon, which his thoughts so thirsted for, otherwaies then by blood.

In the meane time he was encountred againe by Demetrius on the Sea: but in this sea fight hauing lost his ships and receiued an ouerthrow, he rety∣red into Egipt. Demetrius hauing now occasion offred, whereby to gratifie Ptolomy, and to manifest his disposition, and being indeed prouoked there∣vnto by the princely example which Ptolomy had exprest to him and his, in the like aduantage; safegarded home into Egipt, Leuticke Ptolomies son, and * 1.3 Menclaus his brother ransomelesse, with all their priuate goodes and trea∣sure [ H] by him surprizd, and in all the time of war betweene them, it might ap∣peare, they wer equally inflamed with desire of honor, rather then with pre∣posserous hatred, they sent presents one to another, euen in the hottest of their di••ference: So much more worthily did the Princes in these daies make warre, then now they maintaine friendship.

Atigonus hart being exaulted with pride, at the newes of this victory, pro∣clamed himself K. and his son Demetrius also. Ptolomy likewise, holding scorn to be in lesse estimation among his subiects, then they among theirs, was by his men of warre proclaimed King. Cassander, and Lysmachus, tooke vppon * 1.4 them the same title of dignity: all which abstained from vsurping the honor of this name, so long as any of the sonnes of their Maister Alexander wer yet aliue. So great did they account it modesty in themselues, albeit euery one ofthem, had seuerally the riches and power of a King, yet to forbeare the publike rule of Kinges, while Alexander had any rightfull Heyres to suc∣ceede.

But now Ptolomy, Cassander, and the Captaines of their port, perceiaing [ A] that while euery one drew defence for himselfe, made warre alone, and vni∣ted not their generall power togither, nor assisted one another, as thoughe they had one vniuersall bodie, or reioice as it were in one good. But thus deuided, Antigonus licked them vp by turnes: they therefore sent letters of perswasion and encouragment, apointing a place of meeting, where they so agreed, that they laid their powers togither for one Warre: and where they were before like sand, subiect to dissipation, by the violence of euery winde, this temper had made them sollude, and sitte for anie foundation. At this meeting, for as much as Cassander could not be then present in person, com∣peld by the Warres which he was then excercised in against the borderors, [ B] he sent Lysimachus with a selected and choice hoast, to the aide of this coa∣iunction.

This Lysimachus was born of a Noble house in Macedon, but his prowesse, Knigthood, and experience in Martiall direction surpassed, and made him * 1.5 more worthie to be remembred then the dignitie of his birthe. Vertue and her branches were so planted in his bodie, and mind, that in haughtines of courage, knowledge of Philosophie, strength and abilitiy of bodie, he farre excelled all the Gouernors by whom the East was Conquered. For Alexan∣der the great, being stird to indignation and highly displeased with Calisthe∣nes [ C] the Philosopher, for speaking against him, in that he suffred himselfe to be adored and worshipped after the superstitious manner of the Persians, and had accused the saide Calisthenes of treason, and by force thereof, ad∣iudged him to be cruelly mangled, by cutting off his eares, his nose, and his lips: that being made so loathed a creature to behold, he was by all men la∣mented, as too miserable a spectacle: yet Alexander not contented with this reuenge, caused him to be caried in what progresse he went along with him, shut vp with a Dog in a cage, to the terrible ensample of other.

This Lysmachus, who before in the better fortunes of Callysthenes, had bin excercised to receiue instructions of vertue at his hand, mooued now with [ D] pitty to see so woorthy a man, so vnworthely punished, not for any offence, but for vsing his libertye: gaue him poison, to ransome him from these ca∣lamities, wherewith Alexander displeased, commaunded he should be cast * 1.6 into a Lyons den, by tha•• fierce beast to be destroyed, as a iust iudgement for his attempt. But when the Lyon at first sight, with open month came running to prey vpon him, Lysimachus winding his arme in a towell, thrust

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Notes

• * 1.1

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.2

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.4

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.5

  The by••th o•• Lysimachus.
• * 1.6

  Lysander 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.