The historie of tvvo the moste noble capitaines of the worlde, Anniball and Scipio of theyr dyuers battailes and victories, excedyng profitable to reade, gathered and translated into Englishe, out of Titus Liuius, and other authoures, by Antonye Cope esquier.

¶ Anniball fleith by sea to Antiochus kynge of Siria, Antiochus moueth warre to the Romaynes, L. Cornelius Scipio sayleth into Asia, fyghteth with Antiochus, vanquisheth hym, graunteth hym peace vpon conditions, and retur∣neth to Rome. Cap. lxxiii. (Book 73)

AFter the warres thus ended in Affrica, the Carthagi∣nenses continued in peace a certayne season. At the last the ennemies of Annibal, to worke him displeasure, sent worde to Rome to the senate, that Anniball had pryuely sente messangers and letters to Antiochus the kynge of Siria, mo∣uynge hym, to warre with the Romaynes. And also that mes∣sangers were sente with letters secretely from Antiochus to Anniball. Certifieng them further, that the mynde of Annibal was suche, that he coulde neuer be contented, till he harde the sounde of harneis vpon mennes backes. The Romaynes be∣inge angry therat, sent legates thither, C. Seruilius, Claudi∣us Marcellus, and Terentius Culleo, to try, whether the in∣formation to them made, were true or no: Commanding them, to publishe abrode, that the cause of theyr coming was, to here and determine certaine matters in controuersie, which wer be∣twene the Carthaginēses & the king Massanissa, & none other.

¶ This tale published by them, was beleued to be true of the common people. But Anniball therwith could not be blinded. He knewe full well, that he onely was the cause of theyr com∣minge. Wherfore thynkinge for a season to gyue place, till the time might better serue hym. He with .ii. other departed oute of the citie in the begynninge of the night, in a straungers ap∣paraile, and came to a place: where he before had apointed his horses to mete him, and from thense with spede he wente to a castell of his owne by the sea syde, where a ship of Italy awai∣ted for hym, apoynted for the same purpose. In whiche shyp he sayled from Affrica, and arriued the same day in the Ile of Circyna, makynge more dole all the way for the harde chaun∣ces that were happed to his countreye, then he dydde for his

owne euyll fortune. In the hauen of Circyna he founde many shyppes laden with marchaundyse, and at his landinge, greate resorte of people of the ile came vnto hym, salutynge hym, and makynge of his comynge great ioye. Anniball fearynge, leste some of those shippes in the nyght shuld departe from the ha∣uen, and shewe in Affrica, that they had sene hym in Circyna: He deuised to make a solemne sacrifice, and a great feast, to the which he badde al the maisters of the shyppes that were in the hauen, and all the marchauntes that were in the same. And for that the wether was very hot (being about the middes of som∣mer) he caused al the sailes of the ships, with the crosse mastes, wherunto the sayles be fastened, to be all broughte on lande. W••erwith he made pauilions and bowres, to defende theym from the vehement heate of the sonne, whyle they souped on the shore. The feast was sumptuous, as the tyme might serue therto, and was kept very solempnely. There was wine great plenty, wherwith many were drunken and heuy headed. The bankette was also purposely prolonged, tyll it was farre in the nyght. Then fell the marchauntes a slepe, with the maryners also. Whiche Anniball espienge, thoughte he had then good tyme to mocke them, and takynge his shyppe, secretly depar∣ted, leauynge them faste on slepe. On the morowe, when the maryners arose with heuy heades, they caryed theyr sayles and other tackelinges agayne to the shyppes, preparynge all thynges redy. But or they myght bryng al to passe, they spent a good parte of the nexte daye.

¶ On the morowe after the departyng of Anniball from Car∣thage, his friendes, that vsually resorted to his company, after that they coulde not fynde hym, nor here of hym, they gathe∣red a great multitude of the citie together in the market place, inquiringe, if any newes coulde be shewed of the chiefe ruler of theyr citie. Some coniectured, that he was fledde away for feare of his conspiracie againste the Romaynes. Some other sayde, that the Romaynes had by some crafty traine conspired his deathe. Thus dyuerse were the tales, accordynge to the diuersitie of sectes that were in the citie. Tydynges sone after was brought thyther, that he was sene at Circyna. Than the Romayne legates openly in the senate of Carthage, founde greate lacke, and blamed greately the citezens and rulers, for suffryng hym to departe, consyderynge the priuie letters and

messages that were sente betwene him and Antiochus, saying. That he wolde neuer be satisfyed, tyll he hadde moued warre throughe all the worlde. The Carthaginenses excused theym selues, affyrmynge, that they were nothyng priuie nor consen∣tynge to his departynge.

¶ Now was Annibal arriued at Tyrus, where he was recey∣ued honorably, and with great ioy: and there he soiourned cer∣taine daies. From thense he sayled to Antioche, and after that to Ephesus, where he founde the king Antiochus: who was in great doubte before his comynge, in what maner he shulde mainteygne his warres against the Romayns. The kyng was greatly comforted by the meane of his coming, and also by the beinge there of the embassadours of the Etholiens: whoo the same tyme wer departed from the amitie of the Romaines. He was determined to moue warre: for agree wolde he not to cer¦taine conditions of peace, that the Romaines prescribed vnto him. Whiche he thought shuld be greatly to the losse both of his honour and also of his dominions. For they wold haue cau¦sed hym to leaue the possession of certayne cities, that he had. And also that he shuld not medle in Grece: but how and where he shulde moue this warre, he was not determyned. Anniball was greatly in his fauour, and chieifly for that he thought him an expert man & a mete counsaylour in his affayres agaynst the Romaynes. Anniball euer was of the opinion, that he shulde make warre in Italy, for that the countrey of Italy is able to furnyshe an army of vitayles and all thynges necessary, and al∣so of souldiours, if he shulde haue nede of men of armes at any tyme. But (sayde he) if no warre be moued in Italy, soo that the Romaynes maye haue all the hole power therof, to make warre in other regions out of Italy: then is there no prynce nor nation of the worlde able to withstande the Romaynes.

Wherfore if ye wyll delyuer vnto me one .C. of shyppes of warre, and .xvi. thousande fotemenne, with one thousande of horsemen: I wyll with that power sayle into Affrica, trusting to cause the Carthaginenses to rebel agaynste the Romaynes. Or in case they wyll not folowe my request: yet wyll I inuade some part of Italy, and moue warre to the Romaynes. Then maye you (sayde he to the kyng) with all the rest of your pow∣er, sayle into Europe, kepynge your armye in Grece, redy to set forwardes as ye se cause.

¶ This his counseyle was well allowed of the kinge: where∣vppon one Ariston, an Ephesien, a wyse and a trustie manne, was chosen to sayle to Carthage, to the friendes of Anni∣ball, with priuie and speciall tokens by mouthe, whiche they knewe wer true and not feyned, to shewe vnto theim his pur∣pose. For writinge durste he sende none, for feare of takynge of the messangers. His message onely was to be declared vp∣pon credence.

¶ But whyle Aryston went on his message, and therin hadde no good spede: the ambassadours of Rome were come to E∣phesus, to knowe of Antiochus, the cause why he intended suche warre agaynst the Romaynes, among whiche ambassa∣dours it was sayd that P. Scipio, called Affricanus was one. Whiche ambassadours hauyng knowledge, that the kyng An∣tiochus was a lyttell before gone agaynste the Pisidians, and fyndyng Annibal there: they diuers times resorted vnto him, and had familyar communication with him: onely to the intent to make him haue a good opinion of the Romaynes, and not to mystruste, that any thyng was intended by theym agaynste him. Among other communication betwen the ambassadours and Annibal, it is remembred, that Scipio demaunded of him, whome he iudged to be the most noble capitayne, that euer he knewe or hearde of. To whome Anniball aunswered, that it was Alexander of Macedony: for that he with a smal power ouercame so many nations, and vanquished so many greate ar∣mies in battayle, traueylynge so many straunge and farre cun∣treis, whiche passed the power and witte of mannes cumpasse. Then Scipio demaunded of hym, whom he iudged to be the seconde most noble capytayn. He aunswered, Pyrrbus, which was the most wyse and expert man in placinge his campes, in fortifieng his fortresses with watche and ward, and in getting the hertes of men vnto his obeysaunce. In soo muche, that when he warred in Italye, the Italyens were gladder to be vnder his gouernaunce, beynge but a straungyer, then vnder the dominion and power of the Romaynes. Then demaun∣ded Scipio, whome he thoughte to be the thyrde: With∣oute fayle (sayde he) it is my selfe. At whych aunswere Sci∣pio laughed, and sayde: What wouldest thou then haue sayd, in case thou haddest ouercome me in battayle, as I haue done the? Treuly (sayde Anniball) then woulde I haue putte my¦selfe before bothe Alexander and Pyrrhus also. This aun∣swere

seemed to Scipio very straunge and proude, whereby he mynded to take from Scipio al his glory.

¶ Durynge this longe taryenge of the Romayne legates at Ephesus, nothynge els was wrought, but that the often me∣tynge and communication of theym with Anniball, made the kynge more to suspecte and mystrust him. Whervpon he was no more called to his councel.

¶ Agayn, one Thoas an Etholien, desirous to haue the kyng, with all his power, to arryue in Grece, withoute partynge of the same his strengthe, sayde vnto hym: Syr, the greatte citie Demetrias, and the more part of all the cities in Grece, loke daylye for your commynge thyther. And agaynste your arryuayle, ye shall see all the countreye assemble on the sea¦syde, so sone as they may by watches perceyue your nauy co∣mynge on the sea. And as touchyng the parting of your shyp∣pes and power: that I can in no wyse allowe. And in case ye were mynded so to do, Anniball of all men is most vnmete, to haue the rule and gouernance therof.

¶ Fyrst ye must consyder (said this Thoas) that Annibal is a Carthaginens, and an outlaw or banished man frō his cuntrey: Whose crafty witte wyl imagyne dayly a. M. newe deuyses, euen as fortune dothe varye, or as it shall fall into his brayne. Agayne yf it shoulde chaunce, that Annibal loose his nauie, or his men to be vanquyshed: the losse wil be no lesse, then if any other capitayne had loste theym. But in case it shoulde hap∣pen hym to haue the vyctorye, the honour therof shall whol∣ly abyde with Anniball, and not with Antiochus. Further∣more, if fortune so well serue, that Anniball vtterly subdue the Romaynes: what will ye then thynke, that he will continue in your subiection, whiche in his cuntrey culd not suffre him self to be in any obedience? Nay (said he) he that in his youth hath euer coueted in his minde, to be Emperour of the hole world, will now in age neuer be contented, to be vnder the rule of any other, if he may chose. Wherfore my coūsayl is, that ye haue no nede to make Annibal your capitain: But if it please you, ye may vse his cōpany as your frēd in your iourney, takīg his ad∣uise in your affayrs, as a prudēt counsailour, & none otherwise.

¶ This crafty and vntrew coūsail of Thoas, turned the kīges mynde cleane frome sendynge of Anniball with any army into Affrica: which before was thoughte most mete and necessary.

Wherfore he prepared to sayl in to Grece, where by the help of the Etholiens he wanne certayn citi••s. At the last the con∣sul M. Atulius, with an army of Romains, came to the socors of their frendes, and at the great mounteyne, whiche passethe throughe the myddle of Grece, fought with Antiochus, and put him to flyght, sleyngal his host, except onely .v. C. which fled with the kyng.

¶ After whiche discomfiture, Antiochus, with Annibal, and his smalle nomber of men, that were lefte hym at the battaylle, cam to the see, and toke shipping, and came to Ephesus, where he remayned, thynkyng him selfe there to be sure oute of the daunger of the Romayns. And that he was perswaded to be∣leue, by many that were about him, gladde to please his mynd: as many suche dissemblers haue beene and shall be dayly about greatte prynces. But onely Anniball aduysed the kynge, to prepare for the commynge of the Romaynes, sayenge, that he meruayled more, that they were not already arryued, ra∣ther then their commynge myghte be loked for. Shewynge him also, that the Romayns were as stronge and valiant vpon the see, as on the land: Not doubtyng, but shortely they wold striue for the dominion of Asia, and that eyther he muste take from theim their Empire, or els he shuld be in dangier to lose his kyngdome. For he knewe, their desire was to be rulers ouer all the worlde, Counselynge him to loke for none other thyng at their handes. For in case he did, he shuld deceiue him self with his vayne and false hope.

¶ Not long after this beginnynge of the warres in Grece, L. Cornelius Scipio, and C. Lelius, were choosen consulles. After whiche election, P. Scipio Affricanus offered the se∣nate, that in case they would grant his brother, L. Scipio the countrey of Grece for his prouynce: he would gladly take the payne to go with him in his iourney. Wherunto the senate a∣greed, geuynge him also further auctoritie, to go into Asia, if he thought it expedient. Sayenge, they woulde nowe proue, whether Antio••hus should be more holpen by the counsayl of Anniball, which was before vanquyshed: or the Romain con∣sull and his army by the help of Scipio, that had before made the great conquest in Affrica. The armies and shippes were made ready, and the consull arriued in Grece, where sone re∣ceyuing many the rebell cities into his handes, he from thense

sayled into Asia: where, by the licence of the kynge Philyp, he had passage throughe Macedony and Trace, to the kyng∣dome of Antiochus.

¶ Dyuers battaylles were foughte vppon the sea, betweene the Romayne nauy and Polixenidas, capitayne of the kynges shyppes: but euer the Romaynes had the victory, by the help of the kyng Eumenes, and also of the Rhodiens. At the laste it chaunced, that the soonne of Scipio Affricanus was taken prisoner, and brought to Antiochus: who kepte him honora∣bly and gentelly. And afterward, trustyng to haue the frend∣shyp of P. Scipio, and his healpe, for a peace to be made be∣twene the Romaynes and him: he sente him home his sonne, withoute payeng any raunsome for him. For when he percey∣ued the Romaynes to approche so nere vnto him, he thought it better to common of peace before the battayle, then after, trustyng to haue more easy conditions of peace, if it were mo∣ued in tyme. But when the matter came in communication, betwene the consulle and the kynges embassadours, the con∣ditions of the peace were so sore, that Antiochus refused to take theim, althoughe he were thervnto perswaded by the let¦ters of P. Scipio the Affricane. Wherevpon bothe partyes prepared theim to fyghte. The battayle was cruel, but at the last the kyng Antiochus was put to fiyght, and .liiii. M. of his footemen slayne, and of horsemen .iiii. M. besydes .i. M. and iiii. C. that were taken prysoners, with small losse of the Ro∣mayns. Then sent Antiochus eftsones his embassadours to the consull for peace: which at lengthe, by meanes of P. Sci∣pio Affricanus, was graunted him, vpon these conditions.

¶ Fyrste that he shoulde frome thense foorthe no more make warre in Europe. Alsoo that he shoulde leaue the possessy∣ons of all the cities landes and countreyes, whyche were on that syde the greatte mountayne, called Taurus. Agayne, he shoulde paye the Romaynes fyftene thousande talentes in xii. yeres, and to pay vnto king Eumenes .iii. hundred talen∣tes, and a great quantitie of wheate. Vpon these condytions he shoulde haue peace. Prouyded that Anniball, the authour of this warre, with Thoas, and dyuerse other capytaynes and counsaylloures, myghte bee delyuered vnto hym. The kynge, beynge at this extreeme myschyeffe, receyued the peace vppon the sayde condytyons: and putte in for the

perfourmance ther of pledges. The same peace also was after that confirmed by the senate of Rome.

¶ And so all thynges thus prosperously brought to passe, L. Scipio the consull returned to Rome, who was receyued in∣to the citie with great honour and triumphe. And as his bro∣ther, of his victory in Affrica was named Affricanus: so was he of his conquestes in Asia, called Asiaticus, to the honour of his succession euer after.