L. VIVES.
THose (a) Sp•…•…ctacles of vncleannesse,] for there was both most beastly shewes presen∣ted, and most filthy words spoken. (b) It were farre more tollerable,] Tertullian in his Apologeticus saith: It were better to make Socrates the God of Wisdome, Aristides of Iustice. Themistocies os warre, Tully of eloquence, Sylla of prosperitie, Craffus of ritches, Pompey of Magnificence, and Cato of grauitie, for these men excell the gods in these specialities. And * 1.1 •…•…ny of the ancient writers neuer denied, that their good men were better then their gods: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for one, De vitae tranquillitate, lib. 2. affirmeth, that Cato of Utica was a better ex∣•…•… of a wise man then either Hercules or Vlisses. Lucane calles him the true Father of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 worthy the Romaine Altars. (c) The bodily pestilence] Liuie in his 7. booke, faith, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 did the first institution of Playes for augmentation of Religion, either augment religion 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or diminish the pestilence of their bodies. (d) Circensian Playes] Those did Ro∣•…•… * 1.2 institute at Rome, in the fourth moneth after he had built the Cittie (as Fabius Pictor 〈◊〉〈◊〉) the same day that he forced away the Sabine Virgins. Some say it was not vntill 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…fore-said time a great while, whom•…•… had rather beleeue in this. Circenses they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (faith S•…•…s) because they were encompassed with swords: of Circa and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the (n•…•… as yet •…•…ice) antiquitie, hauing not as yet built any places fit for such ex∣•…•… •…•…ctifed th•…•… betweene a riuer side, and a ranke of swords, that the idle might see 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on both sides. Afterwards Tarquinius Priscus appointed a ring for them, which * 1.3 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…rward called Circus Max•…•…: and euery yeare once, as Liuie saith, were these games 〈◊〉〈◊〉 being diuersly named, as Magni, & Romani, & Circenses. They were consecrated 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God C•…•…sus, whom the Greekes call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is, Neptune the Horse-rider,