Claudius Ælianus, his various history

AELIAN's Various History. (Book 4)

The Fourth BOOK. (Book 4)

CHAP. I. Several Customes of Nations and Peopl•…•…

ACertain Law of the Lucani•…•… saith, That if after Sun-set Stranger come and request 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lodge under the roof of any on•…•… if he entertain not the man, let him be p•…•… nished, and pay the penalties of Inhospi•…•… lity. As I conceive both to the person th•…•… came to him, and to hospitable Jupiter.

I am informed that the Dardanians in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lyria wash but thrice in their whole li•…•… at Birth, at Marriage, and at Death.

The Indians do not let out money use, neither do they receive any: Neith•…•… is it lawful for an Indian to give or ta•…•…

•…•…rong. Hence they neither make Bonds, •…•…r give Pawns.

It is a Sardinian Law, That when Pa∣•…•…nts grow very old, their sons should by eating them with Clubs kill them, and •…•…en bury them; they conceiving it unfit •…•…at a man at extraordinary old age should •…•…ve any longer, he frequently failing by rea∣•…•…n of his bodie's being opprest with old •…•…ge. There was also this Law amongst •…•…em, They punished Idleness; and he who •…•…ved slothfully was to be arraigned, and to •…•…ive an account of his manner of life, and to •…•…ew where were his means of subsistence▪

The Assyrians gathered together in a cer∣•…•…in City such Virgins as were fit for Marri∣•…•…e, proclaiming a Fair of them; and who∣•…•…ever buyes one carries her away as his •…•…ride.

The Biblians, if they light upon any •…•…ing by chance in the way, take not up •…•…hat they laid not down; for such a thing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not esteemed the right of the finder, but theft.

The Berbiccans put all persons to death •…•…at are above threescore and ten years •…•…ld; the Men by Sword, the Women by •…•…alter.

The Colchians intomb their dead in

Skins, in which they sow them, and hang them up on trees.

It was a custome of the Lydians to pro∣stitute their Women before Marriage: bu•…•… being once married they must live conti∣nently; and she who transgressed was no•…•… capable of pardon.

CHAP. II. Of the difference betwixt Nicostratus who plaied upon the Lute onely, and Lao∣docus, who both plaied and sung to th Lute.

It is reported that Nicostratus a Fidle•…•… arguing with Laodocus a Lutenist abou•…•… Musick, said, That he in a great Art wa•…•… little, but that himself in a little Art w•…•… great. It is therefore a commendable thin•…•… not onely to improve a Family and Estate but an Art also, if we believe Nicostratu•…•… who in this said excellently.

CHAP. III. Of Polygnotus and Dionysius, Pai•…•…∣ters.

Polygnotus a Thasian and Dionysius Colophonian were two Painters, Polygnot•…•…

•…•…rought to the full bigness, and most com∣•…•…only descriptions of Games: Dionysius opied the same things in little, alike exact∣y in every thing but their bigness; as the pirit, air, posture, habit, and the like.

CHAP. IV. A Theban Law concerning Artificers and Painters.

I am told there is a Law at Thebes, which •…•…ommands Artificers, both Painters and •…•…otters, to make the Figures as good as may be. This Law menaceth to those who •…•…ould or paint them not well a pecuniary •…•…ulct.

CHAP. V. Persons that were mindful of Benefits.

Persons that were mindful of Benefits •…•…eceived, and gratefully requited them. Theseus to Hercules: for Aidoneus King of the Molossians having cast Theseus into bonds because he came along with Pirithous, to steal away his Wife, (not intending to marry her himself, but doing this onely for the sake of Pirithous) Hercules coming to the Molossians set Theseus at liberty, for which Theseus erected an Altar to him. And

those seven Captains that besieged Thebes were grateful to Pronax, for Pronax being killed in their Cause, they instituted Games in memory of him; which most think were celebrated for the Captain Archemorus.

And Hercules was grateful to Nestor: for when Neleus would not entertain him, and the rest of his sons were of Neleus his minde, Nestor onely dissented; for which reason Hercules, having taken the City, put Neleus and the rest of his sons to death, but not onely spared Nestor, but bestowed on him the Kingdom of his Ancestours. And the Athenians expressed a publick grati∣tude to the children of Hercules; for be∣cause their progenitour had deserved well of Theseus, the Athenians did therefore con∣duct them to Peloponnesus. And Hercules was grateful to the three hundred and three∣score Cleonians: For they having aided •…•…im against the Molionidae, and dying gene∣rously and honourably, he transferred to them the Honours which the Nemeans be∣stowed on him for subduing the Lion which over-ran and wasted their Country.

And Menestheus son of Peteus was not ungrateful to the Tyndaridae: for they ha∣ving cast out the sons of Theseus, and taken Aethra the Mother of Theseus. Prisoner,

they bestowed the Kingdome upon Mene∣stheus; for which reason Menestheus named them Kings and Preservers.

And Darius son of Hystaspes having (whilest he was yet a private person) recei∣ved in gift a Garment from Syloson, when he was possessed of the Empire, bestowed on him the Government of his own Coun∣try Samos, Gold, as we may say, for Dross.

CHAP. VI. An Oracle concerning the Athenians.

When the Lacedemonians would have utterly destroyed the City of the Atheni∣ans, consulting the Oracle, they brought answer in this manner;

Do not remove the common Altar of Greece.

CHAP. VII. That sometimes the Dead rest not even after Death; and of Pausanias.

Not Death it self benefits wicked persons, since even then they cannot rest: But ei∣ther they are wholly destitute of Sepul∣chres; or, if buried, yet fail of the latest honor, and common port of all Bodies. So when Pausanias took part with the Medes,

the Lacedemonians not onely famished him, but threw his carcase out beyond their Bor∣ders, as Epitimedes reports.

CHAP. VIII. Of the Vicissitudes of Fortune.

Who knows not the sudden and swift changes of Fortune? The Lacedemonians, when they were Masters of the Thebans, were again so subdued by them, that the Thebans came not onely into Peloponnesus, but passed Eurotas, and wasted the Coun∣try of the Lacedemonians, and had taken their City, if Epimonandas had not feared that all the Peloponnesians should conspire and fight for Sparta.

Dionysius the Tyrant being besieged by the Carthaginians, having no hope of re∣lief, did quite despair, and intended to run away; but one of his friends, named Ello∣pides, coming to him, said,

O Dionysius, the Title of King is an excellent Funeral ornament.

Hereat ashamed, he took heart, and with a few overcame many My∣riads, and enlarged his Empire.

Amyntas the Macedonian being worsted by the neighbouring Barbarians, and losing his Kingdome, took his resolution to quit

the Country wholly, thinking he did e∣nough if he saved himself. Whilest he was in these thoughts, one told him the say∣ing of Ellopides: whereupon seizing a little place, and gathering many Souldiers toge∣ther, he recovered the Kingdome.

The Aegyptians in their own language called Ochus an Ass, reproching his sloth by the dulness of that Beast. For which he seizing Apis sacrificed him to an Ass.

Dio son of Hipparinus being banished by Dionysius, with three thousand Souldiers conquered him, and reduced him to his own estate, a banished person.

The Syracu•…•…ians with nine Gallies assaul∣ting an hundred and twenty of the Cartha∣ginians, overcame them.

CHAP. IX. Of the Humility of Plato, and Ingratitude of Aristotle.

Plato, son of Aristo, at the Olympick Games fell into company with some stran∣gers who knew him not, upon whose affe∣ctions he gained much by his affable con∣versation; dining and spending the whole day with them, not mentioning either the Academy or Socrates, onely saying his name

was Plato. When they came to Athens, he entertained them courteously.

Come, Plato, said the strangers, shew us your name-sake, Socrates his disciple, bring us to the Academy, recommend us to him, that we may know him.

He smi∣ling a little, as he used, said, ''I am the man: whereat they were much amazed, having conversed so familiarly with a person of that note, and not knowing him, who used no boasting or ostentation. Whence it appears, that besides his Philosophical discourse, his ordinary conversation was extremely win∣ning.

Plato called Aristotle a Colt: What is meant by that name is manifest: a Colt as soon as it is satisfied with the milk of the Dam kicks at her. Plato therefore hereby signified some Ingratitude of Aristotle; for he having received the greatest seeds of Philosophy from him, and introduction thereto, as soon as he was replenished and satisfied with the best things thereof, revol∣ted from him, and, getting his friends toge∣ther, set up against him Peripateticism, pro∣fessing himself Plato's adversary.

CHAP. X. What respect Pericles had for the Athe∣nian people.

Did not Pericles, son of Xanthippus, bear a great respect to the Athenian people? To me it appears so; for as often as he was to speak in publick, he wished that no word might fall from him which might exaspe∣rate the people, as being contrary to them or their opinion.

CHAP. XI. Of the Luxury of Socrates.

Diogenes said that Socrates himself was luxurious: for he was too curious in his little House, and in his little Bed, and in the Sandals which he used to wear.

CHAP. XII. Of the Picture of Helena drawn by Zeuxis.

Zeuxis the Heracleote having drawn He∣lena, got much money by the Picture; for he admitted not every one that came acci∣dentally, or out of a desire to see it, but

made them first pay money before they saw it. Hereupon the Heracleote gaining much money by the Picture, the Grecians of that time called this Helena a Curtezan.

CHAP. XIII. The saying and happiness of Epicurus.

Epicurus the Gargettian said, that to whom a little is not sufficient, nothing is sufficient. The same said, that he was ready to contend with Jupiter in felicity when he had bread and water. This being the opinion of Epicurus, what he meant when he praised Pleasure we shall know else∣where.

CHAP. XIV. Of sparing and keeping Riches.

Many times Riches gathered together peny by peny, with much labour, as Ar∣chilochus saith, are poured into the lap of a Curtezan. For money is as the Sea Hedge∣hog, easier to be taken then kept. Anax∣agoras also in his Book of Kingly Govern∣ment saith, It is hard to get Money, but much harder to keep it.

CHAP. XV. Of some who in sickness learned Musick and other Sciences, in which recovering they became eminent.

Hiero Tyrant of Sicily is said to have been first a private person, and of all men the most averse from learning Musick, and nothing inferiour to his brother Gelo in Ru∣sticity. But falling sick he became extra∣ordinary learned, imploying the leisure of his infirmity in hearing learned Discourses. Hiero therefore recovering heard Simoni∣des the Cean, Pindarus the Theban, and Bacchylides the Juliet; but Gelo was il∣literate to the last.

They say also that Ptolemee the second falling sick became very learned. And Plato affirms that Theages studied Philosophy upon no other occasion then the leisure of sickness, which hindring him from Civil affairs forced him to the love of Learning. What man of understanding wisheth not that sickness had befallen Alcibiades, Cri∣tias, Pausanias the Lacedemonian, and others? To Alcibiades and Critias, that they might not have revolted from Socrates. One becoming insolent, and sometimes ta∣king

part with the Boeotians, sometimes with the Thessalians, the Medes and Persians, ad∣hering to Pharnabazus. But Critias became most Tyrannical and bloudy, and much opprest his Country, and led a hated life.

And Straton son of Corrhagus seems to have fallen sick advantageously. For be∣ing of an old family and rich, he used no exercise; but falling ill of the Spleen, and exercise being requisite for his cure, he ad∣dicted himself to it, and making progress therein, he in one day at the Olympick Games was Victor in wrastling and the Pancratium, as also in the following Olym∣pick and Nemean and Isthmian and Py∣thian Games.

Likewise Democrates the Wrastler, ha∣ving a pain in his feet, went to the Games, and standing in the Stadium made a Circle about himself, and challenged his Antago∣nists to force him beyond the line; which they not able to doe, were worsted: And he, for continuing firmly in his station, went away crowned.

CHAP. XVI. Qualities of some of the Ancients.

If any man imitate Callias, he will make him a great Drinker; if Ismenias, a Player on the Flute; a Boaster, if Alcibiades; a maker of Broths, if Crobylus; an excellent Oratour, if Demosthenes; Warlike, if Epa∣minondas; Magnanimous, if Agesilaus; Good, if Phocion; Just, if Aristides; and Wise, if Socrates.

CHAP. XVII. Wonders and Opinions of Pythagoras.

Pythagoras taught men that he was be∣gotten of a better kind then mortal nature. For on the same day, and at the same hour, he was seen at Metapontium and in Crotona. Likewise at Olympia he shewed one of his Thighs which was of Gold; and did make Myllias the Crotonian call to mind that he had been Midas son of Gordius a Phrygian. He also stroked a white Eagle which •…•…ame to him of her own accord; and as he pa•…•…∣sed over the River Cosa, the River saluted him, saying,

Hail Pythagoras.

He afsi•…•…med the leaf of Mallows to be

most sacred. He said that Arithmetick is the wisest of all things: Next, he who im∣posed names on things. And that Earth∣quakes were nothing else but Conventions of the dead: And that the Rainbow is the beams of the Sun: And that the sound which frequently strikes the ear is the voice of Daemons. It was not lawful to doubt of any thing he said, or question him about it, but to acquiesce in what he said as in a Divine Oracle. And when he came to Ci∣ties, a report was spread that he came not to teach, but to heal.

The same Pythagoras commanded to ab∣stain from the Heart, and from a white Cock, and from all things that died of themselves, and not to use Baths, nor to goe in the common Road; it being doubtful whether these things were pure.

CHAP. XVIII. Of the respect and honour which Dio∣nysius gave to Plato.

When Plato, invited by the frequent Letters of Dionysius, came to Sicily, the young Dionysius placed him in a Chariot, whilest he himself played the Coachman: whereupon a facetious Syracusian well ver∣sed

in Homer, pleased with the sight, spake these Verses out of the I•…•…iads, with a little alteration:

The Chariot groan'd beneath the weight, Proud that the best of men there sat.

Whereas Dionysius was jealous of all others, he had so great respect for Plato, that he suffered him onely to come to him un∣searched (although he knew him to be Di∣o's intimate friend.)

CHAP. XIX. That Philip honoured Learning; and of Aristotle.

Philip the Macedonian is not onely said •…•…o have been a good Souldier, and an excel∣•…•…ent Oratour; but he likewise honoured Learning exceedingly. Wherefore supply∣•…•…ng Aristotle with much money, he was •…•…he cause of his great and various Experi∣•…•…nce, and of his knowledge in living Crea∣•…•…ures. Whose History the son of Nicoma∣•…•…hus acquired through the wealth of Philip. He honoured Plato also and Theophrastus.

CHAP. XX. Of Democritus, and of the Renown of him, Theophrastus, Hippocrates, and others.

It is reported that Democritus the Ab∣derite was wise, besides other things, in desiring to live unknown, and that he wholly endeavoured it. In pursuit whereof he travelled to many Countries; he went to the Chaldaeans, and to Babylon, and to the Magi, and to the Indian Sophists. When the estate of his Father Damasippus was to be divided into three parts amongst the three Brothers, he took onely so much as might serve for his travel, and left the rest to his Brethren. For this Theophrastus com∣mends him, that by travelling he had gai∣ned better things then Menelaus and Ulys∣ses. For they wandred up and down no otherwise then Phoenician Merchants, fo•…•… they gathered money, which was the oc∣casion of their travel by Se•…•… and •…•…and. The Abderites called Democr•…•…us, Philosophy; but Protagoras, Discourse.

Democritus laughed at all people, an•…•… said they were mad; whence his Country∣men called him Gelasinus. They likewis•…•…

•…•…ay, that Hippocrates at his first meeting with Democritus thought him mad: But •…•…fter they had conversed together, admired •…•…he man. They say that Hippocrates, though •…•…e were Dorick, yet for the sake of Demo∣•…•…ritus he composed his Writings in the Io∣•…•…ick Dialect.

CHAP. XXI. Of those who were beloved of Socrates and Plato.

Alcibiades was beloved of Socrates, Dio of Plato. But Dio received advantage by •…•…he love of his friend.

CHAP. XXII. Of the Luxury of the Athenians.

The ancient Athenians wore purple gar∣ments, and various coloured Vests. They •…•…ikewise tied their Hair in Knots, to which •…•…hey put golden Grass-hoppers, and other •…•…rnaments of Gold. When they went •…•…broad, their servants carried Folding-stools, •…•…hat when they pleased they might sit down. It is cert•…•…in also, that their Tables and Diet were very Luxurious; and yet Whi∣est they did this, they were Victors at Ma∣•…•…athon.

CHAP. XXIII. Of certain Prodigal persons.

Prodigality and volup•…•…uous life reduced Pericles, and Callia•…•… son of Hipponicus, and Nicias of Pergaseus to indigence. When money failed them, these three drank Hem∣lock, their last draught, to one another, and died as at a Feast.

CHAP. XXIV. How Friendship may be best preserved.

Leoprepes the Cean, Father of Simoni∣des, chanced on a time to sit in the Wrast∣ling-place: Two young men, intire Friends, came to him, and asked him how their F•…•…iendship might best be preserved. He said,

If you yield to one anothers anger, and not by opposition provoke each other.

CHAP. XXV. Of the strange Madness of Thrasyllus.

Thrasyllus the Aexonian fell into a strange and new kind of Madness; he left the City and went to Pyraeum (the Heaven,) and dwelling there, he fansied that all the

Ships which came in were his, and registred them, and so dismissed them. When any came safe into the Haven, he rejoyced ex∣ceedingly. This Infirmity held him many years. At length his brother, coming from Sicily, put him to a Physician to be cured, and so his Madness ceased. He many times mentioned his actions during his Madness, and said that he never had so much Joy, as when he was pleased with •…•…eing Ships come in safe which nothing belonged to him.

CHAP. XXVI. Of Electra.

Xanthus a Lyrick Poet (he was ancienter then Stesichorus the Himeraean) saith that Electra daughter of Agamemnon was not named so at first, but Laodice. Afterwards when Agamemnon was slain, and Aegisthus marrying Clytemnestra reigned, she lived unacquainted with the Marriage-bed, and grew old a Virgin: for which reason the Grecians called her Electra, as having ne∣ver had a Husband, and living unacquainted with the Marriag•…•…-bed.

CHAP. XXVII. Of the Gift of Pamphaes and Dioti∣mus.

Pamphaes a Prienian gave to Croesus, whilest his Father was yet living, thirty Minae, who coming to the Crown sent him a great Chariot filled with Silver.

Diogenes •…•…eiving a little money of Di∣otimus the Carystian said,

The Gods immortal grant To thee what thou dost want, A Man and House.

It seems that this Diotimus was effeminate.

CHAP. XXVIII. That Pherecydes fell into a Phthiri∣asis because of his Atheism.

Pherecydes the Syrian ended his life the most miserable of men: his whole body be∣ing consumed by Vermine, and his counte∣nance becoming loathsome, he declined the conversation of his acquaintance. And wh•…•…nsoever any one coming to visit him demanded how he did, putting out his fin∣ger through the hole in the door, the flesh

whereof was quite eaten off, he said, that his whole body was such. The Delians af∣firm, that the God in Delus displeased with him wrought this: for as he sate in Delus with his Disciples, he spoke many things concerning himself, amongst the rest this, That he had sacrificed to none of the Gods, and yet led a life no less pleasant and void of grief then they who offered Hecatombs. For this vain speech he suffered severe pu∣nishment.

CHAP. XXIX. That Alexande•…•… ridiculously believed there are infinite Worlds.

I cannot forbear to laugh at Alexander the son of Philip, who seeing that Demo∣crit•…•…s in his Writings asserted that there are infinite Worlds, was troubled that he had not quite subdued one. How much Demo∣critus himself would have laughed at him, what need I say? whose custome that was.

The End.