THE SECOND OBSERVATION.
THe Romans not contented with the spacious circuit of the sunne,* 1.1 bounding their Empire with the East and the West, but for want of Re∣gions and Countreys searching the vastnesse and depth of the seas, did seldome acknowledge any other sovereignty, or leave a party worthy their amity, in any remote angle of the then-known world. But if any Prince had been so fortunate, as to gain the favour and estimation of a friend or a confederate to the State, it was upon speciall and deserved respects, or at the instance of their Generals abroad, informing the worthinesse of such Potentates, and the advantage they might bring to the service of the Empire. Which ap∣peareth by that of Livie concerning Vermina, king Syphax son; that* 1.2 no man was at any time acknowledged either a king or a friend by the Senate and people of Rome, unlesse first he had right well deserved of the Common∣weal.
The manner of this acknowledgement is like∣wise particularly expressed by Livie in another place,* 1.3 speaking of Scipio. The day following (saith he) to put king Massinissa out of his grief and melancholy, he ascended up to his Tribunall, and having called an assembly of the souldiers, presented him before them: where he first ho∣noured him with the appellation of king, accom∣panied with many fair praises; and then gave him a crown of gold, a cup of gold, a chair of State,* 1.4 a scepter of Ivory, and a long robe of Pur∣ple. To which agreeth that of Caesar: That Ariovistus was by the Senate stiled by the name of King and Friend, and presented with great and rich gifts; which happened but to few, and was only given by the Romans to men of great desert. Howbeit, such as had governments and imployments abroad did oftentimes make profit of giving this honour:* 1.5 whereof Caesar taxeth Lentulus in the former chapter. And in this sense was king Juba brought in question, to be called by the Senate a Friend and Associate to the State of Rome.