The commentaries of C. Julius Cæsar of his warres in Gallia, and the civil warres betwixt him and Pompey / translated into English with many excellent and judicious observations thereupon ; as also The art of our modern training, or, Tactick practise, by Clement Edmonds Esquire, ... ; where unto is adjoyned the eighth commentary of the warres in Gallia, with some short observations upon it ; together with the life of Cæsar, and an account of his medalls ; revised, corrected, and enlarged.

CHAP. XXIX.

Pompey cometh into Thessalia: his Army conceiveth assured hope of victory.

POmpey a few dayes after came into Thessalia;* 1.1 and there calling all the Army together, first gave great thanks to his own men; and then exhorted Scipio's souldiers, that the victory being already obtained, they would be partakers of the booty and of the rewards: and taking all the legions into one Camp, he made Scipio partaker both of his honour and authority, commanding the Trumpets to attend his pleasure for matter of direction, and that he should use a Praetoriall Pavilion.

Pompey having strengthened himself with an addition of another great Army, every man was confirmed in his former opinion, and their hope of victory was increased: so that the longer they dela••ed the matter, the more they seemed to prolong their return into Italy. And albeit Pompey proceeded slowly and delibe∣rately in the business, yet it was but a daies work. But some there were that said, he was well pleased with authority and command, and to use men both of Consular dignity, and of the Praetorian order, as his vassals and ser∣vants.

And now they began to dispute openly, con∣cerning rewards and dignities of Priesthood; and pointed out those which from year to year were to be chosen Consuls. Others begged the houses and goods of such as were with Caesar. Besides a great controversie that further grew between them in open councell, whether L. Hirrus were not to be regarded at the next election of Praetors, being absent, and im∣ploied by Pompey against the Parthians. And as his friends urged Pompey with his promise given at his departure, requiring he might not now be deceived through his greatnesse and authority; the rest, running a course of as great danger and labour, saw no rea∣son (by way of contradiction) why one man should be respected before all others. And now Domitius, Scipio, and Spinther Lentulus, began to grow to high words in their daily meetings, concerning Caesar's Priesthood: Lentulus al∣l••aging, by way of ostentation, the honour that was due to his age and authority; Domi∣tius vaunting of the credit and favour he had at Rome; and Scipio trusting to Pompey's alliance. Moreover, Atius Rusus accused L. A∣franius to Pompey, for betraying the Army in Spain. L. Domitius gave out in councell, That after the war was ended, all such as were of the rank of Senatours, should be inquired upon by a triple Commission: and that those which were personally in the war; should be of the Commission to judge the rest; as well such as were at Rome, as those that did no service in this war. The first Commission should be, to clear such as had well-deserved, from all dan∣ger. The second, Penall: and the third, Capi∣tall. And to conclude, every man laboured, either to have a reward, or to be avenged of his Enemy. Neither did they think so much of the means how to overcome, as how to use the victory.

THE FIRST OBSERVATION.

THe Tale which the Emperour Frederick re∣lated to the Commissioners of Lewis the ele∣venth,* 1.2 King of France (concerning the par∣ting between them of the Territories of Charles Duke of Burgundie) Not to sell the skin be∣fore they had killed the Bear; might well have ••itted these of Pompey's Partie, that contended for offices before they fell, and disposed of the skins e're they had took the Bears: not spa∣ring out of their impatiency to tax Pompey of spinning out the war, for the sweetnesse he found in authority and command; as Aga∣memnon did at Troy. Insomuch as Plutarch

reporteth, that one Favonius, imitating Ca∣to's severity and freeness of speech, went about throughout all the Camp, demanding, Whe∣ther it were not great pitty, that the ambitious humour of one man, should keep them that year from eating the figs and delicate fruit of Tusculum? And all men generally stood so affected, as Pompey could not withstand their inforcements. For, as Florus saith, Mili∣tes otium, socii moram, principes ambitum Ducis increpabant, The souldiers blamed the slouth, the confederates found fault with the de∣lay, & the chief commanders with the ambition of their Generall. Onely Cato thought it not fit to hazard themselves upon a desperate man, that had neither hope or help, but in Fortune. But, as in most things besides, so in this he stood alone, and could not prevail against a multitude.

THE SECOND OBSERVATION.

PLacere sibi ternas tabellas dari, ad indi∣candum iis, qui erant ordinis Senatorii, They agreed, that all such as were of the rank of Senatours, should be inquired upon by a triple Commission, saith the story. Tabellas, I have translated Commissions, as best suting our English phrase: but the meaning was as followeth.

It appeareth by history, that the Roman people, as well in election of Magistrates, as in causes criminall, did give their voices open∣ly and aloud, for six hundred years together; untill one Gabinius, a Tribune of the People, perceiving that the Commons, for fear of the great Ones, durst not dispose of their voices freely, and as they would, published an Edict, that the people should give their voices by Bal∣lating.* 1.3 Which law Tully commendeth; Grata est tabella quae frontes operit, hominum men∣tes tegit, datque cam libertatem quod ve∣lint faciant; It is an acceptable Law, which hides the faces and meanings of men, and gives all liberty to do what they please. And in another place, he calleth it Principium justissimae libertatis, the foundation of most just liberty. Upon an election of Magistrates, the balls were given according to the number of the Competitours; that every man might chuse as he pleased.

In criminall Causes, every man had three: one marked with A. signifying Absolution, and another with C. for Condemnation, and another with N. L. for Non liquet, which they called Ampliatio, desirous to be further in∣formed, which our Grand Juries do expresse by an Ignoramus. And in this manner would Domitius have had his fellow Senatours either quitted or condemned. The balls which were given upon the making of a law, were two: one marked with V. R. which signified Uti rogas, that it might go on: and the other with A. signifying Antiquo, rejecting it. For, as Festus noteth, Antiquare est in modum pristinum reducere, to Antiquate, is to make the thing be as it was before.

And in this manner they would have pro∣ceeded against Caesar's Par••izans,* 1.4 being alto∣gether mistaken in the assurance of their happi∣ness;* 1.5 the continuance whereof depended upon Vertue, and not upon Fortune.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Caesar.
• * 1.2

  Comineus.
• * 1.3

  In orat. pro Pla••••o.
• * 1.4

  Virtus feli∣citatis men∣sura, non fo••tuna.
• * 1.5

  Dio. H••li∣carn. lib. 2.