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. VII.

Lentulus flieth in great fear out of Rome. Caesar cometh to Co••finium.

THese things being reported at Rome, the City was suddenly struck into such a terrour, that when Lentulus the Consul came to open the Treasu∣ry, to deliver out money to Pompey according to the Act of Senate, he fled out of the City, and left the inner chamber of the Trea∣sury open. For, it was reported (although un∣truly) that Caesar was near approching, and that his Cavalrie was hard at hand. Marcellus, the other Consul, together with most of the other Magistrates, followed after. Pompey depart∣ing the day before, was gone to those legi∣ons which he had taken from Caesar, and had left in Apulia to winter. In the mean while the inrollment of souldiers ceased within the City. No place seemed secure between that & Capua. There they began first ot assemble and assure themselves; impresting for souldiers such as by Julius law were sent thither to inhabit. And the Fencers which were there trained and exer∣cised by Caesar, for the entertainment of the people of Rome, were by Lentulus brought out, set at liberty, mounted upon horses, and com∣manded to follow him. But afterwards, upon advice of his friends (every mans judgement disallowing thereof) he dispersed them here and there throughout Campania, for their better safety and keeping.

Caesar dislodging from Auximum, marched throughout all the countrey of Picenum, and was most willingly received by all the Praefe∣ctures of those Regions, and relieved with all necessaries which his souldiers stood in need of. Insomuch as Commissioners were sent unto him from Cingulum, a town which Labienus had founded, and built from the ground at his own charges, promising to obey whatsoever he com∣manded whereupon he required souldiers, and they sent them accordingly. In the mean time the twelfth legion overtook Caesar; and with these two he marched directly to Asculum, a town which Lentulus Spinther held with ten Co∣horts: who understanding of Caesar's approch, left the place; and labouring to carry the troups with him, was forsaken by the greatest part of the souldiers: and so marching with a few, hap∣pened by chance upon Vibullius Rufus, sent of purpose by Pompey into the Countrey of Picenum, to confirm and settle the people. Vibullius being

advertised how matters went there, took the soul∣diers, and so dismissed him of his charge: ga∣thering likewise from the confining Regions, what cohorts he could get from Pompey's former inrollments; and amongst others, entertained Ulcilles Hirus, flying with six cohorts out of Camerinum, whereof he had the keeping. These being all put together, made thirteen cohorts; with which by long marches he made towards Domitius Ae••obarous, who was at Corfinium, tel∣ling him that Caesar was at hand with two legi∣ons. Domitius had raised twenty cohorts, out of Albania, Marsia, and Pelignia, adjacent Coun∣tries. Asculum being taken in, and Lentulus dri∣ven out, Caesar made inquiry after the souldiers that had left Lentulus, and commanded them to be inrolled for him. And after one daies aboad for the provision of Corn, he marched towards Corfinium. Upon his approach thither, Domitius sent five cohorts out of the town, to break down the bridge of the River, which was about three miles off. The vauntgard of Caesar's Army incountering with Domitius souldiers, drave them from the bridge, and forced them to re∣treat into the town: whereby Caesar past over his legions, made a stand before the town, and incamped himself under the walls.

THE FIRST OBSERVATION.

IT is well observed by Guicciardine, That In∣solency and Timidity are never found asunder, but do alwayes accompany one another in the same subject: For the mind being the centre of all such motions, doth according to every mans nature, give the like scope to passions of contra∣riety, and extend them both to an equidistant circumference: as, if Courage shall happen to dilate it self to Insolency, then is Doubtfulnesse in like manner inlarged to Cowardice; and will imbase mens thoughts as low, as they did rise in height by insulting. For which cause it is advised by such as treat of Morality, that men be well warie in admitting dilatation of passions, or in suffering them to flie out beyond the compasse of Reason, which containeth the measure of Ae∣quability, commended by Cicero, to be observed throughout the whole course of mans life. Len∣tulus the Consul may be an instance of this weaknesse, and learn others moderation by shunning his intemperancy. For in question of qualifying the rage of these broiles, and sor∣ting of things to a peaceable end, his arrogancy was incompatible with terms of agreement, and overswaid the Senate with heedlesse impetuosity. And again, when his authority and Consular gravity should have settled the distracted Com∣mons, and made good his first resolution, his o∣ver-hasty flying out of the City did rather induce the people to believe, that there was no safety within those walls, not for so small a time as might serve to have shut the Treasury at his heels; and so he became as abject, as before he shewed himself insolent.

Concerning these words (Aperto sanctiore Aerario, rendred, the inner chamber of the Trea∣sury left open) it is to be noted, that Aerarium was their publick Treasury; and by the ap∣pointment of Valerius Publicola, was made within the Temple of Saturn: whereof divers men make divers conjectures. Macrobius saith, that as long as Saturn continued in Italy, there was no theft committed in all the country: and therefore his Temple was thought the safest place to keep money in. Plutarch thinketh rather, that the making of the Treasury in that place, did allude to the integrity of the time wherein Saturn reigned; for avarice and deceit was not then known amongst them. S. Cyprian is of an o∣pinion, that Saturn first taught Italy the use and coinage of money; and therefore they gave the keeping thereof to his Deity. Howsoever, it is manifest, that not only the publick Treasure was there kept, but also their Records, Charts, Ordinances and Edicts: together with such books as were, for their immeasurable greatnesse, called Libri Elephantini; containing all their Acts of Senate, and deeds of Arms atchieved by the Commanders abroad, as also their military Ensigns which they fetched alwayes from thence when they went into the field: and there like∣wise did such Embassadours as came to Rome enregister their names, as Plutarch affirmeth.

It was called Aerarium of Aes, signifying Brasse; for that the first money used by the Ro∣mans was of that metall, untill the year of Rome 485, as Pliny witnesseth; when they began first to coin pieces of silver marked with the letter X. whereof the ytook the appellation of Denarium, as valuing ten asses of brasse, which before they used for their coin; and every of the said asses weighed 12 ounces. Touching their order obser∣ved in their Treasury, for their disposing and lay∣ing up of their moneys, we must understand, that as bodies politick require necessary and ordinary treasure to be imploied in such manner, as may best concurre with the publick honour and weal of the same; so there must be speciall care to provide against unusuall and extraordinary casu∣alties, which are not removed but by speedy and effectuall remedies. According to which provi∣dence the Romans disposed of their treasure, and took the twentieth part of their receit, which they called Aurum vicesimarium, and reserved it apart in an inner chamber; where it lay so pri∣viledged, that it was a capitall crime to touch it, but in extream and desperate necessity: as in time of war with the Galles, or in a sedition and tumult of the people. Livie affirmeth as much, where he saith, Caetera expedientibus quae ad bellum opus erant consulibus, aurum vicesimarium, quod in sanctiore Aerario adultimos casus ser∣vatur,

promi placuit: prompta ad quatuor millia pondo Auri. The Consuls furnishing all other things needfull for the war, it was re∣solved that the vicessimary gold should be brought forth and employed: which said gold was reserved in the inner Treasury, till such time as affairs happened to be in a desperate condition. Accordingly, there was 4000 pound of gold ta∣ken out.

THE SECOND OBSERVATION.

SUch as affect offices and dignities in a State, must ever have means to court Sovereignty, ac∣cording as may best sute with her Politia, either as she is espoused to a Monarch, or left in trust to a Multitude. Hence it was that the Romans, to gain the favour of the people, and to make way for their own ends, were very sumptuous in set∣ting forth shews and spectacles, of divers sorts and fashions; and specially of Gladiators or Fencers, as best fitting a Roman disposition, and more pleasing then others of any kind. Equi∣dem (saith Tully) existimo, nullum tempus esse frequentioris populi, quam illud Gladiatorum, neque concionis ullius, neque vero ullorum Co∣mitiorum; I verily believe that there is at no time a greater concourse of people, then is at the fence∣ing-playes; neither at an Oration, nor at an Assembly of the State. And in another place; Id autem spectaculi genus erat, quodomni fre∣quentia, atque omni hominum genere celebra∣tur, quo multitudo maxime delectatur; That is a kind of shew, which is celebrated with the flocking together of all sorts of people; it being a thing the multitude are extremely delighted with.

Their manner was to keep great numbers of these Fencers, in some convenient and healthfull towns of Italy, as at Ravenna, and Capua (which were as Seminaries of these people) and there to train them up in the feat of fencing, untill they had occasion to use them in their shews, ei∣ther at their triumphall entries into the City upon their victories, or at the funerall solemnity of some personage of memory, or otherwise at their feasts and jollities.

Quinetiam exhilarare viris convivia caede Mos olim, & miscere epulis spectacula dira. The death of men made mirth at feasts of old, And banquets then were grac'd with fencers bold.

They fought commonly man to man, at all ad∣vantage, and were seldome excused, untill one of the two lay dead upon the place. Neither was he then quitted that had slain his companion, but stood liable to undertake another, and so a third, untill he had foiled six or seven Combatants. And if his hap were to prevail so often, he was then honoured with a Garland wound about with ribands of wool, which they called Lemnisci, and received of the Praetor a great knotted staffe, called Rudis; which he afterward carried about with him as an ensign of liberty. These bloudy spectacles continued unto the time of Constantine the great, and were by him prohibited, as like∣wise also by Arcadius and Honorius; and ut∣terly abolished after the reign of Theodorick, king of the Gothes. Let him that would look further into the fashion of these shews, read what Lipsius hath written concerning the same. That which I observe herein is, the use which the State made hereof: for howsoever these sights and so∣lemnities were set forth for the compassing of pri∣vate ends; yet neverthelesse the Commonweal drew benefit from the same. For a multitude be∣ing of a fickle and mutable nature, are no way so well settled with contentment of the time, or kept from novelties and innovations, as with publick shews and entertainments; which are as staies to their affections, that they swerve not from the government by which they live in civile consoci∣ation. So we read how the Grecians instituted, as popular entertainments, their Olympian, Ne∣mean, Isthmian, and Pythian Games; The Romans, their Apollinary, Secular, Gladiatory, and Hunting shews, with Traged••es and Come∣dies: and all for the satisfaction of the people. Wherein, howsoever the Grecians seem more judicious, for inventing such Games as might both exercise and entertain the people; yet the Romans sailed not of the end aimed at in these spectacles, which was, to inure them to bloud and slaughter, and to make them dreadlesse in cases of horrour.

But to leave all shews of this nature, as either too little for earnest, or too much for pass-time; it shall suffice to note, that these publick enter∣tainments are so far expedient as they consist of pleasure and comelinesse: for as their chiefest end is to pleasure and content the people; so their manner must be directed by lawfulnesse and ho∣nesty. In which respect, a Tragedy is more commendable then a Comedy; forasmuch as few comicall arguments do sympathize with ho∣nesty.

THE THIRD OBSERVATION.

TO be great and of a large proportion, doth not take away casualties of inconvenience; nor can it give a priviledge, to free things from distemperature: Tall men are as subject to Fe∣vers, as others of lesser stature; and great Em∣pires as easily disturbed, as the States of petty Princes.

O faciles dare summa Deos, eademque tueri, Difficiles!— O Gods easy to grant, but to preserve Your gifts as hard!—

It is easier to attain the end of high desires, then to keep it being got: and better is the assurance

of seeking, then of possessing. The Roman peo∣ple that had over-awed the world with Armes, and left no kingdome unfoiled with the fear of then legions, were as much dismaied at a subjects disloyalty, as was possible for a mean State to be amuzed upon an alarme of any danger. And that City which suffered no enemy to approach near her confines, but in the condition of a Cap∣tive, was not trusted as able to give her own peo∣ple safety.

—sic turba per Urbem Praecipiti lymphata gradu, velut unicarebus Spes foret affl••ctis patrios excedere muros, Inconsultaru••••.— —So through the streets With headlong madnesse ran the multitude, As if their case no other hope had left Of safety, then to quit their native walls.

The advantage is, that kingdoms of great com∣mand have great helps in cases of disturbance; but are otherwise as subject to apprehensions of distrust, as those of lesser power to resist.

Notes

• Caesar.
• Sanctiore Aerario.
• Capua.
• ••ex Juli••.
• Picenum.
• Cingulum.
• Asculum.
• Ulcil▪ Hirus.
• Camerinum.
• Domtius Aenobarb.
• Corfinium.
• Albania. Marsia.
• Pelignia.
• 2500. men.
• Sempre è congiunto in un mede∣simo ••ugget. to I'Inso∣lentia con la Timiditá. Lib. 2.
• De Officiis.
• Aerarium.
• Plutarch. in vita Publicolae. Aerarium populus Romanus in ••de Saturni habuit, Festus.
• Libri Ele∣phantini.
• Signa ex•••• Aerario prompta fe∣runtur ad Dictatorem Liv. lib. 4.
• Lib. 3. cap. 33.
• Aurum vi∣cesimarium.
• Lib. 24.
• Pro Roscio.
• And there∣fore ••h••y were cal∣led, Bustua∣ri••, a Bustis.
• Sil. Ita••.
• Lemnisc••.
• Spectatum s••tis & do∣n••tum jam ••ude. Hor. The Ro∣mans never used these Gladiators in any u••ili∣tary service, but only in Civile wars.
• A•• deforme insuper au∣xilium, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 millia Gladiato∣rum: sed per civilia arma seve∣ris ducibus usurpatu••. Tac. hist. 1.
• Lucan. lib. 1.
• P••rare, & quaerere 〈◊〉〈◊〉: tueri diffi••ilius, Liv••e Lib. 37.