The historical library of Diodorus the Sicilian in fifteen books : the first five contain the antiquities of Egypt, Asia, Africa, Greece, the islands, and Europe : the last ten an historical account of the affairs of the Persians, Grecians, Macedonians and other parts of the world : to which are added the fragments of Diodorus that are found in the Bibliotheca of Photius : together with those publish'd by H. Valesius, L. Rhodomannus, and F. Ursinus / made English by G. Booth ..., Esq.

Out of the 36th BOOK.

1. THE Rebellious Slaves did not only waste and destroy Sioily, but those that were * 1.1 free, who had neither Lands nor Goods) betook themselves to Rapine and Rob∣beries, and ravag'd up and down in the Country in Flocks and Droves; they drave away whole Herds of Cattel; Robb'd the Barns in the Towns and Villages, and carried away the Corn and other Fruits of the Earth, and kill'd every one they met, without distinction of either Bond or Free, that none might be left to tell tales of their Murthers and Cruel∣ties. For being there was at this time an Anarchy in Sicily, having no Roman Praetor that exercis'd any Jurisdiction, all ran headlong and committed many and great Enormities with impunity; so that all Places were full of Rapines and Robberies, and the Goods of the Rich made a Prey to Force and Violence: and they who a little before were Noted and Eminent amongst their fellow Citizens for their Wealth, by a sudden change of For∣tune, were not only with the greatest Contempt and Scorn imaginable, Robb'd of all they had by their Slaves, but were forc'd to bear unsufferable Abuses from them that were Freemen of the same Country. And therefore none could scarcely call any thing his own within the City Gates; but what was without, they lookt upon as quite lost, and to be an irrecoverable Prey to the Robbers. To conclude, Confusion and utter Subversion of Law and Justice, rag'd throughout all the Cities and Towns in the Country. For the Rebels after they had wasted the Country, out of Hatred to their Masters, and insatia∣ble Covetousness, beset the High Ways and made them impassable. And those Slaves that were yet within the Cities Sick, but in their Hearts longing for an opportunity to Rebel, were a dread and terror to their Masters.

2. Saturninus the Tribune being a Man of a profuse Life, and Quaestor in the Province of Ostia, ordering all the Corn to be carry'd away to Rome, for his Male Administration * 1.2 of the Government was Rebuk'd by the Senate, and divested of his Authority, and the Province committed to the Care of another. But afterwards leaving off his former Lux∣urious course of Life, and growing Sober in his Conversation, he was chosen Tribune of the People.

3. Whereas for Two years together in every Publick Assembly Q Metellus his restoring from Banishment was taken into Debate—His Son traversing the Market-place with his Beard and Hair overgrown, and in a nasty Garment, with Tears in his Eyes, pro∣strated himself at the Feet of every Citizen, intreating them to recall his Father. But the People, though they were very backward to make a President for Exiles for the time to come to hope for Return against the Laws; yet in Compassion to the Young Man, and being moved with importunity of his Intreaty, they recall'd Metellus from Banish∣ment, and sirnam'd the Son Pius for his singular Affection and Care he had of his Fa∣ther.

4. The Romans formerly being govern'd by good and wholesom Laws and Constituti∣ons, by degrees grew to that height of Power, that at length they gain'd the greatest * 1.3 Empire of any that ever any History makes mention of. But of later times, after they

had conquer'd many Nations, and had so long nuzzl'd themselves in the Enjoyment of an unterrupted Peace, they declin'd from their Ancient manners, to wicked and destructive Courses. For the young Men, enjoying Rest and Ease from War, with Plenty of all things to be Fuel to their Lusts, gave themselves up to Luxury and Intemperance; for in the City, Prodigality was preferr'd before Frugality, and living at Ease, before the Ser∣vice of the Camp: And he that Wasted all his time in Voluptuousness, and not he that was of a virtuous and sober conversation, was accounted by all to be the only happy Man. And therefore sumptuous Feasts, most fragrant Oyntments, flowr'd and embroi∣der'd Carpets, rich and stately Furniture, for their Banqueting Rooms, curiously wrought with Gold, Silver, Ivory, and such like Materials were then cry'd up every where. Wine that was but of an ordinary Gusto, would not be toucht, but only * 1.4 Falernian and Chian, and such like pleasant Wines: the choicest Fish likewise, and every thing of the best sort, was provided to gratifie their shameless Luxury. The young Gallants likewise, wore Garments of the finest and softest Wooll, Woven so fine, as that they were even transparent, and for their slender Webb, altogether like unto Womens Gowns. All these things serving to nourish Luxury, and Voluptuousness (to their Ruin and destruction) being generally coveted by all, in a short time grew to excessive Rates; for a Hogs∣head of Falernian Wine was sold for a 100 * 1.5 Drachmas, and a Hogshead of Salted Fish from the Pontick Sea, for 400. Skilful Cooks were sold for Four Talents a-piece, and delicate and beautiful Boys, for many Talents. And whereas all with full swing gave up themselves to this luxurious course of Life, some of the Governors in the Provinces, us'd their utmost endeavour to reform these Enormities, and to that end, being in high Places, and so most observable, by reason of the Eminency of their Stations, they fram'd their own Lives so, as to be Examples of Virtue, and liberal Education to others.

5. Quintus Mucius Scoevola, us'd his utmost endeavour to reform other Mens corrupt * 1.6 Manners, by his own Virtuous Example. For when he was sent Proconsul into Asia, he made choice of Quintus Rutilius his most intimat Friend for his Legate, and ever took his Advice in the management of his Government, and making of Laws: All the Costs and expences both of himself and his Retinue, he order'd to be defray'd out of his own * 1.7 Purse; and by his moderation and frugality, together with his just and upright dealing, he freed the Province from its former Miseries and Oppressions. For the Proconsuls of Asia that were before him, confederated with the Publicans (in whose hands at that time, was the administration of Justice at Rome) and fill'd the whole Province with the Pressures of their illegal Exactions.

6. Mucius Scoevola managing his Government with all possible Diligence and Integri∣ty, did not only suppress all false Accusations, but restrain'd the Injuries and Oppressi∣ons * 1.8 committed by the Publicans. For as often as any who had been pinch'd by those Toll-gatherers made their address to him, he Commissionated upright Judges, by whom he Condemn'd them wheresoever he came, and forc'd them to pay the Mulct impos'd upon them to the Persons they had injur'd, but for Offences that deserv'd death, he gave sentence of death. One of the chief of these Publicans that had contracted with his Master for his Freedom, for a great Sum of Money, before he was manumitted, he condemn'd to die and crucify'd him.

7. Those that were condemn'd by the Judges, he deliver'd over to the Persons injur'd, to be by them carry'd away to Prison, so that they who before through their insolency * 1.9 and covetousness committed all manner of Injustice, were unexpectedly hurried away to the Goal by them that they had injur'd. Moreover by discharging his own Ex∣pences and the Expences of his Retinue out of his own private Purse, he soon inclin'd the Hearts of all the Province towards the People of Rome.

8. Lucius Asellius (whose Father was a Quaestor) being sent Praetor into Sicily, finding * 1.10 in the Province great Havock and Devastation, by his prudent management of things in a short time restor'd it to its former state and condition. For after the Example of Scoe∣vola, he made choice of his intimate Friend Caius Sempronius Longus for his Legate, and join'd with him Publius, the famous Roman Knight for his Counsellor, who then resided at Syracuse, and besides the goods of Fortune, was eminent for the Virtues of his Mind; his Piety towards the Gods is sufficiently testify'd by his Sacrifices, Gifts, and Adorning of the Temples. And the quick and lively use of all his Senses to the last moment of his Life was an evident Argument of his Sobriety and Temperance: And his Learning, & courteous Disposition are apparent from the great Value and Esteem he ever had of learned Men, and his Bounty and Liberality out of his own Purse towards them that appli'd themselves to the study of the Liberal Arts and Sciences. Assellius assisted with the advice of those two Men, who continu'd with him under the same Roof, and sate with him in Judg∣ment

upon the Bench, made it his daily care to reform and set all things right again in the Province.

9. In the Courts of Justice, he aim'd at the Publick Good, and clear'd the Court of all * 1.11 Sycophants, and false Accusers; and it was his chief care to relieve the poorest Man, and those that were less able to help themselves; for whereas the other Praetors committed the care of Orphans and Widows, that were destitute of Friends, to Tutors and Guardi∣ans that were Strangers, he lookt after them himself, and decided their Causes with all the care and diligence imaginable, and was a great Relief to the Oppressed. And as long as he was Governor of Sicily, continually using his utmost endeavour to Suppress both private and publick Injuries, he at length settled the Province in its former State of happiness and prosperity.

10. Marcus Livius Drusus, tho' he was very young, yet was adorn'd with whatever * 1.12 was commendable either in reference to his Body or Mind: For he was the Son of a renown'd Father, who was singularly belov'd of the People of Rome, both upon the ac∣count of his noble Birth, and virtuous Qualifications. And he himself for Eloquence excell'd all his equals in Age, and all his fellow Citizens in Wealth and Riches: And up∣on the account of his Faithfulness to his Word, he gain'd a very great Interest and Au∣thority among the Citizens, and being likewise of a great Spirit, seem'd to be the only Patron of the Senate.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Slaves in Scicily and o∣thers, their Cruelties.
• * 1.2

  Saturninus.
• * 1.3

  The Roman Manners dege∣nerated.
• * 1.4

  Of Faleri∣nus in Cam∣pania, in the Kingdom of Naples, now call'd Terra di Lavaro.
• * 1.5

  Every Drach∣ma Seven pence half-peny, so 100 Drachmas is 3l. 2s. 6d.
• * 1.6

  Mucius Scae∣vola, his Vir∣tues. Ush. An. 509. Cited.
• * 1.7

  Publius Ru∣tilius Rufus.
• * 1.8

  Mucius Scae∣vola. Ush. An. cited 509.
• * 1.9

  Mucius Scae∣vola. Ush. An. ibid.
• * 1.10

  Lucius Asel∣lius. a prudent Governor of Sicily.
• * 1.11

  Asilius.
• * 1.12

  M. Livius Drusus.