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A summary of the Roman wars for the space of two hundred years.
HItherto the Roman people seem'd to ex∣presse a certain Noblenesse, Gallantry, Sanctity and Magnificence in their actions. The remainder of that age, as it produc'd atchievements equally great, so did they exceed in turbulence and in∣famy; vices improving with the dilatation of the Empire. So that if any one divide this its third age, employ'd in forrein acquests, he will acknowledge the former Century thereof,
wherein Africk, Macedonia, Sicily and Spain were subdu'd, justly to have deserv'd (as the Poëts speak) the name of Golden; and the en∣suing Century to have been of Iron, and san∣guinary, or if any thing can be more inhu∣mane; as comprehending the Jugurthine, the Cimbrian, the Mithridatick, Gaulish and Ger∣mane wars (whereby the Roman glory ascended up to the skies) together with the Gracchian and Drusian massacres, as also the Servile wars, and, to compleat our infamy, our engage∣ments even with the Gladiators. At last, the Commonwealth arming against it self, by the commotions of Marius and Sylla, and in fine by the wars between Caesar and Pompey, as if pos∣sess'd with a spirit of madnesse and fury, be∣came ( ô horrour!) its own executioner. Which transactions though ravell'd and confus'd to∣gether, yet that they may the better appear, and that there may be a difference between their Heynous and Heroick actions, they shall be set down a part. And in the first place, we shall as we have already begun give an account of those pious and just wars with forreign nati∣ons, that the continual augmentation of the Empire may be made manifest. And then we shall return to the horrid actions, and the foul and execrable broils of our own people.
Reliqua sae∣culi.
Per rabiem & furorem, nefas! semet, &c.