The history of the world

§. I. How the Romans grew acquainted in the East Countries, and desirous of warre there. The beginning of many Princes, with great warres, at one time. The Aetolians ouerrun Pelopon∣nesus. [unspec 40] PHILIP and his Associates make war against the Aetolians. Alteration of the State in Sparta. The Aetolians inuade Greece and Macedon, and are inuaded at home by PHILIP.

OF the great similitude found in worldly euents, the li∣mitation of matter hath beene assigned as a proba∣ble* 1.1 cause. For since Nature is confined vnto a sub∣iect that is not vnbounded; the workes of Nature must needes be finite, and many of them resemble one the other. Now in those actions, that seeme to haue their whole dependance vpon the will of man, [unspec 50] we are lesse to wonder, if we find lesse varietie: since it is no great portion of things which is obnoxious vnto humane power; and since they are the same affections, by which the wills of sundrie men are o∣uer-ruled,

in mannaging the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of our daily life. It may bee obserued in the change of Empires, before those times whereof we now write, how the Assyrians or Chaldaeans inuaded the kingdome of the Medes, with two hundred thousand foote and threescore thousand horse: but fayling in their intended conquest, they became subiect within a while themselues vnto the Medes and Persians. In like manner Darius, and after him Xerxes, fell vpon the Greekes with such numbers of men, as might haue seemed 〈◊〉〈◊〉. But 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were beaten home, their Empire was neuer secure of the Greekes: who at all times of leasure from intestine warre deuised vpon that conquest thereof, which finally they made vnder the great Alexander. If Nabuchodonosor with his rough old souldiours, had vndertaken the [unspec 10] Medes: or Cyrus with his well trayned Armie, had made the attempt vpon Greece; the issue might, in humane reason, haue beene farre different. Yet would it then haue beene expedient for them, to employ the trauell and vertue of their men, ra∣ther than the greatnesse of their names, against those people; that were no lesse va∣liant, though lesse renowned, than their owne. For the menacing wordes vsed by Cyrus, and some small displeasures done to the Greekes (in which kind it may bee, that Nabuchodonosor likewise offended the Medes and Persians) were not so auailea∣ble to victory, as to draw on reuenge in the future. Great Kingdomes, when they decay in strength, suffer as did the old Lyon, for the oppression done in his youth; being pinched by the Wolfe, gored by the Bull, yea and kickt by the Asse. But [unspec 20] Princes are often carried away from reason, by misse-vnderstanding the language of Fame: and despising the vertue that makes little noise, aduenture to prouoke it against themselues; as if it were not possible that their owne glory should be foyled by any of lesse-noted excellence. Against the same stone, whereat Xerxes, and before him (as I take it) Euilmerodach, had stumbled; Pyrrhus the Epirot hath dash his foot. Hee was not indeed the King of all Greece; though most of marke, and a better soul∣diour than any other Greekish King, when he entred into war against the Romans. This war he vndertooke as it were for his mindes sake: hauing receiued no iniurie; but hoping by the glory of his name, and of the Greekes that serued vnder him, to preuaile so easily against the barbarous Romans, that they should onely serue as a [unspec 30] step to his further intended conquests, of Sicil and Africk. But when the Romans, by their victory against Pyrrhus; had found their owne vertue to bee of richer mettall, than was the more shining valour of the Greekes: then did all the brauery of the Epirot (his Elephants and whatsoeuer else had serued to make him terrible) serue onely to make the Romans, in time following, to thinke more highly of themselues. * 1.2 For since they had ouercome the best Warriour in Greece, euen Him; that, being thus beaten by them, could in a yeere after make himselfe Lord of Greece and Mace∣don: what should 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them from the conquest of all those vnwarlike Prouinces, which in compasse of twelue yeeres a Macedonian King of late memory had won? Certainly there was hereunto requisite no more, than to bring to their owne deuo∣tion [unspec 40] by some good meanes, the whole Country of Greece: all the rest, this done, would follow of itselfe. How to deale with the Greekes; Philip and Alexander had shewed a way: which, or perhaps a better, they might learne, by getting more ac∣quaintance with the Nation.

When therefore the first Punick war was ended, which followed soone after the wars of Pyrrhus and of the Tarentines: then were the Romans at good leisure to hear∣ken after newes in Greece; and to entertaine any good occasion, that should bee on that side presented. They had also then a strong Fleet: and were become, though not otherwise very skilfull Mariners, yet good fighters at Sea. So it fell out as hap∣pily as could be wished, that the Illyrian Queene Teuta made at the same time cru∣ell [unspec 50] warre vpon the Greekes: wasting their Country, and sacking their Townes, only because they were vnable to resist, though they had done her none offence. Into this quarrell if the Romans were desirous to enter; the Queene was not slow to giue them e 1.3 cause. And their happy accomplishing of that war which they made with

Her, was, in their owne opinion, a matter not vnworthy to make their Patronage to be desired by the Greekes. But no such thing happened: though they sent Embas∣sadours, as it were to offer themselues; by signifying, that for the loue of Greece they had vndertaken this Illyrian warre. Thus began the first acquaintance betwixt the Greekes and Romanes: which afterwards encreased very hastily, through the indiscre∣tion of King Philip the Macedonian; whose businesse with them being now the sub∣iect of our storie, it is meet that we should relate (though somewhat briefely) the be∣ginning of his reigne, and his first Actions.

It was like to proue a busie time in the world, when, within the space of foure yeares, new Kings began to reigne in the most of all Countries knowne; and three [unspec 10] of them yong boyes, in three of the greatest Kingdomes. This happened from the third yeare of the hundred thirty ninth Olympiad, vnto the third of the Olympiad fol∣lowing. For in this time died Seleucus Ceraunus King of Asia and Syria, in whose roome succeeded his brother Antiochus, afterwards called the great. Ptolemie Philo∣pator succeeded in the Kingdome of Aegypt vnto his father Euergetes. And Philip the sonne of Demetrius, being sixteene or seuenteene yeares old, receiued the Kingdome of Macedon, together with the Patronage of the Achaeans and most of the Greekes; by the decease of his Vncle Antigonus Doson, that was called the Tutor or Protector. A∣bout the same time also was the like change in Cappadocia, Lacedaemon, and the Coun∣tries about Mount Taurus. For Ariarathes then beganne his reigne in Cappadocia. Ly∣curgus [unspec 20] found meanes to make himselfe King ouer the Lacedaemonians, whose Com∣mon-weale, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the flight of Cleomenes, had continued in a manner headlesse; and Achaeus, a kinsman of Antiochus, but a Rebell vnto him, occupied the Regions neare vnto Mount Taurus, and kept a while the State of a mighty King. Lastly, in the second and third yeares of the hundred and fortieth Olympiad it was, that open war brake out betweene Rome and Carthage; and that Hannibal began his great Inuasion vpon Italie. Those troubles of the Westerne world, which were indeed the greatest, we haue alreadie followed vnto an end: Of Antiochus, Ptolemie, and the rest, we shall speake hereafter, when the Romanes finde them out.

Philip, soone after the beginning of his reigne, came into Pcloponnesus; greatly de∣sired [unspec 30] of the Achaeans, and many others his dependants. That Country, hauing freed it selfe by the helpe of Antigonus from the danger (accounted great) of an easie sub∣iection vnto Cleomenes: was now become no lesse obnoxious to the Macedonian, than it should haue beene to the Spartan; and therewithall it lay open vnto the violence of the Aetolians, who despised euen the Macedonian Kings, that were Patrons ther∣of. These Aetolians were no men to be idle; nor were much addicted to any other Art, than warre. Therefore wanting employment, they fell vpon the Messenians that were their owne Clients, and excepting the Eleans, that were anciently of their con∣sanguinitie) the onely good friends which they had at the present in Peloponnesus. Their inuasion was no lesse vnexpected, then it was vniust: whereby with greater [unspec 40] ease they made spoile of the Countrey; finding none prepared to make resistance. The Achaeans, were called by the Messenians to helpe: which they did the more wil∣lingly; because the Aetolians passing without leaue through their Territorie, had (as was their manner) done what harme they listed. Olde Aratus could ill abide these Aetolians; as both knowing well their nature, and remembring the iniuries, wherewith most vngratefully they had required no small benefits done to them by the Achaeans. He was therefore so hasty to fall vpon this their Armie, that hee could hardly endure to stay a few dayes vntill the time of his owne Office came; being chosen Praetor of the Achaeans for the yeare following. But his anger was greater* 1.4 than his courage: and he shewed himselfe a man fitter (as hath beene alreadie no∣ted* 1.5 [unspec 50] of him) for any other seruice, than leading of an Armie. He suffered them to passe quietly along with their bootie, through a great part of the Countrie, wherein he might easily haue distressed them; and afterwards pressed them so neare, when they had recouered ground of aduantage, that they easily defeated all his Armie.

So they departed home rich, and well animated to returne againe. As for the Achae∣ans; they got hereby onely the friendship of the Messenians: with whom, by licence of King Philip, they made confederacie. Shortly after, the Aetolians inuaded Pelo∣ponnesus againe; hauing no more to doe, than to passe ouer the narrow Streights of the Corinthian Bay, called now the Gulfe of Lepanto, where they might land in the Country of the Eleans. There ioyned with them in this their second Inuasion a great number of the Illyrians: who neglecting that condition imposed vpon them by the Romans, of setting out no ships of warre vnto the Coast of Greece; made bold to seeke aduentures againe, and did great mischiefe. Demetrius Phartus, a creature of* 1.6 the Romans, commanded a part of these Illyrians: who shortly repented him of this [unspec 10] his voyage; which caused him to lose his Kingdome, as is shewed before. But this Demetrius went another way, and fell vpon the Ilands of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea: whence returning, he did some good offices for King Philip or his friends. The rest of the Illyrians vnder 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or Scerdiletus, hauing gotten what they could else-where by rouing at Sea, accompanied the Aetolians into Peloponnesus: who made greater hauocke in the Countrie now, than in their former Expedition; and returned home, without finding any resistance.

Of these things great complaint was made vnto Philip, when he came to Corinth. And because men were desirous to satisfie themselues with some speedie reuenge: there were that vrged to haue some grieuous punishment laid vpon the Lacedaemoni∣ans: [unspec 20] who were thought vnder-hand to haue fauoured the Aetolians, in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de∣spight of the Achaeans and Macedonians, by whom themselues had lately beene sub∣dued. It is true, that the Lacedaemonians had beene so affected: and (which was worse) at the arriuall of Philip, they slue such friends of his, as hauing checked their inclination, seemed likely to appeach them of the intended rebellion. Neither durst they well commit themselues to iudgement: but entreated the King, that he would abstaine from comming to them with an Armie: since their Towne was lately much disquieted with ciuill discord, which they hoped soone to appease, and meant al∣wayes to remaine at his deuotion. Philip was easily satisfied with this: not for that he (or rather old Aratus, who then wholly gouerned him) did misse-vnderstand [unspec 30] the Lacedaemonians: but for that a greater worke was in hand, which ought not to be interrupted. There met at Corinth, in presence of the King, the Embassadours of the Achaeans, Boeotians, Phocians, Epirots, and Acarnanians: all complaining vpon the Aetolians: and desiring to haue warre decreed against them, by common assent. Philip sent his letters vnto the Aetolians: requiring them to make ready their answer in some conuenient time 〈◊〉〈◊〉 if they could alleadge any thing in excuse of that which they had done. They returned word, that a Diet should be holden at Rhium for that purpose: whither if it pleased him to come or send, hee should be well informed of them and their whole meaning. The King prepared to haue beene there at the day. But when the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnderstood this for certaintie, they adiourned the Councell [unspec 40] vnto a further time: saying, That such weightie matters ought not to be handled, saue in the great Parliament of all Aetolia. This tricke of Law not withstanding, open warre was proclaimed against them. And they, as it were to shew how well they had deserued it, made election of Scopas to be their Praetor, that was Author of these In∣uasions made on Peloponnesus; and the onely man, in a sort, vpon whom they must haue laid the blame of these actions, if they would haue shifted it from the publike.

After this, Philip went into Macedon; where he prepared busily for the warre a∣gainst the yeere following. He also assayed the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Scerdilaidas, with faire 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and promises: whom he easily won from the Aetolian side, forasmuch as the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had cousened him of his share, when he was partner with them in their late rob∣beries. [unspec 50] In like sort the Achaeans, who had first of all others proclaimed the warre in their owne Country, sent vnto the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Epirots, Messenians, and Lacedaemo∣nians: requesting them forth with to declare themselues, and to denounce warre vnto the Aetolians, without staying (as it were) to await the euent. Hereunto they receiued

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diuerse answeres, according to the qualities of those with whom they dealt. The Acarnanians, a free-hearted and valiant, though a small Nation, and bordering vpon the Aetolians, of whom they stood in continuall danger; said, that they could not honestly refuse to shew their faithfull meaning in that warre, which was concluded by generall assent. The Epirots that were more mightie, were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more cunning and reserued: so that they stood vpon a needlesse point; and desired to bee held excused, vntill Philip (of whose meaning they needed not to haue made any doubt) should first proclaime the warre. The Messenians, for whose cause the warre was vndertaken, excused themselues, by reason of a Towne which the Aetolians held vpon their borders; and said, that they durst not be ouer-bold, vntill that bridle [unspec 10] were taken out of their mouthes. As for the Lacedaemonians; the chiefe of them stu∣died onely how to mannage that treason, for which their Citie had beene so lately pardoned: and therefore dismissed the Embassadours of the Confederates, without any answere at all. They had three yeares together continued subiect against their wils to the Macedonians, expecting still when Cleomenes should returne out of Ae∣gypt to raigne ouer them againe; and maintaine, as he was wont, the honour of their Citie. In this regard they chose not any Kings; but were contented with the rule of Ephori. Of these there were some, that thought the publike safetie to consist, in holding their faith with the Macedonian that had preserued them: And hereto they referred all their counsailes; being perhaps not a little moued with respect of the [unspec 20] benefit, which might redound vnto themselues, by adhering firmely to those which at the present 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rule ouer them. Others, and those the greater part, were still deuising, how to make all readie for Cleomenes against his returne; and therefore sought to ioyne with the Aetolians, which were the most likely to giue him strong assistance. The Macedonian faction had the more authoritie, and durst more freely speake their mindes: but the contrary side was the more passionate; and spared not by murders, or any other violent courses, to set forward their desire. Neyther did it suffice, that about these times there came certaine report of Cleomenes his death. For it was the liberty and honour of Sparta, which these intended: fancying vnto them∣selues the glory of their Ancestors in such Agespast, as were not like to come againe. [unspec 30] Cleomenes was, they knew, the most able man to restore them vnto their greatnesse and lustre; which once he had in a manner performed: But since he was dead, and that, without iniury to his well-deseruing vertue, they might proceed to the electi∣on of new Kings: Kings they would haue, and those of the race of Hercules, as in former times; for that without such helpes, they must continue little better than subiects vnto the Macedonian, and farre lesse by him respected, than were the Achae∣ans. Thus were they transported, by contemplation of their old Nobility and fame. Some of the most working spirits among them, procured the Aetolians to send an Embassie to Sparta: which propounded the matter openly vnto the people; where∣of no one of the Citizens durst haue made himselfe the Author. Much disputation [unspec 40] and hot there was, betweene those of the Macedonian partie and these their oppo∣sites: in such wise that nothing could be concluded; vntill by massacre or banish∣ment of all, or the chiefe, that spake against the Aetolians, the diuersitie of opinion was taken quite away. Then forth with a League was concluded betweene the La∣cedaemonians and Aetolians: without all regard of the Macedonians or Achaeans; who had spared the Citie, when they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 haue destroyed it. Then also they went in hand with the election of new Kings: wherein their diligence was so nice, and so re∣gardfull of their ancient Lawes, as touching the choosing of the one King; that we may iustly wonder, how they grew so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in making choyce of the other. In the one of their Royall Families they found Agesipolis, the sonne of Agesipolis the son [unspec 50] of King Cleombrotus: and him they admitted to raigne ouer them, as heire apparant to his Grandfather. This Agesipolis was a yong boy, standing in neede of a Guar∣dian; and had an Vncle, his fathers brother, that was fit for the Gouernment. Yet because the Law required, that the sonne, how yong soeuer, should haue his fa∣thers

whole right and title: the Lacedaemonians, though standing in neede of a man, were so punctuall in obseruation of the Law; that they made this childe their King, and appointed his Vncle Cleomenes to bee his Protector. But in the other branch of the Royall family, though there was no want of heires: yet would not the people trouble themselues about any of them, to examine the goodnesse of his Claime; but made election of one 〈◊〉〈◊〉, who hauing no manner of title to the kingdome, bestowed vpon each of the Ephori a Talent, and thereby made himselfe be saluted King of Sparta, and a Gentleman of the race of Hercules. This 〈◊〉〈◊〉, to gratifie his Partisans, and to approue his worth by Action; inuaded the Countrie of the Argiues: which lay open and vngarded, as in a time of peace. There hee did [unspec 10] great spoile, and wanne diuers Townes; whereof two hee retained, and annexed vnto the State of Lacedaemon. After such open hostilitie, the Lacedaemonians de∣clared themselues on the Aetolian side; and proclaimed warre against the A∣chaeans.

Thus the beginnings of the warre fell out much otherwise, than the Achaeans and their Confederates had expected, when they first made preparation. Philip was not readie: the Epirots gaue vncertaine answere: the Messenians would not stirre: all the burden must lie vpon themselues and the poore 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whom the Aeto∣lians, by fauour of the Eleans, could inuade at pleasure, as they were like to 〈◊〉〈◊〉; and by helpe of the Lacedaemonians, could assaile on all parts at once. It was not long [unspec 20] ere the Aetolians, passing ouer the Bay of Corinth, surprised the Towne of Aegira: which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they could haue held, they should thereby grieuously haue molested the Achaeans; for that it stood in the mid-way betweene Aegium and Sicyon two of their principall Cities, and gaue open way into the heart of all their Countrie. But as Aegira was taken by surprise: so was it presently lost againe, through greedinesse of spoile; whilest they that should haue made it their first care to assure the place vnto themselues, by occupying the Cittadell and other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of strength, fell heed∣lessely to ransack priuate houses, and thereby gaue the Citizens leaue to make head, by whom they were driuen with great slaughter backe vnto their Fleet. About the same time, another Aetolian 〈◊〉〈◊〉 landing among the Eleans, fell vpon the [unspec 30] Westerne Coast of Achaia; wasting all the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Dymaeans and other peo∣ple, that were first beginners of the Achaean Confederacie. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and their neighbours made head against these Inuaders; but were so well beaten, that the ene∣mie grew bolder with them than before. They sent for helpe vnto their Praetor, and to all the Townes of their Societie. In vaine. For the Achaeans hauing lately beene much weakened by Cleomenes, were now able to doe little of themselues: nei∣ther could they get any strength of Mercinaries; for asmuch as at the end of Cleome∣nes his war, they had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with-held part of their due from those that serued them therein. So through this disabilitie of the Achaeans, and insufficiencie of their Praetor; the Dymaeans, with others, were driuen to with-hold their contribution here∣tolore [unspec 40] made for the publike seruice, and to conuert the monie to their owne defence. Lycurgus also with his Lacedaemonians, began to winne vpon the Arcadians; that were confederate with Philip and the Achaeans.

Philip came to the borders of the Aetolians, whilst their Armie was thus employed a farre off in Peloponnesus. The Epirots ioyned all their forces with him: and by such their willing readines, drew him to the siege of a Frontier 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which they desired to get into their owne hands; for that, by commoditie thereof, they hoped shortly to make themselues Masters of Ambracia. There he spent fortie dayes, ere he could end the busines; which tended onely to the benefit of the Epirots. Had he entred into the heart of Aetolia at his first comming; it was thought that he might haue made an end [unspec 50] of the war. But it happens oft, that the violence of great Armies is broken vpon small Townes or Forts: and not seldome, that the importunitie of Associates, to haue their own desires fulfilled, conuerts the preparations of great Kings to those 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for which they neuer were intended; thereby hindering the prosecution of their 〈◊〉〈◊〉

dessignes. Thus was our King Henrie the eight led aside, and quite out of his way, by Maximilian the Emperour to the siege of Tournay: at such time as the French King Lewes the twelfth, hearing that the strong Citie of Terwin was lost, and that of his Cauellerie, wherein rested his chiefe confidence, two thousand were beaten by the Earle of Essex with seuen hundred English; was thinking to withdraw himselfe into Brittaine, in feare that Henrie would haue come to Paris.

The stay that Philip made at Ambracus, did wondrously embolden the Aetolians: in such sort, as their Praetor Scopas aduentured to lead all their forces out of the Countrie; and therewith not onely to ouer-runne Thessalie, but to make impression into Macedon. He ranne as farre as to Dium, a Citie of Macedon vpon the Aegean [unspec 10] Sea: which, being forsaken by the Inhabitants at his comming, Hee tooke, and ra∣zed to the ground. Hee spared neither Temple, nor any other of the goodly buildings therein, but ouerturned all: and among the rest, he threw downe the Sta∣tua's that were there erected, of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Kings. For this he was highly ho∣noured by his Countrimen at his returne; forasmuch as hereby they thought their Nation to be growne terrible, not onely (as before) vnto Peloponnesus, but euen to Macedon it selfe. But this their pride was soone abated; and they rewarded shortly at home in their owne Countrie, for their paines taken at Dium. Philip hauing dis∣patched his worke at Ambracus, made a strong inuasion vpon Aetolia. Hee tooke Phoetiae, Metropolis, Oeniade, Paeanium, Elaeus, and diuers other Townes and Castles [unspec 20] of theirs: of which hee burnt some, and fortified others. Hee also beat the Aeto∣lians in sundrie skirmishes; and wasted all the Countrie ouer, without receiuing any harme. This done, while he was about to make a cut ouer the Streights into Pelo∣ponnesus, and to doe the like spoile in the Countrie of the Eleans, whereto he was ve∣hemently sollicited by the Achaean Embassadours: newes came out of Macedon, that the Dardanians were readie with a great Armie to fall vpon the Countrie. These Dardanians were a barbarous people, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by Mount Haemus from the Northerne part of Macedon; and were accustomed to seeke bootie in that wealthie Kingdome, when they found their owne times. Hauing therefore intelligence, that Philip was a∣bout to make a journie into Peloponnesus: they purposed in his absence, which they [unspec 30] thought would bee long, to get what they could for themselues in his Countrie; as had beene their manner vpon the like aduantages. This made the King to dismisse the Achaean Embassadours, (whom hee should haue accompanied home with his Armie) and to bid them haue patience vntill another yeare. So Hee tooke his way home: and as he was passing out of Acarnania into Epirus, there came to him Deme∣trius Pharius with no more than one Ship; that was newly chaced out of his King∣dome by the Romans. This Demetrius had lately shewed himselfe a friend to Anti∣gonus Doson, in the warres of Cleomenes: and returning in his last Voyage from the Cyclades, was readie, at their first request, to take part with Philips Captaines. These, or the like considerations, made him welcome vnto the Macedonian King: whose [unspec 40] Counsailor he was euer after. The Dardanians hearing of the Kings returne, brake vp their Armie; and gaue ouer for the present their inuasion of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, towardes which they were alreadie on their way.

All that Summer following the King rested at Larissa in Thessalie, whilest his peo∣ple gathered in their Haruest. But the Aetolians rested not. They auenged them∣selues vpon the Epirots: whom for the harmes by them and Philip done in Aetolia, they requited with all extremities of warre, among which, the most notable was the ruine of the famous Temple of Dodona. When Winter grew on, and all thought of warre vntill another yeare was laid aside: Philip stole a journie into Peloponnesus, with fiue thousand Foot, and about foure hundred Horse. As soone as hee was [unspec 50] within Corinth; He comanded the Gates to be shut, that no word might bee carried foorth of his arriuall. He sent priuily for old Aratus to come thither vnto him: with whom he tooke order, when, and in what places, hee would haue the Achaean Soul∣diors readie to meet him. The Enemies were then abroad in the Countrie, with

somewhat more than two thousand Foot and an hundred Horse; little thinking to meete with such opposition. Indeed they had little cause to feare: since the Achaeans themselues were not aware that the King was in their Land with his Macedonians; vntill they heard, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these two thousand Eleans, Aetolians, and their fellowes, were by him surprised and all made prisoners, or slaine. By this exploit which hee did at his first comming, Philip got very much reputation: as likewise hee purchased both reputation and loue, by diuers actions immediately following. He wanne Pso∣phis, an exceeding strong Towne, in the borders of Arcadia; which the Eleans and Aetolians then held. Hee wanne it by assault at his first comming: wherein it much auailed him, that the Enemie, not beleeuing that he would vndertake such a peece [unspec 10] of worke at such an vnseasonable time of the yeere, was carelesse of prouiding euen such store of weapons, as might haue serued to defend it. The Towne was preser∣ued by the King from sacke; and giuen to the Achaeans, of his owne meere motion, before they requested it. Thence went he to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which yeelded for very feare; hearing how easily he had taken Psophis This Towne also he gaue to the Achaeans. The like liberality he vsed towards others; that had ancient title vnto places by him recouered. Then fell he vpon the Countrie of Elis, where was much wealth to bee gotten: for that the people were addicted to husbandrie, and liued abroad in Villages; euen such as were of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sort among them. So he came to the Citie of Olympia: where hauing done sacrifice to Iupiter, feasted his Captaines, and [unspec 20] refreshed his Armie three dayes; Hee proceeded on to the spoile of those, that had taken pleasure to share with the Aetolians, in the spoiles of their other-wise-deser∣uing neighbours. Great abundance of Cattatle hee tooke, with great numbers of slaues, and much wealth of all sorts; such as could bee found in rich villages. Then fell he in band with the Townes whereinto a great multitude of the Countrie-peo∣ple were fled. Some of these were taken at the first assault. Some yeelded for feare. Some preuented the labour of his journie, by sending Embassadours to yeeld be∣fore hee came. And some that were held with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against their wils, tooke courage to set themselues at libertie, by seeing the King so neare; to whose Patro∣nage thenceforth they betooke themselues. And many places were spoiled by the [unspec 30] Aetolian Captaines; because they distrusted their ability to hold them. So the King wanne more Townes in the Countrie, than the sharpenesse of Winter would suffer him to stay there dayes. Faine he would haue fought with the Aetolians: but they made such hast from him, that he could not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them, vntill they had couered themselues within the Towne of Samicum; where they thought to haue beene safe. But Philip assaulted them therein so forcibly, that hee made them glad to yeeld the place; obtaining licence to depart, with their liues and armes. Hauing performed so much in this Expedition, the King reposed himselfe a while in Megalopolis; and then remoued to Argos, where he spent all the rest of the Winter.

Before the Kings sarriuall in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the Lacedaemonians with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their [unspec 40] new King, had gotten somewhat in Arcadia; and threatned to doe great matters. But when they were admonished, by the calamitie that fell vpon the Eleans, of the danger hanging ouer their owne heads; they quitted their winnings and withdrew themselues home. This Lycurgus, as hee had no other right to the Kingdome of Sparta, than that which he could buy with monie: so was hee neither free from dan∣ger of conspiracies made against him; nor from those jealousies, with which Vsur∣pers are commonly perplexed. There was one Chilon, of the Royall bloud, that thinking himselfe to haue best right vnto the Kingdome, purposed to make way thereunto, by massacre of his opposites; and afterwards to confirme himselfe, by propounding vnto the Multitude such reformation of the State as was most popu∣lar: [unspec 50] namely, by making an equall distribution of all the Lands among the whole number of the Citizens, according to the ancient institution of that Common∣wealth. He wanne to his partie some two hundred men; with whom hee sell vpon the Ephori as they were together at supper, and slew them all. Then went he to Ly∣curgus

his house: wo 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the danger, stole away and fled. It remained that he should giue account of these doings to the people, and procure them to take part with him. But their mindes being not hereto praedisposed; they so little regarded his goodly offers, as euen whilst he was vsing his best perswasions, they were consul∣ting how to apprehend him. Chilon perceiued whereabout they went, and shifted presently away. So hee liued afterwards among the Achaeans a banished man, and hated of his own people. As for Lycurgus, he returned home: and suspecting thence∣forth all those of Hercules his race, found meanes to driue out his fellow. King yong Agesipolis; whereby he made himselfe Lord alone. His doings grew to be suspected, in such sort as once he should haue beene apprehended by the Ephori. But though [unspec 10] his actions hitherto might haue beene defended; yet rather than to aduenture him∣selfe into iudgement, hee chose to flie for a time, and sojourne among his friendes the Aetolians. His wel-knowne vehemencie in opposition to the Macedonians, had procured vnto him such good liking among the people, that in his absence they be∣ganne to consider the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of their owne surmises against him; and pronoun∣cing him innocent, recalled him home to his Estate. But in time following, Hee tooke better heed vnto himselfe: not by amending his condition (for he grew a Ty∣rant, and was so acknowledged) but by taking order, that it should not bee in the power of the Citizens to expell him when they listed. By what actions hee got the name of a Tyrant: or at what time it was, that he chaced Agesipolis out of the Ci∣tie; [unspec 20] I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not certainly finde. Like enough it is, That his being the first of three vsurpers, which followed in order one after another, made him to bee placed in the ranke of Tyrants; which the last of the three very iustly deserued. Whatsoeuer he was towards some priuate Citizens: in the war against Philip, He behaued himselfe as a prouident man, and carefull of his Countries good.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Plut. in vita 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  The King of Spaines pre∣tended inuin∣cible Nauie, being beaten out of the Bri∣tish seas, inui∣ted vs to those of Spaine: and hauing broken the greatest Fleet that euer the Spaniards gathered to∣gether; wee neuer made account of a∣ny 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his pre∣parations after that time.
• e 1.3

  Lib. 5. cb. 2. §. 7.
• * 1.4

  Lib. 5. chap. 2. §. 6.
• * 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.6

  Chap. 3. §. 1.