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IF the former Books are so happy as to answer the Title of their Chap∣ters, and to deserve the Reader's Perusal, I shall now produce the Stratagems of War which have been practised in the Besieging and the De∣fence of Towns. I shall not insist upon any Preface, but only deliver the Sub∣tilties that have been used in the taking of Cities, and Policies which may serve
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the Besieged in some stead, setting aside all the Works and Engines which are sufficiently known and found out; so that I see no possibility to deliver any new thing concerning them. But in re∣lation to the taking and defence of Towns we shall treat upon these several Heads.
T. Quintius the Consul, having overcome in Battel the Aequi and the Volsci, People of Italy, he resolved to take the Town of Antium: he therefore made a Speech to his Army, and shewed them how needful and easie it was for them, if they went on without Delay. In that Heat and Courage which he had caused by his Speech, he set upon the Town and took it.
2. M. Cato, in Spain, perceived that he might get into his Hands a certain Town if he did assault the Inhabitants before they were aware; he therefore performed in two days the March of four, through difficult and desart ways and places, and came up∣on the Enemies before they feared him, and over∣came them: and when his Men had happily suc∣ceeded, and asked of him the cause of such an ea∣sie Performance, he told them, that then they be∣gan to be Conquerours when in two days they per∣formed the March of four.
WHen Domitius Calvinus besieged the Town of Luca, belonging to the Ligurians, which was strengthened not only by the Scitua∣tion and Fortifications, but also by the Number and Courage of the Defendants, resolved to surround the Walls many times with all his Army, and then to retreat as often into his Camp. By this Custom the Townsmen were perswaded that the Romans did practise this only to exercise themselves: and when they never feared any thing from this constant March, the General turned the Walk into a sudden Assault, in which they took the Walls, and obliged the Inhabitants to surrender themselves and their Town.
2. C. Duillius the Consul likewise by exercising the Souldiers and his Seamen, he brought the Car∣thaginians into that Security, because his former Custom had done them no harm, that suddenly he run upon them with his whole Fleet, and took their Fortifications.
3. Hannibal master'd many Towns in Italy by sending before some of his own People in the Garb of Romans, who had got the Latin Tongue by the long continuance of the War.
4. The Arcades, besieging a Castle of the Messini∣ans, made certain Arms in the resemblance of their Enemies, and at that time that they found that
their Guards were relieved, they furnished some of their own Party in the Habit of those that were expected, and by this Mistake, being received in as Companions, they got Possession of the Place with the Slaughter of their Enemies.
5. Cimon, General of the Athenians, having plac'd an Ambuscado for a certain City in Caria, set on fire in the Night unexpectedly a Temple of Diana, much reverenced by the Inhabitants, with a Grove adjoyning, which was without the Walls: when therefore the Citizens came out to extinguish the fire, he took the Town, being almost empty of its Inhabitants.
6. When Alcibiades, the General of the Atheni∣ans, besieged the City of the Agrigentini, which was very well fortified, he desired to parley with them in their Assembly: he discours'd a long time with them about common things in their Theatre, where, according to the Grecians Custom, is the usual place of Deliberation. And while he enter∣tained the multitude under a pretence of consulting with them, the Athenians, whom he had provided for that Purpose, took Possession of the City Walls.
7. Epaminondas, the Theban General in Arcadia, when the Women of the Enemies came out of the City on a Festival Day, and wander'd up and down in Companies, joyned to them some of his own Souldiers in the Garb of Women, who being ad∣mitted in that Habit within the Gates, towards the Night master'd the Town, and let in their own Men.
8. Aristippus the Lacedaemonian, on the Festival Day of the Tegeatae, when a multitude were gone out of the Walls to celebrate the Services of Mi∣nerva, sent Beasts loaden and filled with Sacks of
Straw instead of Wheat, into the City, with Soul∣diers to drive them, who were under the Appear∣ance of Merchants admitted, and they opened the Gates undiscover'd to their own Men.
9. Antiochus, in Cappadocia, took a Beast, which was come out of a Castle called Suenda, to fetch Wheat; and having kill'd the Drivers, he sent with it his own Men in the Garb of those Drivers, as if they had returned with the expected Grain. The Guards being cozen'd with this Deceit, suffer'd them to enter, and they made way for the Souldiers of Antiochus.
10. When the Thebans could by no means get into their Possession the Haven of the Sicyonii, they built a very great Ship, and fill'd it with armed Men, covering them with some Wares, that it might appear a Vessel for Trade; and at the same time caused a small number of Men to appear at a very great distance from the Walls, with whom, some few without Arms were to meet coming out of the Ship, and to pretend and make a shew of quarrel∣ing: which when the Sicyonii saw, they went out to cause the Dispute to cease: in the mean while the Ships of the Thebans enter'd into the empty Ha∣ven and City, and took them.
11. Thymarchus the Aetolian, having slain Char∣mades, the Admiral of King Ptolomy, took on him his Cloak and Head piece, after the Macedonian manner; and by this Deceit he was received into the Haven of the Samnii, and master'd it.
PApyrius, sirnamed Cursor, at Tarentum, promi∣sed to Milo, who defended the City with a Party of Epirots, that he would save him and his Country-men, if by his means he might win the City: which Reward so prevail'd upon him, that he perswaded them of Tarentum to send him as an Ambassadour to the Consul, with whom he fully concluded the Agreement; so that at his Return he made the Citizens secure, and delivered the City unguarded into the Roman General's Power.
2. Marcellus, having won a certain Inhabitant of Syracuse, named Sosistratus, to betray the City, un∣derstood by him, that the Guards, the next day being a Festival, would be careless and negligent, and the rather, because Epicides was to give them Plenty of Wine and good Cheer. He took there∣fore Advantage of this merry Opportunity, and of the Negligence of the Guards, took the Walls, slew the Watch, and open'd to the Roman Army the Gates of this City, which had been famous for se∣veral noble Victories.
3. When Tarquinius Superbus could not oblige the Gabii to yield to him, sent to them his Son Sextus Tarquinius beaten with Rods: He exclaim'd against the Cruelty of his Father, and persuaded the Gabii to make use of his Hatred and Displea∣sure against the King. They accordingly having
chosen him to be their Leader, betrayed them to his Father.
4. Cyrus, King of Persia, sent on purpose his Companion and Friend Zopyrus, upon whose Fide∣lity he could assuredly relve, with his Face disfigu∣red and maimed, to the Enemies. He was thought by them to be highly provok'd against Cyrus, be∣cause of the Disgrace offered to him; and he did not a little encourage this Persuasion, by adventu∣ring himself much, as often as they went out to fight, and aiming at Cyrus with his Darts: at last, when they had made him Governour of Babylon, he deliver'd the City into the King's hands.
5. Philippus, being shut out of a Town of the Sa∣mii, won Apollonius their Commander, to betray them, and persuaded him to place a Cart full of square Stones at the very Entrance of the Gate. At the making of a certain Sign, Philip suddenly came upon the Townsmen, who were busie in shutting of their incomber'd Gate, and over-power'd them.
6. Hannibal, when he besieged Tarentum, which was kept by Livius with a Roman Guard, sollicited a certain Man of the City, named Eoneus, to betray it, and to practise this Subtilty; That he should under pretence of Hunting, go out in the Night, because it was not likely that the Enemy would suffer him in the Day. And when he was thus gone out, some did supply him with wild Boars, which he carried to Livius, as if they had been of his own taking. When he had practis'd this often, and therefore was not narrowly observed, on a certain Night Hannibal sent in with him Souldiers of his Army in the Garb of Huntsmen; who being loaden with Venison, which they had in their Hands, they were admitted by the Guards, and suddenly they set upon them and slew them: Then the Gate was
broke open, and Hannibal was let in with his Army, that destroyed all the Romans, except such as fled to the Castle.
7. Lysimachus, King of the Macedonians, when he besieged the City of Ephesus, and that the Citi∣zens had a certain Arch-pyrate, named Mandrones, come to their Assistance, who did often go thither with his Ships loaden with Spoils and Prey, per∣suaded him to be a Traitor, and to take with him the stoutest men of his Army with their Hands bound behind as Captives, to carry them into the City; who when they were enter'd, they took up Arms out of the Castle, and delivered the City to the King.
WHen Fab. Maximus had wasted and spoiled all the Fields of Campania, that they might not have any thing left to encou∣rage their Resolution to maintain and defend a Siege, he departed out of the Country in the sowing time, that the rest of their Corn which was left the Inhabitants might employ it in Seed: but at his Return he trod down all that grew up, and by re∣ducing them to Famine, he obliged them to yield.
2. Antigonus practised the same Policy against the Athenians.
3. After that Dionysius had taken many Cities, and was resolved to assault them of Rhegium because they had an extraordinary Plenty of Provisions, he pretended a Peace with them, and intreated them to supply his Army with Food; which when they had granted, they emptied for him the Granaries of the City: then did he set upon it when it was in want of Victuals, and took it.
4. The same was done by him, as is reported, when he went against the Himaerei.
5. When Alexander was to take Leucadia, full of all manner of Food, he first took the Castles that were about the Borders, and suffer'd all the Inha∣bitants to retire and depart to Leucadia, that the greater number might sooner waste and consume their Victuals.
6. When Phalaris of Agrigentum had a Design upon certain Places of Sicily which were very well fortified, he pretended an Agreement with the In∣habitants, and stored up with them all the Wheat that he said he had; but he gave order at the same time, that the Tiling of the Granaries where the Wheat was put, should be so broken that it might let in the Rain. The Inhabitants trusting to this Provision which they had with them, were careless of their own Stores; so that in the beginning of the Summer he assaulted them, and obliged them by Famine to yield.
WHen Clearchus the Lacedaemonian had un∣derstood that the Thracians had carri∣ed all things belonging to Food into the Mountains, and that they were also fed with the Hopes that for want of Necessaries he would be forced to depart; at that time that their Ambassa∣dours came to him, he caused one of his Prisoners to be kill'd before them, and to be cut in pieces, with a Pretence that they were to be distributed amongst the Souldiers for their Food. The Thra∣cians therefore believing that he would do any thing to continue there who would not scruple to make use of such abominable Food, surrendred them∣selves.
2. Tiberius Gracchus, when the Lusitani or Por∣tugals declared that they had Food sufficient for ten Years, and therefore were not afraid of a Siege, answered, Then I will take them in the eleventh Year: At this Expression the Lusitani were so much afraid, that though they were well provided with Victuals, yet they yielded to him.
3. When A. Torquatus besieged a Greek City, and that the Inhabitants boasted that their Young∣men were well skill'd in the use of Bow and Arrows and Darts; answer'd, I will sell them the dearer when I shall overcome them.
Scipio, when Hannibal was returned into Africa, found that there were many Towns which in reason would be useful to him if taken, de∣fended by strong Garisons of the Enemy: he there∣fore sent several Parties to block them up; at last he went thither with his Army, as if he had intend∣ed to sack the Cities; afterwards he seem'd to be afraid, and departed from them. Hannibal ima∣gining that his Fear was real, called together all his Garisons, as if he intended to engage in a Battel. By that means Scipio had what he desired; for by the Assistance of Massinissa, and his Numidians, he took those Cities when their Garisons were gone.
2. P. Cornelius Scipio, understanding how difficult it was to take Delminium, because it was defended by a Concourse of People from all Parts, assaulted first other Towns, which caused every one to de∣part and defend his own City: by that means Del∣minium was emptied of Souldiers, and forced to yield to him.
3. Pyrrhus, King of Epirus, fighting against the Illyrians, when he earnestly desired to get the chief City of the Nation into his hands, but not judging it feasible, went to assault the other Towns. By that means he brought it to pass, that the Enemies con∣ceiving that their chief City was sufficiently fortifi∣ed, went to the relief of the rest. Then did he call together all his Forces, and finding the chief City
empty of its former Garrisons, he took it by force.
4. Cornelius Rufinus, the Consul, having besieged a little while the City of Frotona to no purpose, be∣cause a resolute Party of the Lucani being enter'd into the Garrison, defended it. He pretended to raise the Siege, and with a great Reward persuaded one of his Prisoners to go to the City, as if he had escaped out of Prison, to persuade them that the Romans were gone. The Inhabitants imagining that this was true, sent away their Auxiliary Troops; and when their Garison had lest them, before they were aware he easily overcame and took them.
5. Mago, General of the Carthaginians, having beaten Cn. Piso, and forced him to fly for Refuge to a certain Tower, believed that some Forces would come to relieve him: he therefore sent a certain Traitor to meet the Succours that were coming, and to tell them, that Piso was already taken: by this means he discouraged them, and compleated the Victory.
6. Alcibiades, in Sicilia, desiring to take the City of Syracuse, sent out of Catania, where he was with his Army, to Syracuse, a certain cunning Fellow; who being brought into their Assembly, persuaded them that the Inhabitants of Catania were grie∣vously offended with the Athenians; So that if they could be assisted by them of Syracuse, they would quickly over-power the Athenians with their Gene∣ral. With this Persuasion they of Syracuse marched with all their Forces towards Catania, and left their City, which Alcibiades assaulted another way, and finding it empty as he expected, he soon ma∣ster'd it.
Cleonymus the Athenian, assaulting the Traezenii, who held a Town with a Garrison commanded by
Cratenus, sent into the Walls some Arrows, upon which it was written, That he was come to deliver their Commonwealth, and at the same time shew∣ed himself kind to his Prisoners, whom he sent into the City to speak ill of Craterus. By this Policy he caused them to fall out amongst themselves; so that with his Army he overcame them, and took the City.
P. Servilius, having turned away a River which supplied the Enemy with Water, forced the Town of Isaura to yield for Thirst.
2. C. Caesar, amongst the Gauls, reduced the Ci∣ty of the Gadurci to the want of Water, though it was encompassed about with a River and had many fresh Springs in it; for he dried up the Fountains by mining, and drove them away from the River by his Archers.
3. L. Metellus, in the hither Spain, turn'd down a River from the higher Ground upon the Enemies Camp which was seated in the lower: and when they were disturbed with the sudden overflowing of the Water, he cut them in pieces with Parties which he had appointed for that purpose.
4. Alexander, at Babylon, which was divided in∣to two parts by the River Euphrates, dig'd a Ditch, and raised a Bank, that the Enemies might imagine that they were made for his own use; but suddenly he turn'd the River out of his Course, and through the old Channel, which then being dried up, yield∣ed an Entrance, he march'd into the City.
5. Semiramis is said to have practis'd the same thing, by turning aside the River Euphrates at the same place.
6. Clisthenes, the Sycionian, broke an Aquaduct or Conduit, which conveyed Water into the Town of Crisa; and when the Inhabitants were vexed with Thirst, he caused the Water to run again in the same Conduit, but poson'd it with Hellebore, or the Juyce of Bears-foot; of which they who made use, fell into a Flux and Madness: so that by that means he took them and their Town.
WHen Philippus could by no means take the Castle of Trinassus, he caus'd the Earth to be cast up before the Walls, and made as if he had been undermining. They that were within thinking that the Castle would be pull'd down upon their Heads, yielded it up to him.
2. Pelopidas the Theban, resolving to besiege two Towns of the Magnetes, which were not far distant from one another, at the same time that he approach'd with his Army to the Walls of one of the Towns, he commanded out of another Camp four Horse∣men, purposely to ride with Garlands upon their Heads, with a notable chearfulness, as if they came to give notice of the Victory. And to colour the matter the better, he appointed that a Wood which was between both Towns should be set on fire, and shew the resemblance of a burning City. And be∣sides, he ordered certain Captains to be brought in the Garb of the Country. All these appearances so terrified the besieged, that judging themselves part∣ly overcome by the loss of the other Town, they yielded themselves.
3. When Cyrus King of Persia had shut up Craesus within the Walls of Sardis, on that part of the Ci∣ty where a steep Mountain hindred the entrance into it; he raised close by the Walls certain high Masts of Ships, equalling in height the top of the Mount; on these Masts he put the Images of armed men in the Persian Habit, and in the Night he brought them close to the Hill. The next morn∣ing he assaulted the Town on the other side; assoon as the Sun was up, those Images shined as if they had been armed Persians, which made the Towns∣men imagine that the City was taken behind them; therefore they fled, and yielded the Victory to Cy∣rus's Army,
SCipio, at the City of Carthage, at the ebbing of the Sea, was wont to approach the Walls with his Army, following, as he pretended, the foot∣steps and leading of the God Neptune; but he broke into the Town through another quarter where he was not expected, when the Waters of the Lake were abated.
2. Fabius Maximus, the Cunctator's Son, sent six hundred Souldiers in the dark of the Night, at the City Arpus, held by a Garrison of Hannibal's, when he had confider'd the scituation of the Town, to that part of it which was best fortified, and therefore least guarded, that they might climb up to the Walls, and break open the Gates. They being fa∣vour'd by the noise of the falling Water, which made the Garrison insensible of their approach, performed their Orders; whilst he at the same time, at the gi∣ving of a sign, assaulted the Town by another side, and took it.
3. C. Marius, in the Wars against Jugurtha, near the River Mulucha, besieged a Castle seated upon a rocky Mountain; unto which there was but one only Path, and that very narrow, that led to it; all other sides being as it were on purpose made steep. It happened that a certain common Souldier, a Li∣gurian,
of the Auxiliary Troops, who by chance go∣ing out to fetch Water, fell a gathering of Snails amongst the Rocks of the Hill, climb'd up so high that he got up to the top. At his return he gave an ac∣count of his Adventure to Marius, and that the Castle might be taken on that side; he therefore comman∣ded a few Centurions with the nimblest Souldiers, and with them his best Trumpeters, with their na∣ked Heads and Feet, but with their Swords and Bucklers tyed to their Backs, that they might see about them amongst the Rocks and climb up the better; this Party followed the Ligurian with Darts and long Nails in their hands to help them up: when they were got up to the back side of the Castle, which was not guarded, they began to Sound their Trumpets, and to make a great noise, as they had been order'd. When Marius heard this, he encou∣raged his Men to press hard upon, and assault the Guards more furiously, who being called away by the weaker sort, because they thought the Castle had been taken behind, he followed them so close that he took the Castle.
4. L. Cornelius, the Consul, conquered many Towns of Sardinia, by landing in the Night some of his stoutest Souldiers, and commanding them to lie concealed, and wait the time when he should think convenient to land with his Navy; and when the Enemy should meet him at his Arrival, and be drawn at a distance away by a pretence of Flight in pursuit of him, that then they should rise and assault the forsaken Towns.
5. When Pericles, General of the Athenians, at∣tempted upon a Town defended by the unanimous endeavours of the Inhabitants, commanded the Sig∣nal to be given, and the Trumpets to sound a Charge∣with a great noise by Night on that side of the
Walls which was next to the Sea; and the Inha∣bitants, imagining that he would enter in at that side, left those Gates unfurnished and unguarded, by which he entred and took the City.
6. Alcibiades, another Athenian General, came suddenly upon the Town of Cyzicum by Night, on purpose to assault it, and on the other side of the Walls caused the Horns to be sounded, which made the Inhabitants run to defend only that part of the Walls where they imagin'd that the Assault was gi∣ven, whereas they were able to defend all. By that means Alcibiades enter'd the Town by that side where there was no resistance.
7. Thrasybulus, Captain of the Milesii, endea∣voured to take the Haven of the Sicyonii, by making an Attempt by Land, and drawing the Enemy to that part where they were assaulted. Then he sud∣denly enter'd the Haven and took it.
8. Philippus, in the Siege of a certain Sea-port-Town, joyn'd together two Ships with Boards, far from the sight of the Inhabitants, and built on them Towers; At the same time he assaulted the Town by Land on other Towers, which drew them all out of their Houses to defend themselves; Then did he suddenly approach the Walls with his high Ships, and took them on that side where there was no op∣position.
9. When Pericles was to take a Castle of the Peloponnesus, unto which there were but two Ave∣nues, the one he shut in with a deep Trench, and resolved to make his approaches at the other Ave∣nue; the Garrison thinking themselves very secure on the other side, minded to defend themselves on that only which they saw most likely to be as∣saulted; Then did Pericles fling a Bridge, prepared
on purpose, over the Trench, and by that side that was neglected he took the Castle.
10. Antiochus, in his War against the Ephesians, commanded the Ships of Rhodes which were come to his assistance, to enter by Night, and assault the Haven with a great noise, which drew all the Towns∣men thither in haste. By that means the rest of the Walls were unfurnished, and he made an attempt on the other side and took the City.
CAto, in the sight of the Lacetani, whom he be∣sieged, kept back the rest of his Army, and sent of the Suessani, some of his Auxiliary Troops, who were the greatest Cowards, to assault the Walls; the Besieged made a Sally, put them to Flight and furiously pursued them, but in the mean while he took the City with those Troops which he had hid.
2. L. Scipio, in Sardinia, left the Assault of a cer∣tain City in haste, which he had begun, and in his Retreat shewed the appearance of a Flight. When the Townsmen sallied out to pursue them unadvised∣ly, he took the Town with those Souldiers whom he had hid near at hand.
3. Hannibal, when he besieged the City of Hi∣mera, suffered his own Camp willingly to be taken,
and commanded the Carthaginians to depart, as if the Enemy had prevailed; which Policy deceived the Inhabitants, and caused them for joy to leave their Town, and run to the Enemies Camp; then did Hannibal take the Town empty by those whom he had placed for that purpose in Ambush.
4. The same General, to draw out them of Sa∣guntum, marched to the Walls with a thin Battalion, and at the first sally of the Besieged, made as if he had fled, but he caused his whole Army to run in between the Enemy and the City, and having clo∣sed them in, cut them all in pieces.
5. Himilco, the Carthaginian General, placed near the Town of Agrigentum part of his Army in Ambush, and commanded them that when the Townsmen were come out they should set some moist Wood on fire; afterwards, he with the rest marched to draw out the Enemy into the Fields, but at their first approach he retreated, and seemed to fly away, to draw by degrees the Townsmen far from their Walls; whilst they who lay in Ambush near the City set fire to the Wood. When they of Agrigentum that were come out beheld the great Smoke, thought their City had been burning, and when in a great fear they returned to defend it, they met with the Party that lay in Ambush near their Walls, so that before and behind they were shut in, and slain by them that followed them.
6. Viriatus, having secretly placed some Souldi∣ers, he sent a small Party to drive away the Cattel of the Segobrigenses in Spain; and when they came in great numbers to recover them, and put the dri∣vers to Flight, as they pretended, they were brought into an Ambuscado and destroyed.
7. The Cavalry of the Scordisci, when Lucullus was General of two Parties of Heraclea, made as if
they had been driving of Cattel, and obliged him to sally out; but they immediately fled, and brought Lucullus into an Ambush, where he was slain with eight hundred Souldiers.
8. Chares, Captain of the Athenians, being to as∣sault a Town near the Sea side, left his Fleet behind a certain Cape, and ordered some of the nimblest of his Ships to sail along by the Enemies Guards; which when they saw, they made out of the Harbor with all their Ships that were to defend it, to pursue after them. In the mean while Chares enter'd into the Ha∣ven with the rest of his Fleet without resistance, and took the City.
9. Barca, Captain of the Carthaginians, when the Romans besieged Lilybeum in Sicily, by Sea and Land, ordered a part of his Navy to appear at a distance in sight; which caused the Romans to sail speedily to them. In the mean while he took the Haven of Lilybeum with the rest of his Fleet, which he kept out of sight.
PHormion, the Athenian General, when he had spoiled the Fields of them of Chalcis, and that their Ambassadours came to him to complain of it, answer'd them mildly; and the same Night that
he was to send them away, pretended that he had received from his Citizens such Letters as required him to return home; so having led the Ambassa∣dors a little way with him, he sent them back; who, when they returned, declared to their Citizens, that all was safe, and that Phormion was departed. They, trusting upon his Humanity, and the return of his Army into their own Country, neglected the guard∣ing of their Town: then Phormion suddenly march'd back again, and so overpower'd them, that they were not able to make any resistance.
2. Agesilaus, General of the Lacedemonians, be∣sieged the Phocenses, and understood that their auxi∣liary Troops were already weary of the War; he therefore departed from them a while, as if he had minded other Business, and gave them liberty to be gone. Some time after he returned with his Army, and overcame the Phocenses, destitute of their Guards.
3. Alcibiades laid an Ambuscado for them of By∣zantium, who kept themselves within their Walls; and pretending to depart, return'd suddenly upon them, and overpower'd them.
4. Viriatus, when he had made three days march away from them of Segobriga, return'd back in one day, and overcame them, when they were secure and busie about a solemn Sacrifice.
5. Epaminondas, perceiving that the Lacedemonians were come to the assistance of his Enemies at Manti∣nea, imagin'd that he could take the City of Lacede∣mon, if he did march thither privately. He command∣ed therefore many Fires to be made in the Night, that he might conceal his departure with an appearance of his continuance there; but being betrayed by a Run-away, and pursued by the Lacedemonian Army, he left the Road that led to Sparta, and turn'd his
Resolution and Power against them of Mantinea; for having made as many Fires as before, as if he had continued in that place, he deceiv'd the Lacedemo∣nians, and return'd forty miles to the City of Manti∣nea, which he found naked of defence, and took it.
Alcibiades, when his City of Athens was be∣sieged by the Lacedaemonians, fearing the negligence and carelesness of the Guards, told such as stood Sentry that they should take no∣tice of the Light that he would shew out of the Ca∣stle, and when they saw it that they likewise should lift up Lights, and that he that did neglect to perform this, should be punished. Whilst they waited for a Sign from their General, they all marched carefully, and by that means he avoided the danger of the Night that he feared most.
2. Iphicrates, the Athenian General, command∣ing in chief the Garrison of Corinth, walked the Rounds a little before the coming of the Enemy, and finding a Souldier who was to stand Sentinel a∣sleep, he run him through with his Spear; which deed when some blamed, as savouring of too much Cruelty, he told told them, as I found him so I left him.
3. Epaminondas, the Theban, is reported to have done the same.
WHen the Romans were besieged in the Capi∣tol, they sent Pontius Cominus to Camillus, who was in his Banishment, to desire his assistance; and that he might pass by and escape from the Guards of the Gauls, was let down the Rocks of Tarpeia; he swimm'd over the River Tiber, and came safe to the City Vejos, and having deliver'd his Mes∣sage, he returned by the same way to the Besieged.
2. When they of Campania were besieged by the Romans, who watched and guarded all the Passages, they sent one, whom they persuaded to run away to the Romans, and hid a Letter under his Belt; which, when he found an opportunity, he carried to the Carthaginian Army.
3. Some have sown Letters in the Bodies of Beasts taken in hunting, and other Creatures, which Letters were written in Parchment or thin Skins.
4. Some have driven Beasts on the contrary side, whilst they have been passing the Enemies Guards.
5. Others have written their Letters in the inside of a Sheath.
6. L. Lucullus, when the Cyziceni were besieged by Mithridates, that he might make his arrival known to them, tho the Enemies kept the entrances of the City with strong Guards; He commanded one of his Souldiers, a little skill'd in swimming, and in the Art of Navigation, to lean upon two Skins or Blad∣ders filled with Wind, which had Letters stitched in the inside; having in the lower part two strait Sticks fasten'd to them to keep the Bladders at a distance: and in this manner to go over a Streight of seven miles, at that place where but one narrow and small Bridge joyned an Island to the main Land. Which was so dexterously perform'd by this com∣mon Souldier, who steer'd his course with his Legs hanging in the Water, that such as saw him at a di∣stance, and that were upon the Guard, thought him to be a Sea-Monster.
7. Hircius the Consul sent often Letters to Decius Brutus, who was besieged by Antonius at Mutina, written in Lead, and fasten'd to the Arms of Souldi∣ers who swam over the River Scultenna.
8. The same Hircius made use of Pidgeons to con∣vey Letters. He shut them up in the dark, and suffer'd them to be very hungry; then did he fasten Letters to their Necks, bound them with a big Hair, and from the nearest place to the Walls of the City he let them fly. They being desirous of Light and Food, mounted on high, to go to the loftiest Houses, where Brutus took them; and by that means he was made acquainted with all Passages: for after that he put Food for the Birds in certain places, and so made the Pidgeons to sly thither.
IN the Civil War, when Ategua, a City in Spain, that held for Pompey, was besieged, Maurus, or Martius, the Viceroy, made as if he had bin a Trumpeter of one of Caesar's Collonels, appointed to visit the Guards; some he rous'd up with his Trum∣pet, others he shun'd, and courageously went through the middle of Caesar's Army, and led into the Town a Garison of Pompey.
2. When Hannibal besieged Casilinum, a City of Campania in Italy, the Romans sent down the stream of the River Vulturnus Hogs-Heads full of Meal to relieve the besieged; which when Hanni∣bal did stop with a long Chain over the River, they scatter'd and flung Nuts into the Water, which the Current carried to the Town; and by that means they supplied the wants of their Fellows.
3. Hirtius the Consul, when they of Mutina were besieged by Antonius, sent to them some Salt, which they wanted, down the River Saniturnus, put up in Pipes.
4. The same Consul sent down the Stream some Cattel, which relieved the besieged.
THE Romans, when they were besieged in the Capitol by the Gauls, and were in the great∣est want of Bread, were wont to fling some to the Enemy. By that means they made them be∣lieve that they had plenty of Provisions, so that they patiently endur'd the Siege till Camillus was come to relieve them.
2. The Athenians, besieged by the Lacedemonians, are said to have done the like.
3. They who were besieged at Casilinum by Hanni∣bal, were thought to have bin reduc'd to a great Fa∣min, because that between his Camp and the City he had spoil'd all the Herbs that could serve for Food, by plowing up the Ground; but they flung Seed into the Earth prepar'd and turn'd up. By that means they seem'd to have enough to keep them alive untill the next Harvest.
4. They who remained alive after the Defeat of Varras and his Army, because the Enemy believed that they wanted Bread, caused the Prisoners to be led round about their Granary all Night; then ha∣ving cut off their Hands, they sent them away; who when they came to their own Men that besieged the Romans, they assured them that there was no hopes
of a speedy Surrender by the famishing of the Ro∣mans, because they had such a great quantity of Food yet remaining.
5. The Thracians, besieged in a steep and high Mountain, unto which the Enemies could not as∣cend, gathered from every Man a small quanti∣ty of Corn and Cheese, with which they fed their Cattel, which they drove and sent down to the Enemies Guards; when they had killed them, and found some signs of Wheat in their Guts, they ima∣gin'd that they had yet a great quantity of Corn re∣maining seeing that they fed their Cattel with it: They departed therefore from the Siege.
6. Thrasybulus, Captain of the Milesii, when his Souldiers were wearied with a long Siege by Aliattes, who expected that they would be forced to a Sur∣render by Famin, when the Ambassadours of Aliat∣tes were comming, he caused all the Corn of the City to be brought into the Market, and about that time appointed Feasting to be in several places of the City, and the Tables to be covered with Meats; by that means he persuaded the Enemy that he had yet plenty of Food to help them to bear a longer Siege.
L. Marcellus, understanding the Design of Bat∣teus of Nola, who endeavoured to persuade his Country-men to fall away to Hannibal, whom he favoured, because by him he had been cu∣red of his Wounds received at the Battel of Cannae, and had been sent home from his Captivity; and be∣cause he was afraid by his Punishment to stir up them of Nola to Revenge, and dared not to kill him, he sent for him, and told him, that he was a most stout Souldier, which he understood not before, and that he desired that he would continue and abide with him: To his Words he added an Ho∣nour, for he bestowed upon him an Horse. By this gracious proceeding he obliged not only him to be true to him but also his Country-men, who were go∣verned by him.
2. Hamilcar, General of the Carthaginians, when several of their Gallic Auxiliaries did often run away to the Romans, and that they were wont to be received as their Friends, he persuaded some that were most faithful to him to pretend also to fly to them, who killed some that were sent out to receive and rescue a Party of the Roman Army; which Po∣licy did not only help Hamilcar, and caused him to succeed in his present Design, but for the future it made all true Run-aways to be suspected by the Romans as false.
3. Hanno, General of the Carthaginians in Sici∣ly, understanding that four thousand of the Mercena∣ry Gauls had agreed to run away to the Romans, be∣cause they wanted the Pay of some few Months, and because he was afraid to punish them for fear of a Sedition, he promised that he would reward libe∣rally the injury of a Delay: Therefore the Gauls having returned him thanks, he delayed the per∣formance of his Promise for a while till he could send a most faithful Servant to Otacilius the Consul, to run away to him for other Reasons, who told him, that the next Night four thousand Gauls, who were to be sent out to Plunder, might easily be surprised; Otacilius did not give credit suddenly to the Run-a∣way, neither did he think this News was to be neg∣lected; he therefore placed a choice Company of his Men in Ambush: By them the Gauls being re∣ceived, accomplished Hanno's two Designs, in de∣stroying the Romans and themselves, for they were all cut off.
4. Hannibal was revenged of the Deserters of his Army in the same manner, for, knowing that some of his Men would run away the next Night, and that he had in his Camp Intelligencers and Spies of the Enemy; He declared publickly that the Souldi∣ers which were sent by him to understand the De∣signs of the Enemy, ought to be named most cun∣ning Souldiers; what the Spies had heard from him, they delivered to their own Party, which caused the Romans to take the Run-aways, to cut off their Hands, and send them back to Hannibal's Army.
5. Diodorus, commanding the Garrison of Amphi∣polis with a Party, had a jealousie of two thousand Thracians who had a mind to Plunder the City, he pretended therefore that some few of the Enemies Ships were come near a neighbouring Shore, and
that it was possible to take them; the hopes of this Advantage so incouraged the Thracians, that they march'd out of the City; then did he cause the Gates to be shut, and would entertain them no longer.
THE Romans, who were in Garrison at Palermo, when Hasdrubal came to besiege that City, caused on purpose very few to appear on the Walls to defend them, the smalness of their num∣ber was so contemn'd by the Enemy, that Hasdru∣bul assaulted the Walls, where he was slain in a Sally.
2. Aemilius Paulus, when all the Ligurians made an attempt unexpectedly upon his Camp, he seem'd for fear to keep in his Souldiers till the Enemy had sufficiently wearied themselves; then did he sally out of his four Gates, and overthrew and took them Prisoners.
3. When Velius, a Roman Captain, commanded the Castle of Tarentum, he sent Messengers to Has∣drubal, that he would suffer him to depart in safety: By this Pretence he made the Enemy so secure, that when he sallied out he defeated them.
4. Cn. Pompeius did not only deliver his Men be∣sieged in the City of Dyrrachium, but after a Sally which he made in a very convenient Time and Place, he
surrounded Caesar, who furiously broke out of a Castle which was furnished with a double Fortifica∣tion, and encompassed him in round, so that be∣tween the besieged and Pompey's Army that was without, he was in the middle in no small danger, and received a considerable loss of Men.
5. Flavius Fimbria, fighting in Asia against the Son of Mithridates, near the Town of Rhyndacus, drew a Trench half way on both sides of his Camp, and a Ditch before, keeping his Souldiers quiet on the Rampires until the Enemies Horse were enter'd into the streightest place of his Works; then did he sally out and cut off six thousand of them.
6. C. Caesar, amongst the Gauls, when the Forces under Titurius Sabinus and Cotta his Lieutenants, were defeated by Ambiorix, and that Q. Cicero, who was likewise besieged, sent him this sad News, made haste to him with two Legions, but when the Enemy turn'd to meet him, he seem'd to be afraid, and kept his Souldiers within his Camp which he had pur∣posely made streighter than ordinary; the Gauls, as if they had been certain of the Victory, and were come to plunder the Roman Camp, began to fill up the Trenches, and to pull down the Palisadoes, then did Caesar send out his Forces on a sudden, and cut the Gallic Souldiers in pieces.
7. Titurius Sabinus, when a vast Army of the Gauls came against him, kept in his Souldiers within his Fortifications, and made them believe that he was afraid. And that he might strengthen that belief, he sent out a Run-away to tell them, that the Roman Army was in despair, and resolved to fly. The Ene∣my being encouraged with the hopes of Victory, loaded themselves with Faggots and Bones to fill up the Trenches, and with full speed ran up to the Ro∣mans Camp, which was scituate on a Hill; from
whence, when Titurius had sent out his whole Army, he overthrew the Gauls, and took many of them Prisoners.
8. The Inhabitants of Asculum, when Pompey came to besiege the Town, caused a few old and sick Folk to shew themselves from the Walls, which made the Roman Army to be more secure and care∣less; so that when the Towns-men sallied out, they put them to flight.
9. They of Numantia, when they were besieged, drew up none of their Forces before the Walls, but kept themselves within, so close and quiet, that Po∣pilius Lenas had the Confidence to scale the Walls. And then suspecting a Design, and an Ambush, (for at that instant he met with no resistance) he sound∣ed a retreat. Then did the Inhabitants sally out, and assaulted the Romans as they were coming down, and drawing back.
THE Romans, when Hannibals Camp was be∣fore their Walls, to express their Confidence, sent out by another Gate a supply and a re∣cruit to their Army, which was then in Spain.
2. The same Romans, when the Proprietor of the Field where Hannibal had pitch'd his Camp was by chance dead, sold it at a higher rate than it was bought by him before the Wars.
3. The same Romans, being besieg'd by Hannibal, at the same time that their Army besieged Capua, resolved and decreed, that their Army should not come away from thence untill they had taken that City.