THE LOEB CLASSICAL LIBRARY
FOUSDED BY JAMES LOEB, LL.D.
EMTED BY
t T. E. PAGE, C.H., LITT.D.
t E. CAPPS, PH.D.. LL.D. t W. H. D. ROUSE, litt.d.
L. A. POST. L^.D, E. H. WARillNGTON, m.a., f^.hist.soc.
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
AND
RES GESTAE DIM AUGUSTI
TO
MY WIFE
VELLEIUS
PATERCULUS
COMPENDIUM OF ROMAN HISTORY
RES GESTAE
DIVI AUGUSTI
WITH AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION BY
FREDERICK W. SHIPLEY
OF WASHINGTON UlflVKBaiTT
LOXDON
WILLIAM HEINEMANN LTD
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
HARVARD UNR-ERSITY PRESS
MCMLXI
FirHprinted 3924
Jteprinied 1955, 1961
Printed in Oreat Britain
»
CONTENTS
rAOB
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS^
Introduction viii
The Text xviii
Bibliography xx
Sigla 1
Text 2
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI—
Introduction ' . . 332
The Text 338
The Historical Notes 340
Bibhography 341
Text 344
Inoex 406
C. VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
INTRODUCTION
*♦ Dicere enim solebat nullum esse librum tam raalum ut
non aliqua parte prodesset." — Pliny, Ep. iii. 5. 10, quoting a
saying of his uncle.
Velleius Paterculus does not rank among the great
Olympians of classical literature either as styUst or
as historian. But, as Phny the elder says, no book
is so poor that one cannot get some good out of it,
and there is much in this comparatively neglected
author that is worth reading once, at least in transla-
tion. In its aim to include all that is of value and
interest in Greek and Latin Uterature from the days
of Homer to the Fall of Constantinople the Loeb
Library is performing what is perhaps its most
valuable service in making more generally available
the content of those comparatively unknown authors
who, for styhstic or other reasons, are not to be
reckoned among the great classics or do not deserve
a careful study in the original.
A compendium of Roman history, hastily compiled
by an army officer as a memorial volume to com-
memorate the elevation to the consulship for the year
A.D. 30 of his friend and fellow-Campanian, Marcus
Vinicius, could hardly be expected to rise to the level
either of great history or great hterature. And yet,
taken for what it is, a rapid sketch of some ten
INTRODUCTION
centuries of history, it is, in spite of its many defects,
which Avill duly be pointed out, the most successful
and most readable of all the abridgements of Roman
history which have come down to us. Abridgements
are usually Uttle more than skeletons ; but Velleius has
succeeded, in spite of the brief compass of his work,
in clothing the bones ^^ith real flesh, and in endo^Wng
his compendium A^ith more than a mere shadow of
vitality, thanks to his own enthusiastic interest in the
human side of the great characters of history. The
work, after the large lacuna in the first book, covers
uninterruptedly the period from the battle of Pydna
to A.D. 30, a period which practically coincides with
that covered by the final 97 books of Livy for which
no manuscript has come dowTi to us, and one which
is but partially treated in the extant portions of the
works of other Roman historians of first rank. It is
therefore valuable, if for nothing else, in that it
furnishes us with a connected account of this period
which is at any rate much more readable than the
bare epitomes of Li^^y. Besides, it has certain
excellences of its own in the treatment of special
subjects, especially the chapters on hterar)'^ history,
in which the author has a genuine if not very critical
interest, the chapters on the Roman colonies, and
those on the liistory of the organization of the
Roman provinces, and in some of the character
portraits of the great figures of Roman history . Even
in the treatment of Tiberius, in spite of its tone of
adulation which historians have so generally con-
demned, we have a document which must be con-
sidered along A\-ith the famous dehneation by Tacitus,
as representing the psychological attitude toward
the new empire of the group of administrative officers
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
of the equestrian order who ardently supported it
without any of the yearnings felt by the senatorial
class for the old regime as it existed in the days
before the empire had shorn them of their former
governmental powers.
As has already been said, the work is a com-
memorative volume as well as an historical abridge-
ment, and under this pardonable pretext the author
feels free to depart from historical objectivity and
give his work a personal note. Thus he honours
Vinicius not merely by the dedication, but by
addressing him frequently in the vocative case, by
bringing the more important dates into chronological
relation with his consulship, and by bringing into
prominence the ancestors of Vinicius who had played
any historical role worthy of consideration. Vinicius,
who hke the author himself was an official of the
administration, would also lend sympathetic ears to
his rhapsodic eulogy of his old commander, now the
emperor Tiberius, and of his prime minister Sejanus,
then in the heyday of his power and the virtual
head of the government. In doing the honours, in
this commemorative volume, he also takes occasion
to mention, as something in which his friend would
be interested, the participation of the author's own
ancestors in the events which he is narrating, and,
when he reaches his own times, hke the painters of
the Renaissance he sees no harm in introducing him-
self into the canvas as one of the minor participants
in the historical pageant.
To this naive and innocent egotism we owe all our
information in regard to the author and his family,
since the sparse references in later Uterature con-
tribute nothing to our knowledge of eithcr. We
INTRODUCTION
thiis leam that he reckoned among his ancestors on
his mother's side Decius Magius, a distinguished
citizen of Capua who remained loyal to the Romans
when Capua went over to Hannibal, and Minatius
Magius, who raised a legion and fought on the
Roman side in the Social War, for which service he
received Roman citizenship ; that his father served
in Germany as prefect of horse ; that his father's
brother Capito supported Agrippa in his indictmentv^
of Cassius for the murder of Caesar ; that his patemal
grandfather C. Velleius Paterculus served as praefectus
fahrum under Pompey, Marcus Brutus, and Tiberius
Nero, the father of the emperor ; that he was chosen
as one of the judges by Pompey in 55 b.c, and that
in 41 B.c. he Idlled himself because he was physically
unable to follow Nero in his flight from Naples. The
historian himself, C^ \'elleius Paterculus, also played
the role of loyal officer, seeing service as military
tribune in Thrace and Macedonia, and accompanying i/
Caius Caesar in a.d. 1 on his \\s\t to the eastem
pro\"inces. While there he was an eye^vitness of the
conference between Caius and the son of the Parthian
king on an island in the Euphrates. Later he served
under Tiberius for eight consecutive years, first as
prefect of horse and then as legatus, participating in
his German and Pannonian campaigns. In a.d. 6
he was elected quaestor, and while still quaestor
designate he led a body of troops to reinforce
Tiberius in Pannonia on the occasion of the great
^ His praenomen is uncertain. Priscian calls him Marcus.
Publius is the praenamen on the title-page of the ed. princeps,
probably through an error ' of Rhenanus in identifying him
with P. Velleius of Tac. Ann. iii. 39. At the beginning and
end of Book I. his praenomen is given as C.
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
mutiny. As quaestor, in a.d. 7, he gave up the
privilege of a provincial appointment to become a
legatus under Tiberius in Pannonia. In the wnter
of A.D. 7-8 he was one of the legati in charge
of winter quarters. His brother, Magius Celer
Velleianus, was also a legatus of Tiberius and dis-
tinguished himself in the Dalmatian campaign.
Both were decorated with miUtary honours at the
triumph of Tiberius in a.d. 13. Both were praetors
for the year a.d. 15 and were proud of the distinction
of having been the last to be nominated to the
praetorship by Augustus and the first to be named
by Tiberius. Here the chapter of his miUtary career
apparently closes. He does not seem to have risen
higher than the praetorship in the fifteen years
which intervened between the holding of that office
and the consulship of Vinicius, though he may have
held provincial appointments. He must have
enjoyed some leisure in these years, since he hints
at having in preparation a more comprehensive
historical work, and his genuine enthusiasm for
Uterature, and his famiUarity with the rhetorical
studies then so much in vogue, must postulate
some time for their development, even though his
literary work still shows many marks of the
novice.
His compendium ^ is divided into two chrono-
logicaUy unequal parts. The first book, preserved
^ The title of his work as it appears in the heading of
Book I. in the ed. princeps is : C. Vellei Paterculi historiae
Romanae ad M. Vi^iinurn Cos. priiis volumen mutilum. But,
as the first part of this book was missing from the Murbach
5JS., this title may simply be the work of a scribe. Most
modern editors have adopted the title .: Vellei Paterculi ad
M. Vinicium liWi duo.
xii
INTRODUCTION
in a fragmentary condition/ began with the times
immediately preceding the fall of Troy, dealt rapidly
with the early history of Greece in the first seven
chapters, reached the founding of Rome in chapter
viii., and ended ^\ith the fall of Carthage in 146 b.c.
The second book covers the period from the time of
the Gracchi to the consulship of Mnicius in a.d. 30,
and is on a much fuller and more comprehensive
scale, especially from the consulship of Caesar to the
end. This greater fulness as he approaches his csra
times is to be explained partly as a traditional
proceeding, and partly because, as he himself says,
he had in preparation a more comprehensive work
covering the period from the beginning of the Civil
War between Caesar and Pompey down to his own
day, and in consequence he had a larger amount of
material to assimilate. Here and there he checks
the rapidity of his narrative to dwell at greater
length upon topics in which he has a personal interest,
as for example the references to Uterary history, the
two digressions upon the colonies and provinces of
Rome, the participation of members of his family in
historical events, and his oato share in tlie events of
the last fifteen years of the reign of Augustus.
Both the virtues and defects of ^elleius as an
historical writer can be best explained on the
supposition that until the year a.d. 15, when he was
about thirty-five years of age, all his time had been
absorbed in his mihtary duties, and that it was only
in the period of comparative leisure which foUowed
^ The beginning, containing the title, the dedication to
Vinicius, and a page or two of text, is missing. There is
also a large lacuna extending from the reign of Romuius to
the battle of Pydna.
VEIXEIUS PATERCULUS
that he discovered a new hobby in Uterary and
biographical studies. These he approached with all
the fresh interest and naive enthusiasm of the
amateur. His outlook is still the uncritical attitude
of the dilettante. Nil admirari had not become his
motto. He is still, at the time of writing what is
apparently his maiden book, in the stage of apprecia-
tion and admiration, and, while his critical faculties
are still untrained he has at any rate not become
cynical or blase. He can still flnd romance in the
phenomena of history about which more mature
writers had ceased to wonder. In the new rhetorical
tendencies of Silver Latin he found a medium well
adapted to give expression to his enthusiasm and
admiration. As an historian he has not learned to
weigh evidence ; he has made no close study of the
sources ; ^ in giving his chronological references he
unwittingly mixes up the dates of the Catonian and
the Varronian eras ; - in his haste he overlooks events
and is obUged to insert them out of their proper
order. In fact his attitude is rather that of the
^ Apart frora Cato and Hortensius Velleius does not
specifically mention any of his sources. The others are
purely a matter of conjecture. For his purpose he needed
a chronological table and a collection of biographies. It is
likely that he raade use of the abridgement of Atticus and
the chronological data of Cornelius Nepos. For the Civil
Wars he may have used tlie work of Messala Corvinus. For
the reign of Augustus he probably used the autobiography
of that emperor. For the reign of Tiberius he of course
drew largely on liis own experience. If he used Livy, he at
any rate frequently disagrees with him.
* The dates, however, in so far as they are given in
Roraan numerals are often hopelessly corrupt. Consequently
the dates which I have given in the notes are those
established by students of chronology.
INTRODUCTION
journalist than of the historian. There is little
evidence, however, of dehberate falsification, Even
his extravagant eulogy of Tiberius for which he has
been so severely censured may be explained at least
in part as an example of the soldier's uncritical, but
loyal and enthusiastic devotion to his old commander,
which reflects the attitude toward the emperor of
the mihtary and official, as opposed to that of the
senatorial class and of the sympathisers with the old
repubHc. At the worst it is an interesting example
of court history. His interest in history is biographical
rather than strictly historical. He is particularly
fond of making portraits of the personages of history,
which he does with a considerable degree of success.
The second book, in particular, is one long gallery
of such portraits which are brought into relation to
each other by a slender band of historical data. In
fact the book is a sort of illustrated Who's Wko of
Roman history. Nor does he confine himself to the
great figures such as the Gracchi, Marius, SuUa,
Cicero, Pompey, and Caesar ; he is equally fond of
portraying the characters of deuteragonists like
Clodius, Curio, Lepidus, and Plancus. Some of
these portraits are among his best. While these
characterizations tend to destroy historical pro-
portion they add greatly to the human interest.
We have said that Velleius gives the impression of
having been an amateur who took to historical
writing as a new hobby somewhat late in life. Signs
of this are not wanting in his style. It has all the
pretentiousness of the novice. He desires to soar
before he has completely leamed to fly. Writing
in an age when rhetoric was the vogue, and con-
taminated poetical as well as prose writing, he cannot
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
refrain from bringing in all the rhetorical figures
and produeing all the rhetorical efFects. All the
colours of the poet and the rhetorician are applied
with lavish hand where he aspires to fine writing :
rhetorical questions, exclamations, and even
apostrophe ; rhetorical rhythm, laboured antitheses,
gUttering epigrams, sometimes far-fetched, and
excessive hyperbole. For this reason his use of
superlatives in his praise of Tiberius has perhaps
been taken too seriously. The superlative is used
with almost as much frequency in eulogizing other
historical personages including Pompey, in spite of
the author's ardent imperialism. In fact the superla-
tive had already suffered so much rhetorical abuse ^
that it had come to have Uttle more value than a
positive. Furthermore his style is lacking in the
clarity, the ease, and the poise of the experienced
writer. This is especially the case in the interminable
periods which crowd his work. Some of them are
veritable labyrinths. The periods' of Cicero, no
matter what their length, are architectural units ;
in Velleius the nucleus of the period is often so
overloaded with phrases, clauses, and incidental
parentheses that the period bears much more
resemblance to a stone almost completely hidden by
parasitic barnacles than to a structure developed on
a logical and artistic plan. This is partly due to the
attempt to condense into a single sentence the
content of whole chapters which he finds in his
sources. In consequence these periods are the
despair of the translator, and there is frequently
^ e.g. in Cicero's De imperio Pompei the choice between
positive and superlative is frequently a mere matter of
sonorousness and rhythm.
INTRODUCTION
nothing for it but to break them up into smaller
units which can be more readily handled in an
uninflected language. And yet, with all his stylistic
faults, Velleius is an author whom, as Norden has
said in his Antike Kunst-Prosa, one reads with
interest from beginning to end ; and if readabiUty
is the real test this quahty carries with it its own
apology. Were it not for the difficulty of his intricate
periods, his work, by reason of its content, its
biographical trend, and its human interest, would
be the ideal first reading-book for beginners of Latin.
Macaulay, who does not admire his style and
condemns his flattery, says : " Velleius seems to
me a remarkably good epitomist. I hardly know of
any work of which the scale is so small and the
subject so extensive," ^ a historian's testimony to
the measure of success which he has achieved in the
task which he undertook, namely, that of writing a
multum in parvo of historical condensation.
' The Life and Letters of Lord Macaulay, by George Otto
Trevelyan. Longmans, Green & Co., 1913, vol. i. p. 475.
XVll
THE TEXT
The text of Velleius depends upon a single manuscript
found by Beatus Rhenanus in the Benedictine monastery
of Murbach, in Alsace, in the year 1515. This manuscript
has long since disappeared. Rhenanus iu describing it
testifies to the almost hopeless state of corruption of the
text : *'so monstrously corrupt that no human ingenuity
could restore all of it" ; "I am ready to swear that tlie
scribe who copied it did not understand a word " ; "there
is no portion of it that is not corrupt." Not satisfied with
a copy hastily made by a friend, he resolved to delay
publication until he should have a chance to consult a
better manuscript said to have been found in Milan by
Georgius Merula. Disappointed in this hope, he brouglit
out the ed. princeps at Basle in 1520. The edition while
still in proof was compared with the Murbach manuscript
by Burer, one of the secretaries of Rhenanus, who also
noted many of its variant readings in an appendix to the
edition. The editio princeps, with Burers readings
appended, was the sole source of our knowledge of the
text until 1834 when Orelli brought tolight in the library
of the Academy at Basle an independent copy of the
Murbach ms. made in 151fi by Bonifacius Amberbach.
From this copy is missing the first fragment of Bk. I.
beginning at tempestate distractus ch. 1 and ending with
raptus virginum Sahinarum ch. 8. The absence of this
fragment would seem to indicate either that in 1516 it
had not yet been found or at any rate that it had not yet
been recognized as part of the text of Velleius. Amber-
bach's copy is of great importance, in conjunction with
the readings of Burer, in enabling the critic to restore
INTRODUCTION
the original readings of the Murbach ms. But while
modern scholarship has made progress in solving its
enigmas, the text of Velleius, unless some long-hidden
manuscript shall unexpectedly come to light, will always
continue to be one of the most corrupt among the surviv-
ing texts of classical authors.
The text of the present volume is a composite. While
chiefly indebted to the editions of Halm and Ellis, I have
frequently followed older editors, particularly in the
most corrupt passages, where the interpretations of these
scholars seem to be nearer to the tradition of the Murbach
manuscript or to the sense demanded by the context.
Tlie critical nomenclature given in the sigla is that of
Ellis. I have occasionally altered the punctuation, and^
for the convenience of the reader^ have made more
frequent use of the paragraph.
zix
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Among the older editious after the ed. princeps (see chapter
on text) the following are most frequently mentioned in
the notes on the text : .1. N. SchegkiuSj Frankfort^ 1589 ;
Acidalius, Padua, 1590; J. Lipsius, Leyden, 1591,
Antwerp, 1627 ; Gruter, Frankfort, 1607 (first systematic
division into chapters) ; Rigue/, Paris, 1675 (Delphin ed.
with word index) ; N^. Heinsius, Amsterdam, 1678 ; P.
Burman, Leyden, 1719 and 1744. More modern editions
are : D. Rulinken, 2 vols., Leyden, 1779; reprinted by
Frotscher, Leipzig, 1830-9 ; J. C. H. Krause, Leipzig,
1800 ; N. E. Lemaire, Paris, 1822 ; J. C. Orelii, Leipzig,
1835 ; F. Kritz, Leipzig, 1840. Text editions : Haase,
Leipzig, 1840 ; Halm, Leipzig, 1863 and 1875 ; Ellis,
Oxford, 1898. An annotated edition in English by Frank
E. Rockwood, Boston, 1893, will be found useful for the
period of Julius Caesar, Augustus, and Tiberius. lliere
is an English translation by J. S. Watson in Bohn's
Ciassical Library. For a complete bibliography, especially
of monographs and periodical literature concerning the
numerous special problems which arise in Velleius, see
lists in Schanz, Geschichte der romischen Litteratur.
XX
SIGLA
^ = Amberbach's copy of tbe lost Codex Murlwicbensis
completed in Au^ust 1516, uow iu the library of
tbe Academy at Basle, A.N. ii. 8.
P=Editio Priuceps, printed iu 1520.
i^ = Burer's reading-s from the Murbach Codex, which
are printed at the end of the Ed. Princeps. Halm
indicates these readinofs bv tbe letter M.
C. VELLEI PATERCULI
HISTORIAE BOMANAE
AD M. VINICIUM COS.
LIBRI DUO
LIBER PRIOR
1 I. Epbus^ tempestate distractus a duce suo Nestore
Metapontum condidit. Teucer, non receptus a
patre Telamone ob segnitiam non vindicatae fratris
iniuriae, Cyprum adpulsus cognominem patriae suae
Salamina constituit. Pyrrhus, Achillis filius, Epirum
2 occupavit, Phidippus Ephyram in Thesprotia. At
rex regum Agamemnon tempestate in Cretam
insulam reiectus tres ibi urbes statuit, duas a patriae
nomine, unam a victoriae memoria, Mycenas, Tegeam,
Pergamum.
* There is an initial lacuna in the text of considerahle extent.
Tke text, as we have it, hegins with tempestate. The name of
Epeus was supplied hy Lipsius.
" The subject of the sentence has been lost in the lacuna.
He was relating the return of the heroes from Troy. From
Justin XX. 2. 1 it is clear that he is here speaking of Epeus,
the builder of the Trojan horse. Justin's statement is as
follows: " Metapontini quoque in templo Minervae ferra-
2
THE EOMAN HISTORY
OF
C. YELLEIUS PATERCULUS
DEDICATED TO M. VINICIUS, COXSUL
BOOK I
I. Epeus," separated by a storm from Nestor, his
chief, founded Metapontum. Teucer, disowmed by
his father Telamon because of his laxity in not
avenging the ^\Tong done to his brother,^ was driven
to Cyprus and founded Salamis, named after the
place of his birth. Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles,
estabUshed himself in Epirus ; Phidippus ' in
Eph}Ta in Thesprotia. Agamemnon, king of kings,
cast by a tempest upon the island of Crete, founded
there three cities, two of which, Mycenae and Tegea,
were named after towns in his owti country, and the
other was called Pergamum in commemoration of his
victory.
menta, qnibus Epeus, a quo conditi sunt, equum Troianum
fabricavit, ostendunt."
* Ajax.
* Phidippus was one of the minor leaders in the Trojan
war. According to Homer. II. ii. 678, he came from the
islands of Calydnae off the coast of Caria.
S
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
Idem mox scelere patruelis fratris Aegisthi, here-
ditarium exercentis in eum odium, et facinore uxoris
3 oppressus occiditur. Regni potitur Aegisthus per
annos septem. Hunc Orestes matremque socia con-
siliorum omnium sorore Electra, viriHs animi femina;
obtruncat. Factum eius a diis comprobatum spatio
vitae et feUcitate imperii apparuit ; quippe vixit
annis nonaginta, regnavit septuaginta. Quin ^ se
etiam a Pyrrho Achillis fiUo virtute vindicavit ; nam
quod pactae eius Menelai atque Helenae fihae Her-
miones nuptias occupaverat, Delphis eum inter-
fecit.
4 Per haec tempora Lydus et Tyrrlienus frates cum
regnarent in Lydia, sterihtate frugum compulsi
sortiti sunt, uter cum parte multitudinis patria de-
cederet. Sors Tyrrhenum contigit. Pervectus in
ItaHam et loco et incolis et mari nobile ac perpetuum
a se nomen dedit.
Post Orestis interitum fiUi eius Penthilus et Tisa-
menus regnavere triennio.
l II. Tum fere anno octogesimo post Troiam captam,
centesimo et vicesimo quam Hercules ad deos exces-
serat, Pelopis progenies, quae omni hoc tempore
pulsis HeracHdis Peloponnesi imperium obtinuerat,
ab HercuHs progenie expeUitur. Duces recuperandi
^ quin Wopkens ; qui P.
" That is : Tyrrhenia, Tyrrhenians, and Tyrrhenian
Sea.
* The traditional date for the fall of Troy was 1183 b.c.
according to the chronology of Eratosthenes ; according to
that of Callimachus it was 1127 b.c. But many other dates
are given. See H. Fynes Clinton, Epitoms qf the Chronology
of Greece, Oxford, 1851,
4
I
HISTORY OF ROME, I. i. 2— ii. l
Agamemnon was soon afterwards struck do^vn
and slain by the infamous crime of Aegisthus, his
cousin, who still kept up against him the feud of
his house, and by the wicked act of his wife.
Aegisthus maintained possession of the kingdom for
seven years. Orestes slew Aegisthus and his own
mother, seconded in all his plans by his sister
Electra, a woman wiih the courage of a man, That
his deed had the approval of the gods was made
clear by the length of his Ufe and the fehcity
of his reign, since he lived ninety years and
reigned seventy. Furthermore, he also took revenge
upon Pyrrhus the son of Achilles in fair fight,
for he slew him at Delphi because he had fore-
stalled him in marrying Hermione, the daughter
of Menelaus and Helen who had been pledged to
himself.
About this time two brothers, Lydus andTyrrhenus,
were joint kings in Lydia. Hard pressed by the
unproductiveness of their crops, they drew lots to
see which should leave his country with part of the
population. The lot fell upon Tyrrhenus. He sailed
to Italy, and from him the place wherein he settled,
its inhabitants, and the sea received their famous
and their lasting names."
After the death of Orestes his sons Penthilus and
Tisamenus reigned for three years.
II. About eighty years after the capture of Troy,*
and a hundred and twenty after Hercules had
departed to the gods, the descendants of Pelops,
who, during all this time had held sway in the
Peloponnesus after they had driven out the
descendants of Hercules, were again in tum driven
out by them. The leaders in the recovery of the
5
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
imperii fuere Temenus, Cresphontes, Aristodemus,
quorum abavus fuerat.
Eodem fere tempore Athenae sub regibus esse
desierunt, quarum ultimus rex fuit Codrus, Melanthi
filius, vir non praetereundus. Quippe cum Lace-
daemonii gravi bello Atticos premerent respondis-
setque Pythius, quorum dux ab hoste esset occisus,
eos futuros superiores, deposita veste regia pasto-
ralem cultum induit, immixtusque castris hostium,
de industria rixam ciens, imprudenter interemptus
2 est. Codrum cum morte aeterna gloria,*Atheniensis
secuta victoria est. Quis eum non miretur, qui iis
artibus mortem quaesierit, quibus ab ignavis vita
quaeri solet ? Huius filius Medon primus archon
Athenis fuit. Ab hoc posteri apud Atticos dicti
Medontidae, sed hic insequentesque archontes usque
ad Charopem, dum viverent, eum honorem usurpa-
bant. Peloponnesii digredientes finibus Atticis
Megara, mediam Corintho Athenisque urbem, condi-
dere.
3 Ea tempestate et Tyria classis, plurimum pollens
mari, in ultimo Hispaniae tractu, in extremo^ nostri
orbis termino, in insula circumfusa Oceano, perexiguo
a continenti divisa freto, Gadis condidit. Ab iisdem
post paucos annos in Africa Utica condita est.
Exclusi ab Herachdis Orestis hberi iactatique cum
^ in extremo P ; in hracketed hy Ruhnken.
" The death of Codrus, according to the chronology of
Eusebius, is placed in 1068 b.c.
" Not all his successors but only his immediate followers,
thirteen in number.
« According to Eusebius the period of the life archons
was 1068-753 u.c.
6
HISTORY OF ROME, I. ii. 1-3
sovereignty were Temenus, Cresphontes, and Aristo-
demus, the great-great-grandsons of Hercules.
It was about this time " that Athens ceased to be
governed by kings. The last king of Athens was
Codrus the son of Melanthus, a man whose story
cannot be passed over. Athens was hard pressed in
war by the Lacedaemonians, and the Pythian oracle
had given the response that the side whose general
should be killed by the enemy would be victorious.
Codrus, therefore, laying aside his kingly robes and
donning the garb of a shepherd, made his way into
the camp of the enemy, dehberately provoked a
quarrel, and was slain without being recognized. By
his death Codrus gained immortal fame, and the
Athenians the victory. Who could A\-ithhold admira-
tion from the man who sought death by the selfsame
artifice by which cowards seek Ufe ? His son Medon
was the first archon at Athens. It was after him
that the archons who followed him ^ were called
Medontidae among the people of Attica. Medon
and all the succeeding archons until Charops con-
tinued to hold that office for Hfe.'' The Pelopon-
nesians, when they withdrew from Attic territory,
founded Megara, a city midway between Corinth and
Athens.
About this time, also, the fleet of Tyre, which
controUed the sea, founded in the farthest district
of Spain, on the remotest confines of our world, the
city of Cadiz, on an island in the ocean separated
from the mainland by a very narrow strait. The
Tyrians a few years later also founded Utica in
Africa.
The sons of Orestes, expelled by the Herachdae,
were driven about by many vicissitudes and by
7
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
variis casibus tum saevitia maris quinto decimo amio
sedem cepere circa Lesbum insulam.
1 IIL Tum Graecia maximis concussa est motibus.
Achaei ex Laconica pulsi eas occupavere sedes, quas
nunc obtinent ; Pelasgi Athenas commigravere,
acerque belli iuvenis nomine Thessalus, natione
Thesprotius, cum magna civium manu eam regionem
armis occupavit, quae nunc ab eius nomine Thessalia
appellatur, ante Myrmidonum vocitata civitas.
2 Quo nomine mirari convenit eos, qui Iliaca com-
ponentes tempora de ea regione ut Thessaha com-
memorant. Quod cum ahi faciant, tragici frequentis-
sime faciunt, quibus minime id concedendum est ;
nihil enim ex persona poetae, sed omnia sub eorum,
qui illo tempore vixerunt, disserunt.^ Quod si quis
a Thessalo HercuUs fiUo eos appellatos Thessalos
dicet, reddenda erit ei ratio, cur numquam ante
hunc insequentem Thessalum ea gens id nominis
usurpaverit.
3 Paulo ante Aletes, sextus ab Hercule, Hippotis
fiHus, Corinthum, quae antea fuerat Ephyre, claustra
Peloponnesi continentem, in Isthmo condidit. Neque
est quod miremur ab Homero nominari Corinthum ;
nam ex persona poetae et hanc urbem et quasdam
lonum colonias iis nominibus appellat, quibus voca-
bantur aetate eius, multo post lUum captum conditae.
^ disserunt Orelli ; dixerunt P.
• Iliad ii. 570, xiii. 664.
HISTORY OF ROME, I. ii. 3— iii. 3
raging storms at sea, and, in the fifteenth year,
finally settled on and about the island of Lesbos.
III. Greece was then shaken by mighty dis-
turbances. The Achaeans, driven from Laconia,
established themselves in those locahties which they
occupy to-day. The Pelasgians migrated to Athens,
and a warhke youth named Thessalus, of the race
of the Thesprotians, \\-ith a great force of his fellow-
countrymen took armed possession of that region,
which, after his name, is now called Thessaly.
Hitherto it had been called the state of the Myrmi-
dones.
On this account, one has a right to be surprised
that \\Titers -svho deal with the times of the Trojan
war speak of this region as Thessaly. This is a
common practice, but especially among the tragic
poets, for whom less allowance should be made ;
for the poets do not speak in person, but entirely
through the mouths of characters who hved in the
time referred to. But if anyone insists that the
people were named Thessahans from Thessalus the
son of Hercules, he will have to explain why this
people never adopted the name until the time of
this second Thessalus.
Shortly before these events Aletes, the son of
Hippotes,descended fromHerculesinthesixth genera-
tion, founded upon the isthmus the city of Corinth,
the key to the Peloponnesus, on the site of the former
Ephyre. There is no need for surprise that Corinth
is mentioned by Homer," for it is in his ovm person
as poet that Homer calls this city and some of the
lonian colonies by the names which they bore in his
day, although they were founded long after the
capture of Troy.
9
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
1 IV. Athenienses in Euboea Chalcida et^ Eretriam
colonis occupavere, Lacedaemonii in Asia Mag-
nesiam. Nec multo post Chalcidenses orti, ut prae-
diximus, Atticis Hippocle et Megasthene ducibus
Cumas in Italia condiderunt. Huius classis corsum
esse directum alii columbae antecedentis volatu
ferunt, alii nocturno aeris sono, quahs Cerealibus
2 sacris cieri solet. Pars horum civium magno- post
intervallo Neapohm condidit. Utriusque urbis eximia
semper in Romanos fides facit eas nobilitate atque
amoenitate sua dignissimas. Sed illis dihgentior
ritus patrii mansit custodia, Cumanos Osca mutavit
vicinia. Vires autem veteres earum urbium hodieque
magnitudo ostentat moenium.
3 Subsequenti tempore magna vis Graecae iuven-
tutis abundantia virium sedes quaeritans in Asiam
se effudit. Nam et lones duce lone profecti Athenis
nobihssimam partem regionis maritimae occupavere,
quae hodieque appellatur lonia, urbesque constituere
Ephesum, Miletum, Colophona, Prienen, Lebedum,
Myuntem, Erythram, Clazomenas, Phocaeam, mul-
tasque in Aegaeo atque Icario occupavere insulas,
Samum, Chium, Andrum, Tenum, Parum, Delum
4 ahasque ignobiles. Et mox Aeohi eadem profecti
Graecia longissimisque acti erroribus non minus
^ et added hy Gehnius.
* magno P ; non magno Scriner.
" Lubker, Reallexikon, places the date in the sixth
century.
10
HISTORY OF ROME, I. iv. 1-4
IV. The Athenians estabhshed colonies at Chalcis
and Eretria in Euboea, and the Lacedaemonians the
colony of Magnesia in Asia. Not long afterwards,
the Chalcidians, who, as I have already said, were
of Attic origin, founded Cumae in Italy under the
leadership of Hippocles and Megasthenes. According
to some accounts the voyage of this fleet was guided
by the flight of a dove which flew before it ; according
to others by the sound at night of a bronze instru-
ment Hke that which is beaten at the rites of Ceres.
At a considerably later period, a portion of the
citizens of Cumae founded Naples." The remarkable
and unbroken loyalty to the Romans of both these
cities makes them well worthy of their repute and
of their charming situation. The Neapolitans,
however, continued the careful observance of their
ancestral customs ; the Cumans, on the other hand,
were changed in character by the proximity of their
Oscan neighbours. The extent of their walls at the
present day serves to reveal the greatness of these
cities in the past.
At a shghtly later date a great number of young
Greeks, seeking new abodes because of an excess of
population at home, poured into Asia. The lonians,
setting out from Athens under the leadership of lon,
occupied the best known portion of the sea-coast,
which is now called lonia, and estabhshed the cities
of Ephesus, Miletus, Colophon, Priene, Lebedus,
Myus, Erythra, Clazomenae, and Phocaea, and
occupied many islands in the Aegaean and Icarian
seas, namely, Samos, Chios, Andros, Tenos, Paros,
Delos, and other islands of lesser note. Not long
afterwards the Aeohans also set out from Greece,
and after long wanderings took possession of places
11
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
inlustres obtinuerunt locos clarasque urbes condi-
derunt, Smyrnam, Cymen, Larissam, Myrinam
Mytilenenque et alias urbes, quae sunt in Lesbo
insula.
1 V. Clarissimum deinde Homeri inluxit ingenium,
sine exemplo maximum, qui magnitudine operis et
2 fulgore carminum solus appellari poeta meruit ; in
quo hoc maximum est, quod neque ante illum, quem
ipse^ imitaretur, neque post illum, qui eum imitari
posset, inventus est. Neque quemquam alium, cuius
operis primus auctor fuerit, in eo perfectissimum
3 praeter Homerum et Archilochum reperiemus. Hic
longius a temporibus beUi, quod composuit, Troici,
quam quidam rentur, abfuit ; nam ferme ante annos
nongentos quinquaginta floruit, intra mille natus est.
Quo nomine non est mirandum, quod saepe illud usur-
pat oLoi vrv jSpoToi €to-u'2 ; hoc enim ut hominum,
ita saeculorum notatur diiferentia. Quem si quis
caecum genitum putat, omnibus sensibus orbus est.
1 VL Insequenti tempore imperium Asiaticum ab
Assyriis, qui id obtinuerant annis mille septuaginta,
translatum est ad Medos, abhinc annos ferme
2 octingentos septuaginta.^ Quippe Sardanapalum
eorum regem molhtiis fluentem et nimium fehcem
malo suo, tertio et tricensimo* loco ab Nino et Semira-
^ quem ille F.
^ oloi . . . elffiv om. P ; supplied by Urbinus.
^ DccLxx P ; DCCCLXX Lipsius.
* trecentesimo P ; tricensimo B.
" Clinton, op. cit. p. 146, estiraates the period at which
Homer flourished as 962-927 b.c.
* " Such as men are nowadays " {II. v. 304, xii. 383, 449).
• Barbarus and Castor, corroborated by Ctesias, place
the revolt of the Medes in 843 b.c, which corresponds fairly
well with the date here given.
12
HISTORY OF ROME, I. iv. 4— vi. 2
no less illustrious and founded the famous cities of
Smyrna, Cyme, Larissa, Myrina, Mytilene, and other
cities on the island of Lesbos.
V. Then the brilhant genius of Homer burst upon
the world, the greatest beyond compare, who bv
virtue of the magnitude of his work and the brilhance
of his poetr}' alone deserves the name of poet. His
highest claim to greatness is that, before his day,
no one was found for him to imitate, nor after tids
day has one been found to imitate him. Nor shall
we find any other poet who achieved perfection in
the field in which he was also the pioneer, with the
exception of Homer and Archilochus. Homer hved
at a period more remote than some people think
from the Trojan war of which he wrote ; for he
flourished only about nine hundred and fifty years
ago, and it is less than a thousand since his birth."
It is therefore not surprising that he often uses
the expression 0^01 vvv (SpoToi etcriv,* for by it is
denoted the difFerence, not merely in men, but in ages
as well. If any man holds to the view that Homer
was bom bhnd, he is himself lacking in all his senses.
VI. In the foUowing age — about eight hundred
and seventy years ago '" — the sovereignty of Asia
passed to the Medes from the Assyrians, who had
held it for ten hundred and seventy years. Indeed,
it was their king Sardanapalus, a man enervated by
luxurious hving, whose excess of fortune was his
undoing. Thirty-third,^ in direct succession of father
* Diodorus ii. 21. ^25 gives the number of Assyrian kings
as thirty, and the length of their dynasty as 1360 years.
This figure is considerably greater than the 1070 years given
by Velleius, and would place the beginning of the dynasty
in 2203-2204. b.c.
13
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
mide, qui Babylona coRcliderant, natum, ita ut
semper successor regni paterni foret filius, Arbaces
Medus imperio vitaque privavit.
3 Ea aetate clarissimus Grai nominis Lycurgus
Lacedaemonius, vir generis regii, fuit severissimarum
iustissimarumque legum auctor et disciplinae con-
venientissimae viris,^ cuius quam diu Sparta diligens
fuit, excelsissime floruit.
4 Hoc tractu tem.porum ante annos quinque et
sexaginta quam urbs Romana conderetur, ab Elissa
Tyria, quam quidam Dido autumant, Carthago con-
6 ditur. Circa quod tempus Caranus, vir generis regii,
undecimus^ ab Hercule, profectus Argis regnum
Macedoniae occupavit ; a quo Magnus Alexander
cum fuerit septimus decimus, iure materni generis
6 Achille auctore, paterni Hercule gloriatus est. [Aemi-
lius Sura de annis populi Romani : Assyrii principes
omnium gentium rerum potiti sunt, deinde Medi,
postea Persae, deinde Macedones ; exinde duobus
regibus Philippo et Antiocho, qui a Macedonibus
oriundi erant, haud multo post Carthaginem sub-
actam devictis summa imperii ad populum Romanum
pervenit. Inter hoc tempus et initium regis Nini
Assyriorum, qui princeps rerum potitus est,^ intersunt
anni mdccccxcv.] *
1 VII. Huius temporis aequalis Hesiodus fuit, circa
^ viris Lipsius ; vir P.
^ undeciraus Wesseling ; sextus decimus P.
' potitus est 1 potitus P.
*■ Aemilius Sura . . . intersunt anni mdccccxcv] Del-
heniusjirst recognized that this passage was a gloss.
" Tlie date, according to Timaeus, was 813-814 b.c.
* The overthrow of Carthage took place in 146 b.c. The
date of the founding of the Assyrian kingdom, based on
14
HISTORY OF ROME, I. \-i. 2— vii. 1
and son, from Ninus and Semiramis, who had founded
Babylon, he was deprived ahke of his empire and of
his iife by Arbaces the Mede.
At this time lived Lycurgus the Lacedaemonian,
one of the most illustrious personages of Greece, a
man of royal descent, the author of legislation
most severe and most just, and of a discipHne
excellently adapted for the making of men. As
long as Sparta foUowed it, she flourished in the
highest degree.
In this period, sixty-five years before the founding
of Rome, Carthage was estabHshed <* by the Tyrian
Elissa, by some authors called Dido. About this
time also Caranus, a man of royal race, eleventh in
descent from Hercules, set out from Argos and
seized the kingship of Macedonia. From him
Alexander the Great was descended in the seven-
teenth generation, and could boast that, on his
mother's side, he was descended from Achilles, and,
on his father's side, from Hercules. [AemiUus Sura
says in his book on the chronology of Rome : " The
Assyrians were the first of all races to hold world
power, then the Medes, and after them the Persians,
and then the Macedonians. Then through the
defeat of Kings PhiUp and Antiochus, of Macedonian
origin, foUowing closely upon the overthrow of
Carthage, the world power passed to the Roman
people. Between this time and the beginning of the
reign of Ninus king of the Assyrians, who was the
first to hold world power, lies an interval of nineteen
hundred and ninety-five years." ^]
VII. To this period belonged Hesiod, separated
Diodorus, is 2-203— 2204. b.c. The interval, according to this
calculation, is 2058 years.
15
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
centum et viginti annos distinctus ab Homeri aetate,
vir perelegantis ingenii et mollissima dulcedine car-
minum memorabilis, otii quietisque cupidissimus, ut
tempore tanto viro, ita operis auctoritate proximus.
Qui vitavit, ne in id quod Homerus incideret, pa-
triamque et parentes testatus est, sed patriam,
quia multatus ab ea erat, contumeliosissime.
2 Dum in externis moror, incidi in rem domesticam
maximique ^ erroris et multum discrepantem aucto-
rum opinionibus : nam quidam huius temporis tractu
aiunt a Tuscis Capuam Nolamque conditam ante
annos fere octingentos et triginta. Quibus equidem
3 adsenserim : sed M. Cato quantum difFert ! Qui
dicat Capuam ab eisdem Tuscis conditam ac subinde
Nolam ; stetisse autem Capuam, antequam a Romanis
4 caperetur, annis circiter ducentis et sexaginta. Quod
si ita est, cum sint a Capua capta anni ducenti et
quadraginta, ut condita est, anni sunt fere quingenti.
Ego, pace diligentiae Catonis dixerim, vix crediderim
tam mature tantam urbem crevisse, floruisse, con-
cidisse, resurrexisse.
1 Vin. Clarissimum deinde omnium ludicrum cer-
tamen et ad excitandam corporis animique virtutem
efficacissimum Olympiorum initium habuit, auctorem
Iphitum Elium. Is eos ludos mercatumque instituit
^ raaximique Rhenanus ; maximeque P.
' Clinton, op. cit. p. 146, gives the period at which Hesiod
flourished as 839-824 b.c. Porphyry gives the interval be-
tween him and Homer as one hundred years.
* The fact that Capua was a city of the plain shows that
its Etruscan foundation dates from the time when the
Etruscan power was supreme in Campania, i.e. circa 600 b.c,
and supports Cato's statement. It is not unhkely, however,
that the foundation was on the site of a previous Oscan
settlement.
16
HISTORY OF ROME, I. vii. 1— viii. 1
from the age of Homer by about one hundred and
twenty years.** A man of an exquisite taste, famous
for the soft charm of his poems, and an ardent lover
of peace and quiet, he ranks next to Homer, not only
in point of time, but also in the reverence in which
his work is held. Avoiding the mistake which Homer
made, he has indeed told us of his country and
parents, but of his country, at whose hands he had
sufFered punishment, he speaks in the most dis-
paraging terms.
While dweUing on the history of foreign countries,
I now come to an event pertaining to our own, one
in which there has been much error, and in which
the views of the authorities show great discrepancy.
For some maintain that about this time, eight
hundred and thirty years ago, Capua and Nola were
founded by the Etruscans. With these I myself am
inclined to agree, but the opinion of Marcus Cato is
vastly different. He admits that Capua, and after-
wards Nola, were founded by the Etruscans, but
maintains that Capua had been in existence for only
about two hundred and sixty years before its capture
by the Romans. If this is so, as it is but two hundred
and forty years since Capua was taken, it is but five
hundred years since it was founded. For my o^vn
part, with all due regard for Cato's accuracy, I can
scarcely beUeve that the city could have had such
growth, such prosperity, or could have faUen and
risen again, in so short a space of time.**
VIII. Soon afterward the Olympic games, the
most celebrated of aU contests in sports, and one
which was most effective in developing the quaUties
both of body and mind, had their beginning under
the auspices of Iphitus, king of EUs. He instituted
17
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
ante annos, quam tu, M. Vinici, consulatum inires,
2 Dcccxxiii. Hoc sacrum eodem loco instituisse fertur
abhinc annos ferme mille ducentos quinquaginta
Atreus, cum Pelopi patri funebres ludos faceret, quo
quidem in ludicro omnisque^ generis certaminum
Hercules victor extitit.
3 Tum Athenis perpetui archontes esse desierunt,
cum fuisset ultimus Alcmaeon, coeperuntque in
denos annos creari, Quae consuetudo in annos
septuaginta mansit ac deinde annuis commissa est
magistratibus res publica. Ex iis, qui denis annis
praefuerunt, primus fuit Charops, ultimus Eryxias,
ex annuis primus Creon.
4 Sexta olympiade post duo et viginti annos quam
prima constituta fuerat, Romulus, Martis fihus, ultus
iniurias avi Romam urbem Parihbus in Palatio con-
didit. A quo tempore ad vos consules anni sunt
septingenti octoginta unus^ ; id actum post Troiam
6 captam annis quadringentis triginta septem. Id
gessit Romulus adiutus legionibus Latini^ avi sui ;
hbenter enim iis, qui ita prodiderunt, accesserim,
cum ahter firmare urbem novam tam vicinis Veienti-
bus ahisque Etruscis ac Sabinis cum imbelh et
* omnisque P ; omnis Gelenius ; cuiusque Gurlitt.
^ D.ccc.Lxxx.L P ; corrected hy Laurentius.
3 Latini Orelli ; Latinis Lipsius ; his P.
« Later chronology reckoned the Olympiads from 776 b.c,
but the games were in existence long before that date.
* The legendary connexion of the games with Pelops
indicates that they were of pre-Dorian origin. The cult of
Hercules was a later Dorian iraportation.
« The administration of Athens by decennial archons
began in 752-751 b.c. The annual archons begin in 683-682
B.c, with Creon as the first.
* 753B.c.,accordingtothe Varronian era ; 751, according
18
HISTORY OF ROME, I. viii. 1-5
the games and the concourse eight hundred and
twenty-three years " before your consulship, Marcus
Vinicius. There is a tradition that Atreus began
this sacred observance in the same place about
twelve hundred and fifty years ago, when he held
the funeral games in honour of his father Pelops ^
and that at this celebration Hercules was the ^ictor
in every class of contest.
It was about this time " that the archons at Athens
ceased to hold their office for Ufe. Alcmaeon was
the last of the hfe archons. The archons now began
to be elected for terms of ten years. This custom
continued for seventy years, then the govemment
was entrusted to magistrates elected annually.
Charops was the first and Eryxias the last of those
who held the office for ten years, and Creon was the
first of the annual archons.
In the sixth Olympiad,'* two and twenty years after
the first estabUshment of the Olympic games,
Romulus the son of Mars, after avenging the wTongs
of his grandfather, founded the city of Rome on the
Palatine on the day of the festival of the Parilia.
From this time to your consulship seven hundred
and eighty-one years have elapsed. This event took
place four hundred and thirty-seven years after the
capture of Troy. In the founding of Rome Romulus
was assisted by the troops of his grandfather Latinus.
I am glad to range myself with those who have
expressed this view, since with the Veientines and
other Etruscans, as well as the Sabines, in such close
proximity, he could scarcely have established his
to the Catonian. Velleius sometimes follows the Catonian,
but in this case the Catonian date would fall in the Seventh
Olympiad.
19
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
pastorali manu vix potuerit, quamquam eam^ asylo
6 facto inter duos lueos auxit. Hic centum homines
electos appellatosque patres instar habuit consilii
publici. Hanc originem nomen patriciorum habet.
Raptus virginum Sabinarum * * *2
Nec minus clarus ea tempestate fuit Miltiadis
filius Cimon.
1 IX. * * *3 quam timuerat hostis, expetit. Nam
biennio adeo varia fortuna cum consulibus conflixerat,
ut plerumque superior fuerit* magnamque partem
2 Graeciae in societatem suam perduceret. Quin
Rhodii quoque, fidelissimi antea Romanis, tum dubia
fide speculati fortunam proniores regis partibus
fuisse visi sunt ; et rex Eumenes in eo bello medius
fuit animo, neque fratris initiis neque suae respondit
3 consuetudini. Tum senatus populusque Romanus
L. Aemilium Paukim, qui et praetor et consul
triumphaverat, virum in tantum laudandum, in
quantum intellegi virtus potest, consulem creavit,^
^ eani Ileinsius ; iam P.
* Here hegins a great Jacuna in the text. The missing
chapters covered 582 years of Roman HiMory from the found-
ing ofthe city to the warwith Perses. Thefragment Nec . . .
Cimon appended to the present chapter is preserved in
Priscian vi. 63.
* Haase has completed the sentence as follows: quorum
iniuriarum populus Romanus poenam tardius quam timuerat
hostls expetit (expetiit). But this is notking more than an
interesting conjecture, and the subject of expetit mv^t revfmin
in douht.
* fuerit P ; fuit AB. ' consulem creavit om. A.
" See note on text.
* The subject of expetit is lacking. It is not certain
20
HISTORY OF ROME, I. viii. 5— ix 3
new city \^ith an unwarlike band of shepherds, even
though he increased their numbers by opening an
asylum between the two hills. As a councii to assist
him in administering affairs of state he had one
hundred chosen men called patres. This is the origin
of the name patricians. The rape of the Sabine
maidens . . ."
Nor at this time was Cimon, the son of Miltiades,
less famous.
IX. . . . than the enemy had feared.* For two
years Perses " had kept up the struggle with the
consuls with such varying fortune that he generally
had the advantage in these conflicts, and succeeded
in ^\-inning over a large part of Greece to ally itself
with his cause. Even the Rhodians, who in the past
had been most loyal to the Romans, were now
wavering in their fidehty, and, watching his success,
seemed incUned to join the king's side. In this war
King Eumenes ■* maintained a neutral attitude,
neither following the initiative of his brother nor
his own established custom. Then the senate and
the Roman people chose as consul Lucius Aemihus
Paulus, who had previously triumphed, both in his
praetorship and in his consulship, a man worthy of
the highest praise that can be associated with valour.
whether ejypetit is the correct reading, and, if it is, the tense
is uncertain. In view of these uncertainties 1 have refralned
frora translating it.
* In 171 B.c. the Roraans had declared war on Perses,
King of Macedonia. The Roraan commanders thus far had
been P. Licinius Crassus, consul for 171 ; A. Hostilius
Mancinus, consul for 170 ; and Q. Marcius Philippus, consul
for 169.
■* Eumenes II., King of Pergamum, 197-159 B.C., the
eldest son of Attalus I.
21
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
filium eius Pauli, qui ad Cannas quam tergiversanter
perniciosam rei publicae pugnam inierat, tam fortiter
4 in ea mortem obierat. Is Persam ingenti proelio
apud urbem nomine Pydnam in Macedonia fusum
fugatumque castris exuit deletisque eius copiis
destitutum omni spe coegit e Macedonia profugere,
quam ille Hnquens in insulam Samothraciam perfugit'^
5 templique se religioni supplicem credidit. Ad eum
Cn. Octavius praetor, qui classi praeerat, pervenit
et ratione magis quam vi persuasit, ut se Romanorum
fidei committeret. Ita Paulus maximum nobilissi-
mumque regem in triumpho duxit.
Quo anno et Octavii praetoris navalis et Anicii
regem Illyriorum Gentium ante currum agentis^
6 triumphi fuere celebres. Quam sit adsidua eminentis
fortunae comes invidia altissimisque adhaereat, etiam
hoc colligi potest, quod cum Anicii Octaviique
triumphum nemo interpellaret, fuere, qui PauH
impedire obniterentur. Cuius tantum priores exces-
sit vel magnitudine regis Persei vel specie simula-
crorum vel modo pecuniae, ut bis miliens centiens
sestertium aerario intulerit is, et^ omnium ante acto-
rum comparationem ampUtudine vicerit.
^ perfugit Cruslus ; profugit AP.
2 agentis Gelenius ; agentiura AP.
^ ut b. m. centies sh {sic) aerario contulerit his et AP,
corrected hy Schoepfer who was foUowed by Thomas ; cum
bis m. . . . aerario intulisset Halm.
" Lucius Aemilius Paulus, consul in 216 with Gaius
Terentius Varro. His policy had been that of wearing
Hannibal out by avoiding battle. His more hot-headed
coUeague, in command for the day, joined battle with
Hannibal at Cannae, and the Romans suffered the most
disastrous defeat of the war.
» 168 B.c.
22
HISTORY OF ROME, I. ix. 3-6
He was a son of the Paulus " who had met death at
Cannae with a fortitude only equalled by his
reluctance to begin a battle so disastrous to the
republic. Paulus defeated Perses in a great battle
at a city in Macedonia named Pydna,'' put him to
rout, despoiled his camp, destroyed his forces, and
compelled him in his desperate plight to flee from
Macedonia. Abandoning his country, Perses took
refuge in the island of Samothrace, as a suppUant
entrusting himself to the inviolabihty of the temple.
There Gnaeus Octavius, the praetor in command of
the fleet, reached him and persuaded him by argument
rather than force to give himself up to the good
faith of the Romans. Thus Paulus led in triumph
the greatest and the most illustrious of kings."
In this year two other triumphs were celebrated :
that of Octa\ius, the praetor in charge of the fleet,
and that of Anicius, who drove before his triumphal
chariot Gentius, King of the Illyrians. How insepar-
able a companion of great success is jealousy, and
how she attaches herself to the most eminent,
may be gathered from this fact : although no one
raised objections to the triumphs of Octavius and
Anicius, there were those who tried to place
obstacles in the way of that of Paulus. His
triumph so far exceeded all former ones, whether
in the greatness of King Perses himself, or in the
display of statues and the amount of money bome
in the procession, that Paulus contributed to the
treasury two hundred million sesterces, and by
reason of this vast sxma ecHpsed all previous triumphs
by comparison.
• The triumph of Paulus took place in 167. Perses was
kept a prisoner al Alba Fucensis where he subsequently died.
23
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
1 X. Per idem tempus, cum Antiochus Epiphanes,
qui Athenis Olympieum inchoavit, tum rex^ Syriae,
Ptolemaeum puerum Alexandriae obsideret, missus
est ad eum legatus M, PopiHus Laenas, qui iuberet
2 incepto desistere. Mandataque exposuit et^ regem
deliberaturum se dicentem circumscripsit virgula
iussitque prius responsum reddere, quam egrederetur
finito harenae circulo. Sic cogitationem-* regiam
Romana disiecit constantia oboeditumque imperio.
3 Lucio autem Paulo Macedonicae^ victoriae com-
poti quattuor fihi fuere ; ex iis duos natu maiores,
unum P. Scipioni P, Africani fiho, nihil ex paterna
maiestate praeter speciem nominis vigoremque elo-
quentiae retinenti, in adoptionem dederat, alterum
Fabio Maximo. Duos minores natu praetextatos,
4 quo tempore victoriam adeptus est, habuit. Is cum
in contione extra urbem more maiorum ante triumphi
diem ordinem actorum suorum commemoraret, deos
immortahs precatus est, ut, si quis eorum invideret
operibus ac fortunae suae, in ipsum potius saevirent^
5 quam in rem pubhcam. Quae vox veluti oraculo
emissa magna parte eum spoliavit sanguinis sui ; nam
alterum ex suis, quos in famiha retinuerat, hberis
ante paucos triumphi, alterum post pauciores amisit
dies.
6 Aspera circa haec tempora censura Fulvii Flacci
et Postumii Albini fuit : quippe Fulvii censoris frater,
^ tum (cum A) regem AP.
2 etP; ut^.
• cogitationem] cunctationem Acidalius.
* Macedonicae litihnken ; magnae AP.
' saevirent P ; saeviret^.
' Ptolemy VI. Philometor.
S4
HISTORY OF ROME, I. x. 1-6
X. About this time Antiochus Epiphanes, king of
Syria — the Antiochus who began the Olympiemn
at Athens — was besicging Ptolemaeus, the boy
king," at Alexandi*ia. Marcus PopiHus Laenas was
dispatched on an embassy to order him to desist.
He dehvered his message, and when the king rephed
that he would think the matter over, Popihus drew a
circle around the king -v^ith his staff and told him that
he must give his answer before he stepped out of the
circle in the sand. In this way the tirmness of the
Roman cut short the king's dehberations, and the
order was obeyed.
Now Lucius Paulus, who won the victory in
Macedonia, had four sons. The two oldest he had
given by adoption, the one to Pubhus Scipio, the son
of Africanus, who resembled his great father in
nothing except in name and in his \dgorous eloquence;
the other to Fabius Maximus. The two younger at
the time of his victory had not yet assumed the toga
of manhood. On the day before his triumph, when,
in accordance with ancient custom, he was rendering
an account of his acts before an assembly of the
people outside the city walls,* he prayed to the gods
that if any of them emied liis achievements or his
fortune they should vent their wTath upon himself
rather than upon the state. This utterance, as
though prophetic, deprived him of a great part of
his family, for a few days before his triumph he lost
one of the two sons whom he had kept in his house-
hold, and the other a still shorter time after it.
About this time occurred the censorship"" of Fulvius
Flaccus and Postumius Albinus famed for its severity.
* A triumphant general was obliged to wait outside the
walis imtil the day of his triumph. '174 b.c.
25
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
et quidem consors, Cn. Fulvius senatu motus est ab
iis censoribus.
1 XL Post victum captumque Persen, qui quadrien-
nio post in libera custodia Albae decessit, Pseudo-
philippus a mendacio simulatae originis appellatus,
qui se Philippum regiaeque stirpis ferebat, cum
esset ultimae, armis occupata Macedonia, adsumptis'^
regni insignibus brevi temeritatis poenas dedit ;
2 quippe Q. Metellus praetor, cui ex virtute Mace-
donici nomen inditum erat,- praeclara victoria ipsum
gentemque superavit, et immani etiam Achaeos re-
bellare incipientis fudit acie.
3 Hic est Metellus Macedonicus, qui porticus, quae
fuerunt circumdatae duabus aedibus sine inscriptione
positis, quae nunc Octaviae porticibus ambiuntur,
fecerat, quique hanc turmam statuarum equestrium,
quae frontem aedium spectant, hodieque maximum
4 ornamentum eius loci, ex Macedonia detulit. Cuius
turmae hanc causam referunt, Magnum Alexandrum
impetrasse a Lysippo, singulari talium auctore
operum, ut eorum equitum, qui ex ipsius turma
apud Granicum flumen ceciderant, expressa simili-
tudine figurarum faceret statuas et ipsius quoque iis
interponeret.
6 Hic idem primus omnium Romae aedem ex mar-
more in iis ipsis monumentis molitus huius^ vel
magnificentiae vel luxuriae princeps fuit. Vix ullius
^ adsumptis is Burer''^ conjeciure; adsumpti AP.
' inditum erat AP ; erat was bracketed hy Gelenius.
^ huius added by Ruhnken.
» 148 B.c.
26
HISTORY OF ROME, I. x. 6— xi. 6
Even Gnaeus Fulvius, who was the brother of the
censor and co-heir mth him in his estate, was
expelled from the senate by these censors.
XI. After the defeat and capture of Perses, who
four years later died at Alba as a prisoner on parole,
a pseudo-Phihppus, so called by reason of his false
claim that he was a Phihp and of royal race, though
he was actually of the lowest birth, took armed
possession of Macedonia, assumed the insignia of
royalty, but soon paid the penalty for his temerity.
For Quintus Metellus the praetor, who received the
cognomen of Macedonicus by \-irtue of his valour
in this war, defeated him and the Macedonians in a
celebrated victory." He also defeated in a great
battle the Achaeans who had begun an uprising
against Rome.
This is the Metellus Macedonicus who had
preWously built the portico about the two temples
without inscriptions which are now surrounded by
the portico of Octavia, and who brought from
Macedonia the group of equestrian statues which
stand facing the temples, and, even at the present
time, are the chief ornament of the place. Tradition
hands down the following story of the origin of the
group : that Alexander the Great prevailed upon
Lysippus, a sculptor unexcelled in works of this sort,
to make portrait-statues of the horsemen in his o^vn
squadron who had fallen at the river Granicus, and
to place his own statue among them.
This same Metellus was the first of all to build
a temple of marble, which he erected in the midst
of these very monuments, thereby becoming the
pioneer in this form of munificence, or shall we call
it luxury ? One will scarcely find a man of any race,
27
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
gentis aetatis ordinis hominem inveneris, cuius feli-
6 citatem fortunae Metelli compares. Nam praeter
excellentis triumphos honoresque amplissimos et
principale in re pubHca fastigium extentumque vitae
spatium et acris innocentisque pro re publica cum
inimicis contentiones quattuor filios sustulit, omnis
adultae aetatis vidit, omnis reliquit superstites et
7 honoratissimos. Mortui eius lectum pro rostris sus-
tulerunt quattuor filii. unus consularis et censorius,
alter consularis, tertius consul, quartus candidatus
consulatus, quem honorem adeptus est. Hoc est
nimirum magis fehciter de vita migrare quam mori.
1 XII. Universa deinde instincta^ in bellum Achaia,
cuius pars magna, ut praediximus, eiusdem Metelli
Macedonici virtute armisque fracta^ erat, maxime
Corinthiis in arma cum gravibus etiam in Romanos
contumeUis instigantibus, destinatus ei bello gerendo
consul L. Mummius.
2 Et sub idem tempus, magis quia volebant Romani,
quidquid de Carthaginiensibus diceretur^ credere
quam quia credenda adferebantur, statuit senatus
3 Carthaginem exscindere.* Ita eodem tempore P.
Scipio AemiUanus, vir avitis P. Africani paternisque
^ deinde ut praediximus instincta -4Py Madvig placed ut
praed. after magna.
■^ cuius pars . . . fractayi/rZits; cum pars . . . tracta ^7^.
* diceretiir AB ; dicebatur P. Burer states that ba was
addfid iti the j\[nrbach MS. in a later hand.
* excidere AP.
28
HISTORY OF ROME, I. xi. 5— xii. 3
or any age, or any rank, whose happy fortune is
comparable with that of Metellus. For, not to
mention his surpassing triumphs, the great honours
which he held, his supreme position in the state, the
length of his life, and the bitter struggles on behalf
of the state which he waged -vvith his enemies
without damage to his reputation, he reared four
sons, saw them all reach man's estate, left them
all sur^-i^-ing him and held in the highest honour.
These four sons bore the bier of their dead father
to its place in front of the rostra ; one was an
ex-consul and ex-censor, the second an ex-consul,
the third was actually consul, and the fourth was
then a candidate for the consulship, an office which
he duly held. This is assuredly not to die, but
rather to pass happily out of hfe.
XII. Thereafter all Achaia was aroused to war
though the greater part of it had been crushed,
as I have already said, by the valour and arms of
this same Metellus Macedonicus. The Corinthians,
in particular, were the instigators of it, going so far
as to heap grave insults upon the Romans, and
Mummius, the consul, was appointed to take charge
of the war there.
About the same time the senate resolved to
destroy Carthage, rather because the Romans were
ready to believe any rumour conceming the
Carthaginians, than because the reports were
credible. Accordingly at this same time Scipio
AemiUanus was elected consul, though but a
candidate for the aedileship. He was a man
whose \irtues resembled those of his grandfather,
Pubhus Africanus, and of his father Lucius Paulus
(he was, as has been ah-eady said, the son
29
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
L. Pauli virtutibus simillimus, omnibus belli ac togae
dotibus ingeniique ac studiorum eminentissimus
saeculi sui, qui nihil in vita nisi laudandum aut fecit
aut dixit ac sensit, quem Paulo genitum, adoptatum
a Scipione Africani filio diximus, aedilitatem petens
4 consul creatus est. Bellum Carthagini iam ante
biennium a prioribus consuHbus inlatum maiore vi
intuUt (cum ante in Hispania murali corona, in Africa
obsidionali donatus esset, in Hispania vero etiam ex
provocatione, ipse modicus virium, inmanis magni-
5 tudinis hostem interemisset) eamque urbem magis
invidia imperii quam ullius eius temporis noxiae
invisam Romano nomini funditus sustulit fecitque
suae virtutis monimentum, quod fuerat avi eius
clementiae. Carthago diruta est, cum stetisset annis
sexcentis septuaginta duobus,^ abhinc annos centum
septuaginta tris^ Cn. Cornelio Lentulo L. Mummio
6 consuhbus. Hunc finem habuit Romani imperii
Carthago aemula, cum qua bellare maiores nostri
coepere Claudio et Fulvio consuhbus ante annos
ducentos nonaginta duos,^ quam tu, M. Vinici, con-
sulatum inires. Ita per annos centum et viginti*
aut bellum inter eos populos aut belU praeparatio
7 aut infida pax fuit. Neque se Roma iam terrarum
orbi superato securam speravit fore, si nomen usquam
stantis maneret Carthaginis ; adeo odium certamini-
bus ortum ultra metum durat et ne in victis quidem
1 DCLXxii lani ; dclxvii P ; dclxvi A.
2 CLxxiii Kritz; clxxvii J5 ; cclxxvii AP.
* ccxcir Laurent. ; ccxcvi AP. * cxx lani ; cxv AP.
" The corojui muralis, given for the storraing of a wall,
was of gold with embattled ornaments.
* A crown or garland preseiited to a general by the army
which he had saved from a siege, or from a disgraceful
surrender. It was woven of grasses collected on the spot.
30
HISTORY OF ROME, I. xii. 3-7
of Paulus, and had been adopted by the son
of Publius Scipio) — endowed with all the qualities
essential to a good soldier and a good eitizen, the
most eminent man of his day both in native abihty
and acquired knowledge, who in his whole life was
guilty of no act, word, or thought that was not
praiseworthy. He had already received in Spain the
mural croAra," and in Africa the corona obsidionalis''
for his braver}-, and while in Spain he had challenged
and slain an enemy of great stature though himself
a man of but ordinary physical strength. The war
against Carthage begun by the consuls two years
pre\^ously he now waged with greater vigour, and
destroyed to its foundations the city which was
hateful to the Roman name more because of jealousy
of its power than because of any ofFence at that
time. He made Carthage a monument to his valour
— a city which had been a monument to his grand-
father's clemency." Carthage, after standing for six
hundred and seventy-two years, was destroyed in the
consulship of Gnaeus Cornehus Lentulus and Lucius
Mummius,<*one hundred and seventy-three years from
the present date. This was the end of Carthage, the
rival of the power of Rome, with whom our ancestors
began the conflict in the consulship of Claudius and
Fulvius ' two hundred and ninety-two years before
you entered upon your consulship, Marcus Vinicius.
Thus for one hundred and twenty years there existed
between these two people either war, or preparations
for war or a treacherous peace. Even after Rome
had conquered the world she could not hope for
security so long as the name of Carthage remained
• Scipio the elder had spared it after the battle of Zama.
* 146 B.c. • 264 B.C.
Sl
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
deponitur neque ante invisum esse desinit quam esse
desiit.
1 XIIL Ante triennium quam Carthago deleretur,
M. Cato, perpetuus diruendae eius auctor, L. Cen-
sorino M'. Manilio consulibus mortem obiit. Eodem
anno, quo Carthago concidit, L.^ Mummius Corin-
thum post annos nongentos quinquaginta duos,
quam ab Alete Hippotis fiHo erat condita, funditus
2 eruit. Uterque imperator devictae a se gentis
nomine honoratus, alter Africanus, alter appellatus
est Achaicus ; nec quisquam ex novis hominibus
prior Mummio cognomen virtute partum vindicavit.
3 Diversi imperatoribus mores, diversa fuere studia :
quippe Scipio tam elegans UberaHum studiorum
omnisque doctrinae et auctor et admirator fuit, ut
Polybium Panaetiumque, praecellentes ingenio viros,
domi militiaeque secum habuerit. Neque enim quis-
quam hoc Scipione elegantius intervalla negotiorum
otio dispunxit semperque aut belU aut pacis serviit
artibus : semper inter arma ac studia versatus aut
corpus pericuhs aut animum disciphnis exercuit.
4 Mummius tam rudis fuit, ut capta Corintho cum
maximorum artificum perfectas manibus tabulas ac
statuas in Itaham portandas locaret, iuberet praedici
conducentibus, si eas perdidissent, novas eos red-
^ L. Rhenanus', a B ; A AP.
• 146 B.c.
* A man who was the first of his family to hold a curule
office was callcd a novus homo or " new man."
32
HISTORY OF ROME, I. xii. 7— xiii. 4
as of a city still standing : to such an extent does
hatred begotten of conflict outlast the fear which
caused it ; it is not laid aside even when the foe is
vanquished nor does the object of it cease to be
hated until it has ceased to be.
XIII. Cato, the constant advocate of her destrue-
tion, died three years before the fall of Carthage, in
the consulship of Lucius Censorinus and Manius
Manihus. In the same year in wliich Carthage fell
Lucius Mummius destroyed Corinth " to her very
foundations, nine hundred and fifty-two years after
her founding by Aletes, son of Hippos. The two
conquerors were honoured by the names of the
conquered races. The one was surnamed Africanus,
the other Achaicus. Before Mummius no new man *
earned for himself a cognomen won by miUtary
glory.
The two commanders differed in their characters
as in their tastes. Scipio was a cultivated patron
and admirer of hberal studies and of every form of
learning, and kept constantly with him, at home and
in the field, two men of eminent genius, Polybius
and Panaetius. No one ever relieved the duties of
active Ufe by a more refined use of his intervals
of leisure than Scipio, or was more constant in
his devotion to the arts either of war or peace.
Ever engaged in the pursuit of arms or his studies,
he was either training his body by exposing it to
dangers or his mind by learning. Mummius was
so uncultivated that when, after the capture of
Corinth, he was contracting for the transportation
to Italy of pictures and statues by the hands of the
greatest artists, he gave instructions that the
contractors should be warned that if they lost them,
33
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
5 dituros. Non tamenputo dubites, Vinici, quin magis
pro re publica fuerit manere adhuc rudem Corin-
thiorum intellectum quam in tantum ea intellegi, et
quin hac prudentia illa imprudentia decori publico
fuerit convenientior.
1 XIV. Cum facilius cuiusque rei in unam contracta
species quam divisa temporibus oculis animisque
inhaereat, statui priorem huius voluminis posterio-
remque partem non inutili rerum notitia in artum
contracta distinguere atque huic loco inserere, quae
quoque tempore post Romam a Gallis captam deducta
sit colonia iussu senatus ; nam miHtarium et causae
et auctores ex ipsarum praefulgent nomine. Huic
rei per idem tempus civitates propagatas auctumque
Romanum nomen communione iuris haud intem-
pestive subtexturi videmur.
2 Post septem annos quam Galli urbem ceperant,^
Sutrium deducta colonia est et post annum Setia
novemque interiectis annis Nepe, deinde interpositis
duobus et triginta Aricini^ in civitatem recepti.
3 Abhinc annos autem trecentos et sexaginta^ Sp. Pos-
tumio Veturio Calvino consuHbus Campanis data est
civitas partique Samnitium sine suffragio, et eodem
1 ceperant Madvig ; ceperunt AP.
^ Aricini et A ; Orelli supposes that om or more names
have dropped out.
^ ccci-x Laurent. ; cccl AP.
« I am inclined to think that Velleius had in mind the fad
for collecting Corinthian bronze referred to in Petronius,
ch. 50. It is possible that he even means this in Corinthiorum,
in which case he is in error. For the sentiment cf. Plutarch,
Marcelhis, ch. 27.
34
HISTORY OF ROME, I. xiii. 5— xiv. 3
thev would have to replace them by new ones. Yet
I do not think, Vinicius, that you would hesitate to
concede that it would have been more useful to the
state for the appreciation of Corinthian works of art
to have remained uncultivated to the present day,
than that they should be appreciated to the extent
to which they now are, and that the ignorance of
those days was more conducive to the pubhc weal
than our present artistic knowledge."
XIV. Inasmuch as related facts make more
impression upon the mind and eye when grouped
together than when they are given separately in
their chronological sequence, I have decided to
separate the first part of this work from the second
by a useful summary, and to insert in this place an
account, with the date, of each colony founded bv
order of the senate since the capture of Rome by
the Gauls ; for, in the case of the mihtary colonies,
their very names reveal their origins and their
founders. And it will perhaps not seem out of place,
if, in this connexion, we weave into our historv
the various extensions of the citizenship and the
growth of the Roman name through granting to
others a share in its priWleges.
Seven years after the capture of the city by the
Gauk a colony was founded at Sutrium, another a
year later at Setia, and another after an interval of
nine years at Nepe. Thirty-two years later the
Aricians were admitted to the citizenship. Three
hundred and sixty years from the present date, in
the consulship of Spurius Postumius and Veturius
Calvinus, the citizenship ^\-ithout the right of voting
was given to the Campanians and a portion of the
Samnites, and in the same year a colony was
35
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
anno Cales deducta colonia. Interiecto deinde
triennio Fundani et Formiani in civitatem recepti,
4 eo ipso anno, quo Alexandria condita est. In-
sequentibusque consulibus a Sp. Postumio Philone
Publilio censoribus Acerranis data civitas. Et post
triennium Tarracina^ deducta colonia interpositoque
quadriennio Luceria ac deinde interiecto triennio
Suessa Aurunca et Saticula, Interamnaque post bien-
5 nium. Decem deinde hoc munere anni vacaverunt :
tunc Sora atque Alba deductae coloniae et Carseoli
6 post biennium. At Q. I'abio quintum- Decio Mure
quartum consuHbus, quo anno Pyrrhus regnare
coepit, Sinuessam Minturnasque missi coloni, post
quadriennium Venusiam : interiectoque biennio M'.
Curio et Rufino Cornelio consuHbus Sabinis sine
suffragio data civitas : id actum ante annos ferme tre-
7 centos etviginti. At Cosam^ et Paestum abhinc annos
ferme trecentos Fabio Dorsone et Claudio Canina
consuhbus, interiectoque^ quinquennio Sempronio
Sopho et Appio Caeci fiho consulibus Ariminum et^
Beneventum coloni missi et suffragii ferendi ius
8 Sabinis datum. At initio primi belH Punici Firmum
et Castrum colonis occupata, et post annum Aesernia
postque septem et decem^ annos Aefulum et Alsium
Fregenaeque post' biennium proximoque anno Tor-
^ Tarracina Lipsius ; Tarracinam AP.
^ ad quintum fabioque AP.
' Cosa BA ; Cossa P.
* interiectoque Madvig ; interiecto AP.
^ et omilted in P.
" XVII Aldws ; XXII AP.
' post Gelenius ; anno post AP.
" 334 B.c. " 332 B.c. « 295 n.c.
<« 290 B.c. • 270 B.C. ' 266 b.c.
»6
HISTORY OF ROME, I. xiv. 3-8
established at Cales." Then, after an interval of
three years, the people of Fundi and of Formiae
were adniitted to the citizenship, in the very year
of the founding of Alexandria. In the follo\nng
year the citizenship was granted to the inhabitants
of Acerra by the censors Spurius Postumius and Philo
Publilius.* Three years later a colony was estabhshed
at Tarracina, four years afterwards another at
Luceria ; others three years later at Suessa Aurunca
and Saticula, and another two years after these
at Interamna. After that the work of colonization
was suspended for ten years. Then the colonies of
Sora and Alba were founded, and two years later
that of Carseoli. But in the fifth consulship of
Quintus Fabius, and the fourth of Decius Mus," the
year in which King Pyrrhus began his reign, colonists
were sent to Minturnae and Sinuessa, and four years
afterwards to Venusia. After an interval of two
years the citizenship without the right of suffrage
was given to the Sabines in the consulship of Manius
Curius and Rufinus Cornelius.'' This event took
place three hundred and twenty years ago. In the
consulship of Fabius Dorso and Claudius Canina,
three hundred years before the present date,
colonies were established* at Cosa and Paestum.
After an interval of five years, in the consulship of
Sempronius Sophus-' and Appius, the son of Appius
the Blind, colonists were sent to Ariminiun and
Beneventum and the right of sufFrage was granted
to the Sabines. At the outbreak of the First Punic
War Firmum and Castrum were occupied by colonies,
a year later Aesemia, Aefulum and Alsium seventeen
years later, and Fregenae two years afterward.
Brundisium was established in the next year in the
87
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
quato Sempronioque consulibus Brundisium et post
triennium Spoletium, quo anno Floralium ludorum
factum est initium. Postque biennium deducta^
Valentia et sub adventum in Italiam Hannibalis
Cremona atque Placentia.
1 XV. Deinde neque dum Hannibal in Italia moratur,
neque proximis post excessum eius annis vacavit
Romanis colonias condere, cum esset in bello con-
quirendus potius miles quam dimittendus et post
bellum vires refovendae magis quam spargendae.
2 Cn. autem Manlio Volsone et Fulvio Nobiliore con-
sulibus Bononia deducta colonia abhinc annos ferme
ducentos septendecim, et post quadriennium Pisau-
rum ac Potentia interiectoque triennio Aquileia et
3 Gravisca et post quadriennium Luca. Eodem tem-
porum tractu, quamquam apud quosdam ambigitur.
Puteolos Salemumque et Buxentum missi coloni,
Auximum autem in Picenum abhinc annos ferme
centum octoginta quinque,'^ ante triennium quam
Cassius censor a Lupercah in Palatium versus thea-
trum facere instituit, cui in eo moliendo^ eximia
civitatis severitas et consul Scipio restitere, quod
ego inter clarissima pubhcae voluntatis argumenta
4 numeraverim. Cassio autem Longino et Sextio
Calvino, qui Sallues apud aquas, quae ab eo Sextiae
appellantur, devicit, consuhbus Fabrateria deducta
est abhinc annos ferme centum quinquaginta tris.*
^ ducta AP, * CLxxxv Burman ; clxxxvii AP.
• iii eo moliendo SalmasUis ; in demoliendo AP.
* CLiii Krause ; clvii AP ; cui Lips.
• 245 B.C. * 244 B.c. • 124 b.c.
88
HISTORY OF ROME, I. xiv. 8— xv. 4
consukhip of Torquatus and Sempronius," Spoletium
three years afterwards in the year in whieh the
Floralia were instituted. Two years afterwards a
colony was estabhshed at Valentia, and Cremona
and Placentia were estabhshed just before Hannibars
arrival in Italy.
XV. Thereafter, during Hannibars stay in Italy,
and in the next few years subsequent to his departure,
the Romans had no leisure for the founding of
colonies, since, while the war lasted, they had to find
soldiers, rather than muster them out, and, after it
was over, the strength of the city needed to be
revived and concentrated rather than to be dispersed.
But, about two hundred and seventeen years ago,
in the consulship of ManUus Volso and Fulvius
NobiHor,* a colony was estabhshed at Bononia, others
four years later at Pisaurum and Potentia, others
three years later still at Aquileia and Gravisca, and
another four years afterwards at Luca. About the
same time, although the date is questioned by some,
colonists were sent to Puteoh, Salemum, and
Buxentum, and to Auximum in Picenum, one
hundred and eighty-five years ago, three years
before Cassius the censor began the building of a
theatre beginning at the Lupercal and facing the
Palatine. But the remarkable austerity of the state
and Scipio the consul successfuUy opposed Him
in its building, an incident which I regard as one
of the clearest indications of the attitude of the
people of that time. In the consulship of Cassius
Longinus and Sextius Calvinus^ — the Sextius who
defeated the Sallues at the waters which are called
Aquae Sextiae from his name — Fabrateria was
founded about one hundred and fifty-three years
39
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
Et post annum Scolacium Minervium, Tarentum
Neptunia, Carthagoque in Africa, prima, ut prae-
5 diximus, extra Italiam colonia condita est. De
Dertona ambigitur, Narbo autem Martius in Gallia
Porcio Marcioque consulibus abhinc annos circiter
centum quadi-aginta sex^ deducta colonia est. Post
duodeviginti- annos in Bagiennis Eporedia Mario
sextum^ Valerioque Flacco consulibus. Neque facile
memoriae mandaverim quae, nisi militaris, post hoc
tempus deducta sit.
1 XVI. Cum haec particula operis velut formam pro-
positi excesserit, quamquam intellego mihi in hac
tam praecipiti festinatione, quae me rotae pronive
gurgitis ac verticis modo nusquam patitur consistere,
paene magis necessaria praetereunda quam super-
vacua* amplectenda, nequeo tamen temperare mihi,
quin rem saepe agitatam animo meo neque ad
2 liquidum ratione perductam signem stilo. Quis enim
abunde mirari potest, quod eminentissima cuiusque
professionis ingenia in eandem^ formam et in idem
artati temporis congruere* spatium, et quemad-
modum clausa capso'' aliove^ saepto diversi generis
animalia nihilo minus separata ahenis in unum
quodque^ corpus congregantur, ita cuiusque clari
operis capacia ingenia in simihtudine et temporum
et profectuum semet ipsa ab aUis separaverunt.
^ cxLvi Lipsius', CLiii AP. ^ xviii Aldus; xxiii AP.
" sextum Cludius ; sexiens (-es) BAP.
* supervacua P ; supervania A ; supervacanea OreUi.
* in eam AP.
• congruere Heinsius ; congruens AP.
' capso BA ; capsa P.
* aWone Lipsius ; alioque ^P.
* quodque Heinsius ; quoque AP.
« 118 B.c. " 100 B.C.
40
HISTORY OF ROME, I. xv. 4— xvi. 2
before the present date, and in the next year
Scolacium Minervium, Tarentum Neptunia, and
Carthage in Africa — the first colony founded outside
of Italy, as already stated. In regard to Dertona
the date is in question. A colony was estabhshed at
Narbo Martius in Gaul about one hundred and
forty-six years ago in the consulship of Porcius
and Marcius." Eighteen years later Eporedia was
founded in the country of the Bagienni in the consul-
ship of Marius, then consul for the sixth time,* and
Valerius Flaccus.
It would be difficult to mention any colony founded
after this date, except the mihtary colonies.
XVI. Although this portion of my work has already,
as it were, outgrown my p!an, and although I am
aware that in my headlong haste — which, just hke a
revolving wheel or a down - rushing and eddying
stream, never suffers me to stop — I am almost
obhged to omit matters of essential importance
rather than to include unessential details, yet I
cannot refrain from noting a subject which has often
occupied my thoughts but has never been clearly
reasoned out. For who can marvel sufficiently
that the most distinguished minds in each branch
of human achievement have happened to adopt
the same form of effort, and to have fallen within
the same narrow space of time ? Just as animals
of different species when shut in the same pen
or other enclosure still segregate themselves from
those which are not of their kind, and gather
together each in its own group, so the minds that
have had the capacity for distinguished achievement
of each kind have set themselves apart from the
rest by doing hke things in the same period of
41
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
3 Una neque multorum annorum spatio divisa aetas
per divini spiritus viros, Aeschylum Sophoclen
Euripiden, inlustravit tragoediam^ ; una priscam
illam et veterem sub Cratino Aristophaneque et Eu-
polide comoediam ; ac novam comicam^ Menander^
aequalesque eius* aetatis magis quam operis Philemo
ac Diphilus et invenere intra paucissimos annos
4 neque imitandam rehquere. Philosophorum quoque
ingenia Socratico ore defluentia omnium, quos paulo
ante enumeravimus, quanto post Platonis AristoteUs-
5 que mortem floruere spatio ? Quid ante Isocratem,
quid post eius auditores eorumque discipulos clarum
in oratoribus fuit ? Adeo quidem^ artatum angustiis
temporum, ut nemo memoria dignus alter ab altero
videri nequiverint.
1 XVII. Neque hoc in Graecis quam in Romanis
evenit magis. Nam nisi aspera ac rudia repetas et
inventi laudanda nomine, in Accio circaque eum^
Romana tragoedia est ; dulcesque Latini leporis
facetiae per Caecihum Terentiumque et Afranium
2 subpari aetate nituerunt. Historicos etiam,' ut
Livium quoque priorum aetati adstruas, praeter
Catonem et quosdam veteres et obscuros minus
' tragoediam Burman ; tragoedias AP.
2 novam comicam AP, defended hy Thomasi novam
comoediam Gruner.
■ Menander A ; Menandrus P.
* Madvig inserts non after eius.
•* adeo quidem AP ; adeo id quidem Haase.
' eum is Burer^s conjecture ; eorum AP.
"^ etiam Vossiu^; et AP.
« As they do not occur in the extant portion of the work
we must assume that they were mentioned in the portion
which has been lost.
* He is here referring to comedy. One wonders why the
name of Plautus is omitted from the list. Has the name of
42
HISTORY OF ROME, I. xvi. 3— xvii. 2
time. A single epoch, and that only of a few years'
duration, gave lustre to tragedy through three men
of di\-ine inspiration, Aeschylus, Sophocles, and
Euripides. So, with Comedy, a single age brought to
perfection that early form, the Old Comedy, through
the agency of Cratinus, Aristophanes, and EupoUs ;
while Menander, and Philemon and Diphilus, his
equals in age rather than in performance, mthin the
space of a very few years invented the New Comedy
and left it to defy imitation. The great philosophers,
too, who received their inspiration from the hps of
Socrates — their names we gave a moment ago''—
how long did they flourish after the death of Plato
and of Aristotle ? What distinction was there in
oratory before Isocrates, or after the time of his
disciples and in turn of their pupils ? So crowded
were they into a brief epoch that there were no two
worthy of mention who could not have seen each
other.
XVII. This phenomenon occurred among the
Romans as well as among the Greeks. For, unless
] one goes back to the rough and crude beginnings,
i and to men whose sole claim to praise is that they
I were the pioneers, Roman tragedy centres in and
about Accius ; and the sweet pleasantry of Latin
humour* reached its zenith in practically the same
age under CaeciUus, Terentius, and Afranius. In
the case of the historians also, if one adds Livy to
the period of the older writers, a single epoch,
comprised within the hmits of eighty years, produced
them all, with the exception of Cato and some of the
Plautus dropped out of the text or is Velleius following the
Augustan tradition expressed by Horace in the Ars Poetica
270?
43
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
octoginta annis circumdatum aevum tulit, ut nec
poetarum in antiquius citeriusve processit ubertas.
3 At oratio ac vis forensis perfectumque prosae elo-
quentiae decus, ut idem separetur Cato (pace P.
Crassi Scipionisque et Laelii et Gracchorum et Fannii
et Servii Galbae dixerim) ita universa sub principc
operis sui erupit Tullio, ut delectari ante eum paucis-
simis, mirari vero neminem possis nisi aut ab illo
4 visum aut qui illum viderit. Hoc idem evenisse
grammaticis, plastis, pictoribus, scalptoribus quisquis
temporum institerit notis, reperiet, eminentiam^
cuiusque operis artissimis temporum claustris circum-
datam.
5 Huius ergo recedentis in suum quodque saeculum^
ingeniorum similitudinis congregantisque se et in
studium par et in emolumentum causas cum saepe^
requiro, numquam reperio, quas esse veras confidam,
sed fortasse veri similes, inter quas has maxime.
6 AHt aemulatio ingenia,et nuncinvidia,nunc admiratio
imitationem accendit, naturaque quod summo studio
petitum est, ascendit in summum difficihsque in
perfecto mora est, naturaHterque quod procedere
7 non potest, recedit, Et ut primo ad consequendos
quos priores ducimus* accendimur, ita ubi aut prae-
teriri aut aequari eos posse desperavimus, studium
cum spe senescit, et quod adsequi non potest, sequi
1 reperiet et eminentiam P ; reperiet eminentia AB.
^ recedentis in suum quodque saeculum] / have here
adopted the reading of Madvii/ for this tortured passage.
For the readiiigs of ABF and the various conjectiires see
Ellis.
• saepe Madvig; semper AP. * quo priores ducimur A.
44
HISTORY OF ROME, I. xvii. 2-7
old and obscure authors. Like^^ise the period which
was productive of poets does not go back to an
earlier date or continue to a later. Take oratory and
the forensic art at its best, the perfected splendour of
eloquence in prose, if we again except Cato — and
this I say with due respect to Pubhus Crassus, Scipio,
Laehus, the Gracchi, Fannius, and Ser\ius Galba —
eloquence, I say, in all its branches burst into flower
under Cicero, its chief exponent, so that there are
few before his day whom one can read A\-ith pleasure,
and none whom one can admire, except men who
had either seen Cicero or had been seen by him.
One Nvill also find, if he follows up the dates closely,
that the same thing holds true of the grammarians,
the workers in clay, the painters, the sculptors, and
that pre-eminence in each phase of art is confined
within the narrowest Umits of time.
Though I frequently search for the reasons why
men of similar talents occur exclusively in certain
epochs and not only flock to one pursuit but also
attain hke success, I can never find any of whose
truth I am certain, though I do find some which
perhaps seem hkely, and particularly the follow^ng
Genius is fostered by emulation, and it is now envy,
now admiration, which enkindles imitation, and, in
the nature of things, that which is cultivated with
the highest zeal advances to the highest perfection ;
but it is difficult to continue at the point of per-
fection, and naturally that which cannot advance
must recede. And as in the beginning we are fired
with the ambition to overtake those whom we regard
as leaders, so when we have despaired of being able
either to surpass or even to equal them, our zeal
wanes with our hope ; it ceases to follow what it
45
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
desinit et velut occupatam relinquens materiam
quaerit novam, praeteritoque eo, in quo eminere
non possumus, aliquid, in quo nitamur, conquirimus,
sequiturque ut frequens ac mobilis transitus maximiun
perfecti operis impedimentum sit.
1 XVIIL Transit admiratio ab condicione^ temporum
et ad urbium. Una urbs Attica pluribus omnis'^
eloquentiae quam universa Graecia operibus usque^
floruit adeo ut corpora gentis illius separata sint in
alias civitates, ingenia vero solis Atheniensium
2 muris clausa existimes. Neque hoc ego magis
miratus sim quam neminem Argivum Thebanum
Lacedaemonium oratorem aut dum vixit auctori-
tate aut post mortem memoria dignum existimatum.
3 Quae urbes eximiae alias* talium studiorum fuere
steriles, nisi Thebas unum os Pindari inluminaret :
nam Alcmana Lacones falso sibi vindicant.
LIBER POSTERIOR
l I. Potentiae Romanorum prior Scipio viam aperue-
rat, luxuriae posterior aperuit : quippe remoto Car-
thaginis metu sublataque imperii aemula non gradu,
sed praecipiti cursu a virtute descitum, ad vitia
^ ab condicione Schegk ; ad conditionem AP.
* pluribus oranis Froelich ; pluribus annis AP ; pluribus
auctoribus Ilalm.
* operibus usque Ellis after AcidaUus', operibusque AP,
For other conjectures see Ellis, p. 19.
* exiraiae alias Faehse and Haupt ; et initalia AB, om. P ;
et in alia Ilalm.
" Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus the elder had
brought the Second Punic War to a close by defeating the
Carthaginians at Zaraa in 202 B.c. The younger Scipio had
destroyed Carthage in 146.
46
HISTORY OF ROME, I. xvii. 7— II. i. 1
cannot overtake, and abandoning the old field as
though pre-empted, it seeks a new one. Passing
over that in which we cannot be pre-eminent, we
seek for some new object of our efFort. It foUows
that the greatest obstacle in the way of perfection
in any work is our fickle way of passing on at
fi-equent intervals to something else.
XVIII. From the part played by epochs our
wonder and admiration next passes to that played bv
indi\idual cities. A single city of Attica blossomed
with more masterpieces of every kind of eloquence
than all the rest of Greece together — to such a
degree, in fact, that one would think that although
the bodies of the Greek race were distributed among
the other states, their intellects were confined within
the waUs of Athens alone. Nor have I more reason
for wonder at this than that not a single Argive or
Theban or Lacedaemonian was esteemed worthy,
as an orator, of commanding influence while he hved,
or of being remembered after his death. These cities,
otherwise distinguished, were barren of such literary
pursuits with the single exception of the lustre which
the voice of Pindar gave to Thebes ; for, in the case
of Alcman, the claim which the Laconians lay to him
is spurious.
BOOK II
I. The frrst of the Scipios opened the way for the
world power of the Romans ; the second opened the
way for luxur}"." For, when Rome was freed of
the fear of Carthage, and her rival in empire was
out of her way, the path of virtue was abandoned
for that of corruption, not gradually, but in headlong
47
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
transcursum ; vetus disciplina deserta, nova inducta ;
in somnum a vigiliis, ab armis ad voluptates, a negotiis
2 in otium conversa civitas. Tum Scipio Nasica in
Capitolio porticus, tum, quas praediximus, Metellus,
tum in circo Cn. Octavius multo amoenissimam moliti
sunt, publicamque magnificentiam secuta privata
luxuria est.
3 Triste deinde et contumeliosum bellum in Hispania
duce latronum Viriatho secutum est : quod ita varia
fortuna gestum est, ut saepius Romanorum gereretur
adversa. Sed interempto Viriatho fraude magis
quam virtute Servilii Caepionis Numantinum gravius
4 exarsit. Haec urbs numquam plura quam decem
milia'^ propriae iuventutis armavit, sed vel ferocia
ingenii vel inscitia nostrorum ducum vel fortunae
indulgentia cum aUos duces, tum Pompeium magni
nominis virum ad turpissima deduxit foedera (hic
primus e Pompeis consul fuit), nec minus turpia
6 ac detestabiUa Mancinum HostiUum consulem. Sed
Pompeium gratia impunitum habuit, Mancinum
verecundia poenam^ non recusando perduxit huc, ut
per fetiahs nudus ac post tergum rehgatis manibus
dederetur hostibus. Quem ilh recipere se negaverunt,
^ nunquam x. plura quam propriae AP, corrected hy Aldut>.
^ poenam Halm ; quippe AP.
» The war with Viriathus had already begun in 148 b.c.
It ended in 140 by the treacherous murder of Viriathus.
' Quintus Pompeius was consul in 141 b.c. In the next
year he was forced to raake the treaty with the enemy whic^h
the senate refused to ratify.
« Caius Hostilius Mancinus was consul in 137 b.c. The
treaty with the Numantines was made in 136.
^ These priests were charged with the duty of maintaining
the forms of international relationship and oflBciated at the
making of treaties.
48
HISTORY OF ROME, II. i. 1-5
course. The older discipline was discarded to give
place to the new. The state passed from vigilance
to slumber. from the pursuit of arms to the pursuit
of pleasure, from activity to idleness. It was at this
time that there were built, on the Capitol, the
porticoes of Scipio Nasica, the porticoes of Metellus
already mentioned, and, in the Circus, the portico
of Gnaeus Octavius, the most splendid of them all ;
and private luxury soon followed public extrav-
agance.
Then followed a war that was disastrous and
disgraceful to the Romans, the war in Spain with
Viriathus," a guerilla chief. The fortunes of this war
during its progress shifted constantly and were, more
frequently than not, adverse to the Romans. On the
death of Viriathus through the perfidy rather than
the valour of ServiUus Caepio, there broke out
in Numantia a war that was more serious still.
Numantia city was never able to arm more than ten
thousand men of its o^\ti ; but, whether it was owing
to her native valour, or to the inexperience of our
soldiers, or to the mere kindness of fortune, she
compelled first other generals, and then Pompey,
a man of great name (he was the first of his
family to hold the consulship^) to sign disgraceful
treaties, and forced Mancinus Hostilius"" to terms
no less base and hateful. Pompey, however, escaped
punishment through his influence. As for Mancinus
his sense of shame, in that he did not try to evade
the consequences, caused him to be delivered to
the enemy by the fetial priests,'' naked, and with
his hands bound behind his back. The Numantines,
however.. refused to receive him, following the
example of the Samnites at an earher day at
49
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
sicut quondam Caudini fecerant,^ dicentes publicam
violationem fidei non debere unius lui sanguine.
1 n. Inmanem deditio Mancini civitatis movit dis-
sensionem. Quippe Tiberius Gracchus, Tiberii Grac-
chi clarissimi atque eminentissimi viri filius, P.
Africani ex filia nepos, quo quaestore et auctore id
foedus ictum erat, nunc graviter ferens aliquid a
se pactum^ infirmari, nunc similis vel iudicii vel
poenae metuens discrimen, tribunus pl. creatus, vir
ahoqui vita innocentissimus, ingenio florentissimus,
2 proposito sanctissimus, tantis denique adornatus
virtutibus, quantas perfecta et natura et industria
mortalis condicio recipit, P. Mucio Scaevola L. Cal-
purnio consuHbus abhinc annos centum sexaginta
duos descivit a bonis, pollicitusque toti Italiae civita-
3 tem,simul etiam promulgatis agrariis legibus,omnibus
statim^ concupiscentibus, summa imis miscuit et in
praeruptum atque anceps periculum adduxit rem
publicam. Octavioque collegae pro bono publico
stanti imperium abrogavit, triumviros agris divi-
dendis colonisque deducendis creavit se socerumque
suum, consularem Appium, et Gaium fratrem admo-
dum iuvenem.
1 III. Tum P. Scipio Nasica, eius qui optimus vir a
senatu iudicatus erat, nepos, eius qui censor porticus
1 fecerant Ileinslus ; fecerunt AP.
* pactum Kreyssig ; factum AP.
• statum P ; statim Gelenius ; factum A ; ista tum Haupt.
" In the year 321 b.c. the consuls Titus Veturius Calvinus
and Spurius Postumius were trapped by the Samnites in the
Caudine pass and were forced to agree to terms which were
subsequently repudiated by the senate. ' 133 b.c.
* Publius Cornelius Scipio Nasica, consul in 191 b.c.
Livy states that in 204 b.c, although he was not yet of
suflBcient age to obtain the quaestorship, he was nevertheless
50
HISTORY OF ROME, II. i. 5— iii. 1
Caudium," saying that a national breach of faith
should not be atoned for by the blood of one man.
II. The surrender of Mancinus aroused in the state
& quarrel of vast proportions. Tiberius Gracchus,
the son of Tiberius Gracchus, an illustrious and an
eminent citizen, and the grandson, on his mother's
side, of Scipio Africanus, had been quaestor in the
army of Mancinus and had negotiated the treaty.
Indignant, on the one hand, tliat any of his acts
should be disavowed, and fearing the danger of a
hke trial or a hke punishment, he had himself elected
tribune of the people. He was a man of otherwise
blameless hfe, of brilhant intellect, of upright
intentions, and, in a word, endowed with the highest
virtues of which a man is capable when favoured by
nature and by training. In the consulship of PubUus
Mucius Scaevola and Lucius Calpurnius ' (one
hundred and sixty-two years ago), he spht with the
party of the nobles, promised the citizenship to all
Italy, and at the same time, by proposing agrarian
laws which all immediately desired to see in opera-
tion, turned the state topsyturvy, and brought it into a
position of critical and extreme danger. He abrogated
the power of his colleague Octa\ius, who defended
the interests of the state, and appointed a com-
mission of three to assign lands and to found colonies,
consisting of himself, his father-in-law the ex-consul
Appius, and his brother Gaius, then a very young man.
III. At this crisis Pubhus Scipio Nasica appeared.
He was the grandson of the Scipio'' who had
been adjudged by the senate the best citizen of
adjudged by the senate to be the best citizen in the state
and, as such, was designated to receive the statue of the
Great Mother when it was brought to Rome.
51
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
in Capitolio fecerat, filius, pronepos autem Cn.
Scipionis, celeberrimi viri P. Africani patrui, privatus-
que et togatus, cum esset consobrinus Ti. Gracchi,
patriam cognationi praeferens et quidquid publice
salutare non esset, privatim alienum existimans (ob
eas virtutes primus omnium absens pontifex maximus
factus est), circumdata laevo brachio togae lacinia
ex superiore parte Capitolii summis gradibus insistens
hortatus est, qui salvam vellent rem pubUcam, se
2 sequerentur. Tum optimates, senatus atque eques-
tris ordinis pars meUor et maior, et intacta perniciosis
consiHis plebs inruere in Gracchum stantem in area
cum catervis suis et concientem paene totius Italiae
frequentiam. Is fugiens decurrensque clivo Capi-
tolino, fragmine subselhi ictus vitam, quam gloriosis-
3 sime degere potuerat, immatura morte finivit. Hoc
initium in urbe Roma civiUs sanguinis gladiorumque
impunitatis fuit. Inde ius vi obrutum potentiorque
habitus prior, discordiaeque civium antea condi-
cionibus sanari soUtae ferro diiudicatae beUaque non
causis inita, sed prout eorum merces fuit. Quod
4 haut mirum est : non enim ibi consistunt exempla,
52
HISTORY OF ROME, II. iii. l^
the state, the son of the Scipio who, as censor,
had built the porticoes on the Capitol, and great-
grandson of Gnaeus Scipio, that illustrious man
who was the paternal uncle of PubUus Scipio
Africanus. Although he was a cousin of Tiberius
Gracchus, he set his country before all ties of
blood, choosing to regard as contrary to his private
interests everything that was not for the pubUc
weal, a quaUty which eamed for him the distinction
of being the first man to be elected pontifex maximus
in absentia. He held no pubUc office at this time
and was clad in the toga. Wrapping the fold of his
toga about his left forearm he stationed himself on
the topmost steps of the Capitol and simimoned all
those who -v^-ished for the safety of the state to foUow
him. Then the optimates, the senate, the larger
and better part of the equestrian order, and those
of the plebs who were not yet infected by pernicious
theories rushed upon Gracchus as he stood ^\"ith his
bands in the area of the Capitol and was haranguing
a throng assembled from aknost every part of Italy.
As Gracchus fled, and was running down the steps
which led from the Capitol, he was struck by the
fragment of a bench, and ended by an untimely
death the Ufe which he might have made a glorious
one. This was the beginning in Rome of ci\il blood-
shed, and of the Ucence of the sword. From this time
on right was crushed by might, the most powerful
now took precedence in the state, the disputes of
the citizens which were once healed by amicable
agreements were now settled by arms, and wars
were now begun not for good cause but for what
profit there was in them. Nor is this to be
wondered at ; for precedents do not stop where
53
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
unde coeperunt, sed quamlibet in tenuem recepta
tramitem latissime evagandi sibi viam faciunt, et
ubi semel recto deerratum est, in praeceps pervenitur,
nec quisquam sibi putat turpe, quod alii fuit fruc-
tuosum.
1 IV. Interim, dum haec in Italia geruntur, Aris-
tonicus, qui^ mortuo rege Attalo, a quo Asia populo
Romano hereditate rehcta erat, sicut relicta postea
est a Nicomede Bithynia, mentitus regiae stirpis
originem armis eam occupaverat, is victus a M.
Perpenna ductusque in triumpho, set a M'. Aquilio,
capite poenas dedit, cum initio belH Crassum Mu-
cianum, virum iuris scientissimum, decedentem ex
Asia proconsulem interemisset.
2 Af- P. Scipio Africanus Aemilianus, qui Cartha-
ginem deleverat, post tot acceptas circa Numantiam
clades creatus iterum consul missusque in Hispaniam
fortunae virtutique expertae in Africa respondit in
Hispania, et intra annum ac tris menses, quam eo
venerat, circumdatam operibus Numantiam excisam-
3 que aequavit solo. Nec quisquam ulhus gentis
hominum ante eum clariore urbium excidio nomen
suum perpetuae commendavit memoriae : quippe
excisa Carthagine ac Numantia ab alterius nos metu,
4 alterius vindicavit contumehis. Hic, eum interro-
gante tribuno Carbone, quid de Ti. Gracchi caede
^ qui is hracketed by Gelenius, hut may he the result of care-
less writing. ^ At Vossiiis ; et P.
<• 133 B.c. » 134 B.c. « 133 b.c.
54
HISTORY OF ROME, II. iii. 4— iv. 4
they begin, but, however narrow the path upon
which they enter, they create for themselves a
highway whereon they may wander with the
utmost latitude ; and when once the path of right
is abandoned, men are hurried into wrong in headlong
haste, nor does anyone think a course is base for
himself which has proven profitable to others.
IV. While these events were taking place in Italy
King Attalus had died," bequeathing Asia in his
will to the Roman people, as Bithynia was later
bequeathed to them by Nicomedes, and Aristonicus,
falsely claiming to be a scion of the royal house,
had forcibly seized the pro\ince. Aristonicus was
subdued by Marcus Perpenna and was later led in
triumphjbut by Manius Aquilius. He paid \nih his Ufe
the penalty for haWng put to death at the very out-
set of the war the celebrated jurist Crassus Mucianus,
proconsul of Asia, as he was leaving liis province.
After all the defeats experienced at Numantia,
Publius Scipio Africanus Aemilianus, the destrover
of Carthage, was a second time elected consuP
and then dispatched to Spain, where he confirmed
the reputation for good fortune and for valour which
he had eamed in Africa. Within a year and three
months after his arrival in Spain he surrounded
Numantia \\-ith his siege works, destroyed the city
and levelled it to the ground." No man of any
nationahty before his day had immortaUzed his name
by a more illustrious feat of destropng cities ; for
by the destruction of Carthage and Numantia he
liberated us, in the one case from fear, in the
other from a reproach upon our name. This same
Scipio, when asked by Carbo the tribune what he
thought about the killing of Tiberius Gracchus,
55
VELLEIUS PATERCUI>US
sentiret, respondit, si is occupandae rei publicae
animum habuisset, iure caesum. Et cum omnis
contio adclamasset, hostium, inquit, armatorum
totiens clamore non territus, qui possum vestro
5 moveri, quorum noverca est Italia ? Reversus in
urbem intra breve tempus, M'. Aquilio C. Sem-
pronio consuHbus abhinc annos centum et sexaginta,^
post duos consulatus duosque triumphos et bis
excisos terrores rei pubUcae mane in lectulo repertus
est mortuus, ita ut quaedam ehsarum faucium in
6 cervice reperirentur notae. De tanti viri morte
nulla habita est quaestio eiusque corpus velato
capite elatum est, cuius opera super totum terrarum
orbem Roma extulerat caput. Seu fatalem, ut
plures, seu conflatam insidiis, ut ahqui prodidere
memoriae, mortem obiit, vitam certe dignissimam
egit, quae nulhus ad id temporis praeterquam avito
fulgore vinceretur. Decessit anno ferme sexto et
7 quinquagesimo : de quo si quis ambiget, recurrat
ad priorem consulatum eius, in quem creatus est
anno octavo et tricesimo^ : ita dubitare desinet.
1 V. Ante tempus excisae Numantiae praeclara in
Hispania mihtia D. Bruti fuit, qui penetratis omnibus
Hispaniae gentibus ingenti vi hominum urbiumque
^ cijc Laurent. ; ci. AP ; clvii Kritz.
^ XXXVII! Puteanus ; xxxvi AP.
' 129 B.c.
* There was nothing unusual about wrapping up the head
of a corpse (c/. Aurehus Victor 58 " obvoluto capite elatus
est)." Velleius is apparently striving for the verbal effect,
somewhat forced it is true, of the contrast between velato
capite . . , extulerat caput.
56
HISTORY OF ROME, II. iv. 4— v. 1
replied that he had been justly slain if his purpose
had been to seize the govemment. WTien the
■whole assembly cried out at this utterance he said,
" How can I, -svho have so many times heard the
battle shout of the enemy w-ithout feehng fear, be
disturbed by the shouts of men hke you, to whom
Italy is only a stepmother ? " A short time after
Scipio's return to Rome, in the consulship of Manius
Aquihus and Gaius Sempronius ^* — one hundred and
sixty years ago — this man who had held two consul-
ships, had celebrated two triumphs, and had t-nice
destroyed cities which had brought terror to his
country, was found in the morning dead in his bed
with marks as though of strangulation upon his
throat. Great man though he was, no inquest was
held conceming the manner of his death, and with
covered head * was borae to the grave the body of
him whose services had enabled Rome to hft her
head above the whole world. Whether his death
was due to natural causes as most people think, or
was the result of a plot, as some historians state,
the hfe he Uved was at any rate so crowded ^viih
honours that up to this time it was surpassed in
brilhance by none, excepting only his grandsire.""
He died in his fifty-sixth year. If anyone questions
this let him call to mind his first consulship, to which
he was elected in his thirty-eighth year, and he \sill
cease to doubt.
V. In Spain, even before the destruction of
Numantia, Decimus Brutus had conducted a brilliant
campaign in which he penetrated to all the peoples
of the country, took a great niunber of men and
• Publius Comelius Scipio Africanus, the victor of Zama.
57
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
potitus numero, aditis quae vlx audita erant, Gal-
laeci cognomen meruit.
2 Et ante eum paucis annis tam severum illius Q.
Macedonici in his gentibus imperium fuit, ut, cum
urbem Contrebiam nomine in Hispania oppugnaret,
pulsas praecipiti loco quinque cohortes legionarias
3 eodem protinus subire iuberet, facientibusque omni-
bus in procinctu testamenta, velut ad certam mortem
eundum foret, non deterritus proposito,^ quem mori-
turum miserat mihtem victorem recepit : tantum
efFecit mixtus timori pudor spesque desperatione
quaesita. Hic virtute ac severitate facti, at Fabius
Aemilianus PauU exemplo discipHna in Hispania
fuit clarissimus.
1 VL Decem deinde interpositis annis, qui Ti.
Gracchum, idem Gaium fratrem eius occupavit furor,
tam virtutibus eius omnibus quam huic errori similem,
ingenio etiam eloquentiaque longe praestantiorem.
2 Qui cum summa quiete animi civitatis princeps esse
posset, vel vindicandae fraternae mortis gratia vel
praemuniendae regaHs potentiae eiusdem exempli
tribunatum ingressus, longe maiora et acriora petens"^
dabat civitatem omnibus ItaUcis, extendebat eam
3 paene usque Alpis, dividebat agros, vetabat quem-
^ perseverantia ducis followed proposito in P. It was
hracketed hy Davis as a rtum/inal gloss which had crept into
the text. ^ petens Ruhnken ; re petens AP.
» The cognomen was given for his partial subjugation of
the Gallaeci, a people in western Hispania Tarraconensis
inhabiting what is now Galicia and part of Portugal.
» 123 B.c,
58
HISTORY OF ROME, II. v. l— vi. 3
cities and, by extending his operations to regions
which hitherto had scarcely been heard of, eamed
for himself the cognomen of Gallaecus."
A few years before in this same country
Qmntus Macedonicus had exercised command as
general ^vith a discipline of remarkable rigour. For
instance, in an assault upon a Spanish town called
Contrebia he ordered five legionary cohorts, which
had been driven down from a steep escarpment,
forthwdth to march up it again. Though the soldiers
were making their wills on the battlefield, as though
they were about to march to certain death, he was
not deterred, but aftersvards received the men,
whom he sent forth to die, back in camp \actorious.
Such was the effect of shame mingled with fear, and
of a hope bom of despair. Macedonicus won renown in
Spain by the uncompromising braven»' of tliis exploit ;
Fabius Aemilianus, foUowing the example of Paulus
on the other hand, by the severity of his disciphne.
VI. After an interval of ten years the same mad-
ness which had possessed Tiberius Gracchus now
seized upon his brother Gaius, who resembled him
in his general ^irtues as weU as in his mistaken
ambition, but far surpassed him in abiUty and
eloquence. Gaius might have been the first man in
the state had he held his spirit in repose ; but,
whether it was -with the object of avenging his
brother's death or of pa^^ing the way for kingly
power, he foUowed the precedent which Tiberius had
set and entered upon the career of a tribune.* His
aims, however, were far more ambitious and drastic.
He was for giving the citizenship to aU ItaUans,
extending it aknost to the Alps, distributing the
public domain, limiting the holdings of each citizen
59
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
quam civem plus quingentis iugeribus habere,
quod aliquando lege Licinia cautum erat, nova
constituebat portoria, novis coloniis replebat pro-
vincias, iudicia a senatu transferebat ad equites,
frumentum plebi dari instituerat ; nihil immotum,
nihil tranquillum, nihil quietum, nihiP denique in
eodem statu relinquebat ; quin alterum etiam con-
tinuavit tribunatum.
4 Hunc L. Opimius consul, qui praetor Fregellas
exciderat, persecutus armis unaque Fulvium Flaccum,
consularem ac triumphalem virum, aeque prava
cupientem, quem C. Gracchus in locum Tiberii fratris
triumvirum nominaverat,- eumque^ socium regahs
5 adsumpserat potentiae, morte adfecit. Id unum
nefarie ab Opimio proditum, quod capitis non dicam
Gracchi, sed civis Romani pretium se daturum idque
6 auro repensurum proposuit. Flaccus in Aventino
armatos* ac pugnam ciens cum filio maiore iugulatus
est ; Gracchus profugiens, cum iam comprehen-
deretur ab iis, quos Opimius miserat, cervicem
Euporo servo praebuit, qui non segnius se ipse
interemit, quam domino succurrerat. Quo die sin-
gularis Pomponii equitis Romani in Gracchum fides
fuit, qui more Cochtis sustentatis in ponte hostibus
^ nihil inserted hy Haase.
^ nominaverat] Halm conjectured nomine, re autem.
^ eum AP ; eumque Gelenius.
* armatos Gelenius ; armatus AP.
' This limitation of the amount of ager puhlicus which
an individual might hold was one of the many rogationes
proposed by the tribune C. Licinius Stolo in 375 b.c. and
finally carried in 365, after ten years of constant struggle
with the patricians.
* 121 B.C.
60
HISTORY OF ROME, II. vi. 3-6
to five hundred acres as had once been pro^ided by
the Licinian law," establishing new customs duties,
fiUing the pro\-inces with new colonies, transferring
the judicial powers from the senate to the equites,
and began the practice of distributing grain to the
people. He left nothing undisturbed, nothing un-
touched, nothing unmolested, nothing, in short, as
it had been. Furthermore he continued the exercise
of his office for a second term.
The consul, Lucius Opimius, who, as praetor, had
destroved Fregellae, hunted do\\Ti Gracchus with
armed men and put him to death,^ slapng yrith him
Fuhius Flaccus, a man who, though now enter-
taining the same distorted ambitions, had held the
consulship and had won a triumph. Gaius had
named Flaccus trium\-ir in the place of his brother
Tiberius and had made him his partner in his plans
for assuming kingly power. The conduct of Opimius
was execrable in this one respect, that he had
proposed a reward to be paid for the head, I Mill
not say of a Gracchus, but of a Roman citizen, and
had promised to pay it in gold. Flaccus, together
with his elder son, was slain upon the Aventine
while summoning to battle his armed supporters.
Gracchus, in his flight, when on the point of being
apprehended by the emissaries of Opimius, offered
his neck to the sword of his slave Euporus. Euporus
then slew himself with the same promptness \\ith
which he liad given assistance to his master. On the
same day Pomponius, a Roman knight, gave remark-
able proof of liis fidelity to Gracchus ; for, after
holding back his enemies upon the bridge, as Cocles''
* This is the famous Horatius who defended the bridge
single-handed against the army of Porsenna.
61
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
7 eius, gladio se transfixit. Ut Ti. Gracchi antea
corpus, ita Gai mira crudelitate victorum in Tiberim
deiectum est.
1 VIL Hunc Ti. Gracchi liberi, P. Scipionis Africani
nepotes, viva adhuc matre Cornelia, Africani filia,
viri optimis ingeniis male usi, vitae mortisque habuere
exitum : qui si civilem dignitatis concupissent
modum, quidquid tumultuando adipisci gestierunt,
quietis obtulisset res publica.
2 Huic atrocitati adiectum scelus unicum. Quippe
iuvenis specie excellens necdum duodevicesimum
transgressus annum immunisque delictorum pater-
norum, Fulvii Flacci fiUus, quem pater legatum de
condicionibus miserat, ab Opimio interemptus est.
Quem cum haruspex Tuscus amicus flentem in
vincula duci vidisset, quin tu hoc potius, inquit,
facis ? Protinusque inUso capite in postem lapideum
ianuae carceris efFusoque cerebro expiravlt.
3 Crudelesque mox quaestiones in amicos cUentes-
que Gracchorum habitae sunt. Sed Opimium, virum
aUoqui sanctum et gravem, damnatum postea
iudicio pubUco memoria istius saevitiae nuUa civiUs
4 prosecuta est misericordia. Eadem RupiUum Popi-
Uumque, qui consules asperrime in Tiberu Gracchi
• Consuls 132 b.c.
62
HISTORY OF ROME, II. vi. 7— vii. 4
had done of yore, he threw himself upon his sword.
The body of Gaius, like that of Tiberius before him,
was thrown into the Tiber by the victors, with the
same strange lack of humanity.
VII. Such were the Uves and such the deaths of
the sons of Tiberius Gracchus, and the grandsons of
Publius Scipio Africanus, and their mother
Comeha, the daughter of Africanus, still Uved to
witness their end. An ill use they made of their
excellent talents. Had they but coveted such
honours as citizens might lawfully receive, the state
would have conferred upon them through peaceful
means all that they sought to obtain by unla^^-ful
agitations.
To this atrocity was added a crime without
precedent. The son of Fulvius Flaccus, a youth of
rare beauty who had not yet passed his eighteenth
year and was in no way involved in the acts of
his father, when sent by his father as an envoy
to ask for terms, was put to death by Opimius.
An Etruscan soothsayer, who was his friend, seeing
him dragged weeping to prison, said to him, " Why
not rather do as I do ? " At these words he
forth^rith d;ished out his brains against the stone
portal of the prison and thus ended his Ufe.
Severe investigations, directed against the friends
and foUowers of the Gracchi, foUowed. But when
Opimius, who during the rest of his career had been
a man of sterUng and upright character, was after-
wards condemned by pubUc trial, his con\iction
aroused no sympathy on the part of the citizens
because of the recoUection of his cruelty in this
instance. RupiUus and PopiUus," who, as consuls,
had prosecuted the friends of Tiberius Gracchus with
63
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
amicos saevierant, postea iudiciorum publicorum
merito oppressit invidia.
Rei tantae parum ad notitiam pertinens inter-
6 ponetur.i Hic est Opimius, a quo consule celeberri-
mum Opimiani vini nomen ; quod iam nuUum esse
spatio annorum colligi potest, cum ab eo sint ad
te, M. Vinici, consulem anni centum et quinquaginta.
6 Factum Opimii, quod^ inimicitiarum quaesita ernt
ultio, minor secuta auctoritas, et visa ultio privato
odio magis quam publicae vindictae data.
7 In legibus^ Gracchi inter perniciosissima nume-
rarim,* quod extra Italiam colonias posuit. Id
maiores, cum viderent tanto potentiorem Tyro
Carthaginem,Massiliam Phocaea,Syracusas Cox"intho,
Cyzicum ac Byzantium Mileto, genitali solo, dih-
genter vitaverant et civis Romanos ad censendum
8 ex provinciis in Itaham revocaverant. Prima autem
extra ItaUam colonia Carthago condita est. Sub-
inde Porcio Marcioque consuUbus deducta colonia
Narbo Martius.
1 VIII. Mandetur deinde memoriae severitas iudi-
ciorum. Quippe C. Cato consularis, M. Catonis nepos,
Africani sororis fiUus, repetundarum ex Macedonia
^ interponetur AP ; interponatur Heinsius.
^ quod AP ; quo Heiisiiis and Bentley.
' The passac/e from In legibus to condita est, § 8, w found
in AP before Mors Drusi in chap. xv. In that context, as
the text now stands, the passafje is out of place. Chidius
transferred it to its present position. It may, however, be a
fragnient of a chapter comparing the leqislative activities of
Drasus with those of Gracchus, thefirst part of which is now
lost. * numerarim A ; numeraverim P.
■ The colony at Carthage was founded 122 b.c. under the
name Colonia lunonia.
* 118 B.c. It was on the site of the modern Narbonne, to
which it gave its name.
64
HISTORY OF ROME, II. vii. 4— viii. 1
the utmost severity, deservedly met at a later date
with the same mark of popular disapproval at their
pubhc trials.
I shall insert here a matter hardly relevant to
these important events. It was this same Opimius
from whose consulship the famous Opimian ^vine
received its name. That none of this ^\ine is now
in existenee can be inferred from the lapse of time,
since it is one hundred and fifty years, Marcus
Vinicius, from his consulship to yours.
The conduct of Opimius met vith a greater
degree of disapproval because it was a case of seeking
revenge in a private feud, and this act of revenge
was regarded as having been committed rather in
satisfaction of a personal animosity than in defence
of the rights of the state.
In the legislation of Gracchus I should regard
as the most pernicious his planting of colonies
outside of Italy. This pohcy the Romans of the
older time had carefully avoided ; for they saw
how much more powerful Carthage had been
than Tyre, Massiha than Phocaea, Syracuse than
Corinth, Cyzicus and Byzantium than Miletus,
— all these colonies, in short, than their mother
cities — and had summoned all Roman citizens from
the pro\inces back to Italy that they might be
enrolled upon the census hsts. The first colony to
be founded outside of Italy was Carthage." Shortly
afterwards the colony of Narbo Martius was founded,
in the consulship of Porcius and Marcius.*
VIII. I must next record the severity of the law
courts in condemning for extortion in Macedonia
Gaius Cato, an ex-consul, the grandson of Marcus
Cato, and son of the sister of Africanus, though the
65
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
damnatiis est, cum lis eius HS. quattuor milibus
aestimaretur : adeo illi viri magis voluntatem
peccandi intuebantur quam modum, factaque ad
consilium dirigebant et quid, non in quantum
admissum foret, aestimabant.
2 Circa eadem tempora M. C^ Metelli fratres uno
die triumphaverunt. Non minus clarum exemplum
et adhuc unicum Fulvii Flacci, eius qui Capuam
ceperat, fiUorum, sed alterius in adoptionem dati, in
collegio consulatus fuit ; adoptivus in Acidini Manlii
familiam datus. Nam censura Metellorum patrue-
lium, non germanorum fratrum fuit, quod solis
contigerat Scipionibus.
3 Tum Cimbri et Teutoni transcendere Rhenmn,
multis mox nostris suisque cladibus nobiles. Per
eadem tempora clarus eius Minucii, qui porticus,
quae hodieque celebres sunt, molitus est, ex Scor-
discis triumphus fuit.
1 IX. Eodem tractu temporum nituerunt oratores
Scipio Aemih'anus LaeHusque, Ser. Galba, duo
Gracchi, C. Fannius, Carbo Papirius ; nec praeter-
eundus Metellus Numidicus et Scaurus, et ante
2 omnes L. Crassus et M. Antonius : quorum aetati
ingeniisque successere C. Caesar Strabo, P. Sul-
picius ; nam Q. Mucius iuris scientia quam proprie
eloquentiae nomine celebrior fuit.
' M. C. Voss; M. AP; A Idus proposed duo.
" Soraething less than £40, if the text is correct.
* 179 B.c.
" What Velleius probably had in mind was the aedileship
in 213 B.c. of Publius and Marcus Scipio, referred to by
Polybius X. 4. Hence some editors have supposed that
afdilihus or in aedilitate have dropped out of the text ; but
this is hardly necessary. The author is thinking simply of
brothers who were colleagues in office. * 108 b.c.
66
HISTORY OF ROME, II. %iii. 1— ix. 2
claim against him amounted to but four thousand
sesterces." But the judges of that day looked rather
at the purpose of the culprit than at the measure
of the ^ATong, applying to actions the criterion of
intention and weigliing the character of the sin and
not the extent of it.
About the same time the two brothers Marcus
and Gaius Metellus celebrated their triumphs on
one and the same day. A coincidence equally cele-
brated which still reraains unique, was the conjunction
in the consulship ^ of the sons of FuKius Flaccus,
the general who had conquered Capua, but one of
these sons, however, had passed by adoption into the
family of Acidinus ManHus. As regards the joint
censorship of the two Metelli, they were cousins, not
brothers, a coincidence which had happened to the
family of the Scipios alone.*
At this time the Cimbri and Teutons crossed the
Rhine. These peoples were soon to become famous
by reason of the disasters which they inflicted upon
us and we upon them. About the same time '^ took
place the famous triumph over the Scordisci of
Minucius, the builder of the porticoes which are
famous even in our own day.
IX. At this same period flourished the illustrious
orators Scipio Aemilianus and LaeUus, Sergius Galba,
the two Gracchi, Gaius Fannius, and Carbo Papirius.
In this hst we must not pass over the names of
Metellus Numidicus and Scaurus, and above all of
Lucius Crassus and Marcus Antonius. They were
followed in time as well as in talents by Gaius
Caesar Strabo and PubUus Sulpicius. As for Quintus
Mucius, he was more famous for his knowledge of
jurisprudence than, strictly speaking, for eloquence.
67
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
3 Clara etiam per idem aevi spatium fuere ingenia
in togatis Afranii, in tragoediis Pacuvii atque Accii,
usque in Graecorum ingeniorum comparationem
evecti,^ magnumque interhos ipsos facientis operi suo
locum, adeo quidem, ut in illis limae, in hoc paene
4 plus videatur fuisse sanguinis,^ celebre et Lucilii
nomen fuit, qui sub P. Africano Numantino bello
eques mihtaverat. Quo quidem tempore iuvenes adhuc
lugurtha ac Marius sub eodem Africano mihtantes
in iisdem castris didicere, quae postea in contrariis
5 facerent. Historiarum auctor iam tum Sisenna erat
iuvenis, sed opus belli civihs Sullanique post aUquot
6 annos ab eo seniore editum est. Vetustior Sisenna
fuit Caehus, aequaUs Sisennae RutiUus Claudiusque
Quadrigarius et Valerius Antias. Sane non ignore-
mus eadem aetate fuisse Pomponium sensibus cele-
brem, verbis rudem et novitate inventi a se operis
eommendabilem.
1 X. Prosequamur nota severitatem censorum Cassii
Longini Caepionisque, qui abhinc annos centum
quinquaginta tris^ Lepidum Aemilium augurem,
quod sex miUbus HS. aedes conduxisset, adesse
iusserunt. At nunc si quis tanti habitet, vix ut
senator agnoscitur : adeo natura a rectis in prava,
^ evecti Gelenius ; evectis B ; eius aetatis A ; eius
aetatis P.
'^ I have suhstituted o comma after sanguinls for Halm^s
period, making Lucilii the suhstantive with which facientis
agrees. Heiusius suppUes Enni after locum.
^ cuii Kritz ; clvii AP.
* He is referring to the Jugurthine War.
' The Pabulae Atellanae or Atellan Parce. While not
the inventor he may have been the first to give these farces
literary form.
68
HISTORY OF ROME, II. ix. 3— x. 1
In the same epoch other men of talent were
illustrious : Afranius in the wTiting of native comedy,
in tragedy Pacuvius and Accius, a man who rose into
competition even with the genius of the Greeks, and
made a great place for his own work among theirs,
with this distinction, however, that, while they
seemed to have more polish, Accius seemed to
possess more real blood. The name of Lucihus was
also celebrated ; he had served as a knight in the
Numantine war under Pubhus Africanus. At the
same time, Jugurtha and Marius, both still young
men, and serving under the same Africanus,
received in the same camp the miUtary training
which they were later destined to employ in
opposing camps.'' At this time Sisenna, the author
of the Histopies, was still a young man. His works
on the Civil Wars and the Wars of Sulla were
pubhshed several years later, when he was a relatively
old man. Caehus was earher than Sisenna, while
Rutihus, Claudius Quadrigarius and Valerius Antias
were his contemporaries. Let us not forget that at
this period lived Pomponius, famed for his subject
matter, though untutored in style, and noteworthy
for the new kind of composition which he invented.''
X. Let us now go on to note the severity of the
censors Cassius Longinus and Caepio," who sum-
moned before them the augur Lepidus Aemihus for
renting a house at six thousand sesterces.'' This
was a hundred and fifty-three years ago. Nowadays,
if any one takes a residence at so low a rate he is
scarcely recognized as a senator. Thus does nature
pass from the normal to the perverted, from that
* Censors in 125 b.c.
* A iittle more than £50.
&9
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
a pravis in vitia,^ a vitiis in praecipitia per-
venitur.
2 Eodem tractu temporum et Domitii ex Arvernis
et Fabii ex Allobrogibus victoria fuit nobilis ; Fabio
Pauli nepoti ex victoria cognomen Allobrogico
inditum. Notetur Domitiae familiae peculiaris quae-
dam et ut clarissima, ita artata numero felicitas.
Septem ante hunc nobilissimae simplicitatis iuvenem,
Cn. Domitium,fuere,singuli^omnes^parentibus geniti,
sed omnes ad consulatum sacerdotiaque, ad triumphi
autem paene omnes pervenerunt insignia.
1 XL Bellum deinde lugurthinum gestum est per
Q. Metcllum nuUi secundum saeculi sui. Huius
legatus fuit C. Marius, quem praediximus, natus
agresti* loco, hirtus atque horridus vitaque sanctus,
quantum bello optimus, tantum pace pessimus,
immodicus gloriae, insatiabilis, impotens semperque
2 inquietus. Hic per publicanos aliosque in Africa
negotiantis criminatus Metelli lentitudinem, tra-
hentis iam in tertium annum bellum, et naturalem
nobilitatis superbiam morandique in imperiis cupi-
ditatem effecit, ut, cum commeatu petito Romam
venisset, consul crearetur bellique paene patrati a
Metello, qui bis lugurtham acie fuderat, summa
^ prava . . . vitia thit^ transposed hy Sterk ; a rectis in
vitia a (om. A) vitiis in prava a pravis AP.
2 singuli Lipsius and Madvig ; singulis AP.
• omnes Pluygers ; omnino AP.
• agresti Voss ; eqiiestri AP.
• 122 B.c. » 109-8 B.c. ' 107 b.c.
70
HISTORY OF ROME, II. x. l— xi. 2
to the vicious, and from the vicious to the abyss of
extravagance.
At the same period'^ took place the notable
victory of Domitius over the Arverni, and of Fabius
over the AUobroges. Fabius, who was the grandson
of Paulus, received the cognomen of AUobrogicus in
commemoration of his ^ictory. I must also note
the strange fortune which distinguished the family
of the Domitii, the more remarkable in view of the
limited number of the family. Before the present
Gnaeus Domitius, a man of notable simpUcity of hfe,
there have been seven Domitii, all only sons, but
they all attained to the consulate and priesthoods
and ahnost all to the distinction of a triumph.
XI. Then foUowed the Jugurthan war waged
under the generalship'' of Quintus Metellus, a man
inferior to no one of his time. His second in command
was Gaius Marius, whom we have akeady mentioned,
a man of rustic birth, rough and uncouth, and austere
in his life, as excellent a general as he was an e\il
influence in time of peace, a man of unbounded
ambition, insatiable, without self-control, and always
an element of unrest. Through the agency of the
tax - gatherers and others who were engaged in
business in Africa he criticized the delays of Metellus,
who was now dragging on the war into its third year,
charging him with the haughtiness characteristic of
the nobiUty and with the desire to maintain himself
in mihtary commands. Ha\ing obtained a furlough
he went to Rome, where he succeeded in procuring
his election as consul and had the chief command of
the war placed in his ovm hands,"^ although the war
had ah-eady been practically ended by Metellus,
who had twice defeated Jugurtha in battle. The
71
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
committeretur sibi. Metelli tamen et triumphus
fuit clarissimus et meritum ex virtute ^ ei cognomen
3 Numidici inditum. Ut paulo ante Domitiae familiae,
ita Caeciliae notanda claritudo est. Quippe intra
duodecim ferme annos huius temporis consules fuere
Metelli aut censores aut triumpharunt amplius
duodecies, ut appareat, quemadmodum urbium im-
periorumque, ita gentium nunc florere fortunam,
nunc senescere, nunc interire.
1 Xn. At C. Marius L. Sullam iam tunc ut prae-
caventibus fatis copulatum sibi quaestorem habuit
et per eum missum ad regem Bocchum lugurtha
rege abhinc annos ferme centum triginta quattuor-
potitus est ; designatusque iterum consul in urbem
reversus secundi consulatus initio Kal. lanuariis
2 eum in triumpho duxit. Effusa, ut praediximus,
immanis vis Germanarum gentium, quibus nomen
Cimbris ac Teutonis erat, cum Caepionem Man-
humque consules et ante Carbonem Silanumque
fudissentfugassentquein Galhis et exuissentexercitu,
Scaurumque Aurehum consularem et ahos celeberrimi
nominis viros trucidassent, populus Romanus non
ahum repellendis tantis hostibus magis idoneum
3 imperatorem quam Marium est ratus Tum multi-
plicati consulatus eius. Tertius in apparatu belli
consumptus ; quo anno Cn. Domitius tribunus plebis
legem tuht, ut sacerdotes, quos antea conlegae
^ meritum et (om. P) virtutique AP.
^ cxxxiiii Aldtis; cxxxviii AP.
" Praecaventihus fatis is variously interpreted. Krause
takes it to mean that the fates were seeking to guard against
the future rivalry and discord of these two men ; Kritz,
wrongly, I think, that the fates were warning Marius in
advance that Sulla was destined to be his successful
opponent. * 104 b.c. " Bk. ii. ch. 8. ' 105 b.c
72
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xi. 2— xii. 3
triumph of Metellus was none the less brilUant, and
the cognomen of Numidicus earned by his valour was
bestowed upon him. As I commented, a short time
ago, on the glory of the family of the Domitii, let me
now comment upon that of the CaeciUi. Within the
compass of about twelve years during this period, the
MeteUi were distinguished by consulships, censor-
ships, or triumph more than twelve times. Thus it
is clear that, as in the case of cities and empires, so
the fortunes of famiUes flourish, wane, and pass away.
XII. Gaius Marius, even at this time, had Lucius y^
Sulla associated with him as quaestor, as though the
fates were trring to avoid subsequent events." He
sent SuUa to King Bocchus and through liim gained
possession of Jugurtha, about one hundred and thirty-
four years before the present time. He retumed to V
the city as consul designate for the second time,
and on the kalends of January,'' at the inauguration
of his second consulship, he led Jugurtha in triumph.
Since, as has already*" been stated, an immense horde
of the German races caUed the Cimbri and the
Teutons had defeated and routed the Consuls Caepio
and ManUus'' in Gaul, as before them Carbo "
and Silanus,' and had scattered their armies, and
had put to death Scaurus AureUus an ex-consul.
and other men of reno^^Ti, the Roman people was
of the opinion that no general was better quaUfied
to repel these mighty enemies than Marius. His
consulships then followed each other in succession.
The third was consumed in preparation for this war.
In this year^ Gnaeus Domitius, the tribune of the
people, passed a law that the priests, who had
pre\iously been chosen by their colleagues, should
• 113 B.C. ' 109 B,C. » 104 B.C.
73
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
4 sufficiebant, populus crearet. Quarto trans Alpis circa
Aquas Sextias cum Teutonis conflixit, amplius cen-
tum quinquaginta milia hostium priore ac postero
die ab eo trucidata^ gensque excisa Teutonum.
5 Quinto citra Alpis in campis, quibus nomen erat
Raudiis, ipse consul et proconsul Q. Lutatius Catulus
fortunatissimo decertavere proelio ; caesa aut capta
amplius centum milia^ hominum. Hac victoria
videtur meruisse Marius, ne eius nati rem publicam
6 paeniteret, ac mala bonis repensasse. Sextus con-
sulatus veluti praemium ei meritorum datus. Non
tamen huius consulatus fraudetur gloria, quo Servilii
Glauciae Saturninique Apulei furorem continuatis
honoribus rem pubhcam lacerantium et gladiis
quoque et caede comitia discutientium, consul armis
compescuit hominesque exitiabiUs in Hostilia curia
morte multavit.
1 XHL Deinde interiectis paucis annis tribunatum
iniit M. Livius Drusus, vir nobihssimus, eloquentis-
simus, sanctissimus, meliore in omnia ingenio animo-
2 que quam fortuna usus. Qui cum senatui priscum
restituere cuperet decus et iudicia ab equitibus ad
eum transferre ordinem (quippe eam potestatem
nacti equites Gracchanis legibus cum in multos
clarissimos atque innocentissimos viros saevissent,
^ trucidata Ruhnken ; trucidatis AP.
* c AP ; cc Puteanus and Lipsius.
« 102 B.c. * 101 B.C. • 100 B.C.
"* Saturninus was elected tribune for the third time ;
Glaucia was praetor and desired the consulship.
• 91 B.c. ' See ch. vi.
74
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xii. 4— xiii. 2
now be elected by the people. In his fourth consul- /
ship" Marius met the Teutons in battle beyond the .._
Alps in the vicinity of Aquae Sextiae. More than
a hundred and fifty thousand of the enemy were
slain by him on that day and the day after, and the
race of the Teutons was exterminated. In his fifth
consulship* the consul himself and the proconsul
Quintus Lutatius Catulus fought a most successful
battle on this side of the Alps on the plain called
the Raudian Plain. More than a hundred thousand
of the enemy were taken or slain. By this ^dctory
Marius seems to have eamed some claim upon his
country that it should not regret his birth and to
have counterbalanced his bad by his good deeds.
A sixth consulship*^ was given him in the hght of a
reward for his services. He must not, however, be
deprived of the glory of this consulship, for during ^
this term as consul he restrained by arms the mad
acts of Ser\-iUus Glaucia and Saturninus Apuleius
who were shattering the constitution by continuing
in office,'* and were breaking up the elections with
armed violence and bloodshed, and caused these
dangerous men to be put to death in the Curia
Hostilia.
XIII. After an interval of a few years Marcus
Livius Drusus entered the tribunate,' a man of noble
birth, of eloquent tongue and of upright life ; but
in all his acts, his success was not in keeping \^ith his
talents or his good intentions. It was his aim to
restore to the senate its ancient prestige, and again
to transfer the law courts to that order from the
knights. The knights had acquired this prerogative
through the legislation of Gracchus/and had treated
with severity many noted men who were quite
75
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
tum P. Rutilium, virum non saeculi sui, sed omnis
aevi optimum, interrogatum lege repetundarum
maximo cum gemitu civitatis damnaverant), in iis
ipsis, quae pro senatu moliebatur, senatum habuit
adversarium non intellegentem, si qua de plebis
commodis ab eo agerentur, veluti inescandae in-
liciendaeque multitudinis causa fieri, ut minoribus
3 perceptis maiora permitteret. Denique ea fortuna
Drusi fuit, ut malefacta collegarum quam quaevis^
optime ab ipso cogitata senatus probaret magis, et
honorem, qui ab eo deferebatur, sperneret, iniurias,
quae ab illis intendebantur, aequo animo reciperet,
et huius summae gloriae invideret, illorum modicam^
ferret.
1 XIV. Tum conversus Drusi animus, quando bene
incepta male cedebant, ad dandam civitatem Italiae.
Quod cum moliens revertisset e foro, immensa illa
et incondita, quae eum semper comitabatur, cinctus
multitudine in area domus suae cultello percussus,
qui adfixus lateri eius rehctus est, intra paucas horas
2 decessit. Sed cum ultimum redderet spiritum, in-
tuens circumstantium maerentiumque frequentiam,
effudit vocem convenientissimam conscientiae suae :
ecquandone, inquit, propinqui amicique, similem
mei civem habebit res publica ? Hunc finem claris-
simus iuvenis vitae habuit : cuius morum minime
3 omittatur argumentum. Cum aedificaret domum in
^ quam quaevis Froelich ; quamvis A ; eius quam
Ruhnken followed hy Halm.
2 modicam AP ; inmodicam Ualm.
76
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xiii. 2— xiv. 3
innocent, and, in particular, had brought to trial on
a charge of extortion and had condemned, to the
great sorrow of all the citizens, PubUus RutiUus, one
of the best men not only of his age, but of aU time.
But in these very measures which Livius undertook
on behaU" of the senate he had an opponent in the
senate itself, which failed to see that the proposals
he also urged in the interest of the plebs weremade
as a bait and a sop to the populace, that they niight,
bv receiving lesser concessions, permit the passage
of more important measures. In the end it was the
niisfortune of Drusus to find that the senate gave
niore approval to the e\i\ measures of his coUeagues
than to his own plans, however exceUent, and that
it spumed the dignity which he would confer upon
it only to accept tamely the real sUghts levelled
airainst it by the others, tolerating the mediocrity
of his coUeagues while it looked \\ith jealous eyes
upon his own distinction.
XIV. Since his exceUent programme had fared so
badly, Drusus tumed his attention to granting the
citizenship to the ItaUans. While he was engaged
in this effort, and was retuming from the forvun
siu-rounded by the large and unorganized crowd
which always attended him, he was stabbed in the
area before his house and died in a few hours, the
assassin leaWng the weapon in his side. As he
breathed his last and gazed at the throng of those
who stood weeping about him, he uttered the words,
most expressive of his own feeUngs : " O my
relatives and friends, wiU my country ever have
another citizen Uke me ? " Thus ended the Ufe of
this iUustrious man. One index of his character
should not be passed over. When he was building
77
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
Palatio in eo loco, ubi est quae quondam Ciceronls,
mox Censorini fuit, nunc Statilii Sisennae est, pro-
mitteretque ei architectus, ita se eam aedificaturum,
ut libera conspectu immunisque ab omnibus arbitris'
esset neque quisquam in eam despicere posset, tu
vero, inquit, si quid in te artis est, ita compone
domum meam, ut, quidquid agam, ab omnibus per-
spici possit.-
1 XV. Mors Drusi iam pridem tumescens bellum
excitavit Italicum ; quippe L. Caesare et P. Rutilio
consulibus abhinc annos centum viginti, universa
Italia, cum id malum ab Asculanis ortum esset
(quippe Servilium praetorem Fonteiumque legatum
occiderant) ac deinde a Marsis exceptum in omnis
penetrasset regiones, arma adversus Romanos cepit.
2 Quorum ut fortuna atrox, ita causa fuit iustissima :
petebant enim eam civitatem, cuius imperium armis
tuebantur : per omnis annos atque omnia bella
duplici numero se mihtum equitumque fungi neque
in eius civitatis ius recipi, quae per eos in id ipsum
pervenisset fastigium, per quod homines eiusdem
et gentis et sanguinis ut externos alienosque fastidire
posset.
3 Id bellum amplius trecenta milia iuventutis Italicae
abstuht. Clarissimi autem imperatores fuerunt
Romani eo bello Cn. Pompeius, Cn. Pompei Magni
pater, C. Marius, de quo praediximus, L. SuUa
* arbitris B, om. A ; hominibus P, et A above the line.
^ Here followed the paragraph In legibus . . . condita est
which has been trans/erred, after Cludius, to the end of
Ch. vii. as better fiiting the context there. It may, however,
have been the conrhi.iion of a passage in which Velleius compared
the legislation of Livius Ihiistts with that of Gaiiis Gracchus,
the first portion ofwhich is now lost.
78
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xiv. 3— xv. 3
his honse on the Palatine on the site where now
stands the house which once belonged to Cicero,
and later to Censorinus, and which now belongs to
StatiUus Sisenna, the architect ofFered to build it
in such a way that he would be free from the pubHc
gaze, safe from all espionage, and that no one could
look down into it. Li^ius rephed, " If you possess
the skill you must build my house in such a way
that whatever I do shall be seen by all."
XV. The long smouldering fires of an ItaUan war
were now fanned into flame by the death of Drusus.
One hundred and twenty years ago," in the consul-
ship of Lucius Caesar and PubUus RutiUus, all Italy
took up arms against the Romans. The rebelUon
began with the people of Asculum, who had put to
death the praetor Ser\iUus and Fonteius, his deputy ;
it was then taken up by the Marsi, and from them
it made its ways into all the districts of Italy. The
fortune of the ItaUans was as cruel as their cause was
just ; for they were seeking citizenship in the state
whose power they were defending by their arms ;
every year and in everj^ war they were fumishing a
double number of men, both of cavalry and of
infantr)', and yet were not admitted to the rights
of citizens in the state which, through their efforts,
had reached so high a position that it could look
do^^Ti upon men of the same race and blood as
foreigners and aUens.
This war carried off more than three hundred
thousand of the youth of Italy. On the Roman
side in this war the most illustrious commanders
were Gnaeus Pompeius, father of Pompey the
Great, Gaius Marius, ahready mentioned, Lucius
• 91 B.C.
79
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
anno ante praetura functus, Q. Metellus, Numidici
filius, qui meritum cognomen Pii consecutus erat :
4 quippe expulsum civitate a L. Saturnino tribuno
plebis, quod solus in leges eius iurare noluerat, pie-
tate sua, auctoritate senatus, consensu rei publicae^
restituit patrem. Nec triumphis honoribusque quam
aut causa exiUi aut exilio aut reditu clarior fuit
Numidicus.
1 XVL Italicorum autem fuerunt celeberrimi duces
Silo Popaedius, Herius Asinius, Insteius Cato, C.
Pontidius, Telesinus Pontius, Marius Egnatius,
2 Papius Mutilus. Neque ego verecundia domestici
sanguinis gloriae quidquam, dum verum refero,
subtraham : quippe multum Minatii Magii, atavi
mei, Aeculanensis, tribuendum est memoriae, qui
nepos Decii Magii, Campanorum principis, cele-
berrimi et fidelissimi viri, tantam hoc bello Romanis
fidem praestitit, ut cum legione, quam ipse in Hir-
pinis conscripserat, Herculaneum simul cum T. Didio
caperet, Pompeios cum L. SuUa oppugnaret Comp-
3 samque^ occuparet : cuius de virtutibus cum ahi, tum
maxime dilucide Q.^ Hortensius in annahbus suis
rettulit. Cuius illi pietati plenam populus Romanus
gratiam rettuUt ipsum viritim civitate donando, duos
^ rei publicae AP; populi Romani Puteamts.
^ Corapsamque Voss ; Cosamque AP.
■ dilucideque Q. P; dilucideq. que A, corrected hy Lipslus.
' Pius here means " dutiful towards his father."
80
HISTORY OF ROME, 11. xv. 3— x^i. 3
Sulla, who in the previous year had filled the
praetorship, and Quintus Metellus, son of Metellus
Numidicus, who had deservedly received the
cognomen of Pius," for when his father had been
exiled from the state by Lucius Satuminus, the
tribune of the people, because he alone refused
to observe the laws which the tribune had made,
the son had effected his restoration through his
own devotion, aided by the authority of the senate
and the unanimous sentiment of the whole state.
Numidicus earned no greater reno^ra by his triumphs
and pubHc honours than he earned by the cause
of his exile, his exile, and the manner of his
retum.
XVL On the Itahan side the most celebrated
generals were Silo Popaedius, Herius Asinius,
Insteius Cato, Gaius Pontidius, Telesinus Pontius,
Marius Ignatius, and Papius Mutilus ; nor ought I,
through excess of modesty, to deprive my o-sra kin
of glory, especially when that wliich I record is the
truth ; for much credit is due the memory of my
great-grandfather Minatius Magius of Aeculanum,
grandson of Decius Magius, leader of the Campanians,
of proven loyalty and distinction. Such fideUty did
Minatius display towards the Romans in this war
that, with a legion wliich he himself had enroUed
among the Hirpini, he took Herculaneum in con-
junction with Titus Didius, was associated with
Lucius SuUa in the siege of Pompeii, and occupied
Compsa. Several historians have recorded his
services, but the most extensive and clearest
testimony is that of Quintus Hortensius in his
Annals. The Romans abundantly repaid his loyal
zeal by a special grant of the citizenship to himself,
81
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
filios eius creando praetores, cum seni adhuc crea-
rentur,
4 Tam varia atque atrox fortuna Italici belli fuit,
ut per biennium continuum^ duo Romani consules,
Rutilius ac deinde Cato Porcius, ab hostibus occi-
derentur, exercitus populi Romani multis in locis
funderentur, utque ad saga iretur diuque in eo habitu
maneretur. Caput imperii sui Corfinium legerant
atque appellarant Italicam. Paulatim deinde reci-
piendo in civitatem, qui arma aut non ceperant aut
deposuerant maturius, vires refectae sunt, Pompeio
Sullaque et Mario fluentem procumbentemque rem
populi Romani ^ restituentibus.
1 XVII. Finito ex maxima parte, nisi quae Nolani
belK manebant rehquiae, ItaUco bello, quo quidem
Romani victis adflictisque ipsi exarmati quam integri^
universis civitatem dare maluerunt, consulatum
inierunt Q. Pompeius et L. Cornelius Sulla, vir qui
neque ad finem victoriae satis laudari neque post
2 victoriam abunde vituperari potest. Hic natus
familia nobili, sextus a Corneho Rufino, qui bello
Pyrrhi inter celeberrimos fuerat duces, cum familiae
eius claritudo intermissa esset, diu ita se gessit, ut
nullam petendi consulatum cogitationem habere
^ continuiim Gelennts; continuo ^P.
* rem populi Romani Laurent. ; rem P. R. BA ; remp. P.
^ integri Heinsius ; integris A P.
" The number was increased frora four to six in 198 b.c.
It was increased to eight by SuUa.
" The saf/um or military cloak symbolized war as the
toffa symbolized peace.
' i.e. before the war began. What Velleius had in mind
in using maluerimt is a Uttle vague. The original
" choice " lay between granting the citizenship and war.
They chose the latter alternative. After the war was
over they granted to their enemies in defeat the citizenship
82
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xvi. 3— xvii. 2
and by making his sons praetors at a time when
the number elected was still confined to six.<*
So bitter was this ItaUan war, and such its vicissi-
tudes, that in two successive years two Roman
consuls, first Rutilius and subsequently Cato Porcius,
were slain by the eneniy, the armies of the Roman
people were routed in many places, and the Romans
were compelled to resort to miUtary dress* and to
remain long in that garb. The ItaUans chose
Corfinium as their capital, and named it ItaUca.
Then Uttle by Uttle the strength of the Romans was
recruited by admitting to the citizenship those who
had not taken arms or had not been slow to lay
them down again, and Pompeius, SuUa, and Marius ,
restored the tottering power of the Roman people.^
XVII. Except for the remnants of hostiUty which
Ungered at Nola the ItaUan war was now in large
measure ended, the Romans, themselves exhausted,
consenting to grant the citizenship indi^idually to
the conquered and humbled states in preference to
giving it to them as a body when their own strength
was still unimpaired.*' This was the year in which
Quintus Pompeius andLuciusComeUus SuUa' entered
upon the consulship. SuUa was a man to whom, up
to the conclusion of his career of victory, sufficient
praise can hardly be given, and for whom, after his
victory, no condemnation can be adequate. He was
sprung of a noble family, the sixth in descent from
the CorneUus Rufinus who had been one of the famous
generals in the war with Pyrrhus. As the renown
of his family had waned, SuUa acted for a long while
as though he had no thought of seeking the consul-
which they might have conferred in the beginning and
so avoided the war. * 88 b.c.
83
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
3 videretur : deinde post praeturam inlustratus bello
Italico et ante in Gallia legatione sub Mario, qua^
eminentissimos duces hostium fuderat, ex successu
animum sumpsit petensque consulatum paene omnium
civium sufFragiis factus est ; sed eum honorem unde-
quinquagesimo aetatis suae anno adsecutus est.
1 XVIII. Per ea tempora Mithridates, Ponticus rex,
vir neque silendus neque dicendus sine cura, bello
acerrimus, virtute eximius, aliquando fortuna, semper
animo maximus, consiliis dux, miles manu, odio in
Romanos Hannibal, occupata Asia necatisque in ea
omnibus civibus Romanis, quos quidem eadem die
2 atque hora redditis civitatibus Utteris ingenti cum
polHcitatione praemiorum interimi iusserat, quo
3 tempore neque fortitudine adversus Mithridatem
neque fide in Romanos quisquam Rhodiis par fuit
(horum fidem Mytilenaeorum perfidia inluminavit,
qui M'.2 Aquilium aliosque Mithridati vinctos tradi-
derunt, quibus libertas in unius Theophanis gratiam
postea a Pompeio restituta est), cum terribiUs ItaUae
quoque videretur imminere, sorte obvenit SuUae
Asia provincia.
4 Is egressus urbe cum circa Nolam moraretur
^ qua Gelenius ; quae AP.
" M' Euhnken ; M. AP.
« 88 B.c.
84
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xvii. 3— xviii. 4
ship. Then, after his praetorship, having eamed
distinction not only in the Italian war but also, even
before that, in Gaul, where he was second in com-
mand to Marius, and had routed the most eminent "^
leaders of the enemy, encouraged by his successes,
he became a candidate for the consulship and was
elected by an ahnost unanimous vote of the citizens.
But this honour did not come to him until the forty-
ninth year of his age.
XVill. It was about this time" that Mithridates,
king of Pontus, seized Asia and put to death all
Roman citizens in it. He was a man about whom
one cannot speak except vdih concem nor yet
pass by in silence ; he was ever eager for war, of
exceptional braver}', always great in spirit and some-
times in achievement, in strategy a general, in bodily
prowess a soldier, in hatred to the Romans a Hannibal.
He had sent messages to the various cities of Asia
in which he had held out great promises of reward,
ordering that all Romans should be massacred on
the same day and hour throughout the province.
In this crisis none equalled the Rhodians either in
courageous opposition to Mithridates or in loyalty
to the Romans. Their fidelity gained lustre from
the perfidy of the people of Mytilene, who handed
Manius AquiUus and other Romans over to Mitliri-
dates in chains. The Mytilenians subsequently had
their Uberty restored by Pompey solely in considera-
tion of his friendship for Theophanes. WTien
Mithridates was now regarded as a formidable
menace to Italy herself, the province of Asia feU to
the lot of SuUa, as proconsul.
SuUa departed from the city, but was stiU lingering
in the vicinity of Nola, since that city, as though
85
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
(quippe ea urbs pertinacissime arma retinebat exer-
cituque Romano obsidebatur, velut paeniteret eius
fidei, quam omnium sanctissimam bello praestiterat
6 Punico), P. Sulpicius tribunus plebis, disertus, acer,
opibus gratia amicitiis vigore ingenii atque animi
celeberrimus, cum antea rectissima voluntate apud
populum maxumam quaesisset dignitatem, quasi
pigeret eum virtutum suarum et bene consulta ei
6 male cederent, subito pravus et praeceps se^ C. Mario
post septuagesimum annum omnia imperia et omnis
provincias concupiscenti addixit legemque ad popu-
lum tulit, qua Sullae imperium abrogaretur, C. Mario
bellum decerneretur Mithridaticum, aliasque leges
perniciosas et exitiabiles neque tolerandas liberae
civitati tulit. Quin etiam Q. Pompei consulis filium
eundemque Sullae generum per emissarios factionis
suae interfecit.
1 XIX Tum Sulla contracto exercitu ad urbem rediit
eamque armis occupavit, duodecim auctores novarum
pessimarumque rerum, inter quos Marium cum filio
et P. Sulpicio, urbe exturbavit ac lege lata exules
fecit. Sulpicium etiam^ adsecuti equites in Lauren-
tinis paludibus iugulavere, caputque eius erectum
et ostentatum pro rostris velut omen inminentis
2 proscriptionis fuit. Marius post sextum consula-
' se addidit Puteanus.
2 etiam hracketed by Orelli and Cornelissen.
86
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xviii. 4— xix. 2
regretting its exceptional loyalty so sacredly main-
tained in the Punic war, still persisted in maintaining
armed resistance to Rome and was being besieged
by a Roman army. While he was still there PubUus ,
Sulpicius, tribune of the people, a man of eloquence \^ —
and energ)', who had earned distinction by his
wealth, his influence, his friendships, and by the
vigour of his native abiHty and his courage, and had
pre\-iously won great influence with the people by
honourable means, now, as if regretting hiis \-irtues,
and discovering that an honourable course of conduct
brought him only disappointment, made a sudden
plunge into evil ways, and attached himself to /
Marius, who, though he had passed his seventieth V^
year, still coveted every position of power and every
province. Along with other pieces of pemicious
and baleful legislation intolerable in a free state,
he proposed a bill to the assembly of the people
abrogating Sulla's command, and entrusting the J
Mithridatic war to Gaius Marius. He even went so ^
far as to cause, through emissaries of his faction, the
assassination of a man who was not only son of
Quintus Pompeius the consul but also son-in-law of
Sulla.
XIX. Thereupon Sulla assembled his army,
retumed to the city, took armed possession of it,
drove from the city the twelve persons responsible
for these revolutionary and \-icious measures — among ^
them Marius, his son, and Publius Sulpicius — and ^
caused them by formal decree " to be declared y
exiles. Sulpicius was overtaken by horsemen and
slain in the Laurentine marshes, and his head was
raised aloft and exhibited on the front of the rostra
as a presage of the impending proscription. Marius,/
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
tum annumque^ septuagesimum nudus ae limo obru-
tus, oculis tantummodo ac naribus eminentibus,
extractus arundineto circa paludem Maricae, in
quam se fugiens consectantis SuUae equites abdiderat,
iniecto in collum loro in carcerem Minturnensium
3 iussu duumviri perductus est. Ad quem interficien-
dum missus cum gladio servus publicus natione
Germanus, qui forte ab imperatore eo bello Cimbrico
captus erat, ut agnovit Marium, magno eiulatu
expromens^ indignationem casus tanti viri abiecto
4 gladio profugit e carcere. Tum cives, ab hoste
misereri paulo ante principis viri docti, instructum
eum viatico conlataque veste in navem imj^osuerunt.
At ille adsecutus circa insulam Aenariam filium cur-
sum in Africam direxit inopemque vitam in tugurio
ruinarum Carthaginiensium toleravit, cum Marius
aspiciens Carthaginem, illa intuens Marium, alter
alteri possent esse solacio.
1 XX. Hoc primum anno sanguine consulis Romani
miUtis imbutae manus sunt ; quippe Q. Pompeius,
coUega SuUae, ab exercitu^ Cn. Pompei proconsuUs
seditione, sed quam dux creaverat, interfectus est.
2 Non erat Mario Sulpicioque Cinna temperatior.
Itaque cum ita civitas ItaUae data esset, ut in octo
tribus contribuerentur novi cives, ne potentia eorum
^ annumque Voss ; annoque AP.
2 expromens Acidalitis and Madviff ; expromenti BP ; ex-
primenti A.
3 ab exercitu A ; ad exercitum P ; Burer waa in doubt
whether the reading should be ab or ad.
» Ihiumvir was the title of the chief official in the Roman
colonies. Like the consuls in Rome there were two of them.
88
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xix. 2— xx. 2
who had held six consulships and was now more
than seventy years of age, was dragged, naked and
covered with mud, his eyes and nostrils alone
showing above the water, from a reed-bed near the
marsh of Marica, where he had taken refuge when y
pursued by the cavalry of Sulla. A rope was
cast about his neck and he was led to the prison
of Mintumae on the order of its dnumvirJ^ A public
slave of German nationality was sent with a sword
to put him to death. It happened that this man had
been taken a prisoner by Marius when he was
commander in the war against the Cimbri ; when
he recognized Marius, giving utterance •«•ith loud v^
outcry to his indignation at the phght of this great
man, he threw away his sword and fled from the
prison. Then the citizens, taught by a foreign
enemy to pity one who had so short a time before
been the first man in the state, furnished Marius
with money, brought clothing to cover him, and
put him on board a ship. Marius, overtaking his/
son near Aenaria, steered his course for Africa, where^
he endured a Ufe of poverty in a hut amid the ruins
of Carthage. There Marius, as he gazed upon
Carthage, and Carthage as she beheld Marius, might
well have ofFered consolation the one to the other.
XX. In this year the hands of Roman soldiers
were first stained with the blood of a consul. Quintus
Pompeius, the colleague of Sulla, was slain by the
army of Gnaeus Pompeius the proconsul in a mutiny
which their general himself had stirred up.
Cinna was a man as lacking in restraint as Marius <'
and Sulpicius. Accordingly, although the citizen-
ship had been given to Jtaly wth the pro^iso that
the new citizens should be enrolled in but eight
89
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
et multitudo veterum civium dignitatem frangeret
plusque possent recepti in beneficium quam auctores
beneficii, Cinna in omnibus tribubus eos se distribu-
turum pollicitus est : quo nomine ingentem totius
3 Italiae frequentiam in urbem acciverat. E qua
pulsus collegae optimatiumque viribus cum in Cam-
paniam tenderet, ex auctoritate senatus consulatus
ei abrogatus est suffectusque in eius locum L. Cor-
nelius Merula flamen dialis. Haec iniuria homine
4 quam exemplo dignior fuit. Tum Cinna corruptis
primo centurionibus ac tribunis, mox etiam spe
largitionis militibus, ab eo.exercitu, qui circa Nolam
erat, receptus est. Is cum universus in verba eius
iurasset, retinens insignia consulatus patriae bellum
intulit, fretus ingenti numero novorum civium, e
quorum delectu trecentas amplius cohortes conscrip-
5 serat ac triginta legionum instar impleverat. Opus
erat partibus auctoritate, cuius augendae gratia
C. Marium cum fiho de exiUo revocavit quique cum
iis pulsi erant.
1 XXI. Dum bellum autem infert patriae Cinna, Cn.
Pompeius, Magni pater, cuius praeclara opera bello
Marsico praecipue circa Picenum agrum, ut prae-
scripsimus, usa erat res pubHca quique Asculum
ceperat, circa quam urbem, cum in multis aliis
regionibus exercitus dispersi forent, quinque et
• 87 B.c.
' The normal strength of a legion was from 5000 to 6000
men. Each legion was divided into ten cohorts.
90
<
HISTORY OF ROME. II. xx. 2— xxi. 1
tribes, so that their power and numbers might not
weaken the prestige of the older citizens, and that
the beneficiaries might not have greater power than
the benefactors, Cinna now promised to distribute
them throughout all the tribes. With this object
he had brought together into the city a great
multitude from all parts of Italy. But he was driven
frora the city by the united strength of his colleague
and the optimates, and set out for Campania. His
consulship was abrogated by the authority of the
senate and Lucius ComeHus Merula, priest of Jupiter,
was chosen consul in his place. This illegal act was
more appropriate in the case of Cinna than it was a
good precedent. Cinna was then received by the
army at Nola, after corrupting first the centurions
and tribunes and then even the private soldiers with
promises of largesse." When they all had swom
allegiance to him, while still retaining the insignia
of the consulate he waged war upon his country,
relying upon the enormous number of new citizens,
from whom he had levied more than three hundred
cohorts, thus raising the number of his troops to the
equivalent of thirty legions.* But his party lacked y
the backing of strong men ; to remedy this defect C^
he recalled Gaius Marius and his son from exile,
and also those who had been banished ^\\\\ them.
XXI. While Cinna was waging war against his
country, the conduct of Gnaeus Pompeius, the father
of Pompey the Great, was somewhat equivocal. As
I have already told, the state had made use of his
distinguished ser^ices in the Marsian war, particu-
larly in the territor}' of Picenum ; he had taken
Asculum, in the ^icinity of which, though armies
were scattered in other regions also, seventy-five
91
VELLEIUS PATEllCULUS
septuaginta milia civium Romanorum, amplius sexa-
2 ginta Italicoi*um una die conflixerant, frustratus spe
continuandi consulatus ita se^ dubium mediumque
partibus praestitit, ut omnia ex proprio usu ageret
temporibusque insidiari ^-ideretur, et huc atque illuc,
unde spes maior adfulsisset potentiae, sese^ exercitum-
3 que deflecteret. Sed ad ultimum magno atrocique
proelio cum Cinna conflixit : cuius commissi patrati-
que sub ipsis moenibus focisque^ urbis Romanae
pugnantibus spectantibusque quam fuerit eventus
4 exitiabilis, vix verbis exprimi potest. Post hoc cum
utrumque exercitum velut parum bello exhaustum
laceraret pestilentia, Cn. Pompeius decessit.* Cuius
interitus vohiptas amissorum aut gladio aut morbo
civium paene damno repensata est, populusque
Romanus quam vivo iracundiam debuerat, in corpus
mortui contulit.
5 Seu duae seu tres Pompeiorum fuere familiae,
primus eius nominis ante annos fere centum sexaginta
septem^ Q. Pompeius cum Cn. ServiUo consul fuit.
6 Cinna et Marius haud incruentis utrimque cer-
taminibus editis urbem occupaverunt, sed prior
ingressus Cinna de recipiendo Mario legem tuht.
1 XXIL Mox C. Marius pestifero civibus suis reditu
1 COS. sulta se A.
^ potentiae sese Halm ; potentia esse A ; potentiae se P.
'^ focisque Voss; sociisque AP; oculisque Halni after
lApshis.
* Halm marks a laeuna before decessit ; Sauppe proposea
to supply de caelo {or fuhnine) tactus.
^ CLXvii BA ; CLxviii P ; clxxii Laurent.
92
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxi. 1— xxii. 1
tliousand Roman citizens and more than sixty
thousand Italians had met in battle on a single day.
Foiled in his hope of a second term in the consulship,
he maintained a doubtful and neutral attitude as
between the two parties. so that he seemed to be
acting entirely in his own interest and to be watching
his chance, turning >\dth his army now to one side
and now to the other, according as each ofFered a
greater promise for power for himself. In the end,
however, he fought against Cinna in a great and
bloodv battle. Words ahnost fail to express how
disastrous to combatants and spectators ahke was
the issue of this battle, which began and ended
beneath the walls and close to the very hearths of
Rome. Shortly after this battle, while pestilence
was ravaging both armies, as though their strength
had not been sapped enough by the war, Gnaeus
Pompeius died. The joy felt at his death almost
counterbalanced the feeling of loss for the citizens
who had perished by sword or pestilence, and the
Roman people vented upon his dead body the hatred
it had owed him while he hved.
Whether there were two famihes of the Pompeii
or three, the first of that name to be consul was
Quintus Pompeius, who was colleague of Gnaeus
Servihus, about one hundred and sixty-seven years
ago. .
Cinna and Marius both seized the city after<L— -
conflicts which caused much shedding of blood on
both sides, but Cinna was the first to enter it,
whereupon he proposed a law authorizing the recall
of Marius.
XXII. Then Gaitis Marius entered the city, and
his retum was fraught with calamity for the citizens.
93
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
intravit moenia. Nihil illa victoria fuisset crudelius,
nisi mox SuUana esset secuta ; neque licentia gladio-
rum in mediocris^ saevitum, sed excelsissimi quoque
atque eminentissimi^ civitatis viri variis suppliciorum
2 generibus adfecti. In iis consul Octavius, vir lenis-
simi animi, iussu Cinnae interfectus est. Merula
autem, qui se sub adventum Cinnae consulatu abdi-
caverat, incisis venis superfusoque altaribus sanguine,
quos saepe pro salute rei publicae flamen dialis
precatus erat deos, eos in execrationem Cinnae
partiumque eius tum precatus optime de re publica
3 meritum spiritum reddidit. M. Antonius, princeps
civitatis atque eloquentiae, gladiis militum, quos
ipsos facundia sua moratus erat,'iussu Marii Cinnaeque
confossus est. Q. Catulus, et aliarum virtutum et
4 belli Cimbrici gloria, quae illi cum Mario communis
fuerat, celeberrimus, cum ad mortem conquireretur,
conclusit se loco nuper calce harenaque perpolito
inlatoque igni, qui vim odoris excitaret, simul exitiali
hausto spiritu, simul incluso suo mortem magis
voto quam arbitrio inimicorum obiit.
0 Omnia erant praecipitia in re puWica, nec tamen
adhuc quisquam inveniebatur, qui bona civis Romani
aut donare auderet aut petere sustineret. Postea
id quoque accessit, ut saevitiae causam avaritia
' in mediocris] in mediocri A ; immediocri B ; in medio-
creis P.
* excelsissimi quaque atque eminentissimi Heinslus ; ex-
celsissimae quoque a. eminentissimae AP.
94
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxii. 1-5
No victory would ever have exceeded his in cruelty
had Sulla's not foUowed soon afterwards. Nor did
the licence of the sword play havoc among the
obscure alone ; the highest and most distinguished
men in the state were made the victims of many
kinds of vengeance Amongst these Octavius the ,
consul, a man of the mildest temper, was slain by the C
command of Cinna. Merula, however, who had abdi-
cated his consulship just before the arrival of Cinna,
opened his veins and, as his blood drenched the altars,
he implored the gods to whom, as priest of Jupiter,
he had formerly praved for safety of the state, to visit
their wrath upon Cinna and his party. Thus did he
yield up the Ufe which had served the state so well.
Marcus Antonius, the foremost statesman and orator/
of Rome, was struck do^sTi, at the order of Marius^
and Cinna, by the swords of soldiers, though he
caused even these to hesitate by the power of his
eloquence. Then there was Quintus Catulus, re-
no^raed for his virtues in general and for the glory, .
which he had shared with 5larius, of ha\-ing won the <C.
Cimbrian war ; when he was being hunted do^sTi for
death, he shut himself in a room that had lately been
plastercd with lime and sand ; then he brought fire that
it might cause a powerful vapour to issue from the
plaster, and by breathing the poisonous air and then
holding his breath he died a death according rather
\\ith his enemies' wishes than with their judgement.
The whole state was now plunging headlong into
ruin ; and yet no one had so far appeared who either
dared to offer for pillage the goods of a Roman
citizen, or could bring himself to demand them.
Later, however, even this extreme was reached,
and avarice furnished a motive for ruthlessness ;
95
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
praeberet et modus culpae ex pecuniae modo con-
stitueretur et qui fuisset locuples, fieret is nocens.
suique quisque periculi merces foret, nec quidquam
videretur tui*pe, quod esset quaestuosum.
1 XXIIL Secundum deinde consulatum Cinna et
septimum Marius in priorum dedecus iniit, cuius initio
morbo oppressus decessit, vir in bello hostibus, in
otio civibus infestissimus quietisque impatientissimus.
2 In huius locum suffectus Valerius Flaccus, turpissimae
legis auctor, qua creditoribus quadrantem solvi
iusserat, cuius facti merita eum poena intra bien-
3 nium consecuta est. Dominante in Italia Cinna maior
pars nobiUtatis ad Sullam in Achaiam ac deinde post
in Asiam perfugit.
Sulla interim cum Mithridatis praefectis circa
Athenas Boeotiamque et Macedoniam ita dimicavit,
ut et Athenas reciperet et plurimo circa multiplicis
Piraei portus munitiones labore expleto amplius
ducenta milia hostium interficeret nec minus multa
4 caperet. Si quis hoc rebellandi tempus, quo Athenae
oppugnatae a SuUa sunt, imputat Atheniensibus, ni-
mirum veri vetustatisque ignarus est : adeo enim certa
Atheniensium in Romanos fides fuit, ut semper et
" That is, his property was divided among those re-
sponsible for his death.
' For this period and its proscriptions see Plutarch, Life
of SuUa. ' 86 B.c. ' 87-86 b.c.
96
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxii. 5— xxiii. 4
the magnitude of one's crime was determined by
the magnitude of his property ; he who possessed
riches became a malefactor and was in each case
the prize" set up for his o^^ti murder. In short
nothing was regarded as dishonourable that brought
profit.^
XXIII. Cinna then entered upon his second
consulship, and Marius upon his seventh," only to/
bring dishonoxu" upon his former six. An illness^-
which came upon Marius at the very beginning of
his year of office ended the life of this man, who,
impatient as he was of tranquilUty, was as dangerous
to his fellow-citizens in peace as he had been in
war to Rome's enemies. In his place was chosen
as consul sufFectus Valerius Flaccus, the author of a
most disgraceful law, by which he had ordained that
one-fourth only of a debt should be paid to the
creditors, an act for which a well-deserved punish-
ment overtook him within two years. During this
time, while Cinna held the reins of power in Italy, a
large proportion of the nobles took refuge with
Sulla in Achaea, and afterwards in Asia.
In the meantime Sulla fought ^dth the generals
of Mithridates at Athens,in Boeotia, andin Macedonia
with such success that he recovered Athens, and,
after surmounting many difficulties in overcoming
the manifold fortifications of Piraeus, slew more than
two hundred thousand of the enemy and made
prisoners of as many more.<^ If anyone regards this
period of rebelUon, during which Athens sufFered
siege at the hands of Sulla, as a breach of good faith
on the part of the Athenians, he shows a strange
ignorance of the facts of history ; for so constant
was the loyalty of the Athenians towards the Romans
97
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
in omni re, quidquid sincera fide gereretur, id Romani
5 Attica fieri praedicarent Ceterum tum oppressi
Mithridatis armis homines miserrimae condicionis
cum ab inimicis tenerentur, oppugnabantur ab amicis
et animos extra moenia, corpora necessitati servientes
6 intra muros habebant. Transgressus deinde in Asiam
SuUa parentem ad^ omnia supphcemque Mithridatem
invenit, quem multatum pecunia ac parte navium
Asia omnibusque aUis provinciis, quas armis occu-
paverat, decedere coegit, captivos recepit, in per-
fugas noxiosque animadvertit, paternis, id est
Ponticis finibus contentum esse iussit.
1 XXIV. C. Flavius Fimbria, qui praefectus equitum
ante adventum Sullae Valerium Flaccum consularem
virum interfecerat exercituque occupato imperator
appellatus forti^ Mithridatem pepulerat proeHo, sub
adventu^ Sullae se ipse interemit, adulescens, quae
2 pessime ausus erat, fortiter executus. Eodem anno
P. Laenas tribunus plebis Sex. Lucilium, qui priore^
anno tribunus plebis fuerat, saxo Tarpeio deiecit, et
cum collegae eius, quibus diem dixerat, metu ad
Sullam profugissent, aqua ignique iis interdixit.
1 ad liuhnken ; ante AJP.
* forti Puteanus ; fonte AP ; sponte Halm.
' sub adventu AP; sub adventum Halm,
* qui in priore AP.
" i.e. with their Roraan besiegers.
* The province of Asia, i.e. Aaia Minor.
98
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxiii. 4— xxiv. 2
that always and invariably, whenever the Romans
referred to any act of unqualified loyalty, they
called it an example of " Attic faith." But at this
time, overvvhelmed as they were by the arms of
Mithridates, the Athenians were in a most unhappy
phght. Held in subjection by their enemies and
lijesieged by their friends, although in obedience to
necessity they kept their bodies wilhin the walls,
their hearts were outside their fortifications." After
the capture of Athens Sulla crossed into Asia,
where he found Mithridates submissive to all his
demands and in the attitude of a suppliant He
compelled him, after paying a fine in money and
giving up half his fleet, to evacuate Asia^ and all
the other pro\inces which he had seized ; he also
secured the return of all prisoners, inflicted punish-
ment upon deserters and others who had been in
any way culpable, and obhged Mithridates to be
satisfied \\ith the boundaries of his inheritance, that
is to say, •wiih Pontus.
XXIV. Before the arrival of Sulla, Gaius Flavius
Fimbria, prefect of horse, had put to death Valerius
Flaccus, a man of consular rank, had taken command
of his army, by which he was saluted as imperator,
and had succeeded in defeating Mithridates in
battle. Now, on the eve of Sulla's arrival, he took
his own life. He was a young man who, however
reprehensible his bold designs might be, at any
rate executed them with bravery. In the same year
Publius Laenas, tribune of the people, threw Sextus
Lucilius, tribune of the preWous year, from the
Tarpeian rock. When his colleagues, whom he also
indicted, fled in fear to Sulla, he had a decree of
banishment passed against them.
99
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
8 Tum SuUa compositis transmarinis rebus, cum ad
eum primum omnium Romanorum legati Parthorum
venissent, et in iis quidam magi ex notis corporis
respondissent caelestem eius vitam et memoriam
futuram, revectus in Italiam haud plura quam triginta
armatorum miUa adversum ducenta amplius hostium
4 exposuit Brundusii. Vix quidquam in Sullae operi-
bus clarius duxerim, quam quod cum per triennium
Cinnanae Marianaeque partes Italiam obsiderent,
neque inlaturum se bellum iis dissimulavit nec quod
erat in manibus omisit, existimavitque ante frangen-
dum hostem quam ulciscendum civem, repulsoque
extemo metu, ubi quod ahenum esset vicisset,
6 superaret^ quod erat domesticum. Ante adventum
L. SuUae Cinna seditione orta ab exercitu interemp-
tus est, vir dignior, qui arbitrio victorum moreretur
quam iracundia mihtum. De quo vere dici potest,
ausum esse^ eum quae nemo auderet bonus, per-
fecisse quae a nuUo nisi fortissimo perfici possent,
et fuisse eum in consultando temerarium, in exe-
quendo virum. Carbo nullo sufFecto collega solus
toto anno consul fuit.
1 {^ XXV. Putares Sullam venisse in Itaham non belh
1 superaret AP ; Halm regards as a case of careless writ-
ing ; Ellis understands superaret as having in it an imperative
force.
' ausura esse Orelli ; ausum P ; aususs with Jinal s sub-
sequently deleted A.
» 83 B.c.
100
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxiv. 3— xxv. 1
Sulla had now settled afFairs across the sea. There
came to him ambassadors of the Parthians — he was
the first of the Romans to be so honoured — and
among them some -v^ase men who, from the marks
on his body, foretold that his life and his fame
would be worthy of a god. Returning to Italy he
landed at Brundisium," having not more than thirty
thousand men to face more than two hundred
thousand of the enemy. Of all the exploits of
SuUa there is nothing that I should consider more
noteworthy than that, during the three years in
which the party of Marius and Cinna were continu-
ously masters of Italy, he never hid from them his
intention to wage war on them, but at the same time
he did not interrupt the war which he then had on
his hands. He considered that his duty was to
crush the enemy before taking vengeance upon
citizens, and that after he had repelled the menace
of the foreigner and won a victory in this war abroad,
he should then prove liimself the master in a war at
home. Before Sulla's arrival Cinna was slain in a
mutiny of his army. He was a man who deserved
to die by the sentence of his victorious enemies
rather than at the hands of his angry soldiers. Of
him one can truly say that he formed daring plans,
such as no good citizen would have conceived, and
that he accomplished what none but a most resolute
man could have accomplished, and that he was
foolhardy enough in the formulation of his plans,
but in their execution a man. Carbo remained sole
consul throughout the year without electing a
colleague in the place of Cinna.
XXV. One would think that Sulla had come to
Italy, not as the champion of war but as the
101
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
vindicem, sed pacis auctorem : tanta cum quiete
exercitum per Calabriam Apuliamque cum singulari
cura frugum, agrorum, hominum, urbium perduxit
in Campaniam temptavitque iustis legibus et aequis
condicionibus bellum componere ; sed iis, quibus
et res^ pessima et immodica cupiditas erat, non
2 poterat pax placere. Crescebat interim in dies Sullae
exercitus confluentibus ad eum optimo quoque et
sanissimo. Felici deinde circa Capuam eventu Sci-
pionem Norbanumque consules superat, quorum Nor-
banus acie victus, Scipio ab exercitu suo desertus
3 ac proditus inviolatus a Sulla dimissus est. Adeo
enim Sulla dissimilis fuit bellator ac victor, ut dum
vincit, mitis ac iustissimo'^ lenior, post victoriam audito
fuerit crudelior. Nam et consulem, ut praediximus,
exarmatum Quintumque Sertorium, pro quanti mox
belli facem ! et multos alios, potitus eorum, dimisit
incolumes, credo ut in eodem homine dupHcis ac
4 diversissimi animi conspiceretur exemplumri Post'
victoriam — namque ascendens^ montem Tifata cum
C. Norbano concurrerat — SuUa gratis Dianae, cuius
numini regio illa sacrata est, solvit ; aquas salubri-
tate medendisque corporibus nobiles agrosque omnis
addixit deae. Huius gratae religionis memoriam et
inscriptio templi adfixa posti hodieque et tabula
testatur aerea intra aedem.
^ res supplied hy Rnhnken.
* mitis supplied by Krause ; ac iustissirao AP ; aequissimo
Halm.
^ post Gelenius ; posuit AP.
* namque ascendens Halm ; qua demendes AP ; qua
descendens Odenius.
• 83 B.C. » See Chap. XXX.
102
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxv. 1-4
establisher of peace, so quietly did he lead his army
through Calabria and Apuha into Campania, taking
unusual care not to inflict damage on crops, fields,
men, or cities, and such efforts did he make to end
the war on just terms and fair conditions. But peace
could not be to the liking of men whose cause was
wicked and whose cupidity was unbounded. In the
meantime Sulla's army was daily gro^ving, for all
the better and saner citizens flocked to his side.
By a fortunate issue of events he overcame the
consuls Scipio and Norbanus near Capua." Norbanus
was defeated in battle, while Scipio, deserted and
betrayed by his army, was allowed by Sulla to go
unharmed. So different was Sulla the warrior from
Sulla the victor that, while his victory was in
progress he was mild and more lenient than was
reasonable, but after it was won his cruelty was
unprecedented. For instance, as we have already
said, he disarmed the consul and let him go, and
after gaining possession of many leaders including
Quintus Sertorius, so soon to become the firebrand
of a great war,^ he dismissed them unharmed. The
reason, I suppose, was that we might have a
notable example of a double and utterly contradictory
personality in one and the same man.
It was while SuUa was ascending Mount Tifata
that he had encountered Gaius Norbanus. After
his victory over him he paid a vow of gratitude to
Diana, to whom that region is sacred, and con-
secrated to the goddess the waters reno^vned for their
salubrity and power to heal, as well as all the lands in
the vicinity. The record of this pleasing act of piety
is witnessed to this day by an inscription on the door
of the temple, and a bronze tablet within the edifice.
103
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
1 XXVI. Deinde consules Carbo tertium et C.
Marius, septiens consulis filius, annos natus sex et
viginti, vir animi magis quam aevi paterni, multa
fortiterque molitus neque usquam inferior nomine
suo. Is^ apud Sacriportum pulsus a Sulla acie
Praeneste, quod ante natura munitum praesidiis
firmaverat, se exercitumque contulit.
2 Ne quid usquam malis publicis deesset, in qua
civitate semper virtutibus certatum erat, certabatur
sceleribus, optimusque sibi videbatur, qui fuerat^
pessimus. Quippe dum ad Sacriportum dimicatur,
Damasippus praetor Domitium consularem, Scae-
volam^ Mucium, pontificem maximum et divini
humanique iuris auctorem celeberrimum, et C. Car-
bonem praetorium, consulis fratrem, et Antistium
aedilicium velut faventis Sullae partibus in curia
3 Hostilia trucidavit. Non perdat nobilissimi facti
gloriam Calpurnia, Bestiae filia, uxor Antistii, quae
iugulato, ut praediximus, viro gladio se ipsa transfixit.
Quantum huius gloriae famaeque accessit nimc virtute
feminae ! nec propria latet.*
1 XXVII. At Pontius Telesinus, dux Samnitium, vir
domi bellique fortissimus penitusque Romano nomini
^ siio. Is Orelli ; sflis A (sulis according to Orelli) ; con-
sulis P.
* fuerat AP ; foret Halm.
' Domitiura consularem, Scaevolam Mucium Ruhnken ;
Dom. Scaevolam etiam AP.
* virtute feminae nec propria latet Thomas ; virtute
eminet patria latet AP ; virtute feminae propria patet Haupt
followed by Halm.
104
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxvi. 1— xxvii. 1
XXVI. Carbo now became consul for the third
time, in conjunction witli Gaius Marius, now aged
twenty-six, the son of a father who had been seven
times consul. He was a man who showed his father's
spirit, though not destined to reach his years, who
displayed great fortitude in the many enterprises he
undertook, and never behed the name. Defeated
by Sulla at Sacriportus he retired with his army to
Praeneste, which town, thongh aheady strong by
natiire, he had strengthened by a garrison.
In order that nothing should be lacking to the
calamities of the state, in Rome, a city in which there
had aheady been rivalry in \-irtues, there was now a
rivalr}' in crimes, and that man now regarded himself
as the best citizen who had formerly been the worst.
Wliile the battle was being fought at Sacriportus,
■within the city the praetor Damasippus murdered
in the Curia Hostiha, as supposed partisans of SuUa,
Domitius, a man of consular rank ; Scaevola Mucius,
pontifex maximus and famous author of works on
rehgious and ci\il law ; Gaius Carbo, a former
praetor, and brother of the consul, and Antistius, a
former aedile. May Calpurnia, the daughter of
Bestia and wife of Antistius, never lose the glory
of a noble deed ; for, when her husband was put to
death, as I have just said, she pierced her ovm
breast \vith the sword. What increment has his
glory and fame received through this brave act of
a woman ! and yet his own name is by no means
obscure.
XXVII. While Carbo and Marius were still consuls,
one hundred and nine years ago, on the Kalends of
November, Pontius Telesinus, a Samnite chief, brave
in spirit and in action and hating to the core the
105
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
infestissimus, contractis circiter quadraginta milibus
fortissimae pertinacissimaeque in retinendis armis
iuventutis, Carbone ac Mario consulibus abhinc
annos centum et novem^ Kal. Novembribus ita ad
portam Collinam cum SuUa dimicavit, ut ad summum
2 discrimen et eum et rem publicam perduceret, quae
non maius periculum adiit Hannibalis intra tertium
miliarium castra conspicata, quam eo die, quo cir-
cumvolans ordines exercitus sui Telesinus dictitansque
adesse Romanis ultimum diem vociferabatur eruen-
dam delendamque urbem, adiiciens numquam defu-
turos raptores Italicae libertatis lupos, nisi silva, in
3 quam refugere solerent, esset excisa. Post primam
demum horam noctis et Romana acies respiravit et
hostium cessit. Telesinus postera die semianimis
repertus est, victoris magis quam morientis vultum
praeferens, cuius abscisum caput ferro figi^ ges-
tarique circa Praeneste Sulla iussit.
4 Tum demum desperatis rebus suis C. Marius
adulescens per cuniculos, qui miro opere fabricati
in diversas agrorum partis ferebant,^ conatus erum-
pere, cum foramine e terra emersisset, a dispositis in
6 id ipsum interemptus est. Sunt qui sua manu, sunt
qui concurrentem mutuis ictibus cum minore fratre
Telesini una obsesso et erumpente occubuisse pro-
diderint. Utcumque cecidit, hodieque tanta patris
imagine non obscuratur eius* memoria. De quo
^ cix Kritz ; xt BA ; xl P.
* ferro figi Madvig ; ferri AP.
* ferebant Burman ; fuerunt AP ; ferunt Gelenius.
* eius P ; civis AB.
106
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxvii. 1-5
very name of Rome, haWng collected about him
forty thousand of the bravest and most steadfast
youth who still persisted in retaining arms, fought
with SuUa, near the Colhne gate, a battle so critical
as to bring both Sulla and the city into the gravest
peril. Rome had not faced a greater danger when
she saw the camp of Hannibal -s^ithin the third
milestone, than on this day when Telesinus went
about from rank to rank exclaiming : " The last
day is at hand for the Romans," and in a loud voice
exhorted his men to overthrow and destroy their
city, adding : " These wolves that made such ravages
upon Itahan hberty will never vanish until we have cut
do^ra the forest that harbours them." It was only
after the first hour of the night that the Roman army
was able to recover its breath, and the enemy retired.
The next day Telesinus was found in a half-dying
condition, but with the expression of a conqueror upon
his face rather than that of a dpng man. Sulla
ordered his severed head to be fixed upon a spear
point and carried around the walls of Praeneste.
The young Marius, now at last despairing of his
cause, endeavoured to make his way out of Praeneste
through the tunnels, ^vTought vvith great engineering
skill, which led into the fields in different directions ;
but, on emerging from the exit, he was cut off by
men who had been stationed there for that purpose.
Some authorities have asserted that he died by his
own hand, some that he died in company with the
younger brother of Telesinus, who was also besieged
and was endeavouring to escape with him, and that
each ran upon the other's sword. Whatever the
manner of his death, his memory is not obscured
even to-day by the great figure of his father. Sulla's
107
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
iuvene quid existimaverit Sulla, in promptu est ;
[^occiso enim demum eo Felicis nomen adsumpsit,
quod quidem usurpasset iustissime, si eundem et
vincendi et vivendi finem habuisset.j
6 Oppugnationi autem Praenestis ac Marii praefuerat
Ofella Lucretius, qui cum ante Marianarum fuisset
partium praetor,i ad Sullam transfugerat. Felici-
tatem diei, quo Samnitium Telesinique pulsus est
exercitus, Sulla perpetua ludorum circensium honora-
vit memoria, qui sub eius nomine SuUanae Victoriae
celebrantur.
1 XX\^III. Paulo ante quam Sulla ad Sacriportum
dimicaret, magnificis proeHis partium eius viri
hostium exercitum fuderant, duo Servilii apud
Clusium, Metellus Pius apud Faventiam, M. LucuUus
circa Fidentiam.
2 LVidebantur finita belli civiHs mala, cum Sullae
crudehtate aucta sunt.'^^ Quippe dictator creatus
(cuius honoris usurpatio per annos centum et viginti
intermissa ; nam proximus post annum quam Han-
nibal Itaha excesserat, uti adpareat populum Ro-
manum usum dictatoris haud metu desiderasse tali
quo timuisset potestatem-) imperio, quo priores ad
vindicandam maximis periculis rem publicam olim
usi erant,^ eo in inmodicae crudeUtatis Ucentiam*
3 usus est. Primus ille, et utinam ultimus, exemplum
proscriptionis inveniQ ut in qua civitate petulantis
' praetor AP ; proditor Voss ; fautor Scriner.
* naud , • . potestatein Ellis ; aut metu desideras tulio
cotimuis se (Tulio co timuisse P) potestatem AP \ ut in
metu desiderasse ita in otio timuisse potestatem Ilalm.
' imperio . . . usi erant Puhnken and Gelmiiis ; imperio
prores (proh res P) ad vindicandara (-dum P) maximi
periculi spolia miisierant AP.
* eo inmodicae crud. licentia AP ; em. Cludius.
108
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xx\ii. 5— xxviii. 3
estimate of the young man is manifest ; for it was
only after he was slain that he took the name of
Fehx," a name which he would have been completely
justified in assuming had his Ufe ended A^ith his
victory.
The siege of Marius in Praeneste was directed by
Ofella Lucretius, who had been a general on the
Marian side but had deserted to SuUa. Sulla
commemorated the great good fortune which fell
to him on this day by instituting an annual festival
of games held in the circus, which are still celebrated
as the games of Suila's victory.
XXVIII. Shortly before Sulla's \ictory at Sacri-
portus, several leaders of his part}' had routed the
enemy in successful engagements ; the two SerxiUi
at Clusium, Metellus Pius at Faventia, and Marcus
LucuUus in the vicinity of Fidentia.
The terrors of the ci\il war seemed nearly at
an end when they received fresh impetus from
the cruelty of Sulla. Being made dictator' (the
office had been obsolete for one hundred and
twenty years, and had been last employed in
the year after Hannibars departure from Italy ;
it is therefore clear that the fear which caused
the Roman people to feel the need of a dictator
was outweighed by the fear of his excessive
power) Sulla now \sielded with unbridled cruelty
the powers which former dictators had em-
ployed only to save their country in times of
extreme danger. He was the first to set the
precedent for proscription — would that he had been
the last ! The result was that in the very state in
• Tae " fortunate."
» 82 B.C.
109
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
convicii iudicium histrioni ex albo^ redditur, in ea
iugulati civis Romani publice constitueretur auctora-
mentum, plurimumque haberet, qui plurimos inter-
emisset, neque occisi hostis quam civis uberius foret
4 praemium fieretque quisque merces mortis suae.^Nec
tantum in eos, qui eontra arma tulerant, sed in
multos insontis saevitum. Adiectum etiam, ut bona
proscriptorum venirent exclusique paternis opibus
liberi etiam petendorum honorum iure proliiberenturj
simulque, quod indignissimum est, senatorum filii
et onera ordinis sustinerent et iura perderent.
1 XXIX. Sub adventum in Itaham L. Sullae Cn.
Pompeius, eius Cn. Pompei fihus, quem magnifi-
centissimas res in consulatu gessisse bello Marsico
praediximus, tris et viginti annos natus, abhinc annos
centum et tredecim- privatis ut opibus, ita consihis
magna ausus magnificeque conata executus, ad
vindicandam restituendamque dignitatem patriae
firmum ex agro Piceno, qui totus paternis eius
2 chentehs refertus erat, contraxit exercitum : cuius
viri magnitudo multorum voluminum instar exigit,
sed operis modus paucis eum narrari iubet.
Fuit hic genitus matre Luciha stirpis senatoriae,
forma excellens, non ea, qua flos commendatur aetatis,
sed ea^ dignitate constantiaque, quae* in iham con-
^ histrioni ex albo Oronovius et Monunsen ; historiarum
(historiarium P) ex alto ABP.
- cx Kritz.
^ sed ea Burman ; sed ex AP.
* quae added hy Aldiis.
» 83 B.c.
110
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxviii. 3— xxix. 2
which an actor who had been hissed from the stage
has legal redress for wilful abuse, a premium for
the murder of a citizen was now pubhcly announced ;
that the richest man was he who had slain the
greatest number ; that the bounty for slaying an
enemy was no greater than that for slaying a citizen ;
and that each man became the prize set up for his
o^^Ti death. Nor was vengeance wreaked upon
those alone who had bome arms against him, but
on many innocents as well. In addition the goods
of the proscribed were sold, and their children were
not only deprived of their fathers' property but were
also debarred from the right of seeking pubhc office,
and to cap the chmax of injustice, the sons of senators
were compelled to bear the burdens and yet lose the
rights pertaining to their rank.
XXIX. Just before the arrival of Lucius Sulla in
Italy, Gnaeus Pompeius, the son of the Gnaeus
Pompeius who, as has already been mentioned, won
such briUiant successes in the Marsian war during
his consulship, though but twenty-three years of
age — it was one hundred and thirteen years ago "
— on his own initiative and ^\ith his own private
funds conceived and brilhantly executed a daring
plan. To avenge his country and restore her dignity
he raised a strong army from the di^trict of Picenum
which was fiUed with the retainers of his father. To
do justice to the greatness of this man would require
many volumes, but the brief compass of my work
compels me to hmit my description to a few words.
On the side of his mother Luciha he was of
senatorial stock. He was distinguished by a personal
beauty, not of the sort which gives the bloom of
youth its charm, but stately and unchanging, as
111
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
veniens amplitudinem fortunamque eum ad ultimum
vitae comitata est diem ; innocentia eximius, sanc-
3 titate praecipuus, eloquentia medius, potentiae, quae
honoris causa ad eum deferretur, non vi^ ab eo occu-
paretur, cupidissimus, dux bello peritissimus, civis
in toga, nisi ubi vereretur ne quem haberet parem,
modestissimus, amicitiarum tenax, in offensis exora-
bihs, in reconcilianda gratia fidehssimus, in acci-
pienda satisfactione facillimus, potentia sua num-
4 quam aut raro ad impotentiam usus, paene omnium
vitiorum expers, nisi numeraretur inter maxima in
civitate Hbera dominaque gentium indignari, cum
omnes cives iure haberet pares, quemquam aequalem
5 dignitate conspicere. Hic a toga virili adsuetus com-
militio prudentissimi ducis, parentis sui, bonum et
capax recta discendi ingenium singulari rerum
mih'tarium prudentia excoluerat, ut a Sertorio
Metellus laudaretur magis, Pompeius timeretur
vahdius.^
1 XXX. Tum M. Perpenna praetorius, e proscriptis,
gentis clarioris quam animi, Sertorium inter cenam
Oscae interemit Romanisque certam victoriam,
partibus suis excidium, sibi turpissimam mortem
pessimo auctoravit facinore. Metellus et Pompeius
^ ui Mommsen ; ut AP.
* Krause believes that there is a hialm of some length be-
tween this chapter and XXX.
« 72 B.c.
* After the assassination Perpenna took charge of the
army of Sertorius, was defeated by Ponipey, and taken
prisoner. He sought to save his hfe by delivering up to
Pompey the papers of Sertorius implicating many of the
leading men of Rome in a conspiracy to change the con-
stitution of Sulla. Pompey commanded that the papers be
burnt, and that Perpenna be put to death.
112
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxix. 2— xxx. 1
befitted the distinction and good fortune of his
career, and this beauty attended him to the last
day of his Ufe. He was a man of exceptional purity
of Ufe, of great uprightness of character, of but
moderate oratorical talent, ambitious of such power
as might be conferred upon him as a mark of
honour, but not that which had to be forcibly
usurped. In war a resourceful general, in peace a
citizen of temperate conduct except when he feared
a rival, constant in his friendships, easily placated
when offended, loyal in re-estabUshing terms of amity,
very ready to accept satisfaction, never or at least
rarely abusing his power, Pompey was free from
almost every fault. unless it be considered one of
the greatest of faults for a man to chafe at seeing
anyone his equal in dignity in a free state, the
mistress of the world, where he should justly regard
aU citizens as his equals. From the day on which
he had assumed the toga he had been trained to
miUtar>' ser\ice on the staff of that sagacious general,
his father, and by a singular insight into miUtary
tactics had so developed his exceUent native talent,
which showed great capacity to leam what was
best, that, while Sertorius bestowed the greater
praise upon MeteUus, it was Pompey he feared the
more strongly.
XXX. Shortly afterwards Marcus Perpenna, an
ex-praetor, one of those who had been proscribed, a
man more distinguished for his birth than for liis char-
acter, assassinated Sertorius at Osca at a banquet.*
By this wicked deed he ensured success to the
Romans, and destruction to his o%vn faction, and
for himself a death of extreme dishonour.* MeteUus
and Pompey won triumphs for their victories in
113
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
2 ex Hispaniis triumphaverunt ; sed Pompeius, hoc
quoque triumpho adhuc eques Romanus, ante diem
quam consulatum iniret, curru urbem invectus est.
3 Quem virum quis non miretur per tot extraordinaria
imperia in summum fastigium evectum iniquo tuhsse
animo, C. Caesaris absentis^ in altero consulatu
petendo senatum populumque Romanum rationem
habere : adeo famihare est hominibus omnia sibi
ignoscere, nihil ahis remittere, et invidiam rerum non
ad causam, sed ad voluntatem personasque dirigere.
4 Hoc consulatu Pompeius tribuniciam potestatem re-
stituit, cuius Sulla imaginem sine re- reHquerat.
5 Dum Sertorianum bellum in Hispania geritur,
quattuor et sexaginta fugitivi e ludo gladiatorio
Capua profugientes duce Spartaco, raptis ex ea
urbe gladiis, primo Vesuvium montem petiere, mox
crescente in dies multitudine gravibus variisque
6 casibus adfecere ItaUam. Quorum numerus in
tantum adulevit, ut qua ultima dimicavere acie,
nonaginta milia^ hominum se Romano exercitui
opposuerint. Huius patrati gloria penes M. Crassum
fuit, mox rci pubhcae omnium consensu^ principem.
1 absentis add. Krause.
"^ sine re Gelmdus', in iure AP.
^ xc milia Voss ; xl a ccc AP.
* omnium P ; omni A ; consensu add. Ellis.
" Extraordmary commands : here may be included the
extraordinary title of proconsul conferred upon him though
but a private citizen in the war against Sertorius ; his extra-
ordinary election to the consuiship in which the senate
waived legal age and absence from Kome ; the power of the
imperlum mxiius over the whole Mediterranean to fifty miles
inland from its coasts, conferred in 67 b.c. by the Gabinian
law ; and the extension of this power by the ManiHan law
to cover all the fleets and armies in the east and the whole
of Asia as far as Armenia. * 70 b.c.
114
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxx. 2-6
Spain. Pompey, who even at the time of this
triumph was still a Roman knight, entered the eity
in his triumphal car on the day before his enlrance
upon liis consulate. Who is there who does not feel
surprise that this man, who owed liis elevation to
the highest position in the state to so many extra-
ordinary commands," should have taken it ill that
the senate and the Roman people were 'wilUng to
consider Gaius Caesar as a candidate for the consul-
ship a second time, though suing for it in absentia ?
So common a faiUng is it for mankind to overlook
every irregularity in their o^vn case, but to make
no concessions to others, and to let their discontent
with conditions be vented upon suspected motives
and upon persons instead of the real cause. In this
consulship'' Pompey restored the power of the
tribunes, of which SuUa had left the shadow without
the substance."^
While war was being waged against Sertorius in
Spain sixty-four runaway slaves, under the leadership
of Spartacus, escaping from a gladiatorial school in
Capua, seized swords in that city, and at first took
refuge on Mount Vesuvius ; ^ then, as their number
increased daily, they afflicted Italy with many serious
disasters Their number grew to such an extent
that in the last battle which they fought they
confronted the Roman army with ninety thousand
men. The glory of ending this war belongs to
Marcus Crassus, who was soon by unanimous consent
to be regarded as the first citizen in the state.
• i.e. by depriving the tribunes of the right of initiating
legislation, by reducing the right of intercessio to a siraple
ius auxilii ferendi (Cic. I)e lef/f/. iii. 9), and by disquaUfying
tribunes from hoiding curule offices. <* 73-7 Ib.c.
115
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
1 XXXI. Converterat Cn, Pompei persona totum in
se terrarum orbem et per omnia maior civi^ habe-
batur. Qui cum consul perquam laudabiliter iurasset
se in nullam provinciam ex eo magistratu iturum
2 idque servasset, post biennium A. Gabinius tribunus
legem tulit, ut cum belli more, non latrociniorum,
orbem classibus iam, non furtivis expeditionibus
piratae terrerent quasdamque etiam Italiae urbes
diripuissent, Cn. Pompeius ad eos opprimendos mit-
teretur essetque ei imperium aequum in omnibus
provinciis cum proconsulibus usque ad quinquage-
simum miliarium a mari. Quo scito^ paene totius
3 terrarum orbis imperium uni viro deferebatur ; sed
tamen idem hoc ante septennium^ in M. Antonii
4 praetura decretum erat. Sed interdum persona ut
exemplo nocet, ita invidiam auget aut levat* : in
Antonio homines aequo animo passi erant ; raro
enim invidetur eorum honoribus, quorum vis non
timetur : contra in iis homines extraordinaria refor-
midant, qui ea suo arbitrio aut deposituri aut reten-
turi videntur et modum in voluntate habent. Dis-
suadebant optimates, sed consiUa impetu victa sunt.
1 XXXII. Digna est memoria Q. Catuli cum aucto-
ritas tum verecundia. Qui cum dissuadens legem
* maior civi Heinsiiis ; maiore vi AP.
* quo scito Scheqk ; quos c A ; quo senatus Cos. P.
^ septennium Krause ; bienniura AP.
* leva A.
» 67 B.c.
' In 74 B.c. Marcus Antonius, the father of the triumvir,
who had held the praetorship the previous year, obtained
through the influence of Cethegus and the consul Cotta the
command of the fleet and the coasts of the Mediterranean
in order to clear the sea of pirates.
Ji6
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxxi. 1— xxxii. 1
XXXI. The personality of Pompey had now tumed
the eyes of the world upon itself, and in all things
he was now regarded as more than a mere citizen.
As consul he made the laudable promise, which he
also kept, that he would not go from that office to
any pro\ince. But, two years afterwards, when the
pirates were terrifying the world, not as heretofore
by furtive marauding expeditions but with fleets of
ships in the manner of regular warfare, and had
ah-eady plundered several cities of Italy, Aulus
Gabinius, a tribune, proposed an enactmenf* to the
effect that Gnaeus Pompeius should be sent to crush
them, and that in all the provinces he should have a
power equal with that of the proconsular govemors
to a distance of fifty miles from the sea. By this
decree the command of ahnost the entire world was
being entrusted to one man. Seven years before, it
is true, like power had been decreed to Marcus
Antonius as praetor.* But sometimes the personality
of the recipient of such power, just as it renders the
precedent more or less dangerous, increases or
diminishes its im-idiousness. In the case of Antonius
people had looked upon his position with no concem.
For it is not often that we begmdge honours to those
whose power we do not fear. On the other hand
men shrink from conferring extraordinary powers
upon those who seem hkely to retain them or lay
them aside only as they themselves choose, and
whose inclinations are their only check. The
optimates ad\ised against the grant to Pompey,
but sane advice succumbed to impulse.
XXXII. The sterUng character of Quintus Catulus
and his modesty on this occasion are worthy of
record. Opposing the law before the assembled
117
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
in contione dixisset esse quidem praeelarum virum
Cn. Pompeium, sed nimium iam liberae^ rei publicae
neque omnia in uno reponenda adiecissetque : " si
quid huic acciderit, quem in eius locum substituetis ? "
subclamavit universa contio, te, Q. Catule. Tum
ille victus consensu omniura et tam honorifico civitatis
2 testimonio e contione discessit. Hic hominis vere-
cundiam, populi iustitiam mirari libet, huius, quod
non ultra contendit, plebis, quod dissuadentem et
adversarium voluntatis suae vero testimonio fraudare
noluit.
3 Per idem tempus Cotta iudicandi munus, quod
C. Gracchus ereptum senatui ad equites, SuUa ab
ilHs ad senatum transtulerant,^ aequahter in utrum-
que ordinem partitus est ; Otho Roscius lege sua
equitibus in theatro loca restituit.
4 At Cn. Pompeius multis et praeclaris viris in id
bellum adsumptis discriptoque paene in omnis
recessus maris praesidio navium, brevi inexsupera-
bili manu terrarum orbem hberavit praedonesque
saepe multis iam ahis locis^ victos circa Ciliciam classe
adgressus fudit ac fugavit ; et quo maturius bellum
^ liberae A (an eramre after ae); liber aeret (aere F,
BP. ^ transtulerat A .
3 praedonesque per multa a multis locis AP ; alias ac
multis Burer.
» Otho Roscius, tribune in 67 b.c. The law set apart the
first fourteen rows, next to the Senators, who sat in the
orchestra, for those of equestrian rating. Cicero also speaks
of it as a restoration, but we have no information as to when
the distinction was first made.
118
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxxii. l^
people he had said that Pompey was without
question a great man, but that he was now becoming
too great for a free repubhc, and that all powers
ought not to be reposed in one man. " If anytliing
happens to Pompey," he added, " whom will you
put in his place r " The people shouted with one
accord, " You, Catulus." Then, yielding to the
unanimous desire of the people for the proposed law
and to this honourable tribute of his fellow-citizens,
he left the assembly. At this point one would fain
express admiration for the modesty of the man and
the faimess of the people ; in the case of Catulus,
because he ceased liis opposition, and, in the case
of the people, because it was unwilling to withhold
from one who was speaking against the measure in
opposition to them this real e\-idence of their
esteem.
About the same time Cotta divided service
upon the juries equally between the senatorial and
equestrian orders. Gaius Gracchus had taken this
privilege from the senate and given it to the knights,
while Sulla had again transferred it from the knights
to the senate. Otho Roscius by his law restored to
the knights their places in the theatre."
Meanwhile Gnaeus Pompey enlisted the services
of many illustrious men, distributed detachments
of the fleet to all the recesses of the sea, and
in a short time ^vith an im^incible force he freed
the world from the menace of piracy. Near the
CiUcian coast he deUvered his final attack upon
the pirates, who had aUeady met vrith frequent
defeats in many other places, and completely routed
them. Then, in order that he might the more
quickly put an end to a war that spread over so wide
11.9
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
6 tam late difFusum conficeret, reliquias eorum con-
tractas in urbibus remotoque mari loco in certa sede
6 constituit. Sunt qui hoc carpant, sed quamquam in
auctore satis rationis est, tamen ratio quemlibet
magnum auctorem faceret ; data enim facultate sine
rapto vivendi rapinis arcuit.
1 XXXin. Cum esset in fine bellum piraticum et
L. Lucullus, qui ante septem annos ex consulatu
sortitus Asiam Mithridati oppositus erat magnasque
et memorabiles res ibi gesserat, Mithridatem saepe
multis locis fuderat, egregia Cyzicum liberarat
victoria, Tigranem, regum maximum, in Armenia
vicerat ultimamque bello manum paene magis
noluerat imponere quam non potuerat, quia^ ahoqui
per omnia laudabiUs et bello paene invictus pecuniae
pellebatur cupidine, idem bellum adhuc adminis-
traret, Manilius tribunus plebis, semper venahs et
alienae minister potentiae, legem tuht, ut bellum
2 Mithridaticum per Cn. Pompeium administraretur.
Accepta ea magnisque certatum inter imperatores
iurgiis, cum Pompeius Lucullo infamiam pecuniae,
Lucullus Pompeio interminatam cupiditatem obii-
ceret imperii neuterque ab altero quod arguebat^
^ quia Bothe ; qui AP.
2 ab altero quod arguebat Burman; ab eo quod argue-
batur AP.
" An allusion to Pompey's cognomen " The Great.
* 66 B.c.
120
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxxii. 5— xxxiii. 2
an area, he collected the remnants of the pirates
and established them in fixed abodes in cities far
from the sea. Some criticize him for this ; but
although tho plan is sufficiently recommended by
its author, it would have made its author great*
whoever he might have been ; for, by giving the
pirates the opportunity to hve ^nthout brigandage,
he restrained them from brigandage.
XXXIII. When the war ^\-lth the pirates was
dra^-ing to a close, Pompey was assigned to the
command against Mithridates in place of Lucius
Lucullus. Seven years before this, Lucullus, at the
conclusion of his consulship, had obtained the pro-
consulship of Asia, and had been placed in command
against Mithridates.* In this post he had performed
some great and notable exploits, ha^^ing defeated
Mithridates several times in different regions, freed
Cyzicus by a brilUant victory, and conquered
Tigranes, the greatest of kings, in Armenia. That
he had not put an end to the war was due, one might
say, to lack of inchnation rather than of abihty ;
for although in all other respects he was a man of
laudable character and in war had scarcely ever
been defeated, he was a victim to the love of money.
He was still engaged in carrying on the same struggle
when Manihus, tribune of the people, a man of venal
character always, and ready to abet the ambitions
of others, proposed a law that Pompey should be
given the chief command in the Mithridatic war.
The law was passed, and the two commanders began
to ^de \nih each other in recriminations, Pompey
charging Lucullus with his unsavoury greed for
money, and Lucullus taunting Pompey with his
unbounded ambition for mihtary power. Neither
121
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
3 mentitus argui posset. Nam neque Pompeius, ut
primum ad rem publicam adgressus est, quemquam
omnino^ parem tulit, et in quibus rebus primus esse
debebat, solus esse cupiebat (neque eo viro quisquam
aut alia omnia minus aut gloriam magis concupiit,
in adpetendis honoribus inmodicus, in gerendis vere-
cundissimus, ut qui eos ut libentissime iniret, ita
finiret aequo animo, et quod cupisset, arbitrio suo
4 sumeret, alieno deponeret) et Lucullus, summus
alioqui vir, profusae huius in aedificiis convictibusque
et apparatibus luxuriae primus auctor fuit, quem ob
iniectas moles mari et receptum sufFossis montibus
in terras mare haud infacete Magnus Pompeius
Xerxen togatum vocare adsueverat.
1 XXXIV. Per id tempus a Q. Metello Creta insula
in populi Romani potestatem redacta est, quae
ducibus Panare et Lasthene quattuor et viginti
milibus iuvenum coactis, velocitate pernicibus, armo-
rum laborumque patientissimis, sagittarum usu cele-
berrimis, per triennium Romanos exercitus fati-
2 gaverat. Ne^ ab huius quidem usura gloriae^ tem-
peravit animum Cn. Pompeius, quin* victoriae
partem conaretur vindicare. Sed et LucuUi et
Metelli triumphum cum ipsorum singularis virtus,
^ omniuo Acidalius ; animo AP.
^ ne add. Gelenius.
' iisura gloriae Rhenanu^ ; usurae gloria AP,
^ quin Gelenius ; qui AP.
" Literally, Xerxes in the toqa. The reference is to
Xerxes' bridge across the Hellespont and his canal through
the Isthmus at Mount Athos.
* As in the case of Lucullus.
122
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxxiii. 3— xxxiv. 2
could be convicted of falsehood in his charge against
the other. In fact Pompey, from the time when he
first took part in pubUc Ufe, could not brook an
equal at all. In undertakings in which he should
have been merely the first he \nshed to be the only
one. No one was ever more indifFerent to other
things or possessed a greater cra\-ing for glory ; he
knew no restraint in hjs quest for office, though he
was moderate to a degree in the exercise of his
powers. Entering upon each new office with the
utmost eagerness, he would lay them aside \\-ith
unconcem, and, although he consulted his own
wishes in attaining what he desired, he }ielded to
the wishes of others in resigning it. As for Lucullus,
who was otherwise a great man, he was the first to
set the example for our present la\ish extravagance
in building, in banquets, and in furnishings. Because
of the massive piles which he built in the sea, and
of his letting the sea in upon the land by digging
through mountains, Pompey used to call him, and
not without point, the Roman Xerxes."
XXXIV. During the same period the island of Crete
was brought under the sovereignty of the Roman
people by Quintus Metellus. For three years this
island, under the leadership of Panares and Las-
thenes who had collected a force of twenty-four
thousand men, swift in their movements, hardened
to the toils of war, and famous in their use of the
bow, had wom out the Roman armies. Gnaeus
Pompeius could not refrain from coveting some of
this glory also,^ and sought to claim a share in his
victory. But the triumphs, both of Lucullus and of
Metellus, were rendered popular in the eyes of all
good citizens not only by the distinguished merits
123
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
tum etiam invidia Pompei apud optimum quemque
3 fecit favorabilem.
Per haec tempora M. Cicero, qui omnia incre-
menta sua sibi debuit, vir novitatis nobilissimae et ut
vita clarus, ita ingenio maximus, quique^ effecit, ne
quorum arma viceramus, eorum ingenio vinceremur,
consul Sergii Catilinae Lentulique et Cethegi et
ahorum utriusque ordinis virorum coniurationem
singulari virtute, constantia, vigiha curaque aperuit.'-
4 CatiHna metu consularis imperi urbe pulsus est ;
Lentulus consularis et praetor iterum Cethegusque
et alii clari nominis viri auctore senatu, iussu consulis
in carcere necati sunt.
1 XXXV. Ille senatus dies, quo haec acta sunt, vir-
tutem M. Catonis iam multis in rebus conspicuam
2 atque praenitentem in altissimo culmine locavit.^
Hic genitus proavo M. Catone, principe illo famihae
Porciae, homo Virtuti simiUimus et per omnia ingenio
diis quam hominibus propior, qui numquam recte
fecit, ut facere videretur, sed quia ahter facere non
potuerat, cuique id solum visum est rationem habere,
quod haberet iustitiam,^ omnibus humanis vitiis
immunis semper fortunam in sua potestate habuit.
3 Hic tribunus plebis designatus et adhuc admodum
adulescens, cum ahi suaderent, ut per municipia
1 quique Oudendorp ; qui AP.
* aperuit Oelenius ; eripuit AP.
' culmine locavit ATadvig ; luminavit AP.
* iustitiam Gelenius ; iustitiae AP.
« 63 B.c.
* He is referring to the sentiment expressed in the famous
lines of Horace, Ep. ii. 1. 1.56, " Graecia capta ferum victorem
cepit et artes Intulit agresti Latio."
124
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxxiv. 2— xxxv. 3
of the two generals themselves but also by the
gen^ral unpopularity of Pompey.
At this time the conspiracy of Sergius Catiline,*
Lentulus, Cethegus, and other men of both the
equestrian and senatorial orders was detected by
the extraordinary courage, firmness, and careful
vigilance of the consul Marcus Cicero, a man who
owed his elevation wholly to himself, who had
ennobled his lowly birth, who was as distinguished
in his life as he was great in genius, and who saved
us from being vanquished in intellectual accomplish-
ments by those whom we had vanquished in arms.*
CatiUne was driven from the city by fear of the
authority of the consul ; Lentulus, a man of consular
rank and twice a praetor, Cethegus, and other men of
illustrious family were put to death in prison on the
order of the consul, supported by the authority of the
senate.
XXXV. The meeting of the senate at which this
action had been taken raised the character of
Marcus Cato, which had already shone forth con-
spicuously in other matters, to a lofty pinnacle.
Descended from Marcus Cato, the first of the
Porcian house, who was his great-grandfather, he
resembled Virtue herself, and in all his acts he
revealed a character nearer to that of gods than
of men. He never did a right action solely for the
sake of seeming to do the right, but because he
could not do other-v^ise. To him that alone seemed
reasonable which was Ukewise just. Free from all
the failings of mankind he always kept fortune
subject to his control. At this time, though he was
only tribune elect and still quite a young man, while
others were urging that Lentulus and the other
125
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
Lentulus coniuratique custodirentur, paene inter
ultimos interrogatus sententiam, tanta vi animi atque
ingenii invectus est in coniurationem, eo ardore
oris orationem omnium lenitatem suadentium so-
i cietate consilii suspectam fecit, sic impendentia ex
ruinis incendiisque urbis et commutatione status
publici pericula exposuit, ita consulis virtutem am-
plificavit, ut universus senatus in eius sententiam
transiret animadvertendumque in eos, quos prae-
diximus, censeret maiorque pars ordinis eius Cice-
ronem^ prosequerentur domum.
5 At Catilina non segnius conata obiit, quam sceleris
conandi consilia inierat : quippe fortissime dimicans
quem spiritum supplicio debuerat, proelio reddidit.
1 XXXVL Consulatui Ciceronis non mediocre adiecit
decus natus eo anno divus Augustus abhinc annos
Lxxxii,^ omnibus omnium gentium viris magnitudine
sua inducturus caliginem.
2 lam paene supervacaneum videri potest emi-
nentium ingeniorum notare tempora. Quis enim
ignorat diremptos gradibus aetatis floruisse hoc
tempore Ciceronem, Hortensium, anteque^ Crassum,
Cottam, Sulpicium, moxque Brutum, CaHdium,*
Caehum, Calvum et proximum Ciceroni Caesarem
eorumque velut alumnos Corvinum ac Pollionem
^ Cicevonem lIottiHi/er ', Catonem ^P.
* Lxxxii AP ; Lxxx Kritz; lxxxxii Aldus.
* anteque ed. Bipont.; saneque AP.
* Cottam Aldus; Catonera AP.
» His faiuous speech is reported in Sallust, Catiline,
chap. Ui. * 63 b.c.
* He has now come to Rome's greatest epoch, the
Ciceronian and the Augustan ages, sufficiently indicated by
the inention of Cicero and Augustus. Hence the emphasis
upon iam.
126
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxxv. 3— xxxvi. 2
conspirators should be placed in custody in the
Italian towns, Cato," though among the very last
to be asked for his opinion, inveighed against the
conspiracy \\-ith such vigour of spirit and intellect
and such earnestness of expression that he caused
those who in their speeches had urged leniency
to be suspected of complicity in the plot. Such
a picture did he present of the dangers which
threatened Rome, by the buming and destruction
of the city and the subversion of the constitution,
and such a eulogy did he give of the consuFs firm
stand, that the senate as a body changed to the
support of his motion and voted the imposition of
the death penalty upon the conspirators, and a large
number of the senators escorted Cicero to his home.
As for Catiline, he proceeded to carry out his
criminal undertaking with as much energy as he had
shown in planning it. Fighting >vith desperate
courage, he gave up in battle the life which he had
forfeited to the executioner.
XXXVI. No sHght prestige is added to the consul-
ship of Cicero by the birth in that year'' — ninety-
two years ago — of the emperor Augustus, who was
destined by his greatness to overshadow all men of
all races.
It may now^ seem an almost superiluous task to
indicate the period at which men of eminent talent
flourished. For who does not know that at this
epoch, separated only by differences in their ages,
there flourished Cicero and Hortensius ; a httle
earUer Crassus, Cotta, and Sulpicius ; a httle later
Brutus, Cahdius, CaeUus, Calvus, and Caesar, who
ranks next to Cicero ; next to them, and, as it
were, their pupils, come Corvinus and Pollio Asinius,
127
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
Asinium,aemulumqueThucydidisSallustium,auctores-
que carminum Varronem ac Lucretium neque uUo
in suscepto carminis sui opere^ minorem Catullum.
3 Paene stulta est inhaerentium oculis ingeniorum
enumeratio, inter quae maxime nostri aevi eminent
princeps carminum Vergilius Rabiriusque et conse-
cutus Sallustium Livius Tibullusque et Naso, per-
fectissimi in forma operis sui ; nam vivorum ut
magna admiratio, ita censura difficilis est.
1 XXX VIL Dum haec in urbe Italiaque geruntur,
Cn. Pompeius memorabile adversus Mithridaten,
qui post Luculli profectionem magnas novi exercitus
2 viris reparaverat, bellum gessit. At rex fusus fugatus-
que et omnibus exutus copiis Armeniam Tigranem-
que socer generum^ petiit,^ regem eius temporis,
nisi qua LucuUi armis erat infractus, potentissimum.
3 Simul itaque duos persecutus Pompeius intravit
Armeniam. Prior filius Tigranis, sed discors patri,
4 pervenit ad Pompeium ; mox ipse supplex et prae-
sens se regnumque dicioni eius permisit, praefatus
neminem alium neque Romanum neque ullius gentis
virum futurum fuisse, cuius se societati commissurus
foret, quam Cn. Pompeium ; proin omnem sibi vel
adversam vel secundam, cuius auctor ille esset,
fortunam tolerabilem futuram : non esse turpe ab
eo vinci, quem vincere esset nefas, neque inhoneste
^ in suspecti operis sui carmine AP; for the many
emendations suggested for this vexed passage see Kritz and
Ellis.
^ socer generum Heitisius ; socerum AP.
^ petit AP ; petiit Gelenius.
• Tiie omission of Horace from this list is as noteworthy
as the omission of Plautus from tiie writers of comedy in
Chap. xvii. of Bk. I.
128
HISTORY OF ROxME, II. xxxvi. 2— xxx\ii. 4
Sallust, the rival of Thucydides, the poets Varro
and Lucretius, and Catullus, who ranks second to
none in the branch of hterature which he under-
took. It is almost folly to proceed to enumerate
men of talent who are almost beneath our eyes,
among whom the most important in our owti age
are Virgil, the prince of poets, Rabirius, Livy, who
foUows close upon Sallust, Tibullus, and Naso, each
of whom achieved perfection in his own branch of
hterature.'' As for Uving wTiters, while we admire
them greatly, a critical hst is difficult to make.
XXXVII. While these occurrences were taking
place in the city and in Italy, Gnaeus Pompeius
carried on a notable campaign against Mithridates,
who after the departure of Lucullus had again
prepared a new army of great strength. The king
was defeated and routed, and after losing all his
forces sought refuge in Armenia with his son-in-law
Tigranes, the most powerful king of his day, though
his power had been somewhat broken by Lucullus.
Pompey accordingly entered Armenia in pursuit of
both kings at once. First a son of Tigranes, who
was at variance with his father, came to Pompey.
Then the king in person, and, in the guise of a
supphant, placed himself and his kingdom under
the jurisdiction of Pompey, prefacing this act ^vith
the statement that he would not have submitted
himself to the aUiance of any man but Gnaeus
Pompeius, whether Roman or of any other nationaUty ;
that he would be ready to bear any condition,
favourable or otherwise, upon which Pompey might
decide ; that there was no disgrace in being beaten
by one whom it would be a sin against the gods to
defeatj and that there was no dishonour in sub-
129
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
aliquem summitti huic, quem fortuna super omnis
6 extulisset. Servatus regi honos imperii, sed multato
ingenti pecunia, quae omnis, sicuti Pompeio moris
erat, redacta in quaestoris potestatem ac publicis
descripta Utteris. Syria aHaeque, quas occupaverat,
provinciae ereptae, et aliae restitutae populo Romano,
aliae tum primum in eius potestatem redactae, ut
Syria, quae tum primum facta est stipendiaria. Finis
imperii regii^ terminatus Armenia.
1 XXXVIIL Haud absurdumvidetur propositioperis
regulae paucis percurrere, quae cuiusque ductu gens
ac natio redacta in formulam provinciae stipendiaria
facta- sit, ut quae partibus notavimus, faciUus^ simul
universa conspici possint.
2 Primus in SiciUam traiecit exercitum consul
Claudius, set* provinciam eam post annos ferme duos
et quinquaginta captis Syracusis fecit MarceUus
Claudius. Primus Africam Regulus nono ferme
anno primi Punici belU aggressus est^ ; sed post
centum et novem^ annos P. Scipio AemiUanus eruta
Carthagine abhinc annos centum septuaginta' tris
Africam in formulam redegit provinciae. Sardinia
inter primum et secundum beUum Pimicum ductu
T. ManUi consuUs certum recepit imperi iugum,
3 Immane belUcae civitatis argumentum, quod semel
' regW Heinsius ; regi AP.
^ stipendiaria facta Amerbach in marg. et lApsius;
stipendia facta AP.
^ notavimus facilius ut quae partibus AP ; order changed
hy Acidelius and Haase.
* set Sauppe ; et AP.
' beili aggressus est sujyplied by Halm.
^ cviiii Bipont. ; ccmi AP.
' CLXxiii Kritz ; ci-xxxii AP.
« 261 B.c. » 212 B.c. • 256 b.c.
130
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxxvii. 4— xxxviii. 3
mitting to one whom fortune had elevated above
all others. The king was pennitted to retain the
honours of royalty, but was compelled to pay a
large sum of money, all of which, as was Pompey's
practice, was remitted to the quaestor and hsted in
the pubhc accounts. Syria and the other pro^inces
which Mithridates had seized were wrested from him.
Some were restored to the Roman people, and others
were then for the first time brought under its sway
— Syria, for instance — which first became a tributary
pro^ince at this time. The sovereignty of the king
was now limited to Armenia.
XXX\TII. It does not seem out of keeping with the
plan wliich I have set before me in my work to give a
brief synopsis of the races and nations which were
reduced to pro\-inces and made tributary to Rome,
and by what generals. Thus it will be easier to see
at a glance when grouped together, the facts akeady
given in detail.
Claudius the consul was the first to cross into Sicily
mith an army," but it was only after the capture of
Syracuse, fifty years later,'' that it was converted
into a pro\ince by Marcellus Claudiizs. Regulus
was the first to invade Africa, in the ninth year of
the First Punic war.* It was one hundred and
nine years later, one hundred and seventy-three
years ago, that Pubhus Scipio Aemihanus destroyed
Carthage and reduced Africa to the form of a
pro\-ince,'' Sardinia finally became subject to the ^/
yoke in the interval between the First and Second
Punic War,' through the agency of Titus ManUus
the consul. It is a strong proof of the warhke
character of our state that only three times did the
' 146 B.C. »235 B.C.
131
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
sub regibus, iterum hoc T. ManKo consule, tertio
Augusto principe certae pacis argumentum lanus
4 geminus clausus dedit. In Hispaniam primi omnium
duxere exercitus Cn. et P. Scipiones initio secundi
belli Punici abhinc annos ducentos quinquaginta ;
inde varie possessa et saepe amissa partibus, uni-
5 versa ductu Augusti facta stipendiaria est. Mace-
doniam Paulus, Mummius Achaiam, Fulvius Nobilior
subegit AetoHam, Asiam L. Scipio, Africani frater,
eripuit Antiocho, sed beneficio senatus popuhque
Romani mox ab AttaHs^ possessam regibus^ M. Per-
penna capto Aristonico fecit tributariam. Cyprus
6 devicta nullius adsignanda gloriae est^ ; quippe
senatus consulto, ministerio Catonis, regis morte,
quam ille conscientia acciverat, facta provincia est.
Creta Metelli ductu longissimae Ubertatis fine mul-
tata est. Syria Pontusque Cn. Pompei virtutis
monumenta sunt.
1 XXXIX. GaUias primum a* Domitio Fabioque,^
nepote Pauli, qui Allobrogicus vocatus est, intratas
cum exercitu, magna mox clade nostra, saepe et
adfectavimus et omisimus.^ Sed fulgentissimum C.
Caesaris opus in his conspicitur ; quippe eius ductu
^ ab Attalis Gelenius ; habita lis AP.
^ regibus P; om. A.
^ Cyprus devicta nuUius adsignanda gloriae est Laurent. ;
Cypro devicta nuUis adsignanda gloria est AP.
* a add. Aldus.
* Fabioque Ursinus ; Fabio AP.
8 omisimus Heinsius ; amisimus AP,
• 218 B.c. » 167 B.c. « 146 b.c.
132
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxxviii. 3— xxxix. 1
closing of the temple of the double-faced Janus
give proof of unbroken peace : once under the kings, ^
a second time in the consulship of the Titus Manhus
just mentioned, and a third time in the reign of
Augustus. The two Scipios, Gnaeus and PubUus,
were the first to lead armies into Spain," at the
beginning of the Second Punic War, two hundred
and fifty years ago ; from that time on we alter-
nately acquired and lost portions of it until under
Augustus the whole of it became tributary. Paulus
conquered Macedonia,* Mummius Achaea," Fulvius
NobiUor AetoUa,'' Lucius Scipio, the brother of
Africanus, ^vTCsted Asia from Antiochus,^ but, by
the gift of the senate and the Roman people, it
soon afterwards passed to the ovvnership of the
AttaUds. It was made a tributary proWnce by
Marcus Perpenna ai\eT the capture of Aristonicus.'
No credit for the conquest of Cyprus can be assigned
to any general, since it was by a decree of the Senate,
carried out by Cato, that it became a province " on
the death of its king, self-inflicted in consciousness
of guilt. Crete was punished by Metellus by the
termination ^ of the Uberty which she had long
enjoyed. Syria and Pontus are monuments to the
valour of Gnaeus Pompeius.*
XXXIX. Domitius and Fabius, son of Paulus,
who was sumamed AUobrogicus, first entered the
Gauls with an army ; later these provinces cost us •
much blood in our attempts at conquest altemating
with our loss of them. In aU these operations the
work of Caesar is the most briUiant and most con-
spicuous. Reduced under his auspices and general-
" 189 B.c. • 190 B.C. ' 130 B.c.
» 57 B.c. * 67 B.C. * 6-2 b.c
133
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
auspiciisque infractae paene^ idem, quod totus ter-
2 rarum orbis, in aerarium- conferunt stipendium. Ab
eodem facta * * *3 Numidicus. Ciliciam perdomuit
Isauricus et post bellum Antiochinum Vulso Manlius
Gallograeciam. Bithynia, ut praediximus, testamen-
to Nicomedis rehcta hereditaria. Divus Augustus
praeter Hispanias ahasque gentis, quarum titulis
forum eius praenitet, paene idem facta Aegypto
stipendiaria, quantum pater eius Galhis, in aerarium
3 reditus contulit. At Ti. Caesar quam certam His-
panis parendi confessionem extorserat parens, lUyriis
Delmatisque extorsit. Raetiam autem et Vindelicos
ac Noricos Pannoniamque et Scordiscos novas im-
perio nostro subiunxit provincias. Ut has armis,
ita auctoritate Cappadociam populo Romano fecit
stipendiariam. Sed revertamur ad ordinem.
1 XL. Secuta deinde Cn. Pompei militia, gloriae
laborisne maioris incertum est. Penetratae cum
victoria Media, Albania, Hiberia* ; deinde flexum
agmen ad eas nationes, quae dextra atque intima
Ponti incolunt, Colchos Heniochosque et Achaeos,
et oppressus auspiciis Pompei, insidiis fiUi Pharnacis
Mithridates, ultimus omnium iuris sui regum praeter
^ pene AP ; plane vel plene Burman.
^ in aerarium Aldus ; ignauura AP.
' The lacuna is thus supplied hy Haase: facta [Numidia
provincia, e qua iam olim cognomen virtute partum detulerat
Metellus] Numidicus.
* Albani Hiberi (Hideri A) ac deinde AP; em. Burman.
' 58-50 B.c. * 46 B.c.
* Tlie words in bracltets are a translation of Haase's con-
jecture. See footnote to text.
■* 78 B.c. * i.e. Galatia, 188 B.c.
' 74 B.c. » 30 B.c. * 10 B.c.
< 16-12 B.c. ^ A.D. 17. * 66-63 b.c
134
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xxxix. l— xl. 1
ship," they pay aknost as much tribute into the w
treasury as the rest of the world. Caesar also made
[Numidia a province,* from which Metellus had
long before won by his valour the cognomen of]<^
Numidicus.
Isauricus conquered Cihcia,'* and Vulso Manlius
Gallograecia * after the war ^vith Antiochus. Bithynia,
as has been already said, was bequeathed to the
Romans by the will of Nicomedes.' Besides Spain
and other countries whose names adorn his Forum,
Augustus made Eg}'pt tributary,^' thereby con-^/'
tributing nearly as mucli revenue to the treasury as
his father had brought to it from the Gauls. Tiberius
Caesar extorted from the Illyrians and Dalmatians a
definite confession of submission ^ such as that
which Augustus had wrested from Spain. He also
added to our empire as new pro\inces Raetia,
Vindehcia, Noricum. Pannonia, and the Scordisci
These he conquered by arms.' Cappadocia he made
tributary to the Roman people through the mere
prestige of his name.J But let us now return to the
order of events.
XL. Then followed the military exploits of Gnaeus
Pompeius,^' in regard to which it would be difficult
to say whether the glory they earned or the labour
they cost was the greater. Media, Albania, and
Iberia were invaded viith victorious arms. Then he
changed the direction of his march to the regions
of the interior, to the right of the Black Sea — the
Colchians, the Heniochi, and the Achaei. Mithridates
was crushed, the last of the independent kings/
except the rulers of the Parthians, through the
treachery of his son Phamaces, it is true, but
during the period of Pompey's command. Then,
135
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
2 Parthicos. Tum victor omnium quas adierat gentium
Pompeius suoque et civium voto maior et per omnia
fortunam hominis egressus revertit in Italiam. Cuius
reditum favorabilem opinio fecerat ; quippe plerique
non sine exercitu venturum in urbem adfirmarunt
et Ubertati publicae statuturum arbitrio suo modum.
3 Quo magis hoc homines timuerant, eo gratior civilis
tanti imperatoris reditus fuit : omni quippe Brun-
dusii dimisso exercitu nihil praeter nomen imperatoris
retinens cum privato comitatu, quem semper illi
astare^ moris fuit, in urbem rediit magnificentissi-
mumque de tot regibus per biduum egit triumphum
longeque maiorem omni ante se inlata pecunia in
aerarium, praeterquam a Paulo, ex manubiis intulit.
4 Absente Cn. Pompeio T. Ampius et T. Labienus
tribuni plebis legem tulerant,^ ut is ludis circensibus
corona aurea et omni cultu triumphantium uteretur,
scaenicis autem praetexta coronaque aurea. Id ille
non plus quam semel, et hoc sane nimium fuit,
usurpare sustinuit. Huius viri fastigium tantis aucti-
bus fortuna extuht, ut primum ex Africa, iterum ex
Europa, tertio ex Asia triumpharet et, quot partes
terrarum orbis sunt, totidem faceret monumenta
^ illi astare DoederJein ; illi trahere Ruhnken ; illi fatare
AP.
■^ tulerant Acidalitis ; tulerunt AP.
" A general holding the imperium had the title imperator.
He is here referring to the use of the title in the acclama-
tions of the soldiers after a victory. In this sense it was
considered as the preUminary to a triumph.
136
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xl. 2^
«fter conquering all the races in liis path, Pompey
returned to Italy, ha^ing achieved a greatness v-
which exceeded both his own hopes and those
of his fellow-citizens, and ha\ing, in all his cam-
paigns, sutpassed the fortune of a mere mortal. It
was o^ving to this impression that his return created
such favourable comment ; for the majority of his
countr)'men had insisted that he would not enter
the city ^Wthout his army, and that he would set
a limit upon public liberty according to his own
caprice. The retum of so great a general as an
ordinary citizen was all the more welcome because "^
of the apprehensions which had been entertained.
For, dismissing his whole army at Brundisium, andv^
retaining none of his former power except the title
of imperator,^ he retumed to the city with only the ^
retinue which regularly attended him. There he
celebrated, for a period of two days, a most
magnificent triumph over the many kings whom he
had conquered, and from the spoils he contributed
to the treasury a far larger sum of money than any
other general had ever done except Paulus.
In Pompey's absence the tribunes of the people,
Titus Ampius and Titus Labienus, proposed a law
that at the games of the circus Pompey should be
permitted to wear a golden crown and the fuU dress
of the triumphator, and at the theatre the purple-^,
bordered toga and the golden crown. But he
forbore to use this honour more than once, and
indeed that was itself too often. This man was
raised by fortune to the pinnacle of his career by
great leaps, first triumphing over Africa, then over
Europe, then over Asia, and the three divisions of
the world thus became so many monuments of
137
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
victoriae suae. Numquam eminentia invidia carent.
6 Itaque et Lucullus et Metellus Creticus memor
tamen acceptae iniuriae,^ non iniuste querens (quippe
ornamentum triumphi eius captivos duces Pompeius
subduxerat) et cum iis pars optimatium refragabatur,
ne aut promissa civitatibus a Pompeio aut bene
meritis praemia ad arbitrium eius persolverentur.
1 XLL Secutus deinde est consulatus C. Caesaris,
qui scribenti manum iniicit et quamlibet festinantem
in se morari cogit^ Hic nobilissima luliorum genitus
familia et, quod inter omnis antiquitatis studiosos^
constabat, ab Anchise ac Venere deducens genus,
forma omnium civium excellentissimus, vigore animi
acerrimus, munificentia efFusissimusJanimo super hu-
manam et naturam et fidem evectus^Anagnitudine
cogitationum, celeritate bellandi, patientia periculo-
rum Magno illi Alexandrcy sed sobrio neque iracundo
2 simillimus, qui denique semper et cibo et somno in
vitam, non in voluptatem uteretur, cum fuissetLC.
Mario sanguine coniunctissimus atque idem Cinnae
gener, cuius filiam ut repudiaret nullo metu com-
pelli potuit]^cum M. Piso consularis Anniam, quae
Cinnae uxor fuerat, in SuUae dimisisset gratiam,
^ The order is that of ElUs ; in AP et Metellus Creticus
follows memor . . . iniuriae.
^ antiquitatis studiosos Halm ; antiquissimos AP.
' 59 B.C.
138
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xl. 4— xli. 2
his \ictory. Greatness is never without envy.
Pompey met Mith opposition from Lucullus and
from Metellus Creticus, who did not forget the
slight he had received (indeed he had just cause
for complaint in that Pompey had robbed him of
the captive generals who were to have adorned his
triumph), and from a section of the optimates who
sought to prevent the fulfilment of Pompey's
promises to the various cities and the payment of
rewards in accordance ^^ith his \vishes to those who
had been of serWce to him.
XLI. Then followed the consulship" of Gaius "^
Caesar, who now lays hold upon my pen and compels j
me, whatever my haste, to Unger a Avhile upon him. \>
Sprung from the noble family of the JuUi, and tracing
his descent from \'enus and Anchises, a claim con-
ceded by all investigators of antiquity, he surpassed
all his fellow-citizens in beauty of person. He was
exceedingly keen and vigorous of mind, lavish in
his generosity, and possessed a courage exceeding
the nature, and even the credence, of man. In
the magnitude of his ambitions, in the rapidity of
his miUtary operations, and in his endurance of
danger, he closely resembled Alexander the Great,
but only when Alexander was free from the influence
of wine and master of his passions ; for Caesar, in
a word, never indulged in food or in sleep except
as they ministered, not to pleasure, but to Ufe.
To Gaius Marius he was closely related by blood ;
he was also the son-in-law of Cinna, whose daughter
no consideration of fear would induce him to divorce,
whereas Marcus Piso, a man of consular rank, had
divorced Annia, who had been the ^^-ife of Cinna,
in order to win Sulla's favour. Caesar was only about
139
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
habuissetque fere duodeviginti annos eo tempore,
quo Sulla rerum potitus est, magis ministris Sullae
adiutoribusque partium quam ipso conquirentibus
eum ad necem mutata veste dissimilemque fortunae
3 suae indutus habitum nocte urbe elapsus est. Idem
postea admodum iuvenis, cum a piratis captus esset,
ita se per^ omne spatium, quo ab iis retentus est,
apud eos gessit, ut pariter iis terrori venerationique
esset, neque umquam aut nocte aut die (cur enim
quod vel maximum est, si narrari verbis speciosis
non potest, omittatur ?) aut excalcearetur aut dis-
cingeretur, in hoc scilicet, ne si quando aliquid ex
solito variaret, suspectus iis, qui oculis tantummodo
eum custodiebant, foret.
1 XLII. Longum est narrare, quid et quotiens ausus
sit, quanto opere conata eius qui obtinebat Asiam
magistratus populi Romani metu^ suo destituerit.
Illud referatur documentum tanti mox evasuri viri :
2 quae nox eam diem secuta est, qua publica civitatium
pecunia redemptus est, ita tamen, ut cogeret ante
obsides a piratis civitatibus dari, et privatus et con-
tracta classe^ tumultuaria invectus in eum locum,
in quo ipsi praedones erant, partem classis fugavit,
partem mersit, aliquot navis multosque mortalis
cepit ; laetusque nocturnae expeditionis triumpho
^ se per B ; semper AP.
^ metu Gehnhis ; motu AP.
' et privatus et coiitracta classe Seriner ; contracta classe
et privatus et AP ; H<dm adcln manu after tumultiiaria, re-
taining the MS. order of the preceding words.
" Suetonius, Div. hdius 4, associates the adventure with
the pirates with his visit to Rhodes in 76 b.c, whither he
went to study oratory under Molo. Plutarch, Caes., places
140
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xli. 2— xlii. 2
eighteen years of age at the time of Sulla's dictator-
ship ; and when a search was made for him with a
view to putting him to death, not, it is true, by
SuUa himself, but by his minions and partisans, he
escaped from the city at night by assuming a
disguise wliich effectually concealed his rank.
Later," but when still quite a young man, he was
captured by pirates and so conducted himself during
the entire period of his detention as to inspire in them
to an equal degree both fear and respect. Neither
by day nor by night did he remove his shoes or
loosen his girdle — for why should a detail of the
greatest significance be omitted merely because it
cannot be adomed in imposing language ? — lest the
slightest change in his usual garb might cause him
to be suspected by liis captors, who guarded him
only ^vith their eyes.
XLII. It would take too long to tell of his many
bold plans for the punishment of the pirates, or how
obstinately the timid governor of Asia refused to
second them. The follo^nng stor\', however, may
be told as a presage of liis future greatness. On the
night following the day on which his ransom was
paid by the cities of Asia — he had, however, com-
pelled the pirates before payment to give hostages
to these cities — although he was but a private
citizen without authority, and liis fleet had been
coUected on the spur of the moment, he directed
his course to the rendezvous of the pirates, put to
flight part of their fleet, sank part, and captured
several ships and many men. Well satisfied with
the success of his night expedition he retumed
it eariier, in comiexion with his vi^ut to Bithynia in
81-80 Bjc.
141
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
3 ad suos revectus^ est, mandatisque eustodiae quos
ceperat, in Bithyniam perrexit ad proconsulem
luncum 2 (idem enim Asiam eamque obtinebat) ^
petens, ut auctor fieret sumendi de captivis supplicii :
quod ille se facturum negasset venditurumque cap-
tivos dixisset (quippe sequebatur invidia inertiam),
incredibilj celeritate revectus ad mare, priusquam
de ea re ulli proconsulis redderentur epistulae,^
omnes, quos ceperat, suffixit cruci.
1 XLIII. Idem mox ad sacerdotium ineundum
(quippe absens pontifex factus erat in Cottae con-
sularis locum, cum^ paene puer a Mario Cinnaque
flamen dialis creatus victoria Sullae, qui omnia ab
iis acta fecerat irrita, amisisset id* sacerdotium)
festinans in Italiam, ne conspiceretur a praedonibus
omnia tunc obtinentibus maria et merito iam'' in-
festis sibi,quattuor scalmorum navem una cum duobus
amicis decemque servis ingressus effusissimum Adria-
2 tici maris traiecit sinum. Quo quidem in cursu con-
spectis, ut putabat, piratarum navibus cum exuisset
vestem alligassetque pugionem ad femur alterutri
se fortunae parans, mox intellexit frustratum esse
visum suum arborumque ex longinquo ordinem
3 antemnarum praebuisse imaginem.
Reliqua eius acta in urbe, nobilissima Cn. Dola-
^ revectus Haase ; reversus AP.
^ luncum Nipperdey ; lunium cum AP.
^ idem enim Asiam eam quam obtinebat AP ; eamque
Lipsms for eam quam.
^ epistulae Burer ; epistula ABP.
' cum added hy Lipsius.
* id Gelenius; ■a.d AP.
■^ iam] tam AP.
" 74 B.c.
142
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xlii. 3— xliii. 3
to his friends and, after handing his prisoners into
custody, went straight to Bithynia to Juncus, the
proconsul — for the same man was govemor of
Bithynia as well as of Asia — and demanded his
sanction for the execution of his captives. When
Juncus, whose former inacti\-ity had now given way
to jealousy, refused, and said that he would sell the
captives as slaves, Caesar returned to the coast
with incredible speed and crucified all his prisoners
before anyone had had time to receive a dispatch
from the consul in regard to the matter.
XLIII. Not long afterwards he was hastening to
Italy to enter upon the priestly office of pontifex
maximus to which he had been elected " in his
absence in place of the ex-consul Cotta. Indeed,
while still httle more than a boy he had already y
been made priest o^ Jupiter by Marius and Cinna, but
all their acts had been annuUed in consequence of
Sulla's victory, and Caesar had thus lost this priest-
hood. On the journey just mentioned, wishing to
escape the notice of the pirates who then infested
all the seas and by this time had good reasons for
being hostile to him, he took two friends and ten
slaves and embarked in a four-oared boat, and in
this way crossed the broad expanse of the Adriatic
Sea. During the voyage, sighting, as he thought,
some pirate vessels, he removed his outer garments,
bound a dagger to his thigh, and prepared himself
for any event ; but soon he saw that his eyes had
deceived him and that the illusion had been caused
by a row of trees in the distance which looked hke
masts and yards.
As for the rest of his acts after his retum to the
city, they stand in less need of description, since
143
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
bellae'^ accusatio et maior civitatis in ea favor, quam
reis praestari solet, contentionesque civiles cum Q.
Catulo atque aliis eminentissimis viris celeberrimae,
et ante praeturam victus in^ maximi pontificatus
petitione Q, Catulus, omnium confessione senatus
4 princeps, et restituta in aedilitate adversante quidem
nobilitate monumenta C. Marii, simulque revocati
ad lus dignitatis prosci'iptorum liberi, et praetura
quaesturaque mirabili virtute atque industria obita
in Hispania (cum esset quaestor sub Vetere Anti-
stio, avo huius Veteris consularis atque pontificis,
duorum consularium ct sacerdotum patris, viri in
tantum boni, in quantum humana simplicitas intellegi
potest) quo notiora sunt. minus egent stilo.
1 XLIV. Hoc igitur consule inter eum et Cn. Pom-
peium et M. Crassum inita potentiae societas, quac
urbi orbique terrarum nec minus diverso cuique tem-
pore ipsis exitiabilis fuit. Hoc consilium sequendi
2 Pompeius causam habuerat, ut tandem acta in trans-
marinis provinciis, quibus, ut praediximus, multi
obtrectabant, per Caesarem confirmarentur consulem,
Caesar autem, quod animadvertebat se cedendo
Pompei gloriae aucturum suam et invidia communis
^ nobilissima Cn. Dolabellae Haase ; nobilissimaque Dolo-
bellae AP. ^ in adclecl by Hahn.
» 77 B.c. » m B.c. « 63 B.c. " f>o B.C.
* It was not as praetor and quaestor, but as propraetor
a.nd quaestorius that he served in Spain In 61 b.c. and 67 b.c.
' More probably while Consul elect.
144
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xliii. 3— xliv. 2
they are better known. I refer to his famous
prosecution " of Gnaeus Dolabella, to whom the
people showed more favour than is usually exhibited
to men under impeachment ; to the well-known
pohtical contests * ^\ith Quintus Catulus and other*^
eminent men ; to his defeat '^ of Quintus Catulus,
the ackQQB.ledged leader of the Senate, for the
office of pontifex maximus, before he himself had
even been praetor ; to the restoration in his
aedileship "^ of the monuments of Gaius Marius in ■/
the teeth of the opposition of the nobles ; to the
reinstatement of the cliildren of proscribed persons
in the rights pertaining to their rank ; and to his
praetorship ' and quaestorship passed in Spain, in
which he showed wonderful energy and valour. He
was quaestor under \'etus Antistius, the grandfather
of our 0^™ \"etus, the consular and pontiff, himself
the father of two sons who have held the consulship
and the priesthood and a man whose excellence
reaches our highest conception of human integrity.
XLIV. But to resume. It was in Caesar's consul-
ship/ that there was formed between himself, ^
Gnaeus Pompeius and Marcus Crassus the partner-
ship in political power which proved so baleful to
the city, to the world, and, subsequently at different
periods to each of the triumvirs themselves.
Pompey's motive in the adoption of this pohcy had
been to secure through Caesar as consul the long
delayed ratification of his acts in the pro\inces i^
across the seas, to which, as I have already said,
many stiU raised objections ; Caesar agreed to it
because he reahzed that in making this concession
to the prestige of Pompey he would increase his
own, and that by throwing on Pompey the odium
145
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
potentiae in illum relegata confirmaturum vires suas,
Crassus, ut quem principatum solus adsequi non
poterat, auctoritate Pompei, viribus teneret Caesaris,
3 adfinitas etiam inter Caesarem Pompeiumque con-
tracta nuptiis, quippe luliam,^ filiam C. Caesaris.
Cn. Magnus duxit uxorem.
4 In hoc consulatu Caesar legem tulit, ut ager
Campanus plebei divideretur, suasore legis Pompeio.
Ita circiter viginti milia civium eo deducta et ius
urbis- restitutum post annos circiter centum quin-
quaginta duos quam bello Punico ab Romanis Capua
6 in formam praefecturae redacta erat. Bibulus,
collega Caesaris, cum actiones eius magis vellet
impedire quam posset, maiore parte anni domi se
tenuit. Quo facto dum augere vult invidiam coUegae,
auxit potentiam. Tum Caesari decretae in quin-
quennium Galliae.
1 XLV. Per idem tempus P. Clodius, homo nobiUs,
disertus, audax, quique neque^ dicendi neque faciendi
ullum nisi quem vellet nosset modum, malorum
propositorum executor acerrimus, infamis etiam
sororis stupro et actus incesti reus ob initum inter
rehgiosissima populi Romani sacra adulterium, cum
graves inimicitias cum M. Cicerone exerceret (quid
enim inter tam dissimiles amicum esse poterat ?) et
a patribus ad plebem transisset, legem in tribunatu
^ Iiiliam added by OrellL
^ urbis Ileinsius; ab his AP.
' quique neque Ualm ; qui neque Vascosanus ; neqiic
om. AP.
" Dressed as a woman he had appeared at the sacred rites
of the Bona Dea, at which only women were allowed to
be present. They were presided over by Caesar's wife,
Pompeia, with whom Clodius was suspected of having an
amour. * 58 b.c.
146
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xliv. 2— xlv. 1
for their joint control he would add to his own
power ; while Crassus hoped that by the influence
of Pompey and the power of Caesar he might
achieve a place of pre-eminence in the state which
he had not been able to reach single-handed. Further-
more, a tie of marriage was cemented between
Caesar and Pompey, in that Pompey now wedded
Julia, Caesar's daughter.
In this consulship, Caesar, •«•ith Pompey's backing,
passed a law authorizing a distribution to the plebs
of the pubUc domain in Campania. And so about
twenty thousand citizens were estabUshed there,
and its rights as a city were restored to Capua one
hundred and fifty-two years after she had been
reduced to a prefecture in the Second Punic War.
Bibulus, Caesar's colleague, with the intent rather
than the power of hindering Caesar's acts, confined
himself to his house for the greater part of the
year. By this conduct, whereby he hoped to increase
his colleague's unpopularity, he only increased his
power. At this time the Gallic pro^inces were
assigned to Caesar for a period of five years.
XLV. About the same time Pubhus Clodius, a
man of noble birth, eloquent and reckless, who
recognized no limits either in speech or in act except
his own caprice, energetic in the execution of his
wicked projects, of ill-repute as the debaucher of
his own sister, and accused of adulterous profanation
of the most sacred rites of the Roman people,^
ha^ing conceived a violent hatred against Marcus
Cicero — for what friendship could there be between
men so unlike ? — caused himself to be transferred
from a patrician into a plebeian family and, as
tribune,^ proposed a law that whoever put to death
147
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
tulit, qui civem Romanum indemnatum^ interemisset,
ei aqua et igni interdiceretur : cuius verbis etsi non
2 nominabatur Cicero, tamen solus petebatur. Ita vir
optime meritus de re publica conservatae patriae
pretium calamitatem exilii tulit. Non caruerunt
suspicione oppressi Ciceronis C»esar et Pompeius.
Hoc sibi contraxisse videbatur Cicero, quod inter
viginti viros dividendo agro Campano esse noluisset.
3 Idem intra biennium sera Cn. Pompei cura, verum
ut coepit- intenta,^ votisque Italiae ac decretis
senatus, virtute atque actione Annii Milonis tribuni
plebis dignitati patriaeque restitutus est. Neque
post Numidici exilium aut reditum quisquam aut
expulsus invidiosius aut receptus est laetius. Cuius
domus quam infeste a Clodio disiecta erat, tam
speciose a senatu restituta est.
4 Idem P. Clodius in tribunatu* sub honorificen-
tissimo ministerii titulo M. Catonem a re publica
relegavit : quippe legem tulit, ut is quaestor cum
iure praetorio, adiecto etiam quaestore, mitteretur in
insulam Cyprum ad spoliandum regno Ptolemaeum,
omnibus morum vitiis eam contumeliam meritum.
6 Sed ille sub adventum Catonis vitae suae vim intulit.
^ indemnatum Puteanus ; damnatum AP.
^ ut coepit GeUnius; et cupit AP.
^ intenta Wopkens ; interita AP.
* tribunatu Ueinsius ; senatu AP.
« Literally " Should be forbidden fire and water."
* By his suppression, in his consulship, of the conspiracy
of Catiline.
« 57 B.c. * 58 B.C.
148
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xlv. 1-5
a Roman citizen ^^ithout trial should be condemned
to exile." Although Cicero was not expressly named
in the wording of the bill, it was aimed at him
alone. And so this man, who had earned by his
great services the gratitude of his country,'' gained
exile as his reward for saving the state. Caesar and
Pompey were not free from the suspicion of having
had a share in the fall of Cicero. Cicero seemed to
have brought upon himself their resentment by
refusing to be a member of the commission of twenty
eharged with the distribution of lands in Campania.^
Within two years Cicero Avas restored"^ to his countrv
and to his former status, thanks to the interest
of Gnaeus Pompeius — somewhat belated, it is true,
but effective when once exerted — and thanks to
the prayers of Italy, the decrees of the senate, and
the zealous activity of Annius Milo, tribune of the
people. Since the exile and return of Numidicus
no one had been banished amid greater popular
disapproval or welcomed back ^vith greater en-
thusiasm. As for Cicero's house, the mahciousness
of its destruction by Clodius was now compensated
for by the magnificence of its restoration by the
senate.
Publius Clodius in his tribunate also removed
Marcus Cato from the state,** under the pretence *-
of an honourable mission. For he proposed a law
that Cato should be sent to the island of Cyprus in
the capacity of quaestor, but ^vith the authority of
a praetor and with a quaestor as his subordinate,
with instructions to dethrone Ptolemaeus, who by
reason of his unmitigated viciousness of character
well deserved this humiliation. However, just
before the arrival of Cato, Ptolemy took his o^vn
149
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
Unde pecuniam longe sperata maiorem Cato Romam
retulit. Cuius integritatem laudari nefas est, inso-
lentia paene argui potest, quod una cum consulibus
ac senatu efFusa civitate obviam, cum per Tiberim
subiret navibus, non ante iis egressus est, quam ad
eum locum pervenit, ubi erat exponenda pecunia.
1 XLVL Cum deinde inmanis res vix multis volumi-
nibus explicandas C. Caesar in Gallia gereret^ nec
contentus plurimis ac felicissimis victoriis innume-
rabilibusque caesis et captis hostium milibus etiam
in Britanniam traiecisset exercitum, alterum paene
imperio nostro ac suo quaerens orbem, vetus par-
consulum, Cn. Pompeius et M Crassus, alterum
iniere consulatum, qui neque petitus honeste ab iis
2 neque probabiliter gestus est. Caesari lege, quam
Pompeius ad populum tuht, prorogatae in idem
spatium temporis provinciae, Crasso bellum Parthi-
cum iam^ animo molienti Syria decreta, Qui vir
cetera sanctissimus immunisque voluptatibus neque
in pecunia neque in gloria concupiscenda aut modum
norat aut capiebat terminum. Hunc proficiscentem
3 in Syriam diris cum ominibus tribuni plebis frustra
retinere conati. Quorum execrationes si in ipsum
^ gereret Stanger ; ageret AP.
^ vetus par Ursinus ; victus pars AP.
^ iam Heinsitis ; in AP.
• 58-50 B.c.
* 55 B.c. They had been consuls together in 70 b.c.
The unfaimess consisted in making use of the tribunician
veto to prevent the holding of the elections until the term
of CorneUus Lentuhis and Lucius Marcius Phiiippus, who
were unfavourable to their candidacy, had expired.
150
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xlv. 5— xhi. 3
life. Cato brought home from Cyprus a sum of
money which greatly exceeded all expectations. To
praise Cato's integrity would be sacrilege, but he
can aknost be charged with eccentricity in the
display of it ; for, in spite of the fact that all the
citizens, headed by the consuls and the senate,
poured out of the city to meet him as he ascended
the Tiber, he did not disembark and greet them
until he arrived at the place where the money was
to be put ashore.
XLVI. Meanwhile, in Gaul, Gaius Caesar was
carrying on his gigantic task," which could scarcely
be covered in many volumes. Not content with his
many fortunate ^ictories, and A^ith slaying or taking
as prisoners countless thousands of the enemy, he
even crossed into Britain, as though seeking to add
another world to our empire and to that which he
had himself won. Gnaeus Pompeius and Marcus
Crassus, who had once before been consuls together,
now entered upon their second consulship,*' which
office they not only won by unfair means, but also
administered \%ithout popular approval. In a law
which Pompey proposed in the assembly of the
people, Caesar's tenure of office in his provinces was
continued for another five years, and Syria was
decreed to Crassus, who was now planning to make
war upon Parthia. Although Crassus was, in his
general character, entirely upright and free from
base desires, in his lust for money and his ambition
for glory he knew no hmits, and accepted no
bounds. On his departure for Asia the tribunes of
the people made ineffectual efforts to detain him
by the announcement of baleful omens. If the
curses which they called down upon him had
151
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
tantummodo valuissent, utile- imperatoris damnum
4 salvo exercitu fuisset rei publicae. Transgressum
Euphraten Crassum petentemque Seleuciam circum-
fusus inmanibus copiis equitum rex Orodes una cum
parte maiore Romani exercitus interemit. Reliquias
legionum C. Cassius, atrocissimi mox auctor facinoris,
tum quaestor, conservavit Syriamque adeo in populi
Romani potestate retinuit, ut transgressos in eam
Parthos feUci rerum eventu fugaret ac funderet.
1 XLVn. Per haec insequentiaque et quae prae-
diximus tempora amphus quadringenta milia hostium
a C. Caesare caesa sunt, plura capta ; pugnatum
saepe derecta acie, saepe in agminibus, saepe erup-
tionibus, bis penetrata Britannia, novem denique
aestatibus vix uUa non iustissimus triumphus emeri-
tus. Circa Alesiam vero tantae res gestae, quantas
audere vix hominis, perficere paene nullius nisi dei
fuerit.
2 Quarto^ ferme anno Caesar morabatur in Galliis,
cum medium iam ex invidia potentiae <et viva illa>
male^ cohaerentis inter Cn. Pompeium et C. Caesa-
rem concordiae pignus lulia, uxor Magni, decessit :
atque omnia inter destinatos tanto discrimini duces
^ utile AP ; vile Lipsius.
2 quarto Laurent. ; septimo AP.
2 potentiae et viva illa male Shipley; Ponti et Camiliae
AP ; potentiae male Lipsitis.
" Battle of Carrhae, 53 b.c.
* The assassination of Julius Caesar.
« 52 B.c. Related in Bk. vii. of the Gallic War. * 54 b.c.
152
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xlvi. 3— xlvii. 2
affected Crassiis alone, the loss of the commander
would not have been >vithout advantage to the
state, had but the army been saved. He had
crossed the Euphrates and was now marching toward
Seleucia when he was surrounded by King Orodes
with his innumerable bands of cavalry and perished
together ^nth the greater part of his army."
Remnants of the legions were saved by Gaius Cassius ^
— (he was later the perpetrator of a most atrocious
crime,* but was at that time quaestor) — who not
only retained Syria in its allegiance to the Roman
people, but succeeded, by a fortunate issue of
events, in defeating and putting to rout the Parthians
when they crossed its borders.
XLVII. During this period, including the years
which immediately followed and those of which
mention has already been made, more than four^
hundred thousand of the enemy were slain by Gaius
Caesar and a greater number were taken prisoners.
Many times had he fought in pitched battles, many
times on the march, many times as besieger or
besieged. Twice he penetrated into Britain, and in
all his nine campaigns there was scarcely one which
was not fully deserving of a triumph. His feats
about Alesia " were of a kind that a mere man
would scarcely venture to undertake, and scarcely
anyone but a god could carry through.
About the fourth year of Caesar's stay in Gaul
occurred the death of JuHaj'* the wife of Pompey, the
one tie which bound together Pompey and Caesar in
a coahtion which, because of each one's jealousy of
the other's power, held together with difficulty even
during her hfetime ; and, as though fortune were
bent upon breaking all the bonds between the two
153
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
dirimente fortuna filius quoque parvus Pompei, lulia
natus, intra breve spatium obiit, Tum in gladios
3 eaedesque civium furente ambitu, cuius neque finis
reperiebatur nec modus, tertius consulatus soli Cn.
Pompeio etiam adversandum antea dignitati eius
iudicio delatus est, cuius ille honoris gloria veluti
reconciliatis sibi optimatibus maxime a C. Caesare
alienatus est ; sed eius consulatus omnem vim in
coercitionem^ ambitus exercuit.
4 Quo tempore P. Clodius a Milone candidato con-
sulatus exemplo inutili, facto^ salutari rei publicae
circa Bovillas contracta ex occursu rixa iugulatus
est. Milonem reum non magis invidia facti quam
6 Pompei damnavit voluntas. Quem quidem M. Cato
palam lata absolvit sententia. Qui si maturius
tulisset, non defuissent qui sequerentur exemplum
probarentque eum civem occisum, quo nemo per-
niciosior rei publicae neque bonis inimicior vixerat.
1 XLVIII. Intra breve deinde spatium belli civilis
exarserunt initia, cum iustissimus quisque et a
Caesare et a Pompeio vellet dimitti exercitus ;
quippe Pompeius in secundo consulatu Hispanias
sibi decerni voluerat easque per triennium absens
^ coercitionera B ; coertionem AP ; coercitione Cludius.
2 iniitili facto Gelenkis', inutiliter facto AP ; inutili sed
facto Gelenius.
» " Son " is supported by Livy, Epit. 106 and Suet. Caes.
26. Dio xxxix. 64 says " daughter.'
* 52 B.c. * 52 B.c. * 55 b.c.
154
HISTORY OF ROME, 11. xlvii. 2— xlviii. 1
men destined for so great a conflict, Pompey's little
son ^ by Julia also died a short time aftervvards.
Then, inasmuch as agitation over the elections found
vent in armed conflicts and civil bloodshed, which
continued indefinitely and without check, Pompey
was made consul for the third time,* now without a
colleague, A\ith the assent even of those who up to
that time had opposed Iiim for that ofEce. The
tribute paid him by this honour, which seemed to
indicate his reconciUation \\-ith the optimates, served
more than anything else to aUenate him from
Caesar. Pompey, however, employed his whole
power during this consulship in curbing election
abuses.
It was at this time that Publius Clodius was slain *=
by Milo, who was a candidate for the consulship, in
a quarrel which arose in a chance meeting at Bo\allae ;
a bad precedent, but in itself a service to the state.
Milo was brought to trial and con\-icted quite as
much through the influence of Pompey as on account'
of the odium aroused by the deed. Cato, it is true,
declared for his acquittal in an opinion openly
expressed. Had his vote been cast earlier, men
would not have been lacking to follow liis example
and approve the slaying of a citizen as pernicious to
the republic and as hostile to all good citizens as any
man who had ever lived.
XLVm. It was not long after this that the first
sparks of ci^il war were kindled. All fair-minded men
desired that both Caesar and Pompey should disband
their armies. Now Pompey in his second consulship ''-
had caused the provinces of Spain to be assigned to
him, and though he was actually absent from them,
administering the aflairs of the city, he continued to
155
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
ipse ac praesidens urbi per Afranium et Petreium,
consularem ac praetorium, legatos suos, admini-
strabat et iis, qui a Caesare dimittendos exercitus
contendebant, adsentabatur, iis, qui ab ipso quoque,
2 adversabatur. Qui si ante biennium, quam ad arma
itum est, perfectis muneribus theatri et aliorum
operum, quae ei circumdedit, gravissima temptatus
valetudine decessisset in Campania (quo quidem
tempore universa Italia vota pro salute eius primi'^
omnium civium suscepit) defuisset fortunae destru-
endi eius locus, et quam apud superos habuerat
magnitudinem, inlibatam detulisset ad inferos.
3 Bello autem civih et tot, quae deinde per continuos
viginti annos consecuta sunt, mahs non alius maiorem
flagrantioremque quam C. Curio tribunus plebis
subiecit facem, vir nobilis, eloquens, audax, suae
alienaeque et fortunae et pudicitiae prodigus, homo
ingeniosissime nequam et facundus malo pubHco
4 cuius animo [voluptatibus vel Hbidinibus]^ neque opes
uUae neque cupiditates sufficere possent. Hic primo
pro Pompei partibus, id est, ut tunc habebatur, pro
re publica, mox simulatione contra Pompeium et
Caesarem, sed animo pro Caesare stetit. Id gratis
an accepto centies sestertio fecerit, ut accepimus,
5 in medio rehnquemus. Ad ultimum saluberrimas^
coalescentis condiciones pacis, quas et Caesar iustis-
^ prirai Vascosanus ; primo AP.
2 voluptatibus vel libidinibus deleted as a gloss hy Gruter.
^ et after saluberrimas deleted hy Geletdus.
« About £100,000 or $500,000.
156
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xlviii. 1-6
govem them for three years through his lieutenants,
Afranius and Petreius, the former of consular "^
and the latter of praetorian rank ; and while he
agreed \«th those who insisted that Caesar should
dismiss his army, he was opposed to those who
urged that he should also dismiss his own Had
Pompey only died two years before the outbreak of
hostilities, after the completion of his theatre and
the other pubhc buildings mth which he had
surrounded it, at the time when he was attacked
by a serious ilhiess in Campania and all Italy prayed
for his safety as her foremost citizen, fortune would
have lost the opportunity of overthrowing him and
he would have borne to the grave unimpaired all the
qualities of greatness that had been his in life. It
was Gaius Ciudo, however, a tribune of the people,
who, more than anyone else, appUed the flaming
torch which kindled the cix-il war and all the e\ils
which followed for twenty consecutive years. Curio
was a man of noble birth, eloquent, reckless, prodigal v
ahke of his own fortune and chastity and of those of
other people, a man of the utmost cleverness in
perversity, who used his gifted tonguc for the
subversion of the state. No wealth and no pleasures
sufficed to satiate his appetites. He was at first on
the side of Pompey, that is to say, as it was then "
regarded, on the side of the repubUc. Then he
pretended to be opposed both to Pompey and Caesar,
but in his heart he was for Caesar. Whether his "
conversion was spontaneous or due to a bribe of.ten
milhon sesterces,' as is reported, we shall leave un-
"determmed. Finally, when a truce was on the point
of being concluded on terms of the most salutary
character, terms which were demanded in a spirit of
157
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
simo animo postulabat et Pompeius aequo recipiebat,
discussit ac rupit, unice cavente Cicerone concordiae
publicae.
Harum praeteritarumque rerum ordo cum iustis^
aliorum voluminibus promatur, tum, uti spero,
6 nostris explicabitur. Nunc proposito operi sua forma
reddatur, si prius gratulatus ero Q. Catulo, duobus
Lucullis Metelloque et Hortensio, qui, cum sine
invidia in re publica floruissent eminuissentque sine
periculo, quieta aut certe non praecipitata fatali
ante initium bellorum civilium morte functi sunt.
1 XLIX. Lentulo et Marcello consulibus post urbem
conditam annis septingentis et tribus,' et annos octo
et septuaginta ante quam tu, M. Vinici, consulatum
inires, bellum civile exarsit. Alterius ducis causa
2 melior videbatur, alterius erat firmior ; hic omnia spe-
ciosa, illic valentia ; Pompeium senatus auctoritas,
Caesarem militum armavit fiducia. Consules senatus-
que causae non^ Pompeio summam imperii detule-
3 runt. Nihil relictum a Caesare, quod servandae
pacis causa temptari posset, nihil receptum a Pom-
peianis, cum alter consul iusto esset ferocior, Lentulus
vero salva re publica salvus esse non posset, M. autem
Cato moriendum ante, quam ullam condicionem civis
^ iustis Gelenitis; iustius ^P.
^ annis dcciii Gelenms; annis {AP) a cc.iii AB;
ACCIII P.
^ non AP ; nomine Gronovius.
<• 19 B.C.
158
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xlviii. 5— xlix. 3
the utmost fair-mindedness by Caesar and accepted
by Pompey without protest, it was in the end broken
and shattered by Curio in spite of Cicero's extra-
ordinary efforts to preserve harmony in the state.
As to the order of these events, and of those which
have been mentioned before, the reader is referred
to the special works of other historians, and I myself
hope some day to give them in full. But at the
present time it will be consistent with the general
plan of this briefer narrative if I merely stop to
congratulate Quintus Catulus, the two LuculU,
Metellus, and Hortensius, who, after flourishing in
pubHc hfe without emy and rising to pre-eminence
without danger to themselves, in the course of
nature died a peaceful or at least a not untimely
death before the outbreak of the ciWl wars.
XLIX. In the consulship of Lentulus and Mar-
ceUus," seven hundred and three years after the
founding of the city and seventy-eight years before
your consulship, ^larcus Vinicius, the ci\"il war
burst into flame. The one leader seemed to have
the better cause, the other the stronger ; on the
one was the appearance, on the other the reahty
of power ; Pompey was armed ^\ith the authority
of the ^senate, ,_Caesar with the devotion of his
soldiers. The consuls and the senate conferred the,
supreme authority not on Pompey but on his cause.
No effort was omitted by Caesar that could be tried
in the interest of peace, but no offer of his was
accepted by the Pompeians. Of the two consuls,
one showed more bitterness than was fair, the other,
Lentulus, could not save himself from ruin without
bringing ruin upon the state, while Marcus Cato in-
sisted that they should fight to the death rather
159
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
accipiendam rei publicae contenderet. Vir antiquus
et gravis Pompei partes laudaret magis, prudens
sequeretur Caesaris, et illa gloriosiora,^ haec terri-
biliora duceret.
4 Ut deinde spretis omnibus quae Caesar postulave-
rat, tantummodo eontentus cum una legione titulum
retinere provinciae, privatus- in urbem veniret et se
in petitione consulatus sufFragiis populi Romani
committeret decrevere, ratus bellandum Caesar cum
exercitu Rubiconem transiit. Cn. Pompeius consules-
que et maior pars senatus relicta urbe ac deinde Italia
transmisere Dyrrachium.
1 L. At Caesar Domitio legionibusque, Corfini quae^
una cum eo fuerant, potitus, duce aliisque, qui
voluerant* abire ad Pompeium, sine dilatione dimissis,
persecutus Brundusium, ita ut appareret malle integris
rebus et condicionibus finire bellum quam opprimere
fugientis, cum transgressos reperisset consules, in
2 urbem revertit redditaque ratione consiliorum suorum
in senatu et m contione ac miserrimae necessitudinis,
cum alienis armis ad arma compulsus esset, Hispa-
nias petere decrevit.
8 Festinationem itineris eius aliquamdiu morata
^ gloriosiora Cupenis ; gloriosa AP.
^ privatus Gelenius ; privatusque AP.
'■^ legionibusque Corfini quae P ; legionibusque Corfini
AP.
* voluerant Gelenius ; venerant AP.
" Probably refers to Caesar"s offer (App. B. C. ii. 32) to
be satisfied with Cisalpine Gaul and Illyria, with two legions.
» Jan. 12 or 13, 49 b.c.
160
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xHx. 3—1. 3
than allow the republic to accept a single dictate
from a mere citizen. The stem Roman of the old-
fashioned t^^pe would praise the cause of Pompey, the
poUtic would follow the lead of Caesar, recognizing
that while there was on the one side greater prestige,
the otlier was the more formidable.
When at last, rejecting all the demands of Caesar,
who was content to retain the title to the pro^ince,"
with but a single legion, the senate decreed that he
should enter the city as a private citizen and should
as such, submit himself to the votes of the Roman
people in his candidacy for the consulship, Caesar
concluded that war was inevitable and crossed the
Rubicon ^" with liis army. Gnaeus Pompeius, the
consuls, and the majority of the scnate abandoned
first the city, then Italy, and crossed the sea to
Dyrrachium.
L. Caesar, on his side, having got into his power
Domitius and the legions that were with him at
Corfinium, immediately released this commander
and all others who so wished, and allowed them to
join Pompey, whom he now foUowed to Brundisium,
making it clear that he preferred to put an end to
the war while the state was uninjured and negotiation
stiU possible, ratlier than to crush his fleeing enemy.
Finding that the consuls had crossed the sea he
returned to the city, and after rendering to the
senate and also to the assembly of the people an
account of his motives and of the deplorable necessity
of his position, in that he had been driven to arms
by others who had themselves resorted to arms, he
resolved to march on Spain.
The rapidity of his march was delayed for some
time by the city of MassiUa, which with more
161
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
Massilia est, fide melior quam consilio prudentior,
intempestive principalium armorum arbitria captans,
quibus hi se debent interponere, qui non parentem
4 coercere possunt. Exercitus deinde, qui sub Afranio^
consulari ac Petreio praetorio fueratj ipsius adventus
vigore ac fulgore occupatus se Caesari tradidit ;
uterque legatorum et quisquis cuiusque ordinis sequi
eos voluerat, remissi ad Pompeium.
1 LL Proximo anno cum Dyrrachium ac vicina ei
urbi regio castris Pompei obtineretur,- qui accitis
ex omnibus transmarinis provinciis legionibus, equi-
tum ac peditum auxiliis, regumque et^ tetrarcharum
simulque dynastarum copiis inmanem exercitum con-
fecerat et mare praesidiis classium, ut rebatur,
saepserat, quo minus Caesar legiones posset trans-
2 mittere, sua et celeritate et fortuna C. Caesar usus
nihil in mora habuit, quo minus eo quo vellet* ipse
exercitusque classibus perveniret, et primo paene
castris Pompei sua iungeret, mox etiam obsidione
munimentisque eum complecteretur. Sed inopia
obsidentibus quam obsessis erat gravior. Tum
3 Balbus CorneUus excedente humanam fidem temeri-
tate ingressus castra hostium saepiusque cum Lentulo
conlocutus consule, dubitante quanti se venderet,
illis incrementis fecit viam, quibus non in Hispania
^ Afranio Burer ; Africanio B ; Afxicano AP.
* obtineretur Heinsius ; retinetur BAP.
'^ et added by Gelenius.
* eo quo vellet Halm ; et cum vellet AP,
" At Ilerda, August, 49 b.c,
» 48 B.C.
162
J
HISTORY OF ROME, II. 1. 3— li. 3
honesty of intention than with wise discretion assumed
the unseasonable role of arbiter between the two
armed leaders, an intervention suited only to those
who are in a position to coerce the combatant
refusing obedience. Next, the army, commanded
by Afranius, an ex-consul, and Petreius, an ex-
praetor, taken ofF its guard by Caesar's energy and
the lightning speed of his arrival, surrendered " to
him. Both the commanders and all others, of what-
ever rank, who ^vished to foUow them were allowed
to return to Pompey.
LI. The next year * found Dyrrachium and its
vicinity occupied by the camp of Pompey, who by
summoning legions from all the provinces beyond
the sea, together vvith auxiliary troops of foot and
horse, and the forces of kings, tetrarchs, and other
subject rulers, had in this way collected a formidable
army, and had with his fleets estabhshed, as he
thought, a successful blockade upon the sea to
prevent Caesar from transporting his legions across
the Adriatic, But Caesar, relying upon his usual
rapidity of action and his famous luck, allowed
notliing to prevent him or his army from crossing
and landing at any port he pleased, and at first
pitched his camp almost touching that of Pompey,
and then proceeded to surround the latter by
entrenchments and siege works. But lack of provi-
sions was a more serious matter to the besiegers than
to the besieged. It was at this time that Balbus
Comelius, at incredible risk, entered the camp of
the enemy and held several conferences with the
consul Lentulus, whose only doubt was what price
to put upon himself. It was by stages such as this
that Balbus, who was not even the son of a Roman
163
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
ex cive'^ natus, sed Hispanus, in triumphum et ponti-
ficatum adsurgeret fieretque ex privato consularis.
Variatum deinde proeliis, sed uno longe magis Pom-
peianis prospero, quo graviter impulsi sunt Caesaris
milites.
1 Ln. Tum Caesar cum exercitu fatalem victoriae
suae Thessaliam petiit. Pompeius, longe diversa
2 aliis suadentibus, quorum plerique hortabantur, ut
in ItaUam transmitteret (neque hercules quidquam
partibus ilUs salubrius fuit), ahi, ut bellum traheret,
quod dignatione partium in dies ipsis magis pro-
sperum fieret, usus impetu suo hostem secutus est.
3 Aciem Pharsahcam et illum cruentissimum Romano
nomini diem tantumque utriusque exercitus profusum
sanguinis et conhsa inter se duo rei pubhcae capita
efFossumque alterum Romani imperii lumen et^ tot
talesque Pompeianarum partium caesos viros non
4 recipit enarranda hic scripturae modus. IUud notan-
dum est : ut primum C. Caesar inchnatam vidit Pom-
peianorum aciem, neque prius neque antiquius quid-
quam habuit, quam ut in omnes partes, * * * ut^
mihtari verbo ex* consuetudine utar, dimitteret. Pro
5 dii immortales, quod huius voluntatis erga Brutum
suae postea vir tam mitis pretium tuht ! Nihil in illa
^ in Hispania ex cive Morgenstern ; Hispaniae Asiae AP.
^ et added by Ilalm.
^ ut addedhi) Gelenius; in omnes partes AP; incolumes
partes Ellis. This is a vexed passage, and many conjectures
have been made as to which was the military expression.
Ruhnken supposes a lacuna.
* ex Lipsius ; et AP.
« Described in Caes. Bell. Civ. iii. 62-70.
' August 9, 48 B.c.
« See note on text. The general sense is supplied from
164
HISTORY OF ROME, II. li. 3— lii. 5
citizen born in Spain but actually a Spaniard, paved
the way for his later rise to the pontificate and to
a triumph, and from the rank of private citizen to
that of a consul. Conflicts followed, wiih shifting
fori:unes. One " of these battles was much more
favourable to the Pompeians, and Caesar*s troops
were severely repulsed.
LII. Then Caesar marched \v-ith his army into
Thessaly, destined to be the scene of his \-ictor)'.
Pompey, in spite of the contrary ad\ice of others,
foUowed his own impulse and set out after the
enemy. Most of his advisers urged him to cross
into Italy — nor indeed was there any course more
expedient for his party — others advised him to
prolong the war, which, by reason of the esteem in
which the party was held, was daily becoming more
favourable to them.
The limits set to a work of this kind will not
permit me to describe in detail the battle of
Pharsalia,* that day of carnage so fatal to the Roman
name, when so much blood was shed on either side,
the clash of arms between the two heads of the
state, the extinction of one of the two limiinaries of
the Roman world, and the slaughter of so many
noble men on Pompey's side. One detail, however,
I cannot refrain from noting. When Gaius Caesar
saw that Pompey's army was defeated he made it
his first and foremost concern to send out orders to'
grant quarter ' — if I may use the habitual mihtary
expression. Ye immortal gods ! WTiat a reward
did this merciful man afterwards receive for his
kindness to Brutus ! There is nothing more mar-
the account in Suet. Caes. 75 and Appian, Bellum Cicile
u. 80.
165
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
6 victoria mirabilius, magnificentius, clarius fuit, quam
quod^ neminem nisi acie consumptum civem patria
desideravit : sed munus misericordiae corrupit per-
tinacia, cum libentius vitam victor iam daret, quam
victi acciperent.
1 Lin. Pompeius profugiens cum duobus Lentulis
consularibus Sextoque filio et Favonio praetorio,
quos comites ei fortuna adgregaverat, aliis, ut
Parthos, aliis, ut Africam peteret, in qua fidelis-
simum partium suarum haberet regem lubam, sua-
dentibus, Aegyptum petere proposuit memor bene-
ficiorum, quae in patrem eius Ptolemaei, qui tum
puero quam iuveni propior regnabat Alexandriae,
2 contulerat. Sed quis in adversis beneficiorum servat
memoriam ? Aut quis ullam calamitosis deberi putat
gratiam ? Aut quando fortuna non mutat fidem ?
Missi itaque ab rege, qui venientem Cn. Pompeium
(is iam a Mytilenis Corneliam uxorem receptam in
navem fugae comitem habere coeperat) consilio
Theodoti et Achillae exciperent hortarenturque, ut
ex oneraria in eam navem, quae obviam processerat,
transcenderet ; quod cum fecisset, princeps Romani
nominis imperio arbitrioque Aegyptii mancipii C.
Caesare P. Servilio consuhbus iugulatus est. Hic
3 post tres consulatus et totidem triumphos domitum-
^ in illa . . . quam quod Haase ; illa . . . quando AP.
" Caesar, Bell. Civ. 104, says it was a " navicula parvula."
» 48 B.c.
I6d
HISTORY OF ROME, II. lii. &— liii. 3
vellous about that victory, nothing more magnificent,
nothing more glorious, than that our country did
not moum the loss of any citizen save those who had
fallen in battle. But his offer of clemency was set
at nought by the stubbornness of his opponents,
since the \ictor was more ready to grant hfe than
the vanquished to accept it.
LIII. Pompey fled with the two Lentuh, both
ex-consuls, his own son Sextus, and Favonius, a
former praetor, friends whom chance had gathered
about him as his companions. Some advised him
to take refuge with the Parthians, others in Africa,
where he had in King Juba a most loyal partisan ;
but, remembering the favours which he had con-
ferred upon the father of Ptolemy, who, though
still between boyhood and manhood, was now
reigning at Alexandria, he decided to repair to
Egypt. But, in adversity who remembers past
services ? Wlio considers that any gratitude is
due to those who have met disaster ? When does
change of fortune fail to shift allegiance ? Envoys
were sent by the king at the instance of Theodotus
and Achillas to receive Pompey on his arrival — he
was now accompanied in his flight by his wife
Comelia, who had been taken on board at Mytilene
— and to urge him to change from the merchant
ship to the vessel " which had come out to meet
him. Having accepted the invitation, the first of
the citizens of Rome was stabbed to death by the
order and dictation of an Egj-ptian vassal, the year
of his death being the consulship of Gaius Caesar .
and Pubhus Servilius.* So died in his fifty-eighth
year, on the very eve of his birthday, that upright
and illustrious man, after holding three consulships,
167
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
que terrarum orbem sanctissimi atque praestantis-
simi viri in id evecti, super quod ascendi non potest,
duodesexagesimum annum agentis pridie natalem
ipsius vitae fuit exitus, in tantum in illo viro a se
discordante fortuna, ut cui modo ad victoriam terra
defuerat, deesset ad sepulturam.
4 Quid aliud quam nimium occupatos dixerim, quos
in aetate et tanti et paene nostri saeculi viri fefellit
quinquennium, cum a C. Atilio et Q. Servilio con-
sulibus tam facilis^ esset annorum digestio ? Quod
adieci, non ut arguerem, sed ne arguerer.
1 LIV. Non fuit maior in Caesarem, quam in Pom-
peium fuerat, regis eorumque, quorum is auctoritate
regebatur, fides. Quippe cum venientem eum temp-
tassent insidiis ac deinde bello lacessere auderent,
utrique summorum imperatorum,^ alteri mortuo,^
alteri superstiti meritas poenas luere suppliciis.
2 Nusquam erat Pompeius corpore, adhuc ubique
vivebat^ nomine. Quippe ingens partium eius favor
bellum excitaverat Africum, quod ciebat rex luba
et Scipio, vir consularis, ante biennium quam extin-
3 gueretur Pompeius, lectus ab eo socer, eorumque
copias auxerat M. Cato, ingenti cum difficultate
itinerum locorumque inopia perductis ad eos legioni-
^ facilis Gelenius ; felix (foelix A) AP.
^ summorum imperatorum Mommsm; siunmo impera-
torum AP.
* alteri mortiio Lipsiiis.
* viveba.t Heinsius ; lubae ^P.
168
HISTORY OF ROME, II. liii. 3— Uv. 3
celebrating three triumphs, conquering the whole n
world, and attaining to a pinnacle of farae beyond j
which it is impossible to rise. Such was the incon- ^
sistency of fortune in his case, that he who but a
short time before had found no more lands to conquer
now found none for his burial.
As regards Pompey's age, what excuse, other
than that of excessive preoccupation, shall I make
for those who have made an error of five years in
the age of one who was not only a great man but
who ahnost belongs to our century, especially as it
is so easy to reckon from the consulship of Caius ^
Atihus and Quintus Ser\-ihus * ? I have added this
remark not for the sake of criticizing others, but to
avoid criticism of mysclf.
LIV. The loyalty of the king, and of those by
whose influence he was controUed, was no greater
towards Caesar than it had been toward Pompey.
For, upon Caesar's arrival in Egypt, they assailed
him with plots and subsequently dared to challenge
him in open warfare. By sufFering death they paid
to both of these great commanders, the h^ing and
the dead, a well-deserved atonement.
Pompey the man was no more, but his name still
lived everywhere. For the strong support his party
had in Africa had stirred up in that country a war
in which the mo\ing spirits were King Juba and
Scipio, a man of consular rank, whom Pompey had
chosen for his father-in-law two years before his
death. Their forces were augmented by Marcus>—
Cato, who, in spite of the great difficulty of the
march, and the lack of suppUes in the regions
traversed, succeeded in conducting his legions to
• Consuls 106 B.C.
l69
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
bus. Qui vir cum summum ei a militibus deferretur
imperium, honoratiori parere^ maluit.
1 LV. Admonet promissae brevitatis fides, quanto
omnia transcursu dicenda sint. Sequens fortunam
suam Caesar pervectus in Africam est, quam occiso
C- Curione, lulianarum duce partium, Pompeiani
obtinebant exercitus. Ibi primo varia fortuna, mox
2 pugnavit sua,^ inclinataeque hostium copiae : nec dis-
similis ibi adversus victos quam in priores clementia
Caesaris fuit.
Victorem Africani belli Caesarem gravius excepit
Hispaniense (nam victus ab eo Pharnaces vix quid-
quam gloriae eius adstruxit), quod Cn. Pompeius,
Magni filius, adulescens impetus ad bella maximi,
ingens ac terribile conflaverat, undique ad eum
adhuc paterni nominis magnitudinem sequentium
3 ex toto orbe terrarum auxihis confluentibus. Sua
Caesarem in Hispaniam comitata fortuna est, sed
nullum umquam atrocius periculosiusque ab eo initum
proelium, adeo ut plus quam dubio Marte descen-
deret equo consistensque ante recedentem suorum
aciem, increpata prius fortuna, quod se in eum ser-
vasset exitum, denuntiaret mihtibus vestigio se non
recessurum : proinde viderent, quem et quo loco
4 imperatorem deserturi forent. Verecundia magis
^ parere Burer ; parare P ; parari A .
^ C. added by Stanrjer.
' fortuna mox pugnavit sua Acidalius and Lipsius;
fortunam expugnavit uia AP.
" Cato had held the praetorship only.
» At Thapsus, April 6, 46.
• At Zela, in 47 b.c. It is here mentioned out of its
proper order.
170
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Uv. 3— Iv. 4
them. Cato, although offered the supreme command
by the soldiers, preferred to take orders from Seipio,
his superior in rank."
LV. Fidelity to my promise of brevity reminds
me how rapidly I must pass over the details of my
narrative. Caesar, following up his suecess, passed
over to Africa, of which the Pompeian armies now
held possession since the death of Gaius Curio,
the leader there of the Caesarian party. At first
his armies were attended by a varying fortune, but
later by his usual luck the forces of the enemy
were routed.* Here again he showed no less clemency
toward the vanquished than to those whom he had
defeated in the pre\-ious Mar.
Caesar, victorious in Africa, was now confronted
by a more serious war in Spain (for the defeat of
Phamaces <^ may be passed over, since it added but
little to his renown). This great and formidable war
had been stirred up by Gnaeus Pompeius, the son
of Pompey the Great, a young man of great energy
in war, and reinforcements flowed in from all parts
of the world from among those who still followed
his father's great name. Caesar's usual fortune
foUowed him to Spain ; but no battle in which he
ever engaged was more bitterly fought or more
dangerous to liis cause.*^ Once, indeed, when the
fight was now more than doubtful, he leapt from
his horse, placed himself before his hnes, now
beginning to give way, and, after upbraiding fortune
for saving him for such an end, announced to his
soldiers that he would not retreat a step. He asked
them to consider who their commander was and in
what a pass they were about to desert him. It was
«^ Battle of Munda, March 17, 45 b.c.
171
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
quam virtute acies restituta, et a^ duce quam a
milite fortius. Cn. Pompeius gravis vulnere inventus
inter solitudines avias interemptus est ; Labienum
Varumque acies abstulit.
1 LVL Caesar omnium victor regressus in urbem,
quod humanam excedat fidem, omnibus, qui contra
se arma tulerant, ignovit, magnificentissimisque^
gladiatorii muneris, naumachiae et equitum peditum-
que, simul elephantorum certaminis spectaculis
epuHque per multos dies dati celebratione replevit
2 eam. Quinque egit triumphos : Gallici apparatus
ex citro, Pontici ex acantho, Alexandrini testudine,
Africi ebore, Hispaniensis argento rasili constilit.
Pecunia ex manubiis lata paulo amplius sexiens
miliens sestertium.
3 Neque ilh tanto viro et tam clementer omnibus
victoriis suis uso plus quinque mensium principalis
quies contigit. Quippe cum mense Octobri in urbem
revertisset, idibus \Iartiis, coniurationis auctoribus
Bruto et Cassio, quorum alterum promittendo con-
sulatum non obhgaverat, contra differendo Cassium
ofFenderat, adiectis etiam consihariis caedis famiUaris-
simis omnium et fortuna partium eius in sumrnum
evectis fastigium, D. Bruto et C. Trebonio ahisque
4 clari nominis viris, interemptus est. Cui magnam
invidiam conciharat M. Antonius, omnibus audendis
^ restituta et a Orelli; restitutae C. A. B; restitutae
sunt a AP.
- magnificentissiraisque AB; que om. P; et magnifi-
centissimis Halm and liuhnken.
• The first fonr in 46 b.c, the Spanish triumph in 45 b.c.
» About £5.500.000 or $-27,000,000.
* March 15, 44 b.c.
172
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Iv. 4— Ivi. 4
shame rather than valoiir that restored their wavering
Une, and the commander showed more coiirage than
his men. Gnaeus Pompeius, badly wounded, was
discovered on a pathless waste and put to death.
Labienus and ^'^arus met their death in battle.
LVI, Caesar, victorious over all his enemies,
retumed to the city, and pardoned all who had borne ■^
arms against him, an act of generosity ahnost passing ,
belief. He entertained the city to repletion \n\\\ _
the magnificent spectacle of a gladiatorial show, a
sham battle of ships, mock battles of cavalry, infantry,
and even mounted elephants, and the celebration of
a public banquet which was continued through
several days. He celebrated five triumphs." The
emblems in his GaUic triumph were of citrus wood ; _
in his Pontic of acanthus ; in his Alexandrian triumph
of tortoise-shell, in his African of ivory, and in his
Spanish of pohshed silver. The money borne in his
triumphs, reahzed from the sale of spoils, amounted
to a httle more than six hundred million sesterces.^
But it was the lot of this great man, who behaved
with such clemency in all his victories, that his
peaceful enjoyment of supreme power should last but
five months. For, returning to the city in October,
he was slain on the ides of March." Brutus and
Cassius were the leaders of the conspiracy. He had
failed to win the former by the promise of the
consulship, and had offended the latter by the
postponement of his candidacy. There were also
in the plot to compass his death some of the most
intimate of all his friends, who owed their elevation
to the success of his party, namely Decimus Brutus,
Gaius Trebonius, and others of illustrious name.
Marcus Antonius, liis coUeague in the consulship,
173
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
paratissimus, consulatus collega, inponendo capiti eius
Lupercalibus sedentis pro rostris insigne regium, quod
ab eo ita repulsum erat, ut non ofFensus^ videretur.
1 LVII. Laudandum experientia consilium est Pan-
sae atque Hirtii, qui semper praedixerant Caesari
ut principatum armis quaesitum armis teneret. Ille
dictitans mori se quam timere^ malle dum clementiam,
quam praestiterat, expectat, incautus ab ingratis
occupatus est, cum quidem plurima ei^ praesagia atque
2 indicia dii immortales futuri obtulissent periculi.
Nam et haruspices praemonuerant, ut diligentissime
iduum Martiarum caveret diem, et uxor Calpumia
territa nocturno visu, ut ea die domi subsisteret,
orabat,^ et libelli coniurationem nuntiantes dati
neque protinus ab eo lecti erant. Sed profecto
3 ineluctabilis fatorum vis, cuiuscumque fortunam
mutare constituit, consilia corrumpit.
1 LVIII. Quo anno id patravere facinus Brutus et
Cassius praetores erant, D. Brutus consul designatus.
2 hi una cum coniurationis globo, stipati gladiatorum
D. Bruti manu, Capitolium occupavere. Tum^ consul
Antonius (quem cum simul interimendum censuisset
Cassius testamentumque Caesaris abolendum, Brutus
repugnaverat dictitans nihil amplius civibus praeter
tjrranni — ^ita enim appellari Caesarem facto eius ex-
Mta . . . offensus Rhenanus ; id . . . offensum AP.
^ tiraere corrected to timeri A ; timere is more in keepiw/
with Plut. Caes. 57 and Smt. Div. lul. 86.
3 pluriraa ei Orelli ; plurirai BA ; plurima P.
* orabat AP ; orarat Halm.
' tum Haase ; cum AP.
• Usually of Etruscan origin, who professed ability to
foretell the future from the exaraination of the entrails of
sacrificial animals.
174
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ivi. 4— h-iii. 2
ever ready for acts of daring, had brought great
odium upon Caesar by placing a royal crown upon
his head as he sat on the rostra at the Lupercalia.
Caesar put the crown from him, but in such a way
that he did not seem to be displeased.
LVII. In the light of experience due credit
should be given to the counsel of Pansa and Hirtius,
who had always warned Caesar that he must hold
by arms the position which he had won by arms.
But Caesar kept reiterating that he would rather
die than live in fear, and while he looked for a retum
for the clemency he had shown, he was taken off his
guard by men devoid of gratitude, although the gods
gave many signs and presages of the threatened
danger. For the soothsayers " hed wamed him before-
hand carefuUy to beware the Ides of March ; his
wife Calpumia, terrified by a dream, kept begging
him to remain at home on that day ; and notes
waming him of the conspiracy were handed him,
but he neglected to read them at the time. But
verily the power of destiny is inevitable ; it con-
founds the judgement of him whose fortune it has
determined to reverse.
LVIII. Brutus and Cassius were praetors, and
Decimus Brutus was consul designate in the year
in which they perpetrated this deed. These three,
with the remainder of the group of conspirators,
escorted by a band of gladiators belonging to
Decimus Brutus, seized the capitol. Thereupon
Antonius, as consul, summoned the senate. Cassius
had been in favour of slapng Antony as well as
Caesar, and of destroying Caesar's will, but Bmtus
had opposed him, insisting that citizens ought not
to seek the blood of any but the " tyrant " — for to
175
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
3 pediebat — petendum esse sanguinem) convocato
senatu, cum iam Dolabella, quem substituturus sibi
Caesar designaverat consulem, fasces atque insignia
corripuisset consulis, velut pacis auctor liberos suos
obsides in Capitolium misit fidemque descendendi
4 tuto interfectoribus Caesaris dedit. Et illud decreti
Atheniensium celeberrimi exemplum, relatum a
Cicerone, oblivionis praeteritarum rerum decreto
patrum comprobatum est.
1 LIX, Caesaris deinde testamentum apertum est,
quo C. Octavium, nepotem sororis suae luliae,
adoptabat. De cuius origine, etiam si praeveniet,^
pauca dicenda sunt. Fuit C. Octavius ut non patricia,
2 ita admodum speciosa equestri genitus familia, gravis,
sanctus, innocens, dives. Hic praetor inter nobilis-
simos viros creatus primo loco, cum ei dignatio lulia
genitam Atiam conciliasset uxorem, ex eo honore
sortitus Macedoniam appellatusque in ea^ imperator,
decedens ad petitionem consulatus obiit praetextato
relicto filio. Quem C. Caesar, maior eius avunculus,
3 educatum apud Phih"ppum vitricum dilexit ut suum,
natumque annos duodeviginti Hispaniensis militiae
adsecutum se postea comitem habuit, numquam aut
^ praeveniet EUis ; praevenit et AP ; per se nitet
Burman.
"^ in eam AP ; corrected hy Gelenim ; ex ea Ursinus.
■ i.ti. on his contemplated departure for the Parthian
expedition.
* It may be that Velleius means simply " son " as was
indeed the fact, and that liheros is a rhetorical plural like
that in Cic, Phil. i. I. 1. It is clear from Phil. i. 13. 31 that
Cicero is referrinp: to but one.
« When the Thirty Tyrants were overthrown and de-
mocracy was restored under Thrasybulus.
176
HISTORY OF ROME, II. h-iii. 3— lix. 3
call Caesar " tyrant " placed his deed in a better
light. Dolabella, whom Caesar had named for the
consulsliip, ^nth the intention of putting him in
his own place," had already seized the fasces and
the insignia of that office. Having summoned the
senate, Antonius, acting as the guarantor of peace,
sent his own sons ' to the capitol as hostages and
thus gave his assurance to the slayers of Caesar that
they might come doAvn in safety. On the motion
of Cicero the famous precedent of the Athenians "
granting amnesty for past acts was approved by
decree of the senate.
LIX. Caesar*s \\i\\ was then opened, by which he
adopted Gaius Octavius, the grandson of his sister
Juha. Of the origin of Octa\ius I must say a few
words, even if the account comes before its proper
place. Gaius Octavius, his father, though not of
patrician birth, was descended from a very prominent
equestrian family, and was himself a man of dignity,
of upright and blameless hfe, and of great wealth.
Chosen praetor at the head of the poll among a Ust
of candidates of noble birth, this distinction won
for him a marriage alhance -with Atia, a daughter
of JuUa. After he had filled the office of praetor,
the province of Macedonia fell to his lot, where he
was honoured with the title of imperator. He was
retuming thence to sue for the consulship when he
died on the way, lea^^ing a son still in his early teens.'*
Though he had been reared in the house of his step-
father, Phihppus, Gaius Caesar, his great-uncle, loved
this boy as his ovm son. At the age of eighteen
Octavius foUowed Caesar to Spain in his campaign
there, and Caesar kept him with him thereafter as his
' Literally " still wearing the praetexta."
177
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
alio usum hospitio quam suo aut alio vectum vehiculo,
4 pontificatusque sacerdotio puerum honoravit. Et
patratis bellis civiUbus ad erudiendam hberalibus
disciplinis singularis indolem iuvenis ApoUoniam eum
in studia miserat, mox belli Getici ac deinde Parthici
5 habiturus commilitonem. Cui ut est nuntiatum de
caede avuncuh, cum protinus ex vicinis legionibus
centuriones suam suorumque mihtum operam ei
polhcerentur neque eam spernendam Salvidienus et
Agrippa dicerent, iUe festinans pervenire in urbem
omnem ordinem ac rationem^ et necis et testamenti
6 Brundusii comperit. Cui adventanti Romam inmanis
amicorum occurrit frequentia, et cum intraret urbem,
sohs orbis super caput eius curvatus aequahter rotun-
datusque in colorem arcus velut coronam^ tanti mox
viri capiti imponens conspectus est.
1 LX. Non placebat Atiae matri Phihppoque vitrico
adiri nomen invidiosae fortunae Caesaris, sed ad-
serebant salutaria rei publicae terrarumque orbis
fata conditorem conservatoremque Romani nominis.
2 Sprevit itaque caelestis animus humana consilia et
cum periculo potius summa quam tuto humilia pro-
posuit sequi maluitque avunculo et Caesari de se
quam vitrico credere,^ dictitans nefas esse, quo
^ ordinera ac rationem Muncker ; ordinationem AP.
^ The passaffe is corrupt as it stands. The general sense is,
however, clear from the followinff passage in Seneca, Nat.
Quaest. /. ^. 1; memoriae proditum est, quo die Divus
Augustus . . . intravit, circa solem visura coloris varii
circulum, qualis esse in arcu solet ; hunc Graeci halo vocant,
nos dicere coronara aptissime possimus.
* credere Geleniv^ ; cedere AP.
• See note on text.
178
HISTORY OF ROME, II. lix. 3— Ix. 2
companion, allowing him to share the same roof and
ride in the samecarriage,and though hewas still a boy,
honoured him with tlie pontificate. When the civil
war was over, with a view to training his remarkable
talents by hberal studies, he sent him to Apollonia
to study, with the intention of taking him with
him as his companion in his contemplated wars with
the Getae and the Parthians. At the first armounce-
ment of his uncle's death, although the centurions
of the neighbouring legions at once profFered their
own services and those of their men, and Salvidienus
and Agrippa advised him to accept the offer, he
made such haste to arrive in the city that he was
already at Brundisium when he learned the details
of the assassination and the terms of his uncle's will.
As he approached Rome an enormous crowd of his
friends went out to meet him, and at the moment
of his entering the city, men saw above his head the
orb of the sun with a circle about it, coloured hke
the rainbow," seeming thereby to place a crown upon
the head of one destined soon to greatness.
LX. His mother Atia and Philippus his stepfather
disliked the thought of his assuming the name of
Caesar, whose fortune had aroused such jealousy,
but the fates that preside over the welfare of the
commonwealth and of the world took into their own
keeping the second founder and preserver of the
Roman name. His divine soul therefore spumed
the counsels of human wisdom, and he determined to
pursue the highest goal with danger rather than
a lowly estate and safety. He preferred to trust
the judgement concerning himself of a great-uncle
who was Caesar, rather than that of a stepfather,
saying that he had no right to think himself
179
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
nomine Caesari dignus esset visus, semet ipsum sibi*
3 videri indignum. Hunc protinus Antonius consul
superbe excepit (neque is erat contemptus, sed metus)
vixque admisso in Pompeianos hortos loquendi secum
tempus dedit, mox etiam velut insidiis eius petitus
sceleste insimulare coepit, in quo turpiter depre-
4 hensa eius vanitas est. Aperte deinde Antonii ac
Dolabellae consulum ad nefandam dominationem
erupit furor. Sestertium septiens miliens, deposi-
tum a C. Caesare ad aedem Opis, occupatum ab
Antonio, actorum eiusdem insertis falsis civitatibus
inmunitatibusque^ corrupti commentarii atque omnia
pretio temperata, vendente rem publicam consule.
5 Idem provinciam D.Bruto designato consuh decretam
Galliam occupare statuit, Dolabella transmarinas
decrevit sibi ; interque naturahter dissimilhmos ac
diversa volentis crescebat odium, eoque C. Caesar
iuvenis cotidianis Antonii petebatur insidiis.
1 LXI. Torpebat oppressa dominatione Antonii
civitas. Indignatio et dolor omnibus, vis ad resis-
tendum nulU aderat, cum C. Caesar undevicesimum
annum ingressus, mira ausus ac summa consecutus
privato consiUo maiorem senatu pro re pubUca ani-
^ sibi added by Lipsius.
2 civitatibus inmunitatibusque Ellis; civitatibusque AP.
" From the period of his adoption Octavius is regularly
spoken of as Gaius Caesar, and Julius Caesar, who was
really his great-uncle, as his father.
180
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ix. 2— Ixi. 1
unworthy of the name of wliich Caesar had thought
him worthy. On his arrival, Antony, the consul,
received him haughtily — out of fear, however,
rather than contempt — and grudgingly gave him,
after he had secured admission to Pompey's gardens,
a few moments' conversation -w-ith himself ; and it
was not long before Antony began wickedly to
insinuate that an attempt had been made upon his
life through plots fostered by Octa^ius. In this
matter, however, the untrustworthiness of the
character of Antony was disclosed, to his discredit.
Later the mad ambition of Antony and Dolabella,
the consuls, for the attainment of an unholy despotism,
burst into ^-iew. The seven hundred thousand
sestcrtia deposited by Gaius Caesar in the temple
of Ops were seized by Antony ; the records of his
acts were tampered ^\ith by the insertion of forged
grants of citizenship and immunity ; and all his
documents were garbled for money considerations,
the consul bartering away the public interests.
Antony resolved to seize the proxince of Gaul,
wliich had been assigned by decree to Decimus
Brutus, the consul designate, while Dolabella had the
pro^-inces beyond the sea assigned to himself.
Between men by nature so unUke and with such
different aims there grew up a feehng of hatred,
and in consequence, the young Gaius Caesar was
the object of daily plots on the part of Antony,
LXI. The state languished, oppressed by the
tyranny of Antony. AU felt resentment and indigna-
tion, but no one had the power to resist, until Gaius
Caesar/' who had just entered his nineteenth year,
with marvellous daring and supreme success, showed
by his individual sagacity a courage in the state's
181
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
2 mum habuit primumque a Calatia, mox a Casilino
veteranos excivit paternos ; quorum exemplum secuti
alii brevi in formam iusti coiere exercitus. Mox cum
Antonius occurrisset exercitui, quem ex transmarinis
provinciis Brundusium venire iusserat, legio Martia
et quarta cognita et senatus voluntate et tanti iuvenis
indole sublatis signis ad Caesarem se contulerunt.
3 Eum senatus honoratum equestri statua, quae
hodieque in rostris posita aetatem eius scriptura
indicat (qui honor non ahi per trecentos annos quam
L. Sullae et Cn. Pompeio et C. Caesari contigerat),
pro praetore una cum consuHbus designatis Hirtio
et Pansa bellum cum Antonio gerere iussit. Id^
4 ab eo annum agente vicesimum fortissime circa
Mutinam administratum est et D. Brutus obsidione
Uberatus. Antonius turpi ac nuda fuga coactus
deserere ItaHam, consulum autem alter in acie, alter
post paucos dies ex volnere mortem obiit.
1 LXII. Omnia ante quam fugaretur Antonius
honorifice a senatu in Caesarem exercitumque eius
decreta sunt maxime auctore Cicerone ; sed ut
recessit metus, erupit voluntas protinusque Pom-
2 peianis partibus rediit animus. Bruto Cassioque
provinciae, quas iam ipsi sine uUo senatus consulto
^ id added hy Gelenius.
• March 43 b.c. Pansa was mortally wounded at Forum
Gallorum. Hirtius fell a few days later in an assault upon
Antony's camp.
182
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixi. 2— Ixii. 2
behalf which exceeded that of the senate. He
summoned his father's veterans first from Calatia
then from Casihnum ; other veterans followed their
example, and in a short time they united to form a
regular army. Not long after^vards, when Antony
had met the army which he had ordered to assemble
at Brundisium from the provinces beyond the sea,
two legions, the Martian and the fourth, leaming
of the feehng of the senate and the spirit shown
by this courageous youth, took up their standards
and went over to Caesar. The senate honoured y
him with an equestrian statue, which is stiU
standing upon the rostra and testifies to his years
by its inscription. This is an honour which in three ^
hundred years had fallen to the lot of Lucius SuUa, ^
Gnaeus Pompeius, and Gaius Caesar, and to these
alone. The senate commissioned him, with the
rank of propraetor, to carry on the war against
Antony in conjunction ^vith Hirtius and Pansa, the
consuls designate. Now in his twentieth year, he
conducted the war at Mutina ^Wth great bravery,
and the siege of Decimus Brutus there was raised.
Antony was compelled to abandon Italy in undis-
guised and disgraceful flight. Of the two consuls,
the one died upon the field of battle, and the other
of his wound a few days afterwards."
LXII. Before the defeat of Antony the senate,
chiefly on the motion of Cicero, passed all manner
of resolutions compHmentar)- to Caesar and his army.
But, now that their fears had vanished, their real
feeUngs broke through their disguise, and the
Pompeian party once more took heart. By vote
of the senate, Brutus and Cassius were now con-
firmed in possession of the provinces which they
183
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
occupaverant, decretae, laudati quicumque se iis
exercitus tradidissent, omnia transmarina imperia
3 eorum commissa arbitrio.^ Quippe M. Brutus et
C. Cassius, nunc metuentes arma Antonii, nunc ad
augendam eius invidiam simulantes se metuere,
testati edictis libenter se vel in perpetuo exilio vic-
turos, dum rei publicae^ constaret concordia, nec
uUam belli civilis praebituros materiam, plurimum
sibi lionoris esse in conscientia facti sui, profecti
urbe atque Italia, intento ac pari^ animo sine auctori-
tate publica provincias exercitusque occupaverant et,
ubicumque ipsi essent, praetexentes esse rem pub-
licam,pecunias etiam, quae ex transmarinis provinciis
Romam ab quaestoribus deportabantur, a volentibus
4 acceperant. Quae omnia senatus decretis comprensa
et comprobata sunt et D. Bruto, quod alieno beneficio
viveret, decretus triumphus, Pansae atque Hirtii
5 corpora publica sepultura honorata, Caesaris adeo
nulla habita mentio, ut legati, qui ad exercitum
eius missi erant, iuberentur summoto eo milites
adloqui. Non fuit tam ingratus exercitus, quam
fuerat senatus ; nam cum eam iniuriam dissimulando
Caesar ipse* ferret, negavere mihtes sine imperatore
' arbitrio A ; imperio P.
"^ rei publicae Gelenius ; resp. AP.
' ac pari AP; ac parato Burman.
* Caesar ipse Halm ; Caesari AP,
184
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixii. 2-5
had seized upon their own authority Mithout any
decree of the senate ; the armies which had gone
over to them were formally commended ; and Brutus
and Cassius were given all authority and jurisdiction
beyond the sea. It is true that these two men had
issued manifestoes — at first in real fear of armed
violence at the hands of Antony, and later to
increase Antony's unpopularity, ■\vith the pretence
of fear — manifestos in wliich they declared that
for the sake of ensuring harmony in the republic
they were even ready to Uve in perpetual exile, that
they would furnish no grounds for civil war, and that
the consciousness of the service they had rendered
by their act was ample reward. But, when they had
once left Rome and Italy behind them, by deUberate
agreement and ^vithout govemment sanction they
had taken possession of pro\inces and armies, and
imder the pretence that the repubUc existed wherever
they were, they had gone so far as to receive from
the quaestors, -with their own consent, it is true, the
moneys which these men were conveying to Rome
from the pro\inces across the sea. AU these acts
were now included in the decrees of the senate and
formally ratified. Decimus Brutus was voted a
triumph, presumably because, thanks to another's
services, he had escaped wiih his Ufe. Hirtius and
Pansa were honoured ■\vith a pubUc funeral. Of
Caesar not a word was said. The senate even went
so far as to instruct its envoys, who had been sent
to Caesar's army, to confer \rith the soldiers alone,
without the presence of their general. But the
ingratitude of the senate was not shared by the
army ; for, though Caesar himself pretended not
to see the sUght, the soldiers refused to Usten to
185
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
6 suo ulla se audituros mandata. Hoc est illud tempus,
quo Cicero insito amore Pompeianarum partium
Caesarem laudandum et toUendum censebat, cum
aliud diceret, aliud intellegi vellet.
1 LXIII. Interim Antonius fuga transgressus Alpes,
primo per conloquia repulsus a M. Lepido, qui pontifex
maximus in C. Caesaris locum furto creatus decreta
sibi Hispania adhuc in Gallia morabatur, mox saepius
in conspectum veniens militum (cum et Lepido
omnes imperatores forent meliores et multis Antonius,
dum erat sobrius), per aversa castrorum proruto vallo
a^ militibus receptus est. Qui titulo imperii cedebat
2 Lepido, cum summa virium penes eum foret. Sub
Antonii ingressum in castra luventius Laterensis,
vir vita ac morte consentaneus, cum acerrime
suasisset Lepido, ne se cum Antonio hoste iudicato
iungeret, inritus consiUi gladio se ipse transfixit.
3 Plancus deinde dubia, id est sua, fide, diu quarum
esset partium secum luctatus ac sibi difficile con-
sentiens, et nunc adiutor D. Bruti designati consulis,
collegae sui, senatuique se htteris venditans, mox
eiusdem proditor, Asinius autem PolUo firmus pro-
^ a added by Heinsms.
' The equivocation is on the verb tollere wliich means, on
the one haud, to "Uft up " or "extol," and on the other to
" remove."
186
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixii. 6— Ixiii. 3
any orders without the presenee of their commander.
It was at this time that Cicero, with his deep-seated
attachment for the Pompeian party, expressed the
opinion, which said one thing and meant another,
to the effect that Caesar " should be commended
and then — elevated." "
LXIII. Meanwhile Antony in his flight had crossed
the Alps, and at first made overtures to Marcus
Lepidus which were rejected. Now Lepidus had
surreptitiously been made pontifex in Caesar's place,
and, though the province of Spain had been assigned
to him, was still Ungering in Gauh Later, however,
Antony showed himself several times to the soldiers
of Lepidus, and being, when sober, better than most
commanders, whereas none could be worse than
Lepidus, he was admitted by the soldiers through
a breach which they made in the fortifications in the
rear of the camp. Antony still permitted Lepidus
to hold the nominal command, while he himself held
the real authority. At the time when Antony
entered the camp, Juventius Laterensis, who had
strongly urged Lepidus not to ally himself with
Antony now that he had been declared an enemy of
the state, finding his advice of no avail ran himself
through with his own sword, consistent unto death.
Later Plancus and PolUo both handed over their
armies to Antony. Plancus, ^vith his usual loose
ideas of loyalty, after a long debate •wdth himself as
to which party to follow, and much difficulty in
sticking to his resolutions when formed, now pre-
tended to co-operate with his coUeague, Decimus
Brutus, the consul designate, thus seeking to in-
gratiate himself with the senate in his dispatches,
and again betrayed him. But Asinius Pollio, stead-
187
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
posito et lulianis partibus fidus, Pompeianis adversus,
uterque exercitus tradidere Antonio.
1 LXIV. D. Brutus desertus primo a Planco, postea
etiam insidiis eiusdem petitus, paulatim reUnquente
eum exercitu fugiens in hospitis cuiusdam nobilis
viri, nomine CameU, domo ab iis, quos miserat
Antonius, iugulatus est iustissimasque optime de se
merito viro C. Caesari poenas dedit, cuius cum primus
2 omnium amicorum fuisset, interfector fuit et fortunae,
ex qua fructum tulerat, invidiam in auctorem rele-
gabat censebatque aequum, quae acceperat a Caesare
retinere, Caesarem, qui illa dederat, perire.
3 Haec^ sunt tempora, quibus M. Tullius continuis
actionibus aeternas Antonii memoriae inussit notas,
sed hic fulgentissimo et caelesti ore, at tribunus
Cannutius canina^ rabie lacerabat Antonium. Utri-
4 que vindicta libertatis morte stetit ; sed tribuni san-
guine commissa proscriptio, Ciceronis velut^ satiato
Antonio paene finita. Lepidus deinde a senatu hostis
iudicatus est, ut ante fuerat Antonius.
1 LXV. Tum inter eum Caesaremque et Antonium
commercia epistularum et condicionum facta* mentio,
cum Antonius subinde Caesarem admoneret, quam^
inimicae ipsi Pompeianae partes forent et in quod
iam emersissent fastigium et quanto Ciceronis studio
' peristhaec A ; peris. Haec P; perire vel perisse Rhenanus
in marg.
2 canina Ruhnken ; continna A ; continua P.
' velut Puteanus ; vel ^P; ut Halm.
* facta Burer; iacta AP.
^ Antonius subinde Caesarem admoueret, et quam Bipont.i
et subinde . . . quam AP.
188
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixiii. 3— Ixv. 1
fast in liis resolution, remained loyal to the Julian
party and continued to be an adversary of the
Pompeians.
LXIV. Decimus Brutus, first abandoned by
Plancus, and later actually the object of his plots,
deserted little by little by his army,and now a fugitive,
was slain by the emissaries of Antony in the house
of a noble named Camelus with whom he had taken
refuge. He thus met his just deserts and paid the
penalty of his treason to Gaius Caesar by whom
he had been treated so well. He who had been the
foremost of all Caesar's friends became his assassin,
and while lie threw upon Caesar the odious responsi-
bihty for the fortune of which he himself had reaped
the benefits, he thought it fair to retain what he
had received at Caesar's hands, and for Caesar, who
had given it all, to perish.
This is the period when Cicero in a series of speeches
branded the memory of Antony for all time to come.
Cicero assailed Antony with his brilliant and god-
given tongue, whereas Cannutius the tribune tore
him to pieces vrith the ravening of a mad dog. Each
paid with his Hfe for his defence of liberty. The
proscription was usliered in by the slaying of the
tribune ; it practically ended with the death of
Cicero, as though Antony were now sated ^vith
blood. Lepidus was now declared by the senate
an enemy of the state, as Antony had been before
him.
LXV. Then began an interchange of letters
between Lepidus, Caesar, and Antony, and terms
of agreement were suggested. Antony reminded
Caesar how hostile to him the Pompeian party was,
to what a height they had now risen, and how
189
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
Brutus Cassiusque attollerentur, denuntiaretque se
cum Bruto Cassioque, qui iam decem et septem
legionum potentes erant, iuncturum vires suas, si
Caesar eius aspemaretur concordiam, diceretque plus
Caesarem patris quam se amici ultioni debere. Tum'^
2 inita potentiae societas et hortantibus orantibus-
que exercitibus inter Antonium etiam et Caesarem
facta adfinitas, cum esset privigna Antonii despon-
sata Caesari. Consulatumque iniit Caesar pridie
quam viginti annos impleret decimo Kal. Octobres
cum coUega Q. Pedio post urbem conditam^ annis
septingentis et novem,^ ante duos et septuaginta,
quam tu, M. Vinici, consulatum inires.
3 Vidit hic annus Ventidium, per quam urbem inter
captivos Picentium in triumpho ductus erat, in ea
consularem praetextam iungentem praetoria. Idem
hic postea triumphavit.
1 LXVI. Furente deinde Antonio simulque Lepido,
quorum uterque, ut praediximus, hostes iudicati
erant, cum ambo mallent sibi nuntiari, quid passi
essent,* quam quid meruissent, repugnante Caesare,
sed frustra adversus duos, instauratum Sullani
2 exempli malum, proscriptio. Nihil tam indignum
illo tempore fuit, quam quod aut Caesar aliquem
proscribere coactus est aut ab ullo Cicero proscriptus
* tum or tunc Burer; tur AP; tum igitur Halm.
2 abhinc after conditam deleted hy Gelenitis.
' Dccvim Gel&nius; accviiii AP; dccxi Aldus.
* cum . . . essent] the passage is clearly corrupt, but as
yet no satisfactory emendation has been offered.
« 43 B.c.
* Consul suffectus in 43 b.c, after Octavianus resigned
the office. Ventidius and his mother had been made
prisoners in the Social War, and had been led in triumph by
190
HISTORY OF ROME, 11. Ixv. 1— Ixvi. 2
zealously Cicero was extolling Brutus and Cassius.
Antony threatened to join forces with Brutus and
Cassius, who had now control of seventeen legions,
if Caesar rejected this friendly overture, and said
that Caesar was under greater obligations to avenge
a father than he to avenge a friend. Tlien began
their partnership in political power, and, on the
urgent advice and entreaty of the armies, a marriage
alhance was also made between Antony and Caesar,
in which Antony's stepdaughter was betrothed to
Caesar. Caesar, with Quintus Pedius as coUeague,
entered on the consulship " one day before the
completion of his twentieth year on the twenty-
second of September, seven hundred and nine
years after the founding of the city and seventy-two,
Marcus Vinicius, before the beginning of your
consulship.
This year saw Ventidius * joining the robes of the
consular office to those of praetor in the very city
in which he had been led in triumph among the
Picentine captives. He also lived to celebrate a
triumph of his o^vti.
LXVI. Then the vengeful resentment of Antony
and Lepidus — for each of tliem had been declared
public enemies, as has already been stated, and
both preferred to hear accounts of what they had
suffered, rather than of what they had deserved, at
the hands of tlie senate — renewed the liorror of the
SuUan proscription. Caesar protested, but without
avail, being but one against two. The climax of
the shame of this time was that Caesar should be
forced to proscribe any one, or that any one should
Pompeius Strabo in 89 b.c. Ventidius celebrated his own
triumph in 38 b.c.
191
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
est. Abscisaque scelere Antonii vox publica est,
cum eius salutem nemo defendisset, qui per tot annos
et publicam civitatis et privatam civium defenderat.
3 Nihil tamen egisti, M. Antoni (cogit enim excedere
propositi formam operis erumpens animo ac pectore
indignatio) nihil, inquam, egisti mercedem caele-
stissimi oris et clarissimi capitis abscisi numerando
auctoramentoque funebri ad conservatoris quondam
rei pubhcae tantique consulis inritando necem.
4 Rapuisti tu M.^ Ciceroni lucem soUicitam et aetatem
senilem et vitam miseriorem te principe quam sub
te triumviro mortem, famam vero gloriamque fac-
torum atque dictorum adeo non abstuhsti, ut auxeris.
5 Vivit vivetque per omnem saeculorum memoriam,
dumque hoc vel forte vel providentia vel utcumque
constitutum rerum naturae corpus, quod ille paene
solus Romanorum animo vidit, ingenio complexus
est, eloquentia inluminavit, manebit incolume,
comitem aevi sui laudem Ciceronis trahet omnisque
posteritas ilhus in te scripta mirabitur, tuum in eum
factum execrabitur citiusque e mundo genus hominum
quam Ciceronis nomen ^ cedet.
1 LXVIL Huius totius temporis fortunam ne deflere
quidem quisquam satis digne potuit, adeo nemo
^ tu M. Geleniun; tum AP.
* Ciceronis nomen supplied hy Laurent.
192
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixvi. 2— Ixvii. 1
proscribe the name of Cicero. By the crime of
Antony, when Cicero was beheaded the voice of
the people was severed, nor did anyone raise a
hand in defence of the man who for so many vears
had protected the interests both of the state and of
the private citizen. But you accomphshed nothing,
Mark Antony — for the indignation that surges in
my breast compels me to exceed the bounds I have
set for my narrative — you accomphshed nothing, I
say, by ofFering a reward for the sealing of those
divine hps and the severing of that illustrious head,
and by encompassing ^rith a death-fee the murder
of so great a consul and of the man who once
had saved the state, You took from Marcus
Cicero a few anxious days, a few senile years, a Ufe
which would have been more wretched under your
domination than was his death in your triumvirate ;
but you did not rob him of his fame, the glory of his
deeds and words, nay you but enhanced them. He
Hves and ■srill continue to Uve in the memory of the
ages, and so long as this universe shall endure — this
universe which, whether created by chance, or bv
divine pro\idence, or by whatever cause, he, aknost
alone of all the Romans, saw with the eye of his
mind, grasped with his intellect, illumined with his
eloquence — so long shall it be accompanied through-
out the ages by the fame of Cicero. AU posterity
\vill admire the speeches that he wTote against you,
while your deed to him will call forth their execra-
tions, and the race of man shall sooner pass from the
world than the name of Cicero be forgotten
LXVII. No one has even been able to deplore the
fortunes of this whole period \vith such tears as the
theme deserves, much less can one now describe it
193
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
exprimere verbis potest. Id tamen notandum est,
2 fuisse in proscriptos uxorum fidem summam, liber-
torum mediam, servorum aliquam, filiorum nullam ;
adeo difficilis est hominibus utcumque conceptae
3 spei mora. Ne quid uUi sanctum relinqueretur,
velut^ in dotem invitamentumque sceleris Antonius
L. Caesarem avunculum, Lepidus Paulum fratrem
proscripserant ; nec Planco gratia defuit ad im-
petrandum, ut frater eius Plancus Plotius pro-
4 scriberetur. Eoque inter iocos militaris, qui currum
Lepidi Plancique secuti erant, inter execrationem
civium usurpabant hunc versum :
De germanis, non de Gallis duo triumphant
consules.
1 LXVIII. Suo praeteritum loco referatur ; neque
enim persona umbram actae rei capit. Dum in acie
Pharsalica acriter^ de summa rerum Caesar dimicat,
M. CaeUus, vir eloquio animoque Curiom similUmus,
sed in utroque perfectior nec minus ingeniose
nequam, cum ne modica quidem solvere ac servari
posset^ (quippe peior illi res famiUaris quam mens
2 erat), in praetura novarum tabularum auctor extitit
nequiitque senatus et consuUs auctoritate* deterreri ;
* velut Gelenius ; vel ^P ; ut Halm.
* acriter Haupt ; Africaque AP.
* ne raodica quidem solvere ac servari posset Ellis ; im-
modica (in modica P) quidem servari posset AP\ ne
modica quidem re servari posset Halm.
* et consulis {after Lipsius) auctoritate Cludius; et
auctoritate COSS. AP.
* Oermanus means " full-brother " as opposed to half-
194
I
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixvii. l— Ixviii. 2
in words. One thing, hovvever, demands eomment,
that toward the proscribed their wives showed the
greatest loyalty, their freedmen not a little, their
slaves some, their sons none. So hard is it for men
to brook delays in the realization of their ambitions,
whatever they may be. That no sacred tie might
escape inviolate, and, as it were, as an inducement
and invitation to such atrocities, Antony had
Lucius Caesar, his uncle, placed upon the list, and
Lepidus his own brother Paulus. Plancus also had
sufficient influence to cause his brother Plancus
Plotius to be enroUed among the proscribed. And
so the troops who foUowed the triumphal car of
Lepidus and Plancus kept repeating among the
soldiers' jests, but amid the execrations of the
citizens, the foUovving hne :
Brothers-german our two consuk triimiph over, not
the Gauls."
LXVIII. Let me now relate a matter which I
omitted in its proper place, for the person involved
does not permit the deed to rest in obsciuity. This
person is Marcus Caelius, a man closely resembhng
Curio in eloquence and in spirit, though more than
his peer in either, and quite as clever in his worth-
lessness. Being quite as bankrupt in property as in
character and unable to save himself by paying even
a reasonable proportion of his debts, he came for-
ward in his praetorship, at the time when Caesar
was fighting for the control of affairs on the field of
Pharsalus,* as the author of a law for the cancellation
of debts, nor could he be deterred from his course
by the authority of either the senate or the consul.
brother. The sarae pun is found in Quint. iii. 8. 29
•* Germanum Cimber occidit." * 48 b.c.
195
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
accito etiam Milone Annio, qui non impetrato reditu
lulianis partibus infestus erat, in urbe seditionem,
in agris haud'^ occulte bellicum tumultum movens,
primo summotus a re publica, mox consularibus
3 armis auctore senatu circa Thurios oppressus est. In-
incepto pari simiUs fortuna Milonis fuit, qui Comp-
sam in Hirpinis oppugnans ictusque lapide cum^
P. Clodio, tum pati-iae, quam armis petebat, poenas
dedit, vir inquies et ultra fortem temerarius.
4 Quatenus autem aUquid ex omissis peto, notetur
immodica et intempestiva Hbertate usos adversus
C. Caesarem MaruUum Epidium Flavumque Caese-
tium tribunos plebis, dum arguunt in eo regni
voluntatem, paene vim dominationis expertos. In
5 hoc tamen saepe lacessiti principis ira excessit, ut
censoria potius contentus nota quam animadversione
dictatoria summoveret eos a re pubUca testaretur-
que esse sibi miserrimum, quod aut natura sua ei
excedendum foret aut minuenda dignitas. Sed ad
ordinem revertendum est.
1 LXIX. lam et DolabeUa in Asia C. Trebonium
consularem, cui succedebat, fraude deceptum Zmyr-
nae occiderat, virum adversus merita Caesaris
ingratissimum participemque caedis eius, a quo
2 ipse in consulare provectus fastigium fuerat ; et
^ iu agris haud Mommiien ; haud magis AP ; at in agris
Lipsius.
^ in added hy Madvig. ' cura Orelli ; tura AP.
» For his conviction for the slaying of Clodius see
Chap. XLVII. » 44 b.c.
196
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixviii. 2— Ixix. 2
Calling to his aid Milo Annius,*» who was hostile to
the Caesarian party because he had failed to secure
from them liis recall, he stirred up a sedition in the
city, and openly raised armed bands in the country.
He was first banished from the state and was later
overcome at Thurii by the army of the consul, on
the order of the senate. A hke fortune attended
a similar attempt by Milo. While besieging Compsa,
a city of the Hirpini, he was struck by a stone, and
thus the restless man, too reckless to be called
brave, paid the penalty he owed to Publius Clodius
and to his country, against which he was bearing arms.
While engaged in supplying omissions I should
note the intemperate and untimely display of
independence shown towards Caesar by Marullus
Epidius and Flavus Caesetius, tribunes of the
people,^ who in charging him with the desire for
the kingship, came near feeUng the efFects of his
absolute power. Though Caesar was constantly
provoked by them, the only outcome of his wrath
was that he was satisfied to brand them through the
employment of his power as censor, and refrained
from punishing them as dictator by banishing them
from the state ; and he expressed his great regret
that he had no alternative but to depart from his
customary clemency or sufFer loss of dignity. But
I must now return to the regular order of my
narrative.
LXIX. Meanwhile in Asia, Dolabella, who suc-
ceeded Gaius Trebonius as governor, had surprised
the latter at Smyma and put him to death, a man
who had showed the basest ingratitude in retum
for Caesar's kindness, and had shared in the
murder of him to whom he owed his advancement
197
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
C. Cassius acceptis a Statio Murco et Crispo Marcio,
praetoriis viris imperatoribusque, praevalidis in
Syria legionibus, inclusum Dolabellam, qui praeoccu-
pata Asia in Syriam pervenerat, Laodiciae expugnata
ea urbe interfecerat^ (ita tamen, ut ad ictum^ servi
sui Dolabella non segniter cervicem daret) et decem
legiones in eo tractu sui iuris fecerat ; et M. Brutus
3 C. Antonio, fratri M. Antonii, in Macedonia Vatinio-
que circa Dyrrachium volentis legiones extorserat
(sed Antonium bello lacessierat, Vatinium dignatione
obruerat, cum et Brutus cuilibet ducum praeferendus
videretur et Vatinius nulli non esset postferendus,
4 in quo deformitas corporis cum turpitudine certabat
ingenii, adeo ut animus eius dignissimo domicilio
inclusus videretur) eratque septem legionibus validus.
6 At^ lege Pedia, quam consul Pedius collega
Caesaris tulerat, omnibus, qui Caesarem patreni
interfecerant, aqua ignique* interdictum erat. Quo
tempore Capito, patruus meus, vir ordinis senatorii,
6 Agrippae subscripsit in C. Cassium. Dumque ea in
Italia geruntur, acri atque prosperrimo bello Cassius
Rliodum, rem inmanis operis, ceperat, Brutus Lycios
devicerat, et inde in Macedoniam exercitus tra-
iecerant, cum per omnia repugnans naturae suae
Cassius etiam Bruti clementiam vinceret. Neque re-
* interfecerat Bhenanits (or confecerat) ; fecerat AP.
^* ad ictum Rhenanus ; adiectum AP.
' at Lipsius ; et ^P ; sed Kreyssig.
* damnatis after ignique deleted hy Delbenius.
198
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixix. 2-6
to the consulship. Dolabella had aheady occupied
Asia and had passed over into Syria when Gaius
Cassius, taking over their strong legions from Statius
Murcus and Crispus Marcius, both praetorians who
had been saluted as imperator by their troops, shut
him up in Laodicea and by taking that city had
caused his death ; for Dolabella had promptly
ofFered his neck to the sword of his own slave.
Cassius also gained control of ten legions in that
part of the empire. Marcus Brutus had raised his
strength to seven legions by wresting their troops,
by voluntary transfer of allegiance, from Gaius
Antonius, the brother of Marcus Antonius, in
Macedonia, and from Vatinius in the vicinity of
Dyrrachium. Brutus had been obhged to offer
battle to Antony, but Vatinius he had over^vhehned
by the weight of his o^ra reputation, since Brutus
was preferable to any general, while no man could
rank lower than Vatinius, whose deformity of body
was rivalled to such an extent by the baseness
of his character, that his spirit seemed to be housed
in an abode that was thoroughly worthy of it.
By the Pedian law, proposed by Pedius, Caesar's
colleague in the consulship, a decree of banishment
was passed upon all the assassins of Caesar. At
this time Capito, my uncle, a man of senatorial rank,
assisted Agrippa in securing the condemnation of
Gaius Cassius. While all this was taking place in
Italy, Cassius in a vigorous and successful campaign
had taken Rhodes, an undertaking of great difficulty.
Brutus had meanwhile conquered the Lycians. The
armies of both then crossed into Macedonia, where
Cassius, contrary to his nature, uniformly outdid
even Brutus in clemency. One will hardly find men
iy9
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
perias, quos aut pronior fortuna comitata sit aut
veluti fatigata maturius destituerit quam Brutimi
et Cassium.
1 LXX. Tum Caesar et Antonius traiecerunt exer-
citus in Macedoniam et apud urbem Philippos cum
Bruto Cassioque acie concurrerunt. Cornu, cui
Brutus praeerat, impulsis hostibus castra Caesaris
cepit (nam ipse Caesar, etiamsi infirmissimus vale-
tudine erat, obibat munia ducis, oratus etiam ab
Artorio medico, ne in castris remaneret, manifesta
denuntiatione quietis territo), id autem, in quo
Cassius fuerat, fugatum ac male mulcatum in altiora
2 se^ receperat loca. Tum Cassius ex sua fortuna
eventum collegae aestimans, cum dimisisset evo-
catum iussissetque nuntiare sibi, quae esset multitudo
ac vis hominum, quae ad se tenderet, tardius eo
nuntiante, cum in vicino esset agmen cursu ad eum
tendentium neque pulvere facies aut signa denotari
possent, existimans hostes esse, qui irruerent,
lacerna caput circumdedit extentamque cervicem
3 interritus liberto praebuit. Deciderat Cassii caput,
cum evocatus advenit nuntians Brutum esse victorem.
Qui cum imperatorem prostratum videret, sequar,
inquit, eum, quem mea occidit tarditas, et ita in
gladium incubuit.
4 Post paucos deinde dies Brutus conflixit cum
hostibus et victus acie cum in tumulum nocte ex
fuga se recepisset, impetravit a Stratone Aegeate,
1 se added hy Gelenius.
• 42 B.c.
200
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixix. 6— Ixx. 4
who were ever attended by a more favourable fortune
than Brutus and Cassius, or who were more quickly
deserted by her, as though she were weary.
LXX. Then Caesar and Antonius transported
their armies to Macedonia, and met Brutus and
Cassius in battle " near the city of Philippi. The
•wing under the command of Brutus, after defeating
the enemy, captured Caesar's camp ; for Caesar was
performing his duties as commander although he was
in the poorest of health, and had been urged not to re-
main in camp by Artorius his physician, who had been
frightened by a waming which had appeared to him
in his sleep. On the other hand, the yving commanded
by Cassius had been routed and roughly handled,
and had retreated with much loss to higher ground.
Then Cassius, judging his colleague's success by his
own fortune, sent a veteran with instructions to
report to him what was the large force of men
which was now bearing down in his direction. As
the orderly was slow in reporting, and the force
approaching at a run was now close, while their
identity and their standards could not be recognized
for the dust, imagining that the troops rushing on
him were those of the enemy, he covered his head
with his military cloak and undismayed presented
his neck to the sword of his freedman. The head of
Cassius had scarcely fallen when the orderly arrived
with the report that Brutus was ^ictorious. But
when he saw his commander lying prostrate, he
uttered the words, " I shall follow him whose death
my tardiness has caused," and fell upon his sword.
A few days later Brutus met the enemy, and was
beaten in battle. In retreat he withdrew at nightfall
to a hill, and there prevailed up>on Strato of Aegaeae,
201
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
familiari suo. ut manum morituro commodaret sibi ;
6 reiectoque laevo super caput brachio, cum mucro-
nem gladii eius dextera tenens sinistrae admovisset
mammillae ad eum ipsum locum, qua cor emicat,
impellens se in vulnus uno ictu transfixus expiravit
protinus.
1 LXXL Messalla,! fulgentissimus iuvenis, proxi-
mus in illis castris Bruti Cassiique auctoritati, cum
essent qui eum ducem poscerent, servari beneficio
Caesaris maluit quam dubiam spem armorum temp-
tare amplius ; nec aut Caesari quidquam ex victoriis
suis fuit laetius quam servasse Corvinum aut maius
exemplum hominis grati ac pii, quam Corvinus^ in
Caesarem fuit. Non aliud bellum cruentlus caede
clarissimorum virorum fuit. Tum Catonis filius
2 cecidit ; eadem Lucullum Hortensiumque, eminen-
tissimorum civium filios, fortuna abstulit ; nam
Varro ad ludibrium moriturus Antonii digna illo ac
vera de exitu eius magna cum libertate ominatus est.
Drusus Livius, luliae Augustae pater, et Varus
Quintihus ne temptata quidem hostis misericordia
alter se ipse in tabernaculo interemit, Varus autem
liberti, quem id facere coegerat, manu, cum se
insignibus honorum velasset, iugulatus est.
1 LXXII. Hunc exitum M. Bruti partium septimum
et tricesimum annum agentis fortuna esse voluit,
incorrupto^ animo eius in diem, quae illi omnes
2 virtutes unius temeritate facti* abstulit. Fuit autem
^ Halm supplied Corvinus before Messalla.
* Corvinus AP ; Corvini Botlie and Halm.
• incorrupto Tollius ; corrupto AP.
* facti Rhmanus ; fecit AP.
202
HISTORY OF ROxME, II. Ixx. 4— Ixxii. 2
one of his household, to lend him his hand in his
resolve to die. Raising his left arra above his head,
and with his right holding the point of Strato's sword
he brought it close to the left nipple, at the place
where the heart beats, and throwing himself upon
the sword he died at once, transfixed by the stroke.
LXXI. Messalla, a young man of brilliant parts,
was next in authority to Brutus and Cassius in their
camp. Although there were those who urged him
to take command, he preferred to owe his safety to
the kindness of Caesar than to try once again the
doubtful hope of arms. Caesar, on his side, found
no greater pleasure in his ^ictories than in granting
Ufe to Cor\inus, nor was there ever a better example
of loyal gratitude than that shown by Corvinus to
Caesar. No other war cost the blood of so many
illustrious men. In that battle the son of Cato fell ;
the same fortune carried ofF Lucullus and Hortensius,
the sons of eminent citizens. Varro, when about
to die, in mockery of Antony, with the utmost
freedom of speech prophesied for Antony the death
he deserv^ed, a prophecy which came true. Drusus^
Livius, the father of Julia Augusta, and Quintilius'
Varus, without making any appeal for mercy, ended
their lives. Li\ius died by his ovm hand in his
tent ; Varus first covered himself with the insignia
of his ofl^ces and then forced his freedman to commit
the deed.
LXXII. This was the end reserved by fortune for
the party of Marcus Brutus. He was in his thirty-
seventh year, and had kept his soul free from
corruption until this day, which, through the rashness
of a single act, bereft him, together with his life, of
all his virtuous quaUties. Cassius was as much the
203
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
dux Cassius melior, quanto vir Brutus : e quibus
Brutum amicum habere malles, inimicum magis
timeres Cassium ; in altero maior vis, in altero
virtus : qui si vicissent, quantum rei publicae inter-
fuit Caesarem potius habere quam Antonium prin-
cipem, tantum retulisset habere Brutum quam Cas-
sium.
3 Cn. Domitius, pater L. Domitii nuper a nobis visi,
eminentissimae ac nobilissimae simplicitatis viri,
avus huius Cn. Domitii, clarissimi iuvenis, occupatis
navibus cum magno sequentium consilia sua comitatu
fugae fortunaeque se commisit, semet ipso contentus
4 duce partium, Statius Murcus, qui classi et custodiae
maris praefuerat, cum omni commissa sibi parte
exercitus naviumque Sex. Pompeium, Cn. Magni
filium, qui ex Hispania revertens Siciliam armis
5 occupaverat, petiit. Ad quem et e Brutianis castris
et ex Italia ahisque terrarum partibus, quos prae-
senti periculo fortuna subduxerat, proscripti con-
fluebant : quippe nullum habentibus statum quiUbet
dux erat idoneus, cum fortuna non electionem daret,
sed^ perfugium ostenderet exitialemque tempesta-
tem fugientibus statio pro portu foret.
1 LXXIII. Hic adulescens eratstudiisrudis,sermone
barbarus, impetu strenuus, manu promptus, cogi-
tatu^ eeler, fide patri dissimillimus, Hbertorum
suorum libertus servorumque servus, speciosis in-
^ sed added hy Gelenius.
* cogitatu Scheffer ; cogitator AP.
" Literally " whom we lately saw."
204
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixxii 2— Ixxiii. 1
better general as Brutus was the better man. Of
the t^vo, one would rather have Brutus as a friend,
but would stand more in fear of Cassius as an enemy.
The one had more \-igour, the other more ^irtue.
As it was better for the state to have Caesar rather
than Antony as emperor, so, had Brutus and Cassius
been the conquerors, it would have been better for
it to be ruled by Brutus rather than by Cassius.
Gnaeus Domitius, father of Lucius Domitius our .
late contemporary," a man of eminent and noble
simplicity, and grandfather of Gnaeus Domitius, a [
young man of distinction in our own day, seized a.^
number of ships, and relying on himself to lead his
party, accompanied by a large number of companions
who followed his lead, entrusted himself to the
fortunes o£jflight. Statius_Murcus, who had had
charge of the fleet and the patrolling of the seas,
sought Sextus P.ompey, son of Pompey the Great,
witn that portion of the army and of the fleet which
had been entrusted to him. Pornpey had returned
from Spain and seized Si^ily. The proscribed whom
fortune had spared, at least from immediate peril,
now flocked to him from the camp of Brutus, from
Italy, and from other parts of the world. For men
who had now no legal status any leader would do,
since fortune gave them no choice, but held out a
place of refuge, and as they fled from the storm of
death any shelter served as a harbour.
LXXIII. Sextus was a young man without educa-
tion, barbarous in his speech, vigorous in initiative,
energetic and prompt in action as he was swift in
expedients, in loyalty a marked contrast to his
father, the freedman of his own freedmen and slave
of his own slaves, envying those in high places only
205
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
2 videns, ut pareret humillimis. Quem senatus paene
totus adhuc e Pompeianis constans partibus post
Antonii a Mutina fugam eodem illo tempore, quo
Bruto Cassioque transmarinas provincias decreverat,
revocatum ex Hispania, ubi adversus eum clarissimum
bellum Pollio Asinius praetorius gesserat, in paterna
bona restituerat et orae maritimae praefecerat.
3 Is tum, ut praediximus, occupata Sicilia servitia
fugitivosque in numerum exercitus sui recipiens
magnum modum legionum effecerat perque Menam
et Menecraten paternos libertos, praefectos classium,
latrociniis ac praedationibus infestato mari ad se
exercitumque tuendum rapto utebatur, cum eum
non depuderet vindicatum armis ac ductu patris sui
mare infestare piraticis sceleribus.
1 LXXIV, Fractis Brutianis Cassianisque partibus
Antonius transmarinas obiturus provincias substitit.
Caesar in Italiam se recepit eamque longe quam
speraverat tumultuosiorem repperit. Quippe L.
2 Antonius consul, vitiorum fratris sui consors, sed
virtutum, quae interdum in illo erant, expers, modo
apud veteranos criminatus Caesarem, modo eos, qui
iussa^ divisione praediorum nominatisque coloniis
agros amiserant, ad arma conciens magnum exer-
citum conflaverat. Ex altera parte uxor Antonii
* iussa Heinsitis ; iuste AP ; iniusta (or iniuste) Lipsius.
206
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixxiii. 2— Ixxiv. 2
to obey those in the lowest. The senate, which
still consisted almost entirely of Pompeians, in the
period which followed the flight of Antony from
Mutina, and at the very time at which it had /
assigned to Brutus and Cassius the pro\inces across
the sea, had recalled Sextus from Spain — where
Polho Asinius the praetorian had distinguished
himself in his campaigns against him — restored hira
to his father's property, and had entrusted to him
the guarding of the coast. Seizing Sicily, as we
have said, and admitting into his army slaves and
runaways, he had raised his legions to their fuU
complement. He supported himself and his army
on plunder, and through the agency of Menas and
Menecrates, his father's freedmen, who were in
charge of his fleet, he infested the seas by predatory
and piratical expeditions ; nor was he ashamed thus
to inifest with piracy and its atrocities the sea which
had been freed from it by his father's arms and
leadership.
LXXIV. After the defeat of the party of Brutus
and Cassius, Antony remained behind with the
intention of visiting the pro^inces beyond the sea.
Caesar retumed to Italy, which he found in a much
more troubled condition than he had expected.
Lucius Antonius, the consul, who shared the faults
of his brother but possessed none of the virtues
which he occasionally showed, by making charges
against Caesar before the veterans at one moment,
and at the next inciting to arms those who had lost
their farms when the diWsion of lands was ordered
and colonists assigned, had collected a large army."
In another quarter Fulvia, the wife of Antony, who
• 41 B.C.
£07
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
Fulvia, nihil muliebre praeter corpus gerens, omnia
3 armis tumultuqiie miscebat. Haec belli sedem Prae-
neste ceperat ; Antonius pulsus undique viribus
Caesaris Perusiara se contulerat : Plancus, Antoniana-
rum adiutor partium, spem magis ostenderat auxilii,
4 quam opem ferebat Antonio. Usus Caesar virtute
et fortuna sua Perusiam expugnavit. Antonium
inviolatum dimisit, in Perusinos magis ira militum
quam voluntate saevitum ducis : urbs incensa, cuius
initium incendii princeps eius loci fecit Macedonicus,
qui subiecto rebus ac penatibus suis igni transfixum
se gladio flammae intulit.
1 LXXV. Per eadem tempora exarserat in Cam-
pania bellum, quod professus eorum, qui perdiderant
agros, patrocinium ciebat T. Claudius Nero prae-
torius et pontifex, Ti. Caesaris pater, magni vir^
animi doctissimique^ et ingenii. Id quoque adventu
Caesaris sepultura atque discussum est.
2 Quis fortunae mutationes, quis dubios rerum
humanarum casus satis mirari queat ? Quis non
diversa praesentibus contrariaque expectatis aut
3 speret aut timeat ? Livia, nobilissimi et fortissirai
viri Drusi Claudiani filia, genere, probitate, forma
Romanarura erainentissima, quara postea coniugera
Augusti vidiraus, quam transgressi ad deos sacer-
^ vir P ; viri BA.
* doctissimique AP; rectissimique Madvig; promptis-
simique Ruhnken.
208
HISTORY OF ROME, Ixxiv. 2— Ixxv. 3
had nothing of the woman in her except her sex,
was creating general confusion by armed violence.
She had taken Praeneste as her base of operaHons ;
Antonius, beaten on all sides by the forces of Caesar,
had taken refuge in Perusia ; Plancus, who abetted
the faction of Antony, ofFered the hope of assist-
ance, rather than gave actual help. Thanks to
his own valour and his usual good fortune, Caesar
succeeded in storming Perxisia. He released Antonius
unharmed ; and the cruel treatment of the people
of Perusia was due rather to the fury of the soldiery
than to the ^vish of their commander. The city was
burned. The fire was begun by Macedonicus, a
leading man of the place who, after setting fire to
his house and contents, ran himself through with
his sword and threw himself into the flames.
LXXV. At the same period war broke out in
Campania at the instigation of the ex-praetor and
pontifF, Tiberius Claudius Nero, father of Tiberius
Caesar, and a man of noble character and high
intellectual training, who now came forward as the
protector of those who had lost their lands. This
war also was quickly extinguished and its embers
scattered by the arrival of Caesar.
Who can adequately express his astonishment at
the changes of fortune, and the mysterious vicissi-
tudes in human affairs ? Who can refrain from hoping
for a lot different from that which he now has, or
from dreading one that is the opposite^of what he
expects ? Take for example - LLvia. - She, the
daughter of the brave and noble Drusus Claudianus,
most eminent of Roman women in birth, in sincerity,
and in beauty, she, whom we later saw as the
wife of Augustus, and as his priestess and daughter
209
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
dotem ac filiam, tum fugiens mox futuri sui Caesaris
arma ac manus^ bimum hunc Tiberium Caesarem,
vindicem Romani imperii futurumque eiusdem
Caesaris filium, gestans sinu, per avia itinerum vitatis
militum gladiis uno comitante, quo facilius occul-
taretur fuga, pervenit ad mare et cum viro Nerone
pervecta in Sieiliam est.
1 LXXVI. Quod alieno testimonium redderem, eo
non fraudabo avum meum. Quippe C. Velleius,
honoratissimo inter illos trecentos et sexaginta
iudices loco a Cn. Pompeio lectus, eiusdem Marcique
Bruti ac Ti. Neronis^ praefectus fabrum, vir nuUi
secundus, in Campania digressu Neronis a Neapoli,
cuius ob singularem cum eo amicitiam partium
adiutor fuerat, gravis iam aetate et corpore cum
2 comes^ esse non posset, gladio se ipse transfixit.
Inviolatam excedere Italia Caesar passus est*
Fulviam Plancumque, muliebris fugae comitem.
Nam Pollio Asinius cum septem legionibus, diu
retenta in potestate Antonii Venetia, magnis spe-
ciosisque rebus circa Altinum aliasque eius regionis
urbes editis, Antonium petens, vagum adhuc Domi-
tium, quem digressum e Brutianis castris post caedem
^ arma ac manus Ellis ; arma A ; arma nus P ; arma
minus Voss followed hy ITaJm.
" Ti. Neronis Aldiis ; Tironis A ; Tyronis P.
' cum comes Aldus ; comes B; cum AP.
* est added by Cludius.
• By legal adoption.
* In Pompey's time the iudices were chosen from the
senators, knights, and trilmni aerarii, in equal proportion.
210
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixxv. 3— Ixxvi. 2
after his deification, was then a fugitive before the
anns and forces of the very Caesar who was soon
to be her husband, carrying in her bosom her infant
of two years, the present emperor Tiberius Caesar,
destined to be the detender of the Roman empire
and the son " of this same Caesar. Pursuing by-paths
that she might avoid the swords of the soldiers, and
accompanied by but one attendant, so as the more
readily to escape detection in her flight, she finally
reached the sea, and with her husband Nero made
her escape by ship to Sicily.
LXXVI. I shall not deprive my own grandfather
of the honourable mention which I should give to a
stranger. Gaius Velleius, chosen to a most honourable
jKJsition among the three hundred and sixty judges ^*
by Gnaeus Pompey, prefect of engineers under
Pompey, Marcus Brutus, and Tiberius Nero, and a
man second to none, on the departure from Naples
of Nero, whose partisan he had been on account of
his close friendship, finding himself unable to
accompany him on account of his age and infirmities,
ran himself through \vith his sword in Campania.
Caesar allowed Fuhia to depart from Italy un-
harmed, and with her Plancus who accompanied the
woman in her flight. As for Polho Asinius, after he
with his seven legions had long kept Venetia under the
control of Antony, and after he had accomplished
several brilHant exploits in the vicinity of Altinxmi
and other cities of that region, when he was on his
way to join Antony with these legions he won
Domitius over to the cause of Antony by his counsel
and by the pledge of immunity. Up to this time
Domitius, who, as we have ah-eady said, had quitted
the camp of Brutus after that leader's death and
211
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
eius praediximus et propriae classis factum ducem,
consiliis suis inlectum^ ac fide data iunxit Antonio :
3 quo facto, quisquis aequum se praestiterit, sciat non
minus a Pollione in Antonium quam ab Antonio in
Pollionem esse conlatum. Adventus deinde in Italiam
Antonii apparatusque^ contra eum Caesaris habuit
belli metum, sed pax circa Brundusium composita.
4 Per quae tempora Rufi Salvidieni scelesta consilia
patefacta sunt. Qui natus obscurissimis initiis parum
habebat summa accepisse et proximus a Cn. Pompeio
ipsoque Caesare equestris ordinis consul creatus esse,
nisi in id^ ascendisset, e quo infra se et Caesarem
videret et rem publicam.
1 LXXVII. Tum expostulante consensu populi,
quem gravis urebat infesto mari annona, cum Pom-
peio quoque circa Misenum pax inita, qui haud
absurde, cum in navi Caesaremque et Antonium
cena exciperet, dixit in carinis suis se cenam dare,
referens hoc dictum ad loci nomen, in quo paterna
domus ab Antonio possidebatur. In hoc pacis
2 foedere placuit Siciliam Achaiamque Pompeio con-
cedere, in quo tamen animus inquies manere non
potuit. Id unum tantummodo salutare adventu suo
patriae attuUt, quod omnibus proscriptis aliisque,
qui ad eum ex diversis causis fugerant, reditum
^ iiilectum GeUnius ; electura AP.
2 apparatusque SyJburg ; praeparatusque AP; paratusque
Gelenius.
* in id Puteanus ; in is BA ; simul P.
' 40 B.c. ' i.e. Octavianus. • 39 b.c.
"* Carinae, which also means " keels," was a residential
quarter in Rome between the Caelian and Esquiline Hills,
now (S. Pietro in Vincoli.
212
HISTORY OF ROME, II. lxx\-i. 2— IxxA-ii. 2
had established himself in command of a fleet of his
own, had remained at large. In view of this act of
PolUo any fair judge will see that he rendered as
great a serWce to Antony as Antony rendered to
him. The return of Antony to Italy and Caesar's
preparations against him gave rise to fears of war,
but a peace was arranged at Brundisium."
It was at this time that the criminal designs of
Rufus Sahidienus were revealed. This man, sprung
from the most obscure origin, was not satisfied ^^ith
having received the highest honours in the state,
and to have been the first man of equestrian rank
after Gnaeus Pompey and Caesar * himself to be
elected consul, but aspired to mount to a height
where he might see both Caesar and the repubUc
at his feet.
LXXVII. Then in response to a unanimous demand
on the part of the people, who were now pinched by
the high price of grain because the sea was infested
by pirates, a peace was arranged ' •with Pompey also,
in the neighbourhood of Misemmi. Pompey enter-
tained Caesar and Antony at dinner on board his
ship, on which occasion he remarked, not without
point, that he was giving the dinner on " his oasti
keels," •* thereby recalUng the name of the quarter
in which stood his father's house, now in the
possession of Antony. By the terms of this treaty
it was agreed that Sicily and Achaea should be con-
ceded to Pompey, but his restless soul would not
let him abide by the agreement. There was only
one benefit which he rendered to his country by
attending the conference, namely, the stipulation
that all those who bad been proscribed, or who
for any other reason had taken refuge with him,
213
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
3 salutemque paetus est : quae res et alios clarissimos
viros et Neronem Claudium et M. Silanum Sentium-
que Saturninum et Arruntium ac Titium restituit rei
publicae. Statium autem Murcum, qui adventu suo
classisque celeberrimae vires eius duplicaverat, in-
simulatum falsis criminationibus, quia talem virum
collegam officii Mena et Menecrates fastidierant,
Pompeius in Sicilia interfecerat.
1 LXXVin. Hoc tractu temporum Octaviam, soro-
rem Caesaris, M. Antonius duxit uxorem. Redierat
Pompeius in Siciliam, Antonius in transmarinas
provincias, quas magnis momentis^ Labienus, ex
Brutianis castris profectus ad Parthos, perducto
eorum exercitu in Syriam interfectoque legato
Antonii concusserat ; qui virtute et ductu Ventidii
una cum Parthorum copiis celeberrimoque iuvenum
Pacoro, regis filio, extinctus est.
2 Caesar- per haec tempora, ne res discipUnae ini-
micissima, otium, corrumperet militem, crebris in
lllyrico Delmatiaque expeditionibus patientia peri-
culorum belUque experientia durabat exercitum.
3 Eadem tempestate Calvinus Domitius, cum ex con-
sulatu obtineret Hispaniam, gravissimi comparandi-
que antiquis exempU auctor fuit : quippe primi pili
^ molimentis Ruhnken ; momentis AP.
* interim hefore Caesar deleted by Ellis as a gloss.
" Statius Murcus had been made prefect of the fleet by
Cassius. After the defeat of the repubHcans at Phiiippi, he
carried his fleet over to Sextus Pompey in Sicily.
214
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixxvii. 3— Ixxviii. 3
should be granted a safe retum. Among other
illustrlous men, Nero Claudius, Marcus Silanus,
Sentius Satuminus, Arruntius and Titius were
thereby restored to the state. As to Statius
Murcus, however, who had doubled Pompey's
forces by joining him with his strong fleet,"*
Pompey had already put him to death in Sicily
as the result of false accusations which had been
brought against him, Menas and Menecrates
having expressed a distaste for such a man as
their colleague.
LXXVIII. It was during this period that Marcus |
Antonius espoused Octavia, the sister of Caesar. '
Pompey had now returned to Sicily, and Antony to
the pro\T.nces across the sea, which Labienus had
thrown into a panic in consequence of the great
movements he had set on foot ; for he had gone
from the camp of Brutus to the Partliians, had led
a Parthian army into Syria, and had slain a Ueutenant
of Antony. Thanks to the courageous generalship
of Ventidius, Labienus perished in the battle * and
with him the forces of the Parthians, including the
most distinguished of their young men, Pacorus, son
of the Parthian king
During this time Caesar, wishing to keep his soldiers
from being spoiled by idleness, the great enemy of
discipUne, was making frequent expeditions in
m^Ticum and Dalmatia and thus hardening his army i
by endurance of danger and experience in warfare.
At this time also Cahinus Domitius, who, after
filUng the consulship, was now goveraor of Spain,
executed a rigorous act of discipUne comparable
with the severity of the older days, in that he caused
» 38B.C
215
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
centurionem nomine Vibillium ob turpem ex acie
fugam fusti percussit.
1 LXXIX. Crescente in dies et classe et fama
Pompei Caesar molem belli eius suscipere statuit.
Aedificandis navibus contrahendoque militi ac remigi
navalibusque adsuescendo certaminibus atque exer-
citationibus praefectus est M. Agrippa, virtutis
nobilissimae, labore, vigilia, periculo invictus paren-
dique, sed uni, scientissimus, aliis sane imperandi
cupidus et per omnia extra dilationes positus con-
2 sultisque facta coniungens. Hic in Averno ac Lucrino
lacu speciosissima classe fabricata cotidianis exer-
citationibus militem remigemque ad summam et
militaris et maritimae rei perduxit scientiam. Hac
classi Caesar, cum prius despondente ei Nerone, cui
ante nupta fuerat Liviam, auspicatis rei publicae
ominibus duxisset eam uxorem, Pompeio Siciliaeque
3 bellum intulit. Sed virum humana ope invictum
graviter eo tempore fortuna concussit : quippe longe
maiorem partem classis circa Veliam Palinurique
promontorium adorta vis Africi laceravit ac distulit.
Ea patrando bello mora fuit, quod postea dubia et
4 interdum ancipiti fortuna gestum est. Nam et
classis eodem loco vexata est tempestate, et ut
navali primo proelio apud Mylas ductu Agrippae
<" This punishment was called fustuarium and was inflicted
on Roman soldiers for desertion. When a soldier was con-
demned, the tribune touched hira shghtly with a stick, upon
which all the soldiers of the legion fell upon him wlth sticks
and stones and generally killed him on the spot (Sraith,
Dict. Ant.). * 38 b.c.
216
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixxviii. 3— Ixxix. 4
a chief centurion by the name of Vibillius to be
beaten to death " for cowardly flight from the Une
of battle.
LXXIX. As Pompey's fleet was growing daily,
and his reputation as well, Caesar resolved to take
up the burden of this new war. Marcus Agrippa
was charged with constructing the ships, coUecting
soldiers and rowers, and famiUarizing them with
naval contests and manceuvres. He was a man of
distinguished character, unconquerable by toil, loss
of sleep or danger, well discipUned in obedience,
but to one man alone, yet eager to command others ;
in whatever he did he knew no such thing as delay,
but -with him action went hand in hand with concep-
tion. Building an imposing fleet in lakes Avernus
and Lucrinus, by daily driUs he brought the soldiers
and the oarsmen to a thorough knowledge of fight-
ing on land and at sea. With this fleet Caesar
made war on Pompey in Sicily,'' after he had
espoused Livia, who was given to him in marriage
by her former husband «^ under circumstances which
augured weU for the state. But this man, uncon-
querable by human power, received at this time a
heavy blow at the hands of fortune, since the greater
part of his fleet was wrecked and scattered in the
vicinity of VeUa and Cape PaUnurus by a violent
scirocco. This delayed finishing the war, which,
however, was subsequently carried on with shifting
and sometimes doubtful fortune. For Caesar's
fleet was again buff"eted by a storm in the same
locaUty, and although the issue was favourable
in the first naval battle, at Mylae, under the leader-
« Tiberiiis Claudius Neio, to whom she had akeady borne
a son, the future Emperor Tiberius.
217
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
pugnatum prospere, ita inopinato Pompeianae*
classis adventu gravis sub ipsius Caesaris oculis circa
Tauromenium accepta clades ; neque ab ipso peri-
culum abfuit. Legiones, quae cum Cornificio erant,
legato Caesaris, expositae in terram paene a Pom-
6 peio oppressae sunt. Sed ancipitis fortuna temporis
mature^ virtute correcta : explicatis quippe utriusque
partis classibus paene omnibus exutus navibus Pom-
peius Asiam fuga petivit iussuque M. Antonii, cuius
opem petierat, dum inter ducem et supplicem
tumultuatur et nunc dignitatem retinet, nunc vitam
6 precatur, a Titio iugulatus est. Cui in tantum duravit
hoc facinore contractum odium, ut mox ludos in
theatro Pompei faciens execratione populi specta-
culo, quod praebebat, pelleretur.
1 LXXX. Acciverat gerens contra Pompeium bellum
ex Africa Caesar Lepidum cum duodecim semiplenis
legionibus. Hic vir omnium vanissimus neque uUa
virtute tam longam fortunae indulgentiam meritus
exercitum Pompei, quia propior fuerat, sequentem
non ipsius, sed Caesaris auctoritatem ac fidem, sibi
2 iunxerat inflatusque amplius viginti legionum numero
in id furoris processerat, ut inutilis alienae victoriae^
comes, quam diu moratus erat, dissidendo in consiliis
Caesari* et semper diversa iis, quae aliis placebant,
dicendo, totam victoriam ut suam interpretabatur
* Pompeianae added by Heinsius.
* mature liuhnken ; matura AP.
^ alienae victoriae P ; in alienae victoriae AB ; in aliena
victoria Burer.
* Caesari Acidalius ; Caesaris AP.
• Battle of Naulochus, 36 b.c.
218
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixxix. 4— Ixxx. 2
ship of Agrippa, a serious defeat was received near
Tauromenium beneath the very eyes of Caesar, in
consequence of the unexpected arrival of Pompey's
fleet, and Caesar's o^vn person was endangered.t
The legions which were with Comificius, Caesar's
lieutenant, came near being crushed by Pompey as
soon as they landed. But fortune's caprice at this
critical period was soon amended by bravery in action ;
when the fleets on both sides had been drawn up for
battle," Pompey lost ahnost all his ships, and fled to
Asia, where, wavering between the role of general
and supphant, now endeavouring to retain his dignity
and now pleading for his hfe, he was slain by Titius
on the orders of Marcus Antonius, whose aid he had
sought. The hatred which Titius brought upon him-
self by this act lasted for a long time ; indeed, after-
wards, when he was celebrating games in Pompey's
theatre, he was driven amid the execrations of the
people from the spectacle which he himseh"was giving.
LXXX. While engaged in his war with Pompey,
Caesar had summoned Lepidus from Africa with
twelve legions of half the usual strength. This man,
the most fickle of mankind, who had not eamed the
long-continued kindness of fortune through any
quaUties of his own, being nearer to the army of
Pompey, annexed it to his own, though it was
foUowing not his orders but Caesar's, and owned
loyalty to him. His numbers now swoUen to twenty
legions, he went to such lengths of madness that,
though but a useless partner in another's victory, a
victory which he had long delayed by refusing to
agree to Caesar's plans and ahvays insisting upon
something different from that which suited others,
he claimed the victory as entirely his own and had
219
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
3 audebatque^ denuntiare Caesari, excederet Sicilia.
Non ab Scipionibus aliisque veteribus Romanorum
ducum quidquam ausum patratumque fortius quam
tunc a Caesare. Quippe cum inermis et lacernatus
esset, praeter nomen nihil trahens, ingressus castra
Lepidi, evitatis tehs,- quae iussu hominis pravissimi
in eum iacta erant, cum lacerna eius perforata esset
4 lancea, aquilam legionis rapere ausus est. Scires,
quid interesset inter duces : armati inermem secuti
sunt decimoque anno quam ad indignissimam^ vita
sua potentiam pervenerat, Lepidus et a militibus
et a fortuna desertus pulloque velatus amiculo inter
ultimam coniiuentium ad Caesarem turbam latens
genibus eius advolutus est. Vita rerumque suarum
dominium concessa ei sunt, spoliata, quam tueri non
poterat, dignitas.
1 LXXXL Subita deinde exercitus seditio, qui
plerumque contemplatus frequentiam suam a disci-
plina desciscit et, quod cogere se putat posse, rogare
non sustinet, partim severitate, partim liberaUtate
2 discussa principis, speciosumque per idem tempus
adiectum supplementum Campanae coloniae * **
^ interpretabatur audebatque AF ; interpretaretur aude-
batque Gelmius ; interpretaretur auderetque Ruhnken.
* telis added by Orelli.
* indignissimam Ruhnken ; in dissimillimam AP.
* Halm suggests to fill the lacuna: veteranis in agros
deductis qui coloniae.
" Octavianus was not princeps formally until 27 b.c.
» Tiie statement of Dio xiix. 14 is the basis for supplying
the missing words : " In this way Caesar calmed the soldiers
temporarily. The money he gave them at once and the
lands not rauch later. And since what was still held by
the governracnt at the time did not suffice he bought more
in addition, especially considerable from the Campanians
dwelling in Capua since their city needed a number of
220
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixxx. 3— Ixxxi. 2
the effrontery to order Caesar out of Sicily. The
Scipios and the other Roman generals of the olden
time never dared or carried out a braver act than
did Caesar at this juncture. For although he was
unarmed and dressed in his travelhng cloak, carrying
nothing except his name, he entered the camp of
Lepidus, and, avoiding the weapons which were
hurted at him by the orders of that scoundrel,
though his cloak was pierced by a lance, he had
the courage to carry off the eagle of a legion. Then
could one know the difference between the two com-
manders. Though armed, the soldiers followed Caesar
who was unarmed, while Lepidus, in the tenth year
after arri\ang at a position of power which his hfe had
done nothing to deserve, now deserted both by his
soldiers and by fortune, wTapping himself in a dark
cloak and lurking in the rear of the crowd that
thronged to Caesar, thus threw himself at Caesar's
feet. He was granted his hfe and the control of his
own property, but was shorn of the high position
which he had shown himself unable to maintain.
LXXXI. There foUowed a sudden mutiny of the
army ; for it happens not infrequently that when
soldiers observe their o^vn numbers they break
disciphne and do not endure to ask for what they
think they can exact. The mutiny was broken up
partly by severity, partly by hberaUty on the part
of the emperor," and considerable additions were
at the same time made to the Campanian colony
[by placing veterans on the lands of that colony]^
settlers. To them he also jrave in retum the so-called
Julian supply of water, one of their chief sources of pride at
all tiraes, and the Gnosian territorj' from which they still
gather harvests." (Tr. by H. B. Foster.)
221
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
eius relicti erant publici : pro his longe uberiores
reditus duodecies sestertium in Creta insula redditi
et aqua promissa, quae hodieque singulare et salu-
britatis instrumentum^ et amoenitatis omamentum
est.
3 Insigne coronae classicae, quo nemo umquam
Romanorum donatus erat, hoc bello Agrippa singulari
virtute meruit. Victor deinde Caesar reversus in
urbem contractas emptionibus complures domos per
procuratores, quo laxior fieret ipsius, publicis se
usibus destinare professus est, templumque ApoUinis
et circa porticus facturum promisit, quod ab eo singu-
lari exstructum munificentia est.
1 LXXXII. Qua aestate Caesar tam prospere sepe-
Hvit in SiciUa bellum,'^ fortuna, in Caesare et in^ re
publica mitis, saeviit* ad Orientem. Quippe Antonius
cum tredecim legionibus egressus^ Armeniam ac
deinde Mediam et per eas regiones Parthos petens
2 habuit regem eorum obvium. Primoque duas legiones
cum omnibus impedimentis tormentisque et Statiano
legato amisit, mox saepius ipse cum summo totius
exercitus discrimine ea adiit pericula, a^ quibus
servari se posse desperaret,' amissaque non minus
^ instruraentum Cluditis ; instar AP. _
* sepelivit in Sicilia bellum Ruhnken ; libium in Sicilia Bn
(bene A) AP.
' et in ^ ; in P.
* mitis saeviit Haupt ; railitavit AP.
' egressus AP ; ingressiis Gelenius.
* a added hy Kreyssig.
' desperaret Haupt ; desperaverat AP.
At Gnosos. See previous note.
About £10,000 or $50,000. _
Corona classica or navalis : a chaplet of gold witli
222
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixxxi. 2— Ixxxii. 2
•which had been left pubhc. Lands in Crete * were
given in retiim for these, which yielded a richer
revenue of a million two hundred thousand sesterces,*
and an aqueduct _was promised which is to-day a
remarkable agency of heaTtiras well as an omament
to the landscape.
In this war Agrippa by his remarkable services
eamed the distinction of a naval crown,<' with which
no Roman had as yet been decoratedr Caesar, on
his victorious return to the city, made the announce-
ment that he meant to set apart for pubhc use
certain houses which he had secured by purchase
through his agents in order that there might be a
free area about his own residence. He further
promised to build a temple of Apollo with a portico
about it, a work which he constructed with rare
munificence.
LXXXII. In the simimer in which Caesar so
successfuUy ended the war in Sicily, fortune, though
kind in the case of Caesar and the repubhc, vented
her anger in the east. For Antony with thirteen
legions after passing through Armenia and then
through Media, in an endeavour to reach Parthia
by this route, found himself confronted by their
king.<^ First of all he lost two legions with all their
baggage and engines, and Statianus his heutenant ;
later he himself with the greatest risk to his entire
army, on several occasions encountered perils from
which he dared not hope that escape was possible.
After losing not less than a fourth part of his soldiers,
beaks of ships worked into the design, presented to the
admiral who had destroyed a hostile fleet. Agrippa is
represented on a bronze medaliion wearing such a chaplet.
* 36-3o B.c.
SS3
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
quarta parte militum captivi cuiusdam, sed Romani,
consilio ac fide servatus est,^ qui clade Crassiani exer-
citus captus, cum fortuna non animum mutasset,
accessit nocte ad stationem Romanam praedixitque,
ne destinatum iter peterent, sed diverso silvestrique
3 pervaderent. Hoc M. Antonio ac tot- illis^ legionibus
saluti fuit ; de quibus tamen totoque exercitu haud
minus pars quarta, ut praediximus, militum, calonum
servitiique desiderata tertia est ; impedimentorum
vix ulla superfuit. Hanc tamen Antonius fugam
suam, quia vivus exierat, victoriam vocabat. Qui
tertia aestate reversus in Armeniam regem eius
Artavasden fraude deceptum catenis, sed, ne quid
honori deesset, aureis vinxit. Crescente deinde et
4 amoris in Cleopatram incendio et vitiorum, quae
semper facultatibus licentiaque et adsentationibus
aluntur, magnitudine, bellum patriae inferre con-
stituit, cum ante novum se Liberum Patrem appellari
iussisset, cum redimitus hederis crocotaque* velatus
aurea et thyrsum tenens cothurnisque succinctus
curru velut Liber Pater vectus esset Alexandriae.
1 LXXXni. Inter hunc apparatum belli Plancus,
non iudicio recta legendi neque amore rei publicae
aut Caesaris, quippe haec semper impugnabat, sed
^ est added hy Orelli.
• ac tot Salmasius and Lipsius ; acto AP.
^ illius Voss ; illis AP.
* crocota liuhnken ; corona AP.
• 34 B.c.
224
1
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixxxii. 2— Ixxxiii. 1
he was saved through the fidehty and by the
suggestion of a captive, who was nevertheless a
Roman. This man had been made prisoner in the
disaster to the army of Crassus, but had not changed
his allegiance ^viih his fortune. He came by night
to a Roman outpost and warned tliem not to pursue
their intended course but to proceed by a detour
through the forest. It was this that saved Marcus
Antonius and his many legions ; and yet, even so,
not less than a fourth part of these soldiers and of his
entire army was lost, as we have aheady stated,
and of the canip-followers and slaves a third, while
hardly anything of the baggage was saved. Yet
Antonius called this flight of his a victorj', because
he had escaped with his hfe ! Three summers later "
he retumed to Armenia, obtained possession of the
person of Artavasdes its king by deceit, and bound
him with chains, which, however, out of regard for
the station of his captive, were of gold. Then as
his love for Cleopatra became more ardent and his
vices grew upon him — for these are always nourished
by power and Hcence and flattery — he resoh-ed to
make war upon his country. He had previously
given orders that he should be called the new Father
Liber, and indeed in a procession at Alexandria he
had impersonated Father Liber, his head bound
with the ivy ^^Tcath, his person enveloped in the
saffron robe of gold, holding in his hand the thyrsus,
wearing the buskins, and riding in the Bacchie
chariot.
LXXXIII. In the midst of these preparations for
war Plancus went over to Caesar, not through any
comiction that he was choosing the right, nor from
any love of the repubhc or of Caesar, for he was
225
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
morbo proditor, cum fuisset humillimus adsentator
reginae et infra servos cliens, cum Antonii librarius,
cum obscenissimarum rerum et auctor et minister,
2 cum in omnia et omnibus venalis, cum caeruleatus
et nudus caputque redimitus arundine et caudam
trahens, genibus innixus Glaucum saltasset in con-
vivio, refrigeratus ab Antonio ob manifestarimi
rapinarum indicia transfugit ad Caesarem. Et idem
postea clementiam victoris pro sua virtute inter-
pretabatur, dictitans id probatum a Caesare, cui
ille ignoverat ; mox autem hunc avunculum Titius
3 imitatus est. Haud absurde Coponius, vir e prae-
toriis gravissimus, P. Silii^ socer, cum recens transfuga
multa ac nefanda Plancus absenti Antonio in senatu
obiceret, multa, inquit, mehercules fecit Antonius
pridie quam tu illum relinqueres.
1 LXXXIV. Caesare deinde et Messala Corvino con-
suUbus debellatum apud Actium, ubi longe ante quam
dimicaretur exploratissima lulianarum partium fuit
victoria. Vigebat in hac parte miles atque imperator,
in^ illa marcebant omnia ; hinc remiges^ firmissimi,
illinc inopia adfectissimi ; navium haec magnitudo
^ P. Silii Gelenim ; Patersilii A ; pater Silii A.
* in {before illa) added by Vascosanus.
* remiges Idpsius ; reges AP.
" Clients were freemen who were nevertheless dependent
upon the rich or powerfui. Velleius' point seems to be that
the only difference between the status of Plancus and that
of the slave is that Plancus was born free.
* See note on Chap. LXXIX.
« 31 B.C.
226
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixxxiii. 1— Ixxxiv. 1
always hostile to both, but because treachery was a
disease with him. He had been the most grovelling
flatterer of the queen, a client " with less self-respect
than a slave ; he had also been secretary to Antony
and was the author or the abettor of his \-ilest acts ;
for money he was ready to do all things for all men ;
and at a banquet he had played the role of Glaucus
the Nereid, performing a dance in which his naked
body was painted blue, his head encircled with reeds,
at the same time wearing a fish's tail and crawling
upon his knees. Now, inasmuch as he had been
coldly treated by Antony because of unmistakable
evidence of his venal rapacity, he deserted to Caesar.
Afterwards he even went so far as to interpret the
victor's clemency as a proof of his ovra merit, claim-
ing that Caesar had approved that which he had
merely pardoned. It was the example of this man,
his uncle, that Titius soon afterwards foUowed.*
The retort of Coponius, who was the father-in-law of
PubUus Silius and a dignified praetorian, was not
so far from the mark when he said, as Plancus in
the senate fresh from his desertion was heaping
upon the absent Antony many unspeakable charges,
" By Hercules, Antony must have done a great
many things before you left him."
LXXXIW Then, in the consulship of Caesar and
Messala Corvinus," the decisive battle took place
at Actium. The victory of the Caesarian party was
a certainty long before the battle. On the one side
commander and soldiers aUke were fuU of ardour,
on the other was general dejection ; on the one
side the rowers were strong and sturdy, on the othe •
weakened by privations ; on the one side ships of
moderate size, not too large for speed, on the other
227
.^
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
modica nec celeritati adversa, illa specie^ terribilior ;
hinc ad Antonium nemo, illinc ad Caesarem cotidie
2 aliquis^ transfugiebat ; rex^ Amyntas meliora et
utiliora secutus ; nam Dellius* exempli sui tenax
ut a^ Dolabella ad Cassium, a Cassio ad Antonium,
ita ab Antonio transiit® ad Caesarem ; virque cla-
rissimus Cn. Domitius, qui solus Antonianarum
partium numquam reginam nisi nomine salutavit,
maximo et praecipiti periculo transmisit ad Caesarem.
Denique in ore atque oculis Antonianae classis per
M. Agrippam Leucas expugnata, Patrae captae,
Corinthus occupata, bis ante ultimum discrimen
classis hostium superata.
1 LXXXV. Advenit deinde maximi discriminis dies,
quo Caesar Antoniusque productis classibus pro
salute alter, in ruinam alter terrarum orbis dimi-
2 cavere. Dextrum navium luHanarum comu M.
Lurio commissum, laevum Arruntio, Agrippae omne
classici certaminis arbitrium ; Caesar ei parti des-
tinatus, in quam a fortuna vocaretur, ubique aderat.
Classis Antonii regimen PubUcolae Sosioque commis-
sum. At in terra locatum exercitum Taurus Caesaris,
3 Antonii regebat Canidius. Ubi initum certamen est,
omnia in altera parte fuere, dux, remiges, mihtes,
in altera nihil praeter milites. Prima occupat fugam
Cleopatra. Antonius fugientis reginae quam pug-
^ specie Gdenius; specie et ^P.
* aliquis Ileinsim i aliquid^Z?; aliqui transfugiebant P.
* The clause rex . . . transmisit ad Caesarera found in
AP after superata, at the end oj the faragraph, was trans-
posed to its present position hy Haase.
* Dellius Kritz ; de illius AP.
' exempli sui tenax ut a Lipsius ; exemplis uitae naxuta
AP.
* ad Cassium . . . transiit supplied by Ruhnken.
228
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixxxiv. 1— Ixxxv. 3
vessels of a size that made them more formidable
in appearance only ; no one was deserting from
Caesar to Antony, while from Antony to Caesar
someone or other was deserting daily ; and King
Amyntas had embraced the better and more
advantageous side. As for Dellius, consistent to
his habit, he now went over from Antony to Caesar
as he had deserted from Dolabella to Cassius and
from Cassius to Antony. The illustrious Gnaeus
Domitius, who was the only one of the party of
Antony who refused to salute the queen except by
name, went over to Caesar at great and imminent
risk to himself. Finally, before the eyes of Antony
and his fleet, Marcus Agrippa had stormed Leucas,
had captured Patrae, had seized Corinth, and before
the final conflict had twice defeated the fleet of the
enemy.
LXXXV. Then came the day of the great conflict,
on which Caesar and Antony led out their fleets and
fought, the one for the safety, the other for the ruin,
of the world. The command of the right wing of
Caesar's fleet was entrusted to Marcus Lurius, of
the left to Arruntius, while Agrippa had full charge
of the entire conflict at sea. Caesar, reser\-ing
himself for that part of the battle to which fortune
might summon him, was present everywhere. The
command of Antony's fleet was entrusted to Publicola
and Sosius. On the land, moreover, the army of
Caesar was commanded by Taurus, that of Antony
by Canidius. When the conflict began, on the
one side was everj-thing — commander, rowers, and
soldiers ; on the other, soldiers alone. Cleopatra
took the initiative in the flight ; Antony chose
to be the companion of the fleeing queen rather
229
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
nantis militis sui comes esse maluit, et imperator,
qui in desertores saevire debuerat, desertor exer-
citus sui factus est. Illis etiam detracto^ capite in
4 longum fortissime pugnandi duravit constantia et
desperata victoria in mortem dimicabatur. Caesar,
quos ferro poterat interimere, verbis mulcere cupiens
clamitansque et ostendens fugisse Antonium, quae-
5 rebat, pro quo et cum quo pugnarent. At illi cum
diu pro absente dimicassent duce, aegre summissis
armis cessere victoriam, citiusque vitam veniamque
Caesar promisit, quam illis ut eam precarentur per-
suasum est ; fuitque in confesso milites optimi
imperatoris, imperatorem fugacissimi militis func-
6 tum officio, ut dubites, suone- an Cleopatrae arbitrio
victoriam temperaturus fuerit, qui ad eius arbitrium
direxerit^ fugam. Idem locatus in terra fecit exer-
citus, cum se Canidius praecipiti fuga rapuisset ad
Antonium.
1 LXXXVI. Quid ille dies terrarum orbi praestiterit,
ex quo in quem statum pervenerit fortuna publica,
quis in hoc transcursu tam artati operis exprimere
2 audeat ? Victoria vero fuit clementissima, nec quis-
quam interemptus est, paucissimi summoti,^ qui
ne deprecari quidem pro se sustinerent.^ Ex qua
lenitate ducis colligi potuit, quem aut initio trium-
viratus sui aut in campis Philippiis, si ei® licuisset,
^ detracto Vascosanus ; detrectato AP.
^ ut dubites, suone Burer; videbites ne A; videbit e
suo P.
^ direxerit Halm ; direxit AP.
* paucissimi summoti Baiter ; paucissimi et hi AP.
^ qui ne deprecari quidem pro se sustinerent Heinsitis ;
qui deprecari quidem pro se non sustinerent AP.
• si ei Halm ; sic -4 ; si sic P ; si Burer.
230
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixxxv. 3— Ixxxvi. 2
than of his fighting soldiers, and the commander
whose duty it would have been to deal severely ^^ith
deserters, now became a deserter from his own army.
Even without their chief his men long continued to
fight bravely, and despairing of ^ictory they fought
to the death. Caesar, desiring to iftin over by words
those whom he might have slain with the sword,
kept shouting and pointing out to them that Antony
had fled, and kept asking them for whom and with
whom they were fighting. But they, after fighting
long for their truant commander, reluctantly
surrendered their arms and yielded the N^ictor}-,
Caesar ha\ing promised them pardon and their Hves
before they could bring themselves to sue for them.
It was e\ident that the soldiers had played the part
of the good commander while the commander had
played that of the cowardly soldier, so that one
might question whether in case of \ictory he would
have acted according to Cleopatra's will or his own,
since it was by her will that he had resorted to flight.
The land army likewise surrendered when Canidius
had hurried after Antony in precipitate flight.
LXXX\T. Who is there who, in the compass of
so brief a work, would attempt to state what
blessings this day conferred upon the world, or to
describe the change which took place in the fortunes
of the state ? Great clemency was shown in the
^ictory ; no one was put to death, and but few
banished who could not bring themselves even to
become suppliants. From this display of mercy on
the part of the commander it may be inferred how
moderate a use Caesar would have made of his
victory, had he been allowed to do so, whether at
the beginning of his triumvirate or on the plain of
231
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
victoriae suae facturus fuerit modum.^ At Sosium
L. Arruntii prisca gravitate celeberrimi fides, mox,
diu cum clementia luctatus^ sua, Caesar servavit
3 incolumem. Non praetereatur Asinii Pollionis factum
et dictum memorabile : namque cum se post Brun-
dusinam pacem continuisset in Italia neque aut
vidisset umquam reginam aut post enervatum amorc
eius Antonii animum partibus eius se miscuisset,
rogante Caesare, ut secum ad bellum proficisceretur
Actiacum : mea, inquit, in Antonium maiora merita
sunt, illius in me beneficia notiora ; itaque dis-
crimini vestro me subtraham et ero praeda victoris.
1 LXXXVII. Proximo deinde anno persecutus re-
ginam Antoniumque Alexandream, ultimam bellis
civilibus imposuit manum. Antonius se ipse non
segniter interemit, adeo ut multa desidiae crimina
morte redimeret. At Cleopatra frustratis custodibm-
inlata aspide in^ morsu et sanie eius* expers mu-
2 liebris metus spiritum reddidit. Fuitque et fortuna
et clementia Caesaris dignum, quod nemo ex iis,
qui contra eum arma tulerant, ab eo iussuve eius
interemptus est.^ D. Brutum Antonii interemit
crudelitas. Sextum Pompeium ab eo devictum^
idem Antonius, cum dignitatis quoque servandae
^ modum added by Rhenauus.
* diu . . . luctatus AP; odium . . . eluctatus Madvig
and Halm.
' aspide in B ; aspidera A ; aspide P.
* et sanie eius Burman ; sanie eius BAP ; eius sane
Acidalius and Ilalm.
* est added by Orelli.
* ab eo devictum Acidalius; ab (ob P) eodem victum
BAP.
' 30 B.c.
232
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixxxvi. 2— Ixxxvii. 2
Philippi. But, in the case of Sosius, it was the
pledged word of Lucius Arruntius, a man famous
ibr his old-time dignity, that saved him ; later,
Caesar preserved him unharmed, but only after
long resisting his general inchnation to clemency.
The remarkable conduct of Asinius PolHo should not
be passed by nor the words which he uttered. For
although he had remained in Italy after the peace
of Brundisium, and had never seen the queen nor
taken any active part in Antony's faction after this
leader had become demorahzed by his passion for
her, when Caesar asked him to go with him to
the war at Actium he rephed : " My services to
Antony are too great, and his kindness to me
too well known ; accordingly I shall hold aloof
from your quarrel and shall be the prize of the
victor."
LXXXVII. The foUowing year Caesar followed
Cleopatra and Antony to Alexandria and there put
the finishing touch upon the civil wars. Antony
promptly ended his hfe," thus by his deatli
redeeming himself from the many charges of lack
of manhood. As for Cleopatra, baffling the vigilance
of her guards she caused an asp to be smuggled
in to her, and ended her hfe by its venomous
sting untouched by a woman's fears. It was in
keeping with Caesar's fortune and his clemency
that not one of those who had bome arms against
him was put to death by him, or by his order. It
was the cruelty of Antony that ended the hfe of
Decimus Brutus. In the case of Sextus Pompey,
though Caesar was his conqueror, it was hkewise
Antony who deprived him of his hfe, even though
he had given his word that he would not degrade
233
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
3 dedisset fidem, etiam spiritu privavit. Brutus et
Cassius ante, quam victorum experirentur animum,
voluntaria morte obierunt. Antonii Cleopatraeque
quis fuisset exitus narravimus. Canidius timidius
decessit, quam professioni ei,^ qua semper usus
erat, congruebat. Ultimus autem ex interfectoribus
Caesaris Parmensis Cassius morte poenas dedit, ut
dederat Trebonius primus.^
1 LXXXVIIL Dum ultimam bello Actiaco Alexan-
drinoque Caesar imponit manum, M. Lepidus. iuvenis
forma quam mente melior, Lepidi eius, qui triumvir
fuerat rei publicae constituendae, filius, lunia Bruti
sorore natus, interficiendi, simul in urbem revertisset,
2 Caesaris consilia inierat. Erat^ tunc urbis custodiis
praepositus C. Maecenas equestri, sed splendido
genere natus, vir, ubi res vigiliam exigeret, sane
exsomnis, providens atque agendi sciens, simul vero
aliquid ex negotio remitti posset, otio ac mollitiis
paene ultra feminam fluens, non minus Agrippa
Caesari carus, sed minus honoratus — quippe vixit
angusti clavi plene* contentus — , nec minora con-
3 sequi potuit, sed non tam concupivit. Hic specu-
latus est per summam quietem ac dissimulationem
praecipitis consiUa iuvenis et mira celeritate nullaque
^ ei Cludius ; eius AP.
* primus aclded hy Aldus, hut hefore Trebonius.
' erat added hy Madvig.
* paene A ; peue P ; the most satisfactory emendation is
that of Salmasius angusticlavio plene contentus.
" His boasts that he did not fear death.
* With Antony and Octavi|p.
« As contrasted with the broad purple band of the
senatoriai order.
234
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixxxvii. 3— Ixxxviii. 3
him from his rank. Brutus and Cassius, without
waiting to discover the attitude of their conquerors,
died voluntary deaths. Of the end of Antony and
Cleopatra we have already told. As for Canidius,
he showed more fear in the face of death than was
consistent with his Ufelong utterances.* The last
of Caesar's assassins to pay the penalty of death
was Cassius of Parma, as Trebonius had been the
first.
LXXXVIII. While Caesar was engaged in giving
the finishing touch to the war at Actium and Alex-
andria, Marcus Lepidus, a young man whose good
looks exceeded his prudence — son of the Lepidus who
had been one of the triumvirs ^ for the re-establish-
ment of order in the state and of Junia the sister
of Brutus — had formed plans for the assassination
of Caesar as soon as he should return to the city.
The guards of the city were at that time under the
charge of Gaius Maecenas, of equestrian rank, but
none the less of illustrious Uneage, a man who was
UteraUy sleepless when occasion demanded, and
quick to foresee what was to be done and skilful
in doing it, but when any relaxation was aUowed
him from business cares would aUnost outdo a woman
in giving himself up to indolence and soft luxury.
He was not less loved by Caesar than Agrippa,
though he had fewer honours heaped upon him,
since he Uved thoroughly content with the narrow
stripe of the equestrian order." He might have
achieved a position no less high than Agrippa, but
had not the same ambition for it. Quietly and
carefuUy conceaUng his activity he unearthed the
plans of the hot-headed youth, and by crushing
Lepidus with wonderfiil swiftness and without
235
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
cum perturbatione aut rerum aut hominum oppresso
Lepido inmane novi ac resurrecturi belli civilis
restinxit initium. Et ille quidem male consultorum
poenas exsolvit. Aequetur praedictae iam Antistii'
Servilia Lepidi uxor, quae vivo igni devorato prae-
matura morte"^ immortalem nominis sui pensavit
memoriam.
1 LXXXIX. Caesar autem reversus in Italiam atque
urbem quo occursu,^ quo favore hominum omnium
generum,^ aetatium, ordinum exceptus sit, quae
magnificentia triumphorum eius, quae fuerit mune-
rum, ne in operis quidem^ iusti materia, nedum huius
tam recisi digne exprimi potest. Nihil deinde optare
2 a dis homines, nihil dii hominibus praestare possunt,
nihil voto concipi, nihil fehcitate consummari, quod
non Augustus post reditum in urbem rei publicae
populoque Romano terrarumque orbi repraesen-
3 taverit. Finita vicesimo anno bella civilia, sepulta
externa, revocata pax, sopitus ubique armorum
furor, restituta vis legibus, iudiciis auctoritas, senatui
maiestas, imperium magistratuum ad pristinum
redactum modum, tantummodo octo praetoribus
adlecti duo. Prisca illa et antiqua rei publicae
4 forma revocata. Rediit cultus agris, sacris honos,
securitas hominibus, certa cuique rerum suarum
possessio ; leges emendatae utiliter, latae salubriter ;
^ Antistii Vossius ; Antistiae AP.
2 praematiira morte Burer ; praematuram mortem AB.
' qiio occursu Lipshis ; occursus AP.
* mvore omnium hominum aetatium AP ; generum
added hy Halm.
° ne in operis quidem Gelenitis ; nedum in operis siquidem
AP.
" Chap. XXVI.
236
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixxxviii. 3— Ixxxix. 4
causing disturbance to either men or things he
extinguished the portentous beginnings of a new
and reviving ci\il war. Lepidus himself paid the
penalty for his ill-advised plot. Ser\iKa his wife
must be placed on a parity with the wife of Antistius
ah*eady mentioned," for by swallowing live coals
she compensated for her untimely death by the
lasting memory of her name.
LXXXIX. As for Caesar's retum to Italy and to
Rome — the procession which met him, the enthusiasm
of his reception by men of all classes, ages, and ranks,
and the magnificence of his triumphs and of the
spectacles which he gave — all this it would be
impossible adequately to describe even within the
compass of a formal history, to say nothing of a
work so circumscribed as this. There is nothing that
man can desire from the gods, nothing that the
gods can grant to a man, nothing that wish can
conceive or good fortune bring to pass, which
Augustus on his return to the city did not bestow
upon the republic, the Roman people, and the world. ^
The civil wars were ended after twenty years, ^
foreign wars suppressed, peace restored, the frenzy
of arms everywhere lulled to rest ; validity was
restored to the laws, authority to the courts, and
dignity to the senate ; the power of the magistrates
was reduced to its former limits, with the soie
exception that two were added to the^eight existing
praetors. The old traditional form of the repubhc
was restored. Agriculture returned. to the fieTds,
respect to feligion, to mankind freedom from
anxiety, and to each citizen his property rights were
now assured ;- old laws were usefuUy emended, <^
and new laws passed for the general good ; the y
I 237
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
senatus sine asperitate nec sine severitate lectus.
Principes viri triumphisque et amplissimis honoribus
functi adhortatu principis ad ornandam urbem inlecti
sunt. Consulatus tantummodo usque ad undecimum
5 quin^ continuaret Caesar, cum saepe obnitens repug-
nasset, impetrare non^ potuit : nam dictaturam quam
pertinaciter ei deferebat populus, tam constanter
repulit. Bella sub imperatore gesta pacatusque
6 victoriis terrarum orbis et tot extra Italiam domique
opera omne aevi sui spatium impensurum m id
solum opus scriptorem fatigarent^ : nos memores
professionis universam imaginem principatus eius
oculis animisque subiecimus.
1 XC. Sepultis, ut praediximus, bellis civihbus co-
alescentibusque rei publicae membris, et coaluere*
quae tam longa armorum series laceraverat. Dal-
matia, annos^ viginti et ducentos rebelHs, ad certam
confessionem pacata est imperii. Alpes feris incul-
tisque^ nationibus celebres perdomitae. Hispaniae
nunc ipsius praesentia, nunc Agrippae, quem usque
in tertium consulatum et mox collegium tribuniciae
potestatis amicitia principis evexerat, multo varioque
2 Marte pacatae. In quas provincias cum initio
Scipione et Sempronio Longo consulibus primo anno
^ quin Madvig ; quem AP.
^ non added hy Madvig.
' fatigarent Vossitui ; fatigant AP.
• et {or etiam) coaluere Bergk ; et coram aliero AP,
^ annos added by Orelli.
• incultisque Heinsius ; multisque AP.
238
HISTORY OF ROME, II. Ixxxix. 4— xc. 2
revision of the senate, while not too drastic, was -y
not lacking in severity. The chief men of the state
who had won trinmphs and had held high office were
^t j^e invitation oFAugustus induced to adom the
city. In the case of the consulship only, Caesar was
not able to have his way, but was obliged to hold
that office consecutively until the eleventh time in
spite_Qf_his frequent efforts to prevent it \ bptthe
mctatoKhip . which the people persistently oHered
him, he as stubbomly refused. To tell of the wars
waged imder his command, of the pacification of the
world by his ^ictories, of his many works at home
and outside of Italy would weary a ■m-iter intending
to devote his whole hfe to this one task. As for
myself, remembering the proposed scope of my work,
I have confined myself to setting before the eyes
and minds of my readers a general pictiire of his
principate.
XC. When the civil wars had been extinguished,
as we have already told, and the rent limbs of the '_. ^
state itself began to heal, the pro\-inces, also, .
tom asunder by the long series of wars began tof
knit together. Dalmatia, in rebellion for one=-
hundred and twenty years, was pacified to the
extent of definitely recognizing the sovereignty of
Rome. The Alps, filled with wild and barbarous
tribes, were subdued. The pro\inces of Spain were
pacified after heavy campaigns conducted with
varied success now by Caesar in person, now by
Agrippa, whom the friendship of the emperor had
raised to a third consulship and soon afterwards to
a sharejn the emperor^s Trlbunician power. Roman
iSmies nad been sent into these provinces for the
first time in the consulship of Scipio and Sempronius
239
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
secundi belli^ Punici abhinc annos quinquaginta et
ducentos Romani exercitus missi essent duce Cn.
Scipione, Africani patruo, per annos ducentos in iis
multo mutuoque ita certatum est sanguine, ut
amissis populi Romani imperatoribus exercitibusque
saepe contumelia, nonnumquam etiam periculum
3 Romano inferretur imperio. Illae enim provinciae
Scipiones consumpserunt ; illae contumelioso decem^
annorum bello sub duce Viriatho maiores nostros
exercuerunt ; illae terrore Numantini belli populum
Romanum concusserunt ; in illis turpe Q. Pompei
foedus turpiusque Mancini senatus cum ignominia
dediti imperatoris rescidit ; illa tot consulares, tot
praetorios absumpsit duces, patrumque aetate in
tantum Sertorium armis extuKt, ut per quinquennium
diiudicari non potuerit, Hispanis Romanisne in armis
plus esset roboris et uter populus alteri pariturus
4 foret. Has igitur provincias tam difFusas, tam fre-
quentis, tam feras ad eam pacem abhinc annos ferme
quinquaginta perduxit Caesar Augustus, ut quae
maximis bellis numquam vacaverant, eae sub C.
Antistio ac deinde P. Silio legato ceterisque postea
etiam latrociniis vacarent.
1 XCI. Dum pacatur occidens, ab oriente ac rege
Parthorum signa Romana, quae Crasso oppresso^
^ belli added hy Ileivsius.
2 XLIpsius;'XXAP.
* oppresso Gelenius ; presso P ; praesso A.
' 218 B.c.
S40
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xc. 2— xci. 1
Longus,*» in the first year of the Second Punic war,
two hundred and fifty years ago, under the command
of Gnaeus Scipio, the uncle of Africanus. For a period
of tvvo hundred years the struggle was kept up with
so much bloodshed on both sides that the Roman
people, by the loss of its commanders and armies,
often sufFered disgrace, and sometimes its empire
was really endangered. These, namely, were the
provinces that brought death to the Scipios ; that
taxed the endurance of our ancestors in the dis-
graceful ten years' war under Viriathus ; that shook
the Roman people with the panic of the Numantine
war ; here occurred the disgraceful surrender of
Quintus Pompeius, whose terms the senate disavowed,
and the more shameful capitulation of Mancinus,
which was also disavowed, and its maker ignomini-
ously handed over to the enemy ; it was Spain that
destroyed so many commanders who were consulars
or praetorians, and which in the days of our fathers
raised Sertorius to such a height of power that for a
period of five years it was not possible to decide
whether there was greater strength in the arms of
the Spaniard or the Roman, and which of the two
peoples was destined to obey the other. These,
then, were the provinces, so extensive, so populous,
and so warhke, which Caesar Augustus, about
fifty years ago, brought to such a condition of
peace, that whereas they had never before been
free from serious wars, they were now, under the
governorship of Gaius Antistius and then of Pubhus
Sihus and of their successors, exempt even from
brigandage.
XCI. While the pacification ofthe west was going
on, in the east the Parthian king restored to
241
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
Orodes, quae Antonio pulso filius eius Phraates
ceperant, Augusto remissa sunt. Quod cognomen
illi iure^ Planci sententia consensus universi senatus
2 populique Romani indidit. Erant tamen qui hunc
felicissimum statum odissent : quippe L. Murena
et Fannius Caepio diversis moribus (nam Murena
sine hoc facinore potuit videri bonus, Caepio et ante
hoc erat pessimus) cum iniissent occidendi Caesaris
consilia, oppressi auctoritate publica, quod vi facere
3 voluerant, iure passi sunt. Neque multo post Rufus
Egnatius, per omnia gladiatori quam senatori pro-
pior, collecto in aedilitate favore populi, quem extin-
guendis pi-ivata familia incendiis in dies auxerat,
in tantum quidem, ut ei praeturam continuaret, mox
etiam consulatum petere ausus, cum esset omni
flagitiorum scelerumque conscientia mersus nec
mehor illi res familiaris quam mens foret, adgregatis
simillimis sibi interimere Caesarem statuit, ut quo
salvo salvus esse non poterat, eo sublato moreretur.
4 Quippe ita se mores habent, ut^ publica quisque ruina
malit occidere quam sua proteri et ^ idem passurus
^ iure Orelli ; viro AP.
* ut added by Burer.
* et om. A.
« Referred to in Chap. XLVI.
» 27 B.c. « 23 B.c. ' 19 B.c.
242
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xci. 1-4
AugustTis the Roman standards which Orodes had
taken at the time of Crassus' disaster," and those
which his son Phraates had captured on the defeat
of Antony. This title of Augustus was deservedly
given him * on the motion of Plancus ^vith the
unanimous acclaim of the entire senate and the
Roman people. Yet there were those who did not
hke this prosperous state of afFairs. For example,
Lucius Nlurena and Fannius Caepio had entered
into a plot to assassinate Caesar, but were seized by
state authority and themselves suffered by law what
they had wished to accomplish by Wolence." They
were two men quite diverse in character, for Murena,
apart from this act, might have passed as a man of
good character, while Caepio, even before this, had
been of the worst. Shortly afterwards a similar
attempt was made by Rufus Egnatius,'' a man who
in all respects resembled a gladiator rather than a
senator. Securing the favour of the people in his
aedileship by putting out fires with his o^vti gang
of slaves, he increased it daily to sucli an extent that
the people gave him the praetorship immediately
after the aedileship. It was not long before he
dared to become a candidate for the consulship, but
he was overwhelmed by the general knowledge of
his shameless deeds and crimes, and the state of
his property came to be as desperate as his mind.
Therefore, collecting about him men of his own kind,
he resolved to assassinate Caesar in order that he
might die after getting rid of him whose existence
was not compatible with his own. Such men are
so constituted that each would prefer to fall in
a general cataclysm than to perish alone, and,
though suffering the same fate in the end, to be
243
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
minus conspici. Neque hic prioribus in occultando
felicior fuit, abditusque carceri cum consciis facinoris
mortem dignissimam vita sua obiit.
1 XCII. Praeclarum excellentis viri factum C. Sentii
Saturnini circa ea tempora consulis ne fraudetur
memoria. Aberat^ ordinandis Asiae Orientisque
2 rebus Caesar, circumferens terrarum orbi praesentia
sua pacis suae bona. Tum Sentius, forte et solus et
absente Caesare consul, cum alia prisca severitate,
summaque constantia, vetere consulum more ac
severitate, gessisset, protraxisset publicanorum
fraudes, punisset avaritiam, regessisset in aerarium
pecunias publicas, tum in comitiis habendis prae-
3 cipuum egit consulem : nam et quaesturam petentes,
quos indignos iudicavit, profiteri vetuit, et, cum id
facturos se perseverarent, consularem, si in campum
4 descendissent, vindictam minatus est, et Egnatium
florentem favore publico sperantemque ut praeturam
aedilitati, ita consulatum praeturae se iuncturum,
profiteri vetuit, et cum id non obtinuisset, iuravit,
etiam si factus esset consul sufFragiis populi, tamen
5 se eimi non renuntiaturum. Quod ego factum cuilibet
veterum consulum gloriae comparandum reor, nisi
^ in after aberat deleted by Krause.
" Consul 19 B.c.
* Where the elections took place.
244
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xci. 4— xcii. 5
less conspicuous in dying. He, however, was not
more successful than the rest in concealing his
designs, and after being thrust into prison with
his fellow conspirators, died the death his life f
richly deserved. — -^
XCII. The remarkable conduct of an excellent
man, Gaius Sentius Saturninus, who was consul about
this time,'' must not be cheated of its due record.
Caesar was absent from the city engaged in regulating
the afFairs of Asia and of the orient, and in bringing
to the countries of the world by his personal presence
the blessings of Augustan peace. On this occasion
Sentius, chancing thus to be sole consul ^\ith Caesar
absent, adopting the rigorous regime of the older
consuls, pursued a general policy of old-fashioned
severity and great firniness, bringing to hght the
fraudulent tricks of the tax-collectors, punishing
their avarice, and getting the pubhc moneys into
the treasury. But it was particularly in holding the
elections that he played the consul. For in the case
of candidates for the quaestorship whom he thought
unworthy, he forbade them to offer their names,
and when they insisted upon doing so, he threatened
them ^vith the exercise of his consular authority if
they came down to the Campus Martius.' Egnatius,
who was now at the height of popular favour, and was
expecting to have his consulship follow his praetor-
ship as his praetorship had foUowed his aedileship, he
forbade to become a candidate, and faiUng in this, he
swore that, even if Egnatius were elected consul by
the votes of the people, he would refuse to report
his election. This conduct I consider as comparable
with any of the celebrated acts of the consuls of the
olden days. But we are naturally more inclined to
245
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
quod naturaliter audita visis laudamus libentius
et praesentia invidia, praeterita veneratione pro-
sequimur et his nos obrui, illis instrui credimus.
1 XCIIL Ante triennium fere, quam Egnatianum
scelus erumperet, circa Murenae Caepionisque coniu-
rationis tempus, abhinc annos quinquaginta, M. Mar-
cellus, sororis Augusti Octaviae fihus, quem homines
ita, si quid accidisset Caesari, successorem potentiae
eius arbitrabantur futurum, ut tamen id per M.
Agrippam securo ei posse contingere non existi-
marent, magnificentissimo munere aedilitatis edito
decessit admodum iuvenis, sane, ut aiunt, ingenua-
rum virtutum laetusque animi et ingenii fortunae-
2 que, in quam alebatur, capax. Post cuius obitum
Agrippa, qui sub specie ministeriorum principalium
profectus in Asiam, ut fama loquitur, ob tacitas cum
Marcello ofFensiones praesenti se subduxerat tempori,
reversus inde filiam Caesaris luliam, quam in matri-
monio Marcellus habuerat, duxit uxorem, feminam
neque sibi neque rei pubUcae fehcis uteri.
1 XCIV. Hoc tractu temporum Ti. Claudius Nero,
quo trimo,^ ut praediximus, Livia, Drusi Claudiani
* trimo Aldtis ; primo AP.
' 23 B.c.
* Daughter of Augustus and his first wife Scribonia.
" The children of Julia and Agrippa were : Juha, who
became the wife of Aemihus Paullus, banished by Augustus,
her grandfather, to the island of Tremerus for adulterous
intercourse with C. Silanus ; Agrippina, the wife of
Germanicus, banished by Tiberius to the island of Panda-
teria ; Gaius and Lucius, adopted by Augustus, with the
intention that they should succeed him (their untimely
deaths are narrated in Chap. CII.) ; and Agrippa Postumus,
adopted by Augustus in a.d. 4, but later banished by him to
246
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xcu. 5— xciv. 1
praise what we have heard than what has occurred
before oixr eyes ; we regard the present with envy,
the past >\ith veneration, and believe that we are
echpsed by the former, but derive instruction from
the latter.
XCIII. Some three years before the plot of
Egnatius was exposed, about the time of the con-
spiracy of Murena and Caepio, fifty years from the
present date, Marcus Marcellus died," the son of
Octavia, sister of Augustus, after giving a magnificent
spectacle to commemorate his aedileship and while
still quite a youth. People thought that, if anything
should happen to Caesar, Marcellus would be his
successor in power, at the same time believing,
however, that this would not fall to his lot without
opposition from Marcus Agrippa. He was, we are
told, a young man of noble qualities, cheerful in
mind and disposition, and equal to the station for
which he was being reared. After his death Agrippa,
who had set out for Asia on the pretext of com-
missions from the emperor, but who, according to
current gossip, had withdrawn, for the time being,
on account of his secret animosity for Marcellus, now
returned from Asia and married Julia the daughter
of Caesar,^ who had been the wife of Marcellus, a
woman whose many children '^ were to be blessings
neither to herself nor to the state.
XCIV. At this period Tiberius Claudius Nero, in
his nineteenth year, began his pubUc life as quaestor.
I have already told how, when he was three years of
age, his mother Li^ia, the daughter of Drusus
Claudianus, had become the wife of Caesar, her
the island of Planasia where he was murdered by a centurion
on the succession of Tiberius.
247
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
filia, despondente^ Ti. Nerone, cui ante nupta fuerat,
2 Caesari nupserat, innutritus caelestium praeceptorum
disciplinis, iuvenis genere, forma, celsitudine cor-
poris, optimis studiis maximoque ingenio instructis-
siraus, qui protinus quantus est, sperari potuerat
3 visuque praetulerat principem, quaestor undevice-
simum annum agens capessere coepit rem publicam
maximamque difficultatem annonae ac rei frumen-
tariae inopiam ita Ostiae atque- in urbe mandatu
vitrici moderatus est, ut per id, quod agebat, quantus
4 evasurus esset, eluceret. Nec multo post missus ab
eodem vitrico cum exercitu ad visendas ordinandas-
que, quae sub Oriente sunt, provincias, praecipuis
omnium virtutum experimentis in eo tractu^ editis,
cum legionibus ingressus Armeniam, redacta ea in
potestatem populi Romani regnum eius Artavasdi
dedit. Quin'* rex quoque Parthorum tanti nominis
fama territus liberos suos ad Caesarem misit obsides.
1 XCV. Reversum inde Neronem Caesar haud medio-
cris belli mole^ experiri statuit, adiutore operis dato
fratre ipsius Druso Claudio, quem intra Caesaris
penates enixa erat Livia. Quippe uterque e diversis^
2 partibus Raetos Vindelicosque adgressi, multis urbium
et castellorum oppugnationibus nec non derecta
quoque acie feliciter functi gentes locis tutissimas,
^ despondente Gelenius ; respondente AP.
' ostiae atque lihenamis ; ostia eratque AP,
** tractu Gelenius ; tractatu AP.
* quin Ruhnken ; cuius AP.
■ mole Heinsius ; molera P ; morem A.
® e diversis Stanger ; divisis AP.
• See Chap. LXXI. 19.
248
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xciv. 1— xcv. 2
former husband, Tiberius Nero, himself giving her
in marriage to him.'» Nurtured by the teaching of
eminent praeceptors, a youth equipped in the
highest degree ^^ith the advantages of birth, personal
beauty, commanding presence, an excellent educa-
tion combined M-ith native talents, Tiberius gave
early promise of becoming the great man he now
is, and already by his look revealed the prince.
Now, acting on the orders of his stepfather, he so
skilfully regulated the difficulties of the grain supply
and relieved the scarcity of com at Ostia and in the
city that it was apparent from his execution of this
commission how great he was destined to become.
Shortly afterwards he was sent by his stepfather
with an army to visit the eastern provinces and
restore them to order, and in that part of the world
gave splendid illustration of all his strong qualities.
Entering Armenia with his legions, he brought it
once more under the sovereignty of the Roman
people, and gave the kingship to Artavasdes. Even
the king of the Parthians, awed by the reputation
of so great a name, sent his own children as hostages
to Caesar.
XCV. On Nero's retmn Caesar resolved to test
his powers in a war of no slight magnitude. In this
work he gave him as a collaborator his o^^ti brother
Drusus Claudius, to whom Livia gave birth when
already in the house of Caesar. The two brothers
attacked the Raeti and Vindehci from different
directions, and after storming many towns and
strongholds, as well as engaging successfully in
pitched battles, with more danger than real loss to
the Roman army, though with much bloodshed on
the part of the enemy, they thoroughly subdued
249
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
aditu difficillimas, numero frequentes, feritate truces
maiore cum periculo quam damno Romani exercitus
plurimo cum earum sanguine perdomuerunt.
3 Ante quae tempora censura Planci et Pauli acta
inter discordiam neque ipsis honori neque rei pub-
licae usui fuerat,^ cum alteri vis censoria, alteri vita
deesset, Paulus vix posset implere censorem, Plancus
timere deberet, nec quidquam obiicere posset adule-
scentibus aut obiicientes audire, quod non agnosceret
senex.
1 XCVL Mors deinde Agrippae, qui novitatem suam
multis rebus nobilitaveret atque in hoc perduxerat,
ut et Neronis esset socer, cuiusque Uberos nepotes
suos divus Augustus praepositis Gai ac Lucii nomini-
bus adoptaverat, admovit propius Neronem Caesari :
quippe filia lulia- eius, quae fuerat Agrippae nupta,
Neroni nupsit.
2 Subinde bellum Pannonicum, quod inchoatum ab^
Agrippa, Marco Vinicio, avo tuo consule,* magnum
atroxque et perquam vicinum imminebat Italiae, per
Neronem gestum est. Gentes Pannoniorum Delma-
tarumque nationes situmque regionum ac flumi-
3 num numerumque et modum virium excelsissimasque
et multiplices eo bello victorias tanti imperatoris
^ f uerat Orelli ; foret AP.
^ lulia filia Ilaase.
* ab added by Lipsius.
* consule Lipsius ; COS. A ; consulari Kritz foUowed hy
Ilalm.
« 15 B.C. » 12 B.C.
" Tiberius had married Agrippina, daughter of Agrippa
and Pomponia.
250
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xcv. 2— xcvi. 3
these races," protected as they were by the nature
of the country, difficult of access, strong in numbers,
and fiercely warhke.
Before this had occurred the censorship of Plancus
and Paulus, which, exercised as it was ■with mutual
discord, was httle credit to themselves or httle
benefit to the state, for the one lacked the force,
the other the character, in keeping with the office ;
Pauluswas scarcely capable of fillingthe censor's office,
while Plancus had only too much reason to fear it,
nor was there any charge which he could make against
yoimg men, or hear others make, of which he, old
though he was, could not recognize himself as guilty. •
XCVI. Then occurred the death of Agrippa.*
Though a " new man " he had by his many achieve-
ments brought distinction upon his obscure birth,
even to the extent of becoming the father-in-law "^
of Nero ** ; and his sons, the grandsons of the emperor,
had been adopted by Augustus under the names of
Gaius and Lucius. His death brought Nero closer
to Caesar, since his daughter JuUa, who had been
the wife of Agrippa, now married Nero.
Shortly after, the Pannonian war, which had been
begun by Agrippa in the consulate of your grand-
father, Marcus \'inicius, was conducted by Nero, a
war which was important and formidable enough,
and on account of its proximity a menace to Italy.
In another place I shall describe the tribes of the
Pannonians and the races of Dahnatians, the situa-
tion of their country and its rivers, the number and
extent of their forces, and the many glorious
victories won in the course of this war by this great
' Nero is throughout these chapters the later emperor
Tiberius.
251
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
alio loco explicabimus : hoc opus servet formam
suam. Huius victoriae compos Nero ovans trium-
phavit.
1 XCVII. Sed dum in hac parte imperii omnia
geruntur prosperrime, accepta in Germania clades
sub legato M. Lollio, homine in omnia pecuniae quam
recte faciendi cupidiore et inter summam vitiorum
dissimulationem vitiosissimo, amissaque legionis quin-
tae aquila vocavit ab urbe in Gallias Caesarem.
2 Cura deinde atque onus Germanici belli delegata
Druso Claudio, fratri Neronis, adulescenti tot tanta-
rumque virtutum, quot et quantas natura mortalis
recipit vel industria perficit.^ Cuius ingenium utrum
bellicis magis operibus an civilibus sufFecerit artibus,
in incerto est : morum certe dulcedo ac suavitas et
3 adversus amicos aequa ac par sui aestimatio inimita-
biUs fuisse dicitur ; nam pulchritudo corporis proxima
fraternae fuit. Sed illum magna ex parte domitorem
Germaniae, plurimo eius gentis variis in locis profuso
sanguine, fatorum iniquitas consulem, agentem annum
4 tricesimum, rapuit. Moles deinde eius belli translata
in Neronem est : quod is sua et virtute et fortuna
administravit peragratusque victor omnis partis
Germaniae sine ullo detrimento commissi exercitus,
quod praecipue huic duci semper curae fuit, sic
perdomuit eam, ut in formam paene stipendiariae
^ perficit Lipsitis ; percipit AP.
" An ovation was a lesser triumph. This distinction
between ovation and triumph is given by Gell. v. 6.
* 12-9 B.c.
252
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xc\a. 3— xcvii. 4
commander ; my present work must keep to its
design. After achieving this victory Nero cele-
brated an ovation."
XCVII. But while everything was being success-
fully managed in this quarter of the empire, a
disaster received in Germany under Marcus LolUus
the legate — he was a man who was ever more eager
for money than for honest action, and of ^'icious
habits in spite of his excessive efforts at conceal-
ment — and the loss of the eagle of the fifth legion,
summoned Caesar from the city to the pro\-inces
of Gaul. The burden of responsibiHty for this war*
was then entrusted to Drusus Claudius, the brother
of Nero, a young man endowed ^^-ith as many great
quahties as men's nature is capable of receiving or
application developing. It would be hard to say
whether his talents were the better adapted to a
military career or the duties of civil Hfe ; at any
rate, the charm and the sweetness of his character
are said to have been inimitable, and also his modest
attitude of equality towards his friends. As for his
personal beauty, it was second only to that of his
brother. But, after accompUshing to a great extent
the subjection of Germany, in which much blood
of that people was shed on various battle-fields, an
unkind fate can-ied him ofF during his consulship,
in his thirtieth year. The burdcn of responsibiUty
for this war was then transferred to Nero. He
carried it on with his customary valour and good
fortune, and after traversing every part of Germany
in a victorious campaign, ^Aithout any loss of the
army entrusted to him — for he made this one of
his chief concems — he so subdued the country
as to reduce it almost to the status of a tributary
253
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
redigeret provinciae. Tum alter triumphus cum
altero consulatu ei oblatus est.
1 XCVIIL Dum ea, quae diximus,^ in Pannonia Ger-
maniaque geruntur, atrox in Thracia bellum ortum,
omnibus eius gentis nationibus in arma accensis,
L. Pisonis, quem hodieque diligentissimum atque
eundem lenissimum securitatis urbanae custodem
2 habemus, virtus compressit (quippe legatus Caesaris
triennio cum iis bellavit gentesque ferocissimas
plurimo cum earum excidio nunc acie, nunc ex-
pugnationibus in pristinum pacis redegit modum)
eiusque patratione Asiae securitatem, Macedoniae
pacem reddidit. De quo viro hoc omnibus sentien-
dum ac praedicandum est, esse mores eius vigore ac
3 lenitate mixtissimos et vix quemquam reperiri posse,
qui aut otium vahdius diligat aut facihus sufficiat
negotio et magis quae agenda sunt curet sine ulla
ostentatione agendi.
1 XCIX. Brevi interiecto spatio Ti. Nero duobus
consulatibus totidemque triumphis actis tribuniciae
potestatis consortione aequatus Augusto, civium
post unum, et hoc, quia volebat, eminentissimus,
ducum maximus, fama fortunaque celeberrimus et
2 vere alterum rei publicae lumen et caput, mira
quadam et incredibili atque inenarrabili pietate,
^ diximus A ; praedixiraus P.
• 6 B.C.
254
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xc\ii. 4— xcix. 2
province. He then received a second triumph, and
a second consulship.
XC\TII. While the events of which we have spoken
were taking place in Pannonia and in Germany, a
fierce rebelUon arose in Thrace, and all its clans were
aroused to arms. It was terminated by the valour
of Lucius Piso, whom we still have -vvith us to-day
as the most vigilant and at the same time the
gentlest guardian of the security of the city. As
Ueutenant of Caesar he fought the Thracians for
three years, and by a succession of battles and sieges,
with great loss of hfe to the Thracians, he brought
these fiercest of races to their former state of peaceful
subjection. By putting an end to this war he restored
security to Asia and peace to Macedonia. Of Piso
all must think and say that his character is an
excellent blend of firmness and gentleness, and that
it would be hard to find anyone possessing a stronger
love of leisure, or, on the other hand, more capable
of action, and of taking the necessary measures
without thrusting his acti\itv upon our notice.
XCIX. Soon afterwards Tiberius Nero, who had
now held two consulships and celebrated two
triumphs ; who had been made the equal of
Augustus by sharing with him the tribunician power ;
the most eminent of all Roman citizens save one
(and that because he \\ished it so) ; the greatest of
generals, attended ahke by fame and fortune ;
veritably the second luminary and the second head
of the state — this man, moved by some strangely
incredible and inexpressible feehng of affection for
Augustus, sought leave from him who was both
his father-in-law and stepfather to rest from the
unbroken succession of his labours." The real
S55
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
cuius causae mox detectae sunt, cum Gaius Caesar
sumpsisset iam vii-ilem togam, Lucius item maturus
esset viribus,^ ne fulgor suus orientium iuvenum
obstaret initiis, dissimulata causa consilii sui, com-
meatum ab socero atque eodem vitrico adquiescendi
3 a continuatione laborum petiit. Quis fuerit eo tem-
pore civitatis habitus, qui singulorum animi, quae
digredientium a tanto viro omnium lacrimae, quam
paene ei patria manum iniecerit, iusto servemus
4 operi : illud etiam in hoc transcursu dicendum est,
ita septem annos Rhodi moratum, ut omnes, qui pro
consuhbus legatique in transmarinas sunt^ profecti
provincias, visendi eius gratia Rhodum deverterint^
atque eum* convenientes semper privato, si illa
maiestas privata umquam fuit, fasces suos summise-
rint fassique sint otium eius honoratius imperio suo.
1 C. Sensit terrarum orbis digressum a custodia
Neronem urbis : nam et Parthus desciscens a societate
Romana adiecit Armeniae manum et Germania
aversis domitoris sui ocuhs rebellavit.
2 At in urbe eo ipso anno, quo magnificentissimis^
gladiatorii muneris naumachiaeque spectacuhs divus
Augustus abhinc annos triginta se et Gallo Caninio
consuhbus, dedicato Martis templo animos oculosque
popuh Romani repleverat, foeda dictu memoriaque
^ viribus Bipont. ; viris AP ; curis Heinsius.
* sunt added by Halm.
' Rhodum deverterint add. Halm.
* atque eum Haltn ; ad quem AP.
■ magnificentissimis Cuperus ; magnificentissimi AP.
" 2 B.C.
* The Temple of Mars Ultor in the Forum of Augustus.
256
HISTORY OF ROME, II. xcix. 2— c. 2
reasons for this were soon made plain. Inasmuch as
Gaius Caesar had abeady assumed the toga of
manhood, and Lucius was reaching maturity, he
concealed his reason in order that his own glory
might not stand in the way of the young men at the
beginning of their careers. I must reserve for mv
regular history a description of the attitude of the
state at this juncture, of the feehngs of the individual
citizens, of the tears of all at taking leave of such a
man, and how nearly the state came to laying upon
him its staying hand. Even in this brief epitome I
ought to say that his stay of seven years in Rhodes
was such that all who departed for the provinces
across the sea, whether proconsuls or governors
appointed by the emperor, went out of their way
to see him at Rhodes, and on meeting him they
lowered their fasces to him though he was but a
private citizen — if such majesty could ever belong
to a private citizen— thereby confessing that his
retirement was more worthy of honour than their
official position.
C. The whole world felt the departure of Nero from
his post as protector of the city . The Parthian, break-
ing away from his alHance mth us, laid hold of
Armenia, and Germany revolted when the eyes of
its conqueror were no longer upon it.
But in the city, in the vers' year in which Augustus,
then consul Mith Gallus Caninius <* (thirty years ago),
had sated to repletion the minds and eyes of the
Roman people wiih the magnificent spectacle of a
gladiatorial show and a sham naval battle on the
occasion of the dedication of the temple of Mars.^
a calamity broke out in the emperor's own house-
hold which is shameful to narrate and dreadfuJ to
257
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
3 horrenda in ipsius domo tempestas erupit. Quippe
filia eius lulia, per omnia tanti parentis ac viri im-
memor, nihil, quod facere aut pati turpiter posset
femina, luxuria hbidineve^ infectum rehquit magni-
tudinemque fortunae suae peccandi licentia metie-
4 batur, quidquid hberet pro hcito vindicans, Tuni
lulus^ Antonius, singulare exemplum clementiae
Caesaris, violator eius domus, ipse sceleris a se
commissi ultor fuit (quem victo eius patre non tantum
incolumitate donaverat, sed sacerdotio, praetura,
consulatu, provinciis honoratum, etiam matrimonio
sororis suae fihae in artissimam adfinitatem receperat),
6 Quintiusque Crispinus, singularem nequitiam super-
cilio truci protegens, et Appius Claudius et Sem-
pronius Gracchus ac Scipio ahique minoris nominis
utriusque ordinis viri, quas^ cuiushbet uxore violata
poenas pependissent,* pependere, cum Caesaris
fiham et Neronis violassent coniugem. luha rele-
gata in insulam patriaeque et parentum subducta
ocuhs, quam tamen comitata mater Scribonia volun-
taria^ exihi permansit comes.
1 CI. Breve ab hoc intercesserat spatium, cum C.
Caesar ante ahis provinciis ad visendum^ obitis in
Syriam missus, convento prius Ti. Nerone, cui
1 libidineve Ilalm ; libidine AP.
■* lulus Schegk; Iiilius AP. * quas Orelli; quasi AP. j
* pependissent A ; om. P. ■
* voluntaria Lipsius ; voluntarii AP. i'
* ad \isendum Lipsius; ad sidendura jB^ ; ad sedandum^.
• By committing suicide.
* Marcella, daughter of Octavia by her first husband,
C. Marcellus.
' Pandataria, off the coast of Campania.
' He means Augustus and Livia. Her own mother was
of course Scribonia.
258
HISTORY OF ROME, 11. c. 3— ci. 1
recall. For his daughter Julia, utterly regardless
of her great father and her husband, left untried
no disgraceful deed untainted vriih either extra-
vagance or lust of which a 'vvoman could be guilty,
either as the doer or as the object, and was in the
habit of measuring the magnitude of her fortune
ouly in the terms of hcence to sin, setting up
her own caprice as a law unto itself. lulus
Antonius, who had been a remarkable example of
Caesars clemency, only to become the violator of
his household, avenged •nith his own hand " the
crime he had committed. After the defeat of Marcus
Antonius, his father, Augustus had not only granted
him his hfe, but after honouring him with the priest-
hood, the praetorship, the consulship, and the
govemorship of pro\inces, had admitted him to the
closest ties of relationship through a marriage with
his sister's daughter.* Quintius Crispinus also, who
hid his extraordinary depravity behind a stem brow,
Appius Claudius, Sempronius Gracchus, Scipio, and
other men of both orders but of less illustrious name,
suffered the penalty which they would have paid
had it been the wife of an ordinary citizen they had
debauched instead of the daughter of Caesar and
the wife of Nero. JuHa was banished to an island*
and removed from the eyes of her country and her
parents,"* though her mother Scribonia accompanied
her and remained with her as a voluntary companion
of her exile.
CI. Shortly after this Gaius Caesar, who had
previously made a tour of other proWnces, but only
as a v-isitor, was dispatched to Syria. On his way
he first paid his respects to Tiberius Nero, whom
259
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
omnem honorem ut superiori habuit, tam varie se
ibi gessit, ut nec laudaturum magna nec vitupera-
turum mediocris materia deficiat. Cum rege Par-
thorum, iuvene excelsissimo, in insula'^ quam amnis
Euphrates ambiebat, aequato utriusque partis numero
coiit. Quod spectaculum stantis ex diverso hinc
2 Romani, ilhnc Parthorum exercitus, cum duo inter
se eminentissima imperiorum et hominum coirent
capita, perquam clarum et memorabile sub initia
3 stipendiorum meorum tribuno mihtum mihi visere
contigit : quem mihtiae gradum ante sub patre tuo,
M. Vinici, et P. Silio auspicatus in Thracia Mace-
doniaque, mox Achaia Asiaque et omnibus ad Orien-
tem visis provinciis et ore atque utroque maris
Pontici latere, haud iniucunda tot rerum, locorum,
gentium, urbium recordatione perfruor. Prior Par-
thus apud Gaium in nostra ripa, posterior hic apud
regem in hostih epulatus est.
1 CII. Quo tempore M. Lolhi, quem veluti modera-
torem iuventae fiUi sui Augustus esse voluerat, per-
fida et plena subdoh ac versuti animi consiha, per
Parthum indicata Caesari, fama vulgavit.^ Cuius
mors intra paucos dies^ fortuita an voluntaria fuerit
ignoro. Sed quam hunc decessisse laetati homines,
tam paulo post obiisse Censorinum in iisdem provin-
ciis graviter tuht civitas, virum demerendis homi-
' excelsissirao in insula GeUnius; excelsissimae insulae
AP.
2 Caesari fama vulgavit Lipsius ; Caesaris iam avulgavit
AP.
^ after dies Halm adds secuta.
260
HISTORY OF ROME, II. ci. 1— cii. 1
he treated with all honour as his superior. In his
province he conducted himself mth such versatihty
as to furnish much material for the panegyrist and
not a Httle for the critic. On an island in the
Euphrates, with an equal retinue on each side,
Gaius had a meeting with the king of the Parthians, a
young man of distinguished presence. This spectacle
of the Roman army arrayed on one side, the Parthian
on the other, while these two eminent leaders not
only of the empires they represented but also of
mankind thus met in confereiice — truly a notable
and a memorable sight — it was my fortunate lot
to see early in my career as a soldier, when I held
the rank of tribune. I had already entered upon this
grade of the service under your father, Marcus
Vinicius, and Pubhus Silius in Thrace and Macedonia ;
later I visited Achaia and Asia and all the eastern
provinces, the outlet of the Black Sea and both its
eoasts, and it is not without feehngs of pleasure that
I recall the many events, places, peoples, and cities.
As for the meeting, first the Parthian diried with
Gaius upon the Roman bank, and later Gaius supped
with the king on the soil of the enemy.
CII. It was at this time that there were revealed
to Caesar, through the Parthian king, the traitorous
designs, reveahng a crafty and deceitful mind, of
Marcus Lolhus, whom Augustus had desired to be
the adviser of his still youthful son ; and gossip
spread the report abroad. In regard to his death,
which occurred ^vithin a few days, I do not know
whether it was accidental or voluntary. But the
joy which people felt at this death was equalled
by the sorrow which the state felt long afterwards
at the decease in the same province of Censorinus,
261
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
2 nibus genitum. Armeniam deinde Gaius'^ ingressus
prima parte introitus prospere rem^ gessit ; mox in
conloquio, cui se temere crediderat, circa Artageram
graviter a quodam, nomine Adduo, vulneratus, ex
eo ut corpus minus habile, ita animum minus utilem
3 rei publicae habere coepit. Nec defuit conversatio
hominum vitia eius adsentatione alentium (etenim
semper magnae fortunae comes adest adulatio), per
quae eo ductus erat, ut in ultimo ac remotissimo
terrarum orbis angulo consenescere quam Romam
regredi mallet Diu deinde reluctatus^ invitusque
revertens in Itahaminurbe Lyciae (Limyra nominant)
morbo obiit, cum ante annum ferme L.* Caesar
frater eius Hispanias petens Massiliae decessisset.
1 CIII. Sed fortuna, quae subduxerat spem magni
nominis, iam tum rei publicae sua praesidia reddi-
derat : quippe ante utriusque horum obitum patre
tuo P. Vinicio consule Ti. Nero reversus Rhodo
incredibili laetitia patriam repleverat. Non est diu
2 cunctatus Caesar Augustus ; neque enim quaeren-
dus erat quem legeret, sed legendus qui eminebat.
3 Itaque quod post Lucii mortem adhuc Gaio
vivo facere voluerat atque^ vehementer repugnante
Nerone erat inhibitus, post utriusque adulescentium
obitum facere perseveravit, ut et tribuniciae po-
1 Gaius added by Krause.
^ rem added hy Heinsius.
^ diu deinde reluctatus Euhnken; diu de reluctatus A;
deinde reluctatus P.
* L. Gelenius ; quinquagesimum AP.
" atque P ; eoque (vel eo quod) J5 ; quae eo A ; adeoque
Heinsitis.
• A.D. 4-. * A.D. 2.
262
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cii. 2— ciii. 3
a man born to win the affections of men. Then
Gaius entered Armenia and at first conducted his
campaign vrith success ; but later, in a parley near
Artagera, to which he rashly entrusted his person,
he was seriously wounded by a man named Adduus,
so that, in consequence, his body became less active,
and his mind of less service to the state. Nor was
there lacking the companionship of persons who
encouraged his defects by flattery — for flattery
always goes hand in hand ^viih high position — as a
result of which he -wished to spend his life in a remote
and distant corner of the world rather than retum
to Rome. Then, in the act of returning to Italy,
after long resistance and still against his will, he
died '• in a city of Lycia which they call Limyra, his
brother Lucius having died about a year before* at
Massilia on his way to Spain.
CIII. But fortune, which had removed the hope
of the great name of Caesar,' had ah-eady restored
to the state her real protector ; for thejfituffi-ef
Tiberius Nero from Rhodes in 'the consulship of
Publjjus^^^iniciiis, your father,_aDd before the death
of either of these youths, had filled his country with
joy. Caesar Augustus did not long hesitate, for he
had no need to search for one to choose as his
successor but merely to choose the one who
towered above the others. Accordingly, what he
had vvished to do after the death of Lucius but
while Gaius was still living, and had been prevented
from doing by the strong opposition of Nero himself,
he now insisted upon carrying out after the death
of both young men, namely, to make Nero his
• i.e. Gaius and Lucius who were grandsons of Augustus.
Tiberius was merely a step-son.
263
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
testatis consortionem Neroni constitueret, multum
quidem eo cum domi tum in senatu recusante, et
eum Aelio Cato C. Sentio consulibus V. Kal. lulias,
post urbem conditam annis septingentis quinqua-
ginta quattuor, abhinc annos septem et viginti ad-
optaret. Laetitiam illius diei concursmnque civitatis
4 et vota paene inserentium caelo manus spemque
conceptam perpetuae securitatis aetemitatisque
Romani imperii vix in illo iusto opere abunde per-
sequi poterimus, nedum hic implere temptemus,
5 contenti^ id unum dixisse quam ille omnibus faustus^
fuerit. Tum refulsit certa spes liberorum parentibus,
viris matrimoniorum, dominis patrimonii, omnibus
hominibus salutis, quietis, pacis, tranquilUtatis, adeo
ut nec plus sperari potuerit nec spei responderi
felicius.
1 CIV. Adoptatus eadem die etiam M. Agrippa,
quem- post mortem Agrippae lulia enixa erat, sed
in Neronis adoptione illud adiectum his ipsis Caesaris
2 verbis : hoc, inquit, rei publicae causa facio. Non
diu vindicem custodemque imperii sui morata in
urbe patria protinus in Germaniam misit, ubi ante
triennium sub M. Vinicio, avo tuo, clarissimo viro,
immensum exarserat bellum. Erat id^ ab eo qui-
^ contenti added hy Rhenanus ; contenti simus Burer.
^ faustus added by Halm.
^ id Lipsius ; et AP.
' A.D. 4.
264
HISTORY OF ROME, II. ciii. a— civ. 2
associate in the tribunician power, in spite of his
continued objection both in private and in the
senate ; and in the consulship of Aelius Catus
and Gaius Sentius," on the twenty-seventh of June,
he adopted him, seven hundred and fifty-four years
after the founding of the city, and twenty-seven
years ago. The rejoicing of that day, the concourse
of the citizens, their vows as they stretched their
hands almost to the very heavens, and the hopes
which they entertained for the perpetual security
and the etemal existence of the Roman empire, I
shall hardly be able to describe to the full even in
my comprehensive work, much less try to do it
justice here. I shall simply content myself ^vith
stating what a day of good omen it was for all. On
that day there sprang up once more in parents the
assurance of safety for their children, in husbands
for the sanctity of marriage, in o^vners for the
safety of their property, and in all men the assurance
of safety, order, peace, and tranquillity ; indeed, it
would have been hard to entertain larger hopes, or
to have them more happily fulfiUed.
CIV. On the same day Marcus Agrippa, to whom
JuUa had given birth after the death of Agrippa,
was also adopted by Augustus ; but, in the case of
Nero, an addition was made to the formula of /
adoption in Caesar's ovm words : " This I do for
reasons of state." His country did not long detain
at Rome the champion and the guardian of her
empire, but forthwith dispatched him to Germany,
where, three years before, an extensive war had
broken out in the govemorship of that illustrious
man, Marcus Vinicius, your grandfather. Vinicius
had carried on this war with success in some quarters,
265
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
busdam in locis gestum, quibusdam sustentatum
feliciter, eoque nomine decreta ei cum speciossisima
inscriptione operum ornamenta triumphalia.
3 Hoc tempus me, functum ante tribunatu, cas-
trorum Ti. Caesaris militem fecit : quippe protinus
ab adoptione missus cum eo praefectus equitum in
Germaniam, successor officii patris mei, caelestissi-
morum eius operum per annos continuos novem^
praefectus aut legatus spectator, tum^ pro captu
mediocritatis meae adiutor fui. Neque illi spec-
taculo, quo fructus sum, simile condicio mortalis
recipere videtur mihi, cum per celeberrimam ItaHae
partem tractumque omnem GalHae provinciarum
veterem imperatorem et ante meritis ac virtutibus^
quam nomine Caesarem revisentes sibi quisque quam
4 illi gratularentur plenius. At vero miUtum conspectu
eius eUcitae gaudio lacrimae alacritasque et saluta-
tionis nova quaedam exultatio et contingendi manum
cupiditas non continentium protinus quin adiicerent,
" videmus te, imperator ? Salvum recepimus ? " Ac
deinde " ego tecum, imperator, in Armenia, ego in
Raetia fui, ego a te in Vindehcis, ego in Pannonia,
ego in Germania donatus sum " neque verbis exprimi
et fortasse vix mereri fidem potest.
> VIIII. P; VIII. ^.
^ spectator tum Thomas ; spectaturn A ; spectatus P ;
spectator et Gelenius folloxced hy Ilalm.
^ virtutibus Lipsiits ; viribus AP.
" Inasmuch as, under the empire, the emperor was
technically commander-in-chief, he alone had a legitimate
claim to a triumph. After 14 b.c. triumphs were rarely con-
ceded to any but members of the imperial family. But in
lieu of a triumph the victorious general was given ti tles
bestowed upon the imperator of republican times, the per-
mission to wear the triumphal robe and the right to bequeath
triumphal statues to his descendants.
266
HISTQRY OF ROME, II. civ. 2-4
and in others had made a successful defence, and
on this account there had been decreed to him the
ornaments of a triumph " 'with an honorary inscription
recording his deeds.
It was at this time that I became a soldier in the
camp of Tiberius Caesar, after ha\dng previously
fiUed the duties of the tribunate. For, immediately
after the adoption of Tiberius, I was sent ^^ith him
to Germany as prefect of cavahy, succeeding my
father in that position, and for nine continuous years
as prefect of cavahy or as commander of a legion I
"was a spectator of his superhuman achievements,
and further assisted in them to the extent of my
modest abihty. I do not think that mortal man
will be permitted to behold again a sight hke that
which I enjoyed, when, throughout the most
populous parts of Italy and the full extent of the
provinces of Gaul, the people as they beheld once
more their old commander, who by virtue of his
ser\"ices had long been a Caesar before he was such
in name, congratulated themselves in even heartier
terms than they congratulated him. Indeed, words
cannot express the feeHngs of the soldiers at their
meeting, and perhaps my account ■v^-ill scarcely be
beheved — the tears which sprang to their eyes in
their joy at the sight of him, their eagerness, their
strange transports in saluting him, their longing to
touch his hand, and their inabihty to restrain such
cries as " Is it really you that we see, commander ? "
" Have we received you safely back among us ? " "I
served with you, general, in Armenia ! " " And I
in Raetia ! " "I received my decoration from you
in Vindehcia ! " " And I mine in Pannonia ! " " And
I in Germany ! "
267
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
1 CV. Intrata protinus Germania, subacti Cannine-
fates, Attuarii, Bructeri, recepti Cherusci (gentis eius
Arminius^ mox nostra clade nobilis),transitus Visurgis,
penetrata ulteriora, cum omnem partem asperrimi
et periculosissimi belli Caesar vindicaret sibi,^ iis,
quae minoris erant discriminis, Sentium Saturninum,
qui iam^ legatus patris eius in Germania fuerat,
2 praefecisset, virum multiplicem virtutibus,* gnavum,
agilem, providum militariumque officiorum patientem
ac peritum pariter, sed eundem, ubi negotia fecissent
locum otio, liberaliter lauteque eo abutentem, ita
tamen, ut eum splendidum atque hilarem potius
quam luxuriosum aut desidem diceres. De cuius
viri claro ingenio celebrique consulatu praediximus.
3 Anni eius aestiva usque in mensem Decembrem pro-
ducta inmanis emolumentum fecere victoriae. Pietas
sua Caesarem paene obstructis^ hieme Alpibus in
urbem traxit, at tutela^ imperii eum veris initio re-
duxit in Germaniam, in cuius mediis finibus ad caput
Lupiae' fluminis hiberna digrediens princeps locaverat .
1 CVI. Pro dii boni, quanti voluminis opera inse-
quenti aestate sub duce Tiberio Caesare gessimus !
Perlustrata armis tota Germania est, victae gentes
^ gentis eius Arminius Fr. Jacob; gentis (-tes P) et
inamninus (inamminus BA) AP.
2 sibi Cludius ; in AP.
•' iam Gruner ; tura AP.
^ multiplicem virtutibus Raphelenffius ; multiplicem in
vii-tutibus AP.
^ obstructis Gelenius ; extructis AP. _
® at tutela Lipsius ; ad tutelam AP. M
' Lupiae Lipsiv^ ; luliae AP. ^
• A.D. 4. * Bk. II. Chap. XCII.
" The position of princeps before the verb seeras to justify
this interpretation in preference to taking it as a substantive.
268
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cv. 1— cvi. 1
CV. He at once entered Germany." The Cannine-
fates, the Attuarii, and Bructeri were subdued, the
Cherusci (Arminius, a member of this race, was soon
to become famous for the disaster inflicted upon us)
were again subjugated, the Weser crossed, and the
regions beyond it penetrated. Caesar claimed for
himself every part of the war that was difficult or
dangerous, placing Sentius Saturninus, who had
already served as legate under his father in Germany,
in charge of expeditions of a less dangerous character :
a man many-sided in his \irtues, a man of energy
of action, and of foresight, alike able to endure the
duties of a soldier as he was well trained in them,
but who, Ukewise, when his labours left room for
leisure, made a hberal and elegant use of it, but wdth
this reservation, that one would call him sumptuous
and jovial rather than extravagant or indolent.
About the distinguished abiUty of this illustrious
man and his famous consulship I have already
spoken.'' The prolonging of the campaign of that
year into the month of December increased the
benefits derived from the great victory. Caesar
was drawn to the city by his fihal affection, though
the Alps were ahnost blocked by ^Wnter^s snows ;
but the defence of the empire brought him at the
beginning of spring back to Germany, where he had
on his departure pitched his winter camp at the
source of the river Lippe, in the very heart of the
country, the first " Roman to winter there.
CVI. Ye Heavens, how large a volume could be
filled with the tale of our achievements in the
following summer ^ under the generalship of Tiberius
Caesar ! AU Germany was traversed by our armies,
* A.D. 5.
269
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
paene nominibus incognitae, receptae Cauchorum
nationes : omnis eorum iuventus infinita numero,
immensa corporibus, situ locorum tutissima, traditis
armis una cum ducibus suis saepta fulgenti armato-
que militum nostrorum agmine ante imperatoris
2 procubuit tribunal. Fracti Langobardi, gens etiam
Germana feritate ferocior ; denique quod numquam
antea spe conceptum, nedum opere temptatum erat,
ad quadringentesimum miliarium a Rheno usque ad
flumen Albim, qui Semnonum Hermundurorumque
fines praeterfluit, Romanus cum signis perductus
3 exercitus. Et eadem^ mira felicitate et cura ducis,
temporum quoque observantia, classis, quae Oceani
circumnavigaverat sinus, ab inaudito atque incognito
ante mari flumine Albi subvecta, cum plurimarum
gentium victoria parta- cum abundantissima rerum
omnium copia exercitui Caesarique se iunxit.
1 CVIL Non tempero mihi quin tantae rerum magni-
tudini hoc, qualecumque est, inseram. Cum citerio-
rem ripam praedicti fluminis castris occupassemus
et ulterior armata hostium virtute^ fulgeret, sub
omnem motum conatumque* nostrarum navium pro-
tinus refugientium, unus e barbaris aetate senior,
corpore excellens, dignitate, quantum ostendebat
cultus, eminens, cavatum, ut illis mos est, ex materia
* eadem Kritz ; eodem AP. "^ parta added by Halm.
3 virtute A ; iuventute P.
* motum conatumque Ilalm ; motumque BA ; motum P.
" If he means simply the North Sea, it had been already
navigated by Drusus but not so far to the eastward.
270
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cvi. 1— cvii. 1
races were conquered hitherto akaost unknown, even
by name ; and the tribes of the Cauchi were again
subjugated. AU the flower of their youth, infinite
in number though they were, huge of stature and
protected by the ground they held, surrendered
their arms, and, flanked by a gleaming line of our
soldiers, fell ^^ith their generals upon their knees
before the tribunal of the commander. The power
of the Langobardi was broken, a race surpassing
even the Germans in savagery ; and finally — and
this is something which had never before been
entertained even as a hope, much less actually
attempted — a Roman army -«ith its standards was
led foiu- hundred miles beyond the Rhine as far as
the river Elbe, which flows past the territories of
the Semnones and the Hermunduri. And with the
same wonderful combination of careful planning and
good fortune on the part of the general, and a close
watch upon the seasons, the fleet which had skirted
the >vindings of the sea coast sailed up the Elbe
from a sea hitherto unheard of and unloiown,'' and
after pro\ing ^-ictorious over many tribes effected a
junction with Caesar and the army, bringing with
it a great abundance of supphes of all kinds.
CVII. Even in the midst of these great events I
cannot refrain from inserting this little incident. \Ve
were encamped on the nearer bank of the aforesaid
river, while on the farther bank gUttered the arms
of the enemies' troops, who showed an incUnation
to flee at every movement and mancEuvre of oiu-
vessels, when one of the barbarians, advanced in
years, tall of stature, of high rank, to judge by his
dress, embarked in a canoe, made as is usual with
271
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
conscendit alveum solusque id navigii genus tem-
perans ad medium processit fluminis et petiit, liceret
2 sibi sine periculo in eam, quam armis tenebamus,
egredi ripam ac videre Caesarem. Data petenti
facultas. Tum adpulso lintre et diu tacitus contem-
platus Caesarem, nostra quidem, inquit, furit iuven-
tus, quae cum vestrum numen absentium colat, prae-
sentium potius arma metuit quam sequitur fidem.
Sed ego beneficio ac permissu tuo, Caesar, quos ante
audiebam, hodie vidi deos, nec feliciorem ullum
vitae meae aut optavi aut sensi diem. Impetrato-
que ut manum contingeret, reversus in navicu-
lam, sine fine respectans Caesarem ripae suorum
adpulsus est. Victor omnium gentium locorumque,
3 quos adierat Caesar,^ incolumi inviolatoque et semel
tantummodo magna cum clade hostium fraude
eorum temptato exercitu in hiberna legiones re-
duxit, eadem qua priore anno festinatione urbem
petens.
1 CVIII. Nihil erat iam in Germania, quod vinci
posset, praeter gentem Marcomannorum, quae Maro-
boduo duce excita sedibus suis atque in interiora
refugiens incinctos Hercynia silva^ campos incolebat.
2 Nulla festinatio huius viri mentionem transgredi
debet. Maroboduus, genere nobihs, corpore prae-
valens, animo ferox, natione magis quam ratione
barbarus, non tumultuarium neque fortuitum neque
^ cum after Caesar deleted by Herelius.
^ Hercinia silva Heinsiiis ; Herciniae silvae AP.
272
HISTORY OF ROME, II. c\-ii. 1— cviii. 2
them of a hoUowed log, and guiding this strange craft
he advanced alone to the middle of the stream and
asked permission to land without harm to himself
on the bank occupied by our troops, and to see
Caesar. Permission was granted. Then he beached
his canoe, and, after gazing upon Caesar for a long
time in silence, exclaimed : " Our young men are
insane, for though they worship you as divine when
absent, when you are present they fear your armies
instead of trusting to your protection. But I, by
your kind permission, Caesar, have to-day seen the
gods of whom I merely used to hear ; and in my
life have never hoped for or experienced a happier
day." After asking for and receiWng permission to
touch Caesar's hand, he again entered his canoe,
and continued to gaze back upon him until he landed
upon his own bank. Victorious over all the nations
and countries which he approached, his army safe
and unimpaired, ha\ing been attacked but once,
and that too through deceit on the part of the enemy
and with great loss on their side, Caesar led his
legions back to winter quarters, and sought the city
with the same haste as in the previous year.
CVTII. Nothing remained to be conquered in
Germany except the people of the Marcomanni,
which, leaving its settlements at the summons of
its leader Maroboduus, had retired into the interior
and now dwelt in the plains surrounded by the
Hercynian forest. No considerations of haste should
lead us to pass over this man Maroboduus without
mention. A man of noble family, strong in body and
courageous in mind, a barbarian by birth but not in
intelhgence, he achieved among his countrymen no
mere chief 's position gained as the result of internal
273
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
mobilem et ex voluntate parentium constantem inter
suos occupavit principatum, sed certum imperium
vimque regiam complexus animo statuit avocata
procul a Romanis gente sua eo progredi, ubi cum
propter potentiora arma refugisset, sua faceret
potentissima. Occupatis igitur, quos^ praediximus,
locis finitimos omnis aut bello domuit aut condicio-
nibus iuris sui fecit.
1 CIX. Corpus suum custodientium^ imperium, per-
petuis exercitiis paene ad Romanae disciplinae for-
mam redactum, brevi in eminens et nostro quoque
imperio timendum perduxit fastigium gerebatque
se ita adversus Romanos, ut neque bello nos laces-
seret, et si^ lacesseretur, superesse sibi vim ac
2 voluntatem resistendi ostenderet.* Legati, quos
mittebat ad Caesares, interdum ut supplicem com-
mendabant, interdum ut pro pari loquebantur. Gen-
tibus hominibusque a nobis desciscentibus erat apud
eum perfugium, in^ totumque ex male dissimulato
agebat aemulum ; exercitumque, quem septuaginta
milium peditum, quattuor equitum fecerat, adsiduis
adversus finitimos bellis exercendo maiori quam,
3 quod habebat, operi praeparabat : eratque etiam eo
timendus, quod cum Germaniam ad laevam et in
fronte, Pannoniam ad dextram, a tergo sedium suarum
haberet Noricos, tamquam in omnes semper venturus
* quos P; quls BA.
• custodientium Madvig ; custodia tura AP.
' lacesseret, at si added by Rhenanus.
* ostenderet added hy Burman.
* in added hy Acidalius.
" The region was that of Bohemia. By " in front" he
means "to the north." The "rear" is to the south, the
"left" to the west, and the "right" to the east, although
Pannonia really lay south-east.
274
HISTORY OF ROME, II. c^iii. 2— cix. 3
disorders or chance or liable to change and dependent
upon the caprice of his subjects, but, concei^ing in
his mind the idea of a definite empire and royal
powers, he resolved to remove his own race far
away from the Romans and to migrate to a place
where, inasmuch as he had fled before the strength
of more powerful arms, he might make his own all
powerful. Accordingly, after occupying the region
we have mentioned, he proceeded to reduce all the
neighbouring races by war, or to bring them under
his sovereignty by treaty.
CIX. The body of guards protecting the kingdom
of Maroboduus, which by constant drill had been
brought almost to the Roman standard of discipline,
soon placed him in a position of power that was
dreaded even by our empire. His pohcy toward
Rome was to avoid provoking us by war, but at the
same time to let us understand that, if he were
provoked by us he had in reserve the power and the
wiU to resist. The envoys whom he sent to the
Caesars sometimes commended him to them as a
supphant and sometimes spoke as though they
represented an equal. Races and individuals who
revolted from us found in him a refuge, and in all
respects, with but httle concealment, he played the
part of a rival. His army, which he had brought up
to the number of seventy thousand foot and four
thousand horse, he was steadily preparing, by
exercising it in constant wars against his neighbours,
for some greater task than that which he had in
hand. He was also to be feared on this account, that,
having Germany at the left and in front of his
settlements, Pannonia on the right, and Noricum in
the rear " of them, he was dreaded by all as one who
275
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
4 ab omnibus timebatur. Nec securam incrementi sui
patiebatur esse Italiam, quippe cum a summis Alpium
iugis, quae finem Italiae terminant, initium eius^
finium haud multo plus ducentis milibus passuum
5 abesset. Hunc virum et hanc regionem proximo
anno diversis e partibus Ti. Caesar adgredi statuit.
Sentio Saturnino mandatum, ut per Cattos excisis
continentibus Hercyniae silvis legiones Boiohaemum
(id regioni, quam incolebat Maroboduus, nomen est)
duceret,^ ipse a Carnunto, qui locus Norici regni
proximus ab hac parte erat, exercitum, qui in
Illyrico merebat, ducere in Marcomannos orsus est.
1 CX. Rumpit interdum, interdum^ moratur pro-
posita hominum fortuna. Praeparaverat iam hiberna
Caesar ad Danubium admotoque exercitu non plus
quam quinque dierum iter a primis hostium aberat,
2 legionesque quas^ Saturninum admovere placuerat,
paene aequali divisae intervallo ab hoste intra paucos
dies in praedicto loco cum Caesare se^ iuncturae erant,
cum universa Pannonia, insolens longae pacis bonis,
adulta viribus, Delmatia omnibusque tractus eius genti-
bus in societatem adductis consilii,^ arma corripuit.
3 Tum necessaria gloriosis praeposita neque tutum
visum abdito in interiora exercitu vacuam tam
vicino hosti relinquere Italiam. Gentium nationum-
^ eius P; cuius BA.
^ duceret supplied by lApsius.
* Tlie second interdum added by Heinsius ; iter dum AP.
* aberat legionesque quas supplied hy Haupt.
* se added by Kranse.
* consilii jProA/Jr/j ; constitit ^P.
" Pannonian War, a.d. 6-9.
276
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cix.
might at any moment descend upon aU. Nor did
he permit Italy to be free from concern as regards
his gro\\"ing power, since the summits of the Alps
which mark her boundary were not more than two
hundred miles distant from his boundary line. Such
was the man and such the region that Tiberius Caesar
resolved to attack from opposite directions in the
course of the coming year. Sentius Saturninus had
instructions to lead his legions through the country
of the Catti into Boiohaemum, for that is the name
of the region occupied by Maroboduus, cutting a
passage through the Hercynian forest which bounded
the region,while from Camuntum, the nearest point of
the kingdom of Noricum in this direction, he himself
undertook to lead against the Marcomanni the army
which was ser\-ing in Illyricum.
CX. Fortune sometimes breaks off completely,
sometimes merely delays, the execution of men's
plans. Caesar had already arranged his \Alnter
quarters on the Danube, and had brought up his
army to mthin five days' march of the advanced
posts of the enemy ; and the legions which he had
ordered Saturninus to bring up, separated from the
enemy by an almost equal distance, were on the point
of effecting a junction wlth Caesar at a predetermined
rendezvous within a few days, wlien all Pannonia,
gro\vn arrogant through the blessings of a long peace
and now at the maturity of her power, suddenly took
up arms," bringing Dalmatia and all the races of
that region into her alliance. Thereupon glory was
sacrificed to necessity ; and it did not seem to
Tiberius a safe course to keep his army buried in
the interior of the country and thus leave Italy
unprotected from an enemy so near at hand. The
277
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
que, quae rebellaverant, omnis numerus amplius
octingentis milibus explebat ; ducenta fere peditum
colligebantur armis habilia, equitum novem. Cuius
4 immensae multitudinis, parentis acerrimis ac peri-
tissimis ducibus, pars petere Italiam decreverat
iunctam sibi Nauporti ac Tergestis confinio, pars in
Macedoniam se effuderat,^ pars suis sedibus prae-
sidium esse destinaverat. Maxima^ duobus Batoni-
6 bus^ ac Pinneti ducibus auctoritas erat.* Omnibus
autem Pannoniis non disciplinae tantummodo, sed
linguae quoque notitia Romanae, plerisque etiam
litterarum usus et familiaris animorum^ erat exer-
citatio. Itaque hercules nulla umquam natio tam
6 mature consilio belli bellum iunxit ac decreta patravit.
Oppressi cives Romani, trucidati negotiatores, magnus
vexillariorum numerus ad internecionem ea in
regione, quae plurimum ab imperatore aberat,
caesus, occupata armis Macedonia, omnia et in
omnibus locis igni ferroque vastata. Quin* etiam
tantus huius belli metus fuit, ut stabilera illum et
firmatum' tantorum bellorum experientia Caesaris
Augusti animum quateret atque terreret.
1 CXI. Habiti itaque dilectus, revocati undique et
omnes veterani, viri feminaeque ex censu libertinum
* se effuderat Ursinus ; effugerat AP.
2 maxima Ileinsius ; proxima AP.
• duobus Batonibus AP ; Batoni Halm.
* in after erat deleted by Heinsius.
■ animorum AP ; armorum Bothe followed hy Halm,
^ quin Vascosanus ; quia AP.
' firmatum Burer ; formatum BA ; fortunatum P,
278
I
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cx. 3— cxi. 1
fiill number of the races and tribes which had
rebelled reached a total of more than eight hundred
thousand. About two hundred thousand infantry
trained to arms, and nine thousand cavaby were
being assembled. Of this immense number, which
acted under the orders of energetic and capable
generals, one portion had decided to make Italy its
goal, which was connected with them by the hne of
Nauportum and Tergeste, a second had abready
poured into Macedonia, while a third had set itself
the task of protecting their owti territories. The
chief authority rested with the two Batones and
Pinnes as generals. Now all the Pannonians possessed
not only a knowledge of Roman discipUne but also
of the Roman tongue, many also had some measure
of Uterary culture, and the exercise of the inteUect
was not uncommon among them. And so it came
to pass, by Hercules, that no nation ever displayed
such swiftness in foUowing up with war its own
plans for war, and in putting its resolves into execu-
tion. Roman citizens were overpowered, traders were
massacred, a considerable detachment of veterans,
stationed in the region which was most remote from
the commander, was exterminated to a man, Mace-
donia was seized by armed forces, everywhere was
wholesale devastation by fire and sword. Moreover,
such a panic did this war inspire that even the
courage of Caesar Augustus, rendered steady and
firm by experience in so many wars, was shaken
with fear.
CXI. Accordingly levies were held, from every
quarter aU the veterans were recaUed to the
standards, men and women were compeUed, in
proportion to their income, to fumish fireedmen as
279
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
coactae dare militem. Audita in senatu vox prin-
cipis, decimo die, ni caveretur, posse hostem in urbis
Romae venire conspectum. Senatorum equitumque
2 Romanorum exactae ad id bellum operae, pollicitati.^
Omnia haec frustra praeparassemus, nisi qui illa rege-
ret fuisset. Itaque ut praesidium ultimum"'' res pub-
lica ab Augusto ducem in bellum poposcit Tiberium.
3 Habuit in hoc quoque bello mediocritas nostra
speciosi ministerii^ locum. Finita equestri militia
designatus quaestor necdum senator aequatus sena-
toribus, etiam designatis tribunis plebei, partem
exercitus ab urbe traditi ab Augusto perduxi ad
4 filium eius. In quaestura deinde remissa sorte pro-
vinciae legatus eiusdem ad eundem missus sum.*
Quas nos primo anno acies hostium vidimus !
Quantis prudentia ducis opportunitatibus furentes^
eorum vires universas elusimus,® fudimus^ partibus !
Quanto cum temperamento simul civilitatis^ res
auctoritate imperatoria^ agi vidimus ! Qua prudentia
hiberna disposita sunt ! Quanto opere inclusus
custodiis exercitus nostri, ne qua posset erumpere
inopsque copiarum et intra se furens viribus hostis
elanguesceret !
1 CXII. Fehx eventu, forte conatu prima aestate
^ Before pollicitati Halm supplies prompte.
2 ultimum Lipsius ; militum AP.
8 ministerii Lipsius ; ministri AP.
* missus sum Halm ; missum A ; missus P.
' furentes BAP ; fruentes Orelli.
" elusimus suggested by a reviewer in Bihl. phil. i. 42,
eius imus
euasimus A ; evasimus P. "^ fudiraus added hy Haase.
* civilitatis Madcig after Ruhnken ; utilitatis AP.
^ imperatoria Madvig ; imperatoris AP.
" Legatus Atu/usti : as staff officer appointed by Augustus
and attached to the army of Tlberius.
280
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxi. 1— cxii. 1
soldiers. Men heard Augustus say in the senate,
that, unless precautions were taken, the enemy
might appear in sight of Rome \\"ithin ten days.
The ser^ices of senators and knights were demanded
for this war, and promised. AU these oiu" prepara-
tions would have been vain had we not had the man
to take command. And so, as a final measure of
protection, the state demanded from Augustus that
Tiberius should conduct the war.
In this war also my modest abiUties had an op-
portunity for glorious ser\ice. I was now, at the
end of my service in the cavalr}-, quaestor designate,
and though not yet a senator I was placed upon a
parity vrith senators and even tribunes elect, and
led from the city to Tiberius a portion of the army
which was entrusted to me by Augustus. Then
in my quaestorship, giWng up my right to have a
province allotted me, I was sent to Tiberius as legatus
Augusti.'^
What armies of the enemy did we see drawn up
for battle in that first year ! What opportunities did
we avail ourselves of through the foresight of the
general to evade their united forces and rout them
in separate di\-isions ! With what moderation and
kindness did we see all the business of warfare
conducted, though under the authority of a miUtary
commander ! With what judgement did he place
our \\-inter camps ! How carefuUy was the enemy
so blockaded by the outposts of our army that he
could nowhere break through, and that, through
lack of suppHes and by disaffection ^Wthin his own
ranks, he might graduaUy be weakened in strength !
CXII. An exploit of Messahnus in the first summer
of the war, fortunate in its issue as it was bold in
281
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
2 belli Messalini opus mandandum est memoriae. Qui
vir animo etiam quam gente nobilior dignissimusque,^
qui et patrem Corvinum habuisset et cognomen suum
Cottae fratri relinqueret, praepositus Illyrico subita
rebellione cum semiplena legione vicesima circum-
datus hostili exercitu amplius viginti milia^ fudit
fugavitque et ob id ornamentis triumphaUbus hono-
ratus est.
3 Ita placebat barbaris numerus suus, ita fiducia
virium, ut ubicumque Caesar esset, nihil in se
reponerent. Pars exercitus eorum, proposita ipsi duci
et ad arbitrium utilitatemque nostram macerata per-
ductaque ad exitiabilem famem, neque instantem
sustinere neque cum^ facientibus copiam pugnandi
derigentibusque aciem ausa congredi occupato monte
4 Claudio munitione se defendit. At ea pars, quae
obviam se effuderat exercitui, quem A. Caecina et
Silvanus Plautius consulares ex transmarinis adduce-
bant provinciis, circumfusa quinque legionibus nostris
auxiliaribusque et equitatui regio (quippe magnam
Thracum manum iunctus praedictis ducibus Rhoe-
metalces,^ Thraciae rex, in adiutorium eius belli
secum trahebat) paene exitiabilem omnibus cladem
6 intulit : fusa^ regiorum equestris acies, fugatae alae,
^ que added by Heinsitts.
' hostiura after railia deleted by Orelli.
* cum Ruhnken ; ut AP,
* Rhoeraetalces Rhenanus ; Rhomo et Alces BAP.
* fusa Voss. ; fuga BA ; fugata P.
" A mountain range in Pannonia near the modern
Warasdin on the river Drave.
282
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxii. 2-5
undertaking, must here be recorded for posterity.
This man, who was even more noble in heart than in
birth, and thoroughly worthy of ha\ang had Corvinus
as his father, and of leaving his cognomen to
his brother Cotta, was in command in IUyricum,
and, at the sudden outbreak of the rebellion, finding
himself surrounded by the army of the enemy and
supported by only the twentieth legion, and that
at but half its normal strength, he routed and put
to flight more than twenty thousand, and for this
was honoured with the omaments of a triumph.
The barbarians were so httle satisfied ^^ith their
numbers and had so httle confidence in their own
strength that they had no faith in themselves where
Caesar was. The part of their army which faced
the commander himseh", worn down according as it
suited our pleasure or advantage, and reduced to
the verge of destruction by famine, not daring to
withstand him when he took the offensive, nor to
meet our men when they gave them an opportunity
for fighting and drew up their hne of battle,
occupied the Claudian mountain " and defended itself
behind fortifications. But the division of their forces
which had swarmed out to meet the army which
the consulars Aulus Caecina and Silvanus Plautius
were bringing up from the provinces across the sea,
surrounded five of our legions, together with the
troops of our alUes and the cavalry of the king (for
Rhoemetalces, king of Thrace, in conjunction with
the aforesaid generals was bringing with him a
large body of Thracians as reinforcements for the
war), and inflicted a disaster that came near being
fatal to all. The horsemen of the king were routed,
the cavah-y of the alhes put to flight, the cohorts
283
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
conversae cohortes sunt, apud signa quoque legionum
trepidatum. Sed Romani virtus militis plus eo
tempore vindicavit gloriae quam ducibus reliquit,
qui multum a more imperatoris sui discrepantes ante
in hostem inciderunt, quam per exploratores, ubi
hostis esset, cognoscerent. lam igitur in dubiis
6 rebus semet ipsae legiones adhortatae, iugulatis ab
hoste quibusdam tribunis militum, interempto prae-
fecto castrorum praefectisque cohortium, non incru-
entis centurionibus, e quibus^ etiam primi ordinis^
cecidere, invasere hostes nec sustinuisse contenti
perrupta eorum acie ex insperato victoriam vindi-
caverunt.
7 Hoc fere tempore Agrippa, qui eodem die quo
Tiberius adoptatus ab avo suo naturali erat et iam
ante biennium, qualis esset, apparere coeperat, mira
pravitate animi atque ingenii in praecipitia con-
versus patris atque eiusdem avi sui animum alienavit
sibi, moxque crescentibus in dies vitiis dignum furore
suo habuit exitum.
1 CXIII. Accipe nunc, M. Vinici, tantum in bello
ducem, quantum in pace vides principem. lunctis
exercitibus, quique sub Caesare fuerant quique ad
eum venerant, contractisque in una castra decem
legionibus, septuaginta amplius cohortibus, decem
^ e quihns Boecler ; quiP: quibus B^.
^ ordinis Gelenius ; ordines AP.
" i.e. Augustus who was his grandfather and adopted
father.
284
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxii. 5— cxiii. 1
tumed their backs to the enemy, and the panic
extended even to the standards of the legion. But
in this crisis the valour of the Roman soldier claimed
for itself a greater share of glory than it left to the
generals, who, departing far from the pohcy of their
commander, had allowed themselves to come into
contact with the enemy before they had leamed
through their scouts where the enemy was. At
this critical moment, when some tribunes of the
soldiers had been slain by the enemy, the prefect
of the camp and several prefects of cohorts had been
cut off, a nimiber of centurions had been wounded,.
and even some of the centurions of the first rank
had fallen, the legions, shouting encouragement to
each other, fell upon the enemy, and not con-
tent with sustaining their onslaught, broke through
their hne and wrested a ^ictory from a desperate
phght.
About this time Agrippa, who had been adopted
by his natural grandfather on the same dav as
Tiberius, and had already, two years before, begun
to reveal his true character, ahenated from himself
the affection of his father and grandfather," falUng
into reckless ways by a strange depravity of mind
and disposition ; and soon, as his ^ices increased
daily, he met the end which his madness deserved.
CXIII. Listen now, Marcus Vinicius, to the proof
that Caesar was no less great in war as a general
than you now see him in peace as an emperor.
When the two armies were united, that is to say
the troops which had served under Caesar and
those which had come to reinforce him, and there
were now gathered together in one camp ten legions,
more than seventy cohorts, fourteen troops of cavalry
285
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
alis et^ pluribus quam decem veteranorum milibus,
ad hoc magno voluntariorum numero frequentique
equite regio, tanto denique exercitu, quantus nullo
umquam loco post bella fuerat civilia, omnes eo
ipso laeti erant maximamque fiduciam victoriae in
2 numero reponebant. At imperator, optimus eorum
quae agebat iudex et utilia speciosis praeferens
quodque semper eum facientem vidi in omnibus
bellis, quae probanda essent, non quae utique pro-
barentur sequens, paucis diebus exercitum, qui
venerat, ad refovendas ex itinere eius vires moratus,
cum eum maiorem, quam ut temperari posset, neque
habilem gubernaculo cerneret, dimittere statuit ;
3 prosecutusque longo et perquam laborioso itinere,
cuius difficultas narrari vix potest, ut neque universos
quisquam auderet adgredi et partem digredientium,
suorum quisque metu finium, universi temptare non
possent, remisit eo, unde venerant, et ipse asperrimae
hiemis initio regressus Sisciam legatos, inter quos
ipsi fuimus, partitis praefecit hibernis.
1 CXIV. O rem dictu non eminentem, sed solida
veraque virtute atque utilitate maximam, experientia
suavissimam, humanitate singularem ! Per omne
1 X alis et Laurent. ; XIIII sed PA ; XIIII alis et
Lipsius.
286
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxiii. l— cxiv. 1
and more than ten thousand veterans, and in addition
a large number of volunteers and the numerous
cavahy of the king — in a word a greater army than
had ever been assembled in one place since the
civil wars — all were finding satisfaction in this fact
and reposed their greatest hope of \ictory in their
numbers. But the general, who was the best judge
of the course he pursued, preferring efficiency to
show, and, as we have so often seen him doing in
all his wars, foUowing the course which deserved
approval rather than that which was currently
approved, after keeping the army which had newly
arrived for only a few days in order to allow it
to recover from the march, decided to send it
away, since he saw that it was too large to be
managed and was not well adapted to effective
control. And so he sent it back whence it came,
escorting it vrith his o\vn army a long and exceedingly
laborious march, whose difficulty can hardly be
described. His piu^ose in this was, on the one
hand, that no one might dare to attack his united
forces, and, on the other, to prevent the united forces
of the enemy from falhng upon the departing division,
through the apprehension of each nation for its own
territory. Then returning himself to Siscia, at the
beginning of a very hard \rinter, he placed his
lieutenants, of whom I was one, in charge of the
di\isions of his winter quarters.
CXIV. And now for a detail which in the telling
may lack grandeur, but is most important by reason
of the true and substantial personal quahties it
reveals and also of its practical ser\"ice — a thing
most pleasant as an experience and remarkable for
the kindness it displayed. Throughout the whole
287
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
belli Germanici Pannonicique tempus nemo e nobis
gradumve nostrum aut praecedentibus aut sequenti-
bus imbecillus fuit, cuius salus ac valetudo non ita
sustentaretur Caesaris cura, tamquam distractissi-
mus^ ille tantorum onerum mole huic uni negotio^
2 vacaret animus. Erat desiderantibus j>aratum iunc-
tum vehiculum, lectica eius publicata, cuius usum^
cum aUi tum ego sensi ; iam medici, iam apparatus
cibi, iam in hoc solum uni portatum* instrumentum
baUnei nulUus non succurrit valetudini ; domus
tantum ac domestici deerant, ceterum nihil, quod
3 ab iUis aut praestari aut desiderari posset. Adiciam
iUud, quod, quisquis iUis temporibus interfuit, ut aUa,
quae retuU, agnoscet protinus : solus semper equo
vectus est, solus cum iis, quos invitaverat, maiore
parte aestivarum expeditionum cenavit sedens ;
non sequentibus discipUnam, quatenus exemplo non
nocebatur, ignovit ; admonitio frequens, interdum^
et castigatio, vindicta tamen rarissima,^ agebatque
medium plurima dissimulantis, aUqua inhibentis.'
t Hiems emolumentum patrati belU contuUt, sed
insequenti aestate omnis Pannonia reUquiis totius
' distractissimus Rhenanus ; distraximus AP.
^ negotio Gelenius ; genitio BA, om. P.
* usum added hy Lipsius.
* uni portatum A ; after erasing um, importatumP; una
portatum Orelli folloioed hy HaJm.
^ interdum an anonymous scholar ; inerat AP.
® tamen rarissima Halm ; amarissima AP.
"• dissimulantis . . . inhibentis AP ; dissimulans . . .
inhibens Acidalius.
" At formal dinners the Romans reclined on couches.
288
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxiv. 1-4
period of the German and Pannonian war there was
not one of us, or of those either above or below our
rank, who fell ill without ha\ing his health and
welfare looked after by Caesar wiih as much
sohcitude indeed as though this were the chief
occupation of his mind, preoccupied though he
was by his heavy responsibihties. There was a
horsed vehicle ready for those who needed it, his
own htter was at the disposal of all, and I, among
others, have enjoyed its use. Now his physicians,
now his kitchen, and now his bathing equipment,
brought for this one purpose for himself alone,
ministered to the comfort of all who were sick.
AU they lacked was their home and domestic
servants, but nothing else that friends at home
could fumish or desire for them. Let me also add
the follo^nng trait, which, hke the others I have
described, will be immediately recognized as true
by anyone who participated in that campaign.
Caesar alone of commanders was in the habit of
ahvays traveUing in the saddle, and, throughout the
greater portion of the summer campaign, of sitting "
at the table when dining \\-ith invited guests. Of
those who did not imitate his own stern discipUne
he took no notice, in so far as no harmful precedent
was thereby created. He often admonished, some-
times gave verbal reproof, but rarely punishment,
and pursued the moderate course of pretending in
most cases not to see things, and of administering
only occasionally a reprimand.
The winter brought the reward of our efforts
in the termination of the war, though it was
not until the foUowing summer that all Pannonia
£OUght peace, the remnants of the war as a whole
289
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
belli in Delmatia manentibus pacem petiit. Ferocem
illam tot milium iuventutem, paulo ante servitutem
minatam Italiae, conferentem arma, quibus usa erat,
apud flumen nomine Bathinum prosternentemque se
universam genibus imperatoris, Batonemque et
Pinnetem excelsissimos duces, captum alterum,
alterum^ a se deditum iustis voluminibus ordine nar-
rabimus, ut spero.
5 Autumno^ victor in hiberna reducitur exercitus,
cuius omnibus copiis a Caesare^ M. Lepidus prae-
fectus est, vir nomini* ac fortunae Caesarum^ proxi-
mus, quem in quantum quisque aut cognoscere aut
intellegere potuit, in tantum miratur ac diligit tan-
torumque nominum, quibus ortus est, ornamentum
iudicat.
1 CXV. Caesar ad alteram belH Delmatici molem
animum atque arma contuht. In qua regione quali
adiutore legatoque fratre meo Magio Celere Velleiano
usus sit, ipsius patrisque eius praedicatione testatum
est et amphssimorum donorum, quibus triumphans
eum Caesar donavit, signat memoria. Initio aestatis
2 Lepidus educto hibemis exercitu per gentis integras
immunesque adhuc clade belH et eo feroces ac truces
tendens ad Tiberium imperatorem et cum difficultate
locorum et cum vi hostium luctatus, magna cum
} alterum alterum Rhenanus ; alterum AP,
2 autumno Gelenius ; autumni AP.
• a Caesare Hhenanus ; Caesarem AP,
* nomini Acidalius ; nominis AP.
' Caesarura Scheffer ; eorura AP,
290
HISTORY OF ROME, 11. cxiv. 4— cxv. 2
being confined to Dalmatia. In my complete work
I liope to describe in detail how those fierce warriors,
many thousand in number, who had but a short
time before threatened Italy with slavery, now
brought the arms they had used in rebellion and
laid them down, at a river called the Bathinus,
prostrating themselves one and all before the knees
of the commander ; and how of their two supreme
commanders, Bato and Pinnes, the one was made a
prisoner and the other gave himself up.
In the autumn the victorious army was led back
to winter quarters. Caesar gave the chief command
of all the forces to Marcus Lepidus, a man who in
name and in fortune approaches the Caesars, whom
one admires and loves the more in proportion to his
opportunities to know and understand him, and
whom one regards as an omament to the great
names from whom he springs.
CXV. Caesar then devoted his attention and his
arms to his second task, the war in Dahnatia. What
assistance he had in this quarter from his aide and
lieutenant Magius Celer Velleianus, my brother, is
attested by the words of Tiberius himself and of
his father, and signaHzed by the record of the high
decorations conferred upon him by Caesar on the
occasion of his triumph. In the beginning of summer
Lepidus led his army out of ^^inter quarters, in an
effort to make his way to Tiberius the commander,
through the midst of races that were as y et unaffected
and untouched by the disasters of war and therefore
still fierce and warhke ; after a struggle in which he
had to contend with the difficulties of the coimtry
as well as the attacks of the enemy, and after
inflicting great loss on those who barred his way,
291
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
clade obsistentium excisis agris, exustis aedificiis,
caesis viris, laetus victoria praedaque onustus per-
3 venit ad Caesarem, et ob ea, quae si propriis gessisset
auspiciis, triumphare debuerat, ornamentis trium-
phalibus consentiente cum iudicio principum vohmtate
senatus donatus^ est.
4 IUa aestas maximi belli consummavit efFectus:
quippe Perustae et Desidiates Delmatae, situ locorum
ac montium, ingeniorum ferocia, mira etiam pug-
nandi scientia et praecipue angustiis saltuum paene
inexpugnabiles, non iam ductu, sed manibus atque
armis ipsius Caesaris tum demum pacati sunt, cum
paene funditus eversi forent.
5 Nihil in hoc tanto bello, nihil in Germania aut
videre maius aut mirari magis potui, quam quod
imperatori numquam adeo ulla opportuna visa est
victoriae occasio, quam damno amissi pensaret
mihtis semperque visum est gloriosissimum,^ quod
esset tutissimum, et ante conscientiae quam famae
consultum nec umquam consiha ducis iudicio exer-
citus, sed exercitus providentia ducis rectus est.
1 CXVI. Magna in bello Delmatico experimenta
virtutis in incultos^ ac difficilis locos praemissus
' donatus added hy Rhenanus.
2 gloriosissimum Halm ; gloriosiim AP.
* incultos Heinsius ; multos AP.
292
HISTORY OF ROME, 11. cxv. 2— cxvi.
by the devastation of fields, buming of houses,
and slaying of the inhabitants, he succeeded in
reaching Caesar, rejoicing in \ictory and laden \vith
booty. For these feats, for which, if they had been
performed under his own auspices he would pro-
perly have received a triumph, he was granted the
ornaments of a triumph, the wish of the senate
endorsing the recommendation of the Caesars.
This campaign brought the momentous war
to a successful conclusion ; for the Perustae and
Desiadates, Dalmatian tribes, who were almost
unconquerable on account of the position of their
strongholds in the mountains, their warhke temper,
their wonderful knowledge of fighting, and, above
all, the narrow passes in which they hved, were
then at last pacified, not now under the mere
generalship, but by the armed prowess of Caesar
himself, and then only when they were ahnost
entirely exterminated.
Nothing in the course of this great war, nothing
in the campaigns in Germany, came under my
observation that was greater, or that aroused my
admiration more, than these traits of its general ; no
chance of winning a victory ever seemed to him
timely, which he would have to purchase by the
sacrifice of his soldiers ; the safest course was always
regarded by him as the best ; he consulted his
conscience first and then his reputation, and, finally,
the plans of the commander were never governed
by the opinion of the army, but rather the army by
the wisdom of its leader.
CXVI. In the Dalmatian war Germanicus, who had
been dispatched in advance of the commander to
regions both wild and diffieult, gave great proof of
293
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
Germanicus dedit ; celebri etiam opera diligenti-
2 que Vibius Postumus vir consularis, praepositus
Delmatiae, ornamenta meruit triumphalia : quem
honorem ante paucos annos Passienus et Cossus,
viri quamquam^ diversis virtutibus celebres, in Africa
meruerant. Sed Cossus victoriae testimonium etiam
in cognomen filii contulit, adulescentis in omnium
3 virtutum exempla geniti. At Postumi operum L.
Apronius particeps illa quoque militia eos, quos mox
consecutus est, honores excellenti virtute meruit.
Utinam non maioribus experimentis testatum
esset, quantum in omni re fortuna posset ! Sed in
hoc- quoque genere abunde agnosci vis eius potest.
Nam et Aelius Lamia,* vir antiquissimi moris et
priscam gravitatem semper humanitate temperans,
in Germania Illyricoque et mox in Africa splendi-
dissimis functus ministeriis, non merito, sed materia
4 adipiscendi triumphalia defectus est, et A. Licinius
Nerva Silianus, P. Silii filius, quem virum ne qui
intellexit quidem abunde miratus est, in eo nihil
non optimo civi simplicissimo duci superesse* prae-
ferens, inmatura morte^ et fructu amplissimae prin-
cipis amicitiae et consummatione evectae in altissi-
mum paternumque fastigium imaginis defectus est.
5 Horum virorum mentioni si quis quafesisse me dicet
^ quamquam Halm ; quibusdem AP.
2 hoc Gehnius ; loco AP.
* Aelius Lamia Ruhnken ; etiam AP.
* in eo nihil . . . superesse Ellis; ne (me A) nihil (om.
P) optimo civi (civis A) . . . perisset BAP.
* morte added by Orelli.
294
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxvi. 1-a
his valour. By his repeated services and careful
vigilance the governor of Dalmatia, Vibius Postumus'
the consular, also earned the ornaments of a triumph.
A few years before this honour had been earned in
Africa by Passienus and Cossus, both celebrated
men, though not ahke in merit. Cossus passed on
to his son, a young man born to exhibit every
variety of excellence, a cognomen that still testifies
to his victory. And Lucius Apronius, who shared
in the achievements of Postumus, earned by the
distingmshed valour which he displayed in this
campaign also, the honours which he actuaUy won
shortly afterwards.
Would that it had not been demonstrated, by
greater proofs, how mighty an influence fortune
wields in all things ; yet even here her power can
be recognized by abundant examples. For instance,
Aehus Lamia, a man of the older type, who always
tempered his old-fashioned dignity by a spirit of
kindUness, had performed splendid ser\"ice in Ger-
many and Illyricum, and was soon to do so in Africa,
but failed to receive triumphal honours, not through
any fault of his, but through lack of opportunity ;
and Aulus Licinius Nerva SiHanus, the son of PubUus
Sihus, a man who was not adequately praised even
by the friend who knew him best, when he declared
that there were no quahties which he did not possess
in the highest degree, whether as an excellent
citizen or as an honest commander, through his un-
timely death failed not only to reap the fruit of his
close friendship ^nth the emperor but also to reahze
that lofty conception of his powers which had been
inspired by his father's eminence. If anyone shall
say that I have gone out of my way to mention these
295
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
locum, fatentem arguet ; neque enim iustus sine
mendacio candor apud bonos crimini est.
1 CXVII. Tantum quod ultimam imposuerat Pan-
nonico ac Delmatico bello Caesar manum, cum
intra quinque consummati tanti operis dies funestae
ex Germania epistulae nuntium attulere^ caesi Vari
trucidatarumque legionum trium totidemque alarum
et sex cohortium, velut in hoc saltem tantummodo
indulgente nobis fortuna, ne occupato duce tanta
clades inferretur.^ Sed et causa et persona^ moram
exigit.
2 Varus Quintilius inlustri magis quam nobili ortu5
familia, vir ingenio mitis, moribus quietus, ut cor-
pore, ita* animo immobilior, otio magis castrorum
quam bellicae adsuetus militiae, pecuniae vero quam
non contemptor, Syria, cui praefuerat, declaravit,
quam pauper divitem ingressus dives pauperem
3 reUquit ; is cum exercitui, qui erat in Germania,
praeesset, concepit esse homines, qui nihil praeter
vocem membraque haberent hominum, quique gladiis
domari non poterant, posse iure mulceri. Quo pro-
4 posito mediam ingressus Germaniam velut inter
viros pacis gaudentes dulcedine iurisdictionibus
agendoque pro tribunali ordine trahebat aestiva.
^ nuntiiim attulere supplied here hy Halm, hy other editors
after cohortium.
2 tanta clades inferretur suppUed hy Halm.
^ et causa et persona Orelh ; et causa persona AP.
* ita Acidalius ; et AP.
' A.D. 9.
296
HISTORY OF ROxME, II. cxW. &— cxvii. 4
men, his criticism will meet no denial. In the sight
of honest men fair-minded candour without mis-
representation is no crime.
CXVII. Scarcely had Caesar put the finishing
touch upon the Pannonian and Dalmatian war,
when, within five days of the completion of this
task, dispatches from Germany brought the baleful
news of the death of Varus," and of the slaughter of
three legions, of as many divisions of cavalry, and
of six cohorts — as though fortune were granting us
this indulgence at least, that such a disaster should
not be brought upon us when our commander was
occupied by other wars. The cause of this defeat
and the personaUty of the general require of me a
brief digression.
Varus QuintiUus, descended from a famous rather
than a high-born family, was a man of mild character
and of a quiet disposition, somewhat slow in mind
as he was in body, and more accustomed to the
leisure of the camp than to actual ser\-ice in war.
That he was no despiser of money is demonstrated
by his govemorship of Syria : he entered the rich
province a poor man, but left it a rich man and the
province poor. When placed in charge of the army
in Germany, he entertained the notion that the
Germans were a people who were men only in
limbs and voice, and that they, who could not be
subdued by the sword, could be soothed by the
law. With this purpose in mind he entered the heart
of Germany as though he were going among a people
enjoying the blessings of peace, and sitting on his
tribunal he wasted the time of a summer campaign
in holding court and observing the proper details of
legal procedure.
297
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
1 CXVIIL At illi, quod nisi expertus vix eredat,'^
in summa feritate versutissimi natumque mendacio
genus, simulantes fictas litium series et nunc pro-
vocantes alter alterum in iurgia,^ nunc agentes gratias
quod ea Romana iustitia finiret feritasque sua novi-
tate incognitae disciplinae mitesceret et solita armis
discerni iure terminarentur, in summam socordiam
perduxere Quintilium, usque eo, ut se praetorem
urbanum in foro ius dicere, non in mediis Germaniae
2 finibus exercitui praeesse crederet. Tum iuvenis
genere nobilis, manu fortis, sensu celer, ultra bar-
barum promptus ingenio, nomine Arminius, Sigimeri
principis gentis eius filius, ardorem animi vultu
oculisque praeferens, adsiduus militiae nostrae prioris
comes, iure etiam civitatis Romanae decus^ equestris
consecutus* gradus, segnitia ducis in occasionem
sceleris usus est, haud imprudenter speculatus nemi-
nem celerius opprimi, quam qui nihil timeret, et
frequentissimum initium esse calamitatis securitatem.
3 Primo igitur paucos, mox pluris in societatem con-
siUi recepti ; opprimi posse Romanos et dicit et per-
suadet, decretis facta iungit, tempus insidiarum
* credat Lipsius ; credebat AP.
"^ in iurgia Madvig ; in iuria AP.
• Romanae decus Burman ; Romae eius (ius P) AP.
* consecutus Heinsius ; consequens AP.
298
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cx\iu. 1-3
CXVIII. But the Gennans, who ^vith their great
ferocity combine great craft, to an extent scarcely
credible to one who has had no experience with
them, and are a race to Ipng bom, by trumping up
a series of fictitious lawsuits, now provoking one
another to disputes, and now expressing their
gratitude that Roman justice was setthng these
disputes, that their ovm barbarous nature was being
softened down by this new and hitherto unknown
method, and that quarrels which were usually settled
by arms were now being ended by law, brought
Quintihus to such a complete degree of neghgence,
that he came to look upon himself as a city praetor
administering justice in the forum, and not a general
in command of an army in the heart of Germany.
Thereupon appeared a young man of noble birth,
brave in action and alert in mind, possessing an
intelligence quite beyond the ordinary barbarian ;
he was, namely, Arminius, the son of Sigimer, a
prince of that nation, and he showed in his counten-
ance and in his eyes the fire of the mind within.
He had been associated ^vith us constantly on pre\ious
campaigns, had been granted the right of Roman
citizenship, and had even attained the dignity
of equestrian rank. This young man made use of
the neghgence of the general as an opportunitj' for
treachery, sagaciously seeing that no one could be
more quickly overpowered than the man who feared
nothing, and that the most common beginning of
disaster was a sense of security. At first, then, he
admitted but a few, later a large number, to a share
in his design ; he told them, and convinced them too,
that the Romans could be crushed, added execution
to resolve, and named a day for carrying out the
299
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
4 constituit. Id Varo per virum eius gentis fidelem
clarique nominis, Segesten, indicatur. Postulabat
etiam vinciri socios. Sed praevalebant iam^ fata
consiliis omnemque animi eius aciem praestrin-
xerant^ : quippe ita se res habet, ut plerumque cuius
fortunam mutaturus est' deus, consilia corrumpat
efficiatque, quod miserrimum est, ut, quod accidit,
etiam merito accidisse videatur et casus in culpam
transeat. Negat itaque se credere speciemque* in
se benevolentiae ex merito aestimare profitetur. Nec
diutius post primum indicem secundo relictus locus.
1 CXIX. Ordinem atrocissimae calamitatis, qua nulla
post Crassi in Parthis damnum in externis gentibus
gravior Romanis fuit, iustis voluminibus ut alii, ita
nos conabimur exponere : nunc summa deflenda
2 est. Exercitus omnium fortissimus, disciplina, manu
experientiaque bellorum inter Romanos milites prin-
ceps, marcore ducis, perfidia hostis, iniquitate for-
tunae circumventus, cum ne pugnandi quidem
egrediendive^ occasio nisi inique, nec in quantum®
voluerant, data esset immunis, castigatis etiam qui-
busdam gravi poena, quia Romanis et armis et
animis usi fuissent, inclusus silvis, paludibus, insidiis
ab eo hoste ad internecionem trucidatus est, quem
* vinciri socios. sed praevalebant iam supplied hy Ellis
from Tac. Ann. i. 58.
^ praestrinxerant Gelenius ; praestrinxerat AP.
^ cuius fortunam mutaturus est ed. Bipont. ; qui fortunam
mutaturus (imitaturus A) AF.
* speciemque Burmanf; spenique AP.
* egrediendive Voss. ; egredie (egredie with ad written
ahove the g A, egregie P) aut BAP.
300
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxviii. 4— cxix. 2
plot. This was disclosed to Varus through Segestes,
a loyal man of that race and of illustrious name,
who also demanded that the conspirators be put in
chains. But fate now dominated the plans of Varus
and had bUndfolded the eyes of his mind. Indeed,
it is usually the case that heaven perverts the
judgement of the man whose fortune it means to
reverse, and brings it to pass — and this is the
wretched part of it — that that which happens by
chance scems to be deserved, and accident passes
over into culpabihty. And so Quintihus refused to
beheve the story, and insisted upon judging the
apparent friendship of the Germans toward him by
the standard of his merit. And, after this first
waming, there was no time left for a second.
CXIX. The details of this terrible calamity, the
hea\aest that had befallen the Romans on foreign
soil since the disaster of Crassus in Parthia, I shall
endeavour to set forth, as others have done, in my
larger work. Here I can merely lament the disaster
as a whole. An army unexcelled in bravery, the
first of Roman armies in disciphne, in energy, and
in experience in the field, through the neghgence
of its general, the perfidy of the enemy, and the
unkindness of fortune was surrounded, nor was as
much opportunity as they had wished given to the
soldiers either of fighting or of extricating themselves,
except against heavy odds ; nay, some were even
heavily chastised for using the arms and sho^ving the
spirit of Romans. Hemmed in by forests and marshes
and ambuscades, it was exterminated ahnost to a
man by the very enemy whom it had always
* occasio nisi inique, uec in quantum Ellis ; occasionis in
quantun) APB.
301
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
ita semper more pecudum trucidaverat, ut vitam
aut mortem eius nunc ira nunc venia temperaret.
3 Duci plus ad moriendum quam ad pugnandum animi
fuit : quippe paterni avitique successor exempli se
ipse transfixit. At e praefectis castrorum duobus
4 quam clarum exemplum L. Eggius, tam turpe
Ceionius prodidit, qui, cum longe maximam partem
absumpsisset acies, auctor deditionis supplicio quam
proelio mori maluit. At Vala Numonius, legatus
Vari, cetera quietus ac probus, diri auctor exempli,
spoliatum equite peditem relinquens fuga cum alis*^
Rhenum petere ingressus est. Quod factum eius
fortuna ulta est ; non enim desertis superfuit, sed
5 desertor occidit. Vari corpus semiustum hostilis-
laceraverat feritas ; caput eius abscisum latumque
ad Maroboduum et ab eo missum ad Caesarem
gentihcii tamen tumuli sepultura honoratum est.
1 CXX. His auditis revolat ad patrem Caesar ; per-
petuus patronus Romani imperii adsuetam sibi causam
suscipit. Mittitur ad Germaniam, Gallias confirmat,
disponit exercitus, praesidia munit et se magnitudine
sua, non fiducia hostis^ metiens, qui Cimbricam
Teutonicamque militiam Itahae minabatur, ultro
2 Rhenum cum exercitu transgreditur. Arma infert
1 equite peditem relinquens fuga cum alis Gelenius;
equitem peditera relinquens fugatum (fuga cum P) aliis BAP.
2 hostilis Burer ; hosti BA ; hostium P.
2 hostis Haupt ; hostium AP ; om. B.
-1
• His father Sextus Quintiiius Varus fought on the
side of Brutus and Cassius at Philippi. After the loss of
the battle he was slain, at his own request, by one of his
freedmen, see Bk. II. Chap. LXXI. Information is lacking
concerning his grandfather and the manner of his death.
302
I
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxix. 2— cxx. 2
slaughtered like cattle, whose life or death had
depended solely upon the wrath or the pity of the
Romans. The general had more courage to die than
to fight, for, folloAving the example of his father " and
grandfather, he ran himself through with his sword.
Of the two prefects of the camp, Lucius Eggius
furnished a precedent as noble as that of Ceionius
was base, who, after the greater part of the army
had perished, proposed its surrender, preferring to
die by torture at the hands of the enemy than in
battle. Vala Numonius, lieutenant of Varus, who,
in the rest of his Ufe, had been an inoffensive and
an honourable man, also set a fearful example in
that he left the infantry unprotected by the cavalry
and in flight tried to reach the Rhine with his
squadrons of horse. But fortune avenged his act,
for he did not survive those whom he had abandoned,
but died in the act of deserting them. The body
j| of Varus, partially burned, was mangled by the enemy
I in their barbarity ; his head was cut off and taken
J to Maroboduus and was sent by him to Caesar ;
1 but in spite of the disaster it was honoured by burial
\ in the tomb of his family.
CXX. On hearing of this disaster, Caesar flew to
j his father's side. The constant protector of the
t Roman empire again took up his accustomed part.
i Dispatched to Gemiany, he reassured the pro\inces
:i of Gaul, distributed his armies, strengthened the
li garrison towns, and then, measuring himself by the
(j standard of his own greatness, and not by the
:j presumption of an enemy who threatened Italy
^i with a war hke that of the Cimbri and Teutones,
he took the offensive and crossed the Rhine with
'] his army. He thus made aggressive war upon the
"I 303
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
hosti quem arcuisse^ pater et patria contenti erant ;
penetrat interius, aperit limites, vastat agros, urit
domos, fundit obvios maximaque cum gloria, inco-
lumi omnium, quos transduxerat, numero in hiberna
3 revertitur.
Reddatur verum L. Asprenati testimonium, qui
legatus sub avunculo suo Varo militans gnava
virilique opera duarum legionum, quibus praeerat,
exercitum immunem tanta calamitate servavit
matureque ad inferiora hiberna descendendo
vacillantium etiam cis Rhenum sitarum gentium
animos confirmavit. Sunt tamen, qui ut vivos ab
eo vindicatos, ita iugulatorum sub Varo occupata
crediderint patrimonia hereditatemque occisi exer-
4 citus, in quantum voluerit, ab eo aditam. L. etiam
Caedicii praefecti castrorum eorumque, qui una
circumdati Alisone immensis Germanorum copiis
obsidebantur, laudanda virtus est, qui omnibus diffi-
cultatibus superatis, quas inopia rerum intolerabihs.
vis hostium faciebat inexsuperabihs, nec temerario
consilio nec segni providentia usi speculatique oppor-
tunitatem ferro sibi ad suos peperere reditum.
5 Ex quo apparet Varum, sane gravem et bonae vo-
luntatis virum, magis imperatoris defectum consilio
quam virtute destitutum mihtum se magnificentis-
1 arma infert (hosti Voss.) quera arcuisse Lipsius ; arma
interfecti qui arguisse AP,
304-
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxx. 2-5
enemy when his father and his country would have
been content to let hira hold them in check, he
penetrated into the heart of the country, opened
up military roads, devastated fields, bumed houses,
routed those who came against him, and, without
loss to the troops with which he had crossed, he
retumed, covered vrith glory, to winter quarters.
Due tribute should be paid to Lucius Asprenas,
who was ser\"ing as Ueutenant under Varus his uncle,
and who, backed by the brave and energetic support
of the two legions under his command, saved his
army from this great disaster, and by a quick
descent to the quarters of the army in Lower Ger-
many strengthened the allegiance of the races even
on the hither side of the Rhine who were beginning
to waver. There are those, however, who believed
that, though he had saved the lives of the H\ing,
he had appropriated to his own use the property
of the dead who were slain \nih Varus, and that
inheritances of the slaughtered army were claimed
by him at pleasure. The valour of Lucius Caedicius,
prefect of the camp, also deserves praise, and of
those who, pent up with him at Ahso, were besieged
by an immense force of Germans. For, overcoming
all their difficulties which want rendered unendurable
and the forces of the enemy almost insurmountable,
following a design that was carefully considered,
and using a vigilance that was ever on the alert,
they watched their chance, and ^^dth the sword won
their way back to their friends. From all this it is
evident that Varus, who was, it must be confessed,
a man of character and of good intentions, lost his
life and his magnificent army more through lack of
judgement in the commander than of valour in his
305
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
6 simumque perdidisse exercitum. Cum in captivos
saeviretur a Germanis, praeclari facinoris auctor fuit
Caldus Caelius, adulescens^ vetustate familiae suae
dignissimus, qui complexus catenarum, quibus vinctus
erat, seriem, ita illas inlisit capiti suo, ut protinus
pariter sanguinis cerebrique effluvio^ expiraret.
1 CXXI. Eadem virtus et fortuna subsequenti tem-
pore ingressi Germaniam^ imperatoris Tiberii fuit,
quae initio fuerat. Qui concussis hostium viribus
classicis peditumque expeditionibus, cum res Gal-
liarum maximae molis accensasque plebis Viennen-
sium dissensiones coercitione magis quam poena
mollisset,^ senatus populusque Romanus postulante
patre eius, ut aequum ei ius^ in omnibus provinciis
exercitibusque esset, quam erat ipsi, decreto com-
plexus est.^ Etenim absurdum erat non esse sub illo,
2 quae ab illo vindicabantur, et qui ad opem ferendam
primus erat, ad vindicandum honorem non iudicari
parem. In urbem reversus iam pridem debitum,
sed continuatione bellorum dilatum ex Pannoniis
Delmatisque egit triumphum. Cuius magnificentiam
quis miretur in Caesare ? Fortunae vero quis non
3 miretur indulgentiam ? Quippe omnis eminentissimos
hostium duces non occisos fama narravit, sed
vinctos triumphus ostendit ; quem mihi' fratrique
^ adulescens Ruhnken ; ad AP.
2 effluvio lApsius ; influvio AP.
^ ingressi Germaniam Bardili ; ingressa anima (animum
P) BAP.
* Rhenanus supplied et after mollisset.
^ aequum ei ius lihenanus ; equum eius AP,
• est Ellis ; esset AP.
■^ mihi Burer ; militi AP.
306
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxx, 6-^xxi. 3
soldiers. \Vhen the Germans were venting their
rage upon their captives, an heroic act was performed
by Caldus CaeHus, a young nian worthy in every
way of his long hne of ancestors, who, seizing a
section of the chain with which he was bound,
brought it down viith. such force upon his own head
as to cause his instant death, both his brains and
his blood gushing from the wound.
CXXI. Tiberius showed the same valour, and was
attended by the same fortune, when he entered
Germany on his later campaigns as in his first.
After he had broken the force of the enemy by
his expeditions on sea and land, had completed his
difficult task in Gaul, and had settled by restraint
rather than by punishment the dissensions that had
broken out among the Mennenses, at the request
of his father that he should have in all the provinces
and armies a power equal to his own, the senate
and Roman people so decreed. For indeed it was
incongruous that the pro\"inces which were being
defended by him should not be under his jurisdiction,
and that he who was foremost in bearing aid
should not be considered an equal in the honour
to be won. On his retum to the city he celebrated
the triumph over the Pannonians and Dahnatians,
long since due him, but postponed by reason of a
succession of wars. Who can be surprised at its
magnificence, since it was the triumph of Caesar ?
Yet who can fail to wonder at the kindness of fortune
to him ? For the most eminent leaders of the
enemy were not slain in battle, that report should
teU thereof, but were taken captive, so that in his
triumph he exhibited them in chains. It was my
lot and that of my brother to participate in this
307
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
meo inter praecipuos praecipuisque donis adornatos
viros comitari contigit.
1 CXXIL Quis non inter reliqua, quibus singularis
moderatio Ti. Caesaris elucet atque eminet, hoc
quoque miretur, quod, cum sine ulla dubitatione
septem triumphos meruerit, tribus contentus fuit^ ?
Quis enim dubitare potest, quin ex Armenia recepta
et ex rege praeposito ei,^ cuius capiti insigne regium
sua manu imposuerat, ordinatisque rebus Orientis
ovans triumphare debuerit, et Vindehcorum Rae-
2 torumque victor curru urbem ingredi ? Fractis deinde
post adoptionem continua triennii militia Germaniae
viribus idem illi honor et deferendus et recipiendus
fuerit ? Et post cladem sub Varo acceptam, ex-
pectato^ ocius* prosperrimo rerum eventu eadem
excisa Germania triumphus summi ducis adornari
debuerit ? Sed in hoc viro nescias utrum magis
mireris quod laborum periculorumque semper ex-
cessit modum an quod honorum temperavit.
1 CXXIII. Venitur ad tempus, in quo fuit plurimum
metus. Quippe Caesar Augustus cum Germanicum
nepotem suum reliqua belH patraturum misisset in
Germaniam, Tiberium autem fihum missurus esset
in Illyricum ad firmanda pace quae bello subegerat,
' fuit Haase ; fuerit AP. i
2 praeposito ei Heinsius ; praepositi (pro- P) BAP.
3 expectato added by Halm. * ocius P; totius BAJ-\
308
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxxi. 3— cxxiii. 1
triumph among the men of distinguished rank and
those who were decorated with distingnished honours.
CXXII. Among the other acts of Tiberius Caesar,
wherein his remarkable moderation shines forth
conspicuously, who does not wonder at this also,
that, although he unquestionably eamed seven
triumphs, he was satisfied wlth three ? For who
can doubt that, when he had recovered Armenia,
had placed over it a king upon whose head he had
with his own hand set the mark of royalty, and
had put in order the afFairs of the east, he ought
to have received an ovation ; and that after his
conquest of the VindeUci and the Raeti he should
have entered the city as victor in a triumphal
chariot ? Or that, after his adoption, when he had
broken the power of the Germans in three consecutive
campaigns, the same honour should have been
bestowed upon him and should have been accepted
by him ? And that, after the disaster received
under Varus, when this same Germany was crushed
by a course of events which, sooner than was
expected, came to a happy issue, the honour of a
triumph should have been awarded to this con-
summate general ? But, in the case of this man,
one does not know which to admire the more, that
in courting toils and danger he went beyond all
bounds or that in accepting honours he kept within
them.
CXXIII. We now come to the crisis which was
awaited with the greatest foreboding. Augustus
Caesar had dispatched his grandson Germanicus
to Germany to put an end to such traces of the war
as still remained, and was on the point of sending his
son Tiberius to lUyricum to strengthen by peace the
309
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
prosequens eum simulque interfuturus athletarum
certaminis ludicro, quod eius honori sacratum a
Neapolitanis est, processit in Campaniam. Quam-
quam iam motus imbecillitatis inclinataeque in
deterius principia valetudinis senserat, tamen obni-
tente vi animi prosecutus filium digressusque ab eo
Beneventi ipse Nolam petiit : et ingravescente in
dies valetudine, cum sciret, quis volenti omnia post
se salva remanere accersendus foret, festinanter
revocavit filium ; ille ad patrem patriae expectato
2 revolavit maturius. Tum securum se Augustus prae-
dicans circumfususque amplexibus Tiberii sui, com-
mendans illi sua atque ipsius opera nec quidquam
iam de fine, si fata poscerent, recusans, subrefectus
primo conspectu alloquioque carissimi sibi spiritus,
mox, cum omnem curam fata vincerent, in sua
resolutus initia Pompeio Apuleioque consulibus sep-
tuagesimo et sexto anno animam caelestem caelo
reddidit.
1 CXXIV. Quid tunc homines timuerint, quae
senatus trepidatio, quae populi confusio, quis urbis
metus, in quam arto salutis exitiique fuerimus con-
finio, neque mihi tam festinanti exprimere vacat
neque cui vacat potest. Id solum voce publica
dixisse satis^ habeo : cuius orbis ruinam timueramus,
^ satis added by liuhnken.
• A.D. 14.
310
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxxiii. 1— cxxiv. 1
regions he had subjugated in war. With the double
purpose of escorting him on his way, and of being
present at an athletic contest which the Xeapolitans
had estabUshed in his honour, he set out for
Campania. Although he had already experienced
symptoms of gro^ving weakness and of a change in
his health for the worse, his strong will resisted his
infirmity and he accompanied his son. Parting from
him at Beneventum he went to Nola. As his health
grew daily worse, and he knew full well for whom
he must send if he wished to leave everything
secure behind him, he sent in haste for his son to
retum. Tiberius hurried back and reached the
side of the father of his country before he was
even expected. Then Augustus, asserting that his
mind was now at ease, and, \nih the arms of his
beloved Tiberius about him, commending to him
the continuation of their joint work, expressed his
readiness to meet the end if the fates should call
him. He re\ived a httle at seeing Tiberius and at
hearing the voice of one so dear to him, but, ere
long, since no care could withstand the fates, in his
seventy-sixth year, in the consulship of Pompeius and
Apuleius <• he was resolved into the elements from
which he sprang and }ielded up to heaven his
dixine soul.
CXXIV. Of the misgivings of mankind at this
time, the trepidation of the senate, the confiision
of the people, the fears of the city, of the narrow
margin between safety and ruin on which we then
foxmd ourselves, I have no time to tell as I hasten
on my way, nor could he tell who had the time.
Suffice it for me to voice the common utterance :
" The world whose ruin we had feared we found
311
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
eum ne commotum quidem sensimus, tantaque unius
viri maiestas fuit, ut nec pro^ bonis neque contra
2 malos opus armis foret. Una tamen veluti luctatio
civitatis fuit, pugnantis cum Caesare senatus populi-
que Romani, ut stationi paternae succederet, illius,
ut potius aequalem civem quam eminentem liceret
agere principem. Tandem magis ratione quam
honore victus est, cum quidquid tuendum non sus-
cepisset, periturum videret, solique huic contigit
paene diutius recusare principatum, quam, ut
occuparent eum, alii armis pugnaverant.
3 Post redditum caelo patrem et corpus eius humanis
honoribus, numen divinis honoratum, primum prin-
cipahum eius operum fuit ordinatio comitiorum,
quam manu sua scriptam divus Augustus reliquerat.
4 Quo tempore mihi fratrique meo, candidatis Caesaris,
proxime a nobiUssimis ac sacerdotahbus^ viris destinari
praetoribus contigit, consecutis quidem,^ ut neque
post nos quemquam divus Augustus neque ante nos
Caesar commendaret Tiberius.
1 CXXV. TuHt protinus et voti et consiUi sui
pretium res publica, neque diu latuit aut quid non
impetrando passuri fuissemus aut quid impetrando
^ pro added by Ellis ; Halm suggests nec bonis votis.
2 sacerdotalibus Scheffer ; sacerdotibus AP.
* consecutis quidem Ellis ; consecutisque A ; consecutis
P.
" This refers to his official deification. He was given the
title of Diviis, a temple was erected in his honour, a special
class of pricsts was created to conduct the rites, and a special
festivah the AugustaUa, was estabUshed in his memory.
' i.e. among the candidates nominated by Caesar. The
emperor nominated part of the candidates, aUowing the
people to nominate the rest, reserving, however, the right
312
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxxiv. l— cxxv. 1
not even disturbed, and such was the majesty of
one man that there was no need of arms either to
defend the good or to restrain the bad." There was,
however, in one respect what might be called a
struggle in the state, as, namely, the senate and
the Roman people wrestled with Caesar to induce
him to succeed to the position of his father, while
he on his side strove for permission to play the part
of a citizen on a parity with the rest rather than
that of an emperor over all. At last he was prevailed
upon rather by reason than by the honour, since
he saw that whatever he did not undertake to
protect was hkely to perish. He is the only man
to whose lot it has fallen to refuse the principate
for a longer time, aknost, than others had fought
to secure it.
After heaven had claimed his father, and human
honours had been paid to his body as divine honours
were paid to his soul,° the first of his tasks as emperor
was the regulation of the comiiia, instructions for
which Augustus had left in his owti handwriting.
On this occasion it was my lot and that of my
brother, as Caesar's candidates,'' to be named for
the praetorship immediately after those of nobie
famiUes and those who had held the priesthoods,
and indeed to have had the distinction of being the
last to be recommended by Augustus and the first
to be named by Tiberius Caesar.
CXXV. The state soon reaped the fruit of its
wise course in desiring Tiberius, nor was it long
before it was apparent what we should have had
to endure had our request been refused, and what
of veto in the case of candidates whom he deemed un-
worthy.
B13
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
profecissemus. Quippe exercitus, qui in Germania
militabat praesentisque Germanici imperio rege-
batur, simulque legiones, quae in Illyrico erant,
rabie quadam et profunda confundendi omnia
cupiditate novum ducem, novum statum, novam
quaerebant rem publicam ; quin etiam ausi sunt
2 minari daturos se^ senatui, daturos principi leges ;
modum stipendii, finem militiae sibi ipsi constituere
conati sunt. Processum etiam in arma ferrumque
strictum est et paene in ultima^ gladiorum erupit
impunitas, defuitque, qui contra rem publicam
3 duceret, non qui sequerentur. Sed haec omnia
veteris imperatoris maturitas, multa inhibentis,
aUqua cum gravitate pollicentis, et^ inter severam
praecipue noxiorum"* ultionem mitis aliorum casti-
gatio brevi sopiit ac sustulit.
4 Quo quidem tempore ut pleraque non ignave^
Germanicus, ita Drusus,® qui a patre in id ipsum
plurimo quidem' igne emicans incendium militaris
tumultus missus erat, prisca antiquaque severitate
usus ancipitia sibi maluit tenere quam exemplo
perniciosa, et his ipsis mihtum gladiis, quibus
5 obsessus erat, obsidentes coercuit, singulari adiutore
in eo negotio usus lunio Blaeso, viro nescias utiliore
in castris an meliore in toga : qui post paucos annos
^ se ackled hy Orelli.
2 ultima Voss ; iiltimam BA ; ultimum P.
3 et added hij Krause.
* noxiorum Gronovius ; nostronim AP. ^
" non ignave EUis ; ignave P ; ignovit Bipont. edition.
• Drusus Gelenius ; Brutus AP.
' in id ipsiim plurimo quidem AP ; in diversum plurimo-
que idem Madvig.
314
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxxv. 1-5
we had gained in having it granted. For the army
serving in Germany, commanded by Germanicus
in person, and the legions in Illyricmn, seized at
the same moment by a form of madness and a deep
desire to throw everything into confusion, wanted a
new leader, a new order of things, and a new re-
pubUc. Nay, they even dared to threaten to dictate
terms to the senate and to the emperor. They tried
to fix for themselves the amount of their pay and
their period of ser\-ice. They even resorted to arms ;
the sword was dra%\-n ; their comiction that thev
would not be punished came near to breaking out
into the worst excesses of arms. AU they needed was
someone to lead them against the state ; there was
no lack of followers. But all this disturbance was
soon quelled and suppressed by the ripe experience of
the veteran commander, who used coercion in manv
cases, made promises where he could do so with
dignity, and by the combination of severe punish-
ment of the most guilty \^-ith milder chastisement of
the others.
In this crisis, while in many respects the conduct
of Germanicus was not lacking in rigour, Drusus
employed the severity of the Romans of old. Sent
by his father into the very midst of the conflagration,
when the flames of mutiny were ah-eady bursting
forth, he preferred to hold to a course which
involved danger to himself than one which might
prove a ruinous precedent, and used the very swords
of those by whom he had been besieged to coerce
his besiegers. In this task he had in Junius Blaesus
no ordinary helper, a man whom one does not know
whether to consider more useful in the camp or
better in the toga. A few years later, as proconsul
315
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
proconsul in Africa ornamenta triumphalia cum
appellatione imperatoria meruit.
At Hispanias exercitumque in iis cum M. Lepidus,
de cuius"^ virtutibus celeberrimaque in Illyrico militia
praediximus, cum imperio obtineret, in summa pace
et- quiete continuit, cum ei pietas rectissima sen-
tiendi et auctoritas quae sentiebat obtinendi super-
esset. Cuius curam ac fidem Dolabella quoque, vir
simplicitatis generosissimae, in maritima parte
Illyrici per omnia imitatus est.
1 CXXVI. Horum sedecim annorum opera quis cum
ingerantur-' oculis animisque omnium, partibus*
eloquatur ? Sacravit parentem suum Caesar non
imperio, sed religione, non appellavit eum, sed fecit
2 deum. Revocata in forum fides, summota e foro
seditio, ambitio campo, discordia curia, sepultaeque
ac situ obsitae^ iustitia, aequitas, industria civitati
redditae ; accessit magistratibus^ auctoritas, senatui
maiestas, iudiciis gravitas ; compressa theatralis
seditio, recte faciendi omnibus aut incussa voluntas
3 aut imposita necessitas : honorantur recta, prava
puniuntur, suspicit potentem humiHs,non timet, ante-
cedit, non contemnit humihorem potens. Quando
annona moderatior, quando pax laetior ? DifFusa in
orientis occidentisque tractus et quidquid meridiano
^ in iis . . . cuius supplied by Madvig.
"^ et added by Orelli.
• ingerantur Ellis ; insera BA ; inserta sint P.
* partibus Voss ; in partibus AP.
* obsitae Burer ; oppositae BAP.
' magistratibus Gelenius ; militibus AP.
<• Pax augusta, "Augustan peace." The expression,
iised to characterize the contrast between the tranquillity of
his reign and the turmoil of the Civil Wars, which preceded
it, had become proverbial.
316
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxxv. 5— cxxvi. 3
in AfTica, he earned the oraaments ot a trinmph, with
the title of imperator.
The two provinces of Spain, however, and the
army in them were held in peace and tranquillity,
since Marcus Lepidus, of whose virtues and dis-
tinguished service in Illyricum I have already spoken,
was there in command, and since he had in the
highest degree the quahty of instinctively knowng
the best course and the firmness to hold to his views.
On the coast of Illyricum his \-igilance and fidelity
was emulated in detail by Dolabella, a man of noble-
minded candour.
CXXVI. Who would undertake to tell in detail
the accomplishments of the past sixteen years, since
they are borne in upon the eyes and hearts of all ?
Caesar deified his father, not by exercise of his
imperial authority, but by his attitude of reverence ;
he did not call him a god, but made him one. Credit
has been restored in the forum, strife has been
banished from the forum, canvassing for office from
the Campus Martius, discord from the senate-house ;
justice, equity, and industry, long buried in obli\ion,
have been restored to the state ; the magistrates
have regained their authority, the senate its majesty,
the courts their dignity ; rioting in the theatre has
been suppressed ; all eitizens have either been im-
pressed with the wish to do right, or have been forced
to do so by necessity. Right is now honoured, e\il
is punished ; the humble man respects the great
but does not fear him, the great has precedence
over the lowly but does not despise him. When was
the price of grain more reasonable, or when were the
blessings of peace greater ? The pax augusta,'^ which
has spread to the regions of the east and of the
317
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
aut septentrione finitur, pax augusta omnis^ terrarum
orbis angulos a latrociniorum metu servat immunes.
4 Fortuita non civium tantummodo, sed urbium damna
principis munificentia vindicat. Restitutae urbes
Asiae, vindicatae ab iniuriis magistratuum pro-
vinciae : honor dignis paratissimus, poena in malos
sera, sed aliqua : superatur aequitate gratia, ambitio
virtute ; nam facere recte civis suos princeps optimus
faciendo docet, cumque sit imperio maximus, exemplo
maior est.
1 CXXVIL Raro eminentes viri non magnis adiu-
toribus ad gubernandam fortunam suam usi sunt, ut
duo Scipiones duobus Laeliis, quos per omnia aequa-
verunt sibi, ut divus Augustus M. Agrippa et proxime^
ab eo Statilio Tauro, quibus novitas familiae haut ob-
stititquominusad multiplicis consulatus triumphosque
et complura eveherentur^ sacerdotia. Etenim magna
2 negotia magnis adiutoribus egent* interestque rei
pubHcae quod usu necessarium est,^ dignitate eminere
3 utilitatemque auctoritate muniri. Sub his exemplis
Ti. Caesar Seianum Aelium, principe equestris ordinis
patre natum, matemo vero genere clarissimas veteres-
que et insignes honoribus complexum familias, haben-
^ ifss. have per before oranis.
^ proxime Scheffer ; maxime AP.
^ complura eveherentur Vascosantis ', complura enume-
rentur (complurae numerentur A) BA ; complura enume-
rarentur P.
* after egent the words neque in parvo paucitas ministeria
defecit are deleted by Halm after Vossius and Boecler.
' est Euhnken ; e A; et P.
S18
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxxvi. 3-K:xx\-ii. 3
west and to the bounds of the north and of the
south, preserves every corner of the world safe from
the fear of brigandage. The munificence of the
emperor claims for its province the losses inflicted
by fortune not merely on private citizens, but on
whole cities. The cities of Asia have been restored,
the provinces have been freed from the oppression
of their magistrates. Honour ever awaits the
worthy ; for the wicked punishment is slow but
sure ; fair play has now precedence over influence,
and merit over ambition, for the best of emperors
teaches his citizens to do right by doing it, and
though he is greatest among us in authority, he is
still greater in the example which he sets.
CXXVII. It is but rarely that men of eminence
have failed to employ great men to aid them in direct-
ing their fortune, as the two Scipios employed the
two Laehi, whom in all things they treated as equal
to themselves, or as the deified Augustus employed
Marcus Agrippa, and after him Statilius Taurus. In
the case of these men their lack of Uneage was no
obstacle to their elevation to successive consulships,
triumphs, and numerous priesthoods. For great
tasks require great helpers, and it is important to
the state that those who are necessary to her ser\-ice
should be given prominence in rank, and that their
usefulness should be fortified by official authority.
With these examples before him, Tiberius Caesar
has had and still has as his incomparable associate
in all the burdens of the principate Sejanus Aelius,
son of a father who was among the foremost in the
equestrian order, but connected, on his mother's
side, with old and illustrious families and famihes
distingiiished by pubUc honours, while he had
319
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
tem consularis fratres, consobrinos, avunculum,
ipsum vero laboris ac fidei capacissimum, sufficiente
etiam vigori animi compage corporis, singularem
principalium onerum adiutorem in omnia habuit
4 atque habet, virum severitatis laetissimae, hilaritatis
priscae, actu otiosis similUmum, nihil sibi vindican-
tem eoque adsequentem omnia, semperque infra
aliorum aestimationes se metientem, vultu vitaque
tranquillum, animo exsomnem.
1 CXXVIIL In huius virtutum aestimatione iam
pridem iudicia civitatis cum iudiciis principis certant :
neque novus hic mos senatus populique Romani est
putandi, quod optimum sit, esse nobilissimum. Nam et
ilU qui ante^ beUum Punicum abhinc annos trecentos
Ti. Coruncanium, hominem novum, cum aUis omnibus
honoribus tum pontificatu etiam maximo ad principale
extulere fastigium, et qui^ equestri loco natum Sp.
2 CarviUum et mox M. Catonem, novum etiam Tusculo
urbis inquiUnum, Mummiumque Achaicum in con-
sulatus, censuras et triumphos provexere, et qui C.
3 Marium ignotae originis usque ad sextum consulatum
sine dubitatione Romani nominis habuere principem,
et qui M. TulUo^ tantum tribuere, ut paene
adsentatione sua quibus veUet principatus conciUaret,
quique nihil Asinio PoUioni negaverunt, quod nobi-
lissimis summo cum sudore consequendum foret,
' qui aiite Ellis ; antiqui ante P ; primi ante A ; antiqui
qui ante Ilalm.
'^ qui Frohlich ; eque ^ ; om. P.
^ TuUio Lipsius ; Fulvio AP.
' Tacitus, Annals iv. 1 , has a very different description.
320
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxxvii. 3— cxxviii. 3
brothers, cousins, and an uncle who had reached the
consulship. He himself combined wiih loyalty to
his master great capacity for labour, and possessed
a well-knit body to match the energy of his mind ;
stem but yet gay, cheerful but yet strict ; busy, yet
aUvays seeming to be at leisure. He is one who
claims no honours for himself and so acquires all
honours, whose estimate of himself is always below
the estimate of others, calm in expression and in his
life, though his mind is sleeplessly alert."
CXXVIII. In the value set upon the character
of this man, the judgement of the whole state has
long ^ied with that of the emperor. Nor is it a new
fashion on the part of the senate and the Roman
people to regard as most noble that which is best.
For the Romans who, three centuries ago, in the
days before the Punic war, raised Tiberius
Coruncanius, a " new man," to the first position in
the state, not oply bestowing on him all the other
honours but the office of pontifex maximus as well ;
and those who elevated to consulships, censorships,
and triumphs Spurius Carvilius, though born of
equestrian rank, and soon afterwards Marcus Cato,
though a new man and not a native of the city
but Irom Tusculum, and Mummius, who triumphed
over Achaia ; and those who regarded Gaius Marius,
though of obscure origin, as unquestionably the
first man of the Roman name until his sixth
consulship ; and those who yi^lded such honours to
Marcus TulHus that on his recommendation he
could secure positions of importance almost for any-
one he chose ; and those who refused no honour
to Asinius PolUo, honours which could only be
eamed, even by the noblest, by sweat and toil —
821
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
profecto hoc senserunt, in cuiuscumque animo virtus
inesset, ei plurimum esse tribuendum. Haec naturalis
4 exempli imitatio ad experiendum Seianum
Caesarem, ad iuvanda vero onera principis Seianum
propulit^ senatumque et populum Romanum eo
perduxit, ut, quod usu optimum intellegit, id in
tutelam securitatis suae libenter advocet.
1 CXXIX. Sed proposita quasi universa principatus
Ti. Caesaris forma^ singula recenseamus. Qua ille
prudentia Rhascupolim, interemptorem fratris sui
fihi Cotyis consortisque eiusdem imperii, Romam^
evocavit ! Singulari in eo negotio usus opera Flacci
Pomponii consularis viri, nati ad omnia, quae recte
facienda sunt, simpUcique virtute merentis semper,
2 numquam* captantis gloriam. Cum quanta gravitate
ut senator et iudex, non ut princeps, causam Drusi
Libonis audivit^ ! Quam celeriter ingratum et nova
moHentem oppressit ! Quibus praeceptis instructum
Germanicum suum imbutumque ru^imentis militiae
secum actae domitorem recepit Germaniae ! Quibus
iuventam eius exaggeravit honoribus, respondente
cultu triumphi rerum, quas gesserat, magnitudini !
1 propiilit Acidalius ; protulit AP.
^ forma added by Rhenanus.
' Romam Ursinus ; formam BAP.
* numquam Orelli ; qiiam AP.
" causamDruslLibonis audivit3fa<iOT^; et causas pressius
audit AP.
" On the death of Rhoemetalces, King of Thrace,
Augustus divided the kingdom between Cotys, son of
Rhoemetalces, and Rhascupohs, the king's brother. On
the death of Augustus, Rhascupolis had invaded his
nephew's kingdom, and subsequently, on the pretext of an
amicable adjustment, invited him to a conference, seized his
person, and later put him to death. When Tiberius
summoned him to Rome he began to coUect an army. He
322
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxxviii. 3— cxxix. 2
all these assuredly felt that the highest honours
should be paid to the man of merit. It was but the
natural following of precedent that impelled Caesar
to put Sejanus to the test, and that Sejanus was
induced to assist the emperor with his burdens, and
that brought the senate and the Roman people to
the point where they were ready to summon for
the preservation of its security the man whom they
regarded as the most useful instrument.
CXXIX. But having set before the reader a sort
of general outline of the principate of Caesar, let
us now review some of the details. With what
sagacity did he draw to Rome Rhascupolis," the
slayer of his brother's son Cotys who shared the
throne with him ; rn this transaction Tiberius
employed the rare services of Flaccus Pomponius,
a consular, and a man born to carry out tasks
requiring accurate discrimination, and who by his
straightforward character always deserved glory
though he never sought it. With what dignity did
he hsten to the trial of Drusus Libo, not in the
capacity of emperor, but as a senator and a judge !
How swiftly did he suppress that ingrate in his plot
for revolution ! How well had Germanicus been
trained under his instructions, having so thoroughly
leamed the rudiments of mihtary science under
him that he was later to welcome him home as
conqueror of Germany ! What honours did he heap
upon him, young though he was, making the
magnificence of his triumph to correspond to the
was enticed into the Roman carap by Pomponius Flaccus,
propraetor of Illyria and sent to Rome. He was conderaned
to exile at Alexandria, where an excuse was found for put-
ting him to death.
323
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
3 Quotiens populum congiariis honoravit senatorumque
censum, cum id senatu auctore facere potuit, quam
libenter explevit, ut neque luxuriam invitaret neque
honestam paupertatem pateretur dignitate destitui !
Quanto cum honore Germanicum suum in trans-
marinas misit provincias ! Qua vi consiliorum suorum,
ministro et adiutore usus Druso fiUo suo, Marobo-
duum inhaerentem occupati regni finibus, pace
maiestatis eius dixerim, velut serpentem abstrusam
terrae salubribus'^ medicamentis coegit egredi !
Quam illum ut honorate, sic^ secure continet !
Quantae molis bellum principe Galliarum ciente
Sacroviro Floroque lulio mira celeritate ac virtute
compressit, ut ante populus Romanus vicisse se
quam bellare cognosceret nuntiosque periculi victoriae
4 praecederet nuntius ! Magni etiam terroris bellum
Africum et cotidiano auctu maius auspiciis consiliisque
eius brevi sepultum est.
1 CXXX. Quanta suo suorumque nomine exstruxit
opera ! Quam pia munificentia superque humanam
evecta fidem templum patri molitur ! Quam magnifico
animi temperamento Cn. quoque Pompei munera
absumpta igni restituit ! Quidquid enim umquam^
claritudine eminuit, id veluti cognatum censet
tuendum. Qua liberalitate cum alias, tum proxime
* consiliorum suorura after salubribus hracketed hy Ruhnken.
^ sic Burman ; nec AP.
" quicquid enim umquam Haase ; qui quidem quam AP.
« A.D. 21.
324>
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxxix. 3— cxxx. 1
greatness of his deeds ! How often did he honour
the people with largesses, and how gladly, whenever
he could do so •with the senate's sanction, did he
raise to the required rating the fortunes of senators,
but in such a way as not to encourage extravagant
Uving, nor yet to allow senators to lose their rank
because of honest poverty ! With what honours
did he send his beloved Germanicus to the pro\-inces
across the seas ! With what efFective diplomacy,
carried out through the help and agency of his son
Drusus, did he force Maroboduus, who clung to the
limits of the territories he had seized as a serpent
to his hole, to come forth Uke the serpent under the
speU of his salutary charms — a simile which I use
with no disrespect to Caesar. With what honour
does he treat him while at the same time he holds
him securely ! With what wonderful swiftness and
courage did he repress the formidable war, stirred
up at the instigation of Sacrovlr and Florus JuUus,"
so that the Roman people leamed that he had con-
quered before they knew he was engaged in war,
and the news of victory preceded the news of the
danger ! The African war also, which caused great
constemation and grew more formidable every day,
was soon extinguished under his auspices and in
accordance with his plans.
CXXX. What pubUc buildings did he construct
in his own name or that of his family ! With what
pious munificence, exceeding human beUef, does he
now rear the temple to liis father ! With what a
magnificent control of personal feeUng did he restore
the works of Gnaeus Pompey when destroyed by
fire ! For a feeUng of kinship leads him to protect
every famous monument. With what generosity at
325
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
2 incenso monte Caelio omnis ordinis hominum
iacturae patrimonio succurrit suo ! Quanta cum
quiete hominum rem perpetui praecipuique timoris,
supplementum, sine trepidatione dilectus providet !
3 Si aut natura patitur aut mediocritas recipit homi-
num, audeo cum deis^ queri : quid hic meruit,
primum ut scelerata Drusus Libo iniret consiHa ?
Deinde ut SiHum Pisonemque tam infestos haberet,
quorum^ alterius dignitatem constituit, auxit alte-
rius ? Ut ad maiora transcendam, quamquam et
haec ille duxit^ maxima, quid, ut iuvenes amitteret
fihos ? Quid, ut nepotem ex Druso suo ? Dolenda
4 adhuc retuhmus : veniendum ad erubescenda est.
Quantis hoc triennium, M. \"inici, doloribus laceravit
animum eius ! Quam diu abstruso, quod miserrimum
est, pectus eius flagravit incendio, quod ex nuru,
quod ex nepote dolere, indignari, erubescere coactus
est ! Cuius temporis aegritudinem auxit amissa
0 mater, eminentissima et per omnia deis quam
hominibus simiUor femina, cuius potentiam nemo
sensit nisi aut levatione periculi aut accessione
dignitatis.
1 CXXXL Voto finiendum volumen est.* luppiter
Capitoline, et auctor ac stator Romani nominis
Gradive Mars, perpetuorumque custos Vesta ignium
* audeo cum deis Heinsius ; auro deo cum de his AP.
^ infestos haberet quorum supplied hy Burman. '
* duxit llhenanus ; dixit AP.
* est Orelli ; sit AP.
" Agrippina, the wife of Gerraanicus, adopted son of
Tiberius, banished to Pandataria in a.d. 30, where she died,
in A.D. 33, of voluntary starvation ; and Nero, the son of
Germanicus and Agrippina, who was banished to the island
of Pontia.
326
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxxx. 2— cxxxi. 1
the time of the recent fire on the Caelian Hill, as
well as on other occasions, did he use his private
fortune to make good the losses of people of all
ranks in Hfe ! And the recruiting of the army, a
thing ordinarily looked upon ^vith great and constant
dread, ^vith what calm on the part of the people does
he provide for it, and without any of the usual panic
attending conscription ! If either nature permits,
or man's weak faculties allow, I may dare to make
this plaint to the gods : How has this man deserved,
in the first place, to have Drusus Libo enter upon a
traitorous conspiracy against him, or later to eam
the hostiUty of SiHus and Piso, though in the one
case he created his rank, and in the other he in-
creased it ? Passing on to greater trials — although
he regarded these as great enough — how did he
deserve the loss of his sons in their prime or of his
grandson, the son of Drusus ? Thus far I have told
of sorrows only, we must now come to the shame.
With wliat pain, Marcus Vinicius, have the past
three years rent his heart ! With what fire, the more
cruel because pent up, was his soul consumed because
of the grief, the indignation, and the shame he was
forced to suffer through his daughter-in-law and
his grandson ! " His sorrow at this time was crowned
by the loss of his mother, a woman pre-eminent
among women, and who in all things resembled the
gods more than mankind, whose power no one felt
except for the alleviation of trouble or the promotion
of rank.
CXXXI. Let me end my volume with a prayer.
O Jupiter Capitohnus, and Mars Gradivus.. author
and stay of the Roman name, Vesta, guardian of
the eternal fire, and aU other divinities who have
327
VELLEIUS PATERCULUS
et quidquid numinum hanc Romani imperii molem
in amplissimum terrarum orbis fastigium extulit, vos
publica voce obtestor atque precor : custodite,
servate, protegite hunc statum, hanc pacem, hunc
2 principem,! eique functo longissima statione mortali
destinate successores quam serissimos, sed eos,
quorum cervices tam fortiter sustinendo terrarum
orbis imperio sufRciant, quam huius suffecisse
sensimus, consiHaque omnium civium aut pia fovete
aut impia opprimite.^
^ hunc principem added hi/ Llpsius.
* fovete . . . opprimite supplied by Vos*.
328
HISTORY OF ROME, II. cxxxi. 1-2
exalted this great empire of Rome to the highest
point yet reached on earth ! On you I call, and to
you I pray in the name of this people : guard,
preserve, protect the present state of things, the
peace which we enjoy, the present emperor, and
when he has fiiled his post of duty — and may it
be the longest granted to mortals — grant him
successors until the latest time, but successors whose
shoulders may be as capable of sustaining bravely
the empire of the world as we have found his to be :
foster the pious plans of all good citizens and crush
the impious designs of the wicked.
829
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
INTRODUCTION
Amono extant historical documents there is none
that outweighs in importance the aceount of his
stewardship which the Emperor Augustus left among
the papers deposited with the Vestal Virgins before
his death, preserved to us in a copy chiselled upon
the walls of the Temple of Rome and Augustus at
Ancyra in Asia Minor, the modern Angora. This
copy, known as the Monumentura Ancyranum, has
justly been called by Mommsen the " Queen of
Inscriptions."
. Suetonius, Augustus, 101, states that Augustus had
deposited with the Vestal Virgins, along with his
will, three other documents, all of which were
opened and read in the Senate. The first contained
instructions for his funeral ; the third, a summarized
statement of the condition of the whole empire ; the
second, the one with which we are here concerned,
contained " a r^sume of his acts which he wished to
have engraved upon bronze tablets to be set up
before his mausoleum." More than forty years
before his death Augustus had built this mausoleum
on the Tiber at the northern edge of the Campus
Martius, in the midst of a small park, which was
opened by the Emperor to the public. The mauso-
leum itself was probably surrounded by an enclosing
wall, at the entrance to which, facing the Campus
Mavtius, stood the pillars, or pilasters, on which was
engraved the iridex rerum gestarum. The shell of the
332
INTRODUCTION
mausoleum itself has outlived the centuries and is
still standing on the Ripetta, but the bronze tablets
have long since disappeared. The original docu-
ment, however, was copied on the walls of many of
the temples of Augustus throughout the empire, and
remains of three copies have come to hght in Asia
Minor alone. In addition to the Augusteum at
Ancyra, inscribed with both the Latin text and a
Greek version, there was found another ruined
temple at ApoUonia with remnants of the same
Greek version ; it is fairly certain that the Augusteum
at Pergamon had both the Latin and the Greek
versions ; and finally at Antioch in Pisidia (Colonia
Caesarea) Sir W. M. Ramsay discovered, in 1914, a
nimiber of fragments of the Latin text from a fourth
copy.^ But the inscription on the temple of Rome
and Augustus at Ancyra is relatively so complete,
although marred in places by the scahng of the
stone, that it outweighs all the others in importance,
and the designation Monumentum Anc}Tanum has
become synonymous 'with Res Gestae Di\i Augusti.
The temple of Rome and Augustus at Ancyra is
still in a fair state of preservation. The Latin text
is chiselled upon both sides of the ixmer walls of the
pronaos or vestibule. It was arranged in six pages,
three of forty-six hnes each, on the left as one entered,
surmounted by the title, which runs in two and a
half hnes across the top of all three, and three pages
on the right of fifty-four Hnes each. The arrangement
undoubtedly was in general a rephca of that of the
inscription at Rome. Each Une contained on the
^ Ramsay, "Colonia Caesarea (Pisidian Antioch) in the
Augustan Age," Joumal of Roman Studies, vol. vi., 1916,
London, pp. 108-129.
H S33
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
average about sixty letters. The height of the inscrip-
tion is 2-70 metres on each wall, and the length on
each wall is about 4 metres. To mark the para-
graphs, the first letter projects beyond the margin,
and to indicate periods, a symbol like a figure 7 was
used, which is usually, however, printed in the texts
as §. On one of the outer walls of the temple was
inscribed a Greek translation of the I>atin. The
fact that several Turkish houses had been built
against this wall long made it difficult to read all of
the Greek inscription and still more difficult to
secure casts.
The Monumentum Ancyranum was first made
known to the western world by Buysbecche, a Dutch
scholar who was sent, in 1555, by Ferdinand II. on
an embassy to the Sultan Sohman at Amasia in Asia
Minor. He first read and identified the inscription
and pubhshed a copy of parts of it. After him the
inscription was copied in part by many travellers,
but the first faithful and trustworthy copy was made
by Georges Perrot and Edmund Guillaume, who had
been commissioned by Napoleon III. to explore
Asia Minor. They made a facsimile copy, but no
casts, of the whole of the Latin, and as much of the
Greek as they could get at. Their plates were the
basis of Mommsen's edition of the text in 1865, and
of that of Bergk in 1873 ; also of the text in
the Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum. In 1859 the
Berhn Academy commissioned Mordtmann to make
a cast in papier-mache, but after visiting the site he
reported that the owners of the Turkish houses
would not permit his getting at the parts of the
Greek inscription which were hidden, and that the
making of a cast woukl still further injure the
334
INTRODUCTION
inscription itself. In 1882, however, at the sugges-
tion of Mommsen, the Academy commissioned Carl
Humann to make a plaster cast. He not only made
casts of the Latin inscription, but also of the Greek
as well, ha\ing persuaded the owTiers of the houses
to allow their walls to be partially tom down for the
piirpose, and the casts were safely transported to
BerUn in the autumn of 1882, where they are now
among the treasures of the Museum. Hinnann's
casts liave superseded in value all pre\ious copies,
except in a few places where the wall had scaled
since these earher copies were made, as, for instance,
in page 5, Unes 34-48, and page 6, Unes 1-6. In
1 SS3, using these casts as a basis, Mommsen pubUshed
his great critical edition, vrith a supplement con-
taining heUogra\"ure reproductions from the casts.
This edition of Mommsen has become the basis for
a!l subsequent work. There are still passages in
which the lacunae in the Latin cannot be suppUed
with certainty from the Greek translation, either
because of lacunae or illegibiUty in the Greek text,
and concerning which subsequent scholars have
exercised their ingenuity in conjecture. Some of
these conjectures are clearly more probable than
Mommsen's, while others raise debatable questions
which will never be cleared up until another copy
either of the Latin text or the Greek translation is
found in one of the many Augustea in Asia Minor.^
^ Sir W. M. Ramsay's work at Colonia Caesarea (Pisidian
Antioch) was stopped by the local authorities soon after he
began to find fragments of the Latin inscription. When
the work of excavation is continued it may be that other
fraarments will come to light which wiU clear up a number
of the vexed passages. See Ramsay^s article in the Joumal
of Roman Studies, vol. vi,, 1916.
SS5
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
But for by far the greater portion of the document
we have the actual words' of Augustus, and for a
considerable portion in addition the substance
supplied from the Greek or from sure conjecture.
In a style of studied simphcity, and almost tele-
graphic brevity, with not a word too many or a word
too few, and, except for the personal pronoun which
is used throughout, with an objectivity worthy of
the commentaries of his adopted father, the docu-
ment sets forth, (1) the honours conferred upon
Augustus from time to time by the Senate and the
Roman people and the services for which they were
conferred, chapters 1-14, (2) the donations which he
made from his own personal account to the RepubUc,
to the discharged soldiers, and the Roman plebs ;
also the games, shows, and spectacles given to the
people at his own expense, chapters 15-24, and (3) an
account of his acts in peace and war, chapters 25-35.
The title provided by Tiberius includes only the last
two, namely, the Impensae and the Res Gestae, but
the first group may easily be reckoned mth the
third, since the services are there recorded as well
as the honours conferred in reward for them. There
is no attempt at hterary embelHshment. The
document is almost statistical in its conciseness, and
the facts of a long hfe are allowed to speak for them-
selves. The superlative is purposely avoided, and
there is also an absence of the usual descriptive
adjectives and adverbs. Nowhere does the emperor
refer by name to any of his public enemies, such as
Antony, Brutus and Cassius, Lepidus, or Sextus
Pompey. Not even his own name appears in the
body of the document, except in the statement that
the Senate, out of honour to him, had conferred upon
336
INTRODUCTION
hira the title of Augustus. No mention is made of
his father, his mother, or his wife, nor, indeed, of any
member of his family, except that he does mention
Agrippa, Tiberius, Gaius, and Lucius, when their
names were Unked with his in pubUc honours and
public affairs. In a word, everything of a personal
nature is omitted with studied objectivity, and his
narration is Umited to his relations •vnih the Senate
and the Roman people and theirs ^\-ith him.
For a long time there waged in Germany a con-
troversy as to the purpose and Uterary classification
of the document. Was it intended as a poUtical
testament,^ or a statement of credit and debit in his
account with the Roman people,^ or an account of
his stewardship,^ or an apologia pro vita sua,* or as
an epitaph ^ ? Each of these theories had its
defenders. If it was intended for an epitaph,
Augustus must have contemplated that it would be
thrown into epitaph form by his successor, Tiberius,
who, in any event, aUowed it to stand in the form in
which it was written. Mommsen declares against
ascribing it to any particular class of composition.^
1 Hirschfeld, Wiener Studien, iii. (1881) and vii. (1885) ;
Wochenschrift filr class. Philol., 1884; Plew, QueUenunter-
suchungen zur Gesch. des Kaisers Hadrian, Strassburg, 1890.
* Wolfflin, " Epigraphische Beitrage," S.-B. der Mitnch.
Akad., 1886, p. 225, and 1896, p. 162.
' Mommsen, von SvbePs Historische Zeitschrift, N.F.
xxi., 1887.
* Cantarelli, " L' Iscrizione di Ancyra," Bullettino della
com. arch. comunale, iii. ser. 4 (1889), p. 3.
' Bormann, Bemerkungen zum achriftlichen Nachlass
des Kaisers Augustus, Marburger Program, 1884 ; also
" Veranlassung und Zweck des Mon. Anc," Verhandl. der
43. Philologen-Versammlung in Kolrit 1895. Supported by
Nissen, Schmidt, and Peter.
337
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
It is clear that the document was not originally
written in a.d. 14, as the last sentence would seem to
indicate, but that it was begun much earUer, with
later additions from time to time. As to when
Augustus wrote his original draft, and what additions
were subsequently made, and at what time, there
has been much controversy. Some of the details of
these problems will be discussed in the historical
notes. It is sufficient to say here that it is fairly
sure that an early draft of the document was already
complete in his twelfth consulship, 2 b.c, and perhaps
long before that ; that subsequently changes M'ere
made in some of the statements as, for instance, in
the case of the donations to the city plebs in his
twelfth and thirteenth consulships, where the
amounts are reckoned in denarii and not, as usual, in
sesterces ; that the statement in regard to the sub-
jugation of the German tribes as far as the Elbe,
while true at the time at which it was written, was
no longer true in a.d. 14, when the last words were
added, if, indeed, these were added by Augustus
himself ; and that the mention of his third census
made in a.d. 14 is of course a later addition made
either by himself or by Tiberius.
The Text
The Latin text of the Res Gestae, as here printed,
is based upon that of Mommsen's Second Edition
of 1883, supplemented by that of the third edition
of the Monumentum Ancyranum by Ernst Diehl,
Bonn, 1918. Diehl has had the advantage of the
S38
INTRODUCTION
twenty-five years of study which scholars have
devoted to the yionumentum since the publication
of Mommsen's second edition and has adopted a
number of readings which better fill the spaces in
the lacunae, or better correspond with the content
of the Greek version. In some of the passages
Momnisen's readings have been retained as against
Diehl, and in a few the conjectures of other scholars
have been adopted as indicated in the notes on the
text. Use has also been made of the fragments
of the Latin text of the Res Gestae found by Sir
WilHam Ramsay at Colonia Caesarea (Pisidian
Antioch) in 191 4, and published by him in the
Journal of Roman Studies, vol. \i., 1916, pp. 114-134.
These fragments are exceedingly small, but, placed
in position, some of them serve to determine which
of the conjectures of various scholars is the correct
or more probable one.
In the general typography it has seemed best,
for the purposes of the Loeb Library, to foUow Diehl
rather than Mommsen. Mommsen's lines, which
correspond to those of the inscription, are too long
for the width of the page of so small a volume. The
ends of the lines in the original monument are here
indicated by a perpendicular line thus, | , and the
beginning of each fifth Une, numbered in the margin
5, 10, 15, etc, in the various paragraphs is indicated
by two perpendicular lines thus, [i . In the original,
the first letter of each paragraph projects beyond
the margin. To save space, the paragraphs are
here indented according to modem practice. The
lacunae and illegible passages are indicated by
parentheses thus, (), and the words which have
been supplied to fiU them are, in the case of the
339
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
Latin text, printed in italics. In the Greek text
the parentheses alone are used. In the Latin in-
scription the long vowels are indicated on the stone,
but not always consistently, either by an apex, or
in the case of long i, by an elongation of that letter.
In printing the Latin text the apex (') has been
used for all vowels whose length is indicated on the
stone by either method. The sign § is used to
represent a symbol on the stone which resembles
sometimes the figure 7, sometimes an open 3.
In printing the Greek text, Diehl has been foUowed
except in a very few passages.
Wherever it has seemed essential, the Latin text
has been provided with critical footnotes. These
have been omitted for the Greek version, partly
for economy of space, and partly because the Greek
version is of value chiefly as a subsidiary aid.
The Historical Notes
The interest which the Monumentum Ancyranum
will have for most readers is chiefly historical. For
the benefit of the general reader, and also of the
student of history, the translation has been supple-
mented by historical notes, to amplify or explain
the statements of the first emperor, which are
throughout characterized by epigraphic brevity.
In compihng these notes it has sometimes been
exceedingly hard to draw the Hne between saying
too much or too Uttle. Owing to the nature of the
document itself, these notes are necessarily much
more numerous than is usual in the volumes of the
Loeb Classical Library.
840
BIBLIOGRAPHY
So many articles and comments on the MonumerUum
Ancyranum have appeared, especially gince 1861, that a
complete bibliography is out of the question here, and
the list will have to be limited to the more important
books and articles, and particularly to those referred to
in the introduction, and the critical and historical notes.
Editions ^
Corjnis Inscriptionum Latinarum, vol. iii., Pars II,, pp.
769 ff., Berlin, 1873.
Mommsen, Theodor, Rcs Gestae Divi Augusti ex Monu-
mentis Ancyrano et Apolloniensi, with eleven photo-
gravure plates, Berlin, 1883.
R. Cagnat and G. Lafaye, Inscriptiones Graecae ad Res
Romanas pertinentes iii., 1, 1902, p. Q5 S.
Emst Diehl, Res Gestae Divi AuguMi, third ed., Boim,
1918.
English Translations
William Fairley, Monumentum Ancyranum in Transla-
tions and Reprints from the Original Smirces of
European History, Philadelphia, Pa., 1898.
E. S. Shuckburgh, Augustus, T. Fisher Unwin, London,
pp. 293-301.
COHMENTS ON TeST
E. Bormann, Bemerkungen zum schriftlichen Nachkus
des Kaisers Augustus, Marburg, 1884 ; also, Ver-
handlungen der 43. Versammlung deutscher Philologen
und Schulmanner in Koln, Leipzig, 1895, p. 184 ff.
^ E. G. Hard}% The Monumentum Ancyranum, Oxford,
Clarendon Press, 1923, appeared after this volume was in
page proof, and therefore too late to be used by the translator.
341
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
F. Gottakda, Suetons Verhaltnis zu der Denkschrift des
Augustus, Dissertation, Munich, 1904, p. 50 ff. ;
also Blatter fur das bayerische Gymnasialschulwesen,
1913, p. 121 ff.
Fr. Haug, Bursians Jahresberichte ilber die Fortschritte
der Altertumswissenschaft, Ivi., 1888, p. 87 ff.
J. Schmidt, Philologus, xliv., 1885, p. 448 ff. ; ib. xlv.,
1886, p. 393 ff. ; ib. xlvi., 1887, p. 70 ff.
O. Seeck, Wochenschrift fiir klassische Philologie, 1884,
col. 1475 ff.
R. Wirtz, Erganzungs- und Verbesserungsvorschlage zum
Monumentum Ancyranum, Program, Trier, 1912.
E. Wolfflin, Sitzungsberichte der kgl. bayer. Akademie der
Wissenschaften, 1886, p. 253 ff. ; 1896, p. 160 ff.
Sir W. M. Ramsay, " Colonia Caesarea (Pisidian Antioch)
in the Augustan Age," Journal of Roman Studies,
vol. vi., 1916, London, pp. 108-129.
BooKS AND Abticles dealing with Literary
AND HlSTORICAL PrOBLEMS
V. Gardthausen, Augustus und seine Zeit, i. 1279 ff. ;
ii. 874 ff., Leipzig, 1904.
M. Schanz, Romische lAtteraturgeschichte, vol. ii. pt. i.
p. 12, Munich, 1911.
M. Besnier, "Recents travaux sur les Res Gestae Divi
Augusti," in Melanges Cagnat, p. 119 ff.
Th. Mommsen, von Sybers Historische Zeitschrift, N.F.
xxi., 1887, p. 385 ff. ; also Rom. Gesch. v. 600 ff. ;
Journal des Savants, xii. 176 ff.
A. von Domaszewski, " Untersuchungen zur rcimischen
Kaisergeschichte," Rheinisches Museum, lix., 1904, p.
302 ff.
W. Fuerst, Suetons Verhdltnis zu der Denkschrifi des
Augustus. Erlangen dissertation, 1904, p. 58.
O. Hirschfeld, "Die kaiserlichen Grabstatten in Rom,"
Sitzungsber. der Kgl. preuss. Akad., 1886, p. 1154;
"Die Abfassungszeit des Regierungsberichtes des
Augustus," ib., 1915, p. 423.
S42
INTRODUCTION
E. Koraemann, Beitrage zur alten Geschichte, ii., 1902,
p. 141 ff. ; ib. iii., 1903, p. 74 ff. ; iv., 1904, p.
88 ff. ; V., 1905, p. 317 ff. ; Berliner philologische
Wochenschrift, 1906, col. 120 ; Klio, xiv., 1915, p.
377 ff.
F. Koepp, Mittheilungen des romisches Instituts, xbt.,
1904, p. 51 ff.
F. Marks, " Zur Komposition des Res Gestae des Kaisers
Augustus," Festschrift d. Padagogiums in Putbus,
1908.
H. Peter, Die geschichtliche Litteratur uber die rSmische
Kaiserzeit, i. 453 ff.
G. Sigwart, " Sueton und das Monumentum Ancyranum,"
Klio, X., 1910, p. 394.
P. Viereck, Sermo Graecus, Gottingen, 1888, p. 85.
Vulic, Rivista di storia antica, xiii., 1909, p. 41 ff.
W. L. Westermann, " The Monument of Ancyra,"
American Historical Review, 17, 1911.
U. WUcken, Hermes, xxxviii., 1903, p. 618 ff.
M. Rostowzew, Title and Character o/ the Mon. Anc. (in
Russian), St. Petersburg, 1913.
Chr. Huelsen, Tapographie von Rom, 1907, p. 620 ff.
E. Norden, Antike Kunstprosa, p. 268 ff.
S43
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
Rerum^ gestarum divi Augusti, quibus orbem terra-
{rurn) imperio populi Rom. subiecit, § et inpensarum,
quas in rem publicam populumque Ro(7wa)num fecit,
incisarum in duabus aheneis piKs, quae su(«)t Romae
positae, exemplar sub(«)ectum.
I 1 Annos undeviginti natus exercitum privato
consilio et privata impensa | comparavi, (§) per quem
rem publicam (rfo)minatione factionis oppressam | in
' For an explanation of the apices (') ahd other symbols
such as §, used in printing the text, see Introd. pp. 334, 339 f.
M.€drjpfjbrjvev[j,evai, VTreypdcf^rjaav Trpd^eis T€ Kal
Scopeat He^acTTOV deov, as dTTeXiTTev eTrl 'Pa)p,rjs
ivKexo-payfievas ^^aA/cats" arijXats Svai.
I 1. 'EtcDi/ SeKa€{v)v€a cov ro orpdTevjxa ifjLrjt
yvcofJLrji Kai \ ifiots dv{aX)(x}fia(nv rfToiijjiaad) , hi
ov Ta KOivd TTpd\yfiaTa {iK rrfjs t{(x))v crvvo{fxoaa) -
" The title Res Gestae Divi Augusti is that assigned by
Mommsen.
The superscription, which was engraved in large letters
across the top of the first three columns of the Mon. Anc,
was of course not by Augustus. It was adapted, as is
indicated by the words incisarum . . . exemplar subiectum,
from the superscription provided by Tiberius, or some
one acting under his orders, for the bronze pillars before
344
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS
AS RECOUDED ON
THE MONUMENTUM ANCYRANUM
Below is a copy of the acts of the Deified Augustus
by which he placed the whole world under the
sovereignty of the Roman people, and of the amounts
which he expended upon the state and the Roman
people, as engraved upon two bronze colimins
which have been set up in Rome.<»
1 . At the age of nineteen,* on my o>vn initiative
and at my own expense, I raised an army " by means
of which I restored Uberty <* to the republic, which
the Mausoleum of Augustus at Rome. Its original form
on that raonument was probably : Res gestae divi Augusti,
quibus orbem terrarum imperio populi Romani subiecit, et
impensae quas in rem publicam populumque Romanum fecit.
The Greek sup>erscription reads : " Below is a translation
of the acts and donations of the Deified Augustus as left by
him inscribed on two bronze columns at Rome."
* Octa\ian was nineteen on September -23, 44 b.c.
« During October, by offering a bounty of 500 denarii,
he induced Caesar's veterans at Casilinum and Calatia to
enlist, and in Xovember the legions named Martia and
Quarta repudiated Antony and went over to him. This
activity of Octavian, on his own initiative, was ratified by
the Senate on December 20, on the motion of Cicero.
' In the battle of Mutina, April 43. Augustus may also
have had Philippi in mind.
S45
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
libertatem vindica(DJ. Quas ob res^ *e«)atus decretis
honor(i/i)cis in | ordinem suum m(e adlegit C. Pansa
s A. Hirti)o consulibu(*, c)on(5«/a)Jiremlocum s(ententiae
dicendae simul dans,^ et e7«)perium mihi dedit. (§) |
Res publica n(e quid detritttenti caperet, me) pro praetore
simul cum | consulibus Y)Vo{videre iussit. § Populus)
autem eodem anno me | consulem, cum (cos. uterque
bello cecj)disset, et trium virum ref publicae con-
stituend(ae creavit.) \\
lo 2. Qui parentem meum (interjecer)un(t, e6)s in
exilium expuH iudiciis legi|timis ultus eorum (fa)ci-
n(us, § e)t postea bellum iriferentis rel publicae | vici
h(is a)cie. |
' Quas ob res Wdlfflin, Ob quae Mommsen, Propter quae
Bormann.
* &{imul dans sententiae /erendae et iTO)perium Mommsen.
fievcov SovAiqas \ (rjXev)de{pojaa. 'E<^' o)t? 17
5 avvKXrjTos eTTaLveaaad \\ (/xe ip-qcf^Lanaai) irpoa-
KariXe^e rrjt ^ovXrjt VatcoL Ud^va^q. \ (AvXcol
'IpTLcoL v)7T{d)ro{L)s, iv rrJL rd^eL rwv v7Tar(LKCjo)v |
(dfJLa r)6 a{vix^ov)XeveLV Sovaa, pd^Bov{s:) r ifJLol
eSco/cev. | (Ilep)t rd Srj/jLoaLa TrpdypLara pLiq ti
^Xa^rJL, ifJLOL />te| (to. rcbv vtto^tcov TTpovoeZv eTr-
10 erpei/jev dvTL arparrjyo^v) \\ (ovtl. § *0 S)e
8(rf)ijLOS rcoL avTcoL ivLavrcoL, dpLcf^orepcov \ (rcbv
vrrdrcov TT^oXepLcoL TTe7TTCo{K)6(T)cov, ifie V7Ta\{rov
aTTeheL^ev Kal rrjv rcbv rpLCOv dvSpcov ep^ot^j^Ta
dpx^^v eVi) rrJL KaraardaeL rcbv B(rj)iJLoaLcov 7rpa|(y-
fxdrcov) e(tA)aT(o). ||
15 2. (Toi)? r6v rrarepa rov ifx^v <f>ov€tj)a(av)T(a)s i^-
cbpLaa KpiKaeaLV ivSCjKOLS reLp,co(p)r]adpe(vos) avrcbv
r6 I (dae^rjpa K^al (pLe)rd ravra avrovs TToXepLOV
i\(TrL(j)epovras rrJL 7ra)T(/>)tSi 8ls iveLKrjaa 7ra/BaTa^et.|
346
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, I. 1-2
had been oppressed by the tyranny of a faction."
For which service the senate, ^vith comphmentary
resolutions, enrolled me in its order, in the consul-
ship of Gaius Pansa and Aulus Hirtius, giving me
at the same time consular precedence in voting ;
it also gave me the imperiumfi As propraetor it
ordered me, along with the consuls, " to see that
the republic sufFered no harm." In the same year,
moreover,,as both consuls had fallen in war," the
people elected me consul and a triumvir for settling
the constitution.**
2. Those who slew my father* I drove into exile,
punishing their deed by due process of law/ and
aftervvards when they waged war upon the republic
I twice" defeated them in battle.
" By " faction " he means Antony, whom he never
mentions by name.
* On January 2, 43 b.c, the Senate decreed that Octavian
should be classed as a quaestorius (Dio, xlvi. 29. 41 ), should be
a member of the Senate (Livy, Epit. c\\u\.), should have the
eonsularia omamenta, and for that reason should give his
opinion along with the consuls (App. B.C. iii. 51); he was
also given the rank of propraetor with imperium, i.e. the
constitutional right to command soldiers.
* Pansa died of his wounds, and Hirtius was kUled in
action in the operations about Mutina.
<• Octavian became consul August 19, 43 b.c, after march-
ing his army from Cisalpine Gaul to intimidate the Senate.
On November 27 the appointment of Octavian, Antony,
and Lepidus as triumvirs was brought about by their
arrival in the citj- with armed forces.
* Julius Caesar.
' By the lex Pedia.
» The two battles at Philippi.
347
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
3. (B)ella terra et mari c(ivilia exter)naque toto in
orbe terrarum s(uscepi^) | vietorque omnibus (veniam
15 petentib)us^ civibus peperci, § Exte(ma*) || gentes,
quibus tiito (ignosci pot)ui(t, co)nservare quam exci-
dere m(alui. §) | Millia civium R6ma(norum adacta)
sacramento meo fuerunt circiter (quingen)\ta. § Ex
quibus dedu(a;i in coloni)as aut remisi in municipia sua
stipen(c?ij mm^^ltis millia aliquant(o plura qu)am
trecenta et iis omnibus agros a(dsignavi^) j aut
pecuniam pro ip(raemis »i«7)itiae* dedi. § Naves cepi
20 sescen(te* praeter) \\ eas, si quae min6re(* quam tri-
r)emes fuerunt. § |
4. (Bis) ovans triumpha(t)«, tris egi c)urulis triumphos
^ s{uscepi) Mommsen, s{aepe gessi) Bormann.
* {siiperstitib)\is Mommseii.
* &{dsignavi) Bormann, a {me emptos) Mommsen.
* p(raeTOt* mi/)itiae Bergk and Bormann, i){raediis a) me
Mommsen.
5. (rioAejLious" Kal Kara yrjv) Kal Kara ddXaaoav
20 eix<j>v\\{Xiovs Kal e^coTiKOVs) ev oXrji rrji OLKOVfxevrjL
7ToX\{Xovs dvede^dfMr^v, V€LK)-^aas re Trdvrojv icf)-
€LadiJ,r]v I (rcov TrepLovroiv TToX^Lrcov. T)a cdvr), ols
dcr<^aAes' "^v crvv\{yva)[xrjv ex^LV, €cra>aa /x)aA(Aov)
n •^ i^eKOipa. § Mu/otaSe? || 'PajjJLaLOJV arpar{€v)-
a{aa)aL vtt{6 r6)v opKov r6v i[x6v \ iy€vovr{o)
ivyvs 7T{€vrT]K)o{vr)a- (e)f aiv Kar-q^y^ayov ei? |
rd{s) 0.770 (t)ACtas' t) d{7T€7T€fjnfja €LS rds) t8/a(s' 77oAeis
eK:|Auo/xeVas /xu/otaSas" ttoAAcoi ttX^lovs rj rp^d-
5 Kovra, II KOL TTdaaLS avrals r] dypovs ifiipLaa •^
■)(pr\fJ'O.Ta rrjs | arpareias Scopedv eSa»/<a. Navs §
8e . . . eiAov e^aj/coCTtas rrXrjV rovrcov, et rtves
T^CTCToves' iyivovro rj \ rpLrjp€Ls) \
4. iSXs e(m KeXrjros idpLdfL^€vaa), rpls {i)<f>'
348
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, I. 3^
8. Wars, both ci^il and foreign, I undertook
throughout the world, on sea and land, and when
victorious I spared all citizens who sued for pardon."
The foreign nations which could with safety be
pardoned I preferred to save rather than to destroy.
The number of Roman citizens who bound themselves
to me by mihtary oath was about 500,000. Of these
I settled in colonies or sent back into their o^to
towns, after their term of ser\ice, something more
than 300,000, and to all I assigned lands, or gave
money as a reward for mihtary ser\ice.* I captured
six hundred ships," over and above those which were
smaller than triremes.
4. Twice I triumphed with an ovation,* thrice I
" He is referring in particular to the clemency which he
showed afler the battle of Actium, for which he received a
crown of oak leaves in 27 b.c. ob cives servatos.
* Of the 300,000 soldiers who received honourable dis-
missal from the service, 120,000 had been settled in colonies
by the year 29 b.c. (see chap. 15) ; the remaining 180,000
must consequently have been mustered out in the succeeding
42 years of his reign. There were in senice at the death
of Augustus 25 legions (Tac. Ann. iv. 5), or about 150,000
men, exclusive of the praetorian and urban cohorts. Those
who were killed in battle or died in service therefore num-
bered about 50,000.
* From Sextus Pompeius at Mylae 30 ships (Appian v.
108), and at Naulochus 283 (i6. 108); from Antony at
Actium 300 (Plutarch, Ant. 68).
* " Bis ovans ingressus est urbem, post PhUippense (40
B.c.) et rursus post Siculum bellum " (Nov. 13, 36 b.c),
Suet. Aug. 2-2. An ovation was a minor triumph. In this
the conqueror entered the city on foot or on horseback
instead of in the four-horse chariot, as in the case of the
curule triumph.
349
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
et appella(to sum viciens) \ (se)me\ imperator. (Cu7n
autem^ plii)ris triumphos mihi se(natus decrevisset,) |
(iis *M)persedi. (§) h^aurum de fascib)us^ deposui
§ in Capi(toZ?o votis, quae) \ quoque bello nuncu-
(jiaveram, solu)tis. § Ob res a (jiie aut per legatos) \\
25 meos auspicis meis terra m(ariqu)e pr(o)spere gestas
qu(inquagiens et 9M««)|quiens decrevit senatus supp(Zi-
ca)ndum esse dis immo(rtalibtts. Dies autem,) \ (pe)r
quos ex senatiis consulto (*)upplicatum est, fuere
Dc(ccLXXXX. In triumphis) \ (meis) ducti sunt ante
currum m(e)um reges aut x(eg)um lib(m novem.
Consul) I (Jfuer)am terdeciens, c(M)m (scribeb)a(m)
^ deinde Mommsen.
* \{aurum de /ascib)us Weho/er, I(tem saepe laur)us
Mommsen,
10 apfjbaros. Et/co|[aa(/ct? Kal aTraf 7Tpocrrjyop€vdr)v
avTo)Kpdrcop. T-fjg | (Se crvvKX-^rov ijjiol TrXeiovs
6pLdfM^ov)s ^rj^Laa{ap.i\v'qs, avra)V aTTrjXXdyrfv (?)
Kal 0.770 rcov pd^h)a}v rrjv {8d(f)vr]V \ Karedefjirjv iv
raji Ka7rtTCoAta)6, rd)s evxds, {as iv €Kda)\roi{i
rwL TToXifMOji iTTOirfadfxrjV , arroh^ovs. (Ata ra
15 7rpay//.a||Ta, a rf avros rj Sta rcijv TTpea^evrcov rcov
i)fx{cov alaioLS \ olcovols kol Kard yrjv Kal Kard
ddXarrav) KarcLpOco\aa, 7T{€vr)r)KovrdKLS (Kal)
TTevrd^Kis iijijrjcf^iaaro rf \ av{vKXr)r)os OeoZs 8et(v)
dveadai. {'Hfj^ipai ovv a|u(Ta)t i{K av)v{KX-qrov)
20 S{6)yfiar{o)s iyivovro oKra^K^oaiaL ivevijlKKovra) .
'Ev (T)otS' ifJLOLS {dpLdfJi}^oLS {npo To)v ifiov dp-\
fi{aros ^aaL^Xels rf {^aaLXecov TTatjSes (7Tap-qx^)V
aav I ivvea. § (*T77aT)e(u)ov' rpls Kal heK{aro)v,
350
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, I. 4
celebrated curule triumphs,* and was saluted as im-
perator twenty-one times.'' Although the Senate de-
creed me additional triumphs I set them aside. When
I had performed the vows which I had undertaken
in each war I deposited upon the Capitol the laurels
wliich adomed my fasces." For successful opera-
tions on land and sea, conducted either by myself or
by my heutenants xmder my auspices, the senate on
fifty-five occasions decreed that thanks should be
rendered to the immortal gods. The days on wWch
such thanks were rendered by decree of the senate
numbered 890. In my triumphs there were led
before my chariot nine kings or children of kings.* At
the time of writing these words I had been thirteen
• " Curulis triumphos tris egit Delmaticum, Actiacum,
Alexandrinum continuo triduo omnes " (Aug. 13, 14, 15 of
the year 29), Suet. Aug. 22. " Tres triumphos egit, unum ex
IllyTico, alterum ex Achaica victoria, tertium de Cleopatra "
(Livy, Epit. 133).
• These acclamations as imperator, for military successes,
must not be confused with the title of imperatar prefixed to
the name of Augustus and succeeding emperors. Mommsen
gives the list, Re^ Gestae Divi Augiuti, p. 11.
• Under the Republic the consul or praetor when starting
<Mi an expedition took his vows on the Capitol ; if acclaimed
hnperator by his troops he decked his fasces with laurel,
«od on his retum deposited the wreath upon the Capitol.
' In the three triumphs of the year 29 b.c. the following
names are known : Alexander of Emesa, Adiatorix the
Galatian prince with his wife and sons, and Alexander and
Cleopatra, children of Cleopatra, whose statue was borne
in the procession of the Egyptian triumph (Gardthausen,
Avg. i. 473).
351
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
haec, (et ageham^ se)p(timum et trigensimum annum) \\
30 (tribu)nicia,e potestatis. |
5. (Diciatura)m et apsent(e ei praesenti a populo ei
senatu Romano mihi ohlatam^) \ (M. Marce)\\o e(t) L.
Ar(ru7iiio consulihus non accepi. Non recusavi in
summa) \ (frumenti j9)enuri(o c)uratio(we)m an(wonae,
qu)Sim. ita a.d(minisiravi, ut intra) | (paucos die)s^ metu
et per(i)c(Zo praese?iti populu)m umv(ersu7n meis im-)\\
35 (pensis liberarem). § Con(suIatum tu7n dat)um annuum
e(t perpeiuum non) \ (accepi.) \
6. (Consulihus M. Vimicio ei Q. Lucretio et postea
P.) et Cn. h^eniulis ei tertium) \ (Paullo Fabio Maximo
^ et agebam Mommsen, erainque Bergk.
* a populo . . . oblatam Wolfflin, mihi datam a populo
et senatu Mommsen.
' intra paucos dies Wolfflin and Seeck, paucis diebus
Mommsen.
ore r(av)Ta eypac/jov, \ /cai 'rjf^T^iv rpi,a)K(ocrr6)v
Kal e)SSo/x(oi/ Srjfxapx^i^KT]? \ e^ovaiag. \\
in 5. Avre^ovcTLov jxoi oipxyjv Kal aTTovn Kal
TTapovTL I SiSoiJievqv (vjtto re rov SrjfMov Kal rrjs
cruvKXi^rov \ M{dpK)a>(. (M)apKeX\<joi, Kal AevKLOjL
5 ^AppOVVTLCOL VTToirOLS \\ o{vK e8)e^a/A7ji/. § Ov
TTaprfrrjadiJLrjv ev rrJL fjLeyLcrrrjL \ {rov) a{eLr)ou
OTTaveL rrjv enLfxeXeLav rrjg dyopds, rfv ov\{rojs
eTTerrjhev)aa, oiar ev oklyaLs r]fx.epa{Ls ro)v Trapov-
ros I <j>6^ov Kal kl{vS)vvov raZs ifMals SaTrdvais
Tov Srjfiov I eXevdepcx)aa{i) . '^TTareiav re fxoL rore
10 SL{S)ofjLevr)v Kal \\ €{v)LavaLov /ca(t 8)t(a) ^iov ovk
eSe^dfxrjV. |
6. 'YTTdrOLS MdpKOJL OvLVOVKicOL KOL KotVTOJt
A{ovKp)r]r{ia)L) | /cat fJLerd ra{v)ra rioTrAicot /cal
Nato/t AevrXoLS Kal \ rpirov riaJAAait Oa^Stou
352
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, I. 4-6
times consul, and was in the thirty-seventh year of
my tribunieian power.**
5. The dictatorship ^ offered me by the people and
the Roman Senate, in my absence and later when
present, in the consulship of Marcus Marcellus and
Lucius Arruntius * I did not accept. I did not
decline at a time of the greatest scarcity of grain
the charge of the grain - supply, which I so ad-
ministered that, within a few days, I freed the entire
people, at my own expense, from the fear and
danger in which they were.'* The consulship, either
yearly or for hfe, then offered me I did not accept.
6. In the consulship of Marcus Vinucius and
Quintus Lucretius,* and afterwards in that of Pubhus
and Gnaeus Lentulus,' and a third time in that of
PauUus Fabius Maximus and Quintus Tubero,»
" Augustus held his thirteenth consukhlp in 2 b.c. He
held his thirty-seventh tribunicia potestas in a.d. 14.
* Dio (liv. 4) says in this connexion : " As for the
dictatorship, however, he did not accept the office, but went
so far as to rend his garments when he found himself unable
to restrain the people in any other way either by argument
or entreaty ; for, since he was superior to dictators in the
power and honours he already possessed, he properly guarded
against the jealousy and hatred which the title would arouse "
(Cary's trans.). See also Vell. ii. 89. 5. * 2-2 b.c.
* According to Dio (liv. 1) the offer of the dictatorship
and the request that Augustus become commissioner of the
grain-supply were made at the same time. The crisis
was caused by the conjunction of an overflow of the Tiber,
a pestilence which interfered with agriculture in Italy, and
OODSeqnent famine.
* 19 B.C. ' 18 B.c. » 11 B.C.
S5S
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
et Q. Tuberone senatu populoq)u(e Romano consen-)\
(tientibus)
7 1.
(Princeps senatusjui usque ad eum diem, quo scrip^seram
45 (haec,) II (per annos quadraginta. Pontifex maximus,
^ The substance o/the lacuna in the Latin text is supplied
by the Greek, supplemented by the Greek text of the Fragment
of Apollonia.
Ma^t/Ltcot Kal KoiV^TCot) Touj^epojrt § rrjs (re
15 a^vvKX-qrov Kal rov hr^jjiov rov \\ ' Pco/iatctJV ofjboXo-
y{o)vvrojv, tv(a eTniJ,€)Xrjrr)s ra)v re vofxojv /cai ra)v
rpoTTOJV e(7rt rrJL ixejyiarrjL \ {e^ova{iaL fM)6{vo)s
X^t^porovrfdcbi,, § oipxv^ oi)Se||jLt(ta)i' 7Ta{pa ra
TTd)rp{t,a) e{d)r] hLhofjbevrjV dv€Se\^dfj,r]V' § a Se
20 rore St' epov rj avvKXrfros OL\\KovopeladaL i^ovXero,
rrjs Srfpapxi-Krjs i^o{v)\aLas cov ireXe{aa. K)at
ravrrfs avrrjs rrjs dpxrjs \ crvvdpxovra (auT^oj
aTTo rrjs avvKXrfrov TT{€v)rdKLS alr-qaas {eX)a^ov. \\
IV 7. TpLU)V dvhpdjv iyevofxrfv hrfpoaioiv TTpay-
p.drOiiV I Karopdoirrfs avvexicriv ereaLV SeVa.
§ IlpcDTOv I d^nhparos roTTov eaxov rrjs avvKXrjrov
dxpi' I ravrrfs rrjs rffJLepas, rjs ravra eypaj)OV, irTL
s errf TeaJlCTa/aa/covTa. § 'Apxi-epevs, § avyovp,
" There seems to be a conflict here between the statement
of Angustus and that of Suetonius (Aug. 27), who states
that he received the morum leyumque regimen in perpetuuin,
and of Dio (liv. 10. 5) that " he accepted an election . . .
to the position of supervisor of morals for five years." It is
probable that the two writers had in mind the decrees of the
354
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, I. 6-7
when the Senate and the Roman people unanimously
agreed [that I should be elected overseer of laws
and morals, -without a colleague and ^\ith the fullest
power, I refused to accept any power offered me
which was contrary to the traditions of our ancestors."
Those things which at that time the senate wished
me to administer I carried out by ^irtue of my
tribunician power. And even in this ofRce I five
times received from the senate a coUeague at my own
request.*
7. For ten years in succession I was one of the
trium\-irs for the re-estabUshment of the constitu-
tion].* To the day of wTiting this I have been
princeps senalus ** for forty years. I have been
pontifex maximus, augur, a member of the fifteen
Senate ofFering him the title of praefecttis moribu$ and his
subsequent legislation, while Augustus has in mind his
refusal of a new and extraordinary title, although he carried
out the intent by virtue of his tribunician power.
* Agrippa for five years in 18 b.c, and again for five
years in 13 b.c, Tiberius for five years in 12 b.c, after the
death of Agrippa, and again for five years in 6 b.c. His
tribunate was apparently twice extended after that, each time
for a period of ten years.
* Neither the words " ten years " or " in succession "
are quite exact. The triumvirate began November 27,
43 B.c The first quinquennium should have ended at the
latest December 31, 38 b.c. The triumvirs functioned d«
/acto, but not de iure, during the year 37. The formal five-
year renewal began January 1, 36 b.c, and should have
ended December 31, 32. Their de/acto tenure was therefore
eleven years ; their de iure tenure was ten, but was not
consecutive. See Gardthausen, ii. 175.
* Augustus became princeps senatus in 28 B.c. In the
summer of a.d. 14 he had held the title for forty years not
counting fractions. By it he became the ranking Senator
with the right of speaking first in debate.
S55
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
augur, quindecimviru)m sacris {faciundis^ \ {septem-
virum epulonum, frater arvalis, sodalis Titius,
fetiali)s fui. |
8. Patriciorum numerum auxi consul quintum iussu
populi et senatiis. § Sena|tum ter legi. Et^ In
consulatii sexto censum populi conlega M. Agrippa
egi. § I Liistrum post annum alterum et quadragen-
simum fec(«). § Quo liistro civi|um Romanorum
censa sunt capita quadragiens centum millia et
5 sexa|lg(t)nta tria millia. (§) (Iteru)m consulari cum
imperio lustrum | (*)61us feci C. Censorin(o et C.)
Asinio cos. § Quo liistro censa sunt j civium Roma-
n6ru(7n capita) quadragiens centum millia et ducen|ta
triginta tria m(ilHa. Tertiu)m consulari cum imperio
^ Et deleted by Mommsen.
§ roiv SeKaTTevre dv\Spa)v roiv lepoTTOia)v , § ribv
€7TTd avdpojv LepoTTOicJv , § ai^e)\<l)os dpovdXi,s,
§ iraZpos Ttrto?, § ^TjriaAt?. |
8. Tcov {7Tar)pLKlcov rov dpLd/JLOV ev^rjcra 7T€fM7Trov \
lo V7Tar{os i7TLr)ayrJL rov re hrjp^ov kol rijs ovvKXiq\\rov.
§ (Ti^i' crvjvKXrjrov rpls i^TeXe^a. § "Ektov
V7ra\ros rrjv d^T^o^reLjJLrjorLV rov 8-qfJLOv crvvdpxov-\
{r)a exo)V MdpKov ^AyplrT^rav eXa^ov, rjrLS a7ro-|
{reifxrfiaLS jxerd (Suo /cai) reaaapaKoarov ivLav\rdv
{a)vv€{K)XeLadr] . 'Ev' '^l d^ToreLfiijaei 'Pco/xatcof ||
xs ireL{p,rja)a{vro) /ce^aAat rerpaKo^aLaL e)^T]Kov\ra
fjLv{pLdBes Kal rpLaxiXiaL. Aevrepov v)7TarL\KrJL
i^^ovalaL fxovos VaLOii K^rjvacopLVO^L /cat) | Faicot
{^AaLVLCoL V7TdroLS rrjv dTroreLfjLrjaLV eXa^ov) \ iv
2o {rjL) dTT^oreLfi-qaeL ireLfirfaavro 'VoifLaL)\\a)V re-
T^paKoaLaL eLKoaL rpeZs fivpLdSes Kal T)pt(or-)|
XlXlol. K(at rpirov VTTariKrJL i^ovaiaL rds drTO-
S56
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, I. 7— II. 8
commissioners for performing sacred rites, one of the
seven for sacred feasts, an arval brother, a sodalis
Titius, a fetial priest."
8. As consul for the fifth time,* by order of the
people and the senate I increased the number of
the patricians. Three times I revised the roll of
the senate." In my sixth consulship, with Marcus
Agrippa as my colleague, I made a census of the
people.^ I performed the lustrum * after an interval
of forty-one years. In this lustration 4,063,000
Roman citizens were entered on the census roll.
A second time,' in the consulship of Gaius Censorinus
and Gaius Asinius, I again performed the lustrum
alone, with the consular imperium. In this lustrum
4,233,000 Roman citizens were entered on the census
roU. A third time, -svith the consular imperium,
• Augustus became pontifex maximus in 12 b.c, quin-
decimvir between 37 and 34, augur in 41 or 40, septemvir
epulonum before I5,fetialis in 32. It is not known when he
became & frater arvalis, or a sodalis Tilius. The last three
colleges had fallen into abeyance in the last days of the
republic and were apparentlv revived by Augustus.
» 29 B.c.
• The three revisions of which he speaks apparently
correspond to the taking of the census in 28 and 8 b.c,
and in a.d. 14, but the Senate was also revised in 18 b.c
and A.D. 4, that is to say, about every ten j-ears. See
Gardthausen, ii. 311. The first of these revisions is de-
scribed by Dio, Hi. 42; Suet. Aug. 35. At that time the
Senate had reached the unwieldy number of 1000, and
contained many undesirables. * 2;8 b.c.
• The lustrum was the expiatory sacrifice made at the close
of the census ; in the sentences which follow it is synonymous
with the census. The census had not been taken' since
69 b.c. At that time the number of citizens of mihtary
age was only 450,000. The enormous increase in the
census of 28 b.c is probably due to the exact enumeration
of citizens throughout the empire. ' 8 b.c
357
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
lustrum I conlega Tib. Cae(sareJilio meo^ fect) § Sex.
xo Pompeio et Sex. Appuleio cos. || Quo liistro ce(nsa
sunt civium i2o)man6rum capitum quadragiens |
centum mill(/a et nongenta <r)iginta et septem millia.
§ I Legibus novi(* latis complura^ e)xempla maiorum
exolescentia | iam ex nost(ro usu revocavi^ et ipse)
multarum rer(M7n exe^nvpla. imijtanda 'pos(teris
tradidt). \\
15 9. {Vota pro valetudine mea suscipi'^ per c07J*)ules et
sacerdotes qu(mto) | qu(oque ajino se?tatus decrevit.
Ex iis) votis s(ae)pe fecerunt vivo | (me ludos aliquo-
tiens sacerdotu)m quattuor amplissima colle|(g?a, ali-
quotiens consules. Privatt)m etiam et miinicipatim
^ meo not in Mommsen.
* complura, Ramsay, fills the space better than the multa
of Mommsen. ' reduxi Mommsen.
* suscipi Mommsen, supported by Ramsay. The Oreek
would seem to demand suscipere.
T€ipirj)\ae{i)s '4Xa{fio)v, (ex^)*' {(ruvdpxovTa Tt-
^epiov) I Katcra/aa rov vlov /xo(u Tie^Tcoi Ilo/LtTrT^tcut
V /cat) II Se^TCUt WTTTTOvX-qLCDl VTrdTOLS' €V •^t 0.770-
Teifxiqaei \ eTeLjji-qaavTO 'Paifxaiojv reTpaKoaiai
evevrjKovra \ Tpels ixvpidhes koI eTTTaKi.ax^LXtoi,.
§ Etaayaycov Kai\vovs vofiovs 77oAAa •^'St^ t(x)v
5 dpxaicav i6a>v KaWTaXvofieva Bi,cjp6a)adp,r)v /cat
avTos TToXXcov I TTpayfidTOJV fieip,riixa i/xavTov tols
/x€Te7ret|Ta TrapebcoKa. \
9. Ey;^as" VTTep Trjs ifxrjs aayrrjpias avaXafi^dveLV \
Sid Tcov VTrdTCDV Kal lepecov Ka6' eKdaTrjv Trev-H
10 reTrjpiSa ei/jrjcj^iaaTO rj avvKXrjTos. 'E/c tov\tcov
Tcov evxcov TTXeLardKLS eyevovTO deaL, \ tot€ fxev
e/c T^? avvapxio-S tcov Teaadpcov Lepe\a>v, TOTe Se
iJTrd Tcov VTTdrcov. Kat /caT' tStai' Se /cat j KaTO.
358
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, II. 8-9
and viith my son Tiberius Caesar as my colleague, I
performed the lustrum in the consulship of Sextus
Pompeius and Sextus Apuleius.*» In this hutrum
4.937,000 Roman citizens were entered on the census
roU. By the passage of new laws I restored many
traditions of our ancestors which were then falhng
into disuse, and I myself set precedents in many l
things for posterity to imitate.*
9. The senate decreed that every fifth year*'
vows should be undertaken for my health by the
consuls and the priests. In fulfilment of these
vows games were often held in my hfetime, some-
times by the four chief coUeges of priests, some-
times by the consuls.'* In addition the entire body
* A.D. 14, three months before the death of Augustus.
The gain in the number of citizens in the twenty-two years
since the census of 8 b.c. was 704,000.
» C/. Suetonius, Aug. 34 and 89. Among such laws
Suetonius specifically mentions the sumptuary law, the law
oonceming adultery and chastit}% the law conceming
briberj-, and that conceming the marriage of the orders.
* That is to say " every four years."
* According to Suetonius, Aug. 8 1 , Augustus suflFered from
chronic ill-health. The divinity invoked in these vows was
the Actian Apollo. These games were held for the first
time in 28 b.c, and celebrated thereafter at four-year
intervals. Dio (liii. 4) states that they were in charge of
the following four priesthoods in succession : the pontiffs,
the augurs, the septemviri epulonum, the quincUcimviri
aaerit faciundis.
S59
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
liniver^w) | (cives uno animo continente)r^ apud omnia
to pulvinaria pro va.\e\\(tudine mea sacrijlcauerunt.) |
10. {Nomen meum senatus consulto ^«c)lusum est in
saliare carmen et sacrosan|(ciM^ ut essem in perpetuum^
et q)uoa(d) viverem, tribiinicia potestas mihi | (esset,
per legem^ sanctum est. PontiJ')^'^. maximus ne fierem
in vivi (c)onle|(gae locum, populo id *ace)rdotium
25 deferente mihi, quod pater meu(*) || (hahuerat,^
recusavi.^ Cepi id^) sacerdotium aliquod post annos
eo mor|(<MO demum,'' qui id tumultus o)ccasione occu-
paverat (§), cuncta ex Italia | (ad comitia mea coeunte
^ (cives . . . continente)v Wirtz. Mommsen's (cives
sacrificaverunt sempe)r did not translate the 6/j.odv/j.a5di>
awex^i of the Greek. * in perpetuum Bergk.
' per legem Ramsay, Mon. Ant., lege Mommsen.
* habuerat Bormann, confirmed by Ramsay, Mon. Ant.,
habuit Mommsen.
* recusavi Mommsen, confirmed by Mon. Ant.
* Cepi id Mommsen, Quod Bormann.
' demum Ramsay, Mon. Ant. Bormann had eon-
jectured suscepi, but the fragment of the Mon. Ant. shows
that the letter after mortuo was not S but probably D.
«5 TToAeis" aruvTTavres ol TToXeZrai o/Ao^u//.a||8(ov) avv-
ep^aJS" edvcrav vnep rrjs ifxi^s aoj(T)r)pLas. |
10. To ov{oix)d fiov avvKXrjTOV SoyfJLart iv-
TTepLeXrj\(f)dri el(s rovjs aaXiojv vjxvovs. Kai Iva
lepos cLl I Sta (fiio)v (r^e tt^v SrjfjLap^^LKTjV e^ojt
e^ovaiav, \ vo^pLCOL eK)vpd)drj. § ^Apxi^epojavvrjv,
2o Tjv 6 TTaTrjp II {pC)ov {ea-)()r]KeL, tov SijfMov fjLOL
KaTa(f>€pOVTOS \ els TOV TOV t,OJVTOS tottov, ov
7rpoae8e^d\fJi{7])v . § ("H)i' dpx^^epareiav fjLerd TLvas
VI evLavrovs \\ drTodavovros rov iTpoKareLXrf^fjoros
av^TTfv ev TToXeLTLKals rapaxats, dv€iXrj<f>a, els \
rd €fxd dpxaLpeaLa i^ oXrfs rrjs ^lraXias roaov^rov
360
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, II. 9-10
of citizens ■nith one accord,** both indi^idually and by
municipalities, performed continued sacrifices for my
health at all the couches of the gods.
10. By decree of the senate my name was included
in the Salian hymn,'* and it was enacted by law that
my person should be sacred in perpetuity and that
so long as I hved I should hold the tribunician
power.* I dechned to be made Pontifex Maximus
in succession to a coUeague still hving, when the
people tendered me that priesthood which my father
had held. Several years later I accepted that
sacred office when he at last was dead who, taking
advantage of a time of civil disturbance, had seized
it for himself, such a multitude firom all Italy
• An interesting coin, struck by L. Mescinius Rufus
Illvir, has on the reverse a cippus or altar with the
words IMP • CAES • AUGU • COMM • CONS- (Imperatori
Caesari Augusto communi consensu), and on the obverse,
with initial abbreviations, the following legend : lovi
Optimo Maximo Senatus Populusque Romanus votum
susceptum pro salute Imperatoris Caesaris quod per eum
respublica in ampliore atque tranquilliore statu est.
' Mentioned by Dio, li. 20 : " When the letter came
concerning the Parthians (29 b.c), they further arranged
that his name should be included in their hymns equally
with the gods."
• On the overthrow of Lepidus in 36 b.c, the tribunician
power was given to Octavian, as it had been to Julius, for
me. One of the privileges of the tribunate was that the
person of the tribune should be inviolate. In 23 s.c. it was
made annual as well as perpetual, and from that time on
the years of his principate were reckoned by it.
86]
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
tanta mM)ltitudine, quanta Romae nun(9)uam | (antea
fuisse narratur^ §) P. Sulpicio C. Valgio consulibu(^) §. |
11. (Aram Fortunae Reducis^ iuxta ae)des Honoris
30 et Virtutis ad portam |) {Capenam pro reditu meo se)-
natus consacravit, in qua ponti|(^cf* et virgines
Vestales fl«Kt)versarium sacrificium facere | (iussit eo^
die, quo corisulibus Q. Luc)retio et (M. Vinuctjo in
urbem ex | (Syria redi, et diem Augustali)a. ex (c)o(gno-
mifie nost)ro appellavit. |
12. (Senatus consulto eodem tempor)e pars (praetorum
35 et in^bunorum || (plebis cum consule Q. Lucret)io et
princi(p/)bus (viris o6)viam mihi | mis(*)a e(st in
Campan)\Si(m, qut) honos (ad hoc tempus) nemini
^ coeunte . . . narratur is based upon the conjecture
of Seeck.
* reduci Mommsen. • eo inserled by Bormann.
5 TrXriOovs avveXrjXvOoTos, oaov oySets" || evTrpoaOev
larop-qaev errl 'VcojJLrjs yeyovivai riolTrAtcot SouA-
TnKLOJt Kai Vatcoi OvaXyiati VTrdroLS. |
11. Ba)/xoi/ Tvxf}? Sotrrj/atou VTrep rrjs ifirjs
€7Tav68ov I TTpos ttjl l^aTTTJVrjL TTvXrjL Tj crvvKXrjTos
a(j)L€pcoaev \ iTpos c5t tovs Upels Kal Tas lepeias
10 evtavaLov 6v\\aiav ttolclv eKeXevaev iv eKeivrjt Trji
Vji-iipaL, I iv rJL VTrdroLS KotVrcot AovKprjricoL Kal
MdpKcoL I OvLvovKicxjL €/c Hvpias els 'Payfxrjv
€7Tav€Xr)Xv\deL{v) , rr]v re r\[Jiipav iK rrjs rjpieripas
irrcDVV^ixias TTpoar^yopevaev AvyovardXLa. \\
xs 12. AoyfiarL a{v)vKX^Tov ol Tas fjLeyiaras dpxds
dp\^avT€{s a)i)v fiipeL arparrfyGiv koX SrjfMdpxcov \
fxera V7T{a)rov K.oivrov AovKprjriov iTTifX(f)drj\adv
fiot V7TavTT]aovT€s f^ixP'' KafjLTTavias, rjrLS \ reLfxrj
362
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, II. 10-12
assembling for my election, in the consulship of
Publius Sulpicius and Gaius Valgius, as is never
recorded to have been in Rome before."
11. The Senate consecrated in honour of my
retum an altar to Fortuna Redux at the Porta
Capena, near the temple of Honour and Virtue, on
which it ordered the pontiffs and the Vestal ^irglns
to perform a yearly sacrifice on the anniversary of
the day on which I retumed to the city from SjTia,
the consulship of Lucius Lucretius and Marcus
Vinucius, and named the day, after my cognomen,
the Augustaha.^
12. At the same time, by decree of the senate,
part of the praetors and of the tribunes of the
people, together with the consul Quintus Lucretius *
and the leading men of the state, were sent to
Campania to meet me, an honour which up to the
• M. Lepidus (like Antony never mentioned by name
in the Mon. Anc.) had seized upon the office of pontifex
maximus at Caesar's death, Livy, Epit. cxvii. ; Vell. ii. 63.
Lepidus died in 13 b.c. and Caesar's election, as we are
informed by tiie/asti Praenestini, took place March 6, 12 b.c.
* On the return of Augustus in 19 b.c. after settling the
affairs of Sicily, Greece, Asia, and Syria, many honours,
according to Dio, liv. 10, were decreed to Augustus, but
(he accepted none except those here mentioned. The Altar
of Fortuna Redux was dedicated October 12, and its dedica-
tion was celebrated on coins struck in that year. The Porta
Capena is the gate by which Augustus entered the city,
coming from the south by the Appian Way.
' Quintus Lucretius \'espillo was not consul when he
started out with the deputation. The year had been one
of tumults in the consular comitia and the second consul
had not been elected, Dio, liv. 10. One of the purposes of
the deputation was to ask Augustus either to accept the
consulship, or to name some one to it. His choice fell upon
' Lucretius, who was one of the delegates.
86S
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
prae|ter (m)e e(st decreius. Cu)m ex ll(ispa)Tda,
Ga\(liaque, rebus in his p)xovmc\s prosp(e)|re (^gest)i{s),
B.(omam redi) Ti. Ne(r)one P. Qui(ntilio consulibu)s
(§), aram | (Pads A)u(g)ust(ae senatus pro) redi(t)u.
40 meo co(nsacrari censuit) ad ca.m\\{pum Martium, in qua
7raa)gistratus et sac(erdotes et virgines) V(est)3i(les) |
(anniversarium sacrific)ium facer(e iussit.) |
13. (lanum) Quirin(M7«, quem cZ)aussum ess(e
maiores nostri voluer)unt, \ (cum p)er totum \(mperium
po)puli Roma(nt terra marique es)set parta vic\(torii)s
pax, cum pr(«M*, quam) nascerer, (a condita) u(rb)e
45 bis omnino clausum )j (^^^uisse prodatur m(emori)a.e,
ter me princi(pe senat)us claudendum esse censui(<). |
14. (Fil)ios meos, quos iuv(e«e* m{)hi eripuit for-
20 ixexpi' TOVTOV ovSe evl el firj e/xot €iJjr)<f)La\\9r) .
§ "Ore e^ 'loTTavias Kal raAarias', tcov iv Taulrats'
Tais iTrapxclaLS TrpayiJidTcov /cara TCiS" €v\xo-s
TeXeaSivTCOv, ets 'Pcop.r]v iTravrjXOov § | TL^eplcoL
(Ne')/3a);'t /cat IloTrAtwt KotvTtAia;t VTraTOis, \\
\ni ^cofiov K^lpj^qvrjs lle^aaTrjs VTrkp Trjs ifirjs e7r-|
aj^oSou d(f)Lep(i)drjvaL iifjrjcj^iaaTO tj avvKXrjTos iv
7re|8icot "Apecos, Trpos col tovs Te iv Tals dpxo-LS
Kal Tovs I lepels Tas t€ lepeias iviavaiovs 6vaias
iKeXevae 7tol€lv. \\
5 13. HvXrjv 'Ej/uaAtov, t]v KeKXladai ol TraTepes
rj/jLCov rj6e\Xr)aav elprfvevopLevrjs Trjs vtto 'Vcop,aioLS
Trdarjs yr]S T€ | Kal daXdaarjs, rrpo p,ev ipLOV, i^
ov rj ttoXls €KTia6rj, \ tcol TravTL alcbvL hls fiovov
KeKXeladaL ofioXoyel^TaL, iiTL 8e ifiov rfyefiovos
10 Tpls rj avvKXrjTOs iiJjrj\\(f)iaaTO KXeLoQqvaL. \
14. Ytous' fi-ov Tdiov KOL AevKLOv Kaia{a)pas,
364>
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, II. 12-14
present time has been decreed to no one except
myself. When I retumed from Spain and Gaul,
in the consulship of Tiberius Nero and Publius
Quintihus, after successful operations in those
pro^lnces, the senate voted in honour of my retum
the consecration of an altar to Pax Augusta in the
Campus Martius, and on this altar it ordered the
magistrates and priests and Vestal virgins to make
annual sacrifice."
13. Janus Quirinus, which our ancestors ordered
to be closed whenever there was peace, secured by
victory, throughout the whole domain of the Roman
people on land and sea, and which, before my birth
is recorded to have been closed but twice in all
since the foundation of the city, the senate ordered
to be closed thrice while I was princeps.''
l*. My sons Gaius and Lucius Caesar," whom
• Augustus was absent for three years in Spain and Gaul,
16 to 13 B.c. The altar was built on the Via Flaminia, by
which Augustus returned to the city, and formally dedicated
on January 30, 9 b.c. The site was systematically excavated
in 1903. For the now famous sculptures see Strong, Rom.
Scidpture, pp. 39-58.
* Tradition records that the Arch of Janus was closed
for the first time under Numa. It was closed again after
the First Punic War in 235. It was closed by Augustus
after the Battle of Actium in 31 b.c, again in 25 b.c. after
the Cantabrian war. The year of the third closing of the
arch is not known. It stood on the Forum where the
Argiletum entered it. See Virg. Aen. vii. 607, xii. 198.
' Gaius (born in 20 b.c.) and Lucius (born in 17 b.c),
the sons of Agrippa and Julia, the daughter of Augustus.
They were adopted by their grandfather in 17 b.c. at the
time when Agrippa was associated with Augustus in the
tribunicia potestas, thus securing the succession. But
Agrippa died 12 b.c, Lucius in a.d. 2, and Gaius in a.d. 4.
365
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
in (tuna,) Gaium et Lucium Caesares || honoris mei
caussa senatus populusque Romanus annum quintum
et deci|mum agentis consules designavit, ut (e)um
magistratum inirent post quin|quennium. Et ex eo
die, quo deducti (5)unt in forum, ut interessent con-
siliis I publicis decrevit sena(<)us. § Equites (a)utem
s Romani universi principem || iuventiitis utrumque
eorum parm(z*) et hastis argenteis donatum
aplpellaverunt. §
15. Plebei Romanae viritim «s trecenos numeravi
ex testamento patris | mei, § et nomine meo «9
quadringenos ex bellorum manibiis consul | quintum
dedi, iterum autem in consulatii decimo ex (p)atri-
10 monio || meo «s quadringenos congiari viritim per-
ovs veavias a\vripTTaa€V rj rvxq, €ls rrjv ifxrjv
T€i,fi{rj)v 17 T(e) avvK/{7]\ros Kal 6 Srjfios rwv *Pco-
fxaiwv TrevTe/caiSeKaerei? | ovras VTTarovs aTreheL^ev,
,3 Iva ixera Trevre err] || els rrjv VTrdrcov dpXW ^^'°"
eXdojaLV Kal d(f)' -^s dv \ rjfjie{pa)s {els rrjv d)yopdv
{Kar^axd^cojcnv, Iva {iJ,e)rexoj\ai,v rrjs av^v^KX-qrov
etfjr)(^iaaro . § 'iTTTTels 8e 'Paj|/xata»v avv^TT^avres
■nyefLova veorrjros eKarelpov avrcov {7Tp)oar]yopev-
90 aav, doTTiaiv dpyvpeais \\ koI hopaaiv {er)eifirjaav. \
15. Atj/xwi 'PcofjLa{ia))v Kar dvSpa e^hofirjKovra
rr{evr)e j hrfvdpia eKaarajL rfpidfxrfaa Kard Sta-|
9-^KrjV Tov TTarpos jxov, /cat Ta»t e/xcDt ovofxarL \
eK \a(f)vpa>v {Tr)o{Xe)pLOV dvd eKardv SrjvdpLa \\
vm TTefJLTTTOv VTTaros eSojKa, § TraAtv t€ 8e{Karo)v \
VTTarevcov e'/c r{rj)s ifxrjs vrrdp^ecos dvd 8r]vd\pi,a
366
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, III. 14-15
fortune snatched away from me in tlieir youth, the
senate and the Roman people to do me honour
made consuls designate, each in his fifteenth year,"
pro\iding that each should enter upon that office
after a period of five years.* The senate decreed
that from the day on which they were introduced
to the forum " they should take part in the counsels
of state. Moreover, the entire body of Roman
knights gave each of them the title of princeps
iuventutis " and presented them with silver shields
and spearSii
15. To the Roman plebs I paid out three hundred
sesterces per man in accordance with the will of my
father,'* and in my own name in my fifth consulship
I gave four hundred sesterces apiece from the spoils
of war ; * a second time, moreover, in my tenth
consulship I paid out of my own patrimony four
" In the year in which they assumed the toga virilis,
Gaius in 5 b.c. and Lucius in 2 b.c. Augnshis assumed
the consulship in each of these years in order to introduce
them to public life.
• Lucius died before reaching the consulship. Gaius
was consul a.d. 1.
• As their adopted father was princeps senatus, so each
of his adopted sons was called princeps iuventutis, or first
among the young men in the class of knights. It seems to
have been an honour rather than an official title.
** This first donation was in 44 b.c. The amount was
$12.00, or £2, 8s. per man, distributed to at least 250,000
people.
• In 29 B.c, on the occasion of his triple triumph. The
amount was about $16.00, or £3, 6s. per man.
367
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
numer(a)vi, § et consul | undecimum duodecim
frumentationes frumento pr(f)vatim coempto ) emen-
sus sum, (§) et tribunicia potestate duodecimum
quadringenos | nummos tertium viritim dedi. Quae
mea congiaria p(e)rvenerunt | ad (kom{)num millia
ts nunquam minus quinquaginta et ducenta. § j| (T^ri-
bu(w?c)iae potestatis duodevicensimum consul xii
trecentis et | vigint({) millibus plebis urbanae sexa-
genos denarios viritim dedi. § | In colon(e)s militum
meorum consul quintum ex manibiis viritim | millia
nummum singula dedi ; acceperunt id triumphale
congiarium | in colo(«)is hominum circiter centum
20 et viginti millia. § Consul ter||tium dec(i)mum
sexagenos denarios plebei, quae tum frumentmn
€Kar6v r]pL6(jJi)rj(Ta, (§) /cat ivSeKarov viraTos \
ScoScKa aeiToiJierpriaeis e/c rov epiov fiiov 0.77-
5 elljLteT/DTjCTa, (§) /cat h-qjJuapxiKrjs e^ovmas ro Sco-
8e|/caTOV eKarov SrjvdpLa Kar dvSpa eSoj/ca* at-
r{L)\v€S e'/xat eVtSoCTets- oySeVoTe rjaaov r}Xd[o)v e^i)?
I dv8pas p.vpLd8a)v eLKoaL Trevre. A7]p.a{p))(iKrjs
i^^ovalas OKTCoKaLSeKarov, VTrar^os) 8{a)3eKarov) ||
10 rpLdKovra rpLa^i) fivpLdaLV 6)(\ov 7ToXeLTLK{ov
e^^T^^KOvra Sr]vdpLa Kar dvhpa eSa)/c(a, /ca)t
aTTOLKOLs arpa\riojr6jv ifJLCov TTefXTrrov VTraros i{K)
Xacf>vpcov Kard \ dvBpa dvd Sta/coCTta TTevTiJKovra
hrjvdpLa eS{coKa-) \ eXa^ov ravrrjv rrjv Scopedv iv raXs
15 drroLKLaLS dv\\dpdj7TCx}v p,vpLd8es 7rA(et)ot' SajSe(/ca.
"TJTraTOS' T(/)t)CTJ/caiSe'/caTOV dvd e^-qKovra hrfvdpLa
368
THE AGTS OF AUGUSTUS, III. 15
hundred sesterces per man by way of bounty,'*
and in my eleventh consulship I made twelve
distributions of food from grain bought at my own
expense,* and in the twelfth year of my tribunician
power I gave for the third time four hundred sesterces
to each man." These largesses of mine reached a
number of persons never less than two hundred and
fifty thousand.** In the eighteenth year of my
tribunician power, as consul for the twelfth time,
I gave to three hundred and twenty thousand of the
city plebs sixty denarii apiece.* In the colonies of
my soldiers, as consul for the fifth time, I gave one
thousand sesterces to each man from the spoils of
war ; about one hundred and twenty thousand men
in the colonies received this triumphal largesse/
When consul for the thirteenth time I gave sixty
denarii apiece to the plebs who were then receiving
" 24 B.C., on his return from the war in Spain. The
amount per man was the same as in 29 b.c. * 23 b.c.
' 12 b.c, on the occasion of his assumption of the office
of Pontifex Maximus.
* It will be noted that the number of the city plebs is here
a quarter of a milHon. In the donation of 5 a.c. the number
had reached 320,000. The donation of 2 b.c. is to those
receiving pubhc grain. That thLs number had been reduced
to 200,000 is attested by Dio, Iv. 10. 1.
• 5 B.c, on the occasion of introducing Gaius to the
forum. The amount per man is about 19.60, or about
j£2 apiece.
' 29 B.c. The amount is about $40.00 or £8, 5s.
369
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
publicum I accipieba(<), dedi ; ea millia hominum
paullo plura quam ducenta fuerunt. |
16. Pecuniam (pro) agris, quos in consulatii meo
quarto et postea consulibus | M. Cr(asso e)t Cn,
Lentulo augure adsignavi militibus, solvi municipis.
Ea I (s)u(m7na ^e^^)ertium circiter sexsiens milliens
95 fuit, quam (/>)r6 Italicis || praed(^.y) numeravi, § et
ci(r)citer bis mill(2V)ns et sescentiens, quod pro agris |
pr6vin(c)ialibus solvi. § Id primus et (^)olus omnium,
qui (rf)eduxerunt | colonias militum in Italia aut in
provincis, ad memor(e)am aetatis | meae feci. Et
postea Ti. Nerone et Cn. Pisone consulibus, (§)
item^q-^ue C. Antistio | et D. Laelio cos., et C. Calvisio
et L. Pasieno consulibus, et L. L,e(ntulo et) M. Mes-
3° salla II consulibus, § et L. Caninio (§) et Q. Fabricio
Tcoi a€LTOfi€T{pov)\iJ,€V(ji}L ST^fjicot eScu(/<:a* ovTo)s
dp{l)6lJi{6s TtXcLWV €LKo)\{a)L {fjiv)pLdSoJV VTTTJPX^^^V. \
16. Xpi^/xara iv viraT^iaL T€TdpTr]L ip^fJL K:a(t)
2o iJ,€Ta TavTa t5||7raTOt? Map/ccui Ys.pdaaa>L Kal Natcot
AivTXojL avyov\pL TaXs ttoX^olv rjpLdpirjaa vjrep
aypcvv, ovs e/xepicra j tols aTpaT^LOj^TaLS . Ke^a-
Xaiov iyivovTO iv 'iTaAiat | p,€V pLvpLaL TT^evTaKi)-
a{x)€{iXLaL iJiv)pidh€s, {tojjv (8e e)7rap|;^etTtK:ttJt'
dypcov {p)v{pidS€S i^aKiaxiX)iaL 7T€v{Tf ^6)a{LaL.) \\
IX ToUTO VpCOTOS Kal JJLOVOS aTTdvTOJV iTTOTjaa TCOV
{KaTa)yay6vT(jL>v aTTOLKias aTpaTLCOTcov iv 'lTa|Atai
•q iv irTapx^iaLS p^ixp^ t^? e/XT^? rjXLKias. § Kat |
lx€T€TT€LTa Ti^€picoi Nipcovi Kal Naicoi Heiacovt
5 i57ra||Tots" Kal ttoXlv raiojt 'AvdeaTLCjoL Kat Ae/cftcot
Aat|Ata>t VTTdTOis Kal Tatcoi KaAoutcrtcot Kat Aeu-
Ktojt I IlacTcrtTyi^ctJt (?3)7raTo(t)? (/cat A^euKtcot AivTXcoL
Kal Mdp\Kcoi MecraaA(at) inrdTOiS /c(a)t {A)€VKicoL
KavLv{i)(joi (/c)at | (K)otWct;t Oa(^)/3t/ctci)i yTrctTOts-,
370
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, III. 15-16
public grain ; these were a little more than two
hundred thousand persons.*
16. To the municipal towns I paid money for the
lands which I assigned to soldiers in my own fourth
c> nsulship * and aftervvards in the consulship of
Marcus Crassus and Gnaeus Lentulus the augur.*
The stmi which I paid for estates in Italy was about
six hundred milKon sesterces, and the amount
vliich I paid for lands in the pro\-inces was about
two hundred and sixty miUion.'* I was the first
and only one to do this of all those who up to my
time settled colonies of soldiers in Italy or in the
provinces. And later, in the consulship of Tiberius
Nero and Gnaeus Piso, Ukewise in the consulship
of Gaius Antistius and Decimus Laehus, and of
Gaius Calvisius and Lucius Pasienus, and of Lucius
Lentulus and Marcus Messalla, and of Lucius Caninius
aiid Quintus Fabricius, I paid cash gratuities to the
' 2 B.C., on the occasion of introducing Lucius to the
■ m. $9.60 or £2 per man. The donation to the soldiers
iks the chronological narration of donations to the
'5. This donation therefore looks like a later addition.
a discussion of the problem see Introduction. The
! of these donations amounts to something over
" .000,000 or about £5,550,000.
30 B.c. After Actium he had sent back to Italy a
detachment of veterans of his own army and that of
Antony. These soldiers mutinied at Brimdisium and he
- obUged to retum from Samos to settle this mutiny, by
_ming to the oldest veterans towns in Italy which had
1 ored Antony and by giving money to the rest. Those
^ ho were thus dispossessed were in part reimbursed by
lands at Dyrrachium and at Philippi and in part by the
monevs here referred to. See Dio, li. 3. 4; Suet. Aug. 17.
' 14 B.C.
" $24,000,000 (about ^£4,980,000), and $10,400,000
(£-M 40,000) respectively.
371
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
co(^.) milit(ibus, qu)6s eme|riteis stipendis in sua
municipi(a dedux)\} praem(?'a «)umerato | persolvi,
(§) quam in rem seste(r<iM7w) (\(uater 7n)i\\\G.n{s It)-
h(ente)r | impendi. |
17. Quater (pe)cunia mea iuvi aerarium, ita ut
35 sestertium m{llien(*) et [| quing(en)t(ien)s ad eos qui
praerant aerario detulerim. Et M. Lep(i)do | et L.
Ar(r)unt(t)o cos. i(w) aerarium militare, quod ex
consilio m(eo) \ co(nstitut)um est, ex (7)^0 praemia
darentur militibus, qui vicena j (aut plu)ra. st\(pend{)a.
emeruissent, (§) «s- milliens et septing(e)nti|(ew* ex
pa)t(rim)onio (in)eo detuli. § ||
40 18, (Inde ab eo anno, q)vio Cn. et P. Lentuli c(on-
*)ules fuerunt, cum d(e)iicerent | (vecii)g(alia, tuni)
centum millibus h(ow?)num tu(m pZ)uribus (7raM/)to
^ remisi Mommsen.
10 arpaTUOTais d7roXv\\oiJi€voLs, ovs KaTr\yayov els Td?
ISias TToX^eis), (f)LXav\6pco7rov ovofjLaTL eSco/ca )u.(u-
p^LaSas iyyvs (ftupta)?. |
17. TeTpd^K^LS ;\;pr]/x(a)crtv efiols (dv^eXa^ov to
alpdpLov, (els) o \ (KJaTijvevKa (;!^)etAtas' (eTrr^a/cocrta?
TrevT-qKOVTa \ fJLvpidSas. K(at) M(d)pKa)L (Ae77tSa)t)
15 Kal AevKLCoL 'Appowllrtajt i3(77aTots' €)ls t(o) aT(p)a-
{tl(ot)lk6v alpdpLov, o ttjl \ (epLrJL) y(v)(L{priL) KaTearrj,
Lva (i)^ avTOv al 8a»/)(e)at etcrKeVetra TOt? e)fjLOLS
a{TpaTL)coTaLs StScovrat, o(t etKo)|(cTt)v ivLavTo{v)s
7J TrXeiovas iaTparevaavTO , jU,(u)pt|aSa(?) TeTpa(/<:)t?
20 p^etAta? StaKOCTtas' TrevTrJKOVTa || (e/c T^S" e)/Lt(^s)
VTrdp^ecos KaTT)V€VKa. \
18. ('Att' iK^eivov t{o)v ivLavTov, i{(f>') ov Natos'
/cat IIoTT-Atos' I (A)eVTAot xmaTOL iyevovTO, otc
VTTeXeLTTOv al St] | (^o) atat 7T/DocroSot, aAAoTe fiev
Se'/ca fivpLaaLV, aA|(AoTe) Se TrAetocrtr acLTLKas Kai
372
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS. III. 16-18
soldiers whom I settled in their own towTis at the
expiration of their ser\ace, and for this purpose I
expended four hundred milUon sesterces as an act
of grace."
17. Four times I aided the pubhc treasury ■with
my own money, paying out in this manner to those
in charge of the treasury one hundred and fifty
million sesterces.*' And in the consulship of Marcus
Lepidus and Lucius Arruntius I contributed one
hundred and seventy milHon sesterces out of my
own patrimony to the military treasury, which was
estabhshed on my advice that from it gratuities
might be paid to soldiers who had seen twenty or
more years of service."
18. Beginning Avith the year in which Gnaeus
and PubHus Lentulus were consuls,** whenever taxes
were in arrears, I furnished from my own purse and
my own patrimony tickets for grain and money,
• The vears vere 7, 6, 4, 3, 2 b.c. The amount is about
$16,000,000 (£3,329,000).
" Two of these four occasions are known from other
evidence. Dio Cassius, liii. 2, mentions that of 28 b.c,
and a coin of 16 b.c. (c/. Eckhel, vii. 105) has the inscription,
" The Senate and the Roman people to Imperator Caesar
because the roads have been paved with money which he
contributed to^ the treasury." The amount is about
$6,000,000 (£1,234,000). Up' to 28 b.c. the treasury was in
charge of the quaestors. From then to 23 b.c. it was in
charge of two ex-praetors. From that time until the reign
of Claudius two praetors had charge of it.
• Augustus founded the aerarium militare in a.d. 6. In
addition to his own subvention, amounting to 16,809,000
(about £1,400,000), it was also supported by a five per cent
tax on inheritance and a one per cent tax on sales. From
13 B.c. the length of ser\'ice had been 12 years for praetorians
and 16 for legionaries. It was now increased to 16 and 20
years respectively. '18 b.c.
373
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
fru\(mentarias et n)umma(n'a)s t(esseras ex aeref- et
pat(rmorato) m(e)o | {dedi). |
IV 19. Curiam et continens ei chalcidicum, templum-
que ApoUinis in | Palatio cum porticibus, aedem divi
luli, Lupercal, porticum ad cirjcum Flaminium, quam
sum appellari passus ex nomine eius qui pri[6rem
eodem in solo fecerat Octaviam, pulvinar ad circum
5 maximum, || aed^s in Capitolio lovis Feretri et lovis
Tonantis, (§) aedem Quirini, § | aedes Minervae § et
lunonis Reginae § et lovis Libertatis in Aventino,
§ I aedem Larum in summa sacra via, § aedem deuni
^ multo . . . aere Schmidt. Mommsen conjectured :
inlato frumento vel ad nummarios tributus ex agro.
Z apyvpiKas avvrd^ei? |) c/c t^? eyitTj? VTrdp^ccos
19. BouAeyT7y/3(io)v Kal ro TrXrjGLOV avroji ;\;aA-
KihiKov, I vaov re ^AttoXXwvos iv ITaAaTtait avv
aroais, \ vaov deov {^I)ovXi.ov, Ilavos Upov, aroav
5 TTpos t7r||7roSpo/xa)i Ttut TTpoaayopevofievcoL OAa-
^ivtojt, rjv I etaaa Trpoaayopeveadai. e^ ovofiaros
iK€LVOV '0/CTa|outav, o{s) rrpcoros avrr^v dvearrjaev ,
vaov irpos TcDt | fieydXcoL LTTTTohpopmiL, (§) i^aous" ev
KaTTtTajAtcoj I Ato? Tpo7Taiocf)6pov /cat Atos" Bpov-
xo r-qaiov, vaov \\ Kvp€(,v{o)v, (§) vaovs ^Adrjvds Kal
"Ylpas BacrtAtSo? /cat | Ato? 'EAeu^eptou iv 'Aovev-
rlvcoL, rjpujcov TTpos rrJL \ UpaL oSojt, deoiv KaroLKL-
374
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, III. 18— IV. 19
sometimes to a hundred thousand persons, sometimes
to many more.
19. I built the curia" and the Chalcidicum
adjoining it, the temple of Apollo on the
Palatine with its porticoes,* the temple of the
deified Julius," the Lupercal,'* the portico at the
Circus Flaminius which I allowed to be called
Octavia * after the name of him who had constructed
an earher one on the same site, the state box at the
Circus Maximus, the temples on the capitol of
Jupiter Feretrius f and Jupiter Tonans," the temple
of Quirinus,'^ the temples of Minerva, of Juno the
Queen, and of Jupiter Libertas, on the Aventine,*
the temple of the Lares at the highest point of the
Sacra Via, the temple of the Di Penates on the
* This is the Curia lulia dedicated in 29 b.c. on the site
of the old Curia Hostilia.
* The Temple of Apollo was begun soon afler 36 b.c.
(Vell. ii. 81) and dedicated 28 b.c.
« At eastern end of the forum, on the site where Caesar's
body was burned. Dedicated August 18, 29 b.c.
"* Formerly a cave in the rock on the south-west of the
Palatine, where the she-wolf was supposed to have suckled
the twins. It was now converted into a nymphaeum.
* Near the theatre of Pompey. For the original portico
built by Octavius, who defeated the fleet of Perses in 168,
see Vell. ii. 1.
' A restoration at the suggestion of Atticus, in 31 b.c,
of the chapel near the large temple of lupiter Optimus
Maximus, in which Roman generals hung the arms taken
from their enemies slain in single combat.
» Dedicated September 1, 22 b.c, to commemorate his
miraculous escape from a bolt of Hghtning when on his
Cantabrian expedition, 26-25 b.c. It was at the entrance
to the Area Capitolina.
* On the Quirinal, dedicated in 16 b.c.
* These three temples on the Aventine were restorations
of earlier temples.
875
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
Pendtium in Velia, § | aedem luventatis, § aedem
Matris Magnae in Palatio feci. § |
20. Capitolium et Pompeium theatrum utrumque
lo opus impensa grandi refeci || sine ulla inscriptione
nominis mei. § Rivos aquarum compluribus locis |
vetustate labentes refeci, (§) et aquam quae Marcia
appellatur duplicavi | fonte novo in rivum eius
inmisso. § Forum lulium et basilicam, | quae fuit
inter aedem Castoris et aedem Saturni, (§) coepta
profligatajque opera a patre meo perfeci § et eandem
15 basilicam consumptam in)|cendio ampliato eius solo
sub titulo nominis filiorum m(eoriim i)n|cohavi (§) et,
si vivus non perfecissem, perfici ab heredib(M* iussi.) \
Duo et octoginta templa deum in urbe consul se\(ium
Sicov iv OueAtai, vaov Neo|T7^To(s", va)6v M.-r]rp6s
decov ev riaAaTtcot eTroTjaa. |
20. Ka7rtTc6A(to)v /cai r6 HoiJiTrrjiov diarpov e/ca-
15 repov (I r6 epyov dvaXwfjiaaiv fxeyiaroLs inccrKeva-
aa ali^ey imypacfirjg rov ifxov ovofxaros. § ^ Kycoyovs
v\hdru>{v iv TrXeCjarois roTTOis riJL TraXaLorrjri
oXLa\ddvov{ras irrjeaKevaaa Kal vScop r6 KaXov-
fJLevov I Mdp{KLOv iSi^TrXcDaa Trrfyrjv viav els ro
20 peWpov II {avrov eTTOp^eTeucr) a? . (§) ^Ayopdv 'louAtW
Kal PaaL\{XiKrjv rrjv piera^v r)ov re vaov ra)V
AtocTKro Kpcuv /cat tou Yi.p6vov Kara)^e^Xr]p,eva epya
VTTo rov I {narpos fiov ireXelcoaa /<:a)t rrjv avrrjV
^aaiXiKrjv \ {Kavdelaav irrl av^rjdevri) iha<f)eL avrrjs
X.I i^ i7rL\\ypa(f>rjs ovofiaros rcov ifiaJv vlcbv V7r{r]p^d-
fJLr])v I /cat et pir] avr6s rereXeicoK{o)i{jJii, r)eXe{i)(o-
{drjvai V7t6) I rcov ificov KXrfpovopiCov irrera^a. § A(i^o
(/cat dySo)|7^/coi^Ta vaovs iv rrJL TToX^ei eKr)ov V7T{aros
376
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, IV. 19-20
Velia," the temple of Youth,* and the temple of the
Great Mother on the Palatine.*'
20. The CapitoHum ^ and the theatre of Pompey,*
both works involving great expense, I rebuilt with-
out any inscription of my owti name. I restored
the channels of the aqueducts which in several
places were falUng into disrepair through age, and
doubled the capacity of the aqueduct called the
Marcia by tuming a new spring into its channel.^
I completed the JuHan Forum " and the basiHca
which was between the temple of Castor and the
temple of Satum, works begun and far advanced
by my father, and when the same basiHca was
destroyed by fire I began its reconstruction on an
enlarged site, to be inscribed with the names of my
sons, and ordered that in case I should not Hve to
complete it, it should be completed by my heirs.^
In my sixth consulship,* in accordance ^^ith a decree
" These two temples in the neighbourhood of the later
arch of Titus apparently disappeared to make room for
the colossal constructions of Hadrian and Constantine.
* On the Palatine facing the Circus Maximus, destroyed
by fire 16 b.c.
' Dedicated in 191 b.c. ; destroyed by fire, 3 a.d.
** The temple of lupiter Optimus Maximus, built accord-
ing to tradition by Tarquinius Superbus, burned to the
ground in 83 ; the rebuilding was begun by Sulla and
completed by Catulus in 69 a.c.
* The first stone theatre in Rome, built in 55 b.c. It
continued to be the most important theatre in the city.
' For these restorations of the aqueducts see Frontinus,
De aquis, 125, translated by Herschel.
' Dedicated along with the Basilica lulia on the occasion
of the triumph after the battle of Thapsus.
* The basilica was soon destroyed by fire. The rebuild-
ing was begun in 12 b.c. The later name, basilica Gai et
Luci, never gained general acceptance.
* Augustus was consul for the sixth time in 28 b.c.
377
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
ex decreto) | senatus refeci, nullo praetermisso quod
e(o) temp(ore rejici debebat.) \ Con(*)ul septimum viam
20 Flaminiam a(6 urbe) Ari(jninum Jeci et pontes) \\ omnes
praeter Mulvium et Minucium. |
21 . In privato solo Martis Vltoris templum (^orum-
que Augustum (ex mani)\h\h feci. § Theatrum ad
aede^ Apollinis in solo magna ex parte a p(r)i(v)atis |
empto feci, quod sub nomine M. Marcell^i) generi
mei esset. § Don(a e)x | manibiis in Capitolio et in
25 aede divi Iu(/)i et in aede Apollinis et in ae[|de
Vestae et in templo Martis Vltoris consacravi, § quae
mihi constijterunt HS- circiter milliens. § Auri
coronari pondo triginta et quinque millia municipiis
^ aede (s/c).
5 8oy/xa)||Tt cwvKQ^rjTOV i7T€(7K€vacr{a) o{v)B€va 7r(e)/3i-
X{lTrc6v, OS) j €K€LVa}L TCl)L )(p6va)i €7TLaK€vfjS iSeLTO.
§ {"Y^TTa^TOS €)\^8{o)fxov oBov ^{Xa/xLVLav aTTo)
'Pa>fjL7]s {* ApifJLLVov) I y{€(f))vpas t€ tols iv avTTJL
Trdaas e^co Bv€lv tcov p,rj \ eV(i)Seo/xeva)v iv^ijaKevrjs
iTTorjora. \\
10 21. 'Ej/ ISlcotlkcol ihd(j)€L "Apeojs ^ApLVVTOpog
dyopdv T€ Tie^^acrTTjv iK Xa(f)vpo)v iTTorjaa. (§)
Qiarpov iTpos tcjl \ * AttoXXojvos vacoL irrl i8d(f)ovs
iK TrAetWoy pLcpovs dyo^paadivTOS dvqycLpa (§) cttl
ovofjLaTos MapK€?C{ov I Tov yafjL^pov fiov. 'Ava^e-
15 fiara iK Xa(f)vpcov iv Ka7Tt|[TajAta;t /cat vacoL IouAta;t
/cat i^aaji 'AttoAAojvos' | kol 'Eo-Tta? Kal "Aipeojjs
d(f>L€pojcra, d ifiol KariaTr] \ ivyvs fLvpLdho){v hCja-
;^e(i)At6uv 7T€VTaK{oaio)v ) \ Et? j^^puaow aricfjavov
XeLTpcbv TpLa{fivpio)v) \ ^TCVTaKLax^LXicov Karacfjepov-
378
I
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, IV. 20-21
of the senate, I rebviilt in the city eighty-two temples
of the gods, omitting none which at that time stood
in need of repair. As consul for the seventh time *
I constructed the Via Flaminia from the city to
Ariminum, and all the bridges except the Mulvian
and the Minueian.''
21. On my ovm ground I built the temple of Mars
Ultor and the Augustan Forum from the spoils of
war." On ground purchased for the most part
from private owners I built the theatre near the
temple of Apollo which was to bear the name of
niy son-in-law Marcus Marcellus.'* From the spoils
of war I consecrated offerings on the Capitol, and in
the temple of the divine Juhus, and in the temple
of ApoUo, and in the temple of Vesta, and in the
temple of Mars Ultor, which cost me about one
hundred milhon sesterces.* In my fifth consulship
I remitted thirty-five thousand pounds weight of
• 27 B.c.
• Now the Ponte Molle over the Tiber. The location of
the Minucian Bridge is not known. In the Greek version
these two bridges are not named but simply referred to as
" two bridges not in need of repair."
• This temple was vowed before the battle of Philippi,
but only completed and dedicated in 2 b.c. Part of the
temple still stands, as also part of the surrounding wall of
the Forum.
<* The theatre of Marcellus on the Campus Martlus was
dedicated May 4, 11 b.c. Marcellus died in 23. Part ot
the outer wall still stands.
• Suet. Aug. 30, states that at one single donation he
presented to the temple of lupiter Capitolinus 16,000
pounds of gold (64,000,000 sesterces) and in addition gems
and pearls amounting to 50,000,000 sesterces. That such
statements were grossly exaggerated is shown by the fact
that his total donations, 100^000,000 sesterces ($4,000,000
or £800,000) fell short of the amount reported for this one gift
379
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
et colonis Italiae conferentibus ad triumph6(*) | me6s
quintum consul remisi, et postea, quotienscumque
imperator a(ppe)l|latus sum, aurum coronarium non
30 accepi decernentibus municipii(*) || et coloni(*) aequ(e)
beni(g)ne adquo antea decreverant. |
22, T(e)r munus gladiatorium dedi meo nomine
et quinquens^ filiorum me(o)jrum aut n(e)p6tum
nomine ; quibus muneribus depugnaverunt homi-|
nu(m) ci(rc)iter decem millia. (§) Bis (a^)hletarum
undique accitorum | spec(ta)c(lu7n po)pulo pra(ebiii
35 meo) n6mine et tertium nepo(tis) mei no!|mine.
§ L(M)dos feci m(eo no)m(ine) quater, (§) aliorum
autem m(agist)rsi\tu(um) vicem ter et vicie(w*). (§)
(Pr)o conlegio xv virorum magis(ter con)\(l)e(gi^)i
colleg(a) M. Agrippa (§) lud(o5 .y)aecl(flre)s C. Furnio
* quinquens (sic), quinquiens Mon. Ant.
ao aais Ta(ls iv 'I^TaAtlJat TToAeiTetais' Kal dTTOtKiaLs
crvv€)(^d>piq(a)a ro (tt€ij)\tttov VTTaTevcov , /cat varepov
oaaKLS {avr^oKpdrcop | rrpoarjyopevdrjv , rds etV rov
aT€(f)avo(v i^TTayye^Xlas ovk eXa^ov i/jr](f)i,l,ofJi€va>v
Tcijv 7r(oAetTet)c(jv | /cat dTTOiKLcbv pbeTa rrjs avrrjs
xn 7Tpod{vfjiLas, Ka)d\\d{7Tep /cat ii/j-^^f^L^a^ro TT^po^repov.) \
22. (T/3ts" fJLOvo) pa)({io.v e8co)Ka Tcot eyLtcDt ovopLarL
Kal I (TTevrdKLS rdJv vlchv /jlov ^ vljcovojv iv als
fxovo\{ixaxLaLS ifJLaxicrcLvro i}v(yvs fiv)pL(o)L. Als
5 d6Xr)Tw{v) 7rav||T(a;)^o^ei') fL€{Ta7Tefi<f)devrcov yvfi-
VLKo)v dydjvos deav \ (rdJL 87^/xait 7T)apeaxov r(dJL
i)fLd)L ovofiarL Kal Tpir{ov) \ r{ov vlcovov fiov. Qeas
iTTOTj^aa St' ifJLOV rerpdK^LS,) | Sta Se rdjv dXXcov
dpxcov iv fiepeL rpls /cat elKoadKLS . § | *T7rep rdjv
•° 8eKa7T€VT€ (dvSp)d)v, exojv avvdpxovra |j Map/cov
'AypL7r7T(av, rds d)eas (S)ta eKarov irdov yeLVo\fi,evas
380
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, IV. 21-22
coronary gold * contributed by the municipia and
the colonies of Italy, and thereafter, whenever I
■\\as saluted as imperator, I did not accept the
coronary gold, although the municipia and colonies
voted it in the same kindly spirit as before.
22. Three times in my own name I gave a show of
gladiators, and five times in the name of my sons
or grandsons ; in these shows there fought about
ten thousand men.'' Tmce in my own name I
fumished for the people an exhibition of athletes
gathered from all parts of the world, and a third
time in the name of my grandson." Four times
I gave games in my o-nTi name ; as representing
other magistrates twenty-three times.** For the
college of quindecemvirs, as master of that coUege
and with Marcus Agrippa as my coUeague, I con-
" The custom had grown up for cities affected by a
victory to give crowns of gold to a triumphing imperator.
These crowns seem later to have been commuted for cash
which was called coronarium aurum. The amount named
here, 35,000 pounds, corresponds to the number of the tribes
and would seem to have come from them. The occasion
was his triumph in 29 b.c.
' Of these eight gladiatorial shows, seven are mentioned
in other sources : 29 b.c, on the occasion of the dedication
of the temple of Julius ; 28 b.c. ; 16 b.c. ; 12 b.c, in honour
of Gaius and Lucius ; 7 b.c ; 2 b.c, at the dedication of
the temple of Mars Ultor ; a.d. 6, in honour of the elder
Drusus.
• Suet. Aug. 43, states that on one occasion (probably
28 b.c, c/. Dio. liii. 1) wooden seats for the spectators were
erected in the Campus Martius. Which grandson, whether
Germanicus or Drusus, is referred to in connexion with the
third exhibition is not known.
** These were the usual games of the circus and theatre
given by magistrates when entering upon their offices.
881
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
C (iS)ilano cos. (feci.) \ (C)on(sul xiii) ludos Mar(fta)les
Y>r(imus fect), qu(os) p(ost {)d tempus deincep(j) |
ins(equen)ti(bus ann)is (s. c. mecwm}- fecerunt co)n(*M)les.
40 (§) (Ven)ait\(o)n(es) best(?a)![rum Africanarum meo
nomine aut filio(rM)m meorum et nepotum in ci(r)[co
aut (t)n foro aut in amphitheatris popul(o rf)cdi
sexiens et viciens, quibus | confecta sunt bestiarum
circiter tria m(ill)ia et quingentae. |
23. Navalis proeli spectaclum populo d.e(di tr)ans
Tiberim, in quo loco | nunc nemus est Caesarum,
« cavato (solo) in longitudinem mille l[ et octingentos
pedes, (§) in latitudine(7n mille) e(t) ducenti.^ In quo
tri|ginta rostratae naves triremes a(ut birem)6s, (§)
^ s. c. mecum supplied hy Wirtz.
* ducenti (»ic).
ov{ofia^oiJ,€va)s cr(at)/<rAa/)eiS' eTTorjaa Tatoii ( Ooup-
VLCOL /c(ai) TatujL He^L^XavcoL VTTaroLS. (§) "TTraros"
TpLa^KaLbeKarov {deag "Apeco? TTp^coros iTTorjaa, ds
fier^ i\K€lvo{v x)p6vov i^rjs {rots /x^ereTretra iviav-
'5 roLS II h{6yp,arL avvKXrirov arvv i)pLOL irTorjaav ol
VTTa\{roL) V
7^? dr]picov 6 I
23. N(auyLta;^tas" diav rcoL SijficoL eSco)Ka 7Te{p)av
Tov Ttj(jSept8o?, iv WL r^TTCOL iarl vv)v aXaos
KaLa(i{pco)v, \ iKKexco^Kchs ro eSacf^os) e(t)? p.r]K{o)9
)(€lXlcov OKraKo^aLCov 7ToS{cbv, etV 7T)X(ir{o)s ;!^tAta>j/
^™ 8ta/co(CT)ta»t'. 'Ev' rJL \\ rpL(XKo{v)ra vavs e/x^oXa
exovaai, rpiripeLS rj hi\Kpor(oL, at) Se rjaaoves TTXeiovs
382
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, IV. 22-23
ducted the Secular Games in the consulship of
Gaius Fumius and Marcus Silanus.** In my thir-
teenth consulship I gave, for the first time, the
games of Mars, which, since that time, the consuls
by decree of the senate have given in successive
years in conjunction with me.^ In my own name,
or that of my sons or grandsons, on twenty-six
occasions I gave to the people, in the circus, in the
forum, or in the amphitheatre, hunts of African
^^ild beasts, in which about three thousand five
hundred beasts were slain.
23. I gave the people the spectacle of a naval
battle beyond the Tiber, at the place where now
stands the grove of the Caesars, the ground having
been excavated for a length of eighteen hundred
and a breadth of twelve hundred feet." In this
spectacle thirty beaked ships, triremes or biremes,
* The fiflh celebration of the secular games, June 1-3,
17 B.c. An inscription reporting this celebration of the
end of the century was found in 1890, C.I.L. vi. 32,323.
For an interesting account of it see Lanciani, Pagan and
Christian Rome, p. 73.
* The Ludi Martiales, celebrated for the first time in
2 B.c, on the occasion of the dedication of the temple of
Mars Ultor.
* The Naumachia Augusti was directly across the Tiber
from the lower corner of the Aventine. The present church
of S. Francesco a Ripa is located near one focus of the
ellipse and that of S. Cosimato near the other. Remains
have been found of the pavement and the travertine walLs.
The waler was siipplied by the Aqua Alsietina, 33 kilometres
long, built by Aug^istus expressly for this purpose.
883
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
plures autem | minores inter se conflixerunt. Q(uibus
in) classibus pugnavejrunt praeter remiges millia
ho(minum tr)ia circiter. § |
24. In tempKs omnium civitatium pr(or;?recf)ae Asiae
s» victor orna||menta reposui, quae spoliatis tem(plis is)
cum quo bellum gesseram | privatim possederat.
§ Statuae (mea)e pedestres et equestres et in | quad-
rigeis argenteae steterunt in urbe xxc circiter, quas
ipse I sustuli (§) exque ea pecunia dona aurea in aede
Apol(Zi)nis meo nomi|ne et illorum, qui mihi statua-
rum honorem habuerunt, posui. § ||
V 25. Mare pacavi a praedonibus. E6 bello servo-
rum, qui fugerant a dominis | suis et arma contra
rem pubUcam ceperant, triginta fere millia capta § |
dominis ad supplicium sumendum tradidi. § luravit
Ivavjxdxf^cfav . § | 'Ev r{ovrcoC) rcbi aroXcot rjycovL-
aavro e^ca rcov iperu>v | 7Tp6a7T{o)v dvhpes rp{i)a-
X(e)c(A)toi. II ^ . ,A '/ \
s 24. ('Ev vaoZ)s TT{aa)a)v TToXeoi^v) rrjs ( A)at(a)?
veiKT^aas ra dvade\{fxara aTr^oKarear-qaa, {a eix^v)
t(Stai) lepoavX-qaag 6 | utt' {ip,ov) 8{i)ayci)ViadeLg
7ToXe{iJ,Los) . 'Avdpidvres Trel^ot Kal ecjinTTTOL p,ov
Kal i(j>' dpiiaaw dpyvpoZ elarrjKeL^aav iv rrJL TToAet
lo ivyvs dySoTjKovra, ovs avros "^pa, \\ eK rovrov re
rov xP^^t^OL^^os dvadejjLara xp^^^d iv \ rcoL vawL rov
^AttoXXcovos rcoL re ificoL ovofxarL Koi \ eKetvcov,
olrLves fX€ {r)ovroLS roZs dvSpLaaLV ireLfir]\aav,
dvedrfKa. \
25. 0aAacrora(v) TTeLparevofxevrfv vrro aTToarartov
15 SoulJAan' {elpr]v)evaa' i$ Sv rpeZs ttov fivpidSas
roZs I Se^CTTTOTat)? els KoXaaLV TrapehcoKa. § "Q.fLoaev
S84 '
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, IV. 23— V. 26
and a large nimiber of smaller vessels met in conflict.
In these fleets there fought about three thousand
men exclusive of the rowers."
24. After my victory * I replaced in the temples
ta all the cities of the province of Asia the ornaments
■hich my antagonist in the war,« when he despoiled
the temples, had appropriated to his private use.
Silver statues of me, on foot, on horseback, and in
ohariots were erected in the city to the number of
about eighty ; these I myself removed, and from
the monev thus obtained I placed in the temple of
\pollo golden offerings in my own name and in the
aame of those who had paid me the honour of a
5tatue.<*
25. I freed the sea from pirates. About thirty
thousand slaves, captured in that war, who had run
iway from their masters and had taken up arms
aigainst the republic, I delivered to their masters
Ebr punishment.* The whole of Italy voluntarily
" For this spectacle see Vell. ii. 100. The date was
i B.C., on the occasion of the dedication of the temple of
Mars Ultor. Dio, Iv. 10, states that the fight represented
battle of Athenians and Persians, and that the former
were victorious.
* At Actium in 31 b.c.
* Antony is never mentioned by name. He had robbed
}f their statues and ornaments various temples at Samos,
Ephesus, Pergamos, and Rhoeteum in the province of
\sia and had given them to Cleopatra. C/. Dio, li. 17.
"* For the melting up of these statues see Suet. Atiff. 52,
md Dio, liii. 52. Suetonius says that these golden oflFerings
irere tripods.
* He is referring to the war with Sextus Pompey, ter-
[ninated in 36 b.c. Pompey's following was made up largely
rf runaway slaves, and his fleet, so manned, had cut oflF the
;rain fleets on their way to Rome. See Vell. ii. 73.
385
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
in mea verba tota | Italia sponte sua et me he(lli),
quo vici ad Actium, ducem depoposcit. § Iura-j|
s verunt in eadem ver(6a provtjnciae Galliae Hispaniae
Africa Sicilia Sar|dinia. § Qui sub {signis meis tuvi)
militaverint, fuerunt senatores pliires | quam Dcc, in
ii(* qui vel antea vel pos)tea consules facti sunt ad eum
diem | quo scripta su(nt haec, Lxxxui, sacerdo)tes
ci(rc)iter clxx. § |
26. Omnium pr6v(inciarum populi Romani), quibus
lo finitimae fuerunt || gentes quae n(on parerent imperio
nos)tro, fines auxi. Gallias et Hispajnias pr6vicia(*^
et Germaniam qua inclu)dit Oceanus a Gadibus ad
6sti|um Albis ^nm(inis pacavi. Alpes a re)gi6ne ea,
quae proxima est Ha|drian6 mari, (ad Tuscum pacari
^ provicias (sic).
I (et? rovs ifxovjs Xoyovs aTracra rj ^lraXia cKovaa
Kd\{fjL€ TToXefiov,) cut ctt' 'A/CTta»t ive{L)Kr]a-a, r^yefjiova
i^r]\{Trioaro . "Q^fxoaav et? rovs {avrov)s Xoyovg
ao e7ra(p)||xe(tat FaAa^Tta 'laTravla Ai^vr] 2t(/<reAta
Sap)8cu. Ot utt' e'|)U.(at? arffxiais r6)r€ arparev-
{adfievoi rjaav avvKXr)Tiy{Kol rrXeiovs i7rr)a{Koai)o)V'
{i)v {avroZs ol rf Trporepov rj) \ {jiereTreLra) iy{evov)ro
{vTr)a{TOL els iK)e{l)v{r]v rrjv rj) fie\{pav , iv rji ravra
XIV yiypaTTTo^i, 6{yhoriKo)vra Tpe{i)s, tep(et)? || Trp^aTTOv
eKarov i^bofjLrj^K^ovra. \
26. Uaaojv iTTapx^Libv S7]fJLo{v 'PoJ)fjLaio)v, als
ofJLopa I "^v edvrf rd fjL-^ VTTOTaaa{6fL)eva rrJL rjfxerepai
r]\yefJLOvia, roiis opovs iTrev^{r]a)a. (§) VaXariav
5 Kal *Icr||77avias', o/xoto)? 8e /cat Vepfiaviav Kadd>s
^Q.Kea\v6s TTepLKXeieL 077(6) raSe(ip)a>i' fJLexpL ar^-
fjLaros I "AX^LOS 7TOTafJLo{v iv) elprfvr] Karearrjaa,
"AXtnqs drro | KXifiaros rov rrXrfaiov Kioviov k6Xttov
386
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, V. 25-26
k oath of allegiance to me and demanded me as
leader in the war in -n-hich I was victorious at
ium. The pro^inces of the Spains, the Gauls,
ica, Sicily, and Sardinia took the same oath of
aiiiL-giance.* Those who served under my standards
at that time included more than 700 senators,^
jand among them eighty-three who had pre\aouslv
?or have since been consuls up to the day on which
these words were written, and about 170 have been
priests.
26. I extended the boundaries * of all the provinces
wliich were bordered by races not yet subject to
oiu- empire. The provinces of the Gauls, the Spains,
and Germany, bounded by the ocean from Gades
to the mouth of the Elbe, I reduced to a state of
peace.* The Alps, from the region which lies
nearest to the Adriatic as far as the Tuscan Sea, I
• In other words, all the provinces in the half of the
Empire ruled by Octavianus.
* The number of senators at that time was about 1000.
« The extensions included : the temporary pushing forward
of the German frontier from the Rhine to the Elbe; the
creation of the new provinces of Pannonia and Moesia : the
addition of the newprovinces of Galatiaand Paphlagonia in
Asia Minor; the expedition of Aelius Gallus to Arabia
Felix ; and in Africa, in addition to the formal annexation
of Egypt, some minor expeditions by the various pro-consuls.
•^ In the Gallic and Cantabrian expeditions of Augustus
himself, 27-25 b.c, in that of Carrinas against the Morini,
of Messala against the Aquitani, 21 b.c, and the numerous
campaigns in Germany, particularly of Drusus and Tiberius.
Pacavi could apply to Germany for a very brief period only.
387
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
fec)\ nulli genti bello per iniuriam | inlato. § Q\&{ssis
mea per Oceanum) ab ostio Rheni ad solis orientis
15 re||gionem usque ad fi(we* Cimbroru)m navigavit, (§)
quo neque terra neque | mari quisquam Romanus
ante id tempus adit, § Cimbrique et Charydes j et
Semnones et eiusdem tractus alii Germanorum
popu(Z)i per legatos amicijtiam meam et populi
Romani petierunt. § Meo iussii et auspicio ducti
sunt I (duo) exercitus eodem fere tempore in Aethio-
20 piam et in Ar(a)biam, quae appel;, (Zaiwr) euoaemon,
(maxim)aeque hos(<)ium gentis utr(?M)sque cop(«ae) |
caesae sunt in acie et (c)om(j)lur)a. oppida capta. In
Aethiopiam usque ad oppijdum Nabata pervent(M7«)
fiexpi' Tvp\pr)vtKrjs OaXdcrcrrjs elprjveveaOai. TreTTorjKa,
10 (§) ovSevi II edvei aSc/co)? CTrevexd^vTos TToXefiov.
(§) StoAos" I ifios Sta 'D/ceai^ou aTTO arofiaros
'Pt^vov (hs TTpos I dvaToXds P^^XP'- ^G^ovs Y^iix^pcov
huTrXevaev , oS ov\r€ Kard yrjv ovre Kard ddXaaaav
'VcofMaiojv ns rrpo \ rovrov rov xpovov TTpoarjXdev
,5 Kal Kljx^poi, Kal XaAu||^es' Kal l^efxvoves aAAa re
TToAAa edvr] Vepixavwv \ Sta npea^eLcov rrjv ifxrjv
<j)iXiav Kal TTjv hrjfiov 'Vco\fiaiojv ffrijaavro. 'Efxiji
eiTvrayrJL koI olcovols alai\ois Suo arparevfiara
e7T€^r) Aldiorriai Kal ^Kpa^iai \ rrjt evSaifMOvi /ca-
20 Xovfxevrfi, fieydXas re rcov 7ro\\Xefjiicov Svvdfjbets Kar-
eKOiJjev ev TTapard^ei Kal \ iTXeiaras rroXets hopi-
aXiorovs eXafiev /cat 7Tpo\e^rj ev AWtomat ptixpi
S88
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, V. 26
1 • lught to a state of peace without waging on any
e an unjust war.<* My fleet sailed from the
uth of the Rliine eastward as far as the lands of
Cimbri to which, up to that time, no Roman
1 ever penetrated either by land or by sea, and the
abri and Charydes and Semnones and other
'ples of the Germans of that same region through
ir envoys sought my friendship and that of the
nian people.'' On my order and under my
-pices two armies were led, at almost the same
.6, into Ethiopia and into Arabia which is called
" Happy," and very large forces of the enemy
lx)th races were cut to pieces in battle and many
vns were captured* Ethiopia was penetrated
as far as the town of Nabata,"* which is next to Meroe.
* At Torbia (Tropaea Augrusti), near Monaco, stood a
monument, of which only fragments now exist, commemorat-
ing the subjugation of the Alpine peoples. Pliny, X.U.
iii. 20. 136, has preserved the inscription : " The Senate
and the Roman people to Caesar . . . Augustus . . .
because under his leadership and auspices all the Alpine
nations from the upper to the lower sea have been brought
into subjection to the Roman people." There follows a
list of forty-six peoples.
* For this naval expedition to the Elbe in a.d. 5 see
Aell. 11. 106. The Cimbri inhabited the coast of Schleswig
and Jutland, the Charudes (the Greek text gives " Chalybes ")
were their close neighbours, and the Semnones were located
between the Elbe and Weser.
« The Arabian expedition of Aellus Gallus, 25-24 b.c.
The two other portions were called Arabia petraea and
Arabia deserta.
* Queen Candace, taking advantage of the withdrawal
of Egyptian garrisons for the Arabian expedition, captured
some towns In upper Egj-pt. They were retaken by
C. Petronius, 24-2J b.c. Hls punltlve expedition pene-
trated Aethlopia.
389
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
est, cui proxima est Meroe, In Arabiam usque | in
fines Sabaeorum pro(ce**)it exerc(i<)us ad oppidum
Mariba. § |
27. Aegyptum imperio populi (7?o)mani adieci.
25 § Armeniam maiorem inter! fecto rege eius Artaxe
§ c(M)m possem facere provinciam, malui maiorum |
nostrorum exemplo regn(M)m id Tigrani regis Arta-
vasdis filio, nepoti au|tem Tigranis regis, per T(i.
A^^e^ronem trad(er)e, qui tum mihi priv(?of)nus erat. |
Et eandem gentem postea d(e5c)iscentem et rebel-
lantem domit(a)m per Gaium | filium meum regi
Ario(6fl/-£r)ani regis Medorum Artaba(r^) filio regen-||
30 dam tradidi (§) et post e(««*) mortem filio eius Arta-
vasdi. (§) Quo (inte^rfecto (Tigra)\ne,^ qui erat ex
r^gio genere Armeniorum oriundus, in id xe{gnum)
^ Read Tigranem.
TToAeoJS" ^a^drrjs, 17x1? iaTLV evytaTa MepoT^, iv^
'Apa^tat Se ^i^XP^ TrdAelcD? Mapt/Sa?. ||
XV 27. KlyvTTTOv hrjixov ^PcofjiaLcov r)y€fiovLat TTpoa-
edr]Ka. \ ^ApfjLeviav rrjv fi^eLjl^ova dvaLpeOevTos rov
j8acrtAe|co? SvvdpLevos eTTapx^iav TTorjaaL /xaAAov
i^ov\Xrj6rjv Kard rd rrdrpLa rjjjLoJv edrj ^auLXeiav
5 Ttypalli^T^t 'ApTaofaaSou vlojl, vlcovwl 8e TLypdvov
^aaL^Xeojs S(o)w(a)t Sta TL^epiov Nepojvog, os ror
ip,ov I TTpoyovos rjv /cai ro avro edvos d^Lard-
fievov Kal I dva77oAe/xow hap,aadev vtto ratou rov
VLOV I p,ov ^aoLXel ^ApLo^apt^dveL, ^aoLXecos MrjStov
10 ^ Apra\\^d^ov vlcol, TTapeScoKa /cai fierd rov iKeivov
^dva|roi' Toit utcDt avrov 'ApraovdaSr)' ov dvat-
pedevros \ Ttypdvrjv, os "^v iK yevovs ^AppLeviov
^aatXtKov, els \ rrjv ^aaLXeiav eVe/x^a. § 'Ett-
S90
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, V. 26-27
In Arabia the army advanced into the territories
of the Sabaei <» to the town of Mariba.
27. Egypt I added to the empire of the Roman
people.* In the case of Greater Armenia, though
I might have made it a province after the assassina-
tion of its King Artaxes, I preferred, foUowing the
precedent of our fathers, to hand that kingdom over
to Tigranes, the son of King Artavasdes, and grand-
son of King Tigranes, through Tiberius Nero who
was then my stepson." And later, when the same
people revolted and rebelled, and was subdued by
my son Gaius,** I gave it over to King Ariobarzanes
the son of Artabazus, King of the Medes, to nile,
and after his death to his son Artavasdes. When
he was murdered I sent into that kingdom Tigranes,
who was sprung from the royal family of the
" In southern Arabia.
' In 30 B.c, after Actium. Before that time Egypt had
n a nominally independent kingdom, though, in a sense,
a Roman protectorate. Since 57 b.c, when Ptolemy Auletes
uas restored, a considerable Roman force had been main-
ned there. After Actium, Egypt, unhke other provinces,
;> treated as the personal domain of the emperor. For the
■uliar status of Egypt as a part of the empire see Arnold,
man Provincial Administration, p. 113.
Mn 20 B.c. See Vell. ii. 94.
^ It was in the factional stniggle which followed the
s^tting up of Artavasdes that Gaius received the wound
■m which he died in February, 4 a.d.
391
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
misi. § Pro|vincias omnis, quae trans Hadrianum mare
vergun(< a)d orien(^e)m, Cyrejnasque, iam ex parte
magna regibus eas possidentibus, e(t) antea Siciliam
et I Sardiniam occupatas bello servili reciperavi. § ||
35 28. Colonias in Africa Sicilia (M)acedonia utraque
Hispania Achai(a) Asia S(j/)ria | Gallia Narbonensi
Pi(*«)dia militum dediixi. § Italia autem xxviii
(co/o)ni|as, quae vivo me celeberrimae et frequentis-
simae fuerunt, me(is auspicis) | deductas habet. |
29. Signa miUtai-ia complur(a per) alios d(M)ces
4c amiissa) devicti(5 hostibu)s re(cipe)ra.vi \\ ex Hispania
et (Gallia et a Dalm)ateis. § Parthos trium exercitum
Roman(o)|rum spoha et signa rc(ddere) mihi supplices-
que amicitiam populi Romani | petere coegi. § Ea
apx^Lag aTraaas, ocrai | Trepav rov Etovioy koXttov
15 StaretVoucrt 77^6? dva||ToAas', /cat K.vp-^vr]v e/c fxel-
a^ovos [Jiepovs vtto ^aai\Xe(x>v Karea^^rinevas Ka\
epLTTpoadev Di/ceAtW /cat Hap\Scbt TrpoKaTeiXrjfMevas
TToXipnoi SovXiKcbi, dveXa^ov . |
28. 'ATTOi/ctas" ev Al^vtjl St/ceAtat Ma/ceSortat ev
€Kar€\pa(^sic) re 'laTravLat. 'A;;^aiat 'Afftat Yivpia{sic)
20 FaAaTtat TTyt 7J"e||pt Ndp^ojva rito-tStat arparicorcov
Karriyayov. § 'lTa|Ata Se et/coot o/ctco aTTOiKLas
ex^L VTT^ efjLov KaraxQ^i^aas, al ifxov TTepiovros rrXr]-
dvovaai ervvxavov. \
29. ^r)p,eas arparnorLKas [rTXeiaras i5)7ro aXXiov
riyepi6\vcov aTTO^e^XrjjjLevas {vlkcov rov)s TToXefxiovs \\
XVI aTTeXa^ov § e^ 'laTravias /cai raAaTta? /cat Trapd |
AaXfxarcjv. UdpOovs rpLcov arparevfxdrcov 'Vco-
fxai\cov aKvXa Kal crqfieas drroSovvaL ifxol LKiras re
<f)L\Xiav hrffxov 'Pcofxaicov d^Lcoaat rjvdyKaaa. (§)
392
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, V. 27-29
Armemans.'* I recovered all the pro^inces extend-
ing eastward beyond the Adriatic Sea, and Cyrenae,
which were then for the most part in possession of
kings,*' and, at an earher time,<= Sicily and Sardinia,
which had been seized in the ser\ile war.
28. I settled colonies of soldiers in Africa, Sicily,
Macedonia, both Spains, Achaia, Asia, S}T-ia, Galha
Narbonensis, Pisidia. Moreover, Italy has twenty-
eight colonies founded under my auspices which
have gro\\Ti to be famous and populous during my
hfetime.<*
29. From Spain, Gaul, and the Dahnatians,* I
recovered, after conquering the enemy, many
mihtary standards which had been lost by other
generals. The Parthians I compelled to restore to
me the spoils and standards of three Roman armies,'
and to seek as suppliants the friendship of the Roman
• For the complicated question of the Armenian succession
see Mommsen. Res Gestae, pp. 1C9-117.
* Antony had received by tlie treaty of Brundisium in
40 B.c. Macedonia, Achaia, Asia. Pontus, Bithynia, Cilicia,
Cj-prus, Sj-ria, Crete, the Cyreraica. The last five he had
given over to foreign kings. These alienations of foreign
territory were the occasion of the civil war which ended
at Actium.
* By the defeat of Sextus Pompey in 36 b.c,
•* For these colonies of Augustus see Mommsen, Mes
Gegtae, pp. 119-222 ; also IJermes, x^iii. 161 fF.
• The standards lost to the Dalmatians during the civil
wars by Gabinius in 48 b.c, and Vatinius in 44 b.c, were
restored to Augustus in 23 b.c We have no account of
the standards lost in Gaul. The loss of standards in Spain
was during the wars with Pompey's sons, and the recovery
must have occurred in the Cantabrian campaign of 25 b.c.
' Of Crassus at Carrhae in 53. of Antony in 40 and 36 b.c
The standards were restored by Phraates, the Parthian
king, in 20 b.c.
S93
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
autem si(g«)a in penetrali, quod e(*)t in templo
Martis Vltoris, | reposui. [
30. Pannoniorum gentes, qua(* a)nte me principem
45 populi Romani exercitus nunllquam ad(i)t, devictas
per Ti. (iYe)ronem, qui tum erat privignus et
legatus meus, | imperio populi Romani s(ubie)ci pro-
tulique fines IUyrici ad r(?p)am fliiminis | Dan(2^)i.
Citr(a) quod (D)a(cor)u(?w <r)an(5)gressus exercitus
meis a(w)sp(z'a* vict)us profliga|tusque (est, et) pos(ted
tran)s Dan(M)vium ductus e\{ercitus me)u(s) Da(cor)um
I gentes im(j)eria populi Romani perferre coegit.) j|
50 31. Ad me ex ln(dia regum legationes saepe missae
sunt, nunquam antea visae) | apud (\u(ei7i)<:[(uam)
B.(omanoru7n du)cem. § Nostram a,m(icitiam petierunt)
I per legat(oj) B(a)starn(ae Scythae^que et Sarma-
5 Tavras \\ Se rag crqfjLeag iv raji "Apecos rov 'A/xw-
ropos vaov a\hvrcoi, dTreOefMrjv. \
30. TlavvovLcov edvq, ols Trpo ifiov rjyefiovos
arparev\fia 'Vcjpiaicov ovk TJvyLaev, rjaarjdevra vno
TL^epLOV I Nepcovos os ror ifiov rjv Trpoyovos Kal
10 TTpea^evrrfS, \\ rjyefioviaL hrffLov 'Pctifiaicov vrrera^a
(§) ra re ^WXvpL^Kov opLa fiexpi' "larpov iTorafiov
TTpoT^yayov ov e7ret|TaSe AaKCDV hLa^daa iToXXrf
SvvafJLLS ifJLOLS alaioLS olo}\vols KareKOTrrf. Kat
varepov fjLeraxOev ro ifiov arpd\revfxa TTepav
15 "larpov rd AaKcov edvrj 7Tpoardyp.ara \\ hrffjLov
PcofjiaLCOv VTTOfjLeveLV rfvdyKaaev. \
31. Yipos ifJLe i^ 'Ii^Sta? /SacrtAe'a)v Trpea^elaL
TToAAa/cis' d7Te\ardXrfaav, ovherrore npo rovrov
Xpdvov 6(f)deLaaL napd \ 'Pcofxaicov rfyefLOVL. § TrfV
rffierepav <f)L\iav rf^icoaav \ Std Trpea^ecov § Baardp-
394
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, V. 29-31
people. These standards I deposited in the inner I
shrine which is in the Temple of Mars Ultor." -^^
30. The tribes of the Pannonians, to which no
army of the Roman people had ever penetrated
before my principate,^ ha\ing been subdued by
Tiberius Nero who was then my stepson and my
legate," I brought under the sovereignty of the
Roman people, and I pushed forward the frontier of
Illyricum as far as the bank of the river Danube.
An army of Dacians which crossed to the south of
that river was, under my auspices, defeated and
crushed, and afterwards my own army .was led
across the Danube and compelled the tribes of the
Dacians to submit to the orders of the Roman
people.''
31. Embassies were often sent to me from the
kings of India,* a thing never seen before in the
camp of any general of the Romans. Our friend-
ship was sought, through ambassadors, by the Bas-
" Only after its completion in a.d. 2. They were tem-
porarily placed on the Capitol.
• Augustus had himself fought the Pannonians in 35-34
B.c. See Dio, xliv. 36-38.
• 12-9 B.c.
•* The Dacians had invaded Roman territory many times
during the late republic. Julius Caesar was about to make
an expedition against them. Augustus, in 35 b.c, occupied
Segesta on the Save as an outpost against their invasions.
They figure in the civil war as allies of Antony. He is
here referring probablv to an invasion in 10 b.c. See Dio,
liv. 36.
• Two such embassies are mentioned : the first, frequently
referred to in Augustan literature, while Augustus was in
Spain, 26-25 b.c. ; the second visited him at Samos, 20 b.c.
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
tarum q(ui sunt citrajlu)men | Tanaim (et) ultra reg(es,
Alba)norumc{ne rex et Iiiher(orum et Medorum). \
32. Ad me supplices conh\g(erunt) reges Parthorum
VI Tirida(ie* et postea) V\\rki(es) \\ regis Phrati(* j^/?W) ;
(§) Medorum (Artavasdes ; Adiabenorum J)rtaxa|res;
§ Bi-itann(o)rum Dumnobellau^wM^) et Tim ;
(Sngambr)or\im \ Maelo ; § Mar(c)oman6rum Sue-
boru(?« rus). (Ad me rex) Parthorum | Phrates
Orod(z)s filius filios suos nepot^e^^we omnes misit) in
5 ItaHam, non || bello superatu(*), sed amicitiam
nostram per (liberorum) suorum pignora | petens.
§ Pliirimaeque aliae gentes exper(to suntp. R.) fidem
me prir^cipe, quibus antea cum populo Roman(o
nullum extitera)t legationum | et amicitiae (c)om-
mercium. § | ,A
20 vai. Kal ^Kvdai koI ^apixa\\Tcov ol iTnTaSe ovres
Tov TavdiSog TTOTafiov Kal \ ol Trepav Se ^aaiXeis,
Kal 'AX^avcbv Se /cat 'I^-qpcov \ Kal ^lijBojv ^aatXeis. \
32. 11/30? e/xe i/cerat KaTe(f)vyov ^aaiXeLs Udpdojv
fjiev I TetptSaTTjS" «'at pLeTeTieiTa ^paaTTjs, ^aaiXicjs
XVII § II (bpaTOV (vlos, M^T^S^ojj/) Se 'A/3rao(uacrS)7^S",
'ASia^^T]) ji^air CA)pTa{^dpr)s, BpiTa)wa)V Ao/x-
voeAAawos' j /cat T(i/x , So)u-
{y)dix^po}v (M)atAa>v, M-apKo\pidv(i)V (HovtJ^cov
)pos. § {Ylp6)s e/x,e ^aavXevs \\
5 HdpOojv ^pa{dTr]s 'Q.pd}So)v vl6{s v)lovs {avTov)
VLaj\vovs T€ TrdvTas eTreixiltev els 'IraAtW, ov
TToXiiJLCoi I Xei(f)deis, aXXd ttjv rjpi{e)Tipav ^iAtW
d^iaii' €771 Ti\Kvojv evexvpois, TrAetord re ctAAa
edvr] TTeXpav eX{a)^ev S-qpiov 'Pcxjfiaicov TTicrTeoJS en
10 epLov rjye/jiovos, || ois' t6 TTplv ovSe/xta rjv rrpos
Srj/jiov 'PojfJiaiCjov 7T{pe)ar\^eici)v Kal ^tAtas' KOivcjiJVia.\
396
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, V. 31— VI. 32
tarnae and Scythians,* and by the kings of the
Sarmatians who live on either side of the river
Tanais,* and by the king of the Albani * and of the
Hiberi «* and of the Medes.
32. Kings of the Parthians, Tiridates,* and later
Phrates,' the son of King Phrates, took refuge \vith
me as supphants ; of the Medes, Artavasdes ; " of
the Adiabeni,* Artaxares ; of the Britons, Dumno-
l^ellaunus * and Tim ; of the Sugambri,^
Maelo ; of the Marcomanni and Suevi rus.
Phrates, son of Orodes, king of the Parthians, sent
all his sons and grandsons to me in Italy, not because
lie had been conquered in war, but rather seeking
our friendship by means of his own children as
pledges.*= And a large number of other nations
f xperienced the good faith of the Roman people
' iring my principate who never before had had
y interchange of embassies or of friendship with
the Roman people.
« The Bastarnae were a Teutonic people then settled at
the mouth of the Danube. The Scythians lived in Southern
Russia.
* The Don. • On the Caspian Sea.
* In what is now Georgia. • 26 b.c.
' 20 B.c. I 31-30 B.c.
* An AssjTian people, mentioned here for the first time.
* Probably the same Dumnobellaunus whose coins have
been found in England. C/. J. Evans, Coins of the Ancient
Britons.
^ The Sugambri, a German tribe living to the east of the
Rhine, were finally defeated in 8 b.c, and transferred to
the west bank.
* It was really in order to get his legitimate sons out of
the way, so as to secure the succession for his illegitimate
son, Phraataces, whose mother was an Italian slave, a
present from Aug^stus. The date was 10 b.c.
o 397
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
33. A me gentes Parthorum et Med6ru(m per
«o legatos) principes earum genjjtium reges pet(j)t6s
acceperunt : Va.r{thi Vononem regis Phr)a.tis filium, 1
regis Orodis nep6tem, § Medi Ar(iobarzanem), regis
Artavazdis fi|lium, regis Ariobarzanis nep(ptem). 1
34. In consulatii sexto et septimo, h(ella ubi civil)ia.
exstinxeram | per consensum univers6rum (jpotiius
'5 rerum 07nra)ium, rem publicam || ex mea potestate (§)
in senat(?f* popiilique Romani a)rbitrium transtuli. |
Qu6 pro merito meo senatu(* consulto Augustus
appe)\\a.tus sum et laureis | postes aedium mearum
\{estiti publice coronaq)ue civica super | ianuam meam
33. Hap* efiov edurj UdpOcov /cat M-^Scov 8ia
Trpecr^ecov t(x)v \ Ttap avrois TrpoiTOiv ^acnXeLS
alrrjadiJievoL eAa^(ov)* | Ilap^ot Ovovcovrjv , ^aGtXeojs
15 OpaTOU v{i)6v, ^aaiX{ea))s || ^Q.pd)Sov vIcdvov,
MrjSoL ^ApLo^ap^dvrjv, ^a(o-)tAea;s" | 'Apra^a^ou
VLOV, jSaCTtAeo)? ApLo^apt,dv{ov VLa))v6v. \
34. 'Ev virareiaL eKrrjL /cat €^86fjLrjL [xerd ro
rovs iv(f)v\XLOvs ^^ecraL [xe TToXepLOVs (/c)aTa Ta?
€V-)(ds rwv e\ix(x)V 7ToXe{L)ra)V ivKparrjs yev^fievos
20 Trdvrojv rcov || TTpayfidrcov, iK rrjs ifirjs i^ovaias
€LS rrjv rrjs crvv^KX^qrov /cat rov hrjpiov rcov 'Poj-
p,aio)V p,€rt]V€yKa \ KvpL-qav. 'E^ rjs alrias
86yfjLarL avvKX-qrov Yie^aards \ 7Tpoa{riyop€)vdr]v
/cat Sd<f)vaLS 8r]fioaiaL rd 7Tp67Tv\X{d fiov iari'
XVIII <j)d)r], 6 r€ hpvLvos ar€(f)avos 6 StSojU.eros' || em
ao)rrjpL(i rcov TToXeLrcov V7T€pd{v)io rov ttvXoj^vos
rrjs ifirjs OLKias dveridrj, § 077(^)01^ re xP^\(^ovv iv
" In 4-5 B.c. the Parthians asked that the throne, vacated
by the flight of Phraataces (see last note), be iilled by
398
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, VI. 33^
33. From me the peoples of the Parthians and of
the Medes received the kings for whom they asked <•
through ambassadors, the chief men of those peoples ;
the Partliians Vonones, son of King Phrates, grandson
of King Orodes ; the Medes Ariobarzanes, the son
of King Artavazdes, grandson of King Ariobarzanes.
34. In my sixth and seventh consulships,'' when
L had extinguished the flames of civil -w-ar, after
«eceiving by universal consent the absolute control
of affairs, I transferred the repubhc from my own
control to the will of the senate and the Roman
people. For this service on my part I was given
the title of Augustus " by decree of the senate,
and the doorposts of my house were covered witl\
laurels by pubhc act, and a civic crown was fixed
above my door,'* and a golden shield was placed in
Vonones, the legitimate son of Phraates, then a hostage in
Rome. For Ariobarzanes see Chap. 27.
* 28 and 27 b.c. In these and the following years he
gradually divested himself of his extraordinary powers and
contented himself with ordinary offices, but held in an
extraordinary way, such as the tribunicia potesfas, and the i
imperium. In form he restored the republic ; in substance
the real power rested with him, perhaps, in view of the
circumstances, unavoidably. The statement which he :
makes here is clearly the one which he wishes to be the j |
view of posterity. At any rate, the revolutionary and J
extraordinary acts of the triumviral period ceased, by his >/
own edict (Dio, liii. 2), with the expiration of 28 b.c.
* Januarv' 16, 27 b.c. The title was suggested by
Munatius Plancus.
* This crown, or the laurels, or both, are represented
upon coins. See Cohen, Nos. 43-48, 50, 207-212, 301, 356,
385, 426, 476-478, 482. Most of them have the inscription
06 cives servatos. The civic crown was the reward of the
soldier who had saved the life of a citizen. It was given
to Augustus because, by putting an end to the civil wars,
and by his clemency, he had saved the lives of many citizens.
399
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
fixa est (§) (clupeusque aureu)s in (c)uria Iiilia posi|tus,
quem mihi senatum {populumque RomarM)m dare
lo virtutis c\e\\m(entia)e iustitia(e pietatis caussa testattim)
est pe(r e)ius cliipei | (inscription)em.) § Post id
tem(pus praestiti omnibus dignitate, potes\t)atis au(te>n
w)ihilo ampliu(* kabui quam qui fuerunt rn)i\a. quo|que
in ma(gis)tra(t)\i conlegae. |
35. Tertium dec(2)mum consulatu(7w cum gerebam,
23 senatus et equ)ester ordo || populusq(?/e) Romanus
liniversus (appellavit me patrem p)atriae idque | in
vestibu(/o a)edium mearum inscriben(c??/?n esse atque^
in curia e)t in foro Aug. | sub quadrig(?)s, quae mihi
(ex) s. c. Y>^s(itae sunt, decrevit. Cum ^cri^psi haec, |
annum agebam septuagensu(7«Mm sextum). |
^ atque Wirtz, et Mommsen.
Tcoi ^o{v)XevTrjpioii avaTeO^ejv vtto T€ ttjs \ crvv-
KXiqTov Kal Tov b-qfjLov tcov 'Pa»(/ia)ta)V Sto, ttjs \\
5 €7nypa(f)fjs apeTTjv /cai eTretKeiav /ca(t S^iKaiocrvvqv |
Kal evae^eiav e/xot fxapTvpel. § 'A^t66)Lt(a)Tt (§)
TrdvTOJv I hirjveyKa, (§) e^ovaias 8e ov8ev tl TrXelov
eaxov I T(x)v avvap^dvrcov /xot. |
S5. TpLaKaLSeKaTiqv VTraTeiav dyovTos fiov rj
10 re avv\\KXrjTOs Kal to LTnnKov ray/xa o re avvrras
SrjfJLOs TcDv I 'PcopLaLOJV rrpoarjyopevae fie TraTepa
TraTpiSos Kol tovto \ iirl tov TrpoTrvXov Trjs OLKLas
fiov Kal iv TcDt ^ovXevTr)\pLa)L Kal iv ttjl dyopaL
TrJL HejSaaTrJL vtto twl dpfiaTL, 6 fJLOi \ SoyfxaTL
15 avvKX-qrov dveTedrj, e7TLypacf)7JvaL iifjrj(f)Laa\\ro .
(§) "OTe eypa<j)ov TavTa, rjyov eTos e^SofJLrjKoarov \
€KTOV. § I
400
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, VI. 34-35
the Curia Julia whose inscription testified that
the senate and the Roman people gave me this in
recognition of my valour, my clemency, my justice,
and my piety." After that time I took precedence
of all in rank, but of power I possessed no more
than those who were my colleagues in any magistracy.
35. While I was administering my thirteenth con-
sukhip the senate and the equestrian order and
the entire Roman people gave me the title of Father
of my Country,'' and decreed that this title should
be inscribed upon the vestibule of my house and
in the senate-house and in the Forum Augustum
beneath the quadriga erected in my honour by
decree of the senate. At the time of writing this
I was in my seventy-sixth year.'
" Not mentioned by ancient writers, but represented
upon coins and inscriptions. Cf. C.I.L. ix. 5811, with two
Victories supporting a shield and the words, " The Senate
and Roman people have given to Augustus a shield on
account of his valour, clemency, justice, and piety." Korne-
mann in Klio, vol. xv., points out that virtua, iustitia,
clementia, and pietas are the subjects of the first four chapters
of the Mon. Anc.
* Formally bestowed February 5, 2 b.c. Before that he
had often been called pater, or parens patriae informally.
Suetonius, Augustus, 5S, gives part of the address of Messala
including the actual salutation, " senatus te consentiens
cum populo Romano consalutat patriae patrem."
* Augu<;tus was seventy-six on September 23, a.d. 13.
Chap. 8 of the Mon. Anc. refers to his third census which
was completed one hundred days before his death. This
would bring the date of writing to between May 11, a.d. 14,
and his departure for Campania. Augustus died at Nola,
August 19, in that year.
401
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
1. Summa pecun(«)ae, quam ded(2< in aerarium vel
30 plebei Romanae vel c?e)misj|sis militibus : denarium
&fi{xi)t(ns milliens). |
2. Opera fecit nova § aedem Martis, {lovis Tonantis
et Feretri, Apollinis,) | divi luli, § Quirini, § Minervae,
(Innonis Reginae, lovis Libertatis,) | Larum, deum
Penatium, (§) Iuv(entatis, Matris deum, Lupercal,
pulvina)r | ad circum, (§) ciiriam cum ch(alcidico,
■isforum Augustum, basilica)m )) luliam, theatrum
Marcelli, (§) (p)or(ticus , nemus trans
T^iberim | Caesarum. § |
S. Refecit Capito(/m7w 5acra)sque aedes {nti)m{ero
octoginta) duas, thea(^)rum Pomjpei, aqu(arM7w rivos,
w*)am Flamin(ia/n). |
1. ^vvK€^a\aio}ai£ (§) rjpcd/Jirjfievov ;!^/37^/iaTO?
€1? To aipd\piov 7] els rov S-q/jiov rov 'Vo)(jj,aL)cov 7)
els roiis dTroAejAu/AeVou? arpartcoTas (§) : e^
/LiupidSes' fivpidScov. § ||
20 2. "Epya Kaivd iyevcro vrr* avrov vaol fjiev
"Apeois, Atos' I BpovrrjCTiov Kal TporraiO(f)6pov,
Ilaros", 'A7rdAAa)|vos", (§) deov 'louAtou, Kvpeivov,
(§) 'A{eri)vas, (§) "Hpas ^a(XiXi\8os, (§) Atds
'EAeu^eptou, (§) r]pa){a)v, Oecov rr)arpia)V, (§) Ne-|
dTrjTOS", (§) Mi^Tpds" dedJv, (§) ^{ovXevr-qpiov) avv
XIX ;!^aA/ct|]8tK:d)t, (§) dyopdi Se^aaTT^t, (§) dearpov
Map/ce'AAoy, (§) jS^a^fftjAt/irT^ 'louAta, (§) dAo-o?
Kaio-dpcov, (§) OToat i{v) IlaXar{i)a)i, | arod iv
imTohpoixoji ^XapLivioji.
S. § 'Yi7TeoKevdcd{ri rd Ka)|7rtTd)Atov, (§) vaol
5 dySoTy/cot^Ta Sdo, (§) di{ar)pov rT(o/,t)]]7r7jtou, (§)
ohds ^XapiivLa, (§) dyojyol vddrcov.
402
THE AGTS OF AUGUSTUS, Summary 1-3
SuMMARY <•
1. The sum total of the money which he contri-
buted to the treasury or to the Roman plebs or to
discharged soldiers was 600,000,000 denarii.*
2. The new works which he built were : the
temple of Mars, of Jupiter Tonans and Feretrius, of
Apollo, of the Deifi^d JuHus, of Quirinus, of Minerva,
of Juno the queen, of Jupiter Libertas, of the Lares,
of the Di Penates, of Youth, of the Mother of the
gods, the Lupercal, the state box at the circus, the
senate-house with the Chalcidicum, the Augustan
Forum, the Basilica Juha, the theatre of Marcellus,
the grove of the Caesars beyond the
Tiber."
3. He restored the Capitol and sacred buildings
to the number of eighty-two, the theatre of Pompey,
the aqueducts, the Flaminian Way.<*
■ This summary, as Mommsen points out, is not by
1 iberius, but apparently by one of the local magistrates of
Ancyra.
' The total of the expenditures mentioned by Augustus
in this connexion was 2,199,800,000 sesterces. The
6' 0,000,000 denarii — 2,400,000,000 sesterces— is accordingly
a round sum. See Mommsen, Res Gestae, p. 157.
' A summary of Chapter 19 and part of 20. Temples are
ntioned first to simplify grammatical construction, the
•r buildings at randomi. The Greek does not correspond
• ih the Latin : there is no equivalent in the Greek version
for pulvinar ad circum, nor exact equivalent in the Latin
text for (TToal iv IlaXariw, aToa iv lrTo5p6/ufi ^XafUviif,
■* A summary of Chap. 20.
403
RES GESTAE DIVI AUGUSTI
4. Impensa p(raestita in spect)acu\{a scaenica et
4° munerd) gladiatorum atJK^we athletas et venationes et
nai(7n)a.ch(iam) et donata pe(c)unia a (?) |
(^er)rae motu § in-
cendioque consum|pt(w) a(ut viritim) a(micis sena-
<)oribusque, quorum census explevit, | in(ra)umera-
(bili)s. § I
4. (Aa7r)avat 8e | els dias Kal fiovofidxovs Kal
dOXrjras Kal vavfxa\xi-av Kal drjpofiaxiO-v dojpeal
(rc) aTToiKiais iToXeaiv | ev 'iTaAtai, iroXecn.v iv
iTTapx^iais (§) CTetff/xcDt Ka(i) iv7Tv\pi,afji,ots ttctto-
lo vrjKVtats T^ /car' avSpa ^tAotS" /cat avv\\KXr]TiKOLS ,
cov ras reifMTfaets Trpoae^eTrXrjpcoaev : a\7Teipov
TrXrjdos- I
404
THE ACTS OF AUGUSTUS, Summary 4
■i. The expenditures provided for theatrical shows,
£rladiatorial sports, for exhibitions of athletes, for
luints of wild beasts, and the naval combat," and
hi- aifts [to colonies in Italy, to cities in the provinces]
^^hich had been destroyed by earthquake or con-
flagration, or to individual friends and senators,
whose property he raised to the required rating,
are too numerous to be reckoned.^
" Summarizes Chaps. 22, 23.
' These donations to cities and to individuals are not
covered by Augustus in his account. The names of some
of the cities aided are supplied by the authors and inscrij>-
tions : in Italy, Venafrum in Campania {C.I.L. x. 4842),
and Naples (Dio, Iv. 10) ; in the provinces, Paphos in
Cyprus, 15 b.c. (Dio, liv. 23), and several cities in Asia in
12 B.c. (Dio, liv. 30), and lastly Laodicea and Tralles (Strabo,
xii. 8. 18 ; Suet. Tih. 8).
The census rating for a senator was raised from 800,000
sesterces to 1,200,000, and where senators were worthy,
though poor, he raised their fortunes to that amount (Suet.
405
INDEX
[Tlie page numbers in light-faced type refer to Velleius Paterciilus.
Those in black-faced type refer to the Res Gestae Divi Augusti.]
Accius, writer of trasedy, 43, 69
Acerrans, receive citizenship, 37
Achaea, occupied by Achaeans, 9 ;
power broken by Metellus Mace-
donicus, 27 ; made province by
Mummius, 31, 133 ; province of
Achaea, 97. 261 ; granted to Sex.
Pompey, 213 ; colonies estab-
lished by Augustus, 393
Achaeans, driveii from Laconia, 9 ;
defeated by Metellus, 27 ; con-
quered by Mummius, 29, 81 ;
Achaeans on Black Sea, 135
Achaicus, cognomen of L. Mum-
mius, 33, 321
Achillas, causes death of Pompey,
107
Achilles, father of Pyrrhus, 3 ;
ancestor of Alexander, 15
Actium, 227 ; battle of, 229, 233,
235, 387
Adduus, wounds C. Caesar, 263
Adiabeni, 397
Adriatic Sea, 145, 163, 387, 393
Aeculanum, 81
Aefulum, colony, 37
Aegeae, 201
Apfiean Sea, Islands of, occupied
by ionians, 11
Aegisthus, cousinofAgampmnon, 5
Sex. Aelius Catus, cos. (a.d. 4), 265
L. Aelius Lamia, 295
L. Aelius Seianus, associate of
Tiberiusinburdensof principate,
319, 823 ; his character, 319,
821
M. Aemilius Lepidus augur,
406
branded by censors for extrava-
gance, 69
M. Aemilius Lepidus, triumvir
reipublicae constituendae, 235 ;
niade pontifex max. in Caesar's
place, 187 ; Spain decreed to
him, but delays in Gaul, ib. ; in-
competence as conimander, 187,
219 ; his army receives Antony
after Mutina, 187 ; declared a
public enemy, 189 ; with Antony,
begins proscriptions, 191 ; pro-
scribes his brotlier Paulus, 195 ;
mockery at his triumph, ih. ;
deprived of liis command by
Octavian, 221 ; his wife sister of
M. Brutus, 235 ; his character, 221
M. Aeinilius Lepidus, sonof above,
forms design to kill Augustus,
crushed by Maecenas, 235 ; his
wife, Servilia, kills herself, ib.
M. Aemilius Lepidus, cos. (a.d. 6),
373 ; in charge of winter quarters
of Tiberius in Pannonian war,
291 ; receives ornaments of a
triumph, 293 ; holds Spain in
peace and tranquility, 317
L. Aemilius Faulus, losea life at
Cannae, 23
L. Aemilius Paulus, his son, defeats
Perses, 21 ; triumph of, 23 ; losi
of his sons, 25 ; liis famous say-
ing, ib.
L. Aemilius Paulus, proscribed by
his brother Lepidus, 195
Aemilius Paulus, censor with
Plancus (22 b.c), 251
INDEX
Aemilias Suia, on chronology of
Rome, 15
Aenaria, 89
Aeolians, colonies of, in Asia, 11
Aeschylus, 43
Aeseniia, colony, 37
Aetolia, conquest of, 133
L. Afranius, writer of fabulae
togatac, 69 ; almost contemporai y
with Terence, 43
li, Afranins, Pompey^a Uentenant
in Spain, 157, 163
Africa, 9, 31, 41, 55, 71, 89, 137, 167,
171, 219, 295, 317 ; flrst entered
by Regulus with army, made
province by Scipio Aeiiiilianus,
131 ; takes oalh of allegiance to
Augustus, 387 : Augustus founds
colonies in, 393
African war, 169 ; Caesar^s triumph
for, 173 ; war with Tacfarinaa, 325
Africanus, see Comelius Scipio
A^memnon, founds oities in Crete,
3 ; slain by Aegisthus, 5
Agrarian laws, of Tib. Oracchus,
51 ; of C. Gracchus, 61 ; Licinian,
ib. ; of Caesar, 147
IL Agrippa, 179, 199; his characler,
217 ; prepares fleet for Octavian
against Sei. Pompey, ib. ; lights
successful battle at Mylae, un-
Buccessful at Tauromenium, 217,
219 ; despoils Pompey of his
■hips, 219; flrst to receive corona
classica, 223 ; his successes in
campaign precedingActium,229;
commands fleet at Actium, 229 ;
•ssistance to Angtistus, 235, 239,
819, 381 ; consul three times and
peceives tribunician power, 239;
pacifies Spain, ib. ; retires to
Asia on account of Marcellus,
247 ; on retum marries Julia,
daughter of Augustus, ib. ; his
death, 251 ; a " novus homo," 251,
319; his sons, 251
]f. Agrippa Postumus, his son,
adopted by Augustus, 265, 285 ;
alienates Augustus, 2a5 ; put to
death, ib.
Alba, colony, 87
Albani, 397
Albania, 135
Albis, aee Blba
Alcmaeon, last of life archons, 19
Alcman, the poet, 47
Alesia, captured by Caesar, 153
Aletes, son of Hippotes, foonds
Corinth, 9
Alexander the Great, descended
from Achilles and Hercules, 15 ;
his statue by Lysippus, 27 ;
addicted to drunkenness and
anger, 139
Alexandria, 25, 87, 187, 225, 233,
235
Alexandrian war, Julius Caesar's
triumph in, 173 ; Alexandrian
war of Augustus, 235
Aliso, fortress in Geraiany, 305
Allobroges, 71
Allobrogicus, see Fabius
AIps, 59, 187, 269 ; wild aod
barbarous peoples of, subdued,
239, 387 ; the boundary of lUIy,
277
ALsium, colony, 37
Altar of Fortuna Rednx, 363; of
Pax Angusta, 365
Altinum, town of, 211
Amnesty, 177
T. Ampius, trib. plebis, proposes
special honour for Pompey, 137
Amyntas, king of Galatia, deserts
Antony, 229
Anchises, ancestor of Julian gens,
139
Andros, settled by lonians, 11
L. Anicius, triumph of, 23
Annia, wife of Cinna, theu of Piao,
139 ; given up by latter to gain
favour with Sulla, ib.
T. Annius Milo, trib. pleb., restores
Cicero from exile, H9 ; as candi-
date for consnlship slays P.
Clodius, 155 ; condemned with
consent of Pompey, ib. ; slain
at siege of Compsa, 197; his
character, ib.
Antiochus, the Great, shom of
Asia by L. Scipio, 135
Antiochus Epiphanes, curt treat-
ment by Popilius, 25 ; begins
Olynipieum at Athens, ib.
C. Antistius, lieutenantof Augustus
in bpain, 241
C Antistius Vetus, son of above,
C08. (6 B.a), 371
407
INDEX
P. Antistius, slain by Damasippus,
105 ; wife of, 105, 237
Antistius Vetus, propraetor of
Spain, 145 ; his grandson a con-
sular and pontifex max., ib.
C. Antonius, brotherof the trium-
vir, whose troops voluntarily go
over to Brutus, 109
L. Antonius, brother of triumvir,
starts war at Perusia, 207 ; after
capture of P. permitted to go by
Octavianus, ib.
M. Antonius, orator, 67 ; put to
deatli on orders of Marius and
Cinna, 95
M. Antonius (Creticus), praetor
with extraordinary powers, 117
M. Antonius, son of above, triuni vir,
191, 235 ; his character, 175, 187,
207 ; good conimander, 187 ;
places crown on Caesar at Luper-
calia, 175 ; saved l)y Brutus, 175 ;
permits slayers of Caesar to
descend from Capitol, 177 ; his
haughty reception of Octavian,
181 ; seizes money deposited by
Caesar in temple of Ops, ib. ;
tampers with Caesar*» reoords,
t*. ; resolves to wrest Gaul from
D. Brutus, ib. ; two of his legions
goovertoOctavian, 183; defeated
at Mutina, ib. ; joins Lepidus
in Gaul, 1S7; declared enemy of
state, ib. ; his emissaries slay D.
Brutus, 189; Cicero's speeches
against him, ib. ; makes overtures
to Octavian, 191 ; triumvirate of
Ant., Caesar, Lepidus, ib. ; crit-
icized for proscription of Cicero,
193 ; proscribes own uncle, 195 ;
victory at Philippi, 201 ; visits
eastern provinces, 207 ; agree-
ment with Octavian at Brundi-
sium, 213; peace of Misenum
with Sex. Pompey, 213 ; marries
Octavian's sister, Oclavia, 215 ;
Sex. Pompey slain by his orders,
219, 233 ; defeats at hands of
Parthians, 225, 243 ; his Armenian
expedition, 223 ; infatuated witli
Cleopatra malces war on his
country, ib. ; defeat at Actium,
227 ff. ; deserts forces and follows
Cleopatra, 231 ; ends his life, 233
408
Antonius lulus, son of triumvir
adultery with Julia, 259
Apollo, temple of, 223, 375, 379,
403 ; oracle of, 7
Apollonia, Augustus student
there, 179
Appius, see Claudius
L. Apronius, military honours of,
295
L. Apuleius Saturninus, trib. pl.,
banishes Metellus Numidiciis,
81 ; put to deaih by Mai ius, 75
Sex Apuleius, cos. (a.d. 14), 311,
359
Apulia, 103
Aqua Marcia, capacity doubled by
Aug., 377
Aquae Sextiae, named froni Sextius
Calvinus, 39 ; scene of victory
of Marius over Teutons, 75
Aqueducts, 377, 403
Aquileia, colony, 39
M'. Aquilius, cos. (129 b.c), 55;
leads Aristonicus in triumph, ih
M'. Aquilius, son of above, betrayed
by iieople of Mytileiie, 85
Arabia, expedition to, 389, 391
Arbaces, the Mede, 15
Archilofihus, the poet, 13
Arclions, at Atheiis, 7, 19
Argos, 15 ; no orator of, 47
Aricians, admitted to citizenship,
35
Arimlnum, 379 ; colonists sent to,
37
Ariobarzanes, king of Armenia,
391
Ariobarzanes, placed on throne of
Medes by Aug., 399
Aristodemus, descendant of Her-
cules, 7
Aristonicus, pretender to throne
of Attalus, seizes Asia, 55 ; sla\ s
Crassus Mucianus the procon^i)
ib. ; subdued by Perpenua, i'
led in triumph by M'. Aquilii
55
Aristophanes, the poet, 43
Aristotle, 43
Armenia, 121, 129, 257; Tigrant.,
left in peace there, 129 ; entered
by Antony, 223, 225 ; brouplit
under sovereignty of Ronie by
Tiberius and given to Artavasdes,
INDEX
229, 2d7, 309, 391 ; campaign of
C. Caesar there, 2ti3, 391
mfnians, royal family o', 393
uinius, of race of Chenisci, 209 ;
^on of Sigimer, 299 ; his character,
ib. ; arouses Germans against
Rome, ib.
L. Arruntius, restored to state by
Sex. Pompey, 215 ; coinmands
'.ett wing of Caesar's fleet at
Actium, 229 ; reconciles Sosius
to Octavian, 233 ; consul, 353
L. Arruntius, son of above, cos.
(a.d. 6), 373
Artabazus, king of Medes, 391
Artagera, city of Armenia, 263
.\: tavasdes, king of Arnienia, 391 ;
ound in chains by Antony, 225 ;
akes refuge with Augustus, 397
>:tavasdes (distinct from above),
placed ou throne of Armenia by
Til)erius, 249, 399
Artaxares, king of Adiabeni, 397
Artaxes, king of Armenia, 391
Artorius, physician of Octavian, 201
Arval brother, Augustus made, 357
Arverni, 71
Asculum, people of, begin Italian
war, 79 ; taken by Cn. Pompeius,
81
Asix, 11, 85, 97, 99, 121, 137, 141,
199, 219, 245, 247, 255, 261, 319,
385 ; left to Roman people by will
of Attalus, 55 ; wrested by
Scipio from Antiochus, given to
Attalids, made tiibutary by
Perpenna, 133 ; Augustus founds
colonies in, 393 ; its cities restored
by Tiberius, 319
Asinius Herius, leader of Italians,
81
C. Asinius Pollio, orator, 127 ;
novus homo, 321 ; loyal to Julian
party hands overanny to Antony,
187 ; tights against Sex. Pompey
in Spain, 207; keeps Venetia lor
Antony, 211 ; wins over Domitius
for A-, ib. • remains neutral
between Antony and Octavlan,
233
0. Asinius Gallus, son of above,
cos. (8 B.C.), 357
L. Asprenas, saves part of army of
Varus, 305 ; charged with appro-
priating inheritances of the
slain, io.
Assyrians, lo.se sovereignty of Asia
to Medes, 13 ; first holders of
world power, 15
Asylura, established by Romulus,
21
Athenians, 7, 47 ; fonnd CJhalcis
and Eretriain Euboea, 11 ; loyalty
to Romaus in Mithridatic war,
97 ; amnesty of, 177
Athens, 7 ; ceases to be ruled by
kings, 7 ; ruled by Archons, 7,
19 ; Pelasgi migrate thither, 9 ;
lonians set out froni, 11 ;
Antiochus begins Olympieumat,
25 ; home of eloquence, 47 ;
wrested from Mitliridates by
SuIIa, 97
Atliletic contests, 311, 381, 405
Atia, daughter of sister of Julius
Caesar, 177 ; mother of Augustus,
ib., 179
C. Atilius Serranus, Pompey born
in his consulship (lOt) B-C), 169
Atreus, liolds funeral games at
Olympia, 19
Attalids, 133
Attalus, bequeaths Asia to Roman
people, 55
Attuarii, conquered by Tiberius,
269
Augustalia, 363
Augustns, see Octavianus ; title of
Aug., 399
C. Aurelius Cotta, consular and
pontifex maximus, 143 ; orator,
127
C. Aurelius Cotta, di.stributes jury
service between senators and
knights, 119
Aurelius Cotta, brother of Messa-
linus, 283
M. Aurelius Scaurus, slain by
Cimbri, 73 ; orator, 67
Auximum, colony, 39
Aventine Hill, 61, 375
Avernus, lake of, 217
Babtlon, founding of, 16
Bagienni, 41
Balbus, see Cornelius
Basiiica Julia, 377, 403
Ba.staniae, 395
409
INDEX
Bath, carried by Tiberius for
invalid soldiers, 289
Bathinus, river, 291
Batones, brotliers, leaders of
Pannonians, 279; one captured,
291
Beneventum, colonists sent to, 37
Bestia, see Calpurnius
M. Uibulus, colleague of Caesar in
consulship, 147
Bithynia, bequeathed to Rome by
Nicomedes, 55
Black Sea, 135, 261
Blaesus, see Junius
Bocchus, king of Mauretania, 73
Boeotia, 97
Boiohaemum, country of Marobo-
duus, 277
Bononia, colony, 39
Bovillae, 155
Britain, twice invaded by Caesar,
151, 153
Biitons, 397
Bructeri, German tribe, 269
Brundisium, see Brundusium
Brundusium, 137, 161 ; colony
founded there, 37 ; Sulla lands
there, 101 ; Octavianus at, 179 ;
legions of Antonius at, 183
BTOtus, see Junius
Buxentum, colony, 39
Byzantium, colony of Miletus,
surpasses mother city, 65
Cadiz, see Gades
Caecilia, distinction of family of,
73
Caecilius, writer of comedy, 43
Q. Caecilius Metellus Mace-
donicus, earns cognomen by
defeating the pseudo-Philip of
Macedon, 27 ; defeats Achaeans,
27; surrounds two temples with
a portico, 27, 49; brings statues
froni Greece, 27 ; builds first
templeofmarble, 27; distinction
of his four sons, 29 ; rigour of his
discipline in Spain, 59
Q. Caecilius Metellus Numi-
dicus, wages Jugurthine war,
wins triumph, 71, 73 ; supplanted
in conimand by Marius, 71 ;
exiled by Saturninus, 81 ; re-
stored by son, 81, 149 ; orator, 67
410
Q. Metellus, son of above, eams
cognomen of Pius, 81 ; routs
enemies of SuUa at Faventia,
109 ; wins triumph for victory in
Spain, 113; opinion of Sertorius
coneerning, 113
Q. Metellus Creticus, brings
Crece under sovereignty of
Rome, 123, 133; triumphs, 139;
dies before civil war, 159
Metelli, two brothers, Gaius and
Marcus, sons of Macedonicus,
triumph same day, 67 ; Metelli,
two, cousins, censors same year,
67
A. Caecina, brings army to Tiberius
in Pannonian war, 283
L. Caedicius, valour of in dlsaster
of Varus, 305
Caelian Hill, conflagration on, 827
L. Caelius (Antipater), historian,69
Caelius Caldus, captured by Ger-
mans, kills himself by his chains,
307
M. Caelius Rufiis, as praetor
advocates cancellation of debts,
195 ; as orator, 127
Caepio, see Fannius and Servilius
Caesar, see Julius
L. Caesetius Flavus, tribiine of
people, outspoken against Caesar,
197
Calabria, 103
Calatia, 183
Caldus, see Caellus
Cales, eolony, 37
M. Calidius, orator, 127
Calpnrnia, loyalty to hnsband
Antistius, 105, 237
Calpumia, wife of Caesar, terrifled
by dream, 177
Cn. Calpumius Piso, consul with
Tiberius (7 b.c), 371
L. Calpurnius Piso ends Thracian
war, 255 ; praefectus urbi, ib. ;
his character, t6.
L. Calpumius Piso, conspiros
against Tiberius, 327
Calvinus, see Domitius and Veturius
C. Calvisius, cos. (4 b.c.), 371
C. (Licinius) Calvus, orator, 127
Camelus, 1S9
Campaiiia, 363; Cinna sets out
for, 91; Sulla leads army into,
INDEX
103; Pompey ill there, 157;
TL Claudius stirs up war ihere,
209, 211 ; Augustua seta out for,
311
Gainpanians, 81 ; receive citizen-
ship without vote, 35 ; Caesar
establishes colony, and restores
rights to Capua, 147 ; additions
to colony by Augustns, 221 ;
Angnstas compensates for lauds
taken away, ib.
Campos Martius, 245, 317, 365
Candidates of Caesir, 313
P. Canidius Crassus, leader of land
forces of Antony at Actinra,
229 ; deserts them, ib. ; his
death, 235
L. Caninius GaUns, cos. (37 B.aX
371
lu Caninins Gallns, consul with
Augustus (2 B.C.), 257
Canninefates, subdued by Tiberins,
269
T. Cannutins, trib. pl., assails
Aiitony, 189 ; pays with life, ib.
Capito, nncle of Velleius, 199
CBpitol, 375, 379 ; porticoes on, 49,
53 ; steps of, 53 ; seized by
assassins of Caesar, 175, 177;
rebuilt by Angustns, 377, 403
Oappidocia, made a pro^ince, 135
Gapiia, foanded by the Ktruscans,
17 ; captured by Romans, t6. ;
reduced to praefecture, 147 ;
Sulla's Tictory ihere, 103 ; Spar-
tacus escapes from, 115
Garantis, descendant of Hercules,
seizes kingsbip of Hacedonia,
15
Oarbo, see Papirius
Gamnntnm, 277
Carseoli, colony, 37
Oarthage, founding of, 15 ; colony
of Tyre, more powerful than
mother city, 65 ; destroyed by
Scipio, 31 ff., 55, 131; rival of
Rome, 31, 47 ; Cato advocate of
her destruction, 33; after lier
destruction Romans abandon
their old-time discipline, 47 ;
Roman colony, 41 ; first outside
of Italy, 63 ; Marius amid her
rnins, 89
Obrlhaginians, 89
Sp. Cirvilins, a novxis homo, S21
Casilinum, 183
C. Cas?ius Longinus, the censor
(154 B.a), builds theatre, 39
C. Cassius Longinus, consul (124
B.C.), 39
L. Cassius Longinns, severity of
his censorship (125 B.a), 69
C. Cassius Ijonginus, qnaestor of
Crassus, retains Syria in alle-
giance, 153 ; conspires against
Caesar, 173; in livour of slaying
Antony al^o, 175 ; with Bruius
seizes C!apitol, 175; takes Lao-
dicea from BoUbella, 199; ac-
cused by Agrippa, ib. ; takes
Rhodes, ib. ; crossea into Mace-
donia, ib. ; at Philippi falls by
sword of his freedman, 201 ; com-
parison with Brutus. 205
Cassius of Parma, death of, 235
Castor, temple of, 377
Castrum, colony, 37
Catilina, see Sergius
Cato, see Porcitis and Insteios
Catti. 277
Catnllus, poet, 129
Catns, see Aelius
Cauchi, tribes of, reconqnered by
Tiberius, 271
Ceionius, prefect of camp of Varos,
303
Celer, fee Hagius
Censorinus, see Marcius
Censorship, severity of c of
Fulvius Flaccus and Postumius
Albinns, 25 ; of Cassina Longinus
and Caepio, 69 ; discord between
Plancus and Paolus, 251
Census, 367, 369
Ceres, rites of, 11
O. Cethegus, feUow conspirator
with Catiline, put to death in
prison, 125 ff.
Chalcidians, found Cumae, 11
Chalcidicum, built by Augustus,
375, 403
Chalcis in Euboea, fonnded by
Athenians, 11
(Aarops, tirst decennial archon,
7, 19
Cltarydes, Gennan tribe, 389
Cherusci, oiBiqaered by Tiberius,
26»
411
INDEX
Chlos, settled by lonians, 11
Cicero, see Tullius
Cilicia, 199 ; couquered by Isauri-
cus, 136
Cimbri, cross Rliine, 67 ; defeat
various Roman armies, 73 ;
crushed by Marius and Catulus,
75 ; seek frieudsliip of Augustus,
389
Cimbrian war, 05
Cimon, son of Miltiades, 21
L. Cinna, enrolls new citizens in
all tribes, 89 ; consulship abro-
gated, prepares army, 91 ; recalls
Marius, ib. ; raeets Cn. Pompey
in battle, 93 ; seizes city and
passes law recalling Marius, ib. ;
slaughter of be.st citizens, 95 ;
consul with Marius, 97 ; slain by
mutinous army, 101 ; Caesar his
son-in-law, 139' ; party of , 101
Circus, portico of, 49 ; games of
"Sulla'3 victory," 109; Circus
Maxlmus, 375, 403
Citizens, number of, 349
Citizenship, extensions of, 35-41;
granted to Italians, 83; grauted
individually to Minatius Magius,
81
Civil war, see war
Claudian mountain, 283
C. Claudius Canina, cos. (273 B.O.),
37
Appius Claudius Caudex, cos. (264
B.C.), 31 ; the flrst to cross into
Sicily, 131
Appius Claudius Crassus, cos. (268
B.c), 37
Appius Claudius Pulcher, father-
in-law of Tib. Gracclius, triumvir
for assigning lands, 51
Appius Claudius, adultery with
Julia, 259
M. Claudius Marcellus, talces
Syracuse and converts Sicily
into a province, 131
C. Claudius Marcellus, cos. (49
B.C.), 150
M. Claudius Marcellus, son of
Octavia, sister of Augustus,
husljand of Julia, daughter of
Augustus, 247 ; hostility of
Agrippa to, ib. ; his deatli and
character, ib.
412
M. Claudins Marcellus, coa (22
B.C.), 353
Ti.CIaudiusNero,fatherofTiberius,
stirs up war in Campania, 209 ;
his cliaracter, ib. ; flees to Sicily
with wife and son, 211 ; restored
to rep. by Sextus Pompey, 215 ;
gives Livia in marriage to Octa-
vianus, 217, 247
Ti. Claudius Nero Caesar, son of
above, his consulships, 365, 371 ;
at two years shares Uight of
parents, 211; three years of age
when niother marries Augustus,
247 ; education and character,
ib. ; as quaestor relieves grain
supply, ib. ; sent on niission to
east,247, 391; aids brother Drusus
in conquest of Rhaeti and Vinde-
lici, 135, 249 ; marries Julia,
widow of Agrippa, 251; wages
Faimonian war and wins ovation,
251, 253 ; wages German war
after death of Drusus and wii'
second triuuiph, 253: shai'
tribunician power, 255 ; retires t
Rhodes for seven years, 255, 257,
259 ; on return adopted by
Augustus, 263, 265 ; rejoicinj,'
of state, 265 ; sent secoud tiiiie
to Germany, 267; rejoicing of
arniy, ib. ; his deeds in Gei niany,
269-273 ; prepares war against
Maroboduus, 275, 277 : Paunonian
and Dalmatian war entmsted t' •
him, 281 ; events of these wai s
135, 281-293; his di.scipline ai
kindne.ss, 289; pacilies GauN
after disaster of Varus, 307 ;
given power equal to that ol
Augustus in all provinces, ib. ;
triumphs over Paunonians and
Dalmatians, ib.; .satislied witli
three triumphs, 309 : perfoniis
liistmm as colleague of Augustii-
359; Augustus attends him i
departure for Illyricum, 311 ; r>
called by last illne.ss of Aug ,
ib.; declines throne, 313; regi-
lates comitia, ib. ; quells mutinie>
through Germanicus and Drusus.
313, 315; his acts of peace, 317-
825 ; elevates Sejanus, 319, 323 .
his policy toward foreign enemies,
INDEX
323 ff. ; checks conspiracy of
Drasus Libo, 323; his training
of Germanicus, f6. ; buildings
built by T., 325; Yelleius'
prayer for, 327
Claudius Nero Drusus Caesar,
biother of Tiberius, bom in
house of Augustus, 249 ; con-
quers the Rhaeti and Vindelici,
fl). ; carries on war in Germany,
253 ; his character and death,
t6.
Claudius Germanicus Caesar, son
of above, grandson of Augustus,
gives proof of valourinDalmatian
war, 293 ; sent to Germany, 309 :
quells mutiny there, 315 ; trained
in warfare by Tiberius, 323 ; con-
qneror of Germany and honoured
with triumph, ti." ; sent to pro-
vinces across the seas, 325
Clandius Dnisus, son of Tiberius,
quells mutiny of legions in
lUyricum, 305 ; loses son, 327
Claudius Quadrigarioa, historian,
69
Clazomenae, founded by lonians,
11
Cleopatra, love of Antony for, 225 ;
Cn. Domitius refuses to salute,
229 ; defeated at Actium, 231 ;
death of, 233
P. Clodius, character and career
of, 147 8q ; causes exile of Cicero,
149 ; has Cato sent to Cyprus,
ib. ; murdered by Milo, 155
Clusium, 109
Cocles, 61
Codrus, last king of Atheng, 7
Colchians. 135
Colline Gate, battle at, 107
Colonies, established in Italy by
order of senate, 35 ; outside of
Italy, ib. ; military colonies, t6. ;
list of C, 35-41; colonies esta-
blished bv Angustus, 349, 369,
371, 393, 405
Colophon, founded by lonians, 11
Comedy, writers of, 43 ; old
Comedy, ib. ; new Comedy, ib. ;
at Rome, ib.
Comitia, see Elections
Compsa, town of Hirpini, 81 ;
besieged by Milo, 197
Consulship, yearly or perpetoal,
offered Augustus, 353
Contrebia, in Spain, 59
Coponius, saying of conceming
Plancus, 227
Corfiniiim, S3, 161
Corinth, 7 ; furmerly called Ephyre,
founded by Aletes, 9, 33 ; founds
Syracuse, 65 ; overthrowu by
Muinmius, 33; occupied bj
Agrippa, 229
Corinthians, instigate uprising of
Achaeans agamst Romans, 29
Comelia, daughter of Africanns,
mother of Gracchi, 63
Coraelia, wife of Pompey, 167
L. Comeliiis Balbus, of Spani.sh
origin, 163
Cn. Cornelius Lentulus, cos. (14C
B.c), 31
P. Cornelins Lentulus Sura, fellow-
conspirator with Catiliue, put to
death, 125, 127
L. Cornelius Lentnlns Crus, cos.
(49 B.a), 159
Lentuli, two (L. Crus and P.
Spinther), Pompey'8 companions
in flight, 167
Cn. Comelius Lentulus ,cos. (18
B.C.), 353, 373
Cn. Conieliu.s Lentulus, coa. (14
B.a), 371 ; augur, ib.
P. Comelius Lentulus, cos. (18
B.&), 353, 373
L. Cornelius Lentulos, cos. (3 b.c.),
371
L. Comelius Merula, flamen dialis,
consnl suffectus (87 b-c), 91 ;
abdicates consulship and slain
by order of Cinna, 95
P. Comelius Rufinus, cos. (290 b.c),
37 ; ancestor of SuUa, S3
Cn. and P. Coraelii Scipiones, flrst
to lead armies to Spain, 133, 241 ;
their death, 241
Cn. Comelius Scipio (CaU-us), nncle
of Africanus the elder, 53,
241 ; great-grandfather of Scipio
Nasica, slayer of Gracchus, ib.
P. Conielius Scipio, his brother,
cos. (218 B.C.). 241
P. Comelius Scipio Africanus, son
of above, 25; made Carthage a
monoment to his clemency, 31 ;
413
INDEX
opened way for world power
of Rome, 47 ; grandfather of
Gracchi, 51 ; aedile with brother,
C7 ; orator, 47
L. Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus,
brolher of Africanus, 133
P. Conielius, son of Africanus,
adopts son of Aeniilius Paulus,
25, 29
P. Cornelius Scipio Africauus
Aemilianus, son of Paulus,
elected consul though candidate
for aedileship, 29 ; his talents,
ib. ; had received mural crown
in Spain, ib. ; destroys Carthage,
ib. ; receives name of Africanus,
33 ; contrast between Scipio and
Mummius, 33 ; as orator, 45 ;
opens way for luxury, 47; consul
second tinie, 55 ; takes Numantia,
ib. ; his death, 57
P. Cornelius Scipio Nasica, son of
Cn. Calvus, adjiidged by senate
best citizen of state, 51
P. Cornelius Scipio Nasica (Cor-
culum), son of above, as consul
(155 B.c.) resists Cassius building
a, theatre, 39; builds portico on
Capitol, 49
P. Cornelius Scipio Nasica, son of
above,51; his family connexions,
53 ; elected pontifex niaximus in
absentia, ib. ; supports cause of
Optimates against Ti. Gracchus,
ib.
P. Comelius Scipio Nasica, father-
in-law of Pompey, 169
L. Cornelius Scipio, consul (83 b.c.)
with Norbanus, deserted by his
arniy and released by SuUa, 103
Cornelius Scipio, lover of Julia, 259
L. Conielius SuUa, his fainily
and character, 83 ; as quaestor
of Marius gains jjossession of
Jugurtha, 73 ; legatus of Marius
in Gaul, 85 ; wins distinction in
Italic war, 79, 83 ; besieges
Pompeii, 81 ; elected consul, 83 ;
assigned to Asia and Mithridatic
war, 85 ; command abrogated by
Sulpicius, 87; drives Marius and
Sulpieius out of city, ib. ; defeats
generals of Mithridates, retakes
Athens, 97, 99 ; imposes terms
414
of peace on Mithridates, 99 ;
prophecy of magi, 101 ; returns
to settle aflairs in Italy, 101, 103 ;
defeats Scij^io and Norbanus, 101 ;
his conduct before and after
victory, 83, 103 ; allows Sertorius
to go, 103; gives thankofffiring
to Diana Tifantina, 103 ; battle
with Pontius Telesinus at
Colline gate, 105, 107 ; defeats
son of Marius at Sacriportus,
107 ; assumes name of Felix,
109 ; celebrates victories with
games, ib. ; his cruelty as dicta-
tor, ib. ; his proscription, 109,
139 ; reduces power of tribunate,
115 ; honoured with equestrian
statue, 183
Cornificius, lieutenant of Octa-
vianus, 219
Coronary gold, 381
T. Coruncanius, a novus homo,
321
Corvinus, see Messala
Cosa, colony at, 37
Cossus, wins cognomen and oma-
ments of triumph in Africa, 295
Cotta, see Aurelius
Cotys, king of Thrace, slain by
his uncle Uhascupolis, 323
Courts, transferred to equites Dy
C. Gracchus, 01 ; severity of, G7 ;
transferred back to senate, 75"
divided between senate and
knights, 119
L. Crassus, orator, 67, 127
M. Crassus, ends war with Spar-
tacus, 115 ; member of tirst
triumvirate, 145 ; consul second
time with Ponipey, 151 ; Syria
his province, ib. ; his cliaracter,
ib. ; disaster at Carrhae, and
death, 153, 225, 243, 301
M. Crassus, cos. (14 b.c), 371
P. Crassus Mucianus, slain by
Aristonicus, 55 ; as orator, 45
Cratinus, writer of Coiuedy, 43
Cremona, colony, 39
Creon, first annual archon, 19
Cresphontes, descendant of Her-
cules, 7
Crete, brought under power of
Romans, 123, 133; revenues
given to Campauian colony, 221 ;
INDEX
three cities in it foxmded by
Agamemiion, 3
Crispinus (Quintius), adultery with
Julia, 259
Crispus, see Marcius
Crown, of gold, decreed to Pompey,
137 ; naval c. decreed to Agrippa,
223 ; mural c and corona obsi-
dionalis decreed to Scipio Afri-
canus, 31 ; civic crown decreed
to Augustns, 399
Camae, founded by Chalcidians,
11 ; its colony Neapolis, 11 ;
character of its citizens changed
by Oscan neighbours, ib.
Coria HostUia, 75, 105, 375 ; Curia
Jnlia, 401
C. Curio, trib. pleb., applies torch
to civil war, 157 ; his character,
ib. and 195 ; dies in Africa flght-
Ing for Caesar, 171
M. Curius, cos. (290 b.c.X 37
Cyme, founded by Aeolians, 11
Cyprus, becomes a province, 133 ;
taken trom Ptolemaeus by Cato,
149
Cyrenae recovered by Augustus,
393
Cyzicus, colony of Miletus, snr-
passes mother city, 65 ; besieged
by Mithridates and freed by
Lucullus, 121
Daciasts, 395
Dalmatia, becoraes province, 135 ;
after 220 years of resislance,
pacitied by Augustus, 215, 239 ;
rebels, 277, 291, 295
Dalmatian war, 291-297
Dalniatians, 251, 2V3, 307, 393
L. Damasippus, as praetor puts to
death men of note, 105
Danube, 277, 395
Magius Decius, 81
P. Decius Mus, fourth consulship
of (295 B.C.), 37
Q. Dellius, traitor to party In civil
wars, 229
Delmatia, see Dalmatia
Delos, settled by Tonians, 11
Delphi, 5
Dertona, colony, 41
Desidiates, Dalmatian tribe, 293
Diana of Tifata, 103
Dictatorship resumed after 120
vears, 109 ; Augustus refuses it,
23<>, 353
T. Didius, takes Herculaneum in
Social war, 81
Dido, founder of Carthage, 15
Diphilus, poet, 43
Divus Julius, temple of, 375, 379,
403
Cn. Dolabella, accnsed by Caesar,
145
P. Dolabella, cos. (44 b.c), 177,
181 ; has provinces beyond sea
assjgned to himself, 181 ; puts to
death Trebonius, 197 ; commits
snicide when Cassius takes Lao-
dicea, 199
P. Dolabella, commands coast of
Illyricum, 317
Domitii, distinction of this family,
71
Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus, defeats
the Arvemi, 71 ; first to enter
Gaul with an army, 133
Cn. Domitius, son of above, as
tribune of people, passes law
alxjut priesthoods, 73
L. Domitius, brother of above, put
to death by Damasippus, 105
L. Domitius, son of above, cap-
tured by Caesar at Corfinium and
allowed to go, 161
Cn. Domitius, son of above, leader
of his party after Philippi, 205,
211 ; joins Antony, 211 ; declinea
to salute Cleopatraand goes over
to Cae.sar, 229
L. Domitius, son of above, 205
Cn. Domitius, son of above, 71,
205
Cn. Domitius Calvinus, severity of
djscipline as pro-consul in Spain,
215
Donations, of Augustus, 369, 371,
373, 403, 405
Drusus, see Claudius and Livius
Drusus Libo, conspires against
Tiberius, 323
L. Drusus Claudianus, father of
Livia, 209, 247 ; kills himself
after Philippi, 203
Dumnobellaunus, king of Britons,
397
Dyrrachium, 161, 163, 199
415
INDEX
Ii. Egoius, praefect of camp of
Varus, 303
Egnatius, Marius, leaderof Italians,
81
M. Egnatius Rufus, his praetor-
ship follows immediately upon
aedileship, 243 ; frustrated in
hope of consulship, plots to assas-
sinate Augustus, ib. ; C. Sentius
forbids to become candidate for
consulsliip, 2-15
Egypt, inade province by Augustus,
135, 391 ; Pompey seeks Egvpt,
167
Bgyptian, vassal, 167
Elbe, flows past Senniones and
Hermunduri, 271 ; Roinan fleet
sails up for first time, ib. ; limit
of conquests of Augustus in
Germany, 387
Elections, interference with and
abuses of, 76, 155 ; regulated by
Tiberius, 313
Electra, .sister of Orestcs, 5
Elephants, sham battle with, given
by Caesar, 173
Elissa, sonietimes called Dido,
founder of Carthage, 15
Eloquence at Rome, 45 ; at Athens,
43, 49
Epeus, founder of Metapontum, 3
Ephesus, founded by lonians, 11
Epliyra, in Thesprotia, 3 ; ancicnt
naine of Corinth, 9
Epidius, L. Marullus, tribune of
people, outspoken against Caesar,
197
Epirus, occupied by Pyrrhus, 3
Epochs, in literature, 41-45, 127-
129
Eporedia, colony, 41
Eretria in Buboea, founded by
Athenians, 11
Erythra, founded by lonians, 11
Eryxias, last of decennial arclions,
19
Ethiopia, expedition to, 389
Etruscans, 19
Euboea, 11
Eumenes, king of Pergamum, 21
Euphrates, crossed by Crassus,
153 ; C. Caesar confers with
Parthian king on island in, 261
Enpolis, writer of comedy, 43
416
Enporus, slave of C. Gracchus, 61
Euripides, 43
C. Fabics Dorso, cos. (273 b.c), 38
Q. Fabius Maximus Rullianns, cos.
(295 B.c), 37
Q. Fabius Maximus Aemilianus,
son of Paulus, 25 ; wins renown
in Spain by severity of discipline,
69
Q. Fabius Maximus Allobrogicus,
his son, 71, 133
PauUus Fabius Maximus, cos. (11
B.c), 353
Fabrateria, colony, 39
Q. Fabricius, cos. (37 b.c), 371
Fannius Caepio, conspiracy against
Augustus, 243
C. Fannius, orator, 45, 47
Faventia, 109
M. Favonius, ex-praetor, accom-
panies Pompey in flight, 167
Felix, cognomen adopted by
Comelius SuUa, 109
Fetial priests, 49, 357
Fidentia, 109
Firmnm, colony, 37
Flaccus, see Fulvius, Pomponius,
Valerius
C. Flavius Fimbria, slays Valerius
Flaccus, takes possession of his
army, and routs Mithridates,
99 ; takes own life, 99
Flavus, see Caesetius
Floralia, institution of, 39
Florus, see Julius
Fonteius, slain by people of As-
culum, 79
Formiae, people of, receive citizen-
ship, 37
Fortuna Redux, altar of, 363
Forum, of Augustus, 135, 379, 403;
of Julius, 377
Fregellae, destroyed by L. Opimius,
61
Fregenae, colony, 37
Fulvia, wife of Antony, starts war
at Perusia, 207 ; allowed to depart
from Italy, 211
M. Fulvius Flaccus, cos. (264 b.c),
31
Q. Fulvius Flaccns, takes Capua,
67 ; has brother as colleague
consulship, 67 ; censor, 25
INDEX
Cn. Fulvius Flaccus, eipelled from
8enat« by censor, his brother, 27
M. FuUius Flaccos, son of above,
slain with his son by Opimius,
61
Q. Fulvins Flaccus, son of M. above,
sent as envoy to Opimius, and
slain by him, 61
M. Kulvius Xobilior, cos. (1S9 B.a),
39 ; conqners Aetolia, 133
Fuiidi, people of, receive citizen-
ship, 37
C. Fumios, cos. (17 B.C.), 383
A. Gabisios, trib. pl., proposeslaw
giving Pompey command over
war with pirates, 117
Gades, 387, founded by Tyrians, 7
Servius Galbi, orator, 45
Gallaecus, see D. Junius Brutus
Gallograecia, conquered by Manlias
Vulso, 135
Gallus, see Caninins
Games : Olympic, 17 ; of the circns,
109, 303; beginning of Floralia,
89; games given by Caesar, 173 ;
by Augustus, 257, 381, 383, 405 ;
games of Mars, 383 ; secular
games, 383
Gaul, 41, 73, 85, 187, 207, 393 ; firet
entered by Domitius and Fabius,
133 ; made tributary by Caesar,
135 ; decreed to Caesar for five
years, and then for five more,
147, 151 ; assigned to D. Brutus,
181 ; takes oath of allegiance
to Augustos, 387; visit*d by
Augnstos, 253, 365; Tibeiius
secures peace of, 303. 387; np-
rising of crushe^d by Tiberius,
325
Gauls, 35, 195 : number of G. slain
by Julins Caesir, 153
Oentius, king of Ulyriana, led In
triumph, 2i
Gerraanicus, see Claudius Nero
Dnisus
Germans, 389, inflict disaster on
I.oUius, 253; revolt, 257; their
savagery, 271, 297, 303 ; inflict
disaster on Varus, 297 ; miitilate
body of Varus, 303 ; the GTman
who wished to behold Tiberius,
871 fll
Gerraany, 253, 255, 257, 265, 271,
273, 275, 293, 297, 299, 301, 303,
307, 309, 315, 323, 387
Getae, Caesar plans war with, 179
Gla»iiators led by Spartacus, 115;
Caesar's assassins seize Capitol
with aid of, 175; g. school at
Capua, 115 ; gladiatorial show of
Caesar, 173; of Augustus, 257,
381,405
Glaucia, see Servilins
Glaucus, Plancus dances part of,
227
Gracchi, as orators, 45
Gracchus, see Sempronins
Gradivus, see Mars
Grain, distribution of by Augustiu,
369,373
Grain-supply, 213, 249, 317, 353
Granicus river, 27
Gravisca, colony, 39
Greece, 11, 21, 47 ; shaken by dis-
turbances, 9
Groek literature, 41, 45
Greeks, 43, 69 ; short duration of
period of perfection in each
branch of Uterature of Gr.,
41-45
HANTaBAL, 39, 109; camp within
three miles of Rome, 107 ; hia
hatred of the Romaas, 85
Helen, 5
Heniochi, 135
Heraclidae, 7
Herculaneum, captnred in social
war, 81
Hercules, 5, 7 ; victor in the
Olympic games, 19
Hercynian forest, 278, 277
Herius, see Asinius
Hermione, daughter of MeneUaa, 8
Hermnnduri, 271
Hesiod, the poet, 17
Hiberi, people on Caspian Sea,
397
Uippocles, of Chalcis, 11
Hippotes, descendant of Heicoles,
9
Hirpini, 81, 197
A. Hirtius, cos. (43 B.a), 347, dies
in battle 183 ; honoured with
public funenl, 185 ; advice to
Caesar, 175
417
INDEX
Hlatorisns, famous Roman, 43
Homer, sometiines gives places
the names of his own day, 9 ;
praise of H., his chronology, 13
Q. Hortensius, orator, 127 ; his
Annales, 81 ; dies before begin-
ning of civil wars, 159
Q. Hortensius, his son, falls at
Philippi, 203
C. Hostilius Mancinus, makes dis-
graceful treaty with Numantines,
49 ; surrendered to but not re-
ceived by theni, ib.
loARi AN Sea, islands of occupied by
lonians, 11
Hlyrians, conquered, 135 ; their
king Qentius, 23
Illyricum, 215, 277, 283, 295, 309,
315, 317, 395
Imperator, title of given by army,
99,177; given to Junius Blaesus,
315 ; Augustus saluted imp. 21
times, 351
Imperium, given to Octavianus,
347; C!onsularimperium of Aug.,
357
India, envoys of visit Augustus,
397
Insteius Cato, leader of Italians,
81
Interamna, colony, 87
lon, leader of lonian migration to
Asia, 11
lonia, settlement of, by Greeks, 11
lonians, migration of, 11
Iphitus, king oT Elis, institutes
Olympic games, 17
Isauricus, see Servilius
Isocrates, 43
Isthmus, 9
Italica, Corfinium so called, 83
Italian war (see also War), its
causes, 79 ; leaders on Roman
side, ib. ; on the Italian side, 81 ;
its varying fortunes, 83 ; the
settlement of, 83, 85
Janus, temple of, closed three
times, 133 ; by Augustus, 365
Juba, loyal partisan of Pompeians,
107 ; stirs up war in Africa, 169
Judges, 360 chosen by Ponipey, 211
Jugurtha, served in Nuniantine
418
wars under Africanus, 69 ; twice
defcated by Metellus, 71 : cap-
lured and led in triumph, 73
Jugurthine war, 71
Julia, daughter of Augnstus, wife
of Marcellus, then of Agrippa,
247; after death of Agrippa
married to Tiberius, 251 ; her
disgraceful life, 259 ; punishment
of her lovers, ib. ; her banish-
ment, ib.
Julia, daughter of Caesar, married
to Pompey, 147 ; dies and also
her son by Ponipey, 153
Julia, Caesar's sister, grandmother
of Octavian, 177
Julia Augusta, 203, see also Livia
Julian party, 171, 189, 197, 227
Julii, family of, 139
L. Julius Caesar, in whose consul-
ship (90 B.c.) the Social war
began, 79
C. Julius Caesar, family and char-
acter, 139: capture by and
punishment of pirates, 141 ;
flamen dialis, 143; acts befoie
his consulate, 143, 145; consul-
ship, 139, 145 ; flrst triumvirate,
145 ; niarriage tie with Pompey,
147 ; his lex agraria, ib. ; Gaul
decreed to him for five years,
continued for five niore, 147, 151 ;
suspected of abetting banishment
of Cicero, 149 ; acts in Gaul, 133,
151,153; invades Britain twice,
151, 153 ; ordered to disniiss
arniy, 155; candidate for second
consulship in absentia, 115;
beginnings of civil war, 157 ;
bribes Curio, 159; crosses Rubi-
con, 161 ; takes Corflnium and
follows Pompey to Brunilisium,
ib. ; leturns to Rome, ib. ; defeats
Porapey's generals iu Spain, 163 ;
crosses to Greece, 163; opera-
tions about Dyrrachium, ib. ;
victory of Pharsalia, 165; clem-
ency to vanquished, 167 ; war at
Alexandria, 169; defeat of
Phamaces, 171 ; of Pompeians
in Africa, ib. ; in Spain, ib. ;
makes Numidia a province, 135 ;
his five triumphs, 173 ; assassina-
tion, ib. ; causes of it, ib. ; his
INDEX
will, 177; hisclemency, 165, 171,
173; Bs orator, 127; honoured by
equestrian statue, 183
C Julius Caesar, son of Agrippa,
«dopted by Augustus, 251 ; as-
sumes toga virilis, 257 ; made
consul designate, 365 ; princeps
iuventutis, 365; sent to Syria,
pays respects to Tiberius, 259 ;
couduct in his province, 261 ;
meets king of Parthians, ifc. ;
subdues Armenians, 391 ; trea-
cherously wounded, 263; death,
263
L. Julius Caesar, his brother,
adopted by Augustus, 251 ; near-
ing matnrity, 257 ; made consul
dpsignateand princeps iuventutis
365 ; dies at Massilia, 263
L. Julius Caesar, uncle of Antony,
proscribed by liim, 195
C. Julins Caesar Strabo, orator, 67
Julius Florus, stirs up sedition in
Gaul, 325
Jolns, see Antonius
Jancus, proconsul of Asia, 143
Junia, sister of Brutus, wife of
Lepidus the triumvir, 235
Junius Blae.sus, quells mutiny of
iegions in Illyricum, 315 ; saluted
imperator in Afi ica, 317
D. Junius Brutus, wins cognomen
of Gallaecus in Spain, 59
D. Junios Brutus, honoured by
Caesar, conspires agaiust him,
173, 175, ISI, 187, 189; his
gladiators seize Capitol, 175 ;
Antony resolves to take from
him Gaul which had been decreed
to him, 181 ; freed from sieiip,
183 ; voted a triumph, 185 ;
betrayed by Plancus, 187, 180;
slain by emissaries of Antony,
189, 233
M. Junios Brutus, pardoned by
Caesar • after Pharsalia, 165 ;
praetor, 175; leaderofconspiracy
against Caesar, 173; occupies
Capitol with conspirators, 175 ;
opposes slaying of Antony, <6. ;
with Cassius seizes provinces
beyond the sea, 185 ; nianifestos
of, ib. ; these acts approved by
senate, ib. ; praised by Cicero,
191 ; wrests legions from C.
Antonius and Vatinius, 199 ;
condemned by lex Pedia, ib. ;
conquers Lycian.s, ib. ; captures
camp of Octavian at Philippi,
201 ; defeated, he dies by haud of
Strato, 203, 233 ; his virtues,
203 ; comparison with Cassius,
ih. ; orator, 127
C. Junius Silanus, cos. (17 b.c), 383
Jnno Regina, temple of, 375, 403
JupiterCapitoIinus, 329; Feretrius,
375, 403; Libertas, ib.; Tonans,i6.
Jury service, transferred from
senate to knights by C. Gracchns,
61, 75 ; transferre<i from knights
to senate, 75, 119; divided be-
tween them by lex Aurelia, 119
M. Juventius Laterensis, 187
Knights. seats in theatre, 119 ; see
also Courts
T. Labienus, trjb. pl., passes law
granting special honours to
Ponipey, 137; loseslife in Battle
of Munda, 173
Labienus, son of above, attacking
Asia with Parthians, crushed by
Ventidius, 215
Lacedaemonians invade Attica, 7;
found Magnesia in Asia, 11;
flouri.shed under laws of Ly-
curgus, 15 ; no Ij. in list of Gk.
orators, 47
Laconians, false claim to Alcman,
47
Laelii, the two, friends of the two
Scipios, 319
C. Laelius, orator, 45
D. Lselius, cos. (6 B.&), 371
Laeiias, see Popilius
Lamia, see Aelius
Langobardi, crushed by Tiberins,
271
Laodicea, stormed by Cassius, 199
Lares, temple of. 375, 403
Laiissa, founded by Aeolians, 18
La.sthenes, leader of Cretans, 123
Laterensis, see Juventius
Laurentian marshes, 87
Laws : of Ampius and Labienua
concerning bonoan to Pompey,
137; Aurelia, conceming law
419
INDEX
conrts, 119; of Cinna, concerning
the recall of Marius, 93; of
Clodius, re banishment of Cicero,
147 ; Domitia, concerning priest-
hoo<is,73; Gabinia,ll7 ; agrarian
1. of Tib. Gracchus, 51 ; of 0.
Gracchus, 59; Julia, on division
of lands in Campania, 147 ;
agrarian law of Licinius, 61;
Manilian 1., 121 ; Pedia, concern-
ing Caesar's assassins, 199, 347 ;
Pompeia, extending Caesar^scora-
mand, 151 ; Roscia theatralis,
119 ; Sulpicia, 87 ; of Sulla, exil-
ing Marius and hia partisans,
87 ; Valeria concerning debts, 97
Lebedus, founded by lonians, 11
Legions, Martian and Fourth go
over to Octavian from Antony,
183; eagle of Fitth legion lost in
disaster of Lollius, 253
Lentulus, see Cornelius
Lepidus, see Aemilius
Lesbos, settled by sons of Orestes,
9 ; by Aeolians, 13
Leucas, stormed by Agrippa, 229
Liber Pater, 225
Libo, see Drusus
Licinian law, 61
Licinius, see Crassus
A. Licinius Nerva Silianus, 295
Limyra, city of Lycia, 263
Lippe, river, 269
Literatnre, epochs in, 41-45, 67,
127, 129
Livia, daughter of Drusus Claudi-
anus, 203, 209, 247; married to
Ti. Claudius Nero, 209 ; flees with
husband and child to Sicily, ib. ;
Nero gives her in marriage to
Augustus, 217, 247; gives birth
to Claudius Drusus in household
of Augustus, 249 ; called Julia
Augusta, 209 ; priestess of deitied
Augustus, 209 ; her death, 327 ;
her character, 209, 827
M. Livius Drusus, trib. pl., his
character, 75 ; his programme, ib. ;
seeks to transfer courts back to
senate, ib. ; meets opposition of
senate, 77 ; seeks to give citizen-
ship to Italians, ib. ; his death,
ib. ; his dying words, ib. ; his
death causes Social war
420
L. Livius Drusus Claudianus,
father of Livia, 209, 247 ; kills
himself after Philippi, 203
Livy, writer of history, 43, 129
M. Lollius, disaster to his army in
Germany, 253
Luca, colony, 39
Luceria, colony, 37
Lucilia, mother of Pompey, 111
Lucilius, poet, served in Numan-
tine war, 69
Sex. Lucilins, cast from Tarpeian
Uock, 99
Lucretius, poet, 129
Q. Lucretius Ofella, 109
Q. Lucretius, cos. (19b.c.), 353, 363
Lucrinus, lake of, 217
LucuUi, tlie two, 159
L. Lucullns, deposel fromconduct
of Mithridatic war by Manilian
law, 121 ; disputes with Pompey,
123 ; greed for money, ib. ; his
luxurioiis living, ib. ; his triumph
123 ; opposes acts of Pompey,
139 ; dies before beginning of
civil war, 159
Lucullus, son of above, falls at
Philippi, 203
M. LucuIIus, brother of Lucius, de-
feats Marians near Fidentia, 109
Lupercal, 39, 375, 403
Lupercalia, 175
Lupia, see Lippe
M. Lurius, commands right wing
of Octavian's fleetat Actium, 229
Lustrum, 357, 359
Q. Lutatius Catulus, with Marius
defeats Cinibri,75 ; his death, 95
Q. Lutatius Catulus, son of above,
opposes Gabinian Law, 117; his
contests with Caesar, 145; de-
feated by Caesar for oflice of
pont. max., ib. ; dies before civil
war, 159
Luxury, beginning of public 1., 27,
47 ; private luxury of Lucullus,
123
Lycia, 263
Lycians, conquered by Brutus, 199
Lycureus, author of Spartan legis-
lation and discipline, 15
Lydia, 5
Lydus, brother of Tyrrhenus, 5
Lysippus, sculptor, 27
INDEX
ICackoonia, 23, 87, 65, 97, 177, 179,
255, 261, 279 ; made a province
by Aemilius Paulus, 133 ; seizeU
by pseudo-Philippus, 27 ; over-
run by Dalmatians and Paunon-
ians, 279 ; beginnings of Hace-
donian kingdom, 15 ; Augustus
establishes military colonies
there, 393
Macedonians, sovereignty of, 15
Macedonicos, leader of Perusians,
209
C.Maecena8, prefectof city, cbecks
plans of Lepidus forassassination
of Octavian, 235; his character, ib.
Uaelo, king of Sugambri, 397
Hagius Decius, Sl
Magius Minatius of Aeclanum,
great - grandfather of Vell^-ius
Paterculus, 81 ; special grant of
citizenship to, H>.
Magius Celer Velleianus, brother
of Velleius the historian, aide of
Kberius, 291, 309 ; recommended
to praetorship by Augustns and
Tiberius, 313
Magna Mater, temple of, 375, 403
Magnesia, founded by Lacedae-
monians, 11
Mancinus, see Hostilios
M. Manilius, cos. (149 B.a), 33
CL Manilins, tr. plebis, author of
proposal to place Pompey in
charge of Mithridatic war, 121
Manliiis Acidinus, 67
Cn. Manlius Maximus, cos. (105
B.C.), defeated by Cimbri, 73
A. Manlius Torquatus, coe. (244
B.C.), 37
T. Manlius Torquatus, conqaers
Sardinia, 131
On. Manlius Vnlso, cos., S9; con-
qners Gallograecia, 135
Mvble, first house of, bailt by
Meteilus Macedonicus, 27
Marcellus, see Claudius
L. Marcius Censorinns, cos. (149
B.C.), 33 ; his hoose, later that
of Cicero, 79
OL Marcias Onsorinus, death of,
361; cos.(8B.aX367
Q. Marcias Crispns, ez-praetor,
hands over to Cassias his legions
in Asia, 199
Q. Marcius Ber, cos. (118 b.c.1
41
Marcomanni, 273, 277, 397
MarilA, city of Arabia, 391
Marica, marsh of, 89
C. Marius, ignobleorigin, 71 ; sen-ed
in Xumantine war onder Afri-
canus, 69 ; lieutenant of Metellus
in Jugurthine war, 71 ; elected
consul and takes charge of war,
ib. ; gets possession of Jngurtha
through Sulla, 73 ; elected consul
a second time, ib.; leads Jugurtha
in triumph, ib. ; given charge
against Cimbri and Teutons ;
cm.shes Teutons at Aqnae
Sexiiae, 75 ; his victory at Campi
Raudii, 75; in sixth consulship
restrains Servilias Glancia and
Satuminns Apuleias, 75 ; general
in Italic war, 79 ; restores totter-
ing power of Rome, 83; given
coramand against Mithridates on
motion of Sulpicius, 87 ; driven
out of city by Sulla, ib. ; im-
prisoned at Mintumae, 89; flees
to Africa, ib. ; recalled by Cinna,
93; vengeancA of Marius and
Cinna, 95 ; orders death of M.
Antonius, ii. ; dies at beginning
of seventh consalship, 97; his
monuments restored by Jolius
Caesar, 145
C. Marius, son of above, 87 ; consul
wilh Carbo (82 B.C.), 105; his
character, ib. ; defeated by SuUa
at Sacriportns takes refuge in
Praeneste, 107 ; cut off in effort
at sortie, ib.
Marius Egnatius, leader of Italiana,
81
Maroboduas, leads Marcomanni
into Hercynian forest, 273 ; his
character, ib., 277 ; preparationa
against Romans, 277 ; prepara-
tion of Tiberius against him, 277 ;
sends head of Varus to Augustus,
303 ; induced by Tiberius through
diplomacy to give np occnpied
lands, 325
Mars, father of Romulus, 19 ; author
of Roman name, 325 ; temple of,
dedicated by Angastus, 257, 375,
379,403
421
INDEX
Marsi, 79
Marsian war, 91, 111
Martian legion, see legion
L. Marullus Epidius, 197
Massilia, colony of Pliocaea, more
powerful than mother city, 65 ;
delays Caesar's victory, 161 ;
Lucius Caesar dies there, 263
Medes, 391 ; acquire sovereignty
of Asia, 13, second great world
power, 15 ; receive king from
Augustus, 397, 399
Media, 135, 223
Medon, first archon at Athens, 7
Medontidae, 7
Megara, founded by Pelopon-
nesians, 7
Megasthenes, of Chalcis, 11
Melanthus, father of Codrus, 7
Mena, freedman of Pompey, in
charge of fleet of Sex. Pompey,
207 ; spurns Statius Murcus, 215
Menander, writer of comedy, 43
Menecrates, prefect of fleet of Sex.
Pompey, 207, 215
Menelaus, 5
Meroe, 389
Merula, see Cornelius
M. Messala Corvinus, orator, 127 ;
general in camp of Brutus and
Cassius, 203 ; surrenders to Oc-
tavian, ib.; battle of Actiumfalls
In his consulship, 227; fatlier
of Messalinus and Cotta, 2S3
M. Messalinus, son of above, wins
distinction in Pannonian war,
281 ; leaves cognomen to his
brotlier Cotta, 283
Metapontum, founding of, 3
Metellus, see Caecilius
Miletus, founded by Ionian<!, 11 ;
surpassed by Cyzieus and Byzan-
tiuni, her colonies, 65
Military colonies, 35, 37
Milo, see Annius
Miltiades, father of Cimon, 21
Minatius, see Magius
Minerva, temple of, 375, 403
Minervium, see Scolacium
Minturnae, colonists sent to, 37 ;
Marius in prison of, 89
Minuoian bridge, 379
M. Minucius, triumphs over Scor-
disci, 67 ; his portico, ib.
*22
Misenum, treaty with Sex. Pompey
signed there, 213
Mithridates, kingof Pontus, orders
massacre of Roman citizens, 85 ;
his character, ib. ; his generals
defeated by SuUa in Greece, 87,
89 ; submits to Sulla, 89 ; fre-
quently defeated by Lucullus,
121 ; reconstructs his army, 129;
defeated by Poinpey, fieos into
Armonia, ib. ; succunibs to
treachery of his son, 135
Morals, Augustus made overseer
of, 355
Mucianus, see Crassus
P. Mucius Scaevola, cos. (133 b.c),
51
P. Mucins Scaevola, more famous
forjurisprudencethaneloquence,
67 ; murdered by Damasippus,
105
Mulvian bridge, 379
L. Mummius, a novus homo, 33 ;
consul , 29 ; given charge of war
with Achaeans, ib. ; destroys
Corinth, 33 ; gajns cognomen of
Acliaicus, ib. ; cliaracter coU'
trasted with that of Scipio, ib,
Munatius, see Plancus
Municipia, 369, 381
Murcus, see Statius
L. Murena, plot for as8assinati(
of Augustus, 243, 247
Mutilius, see Papius
Mutina, 183, 207, 347
Mutiny of arniy of Q. Pompeius,
89; of Octavianus, 221 ; of legions
in Germany and Pannonia, 315
Mycenae, in Crete, 3
Mylae, naval battle between A-
grippa and Sex. Pompey, 217
Myrina, founded by Aeolians, 13
Myrmidons, state of, afterward»
called Thessaly, 9
Mytilene, 167 ; founded by Aeolians,
13 ; perfidy of its people to
Roinans, 85 ; liberty restored by
Pompey, ib.
Myus, founded by lonians, 11
Xabata, town of Ethiopia, 389
Naples, see Neapolis
Narbo Martius, colony, 41, 65
Naso, poet, 129
4
INDEX
Nnumachla, given by Caesar, 173 ;
V Angnstus, 357, 383, 405
■Drtuin, 279
jlis, colony of Cumae, 11 ;
alty of its citizens to Rome, 11
olitans, establish atliletic con-
-t in honour of Augustus, 311
- colony, 35,
•.unia, see Tarentum
a, see Licinius
•or, 3
■nedes, bequeaths Bithynia
Romans, 55
;<, founder of Babylon, 15
:, fonnded by Etrescans, 17;
Social war, 83 ; besieged by
- lla, 87, 91; Augustus dies
here, 311
C. Xorbanus, cos. (83 b.c.), defeated
ijy Sulla near Cap\ia, 103
Koricura, conquered by Tiberius,
135 ; kingdom of, 277
'Sovi homines, list of, who reached
high distinction, 319, 321
Numantia. war with, 49 ; destroyed
by Scipio, 57
Numidia, made a prcvince, 135
Numidicus, see Caecilius
Numonius Vala, lieutenant of
Varus, abandons his troops, 303
OcT\vi±, sister of Augustus, 215,
247 ; marries Antony, 215
^'^■tavia, portico of, 27, 375
^ . Octa^-ius, praetor, captures
:.a Perses, triumphs, 23 ;
;ilds portico, 27
Octa^ius, his grandson, put to
nth by order of Cinna, 95
Octavins, tribune of the people,
oUeague of Ti. Gracchus, 51
cta\-ius, father of Augustus, 177
I )ctavianus, son of above and
Atia, grandson of Caesar'8 sister
Julia, 177 ; bom in consulship
of Cicero, 127 ; reared by step-
father, Philippus, 177 ; honoured
by Caesar with pontificate, ib. ;
sent to Apollonia to study, 179 ;
adoptod by Caesar in his will,
177 ; hastens to Rome after
Caesar^s death, 179 ; his entry
into city, ib. ; assumes name of
Caesar in spite of protest of
parents, ib. ; banghtlly treated,
then plotted against by Antony,
181 ; collects an army from
Caesar's veterans, 181,345 ; Mar-
tian and fourth legions go over
to him, 183 ; commissioned with
Hirtius and Fansa to carry on
war against Antony, 183, 347 ;
complinientary resolutions of
senate, ib. ; slighted by senate
after Antony'8 defeat, 183, 185 ;
Cicero'8 witticism conceining
him, 187 ; supported by anuy,
183 ; Antony induces him to
enter triumvirate, 191, 347, 355;
A.'8 step-daughter betrothed to
him, ib. ; cc nsul with Pedius at
twenty, 191, 347 ; protests against
pro^scription», ib. ; Hghts Bretns
and Cassius at Philippi, 201, 347 ;
saves Messala Corvinus, 203 ;
retums to Italy, checks sedition
of L. Antonius and Fulvia, 207 ;
ends war in Campania begun
by Ti. Claudius Nero, 209 ; allows
Fulvia and Plancus to leave
Italy, 211 ; makes peace with
Antony at Brondisium, 213 ; and
■with 8ex. Pompey at Misenum,
ib. ; keeps soldiers employed in
lUyricumanfi Dalmatia, 215 ; pre-
pares war against Sex. Pompey,
217 ; marries Livia, ib. ; vicissi-
tudes of war with Pompey, 217 ;
deprives Lepidus of his com-
mand, 221 ; breaks up mutiny of
army, ib. ; adds veterans to
Campanian colony, ib. ; acts on
return to city, 223; defeats
Antony at Actium, 227-231 ;
clemency to vanquished, 231,
233 ; follows Ant. and Cleopatra
to Alexandria, 233 ; makes Egypt
a tributary proince, 135, 391 ;
his triumphs, 237, 361 ; restores
happiness and prosperity to
world, ib. ; holds consulship
eleveu times in succession, but
declines dictatorship, 239, 353;
closes temple of Janus, 133,
366 ; receives the a^iomen of
Augustus on motioD of Plancus,
243, 399 ; completes conquest of
Spain, 133, 136, 239, 241 ; recovers
423
INDEX
standards captured by Parthians,
243 ; plots against him, ib. : sets
out to settle affairs of East,
245 ; sends Tiberius an<i Drusus
agaiiist Vindelici and Eiaeti, 249 ;
entrusts Drusus with German
war, and after his death
Tiberiua, 253 ; shares tribunician
power with Tiberius, 255; as
consul for the thirieenth time
dedicates temple of Mars Ultor,
with giadiatorial shows and a
naval spectacle, 257, 375, 379,
403 ; sends C. Caesar to Syria,
250-263 ; adopts Tiberius aud
M. Agrippa on same day, 265 ;
sends Tiberius to Germany, 265 ;
prepares army to put down
uprising in Pannonia, 279 ;
again sends Tiberius to Germany,
297 ; requests that Tiberius be
given powers equal to his own,
307 ; dies at Nola, 311 ; leaves
instructions for regulating the
comitia, 313 ; deification, 313,
317 ; temple erected to him,
825 ; his use of Agrippa and
Statllius Taurus as coUaborators,
819. For other references to
Augustus see Res Gestae, 345-
405, pasHm
Ofella, see Lucretius
Olympic games, 17
Olympieum, at Athens, begun by
Antiochus Epiphanes, 25
L. Opimius, destroys Fregellae, 61 ;
as consul crushes C. Gracclius
and Fulvius Flaccns, ib. ; puts
to death the son of Flaccus, seiit
as envoy, ib. ; condemned by
public trial, 63 ; Opimian wine
gets name from his consulship
Ops, temple of, 181
Orators, list of lloman, 45
Orestes, slayer of Aegisthus and
his mother, 3 ; his sons, 5
Orodes, king of Parthians, 397;
destroys Crassus with army, 153 ;
takes Roraan standards, 243
Osca, in Spain, 113
Oscans, effect of upon neighbouring
Cumans, 11
Ostia, 249
Otho, see Roscius
424
Ovation of Tiberius 258; of
Augustus, 349
P. Ovidius Naso, 129
Pacorus, son of Parthian king,
perished in defeat by Ventidius,
215
M. Pacuvius, writer of tragedy, 69
Paestum, colony at, 37
Palatine, 39, 375, 377; Rome
founded there, 19; house of
Driisus on P., afterwards house
of Cicero, 79
Palinurus, promontory, 217
Panaetius, conipanion of Scipio, 33
Panares, leader of Cretaus, 123
Pannonia, becomes province, 135 ;
subdued by Tiberius, 251, 255,
267 ; located on right of Marco-
manni, 275-277 ; rebels, 277 ; seeks
peace, 289
Pannonian war, 289, 297
Pannonians, 251, 307 ; know-
ledge of Roman discipline and
Roinan tongue, 279 ; subdued by
Tiberius, 395
C. Pansa, 175 ; as consul deslgnate
given command of war against
Antony, 183 ; cos. (43 b.c), 347 ;
dies of wound, ib. ; honoured
with public fuiieral, 185 ; advice
to Caesar, 175
C. Papirius Carbo, tribuneof people,
55 ; orator, 67
O. Papirius Carbo, former praetor,
slain by Damasippus, 105
Cn. Papirius Carbo, defeated by
Cimbri, 73
Cn. Papirius Carbo, sole consul
(84 B.c), after death of Cinna,
101 ; consul for third time with
C. Marius the younger, 105
Papius Mutilus, leader of Italiaos,
81
Parilia, birthday of Rome, 19
Parmensis, see Cassius
Paros, settled by lonians, 11
Parthian war, planned by Crassus,
151 ; by Julius Caesar, 179
Parthians, 167, 223, 261, 301, 397;
ambassadors come to Sulla, first
instance, 101 ; kings still inde-
pendent, 135; destroy army of
Crassus, 153 ; defeated by Cassius,
INDEX
A. ; by Ventidins, 215 ; their king
restoresstandards, 243, 393, sends
children as hostiges, 24t> ; breaks
away from Roman alliance, 257 ;
conference wilh C. Caesar on
isUnd in Euphrates, ib. ; P. king
reveals treachery of Lollius, 2(U ;
receive king from Augustus, 399
L. Pasienus, cos. 4 ac. (possibly
same as below), 371
Pa.ssienu3, earns oriiaments of a
triumph in Africa, 2i>5
Patrae, captured by Agrippa, 229
Patricians, Augustus increases
number of, 357
Paulus, see Aemilius
Pax Augusta, 317, 365
Peace of Brundisium, 213 ; of Mi-
senum, 213 ; with Mithridates,
99 ; with Tigranes, 131
Pedian law, 347
Q. Pedius, colleagne of Octavianus
in consulship (43 b.c), 191 ; his
law against assassins of Caesar,
199, 347
Pelasgians, migrate to Athens, 9
Peloponnesians, found Megara, 7
Peloponnesus, 5, 9
Pelops, 10 ; his descendants driven
out of Peloponnesus by the Hei-a-
clidae, 5
Penthilus. son of Orestes, 5
Pergamum, in Crete, 3
M. Perpenna, conquers Aristo-
nicus, 55, 133
M. Perpenna, murders Sertorius,
113
Perses, king of Macedonia, 21 ; de-
feated at P>-dna, 23 ; dies at Alba,
27
Persians, worid-power of. 15
Perusia, taken by Octavianus,
209
Penistae, Dalmatian tribe, 293
Pestilence, in Roman anny, 93
M. Petreius, Pompey'3 lieutenant
in Spain, 157, 163
Phamaces, son of Mithridates, 135 ;
king of Pontns, defeated by
Caesar, 171
Pharsalia, battle of, 165, 195
Phidippus, 3
Philemon, comic poet, 43
Philip of Macedon, 27
Philippi, battle of, 201, 231, 347
Philippus. stepfather of Anguatus,
177, 179
Philo, see Publilius
Philosophers, 43
Phocaea, coloiiy of lonians, 11 ;
surpassed by Massilia, her colony,
65
Phraates, son of Orodes, 397 ; cap-
tures Roman standards from
Aiitonius, 243
Pliraates, son of above, takes refuge
with Augustus, 397
Picente.s, 191
Picenum, colonists sent to, 37 ;
operations of Cn. Pompeius near,
91 ; filled with retainers of
Pompey'8 father, 111
Pindar, poet of Thebes, 47
Pinnes, leader of Pannonians, 279,
291
Piraeus, fortifications of, 97
Pirates, insolence and power of,
117 ; conquered by Pompey, 121 ;
Caesar captured by, 141 ; Augus-
tus frees sea from, 385
Pisaurum, colony, 39
Pisidia, Angustus establishes mili-
tary colonies in, 393
Piso, sce Calpumiiis
M. (Papius) Piso, divorces wife to
please Sulla, 139
Pius, .see Caecilius Metellus
Placentia, colony, 39
L. (Munatius) Plancus, his lack of
loyalty, 187 ; treachery a disease
with him, 227 ; consul designate
with P. Brutus, 187 ; deserts him,
189 ; has his brother placed on
proscription list, 195 ; mockery
of soldiers in iriuinph, ih. ; aids
faction of Antony, 209 ; coin-
panion of Fulvia iu flight, 211 ;
flatterer of Cleopatra, 227 ; his
disgraceful conduct at hercourt,
ih. ; treated coldly by Antony,
deserts to Caesar, ib. ; moves
granting of cognomen of Augus-
tus to Octavian, 243 ; his censor-
ship, 251
Plato, 43
M. Plantius Silvanus, 283
L. Plotius Plancus, 195
PoUio, aee Asinias
425
INDEX
Polybius, historian, friend of
Scipio, 33
Pompeian party, 1S3, IST, 189, 207
Poinpeii, be.sipged by Sulla, 81
Ponipftii, faniily of, 93
Q. Poinpeius, cos. (141 b.c.), flrst of
faniily to liold consul.ship, 49 ;
malces disgraceful treaty with
Numantines, ib. ; escapes puni.sh-
ment through iiifluence, ib.
Q. Pompeius, sou of above, cos.
(88 B.C.), 83, 91 ; his son, Sulla's
son-in-law, 87 ; slain by mutinous
army, 89
Cn. Pompeius, father of Pompey
the Great, 79, 93 ; general in
Social war, 79, 83, 111 ;i stirs up
sedition among soldiers, 89;
neutral as between Cinna and
Sulla, 91 ; meets Cinna in battle,
93 ; his death, ib. ; patronus
agri Piceni, 111
Cn. Pompeius Magnus, son of
above, 79, 91, 111 ; at age of 23
raises army in Picenum, 111 ;
his family and charaeter, 111,
113, 123 ; fights Sertorius, 113 ;
triumphs for victory in Spain,
115 ; in first consulship restores
power of tribunes, ib. ; given
charge of war with pirates by
Gabinian law, 117 ; and of Mithri-
datic war by Manilian law, 121 ;
contentions with Lucullns, 123 ;
his witticism in regard to latter,
ib. ; claims sliare in victory of
Metellus Creticus, 123, 139; re-
ceives surrender of Tigranes,
king of Armenia, 129 ; wrests
Syria from Mithridates, 131 ;
malies Pontus a province, 133 ;
victorious invasion of Media,
Albania, Iberia, 135 ; his return
to Italy, 137 ; his triumph last-
ing two days, 135, 137; extra-
ordinary honours decreed to
him, 137 ; meets opposition from
optimates, 139 ; enters flrst tri-
umvirate, 145 ; marries Caesar'8
daughter Julia, 147 ; suspected
of share in banishment of Cicero,
149 ; interests himself in his
restoration, ib. ; consul second
time with Crassus, 151 ; prolongs
426
Cae.sar's command in Gaul, de-
crees Syria to Ciassus, ib. ; death
of wife and son, 153 ; consul third
time, witliout a colleague, 155 ;
restrains election abuses, ib ;
condemns Milo, ib. ; administers
Spain through lieutenants, 157;
declines to dismiss his army, ib.;
Italy prays for safety in illness,
ii. ; given charge of war against
Caesar, 159 ; crosses to Dyr-
rachium, 161 ; his forces, land
and naval, 163 ; battles witli
Caesar, 163 sq. ; defeat at Pliar-
salia, 165 ; flees to Egypt, 167 ;
his deatli by treachery, 167 ;
question of his age, 169 ; restored
liberty to people of Mytilene,
85 ; honoured with equestrian
statue, 183 ; chose 360 judges,
211 ; his public works restored
by Tiberius, 325
Cn. Pompeius, son of above, stirs
up war in Spain, 173; wounded
and .slain in flight, ib.
Sex. Pompeius, son of Pompey the
Great, 205 ; his character. 205,
213, 219; shares his father's flight,
167 ; flglits with Pollio in Spain,
207 ; given charge of coasts after
Miitina, ib. ; seizes Sicily after
Pliilippi, 205, 207 ; infests sea
with piracy, 207 ; enters into
peace of Misenum, 213 ; puts to
death Statius Marcus, ib. ; his
forces in Sicily, 217 ; defeats
Octavian, ib. ; defeated, flees to
Antonius, 219 ; put to death by
Titius on Antony'8 orders, ib.,
233
Sex. Pompeius, cos. (14 B.C.), 311,
359
M. Pomponius, fldelity to 0.
Gracchus, 61
L. Pomponius, writer of Atellan
farces, 69
L. Poniponius Flaccus, consular,
instrumental in bringing Rha.scu-
polis to Rome, 323
C. Pontidius, leader of Italians, 81
PontiusTelesinus, Ipaderofllalians,
81 ; as leadir of Samnites fights
with Sulla at Colline Gate, 105,
107 ; his head carried around
INDEX
Praenest«, 107 ; his brother meeta
death with son of Marius, ib.
Pontos, made a province, 133
Popaedius Silo, leader of Italians,
81
'. Popilius Laenas, cos., severity
toward friends of Ti Gracchus,
63 ; coDdemned at public trial,
65
'. PopUius Laenas, trib. pl. (84
B.a Xh urls Lncilina from Tarpeian
rock, 99
L Popilius Laenas, his groff diplo-
macy, 25
Porciaii family, 125
, Porcius Cato, historian, 17, 43 ;
oraXOT, 45; constantly nrges de-
Btruction of Carthage, 33 ; dies
three years before that event,
ib. ; first of Porcian house, 125 ;
m novus homo of Tusculum, 321
C Porcius Cato, his grandson,
eondemned for extortion in
liacedonia, 65
L Porcius Cato, grandson of
Censor, cos. (118 b.c.), 41, 65
Ifc Porcius Cato, his son, slain In
Social war, 83
M. Porcius Cato, great-grandson of
the Censor, 125 ; his character,
ib. ; inveighs against conspira-
tors associated with Catiline, ib. ;
■ent to Cyprus on motion of
Clodius, makes it a province, and
brings back large sum of money,
133, 151 ; declares for acquittal
of Milo, 155 ; opposes any dicta-
tion from Caesar, 161 ; increases
forces of Pompeians in Africa,
but refuses supreme command,
169; his son kiUed at Philippi,
203
Port dnties, 61
ForU Capena, 363
Portico, of Octavia, 27 ; of Scipio
Nasica, 49 ; of Cn. Hetellus, ib. ;
of Cn. Octavias, in the circns,
49.376
A. Posturaius Albinns, severity of
his censorship, 25
Sp. Postumius Albinus, cos. (334
B.C.), 35 ; censor (332 B.C.), 37
Postumus, see Agrippa and Vibius
Potentia, colony, 39
Praeneste, occnpied by son of
Marius and besieged by SuUa,
105-109 ; occupied by Fulvia, 209
Praetor, Lentulus praetor second
time, 125 ; six praetors, 83 ;
Augustns adds two to the eight
praetors, 237
Priene, founded by lonians, 11
Princeps senatus, Catulus, 143 ;
Augustus, 355
Proscription, invented by Snlla,
109 ; resorted to by triumvirs,
191
Provinces, catalogue of, 131-135;
extension of by Augustus, 387 S. ;
Augustus pays for lands in, 371
Pseudo - Philippns, defeated bv
Metellus, 27
Ptolemaeus (Philometor), besieged
by Antiochus, 25
Ptolemaeus, son of Auletes, king
of Eg^-pt, 169 ; under control of
courtiers, ib. ; treachery towards
Pompey and Caesar, 167, 169
Ptolemaeus, king of Cyprus, 133,
149
Publicola, commander of Antony'8
fleet at Actium, 229
Q. Publilius Philo, censor (332 B.C.),
37
Punic wars, 31, 131 ; first, 37, 131,
321 ; second, 85, 131, 241
Puteoli, colony, 39
Pydna, battle of, 23
Pyrrhus, son of Achilles, 3 ; slain
by Orestes, 5
Pyrrhus, king of Epims, 37, 83
Pythian oracle, 7
QnADBiGA, erected in bonour of
Augustns, 401
Quadrigarius, see Clandius
QuintiUus Vanis, foUower of Pom-
pey, slain at battle of Munda,
173
Sex. Quintilius Varus, foUower of
Bmtus and Cassins, kUIs self
after Philippi, 203
P. Quintilins Varus, son of above,
cos. (13 B.C.), 365 ; govemor of
Syria and later of Germany, 297 ;
his character, ib., 305 ; his ad-
ministratioD, 297, 299 ; ignores
i advice of Segestes, 301 ; d^aster
427
INDEX
to his army, 801 ff. ; takes own
life, 303 ; body mangled by
Germans, head sent to Maro-
boduus, and by him to Augustus,
t6.
Quintius Crispinns, lover of Julia,
259
Quirinus, temple of, 375, 403
Rabirics, poet, 129
Raeti, conquered by Drusus and
Tiberius, 249, 309
Raetia, becomes a province, 135,
267
Raudian Plains, scene of victory
of Marius, 75
Reconstruction by Augustus,
237 ff.
Regulus, first to lead army into
Africa, 131
Rhaetia, see Raetia
Rhascupolis, king of Thrace, 323
Rhine, 67, 271, 303, 305, 389
Rhodes, taken by Cassius, 199 ;
Tiberius spends seven years
tliere, 257, 263
Rhodiaus, 21, 85
Rhoemetalces, king of Thrace, 283
Roman literature, see Jyiterature
Roman people, world power of, 15
Rome, 15, 31, 53; founding of, 19
capture by Gauls, 35 ; embellish
meut by Augustus, 239, 375-381
battles outside its walls, Si3, 107
Romulus, son of Mars, fuunrts
Rome, 19; establishes asylum,
chooses senate, 21
L. Roscius Otho, restores to
knights their seats in theatre,
119
Rostra, 29, 87, 175, 183
Rubicon, 161
Rufus, see Egnatius, Salvidienus
P. Rupilius, cos., severity towards
friends of Ti. Gracchus, 63 :
condemned at public trial, 65
P. Rutilius Lupus, cos. (90 e.c),
79 ; slain in Social war, 83
P. Rutulius Rufus, historian, 69 ;
condemned for extortion, 77
Sabaei, people of Arabia, 391
Sabines, receive citizenship with-
out suffrage, 37 ; receive full
4£8
suffrage, ib. ; rape of Sabine
maidens, 21
Sacred way, 375
Sacriportus, battle of, 105, 109
Sacrovir, Gallic chieftain, stirs up
rebellion in Gaul, 325
Salainis in Cyprus, founded by
Teucer, 3
Salernum, colony, 39
Salian Ilymn, Augustus included
in, 361
Sallues conquered, 39
C. Sallustius, histoiian, 129
Q. Salvidienus Rufus, friend of
Octavian, 179 ; origin and rise,
213; conspires against Octa.
vian, ib.
Samnites, receive partial citizen-
ship, 35 ; their leader Telesinus,
105
Samos, settled by lonians, 11
Samotlirace, island of, 23
Sardauapalus, loses empire and
life, 13
Sardinia, becomes province, 131 ;
recovered by Augustus after
servile war, 393 ; lakes oath of
alle};iance to Augustus, 387
Sarmatians, 397
Saticula, colony, 37
Saturn, temple of, 377
Saturninus, see Apuleius and
Sentius
Scaevola, see Mucius
Scaevius, see Aurelius
Scipio, see Cornelius
Scolacium Minervium, colony, 41
Scordisci, defeated and triumphed
over by Minucius, 67 ; con-
quered by Tiberius, 135
Scribonia, mother of Julia, her
companion in exile, 259
Scythians, 397
Sefrestes, discloses to Varus the
plans of Arminius, 301
Sejauus, see Aelius
Seleucia, 153
Serairamis, 15
Semnones, 271, 389
C. Sempronius Blaesus, cos. (i!^
B.c), 39
Ti. SemproninsGracchus, tribuiieof
people, his family and character,
51 ; sponsor of treaty with Nu-
INDEX
mantiiies, ib. ; his acts as tribane,
t^. ; his aDtimely end, 53 ; as
orator, 45, 67
C. Sempronius Gracchus, brothei
of preceding, triumvir for assign-
ing lands, 61 ; his character, 59 ;
his acts and laws, 59 ; continnes
tribunate for second term, 61 ;
hunted down by Opimius, ib. ;
his death, ib. ; his legislation
for planting of colonies outside
of Italy, 65 ; conceming the law
courts, ib. ; as orator, 45, 67
Sempronius Gracclius, adaltery
with Julia, 259
TL Sempronius Longus, consul in
flrstyearofSecond Pnnic war,241
P. Sempronius Sophus, cos. (266
ac), 37
Senate, roll of, revised by Angustns,
357 ; dignity restored bv Angus-
tus, 237 ; by Tiberiu^, 3'l7
Senate house, 401, 403
Senators, aided financially by
Tiberius, 325
C. Sentius Satnminns, restored to
rep. by Sex. Pompey, 215 ; sole
consnl (19 b.c.) in absence of
Angnstus, 245 ; consul second
time (a.d. 4), 265 ; legatus in
Germany, 269 ; his character,
ib. : leads army against Maro-
boduns, 277
L. Sergius Catilina. begins con-
spiracy and driven from city,
125 ; falls in battle, 127
Bertorian war, 115
Q. Sertorius, released by SnUa,
193 ; serious menace to power
of Rome for flve years, 241 ;
slain by Perpenna, 113 ; his
judgement concerning Hetellas
«nd Pompey, 113
Bervilia, wife of M. Lepidns,
swallows live coals, 237
Bervilii, two Snllan leaders, 109
Cn. Servilitts Caepio, cos. (140 b.c.),
Q. Servilius Caepio, encompasses
death of Viriathus by fraud, 49
Cn. Servilius Caepio, severity of
his censorship (125 B.C.), 69
Q. Servilius Caepio, consul, d^
feated by CJimbri, 73
Q. Servilios Caepio, cos. (106 B.C.),
169
0. Servilius, praetor, slain by
people of Asculum, 79
C. Ser\-iliu3 Glaucia, slain by
Marius, 75
P. Servilius Vatia Isaaricos, cos.
with J. Caesar (48 B.O.X 167;
conqueror of Cilicia, 135
Setia, colony, 35
C.Sextius Calvinus, defeats Sallaes,
39
Sicily, become.s province, 131;
evenU there, 205, 207, 209, 213,
215, 217, 221, 223 ; recovered by
Angustas after servile war, 393 ;
takes oath of allegiance to
Augustus, 387 ; Aug. establishes
colonies, 393
Sigimer, father of Anninins, 299
M. SiKinus, cos. (109 B.C.), defeated
by Cimbri, 73
M. Silanus, restored to republic
by Sex. Pom]>ey, 215
M. Silanas, cos. ('l7 b.c), 383
Silianus, see Licinius
P. Silius Nerva, son-in-law of
Coponins, 227 ; legatus Augusti
in Thrace, 261 ; his son A.
Licinius Nerva Silianus, 295
C. Silius, his son, shows enmity
towards Tiberius, 327
Silo, see Popaedius
Silvanns, see Plautius
Sinuessa, colonists sent to, 87
Siscia, 287
L. Sisenna, anthor of histories of
civil wars, and wars of SuUa,
69
Smyraa, founded by Aeolians, 13
Sodalis Titius, Augiistas made, 357
Sophocles, 43
Sora, colony, 37
C. Sosius, commander of Antony'8
fleet at Actinm, 229; life saved
through intervention of Amin-
tius, 233
Spain, 7, 31, 49, 55,' 57, 113, 115,
145, 165, 171, 187, 205, 207, 215,
263, 317, 365, 393; Augustna
makes sill Spain tributary to
Rome, 133, 241, 387 ; first entered
by Scipios, 1S3, 241; trouble to
Romans, 49, 133, 241; decreed
429
INDEX
to Pompey, 155; invaded by
Caesar, itil; taltes oath of
allegiaiice to Augustus, 387
Sparta, under laws of Lycurgus,
15
Spartacus, begins slave war, 115
Spoletiuin, colony, 30
Standards, restoration of by
Parlhians, 243, 393, 395 ; re-
oovered by Augustus froin Spain,
Gaul, and Daltnatians, 393
Statianus, legate of Antony, 223
Ti. Statilius Sisenna, his house
formerly that of Cicero, 79
T. Statilius Taurus, couimands
land armies of Octavianus at
Actiuni, 229 ; services employed
by Augustus, 319
L. Statius Jlurcius, ex-praetor,
hands over to Cassins his lcgioiis
in Asia, 199 ; goes over witli liis
fleet to Sex. Tdmpey, 205, 215 ;
put to death by him in Sicily,
215
Statues, transported to Rome from
Corinth, 33; equestrian s. by
Lysippus, 27 ; of Augustus, 183
Strabo, see Julius Cacsar
Strato Aegeates, Iriend of Brutus,
201
Suessa Aurunca, colony, 37
Suevi, 397
Sugainbri, 397
Sulla, see Conielius
P. Sulpicius, his acts as trib. pl.,
87 ; his character, ib. ; causes
assassination of Q. Pompeius,
ib. ; driven out of oity by SuUa
and slain, ib. ; his oratory, 67,
87, 127
P. Sulpicius, cos. (12 B.c), 363
Sura, soe Aemilius
Sutrium, colony, 35
Syracuse, colony of 0 )rinth, 65 ;
captured by jMarcelhis, 131
Syria, 25, 199, 259, 363, 393 ; made
a province, 131, 133 ; decreed to
Crassus, 151 ; defended by
Cassius, 153 ; by Ventidius, 215 ;
Quintilius Varus governor of,
297
Tanais (river Don), 397
Tarentum Neptunia, colony, 41
430
Tarpeian rock, 99
Tarracina, colony, 37
Tauroinenium, city of Sieily, 219
Taurus, see Statilius
Tegea, in Crete, 3
Telamon, father of Teucer, 3
Telesinus, see Pontius
Temenus, descendant of Hercules,
7
Temples, built or rebuilt byj
Augustus (Apollo, Di PenateSi
Divine Julius, Jupiter Feretrio
Libertas, and Tonans, Ju
Regina, iLares, Wagna Mat
Mars XJItor, Minerva, Quirinn
Vesta, Youth), 375 ff., 403 ; 82
restored l)v Augustus, 403; t. of
ApoIIo, 379; of Castor, 377; of
Julius, 379 • of Mars Ultor, 379 ;
of Satum, 377 ; of Vesta, 379 ;
teinple of Janus closed by Au;.;
365
Tonos, settled by lonians, 11
P. Terentius, writer of comedy, 43
Tergeste, 279
Teucer founder of Salamis, 8
Teutoni, cross Rhine, 67 ; with
Cimbri defeat several Roman
arnnes, 73 ; crushed by Marius
at Aquae Sextiae, 75
Theatre, of Pompey, 157, 219, 825,
377, 403 ; of Marcellus, 379, 403 ;
shows in, 405; disturbances i
317
Thebes, produoed no distinguish.
orator, 47 ; rendered illustrious
by Pindar, ib.
Theodotus, responsible for death
of Ponipev, 167; pays penali'
169
Theophanes, friend of Pompey, f-
Thesprotia, 3
Tliftssalus, son of Hercules, 9
Thessalus, of Thesprotia, tal^t-^
possession of region since call
Thessaly, 9
Tliessaly, 165 ; once called Str.:
of Myrmidons, 9; named aft r
Thessalus the Thesprotian, ib.
Thrace, 255, 261, 283
Thracians, conquered by L. Piso,
255 ; assist Romans in Pannonian
war, 283
Thucydides, 129
INDEX
Thnrii, 197
Tiber, 65, 151, 403
Tibullus, poet, 129
Tifata, iiiountain, 103
Tigranes, king of Armenia, 391 ;
conquered by Lucullus, 121 ; his
son surrenders to Pompey, then
T. himself, ib. ; flued with loss
of territory, ib.
Tiridates, liing of Parthians, 397
Tisamenus, son of Orestes, 5
U. Titius, restored to republic by
Sex. Pompey, 215
M. Titius, slays Sex. Pompey, on
Antony's orders, 210; hated on
this account, ib. ; goes over to
Octavian, 227
Torquatus, see Manlius
Tragedy, writers of, 9 ; best of
Greek w., 43 ; best of Roman,
ib.,69
Treasury, 23, 135, 137, 173, 245, 309,
373 ; military treasury estab-
lished by Augustus, 373
C. Treboniu», friend of Caesar, one
of hls murderers, 173; his death,
197, 235
Tribuue, abrogates power of col-
leagiie, 51 ; former tribune
thrown from Tarpeian rock, 99 ;
power of tribunes reduced by
Sulla, restored to Pompey, 115
Tribunician power of Augustus,
241,353,355,361
Triumphs of Aemilius Paulus, 21,
23 ; of Octavius and Anicins, 23 ;
of Metellus Macedonicus, 29 ; of
C. and M. Metellus on the same
day, 67 ; of Metellus Numidicus,
73 ; of 0. Marcius, ib. ; of Metel-
lus Pius and Pompey over Spain,
113; of Lucullus and Metellus
Creticus, 123 ; Pompey's Asiatic
tr., 137; the flve triumphs of
Julius Caesar, 173 ; tr. of Augus-
tus, 237, 351; of Tiberius, 253,
253, 307 ; of Germanicus, 323
Trinmvirate of Caesar, Pompey,
and Crassns, 145 ; of Octavianus,
Antony, and Lepidus, 191, 235,
347,355
Trojan war, 13
Troy, 5, 19
Q. Tubero, cos. (11 B.a), 363
P2
M. TuUins Cicero, leading orator,
45, 125, 127, 189, 193; a novus
homo, 125, 321 ; as consul re-
veals conspiracy of Catiline, 125 ;
eulogized byCato, 127; Augustus
bom in liis consulship, 127 ;
banished by Lex Clodia, 149 ;
ofl^ends Caesar, ib. ; restored by
Pompey through Milo; his
house on Palatine, 79 ; de-
stroyed by Clodius, restored by
senate, 149 ; strives to preserve
harmony, 159 ; urges amnesty
after Caesar's death, 177 ; raoves
resolutions complimentary to
Octavian, 183 ; attachment
for Pompeian party, 187, 191 ;
speeches against Antony, 189;
proscription ends with death of
C, ib. ; proscribed by Antony,
193 ; eulogy of, ib. ; saviour of
country, 149, 193 ; his influence
in state, 321
Tunnels, at Praeneste, 109
Tuscan sea, 387
Tusculum, 321
Tyre, surpassed by Carthage, her
colony, 65
Tyrians, found Gades and Utica,
7 ; and Carthage, 15
Tyrrhenus, founder of Etruria, 6
Utica, founded by Tyrians, 7
Vala, see Numonins
Valentia, colony, 39
Valerius Antias, historian, 69
L. Valerius Flaccus, cos. (100 B.C.),
41
L. Valerius Flaccus, author of law
for cancelling three-fourths of
debt, 97 ; put to death by
Fimbria, 99
C. Val^nus, cos. (12 b.c), 363
Varro (Atacinus), poet, 129
Varro, slain at Philippi, 203
Varus, see Quintilius
P. Vatinius, deprived of his legions
by Brutus, 199; hia character,
ib.
Veientines, 19
Velia, city of, 217
Velia, hill in Rome, 377
Velleianus, see Magios
43 1
INDEX
C.i Velleius, grandfatter of his-
torian, praefectus fabrum, 211
C. Velleiiis, liistorian : his family
connexions, 81, 199, 211, iiOV,
201, 307, 313 ; tribunus militum,
261 ; praefectus equitum, 267 ;
.serves with Tibprins nine years,
ib. ; quaestor designatus, 281 ;
leads army to Tiberius, ib. ; his
lieutenant in Pannonian war, ib.,
287 ; takes part in triumph of
Tib., 307 ; recommended to
praetorship by Aug. and Tib.,
313 ; contemplates more exten-
sive history, 159, 251, 257, 265,
291, 301
Venetia, 211
P. Ventidius, led in triumph'among
Picentine captives, 191 ; praetor
and consnl in same year(43 b.c),
ib. ; triumplis over Parthians,
191, 215
Venus, ancestor of Julius Caesar,
139
Venusia, colonists sent to, 37
Vesta, 329, 375, 379
Vestal Virgins, 363, 365
Vesu\ius, Mount, 115
T. Veturius Calvinus, cos. (134 b.o.),
35
Vetus, see Antistius
Via Flaminia, rebuilt by Augustus,
379, 403
Vibillius, centurion, punished for
desertion, 217
C. Vibius Postumus, earns oma-
ments of a triumph, 295
Victoriae ludi, 109
Viennenses, uprising of, 307
Vindelici, conquered" by Tiberius
and Drusus, 135, 249, 267, 309
M. Vinicius, consul sufiectus (19
B.c), 251, 253, 265 ; wins oma-
menta triumphalia, 265
P. Vinieius, his son, cos. (a.d. 2),
263 363 ; Velleius the liistorian
sorves under him in Thrace 8S
military tribune, 261
Viriathus, guerilla ehief, 49, 241
Virgil, poet, 129
I Visiirgis, see Weser
Vonoues, son of King Phraatf^s,
399
Wars: campaign of Actium, 227-
235, 387; African w. agaiust
Pompeians, 169-173 ; Alexandrian
war of Jul. Caesar, 169; of
Octavian, 233-235 ; w. with
Antiochus, 135; with Cimbri
and Teutoni, 67, 73, 75 ; civil
wars — between Warius and Sulla,
85-97, 101-111 ; Caesar and Poiii-
pey, 155-173; canipaign ot
Pliilippi, 201, 231, 347; Antony
and Octavian, 181, 227 ff.; Octa-
vian and Sex. Pompey, 217 tf. ;
Dalmatian aiid Panuonian war,
291-297; Gallic war of Caesar,
151, 153; Italian or Social war,
79-83; Jugurthine w., 69-73;
Mithridatic wars, 85-89, 121-135;
war at Mutina, 183, 207, 347 ; at
Nola, 83, 85; Numantine w.,
49, 57 ; Pannonian, 2S9, 297, 395 ;
Parthian wars, 151, 153, 179, 215,
225; Perusian, 207; war with
pirates, 117-123 ; with Pharnaces,
171 ; Punic war, see Punic ;
with Pyrihus, 83 ; with Rhaetians
aiid Vindelici, 249; with Ser-
torius, 113 ; Spanish wars— of
Scipios, 133, 241 ; of Caesar, with
Pompeians, 161 ff"., 171 ; of
Augustus, 133, 241, 365, 387, 393 ;
witli Spartacus, 115; Thracian
war, 255 ; with Viriathus, 49, 241
Weser, river, crossed by Tiberius,
269
Xerxes in toga, nickname given to
Lucullus by Pomi)ey, 123
Printed in Great Britain hy R. & R. Clark, Limited, Edinhurgh
(15J
THE LOEB CLASSICAL
LIBRARY
VOLUMES ALREADY PUBLISHED
LATIN AXrrHORS
Ammianus Mabczllixus. J. C. Rolfe. 3 Vols.
Apuleius : The Golden Ass (Metamohphoses). W. Adling-
ton (1566). Revised by S. Gaselee.
St. Augustixe : City of God. 7 Vols. Vol. I. G. E.
McCracken.
"^ . Augustixe, Confessioxs of. W. Watts (1631). 2 Vols.
AuGUSTixE : Select Letters. J. H. Baxter.
. . ^oxius. H. G. Evelyn \\Tute, 2 Vols.
Hfde. J. E. King, 2 Vols.
BOETHIUS : TbaCTS AXD De CoXSOLATIOXE PHILOSOPniAE.
Rev. H. F. Stewart and E. K. Rand.
Caesab : Alexaxdhian, Afbican axd Spakish Wahs. A. G.
Way.
Caesab : CrviL Wabs. A, G. Peskett
Caesab : Gallic Wah. H. J. Edwards.
Cato axd Vahbo : De Re Rustica. H, B. Ash and W, D.
Hooper,
Catullus. F. W. Cornish : Tibullus. J. B, Postgate ; and
Pebvigililti Vexehis. J. W. Mackail.
Celsus: De Medictsa. W. G. Spencer. 3 Vols.
Cicebo : Bhutus axd Obatob. G. L. Hendrickson and
H. M. HubbeU.
CicEBo : De Fixibus. H. Rackham.
CicEBo : De Ixvextiox-e, etc H. M. HubbelL
CicEBO : De Natura Deobum akd Academica. H. Rack-
ham.
CicEBo : De Officus, Walter Miller.
THE LOEB CLASSICAL LIBRARY
CiCEHO : De Ohatore, etc. 2 Vols. Vol. I : De Oratohe,
Books I and II. E. W. Sutton and H. Rackham. Vol. II i
De Oratohe, Book III ; De Fato ; Paradoxa Stoi-
CORUM ; De Pahtitione Oratoria. H. Rackham.
CiCEHO : De Republica, De Leoibus, Somnium Scipionis.
Clinton W. Keyes.
CicEHO : De Senectute, De Amicitia, De Divinatiowb.
W. A. Falconer.
CicERo : In Catilinam, Pro Muhena, Pho Sulla, Pbo
Flacco. Louis E. Lord.
CicEHo : Lettehs to Atticus. E. O. Winstedt. 3 Vols.
CiCEHo : Lettehs to iiis Fhiends. W. Glynn Williains,
3 Vols.
CiCEHO : Philippics. W. C. A. Ker.
CiCEHO : Pro Archia, Post Reditum, De Domo, De Ha-
BuspicuM Responsis, Pro Plancio. N. H. Watts.
CicERO : Pro Caecina, Pro Lege Manilia, Pro Cluentio^
Pro Rabibio. H. Grose Hodge.
CiCEHO : Pho Caelio, De Phovinciis Consulahibus, Pho
Balbo. R. Gardner.
CiCERo : Pro Milone, In Pisonem, Pbo Scauho, Pro
FoNTEio, Pro Rabihio Postumo, Pho Mahcello, Pro
LiGAHio, Pro Rege Deiotaho. N. H. Watts.
CiCEHO : Pro Quinctio, Pho Roscio Amehino, Pro Roscio
CoMOEDO, CoNTHA RuLLUM. J. H. Frcese.
CiCERO : Pro Sestio, In Vatinium. R. Gardner.
[CicERo] : Rhetohica ad Herennium. H. Caplan.
CicEHo : TuscuLAN DispuTATioNS. J. E. King.
CiCEHo : Verrine Ohations. L. H. G. Greenw ood. 2 Vols.
Claudian. M. Platnauer. 2 Vols.
Columella : De Re Rustica ; De Arbohibus. H. B. Ash,
E. S. Forster, E. Heffner. 3 Vols.
CuRTius, Q. : HisTOHY OF Alexander. J. C. Rolfe. 2 Vols.
^Flohus. E. S. Forster ; and Cornelius Nepos. J. C. Rolfe.
Frontinus : Stratagems and Aqueducts. C. E. Bennett
and M. B. McElwain.
Fronto : CoHHESPONDENCE. C. R. Haiues. 2 Vols.
Gellius. J. C, Rolfe. 3 Vols.
HoHACE : Odes and Epodes. C. E. Bennett.
HoHACE : Satires, Epistles, Ahs Poetica. H. R. Fairclough.
Jehome : Select Lettehs. F. A. Wright.
Juvenal and Pehsius. G. G. Ramsay.
THE LOEB CLASSICAL LIBRARY
LivY. B. O. Foster, F. G. Moore, Evan T. Sage, A. C.
Schlesinger and R. M. Geer (General Index). 14 Vols.
LucAN. J. D. Duff.
LucRETius. W. H. D. Rouse.
^La.stial. W. C. A. Ker. 2 Vols.
MixoH Latin Pozts : from Publilius Sthus to Rittilitts
Namatianus, including Ghattius, Calpuhnius Siculus,
Xestesianus, Avianus, with " Aetna," " PhoenLx " and
other poems. J. Wight Duff and Arnold M. Duff.
OviD : The Aht of Lo\t: and other Poems. J. H. Mozley.
OviD : Fasti. Sir James G. Frazer.
OviD : Hehoides and Amohes. Grant Showerman.
OviD : Metamohphoses. F. J. Miller. 2 Vols.
OviD : Thistia and Ex Ponto. A. L. Wheeler.
Petronius. ^T. Heseltine ; Seneca : Apocolocyntosis.
W. H. D. Rouse.
Plautus. Paul Nixon. 5 Vols.
Pliny : Letters. Melmoth's translation revised by
W. M. L. Hutchinson. 2 Vols.
Pliny : Natural Histohy. 10 Vols. Vols. I-V and IX.
H. Rackham. Vols. VI and VII. W. H. S. Jones.
Propehtius. H. E. Butler.
Phudentius. H. J. Thomson. 2 Vols.
QuiNTiLiAN. H. E. Butler. 4 Vols.
PiFMAiN'3 OF Old Latin. E. H. WarmingtoH. 4 Vols.
\'ol. I (Ennius and Caecilius). Vol. II (Livius, Naevius,
Pacuvius, Accius). Vol. III (Lucilius, Laws of the XII
Tables). Vol. IV (Archaic Inscriptions).
Sallust. J. C. Rolfe.
Scriptohes Histobiae Augustae. D. Magie. 3 Vols.
Seneca : Apocolocyntosis. C/. Petronius.
Seneca : Epistulae Mohales. R. M. Gummere. 3 Vols.
Senzca : MoRAL Essays. J. W. Basore. 3 Vols.
Seneca : Tragedies. F. J. Miller. 2 Vols.
SiDONius : PoEMs AND Lettehs. W. B. Andcrson. 2 Vols.
SiLius Italicus. J. D. Duff. 2 Vols.
Statius. J. H. Mozley. 2 Vols.
SuETONius. J. C. Rolfe. 2 Vols.
Tacitus : DiALOGUs. Sir Wm. Peterson : and Agbicola
AND Gehmania. Maurice Hutton.
Tacitus : Histohies and Annals. C. H. Moore and J.
Jackson. 4 Vols.
THE LOEB CLASSICAL LIBRARY
Tehence. John Sargeaunt. 2 Vols.
Tehtullian : Apologia and De Spectaculis. T. R. Gloverjj
MiNucius Felix. G. H. Rendall.
Valehius Flaccus. J. H. Mozley.
Vahho : De Lingua Latina. R. G. Kent. 2 Vols.
Velleius Patehculus and Res Gestae Divi AuousTi.j
F. W. Shipley.
ViHGiL. H. R. Fairclough. 2 Vols.
Vithuvius : De Ahchitectuha, F Granger. 2 Vols.
GREEK AUTH0R3
Achilles Tatius. S. Gaselee. (2nd Imp.)
Aelian : On the Natuhe of Animals. A. F. Scholfield.
3 Vols. Vols. I and H.
Aeneas Tacticus, Asclepiodotus and Onasander. The
Illinois Greek Club.
Aeschines. C. D. Adams.
Aeschylus. H. Weir Smyth. 2 Vols.
Alciphhon, Aelian and Philosthatus : Lettebs. A. R.
Benner and F. H. Fobes.
Apollodohus. Sir James G. Frazer. 2 Vols.
Apollonius Rhodius. R. C. Seaton.
The Apostolic Fathehs. Kirsopp Lake. 2 Vols.
Appian s RoMAN HisTOHY. Horace White. 4 Vols.
Abatus. Cf. Callimachus.
Ahistophanes. Benjamin Bickley Rogers. 3 Vols. Verse
trans.
AnisTOTLE : Aht of Rhetohic. J. \\. Freese.
Aristotle : Athenian Constitution, Eudemian Ethics,
ViHTUES AND VicES. H. Rackham.
Abistotle : Genehation of Animals. A. L. Peck.
Abistotle : Metaphysics. H. Tredennick. 2 Vols.
Abistotle : Meteohologica. H. D. P. Lee.
Abistotle : Minoh Works. W. S. Hett. " On Colours,"
" On Things Heard," " Physiognomics," " On Plants,'
" On Marvellous Things Heard," " Mechanical Problems,"
** On Indivisible Lines," " Situations and Names of
Winds," " On Melissus, Xenophanes, and Gorgias."
Abistotle : NicoMAciiEAN Ethics. H. Rackham.
1
THE LOEB CLASSICAL LIBRARY
Aristotle: Oeconomica and Magna Mohalia. G. C
Armstrong. (With Metaphysics, Vol. II.)
Aristotle : On the Heavens. \V. K. C. Guthrie.
Aristotle : On the Soul, Pahva Natuhalia, On Breath.
W. S. Hett.
Aristotle: Ohganon — The Categobies. On Interpheta-
tion. H. P. Cooke ; Phioh Analytics. H. Tredennick.
Aristotle: Ohganon — Postehior Analytics. H. Treden-
nick ; Topics. E. S. Forster.
Aristotle : Organon — Sophistical Refutations. Coming-
to-be and Passing-away. E. S. Forster. On the Cosmos.
D. J. Furley.
Aristotle : Parts of Animals. A. L^ Peck ; Motion and
Progression of Animals. E. S. Forster.
Aristotle: Physics. Rev. P. Wicksteed and F. M. Corn-
ford. 2 Vols.
A RISTOTLE : PoETICS ; LONGINUS ON THE SuBLIME. W.
Hamilton Fyfe; Demetrius on Style. W. Rhys Roberts.
Aristotle : Politics. H. Rackham.
Aristotle : Problesis. W. S. Hett. 2 Vols.
Aristotle: Rhetohica ad Alexandbum. H. Rackham.
(With Problems, Vol. II.)
Ahrian : HisTOHY OF Alexandeb and Indica. Rev. EL
Iliffe Robson. 2 Vols.
Athenaeus : Deipnosophistae. C. B. Gulick. 7 Vols.
S r. Basil : Letters. R. J. Deferrari. 4 Vols.
( ALLiMACHUS : Fhagments. C. A. Trj^pauis.
( allimachus : Hymns and Epighams, and Lycophhon.
A. W. Mair ; Ahatus. G. R. Mair.
Li.EMENT OF Alexandhia. Rev. G. W. Butterworth.
C OLLUTHUS. Cf. OpPIAN.
DaPHNIS AND ChLOE. Cf. LONGUS.
Dkmosthenes I : Olynthiacs, Philippics and Minob
Orations : I-XVII AND XX. J. H. Vince.
Demosthenes II : De Cobona and De Falsa Leoatione.
C, A. Vince and J. H. Vince.
Demosthenes III : Meidias, Andhotion, Ahistocbates,
TiMocHATEs, Abistogeiton. J. H. Vince.
Demosthenes IV-VI ; Pbivate Obations and In Neaeham.
A. T. Murray.
l^EMOSTHENES VII : FuNEBAL SpEECH, EbOTIC EsSAT,
Exobdia and Lettebs. N. W. and N. J. DeWitt.
THE LOEB CLASSICAL LIBRARY
Dio Cassius : RoMAN HisTORY. E. Cary. 9 Vols. M
Dio Chrysostom. 5 Vols. Vols. I and II. J. W. Cohoon.
Vol. III. J. W. Cohoon and H. Lamar Crosby. Vols. IV
and V. H. Lamar Crosby.
DioDORus SicuLus. 12 Vols. Vols. I-VI. C. H. Oldfather.
Vol. VII. C. L. Sherman. Vols. IX and X. Russel M.
Geer. Vol. XI. F. R. Walton.
DioGENES Laertius. R. D. Hicks, 2 Vols,
DiONYSius OF Halicarnassus : RoMAV Antiquities. Spel-
man's translation revised by E. Cary. 7 Vols.
Epictetus. W. A. Oldfather. 2 Vols.
Euripides, A. S. Way. 4 Vols. Verse trans.
EusEBius : EccLEsiASTiCAL HisTORY. Kirsopp Lakc and
J. E, L. Oulton. 2 Vols,
Galek : On tiie Natural FACULTrES. A. J. Brock.
The Gheek Anthology. W. R. Paton. 5 Vols.
The Gheek Bucolic Poets (Theocritus, Bion, Moschus).
J. M. Edmonds.
Greek Elegy and Iambus with the Anacreontea. J. M.
Edmonds. 2 Vols.
Gheek Mathematical Works. Ivor Thomas. 2 Vols.
Herodes. C/. Theophhastus : Charactehs,
Herodotus. A. D. Godley. 4 Vols.
Hesiod and the Homeric Hymns. H. G, Evelyn White.
Hippochates and the Fhagments of Heracleitus. W. H. S.
Jones and E, T, Withington, 4 Vols,
HoMER : Iliad. A, T. Murray. 2 Vols.
Homer : Odyssey. A. T. Murray. 2 Vols.
IsAEUs. E. S. Forster.
Isochates. George Norlin and LaRue Van Hook. 3 Vols.
St. John Damascene : Bahlaam and Ioasaph. Rev. G. R.
Woodward and Harold Mattingly. ■
JosEPHUS. H. St. J, Thackeray and Ralph Marcus. 9 Volsfl
Vols, I-VII, 1
JuLiAN. Wilmer Cave Wright. 3 Vols.
LoNGUS : Daphnis and Chloe. ThornIey's translation
revised by J. M. Edmonds ; and Pahthenius. S. Gase-
lee,
LuciAN. A. M. Harmon, 8 Vols, Vols. I-V.
Lycophhon. C/. Callimachus.
Lyha Graeca. J. M. Edmonds. 3 Vols.
Lysias. W, R. M. Laiiiib.
THE LOEB CLASSICAL LIBRARY
Mavztho. W. G. Waddell ; PTOLEsnr: Tetrabiblos. F. E.
Robbins.
Marcus Aurelius. C. R. Haines.
^ 'VANDEH. F. G. Allinson.
OR Attic Orators. 2 Vols. K. J. Maidment and
.0. Burtt.
NoKxos : DioxYsiACA. W. H. D. Rouse. 3 Vols.
Oppiak, Colluthus, TRTpnioDOHUs. A. W. Mair,
Papyhi. Non-Literary SELzcrioifs. A. S. Hunt and C. C.
Edgar. 2 Vols. Litehary Selections (Poetry). D. L.
Page.
PaBTHENIUS. Cf. LONGUS.
Pausanias : Description of Greece. W. H. S. Jones. 5
Vols. and Companion Vol. arraneed by R. E. Wj'cherley.
Philo. 10 Vols. Vols. I-V. F. H. Colson and Rev. G. H.
Whitaker ; Vols. VI-IX. F. H. Colson.
Two Supplementary Vols. Translation only from an
Armenian Text. Ralph Marcus.
Philostratus : The Life of Apollonius of Tyana. F. C.
Conybeare. 2 Vols.
Philosthatus : Imagines : Callisthatus : Deschiptions.
A. Fairbanks.
Philostratus and Eltjapius : Lives of the Sophists.
Wiimer Cave Wright.
Pdtdar. Sir J. E. Sandys.
Plato I : Euthyphbo, Apology, Chito, Phaedo, Phaedhus.
H. N. Fowler.
Plato II : Thzaetetus and Sophist. H. N. Fowler.
Plato III : Statesman, Philebus. H. N. Fowler ; lo».
W. R. M. Lamb.
Plato IV : Laches, Protagohas, Meno, Euthydemus.
W. R. M. Lamb.
Plato V : Lysis, Symposium, Gohgias. W. R. M. Lamb.
Plato VI : Cratylus, Parmenides, Greateh Hippias,
LzssER Hippias. H. N. Fowler.
Plato VII : TiMAEUs, CniTiAS, Clitopho, Menexenus, Epi-
stulae. Rev. R. G. Bury.
Plato VIII : Chahmidzs, Alcibiades, Hippahchus, Thk
LovzHs, Thzages, Minos and Epinomis. W. R. M. Lamb.
Plato : Laws. Rcv. R. G. Bury. 2 Vols.
Plato : RzpuBLic. Paul Shorey. 2 Vols.
Plutabch : MoBALiA. 15 Vols. VoLs. I-V. F. C. Babbitt:
311062
THE LOEB CLASSICAL LIBRARY
Vol.VL W. C. Helmbold ; Vol. VII. P. H. De Lacy and
B. Einarson; Vol. X. H. N. Fowler ; Vol. XII. H.
Cherniss and W. C. Helmbold.
Plutabcii : TiiE Parallel Lives. B. Perrin. 11 Vols.
PoLYBius. W. R. Paton. 6 Vols.
Pbocopius : HisTORY oF THE Wars. H. B. Dewing. 7 Vois.
Ptolemy : Tetbabiblos. Cf. Manetho.
QuiNTUs Smyrnaeus. A. S. Way. Verse trans.
Sextus Empibicus. Rev. R. G. Bury. 4 Vols.
SopnocLES. E. Storr. 2 Vols. Verse trans.
Stbabo : Geogbaphy. Horace L. Jones. 8 Vols.
Theophbastus : Chabacters. J. M. Edmonds ; Herodes,
etc. A. D. Knox.
Theophrastus : Enquihy into Plants. Sir Arthur Hort.
2 Vois.
Thucydides. C. F. Smith. 4 Vols.
Tryphiodorus. Cf. Oppian.
Xenophon : Cyropaedia. Walter Miller. 2 Vols.
Hellenica, Anabasis, Apology, and Sympo-
L. Brownson and O. J. Todd. 3 Vols.
Memorabilia and Oeconomicus. E. C. Mar-
I
Xenophon
SIUM. C.
Xenophon
chant.
Xenophon
Scripta Minoba. E. C. Marchant.
VOLUMES IN PREPARATION
GREEK AUTHORS
Ahistotle : HisTOHY oF Animals, A. L. Peclc.
Plotinus. A. H. Armstrong.
LATIN AUTHORS
Babbius and Phaedhus. B. E. Perry.
DESCRIPTIVE PROSPECTVS ON APPLICATION
LONDON
WILLIAM HEINEMANN LTD
CAMBRIDGE, MASS.
HARVARD UNIV. PRESS
I
r'
'S^-'
v:e.lleius paterculus c.
PA
•
^rrncv
.A2'
. . .Compendium of Roman
345
histor^'-
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11