The tryumph of Salomons Temple, and what the making thereof valued.

WEE reade in the first Booke of the Chroni­cles, the twentie two chapter, that Dauid saide to Salomon. My Son, comfort thy selfe, plucke vp thy hart and be strong, dreade not, neither be discoura­ged. For according to my pouertie haue I pre­pared [Page] for the house of the Lord, such dispence as shall be needfull to make vp the same: to wit, an hundred thousand Talents of Golde, and a thou­sand thousand Talents of Siluer, which is one Million, with three thousand Talents of Gold of Ophir, of the best choise.

Thys sum is infinite and not to be num­bred. An hūdred thousand Talents of gold, doe value three-score thousand Millions of Crownes. The Million of Talents of siluer, valueth sixe hundred Millions of Crownes, according to the estimate of Budaeus in hys Booke of Coynes. Where speaking of the tryumphes of Caesar, he saith, that he caused to be brought into the publique Treasurie, three-score and fiue thousand Talents of sil­uer, which valued nine and thirty Millions of Crownes. He maketh also the like men­tion, where he speaketh of Cyrus King of Persia, who tooke Craesus and his treasure, a­mounting to fiue hundred thousand Talents of siluer, which value three hundred Milli­ons of Gold.

It is written in the second Chapter of the third booke of Kings, that in the time of Sa­lomon, he had so much siluer out of Iudea, as there was not any account made thereof.

The shyps belonging to Salomon & king Hyram, went by three and three yeerely to [Page] Tharsus, whence they brought great quan­titie of Gold and siluer; in so much that (as the Text saith) there was such store of gold and siluer in Ierusalem, as the King estee­med therof no otherwise then of stones: the Vessels and all the vtencelles together of the house of Lybanon, was of fine Gold.

Iosephus in his seauenth booke of Anti­quities, witnesseth, that Dauid when he de­ceassed left greater riches, then any other King, were he Hebrewe or Gentile, which was hydden within his Sepulchre, as also in the Coffer or Vessell monumentarie, wher­in the bones and ashes of the Kinges were wont to be kept, so that his treasure was ve­rie hard to be found.

Likewise in the ninth Booke of the E­uangelicall preparation, he sayth, that hee hath read in Eupolemus an auncient Histori­an, that the King of Tyre and of Phoenicia, with many other beside, were tributaries to King Dauid: from whom hee conquered these Treasures by force of Armes, and by the Diuine fore-pointment, the place was shewen him where the Temple shoulde be builded. But because hee had soyled his hands with blood-shed in warre, it was told him that he should not builde the fore-saide Temple. Wherefore he prepared so great a­boundance [Page] as he could, of gold, siluer, brasse, stones, Tymber of Cipres and Cedar, and sent it into the Ile which hee called Urpha, situate in the Red-sea, which was wonder­fully stored with Mines of Gold, and from whence was brought an innumerable quan­titie.

After his deceasse, Salomon wrote Let­ters to the King of Egipt named Uafres, af­ter this manner. Salomon King of Iudea, to Vafres his friende King of Egipt, perpetuall health. Knowe, that by the grace of God, and from King Dauid my Father, this kingdome is discended vnto me: he in his life time gaue mee in charge, that I should builde a Temple to the Creator of heauen and earth: for which cause I haue written to thee, that thou wouldest giue me comfort and assistance in this busines. Ther­fore I require thee to send me Maisters of Ma­sons, Stone-cutters, Carpenters, and workmen, who may erect for me the said Temple.

These Letters receiued by the King of Egipt, were in this manner answered. I sende thee eyght score thousand men, such as are ex­pert & chiefe in erecting of buildings, euen such as thou hast required of me. Like Letters wrote Salomon, to Suron King of Tyre, re­ceiuing like aunswere, and like number of Maisters in workes and buildings.

[Page] This History written by Eupolemus an Historian Gentile, agreeth in euery part with the holy Scripture, as in the fift Chap­ter of the thirde booke of the Kinges: and there is no other difference, but onely that concerning Tyre, where he calleth the king of Tyre Suron, the Scripture nameth hym Hyram.

Iosephus in the eyght Booke of his Anti­quities, saith, that these two Epistles or Let­ters of King Salomon and King Hyram, were in his tyme intirely sound and perfect, both in Tyre and in Iudea.

Eupolemus passeth further, and sayth, that all the gold which was imployed about the Temple, the Colloms and Vessels of Gold, amounted to foure Millions, and sixe hundred thousand Crownes: The siluer for the nayles and other thinges, valued twelue hundred and thirtie two Talents.

After the work-men were contented, & they of Egypt sent home into theyr Coun­trey, as also the men of Tyre, the sum that was gyuen to each one for his paines, was tenne Talents of Gold.

The dispence of the Temple, according to Budaeus, amounted to twentie seauen Mil­lions, nine hundred thousande Crownes of the Sunne, and twelue hundred thirtie-two [Page] Talents of siluer: which come to seauen hundred, thirty seauen thousande Crownes of the Crowne.

Yet is not comprised in this sum, what was giuen to three-score and ten thousande Labourers, of whō mention is made in the 5. chapter of the 1. Booke of the Kings: nor of 3000. & three hundred Maisters, that ruled and ouer-sawe the worke: nor the charges offraights and carriages: nor how much the brasse and yron cost: nor what rewarde was giuen to eyght [...] thousande men more, sent him for handy-crafts men by the King of Egipt. Wherfore we may well imagine, that Salomons Temple was a worke of wonder, and the cost thereon bestowed inestimable.

It is written in the second booke of the Chronicles, the fourth Chapter, That all the Vessels, Basons, Candlesticks, Censors, Lampes, Organes, and other musicall instruments of the Temple, the Alsar, the Ports, the Tables, and Hindges were of pure gold.

Wee reade likewise in the first Booke of the Chronicles, the nine and twentith chapter, that the Princes and Fathers of the linage of Israell, also the Captaines of thou­sands and hundreds, offered willingly, and gaue for the seruice of the house of God, fiue thousands Talents, and ten thousand peeces of Golde, tenne [Page] thousand Talents of siluer, eighteene thousande Talents of Brasse, and one hundred thousande Talents of yron. And they with whom pre­cious stones were found, gaue them to the Trea­sure of the house of the Lord.

Salomon caused to be made three hundred Shieldes of fine Golde, that is to say, coue­red with Gold, framed in fashion of Plates, accounting each Plate worth sixe hundred sicles: which value two thousand and foure hundred Crownes of the Sunne.

Three hundred Targets, which are little light Shieldes, of the purest purified Gold, and placed them in the house of Lybanon.

Eupolemus adioynes heereto a thousande Shieldes of Gold.

It is written in the tenth Chapter of the third Booke of the Kings, that Salomon made a great seate royall of Iuorie, and couered it with the best Gold. And the seate had sixe steps, and the top of the seate was round behind, and there were Pommels on either side of the seate. And there stoode twelue Lyons on the steppes, sixe on a side: there was neuer like worke seene in any Kingdome.

Salomon sacrificed at one time to God, two and twentie thousand Oxen, and an hundred & twentie thousand Sheepe. His ordinary expence day by day, was thirtie quarters of fine Man­chet [Page] flower, and three-score quarters of other meale: ten stalled Oxen, and twentie out of the Pastures, an hundred sheepe, besides Hartes, Buckes, Wilde-goates, and Capons.

And Salomon had fortie thousande stalles of Horsses for Chariots, and as many Heards of Horsses, he had likewise twelue thousand Horse-men: according as it is written in the thyrd Booke of the Kings, the fourth Chapter.

The riches of Darius.

QUintus Curtius, Plutarch, Strabo, and other Histori­ans, haue supposed & writ­ten, that Alexander the great, after his conquest of Darius king of Persia, found in the Treasurie of his conquered enemie, twenty-nine thousand talents: which valued an hundred and eight Millions of Crownes of the Crowne.

So choysely and deerely did Darius ac­count ofhis pleasure in the night, as he lod­ged in a Chamber betweene two great Hals, hys bedde beeing spred foorth very sumptu­ously, and couered with a Vine of Gold, in manner of an Arbour, enriched with Grapes [Page] hanging thereon, which were most curious and costly precious stones. The richnes of the very pillow of his bed, was woorth fiftie thousande Talents, which doe amount to thirtie Millions of Crownes.

When Alexander gained the battaile a­gainst him in Cilicia, he was then but fiue & twenty yeeres old, and sent his Lieuetenant Parme [...]o to the Citty of Damas, where Da­rius had with-drawne a gre [...] part of the a­fore-named Treasure, there he found foure hundred and twenty-nine Ladies his Con­cubines, well skild in Musique, which hee brought with him into his Hoast for his de­light and pastime, with sixe and forty work­men, that wrought vpō flowers, making cu­rious Trammels and Chaplets for Ladyes most odoriferous: two hundred, three-score and seauenteene Cookes: twenty Potters, that made Pots & other necessaries of earth, for the daily vse of the Kitchine: nine chiefe Maisters of the Paistrie: three-score & ten sluggerds of one sort, and seauenteene of an other, whose labour was to mixte the Aro­matique wines, to blende and temper the sweet delicious licquors, and most arteficiall drinkes, thorow bagges and such like fit for the purpose: & forty other work-men, that made sweet odours & sauours, both dry and [Page] licquid.

If then the King of Persia had so much store of delights in warre, when he was pre­pared to a fight so full of hazard & danger: what may we imagine he had at other times, and in what aboundance of pleasures he ly­ued, when he held hys assured quiet in Ba­bilon? a Citty exceeding in all superfluities and vices, yet florishing & abounding plen­tifully in wondrous wealth.

Herodotus in the third booke of hys Hi­storie, deuided the Realme of Persia into twenty Gouernements or Prouinces: the principall was the Kingdom of Lydia, wher­of the rich Craesus was King, that afterwarde was vanquished by Cyrus, and brought into captiuitie.

Plinie, speaking of the estate of the Per­sians in his tyme, sayth, that the Empire of the Persians, which as then was translated to the Parthians, contained eyghteene King­domes.

Herodotus in the Booke before named, sheweth by iourneyes & lodgings, that from Sardis beeing in Lydia, to Susa, which was the chiefe seate and aboad of the Kings, was full three Monthes iourney.

Quintus Curtius sayth, that in two Citties of Persia, to wit Susa & Persepolis, Alexander [Page] found an hundred, three-score, & ten thou­sand Talents of siluer, in one heape, which himselfe tearmed a summe innumerable: an hundred thousande Talents, valued three-score Millions of Crownes.

The sayd Darius had one of the fayrest women in the world to hys Wife, who was likewise taken with her two daughters: ten thousand Talents he woulde haue giuen for to haue them againe, and one halfe of hys Countrey, which would not be graunted, yet Alexander intreated them very honourablie, and wythout any reproche.

Hee neuer afterward sawe his wife and daughters, but once: and in short while af­ter, himselfe was traiterously slaine by Bes­sus, who had the principal charge vnder him.

The liberalitie of Alexander the great, to his men of warre.

ALexander the great, after his conquest and returne out of Asia, beeing aduertised that hys Souldiours and men of warre were indebted by hys seruice: caused their debts to be payde, and bringing money into the midst of hys Campe, according to the affir­mation [Page] of each one how much he owed, so much in ready pay was deliuered them: the sum amoūted to sixe Millions of Crownes.

He was studious & of great knowledge, hauing euer-more vnder the pillowe of hys bed, the poesie of Homer.

He wrote a Greeke Epistle to Aristotle, which is reported by Plutarch in his life, the forme thereof beeing thus. Alexander vnto Aristotle greeting. Thou hast not done right­lie or well, in putting forth the bookes of the A­croamaticall sciences: for wherein shal I excell any other heereafter, if the science wherin I was instructed by thee, be taught and made common to euerie one. As for my selfe, I woulde thou shouldest know, that I make more account, and had rather goe beyond all men in excellencie of of learning and knowledge, then in greatnesse of power, or deedes of Armes.

He commaunded Aristotle to write fif­tie bookes of the nature of beastes: gyuing hym for hys paines, as sayth Atheneus a Greeke Authour, eyght hundred Talents, which value foure hundred and foure-score thousand Crownes. A president howe lear­ning was esteemed in elder tymes, where now, Schollers paines are neither rewarded nor regarded.

Hee sent likewise, fiftie Talents to Xeno­crates, [Page] which he refused, saying, hee had no neede of so much money to maintaine hys poore estate. Whereat Alexander was of­fended, saying, he was vnciuill to refuse his gift: though hee needed it not himselfe, yet he might take it and bestowe it among hys friendes.

The same Atheneus, in his fourth booke of the banquet of the Sages, following the aduise of the Persian Histories, sayth, that in what soeuer place Alexander was, he would customably sitte at the Table at supper, (af­ter his conquest of Asia) and eate among his Friendes in a common Hall, hauing alwaies with him the number of three-score and ten at the least. To maintaine thys custome, he appointed for the ordinary dispence therof, an hundred Attique Mynaes, which va­lue a thousand Crownes.

But King Dauid (saith he) who was con­quered by hym, had a custome diuers times, to make publique banquets apparantlie in hys Court, which alwaies was in the open Halles, where were present to the number of fifteene thousande. And for euery such banquet as we now speake of, the estate or­dained & appointed for the dispence of the Table, two hundred and forty Myriades, which amount to two Millions, and foure [Page] hundred thousand Crownes: for euery My­riade valueth ten thousand, whereof an hun­dred Myriades make a Million, and fortie Myriades, four hundred thousand Crownes.

The riches of Mydas and Cyrus.

PLinie in hys three and thirty booke, sayth, that Mydas king of Phrigia, and Craesus King of Ly­dia, which at thys daie is called Natolia, a Pro­uince in Turkie: were enriched with Golde, beyonde number or measure.

Cyrus also King of Persia, who tooke Craesus and his treasures, had infinite wealth, for he spoyled all Asia: so that by his victo­ries he gained fiue hundred thousande Ta­lents of siluer: to wit, talents of Egypt, which value (as he sayth) each Talent, foure-score pound weight of siluer. And thys summe is reported according to the great Iacke or Tankarde belonging to Semiramis, which weighed fifteene Talents.

Thys summe or quantitie of siluer, is the verie greatest that Budaeus remembreth to be [Page] gathered in money at one time together, which amounteth to three hundred Milli­ons of Crownes: and rating them after the Talents of Egypt, as saith Plinie, there shall be sixteene parts ouer & aboue, which com to fiftie Millions.

Nor is it to be meruailed that he gathe­thered so much, for he had vnder his power the auncient Treasures of Assiria, which was translated from the Medes, and many other Countreyes beside: so that heere among hee had the old riches of Dauid and Salomon.

He reporteth moreouer, that there was an auncient King of Cholchos, named Esubo­pes, that first of all made opening of the Mynes, and founde the richnes of the earth, where-out hee drewe innumerable store of Golde and Siluer.

He likewise had victory against Sosestres King of Egipt, who wonderfully abounded in wealth: so that this King of Cholchos had in his house, the pyllers, roofes, doores and vaultes of pure Golde. On the wonderfull riches that was in this Countrey, was inuen­ted the fable of the Golden Fleece.

The riches of Sardanapalus.

SArdanapalus, who liued two hundred yeres after Salomon, and by hys deceasse brought an ende to the Kingdom of the Assirians, according as Atheneus the Greeke writer recordeth: beeing seated in his Pallace and house royall by Arbaces hys Lieuetenant of the Medes, there burned himselfe and his Concubines.

Ctesias reciteth, that when the sayd king Sardanapalus liued, hauing no meanes left to with-stand the siedge, and that all kynde of victuales wexed scant: hee caused to bee made in a seperate place from other resorte in his Pallace, a frame of Carpenters worke, containing the height of four hūdred foote, in manner and fashion of a Pyramides, in the middest wherof, he commaunded to be pla­ced an hundred and fiftie Couches of Gold, which serued to make most sumptuous and magnificent banquets vpon, agreeing wyth the custome of old. By the sides of them, or els vpon them, was deuised as many Tables [Page] of Gold: thys doone, heere would he enter­taine his Wife, hys Concubines and Ladyes of hys Court, such as he best affected, they not knowing or doubting what he intended to doe: after them he followed, making fast the doore, without any hope to return back againe.

But before hee thus lockt vp himselfe a­mong thē, hee caused to be brought thether (as sayth the History) a thousand Myriades of Gold, and a Myriade of Myriades of sil­uer, with a great number of habillements for men and women of purple, with sundry o­ther very sumptuous accoustrements.

When he was inclosed, by his cōmaun­dement his Eunuches and Groomes of hys Chamber, put fire to the huge frame of Car­penters worke, which endured burning the space of fifteene dayes: such as behelde thys wondrous flaming fire, supposed that he was sacrifycing to the Gods.

Thus ended Sardanapalus his licentious life, and all the rest that were with him, con­suming there likewise a thousand Myriades of Gold, which value an hundred Millions; For-beare we then to estimate the Myriade of Myriades of Siluer, the Couches of gold, the Tables of gold, and other costly habille­ments. As also three thousande Talents of [Page] gold, which value eyghteene hundred thou­sand Crownes, which he sent from his seate royall to King Nynus, to whom hee had gy­uen his Chyldren in keeping.

The riches of the Emperour Anthony the Tri­umuire, and the magnificence of his Queene Cleopatra.

PLutarch sayth, that the Emperour Anthony the Triumuire, spente in one yeere, two hundred thousand Talents, which value six-score Millions of golde: that the estates of Asia had yeelded him, for the offence they committed against him, in maintaining and bearing fauour to his enemies Cassius & Brutus, in the Countrey of Macedon: in such an amercement were they taxed for two yeeres, albeit the fine was determined for nine yeeres.

This summe was imployed in payment of a largesse and gyft, promised to his Soul­diours, which vvas (as Plutarch reporteth) fiue thousand Drachmes for each one, which come to twentie thousand Sestertiaes, estee­med [Page] fiue hundred Crownes. His Army was eyght and twentie thousande Legionaries, and ten thousand men, beside the Horsmen.

The estimation of Anthonies gift to hys men of warre, amounted for an hundred thousand men, fiftie Millions of Crownes, which value fiue thousande times fiue hun­dred.

And for seauenty-thousand that rested from the afore-named number, remained thirtie fiue Millions, which are in sum, four-score and fiue Millions. Without counting an ouer-plus for the Centurions, that had double wages, the Horse-men that had tre­ble, and the Trybunes great summes, as we may reade in the Histories that make men­tion of such largesses.

Anthonie leueying money vpon Asia, Hybraeas the Oratour being Deputed by the Countrey, thus spake to him. My Lord, if it be so, that you haue both force and feare in your hand, whereby to execute your will & pleasure, easily may you sit downe and exact two imposts for one yeere. But if yee will doe so, it is reason that you shoulde likewise make vs to haue two Summers, two Autumnes, and two Haruests in one yeere: to the end we may twise a yeere ga­ther the fruites and reuenewes of the earth. Asia hath paid the two hundred thousand Talents, if [Page] this summe of money be come into your Coffers, and is all imployd about your affaires: then vn­derstand we well there is no remedie, but force will compell vs to find another pay, and this to do, we must scrape together what is left amongst vs. But if you find, that all hath been wel paide on our behalfe, and yet notwithstanding is not come to you: we thinke it necessarie, that first and formost you shoulde call an account of your Treasurers, and rather addresse your selues to them that haue managed these affaires, th [...]n to vs that once alreadie haue truelie made our pay­ment.

Anthonie hauing vnderstood the great thefts and robberies of his Officers, thus vn­der-trust committed against himselfe: ap­pointed for them very seuere punishments.

Cicero in his Phillippides which he wrote against Anthony, sayth, that he tooke & car­ried away from the Temple of Ops, seauen thousande times, seauen hundred thousande Sestertiaes, which Iulius Caesar had placed there for more assuraunce. The summe a­mounteth to seauenteene Millions, and fiue hundred thousand Crownes.

Plutarch saith, that he sent to commaund Cleopatra to appeare personally before him, because shee had giuen succour to his ene­mies. And she came, not fearefull, trembling [Page] or in meane estate, but along the Riuer Cyd­nus in a Gallion, the Poope whereof was of gold, the Oares of siluer, the sailes of purple: her selfe lay vnder a Pauillion of Golde, ac­companied with sweet singers, and most ex­cellent Musitions, all the attendants of her house beeing attired in very sumptuous Ly­ueries.

VVhen Anthonie sent to inuite her to sup with him, she sent to commaund him to come and sup with her, so much did shee stande vpon the priuiledge of her beautie, behauiour & quaintnesse in speech: which she deliuered with such maiestie, and had so delicate a pronounciation, as her tongue seemed like a curious instrument of manie stringes.

Shee could alter her speech to what lan­guage shee pleased, or as occasion serued: she spake to the Arabians, Sirians, Hebrewes, Medes, Parthians, Ethiopians, and Troglodites, without any Interpreter.

Then was Anthony so rauished wyth the grace which she had in deuise and vrbanitie, her heauenly wordes, gesture and most ex­quisite demeanour, as also the royaltie and magnificence of her feastes: as beeing con­founded with meruaile and astonishment, he saide and confessed, that the estate of hys [Page] house, and the manner of his assemblies, was but rusticall in comparison of Cleopatraes.

After which time, they liued together in such pleasures, aboundance and delights, as it is vnpossible to be expressed: such as be­held theyr extraordinary vanitie, euen the verie chiefe of theyr fauourers and wel-wyl­lers, sayde that they led a most hatefull and contemptible kind of life.

Cleopatra made him one banquet, which was esteemed to haue cost, two hundred & and fiftie thousande Crownes: by reason of a Pearle which shee dissolued in a cuppe of Wine, that weighed (as Plinie recordeth) halfe an ounce.

Plutarch sayth, she gaue to Anthonie, to make warre against Octauius, twentie thou­sand Talents of gold, which are twelue Mil­lions of Crownes: & besides furnished him with two hundred shyps for warre, and vic­tuales for his Army. Notwithstanding, hee was afterwarde vanquished, and in despayre slew himselfe in Alexandria.

The tryumphes of Caesar.

APpian, in his seconde booke of the ciuil warres, sayth, that in the tryumphes of Caesar, after all his great victories, for the space of fortie dayes together: was brought into the publique Treasurie, threescore and fiue thousand Talents of siluer, and eyght hun­dred Crownes of golde, which weighed twentie thousand poundes of Golde. The Talents of siluer valued nine & thirtie Mil­lions of Crownes, and the Crownes of gold two Millions.

VVith thys money Caesar payd thorow­ly what hee had promised to hys auncient bandes of men, and to the Common people of Rome: that is to say, to each Legionarie fiue thousand Drachmes, which value fiue hundred Crownes of the Crowne: to the Centeniers a double sum: to the Knights double of the Centeniers: and to each Ro­maine three hundred Sestertiaes, which hee had promised at the beginning of the Ciuill warres.

Because he had not payd them so soone as he would, hee gaue an hundred ouer and [Page] aboue, as interest (as it were) for the forbea­raunce, which was for each man ten crowns. He gaue more-ouer to each one ten Tunne of Corne, which are ten bushels according to them of Paris, and ten pounds of Oyle, he made three feasts for the people, beside other liberalities.

The sum that he gaue to his souldiours, a­mounted to ten millions of crownes. All this sum, or the most part thereof, was brought from the Gaules as we may reade in the Hy­stories, and specially in Suetonius.

Hee made fiue tryumphes, which hee brought pompeously into the citty of Rome. The first & most excellēt, was the tryumph of Gallia: the seconde of Alexandria: the third of Pontus: the two other were of A­frica and Spaine.

In the first, amongst other things of mag­nificence, hee had forty Elephants, on the right hand & left of his Chariot triumphant, that caried Torches and Lanthorns.

Plutarch sayth, that this aboundance of ri­ches and treasure, Caesar brought from the spoyles of his warres in Gaule.

He gaue to Curio Tribune of the people, twelue hundred and fiftie thousande Sester­tiaes, which value fifteene hundred thousand Crownes.

The lyberalitie of the Emperour Augustus.

SUetonius speaking of the testament of the Emperor Augustus, sayth, that hee left by hys will to the peo­ple of Rome, eyght hun­dred, and fifty thousande Sestertiaes, which amounteth to a Million of Golde. To the Tribunes hee left three-score hundred & fifty thousand Sestertiaes. To the men of warre that made aboade in Rome, to each one fiue hundred Sestertiaes. To them that were of his Guard, common­ly called Pretorians, to each one a thousand Sestertiaes. To them that were of his Legi­ons in the Prouinces, to eche one three hun­dred Sestertiaes, whom he would haue paid without making any account. And yet hee left (notwithstanding all these sums) to hys inheritours, three Millions, seauen hundred and fifty thousand Crownes.

Hee gaue at one time to the Temple of the Capitoll, sixteene thousand poundes of gold, with a great nūber of precious stones and pearles, estimated woorth ten hundred and fiftie thousand Sesterriaes: which sums [Page] amount to three Millions of gold. And Bu­daeus sayth, that Augustus imployed in the beautifying of the Cittie of Rome, the Em­pire, and things for publique profit, beside building of Temples, Theaters, Pallaces, and buildings of magnificent construction, four-teene thousand times, four-teene hun­dred thousand Sestertiaes, which value thir­tie fiue Millions of Crownes.

In his tyme, a Burgesse of Rome named Lentulus Augurius, was so high in his grace and fauour, as Seneca sayth, that he cōmaun­ded to be giuen him at one time, four thou­sand times Sestertiaes, which value ten Mil­lions: who seeing himselfe so forwarde in authority, would often-times say to the Em­peror (in reproche as it were) that in respect of his seruice, he had left the pleasure & de­light of studying good Letters, which hee prized & esteemed more then al the pompe of inordinate riches. This ingratitude was well punished afterward by Tyberius, as wri­teth Suetonius.

Tarius Ruffus, a man of base condition, by good fortune and great industrie, got in the seruice of Augustus, a thousand times Sester­tiaes: which amount to two Millions, and fiue hundred thousand Crownes.

Plinie sayth, that Augustus, to increase [Page] the good and honor of such as hee knewe to be well minded people, sent them as Gouer­nours into hys Prouinces, giuing them ve­rie honest meanes whereby to make them great.

Eusebius in his Chronicles, saith, that after the tryumph at Actium, Augustus made the goodly number before the Censors: & there were found foure Millions, an hundred and sixtie thousand Cittizens of Rome.

And after the natiuitie of our Sauiour Iesus Christ, hauing adopted Tyberius, and they two beeing Censors, the number vvas made: when was sound nine Millions, three hundred and seauentie thousand Cittizens, within the Cittie and Subbarbes.

In thys time, as Iuuenall witnesseth in his ninth Satyre, this order was helde in Rome, that when the children of the Cittizens were borne, within three daies after, one shoulde goe to the Temple of Saturne, where the Treasure of the Consines was kept, & there in the Register Court, before the Maisters and Keepers of the riches, the infants name was enrolled.

Heereby they knew the age of euery one, and what number of infants the Cittizens had: nor was he to be reputed or thought a man, vntill he came to the age of 17. yeeres.

The tryumph of Pompey.

PLutarch speaking of Pompeyes triumphe, which was decreed for hym, by reason of the victory he had a­gainst the two kings Tygranes and Mi­thridates, the one king of Armenia, the other of Pontus: saith, that by the goodly Wagons and Chariots, wherein was drawne along thorowe the Cit­tie the treasure of his spoyles, as also the semblances and portratures of the Kings & Countries conquered: appeared publiquely to euery one, of what Nations subiected thys tryumph was ordained.

In euery Chariot were titles written of great faire Letters, whereby they were signi­fied and manifested. The Nations ouer whom he tryumphed were these that folow: the kingdomes of Pontus and Armenia: the Coūtry of Paphlagonia, of Cholchos, Spayne, Albania, Syria, Cilicia, Mesopotamia, Phaenicia, Palestine, Iudea, & Arabia: yet not cōprising his victories on the Sea, where he preuailed often and very farre of.

[Page] Hee adioyned to the Romaine Empire a thousand strong places, & about nine hun­dred Citties, and tooke eyght hundred ships from Pyrats.

Plinie in the thirty-seauenth booke of hys naturall hystorie, reciteth the order & mag­nificence of thys Tryumph, which hee saith is reported in the Registers of the Capitall. To wit, on the day of his natiuitie was hys tryumph, when ryding thorowe the Citty, hee brought to the publique Treasurie, a Checker or table-boorde to play on, made of two precious stones: beeing foure soote long, and three soote broad, was neuer found like stones of such greatnesse.

He had in the order of his tryumphe, in one Chariot a goodly booke, of mighty and huge volume▪ he had three beddes of golde seruing to make banquets on, each one ly­ing after the auncient fashion: vessel of gold and precious stones, to serue nine cup­boordes: three statues of Gold, of Mars, Pallas and Iuno.

After followed a Mountaine of Golde, foure square, whereon was Harts, Lyons, and fruites of all sorts, garnished and enuiro­ned round with a Vine of Gold, & a Chap­pell in the midst, dedicated to the Muses, which was made all of Peavles, and on the [Page] toppe thereof was a very sumptuous Horo­loge. In another Chariot was an Image of Pompey, which likewise was made of pearls.

Plutarch sayth, that thys tryumph was deuided into two dayes: and yet the tyme would not suffise to make declaration of e­uerie part thereof.

Pompey brought to the Treasure in gold, siluer, and vessell, all which came by hys spoyles, twentie thousande Talents, which value twelue Millions, beside that which he gaue to his men of warre, of whom he that had least, had a thousande and fiue hundred Drachmes Attique, which value an hun­dred and fiftie Crownes.

The Romaine subsidies after the try­umph of Pompey, valued four-score and fiue Millions of Drachmes, which make eyght Millions & fiue hundred thousand crownes.

Pompey in the Playes which he made for the people, after his seconde Consulship, a­mongst other strange thinges, brought into the place called the great circle, by the La­tines Circus maximus, sixe hundred Lyons, whereof he had three hundred and fifteene all the Iubilie.

Therefore not without cause said Cice­ro in hys Officiis, that these were the most magnificent playes, that euer were before [Page] him. And when hee brought these beastes to be seene, it was to make them kil one an­other, or to make them fight against men, that were condemned to thys punishment.

Sylla was the first that shewed thys man­ner of fight to the people, beeing of an hun­dred together, yet Pompey brought into the Theater beside these Lyons, foure hundred and ten Panthers at one tyme.

Augustus shewed four hundred & twen­tie, and Caesar foure hundred Lyons. After­warde by the Emperours and Princes, thys kinde of pastime was very much vsed, and was called the chasing of wilde beasts, for the peoples pleasure.

The charges that Ptolome was at for the ayde of Pompey.

BUdaeus writeth, that one na­med Ptolome, succoured Pom­pey in the conquest of Iudea, who at his owne proper cost, gaue pay to eyght thousande Horsemen: and made a feast, whereat was present a thousand men sette at the Table, euery one hauing his Cuppe of gold, and each one changed at euery messe [Page] that was serued, a Cup of gold of a new and contrary fashion.

This riches commeth some-what neere to that of Pytheus of Bithinia, who gaue to King Darius of Persia, a Plane tree of gold, with the Vine of golde, whereof is stil reser­ued such fame and memory. Afterward he receiued Xerxes sonne to Darius, into hys houses, with his Armie of Souldiours, con­sisting of eyght hundred thousand men whē he discended into Greece.

Herodotus in his seauenth booke, saith, that after he had feasted them, hee gaue thē munificent gyfts: and offered the King to stipend his men during this warre, as also to furnish them with Corne.

Then Xerxes abashed heereat, demaun­ded who was the man that could make hys vaunt of so great a matter. He was answe­red, that it was Pytheus the rich, who gaue hys Father the Vine and Plane tree of Gold, when he passed that way, and was the verie richest man in all Asia next the King.

Heere-vpon Xerxes demaunded what summe of money hee could haue so great, as hee shoulde thinke sufficient to wadge hys Hoste: whereto Pytheus thus replyed.

Sir, when I vnderstoode that you woulde discend into Greece, to make it tributarie vnder [Page] your power: I regarded wel what summe I haue made count of. Before, I was determined to giue you all, therewith to disfray your charges. In the end of my account, I found that I had two thousand Talents of siluer, and in gold four hun­dred Myriades of Stat [...]r Dari [...]ks, wanting sea­uen thousande peeces. All this Sir, I giue you franckly: as for my selfe, & to maintaine my e­state, I only reserue the industrie of my seruants and slaues, with the reuenue of my labor, which is sufficient enough for me.

When Xerxes had considered the liberal mind of Pytheus, in brauery and iolitie of hart, he returned him this aunswer.

My friende, I giue thee all againe, and be­side, will furnish thee with the seauen thousande Daricks, which wants in thy number, to make vp the summe and account euen. And nothing els will I demaund of thee, but onely to continue my good and faithfull subiect.

This summe amounteth to sixe & thirty Millions of Crownes of the Crowne.

Budaeus sayth, that Xerxes ordinarily vsed for the payment of his Armie, euery Month two Millions, and foure hundred thousande Crownes of the Sun: giuing three Crownes to each one, as well the foote-men as the Horsemen.

Albeit this Pytheus was so rich, yet not­withstanding [Page] Plinie is of the opinion, that he was not to compare with Craesus king of Ly­dia, who had such store of Gold, as the value was not to be numbred.

The Tryumph that Lucullus made in Rome.

LUcullus in hys Try­umph that he made in Rome, among o­ther things, brought to the Treasurie a statue of gold, liuely figuring Mithrida­tes, whom he had cō ­quered: it was sixe foote long, hauing a a shield embellished and adorned with many precious stones. Moreouer, twenty Coffers full of siluer vessell, carried on mens shoul­ders, and thirty-two other Coffers, full of Vessell and Armours of golde, and golden money. Then followed eyght Mules draw­ing Coaches of golde, and fiftie sixe Mules loden with siluer, and an hundred and sea­uen Mules loden with money readie stam­ped: which amounteth to two hundred, three-score and ten Myriades, according as [Page] the Greeke note of Plutarch maketh menti­on, which are two Millions and seauen hun­dred thousand Crownes.

Hee gaue aboundance of treasure to hys Captaines and men of warre.

After he had made many banquets to the Cittizens of Rome, and to the neighbouring Villages about it: he with-drew himselfe, to leade the rest of his life in his studie.

He made one of the very fayrest & cost­liest Lybraries that euer was.

Plutarch sayth, that one day Pompey and Cicero beeing together, found Lucullus sette in the publique place of Rome, where he was musing, and they comming to him: after he had saluted them, hee inuited them to sup with him. But because they knew howe a­boundant and lauish he was in expence, they protested that they wold not goe wyth him, except hee woulde first promise them, not to sende any person home to hys House, to make readie any thing more then ordi­narie.

When Lucullus perceiued theyr intent, he said to them, I will fulfill your request, yet suffer me onely to aske in what Hall we shall sup: and then cryed aloud to one of his seruaunts, that he should spreade the Table in Apollos Hall.

[Page] The estate of his house was ordained ac­cording to the expences he made, and hee had seuerall Halles, distinguished for the receiuing and feasting of his guestes, where­in he had composed theyr names.

Thys Supper cost twelue hundred and fiftie Crownes.

Of the Emperour Nero, and of Seneca.

WEE reade in the 13. Booke of Cornelius Tacitus, that Se­neca, Schoole-maister to the Emperour Nero, was in great authoritie, managing all the asfayres of the estate for a certaine time: du­ring which while, he gathered great wealth, which did beget him many enemies, and a­mongst all, one Suyllius, who was highly in the Princes fauour, and therefore spake to the said Seneca in the presence of Nero, these words.

By what wisedome, by what instructions and doctrine of Phylosophy, wherein thou makest thy selfe studious, hast thou within lesse then the space of four yeeres, while the King hath borne thee fauour, and shewen thee signes of loue, got­ten [Page] together, three thousande times Sestertiaes, which value seauen Millions and fiue hundred thousand Crownes?

Notwithstanding, Seneca for that tyme escaped the conspiracie & accusation of hys enemies, but four yeeres after, seeing the au­thoritie he had, taken from him, and hys for­mer fauours diminished, aduertised likewise what charges and crimes were laide against him, and that the King easily lent hys eare to his enemies, and all things went very con­trary on his behalfe: of his owne accord he came to Nero, and spake to him by way of Oration, to saue his life, and to preuent the Kings crueltie.

It is four [...]teene yeeres or there-about (O King) since I came to yee, and eyght yeeres of this time haue you beene Emperour, in which space by you I haue gained such goods & honors: as there remaineth nothing for me more happie and full of felicitie, then by moderation and wisedome to knowe howe to escape too much.

After he had declared, wherein consisted riches and the aboundance of goods: he be­gan to accuse himselfe, that he had not kept the statutes of written knowledge, and liued onely in Phylosophie, which woulde haue taught him to be contented with a little, or enough: he thus proceeded.

[Page] Notwithstanding (my Lord) heerin I can alleadge some collour, or rather deliuer a lawful excuse: in that I coulde not well or honestlye withstande your liberalitie, or gaine-saie so high a will, proceeding onely by nobilitie of hart.

But nowe the matter is come to thys passe, as both the respects haue fulfilled their measure: for so much as a Prince could giue to a man be­ing great in his grace, haue you giuen to me, and strained foorth your selfe euen to the vttermost: I likewise haue receiued such aduauncement by you, as anie man what-soeuer coulde receiue of his Prince, continuing in such esteeme with him.

But no we there remaineth one thing, for I can-not endure anie further without your ayde and comfort, nor can I sustaine the burthen of swaying and gouerning the great reuenewes I haue, not hauing the safety and assurance of such mightie and opulent treasure.

Wherefore in this age I am weakened: and when no longer I can beare the weight of care & good husbandrie, I stand in greatest neede of your ayde and succour.

Let it then be your pleasure to take from me this charge, and commaunde your Officers to make seasure on all, and deliuer it into your hande, to whom it appertaineth: otherwise, I shall fall downe vnder this burthenous and op­pressing loade, For I see the time is come, when I [Page] ought recall to me my sences, & the neerest parts of my vnderstanding is not to be troubled with anie contrary thoughts.

These wordes spake Seneca, onely to e­scape death, yet Nero caused him be put to death, as of long time hee had practised and sought the occasion to doe it.

Pallas a seruaunt to Nero, in little while after he was at liberty: knew himselfe to be worth three thousande times Sestertiaes, as saith Cornelius Tacitus, which value seauen Millions, & fiue hundred thousand crownes.

Suetonius, speaking of the great prodiga­litie of Nero, sayth, that the King Tyridates of Armenia, came to see him in the Cittie of Rome, to whom Nero gaue ordinarilie daie by daie for maintenaunce of his estate, eyght hundred thousand Sestertiaes, which amount to twenty thousand Crownes of the Crowne: and gaue him at his departure thence, two Millions, & fiue hundred thou­sand Crownes.

Cornelius Tacitus in the seauenteenth Booke of his Histories, saith, that during the fourteene yeeres while Nero was Em­perour, hee spent in vnreasonable gyfts and liberalities, two and twentie thousand times Sestertiaes, which amount to fiue and fiftie Millions of Crownes.

[Page] Galba the Emperour that succeeded him, would haue made recall from such, to whom Nero so prodigally had giuen the goods of the Empire, and so haue left thē the te [...]thes: but he found that they had spent all, and fol­lowed their Maister in [...].

The prodigalitie of Tyberius.

SUetonius reciteth, that Tyberius the successour of Augu­stus, guyded by vio­lent auarice and ty­rannie, gathered in twenty three yeeres, while hee was in the Empyre, seauen and twentie thousand times Sestertiaes: which summe was asterward spent in one yeere by Calligula his next succeeder. The aforesaid summe amounteth to three-score & seauen Millions, & fiue hundred thousand Crownes of the Crowne.

Seneca in his Booke of Consolation, spea­king of the Emperor Calligula, & of his pro­digalitie, sayth: that at one feast or banquet, [Page] hee caused to be spent, and hundred tymes Sestertiaes, which value two hundred and fiftie thousand Crownes of the Crowne.

Of a Ladie called Lollia Paulina.

PLinie in the ninth Booke of his naturall Historie, saith, that hee sawe in Rome at a meane banquet, a Ladie na­med Lollia Paulina, who som­times was wife to the Emperour Calligula: that had her head, her necke, her breast, and her hands couered with Pearles and Eme­raldes, knit and curiouslie laced together. The least value heereof was iudged woorth foure hundred times Sestertiaes, which is a Million of Crownes of the Crowne.

Of the houses that Calligula and Nero caused to be built about the Cittie of Rome.

PLinie in his sixe & thirty booke saith. We haue seene the Cittie of Rome to be enuironed, and (as it were) walled about wyth houses, by the two Emperours, [Page] Calligula and Nero.

But albeit theyr houses were full of cost & great expence: yet the Theater of Scau­rus a Romaine Cittizen, surmounted the excesse of theyr prodigalitie, and yet it was made but for one Moneth onelie, no longer then the tyme as the Playes endured.

This peece of workmanship defaced the magnificence and memorie, not onely of the afore-named houses, but beside, it was found to be more sumptuous, as also of farre grea­ter statelines, pompe, & cost, then any buil­ding whereof memory is left.

The Scene of the Theater consifted of three Stages, whereon were three hundred and three-score Marble pyllers of Africa. They that were vnder-neath, were also of one peece, beeing eyght and thirty foote in height: the Scence was crosse-parted with Marble, and the Stage in the middest all of Glasse: neuer was any thing so much talked of and wondred at.

The plaine place where the people were appointed, was able to containe foure-score thousand persons: three thousande Images of Copper, did beautifie and adorne the place for Playes.

For the rest, such was the wonderfull ri­ches of apparell, Tapistries of Gold, Tables [Page] and auncient renowmed Pictures: as the true report thereof would seeme incredible.

Suetonius and Plinie, speaking of the gol­den house of Nero, which commonlie was called the house of Golde: saith, that there were within the Galleries three Stages, bee­ing each of them a thousand paces long.

Also there was a Ponde so great, as it see­med to be a Sea enuironed with buildings: resembling in euery poynt a goodly Cittie.

Of the Treasure found [...] in Tolosa.

IN the Cittie of Tolosa, (as Strabo sayth) was founde fifteene thousande Ta­lents, in golde and siluer, beside the vessels: which amount to nine Millions of Crownes. So likewise reciteth Posidonius, and there were founde the hallowed Nets, wherewith neuer anie man fished, to preuent that the rich Pyllers should not be discouered.

The Romaines sold the fish of these Nets after they had subiected the Countrey, not­withstanding they were dedicated to the [Page] Gods: the Merchants by this occasiō found the Gold, which therein had beene cast in a mighty masse or heape.

Cicero in his third Booke of the nature of the Gods, sayth, that it was decreed by the Senate, that punishment should be inflicted on such as had taken away the treasure from the Tolosians.

Iustin in his two and thirty Booke, sayth, that it was Cepio a Consul of Rome, who had committed this sacriledge: and that all they of his companie, which shared or had por­tion in thys Gold, dyed very miserably.

Hee sayth more-ouer, that among thys Treasure was found beside, an hundred and ten thousand pounds of Gold, and fifteene hundred thousand pounds of siluer: which is (as it were) a treble summe to that before named.

Aulus Gellius, in the third booke of hys Uigillia Attica, sayth, that when any one fell into some notorious or detestable mis-for­tune, or dyed an euill death, they would pre­sently say vnto him: Hee tooke parte of the bootie in Tolosa.

Of the condemnation of Gabinius.

CIcero sayth in one of his Ora­tions, that Gabinius a Cittizen of Rome, was condemned in tenne thousande Talents, to the Common-wealth: which doe amount to the summe of sixe Millions of Crownes.

Of the Emperour Adrian.

ADrian the Emperour, gaue to to his Legionaries, three thousand tymes Sestertiaes: which are seauen Millions, and fiue hundred thousande Crownes.

Budaeus sayth, that in the life of Adrian, is made mention, howe hee gaue vnto them tenne Millions of Golde.

The reuenue of Crassus.

CRassus a Cittizen of Rome, had as his reuenue yeere by yere, according to the description of Plinie, two hundred and fiftie thousand Crownes.

The reuenue of the Kingdome of Egipt.

STrabo a Greeke Authour, in the seauenteenth booke of his Cosmographie and discription of the worlde, declareth, that the reue­nue of the Kingdome of Egipt, which afterwarde was brought into a Prouince by Augustus: valued in the tyme of Ptolome, sirnamed the Fluter, twelue thou­sande and fiue hundred Talents, which are seauen Millions and fiue hundred thousand Crownes.

Hee was chased out of Egipt for his dis­solute life: afterwarde, re-established by Pompey, and not long after slaine by hys Sonne.

Of Cato.

IT is affirmed, that Cato brought with him, from the Country of Egipt, to the Trea­surie of Rome, foure Millions and two thousande Crownes: by way of a confiscation, because Ptolome of Cyprus, had conspired against Claudius the Romaine Tribune.

Of Lucrius.

THE afore-named Greek Au­thour Strabo saith, that Lu­crius of the Countrey of Au­uergue, was so rich, as to make estimation and shewe of hys wealth, diuers tymes he would mount into a Chariot, and cause himselfe to be drawne a­long the fieldes, where he would spread or scatter money, both gold & siluer, by means whereof, he was continually followed with a great multitude of people.

Hys Father named Bytius, with his Ar­mie of two hundred thousand men of warre, fought in a maine battaile against two Ro­maine Consulles.

Of the Emperour Vespasian.

VEspasian the Emperour, (as Budaeus sayth) leueyed such Subsidies and Taxes on the Empire, as the sum amoun­ted to fortie thousand tymes Sestertiaes, which come to an hundred Mil­lions of Crownes.

Hee sayth, that this was to reforme the [Page] publique estate, which his predecessours Calligula and Vitellius, two dissolute Princes, had ruined, and waste-fully destroyed the goods of the Empyre, treading vnder foote the dignity thereof.

Of the Hierd of Syria.

EXceeding great, (saith Strabo) was the Hierde of Beastes which they had in Syria: wherin were thirty thousand Mares, and three hundred light Stallions: these were the first people that tamed Horsses, and therefore had wa­ges of the Kinges.

Of Seuerus.

ONE Spartianus an auncient Hystorian, saith, that Seue­rus at hys decesse, left to the state publique, a Canon of Corne for seauen yeeres: the manner therof was, to furnish for each day, three-score and fifteene thousand Vesselles called Tunnes, with Corne.

The Romaine and Attique Tun, resem­bleth very neere the measure or bushell of [Page] Paris, where-with a man may maintain him­selfe eyght daies: whereby wee may easilie gather, that three-score & sisteene thousand such Tunn [...]s of Corne, will [...] day by day to nourish sixe hundred thousand men.

This Canon of Corne was first instituted by the Emperour Tra [...], and then re-esta­blished by Seuerus, according to the opinion of Lampridius, sette downe in the lise of He­ltogabalus.

This Canon of Corne was such an ex­cellent thing, as thereby was furnished eue­ry daie a like quantitie of Corne, to serue o­penlie the Market, & distribute to the peo­ple: beside the reuenue of each one, & what else was brought in by the Country into the publique Market.

And thus they tooke vp in Alexan­dria, Africa, Sicilia, and diuers other pla­ces, great aboundance of Corne: which was thus ordained against the lacke of Corne, because in Italic the dearth thereof manie tymes happened: by reason of the warres and troubles, which hindered mens labours in tylling the earth, so that the whole Coun­trey lay long tyme together fallowe and vn­manured.

Of Spayne abounding in Mynes of Gold, and of that which Haniball had.

BOthe Plinie and Strabo doe record, that Spayne hath abounded in rich Mynes of Gold & Sil­uer: especiallie, Gra­nado and Andalozia, which Strabo calleth by the name of Betica.

Polibius sayth, that in his tyme neere to Carthage the ninth, coasting the Leuant Sea, towards Africa, and from thence to the floode of Hyberia: there was a Myne of sil­uer, which yeelded daily to the Romaines, twenty hundred thousand Drachmes, which are fiue and twentie thousand Crownes.

Plinie saith, that Haniball had a Mine of Siluer, named Bebetus, which yeelded to him day by day, three hundred pound weight of siluer, which commeth to three Millions of Crownes: and that in Asturia, Gallicia, and Portugall, he gathered yeerely twenty thou­sand pounds of Gold.

This summe amounteth to thirty thou­sande Markes of Golde: whereby wee may [Page] plainly perceiue, that golde and siluer was more plentifull & aboundant in elder times, then they are at this present.

These two Mettalles are diminished by succession of time: for continually it peri­sheth by vse, workmanship, shyp-wracks, by hyding and burying treasure in the ground, and otherwife. Also the Mynes are robd, spoiled, lost and come to nothing, as euery day it is witnessed before our owne eyes.

Of the Crownes, recompences and other rewards which the Romaines gaue to their Souldi­ours: and the punishment of the offenders. Comprehending therein an excellent good order for warre, as also the gouernment of the Common-Wealth.

YEE may read in diuers Au­thours, that the Romaines e­uer vsed, not onely to grati­fie and rewarde theyr Cap­taines with ordinarie wa­ges: but likewise in doing them infinite other graces, by gifts and pre­sents. They woulde honour them in diuers and sundry manners, as with Crownes and Iewels, holding them in particuler esteeme [Page] and reputation, according to the desert of their deedes of Armes, so were they wont to respect and regard them.

VVhen a Captaine had gotten victorie in any notable battaile, were it vpon the Sea or on the Land, or that by force he had taken any Cittie, or doone anie other singuler en­terprise: they had a custome immediatly af­ter, to make dilligent enquirie of the prow­esses of the particuler Bands & Squadrons. Then mounting vp into the Theater, where after they had giuen thanks to the Gods for the victorie obtained: in generall they wold make commendation of their whole Armie, and specially, they would praise and extoll those Bandes or Squadrons, which in fight had most valiantlie behaued themselues.

Then naming the particuler men of that Companie by their names, publiquely they woulde commende theyr vertue and valour, according to their deserts, calling thē friends to their Countrey, and saying that the Com­mon-wealth was very much bound to them. This doone, they bestowed gifts on them, of Gold, siluer, of Crownes, Girdles, Brace­lets, Iewels, Armours, and verie excellent Horsses, with other thinges of most exqui­site workmanship: beside, with such pro­hibitions and defences, as it was permitted [Page] that no person should enioy the like except hee had deserued to haue them in this man­ner.

The Histories are plentifullie enriched with these matters, and namelie Titus Li­uius, lib. 10. and 30. Titus Li­uius, speaking of the Consull Paperius Cen­sor, that gaue Bracelets of golde to fourteene Centurions, and to one Squadron hee gaue I knowe not what ornaments: the like is said of Scipio, when he was in Spayne and o­ther places. The Crownes they gaue, had diuers significant names, according to the degrees of their deserts: they had Corona Obsidionalis, Corona Tryumphalis, Corona O­ualis, Corona Ci [...]ica, Corona Muralis, Coro­na Naualis, and Corona Castrensis.

Plinie lib. 16. et 22. Aul. Gel. 5. Plinis and Plinie lib. 16. et 22. Aul. Gel. 5. Aulus Gellius saie, that the most esteemed and excellent of all, was the Crowne Obsidionall, which came from the circle or seate of the Campe, and was gy­uen onely for hauing deliuered an Hoast of mē besiedged in a close Citty, or in a Campe verie strictlie enuironed: so that by such deedes of Armes, that part or men of warre, reputed themselues deliuered from prison or from death: for no other cause what-soe­uer it were, could any man receiue this prize of honour.

This Crowne was made of greene hearbs, [Page] they not esteeming or respecting to make it of Gold or other Mettall: but onelie of the hearbes of the fielde, from whence the ene­mie had beene chased. With this Crowne was crowned the great Quintus Fabius, be­cause when Haniball stood against Rome, he both defended & deliuered it frō the siedge. Aemilius Scipio was so crowned likewise in Africa, for hauing deliuered the Consull Manlius, with certaine Bands of men. Cal­furnius obtained the like in Scicilie: & like­wise the valiant Romane L. Cincinatus Den­tatus, with diuers other.

Corona Ciuica, or the Cittizen Crowne, was a Garland made of the leaues of an Oa­ken bough, with the fruite vpon it: and this was giuē to him, that in extreame peril saued a Cittizen, killing his enemy, and defending still manfully the place where the occasion happened. This Crowne or Garlande was so much esteemed, as readily a man shoulde be founde that had saued a Romaine Citti­zen, who at his deliuerance had slaine two of his enemies: but because hee coulde not maintaine and defende the place, according as it was appointed, they doubted whether they had deserued this Cittizen Crowne or no. Notwithstanding it was concluded, that such a one should be dispensed withall, and [Page] it was graunted him, seeing he had deliuered the Cittizen and slaine two ofhis enemies in a place so dangerous: that (beyond his pow­er) he should not stand to defend the same, albeit the poynt of the Law consisted there­in.

And although one had deliuered a King, or a Captaine of the Confederats & friends, yet might not this Garlande bee giuen him, without he had deliuered a Romaine. I finde that Plinie saith, that the selfe same Crowne was giuen to him, who slewe the first enemy that mounted on the walles of any Citty or Fortresse defended by the Romaines.

Then was this Cittizen Crown the most excellent, next after the Obsidionall, and it might be worne at all times, & in all places. And if hee that had deserued this Crowne, were of such esteeme, that in feastes or The­aters he alwaies had his place neerest to the Senate, & when he entred, the Senate would rise on foote to doe him honour: he was al­so exempt & free from any office or charge what-soeuer, vnlesse himselfe pleased to ac­cept thereof: and by reason of his exempti­on, so was his Father and Grand-father, if they liued.

Many Romaines obtained this Crowne, and especially the most valiant Cincinatus [Page] Dentatus heere-to-fore named: hee wonne foureteene of them. The younger Capitolinus had sixe: and to Cicero (by particuler dis­pence) was graunted one, because he defen­ded Rome from the conspiracie of Catalme. These Crownes whereof wee haue spoken, although they were but of hearbes & leaues, which more properly may be tearmed Gar­landes, or (according to the French) Chap­lets of flowers: yet neuerthelesse they were more esteemed then they that were of gold.

As for the Crowne Murall, that was of gold, and it was giuen to him, who at the as­sault of the wall of a Cittie or Castell: moū ­ted first on the Ladder and freed the wall, standing there still like a Bulwarke for de­fence thereof. The first (according to Pli­nie) that obtained this Crowne, was Manli­us Capitolinus. Scipio also gaue it to Quintus Trebelius, and Sextus Digitus, because they two together before any other, wun first the walles against the enemy.

Corona Castrensis, was giuen to him that in the fight entred first within the enemies barre: this Crowne was likewise of Golde, made like to the Rampiers or Bulwarkes in the fielde of warre.

Of selfe same Mettall was the Crowne Nauall, which was giuen to the first that (in [Page] fight on the Sea) boorded the enemies ves­sell: and it was made in forme of a prow or poynt of a Ship. Marcus Varro did not dis­daine this Crowne, when it was offered him by Pompey the great, in the warres of Corsi­ca. Octauius presented the like to Marcus Agrippa, and to Sylla, beside diuers other which heere I name not. And when any Ro­mame Souldiour, were he noble or vn-noble had made any other proofe of his bodie, ey­ther by course of the Launce, or in single Combat: the Romaine Captaines, (as testifie Plinie and Suetonius) were wont to gyue him Collers of golde and siluer, or Bracelets, or Gyrdles, as I haue before saide, with other priuiledges and preheminences.

These or such like prizes, they might giue to their friends that had ayded them in warre: but as for the Crownes, they were re­serued onely for the Romaines, of all which things we find notable examples in the Ro­maine Histories.

Suetonius writeth, that Octauius permit­ted Marcus Agrippa to beare a banner of Azure, because of a victory he obtained on the Sea against Sextus Pompeyus. And if I shoulde say, this was hee which deuised the Collers, the rich coates of Maile, and other gyfts, which were particularly appointed for [Page] these affaires: it woulde require too large a discourse to declare the whole matter and manner thereof. Neuerthelesse it is to bee noted, that the Romaines were so valiant, as euerie one gained the honor of these things, or at the least the greater part: for Plinie & Solinus naming diuers, amōg others affirme, that Marcus Sergius attained the greater part; And in the battaile of Thrasimen and Treuia, where the Romaines were vanqui­shed by Hanniball, he won Corona Ciuica, & likewise in the ouer-throwe at Carinas. This man was so valiant, that hauing lost his right hand in the battaile, he behaued himselfe so wel with the left, as also with a hand of yron, which hee caused to be made in sted of that hee had lost: as in one day hee defied foure men in the fielde of battaile, one after ano­ther, and vanquished thē all: in which Com­bats and other fights, he receiued onelie on the fore-part of his body, three and twentie woundes.

Yet not this Marcus Sergius, or any one beside, won or deserued so much, as Lucius Cincinatus Dentatus, Tribune of the people, of whom we spake before: of him writ Pli­nie, Solinus, Ualerius the great, and Aulus Gellius, who say, that in Iewels and presents of prize, some greater then other, he won by [Page] braue deeds of Armes, three hundred twen­tie and more: that he entred with nine Cap­taines, in making their tryumphes, & whom he had ayded in their victories. He had a great number of broken Launces, or Trun­chions of Speares, & Pykes without yrons, whereby he wonne great honour: hee had eyghteene Collers of gold, foure-score and three of siluer, of harnesse & accoustrements for Horsses, heereto particulerly deputed, fiue and twentie, an hundred & forty brace­lets, fourteene Crownes Cittizen, eyght Ca­strensis, three Murall, one Obsidionall, and I know not how many Nauall.

He was wounded in these battailes with forty fiue wounds, all on the fore-part of his body, and but one behinde, hee had thirtie foure times disarmed and despoyled his ene­mie, and had been in sixe and twenty fough­ten Battailes: he was so valiant & fortunate in Armes, as he was named the Romaine A­chilles: and albeit these deedes of hys may seeme incredible, yet the number and con­formitie of Histories doe plainely iustifie them.

The Romaines for these great exployts of Armes, graunted them yet other honours & preheminences: as the power of publique iudgement, seating them in the yuorie [Page] Chaire called Curialis, which was the seat of the Ediles and Pretors, as it was permitted to Scipio: & oftentimes they yeelded to souldi­ours the greatest authorities, according as it was lawfull for the people to doe it, beeing a degree of estate subiect to the liberty of the Fathers conscript, and of the people. It was lawful for the Captaines to erect tryumphal statues, and to clothe or deck them as if they had beene Consuls.

The Senate permitted by manner of re­ward and congratulation, that they might bring to the Temples, the Armes & spoiles of the enemies vanquished by them in Bat­taile: and these things were named Manu­biae, that is to say, the booties gotten from the enemies. The Romaines had another lauda­ble custome, which was, to giue to the chyl­dren of such as had been slaine in warre, like wages as they gaue their Fathers when they liued: and to the old Souldiours, which had long time followed seruice, they would giue so much good and substantiall lande, as they might very wel liue thereon: suffering them to dwell in Citties and Prouinces that had beene conquered, euen as themselues plea­sed to like or chuse.

In this sort the Citty of Ciuill was made by Caesar a Romaine Colonie: from which [Page] tearme we may easily deriue our french say­ing, of a newe habitation or transmigration of people. Cordo [...] was also made a Colonie by this meane, and infinite other in dyuers Prouinces.

In breese, the Romaines neuer left any good turne vnrewarded, and without great priuiledge: for which cause was founde a­mongst them the most valiant men, that euer haue beene in any Nation, because each one stroue to attaine these degrees onelie by vertue.

I leaue many other sorts of rewards, which the Romaines vsed in case of Armes, in that I imagine I haue spoken sufficiently: not­withstanding, it is a thing certaine, that if they haue gone beyond all other Nations, in reknowledging & remunerating such good actions: it cannot likewise be denyed, but in learning & punishment of disorders, they haue doone much more. For if any one were not acquainted with honour and vertue, yet shame and feare of punishment, with-helde him from doing any vile deede, were it tho­row necessity or in hope of gaine: because the paines were so great & rigorous against such as did badly.

For if they lost any honour wherto they had been called, or that they had been whip­ped [Page] euen to the blood: they were thrust in­to yrons as they had beene slaues, and if they had fled, leauing their Captaines in the bat­taile, they were eyther thrust vpon a spyt, or otherwise extreamely handled, and so accor­ding to theyr offence was the punishment inflicted.

Titus Liuius writeth, that a Squadron of Appius Claudius, to whom hee had in charge the keeping of a certaine place, for­sooke it and lost it: which he being desirous to punish, yet notwithstanding mercifullie, it was graunted him to sunder them in tenne to a company, afterward Lots were cast, and they to whom the chaunce happened, were punished with death for safetie of the other. Iulius Frontinus sayth, that Marcus Antonius dyd the like to a Band of hys, which had not defended his Rampiers, but suffered the e­nemies to set them on fire.

They vsed sundrie other punishments to to their disobedient Souldiours, whereof would aske a long tyme to speak: wherfore onely I say, that as in those times there was no default in honoring & rewarding good­nesse, so likewise was there no defect in pu­nishing wickednesse.

Of the seauen Wonders or Meruailes of the World.

Of the great Treasure found in Pouilla.

IN the time of Robert Gu [...]s­cardo, in Pouilla was found a statue of Marble, which had about the head in manner of a Garlande, a circle of brasse, wherein was engrauen these Latine wordes.

‘Calendis Maii, oriente Sole, aurum caput habebo.’

Which is to say, In the Calends of Maie, at the rising of the Sunne, I shall haue a heade of golde. Robert searched long to know the signification of these words, yet coulde hee not find any one to instruct him in the true vnderstanding: vntill at last there was a Sa­ra [...]en, well skilled in the Magique Arte, be­ing prisoner to Robert, hauing [...]st demaun­ded his liberty in recompence of the inter­pretation, he offered todisclose the wordes written on the statue. His deliueraunce be­ing graunted by the Duke Guyscardo, he de­clared [Page] them in this manner, to wit. On the day of the Calendes of May, at the rysing of the Sun, he obserued and marked the place where the shadow of the statues heade fini­shed on the ground, and there he commaun­ded thē to dig very deepe, by which meanes should be vnderstoode the meaning of the word.

Robert caused a deepe digging to bee made in the appointed place, where in little while was discouered and founde a mightie masse of Treasure, which gaue him good & principall ayde in his meruailous enterpri­ses. And for the Saracen, beside other recō ­pences he receiued of Robert: the recouery of his liberty was the most ioyfull thing, which in al the world could happen to him.