CLAUDIUS' AELIANUS His Various History LONDON Printed for Thomas Dring at the George in Fleetstreet near St Dunstan's Church 1666. TO The Lady NEWTON Madam HAving in obedience to a Father's command made his first attempt upon Learning ●…y duty next directs me to lay it ●…t your ladyship 's feet The Original I received from a Person ●…hose loss can never be too much ●…mented by any but yourself ●…y dearest Cousin and your in●…omparable Son Mr Newton Par●…on me Madam that I have awa●…ed a Grief which is always too busy in disturbing your rest I will therefore forbear those praises due to his memory which upon any other account it were a kind of Sacrilege to suppress and shall only beg your ladyship 's pardon for this Address which affords me the honour of being known to be Madam Your ladyship 's Most obedient Nephew and most humble Servant THOMAS STANLEY Preface TO pass by that Aelian if his name were such for some Copies read Helian others Hadrian whom Martial lib. 12. Epigr. 24. mentions as his contemporary and friend The first eminent person of this name was the Author of the Tactics who appears to have been not a Roman but a Grecian in regard he acknowledgeth in his Preface that he had no knowledge of the Roman Tactics The time wherein he lived is manifestly collected from the same Preface which he addresseth to the Emperor Adrian and in it saith that he met Nerva at Formiae Later in time as being contemporary with Philostratus the Lemnian who lived under Severus was Aelian the Sophist of whom Philostratus gives this account Aelian was a Roman but spoke Greek as purely as those who lived in the midst of Attica This man seems to me worthy of praise First because though he lived in a City which used another Language yet he arrived at the purity of the Greek Next because being honoured by the Title of Sophist by those who used to confere such attributes he was nothing the more confident of himself nor conceited of his own opinion nor exalted with so great a title but making scrutiny into himself and finding himself not proper for public declamations he gave himself to writing in which he was admirable His style is unaffected with a gracefulness beyond Nicostratus Sometime he imitates Dion and his way On a time Philostratus the Lemnian found him intent upon a Book and reading it with anger and eagerness he asked him what he was about He answered I am making a declamation against Gynnis for so I name that Tyrant who so lately by his infamous life dishonoured Rome Philostratus replied I should have admired you if you had declaimed against him whilst he was living for to oppose a living Tyrant is manly but every one can revile him when dead This man said that he never went out of Italy that he never went on Shipboard or saw the Sea for which he was much respected by the Romans as one that loved their manners He was a hearer of Pausanius but he admired Herod as the most florid of all Orators He lived above threescore years and died without issue for he approved not the having of Children or marriage Suidas more briefly of the same Aelian of Preneste in Italy chief Priest and Sophist surnamed Claudius called Meliglossus and Melipthongus taught Rhetoric in Rome in the times after Adrian Suidas implieth that he lived under Antoninus who succeeded Adrian but that he was not the same with the other Aelian Author of the Tactics This last Aelian in all probability was the Author of this Treatise as also of that concerning living Creatures both which are one style and that much different from his who wrote the Tactics In his Treatise concerning living Creatures he citys Dion Cassius' who lived under Severus In this he takes many passages out of Athenaeus not Athenaeus out of him for Athenaeus is very punctual in citing his Authors omitted by the other ON Aelian his Various History Translated into English by Mr Thomas Stanley the hopeful and only Son of my dearest Friend Thomas Stanley of Cumberlow Esquire AELIAN as if affecting to be known To others in a Language not his own This Curious Piece thought fit at first t' express Though native Roman in a Grecian dress You kind to him and us what lay concealed In a learned Tongue have in our own revealed And taught our generous Youth by this Essay T' improve those hours they vainly cast away Your blooming years forth early Virtues shoot And ere we Leaves expected show us Fruit Such and so various as must needs invite The dull and please the curious appetite Not to know what was done ere we were born Is to live Children still the too-just scorn Of many an aged head This slothful crime Your industry refells looks back on Time And shows as present in old Aelian's Glass Whatever of rarest note long since did pass And that transmitted in a style and phrase As pleasing as the * Lib. 3. Chap. 1. Tempe it displays Go on dear Sir Go on and nobly trace Iülus-like though with unequal pace Your learned Father's steps who does engage By so much Worth this too ungrateful age And think it still your best concern you should Be like him in Variety of Good Edw. Sherburne To Mr THOMAS STANLEY ON His Translation of AELIAN's Various History IF from a Glorious Morn we justly may Take a Prognostic of th' ensuing Day What do these early glories promise when You shall arrive at your Meridian When at an Age others scarce read their own The Roman and Greek Tongues to you are known Which like some subtle Merchant coasting o'er Not in the search of Spices or of Ore You at a Noble way of Traffic aim Bring Learning home to barter here for Fame YE have made a fair Return let your success Tempt you to Sea again Nor could we less Expect from you whose happy Birthright lays Hereditary claim unto the Bayss For to be much and early learn'd's your fate Not to be so were to degenerate Go on in your Paternal tracks of Fame T' entail the style of Learned on your Name And let the Trophies of your Labours be As Various as your Aelian's History But I these vain Encouragements might spare What we would have you be is what you are Richard Stokes M. D. AELIAN's Various History The First BOOK CHAP. I. Of the Polypus THE * A Fish so named from having many feet Polypusses are so ravenous that they devour all they light on so that many times they abstain not even from one another The lesser taken by the greater and falling into his stronger nets which are usually called the hairs or grasps of the Fish becometh his prey They also betray Fishes in this manner lurking under the Rocks they change themselves to their colour and seem to be all one with the Rock itself When therefore the Fishes swim to the Rocks and so to the Polypus they entangle them in their nets or grasps CHAP. II. Of Spiders The art of weaving and the gifts of the Goddess * Minerva Ergane Spiders neither know nor require for what should such a Creature do with woven garments The web is only spread as a net for such things as fall into it whilst she standing still immovable keeps watch whatsoever falls in she eats it being as much as the web can hold is enough to satisfy her hunger CHAP. III. Of the Egyptian Frogs The Egyptian kind of Frogs hath a peculiar wisdom and far excelleth all other For if a Frog meeteth a Serpent bred in Nilus she biteth off a piece of reed and holds it as fast as she can  and will not let it go The Serpent is not able to swallow the reed because his mouth is not so wide as the reed Thus the Frog by wisdom overcomes and masters the strength of the Serpents CHAP. IU. Of the Egyptian Dog This also is wise in the Egyptian Dogs they drink of the River not greedily or freely stooping and lapping till they have at the same time satisfied their thirst for they are afraid of the Creatures in it but run along the bank and catch up drink by stealth at times till at last they have allayed their thirst by snatches without receiving harm CHAP. V. Of the Sea Fox The Fox not only the Land-beast is wily but the Sea-Fox very cunning for she scruples not the bait neither being greedy refrains from it but contemneth the hook for before the Fisher can pluck up the reed she leaps up and gnawing the line asunder swims away So that many times she swallows two or three hooks yet the Fisherman cannot get her for his Supper CHAP. VI Of Sea Tortoises The Sea-Tortoises lay upon land and having laid they immediately bury their eggs in the ground and returning to their usual abode swim there They are so good accomptants that having reckoned forty days in which time the eggs are hardened and become living creatures they returning to the place where they hid what they laid and digging up the earth which they had cast upon them lead their young away now able to follow them CHAP. VII Of wild Swine Wild Swine are not wholly ignorant of Physic and Medicine for if unwittingly they have eaten Henbane whereby their hinder parts are contracted with a kind of Palsy though thus shrunk up they make to the waters where they get Crabs and eat them with all haste These afford remedy of their ill and make them sound again CHAP. VIII Of the Phalangium The * A kind Spider Phalangium is as hurtful to Dear as to Men If they by't the Deer they are in danger of dying quickly after it yet if they taste Ivy the bite will not harm them But it must be wild Ivy. CHAP. IX Of the Lion sick When a Lion is sick nothing will cure him but to eat an Ape CHAP. X. How the Cretan Goats cure themselves when shot The Cretans are excellent Archers they shoot the Goats which feed on the tops of mountains which being hurt immediately eat of the herb D●…ttany which as soon as they have tasted the Arrow drops out CHAP. XI That Mice have Prescience Mice also are to be reckoned among creatures of greatest Prescience for when a House decayeth and is ready to fall they first perceive it and leaving their holes and former dwellings run away as fast as they can and remove to new CHAP. XII Of Pismires Pismires also as I am informed have some kind of Prescience for when there shall be a Famine they take pains extraordinarily to carry in provision and lay up corn and other grain on which they feed CHAP. XIII Of Gelo. Gelo the Syracusian dreaming that he was thunder-st●…uck cried out not with a soft or low voice as is usual in dreams but aloud being exceedingly affrighted The dog which lay asleep by him wakened with the cry went round about him and fell a barking fiercely and eagerly By which means Gelo was at once delivered from sleep and fear CHAP. XIV Of the Swan Aristotle saith that the Swan begets a fair and numerous offspring but that they are prone to anger fight and killing one another He also affirms the Swans war with the Eagles but so as that they resist only not begin the assault It is commonly reported they sing sweetly but I never heard a Swan sing nor perhaps any man else yet it is believed she sings and then especially as is said she sings most sweetly and pleasantly when she draws near her end They cross the Sea and fly too over it yet their wings never are tired CHAP. XV. Of Pigeons They report that Pigeons the male and the female sit upon their eggs by turns which being hatched the male bedews them with a kind of spittle to avert envy and as it is said that they may not be liable to fascination The female lays two eggs of which the first always proveth a male the second a female They lay all the year long so that they bring forth young ten times in the year Of Egypt it is reported that Pigeons lay twelve times a year in that Country Aristotle asserts that wood-pigeons are d●…fferent from house-pigeons these being bigger those lesser besides house-pigeons are tame wood-pigeons wild He also affirms that the male couples not with the female till he hath kissed her for she will not admit his society without a kiss *** But if we credit Callimachus the Phassa the Pyrallis the House-pigeon and the Turtle are nothing alike The Indian Relations tell us that in India there are yellowish Pigeons Charon of Lampsacus affirms that about Athos there were seen white Pigeons when the Persian Galleys coasting about Athos were defeated there At Eryx in Sicily is the renowned and sacred Temple of Venus where when the Erycinians celebrate the Feast Anagogia at which time they say Venus removes from Sicily to Libya all the Pigeons disappear as if they went along with the Goddess At all times else it is certain that a great number of these Birds are about the Temple Moreover the Achaeans report that Jupiter falling in love with a Virgin named Phthia turned himself to a Pigeon Phthia lived at Aegium CHAP. XVI Of Socrates drinking Hemlock When the Ship returned from Delos and Socrates was now to die Apollodorus a friend of Socrates coming to him in Prison brought him a Vest of fine cloth and rich with a Gown of the same desiring him that he would put on that Vest and Gown when he was to drink the poison since he should not fail of handsome Funeral-Robes if he died in them For it is not * Reading unfit that a dead body should be covered vere with decent ornaments Thus Apollodorus to Socrates But he would not permit it saying to Crito Simmias and Phaedo How high an opinion hath Apollodorus of us if he believe that after I have pledged the Athenians and taken the potion he shall see Socrates any more For if he thinks that he which shall shortly lie at your feet extended on the ground is Socrates it is certain he knows me not CHAP. XVII Of a very little Chariot and an Elegiac Distich The admired little works of Myrmecides a Milesian and Callicrates a Lacedaemonian They made Chariots with four horses which a fly might cover They writ an Elegiac Distich in golden letters in a Sesamum Neither of which a wise man I think will praise for what are these but a vain waste of time CHAP. XVIII Of Women vain in apparel Were not many Women among the Ancients luxurious in apparel They wore on their heads a high Coronet on their feet Chiappines They had also long Earrings hanging at their ears That part of their Gowns which reacheth from the shoulder to the hand was not sowed together but fastened all along with buttons of gold and silver Thus did the women among the Ancients The vanity of the Athenian women let Aristophanes relate CHAP. XIX The Luxury of the Sybarites Colophonians and Corinthians It is a common saying and known to all that to the Sybarites and the City Sybaris the cause of destruction was their great luxury But I will relate what is not commonly known They say that the Colophonians also were ruined by excessive luxury for they also went proudly attired were lavish at their Tables far beyond need and apt to affront others Likewise the reign of the Bacchiadae at Corinth when they had arrived to great power was destroyed by immoderate luxury CHAP. XX. Of Dionysius his Sacrilege Dionysius plundered all the Temples of Syracuse of their Treasure From the Statue of Jupiter he took the Robe and Ornaments valued at fourscore and five Talents of gold The public Artificers not being forward to touch the Statue he first laid hands upon it He likewise rob Apollo's Image of a golden Periwig which he commanded to be cut off Sailing thence to TroeZene he impiously took away all the Treasure of Apollo and Leucothea He also having drank a * a cup which they used to drink after meals after which the Tables were taken away grace-cup commanded a silver Table which stood by Apollo to be taken away CHAP. XXI How Ismenias without dishonour adored the King of Persia. I cannot omit the wise and t●…uly Grecian action of Ismenias a Theban Being by his Country sent Ambassador to the King of Persia he went thither and would have spoken himself to the Persian about his business but the Captain whose office it was to report business to the King and to conduct such as were admitted to his presence told him Theban he spoke this merrily by an Interpreter the Captain 's name Tithraustes the Law of the Persians is that he who cometh into the King's presence shall not speak with him till he hath first * Falling prostrate adored him If therefore you will go in person to him you must do what the Law requires otherwise your business may be done by us though you adore not Conduct me said Ismenias When he came into the King's presence he plucked off a Ring which he had upon his finger and letting it secretly drop stooped down as if he had adored and took it up again making the King believe that he adored yet he did nothing that might dishonour the Greeks By this means he obtained all that he requested and was not denied any thing by the Persian Emperor CHAP. XXII The gifts which the Kings of Persia used to bestow upon Ambassadors The gifts which the King gave to Ambassadors who came to him either from Greece or elsewhere were these To every one a Babylonian Talon of finest silver two silver Cups * Read each weighing a Talon The Babylonian Talon makes twenty two Attic pounds He gave them also a Scimitar and Bracelets and a Chain all which were valued at a thousand Daricks Likewise a Median Vest which they called a Dorophorick CHAP. XXIII Of Gorgias and Protagoras Among the ancient Greeks Gorgias the Leontine son of Philolaus and Protagoras son of Democritus were famous as to Rhetorical opinion yet were they as far short of others in wisdom as boys are of men For opinion neither hears nor sees clearly whence it oftentimes errs overprizing some things undervaluing others CHAP. XXIV Of the Contest betwixt Hercules and Lepreas Glaucon or Caucon son of Neptune had by Astydamia daughter of Phorbas a son named Lepreas who counselled Augeas to cast Hercules in bonds when he came to demand the reward of his labours Hereupon as it seems Lepreas was hated by Hercules for this advice Afterwards the son of Jupiter Hercules went to * To demand revenge on h●…s son so Schess●…r Caucon but at the intercession of Astydamia laid aside all enmity towards Lepreas Then there happened a youthful emulation between them and they challenged one another at the Discus and to draw Wate●… and which of them could first eat an Ox In all which Lepreas was overcome Hereupon another contention arose which of them could drink most in which also Lepreas was worsted At last moved with anger and indignation he challenged Hercules to single combat Thus he received punishment for his counsel to Augeas for he was slain in the fight CHAP. XXV Of Alexander's magnificence to Photion and his to Alexander Alexander the son of Philip or if any one likes it better of Jupiter for to me it is all one to Photion the Athenian Captain only began his letters with the usual form of salutation Hail so much has Photion won upon the Macedonian He also sent him a hundred Talents of silver and named four Cities of which he might choose any one to receive the revenues and profits thereof for his own use These Cities were Cius Elaea Mylasa Patara thus did Alexander liberally and ●…gnificently But Photion far more wh●… accepted neither the City nor the Silver yet that he might not seem to  and contemn the offers of Alexander he expressed his respect to him thus He requested that they who were kept Prisoners in the Tower of Sardis might be set at liberty Echecratides the Sophist Athenodorus of Himera Demaratus and Sparto these two were brethren and Rhodians CHAP. XXVI Of Aglais a great eater I have heard of a woman that could sound a Trumpet which art was her way of living by name Aglais daughter of Megacles she wore a Periwig and a plume on her head as Posidippus relates At one meal she did devour twelve pounds of flesh and four * Perk loaves Choenixes of bread and drank a * Nine pints Congius of wine CHAP. XXVII Other great eaters These are reported to have been extraordinary great eaters Pityreus a Phrygian Cambletes a Lydia●… Thus a Paphlagonian Charidas Cleony●…us Pisander Charippus Mithridates of Pontus Calamodorus of Cyzicus Timocreon a Rhodian both a Wrestler and Poet Cantibaris a Persian Erysichthon son of Myrmidon who for that reason was nicknamed * So read as Scheffer Aethon It is said also that there is a Temple in Sicily dedicated to Gluttony and an Image of Ceres the Corn-giver Likewise Alcman the Poet attests of himself that he was a great eater And Anaxilas the Comic Poet saith that there was one Ctesias an extraordinary Glutton CHAP. XXVIII Diet of Fish much esteemed by the Rhodians I will tell you a Rhodian opinion In Rhodes they say that if a man looks upon Fish with a great liking and loves * Fish above all other meat they esteem him an extraordinary person But such as like the diet of Flesh better are reproached by the Rhodians as clownish and gluttonous whether justly or wrongfully I not examine CHAP. XXIX Of an Ewe which eaned a Lion The Coans report that an Ewe in the pastures of Nicippus the Tyrant did ean not a Lamb but a Lion By which sign it was portended to Nicippus as yet but a private person that he should be King CHAP. XXX That Galetes was beloved of Ptolemee not more for his beauty then his prudence King Ptolemee loved a youth named Galetes he was very beautiful but of a mind transcending h●…s form which Ptolemee frequently testified of him saying Oh thou sweet of d●…sposition thou never wert author of harm to any but on the contrary hast done several good offices to many On a time this youth road forth with the King and beholding afar off some Malefactors led to execution he readily said speaking to Ptolemee O King since it is our chance to be on horseback according to some good Genius of those wretches come if you please let us spur on and overtake them that we may appear to the unhappy men as the * Castor & Poll●… Dioscuri preservers and succourers so those Gods are called Ptolemee much pleased with his sweet disposition and proneness to mercy embraced him and not only saved the Malefactors but confirmed and increased the affection he bore him CHAP. XXXI The Persian custom of presenting Gifts to the King The Persians have a custom which they observe most strictly When the King rides abroad in Persia all the Persians make him Presents according to their several abilities They who live by the labour of their hands in husbandry and tillage give one neither too mean nor too rich or too magnificent but either Oxen or Sheep some also Corn or Wine These are presented to him by every one as he rides along and are called Presents by which name he also accepts them The poorer sort bring Milk Palms Cheese ripe Fruits and other delicacies which grow in that Country CHAP. XXXII Of Water presented as a gift to the King of Persia. This also is a Persian story They report that a Persian called Sinetes being far from home met Artaxerxes surnamed Mnemon being thus surprised he was much perplexed with fear of the Law and respect of the King Having nothing at that time to give him and being much troubled to be exceeded in duty by the rest of the Persians unwilling that he alone should be infamous for not making a Present they say that with all speed he ran to the River hard by which was named Cyrus and hastily lying down took up water in both his hands O King Artaxerxes said he reign for ever I make you at this time such a Present as I can get and in such a manner as I can that as far as lies in me you may not pass by unpresented I pay you homage in the water of Cyrus But when you shall come at night to your station I will bring from my house and present you the best and richest things that I have according to my ability I shall not come behind any of those who now offer you gifts Artaxerxes was much pleased herewith Man saith he I accept thy Present kindly and reckon it amongst the most precious declaring that it is of equal value with them First because Water is the best of all things next because it bears the name of Cyrus And I will that you come to me where I shall lodge to night This said he commanded the Eunuches to take the Gift from him who instantly running to him received the Water out of his hand into a golden Cup. The King as soon as he came to his lodging sent him a Persian Vest a golden Cup and a thousand Daricks withal gave the Bearer order to say thus The King commands you to delight your mind with this because you have delighted his in not suffering him to pass by unpresented and without homage but paid him such respect as necessity would then allow He will also that you drink water from that River in this Cup. CHAP. XXXIII Of an extraordinary great Pomegranate presented to the same King Misus presented an extraordinary great Pomegranate in a Basket to Artaxerxes as he was riding in Persia. The King admiring the largeness of it From what Paradise said he did you take this gift which you bring me He answered out of his own grounds and that it was of his own grafting The King was exceedingly pleased and sent him royal gifts saying By * ●…e Sun Deity of the Mithra this man by like care and diligence might also in my opinion make a little City great This speech implies that by continual industry and labour all things may be made better than Nature hath produced them CHAP. XXXIV Of a Father who accused his Son of a Capital crime A certain man by Country Mardian by name Rhacoces had seven sons the youngest of which named Cartomes did many harms to the * Scheffer to the Mardi●…ns Magi. His Father first tried to reform his manners by admonition and instruction but he not obeying and the Judges coming to the place where this young man's Father lived he taking his Son and binding his hands behind him brought him before the Judges where he accused his Son of all the several outrages which he had committed and desired the Judges to put the young man to death They amazed hereat would not condemn him but brought them both before Artaxerxes where the Mardian persisting in his plea the King interrupting him said Then you can endure that your Son should be put to death before your eyes He answered Most willingly For when in my Garden I prune and cut off the lower branches which grow about the Lettuce the mother and root of them is so far from being grieved thereat that she flourishes the better and becometh both fairer and sweeter In like manner O King when I shall see him who wrongeth my Family and consumeth the means of his brothers lose his life and be prevented from doing them farther injury I shall thrive the better and behold the rest of my Family thrive with myself Which Artaxerxes hearing praised Rhacoces and made him one of the Royal Judges saying to those who were present that he who had determined so justly concerning his own Children would towards all others be an upright Judge He dismissed the young man without punishment threatening to put him to a most cruel death if he should offend again for the time to come The End AELIAN's Various History The Second BOOK CHAP. I. How Socrates taught Alcibiades confidence not to be daunted at the people Socrates' discoursed thus to Alcibiades The young man was much perplexed and abashed being to appear before a public Assembly But Socrates encouraging and exciting him Do you not despise saith he that Shoe-maker naming him Alcibiades assenting and so likewise continueth Socrates that public Crier and that Tentmaker Alcibiades the son of Clinias granting this And doth not said Socrates the Athenian Commonwealth consist of these If you contemn them single fear them not in an Assembly Thus Socrates son of Sophroniscus and Phenareta prudently instructed Alcibiades son of Clinias and Dinomache CHAP. II. Of Pictures praised amiss Megabyzus highly commending some Pictures that were meanly and ignorantly painted and finding fault with others that were made with great art the boys of Zeuxis that were grinding Colours laughed at him whereupon Zeuxis said When you hold your peace Megabyzus these boys admire you for they look on your rich garments and attendants but as soon as you say any thing concerning this Art they laugh at you therefore preserve yourself in esteem by holding your peace and censure not the work or skill of any which is not in your way CHAP. III. Of Alexander not giving due commendations of a Picture Alexander beholding his own Picture at Ephesus drawn by Apelles did not give it such praise as it deserved but a Horse which was brought in neighed to the painted horse as if it had been a true one King said Apelles this Horse seems to understand painting much better than you CHAP. IU. Of the Friendship betwixt Chariton and Melanippus and the Tyrant's mercy towards them I will relate to you an action of Phalaris not agreeing with his disposition for it expresseth a great humanity and therefore seemeth not to suit with him Chariton an Agrigentine loved Melanippus passionately who was also an Agrigentine of a sweet disposition and excellent form Phalaris had injured this Melanippus in a certain business for he having brought an Action against a Favourite of Phalaris the Tyrant commanded him to surcease the Suit He not obeying the Tyrant threatened him with death unless he submitted So being compelled he gave over the cause and the Judges under Phalaris nulled the proceedings which the young man taking ill said that he was wronged and discovered his resentment thereof to his friend praying him to join with him in a Plot against the Tyrant intending also to engage some other young men whom he knew proper and ready for such an attempt Chariton seeing him enraged and inflamed with fury and knowing that none of the Citizens would join in the design through fear of the Tyrant said that he also had formerly the same intention and should ever be ready above all things to free his Country from Slavery but it was dangerous to communicate such things to many persons wherefore he entreated Melanippus to consider it more deliberately and to permit him to find out an opportunity proper for the attempt The young man yielded Chariton thereupon undertook the whole business himself not willing to engage his friend in it that if he were taken and discovered he alone might bear the punishment and his friend not share in the danger He provided himself of a Falchion to assault the Tyrant when he should see a fit occasion This could not be carried so privately but that he was apprehended by the Guard watchful of such things Being carried to Prison and tortured to make discovery of his Complices he courageously endured the torment But this continuing a long time Melanippus went to Phalaris and confessed that he was not only a Conspirator but Author of the Treason The King demanding the cause that moved him to it he declared the whole business from the beginning how he was obstructed in his Suit and that this was it which provoked him The Tyrant wondering hereat set them both at liberty but commanded them immediately to depart not only out of all Cities belonging to the Agrigentines but quite out of Sicily Yet he allowed them to receive the full benefit of their estates These and their friendships Pythia afterwards commended in these Verses To men true patterns of celestial love Blessed Chariton and Melanippus prove The God calling this love of theirs a divine friendship CHAP. V. Of well husbanding Time and that among the Lacedæmonians Walking was not permitted The Lacedæmonians conceived that Time above all things ought to be husbanded employing it diligently in serious business not allowing any of the Citizens to waste i●… in idleness or play that it might not be thrown away upon things of no virtue A testimony hereof amongst the rest is this The Lacedaemonian Ephori hearing that they who had taken Decelia used to walk in the afternoon sent this command to them Walk not As if they did it for recreation rather than exercise of the body It behoveth the Lacedæmonians to get and preserve health not by walking but by exercise CHAP. VI An instance that we ought not to please the Vulgar Hippomachus they say one that taught to wrestle when the people that stood about as one of his Scholars was wrestling gave a great shout struck him with a wand saying You did amiss and not as you ought it should have been done better For if you had done according to Art these men would not have applauded you Implying that they who perform every thing well and handsomely must not please the multitude but those who are understanding in the Art Socrates also seems to contemn the Common people in his discourse with Crito who came to him in the Prison and counselled him to make an escape and avoid the sentence of the Athenians against him CHAP. VII That the Thebans expose not Children This is a Theban Law most just and humane That no Theban might expose his Child or leave it in a Wilderness upon pain of death But if the Father were extremely poor whether it were male or female the Law requires that as soon as it is born it be brought in the swadling-clouts to the Magistrate who receiving it delivers it to some other for some small reward conditioning with him that he shall bring up the Child and when it is grown up take it into his service man or maid and have the benefit of its labour in requital for its education CHAP. VIII Of Xenocles and Euripides contending at the Olympic Games In the ninety first Olympiad wherein Exenetus won the race Xenocles and Euripides contended Xenocles whosoever he was got the first Victory by these Tragedies Oedipus Lycaon Bacchaes and Athamas a Satire It is ridiculous that Xenocl●…s should not be worsted and Euripides get the better especially in those Tragedies One of these two must have been the reason either that they who gave the votes were ignorant and void of clear judgement or corrupt But both are dishonourable and unworthy the Athenians CHAP. IX Decrees of the Athenians against some Revolters What Decrees did the Athenians make and those in a Democracy That every one of the Aeginetae should have his thumb cut off from his right hand so that he might for ever after be disabled from holding a Spear yet might handle an Oar That all the young men of Mitylene should be put to death Which Decree was made at the instigation of Cleon son of Cleaenetus That such as had been taken Prisoners by the Samians should be branded in the face with the mark of an Owl This also was an Athenian Decree I wish O Minerva Guardian of the City and Jupiter Eleutherius and all the Gods of the Grecians that the Athenians had never done these things and that it might never have been said of them CHAP. X. Timotheus having heard Plato discourse judged himself to be less happy I have heard that Timotheus son of Conon General of the Athenians when he was in height of felicity and took Cities with great ease so as the Athenians knew not how they should honour him sufficiently met accidentally with Plato son of Aristo as he was walking with some Scholars without the City wall and seeing his reverend presence his proper person and graceful aspect hearing him also discourse not of Contributions Galleys Naval affairs Supplies Reliefs Confederates Islanders and the like matters but of those things which he professed and in which he employed his studies said ' ' O this life and true felicity Whence it appears that Timotheus did not conceive himself absolutely happy as not enjoying this though otherwise in highest honour and esteem with the Athenians CHAP. XI What Socrates said of those that were put to death by the Thirty Tyrants Socrates seeing that the Thirty Tyrants put many eminent persons to death and betrayed the rich to excessive punishments said to Antisthenes Doth it repent thee that we have done nothing in our whole lives great and remarkable as those Monarches who are described in Tragedies Atreus' Thyestes' Agamemnon's and Aegisthus' They are in those Plays beheaded feasted with their own flesh and generally destroyed But no Poet was ever so bold or impudent as to represent a poor man killed upon the Stage CHAP. XII Of Themistocles giving over Prodigality I know not whether this speech of Themistocles son of Neocles be commendable or not After that his Father had cast him off giving over Prodigality he began to live temperately and to refrain from Courtesans being taken with another affection that of governing the Athenian State and contested eagerly with the Magistrates endeavouring to make himself the chief He said as is reported to his friends What will you give me who never yet was envied He that loves to be envied hastens according to Euripides to harm himself But that this is folly Euripides himself declares CHAP. XIII Of Socrates abused in a Comedy by Aristophanes Anytus and his Companions studied to do Socrates a mischief for those reasons which are related by many but feared the Athenians doubting if they should accuse Socrates how they would take it his name being in high esteem for many respects but chiefly for opposing the Sophists who neither taught nor knew any solid learning Wherefore they began by making trial in less things to sound how the Athenians would entertain a Charge against his life for to have accused him upon the very first he conceived unsafe as well for the reason already mentioned as lest the friends and followers of Socrates should divert the anger of the Judges upon them for falsely accusing a person so far from being guilty of any wrong to the State that he was the only Ornament of Athens What then do they contrive They suborn Aristophanes a Comic Poet whose only business was to raise mirth to bring Socrates upon the Stage taxing him with crimes which most men knew him free from Impertinent discourse making an ill cause by argument seem good introducing new and strange Deities whilst himself believed and reverenced none hereby to insinuate an ill opinion of him even into those who most frequented him Aristophanes' taking this Theme interweaves it with much abusive mirth & pleasant Verses taking for his subject the best man of the Grecians The argument of his Play was not against Cleon he did not abuse the Lacedæmonians the Thebans or Pericles himself but a person dear to all the Gods especially to Apollo At first by reason of the novelty of the thing the unusual personating of Socrates upon the Stage the Athenians who expected nothing less were struck with wonder Then being naturally envious apt to detract from the best persons not only such as bore office in the Commonwealth but any that were eminent for learning or virtue they begun to be taken with the CLOUDS so was the Play named and cried up the Poet with more applause than ever any before giving him with many shouts the victory and sending word to the Judges to set the name of Aristophanes in the highest place Socrates came seldom to the Theatre unless when Euripides the Tragic Poet contested with any new Tragedian than he used to go And when Euripides contended in the Piraeum he went thither also for he loved the man as well for his wisdom as the sweetness of his Verse Sometimes Alcibiades son of Clinias and Critias son of Callaeschrus would invite him to a Comedy and in a manner compel him for he was so far from esteeming that he did greatly contemn those persons that were abusive and scurrilous in their language being himself a temperate just good and discreet person which hugely troubled the Comedians And this was the ground as well as other things suggested by Anytus and Melitus of Aristophanes his Comedy who it is likely too got a great sum of money by it they being eager in prosecution of their design and he prepared by want and malice to receive their impression But this he best knows In fine the Play got extraordinary credit that of Cratinus being verified The Theatre was then Filled with malicious men It being at that time the Feast of Bacchus a multitude of Grecians went to see the Play Socrates being personated on the Stage and often named nor was it much the Players should represent him for the Potters frequently did it upon their stone Juggs the strangers that were presen●… not knowing whom the Comedy abused raised a hum and whisper every one ask who that Socrates was Which he observing for he came not thither by chance but because he knew himself shoul●… be abused in the Play had chosen the most conspicuous Seat in the Theatre to pu●… the strangers out of doubt he rose up an●… all the while the Play lasted continued i●… that posture So much did Socrates' despis●… the Comedy and the Athenians themselves CHAP. XIV Of a Planetree beloved of Xerxes Xerxes deserves justly to be laughed at who after he had contemned the works of Jupiter and made himself new ways to travel by land and water fell in love with a Plane and doted upon the Tree for seeing as it is reported in Lydia a tall Planetree there he stayed a whole day no necessity requiring and pitched his Tents in the Wilderness about the Planetree he also hung upon it many rich ornaments honouring the boughs with chains and bracelets and left it a Keeper as the Guardian and Protector of a Mistress But what did this profit the Tree the apposititious ornament nothing suiting with it hung there in vain not adding any thing to the beauty of the Tree For to the beauty of a Tree are requisite fair branches leaves thick a body strong roots deep and plaint yielding to the winds wideness of shadow the successive seasons of the year the nourishment of the water by channels and rains But the Robes of Xerxes the gold of the Barbarian and his other gifts contribute nothing to the Plane or any other Tree CHAP. XV. Of those who besmeared the Seats of the Lacedaemonian Ephori with Soot Certain Clazomenians coming to Sparta through abuse and insolence besmeared with Soot the Seats of the Ephori in which they used to give judgement and determine public affairs This being known the Ephori were not incensed but calling the public Crier commanded him to make this strange Proclamation openly through the City Let it be lawful for the Clazomenians to do unhandsome things CHAP. XVI Of Photion I esteem this action of Photion the son of Phocus commendable also Coming before a public Assembly of Athenians after he had reproved them for some ingratitude he said both wisely and sharply I had rather receive ill from you then do ill to you CHAP. XVII Of the wisdom of the Persian Magis and of Ochus The wisdom of the Persian Magis was besides other things proper to them conversant in Prediction They foretold the cruelty of Ochus towards his Subjects and his bloody disposition which they collected from some secret signs For when Ochus upon the death of his Father Artaxerxes came to the Crown the Magis charged one of the Eunuches that were next him to observe upon what things when the Table was set before him he first laid hands who watching intentively Ochus reached forth both his hands and with his right laid hold of a Knife that lay by with the other took a great Loaf which he laid upon the Meat and did cut and eat greedily The Magis hearing this foretold that there would be plenty during his reign and much blood shed In which they erred not CHAP. XVIII Of magnificent Suppers Timotheus son of Conon General of the Athenians on a time retiring from magnificent Suppers and Military entertainments was invited by Plato to a Treat in the Academy where being entertained with a frugal Supper and with Music when he returned to his friends he said They who sup with Plato are better for the next day also From thence forward Timotheus dispraised sumptuous and chargeable Suppers of which there is no benefit the next day There is a speech much to the same purpose reported of him that Timotheus meeting Plato on the morrow said to him You O Plato sup better the next morning then over night CHAP. XIX Of Alexander who would be called a God Alexander when he had vanquished Darius and was possessed of the Persian Empire being high-conceited of himself and puffed up with his success writ to the Grecians that they should decree him to be a God Ridiculously what he had not by nature he thought to obtain by requiring it of men Hereupon several people made several Decrees the Lacedæmonians this Forasmuch as Alexander woul●… be a God let him be a God Thus with Laconic brevity according to the manner of their Country the Lacedæmonians reprehended the Pride of Alexander CHAP. XX. Of the meekness of King Antigonus It is reported that King Antigonus was popular and meek He that hath leisure to make enquiry after him and his actions may satisfy himself elsewhere I shall relate only one act of his full of Clemency and void of Pride This Antigonus perceiving that his Son behaved himself rigidly and severely towards his Subjects Do you not know Son said he that our Reign is but a glorious Servitude This speech of Antigonus to his Son expressed much Mildness and humanity He who conceiveth otherwise of it seems in my opinion not to understand either what belongeth to a King or a Subject but rather to have lived under some Tyrant CHAP. XXI Of Pausanias his friendship with Agatho the Poet. There was great friendship betwixt Pausanias a Ceramean and Agatho the Poet This is generally known but I will relate what is less common On a time the two friends came before Archelaus He observing the frequent differences betwixt Pausanias and Agatho and thinking that one friend despited the other asked Agatho what was the reason that he had such frequent quarrels with him who loved him so well He answered O King I will tell you It is not that I am froward towards him neither do I this through rusticity but if I understand any thing of behaviour as well by Poetry as other things I find that the greatest pleasure of friends is after some falling out to be reconciled and I am of opinion that nothing can happen to them more delightful Therefore I make him partake often of this pleasure by falling out with him frequently For he is overjoyed when I end the difference and am reconciled whereas if I should use him always alike he would not understand the difference Archelaus as they say commended this answer It is reported that Euripides also the Poet exceedingly loved this Agatho and in favour of him composed his Tragedy entitled Chrysippus But this I cannot certainly affirm yet know it to be attested by many CHAP. XXII That the Mantineans were just Lawmakers I am told that the Mantineans were just Lawgivers no less than the Locrians and Cretans and the Lacedæmonians themselves and the Athenians For though the Laws of Solon were most excellent yet the Athenians soon after his death abrogated the Laws which they received from him CHAP. XXIII That Nicodorus the Wrestler became a Lawgiver Nicodorus an excellent and famous Wrestler among the Mantineans in his later years giving over wrestling became a Lawgiver to them benefitting his Country far more in Civil affairs then when he was publicly proclaimed Victor in the Lists Some say that Diagoras the Melian who loved him much composed those Laws for him I have more to say of Nicodorus but lest I should seem to intermix any commendations of Diagoras let this suffice For Diagoras was a hater of the Gods neither do I take any pleasure in making farther mention of him CHAP. XXIV That Milo was strong in Body but not in Mind Some have undervalved the famed Strength of Milo the Crotonian relating thus of him None of Milo's Antagonists were able to force away a Pomegranate which he held in his hand but his Mistress with whom he had frequent differences was much too hard for him Whence it is manifest that Milo was of a strong Body but an effeminate Mind CHAP. XXV That the sixth of the Month Thargelion was fortunate to the Greeks It is observed that on the sixth day of the month Thargelion many good fortunes have befallen not only the Athenians but divers others Socrates was born on this day the Persians vanquished on this day and the Athenians sacrifice three hundred Goats to Agrotera upon this day in pursuit of Miltiades his vow On the same day of this month was the fight of Plataeae in which the Grecians had the better for the former fight which I mentioned was at Artemisium neither was the Victory which the Greeks obtained at Mycale on any other day seeing that the Victory at Plataeae and Mycale happened on the selfsame day Likewise Alexander the Macedonian son of Philip vanqu●…shed many Myriad of the Barbarians on the sixth day when he took Darius' Prisoner All which is observed to have happened on this month It is likewise reported that Alexander was born and died on the same day CHAP. XXVI Of Hyperborean Apollo and certain wonders concerning Pythagoras Aristotle saith that Pythagoras was called by the Crotonians Hyperborean Apollo The son of Nicomachus Aristotle farther says that he was at the same hour of the same day seen by many at Metapontium and at Croton where he stood up at the Games There also he showed one of his Thighs which was of Gold The same Author says that as he was passing over the River Nessus it called him and that many heard the call CHAP. XXVII That Anniceris was a good Charioteer and that he who bestows much pains upon little things neglects the greater Anniceris the Cyrenian was proud of his Horsemanship and Chariot-driving He on a time desired to let Plato see his skill wherefore having made ready his Chariot he drove many courses round the Academy keeping his tract so exactly that the wheels never went out of it All who were present admired it much But Plato reprehended his too much industry saying That it was impossible that he who employed so much pains about things of no value could bend his study to things of greater concernment For being wholly taken up with those things he must necessarily neglect such as are truly worth admiration CHAP. XXVIII Upon what occasion Cock fight was first instituted After their Victory over the Persians the Athenians made a Law that Cocks should one day in the year be brought to fight in the Theatre The occasion of which Law was this When Themistocles went forth with an Army of the Citizens against the Barbarians he saw some Cocks fight neither did he behold it slightly but turning to the whole Army These saith he undertake this danger neither for their Country nor for their Country Gods nor for the Monuments of their Ancestors nor for Fame Liberty or Children but that they may not be worsted or yield one to the other With which words he encouraged the Athenians This therefore which was at that time an occasion of inciting them to Valour he would have to be ever after had in remembrance CHAP. XXIX How Pittacus made an Emblem of Fortune Pittacus at Mitylene made stairs to the Temples which served for no use but as a dedicated gift hereby signifying the ascent and descent of Fortune those whom Fortune favours ascending the unfortunate descending CHAP. XXX Of Plato Plato son of Aristo was at first extremely addicted to Poetry and wrote Heroical Verses which afterwards he burned perceiving them to be far inferior to Homer's Then he betook himself to writing Tragedies composing a Tetralogy which Poems he gave to the Players intending to contest at the Games But before the Bacchanalian Feast he heard Socrates' discourse and was so much taken with that Siren that he not only forbore his design of conten●…ing but from thence forward wholly gave off writing Tragedies and addicted himself to Philosophy CHAP. XXXI That no Barbarian is impiou●… And who extols not the wisdom of the Barbarians since none of them have fallen into any Atheism or question whether there are Gods or not and whether they take care of us or not None of them ever held such Opinions as Euemerus the Messenian or Diogenes the Phrygian or Hippo or Diagoras or Sosias or Epicurus not any Indian Celt or Egyptian For these Barbarians which I have named attest that there are Gods and that they have a providential care of us and that they presignify events by birds Omens entrails and by other observations and rules which do teach men the providence of the Gods towards them They say also that many things are signified beforehand by Dreams and by the Stars Being firmly settled in this belief they sacrifice purely live holily perfo●…m divine rites observe the rules of the Orgia and all the rest whence it must be acknowledged that they worship and reverence the Gods firmly CHAP. XXXII How Hercules his name was changed and of the Oracle of Apollo concerning it Some Pythian relations affirm that Hercules son of Jupiter and Alcmene was at his birth named Heraclides but that afterwards coming to Delphi to consult the Oracle about some business he obtained that for which he came and received farther privately from the God this Oracle concerning himself Thee Hercules doth Phoebus' name For thou shalt gain immortal fame CHAP. XXXIII Of the Images of Rivers We behold the nature of Rivers an●… their Channels but they who worship them and make Images of them give them some the shape of Men others of Oxen In the shape of Oxen the Stymphalians represented Erasinus and Metopus the Lacedæmonians Eurotas the Sicyonian and Phliasians Asopus the Argives Cephissus but in the shape of Men the Psophilians represented Erymanthus the Heraeans Alpheus so likewise the Cherronesians that came from Cnidus represent the River Cnidus The Athenians worship Cephissus as a horned man In Sicily the Syracusians represent Anapus in the shape of a Man and Cyane a fountain as a Woman The Aegestaeans worship Porpax Crimissus and Telmissus under the Figures of Men. The Agrigentines represent the River which beareth the same name with their City by the image of a ●…eautiful Boy to which they sacrifice They ●…ikewise dedicated an Ivory Statue at Del●…hi and inscribed the name of the River ●…pon it which Statue was of a Boy CHAP. XXXIV Of Old age They say that Epicharmus being very ●…ld sitting and discoursing with some of ●…ike age and every one of them saying ●…ne I could be content to live but sieve ●…ears longer another three years a third ●…our he interposing said O good men why do you contest and wrangle about a a few days All we that are here met tend by some fate or other to our end Therefore it is time for us all to die with the soon before we feel any of the miseries which attend Old age CHAP. XXXV That Sleep is the Brother of Death and of the decease of Gorgias Gorgias the Leontine being at his latter end and being of a great age and surprised by sickness fell by degrees asleep and when one of his friends coming to visit him asked him how he did Just now saith he Sleep is going to deliver me up to his Brother CHAP. XXXVI Of Socrates falling sick in his old age Socrates being very old fell sick and one ask him how he did Well saith he both ways sor if I live longer I shall have more Emulators if I die more Praisers CHAP. XXXVII Of a Law which prohibited the sick to drink Wine Zaleucus the Locrian made many excellent and convenient Laws of which this was not the worst If any of the Epizephyrian Locrians being sick drank pure Wine unless by prescription of the Physician though he returned to his former health yet he was to be put to death for drinking it without leave CHAP. XXXVIII A Law of the Romans and other people not allowing Wine to all persons nor of all ages This was also a Law of the Massilians That no Women should taste Wine but of what age soever they were they should drink water Theophrastus affirms that this Law was of force also among the Milesians which not only the Ionian * Reading but Milesian Wives observed But why should we not speak of the Law of the Romans Or how can I avoid being reproached of neglect if having mentioned the Locrians Massilians and Milesians I omit to speak of my own Country Amongst the Romans this Law was strictly observed that no free Woman or she slave should drink Wine nor any of Noble birth from their childhood till five and thirty years of age CHAP. XXXIX The Law of the C●…etans concerning Learning The Cretans commanded all freeborn children to learn the Laws with a kind of melody that their minds might be enticed by their Music and they get them by heart the more easily so that if they committed any thing contrary to Law they could not plead ignorance The second thing which they were appointed was to learn the Hymns of the Gods The third Encomiums of good men CHAP. XL. That Beasts love not Wine and of some Beasts that will be drunk Every irrational creature naturally abhorreth Wine especially those who being overfed with Grapes become drunk Crows if they eat the herb Oenutta as also Dogs run mad If the Ape and the Elephant drink Wine the one forgets his strength the other his subtlety and both are easily to be taken CHAP. XLI Of some who were lovers of Drink and great Drinkers Lovers of Drink were Dionysius in Sicily and Nisaeus a Tyrant also Apollocrates son of Dionysius the Tyrant Hipparinus kinsman of Dionysius Timolaus a Theban Charidemus an Orithean Arcadion Erasixenus Alcetas a Macedonian and Diotimus an Athenian This last was called a Tunnel because putting a Tunnel into his mouth he could drink wine poured into it without taking breath They relate of Cleomenes the Lacedaemonian that he was not only a great Drinker but that he also used the ill custom of the Scythians to drink Wine unallaied They say also that Io of Chios the Poet was an immoderate drinker of Wine Likewise Alexander the Macedonian in honour of Calanus the Brahman an Indian Sophist that burned himself instituting Games of Music Horse-racing and Wrestling to gratify the Indians he added another part proper to that Country which was Drinking To him that should be Victor he appointed a Talon for his reward to the next thirty Minae to the third ten Promachus got the Victory Moreover Dionysius at the Feast which they call Choae proposed a golden Crown as a reward to him that drank most Xenocrates the Chalcedonian was Victor and taking the Crown when he went away after Supper put it upon a Statue of Mercury which stood at the door according to his custom for he used to lay there Garlands of Flowers Myrrh Ivy and Laurel and leave them Also Anacharsis as it is said drank much at Periander's house He brought this custom from his own Country for it is proper for the Scythians to drink pure Wine Lacydes and Timon Philosophers are said to have drank much Likewise Mycerinus an Egyptian a Prophecy being brought him from Buta foretelling that he should live but a little while to delude the Oracle by doubling the time turning nights into days watched and drank continually To these add Amasis the Egyptian of whom Herodotus attests enough And Nicoteles a Corinthian must not be severed from these And they say also that Scopas the son of Creon and Antiochus the King were much addicted to Wine for which reason he put the whole Government of his Kingdom into the hands of Aristaeus and Themisto Cyprians whilst he given over to Drunkenness bore only the Title of King Likewise Antiochus Epiphanes delivered as pledge to the Romans used to drink Wine immoderately As also his namesake Antiochus who waging War with the Medians against Arsaces was a slave to Drunkenness Amongst these may be reckoned Antiochus the great Immoderate drinking cast Agro King of the Illyrians into a Pleurisy and killed him Likewise Gentius another King of the Illyrians was a great Drinker What shall we say of Orophernes King of Cappadocia who was also a great Drinker And if we must mention Women in whom to love drink is a great vice to drink much a greater Clio as they say contended in drinking not with Women only but with Men for she was a great Drinker and had the better of every one carrying in my opinion a shameful victory CHAP. XLII Of Plato's renown and of his Laws for equal Distribution The fame of Plato and renown of his Virtue came to the Arcadians and Thebans who thereupon sent Ambassadors earnestly to request him to come over to them not only to instruct their young men in Philosophy but which was a higher concernment to ordain Laws They were ready to have obtained what they desired of him for the son of Aristo was pleased with the invitation and intended to yield to them He asked the Ambassadors how they stood affected to Equality of estates when understanding by them that they were so averse from it as not to be by any means induced thereto he refused to go CHAP. XLIII Certain eminent persons among the Grecians very poor There were most excellent persons among the Grecians who lived in extreme Poverty Aristides son of Nicomachus and Photion son of Phocus Epaminondas son of Polymatis Pelopidas a Theban Lamachus an Athenian Socrates son of Sophroniscus and Ephialtes son of Sophonides CHAP. XLIV A description of a Picture made by Theon a Painter Amongst other things which witness the excellent art of Theon the Painter was this Picture An armed man ready to charge the Enemy who had made an Incursion and wasted the Country The young man seemed ready to fall on with sprightliness and courage you would have said he were transported with rage and the fury of Mars His eyes seemed to sparkle fiercely Having taken up his Arms he appeared snatching as if eager to assault the Enemy with all speed He held forth his Shield and waved as it were his Sword as ready to fight with a kill look his posture expressing that he meant not to spare any Theon painted not any thing more no common Soldier no Centurion no Company no Horseman no Archer this armed man only being sufficient to complete the excellence of the piece But before he would discover this Picture to public view he got a Trumpeter and bade him to sound a Charge as loudly and fiercely as he could and to give it all possible spirit of encouragement to fight Assoon as this shrill and dreadful noise was heard the Trumpet sounding as if there were a sudden incursion of the Enemy he discovered his Picture and the armed man appeared after that the sound of the Trumpet had excited the fancy of the beholders The End AELIAN's Various History The Third BOOK CHAP. I. Thessalian Tempe described LET us now describe and paint out in discourse the Thessalian Tempe for it is acknowledged that speech where the faculty is free can represent whatsoever it pleaseth as fully to the life as men that are excellent in handiwork It is a place situated betwixt Olympus and Ossa These are Mountains of extraordinary height and disjoined as it were by providence They include a Plain whose length extends to forty * Furlo●…gs Stadia its breadth in some places is a Plethrum in others somewhat more Through the middle runs the River Peneus into which other Rive●…s flow and by communicating their waters make Peneus great It affords various places of delight of all kinds not wrought by the hand of man but spontaneous works of Nature which contributed much to the beauty and glory of the place from its first beginning For Ivy full of down abounds and flourisheth there which like generous Vines creepeth up the high trees and groweth with them There is also plenty of Smallage which climbing up the Hill shadoweth the Rock so that it lies hid under it nothing being seen but the green Herb which yields a pleasant entertainment to the eye In this Plain there are divers Groves and large Cupboards which in the Summer afford grateful shelter to Travellers and refreshment It is full of little Brooks and Springs of water cool and pleasant to the taste These waters they say benefit such as wash in them and conduce much to health Birds are dispersed about  especially the Musical which yield extraordinary pleasure to the ear and by continual warbling invite and delight the very passenger On each side of the River are those pleasantnesses which I mentioned before and places fit for repose and diversion Through the middle of the Tempe runneth the River Peneus gently and smoothly like oil This is much shaded by the thick branches of the adjoining Trees which for the greatest part of the day keep off the Sun's beams and afford to those that sail a cool passage All the neighbouring people meet with one another there and offer sacrifice converse and feast Whence there being many that sacrifice and perform Divine rites continually it happeneth that such as travel thither either on foot or by water perceive very sweet odours This unintermitted worship of the Gods makes the place sacred Here the Thessalians say that Apollo Pythius having slain Pytho with his arrows at that time possessed of Delphi when the Goddess Earth held the Oracles was by Jupiter's command purified and that then the son of Jupiter and Latona crowned with this Tempian Laurel and bearing a branch thereof in his hand came to Delphi and took possession of the Oracle There is also an Altar in that place where he was crowned and took away the branch Whereupon even to this time the Delphians every ninth year send youths of Noble birth with an Architheorus who is one of their own These coming to Tempe sacrifice magnificently and having made Garlands of that Laurel which the God then so loved as to Crown himself with it departed They pass that way which is called Pythias and goeth through Thessaly Pelagonia Oeta and the Countries of the Aenians Melians Dorians and Hesperian Locrians They carry these youths thither with no less respect and reverence than those who with sacred presents from the Hyperborcans pay homag●… to the same God Likewise at the Pythia●… Games the Victors are presented with ●… Crown of the same Laurel Thus muc●… concerning the Thessalian Tempe CHAP. II. Of Anaxagoras bearing the death of hi●… Children with courage When one coming to Anaxagoras th●… Clazomenian as he was discoursing wit●… his friends told him that his two only Sons were dead He nothing troubled o●… disordered at the news answered I knew that they were born mortal CHAP. III. Of Xenophon bearing the death of his Son unmovedly A Messenger from Mantinaea told Xenophon as he was sacrificing that his son Grillus was slain He taking only his Garland off continued to sacrifice But when the Messenger added that he died victoriously he took again the Garland to put it on his head This is generally known CHAP. IU. That Dio was not troubled at the loss of his Son As Dio son of Hipparinus a Disciple of Plato was treating about public affairs his Son was killed with a fall from the house top into the Court. Dio was nothing troubled at it but proceeded in what he was about before CHAP. V. Antigonus seeing his Son dead was nothing troubled They say that Antigonus the second when his Son was brought home slain in battle did behold him without changing colour or shedding a tear but having commended him for dying as a stout Soldier gave order that he should be buried CHAP. VI Of the Magnanimity of Crates Crates the Theban is known to have been a magnanimous person as well by other things as by his despising what the Vulgar admire as also his Wealth and Country That he gave the Thebans his estate is generally known But this other action perhaps is less notorious He quitted Thebes newly restored saying I have no need of a City which Alexander or some other may subvert CHAP. VII Of the Calumny of the Vulgar Demochares Nephew to Demosthenes to show that he nothing valued the dispraises of the Vulgar seeing certain Detractors together sitting in a Physician 's Shop and wholly bend upon calumniating others What do you say said he you Dysmenidae discovering their disposition by that compellation CHAP. VIII ●…hat Phrynichus was chosen General for a certain Poem The Athenians made Phrynichus Gene●…l not out of favour nor for Nobleness of ●…irth or for being rich for which men ●…e commonly esteemed at Athens and pre●…rred above others But he having in a cer●…in Tragedy composed Verses suitable to ●…med Dancers did win so much upon the ●…heatre and please the Spectators that ●…ey immediately chose him General be●…ving that he would behave himself ex●…llently and advantageously in Martial af●…irs who had in a Play composed Verses ●…d Songs so proper for armed men CHAP. IX Of Love Who is able to fight with a Lover that not a Lover himself and when the busi●…ss is to be decided by the Sword For ●… who loves not always shuneth and de●…neth a Lover as being himself profane ●…d uninitiated with the God he dares as ●…uch as the courage of his soul and strength of his body will bear yet fears the other as one transported with divine fury animated not by Mars only which is common to both but likewise by Love For they who are excited with other of the Gods whereof one as Homer saith rageth equal with Mars they I say which are possessed only with one fight with as much courage as one God inspireth But the servants of Love being inflamed with Mars and Love serving both Deities have according to the opinion of the Cretans a double share of Courage But none therefore fin●… fault if a Soldier who fights only by instigation of one God refuse to encounte●… with him who is assisted both by Man and Love CHAP. X. Of Lacedaemonian Friendship Of the Lacedaemonian Ephori I could relate many excellent things said and done at present I shall only tell you this If amongst them any man preferred in Friendship a rich man before another that poor and virtuous they fined him punishing his avarice with loss of money If an●… other that were a virtuous person profe●… particular friendship to none they fined him also because being virtuous he would not make choice of a friend whereas he might render him he loved like himself and perhaps divers for affection of friends conduceth much to the advancement of virtue in those whom they love if they be temperate and virtuous There was also this Law among the Lacedæmonians If any young man transgressed they pardoned him imputing it to want of years and experience yet punished his friend as conscious and overseer of his actions CHAP. XI Of the Soul The Peripatetics assert that the Soul in the daytime is enslaved and involved in the body so that she cannot behold Truth but in the night being freed from this servitude and gathered together as it were in a round about the parts that are in the breast she is more Prophetic whence proceed Dreams CHAP. XII Of Friendship amongst the Lacedæmonians Friendship among the Spartans' was truly innocent if any thing unlawful happened both persons must either forsake their Country or their lives CHAP. XIII Of the Drunkenness of the Tapyrians The Nation of the Tapyrians is so addicted to Wine that they live in Wine and bestow the greatest part of their life and conversation upon it Neither do they abuse it by drinking only but by anointing themselves therewith as others do with Oil. CHAP. XIV Of the Drunkenness of the Byzantines The Byzantines as is reported live in Taverns quitting their own houses and letting them to strangers Nor leave they their houses only to them but their wives also Thus they by one act are guilty of two Crimes Drunkenness and Prostitution Moreover flowing in Wine and Drunkenness they delight to hear the Pipe and make Piping their chiefest business But they cannot endure to hear the least sound of a Trumpet whence it is manifest that the Byzantines are wholly averse from Arms and War Wherefore Leonides their General in a strict siege seeing that when the Enemy was assaulting the Walls they left the Works and went to their usual entertainments commanded that Taverns should be set up for them upon the Walls This Damon relates of them which Menander seems to confirm saying Byzantium makes the Merchant's Drunkards they drank all night long CHAP. XV. Of the Drunkenness of the Argives Corinthians Thracians and Illyrians The Argives also and Corinthians have been reproached in Comedies for being intemperately addicted to Wine Of the Thracians it is at this time reported for certain that they are great Drinkers Neither are the Illyrians at present free from this vice To which they add another dishonesty inasmuch as at a Feast they permit the Guests to drink to their Wives every one as he pleaseth though nothing related to them CHAP. XVI A comparison betwixt the two Generals Demetrius and Timotheus Which of these two was the better General Demetrius Poliorcetes or Timotheus the Athenian I will tell you the nature of both and then you may judge which deserves to be preferred Demetrius by force and avarice and oppressing many and committing injustice took Cities battering their Walls with Engines and undermining them But Timotheus by discourse persuading them it was most to their advantage to obey the Athenians CHAP. XVII That Philosophy is not inconsistent with Political Government and that some Philosophers have governed Commonwealths Some Philosophers have governed States though studying only the good of their own minds they lived privately Of those who managed public affairs were Zaleucus who reform the State of the Locrians Charondas that of Catana and of Rhegium when he was banished Catana Archytas much benefited the Tarentines Solon the Athenians Bias and Thales greatly profited jonia Chilon the Lacedæmonians Pittacus the Mitylenaeans Cleobulus the Rhodians and Anaximander brought a Colony from Miletus to Apollonia Xenophon also was an excellent Soldier and proved the best General when he went up along with Cyrus at what time Cyrus and many others with him was slain Necessity then requiring a person that might bring the Greeks off and conduct them safe home he was the man Plato son of Aristo brought Dio back to Sicily whom he counselled and taught how to subvert the Tyranny o●… Dionysius But Socrates would not meddle with the Athenian State because the Democracy of the Athenians did at that time more resemble a Tyrannical and Monarchick Government Neither would he join in sentencing the ten Commanders to death nor partake of the injustices committed by the thirty Tyrants But when occasion called him forth he was a Soldier He fought at Delium and at Amphipolis and Potidea Aristotle when his Country was not declining but quite dejected raised her up again Demetrius Phalereus governed the Athenian Commonwealth with much honour until envy customary with the Athenians threw him out In Egypt also living with Ptolemee he was chief in making Laws And who will deny that Pericles son of Xanthippus was a Philosopher or Epaminondas son of Polymnis and Photion son of Phocus and Aristides son of Lysimachus and Ephialtes son of Sophonidas and long after these Carneades and Critolaus For they were sent by the Athenians Ambassadors to Rome and procured a Peace so much did they prevail with the Senate that they said The Athenians have sent Ambassadors that not persuade but compel us to do what they please I must instance also the skill of Perseus in Politics for he taught Antigonus and of Aristotle who instructed Alexander Son of Philip from his youth in Philosophy And Lysis Disciple of Pythagoras taught Epaminondas Therefore if any shall say Philosophers are unpractical he speaks inconsiderately and ignorantly though for my own part I should much more willingly embrace the contemplative quiet life CHAP. XVIII Of the Discourse betwixt Midas the Phrygian and Silenus and the incredible relations of Midas Theopompus relates a discourse between Midas the Phrygian and Silenus This Silenus was son of a Nymph inferior by nature to the Gods only superior to Men and Death Amongst many other things Silenus told Midas that Europe Asia and afric were Islands surrounded by the Ocean That there was but one Continent only which was beyond this world and that as to magnitude it was infinite That in it were bred besides other very great Creatures Men twice as big as those here and they lived double our age That many great Cities are there and peculiar manners of life and that they have Laws wholly different from those amongst us That there are two Cities far greater than the rest nothing like to each other one named Machimus Warlike the other Eusebes Pious That the Pious people live in peace abounding in wealth & reap the fruits of the Earth without Ploughs or Oxen having no need of tillage or sowing They live as he said free from sickness and die laughing and with great pleasure They are so exactly Just that the Gods many times vouchsafe to converse with them The Inhabitants of the City Machimus are very Warlike continually armed and fight They subdue their Neighbours and this one City predominates over many The Inhabitants are not fewer than two hundred Myriads they die sometimes of sickness but this happens very rarely for most commonly they are killed in the Wars by Stones or Wood for they are invulnerable by Steel They have vast plenty of Gold and Silver insomuch that Gold is of less value with them then Iron with us He said that they once designed a Voyage to these our Islands and sailed upon the Ocean being in number a thousand Myriads of men till they came to the Hyperborcans but understanding that they were the happiest men amongst us they contemned us as persons that led a mean inglorious life and therefore thought it not worth their going farther He added what is yet more wonderful that there are men living amongst them called Meropes who inhabit many great Cities and that at the farthest end of their Country there is a place named Anostus from whence there is no return which resembles a Gulf it is neither very light nor very dark the air being dusky intermingled with a kind of Red That there are two Rivers in this place one of Pleasure the other of Grief and that along each River grow Trees of the bigness of a Planetree Those which grow up by the River of Grief bear fruit this nature If any one eat of them he shall spend all the rest of his life in tears and grief and so die The other Trees which grow by the River of Pleasure produce fruit of a contrary nature for who tastes thereof shall be eased from all his former desires If he loved any thing he shall quite forget it and in a short time shall become younger and live over again his former years he shall cast off old age and return to the prime of his strength becoming first a young man than a child lastly an infant and so die This if any man think the Chian worthy credit he may believe To me he appears an egregious Romancer as well in this as other things CHAP. XIX Of the dissension betwixt Aristotle and Plato The first dissension betwixt Aristotle and Plato is said to be thus occasioned Plato did not approve of his life and habit for Aristotle wore rich garments and shoes and cut his hair after a manner not used by Plato He also wore many Rings for ornament he had a deriding kind of look and was peremptory in discourse all which mis-became a Philosopher Plato seeing this rejected him and preferred before him Xenocrates Speusippus Amyclas and others to whom he showed respect and admitted them to his conversation On a time Xenocrates being gone into his Country Aristotle came to Plato accompanied with a great many of his Disciples of whom was Mnason the Phocian and the like Speusippus was then sick and unable to be with Plato Plato was fourscore years old and through age his memory much impaired Aristotle assaulting and circumventing him by propounding arrogantly some questions and arguing with him discovered himself injurious and ingrateful Hereupon Plato retiring from his outward Walk walked privately with his friends After three months Xenocrates returned from his Journey and found Aristotle walking where he had left Plato and seeing that he and his Disciples went not from the walk to Plato but directly to the City he asked one of the Walk where Plato was doubting that he was sick He answered He is not sick but Aristotle troubling him hath made him quit the Walk and now he teacheth Philosophy privately in his own Garden Xenocrates hearing this went presently to Plato whom he found discoursing with such as were present who were young men of eminent quality and some of the Noblest When he had ended his discourse he saluted Xenocrates kindly according to his usual manner and Xenocrates did the like to him When the company was dismissed Xenocrates without speaking a word to Plato or acquainting him with it got his friends together and sharply reproved Speusippus for having yielded the Walk to Aristotle Then to his utmost he opposed the Stagirite and so far proceeded the contention that at last Aristotle was thrown out and Plato restored to his former place CHAP. XX. Of Lysander and some Gifts presented to him To Lysander the Spartan going to jonia some of his acquaintance there sent amongst many other presents an Ox and a Cake He looking upon the Cake asked what Dainty it was To which he that brought it answered It was made of Honey Cheese and some other things Give this then said Lysander to the * Slav●…s Hilots for it is not meat for a free person Bu●… the Ox he commanded to be sacrificed killed and dressed according to the fashion of his Country and did eat of it with delight CHAP. XXI Of the Magnanimity of Themistocles On a time Themistocles yet a boy returning from School his Master bade him meeting Pisistratus the Tyrant to go a littl●… out of the way Whereto he generously answered Is not here way enough for him So much did something ingenious and generous appear in Themistocles at those years CHAP. XXII Of the Piety of Aeneas and compassion of the Greeks to the Trojans When Troy was taken the Grecians as it becomes Greeks commiserating the condition of the Captives made Proclamation by a Herald that every free Citizen might carry away with him any one thing he pleased Hereupon Aeneas neglecting all other things carried out his household Gods The Grecians pleased with the piety of the man gave him leave to take something else He then took up his Father of a very great age upon his shoulders and bore him away They not a little astonished hereat gave him back all that was his confessing that to such men as were pious towards the Gods and honoured their Parents even those who were by nature their Enemies become merciful CHAP. XXIII Of Alexander Great were the actions of Alexander at Granicus and Issus and the fight at Arbela and Darius subdued and the Persians subjected to the Macedonians all Asia conquered and the Indies reduced under his power Great were those things which he did at Tyr●… and among the Oxydracae and many others Why should we endeavour to comprehend within the narrow expression of words the unlimited courage of this person in War Or if any detractor will rather impute these things to the Fortune which attended on him so let it be But he was doubtless excellent in that he was never worsted by Fortune nor at any time deserted by her Other things there are not commendable in him That on the fifth day of the Month he drank excessively at Eumaeus his house on the sixth day he slept after his debauch and recovered so well as to rise and give order to his Captains for the Expedition of the next day saying that they should set forth very early On the seventh he feasted with Perdiccas and again drank freely On the eighth he slept On the fifteenth day of the same Month he made another debauch and the next day slept On the four and twentieth he supped with Bagoas The house of Bagoas was from the Palace ten Stadia The day following he slept One of these two therefore must needs have been Either that Alexander did prejudice himself exceedingly by employing so many days of the Month in drinking or that they who write these things have belied him We may likewise imagine that they who relate other things of the same kind concerning him wrong him also of whom is Eumenes the Cardian CHAP. XXIV How much Xenophon was delighted with Bravery Xenophon amongst other things took great delight to have rich A●…ms For he said that if he should overcome the Enemy the best ornaments would suit with him If he died in fight he should be laid out decently in a rich suit of Arms this being the proper winding-sheet for a man of courage and which best adorns him They say therefore of this son of Gryllus that his Shield was Argolick his Breastplate Attic his Helmet wrought in Boeotia his Horse Epidaurian I must needs say he was a Person delighted in Bravery and merited it CHAP. XXV Of ●…eonides and three hundred more who gave themselves up to death voluntarily for the preservation of Greece Leonides the Lacedaemonian and three hundred more with him voluntarily underwent the death at Pylae which was prophesied of them and fight stoutly and gallantly for Greece obtained a glorious end leaving a deathless renown and eternal fame behind them CHAP. XXVI Of Pindarus the Tyrant Pindarus Son of Melas Grandson o●… Alyattes the Lydian by his daughter being Tyrant of the Ephesians was severe in punishments & inexorable but othe●…wise courteous and wise He took great care that his Country might not be brought into servitude by the Barbarians of which this is a testimony When Croesus his Uncle by the Mother's side invaded jonia he sent an Ambassador to Pindarus requiring the Ephesians to be subjected to him to which Pindarus not yielding Croesus besieged the City But one of the Towers being undermined which was afterwards called the Traitor and destruction appearing before their eyes Pindarus advised the Ephesians to fasten Ropes from the Gates and Walls to the Pil●…ars of the Temple of Diana by that means making the whole City an Anatheme to her thereby to preserve it secure Farther he advised them to go forth and make suit to the Lydian Upon the Ephesians declaring the case and their suit it is said that Croesus laughed and was pleased with the Stratagem granting the Ephesians liberty on condition that Pindarus should be banished the City which he opposed not but taking along such friends as would go with him left his Son and the greatest part of his estate in the City committing them both to the care of Pasicles one of his friends He departed to Peloponnesus preferring Banishment before Regal power that his Country might not be subjected to the Lydians CHAP. XXVII Of Plato's Poverty and how he betook himself to Philosophy This also I have heard but whether it be true or not I know not They say that Plato son of Aristo was driven by Poverty to betake himself to the Wars but intercepted by Socrates while he was buying his Arms and instructed in that which concerns mankind he through his persuasion addicted himself to Philosophy CHAP. XXVIII How Socrates reform the Pride of Alcibiades Socrates perceiving Alcibiades to be exceeding proud of his riches and lands he showed him a Map of the World and bid him find Attica therein which done he desired that he would show him his own lands He answered They were not there Do you boast replies Socrates of that which you see is no considerable part of the Earth CHAP. XXIX Of the Poverty and Pride of Diogenes Diogenes the Sinopean used to say of himself that he fulfilled and suffered the imprecations mentioned in the Tragedy being a Vagabond destitute of a house deprived of his Country a Beggar ill clothed having his livelihood only from day to day And yet he was more pleased with this condition than Alexander with the command of the whole World when having conquered the Indians he returned to Babylon CHAP. XXX Of certain persons extremely Modest. Amoebeas the Lutenist was extremely continent insomuch that having a very beautiful Wife he never lay with her So likewise Diogenes the Tragedian Player Clitomachus one that had been Victor in all exercises was extraordinary modest At Feasts if there were any loose discourse immediately he arose and departed CHAP. XXXI Of the diligence of Nicias in his Art Nicias the Picture-drawer was so intent upon Painting that he many times forgot to eat his thoughts being wholly taken up with his employment CHAP. XXXII Of Alexander and Hercules learning to play on the Lute Alexander son of Philip whilst yet a boy not of Man's estate learned to play on the Lute His Master bidding him strike such a string as suited with the Tune and the Air required And what imports it said he if I strike this pointing to another He answered It imports nothing to him that shall be a King but to him that would be a Lutenist it doth Doubtless he feared that if he behaved himself not discreetly he might suffer as Linus for Linus taught Hercules yet a Boy to play on the Lute who touching the Instrument unmusically Linus rebuked him whereat Hercules incensed struck Linus with the Lute and killed him CHAP. XXXIII Of Satyrus a Player on the Flute Satyrus a Player on the Flute heard many times Aristo the Philosopher and being much taken with his discourse said Into the fire my glittering Bow Why do I not as useless throw < So mean did he esteem his own Art in comparison of Philosophy CHAP. XXXIV A Law common to the Romans and Lacedæmonians The Lacedæmonians and Romans had a Law That no man might eat of whatsoever things or as much as he pleased They reduced the Citizens to Temperance besides other ways principally by diet CHAP. XXXV That it was not permitted to laugh in the Academy There is a general report amongst the Athenians which saith That it was not permitted to laugh in the Academy for they endeavoured to preserve that place free from contumely and levity CHAP. XXXVI Why Aristotle left Athens When Aristotle left Athens fearing to be attainted to one that asked him What kind of City is Athens he answered Very beautiful but in it Pears upon Pears and Figs on Figs do grow meaning Sycophants And to one who asked him why he left Athens he answered Because he would not the Athenians should sin twice against Philosophy reflecting on the death of Socrates and his own danger CHAP. XXXVII A Law of the Ceans' concerning Old men It is a custom of the Ceans That all such amongst them as are very Old as if they invited one another to a Feast or some solemn sacrifice should meet together and being crowned drink Hemlock because they are no longer fit to do their Country service their Minds now doting by reason of Age. CHAP. XXXVIII Some things first found out at Athens They say that at Athens were first found out the Olive and Figtrees which the Earth also first brought forth Also that the Athenians invented Judiciary Pleas and first instituted corporal Exercises and unclothed and anointed themselves And Erichthonius first harnessed Horses together CHAP. XXXIX What things some of old did eat The Arcadians fed on Acorns the Argives on Pears the Athenians on Figs the Tyrinthians on wild Figs the Indians on Canes the Carman's on Dates the Maeotians and Sauromatians on Millet the Persians on Turpentine and Cardamum CHAP. XL. Of Satyrs Tityri and Silenes The Satyr's companions of Bacchus in dancing are by some named Tityri which name they had from Teretisms wanton Dances in which Satyrs delight Satyrs from the wideness of their mouths Silenes from Sillos' which is a scoff with an unpleasing jest The Silenes were clothed in coats with sleeves hairy on both sides which Robe signified the planting of Vines by Bacchus and the downy thickness of the leaves CHAP. XLI Many Surnames of Bacchus The Ancients called to bring forth fruit plentifully * Phluin whence they named Bacchus Phleon as also Protryges' and Staphylites and Omphacites with divers other names CHAP. XLII Of ●…ertain Women that fell Mad. Elege and Celaene were Daughters of Proetus The Queen of Cyprus worked them to prostitute themselves insomuch as in some parts of Peloponnesus they ran up and down as it is said naked and raging They roved also mad into other parts of Greece transported with this distemper It is likewise reported that the Wives of the Lacedæmonians were transported with Bacchanalian fury as also those of the Chians And that those of the Boeotians were transported with divine frenzies the very Tragedy manifests They say that only the Minyades Leucippe Aristippe and Alcithoe declined the Dance of Bacchus the cause whereof was that they desired to have Husbands and therefore would not be Maenades to the God whereat he was incensed And when they were working at their Looms and very busy in weaving on a sudden branches of Ivy and of Vines twined about their Looms and Dragons made nests in their Baskets and from the roof distilled drops of Milk and Wine But when by all this they could not be persuaded to serve the Deity than fury possessed them & they committed a foul crime out of Cithaeron no less than that in Cithaeron for the Minyades seized with frenzy tore in pieces a young Infant of Leucippe's thinking it a Kid then went to the rest of the Minyades who persecuted them for this mischief when they were turned into Birds One was changed into a Crow the other into a Bat and the third into an Owl CHAP. XLIII Of a Lutenist murdered by the Sybarites At Sybaris a Lutenist singing at a Festival which they celebrated in honour of Juno and the Sybarites falling together by the ears about him and taking up weapons to assault one another the Lutenist afraid fled with his long Robe to the Altar of Juno But they spared him not even there A little while after blood was see●… to spout up in the Temple of Juno as if it had been from a Spring The Sybarites sent to Delphi Pythia said Go from my Tripods for thy hands profane Distilling blood my sacred pavements slain From me expect no answer who didst slay The Muse's Son Thou for his death must pay None that transgresseth vengeance can decline Not though descended from Jove's mighty Line He & his children & their children must Expect due vengeance for that act unjust CHAP. XLIV Of one who might have assisted his Companion but would not And of another that did assist but unfortunately Three young men of the same City being sent to Delphi to consult the Oracle ●…ell among Thiefs One of them ran away and escaped the second having killed all the Thiefs but one miss the last and ●…an his sword through his companion To him that ran away Pythia gave this Oracle Thou suffered'st thy companion to be slain I will not answer thee go from my Fane To the other demanding an answer Pythia gave this Thou slew'st thy friend by chance in his defence Clearer then ever is thy Innocence CHAP. XLV An Oracle given to Philip. They say that Philip received an Oracle ●…n Boeotia at the Trophonian Cave That he should take heed of a Chariot Fearing therefore because of the Oracle it is reported he would never go in a Chariot Th●… success is related two ways Some sa●… that the Sword of Pausanias' wherewith killed Philip had a Chariot carved in Ivor●… upon the Hilt Others that he was slain he went round the Thebaean Lake name●… Harma a Chariot The first report is mor●… generally received the other is less frequen●… CHAP. XLVI A Law of the Stagirites This was a Law of the Stagirites trul●… becoming the Greeks What you laid no●… down take not away CHAP. XLVII Of Timotheus and some others who●… their Virtues availed nothing The Athenians first magnified Tim●…theus but afterwards when he was thoug●… to have offended neither did his own merits avail him in the least nor those of h●… Ancestors Themistocles was nothing benefited either by the Sea-fight at Salam●… or his Embassy to Sparta I mean that Em●… bassy by which he gave the Athenian means to build up their Walls again Fo●… ●…e was banished not only from Athens ●…ut quite out of Greece Pausanias' the La●…edemonian was nothing helped by his Vi●…tory at Plataeae for when affairs were new●…odelled at Byzantium and they were ●…ck of the Persian Disease he lost that fa●…our which he formerly had Photion was ●…ot saved by the general title of Photion ●…e Good nor by his age of seventy five ●…ears in which time he never injured any ●…thenian in the least for the Athenians●…agining ●…agining that he would have betrayed the ●…yroeum to Antipater condemned him to ●…eath The End AELIAN's Various History The Fourth BOOK CHAP. I. Several Customs of Nations and Peopl●… Ascertain Law of the Lucani●… saith That if after Sunset Stranger come and request lodge under the roof of any on●… if he entertain not the man let him be p●… nished and pay the penalties of Inhospi●… lity As I conceive both to the person th●… came to him and to hospitable Jupiter I am informed that the Dardanians in lyria wash but thrice in their whole li●… at Birth at Marriage and at Death The Indians do not let out money use neither do they receive any Neith●… is it lawful for an Indian to give or ta●… ●…rong Hence they neither make Bonds ●…r give Pawns It is a Sardinian Law That when Pa●…nts grow very old their sons should by eating them with Clubs kill them and ●…en bury them they conceiving it unfit ●…at a man at extraordinary old age should ●…ve any longer he frequently failing by rea●…n of his body 's being oppressed with old ●…ge There was also this Law amongst ●…em They punished Idleness and he who ●…ved slothfully was to be arraigned and to ●…ive an account of his manner of life and to ●…ew where were his means of subsistence The Assyrians gathered together in a cer●…in City such Virgins as were fit for Marri●…e proclaiming a Fair of them and who●…ever buys one carries her away as his ●…ride The Biblians if they light upon any ●…ing by chance in the way take not up ●…hat they laid not down for such a thing not esteemed the right of the finder but theft The Berbiccans put all persons to death ●…at are above threescore and ten years' ●…ld the Men by Sword the Women by ●…alter The Colchians entomb their dead in Skins in which they sow them and hang them up on trees It was a custom of the Lydians to prostitute their Women before Marriage bu●… being once married they must live continently and she who transgressed was no●… capable of pardon CHAP. II. Of the difference betwixt Nicostratus who played upon the Lute only and Laodocus who both played and sung to th' Lute It is reported that Nicostratus a Fidle●… arguing with Laodocus a Lutenist abou●… Music said That he in a great Art wa●… little but that himself in a little Art w●… great It is therefore a commendable thin●… not only to improve a Family and Estate but an Art also if we believe Nicostratu●… who in this said excellently CHAP. III. Of Polygnotus and Dionysius Pai●…ters Polygnotus a Thasian and Dionysius Colophonian were two Painters Polygnot●… ●…rought to the full bigness and most com●…only descriptions of Games Dionysius opied the same things in little alike exacty in every thing but their bigness as the pirit air posture habit and the like CHAP. IU. A Theban Law concerning Artificers and Painters I am told there is a Law at Thebes which ●…ommands Artificers both Painters and ●…otters to make the Figures as good as may be This Law menaceth to those who ●…ould or paint them not well a pecuniary ●…ulct CHAP. V. Persons that were mindful of Benefits Persons that were mindful of Benefits ●…eceived and gratefully requited them Theseus to Hercules for Aidoneus King of the Molossians having cast Theseus into bonds because he came along with Pirithous to steal away his Wife not intending to marry her himself but doing this only for the sake of Pirithous Hercules coming to the Molossians set Theseus at liberty for which Theseus erected an Altar to him And those seven Captains that besieged Thebes were grateful to Pronax for Pronax being killed in their Cause they instituted Games in memory of him which most think were celebrated for the Captain Archemorus And Hercules was grateful to Nestor for when Neleus would not entertain him and the rest of his sons were of Neleus his mind Nestor only dissented for which reason Hercules having taken the City put Neleus and the rest of his sons to death but not only spared Nestor but bestowed on him the Kingdom of his Ancestors And the Athenians expressed a public gratitude to the children of Hercules for because their progenitor had deserved well of Theseus the Athenians did therefore conduct them to Peloponnesus And Hercules was grateful to the three hundred and threescore Cleonians For they having aided ●…im against the Molionidae and dying generously and honourably he transferred to them the Honours which the Nemeans bestowed on him for subduing the Lion which  and wasted their Country And Menestheus son of Peteus was not ungrateful to the Tyndaridae for they having cast out the sons of Theseus and taken Aethra the Mother of Theseus Prisoner they bestowed the Kingdom upon Menestheus for which reason Menestheus named them Kings and Preservers And Darius son of Hystaspes having whilst he was yet a private person received in gift a Garment from Syloson when he was possessed of the Empire bestowed on him the Government of his own Country Samos Gold as we may say for Dross CHAP. VI An Oracle concerning the Athenians When the Lacedæmonians would have utterly destroyed the City of the Athenians consulting the Oracle they brought answer in this manner Do not remove the common Altar of Greece CHAP. VII That sometimes the Dead rest not even after Death and of Pausanias Not Death itself benefits wicked persons since even then they cannot rest But either they are wholly destitute of Sepulchers or if buried yet fail of the latest honour and common port of all Bodies So when Pausanias took part with the Medes the Lacedæmonians not only famished him but threw his carcase out beyond their Borders as Epitimedes reports CHAP. VIII Of the Vicissitudes of Fortune Who knows not the sudden and swift changes of Fortune The Lacedæmonians when they were Masters of the Thebans were again so subdued by them that the Thebans came not only into Peloponnesus but passed Eurotas and wasted the Country of the Lacedæmonians and had taken their City if Epimonandas had not feared that all the Peloponnesians should conspire and fight for Sparta Dionysius the Tyrant being besieged by the Carthaginians having no hope of relief did quite despair and intended to run away but one of his friends named Ellopides coming to him said O Dionysius the Title of King is an excellent Funeral ornament Hereat ashamed he took heart and with a few overcame many Myriads and enlarged his Empire Amyntas the Macedonian being worsted by the neighbouring Barbarians and losing his Kingdom took his resolution to quit the Country wholly thinking he did enough if he saved himself Whilst he was in these thoughts one told him the saying of Ellopides whereupon seizing a little place and gathering many Soldiers together he recovered the Kingdom The Egyptians in their own language called Ochus an Ass reproaching his sloth by the dulness of that Beast For which he seizing Apis sacrificed him to an Ass. Dio son of Hipparinus being banished by Dionysius with three thousand Soldiers conquered him and reduced him to his own estate a banished person The Syracu●…ians with nine Galleys assaulting an hundred and twenty of the Carthaginians overcame them CHAP. IX Of the Humility of Plato and Ingratitude of Aristotle Plato son of Aristo at the Olympic Games fell into company with some strangers who knew him not upon whose affections he gained much by his affable conversation dining and spending the whole day with them not mentioning either the Academy or Socrates only saying his name was Plato When they came to Athens he entertained them courteously Come Plato said the strangers show us your namesake Socrates his disciple bring us to the Academy recommend us to him that we may know him He smiling a little as he used said ' ' I am the man whereat they were much amazed having conversed so familiarly with a person of that note and not knowing him who used no boasting or ostentation Whence it appears that besides his Philosophical discourse his ordinary conversation was extremely winning Plato called Aristotle a Colt What is meant by that name is manifest a Colt as soon as it is satisfied with the milk of the Dam kicks at her Plato therefore hereby signified some Ingratitude of Aristotle for he having received the greatest seeds of Philosophy from him and introduction thereto as soon as he was replenished and satisfied with the best things thereof revolted from him and getting his friends together set up against him Peripateticism professing himself Plato's adversary CHAP. X. What respect Pericles had for the Athenian people Did not Pericles son of Xanthippus bear a great respect to the Athenian people To me it appears so for as often as he was to speak in public he wished that no word might fall from him which might exasperate the people as being contrary to them or their opinion CHAP. XI Of the Luxury of Socrates Diogenes said that Socrates himself was luxurious for he was too curious in his little House and in his little Bed and in the Sandals which he used to wear CHAP. XII Of the Picture of Helena drawn by Zeuxis Zeuxis the Heracleote having drawn Helena got much money by the Picture for he admitted not every one that came accidentally or out of a desire to see it but made them first pay money before they saw it Hereupon the Heracleote gaining much money by the Picture the Grecians of that time called this Helena a Courtesan CHAP. XIII The saying and happiness of Epicurus Epicurus the Gargettian said that to whom a little is not sufficient nothing is sufficient The same said that he was ready to contend with Jupiter in felicity when he had bread and water This being the opinion of Epicurus what he meant when he praised Pleasure we shall know elsewhere CHAP. XIV Of sparing and keeping Riches Many times Riches gathered together penny by penny with much labour as Archilochus saith are poured into the lap of a Courtesan For money is as the Sea Hedgehog easier to be taken then kept Anaxagoras also in his Book of Kingly Government saith It is hard to get Money but much harder to keep it CHAP. XV. Of some who in sickness learned Music and other Sciences in which recovering they became eminent Hiero Tyrant of Sicily is said to have been first a private person and of all men the most averse from learning Music and nothing inferior to his brother Gelo in Rusticity But falling sick he became extraordinary learned employing the leisure of his infirmity in hearing learned Discourses Hiero therefore recovering heard Simonides the Cean Pindarus the Theban and Bacchylides the Juliet but Gelo was illiterate to the last They say also that Ptolemee the second falling sick became very learned And Plato affirms that Theages studied Philosophy upon no other occasion then the leisure of sickness which hindering him from Civil affairs forced him to the love of Learning What man of understanding wisheth not that sickness had befallen Alcibiades Critias Pausanias the Lacedaemonian and others To Alcibiades and Critias that they might not have revolted from Socrates One becoming insolent and sometimes taking part with the Boeotians sometimes with the Thessalians the Medes and Persians adhering to Pharnabazus But Critias became most Tyrannical and bloody and much oppressed his Country and led a hated life And Straton son of Corrhagus seems to have fallen sick advantageously For being of an old family and rich he used no exercise but falling ill of the Spleen and exercise being requisite for his cure he addicted himself to it and making progress therein he in one day at the Olympic Games was Victor in wrestling and the Pancratium as also in the following Olympic and Nemean and Isthmian and Pythian Games Likewise Democrates the Wrestler having a pain in his feet went to the Games and standing in the Stadium made a Circle about himself and challenged his Antagonists to force him beyond the line which they not able to do were worsted And he for continuing firmly in his station went away crowned CHAP. XVI Qualities of some of the Ancients If any man imitate Callias he will make him a great Drinker if Ismenias a Player on the Flute a Boaster if Alcibiades a maker of Broths if Crobylus an excellent Orator if Demosthenes Warlike if Epaminondas Magnanimous if Agesilaus Good if Photion Just if Aristides and Wise if Socrates CHAP. XVII Wonders and Opinions of Pythagoras Pythagoras' taught men that he was begotten of a better kind than mortal nature For on the same day and at the same hour he was seen at Metapontium and in Crotona Likewise at Olympia he showed one of his Thighs which was of Gold and did make Myllias the Crotonian call to mind that he had been Midas son of Gordius a Phrygian He also stroked a white Eagle which ●…ame to him of her own accord and as he pa●…sed over the River Cosa the River saluted him saying Hail Pythagoras He afsi●…med the leaf of Mallows to be most sacred He said that Arithmetic is the wisest of all things Next he who imposed names on things And that Earthquakes were nothing else but Conventions of the dead And that the Rainbow is the beams of the Sun And that the sound which frequently strikes the ear is the voice of Daemons It was not lawful to doubt of any thing he said or question him about it but to acquiesce in what he said as in a Divine Oracle And when he came to Cities a report was spread that he came not to teach but to heal The same Pythagoras commanded to abstain from the Heart and from a white Cock and from all things that died of themselves and not to use Baths nor to go in the common Road it being doubtful whether these things were pure CHAP. XVIII Of the respect and honour which Dionysius gave to Plato When Plato invited by the frequent Letters of Dionysius came to Sicily the young Dionysius placed him in a Chariot whilst he himself played the Coachman whereupon a facetious Syracusian well versed in Homer pleased with the sight spoke these Verses out of the I●…iads with a little alteration The Chariot groaned beneath the weight Proud that the best of men there sat Whereas Dionysius was jealous of all others he had so great respect for Plato that he suffered him only to come to him unsearched although he knew him to be Dio's intimate friend CHAP. XIX That Philip honoured Learning and of Aristotle Philip the Macedonian is not only said ●…o have been a good Soldier and an excel●…ent Orator but he likewise honoured Learning exceedingly Wherefore supply●…ng Aristotle with much money he was ●…he cause of his great and various Experi●…nce and of his knowledge in living Crea●…ures Whose History the son of Nicoma●…hus acquired through the wealth of Philip. He honoured Plato also and Theophrastus CHAP. XX. Of Democritus and of the Renown of him Theophrastus Hypocrates and others It is reported that Democritus the Abderite was wise besides other things in desiring to live unknown and that he wholly endeavoured it In pursuit whereof he traveled to many Countries he went to the Chaldaeans and to Babylon and to the Magis and to the Indian Sophists When the estate of his Father Damasippus was to be divided into three parts amongst the three Brothers he took only so much as might serve for his travel and left the rest to his Brethren For this Theophrastus commends him that by travelling he had gained better things than Menelaus and Ulysses For they wandered up and down no otherwise than Phoenician Merchants fo●… they gathered money which was the occasion of their travel by Se●… and ●…and The Abderites called Democr●…us Philosophy but Protagoras Discourse Democritus laughed at all people an●… said they were mad whence his Countrymen called him Gelasinus They likewis●… ●…ay that Hypocrates at his first meeting with Democritus thought him mad But ●…fter they had conversed together admired ●…he man They say that Hypocrates though ●…e were Doric yet for the sake of Demo●…ritus he composed his Writings in the Io●…ick Dialect CHAP. XXI Of those who were beloved of Socrates and Plato Alcibiades was beloved of Socrates Dio of Plato But Dio received advantage by ●…he love of his friend CHAP. XXII Of the Luxury of the Athenians The ancient Athenians wore purple garments and various coloured Vests They ●…ikewise tied their Hair in Knots to which ●…hey put golden Grass-hoppers and other ●…rnaments of Gold When they went ●…broad their servants carried Folding-stools ●…hat when they pleased they might sit down It is cert●…in also that their Tables and Diet were very Luxurious and yet Whiest they did this they were Victors at Ma●…athon CHAP. XXIII Of certain Prodigal persons Prodigality and volup●…uous life reduced Pericles and Callia●… son of Hipponicus and Nicias of Pergaseus to indigence When money failed them these three drank Hemlock their last draught to one another and died as at a Feast CHAP. XXIV How Friendship may be best preserved Leoprepes the Cean Father of Simonides chanced on a time to sit in the Wrastling-place Two young men entire Friends came to him and asked him how their F●…iendship might best be preserved He said If you yield to one another's anger and not by opposition provoke each other CHAP. XXV Of the strange Madness of Thrasyllus Thrasyllus the Aexonian fell into a strange and new kind of Madness he left the City and went to Pyraeum the Heaven and dwelling there he fancied that all the Ships which came in were his and registered them and so dismissed them When any came safe into the Haven he rejoiced exceedingly This Infirmity held him many years At length his brother coming from Sicily put him to a Physician to be cured and so his Madness ceased He many times mentioned his actions during his Madness and said that he never had so much Joy as when he was pleased with ●…eing Ships come in safe which nothing belonged to him CHAP. XXVI Of Electra Xanthus' a Lyric Poet he was ancienter than Stesichorus the Himeraean saith that Electra daughter of Agamemnon was not named so at first but Laodice Afterwards when Agamemnon was slain and Aegisthus marrying Clytaemnestra reigned she lived unacquainted with the Marriagebed and grew old a Virgin for which reason the Grecians called her Electra as having never had a Husband and living unacquainted with the Marriag●…-bed CHAP. XXVII Of the Gift of Pamphaes and Diotimus Pamphaes' a Prienian gave to Croesus whilst his Father was yet living thirty Minae who coming to the Crown sent him a great Chariot filled with Silver Diogenes●…eiving ●…eiving a little money of Diotimus the Carystian said The Gods immortal grant To thee what thou dost want A Man and House It seems that this Diotimus was effeminate CHAP. XXVIII That Pherecydes fell into a Phthiriasis because of his Atheism Pherecydes the Syrian ended his life the most miserable of men his whole body being consumed by Vermin and his countenance becoming loathsome he declined the conversation of his acquaintance And wh●…nsoever any one coming to visit him demanded how he did putting out his finger through the hole in the door the flesh whereof was quite eaten off he said that his whole body was such The Delians affirm that the God in Delos displeased with him wrought this for as he sat in Delos with his Disciples he spoke many things concerning himself amongst the rest this That he had sacrificed to none of the Gods and yet led a life no less pleasant and void of grief than they who offered Hecatombs For this vain speech he suffered severe punishment CHAP. XXIX That Alexande●… ridiculously believed there are infinite Worlds I cannot forbear to laugh at Alexander the son of Philip who seeing that Democrit●…s in his Writings asserted that there are infinite Worlds was troubled that he had not quite subdued one How much Democritus himself would have laughed at him what need I say whose custom that was The End AELIAN's Various History The Fifth BOOK CHAP. I. That Tachos died upon using more delicate Diet. TAchos the Egyptian whilst he used the Diet of his Country and lived sparingly was the most healthful of men but when he went to the Persians and fell into their Luxury not able to bear their unaccustomed Diet he ended his life by a Dysentery and changed Luxury for Death CHAP. II. Pherecydes how he died Pherecydes Master of Pythagoras falling sick first had a very hot Sweat viscous-like Phlegm afterwards like that of Beasts then little Vermin grew in him and his flesh corrupting into them he wasted away and so ended his life CHAP. III. Of Hercules his Pillars Aristotle affirms that those Pillars which are now called of Hercules were first called the Pillars of Briareus but after that Hercules had cleared the Sea and Land and beyond all question showed much kindness to men they in honour of him not esteeming the memory of Briareus called them Heraclean CHAP. IU. Of some Trees growing in Delos It is reported that in Delos there groweth an Olive and a Palm which Latona touching was immediately brought to bed whereas until then she could not CHAP. V. Of Epaminondas his Indigence and Magnanimity Epaminondas had but one Vest and that sordid so that whensoever he sent it to the Fuller he was forced to stay at home for want of another Whilst he was thus indigent the Persian King sending him a great sum of money he would not accept it And if I mistake not he that refused the Gift was more Magnanimous than he that offered it CHAP. VI Of the voluntary death of Calanus Likewise the end of Calanus the Indian is worthy to be praised another would say to be admired It was on this manner Calanus the Indian Sophist having bid a long farewell to Alexander and the Macedonians and to life when he would free himself from the Fetters of the Body caused a Pyre to be made in the fairest Suburb of Babylon the wood thereof was dry and chosen for fragrancy Cedar Thyum Cypress Myrtle and Laurel He having performed his accustomed exercise which was to run a course came and stood in the middle of the Pyre crowned with reeds The Sun shone upon him and he worshipped him which was the sign he had given the Macedonians that they should kindle the Pyre which they did and continued standing upright in the flame and fell not till he was quite consumed Hereat Alexander as is reported much astonished said that Calanus had vanquished greater Enemies than he For he warred with Porus and Taxiles and Darius but Calanus with Pains and Death CHAP. VII Of Anacharsis The Scythians wander up and down their own Country but Anacharsis being a wise man extended his travels farther for he came into Greece and Solon admired him CHAP. VIII How some have born Scoffs Scoffs and Reproaches to me seem of no force for if they meet with a solid mind they are shattered in pieces but if with a mean and low they have power and many times occasion not only grief but death whereof take this instance Socrates being derided in a Comedy laughed but Poliagrus hanged himself CHAP. IX Of Aristotle Aristotle having prodigally consumed his Patrimony went to the Wars which succeeding ill with him also he then traded as an Apothecary But coming by chance into the Peripatus and hearing the discourses there being of better natural parts than most of them he acquired that habit which afterwards he put in execution CHAP. X. The number of some Ships and Arms which the Athenians lost The Athenians were diligent in taking care for their Navy Sometimes having the better and sometimes being worsted they lost in Egypt two hundred Galleys with all that belonged to them at Cyprus a hundred and fifty in Sicily two hundred and forty in the Hellespont two hundred Of compleatly-armed Soldiers there were slain in Sicily forty thousand and at Chaeronaea a thousand CHAP. XI The Cruelty of a King of Thrace towards his Children A King of Thrace his name let some other tell when Xerxes warred against Greece fled to the Mountain Rhodope and advised his six Sons not to fight against Greece But th●…y not obeying him when he returned he put out the eyes of them all an act unlike a Grecian CHAP. XII That D●…mades wa●… fined for making a ●…at Alexander should be accounted a God I cannot but love this act of the Athenians In a publi●…k Assembly of the Athenians Demades rising up decreed that Alexander should be the thirteenth Deity But the people not enduring his excessive impiery fined him a hundred Talents for enrolling Al●…xander who was a mortal amongst the Celestial Gods CHAP. XIII That the Athenians were inclined to Novelties The Athenians were very changeable as to Government and exceedingly inclined to alteration They patiently suffered Kingly Government under Cecrops Erechtheus and Theseus and afterwards under the Codridae they experimented Tyranny under the Pisistratidae they used Aristocracy four hundred years after which they chose yearly ten Citizens which governed the City At last there happened an Anarchy by the Sedition of the Thirty Tyrants This ready change of customs whether it should be commended or not I know not CHAP. XIV An Attic Law concerning the Interment of Bodies and killing of Oxen. This was an Attic Law Whosoever happens to light upon the Car●…ase of any man he must throw earth all over it and bury it as looking towards the West This also was observed by them A ploughing Ox that laboureth under the yoke either with Plough or Cart sacrifice not For he also is a tiler of the earth and partakes with men of their labour CHAP. XV. Places of Judicature in Athens for Murders Attic Courts of Judicature for wilful Murders in the Areopagus for involuntary in the Palladium for those who confessed the Murder but pleaded the lawfulness of it in the Delphinium CHAP. XVI That a little Boy was condemned for Sacrilege A little Boy carried away a Plate of Gold which fell from the Crown of Diana It was discovered The Judges caused play-things and Dice to be set before him as also the Plate He again laid hold of the Plate whereupon they put him to death for S●…crilege not sparing his age but punishing the act CHAP. XVII Of the Superstition of the Athenians The Athenians were so Superstitious that if any one felled a little Oak out of the Hero's Grove they put him to death And Atarbes for that he killed the Sparrow sacred to Aesculapius they spared not but executed him Not pardoning either his ignorance or madness but preferring the concernment of the God before both these For some said he did it by chance others through fury CHAP. XVIII Of a Woman with child condemned to death The Court of Areopagus having tried a Woman poisoner and it being judged she should die they would not put her to death until she were delivered of the Infant wherewith she was great Then saving the innocent Child they executed the guilty person CHAP. XIX How Aeschylus condemned for Impiety was preserved Aeschylus the Tragic Poet was by reason of some Play condemned ●…or Impiety Whereupon the Athenians being ready to stone him Amynias his younger Brother throwing back h●…s Vest showed his Arm without a Hand Amynias had the reward for fight best at Salamis where he lost his Hand and was the first of the Athenians that was rewarded The Judges seeing the trouble of the man called to mind his actions and dismissed Aeschylus CHAP. XX. Of the Fasting of the Tarentines and Rhegians The Tarentines being besieged by the Romans and ready to surrender through Famine the Rhegians ordered a Fast to be kept every ten days and with the allowance of that food supplied the Tarentines Hereupon the Romans raised their si●…ge and the Tarentines ●…n of their d●…stress kept a Feast which they called The F●…st CHAP. XXI That Medea did not kill her own Children Some say that the relation concerning Medea is false and that she did not kill her Children bu●… the Corinthians This Fable concerning Colchis and the Tragedy Medea they say Euripides made at the request of the Corinthians The falsity prevailed above the truth by reason of the excellency of the Poet. But for the Murder of the Children they say that even to this day the Corinthians offer exp●…atory Sacrifices to them which they render as a kind of Tribute The End AELIAN's Various History The Sixth BOOK CHAP. I. Of the Wrath Inhumanity Contempt Injustice and Violence of some towards others THE Athenians having overcome the Chalcidenses distributed that part of their Country which is called Hippobotus into forty Lots but meddled not with the ground consecrated to Minerva in the place named Lilantus The rest of the Country they let out and brought away the Pillars which now stand at the Royal Piazza on which they set up the Bills of Sale The Prisoners that they took they cast into Fetters neither did this s●…tisfie their rage against the Chalcidenses T●…e Lacedæmonians having overcome the Messenians took to themselves the half of every th●…ng in Messenia and compelled the Free-women to go to Funerals and to bewa●…l the de●…d such as were Strangers and not●…ing related to them Of the men they imp●…oyed some ●…n Husband●…y some they sold some they slew the Athenians were insolent in this Having good success they used not their good ●…ortune moderately For they compelled the foreign Virgins that inhabited the●…r Country to carry Umbrella's in public Solemn●…ties before their own Virgins and the Women before their Women and the Men to carry Spades The S●…cyonians having taken Pellene prostituted publicly the W●…ves and Daughters of the Pellenians This was most savage O you Gr●…ian Gods and unseemly I think even in Barbarians Philip having gained the Victory at Chaeronaea was exalted with the success as were also all the Macedonians The Grecians searing him exceedingly surrendered themselves according to their several Cities as ●…ast as possible to him The same did the Thebans and the Megarenses the Corinthians Achaeans Elei and the Euboeans that dwelled upon the Seaside Philip kept not the agreement he had made with them but subjected them all to Servitude contrary to right and equity CHAP. II. Of the Valour of the Son of Harmatidias The Son of Harmatidias the Thespian going with others of his Country to aid the Athenians fought at ●…irst stoutly and gallantly then having lost his Arms fought with his bare hands against the armed men and so died honourably I have named the Father of the young man and celebrated him after the manner of Homer His own name if any is inquisitive to know let some other tell CHAP. III. Of ●…sadas a Boy The Lacedæmonians crowned Isadas yet but a Boy and not obliged by the Law to take Arms for leaving the Gymnasium and behaving himself gallantly in a Fight Yet because he engaged with the Enemy before his age required it and before he had received Arms from his Country they fined him CHAP. IU. Of him that was betrothed to the Daughter of Lysander Lysander dying one that was betrothed to his Daughter in his life-time because she was fatherless and that Lysander at his decease proved poor cast her off and said he would not have her to Wife hereupon the Ephori fined him not like a Lacedaemonian or Grecian to forget his Friend dead and to prefer Wealth before a Contract CHAP. V. Of the Athenian Ambassadors The Athenians because the Ambassadors which they sent to Arcadia took another way and not that which they appointed though they performed their charge well put them to death CHAP. VI Laconic Laws Are not these Laconic There is a Law amongst the Spartans' That he who hath had three Sons should be exempt from Watch and Ward he who five should be discharged from all public Offices and Taxes That Marriages should be contracted without Portions No Lacedaemonian might learn a Trade They must go to War clothed in Scarlet For besides that the colour had something of awfulness in itself the blood which was spilt upon it from wounds did much more daunt the Enemy appearing more sharp to the sight and more dreadful It was not lawful for a Lacedaemonian to strip a slain Enemy They who died fight stoutly were carried crowned with Olive and other Branches But they who had fought best had a Scarlet-Robe thrown over them and so were buried honourably CHAP. VII Of the Earthquake which happened at Sparta When the Lacedæmonians had treacherously expelled the Taenarian Servants these Servants were of the race of the Hilotes through the anger of Neptune there happened an Earthquake at Sparta which threw down the City so that there were but five Houses left standing of the whole City CHAP. VIII Of the Murder of Artaxerxes They say that Artaxerxes surnamed Ochus being by Bagoas the Eunuch who was an Egyptian slain and cut to pieces was thrown to Cats and some other buried in his stead was laid in the Regal Monuments The Sacrileges which are reported of Ochus are many especially those committed in Egypt Neither was Bagoas satisfied with kill Ochus but he also made Hilts for Swords of the Bones of his Thighs thereby signifying his bloody disposition He hated him because when he came into Egypt he slew Apis as Cambyses had done before CHAP. IX Of a Treasure sought by the Delphians in the Pythian Temple There coming a report to Delphi that the Temple of Apollo was anciently very rich grounded upon these Verses of Homer Not so much wealth as Phoebus' marble Fane Founded in rocky Pytho doth contain They say that hereupon the Delphians began to dig about the Altar and the Tripod but there happening violent Earthquakes about the Seat of the Oracles they gave over the attempt CHAP. X. A Law concerning Citizens made by Pericles Pericles' General of the Athenians made a Law That he whose Parents on both sides were not Citizens might not enjoy the privileges of a Citizen From this Law there happened a revenge upon himself for his two legitimate Sons Paralus and Xanthippus died of the common Pestilence There remained only to him his natural issue who by their Father's Law were deprived of interest in the State CHAP. XI Of Gelo offering to resign the Government Gelo having overcome the Carthaginians at Himera reduced all Sicily to his obedience Then coming into the Marketplace unarmed he declared that he would resign the Government to the Citizens But they refused knowing him to be more loving to the people then desirous of Monarchick power Hence in the Temple of Sicilian Juno there is an Image representing him unarmed which pictures this action CHAP. XII Of the Happiness of Dionysius and what end it had Dionysius the second had an Empire excellently fortified after this manner He possessed Ships no less than four hundred of five rows and six rows of Oars His power of foot-soldiers was a hundred thousand Horsemen nine thousand The City of Syracuse was adorned with exceeding great Havens and encompassed with a very high Wall He had store for five hundred Ships more His provision of Corn which was laid up was a hundred Myriads of Medimnae His Magazine was furnished with Shields Swords and Spears many LeggArms Breastplates and Slings The Sling was Dionysius his own invention He had also many Auxiliaries and confiding in these Dionysius thought he possessed an Empire bound with Adamant But he first put his Brothers to death then saw his Sons cruelly murdered and Daughters first ravished then killed Not one of those that descended from him had the rite of Sepulture for some were burned alive others cut in pieces and cast into the Sea This happened to him when Dio Son of Hipparinus invaded his Kingdom He himself died old in extreme poverty Theopompus saith that through excessive Drinking he had so great an infirmity in his Eyes that he grew blind and that he sat in Barber's Shops and talked jestingly to move laughter and that in the midst of Greece he led a dishonourable and wretched life No light argument to persuade men to moderation and temper is the change of Dionysius his fortune from so high to so low a condition CHAP. XIII Of Tyrannical Governments in Greece which have continued in Posterities It is excellently ordered by Providence that Tyrannical Governments last not to the third Generation but either the Tyrants are rooted out like Pitch-trees or their Children devested of Power But amongst the Greeks these Tyrannical Governments are known to have lasted so long that of Gelo in Sicily of the Leucanians in Bosphorus and of the Cypselidae at Corinth CHAP. XIV Of a Conspiracy against Darius I am told an extraordinary meek act of Darius' Son of Hystaspes Aribazus the Hyrcanian with many other persons not inconsiderable in Persia conspired against him The Plot was laid at a Hunting which Darius understanding was not daunted but commanded them to betake themselves to their Weapons and Horses and to fix their Arms. And looking sternly upon them Why then do you not that said he which you designed But they seeing the undaunted look of the man gave over the attempt And so great fear seized them that they threw away their Spears leapt from their Horses adored Darius and delivered themselves up to do with them as he pleased He separated them from one another and sent some to the confines of India others to the borders of Scythia and they continued ever afterwards faithful to him being mindful of this favour The End AELIAN's Various History The Seventh Book CHAP. I. Of Semiramis and how she obtained the Assyrian Empire OF Semiramis the Assyrian several things are related She was the fairest of Women yet neglected her Beauty When she came to the King of Assyria whether she was summoned through the renown of her Beauty as soon as he saw her he fell in love with her She requested of the King that he would grant her a Royal Robe and that she might have the command of Asia five days and the ordering of all things during that time She failed not of her request But as soon as the King had seated her upon the Throne and that she knew all things were at her power and disposal she commanded the Guard to kill the King and so possessed herself of the Assyrian Empire Dinon relates this CHAP. II. Of the Luxury of Strato and Nicocles Strato the Sidonian is said to have studied to exceed all men in Luxury and Magnificence Theopompus the Chian compares his life to the Feasting of the Phaeacians which Homer according to his great wit as he useth to do highly magnified This man had not a single Musician at his Feast to delight him but there waited many Women-Musicians and players on the Flute and beautiful Courtesans and Women-dancers He emulated exceedingly Nicocles the Cyprian and Nicocles him This emulation was about nothing serious but concerning the things we spoke of For each of them hearing from those who came from the other what was done there emulated and endeavoured to exceed the other But this lasted not always for both died violent deaths CHAP. III. A Consolatory Saying of Aristippus Aristippus to some of his friend's bein●… exceedingly afflicted besides many othe●… Consolatory speeches said thus at first t●… them I come to you not as to condol●… with you but to suppress your grief CHAP. IU. Of the praise of a Mill. Pittacus exceedingly commended a Mill making an Encomium upon it for that many persons may exercise themselves in little compass There was a common So●… hence called the Mill-Song CHAP. V. Of the hand-labour of Ulysses and A chill in many things Even Laertes was by his Son surprise labouring with his hands and pruning Tree when he was very old Ulysses like wise confesseth that he knew many things and how to do them with his own hands There is not any man alive so good At making fires & cleaving out the woo●… He also quickly made a little Ship by his own labour without any Shipwright And Achilles himself who was the third from Jupiter did cut the meat and dress the Supper for the Ambassadors that came from the Achaeans CHAP. VI The answer of a Scythian concerning Cold. On a time there falling a great Snow the King of the Scythians asked one whom he saw walk naked whether he were not frozen He again asked the King whether his Forehead were not frozen To which he answering No the other replied Neither am I for I am Forehead all over CHAP. VII Of Demosthenes his Watchfulness Pytheas scoffed at Demosthenes' Son of Demosthenes saying that his Arguments smelled of the Lamp because he sat up all the night meditating and considering what he should say when he w●…s to come before the Athenians CHAP. VIII Of Alexander's grief at Hephaestion's Death When Hephaestion died Alexander cast into the Pyre his Arms and Gold and Silver to be burnt with the dead body as also a Vest of great esteem amongst the Persians He likewise caused all the chie●… Soldiers to be shaved himself acting a●… Homerical passion and imitating his Achilles But he did more eagerly and fiercely laying waste the Castle of the City Ecbatana and throwing down the Wall A●… to the shaving of his Hair he did in my o●… pinion like a Greek●… but in throwing dow●… the Walls he expressed his mourning like ●… Barbarian He also changed his Vest giving all over to grief love and tears Hephaestion died at Ecbatana It is reported that these things were intended for th●… Burial of Hephaestion but that Alexande●… used them dying before the mourning wa●… over for the young man CHAP. IX Of a Modest Woman Was not this a singular token of Modesty To me it seems such The Wife ●…f Photion wore Phocion's Vest and requi●…ed not a * A thin Sasfroncoloured Gown Crocotum or * A thin fringed or laced Gown Hesych Tarentine or Cloak or Mantle or Veil or Hood or co●…oured Robes But she first put on Mode●…ty and then such things as were at hand CHAP. X. Of the Wife of Socrates Xanthippe Wife of Socrates refusing to ●…ut on his Vest so to go to a public Spectacle he said Do you not perceive that you go not to see but rather to be seen CHAP. XI Of the Shoes of the Roman Women Of the Roman Women many have used ●…o wear the same Shoes as Men. CHAP. XII An Apophthegm of Lysander or Philip concerning Perjury Children must be cheated by Dice Men by O●…ths Some ascribe this Saying to Lysander others to Philip the Macedonian But which soever it was it is not well said in my opinion Neither is it perhaps strange that Lysander and I differ in our opinions for he was a Tyrant but my mind may be guessed by this that I have declared that this Saying pleaseth me not CHAP. XIII Of the Tolerance of Agesilaus Agesilaus a Lacedaemonian now an old man very often went forth without Shoes and Coat in his Mantle and that in the Winter mornings And when a certain person reprehended him that he did more youthfully than became his age he answered But the young Citizens cast their eyes on me as Colts on their Sires CHAP. XIV Of Philosophers that went to War and administered Civil Government Were not the Philosopher's skilful in Warlike affairs To me they seem such For the Tarentines chose Archytas their General six times Melissus was their Admiral Socrates fought thrice and Plato himself at Tanagra and at Corinth The Warlike actions and Generalship of Xenophon many celebrate and he himself acknowledgeth in his Discourses concerning Cyrus Dio son of Hipparinus subverted the Tyranny of Dionysius and Epaminond●…s being made chief Commander of the Boeotians at Leuctra overcame the Lacedæmonians and was chief among the Romans and Grecians Zeno much advantaged the Athenian State whilst he was with Antigonus For there is no difference if a man benefits others whether it be by his Wisdom or Arms. CHAP. XV. How the Mitylenaeans revenged themselves upon their revolted Confederates The Mitylenaeans being absolute Masters of the Sea imposed as a punishment upon their Confederates which had revolted from them That they should not teach their children to read nor suffer them to be instructed in any Learning conceiving that to be bred Ignorantly and Illiterately was of all punishments the greatest CHAP. XVI Of Rome Remus Romulus and Servia Rome was built by Remus and Romulus sons of Mars and Servia She was of the Race of Aeneas CHAP. XVII Of Eudoxus coming to Sicily When Eudoxus came to Sicily Dionysius largely congratulated his arrival But he neither flattering nor concealing any thing said I come as to a good Host with whom Plato liveth Declaring that he came not for his sake but for the others CHAP. XVIII That the Egyptians are courageous in Torments and of the Indian Women They say that the Egyptians behave themselves stoutly in Torments And that an Egyptian being put to torture will sooner die then confess the truth Amongst the Indians the Wives resolutely go into the same fire with their dead Husbands The Wives of the man contest ambitiously about it and she to whom the Lot falls is burned with him CHAP. XIX Of Solon's Stratagem against the Megareans and how afterwards he overcame them by Argument Solon was made General in the War concerning Salamis Having taken two Megarean Ships he manned them with Athenian Soldiers and caused them to put on the Enemy's Armour and passing undiscovered slew many of the Megareans unarmed He also overcame them by Reason not by specious words but weight of Argument For causing some Monuments of the dead to be opened he showed that they were all Athenians being laid towards the West according to the manner of their Country for the Megareans used to be buried disorderly and as it happened The Lacedæmonians judged the Controversy CHAP. XX. Of an old man a Cean that Died his Hair There came to Lacedaemon a Cean an old man conceited of himself and ashamed of his age For which reason he endeavoured to conceal the grayness of his hair by Dying it Coming in this manner before the Lacedæmonians in public he declared his business But Archidamus King of the Lacedæmonians rising up What truth said he can this man speak who doth not only lie in his Heart but in his Hair So he rejected what he had alleged from his outward appearance arguing the unsoundness of his Mind CHAP. XXI Of the sedulity and care of Caesar and Pompey to learn such things which are requisite to govern rightly Caesar disdained not to frequent the School of Aristo and Pompey that of Cratippus For their great power did not make them despise those persons that might most advantage them and of these they had need notwithstanding their great Dignities For as it seems they desired not so much to command as to command well The End AELIAN's Various History The Eighth BOOK CHAP. I. Of Socrates his Daemon Socrates' said of his Daemon to Theages Demodocus and many others that he many times perceived a voice warning him by Divine instinct which saith he when it comes signifieth a dissuasion from that which I am going to do but never persuades to do any thing And when any of my friends saith he impart their business to me if this voice happens it dissuades also giving me the like counsel Wher●…upon I dehort him who adviseth with me and suffer him not to proceed in what he was about following the Divine admonition He alleged as witness hereof Charmides son of Glauco who ask his advice whether he should exercise at the Nemean Games as soon as he began to speak the voice gave the accustomed sigh Whereupon Socrates endeavoured to divert Charmides from his purpose telling him the reason But he not following the advice it succeeded ill with him CHAP. II. Of Hipparchus his Wisdom his care of Learned men and of Homer's Poems Hipparchus eldest son of Pisistratus was the wisest person among the Athenians He fi●…st brought Homer's Poems to Athens and caused the Rhapsodists to sing them at the Panathenaick Feast He sent also a Galley of fifty Oars to Anacreon the Teian Poet that he might come to him To Simonides the Cean Poet he was very kind and kept him always with him obliging him as is probable by great gifts and rewards for that Simonides was a great lover of money none will deny This Hipparchus made it his business to favour Learned men and endeavoured by his authority to reduce the Athenians to Learning and to better his Subjects conceiving that no man ought to envy Wisdom who himself is just and honest This Plato relates if * A Dialogue so named in the Works of Plato Hipparchus be truly his CHAP. III. The Athenian Custom of killing an Ox and of the Diipolian and Buphonian Festival This is an Athenian Custom when an Ox is killed By Proclamation they acquit all severally of Murder only they condemn the Knife and say that killed him The day on which they do this they call the Diipolian and Buphonian Festival CHAP. IU. Of the Luxury of Poliarchus They say that Poliarchus the Athenian arrived at so great a height of Luxury that he caused those Dogs and Cocks which he had loved being dead to be carried out solemnly and invited friends to their Funerals and buried them splendidly erecting Columns over them on which were engraved Epitaphs CHAP. V. Of Neleus and Medon and the Twelve Ionian Cities Neleus Son of Codrus being deposed from the Regal●… Government left Athens for the Pythian Oracle assigned the Kingdom to Medon and intending to settle a Colony came to Naxus not by design but driven thither by Tempest willing to depart thence he was hindered by contrary winds Whereupon being in suspense what to do the Soothsayers told him that his Company must be expiated there being amongst those who came along with him many persons whose hands were defiled with blood Hereupon he pretended that he had killed some servant and needed Expiation whereby he induced such as were conscious of ill to the same Which done having now discovered who were the profane persons he left them They continued at Naxus but Neleus came to jonia and first settled at Miletus having turned out the Carians the Mygdonians the Leleges and the rest of the Barbarians * For perhaps should be read who built the Twelve Cities in jonia The Cities are these Miletus Ephesus Erythrae Clazomenae Priena Lesbus Teos Colophon Myus Phocaea Samos and Chios He also built many other Cities in Epirus CHAP. VI Of the ignorance of Learning and Institution amongst the Barbarians They say that none of the ancient Thracians knew any thing of Learning Even all the Barbarians that inhabited Europe thought it dishonourable to understand Literature But those in Asia as is said used it more Whence some forbear not to affirm That not Orpheus himself being a Thracian was wise but that his Writings are false and fabulous This Androtion asserts if he be credible concerning the ignorance of Learning and Institution amongst the Thracians CHAP. VII Of the Marriages solemnised by Alexander after his Victory over Darius Alexander having taken Darius solemnised Marriages of himself and friends The men that were married were ninety and the Marriage-beds as many The Hall in which they were entertained had a hundred Couches such as they used to lie on at Meals The feet of every Couch were of Silver but of that on which he lay they were of Gold They were all covered with various-coloured Carpets of rich Barbarian work He admitted to the Feast some particular Friends whom he caused to sit over against him In the Court were feasted the Foot-soldiers Mariners Horsemen Ambassadors and Foreign Greeks Before Supper the * Trumpets sounded to give notice that it was time to come to the Table and again when Supper was ended that they should rise to depart He solemnised these Nuptials five days together Very many Musicians and Players Tragedians and Comedians came thither There came also many Jugglers out of India of which kind those of that Country exceed all others CHAP. VIII Of the Art of Painting Conon the Cleonaean as is said perfected the Art of Painting which until then was but rude and very indifferent and as it were in its infancy For which reason he also received a greater reward than the Painters that were before CHAP. IX Of a Tyrant killed by his Friend Archelaus Tyrant of Macedonia for so Plato calls him not King loved Cratevas exceedingly who no less loved the supreme Command and therefore killed his Friend Archelaus hoping thereby to obtain the Tyranny and make himself happy But having possessed the Tyranny three or four days he was also betrayed by others and slain To this Macedonick Tragedy aptly suit these Verses Who snares for others lays Himself at last betrays They say that Archelaus had betrothed one of his Daughters to him but marrying her to another he out of indignation slew Archelaus CHAP. X. Of Solon and the Laws written by him and Draco The Athenians chose Solon their Archon for that Office was not conferred by lot After he was chosen he beautified the City besides other things with Laws which he writ for them and are observed to this day Then the Athenians gave over using the Laws of Draco which were called Thesmi retaining only those which concerned Homicides CHAP. XI Of the decay and dissolution of things and of the World itself It is not to be wondered at that Humane Nature being mortal and transitory necessitates them to perish if we look upon Rivers that fail and consider that even the highest Mountains diminish Travellers say that Aetna appears to be much less than it was formerly They relate the same of Parnassus and Olympus the Pierican Mountain And they who seem to understand the nature of the Universe assert that the World itself shall be dissolved CHAP. XII Of Demosthenes Aeschines Theophrastus and Demochares It is a strange thing if true that Demosthenes failing of Rhetoric in Macedonia Aeschines the Cothocidean son of Atromitus flourished amongst the Macedonians and far transcended the rest of the Ambassadors in wit The cause whereby this happened to Aeschines was the friendship of Philip and his gifts and because Philip heard him patiently and pleasingly and looked upon him with a mild and benevolent aspect thereby discovering the good will he had for him all which were great incitements to Aeschines of confidence and fluent Language This happened not only to Demosthenes in Macedonia though a most excellent Orator but also to Theophrastus the Eresian for he likewise was at a loss before the Council of the Areopagus for which he alleged this excuse That he was daunted with the grave presence of the Senate To which speech Demochares answered bitterly and readily thus Theophrastus the Judges were Athenians not the twelve Gods CHAP. XIII Of some who never laughed They say that Anaxagoras the Clazomenian never laughed nor so much as smiled They say also that Aristoxenus was a great enemy to Laughter And that Heraclitus bewailed all things in life CHAP. XIV Of the death of Diogenes Diogenes the Sinopean being sick to death and scarce able to go cast himself from a Bridge which was near the place of exercise and charged the Keeper of the place that as soon as he was quite dead he should throw him into the River Ilissus so little did Diogenes value Death or Burial CHAP. XV. Of the Moderation of Philip upon a Victory and of what he would be minded continually Philip when he had vanquished the Athenians at Chaeronaea though exalted with his success yet subdu●…d his passion and behaved himself not insolently Therefore he thought it requisite to be put in mind by one of his Servants that he was a Man wherefore he appointed this office to a Servant neither did he go forth before that as is said nor was any that came to speak with him admitted before the Servant had cried aloud thrice to him which he did daily He said to him Philip thou art a Man CHAP. XVI Of Solon and Pisistratus Solon son of Execestides now grown old began to suspect Pisistratus as aiming at Tyranny when he came before a public Convention of the Athenians and required a Guard of the people But seeing the Athenians not regarding his speeches went to Pisistratus he said that he was wiser than some and more valiant than others wiser than those who perceived not that as soon as he had gotten a Guard he would become Tyrant more valiant than those who perceived it but held their peace Pisistratus having gotten this power made himself Tyrant Then Solon hanging out his Shield and Spear before his Gate said That he had taken Arms and defended his Country whilst he was able and now though no longer fit by reason of his age to be a Soldier he still was in mind a well-willer Notwithstanding Pisistratus whether respecting the man and his wisdom or mindful of their acquaintance in his youth did no harm to Solon Not long after Solon being very old died leaving behind him a great renown of Wisdom and Fortitude They set up his Image of Brass in the Marketplace and buried him publicly near the Gates of the Wall on the right hand as you come in His Monument was encompassed with a Wall CHAP. XVII Of Oenycinus Monarch of the Zanclaeans Oenycinus a Scythian Monarch of the Zanclaeans came up into Asia to King Darius and was esteemed by him more just than all the persons that had come up out of Greece to him For having obtained leave of the King he went into Sicily and came back again from thence to the King This Democedes the Crotonian did not and therefore Darius much reproached him calling him a Deceiver and a most wicked man But the Scythian lived very happily in Persia till he was old and died there CHAP. XVIII Of Euthymus and the Hero in Temese and a Proverb Euthymus a Locrian of those in Italy was an eminent Wrestler and reported to have been of admirable Strength For the Locrians show an extraordinary great Stone which he carried and set before his Gates He quelled the Hero in Temese who exacted Tribute of all that lived thereabout for coming into his Temple which to most persons was inaccessible he fought with him and compelled him to give up much more than he had plundered whence arose a Proverb of those who get any thing whereby they receive no benefit that the Hero in Temese is come to them They say that Euthymus going down to the River Caecis which runs by the City of the Locrians was never after seen CHAP. XIX The Epitaph of Anaxagoras and his Altar Here lies who through the truest ways did pass O' th' world Celestial Anaxagoras There was a double Altar erected to him one inscribed of the Mind the other of Truth The End AELIAN's Various History The Ninth Book CHAP. I. That Hiero loved Learning and was liberal and lived friendly with his Brothers THEY say that Hiero the Syracusian was a lover of the Grecians and esteemed Learning exceedingly They affirm also that he was most ready to confer benefits for he was more forward to bestow them than the suitors to receive them His soul likewise was of great courage and he lived together with his Brothers who were three without any jealousy loving them and beloved in like manner of them exceedingly With him lived Simonides and Pindar neither did Simonides though of extraordinary age decline coming to him For the Cean was naturally very covetous and that which chiefly alured him was as they say the Liberality of Hiero. CHAP. II. Of the Victory of Taurosthenes To Aegina from Olympia on the same day news of the Victory of Taurosthenes was brought to his Father some say by an Apparition others report that he carried along with him a Pigeon taken from her young not yet fledged and as soon as he gained the Victory let her lose having tied a little purple about her and then she came back to her young the same day from Pisa to Aegina CHAP. III. Of the Luxury and Pride of Alexander and some others Alexander made his Companions effeminate by allowing them to be Luxurious For Agno wore golden nails in his Shoes Clitus when any came to ask counsel of him came out to his Clients clothed in Purple Perdiccas and Craterus who loved exercise had always brought after them Lists made of Skins of the length of a Stadium which upon occasion they pitched on the ground and exercised within them They were attended with a continual cloud of dust raised by the Beasts that brought these Carriages Leonnatus and Menelaus who were addicted to Hunting had Hangings brought after them which reached the length of a hundred Stadia Alexander himself had a Tent that held a hundred Couches the partitions made by fifty Pillars of Gold which upheld the Roof the Roof itself was of Gold curiously wrought Within it round about were placed first five hundred Persians called Melophori clothed in purple and yellow Coats Next those a thousand Archers in flame-colour and light red Withal a hundred Macedonian Squires with silver Shields In the middle of the Tent was placed a Golden Throne upon which Alexander sat and heard suits encompassed round about with this Guard The Tent itself was surrounded with a thousand Macedonians and ten thousand Persians Neither might any man without much difficulty get access to him for he was much dreaded being raised by Fortune and exalted with Pride to so large a Tyranny CHAP. IU. Of the diligence of Polycrates in hearing Anacreon and of his Jealousy Polycrates the Samian was addicted to the Muses and much respected Anacreon the Teian and took delight as well in his Verses as Company but I cannot commend his intemperate life Anacreon made an Encomium of Smerdias CHAP. V. Of Hiero and Themistocles Themistocles when Hiero brought Horses to the Olympic Games forbade him the Solemnity saying It was not fit that he that would not share in their greatest Danger should partake of their Festivals For which Themistocles was commended CHAP. VI Of Pericles and his Sons dying of the Pestilence Pericles' when his Sons were taken away by the Pestilence bore their death with great fortitude By whose example the rest of the Athenians were encouraged to suffer patiently the loss of their nearest friends CHAP. VII Of Socrates his Equanimity in all things Xanthippe used to say that when the State was oppressed with a thousand miseries yet Socrates always went abroad and came home with the same look For he bore a mind smooth and cheerful upon all occasions far remote from Grief and above all Fear CHAP. VIII Of Dionysius his Incontinence Dionysius the younger coming to the City of the Locrians for Doris his Mother was a Locrian took possession of the fairest houses of the City and caused the floors to be strewed with Roses Margerum and other Flowers He also sent for the Daughters of the Locrians with whom he conversed lasciviously But he was punished for this for when his Tyranny was subverted by Dio the Locrians seized on his Daughters and prostituted them publicly to all persons especially to such as were of kin to the Virgins whom Dionysius had abused This done they pricked their fingers under their nails and so killed them then they pounded their bones in a Mortar and whosoever tasted not of the flesh that was taken from them they cursed What remained they cast into the Sea As for Dionysius he suffered the vicissitude of Fortune at Corinth in extreme poverty becoming a Metragyrta and begging Alms beating a Tabour and playing on a Pipe till he died CHAP. IX That Demetrius also was Incontinent Demetrius Poliorcetes having taken Cities abused them to maintain his Luxury exacting of them yearly one thousand and two hundred Talents Of which sum the least part was employed for the Army the rest expended upon his own Disorders for not only himself but the floors of his House were anointed with sweet Unguents and according to the season of the year Flowers strewed for him to tread on He was lascivious also he studied to appear handsome and Died his hair yellow and used Paint CHAP. X. Of Plato's little valuing Life Plato when it was told him that the Academy was an unhealthful place and the Physicians advised him to remove to the Lyceum refused saying I would not to prolong my life go live on the top of Athos CHAP. XI Of Parrhasius the Painter That Parrhasius the Painter wore a Purple Vest and Crown of Gold besides others the Epigrams on many of his Images attest On a time he contested at Samos and met with an Adversary not much inferior to himself he was worsted the subject was Ajax contending with Ulysses for the Arms of Achilles Parrhasius being thus overcome said to a friend who bewailed the misfortune that for his own being worsted he valued it not but he was sorry for the son of Telamonius that in the same contest had been twice overcome by his Adversary He carried a Staff full of golden Nails His Shoes were fastened on the top with golden Buckles They say he wrought freely and without trouble and cheerfully singing softly all the while to divert himself This is related by Theophrastus CHAP. XII Of the Epicureans banished by the Romans and Messenians The Romans expelled Alcaeus and Philiscus out of the City because they taught the young men many dishonest pleasures Likewise the Messenians expelled the Epicureans CHAP. XIII Of the Gluttony and excessive Fatness of Dionysius I am informed that Dionysius the Heracleote son of Clearchus the Tyrant through daily Gluttony and intemperance increased to an extraordinary degree of Corpulency and Fatness by reason whereof he had much ado to take breath The Physicians ordered for remedy of this inconvenience that Needles should be made very long and small which when he fell into sound sleep should be thrust through his sides into his belly Which office his Attendants performed and till the Needle had passed quite through the fat and came to the flesh itself he lay like a stone but when it came to the firm flesh he felt it and awaked When he had business when any came to speak with him for advice or orders he set a Chest before him some say it was not a Chest but a little kind of Turret which hid all of him but his face which was seen out of the top and so talked with them an excellent Garment far fitter for a Beast then a Man CHAP. XIV Of the extraordinary Leanness of Philetas They say that Philetas the Coan was extremely lean insomuch that being apt to be thrown down upon the least occasion he was fain as they report to put Lead within the soles of his Shoes lest the wind if it blew hard should overturn him But if he were so feeble that he could not resist the wind how was he able to draw such a weight after him To me it seems improbable I only relate what I have heard CHAP. XV. Of Homer The Argives give the first Palm of all Poetry to Homer making all others second to him When they sacrificed they invoked Apollo and Homer to be present with them Moreover they say that not being able to give a portion with his Daughter he bestowed on her his Cyprian Poems as Pindar attests CHAP. XVI Of Italy and of Mares both Man and Horse The Ausonians first inhabited Italy being Natives of the place They say that in old time a man lived there named Mares before like a Man behind like a Horse his name signifying as much as Hippomiges in Greek Half-horse My opinion is that he first backed and managed a Horse whence he was believed to have both Natures They fable that he lived a hundred twenty three years and that he died thrice and was restored thrice to life which I conceive incredible They say that more several Nations inhabited Italy then any other Land by reason of the temperateness of the Country and goodness of the Soil it being well watered fruitful and full of Rivers and having all along convenient Havens to harbour Ships Moreover the humanity and civility of the Inhabitants alured many to remove thither And that there were in Italy one thousand one hundred and ninety seven Cities CHAP. XVII Of Demosthenes his Pride Demosthenes seems to be argued of Pride by this relation which saith that the Water-bearers raised a Pride in him when they said something of him softly to one another as he passed by For he who was puffed up by them and proud of such commendations what must he be when the whole public Assembly applauded him CHAP. XVIII Of Themistocles Themistocles son of Neocles likened himself to Oaks saying that men come to them for shelter when they have need of them in rain and desire to be protected by their boughs but when it is fair they come to them to strip and peel them He also said If any one should show me two ways one leading to the Grave the other to the Tribunal I should think it more pleasant to take that which leads to the Grave CHAP. XIX That Demosthenes refused being called by Diogenes to go into a Cook 's Shop As on a time Diogenes was at Dinner in a Cook 's Shop he called to Demosthenes who passed by But he taking no notice Do you think it a disparagement Demosthenes said he to come into a Cook 's Shop your Master comes hither every day meaning the Common people and implying that Orators and Lawyers are Servants of the Vulgar CHAP. XX. Of Aristippus Aristippus being in a great storm at Sea one of those who were aboard with him said Are you afraid too Aristippus as well as we of the ordinary ●…ort Yes answered he and with reason for you shall only lose a wicked life but I Felicity CHAP. XXI Of Theramenes It happened that as soon as Theramenes came out of an House the House fell down immediately The Athenians flocked to him from every side to congratulate his escape but he contrary to all their expectations said O Jupiter to what opportunity do you reserve me And not long after he was put to death by the Thirty Tyrants drinking Hemlock CHAP. XXII Of some that studied Medicine They say that Pythagoras was much addicted to the Art of Medicine Plato also studied it much So did Aristotle son of Nicomachus and many others CHAP. XXIII Of Aristotle being sick Aristotle on a time falling sick the Physician prescribed him something Cure me not as if I were an Oxe-driver saith he but show me first a reason and then I will obey Implying that nothing is to be done but upon good grounds CHAP. XXIV Of the Luxury of Smindyrides Smindyrides the Sybarite advanced to so high degree of Luxury that though the Sybarites themselves were very luxurious yet he far outwent them On a time being laid to sleep on a bed of Roses as soon as he awaked he said That the hardness of the Bed had raised Blisters on him How would he have done to lie on the Ground or on a Carpet or on the Grass or on a Bull 's skin as Diomedes a Bed befitting a Soldier And underneath him a Bull 's skin they spread CHAP. XXV How Pisistratus behaved himself towards his Citizens Pisistratus having obtained the Government sent for such as passed their time idly in the Marketplace and asked them the reason why they walked up and down unemployed adding If your yoke of Oxen be dead take of mine and go your ways and work if you want Corn for seed you shall have some of me He feared lest being idle they might contrive some Treason against him CHAP. XXVI Of Zeno and Antigonus Antigonus' the King loved and respected Zeno the Cittiean exceedingly It happened that on a time being full of Wine he met Zeno and like a drunken man embraced and kissed him and bade him ask something of him binding himself by an Oath to grant it Zeno said to him Go then and sleep gravely and discreetly reproving his Drunkenness and consulting his Health CHAP. XXVII Ingenuity of Manners One reprehended a Lacedaemonian Rustic for grieving immoderately He answered with great simplicity What should I do It is not I that am the cause but Nature CHAP. XXVIII Of Diogenes A Spartan commending this Verse of Hesiod Not so much as an Ox can die Unless a Neighbour ill be by and Diogenes hearing him But saith he the Messenians and their Oxen were destroyed and you are their Neighbours CHAP. XXIX That Socrates was fearless and despised Gifts Socrates' coming home late one night from a Feast some wild young men knowing of his return lay in wait for him attired like Furies with Vizards and Torches whereby they used to fright such as they met Socrates as soon as he saw them nothing troubled made a stand and fell to question them as he used to do to others in the Lyceum or Academy Alcibiades ambitiously munificent sent many Presents to Socrates Xanthippe admiring their value desired him to accept them We answered Socrates will contest in Liberality with Alcibiades not accepting by a kind of munificence what he hath sent us Also when one said to him It is a great thing to enjoy what we desire He answered But a greater not to desire at all CHAP. XXX Of the Providence of Anaxarchus Anaxarchus when he accompanied Alexander in the Wars the Winter coming on foreseeing that Alexander would encamp in a place destitute of wood buried all his Vessels and other Utensils in his Tent and jaded his Carriages with wood When they came to the Rendezvous there being want of wood Alexander was forced to make use of his Bedsteds for Fuel But being told that Anaxarchus had gotten fire he went to him and anointed himself in his Tent. And having understood his Providence commended it bestowing on him Utensils and Garments double in value to those he had thrown away for the use of his fire CHAP. XXXI Of a Wrestler who having gained the Victory died before he was Crowned A Wrestler of Crotona having gained the Victory at the Olympic Games going to the Judges to receive the Crown was suddenly seized with an Epileptic fit and died with the fall CHAP. XXXII Of the Statues of Phryne a Courtesan and the Mares of Cimon The Grecians erected a Statue of Phryne the Courtesan at Delphi upon a high Pillar I say not simply the Grecians lest I seem to involve them all in that crime whom I chiefly love but those of the Grecians who were most addicted to Intemperance The Statue was of Gold There were also at Athens Statues of the Mares of Cimon in Brass proportioned to the life CHAP. XXXIII The Answer of a young man to his Father demanding what he had learned A young man of Eretria having heard Zeno a long time returning home his Father asked him what Wisdom he had learned He answered that he would show him His Father being angry and beating him he bore it humbly This saith he I have learned To bear with the anger of a Father CHAP. XXXIV Of persons richly clad Diogenes coming to Olympia and seeing at the Solemnity some young men Rhodians richly attired laughing said This is Pride Then meeting with some Lacedæmonians clad in Coats course and sordid This said he is another Pride CHAP. XXXV Of Antisthenes' taking pride in a torn Cloak Socrates seeing that Antisthenes always exposed to view the torn part of his Cloak Will you not saith he lay aside Ostentation amongst us CHAP. XXXVI Of Antigonus and a Lutenist A Lutenist showed his skill before Antigonus who often saying to him Screw the Treble and again Screw up the Tenor The Lutenist angry said The Gods divert such a mischief from you O King as for you to be more skilful herein then I am CHAP. XXXVII How Anaxarchus derided Alexander who would be esteemed a God Anaxarchus surnamed Eudaemonicus laughed at Alexander for making himself a God Alexander on a time falling sick the Physician prescribed a Broth for him Anaxarchus laughing said The hopes of our God are in a Porringer of Broth. CHAP. XXXVIII Of Alexander and the Harp of Paris Alexander went to Troy and making there a curious Scrutiny one of the Trojans came to him and showed him the Harp of Paris He said I had much rather see that of Achilles then this of Paris For he desired to see that which belonged to the excellent Soldier and to which he sung the praises of great persons But to that of Paris what were sung but adulterous Airs to take and entice Women CHAP. XXXIX Of ridiculous and extravagant affections Who can say that these affections were not ridiculous and extravagant That of Xerxes when he fell in love with a Planetree Likewise a young man at Athens of a good Family fell desperately in love with the Statue of good Fortune which stood before the Prytaneum He often would embrace it and kiss it at last transported with mad desire he came to the Senate and desired that he might purchase it at any rate But not obtaining his suit he Crowned it with many Garlands and Ribbons offered Sacrifice put upon it a very rich Garment and after he had shed innumerable tears killed himself **** CHAP. XL. Of the Pilots of the Carthaginian Ships The Carthaginians appointed two Pilots for every Ship saying that it was not fit a Ship should have two Rudders and he who did chiefly benefit the Passengers and had command of the Ship should be desolate and alone without an assistant CHAP. XLI Of Pausanias and Simonides Simonides the Cean and Pausanias the Lacedaemonian they say were at a Feast together Pausanias' bade Simonides speak some wise thing But the Cean laughing said ' ' Remember you are a Man At that present Pausanias slighted this and valued it not siding then with the Medes & proud of the Hospitality which the King showed him perhaps also transported with Wine But when he was in the Temple of Minerva Chalcioecus and struggled with famine and was ready to die the most miserable of men he then remembered Simonides and cried out thrice O Cean Guest thy speech imported much though I ignorantly undervalved it CHAP. XLII Of Artaxerxes and Darius Artaxerxes having put his eldest Son Darius to death for conspiring against him the second his Father commanding drew his Scimitar and slew himself before the Palace The End AELIAN's Various History The Tenth BOOK CHAP. I. Of Pherenice admitted to behold the Olympic Games PHerenice brought her Son to contend at the Olympic Games the Judges forbidding her to behold the Spectacle she went and argued with them alleging she had a Father who had been Victor at the Olympick●… as also three Brothers and she had now brought a Son to be one of the Contendours Thus she prevailed with the people contrary to the Law which forbids Women the Spectacle and beheld the Olympic Games CHAP. II. Of the Continency of Eubatas Lais seeing Eubatas the Cyrenaean fell deeply in love with him and made a proposal of Marriage to him which he fearing some treachery from her promised to do but forbore her company and lived continently It was agreed they should be married assoon as the Games were over Assoon as he had won that he might not seem to break his contract with her he caused her Picture to be drawn and carried it along with him to Cyrene saying he had taken Lais and not broken the Agreement For which she that should have married him caused a great Statue to be erected for him in Cyrene to requite this Continence CHAP. III. Properties of some Creatures Young Partridges assoon as their feet are at liberty can run nimbly Young Ducks assoon as fledged swim And the Whelps of Lions before they are brought forth scratch their Dam with their Claws eager to come into the light CHAP. IU. Of Alexander's quickness in action Alexander Son of Philip marched in his Arms thrice four hundred furlongs and before he rested fought the Enemy and overcame them CHAP. V. Of Tyrants out of Aesop's Writing This is a Phrygian saying for it is Aesop's the Phrygian The Sow when any one takes her makes a great cry and not without cause for she hath no Wool or the like and therefore presently dreams of death knowing that so she may benefit those who make use of her Tyrant's are like Aesop's Sow mistrusting and fearing every thing for they know as Swine that their life is owing to every one CHAP. VI Of Little men For Leanness were derided Sannyrio the Comic Poet and Melitus the Tragic Poet and Cinesias who made Songs for round Dances and Philetas the Poet that wrote Hexameters Archestratus the Prophet being taken by the Enemy and put in a pair of Scales was found to weigh but one obolus Panaretus also was very lean yet lived free from sickness They report likewise that Hipponax the Poet was not only low of person and deformed but very slender Moreover Philippides against whom is extant an Oration of Hyperides was very lean So that to be of a very spare constitution they commonly called to be Philippified Witness Alexis CHAP. VII Of some Astronomers and of the Great Year Oenopides the Chian an Astronomer set up a brass Table at the Olympics having written thereon the Astronomy of fifty nine years affirming this to be the Great Year Meton the Laconian an Astronomer erected Pillars on which he inscribed the Tropics of the Sun and found out as he said the Great Year which he affirmed to consist of nineteen years CHAP. VIII Of Benefits Aristotle the Cyrenaean said that we ought not to receive a Benefit from any for either you must take pains to requite it or seem ungrateful if you requite it not CHAP. IX That Philoxenus was a Glutton Philoxenus was Gluttonous and a slave to his Belly Seeing a Pot boiling in a Cook 's Shop he pleased himself all the while with the smell at last his appetite increased and nature prevailed O Gods a beastly nature so that not able to forbear any longer he commanded his Boy to buy the Pot. Who answering that the Cook valued it at a great rate he replies It will be so much the sweeter the more I pay for it Such things ought to be remembered not that we may imitate but avoid them CHAP. X. Of the ancient Painters When Painting first began and was as it were in its Infancy they drew Creatures so rudely that the Painters were fain to write upon them This is an Ox That a Horse This a Tree CHAP. XI Of Diogenes having a pain in his Shoulder Diogenes had a pain in his Shoulder by some hurt as I conceive or from some other cause and seeming to be much troubled one that was present being vexed at him derided him saying Why then do you not die Diogenes and free yourself from ills He answered It was fit those persons who knew what was to be done and said in life of which sort he professed himself one should live Wherefore for you saith he who know neither what is fit to be said or done it is convenient to die but me who know these things it behoveth to live CHAP. XII An Apophthegm of Archytas concerning Men. Archytas said that as it is hard to find a Fish without sharp bones so is it to find a Man who hath not something of deceit and sharpness CHAP. XIII That Archilochus defamed himself Critias accused Archilochus for defaming himself For saith he if he himself had not brought this report of himself into Greece we could never have known either that he was son of Enipo a Woman-servant or that he left Parus through want and penury and came to Thasus how that after he came thither he bore them enmity nor that he spoke ill of friends and foes alike nor said he had we known that he was an Adulterer if we had not been told it by himself nor that he was luxurious and insolent nor which was the basest of all that he threw away his Shield Wherefore he was no good Witness of himself leaving so bad a Record behind him This is laid to his charge not by me but by Critias CHAP. XIV Of Idleness Socrates said that Idleness is the Sister of Liberty alleging in testimony hereof the Indians and Persians people most valiant and most free but as to work most slothful The Phrygians and Lydians very laborious and servile CHAP. XV. Of those who were betrothed to the Daughters of Aristides and Lysander Some of the most eminent of the Grecians betrothed themselves to the Daughters of Aristides whilst he was yet living but they looked not upon the life of Aristides nor admired his Justice For if they had been emulators of these they would not afterward have broken their contract But as soon as he was dead they disengaged themselves from the Virgins because at his death it was known that the Son of Lysimachus was poor which deterred those miserable men from so worthy in my opinion and honourable a Match The like happened to Lysander for when they knew that he was poor they shunned his Alliance CHAP. XVI Of Antisthenes and Diogenes Antisthenes' invited many to learn Philosophy of him but none came At last growing angry he would admit none at all and therefore bad Diogenes be gone also Diogenes continuing to come frequently he chid and threatened him and at last struck him with his Staff Diogenes would not go back but persisting still in desire of hearing him said Strike if you will here is my head you cannot find a Staff hard enough to drive me from you until you have instructed me Antisthenes' overcome with his perseverance admitted him and made him his intimate Friend CHAP. XVII Of those who grew rich by public Employments Critias saith that Themistocles Son of Neocles before he had a public Command was Heir to no more than three Talents But having had a charge in the Commonwealth and happening afterwards to be banished his estate being exposed to public sale was valued at more than a hundred Talents Likewise Cleon before he came to be engaged in public affairs had not means enough for a free person but afterwards left an estate of fifty Talents CHAP. XVIII Of Syracusian Daphnis and of Bucolick Verses Some say that Daphnis the Neatherd was mercury's Friend others his Son and that he had this name from an accident For he was born of a Nymph and as soon as born exposed under a Laurel-tree The Cows which he kept they say were Sisters to those of the Sun mentioned by Homer in the Odyssees Whilst Daphnis kept Cows in Sicily being very beautiful a Nymph fell in love with him whom he enjoyed being in his blooming years at which time as Homer saith the gracefulness of Youth appeareth most attractive They agreed that he should not enjoy any other but if he transgressed she threatened him that it was decreed by fate he should lose his Sight Hereupon they plighted troth mutually Afterwards the King's Daughter falling in love with him he being drunk violated the agreement and lay with her This was the first occasion of Bucolick Verses the subject whereof was to bewail the misfortune of Daphnis and the loss of his eyes Stesichorus the Himeraean first used this kind of Verse CHAP. XIX Of Eurydamus Eurydamus the Cyrenaean gained the Victory at the Caestus His teeth being beaten out by his Antagonist he swallowed them down that his adversary might not perceive it CHAP. XX. Of Agesilaus The Persian Emperor sent word to Agesilaus that he would be his friend Agesilaus returned answer That he could not be a friend particularly to Agesilaus but if he were friend to all the Lacedæmonians he must consequently be his also for he had a share in each of them CHAP. XXI Of Plato Perictione carried Plato in her arms Aristo sacrificing in Hymettus to the Muses or the Nymphs whilst they were performing the divine Rites she laid Plato down among certain thick and shady Myrtle-trees that grew near to the place A swarm of Hymettian Bees lighted about his mouth as he slept thereby signifying the future sweetness of Plato's Tongue CHAP. XXII Of Dioxippus Dioxippus in the presence of Alexander and the Macedonians laying hold of a Club challenged Corrhagus a Macedonian armed to single combat and having broken his Spear closed with the man in armour and casting him down set his foot upon his neck and drawing forth the sword that was girt to him slew the armed man Alexander hated him for this He perceiving that Alexander hated him died of grief The End AELIAN's Various History The Eleventh BOOK CHAP. I. Of Oricadmus and the Art of Wrestling ORicadmus gave rules for Wrestling and invented that manner of Wrestling which is called Sicilian CHAP. II. Of the Verses of Oroebantius Dares and Melisander The Poems of Oroebantius the Troezenian were before Homer as the Troezenian relations affirm They ●…ay also that Dares the Phrygian whose Phrygian Iliad I know to be yet extant was before Homer Melisander the Milesian writ the Battle betwixt the Lapithae and the Centauris CHAP. III. Of Icchus and Wrestling Icchus the Tarentine used Wrestling and in the time of his exercise continued most temperate using spare diet and living continently all his time CHAP. IU. Of the Baldness of Agathocles They say that Agathocles Tyrant of Sicily was Bald-headed even to derision his hair by degrees falling off he ashamed made a Myrtle Garland to cover his head and hide the Baldness The Syracusians were not ignorant of his want of Hair but they took no notice of it by reason of his fierce spirit and Tyrannical demeanour CHAP. V. Of some persons unjustly condemned for Sacrilege Some persons sacrificed at Delphi the Delphians conspiring against them privately put consecrated moneys into the Baskets wherein was their Frankincense and Cakes for Sacrifice Hereupon apprehending them as Sacrilegious persons they led them to the top of the Rock and according to the Delphian Law threw them down CHAP. VI Of an Adulterer It happened that an Adulterer was taken in Thespiae and as he was led fettered through the Marketplace his friends rescued him This occasioned an Insurrection wherein many men were slain CHAP. VII Of Lysander and Alcibiades Eteocles the Lacedaemonian said that Sparta could not suffer two Lysander's And Archestratus the Athenian said that Athens could not suffer two Alcibiades So intolerable were they both in their Countries CHAP. VIII Of the death of Hipparchus Hipparchus was murdered by Harmodius and Aristogiton because he would not suffer the Sister of Harmodius to carry the Basket to the Goddess according to the custom of the Country in the Panathenian Solemnity she perhaps deserving it CHAP. IX Of certain excellent persons Indigent yet would not accept Gifts The most excellent persons among the Greeks lived in extreme Penury all their lives Let some then still praise Riches above the best Grecians to whom Penury was allotted as long as they lived Of those was Aristides Son of Lysimachus a man of excellent conduct in War who also imposed tribute on the Grecians Yet this so great a person did not leave enough to buy him Funeral ornaments Photion also was very poor who when Alexander sent him a hundred Talents asked For what reason doth he give me this They answering Because he conceives you to be the only Just and Good person amongst the Athenians he replied Then let him suffer me to be such Epaminondas also Son of Polymnis was poor When Jason sent him sive hundred Crowns You begin saith he to do me wrong He borrowed of a Citizen five hundred Drachms for the Charges of his Journey to Peloponnesus but hearing that his Squire had got money of a Prisoner Give me saith he the Shield back and purchase for yourself a Cook 's Shop to live in For now you are grown rich you will no longer fight Pelopidas being reproved by his friends for neglecting Riches a thing necessary to life Yes by Jove saith he necessary for that Nicomedes indeed pointing to one lame and maimed Scipio lived fifty four years and neither bought nor sold any thing with so little was he contented One showing him a Shield richly adorned he said But it behoves a Roman to place his hope on his right hand not on his left Ephialtes Son of Sophonides was exceeding poor his friends offering to give him ten Talents he would not accept them saying These will either make me through respect of you to do something unjustly in favour or if I show no particular favour or respect to you I shall seem ungrateful CHAP. X. Of Zoilus Zoilus the Amphipolitan who wrote against Homer Plato and others was Disciple of Polycrates This Polycrates wrote an Accusation against Socrates Zoilus was called the Rhetorical Dog his Character this He wore a long Beard he shaved his Head close his Gown reached not to his knees his whole employment was to speak ill and sow dissension this unhappy man was wholly given to Detraction A person asked him why he spoke ill of all he answered Because I would do them hurt but cannot CHAP. XI Of Dionysius the Sicilian Dionysius the Sicilian practised Physic and did Cures himself Lancing Cauterizing and the like CHAP. XII Of a Marchpane sent by Alcibiades to Socrates Alcibiades sent to Socrates a large Marchpane fairly wrought Xanthippe angry hereat after her manner threw it out of the Basket and trod upon it whereat Socrates laughing said And you then will have no share in it yourself If any one think that in relating these things I speak Trifles he knows not that even in such a wise man is proved despising those things which the Vulgar esteem as the ornament of a Table and crown of a Feast CHAP. XIII Of one in Sicily very sharp-sighted They say there was a Sicilian of so sharp Sight that extending his view from Lilybaeus to Carthage he erred not They say he could tell the number of the Ships riding at Carthage without missing The End AELIAN's Various History The Twelfth BOOK CHAP. I. Of Aspasia ASpasia a Phocian Daughter o●… Hermotimus was brought up a●… Orphan her Mother dying i●… the pains of Childbirth Sh●… was bred up in poverty but modestly an●… virtuously She had many times a Drea●… which foretold her that she should be mar●… tied to an excellent person Whilst sh●… was yet young she chanced to have a swe●… ling under her chin loathsome to sigh●… whereat both the Father and the Maid we●… much afflicted Her Father brought her a Physician he offered to undertake t●… Cure for three Staters the other said he ha●… not the Money The Physician replied he had then no Physic for him Hereupon Aspasia departed weeping and holding a Looking-glass on her knee beheld her face in it which much increased her grief Going to rest without Supping by the reason of the trouble she was in she had an opportune Dream a Dove seemed to appear to her as she slept which being changed to ●… Woman said Be of good courage and bid a long farewell to Physicians and their Medicines Take of the dried Rose of Venus' Garlands which being pounded apply to the swelling After the Maid had ●…nderstood and made trial of this the tumour was wholly assuaged and Aspasia recovering her beauty by means of the most beautiful Goddess did once again appear the ●…airest amongst her Virgin-companions enriched with Graces far above any of the rest Of hair yellow locks a little curling she had great eyes somewhat hawk-nosed ears short skin delicate complexion like Roses whence the Phocians whilst she was yet a child called her Milto Her lips were red teeth whiter than snow small insteps such as of those Women whom Homer calls Her voice sweet and smooth that whosoever heard her might justly say he heard the voice of a Siren. She was averse from Womanish curiosity in dressing Such things are to be supplied by wealth She being poor and bred up under a poor Father used nothing superfluous or extravagant to advantage her Beauty On a time Aspasia came to Cyrus Son of Darius and Parysatis Brother of Artaxerxes not willingly nor with the consent of her Father but by compulsion as it often happens upon the taking of Cities or the violence of Tyrants and their Officers One of the Officers of Cyrus brought her with other Virgins to Cyrus who immediately preferred her before all his Concubines for simplicity of behaviour and modesty whereto also contributed her beauty without artifice and he●… extraordinary discretion which was such that Cyrus many times asked her advice in affairs which he never repented to have followed When Aspasia came first to Cyrus it happened that he was newly rise●… from Supper and was going to drink afte●… the Persian manner for after they have done eating they betake themselves to Wine and fall to their cups freely encountering Drink as an Adversary Whilst they were in the midst of their drinking fou●… Grecian Virgins were brought to Cyrus amongst whom was Aspasia the Phocian They were finely attired three of them had their heads neatly dressed by their own Women which came along with them and had painted their faces They had been also instructed by their Governesses how to behave themselves towards Cyrus to gain ●…is favour not to turn away when he came to them not to be coy when he touched them to permit him to kiss them and many other amatory instructions practised by Women who exposed their beauty to sale Each contended to outvie the other in handsomeness Only Aspasia would not endure to be clothed with a rich Robe nor to put on a various-coloured Vest nor to be washed but calling upon the Grecian and Eleutherian Gods she cried out upon her Father's name execrating herself to her Father She thought the Robe which she should put on was a manifest sign of bondage At last being compelled with blows she put it on and was necessitated to behave herself with greater liberty than beseemed a Virgin When they came to Cyrus the rest smiled and expressed cheerfulness in their looks But Aspasia looking on the ground her eyes full of tears did every way express an extraordinary bashfulness When he commanded them to sit down by him the rest instantly obeyed but the Phocian refused until the Officer caused her to sit down by force When Cyrus looked upon or touched their eyes cheeks and fingers the rest freely permitted him but she would not suffer it For if Cyrus did but offer to touch her she cried out saying he should not go unpunished for such actions Cyrus was herewith extremely pleased and when upon his offering to touch her breast she rose up and would have run away Cyrus' much taken with her native ingenuity which was not like the Persians turning to him that bought them This Maid only saith he of those which you have brought me is free and pure the rest are adulterate in face but much more in behaviour Hereupon Cyrus loved her above all the Women he ever had Afterwards there grew a mutual love between them and their friendship proceeded to such a height that it almost arrived at parity not differing from the concord and modesty of Grecian Marriage Hereupon the fame of his affection to Aspasia was spread to jonia and throughout Greece Peloponnesus also was filled with discourses of the love betwixt Cyrus and her The report went even to the great King of Persia for it was conceived that Cyrus after his acquaintance with her kept company with no other Woman From these things Aspasia recollected the remembrance of her old Apparition and of the Dove and her words and what the Goddess foretold her Hence she conceived that she was from the very beginning particularly regarded by her She therefore offered Sacrifice of thanks to Venus And first caused a great Image of Gold to be erected to her which she called the Image of Venus and by it placed the picture of a Dove beset with Jewels and every day implored the favour of the Goddess with Sacrifice and Prayer She sent to Hermotimus her Father many rich Presents and made him wealthy She lived continently all her life as both the Grecian and Persian Women affirm On a time a Necklace was sent as a Present to Cyrus from Scopas the younger which had been sent to Scopas out of Sicily The Necklace was of extraordinary workmanship and variety All therefore to whom Cyrus showed it admiring it he was much taken with the Jewel and went immediately to Aspasia it being about noon Finding her asleep he lay down gently by her watching quietly whilst she slept As soon as she awaked and saw Cyrus she embraced him after her usual manner He taking the Necklace out of a Box said This is worthy either the Daughter or the Mother of a King To which she assenting I will give it you said he for your own use let me see your neck adorned with it But she received not the Gift prudently and discreetly answering How will Parysatis your Mother take it this being a Gift fit for her that bore you Send it to her Cyrus I will show you a Neck handsome enough without it Aspasia from the greatness of her mind acted contrary to other Royal Queens who are excessively desirous of rich Ornaments Cyrus' being pleased with this answer kissed Aspasia All these actions and speeches Cyrus writ in a Letter which he sent together with the Chain to his Mother and Parysatis receiving the Present was no less delighted with the News then with the Gold for which she requited Aspasia with great and Royal Gifts for this pleased her above all things that though Aspasia were chiefly affected by her Son yet in the love of Cyrus she desired to be placed beneath his Mother Aspasia praised the Gifts but said she had no need of them for there was much money sent with the Presents but sent them to Cyrus saying To you who maintain many men this may be useful For me it is enough that you love me and are my ornament With these things as it seemeth she much astonished Cyrus And indeed the Woman was without dispute admirable for her personal beauty but much more for the nobleness of her mind When Cyrus was slain in the fight against his Brother and his Army taken Prisoners with the rest of the prey she was taken not falling accidentally into the Enemy's hands but sought for with much diligence by King Artaxerxes for he had heard her ●…ame and virtue When they brought her bound he was angry and cast those that did it into Prison He commanded that a rich Robe should be given her which she hearing entreated with tea●…s and lamentation that she might not put on the Garment the King appointed for she mourned exceedingly for Cyrus But when she had put it on she appeared the fairest of all Women and Artaxerxes was immediately surprised and inflamed with love of her He valued her beyond all the rest of his Women respecting her infinitely He endeavoured to ingratiate himself into her favour hoping to make her forget Cyrus and to love him no less than she had done his Brother but it was long before he could compass it For the affection of Aspasia to Cyrus had taken so deep impression that it could not easily be rooted out Long after this Teridates the Eunuch died who was the most beautiful youth in Asia He had full surpassed his childhood and was reckoned among the youths The King was said to have loved him exceedingly he was infinitely grieved and troubled at his death and there was an universal mourning throughout Asia every one endeavouring to gratify the King herein and none durst venture to come to him and comfort him for they thought his passion would not admit any consolation Three days being past Aspasia taking a mourning Robe as the King was going to the Bath stood weeping her eyes cast on the ground He seeing her wondered and demanded the reason of her coming She said I come O King to comfort your grief and affliction if you so please otherwise I shall go back The Persian pleased with this care commanded that she should retire to her Chamber and wait his coming As soon as he returned he put the Vest of the Eunuch upon Aspasia which did in a manner fit her And by this means her beauty appeared with greater splendo●…r to the King's eye who much affected the youth And being once pleased herewith he desired her to come always to him in that dress until the height of his grief were allayed which to please him she did Thus more than all his other Women or his own Son and Kindred she comforted Artaxerxes and relieved his sorrow the King being pleased with her care and prudently admitting her consolation CHAP. II. Of the Muses No Statuary or Painter did ever represent the Daughters of Jupiter armed This signifies that the life which is devoted to the Muses ought to be peaceable and meek CHAP. III. Of Epaminondas and Daiphantus and jolaidas Epaminondas having received a mortal wound at Mantinaea and being brought yet alive to the Tents called for Daiphantus that he might declare him General When they told him that he was slain he called to jolaidas When they said that he also was dead he counselled them to make peace and friendship with their Enemies because the Thebans had no longer any General CHAP. IU. Of Sesostris The Egyptians say that Sesostris received learning and counsel from Mercury CHAP. V. Of Lais. Lais the Courtesan was called as Aristophanes the Byzantine reports Axine which surname impleads the Cruelty of her disposition CHAP. VI Of the Parents of Marius and Cato They deserve to be laughed at who are proud of their Ancestors since among the Romans we know not the Father of Marius yet admire him for his parts To know the Father of Cato the elder would require much scrutiny CHAP. VII Of Alexander and Hephaestion Alexander Crowned the Tomb of Achilles and Hephaestion that of Patroclus signifying that he was as dear to Alexander as Patroclus to Achilles CHAP. VIII Of the Treachery of Cleomenes to Archonides Cleomenes the Lacedaemonian taking to him Archonides one of his friends made him partaker of his design whereupon he swore to him that if he accomplished it he would do all things by his head Being possessed of the Government he killed his Friend and cutting off his Head put it into a Vessel of Honey And whensoever he went to do any thing he ●…tooped down to the Vessel and said what he ●…ntended to do affirming that he had not broken his promise nor was forsworn for he advised with the Head of Archonides CHAP. IX How Timesias forsook his Country voluntarily Timesias the Clazomenian governed the Clazomenians uprightly for he was a good man but Envy which useth to oppugn such persons assaulted him also At first he little valued the Envy of the common people but at last forsook his Country upon this occasion On a time he passed by the School just as the Boys were dismissed of their Master to play Two boys fell out about a Line One of them swore So may I break the head of Timesias Hearing this and imagining that he was much envied and hated of the Citizens and that if the boys hated him the men did much more he voluntarily forsook his Country CHAP. X. That the Aeginetae first coined Money The Aeginetae were once most powerful amongst the Greeks having a great advantage and opportunity for they had a great command at Sea and were very powerful They also behaved themselves valiantly in the Persian War whereby they gained the chief prize of valour Moreover they first stamped Money and from them it was called Aeginean Money CHAP. XI Of the Pallantian Hill and of the Temple and Altar dedicated to Fever The Romans erected a Temple and Altar to Fever under the Pallantian Hill CHAP. XII Of an Adulterer apprehended in Crete An Adulterer being apprehended at Gortyne in Crete was brought to Trial and being convicted was crowned with Wool This kind of crowning argued that he was unmanly effeminate studious to please Women He was by the general vote fined fifty Staters degraded from honour and made incapable of public Office CHAP. XIII How Gnathaena the Courtesan silenced a great Talker A Lover came from Hellespont to Gnathaena the Athenian Courtesan invited by her fame He talked much in his drink and was impertinent Gnathaena hereupon interposing said Did not you affirm you came from Hellespont He assenting And how then saith she happens it that you know not the chief City there He ask which that was she answered Sigeum By which name she ingeniously silenced him CHAP. XIV Of persons excellent in Beauty They say that the most amiable and beautiful amongst the Greeks was Alcibiades amongst the Romans Scipio It is reported also that Demetrius Poliorcetes contended in Beauty They affirm likewise that Alexander Son of Philip was of a neglectful handsomeness For his Hair curled naturally and was yellow yet they say there was something stern in his countenance Homer speaking of handsome persons compares them to Trees he shoots up like a Plant. CHAP. XV. Of certain excellent persons who delighted to play with Children They say that Hercules alleviated the trouble of his Labours by play The Son of Jupiter and Alcmene sported much with Children which Euripides hints to us making the God say I play to intermit my Toils this he speaks holding a Child And Socrates was on a time surprised by Alcibi●…des playing with Lamprocles as yet a Child Agesilaus bestriding a Reed rid with his Son a Child and to one that laughed at him said ' ' At this time hold your peace when ' ' you shall be a Father yourself than you ' ' may give counsel to Fathers Moreover Archytas the Tarentine a great Statesman and Philosopher having many servants took great delight in their Children and played with them chiefly delighting to sport with ●…hem at Feasts CHAP. XVI Persons whom Alexander hated for their Virtue Alexander hated Perdiccas because he was Martial Lysimachus because he was excellent in commanding an Army Sele●…cus because he was Valiant The Liberality of Antigonus displeased him the Conduct of Attalus the Fortune of Ptolemee CHAP. XVII Of Demetrius going to the House of a Courtesan Demetrius Lord over so many Nations went to the House of Lamia a Courtesan in his Armour and wearing his Diadem To have sent for her home had been very dishonourable much more was it that he went amorously to her I prefer Theodorus the Player on the Flute before Demetrius for Lamia invited Theodorus but he contemned her invitation CHAP. XVIII That Phaon was beautiful Phaon being the most beautiful of all men was by Venus hid among Lettuces Another says he was a Ferryman and exercised that employment On a time Venus●…ame ●…ame to him desiring to pass over he received her courteously not knowing who ●…he was and with much care conveyed her whither she desired for which the Goddess gave him an Alabaster Box of Ointment which Phaon using became the most beautiful of men and the Wives of the Mi●…ylenaeans fell in love with him At last being taken in Adultery he was killed CHAP. XIX Of Sapph Sapph the Poetress Daughter of Scamandronymus is by Plato Son of Aristo ●…eckoned among the Sages I am informed that there was another Sapph in Lesbus ●… Courtesan not a Poetress CHAP. XX. Of the Nightingale and Swallow Hesiod saith that the Nightingale above all Birds cares not for sleep but wakes continually and that the Swallow wakes no●… always but half the night only This punishment they suffer for the horrid actio●… committed in Thrace at the abominable Supper CHAP. XXI Of the Lacedaemonian Women The Lacedaemonian Matrons as many as heard that their Sons were slain in fight went themselves to look upon the wounds they had received before and behind and if of the wounds they had received the greater number were before triumphing and looking proudly they attended thei●… Sons to the Sepulchers of their Parents but if they received wounds otherwise they were ashamed and lamented and hastene●… away as privately as they could leaving the dead to be buried in the common Sepulchre or caused them to be brought away secretly and buried at home CHAP. XXII Of the Strength of Titormus and Milo and of a certain Proverb They say that Milo the Crotonian proud of his Strength happened to meet Titormus a Neatherd and seeing that Titormus was of an extraordinary bigness would make a trial of strength with him Titormus pleaded that he was not very strong but going down to Euenus and putting off his Garment he laid hold of an extraordinary great stone and first drew it to him than thrust it from him this he did two or three times After which he lifted it up to his knees and lastly lifting it up upon his shoulders carried it eight paces and then threw it down But Milo the Crotonian could hardly stir the stone The second trial of Titormus was this He went to his Herd and standing in the midst of them took hold of the greatest Bull amongst them by the leg who endeavoured to get away but could not Another passing by he catched him by the leg with the other hand and held him also Milo beholding this & stretching forth his hands to heaven said O Jupiter hast thou not begotten another Hercules Whence they say came this Proverb He is another Hercules CHAP. XXIII Of the Boldness of the Celtaes I am informed that the Celtaes are of all men most addicted to engage themselves in dangers Such persons as die gallantly in fight they make the subjects of Songs They fight crowned and erect Trophies triumphing in their actions and leaving Monuments of their valour after the Greek manner They esteem it so dishonourable to fly that many times they will not go out of their Houses when they are falling or burning though they see themselves surrounded with fire Many also oppose themselves to Inundations of the Sea There are also who taking their Arms fall upon the waves and resist their force with naked Swords and brandishing their Lances as if able to terrify or wound them CHAP. XXIV Of the luxurious Diet and Gluttony of Smindyrides They say that Smindyrides the Sybarite was so Luxurious in Diet that when he went to Sicyon as a suitor to Agarista Daughter of Clisthenes he carried with him a thousand Cooks and as many Fowlers and a thousand Fishermen CHAP. XXV Many who improved and benefitted the most excellent persons Ulysses was improved by Alcinous Achilles by Chiron Patroclus' by Achilles Agamemnon by Nestor Telemachus by Menelaus and Hector by Polydamas the Trojans as far as they followed him by Antenor the Pythagorean Disciples by Pythagoras the Democriteans by Democritus If the Athenians had followed Socrates they had been every way happy and skilful in Philosophy Hiero Son of Dinomenes was delighted in Simonides the Cean Polycrates in Anacreon Proxenus in Xenophon Antig●…nus in Zeno. And to mention those also who concern me no less than the Greeks inasmuch as I am a Roman Lucullus profited by Antiochus the Asc●…lonite Maecenas by Arius Cicero by Apollodorus Augustus by Athenodorus But Plato who far exceeded me in wisdom saith that Jupiter himself had a Counsellor but whom and how we learn from him CHAP. XXVI Of some persons addicted to Wine Persons as 't is said most addicted to Drink were Xenagoras the Rhodian whom they called * Amphoreus and Heraclides A gr●…at the Wrestler and Proteas the Son of Lanica who was brought up with Alexander the King even Alexander himself is said to have drunk more than any man CHAP. XXVII That Hercules was mild towards his Adversaries They say that Hercules was extraordinary mild towards his Adversaries for he is the first we know of who without any mediation freely gave back the bodies of the dead to be buried the slain being at those times neglected and left to be a feast for Dogs for as Homer saith He made them unto Dogs a prey and A feast to Dogs they were CHAP. XXVIII Of the Leocorium at Athens The Leocorium so called at Athens was a Temple of the Daughters of Leos Praxithea Theope and Eubule These as is reported were put to death for the City of Athens Leos delivering them up according to the Delphian Oracle which said that the City could be no other way preserved then by putting them to death CHAP. XXIX What Plato said of the Excess of the Agrigentines Plato Son of Aristo seeing that the Agrigentines built magnificently and feasted highly said that the Agrigentines build as if they were to live for ever and feast as if they were to live no longer Timaeus affirms that the Vessels in which they put their Oil and their Rubbers were of Silver and that they had Beds all of Ivory CHAP. XXX Of the Drunkenness of the Tarentines and the Luxury of the Cyrenaeans The Tarentines used to fall a-drinking as soon as they rose and to be drunk by that time the people met in the Forum The Cyrenaeans arrived at so great a height of Luxury that when they invited Plato to be their Lawgiver he would not vouchsafe it as they say by reason of their habitual dissoluteness Eupolis also mentioneth in his Comedy entitled Maricas that the meanest of them had Seals of the value of ten Minae Their Rings also were graven to admiration CHAP. XXXI Of several kinds of Greek Wines I will reckon to you the names of Greek Wines much esteemed by the Ancients One sort they called Pramnian which was sacred to Ceres another Chian from the Island another Thasian and Lesbian besides these there was one sort called Glycys Sweet the Name agreeing with the Taste another Cretan and at Syracuse a sort named Polian from a King of the Country They drunk also Coan Wine and so called it as also Rhodian from the place Are not these Demonstrations of the Greek Luxury They mixed Perfumes with their Wine and so drank it by a forced Composition which Wine was called Myrrhinites Philippides the Comic Poet mentions it CHAP. XXXII Of the Vests and Shoes of Pythagoras Empedocles Hippias and Gorgias Pythagoras the Samian wore a white Vest and a golden Crown and Drawers Empedocles the Agrigentine used a Sea-green Vest and Shoes of Brass Hippias and Gorgias as is reported went abroad in Purple Vests CHAP. XXXIII That the Romans would not allow the Treachery of Pyrrhus his Physician They say that Nicias Physician to Pyrrhus writ privately to the Roman Senate and demanded a sum of Money for which he would undertake to poison Pyrrhus but they accepted not his offer fo●… the Romans know how to overcome by Valour not by Art and Treachery to circumvent their Enemies but discovered the Design of Nicias to Pyrrhus CHAP. XXXIV Of the Loves of Pausanias and of Apelles Many Affections among the Ancients are remembered these not the least Pausanias' loved his Wife extraordinarily Apelles the Concubine of Alexander by name Pancaste by Country a Larissaean She is said to be the first whom Alexander ever enjoyed CHAP. XXXV Of the Periander's Miltiades Sibylls' and the Bacides There were two Periander's the one a Philosopher the other a Tyrant Three Miltiades one who built Chersonesus another the Son of Cypsellus the third a Son of Cimon Four Sibylls' the Erythraean the Samian the Egyptian and the Sardian Others add six more making them in all ten among which they reckon the Cumaean and the Jewish There were three Bacides one of helas another of Athens the third of Arcadia CHAP. XXXVI Of the number of the Children of Niobe The Ancients seem not to agree with one another concerning the number of the Children of Niobe Homer saith there were six Sons and as many Daughters Lasus twice seven Hesiod nineteen if those Verses are Hesiod's and not rather as many others falsely ascribed to him Aleman reckons them ten Mimnermus twenty and Pindar as many CHAP. XXXVII Of the want of Victual to which Alexander was reduced and that some Towns were taken by Smoke Alexander in pursuit of Bessus was reduced to extreme want of Victual insomuch that they were forced to feed on their Camels and other Beasts of Carriage and being destitute of Wood did eat the flesh raw But much Silphium growing there it did much avail them towards the digesting their Diet. In Bactriana the Soldiers took several Towns conjecturing by the Smoke that they were inhabited taking away the Snow from their doors CHAP. XXXVIII Of the Horses and some Customs of the Sacae The Horses of the Sacae have this quality that if one of them casts his Rider he stands still till he gets up again If any of them intends to marry a Virgin he fights with her and if she gets the better she carries him away Captive and commands and has dominion over him They fight for victory not to death The Sacae when they mourn hide themselves in caves and shady places CHAP. XXXIX Of the Boldness of Perdiccas and of the Lioness Perdiccas' the Macedonian who fought under Alexander was so bold that on a time he went alone into a Cave where a Lioness had whelped and seized not on the Lioness but brought away her Whelps for which action he deserved to be much admired The Lioness is believed to be the most strong and most courageous of all Creatures not only by Grecians but by the Barbarians also They say that Semiramis the Assyrian Queen was very proud not if she took a Lion or killed a Leopard or the like Beasts but if she overcame a Lioness CHAP. XL. Of the Provisions which followed Xerxes Amongst the Provisions full of magnificence and ostentation which were carried after Xerxes was some water of the River Choaspes When they wanted drink in a desert place and had nothing to allay their thirst Proclamation was made in the Army that if any one had some Water of Choaspes he should give it to the King to drink There was found one who had a little and that putrid Xerxes drank it and esteemed the giver as his Benefactor for he should have died of thirst if this had not been found CHAP. XLI Of Protogenes the Painter Protogenes the Painter as is said bestowed seven years in drawing jalysus at last perfected the Piece which Apelles seeing at first stood mute struck with admiration of the wonderful sight then looking off from it said Great is the work and the workman but the grace is not equal to the pains bestowed upon it which if this man could have given it the work would have reached to Heaven CHAP. XLII Of certain Men who were suckled by Beasts It is said that a Bitch gave suck to Cyrus Son of Mandale a Hind to Telephus Son to Agave and Hercules a Mare to Pelias Son of Neptune and Tyro a Bear to Paris Son of Alope and Priam a Goat to Aegisthus Son of Thyestes and Pelopia CHAP. XLIII Certain persons who of obscure became very eminent I am informed that Darius' Son of Hystaspes was Quiver-bearer to Cyrus The last Darius who was vanquished by Alexander was the Son of a Woman-slave Archelaus King of the Macedonians was Son of Simicha a Woman-slave Menelaus Grandfather of Philip was registered among the Bastards his Son Amyntas was servant to Aerope and believed to be a Slave Perseus whom Paulus the Roman conquered was by Country Argive the Son of some obscure person Eumenes is believed to have been Son of a poor man a Piper at Funerals Antigonus Son of Philip who had but one eye whence surnamed Cyclops was Servant to Polysperchus and a Robber Themistocles who overcame the Barbarians at Sea and who alone understood the meaning of the Oracle of the Gods was Son of a Thracian Woman his Mother was called Abrotonos Photion surnamed the Good had for Father a poor Mechanic They say that Demetrius Pha●…ereus was a Houshold-servant belonging to the Families of Timotheus and Conon Though Hyperbolus Cleophon and Demades were chief men in the Commonwealth of the Athenians yet no man can easily say who were their Fathers In Lacedemonia Callicratidas Gylippus and Lysander were called Mothaces a name proper to the Servants of rich men whom they sent along with their Sons to the places of exercise to be educated with them Lycurgus who instituted this granted that such of them as continued in the discipline of the Young men should be free of the Lacedaemonian Commonwealth The Father of Epaminondas was an obscure person Cleon Tyrant of the Sicyonians was a Pirate CHAP. XLIV Of those who lived a long time in the Quarries of Sicily The Quarries of Sicily were near the surface of the ground in length a Furlong i●… breadth two Acres there were in them some men who lived so long there as to b●… Married and have children and some of thei●… children never saw the City so that whe●… they went to Syracuse and beheld Horse●… in Chariots they ran away crying out bein●… much affrighted The fairest of those Caves did bear the name of Philoxenus the Poet in which they say he dwelled when he composed his Cyclops the best of his Poems not valuing the punishment imposed upon him by Dionysius but in that calamity he exercised Poetry CHAP. XLV Of Midas Plato and Pindar their infancy The Phrygian Stories say thus Whilst Midas the Phrygian yet an infant lay asleep Ants crept into his mouth and with much industry and pain brought thither some Corn. These wrought a Honeycomb in the mouth of Plato Likewise Pindar being exposed from his Father's house Bees became his Nurses and gave him Honey instead of Milk CHAP. XLVI Of a Sign which portended that Dionysius should be King They say that Dionysius Son of Hermocrates crossing a River on Horseback his Horse stuck in the Mire he leapt off and gained the Bank going away and giving his Horse for lost But the Horse following and Neighing after him he went back and as he was laying hold of his Main to get up a swarm of Bees settled on his hand To Dionysius consulting what this portended the * Sicilian●…oothsayers ●…oothsayers Galeotae answered that this signified Monarchy CHAP. XLVII Of Aristomache Wife of Dio. Dionysius banished Dio out of Sicily but his Wife Aristomache and his Son by her he kept in custody Afterwards h●… gave the Woman in Marriage against he●… will to Polycrates one of his Guard i●… whom he most confided He was by birt●… a Syracusian When Dio took Syracuse and Dionysius fled to the Locrians Aret●… Sister of Dio saluted him but Aristomach●… followed aloof off through shame being veiled and not daring to salute him as her Husband because by constraint she had not kep●… the Matrimonial contract but after Aret●… had pleaded for her and declared the violence used to her by Dionysius Dio receive●… his Wife and his Son and sent them to hi●… own House CHAP. XLVIII Of Homer's Poems The Indians sing the Verses of Homer translated into their own Language and not only they but the Persian Kings also if we may believe those who relate it CHAP. XLIX That Photion forgave Injuries Photion Son of Phocus who had been often General was condemned to die and being in Prison ready to drink Hemlock when the Executioner gave him the Cup his Kinsmen asked him if he would say any thing to his Son He answered I charge him that he bear no ill will to the Athenians for this Cup which I now drink He who does not extol and admire the man is in my judgement of little understanding CHAP. L. Of the Lacedæmonians not addicting themselves to Learning The Lacedæmonians were ignorant of Learning they studied only Exercise and Arms if at any time they needed the help of Learning either in Sickness or Madness or some other public Calamity they sent for Foreiners as Physicians according to the Oracle of Apollo they sent for Terpander and Thales and Tyrtaeus Nymphaeus the Sidoniate and Alcman for he was a Player on the Flute Thucydides implies that they were nothing addicted to Learning in that which he delivers concerning Brasidas for he saith that he was no good Orator as being a Lacedaemonian as if he had said he was wholly illiterate CHAP. LI. Of the Pride of Menecrates and how Philip derided him Menecrates the Physician grew so extremely proud that he called himself Jupiter On a time he sent a Letter to Philip King of the Macedonians on this manner To Philip Menecrates Jupiter well to do Philip writ back Philip to Menecrates Health I advise you to betake yourself to the places about Anticyra hereby implying that the man was mad On a time Philip made a magnificent F●…ast and invited him to it and commanded a Bed to be prepared apart for him alone and when he was laid down a Censer was brought before him and they burnt Incense to him The rest feasted highly and the Entertainment was magnificent Menecrates held out a while and rejoiced in the honour but soon after hunger came upon him and convinced him that he was a man and foolish He arose and went away saying he was affronted Philip having most ingeniously discovered his folly CHAP. LII To what kind of persons Isocrates compared Athens Isocrates the Orator said of Athens that it resembled Courtesans All that were taken with their beauty desired to enjoy them but none would so much undervalue himself as to marry them So Athens was pleasant to travel to and excelled all the rest of Greece but not secure to live in He reflected on the many Sycophants there and the danger from those who affected popularity CHAP. LIII Of several occasions of great Wars I am not ignorant that the greatest Wars have sprung from very slight occasions They say that the Persian War begun upon the falling out of Maeander the Samian with the Athenians The Peloponnesian War from a Tablet or Picture of the Megareans The War which was called Sacred for the exacting the Mulcts adjudged by the Amphictyones The War at Chaeronea from the dispute between Philip and the Athenians they not willing to accept of the place by way of Gift but of Restitution CHAP. LIV. How Aristotle endeavoured to appease Alexander's Anger Aristotle willing to appease Alexander's Anger and to quiet him being much incensed wrote thus to him Rage and Anger is not towards Equals but towards Superiors but to you no man is Equal Aristotle advising Alexander in such things as were fit to be done did benefit many persons by this means he re-edified his own City which had been razed by Philip CHAP. LV. Of those who among the Libyans were slain by Elephants either in Hunting or in War Those who were slain by Elephants either in Hunting or in War the Libyans bury honourably and sing certain Hymns The subject of the Hymns is this That they were brave persons that durst oppose such a Beast adding That an honourable death was a Monument to the buried CHAP. LVI What Diogenes saïd of the Megareans Diogenes the Sinopean said many things in the reproof of the ignorance and want of discipline of the Megareans and would rather choose to be a Ram belonging to a Megarean than his Son He implied that the Megareans had great care of their Flocks but none of their Children CHAP. LVII Of the Prodigies which appeared to the Thebans when Alexander brought his Forces against their City When Alexander Son of Philip brought his Forces against Thebes the Gods sent them many Signs and Prodigies foreshowing misfortunes greater than ever had happened but they thinking that Alexander died in Illyria gave out many reproachful speeches against him For the Lake in Onchestus made a dreadful and continual noise like the bellowing of a Bull. The Fountain which floweth by Ismenus and the Walls thereof named Dirce which ever until that time had run with clear and sweet Water was then unexpectedly full of blood The Thebans believed that the Gods threatened the Macedonians In the Temple of Ceres within the City a Spider made her Web over the face of the Image working there as she useth to do The Image of Minerva surnamed Alalcomeneis was burnt of itself no fire being put to it and divers other things CHAP. LVIII Of Dioxippus Dioxippus the Athenian an Olympic Victor in Wrestling was brought * Plutarch the curio●… in a Chariot into Athens according to the custom of Wrestlers The multitude flocked together and crowded to behold him Amongst these a Woman of extraordinary beauty came to see the Show Dioxippus beholding her was immediately overcome with her beauty and looked fixedly upon her and turned his head back often changing colour whereby he was plainly detected by the People to be taken extraordinarily with the Woman But Diogenes the Sinopean did chiefly reprehend his passion thus A Gold * Representing the Triumph Tablet of Corinthian Work being set to sale Behold said he your great Wrestler his neck writhed about by a Girl CHAP. LIX Of Truth and Beneficence Pythagor as said that these two most excelle●…t things are given by the Gods to Men To speak Truth and to do Good too others He added that each of these resembled the actions of the Gods CHAP. LX. Of Dionysius and Philip. On a time Dionysius the Second and Philip Son of Amyntas conversed together Besides many other discourses which as is probable happened between them was this Philip asked Dionysius how it came to pass that having so great a Kingdom left him by his Father he did not keep it He answered not improperly My Father indeed left me all the rest but the Fortune by which he obtained and kept them he did not leave me CHAP. LXI Of honour given to the Wind Boreas Dionysius set out a Fleet against the Thurians consisting of three hundred Ships full of armed Men But Boreas blowing contrary broke the Vessels and destroyed all his Sea-Forces Hereupon the Thurians sacrificed to Boreas and by a public Decree made the Wind free of their City and allotted him an House and Estate and every year performed sacred Rites to him Therefore not the Athenians only declared him their Patron but the Thurians also registered him their Benefactor Pausanias saith that the Megalopolites did so likewise CHAP. LXII A Persian Law concerning those who give the King Advice This was also a Persian Law If any one would give advice to the King in difficult and ambiguous Affairs he stood upon a golden Brick and if it was conceived that his advice was good he took the Brick in reward of his counsel but was scourged for contradicting the King To a free person in my judgement the reward did not countervalue the dishonour CHAP. LXIII O●… Archedice a Courtesan One fell in love with Archedice a Courtesan at Naucratis but she was proud and covetous and demanded a great price which having received she complied a little with the giver and then cast him off The young man who loved her yet could not obtain her because he was not very rich dreamt that he embraced her and was immediately quit of his affection CHAP. LXIV Of Alexander dead Alexander Son of Philip and Olympia ending his days at Babylon lay there dead who had said that he was the Son of Jupiter And whilst they who were about him contested for the Kingdom he remained without Burial which the poorest per●…ons enjoy common Nature requiring that the dead should be interred but he was left thirty days unburied until Aristander the Telmissian either through Divine instinct or some other motive came into th●… midst of the Macedonians and said to them That Alexander was the most fortunat●… King of all Ages both living and dead and that the Gods had told him that th●… Land which should receive the Body i●… which his Soul first dwelled should be ab solutely happy and unvanquishable fo●… ever Hearing this there arose a grea●… emulation amongst them every one desirin●… to send this Carriage to his own Country that he might have this Rarity the Pledg●… of a firm undeclinable Kingdom Bu●… Ptolemee if we may credit Report * So Freinsh stole away the Body and with all speed conveyed it to the City of Alexander in Egypt The rest of the Macedonians were quiet only Perdiccas pursued him not so much moved by love of Alexander or pious care of the dead Body as inflamed by the predictions of Aristander As soon as he overtook Ptolemee there was a very sharp Fight about the dead Body in a manner akin to that which happened concerning the Image of Helen in Troy celebrated by Homer who saith that Apollo in defence of Aeneas engaged amidst the Heroes for Ptolemee having made an Image like to Alexander clothed it with the Royal Robe and with noble Funeral Ornaments then placing it in one of the Persian Chariots adorned the Bier magnificently with Silver Gold and Ivory but the true Body of Alexander he sent meanly ordered by obscure and private ways Perdiccas' seizing the Image of the dead man and the richly-adorned Chariot gave over the pursuit thinking he had gained the prize But too late he found that he was cozened for he had not got ●…hat at which he aimed The End AELIAN's Various History The Thirteenth BOOK CHAP. I. Of Atalanta THE Arcadian relation concerning Atalanta Daughter of Jasion is this Her Father exposed her as soon as born for he said he had not need of Daughters but Sons But he to whom she was given to be exposed did not kill her but going into the Mountain Parthenius laid her down by a Spring where there was a Rock with a Cave over which there was a place full of Oaks thus the Infant was destined to death but not deserted by Fortune For soon after a she-Bear robbed by Huntsmen of her Whelps her Udder swollen and oppressed with fullness o●… Milk came by a certain divine providence taking delight in the Child gave it suck whereby at once the Beast eased her own pain and nourished the Infant and came again being oppressed with Milk and being no longer Mother of her own became Nurse to one that nothing belonged to her The same Huntsmen who before had taken her Whelps watched her and searching every part of the Thicket when the Bear according to her custom was gone to the Pastures to get food stole away Atalanta not yet so called for they gave her that name afterwards and she was bred up amongst them with wild food And by degrees her stature increased with her years and she affected Virginity and shunned the conversation of men and delighted in the desert making choice of the highest of the Arcadian Mountains where was a Valley well furnished with water and tall Oaks as also fresh gales and a thick wood Why should it seem tedious to hear the description of Atalanta's Cave more than that of Calypso in Homer In the hollow of the cliff there was a Cave very deep fortified at the entrance with a great precipice along it crept Ivy and twined about the young Trees upon which it climbed Saffron also grew about the place in a young thick Grove with which also sprung up the Hyacinths and many other flowers of various colours which not only feasted the eye but the odours which they exhaled round about into the air did afford a banquet also to the smell Likewise there were many Laurels which being ever verdant were very delightful to the sight Vines also growing thick and full of Bunches before the Cave attested the industry of Atalanta springs ever running clear and cool to the touch and taste flowed there abundantly These contributed much benefit to the Trees we speak of watering them and enlivening them continually In fine the place was full of beauty and majesty such as argued the prudence of the Virgin The skins of Beasts were Atalanta's bed their flesh her food her drink water She wore a careless Vest such as Diana not disdained For she said that she imitated her as well in this as in determining to live always a Virgin She was exceeding swift of foot so that not any Beast could run away from her nor any man that laid wait for her was able if she would run away to overtake her She was beloved not only of all those who saw her but also of those who heard the report of her If therefore it be not tedious we will describe her person But tedious it cannot be since hereby we may arrive at some degree of skill in Rhetoric Whilst she was yet a child she exceeded in stature those who were Women grown for Beauty she went beyond all other of the Peloponnesian Virgins of that time Her look was masculine and fierce occasioned partly by eating the flesh of wild Beasts for she was very courageous partly by her exercise on the Mountains She had nothing of an effeminate loose disposition neither did she come out of the Thalamus where Virgins are educated nor was one of those who are brought up by Mothers or Nurses She was not corpulent for by Hunting and other Exercise she preserved herself in a good Constitution Her Hair was Yellow not by any Womanish Art or Die but by Nature Her Face was of a ruddy Complexion somewhat tanned by the Sun What Flower is so beautiful as the countenance of a modest Virgin She had two admirable properties an irresistible Beauty and an awfulness No timid person could fall in love with her for such durst not look upon her so much did her splendour dazzle the beholders That which caused her to be admired besides other things was her reservedness For she exposed not herself to view unless accidentally in following the chase or defending herself from some man in which action she broke forth like lightning then immediately hid herself in the thickest of the wood On a time it happened that two bold youngmen of the neighbouring Country Centauris Hyleus and Rhecus in love with her came in a frolic to her They had no players on the Flute in this frolic nor such things as the young men use in Cities upon the like occasion but took with them lighted Torches the sight whereof might have frighted a multitude much more a loan Maiden Then breaking boughs from the Pine trees they twined them about them and made themselves Garlands of them and with continual clashing of Weapons as they went along the Mountains set fire on the Trees in their way to her presenting her with injuries instead of Nuptial Gifts She was aware of their Plot for she beheld the fire from her Cave and knowing who those revellers were was nothing terrified with the sight but drawing her Bow and letting fly an Arrow chanced to kill the first who falling down the other assaulted her not in mirth but as an Enemy to revenge his friend and satisfy his passion But he met with another vindictive Arrow from her hand Thus much of Atalanta Daughter of Jasion CHAP. II. How Macareus was punished for Cruelty A Mitylenaean by name Macareus Priest of Bacchus was of a mild and good look but the most impious of all men A stranger coming to him & giving him a great sum of money to lay up in the inner part of the Temple Macareus digging a hole hid the Gold in the ground Afterwards the stranger returning demanded his Money he le●…ding him in as if he meant to restore it murdered him digging up the Gold buried the man in the place thinking that what he did was hid as well from God as from men but it proved otherwise for not long after within a few days came the triennial solemnity Whilst he was busied in celebrating the Rites of Bacchus in much state his two Sons that were left at home imitating their Father's sacrificing went to his Altar where the brands were yet burning The younger held out his neck the elder finding a knife left there by accident slew his brother as a Victim They of the family seeing this cried out The Mother hearing the cry rushed forth and seeing on●… of her Sons slain the other standing by with a bloody Sword snatched a brand from the Altar and killed her surviving Son The news was brought to Macareus who giving over sacrifice with all speed and eagerness ran to his own house and with the Thyrsus which he had in his hand killed his Wife This wickedness was publicly known Macareus was taken and being tortured confessed what he had perpetrated in the Temple In the midst of thief tortures he gave up the Ghost But the other who was murdered unjustly had public honour and was interred by the appointment of God Thus Macareus suffered due revenge as the Poet saith with his own head and his Wives and his children's CHAP. III. Of the Monument of Bel●…s and the unfortunate sign which happened to Xerxes there Xerxes' Son of Darius breaking up the Monument of ancient Belus found an Urn of glass in which his dead body lay in Oil but the Urn was not full it wanted a hand-breadth of the top Next the Urn there was a little Pillar on which it was written That whosoever should open the Sepulchre and not fill up the Urn should have ill fortune Which Xerxes reading grew afraid and commanded that they should pour Oil into it with all speed notwithstanding it was not filled Then he commanded to pour into it the second time but neither did it increase at all thereby so that at last failing of success he gave over and shutting up the Monument departed very sad Nor did the event foretold by the Pillar deceive him for he had an Army of fifty Myriads against Greece where he received a great defeat and returning home died miserably being murdered in his bed by his own Son in the night time CHAP. IU. Of Euripides drunk at a Feast King Archelaus made a great entertainment for his friends And when they fell to drink Euripides took off unmixed Wine so freely that by degrees he became drunk Then embracing Agathon the Tragic Poet who lay on the couch next him he kissed him who was at that time forty years of age Archelaus ask him whether he seemed amiable at those years Yes said he of the beautiful not the Spring only but even the Autumn also is fair CHAP. V. Of Laius They say that Laius fell in love with Chrysippus' Son of Pelops ** CHAP. VI The properties of Arcadian Thatian and Achaean Wines At Heraea in Arcadia I am informed there are Vines from which is made Wine which bereaveth men of the use of reason and maketh the Arcadians mad but causeth fruitfulness in the Women It is said that in Thasus there are two sorts of Wines one being drunk procureth sleep profound and consequently sweet the other is an enemy to life and causet●… wakefulness and disturbance In Achaea about Ceraunia there is a kind of Wine which causeth Women to miscarry CHAP. VII Of the taking of Thebes by Alexander and of Pindar When Alexander took Thebes he sold ●…ll the Freemen except Priests And those who had formerly entertained his Father as their Guest he set at liberty for Philip when a child lived there in Hostage and such as were akin to them He also respected those who were descended from Pindar and permitted his house only to stand He slew of the Thebans ninety thousand the Captives were thirty thousand CHAP. VIII Of Lysander They say that Lysander the Lacedaemonian living in jonia and rejecting the Laws of Lycurgus as burdensome led a luxufious life CHAP. IX Of Lamia Lamia the Attic Courtesan said Th●… Lions of Greece coming to Ephesus be come Foxes CHAP. X. Of Dionysius marrying two Wife's i●… one day In one day Dionysius married two Wives Doris the Locrian and Aristaeneta Daughter●… of Hipparinus Sister of Dio and bedde●… them by turns One accompanied him i●… the Army the other entertained him when he came home CHAP. XI Of the conquest over the Persians and of Isocrates It was related to me that Isocrates the Orator was occasion of the conquest of the ●…ersians whom the Macedonians subdued For the fame of the Panegyric Oration which Isocrates made to the Grecians coming to Macedonia first excited Philip ●…gainst Asia and he dying it also instigated Alexander his Son and heir to prosecute the design of his Father CHAP. XII How Meton freed himself from an expedition and of the madness of Ulysses Meton the Astronomer when the Athe●…ian Soldiers were upon an expedition ●…gainst Sicily was registered amongst them the Catalogue But clearly foreseeing ●…he future disasters he through fear shun●…ed the Voyage endeavouring to be quit of the expedition But when that nothing ●…vailed he counterfeited madness and a●…ongst other things to procure a belief of ●…is infirmity fired his own house which was next the Poecile Hereupon the Ar●…hons dismissed him and in my opinion Meton much better counterfeited madness than Ulysses the Ithacian for Palamedes discovered him but none of the Atheni●…ns Meton CHAP. XIII Of the Munificence of Ptolemee They say that Ptolemee Son of Lagus●…ook ●…ook greatest delight in making his friends rich for he said 'T is better to enrich others then be rich ourselves CHAP. XIV Of the Verses and Poetry of Homer The Ancients sung the Verses of Homer divided into several parts to which they gave particular names as the Fight at the Ships and the Dolonia and the Victory of Agamemnon and the Catalogue of the Ships Moreover the Patroclea and the Lytra or redemption of Hector's Body and the Games instituted for Patroclus and the breach of Vows Thus much of the Iliads As concerning the other the Odysseis the actions at Pytus and the actions at Lacedaemon and the Cave of Calypso and the Boat the Discourses of Alcinous the Cyclopias the Necuia and the washings of Circe the death of the Wooers the actions in the Field and concerning Laertes But long after Lycurgus the Lacedaemonian brought all Homer's Poetry first into Greece from jonia whether he traveled Last of all Pisistratus compiling them form the Iliads and Odysseis CHAP. XV. Of some persons extraordinary foolish The Comic Poets say that one Polydorus had a very gross understanding and a skin scarce penetrable also that there was another by name Caecylian who through excessive folly endeavoured to number the Waves There is a report that there was one Sannyrion like these who sought Ladder-rounds in a glass They say also that Coroebus and Melitides were very blockish CHAP. XVI Of the Apolloniats and of their Country and of Epidamnum The Apolloniats inhabit a City next Epidamnum in the Ionian Gulf In the places next them there is a vein of Brimstone which springeth out of the ground as fountains cast up water Not far off there is showed a continual fire The Hill which burneth is but little reacheth not far and hath but a small circumference but smelleth of Sulphur and Alum About it there are many Trees green and flourishing nothing injured by the neighbouring fire either as to the shooting out young ones or to their own growth The fire burns night and day and never intermitted as the Apolloniats affirm until the War which they waged with the Illyrians The Apolloniats' according to the Lacedaemonian Law prohibited foreiners But the Epidamnians allowed any one that would to come and live amongst them CHAP. XVII A Proverb and of Phrynichus Phrynichus feareth a swarm of Wasps like a Cock It is proverbially said of persons that are worsted for Phrynichus the Tragic Poet acting the taking of Miletus the Athenians with weeping made him quit the Stage afraid and daunted CHAP. XVIII Of Dionysius Dionysius Tyrant of Sicily affected and commended Tragedy and made Tragedies but he was averse from Comedy for he loved not laughter CHAP. XIX What Cleomenes said of Homer and Hesiod Cleomenes said Laconically according to the manner of his Count●…y that Homer was the Poet of the Lacedæmonians declaring how men should fight but Hesiod of the Slaves declaring how men should till ground CHAP. XX. Of one who died cheerfully through willingness to ●…ee some of the dead A Megalipolite of Arcadia named Cer●…idas dying said to his friends that he parted with his life willingly for that he hoped to converse with Pythagoras of the Wise with Hecataeus of the Historians with Olympus of the Musicians and with Homer of the Poets and as soon as he had said this died CHAP. XXI Of Phrygian Harmony If at Celene any one play on the Flute before the skin of the Phrygian Marsga the skin moves but if any tune or Hymn of Apollo it stirs not CHAP. XXII Of the Temple and Statue of Homer Ptolemaeus Philopator having built a Temple to Homer erected a fair Image of him and placed about the Image those Cities which contended for Homer Galaton the Painter drew Homer vomiting and the rest of the Poets gathering it up CHAP. XXIII Of Lycurgus the Lacedaemonian Lycurgus' the La●…edomonian Son of Eunomus willing to teach the Lacedæmonians Justice was not duly requited For one o●… his eyes were put out by Alcander as foam think by a stone cast from an ambushment or as others by a blow with a stick This is said to those who aim at one thing and receive another Ephorus saith that he died of hunger in banishment CHAP. XXIV Of some who have been harmed by Laws which they themselves made Lycurgus' the Orator made a Law that Women should not go in Chariots at the festival solemnities called the Mysteries and that she who did so should be fined at his pleasure The first that transgressed this Law was his own Wife who being convicted paid the fine Pericles' also made a Law that none should be a free Athenian but he whose Parents were both Athenians Afterwards Pericles losing his legitimate Children had only one natural Son left him It is manifest that he designed one thing and that the ●…ontrary befell him Clisthenes' the Athenian first brought in way of banishment by Ostracism and first felt the punishment of it Zaleucus the Lawgiver of the Locrians ordained that whosoever was taken in Adultery should lose both his eyes It fell out contrary to his expectation for his Son being surprised in Adultery was to suffer the punishment decreed by his Father Hereupon lest what was confirmed by general Votes should be violated he suffered one of his own eyes to be put out and one of his Sons that the young man might not be quite blind CHAP. XXV Of Pindar in a contest worsted by Corinna Pindar the Poet contending at Thebes lighting upon ignorant Auditors was worsted by Corinna five times *** CHAP. XXVI How Diogenes in extreme indigence comforted himself Diogenes the Sinopean was left alone deserted by all men not being able by reason of his indigence to entertain any man nor would any one entertain him all avoiding him because of his sour way of reprehension and because he was morose in all his actions and sayings Hereupon he became troubled and did feed on the tops of leaves for this food was ready for him But a Mouse coming thither fed upon some crumbs of Bread which she found scattered there which Diogenes diligently observing smiled and becoming more cheerful and pleasant to himself said This Mouse requires not the plentiful diet of the Athenians and art thou Diogenes troubled that thou dost not feast with them By this means he acquired tranquillity to himself CHAP. XXVII Of Socrates It is reported that Socrates was very temperate and continent insomuch that when the Athenians part died the rest were sick almost to death Socrates alone escaped the disease Now he whose body was so well tempered what an excellent soul must he have CHAP. XXVIII Of the Servant of Drogenes torn in pieces by Dogs When Diogenes left his Country one of his Servants followed him who not brooking his conversation run away Some persuading Diogenes to make enquiry after him he said Is it not a shame that Manes should not need Diogenes and that Diogenes should need Manes But this Servant wand'ring to Delphos was torn in pieces by Dogs paying to his Master's name Cynic the punishment of his running away CHAP. XXIX Of Hope Plato said That Hope is the Dream of men that are awake CHAP. XXX Of Olympias grieving for Alexander's death and want of burial Olympias Mother of Alexander understanding that her Son lay long unburied grieving and lamenting exceedingly said O Son thou wouldst have had a share in Heaven and d●…dst endeavour it eagerly now thou canst not enjoy that which is equally common to all men earth and burial Thus she bewailing her own misfortune and reproving the pride of her Son CHAP. XXXI That Xenocrates was Compassionate Xenocrates the Chalcedonian was not only kind to men but often to irrational creatures also O●… a time a Sparrow pursued b●… a Hawk flew to his bosom he took it much pleased and hid it till the Enemy was out of sight and ●…when he thought it was out of fear and danger opening his bosom he let it go saying that he had not betrayed a suppliant CHAP. XXXII How Socrates refeled the boasting of a Courtesan Xenophon relates that Socrates disputed with Theodota a Curtizau a Woman of extraordinary beauty He also argued with Calisto who said I o Son of Sophroniseus exccel you for you cannot draw away any of my followers but I can whensoever I please draw away all yours He answered Very likely for you draw them down a precipice but I drive them to virtue which is a steep and difficult ascent CHAP. XXXIII Of the fortune of Rhodopis a Courtesan The Egyptians relations affirm that Rhodopis was a most beautiful Courtesan and that on a time as she was bathing herself Fortune who loveth to do extravagant and unexp●…cted things gave her a reward suitable not to her mind but her beauty For whilst she was washing and her Maids looked to her clothes an Eagle stooping down snatched up one of her Shoes and carried it away to Memphis where Psammetichus was sitting in Judgement and let the Shoe fall into his lap Psammetichus wondering at the shape of the Shoe and neatness of the work and the action of the Bird sent throughout Egypt to find out the Woman to whom the Shoe belonged and having found her out married her CHAP. XXXIV Of Dionysius Dionysius having given order that Leon should be put to death did three times bid the Officers carry him away and three times changed his mind Every time that he sent for him back he kissed him weeping and execrating himself for that when he took the Sword to put him to death he was overcome with fear At last he commanded him to be slain saying ' ' Leon you must not live CHAP. XXXV What natural remedies the Hart being not well useth Naturalists affirm that the Hart when he would purge himself eateth the Herb Seselis and being bitten by Phalangies he eats Crabs CHAP. XXXVI Of the death of Eurydice Daughter of Philip. Olympias to Eurydice Daughter of Philip by an Illyrian Wife sent Hemlock a Rope and a Sword but she made choice of the Rope CHAP. XXXVII Of Gelo and those who conspired against him Gelo Tyrant of the Syracusians behaved himself in the Government very mildly yet some seditious persons conspired against him which Gelo understanding convocated all the Syracusians and coming amongst them armed declared what good things he had done for them and revealed the Conspiracy Then putting off his Armour he said to th●…m all Behold me now in my Coat I stand unarmed before you and give myself up to be disposed as you will The Syracusians admiring his Courage delivered the Conspirators into his hands and gave the Regal power again to him But Gelo remitted them to the people to be punished Hereupon the Syracusians erected his Statue in a Coat ungirt unarmed in memory of his Oration to the people and for the instruction of those should reign after him CHAP. XXXVIII Of Alcibiades Alcibiades admired Homer exceedingly On a time coming to a School of Boys he asked for the Rhapsody of the Iliads The Schoolmaster answering that he had nothing of Homer he gave him a sound box on the ear and went away showing that he was ignorant himself and made his Scholars such The same person being sent for by the Athenians out of Sicily to answer a capital indictment refused to appear saying It is a foolish thing for a man that is accused if he can escape to go to a place whence he cannot escape One saying to him Will you not t●…ust your cause to your own Country No saith he not to my own Master for I should fear lest through ignorance or mistake of the truth he should cast in a black stone instead of a white Hearing then that he was sentenced to death by the Citizens But we will show said he that we are alive and going speedily to the Lacedim●…nians he set on foot the Docilian War against the Athenians He said that it was nothing strange the Lacedæmonians died fearless in War for so they escaped the severity of their Laws and cheerfully exchanged labours for death He used to say of his own actions that he led the life of the Dioscuri dying one day and reviving the next ●…or whilst he was favoured of the people he was thought equal to the Gods but losing their favour he differed nothing from the dead CHAP. XXXIX Of Ephialtes Ephialtes a certain reproaching him for Poverty said Why do you not add thae other thing That I am Just. CHAP. XL. Of Themistocles A golden Persian Chain lying by chance on the ground Themistocles standing by said to a servant Boy why dost thou not take up this Foundling pointing to the Chain for thou art not Themistocles The Athenians having on a time dishonoured him afterwards invited him to the Generalship But he said I commend not those men who make use of the same Vessel for the meanest & for the best Offices To Eurybiades he had said something unpleasing who thereupon held up his staff But he strike so you hear for he knew what he was about to say was advantageous for the Commonwealth CHAP. XLI Of Photion They who are to die with Photion making lamentation Photion said ' ' Then you are not proud o Thudippus of dying ' ' with Photion CHAP. XLII Of Epaminondas Epaminondas returning from Lacedemonia was arraigned for a capital offence for having continued the office of Boeotarch four Months longer than the Law allowed He bade his partners lay the blame on him as if they had been compelled thereto against their wills Then coming into the Court he said that he had not any arguments better than his actions which if they approved not he required that they would put him to death But withal that they should write upon a Pillar that Epaminondas had forced the Thebans against their wills to lay Laconia waste what had continued five hundred years unviolated by Enemies And to restore Messenia which had been three hundred and thirty years possessed by the Spartans' And that he had made the Arcadians their Allies and restored to the Greeks their liberty The Judges reverencing him for these things acquitted him At his going out of the Court a little Melitean Dog fawned upon him whereupon he said to the standers-by This thanks me gratefully for the good I have done it but the Thebans to whom I have often done good arraigned me for my life CHAP. XLIII Of Timotheus General of the Athenians is reported to have been very successful he said that Fortune was the cause of all these but Timotheus of none Hereupon the Painters abusing him drew him sleeping in a Tent and over his head stood Fortune drawing Cities into a Net Themistocles being asked with what in his whole life he was most pleased answered '  see the whole Theatre at the Olympic Games turn their eyes upon me as I passed into the Stadium CHAP. XLIV Of the emulation betwixt Themistocles and Aristides Themist●…cles and Aristides Son of Ly●…achus had the same Governors they were thus brought up together and taugh●… by one Master but whilst yet Boys they we●…e always at variance and this emulation continued ●…rom their childhood ●…o ex●…reme old age CHAP. XLV Of the Cruelty of Dionysius Dionysius the younger put his Mother to death by Poison His Brother Leptines whom in a Sea-fight he might have saved he suffered to be slain CHAP. XLVI Of the Gratitude of a Dragon Patrae is a City in Achaia A Boy there had bought a young Dragon and brought it up with care and when it was grown bigger used to talk to it as to one that unde●…stood him and played and slept with it At last the Dragon growing to an extraordinary bigness the Citizens turned it lose into the Wilderness Afterwards the Boy being grown a youth returning from some Show with other youths his Companions fell amongst Thiefs and crying out behold the Dragon came and slew them which stung some slew others bu●… pre●…erved him The End AELIAN's Various History The Fourteenth BOOK CHAP. I. How Aristotle stood affected as to love of Glory ARistotle Son of Nicomachus a person that really was as well as esteemed wise When one took away from him the honours decreed to him at Delphi writing hereupon to Antipater said As to those things that were decreed for me at Delphi and of which I am now deprived I am so affected as that I neither much care for them nor care nothing for them This he said not through love of glory neither can I accuse Aristotle who was so great a person thereof But he wisely considered that there was a great deal of difference betwixt not receiving an honour and after having received it to be deprived of it For it is no great trouble no●… to obtain it but a great vexation having obtained it afterwards to be bereft of it CHAP. II. Of Agesilaus and the Barbarians breaking their Oaths Agesilaus used to commend the Barbarians who broke their Oaths because by perjury they made the Gods their Enemies but Friends and Assistants to him CHAP. III. Of Prodigality Timotheus inveighing bitterly against Aristophontes for being prodigal said '  whom nothing is sufficient nothing is dishonest CHAP. IU. Of Aristides dying of the biting of a Weasel Aristides the Locrian being bit b●… a Tartesian Weasel and dying said That it would have pleased him much better to have died by the biting of a Lion or Leopard since he must have died by something then by such a Beast He brooked in my opinion the ignomy of the biting much worse than the death itself CHAP. V. What persons the Athenians chose for Government The Athenians conferred Offices Civil and Military not only on native Citizens but also often preferred strangers before Citizens and put them in authority over the Commonwealth if they knew them to be truly good and honest men and proper for such things They often created Apollodorus the Cyzicene their General though a stranger so likewise Heraclides the Clazomenian for having behaved themselves worthily they were esteemed not unworthy to govern the Athenians And for this thing the City is to be commended which betrayed not truth to gratify the Citizens but not seldom bestowed the chief dignity even on those who were nothing allied to them yet in regard of their virtue most worthy of honour CHAP. VI Aristippus his opinion concerning cheerfulness Aristippus by strong Arguments advised that we should not be solicitous about things past or future arguing that not to be troubled at such things is a sign of a constant clear spirit He also advised to take care only for the present day and in that day only of the present part thereof wherein something was done or thought for he said the present only is in our power not the past or future the one being gone the other uncertain whether ever it will come CHAP. VII A Lacedaemonian Law concerning the Complexion and Constitution of the Body and such as are too Fat There is a Lacedaemonian Law which saith thus That no Lacedaemonian shall be of an unmanly Complexion or of greater weight than is fit for the Exercises for this seemeth to argue Laziness that Effeminacy It was likewise ordered by Law that every tenth day the young men should show themselves naked before the Ephori If they were of a solid strong Constitution and moulded as it were for Exercise they were commended but if any Limb were found to be soft and tender by reason of fatness accrued by idleness they were beaten and punished Moreover the Ephori took particular care every day that their Garments should be looked into that they should be no otherwise then exact and fit to the Body The Cooks at Lacedaemon might not dress any thing but flesh He who was skilled in any other kind of Cookery was cast out of Sparta Nauclidas Son of Polybiades for being grown too fat and heavy through luxury and idleness they took out of the public Assembly and threatened to punish him by banishment unless he alter that  and rather jonick then Laconic course of life For his shape and habit of body was a shame to Lacedaemon and our Laws CHAP. VIII How Polycletus and Hippomachus argued the common people of Ignorance Polycletus made two Images at the same time one at the pleasure of the people the other according to the rule of Art He gratified the common people in this manner As often as any one came in he altered the Picture as he would have it following his direction He exposed them both together to public view one was admired by all the other laughed at Hereupon Polycletus said Yet this which you find fault with you yourselves made this which you admire I. Hippomachus a Player on the Flute when one of his Scholars miss in playing yet was nevertheless commended by the standers by struck him with a stick saying You played false otherwise these would not have commended you CHAP. IX Of the Patience of Xenocrates Xenocrates the Chalcedonian being reproved by Plato for his want of gratefulness was nothing angry thereat as is reported but prudently silenced one who pressed him to answer Plato saying This benefits me CHAP. X. How Photion retorted upon Demades The Athenians preferred Demades to be their General before Photion who being thus advanced grew high in his own esteem and coming to Photion Lend me said he that sordid Cloak which you used to wear in your Generalship He answered You will never want any thing that is sordid whilst you continue what you are CHAP. XI How a King ought to behave himself towards his Subjects Philiscus on a time said to Alexander Study glory yet be not a Pestilence or great Sickness but Peace and Health Affirming that to govern tyrannically and severely and to take Cities and depopulate Countries is a Pestilence but to consult the preservation of Subjects is Health these are the benefits of Peace CHAP. XII How the Persian King employed himself whilst he traveled The Persian King whilst he traveled had to divert the tediousness of his Journey a little stick which they call Philyrium and a knife to cut it Thus were the King's hands employed They never had any Books wherein they might read of something great memorable and worthy of Discourse CHAP. XIII Of the Tragedies of Agatho Agatho used many Antitheses Whereupon a person that would have corrected his Writings told him that all those should be put out of his Play He answered But you observed not excellent Sir that by this means you blot Agatho quite out of Agatho So much was he pleased with these and thought these Tragedies upheld by them CHAP. XIV Of Stratonicus a Lutenist A certain person received Stratonicus the Lutenist very civilly He was much pleased with the invitation for he had not any friend to entertain him being come into a strange Country Hereupon he returned great thanks to the man who so readily had received him under his Roof But when he saw another come in and after him another and perceived that he had made his House free for all that would come Let us get away Boy saith he to his Servant for we have got a Wood-pigeon instead of a Dove we have not lighted upon a friend's House but upon an Inn CHAP. XV. Of the Discourses of Socrates It is a saying that the Discourses of Socrates are like the Pictures of Pauson For Pauson the Painter being desired to make the Picture of a Horse tumbling on his back drew him running And when he who had bespoke the Picture was angry that he had not drawn it according to his directions the Painter said Turn it the other way and the Horse which now runneth will then roll upon his back So Socrates did not discourse downright but if his discourses were turned they appeared very right For he was unwilling to gain the hatred of those to whom he discoursed and for that reason delivered things enigmatically and obliquely CHAP. XVI Of the ambition of Hipponicus Hipponicus Son of Callias would erect a Statue as a Gift to his Country One advised him that the Statue should be made by Polycletus He answered I will not have such a Statue the glory whereof will redound not to the Giver but to the Carver For it is certain that all who see the Art will admire Polycletus and not me CHAP. XVII Of Archelaus and of the Pictures of Zeuxis Socrates said that Archelaus had bestowed forty Minae upon his House having hired Zeuxis the Heracleote to adorn it with Pictures but upon himself nothing For what cause many came from far out of curiosity to see the House but none came to Macedonia for the sake of Archelaus himself unless he alured and invited any by money with which a virtuous person is not taken CHAP. XVIII How one that was angry threatened to punish his Servant A Chian being angry with his Servant I saith he will not put you into the Mill but will carry you to Olympia He thought it seems that it was a far greater punishment to be spectator of the Olympic Game in the excessive heat of the Sun then to be put to work in a Mill. CHAP. XIX Of the Modesty of Archytas in speaking Archytas was very Modest as in all other things so in speech avoiding all obscenity of Language There happened a necessity of speaking something unseemly he held his peace and wrote it on a Wall showing that what he was forced to speak though forced he would not speak CHAP. XX. Of a ridiculous Story A Sybarite a Pedagogue which kind of people were addicted to luxury as well as the rest of the Sybarites when a Boy that went along with him found a Fig by the way and took it up chid him for so doing but most ridiculously took it away from the Boy and eat it himself When I read this in the Sybaritick Histories I laughed and committed it to memory not envying others the pleasure of laughing at it too CHAP. XXI Of the Poet Syagrus There was a Poet named Syagrus after Orpheus and Musaeus who is said first to have sung the Trojan War daring to undertake this which was the greatest subject CHAP. XXII Of a Tyrant forbidding his Subjects to talk together Tryzus a Tyrant that he might prevent Conspiracies and Treasons against him commanded the inhabitants that they shoul●… not speak together either in public o●… private which thing was most grievou●… and intolerable Hereupon they eluded th●… Tyrant's command and signified thei●… minds to one another by actions of the eyes of the hand and of the head Sometime●… they beheld one another with a melancholy brow sometimes with a serene and cheerful But from the looks of every one it was evident that they brooked ill their oppresse●… intolerable condition And this also troubled the Tyrant who conceived that even their silence by various gestures and looks contrived some ill against him Wherefore he prohibited even this likewise by Law Hereupon one of them much troubled at this disconsolate manner of life and instigated with a desire of dissolving the Tranny went into the Marketplace where standing he wept bitterly the people came and stood all round about him bursting also into tears The news hereof was brought to the Tyrant that they used not any signs but wept grievously who making hast to prohibit this also and not only to enslave their Tongues and Gestures but even to debar their Eyes of natural freedom he went on foot with his Guard to prohibit their weeping But as soon as ever they saw him they snatched weapons out of the hands of his Guard and killed the Tyrant CHAP. XXIII Of Clinias and of Achilles who used to repress anger by Music Clinias was a virtuous person as to his opinion a Pythagorean He whensoever he grew angry and perceived his mind ready to be transported with passion immediately before anger took absolute possession of him tuned his Lute and played upon it To those who asked him the reason he answered It allayeth my anger Achilles also in the Ilias singing to the Lute and commemorating in Song the glories of former persons seems to me to have thereby assuaged his indignation and being Musically given the first thing of the spoils which he seized was a Lute CHAP. XXIV Of some persons who have nothing valued Money in regard of their Countrymen And of some who slew their Creditors Of those who despised Money and declared their own greatness of mind seeing that whilst they themselves abounded with wealth their Countrymen were oppressed with extreme poverty were at Corinth Theocles and Thrasonides at Mitylene Praxis These also advised others to relieve such as lay under great want But the rest refusing they released such Debts as were due to themselves and thereby received great advantage not as to Wealth but the Mind For they whose Debts were not forgiven rose up in Arms against their Creditors and excited by rage invincible poverty and necessity slew them CHAP. XXV How one persuaded a State to concord On a time the Chians were exceedingly at variance among themselves and generally infected with that disease Hereupon one amongst them who was naturally a lover of his Country said to those of his friends who would that all of the adverse party should be cast out of the City By no means said he but when we have obtained the Victory let us leave some of them lest hereafter wanting Adversaries we should War with one another By which words he appeased them it seeming to all that he spoke discreetly CHAP. XXVI Of Antagoras railing at Arcesilaus Antagoras the Poet meeting Arcesilaus the Philosopher in the Forum railed at him But he with an unmoved courage went to that place where he saw there were most men and discoursed with them that the Railer might make a public discovery of his folly They hearing Antagoras turned away from him blaming him as mad CHAP. XXVII Of Agesilaus I commend those above all who suppre●…s rising ills and cut them off before they grow to a head Agesilaus advised that they should be arraigned and put to death who had made a Conspiracy privately by night to assault the Thebans CHAP. XXVIII Of Pytheas an Orator One reproached Pytheas an Orator that he was wicked he denied it not being convinced by his conscience but answered he had been wicked the shortest time of any that ever had an interest in the Athenian Government It seems he pleased himself in that he had not always been bad and thought it no disparagement to him so that he were not reckoned amongst the worst But this of Pytheas was foolish for not only he who doth wrong is wicked but he also in my opinion that hath an intention to do wrong CHAP. XXIX That Lysander brought wealth into Sparta Lysander brought wealth into Lacedaemon and taught the Lacedæmonians to transgress the Law of God who charged that Sparta should have no way accessible for Gold or Silver Hereupon some wise persons who still retained the Laconic integrity worthy Lycurgus and Pythius opposed him others who gave way were branded with infamy And their virtue which had flourished from the beginning until then perished CHAP. XXX How Hanno would have Deified himself Hanno the Carthaginian through pride would not be contained within the bounds of Mankind but designed to spread a fame of himself transcending that Nature which was allotted to him For having bought many singing Birds he brought them up in the dark teaching them one Song Hanno is a God They hearing no other sound learned this perfectly and then he let them lose several ways conceiving that they would disperse this Song concerning him But flying abroad and enjoying their liber●…y and returning to their accustomed diet they sung the notes proper to their kinds bidding a long farewell to Hanno and to the Song which he had taught them when they were kept up prisoners CHAP. XXXI Of Prolemee surnamed Trypho●… Ptolemee Tryphon for so he was called from his manner of living when a beautisul Woman came to speak with him said My Sister advised me not to admit discourse with a fair Woman She confidently and readily replied You may receive it then from a fair Man which he hearing commended her CHAP. XXXII Of Pimandridas who praised not his Son for gathering together Riches A Lacedaemonian named Pimandridas being to take a Journey committed the management of his estate to his Son At his return finding his means increased much beyond what he had left he told his Son that he had wronged the Gods and those of his Family and Guests For whatsoever abounds in our estates should by such as are free persons be bestowed upon them But to seem whilst we live indigent and being dead to be found to have been rich is the most dishonourable thing amongst men CHAP. XXXIII Of Plato and Diogenes Diogenes being present at a discourse of Plato's would not mind it whereat Plato angry said Thou Dog why mindest thou not Diogenes' unmoved answered Yet I never return to the place where I was sold as Dogs do alluding to Plato's Voyage to Sicily It is reported that Plato used to say of Diogenes This man is Socrates mad CHAP. XXXIV Of whom the Egyptians learned Laws and of their Judges The Egyptians affirm that they learned their Law of Hermes Thus all people magnify what belongs to themselves The Judges amongst the Egyptians were of old the same with their Priests Of these the eldest was the Chief and Judged all he must be the most Just and upright of men He had a Sculpture about his neck of Saphire which Sculpture was named Truth but as I conceive a Judge should wear Truth not engraved in a Stone but in his Mind CHAP. XXXV Of Lais. Lais was called also Axine an Axe which name implies the cruelty of her disposition and that she extorted much especially of Strangers who were to depart suddenly CHAP. XXXVI That they are ridiculous who think highly of themselves because of their Parents They are to be laughed at who think highly of themselves because of their Parents and Ancestors for we know not the Father of Marius but admire him for his own actions As likewise Cato Servilius Hostilius and Romulus CHAP. XXXVII Of Statues and Images Statues which the art of Carving affords us and Images I use to look upon not carelessly for there is much wisdom observable in this Art which may be argued be●…ides many other things from this that no Carver or Painter did ever represent to us the Muses in shape feigned or misbecoming the Daughters of Jupiter neither was there ever any Artist so mad as to represent them in Armour Which demonstrateth that the life of those who are addicted to the Muses aught to be peaceful quiet and worthy of them CHAP. XXXVIII Of Epaminondas and Pelopidas I have been told many excellent sayings of Epaminondas the Theban amongst the rest this He said to Pelopidas that he never went out of the form every day until he had gained a new friend to add to the number of his old CHAP. XXXIX How Antalcidas found fault with a Present perfumed with Unguent A King of Persia for I will relate to you something pleasant dipping a Garland which was woven of Roses in sweet Unguents sent it to Antalcidas who came to him on an Embassy for Peace But he I receive saith he the gift and commend the civility but you have spoiled the native odour of the Roses with the adulteration of Art CHAP. XL. Of the Cruelty of Alexander Tyrant of the Pheraeans Alexander Tyrant of the Pheraeans was thought to be extremely cruel But when Theodorus the Tragic Poet did with much passion act the Tragedy Aërope he burst forth into tears and rising up went out of the Theatre He made an Apology to Theodorus that he went not away through any slighting or disrespect of him but that he was ashamed to discover compassion at a Play not showing any to his Subjects CHAP. XLI Of Apollodorus his Madness in Wine Apollodorus drinking Wine more than any man did not conceal his Vice or endeavour to hide his drunkenness and the ill consequence thereof but being inflamed and enraged with Wine showed himself more bloody increasing the cruelty of his nature by this corporeal vice CHAP. XLII A Sentence of Xenocrates Xenocrates friend of Plato used to say That it is all one whether we put our feet or our eyes in the house of another man for he sins as much who looks upon those places which he ought not as he who enters upon them CHAP. XLIII Of Ptolemee and Berenice They say that Ptolemee used to pass his time at Dice In the mean time one standing by read the names of condemned persons and the Crimes for which they were condemned that he might decree who of them should be put to death Berenice his Wife taking the Book from the Servant would not suffer him to read any fa●…ther saying That when the lives of men were in question it should not be so slightly considered but seriously and not at Play for there is no comparison betwixt Dice and Men. Ptolemee was pleased herewith and would never after hear Judicial affairs whilst he was pl●…ying at Dice CHAP. XLIV A Lacedaemonian Law concerning Covetousness A young man a Lacedaemonian having bought Land at an u●…der-rate was cited before the Magistrates and fined The reason why he was thought worthy punishment was this That being a youngman he was eagerly bend upon gain Amongst other things of the Lacedæmonians this was very manly to oppose not only Enemies but Covetousness CHAP. XLV Of certain Women worthy praise We extol of the Grecian Women Penelope Alcestis and the Wife of Protesilaus Of Roman Cornelia Porcia and Cestilia I could reckon many more but I will not having alleged so few of the Grecians overwhelm them with Roman names lest any one should think I gratify my own Country CHAP. XLVI Of the Battle of the Magnetes against the Ephesians The Magnetes who border upon Maeander warring against the Ephesians every Horseman took along with him a Hound and a Servant that served as an Archer As soon as they came near the Dogs falling fiercely upon the Enemy disordered them and the Servants advancing before their Masters shot The Dogs first routed them than the Servants did them much harm and lastly they themselves fell upon them CHAP. XLVII Of Zeuxis his Picture of Helen and of Nicostratus a Painter When Zeuxis the Heracleote had drawn Helen Nicostratus a Painter was astonished at the sight of the Picture One coming to him asked what was the reason he so much admired the Workmanship He answered If you had my eyes you would not ask me I may say the same of an Oration if a man hath not learned ears as an Artist skilful eyes CHAP. XLVIII Persons of whom Alexander was jealous Alexander was jealous of Ptolemee's good fortune of Arrhius his turbulence and of Pytho's study of innovation CHAP. XLIX Why Philip made the Sons of the noblest Persons wait on him Philip taking the Sons of the noblest in Macedonia made them wait upon his person not in contempt of them or to affront them but that he might make them ready and expedite for action To such of them as were addicted to Luxury or performed his Commands remissly he is said to have been very severe Thus he did beat Aphthonetus because upon a march being thirsty he left his rank and went out of the way to an Inn Archedamus he put to death for putting off his Arms when he had commanded him to keep them on The End The Arguments of the CHAPTERS The First BOOK CHap. 1 Of the Polypus 2 Of Spiders 3 Of the Egyptian Frogs 4 Of the Egyptian Dog 5 Of the Sea-Fox 6 Of Sea-Tortoises 7 Of Wild Swine 8 Of the Phalangium 9 Of the Lion sick 10 How the Cretan Goats cure themselves when shot 11 That Mice have Prescience 12 Of Pismires 13 Of Gelo. 14 Of the Swan 15 Of Pigeons 16 Of Socrates drinking Hemlock 17 Of a very little Chariot and an Elegiac Distich 18 Of Women vain in Apparel 19 The Luxury of the Sybarites Colophonians and Corinthians 20 Of Dionysius his Sacrilege 21 How Ismenias without dishonour adored the King of Persia. 22 The Gifts which the Kings of Persia used to bestow upon Ambassadors 23 Of Gorgias and Protagoras 24 Of the contest betwixt Hercules and Lepreas 25 Of Alexander's magnificence to Photion and his to Alexander 26 Of Aglais a great eater 27 Other great eaters 28 Diet of Fish much esteemed by the Rhodians 29 Of an Ewe which eaned a Lion 30 That Galetes was beloved of Ptolemee not more for his beauty then his prudence 31 The Persian custom of presenting Gifts to the King 32 Of Water presented as a Gift to the King of Persia. 33 Of an extraordinary great Pomegranate presented to the same King 34 Of a Father who accused his Son of a Capital crime The Second BOOK 1 How Socrates taught Alcibiades confidence not to be daunted at the People 2 Of Pictures praised amiss 3 Of Alexander not giving due commendations of a Picture 4 Of the Friendship betwixt Chariton and Menippus and the Tyrant's mercy towards them 5 Of well husbanding time and that among the Lacedæmonians walking was not permitted 6 An instance that we ought not to please the Vulgar 7 That the Thebans expose not children 8 Of Xenocles and Euripides contending at the Olympic Games 9 Decrees of the Athenians against some revolters 10 Timotheus having heard Plato discourse judged himself to be less happy 11 What Socrates said of those that were put to death by the Thirty Tyrants 12 Of Themistocles giving over prodigality 13 Of Socrates abused in a Comedy by Aristophanes 14 Of a Planetree beloved of Xerxes 15 Of those who besmeared the Seats of the Lacedaemonian Ephori with soot 16 Of Photion 17 Of the wisdom of the Persian Magis and of Ochus 18 Of magnificent Suppers 19 Of Alexander who would be called a God 20 Of the meekness of King Antigonus 21 Of Pausanias his friendship with Agatho the Poet. 22 That the Mantineans were just Lawmakers 23 That Nicodorus the Wrestler became a Lawgiver 24 That Milo was strong in body but not in mind 25 That the sixth of the Month Thargelion was fortunate to the Greeks 26 Of Hyperborean Apollo and certain wonders concerning Pythagoras 27 That Anniceris was a good Charioteer & that he who bestows much pains upon little things neglects the greater 28 Upon what occasion Cock-fighiing was first instituted 29 How Pittacus made an Emblem of Fortune 30 Of Plato 31 That no Barbarian is impious 32 How Hercules his name was changed and of the Oracle of Apollo concerning it 33 Of the Images of Rivers 34 Of old age 35 That sleep is the Brother of death and of the decease of Gorgias 36 Of Socrates falling sick in his old age 37 Of a Law which prohibited the sick to drink Wine 38 A Law of the Romans and other people not allowing Wine to all persons nor of all ages 39 The Law of the Cretans concerning learning 40 That Beasts love not Wine and of some Beasts that will be drunk 41 Of some who were lovers of drink and great drinkers 42 Of Plato's renown and of his Laws for equal distribution 43 Certain eminent persons among the Grecians very poor 44 A description of a Picture made by Theon a Painter The Third BOOK 1 Thessalian Tempe described 2 Of Anaxagoras bearing the death of his children with courage 3 Of Xenophon bearing the death of his Son unmovedly 4 That Dio was not troubled at the loss of his Son 5 Antigonus seeing his Son dead was nothing troubled 6 Of the Magnanimity of Crates 7 Of the calumny of the Vulgar 8 That Phrynichus was chosen General for a certain Poem 9 Of Love 10 Of Lacedaemonian friendship 11 Of the Soul 12 Of friendship amongst the Lacedæmonians 13 Of the drunkenness of the Papyrians 14 Of the drunkenness of the Byzantines 15 Of the drunkenness of the Argives Corinthians Thracians and Illyrians 16 A comparison betwixt two Generals Demetrius and Timotheus 17 That Philosophy is not inconsistent with Political Government and that some Philosophers have governed Commonwealths 18 Of the discourse betwixt Midas the Phrygian and Silenus and the incredible relations of Midas 19 Of the dissension betwixt Aristotle and Plato 20 Of Lysander and some gifts presented to him 21 Of the magnanimity of Themistocles 22 Of the piety of Aeneas and compassion of the Greeks to the Persians 23 Of Alexander 24 How much Xenophon was delighted with bravery 25 Of Leonides and three hundred more who gave themselves up to death voluntarily for the preservation of Greece 26 Of Pindarus the Tyrant 27 Of Plato's poverty and how he betook himself to Philosophy 28 How Socrates reform the pride of Alcibiades 29 Of the poverty and pride of Diogenes 30 Of certain persons extremely modest 31 Of the diligence of Nicias in his Art 32 Of Alexander and Hercules learning to play on the Flute 33 Of Satyrus a Player on the Flute 34 A Law common to the Romans and Lacedæmonians 35 That it was not permitted to laugh in the Academy 36 Why Aristotle left Athens 37 A Law of the Ceans' concerning old Men. 38 Some things first found out at Athens 39 What things some of old did eat 40 Of Satyrs Tityri and Silenes 41 Many surnames of Bacchus 42 Of certain Women that fell mad 43 Of a Lutenist murdered by the Sybarites 44 Of one who might have assisted his companion but would not and of another that did assist but unfortunately 45 An Oracle given to Philip. 46 A Law of the Stagirites 47 Of Timotheus and others whom their virtues availed nothing The Fourth BOOK 1 Several customs of Nations and People 2 Of the differences betwixt Nicostratus who played upon the Lute only and Laodacus who both played and sung to the Lute 3 Of Polygnotus & Dionysius Painters 4 A Theban Law concerning Artificers and Painters 5 Persons that were mindful of benefits 6 An Oracle concerning the Athenians 7 That sometimes the dead rest not even after death and of Pausanias 8 Of the vicissitude of Fortune 9 Of the Humility of Plato and ingratitude of Aristotle 10 What respect Pericles had for the Athenian people 11 Of the Luxury of Socrates 12 Of the Picture of Helena drawn by Xeuxis 13 The saying and happiness of Epicurus 14 Of sparing and keeping riches 15 Of some who in sickness learned Music and other Sciences in which recovering they became eminent 16 Qualities of some of the Ancients 17 Wonders and opinions of Pythagoras 18 Of the respect and honour which Dionysius gave to Plato 19 That Philip honoured learning and of Aristotle 20 Of Democritus and of the renown of him Theophrastus Hypocrates and others 21 Of those who were beloved of Socrates and Plato 22 Of the Luxury of the Athenians 23 Of certain prodigal persons 24 How friendship may be best preserved 25 Of the strange madness of Thrasyllus 26 Of Electra 27 Of the Gift of Pamphaes and Diotimus 28 That Pherecydes fell into a Phthiriasis because of his Atheism 29 That Alexander ridiculously believed there are infinite Worlds The Fifth BOOK 1 That Tachos died upon using more delicate Diet. 2 Pherecydes how he died 3 Of Hercules his Pillars 4 Of some Trees growing in Delos 5 Of Epominandas his Indigence and Magnanimity 6 Of the voluntary death of Calanus 7 Of Anacharsis 8 How some have born Scoffs 9 Of Aristotle 10 The number of some Ships and Arms which the Athenians lost 11 The Cruelty of a King of Thrace towards his Children 12 That Demades was fined for making a Decree that Alexander should be accounted a God 13 That the Athenians were inclined to Novelties 14 An Attic Law concerning the Interment of Bodies and killing of Oxen. 15 Places of Judicature in Athens for Murders 16 That a little Boy was condemned for Sacrilege 17 Of the Superstition of the Athenians 18 Of a Woman with child condemned to death 19 How Aeschylus condemned for Impiety was preserved 20 Of the Fasting of the Tarentines and Rhegians 21 That Medea did not kill her own Children The Sixth BOOK 1 Of the wrath Inhumanity Contempt Injustice and Violence of some towards others 2 Of the Valour of the Son of Harmatidias 3 Of Isadas a Boy 4 Of him that was betrothed to the Daughter of Lysander 5 Of the Athenian Ambassadors 6 Laconic Laws 7 Of the Earthquake which happened at Sparta 8 Of the Murder of Artaxerxes 9 Of a Treasure sought by the Delphians in the Pythian Temple 10 A Law concerning Citizens made by Pericles 11 Of Gelo offering to resign the Government 12 Of the Happiness of Dionysius and what end it had 13 Of Tyrannical Governments in Greece which have continued in Posterities 14 Of a Conspiracy against Darius The Seventh BOOK 1 Of Semiramis and how she obtained the Assyrian Empire 2 Of the Luxury of Strato and Nicocles 3 A Consolatory Saying of Aristippus 4 Of the praise of a Mill. 5 Of the hand-labour of Ulysses and Achilles in many things 6 The answer of a Scythian concerning Cold. 7 Of Demosthenes his Watchfulness 8 Of Alexander's grief at Hephaestion's Death 9 Of a Modest Woman 10 Of the Wife of Socrates 11 Of the Shoes of the Roman Women 12 An Apophthegm of Lysander or Philip concerning Perjury 13 Of the Tolerance of Agesilaus 14 Of Philosophers that went to War and administered Civil Government 15 How the Mitylenaeans revenged themselves upon their revolted Confederates 16 Of Rome Remus Romulus and Servia 17 Of Eudoxus coming to Sicily 18 That the Egyptians are courageous in Torments and of the Indian Women 19 Of Solon's Stratagem against the Megareans and how afterwards he overcame them by Argument 20 Of an old man a Cean that Died his Hair 21 Of the Sedulity and care of Caesar and Pompey to learn such things which are requisite to govern rightly The Eighth BOOK 1 Of Socrates his Daemon 2 Of Hipparchus his Wisdom his care of Learned men and of Homer's Poems 3 The Athenian Custom of killing an Ox and of the Diipolian and Buphonian Festival 4 Of the Luxury of Polyarchus 5 Of Neleus and Medon and the Twelve Ionian Cities 6 Of the ignorance of Learning and Institution amongst the Barbarians 7 Of the Marriages solemnised by Alexander after his Victory over Darius 8 Of the Art of Painting 9 Of a Tyrant killed by his Friend 10 Of Solon and the Laws written by him and Draco 11 Of the decay and dissolution of things and of the World itself 12 Of Demosthenes Aeschines Theophrastus and Demochares 13 Of some who never laughed 14 Of the death of Diogenes 15 Of the Moderation of Philip upon a Victory and of what he would be minded continually 16 Of Solon and Pisistratus 17 Of Oenycimus Monarch of the Zanclaeans 18 Of Euthymus and the Hero in Temese and a Proverb 19 The Epitaph of Anaxagoras and his Altar The Ninth BOOK 1 That Hiero loved Learning and was liberal and lived friendly with his Brothers 2 Of the Victory of Taurosthenes 3 Of the Luxury and Pride of Alexander and some others 4 Of the diligence of Polycrates in hearing Anacreon and of his Jealousy 5 Of Hiero and Themistocles 6 Of Pericles and his Sons dying of the Pestilence 7 O●… Socrates his Equanimity in all things 8 Of Dionysius his Incontinence 9 That Demetrius also was Incontinent 10 Of Plato's little valuing Life 11 Of Parrhasius the Painter 12 Of the Epicureans banished by the Romans 13 Of the Gluttony and excessive Fatness 14 Of the extraordinary Leanness of Philetas 15 Of Homer 16 Of Italy and of Mares both Man and Horse 17 Of Demosthenes his Pride 18 Of Themistocles 19 That Demosthenes refused being called by Diogenes to go into a Cook 's Shop 20 Of Aristippus 21 Of Theramenes 22 Of Some that studied Medicine 23 Of Aristotle being sick 24 Of the Luxury of Smynderides 25 How Pisistratus behaved himself towards his Citizens 26 Of Zeno and Antigonus 27 Ingenuity of Manners 28 Of Diogenes 29 That Socrates was fearless and despised Gifts 30 Of the Providence of Anaxarchus 31 Of a Wrestler who having gained the Victory died before he was Crowned 32 Of the Statues of Phryne a Courtesan and the Mares of Cimon 33 The Answer of a young man to his Father demanding what he had learned 34 Of persons richly clad 35 Of Antisthenes' taking pride in a torn Cloak 36 Of Antigonus and a Lutenist 37 How Anaxarchus derided Alexander who would be esteemed a God 38 Of Alexander and the Harp of Paris 39 Of ridiculous and extravagant affections 40 Of the Pilots of the Carthaginian Ships 41 Of Pausanias and Simonides 42 Of Artaxerxes and Darius The Tenth BOOK 1 Of Pherenice admitted to behold the Olympic Games 2 Of the Continency of Eubatas 3 Properties of some Creatures 4 Of Alexander's quickness in action 5 Of Tyrants out of Aesop's Writing 6 Of Little men 7 Of some Astronom●…rs and of the Great Year 8 Of Benefits 9 That Philoxenus was a Glutton 10 Of the ancient Painters 11 Of Diogenes having a pain in his Shoulder 12 An Apophthegm of Archytas concerning Men. 13 That Antilochus defamed himself 14 Of Idleness 15 Of those who were betrothed to the Daughters of Aristides and Lysander 16 Of Antisthenes and Diogenes 17 Of those who grew rich by public Employments 18 Of Syracusian Daphnis and of Bucolick Verses 19 Of Eurydamus 20 Of Agesilaus 21 Of Plato 22 Of Dioxippus The Eleventh BOOK 1 Of Oricadmus and the Art of Wrestling 2 Of the Verses of Oroebantius Dares and Melisander 3 Of Icchus and Wrestling 4 Of the Baldness of Agathocles 5 Of some persons unjustly condemned for Sacrilege 6 Of an Adulterer 7 Of Lysander and Alcibiades 8 Of the death of Hipparchus 9 Of certain excellent persons Indigent yet would not accept Gifts 10 Of Zoilus 11 Of Dionysius the Sicilian 12 Of a Marchpane sent by Alcibiades to Socrates 13 Of one in Sicily very sharp-sighted The Twelfth BOOK 1 Of Aspasia 2 Of the Muses 3 Of Epaminondas and Diaphantus and jolidas 4 Of Sesostris 5 Of Lais. 6 Of the Parents of Marius and Cato 7 Of Alexander and Hephaestion 8 Of the Treachery of Cleomenes to Archonides 9 How Timesias forsook his Country voluntarily 10 That the Aeginetae first coined Money 11 Of the Pallantian Hill and of the Temple & Altar dedicated to Fever 12 Of an Adulterer apprehended in Crete 13 How Gnathaena the Courtesan silenced a great Talker 14 Of persons excellent in Beauty 15 Of certain excellent persons who delighted to play with Children 16 Persons whom Alexander hated for their Virtue 17 Of Demetrius going to the House of a Courtesan 18 That Phaon was beautiful 19 Of Sapph 20 Of the Nightingale and Swallow 21 Of the Lacedaemonian Women 22 Of the Strength of Titormus and Milo and of a certain Proverb 23 Of the Boldness of the Celtaes 24 Of the luxurious Diet and Gluttony of Smynderides 25 Many who improved and benefitted the most excellent persons 26 Of some persons addicted to Wine 27 That Hercules was mild towards his Adversaries 28 Of the Leocorium at Athens 29 What Plato said of the Excess of the Agrigentines 30 Of the Drunkenness of the Tarentines and the Luxury of the Cyrenaeans 31 Of several kinds of Greek Wines 32 Of the Vests and Shoes of Pythagoras Empedocles Hippias and Gorgias 33 That the Romans would not allow the Treachery of Pyrrhus his Physician 34 Of the Loves of Pausanias and of Apelles 35 Of the Periander's Miltiades Sibylls' and the Bacides 36 Of the number of the Children of Niobe 37 Of the want of Victual to which Alexander was reduced and that some Towns were taken by Smoke 38 Of the Horses and some Customs of the Sacae 39 Of the Boldness of Perdiccas and of the Lioness 40 Of the Provisions which followed Xerxes 41 Of Protogenes the Painter 42 Of certain Men who were suckled by Beasts 43 Certain persons who of obscure became very eminent 44 Of those who lived a long time in the Quarries of Sicily 45 Of Midas Plato and Pindar their infancy 46 Of a Sign which portended that Dionysius should be King 47 Of Aristomache Wife of Dio. 48 Of Homer's Poems 49 That Photion forgave Injuries 50 Of the Lacedæmonians not addicting themselves to Learning 51 Of the Pride of Menecrates and how Philip derided him 52 To what kind of persons Isocrates compared Athens 53 Of several occasions of great Wars 54 How Aristotle endeavoured to appease Alexander's Anger 55 Of those who among the Libyans were slain by Elephants either in Hunting or in War 56 What Diogenes said of the Megareans 57 Of the Prodigies which appeared to the Thebans when Alexander brought his Forces against their City 58 Of Dioxippus 59 Of Truth and Beneficence 60 Of Dionysius and Philip. 61 Of honour given to the Wind Boreas 62 A Persian Law concerning those who give the King Advice 63 Of Archedice a Courtesan 64 Of Alexander dead The Thirteenth BOOK 1 Of Atalanta 2 How Macareus was punished for Cruelty 3 Of the Monument of Belus and the unfortunate sign which happened to Xerxes there 4 Of Euripides drunk at a Feast 5 Of Laius 6 The properties of Arcadian Thatian and Achaean Wines 7 Of the taking of Thebes by Alexander and of Pindar 8 Of Lysander 9 Of Lamia 10 Of Dionysius marrying two Wives in one day 11 Of the conquest over the Persians and of Isocrates 12 How Meton freed himself from an expedition and of the madness of Ulyfses 13 Of the Munificence of Ptolemee 14 Of the Verses and Poetry of Homer 15 Of some persons extraordinary foolish 16 Of the Apolloniats and of their Country and of Epidamnum 17 A Proverb and of Phrynichus 18 Of Dionysius 19 What Cleomenes said of Homer and Hesiod 20 Of one who died cheerfully through willingness to see some of the dead 21 Of Phrygian Harmony 22 Of the Temple and Statue of Homer 23 Of Lycurgus the Lacedaemonian 24 Of some who have been harmed by Laws which they themselves have made 25 Of Pindar in a contest worsted by Corinna 26 How Diogenes in extreme indigence comforted himself 27 Of Socrates 28 Of the Servant of Diogenes torn in pieces by Dogs 29 Of Hope 30 Of Olympias grieving for Alexander's death and want of burial 31 That Xenocrates was Compassionate 32 How Socrates refeled the boasting of a Courtesan 33 Of the fortune of Rhodopis a Courtesan 34 Of Dionysius 35 What natural remedies the Hart being not well useth 36 Of the death of Eurydice Daughter of Philip. 37 Of Gelo and those who conspired against him 38 Of Alcibiades 39 Of Ephialtes 40 Of Themistocles 41 Of Photion 42 Of Epaminondas 43 Of Timotheus 44 Of the emulation betwixt Themistocles and Aristides 45 Of the Cruelty of Dionysius 46 Of the Gratitude of a Drag●…n The Fourteenth BOOK 1 How Aristotle stood affected as to love of Glory 2 Of Agesilaus and the Barbarians breaking their Oaths 3 Of Prodigality 4 Of Aristides dying of the biting of a Weasel 5 What persons the Athenians chose for Government 6 Aristippus his opinion concerning cheerfulness 7 A L●…cedemonian Law concerning the Complexion and Constitution of the Body and such as are too Fat 8 How Polycletus and Hippomachus argued the common people of Ignorance 9 Of the Patience of Xenocrates 10 How Photion retorted upon Demades 11 How a King ought to behave himself towards his Subjects 12 How the Persian King employed himself whilst he traveled 13 Of the Tragedies of Agatho 14 Of Stratonicus a Lutenist 15 Of the Discourses of Socrates 16 Of the ambition of Hipponicus 17 Of Archelaus and of the Pictures of Zeuxis 18 How one that was angry threatened to punish his Servant 19 Of the Modesty of Archytas in speaking 20 Of a ridiculous Story 21 Of the Poet Syagrus 22 Of a Tyrant forbidding his Subjects to talk together 23 Of Clinias and of Achilles who used to repress anger by Music 24 Of some persons who have nothing valued Money in regard of their Countrymen And of some who slew their Creditors 25 How one persuaded a State concord 26 Of Antagoras railing at Arcesilaus 27 Of Agesilaus 28 Of Pytheas an Orator 29 That Lysander brought wealth into Sparta 30 How Hanno would have Deified himself 31 Of Ptolemee surnamed Tryphon 32 Of Pimandridas who praised not his Son for gathering together Riches 33 Of Plato and Diogenes 34 Of whom the Egyptians learned Laws and of their Judges 35 Of Lais. 36 That they are ridiculous who think highly of themselves because of their Parents 37 Of Statu●…s and Images 38 Of Epaminondas and Pelopidas 39 How Antalcidas found fault with a Present perfumed with Unguent 40 Of the Cruelty of Alexander Tyrant of the Pheraeans 41 Of Apollodorus his Madness in Wine 42 A Sentence of Xenocrates 43 Of Ptolemee and Berenice 44 A Lacedaemonian Law concerning Covetousness 45 Of certain Women worthy praise 46 Of the Battle of the Magnetes against the Ephesians 47 Of Zeuxis his Picture of Helen and of Nicostratus a Painter 48 Persons of whom Alexander was jealous 49 Why Philip made the Sons of the noblest Persons wait on him THE END