Page 774 meet it out of the City with all the Orders and Degrees of the Citizens in solemn Pomp and State, and that the Best Man should lead the Men, and the Best Woman be at the head of the Women, when they receiv'd the Image of the Goddess: The Senate performing all that was prescrib'd by the Sibyls writings, judg'd Publius Nasica to be the Best Man, and Valeria the Best Woman. For he was not only eminent for his Piety towards the Gods, but of singular Prudence in governing and ordering matters of State, and of a piercing Judgment. For when Marcus Cato who was Sirnam'd Demosthenes, in delivering his Opinion in the Senate, was ever and anon affirming, That Carthage must be raz'd, though nothing was in debate concerning it, but the Senate was consulting of other Matters; Publius Nasica was ever of a contrary Opinion, that Carthage was to be preserv'd; In which difference of Opinions it seem'd a matter of great Difficulty to the Senate which of the Two was most adviseable; but those that were accounted the best Statesmen amongst them, preferr'd the Opinion of Nasica. For they conceiv'd, that the Power and Grandeur of the Romans was not to be judg'd of by the Ruine and Destruction of other Cities, but rather by its Sovereign Power and Authority over such as are accounted the most Potent. Besides, if Carthage stood, out of fear of that City the Romans would be kept within the bounds of their Duty, and in Peace and Concord among themselves, and the Common-wealth would be forced to carry it towards their Subjects with more Moderation and Clemency; which things usually strengthen and enlarge all sorts of Governments: But if Carthage the Rival City be once destroy'd, what can be expected but Civil Wars among the Romans themselves, and the hatred likewise of all their Allies for the Pride and Covetousness of the Roman Magistrates; all which accordingly happen'd to the Romans after the Destruction of Carthage. For turbulent Factions, Agrarian Laws, grievous Revolts of Confederates, continual and destructive Civil Wars, and all the other Mischiefs which Publius Scipio foretold, came to pass: His Son Nasica afterwards, when he was well in years, ordering the Senate to follow him, kill'd Tiberius Gracchus with his own hands, when he was contriving to set up himself and take upon him the Government. At the Commission of which Fact, the Commons being in an Uproar and Exasperated against the Authors of the Murder, and the Tribunes of the People asking every one of the Senators Man by Man, being brought before them, Who it was that kill'd Gracchus? Every one out of fear of the Rage of the People, deny'd the Fact, and made use of shifting and impertinent Answers: But when it came to Nasica, he own'd, that he kill'd him with his own Hand; and further declar'd, That the designs of Gracchus in aspiring to be absolute Monarch, was a Secret to all other Persons, but very well known to him and the Senate. Whereupon the People, though they were much troubled at the Fact, yet being mov'd by the Boldness and Authority of the Man, from thenceforth rested quiet and said no more: This Scipio Nasica likewise, (Son of the former Nasica) who dy'd Consul this Year, was of an unspotted Conversation all his Days, never tainted or corrupted with Bribes: And being endow'd with Philosophical Principles, he was not only a Philosopher in Words, but in Truth; so that he inherited both the Glory and Virtues of his Ancestors.
25. Antiochus Cyzicenus as soon as he got into Possession of the Kingdom, applied himself to Revellings and Luxury, and Courses altogether unbeseeming Kings. For being extremely Addicted to Anticks, Stage-players, and all sorts of Juglers, he learn'd their Arts with a great deal of Vehemency; He apply'd himself also to Puppit-playing, and plac'd his chiefest Delight in making the Images of living Creatures in bulk Five Cubits, (cover'd over with Gold and Silver,) to move of themselves, and other Engines of that Nature. But as for Warlike Engines and Testudoes, call'd Helepoles, whose Preparations and Magnificence belong'd to Princes, and were commonly of great use, he was altogether wanting in them. Moreover, he was much addicted to unseasonable Huntings, and oftentimes would steal out privately by Night, with a Servant or two, to hunt Boars, Lions and Leopards; so that many times he was in danger of his Life by his rash encountring of these wild Beasts.
26. Mecipsa, Son of Massinissa King of Numidia, had many Children; but above them all he lov'd Adherball his Eldest, and Hiempsales and Micipsa; the last of which was the mildest Prince of all the Kings of Numidia, and sent for the Learnedst Men out of Greece he could hear of, and spending his time with them in improving himself in all sorts of Liberal Sciences, and especially in Philosophy, he enjoy'd his Kingdom, together with his Study of Philosophy to his Old Age.
27. Contoniatus, the Petit Prince of Jentora in Gaul, was eminent for his Prudence and Skil in Martial Affairs: He was a Friend and an Ally of the Romans, being formerly brought up in Rome, and so season'd with Virtue and Civility; by the help of the Romans he gain'd that Principality in Gaul.
The Histories of Herodotus written in 440 BC is considered to be the founding work of history in Western literature. His history included stories and fables but he claimed to have traveled extensively and learned about many countries through direct observation.
The thesis of Stolen Legacy is that the Egyptians created what is wrongly called Greek philosophy. Dr. James argues that the African origin of Greek Philosophy is well known but rarely discussed. Ancient Greek historians such as Herodotus and Diodorus the Sicilian wrote in significant detail about the contributions of Egypt. Egyptian technology and libraries were unmatched and Greek philosophers such as Pythagoras and Plato studied there. The contribution of Africa to the intellectual foundation of modern knowledge is tremendous but unacknowledged.
The Library of History by Diodorus the Sicilian is one of the most highly regarded universal histories in antiquities. His work includes the history of Egypt, Asia, Africa, Greece and Europe. His book is a must read for research of ancient history.
Bible Study The King James Bible (kjv), World English Bible (web) and Bible in Basic English (bbe) are all examples of public domain books. The King James Bible (kjv) online uses the content from these books and open source software to enhance Bible study capabilities. The site includes the verse of the day, search tools, christian literature and links to related content. It demonstrates the use of open source to create a valuable service.