Diodorus Siculus

FRAGMENTS - The Library of History



Page 775 28. Caius Marius, one of the Ambassadors, was slighted by the Proconsul, as one of the Meanest of them. The rest who were of eminent Birth, and in high Place, were Honour'd and Respected by the Proconsul. But as for the other who was said to have been but a Publican, and had much ado to get into the lowest Form amongst the Magistrates, Metellus made no account of him: Though in truth, all the rest lov'd their Ease and avoided the Camp, but Marius having been often employ'd in the Wars in desperate Adventures, seem'd highly to resent the Injury and Affront. But addicting himself with great application of Mind to Martial Affairs, he became a most expert Soldier; and being naturally of a warlike Spirit, in a short time he grew very Famous; and for his Generosity and courteous Deportment, and his affable Carriage in all Meetings towards all that were under his Command, he gain'd the Hearts of all the Soldiers, who studying to make grateful returns for his Kindness, fought the more Chearfully and Courageously, to the end they might advance the Honour and Reputation of their General: And if any other at any time happen'd to be sent to command them, the Soldiers on purpose in the very height of the Battel would fight more carelesly; so that most commonly things miscarry'd and came to nought when any other commanded the Army; but when Marius was General the Romans were ever Conquerors.



Out of the 36th BOOK.

1. THE Rebellious Slaves did not only waste and destroy Sioily, but those that were free, who had neither Lands nor Goods) betook themselves to Rapine and Robberies, and ravag'd up and down in the Country in Flocks and Droves; they drave away whole Herds of Cattel; Robb'd the Barns in the Towns and Villages, and carried away the Corn and other Fruits of the Earth, and kill'd every one they met, without distinction of either Bond or Free, that none might be left to tell tales of their Murthers and Cruelties. For being there was at this time an Anarchy in Sicily, having no Roman Praetor that exercis'd any Jurisdiction, all ran headlong and committed many and great Enormities with impunity; so that all Places were full of Rapines and Robberies, and the Goods of the Rich made a Prey to Force and Violence: and they who a little before were Noted and Eminent amongst their fellow Citizens for their Wealth, by a sudden change of Fortune, were not only with the greatest Contempt and Scorn imaginable, Robb'd of all they had by their Slaves, but were forc'd to bear unsufferable Abuses from them that were Freemen of the same Country. And therefore none could scarcely call any thing his own within the City Gates; but what was without, they lookt upon as quite lost, and to be an irrecoverable Prey to the Robbers. To conclude, Confusion and utter Subversion of Law and Justice, rag'd throughout all the Cities and Towns in the Country. For the Rebels after they had wasted the Country, out of Hatred to their Masters, and insatiable Covetousness, beset the High Ways and made them impassable. And those Slaves that were yet within the Cities Sick, but in their Hearts longing for an opportunity to Rebel, were a dread and terror to their Masters.

2. Saturninus the Tribune being a Man of a profuse Life, and Quaestor in the Province of Ostia, ordering all the Corn to be carry'd away to Rome, for his Male Administration of the Government was Rebuk'd by the Senate, and divested of his Authority, and the Province committed to the Care of another. But afterwards leaving off his former Luxurious course of Life, and growing Sober in his Conversation, he was chosen Tribune of the People.

3. Whereas for Two years together in every Publick Assembly Q Metellus his restoring from Banishment was taken into Debate—His Son traversing the Market-place with his Beard and Hair overgrown, and in a nasty Garment, with Tears in his Eyes, prostrated himself at the Feet of every Citizen, intreating them to recall his Father. But the People, though they were very backward to make a President for Exiles for the time to come to hope for Return against the Laws; yet in Compassion to the Young Man, and being moved with importunity of his Intreaty, they recall'd Metellus from Banishment, and sirnam'd the Son Pius for his singular Affection and Care he had of his Father.

4. The Romans formerly being govern'd by good and wholesom Laws and Constitutions, by degrees grew to that height of Power, that at length they gain'd the greatest Empire of any that ever any History makes mention of. But of later times, after they


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