Page 776 had conquer'd many Nations, and had so long nuzzl'd themselves in the Enjoyment of an unterrupted Peace, they declin'd from their Ancient manners, to wicked and destructive Courses. For the young Men, enjoying Rest and Ease from War, with Plenty of all things to be Fuel to their Lusts, gave themselves up to Luxury and Intemperance; for in the City, Prodigality was preferr'd before Frugality, and living at Ease, before the Service of the Camp: And he that Wasted all his time in Voluptuousness, and not he that was of a virtuous and sober conversation, was accounted by all to be the only happy Man. And therefore sumptuous Feasts, most fragrant Oyntments, flowr'd and embroider'd Carpets, rich and stately Furniture, for their Banqueting Rooms, curiously wrought with Gold, Silver, Ivory, and such like Materials were then cry'd up every where. Wine that was but of an ordinary Gusto, would not be toucht, but only Falernian and Chian, and such like pleasant Wines: the choicest Fish likewise, and every thing of the best sort, was provided to gratifie their shameless Luxury. The young Gallants likewise, wore Garments of the finest and softest Wooll, Woven so fine, as that they were even transparent, and for their slender Webb, altogether like unto Womens Gowns. All these things serving to nourish Luxury, and Voluptuousness (to their Ruin and destruction) being generally coveted by all, in a short time grew to excessive Rates; for a Hogshead of Falernian Wine was sold for a 100 Drachmas, and a Hogshead of Salted Fish from the Pontick Sea, for 400. Skilful Cooks were sold for Four Talents a-piece, and delicate and beautiful Boys, for many Talents. And whereas all with full swing gave up themselves to this luxurious course of Life, some of the Governors in the Provinces, us'd their utmost endeavour to reform these Enormities, and to that end, being in high Places, and so most observable, by reason of the Eminency of their Stations, they fram'd their own Lives so, as to be Examples of Virtue, and liberal Education to others.
5. Quintus Mucius Scoevola, us'd his utmost endeavour to reform other Mens corrupt Manners, by his own Virtuous Example. For when he was sent Proconsul into Asia, he made choice of Quintus Rutilius his most intimat Friend for his Legate, and ever took his Advice in the management of his Government, and making of Laws: All the Costs and expences both of himself and his Retinue, he order'd to be defray'd out of his own Purse; and by his moderation and frugality, together with his just and upright dealing, he freed the Province from its former Miseries and Oppressions. For the Proconsuls of Asia that were before him, confederated with the Publicans (in whose hands at that time, was the administration of Justice at Rome) and fill'd the whole Province with the Pressures of their illegal Exactions.
6. Mucius Scoevola managing his Government with all possible Diligence and Integrity, did not only suppress all false Accusations, but restrain'd the Injuries and Oppressions committed by the Publicans. For as often as any who had been pinch'd by those Toll-gatherers made their address to him, he Commissionated upright Judges, by whom he Condemn'd them wheresoever he came, and forc'd them to pay the Mulct impos'd upon them to the Persons they had injur'd, but for Offences that deserv'd death, he gave sentence of death. One of the chief of these Publicans that had contracted with his Master for his Freedom, for a great Sum of Money, before he was manumitted, he condemn'd to die and crucify'd him.
7. Those that were condemn'd by the Judges, he deliver'd over to the Persons injur'd, to be by them carry'd away to Prison, so that they who before through their insolency and covetousness committed all manner of Injustice, were unexpectedly hurried away to the Goal by them that they had injur'd. Moreover by discharging his own Expences and the Expences of his Retinue out of his own private Purse, he soon inclin'd the Hearts of all the Province towards the People of Rome.
8. Lucius Asellius (whose Father was a Quaestor) being sent Praetor into Sicily, finding in the Province great Havock and Devastation, by his prudent management of things in a short time restor'd it to its former state and condition. For after the Example of Scoevola, he made choice of his intimate Friend Caius Sempronius Longus for his Legate, and join'd with him Publius, the famous Roman Knight for his Counsellor, who then resided at Syracuse, and besides the goods of Fortune, was eminent for the Virtues of his Mind; his Piety towards the Gods is sufficiently testify'd by his Sacrifices, Gifts, and Adorning of the Temples. And the quick and lively use of all his Senses to the last moment of his Life was an evident Argument of his Sobriety and Temperance: And his Learning, & courteous Disposition are apparent from the great Value and Esteem he ever had of learned Men, and his Bounty and Liberality out of his own Purse towards them that appli'd themselves to the study of the Liberal Arts and Sciences. Assellius assisted with the advice of those two Men, who continu'd with him under the same Roof, and sate with him in Judgment
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.