Diodorus Siculus

FRAGMENTS - The Library of History



Page 779 he was chosen Consul much against his Will, he declar'd he would now freely of his own accord give up his Authority into the hands to Cinna; upon which he forthwith surrendred his Consulship, and became a private Man. The Senate hereupon sent Ambassadors to Cinna, and having agreed with him upon the Terms of Peace, introduc'd him into the City.

10. Lucius Sylla being greatly straiten'd for want of Money, rifled Three Temples that were full of devoted Gold and Silver, that is the Temple of Apollo at Delphos, of Aesculapius at Epidaurus, and the famous Temple of Jupiter at Olympus, out of which last, he carry'd away a vast Treasure; for that it had never been before violated. But as to the Temple at Delphos, the Phocians in the time of the sacred War, had drain'd it of its Wealth. When Sylla therefore had thus heap'd up a mighty mass of Gold and Silver, and other Treasure, he was sufficiently furnish'd with Money to carry on the War in Italy. But having without all Fear or Sense of Religion, thus robb'd the Temples, he consecrated a piece of Land to the Gods, for the maintaining of yearly Sacrifices, in lieu of the Money: And would often in a Joke and Jest say, That he was sure to be Victorious in all Encounters, who had the Gods for his Assistants, and for that end, had help'd him with Money.

11. Fimbria having out-ran Flaccus, and gotten a long way before him in his March, thought he had now gain'd a most convenient opportunity for some Commotion or other; and therefore that he might indear the Soldiery to him, he permitted them to make incursions into the Countreys of their Allies, and make what havock they pleas'd therein, and to take Captive every one they met withal. The Soldiers very readily embrac'd the License, so that within few days, they had scrambl'd together abundance of Wealth by their plundering. But those that had been spoil'd of their Goods, went to meet the Consul, and made bitter complaints to him of the Injuries they had receiv'd, who being much troubl'd at the business, commanded them to follow him, and he himself would see restitution made to every one that had suffer'd; and accordingly with Threats he commanded Fimbria to return forthwith to the Owners, whatsoever had been taken away from them. But Fimbria laid all the blame upon the Soldiers, who did this without any Commission from him; but covertly he advis'd them, not to regard the Consul's Command, nor suffer that to be taken from them which they had got by the Law of Arms: Upon this, when Flaccus commanded restitution to be made of their Rapine, adding threatning to his commands, the Soldiers refus'd to Obey, so that there follow'd a great Mutiny in the Camp.

12. Fimbria having again cross'd the Hellespont, animated his Soldiers to Rapines and all kind of Villanies, exacted Moneys from the Cities, and divided it amongst the Soldiers, who having obtain'd an uncontroul'd License, did what they listed, and allur'd moreover with the hopes of a large Income, lov'd Fimbria as one who had deserv'd extreamly well of the whole Army. Moreover those Cities that had stood out against him, when he had taken 'em, he gave them to the plunder of his Soldiers, and so he dealt with * Nicomedia.

13. The same Fimbria being admitted into Cizicum, professing himself a Friend to the Place, as soon as he was got in, began to Impeach all the wealthiest of them, and charge them with some Crime or other: Two of these, the principal Men of the City, after he had pass'd Sentence on them, he caus'd to be whipt with Rods, to terrifie the rest, and afterwards struck off their Heads, and set their Goods to Sale, and forc'd others out of Fear, to give him all they had, as a Ransom for their Lives.

14. Cn. Pompeius addicted himself to Martial Affairs, and inur'd himself to the hardships and Fatigues of War, so that in a short time he became very expert in Military Matters: For casting off all Sloth and Effeminateness, he was always Night and Day doing something or other that was useful and advantagious for matters relating to War: For he was very sparing in his Diet, eat his Meat sitting, and altogether forbore Baths, and such like delights. He allotted but a few Hours of the Night for Sleep, and spent the rest in the Cares of a General, relating to what he was to put in Execution the next Day; so that by his constant forethoughts of the uncertain Events of War, he became a most expert Commander. And therefore, whereas another could scarce in the same time sit himself to take upon him the Charge of an Army already rais'd, in that time, and much less he Rais'd them, Train'd, and Disciplin'd them. And when the News of his famous Exploits was brought to Rome, every Body at first reflecting upon his youth, more than thinking upon his Valour, slighted him, supposing the Messengers stretcht in their Relations, and made things look bigger, than in truth they were. But when the certain Event confirm'd the former Report, the Senate sent out Junius against him, whom he routed and put to Flight.


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