Plutarch's Lives Volume
II
Source: Plutarch.
Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans.
Englished by Sir Thomas North, anno 1579. London: published by David Nutt
in the Strand, 1895. Page numbers in angle brackets refer to this edition.
Twenty pages, marked with an asterisk (*), were missing in our copy
of the above edition and refer to Volume III of the following edition:
Plutarch of Charonea.
The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romanes Compared
Together. Translated out of Greek into French by James Amyot, Abbot
of Bellozane, Bishop of Auxerre, and out of French into Englishe by Thomas
North. Printed at the Shakespeare Head Press, Stratford-upon-Avon. Boston
and New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1928.
Before using any portion of this text in any theme, essay, research
paper, thesis, or dissertation, please read the disclaimer.
Transcription conventions: Words or phrases singled out for indexing
are marked by plus signs. In the index, numbers in parentheses indicate
how many times the item appears. I have allowed Greek passages to stand
as the scanner read them, in unintelligible strings of characters.
Table of Contents: |
PERICLES+ | FABIUS MAXIMUS+
| PERICLES AND FABIUS_+ |
ALCIBIADES+ | CAIUS MARTIUS CORIOLANUS+
| ALCIBIADES AND CORIOLANUS_+ |
TIMOLEON+ | PAULUS AEMILIUS+
| PAULUS AEMYLIUS AND TIMOLEON_+ |
PELOPIDAS+ | MARCELLUS+ | MARCELLUS
AND PELOPIDAS_+ |
ARISTIDES+
Index: | affabilitie+(2)
| affability+(1) |
affable+(2) | affectation+(2)
| amateur+(3) |
ambition+(2) | anger+(3) |
Antonio+(2) | Archimedes+(1)
| Aristotle+(1) |
Aristotles+(1) | Arragon+(1) |
Bassanio+(3) | benefit+(3) |
bleeding_hearts+(1) | bowntie+(1)
| bragge+(2) |
bragging+(1) | | brave_wordes+(1)
| braverie+(1) |
bravery+(1) | brotherhood+(1)
| Brutus_I+(1) |
Cato+(1) | cheer+(1) |
clemencie+(2) | clemency+(2) |
common+(1) | compassion+(2)
| constancy+(5) |
Constancy+(1) | constant+(3) |
contrie+(1) | corage+(1) |
Cordelia+(1) | Coriolanus+(6)
| corrupted+(1) |
corruption+(1) | courtesy+(1)
| Cressida+(1) |
Cretan_lye+(1) | Cretans_tricke+(1)
| curteous+(1) |
curteously+(1) | curtesie+(3)
curtesies+(1)| curtesy+(2) |
death+(2) | deserte+(1) |
deserts+(1) | discretion+(7)
| discretly+(1) |
double_dealer+(1) | duety+(1) |
Edmund+(3) | effeminacy+(1)
| effeminate+(2) |
entertain+(1) | expediency+(2)
| expedient+(2) |
Fabius_Maximus+(1) | Falstaff+(1)
| feminine_feare+(1) |
flatter+(1) | flatterie+(1) |
fortune+(14) | fourteene_thousand+(1)
|
freedom_of_will+(1) |
frende+(1) | frendshippe+(1)
| friend+(1) |
friendes+(1) | gay+(1) |
generosity+(3) | gent+(1) |
giftes+(1) | God+(1) |
good_deedes+(1) | graver+(1) |
gravity+(3) | guessed_page_break+(2)
| habit+(1) | Hal+(14)
| Hamlet+(1) |
Harfleur+(9) | hazarde+(1) |
HenIV+(2) | HenV+(1) |
Henry4+(1) | honest+(1) |
honestie+(1) | Hotspur+(5) |
housedoves+(1) | humanitie+(1)
| hundreds+(1) |
Iacocca+(1) | ingratitude+(1)
| instant+(1) | just+(1)
| justice+(2) |
Justice+(1) | Kent+(1) |
Kingdomes+(1) | Lear+(2) |
liberalitie+(1) | liberality+(1)
| liberall+(1) |
list+(1) | love+(2) |
love_fear+(2) | | loved+(1)
| lucke+(1) | lust+(1)
| magnanimitie+(2) |
magnificence+(2) | Martius+(1)
| merciful+(1) |
mercy+(1) | mob+(1) |
modest+(1)
| modestly+(1) |
moral_purpose+(1) | naturall_affection+(1)
| non_nobis+(3)|
omen+(1) | optimism+(1) |
Othello+(1) | pg#_guess+(2) |
philosophy+(1) | plague+(1) |
PlainDealer+(5) | plainer+(1) |
Plato+(2) | Platoes+(1) |
policie+(1) | Portia+(1) |
posterity+(3) | practise+(1) |
profit+(5) | profit_rejected+(1)
| profitable+(1) ||promise+(4)
| Prospero+(6) |
rage+(2) | reason+(3) |
reputation+(1) | revenge+(2) |
revenged+(2) |
riches+(1) |
risk+(1) | sacke+(1) |
science+(1) | seditious+(1) |
service+(2)
| Shylock+(1) |
skilfull_captaine+(1) | Socrates+(1)
| Sodomy+(1) |
still_point+(1) | stone+(1) |
stowte+(1) | stowtnes+(2) |
superstitious+(1) | teach+(1) |
Timon+(2) | trust+(2) |
tyran+(1) | tyranne+(1) |
tyrans+(1) | tyrant+(2) |
tyrante+(1) | userers+(1) |
usthem+(1) | Venus+(1) |
vertue+(3) | Virtus+(1) |
war+(1) | Williams+(1) |
woman+(1) | womanish+(1) |
womanishe+(1) | WPA+(1) |
THE LIFE OF PERICLES+
CAESAR seeing in Rome one daye certen riche and wealthy straungers,
having litle dogges and munkeys in their armes, and that they made marvelous
much of them, he asked them if the women in their country had no children:
wisely reproving them by his question, for that they bestowed their naturall
love and affection upon brute beasts, which they should with all kindnes
and love bestowe upon creatures. Nature in like case also,
having planted in our minds a naturall desire to learne and understand,
we are in reason to reprove those that vainely abuse this good desire,
fondly disposing it to learne things vaine and unprofitable: and to cast
behinde them in the meane season things honest and necessarie to be learned.{Prospero+}
For as touching our outward sence, which with passion receaveth impression
of the thing it seeth, peradventure it wilbe necessarie to consider indifferently
the thing seene, whether it will fall out beneficiall or hurtefull unto
him: but so fareth it not with our understanding, for every man maye at
his pleasure turne and dispose that to the thinge he taketh delight in,
the reason whereof we must allwayes employe to the best parte, and that
not only to consider and looke upon the thing, but also to reape the benefit
and commoditie of the thing we see. For like as the eye is
most delited with the lightest and freshest cullers: even so we must geve
our mindes unro those sightes, which by looking upon them doe drawe
profit+ and pleasure unto us. For such effects dothvertue+
bring: that either to heare or reade them, they doe
<Plut2-1>
printe in our hartes an earnest love and desire to followe them.
But this followeth not in all other things we esteeme, neither are we allwayes
disposed to desire to doe the things we see wel done: but contrary oftentimes,
when we like the worke, we mislike the worke man, as commonly in making
these perfumes and purple cullers. For both the one, and the
other doe please us well: but yet we take perfumers and diers to be men
of a meane occupation. Therefore Antisthenes aunswered one
very wisely, that told him Ismenias was an excellent player of the flute.
But yet he is a naughtie man, sayed he: otherwise he could not be so conning
at the flute as he is. Even so dyd Philippe king of Macedon
saye to his sonne Alexander the great on a time: that at a certen feast
had song passing sweetely, and like a master of musicke: Art
thou not ashamed, sonne, to singe so well? {amateur+} {Kent+}
It is enough for a King to bestowe his leysure somtime to heare musitians
singe, and he doth much honour to the muses to heare the masters of the
science otherwhile, when one of them singeth to excell another.
But he that personally shall bestowe his time, exercising any meane science:
bringeth his paynes he hath taken in matters unprofitable, a witnes against
him selfe, to prove that he hath bene negligent to learne things honest
and profitable. {Prospero+}
And there was never any young gentleman nobly borne, that seeing the image
of Jupiter (which is in the cittie of Pisa) desired to become Phidias:
nor Polycletus, for seeing of Juno in the cittie of Argos: nor that desired
to be Anacreon, or Philemon, or Archilochus, for that they tooke pleasure
somtime to reade their workes. For it followeth not of necessitie, that
though the worke delight, the workeman must needes be praysed.
And so in like case, such things doe not profit those which behold them,
bicause they doe not move affection in the hartes of the beholders that
followe them, neither doe stirre up affection to resemble them, and much
lesse to conforme our selves unto them. But
vertue+ hath this singular propertie in all her actions: that she
maketh the man that knoweth her to affect her so, that straight he liketh
all her doings, and desireth to followe those that are vertuous.
For, as for riches, we only desire to have them in possession: but of vertue,
we chiefly
<Plut2-2>
love the deedes. Wherefore, we are contented to have goodes
from other men: but good_deedes+ we
would other should have from us. For vertue is of this power,
that she allureth a mans minde presently to use her, that wisely considereth
of her, and maketh him very desirous in his harte to followe her: and doth
not frame his manners that beholdeth her by any imitation, but by the only
understanding and knowledge of vertuous deedes, which sodainely bringeth
unto him a resolute desire to doe the like. And this is the
reason, why me thought I should continew still to write on the lives of
noble men, and why I made also this tenthe booke: in the which are contained
the lives of Pericles, and Fabius Maximus, who maintained warres against
Hanniball. For they were both men very like together in many sundry vertues,
and specially in curtesie+
and justice: and for that they could paciently beare the follies of their
people, and companions that were in charge of government with them, they
were marvelous profitable members for their countrie. But if
we have sorted them well together, comparing the one with the other: you
shall easely judge that reade our writings of their lives.
Pericles was of the tribe of the Acamantides, of the towne of Cholargus,
and of one of the best and most auncient families of the cittie of Athens,
both by his father and mother. For Xanthippus his father (who
overcame in battell the lieutenants of the king of Persia in the jorney
of Mycala) maried Agariste that came of Clisthenes, he who drave out of
Athens Pisistratus ofspring, and valiantly overthrewe their tyrannie.
Afterwards he established lawes, and ordeined a very grave forme of government,
to mainteine his cittizens in peace and concorde together.
This Agariste dreamed one night that she was brought a bed of a lyon: and
very shortly after she was delivered of Pericles, who was so well proportioned
in all parts of his bodie, that nothing could be mended, saving that his
head was somwhat to long and and out of proportion to the rest of his bodie
. And this is the only cause why all the statues and images
of him almost, are made with a helmet of his head: bicause the workemen
as it should seeme (and so it is most likely) were willing to hide the
bleamishe of his deformitie. But the Attican poets dyd
<Plut2-3>
call him Schinocephalos, asmuch to saye, as headed like an onyon.
For those of Attica doe somtime name that which is called in the vulgar
tongue Scilla, that is to saye, an onyon of barbarie: Schinos.
And Cratinus the Comicall poet in his comedie he intituled Chirones sayed:
Olde Saturne he, and dreadfur dyre debate
begotten have, betwene them Carnally
this tyranne here, this heavy jollting pate,
in courte of goddes so termed worthely.
And againe also in that which he nameth Nemesis,
speaking of him, he sayeth:
Come Jupiter, come Jupiter,
Come jollthead, and come inkeeper.
And Teleclides mocking him also, sayeth in a place:
Somtimes he standes, amazed when he perceyves,
that harde it were, sufficiently to knowe,
in what estate, his goernment he leaves.
And then will he, be seldome seene by lowe,
suche heavy heapes, within his braynes doe growe.
But yet somtimes, out of that monstruous pate
he thundreth fast, and threatneth every state.
And Eupolis in a comedie which he intituled Demi:
being very inquisitive, and asking particularly of every one of the Orators
(whom he fayned were returned out of hell) when they named Pericles the
last man unto him, he sayed:
Truely thou hast now brought, unto us here that dwell,
the chief of all the captaines, that come from darksome
hell.
And as for musicke, the most authors write, that
Damon dyd teache him musicke, whose name (as men saye) they should pronounce
the first syllable shorte. Howbeit Aristotle sayeth, that he
was taught musicke by Pythoclides. Howsoever it was , it was
certain that this Damon was a man of deepe understanding, and subtill in
matters of government: for, to hide from the people his sufficiency therein,
he gave it out he was a musitian, and dyd resorte unto Pericles, as a master
wrestler, or fenser: but he taught him howe he should
<Plut2-4>
deale in matters of state. Notwithstanding, in the ende
he could not so conningly convey this matter, but the people sawe his harping
and musicke, was only a viser to his other practise: wherefore they dyd
banish him Athens for five yeres as a man that busilie tooke upon him to
chaunge the state of things, and that favored tyrannie. And
this gave the Comicall poets matter to playe upon him finely: among which
Plato in a comedie of his bringeth in a man that asketh him:
O Chiron, tell me first: art thou in deede the man,
which dyd instruct Pericles thus? make aunswer if
thou can.
He was somtime also scholler to the philosopher
Zenon, who was borne in the cittie of Elea, and taught naturall philosophie,
as Parmenides dyd: but his profession was to thwart and contrary all men,
and to alledge a world of objections in his disputation, which were so
intricate, that his adversarie replying against him, knewe not howe to
aunswer him, nor to conclude his argument. The which Timon
Philiasius witnesseth in these wordes
Zenon was subtill sure, and very eloquent,
and craftilie could winde a man., by waye of argument,
if so he were disposed, his cunning to descrie,
or showe the sharpenes of his witt, to practise
pollicie.
But Anaxagoras Clazomenian was he that was most
familliar and conversaunt with him, and dyd put in him the majestie and
gravity he shewed in all his sayings, and doings, who dyd farre excell
the common course of ordinarie Orators that pleaded before the people:
and to be shorte, he it was that dyd facion his manners, altogether to
carie that grave countenaunce which he dyd. For they called
Anaxagoras in his time, Nus, as much to saye, as understanding.
Either bicause they had his singular wit and capacitie in suche great admiration,
being growen to searche out the cause of naturall things: or that he was
the first man, who dyd ascribe the disposition and government of this world,
not unto fortune or fatall necessitie, but unto a pure, simple, and understanding
minde, which doth separate at the first moving cause, the
<Plut2-5>
substaunce of suche like partes as are medled and compounded of divers
substaunces, in all other bodies through the world. Pericles
made marvelous muche of Anaxagoras, who had fully instructed him in the
knowledge of naturall things, and of those specially that worke above in
the ayer and firmament. For he grewe not only to have a great minde and
an eloquent tongue, without any
affectation+, or grosse countrie termes: but to a certen modest
countenaunce that scantly smyled, very sober in his gate, having a kynde
of sounde in his voyce that he never lost nor altered, and was of very
honest behaviour, never troubled in his talke for any thing that crossed
him, and many other suche like things, as all that sawe them in him, and
considered them, could but wonder at him. But for proofe hereof,
the reporte goeth, there was a naughty busy fellowe on a time, that a whole
daye together dyd nothing but rayle upon Pericles in the market- place,
and revile him to his face, with all the villanous wordes he could use.
But Pericles put all up quietly, and gave him not a worde againe, dispatching
in the meane time matters of importaunce he had in hand, untill night came,
that he went softly home to his house, shewing no alteration nor semblaunce
of trouble at all, though this lewde varlet followed him at the heeles,
with wordes of open defamation. And as he was ready to enter in at his
owne doores, being darke night, he commaunded one of his men to take a
torche, and to bring this man home to his house. Yet the poet
Ion sayeth, that Pericles was a very prowde man, and a stately, and that
with his gravity and noble minde, there was mingled a certaine scorne and
contempt of other: and contrarilie, he greatly prayseth the civillitie,
humanities and curtesie of Cimon, bicause he could facion him selfe to
all companies. But letting passe that which the poet Ion sayed:
who would that vertue should be full of tragicall discipline, bringing
in with it, a certaine satyricall discourse to move laughture. Nowe Zennon
contrariwise dyd counsell all those, that sayd Pericles gravity was a presumption,
and arrogancy: that they should also followe him in this presumption.
For, to counterfeate in that sorte things honest and vertuous, doth secretly
with time breede an affection and desire to love
<Plut2-6>
them, and afterwardes with custome even effectually to use and followe
them. {habit+} So Pericles by keeping
Anaxagoras company, dyd not onely profit him selfe in these things, but
he learned besides to put awaye allsuperstitious+
feare, of celestiall signes and impressions seene in the ayer.
For to those that are ignoraunte of the causes thereof, suche sights are
terrible, and to the godly also feareful, as if they were utterly undone:
and all is, bicause they have no certaine knowledge of the reason that
naturall philosophy yeldeth, which in steade of a fearefull superstition,
would bring a true religion accompanied with assured hope of goodnes.
Some saye a man brought Pericles one daye from his farme out of the countries
a rammes head that had but one horne, and that the prognosticator Lampon
considering this head, that had but one strong horne in the middest of
his forehead, interpreted, that this was the signification thereof.
That being two tribes and severall factions in the cittie of Athens touching
Government, the one of Pericles, and the other of Thucydides: the power
of both should be brought into one, and specially into his parte, in whose
house this signe dyd happen. Further it is sayed that Anaxagoras
being present, dyd cause the rammes head to be cloven in two peces, and
shewed unto them that stoode by, that the brayne of this ramme dyd not
fill the panne of his naturall place, but inclosed it selfe in all partes,
being narrowe like the poynte of an egge, in that parte where the horne
tooke his first roote of budding out. So Anaxagoras was marvelously
esteemed at that present by all those that stoode by: but so was Lampon,
sone after that Thucydides was driven awaye, and that the government of
the whole common weale fell into the handes of Pericles alone.
And it is not to be wondred at (in my opinion) that the naturall philosopher
and the prognosticator dyd rightly mete together in trothe: the one directly
telling the cause, and the other the ende of the event as it fell out.
For the profession of the one, is to knowe howe it commeth: and of the
other, wherefore it commeth, and to foretell what it betokeneth.
For where some saye, that to shewe the cause, is to take awaye the signification
of the signe: they do not consider that in
<Plut2-7>
seeking to abolish by this reason the wonderfull tokens and signes
of the ayer, they do take awaye those also which are done by arte.
As the noyse of basons, the lightes of fyre by the sea side, and the shadowes
of nedles or pointes of dyalles in the sunne: all which things are done
by some cause and handyworke, to be a signe and token of some thing.
But this argument peradventure maye serve better in another booke.
And nowe again to Pericles. Whilest he was yet but a young
man, the people stoode in awe of him, bicause he somwhat resembled Pisistratus
in his countenaunce: and the auncientest men of the cittie also were muche
afeard of his softe voyce, his eloquent tongue, and ready utteraunce, bicause
in those he was Pisistratus up and downe. Moreover he was very
riche and wealthy, and of one of the noblest families of the cittie, and
those were his friendes also that caried the only swaye and authoritie
in the state: whereupon, fearing least they would banishe him with the
banishement of Ostracimon, he would not medle with government in any case,
although otherwise he shewed him selfe in warres very valliant and forward,
and feared not to venter his persone. But after that Aristides
was dead, that Themistocles was driven awaye, and that Cimon being ever
in service in the warres as generall in forreine countries, was a long
time out of Grece: then he came to leane to the tribe of the poore people,
preferring the multitude of the poore communaltie, above the small number
of Nobilitie and riche men, the which was directly against his nature.
For of him selfe he was not popular, nor meanely geven: but he dyd it (as
it should seeme) to avoyde suspition, that he should pretend to make him
selfe King. And bicause he sawe Cimon was inclined also to
take parte with the Nobilitie, and that he was singularly beloved and liked
of all the honester sorte: he to the contrarie enclined to the common people,
purchasing by this meanes safety to him selfe, and authoritie against Cimon.
So he presently beganne a newe course of life, since he had taken upon
him to deale in matters of state: for they never sawe afterwardes at any
time goe into the cittie, but to the market place, or to the Senate house.
He gave up going to all feastes where he was bidden, and left the entertainment
<Plut2-8>
of his friendes, their company and familiaritie. So that
in all his time wherein he governed the common weale, which was a long
time, he never went out to supper to any of his friendes, unles it were
that he was once at a feast at his nephew Euryptolemus mariage: and then
he taried there no longer, but while the ceremonie was a doing, when they
offer wine to the goddes, and so he rose from the table. For
these friendly meetings at suche feastes, doe much abase any counterfeate
majestie or set countenaunce: and he shall have much a doe to keepe gravity
and reputation, shewing familiaritie to every knowen friende in such open
places. {Henry4+} For in perfect vertue,
those things truely are ever most excellent, which be most common: and
in good and vertuous men there is nothing more admirable unto straungers,
then their dayely conversation is to their friendes. Pericles
nowe to prevent that the people should not be glutted with seeing him to
ofte, nor that they should come much to him: they dyd see him but at some
times, and then he would not talke in every matter, neither came muche
abroade among them, but reserved him selfe (as Critolaus sayed they kept
the Salaminian galley at Athens) for matters of great importaunce.
And in the meane season, in other matters of small moment, he delt by meanes
of certaine orators his familliar friendes, amongest whom Ephialtes (as
they saye) was one: he who tooke awaye the authoritie and power from the
courte of Areopagus, and dyd geve to muche libertie to the people, as Plato
sayed. Upon which occasion, as the Comicall poets saye, he
became so stowte and head strong, that they could no more holde him backe,
then a younge unbrideled colte: and tooke such a corage upon him, that
he would obaye no more, but invaded the Ile of Euboea, and set upon the
other Ilandes. Pericles also bicause he would facion a phrase
of speache, with a kynde of style altogether agreable to the manner of
life and gravitie he had taken upon him: he gave him selfe to all matters
which he had learned of Anaxagoras, shadowing his reasons of naturall philosophie,
with artificial rethoricke. For having obteined a deepe understanding
by studying of philosophie, and a ready waye effectually to ende any matter,
he undertook to prove (besides that nature
<Plut2-9>
had endued him with an excellent witte and capacities as the divine
Plato doth write, to bring any thing to serve his purpose) he dyd so artificially
compasse it with eloquence, that he farre passed all the orators in is
time. And for this cause was he (as they saye) surnamed Olympius,
as muche to saye, as heavenly or divine. But some are of opinion
he had that surname, by reason of the common buildings and stately workes
raysed up in the cittie of Athens, that dyd muche set forth the same.
Other thinke it was geven him for his great authoritie and power he had
in government, aswell in warres, as in peace. But it is no
marvaill that this glorie was geven him, considering the many other qualities
and vertues that were in him. Howbeit the comedies the Poetes
caused to be played in those times (in which there were many wordes spoken
of him, some in earnest, some in sporte and jeast) doe witnesse that he
had that surname geven him, chiefly for his eloquence. For it is reported,
that he thundered and lightened in his oration to the people, and that
his tongue was a terrible lightning. And touching this matter,
they tell of an aunswer Thucydides, Milesius sonne, should pleasauntly
make concerning the force of Pericles eloquence. Thucydides
was a noble man, and had long time contended against Pericles in matters
of the common weale. Archidamus, king of Lacedaemon, asked
Thucydides on a time: whether he or Pericles wrestled best.
Thucydides made him aunswer: When I have geven him an open
fall before the face of the world, he can so excellently deny it that he
maketh the people beleeve he had no fall at all and persuadeth them the
contrarie of that they sawe. Notwithstanding he was ever very
grave and wise in speaking. For ever when he went up into the
pulpit for orations to speake to the people, he made his prayers unto the
goddes, that nothing might escape his mouthe, but that he might consider
before whether it would serve the purpose of his matter he treated on:
yet are there none of his workes extant in writing, unles it be some fewe
lawes he made, and but very fewe of his notable sayings are brought to
light, save only these. He sayed on a time that they must take
awaye the cittie of AEgina, bicause it was a strawe lying in the
<Plut2-10>
eye of the haven Piraea. And another time, he sayed that
he saw the warres a farre of, comming from Peloponnesus. Another
time, as he tooke shippe with Sophocles (his companion in commission with
him as generall of the armie) who commended a fayer young boye they met
as they came to the haven: Sophocles, sayed he, a governour
must not only have his handes, but also his eyes cleane. And
Stesimbrotus writetb, that in a funerall oration he made in the prayse
of those that were slaine in the warre of Samos: he sayed they were immortall
as the goddes. For we doe not see the goddes (sayed he) as
they be, but for the honour that is done to them, and the great happines
they enjoye, we doe conjecture they are inunortall: and the same things
are in those that dye in
service+, and defence of their countrie. Nowe where
Thucydides doth write the government of the common weale under Pericles
to be as a government of Nobilitie, and yet had apparaunce of a popular
state: it is true that in effect it was a Kingdome, bicause one alone dyd
rule and governe the whole state. And many other saye also,
he was the first that brought in the custome to devide the enemies landes
wonne by conquest among the people, and of the common money to make the
people see playes and pastimes, and that appointed them rewarde for all
things. But this custome was ill brought up. For
the common people that before were contented with litle, and got their
living paynefully with swet of their browes: became nowe to be very vaine,
sumptuous, and riotous, by reason of these things brrought up then.
The cause of the alteration doth easely appeare by those things.
For Pericles at his first comming sought to winne the favour of the people,{HenIV+}
as we have sayed before, only to, get like reputation that Cimon had wonne.
But comming farre shorte of his wealthe and abilitie, to carie out the
porte and charge that Cimon dyd, entertaining the poore, keeping open house
to all commers, clothing poore olde people, breaking open besides all enclosures
and pales through all his landes, that every one might with more libertie
come in, and take the fruites thereof at their pleasure: and seeing him
selfe by these great meanes out gone farre in good will with the common
people, by
<Plut2-11>
Demonides counsell and procurement (who was borne in the Ile of Ios)
he brought in this distribution of the common money, as Aristotle writeth.
And having wonne in a shorte time the favour and good will of the common
people, by distribution of the common treasure, which he caused to be devided
among them, aswell to have place to see these playes, as for that they
had rewarde to be present at the judgementes, and by other suche like corruptions:
he with the peoples helpe, dyd invey against the courte of the Areopagites,
wherof he never was any member. For it never came to be his
happe to be yerely governour , nor keeper of the lawes, nor King of the
sacrifices, nor master of the warres: all which were offices chosen in
auncient time by lot. And further, those on whom the lot fell,
if they had behaved them selves well in their office, they were called
forwards, and raised to be of the bodie of this courte of the Areopagites.
Pericles nowe by these meanes baving obteined great credit and authoritie
amongest the common people, he troubled the Senate of the Areopagites in
suche sorte, that he pluckt many matters from their hearing, by Ephialtes
helpe: and in time made Cimon to be banished Athens, as one that favored
the Lacedaemonians, and contraried the common wealthe and authoritie of
the people. Notwithstanding he was the noblest and richest
persone of all the cittie, and one that had wonne so many valorious victories,
and had so replenished Athens with the conquered spoyles of their enemies,
as we have declared in his life: so great was the authoritie of Pericles
amongest the people. Nowe the banishment wherewith he was punished
(which they called Ostracismon) was limited by the lawe for tenne yeres.
In which space the Lacedaemonians being come downe with a great armie into
the countrie of Tanagra, the Athenians sent out their power presently against
them. There Cimon willing to shewe the Athenians by his deedes,
that they had falsely accused him for favoring the Lacedaemonians: dyd
arme him self, and went on his country mens side, to fight in the companie
of his tribe. But Pericles friends gathered together, and forced
Cimon to departe thence as a banished man. And this was the
cause that Pericles fought that daye more valliantly then
<Plut2-12>
ever he dyd, and he wanne the honour and name to have done more in
the persone of him selfe that daye, then any other of all the armie.
At that battell also, all Cimons friends, whom Pericles had burdened likewise
to favour the Lacedaemonians doings dyed every man of them that daye.
Then the Athenians repented them much that they had driven Cimon away,
and wished he were restored, after they had lost this battell upon the
confines of the countrie of Attica: bicause they feared sharpe warres would
come upon them againe at the next spring. Which thing when
Pericles perceyved, he sought also to further that the common people desired:
wherefore he straight caused a decree to be made, that Cimon should be
called home againe, which was done accordingly. Now when Cimon
was returned, he advised that peace should be made betwene both citties:
for the Lacedaemonians dyd love Cimon very well, and contrarily they hated
Pericles, and all other governours. Some notwithstanding doe write, that
Pericles dyd never passe his consent to call him home againe, before suche
time as they had made a selves (by meanes of Elpinice Cimons sister) that
Cimon should be sent out with an armie of two hundred galleys, to make
warres in the king of Persia his dominions, and that Pericles should remaine
at home with authoritie of government within the cittie. This
Elpinice (Cimons sister) had once before entreated Pericles for her brother,
at such time as he was accused before the judge of treason.
For Pericles was one of the committees, to whom this accusation was referred
by the people. Elpinice went unto him, and besought him not
to doe his worst unto her brother. Pericles aunswered her merilie:
Thou art to old Elpinice, thou art to olde, to goe through with these matters.
Yet when his matter came to judgement, and that his cause was pleaded:
he rose but once to speake against him (for his owne discharge as it were)
and went his waye when he had sayed, doing lesse hurte to Cimon, then any
other of his accusers. How is Idomeneus to be credited nowe,
who accuseth Pericles that he had caused the orator Ephialtes to be slaine
by treason (that was his friende, and dyd allwayes counsell him, and take
his parte in all kinde of government
<Plut2-13>
of the common weale) only for the jealousie and envie he dyd beare
to his glorie? I can but muse why Idomeneus should speake so
slaunderously against Pericles, unles it were that his melancholy humour
procured suche violent speache: who though peradventure he was not altogether
blameless yet he was ever nobly minded and had a naturall desire of honour,
in which kinde of men such furious cruell passions are seldome seene to
breede. But this orator Ephialtes being cruell to those that tooke parte
with the Nobilitie, bicause he would nor pardone no man for any offence
whatsoever committed against the peoples authoritie, but dyd followe and
persecute them with all rigour to the uttermost: his enemies layed waite
for him by meanes of one Aristodicus Tanagrian and they killed him by treason,
as Aristotle writeth. In the meane time Cimon died in the Ile
of Cyprus, being generall of the armie of the Athenians by sea.
Wherefore those that tooke parte with the Nobilitie, seeing Pericles was
nowe growen very great, and he went before all other cittizens of Athens,
thincking it good to have some one to sticke on their side their side against
him and to lessen thereby somewhat his authority, that he might not come
to rule all as he would: they raised up against him one Thucydides, of
the towne of of the towwne of Alopecia, a grave wise man and father in
lawe to Cimon. Thisi Thucydides had lesse skill of warres then
Cimon, but understoode more in civill Government then he, for that he remained
most parte of his time within the cittie: where continually invaying against
Pericles in his pulpit for orations to the people, in shorte time he had
stirred up a like companie against the faction of Pericles.
For he kept the gentlemen and richer sorte (which they call Nobilitie)
from mingling with the common people, as they were before, when through
the multitude of the commons their estate and dignitie was abscured, and
troden under foote. Moreover he dyd separate them from the
people, and dyd assemble them all as it were into one bodie, who came to
be of equall power with the other faction, and dyd put (as a man will saye)
a counterpease into the ballance. For at the beginning there
was but a litle secret grudge only betwene these two factions, as an artificiall
flower set in the blade of a sworde, which
<Plut2-14>
made those shewe a litle, that dyd leane unto the people: and the other
also somwhat that favored the Nobilitie. But the contention
betwene these two persones, was as a deepe cut, which devided the cittie
wholy in two factions: of the which the one was called the Nobilitie, and
the other the communaltie. Therefore Pericles geving yet more
libertie unto the people, dyd all things that might be to please them,
ordeining playes and games in the cittie, many feastes, bankets, and open
pastimes to entertains the commons with such honest pleasures and devises:
and besides he sent yerely an armie of three score gallyes unto the warres,
into which he put a great number of poore cittizens that tooke paye of
the state for nine moneths of the yere, and thereby they dyd learne together,
and practise to be good sea men. Furthermore he sent into the
countrie of Cherronesus, a thousand free men of the cittie to dwell there,
and to devide the landes amongest them: five hundred also into the Ile
of Naxos: into the Ile of Andros, two hundred and fiftie: into Thracia,
a thousand to dwell with the Bisaltes: and other also into Italie, when
the cittie of Sybaris was built aoaine, which afterwardes was surnamed
the cittie of the Thurians. All this he dyd to ryd the cittie
of a number of idle people, {HenIV+}
who through idleness beganne to be curious, and to desire chaunge of things,
as also to provide for the necessitie of the poore townes men that had
nothing. For, placing the naturall cittizens of Athens neere unto their
subjects and friendes, they served as a garrison to keepe them under, and
dyd suppresse them also from attempting any alteration or chaunge.
But that which deliteth most, and is the greatest ornament unto the cittie
of Athens, which maketh straungers most to wonder, and which alone doth
bring sufficient testimonie, to confirme that which is reported of the
auncient power, riches, and great wealthe of Grece, to be true and not
false: are the stately and sumptuous buildings, which Pericles made to
be built in the cittie of Athens. For it is the only acte of
all other Pericles dyd, and which made his enemies most to spight him,
and which they most accused him for, crying out upon him in all counsailles
and assemblies: that the people of Athens were openly
<Plut2-15>
defamed, for carying away the ready money of all Grece, which was left
in the Ile of Delos to be safely kept there. And although they
could with good honestie have excused this facte, saying, that Pericles
had taken it from them, for feare of the Barbarous people, to the ende
to laye it up in a more stronger place, where it should be in better safetie:
yet was this to overgreat an injurie ofered unto all the rest of Grece,
and to manifest a token of tyrannie also, to beholde before their eyes,
howe we doe employe the money, which they were inforced to gather for the
maintenaunce of the warres against the barbarous people, in gilding, building,
and setting forth our cittie, like a glorious woman, all to gawded with
golde and pecious stones, and howe we doe make images, and build up temples
of wonderful and infinite charge. Pericles replied to the contrarie,
and declared unto the Athenians that they were not bound to make any accompt
of this money unto their friends and allies, considering that they fought
for their safety, and that they kept the barbarous people farre from Grece,
without troubling them to set out any one man, horse, or shippe of theirs,
the money only excepted, which is no more theirs that payed it, then theirs
that receyved it, so they bestowe it to that use they recevved it for.
And their cittie being already very well furnished, and provided of all
things necessary for the warres, it was good reason they should employe
and bestowe the surplus of the treasure in things, which in time to come
(and being throughly finished) would make their fame eternall.
Moreover
he sayed that whilest they continue building, they should be presently
riche, by reason of the diversitie of workes of all sortes, and other things
which they should have neede of: and to compasse these things the better,
and to set them in hande, all manner of artificers and worke men (that
would labour) should be set a worke. So should all the townes
men, and inhabitants of the cittie, receyve paye and wages of the common
treasure: and the cittie by this meanes should be more able to mainteine
it selfe. For such as were strong and able men of bodie, and
of yeres to carie weapon. had paye and entertainment of the common wealthe
and were sent abroade unto the warres:
<Plut2-16>
and other that were not meete for warres, as craftes men, and labourers:
he would also they should have parte of the common treasure, but not without
they earned it, and by doing somwhat. And this was his reason,
and the cause that made him occupie the common people with great buildings,
and devises of works of divers occupations, which could not be finished
of long time: to the ende that the cittizens remaining at home, might have
a meane and waye to take parte of the common treasure, and enriche them
selves, aswell as those that went to the warres, and served on the sea,
or els that laye in garrison to keepe any place or forte. {WPA+}
For some gayned by bringing stuffe: as stones, brasse, ivory, gold, ebbany,
and cypres. Other got, to worke and facion it: as carpinters,
gravers, fownders, casters of images, masons, hewers of stone, dyers, goldsmithes,
joyners working in yvorie, painters, men that set in sundrie cullers of
peces of stone or wodde, and turners. Other payned to bring
stuffe, and to furnishe them: as marchaunts, mariners, and ship masters,
for things they brought them by sea. And by lande other got
also as carte makers, cariers, carters, corde makers, sadlers, coller makers,
and pyoners to make wayes plaine, and miners, and such like.
Furthermore, every science and crafte, as a captaine having souldiers,
had also their armie of the worke men that served them, labouring truely
for their living, who served as prentises and jorney men under the workemasters:
so the worke by this means dyd disperse abroade a common gayne to all sorts
of people and ages, what occupation or trade soever they had.
And thus came the buildings to rise in greatnes and sumptuousnes, being
of excellent workemanshippe, and for grim and beawtie not comparable: bicause
every workeman in his science dyd strive what he could to excell others,
to make his worke appear greatest in sight, and to be most workemanly done
in showe. But the greatest thing to be woundred at, was their
speede and diligence. For where every man thought those workes
were not likely to be finished in many mens lives and ages, and from man
to man: they were all done and finished, whilest one only governour continued
still in credit and authoritie. And yet they saye, that in
the
<Plut2-17>
same time, as one Agatarchus boasted him self, that he had quickly
painted certen beastes: Zeuxis another painter hearing him,
aunswered: And I contrarilie doe rejoyce, that I am a long time in drawing
of them. For commonly my slight and sodaine drawing of any thing, cannot
take deepe cullers, nor geve perfect beawty to the worke: but length of
time, adding to the painters dilligence and labour in making of the worke,
maketh the cullers to continue for ever. For this cause therefore
the workes Pericles made, are more wonderfull: bicause they were perfectly
made in so shorte a time, and have continued so long a season.
For every one of those which were finished up at that time, seemed then
to be very auncient touching the beawtie thereof: and yet for the grace
and continuance of the same, it looketh at this daye as if it were but
newly done and finished, there is suche a certaine kynde of florishing
freshnes in it, which letteth that the injurie of time cannot impaire the
sight thereof: As if every one of those foresaid workes, had
some living spirite in it, to make it seeme young and freshe: and a soule
that lived ever, which kept them in their good continuing state.
Now the chief surveyour generall of all these workes, was Phidias, albeit
that there were many other excellent worke masters in every science and
occupation. For the temple of Pallas, which is called Parthenon
(as a man would saye, the temple of the virgin, and is surnamed Hecatompedon
for that it is a hundred foote every waye) was built by Ictinus, and Callicrates:
and the chappell of Eleusin (where the secret ceremonies of the mysteries
were made) was first founded by Coroebus, who raised up the first pillers
in order, standing beneath on the ground, and dyd set them up unto the
master chaptrells. But after he was dead, Metagenes, borne
in the towne of Xypeta, turned the arches over, and then did set the pillers
in order also which are above: and Xenocles of the towne of Cholargea,
was he that made the lanterne or toppe of the steeple which covereth the
sanctuarie: but the long wall which Socrates heard Pericles him selfe geve
order for the building of it, was done by Callicrates, who undertooke the
worke. Cratinus the Poet, in a comedie he made, laugheth at
this worke,
<Plut2-18>
to see how slowly it went forward, and how long it was a doing, saying:
Pericles long a goe, dyd ende this worke begonne,
and build it highe, with glorious wordes, if so
it had bene done.
And as for deedes (in dede) he built nothing at all
but let it stande: as yet it stands, much liker
for to fall
And as for the Theater or place appointed for
musicke, where they heare all musitians playe, and is called Odeon: with
divers seates and degrees, but the toppe of the roofe is altogether rounde,
which is somwhat hanging downeward round about of it selfe, comming together
into one pointe. And it is sayed that this was made after the
patterne and facion of king Xerxes royall pavilion, and that Pericles was
the first deviser and maker of it. Wherefore Cratinus in another
place of his comedie he maketh of the Thracians, doth playe very pretily
upon him, saying:
Pericles here doth come, Dan lupiter surnamed,
(and onyons hed) which hath in his great noddell
finely framed,
The plot of Odeon, when he delivered was
from banishment, and daungers deeper wherein he
long dyd passe.
Pericles was the first that made marvelous earnest
labour to the people that they would make an order, that on the daye of
the feast called Panathenaea, they would set up games for musicke.
And he him selfe being chosen ruler of these games, as judge to rewarde
the best deserver: ordained the manner the musitians should ever after
keepe in their singing, playing on their flutes, or upon the citherne,
or other instruments of musicke. So the first games that ever
were for musicke, were kept within the Odeon: and so were the other after
them also, ever celebrated there. The gate and entring into
the castell was made and finished within the space of five yeres, under
the charge of Mnesicles, that was master of the workes. And
whilest these gates were a building, there happened a wonderfull chaunce,
which declared very well that the goddesse Minerva dyd not mislike the
building, but that it pleased her marvelously. For one
<Plut2-19>
of the most painefullest workemen that wrought there, fell by mischaunce
from the height of the castell to the grounde, which fall dyd so sore broose
him, and he was so sicke with all, that the phisitians and surgeons had
no hope of his life. Pericles being very sorie for this mischaunce,
the goddesse appeared to him in his sleepe in the night, and taught him
a medicine, with the which he dyd easely heale the poore broosed man, and
that in shorte time. And this was the occasion why he caused
the image of the goddesse Minerva (otherwise called of healthe) to be cast
in brasse, and set up within the temple of the castell, neere unto the
altar which was there before, as they saye. But the golden
image of Minerva was made by Phidias, and graven round about the base:
Who had the charge in manner of all other workes, and by reason of the
good will Pericles bare him, he commaunded all the other workemen.
And this made the one to be greatly envied, and the other to be very ill
spoken of. For their enemies gave it out abroad, that Phidias
receyved the gentlewomen of the cittie into his house, under culler to
goe see his workes, and dyd convey them to Pericles. Upon this
brute, the Comicall poets taking occasion, dyd cast out many slaunderous
speaches against Pericles, accusing him that he kept one Menippus wife,
who was his friend and lieutenante in the warres: and burdened him further,
that Pyrilampes, one of his familiar friends also, brought up fowle, and
specially peacoks, which he secretly sent unto the women that Pericles
kept. But we must not wonder at these Satyres, that make profession
to speake slaunderously against all the worlde, as it were to sacrifice
the injuries and wronges they cast upon honourable and good men, to the
spight and envie of the people, as to wicked spirites: considering that
Stesimbrotus Thasian durst falsely accuse Pericles of detestable incest,
and of abusing his owne sonnes wife. And this is the reason,
in my opimon, why it is so hard a matter to come to the perfect knowledge
of the trothe of auncient things, by the monuments of historiographers:
considering long processe of time, doth utterly obscure the trothe of matters,
done in former times. For every written historie speaking of men that are
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alive, and of the time of things, whereof it maketh mention: somtime
for hate and envie, somtime for favour or flatterie, doth disguise and
corrupt the trothe. But Pericles perceyving that the orators
of Thucydides faction, in their common orations dyd still crie out upon
him,, that he dyd vainely waste and consume the common treasure, and that
he bestowed upon the workes, all the whole revenue of the cittie: one daye
when the people were assembled together, before them all he asked them,
if they thought that the coste bestowed were to muche. The
people aunswered him: A great deale to muche. Well, said he
then, the charges shalbe mine (if you thinke good) and none of yours: provided
that no mans name be written upon the workes, but mine onely.
When Pericles had sayed so, the people cried out alowde, they would none
of that (either bicause that they wondred at the greatnes of his minde,
or els for that they would not geve him the only honour and prayse to have
done so sumptuous and stately workes) but willed him that he should see
them ended at the common charges, without sparing for any coste. {Hal+}
But in the end, falling out openly with Thucydides and putting it to an
adventure which of them should banishe other, with the banishment of Ostracismon:
Pericles got the upper hand, and banished Thucydides out of the cittie,
and therewithall overthrewe the contrarie faction against him.
Now when he had rooted out all factions, and brought the cittie againe
to unitie and concorde, he founde then the whole power of Athens in his
handes, and all the Athenians matters at his disposing. And having all
the treasure, armour, gallyes, the IIes, and the sea, and a marvelous seigniorie
and Kingdome (that dyd enlarge it selfe partely over the Grecians, and
partely over the barbarous people) so well fortified and strengthened with
the obedience of nations subject unto them, with the friendshippe of Kings,
and with the alliance of divers other Princes and mightie Lords: then from
that time forward he beganne to chaunge his manners, and from that he was
wont to be toward the people, and not so easely to graunt to all the peoples
willes and desires, no more then as it were to contrarie windes.
Furthermore he altered his over gentle and popular manner
<Plut2-21>
of government which he used untill that time, as to delicate and to
effeminate an harmonie of musike, and dyd convert it unto an imperious
government, or rather to a kingly authoritie: but yet held still a direct
course, and kept him self ever upright without fault, as one that dyd,
sayed, an counselled that, which was most
expedient+: for the connnon weale. He many times brought on the
people by persuasions and reasons, to be willing to graunt that he preferred
unto them: but many times also, he drave them to it by force, and made
them against their willes doe that, which was best for them.
Following therein the devise of a wise phisitian: who in a long and chaungeable
disease, doth graunt his pacient somtime to take his pleasure of a thing
he liketh, but yet after a moderate sorte: and another time also he doth
geve him a sharpe or bitter medicine that doth vexe him, though it heale
him. For as it falleth out commonly unto people that enjoye
so great an empire: many times misfortunes doe chaunce, that fill them
full of sundrie passions, the which Pericles alone could finely steere
and governe with two principall rudders, feare, and hope: brideling with
the one, the fierce and insolent rashenes of the common people in prosperitie,
and with the other comforting their grief and discoragement in adversitie.
Wherein he manifestly proved, that rethorike and eloquence (as Plato sayeth)
is an arte which quickeneth mens spirites at her pleasure, and her chiefest
skill is, to knowe howe to move passions and affections throughly, which
are as stoppes and soundes of the soule, that would be played upon with
a fine fingered hand of a conning master. All which, not the
force of his eloquence only brought to passe, as Thucydides witnesseth:
but the reputation of his life, and the opinion and confidence they had
of his great worthiness bicause he would not any waye be
corrupted+ with gifts, neither had he any covetousnes in him.
For, when he had brought his cittie not onely to be great but exceeding
great and wealthy, and had in power and authoritie exceeded many Kings
and tyrannes, yea even those which by their willes and testaments might
have left great possessions to their children: he never for all that increased
his fathers goods and patrimonie
<Plut2-22>
left him, the value of a grote in silver. And yet the historiographer
Thucydides doth set forth plainely enough, the greatnes of his power.
And the Comicall poets also of that time doe reporte it maliciously under
covert words, calling his familiar friends, the newe Pisistratides: saying,
howe they must make him sweare and protest he would never be King, geving
us thereby to understand, that his authoritie was to exceeding great for
a popular government. And Teleclides (amongest other) sayeth
that the Athenians had put into his hands the revenue of the townes and
citties under their obedience, and the townes them selves, to binde the
one, and to lose the other, and to pull downe their walles, or to build
them againe at his pleasure. They gave him power, to make peace and alliance:
they gave all their force, treasure, and authoritie, and all their goodes,
wholy into his handes. But this was not for a litle while, nor in a geere
of favour, that should continue for a time: but this helde out fortie yeres
together, he being allwayes the chief of his cittie amongest the Ephialtes,
the Leocrates, the Mironides, the Cimons, the Tolmides, and the Thucydides.
For after he had prevailed against Thucydides, and had banished him: he
yet remained chief above all other, the space of fifteene yeres.
Thus having atteined a regall dignitie to commaunde all, which continued
as aforesaid, where no other captaines authoritie endured but one yere:
he ever kept him selfe upright from bribes and money, though otherwise
he was no ill husband, and could warely looke to his owne.
As for his landes and goodes left him by his parents, that they miscaried
not by negligence, nor that they should trouble him much, in busying him
self to reduce them to a value: he dyd so husband them, as he thought was
his best and easiest waye. For he solde in grosse ever the
whole yeres profit and commoditie of his landes, and afterwardes sent to
the market daylie to buye the cates, and other ordinarie provision of housholde.
This dyd not like his sonnes that were men growen, neither were his women
contented with it, who would have had him more liberall in his house, for
they complained of his overhard and straight ordinarie, bicause in so noble
and great a house as his, there
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was never any great remaine left of meate, but all things receyved
into the house, ranne under accompt, and were delivered out by proportion.
All this good husbandrie of his, was kept upright in this good order, by
one Evangelus, Steward of his house, a man very honest and skillfull in
ordering his householde provision: and whether Pericles had brought him
up to it, or that he had it by nature, it was not knowen. But
these things were farre contrarie to Anaxagoras wisedome. For
he despising the world, and casting his affection on heavenly things: dyd
willingly forsake his house, and suffered all his lande to ronne to layes
and to pasture. But (in my opinion) great is the diversitie
betwene a contemplative life, and a civill life. For the one
employeth all his time upon the speculation of good and honest things:
and to attaine to that, he thinketh he hath no neede of any exteriour helpe
or instrument. The other applying of his time upon vertue,
to the common profit and benefit of men: he thinketh that he needeth riches,
as an instrument not only necessaries but also honest. As,
looke upon the example of Pericles: who dyd relieve many poore people.{Antonio+}
And Anaxagoras specially among other: of whom it is reported, that Pericles
occupied about matters of state at that time, having no leysure to thinke
upon Anaxagoras, he seeing him selfe olde and forsaken of the world, layed
him downe, and covered his head close, determining to starve him selfe
to death with hunger. Pericles understanding this, ranne presently
to him as a man balfe cast awaye, and prayed him as earnestly as he could,
that he would dispose him selfe to live, being not only sorie for him,
but for him selfe also, that he should lose so faithfull and wise a counseller,
in matters of state and government. Then Anaxagoras shewed
his face, and tolde him: O Pericles, those that will see by
the light of a lampe, must put oyle to it, to make the light burne.
Now beganne the Lacedaemonians to growe jealous, of the greatnes of the
Athenians, wherefore Pericles to make the Athenians hartes greater, and
to drawe their mindes to great enterprises: set downe an order they should
send ambassadours, to persuade all the Grecians (in what part soever they
dwelt in Europe, or Asia, aswell the litle
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as the great citties) to send their deputies unto Athens, to the generall
assembly that should be holden there, to take order for the temples of
the goddes which the barbarous people had burnt, and touching the sacrifices
they had vowed for the preservation of Grece, when they gave battell upon
them: and touching sea matters also, that every man might sayle in safetie
where he would, and that all might live together in good peace and love,
one with another. To performe this commission, twenty persones
were sent of this embasiate, every one of them being fiftie yeres of age
and upward. Whereof five of them went to the Dorians, dwelling in Asia,
and to the inhabitants of the Iles, even unto the Iles of Lesbos, and of
the Rhodes. Five other went through all the country of Hellespont, and
of Thracia, unto the cittie of Bizantium. Other five were commaunded
to goe into Boeotia, into Phocides, and through all Peloponnesus, and from
thence by the countrie of the Locrians, into the uplande countrie adjoining
to it, untill they came into the country of Acarnania, and Ambracia.
And the other five went first into the Ile of Euboea, and from thence unto
the OEtians, and through all the gulfe of Malea, unto the Phtiotes, unto
the Achaians, and the Thessalians: declaring to all the people where they
came, the Athenians commission, persuading them to send unto Athens, and
to be present at the council which should be holden there, for the pacification
and union of all Grece. But when all came to all, nothing was
done, and the sayed citties of Grece dyd not assemble, by practise of the
Lacedaemonians (as it is reported) who were altogether the let: for the
first refusall that was made of their summons, was at Peloponnesus.
This have I written to make Pericles noble corage to be knowen, and howe
profounde a wise man he shewed him selfe unto the world. Furthermore,
when he was chosen generall in the warres, he was much esteemed, bicause
he ever tooke great regarde to the safetie of his souldiers.
For by his good will he would never hazard battell, which he sawe might
fall out doubtfull, or in any thing, daungerous: and moreover, he never
praysed them for good generalls, neither would he followe them that had
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obteined great victories by hazard, {Hotspur+}
howsoever other dyd esteeme or commend them. For he was wont
to saye, that if none but him self dyd leade them to the shambles, as much
as laye in him, they should be immortall. And when he sawe
Tolmides, the sonne of Tolmaeus (trusting to his former victories, and
the praise and commendation of his good service) dyd prepare upon no occasion,
and to no purpose, to enter into the countrie of Boeotia, and had procured
also a thousand of the lustiest and most valliant men of the cittie, to
be contented to goe with him in that jorney, over and above the rest of
the armie he had leavied: he went about to turne him from his purpose,
and to keepe him at home, by many persuasions he used to him before the
peoples face, and spake certen words at that time, that were remembred
long after, and these were. That if he would not beleeve Pericles
counsell, yet that he would tarie time at the least, which is the wisest
counseller of men. These wordes were pretilie liked at that
present time. But with in fewe dayes after, when newes was
brought that Tolmides selfe was slaine in a battell he had lost, neere
unto the cittie of Coronea, wherein perished also, many other honest and
valliant men of Athens: his wordes spoken before, dyd then greatly increase
Pericles reputation and good will with the common people, bicause he was
taken for a wise man, and one that loved his cittizens. But
of all his jorneis he made, being generall over the armie of the Athenians:
the jorney of Cherronesus was best thought of and esteemed, bicause it
fell out to the great benefit and preservation of all the Grecians inhabiting
in that countrie. For besides that he brought thither a thousand
cittizens of Athens to dwell there (in which doing he strengthened the
citties with so many good men) he did fortifie the barre also, which dyd
let it from being of an Ile, with a fortification he drue from one sea
to another: for that he defended the countrie against all the invasions
and piracies of the Thracians inhabiting thereabouts, and delivered it
of extreme warre, with the which it was plagued before, by the barbarous
people their neighbours, or dwelling amongest them, who only lived upon
piracie, and robbing on the seas. So was he likewise much honored
and esteemed of
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straungers, when he did environne all Peloponnesus, departing out of
the haven of Peges, on the coast of Megara, with a fleete of a hundred
gallyes. For he dyd not only spoyle the townes all alongest
the sea side, as Tolmides had done before him: but going further into the
mayne lande, farre from the sea, with his souldiers he had in the gallyes,
he drave some of them to retire within their walles, he made them so affrayed
of him: and in the countrie of Nemea, he overcame the Sicyonians in battell,
that taried him in the field, and dyd erect a piller for a notable marke
of his victorie. And embarking in his shippes a newe supply
of souldiers which he tooke up in Achaia, being friends with the Athenians
at that time: he passed over to the firme lande that laye directly against
it. And pointing beyond the mouth of the river of Achelous,
he invaded the countrie of Acarnania, where he shut up the OEneades within
their walles. And after he had layed waste and destroyed all
the champion countries he returned home againe to Athens: having shewed
him selfe in this jorney, a dreadfull captaine to his enemies, and very
carefull for the safety of his souldiers. For there fell out
no manner of misfortune all this jorney (by chaunce or otherwise) unto
the souldiers under his charge. And afterwardes, going with
a great navie marvelous well appointed unto the realme of Pontus, he dyd
there gentily use and intreate the citties of Grece, and graunted them
all that they required of him: making the barbarous people inhabiting thereabouts,
and the Kings and Princes of the same also, to know the great force and
power of the Athenians, who sailed without feare all about where they thought
good, keeping all the coastes of the sea under their obedience.
Furthermore, he left with the Sinopians thirteene gallyes, with certen
number of souldiers under captaine Lamachus, to defend them against the
tyranne Timesileus: who being expulsed, and driven awaye, with those of
his faction, Pericles caused proclamation to be made at Athens, that sixe
hundred free men of the cittie, that had any desire to goe, without compulsion,
might goe dwell at Sinopa, where they should have devided among them, the
goodes and landes of the tyranne and his followers. But he
dyd not followe the
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foolishe vaine humours of his cittizens, nor would not yeld to their
unsatiable covetousness who being on a jolitie to see them selves so strong,
and of suche a power, and besides, to have good
lucke+, would needes once againe attempt to conquer Egypt, and to revolte
all the countries on the sea coastes, from the empire of the king of Persia:
for there were many of them whose mindes were marvelously bent to attempt
the unfortunate enterprise of entering Sicilia, which Alcibiades afterwardes
dyd muche pricke forward. And some of them dreamed besides, of the conquest
of Thuscan, and the empire of Carthage. But this was not altogether
without some likelyhood, nor without occasion of hope, considering the
large boundes of their Kingdome, and the fortunate estate of their affayres,
which fell out according to their owne desire. But Pericles
dyd hinder this going out and cut of altogether their curious desire, employing
the. most parte of their power and force, to keepe that they had already
gotten: judging it no small matter to keepe downe the Lacedaemonians from
growing greater. For he was allwayes an enemie to the Lacedaemonians,
as he shewed him selfe in many things, but specially in the warre he made,
called the holy warre. For the Lacedaemonians having put the
Phocians from the charge of the temple of Apollo, in the cittie of Delphes,
which they had usurped, and having restored the Delphians againe unto the
same: so sone as they were gone thence, Pericles went also with another
armie, and restored the Phocians in again. And where as the
Lacedaemonians had caused to be graven in the forehead of a woulfe of brasse,
the priviledge the Delphians had graunted them, to be the first that should
make their demaundes of the oracle: he having atteined the like priviledge
of the Phocians, made his image also to be graven on the right side of
the same image, of the brasen woulfe. Nowe howe wisely Pericles
dyd governe Grece by the power of the Athenians, his deedes doe plainely
shewe. For, first of all, the countrie of Euboea dyd rebell,
against whom he brought the armie of the Achenians. And sodainely
in the necke of that, came newes from another coaste, that the Megarians
also were in armes against them: and howe that
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they were already entered into the countrie of Attica with a great
armie, led by Plistonax, king of Lacedaemon. This occasion
drewe him homeward againe, and so he marched backe with speede into his
countrie, to make preparation to encounter his enemies, that were already
entered into the territories of Attica. He durst not offer
them battell, being so great a number of valliant souldiers: but hearing
that king Plistonax was yet but a young man, and was ruled altogether bu
Cleanrides counsell and direction (whom the Ephores had placed about him
to counsell and direct him) he sought privilie to corrupt Cleandrides.
When he had wonne him with some of his money, he persuaded him to drawe
backe the Peloponnesians out of their countrie of Attica: and so he dyd.
But when the Lacedaemonians sawe their armie cassed, and that the people
were gone their waye, every man to his owne cittie or towne: they were
so mad at it, that the King was condemned in a great some.
The King being unable to aunswer his fine, which was so extreme great:
he was driven to absent him self from Lacedaemon. Cleandrides
on the other side, if he had not fled in time, even for spight had bene
condemned to death. This Cleandrides was Gylippus father, that
afterwards overcame the Athenians in Sicilia, in whom it seemed nature
bred covetousness as a disease inheritable by succession from father to
the sonne. For he being shamefully convicted also, for certen
vile partes he had played, was likewise banished from Sparta: as we have
more amply declared in the life of Lysander. And Pericles delivering
up the accompt of his charge, and setting downe an article of the expense
of tenne talentes he had employed, or should employe in needefull causes:
the people allowed them him, never asking question how, nor which waye,
nor whether it was true that they were bestowed. Now there
are certen writers (among whom the philosopher Theophrastus is one) who
write that Pericles sent yerely unto Sparta tenne talents, with the which
he entertained those that were in authoritie there, bicause they should
make no warres with them: not to buye peace of them, but time, that he
might in the meane season, with better commodities,
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and that leysure, provide to mainteine the warres. After
that, as the armie of the Peloponnesians were out of the countrie of Attica,
he returned again against the rebels, and passed into the Ile of Euboea
with fiftie sayle, and five thousand footemen well armed: and there he
overcame all the citties that had taken armes against him, and drave away
the Hyppobotes, who were the most famous men of all the Chalcidians, aswell
for their riches, as for their valliantnes. He drave awaye
also all the Hestiaeians, whom he chased cleane out of all the countries
and placed in their cittie, only the cittizens of Athens. And
the cause why he delt so rigorously with them was, bicause having taken
a galley of the Athenians prisoner, had put all the men to death that were
in her. And peace being concluded afterwards betwene the Athenians
and Lacedaemonians for thirtie yeres: he proclaimed open warres against
those of the Ile of Samos, burdening them, that the they being commaunded
by the Athenians, to pacifie the quarrells which they had agains;t the
Milesians, they would not obaye. But bicause some hold opinion,
that he tooke upon him this warre against Samos, for the love of Aspasia:
it shall be no great digression of our storie, to tell you by the waye,
what manner of woman she was, and what a marvelous gifte and power she
had, that she could entangle with her love the chiefest rulers and governours
at that time of the common weale, and that the philosophers them selves
dyd so largely speake and write of her. First of all, it is
certaine that she was borne in the cittie of Miletum, and was the daughter
of one Axiochus: she following the steps and example of an olde curtisan
of Ionia, calred Thargelia gave her selfe only to entertaine the greatest
persons and chiefest rulers in her time. For this Thargelia,
being passing fayer and carying a comely grace with her, having a sharp
wit and pleasaunt tongue: she had the acquaintaunce friendshippe of the
greatest persones of all Grece, and wanne all those that dyd haunte her
company to be at the king of Persiaes commaundement. So that
she sowed through all the citties of Grece, great beginnings of the faction
of the Medes: for they were the greatest men of power and authoritie of
everie cittie that were acquainted with her.
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But as for Aspasia, some saye that Pericles resorted unto her, bicause
she was a wise woman, and had great understanding in matters of state and
government. For Socrates him selfe went to see her somtimes
with his friends: and those that used her company also, brought their wives
many times with them to heare her talke: though her traine about her were
to entertains such as would warme them by their fire. ,Eschines writeth,
that Lysicles a grazier, being before but a meane man, and of a clubbishe
nature, came to be the chief man of Athens, by frequenting the companie
of Aspasia, after the death of Pericles. And in Platoes booke
intituled Menexenus, although the beginning of it be but pleasauntly written,
yet in that, this storie is written truely: that this Aspasia was repaired
unto by divers of the Athenians, to learne the arte of rethorike of her.
Yet notwithstanding it seemeth most likely that the affection Pericles
dyd beare her, grewe rather of love, then of any other cause.
For he was maried unto a kinsewoman of his owne, and that before was Hipponicus
wife, by whom she had Callias, surnamed the riche: and had afterwards by
Pericles, Xantippus and Paralus. But not liking her companie, he gave her
with her owne good will and consent unto another, and maried Aspasia whom
he dearely loved. For ever when he went abroad, and came home
againe, he saluted her with a kisse. Whereupon in the auncient
comedies, she is called in many places, the newe Omphale, and somtimes
Deianira, and somtimes Juno. But Cratinus plainely calleth
her whore in these verses:
His Juno she him brought, Aspasia by name,
which was in deede an open whore, and past all kynde of shame.
And it seemeth that he had a bastard: for Eupolis in a
comedie of his called Demosii, bringeth him in,
asking Pyronides thus: I praye thee: is my bastard sonne yet
alive?
And then Pyronides aunswered him:
A perfect man long since, he surely had bene founde,
if that this lewde, and naughty whore his vertue
had not drownde.
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To conclude, this Aspasia was so famous, that Cyrus (he that fought
against king Artaxerxes his brother, for the empire of Persia) called Aspasia
his best beloved of all his concubines, which before was called Milto,
and was borne in Phocides, being Hermotimus daughter. And Cyrus
being slayne in the field, Aspasia was caried to the King his brother,
with whom afterwardes she was in great favour. {Cressida+}
As I was writing this life, this storie came in my minde: and me thought
I should have delt hardly, if I should have left it unwritten.
But to our matter againe. Pericles was charged that he made
warres against the Samians, on the behalfe of the Milesians, at the request
of Aspasia: for these two citties were at warres together, for the cittie
of Priena, but the Samians were the stronger. Now the Athenians
commaunded them to laye a side their armes, and to come and pleade their
matter before them, that the right might be decided: but they refused it
utterly. Wherefore Pericles went thither and tooke awaye the
government of the small number of Nobilitie, taking for ostages, fiftie
of the chiefest men of the cittie, and so many children besides, which
he left to be kept in the Ile of Lemnos. Some saye one of these
ostages offered to gve him a talent: and besides those, many other offered
him the like, suche as would not have the soveraine authoritie put into
the handes of the people. Moreover Pissuthnes the Persian,
lieutenant to the king of Persia, for the good will he bare those of Samos,
dyd send Pericles tenne thousand crownes to release the ostages.
But Pericles never tooke pennie: and having done that he determined at
Samos, and established a popular government, he returned againe to Athens.
Notwithstanding, the Samians rebelled immediately after, having recovered
their ostages againe by meanes of this Pissuthnes that stale them awaye,
and dyd furnishe them also with all their munition of warre.
Whereupon Pericles returning against them once more, he founde them not
idle, nor amazed at his coming but resolutely determined to receyve him,
and to fight for the seignorie by sea. So there was a great
battell fought betwene them, neere the Ile of Tracia. And Pericles
wanne the battell: having with foure and fortie sayle only
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nobly overcome his enemies, which were three score and tenne in number,
wherof twenty of them were shippes of warre. And so following
his victorie forthwith, he wanne also the porte of Samos, and kept the
Samians besieged within their owne cittie: where they were yet so bolde,
as they would make salies out many times, and fight before the walles of
the cittie. But when there arrived a newe supplie of shippes
bringing a greater ayde unto Pericles: then were they shut up of all sides.
Pericles then taking three score gallyes with him, lanched out into the
sea, with intent (as some saye) to goe mete certen shippes of the Phoenicians
(that came to ayde the Samians) as farre from Samos as he could: or as
Stesimbrotus sayeth, to goe into Cyprus, which me thinketh is not true.
But whatsoever was his intent, he committed a foule fault.
For Melissus (the sonne of Ithagenes, a great philosopher) being at that
time generall of the Samians: percevving that fewe shippes were left behinde
at the siege of the cittie, and that the captaines also that had charge
of them were no very expert men of warre, persuaded his cittizens to make
a salie upon them. Whereupon they fought a battell, and the
Samians overcame: the Athenians were taken prisoners, and they suncke many
of their shippes. Nowe they being lordes againe of the sea,
dyd furnishe their cittie with all manner of munition for warres, whereof
before they had great want. Yet Aristotle writeth that Pericles
selfe was once overcome in a battell by sea by Melissus. Furthermore
the Samians, to be even with the Athenians for the injurie they had receyved
of them before: dyd brande them in the forehead with the stampe of an owle,
the owle being then the srampe of their coyne at Athens, even as the Athenians
had branded the Samian prisoners before with the stampe of Samaena.
This Samaena is a kynde of shippe amongest the Samians, lowe afore, and
well layed out in the midde shippe, so that it is excellent good to rise
with the waves of the sea, and is very swifte under sayle: and it was so
called, bicause the first shippe that was made of this facion, was made
in the Ile of Samos, by the tyranne Polycrates. It is sayed
that the poet Aristophanes, covertly conveying the
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of the Samians, speaking merylie in a place of his comedies sayeth:
The Samians are great learned men.
Pericles being advertised of the overthrowe of
his armie, returned presently to the rescue. Melissus went
to mete him, and gave him battell: but he was overthrowen, and driven backe
into his cittie, where Pericles walled them in round about the cittie,
desiring victorie rather by time and charge, than by daunger, and losse
of his souldiers. But when he sawe that they were wearie with tract of
time, and that they would bring it to hazard of battell, and that he could
by no meanes withholde them: {Hal+}
he then devided his armie into eight companies, whom he made to drawe lots,
and that companie that lighted on the white beane, they should be quiet
and make good cheere, while the other seven fought. And they
saye that from thence it came, that when any have made good chiere, and
taken pleasure abroade, they doe yet call it a white daye, bicause of the
white beane. Ephorus the historiographer writeth, that it was
there, where first of all they beganne to use engines of warre to plucke
down great walles, and that Pericles used first this wonderfull invention:
and that Artemon an enginer was the first deviser of them.
He was caried up and downe in a chayer, to set forward these workes, bicause
he had a lame legge: and for this cause he was called Periphoretos.
But Heraclides Ponticus confuteth Ephorus therein, by the verses of Anacreon,
in the which Artemon is called Periphoretos, many yeres before this warre
of Samos beganne: and sayeth that this Periphoretos was a marvelous tender
man, and so foolishly afeard of his owne shadowe, that the most parte of
his time he sturred not out of his house, and did sit allwayes having two
of his men by him, that held a copper target over his head, for feare least
any thing should fall upon him. And if upon any occasion he
were driven, to goe abroade out of his house: he would be caried in a litle
bed hanging neere the grounde, and for this cause he was surnamed Periphoretos.
At the last, at nine moneths ende the Samians were compelled to yeld.
So Pericles tooke the cittie, and rased their walles to the
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grounde: he brought their shippes awaye, and made them paye a marvelous
great tribute, whereof parte he receyved in hande, and the rest payable
at a certen time, taking ostages with him for assurance of payment.
But Duris the Samian dilateth these matters marvelous pittiefully, burdening
the Athenians, and Pericles self with unnaturall crueltie: whereof neither
Thucydides, nor Ephorus, nor Aristotle him selfe maketh mention.
And suer I cannot beleeve it is true that is written. That
he brought the captaines of the gallyes, and the souldiers them selves
of Samia, into the market place of the cittie of Miletum: where he made
them to be bound fast unto bordes for the space of tenne dayes, and at
the ende of the same, the poore men halfe dead, were beaten downe with
clubbes, and their heads passhed in peces: and afterwards they threw out
their bodies to the crowes, and would not burie them. So Duris
being accustomed to overreach, and to lye many times in things nothing
touching him: seemeth in this place out of all reason to aggravate the
calamities of his countries only to accuse the Athenians, and to make them
odious to the world. Pericles having wonne the cittie of Samos,
he returned againe to Athens, where he dyd honorably burie the bones of
his slaine cittizens in this warre: and him self (according to their manner
and custome) made the funerall oration, for the which he was marvelously
esteemed. In suche sorte, that after he came downe from the
pulpit where he made his oration: the ladies and gentlewomen of the cittie
came to salute him, and brought him garlands to put upon his head, as they
doe to noble conquerers when they returne from games, where they have wonne
the price. But Elpinice coming to him, sayed. Surely
Pericles, thy good service done, deserveth garlands of triumphe: for thou
hast lost us many a good and valliant cittizen, not fighting with the Medes,
the Phoenicians, and with the barbarous people as my brother Cimon dyd,
but for destroying a cittie of our owne nation and kynred.
Pericles to these wordes, softely aunswered Elpinice, with Archilocus verse,
smyling:
When thou art olde, painte not thy selfe.
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But Ion writeth, that he greatly gloried, and stoode muche in his own
conceipt, after he had subued the Samians, saying: Agamemnon
was tenne yeres taking of a cittie of the barbarous people: and he in nine
moneths only had wonne the strongest cittie of the whole nation of Ionia.
In deede he had good cause to glorie in his victorie: for truely (if Thucydides
reporte be true) his conquest was no lesse doubtful], then he founde it
daungerous. For the Samians had almost bene lordes of the sea,
and taken the seigniorie thereof from the Athenians. After
this, the warres of Peloponnesus being whotte againe, th
e Corinthians invading thilanders of Corphu: Pericles dyd persuade
the Athenians to send ayde unto the Corphians, and to joyne in leaggue
with that Iland, which was of great power by sea, saying: that the Peloponnesians
(before it were long) would have warre with them. The Athenians
consented to his motion, to ayde those of Corphu. Whereupon
they sent thither Lacedaemonius (Cimons sonne) with tenne gallies only
for a mockery: for all Cimons familie and friendes, were wholy at the Lacedaemonians
devotion. Therefore dyd Pericles cause Lacedaemonius to have
so fewe shippes delivered him, and further, sent him thither against his
will, to the ende that if he dyd so notable exploite in this service, that
then they might the more justly suspect his good will to the Lacedaemonians.
Moreover whilst he lived, he dyd ever what he could, to keepe Cimons children
backe from rysing: bicause that by their names they were no naturall borne
Athenians, but straungers. For the one was called Lacedaemonius,
the other Thessalus, and the third Elius: and the mother to all them three,
was an Arcadian woman borne. But Pericles being blamed for
that he sent but tenne gallyes only, which was but a slender ayde for those
that had requested them, and a great matter to them that spake ill of them:
he sent thither afterwardes a great number of other gallyes, which came
when the battell was fought. But the Corinthians were marvelous angrie,
and went and complained to the counsell of the Lacedaemonians, where they
layed open many grievous complaints and accusations against the Athenians,
and so dyd the Megarians also: alledging that the Athenians had forbidden
them their
<Plut2-36>
havens, their staples, and all trafficke of marchaundise in the territories
under their obedience, which was directly against the common lawes, and
articles of peace, agreed upon by othe among all the Grecians.
Moreover the AEginetes finding them selves very ill and cruelly handled,
to make their mone and complaintes to the Lacedaeminians, being afeard
openly to complaines of the Athenians. While these things were
a doingn , the cittie of Potidaea, subject at that time unto the Athenians
(and was built in olde time by the Corinthians) did rebell, and was besieged
by the Athenians, which did hasten on the warres. Notwithstanding
this, ambassadours were first sent unto Athens upon these complaints, and
Archidamus, king of the Lacedaemonians, did all that he could to pacifie
the most parte of these quarells and complaints, intreating their friendes
and allies. So as the Athenians had had no warres at all, for
any other matters wherewith they were burdened, if they would have graunted
to have revoked the decree they had made against the Megarians.
Whereupon, Pericles, that above all other stood most against the revocation
of that decree, and that did sturre up the people, and made them to stand
to that they had once decreed, and ordered, against the Megarians: was
thought the only original cause and author of the Peloponnesian warres.
For it is sayed that the Lacedaemonians sent ambassadours unto Athens for
that matter only. And when Pericles alledged a lawe, that dyd
forbid them to take away the table, whereupon before time had bene written
any common law or edict. Polyarces, one of the Lacedaemon ambassadours,
sayed unto him: Well, said he, take it not awaye then, but
turne the table onely: your lawe I am suer forbiddeth not that.
This was pleasantly spoken of the ambassadour, but Pericles could never
be brought to it for all that. And therefore it seemeth he
had some secret occasion of grudge against the Megarians: yet as one that
would finely convey it under the common cause and cloke, he tooke from
them the holy lands they were breaking up. For to bring this
to passe, he made an order, that they should send an herauld to summone
the Megarians to let the land alone, and that the same herauld should goe
also
<Plut2-37>
unto the Lacedaemonians to accuse the Megarians unto them.
It is true that this ordinance was made by Pericles meanes, as also it
was most just and reasonable: but it fortuned so, that the messenger they
sent thither dyed and not without suspition that the Megarians made him
awaye. Wherefore Charinus made a lawe presently against the
Megarians: that they should be proclaimed mortall enemies to the Athenians
for ever, without any hope of after reconciliation. And also
if any Megarian should once put his foote within the territories of Attica,
that he should suffer the paynes of death. And moreover, that their captaines
taking yerely their ordinary othe, should sweare among other articles,
that twise in the yere they should goe with their power, and destroy some
parte of the Megarians lande. And lastly, that the heraulde
Anthemocritus should be buried by the place called then the gates Thriasienes,
and nowe called, Dipylon. But the Megarians stowtely denying,
that they were any cause of the death of this Anthemocritus: dyd altogether
burden Aspasia and Pericles with the same, alledging for proofe thereof,
Aristophanes verses the Poet, in his comedie he intituled the Acharnes,
which are so common, as every boye hath them at his tongues ende.
The young men of our lande (to dronken bybbing bent)
ranne out one daye unrulily,, and towards
Megara went.
From whence in their outrage, by force they tooke awaye,
Simaetha noble curtisan, as she dyd sporte and playe.
Wherewith enraged all (with pepper in the nose)
the prowde Megarians came to us, as to their mortall
soes,
And tooke by stelthe awaye, of harlots eke a payer,
attending on Aspasia, which were both young and
fayer.
But in very deede, to tell the originall cause
of this warre, and to deliver the trothe thereof, it is very harde.
But all the historiographers together agree, that Pericles was the chiefest
author of the warre: bicause the decree made against the Megarians, was
not revoked backe againe. Yet some holde opinion, that Pericles
dyd it of a noble minde and judgement, to be constant in that he thought
most expedient+. For he judged that this
commaundement of the Lacedaemonians was but a triall, to prove if the Athenians
would graunte them:
<Plut2-38>
and if they yelded to them in that, then they manifestly shewed that
they were the weaker. Other contrarilie saye, that it was done
of a selfe will and arrogancie, to shewe his authoritie and power, and
howe he dyd despise the Lacedaemonians. But the shrewdest profe
of all, that bringeth best authoritie with it, is reported after this sorte.
Phidias the image maker (as we have tolde you before) had undertaken to
make the image of Pallas: and being Pericles friende, was in great estimation
about him. But that procured him ill willers. Then they being
desirous to heare by him what the people would judge of Pericles: they
intised Menon, one of the worke men that wrought under Phidias, and made
him come into the market place to praye assurance of the people that he
might openly accuse Phidias, for a faulte he had committed about Pallas
image. The people receyved his obedience, and his accusation
was heard openly market place, but no mention was made of any theft at
all: bicause that Phidias (through Pericles counsell and devise) had from
the beginning so layed on the gold upon the image, that it might be taken
of, and wayed every whitte. Whereupon Pericles openly sayed
unto his accusers, Take of the golde and way it. The glorie
of his works dyd purchase him this envie. For he having, layen
upon the scutchion of the goddesse, the battel of the Amazones, had cut
out the portraiture of him self marvelous lively, under the persone of
an olde balde man, lifting up a great stone with both his handes.
Further he had cut out Pericles image, excellently wrought and artificially,
seeming in manner to be Pericles self, fighting with an Amazon in this
sorte: The Amazones head being lifte up highe, holdeth a darte
before Pericles face, so passing cunningly wrought, as it seemed to shadowe
the likenes and resemblaunce of Pericles: and yet notwithstanding appeareth
plainely to be Pericles self on either side of the portraiture.
So Phidias was clapt up in prisone, and there dyed of a sickness, or els
of a poyson (as some saye) which his enemies had prepared for him: and
all to bring Pericles into further suspition, and to geve them the more
cause to accuse him. But however it was, the people gave Menon
his freedome, and set him free for payment of all
<Plut2-39>
subsidies, following the order Glycon made, and gave the captaines
charge they should see him safely kept, and that he tooke no hurte.
And about the same time also Aspasia was accused, that she dyd not beleeve
in the goddes: and her accuser was Hermippus, maker of the comedies.
He burdened her further, that she was a bawde to Pericles, and receyved
cittizens wives into her house, which Pericles kept. And Diopithes
at the same time made a decree, that they should make searche and enquirie
for heretickes that dyd not beleeve in the goddes, and that taught certaine
newe doctrine and opinion touching the operations of things above in the
element, turning the suspition upon Pericles, bicause of Anaxagoras.
The people dyd receyve and confirme this inquisition: and it was moved
also then by Dracontides, that Pericles should deliver an accompt of the
money he had spent, unto the handes of the Prytanes, who were treasorers
of the common fines and revenues, and that the judges deputed to geve judgement,
should geve sentence within the cittie upon the altar. But
Agnon put that worde out of the decree, and placed in stead thereof, that
the cause should be judged by the fifteene hundred judges, as they thought
good, if any man brought this action for thefte, for batterie, or for injustice.
As for Aspasia, he saved her, even for the verie pittie and compassion
the judges tooke of him, for the teares he shed in making his humble sute
for her, all the time he pleaded her case: as AEschines writeth.
But for Anaxagoras, fearing that he could not doe so muche for him: he
sent him out of the cittie, and him selfe dyd accompany him.
And furthermore, seeing he had incurred the ill will of the people for
Phidias facte, and for this cause fearing the issue of the judgement: he
set the warres a fyre againe, that alwayes went backeward, and dyd but
smoke a litle, hoping by this meanes to weare out the accusations against
him, and to roote out the malice some dyd beare him. For the
people having weightie matters in hande, and very daungerous also: he knew
they would put all into his handes alone, he having wonne already such
great authoritie and reputation among them. And thexe be the
causes why he would not (as it is sayed) suffer the Athenians to yeld unto
the Lacedaemonians
<Plut2-40>
in any thing: howbeit the trothe cannot certenly be knowen.
But the Lacedaemonians knowing well, that if they could wede out Pericles,
and overthrowe him, they might then deale as they would with the Athenians:
they commaunded them they should purge their cittie of Cylons rebellion,
bicause they knew well enough that Pericles kynne by the mothers side were
to be touched withall, as Thucydides declareth. But this practise
fell out contrarie to their hope and expectation, that were sent to Athens
for this purpose. For, weening to have brought Pericles into
further suspition and displeasure, the cittizens honoured him the more,
and had a better affiaunce in him then before, bicause they sawe his enemies
dyd so much feare and hate him. Wherefore, before king Archidamus
entred with the armie of the Peloponnesians into the countrie of Attica,
he tolde the Athenians, that if king Archidamus fortuned to waste and destroye
all the countrie about, and should spare his landes and goodes for the
olde love and familiaritie that was betweene them, or rather to geve his
enemies occasion falsely to accuse him: that from thenceforth, he gave
all the landes and tenements he had in the countries unto the common wealthe.{generosity+}
So it fortuned, that the Lacedaemonians with all their friends and confederates,
brought a marvelous armie into the countrie of Attica, under the leading
of king Archidamus: who burning and spoyling all the countries he came
alongest, they came unto the towne of Acharnes, were they incamped, supposing
the Athenians would never suffer them approche so neere, but that they
would give them battell for the honour and defence of their countrie, and
to shewe that they were no cowardes. But Pericles wisely considered
howe the daunger was to great to hazard battell, where the losse of the
cittie of Athens stoode in perill, seing they were three score thousand
footemen of the Peloponnesians, and of the Boeotians together: for so many
was their number in the first voyage they made against the Athenians.
And as for those that were very desirous to fight, and to put them selves
to any hazard, being mad to see their countrie thus wasted and destroyed
before their eyes, Pericles dyd comforte and pacifie them with these wordes:
That trees being cut and
<Plut2-41>
hewen downe, dyd spring againe in shorte time: but men being once dead,
by no possibilitie could be brought againe. Therefore he never
durst assemble the people in counsell, fearing least he should be inforced
by the multitude, to doe some thing against his will. But as
a wise man of a shippe, when be seeth a storme coming on the sea, doth
straight geve order to make all things safe in the shippe, preparing preparing
every thing readie to defende the storme, according to his arte nd skill,
not harkening to the passengers fearefull cries and pittiefull teares,
who thinke them selves cast away: even so dyd Pericles rule all things
according to his wisedome, having walled the cittie substantially about,
and set good watche in every corner: and passed not for those that were
angrie and offended with him, neither would be persuaded by his friends
earnest requests and entreaties, neither cared for his enemies threates
nor accusations against him, nor yet reckoned of all their foolishe scoffing
songes they songe of him in the cittie, to his shame and reproche of government,
saying that he was a cowardly captaine, and that for dastardlines he let
the enemies take all, and spoyle what they would. Of which
number Cleon was one that most defamed him, and beganne to enter into some
prety credit and favour with the common people, for that they were angrie,
and misliked with Pericles: as appeareth by these slaunderous verses of
Hermippus, which were then abroade:
O King of Satyres, who with such manly speache
of bloudy warres and doughty dedes, dost daylie
to us preache
Why art thou now afrayed, to take thy launce in hande,
or with thy pike against thy foes, corageously to
stande
? Synce Cleon stowte and fierce, doth daylie thee provoke,
With biting wordes, with trenchaunt blades, and
deadly daunting stroke.
All these notwithstanding, Pericles was never moved any thing, but with
silence beare all injuries and dand scoffings of his enemies, and dyd send
for all that a navie of a hundred sayle unto Peloponnesus, whether he would
not go in person, but kept him self at home, to keep the people in quiet:
untill such time as the enemies had raised their campe, and were gone awaye.
And to entertaine the
<Plut2-42>
common people that were offended and angrie at this warre: he comforted
the poore people againe, with causing a certain distribution to be made
amongest them of the common treasure, and division also of the landes that
were got by conquest. For after he had driven all the AEginetes
out of their countrie, he caused the whole Ile of AEgina to be divided
by lot amongest the cittizens of Athens. And then it was a
great comforte to them in this adversitie, to heare of their enemies hurte
and losse in suche manner as it dyd fall out. For their armie
that was sent by sea unto Peloponnesus, had wasted and destroyed a great
parte of the champion countrie there, and had sacked besides many small
citties and townes. Pericles selfe also entring into the Megarians
countrie by lande, did waste the whole countrie all afore him.
So the Peloponnesians receyving by sea asmuche hurte and losse at the Athenians
hands, as they before had done by lande unto the Athenians: they had not
holden out warres so long with the Athenians, but would sone have geven
over (as Pericles had tolde them before) had not the goddes above secretly
hindered mans reason and pollicie. For first of all there came
such a sore plague among the Athenians, that it took awaye the flower of
Athens youth, and weakened the force of the whole cittie besides.
Furthermore the bodies of them that were left alive being infected with
this disease, their hartes also were so sharpely bent against Pericles,
that the sicknes having troubled their braynes, they fell to flat rebellion
against him, as the pacient against his physitian, or children against
their father, even to the hurting of him, at the provocation of his enemies.
Who bruted abroade, that the plague came of no cause els, but of the great
multitude of the country men that came into the cittie on heapes, one upon
anothers necke in the harte of the sommer, where they were compelled to
lye many together, smothred up in litle tentes and cabines, remaining there
all day long, cowering downewardes, and doing nothing, where before they
lived in the countrie in a freshe open ayer, and at libertie.
And of all this, saye they, Pericles is the only cause, who procuring this
warre, hath pent and shrowded the country men
<Plut2-43>
together within the walles of a cittie, employing them to no manner
of use nor service, but keeping them like sheepe in a pinnefolde, maketh
one to poyson another with the infection of their plague sores ronning
upon them, and geving them no leave to chaunge ayer, that they might so
muche as take breathe abroade. Pericles to remedy this, and
to doe their enemies a litle mischief: armed a hundred and fiftie shippes,
and shipped into them a great number of armed footemen and horsemen also.
Hereby he put the cittizens in good hope, and the enemies in great feare,
seeing so great a power. But when he had shipped all his men,
and was him self also in the admirall ready to hoyse sayle sodainely there
was a great eclypse of the sunne, and the daye was very darke, that all
the armie was striken with a marvelous feare, as of some daungerous and
very ill token towardes them. Pericles seeing the master of
his gallye in a maze withall, not knowing what to doe: cast his cloke over
the masters face, and hid his eyes, asking him whether he thought that
any hurte or no. The master aunswered him, he thought it none.
Then sayed Pericles againe to him: There is no difference betwene
this and that, saving that the bodye which maketh the darknes is greater,
then my cloke which hideth thy eyes. These things are thus
disputed of in the schooles of the philosophers. But Pericles
hoysing sayle notwithstanding, did no notable or speciall services aunswerable
to so great an armie and preparation. For he laying seige unto
the holy cittie of Epidaurum, when every man looked they should have taken
it, was compelled to rayse his seige for the plague, that was so vehement:
that it dyd not only kill the Athenians them selves, but all other also
(were they never so fewe) that came to them, or neere their campe.
Wherefore perceiving the Athenians were marvelously offended with him,
he dyd what he could to comforte them, and put them in harte againe: but
all was in vaine, he could not pacifie them. For by the most
parte of voyces, they deprived him of his charge of generall, and condemned
him in a marvelous great fine and summe of money, the which those that
tell the least doe write, that it was the summe of fifteene talentes: and
those that say more, speake of fiftie
<Plut2-44>
talentes. The accuser subscribed in this condemnation,
was Cleon, as Idomeneus, or Simmias saye, or as Theophrastus writeth: yet
Heraclides Ponticus sayeth, one Lacratidas. Nowe his common
grieves were sone blowen over: for the people dyd easely let fall their
displeasures towardes him, as the waspe leaveth her stinge behinde her
with them she hath stong. But his owne private affayers and
household causes were in very ill case: both for that the plague had taken
awaye many of his friendes and kinsemen from him, as also for that he and
his house had continued a long time in disgrace. For Xanthippus (Pericles
sonne and heire) being a man of a very ill disposition and nature, and
having married a young woman very prodigall and lavishe of expence, the
daughter of Isander, sonne of Epilycus: he grudged much at his fatbers
hardness who scantly gave him money, and but litle at a time.
Whereupon he went on a time to one of his fathers friendes in Pericles
name, to praye him to lend him some money, who sent it unto him.
But afterwards when he came to demaunde it againe, Pericles dyd not only
refuse to paye it him, but further, he put him in sute. But
this made the young man Xanthippus so angrie with his father, that he spake
very ill of him in every place where he came: and in mockery reported howe
his father spent his time when he was at home, and the talke he had with
the Sophisters, and the master rethoritians. For a mischaunce
fortuning on a time, at the game of throwing the darte, who should throw
best, that he that threwe, dyd unfortunately kill one Epitimius a Thessalian:
Xanthippus went pratling up and downe the towne, that his father Pericles
was a whole daye disputing with Protagoras the Rethoritian, to knowe which
of the three by lawe and reason should be condemned for this murther.
The darte: he that threwe the darte: or the deviser of that game.
Moreover Stesimbrotus writeth, that the brute that ranne abroade through
the cittie, howe Pericles dyd keepe his wife, was sowen abroade by Xanthippus
himself. But so it is, this quarrell and hate betwext the father
and the sonne continued without reconciliation unto the death.
For Xanthippus dyed in the great plague, and Pericles own sister
<Plut2-45>
also: he lost at that time by the plague, the more parte of all his
friends and kinsefolkes, and those specially that dyd him greatest pleasure
in governing of the state. But all this dyd never pull down
his contenaunce, nor anything abate the greatnes of his minde, what misfortunes
soever he had sustained. {death+}
Neither sawe they him weepe at any time, nor mourne at the funeralles of
any of his kinsemen or friendes, but at the death of Paralus, his younger
and lawful begotten sonne: for, the losse of him alone dyd only melt his
harte. Yet he dyd strive to showe his naturall constancie,
and to keep his accustomed modestie. But as he would have put
a garland of flowers upon his head, sorowe dyd so pierce his harte when
he sawe his face, that then he burst out in tears, and cryed a mayne: which
they never sawe him doe before, all the dayes of his life.
Furthermore the people having proved other captaines and governours, and
finding by experience that there was no one of them of judgement and authoritie
sufficient, for so great a charge: In the ende, of them selves
they called him againe to the pulpit for orations to heare their counsells,
and to the state of a captaine also to take charge of the state.
But at that time he kept him selfe close in his house, as one bewayling
his late grievous losse and sorowe. Howbeit Alcibiades, and
other his familiar friendes, persuaded him to shewe him selfe unto the
people, who dyd excuse them selves unto him, for their ingratitude towardes
him. Pericles then taking the government againe upon him, the
first matter he entred into was: that he prayed them to revoke the statute
he had made for base borne children, fearing least his lawfull heires would
fayle, and so his house and name should fall to the grounde.
But as for that lawe, thus it stoode. Pericles when he was
in his best authoritie, caused a lawe to be made, that they only should
be computed cittizens of Athens, which were naturall Athenians borne by
father and mother. Not long after, it fortuned that the king
of Egypt having sent a gifte unto the people of Athens, of forty thousand
bushells of corne, to be distributed among the cittizens there: many by
this lawe were accused to be base borne, and specially men
<Plut2-46>
of the baser sorte of people, which were not knowen before, or at the
least had no reckoning made of them, and so some of them were falsely and
wrongfully condemned. Whereso it fell out, that there were
no lesse than five thousand of them convicted and solde for slaves: and
they that remained as free men, and were judged to be naturall cittizens,
amownted to the number of fourteene_thousand+
and fortie persones. Now this was much misliked of the people,
that a lawe enacted, and that had bene of suche force, should by the selfe
maker and deviser of the same be againe revoked and called in.
Howbeit Pericles late calamitie that fortuned to his house, dyd breake
the peoples hardened hartes against him. Who thincking these
sorowes smarte, to be punishment enough unto him for his former pryde,
and judging that by goddes divine justice and permission, this plague and
losse fell upon him, and that his request also was tollerable: they suffered
him to enrolle his base borne sonne in the register of the lawfull cittizens
of his families geving him his owne name, Pericles. It is the
self same Pericles, who after he had overcome the Peloponnesians in a great
battell by sea, neere unto the Iles Arginuses, was put to death by sentence
of the people, with the other captaines his companions. Now
was Pericles at that time infected with the plague, but not so vehemently
as other were, rather more temperatly: and by long space of time, with
many alterations and chaunges that dyd by litle and litle decaye, and consume
the strength of his bodie, and overcame his sences and noble minde.
Therefore Theophrastus in his moralles declareth, in a place where he disputeth,
whether mens manners doe chaunge with their misfortunes, and whether corporall
troubles and afflictions doe so alter men, that they forget vertue, and
abandon reason: that Pericles in this sicknes shewed a friende of his that
came to see him, I cannot tell what a preserving charme the women had tyed
(as a carkanet) about his necke, to let him understand he was very ill,
since he suffered them to apply suche a foolishe bable to him.
In the ende, Pericles drawing fast unto his death, the Nobilitie of the
cittie, and such his friendes as were left alive, standing about his bed,
beganne to speake of
<Plut2-47>
vertue, and of the great authoritie he had borne, considering the greatnes
of his noble actes, and counting the number of the victories he had wonne
(for he had wonne nine foughten battells being generall of the Athenians,
and had set up so many tokens and triumphs in honour of his countrie) they
reckoned up among them selves all these matters, as if he had not understoode
them, imagining his had bene gone. But he contrarilie being
yet of perfect memorie, heard all what they had sayed, and thus he beganne
to speake unto them: That he marveled why they praysed that
in him, which was common to captaines, and wherein
fortune+ delt with them in equalitie a like, and all this while
they had forgotten to e of the best and most notable thing that was in
him, which was: that no Athenian had ever worne blacke gowne through his
occasion. And suer so was he a noble and worthie personne.
Fo |
