The Lives and Deaths of Persons Surnamed Great, Life 3

The Lives and Deaths of Persons Surnamed Great · Life 3

p. 27THE LIFE and DEATH OF ARTAXERXES MNEMON, One of the Great MONARCHS OF PERSIA.

THere were two Artaxerxes's that were Monarchs of Persia; the first was called Artaxerxes Longimanus, or Long-hand, because his right hand was longer than his left. The second (whole Life we are now setting forth) was called Artaxerxes Mnemon, from his excellent Memory. This Artaxerxes was the Son of Darius Ochus, His Parentage.begotten by him on the Body of Parysatis, before he came to be King: And Parysatis was the Daughter of the first Artaxerxes. Darius had by his Wife Parysatis four Sons, of the which the eldest was this Ataxerxes, the second was called Cyrus, the two younger Ostanes, and Oxathres. This Artaxerxes before he came to the Kingdom, was called Arsaces, but after he came to the Kingdom he assumed the name of Artaxerxes: Darius Ochus raigned Nineteen Years, and dyed at Babylon. When he lay on his Death-bed, his Son Artaxerxes asked him by what Wisdom and Policy he had maintained his State so long, To the end (said he) that having learned by you,A wise saying: I may follow your steps therein? To whom Darius answered, That he had done it, by doing right to God and man.

Cyrus from his Childhood was of an hot stirring disposition, and Artaxerxes on the contrary was alwayes mild and gentle. Wherefore Parysatis always loved her Son Cyrus more than the Elder, and therefore often urged her Husband Darius Ochus to follow the example of Darius Hystaspes, to leave him to succeed in the Kingdom, who was first born, after he came to be King, and not him who was born before. This indeed did help Xerxes to the Kingdom: p. 28Wherefore she urged this Example to induce her Husband to leave the Kingdom to Cyrus, who was born after his Father was Crowned King, and not unto Arsaces, who was born before: Yet could she never prevail. For Darius, by his last will, gave the Kingdom to his eldest Son Artaxerxes, and made Cyrus Governour of Lydiae, and the King Leiutenant General of all the lower Countries of Asia, next to the Sea side.

Shortly after the Death of Darius, He comes to the Kingdom.the new King Artaxerxes went unto Pasargades, there to be Consecrated, and A…ointed King by the Priests of Persia. At this place was a Temple dedicated to Minerva, where the new Kings must be Consecrated, after this manner: When he came into the Temple he must put off his own Gown, and put on that which the first and great Cyrus wore before he was King Then he must eat of a certain Tart or Fricacy made of Figs with Turpentine.Ceremonies at his Consecration. Then he must take a Drink made with Vinegar and Milk, besides some other secret Ceremonies, which none knew but the Priests themselves.

Now when Artaxerxes was ready to enter into the Temple, Tisaphernes came to him, and brought him one of the Priests; who had been Schoolmaster to Cyrus in his Youth, who informed him that Cyrus had conspired Treason against him,Treason discovered. and that he meant traiterously to kill him in the Temple when he should put off his Gown. Upon this accusation Cyrus was apprehended, and condemned: But as he was going to execution, his Mother took him in her armes, and wound the hair of her Head about his Neck, wherewith she tyed him fast to her, and withall, she wept so bitterly, and made such pittiful mone to the King her Son,The Traytor pardoned. that at her intercession, he granted to Cyrus his life, and sent him again to his Government in the lesser Asia.

Yet Cyrus was not satisfied with this, but shortly after entered into open Rebellion against the King his Brother;Cyrus his new Treason. for which end he kept Souldiers in pay in divers places, not bringing them altogether into one Army, because he desired to conceal his enterprise. He had also Friends, and Servants that levied him men in divers places, and under divers pretences. He had his Mother alwayes about the King that cleared all suspitions conceived against him. Himself also whilst he made these preparations, wrote very humbly to his Brother; one while craving somthing of him, and another while accusing Tisaphernes, to delude the King, and make him believe that he bent all his malice against the said Tisaphernes.

Artaxerxes at his first coming to the Crown, followed and imitated the goodness,Artaxerxes his Virtues. and curtesie of the first Artaxerxes, giving easie audience unto suitors, and more honourably rewarding those that had deserved well of him: and he used such moderation in punishing offenders, that he made it appear that he punished not out of any malicious mind, or desire of revenge, nor yet out of a will to hurt any man. When he had any thing given him he took it very thankfully, and did as willingly and frankly give to them again: For how small a thing soever was offered him, he took it well. One Romises upon a time presenting him with a marvellous fair Pomgranate: By the Sun (said he) this man in a short time of a little Town would make a great City, if he were made Governour of it. His gratitude.At another time a poor Labourer seeing every man give the King a present, he having nothing to give, ran to the River side and took both his hands full of Water, and came and offered it to the King, who took it so kindly, that in a Cup of Massey Gold, he sent him a thousand Daricks, which were pieces of Gold so called, because the Image of Darius was stamped upon them. And when one Euclidas a Lacedemonian, presumed to give him bold words,His meekness. he answered by one of his Captains, Thou maist say what thou listest, and I, as King may say and do what I list. Another time as he was hunting, Tiribazus shewed the King his Gown that was all tattered: p. 29Well (said the King) what wouldst thou have me do? I pray your Grace (said Tiribazus) take you another and give me that you have on. The King did so, adding, Tiribazus, I give thee my Gown, but I command thee not to wear it: But Tiribazus being a foolish, light-headed Fellow, not caring for the Kings Commandment, did strait put on the Gown, and besides, set on many Jewels which Kings only used to wear, whereupon every one in the Court murmured at him, because it was a presumption, directly against the Laws of Persia: His prudence.Yet the King did but laugh at it, saying, I give thee leave Tiribazus to wear those Women gawds as a Woman, and the Kings Robe as a Fool.

It was the manner in Persia, that no Person sat at the Kings Table but his Mother (which sat uppermost) and his Wife which sat lowermost, but Artaxerxes made his two younger Brethren, Ostanes and Oxathres to sit with him, which much pleased the Persians, but especially, because he was contented that his Wife Statira should sit openly in her Chariot, that she might be seen and reverenced by the other Ladies of the Court, and Country. But some that hated Peace and desired innovations, said, that the Realm of Persia, needed such a Prince as Cyrus, that was bountiful, given to Arms, and that liberally rewarded his Servants.

At this time all the Cities of Jonia, except Miletus, which were under the Government of Tisaphernes, fell from him to Cyrus: and Cyrus sent to Artaxerxes, praying him that he would be pleased to trust him, being his Brother, with those Cities, rather than Tisaphernes, and in this suit his Mother also sticked hard for him: All this while the King discerned not the Treason intended against him; but thought that Cyrus kept his Army about him to strengthen him against Tisaphernes, and he was well content that they two should try it out between themselves; for Cyrus did daily send the King the Tribute of those Cities, which Tisaphernes formerly held. But in the mean time Cyrus sent to Lacedemon, Cyrus his dissimulation▪praying them, that as he had hitherto supported them with men and money against the Athenians, so now they would send him some men, boasting if they sent him Foot, he would give them Horses, if Horsemen, he would give them Coaches. If they had Lands he would give them Townships: If Towns, he would give them Cities for their rewards: And for their wages, they should have it, not by tale, but by weight, and paid down presently. Hereupon the Lacedemonians jndging his request but equal, and that this War would tend to their advantage, they decreed him aid, and the Ephori sent presently to their Admiral at Samos, to do whatsoever Cyrus required of him: He therefore with his Ships put over to Ephesus, where he met with Tamos the Aegyptian, who was Admiral with Cyrus, and offered him his service, joyning his Fleet to his: and so they both sailed round about the coast of Jonia, unto Cania, whereby they prevented Syenesis (who Governed there) that he could not stir to hinder Cyrus in his march against his Brother.

Cyrus having now his Army in readiness, resolved to march into upper Asia, giving out, that he went against the Pisidians, who (as he said) made often inrodes into his Government: He sent for Clearchus of Lacedemonia, Aristippus of Thessaly, Xenes of Arcadia, those which were banished from Miletus, and the Army that lay before that City: Proxenus also a Booetian, with all the power he could make, both of Grecians and others, to repair speedily to him to Sardis. But Tisaphernes seeing greater preparations made than a bare going against the Pisidians could require,The Treason discovered. taking with him five hundred Horse, made all the speed that possibly he could to Artaxerxes, informing him of his danger, who thereupon presently prepared for the Wars.

Cyrus in the mean time left some trusty Persians, his Friends, to look to Lydia, and Tamos, his Admital, to take care of the Cities of Jonia and Eolia in his absence, p. 30and himself with his Army marched towards Caria, and Pisidia, still giving it out, that some Persons in those parts were grown unruly. He had in his Army a great number of his own, besides thirteen thousand Grecians; when news of his approach was brought to the Court, all was strait in an uproar. Many accused the Queen-Mother as having a hand in it, and all her Servants were vehemently suspected: But that which troubled Parysatis most, was Queen Statyra, her Daughter in Law, who stormed exceedingly when she saw this War begun against her Husband, and cryed out on the Queen-Mother for it: Parysatis hereupon, being a cruel and malicious Woman, so hated her hence forwards, that she sought her Death by all means.

Cyrus in the mean time came on (without resistance) even to the City of Babylon: And whereas Artaxerxes had determined to retire into the farthest parts of Persia, Tiribazus was the first that durst tell him that he should not shun the fight, lerving to his enemies the Kingdomes of Media, Babylon, and Susa, considering that he had a greater Army than Cyrus, and far more skilful Captains: which words made the King to alter his mind, and to resolve to give Battel so soon as he could.

Cyrus coming with his Army to the River Cayster, received money from Epiaxa, Wife to Syenesis, the King of Cilicia, wherewith he paid his Army full four months Wages:Policy. and by her perswasion her Husband Syenesis gave him also a vast summ of money towards the maintenance of his Army: and like a wise man, at the same time he supplied Artaxerxes with necessaries for the War: and having two Sons, he sent one of them to Cyrus, with a competent number of men for his service, and the other he sent privily away to Artaxerxes, to let him know, that having such an Army come upon him, he durst not but keep fair with Cyrus, nevertheless that he continued a true Servant in heart to Artaxerxes, and would fall to him so soon as he had opportunity.

At Tarsus the Grecians (who were eleven thousand Corselets, and two thousand Targateers) told Cyrus plainly, that they would march no farther; but by the wisdom of Clearchus they were perswaded to go on, and so they came to Issus, the utmost City of Cilicia: where Cyrus's Fleet met him, bringing great supplies to him, and the Straights of Syria being abandoned, Cyrus marched without any stop to the place where the fight shortly after was. Cyrus, besides the Grecians before mentioned, had in his Army one hundred thousand fighting men, and two hundred hooked Chariots. Of Artaxerxes his part there were four hundred thousand men,Their great Armies. and fifteen hundred hooked Chariots: The place where the fight was, was called Cyanaxa, five hundred furlongs from Babylon.

Cyrus his men were marvelously astonished when they saw the Army of Artaxerxes in such excellent good order, whereas themselves were dispersed here and there, stragling without any order, and ill armed, trusting too much to themselves and dispising their enemies: So that Cyrus had much ado to set his men in Battel array, and yet was it with great noise, and tumult. But of all others the Grecians wondred most, when they saw the Kings Army march in so good order of Battel without any noise: for they thought to have seen them in great disorder, and confusion, and supposed that they would have made such a noise as one could not have heard another: whereas Artaxerxes had marshalled his Army excellent well. He had placed before his Battel his best Chariots armed with Sithes, and drawn by the strongest and biggest Horses he had, hoping by their fierceness and fury to disorder the ranks of his enemies.

Before the Battel began, Clearchus (General of the Grecians) advised Cyrus to keep behind his Squadron, and not to hazard his Person amongst his own men: To whom Cyrus answered: What saist thou Clearchus? What wouldst thou p. 31have me who strive to be a King, to shew my self unworthy to be a King? But Clearchus himself committed as great, if not a worse fault, whenas he would not order his men directly against the Battel of the enemy where Artaxerxes was, but pent them up by the Rivers side, for fear least they should be compassed in behind, whereas, if the Grecians had been set in opposition to the King, he had never been able to endure their charge, but had either been slain or forced to fly, wherefore if Artaxerxes would have chosen or wished a place where the Grecians might have done him less hurt, he could not have devised a fitter place that was so far from him, and from whence the Grecians could neither see nor hear what was done in the place where he was, as afterwards appeared.

Cyrus being mounted upon an hot, and hard mouthed Horse, the Governour of the Province of the Caducians spyed him afar off,A …. and clapping spurs to his Horse, he came with a full career to him, crying out, O Traytor and most unfaithful man! Thou dishonourest the name of Cyrus, for that thou hast brought such valiant Grecians upon so wicked an enterprise, to spoil the Persians Goods, and to destroy thy Soveraign Lord and only Brother, who hath an infinite number of Slaves, and Servants that are honester men than thy self, and that thou shalt presently know by experience, for thou shalt die before thou seest the Kings face, and therewithall he threw his Dart at him with all his force: But the Armour of Cyrus was so good that it pierced not, yet the blow made him stagger on his Horse back. Artagerses having given him this blow, presently wheeled about: But Cyrus threw a Dart at him so happily that he slew him, the head of his Dart passing quite through his Neck. Cyrus hereupon presently slew upon those that were neerest to the Kings Person, and came so near the King that he flew his Horse under him: But Tiribazus presently mounted the King upon another Horse, and Cyrus, clapping spurs to his Horse, threw another Dart at the King and hit him: But at the third charge Artaxerxes told them about him that he could not abide this, and that he had rather die than suffer it, and thereupon he spurred his Horse to charge Cyrus, (who also came fiercely against him) and threw his Dart at him,Cyrus slain. as also did all those that were about the King, and so was Cyrus slain in this conflict.

Now after Cyrus was dead, Artasyras, one of the Kings Eunuchs, passing by, found his dead Body, whereupon he gallopped apace to the King, and with a smiling countenance told him the news. Artaxerxes was so joyful that he would needs go to the place to see it: But he was advised not to go in Person; for fear of the Grecians, who carried all before them, and were killing those that had fled before them. Upon this advice the King stayed; and sent thirty men with Torches in their hands to seek him out. The King was very ill, both by reason of the great thirst he suffered; as also by reason of a wound that he had received in his Breast by Cyrus: One of his Eunuchs therefore, called Satribarzenes ran up and down to see if he could get any Water for him: and as he ran here and there, he met with same poor Slaves of the Caunians, amongst which, one had in an old ragged Goats Skin about eight glasful of stinking naughty Water: This he presently carried to the King, who drank it up every whit, and his Eunuch asking him afterwards if that naughty Water did him no hurt? The King swore by the Gods, that he never drank better Wine, nor sweeter Water than that was, nor that pleased him better: and therefore (said he) I beseech the Gods, Note.if it be not my hap to meet with this man that gave thee this Water, to reward him, that yet it will please them to send him good Fortune.

As the King was thus talking with the Eunuches, the thirty men with Torches returned, who assured him of the death of Cyrus: Multitudes also p. 32of his Souldiers gathered about him, so that he began to be couragious and with an infinite number of Torches and lights about him, he went to the place where the Body of Cyrus lay, and caused his Head and right hand to be stricken off, and taking the Head by the Hair, he shewed it to his men, who were yet flying: they taking courage hereby, so flocked about the King, that in a short time he had seventy thousand Souldiers about him, with whom he returned again towards the Camp of Cyrus, which he rifled, and there met with a Concubine of Cyrus, Aspasia. taken.a woman famous for wit and beauty: She was a Phocaean, born in Ionia: her name at first was Mitto, but Cyrus called her Aspasia: She was brought bound to the King, for which he was so angry, that he imprisoned those that bound her, and ever after esteemed her above all the Harlots he kept (who were in number three hundred and sixty, all choice beauties) and most doted on her.

The Brigade of Grecians, The Grecians valour.not knowing what had befallen Cyrus, kept on fighting still, and had beaten Tisaphernes and all his power. But the King coming with the main of his Army to the relief of Tisaphernes, fell upon the Grecians Camp, and rifled it, yet when they returned from the pursuit, they recovered it, and beat the King out again, and lodged Supperless in it that night, as well as Dinnerless the day before.

Artaxerxes after this Battel sent rich Gifts unto the Son of Artagerses, Artaxerxes his Gratitude.whom Cyrus had slain with his own hands. He caused also the poor Caunian Slave that had given him the stinking Water, to be sought out, and of a poor wretch, and unknown before, he made him a rich Nobleman. He punished such severely as had offended against martial Discipline. And one Arbaces a Median, who at the first ran over to Cyrus, and after his Death he returned to Artaxerxes again,His Justice. for punishment, he compelled him to carry a whore on his back, stark naked all day long about the Market place: and for one who had yielded himself to his enemies, and yet falsly boasted that he had slain two, he caused his Tongue to be boared through in three places.

Artaxerxes thinking that himself had slain Cyrus, His Vainglory.and being desirous that all others should think so too, he sent Presents to Mithridates, who had first hurt him in the fore-head, commanding the Messenger to tell him from the King, The King sends thee these Presents, because thou didst first find the Caparisons of Cyrus his Horse, and broughtest them to the King. The Carian likewise that had cut Cyrus his hamm, which made him fall to the ground, asked his reward also, which the King gave him, and bad the Messenger tell him, The King gives thee this, because thou wast the second Person that brought him the good news of the Death of Cyrus. Now Mithridates, though he was not well pleased with the message, said nothing for the present, but the unhappy Carian, in a foolish vain, being overjoyed with the rich Presents, said, that he would not take them as a reward for bringing the news, but called the Gods to witness, that he was the man, and the onelyonly man that slew Cyrus, and that he did him great wrong to take that honour from him. The King was so incensed hereby, that he commanded some presently to strike off his head:Horrid Cruelty. But Parysatis (the Queen-Mother) said, Let me alone with the Villain, I will chastise him well enough: and withall she sent Serjeants, who hung him in chains for ten dayes together, then caused his eyes to be pulled out of his head; and lastly, poured molten lead into his ears, and so killed him.

Not long after, Mithridates was invited to a Fcast, where many of the Kings and Queen-Mothers Eunuchs were, and Mithridates fat in the Golden Gown which the King had sent him: and after Supper, as they were drinking freely, one of the Queen-Mothers Eunuchs said to him, Mithridates, the King hath given thee a rich Gown, Goodly chains, and Carckenets of Gold, and every p. 33Rich, so that every one thinks thee a happy man with them. Mithridates answered; What meanest thou by this, Sparamixes? I deserved better than these when the Battel was fought. Why? (said Sparamixes) what so valiant an act was it to take up a Caparison of a Horse that fell to the ground, and to carry it to the King: Mithridates being a cholerick man, and his brain heat with wine, answered: You may talk as long as you list of a Caparison of a Horse, but I tell you plainly that Cyrus was slain with my own hands, and with no mans else. For I hit him not in vain, as Artagerses did, but full in the forehead, hardby the eye, which pierced through his head, of which blow he died. The envious Eunuch at his departure told this to Parysatis, who went presently and told it to the King. He was marvellously angry to lose the thing that was most honourable; and that best pleased him in his Victory. For he desired that all the world should believe, that though his Brother hurt him, yet he slew his Brother with his own hand: He therefore commanded that Mithridates should suffer the Death by Boats,Cruelty. which was thus; They took two Boats of equal size, and laying the offender in one of them upon his back, they covered him with the other, and fastned both Boats together, that his feet, hands, and head came out at holes made on purpose: then they gave him meat as much as he would eat, which if refused, they thrust awls into his eyes to force him: and when he had eaten, they gave him Honey and Milk to drink, pouring it also all over his face, and turned his face full into the Sun, which was covered over with Flyes sucking at it. In his excrements also that came from him, Worms did breed, which devoured his Flesh: And when they see the man is dead, they take off the upper Boat, and find all his flesh devoured to his very intrails. Mithridates thus miserably languished for seventeen dayes together, and then died, with much torment.

Now Parysatis, to satisfie her revenge, had only Mesabates to r…ak her teen on, who was one of the Kings Eunuchs, who, at his command, had cut off Cyrus his Head and Hand: But he was so wary, that she could get no advantage against him, wherefore she invented this device.Subtilty of Parysatis. She was very skilful in playing at Cards and Dice, and finding the King one day at leisure, she enticed him to play at Dice with her for a thousand Daricks, and was contented willingly to lose them, and paid them down. Then she prayed him to play with her for one of his Eunuchs: the King was contented, but they agreed that each of them should name five of the chiefest whom they would except, and then the loser should presently deliver to the winner the choice of all the other Eunuchs they had. Now did she play so warily and cunningly, that she wan the Game, and then required Mesabates to be delivered to her, being none of those whom the King excepted.Her cruelty. And when she had him, she delivered him to the Hangman, commanding him to flea him alive, and then to nail him to a Cross, and crucifie him, and to hang his skin by him, which was done accordingly. The King was marvellously angry when he knew it, and was grievously offended with his Mother. But Queen Statyra spared not to tell the Queen-Mother plainly, that it was wickedly done of her to put the Kings true and faithful Servant to so cruel a Death, for Cyrus sake. Yet Parysatis laughed it out, saying to her Son, Indeed it becomes thee well to be angry for an old Gelded Villain, whereas I lost a thousand Daricks, and said never a word for it. In brief, she would never be out of her Sons sight, but as little as might be, and would let his Wife Statyra have as little time with him as possible, that she might Govern him as she would; because she hated her of all Creatures living, as also for that she would bear the greatest sway and credit about him.

Tisaphernes having deceived Clearchus, The Grecian Coptains betrayed.and the other Captains of the Greeks, by falsifying his word and promise given to them, he sent them bound to the King, who cast them into Prison: and though Parysatis was an earnest suitor p. 34to the King her Son for them, yet at the perswasion of his Wife Statyra, he put them all to death but Menon.

Parysatis had for a long time born implacable and inveterate hatred against Statyra, for that she had more love and respect from the King than her self, so that she determined, that either her self or her Daughter in Law must dye. Now Statyra had a Maid called Gingis, or Gigis, who was very gracious with her,Statyra poysoned. and whom Parysatis made use of in poysoning Statyra. There is a little Bird in Persia called Rhindaces, that hath no excrements at all, but all her guts are stuffed full with fat: One of these Birds, as she sat at Table with Statyra, she (or one of her maids) took and cut in two, with a knife that was poysoned on the one side, and so gave that half which was towards that poisoned side to her Daughter, and did eat the other her self; shortly after which, the Queen died in extream torments: And the King presently suspected his Mother for it, knowing her cruel and implacable disposition; and he caused her Servants and Carvers to be examined, and wracked about it: But Parysatis kept Gingis a long time in her own chamber, and though the King required her, yet would she not give her up to Justice; till at last Gingis her self desiring to steal to her own lodging in the night, she was apprehended, and punished as a Poysoner. As for his Mother, the King neither did, nor said any hurt unto her: But when she desired to retire her self to Babylon, the King gave it her, but withall, swore to her, that while she lived, he would not come thither.

Artaxerxes, Artaxerxes his Gratitude.for his good service in the War, gave to Tisaphernes all the Governments which his Brother Cyrus had held, besides what he had before: he heaped also many other large gifts and favours upon him; and above all, gave him his own Daughter to Wife, and ever after used him as his most confident Friend and Servant.

Now Artaxerxes having done the utmost he could to overcome those Grecians whom his Brother Cyrus had brought into the heart of his Dominions, yet could he never prevail against them: For though they had lost Cyrus who entertained them,The Grecians valour. and all their Captains that led them; yet did they choose other Captains, whereof Xenophon was one, and made their retreat in spite of all the Power of Persia: whereupon all the other Grecians waxed bold, and despised those Barbarous People: and the Lacedemonians thought it a great shame to them, if they did not deliver the Grecians that dwelt in Asia from the slavery and bondage of the Persians: For which end, they sent thither their King Agesilaus, who passing into Asia with his Ships, began presently to make hot War against the Persians, and in the first conflict he overthrew Tisaphernes, and caused most of the Cities of the Greeks in those parts to rebell against him.

Artaxerxes being informed hereof, considered seriously how he might prevent this mischief, and at last resolved upon this as his only course. He sent into Greece, one Hermocrates, a Rhodian, with a very great sum of Gold and Silver,Artaxerxes his Policy. which he was bountifully to bestow amongst the Nobility, and chief Rulers of the Cities of Greece, to provoke them to rise up against the Lacedemonians. This Hermocrates so wisely managed his business; that he made the chiefest Cities of Greece to rebell against the Lacedemonians; so that all Peloponnesus being in Arms, the Ephori at Lacedaemon were enforced to send for Agesilaus home again. Agesilaus being sorry that he lef Asia, said unto his Friends: that the King of Persia had driven him out of his Dominions with thirty thousand Archers: and this he said, because the Persian coin was stamped on the Reverse with an Archer, having a Bow in his hand.

Artaxerxes also drave out the Lacedemonians from all their jurisdiction by Sea, by the help of Conon the Athenian Admiral, whom Pharnabazus (one of his Lieutenants) had procured to take his part. This Conon having been overthrown in a Battel at a place called the Goats River, kept ever after in the p. 35Isle of Cyprus, as being the meetest place to slay in, till the Wars of Greece were ended. He knowing that himself lacked power, and that Artaxerxes wanted a man of Judgment to be employed, he wrote Letters to him, wherein he advised him what to do. These Letters were delivered to Artaxerxes by Ctesias, who was presently sent to assist Conon. And it fell out, that after Artaxerxes had, through the conduct of Conon and Pharnebazus, won the Battel by Sea, near to the Isle of Gnidus, and thereby had driven the Lacedemonians from their Lordship of the Sea, all Greece had him in marvellous great estimation, so that he gave to the Grecians such conditions as he pleased, whereupon that famous Peace,Peace betwixt him and the Grecians. called Antalcid as Peace, was concluded. This Antalcidas was a Citizen of Sparta, who, favouring the affairs of Artaxerxes, procured by this Treaty of Peace, that the Lacedemonians should leave to Artaxerxes all the Grecian Cities in Asia, and all the Isles belonging thereunto, and to cause them to pay him Tribute at his pleasure.

This Peace being concluded with the Grecians, King Artaxerxes, though he extreamly hated the Lacedemonians, yet he loved Antalcidas very well, and entertained him honourably, when he came to him into Persia. One day the King took a Garland of Flowers, and wet it in the most precious and sweetest Oyl of perfume, that was prepared for the Feast, and sent it to Antalcidas: Indeed he was a meet man to follow the vanity and curiosity of the Persians. Shortly after, the Lacedemonians lost the Battel at Leuctres, and therewith the Principality which they had kept so long over all Greece. When Sparta flourished most, and was chief of all the other Grecian Cities, so long did Artaxerxes continue to make much of Antalcidas, and called him his Friend: But when the Lacedemonians had lost the Battel at Leuctres, having received so great a blow, and wanting money, they sent Agesilaus into Egypt, and Antalcidas into Persia, to King Artaxerxes to pray him to aid and assist the Lacedemonians: But he made so small account of him, and disdained him so much, denying his request, that he returned to Sparta with shame and dishonour: And there also, seeing that his enemies did mock him, and fearing that the Ephori would commit him to Prison, he killed himself with Famine.

About the same time, the Thebans, having under Epaminondas won the Battel at Leuctres, sent Ismenias and Pelopidas into Persia to King Artaxerxes, where Pelopidas did nothing unworthy himself: But Ismenias, being commanded to kneel to the King, let fall his Ring at his feet, and stooped to take it up, whereby some thought that he did it to kneel to the King. At another time, Artaxerxes, liking well a secret advertisement sent him from Timagoras the Athenian, he gave him ten thousand Daricks by his Secretary Belluris: and because he had a sickly Body, and was forced to drink Cows milk to restore him; the King therefore sent him eighty milch Kine, that he might have fresh Milk every day. He sent him also a Bed, with all things belonging thereto, and Grooms of his Chamber to make his Bed, saying, That the Grecians knew not how to make it. He also sent him men to carry him upon their Arms to the Sea-side, because he was sick: and whilst he was at Court, he entertained him very honourably, and bountifully.Justice. But the Athenians afterward condemned Timagoras to dye, because he had taken Bribes of the King of Persia.

But Artaxerxes, though he had in many other things vexed the Grecians, yet he did one thing that pleased them exceeding well, when he did put Tisaphernes to Death,Malice. who was the greatest enemy they had. Parisatis, the Kings Mother, did help to bring this to pass; aggravating the accusations which were brought against Tisaphernes, out of the hatred which she did bear him for her Son Cyrus his sake: For the King did not keep his anger long against her, but sent for her from Babylon, knowing that she had an excellent wit, and was fit to Govern a Kingdom: Besides, there was nothing now to hinder their p. 36coming together, his Wife being dead. And now Parysatis applyed her self to feed the Kings humour in every thing, seeming to mislike nothing that he did: By this means she grew into so great credit with him, that he denied nothing that she asked. She perceiving that the King was extreamly in love with one of his own Daughters called Atossa, which hitherto he had dissembled, chiefly for fear of her; Parysatis having found out this, began to make more of his Daughter than she did before; and in her Fathers presence, sometimes she praised her beauty, another time her grace and good carriage, saying,Unnatural wickedness. That she was like a Queen, and Noble Princess; so that at length she perswaded him to marry her openly (though before he had her Maidenhead) not passing for the Laws and opinions of the Grecians, considering that he was to establish Laws to the Persians, to determine of right, and wrong, good and bad. Hereupon he married Atossa, and loved her very intirely, insomuch as though she had a grievous disease that ran all over her Body, yet he loved her not the less for it, and prayed continually for her to the Goddess Juno, and fell on his knees before her Image, and sent to her so many offerings, that all the way from the Court Gates to Juno's Temple (which was sixteen furlongs off) was full of Gold, Silver, rich Purple, Silks, and Horses, which were sent thither.

About this time,He wars against Egypt. Artaxerxes made War against Aegypt, by Pharnabazus, and Iphicrates the Athenian; but they did no good, because they fell out betwixt themselves;And against the Caducians. wherefore himself went in Person against the Caducians, with three hundred thousand Foot, and ten thousand Horse. Their Country was very rude, which he invaded, alwayes dark and cloudy: the earth brought forth nothing that was sowed by man, and the Inhabitants lived upon Pears and Apples, and such like fruit, yet the men were strong and lusty. When he was entred far into this Country, his Army fell into great straits for want of Victuals;A Famine in his Army. for his Souldiers found nothing that was fit to eat, neither could they come by Victuals from any other place, because of the naughty, and craggy wayes, so that they were forced to live upon their own Beasts, and that was sold very dear; for an Asses head was sold for sixty Silver Drams. Yea, the Famine was so great, that the King himself wanted food, and now there were but few Horses left. Now Tiribazus, though he was at this time out of favour with the King, yet he invented this Stratagem▪ whereby he saved the King and all his men.

In this Countrey,A Stratagem, there were two Kings with their Armies in the Field, and each of them camped apart from the other. Tiribazus, after he had imparted his Project to the King, himself went to one of these Kings, and at the same time sent his Son to the other, and told either of them, that the other had sent Ambassadours unto King Artaxerxes, to make Peace with him, unwitting to his Companion: and therefore he counselled them, if they were wise, one of them to seek to prevent the other, with all the speed that possible he could. Both the one and the other Kings believed these words, either of them mistrusting the other; So that speedily the one sent his Ambassadours to Artaxerxes with Tiribazus, and the other also his Ambassadours with his Son. But Tiribazus tarrying somewhat long in the Journey, Artaxerxes began somewhat to suspect him: His enemies also accused him in his absence, and the King grew angry, and was sorry that he had trusted him so far. But at length he returned, and his Son also, and either of them brought with him the Ambassadours of the Cadusians, and so Peace was concluded with them both. Then was Tiribazus highly in favour again, and so departed with the King.

Artaxerxes at this time made it evident, that cowardliness doth not always proceed from Pomp and curiosity, which some think to effeminate mens hearts, but rather from a base and abject mind, that commonly follows evil, p. 37and the worst counsel. For neither the Jewels of Gold, nor Kingly Robe, not other sumptuous Ornaments which the King ever wore about him, valued at twelve thousand Talents, did hinder him at that time to travel, and to take as much pains as any man in all his Army.His hard travel. For he himself marched on foot the fore-most man, carrying his knapsack in a scarf upon his Shoulders, and his Target on his Arm, with which he travelled over high stony Mountains, so that his Souldiers seeing the Kings courage, and the pains that he took, they marched so nimbly, as if they had wings, about two hundred Furlongs a day. At length the King by hard travel, came to one of his own Houses, where were stately Arbours and Parks, with goodly Trees curiously planted, but all the Countrey beside, was naked and barren, having no other Trees near, and the weather was very cold: the King therefore suffered his Souldiers to hew down the goodly Pines,His pity to his Souldiers▪ and Cypress Trees in his Parks, and to embolden them, he himself took an Axe in his hand, and began to hew the goodliest Tree of them all: The Souldiers seeing that, fell every man to work, so that in a short time they had wood enough, and the Parks were filled with fires, by which the Souldiers sat all night.

In this expedition Artaxerxes lost many valiant men, and most of his Horses, wherefore, thinking that his men would mock him for his miscarriage, he grew distrustfull of all, and suspected the chiefest Nobles about him, so that in a rage he put many of them to death,His cruelty. and yet was not satisfied therewith. For there is nothing more cruel, nor a greater Bloud-sucker, than a cowardly Tyrant: as on the contrary, there is nothing more courteous and less suspicious than a valiant and couragious man.

After this, King Artaxerxes being grown very old, heard that there were great contentions between his Sons, which of them should inherit the Kingdome after his Death, and that the same was diffused amongst his Kindred and Nobles. The wisest of them desired, that as he himself came to the Kingdom, as his Fathers eldest Son, so that he also should leave it to his eldest Son called Darius. But the younger, who was called Ochus, being valiant, and of a stirring nature, had some in the Court that took his part, and himself hoped to obtain the Crown by the means of his Sister Atossa, whom he much loved, and promised to marry her, and to make her Queen, if he came to the Kingdom after his Fathers Death. Now Artaxerxes, because he would put Ochus out of all hope to succeed him, lest his expectation might put him to go about to practice that which Cyrus did, and by this means, his Realm should fall into factions and Civil Wars,Darius proclaimed King. he proclaimed his Son Darius, (who was now fifty years old) King after his Death, and gave him leave from henceforth to wear the point of his Hat upright, as the Persian Kings used to do.

Moreover, the custome in Persia was, that when any came to be proclaimed Heir apparent to the Crown, that he should request a gift of him that Proclaimed him his Successor, which the other grants whatsoever it be if it be possible.He begs his Fathers Concubine. Darius then asked his Father, for his Concubine Aspasia, who was first Concubine to Cyrus, but now the King kept her for his own use. She was born in Ionia of Free Parents, and was brought up virtuously, and amongst other beauties, she was brought one night to Cyrus as he was at Supper; those others, without making nice of it, sat down by him, and were glad when Cybegan to play and be merry with them, answering him pleasantly again: But Aspasia stood on her feet by the Table, and spake never a word, and though Cyrus called her, yet would she not come at him: And when one of the Grooms would have forced her to him, The first (said she) that shall lay hands on me, shall repent it; whereupon all that were present said, she was a foolish thing, and meanly brought up, and knew not what belonged to Courtship: But Cyrus being glad of it, passed it over with laughter, and said to him that brought p. 38them to him, Dost thou not see that of all those that thou hast brought me, there is not an honest woman but she? After this, Cyrus made much of, and loved her very well, and called her Aspasia the wise. She was taken in the Camp of Cyrus, amongst his spoils,Darius begs Aspasia. after his overthrow; and now Darius begged her of his Father, who was very angry in his mind for it. For the Persians, of all other things, were very jealous of their Women, and he was to be punished with Death that durst but speak to, or touch any Concubine of the Kings, though but in sport: yea, if they come near them, or near their Coaches, as they went abroad.

The Kings Daughter Atossa, whom he had married against the Law, was yet living, and besides her, he had three hundred and sixty Beautiful Concubines and yet, when Darius asked Aspasia of him, the King answered, that she was a Free-woman born, and if she would, he was content that he should have her, but if she was unwilling, he would not by any means have him to force her. So Aspasia was called, and she was asked with which of them she would choose to be?She chooses him before his Father. She answered, with Darius: This was contrary to the expectation of Artaxerxes, who, both by custome and Law, was forced to let him have her. But shortly after, he took her from him again, saying, that he would place her in a Nunnery of Diana, in the Country of Ecbatane, there to serve the Goddess, and to live chaste all her dayes. Darius took this very impatiently, either for that he was deeply in love with her, or because he thought that his Father mocked him.

Tiribazus perceiving it, he laboured to aggravate Darius his anger, and he every day buzzed it in his ears, that it was in vain for him to wear his hat upright, if his affairs also went not right forward, and that he deceived himself much, if he did not know that his Brother (by means of the women he kept) secretly aspired to the Crown: and that his Father being so inconstant as he was, he must not expect to succeed him in the Kingdom. For (said he) he that for a Grecian woman hath broken and violated the holiest Law that was in Persia, thou must not think he will perform promise with thee: He perswaded him also, that it was not a like repulse to Ochus to be denied that which he looked for, as it was for him to be turned out of all that ever he had gotten. For (said he) if it please Ochus to live as a private man, he might do it safely, and no man will trouble him; but for you who are already proclaimed King, you must of necessity make your self King, or else you cannot live.

Now besides these perswasions, the largeness of the Empire, and the fear Darius stood in of his Brother Ochus, much prevailed with him, infomuch that he flatly conspired against his Father Artaxerxes, Darius conspires against Artaxerxes.together with Tiribazus, and both of them drew many Conspirators to joyn with them. But one of the Kings Eunuchs smelling it out, ran presently and told the King all, and how they had determined suddenly to assail him, and to kill him in his Bed in the night. Artaxerxes having received this intelligence, thought it not safe to be careless in a matter of so great importance as was his Life; and yet that it would savour of too great lightness, so suddenly to believe the Eunuch, without better proof of the matter: He therefore commanded the Eunuch to keep Company still with the Conspirators, and to follow them whithersoever they went, and in the mean time he caused the wall behind his Bed to be beaten down, making a door in the place, and Tapestry Hangings to be put up before it.

When the time was come, as the Eunuch had advertized the King, that the Conspirators intended to execute their Design, Artaxerxes being laid on his bed, rose not up till he had seen every Traytor in the face that came to kill him: But when he saw them coming towards him, with their Swords drawn, he suddenly slip't under the Hangings into the inner Chamber, and shut the door after him,Artaxerxes deceives them crying Murther, Murther. The Traytors hereupon fled the p. 39same way that they came, failing of their purpose, and bad Tiribazus save himself, because he was known: so they dispersed themselves and fled. But Tiribazus was taken, and after he had slain many of the Kings Guard, fighting valiantly, yet at last one with a Dart afar off,Tiribazu… slain. slew him. Darius also was taken, and together with his Sons, was brought Prisoner before the King. The King referred him to be judged by his Peers: and withall, he commanded his Secretaries to set down all the Tryal in writing, together with the opinion and sentence of every one of the Judges, and to bring it to him. In conclusion, they all cast him,Darius condemned. and condemned him to dye. Then the Officers laid hold on him, and led him into a Chamber of the Prison, where the Hang-man came with a Razor in his hand, with which he used to cut mens throats who were so condemned: But when he came into the Chamber, he saw it was Darius; whereupon his heart so failed, that he durst not lay hands on him, but went out again: The Judges that were without, bad him go in and do it, unless he would have his own throat cut: Then went he in again,And executed. and took Darius by the hair, and made him hold down his head, and so cut his neck with the Rasor.

Artaxerxes being informed hereof, went and worshipped the Sun, and then turning to his Lords that were about him, he said unto them: My Lords, God be with you, and be merry at home in your Houses, and tell them that were not here, that the great God Oromazes hath taken revenge upon those that practised Treason against me. Now Darius being dead, Ochus stood in good hope to be next heir to the Crown, and the rather, through the means and assistance of his Sister Atossa: But of his legitimate Brethren,Ochus his fears he most feared Ariaspes, who was only left of all that were legitimate, and of his Bastard Brethren he feared Arsames: Not for that Ariaspes was elder than he, but because (he being of a soft and plain name) the Persians desired that he might be their King. And for Arsames, he was wise and valiant, and Ochus saw that his Father loved him dearly.

Now Ochus being subtle and malicious,His craft▪ first shewed cruelty upon Arsames, and then his Malice upon Ariaspes, his Legitimate Brother. For knowing him to be simple and plain, he daily sent some of the Kings Eunuchs to him, who carried him threatning messages, as from the King, telling him, that he determined to put him to a cruel and shameful death. These things being daily buzzed into his ears, as great secrets, did so terrifie poor Ariaspes, as that being put in despair of his life,Ariaspes kill… himself. he prepared a Poison, and drank it to prevent a worse Death. King Artaxerxes being informed of his Death, took it very heavily, and began to suspect the cause that made him thus destroy himself, yet, being grown very old, he neglected to search it out. But the Death of Ariaspes made him to love Arsames the better, making it to appear that he had a better opinion of him than he had of Ochus, and therefore made him privy to all his affairs.

Ochus seeing this, could no longer defer his revenge, and he therefore suborned Harpaces, Arsames murthered.the son of Tiribazus, to murther his Brother Arsames, which accordingly he accomplished. Now Artaxerxes being almost spent with age, when he heard that his dearly beloved Son Arsames was Murthered, was not able to bear it any longer, but took it so to heart, that he died of grief, having lived fourscore and fourteen years, and reigned threescore and two.

When he was dead,Artaxerxes dyes. the Persians found that he had been a good and a gracious Prince, and one that loved his People and Subjects, especially when they came to have tryal of his Successor Ochus, that passed all men living in cruelty. For when his Father was dead, he dealt so with the Chiliarchs and Eunuchs that were about him, that his Death was concealed for ten Months together; in which time he dispatched away Letters signed with the Kings Seal, into all p. 40parts of the Empire, commanding them to receive Ochus for their King: And when all men had acknowledged him, and sworn fealty to him, he then made known his Fathers death, and commanded a publick mourning to be made for him, after the Persian manner, and assumed his Fathers name, Artaxerxes: And then filled, and fouled his Court with the bloud of his Kindred and Nobles, without respect of Age or Sex: amongst whom, he caused his own Sister whose Daughter he had married,Ochus his cruelty. to be buried alive, with her heels upward: He also caused an Unkle of his, with above a hundred of his Children and Grand-children descended out of his loyns; to be put into a court, and there shot to Death with Arrows.

This Artaxerxes following herein the example of Cambyses, An excellent example.caused certain unjust Judges to be flead alive, and their skins to be hung up over the Judgment-seats, that they which sat therein, seeing what hung over their heads, might be the more careful to do Justice to his People. He also it was, who intending to make War upon Egypt, that he might have the more assistance therein from the Grecians, he sent his Ambassadours into Greece, to induce them to make a general Peace among themselves, upon these terms, that every City should from thenceforth live according to their own Laws, and should have no Garrisons amongst them. This motion all the Cities of Greece embraced, save only the Thebans, as you may see in the Life of Epaminondas.