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sertorius-第6部分
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defeated troops of Carbo。
Sertorius; meantime; showed the loftiness of his temper in calling
together all the Roman senators who had fled from Rome; and had come
and resided with him; and giving them the name of a senate; and out of
these he chose praetors and quaestors; and adorned his government with
all the Roman laws and institutions。 And though he made use of the
arms; riches; and cities of the Spaniards; yet he would never; even in
word; remit to them the imperial authority; but set Roman officers and
commanders over them; intimating his purpose to restore liberty to the
Romans; not to raise up the Spaniard's power against them。 For he
was a sincere lover of his country; and had a great desire to return
home; but in his adverse fortune he showed undaunted courage; and
behaved himself towards his enemies in a manner free from all
dejection and mean…spiritedness; and when he was in his prosperity;
and in the height of his victories; he sent word to Metellus and
Pompey that he was ready to lay down his arms and live a private
life if he were allowed to return home; declaring that he had rather
live as the meanest citizen in Rome than; exiled from it; be supreme
commander of all other cities together。 And it is thought that his
great desire for his country was in no small measure promoted by the
tenderness he had for his mother; under whom he was brought up after
the death of his father; and upon whom he had placed his entire
affection。 After that his friends had sent for him into Spain to be
their general; as soon as he heard of his mother's death he had almost
cast away himself and died for grief; for he lay seven days together
continually in his tent; without giving the word; or being seen by the
nearest of his friends; and when the chief commanders of the army
and persons of the greatest note came about his tent; with great
difficulty they prevailed with him at last to come abroad; and speak
to his soldiers; and to take upon him the management of affairs; which
were in a prosperous condition。 And thus; to many men's judgment; he
seemed to have been in himself of a mild and compassionate temper; and
naturally given to ease and quietness; and to have accepted of the
command of military forces contrary to his own inclination; and not
being able to live in safety otherwise; to have been driven by his
enemies to have recourse to arms; and to espouse the wars as a
necessary guard for the defence of his person。
His negotiations with King Mithridates further argue the greatness
of his mind。 For when Mithridates recovering himself from his
overthrow by Sylla; like a strong wrestler that gets up to try another
fall; was again endeavouring to re…establish his power in Asia; at
this time the great fame of Sertorius was celebrated in all places;
and when the merchants who came out of the western parts of Europe;
bringing these; as it were; among their other foreign wares; had
filled the kingdom of Pontus with their stories of his exploits in
war; Mithridates was extremely desirous to send an embassy to him;
being also highly encouraged to it by the boastings of his
flattering courtiers; who; comparing Mithridates to Pyrrhus; and
Sertorius to Hannibal; professed that the Romans would never be able
to make any considerable resistance against such great forces; and
such admirable commanders; when they should be set upon on both
sides at once; on one by the most warlike general; and on the other by
the most powerful prince in existence。
Accordingly; Mithridates sends ambassadors into Spain to Sertorius
with letters and instructions; and commission to promise ships and
money toward the charge of the war; if Sertorius would confirm his
pretensions upon Asia; and authorize to possess all that he had
surrendered to the Romans in his treaty with Sylla。 Sertorius summoned
a full council which he called a senate; where; when others joyfully
approved of the conditions; and were desirous immediately to accept of
his offer; seeing that he desired nothing of them but a name; and an
empty title to places not in their power to dispose of; in
recompense of which they should be supplied with what they then
stood most in need of; Sertorius would by no means agree to it;
declaring that he was willing that King Mithridates should exercise
all royal power and authority over Bithynia and Cappadocia;
countries accustomed to a monarchical government; and not belonging to
Rome; but he could never consent that he should seize or detain a
province; which; by the justest right and title; was possessed by
the Romans; which Mithridates had formerly taken away from them; and
had afterwards lost in open war to Fimbria; and quitted upon a
treaty of peace with Sylla。 For he looked upon it as his duty to
enlarge the Roman possessions by his conquering arms; and not to
increase his own power by the diminution of the Roman territories。
Since a noble…minded man; though he willingly accepts of victory
when it comes with honour; will never so much as endeavour to save his
own life upon any dishonourable terms。
When this was related to Mithridates; he was struck with
amazement; and said to his intimate friends; 〃What will Sertorius
enjoin us to do when he comes to be seated in the Palatium in Rome;
who at present; when he is driven out to the borders of the Atlantic
Sea; sets bounds to our kingdoms in the east; and threatens us with
war if we attempt the recovery of Asia?〃 However; they solemnly;
upon oath; concluded a league between them; upon these terms: that
Mithridates should enjoy the free possessions of Cappadocia and
Bithynia; and that Sertorius should send him soldiers and a general
for his army; in recompense of which the king was to supply him with
three thousand talents and forty ships。 Marcus Marius; a Roman senator
who had quitted Rome to follow Sertorius; was sent general into
Asia; in company with whom; when Mithridates had reduced divers of the
Asian cities; Marius made his entrance with rods and axes carried
before him; and Mithridates followed in the second place;
voluntarily waiting upon him。 Some of these cities he set at
liberty; and others he freed from taxes; signifying to them that these
privileges were granted to them by the favour of Sertorius; and hereby
Asia; which had been miserably tormented by the revenue farmers; and
oppressed by the insolent pride and covetousness of the soldiers;
began to rise again to new hopes and to look forward with joy to the
expected change of government。
But in Spain; the senators about Sertorius; and others of the
nobility; finding themselves strong enough for their enemies; no
sooner laid aside fear; but their minds were possessed by envy and
irrational jealousies of Sertorius's power。 And chiefly Perpenna;
elevated by the thoughts of his noble birth; and carried away with a
fond ambition of commanding the army; threw out villainous
discourses in private amongst his acquaintance。 〃What evil genius;〃 he
would say; 〃hurries us perpetually from worse to worse? We who
disdained to obey the dictates of Sylla; the ruler of the sea and
land; and thus to live at home in peace and quiet; are come hither
to our destruction; hoping to enjoy our liberty; and have made
ourselves slaves of our own accord; and are become the contemptible
guards and attendants of the banished Sertorius; who; that he may
expose us the further; gives us a name that renders us ridiculous to
all that hear it; and calls us the Senate; when at the same time he
makes us undergo as much hard labour; and forces us to be as subject
to his haughty commands and insolences; as any Spaniards and
Lusitanians。〃 With these mutinous discourses he seduced them; and
though the greater number could not be led into open rebellion against
Sertorius; fearing his power; they were prevailed with to endeavour to
destroy his interest secretly。 For by abusing the Lusitanians and
Spaniards; by inflicting severe punishments upon them; by raising
exorbitant taxes; and by pretending that all this was done by the
strict command of Sertorius; they caused great troubles; and made many
cities to revolt; and those who were sent to mitigate and heal these
differences did rather exasperate them; and increase the number of his
enemies; and left them at their return more obstinate and rebellious
than they found them。 And Sertorius; incensed with all this; now so
far forgot his former clemency and goodness as to lay hands on the
sons of the Spaniards educated in the city of Osca; and; contrary to
all justice; he cruelly put some of them to death; and sold others。
In the meantime; Perpenna; having increased the number of his
conspirators; drew in Manlius; a commander in the army; who; at that
time being attached to a youth; to gain his affections the more;
discovered the confederacy to him; bidding him neglect others; and
be constant to him alone; who; in a few days; was to be a person of
great power and authority。 But the youth having a greater
inclination for Aufidius; disclosed all to him; which much surprised
and amazed him。 For he was also one of the confederacy; but knew not
that Manlius was anyways engaged in it; but when the youth began to
name Perpenna; Gracinus; and others; whom he new very well to be sworn
conspirators; he was very much terrified and astonished; but made
light of it to the youth; and bade him not regard what Manlius said; a
vain; boasting fellow。 However; he went presently to Perpenna; and
giving him notice of the danger they were in; and of the shortness
of their time; desired him immediately to put their designs in
execution。 When all the confederates had consented to it; they
provided a messenger who brought feigned letters to Sertorius; in
which he had notice of a victory obtained; it said; by one of his
lieutenants; and of the great slaughter of his enemies: and as
Sertorius; being extremely well pleased; was sacrificing and giving
thanks to the gods for his prosperous success; Perpenna invited him;
and those with him; who were also of the conspiracy; to an
entertainment; and being very importunate; prevailed with him to come。
At all suppers and entertainments where Sertorius was present; great
order and decency
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