ABSTRACT
Plutarch's Lives of Noble Grecians and Romanes 29 I Macedonians the other. Now for Cleopatra, she did not onely weare at that time (but at all other times els when she came abroad) the apparell of the goddesse Isis, and so gave audience unto all her subjects, as a new Isis.l Octavius Cresar reporting all these thinges unto the Senate, and oftentimes accusing him to the whole people and assembly in Rome2 : he thereby stirred up all the Romanes against him. Antonius on thother side sent to Rome likewise to accuse him, and the chief est poyntes of his accusations he charged him with, were these: First, that having spoyled Sextus Pompeius in Sicile, he did not give him his parte of the Ile. Secondly, that he did deteyne in his hands the shippes he lent him to make that warre. Thirdly, that having put Lepidus their companion and triumvirate out of his part of the Empire, and having deprived him of all honors: he retayned for him selfe the lands and revenues thereof, which had bene assigned unto him for his part.3 And last of all, that he had in manner devided all Italy amongest his owne souldiers, and had left no part of it for his souldiers. Octavius Cresar aunswered him againe: that for Lepidus, he had in deede deposed him, and taken his part of the Empire from him, bicause he did overcruelly use his authoritie. And secondly, for the conquests he had made by force of armes, he was contented Antonius should have his part of them, so that he would likewise let him have his part of Armenia. And thirdly, that for his souldiers, they should seeke for nothing in Italy, bicause they possessed Media and Parthia, the which provinces they had added to the Empire of Rome, valliantly fighting with their Emperor and Captaine.4 Antonius hearing these newes, being yet in Armenia, commaunded Canidius to goe presently to the sea side with his sixteene legions he had: and he him selfe with Cleopatra, went unto the citie of Ephesus, and there gathered together his gallies and shippes out of all parts, which came to the number of eight hundred, reckoning the great shippes of burden,5 and ofthose Cleopatra furnished him with two hundred, and twenty thowsand talents besides and provision of vittells also to mainteyne al the whole army in this warre. So Antonius, through the perswasions of Domitius, commaunded Cleopatra to returne againe into A':gypt, and there to understand the successe of this warre. But Cleopatra, fearing least Antonius should againe be made friends with Octavius Cresar, by the meanes of his wife Octavia: she so plyed Canidius with money, and filled his purse, that he became her spokes man unto Antonius, and told him there was no reason to
send her from this wane, who defraied so great a charge: neither that it was for his profit, bicause that thereby the A?gyptians would then be utterly discoraged, which were the chiefest strength of the army by sea: considering that he could see no king of all the kings their confederats, that Cleopatra was inferior unto, either for wisedam or judgement, seeing that longe before she had wisely governed so great a realme as ./Egypt, and besides that she had bene so long acquainted with him, by whom she had learned to man edge great affayres.1 These fayer perswasions wan him: for it was predestined that the government of all the world should fall into Octavius Cresars handes. Thus, all their forces being joyned together, they hoysed sayle towards the Ile of Samos, and there gave them selves to feasts and sollace.2 For as all the kings, Princes, and communalties, peoples and cities from Syria, unto the marishes Mreotides, and from the Armenians to the Illyrians, were sent unto, to send and bringe all munition and warlike preparation they could: even so all players, minstrells, tumblers, fooles, and jeasters, were commaunded to assemble in the Ile of Samos. So that, where in manner all the world in every place was full of lamentations, sighes and teares: onely in this Ile of Samos there was nothing for many dayes space, but singing and pyping, and all the Theater full of these common players, minstrells, and singing men. Besides all this, every citie sent an oxe thither to sacrifice, and kings did strive one with another who should make the noblest feasts, and give the richest gifts. So that every man sayd, What can they doe more for joy of victorie, if they winne the battell? when they make already such sumptuous feasts at the beginning of the warre? When this was done, he gave the whole rabble of these minstrells, and such kind of people, the citie of Priene to keepe them withal, during this wane. Then he went unto the citie of Athens, and there gave him selfe againe to see playes and pastimes, and to keepe the Theaters. Cleopatra on the other side, being jelous of the honors which Octavia had received in this citie, where in deede she was marvelously honored and beloved of the Athenians: to winne the peoples good will also at Athens, she gave them great gifts: and they likewise gave her many great honors, and appointed certain Ambassadors to cary the decree to her house, among the which Antonius was one, who as a Citizen of Athens reported the matter unto her, and made an oration in the behalfe of the citie. Afterwards he sent to Rome to put his wife Octavia out
