whole to above two thoufand pounds fterling. The Year of reward was great but the verfes were Virgil's. Rome 732. The Ethiopians, who inhabit the inner part of 731. Africa, which lies above Egypt, being led by their Queen Candace, invaded Egypt, and plundering all before them, penetrated as far as the city Elephantina (t). But when they heard, that Caius Petronius the governour of Egypt, was marching against them, they retreated: but being purfued by Petronius, they were overtaken, and driven into their own country, where he deftroyed fome of their towns, and compelled Candace to fue for peace. To this victory Virgil feems to allude, in the fixth Aeneid (u), where he mentions the conquefts of Auguftus being extended even beyond the torrid zone: fuper et Garamantas et Indos Proferet imperium: jacet extra fidera tellus 4 In the mean time, Auguftus went into Sicily; and during his abfence there were great tumults about choofing Confuls (w): hereby he was convinced, that it was not yet fafe, to trust the government again in the hands of the people. At the beginning of the year, Marcus Lollius was the fole Conful; because they referved the other place for Auguftus: but when he refused the office, Quintus Lepidus was chofen in his room. When he had fettled the affairs of Sicily, he proceeded to Greece: and thence proceeded to Samos, where he spent the winter. ,(t) Dio, lib. 54. (u) Vér. 794, &c. (w) Dio, lib. 54. 733. Rome 733. Year of In the fpring, he marched into Afia, where he rewarded and punished every province according to it's defert. Phraates being afraid of his arms, reftored the ftandards and captives, which had been taken by the Parthians. His march against thefe people is alluded to in the feventh Aeneid (x): A Sive Getis inferre manu facrymabile bellum, Hyrcanifve, Arabifve parant; feu tendere ad Indos, Auroramque fequi, Parthofque repofcere figna. At this time Auguftus, was fo dreaded by the Eastern Nations, that they all fought his favour and the very Indians who had before fent Ambaffadors to him (y), now entered into a league of peace, and fent him many prefents (z). Caefar gloried of having fubdued thefe nations by his authority, against whom the Roman armies had hitherto fought in vain. To this fuccefs therefore our Poet seems to allude, in the fecond Georgick (a), when he fays, that Auguftus difarmed the Indians by his arts of government: Te maxime Caefar, Qui nunc extremis Afiae jam victor in oris, It could not well have been before this time, that "amicitiam poftularunt." Exfeb. Chron. (*) Ver. 604. LONG AS (z) Dio, lib. 54- 734. In foribus pugnam ex auro folidoque elephanto! Year of The Gangarides were a people of India, living near Haec fuper arvorum cultu pecorumque canebam, Virgil had now brought his celebrated Aeneis to 735. a conclufion but it wanted much of the perfection, to which he intended to bring it. He therefore proposed to travel into Greece, where Auguftus then was, in order to finish it at his leifure. But meeting him at Athens, as he was returning to Rome, he determined to come back with him; when he was fuddenly feized by a dangerous fickness, which was increafed by his voyage. He landed at Brundufium (c), where he died, on the twenty-second day (c) Some fay at Tarentum. of Year of of September, when he had almost compleated his Rome i fifty-fecond year. His bones were carried to Naples, 735: and buried in a monument erected at a small distance I fung Flocks, Tillage, Heroes: Mantua gave In his laft will, he ordered his Aeneis to be burnt, because it was not finifhed to his mind; but Auguftus would not fuffer it to be deftroyed (e). Then he left it to Tucca and Varius, with this condition, that they should not make any additions; or even fill those verses which he had left imperfect (f). Donatus up Quum morbo oppreffus adventare mortem videret, petivit oravitque a fuis amiciffimis impenfe, ut Aeneida, quam nondum fatis elimaffet, abolerent. Aul. Gell. lib. 17. cap. 10. (f) Anno vero quinquagefimo fecundo ut ultimam manum Aeneidi imponeret, ftatuit in Gracciam et Afiam fecedere, triennioque continuo omnem operam limationi dare, ut reliqua vita tantum philofophiae vacaret. Sed, cum Sed, cum aggreffus iter, Athenis occurriffet Augufto, ab Oriente Romam revertenti, una cum Caefare redire ftatuit. Ac cum Megara, vicinum Athenis oppidum, vifendi gratia peteret, languorem nactus eft: quem non intermiffa navigatio auxit, ita ut gravior indies, tandem Brun Donatus relates the following verfes of Auguftus Year of himself on this occafion; Ergone fupremis potuit vox improba verbis And these alfo of Sulpicius Carthaginienfis; Et It is no wonder, that fo much care should be taken in preferving the Aeneis, imperfect as it is; editum non effet, et versus Eufebius alfo mentions Va- difium adventarit: ubi diebus rius et Tucca, Virgilii et "Horatii contubernales, Poe"tae habentur illuftres: qui "Aeneidum poftea libros, emendarunt fub ea lege, ut, nihil adderent." Rome 735.. |