sertorius-第2节
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Most were for the immediate reception of Marius; but Sertorius
openly declared against it; whether he thought that Cinna would not
now pay as much attention to himself; when a man of higher military
repute was present; or feared that the violence of Marius would
bring all things to confusion; by his boundless wrath and vengeance
after victory。 He insisted upon it with Cinna that they were already
victorious; that there remained little to be done; and that if they
admitted Marius; he would deprive them of the glory and advantage of
the war; as there was no man less easy to deal with; or less to be
trusted in; as a partner in power。 Cinna answered; that Sertorius
rightly judged the affair; but that he himself was at a loss; and
ashamed; and knew not how to reject him; after he had sent for him
to share in his fortunes。 To which Sertorius immediately replied; that
he had thought that Marius came into Italy of his own accord; and
therefore had deliberated as to what might be most expedient; but that
Cinna ought not so much as to have questioned whether he should accept
him whom he had already invited; but should have honourably received
and employed him; for his word once passed left no room for debate。
Thus Marius being sent for by Cinna; and their forces being divided
into three parts; under Cinna; Marius; and Sertorius; the war was
brought to a successful conclusion; but those about Cinna and Marius
committing all manner of insolence and cruelty; made the Romans
think the evils of war a golden time in comparison。 On the contrary;
it is reported of Sertorius that he never slew any man in his anger to
satisfy his own private revenge; nor ever insulted over any one whom
he had overcome; but was much offended with Marius; and often
privately entreated Cinna to use his power more moderately。 And in the
end; when the slaves whom Marius had freed at his landing to
increase his army; being made not only his fellow…soldiers in the war;
but also now his guard in his usurpation; enriched and powerful by his
favour; either by the command or permission of Marius; or by their own
lawless violence; committed all sorts of crimes; killed their masters;
ravished their masters' wives and abused their children; their conduct
appeared so intolerable to Sertorius that he slew the whole body of
them; four thousand in number; commanding his soldiers to shoot them
down with their javelins; as they lay encamped together。
Afterwards when Marius died; and Cinna shortly after was slain; when
the younger Marius made himself consul against Sertorius's wishes
and contrary to law; when Carbo; Norbanus; and Scipio fought
unsuccessfully against Sylla; now advancing to Rome; when much was
lost by the cowardice and remissness of the commanders; but more by
the treachery of their party; when with the want of prudence in the
chief leaders; all went so ill that his presence could do no good;
in the end when Sylla had placed his camp near to Scipio; and by
pretending friendship; and putting him in hopes of a peace;
corrupted his army; and Scipio could not be made sensible of this;
although often forewarned of it by Sertorius… at last he utterly
despaired of Rome; and hasted into Spain; that by taking possession
there beforehand; he might secure a refuge to his friends from their
misfortunes at home。 Having bad weather in his journey; and travelling
through mountainous countries; and the inhabitants stopping the way;
and demanding a toll and money for passage; those who were with him
were out of all patience at the indignity and shame it would be for
a proconsul of Rome to pay tribute to a crew of wretched barbarians。
But he little regarded their censure; and slighting that which had
only the appearance of an indecency; told them he must buy time; the
most precious of all things to those who go upon great enterprises;
and pacifying the barbarous people with money; he hastened his
journey; and took possession of Spain; a country flourishing and
populous; abounding with young men fit to bear arms; but on account of
the insolence and covetousness of the governors from time to time sent
thither from Rome they had generally an aversion to Roman supremacy。
He; however; soon gained the affection of their nobles by
intercourse with them; and the good opinion of the people by remitting
their taxes。 But that which won him most popularity was his
exempting them from finding lodgings for the soldiers; when he
commanded his army to take up their winter quarters outside the
cities; and to pitch their camp in the suburbs; and when he himself;
first of all; caused his own tent to be raised without the walls。
Yet not being willing to rely totally upon the good inclination of the
inhabitants he armed all the Romans who lived in those countries
that were of military age; and undertook the building of ships and the
making of all sorts of warlike engines; by which means he kept the
cities in due obedience; showing himself gentle in all peaceful
business; and at the same time formidable to his enemies by his
great preparations for war。
As soon as he was informed that Sylla had made himself master of
Rome; and that the party which sided with Marius and Carbo was going
to destruction; he expected that some commander with a considerable
army would speedily come against him; and therefore sent away Julius
Salinator immediately; with six thousand men fully armed; to fortify
and defend the passes of the Pyrenees。 And Caius Annius not long after
being sent out by Sylla; finding Julius unassailable; sat down short
at the foot of the mountains in perplexity。 But a certain
Calpurnius; surnamed Lanarius; having treacherously slain Julius;
and his soldiers then forsaking the heights of the Pyrenees; Caius
Annius advanced with large numbers and drove before him all who
endeavoured to hinder his march。 Sertorius; also; not being strong
enough to give him battle; retreated with three thousand men into
New Carthage; where he took shipping; and crossed the seas into
Africa。 And coming near the coast of Mauritania; his men went on shore
to water; and straggling about negligently; the natives fell upon them
and slew a great number。 This new misfortune forced him to sail back
again into Spain; whence he was also repulsed; and; some Cilician
private ships joining with him; they made for the island of
Pityussa; where they landed and overpowered the garrison placed
there by Annius; who; however; came not long after with a great
fleet of ships and five thousand soldiers。 And Sertorius made ready to
fight him by sea; although his ships were not built for strength;
but for lightness and swift sailing; but a violent west wind raised
such a sea that many of them were run aground and shipwrecked; and
he himself; with a few vessels; being kept from putting further out to
sea by the fury of the weather; and from landing by the power of his
enemies; were tossed about painfully for ten days together; amidst the
boisterous and adverse waves。
He escaped with difficulty; and after the wind ceased; ran for
certain desert islands scattered in those seas; affording no water;
and after passing a night there; making out to sea again; he went
through the straits of Cadiz; and sailing outward; keeping the Spanish
shore on his right hand; landed a little above the mouth of the
river Baetis; where it falls into the Atlantic Sea; and gives the name
to that part of Spain。 Here he met with seamen recently arrived from
the Atlantic islands; two in number; divided from one another only
by a narrow channel; and distant from the coast of Africa ten thousand
furlongs。 These are called the Islands of the Blest; rain falls
there seldom; and in moderate showers; but for the most part they have
gentle breezes; bringing along with them soft dews; which render the
soil not only rich for ploughing and planting; but so abundantly
fruitful that it produces spontaneously an abundance of delicate
fruits; sufficient to feed the inhabitants; who may here enjoy all
things without trouble or labour。 The seasons of the year are
temperate; and the transitions from one to another so moderate that
the air is almost always serene and pleasant。 The rough northerly
and easterly winds which blow from the coasts of Europe and Africa;
dissipated in the vast open space; utterly lose their force before
they reach the islands。 The soft western and southerly winds which
breathe upon them sometimes produce gentle sprinkling showers; which
they convey along with them from the sea; but more usually bring
days of moist; bright weather; cooling and gently fertilizing the
soil; so that the firm belief prevails; even among the barbarians;
that this is the seat of the blessed and that these are the Elysian
Fields celebrated by Homer。
When Sertorius heard this account; he was seized with a wonderful
passion for these islands; and had an extreme desire to go and live
there in peace and quietness; and safe from oppression and unending
wars; but his inclinations being perceived by the Cilician pirates;
who desired not peace nor quiet; but riches and spoils; they
immediately forsook him and sailed away into Africa to assist Ascalis;
the son of Iphtha