THese few Fragments, together with those of Polybius, Dionysius Halicarnassus, Dion Casseus, and Appian were Publish'd in the Year of Our Lord 1581. By Fulvius Ursinus a Roman Born, and Eminently Learn'd; But for a further and more particular Account of 'em, I refer the Reader to the Epistle to the Fragments of Valerius plac'd next before these. And therefore have now no further to add, but an acknowledgment of Thanks due to a Learned Person in Oxford, through whose Candor the Book out of which the Translation of these Fragments was made, was brought to hand for perusal.
I. IN the Reign of Tullus Hostilius King of the Romans, the Albans, jealous of the growth of the Roman Power, pretended that the Romans committed Thefts and Robberies in their Country, and therefore sent Ambassadors to Rome to demand Justice, with Instructions, that if they did not hearken to them, to denounce War against 'em; Hostilius the King of Rome understanding that they sought occasion to pick a Quarrel, and begin a War, Commanded his Friends and Officers to Entertain the Ambassadors courteously, and persuade them to Peace and Amity. But the King not willing hastily to give 'em Audience, sent some in the mean time to the Albans with Orders and Instructions like to those of the Albans to him; ordering this, as prompted thereunto by that Antient Custom, according to which the Old Romans studied nothing more than that their Wars should be Just and Warrantable: For he was very cautious lest not being able to find out the First Authors of the Depredations, or such as were to be deliver'd up to the Demands of Justice, he should be thought to be the first Fomenter of an unjust War. But it falling out that the Ambassadors that were sent to Alba were first denied Justice; upon the 30th. day they denounc'd War against the Albans. The Albane Ambassadors, according to their desires receiv'd Answer, That they being the first that deny'd doing Justice, the Romans were they that now denounc'd War against them. And these were the Reasons that the People, who were before Ally'd by Marriages, and at mutual Amity one with another, now became Enemies, and Alienated one from another.
II. When Cambyses King of Persia was Lord of all Aegypt, the Lybians and Cyrenians confederating with the Aegyptians, sent Presents, and promised entire Obedience and Subjection to their Commands.
III. The Ambassadors that were sent from Nabis and Flamininus to Rome concerning the terms of Peace, after they had open'd to the Senate the Matters given them in Charge; the Senate decreed the Articles to be confirm'd, and that all their Garisons should be remov'd, and their Forces drawn out of all parts of Greece. When Flamininus heard of the Senate's Decree, he Summon'd all the Nobility of Greece from all parts, to meet in a General Council, where he rehears'd to 'em the great Kindnesses and Good will of the Romans towards the Grecians, and Apologiz'd for the matter relating to Nabis, because they did in that Affair, as far as they were able. He told them likewise, that according to their Desire all the Inhabitants of Greece should be free and eas'd of all their Garisons, and above all, be Govern'd by their own Laws. But he begg'd the Greeks would so far Gratifie him, as to enquire what Italian Servants were among 'em, and to discharge them within Thirty Days; which was done accordingly.
IV. The Senate again gave Audience to the Grecian Ambassadors, and Caress'd 'em with very fair words, desirous to have them earnest and forward in the prosecution of the War against Antiochus, which they suddenly expected. They gave Answer likewise to the Ambassadors of Philip, that because he maintain'd his Fidelity they would free him from Tribute, and discharge his Son Demetrius. And to those that came from Antiochus they appointed Ten of the Senate to hear what they said they had in charge from the King. When the Commissioners sate, one of the Ambassadors nam'd Menippus, President of the Embassie, Declar'd, that they came to make up a League of Friendship and Confederacy between the Romans and Antiochus. But he said that the King greatly wondred for what manner of reason the Romans should lay their Commands