The Comic History of RomeÀ Beckett, Gilbert Abbott
History
The Comic History of Rome
À Beckett, Gilbert Abbott
Rome -- History -- Humor; Wit and humor, Pictorial
A deputation had been sent to Sulla to endeavour to make terms, but the
members of the deputation were forced to return without any terms having
been agreed upon. Sulla did not march immediately upon Italy, but went
to Ædepsus, in Eubœa, for the benefit of the hot baths, though he did
not limit himself to the waters, for he addicted himself to the spirits
abounding in the neighbourhood. He amused himself in the society of
those who are sometimes said to live upon their wits, though their
existence is really derived from the want of wit in others. Sulla,
however, had a counterpoise to any demerits of his own, in the still
greater demerits of those who were opposed to him.
The new Consuls were L. Cornelius Scipio, a highly respectable man, and
C. Julius Norbanus, a mere creature of Carbo. Against these leaders
Sulla marched from Greece in the rudest health and the most exuberant
spirits. His pockets, however, were as light as his heart; but this
signified little, for the troops were so devoted to him that there was
not an officer unattached; and so far from making any difficulty about
their pay, they undertook to raise money among themselves, if necessary,
for the use of their leader.
The expedition landed at Brundusium, where the inhabitants received
Sulla with open arms, or rather without any arms at all, for they
permitted him to occupy the place without opposition. Passing through
Calabria and Apulia, he approached the encampment of Norbanus, in the
neighbourhood of Capua, and sent ambassadors to treat; but their
treatment was anything but courteous. They were insulted by all kinds of
abuse, and it is said that they had a great deal more thrown in their
face than mere reproaches. When Sulla heard of their reception, or
rather their rejection at the enemy's camp, he fell upon it with such
force that everything fell under him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account