Franco-Gallia Part 4

To the like purpose Strabo writes in his Fourth Book: [Footnote: [Greek: Aristokratikai d' esan hai pleious ton politeios, ena d' hegemona herounto kat eniauton to palaion hos d' hautos eis polemon heis hupo tou plethous apedeiknuto strategos.]] "_Most_ of the _Commonwealths_ (says he) were govern'd by the _Advice_ of the _n.o.bles_: but every _Year_ they anciently chose a _Magistrate_; as also the People chose a _General_ to manage their Wars." The like _Caesar_, lib. 6. Cap. 4. writes in these Words: "Those _Commonwealths_ which are esteem'd to be under the best Administration, have made a Law, that if any Man chance to hear a Rumour or Report abroad among the Bordering People, which concerned the _Commonwealth_, he ought to inform the _Magistrates_ of it, and communicate it to no body else. The _Magistrates_ conceal what they think proper, and acquaint the Mult.i.tude with the rest: For of Matters relating to the _Community_, it was not permitted to any Person to talk or discourse, but in _Council_".--Now concerning this _Common Council_ of the whole Nation, we shall quote these few Pa.s.sages out of _Caesar_.

"They demanded, (says he) _lib._ 1. _cap._ 12. a _General Council_ of _all Gallia_ to be summon'd; and that this might be done by _Caesar_'s Consent." Also, _lib._ 7. _cap._ 12.--"a _Council_ of all _Gallia_ was summon'd to meet at _Bibracte_; and there was a vast Concourse from all Parts to that Town."--And _lib._ 6. _cap._ 1--"_Caesar_ having summon'd the _Council_ of _Gaul_ to meet early in the Spring, as he had before determin'd: Finding that the _Senenes, Carnates_ and _Treviri_ came not when all the rest came, he adjourned the _Council_ to Paris."--And, _lib_ 7. _cap._ 6. speaking of _Vercingetorix_,--"He promis'd himself, that he shou'd be able by his Diligence to unite such _Commonwealths_ to him as dissented from the rest of the Cities of _Gaul_, and to form a _General Council_ of all _Gallia_; the Power of which, the whole World should not be able to withstand."

Now concerning the _Kings_ which ruled over certain Cities in _Gallia_ the same Author makes mention of them in very many Places; Out of which this is particularly worthy our Observation: That it was the _Romans_ Custom to caress all those _Reguli_ whom they found proper for their turns: That is, such as were busy men, apt to embroil Affairs, and to sow Dissentions or Animosities between the several _Commonwealths_.

These they joined with in Friendship and Society, and by most honourable publick Decrees called them their _Friends_ and _Confederates_: And many of these _Kings_ purchased, at a great Expence, this Verbal Honour from the _Chief Men_ of _Rome_. Now the _Gauls_ called such, _Reges_, or rather _Reguli_, which were chosen, not for a certain Term, (as the Magistrates of the Free Cities were) but for their Lives; tho' their Territories were never so small and inconsiderable: And these, when Customs came to be changed by Time, were afterwards called by the Names of _Dukes, Earls_, and _Marquisses_.

Of the _Commonwealths_ or _Cities_, some were much more potent than others; and upon these the lesser _Commonwealths_ depended; these they put themselves under for Protection: Such weak Cities _Caesar_ sometimes calls the _Tributaries_ and _Subjects_ of the former; but, for the most part he says, they were in _Confederacy_ with them. _Livius_ writes, _lib. 5._ that when _Tarquinius Priscus_ reigned in _Rome_, the _Bituriges_ had the princ.i.p.al Authority among the _Celtae_, and gave a _King_ to them. When _Caesar_ first enter'd _Gaul_, A.U.C. 695. he found it divided into Two Factions; the _aedui_ were at the Head of the one, the _Arverni_ of the other, who many Years contended for the Superiority: But that which greatly increas'd this Contention, was, Because the _Bituriges_, who were next Neighbours to the _Arverni_, were yet _in file & imperio_ that is, Subjects and Allies to the _aedui_. On the other hand, the _Sequani_ (tho' Borderers on the _aedui_) were under the Protection of the _Arverni_, lib. 1. Cap. 12. lib. 6. cap. 4. The _Romans_ finding such-like Dissention; to be for their Interest; that is, proper Opportunities to enlarge their own Power, did all they cou'd to foment them: And therefore made a League with the _aedui_, whom (with a great many Compliments) they t.i.tled _Brothers and Friends of the People of Rome_. Under the Protection and League of the _aedui_, I find to have been first the _Senones_, with whom some time before the _Parisians_ had join'd their _Commonwealth_ in League and Amity. Next, the _Bellouaci_, who had nevertheless a great City of their own, abounding in Numbers of People, and were of princ.i.p.al Authority and Repute among the _Belgae_, lib. 2. cap. 4. and lib. 7. cap. 7. _Caesar_ reckons the _Centrones_, _Grudii_, _Levaci_, _Pleumosii_, _Gordunni_, under the Dominion of the _Nervii_, lib. 5. cap. 11. He names the _Eburones_ and _Condrasii_ as Clients of the _Treviri_, lib. 4. cap. 2.

And of the _Commonwealth_ of the _Veneti_ (these are in _Armorica_ or _Brittanny_) he writes, that their Domination extended over all those Maritime Regions; and that almost all that frequented those Seas were their Tributaries, _lib._ 3. _cap._ 2. But the Power of the _Arverni_ was so great, that it not only equall'd that of the aedui, but a little before _Caesar_'s Arrival, had got most of their Clients and Dependents from them, _lib._ 6 _cap._ 4. _lib._ 7. _cap._ 10. Whereupon, as Strabo writes in his 4th Book, they made War against _Caesar_ with Four hundred thousand Men under the Conduct of their General _Vercingetorix_. These were very averse to Kingly Government: So that _Celtillus_, Father to _Vercingetorix_, a Man of great Power and Reputation (reckon'd the first Man in all _Gaul_,) was put to Death, by _Order_ of his _Commonwealth_, for aspiring to the _Kingdom_. The _Sequani_, on the other hand, had a King, one _Catamantales_, to whom the _Romans_ gave the t.i.tle of their _Friend_ and _Ally_, lib. 1. cap. 2. Also the _Suessiones_, who were Masters of most large and fertile Territories, with 12 great Cities, and cou'd muster Fifty thousand fighting Men, had a little before that time _Divitiacus_, the most potent Prince of all _Gallia_ for their King; he had not only the Command of the greatest Part of _Belgae_, but even of _Britanny_. At _Caesar_'s Arrival they had one _Galba_ for their King, _lib._ 2. _cap._ 1. In _Aquitania_, the _Grandfather_ of one _Piso_ an _Aquitanian_ reigned, and was called _Friend_ by the People of _Rome_, lib. 4. cap. 3. The _Senones_, a People of great Strength and Authority among the _Gauls_, had for some time _Moritasgus_ their King; whose Ancestors had also been Kings in the same Place, _lib._ 5. _cap._ 13.

The _Nitiobriges_ or _Agenois_, had _Olovico_ for their King; and he also had the Appellation given him of _Friend_ by the _Senate_ of _Rome_, lib. 7. cap. 6.

But concerning all these Kingdoms, one thing is remarkable, and must not lightly be past by; which is That _they were not hereditary_, but _conferr'd_ by the _People_ upon such as had the Reputation of being just Men. Secondly, That they had no _arbitrary_ or _unlimited Authority_, but were bound and _circ.u.mscribed_ by _Laws_; so that they were no less accountable to, and subject to the Power of the People, than the People was to theirs; insomuch that those _Kingdoms_ seem'd nothing else but _Magistracies for Life_. For Caesar makes mention of several _private Men_, whose _Ancestors_ had formerly been _such Kings_; among these he reckons _Casticus_, the Son of _Catamantales_, whose Father had been King of the _Sequani_ many Years, _lib._ 1. _cap._ 2.

and _Piso_ the _Aquitanian_, lib. 4. cap. 3. also _Tasgetius_, whose Ancestors had been Kings among the _Carnutes_, lib. 5. cap. 8.

Now concerning the Extent of their _Power_ and _Jurisdiction_, he brings in _Ambiorix_, King of the _Eburones_, giving an account of it, _lib._ 5. _cap._ 8. "The Const.i.tution of our Government is such (says he) that the People have no less Power and Authority over me than I have over the People. _Non minus habet in me juris mult.i.tudo, quam ipse in mult.i.tudinem._" Which Form of Government, _Plato, Aristotle, Polybius_ and _Cicero_ have for this Reason determined to be the _best_ and _most Excellent_: "Because (says _Plato_) shou'd Kingly Government be left without a Bridle, when it has attained to supreme Power, as if it stood upon a slippery Place, it easily falls into Tyranny: And therefore it ought to be restrained as with a Curb, by the Authority of the n.o.bles; and such chosen men as the People have empower'd to that End and Purpose."

CHAP. II.

_Probable Conjectures concerning the_ ancient Language _of the_ Gauls.

In this Place it seems proper to handle a Question much disputed and canva.s.s'd by Learned Men; _viz._ What was the Language of the Gauls in those old Times? For as to what belongs to their Religion, Laws, and the Customs of the People, _Caesar_, as I said before, has at large given us an account. In the first place we ought to take notice, that _Caesar_, in the Beginning of his Commentaries, where he divides the Gauls into Three Nations, the _Belgae_, the _Aquitanae_, and the _Celtae_, tells us they all differ'd, not only in their _Customs_, but in their _Language_ [Footnote: [Greek: all enious micron parallattontas tais glottais]]: Which also _Strabo_ confirms, _lib._ 4. where he says they were not [Greek: h.o.m.olhottous], of one Language, but a little differing in their Languages. And the same thing _Ammia.n.u.s Marcellinus_ testifies in his 15th Book. But what many Learned Men (especially of our own Country) have maintain'd, _viz._ That the _Gauls_ commonly used the _Greek Tongue_, may be refuted by this single Instance which _Caesar_ takes notice of _lib._ 5. _cap._ 12. That when _Q. Cicero_ was besieged in his Camp, he dispatched Letters written in the _Greek_ Language, "_Lest (if they were intercepted) his Designs shou'd be discover'd by the_ Gauls."

But to this some object, what _Strabo_ writes, _lib._ 4. _viz._ "That all Sorts of good Literature (and especially that of the _Greek Language_) flourish'd at _Ma.r.s.eilles_ to such a degree, that the _Gauls_, by the Example of the _Ma.s.silians_, were mightily delighted with the _Greek_ Tongue, insomuch that they began to write their very Bargains and Contracts in it." Now to this there is a short and ready Reply: For, in the first place, if the _Gauls_ learnt _Greek_ by the Example of the _Ma.s.silians_, 'tis plain, 'twas none of their Mother-tongue. Secondly, _Strabo_ in the same place clearly shows us, that the Fashion of writing their Contracts in _Greek_ began but in his Time, when all _Gallia_ was in Subjection to the _Romans_. Besides, he speaks precisely only of those _Gauls_ who were Borderers and next Neighbours to the _Ma.s.silians_, of whom he says, that not only many of their private Men, but even their Cities (by publick Decrees, and proposing great Rewards) invited several Learned Men of _Ma.s.silia_ to instruct their Youth.

It remains that we shou'd clear that place in _Caesar_, where he tells us the _Gauls_, in their publick and private Reckonings, _Graecis literis usos fuisse_. But let us see whether the word _Graecis_ in that place ought not to be left out, not only as _unnecessary_ but _surrept.i.tious_.

Since it was sufficient to express _Caesar_'s Meaning to have said, that the _Gauls_ made no use of _Letters_ or _Writing_ in the Learning of the _Druids_, but in all other Matters, and in publick and private Accounts, they did make use of _Writing_: For _uti litteris, to use Letters_, is a frequent Expression for _Writing_ among Latin Authors. Besides, it had been a Contradiction to say the _Gauls_ were unskill'd in the _Greek_ Tongue, as _Caesar_ had averr'd a little before; and afterwards to say, that they wrote all their publick and private Accounts in _Greek_. As to what many suppose, that the words _literis Graecis_ in that place, are not to be taken for _Writing Greek_, but only for the _Characters_ of the _Letters_; I can less approve of this Explanation than the former; because though many ancient Writers (as we just now said) frequently used the Expression, _Uti litteris_ for _Scribere_; yet I never observ'd, that any of them ever used it to signify the _Forms_ and _Fashions_ of the _Characters_. Neither does it make at all for their Opinion, what _Caesar_ says in the First Book of his Commentaries, _viz._ That there were found in the _Helvetian_ Camp, Tablets, _literis Graecis conscriptas_; as if the same Person, who had learnt to make use of the _Greek Forms_ of _Characters_, might not as easily have learnt the _Greek Language_; or as if there might not be among the _Helvetii_, _Priests_ or _Gentlemens Sons_, who might then have learnt _Greek_, as our's now learn _Latin_; _Greek_ being at that Time a Language in Vogue and Esteem. The very Neighbourhood of the School of _Ma.s.silia_ is sufficient to confute that Opinion: And therefore _Caesar_, when he speaks of his own Letter to _Cicero_, tells us, he sent that Letter written in _Greek Characters_, lest (in case it were intercepted) his Designs shou'd be discover'd by the Enemy. _Justinius_, lib. 20. says, there was a Decree of the Senate made, that no _Carthaginian_, after that Time, shou'd study the [Footnote: _Graecis literas._] _Greek Language_ or _Writing_, lest he shou'd be able to speak or write to the Enemy without an Interpreter. _Tacitus_, in his Book _de moribus Germanorum_, tells us, that several Tombs and Monuments were yet to be seen in the Confines of _Germany_ and _Swisserland_ with _Greek_ Inscriptions on them. _Livius_, lib. 9. says, The _Roman_ Boys formerly studied the _Tuscan_ Language, as now they do the _Greek_. And in his 28th Book,--"_Hanibal_ erected an Altar, and dedicated it with a large Inscription of all his Atchievements, in the _Greek_ and _Punick_ Tongues. _Idem Lib._ 40. Both Altars and Inscriptions on them in the _Greek_ and _Latin_ Tongues." Lastly, I cannot imagine, that _Caesar_ wou'd have expressed himself (if he had meant, as these wou'd have him) _Graecis literis scribere_; but rather, _Graecarum literarum forma_, as we see in _Tacitus_, Lib. 11. "_Novas literarum formas addidit._" He added new Characters of Letters: Having found, that the _Greek_ Literature was not begun and perfected at once. And again,--"_Et forme literis latinis quae veterrimis Graecorum_, &c."

Now lest any body shou'd wonder, how the Word _Graecis_ crept into _Caesar_'s Text, I will instance you the like Mischance in _Pliny_, _lib._ 7. _cap._ 57. where 'tis thus written,--"_Gentium consensus tacitus primum omnium conspiravit ut_ IONUM _literis uterentur_." And afterwards,--"_Sequens gentium consensus in tonsoribus fuit._" And again,--"_Tertius consensus est in Horarum observatione._" Now who is there that sees not plainly the Word IONUM ought to be left out, as well because 'tis apparently unnecessary, (for _Pliny_ had no farther Design than to let us know, that Men first of all consented in the Writing and Form of their Letters) as because 'tis false, that the _Ionian_ Letters were the first invented; as _Pliny_ himself in his foregoing Chapter, and _Tacitus_, _lib._ 11. have told us? I have observed however two Places, (_Gregorius Turonensis_, lib. 5. and _Aimoinus_, lib. 3. cap.

41.) wherein 'tis intimated, that the _Gauls_ used the _Forms_ of the _Greek_ Letters: For where they speak of King _Chilperick_,--"_He added_ (say they) _some Letters to our Letters_; and those were, [Greek: o, ps, z, ph]; and sent Epistles to the several Schools in his Kingdom, that the Boys should be so taught." _Aimoinus_ mentions only three Letters, [Greek: ch, th, ph]. But we must understand, that these were _Franks_, not _Gauls_; or rather _Franco-gauls_, who made use of their own native Language, the _German_ Tongue; not that ancient Language of the _Gauls_, which had grown out of use under the _Roman_ Government: Besides, if the _Francogalli_ had made use of the _Greek_ Letters, how came they at first to except these, when they made use of all the rest?

But we have said enough, and too much of this Matter. As for their Opinion who believe that the _Gauls_ spoke the _German_ Language, _Caesar_ confutes it in that single place, wherein he tells us, that _Ariovistus_, by Reason of his long Conversation in _Gallia_, spoke the _Gallick_ Tongue.

Now for two Reasons their Opinion seems to me to be most probable, who write, that the _Ancient Gauls_ had a peculiar Language of their own, not much differing from the _British_: First, because _Caesar_ tells us it was the Custom for these _Gauls_ who had a mind to be thoroughly instructed in the Learning of the _Druyds_, to pa.s.s over into _Britain_; and since the _Druyds_ made no use of Books, 'tis agreeable to Reason, that they taught in the same Language which was used in _Gallia_.

Secondly, because _Tacitus_ in his Life of _Agricola_, writes, that the Language of the _Gauls_ and _Britains_ differ'd but very little: neither does that Conjecture of _Beatus Rhena.n.u.s_ seem unlikely to me, who believes the Language which is now made use of in _Ba.s.se Bretayne_ [_Britones Britonantes_] to be the Remains of our ancient Tongue. His Reasons for this Opinion may be better learn'd from his own Commentaries, than told in this Place. The Language which we at present make use of, may easily be known to be a Compound of the several Tongues of divers Nations. And (to speak plainly and briefly) may be divided into four Parts. One half of it we have from the _Romans_, as every one that understands _Latin_ ever so little, may observe: For besides, that the _Gauls_ being subject to the _Romans_, wou'd naturally fall into their Customs and Language, 'tis manifest that the _Romans_ were very industrious to propagate their Tongue, and to make it universal, and (as it were) venerable among all Nations. And to that End settled Publick Schools up and down, at _Autan, Besancon, Lyons_, &c. as _Valerius Maximus, Tacitus_, and _Ausonius_ tell us. The other half of it may be subdivided thus. One third of it we hold from the _Ancient Gauls_, another from the _Franks_, and the last from the _Greek_ Language: For it has been demonstrated long since by many Authors, that we find innumerable _Frank_ (that is, _German_) Words (as we shall hereafter prove) in our daily Speech. And several learned Men have shewn us, that many _Greek_ Words are adapted to our common Use, which we do not owe to the Learning and Schools of the _Druyds_, (who I believe spoke no _Greek_); but to the Schools and Conversation of the _Ma.s.silians_, whom we formerly mentioned.

CHAP. III.

_The State of_ Gaul, _after it was reduced into the form of a_ Province _by the_ Romans.

'Tis very well known to all learned Men, that _Gaul_, after having been often attempted with various Success, during a ten Years War, and many Battels, was at last totally subdued by _Caesar_ and reduced into the Form of a Province. It was the Misfortune of this most valiant and warlike People, to submit at length to the _Great Beast_, as it is called in Scripture, with which however they so strove for Empire for eight hundred Years, (as _Josephus_ informs us) that no Wars with any other Nation, so much terrified _Rome_. And _Plutarch_ in his Lives of _Marcellus_ and _Camillus; Appian_ in his 2d Book of the Civil Wars; _Livius, lib._ 8. & 10. have recorded, that the _Romans_ were so afraid of the _Gauls_, that they made a Law, whereby all the Dispensations (formerly granted to Priests and old Men, from serving in their Armies) were made void, in Case of any Tumult or Danger arising from the _Gauls_; which _Cicero_ takes notice of in his 2d _Philippick_. _Caesar_ himself in his 6th Book, and after him _Tacitus_, lib. _de moribus Germanorum_, do testify, That there was a time wherein the _Gauls_ excell'd the _Germans_ in Valour, and carried the War into their Territories, settling Colonies (by reason of their _great_ Mult.i.tudes of People) beyond the _Rhine_.

Now _Tacitus_ in his Life of _Agricola_, attributes, the _Loss_ of this their so remarkable _Valour_, to the _Loss_ of their Liberty. _"Gallos in bellis floruisse accepimus, mox segnities c.u.m otio intravit, amissa_ Virtute _pariter ac_ Libertate--." And I hope the Reader will excuse me, if the Love of my Country makes me add that remarkable Testimony of the Valour of the _Gauls_, mentioned by _Justin, lib._ 24.--"The _Gauls_ (says he) finding their Mult.i.tudes to increase so fast, that their Lands cou'd not afford them sufficient Sustenance, sent out Three hundred thousand Souls to seek for new Habitations. Part of these: seated themselves in _Italy_; who both took and burnt the City of _Rome_.

Another part penetrated as far as the Sh.o.r.es of _Dalmatia_, destroying infinite Numbers of the _Barbarians_, and settled themselves at last in _Pannonia_. A hardy bold and warlike Nation; who ventured next after _Hercules_, (to whom the like Attempt gave a Reputation of extraordinary Valour, and a t.i.tle to Immortality) to cross those almost inaccessible Rocks of the _Alps_, and Places scarce pa.s.sable by Reason of the Cold: Where after having totally subdued the _Pannonians_ they waged War with the bordering Provinces for many Years.--And afterwards--being encouraged by their Success, subdivided their Parties; when some took their Way to _Graecia_ some to _Macedonia_, destroying all before them with Fire and Sword. And so great was the Terror of the Name of the _Gauls_, that several Kings (not in the least threatned by them) of their own accord, purchased their Peace with large Sums of Money--. And in the following Book, he says,--So great was the Fruitfulness of the _Gauls_ at that time, that like a Swarm they fill'd all _Asia_. So that none of the _Eastern_ Kings either ventured to make War without a mercenary Army of _Gauls_, or fled for Refuge to other than the _Gauls_, when they were driven out of their Kingdoms." And thus much may suffice concerning their warlike Praises and Fort.i.tude, which (as _Tacitus_ tells us) was quite _gone, as soon as they lost their Liberty_. Yet some Cities, or _Commonwealths_, (as _Phnius, lib. 4. cap. 11._ tells us) were permitted to continue free, after the _Romans_ had reduced _Gallia_ to the Form of a Province. Such were the _Nervii_, _Ulbanesses_, _Suessiones_ and _Leuci_. Also some of the Confederates: and among these he reckons the _Lingones_, _Rhemi_, _Carnutes_ and _aedui_.

But we may easily learn from these Words of _Critegnatus_ the _Arvernian_, mentioned by _Caesar, lib. 7._ what the Condition was of those _Commonwealths_, which had the Misfortune to be reduced into the Form of a _Province_. "If" (says he) "you are ignorant after what manner far distant Nations are used by the _Romans_, you have no more to do, but to look at our neighbouring _Gallia_, now reduced into the Form of a Province: Which having its Laws and Customs chang'd, and being subjected to the Power of the _Axes_, is oppress'd with perpetual Slavery."

We are to understand, there were three kinds of Servitude, or Slavery.

First, _To have a Garison of Soldiers imposed upon them, to keep them in Awe_; yet such Provinces as seemed peaceable and quiet, had no great Armies maintained in them. For _Josephus_ writes in his 2d Book of the Hist. of the _Jews_, "That in the Emperor _t.i.tus's_ time, the _Romans_ had but 1200 Soldiers in Garison in all _Gaul_, altho'" (says he) "they had fought with the _Romans_ for their Liberty, almost 800 Years, and had near as many Cities, as the _Romans_ had Garison-Soldiers." A Second Sort of Servitude was, when any Province was made Tributary, and compelled to pay Taxes; and to that End were forced to endure a Number of Tax-gatherers, that is, _Harpies_ and _Leeches_, which suck'd out the very Blood of the _Provincials_. _Eutropius_ tells us, in his 6th Book, That _Caesar_, as soon as he had subdued _Gaul_, impos'd a Tax upon it, by the Name of a Tribute, which amounted to _H. S. Quadringenties:_ which is about a Million of our Crowns. A Third Sort of Servitude was, when the Provinces were not permitted to be govern'd by their _own Laws_; but had Magistrates and Judges, with full Power and Authority (_c.u.m imperio & securibus_) over Life and Estate, sent them by the People of _Rome_. This Threefold Slavery not only our _Gallia_, but all the other Provinces, took most bitterly to heart; and therefore in _Tiberius's_ Reign, not long after _Caesar's_ Conquest, _Tacitus_ tells us, That the Cities of _Gaul_ rebell'd, because of the Continuance of Taxes, the Extortions of Usurers, and Insolence of the Soldiery. And afterwards in _Nero's_ Reign, _Suetonius_ writes, "That the _Gauls_ being weary of his Tyranny, revolted. The World" (says he) "having for near 13 Years, endured such a Sort of Prince, at last shook him off: The _Gauls_ beginning the Defection." Now all _Gallia_ was divided by the _Romans_ into 16 Provinces, _viz. Viennensis, Narbonensis prima, Narbonensis secunda, Aquitania prima, Aquitania secunda, Novempopulana, Alpes maritimae, Belgica prima, Belgica secunda, Germania prima, Germania secunda, Lugdunensis prima, Lugdunensis secunda, Lugdunensis tertia, Maxima Sequanorum, & Alpes Graecas_, as _Antoninus_ in his _Itinerary_, and _s.e.xtus Rufus_, give an Account of them. But _Ammia.n.u.s Marcellinus_ treats of them more particularly.

But to return to what we were speaking of: 'Tis not to be imagined how grievously, and with what Indignation the _Gauls_ bore the Indecencies and Plunderings of the _Romans_; nor how frequently they revolted upon that Account and because they were not strong enough of themselves to shake off the _Roman_ Tyranny, 'twas common Custom with them, to hire _German_ Auxiliaries. These were the first beginnings of the Colonies of the _Franks_; For those _Germans_, whether they were beaten by the _Romans_, or (which is more likely) were bought off by them, began by little and little, to settle themselves in the borders of _Gallia_. This gave to _Suetonius_, in his Life of _Augustus_, to say,--"He drove the _Germans_ beyond the River _Elb_; but the _Suevi_ and _Sicambri_ (submitting themselves); he transplanted into _Gallia_ where he a.s.sign'd them Lands near the river _Rhine_."--Also in his Life of _Therius_,--"He brought (says he) forty thousand of those that had surrendred themselves in the _German_ War, over into _Gallia_, and allotted them Settlements upon the Banks of the _Rhine_."--Neither must we omit what _Flavius Vepiseus_ records, concerning the Reign of _Probus_ the Emperor; in whose time almost all _Gallia_, that is, sixty Cities, revolted from the _Romans_; and with common Consent, took up Arms for the Recovery of'

their Liberty:--"Having done these things (says he) he march'd with a vast Army into _Gaul_, which after _Posthumus's_ Death was all in Commotion, and when _Aurelia.n.u.s_ was kill'd, was In a Manner possessed by the _Germans_; there he gain'd so many Victories, that he recover'd from the _Barbarians_ sixty of the most n.o.ble Cities of _Gallia_: And whereas they had overspread all _Gallia_ without Controul, he slew near four hundred thousand of those that had seated themselves within the _Roman_ Territories, and transplanted the Remainders of them beyond the Rivers _Neckar_, and _Elb_."

But how cruel and inhuman the Domination of the _Romans_ was in _Gallia_: How intolerable their Exactions were: What horrible and wicked Lives they led; and with how great Inveteracy and Bitterness they were hated upon that Account by the _Gauls_, (especially by the _Christians_) may best be learn'd from the Works of _Salvia.n.u.s_, Bishop of _Ma.r.s.eilles_, which treat of Providence: Therefore 'tis incredible to tell, what Mult.i.tudes of _Germans_ pour'd themselves into _Gallia_; the _Gauls_ not only not hindring, but even favouring and calling them in.

_Latinus Pacatus_, in his Speech to _Theodesius_, has this Pa.s.sage; "From whence shou'd I begin my Discourse, but from thy Mischiefs, O _Gallia_! who may'st justly challenge a Superiority in Sufferings, above all the Nations of the Earth, that have been vexed with this Plague?"--Now 'tis most plain both from _Sidonius Apollinaris_, and especially from the above-mentioned _Salvia.n.u.s_, in many Places of his Writings, that our _Franks_ were a Part of those _German_ Nations, who thus entred into _Gallia_.

CHAP. IV.

_Of the Original of the_ Franks; _who having possessed themselves of_ Gallia, _changed its Name, into that of_ Francia, _or_ Francogallia.

The Order of our Discourse requires, that we should now enquire into the Original of the _Franks_, and trace them from their first Habitations, or (as it were) their very Cradles: In which Disquisition 'tis very much to be admired, that no mention has been made of them by _Ptolomy_, _Strabo_, or even by _Tacitus_ himself, who of all Writers was most accurate in describing the Names and Situations of all the _German_ Nations: and 'tis plain, the _Franks_ were a _German_ People, who possessed most part of _Europe_ for many Years, with great Reputation; of which we will quote but a few Instances out of many.

First, _Joannes Nauclerus_ says thus,--"_Charles_ the Great was call'd _King_ of the _Franks_; which is as much as to say, _King_ of _Germany_ and _France_." Now 'tis demonstrable, that at that time all _Gallia Transalpina_, and all _Germany_ from the _Pyrenaeen_ Mountains, as far as _Hungary_, was called _Francia_: This last was called _Eastern France_, the former _Western France_; and in this all true Historians agree.

_Eguinarthus_, in his Life of _Charlemain_, says,--"The Banks of the River _Sala_, which divides the _Taringi_ from the _Sorabi_, were afterwards inhabited by those called the _Eastern Franks_." _Otto Frising._ _Chron._ 5. _cap._ 4. speaking of King _Dagaber_'s Reign, "The Bounds of the _Franks_ Dominions reach'd now (says he) from _Spain_, as far as _Hungary_, being two most n.o.ble Dukedoms, _Aquitania_ and _Bavaria_";--but much more at large, _lib._ 6. _cap._ 17. And after him _G.o.dfrey_ of _Viterbo_, in his _Chronic. part. 17. sub Anno_ 881, "_Arnulphus_ (says he) ruled all _Eastern Francia_, which is now called the _Teutonick_ Kingdom, or _Germany_; that is to say, _Bavaria, Suabia, Saxonia, Turingia, Frisia_ and _Lotharingia_; but _Odo_ was king of _Western France_." Again, _sub Anno_ 913. "It is apparent by the Authority of many Writers, that the Kingdom of _Germany_, which the Emperor _Frederick_ at present holds, is part of the Kingdom of the _Franks_; for there (on both sides of the _Rhine_) the first _Franks_ were seated; which as far as to the Limits of _Bavaria_, is now called _Eastern France_: But _Western France_ is that Kingdom which lies on both Sides the Rivers _Seine_ and _Loire_"--And again he says, "In the time of _Charles_ the Great, King of the _Franks_, all _Gallia_, that is, _Celtica, Belgica_, and _Lugdunensis_ and all _Germany_ which reaches from the _Rhine_ as far as _Dalmatia_, made but one Kingdom; which was called _Francia_"--Almost all which Quotations have been taken out of _Otto_, as I said before. 'Tis to be noted, that _Rhegino_ writes thus, in _Chron. anni_ 577.--"After the Death of King _Pipin_, _Lewis_ his Son (who had been present at his Father's Decease and celebrated his Funerals) kept his Residence at _Francfort_, the princ.i.p.al Seat of the _Eastern Kingdom_." _Luitprandus Ticinensis says_, _lib. 1. cap._ 6.--"It was order'd that _Wido_ shou'd have for his Share, that which Men call the _Roman France_, and _Berengarius_ shou'd have Italy." And a little after,--"When he had march'd thro' the Territories of the _Burgundians_, he purposed to enter _Roman France_, &c." Now it was call'd _Roman France_, first, because the _Franks_ had possessed themselves of that _Gallia_, which was under the _Roman_ Obedience. Secondly, because the _Roman_ Language prevail'd in that Country, as we formerly told you: Whence arose the Saying, _Loqui Romanum_, of such as used not the _German_ or _Frank_; but the _Latin_ Tongue. Otto Frisingius, _chron._ 4.

_cap. penult._ says,--"It seems to me, that those _Franks_ who dwell in _Gallia_, borrowed the Language, which they make use of to this Day, from the _Romans_; for the others who stay'd about the _Rhine_, and in _Germany_ use the _Teutonick_ Tongue."--And in Imitation of him, _G.o.dfridus_, part. 17. cap. 1.--"The _Franks_ (says he) seem to me to have learn'd the Language which they make use of to this Day, from the _Romans_, who formerly dwelt in those Parts."--From all these 'tis apparent, that the Reputation and Power of the _Franks_ was extraordinary great; as 'twas fitting for such as were Masters of a great Part of _Europe_.

Moreover we find, that those _Germans_ which were transplanted by the Emperor _Frederick_ the IId, into the Kingdoms of _Naples_ and _Sicily_, and establish'd there as a presidiary Colony, were called _Franks_.

_Petrus de Vineis, lib. epist. 6. cap. 25._ [Footnote: These are only broken pieces of Sentences, to prove, that the _Germans_ (establish'd in _Naples_ and _Sicily_) were called, and actually were _Franks_.]

--"_Following (says he) the Law and Custom of the_ Franks, _in this Instance, that the Eldest Brother to the Exclusion of all the Younger succeeds, even in the Camp it self._" Imp. Freder. 2. Neapol. const.i.t.

lib. 2. t.i.t. 32. speaking of those _Franks, "who upon Occasion trusted the Fortune of their Lives, and of all their Estates, to the Event of a Duel, or single Combat_." And again,--"_The aforesaid manner of Proof, which all who observe the Rites of the_ Franks _made use of_"--. Also _lib. 2. t.i.t. 33_.--"_which Law, our Will is, shall in all Causes be common both to the_ Franks _and_ Longobards."

Matters being thus plain, 'tis strange that _Gregory_ Bishop of _Tours_ (who writ concerning the Original of the _Franks_ 800 Years ago) shou'd say, in the first Part of his History, That altho' he had made diligent Enquiry about the Rise and Beginning of the _Franks_, he could find nothing certain: notwithstanding he had seen an ancient Book of a certain Historian of theirs, called, _Salpitius Alexander_; who affirms nothing, either of their first Habitations, or the Beginnings of their Domination.

But we have found out, that these People originally came from that Country which lies between the _Rhine_ and the _Elb_, and is bounded on the _West_ by the Sea, almost in the same Tract where the greater and the lesser _Chauci_ dwelt. "A People (says _Tacitus_) the most n.o.ble among all the _Germans_, who founded their Greatness and maintained it by Justice." These were next Neighbours to the _Batavians_; for 'tis agreed on all Hands, that the _Franks_ had their first Seats near the Sea-sh.o.r.e, in very marshy Grounds; and were the most skilful People in Navigation, and Sea-fights, known at that time: Whereof we have the following Testimonies. First, in _Claudian_, who congratulating _Stilicon's_ Victory, writes thus;

--_Ut jam trans fluvium non indignante_ Chayco _Paseat_ Belga _pecus, mediumque ingressa per_ Albin Gallica Francorum _montes armenta pererrent_.

In which Place he makes use of a Poetical License, and calls those People _Chayci_, which the Geographers call _Chauci_. Now that they were seated near the Sea, that Panegyrical Oration made to _Constantine_ the Great, is a Testimony: "_Quid loquar rursus_, &c. What should I speak more of those remote Nations of the _Franks_, transplanted not from Places which the _Romans_ of old invaded; but plucked from their very original Habitations, and their _farthest Barbarous Sh.o.r.es_, to be planted in the waste Places of _Gallia_; where with their Husbandry, they may help the _Roman_ Empire in time of Peace; and with their Bodies, supply its Armies in time of War--." And in another Panegyrick, by _Eumenius_ the Rhetorician, we find this Pa.s.sage, "_Aut haec ipsa_, &c. Or this Country, which was once overspread with the Fierceness of the _Franks_, more than if the Waters of their Rivers, _or their Sea_, had cover'd it;" but now ceases to be barbarous, and is civilized. To the same Purpose is _Procopius_ Testimony, in his first Book of the _Gothick War_; for where he describes the place where the _Rhine_ falls into the Ocean; "In these Parts (says he) there are great Marshes, where of old the _Germans_ dwelt; a barbarous People, and at that time of small Reputation, which now are called _Franks_--." And _Zonaras_, in the 3d Tome of his _Annals_, quotes this very Pa.s.sage of _Procopius_.

Also _Flavius Vopiscus_, in his Life of _Probus_, tells us, That the _Franks_ were discomfited by _Probus_ in their inaccessible Marshes.--_Testes sunt Franci inviis strati paludibus._ Also _Sidonius Apollinaris_ says thus;

"_Francorum & penitissimas paludes, Intrares venerantibus Sicambris._"

Now what we have said concerning the Neighbourhood of the _Franks_ to the _Chauci_, may be plainly proved by comparing of Places, and the Descriptions of their particular Seats. Those of the _Chauci_ are described by _Pliny_, _lib._ 16. _cap._ 1. Those of the _Franks_ by the _Rhetorician Panegyrist_, above mentioned: For _Pliny_ says thus, "We have seen in the _Northern_ parts the Nations of the _Chauci_, called _Majores & Minores_, where twice every 24 Hours the Ocean is forcibly driven in a great way over the Land; thro' a vast Pa.s.sage which is there, making it a perpetual Controversy of Nature; and a Doubt, whether it ought to be reckon'd part of the Land or of the Sea."

The Panegyrist speaks in these Terms, "_--Quanquam illa Regio_, &c. When thy n.o.ble Expeditions, O _Caesar_, have proceeded so far, as to clear and conquer that Country, which the _Rhine_ runs through, with his cunning Maeanders or Windings, [_Meatibus callidis_, for so it must be read, and not _Scaldis_, as in some Copies,] and embraces in his Arms a Region, which I can scarce call Land; 'tis so soak'd with Water, that not only the Marshy part of it gives way, but even that which seems more firm, shakes when trod upon, and trembles at a Distance under the Weight of the Foot."

We think therefore we have made it plain from what _Seats_ the Nation of the _Franks_ first came into _Gallia_; that is to say, from that marshy Country which lies upon the _Ocean_, between the Rivers _Elb_ and _Rhine_: which may be further confirm'd by this Argument. That the _Franks_ were very well skill'd in maritime affairs, and sail'd far and near all about those Coasts; For so says _Eutropius_, _lib._ 9. where he gives a short History of the Emperor _Galienus_. "After this time, when _Carausius_ had in charge to scour the Sea-coasts of _Belgia_ and _Armorica_, then infested by the _Franks_ and _Saxons_, &c." The very same thing _Paulus Orosius_ mentions, _lib._ 7. Also what the _Panegyrist_, before cited, says in a certain Place, has Reference to this.--"The _Franks_ (says he) are cruel above all others; the tide of whose warlike Fury surmounting that of their very Ocean it self, carried them to the Sea-coasts of _Spain_, which they very much infested with their Depredations." And therefore the Emperor _Justinian_, when he explains to the _General Governor_ of _Africk_ the duty of his Office, makes mention of those _Franks_ which were seated in a certain part of _Gallia_, bordering upon _Spain_.