Parallela minora

The greater part of mankind think that tales of ancient events are inventions and myths because of the incredible elements which they contain. But since I have discovered that similar events have happened in this modern era, I have singled out crises of Roman history; and, to parallel each ancient happening, I have subjoined a more modern instance. I have also recorded my authorities.

Datis, the Persian satrap, came to Marathon, a plain of Attica, with an army of three hundred thousand, encamped there, and declared war on the inhabitants of the country. The Athenians, however, contemning the barbarian host, sent out nine thousand men, and appointed as generals Cynegeirus, Polyzelus, Callimachus, and Miltiades. When this force had engaged the enemy, Polyzelus, having seen a supernatural vision, lost his sight, and became blind. Callimachus was pierced with so many spears that, dead though he was, he stood upright[*](Contrast Lucan, iv. 787 compressum turba stetit omne cadaver; Ammianus Marcellinus, xviii. 8. 12.); and Cynegeirus, seizing hold of a Persian ship that was putting out to sea, had his hand chopped off.[*](Cf. Herodotus, vi. 114; Stobaeus, Florilegium, vii. 63 (iii. p. 328 Hense).)

Hasdrubal the king seized Sicily and declared war on the Romans. Metellus was elected general by the Senate and was victor in the battle in which Lucius Glauco, a patrician, seizing hold of Hasdrubal’s ship, lost both his hands. This Aristeides the Milesian relates iii the first book of his Sicilian History; from him Dionysius Siculus learned the facts.

Xerxes with five million men anchored near Artemisium and declared war on the inhabitants. The Athenians were in confusion and sent Agesilaüs, the brother of Themistocles, as a spy, although his father Neocles had seen in a dream his son deprived of both his hands. Agesilaüs, arriving among the barbarians in Persian garb, slew Mardonius, one of the king’s bodyguards, supposing him to be Xerxes. He was arrested by the bystanders and led in bonds to the king. The aforesaid king was about to offer sacrifice at the altar of the Sun, and Agesilaüs placed his right hand upon the altar; and when he had endured the cruel torture without a groan, he was freed from his bonds, whereupon he declared, All we Athenians are men of this sort; if you do not believe me, I will place my left hand also on the altar. Xerxes was frightened and gave command that he be kept under guard.[*](Stobaeus, Florilegium, vii. 64 (iii. p. 330 Hense).) This Agatharchides the Samian relates in the second book of his Persian History.

Porsenna, king of the Etruscans, made a foray on the other side of the river Tiber and warred against the Romans; he intercepted their abundant supply