![]() Yet I have not been over-desirous to comprehend all: For who in a small Volume is able to set down the Deeds of I Have resolved with thy self, to collect together the Deeds and Sayings of most note, and most worthy to be re∣membred, of the most emi∣nent persons both among the Romans and other Nations, taken out of the most approved Authors, where they lie scattered at such a distance, that makes them hard to be known to save them the trou∣ble of a tedious search, who are willing to fol∣low their Examples. For the labourers that were digging a field of L.The PROLOGUE TO AUGUSTUS TIBERIUS CAESAR. L Great also was the care of preserving religion among our ancestors, when Publius Cornelius and Baebius Tamphilus were consuls. And when they had resolved to worship Ceres after the Greek manner, they sent for Calliphana, from Velia, which had not yet received citizenship, to be their priestess, that they might not lack a skilful mistress of the ancient ceremonies of the goddess. So great also was the care of our ancestors, not only to observe, but to increase religion, that by decree of senate, ten of the sons of the chief men were sent out of their most flourishing and opulent city to the several peoples of Etruria, to learn the order and discipline of sacred lore. By which means the significations of portents and thunders were likewise discovered. For by the ancient institutions, when we were to commend anything to the gods, we gave ourselves to prayer when anything was earnestly to be desired of the gods, then to vows when anything to be paid, to thanksgiving when enquiry after future success was made, to obtain by request when any solemn sacrifice was to be done, to sacrifice. L Our ancestors appointed that the set and solemn ceremonies should be ordered by the knowledge of the pontiffs the right administration of these ceremonies, and authority for so doing, by the observations of the augurs the predictions of Apollo should depend upon the books of the seers but that the mysteries of portents should be unfolded according to the rules of the Etruscan discipline. And because it is my intention to begin with the worship of the gods, I shall discourse briefly of its nature. Others we receive for gods, Caesars we make such. For other gods we adore only in opinion, you we behold equal to your father's and your grandfather's stars in brightness, whose resplendent lustres have added not a little to the ceremonies of our religion. For if the ancient orators did well to begin from omnipotent Jove, if the most excellent poets did always call some particular deity to assist them much the rather does my little work fly to your protection. ![]() ![]() ![]() For who in a small volume is able to set down the deeds of many ages? Or what wise man can hope to deliver the course of domestic and foreign history, which our predecessors have done in such happy styles, either with greater care, or more abounding eloquence? Therefore, Caesar, your country's only safety, I invoke you at the beginning of my undertaking, whom the consent of gods and men has ordained the great commander both of sea and land by whose divine providence those virtues, of which I am to discourse, are most favourably cherished, and vices most severely punished. Yet I have not been over-desirous to comprehend everything. I have resolved to collect together the deeds and sayings of most note, and most worthy to be remembered, of the most eminent persons both among the Romans and other nations, taken out of the most approved authors, where they lie scattered so widely, that makes them hard to be known to save the trouble of a tedious search, for those who are willing to follow their examples. Click on the L symbols to go to the Latin text of each section.Ĭontents: I. Valerius Maximus, Book 1 (a) Valerius Maximus - Book 1, chapters 1-5Īdapted from the translation by S.
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