The True Scale of Power — The Essays of Montaigne

Montaigne will only say a word or two of this infinite argument: to show the simplicity of those who compare the pitiful greatness of these times with that of Rome. In Cicero's Familiar Epistles, Caesar, still a citizen in Gaul, writes that he will make Marcus Furius king of Gaul and will advance any other friend Cicero sends. It was no new thing for such a citizen to dispose of kingdoms. He took the throne of King Deiotarus for Mithridates of Pergamus, sold cities, and once took from King Ptolemy three millions and six hundred thousand crowns, which was very like selling the king his own kingdom.

Marcus Antonius said Rome's greatness was not so much seen in what they took as in what they gave. Ages before, they had dethroned one with such authority that Montaigne has not observed anything that more denotes the height of their power. Antiochus possessed all Egypt and was ready for Cyprus when Popilius came from the Senate, refused his hand until the letters were read, and, when the king said he would consider, made a circle about him with his cane. Return an answer for the Senate, he said, before thou stirrest out of this circle. Antiochus obeyed and was then saluted as friend of the Roman people. He later sent word that he had received the order with the same respect as if it had come from the immortal gods.

All the kingdoms Augustus gained by war he either restored to those who had lost them or presented to strangers. Tacitus, speaking of Cogidunus, king of England, says the Romans left subdued kings in possession under their authority, that they might have even kings to be their slaves. Solyman, whom Montaigne's age has seen give away Hungary, alleged he was glutted and overcharged with monarchies his own valour and his ancestors had acquired. The gift still looks like Rome leaving kings in place, and it still looks like a man too full of crowns to hold another.