A Vindication of Natural Society

In fhort, it were hardly poffible to conceive a more horrid and bloody Pidture, if that which the Punic Wars that enfued foon after did not prefent one, that far exceeds it. Here we find that Climax of Devaftation, and Ruin, which feemed to fhake the whole Earth. The Extent of this War which embraced fo many Nations, and both Elements, and the Havock of the human Species caufed in both, really aftonifhes beyond Expreffion, when it is nakedly confidered, and thofe Matters which are apt to divert our Attention from it, the Characters, Anions, and Defigns figns of the Perfons concerned, are not taken into the Account. Thefe Wars, I mean thofe called the Punic Wars, cou'd not have flood the human Race in lefs than five Millions of the Species* And yet this forms but a Part only, and a very fmall Part, of the Havock caufed by the Roman Ambition. The Mithridatick War was very little lefs bloody ; that Prince cut off at one Stroke 150,000 Romans by a Maflfacre. In that War Sylla deftroyed 300,000 Men at Cheronea. The fame Commander defeated Mithridates* Army under DcrHaus, and flew 300,000. The fame Prince loft another 300,000 before Cyzicum. In the courfe of the War he had innumerable other Lofles ; and having many Intervals of Succefs, he revenged them feverely. He was at laft totally overthrown ; and he crufhed to Pieces the King of Armenia his Ally by the greatnefs of his Ruin. All who had Connexions with him fhared the fame Fate. The mercilefs Genius of Sylla had it's full full Scope ; and the Streets of Athens were riot the only ones which ran with Blood.…