Within Watson's "Duty of Self-Denial" there are a few sections I would
like explained:

1) Can you give me a brief overview of who Spanhemius is and what this
reference refers to?  "Tis a saying of Spanhemius that there is in
every man by nature a spice of Pharisaism, a seeking after the glory
and applause of the world."
2)"Tacitus said he would not have Erasmus's fame and applause for all
the world." Gaius Cornelius Tacitus was born around AD 56 - died
around AD 120 - but who was this Erasmus that Tacitus referred to -
can you give me a brief overview of this Erasmus?
3)"There is a place in Africa called Tombutium where the inhabitants
spend all their time in piping and dancing. And have we not many who
consume their hours in plays and brothels?"  What can you tell me
about Tombutium  - where in Africa is/was it - was there any
reasoning for Watson's reference to this particular place (as compared
with other African areas)?

My objective is to have enough information to understand these
sections more clearly.