intendments was in his Iâ—periall City strangled as is generally thought by a Parthian slave whom formerly he had redeemed from death He was buried in Rome with Torches by night close by Campus Martius 20. Helvius Pertinax Anno Domini 194. COmmodus being dead An. Dom. â—94 Pertinax a Ligurian by Countrey although he was meanly descended by parentage yet hee ascended by his valour which hee chiefly professed to the state of the Imperiall heighth He was the sonne of a quondaÌ„ Slave or Libertine and studying in his youth he was a Doctor in the Lawes Afterward hee tooke such felicity and complacency in a military life that he was noted to be of a more than ordinary wisedome and infinite valour in all his actions insomuch that by the conspirators against Commodus now dead hee was assumed to the Imperiall Crowne Hee so behaved himselfe that envy which is alwayes the side-mate of vertue repined so that a while after some emulous persons distasting his good government desirous of novelties with many wounds deprived him of life to an universall griefe being of the age of 66 who reigned onely 7 moneths 27 dayes with so great benevolence to all that the Senate determined to annumber him to their Deities and for his honour to succeeding ages with all funerall pompe was buried in the Fane of the Goddesse Ceres lying close to to the now impregnable Castle of Saint Angelo 21. Didius Iulianus Anno Domini 194. JVlianus of the Dukedome of Millainâ— by birth An. Dom. â—94 seeing that the Roman Empire was as it were sold according to the will and affection of the Souldiers had a great desire concurre or compound with the â—oone-in-law of the late deceased Emâ—eror making him beleeve that which indeede afterwards came to â—sse that the Souldiers would not â—â—ve chosen Pertinax his some-in-law â—at hee might not have power to reâ—nge the death of his Father-in-law â—â—d for this cause they chose Didius Iuâ—anus who being confirmed against â—e will and in despite of the Senate â—â—d of the people also he reigned not â—ng because Septimius Severus a â—an of great valour and power being 〈◊〉 Germany Generall of the Legions â—â—thought himselfe upon this occasion â—â—w hee might make himselfe Lord of â—e Empire and comming within the â—hole Army to Rome was by the Seâ—te acknowledged Emperor Who â—â—ing to the Palace of Iulianus where 〈◊〉 was in great sorrow and griefe cauâ—â—d him to be murthered hee having â—â—ld the Scepter onely two Moneths and five dayes at the age of fifty six yeeres in whose Reigne not many actions of worth are recorded it being short and troublesome Hee waâ— buried in Rome not with any greaâ— pompe because of his Adversariâ—â— power and malice towards his confederates as is supposed in an obscâ—â—â— place on the west side of the City 22. Caius Pescennius Anno Dom. 194. This Emperour is not nominated by some because he was suddainly slaine AT the selfe same time that Severus was created Emperour An. Dom. 194. Pescennius of the Province of Thuscany being in Soria was by his solâ—iers saluted likewise Emperor And whilst both were elected each put â—imselfe in the best security and power that hee could to sustaine their obtained Dignity Pescennius passed to Constantinople with his Army and tooke in many Townes and Countries adjacent thereabouts the better to enable himselfe against Severus who came against him with great forces and power The Armies both meeting and giving each other battaile Pescennius was routed and enforced to flie and flying disguised came to Antioch but being at length discovered his head was taken off and put upon a pole and carryed about by his enemies His sonnes together with their mother were banished and a few dayes after flaine This Pescennius was a brave souldier and excellent a singular Tribune a valiant Captaine a famous Consul but an unfortunate Emperor Hee reigned but the space of one Moneth and left this life at Antioch being indeed cut off by the â—â—nds of his persecuting enemies and 〈…〉 conveyed towards Rome by his sonnes but they also were slaine by his foes and his corpse left unburied 23. Clodius Albinus Anno Domini 195. This Emperor likewise is not nominated in some Writers because he never really had possession CLodius Albinus a Roman An. Doâ— 195. a man well experienced in warre and valiant for his prowesse deserved by Commodus to be graced with the name of a Caesar which title he refusing was by Severus created the Primus Consul and not long after was made fellow-partner in the Empire But in after time repenting himselfe perhaps of his too large liberality and bounty he sought by deceipts treacheries and by most cunning fraudulent and subtile stratagems to make sure of his partner Severus but being not able to bring his fetches about and compasse his unworthy designes he discovered himselfe to be his enemy and with a great army advances against him And being now come to handigripes of battaile after many renewed combats and fights the forces and army of Albinus were worsted much and routed and himselfe taken prisoner He was presently brought to Severus who caused him to be beheaded and his head carried all about 〈◊〉 â—â—on a pole with great contempt 〈…〉 and his body throwne to 〈…〉 24. Septimius Severus An. Domini 195. SEverus the sonne of a noble and powerfull Roman An. Dom. 195. very conversant both in the Greeke and Latine tongues was created Emperor with the good liking and general applause of all men In the government whereof over and above the many and great satisfactions which hee generally gave was this that hee was peculiarly open to grant audience to any and shewed much clemency and goodnesse towards them He had an esâ—ciall care that the Citty should be wâ— stored with corne and graine of all soâ—â— and all necessaries And being maâ— times assaulted with powerfull Armiâ—â— and enemies hee neverthelesse wiâ—â— great valour and courage made braâ—â— and honorable resistance remaininâ— alwayes victorious Hee had an inteâ—â— to nobilitate the City and be pleasinâ— to all although in his time the fâ—â— persecution of the Church began Hâ— dyed in the Castle of Yorke whilst hee was in his warres of England having governed the Empire to the great coâ—tent of the world for the space of eighteene yeeres He had not the name of Severus without a cause for hee severely commanded 40 or thereabout of the Nobility to be cut off and many more vâ—lgâ—â—â— because they said in way of jest Verâ—â—◠〈◊〉 c. He dyed at Yorke as some 〈…〉 through griefe of his some Caracallas wickednesse than of any other malady and had a Monument Emperiall erected to him at Ments in Gormany 25. Bassianus Caracalla Anno Domini 212. BAssianus was the eldest sonne of Severus and Martia An. Dâ—â— 212. and by the reason he was well beloved in his youth for his vertues hee was est successor to the Empire After the death of his
the place of his elder brother Cornelius Valerianus who likewise dyed in his minority Hee was the sonne of Licinius Galienus and Salonia from whom many would have him take his name and others strongly affirme not without good reason because he was borne in Salonia But be it as it will it imports not much it sufficeth that nothing iâ— written of him worth the while but onely this that by his example the miseries of those times may be reflected on being it was held the greatest infelicity and misery to be an Emperor 48. Posthumius Anno Domini 261. BY birth Posthuinius was a Roman a man really just An. Dom. 261. and adorned with excellent quality and vertue of an irreprehensible behaviour and carriage wherefore hee was by Galienus so highly esteemed that he gave him the charge of his sonne and by the meanes of his valour and counsell in Warre hee overthrew all the Tyrants of the Roman Empire to his glory and terrour of the whole Universe After the death of the aforesaid Galienus he was by the French and the whole Army elected Emperor In which government his workes and actions were so admirable that with goodnesse and dexterity he gave compleat satisfaction to all Lastly when hee thought himselfe most secure in his government hee was by the French murdered together with his sonne By whose death those which are too considing to the goods of Forâ—â—â—â— may make usefull consideration because in the ten yeeres wherein 〈◊〉 reigned Emperor he well experienced the many mutabilities thereof 49. Flavius Claudius Anno Dom. 269. THe 49 Emperor was Claudius being a Goth by birth An. Dom. 269. and the second of that name who was created Emperour in the yeere of the 262 Olympiade who reigned onely one yeere and 9 moneths being crowned to the great joy and content of the whole Senate of Rome And so soone as he was confirmed in the Imperiall dignity with just cause and upon very good grounds he made warre upon the Goths who had now for the space of 15 yeeres wasted robbed pillaged and sacked all the Countrey of Sclavonia and that of Macedon a by their wars and inhumane cruelties and having gloriously overcome them for so remarkeable and famous an act hee deserved to weare a Crowne of massive Gold even in his Palace for his greater Majesty and Magnificence After that falling sicke he dyed suddainly at Smyrua â—â—iâ—â—ilius his brother supplying his plaâ—â— a man no way inferiour to 〈…〉 valour wisedome and goodneâ—â— It was not without the Diviâ—â— providence that Claudius should finde the Empire so beset with enâ—mies that he might not put in practice those cruelties which hee intended against the Christians whâ—â— he hated above all 50. Quintilius Anno Domini 271. WEE said that Quintilius was the brother of Claudius not onely in blood An. Dom. 271. but in his behaviour valour and goodnesse and therefore upon the death of his brother by the Senate he was deservedly called Caesar Augustus to his infinite praise and perpetuall memory But because Aurelianus was â—t the same time created Emperour by the Army and perceiving himselfe to bee in great inequality of force power to resist the strength and power of so valiant a Commander called to that dignity and degree with the generall consent of so many most potent souldiers fell into so deepe a melancholy and ill conceit that hee coveting solitude bent his whole intention to what meanes or way hee might preserve himselfe Emperor and not finding any he voluntarily after the seventeenth of his Empire opened 〈◊〉 veines in Aquileya and dyed 〈◊〉 infinite griefe of those who 〈◊〉 â—lected him and had his 〈◊〉 Rites performed in a glorious â—â—â—ner according to the custoâ—◠〈◊〉 the Romans and was 〈◊〉 Smyrna 51. Aurelianus An. Domini 271. AVrelianus was borne in Dacia An. Dom. 271. and succeeds in the Eâ—â—pire after the death of Glaâ—bus being a young child hee was â—rought to 〈◊〉 where he became â—o learned that had bee not beene stained with blood and cruelty 〈◊〉 had not come short but equalled even the best of his Predecessors in â—audable memory because hee was not onely in learning very knowing but also in Armes most expert 〈◊〉 valiant so that taking the government upon him he made warre upon the Gaths and overthrew theâ— horse and foote Hee overcame iâ— Asia and tooke the Queene Zeâ—â—bia Hee conquered the Catelanâ—â— and recovered France and returning to Rome hee pompously tryumphed After that hee repaired thâ— City-walls adorned it with Temples and Altars and beautified 〈◊〉 with edifices Finally by ill couâ—cell hee persecuted the Christiâ—â— with most rigorous execution 〈◊〉 ding out Edicts and Proâ—laâ—â—â—â— to that effect all over the world 〈◊〉 an expresse order to appre he 〈◊〉 put them to death Lastly 〈◊〉 â—laine suddainly in the way betwâ—â— Constantinople and Hereâ—â—ia This Emperor would 〈…〉 â—â—y Co-partner of the Digniâ—â—y 〈◊〉 â—â—periall but was wont to say that Herecules was his Co-emperor as it appeares in an old insculption Herculi Aug. Consorti D. N. Aureliani Invicti Aug. Respub Pis c. 52. Tacitus Anno Domini 276. THE Fifty second Emperour of the Romans was Tacitus An. Dom. 276. and borne in Poland who after the Death of Aurelianus tooke upon him the Helme of â—â—vernment and ruled onely 〈◊〉 Moneths Hee was a singular maâ— replenished with eminent sinceriâ—â— and had as much as could be wished or desired to be in man and principally in all Heroicall acts that ought to be in all good Princes that governe their subjects peaceably and in a way of gaining a love without flattery and a feare without malice He being knowne to be thus was by the common acclaiming consent both of the Senate and people chosen to this dignity So soone as hee was elected Emperor reflecting upon the deserts of his Antecessor Aurelianus he erected him a Statue of Gold and placed it among their Gods causing all those to be flaine that were any wayes accessary to the death of Aurelianus The â—â—nate by the election of 〈◊〉 thought all things restored and to be rectified by the exemplar puoimment of his Predecessors he caused all persecution to cease Hee was murthered by the treason of his Souldiers although some affirme that he died of a Feaver at the yeares of 66. He reigned 6 moneths It is found in Flavius Vopiscus and other Authors that in Terni their Countrey which was a Territory of the Romans famous for Nobility and Gentry there were Tombes erected to him and his brother Florianus and Monuments by the Greekes called Caenotaphia and by the Latines Honoraria Sepulchra whose Monuments were 〈◊〉 the gate of Terni which is 〈◊〉 called Spoletina it having before the name of the gate of the three Monuments heare the suburbane Orchards of the Marquesse Castelli 53. Florianus Anno Domini 277. FLorianus was the brother of Tacitus An. Dom. 277. being also a Polander by birth both sprung from the
hee used not by the instigation of any man but out of his owne invention and and furious braine this was one That being a Necromancer hee slew Christian women being great with child and tooke the children yet unborne out of their wombes the ashes whereof he used in his execrable art to make himselfe greater in authority and power All which availed him nothing because that fighting with Constantinus the Great upon a Bridge hee was by him throwne and drowned in the river Tyber which happened in the fift yeere of his reigne having no other sepulture then the River This Emperor used to joyne the living bodies of men with other dead carcases and being chain'd mouth to mouth hee caused them to bee tumbled up and downe 65. Licinius Anno Dom. 310. LIcinius a Dacian borne An. Dom. 310. being a man knowne to be singular and rare in feates of Armes was by Galerius made Captaine Generall afterwards Co-emperor For wretched avarice and bestiality of lust hee was knowne to be most dissolute and hee was so ill bred and extravagantly drowned in ignorance that he became an enemy of all litterate and learned men terming them the skum and filth of men endeavouring by all meanes that men should shun and avoid them as a poyson or a contagious plague He grew so insolent and proud for one onely victory which hee obtained in the East that hee slighted and contemned Constantinus and began to increase his cruelty and tyranny against the Christians Whereupon Constantinus opposed himselfe and they both joyning battaile this Tyger was put to flight in the Countrey of Pannonia and intending to reinforce his cause was in his 〈◊〉 campe by his owne souldiers manacred in Thessalonica at the age of 50 yeeres and of his government 〈◊〉 and was carelesly cast into a pit having no other respective funerall 66. Martinianus Anno Domini 312. MArtinianus Anno Domini 312. a Sclavonian by Nation a man meanely borne but well experienced in the Art Military was for that cause made Generall of the Horse He was created Emperor and Caesar in Bizantium but in a short time he lost both dignity and life because being taken in Thessalia with Licinius by the expresse command of Constantine they were both murthered by the Souldiers and therefore not having left any memoriall behinde him but this example that we may see and know that many were raised to the Imperiall dignity more by sedition ambition and interest in their souldiers than by any their just desert claime or title to such a degree But it is no wonder that in a manner all or most of them died immaturely and unfortunately being they had neither a meane order or regular way of governing themselves much lesse others living for the most part dissolutely not reflecting on the Proverb Qualis vita Finis ita Live well dye well 67. Constantinus Magnus Anno Domini 312. COnstantine An. Dom. 312. a Britan by Nation a man most valiant and worthy in a manner of an Empire more than any one of his Antecessors after the death of his * I suppose iâ— is meant Constantian Clorâ—â— Father he was elected Emperor He overcame all the Tyrants of the Empire and recovered all rebellious Countries wherefore hee entered into the City of Rome in wonderfull pompe He began to persecute the Christians wherefore peradventure by the divine will and pleasure he was so infected with a Leprosie that the Physitians left him as incurable But the heavenly Grace was his assistance for being asleepe in the night hee saw a vision telling him that if he desired to recover his health hee should recall Silvester the Bishop and all the Clergy from exile Which thing he performing and being baptized he was immediately cured And increasing in devotion hee built many Churches to the glory and honâ—it of God This Emperor would say in praise of Age that Age appeared to be best in foure things Old wood best to burne old Wine to drinke old friends to trust and old Authors to read of Moreover he said that there was but this difference betweene the death of old men and young men that old men goe to death and death comes to young men This Emperour built a City called by his name Constantinople whither hee after translated the Imperiall seate And being at the age of 66 yeeres he passed to a botter life to the great griefe of all and especially of the Christians then living whom he did entirely love and cherish Hee obtained the sole Monarchy of the whole Empire and every where restored peace to the Church He was prolected 〈◊〉 in all his wars he exhorted 〈…〉 to Christianity but compelle 〈◊〉 It was thought that he was poisoned of his brothers at Nicomedia in Greece and had pompous sunorals worthy of so great a Man at the Gity of Constantinople which hee had lately builtâ— 68. Crispus An. Domini 314. ABritan by birth was Crispan An. Dom. â—14 who by his Father Constantiue was elected Emperour and honoured with the title of Casar hee was a man so proper and compleate in the beauty of person that Fausta his Mother in law sought by all meanes possible to allure and intice him to her lust unto whom he by no meanes willing to consent by his vertuous obstinacy converted her vicious love into an extreaunity of hatred insomuch that she accused him to his Father for a forcible violator of her chastity To whose words Constantine giving credit caused the vertuous young man to be miserably put to death at Pola in Histria But not long after this sallacy of the Mother in law comming to light and the innocency of the chaste young man worth an eternall memory being manifestly discovered the wicked Step mother sought to excuse the incestuous malice with the pretence of her plot to wit That Crispus should not be a hinderance to the honour of her sonnes in the Imperiall claime But at length by the perswasion of Helena who was infinitely grieved for the death of her Grand-child the wicked step-mother was put into a hot bath wherein shee breathed her last and suffered a death toâ—â— mild for such an impious and treacherous impurity This Emperor was taught and instructed in Learning by the famous Lactantius It is evident that he was singularly qualified valiant and fortunately victorious Helena his Grand mother much lamented his immature death which was not onely suddaine but mischievous and griev'd the whole Empire who by that meanes were deprived of so hopefull a Governour 69. Constantinus Anno Domini 314. COustantine was the second of that name An. Dom. 314. After the death of his Father Constantine the Great the Empire was divided into many parts but that of France Spaine the Alpes England and Scotland did befall to his charge but not contented with these hee pretended by hereditary right that also of Italy and Affrick which here demanded by way of Embassie but not obtaining his pretended cause he made
should beare Armes in the field or else to bee most cruelly beaten which they rather chose to endure voluntarily than to abandon or forsake the desarts Through the avarice and imprudence of this Tyrant the Goths began with great assaults and fury to breake in upon the Roman Empire and remained victorious having put almost the whole Army to the sword in which terrible conflict Valens himselfe was mortally wounded Tempore Gratiani and escaping with great feare and fright he made to a little Village with very few of his men where hee supposed hee might lye hidd with safety but the Goths comming thither and happening on him burnt him and barbarously like themselves left him without sepulture to the prey of beasts and birds but as others write he was burnt at Adrianople 78. Gratianus Anno Domini 367. THis Emperor Gratian being in controversie with another about the time of his election An. Dom. 367. sent a message unto him that stood for it and to some of the Citizens that did adhere with him that if they did not presently consent unto his desires hee would bring such huge numbers of men in Armes over the Rhine as their horses should drinke that River dry that they should be able to passe it and not wet their feet which threatning they feared and with all joy received him to be their Emperour and he began his reigne in the yeere of Christ 367. He was borne in Pannonia a man singular in Religion and a brave souldier for in one battaile against the Tuscans hee slew above 30000 souldiers that had wasted and spoyled the Roman Country and Territories He expelled out of Italy all sorts of hereticks and all the people being reduced to the faith of Iesus Christ he caused all the ruin'd and demolished Churches to be re-edified But the Gothes afresh renewing their warres against the Romans the Republick fell into great perplexities and agonies upon the outrages and barbarous cruelties which the Gothes dayly infested them with Whereupon Gratian chose for his Coadjutor in the Empire Theadosius a Spaniard an excellent Souldier who in a short time overcame the Tuscans and made a League with the Goths and other Nations Gratianus in the sixth yeere of his Reigne was slaine at Lyons and passed to a better life leaving an exemplar testimony of his worth to the memory of all posterity and lyes inhum'd at Constantinople neare the East gate of the City where there was a Chappell erected for some speciall Festivall dayes and meetings at the Cities charge 79. Maximus This man governed but a very short time in the dayes of Valentinianus but was a wise and excellent Orator THis Maximus the Great was borne of the most noble race and family of Constantine by whom hee was made Emperour in * England Brittaine by the reason hee was well experienced in Warre and a singular good Commander His worth being accompanied or rather enabled with an Imperiall power was the cause that hee with a facile easinesse tooke in all France bounteously enlarging it and honourably augmenting it After that departing thence he tooke his journey towards Italy with a wondrous great Army every where compleat with intent to take in Rome the head-City of the Universe which Valentinian the younger much fearing fled with his Mother Iustina to Constantinople but finding a favourable and fortunate succour of Theodosius hee returned back againe over the Alpes and comming to Rome he found Maximus in a confident quiet whom hee finding without defence assaulted and slew him in his Palace neare the Capitoll to the great griefe of all his souldiers the place of his interment being not certainly knowne This Emperour Maximus being demanded of one What kind of man he esteemed most fit and worthy to be a King Such a one saith he as neither glorieth in his good fortunes nor is daunted with adversity At another time when one complained unto him that the City of Constance in Almaine had not free use of their liberties and franchises hee answered If they had not great liberty in the Towne of Constance thou which art one of that City wouldst not speake unto me so liberally for franknesse of speech is a signe of liberty He also said That as God would be both loved and feared so should Kings and Princes be for there can hardly bee any true love where there is no feare Moreover saith hee There be three degrees of persons who ought to be both loved and honoured first God above all and in all places Secondly Kings and Princes in their Kingdomes and estates and lastly Parents and Masters in their private families 80. Valentinianus Iunior Anno Demini 376. THis Valentinian the yonger was elected Co-emperour by his Brother Gratianus An. Dom 376. and charged with the government and defence of Italy but being much in feare of Maximus who as some said had privately wrought the death of his brother Gratian he fled for ayd to Theodosius by whose rescue he overthrew and slew Maximus and without controversie with an excelleÌ„t judgment and good government every where he held the Empire in peace after which victory he would often speak with a merry heart I have escap'd the evill and found the good This man not long after to please his Mother followed the most impious Arrian Sect notwithstanding the good advice of Theodosius to the contrary Hee persecuted the Christians very severely not omitting but taking all occasions of utterly extinguishing them to his possible power In France he slew Victor the sonne of Maximus lastly remaining in Vienna as he thought secure in serene peace and tranquillity Eugeniâ—â— the Tribune secretly entering his chamber there strangled him and was inhum'd at Millan with funebriall rites 81. Theodosius Anno Domini 379. THeodosius was a man of excellent parts An. Dom. 379. for behaviour singular for vertue rare for goodnesse to all admirable not oneâ—y loved but reverenced with feare by every man and wonderfully devoted to our Saviour Iesus Christ wherefore he extinguished the hereticks and overthrew the Tyrants And amongst the rest of his vertues Humility was most eminent in him Hee governed the Empire alwayes with a greatnesse and majesty convenient for such a state and degree He would never judge determine or give sentence against any man being in passion or anger which hindereth the rectitude of sense and true judgement in any man but in such cases he went discoursing upon some act of piety and vertue thereby to quitt passion and cleare his understanding Moreover this Emperour making preparations for war against Eugenius expresly forâ—â—â— his souldiers to exact of their Pâ—â—trons where they were to be billeâ—ted or lodged any more than what came freely from them and also that whosoever of them should curse the Emperour viz. Theodosius should not be punished for it saying Quoniam si id ex levitate processerit contemnendum est si ex insania miseratione dignissimum si ab iniuria remittendum
est Because if it proceedes of levity it is not to be regarded if of madnesse it is to be pittied if from an iniury or wrong it is to be pardoned in them Soz. lib. 7. cap. 25. Sozomenus relateth that in the yeare 394 and the last of Theodosius that in Epitus there was a Dragon seene of such a bignesse that being dead eight yoakes of Oxen could hardly have drawne him thence In the 22 yeere of this Emperours reigne there were great losses by Earthquakes in sundry places as in the Imperiall City of Constantinople at one time there fell downe 57 Towers of the City-wall though it was new built up And not onely here but also in other places as Alexandria and in Antioch as also famine and ill sents in the Ayre by which many thousands of people and beasts perished This Earthquake endured sixe Moneths constantly overthrowing many faire and goodly Churches and Fortresses in Constantinople as also in Chersonesus it did swallow up whole Parishes it raged by Sea as well as by Land it devoured many ships nay whole Ilands but it raged most in Bithynia in Helespont and Phrygia and the Easterne Countries The Citizens of Constantinople and the Emperor Theodosius with the Patriarch Proclus left the City and remained in the fields praying to God for preservation as saith Nicephorus Lastly this incomparable Prince to his age of 50 governed most vertuously and victoriously and then to the griefe of his friends and lamentable moane of the whole Empire he deceased in Milan in the presence of Saint Ambrose Archbishop of that See and was honorably interred according to the Roman manner 82 Arcadius Anno Dom. 383. ARcadius began his reigne after the death of his Father Theodosius anno 383 An. Dom. 383. and governed together with his brother Arcadius 13 yeeres Dividing the Empire betweene them Arcadius tooke all the Easterne part and Ronorius the West and either governed his charge with singular prudence temperance and modesty overcomming all those difficulties as are wont to happen to all young beginners in Magistracy and in particular they suppressed the arrogant insolency of their Tutors appointed them by Theodosius their Father they being as yet very yong whom they put to death because they pretended to governe as their fancy served contrary to equity Neverthelesse this Arcadius was a Prince so well beloved and ruled so well and commendably that the Senate said of him That it had beene good either that hee had never beent borne or that he might never dye It was alwayes his opinion never to enterprize any Warres except it were upon great necessity saying That whatsoever Prince would live in peace and quietnesse he ought not in any case to entertaine Warres slightly or unadvisedly for a Sword is soone drawne but not so soone put up Whensoever his choler grew to be inflamed he would suddainly withdraw himselfe out of company and being alone would pronounce over all the Letters of the Alphabet each after other with leasure to the intent that in meane time his wrath and anger might waxe cold and be asswaged saying divers times to his attendants That he that cannot subdue his choler by nature must doe it by art and cunning Finally Arcadius having reduced the Empire to a peaceable tranquillity governing in great quiet falling sicke passed to another life to the generall sorrow of all at the age of 31 yeeres 83. Honorius Anno Domini 394. AFter the death of the aforesaid Arcadius â—nno Domini â—4 Honorius takes the Easterne government upon him and together with his Nephew Theodosius sonne of Arcadius he governed 15 yeeres In a very short tiâ—e hee overcaâ—â— Constantine the Tyrâ—â—t in France in the City of Arles together with a great number of his Complices ejusdeÌ„ farinae homines men of the like cruelty and condition Whensoever hee appointed any one to be punished openly he caused the common Cryer with a loud voice to pronounce this Sentence Doc not that to another which thou wouldst not have done to thee In his time the Empire was infested with most bloody and cruell warres in which alwayes by a discreet military order through the resolution of his souldiers he came off victorious with honour In the fourteenth yeere of this Emperours reigne at noone-day a strange fire from Heaven penetrating the great Church of Constantinople fastened upon the Bishops seate and consumed it Spond in Hon. Afterwards growing up like a Tree fastened upon the roofe and devoured it And lastly passing through the midst of the people without hurting any to the great amazement of all seized upon the Senate-house and burnt it to ashes Afterwards the whole Empire being pacified by this worthy Emperour Honorius and the Senate-house re-built hee fell into a grievous sicknesse whereof hee shortly after dyed in Rome after the fifteenth yeere of his Imperiall command He had two wives which dyed both suddainly before the consummation of Matrimony and Virgins both 84. Theodosius Anno Domini 402. HOnorius being dead An. Domini 402. his Nephew Theodosius tooke upon him the whole Imperiall government and governed with Valentinianus the sonne of his Aunt Placida 22 yeeres Hee found the Empire in great disquiet Hee lost Affrica and a great part of Egypt and in Hungaria in Britannia and other Countries by treason and fraudulent dealing many Citties were taken from him And because he fore-saw it at his first entrance to the Crowne hee therefore gave the West to his Consort Valentinianus He was much puzled in Affrica howsoever hee by his valour and singular prudence overcame all difficulties yea and through his great courage recovered many Countries and Provinces usurped by one Iohn and confederate with Hetius who were a cause that the Hungarians came into Italy and spoyled it Moreover there happened so great a famine in Rome that of the barkes of Trees they made Bread and the best Romans were forced to make Bread of Chesnuts yea and some gave fifty pence for a pound of flesh Josephâ—â— and it grew so scarce that many were famished and dyed with hunger and their bodies sold by their kindred at a high value insomuch that the people cryed out to the Emperour sitting to behold the festivall sports at that time of the yeere that he should impose a certaine rate for mans flesh his saying was sometimes That Emperours of all other men were most miserable because commonly the truth is concealed from them And at this time the ayre being corrupt The odosius dyed without an Heire 85. Valentinianus Anno Domini 426. UAlentinianus An. Dom. 426. the sonne of Constantius and Placida was entituled both Caesar and Augustus by his Antecessor Theodosius and by him sent to Rome against Iohn an usurper of the Empire for which service he victoriously triumphed He made truce with Gensericus King of the Vandals he warred against Attila King of the Huns and fought it out heare unto Tolosh which battaile was so cruell terrible