in suche wise that bothe should haue béene intituled Emperours of Rome and ioyntly therewith sware and affirmed that he did it not to remedie the necessitie wherein he stoode but for greate good wil which he did beare him who aunswered this which thou sayest Iulianus be thou assured that I will neither do it either do I loue but yrketh mée to heare it because to gouerne the Empire I am blinde to traueile I am weake and to inioye it am become olde and much more respecting the age which I possesse and the trauels which I haue passed I am more apte to make peace with the Gods then to take warres in hande against men All the men of warre that were in Etruria did passe vnto the seruice of Seuerus whome he would not by any meanes receiue vntil they had sworne to be innocent of the death of Pertinax Seuerus at the breake of the day discouered him selfe with all his armies two leagues from Rome whiche being knowen vnto the Senate ioyntly they agréed to determine two thinges whiche is to wéete to remoue Iulianus from the Empire and to depriue him of his life and in his place to elect Seuerus Emperour Then one of the Senatours came foorth from the Senate and published with open voice vnto the people that they should hold it for certeine that by the authoritie of the sacred Senat Iulianus was depriued of the Empire and in his stéede Seuerus elected Emperour Great was the ioy that the people receiued when they heard Iulianus to be depriued of the Empire and presently at the instant who best might made most hast to receiue the newe Emperour and none passed by Iulianus house that threw not stones at the windowes and spat not vppon the walles At the houre that the Senate went forth to receiue Seuerus they sent a Gentleman to kill Iulianus who expressing the sorrowful ambassage which he brought with many teares Iulianus requested that he might not be slaine before hee had séene Seuerus but the gentleman durst do no lesse then to cut off his head because the Senate stayed at the porte Salaria and had sworne not to procéede to receiue Seuerus vntill they were certeinly aduertised that Iulianus was slaine The vnfortunate Emperour Iulianus being dead his wife Malia and his daughter Escutilia tooke the body buried him in a Sepulcher of his great graundfather on the right hand of the way of Lauinia Iulianus was noted to be a glutton a gamster couetous and ambitious and on the other part he was pitifull amorous eloquent graue and subtile He liued 56. yeares and 4. monethes be reigned 11. monethes and 5. dayes After his death they did neither giue his body honourable funeralls or contemned his Sepulcher This was the end of Iulianus who being old honourable rich would for the exchaunge of the Empire giue his goods aduenture his fame and loose his life R.v. The life of the Emperour Seuerus compiled by syr Anthonie of Gueuara bishop of Mondonnedo preacher chronicler and counseller vnto the Emperour Charles the fift CHAP. I. ¶ Of the linage and countrie of the Emperour Seuerus THE auncient linage of the Emperour Seuerus was of Africa his grandfather was named Fuluius Pius and his grandmother Agrippa which came and died in Lepe an auncient citie in Mauritania was destroyed in the warres of Iugurtha Massimila his father was named Geta and his mother Fuluia Pia a people neither renowmed in armes or glorious in bloud either indued with riches Seuerus was borne in Etrutio Clarus and Seuerus being Consuls the 4. day of April and as his mother reported she had with him a difficult childbirth very tedious to nourse In his first infancie he chiefly delighted to play with other children his fellowes the play of Iudges and when his lot fell to be Iudge as sharpely did he chastice their trifling faultes as he did afterwards chastice their errours in earnest Hee learned the Gréeke and latine tongues with such singular perfection and was so prompt to speake write read dispute in the said tongues as if hee had béene borne in those countries and learned no other languages At the age of xviij yeres he was a publique aduocate and defended causes in lawe in such wise that if he had followed Science as hée did Warres hée had béene no lesse renowmed in science and letters then he was famous in armes He was not full xx yeares of age when he first entered Rome in which dayes there reigned the right happie Marcus Aurelius and by intercession of his kinseman Septimius Seuerus hée had the office to register daily such as either died or were borne in Rome which office although it were not profitable yet was it an occasion of great acquaintance to be throughly knowen because nightly he wēt to Court to report who was borne or had died that day The first night that he entred Rome by chance his host wher he lodged was reading the life of the Emperour Adrian wherin was relation of the great perils which he passed before he might atteine the Empire Seuerus said vnto his host in iest In trauels perills I imitate Adrian I hope also that I shall succede him in the Empire By chance as the Emperour M. Aurelius made a general sumptuous supper vnto many noble Romans Seuerus was amongest them at the time that he shuld haue taken his seat at the table without regard he placed him in the Emperours chaire and when others derided him for his negligence folly which he had comitted Seuerus aunswered Peace gibe not it is possible my destinies may be such that as I nowe sitt in the imperiall chaire in iest so one day I may sit therin in earnest Seuerus dreamed on a night that he suckt the teats of the wolfe that noursed Remus and Romulus which dreame he alwayes held for a great good signe of his future Empire In the time of his youth he was both absolute and dissolute especially in womens matters other vanities for which causes hee was many times taken banished shamed In the offices of warre he was placed in them all especially the office of Questor which he held long time and it is said of him that hauing by that office charge of monie he was diligēt in recouering faithful in diuiding parting therof In the moneth of Ianuary in the 5. yeare of the Empire of M. Aurelius it chaunced him to be Proconsul of Betica which now in Spaine is named the kingdome of Andoloizia where he remained the space of a yeare a halfe in which gouernment he was no lesse loued then feared and feared then loued Seuerus being Proconsul in Betica receiued newes of his fathers death in Africa wherupon he presently passed into Africa partly to execute the obsequies and to giue his father an honourable Sepulcher and partly to take order for a sister that was left vnto him and goods whiche he did inherite The Consul that then was
what to spend and not to learne to keepe audit It is a loue disordinate for the prince to folow the direction of his owne proper will bicause it is impossible but he should fayle to perfourme that which hee ought that alwayes executeth his owne wilfull minde Loue is disordinate when the Prince imployeth his loue in fewe being Lord of many bycause Princes in such wise ought to loue and be bountifull vnto their priuate and fauoured seruaunts that they disgrace not the nobles of their kingdome Loue is disordinate when Princes in vanities and trifles do consume their times bycause the curious gouernour in such wise diuideth time betwixt him and the common wealth that he neither wanteth for affaires or hath too much to imploy in vices Loue is disordinate when the Prince is orgulous quarellous ambitious and proude for notwithstanding that as a Prince they ought all to serue him it followeth not that as a God they shoulde adore him Loue is disordinate to hazarde the giuing and diuiding of rewardes not as euerie man deserueth but according to the wil of him that gouerneth for there is no equal infamie vnto the prince as it is to chastice vice not to remunerate seruice Loue is disordinate when of will he taketh away frō another that of right apperteineth not vnto him self bicause to the greatnes sinceritie of princes it is iust conuenient that in their rewardes gifts they shew their franke liberalitie in receiuing they stande with all men in iustice The case standeth thus that the Prince which is indued with these loues affections may not escape many trauels and also many souden assaults and perils for that euerie disordinate affection she her self with her self bringeth griefe and displeasure Plutarche in his bookes of cōmon welth persuadeth the Emperour Traiane that hee hath his will at libertie and his loue subiect to no man for that according as hee sayeth It little profiteth that a Prince be Lord of many kingdomes if on the other part he become bondman to many vices The diuine Plato saide that for a prince to be good hee ought to giue his heart vnto the common wealth his rewardes vnto such as serue him his desires vnto the Gods and his loue vnto his friendes his secretes to his priuie counsell and the time to affaires Oh how happy were that prince that according to this Platonicall sentence should diuide and repart his person bicause he being diuided for all the whole should be ioyned together with and for him ¶ The authour applyeth all that which is sayd vnto the end wherfore he did speake the same All that which we haue aboue sayde by writing most souereigne Prince wee will vtter and declare by example for according to the saying of Eschines the Philosopher Words well spoken do awake and reuiue the iudgements but great and manifest examples persuade the heart For to leade or intice a man to be vertuous and to do vertuous woorkes it maketh muche to the matter to persuade with discrete reasons sweete words but in conclusiō for much credite which we giue to that which he sayth much more is giuē to that which he doth The Poet Homer said that it is a thing verie easie to write acts of great prowesse and verie difficil to performe them For whiche cause it is necessarie for such as deale with princes to shewe them by example all which they persuade thē by writing to the end they see most cleare that the great and mightie deedes done by other Princes in the worldes they want not force to performe them but a minde to vndertake them No Prince hath to holde of him selfe so small estimation that he doubt to performe that which another Prince hath done in time past for after this manner Theodosius should be dismaide by the remembraunce of Seuerus Seuerus of Marcus Aurelius Marcus Aurelius of Antoninus Pius Antoninus Pius of Traiane Traiane of good Titus Titus of Caesar Augustus Caesar Augustus of Iulius Caesar Iulius Caesar of Scipio Scipio of Marcus Marcellus Marcus Marcellus of Quintus Fabius Quintus Fabius of Alexander Magnus and Alexander Magnus of Achilles the Greeke The heartes of these so high Princes did not reade and inquire of the deeds of their forefathers to feare them but to imitate them surely they had great reason bicause None amongst the mortal hath done any deed so glorious that by another man may not be beautified and made better Princes be boūd to do such and so high deedes and enterprises that of them selues be worthy praise and very honourable for others to folow for the same it is not more necessarie to haue a noble minde to giue the enterprise thē after wards to haue the aduenture to finish the same Plutarche saieth that Agesilaus the Greeke said that Fortune did neuer shew her selfe noble but vnto a minde that was generous and noble and surely he said most truth bicause men lose many things not bicause they may not attaine them but for that they dare not attempt them The Prince ought to straine and enforce him self to be good and to imitate the vertuous since with lesse cost mē be vertuous thē vitious milde then ouerthwart valiant then cowards patient thē furious and sober then gluttons for the theefe doth need as desperate a minde to scale an house as a noble minde is due to a captein that foloweth the wars Dionysius the tyrant Gorgius the tyrant Bias the tyrant Macrino the tyrant Catiline the tyrant if we might commend them and they of thē selues giue reason they would sweare and affirme that they passed more trauell and found thē selues in more perill in defending their tyrannies then Scipio and Cato in conseruing their cōmon wealthes Oh what great reason and how much occasion haue Princes to be good and to fauour the good since they haue authoritie to commaunde and riches to giue whereof if they haue skyll to take the aduauntage with their potencie they frame them selues to be serued and with their giftes they bring to passe to be loued Ioyntly with this I admonishe and also aduise Princes and great lordes to be magnificent in their giftes and verie attemptiue in their commaundements For notwithstanding a Prince may do what he list it is not conuenient he do what he may Although the authoritie of the prince be free absolute and without measure to him it is conuenient in all thinges to vse measure and moderation for that euery gouernement that is absolute hath a taste or relishe of tyrannie Many Princes haue lost thē selues by their vices which they vsed and many more haue beene cast away by executing their will and power for princes in perfourming all that they can and all which they will it followeth that their affection maketh them stumble passion their eyes to dazell But moste souereigne Prince speaking more particularly by the imitation of Plutarche and Suetonius Tranquillus I thought good to translate compile and to
thereof In the place where olde Carthage stoode Traiane did builde a castle more faire then strong and erected therein two counterfets the one of Hanibal the Carthaginian and the other of Scipio the African but presently vpon his departing from that countrie the pyrates layde it flat on the earth Incontinent after Traiane had arriued into Africa there grewe a generall pestilence throughout the same for whiche cause he coulde neyther goe to sée that he desired eyther perfourme that whiche he determined And as the pestilence grewe so cruel Traiane was constrained to retyre vnto the port of Bona which was somwhat more sound and from thence he sent for the principals of the Numidians and also of the Mauritans who incontinently in presence of Traiane were made friends and left and committed into his onely handes all their affaires Amongest all the Princes of this worlde Traiane obteined this excellencie That neuer man came into his presence that denied him that whiche he craued eyther disobeyed him wherein he commaunded bycause in his commaundements hee was verie wise and in requesting verie humble Traiane thought to haue stayed in Africa more then two yeares and yet remained there but foure monethes and as he sayde afterwardes that if the pestilence had giuen no impediment he would of him self haue lefte as great memoriall in Africa as he did in Datia Traiane tooke sayle at the porte of Bona and came by the streightes to Cadix whiche is nowe called Calize a citie of Spaine wherein he had béene bred and from whence being a verie young man he had departed Traiane gaue many Priuileges vnto the Gauditains as vnto his naturall friendes amongest whiche two were most notable namely that they shoulde be citizens of Rome and paye no custome or tribute for any merchandize whiche they transported Traiane did builde in Calize a most sumptuous temple vnto God Genius whiche the Romaines helde for the God of byrthe He made also a calsey of stone along the shoare but it was not all finished when by the furie of the water it was all destroyed He intended to repayre the pillers of Hercules whiche by their great antiquitie were then consumed and being persuaded by certaine persons to erect others in his owne name to the ende that in time to come they might be called the pillers of Traiane and not of Hercules he answered that whiche I ought to doe is that as Hercules came from Graecia vnto Spaine to obtaine honour so ought I from Spaine to goe into Graecia to winne fame Traiane commaunded the bridge of Alcantara in Spaine to be made a worke that lasteth to this our age wherein concurreth statelinesse subtiltie cunning and profite He made another bridge vpon the riuer Teio neare vnto Ystobriga and is the bridge that nowe is broken at the bankes of Halconeta Traiane commaunded the way named Publius to be continued being the waye that nowe is called in Spaine the Calsey that goeth from Ciuil vnto Salamanca and is named the Publian waye whiche is to say the waye of Publius for that the firste that beganne the same was Publius Fabatus one of the Consuls that fought with Viriato That which Traiane made of that calsey little more or lesse was from the Casar of Casares vntil within a league of the vents of Capara whiche be lodging or bayting places and so to be vnderstoode not bicause the histories do clearely report thereof but by the pillers which vpon that way be erected which say in their grauen letters that they were placed there in the dayes of Traiane And he that will be curious to goe and sée as I many times haue gone to sée and reade and also to measure shal finde within the sayde boundes the name of no other Prince but of Traiane and before the Casur which is a towne neyther after the vents of Caparra which be lodgings vpon no piller shall they finde Traiane written The cause wherefore the Consul Publius Fabatus did raise that calsey was to make a diuision betwixt the Vetical Prouince which is Andaluzia and the Prouince of Lusitania which is Portugal diuiding from Ciuil to Salamanca all on the left hand of the calsey in olde time being Lusitania and all on the right hande Andaluzia Betwixt the Proconsul of Betica and the Proconsul of Lusitania there did arise great contention vppon the diuision of their boundes wherevpon this large and sumptuous calsey was erected and perfourmed Vpon the riuer of Gadiana Traiane commaunded a long bridge to be made on the middest whereof he built a market place for the merchants of both people to trade and concurre This bridge appertaineth to the citie of Merida which at this day appeareth verie large and had in the middest thereof a diuision stretching vppe into the riuer the hurle of a stone whiche on both sides came backe vnto the bridge continued directed and sustained by walles in the compasse wherof was the place or market When the Greeks did first giue foundation vnto Merida they made therein two streates and the riuer Gadiana betwixt them both and where Merida nowe standeth was the stronger and that on the other side the riuer was more delectable in suche wise that they helde the one to retyre vnto in time of warre and the other to delight in time of peace As the Consul Publius Fabatus made diuision of Portugal and Andaluzia the streate on the other side the riuer fell to the Prouince of Lusitania and the streate which is nowe Merida fell to the Prouince of Betica and frō thenceforth there was alwayes betwixt thē great contention in such wise that they ouerthrew the bridge that stoode in the middst of the citie and the coyne that in times past had ben currant they made of no value betwixt them This good Emperour Traiane meaning to cut off these so old enimities made in the midst of the citie vpon Gadiana the bridge that nowe is and to remoue all quarels for walking in eache others streates he made a market place in the midst of the bridge where they should congregate talk and traffike of their merchandize The prosperitie of Merida continued vntil the time that the Gothes entered Spaine whiche holding warre with the Silingues being in those dayes Lordes of Andaluzia fortifying them selues in Merida by the Gothes were there ouercome and those generous sumptuous and auncient buildings throwen flat vpon the earth In no citie of all Europe did ioyntly concurre foure buildings suche as Merida helde that is to say a stately college certaine conduites and arches for conueyaunce of waters a temple of Diana and a bridge that contained a great and large market place which continued in building many yeares and perished in one day CHAP. XVI Howe Traiane did passe out of Spaine into Asia and the manner that he vsed in the warres AFter that Traiane had visited in Spaine the Prouince of Betica of Lusitania and the Prouince of Carpentania he came through the prouince of Tarragona in which
succéede him in his Monarchie answered Vnto the most worthy Traiane made a memoriall of all the most vertuous wise and of most worthinesse within the Empire and ioyntly therewith caused to be written of them seuerall Orations in Gréeke and Latine and he him selfe did adde with his owne hande what he thought agréeable to their conditions and abilities To the ende that after his dayes the Senate might open and reade the same and from thence to make election not of him that did most procure but that did best deserue At one time a certaine Consul named Neratius Priscus was greatly in his fauour vnto whom he had thought to haue left the Empire in so much the one day Traiane said vnto him Neratius Priscus from hencefoorth I comend the Empire vnto thée if any sorrowfull or souden destinie shall happen vnto me All such as did withstande the adoption of Adrian did fauour the election of Neratius Priscus but Fortune that should haue framed the effect brought Neratius into Traianes great hatred not a little to the profite of Adrian bycause from thence foorth although their remained enimies to hinder his intent none as an opposite durst demaunde the same When Traiane passed from Spaine into Asia to the wars of the Parthians Plotina and Surus made great suite that Adrian might be sente as Pretour into Syria whoe being in Antioche was aduertised by a messinger from Traiane which in times past had bene his tutor how he was elected to be Traianes sonne and assigned his successour in the Empire Excéeding was the ioy that Adrian receiued with that newes which he did vtter in such excessiue manner and degrée that presently he did celebrate with great games and feastes the day of his natiuitie and not only vpon that day but euery yeare all the dayes of his life bicause it was the thing that his heart most desired and for the attainement whereof he had imployed his greatest skill and strength At that time were Consuls Sosius and Pretorius with whome Adrian entered newe friendshippe and the ende wherefore he did vndertake this newe affection was that as Plotina Surus did solicite procure the Empire with Traiane so those two Consuls shuld subsist him in the Senate in such wise that if he did watch to obtaine it he did ouerwatch to sustaine it Not long after that Adrian was adopted that is to say after fourtéene monethes Traiane dyed presently Plotina his wife and the Consul Tatianus being chiefe friendes vnto Adrian did take order and vse great diligence that Adrians admission vnto the Empire might first be notified and knowne in Rome before the death of the Emperour Traiane whiche was concealed and couered for certaine dayes saying that he was so sicke that he would not be visited vntill they were possest of the power of the armies and had obteined the good will of the Senate Adrian did write vnto the Senatours giuing them to vnderstand that Traiane was at the point of death and that also he was assigned and adopted to be his successour and heire in the Empire and did right instantly request them to take the same in good parte and therevppon did promise and sweare vnto them to diuide or giue offices but at their owne liking and consent CHAP. VI. Howe at Traianes death Adrian was declared Emperour THe newes of Traianes death being arriued at Rome presently it was published that the succession of the empire was cōmitted vnto Adrian vpon the confirmation or refusal of this election there arose no smal contention in the Senate and the matter so far argued prosecuted by his friendes and so resisted by his enimies that it gaue no small doubt of intestine warrs no lesse cruell then the warres betwixt Caesar and Pompey The seruaunts of Traiane the friends of Plotina and the kinred and alies of Tatian did vse suche diligence in this case that within thrée dayes they confirmed Adrian in the Empire and the greatest cause to moue the Senate therevnto was that they had intelligence that Adrian was in Syria in full power possession and authoritie of the whole armie and might haue bene constrained to yealde by force which they refused to perfourme by good will. Presently after Adrian was confirmed in the Empire he did write vnto the Senate gratifying their friendly fact and requesting that Traiane might be collocate amongst the Gods since he had bene a Prince so diuine whereto the Senate gladly consented saying that although Traiane had finished his life for euermore in Rome his fame shoulde indure In memorie that Traiane had ouercome the Parthians they ordeined that euery yeare the Parthik playes should be celebrated in Rome which indured amongst the Romains many yeres but in fine they and their playes had an end Before all thinges Adrian gaue order that the body of Traiane might be brought into Italie where it shoulde be giuen a generous sepulchre and to effectuate the same commanded his ashes to be inclosed in a boxe of Vnicorne which also was inclosed with golde and placed in a piller of most excellent marble lyned with most rich purple all which being ladē into a gallie he sent Tatian and Plotina with the body vnto Rome al Rome went foorth to receiue the body of Traiane and as it is sayd and written there was neuer so muche ioy vttered for any man that entered being aliue but muche more sorrowe was discouered for Traianes comming deade Adrian stayed in Antioche whiche is the heade of Syria partly to assemble the whole armie and partly to recouer money for being then winter he could neyther campe for coldenesse of the weather eyther marche or iourney for want of money Adrian was there aduertised howe the Mauritans did defie him the Sarmatians did mutinate the Britans did rebell the Palestines resist the Aegyptians disobey and that all the Barbarians were in commotion Finally it is to be vnderstoode that vpon the death of Traiane al people and nations were so escandalized that it séemed not but that he left the world without a maister or an owner Adrian perceiuing the greater part of the Empire in commotion determined to make them no war but to intreate them by peace and for this cause he refused and forsooke al those kingdomes and Prouinces that lay beyond the riuer Euphrates and the riuer Tygris which the good Traiane had wonne and conquered in which conquest he imployed his noble person and gaue ende vnto his honourable life Vnto all kingdomes and Prouinces Adrian sent Embassadours to confederate with some and to confirme peace with others and with some he did capitulate thinges so slaunderous and with so great disaduauntage that it had bene much better to haue raysed warre then to haue procured a peace so infamous Parsnapate king of the Parthians came to complaine vnto Adrian saying that the good Traiane had giuen him that kingdome and crowned him with his owne hands and now vpon the death of Traiane they would neyther obey him or suffer
his defence in such wise that although they wer of great disorder in their life yet they vsed great conformitie in agréement for the manner and fashion of their robberies One of the thinges wherein the malice of man moste readily doeth shewe it selfe is that to doe euill wee are soone agreed but to perfourme a good woorke wee consent with greate difficultie Commodus was well persuaded that the tyraunt Maternus was nowe deade imagining in his owne conceit that at the forsaking of his campe and renouncing of his armie of extreme desperation and horrour of him selfe he had desperately drowned or committed him selfe to the halter But Maternus in recompence of the losse of his potencie and negligence of his honour bent all his studie to deliuer Commodus from his life The Romaines helde a custome vppon the tenth day of Marche to celebrate the feast of the Goddesse Berecyntha on that day the Emperour and the Senate went vnto her temple to offer sacrifices which done and perfourmed generally all persons for the most part disguised them selues masking and feasting throughout the whole citie in suche manner their faces being couered the one was vnknowne vnto the other Maternus and other his fellowe théeues and friendes had agréed to weare secrete armour with face disguised that when the Emperour Commodus should most chiefly be addicted to viewe and beholde the playes and his guarde most carelesse of his person by a coūterfet braule amongst them selues to finde ready meane to cut off his life But notwithstanding Maternus had lost his welth power and honour he ceased not to continue proude hautie and disdainefull seeking to be serued and reuerenced not as a friende and poore companion but after the manner of a Prince and as one that were very rich Wherevpon certaine of his companions being not onely wéeryed but tyred to walke lurkingly in corners and not able to indure to be handled with so great seruitude and further fearing some day to be discouered they repayred vnto Commodus and with great secrecie manifesting the whole matter which is to wit that Maternus the tyrant was a liue and fully determined in those playes and feastes to kill him Incredible was the feare wherewith Commodus was touched when he hearde that Maternus the tyrant was aliue and no lesse was his ioy to consider the conspiracie to be detected and notwithstanding Commodus had intelligence thereof certaine dayes before the feast hée suspended the execution thereof vntill the day of the Goddesse Berecyntha to the end that nothing should be reuealed vnto Maternus of that which was discouered vnto Commodus The maner that Maternus deuised to murder Commodus the same did Commodus vse to take and kill Maternus that is to say the great day of the feast being come as Maternus and his band came masked and armed so Commodus brought forth his men armed and disguised and with a set quarell the traitour and tyraunt Maternus was slaine and his men cutt all to péeces The greatest feast of that feast was celebrate in strāgling hewing mangling drawing burning of the bodies of these miserable théeues because it is an euident lawe for tyrants that the hurtes robberies slaughters violences and burninges which they haue committed in many dayes they come to make repayment thereof in one houre CHAP. X. ¶ Of the inexpected death of Cleander a fauoured and most priuate seruant vnto Commodus AFter the death of the tyrant Maternus the Emperour Commodus passed his life in great doubt and feare imagining with himselfe that some day they would dispatch him either eating or sléeping for he did both knowe and also would say that they were fewe which prayed for his life but very many that sighed for his death Vntill Commodus died hée euer walked warely for hée doubled his guard to guard him by day and strongly shutt in his house by nighte in that which hée did eate in his lodging where he slept on the palfrey wheron he roade on the garments which hée did weare hée set great watche in such wise that hée paid it but only with his life that durst touch his garment Very séeldome he went to the Senate and much lesse did ride openly in the citie hée had not talke with strangers but by writing with his subiects he had no conference but by a person intermitted and that which was more maruell hée had many times such conceite not onely to refuse to write aunsweare heare causes or dispatch affayres but also in foure or fiue dayes would not speake onely one word In the xi yeare of his Empyre Maternus the tyraunt was slaine on the next yeare there followed a great pestilence and a generall hunger in which hunger and pestilence the third part of Italie was consumed Immediatly after the pestilence had entred Rome Commodus departed vnto the citie of Laurento where were planted many Laurel trées for which cause the citie was named Laurento where also the Emperour more remayned then in any other place the Physicians giuing him to vnderstand that to be vnder the shadowe therof was very proper and conuenient for defence of the pestilence Notwithstanding the scarsitie of bread and wine that was that yeare further a certaine occasion of great hūger happened in Rome which was as followeth When the good Marcus Aurelius triumphed ouer the Argonautes he brought amongest other captiues a younge man named Cleander who was openly solde in the market place in Rome and by chaunce bought by a clarke of the kitchin to swéepe make cleane the larder at courte This slaue Cleander became so handsome in swéeping seruing and pleasing his maister that not many yeares after he did not onely make him frée and marrie him with his daughter but also did aduance him to the office of Clarke of the kitchin in such maner that from the estate of a bondman hée indued him with the condition of a sonne Nowe when Clēander sawe himselfe frée married and in office in the Court he trauelled to obteine the good will of the Emperour Marcus Aurelius which he obteyned by carefulnesse in seruice and diligence in his office and vsed therin so great diligence and promptnesse that he was neuer noted either slacke in prouision or false in reckoning Marcus Aurelius being deade Commodus forgate not to remoue Cleander from the affayres of the kitchin and made him capitaine of his guard and Lord great Chamberlaine of his chamber Vnto none of as many as did serue accompany Commodus in his youth that hée was gratefull but vnto Cleander vnto whom it had bin much better neuer to haue risen to so great honour for thereof onely procéeded the losse of his life Althoughe the fauour of Cleander did rise in iest or of small causes he framed in fewe dayes to performe the same in earnest which was as followeth that as Commodus grew into disgrace was abhorred and had no care of the gouernement of the Empire Cleander did presse and in such maner did thronge to entermedle with affayres
banished and prouided also Galba Rufus for his Chamberlaine whom after foure houres he discharged of his office and sent him in exile and when Niger Rufus complained of their griefes Commodus aunsweared hée did not banishe them for that which they had done but for that which they might doe He created Prefect Marcus Dulius a man most certaine right generous and auncient whome after thrée dayes hée remoued from his office and comaunded him vntill his death in his house to be prisoner the occasion whereof was for that as hée affirmed Marcus was very old and spente and therefore it were no reason he should be troubled of any person and also that if any man should request any thing hée mighte aunsweare him that hée was a prisoner and might not go out of his doores to doe him pleasure He gaue the Senate to vnderstand that hée would go into Africa and had necessitie for his nauie by sea his army by land of a great summe of monie although the Senate did suspect it but a collusion they durst not but open the treasurie and diuide with him the treasure for otherwise he would both make hauoche of their liues and treasure In April the Senate gaue foorth their monie and when Commodus was in possession thereof he bruted his departing vnto Campania to take men of warre where hée remayned ail that Summer and also parte of the next winter eating drinking fishing hunting playing wrastling running leaping dauncing swimming and such other vanities All the Senate was much ashamed and all the Romanes not a litle touched after they vnderstood the monie which was giuen out for the warres of Africa to be so vitiously consumed by Commodus in Campania After his returne to Rome Commodus was aduertised that Motilenus Prefect for that yeare had murmured more at him then any other person and for very griefe and despight did wéepe to sée their monie prouided for the warres spent in so wicked vses Commodus confected certaine figgs and inuited Motilenus to dinner who being fed with figs died the third day following One day he clad himself as a priest right pontifically and placed himselfe aloft on a choche of 4. furious horses the Romanes supposing he would offer sacrifices at the temple he mounted certeine rockie cliftes mountaines and there against all reason ran his charriot where his horses happened to be all to torne his chariot rent all to péeces and hée brake his head and wrenched his foote finally he made a narrow misse in repayment of his follie that day to haue lost his life On a day he went to the Senate and said that hee would not haue Rome named Rome but Cōmodiana and the Senate aunswered they were both pleased to call Rome Cōmodiana and the Senate Cōmodiano That which the Senators supposed to be demaunded in iest also consenting in iest Commodus did accept in earnest from thenceforth the letters which were written the prouisions which were made the seals therto ioyned in al such instruments Rome was intituled Cōmodiana the Senate Cōmodiano and if by negligēce any man happened to be obliuious therof to vse the name of Rome presently he was banished from thence to séeke Rome for that was not but Cōmodiana The priests of the Goddesse Isis were commanded to come into his presence and said vnto them that shée had reuealed vnto him that their heads should be shauen and that hée was commaunded as high priest to performe the same and with a blunte knife hée cutt their nailes and blunting his knife vppon stones would drie shaue their heades in such wyse that as their haire was drie and his knife blunt it might more truely be said that hée did rather fley them then trimme or dresse them Such as garded the temple of the Goddesse Bellona hée caused their right armes to be thrust out of ioynte alledging that since they painted the Goddesse with a broken arme her priestes ought not to haue their armes whole and sound The Romanes painted their Goddesse Isis with naked brestes and Commodus on a day visiting that temple and beholding the image of Isis painted with brestes discouered hée caused the brestes of the priests to be scrat with combs of yron in his presence affirming that it were vniuste for their Goddesse to haue naked brestes and they to hold their entrailes hidden Commodus commaunded all men to call him Hercules which to the end hée would resemble hée made a coate of Lions skinnes and tooke in hand an huge clubb wherwith hée wente day and night killing men breaking doores and ouerthrowing pillers with such other vanities in so much that a fierce cruell Lion would not haue done so great hurtes as Commodus committed as a Lion but counterfect With many other vaine and wicked déedes vnworthie to be written CHAP. XIII ¶ A discourse of the prouinces that rebelled in his reigne and the prodigies of his death THere rebelled against the Romane Empire in the reigne of Commodus the Mauritanes the Datians the Sarmatians and the Germaines all which were onely come by the Romane capiteines for that Commodus did rather imploy his valiauntnesse in vices then in resisting enimies Hée was not onely in his woordes and workes vaine and friuolous but also in his letters which hée wrote for the Empire for that many times being aduertised frō countries and prouinces of causes of great importance he would answeare them with matters of vanitie and sometimes would sende an whole shéete of paper sealed and firmed conteyning onely one Latine woord that is to say Vale. Notwithstanding the dayes of his reigne were the most vnfortunate dayes yet would hee néedes commaund them to be termed the golden world Most heynous offences hée would pardon for monie if any person being absent were condemned to die hée would finde out some other of his age and name to be executed for his offence affirming that since he did resemble him in age and name hée should not varie in the maner of his death in such wise that this tyrant did kill innocents for the wicked and let offenders escape for monie If any man had an enimie of whom he would take vengeaunce hée néeded no other meane to performe the same but to bargaine with Commodus for a summe of monie which being agréed he neuer wanted occasion to rid him of his life At all the vile and filthie déeds which Commodus committed he was not gréeued but delighted in the publication thereof in so much that he was not onely euil but also boasted himselfe to be euill for that he entred so great follie or madnes that all thinges which hée either did or said whether allowed or misliked of himselfe or all other men expressely hee commaunded them to be written in the registre Capitoline On a certeine time he determined to burne the whole citie of Rome and being prest to giue fire to many parts Letus a Consul came vnto him and said vnto him so many things and put him
resident in Africa sent Seuerus for his Embassadour to the Sardinians which were reuolted from the Romanes and entering into Sardinia with certeine burning torches according to the maner of an Embassadour of Rome there came vnto him a townesman after the fashion of a iester and did imbrace him whom Seuerus commaunded to be whipt saying In the act of so great grauitie trifling gibes be inconuenient For that which this iester did and for the disgrace which Seuerus receiued they ordeyned in Rome that from thence forth Embassadours alwayes should enter all cities on horsebacke as in times past they had vsed on foote Continuing Proconsul in Africa he would néeds vnderstand of a Mathematiciā or Astronomer how farre his fortune extēded or did reach and hauing receiued the day and houre and also the ascendent of his natiuitie the Astrologian being amased and terrified of the Fortune which his natiuitie did promise him said vnto him It is not possible that this be thy natiuitie therfore were it meete thou shouldest giue me thine owne and not the natiuitie of another for were it true that thou wast borne vnder such a cōstellation thou shouldest be Emperour of Rome At the age of 32. yeares hée was in Rome elected Tribune of the people more for the pleasure of Marcus Aurelius whome he serued then for the seruice that Seuerus had done in the common wealth but afterwards he proued so toward and was so vpright in causes of iustice that it neither repented the cōmon wealth to haue chosen him either Marcus Aurelius to haue procured the same His Tribunal office being ended he was named Pretor of the people and on the day of his election the more to aduaunce his honour the Emperour passing throughe the streates of Rome placed him with himselfe in the Licter which déede was not a litle reproched of some through enuie and of othersome thorough disdaine CHAP. II. ¶ Of the offices which Seuerus held in the Empire before he was Emperour THe affaires of Spaine being dispatched Seuerus failed into Asia and assone as he had set his foole a land hee departed vnto Athens partly to behold the gouernement of the Greekes and partly also to heare the doctrine of Philosophers because in those dayes they talked not of any matter more in all this world then of the great Fortune of the Romanes and the profound eloquēce of the Greekes Not a few dayes he remayned in Athens hearing the Philosophers conferring with the Senatours visiting temples and viewing buildings because naturally he was a friend of new inuentions desired no lesse the knowledge of antiquities Although Seuerus of person was valiant and Capitaine of Rome and also of indifferent eloquence yet they gaue him no good interteinment in all Grecia for which cause when he came afterwardes vnto the Empire he streightly reuenged the olde vnkindnesse which he bare vnto the Greekes euery day diminishing their priuiledges Being returned from Asia vnto Rome hee was sente Embassadour vnto the prouince of Lugdune which nowe in Fraunce is named Lion of Sonorona and being at that time a widower they practised with him a marriage with a certeine Lady of noble bloud in countenance most faire and gratious in gesture That Lady was named Iulia of royall bloud vnto whome purposing to present iewels of great price and finding no goldsmith sufficient to performe the same being also aduertised of a goldsmith in Syria that excelled all men in that facultie and doubting all messengers to be insufficient trauelled in his owne person to fetch the same as he after made reporte vnto his spouse that with the rewards which he gaue vnto the goldsmith and the charge of that voyage hée might twise haue béene maried The Senators sēt to reproue Seuerus not because he had married but for the great iourney and large expences which he had passed for a woman aduising him that it was not conuenient for a citizen of Rome to imploy his person but to aduaunce his honour either consume his goods but for defence of the common wealth whereunto Senerus aunsweared that for none of those matters wherof he was blamed he either deserued blame or punishmēt because without all comparison much more was the merite of that Lady with whom he was married then the expences or trauells which for her seruice he had suffered And further he said it seemeth vnto mée fathers conscript that for this acte I deserue honour no blame since thereby ariseth vnto Rome both honour and profite because strange kingdoms haue séene that Captaines of Rome to obteine riches haue strēgth skil and to spend them haue noble minds Seuerus stayed ioyntly 3. yeares in Fraunce both loued and feared no lesse reuerenced of the Frenchmen not onely for that he was iust in iudgment and liberal in expences but aboue the rest in that he was of a sincere life The Calends of Ianuarie being come at what time in Rome they diuide their offices the Proconsulship of Sicylia was allotted vnto Seuerus wherof he receiued no smal griefe partly for that he found himself very wel placed in Fraunce feared the condition of the Sicylians Being resident in the Isle of Sicyl he was accused by his enimies of Rome that he did not exercise the gouernement of the common wealth so much as the search of southsayers who should be Emperour of Rome because in those dayes Commodus was Emperour of Rome and all men held it for certaine that for his wickednesse he should be slaine or himselfe for his great vitiousnes should die Commodus receiued great displeasure when hee vnderstoode that being as hee was aliue and but a young man Seuerus should séeke for the succession of his Empire for which cause Seuerus was forced presently to depart from Sicyl come to Rome there to discouer and make proofe of his innocencie because the daunger was no greater then losse of honour and life Presently vppon his arriuall at Rome he did yéeld himselfe vnto the gaile Mamortina and would not depart from thence vntill by publique sentence his innocencie was vttered and his accusers depriued of their liues Two monethes after these matters passed the Calends of Ianuarie were come in which Seuerus was elected Consul ioyntly with Apuleius Rufinus the day that this was published they say that Seuerus said This day it is manifested in mee that men neither know what prosperities be conuenient for them either what aduersities doe impeache them and I say it for this cause for that criminally I was accused in Rome and my person prisoner in the place of malefactours whereof there proceded that I departed from Sicyl came to Rome giue safetie vnto my life augment my goods recouer fame take vengeance of mine enimies and obtaine the Consulship of the common wealth The time passed of his Consulship hee stoode an whole yeare without any office and as he afterwards said many times the best and merriest dayes of all his life were conteined in that yeare
ruled their families for he vsed oft to say that the man which knewe not to gouerne his wife to prouide for his house and direct his familie the prince might not cōmit a greater follie then to place such a one in the gouernment of the cōmon wealth In Rome they were named Milites veterani that long time had serued in warres and were withdrawen vnto their houses these were mainteyned at the charges of the common wealth and priuileged for apparance before a Iudge and as Alexander was infourmed of their licentious and vicious liues he commaunded them to be banished Rome and no more to be mainteyned by the common wealth When he signed the sentence of their exile with his owne hands he added these words It is as iust that the vicious and wicked frō a free man be conuerted to a slaue as the vertuous from a bond man to be made free for where there is corruption of manners liberties haue no place Most truely these wordes were spoken as of a prince right worthie veneration Also he visited the officers of the common treasurie as if we should say the Auditors and others that had charge of the goods of the kingdome amongest whome hée found many bribers and néedelesse officers those hée commaunded to be punished and these to be disfranchised Alexander was greatly affectionate vnto the affayres of the common wealth with which zeale he vsed so great diligence that the goodes of the common wealthe were recouered gotten againe from the handes of robbers and spent and imployed in matters profitable for it was his opinion the Good princes ought not to consent that vagabounds should liue of the entrails of the people He wrote vnto all prouinces that in all ciuil causes Iudges should procéede according to the order and right therof théeues matters of felonie excepted who within thrée dayes after their apprehension should either be punished executed made slaues for the seruice of men or condemned to cōmon works for publique profite and for no cause to let them escape for as he oft said Neuer mā which had made a proofe in the knowledge of thefte vntill his death might at any time depart from so foule a vice He also visited the officers that had the charge of pay for the men of warre against whome he receiued accusations for payment of euil monie imbezeling of payes reckoning the dead with the liuing and valuing their victuals more then they were woorthe whome Alexander commaunded openly to be whipt and for euermore to be banished He established by publique edicte that whosoeuer should aduenture from thencefoorth to steale or imbezill any paiment due for matters of warre should for the same loose his life All thinges which he had to commaunde or prouide in the common wealth hée did first communicate with such persons as hee thought to haue knowledge and experience thereof and his manner was to say that in following his owne proper iudgment he had neuer but tedious successe but by repayring vnto other mens aduise hee alwayes gathered some fruite Hée held in his house many and very notable persons of whome alwayes hée was accompanied but amongest al whome he best loued and did most commend his secréetes was Vlpianus this Vlpianus besides his great learning was a man so vertuous that Alexander would oft say hée had rather aduenture the committing of some odious déede before the Gods then speake a foule woorde in presence of Vlpianus His predecessour Heliogabalus had ordeyned many lawes in the fauour of the fiscall to the greate preiudice of the people for admitting that goods were augmented yet on the other parte the common wealth daily diminished for which cause Alexander commaunded that all those lawes should be reuiewed considered and refourmed for as he vsed to saye it were more commodious for the Prince which is no tyrant that his cōmon wealth be riche and his house poore then the common wealth to be poore and his house riche When he beganne to reigne the people were abandoned to dissolute manners for which cause he made some rigorous lawes and other milde and pittifull but when he commaunded them to be proclaimed openly he gaue aduertisement vnto his ministers to execute them in secrete Consider not so much what I commaund you as the intent wherewith I commaund you which is to weete that rigorous lawes are not but to terrifie but lawes which are pitifull to be executed because we make not lawes to take away mennes liues but to roote and weede vices out of our common wealthes When the Senatours did sitt in graue affaires he was not contented that they should saye their opinions by woorde but by writing neither was he yet satisfyed that they should set it down in writing but adde also therunto the reasons which moued them to that their opinion saying he did it to this ende that none should aduenture to yeld his opinion either forced with affection or corrupted with passion but as reason and vertue should direct him Naturally he was an enimie vnto lyes and lyers and if any man presumed to lye in his presence he receiued thereof as great despight as though he had done him an iniurie He woulde oft saye that good Princes haue to esteeme such for greater enimies that deceiue them with flattering and lyes then such as do intrude vppon their countries for the one taketh not but of his goods but the other robbeth him of his fame At all times when they had talk of the election of any Senatour or Iudge he was alwayes hearde to speake these woordes in the Senate If as nowe being present with men I were in presence of the Gods I would craue their opinions in the electiō of Senatours and Iudges for that the choice of gouernours in a common wealth doth more seeme diuine then humaine election CHAP. IIII. ¶ Of the milde conditions of Alexander and of his gratefull conuersation ALexander was friendly vnto his seruaunts whome he would visite indifferently in their sicknesse that is to wéete as well the meaner as the more fauoured and in repayment of such his visitation he woulde request them to giue him aduertisement what was saide of him in the common wealth and if they saide vnto him any thinge more worthie amendement then praise he gaue them as greate thankes for that aduise as at another time he vsed to giue for any greate and notable seruice The Consul Vncoiasson on a certeine time in great secrete saide vnto Alexander I am not a little astonnied at thee moste serene Prince that doest permitt thy selfe to bee gouerned of thy graundmother Mesia thy mother Manea and thy wife Meania who haue framed thy conditions so milde that thereby thou doest impaire the estimation both of thy person and also of thine Empire for that a base and ouerfamiliar condition leadeth vnto cōtempt Vnto this Alexander aunswered I owe reuerence vnto my graundemother because shee nourished mee vnto my mother for that shee bred mee vnto my
because in great and graue affaires one hath to propound but many to determine But comming to the purpose you haue knowen seene that these xi yeares we haue gouerned the Romane Empire in which space we haue trauelled to conserue all men in iustice shunned all occasions that might hinder our peace wherin we haue cause to giue thanks vnto the Gods since we haue deserued to enioy in oure time that which our predecessours neuer obteined Although a prince in his condition be a Saturnine and in his life not well aduised in conuersation vnbridled in keeping couetous and proud in his owne estimation yet all is to bee suffered and dissimuled if hee hold peace with strangers and without acception of persons doe equall iustice vnto his subiectes It is knowen vnto you all that Artaxerxes king of Persians hath destroyed the Parthians and dealt foulely with all oure confederats friendes and yet remayneth in so great power in Asia that there is not against him one launce in the Reste but your heroycall deedes and noble mindes being considered wee thincke not that ye either meruaile or haue any doubt thereof for that admiration proceedeth of small wisedome and feare of cowardnesse Heroycall persons that amongest others would be notified receiue with equall mindes aduersitie and prosperitie for vnto such men though the ioy of prosperitie and the smarte of aduersitie bee vncertaine yet is their glorie vnuariable Leauing the Gods and speaking of the affaires of men nothing may iustly bee termed great but that which bringeth with it great inconuenience and then one is of more valure then all when one doeth that whiche all leaue vndone for greatnesse consisteth not in possessing proud desires but in perfourming deedes of noblenesse From Rome wee haue sent oure Embassadours vnto Artaxerxes to persuade him to leaue those prouinces whiche hee hath taken and to abstaine from them which hee ment to take which hee not onely refuseth to doe but hardly might endure the hearing therof for which cause it apperteineth vnto the greatnesse of Rome to employ it selfe to the breaking of his pride for that it proceeded not of lesse vertue to humble the proud then to aduaunce the humble Many of you which be here haue beene bred and also present at the glorious acts of Antoninus Pius and Seuerus my progenitours noble men of immortall renowne and notwithstanding that by the antiquitie of your yeares and the trauels which ye haue passed in the warres ye may not fight yet at the least ye shal profite vs by your aduise and counsell whiche in the warres is verie necessarie and no lesse profitable for that in such assembly one counsell is oft giuen that exceedeth the seruice of a thousand horsemen Perfectly wee ought to hope that wee Romanes shal bee conquerours and the Barbarians ouerthrowen not onely for that they first raised this warre but also because we haue requested them with peace wherein the Gods are so iust that very sildome they permit them to enioy the victorie who were the occasion to raise that warre And doubt ye neuer the more for that our armour is old rustie because the felicitie of warre consisteth not in bright armour but in doughtie harts and noble mindes Many which march on land in bright armour be ouercome and all men that go by sea weare rustie armour and doe conquere in such wise that warre is not mainteyned with armour of yron but with heartes of steele And be not escādalized with consideration that ye haue to fight vnder the stādard of a young prince which wanteth experience in the warres but as of the rest so of this ye shal haue no cause to doubt for that I go determined intending in the acte of fighting to fight as one of you in matters of counsell to yeeld my selfe vnto the counsel of the auncient For any want of victuals neither haue ye to suspecte for that we are prouided alreadie in the chanel of Byzantio with wheate of Sicyl wines of Cādie bacon of Campania oyle of Spaine salt of Capua pouldred beefe of Cerdonia and oates and beanes of Normandie For other pleasaunt and delectable things I neither cōmaund to search either would I if they were found suffer them to be transported because in the warres they may hardly subdue their enimies that are ouercome with vices Scipio the African when he went to besiege the renowmed Numantia founde thirtie thousand Romanes which xiiii yeares had beene at the siege thereof enuironed with two hundreth thousand vices who like a skilfull Capitaine banished both vice vicious persōs out of his campe this being accomplished presently the enimies were ouercome In this iourny so tedious perilous chargeable costly I would not that ye should do more thē ye shall see me doe because in trauell vppon the way sayling on the sea defending passages executing on the enimies and in the vsage of my person ye shall finde mee an affable companion and no niggardly prince These and such other woordes Alexander vsed vnto his armie which being heard with lowde voyces they did all wish the Gods to preserue his life and said with one assent that they were readie to go and die in that warre in his seruice This speach being ended he diuided amongest his armies much monie according to the custome of the Romane Emperours which was not giuen in part of paiment of their wages but to animate them that with the better wil they might indure the trauels of warre CHAP. VIII ¶ Howe the Romanes were ouercome of the Persians AFter that Alexander had discoursed with his Captaines and prouided all thinges necessarie for his iourney he commaunded open warre to be proclaimed against Asia a day appointed for his departing before which time hée made great sacrifices in the temples and vowes vnto the Gods because the good Romane princes vsed for custome first to pacifie the yre of the Gods before they tooke armes against their enimies On the day in which he issued out of Rome all the Senate and people did accompanie him 3. miles further also a thing much to be noted there was none which beheld him departing but bitterly fell a wéeping for that being as he was a prince so pitiful of all mē he was cordially and hartily beloued From the time that hée departed from Rome he stayed not vntil he arriued at the citie Alexandria to which place he had commaunded all the garrisons of Illyria to repaire that there being assembled the ignorant might exercise feates of armes further to prouide things necessarie for the warres Alexander being arriued at Alexandria it séemed vnto him to his graue Romane counsellers to send another Embassage to Artaxerxes king of the Persians once more to inuite him to peace which if he refused then against him to sound defiance Artaxerxes being aduertised of Alexander his passage into Asia the cōming of his Embassadours into his kingdom did neither manifest any feare of the Romane power