from Military austerity and Martiall dispositions But he was the first that altered their strong and manly Diet and subverted all Order Discipline and Obedience to Governours by teaching them to hunt after Money and using them to delicate Fare Having made these Ordinances after his owne fancie he entred the * Or Parliamenthouse Senat-house where ascending his Royall Throne hee made a bitter Invective against Albinus Friends producing the secret letters of some of them which hee found in his Cabinets and objecting to others that they had honoured him with the richest Presents to these that they had favoured his Eastern * Niger Enemies to those that they were Albinus Favourites Then he put to death all Severus cruelty and covetousnes the chiefe Peeres of the Senate and slew without mercie all that were of great Estate and Nobility in the Provinces pretending to suppresse his Enemies but spurred on indeed by extreame Avarice wherein he exceeded all the Emperours For as in Haughtinesse of Spirit hardnesse to indure labour and Skill in Martiall affaires he was equall to the worthiest So was hee an unmeasurable Lover of Money which hee accumulated by cruell Slaughters upon the least Cause or Colour ruling his Subjects rather by feare than love Neverthelesse hee affected popular Lustre by frequent His Popularity exhibiting most stately Shewes of all Sorts where were oft slain an hundred beasts brought from strange countries Hee distributed also magnificent Donatives to the people and ordayned a Triumphall * Game or Exercse of Manhood Agon sending for Actours and Champions from all parts I have seene in his Time Shewes of all kindes of Pageants in all the Theaters at once as also processions and vigils like Ceres mysteries Secular Games These were then called Secular Solemnities because they V. Alex. ab Alex. Gen. dier l. 6. c. 19. were celebrated as they sayd after the Tearme of three Ages or Generations What time Bedles went thorow Rome and Italy to invite All to come and see those * Instituted in honour of Apollo and Diana the Sunne and Moone Shewes which they had never seene before nor should ever after see Intimating thereby that the inter-space betwixt the past and present Celebrity exceeded the longest Age of Men Having stayd a sufficient time at Rome where he associated his Sonnes in the Soveraignty and declared them Emperours considering that his former Victories were over his owne Countrey-men and the Romane Armies for which cause he forbore Triumph he determined to get himselfe honour by a glorious Conquest of the Barbarians His pretext was to be revenged on Barsemius the Atrenian King for his Confederacie with Niger Whereupon he lead his army into the Orient and as hee was about to enter Armenia the Severus his second Expedition into the East King of the Armenians sent him Money Presents and Hostages humbly intreating to contract a League of Amitie with him Severus seeing all things happen to his mind in Armenia marches against the Atrenians But Augarus King of the Osroens submitted himselfe to him and having assured his Homage by delivering his children for pledges sent to his Ayd a goodly Band of Archers Severus having passed the Region lying betwixt the Rivers and the Archers Country of the Albenians made a Rode into Arabia Felix where growe those odorate Herbes which wee use for Spicerie and Frankincense Having destroyed many Cities and villages and wasted the Countrey â—e entred the Land of the Atrenians and Siege of Atrae beleaguerd Atrae a City mounted on the top of an exceeding high Hill strongly walled and fortifyed well manned and full of excellent Archers Severus army incamping before it made many furious Assaults striving with all their strength to master it to which purpose they assailed the Walls with all sorts of warlike Engines pretermitting no kinde of Invasion But the Atrenians made abrave Resistance and with Shot and Stones from above did much hurt to the Severians They filled also Earthen Vessells with small Fowles and Venomous beasts which being cast among them and lighting on their Faces and other open parts of their bodies crawled all over them and secretly stung and tormented them Moreover they were not able to indure the stifling Aire of that extreame hot Clime which cast them into strange Calentures so that the most part of the Armie dyed rather by that meanes than by the Enemie Whereupon the Souldiers growing desperate at that luckelesse Siege where the Romans lost more than they got Severus discamped and departed without Effect lest all his Men should perish being much grieved that the successe of the Siege was not answerable to his desire For having beene wont to get the Victory in all incounters he now reputed himself overcome because he could not overcome But Fortune soone after smiled on him and advanced his Designes so that hee lost not all his labour but fared better than hee expected For his Army being imbarqued was not brought to the Romane Territories as hee intended but was hurried by the violent Streame to the Parthian banks not many dayes journey from Ctâ—siphon where was the royall Severus strange fortune Palace of the King of Parthia who lived there in peace esteeming Severus warres against the the Atrenians to concerne him nothing at all In which security he little thought of any Disaster Severus Host arriving there Si vis securus esse time securitatem S. Bernard against their wills by the violence of the Current presently landed and immediately fell a syoyling ravaging the Countrey driving away all the Cattell they met with for Provision and burning all the Towns as they went Then marcht they to Ctesiphon where the great King Artabanus was resiant and King of Kâ—â—thia surprised finding the Barbarians ubproâ—vided they slew every man they found pillaged the City and led captive all the women and children The King with a few Horsemen escaped but they rifled his Treasures and taking all his Ornaments and Iewells returned to their Ships Thus got Severus the victory over the Parthians rather by chance than choice And now having sped so happily beyond all hope hee sent * Dight with Laurel as Conquerors used Letters to the Romane Peeres and People containing a glorious Relation of his Acts accompanied with painted Tables representing all his Battels and Conquests Hereupon the Senate decreed to him all triumphant Honours and the Sirnames of the Nations hee had vanquished Severus having composed the Orientall Affaires took his way towards Rome bringing with him his Sonnes who were now big Youths Having ended his Iourney ordered the Provinces as was requisite and visited the * Mysiae now Servia and Bulgaria Mysian and Pannonian Armies he entred the City in Triumph the Romanes receiving him with great Acclamations Severus Triumph and glorious Ceremonies Hee againe entertained them with Feasts Sports Spectacles and Pageants giving them Royall Donatives and solacing them with Triumphall Shewes
but rightly weighing his cause and ballancing his purpose they will soone discern that it is farre more reasonable and necessary to revenge than receive an Injurie the Party slaine being withall so egregious a coward and the Victor so bravely valorous as appeares by the Event What perillous Plots hee had on foâ—t against me both by Poysons and all sorts of treacherous practices you may soone finde by the torture of his Servants whom I have therefore commanded to bee brought hither that you may know the truth Divers of them have beene examined already whose Confessions you may heare The truth is I being with my Mother he and others rusht in upon me with drawne swords but I shrewdly suspecting it my mind misgiving me prevented it and slew him as a Traitonr for certes hee had not the affection or disposition of a brother Now as it is an act of Iustice to bee revenged on such dangerous persons so are there good Precedents for it Romulus the first Founder of this City would not indure his owne brother * * Vid. Liv. Aurel. Victor de Orig. Gent. Roâ—â— that did but jest at his endeavours I omit Germanicus brother to Nero and Titus brother to Domitian Marcus himselfe that made such afaire Flourish of Philosophy and Humanity would not suffer the affront of * * There was a Report that Marcus Aurelius poysoned him but as Aurelius Victor saith none but lewd persons believed it Lucius his Sonne in law but secretly dispatcht him And so have I anticipated by a just Vindication the Poysons and Sword of an Enemy for so his Deeds stile him You are therfore to thanke the Gods that have reserved you such a Prince under whose sole Regiment you may now live quietly and securely without Distractions For as Iupiter is the onely Emperour among the Gods so hath hee decreed that there shall bee but one Emperour among Men. Having thus said with a loud Voice in great rage and casting His Savage Cruelty a terrible frowne on his brothers friends he leaves the Senatours most whereof lookt pale and trembled and hurries to the Pallace where he instantly slew all his brothers servants friends not sparing any Officers that were found in the House nor any other no not very Infants All whose Carkasses being despightfully throwne into Carts and carryed out of the City were cast by heaps at randome into the * They had not the honour of a decent Funerall fire Hee spared none that had the least acquaintance with Geta but put to the sword even Wrestlers Charriot-drivers and all kinde of Players and Actors that had any way delighted him by seeing or hearing them He slew also the most eminent and opulent Senatours upon the least suipicion or suggestion that they were friends to his brother He put to death Commodus his Sister who was then an old woman and had bin much honoured of all the Emperours because she was Marcus his Daughter imputing it as a crime that shee wept with his Mother at her Sonnes Murther Nor did hee forget his quondam Wife Plautians Daughter that lived in Sicily nor his Couzen-german named Sevecus nor Pertinaxes Sonne nor the Sonne of Lucilla Sister to Commodus but cut them all off together with all the Imperiall Kindred and the flower of the Nobility and Gentrie Then sent he into the Provinces and massacred all the Presidents and Procurators as Geta's Favourites Yea whole Nights were spent in such Tragicall executions of all sorts of people Hee buryed the Vestall Virgins quicke pretending they had lost their Virginity Lastly which was never done before when at the Circensian * Instituted in honour of Neptune Vid. Al. ab Alex. Gen. Die lib. 6. cap. 19. Sports where himself was a spectator the people cast some scoffe at a Charriotier which he favoured he taking it as an affront to himselfe suddenly commanded his Men at armes to rush among the Multitude and kill all that had scorned the Charriot-driver Upon this Command it being impossible to find out the Delinquents in so great a throng no man confessing himselfe guilty the Souldiers spared none that they light upon but either slew them or tooke away that they had in lieu of Ransome After all which hainous Acts his conscience His guilty Conscience recoyling and shrewdly stinging him he was weary of the City life and resolved to leave Rome upon colour to reforme the Legions and visit the Provinces Departing therfore from Italy he came to the banks of Ister and the Northern parts of the Empire where he exercised His Exercises himselfe in Coach-races and combating with all kind of Wilde-beasts Sometime he sat in judgement though very seldome where after a few words on either side he presently gave Sentence He much affected the Germanes and made them his His affection to the Germanes Confederates and Associates in warre choosing from among them the most valiant and personable to bee of his Guard Yea he oft laid aside his Roman habit and put on Germane attire going abroad in their Cassockes trimmed with Silver and wearing a yellow Periwig lâ—ke the Germane bush Which affected Garbe infinitely indeared him to the Barbarians And the Roman Army was well pleased by reason of his profuse Donatives and because he descended to the performance of all Military His Military Austerity labours in his owne person for hee would first dig when neede required and if a bridge were to bee made over a River or a Rampire to be cast or any Manuary worke or toyle to bee undertaken he would be the first that should put his hand to it contenting himselfe with a spare Diet wooden cups and platters and any bread whatsoever for his manner was to take so much wheat as would suffise one man which he grinded himselfe and then kneading it into Cakes and baking it on the Embers eat it Briefe hee left off all manner of Iunkets and delicates faring no otherwise than the poorest common souldier Moreover it pleased him better as he pretended to bee called Fellow-souldier than Emperour accustoming himselfe to travel on foot as the rest did and rarely using Horse or Caroach carrying also his owne Armes and many times the Great Imperiall Standard which being marveilous weighty by reason of the rich and Massie Gold-worke was not easily borne by the strongest Ancient-bearer For these and the like observances the army loved him as a good Souldier and honoured him as a brave Commander And indeede it was a wonder that so small a timberd man was able to do so great matters But when he had visited the Legions upon the banks of Isâ—er and went downe into Thrace which borders on Macedonia he then began to play Alexander He acts Alexander reviving that Kings Memory by all meanes possible causing his Statues and Images to be erected in every City and filling Rome it selfe the Capitoll and all the Temples with them I have seen also divers ridiculous Images
Splendor and Nobility of Emperors doth so puff them up with pride that they scorne all men as their Vassalls But they which get the Soveraignty by moderate actions are more carefull to retaine with sobriety what they attayned with difficulty and to give all due honor respect to others For my own particular I have determined to doe nothing without your approvement whom I desire to associat as my Counsellours and Assistants in the mannagement of the State The liberties and Franchises which you lost by the tyranny of those so nobly descended Emperors and which Marcus and Pertinax raised to the Throne from a private estate indeavored to restore you shall fully injoy For it is more honourable for a man to give the first lustre to his Family by his owne noble Atchievements than basely to contaminate by degenerat and debauched behaviour the Nobility received from his Ancestors The Senate having read this Macrinus election confirmed by the Senate Letter gave him all their votes and decreed to him all Imperial honors Yet was not the Senate so joyfull at Macrinus succession as all â—he commons were glad at Antonines destruction For there was not a man of any â—aâ—ke or quality but thought he had now escaped the sword which hung over his head And now * SycophaÌ„ts Promoters and all servants that had appeacht their masters were trussed on gallowses all the city of Rome almost all the Romane world being well weeded of those wicked wretches by their death or exile And if any of Informere punisht them sculked so close that they were not apprehended yet was their poison kept in for that one yeare that Macrinus reigned For it was his maine errour that he did not presently dissolve the army by commanding the souldiers to their several homes and repaire to Rome immediatly the people still crying calling for Macrinus But he unwisely staid Macrinus his Error at Antioch trimming his Beard and stalking in State with a solemne â—low pace and scarce vouchsafing to speak to any that came to him or with so low a voice as oft could not be heard In which garb he imitated Marcus the Emperor not resembling him otherwise in any sort For he daily gave himselfe to a more delicate course of life and was more addicted to Stage-playes Masques Revels than to the Administration of the Empire When he went in publike he was deckt with jewels and a * Or Baudricke scarfe embroidered with gold and precious stones of inestimable value which excesse the Romane army much disliked holding it fitter for Women Barbarians than Princes Considering therfore his eâ—â—eminate unmartiall conditions they began to disvalue him were still paralelling his riotous loosnesse Antonines military skill prowesse They also tooke it very hainously that they were forced still to live in tents far from home and many times without provision of necessaries and not permitted to returne into their severall countries a peace being now concluded while he fared plentifully and lived deliciously Wherfore abandoning all respect to him they watched every opportunity to make an end of him Thus did the Fates decree that Macrinus having reigned but one yeare in such delicacy should lose his life Empire at once Fortune ministring to the souldiers a very small and sleight occasion to effect their desires in this manner There was one Moesa a woman of Moesa * See M. G. Sands Description of it in his Iournall p. 207. Phenicia borne in the City Emesa whose sister Iulia was wife to Severus and mother to Antonine who in her sisters life-time had lived many yeares in Severus and Antonines Court. This Maesa after her sisters decease and Antonines murther was commanded by Macrinus to take her goods remove into her native countrey Now she had great store of coine which she gathered all the while she lived in so flourishing an estate And being now old she returned to her old home She had two daughters the elder named Soaemis the younger Mammaea that had a son called Basstanus this another called Alexianus both bred up with their mothers Grandmother Bassianus was upon the point of fourteene yeares and Alexianus of ten both Priests of the Sun which is worshipped as a god by the Phoenicians and tâ—armed in their language Heliogabalus to whom they built a stately Temple The Temple of the Sunne bravely adorned with gold silver and precious stones Nor is the Sun onely adored by them but also by the bordering Princes and Kings of the Barbarians which yeerely strive who shall send him the most costly Donaries This god hath no Image to represent him that is made with hands after the Greeke and Roman fashion but there is onely a V. IO Selden 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 de Dis Syris Synt. C. 1. huge great* stone all round from the bottome and sharp towards the top like a * Or Spire Cone The stone is of a black colour they confidently affirme that it fell from heaven Some shining spots there are in it and divers figures This they say is the Suns Image not The Image of the Sun made by human art To this god was Bassianus sacred as being the Bassianus elder Son and therefore did he execute the Priests Office being vested after the Barbarian Rites with gold-embroidered coats with hanging sleeves reaching downe to the foot His under-garments which covered him all over froÌ„ his hands to his legs were like wise cloath of gold tissued upon purple his head was adorned with a rich crown of precious stones Hee was a delicate gracefull youth and of so sweet an aspect that hee was held the wonder of his time So that his beauty age shape and costly habit corresponding he might not unfitly be compared to the dainty Images of Bacchus This brave young priestling as he sacrificed and caperd about the Altars to the musick of flutes pipes and all kind of instruments was curiously eyed of all but especially of the Roman Souldiers either because they knew he was of imperiall linage or because his attrative beauty drew all their eyes upon him for at that time a great army was quartered neere to that * Emesa City for defence of Phenicia being soone after lead thence as we shal herafter shew The souldiers therfore daily repairing to the citie and temple under colour of devotion were ravisht with the sight of so rare a creature Now many of them being Romane fugitives were familiarly acquainted with oesa who when they extold his favour told them whether truâ—ly or no is uncertaine that he was son to Antonine though he were reputed anothers who lay with her yong faire daughters in the time of her abode with her sister at the Emperors Court Which when they heard and had told their fellows the bruit of it flew thorow all the armâ— It was also reported that Moesa had great store of treasure and would give it all to
against Tyrants or else too much addicted to glorifie Princes Cities and privat persons have not perfectly delineated the Image of Truth For my owne part I have Herodians Historicall Faith here undertaken to write such a History as is not grounded on vulgar Aires and vaine Noyses or on the uncertaine Credit of forraigne Relations but of such recent Occurrences as I have * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 faithfully and industriously collected and cannot bee unknowne to the moderne Readers and I doubt not but the intelligence of so many raâ—e and memorable Accidents which have fallen out in so short a time will be both usefull and delightfull to After-ages For if wee reckon from Augustus who reduced the State of the Romane Common-wealth to a Monarchy wee shall not finde in all those two hundred yeares for thereabouts it is to Marcus the The rare and choice Occurrents here recorded Emperours Raigne either such change full Successions in the Empire or such various chances and events of civill and forraigne Warres or so many Cities of our owne and of the Barbarians conquered beside earthquakes and pestilences and the lives of Princes and Tyrants so strange and uncouth that all the Records of Antiquity can hardly parallel some whereof injoyed their Principality for a longer time others but a very small while yea many of them having scarce accepted the Imperiall Title the very same day they were elected were like wise rejected and deposed from their Imperialitie Whereupon the Citie of Rome having in 60 yeares more Emperors than for the proportion of the time there hapned many variable and admirable Occurrents for those Princes ◠〈…〉 Character of the Emperâ—â—â—s en 〈…〉 g. which were of riper yeares and could manage their Affaires with Wisedome and Iudgement did governe themselves and their People with great honour but the younger sort of them for want of Education and Experience ran many wilde courses Thus disparitie of Yeares and Conditions was accompanied with diversity of Manners and Actions The particulars whereof exactly observing the Concurrence of the severall Times and Princes we come now to specifiâ— A Summary of Marcus his Life and Reigne THe Emperour * Aâ—reliâ—s Marcus had many Daughters and but two Sonnes whereof the younger called Vertssimus dyed in his childhood the other named Commodus he The education of Prince Commodus was very sollicitous to bring up well to which purpose he sent farre and neere for many noble Philosophers giving them great pensions to traine him up in vertue and learning His Daughters The Emperors prudent choice of his Sonâ— in law as soone as they were marriageable hee bestowed on the best men hee could finde among the Senators For in the choice of his Sonne-in-lawes hee had not so much respect to ancient Nobilitie or great wealth as to their Excellence in all Morall and Intellectuall Endowments rightly esteeming the Goods of the Minde to be the only permanent and durable Riches His Princely qualities Hee was indued with all Princely vertues and of such rare and exquisite knowledge in Antiquities that hee was not inferiour to any of the Greekes or Romanes in that kinde witnes his many wise Speeches and Writings yet extant He was also a Prince of so sweet a temper and debonaire behaviour towards all men that he would give * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his hand to every one that came to him commanding his Guard to put backe none that came to see him In a word he was the onely Emperour that shewed himselfe a wise man not onely in Words or Edicts but in Gravity and Continencie of life Whereby it came to passe that many famous Men for Wisedome and Learning flourisht in his time For Men are very apt to imitate their Princes for the most part Now whatsoever he did in peace or warre remarkable or attempted against the Northerne or Easterne Barbarians is already committed to writing by many excellent learned Men. But those Occurrents which all my time after Marcus decease I either saw or heard of most of which I knew experimentally in regard I bore diverse * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 high and honourable offices in the State it is now my Taske to relate Herodian an Officer of State Marcus being now weakened with Age and worne out and spent with incessant Toyle and Care suddenly fell while hee was in * Now Austria and Hâ—agaâ—â—e Pannonia into a grievous disease When he saw himselfe past recovery hee was sore Marcus misdoubts â—â—s sonne Commodus afrayd left his sonne who was then but * About 18. young should in the first heat of youth through his uncontrollable Imperiall power when hee was gone abandon good arts and exercises and betake himselfe to drunkennes and intemperance for Youth is too forward to shake off the yoke of Discipline and devote it selfe to the bewitching blandishments of sensual * 〈…〉 calls S 〈…〉 â—lity these â—â—aigne good of â—eastâ— â—p 93. delights Being also a man of * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 high wisedome and profound judgement he was much terrifyed at the remembrance of many Princes which came to their soveraignty when they were yong youthfull as of Dionysius the Sicilian Tyrant who was such an Epicure in his Diet and manner of living that hee richly rewarded them that could invent any new kinde of pleasure as also of Alexanders Successors which were so exorbitant and irregular in their Governement that they were a great blemish and dishonour to the Empire For * See Iustin lib. 24. Ptolomâ—y so shamefully exceeded the boundes of modesty that contrary to the lawes of the Macedons and all the Greekes hee made love to his owne Sister And Antigonus who would needes personate Bacchus in stead of the Macedonian Coronet and Diadem did usually weare a Wreath of Iâ—ie and carry a * T 〈…〉 speare drest with green boughs in stead of a Scepter The good Emperour was also much troubled with the late Examples of * In him the 〈…〉 Nero who slew his owne mother and made himselfe the sâ—â—ffâ— of the Vulâ—â—r and of Demitian who was a most horrible cruell Monster Revolving therefore in his minde these Images of Tyranny hee was grievously tossed twixt Hope and Feare Moreover he much distrusted the bordering German Nation which yet he had not wholly at his Devotion but pâ—rtly had Confederated partly Conquered whereof many notwithstanding had withdrawne themselves from his Obedience and were onely held in awe with the presence of the Prince He was therfore in great doubt lest despising his sonnes Minority they would presently fall to rebellion it being the usuall gu se of Barbarians to raise Tumults upon the least Occasion In these perplexities hee commands his Kinsemen and principall Lords that werethere to come unto him who being assembled hee sets the young Prince before them and lifting up himself a little on his Couch makes this Speech unto them The
much troubled that his designes were thus interrupted yet relying on his Fathers puissance whom hee thought to bee safe enough hee set forward on his journey and as soone as hee arrived in Italy hee was slaine by the Emperors appoyntment This was the end of them Then Commodus made two Pretorian Praefects supposing it not safe to delegate so great power to any one which being divided betwixt two might bee the weaker and lesse dangerous But ere long another treason broke out against him in this manner There was one Maternus a Maternus a Rebell Souldier that had committed many villanous outrages whereupon for saking the camp hee associated divers Renegadoes like himselfe and quickly rallied together a great Rabble of Roarers wasting and spoyling Villages and Fields Having got much booty there resorted to him a farre greater number of Rogues whom hee promised great rewards and having made them Sharers with him hee was so followed that now they seemed not to be a packe of Theeves but an Host of men or a full Armie For they tooke great Cities and breaking up Prisons every where set all Prisoners and Malefactors at liberty which all turned Souldiers in hope of Pillage and Impunity Thus did they ramble over all Gallia and Spaine sacking and burning all the great Cities they tooke When Commodus heard this hee sent to the Vicegerents and Governours of those Countries very sharpe and minatory Letters charging them with base cowardlinesse and commanding them to levie an Armie against them Which when those Free-booters understood thinking those Countries but hollow ground for them they disperst themselves and slinking thorow unused By-wayes made their Rendezvous in Italy where Maternus began now to looke big and take more upon him consulting with his companions how hee Maternus aspires to Soveraignty might rise to bee a King For seeing his former adventures succeeded beyond his hopes he resolved to undertake some gallant Attempt or since hee had runne so great a hazard not to die a vile and dishonourable Death But considering withall that hee had not Forces sufficient to give battle to Commodus who was yet beloved of the Roman people he resolved to try by a cunning sleight how the Praetorian Band stood Mâ—â—ernus his plot affected to him And this was his Stratagem In the beginning of the spring the Romans celebrate a great Anniversary Festivall to the * Cybele Mother of the gods in whose honour they likewise set forth a stately shew at what time all the most sumptuous and precious stuffe of the Citizens and the choisest Iewels and Singularities of the Emperors are solemnly caried before the Image of the Goddesse all men having liberty to revel and maske at pleasure to disguise themselves in the habits of what Magistrate or Officer they fancy bee they never so great so that a man can hardly discerne the true from the counterfeit This Maternus imagined would bee a fit time to colour his treason to act his Designe which was to arme himselfe and his Followers in all points like the Emperours Guard whereby they might thrust in among the Speares and Halberds as part of his traine and suddenly dispatch him ere any were aware With this purpose he privily entrâ—d the City with a select Troope but some of his companions disdaining that their Fellow-thiefe should He is detected by his fellowes and executed become their Prince and Soveraigne discovered all to the Emperour whereupon before the solemnity this king of Rakehels and his Complices were apprehended and executed according to their demerits Commodus having sacrificed and rendred thankes and supplications to the Goddesse for his deliverance kept her holiday with great devotion honouring the Shew with his owne presence which made all the people so glad that they celebrated the day with great joy for the Emperours safety The Reason why the Romans have this Goddesse in such high veneration I have thought good to declare out of their Histories because it is not commonly knowne to the Greekes THey say that her Image The History of the chiefe Roman Goddesse was let fall by Iove and that it is unknowne who made it or what it is made of and they firmely beleeve it is no humane handiworke The tradition is that it fell in old time from Heaven into a Field of Phrygia called Pessinus by occasion of that fall of the Image it being there first discovered Others report that a Battell was there fought betwixt Ilus the Phrygian Tantalus a Lydian the Quarrell being either about a way or for the stealing away of Ganymede and when they had long fought on even tearmes and many were slaine on both sides the Place had that name of the great Slaughter there made There likewise they say that while Ganymedes brother strove to rescue him from his Lover he was pull'd in pieces betwixt them but to salve the matter it was given out that Iove tooke him from them both whereupon he had divine honour ascribed to him In this * See plinl 5. c. 32. Pessinus the Phrygians in old time celebrated their Orgia upon the bankes of the River * Of which river whosoever dranke became so mâ—d that he gelded himselfe Gallus whence the gelded Priests of the Goddesse are called Galli But when the Romane State beganne to flourish the Oracle telling them that their Empire should continue and overtop all others if they could get among them the Goddesse of Pessinus they dispatched Embassadours into Phrygia to desire the Goddesses Image which was easily graunted them because they alledged that they were their cousIn 's of the whole bloud and descended of Aeneas the Phrygian When the Image was brought by Ship to the mouth of Tyber which was then the only Port the Romans had suddenly by some divine power the Ship stood still and could not be moved with all the haling or pulling of the Romanes At last a Vestall Nunnne that was falsely accused to have lost her Virginity which she had vowed to keepe inviolate fearing she should be condemned besought the people to make the Goddesse Pessinuntia her Iudge which being admitted she untied her Girdle and prayed in the hearing of all that if the Goddesse knew her to be a Virgin immaculaâ—e she would command the Ship to remove Then tying her Girdle to the Ship she pulled and it followed her the Romans admiring both the Divinity of the Goddesse and the virginity of the Priestesse And thus much of the Story of the Goddesse Pessinuntia which though it bee somewhat long yet I trust will not be unpleasIng to them that are not versed in Roman Antiquities Commodus having escaped the Treason of Maternus doubled his Guards came seldome abroad retired himselfe to his Houses of Pleasure in the Suburbs or to his Mannours farre from the Citie and gave over all Exercise of Imperiall lurisdiction It hapned about the same time that all Italie was infested with a furious Pestilence but especially the
City of Rome which A Plague at Rome of it selfe was wonderfull populous and had besides a great number of strangers in it that resorted thither from all parts of the World By reason of which Confluence there was a strange Mortality of Men and Beasts Then was Commodus perswaded by his Physicians to retire to Laurentum which had a more coole and temperat aire and many shady groves of Lawrell from whence it tooke the name For they sayd that the sweet smell and pleasant shade of * Of Antidots against the Plague and groves of Bayes See L. S. Alâ—ans Natural History Centur. 10. Experiment 913. and 936. Bay-trees did much availe against the Contagion For which purpose also the Citizens by advice of Physicians annoynted their Eares and Nostrills with precious Ointments and continually used Perfumes and sweete Odoraments that their senses as they sayd being prepossessed the infected Ayre might not enter or if it did might bee over-mastered But notwithstanding the Plague still raged and Men and Beasts were every where found dead on heapes There was also a grievous A Famine at Rome Famine in the City upon this occasion One Cleander a Phrygian having been publikely sold for a Slave by the common Cryer became the Emperours Page and being bred in Cleander a Favourite the Court grew at last into such favour with 〈…〉 preferâ—'d him to gre 〈…〉 Honour and Authority as first to bâ—â— Squire of the Body then Gentlemâ—n of his Bed-chamber lastly Captaine of the Guard This fellow was so puffâ— up with pride and too much rankenesse of prosperity that hee also had a mind to the Empire And having got a huge Masse of Treasure hee monopoliz'd and ingross'd great store of Corne His treason which hee had lock'd in Granaries intending when the Citie was pincht with want suddenly to winne the good wills of the Commons and Souldiers with magnificent Donatives He also erected a stately * An Actâ—vity-Co 〈…〉 Gymnasium and a publike Bath These were his bayts to catch the people But the Romans having long borne him a grudge and haâ—ed him for his insatiable Avarice sayd that he was the only cause of their Calamities And first they publikely traduced him in He is generally hated the Theaters but at last all in generall ran to the Emperors Pallace in the Suburbs crying out against Cleander and demanding Iustice upon him All the Suburbs being in an uproare while Commodus lay wantonizing in the innermost roomes and knew not of the tumult without for Cleander lookt to that on a sudden ere any wist there rusht among the people the Emperors armed Horsemen who by Cleanders command wounded and He armes the Souldiers against the Commons overthrew all afore them The Citizens being all Footmen and unarmed were not able to resist Whereupon they fied amaine into the Citie but being followed by the Corners of Horse great numbers were slain and trampled under the Horse-feet or thronged to death for the Lanciers pursuing them to the Gates without any stay killd them outright The Citizens which kept home understanding what slaughter was made of their friends and neighbours shut their doores and from their House-tops threwe Stones and Tiles at the Horsemen And now the Commons had the better for not fighting hand to hand but darting and throwing every where aloft out of their reach they wounded many of them and put them to flight some were slaine by the continuall throwing of stones others were throwne to the ground by their Horses which stumbled on the Stones that lay on heapes Also the Bands of Foot which were billeted in the Citie and hated the Horse-troops suddenly came to the aid of the Citizens A civill Warre being thus begunne yet durst none tell Commodus for feare of Cleander At last Fadilla his Fadilla Commodus his sister eldest sister running to the Emperour for they could not deny accesse to her with her haire dishevild and in mourning weeds prostrated her selfe at his feet and said Your Majesty She detects Cleander here pursues your pleasures and little know in what danger you are Wee your flesh and blood are ready to bee slaughterd Your Citie of Rome and a great part of your Armie is overthrowne and those outrages which Barbarians would not offer your owne servants have acted yea they on whom you have heaped greatest Honours are your chiefest enemies Cleander hath armed the Commons and Souldiers against you and being hated of one sort and loved of the other both sides are up in Armes and are now killing one another and filling the Citie with blood And wee anon shall smart for this Geere unlesse you presently make an end of that your wicked Servant who is the Author of all this mischiefe and will instantly bee your ruine Having thus said she rent her garment and divers there present taking heart at the words of so great a Lady put Commodus into a terrible fright And now fearing the instant danger hee sends hastily for Cleander who knew nothing of what was told the Emperour but suspected somewhat Being come hee commands him to bee arrested and having strucke off his head and fastned it to a Speares point hee sent it to the Commons to whom it was a most pleasant and welcome Spectacle Thus was that bloody broile extinguisht and the fight on both sides ceased For the Souldiers seeing him slaine in whose quarrell they fought feared the Emperours displeasure for it was now apparant that hee was abused and that what was done was without his warrant But the Commons were well satisfied with his death that was the cause of all the mischiefe And now Cleanders two Sonnes all the children hee had and all that had beene his Flies and Familiars were murdered to a man whose carkasses were drag'd through the Citie in most opprobrious sort and lastly throwne into the Iakes This was the fatall end of Cleander and his Complices Humanity as I may say having ambitiously shewed in one man that as Fortune can upon small occasion raise from low degree to high dignity so in unexpected manner She can likewise praecipitate whom shee hath advanced Commodus being now afraid left the Commons would rise and attempt some new matter against him was perswaded notwithstanding by his Courtiers to enter the Citie where being received by the People with great Applause and Magnificence hee reposed himselfe in the Imperiall Palace And now having past so many sharpe Pikes hee waâ— jealous of every one killing first one and Commodus his Cruelty 〈…〉 â—reâ—â—â—ity then another for hee gave creditto all * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Accusations though never so false Moreover hee was so enslaved to sundry sensuall pleasures which tooke him up wholly day and night that hee abandoned all honourable Studies and Exercises and banisht from his Court as infidious Persons all that had the least measure of Honesty or Learning But Buffons and Debauched Miscreants were as his chiefe Minions most powerfull
fight like a Souldier against Barbarians nor to arme himselfe like a Roman Prince but to prostitute so glorious a Dignity to so sordid a profession He easily vanquisht his Antagonists and attempted no further than to draw bloud every one yielding him the Mastery as acknowledging him rather an Emperour than a Fencer In this mad humour he ranged so farre as that hee purposed to forsake his Palace and live in a Fence-Schoole and now being weary of the Name of Hercules hee assumed the Name of a famous Sword-Player deceased And whereas the Romanes had the Colossus or Image of the Sunne in great veneration hee tooke the head from it and set on another representing his owne inscribing in the Basis not his Fathers Titles or any Imperiall Stile as he was wont but in stead of Germanicus or Conquerour of Germanie The Vanquisher of a thousand Gladiators But now was it high time for him to leave his Foolery and the Citie to bee freed from his tyrannie which fell out in the beginning of the yeare on that day which the Romans keepe holy to Ianus the most ancient Ianus his Feast God of Italy who entertained Saturne expelled by his sonne Iupiter from whoâ—e concealement it had the name of Latium Wherefore to this day they first celebrate the Feast of Saturne and then of Ianus whose Image hath two heads alluding to the beginning of the new and end of the old yeare Now whereas the Romans were wont on this prime Festivity to congratulate each other and Newyeresgifts to send to their friends peeces of Gold and Silver and divers other gifts interchangeably in token of mutuall love and observance and the chiefe Magistrates of the Citie vested themselves in rich Purple in honour of that great Solemnity Commodus then determined to issue forth not out of the Imperiall Palace according to the ancient custome but out of a Fenceschoole and to shew himselfe openly to the people not in his Robes and Princely Purple but armed like a Master of Defence with a traine of Gladiators following him This his determination when Marcia Commodus his Concubine hee had imparted to Marcia his most honoured Concubine who as if she were his married Wife had all the honours of Empresse except that of FIRE Shee fell downe on her knees and besought him with teares not to prophane the Majesty of the Roman Empire in that sort nor to hazard his person among such lewd and desperate Ruffians But when after much intreaty shee saw there was no hope of prevayling shee went away weeping Then he sends for Latus the Generall of his Armies and Electus his Chamberlaine and commands them to prepare a lodging for him that night in the Fence schoole that hee might the next morning goe from thence to sacrifice on that solemne Festivall and shew himselfe in Armes to the Romans They humbly desired him to desist from that purpose and not to doe an act so unworthy an Emperour wherupon in great rage hee commands them out of his presence and retiring into his bed-chamber to repose himselfe at Noone as hee vvas wont he tooke his Table-book and writ downe those which hee doomd to death that night Among which were Marcia Latus Electus and a great number of Nobles and Senators for he was fully resolved to cut off all the ancient Councellors and others which were his Fathers friends lest his blacke deeds should be checkt by their grave centures intending to divide their Goods and Estates among the souldâ—ers Sword-players that the one sort might defend him the other delight him Having thus done hee layd his Table booke on the Pallet not imagining that any would enter his Chamber Now there was a little Boy that could scarce speake such as those which being halfe naked are deckt with gold and precious stones and are the â—â—â—ysest delights of the nobleâ—â— Romans This boy 〈…〉 〈…〉 dus so extreamely * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 love 〈…〉 oft lâ—y in 〈…〉 〈…〉 hiâ— and w 〈…〉 Phâ—lo-Commodus that Phâ—lo-Commodus is Commodus hâ—s Dâ—iling his name she wing how hee loved him The child being fuli of play went as hee usually did into the Bed-chamber while Commodus was bathing and revelling with his Minions and taking the Booke to play with went forth and as some Divine Power ordained Marcia met him and catching him up in her armes and kissing him for shee dearely loved him tooke the booke from him fearing lâ—st by his childish dalliance he might blot out some matters of weight As soone as shee perceived it was Commodus owne hand shee had a great appeâ—ite to reade it But when she found the deadly Contents and that she before all others was to bee slaughterd and that Laetus and Electus were to follow with such a number of noble persons she sighed and said thus to her selfe Is it so Commodus Marcia and others conspire the Emperors death doe you thus reward my love Have I deserved this at your hands for enduring your ignoble and debauched conditions so many yeares You shall find that a sober woman is able to dash your drunken Designes Immediately shee sends for Electus as shee was wont in regard hee was Lord Chamberlaine who as it was thought was over-familiar with her and giving him the booke said See Electus what a banquet we are to have this night He as soone as hee read it being amazed now hee was an Aegyptian borne a bold and daring fellow and very cholericke seald up the booke and sent it forthwith by a trusty messenger to Laetus who being likewise startled instantly repaired to Marcia pretending hee was to speake with her about dressing the Fence schoole for the Emperour Vnder this colour they resolved that now they must instantly doe or suffer without delay or procraâ—ination They concluded to dispatch him by poyson which Marcia undertooke to effect very easily in that shee still used to give him the first Cup which from her hand hee would take most kindly As soone as hee returned from his bathes shee presented him a poysoned Cup of Aromaticall Wine Commodus being exceeding thirsty with much bathing and chasing of wild beasts quaffes it off as hee was wont Whereupon his head being very heavie he fell into a slumber by reason of his vehement exercise as was supposed Wherefore Electus and Marcia commanded all to bee gone and depart the Court lest they disturbed his rest Thus was it ever with him in his drunken fits for when hee bathed or banquetted hee had no set times of Repose being ever distracted with severall sorts of pleasures which still enthralled him Having rested Commodus poysoned and strangled a while and the poyson now working in his stomacke and belly his head grew light and now hee fell a vomiting extremely either by reason hee had formerly over-glutted himselfe with feasting and carowsing which might haply expell the poyson or else because he used as Princes doe to take some antidot to prevent
busines would easily be accommodated and made no doubt of obtaining the Soveraignety Wherefore imparting these Roman passages and intelligences to somefew Tribunes * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coronels and Captaines hee sent them home one after another that these Aires might by their relations bee dispersed among all the nations and Armies of the Orient for by that course Nigers Policie hee assured himselfe that all men would most readily incline to him when they saw that he did not insidiously invade the Empire but was wooed to accept it by the ardent votes and humble sute of the Romans And according to his expectation they flocked to him from all parts beseeching and importuning him to take upon him the Soveraigne rule Now the The Character of the Syrians people of Syria are naturally light and prone to Innovations and were infinitely devoted to Niger both in regard hee had ruled with singular Clemencie and had also entertained them with Shewes and Enterlâ—des Stage-playes and Revels For the Syrians are by naturall Inclination great lovers of sports insomuch that the inhabitants of Antioch a mighty and flourishing Citie spend in a manner all the yeaâ—e in sportive Recreations either in the Citie or Suburbs Thus Niger by continuall courâ—ing them with Bals Masqâ—ies Shewes and other pleasurable pastimes had chained their affections to him Which hee well knowing appoynted all the Souldiers thereabouts to come together at a day prefixed What time a great number of people being likewise assembled hee thus spake to them from a high Seat purposely erected Niger's Speech to the Army c. VVIth what a gentle hand I have ruled among you and how circumspect and punctuall I have beene in undertaking Actions of great import I suppose is well knowne to all here present Neither have I here assembled you of my owne head out of ungrounded Hope or flattering Desire But the Romans call upon me with incessant Clamours and Sollicitations to lend them my * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 helping hand and not permit so ancient excellent and glorious an empire to bee basely merchandized Now as it were a high point of Folly and Presumption to attempt so great an Enterprise without just Occasion intitâ—ling So to refuse to â—yd them which implore our helpe might breed an imputation of Cowardize and Treacherie The reason therfore why I have conven'd you at this time is to know your Minde and what Course you thinke were best being desirous of your Adviceâ— and Assistance in this weighty Affaire which if it prosper well will redound to your benefit as well as mine Nor are they vaine or meane Hopes which sollicite us but the Romane people whom the Gods have made Lords of the World and the Imperiall Dignity which is yet wavering and unsetled in the person of any man Now the Certainty of this Designe is apparent both by the forwardnesse of them that crave our succour and for that there is none to make Opposition or Resistance For they which are come thence assure us that the Souldiers which sold the empire to the Vsurper are not like to sticke to him because he hath broke his Credit with them and was not able indeed to performe his Bargain Shew therefore I pray you how you stand affected At which Words the whole Armie proclaimed him Emperour Niger elected and Augustus Then vesting him in Purple Robes and other Royall Abiliments as that sudden Preparation would afford they conducted him with Fire carryed before him first to the Temples of Antioch and then to his owne House which now honouring as the Princes Pallace they adorned on the Outside with all Imperiall Ornaments Niger glad at his heart of this good successe seeing the Romans and all others conspired to advance him made no doubt of carrying the Soveraignety When this Newes flew abroad presently all the Nations bordering on Europe willingly submitted to him sending their Embassadours Embassadours to Antiech as to their rightfull Emperour Also the Kings and Princes beyond Euphrates and Tigris sent to congratulate him promising their ayds if he needed He returned them many thankes richly rewarded the Embassadors and rold them he needed no supplies for hee was sufficiently assured of the Empire and would raigne without bloud-shed In which Confidence reposing he began to bee moâ—e remisse and negligent Nigers security solacing himselfe and the Antiochians with all variety of sports and Theatâ—icall delights And Error not regarding which most concerned him to take his journey to Rome nor yet acquainting the Illyrian Armies which he ought first of all to have sollicited and gayned But he perswaded himselfe that as soone as they heard of it they would side with the Romans and Easterne Forces While hee thus demeaned himselfe and anchored on these Shallowes and Vncertainties the Bruit of these Occurrents was fresh among the Pannonians Illyrians and all the Garrisons which were quartered on the Bankes of Ister and the Rhine to defeâ—d the Romane Empire from the Incursions of the adjoyning Barbarians The President of the Pannonians Severus described for they all â—ad but one Governour was Severus an Affâ—ican by Descent a brave active man but of a violent spirit inured to a strict and austere life easily induring labour and travell of a nimble Apprehension and quicke Resolution to execute what hee determined When he perceived by the Messengers that the Romane Empire hanged like a * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Meteor in the Skie and was exposed to him that could catch it he contemned Iulian as an abject Fellow and Niger as a dull Flegmaticke Hee was also much animated by certaine Dreames Oracles and Presages which are then best credited when they are verifyed by the event most whereof himselfe recorded in the Booke which he writ of his owne Life and presented them also to publicke view in Statuarie Representations but his last and chiefest Dreame which raysed him to the highest hope I may not omit What time Severus His dreame received intimation of Pertinax his Instalment in the Empire having sacrificed and sworne Allegeance to him comming home at night he fell asleepe and dreamed hee saw Pertinax mounted on a gallant Coâ—rser adorned with Impeâ—iall â—â—â—ppâ—rs which carâ—iâ—d him through the sacred * Via sacrâ— Street at Rome But when he was to enter the Foru 〈…〉 where the people in time of * Popular Rule Democracie had their most solemne Assemblies the Horse seemed to throw Pertinax wâ—th a terrible fall to the ground and genâ—ly to suffer him who â—tood next to backe him carrying him safely and stâ—adily through the midst of the Forum lifâ—ing up Severus on high so that all the people saw him â—nd adored him And there remaines to this day in the very same place a huge brasse Image of that Dreame Severus hus encâ—uâ—aged and pâ—rswaded he was called to the Empire by Divine Providence resolved to try how the Soâ—ldiers were inclined and first hee
no where nor sâ—arse suffering his weary troops to breathe them a little Himselfe tooke as great paines as any using as course Lodging and hard Fare as the meanest common Souldier without any shew at all of Imperial pomp or delicacie which made the souldiers much more afâ—ect him For taking such infinite toyle in his own Person it did so indeare him to them that they readily did whatsoever he commanded After he had marched through Pannonia and was come to the Mountaines of Italie preventing Fame it selfe by being seene as Emperour among them before they had any Intelligence of his comming all the Cities of Italy were in a fearfull Fever at He surpâ—izes Itaâ—y the approach of so great an Armie For the Italians having long since left all usâ— of Arme and Militarie Discipline devâ—ted themselves to Agriculture and a peaceable course of life While the Romanes were a free State and Generalls were elected by the Senate Italy was still in Armes and having conquered the Greekes and Barbarians became Lords of the world there being not an Angle of Earth or Climate under Heaven whither the Glory of the Roman Armes extended not But when Augustus came to the Monarchie his pacificall Government induced a generall lazinesse and desuetude of Martiall Exercises for hee kept onely a certaine number of Mercenary Bands in Pay to guard the Romane Empire at the utmost bounds thereof which were naturally fortifyed with great Rivers deep Ditches craggy Mountains and vast Desarts and Wildernesses Wherefore aâ— soone as it was knowne that Sâ—verus was comming with so mighty an Army they were sore agast at that strange newes and â—ot daring to stirre against him went to meet him with Lawâ—els in their hands But hee making no longer stay at any place than either to sacrifise to the Gods or speake to the people posted away for Rome When Iulian was advertised hereof he made account he was utterly undone For understanding what a numerous and potent Army the Illyrians were and having no hope in the people to whom hee was odious nor much in the Souldiers whom he had gulled he made Iulian in great care all the money he could by himselfe or his friends râ—bbing the very Temples and publicke Treasuries and gave all to the Souldiers to purchase their good will But they returning small thankes for his great largesse tooke it rather as a due debt than free giâ—t Iulians friends counselled him to advance with his Army and preclude the Alpine Straits Now The Alpes the Alpes are exceeding high Mountaines such as wee have none in these parts circuliâ—g Italy like a wall nature adding to the felicity of that Region this impregnable fortification extending from the North to the South-sea But Iulian not daring to budge forth of the Citie sent to the Souldiers to beseech them to take armes and exercise themselves and make trenches rampiers before the Citie wherein he prepared all military ammunition caused Elephants trayned all the Elephants which he kept for shew and State to be taught to indure Riders supposing the Illyrians and their Horses would be skared wiâ—h the strange shape and bulke of those Beasts which they never saw before All the City was now busie in providing Armes and Warlike Furniture But while Iulian's Souldiers goe slowly to worke and scarce prepare for Warre Severus is reported to be come already who having appointed many of his Souldiers severall Severus his Stratagem wayes to disperse themselvs and enter secretly into Rome they arrived by sundry passages into the City by night covering their Armours with Rusticall habite as if they had been plaine Countrimen And now was the Enemie in Iulian's bosome ere he was aware When the People perceived this being all amazed and greatly dreading Severus power they beganne to incline to him condemning Iulian for a Dastard and Niger for a Slugge but commending Severus who was now at hand Whereupon Iulian being at his Wits end and not knowing what to doe assembled the Senate and sent Letters to Severus desiring to contract a League with him and to be made his Consort in the Empire But when the Senatours Iulian deserted which had agreed on that course saw how basely timorous and dejected hee was they reiected him for a Recreant and wholly revolted to Severus Two or three dayes after when Newes was brought that Severus was now come in person all the Citizens utterly forsaking Iulian assembled in the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Authority of Consuls Guild-hall by command of the Consuls who in such doubtful times have charge of the Romane State where they entred into Consultation what was best to bee done in that Exigent Iulian abiding the while in the Palace deploring his Infortunity and humbly begging that hee might abjure the Soveraignty and resigne all his Imperiality to Severus But when the Senate understood that Iulian was in such desperate Horrour and that his Guards No receipt against Feare Dictum Mariae illustrissimae Scotorum Reginae for feare of Severus had quite forsaken him they decreed his Death and declared Severus sole Emperor Then send they as Commissioners diverse of the chief Magistracie and prime Nobility to render to him all Imperiall Honours The Execution of Iulian was committed to one of the Tribunes who finding â—he wrâ—tcâ—ed old Man that had bought his owne Ruine with his Money wholly deserted and forlorne slew him Iulian slain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as he was tearing his hayre with abject Lamentations When Severus understood the Senates Declaration and that Iulian was slaine hee hoped to doe greater matters and layd a Traine to catch all the Pretorian Souldiers that had murthered Pertinax He sent therfore secret Letters to their * Coronelâ— and Captaines Tribunes and Centurions promising them great rewards to perswade their Companies in the Citie to submit to his Mandates Meane while he makes Proclamation that all of them leaving their Armes in the Campe should come forth like Severus his Traine to take the Pretorians peaceable men in such Habits as they used when they attended the Emperour at solemne shewes and Sacrifices that they might be sworne to Severus and that they should come cheerefully because they were to bee his Guard The Souldiers crediting this Edict and being also perswaded by their Officers lay aside all their Armes and issue forth with lawrell branches in their hands in such Equipage as they were wont in some great Festivity When they drew near to Severus Campe and it was told him they were all come he comanded them to bee brought to his presence as if hee meant to welcome and entertaine them with all honour But when they came before his Throne with joy full accâ—â—â—nations upon a signall given at the instant they were all apprehended For Severus commanded his Souldiers that when they saw them assembled before him expecting some high favour they should presently wheele about them in martiall manner yet not
wound nor strike them but onely make a Ring and hemme them in presenting their Iavelins and Pikes towards them which they being unarmed and but few in comparison of them durst not resist so many men at Armes When Severus had thus impounded them with a strong voice and furious spirit hee thus spake to them Severus his speech to the Praetorian Guards You see now by experience that wee farre exceed you in policie power and number You are easily caught and as easily held Now are you all at my devotion to doe what I please with you Here you stand like a herd of beasts ready to be sacrifised at my becke If you expect a Doome or Death responsible to your blacke deeds and detestable villanies the World cannot afford it You have barbarously butchered that venerable Father and Excellent Emperour whom as his Guards you ought to have defended You have most shamefully truckt for silver as if it had beene some of your owne goods the most glorious Roman Empire which was anciently the Guerdon of Nobility or Militar * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vertue And now like base * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Poltrones you have betrayed him that was your Mercenary Soveraigne not daring to guard or protect him For these inexpiable crimes you deserve a thousand deaths if you had your due Now you see what you are worthy to suffer But I scorne to imitate you or to pollute my bands with your blood Neither justice nor equity permit that you should any longer be the Emperours Guard that thus have violated your oath distained your selves with your naturall Princes blood and betrayed the trust and confidence reposed in you Your Soules and Bodies of my Noblenesse I am content to bestoâ— upon you But I command my Souldiers to ungirdle you and divest you of all Military Attire and Accoutrements and send you away stript which done I charge you all to get you packing farre from Rome for I here decree vow and sweare that if any of you be found within an hundred miles of the Citie bee shall die for it Having given this charge The Pretoâ—â—ans degraded the Illyrian Souldiers presently ranne to them and disarming them of their short Swords which were curiously wrought with gold and silver and customaâ—ily worne at solemn shâ—wes they tooke from them their belts scarffes and other military ornaments and rasht off all their clothes leaving them starke naked When they saw themselves Traytorâ— betrayed thus betrayed and taken with a Wile there was no way but patience For what could a few naked men doe against so many armed They departed therefore with heavie cheere yet glad their lives were given them shrewdly repenâ—ing that by leaving their Armes they had subjected themselves to so foule and disgracefull a Doome Severus used also another policie for doubting lest being degraded they would desperately runne to their Campe and resume their Armes he had sent before some Troopes of his choicest and trustiest Souldiers by secret wayes and passages commanding them suddenly to seize their vacant Campe and with their owne weapons to keepe them out if they attempted to returne Thus were those Assassinates of Pertinax punished Forthwith Severus with his Severus enters Rome Army arranged in Battel-array makes his entry into Rome the Romans being at first sight terribly afraid of him for his daring and speedy Enterprise Howbeit the Peeres and Commons received him with Lawrels who of all Men and Emperours was the first that without blood or sweat effected such rare Enterprises Indeed His Elogie all things in him were admirable especially his high wit piercing judgement indefatigable industry happy-hopefull audacitie in great and Heroicall Attempts After the people had wellcomed him with their Acclamations and the Nobles saluted him at the City Gates hee repayred to Iupiters Temple where having sacrifised he did his Devotions at the other Fanâ—s as the Eâ—peâ—â—urs were wont and lastly betooke himselfe to the Imperiall Pallace The next day he went to the Senat-house where hee made a smooth and plausible Speech and then gave his * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hand to all the Company professing That his maine End in His Plausibility comming to the City was to revenge Pertinaxes Death and to lay the Ploâ— and Foundation of an Optimacie promising that none but those which were condemned by Lawe should lose Life or Goods that hee would not tolâ—erate Informers that hee would make a happy and flourishing State and in all things imitate Marcus and not onely assume the Name but the Minde of Pertinax With these faire Promises he stroked the Senators most of them inclining to affect and believe him but some of the elder and sager sort that better knew his disposition told them in their eare that hee was a right His Censure Politician full of tricks and traines and an exquisite Dissembler and Temporizer for his owne ends As afterwards it proved Severus intending but a short stay in Rome gave to the Commons a magnificent Donative of Corne and a great Largesse to his Souldiers selecting the ablest among them for his guard in steed of those which were degraded And now he prepares an Expedition to the Orient where Niger lay rusting all this while and revelling at Antioch whom he hasted to surprise ere he were aware and take him unprovided Commanding therefore his His preparation for Warre Souldiers to make ready for that Voyage and recollecting all his Forces he adjoyned to them all the flowre of the Italian Youth and gave order that the rest of the Army in Illyria should come down to Thrace and meet him on the way He provided also a great sleet of ships prest all the gallies of Italy which he filled with Men at arms sent them a way having amassed together with incredible speed a mighty magazin of all manner of provision ammunition For he well knew hee needed more than ordinary Forces against the Nations bordering on Europe which were all under Niger's command Thus Severus * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gallantly prepared for the war But withall like a wise and provident man he shrewdly He is afraid of the Britaines misdcubted the British Armies coÌ„sisting of great bravetroops of mo 〈…〉 excellent * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Souldiers whose Generall was Albinus of Albinus Governour of Britaine very noble honorable descent born to exceeding greatwelth and possessions Him hee resolved to win by policie lest otherwise being excited by his riches noblenes forces renown sharp and piquant motives to aspire to Soveraignty he should attempt to overtop him seize on Rome which is not very far distant from Britaine while himselfe were ingaged in the Eastern wars Now his bait to catch him was by a glittering shew of honor for being a credulous man and none of the deepest Politicks he preseÌ„tly believed the oaths protestations which he sent him by Letters
hee instantly apprehended all the Children of the Presidents and other chiefe Captaines Commanders that ruled in Asia or the East carrying theÌ„ with him as Prisoners thereby to induce their Fathers to revolt from Niger for their preservation or if they continue firme to him to let them know that by killing them he could be revenged on them at his pleasure Nigers Souldiers being overthrowne at Cyzicum fled amaine some to the Armenian Mountaines others through Asia and Galatia hastning to Mount Taurus to get into that strong Hold. Severus Armie marcht through the Country of Cyzicum to the next region of Bithynia When it was famed that Severê° was victor suddenly all the Cities in those Parts fell to deadly Feud not so much for Love or Hate to either Emperour as out of a mortall Antipathie and implacable Enmitie one to the other And this was anciently the fault of the Greekes who by their intestine broyles and conspâ—racies to exâ—irpate the most eminent men have utterly undone Greece whose Inhabitants by their old grudge and civill disasters first became Vassâ—lâ—s to the Macedons and then Slaves to the Romans the same heart-burning and spightfull emulation continuing in the best Cities to our time Wherefore after these things hapned at Cyzicum the Citizens of Nicomedia in Bithynia revolted from Niger to Severus promising him by their Embassadors to receive his Armie and assist him in all things But the Citizens of Nicaea out of their malignity to them took Nigers part and entertayned his Souldiers which either fled thither or were sent to detend Bithynia Out of these two Cities as severall Camps the Armies of both sides issuing fought againe but after a terrible battell Severus got the Victory From thence the Remaines of Nigers Forces fled to the Straits of Mount Taurus to defâ—nd those Fortifications Niger having left there as many as he thought sufficient to make good the Place returnes to Antioch to raise more Men and Money Meanewhile Severus Armie pâ—ssing through Bithynia and Galatia marcht into Cappadocia and there began Mount Taurus aâ—â—ayle â— to assaile the Fortification But they met with no small difficulties for the passage was extreme rough and craggie and the Enemie which was on the Walls and over their heads tumbled downe Stones upon them and fought bravely a few men serving to repell a great Number For the Ascent was exceeding strait being defended on the one side with a huge steepe Mount on the other with a wonderfull Precipice downe which fell continuall Cataracts from the top of the Mountaines Niger had also made there a strong Fort to barre their Entrance on every side During this Assault in Cappadocia there arose Mutinies upon the like Grounds and Grudges as asoresaid For Laodicea in Syria in despight of Antiochiâ— and Tyrus in Phoenicia repining at the Berythians when they heard of Nigers Discomfiture defaced his Images and proclaimed Severus Emperour which Niger then at Antioch understanding though otherwise of a milde disposition yet stung with those opprobrious Injuries and Defections sends against both the Cities all the * Mauritania now Fâ—â— and Moâ—occo Mauritanian Darters that he had and part of his Archers charging them to kill all afore them and to sacke and burn the Cities The Moores The Moores described who are naturally bloudy and desperate regarding neither death nor danger suddenly invading the Laodiceans put them all to the Sword and destroyed their Towne Thence marching to Tyre they first pillag'd it and then cruelly slaughtering the Inhabitants set it on a bright blaze While this passes in Syria and Niger is levying new Supplies the Severians persist in their assailment of the Fort of Mount Taurus but with much wan hope and great discouragement for it was an impregnable Worke and naturally defended with the Mount and Precipice Being quite wearyed and their Enemies now secure extraordinary Stormes and Snowes fell suddenly in the Night for in Cappadocia and especially at Mount Taurus Winters are ex reame rough accompanyed with a vehemen and impâ—tuous Torrent which being checkâ— by the Fortification became more fuâ—ious and violent At last Nature vanqui hing Art and the Wall yielding to the deluge the floud having sapt the Foundation which was made in haste and not so carefully as waâ— requi-site bore downe all before it and made an exceeding great breach which the Defendants perceiving feating that when the Waters were downe they should be surprized by the Enemie they all quit the place and fled With this Accident the Severians were infinitely cheered and animated as lead by divine providence and seeing also the Guardians of the Mount were fled they easily scaled it and entered Cilicia When Niger heard these Tidings he gathered a vast Armie of undisciplined inexpert Souldiers marching with maine speed was followed with huge numbers of people and almost all the Youth of Antioch who exprest great alacrity but were not comparable to the Illyrians for Valour or Experience Aâ— the Bay of * A Citie called by Alexander Niâ—opolis for his Victory there Issus the Armies met in a goodly spacious Plaine which lying under a row of Hills Theatre-wise is extended all along the Sea-coast Nature having here made as it were a Stage for a battell In the very same place they say that Darius was overthrowne and taken by Alexander in the last great Battell the * In Nature the Northerne Regions are most Martiall Northerne Men then also vanquishing the Easterne The Citie Alexandria built on a Hill the Trophie Alexandria and Monument of that Victory yet remaines and the brazen Image of him that so named it Now it fell out that the Hosts of Severâ—ss and Niger did not onely incounter in the sayd place but also with like fortune to the other For on both sides were they ready to fight in the Evening not sleeping all Night for Care and Feare At The Battell betwixt Severus and Niger Sunrising the Generalls incouraged their Souldiers who assailed each other with incredible fury as accounting that the last Fatall Conflict and that Fortune would there designe the Emperour After a long and grim Fight there being on each side so great Slaughter that the Rivers which ranne through the Plaine sent much more bloud than water into the Sea at last the Orientalls turned their backs and fled the Illyrians pursuing them to the Sea where they thrust them in with woundes and to the Hill-tops where they flew them together with a great number of people assembled there out of the adjoining towns and villages as Spectatours of the battell supposing they were safe in that high ground Niger being bravely mounted poasted with a few of his Followers to Antioch where the people flying every way and piteously bewayling their sonnes and brethren hee also grew desperate and be tooke himselfe to flight but being found hid in a Suburban house by the Horâ—emen that pursued him his Head was strucke off Niger beheaded This
afterward taken by Famine and razed to the Ground insomuch that the Theaters Therms and all the splendor and glory thereof being quite defaced it was reduced to a meane * The Fate of Rochâ—â— now S. Mary Village Village and given in vassalage to the Perinthians as Antioch in like sort to the Laodiceans Further hee consigned great summes of money for the reedifying of the Cities spoyled by Nigers Souldiers And now marching without any * Severus waâ—â—â—woâ—d was Laboremus Intermission or regard to holi-dayes or workedayes heat or cold all being alike to him he would oft in that His Wintermâ—â—â—h stormy season goe bare-headed on the tops of Mountaines when it sharply snowed to excite his Souldiers to Patience and Alacrity by his owne Example so that they cheerefully indured all difficulties not so much for feare of law as in a generous emulation of their royall Chiefe He sent also a strong Army to seize the Alpine Straits and to forelay the passages into Italy Albinus who this while pursuâ—d his pleasures and was supinely negligent when he heard that Severus was marching with such expedition being startled with the horrour of the newes presently sailes out of Britaine Albinus 〈◊〉 out o◠〈◊〉 and disbarkes his Armie in the opposite Coasts of Gallia where he lend his Mandates to all Governors of the adjacent Provinces to furnish him with Money and Victualls They which did so dealt very unadvisedly for they were plagued for it when the Warre was ended but they that refused rather by good hap than fore sight saved themselves the Event and * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fortune of the Warre determining who were the wiser Severus Forces being entred Gallia there were first certaine light Skirmishes in divers parts but at last they fought a pitcht Battell betâ—ixt Severus and Albinus Field neere the great and rich City Lugdunum where Albinus immuring himselfe sent foorth his Armie to fight The Encounter was exceeding fierce and doubtful it was a great while which way the Victory would Britains Elogie incline For the BRITAINES were no whit inferior to the Illyrians in * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Manhood or Martiall fury Both Armies fighting with equall bravery it was hard to say which would get the better Divers Historians of that Time which more regarded verity than partiality report that Albinus his Army was * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 farre superiour in that Part which was incountred by Severus in Person with his Battalion insomuch that Himselfe was put The Britaines beat the bravest Martialist of the world to flight and beaten off his Horse yea forced to throw off his Imperiall Cloake and hide Himselfe While the Britaines follow the Chase chanting out their * Hymnes sâ—ng to Mars before Battell to Apollo after Victory Paeans as Victors Laetus one of Severus Commanders suddenly charges them with fierce fresh troops Hee was harshly censured as if hee purposely kept aloofe and reserved that choice Regiment to get the Empire to himselfe intending then to take the Field when he heard Severus was slain Which suggestion was fortified by the event For when Severus had setled all things to his owne minde and secured his estate he richly rewarded all his other Chieftaines but remembring how Laetus had served him hee put him to death as he deserved These things were done afterwards Now when Laetus â—ame in view as aâ—oresaid with a new supply the Severians took heart againe and remounting Severus on Horsebacke put on his Purple * A military Mantle Surcoat The Albinians that presuming they were Masters of the Field had * So the dis-ranking of the English lost all to the â—â—â—mans disbanded themselves being suddenly and furiously charged by fresh Companies after a short resistance fled the Severians following the execution to the City gates The Number of the slaine and captives on either side is differently related by the Writers of that Age. The City * Lyons in France Lugdunum was sackt and burnt by the Severians who having took Albinus struck off his head Albinus beheaded and presented it to Severus Thus raised he two most stately * Monuments of Victory usuall in those pâ—rts Trophies One in the East and Another in the North so that Nothing is comparable to Severus conflicts or conquests either for multitude of Forces commotion of Countries number of Battells length of Iourneyes or speede in Marches I confesse Caesars Acts against Pompey the Souldiers being Romans on either side were very great as also that of Augustus Severus the greatest Conqueror of the World against Antony and Pompey's Sonnes and likewise the Exployts of Sylla and Marius in the civill and forraigne warres But for One Man to have the killing of Three Enthronized Emperours to surprise the Pretorian Troops at Rome by finenesse of Wit to kill One Emperour in the Pallace Royall to defeat another that raigned in the Orient and was elected Emperour by the Romanes and to vanquish a Third that was a Caesar of great Nobility and Dependencie you shall hardly finde the like To this End came Albinus having injoyed his Fatall Dignity but a short time And now was Severus full charged with wrath and indignation against Albinus Friends at Rome whither he sent his head commanding it to be publickly affixt on the Gallowes And in the Letters which he writ to the People of his Victories he added this Post-script that He there sent them his Head strictly charging that it bee publickly set on the Gibbet to the end they might perceive by that Token of his Wrath how highly hee was offended with them Having Ordered the State of Britaine and divided the government of the Province into two * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 President-ships and having Two Viceroyes in Britaine likewise composed the Gallicke Affaires to his owne minde and slaine all Albinus Friends and Partners whether voluntary or forced he set forward towards Rome leading all his Army thither to strike the greater terrour His Iourney being ended with extraordinary speed as his manner was and being full of fury against Albinus Friends that survived hee enters Rome The Commons met him with Laurells and received him with all honour and joyful acclamation The Senatours also congratulated him though many of them were extreamly afrayd that hee would not pardon them being so apt by reason of his Naturall Immanity to oppresse Men on the least Occasion and having now so probable pretences to question them Severus having visited Iupiters Temple and performed other * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sacred Rites went to his Royall Palace and in honour of his Victories bestowed great store of Corne on the Citizens and much Coyne on his Soulders to whom he granted many Priviledges which formerly they had not For hee first augmented their proportion of Wheat and permitted them to weare Gold Rings and cohabit with their Wives all which were reputed utterly dissonant
which had one entire Body and one Head which had two halfefaces to wit Alexanders and Antonines His ordinary Weare was the Macedonian Habit a * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Turban on his head and Pantofles on his feet He had a select troop of young Souldiers which hee stiled the Macedonian Phalanx commanding his Captaines to call themselves by the names of Alexanders Captaines Hee sent for Youths from Sparta and termed them the Laconicke and * Of the City Pitane in Lâ—â—onia Pitanite Band. After this having made the Townes and Cities tenable he went to Pergamus a Citie in Asia to take Physicke of Aesculapius where having done as his Fancie led him he marched straight to * Troy Ilium to view the Ruines of it and visit Achilles Tombe which having bravely decked with flowers and garlands hee then would needs act Achilles He acts Achilles but wanting a Patroclus hee played this Pranck He had with him one Festus his most beloved Freed-man and the Imperiall Remembrancer who died while he was at Ilium being as some say poysoned that hee might have such a Funerall as * Vid. Hom. â—â—â—ad â— 23. Patroclus but others say he dyed naturally However he commanded his corps to bee brought forth and a great Funerall Pile to be made wheron having cast the dead body and killed of all manner of beasts he set the Pile on fire and lifting up a Viall sacrifised Wine and prayed to the Winds But when he was to cast his haire * This was an ancient Funerall â—â—â—â— Vid. 〈◊〉 Iph. 〈…〉 in 〈◊〉 pat also into the flame having a very thin Bush naturall all the Company laught yet he made a sorry shift and cut of all the haire he had Of all Generals he commâ—â—â—ed chiefly the Roman Syllâ— and African Annibal Sylla and Anniball whose â—mages and Statues he erected Departing from Ilium and passing thorow Asia Bithynia and other Provinces where hee setled his Affaires hee came to Antioch where being honourarably entertained and having stayed a certaine time he sent to Alexandria pretending he had a great longing to see the City which Alexander founded as also to consult the God which the Citizens so much honored Vpon these two Pretexts to wit the Adoration of their Deity and Veneration of that Heroes Memory hee gave order that * Sacrifices of an hundred Oxen. Hecatombes and Sacrifices of all sorts should bee prepared against his Comming Which Message being delivered to the Alexandrians who are naturally Cocke-brain'd and light-headed they were almost beside themselves for joy that the Emperour was so devoted to them They made therefore such royall preparations for his Entertainment His royall entertainment at Alexandria as the like they say was never made for any Prince All manner of exquisite Musick and curious Melody was heard over all the City All his Passages were perfumed with all sorts of precious Odors and Aromatickes Torches were lighted and all the way strewed with Gelsomines and Muske roses The Emperour entred the City with all his Army and first went to the Temple where having sacrifised Hundreds of Beeves and burnt Heapes of Incense on the Altars he visited His Offertory at Alexanders Shrine Alexanders Shrine where he offered his Purple Robe his Rings set with Paragon Stones his Belt Scarfe and choicest Iewells he had about him all which he laid upon his Tombe whereat the Alexandrians being * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 overjoyed revelled and feasted day and night little dreaming what a banquet the Emperour would shortly make them For all this Pâ—ausibilitie was meerely colourable his Intendment being to make a generall Massacre among theÌ„ The cause of his secret â—ancour His secret 〈◊〉 ell to 〈◊〉 Alexandrians was this It was told him a Rome in his brothers time and after his death that the Citizens of Alexandria had spoken disgracefully of him Indeed they The Alexandrians described are naturally a very scurrilous People and much given to gibing and giering of others casting out against the most eminent Persons many cutting Quips which themselves thinke are fine conceits but they against whom they are spoke take them as great Indignities For those jests are most biting that have most relish of truth Having therfore much traduced him for his brothers murther nicknamed his mother Iocasta and scoft him for that being such a low Grig he would presume to personate such High and Mighty * Or Semi-Gods Heroes as Alexander and Acchilles they did so enrage Antonine who by nature was of a fiery and sanguinary disposition that while they thus sported themselves with their Squibs and Flashes he intended to laâ—â— them with a terible Revenge Wherfore the Festivall Celebrity being ended he perceiving what an infinite number were come together into the City out of the Regions adjoyning made Proclamation that all the Youths should assemble themselves in a certaine Plaine that as he had already a Macedonian Spartan Phalanx so also he might in honor of Alexander have another Phalanx named after him Alexandrian He willed therfore that the yong men should be so ranked that a Lane might bee left for him to walke and take a View which were fittest for Age Strength Stature to serve in the wars This being beleeved as very probable 〈…〉 regard of the high honor he had so lately done to Alexander all the yonkers accompanied with their Parents and Couzens meâ— at the place assigned with great joy and alacrity Antonine passing thorow all the Ranks and perusing them severally commended first one and then another protracting the time till his whole army had rounded them ere any observed it or thought of it As soone as he wist that they were all circuled by his men of war and taken as it were in a toile he presently departs with his Guard and makes a signall to the Army Alexandrians massacred which instantly rushing in on every side make a furious slaughter of the unarmed Youths and all the rest that were enclosed some of the Souldiers employing themselves onely in killing other in throwing the dead bodies into huge deep Pits wheron casting much earth they made a huge great Mount Many were thrust in halfe dead and not a few were buried quicke There perisht also many of the Souldiers For they which had any breath left in their bodies and had not lost all their vigour caught hold of the Souldiers that flung them in and haled them with them into the graves So great was the slaughter that streames of bloud gushing through the Plaine died the Month of Nilus and the shore about the City with Purple gore And now affecting the Sirname of Parthicus and the honour of Conquering the Orientall Barbarians though they lived in * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 profound Peace he layes this Plot. He sends Letters to Artabanus the King of Parthia and Embassadours with stately Presents An embassy to the Parthians Certifying them that he
was desirous to have his daughter to wife that he was an Emperor and Sonne to an Emperor and was not minded therefore to bee Sonne in Law to any Subject or meane person but rather to espouse a Queene or some great Princesse that the Roman and Parthicke Empires were the two greatest in the world which if by affinity they were united their powers conjoyned without any Barre or Let by Rivers or otherwise they would become absolutely Invincible that the Barbarian nations subject to both Empires would be more mannageable if every severall Countrey and City had governours of their owne Nation that the Roman Infantery and Pike-men excelled all others in set Battel that the Parthian Cavallery and Archers exceeded for number Parthian Archers and Skill Both which concurring with correspondent Military valour and all Warlicke necessaries would easily reduce the whole World to an entire Monarchy under one Diadem And whereas those Countries yeelded Spices Odours and the finest Silkes and the Roman dominions abounded in all kind of Mineralls and Manufactures which in the division Merchants imported but by stealth and very seldome were this Vnion effected on one sole Empire constituted there would follow by mutuall Trafficke and Amitie a happy intercourse without impeachment or impediment The Parthian having read these Letters refused the offer at The Parthians Answer first saying That it was very inconvenient for the Roman Barbarian Princes to match together for what concord could there be in so different Language Diet and Habite that the Emperour might finde at Rome many of great Nobility and Extraction not unworthy his Affinitie as himselfe had likewise among his Peeres and * Princes of the bloud descended of King Arsaâ—es Arsacidae and that it was not fit that either of their Races should be Mungreliz'd in that manner This was his first answer to the Emperors proposition but Antonine reinforcing his suite by many gifts and solemn oaths confirming his zealous affection and desire of Marriage The Barbarian King yeelded at last and promising to give him his Daughter called him His son in law that should be Which newes being divulged all the Barbarians prepared to entertaine the King of the Romanes and rejoyced in hope of an eternall Peace Whereupon Antonine Antonine enters Parthia passing the Rivers without opposition progressed over Parthia as if it had been his own Countrey the Natives every where entertained him with Sacrifices crowned Altars and most exquisite sweet Odours which hee made shew to bee exceedingly affected with Approching after a long March to the Court of Artabanus the King goes forth to meet the Bridegroome his Son in law in a faire Plaine before the City attended with a wondrous company of Barbarians wearing Chaplets of flowers and divers coloured Vestures of wrought Gold frollicking and dancing to the Musicke of Flutes Pipes and Timbrells for with these Revells they are marveilously delighted especially when they are well tipled Now when the greatest concourse of people was come together and the Barbarians having left their horses bowes and arrowes were feasting and carowsing at randome and misdeeming nothing thronged and crowded together to see the royall Bridegroom Antonine made a signe to his souldiers to flie upon them and murther them The Barbarians amazed at this gave The Parthians massacred back and fled the Roman following the Chase killing and wounding them Artabanus himself being â—â—â—ued by his Guard and set on Horseback had much adoe to escape with a few of his Courtiers The Remainder of the Barbarians were put all to the sword for they had neither horses which they most needed having turned them to pasture nor could they runne away being hindred by their loose Garments which reached downe to the foot nor had they with them their Bowes and Arrowes for what should they doe with them at a Wedding Thus after a mighty Massacre of the Barbarians Antonine taking magnificent Spoyles and many Pri-soners departs without any resistance burning Townes and Cities as he went and licensing the Souldiers to take what pillage and booty they listed This blow the Barbarians received ere they lookt for it Antonine having harried and wasted the Parthian Countrey till his souldiers were weary retreits into Mesopotamia and from thence certifies the Romane Senate and People that hee had conquered all the Orient and reduced all those Kingdomes under his obedience The Senate albeit they wel knew how things went * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for it is impossible that a Princes actions should be concealed yet out of feare and flattery they decreed to him all Triumphall Honors And now did Antonine keepe his Court in Mesopotamia wholly devoting himselfe to Charriot-races and Combates with all sorts of Wilde beasts He had two Generalls of his army the one was very aged and though no great Statesman yet a good Martiall man His name was Audentius The other called Macrinus was well seen in points of State and an excellent Lawyer Him the Prince did oft shrewdly checke and taunt in publicke as a man of no spirit or valour giving him very contumelious tearmes For understanding that he kept a good table and loathed the course Viands that himselfe delighted in like a souldier and that he used to weare a short * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cloake and other City attire he called him an effeminate Coward and continually threatned to kill him Which Macrinus taking to heart was mightily inraged Now there fell out this Accident for at last Antonine was to leave the Stage Beeing naturally curious and inquisitive to know not onely the secrets of Men but of Gods also and Daemons and suspecting that all intended Treason against him hee consulted all Oracles and sent Magicians consulted farre and neere for Magicians Astrologers and Wizzards not one escaping him that professed those Curious Arts. But misdoubting that they all lyed and prophesied falsely to sooth him in his humour hee writes to one Maternianus to whom hee had committed the Government of the State at Rome and as to his most confident friend hee had imparted all his secrets willing him to inquire out the chiefe Magicians and Conjurers that Conjuring were to be found and to demand of the Spirits that were raised how long hee had to live and whether any intended to surprise the empire Maternianus obeying his CoÌ„mand whether the Spirits signified so much or whether he plotted so against Macrinus writes back to Antonine that Macrinus * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 insidiously aspired to the Empire and that therefore hee should make him away Having sealed these Letters among others hee delivers them as usually he did to the Posts that knew nothing of the Contents They with wonted speede arrive at the Emperours Court at the very instant of his beginning his Charriot-race for hee was now entring the Charriot and deliver him the Packet wherein the Letters touching Macrinus were But Antonine's minde being wholly fixt on his present *
Sports he bids Macrinus Charriot-races a great sport in those daies take the Letters and peruse them and if there were any matters of Weight to certifie him otherwise to attend his Charge as he was wont thus he oft used to doe And so he hurries away in his Chariot Macrinus retiring himselfe broke up the severall Letters and fell upon that which aimed at his destruction Perceiving therefore that his danger was great and impendent and well knowing Antonines ferall Cruelty especially having so faire a Pretext he reserves that Letter to himselfe and as his manner was acquainted the Prince with the Contents of the rest But fearing lest Maternianus should write againe of the same Businesse he resolved rather to doe than suffer and thus he plots There was one Martial a * A Captaine of an hundred men Centurion and one of Antonines Guard that still waited on him whose brother was a few dayes before executed by the Prince upon bare Information without proofe or proceesse who had also called Martial himselfe Base Coward and Macrinus his Favorite in scorne This man being infinitly grieved at his brothers death and enraged with those reproaches Macrinus who knew all the Passages sends for reposing in him as having beene formerly his Servant and obliged to him by many singular Favours Him he perswades to kill Antonine upon the first Opportunity Whereupon allured with Macrinus Promises and instigated with his owne Quarrell and his brothers Revenge he undertakes to effect it as soone as was possible Shortly after it fell out that Antonine lying at Carrae in Carrae in Mesopotamia Mesopotamia went from his Palace to visite the Temple of the * Of Luna and Lunus see M. Sslden de Dijs Syris Moone a good distance from the City which Goddesse is honoured by the Natives with great Devotion Taking with him but a small Troop of Horse not troubling the whole army he went on his Iourney purposing when he had sacrificed to returne to the City In the Mid-way commanding all to stand off hee went aside to his Eâ—sâ—ment taking but a Pagâ— along with him Whereupon all turning their faces and going a great way off for Honours sake Martial who watched every minute of opportunitie as soone as he perceived the Prince was all alone runs instantly as if he had beckoned to him to doe somewhat Antonine slaine and stabs him behind with a Stilletto as he was uncovering himself The wound being mortall he was suddenly slaine without recovery Which done Martial takes horse and flies But the Germane Horsemen which Antonine much delighted in and used for his Guard being next at hand and the first that saw what was don pursued him and thrust him thorow with their Iavelins When the report heereof was brought to the Army they all ran together to the place where Macrinus was the first that sell a weeping and wailing dissemblingly over the dead body The Souldiers tooke his Death very heavily accounting they had lost a deare friend and companion rather than a Prince and not conceiting any thing of Macrinus his â—reason they thought Martial had done it in his owne quarrell and so they all returned to their Tents Macrinus having burnt the corps sent his Ashes in an Vrne to his mother to bury it Shee was then at Antioch and for griefe of her childrens disasters slew her selfe whether voluntarily or by compulsion is uncertaine This End had the Emperor Antonine and his Mother Iulia having lived in that manner as I have related hee having raigned sixe yeares alone without his Father or Brother Antonine extinct the Souldiers being all in a Maze were two dayes without an Emperour debating who was fittest to be elected For they had Intelligence that Artabanus was marching with a mighty Army to be revenged on them and to Sacrifice them to the Ghosts of them they had treacherously slaine in the time of Peace and Festivall Solemnitie They proceed therfore to Election and first they make choice of Audentius a man bred up in the Warres and a good commander But he alledging Audentius refuses the Empire he was super-annate refuses the Empire wherupon they elect Macrinus by the perswasion especially of the * Coronels or Serjeant-Majors Tribunes who after his death were susspected to have beene accessary to Antoniâ—â—s Murther and of Macrinus Councel as in the Sequele shall bee declared Thus was Macrinus made Emperour Mâ—â—rinus Elected not so much by the Souldiers Love and Fidel â—ie as by urgent Necessitie Presently after Artabanus approached with his forces leading a huge Army consisting of great troopes of Horsmen and Aâ—chers as also Riders on Camels in compleate Armour with extraordinary long Lances Whereupon Macrinus assembling his Souldiers made this Speech Macrinus his Speech to the Army IT is no marvell that you all grieve so much for the death of so gracious a Prince or Companion rather But it is the part of Wise men to take humane Chances and Calamities patiently His memory shall be ever de are and precions among us and his brave and noble Acts and singular love and respect to you with whom hee so familiarly conversed shall to his eternall Glory bee recorded to Posterity And now having duely henoured his memory and performed his Funerall solemnity it concernes us all to looke to our selves prevent the present danger The Barbarian you see is at hand with all the Power of the Orient having in his owne conceit a just Cause and Quarrell against us For we first provokt him by infringing the league and Warring on him in time of publike Peace and Security And now all the Roman Empire depends on your valor fidelitie For we are not to fight with this Great King about the Borders or Skirts of the Empire or about Rivers but for all our fortunes hee being come to revenge his Children and Kinsmen which we as he opines have slaine unjustly and contrary to our Oaths Let us therfore take armes and as Romans are wont keepe our Râ—â—kâ—s for this confused Barbarous rout being not well murshalled nor trained is like enough to bee us owne overthrow But your good Order Discipline and Martiall skill in fight will hath preserve your selves and defâ—â—t the Eâ—â—â—ie Wherefore charge couragiously like worthy Romans and as you are wont so shall we vanquish the Barbarians and winne great Honor for them will it go curant with the Romans and all the world that we did not pilfer the former victory by fraud treachery and perjurious violation of the League but by force of Armes and true valour Having thus said the souldiers seeing in what a * The Romans fear'd the Parthians more than any other nation Rende the letter in the beginning of the next Booke straight they were put themselves in Battalia and were all night in armes At Sun rising they descry Artabanus and his huge hoste advancing When the Barbarians had done their devotions to the Sun after their usuall guize
the Souldiers if they would render the Empire to her nephewes Wherupon they promising to receive her all hers and proclaim Antonines son Emperor if she would come secretly in the night to the campe the old woman resolved to undergo any hazard rather than live a private obscure life Wherfore issuing privily out of the citie in the night with her children and nephewes she was conducted by the troupe of fugitives to the army where all the souldiers welcomed her and proclaiming the Boy Antonine clothed him in a â—assianus a yong Priest proclaimed Emperour purple robe of State Then fetching into the camp all her provision together with her daughters their husbands whatsoever goods or cattell shee had in the fields and villages they victualled fortified the camp that if need were they might hold out a siege WheÌ„ this news was brought to Macrinus lying then at Antioch the army there understanding likewise by report that Antonines sonne was found out and that Iuliaes sister had given great store of siluer to the Souldiers they beleeved all to be infallibly true and began to waver and take new resolutions being excited therto both by the grudge they bore Macrinus commiseration as it were of the memory of Antoninus but especially for the hope of cash insomuch that many presently fled to this new found Antonine Macrinus scorning all this as * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Boyes play and being as joviall as ever stirred not himselfe but sends one of his Captaines with certaine companies which he thought sufficient to â—ame the rebels As soone as Iulian so the Captaine was called approched the Camâ—e walls instantly the souldiers that were within shewed the Boy to the adverse army from the Turrets and Pinnacies proclaming him to be Antonines son and holding up their purses full of money as a bait to betray Macrinus Whereupon the souldiers without beleeving he was Antonines son and perswading themselves he did exceedingly resemble him in face and lineaments struck off their Captaine Iulians head and sent it to Macrinus Iulian beheaded Which done the camp gates were opened and all let in Thus were their numbers increast to a competent Army not onely to hold out a siege but also to fight a battell being augmented also by the accesse of others that in great troopes revolted to them Which Macrinus understanding rouzes up his spirits and leades forth all his Army to aslaile the Campe. But Antonines Souldiers not intending to indure a siege march into the field Both the armies met on the borders of Syria Phoenicia but Antonines fought The battell betwixt Macriâ—e Bassian or Antonine â— more fiercely as knowing they should be souÌ„dly punished if they were overcoÌ„e on the other side Macrines was more faint remiss many of them fled to Antonine Which when Macrinus saw fearing lest all leaving him to the 4 winds he should be taken prisoner and villanously intreated wheÌ„ it grew toward the evening he stript himselfe of his Purple * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 surcoat and other Imperiall ornaments while his Army yet stood firme and being attended with a few of his trustiest Captaines betook him to flight shaving his berd close lest he should Macrinus flâ—es be knowne and shrowding himselfe in a Riding cloake hood poasting day and night to prevent the fame of his misfortune For his Captaines every where took up Coaches as if Macrinus still being Emperour they were sent from him about extraordinary affaires Thus he escaped by flight Meane while both armies fought Macrinus his guard termed the Praetorian Band * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bravely maintaining fight against the whole Power of the enemie for they were the tallest and choicest men that could be found All the other multitude fought for Antonine But when Macrinus his men after a great while neither saw him nor any signe of soveraignty not knowing whether he were slain or fled or what was become of him they were in a great maze for they determined to ingage themselves no longer for him that was not to be seen and yet they feared to come into their â—â—â—mies hands by yielding 〈…〉 en prisoners When An 〈…〉 â—â—derstood by the Rene 〈…〉 hat Macrinus was fled 〈…〉 eralds to certifie theÌ„ 〈…〉 not to fight for an * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unmanly fugitive that he pardoned them all that was past and would confirme the pardon by oath the better to assure them would make them presently his Guard Thus all giving credit to the Heralds yielded Instantly Antonine sends to pursue Macrinus that was now gotten a great way on his journy he was found at Chalcedon * Chalcedon a sea-Sea-City situate in view of Byzantium Strabo l. 12. Macrinus beheaded a City of Bithynia grievously sicke and over-toiled with travel being hid in the suburbs where they strucke off his head It was said that hee made such haste to Rome relying on the peoples love but as hee was passing into Europe over the Proponticke Gulfe being come neere to Byzantium hee was driven backe by contrary Gusts as if the Winds themselves had conspired to his punishment Thus Macrinus not being able to escape his pursuers came to a miserable end through his improvidence determining to goe to Rome at last which he should have done first of all having neither good fore sight nor good fortune his son Diadumenianus Diadumenianus Caesar whom he had made Caesar being slaine also with him When all the army had saluted Antonine Emperour and he was now established in the soveraignty the orientall affaires being ordered as was requisite by his Grandmother and friends for he was very young and of no experience he made no long stay there but prepared for his journey to Rome Maesa longing to returne to the Palace where shee had so long flourished When intimation hereof was given to the Roman Peeres and people it was heavie newes to all Antonine marching out of Syria wintered at Nicomedia Antonine winters at Nicomedia the season so requiring There he fell to his hiddygiddy * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 veneration of his country Deity whose Priest he was with antique dances attired in rich Sacerdotall vestments of gold tissued on Purple adorned with jewels and armelets and wearing coronets of gold and precious stones made like a Persian diadem The fashion of his habite was betwixt the long robe of the Phoenicians and the apparrel of the Medes For he scorned the Greek Roman attire as made of wooll that is as he termed it of base stuffe not daining any other weare but Syrian silks going 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 abroad usually wiâ—â— a noise of flutes shalms as at his sacrificing solemnities Which Moesa much distasting huÌ„bly besought him to put himself into the Roman habit left entring the City and * Parliament house Curia in that exoticke and barbarous garbe he should be an eye-sore to the
the Camp prosessing he was much obliged to the Emperour for doing him that honour but accusing Mammaea for her opprobrious injuries Whereat she being the more exasperated commanded him to be slain and having expelled the young Lady from the Court confined her to Africke All which was done without Alexanders consent meerely against his will for his Mother caried a high and imperious hand over him and he tenderly reuer'd and obeyed her in all things so that his main error was too much softnesse over great obsequiousnes to his mother in things which himself disapproved Having thus ruled the Empire thirteene yeares without any grievance in regard of his owne particular suddenly in the fourteenth yeare there came letters from the Presidents of Syria and Mesopotamia cetifying That Artaxerxes King of Persia having The Parthian king â—laine conquered the parthians and slaine Artabanus who was the first that was called The great King and A double 〈…〉 m. wore a double Diadem did likewise subdue and make Tributary the bordering Barbarians and not containing â—â—e Persi 〈…〉 invâ—de the Romans himâ—elfe within the River Tygris had transpassed the banks and bounds of the Roman Empire and made a rode into Mesopotamia thâ— eatning to invade Syria and challenging the * The lesserâ— Asia opposite continent to Europe limited by the Aegean Sea and Propontick Gulfe and called Asia as the ancient Patrimony of the Persians in that from Cyrus who first traÌ„slated the Empire of the Medes to the Persians until Darius the last Persian King deposed by Alexander all those countries as far as Ionia and Caria â—ere ruled by Persian Vice-royes and therfore he held himselfe bound in honor to recover all that which was anciently under the Persian Scepter Wâ—en Alexander received this dâ—â—mall newes from the Easterne parts he was not a little perplext and troubled having beene ever trained from a child in peace and tranquility and nuzled in City-delights advising therefore with his Councel he first resolved to send Embassadours with letters to stop the Barbarians proceedings The letters were to this effect That he ought to containe himselfe Alexanders Letters to the Persian within his bounds and not in vaine hope of new Conquests raise wars and stirs That every one ought to rest content with his owne estate That he would find great difference in fight betwixt Romans and his fellow Barbarians Lastly he put him in mind of the victories which Augustus Trajan Lucius Severus had obtained against them With these letters Alexander perswaded himselfe he should over-rule the Barbarian and make him quiet But he scorning them and holding it The â—â—rsian scornes them his best course to fight rather thaÌ„ talk was now more rampaÌ„t than ever ranging over al Mesopotamia taking great booties and assailing the RomaÌ„ camps that were pitcht on the river banks to defend the limits of the Empire Being also naturally of a high spirit and haughty minde which by this sudden successe was much more elevated hee thought he should conquer all afore him Hee had great encouragements to enlarge his Dominions being the first that attempted the Parthians and recovered the kingdome to the Persians for after Darius whom Alexander the Macedon conquered the Macedonians and Alexanders successors for many yeres divided among them the principality of the orientall Provinces over all Asia But when by their civill wars and discords the Macedonians the rest were weakned Arsaces the Parthian did as they say first perswade the barbarous people of these countries to revolt from the Macedonians and being crowned King by the Parthians and adjoyning Barbarians he held the kingdome and left it to his posterity which enjoyed it untill the raign of Artâ—banus in our time slaine by Artaxerxes who reunited that kingdome to the Persian Monarchy and having brought in subjectioÌ„ the adjacent Barbarians began to trench on the Roman territories Which Alexander understanding and knowing it concerned him in a high degree of justice honor not to suffer the insolent Barbarian any longer his commanders earnestly importuning him to come in person with much adoe at last he prepares to set forward against his owne inclinations and now there were Generall musters through all Italy and the Romane Provinces of the A generall â—â—ster strongest and ablest persons for the wars great hurliburlies being in all parts of the Empire about training the choicest that might bee found to encounter the barbarous multitude Alexander assembling into the field all the Souldiers which were quartered neere the City spake thus to them from his Throne Alexanders Speech to the Army I Could wish my brave Fellow-souldiers that I might as heretofore speak such things to you as were to my applause and your content It may be that after so long peace an unexpected war may somwhat dismay you But it is the part of generous and temperate men to pray for the best and be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 content with that which happens for as those things which wee performe with pleasure are delightfull so valiant Exployts necessarily undertaken are most glorious And as hee that first offers wrong deserves small favour so he that redresses a wrong is more confident as having a good conscience and more couragious in that hee offers not wrong but repells it Artaxerxes the Persian having trayterously slaine his Soveraign Artabanus and translated his Kingdome to the Persians hath presumed also to bid us Battaile and in despight of the Roman majesty hath begun to invade and destroy our Provinces At first I thought good to write to him to desist from that insatiate fury of coveting other mens Estates But he in his barbarous pride is so far from containing himselfe in his owne Limits that hee challenges us to fight Let us not therfore refuse the Challenge nor foreslow the Warre but you which are Veteranes make him know that you are they that under the conduct of Severus and my Father Antonine got those famous Victories over the Barbarians And you which are young Souldiers must strive for honour and glory that all may know you are not onely well disciplin'd to obey in time of peace but that also in time of warre when need requires you are able to make full demonstration of your Valour The Barbarians are very fierce against them that shrinke or come on slowly but if they be furiously charged they are soon calmed For it is not their manner to attempt the Victory by pitcht Battels but to make sudden praedatory Excursions and then runne away thinking they have gayned sufficiently by forraging the couÌ„trey But we with our fair and wel-ordred armies have put them to the worst returned conquerors Alexander having thus said the souldiers by their generall cry exprest their alacrity and readinesse to march wherfore giving them large pay hee commands them to prepare for the voyage having made another speech of like effect to the Senate he appoints a day for his departure which
being come and the usual sacrifices ceremonies performed all the Senate and City attending him hee departs from Rome ofteÌ„ looking back towards the City and weeping Neither Alexander beloved oâ— all was there any of the people which parted from him with drie eies so dearely were they devoted to him being bred amongst them having raigned so many years with such rare moderatioÌ„ With speedy journeies hee visited the Illyrian Nations and armies and taking great forces from thence with him he marched to He marches to Antioch Antioch where he made diligent preparation for al warlike necessaries still attending the training of Souldiers and other Martiall exercises Here again hoping to end the war by Treatie hee sent another Embassie to the Persian king to conclude a peace contract An Embassie a league with him For being come so far in person he was in hope either to perswade him or at least to terrifie him But the Barbarian prince proudly rejects the Roman Embassadors sends 400 of his tallest Persians in brave rich attire as Heralds or embassadors mounted on goodly coursers w th their gay bowes and arrowes thinking the Romans would be danted with the sight and habit of the Persians His embassage was this The great King Artaxerxes commands the A braving Embassie Romans and their Prince to depart out of all Syria and Asia * Asia minor that is opposite to Europe to permit the Persians to rule as far as Ionia Caria over all those countries which are divided by the Aegean and Pontick sea and by patrimoniall right belong to the Persians These 400 Embassadors Alexander commanded Embassadors punisht to bee apprehended stripping them of their Persian gallantry banisht them into Phrygia assigning them certaine villages for dwelling and fields for tillage contenting himselfe to punish them by debarring their returne into their native countrie it being as he thought an * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unholy deed unmanly act to put them to death that fought not but only executed their Soveraignes command This done Alexander being about to passe over the rivers and lead his Army into the Barbarians countrey many Aegyptian souldiers revolted from him and others began to make a commotion in Syria but they were soone supprest and punisht Alexander also sent some Forces into other countries to prevent the Barbarians incursions All Alexanders policie which things being set in order and having now a great armie not inferior to the enemy he divided it by his councels advice into three Battalions commanding one to march Northward through Armenia which seem'd to be in friendly termes with the Romans and that way to invade the Borders of Media another likewise to passe by the North through the Barbarian countries where Tigris and Euphrates meer are drowned in great Marishes and lakes whence it is unknown how they are dis-emboged the third being the best part of the army himself undertook to lead against the Barbarians assaile them in the midst By this means he thought to take theÌ„ unprovided invading theÌ„ several wayes and that the Persian forces would be much distracted weakned and so lesse able to resist the Romanes by being dispersed to incounter them in places so far disterminated For the Barbarians have no mercenary bands as the Romans use nor any set Camps or veterane Armies that are still exercised in Martiall discipline but all their men and women too sometimes are mustered together at the Kings command and after the war return to their houses taking for their pay all the booties they get They use shooting and riding not onely Archerie as the Romans in war but even froÌ„ their childhood in hunting for their food using their bows perpetually on horsbacke whether they follow the wars or pursue wild beastes This plot of Alexander though it were plausible proved not fortunat for the army that marcht thorow Armenia having with great difficulty climbed over the extreme steep and craggy Mountaines of that The Armenian mountains Region which they did the better in regard it was Summer entred Media where they burnt many Villages got much pillage Which the Persian King understanding hastened against them with al his power But they could not impeach the Romans by reason of the hillinesse and roughnesse of the countrie which was more firm and pâ—ssable for footmen but a maine hindrance to the Barbarian horse Then came other news to the king that another Army of the Romans had entred the Parthian dominions Eastward and wasted the Country Fearing therfore lest having soone conquered the Parthians they should invade Persia he left as many troopes as he thought were sufficient to defend Media and posts with a puissant host to the East parts The Roman Army when they saw none come against them began to bee more negligent in their march supposing that Alexander had with the third part of the Army which was the strongest invaded the Barbarians in the middle Resting therfore reposing themselves they supposed there needed no hast as not doubting but that all the Army did come on according to the first determination to which purpose a place was assigned as a rendâ—zvous for themselves the prey prisoners which they should take But Alexander disappointed them for he neither went himself nor sent the Army whether for feare of losing his life in defending the Empire or whether his mother out of a feminine feare and fondnes detained him is uncertaine Vndoubtedly shee did much abate his noble courage perswading him rather to expose others to danger than himselfe to the fortune of war By which means the Roman army that had entred the Barbarians Countrey was meerely betrayed For the Persian king leading all his forces against The Romans defeated them ere they were aware and taking them as it were in a net gave theÌ„ an absolute defeat for being few they could not withstand so many but guarding as well as they could the open parts of their bodies with their Armes against the shot of the arrowes they supposed they acquitted themselves well if making no resistance they escaped safe But having for some space defended themselves by joyning their targets together as with a wall being like a city assaulted on every side grievously wouÌ„ded at last after a long and brave resistance they were every man slaine The losse of which great Army which might well bee compared to any of the Ancient for valour or fidelity was a mighty and unspeakable calamity to the Romans But the Persian puft up with so good successe bare his Crest aloft and aspir'd to higher matters Which when Alexander heard being then very sick either for griefe of mind or unwholsomenesse of the aire he tooke it exceeding heavilie and all the Army was grievously offended with the Emperour in that by disappointing his men he had so foully betrayed theÌ„ But Alexander not able to endure hiâ— sicknesse nor that
hot clime which afflicted all the army and especially the Illyrians who having beene used to a cold and moist ayâ—e fed more plentifully than reâ—â— purposed to dismaâ—ch to Antioch and send for thâ—se few Souldiers that remained of theÌ„ that perish amongst thâ— Mountain â— by extremity of the Winteâ— season The companies that â—lexander had wiâ—h him he brought back to Antioch having lost many of them also to his infinit dishonour his souldiers discontentment Fortune failing him every where For the most part of his threefold army for so he divided it perish diversly either by sicknes sword or cold Alexander being come to Antioch Alexander retires to Antioch and having soon recovered his health by the change of aire Mesopotamia being extreme hot but Antioch much cooler well watred with dainty fountains he refreshâ— his army reviv'd their drooping spirits with great store of Coine for that he held to be Pilula â—â—â—â—eae the best physicke for Souldiers the onely preservative to assure the souldiers love Here he raised new Forces as if he meant to leade another Army against the Persians if they were further troublesom desisted not from their enterprises But he received intelligence that the Persian king had dismist all his Souldiers to their owne homes And though the Barbarians seemed to have got the upper haÌ„d yet were they excedingly wasted w th those frequeÌ„t skirmishes battels in Media Persia they which surviv'd were forthe most part grievously wounded and much weakned For the Romans which fel sold their lives full dearely and â—lew not a few of their Enemies tho they were but a handful in comparison of them insomuch that there were almost as many slain of the Barbarians as of the Romans who were not inferior to them in valour but number And this was a certaine signe of the Barbarians great losse that they took not armes nor offered to stir for 3 or 4 yeares after Alexander thus advertised during his abode at Antioch and being disburdened of the irksome care of War he was much more free and frolicke and gave himselfe to the City-pastimes and plesures And now while he was confident that the Persians would bee quiet or at least that they would not in hast re-assemble their Forces which are rather a confused multitude then a wel-ordered Army for they have no other provision theÌ„ what every man brings from home for present use and are also very loath to leave their wives children possessioÌ„s there came posts with letters from the Procurators of Illyria which troubled Alexander perplext him more theÌ„ ever for they certified him That the Germanes The Germanes rebell having past the Rhine and Isther had invaded the Roman Frontiers assaulted the Armies upon the Banks made great havock in the Cities and Villages to the great hazard of the Illyrian Regions adjaceÌ„t and abutting on Italy that his Presence therefore was mainly necessary together with the whole Army This newes amazed Alexander and grieved the Illyrians being twice miserable by their late discomfiture in the Persian expedition and the slaughter of their countreymen by the German incursions They were therefore exceedingly enraged at thâ— Emperour for betraying the affaires of the East by his feare or negligence for delaying to succour the North being so earnestly called upon And now Alexander and his Counsell began to misdoubt Italy which was in greater danger of the Germanes then the Persians For the remote Nations of the Levant so far disjoyned by Sea and Land scarse heare of the name of Italy but the Illyrian Dominions being of small extent and consisting but of a few Provinces are the only bar betwixt Italy and Germany Being compelled therefore by necessity hee much against his will proclaimes his Expedition and leaving as many Companies as he thought sufficient to guard the Roman frontiers having wel manned fortified the Camps Sconces other praesidiary places hee hastens with the rest of the Army against the Germans Having ended his Iourney with Alexander come to the Rhine great speed he incamped on the bankes of the Rhine and there made provision for the German War He made a bridge of ships and barges for the more easie passage of his Army over the river Rhenus and Isther being the greatest rivers of the North the one ruÌ„ning through Germany the other through Pannonie In summer they are navigable by reason of their deep broad channells but in winter they are so frozen that they are ridden over as if they were Plaines the Ice being so firm and thick that it bears not only horse and man but they also which want water bring not with them Pitchers or other vessels but axes and hatchets wherewith they hew out water and carry it thence like stones Alexander had in his Army divers Regiments of Moors and a goodly band of Archers which hee brought out of the East some from the Oâ—roenes Country others that were Parthian Fugitives or Stripendaries which he sent against the Getmans who were much infested Moores geneâ—â—lly nâ—â—â—lefooted by them for the Moors cast their darts at a great distance and are very deft and nimble in running Archers to and fro and the archers standing afarre off easily hit the naked heads and vast bodies of the Germanes being faire ma ks to shoot at Sometimes also they came to hand-stroks wherin the Germans were oft not inferior to the Romans While these things were on foot Alexander sent embassadours Embassadors to them to treat of peace and to assure them that they should want nothing that they needed that they should be well furnisht with mony For the Germans are soonest perswaded with that being very greedy of Ghelt and ever ready to chaffer peace with the Romanes for gold Alexander therfore assayed rather to buy a league than to hazard himself in the war But his Souldiers were much discontented that they spent their time vainly and were not led to some brave Service or gallant Enterprise Alexander as they said caring more to follow his Charretting and Revelling than to pursue or punish the presumptuous Germanes as concerned him Now there was in the army one Maximine borne in an obscure Maximine â— described Village of the innermost part of Thrace a Semi barbarian and which in his younger age had beene bred a Shepherd after being at mans estate hee was for his bulk and strength appointed to serve in the warres among a troope of horse soone after Fortune leading him by the hand he passed through all Military preferments to the command of Armies and Provinces Thus Maximine was for his singular skil in the exercise of arms made Captain by Alexander over all the yong souldiers to the end to traine and make them fit for Service Who performing his taske with care and diligence was very gracious with all the army For he did not only teach them what they should doe but himselfe did by his owne
Rome and depriving others of their offices upon pretence of misgovernment Which he purposely did that being rid of all which were his betters in birth he might the more freely uncontrolably practise in his Army as in a stroÌ„g Arcenal al kind of Tyranny without regard to any Hee banisht also from the court al Alexanders servants that had so many yeares waited and put many of them to death upon misprision of Treason because they mourned for their old master But that which set a keene edge upon his Tyranny was an information that many Captaines and all the Roman Senate conspired against him There was one Magnus a very Magnus noble Gentleman that had been Consul who was accused to the Emperor that he raised a faction against him and dealt with the Souldiers to make himselfe Emperor The Plot was said to be this Maximin had built a bridge over the River to go against the Germans for as soon as he came to the Soveraignty he presently applyed himselfe to the warres For being elected to the Empire for his huge bulke approved valour skill in military affaires he intended by deeds of Armes to confirme the Soldiers in their good opinion and to make the world know that Alexanders feare * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 retardation of the war was justly to bee condemned Wherfore he spared no pains to muster and traine the Souldiers and being still in armes himselfe he mightily incouraged the Army Having made the bridge he purposed to passe into Germany But Magnus was reported to have perswaded many of the best soldiers who had the charge of guarding the bridge that as soon as Maximine were passed over they should cut it down and so preventing his returne betray him to the Barbarians For so deep broad was the river that it was impossible hee should retreat there being no ships on the other side This was the rumor but whether true or feigned by Maximin is uncertain for it is hard to determine any thing therein all that were suspected being suddenly apprehended and cruelly slain without Iudiciall Processe or Pleading But now the Osroene Archers began to revolt For being much griev'd at Alexanders murther meeting by chance Quartinus with Quartinus one of Alexanders friends dismist but a little before by Maximine they layd hold on him and utterly against his will made him their Chiefe and honouring him with the fatall Ornaments of Purple and Fire carried before him they proclamed him Emperor that neither knew of it before nor thought of it howbeit soone after sleeping in his Tent he was suddenly slain by one that had beene his companion and as some say his affied friend whose name was Macedon Macedon the Captain of the Osroens and the first mover of their revolt froÌ„ Maximin And though hee had no cause nor quarrell at all against him yet he slew him whom himself had compelled to take upoÌ„ him the Empire Then thinking he should be wondrous welcom to Maximine he brought him Quartinus head for a Present Maximine being glad to see it and rejoycing that his enemy was so easily made away wheras the Actour expected great thanks and preferment hee put him to a most cruell death as a Ringleader of Rebellion a murtherer of him that hee had perswaded against his will to that enterprize and a Traitour to his dearest friend These the like occasions whetted Maximine to all immanity that of himselfe was exceeding bloudy He had a horrible ugly countenance and such a Cyclopicall Bulk that no Greek nor Barbarian Champion was comparable to him Having thus ordered his affaires he leads all his army with great courage over the Bridge and makes war upon the Germans A wondrous multitude of people followed him almost all the Roman forces the Moresco darters and many Bands of Archers of the Osroens and Armenians whereof the first are Vassalls to the Romans the latter their Allies and Confederates as also the mercenary and fugitive Parthians and the Captives of that nation that served the Romanes in the war Which confused Masse having been first raked together by Alexander was after augmented well trained by Maximine These Darters and Archers are very serviceable against the Germans because they nimbly sally forth upon the enemy ere they are aware and easily retreat into the Grosse of the army Maximin being entred the enemies country finding none to resist him for all the Barbarians were fled spoiled all the country the corn being now ready to reape leaving all the villages to be burnt pillaged by the souldiers Their cities buildings are very apt to take fire for the Germans rarely use to build with stone or brick their houses being like sheds made of bords timber fastned together Maximin progressing in this sort burning all the fields giving al the cattell to the Souldiers could yet find no enemies For they had left all the Champaigne and plaine Country and betaken theÌ„selves to the woods Woods Bogs and bogs where they skulked watched their advantage to make an irruption upon the enemy as knowing that the trees which grew so thicke would hinder the enemies Darts Arrowes and the depth of the bogs would be dangerous for the Romans that knew theÌ„ not but easie accessible to them that wel knew where they were passable running daily thorow them up to the knees The Germanes also are very skilfull The Germans good swimmers swimmers using to wash only in Rivers In these difficult places beganne the battell the Roman Emperor himselfe most bravely giving the onset For being come to a mighty great Meare or Marish whither the Germanes had fled the Romans fearing to follow them Maximin was the first that entred with his horse where A terible battell in a Poole plunging above the horse-belly he made a great slaughter of the Barbarians that very stoutly resisted Whereat the Soldiers being abasht lest they should seeme â—o betray their Emperour leapt boldly into the Mear where many on both sides were slain but the BarbariaÌ„s were almost cut of the Romane prince most valiantly fighting in person insomuch that the poole being fild up with carcasses and the fennes all purpled with bloud it represented a gastly hideous sight of a sea-fight as it were on land This battel and his other Martiall acts the Emperour did not onely certify by Letters to the Roman Senate and People but coÌ„manded also the Portrait of them at large to be publikly set before the Councel-house that the Romans might not onely heare but behold also his brave Exployts Which Table with his other honours was afterward taken downe by the Senat. Other skirmishes there were in all which hee fought in the head of his troopes and with his own hands hewed out his honour Winter approaching he retreated with many prisoners and mighty booties into Pannonia Where in Sirmium the greatest City of that Countrey he lay in Garrison preparing for a Spring War and often saying which he seemed to intend that he would exterminate and subdue all the Barbarous nations of Germany to the very Ocean Such a famous Warriour hee was And surely great Glory he had got had heâ— not beene more bloody and cruell to his owne subjects than to the enemies For what thanks to kill Barbarians if far more were murthered in Rome it selfe FINIS
Hee abode many yeares in Rome where he wholly gave himselfe to Matters of Iudicature and State-affaires indeavouring to traine his Sonnes in all noble Studies and Exercises But they being well-growne Youths had their Dispositions corrupted by the Romane Diet and Delices as also by the excessive frequenting of Stage-playes Charriotsports and Revells Moreover His Sonnes dissâ—â—tions the Brethren fell at variance one with the other their first quarrell being about the childish desire of Victory at Quaile-fights Cock-fights and the wrestling of boyes Yea whatsoever they saw or heard in publicke they were still divided never affecting the same thing but what the one applauded the other scorned Which Discord was fomented by both their servants and slaiterers who * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 collogued with them for their owne ends Severus understanding their differences assaled to recoÌ„cile them and reduce them to better temper The elder of them whose * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Genuine Name was Bassian before his Advancement to the Imperiall Family Severus after his Inauguration in the Empire named Antonine which was the Sirname of Marcus To him hee gave a wife hoping that * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Marriage would make him a stayd man Shee was the Daughter of Plautian Captaine of the Pretorian Baâ—ds who was as they say but of meane estate in his youth and proscribed for Sedition and other Crimes Hee was Severus his Countriman an African borne and by report his Kinsman and as some have taxed him in his younger yeares his Catamite Him Severus advanced from very low degree to great dignity inriching him exceedingly with the Goods and Lands of condemned persons and almost sh 〈…〉 * Of Severus 〈…〉 pâ—ssâ—g 〈…〉 tâ—e 〈…〉 Essâ—y of Friendship pire with him 〈…〉 Fortunes he ab 〈…〉 ciousnesse omitti 〈…〉 cruâ—lâ—y or outrage to compâ—sse his designes being more Tyrannically sterne than all the Princes that ever were To his Daughter did Severus match his Sonne and unite his House to his But Antonine taking small joy Forced Marriage in those Nuptialls whereto hee was forcibly yoaked without any prae-election of his owne infinitely hated both the young Lady and her Father scorning to lodge or cohabite with her yea hee so loathed her that hee daily menaced to kill her and her Father as soone as hee were sole Emperour Which when she still told her Father shewing him how hee abhorred her hee mightily stomackt it Plautian therefore considering that Severus was now growne old and diseased and that Antonine was a bold fierce Youth he feared his Threats and resolved to doe some Exployt rather than suffer himselfe to bee made away Plautian the migâ—tiâ—st Favourite of the World Moreover he had many provocatives to aspire to Soveraignty such excessive wealth as never any Subject had the like Martiall men were all at his becke the whole Romane State highly honoured him yea his ordinary Garbe made him very gracious with the people for hee still wore the Senatorian robe * Vid. Alex. ab Alex. l. 5. cap. 18. purfled and embrodered with Golden Studds and was ranked with the prime Nobility A Sword was borne before him and hee alone represented the Emperors Person Hee walked abroad with such terrible Majestie that none durst come neere him and if any met him by chance they stept aside his Gentlemen Vshers making Proclamation that None should stand in the way nor looke at him but turne aside and looke downewards When Severus understood this he disgusted it and beganne to thinke harshly of him insomuch that hee clipt the Wings of his Authority commanding him to leave that insolent Demeanour Plautian taking this as an intollerable Affront fell roundly to His treason surprise the Empire And this was his Plot There was one Saturninus that had a Tribunes * The command of 1000 souldiers place under him and was exceedingly devoted to Plautian and though all were intirely his yet hee by his singular veneration had wonne his Affection more than the rest Thinking him to be a most trusty fellow and the onely Engine for his secret Designes hee sends for him in the Evening and all being commanded to voyd the roome spake thus to him NOw is the time for you to make a brave Consummation of the love and observance you have professed and for me likewise to render to you according to your Merits and to make condâ—gne retribution I put it to your choice either to be as you see me now and to succeed mee in this eminent place or instantly to suffer death for refusing my Command Let not the greatnesse of the Enterprise affright nor the Name of Emperours amaze you When it comes to your turne this Night to relieve the Watch you may goe alone to the Bed-chamber and what you are to doe you may secretly effect without any let Goe your wayes therefore to the Court without any more adoe as if you had some speciall secret Message from me and as soone as you come at them kill them Bee resolute Man you may soon dispatch an Old man and a Boy And as you partake the danger so shall you participate the greatest honour for so galland an Exployt At this Spâ—ech the Tribune was not a little confused yet recollecting himselfe and being a notable shrewd pated Fellow for he was a Syrian borne and your Easterne Men are generally wise and of quicke * In warme Climates people are generally more wise sent he considered that to reject the motion of so mighty a Potentate being in so great rage were present death wherefore pretending that hee infinitely liked the Businesse he adored him as Emperour beseeching his Warrant for the Execution For it was the manner of Tyrants when they commanded any to be slain without Iudiciall Processe to signe a Warrant to that purpose for the Actors discharge Plautian blinded with ambition delivers his Warrant to the Tribune strictly charging him that as soone as hee had killed both the Princes before it were noysed abroad he should send some to call for him that hee might seize the Palace and Empire before any man dreamt of it With this charge and commission the Tribune departs and as hee was wont walks the Round through all the Emperours Pallace and knowing how difficult a thing it were for one man to kill two Princes in severall Lodgings he intends to disclose all to Severus and desired the Doore keepers to let him in for it concerned his Life They delivering the Message to Severus hee commands them to bring him in Being entred in hee thus said Sir I am come as hee that sent mee Saturninus detects Plautian makes full account to kill you as your Deaths man but as my selfe resolve and vowe to bee a Preserver of your Life Plautian trayterously aspiring to the Empire hath commanded mee to murther You and your Sonne not onely by Word but also by Writing Witnesse this Schedule And accordingly I undertook to