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war_n but_o he_o excuse_v himself_o allege_v his_o incapacity_n for_o so_o important_a a_o charge_n by_o reason_n of_o his_o great_a age._n then_o they_o choose_v macrinus_n this_o election_n be_v very_o much_o influence_v by_o the_o tribune_n in_o favour_n of_o macrinus_n who_o be_v after_o his_o death_n look_v upon_o as_o his_o complice_n and_o privy_a to_o his_o design_n against_o antonine_n as_o will_v appear_v in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o history_n so_o macrinus_n succeed_v the_o army_n in_o this_o election_n be_v determine_v rather_o by_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o conjuncture_n than_o by_o any_o esteem_n or_o confidence_n they_o have_v in_o the_o person_n elect_v while_o these_o thing_n be_v in_o agitation_n artabanus_n approach_v with_o a_o great_a army_n compose_v of_o a_o great_a force_n of_o cavalry_n and_o archer_n and_o cuirassier_n that_o ride_v upon_o camel_n and_o fight_v with_o long_a spear_n whereupon_o macrinus_n call_v his_o soldier_n together_o and_o 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the_o prerogative_n shall_v be_v lower_v and_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o subject_a advance_v and_o arbitrary_a power_n shall_v sink_v into_o a_o aristocracy_n that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n why_o they_o shall_v esteem_v he_o unworthy_a of_o the_o empire_n or_o judge_v it_o the_o error_n of_o a_o blind_a chance_n by_o which_o he_o be_v exalt_v from_o a_o private_a gentleman_n of_o rome_n to_o this_o high_a station_n that_o there_o be_v no_o advantage_n in_o high_a birth_n unless_o it_o be_v accompany_v with_o moderation_n and_o clemency_n that_o the_o gift_n of_o fortune_n be_v often_o cast_v on_o those_o that_o do_v not_o deserve_v they_o but_o the_o virtue_n of_o the_o mind_n stamp_v a_o real_a value_n and_o dignity_n on_o all_o that_o possess_v they_o that_o estate_n luster_n of_o family_n etc._n etc._n may_v make_v a_o man_n happy_a but_o be_v not_o good_a topic_n of_o commendation_n because_o they_o be_v derive_v from_o other_o but_o gentleness_n and_o humanity_n be_v not_o 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he_o be_v invite_v by_o the_o daily_o repeat_v clamour_n of_o the_o people_n but_o he_o stay_v in_o antioch_n where_o he_o begin_v to_o affect_v a_o long_a beard_n and_o slow_a gate_n he_o will_v scarce_o vouchsafe_v to_o speak_v to_o those_o that_o come_v to_o he_o and_o when_o he_o do_v he_o often_o speak_v so_o low_a it_o be_v a_o hard_a matter_n to_o tell_v what_o he_o say_v in_o these_o particular_n he_o copy_v after_o marcus_n and_o they_o be_v the_o only_a action_n of_o that_o prince_n which_o he_o imitate_v for_o he_o abandon_v himself_o to_o dissolute_a course_n become_v a_o great_a frequent_a of_o play_n and_o musick-meeting_n neglect_v public_a affair_n and_o appear_v always_o in_o public_a with_o button_n and_o a_o belt_n curious_o embroider_v with_o gold_n and_o precious_a stone_n this_o luxury_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n please_v to_o the_o army_n that_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o unmanly_a softness_n better_a become_v a_o woman_n or_o the_o barbarous_a nation_n than_o the_o emperor_n of_o rome_n these_o thing_n i_o say_v give_v great_a disgust_n to_o the_o soldier_n they_o dislike_v his_o course_n of_o life_n as_o too_o effeminate_a and_o call_v to_o mind_n antonine_n way_n of_o live_v which_o be_v such_o as_o become_v a_o soldier_n and_o a_o man_n of_o business_n they_o condemn_v macrinus_n luxury_n beside_o they_o murmur_v extreme_o that_o they_o be_v not_o permit_v to_o return_v home_o but_o be_v constrain_v to_o live_v in_o a_o camp_n in_o a_o foreign_a country_n where_o sometime_o they_o want_v necessary_a provision_n and_o that_o too_o after_o a_o peace_n be_v conclude_v they_o observe_v too_o at_o the_o same_o time_n how_o soft_o and_o delicate_o the_o emperor_n live_v so_o in_o short_a thing_n tend_v to_o a_o rebellion_n they_o begin_v to_o speak_v disrespectful_o of_o he_o and_o only_o seek_v for_o some_o sort_n of_o pretence_n to_o remove_v this_o author_n of_o their_o grievance_n thus_o it_o please_v the_o fate_n that_o macrinus_n have_v 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towards_o the_o top_n the_o colour_n of_o it_o be_v black_a and_o the_o figure_n conical_a the_o tradition_n be_v that_o it_o fall_v from_o heaven_n it_o have_v some_o little_a rudeness_n and_o mark_n upon_o it_o they_o say_v it_o be_v the_o image_n of_o the_o sun_n not_o make_v by_o any_o mortal_a artificer_n and_o esteem_v it_o as_o such_o bassian_n be_v ordain_v his_o priest_n and_o perform_v the_o function_n of_o the_o priest_n office_n as_o be_v the_o elder_a appear_v public_o in_o his_o barbarous_a formality_n which_o be_v a_o gown_n of_o purple_a silk_n flower_v with_o gold_n that_o come_v down_o to_o his_o foot_n and_o hand_n all_o his_o leg_n be_v cover_v with_o under-vestment_n of_o the_o same_o silk_n upon_o his_o head_n he_o wear_v a_o crown_n rich_o adorn_v with_o precious_a stone_n of_o several_a colour_n beside_o he_o be_v then_o in_o the_o flower_n of_o his_o age_n and_o the_o
be_v censure_v for_o any_o immorality_n in_o his_o conversation_n for_o fear_v they_o shall_v debauch_v his_o native_a innocence_n and_o spur_n on_o nature_n now_o he_o be_v vegete_a and_o young_a to_o dishonest_a passion_n and_o appetite_n she_o advise_v he_o to_o attend_v principal_o the_o administration_n of_o justice_n and_o to_o set_v apart_o the_o best_a portion_n of_o his_o time_n for_o the_o discharge_v of_o that_o trust_n that_o be_v employ_v about_o great_a affair_n and_o more_o important_a to_o the_o public_a welfare_n he_o may_v not_o have_v leisure_n to_o pursue_v vain_a and_o sinful_a amusement_n alexander_n have_v a_o mild_a and_o benign_a nature_n dispose_v he_o always_o to_o humanity_n and_o compassion_n which_o be_v manifest_v in_o the_o ensue_a course_n of_o his_o life_n his_o government_n be_v so_o gentle_a that_o in_o fourteen_o year_n not_o one_o man_n be_v put_v to_o death_n though_o many_o be_v convict_v of_o crime_n of_o the_o high_a nature_n he_o will_v never_o proceed_v to_o capital_a punishment_n a_o clemency_n so_o exemplary_a that_o never_o any_o prince_n since_o marcus_n come_v up_o to_o it_o and_o i_o be_o confident_a no_o man_n can_v affirm_v that_o in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o reign_n though_o it_o continue_v many_o year_n any_o man_n suffer_v death_n without_o a_o fair_a and_o legal_a trial._n he_o censure_v his_o mother_n extreme_o and_o be_v high_o offend_v at_o her_o unmeasurable_a covetousness_n and_o indecent_a zeal_n in_o heap_v up_o money_n for_o she_o pretend_v to_o act_v in_o this_o matter_n with_o a_o different_a view_n from_o what_o she_o do_v viz._n that_o the_o emperor_n may_v never_o find_v his_o exchequer_n unfurnish_a whenever_o he_o have_v a_o occasion_n to_o distribute_v munificence_n among_o the_o soldier_n whereas_o she_o be_v lay_v in_o a_o private_a fund_z for_o herself_o at_o home_n this_o cast_v a_o great_a blemish_n upon_o his_o government_n that_o a_o woman_n shall_v presume_v to_o pillage_v the_o subject_a and_o make_v invasion_n on_o their_o property_n notwithstanding_o the_o emperor_n disapprove_v and_o in_o his_o own_o judgement_n oppose_v it_o about_o this_o time_n mammaea_n marry_v her_o son_n to_o a_o roman_a lady_n of_o high_a birth_n who_o she_o afterward_o by_o insupportable_a usage_n constrain_v to_o leave_v the_o court_n though_o she_o be_v passionate_o belove_v by_o the_o emperor_n she_o affect_v the_o title_n of_o sole_a empress_n and_o envy_v she_o a_o share_n in_o that_o honour_n and_o proceed_v at_o length_n to_o those_o outrage_n that_o the_o father_n of_o the_o young_a empress_n who_o be_v then_o in_o great_a esteem_n and_o credit_n with_o the_o emperor_n impatient_a of_o the_o injury_n with_o which_o she_o load_v both_o himself_o and_o his_o daughter_n retire_v from_o the_o court_n to_o the_o camp_n where_o he_o make_v public_a acknowledgement_n of_o the_o great_a respect_n which_o have_v be_v always_o pay_v he_o by_o the_o emperor_n but_o complain_v of_o the_o insolent_a deportment_n of_o mammaea_n which_o exasperate_v she_o to_o that_o degree_n that_o she_o instant_o give_v out_o order_n to_o put_v he_o to_o death_n command_v his_o daughter_n to_o depart_v the_o court_n and_o banish_v she_o into_o africa_n alexander_n act_v in_o this_o affair_n by_o compulsion_n contrary_a to_o his_o own_o judgement_n and_o inclination_n for_o so_o arbitrary_a be_v mammaea_n and_o so_o absolute_a and_o ascendant_n have_v she_o over_o he_o that_o he_o render_v a_o universal_a obedience_n to_o all_o her_o command_n this_o easiness_n and_o obsequiousness_n to_o his_o mother_n even_o to_o a_o crime_n in_o thing_n which_o he_o manifest_o dislike_v be_v the_o only_a thing_n for_o which_o this_o prince_n can_v just_o be_v blame_v have_v thus_o for_o thirteen_o year_n as_o to_o what_o respect_v himself_o administer_v the_o empire_n so_o as_o not_o to_o afford_v subject_a of_o complaint_n in_o the_o fourteen_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n there_o come_v letter_n from_o the_o praefect_n of_o syria_n and_o mesopotamia_n with_o the_o follow_a advice_n viz._n that_o artaxerxes_n king_n of_o persia_n have_v conquer_v parthia_n and_o subdue_v the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o east_n and_o kill_v the_o great_a king_n artabanus_n who_o be_v the_o first_o that_o have_v bear_v that_o title_n and_o wear_v a_o double_a diadem_n have_v reduce_v under_o his_o dominion_n all_o the_o barbarous_a nation_n on_o that_o side_n and_o make_v they_o tributary_n and_o not_o be_v content_a with_o his_o acquisition_n on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o tigris_n have_v pass_v the_o river_n make_v a_o impression_n upon_o the_o roman_a frontier_n overrun_v mesopotamia_n threaten_v syria_n and_o all_o the_o continent_n that_o lie_v opposite_a to_o europe_n which_o be_v call_v asia_n and_o be_v bound_v by_o the_o propontis_n and_o the_o aegean_a pretend_v that_o these_o vast_a tract_n be_v the_o possession_n of_o his_o ancestor_n and_o as_o such_o he_o will_v reunite_v they_o to_o the_o persian_a empire_n and_o far_o set_v forth_o that_o from_o the_o reign_n of_o cyrus_n who_o first_o translate_v the_o empire_n from_o the_o mede_n to_o the_o persian_n to_o the_o time_n of_o darius_n who_o be_v vanquish_v and_o depose_v by_o the_o macedonian_a arm_n all_o those_o country_n as_o far_o as_o jonia_n and_o caria_n be_v govern_v by_o persian_a vice-roys_n and_o that_o he_o esteem_v himself_o in_o honour_n bind_v to_o cause_n restitution_n to_o be_v make_v of_o all_o the_o ancient_a dependence_n of_o the_o persian_a empire_n this_o unexpected_a news_n extreme_o alarm_v alexander_n who_o have_v be_v breed_v up_o in_o the_o softness_n and_o luxury_n of_o rome_n and_o have_v enjoy_v hitherto_o a_o uninterrupted_a calm_a however_o his_o council_n be_v convene_v and_o he_o communicate_v to_o they_o his_o intelligence_n whereupon_o it_o be_v resolve_v that_o ambassador_n shall_v be_v dispatch_v with_o letter_n which_o it_o be_v believe_v will_v check_v the_o hope_n and_o attempt_v of_o these_o barbarous_a invader_n in_o pursuance_n of_o these_o resolution_n letter_n be_v send_v purport_v that_o they_o ought_v to_o content_v themselves_o with_o their_o own_o territory_n and_o not_o endeavour_v to_o enlarge_v they_o by_o new_a conquest_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v lift_v up_o by_o vain_a hope_n to_o engage_v in_o a_o war_n with_o a_o powerful_a enemy_n that_o they_o can_v not_o expect_v the_o like_a fortunate_a issue_n of_o their_o combat_n with_o the_o roman_n which_o they_o have_v find_v against_o their_o barbarous_a neighbour_n and_o reminded_a they_o withal_o of_o the_o victory_n heretofore_o obtain_v over_o they_o by_o augustus_n trajan_n lucius_n and_o severus_n these_o letter_n the_o emperor_n thought_n will_v either_o persuade_v or_o terrify_v the_o barbarian_a into_o a_o disposition_n to_o be_v quiet_a but_o they_o make_v no_o impression_n upon_o he_o axtaxerxes_n think_v it_o be_v not_o word_n but_o the_o sword_n must_v do_v his_o business_n and_o therefore_o he_o push_v on_o the_o war_n with_o great_a vigour_n spoil_v and_o waste_v all_o the_o roman_a territory_n mesopotamia_n he_o ravage_v both_o with_o his_o foot_n and_o cavalry_n and_o begin_v to_o carry_v off_o the_o plunder_n attack_v the_o roman_a camp_n which_o be_v pitch_v on_o the_o bank_n of_o the_o river_n to_o cover_v the_o frontier_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o be_v natural_o arrogant_a and_o at_o this_o time_n elevate_v by_o his_o late_a unexpected_a success_n he_o think_v easy_o to_o surmount_v all_o opposition_n many_o and_o weighty_a motive_n conspire_v to_o make_v he_o desire_v a_o elargement_n of_o his_o empire_n he_o be_v the_o first_o that_o have_v dare_v to_o make_v a_o war_n on_o the_o parthian_n and_o have_v after_o a_o long_a interval_n retrieve_v the_o persian_a monarchy_n for_o after_o the_o overthrow_n of_o darius_n by_o the_o arm_n of_o macedon_n the_o macedonian_n and_o those_o that_o succeed_v alexander_n for_o a_o long_a series_n of_o time_n share_v asia_n and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o east_n among_o themselves_o exercise_v regal_a authority_n in_o their_o respective_a territory_n until_o arsaces_n the_o parthian_a take_v advantage_n of_o their_o animosity_n and_o frequent_a war_n by_o which_o the_o macedonian_a force_n be_v considerable_o weaken_v persuade_v the_o barbarian_n on_o that_o side_n to_o a_o general_a revolt_n and_o be_v elect_v their_o ruler_n by_o the_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o parthia_n and_o the_o adjoin_a country_n and_o according_o he_o reign_v over_o they_o and_o his_o empire_n continue_v in_o his_o family_n for_o several_a age_n descend_v in_o a_o uninterrupted_a course_n of_o succession_n till_o it_o devolve_v on_o artabanus_n who_o live_v in_o our_o time_n so_o artaxerxes_n have_v slay_v this_o artabanus_n and_o reestablish_v the_o persian_a monarchy_n and_o subdue_v all_o his_o barbarous_a neighbour_n have_v open_v a_o easy_a passage_n for_o his_o force_n to_o assail_v the_o roman_a
natural_o desirous_a of_o revolution_n and_o change_n this_o be_v a_o long_a reign_n and_o they_o grow_v weary_a of_o it_o they_o can_v not_o expect_v to_o get_v any_o thing_n under_o the_o present_a government_n in_o regard_n the_o emperor_n be_v not_o so_o solicitous_a to_o procure_v their_o favour_n as_o he_o be_v in_o the_o first_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n and_o they_o may_v reasonable_o hope_v for_o great_a honour_n and_o advantage_n under_o a_o prince_n that_o be_v advance_v to_o the_o throne_n sole_o by_o their_o interest_n have_v no_o ground_n himself_o to_o expect_v such_o promotion_n these_o motive_n put_v together_o make_v they_o resolve_v the_o death_n of_o alexander_n and_o the_o advancement_n of_o maximine_n who_o be_v their_o fellow-soldier_n and_o companion_n and_o be_v the_o fit_a man_n that_o can_v be_v pitch_v upon_o to_o prosecute_v the_o war_n against_o the_o german_n by_o reason_n of_o his_o personal_a valour_n and_o military_a experience_n in_o pursuance_n of_o these_o resolution_n they_o assemble_v in_o the_o field_n arm_v and_o maximine_n at_o the_o head_n of_o they_o make_v as_o if_o he_o will_v only_o direct_v they_o in_o their_o ordinary_a exercise_n some_o say_v he_o be_v privy_a to_o their_o design_n and_o other_o affirm_v the_o contrary_a however_o that_o be_v they_o proclaim_v he_o emperor_n and_o invest_v he_o with_o the_o imperial_a robe_n he_o at_o first_o decline_v and_o reject_v the_o purple_a but_o when_o the_o soldier_n draw_v their_o sword_n and_o threaten_v to_o kill_v he_o if_o he_o do_v not_o comply_v he_o choose_v rather_o to_o run_v a_o future_a hazard_n than_o expose_v himself_o to_o a_o present_a danger_n and_o so_o accept_v the_o honour_n and_o declare_v that_o he_o have_v have_v frequent_a intimation_n by_o dream_n and_o oracle_n that_o he_o shall_v one_o day_n sit_v at_o the_o helm_n of_o the_o empire_n he_o protest_v also_o to_o they_o that_o his_o compliance_n in_o this_o particular_a be_v much_o against_o his_o will_n but_o he_o can_v not_o resist_v their_o importunity_n and_o advise_v they_o see_v they_o will_v needs_o have_v it_o so_o instant_o to_o stand_v to_o their_o arm_n and_o establish_v what_o they_o have_v do_v by_o surprise_v alexander_n before_o the_o news_n of_o what_o have_v happen_v have_v reach_v his_o ear_n and_o put_v his_o guard_n and_o soldier_n in_o consternation_n by_o which_o mean_n they_o may_v either_o be_v persuade_v to_o join_v with_o they_o in_o push_v on_o the_o revolution_n or_o they_o may_v easy_o be_v force_v to_o a_o submission_n be_v unprovided_a of_o all_o thing_n for_o make_v a_o resistance_n maximine_n be_v very_o careful_a to_o cherish_v that_o affection_n which_o they_o have_v express_v for_o he_o by_o double_v their_o allowance_n of_o corn_n by_o promise_v large_a donative_n and_o grant_v a_o general_a pardon_n of_o all_o crime_n of_o what_o nature_n soever_o after_o which_o he_o lead_v on_o his_o man_n to_o the_o emperor_n pavilion_n which_o be_v not_o far_o off_o this_o sudden_a and_o surprise_v turn_v of_o affair_n extreme_o alarm_v alexander_n insomuch_o that_o he_o abandon_v his_o tent_n and_o fly_v out_o like_o a_o madman_n cry_v and_o tremble_v and_o upbraid_v maximine_n with_o perfidiousness_n and_o ingratitude_n he_o run_v out_o into_o a_o long_a enumeration_n of_o the_o favour_n he_o have_v confer_v upon_o he_o and_o reprove_v his_o adherent_n for_o rash_o engage_v in_o traitorous_a design_n contrary_a to_o the_o duty_n of_o their_o allegiance_n nevertheless_o he_o promise_v to_o grant_v all_o their_o demand_n and_o redress_v all_o their_o grievance_n provide_v they_o will_v lay_v down_o their_o arms._n the_o soldier_n that_o be_v about_o he_o encourage_v he_o in_o this_o exigency_n by_o their_o cheerful_a acclamation_n and_o promise_v to_o stand_v by_o he_o with_o their_o life_n and_o fortune_n but_o as_o soon_o as_o that_o night_n be_v over_o and_o the_o news_n come_v in_o the_o morning_n that_o maximine_n be_v advance_v against_o they_o and_o a_o cloud_n of_o dust_n be_v descry_v afar_o off_o and_o a_o noise_n as_o it_o be_v of_o a_o great_a multitude_n be_v hear_v alexander_n come_v out_o again_o into_o the_o field_n and_o call_v his_o soldier_n together_o and_o exhort_v they_o to_o be_v firm_a to_o he_o to_o protect_v their_o prince_n who_o have_v be_v bring_v up_o among_o they_o and_o have_v govern_v for_o fourteen_o year_n with_o so_o much_o gentleness_n and_o equity_n that_o not_o one_o subject_a have_v so_o much_o as_o cause_n of_o complaint_n give_v he_o so_o all_o man_n seem_v move_v with_o compassion_n he_o bid_v they_o stand_v to_o their_o arm_n and_o put_v themselves_o in_o posture_n to_o receive_v the_o enemy_n which_o they_o promise_v to_o do_v but_o fall_v away_o by_o degree_n and_o desert_v he_o some_o there_o be_v that_o impute_v this_o defection_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o captain_n of_o the_o praetorian_a band_n and_o of_o some_o of_o the_o emperor_n confident_n and_o will_v have_v impeach_v they_o of_o that_o fact_n other_o lay_v the_o blame_v on_o his_o mother_n who_o covetous_a temper_n and_o extreme_a parsimony_n in_o give_v out_o munificence_n to_o the_o soldier_n have_v render_v her_o son_n odious_a they_o stay_v for_o some_o time_n debate_v the_o point_n to_o and_o fro_o till_o maximine_n come_v in_o sight_n and_o bid_v they_o abandon_v a_o wretched_a woman_n and_o that_o easy_a dis-spirited_n boy_n who_o can_v truckle_n so_o tame_o to_o a_o mother_n tyranny_n and_o join_v themselves_o to_o a_o man_n of_o courage_n and_o conduct_n who_o have_v be_v their_o companion_n in_o arm_n and_o be_v a_o old_a and_o experience_a captain_n hereupon_o they_o all_o revolt_v from_o alexander_n and_o unanimous_o proclaim_v maximine_n emperor_n alexander_n in_o great_a fear_n and_o distraction_n make_v a_o shift_n to_o return_v to_o his_o tent_n though_o with_o great_a difficulty_n and_o embrace_v his_o mother_n he_o bewail_v his_o misfortune_n and_o as_o some_o say_v accuse_v she_o as_o the_o procure_a cause_n of_o it_o expect_v every_o moment_n the_o messenger_n of_o death_n maximine_n as_o soon_o as_o he_o be_v proclaim_v emperor_n by_o the_o army_n order_v a_o tribune_n and_o certain_a centurion_n to_o dispatch_n alexander_n and_o his_o mother_n and_o all_o such_o as_o pretend_v to_o make_v any_o opposition_n they_o forthwith_o execute_v their_o warrant_n rush_v into_o the_o emperor_n tent_n and_o kill_v he_o and_o his_o mother_n and_o all_o those_o that_o seem_v to_o be_v honour_v and_o esteem_v by_o he_o except_o such_o as_o flee_v and_o abscond_v for_o the_o present_a all_o which_o be_v afterward_o apprehend_v by_o maximine_n and_o put_v to_o death_n this_o be_v the_o end_n of_o alexander_n and_o his_o mother_n after_o he_o have_v reign_v fourteen_o year_n without_o spill_v any_o blood_n or_o give_v the_o subject_a any_o just_a ground_n of_o complaint_n he_o abhor_v all_o cruel_a and_o tyrannical_a method_n and_o never_o put_v any_o 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