offer On the daye of his triumph the sonne of king Decebal was placed in the arche with Traiane for that he was a verie childe whome afterwardes he did intreate not as a prisoner but as his owne proper sonne In the conquest of the Datians and in visiting the Germaines Traiane was deteyned willingly two yeares and at his returne vnto Rome he found not the common wealth in such order as he left the same and thereof is no marueile for Princes making warre with their enimies presently the citizens make peace with vices That day in which Traiane entred triumphing into Rome he that by chaunce was moste noted in those playes and pageantes and of whome Traiane that day did take moste delight was a certeine maister of Enterludes named Pilas who for rewarde of his traueile did not craue of Traiane but licence to vse his facultie wherein Traiane did aunswere him Princes haue to consider that their commaundements be iust but after commaundement for no request or seruice they ought to reuoke the same That which I will do for thée shal be to paye thée yerely out of mine owne treasure as muche as thou maist gaine by playing in the stréetes of Rome Although Traiane went laden with armour compassed with affaires occupied in warres busied in buyldings importuned with friendes tyred with enimies and aboue all moste studious in amplifying his fame and to perpetuate his memorie he neuer grewe negligent in good gouernement of the common wealth He was no lesse attentiue in hearing either lesse diligent in dispatching base ciuil affaires then those cases of great weight in the common wealth Notwithstanding he were much busied in the affaires of warres he did neuer the more growe negligent in the administration of iustice All the time that he was remaining in Rome once or twice a wéeke he did sitt openly to dispatche matters of iustice For any motion that good Traiane had to be solitarie in his house or for any disease whereby he was withdrawne into his chamber either for any affaires that he â—ad for the warres neuer man came to craue iustice vnto whome he denied audience When any person came much troubled and furious in complaining of some friend or enimie presently he stopte his eare with one of his fingers saying that he reserued the same to heare the accused Traiane did neuer sitt to heare and determine matters of iustice but at the gate of the Emperour Titus and in the place of Augustus and being demaunded why more there then elsewhere aunswered I place my selfe where iust Princes were wont to sitt because in remembring them I may committ no want of iustice Traiane being on horsebacke and vpon the voyage of the seconde warres into Datia there came a woman and saide vnto him Emperour Traiane I am poore olde and a widowe and hauing but one daughter one of thy housholde seruaunts hath rauished her Traiane aunswered poore woman be not importune with mée for I sweare vnto thée by the immortall Gods that being returned from the warres I will do thée iustice to this the olde woman did replye and what suretie hast thou Traiane to returne from the warres hearing so byting an aunswere presently he lighted on foote and deferred his departure vntil he perfourmed iustice with the poore olde woman Traiane helde for custome when any person did complaine presently he commaunded it to be written in a booke which he had in his chamber this the good Prince did to the ende to aske accompt of the Iudge to whome he did remitt the same or else for his own better remembrance for dispatch thereof In some thinges some Princes were equall vnto Traiane and in some thinges did surmount him but in rectitude of iustice there was no prince like him in Rome for that he did neuer man wrong in iustice either at any time had affection or passion in giuing sentence Many times Traiane did vse to say that for Princes to be Iusticers it were right necessarie to be iust in their owne persons because subiectes and vassals be more easily persuaded to do that which they sée then to obey in that which they are commaunded Traiane was the first that placed patrones in the Senate that should defend the poore and the first also that gaue order that one daye in the wéeke their causes should be hearde The Censours or Iudges of Rome did sit but two houres in the morning and one at after noone to heare causes and Traiane did giue order that they should be resident thrée houres before noone and two houres at after noone whereof Traiane was much praised because it was occasion both to cut off suits and to dispatch suiters In the dayes of Traiane none that had charge of Iustice might augment his goods but in that estate of riches or pouertie wherein he began to gouerne in the same he had to conserue him selfe and in repaymeÌ„t of his trauaile besides the rewardes which the Prince did giue him his sonnes were married with the goods of the common wealth Being knowen vnto Traiane howe immortall suites were in the Senate he ordeined that all suites of Italie should continue but one yere and the suites of straunge countries but halfe a yere Traiane made diuers houses in Rome where the Censours and Iudges might assemble to heare and administer iustice and also made strong prisones in such wise that this good Prince prouided that the good should be succoured and the euil chastised CHAP. XII ¶ Of the seconde warres that Traiane had against the Datians TWentie monethes after that Traiane had ouercome the Datians the sonne of king Decebal died in Rome whoe remained there as pledge for that which his father had sworne and promised and Traiane was no lesse greued with the death of that childe then if it had béene his owne proper sonne and heire The day that king Decebals sonne was dead they saye that Traiane saide the death of this childe grieueth me not for that it is a sorrowe to the father but for breache of promise which he shal committ for if he haue béene quiet it was more for the recouering of his sonne then for obedience vnto the Senate Not long after this newes came to Traiane howe king Decebal was rebelled and to resist the Romaines he repaired the diches furnished the castels entred confederacie with his neighbours renued and recouered victuals and more and aboue the rest made warre with the friendes of Romaines The campe of Agius which was a greate and a populous countrie being restored by Traiane vnto him from whome it was taken king Decebal reentred did take and occupie the same in suche wise that all thinges which Traiane had set downe and determined was despised and in all that king Decebal had sworne he was forsworne Relation of these thinges béeing made vnto the Senate king Decebal was pronounced an enimie to publishe libertie vnto all persones to giue him and make him warre bycause it was a law amongest the Romaines
so the destinies did ordeine that he died which deserued to liue and that he liued which deserued to dye When in the presence of Marcus Aurelius talke was moued of Princes that had béene honourable and happye some praising Alexander that ouercame Darius others Scipio that subdued Haniball others Iulius Caesar that conquered Pōpeius others Augustus that defeated Marcus Antonius Marcus Aurelius made this aunswer I holde the Emperour Nerua more happie then all the rest and for no other cause but for that he adopted Traiane for his sonne in such wise that he elected whome he liked and not as I moste sorrowful that must take such as they haue giuen mee CHAP. III. ¶ Howe Commodus did inherite the Empire of his father Marcus Aurelius and of a certeine speech which he vsed vnto the Senate JN the xvi yere of the reigne of Marcus Aurelius and in the 63. yere of his age warre was raised in Panonia which at these dayes is otherwise named Hungarie in which warres the good Emperour woulde goe in his owne person leading also with him his sonne Commodus according vnto his accustomed manner that by the taste of trauels in the warres he should bende and yelde him selfe to conserue peace The Emperour in the greatest heate and furie of those martiall affaires was soudeinly striken with a deadly sicknesse and in fewe dayes depriued of his life Commodus being then in so tender yeares that he neither felt what he lost either the daunger wherin he stoode At the death of Marcus Aurelius his sonne Commodus was elected Prince and confirmed Caesar whereof procéeded but chiefely for affection they bare vnto his father that presently he was obeyed of all the armies as true Emperour notwithstanding they all suspected he should be the losse of their common wealth and procure to his person some euil conclusion Before the emperour Aurelius died he left his sonne Commodus commended vnto certeine tutours as well fortunately to finishe those warres begonne as also to assist and counsell him in the gouernement of the common wealth because the father comprehending the sonne did feare that leauing the enimies he would abandon him selfe vnto vices and although the common wealth were forgotten would dedicate him selfe vnto the pleasures of his person The exequies for the good Prince Marcus Aurelius being celebrated and sumptuous sacrifices also offered for him vnto the Gods Commodus was aduised by his coūsell to vse some speache vnto all his Senatours and captaines attendant in those warres who being aduaunced vppon an high skaffolde began after this manner to make his Oration The Oration of Commodus made to the Senate The vniuersall calamitie and the particular sorrowe which for the death of my father this sorrowfull day doth represent is no lesse common vnto you then to mee for if I haue lost a pittifull father you haue lost a righteous and a iust Prince My losse is not small that haue lost such a father but much more haue you lost that haue lost such a Prince because the hurte of one is tollerable but that which redoundeth to the offence of many for euer is to be lamented Experience teacheth vs that of an hundred fathers there be not twaine that are euill vnto their children and by the contrarie of an hundreth princes ye shall hardly finde twaine that exquisitely shal proue good for their subiectes If this be true as it is moste true that I haue saide it is iust and verie iust that if sonnes lament the death of their parentes with teares of their eyes that subiectes bewaile the death of their good Princes with drops from their heartes Howe humble my father hath beene vnto the Gods how seuere with the wicked howe affable with good men how patient in iniuries how grateful for seruice howe bountifull in his house and howe zealous for the common wealth although you haue seene you haue not throughly comprehended for that good Princes be not exactly knowen vntil they be lost My father was so fortunate and venturous in the warres so singular in science so sincere and cleane of life and so perfecte a louer of the common wealth that the dead had enuie at the liuing not of the life which they possessed but of the Prince which they inioyed It may not be denied but that the Romaine Empire is in debt and beholding vnto many Princes past but I saye and affirme that Rome is more in debt vnto my father aboue all other for others made the common wealth riche but my father made it vertuous others repaired walles but he reformed manners and that which is more others brought to passe that Rome was feared of all strange nations but my father framed that Rome of all in generall was both serued and beloued You all well vnderstande what difference there goeth betwixt voluntarie and forceable seruice for as my father did vse to saye it is more tollerable to be commaunded of suche as loue vs then to be serued of such as abhorre vs My father hath now finished his iourney and certeinly moste perfectly hath runne out his race herein ye may conceiue his inestimable loue towardes you in that he commended mee his onely sonne into your handes and if I followe and perfourme his will he gaue mee not the Empire to commaund you but to the ende I should serue you for he expressely gaue in charge that my Empire should tende more to your vtilitie then to mine owne profite humbly beseeching the immortal Gods to make mee such as my father at his death commaunded as you Romaines do wishe and desire because there is no man in this worlde so euil that desireth not to be gouerned by a Prince that is good You with me and I with you in the manner of our gouernement after his death he did verie well expresse in the time of his life directing me by commaundement to call you fellowes and forbidding you to call me Lord for his desire was that you should fauour and counsell me as a sonne and that I should deale with you as with brethren and trust beleeue you as fathers The loue which the gods do beare vs the same my father alwayes vsed with you that is to say he did so tenderly loue you all as if ye all had beene but one man whereof it foloweth that you are not so much in his debt for that which he did for you as for the hee woulde haue done and coulde not I remember me that many times being a childe my father delighted that ye should take imbrace kisse and cherish me to the end that imbracing of me in your armes ye shuld place me in your hartes and also that I finding your armes open shoulde not vniustely close my bowels from you My Empire is not as the Empire of others that is I neither bought it with money either obteined it by voices or wonne it by armes or toke it by guile no doubtles it is not so for as others obteine by aduēture naturally I
Seuerus considering the citie of Athras to be inexpugnable the people therein inuincible and his campe also weakened through greate sickenesse aduised to rayse his siege before his armie were vtterly lost which he did not without greate griefe and no lesse despight being as he was giuen vnto so many triumphes and victories he thought him self vāquished since he might not ouercome but fortune that naturally discouereth her self to be variable the victorie which shée denied Seuerus in fighting shée in his flight gaue afterwardes more largely The case was thus that sailing on the Sea with all his armie it was his chaunce to encounter with a tempest and being forced to followe the disposition of the weather and not as his heart desired they brought him to riuers of the kingdome of Parthia not thrée leagues distant from the greate citie of Tesiphont where the king was further entred into feasting then compassed with armour Seuerus entred into the fielde of Tesiphont committing so greate spoiles and robberies that he put the people into greate feare which as Seuerus did take at the soudeine and vnwares and being amazed neither able to saye or aunswere if they were demaunded for that to flye they had no time and to resist they had no force that whiche was woorst of all to make agréement it was not in their handes neither might they endure to submitt themselues vnto the Romans Seuerus arriuing at Tesiphont did subuert it vnto the ground slewe al that made resistance and did captiuate man woman and childe he tooke al the treasure and riches bothe of the citie and royall palace finally all the countrie treasure goods and persons came to the handes of Seuerus except the king Arthabanus who escaped on horsebacke Seuerus led with him certeine skilfull painters which as he went traueiling they went drawing and painting all cities castels riuers mountaines nations kingdomes and prouinces by throughe which he passed and all the battels and victories whiche he had made and obteined Seuerus sent a greate Ambassage vnto the Senate and people of Rome with whome he sent many captiues much riches and the tables wherin his victories were set out at large the Romains gaue greate thankes vnto the Gods and also greate praises vnto Seuerus although moste true that all men were pleased with the victories but would not that they shoulde haue béene obteined by Seuerus Departing from the kingdome of Parthia he diuided amongest his armies all that he had taken from the Parthians and for himselfe reserued nothing but that which he sent vnto the Senat and a ring of Vnicorne a white parat or popingay and a gréen horse the which thinges he toke not for their value but forthe straungnes of their colours Seuerus came through the kingdome of Palestina and gaue them many lawes conformable vnto the lawes of the Romanes commaunding vppon paine of death that none should name himselfe a Iew either call himselfe a Christian or obserue the lawe of Christians From Palestina he came through Assyria vnto the citie of Alexandria where also he placed new customes and also made newe lawes which he caused them to write and obserue howbeit they endured but the life of Seuerus for after his death they did not onely breake them but also burnt the tables wherin they were writen CHAP. XIIII ¶ Of Seuerus his sonnes and of their euill inclination THe kinges that were enimies being ouercome new cōfederation made with old friends and all the prouinces of Asia reformed he came vnto Rome and as the Romans had prepared the Parthicke triumph he might not enter triumphing for that he came so weake of a quartane and so lame of the goute that he might neither indure the chariott or suffer the intertainement of the people It had chaunced to none of the Romane Empire as it fortuned vnto Seuerus that is to say that had slaine so many princes obteyned so many victories and yet neuer entered triumphing into Rome which was not for his demerits or repugnancie of the Romanes but for his thrée first victories he might not triumphe because they were Romane princes and to his other victories of Asia his disease gaue impediment Seuerus had two legitimate sonnes the elder was named Bassianus the other Geta who notwithstanding they were brothers in bloud yet were they much different in conditions which infirmitie was not onely manifested in their infancie for that in their childish playes they could neuer agrée either in weightie affaires yeld one consent It was much noted amongest the Romanes that the two bretherne being but children might neuer agrée in their childishe playes and deuises that is to say in making houses of clay running at base driuing topps meating strawes trilling the bowle striking the drumme and other such like childishe trifles That the one delighted the other lothed that which the elder affirmed the younger denied and if it happened their tutours to commaund them to play together if the one did winne and the other loose they tare their haire scratched their faces whirled stones strucke with their fistes in such wise that as from their téeth and face they drue bloud and rent off their lockes so they séemed rather to kill eche other as enimies then to iest as brethren It was no small griefe vnto Seuerus when hée vnderstoode of the euil condition of his sonnes and that alwayes they were diuided amongest themselues who trauelled by al meanes possible to bring them to conformitie which he might neuer by any meanes bring to passe althoughe he requested either would they obey although hée commaunded for his sonnes were so wilfull that they ceased not to execute their owne wills notwithstanding their fathers gentle sute or his extréeme commaundement Seuerus also had a brother named Geta a person of great bolonesse and warrlike who in all warres followed Seuerus and if Seuerus had hautie thoughtes truly Geta his thoughtes were not humble for hée helde it for most certaine that vnto him Seuerus should leaue the Empire Besides that Geta was valiaunt and warrlike so was he also guilefull and diligent that is to say in seruing Seuerus contenting the Senate and pleasing the people The hatred and brabbling that passed betwixte Bassianus and Geta his cousins vsually hée reported it vnto all men in such wyse that Geta supposed to obteine by guile the Empire that Seuerus had gotten with armes Seuerus well vnderstoode howe Geta wente thus anglinge for the Empire and therein to take awaye all occasions in the fourth yeare of his Empire going against Albinius at that time in the citie of Millaine before hée passed the Alpes hee created his elder sonne Caesar and his younger Consul whereuppon a certaine Capitaine said vnto Seuerus it well séemeth Seuerus thou remembrest not the displeasures that Bassianus and Geta thy sonnes haue done thée either the seruice which thy brother Geta hath performed on thy behalfe To this Seuerus aunsweared it well appeareth that thou speakest by hearesaye rather then by anye
made answere I confesse vnto thee Marius Fabritius that thy good face was knowne in Rome before thy euill life but thou canst not denie that in Rome they did not knowe mine honest life before my euill face At the first when Traiane came to Rome Titus sonne to Vespasian the Emperour placed him Pretour of ten legions and sent him to the frontiers of Illyria where he remained all the life of Titus The Romaine legions did not a little murmur to haue Traiane for their capteine affirming that in age he was a childe in nation a straunger but after when they found him so valiant in fighting so wise in gouernment they loued him as a father obeyed him as a captein And as in winter Traiane wāted victuals for that he had taken truce with the Barbarians a certaine gentleman sayd vnto him it is not conuenient thou shouldest be so sad or that we shoulde suffer so great penurie take in good part that by dissimulation we break the truce by which meane we shal prouide for our selues and our cattel The good Traiane answered I am not only grieued with that thou speakest but also despited with that thou presumest to say for those matters which we set downe by promise we haue not so great cause to obserue our fidelitie made vnto men as for that we haue sworne by the immortal Gods. And the Emperour Titus being dead his brother Domitian did succéede him in the Empire which whē Traiane vnderstood presently he left the charge of frontier capteinship of Illyria The emperour Domitian was not a little grieued the whole armie as also all the Senate the Traiane had forsakē the frontiers of Illyria for that in matters of warre he had great experience no lesse fortune The Romaines did vse great vigilancie in séeking and conseruing fortunate capteines with whom they did dissemble suffer more defections then with al other persons and this they did bicause there be many capteines that if they be expert in armes they be moste vnfortunate in the execution thereof Traiane remaining in Rome without all disposition to take charge of an armie the emperour Domitian sayd vnto him tell me Traiane it it doutful that my empire is lesse then that which my father Vespasian helde or that I am more ingrate then my brother Titus was that for them thou shouldest euerie day aduenture thy life and for my seruice thou dainest to take a launce in hande Traiane did answere him I confesse that thy power is as great as thy fathers and thy knowledge no lesse then thy brothers but ioyntly with this thou arte verie souden in thy commaundements and very swift in the execution thereof and it may be that hauing charge of thy armies I might be commaunded to doe some thing the accomplishment whereof might stand muche against all bountie and not perfourming the same I should breake the oth of fidelitie that I haue made vnto thée CHAP. IIII. Of the friendship and parentage that Traiane had with the Emperour Nerua IN those dayes there was a certaine Consul named Nerua Coceius banished out of Rome by the Emperour Domitian a man in yeares very auncient and in all that he eyther sayde or did of great credite As Traiane was at that time in the disgrace of the Emperour Domitian frō Rome he departed vnto Nola a certain place where Nerua was in Campania bycause It is a thing very common vnto a man afflicted to seeke the companie of an other in like trouble These two right excellent men whiche is to say Nerua and Traiane remained there long time in Campania poore banished persecuted out of fauour abyding the time when Domitian shuld send to kill thē or when they should heare that he were dead bicause if they desired his death no lesse did he séeke occasiō to take away their liues Traiane for that he was young helde Nerua who was olde in great veneration and Nerua did beare so great affectiō vnto Traiane that he did loue him vse him as his sonne for that Traiane besides his sufficiēcie ablenesse for all causes was in his conuersation most amorous Nerua and Traiane remaining in that banishment found themselues of neare kinred and affinitie that is to say of one countrie which was Spaine of one place which was Italica and that the one discended of the Coceians and the other of the Vlpians two famous and auncient linages of whome we haue aboue made mention When Traiaane passed into Italie he found no other parētage but Nerua and Vlpius Ricinius his vnckle which was two times Consul in Rome Some say that this Vlpius Ricinius was father vnto Traiane but the truth is that he was but his vnckle for Plutarche in an Epistle that he writeth vnto Traiane sayth The good newes in Rome being knowne howe thou hast ouercome king Decebal which did tyrannize this lande so great was the ioy which the people did receiue that as thy fathers bones be in Spaine they had bene here in Italie they would do no lesse honour vnto them in the sepulchre then they shall yealde vnto thee on that day when thou shalt enter triumphing into Rome And for that Nerua was so auncient and so honourable and Traiane so valiaunt and so wel liked many Romaines did come and goe betwéene Rome and Campania to sée them and this was done more secretely then publikely bycause the Emperour Domitian was verie suspicious being most true Verie fewe dare serue or followe such as princes do hate Amongest all other that went frō Rome vnto Campania to sée these two knights was the great Philosopher Plutarche who with Traiane and Traiane with him did plante so perfect and sounde friendship that onely death was able to giue ende to the same And as Plutarche sawe suche abilitie and will in Traiane to learne ioyntly with this there was no wars wherein to be exercised he was so drunken with learning that he did abhorre armes vppon which occasion Nerua saide in iest By my counsel thou shalt leaue bookes and returne to armes since thou haste better handes to fight then a tong to dispute for that it is not iust thou shouldest cease to be singular amongest capteines to be indifferent among Philosophers Traiane remayning there in Campania did marrie with Plotina which was his onely wife and is sayde only for that before nor after did euer marrie other the which vertue vntil his time was found in no Romaine prince for that by growing olde or misliking of the one presently they did take another And as on a day certaine Romaines practised by secrete deuice to kil the Emperour Domitian and in great secrecie gaue part therof vnto Traiane did answere I do well sée that Domitian deserued not to be elected Emperour much lesse deserueth to be sustained in the same yet neuer the more shal I consent vnto his death for that I will rather suffer a tyraunt then recouer the renowne of a traitour Many Romaines
an instant some were slaine and some ouerthrowen Traiane disguised and in disposition to viewe the citie was of the enimies both knowen wounded and his Squire slaine The Agarens beeing demaunded if at that instant they had notice of the Emperours person they aunswered that his grauitie and the maiestie of his presence did discouer his estate Traiane being at that siege there arose terrible lightening and thunder which in that countrie was neuer séene and besides there descended vppon the Romaine campe flies so many importune that both their meate and drinke and their owne persons were continually couered with the same Traiane considering the citie to be impregnable did retire his armie They saye that he saide at his retraite Since the Agarens with mine armies either my wordes be neither subdued or persuaded the destinies haue reserued this triumph for some other Prince in the world to come In the prouince of Cyrene Traiane had a greate armie both of Greekes as of Romaines and the pretor of those armies was a certeine Romaine named Andreas against whome the Iewes of those partes did rebell and slewe both captaine Greekes and Romaines The Iewes were not onely contented to haue slaine the Romaines but also brought the dead bodies vnto the shambles and there did quarter cut in péeces and solde by weight with no lesse appetite did eate that humaine fleshe then if it had béene hennes and fesants Adding crueltie vppon crueltie they brought forth certeine Romaines whiche they had in prison and did wage one with another a denéere or a point to strike off the head of a Romaine at a blowe Another thing not more vile then horrible the Iewes committed vppon those miserable Romaines that is they fleyed them quicke and tanned their skinnes for leather and further with greatest disgrace did cut off their most shamefast partes and plaide and tost them as a ball in the market place As the Iewes left no Romaine vnslaine so left they no crueltie or kind of death that they did not experiment and in this matter we haue no lesse to marueile at the hearts of the one to execute then of the patience of the other to suffer That which was don by the Iewes of Cyrene was executed by the Iewes of Aegypt and of the Ilands of Cypres who slewe all the Romaines within their common wealthes which slaughter was no lesse then 500000 Greekes and Romaines When these sorrowfull newes came vnto Traiane he was very sicke but notwithstanding prouided what was conuenient for so desperate a case and presently sent Lucius into Cyrene Marcus into Cypres and Seuerus into Aegypt who committed so great spoiles among the people and executed so cruell iustice vppon the inhabitants that if the dead had béene liuing they would haue yelded them selues for sufficiently reuenged Elius Adrianus was captaine vnto Traiane for the guarde of Syria and hearing what had passed in this matter soudeinly he descended into Iurie and did execute therein a greate slaughter and they of Cypres receiuing warning by this great treason did ordeine that no Iewe shoulde dare to inhabite or passe into that kingdome and that if tempest shoulde bring them by chaunce into that Ilande to haue no redemption therof but by the losse of their heades Traiane naturally was alwayes of greate health but in the traueile of so many prouinces following of so many warres sayling vpon so many Seas and enduring so many woundes the griefe or disease of the piles did not a little vexe him But the case was thus that from the daye that Traiane might not passe into the Indies they neuer sawe health in his person or ioy in his face Through the cause or disease of the piles at chaunge of weather Traiane had a fluxe of bloude which for his health was very profitable Either by the colde which he had passed or angers which in him selfe he suffered or greate age wherewith he was laden there increased vnto the good Prince a Pasma or numnesse of his arme and his purgation by fluxe of bloud was stopped Ioyning vnto the citie of Seleuca there were certeine famous bathes whereunto sicke people of all partes did concurre whether Traiane did cause him selfe to be remoued to make proofe for recouerie of his health And as experience did after declare those bathes did not profite but hinder for being weake consumed and spent although he had force to bathe he had no strength to sweate Nowe when Traiane sawe him selfe without hope of life he wrote a letter vnto the Senate of Rome commending the state of his house vnto Lucius and the affaires of the warres vnto Elius Adrianus He dyed in the citie of Seleuca which is in the prouince of Sicyl which from thence foorth was named Traginopolis in the age of 63. yeres and in the reigne of his Empire 21. yeres 6. monethes and 15. dayes ¶ The life of the Emperour Adrian Compiled by sir Anthonie of Gueuara Byshoppe of Mondonnedo Preacher Chronicler and Counseller vnto the Emperour Charles the fift ⸫ CHAP. I. ¶ Of the linage from whence Adrian descended and of the place and countrie where he was bred and nourished THE greate Emperour Traiane being dead Adrian succéeded in the Empire who was seruaunt friend and cousin of the saide Traiane The beginning and linage of Adrian by the fathers side was of Italie borne in a citie named Hadra and of the mothers side a Spaniard borne at Cades whiche nowe is named Calize a citie of Andoloizia His fathers name was Elius Adrianus maried vnto a woman of Spaine named Domitia Paulina a woman sufficient wise and faire borne in the citie of Calize shée was néece vnto the Emperour Traiane his sisters daughter whome he did much loue for that of a childe shée was bred in his house Adrian had a sister named Paulina who was married vnto a Consul named Seuerinus and the graundfather of Adrianus was named Marillinus of the linage of the Priscans which linage did not a little florishe in the time of the Scipions Adrian was borne in Rome the 9. daye of Februarie in the consulship of Vespasianus septimus and Titus quintus in the yere of the foundation of Rome 488. Adrian had an high bodie of perfecte proportion except his necke which was somewhat stouping his nose somewhat hawked his face swart his eyes more grey then blacke his bearde blacke and thicke his handes more of sinewes then of fleshe his head great and round and a broade forehead a great signe as he had of greate memorie When his father dyed he was but of ten yeres who left him for tutors Vlpius Traianus and Celius Tatianus the one béeing his vnckle and the other his friend effectually requestinge to traine and instruct that childe in wisedome and valiantnesse for that he had no lesse abilitie for the one then for the other At the age of tenne yeres Adrian studied Grammar and after his fathers death his tutours set him to learne the Greeke tongue wherein he was so
Homer in great estimation whereof Adrian did take so great enuie that he gaue streight commaundement that none shoulde reade Homer eyther openly or secretly but the workes of Anthimachus who was a Philosopher most obscure Adrian had condition curiously to inquire of common and small matters whereof he was both noted and murmured bicause Princes being giuen to make search of trifling causes proue variable in prouiding for matters of importance Also Adrian was of fickle disposition for that at the souden he woulde determine to perfourme some enterprise and after growe colde and incontinent omit the same of this as of the rest with great reason he was noted and accused bycause graue Princes ought to haue a reposed deliberation and a diligent execution Adrian was in two things most extreme that is to say he vsed no measure or weight in his loue or hatred for vnto whom he did loue he gaue all his heart and where he did abhorre he did imploy all his strength Admitting that this manner of loue or hatred is tollerable in others yet most truely of vertuous Princes not permitted bycause if they be vnbridled in loue in others which they loue not they cause enuie and if they be absolute in hatred they séeke vnto them selues great infamie wherefore it is conuenient in loue to be discrete and in hatred prouident and aduised He was likewise most extreme that if he praised any thing he did aduaunce it to the cloudes and if it fell not into his fauour he dispraised it to the déepest bottome in such manner that all sayd of Adrian that in praising he was verie gracious and in nippes tauntes and gyrdes not a little malicious Adrian had great delight in faire women who was so absolute and also so dissolute in that vice that he did not onely inioy virgins persuade married women but also in the houses of his verie friendes he had his secrete loues Of the one part considering his iniustice and of the other parte the great iustice that he did execute the historiographers would not place him amongest the pitifull Princes neither condemne him that were tyrannous bycause most truly if he did chastice some by iustice also he siue others by enuie CHAP. III. Of the friends and enimies which Adrian had ADrian being of the age of ninetene yeres Traiane conceiuing the abilitie and towardnesse of the yong man as well in letters as in armes sent to Spaine for him to come to Rome with whome he did so behaue himselfe that for entertainment he did receiue him into his chamber and in his loue did place him as a childe The naturall bountie and great abilitie of Adrian being in apparance Traiane from thence foorth did so regard and fixe his eyes as well to honour him all the dayes of his life as also to leaue him Emperour after his death Adrian being in so great fauour with the Emperour Traiane there folowed thereof in processe of time no small displeasures to his person and perils vnto his life for his enimies by enuie with the Emperour procured his disgrace and with their malice did maligne him with the people It is an auncient pestilence in the courtes of Princes that the Prince being pleased to beare affection or to honour any person forthwith they ioyne to murmur procure to persecute the same As Seuerianus being husband vnto a sister of Adrian did murmur of him vnto Traiane saying that it was a wonder vnto all men in Rome to sée Adrian to priuate so far in fauour that they presumed that after his dayes he should leaue him the Empire vnto whome Traiane made answere Who hath to succéede me in the Empire only the Gods be acquainted therewith but admitting that it were my will and the Goddes permitting that Adrian shoulde succéede me in the Empire I can say vnto thée that to gouerne the same he will proue no foole neyther a cowarde to defende it The answere that Traiane made was very good and yet not without a secret taunt for that the Consul Seuerianus had neyther praised him for valiaunt eyther held him for wise This Seuerianus was alwaies a great enimie of Adrian did not cease trauelling to disgrace him with the Emperour wherby Adrian hapned at times to be both in fauour and disfauour in suche manner that Adrian burned betwixt two fiers whiche is to wit eare to resist his enimies and solicitude in conseruing his frends The first office that Adrian had in Rome Traiane being Consul and Domitian being emperour he was made a Decem viriato that is to say he was appointed for one of the ten men that were deputed to determin contentions amongst the people Adrian gaue so good account of his office and recouered in Rome so good fame that he séemed sufficient vnto al men alone and in his own person to gouerne a common wealth and so it came to passe that in the yeare folowing he was deputed Tribune of the second legion that is to say that he had charge to gouerne and correct the seconde capteinship of the armies that were in the wars bycause it was a custome in Rome that euerie capteinship should haue a capteine to fight and a Tribune to rule and gouerne The yeare of the tribune office being past he was sent vnto the inferiour Misia gouerning that Prouince with so great prudence and was of suche readinesse and skill amongest those Barbarians that some delighted to obey him the others durst not resist him Adrian was in no small perplexitie for the doubt he had to be remoued from Traianes fauour which he suspected to sée him selfe in Misia his enimie Seuerianus with Traiane in Rome that vppon any report that might be made of him there the malice of his enimie had place to aggrauate and he for him selfe being farre distant not able to answere Traiane had in his chamber one whome he much fauoured named Gallus a most speciall friend vnto Adrian and Adrian being aduertised that Gallus his most faithfull friende was deade made for him great obsequies and wept for him many teares There succéeded in fauour vnto this Gallus another named Surus a man sufficiently wise and prudent and also this as Gallus was most special friend vnto Adrian and the very cause wherby he obteined the fauoured to be his friends was for that in his giftes he was very liberall and to doe for his friend no lesse determined Also Adrian gaue him self to content serue and please Plotina Traianes wife and vsed therein so great skill and came so farre into fauour with Plotina that out of that so narrowe friendship he gathered more profit then she did honour Traiane had in his house a néece named Sabina whiche was to marrie and requested for wife of many noble Romaines but Plotina and Surus trauelled and persuaded Traiane to marrie her vnto Adrian affirming that with this marriage he was excused of two marriages that is to say to séeke a wife for Adrian
and consent vnto the obedience of Rome Rometalce king of the Pindaroes was accused in the Senate of disloyaltie vnto the Romaines in the warres they helde against the Rhodes who coÌ„ming vnto Rome to quite him selfe the good Antoninus did not onely confirme him in his kingdome but also did not permit that for any thing past any motion should be made affirming that his offence might not be so great but that his submissiue apparance did reforme the same The Olbiopolites a people in Asia held warre with the Taurocistes alies of Rome vnto whom Antoninus sente succour by sea and with assistance of the Romanes subdued the Olbiopolites who not only paid all charges of the warres but also gaue hostages to maintaine peace Antoninus neuer raised warre but that first he sought to conserue peace and praised not a little that saying of Scipio that is to say Hee rather wished the life of one citizen of Rome theÌ„ the death of a thousand enimies When hée married his daughter Faustina vnto Marcus Aurelius he made a suÌ„ptuous feast and gaue great rewards vnto his men of warre He held his sonne Marcus Aurelius in great reuerence and would haue made â—im Consul which hee refused holding it for more happie to turne bookes then to appease nations After he had sent vnto Calcedonie for the great Philosopher Apollonius and had giuen him an house to dwell in solitarilie neare vnto the riuer Tiber Antoninus sent for him who refusing to come sent answeare That schollers do vse to come to their maisters and not maisters vnto their scholers whereat Antoninus laughing said A trim ieste that Apollonius hath paste so many seas from Calcedonie vnto Rome and now refuseth from his house to come to mine Although Apollonius were learned in Philosophie yet was hée in his life very couetous whereat when certaine in presence of the Emperour did murmur hée aunsweared for very deare that Philosophers sell vs their Philosophie alwayes their science is more worthe which they teach vs then the goodes which wée giue them CHAP. XII ¶ Of the succession of the Empire and the occasion of his death AS the Emperour Antoninus in his youth was alwayes a frend vnto the vertuous euen so in his age carefully hée did séeke the conuersation of the wise and therewith had no lesse care of publique matters then of his owne priuate affaires Generally hée was so liked and loued of al nations that in all temples in all walles gates and buildings these foure letters were placed namely V.A.C.R. whiche is to saye Vita Antonini Conseruatur Respublica which is to saye On the life of Antoninus the whole weale of the Romane Empire dependeth Leauing a part many good lawes which he made for the Common wealth for which purpose hee had alwayes attendant about him men in the lawes singularly learned who among the chiefe was Vindemius Verus Siluius Valente Abolusius Metianus Vlpius Marcellus and Iabolinus before whome hée set the lawes of all kingdomes and of the most necessarie and approued to take the choice to be established in his kingdomes When he did institute any lawe either ordeine any proclamation he alwayes expressed therein so great reason that his commaundements were neuer disobeyed either his lawes reuoked The cause of his death they say was after this maner from Gallia Transalpina that is to say swéete Fraunce they did present him certaine chéeses whereof he eating at his supper more then was conuenient they ministred vnto him a perillous vomit whereby they discharged his stomache not onely of meate superfluous but also of bloud righte necessarie which bredd in him a furious feuer and finding himselfe in great weaknesse without disposition to sléepe either appetite to eate he commaunded al the Senatours and chief gouernours to be called vnto his presence and before theÌ„ all did commende the common wealth vnto Marcus Aurelius his sonne and Faustine his daughter And making his testament in verie good order wherin he gaue vnto his seruants great gifts which being finished and perfourmed he gaue vnto his daughter Faustine the inheritaunce of all his lands which he possessed before he came vnto the Empire His feauer increasing and his strength and life wasting the fourth day of his sicknesse about noone beholding and viewing all the circumstants and shutting his eyes as if he would sléepe gaue vp the ghost who was no lesse bewailed at his death then he was beloued in time of life and presently by conformitie of the whole Senate was intituled Holie and all the people at the newes of his death a vie in euery streate did grite skrich and cry aduauncing and magnifying his bountie clemencie benignitie liberalitie iustice patience prudence and prouidence Al the honours were done vnto him and all the famous titles were giuen him that vpon any noble Prince had bene imployed And deserued that in the temple of Iupiter a priest of his owne name should be institute Also they built him a temple and dedicated vnto his honour the Circene playes and a fraternitie where they were all called Antonines This Prince onely amongest all Princes liued and dyed without sheading of bloude and for likelinesse compared vnto Numa Pompilius not onely in good gouernement of the common wealth but also for sinceritie of life The life of the Emperour Commodus the sonne of good Marcus Aurelius compiled by Syr Anthonie of Gueuara byshop of Mondonnedo preacher Chronicler and CouÌ„seler vnto the Emperour Charles the fift CHAP. I. ¶ Of the byrth of the Emperour Commodus THe Emperour Commodus had to his grandfather Annius Verus and his father was the good Emperour Marcus Aurelius and his mother was the right faire and renouned Faustine on whose side he was nephewe vnto the Emperour Antoninus Pius a man of a refourmed life and very beneficiall vnto the common wealth of Rome He was borne in a certaine place named Lodie on the eight day of September at the time that his father and Drusius his vnckle were Consuls the one gouerning matters of warre in Datia and the other in refourmation of causes in the common wealth The Empresse Faustine being great with childe and neare vnto the time of her childe byrth dreamed that she was deliuered of certaine serpents but especially of one more fierce then the rest of which dreame when his father Marcus Aurelius was infourmed they say that he sayde I feare me Faustine that the sonne of this birth shall proue so fierce a Serpent that shall be of power to commit a murther of our fame and to poyson the whole common wealth of Rome The Astronomers and Nekromantiques which in those dayes were resident in Rome they sayde and prognosticated many things of the byrth of the Emperour Commodus and as it appeared afterwardes they sayde very little in respect of that which followed bycause this miserable and vnfortunate Prince in his manners did rather resemble the infernall furies then reasonable creatures From his infancie his father Marcus Aurelius carefully did trauell in the
learning and instruction of his sonne Commodus for whiche purpose he made inquisition throughout the whole Empire for men learned in science and of life and manners refourmed His first scholemaisters were Onesicrates to teach him Gréeke Capilus to instruct him in the Latine Teyus to instruct him in the Art of Oratorie Pulion to infourme him in Musike Calphurnius to giue him order for behauiour on horsbacke and Marcius to giue him rules for good manners for that his father hauing no more sonnes did not a little trauell to frame in him suche perfection as was due vnto a most noble and perfect Prince But alas for pitie that so many and so excellent men neyther could persuade him to followe or imbrace vertue eyther seperate him from his detestable vices Right happie may we call those fathers whose hap is to haue children inclined to vertue for if they naturally be euill inclined neyther doth it profite that whiche their maisters teach them eyther wherefore their parents do correct them After Faustine was conceiued with Commodus she neuer ceassed to say howe painefull he was in bréeding and howe daungerous in his birth and his nourses for his byting when he did sucke alwayes complained in suche wise that from the time of his first conception he was painefull and tedious in conuersation After Commodus was weined and began to féede him self and learne to talke presently it appeared that he was harde of condition intollerable to serue ingrateful of benefites a glutton in féeding malicious in countenaunce cruell in reuengement impatient in iniuries proude in commaundements and aboue all filthy double and vncertaine in his talke At the sixte yeare of his age it was maruellous to sée howe in so tender yeares he was giuen to all manner of vice that none whatsoeuer in times past had vsed such industrie to proue eyther valiant or learned as the vnfortunate Commodus did trauell to be vicious He was sharpe and of a delicate wit and of excellent memorie he was also quarelling valiaunt and doughtie most apparant in him from his infancie for he was neuer séene to feare eyther water or fire sworde or wilde beastes Nature also had indued him with naturall abilities whiche valiauntnesse if he had imployed in warres eyther his memorie vnto learning or his wit vnto vertues he might haue proued an other Alexander in prowesse or Plato in science eyther Traiane in iustice but by euill conuersation he rightly resembled Brute the traytour Nero the cruell and Catiline the tyrant CHAP. II. Of the honourable titles giuen vnto the Emperour Commodus in time of his youth NOtwithstanding that Commodus was as yet but young he was ouerthwart quarellous hatefull and generally of the people not well liked At the age of fourtene yeares the Senate gaue him the title of Caesar not for the merite of the sonne but to yealde to the vertue of the father The Emperour Marcus Aurelius séeing his sonne increase in age and decrease in vertue aduised to place him in a college of priestes with whom many sonnes of noble men were bred but in the end he as little profited by the companie of priestes as by the doctrine of his scholemaisters for he helde alwayes enimitie with other mens counsell and great friendship with his owne will. When his father came from the Parthike warres in token of gratefulnesse the Senate gaue vnto Commodus the title of Prince which name vnto that day was neuer giuen vnto the sonne of any Emperour The Romaine Princes held a custome yearely to giue vnto the people for their sustentation wheate wine and oyle and other thinges on which day alwayes in Rome they made great feastes Commodus being then of fiftene yeares of age and also placed in the temple of Traiane gaue and diuided vnto the people their accustomed shares of wheate oyle and wine on that day Commodus was so feasted of all the Senate as his father was the day he entered triumphing into Rome When the Emperour Marcus Aurelius came from the warres of the Argonautes he was receiued into Rome with great triumphe and the more to honour and to do him pleasure the Senate did ordeine that his sonne Commodus should with him be placed in the chariot triumphant further beside this they did inuest him with the garment imperiall that is to say they did abilitate and elect him that after the death of his father his sonne Commodus should be Emperour Marcus Aurelius went into Aegypt and also into Assyria to visite those countries and lead with him his sonne Commodus The Senate vnderstanding the noble works and déedes which he performed in al those countries and prouinces sent him a dispensatiō of the law Annuaria which did prohibite that no young man might be admitted to be Consul to the end that fréely he might establish his sonne Commodus Romaine Consul Commodus was but xvij yeares of age when he sawe him selfe clad with the imperiall garment when he diuided shares of reliefe vnto the common people when he was elected a Romaine Consul and was placed with his father in the chariot triumphant which foure titles and honours were not giuen to honour the sonne but to please the father His proportiō was after this manner his body long and slender his face faire and well bearded his eyes great and blacke his handes white and long fingred his haire yellow thicke finally he was so faire and so gratious that in his person there was no blemish either in his life any thing to be praysed It was monstrous and also lamentable to sée howe this Prince was naturally endued with so high a witt and of such perfect singularitie of proportion and further being named Commodus howe to all purposes he was incommodious that according to the iudgement of al mē he was not onely vnworthie of so great and singular graces but possessed his life with great indignitie Commodus had his lockes so perfect yelow that when they were moued in the sunne with the ayre they séemed not hayres but thredes of golde and many helde opinion considering the incomparable beautie finenesse of his person and the liuely freshenesse of his face that he had not béene ingendred by mankinde but that the Gods had made him with their owne handes At all times when he did ride through Rome a vie both men womē left their businesse placing them selues at windowes vppon houses and all stréetes to beholde him as though they had neuer séene him but as much as they praised him for his beautie so muche did they dispraise and abhorre him for his wicked life Commodus was farre out of fauour with his father Marcus Aurelius and too muche cherished of his mother Faustine wherein bothe the one and the other had great reason for doubtlesse he gathered too small profite of his fathers counsell and folowed too much the libertie of his mother Commodus had another brother named Verissimus vnto whome if he had not dyed young the father had left the Empire but
inherite You haue great reason in minde to be satisfied and in harte contented since ye haue a prince not deliuered by the hands of strangers but borne in your owne houses I confesse that to proue good it auaileth muche to desire and also procure to be good but ioyntly herewith I saye that to be a prince it necessarily requireth to haue the fauour of his kingdome for otherwise if straungers do repugne and subiects do not succour it may be in his owne handes to be a good man but not in his power to be a good Prince My father was olde and I am yong wherof it foloweth that more glorie redoundeth vnto you by yealding obedience vnto me then vnto my father bicause obedience done vnto him proceeded of the merit of his authoritie but that which yee shall yealde vnto mee proceedeth of your owne pure vertue All the rewardes honours and offices that my father gaue in time of his life from henceforth I confirme them vnto such as hold them for that being as he was both holy and vertuous the Gods aproouing all his actes it were not iust they should be disalowed of men Neither in the dignities of the Senate the captainshippes of the armies the offices of my house there is nothing to be sayd much lesse to be altered only one thing remaineth betwixt my father and mee which is that I confirme his good works change my vnreformed maners Let vs ioyntly put on noble minds to giue good end vnto the warres whiche my father hath so happily begunne which being finished wee will all goe to our ease and solace and inioy the pleasures of Rome whiche warres if wee should leaue vndone although the hurte should redound to mee the faulte should proceede and be imputed vnto you I will not saye more vnto you my friendes companions but that I request and desire you alwayes to commend vnto your memorie the great loue that my father hath borne you and the good dealing he alwayes vsed with you that from his antiquitie my tender yeres and your greate vertue ye maye frame a Prince good for your selues and profitable for the common wealth Finally I saye that if ye haue my father in remēbraunce ye will neuer forget or disobey mee his sonne for comparing his vertue with my libertie doubtlesse and without comparison ye shal be much more persuaded by his noblenesse then altered by my youthfulnesse This talke being finished much money was throwen out amongest the armyes because on such dayes it was amongest the Romaines muche vsed The Romaine Princes did not muche varie from reason to giue and promise muche money in the beginninge of their Empires for as muche as the malice of man is greedie and couetous they are more persuaded withe a little money which is giuen then with many wordes that are spoken vnto them CHAP. IIII. ¶ Of a certeine famous and notable speeche vsed by one of his tutours for that he would leaue the warre of Panonia vnfinished ALl the officers of the Senate and all the captaines of the armie did marueilously mitigate their sorrowe for the death of their moste louing Lorde Marcus Aurelius when they hearde his sonne Commodus talke with so greate singularitie not onely for that he confirmed whatsoeuer his father had done but also because he promised by imitation most naturally to resemble him But what and howe great difference was betwixt the wordes of this Prince at that instant the workes which after he perfourmed in his life was muche too muche for nothing was more aparant then that al his good words and woorkes vppon that day did finishe and take an ende because from that day he did not onely speake euil and do euill but that which is woorst of all it was neuer séene that euer he had any motion or desire to do good Many be wicked and desire to amende but this person so vnhappie and solde to sinne was not to day so euil that he desired and procured not to morrowe to be woorse Certeine dayes after he had vsed this talke vnto the army he permitted to be gouerned by the aduise of his tutours but euen shortly after he both forgate the commaūdement of his father and his promise made vnto his men of warre for that he lost not onely the feare of his tutors but also the loue and shame vnto his friendes Commodus when he did inherite the Empire was weake delicate and of tender yeares but notwithstanding did vse such licence and libertie of life that decayed his person and damnified his inclination and manners His tutors and gouernours finding the offence that insued therof aduised to remoue the mischiefe by information and counsel in secrete but so peruerse was his condition that for their gentle admonition he did presently abhorre them Nowe when Commodus had publiquely lost his feare vnto tutors his obedience vnto gouernours and reuerence vnto his friendes he woulde neither beholde the one or speake with the other but that all his communication and conuersation was with persons light young and vicious vnto whome he committed all his secretes who began to persuade him to leaue the warres to go to Rome renuing his memorie with the opulencie of Italie and the beautie of Rome and ioyntly did murmur at the land of Panonia saying it was barren drye colde poore and contagious and that to drinke a pitcher of water they were first constrained to breake the Ice With these and suche like woordes Commodus was easily persuaded to leaue the warres of Panonia and take his waye into Italie and to bring the same to effect calling his tutours and gouernours into his presence fained to haue greate suspicion that while he remained in the warrs some others should cōspire rebel in Rome in respect whereof to avoyde the woorste he was determined first to assure him selfe of his owne countries before hée conquered straung kingdoms So greate sorrowe entred the harts of the gouerners and capteines that were present at that assemblye that heauily castinge their countenaunces on the grounde they were not able to aunswere one woord A Senatour named Pōpeyanus being present at that counsell who had married Lucilla daughter vnto Marcus Aurelius and elder sister vnto Commodus besids his aliance in marriage he was a man both rich wise valiaunte and aunciente and therewithall had greate boldnesse in that which he did and no lesse credit in that which he saide This Consul Pompeyanus beholding all the assembly in great silence thought good to take in hand to aunswere the Emperour Commodus after this manner The Oration of Pompeyanus to Commodus Oh my sonne and my Lord for thee to haue desire to see Rome to go into Italie is no meruel for the same which thou desirest all we haue longe wished but folowing and imbracing reason we endure not to be ouercome or carried away with sensualitie I call thee sonne because I haue bred and nourished thee from thy youth and I call thee Lord because thou
mountaines to hunte on whiche chace many were the dayes that he imployed much mony hee spente but muche and many more were the vices which he there committed Thrée monethes and odde dayes he went a fishing at riuers passinge the fieldes and huntinge in mountaines in all whiche time he neuer entered citie towne or village either slepte in anye house and then sent his commaundement vnto the Senate to prepare a triumph for that he woulde enter triumphinge into Rome affirminge that he better deserued triumph for killing beasts that did eate corne then other Emperours for killinge of men that liued in townes The Senate neither might or durst but to receiue him with great triumph the abhominable Commodus most odiously in the chariot triumphant placed a younge man named Anterus and opēly after the manner of man and wife did imbrace eche other In his progresse and pastimes whiche hee vsed in those mountaines he lost no parte of his euill customes but rather added euill vpon euill that is to say the fiercenesse which he recouered in slaying of wilde beastes after his comming to Rome he imploied in murdering of many honourable personages As touchinge the first it is to wéete he banished xxiiii Consuls possest their goods and made a rewarde therof vnto his strumpets other infamous persons whereof fiue by importunate suite of his gratious fauour were restored to their houses and shortly after he cutt off their heads There was in Rome a Senatour named Birrius a man in the days of Marcus Aurelius much estéemed who deserued to marry with a sister of Commodus who for that he warned and informed Commodus of his euill and foule life he commaunded him and all his friends to be slaine and also al the alies and seruants vnto his sister From the time of Commodus father there was remaining a certaine prefect named Ebutianus a man moste truely auncient in yeares and no yonglinge in vertues Commodus being aduertised that Ebutianus had much lamented the death of the Consul Birrius vnto whom Commodus sent a messenger to say vnto him that he woulde vnderstand of him if he woulde wéepe for the death whiche he sente him as he had wéept with the life which he possessed whiche being saide by the commaundement of Commodus he cutte off his head Another Senatour named Apolaustus who also sorowed the death of Ebutianus Commodus commaunded to be slaine The daye that Apolaustus was executed certeine young gentlemen of Commodus his chamber when they vnderstoode of execution done vnto suche as mourned for Ebutianus they deuised to make a shewe of great ioye for the death of Apolaustus to escape the like daunger whereof Commodus being aduertised he commaunded their throtes to be cutte saying that for any acte done of the prince they ought neither to laugh or weepe but heare and see and holde their peace Also he slewe Seruilius and Dulius with all their parentage which were descended of the linage of Silla and he slewe Antius Lupus Petronius and Mamertus with all their bande which were of the linage of Marius affirminge that he executed the Sillans to reuenge the Marians and executed the Marians to reuenge the Sillans There was in Rome a younge gentleman a cousen to Commodus both very faire and valiant and one saying by chaunce vnto Commodus that Mamertus Antonianus his cousen did resemble him in fauour and imitate him in valiantnesse he commaunded them both presently to be slaine affirming that he shoulde be an Emperour that did so resemble and compare with him Amongst other anciente Romaines there were sixe olde Consuls whose names were Alius Fuscus Celius Felices Lucius Torquatus Alatius Ropianus Valerius Bassianus and Patulius Magnus who for their impotencie were not able to come vnto the Senate he commaunded them all to be slaine saying that he was bounde to do in Rome as the good gardener in his orchard that is to say that the drie olde tree must be cutte or puld vp by the roote and cast into the fire In the gouernement of Asia the Senate had placed Sulpitius Crassus Iulius Proculus and Claudius Lucanus as Proconsuls to gouerne those prouinces whome withe their families Commodus gaue order to be murthered with poyson because in his presence they were praised for their déedes done in Asia and also for communication which they had of his euils committed in Rome Marcus Aurelius visitinge the kingdome of Achaia had borne vnto him a Néece and daughter of his sister named Annia Faustina whome also Commodus commaunded to be slayne but the quarell that he had to take away her life was for that shée had married without his licence On a certaine day vpon the bridge of Tiber were fourtéene noble Romaines talking and passinge the time and Commodus at that instant passinge that way saide vnto one that he should demaunde as of him selfe whereof they talked vnto whome they answeared that they were recountinge the vertues of Marcus Aurelius and that they had great sorrowe of his death Commodus hearing this answere presently and out of hande commaunded all the xiiii gentlemen to be hurled headlong ouer the bridge into the riuer affirming that they coulde not speake well of his father but that they must speake euil of him which was his sonne He woulde many times play with the sworde players and betwixte ieste and earnest he killed a thousand of them He was so cruell of nature and so doughtie in his déedes that he had no scruple to kill either feare to be slaine Commodus perceiuinge that al the Romaines fledd either to sée heare speake or to be conuersant with him to no other ende but to auoyde occasion to be slaine at his handes he remembred to inuente a conspiracie which is to wéete to say and publishe that many had conspired against him to his destruction all which he commaunded to be strangled and cutt in péeces notwithstandinge that any suche conspiracie was neuer thought of or intended CHAP. VII Of a certaine conspiracie attempted against Cōmodus and of Perennius his most fauoured counsellour Amongst other sisters Commodus had one named Lucilla who in the life of her father Marcus Aurelius maried with a Consul whose name was Lucius Verus whōe he admitted with him selfe to be cōpanion in the Empire by such meane as Lucilla was intituled Empresse her husbande Emperour But a yeare and three monethes Lucius Verus liued as companion in the Empire with Marcus Aurelius his father in lawe in suche wise that euen then when he was very younge he loste his life and Lucilla as younge became a widowe Lucius Verus being dead Marcus Aurelius married his daughter Lucilla vnto a noble Romaine named Pompeyanus a man verie wise in letters experte in armes and aunciente in yeares After the death of Marcus Aurelius Commodus succeding in the Empire and not then married did allwayes intreate his sister Lucilla as Empresse for as muche as shée had beene wife vnto an Emperour and also being an auncient custome continued in the malice of
manifested the whole matter which were not onely pardoned but also largely rewarded The treason being detected which the traitour and tyrant Perennius had deuised it séemed good vnto the friendes of Commodus and the enimies of Perennius to the ende to deliuer him from all suspicion first and immediately to cut off his head for that Perennius being guilefull and in great power might haue preuented his owne execution with the slaughter of others A great parte of the night being past and Perennius reposing in his owne house Commodus commaunded him to be called in great haste aduertising him at the instant of letters out of Asia who entring the Emperours chamber founde not Commodus but yet wanted not that presently cut off his head At the instant that Perennius was put to death a post with greate spéede was sent into Illyria by whome Commodus did write vnto the sonnes of Perennius that all thinges set aparte they should repaire to Rome to visite their father being sicke in his bedde to the ende that if the destinies shoulde permit his death to succéede in his place The sonnes of Perennius did well thinke that all had béene truthe which was written vnto them and nothing doubting the detection of their treason presently departed towards Come but at their entrie of the first citie of Italie they were made shorter by bothe their heades This in conclusion was the ende of the tyrant Perennius which lost his sonnes his goods his honour and his life not rather for any mischiefe then for his presumption and pride Of this example let all Princes take warning howe they magnifie their seruauntes with too greate wealth and power and this is saide because potencie ingendreth enuie and ouermuch riches doth breede and bring forth pride CHAP. IX ¶ Of the tyrant Maternus and of his treason against Commodus EXcéeding ioy did the Romaines receiue of the death of Perennius and his sonnes because his auarice and pride was more sharpe and intollerable then the folly of Commodus The offices of Perennius were diuided amongest many because it séemed that so greate authoritie and power to be placed and committed in one person were to put his life in perill and his Empire to commission Incredible and innumerable were the richesse iewels and money that were confiscate by the death of Perennius and his sonnes but they were so wilfully and wickedly diuided and spent that whatsoeuer Perennius gathered by extortion and briberie Commodus spent imployed in vices There was in those dayes in Italie a certeine man named Maternus who from his childhood was bred in the armies of Illyria of nature bolde and valiant subtile painefull sharpe or quicke proude seditious and stammering in such wise that as he was filthie of his toung so was he soudeine of his handes In all debates seditions and mutinies which happened in the campes or cities this Maternus was euer founde one either the chiefe authour thereof or else to be noted aboue the rest because they saye this was his common speache that on that daye wherein he shed no bloude wine had no good relishe The captaines of the armies did partly beare with him for his valiantnesse but on the other side they might not endure his continuall quarelinges and in the ende his lewdnesse being growen intollerable they did not onely dispatche him from the warres but also did banishe him the confines of Italie This Maternus being a ringleader of all wicked and desperate persons that were in the armies many did accompanie and also followe him in that exile not to remaine as bounde to leade a better life but to haue libertie to committ muche euil With those companions that Maternus had recouered from the armies and with others that dayly ioyned with him he obteined vnder his Standarde twentie thousande footemen and two thousand horssemen within the space of foure monethes with which people Maternus committed so many robberies burnings and slaughters in the cities and territories of Italie as if an Hanibal had béene raised from the dead to conquere Rome Italie being robbed and sacked Maternus departed into Lombardie and from thence into Fraunce and after into Spaine in which kingdomes he continued in that courtesie whiche he vsed in Italie and that whiche was moste to be marueiled was that his armie daily increased and no man attempted to resist him in suche wise wise that with them which were present he did yeld occasion to be busied and with them that were absent he ministred matter of communication This tyrant Maternus and his people helde no other trade but to rob temples to sacke townes to scowre the fieldes to spoyle corne to burne houses to force women to defile virgins and that whiche was woorste that not contented for them selues to liue at libertie they brake prisons and set at large all malefactours It is amongest euils the supreme euil and in tyrantes the greatest tyrannie that they of them selues will not liue according to reason and iustice but that also they wil not consent that malefactours be committed to iustice Maternus and his armie remaining in Spaine Cōmodus wrote vnto all the Pretors of those countries to raise an armie of great power to destroy the tyrant Maternus and to make greate promises by publique proclamations that vnto him whiche should cutt off the heade or take the bodie or person of Maternus shoulde haue in rewarde all his goodes and his picture aduaunced and set vp in Rome The first proclamations were published in Saragosa at which time Maternus was resident in Taragon who being aduertised that they of Spaine prepared an armie against him and that amongest the captaines great wagers were laide who shoulde first ridde him of his life he determined to returne into Italie with determination to kill Commodus in Rome Where vpon Maternus moste secreatly conferred with his chief and special friends arrantest théeues and most doughtie personages to forsake the armye seuerally diuidinge them selues by sundrye wayes vpon one certaine and appointed day without faile to make their méeting in Rome Presently after Maternus was gonne out of sight al the remnant of his army was dismaide and fel in péeces wherof there were infinite taken strangled drowned drawne hāged in such wise that in so great a number of theues none had better aduenture then to be slaine or put to death except he had friendly fauour of fortune to be made a bondman Maternus his cōpanions the day houre place on which they had agréed in Spaine ioyntly did encounter at Rome whiche for a time wente dispersed disguised by day but ioyned by night to committ their theftes being furnished for their prouision but onely with suche prouision as they might pick by day and steale by night wherein they vsed so greate shiftes guile and skill that although they accompanied but by couples yet if the warde or watche by daye or night did attempt to arrest or offende any one at an instant they were all ready for
in all his offices was founde to be verie wise verie iust seuere and no lesse sincere but after the good Emperour was dead he grewe negligent and also was noted with the blemishe of a nigarde and couetousnesse because from thenceforth he did rather imploye his forces to gather richesse then to gouerne the common wealth Of this notable example it may be inferred of that which euerye day we sée to chaunce which is that good Princes of euil men make good seruauntes and euil Princes of good men make euil seruauntes for that many times notwithstanding the seruaunt naturally be euil he doth endeuour and enforce him selfe to be good in respect of his maister which is good and so by the contrarie if the Prince be euil the seruaunt strayeth vnto euill although of his owne nature he be good Nowe Commodus being Emperour in Rome when Pertinax bribed and gathered money in Asia againste whome certeine people did rise and mutine exclaming that he helde them oppressed and robbed he was constrained thereby to retyre vnto Rome to escape their pretented practises to dispatche him of his life nothing displeasant vnto Commodus to the ende he might inherite his goods Pertinax being come to Rome and the tyraunt Perennius in those dayes gouerning the Empire and commaunding Commodus gaue him verie euill entertaynement and woorse conuersation not for that Pertinax had so deserued but the rather to giue him occasion to departe from Rome for that being as he was verie wise and of great iudgement valiant riche and also auncient he doubted to bée depriued by Pertinax from the fauour of Commodus Pertinax beholding the follies of Commodus the tyrannies of Perennius the losse and spoyle of the common wealth of Rome aduised to departe from thence and to goe vnto the countrie of Liguria separating him selfe to liue in a poore village where in times past his father had liued and kepte shoppe and buying that poore dwelling where his father had solde oyle fishe wine bread and other victualls buylt in the compasse thereof a stately buylding permitting the olde to remaine in the midest without any addition or diminishing thereof Pertinax excéedingly delighted to beholde that countrie wherein he had passed his life being but a childe and from whence he had departed so abiect and nowe returned with suche wealth and credite And being aduertised of the foale of the Asse whereon he had vsed to carrie wood to be aliue he bought it and did so vse féede it as it had béene some auncient seruaunt of great deseruing He there erected manye and solemne buyldinges bought great and many purchases gaue great summes of money vnto his kinred old friends and acquaintaunce and did so ioye to sée him selfe so riche where he had béene so poore and to obteine so great quietnesse after so muche trauaile that he saide and wrote vnto his friendes that if Princes had throughly tasted and knowen the rellishe of reposed rest of them selues and of their owne proper will they would abandon their Empires Pertinax being setled in quietnesse Commodus sent his commaundement that he shoulde departe into Britaine to execute the office of Pretor which he obeyed more for feare then of good will and presently began to reforme the armies whiche were in robberies verie absolute and of life no lesse dissolute And on a time a certeine mutinous legion made commotion not because they had contention amongest them selues but early to awake Pertinax to violate his life The matter fell out after this manner that Pertinax found him selfe in so great perill that all men thought he had béene slaine yet amongst the dead he escaped aliue notwithstanding cruelly wounded After these matters were pacified and Pertinax cured of his woundes hee so seriously chasticed that treason which they had conspired against him that he ministred matter to murmur at Rome and to bewaile in Britaine The Senate being aduertised what had passed betwixt the armie and Pertinax sent a suspense of and for his pretorian office and gaue him charge of prouision for victuals and munition whiche he woulde not accept but sued for his discharge to departe for that the armies helde him extreme and cruell and he of the armies had greate doubt and suspicion Pertinax being arriued at Rome founde that Perennius the tyraunt was nowe dead and Pertinax being a man of authoritie and grauitie a small time fell into the fauour of Commodus vnto whome he commended the prefecture or gouernement of the citie of Rome and succéeding Fussianus whoe vsed his office with great crueltie Pertinax obteined greate good liking of all the people who perfourmed his charge with no lesse mildnesse and pietie Commodus not contented that Pertinax had recouered so greate fauour in the common wealth and finding no occasion either to kill or banishe him aduised to discouer his euill will whiche he did beare him bothe in worde and déede that of him selfe he would séeke occasion to departe frō Rome who finding apt sure meanes to renounce his office retired vnto his owne proper house and countrie supposing neuer more to haue béene remoued from thence all the dayes of his life partely for that he perceiued howe Commodus sought occasions to take away his life and partly moued of olde age to repose the remnant of his dayes CHAP. III. ¶ What was saide and what he aunswered vnto those persons that offered him the Empire AFter that Martia Letus Electus and Narcissus had slaine the Emperour Commodus a greate parte of the night being passed and all persons in the palace being couched vnder the gouernement of profound sléepe Martia and her companions tooke the carkase of Commodus and wrapt it in an olde Seron wherein the slaues did beare out the ordure of the stable giuing them to vnderstande that it was a certeine vessel with a charge also to carrie it forth After the bodie was remoued out of the courte they laide it into a carre and conueyed it into a certeine village named Aristro where Commodus did vse to bathe and solace but on the next daye his death being published the Romanes pursued and although he were dead they cutt off his head and trailed his bodie throughout all the stréetes of Rome Martia Letus and Electus considering they had slaine Commodus and bestowed his carkase at their pleasure aduised amongest them selues to séeke out and to name an Emperour before daye shoulde come vppon them to the ende the Empire should haue an owner as also to haue defence vnder his protection and so it came to passe when the death of the one was manifested the election of the other was published the matter hapned after this manner Letus and Electus talkinge with them certeine of their especiall frindes departed streight vnto the house of Pertinax knocking at the gate to haue it opened with greate haste one of the sonnes of Pertinax beholding them to come armed at such an hour and with such hast was taken with so great feare that when he
possessedst in thy daughters which thou nourishedst in thy sonnes which thou begattedst CHAP. IIII. ¶ A certeine notable speach vttered by Letus vnto the armie in the fauour of Pertinax AFter that Pertinax had bewayled the death of Commodus not for his owne condition but for that he had béene the sonne of the good Marcus Aurelius hée said vnto Letus Electus that he would not by any meane receiue the Empire if the Senate did not commaund it and the armie consent vnto it because to hold the Empire safe and established and not to enter the same as a tyrant vnto the Senate it apperteyned to vse their election and the armie their confirmation Letus made offer to finishe all that which Pertinax demaunded that is to say the Senate should elect and choose him the armie confirme and allow their election and the hope that he had to obteine the same was that hée had amongest them many friends and kinsefolke and the ioy that all would receiue vppon the newes of his death Letus departing to talke with the Capteines and leaders of the armie made vnto them a compendious speach after this manner His Oration to the assemblie THAT which now I meane to say right excellent Princes and my martial companions will be verie straunge vnto your hearing although not farre distant from your desires because of many things whiche we desire the least and fewest parts thereof we do obteine Neither are the Gods so liberall to giue vs al that we desire either so niggard to denie vs all that we craue and this they do because we shal acknowledge them to be good for that which they giue vs and cōfesse our selues to be euill for that which they denie vs The good and vertuous be not onely knowen in the good woorkes which they doe but also in their good desires which they haue because the euill and wicked if they durst would neuer cease to commit mischiefe and the vertuous if they might would neuer growe cold in doing vertuous acts The Gods neuer ioyntly accomplished the desires of so many as this day they haue accomplished all your desires for being as you are noble generous valiaunt true and no counterfect Romanes it is not to be thought that ye should wish or desire but the libertie of our mother Rome and the reformation of our auncient common wealthe Ye haue all seene what the Emperour Commodus hath beene whiche is to witt howe large in commaundement howe cruell in killing howe carelesse in gouernment how filthie of life through which cause we not onely held our houses as consumed lost and our persons in perill but also were defamed throughout all straunge nations The Prince that is ouer youthly foolish absolute or dissolute looseth his people and defameth his kingdome Since ye haue seene the euils and cruelties which hee hath done I would haue you see heare vnderstād what he mēt to doe for as it seemeth by this memoriall written with his owne hand hee had a will to haue slaine all persons within the Empire and if hee might haue brought it to passe it is credible he would haue cut the throtes of so many as be in this world It was neuer seene or heard off in this world of any tyraunte that hath beene of the maner and condition of Commodus for that naturally he delighted in losse of friends and did glorie to haue enimies Commodus your Emperour is now dead if I be not deceiued I suppose he dieth with conformitie of the whole Empire because there is nothing more certaine then that hee which liueth to the preiudice of all men should die to the conformitie of all men In as much as the Gods haue taken in good part to deliuer vs from the seruitude of this tyrant it is necessary that another Emperour be prouided and chosen and this election may indure no delay but must be dispatched at this instāt because otherwise as the great dignitie of the empire is a thing that many desire few deserue so it might happen that at the time wee would bestowe the same vppon some vertuous man it might be vsurped by some straunge tyrant If vnto euery man that is here present we should haue due respect according to their deseruing I sweare by the immortall Gods wee should want Empires and not Emperours but considering the Empire is but one is not to be giuen but vnto one in the end none shall obteine the same but he vnto whome the Gods shall assigne and the destinies permit The prince that ye haue to electe ought in my iudgement to be natiue of your countrie because the prince that is not natiue but a straunger he shall rather first finishe his dayes then attaine to the loue of his common wealth Ye haue also to elect chuse an Emperour that possesseth age grauitie for that it furthereth not a little the profit and reputation of the common wealth to haue a beard on the face hoarie haires on the head Also it is right necessarie in the Emperour which ye shal elect that he be no foole either a coward but that he be wise pregnant noble minded of experience because in naturall science and long experience the good gouernement of the whole common wealth doth consist Manifesting my minde more clearely I say againe vnto that which I haue said that if my opinion might be taken in this case we ought to determine and fixe our eyes vppon Publius Pertinax in whome concurre all the conditions aforesaid that is to say naturalitie age grauitie science and experience that this is most true there needeth no greater testimonie for the credite thereof then that Commodus held him for his enimie It is not to be thought that the Gods in vaine haue conserued the life of Pertinax vntil this day Commodus procuring by a thousand meanes to put him to death as it is most true that of al the old seruaunts of his father by him slaine onely Pertinax is reserued aliue As wee haue all wel knowen that be here present that Pertinax hath been the man most afflicted banished enuied toyled and persecuted of al the men that now are aliue in this world and surely it is a great argument to thinke that for him for no other the Empire hath beene reserued because the Gods do neuer preserue the life of any man amongest so many perils but afterwards greatly they aduaunce him Wee ought all to hold it for great good hap and greatly to gratifie the gods in respecte of such and so many as haue bin slaine in our common wealth that we finde such a prince for our mother Rome whom they shal not aduenture to contemne because of his grauitie neither be daūted with feare for that he is noble minded either noted of simplicitie in as much as hee is sapient neither accused of vice for that he is vertuous either reproued of feeblenes because he is reposed finally no man may deceiue
him in words in so much as he hath experience of all thinges O most excellent princes and my commilitants I will say no more vnto you but that if ye may persuade your selues to the election of Pertinax ye shall not onely yeeld a good Emperour vnto your Common wealth but also euerie man shall obteine in him a father for his familie for as he hath bin a leader vnto vs all so he cānot deale with vs but as with his children All the time that Letus was reasoning these matters vnto the armie they stoode all astonied and rapt partly in hearing the memoriall conteyning the treason that Commodus had ordeyned partly for the newes of his death and also in considering how aptly eloquently Letus had vsed his speach in opening the matter Presently at the instant that Letus had finished his talke the whole armie began to say exclame Viuat viuat Pertinax Augustus whiche is to say Long many yeares may Pertinax liue our Romane Emperour All the principal of the armie departed to visite Pertinax at his owne house found him not but in the temple of victorie and taking him vppon their shoulders they carried him about all Rome and as it was then as yet not throughly day the townesmen were abashed to heare such newes because not knowing that Commodus was dead they heard that Pertinax was proclaimed Emperour The Romanes afterwardes did sweare and affirme that in long time past there was euer any newes diuulgate in Rome that generally gaue so great ioy vnto all persons partly for the newes of Cōmodus death as also for that the good old Pertinax was made Emperour CHAP. V. ¶ Of an Oration made by Pertinax in the Senate immediatly after he was elected Emperour VEry great was the ioy that was manifested throughout all Rome because they had obteyned Pertinax for their Lord and no lesse was the heauinesse that Pertinax discouered to behold himselfe an Emperour for he said that this name or title of imperie or regiment was the thing that euery man desired for himself and in others did most abhorre No signe of an Emperour would Pertinax cōsent to accompanie him vntil he and the Senatours had séene conferred and saluted ech other and all ioyntly being mounted vpon the height of the Capitol where the imperial cloth of estate was placed Pertinax would by no meane sit downe in that imperial seat but tooke the Consul Glabriō by the arme and by strong hand would haue set him in the same seriously affirming that it apperteined much better vnto his deseruing Glabrion was a Romane in age very auncient in cōdition very mild in gouernment very wise in life of great sinceritie in bloud much estéemed for that he was descended by the right line of king Aeneas sonne vnto Anchises and sonne in lawe vnto king Priamus and father to Aschanius When Glabrion perceiued Pertinax to persist with so great instance to inuest him with the Empire he said vnto him in the presence of the whole Senate the humble humilitie which thou shewest Pertinax in the want of merit of the Empire the same maketh thée of deseruing sufficient of the Empire vnto which election all wée of the Senate do consent not moued thereunto by the election of the armie but to sée thée make so smal accompt of thy selfe in such wise that this thy refusal yeldeth thy merit sufficient A great while was the whole Senat persuading Pertinax to condescend to their request which is to wit to accept the Empire but his repugnance was so great that in a manner by force they placed him in the chayre and that which is more the whole Senate perceiued that he did nothing feynedly for it was lamentable to heare the lamentation which hee made and to sée the abundance of teares which he shed But afterwards when hée was placed in the imperial chaire Pertinax spake vnto the Senate after this maner His Oration to the Senate THAT which I will now speake vnto you fathers conscript the God Iupiter in whose house now we stand be my witnes I wil not therin deceiue you for this place being consecrate vnto the gods as it is it should be great sacrilege for men to aduenture to lye therein For all weaknesse which men commit they may haue excuse except it be for lying because vnto other vices humane weakenes doth inuite or intice vs but to lye we are not moued but with our owne proper malice Fathers conscript ye see how Commodus your Emperour is dead and the destinies haue brought to passe that I succeede him in the Empire perchance for as much as he did wishe mee euill and his workes of my part not very well liked it may be thought of you that the manner of his death was first notified vnto mee and his life cut off by my deuice wherein throughly to satisfie you I sweare and protest by the immortall gods that of this fault I am not guiltie because I was so innocent thereof that when they said that Commodus was dead at that instant I thought he had sent to haue slaine mee Notwithstanding that both he and we shal all die I would not that so straunge a death should haue finished his dayes not because Commodus did not deserue the same but for the great bond which our mother Rome doth owe vnto his father Marcus Aurelius for it many times happeneth that the errours of the children be recompenced with the merittes of their fathers I was seruant and aduaunced of the good Marcus Aurelius which is the greatest weale that the destinies might haue giuen me in this world I say it is to this end because it should be great griefe vnto me if in my presence any thing should be said either in my absence any thing should be done against his sonne Commodus although he be now dead for that in my heart I finde my selfe much more bound to acknowledge the great goodnes which I receiued of my Lord Marcus Aurelius then to reueng the iniuries that I suffered of his sonne Commodus Beleue mee fathers cōscript that if ye shall do cōtrary vnto this which I haue said it may be that obseruing time wherin I shall find my selfe it shal be necessarie to dissemble it but I may not cease greatly to feele it The prouidence of the gods is farre different from the deuices of men that which moueth me to this speach is that when I was a yong man I much desired the Empire and might not atteine it and now that I am old and do abhorre it they force mee to take it in such wise they giue vs that which we hate and denie vs that which we seeke or craue When I began to hold offices in the common wealth I thought it most certeine that it was no humaine matter but a diuine dignitie to be a Romane Emperour but after I tasted of the trauells of commaundements and of authoritie and vnderstoode the peril to reigne I did
woulde buy it but that they shoulde electe him but the Pretorians although they sawe that he was a noble Romane and not vnworthy but verie conuenient for the Empire they durste not put them selues into his handes doubting that he afterwardes remembring the death of his sonne Pertinax would execute on them some rigorous reuengement Sulpitius was a man wise and sapient reposed and auncient with the good wil of the Senate and request of the people to him and no other woulde they haue giuen the Empire and doubtlesse had it not béene for the aliaunce which he had with Pertinax who was his sonne in lawe they woulde rather haue giuen it him franckely for nothinge then haue solde it vnto the other for money The Pretorians being muche despited that they might not receiue money for the Empire since foure dayes they had proclamed the sale thereof and nowe finding Iulianus at the foote of the wall who had offered money for the Empire they put downe a ladder and toke him vp vnto them Nowe when Iulianus sawe him selfe in grace with the Pretorians and the Pretorians hauing him in their handes they demaunded more then he possessed and hee did offer more then hee had The case was thus that they with him and he with them did capitulate iiii thinges whereof none was to the honour of Rome much lesse to the profite of the common wealth Their firste capitulation was that he should giue them presently 300000. sextercies the second was that he shoulde neither reuenge the death or sustaine the fame of the Emperour Pertinax the third was that he should erect the picture renewe the memorie of Commodus the fourth was that freelie they might do vnder his Empire as they had done in the dayes of Commodus in such wise that Iulianus did not onelie buy the Empire for money but also gaue them licence to liue wickedlie This donne and concluded the euent of the Empire was stopt in Iulianus the Pretorians receiuing him in the mids and attending him throughout all the citie publishinge with loude voices Long life be euer vnto the Emperour Iulianus Commodus alwayes Augustus Iulianus would take that ouername of Commodus to do thē pleasure that had sould him the Empire who in their nourture were bred vp with Commodus in their manners and vices as his owne naturall children CHAP. III. Of the great and mortall hatred which the Romaines did beare vnto Iulianus for buying the Empire Iulianus being created Emperour his first act was to offer vnto the gods sūptuous sacrifices being as it was the custome of all newe Romane Emperours presentlye he sent vnto his treasurie for money to pay them of whom he had bought the Empire It was a monstruous matter to sée the iuels that he brought forth the diuersitie of money which he had the cause therof was that he had bene a gouernour in diuerse kingdomes and from them al brought no small sūmes of their coyne Incontinēt after Iulianus obtained the Empire he brought his wife and daughter vnto the court whoe toke vpon them the names of Augustaes began to be serued not as Empresses but as Goddesses because in their statelinesse presumption they sought rather to be adored then serued The Consul Sulpitius at the houre in which he vnderstode that Iulianus had bought the Empire departed vnto a certeine house that he had in the countrie giuing his office vnto Cornelius Repentinus his sonne in lawe who as they say did much resemble Commodus namely in disposition of person and corruption of manners Iulianus gaue vnto the army most great thanks not only for that they had giuen him the Empire but also because they had intituled his wife daughter Augustaes and without his request also had giuen him the name of Pater Patriae father of the coūtrie which title was the most famous that the Romans gaue vnto their Emperours On the other day after he was intituled Pater patriae early in the morning they founde these Latine letters written vpō his gates P.V.E.P. soūding in this sense Proditor Venditor Emptor Patriae and thus meant in english thou art the traytor the seller buyer of thy country Vnquenchable was the fury hatred that the whole people conceiued against Iulianus only for that he had bought the Empire which rancor and hatred they coulde not so couer within their breastes but that they published it with their tounges and shewed it with their handes for on the first day that he came forth into Rome they not onely blasphemed him in the stretes but also from their windowes threwe stones at him neither did they dine suppe or walke in Rome or in all Italie but alwayes their talke was of the treason which the Pretorians had committed in selling the Empire the greate mischiefe that Iulianus had done in buying the same The Senate going to the highe Capitol to visite the newe Emperour resistance was made against them which was not done with armed people but by boyes in the stréetes hurling stones at them and the women from their windowes did curse them which being constoered by the Senate they aduised for that time to returne to their houses no lesse offended then séared Al men bewayled the case with manie teares and offered vnto their Gods many sacrifices humbly praying that it might please them shortlie to take away the life of Iulianus to execute cruel vengeance on that murderers of Pertinax On a certaine time the Circen playes beeing prepared and the seate emperiall placed aloft vpon the Theater when the Emperour Iulianus shoulde haue set certaine of the people rashly not only did remoue it but also did breake it in péeces and he as he was wise and aduised did féele it as a man and did dissemble it as one that was discrete Besides that whiche they sayd in his absence they despised him in his presence and he happened manie times to heare with his owne eares wordes not a little ouerthwarte and iniurious but he was so subtile in that whiche he saide and no lesse dissembling in that whiche he hearde that all the iniuries whiche they saide or did either he toke them in leste or did counterfete not to heare them Naturally Iulianus was a prince of greate vrbanitie that is to say courteous affable gratious and pleasaunt and did honoure reuerence euery man according to the merit of his person the estate which he held yet notwithstanding he could neither get frinds either apease enimies Neither Catiline with his tyrannies either Silla with his seditiōs either Nero with his cruelties either Commodus with his vices were not vniuersallie so muche hated in the Romane Empire as Didius Iulianus and their hatred was so extreme that they shut their eyes because they woulde not beholde him and did abstaine to murmur at him because they woulde not name him When they sawe his horsse passe the stréetes where on hee did vse to ride generally they would praye vnto the Gods that he
which they had gathered togeather Seuerus slewe some with some reason others vpon smal occasion but all these which followe he killed without all reason or occasion that is to say Munius Sellius Claudius Bitalius Papianius Elius Iulius Lolius Aurelius Antoninus Posthumius Sergius Fabius Nenius Amussius Casperius Seyonius Sulpitianus Coceyus Eructus Assilonius Claudius Honoratus Petronius Pessenius Cestus Aurelianus Materius Iulianus Albinius Cerelius Faustinianus Herenius Valerius Nobius Arabianus Marcus Fabatus These men were glorious both of bloud also for noble déedes riches for they were either Consuls Censors Pretors Senatours Ediles Tribunes or capteines whose goods he imployed not vnto the publique treasurie but did incorporate vnto his patrimonie for him selfe to inioy the dayes of his own life to leaue vnto his children after his death Seuerus defamed Cincius an auncient Consul affirming that he had procured poyson to kill him wherfore he commaunded him to be slaine but the trueth being knowen as Seuerus afterward reported but the Cincius did much delight to goe on hunting had a fine yeark to kill the Bore other venerie in the mountaines He commaunded also Narcissus to be cast vnto the Lyons who at the request of Martia choked Commodus it was nothing to commaund them to be slaine but that with his owne eyes he would behold them executed which was wont to be so straunge vnto Romaine princes that they neuer vsed to sée any person put to deth neither so much as in the citie to be resident but they vsed if any suffered to ride or go foorth on hunting CHAP. XIII ¶ Howe Seuerus returned into Asia and conquered many prouinces AFter that Seuerus had conquered and slaine thrée Emperours that is to saye Iulianus in Rome Niger in Asia and Albinius in Fraunce it séemed vnto him that since he had chasticed and triumphed ouer the Romans he ought also to make his name glorious amongest the Barbarians because all the warres that he helde vnto that daye were more to make him selfe Lorde of the common wealth then to magnifie his name Seuerus aduised him selfe to go in his owne person to make warres with the Parthians the occasion of which enterprise was for that the king of Atrenoes had fauoured the parcialitie of Niger but had deferred the reuengement thereof to make conquest of Albinius being in great Britain If Seuerus in this case had taken the opinion of the people either the counsell of the Senate he woulde neither haue taken those warres in hande or made accompt of the iniurie because at that time those kingdomes were neither friendes or foes with Rome And as the Romans were fatigated tyred with warres so they were contented for the time to ceasse the recouering of them for their vassals to obtein them for quiet enimies Seuerus departed vnto Asia and in the way would first take the kingdōe of the higher Armenia whereof the king of Armenia being aduertised and that he came with an armie of so greate power and so determined to take his kingdome met him vppon the way not armed as a man of warre but clad with the garments of peace his truce being set downe with Seuerus presently he gaue him much money and offered to sende him succour for the accomplishment wherof he deliuered vnto Seuerus his two sonnes in pledge Seuerus did not onely confirme him in his kingdome but also tooke him vnder his protection The affaires of Armenia being dispatched Seuerus departed towardes the kingdom of Hosdroenos whose king was named Anguaro bothe crooked and same but yet no foole for he had such skill to recouer the good will of Seuerus that he neither admitted him as a vassall tooke no money demaunded no hostages or did his countrie hurt but receiued him to his familiar friendship and made him a confederate with the people of Rome Hauing passed the kingdome of Hosdroenos Seuerus entred the landes and countries of Albanos and being then the moneth of April and spring time he founde the fieldes full of flowers and grasse and commaunded his horsses for the space of fiftéen dayes to be fedde and his armie to be recreated and refreshed because his horsses were growen leane and his men tyred Seuerus beeing departed from the fieldes of Albanos entred the countrie of Arabia Felix where they found that which they found not in all the kingdomes of the worlde namely the trées that hare the precious Aromatike spices and the boughes whereof they gathered the most fine and excellent baulme Seuerus sacked all the townes of Arabia Felix cut downe their fieldes spoyled and oppressed all people and as he afterwardes saide he would not haue entred therein for that being as it was so riche so ioyfull pleasant and delectable but because he found him selfe in greate cumber to withdrawe his souldiours from thence for that they felt them selues more delighted with the vices of Arabia then with the hazardes and daungers of the warres Hauing passed the delectable countrie of Arabia Felix Seuerus entred the countrie and kingdom of Athrabanos against whose king principally he made that iourney Athras was a great citie situated vpon the top of a most high hill and chiefest citie of all the kingdome and for that cause was named the kingdome of Athrabanos Seuerus went presently to the siege thereof but as the king had inclosed him selfe therein with great readinesse and prouision the wall being strong the citie rockye the people warrelike and furnished with munition and victuals small was the hurte that Seuerus did vnto them within but which the Romans receiued was very greate And as Seuerus gaue foorth no other bruite when he came from Rome but to be reuenged of the Athrabanos he perfourmed that warre so exactly that there was no daye but he battered the citie of Athras and occupied his warlike engins deuised and practised all manner fights and offences that might be against the enimie and the moste notified Romans that there did not notifie them selues but in the ende might neither take the same either as much as a capteine or ouerthrow one windowe Those that were besieged within that citie to iest with their enimies tyed very subtily little earthen pottes vnto a kinde of byrdes like vnto Crowes which flying ouer the armies of Seuerus let fall their pottes vpon their pates by which iest many had their heades broken but much more were the Romans despighted to consider howe little they did estéeme them not fighting with them in armour but with pottes and tankardes The ayre of that mountaine was verie subtile the waters verie thinne fruites in great aboundaunce and the Sunne verie hoat and the grounde somewhat moyst by which occasion Seuerus his whole campe fell into the disease of the fluxe and there died amongest the rest seuen notable capteines two of Seuerus cousins and a little bastarde sonne which all men likewise thought to be his cousin but by his greate sorrowe teares he discouered the childe to be of his owne proper fleshe
commaunded two Fortunes of gold to be made for either of his sonnes one because it was the ensigne of the Empire to take away all occasion after his death for any of them by him selfe or for him selfe to be aduaunced with the Empire but equally to remaine in power and estate This was the ende of Seuerus whome his enimies might not kill with armes and yet with griefe and sorrowe was slaine by his sonnes Seuerus liued thrée score and fiftéene yeres and reigned two and twentie yeres his bones were burnt and the ashes carried to Rome Of this Emperour Seuerus the Senate determined that which of no other prince was determined namely Illum aut nasci non debuisse aut mori whiche is to saye It had beene good in respect of his cruelties which he did he had not beene borne and since that he was borne in consideration of the profite which he did in the common wealth it had beene good he had not died The life of the Emperour Bassianus sonne vnto Seuerus compiled by syr Anthonie of Gueuara Bishop of Mondonnedo preacher chronicler and counseller vnto the Emperour Charles the fifte CHAP. I. ¶ Howe Bassianus and his brother Geta did inherite the Empire of their father Seuerus PResently after the death of the Emperour Seuerus in great Britaine his two sonnes Bassianus and Geta did succéed him in the Empire betwixt whome there was extreme discorde and cruell hatred for notwithstanding in bloude they were brothers yet in wil works they dealt as enimies As Bassianê° was elder brother and also more cauillous troublesome so he began secretely to practise and subborne the capteines of the armie to him onely to giue the Empire and to exclude Geta his younger brother from the inheritaunce and to drawe them vnto his purpose he spake swéete wordes blinded them with faire promises of greate hope and also gaue them riche Iewels Nothing might Bassianus attaine with the capteines of his armie for that euery one in particular and all in generall made him aunswer that since they were sonnes vnto their lord Seuerus and bothe brethren and ioyntly had sworne vnto them as their Lordes and Princes it were not iust they should be traytours in their promise vnto their father or shoulde make a breache of their othe that in the temples they had sworn vnto the Gods. After that Bassianus might not corrupt the armie with woordes déedes or giftes he tooke peace with the Britans to the ende presently to departe towardes Rome and his brother Geta being aduertised that Bassianus sought the Empire vnto him selfe which the father Seuerus had lefte vnto them both grewe into great hatred disdaine with his brother in such wise that from thenceforth the two brethren behaued them selues not only as vtter enimies but also the courte was diuided into bandes Bassianus Geta were brethren by the father but not by the mother for that Bassianus was his sonne by his first wife and Geta by Iulia whiche was the second wife Geta his mother and the auncient and honourable Romanes that were remaining after the death of Seuerus did not a little trauaile to confederate and set them at agréement but in the ende they were neither conuinced with the infinite beares of the mother either might be persuaded by the great requestes and instant intreatance of their friendes The affaires of Britaine being set in order the two brethren much without order departed towardes Rome carrying with them the reliques of their father Seuerus that is to say his bones made ashes which in all cities as they passed were receiued with as great reuerence as if Seuerus had béene aliue From the time that Bassianus Geta departed from Britaine vntil they entred Rome they neuer lodged in one lodging or fedde at one table or had conference vppon the waye but had of eache other great suspicion yea in meat and drinke to haue receiued poyson To go in so greate doubt and suspicion was cause of small staye vppon the waye although it were very long and before their comming vnto Rome either of them had sent their secreate messengers not onely to take vp the best lodginges in Rome but also to solicite and to winne the willes of the common wealth because they conceiued that they might not ioyntly be conserued in their seigniorie but that one must remaine with the Empire That day on which Bassianus and Geta his brother shoulde enter Rome all Rome came foorth to receiue them which was mixed with ioye and sorrowe sorrowe for the death and buriall of Seuerus and ioye for that his children were come aliue to reigne in his steade Entring into the citie the two brethren and newe Emperours went before appareled in purple on horssebacke after them came the Senatours all on foote who bare on their shoulders a chest of Unicorne wherein was placed the ashes of Seuerus such persons as attended the dead went wéeping and those that accompanied Bassianus Geta went singing Being entred into the citie and the day farre spent they went vnto the temple of the greate Emperour Marcus Aurelius where the two newe Princes fell on their knées to adore his sepulchre as a moste holie man and there bestowed the ashes of their father Seuerus Before Seuerus departed vnto the second warres of Britaine he had begon a most sumptuous sepulchre in the fielde of Mars amongest other ornaments that it had were seuen pillers polished verie high and stately wherein was grauen all his actes and victories but his life first was finished before his sepulture was ended CHAP. II. ¶ Howe in Rome they burie their Emperours and of greate ceremonies which there they vsed After that Bassianus and Geta his brother had reposed the body of their father Seuerus in the temple of the Emperour Marcus Aurelius presently they beganne to consecrate his body and to place his soule with the Gods accordinge to the custome of the Romans whiche ceremony was not done but vnto dead Emperours and the order thereof was thus Presently vpon the death of an Emperour the Senate did assemble to determine if hee deserued to be buried with the Godes either els after his burial to leaue him to obliuion as other men and if he had beene euill the Senate woulde be absent at his buriall and if he had bene good all clad in blacke woulde attend to consecrate his body And to do the same their firste attempt was to bury the body of the deade prince without any ceremonie and then made him an image of woode after the manner of a sicke and colourlesse man which they placed alofte vpon a scaffolde ouer the Courte gate and that image although it were of a sicke man yet did they clad it with garmentes of silcke and golde as though the counterfeite were aliue In the hight of that scaffolde or throne the Senate were set on the lefte hande and on the right hand all the matrones of Rome of whome none might he apareled richly either deckt with
Antoninus Galba and Othos Othos and Bytellus Bytellus and Vaspasianus now of late betwixt Seuerus my father and Iulianus and Albinius All these great calamities whiche the miserable common wealth of Rome hath suffered was not for that many would not be commaunded but for that many would commaund Admitting that my father commaunded in his testament that Geta my brother and I should diuide the Empire yet many doe know they are not fewe which presume that he would neuer haue done it but his wife and my mother in lawe constrained him so to assigne and in a case so great hard graue respect ought not to be giuen to that whiche hee did but vnto that which he would haue done because the magnificence of the Empire and the wisedome of the Senate ought not to be bound to the procurement of a vaine woman but vnto that which is most conuenient for the common wealth CHAP. VII ¶ Of the great crueltie of Bassianus and of such as he commaunded to be slaine ALl the time that Bassianus vsed this speach vnto the Senate no mā cut off his talk or when he had finished no person durst aunswere one word but that he in ending his tale beheld all his friends such as he suspected he would not once looke vppon wherof they remained not only despited but also terrified because the thinge that the heart loueth is seene and knowne by the vents and windowes of the eyes Neither for that Bassianus had said in open place either for any aduisement of friends in secrete did he cease to continue his cruelties but that presently he commaunded to be slaine not onely such as his brother Geta held for friends but also the friends of his friends He slue all the seruaunts and officers of his brother not only such as serued him in the common wealth but all such also as serued him in all maner of vile things of his house that is to say cookes butlers caters swéepers moile kepers turne spits and boyes of the kitchen at the death of whom albeit both before and after he slue many yet of none had they so great compassion in Rome as of those persons Also he slue al his wagginers all his horsekéepers all his bakers all his laūderers all his musicians al his taylers finallie he slue all that his brother loued and all such as did serue him Hée slue all the Senatours and officers of Rome that folowed the parcialitie of his brother Geta and kilde all Questors Pretors and valiant capitaines throughout the Empire He slue Lucilla an excellent matrone of Rome sister vnto the Emperour Commodus and daughter vnto the great Marcus Aurelius whome all Emperours past did honour as an Empresse and serued as a mother and this was in such wise that as any temple of Rome her house was priuileged The cause wherefore they say he slue the Lady Lucilla was for that when she heard of the death of Geta shee went vnto the Courte to comfort the mother and bewailed her sorrowe whereof Bassianus being aduertised said Since Lucilla mourneth for the death of my brother Geta with my mother in law it signifieth that she would ioy of his life and of my death but I will liue and she shal die Also he slue many of the vestall virgins some that he accused for breaking their virginitie and others for that they presumed to be virgins saying it was a iest to beleue that any might liue and die a virgine in this life He slue an auncient knight named Letus which was at the death of Commodus and also was acquainted with the death of Geta his brother He slue Rufus a knight of Africa and his néere kinsman that is to say his vnckles sonne who at the euening did inuite him to supper and in the morning commaunded to be slaine He slue Pompeyanus the sonne of Lucilla and nephue vnto Marcus Aurelius a man of great courage in warres and venturous in armes whome he commaunded to be slaine trauelling vppon the way and cast foorth report that théeues had slaine him Hée slue Papianus the learned Lawyer who in those dayes was most famous in knowledge and counsell that was in all the Romane Empire and thus it passed that Bassianus when hée came out of the Senate did take Papianus on his right hand and all alongest the streate layde his righte arme vppon his shoulder vntill they came vnto the entrie of the house at the foote of the staire where with an axe such as they cleaue woode hee commaunded his head to be cut off Hee slue Petronius whiche had béene Consul Senatour Questour Pretor Edil and Flamen fourtie yeares in all whiche time hee neuer offended any man either any person had complained of him wherefore hee was named the good Petronius Hee slue Samonicus Serenus whiche also was a Lawyer and of this man it is said that in eloquence hee was very sweete and in writing no lesse Satyricall Also hee slue a sonne of the Emperour Pertinax named Elius Pertinax who for a wonder was said in Rome that in either woord or déede it was neuer perceiued in him that euer in his whole life hee did so muche as vent for the Romane Empire whiche was not a little to bee praised and also meruailed because sonnes naturally are not onely inclined to inherite their fathers goodes but also to succeede them in their honours Furthermore hee commaunded a notable Romane to be slaine named Chilus because hee had continually traueiled to make him friende wyth his brother Geta whoe presupposing that they came to kill him stripte himselfe cleane oute of his apparell and escaped oute at a certaine windowe of his house He killed his first wife the daughter of Plautianus which was exiled into Sicyl caused search to be made in Rome throughout the Empire for al that were sonnes cousines vnckles nephues or néere parentes vnto the bloud royall all which hée commaunded to be slaine both men and women because neither roote branche or memorie should remaine of auncient or generous bloud As well in Rome as els where throughout the Empire Bassianus cōmaunded many others to be slaine but that which was more cruell the erecutioners had authoritie to take away their miserable liues but not to burie their bodies leauing them to the foules of the ayre as for the noblest they were carried in carres on heapes and consumed with fire euen to ashes He was not onely euill and cruell but also did boast himselfe to be a friend of such as were noted to be euil cruell for they neuer heard him say well of any prince past but of Silla the cruell Brute the traitour Catiline the tyrant the Gracchies seditious Domitian the defamed and Commodus the dissolute Exactly to accomplishe his cruelties it chaunced on a certaine day represēting the Circen playes in Rome vnto which feast an huge nūber of people were come to behold that as the guide of the imperiall chariot might not passe because the streats were
heare thereof and woulde ofte say vnto me that manie kinges and kingdomes he had seene lost by mariage in straunge countries and therefore woulde not marrie me but within his owne kingdome and saide at the houre of his death that if I woulde liue manie yeares in peace I shoulde not abandon my children to straunge marriages I had three sonnes whiche nowe bee all deade and there remaineth vnto me but only one daughter in whome remaineth all my hope and if the Gods would and my destinies permitte I woulde giue her an husbande within mine owne naturall countrie whome I might esteeme as my sonne and he me as his father for my intent is not to giue her an husband that hath much goods but in his person greate worthinesse To that which thou sayest of the kingdoms of Parthians the Empire of Romanes would do verie wel to be ioyned in one thou hast great reason in that which thou sayest if it might be done with as great facilitie as it is spoken but how is it possible they may be made one being as they are so strange in nation so distant in situation so distinct in language so diuers in lawes and aboue all the reste so contrarie in conditions Since betwixt you and vs there are so manie landes countries nations hills and seas howe is it possible the bodies beeing so distante that the harts may be vnited Wee are much better knowne vnto the Godds then wee knowe our selues and since they haue created vs and separated vs the one from the other howe is it possible for vs to liue and enioy together for by greate diligence that men may vse either power that princes may practise it is impossible for them to scatter that whiche the Godds do gather together or to ioyne that whiche they do separate If thou wilte haue men for thy warres I wil sende them If thou wilt haue money to inrich thy treasure I will furnishe thee If thou wilt enter peace with mee I will graunte it If thou wilte that wee be brothers in armes by othe I will confirme it Finally I excepte nothing betwixte thee and mee but that thou do not craue my daughter to wife I am determined wil not for giuing my daughter a good marriage leaue my countrie tributarie vnto straunge people The precious iuells and greate riches which thou sentest me I haue receiued with greate good will and I sende thee others although not such either so riche neuerthelesse thou mayest alwayes cōceiue by them that the kinges of the Parthians haue greate treasures in their keeping and no lesse noblenesse of minde to spende them No more but the Goddes be thy defence and that thou of me and I of thee may see good fortune CHAP. XII Howe Bassianus committed a greate treason against the Parthians THis letter being receiued by Bassianus he made semblance of greate sorrowe that the kinge of Parthians would not giue him his daughter to wife howbeit he ceased not therefore eftsones to write sende more presents to bringe to passe by importunities that which of will he might not frame Arthabanus considering the importunities of Bassianus in writinge and his largesse in sending more riche iuells not doubting that anie guile might be concealed in that marriage did yealde him selfe vnto the iudgmente of his friendes who counselled him that hee shoulde not in anie wise but accept the Emperour of Romaines for his sonne in lawe for it might be that hee shoulde recouer him for an enimie that would not accept him for a sonne The fame beeing spread throughout all Asia that the kinges daughter shoulde marrie with the Emperour of Rome Bassianus aduised to repaire and prepare with all speede so that in all cities of the Parthians where he passed they did not only not resiste him but with greate ioy did receiue and feast him for they helde it for greate vaine glorie to sée their princesse demaunded for wife by the great Emperour of Rome In all places where Bassianus passed he offered riche sacrifices in their temples and gaue greate rewardes vnto suche as did attende and receiue him all whiche he dissembled to escape suspicion of the exceeding malice whiche he determined to execute Bassianus beeing arriued at the greate citie Parthinia where most times the greate kinge of Parthians was residente Arthabanus issued foorth to receiue his sonne Bassianus who most truly ranne foorth as cōformable vnto peace as Bassianus readie and determined for the warres There issued foorth with kinge Arthabanus not only the noble and valiaunt personages of his house and courte but also all the men of power and wealth of his kingdome which against that day were called and did attende in such wise that by his traine the kinge discouered his valure as also the noblenesse of his people Nowe when the Parthians beganne to ioyne with the Romaines and of both partes greate courtesies offered Bassianus gaue a signe vnto his armed knights to giue a charge vpon the Parthians vpon whome they executed as greate a slaughter as Hanibal at Canasse and Scipio at Carthage The kinge Arthabanus as he came in the troupe of all his royaltie tooke his seruaunts horse and gaue him selfe to flight and then as it was night his horse verie swift he had leasure to escape with his life although not able to defende his countrie This beeing donne he sackt the royall palace and al the citie and after commaunded fire to be giuen to all partes thereof whiche he perfourmed in all cities where he passed all the time that he remained in Parthia and freely gaue licence vnto his armie to take what they might to kill whome they would This was the manner that Bassianus vsed to subdue the Parthians whiche conquest with more reason may be termed the inuention of a traytour then the conquest of an Emperour for the innocente Parthians were rather solde then ouercome At the presente when these thinges passed Bassianus did write vnto the Senate aduertisinge them that hee had subdued all prouinces and kingdomes of the Easte vnto the Romaine Empire some by force and others by good will and that allthough the Romane princes his predecessours did excéede him in yeares and riches yet not to be comparable vnto him in victories The Senate béeing ignorante of the greate treason of Bassianus practised against the Parthians because they receiued his letters before anie other messenger had made reporte thereof were verie ioyfull and made greate feastes in Rome placeing his counterfeit vpon all the gates of the citie but after they vnderstoode the trueth of the treason committed they were so muche grieued with that so vile a deede that if the Parthians did suffer the Romanes did bewayle CHAP. XIIII How Bassianus was slaine by the commaundemente of his priuate captaine Macrinus THe Emperour Bassianus beeing departed from the territories of Parthia came vnto the prouince of Mesopotamia which was in the moneth of October and beeinge full of woodes wherin were
Senate health and grace Vnto men so glorious in acts so graue in precepts and doctrine as ye are right reuerent fathers coÌ„script it may seme a matter both new straunge for a woman to write vnto the sacred Romane Senate which renowmed name the Gods to reuerence men therat do tremble and are terrified The matters which by my embassadours I send to giue you to vnderstand neither for that I am a woman that may do litle your grauitie hath not to coÌ„sider of the same as a matter of smal importance because all men are not so wise that none doth misse either al womeÌ„ so vnable but that some escape error Those thiÌ„gs which ye shal read in this my letter or shal heare at the mouth of my Embassadours I sweare vnto you by the immortall gods and by the sepulchres of mine elders that they be most true not feigned for that in a Lady of mine estate it were lesse infamie to be vnchast then to be a lyar I haue heard my Lord Mar. Aurelius say when I was but a child that in women alwayes were conioyned truth chastitie and a woman of trueth was neuer but chaste a woman addicted to lying did neuer continue in coÌ„tinencie Some of you that now are liuing may remeÌ„ber when the Empresse Iulia my sister came to be wife of the Emperour Seuerus and how in her company I came to the Court wherin I was long many yeares both serued and also persecuted for as in courts of princes they that seeke their singular aduancement the one ceaseth not to persecute the other Although in princes palaces where I liued I haue beene persecuted defamed and also enuied yet I beseech the immortal gods that the dealing entreatance which then I vsed with such as wished me euil that the same no other they will performe on me which now wish me well In 53. yeares that I haue stayed in diuers princes courts I neuer dasht any person out of countenance I neuer toke the tale out of their mouth I neuer spake any iniurious word I neuer reproued any persoÌ„ I neuer did preiudice any mans name neuer iniuriously tooke any vengeance because in houses of great princes no man maye obteine aduauncement if hee lacke skil to suffer This which I here relate fathers conscript is not to recouer praise but to the end ye should beleeue me for if my persoÌ„ possesse no credite my embassage must needs haue issue of no effect Speaking more in particular I say ye know that many yeares since my sister and I departed Rome attending on the emperour Bassianus and after that the traitour Macrinus had slaine him Iulia his vnfortunate wife so sensiblie did feele his death that by extreeme sorrowe she finished her life Fortune would not coÌ„sent to depriue me of my vital spirits when my sister Iulia was bereft of life and this she did not to the end to forget mee but the more to greeue mee because in great perils and misfortunes if at that time fortune did dissemble it was not so much as to honour them as afterwardes to bee reuenged of them Of the death of Bassianus my lord and your emperour as it was in my hands to bewaile him if it had beene as well to defende him either hee had neuer died or else had beene raised to life for that most truly although Bassianus were yonge vaine fickle absolute dissolute yet on the other part he was patient silent and pitiful and it might haue beene in the burthen of greater age he would haue forgotten the vices of his youth There is no confidence at al times in most wise men either despaire in fickle yonge meÌ„ for that we see all day long that many times age doth bring forth fruite where reason did not yeld as much as leaues He that in deede laide hands on Bassianus was that caytiue Martianus but he that commaunded him to be slaine was the traitour Macrinus a man most truly of base condition infamous life obscure linage an idiot in letters intemperant in speach vicious in maners and a tyrant in his workes Ye perfectly perceiue fathers conscript that a man so much defamed were a slaunder to be receiued accepted for a prince for that in great estates Segniories it is not sufficient that their princes be valiant but also honourable which is to wit not to want proportion in their persons and to haue noblenes in bloud of all whiche things Macrinus hath no possession for besids that he is of obscure linage infamous of life cruel of coÌ„dition and false of promise so had he a swarte visage and a dwarfs body he was splay footed also proare blind Macrinus was not satisfied to haue slaine Bassianus but also vsurped the Empire and to heape euill vppon euil did sweare vppon the altar of the temple that he had not slaine Bassianus in such wise that the periured Macrinus was not coÌ„tented with homicide and manslaughter but before the Gods was also periured But as the Gods are iust in rewarding the vertuous and not carelesse to chastice the wicked that the election of men being not confirmed of the gods my nephue Heliogabalus and I haue herein vsed so great skill that at the time when the tyrant Macrinus was most abandoned vnto the vices of Antioche wee cut off his head in such wise that Asia was set free froÌ„ his tyrannie and the death of Bassianus well reueÌ„ged The armies that were scattered discoÌ„tented diuided and euil payed we haue gathered together payed and vnited and possesse all Asia in obedience vnto the Romane Empire Also fathers conscript I wish ye to vnderstand that in the time of life and also after the death of the tyrant Macrinus the armies did elect my nephue Heliogabalus Emperour which election I will not denie but that I desired practised procured and also bought for that it seemed vnto mee that the Empire being in the hands of such a tyrant as Macrinus it was not bought but redeemed If in this marte of the Empire I haue offended I wil yeeld my selfe to al maner of punishment but therwith I would haue ye to vnderstand that I bought it with my money openly of your armie from a tyrant farre from Rome in a rebellious time and for the sonne of Basssianus and I say for the sonne of Bassianus which with most iuste title should haue inherited the Empire if Macrinus had not vsurped the same Fathers conscript it seemeth not that I haue deserued blame much lesse any chastisemeÌ„t because by my industrie and proper goods I haue paied your armies set Asia in peace slaine the tyrant redeemed the Empire and aboue all the reste haue reuenged the death of Bassianê° giuen as his inheritance apperteined vnto his sonne As your armies do heare report and there doe write they were so poore and in such distresse that more iustly it may be said not that I suborned but succoured them with my monie
thinges whiche he did in Rome and howe the tyrant Maximius did kill him in Britaine AFter that Alexander had subdued and triumphed ouer the Persians certeine dayes he was deteined in the gouernement and refourmation of the cōmon wealth because the longe absence of princes breedeth wante of iustice amongst the multitude Of all the riches that he brought from the warres of Asia he did take for him selfe but one horse one chariot foure Elephantes one sworde one cuppe of Ius and a paper of poinctes which belonged vnto kinge Artaxerxes for as he saide The pray of princes ought to be imployed on princes The defence of the most daungerous frontiers he commended not but vnto men that had great wealth in the same which if he had not he gaue it them in such wise that to conserue his fidelitie which he did owe to saue his goods which he possessed he should be forced to defende his countrie or dye in the enterprise There was in Rome in those dayes a Mathematiciā named Thrasibulus of whō Alexander demaunded what death he should dye who aunswered thou shalt dye in a straunge countrie not in thine olde age but by the swoorde of a Barbarian whereat Alexander was nothing altered but rather with excéeding ioy imbracing Thrasibulus said A certeine speach of Alexander against the terrour of death If the Gods did graunt vnto other princes to liue perpetually and commaund mee onely to dye I confesse I should dolefully feele the deede of death but our life being as it is so shorte and death so necessarie I had rather dye in the field by the handes of mine enimies then in my chamber compassed with Physicians Vnto the greatnesse of Princes it appertaineth not onely to lead a good life but also elect an honourable death and to this ende I say vnto thee Thrasibulus that all the felicitie of a Prince consisteth in well gouerning the common wealth and also to imploye his life for the same What fame or glorie what ease or quietnesse doth followe the life of that Prince which dieth in his olde yeres and sickely in which age for the most parte olde men be euil serued of their subiectes and contemned of straungers He that conceiueth it to bee good for the priest to dye in the temple conceiueth no lesse of the Prince that dyeth in the field for that the office of the one is to praye of the other to fight I haue seene many dye here in Rome after the manner which the common people do thinke the best kinde of death that is to saye laden with yeares laide in their beddes accompanied with sonnes honoured of parents compassed with sonnes in lawe visited of Physicians and serued of nephues at whose death I beare no enuie since I knewe of them that before their bodies were tasted of woormes their hearts were vnbowelled with griefe thought Thrasibulus thou doest well knowe that Alexander Darius Hector Pompeyus Gayus Tullius Seneca and Demosthenes were men in their persons verie glorious in doctrines verie wise and in their deedes no lesse heroycall and yet all these with many others dyed not accōpanied with their friends but by the handes of their enimies neither were they blemished with so vntimely a death since of them nothing was lesse esteemed but rather by their cruell deaths they aduaunced their fames No other thing is diuers in death but onely the manner of the same sithence death in the ende is alwayes but one thinge for we should not be afflicted with the manner of our death but what thinges we should repaire to the amēdement of our life Admitting that these cōsiderations apperteine more vnto Philosophers then vnto the simple yet I saye both to thee and other that as it was not in our handes to be borne so shal not the manner of our death consist in our selues but that houre being arriued there and then shall euery man finde for him selfe what fortune hath prouided All these thinges Alexander saide vnto Thrasibulus in secrete and afterwards openly in the hearing of all men Not manie dayes after these thinges passed Alexander departed vnto the warres of Germanie which were not prosecuted in Germanie but in Gallia transalpina for because the French men were subiect vnto the Romains the Germaines did inuade them Alexander beeing in the greatest heate of these warres certeine mutinous souldiours and olde seruantes of Heliogabalus did create a capteine named Maximius Emperour béecause the Emperour Alexander woulde not consente but vtterly detested their horrible and vicious actes Alexander remaining in the lesser Britaine in a place named Cilicia Maximius his trayterous adherentes determined to kill him their Lorde and Emperour before it might be manifested through the armies for that notwithstanding diuers of them did doubt his seueritie yet on the other parte all persons did loue his iustice Alexander reposinge at after noone the traytours agreed with a iester to murther him in his tente who beeing entred fel into such dismay that he not only gaue ouer his determined attempt vnperfourmed but also fledde with no small doubt and feare affrighted But beeing afterwardes retyred vnto Maximius and his companions persuaded them presently to kill Alexander beeing at that time on his bedde solitarie and vnaccompanied for that other wise he woulde discouer their whole intente which he saide because it was A lawe Martiall that anie which shoulde aduenture to enter the tente of the prince without licence shoulde pay no lesse then the losse of his life Maximius and his complices consideringe what the iester had saide presently determined to murther their Lorde and Emperour Alexander and so ioyntly and furiously entringe his tente slewe both him his mother and all persons that made resistance or ouerthwarted them with anie displeasaunt speache Alexander died one the twelfth of Iune after thirteene yeres nine dayes of his Empire were expired he liued twentie nine yeres three moneths and seuen dayes and was a Prince in Rome moste loued in his life and most bewayled at his death The enimies of Alexander did note him that he despised in him selfe to be natiue in Assyria that he loued gold inuented newe tributes was seuere with souldiours did what he could to resemble Alexander Magnus and that he was somewhate suspicious But the thing wherefore Alexander was most blamed and iustly deserued to bee noted was that being a man and of greate experience in the gouernement of the Empire he continued subiect vnto his mother as when he was a childe and in this case it was sufficient that he had reuerenced and honoured her as a mother and on the other parte to haue considered that her counsell in the ende was but of a woman Alexander was so vniuersally beloued of all nations of the Empire that it chaunced at his death which neuer was read to haue chaunced at the death of any Prince of the worlde that is to saye that they were all slaine which brought the newes of his death neither the
Pretorians did electe him Emperour 4 How he reuenged the deathe of the good Emperour Pertinax 5 Of thinges that he did in Rome presently after hee was Emperour 6 Howe the Emperour Seuerus passed into Asia against Capteine Pessenius that rebelled againste him 7 Of the warres that passed betwixte Pessenius and Seuerus in Asia 8 Of a cruell and furious battell betwixte Pessenius and Seuerus wherein Pessenius was slaine 9 Of the Consul Albinius and howe he rebelled against Seuerus in Englande 10 Of a famous speache that Seuerus vttered vnto his armies to bringe them in hatred with his enimie Albinius 11 Howe Seuerus departed from Asia to Fraunce and fought with Albinius and slewe him 12 Howe after the death of Albinius Seuerus returned to Rome and there slewe many 13 Howe Seuerus returned into Asia and conquered many prouinces 14 Of Seuerus his sonnes and of their euill inclination 15 Of a fauoured seruaunt of Seuerus named Plautianus 16 Of a certeine treason that Plautianus had ordeined againste Seuerus and howe it was discouered 17 Of the particular vices and vertues of Seuerus 18 Howe Seuerus passed into greate Britaine where he dyed The life of the Emperour Bassianus Pag. .230 Chap. 1 Howe Bassianus and his brother Geta did inherite the Empire of their father Seuerus 2 Howe in Rome they burie their Emperours and of greate ceremonies which there they vsed 3 Of the mortall hatred betwixte Bassianus and Geta his brother 4 Of an excellent speache vttered by the mother vnto her sonnes 5 Howe Bassianus to obteine the Empire vnto himselfe slewe his brother in his mothers armes 6 Of a certeine speache vsed of Bassianus vnto the Senate excusinge himselfe of the death of his brother Geta. 7 Of the greate crueltie of Bassianus and of suche as he commaunded to be slaine 8 Of the prouinces which Bassianus did trauell and the thinges which he did therein 9 Of an horrible crueltie that Bassianus committed in Alexandria 10 Of a letter which Bassianus did write vnto the kinge of Parthians to haue his daughter in marriage 11 Of another solemne letter wherein the kinge of the Parthians answered Bassianus 12 Howe Bassianus committed a greate treason against the Parthians 13 Howe Bassianus was slaine by the commaundement of his priuate capteine Macrinus 14 Howe Macrinus excusing him selfe of the death of Bassianus did aduaunce himselfe with the Empire The life of the Emperour Heliogabalus Pag. 374. Chap. 1 Of the lineage and nouriture of the Emperour Heliogabalus 2 Howe Capteine Macrinus did exalte him selfe with the Empire after the death of Bassianus 3 Howe the great matrone Mesia bought the Empire for her nephue Heliogabalus 4 Howe Macrinus did write a letter vnto the renowmed Mesia after he vnderstoode his depriuation of the Empire 5 Of a letter written by the great matrone Mesia vnto the Tyrant Macrinus 6 Howe the Tyrante Macrinus was slaine in Battell 7 Of a notable letter written by the matrone Mesia vnto the Senate of Rome crauing the confirmation of the Empire vnto Heliogabalus her nephue 8 Howe the Romane Senate did allowe the election of Heliogabalus and of the present apparance of his wickednesse 9 Of many vices that were conteined in the Emperour Heliogabalus 10 Of a letter written by the greate matrone Mesia vnto her nephue the Emperour Heliogabalus 11 Of certeine lawes which the Emperour Heliogabalus made in Rome 12 Howe Heliogabalus was thrice married and of his marrying of the Gods together 13 Howe Heliogabalus solde offices and practised many vices 14 Of the shamefull death of the Emperour Heliogabalus The life of the Emperour Alexander Seuerus Pag. 433. Chap. 1 Of the nouriture and naturall countrie of the Emperour Alexander Seuerus 2 Howe Alexander was aduaunced vnto the Empire and of his laudable manners 3 Howe Alexander being inuested with the Empire presently did visite and refourme his common wealth 4 Of the milde conditions of Alexander and of his gratefull conuersation 5 Of his zeale of iustice and other commendable actes as well touching his person as his common wealth 6 Howe warre was offered in Asia vnto Alexander and what was saide vnto his Ambassadours 7 Of a discrete speache vsed by Alexander vnto his men of warre 8 Howe the Romanes were ouercome of the Persians 9 Of other warres which he had in Germanie and as some do saye was there slaine 10 Of a solemne Oration made by Alexander vnto his men of warre 11 Of the victorie that Alexander obteined against the Persians and of his triumph as some writers doe report 12 Of thinges which he did in Rome and howe the tyrant Maximius did kill him in Britaine FINIS Jmprinted at London for Ralphe Newberrie dwelling in Fleetestreate a little aboue the Conduite ⸫