not suppress him but made him partaker of the Empire on condition he would go against Postumus and ruin him which he could not do Afterwards Gallien mistrusting him fought against him forcing him to retire into Milan where Gallien besieging him was slain Claudius being made Emperor Aureolus submitted to him but afterwards they falling out fought and Aureolus was by the Soldiers slain contrary to the mind of Claudius who would have given him his Life After his death he built a Bridge in the Place called by his Name and erected him a Tomb. LI Legio prima MINERvia Restituta Minerva and Aureolus holding a Palm between them 5. M. Aurelius Claudius as some say natural Son of Gordian III. and a Woman of Dalmatia was born about the Year 239 reigned somewhat above two Years and died of the Plague as some say as others slain in a Mutiny of his Army about thirty two Years of Age. He was of a prodigious Strength of Body but a more Heroical Courage Prudence Integrity Constancy Justice and Capacity Valerian made very great account of him sodid Gallienus who sought by great Presents to pacifie him when he knew that he was offended at his Debauchery and at last when he saw himself dying he sent him the Imperial Ornaments in Gratitude to whom and to wipe off the Suspition of his Murder he writ to the Senate not to suffer any more of Gallienus's Friends to be put to death the Nobility being very violent against them and to give himself the honor of Consecration which were both done There were two Wars upon his hands Tetricus in France and the Goths he chused first to go against the Goths saying that Tetricus was his Enemy but the Goths the Commonwealths Enemies and though there were a vast number at least 320000 and 2000 Ships of War yet he absolutely ruined them slaying a very great number of them as he had done before also when General under Gallienus He died at Syrmium and the Senate dedicated to his honor his Statue of Massy Gold in a Discus of Gold in the Senate and his Statue of Gold also in the Capitol before the Temple of Jupiter of ten Foot high as also a Columna rostrata with his Statue on the top of it of fifteen hundred Pound of Brass He was a great Persecutor of the Christians Virtus Claudii Aug. Claudius holding an Horse intimating his Governing the Commonwealth represented often by an Horse Divus Claudius Caesar ℞ Consecratio We read not of his Consecration by the Senate this then must be according to the common Voice and Desire of the People Divo Claudio ℞ Consecratio Claudius young as about seventeen Years old shewing him after his Consecration to have renewed his Vigor and to continue always youthful 6. M. Aurelius Claudius Quintillus Brother of Claudius was chosen Emperor by the Army left in Italy and after his Brother's death confirmed by the Senate he reigned seventeen days and hearing that Aurelianus was chosen Emperor by the Soldiers he cut his Veins and bled to death or some say he was slain in a Mutiny by the Soldiers and as appeareth by his Medals Consecrated after his death 7. Victoria or Victorina seems to have been the Sister of Postumus a Woman of great Understanding Generosity and Artifice as appears by her insinuating so much into the Soldiers Affections that she made them chuse her Son and Grand-child and afterwards her Kinsman Tetricus Emperors Called Mother of the Armies and being another Zenobia Septimia as appears by a Brass Coin set out by Seguinus Zenobia seems to have been a Syrian and probably a Jewess at least by Profession or else a Samosatenian Christian tho some say Samosatenus fell into his Heresie by endeavoring to convert her from Judaism She never lay with her Husband after she had once conceived was a Woman of great Understanding Prudence Courage Constancy Gravity Eloquence Justice and Laboriousness marching a foot many times in the Head of her Infantry and haranguing the Soldiers with her Helmet sometimes also she would drink with the Officers whereby she kept those unconstant Nations always firm to her Her extraordinary Abilities and the Services done against the Persians by her Husband Odenatus and her self merited Pardon from Aurelianus At first she reigned under the Title of her Sons but afterwards she stiled her self Queen of the East designing to subject the whole East and afterwards march into the West and joyning with Victorina make themselves Mistresses of that also For which cause Aurelian came upon her and in a great Battle overcame her but offered her Peace and a quiet Retreat which she refused trusting to the Aids of the Persians Sarazens c. which Aurelian turned from her So that in fine he besieged her in Palmyrene her chief City whence she escaped upon a Diomedary but was overtaken at Euphrates brought back and carried in Triumph in Chains of Gold and rich Jewels afterwards she had Houses and Lands to a great Value near Tivoli Tiburtium where she and her Family lived a long time in great Honor and left Posterity after them in Rome Herennianus and Timolaus Sons of Odenatus and Zenobia one or both after the Death of their Father were called Augusti by Gallienus notwithstanding the whole Power was in Zenobia What became of them is uncertain most probable that Herennianus died before and that Timolaus lived with her at Tiburtium and left his Posterity at Rome Hermias Vaballathus was the Son of Herodes Son of Odenatus by another Wife to his prejudice it should seem Zenobia and her two Sons reigned or else that she governed under his Title who it seems after the Murther of his Father was brought up in some place of Armenia or there abouts under the Protection of the Romans and that Aurelian made use of his Soldiers and Subjects to quell Zenobia Most of his Medals are Reverses to Aurelianus Imp. C. Aurelianus Aug. the East mingled with some Lines of Aurelian ℞ Vabalathus UCrim PR the Image of Vabalathus crowned with Laurel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Father being called Athenes Herodianus or Herodes the Syrians commonly as this Prince had two Names one Greek the other Syrian 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being the fourth Year of his Reign which was the first of Aurelianus and in another Medal the fifth of his which was the second of Aurelian 8. Septimus was made Emperor by the Soldiers in Dalmatia and presently by them slain Zosimus also nameth one Epitymius and another Achilleus a Kinsman of Zenobia reigning in Egypt and defeated by Diocletian these two may probably be the same the Coins being inscribed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zosimus also nameth Urbanus but if not he that was Governor of Palestine and put to death by Maximianus we know nothing of him Domitianus also is named probably that Claudius Domitius Domitianus the General of Aureolus an eager and valiant Man who defeated the Macriani and in hatred to Aurelian who slew
an Army given him by the Senate to command in Gallia to whom M. Antony being forced out of Rome and Italy by Brutus and Octavius and declared Enemy by the Senate repaired and because of his Forces joined him in the Triumvirate he kept his Army up entire thinking to suffer M. Ant. Octav. Caesar and Sextus Pompeius to ruin or weaken one another so much that he might master them all But Caesar having conquered S. Pompeius did not go against Antony but turned upon him and practising with his Officers gained all his Army from him Upon his low Submission and Petition Caesar gave him his Life and left him Pont. Maximus and so sent him to Rome where he lived in great Melancholly and Contempt the rest of his days his Son striving afterwards to practise the Legions against Augustus was put to death CHAP. II. Of Augustus § 1. C. Octavius Son of Octavius and Atia Grand-child of Julia the Sister of Jul. Caesar was born upon Mount Palatine ad Capita bubula though the chief Habitation of this Family was at Velitrae A. U. C. 690. before the Birth of our Lord sixty two Years Sept. 22. having the Sign Capricorn presiding in his Nativity whereby as the Astrologers said he was promised the Empire of the World and to be a God after his death for they held that ♋ and vs were the two ports of Heaven by vs the Souls of Heroes descended and ascended by ♋ those of extraordinary Persons which made Augustus put a Capricorn upon his Coins Julius Caesar his great Uncle adopted him into the Julian Family whereby he obtained the Command Wealth good Fortune and Popularity as well as the Name of Caesar hereupon we find upon many of his Coins C. Caesar Divi Filius Julius Caesar was Murthered when Octavius was about nineteen years old and in the Country whereupon he hasted to Rome and against the Advice of most of his Friends and Kindred resolved to take upon him the Name and Inheritance of Caesar. Where M. Antony then Consul though pretending to revenge Caesar's death received him very proudly but Antony presently after designing for himself against the Commonwealth was forced by him to fly into Gallia to Lepidus and quit the Siege of Brutus at Modena Antony having got Power sent to Caesar that if he would join with him and Lepidus to revenge the Death of Caesar they would make themselves III Viri in Imitation of Caesar Pompey and Crassus who had done the same before if not they would join with Brutus and that Party against him whereupon he assented and they took upon them the Triumvirate and many Coins were stamped some in honor of each of them some in honor of them all together as that with three Hands conjoined and the Ensigns of Supreme Power Fasces Caduceus Orbe c. Presently thereupon Caesar went against Sex Pompeius the Son of Pompey the Great who by his Fautors who were many in the Senate was made Governor of the Sea Coast and had a great Navy which Caesar overcame in Sicily Of this Sextus Pompeius are many Coins stamp'd with some relation to Sea-matters as with a Neptune prow of a Ship c. and of Caesar his Victory over him and Conquest of Sicily Many also of the other III Viri either with the names of the Mint-masters Quaestor or some other of their Officers Caesar's Coin is often reversed with a Thunderbolt either to represent his own terribleness in War or the assistance from Heaven particularly from Julius his Father which as they say he often experienced in the Wars and especially in that fatal and decisive Battel at Actium whereby he became Master of the whole Roman Empire and in Memory of which he repaired the decaied Temple of Apollo there and dedicated his own Image in the habit of Apollo Actius in a long Robe his Harp c. pretending to be his Son in the Library of the Palace After the Battel of Actium he returned to Rome and there put it to the question amongst his Friends whether he should restore to the Commonwealth its ancient Liberty or take upon himself the absolute Sovereignty and constitute a Monarchy After much debate the latter was resolved and withal to avoid that Rock which had split many others and of late his Father Julius he determined to abstâ—… from all Monarchical and odious names and to content himself with the ordinary Titles of the Magistrates of the City § 2. So then whereas anciently the eldest of the Censors or Viri Censorii such as had been Censors was called Princeps Senatus and afterwards such were chosen by the Censors in their Quinquennial Muster commonly the most excellent and eminent Persons as Scipio the African continued so all his life time Octavius chused to be called by that name as of chiefest honor amongst all the Senators The same Custom was also observed amongst the Equites and Pedites and amongst the Youth also wherefore the young Caesars and some few for Honors sake before the Emperors called Principes Juventutis we find frequently called Principes Juventutis but afterwards it became a Title of the young Sons or Heirs of the Emperors besides this he was always one of the Consuls or else put in whom he might trust and named the other also So you see upon the Coins of the Emperors Cos. II. III. c. Imperator at first was not a Name of Office or Command but of Honour only The Soldiers after a Victory wherein a certain number of their Enemies were slain and therefore called by Cicero Victoria justa because in after-times they were not so punctual calling their General by the Name of Imperator So you see many times Imp. X. XVI c. i. e. called so so often by the Army Appian saith if they had slain 10000 oâ—…â—…ir Enemies yet afterwards it came to denote him who commanded all the Forces of the Commonwealth in Chief The Senate being prone to Flattery most of them expecting Preferment from him heap'd upon him all the honorary Titles that had before been bestowed upon others amongst the rest that of Pater Patriae or P P. which at first was bestowed upon Cicero for discovering and defeating the Conspiracy of Catiline They called him also Augustus a Term applied before time only to the Gods or Heroes as if he had somewhat above Humane in him And in after-times Augustus signified him that was invested in the whole absolute Power of Emperor and Caesar who was designed to be but not actually invested in the Majesty of the Emperor None but he that was Augustus designed in Medals with a Crown of Laurel the Title of Semper Augustus or perpet Augustus not found before Diocletian and Maximianus When an Emperor with Raies about his Head it should seem to signifie that he was consecrated by some City or other and that that Coin was made after such Consecration § 3. Being Consul his Sentences might be hindered and interrupted by the Tribune of the
But what he did well was for fear lest the chief Men should Conspire against him not for love of Virtue and the same fear wrought in him by Messalia and Agrippina his Wives caused him to cut off whomsoever they pleased So that he put to Death Thirty Senators 221 Equites and other Persons innumerable So Foolish and Timorous was he that when his Wife Messalina was Married openly to Silius it was a long time before he knew it and when he did durst not a great while take Vengeance of her But he was afterwards poisoned by his Wife Agrippina in a Dish of Mushrooms or Tertuffale which he loved above all other things and his Mother had longed for when Great with him Claudius had one only Son called Britannicus whom Nero and Agrippina his Step mother Murthered of him Medals very rare Yeâ—… Seguinus hath one his Head 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â„ž a naked Figure supposed to be the Sun with a Hart to shew his Swiftness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Alabanda was a City in Caria where the Sun was very much worshipped Many Medals of Claudius one reverse a Temple in which Peace or Rome crowneth him the words Romae Augusto communitas Asiae A Britain naked fighting with a Poignard against a Roman Soldier armed A Jupiter amidst seven Stars with Thunder in one Hand and a Trident in the other or a Jupiter and Neptune joyned as if both gave their Power to Claudius There arose in his days a Rebellion headed by Furvus Camillus Scribonianus Legatus in Dalmatia the Army which chused him Emperor terrified with Omens slew him the fifth day No Medals of him Seguinus hath set down a very curious Coin of Lead on the one side a Digamma a Letter sound out by Claudius and not used after his Death with a Palm issuing out of it IO. 〈◊〉 Sat. â„ž a Garland which he conceives very probably to be after the Victory Claudius obtained in Britanny Dio saith that the Gallican Legions refusing to march into Britanny he sent Narcissus his Freed-man to perswade them to it who coming to the Army and setting himself in the General 's Seat and beginning to make a Speech the Army universally cried out IO Saturnalia IO. as if Servants then ruled and turning to A. Plautius their General desired him to lead them into Britanny which he did and afterwards hearing of their good Success Claudius came in Person and attributed to himself the Victory and Triumph CHAP. IV. Of Nero Claudius Macer 1. NERO was born A. U. C. 789. A. D. 38. reigned thirteen Years seven Months Twenty eight Days died about Thirty two Years old The most abominable Monster for Lust Debauchery Cruelty and all Wickedness that ever the World saw He gave his mind to nothing laudable but Singing and Playing The Senate having voted him to be whip'd to Death through the Streets he chused rather to kill himself crying out Qualis Artifex pereo Medals many of him tho the Senate decreed his Coins should not be Currant because of the length of his Reign Yea mistrusting some such thing of the Senate 't is probable that he caused upon divers of his Coins the Pourtraict of Augustus and Tiberius to be stamped 2. As himself standing one Foot on a Globe and a Spear in his Hand as if his Valour had given him the Empire of the World The like a Roma sitting and setting her Foot upon a Globe His Figure standing Raies about his Head like the Sun in the one Hand a Laurel in the other a Victory the word Aug. Germanico perhaps to represent the Colosse he caused to be made of himself and in imitation of that of Rhodes Four Fishes perhaps coined in Greece upon the Birth of his Daughter Claudia where it was the Custom that the fifth day after the Birth of a Child the Women who had been assistant at the Labour first washed their Hands then took up the Infant and carried it running throughout all the House to the Hearth especially and then the Kindred made a Feast of such Fishes as are here expressed Lobsters Pulpes such viz. as are very Proliferous and Inciters to Lust these Feasts were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By the way Athenaeus notes that the tenth day after the Child was born the nearest Kindred met together to name the Child which they did after they had Sacrificed and Banqueted together In Rome the eighth day was commonly for Females the ninth for Males the Lustricus for purifying and naming the Child Ara pacis and another the Temple of Janus shut up the reason of opening of Janus's Temple in time of War was taken from Romulus who fighting against the Sabins and being worsted there rose up immediately out of Janus's Temple a Spring of Hot Water wherewith the Romans scalded and so vanquished their Enemies Going therefore to War they set open Janus's Temple in hopes of like Success Three Arches of a Bridge with Con. C C II. i. e. perhaps Consensu civitatum Campaniae duarum Then it signifies some Bridge made over the great Trench he endeavoured to cut between Avernus and Ostia The Port of Ostia tho upon his Medals was chiefly built by Claudius he only adorned and compleated it A Triumphant Chariot drawn with four Horses and Nero holding a Crown and Palm with the word Euthymius perhaps representing his Victory at the Olympick Games in a Race of Horses Euthymius was a Famous Wrestler of Locri who fought with the Daemon Temsus and delivered a Beautiful Damsel from him for which reason he was made a God and worshipped by the Locri who probably stamped this Medal in Honor of him An Hydraulick Instrument like our Organs in which he was much delighted as Sueton. noteth A Serpent as ready to take Fruits from an Altar which either represented AEsculapius or as a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Mother perswading him that sleeping he was preserved by a Serpent from the Trains of Messalina Besides it was a good Augury to have a Serpent come and eat upon their Altars as Virgil noteth of AEneas and that they nourished Serpents as signs of good Luck and this Nero did in the Wood of Lavinium amongst the rest Nero Caesar in his Youth â„ž a Senator 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Acknowledgment of some Favour that City received by his means Nero Radiant as the Colossus of Rhodes â„ž 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Rhodians stâ—…g themselâ—…es Rhodiâ—… Neâ—…nenses Augusti Nero like Apollo â„ž his Wife like Latona 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Europa carried upon a Bull. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 She being Venus and Astarte Nero with a Serpent about his Neck signifying Felicity â„ž An Eagle with a Palm 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The River Meles Famous for inspiring Poetry Nero and Agrippina â„ž Libertas Nero â„ž Jupiter the two Monarchs of Heaven and Earth So of Serapis also Nero. â„ž Poppaea Sabina as a Juno Nero. â„ž Messalina his last Wife as a Ceres Claudius Macer 3. Was Propraetor
one of the Fountains of Jordan afterwards rebuilt and called Caesarea Paneadis and Caesarea Philippi the two Temples one to Augustus the other to Antoninus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 AEsculapius and Venus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being quite ruined by an Earthquake as also a great part of Ionia sore shaken Antoninus repaired them and planted Coos with a Colony of Milesians therefore Antoninus and Faustina were meant by the two Deities Cybele sitting upon a Rock under her a Man with his Head and Arms above Water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Flavia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Samosate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sacrum asylum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 legibus suis vivens 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Metropolis Comagenes The Man seems to be Euphrates the Son of Arandax who finding his Son Axurta sleeping one day near his Mother by mistake slew him and afterwards drowning himself gave name to the River Euphrates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Jupiter's Head with Serapis's Bushel Ammon's Horns and Osiris or the Suns Beams AEsculapius's Serpent twisted about a Pisis or Neptune's Trident like a Mercuries Caduceus and a Cornucopia for Nilus The NT probably Antoninus as if he were acknowledged by the Egyptians to have been their Serapis or comprehending all the Gods of the Heathen â„ž 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Man on Horse-back under him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perhaps for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one of the Cabiri Corybantes or Idaei Dactili Antoninus's Head Antoninus Aug. Pius P P. TR. P. Cos. IV. â„ž a young Child swathed newly born not Faustina for she was married when he was Cos. IV. whose Mother seems there to represent Rhea or Mater Magna with the Corybantes or People with Instruments of Musick and Satyrs Antoninus's Head 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. â„ž Jupiter or Pius in his shape sitting upon Rocks and raining out of an Horn upon a Statue lying along underneath probably some River a Rock also a little House or Temple and a Cypress-Tree 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where note that it should seem I anciently in Latin was not pronounced like ee since the Greeks express it by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Seneca Ep. 58. renders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by I. Antoninus's Head c. â„ž a Woman naked sitting upon a Rock with a Water-flower in her Hand and a Water-plant behind the Rock 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Marcus Sabinus Governor of Philippopolis a City in Thrace under Mount Rhodope coined this it should seem by this that Rhodope was so called not from a Queen of Thrace but from a Nymph Daughter of Strymon got with Child by Neptune 2. His Wife was Annia Galeria Faustina Sister to AElius Caesar a foolish lightheaded Woman who denied her self nothing she desired she died at thirty six Years three Months old she had two Daughters one died in his Proconsulat married to Silianus Lamia the second was Faustina and two Sons one of whom a Medal with his Mother deified Galerius Anton. the others name not known as neither the time of their Death as neither whether the two Cornucopia's a â„ž of Antoninus be meant of them or the two Sons of M. Aurelius Faustina that hath her Hair wreathed on the top of her Head is the Mother she that hath it tied up behind the Daughter CHAP. X. Of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus and Lucius Aurelius Verus 1. M Aurelius Antoninus Son of M Annius Verus Brother of AElius Caesar and Domitia Lucilla was born A. C. 122. reigned nineteen Years ten Days died at fifty nine Years old At Syrmium by the help of his Physicians as some say in favor of Commodus Was sickly but exceeding Couragious Laborious Prudent Just Mild Learned in Philosophy especially and Chast. He put none to death but only banished them for Treason forbad Gladiators to kill one another and therefore blunted their Weapons Whilst he was Caesar he wore not Garments different from ordinary Persons nor would suffer Fire to be carried before him his word was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All things flow from Above and that he that would live or govern happily must imitate the Gods Very liberal towards all Poor Persons even the Christians as appears by Capitolinus who calleth them homines novos where see also who was Lucius Commodus Verus He gave to Hierapolis which was almost wholly Christian at one time three thousand quarters of Coin Yet held the Soul to be Mortal and the Gods to have Bodies Notwithstanding his great Wars he never forsook his study of Philosophy which yet made him not at all morose Aurelius Caesar armed riding upon a Sphinx the Emblem of Subtilty Cunning and Prudence as also of Egypt either as if by his Prudence he conquered Barbarians and all other his Enemies or particularly some Exploit in Egypt A Woman perhaps Faustina praying for the Health of M. Aurelius or perhaps of the whole Empire which was in his time much afflicted with the Plague and such Diseases before the Altar of Salus another of AEsculapius presenting a little Cake which they called Sanitatem and being put into the hands of the Idol and taken out again was accounted Sovereign for many Diseases and a small Vase it may be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or poculum Sanitatis The Temple of Mercury upon four Hermes's Over-head a Dog a Cock a Tongue Relig. Aug. for ☿ as the Inventor of Religion and Sacrifice was accounted the Genius of Piety and Religion with a Purse to shew the plentiful Provision for the Entertainment of his Temple by the Bounty of the Emperors A Dog Fidelity a Cock Vigilance and a Tongue Perswasiveness necessary to a Pontifex This God much worshipped by M. Aurelius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A King with a Diadem and Head-â—…e not unlike an Imperial one the name of the Kings of the Osdroenians Eddessenians c. which are parts of Arabia who seemed to be Christians and are divers of them called by the Fathers Viri Sancti 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Emperor presenting an Eagle to Cybele Attalus the Son of Polemon the great Sophister probably sent to the Emperor in behalf of his Country ruined by Earthquakes obtained great Succor for he repaired them and many other of those Asian Cities which worshipped the Goddess Cybele 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Two Athletes with Cestus's probably some Eminent Persons the Lacedemonians a People above all other addicted to Martial Exercises sent to the Emperor who also practised those Athletick Exercises very much to strengthen his Health as he did also Hunting and Hawking as his Father loved Fishing If it be enquir'd what kind of Hawking was then in use among the Romans whether like our Modern and of what Continuance that hath been I answer that it is out of my design to enter into such Discourses but that I am informed that a Person of Quality of this Nation hath an ancient Greek Author of this Subject ready for the Press 2. His Wife was Faustina a very beautiful and
sprightly but a vile abominable Woman for Lasciviousness and all other Wickedness which yet either her Husband was ignorant of or would not be informed or dissembled for in his Book he commends her much and when she died bewailed her in a most extraordinary manner as if he had never understood Philosophy and afterwards deified her for which Actions he is justly censured He had by her six Children as appears by a Medal of Faustina with two in her Arms and four about her No Son attained to Age save Commodus Sextus Annius Verus younger than Commodus died at the Age of seven Years by the unskilful cutting of an Imposthume behind his Ear his Father punished not but comforted the Physicians and mourned for him only five days There are Medals of him Antonius Geminus Twin with Commodus died at four Years old Annia Cornificia Sister to M Aurel. married Numidius Quadratus by whom she had a Son of the same name to whom M. Aurelius left his Mothers Inheritance he was put to death by Commodus Lucilla married L. Verus Fadilla put to death by Caracalla of the rest little known Veneri Victrici Faustina as Venus half naked holding M. Aurel. as Mars lest he should â—…o to the Wars or else getting him to her self from Fadia the Daughter of AElius Caesar. Fortunae muliebri to which she was much devoted her Temple four Miles out of Rome whither went only such as were Univirae and offered a Crown Soeculi felicitas Two Children upon a Bed When Male Children of a good House were born they carried them into the Temple of Juno Lucina and laid them upon a Bed of the bigness of that Hercules lay in when he slew the Dragons for an Omen of their future Prowess AEternitas Faustina carried upon the Wing of a Victory or Minerva or perhaps Diana Lucifera into Heaven after her Consecration AEternitas Faustina of a grand and divine Stature set between two Heroines or lesser Goddesses probably her own and Husband's Sister both installed amongst the Demi-Goddesses as coming to accompany her to Heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a City of Thrace gratifying the Emperor for setling their Peace by his Victories over their Neighbors Isis and Anubis Dog-headed whom the Egyptians conceived the chiefest God and Goddess intimating Faustina and Aurelius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Certain Quinquennalian Games celebrabrated at Actium perhaps renewed by Aurelius 3. Lucius Aurelius Verus called also Commodus before his Adoption Son of AElius Caesar was born A. C. 129. reigned about eleven years and died of an Apoplexy about forty two years old He was a Foil to M. Aurel. being Rash Heady Light headed Prodigal Voluptuous a Mocker so much given to Whoredom that at the request of a common Strumpet he cut off his Beard which he had so carefully nourished easily drawn and ordered by his Servants At first he was not so bad as after the Parthian War which he finished chiefly by his Lieutenants M. Aurelius notwithstanding with great Prudence covered his Faults and commended in him what was good i. e. to love his Servants not to dissemble not to be bloody Rex Armenis datus They say his Name was Soëinus ejected first by Valogesus who flying to the Romans was made a Senator and afterwards re-established which perhaps is shewed by his Roman habit Col. Patr ensis rather than Patricia an Athlete sacrificing and laying his left Hand upon a Term or Pillar with a Head upon it as sacrificing to ☿ the God of Games for Patrae was a City of Achaia the Theatre of Games to which Verus was much addicted The Statue of Jupiter in the shape of Verus upon the top of a Mount flaming on one side and Trees on the other perhaps Vesuvius it may be the Inhabitants thereabouts worshipped him to deliver them from the danger of those Eruptions or else as Jupiter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or President of the Mountains upon the top of which the Heathens used to worship their Gods Venus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or on Horseback 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Anatho a holy Town of the Isle Prosopites an Island made by Nilus and an Asylum His Wife was Lucilla the Daughter of M. Aurelius whom he married in his Parthick Expedition her Father promised to accompany her into Syria though he went no farther than Brundusium but her Husband lest M. Aurelius should be witness of his Debauches met her at Ephesus where they were married But before that she was possessed with the Devil which could not be ejected by any but Abertius Bishop of Hierapolis to which City after the Ejection the Emprors gave that great Largess of Corn. After Verus's death she was married to Claudius Pompeianus a very virtuous and worthy though mean Person but she maintained her quality of Emperess till Commodus being displeased with her at first banished and afterwards killed her She was a Daughter worthy such a Mother such an Husband such a Brother Her Head 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â„ž Ceres sitting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Dio speaks in Trajan's time of Manus a King of the Arabians beyond Euphrates between the Osroeni and Armenia Major possibly this Mannus might be his Son or Grand-child For Verus sending Avidius Cassius against Vologaesus a near Neighbor to this Mannus Mannus being afrighted cajoled the Empress then being at Antioch with her Husband pretending friendship to the Romans for fear 4. Under M. Aurelius and Verus arose up a Rebel Avidius Cassius a Man of many especially Military Virtues who endeavored to engage in his quarrel the Legions of Asia Syria and Egypt pretending first to restore the ancient popular Government but afterwards taking upon him the Title of Emperor he was slain after three Months by common Consent of the Armies and People wonderfully affectionate to the Virtues of M. Aurelius CHAP. XI Of Commodus 1. COmmodus was born A. C. 162. reigned 12 Years nine Months and was strangled at the Age of thirty one Years In his Impurity Brutishness Cruelty Injustice Gluttony Drunkenness Impiety equalled Caligula Nero Vitellius and Domitian He murdered his Wife his Sister his Cousin German his Aunt all his Friends and twenty four of the eminentest Persons of the Empire He violated his Sisters the Vestal Virgins had three hundred Concubines and as many This his Incontinency was augmented by the Ointments and Medicines he took to preserve him from the Plague which reigned violently in his time He defiled the Temples and Altars with Murder and Lust gave his mind to be a Gladiator Charioteer Pimp c. Yet in hate to the Senate Severus afterwards made him a God Jupiter laying his Hand on the Shoulder of Commodus I. O. M. Spon sori Sec uritatis Aug usti Col oniae Aug ustae f elio Cermeno in another Germeno a Wolf suckling two Children Rome being much desolated by a great Plague Commodus repeopled and would have it called Colonia Commodiana Now Rome was composed anciently of four Villages Romula
to the Palace where seeing the Frugal Provision made for Pertinax he scorned it very much and commanded great Preparations to be made intending to live more like Commodus to be thereby more grateful to the Soldiers to content whom also he took his Name But hereby he incurred the hate of the People whom at first he despised but afterwards slew many of them by his Soldiers and the Senate where entring he made an insolent and foolish Oration in Commendation of himself And as he invaded the Empire unworthily so he carried himself laschly and negligently especially when the People first cried up Pescennius Niger and afterwards Sept. Severus to whom he offered at last to be Partaker of the Empire which Severus refused who sent his Soldiers disguised into Rome who slew Julianus after he was condemned by the Senate His Wife was Manlia Scantilla who together with his Daughter Didia Clara married to Cornelius Repentinus her Cousin German both of them stiled by the Senate Augustae incited the old Man to take upon him the Empire Little notice is taken of them by Historians and but few Medals of them 3. C. Pescennius Niger Justus Son of Annius Fuscus and Lampridia was born when and where not known reigned about eight Months and after many Battels was slain by Severus about fifty eight Years old was called Niger because of the Sun-burntness of his Neck and Face the rest of his Body being very white Was very Sober and so Chast that he never accompanied his Wife but that he might have Children by her Rather plain open and generous than cunning yet Wife and Prudent he by Letters perswaded M. Aurelius to continue the Governors of the Provinces five Years at least that the Assistants of the Governors should succeed them that the Governors and their Counsellors should have their Salary duely paid them saying Judicem nec dare debere nec accipere Was in great Employments which he discharged with great Honor. Was because of his Valor Virtue and Generosity in the East called the Second Alexander Imitating the ancient Captains in the Discipline of War His Wife Children and whole Family were put to death by Severus Minerva Victrix Minerva reaching Niger a Crown and he offering her a Globe hereby acknowledging her for his singular Patroness Probably he dedicated some Statue to her in this Posture 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a City in Syria Euphratesianâ Niger as AEsculapius acknowledging him thereby their Saviour 5. Decimus Clodius Albinus called also Septimius by Severus when he made him Caesar Son of Ceionius Postumius Albinus and Aurelia Messalina reigned about three Years eight Months killed himself being vanquished by Severus Was Hasty Proud Cholerick Active Valiant So bold a Gladiator that he was called the Cataline of his Age. Very Lascivious a horrible Eater but little Drinker Grave exceeding severe towards the Soldiers Learned and Eloquent Commodus would have made him Caesar which he refused but accepted afterwards from Severus who honor'd him only to amuse him sending at the same time five Persons to kill him whom Albinus compelled to confess by force of Torments Whereupon he went to fight Severus and first defeated his Lieutenant Lupus and afterwards encountered Severus himself near to Lions where Severus's Party being almost overcome was restored by Laetus who brought a fresh Army whereupon Albinus through Despair killed himself and his Body was most barbarously used by Severus Saeculo Frugifero Cos. II. and another Saeculi foelicitas much what the same thing their chief Felicity consisting in Plenty A Deity-raies about his Head like Apollo a Caduceus like ☿ and a Trident like Neptune Probably the ☿ of the Galls which was the great Genius of the world and therefore Author of Fecundity the Head is the Sun presiding over the Seasons of the Year the Caduceus's Wings represent the Fecundity of the Air as the Serpents do the Harmony of the Elements and the Trident the Fruitfulness of the Water Another like the former but the Head like Cybele and an Howe instead of a Trident. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sidetensâ—…um the Second City of Pamphylia where it seems Albinus had been Governor and which Severus chose to himself two Warriors joining hands Severus in Arms as Superior the other without as Inferior 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gaditanorum a Temple and Hercules standing being much worshipped there Albinus was an African and had governed Spain Gades two Islands one belonging to Africk the other to Europe His Wife was Pescennia Plautiana Daughter of Plautius Quintillus whom Severus slew By her he had a Son Pescennius Primaeus or Prinaeus slain with his Mother though before pardoned by Severus after the Victory over Albinus CHAP. XIII Of L. Septimius Severus Bassianus Caracalla Septimius Geta and M. Opilius Macrinus 1. L. Septimius Severus Son of L. Sept. Geta and Fulvia Pia was born at Laeptis A. D. 147. reigned seventeen Years eight Months three Days and died at Sixty five Years nine Months twenty three Days old was very Active Vigilant Couragious Indefatigable Provident especially for Provision of good Understanding and a Lover of Learning tho himself not Learned but withal most horribly Ambitious Traiterous Cruel Covetous and Vindicative more than any of his Predecessors having put to Death Forty of the eminentest Persons of the Empire at once without hearing their Cause upon Suspition of their Conspiring with Albinus for which being exceedingly hated he endeavoured to engage the Soldiers to himself by giving them many Gifts and Licences to wear Gold Rings to have Wives with them c. the cause of much Misery and Ruine of the Empire and even of himself for as soon as Caracalla came into his Youth they began to cast their Eyes upon him and neglect Severus made Caracalla Augustus in despight of him which so heightned him that he continually sought to kill his Father sometimes by Poyson sometimes by the Sword which so enraged the Gouty Old Man that his Disease increased exceedingly and became so insupportable that he would have killed himself but was hindered and at last eat so enormously on purpose that he died upon it after he had in vain endeavoured to punish his Son whom he mortally hated Dying he said Omnia fui nihil expedit Diis Auspicibus c. Col. II. Hercules and Bacchus with a Dog Severus going to fight in the East against Niger purposing also to invade the Parthians and Indians Sacrificed to these two Gods under whose Auspicia Standards of the one as a Victor over Tyrants of the other as over the Indians Auspicia also they called the Sacrifices they made the day of their entering their Office or Employment The Heroes anciently were said to have Dogs with them both because of their Fidelity c. and of their Divination they attributing much to their Barking Howling or Fawning Hercules's Dog crushing a Purple Fish discovered to Hercules that excellent Die Saeculi felicitas a Crescent with Seven Stars shewing the numerous
not Cruel yet Prouder Statelier than his Father was born A. D. 218. and was slain with his Father about twenty one Years Old Col onia Fl avia Pac ifica Diylt um a City in Thrace so called An Apollo He was betrothed but not married to Junia Fadilla of the Family of Antoninus Pius as it should seem After his death she married Toxotius There rebelled against Maximinus Magnus a Commander in his Army whom he slew and with him four thousand Soldiers unheard Titus Quartinus General of the Strangers in favor of Alexander Severus whom a private Soldier slew and cut off his Head His Wife was Calphurnia both of them very Wise and Virtuous Persons Also Pompeianus possibly M. Aur. Cl. Pompeianus Grand-child of M. Aurel. Anto. chosen by the Senate after Gordian's death he died suddenly two Months after his Election CHAP. XVI Of M. Anton. Gordianus Father and Son § 1. M. Anton. Gordianus Son of Mettias Marullus and Ulpia Gordiana was born A. D. 158. reigned eighteen Months and hanged himself because his Son was defeated and slain through Despair being above eighty Years Old He was exceedingly Noble Rich and Learned was also of very good Reputation for Prudence Moderation Sobriety Neatness Liberality and Magnanimity He was proclaimed Emperor being absent at Thysdrum in Africk his Government utterly against his will nor did he accept of it till constrained by force He associated his Son to him and sent him with a new raised Army against Capellianus who headed the Army of Maximin by whom he was slain which the old Man hearing rather than come into the Hands of his Enemy hanged himself Both their Bodies were as they were a Transporting to Rome to their Sepulchres drowned in the Sea His Wife was Fadia Orestilla Daughter of Annius Severus of the Family of Antoninus § 2. M. Antoninus Gordianus their Son was born A. D. 192. and slain about forty six Years Old was a Man of very good Understanding Honesty Integrity Civility but not used to Wars and besides much given to Pleasure for he married not but kept many Concubines he was Bald and of a long Visage by which only his Medals are distinguished from his Fathers His Sister was Mettia Faustina married to Julius Balbus CHAP. XVII Of D. Caelius Balbinus M. Clodius Pupienus Ant. Gordianus 1. D. Caelius Balbinus was born A. D. 179. reigned about a Year and with Pupienus was slain by the Soldiers about the Age of sixty Years was of a noble Family very Rich Prudent Cheerful Bountiful Sincere peaceful Disposition He was esteemed a great Politian having governed many Provinces with great Reputation but not experienced in War therefore there was joined to him Pupienus a severe warlike Person these two falling to despise one another and both of them the young Gordian together with some discontents which the Soldiers received about their Election made the Soldiers kill them both Foelicitas temporum Three Obelisques dedicated to him Pupienus and Gordianus Two Hands joined Balbinus and Pupienus Patres Senatus 2. M. Clod. Pupienus Maximus Son of Maximus and Prima was born A. D. 175. reigned about one Year and was slain aged seventy four Years was of a severe Countenance Sober Just Chast Clement Pardoning as soon as any demanded it not Cholerick Prudent in Affairs very Valiant Experienced and Fortunate in Wars Loved by the Senate and feared for his Severity by the People who therefore Mutining would not be appeased till Gordianus also was joined with them He presently went against Maximin and by Prudent managing his Affairs destroyed him Jovi Ultori Jupiter naked marching with a Whip in his Hand either against the Gyant Maximin or the Persians whither Pupienus designed to go as if the God of the Romans Jupiter had taken the Whip out of the Hand of the Sun the Persian God A. K. M. K. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ℞ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Tarsi Metropolis Amano idicae Ciliciae Secundo Anno. A Sea-Monster or Deity playing on a Shell with a Stern and Dolphin above perhaps Amphitrite the Wife of Neptune perswaded to marry him by the Dolphin The Stern signifying some Supreme Power her Trumpet or Shell to call and give orders to the Sea to Ebb and Flow Calm c. 3. M. Anton. called both Antonius and Antoninus Gordianus Son of Gordianus the African or as some say of his Sister was born A. D. 226. reigned six Years was Murdered by the Treason of Philippus at the Age of twenty two Years was nobly descended very well inclined Knowing Eloquent defective in nothing but Age and exceedingly beloved of all Men till giving himself to his Pleasures his Eunuchs and Courtiers took Licence to do many Injustices But after he married Tranquillina the Daughter of Misitheus an upright wise and experienced Man he was guided wholly by his Counsels and first chased away those Vermin of Courtiers and set good Men in Command and prospered mightily reducing Sabinianus a Rebel and Conquering the Persians till Misitheus dying the Traytor Philip turning by many Artifices the Army against Gordianus at last Murdered him He was afterwards Consecrated Col. Tyr. Metrop Ambrocie Petre. Two Rocks a Cup with Fire and a Purple Fish U. S. Two Stones near Tyrus of which many Stories Serapis with his Basket and a Garland 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Carrae a City in Mesopotamia after his Persian Victory set up it should seem a Statue in Honor of Gordian as to Mars Romanus before which they Sacrificed upon an Altar A Cybele and Crescent the Gods worshipped in all those Countries being the Dea Syria 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apollo in habit of a Goddess with his Tripos Snake Crow c. being much worshipped there though rendring Oracles only in Winter and in Summer at Delos About Patera he was born where when he was young a little Girl brought him in a Box divers sorts of Sweet-meats which the Wind taking from her carried into the Sea which cast them up not far thence where they built Patera after the name of the Box which is marked by the Crow sitting upon a Box in the Medal Or it may be the Box signifies Ointment and Medicines in which Lycia abounded and of which Apollo the God of Health makes use 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 B. N. bis Neocorus Ao 1 o Gordiani here designed very young with a Mountain upon his Head as the Sovereign Genius of that famous Mountain Argaeus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Emperor and Empress as taking Palms to bestow on the Victors at their Games in the Front of a Temple under a Hill representing the Situation of Nicomedia Gordian and Asgarus Asgarus probably acknowledging the Resettlement of him in his Kingdom or some part of it to Gordian The Ox Mnevis with a Peach upon his Head and a Garland about his Neck 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perhaps some great Body of the Ephesians dwelling at Alexandria 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Seleucia in Cilicia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
them to death and proclaimed himself Augustus Gallienus Consecrated his Son Dii Nutritores Jupiter giving a Victory to his Father both of them are called his Nourishers Jovi Crescenti Valerian an Infant upon a Goat it being their Custom first to set them upon Sheep and Goats and afterwards upon Horses Q. Jul. Saloninus Gallienus was the second Son of Gallienus little known of him the Historians confounding him with his Brother only their Medals shew them several Persons Some Inscriptions also mention a Sister they had called Julia Galla who being possessed with the Devil was dispossessed by S. Zeno Bishop of Verona She was married to Serg. Terentianus Prefect of the City 4 P. Licinius Valerianus was Brother to Gallienus by the Father but not the Mother He was made Caesar by his Father and Augustus by his Brother with whom he was also slain A. C. 269. for as Gallienus and he were Marching against Aureolus the Army seeing no hopes from them to chace away the Goths and Barbarians or recover Gallia Brittanny and part of Spain possessed by Tyrants they slew them Though Valerian was of good Understanding Valiant and not at all debauch'd insomuch that Gallus lamented much his death and erected him a Sepulchre Deo Volkano he erected a Temple to him as his Brother did to Mars he being as necessary to war as any other God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Seems to be the City it self sitting and holding an Image of Juno Pronuba upon her Head perhaps intimating the Marriage of this Prince with His Wife Cornelia Supera as is very probable though Historians mention her not yet some Medals do CHAP. XXI Of M. Cassius Latienus Postumus his Son Lollianus M. Aurelius Marius Lucius AElianus Cecrops Appius Claudius Censorinus M. Acilius Aureolus M. Aurelius Claudius Claudius Quintillus Victorina Zenobia Herennianus Timolaus Vaballathus Septimius Domitianus Firmius C. Tetricus and his Sons 1. M. Cassius Latienus Postumus born in France of mean perhaps Equestrain Parents was of all the Tyrants the most Illustrious Generous Constant Magnanimous Wise and beneficial to the Commonwealth a Valiant and experienced Captain an excellent States-man and true Justicer Wherefore he was marvelously beloved not of the Gauls only but many of the Roman Senators went over through discontent unto him Being made Emperor and having slain the Son of Gallienus Gallienus came against him with a great Army and was vanquished in another Battel he got the better and besieged Postumus in a strong City but his Army was so harassed with the Siege and himself wounded that he quitted the Siege and retired into Italy where he made Peace with Aureolus on purpose to reinvade Postumus more fiercely but he succeeded not Postumus therefore went about to settle Gallia and to reduce all things to very good order for the space of Ten Years till Lollianus another General raised a Party of the Barbars against him but Postumus overcame and besieged him in Mentz which he also took but denying the Pillage of it to his Soldiers they mutined slew him and chused Lollianus in his stead Postumus's whole Face to shew his Clemency c. ℞ his half Face armed to shew his Valour Postumus and his Son ℞ Mars and Julia Donata resembling Victory Wife of Postumus as is conceived Herculi Deusoniensi Deuson a Town in Germany probably Duyts near Colen called also Deutsch near to which probably Postumus was born Postumus Father and Son ℞ Victory and Peace Felicitas Aug. perhaps many of his Medals signed with Victoria is meant Victoria or Victorina Mother of Victorinus probably his Sister A Galley Laetitia Aug. probably for some Conquest by Sea or over Britanny Minervae Fautrici It should seem he was equally Learned as Warlike and for that Reason Valerian committed the Education of his Son Gallienus unto him as Gallienus did his Salus Provinciarum the Rhine upon whose Banks all along Posthumus built Forts to hinder the Irruptions of the Germans into the Roman Provinces His Wife as appears by an ancient Medal was Julia Donata of whom nothing writ 2. Caius Junius Cassius Latinius or Latienus Postumus was his Son to whom Valarian committed the Government of Gallia Narbonensis But Postumus being declared by the Army Emperor made him Caesar and afterwards Augustus He was so Eloquent that divers of his Controversies are taken for Quintilian's He much resembled his Father in Manners as also in his Countenance only he was not so curled nor so flat nosed It is supposed he died naturally before his Father no mention being made of his death AEternitas Aug. Three Heads Radiant one in Face the other half fac'd representing perhaps the Wise and Children of Postumus not mentioned by Historians but the like Medal of Severus is so interpreted Postumus on Horse-back speaking to his Soldiers Exercitus Iscamicus perhaps the Legion that lay at Caerleon in Britanny 3. Spurius Servilius Lollianus Commanded part of Germany and was General of the Horse under Postumus whose old Age despising he rebell'd and chose Mentz for the Seat of the Wars he reigned one Year before Postumus's death Afterwards making the Soldiers work at the repairing of the Fortresses on the Rhine with too much Severity they slew him M. Aurelius Marius at first a Smith afterwards a Soldier got by his Valor and Industry to be chosen Emperor after Postumus's death He was a Man of vast Strength Pride and Insolency though Historians say he reigned but three days yet it is manifest by his many Medals that he reigned some while both in Gallia and Britanny Victoria seems to signifie his Victory in Britanny of which V. Camdenum Lucius AElianus was made Emperor after Lollianus by the Army about Mentz he reigned but awhile being slain either by Tetricus or Claudius Victoria Aug. the only Medal found of him 4. Cecrops or Cecropius a Dalmatian was he that much assisted Claudius to obtain the Empire not only aiding Heraclianus and Martianus to entrap Gallienus but himself giving the false alarm that Aureolus was a coming and giving him the first and mortal stroke It should seem that he rebelled against Aurelian not Gallien Zosimus also nameth one Antoninus of whom nothing is known Appius Claudius Censorinus a Person of great Reputation having honorably discharged all the great Offices of the Empire and in his old Age retired was forced by the Soldiers to take the Empire against Claudius those very Men slew him who forced him to be chosen He was buried near Bologna with this Inscription Felix ad omnia infelicissimus Imperator He reigned three Years as appears by a Medal of his M. Acilius Aureolus a Dacian and at first a Shepherd but being Active Vigilant Valiant c. Gallien made him General of the Horse and he served him with great Success a long time he was afterwards made Governor of Illyricum where by the Soldiers he was made Emperor having defeated Macrianus and entertained the rest of his Army he took upon him to be Emperor Gallien could
M. Annius Florianus Brother to Tacitus's Mother was chosen Emperor after Tacitus's death he reigned two Months and either killed himself or was slain by the Soldiers unanimously favoring the Election of Probus He was not so sufficient as desirous to govern and therefore immediately after his Nephew's death seized upon it But hearing that the Syrian Legions had chosen Probus he left the Goths half conquered permitting them to return into their Country to go fight Probus and to that purpose march'd to Tarsus Probus being weaker delay'd to fight till the Advantages were equal when the Armies came in sight they separated without fighting as endeavoring an Accommodation But Probus mean while debauched Florianus's Legions from him insomuch that Probus's Soldiers came to Florianus and took away his Robes but he taking heart put them on again and sent to Probus to know if he would partake of the Empire Probus having got all the Soldiers sent him word that he must either be a private Man or dye So he chused to have his Veins cut and died A. P. Sempronius Saturninus a Gaul a Man of great Abilities and who had done very eminent Services for the Empire was by Valerian set over the Eastern Limits of the Empire but forbid to come into Egypt Yet in Aurelian's time he came to Alexandria where he was presently saluted by that giddy People Augustus which he refused and immediately retreated into Palestine where considering with the Soldiers that what had been done was sufficient to give Umbrage to Aurelian who never pardoned and that therefore they were in eminent Danger the Soldiers forced him to accept the Title which he maintained till Probus's reign who offered him pardon if he would lay down his Arms which the Soldiers fearing Revenge would not suffer him to do So Probus came against him and with very great difficulty forced him into a Castle there besieging him and there he was slain against the will of Probus who would gladly have preserved him 5. Q. Bonosus a Britain but spending most of his time in Spain was made Governour of the Frontiers of Rhetia the Grisons he was a very great Drinker yet never Drunk and Aurelian made use of him to make the Embassadors of the Barbarous Nations Drunk and get out their Secrets The Germans burning one time all the Roman Veâ—…els that were upon the Rhine and in his Custody fearing Punishment he made himself be declared Emperor and maintained himself in Gallia a great while till after a long and sore Battle being conquered and taken by Probus he was hang'd His Wife was Hunila Daughter of a King of the Goths a Beautiful Virtuous and Discreet Woman whom being Captive Aurelian gave to Bonosus to the end that being next to the Barbarians by her means he might have better Intelligence concerning them By her he had two Sons they were all honourably maintained by Probus after Bonosus's death Titus AElius Proculus a very Valiant and Experienced Captain but much given to Lust was perswaded by his Wife to make himself Emperor which with the help of the Lionois and some Slaves added to his Army he did but was first chased by Probus then taken together with his Son Herennianus whom he intended to make his Companion in the Empire and slain His Wives name was Viturgia called also Samso an Ambitious Woman CHAP. XXIII Of M. Aurel. Val. Probus M. Aurelius Carus M. Aurel. Numerianus J. Sabinus Aurelius Carinus Eugenius 1. M. Aurel. Val. Probus Son of Maximus a Man Famous amongst the Soldiers was born A. D. 231. reigned seven Years more or less and was slain by his Soldiers at Syrmium the place of his Birth He was very Mild Just Liberal but severe towards the Soldiers never suffering them to be Idle insomuch that at their leisure times he made them Plant Vines in several Countries as Hannibal to whom he was compared filled Africk with Olive-trees yet very liberal to them never retaining to himself any thing of the Spoil but the Arms. He was so Moderate that he withstood as much as he could being chosen Emperor though in all Mens Judgments the fittest for it He was mightily esteemed by all the preceding Emperors Valerian making him Tribune of the third Legion before he had a Beard Aurelian designed him for his Successor Tacitus would have had him chosen Emperor and made him Lieutenant General through all the East At twenty Years old he sought against the Sarmatae where he was honored with four Hastae purae two Vallares Coronae one Civique four Ensigns Military two Bracelets one Chain and a Plate of Gold weighing five Pound After the Death of Tacitus the chief Officers speaking to the Soldiers to chuse an Emperor Fortem Sanctum Verecundum Clementem Probum they all cried out with one accord Probe Dii te salvent His first care was to search out and punish all those that had alarmed Tacitus or had any hand in the Murther of Aurelian but all that assisted Florianus he pardoned The Senate was infinitely rejoyced with his Election for indeed never any Man had performed such and so many noble and heroical Exploits before being Emperor as he had done nor any Man in so short a space of time so many after for in Gallia he slew at divers Battles Four hundred thousand Barbarians took from them Seventy Towns with all the Booty and Wealth they had got nine Kings he had Prisoners at one time Afterwards he marched into their the Germans Country destroyed their Army took Semnon their King and his Son Prisoners He defeated the Franks Vandals Bargundians and took their General Ingillus and sent the Prisoners to People Britanny Thence he went against the Sarmatae whom he forced to restore all that ever they had taken from the Romans Thence into Thrace where he so frighted the Goths Scythians and Getae that they absolutely submitted to him Thence he passed into Asia destroyed in Isauria the dangerous Thief Palfurius and settled all the Provinces Thence he went into the East where he subdued the Blemmyes took the strong Cities Copten and Ptolomais He so frighted the Persians that they sent to beg Peace which he refused Mean while he sent vast Numbers of Barbarians to People the wast Regions of the Empire some of whom rebelled and spoiled others of the Provinces Having triumphed over an infinite number of Nations he departed to go against the Persians when employing his Soldiers to drain some Marshes about Syrmium and withal saying That he hoped after a while there would be no more need of Soldiers which was an Aim more glorious than ever any had before him his Army mutined against him and slew him Nor indeed was there any of the ancient Heroes to whom he was Inferior He was Consecrated Siscia Probi Aug. probably his Birth Place a City in Pannonia situated between the Savus Saw and Colapis Calpa which makes an Island called Segestica wherein Siscia is situated now called Sisceck the chief Town of
to Constantine But his Hypocrisie discovered it self after a while for being at Nicomedia he first turned all Christians out of his Court peâ—…secuted the rest openly shewed himself a Zealous Professor of Paganism and withall he 〈◊〉 ravishing Senators Wives and Daughters of all which Constantia advertising her brother secretly he resolved to make War upon him for that and the business of Bassianus and after a long Fight near Cibala in Pannonia forced him to fly to Syrmium and thence into Dacia where making Valens Caesar he raised a new Army and fought again in Campo Margiensi where the night coming on hindered that Licinius was not totally defeated So he marched away to Beraea in Macedonia and there sent an Ambassador to Constantine to beg Peace whom after a long time of Deliberation whether he should receive him at length he heard and granted Peace upon certain Conditions After which they made Crispus Constantine and Licinius Caesars But Constantine being gone against the Goths and Sarmatae Licinius began a new horrible Persecution against the Christians and complained of Constantine with Threatnings for taking away Thrace from him making it the Seat of the Wars against the Goths with whom it seems Licinius held Intelligence and made use of against Constantine After many Treaties of Accommodation c. Constantine assembled a great Army and Fleet and fell upon him Jul. Crispus Son of Constantine by Minervina his former Wife commanded the Fleet and was sent against him in Asia whilest Constantine fought with him about Hadrianople who disordered and vanquished Licinius killing Thirty four thousand and forcing his Camp Licinius fled to Byzance where rallying his Men and making Martinianus Emperor he got up a new Army But Constantine besieged him in Byzance Crispus also with his Fleet defeated Licinius's Fleet coming to his Aid which Licinius hearing retired with his Wife Son Treasures and Army to Chalcedon and whilest Constantine besieged Byzance he got Aid from the Goths which Constantine hearing lest Crispus before Byzance and went himself into Bithynia to fight Licinius they met near Chalcedon where Licinius lost his Army and escaped with some Horse to Nicomedia where he was besieged by Constantine there Licinius begged his Life by his Wife Constantia which was granted and he was sent to Thessalonica where practising new Insurrections he was put to death His Wife was Fl. Valeria Constantia Sister to Constantine a Christian Prudent and Virtuous endeavoring all she could to hinder the Persecution and Solace the Christians after Licinius's death her Brother treated her so Nobly and Honorably that she was in the same esteem with him as Helena his Mother had been Yet afterwards she turned Arrian and perswaded Constantine to recall Arrius who was banished Afterwards she seemed to return Catholick She had by Licinius one Son called Licinianus Licinius Fl. Valer. Licinianus Licinius Son of Licinius and Constantia was born A. D. 312. was made Caesar at twenty Months old at fourteen Years old was put to death by Constantine by the Practices of Fausta to whom perhaps jealous for her own Sons his hopefulness gave some Umbrage if not to Constantine himself Who foresaw that his Fathers old Officers applying themselves to him might probably make some Disturbance He seems also to have been very Opiniastre in his Paganism which made him suspected by his Mother and her Court fearing some danger from the Pagans whose Head this young Man seemed to be as the Family of Constantine of the Christians Constantine after his Fathers death made him Consul with himself and always used him as his own Son 12. Calocerus Master of the Camels rebelled in Cyprus and made himself King but Constantine sent an Army took him and executed him as a Thief Fl. Delmatius Hanniballianus Son of Constantius and Theodora half Brother of Constantine was made Censor by Constantine and probably Caesar also as were also his Sons and the rest of Constantine's Brethren though inferior to his own Sons or perhaps only Nobilissimi which were inferior to Caesar's but above Patricii He died before Constantine or before his Sons were advanced who were Delmatius and Hanniballianus Fl. Jul. Delmatius was his eldest Son and very hopeful in many things resembling Constantine who made him Caesar and Cos. A. D. 333. He overcame and took Prisoner Calocerus He resided ordinarily with the Army in Mesopotamia and after Constantine's death he was designed Governor of Thrace Macedonia and Achaia But Constantius as many say jealous of his Greatness and Favor underhand practised the Souldiers to Mutiny against and Murther him after he had reigned three Years Fl. Claudius Hanniballianus was the younger Brother and by Constantine made Rex Regum and Gentium Ponticarum i. e. Cappadocia and Armenia Minor and had his Daughter Constantina to Wife he gave him that Title probably to shelter him from the Jealousie of his own Sons which yet he could not do for it is very probable that he also was put to death by the Practises of Constantius Securitas publica A River it should seem Euphrates underneath Con. Ob. i. e. Constantinopoli Obsignata Shewing that he was set there in those Countries upon Euphrates to guard that part of the Empire against the Persians Flavia Jul. Constantina was his Wife after whose Death she was married to Constantius Gallus Son of Constantius Brother of Constantine and caused much evil to the Empire being Mortalis Megaera and ruined her Husband most miserably but he being called to give account of his Actions to Constantius this Constantina went before in hopes to pacifie her Brother but died in the way of a Feaver She seems not to have been that Constantina that built the Church of St. Agnes at Rome and wherein her self with her Aunt Constantia were Baptized CHAP. XXV Of Fl. Valer. Constantinus Magnus Fl. Jul. Crispus Fl. Jul. Constantius Fl. Claud. Constantinus Fl. Jul. Constans Flavius Popilius Nepotianus Constantinus Vetranio Magnentius Magnus Decentius Fl. Jul. Gallus Silvanus 1. FL. Valer. Constantinus the only Son of Constantius and Helena was born at Naissus in Dardania as others in Dacia as others in Thrace A. D. 272. reigned One and thirty Years ten Months and died of a natural death Anno AEt 65. and some Months He was Magnus and Maximus because of his very great Dignity and Power nothing laid to his Charge but that he was too severe especially towards those of his own Family having put to death his Son Crispus though for a Pretext he served himself of the Accusation of his Wife Maxim Fausta probably for fear least he should have proved too Great for him having obtained many great Victories and being much honored by all Men. So that Constantine seems to have been too Ambitious and Covetous of Honor jealous of his State and Dignity and Bloody sometimes in his Humour especially in his declining Age. He was also too Negligent in his Expences and not sufficiently capable to prefer Persons of best Worth to publick Charges
the rest having been Fortunate against the Barbarians in several Rencounters Constans being Gouty and unable to endure the Fatigues of War he resolved to make use of his Reputation amongst the Soldiers against his Master who in a Sedition and Mutiny of the Soldiers had protected him from their Violence by his own Robes assisted especially by Marcellinus Captain of Constans's Guard and Chrestus Intendant of the Kitchin At Autun then Magnentius celebrating the Birth-day of his Son feasted all the Chief Officers of the Army and City and when they had well drank till late in the night Magnentius went forth and returned clothed with Purple and his Guards as Emperor shewing himself to the Company who after a short but efficacious Speech declared him Emperor and adored him according to the Custom so did the Citizens by little and little and the rest of the Army also corrupted by his Largess Then keeping the Gates shut that none could go forth he chose those of his Men in whom he most confided commanded by Gaiso to surprise Constans who mistrusted nothing and as he was returned from Hunting wearied and asleep at Elne in the County of Rousillon they slew him awaked with the noise and endeavoring to save himself in Spain To the Officers also whom he knew Faithful to Constans he sent Letters in Constans's name to come to him with all speed these he slew by Ambuscades and other Treacheries to a very great number and so seized upon Gallia and Britain Spain Africk Sicily and Italy till the Legions of Pannonia chused Vetranio whom Magnentius endeavored to joyn to himself But Constantius having joyned to his own the Army of Vetranio marched to meet the Tyrant creating Gallus Son of Constantius his Uncle Caesar naming him Constantius and leaving him to govern the East To ballance which Magnentius also made his Brethren Decentius and Desiderius Caesars and sent them to raise Men c. The Armies on either side marched to fight and Constantius's Vantguard was ill handled by an Ambuscade of Magnentius's which encouraged the Tyrant so that laying a Bridge over the Savus heightned also by the Revolt of Silvanus from Constantius and by Constantius's sending Philippus to Magnentius to treat of Peace he marched his Army which was there encountred by Constantius's Soldiers and almost ruined So that he was forced to pretend that he came to make Peace and take Conditions of Constantius which Philippus there proposing he assented unto whereupon Constantius gave him leave to march his Army into Pannonia where he ruined Siscia and many other Cities and grew so proud that he sent to Constantius to surrender the Empire and beg his Life Constantius answered God would Revenge his Treason Mean while the Tyrant besieged and assaulted Syrmium where he was beaten off with great loss thence he went to Mursia where Constancius having defeated an Ambuscade at Cibalis fought a very sore Battle with him getting a great Victory loosing Thirty thousand and killing Thirty six thousand and eighty This being in Autumn and Constantius's Army being much weakened he sent part of his Horse to pursue them The Tyrant rendezvouzed at Pavia which he fortified and quartered his Men so Advantagiously that he feared little of Constantius and so gave himself to all Voluptuousness but in the end of Winter Constantius sending part of his Army to compass them about he came with the rest and forced him to fly into Gallia where using all sorts of Cruelty he retired to a Castle and sent to Constantius to beg Pardon who denied it Mean while the People seeing him in this condition refused to send him Succor yea his own Army to beg their Peace beset him at Lyons intending to deliver him up alive to Constantius For which cause entering into a Rage he slew all his Kindred and Friends that were present and last of all himself also Forty two Months after his Election Victoria Aug. over Nepotianus Libertas Romanorum to worship Idols 9. Magnus Decentius Brother to Magnentius was a warlike Man and left by his Brother in Gaul to govern and assure it to their Party where he was defeated by Chnodomarius set on by Constantius but as he was leading an Army to his Brothers Assistance having heard that he had slain himself he also strangled himself at Sens. Desiderius his other Brother some say Magnentius slew with his Mother and Kindred when he killed himself also others say he was only wounded and that his Wounds being healed he presented himself to Constantius who pardoned him 10. Fl. Jul. Gallus called Constantius when created Caesar by Constantius was born at Massa in Tuscany A. D. 325. he was made Caesar and sent to govern the East where he reigned betwixt three and four Years was put to death by the Command of Constantius about the Twenty ninth Year of his Age he was Rude Simple Light-headed and Bloody though this not so much of his own Inclination as through the Suggestions of the Fury his Wife He was brought up in Cappadocia and escaped when his Father Brother Uncle and Cousins were murthered by reason of Sickness as Julian did because of his Infancy they were both intended by Constantius for Church-men and were brought up accordingly He carried himself very valiantly against the Persians and Jews and was always an Orthodox Christian. Constantius married his Sister Constantina to him and made him Caesar being Twenty five Years old After a while he began to practice against the Emperor and put to death his best Friends and Officers of which and other his Violences and Tyrannies Constantius being informed drew him to him with fair words and shews though he doubted a long time and if he could have found his Men Faithful he would have declared himself Augustus but by his Cruelty Insolence and Inconstancy he had got the Hatred of all Men. So sending before his Wife to make his Peace as well as she could who died of a Feaver contracted by Indignation to see her self in that condition he departed from Antioch towards Constantinople by the way Constantius discharged him of part of his Train and afterwards set a Guard upon him who took away his Robes put him into a Hackney-Coach and carried him to Pola where being examined he was put to death having been a long time tormented with the Apparitions of those he had murthered 11. Silvianus the Son of Bonitus a Tribune was a valiant and prudent Man who was Faithful to Constans but was forced to follow in the Army of Magnentius till he found an Opportunity to go over to Constantius which he did with all his Men who made him General of the Infantry He was a Man of great Capacity a Christian Generous c. But Constantius grew Jealous of him which made him for the Safety of his Life to declare himself Emperor at Colen whither Constantius had sent him to fight against the Germans who had done much hurt in Gaul for the Flatterers and Sycophants of Constantius's