He proclamed therefore his Expedition Severus expedition into Britaine into Britaine being now old and gowtie but of more vigour and alacrity than any in the flower of youth In his Iourney he was carried for the most part in a Siegetta and rested almost in no place Having ended his Land travells he imbarks with his sonnes for Britaine where he arrived sooner than any thought or expected Presently he commands a generall Muster and raising a great power prepares for the Warre The Britaines much troubled at the Emperors sudden * Omnia repentina terrent arrival and understanding that he meant to bring all those Forces against them sent Embassadors to crave Peace and excuse their Faults But Severus seeking to protract time lest hee should returne to Rome as he came and being very eager of the Conquest and Sirname of Britaine dismisses their Embassadors without * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dispatch and provides all warlike Ammunition And to the end his souldiers might stand firme in fight and bestirre themselves nimbly and on sure ground hee gave strict charge to make Causies and Bridges over the Marish land For the most part of that Region of the Britaines being surrounded by the Oceans continuall Irruption is Fenny and Moorish In those Bogges the * The Romanes stiled all Barbarians but themselves and the Greeks Barbarians use to swim and run up and downe plunging themselves to the middle for being halfe-naked they care not for Mire or Mud. They use not Vestures but weare about their Description of Picts or Scots a branch of the Britans wasts and neckes an Ornament of Iron which they esteeme a rare accoutrement and rich abiliment as other Barbarians doe Gold They pownce and paint their bodies with curious pictures and the shapes of all sorts of Creatures in which regard they are not clad all over lest Their Elogie they should hide that brave Embroderie They are a most Martiall * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 people and very furious in fight wherein they use onely a Sword and Pike the King and Queene of Weapons narrow Shield a Pike and a Sword hanging at their naked sides As for Cuirace or Caske they use none at all deeming they would but hinder them in traversing the pools and fennes out of which the foggy vapours continually arising make the sky in that Coast alwaies cloudy Severus hauing all things in readinesse that he desired which might further the Romanes or hinder annoy the Barbarians left his younger son Geta in that * Viz. at York part of the I le which was under the Romane obedience to minister Iustice and governe the State appoynting for his Assistance his most ancient Friends and Counsellours but tooke Antonine with him to the Warre against the Barbarians The Armie having past those rivers and Rampiers which disterminate the Frontiers of the Romanes from the Barbarians made certaine petty Skirmishes and Excursions wherein they had still the better But the enemies retreated at their pleasure into their Fastnesses among the Woods and Fennes so familiar to them wherein they hid themselves which being no small * Severus lost fifty thousand in that Service Dio. detriment to the Romans did spinne the Warre to a great length Meanewhile Severus being now very aged fell into a languishing Disease which forced him to keep home and send Antonine to prosecute the warre But hee little regarding the Barbarians bended all his indeavours to win the Souldiers perswading them to make him their Chief For he vehemently aspired to sole Soveraign to which purpose hee still depraved and disvalued his brother Hee was also much vext that his Fathers Disease was so lingring and had not made an end of him wherfore he sollicited his Physicians and Attendants to dispatch the old man and mischiefe him by any meanes whatsoever At last Severus departed this life being consumed and pined away rather * Severus dies for griefe with Heart-griefe than any other malady having beene the most famous Warrier of all the Emperours For none ever got so many Victories over Civill and Forraigne Enemies He deceased * At Yorke April 4. An. Dom. 212. in the eighteenth yeare of his Raigne leaving to his young sonnes which succeeded him such a Masse of Treasure as never any did and so puissant an Armie as was unmatchable Antonine after Severus death Antonines Cruelty being now in supreme authority instantly beganne to bathe himselfe in bloud putting to death the Physicians for not hastening the old Emperors death as he commanded killing his own brothers foster fathers because they had mediated an Accord between them not sparing any that either honoured his Father or was honoured by him He sollicited also the chief Captaines and Commanders with large gifts and promises to perswade the Souldiers to proclame him sole Emperour using all possible Traines and Mines against his brother But the Souldiers would in no wise yield to it for they well knew that Severus had from their Infancie trained them in the same degree of honour and therefore they were resolved to love and honour both alike Antonine seeing hee could not prevaile with the Armie made a League with the Barbarians to whom having given peace and received their Pledges hee departed in all haste to his Mother and Brother Being come together their Mother the Empresse and all the great Lords and Counsellours of State assaied to make them friends whereupon Antonine when he saw that all opposed his Designes of constraint rather than willingly yielded to a dissembled attonement Then both the Brothers ruling with equall Authority sailed out of Britaine and tooke their Iourney to Rome carrying with them their Fathers Reliques Severus his Râ—liques For his body being burned the Ashes mixt with sweet Odours were bestowed in an Vrne of Alablaster which they tooke to Rome to place it in the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sacred Sepulchers of the Emperours They lead the Army as Conquerors of Britaine and Antonine and Geta saile out of Britaine landed in Gallia Thus have we shewed in this Booke the manner of Severus Raign and Death and how his Sonnes succeeded him in the Empire The End of the third Booke HERODIAN HIS IMPERIALL HISTORIE The fourth Booke The Contents THe two Emperours enter Rome in State What Romane Emperours Deifyed Their solemne Obsequie and Funerall Triumph Severus Deified Wrestling The Partition of the Empire The Empresse Dowager hinders it Antonine kills Geta His Prodigality and savage Cruelty His guilty Conscience His Exercises and Military Austerity He acts Alexander and Achilles Hee is royally entertained at Alexandria He offers at Alexanders Shrine His Quarrell to the Alexandrians A fear full Massacre He pretends to bee a Suiter to the King of Parthia's Daughter under which colour hee massacres the Parthians He consults with Magicians and commands them to conjure Hee is slaine Macrinus succeeds His Speech A terrible battell betwixt the Romans
this hopefull young Bad Courtiers Prince These fawning Paâ—asites placing their felicitie in Belly-cheere * In Ventre Veneâ—e and brutish lusts did ef-soones put him in minde of the Delices of Rome sometime recounting to him what brave things were there to bee seene and heard otherwhile extolling the great plenty and abundance of all things there Further they shewed how incommodious it was to reside on the bankes of * The greatest River after Nilus in all the Roman Empire Au. Gel. â— Saâ—â—st Ister which were both barren unfruitfull and perpetually subject to Cold and Raine Will your Majesty sayd they still drinke such frozen and muddy waters while others injoy the warme Bathes coole Rivers and dainty Aire of Italy With these and the like sugred Allectives they inflam'd the young Emperor with the love of Pleasures Whereupon calling his Councell together he told them he had a great desire to see his Native Countrey but being loth to shew the Reason of that sudden resolution hee said hee was afraid lest some of the chiefe Nobles should seize the Imperial Palace at Rome which being a strong Castle he might easily of the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Traine-bands and others raise a great Armie and proclaime himselfe Emperour They hearing him alledge thesâ— Uâ—â—brages in great feare and amazement lookt on the earth and knew not what to say at last Pompeianus the most ancient of Pompeianus a grave Statesman all who might best speake because of his affinity having marryed Commodus eldest sister said Pompeianus his Speech MY deare Soveraigne it is no marvell if you long to see your Countrey for there is in all of us a vehement desire to be at home but yet we checke it not withstanding because the Busines in hand doth much more import us thâ—se domestick contents may with more security hereafter be injoyed As for * * Vbi Imperator ibi Roma Rome it is there where the Emperour is But if wee abruptly breake off the Warre it will be both dishonorable and dangerous for so we shall animate the Barbarians who may thinke that we dismarched for feare of them rather than any other respect Now if your Imperiall Majesty will proceede â—â— your Conquests and extend this North part of your Empire unto the Ocean in what a glorious Triumph may you enter the City with the chained and captived Kings and Princes of the Barbarians * * In the Romane Triumphs The Captives went before the triumphant Charriot Vid. s. Amb. Ser. 62. de Pentecoste before you For thus the Romanes in ancient Heroicall times attayned so great renowne Feare not therefore any domesticke Vsurpers For the prime Senators are here with you and all the Military Forces are here ready to defend you Besides here is all the Imperiall Treasure Lastly the memory of your Father hath confirmed to you the eternall Love and Loyaltie of all Estates This strong Disswasive of Pompeianus did for a while somewhat abate the edge of the young Emperour who revering his words and having nothing to reply with his Honour dismist the Lords saying hee would better consider of it But his Courtiers still pressing him with continuall importunity hee advis'd no further with his Councell but instantly sent Letters to Rome and commanded all to prepare for the Iourney giving order to certaine Troopes to guard the Banks of Ister and keepe off the Baâ—barians Incursions They having received their Charge did soon subdue many of them and others by rewards they wonne unto them which they might casily doe for the Barbarians being naturally greedy of * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cash and not caring what dangerous Adventures they undertooke liv'd altogether by spoyling and forraging or by selling Peace at a deare rate which Commodus well knowing and having a huge Masse of Treasure to the end to leave all things in security gave them whatsoever they demanded As soone as it was proclaymed through the Army that they must all goe home there was a mighty hurly-burly in the Campe every man desiring to quit the Enemies Countrey and to taste the Delights of the Citie And when it was certain ly knowne at Rome that the Prince would come all the Romane People were ravisht with Ioy every one conceiving excellent hopes of their young Emperour and firmely beleeving hee would tread in his Fathers steps He presently tooke his Iourney Commedâ—s posteth to Rome with high speed posting in youthfull bravery in his Chariot through every Citie as he passed being Ro ally received and â—â—â—ertained with great Magnificence and generall Applause But when he drew neer to Rome all the Romane Peers and Commons every one striving to bâ— formost went out to meet mâ—n with * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—aurels in their handâ— and all kind of Flowers as the Season afforded to welcome their Noble young PRINCE whom in truth they loved most dearely and cordially in regard hee was borne and bred among them being of the most Noble The Romans dearly affect him and Imperiall Blood from three descents For by his Father hee was descended from the most Honourable Senators and his Mother Faustina the Empresse daughter to Antonius Pius and Neece by the Mothers side to the Emperour Adrian derived his Pedegree from Trajan her Great Grandfather Thus Nobly descended was Commodus who was not onely * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 conspicuous for his youthfull Prime but also for his lovely Feature being of a His Description fine Constitution of body of an amiable and Majestique Presence bright and * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sparkling Eyes yellow and curled Loâ—ks insomuch that when he walked in the Sunne his Haire would glister lâ—ke Flames of Fiâ—e which made many suppose it was powdred with Gold Others conceited it was a signe of some divine Excellence and that hee had that glistering Lustre on his head from his birth Moreover the silken downe of his Cheekes began to blossome and bud forth like Roses in the Spring This hopefull and Illustrious Emperour did the Romanes congratulate with passing hearty and affectionate Acclamations strowing all the way before him with Flowers and Garlands Having His Entrie into Rome made his entry into the Citie hee went first to the Temple of Iupiter and then to the Fanes of the other Gods Lastly having solemnly thanked the Senators and Pretorian souldiers for their singular fidelity hee reposed himselfe in the * Built on Mount Palatine otherwise called Palatium See Aurâ—l Victor de Orig Gent. Râ—m Imperiall Palace For some few yeares hee gave all due honour and regard to his fathers friends being content to bee rul d by them in all matters of weight But afterwards committing the Governement of the Empire to others hee made Perennius an Italian a Perennius a Favourite good Souldier Captaine of the Pretorian Bands who suffering the young Emperour to follow his Pleasures and wallow in all manner
execute his Command lest upon my Refusall some other should have attempted it This I come to certifie your Majestie that you may avoyd him The Tribune having done fell a weeping But Severus could not instantly credite it For Plautian's Love had taken deep root in his heart and hee suspected it to bee a meere Illusion and cunning Imposture imagining that his son the Prince out of his hatred to Plautian and his daughter had devised this stratagem deadly * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 slander wherfore instantly sending for him he sharply rebuked him for plotting such things against his deare bosome-friend Antoninus swore deeply he knew nothing of it The Tribune producing Plautians Warrant Antonine incouraged him to detect the Crime The Tribune perceiving his owne Danger and well-knowing how gracious Plautian was with the Emperor so that if now hee made not good his Charge he should bee put to a cruell death sayd thus Sir what clearer proofe or stronger Evidence can you desire yet if you will give mee leave to goe out of the Pallace and send a trusty Messenger to him to let him know that I have done his Command hee will presently believe it and repaire hither to seize the Pallace So may you learne out the Truth Onely command all in the Court to be quiet that there may bee no intelligence given to prevent the Plot. This being agreed he sends a speciall friend to Plautian to bid him come quickly now both Princes were slaine before it were blazed abroad that possessing the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Castle and seeling himselfe in the Empire he might get the Soveraignty in despight of all men Plautian believing the Message was full of hope and putting on a Cuirace for defence under his Garments the night being well spent he poasted in his Caroach to the Court taking but a few with him that supposed the Emperours had sent for him about extraordinary Affaires Being enâ—â—ed the Royall pallace without any stop the Corps de guard knowing nothing of the busines the Tribune meets him and of set purpose salutes him Emperour Plautian the Traitor betrayed then taking him by the hand in friendly sort he leades him to the Chamber where he said hee had throwne the dead bodies of the Emperours Severus having appointed some of his Guard as soone as hee entred the roome to lay hands on him But Plautian who little expected such a banquet perceiving when he was come into the Chamber both the Emperours standing there and that hee was taken in the manner being horribly afraid fell on his knees and sought them not to misdeeme him saying it was a meere Gull and Tricke put upon him Severus exprobrating his Ingratitude in rewarding his many Honours and Favours in that sort and Plautian on the other side remembring him of his ancient love and approoved Fidelity the Emperour beganne by little and little to incline to believe him till his Cuirace was discerned by the opening of his Garment Which Antonine espying being a bold chollericke Youth and bearing a grudge against him Sir quoth he what colourable answer can you make to these two poynts First you come to Vs thus late unsent for Next what is the meaning I pray of this Cuirace who uses to sup or banquet in Armour With that hee commands the Tribune and the rest that were present to dispatch him with their swords as an open enemy Plautian slaine They without dilay did as the young Emperour bade them and threw his carcasse into the High-way to bee the scorne of them that haâ—ed him This end had Plautian answerable to his exorbitant Life and Insatiate Ambition Severus henceforth made two Pretorian Prefects and spent most of his Time in his Royall houses in the Suburbs or in the Sea-coast of * The Region betwixt Rome and Naples Campania ministring †Severus was a good Law-giver S. Aur. Vici de Caesar Iustice and attending State-Affaires Hee was also exceeding carefull to have his Sonnes at Rome bred in honourable fashion For he perceived they were more addicted to Playes and Games than was agreeable to their Princely estare The pursuit whereof and their eager desire to win being stâ—ll accompanyed with different successe and vehement altercation distracted the Brethrens affections and inflamed them with Fire-brands of enmity and discord But Antonine especially now Plautian was made away beganne to be intolerable in his behaviour and formidable to all using all possible meanes to destroy his wife daughter to Plautian But Severus sent her away with her brother into Sicilie assigning them sufficient Maintenance to live plentifully imitating Augustus who dealt in like sort with Antonius sonnes when he became his Enemie And now he mainly laboured Severus Instruction to his Sonnes to reconcile his Sons and reduce them to Vnity and Vnanimity * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Remembring them out of old Stoties and Tragedies of the disasters which befell to Brothers that were Princes by such Dissentions Hee shewed them how full of Money the Treasuries and Temples were so that they needed not to seeke for Wealth and Riches abroad that had such abundance at home whereby they might bountifully reward the Souldiers at their pleasure That the Romane Guards were quadrupled and so puissant an Army lay before the City that considering the Number of men at Armes Hugenes of their bodies and great store of treasure no forraign power was able to come neere them And yet all he said would come to nought if they jarr'd warr'd one with the other Thus did hee daily schoole them and by sharpe reprehensions and faire speeches strove all hee could to bring them to sobriety and temper But all in vaine For these unbridled Gallants being in those first heats of youth flesht in all kinde of Pleasures by reason of their Imperiall State became worse and worse and were more at ods than ever by the practices of their Parasites who did not only base offices in serving their Lusts but were also still projecting new Quarrells and Debates betwixt them for their own sinister ends But Severus finding out divers of those bad Instruments severely punisht them The Emperour being in great anguish of spirit by reason of his Childrens unseemly and unprincely Demeanour received Newes from Britaine Letters from his Vice-Roy of Britaine cerifying that the Barbarians there were risen and had ranged over the Country pillaging wasting all before them that he needed therfore greater Forces to defend the * He means the Provinciated part of Britaine Place or rather that his Imperiall Majestly should come in person Severus was glad of this newes as naturally desirous of honour and ambitious after his Eastern and Northern Victories and Sirnames to make a Conquest of the Britaines Ioyfull also hee was of so faire an occasion to take his Sonnes from Rome and weane them from the Diet and Delights of the City by inuring them to a sober military life
example daily instruct them whereby they became not onely his Schollers but also * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 zealous imitators of his valour being obliged to him by Donatures and all manner of honors These young Souldiers whereof many were Pannonians applauded Maximine for his prowesse but scorned Alexander as being still Ward to his mother wholly subject to the authoritie and will of a woman which made him so slowly and unmanly to prosecute the warres whereby the orientall expedition miscarried and nothing in effect was done against the Germans And now being naturally prone to Innovation and wearied with the long raigne of the Prince which was but little beneficiall to them there being no competitors for the Empire hoping also that if some other were made Emperour beyond his expectation it would be more for their profit and preferment they resolved to kill Alexander and elect Maximine Emperour who was their comrado and fellow in Armes and for his Martiall skill and valour fittest for the present warre Assembling therefore into the field in Armes when Maximine came as his manner was to train them they invest him with Purple and salute him Emperour Maximine elected Emperour which whether it were so complotted or hee were ignorant of their intentions it is uncertaine At first he refused and threw away the Purple But when the Souldiers brandisht their Cymiters threatning to kill him if he yielded not he chose rather to avoid the present then future perill and accepted the Honour which hee said had beene oft foretold him by Oracles and dreames protesting withal to the Souldiers that it was much against his will yet he would submit to their importunity seeing they would needs have it so he wisht them instantly to take armes before the rumor were blazed to surprize Alexander that knew nothing of it that his souldiers and guard being astonisht with the newes might either be drawne to their party or being taken unprovided compelled to yield Then cheering all the Army with promising them a double portion of Corne extraordinary Donatives and remission of all punishments and penalties he leads theÌ„ straight towards Alexanders Pavillion not far thence who when hee heard of it was mightily amazed leapt forth of his royal tent like a mad man weeping and trembling and accusing Maximine as perfidious and ungratefull for all the honours he had done him and the young souldiers as perjur'd disloyall for conspiring with him Lastly he promised to give what they would have and amend whatsoever was amisse The Souldiers that were with him comforting him for the present said they would stand for him to the uttermost When the night was past and it was now day newes comming that Maximine was at hand that a great dust was seene and a huge multitude heard not far off Alexander went again into the Plaine assembling the souldiers besought them to protect and defend him that was bred up by them had raigned 14 yeares without harming any whereat all commiserating him he commanded them to take armes charge the enemy But the Souldiers though they gave him good words yet slipt away one after another and would not fight Some wisht the Praetorian Praefect and Alexanders Courtiers might bee executed imputing the mutiny to theÌ„ Others laid all the blame on his mother which by her insatiable avarice and base niggardice in scanting the souldiers had made Alexander odious Thus for some while they parlied and argued but marched not When Maximines army came in sight began to perswade them to leave that wretched woman and puny Prince that was still under his mothers wing and adhere to a valiant Souldier and brave commander that was their own companion in armes and an excellent Master in the Art Military they all presently revolted from Alexander and with one voice proclamed Maximine Emperour Alexander Extreme calamitires confound the spirit in great feare and distraction returnes to his Pavillion where hanging on his mother as they say bemoning his infortunity which happened by her meanes he expected his deaths-man Maximine being saluted Augustus by all the army commanded the Knight Marshalls and O Triâ—â—nâ— some Centurions to put Alexander and his mother to death and all that resisted Wherupon they Alexander slaine rusht into his Tent and slew him with his Mother friends and counsellors except them that a little before escaped by flight or concealment which yet soon after were all apprehended and slaughtered by Maximine This end had Alexander and his Mother having raigned 14 yeares without * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 blame or bloud For he abhorred murther and cruelty and was so mild and temperate that he suffered none to dy but those that were condemned by Law and had not his miserable Mother blasted his Honour by her â—ordid demeanour there had beene nothing wanting to have rendred him a most excellent Prince The End of the Sixth Booke HERODIAN HIS IMPERIALL HISTORIE The seventh Booke The Contents MAgnus Quartinus made Emperor against his will Macedon a base Traytor Germans good swimmers and souldiers A terrible battel in a Poole betwixt Romanes and Germanes Informers and Catch-poles â—omented by Maximine His Covetousnesse Cruelty and Sacriledge The Romanes Devotion Africke revolts A Speech to Gordian elected Emperour Vitalian slaine Insurrection at Rome Sabinus slaine Maximines Flies and Spies His Speech to the Army His Expedition to Italy Capellian defeats the Carthaginians Prince Gordian elected and slaine The Emperour Gordian strangles himself The Romans solemn Parliament in Ioves Temple Maximus and Albinus elected Emperors by the Senate and rejected by the Commons The Commons deluded Gordian Caesar Souldiers slaine A Commotion at Rome Fencers slain A Conncel of war A general pardon A Stratagem Rome fired WE have shewed in the former Book how Alexander demeaned himselfe in his 14 yeares raigne and how he died Maximine having attained the Soveraingty there followed a strange alteration For he carried himself in such rough terrible sort that the Empire was now fallen froÌ„ a faire calme rule to a stormy blustring Tyranny Knowing now he should be generally prejudged because he was the first that was raised froÌ„ the lowest step to the highest State and being also a Barbarous caitife and villaine of birth and by education custome and condition given to bloud his chiefe care was to settle himself in the Empire by crueltie supposing hee should bee otherwise contemptible to the Roman Senat and subjects who would not so much consider his present fortune as the basenes of his parentage for all men knew that first he was a Shepherd in the Mountaines of Thrace and that after being for his vastnesse activity prest for a soldier amoÌ„g his poore countreimen he was led by the hand as it were of Fortune to the Roman Empire wherefore he instantly * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 discomposed all Alexanders councellors assistants that were chosen by the Senat sending some of them to