the_o prerogative_n shall_v be_v lower_v and_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o subject_a advance_v and_o arbitrary_a power_n shall_v sink_v into_o a_o aristocracy_n that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n why_o they_o shall_v esteem_v he_o unworthy_a of_o the_o empire_n or_o judge_v it_o the_o error_n of_o a_o blind_a chance_n by_o which_o he_o be_v exalt_v from_o a_o private_a gentleman_n of_o rome_n to_o this_o high_a station_n that_o there_o be_v no_o advantage_n in_o high_a birth_n unless_o it_o be_v accompany_v with_o moderation_n and_o clemency_n that_o the_o gift_n of_o fortune_n be_v often_o cast_v on_o those_o that_o do_v not_o deserve_v they_o but_o the_o virtue_n of_o the_o mind_n stamp_v a_o real_a value_n and_o dignity_n on_o all_o that_o possess_v they_o that_o estate_n luster_n of_o family_n etc._n etc._n may_v make_v a_o man_n happy_a but_o be_v not_o good_a topic_n of_o commendation_n because_o they_o be_v derive_v from_o other_o but_o gentleness_n and_o humanity_n be_v not_o only_o admire_v by_o all_o man_n but_o redound_v to_o the_o real_a praise_n of_o those_o who_o they_o adorn_v that_o the_o public_a have_v receive_v no_o benefit_n from_o the_o noble_a parentage_n of_o commodus_n nor_o from_o antonine_n succeed_v his_o father_n that_o these_o prince_n take_v the_o empire_n as_o it_o be_v by_o right_o of_o inheritance_n and_o abuse_v it_o as_o their_o own_o patrimony_n but_o those_o that_o receive_v it_o from_o the_o free_a gift_n of_o the_o people_n will_v always_o remain_v sensible_a of_o the_o infinite_a obligation_n and_o will_v still_o be_v meditate_v return_v proportionable_a to_o so_o great_a a_o merit_n beside_o this_o nobility_n dispose_v they_o to_o arrogance_n and_o a_o contempt_n of_o their_o subject_n as_o their_o inferior_n whereas_o those_o that_o advance_v through_o inferior_a employment_n to_o this_o high_a dignity_n will_v endeavour_v to_o defend_v it_o as_o the_o reward_n of_o their_o industry_n and_o will_v pay_v the_o same_o respect_n and_o deference_n which_o they_o use_v to_o do_v to_o those_o who_o be_v their_o superior_n before_o this_o elevation_n as_o for_o his_o part_n he_o will_v do_v nothing_o without_o their_o approbation_n they_o shall_v be_v his_o counsellor_n and_o have_v a_o share_n in_o the_o conduct_n of_o all_o public_a affair_n and_o shall_v enjoy_v their_o ancient_a liberty_n and_o repose_n which_o their_o high-born_a prince_n have_v deprive_v they_o of_o and_o which_o marcus_n and_o after_o he_o pertinax_n both_o man_n of_o mean_a extraction_n have_v endeavour_v to_o restore_v conclude_v that_o it_o be_v better_a to_o be_v the_o first_o of_o a_o noble_a family_n than_o to_o debase_v that_o nobility_n which_o be_v transmit_v from_o glorious_a ancestor_n by_o decline_v from_o the_o generous_a path_n in_o which_o they_o tread_v as_o soon_o as_o the_o letter_n be_v read_v all_o the_o senator_n break_v out_o into_o acclamation_n of_o joy_n and_o unanimous_o decree_v he_o imperial_a honour_n but_o they_o be_v more_o overjoy_v that_o antonine_n be_v dead_a than_o that_o macrinus_n succeed_v he_o which_o be_v express_v by_o public_a rejoice_n make_v on_o that_o occasion_n all_o common_a informer_n and_o servant_n that_o have_v accuse_v their_o master_n be_v public_o gibbete_v and_o what_o by_o proscription_n what_o by_o capital_a punishment_n inflict_v on_o profligate_v villain_n the_o city_n and_o indeed_o the_o whole_a empire_n be_v pretty_a well_o purge_v those_o that_o lay_v conceal_v be_v quiet_a for_o fear_v of_o the_o justice_n of_o the_o government_n so_o the_o people_n live_v in_o security_n and_o enjoy_v at_o least_o a_o appearance_n and_o as_o it_o be_v a_o first_o dawn_n of_o liberty_n during_o that_o one_o year_n in_o which_o macrinus_n reign_v macrinus_n commitred_a a_o great_a soloecism_n in_o not_o disband_v and_o disperse_v the_o soldier_n and_o in_o that_o he_o do_v not_o hasten_v to_o rome_n where_o his_o presence_n be_v great_o desire_v and_o whither_o he_o be_v invite_v by_o the_o daily_o repeat_v clamour_n of_o the_o people_n but_o he_o stay_v in_o antioch_n where_o he_o begin_v to_o affect_v a_o long_a beard_n and_o slow_a gate_n he_o will_v scarce_o vouchsafe_v to_o speak_v to_o those_o that_o come_v to_o he_o and_o when_o he_o do_v he_o often_o speak_v so_o low_a it_o be_v a_o hard_a matter_n to_o tell_v what_o he_o say_v in_o these_o particular_n he_o copy_v after_o marcus_n and_o they_o be_v the_o only_a action_n of_o that_o prince_n which_o he_o imitate_v for_o he_o abandon_v himself_o to_o dissolute_a course_n become_v a_o great_a frequent_a of_o play_n and_o musick-meeting_n neglect_v public_a affair_n and_o appear_v always_o in_o public_a with_o button_n and_o a_o belt_n curious_o embroider_v with_o gold_n and_o precious_a stone_n this_o luxury_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n please_v to_o the_o army_n that_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o unmanly_a softness_n better_a become_v a_o woman_n or_o the_o barbarous_a nation_n than_o the_o emperor_n of_o rome_n these_o thing_n i_o say_v give_v great_a disgust_n to_o the_o soldier_n they_o dislike_v his_o course_n of_o life_n as_o too_o effeminate_a and_o call_v to_o mind_n antonine_n way_n of_o live_v which_o be_v such_o as_o become_v a_o soldier_n and_o a_o man_n of_o business_n they_o condemn_v macrinus_n luxury_n beside_o they_o murmur_v extreme_o that_o they_o be_v not_o permit_v to_o return_v home_o but_o be_v constrain_v to_o live_v in_o a_o camp_n in_o a_o foreign_a country_n where_o sometime_o they_o want_v necessary_a provision_n and_o that_o too_o after_o a_o peace_n be_v conclude_v they_o observe_v too_o at_o the_o same_o time_n how_o soft_o and_o delicate_o the_o emperor_n live_v so_o in_o short_a thing_n tend_v to_o a_o rebellion_n they_o begin_v to_o speak_v disrespectful_o of_o he_o and_o only_o seek_v for_o some_o sort_n of_o pretence_n to_o remove_v this_o author_n of_o their_o grievance_n thus_o it_o please_v the_o fate_n that_o macrinus_n have_v revel_v it_o in_o imperial_a dignity_n for_o the_o space_n of_o one_o year_n shall_v lose_v his_o life_n and_o empire_n together_o fortune_n soon_o afford_v a_o slight_a occasion_n to_o the_o soldier_n for_o the_o effect_n what_o they_o desire_v there_o be_v a_o certain_a lady_n call_v maesa_n bear_v in_o phoenicia_n in_o the_o city_n emesa_n she_o be_v sister_n to_o julia_n severus_n wife_n and_o mother_n to_o antonine_n and_o have_v live_v many_o year_n in_o the_o emperor_n court_n in_o her_o sister_n time_n both_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o severus_n and_o antonine_n but_o after_o her_o sister_n death_n and_o the_o murder_n of_o antonine_n be_v command_v by_o macrinus_n to_o depart_v into_o she_o own_o country_n with_o her_o effect_n which_o be_v very_o considerable_a by_o reason_n of_o her_o live_n at_o court_n so_o many_o year_n maesa_n obey_v the_o order_n and_o return_v into_o phoenicia_n this_o old_a lady_n have_v two_o daughter_n the_o elder_a soaemis_n and_o mammaea_n the_o young_a each_o of_o these_o have_v a_o son_n soaemis_n call_v she_o bassian_n mammaea_n be_v name_v alexian_n both_o the_o youth_n be_v breed_v up_o under_o the_o care_n of_o their_o mother_n and_o grandmother_n bassian_n be_v about_o fourteen_o year_n old_a alexian_n have_v just_o enter_v his_o ten_o year_n they_o be_v both_o priest_n of_o the_o sun_n which_o be_v the_o god_n of_o the_o phoenician_n and_o in_o their_o language_n be_v call_v heliogabulus_n they_o have_v a_o magnificent_a temple_n build_v for_o he_o adorn_v with_o gold_n and_o silver_n and_o precious_a stone_n nor_o do_v the_o native_n only_o worship_v this_o god_n but_o all_o the_o neighbour_a prince_n and_o potentate_n send_v rich_a present_n to_o he_o every_o year_n they_o have_v no_o statue_n make_v with_o hand_n in_o the_o likeness_n of_o the_o god_n as_o be_v usual_a among_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n but_o only_o a_o huge_a stone_n that_o be_v round_o at_o the_o bottom_n and_o grow_v sharp_a by_o degree_n towards_o the_o top_n the_o colour_n of_o it_o be_v black_a and_o the_o figure_n conical_a the_o tradition_n be_v that_o it_o fall_v from_o heaven_n it_o have_v some_o little_a rudeness_n and_o mark_n upon_o it_o they_o say_v it_o be_v the_o image_n of_o the_o sun_n not_o make_v by_o any_o mortal_a artificer_n and_o esteem_v it_o as_o such_o bassian_n be_v ordain_v his_o priest_n and_o perform_v the_o function_n of_o the_o priest_n office_n as_o be_v the_o elder_a appear_v public_o in_o his_o barbarous_a formality_n which_o be_v a_o gown_n of_o purple_a silk_n flower_v with_o gold_n that_o come_v down_o to_o his_o foot_n and_o hand_n all_o his_o leg_n be_v cover_v with_o under-vestment_n of_o the_o same_o silk_n upon_o his_o head_n he_o wear_v a_o crown_n rich_o adorn_v with_o precious_a stone_n of_o several_a colour_n beside_o he_o be_v then_o in_o the_o flower_n of_o his_o age_n and_o the_o
artabanus_n come_v in_o sight_n with_o a_o vast_a army_n and_o the_o barbarian_n after_o they_o have_v worship_v the_o sun_n with_o the_o usual_a ceremony_n of_o those_o country_n make_v the_o onset_n with_o terrible_a shout_n the_o cavalry_n begin_v the_o charge_n with_o a_o volley_n of_o arrow_n the_o roman_n be_v marshal_v with_o great_a caution_n and_o stand_v in_o very_o good_a order_n the_o moorish_a cavalry_n be_v place_v in_o both_o the_o wing_n in_o the_o lane_n between_o the_o rank_n be_v post_v light-horseman_n that_o be_v ready_a to_o sally_v out_o upon_o occasion_n thus_o imbattel_v they_o support_v with_o great_a firmness_n the_o charge_n of_o the_o barbarian_n who_o gall_v they_o extreme_o with_o the_o multitude_n of_o their_o arrow_n and_o the_o long_a spear_n which_o the_o cuirassier_n fight_v with_o from_o their_o horse_n and_o camel_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n whenever_o they_o come_v to_o close_a combat_n the_o roman_n have_v still_o the_o better_o but_o when_o they_o find_v themselves_o press_v by_o the_o enemy_n horse_n and_o camel_n which_o be_v very_o numerous_a they_o feign_v a_o flight_n and_o so_o decoy_v the_o barbarian_n among_o sharp_a iron_n stake_n and_o other_o engine_n that_o be_v prepare_v beforehand_o these_o stake_n be_v cover_v with_o sand_n so_o well_o that_o they_o be_v not_o discover_v which_o make_v this_o stratagem_n prove_v very_o fatal_a to_o the_o enemy_n horse_n for_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o ride_v among_o they_o their_o horse_n but_o especial_o their_o camel_n that_o have_v very_o tender_a hoof_n begin_v to_o halt_v and_o throw_v their_o rider_n to_o the_o ground_n now_o the_o parthian_n as_o long_a as_o they_o be_v on_o horseback_n behave_v themselves_o very_o manful_o but_o whenever_o they_o come_v to_o dismount_v or_o fall_v from_o their_o horse_n they_o be_v easy_o take_v and_o be_v not_o able_a to_o bear_v the_o shock_n of_o a_o close_a engagement_n beside_o they_o be_v so_o encumber_v by_o a_o loose_a garment_n about_o their_o leg_n that_o they_o can_v neither_o fly_v nor_o pursue_v the_o engagement_n last_v two_o whole_a day_n from_o sun_n rise_v to_o sunset_n till_o the_o night_n come_v on_o put_v a_o end_n to_o it_o at_o which_o time_n they_o return_v to_o their_o respective_a camp_n each_o esteem_v the_o advantage_n to_o be_v on_o his_o own_o side_n the_o three_o day_n both_o side_n draw_v their_o army_n out_o into_o the_o field_n and_o the_o parthian_n who_o be_v far_o the_o most_o numerous_a endeavour_v to_o surround_v the_o roman_n but_o they_o disappoint_v they_o by_o enlarge_a the_o front_n of_o their_o army_n to_o a_o great_a breadth_n without_o any_o considerable_a depth_n the_o number_n of_o the_o man_n and_o beast_n that_o be_v slay_v be_v so_o great_a that_o they_o fill_v the_o field_n the_o dead_a body_n be_v pile_v up_o to_o a_o vast_a height_n especial_o the_o camel_n that_o fall_v one_o upon_o another_o in_o great_a number_n which_o cut_v off_o all_o possibility_n of_o engage_v for_o the_o army_n can_v neither_o see_v nor_o come_v at_o one_o another_o by_o reason_n of_o a_o vast_a and_o almost_o unsurmountable_a heap_n of_o dead_a body_n that_o lay_v between_o they_o so_o both_o retire_v to_o their_o several_a camp_n and_o now_o macrinus_n understand_v that_o the_o reason_n why_o artabanus_n fight_v with_o so_o much_o fury_n and_o obstinacy_n be_v because_o he_o think_v antonine_n be_v his_o enemy_n it_o be_v general_o observe_v that_o the_o barbarian_n be_v soon_o discourage_v and_o sink_v as_o it_o be_v under_o the_o fatigue_n if_o they_o do_v meet_v with_o fortunate_a success_n in_o their_o first_o rencounter_n but_o now_o they_o stand_v it_o out_o and_o be_v resolve_v to_o renew_v the_o battle_n as_o soon_o as_o the_o dead_a body_n be_v remove_v and_o burn_v not_o know_v that_o the_o author_n of_o all_o this_o quarrel_n be_v dead_a he_o send_v ambassador_n to_o he_o with_o letter_n wherein_o he_o give_v he_o to_o understand_v that_o the_o emperor_n who_o have_v violate_v his_o oath_n and_o league_n with_o he_o be_v kill_v and_o have_v receive_v the_o punishment_n due_a to_o his_o offence_n that_o the_o roman_n to_o who_o the_o empire_n of_o right_n belong_v have_v put_v the_o sovereign_a power_n into_o his_o hand_n that_o he_o disapprove_v the_o late_a proceed_n of_o his_o predecessor_n and_o therefore_o will_v restore_v all_o the_o prisoner_n that_o be_v alive_a with_o the_o whole_a booty_n that_o he_o have_v bring_v away_o and_o will_v enter_v into_o a_o strict_a league_n and_o amity_n with_o he_o which_o shall_v be_v ratify_v by_o oath_n and_o sacrifice_n artabanus_n read_v the_o letter_n and_o receive_v a_o particular_a account_n from_o the_o ambassador_n of_o the_o assassination_n of_o antonine_n think_v he_o have_v pay_v dear_a enough_o for_o the_o infraction_n of_o a_o league_n and_o be_v well_o satisfy_v with_o the_o restitution_n of_o the_o prisoner_n and_o booty_n without_o any_o far_a bloodshed_n conclude_v a_o peace_n and_o return_v home_o and_o macrinus_n leave_v mesopotamia_n march_v with_o his_o army_n to_o antioch_n a_o epitome_n of_o the_o five_o book_n opilius_n macrinus_n give_v a_o account_n by_o letter_n to_o the_o senate_n of_o the_o course_n and_o conduct_n of_o affair_n and_o be_v declare_v emperor_n by_o that_o assembly_n to_o the_o great_a satisfaction_n of_o all_o men._n he_o remain_v in_o antioch_n where_o his_o effeminacy_n render_v he_o odious_a to_o the_o soldier_n so_o a_o commotion_n be_v raise_v they_o betray_v he_o and_o he_o be_v kill_v in_o chalcedon_n a_o city_n of_o bythinia_n be_v vanquish_v by_o bassian_n the_o priest_n of_o the_o sun_n who_o be_v bring_v into_o the_o camp_n and_o be_v suppose_v the_o son_n of_o antonine_n be_v callâ—d_v after_o he_o and_o proclaim_v emperor_n in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o his_o reign_n be_v abandon_v himself_o to_o the_o most_o profligate_v course_n expose_v both_o himself_o and_o the_o roman_a religion_n to_o calumny_n and_o contempt_n he_o worship_v his_o god_n heliogabulus_n and_o in_o his_o behaviour_n both_o public_a and_o private_a in_o matter_n sacred_a as_o well_o as_o profane_a be_v guilty_a of_o the_o great_a folly_n and_o madness_n so_o he_o fall_v under_o the_o displeasure_n of_o the_o soldier_n and_o be_v kill_v by_o they_o and_o alexander_n who_o be_v late_o declare_v caesar_n be_v set_v up_o in_o his_o room_n and_o proclaim_v emperor_n the_o five_o book_n the_o account_n of_o antonine_n '_o s_o reign_n and_o death_n of_o the_o plot_n that_o be_v lay_v against_o he_o and_o of_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o succession_n upon_o his_o decease_n be_v deliver_v in_o the_o former_a book_n macrinus_n remain_v still_o in_o antioch_n from_o whence_o he_o send_v letter_n direct_v to_o the_o senate_n and_o people_n of_o rome_n the_o substance_n whereof_o be_v that_o he_o think_v it_o needless_a to_o use_v many_o word_n to_o they_o who_o be_v so_o well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o principle_n on_o which_o he_o have_v all_o along_o act_v with_o his_o natural_a disposition_n to_o gentleness_n and_o with_o his_o constant_a moderation_n in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o late_a ministry_n wherein_o his_o authority_n be_v little_a inferior_a to_o that_o of_o the_o emperor_n who_o person_n be_v commit_v to_o his_o faith_n and_o protection_n as_o captain_n of_o the_o lifeguard_n they_o know_v very_o well_o his_o dislike_n of_o the_o emperor_n proceed_n and_o that_o he_o have_v often_o interpose_v on_o their_o behalf_n with_o no_o small_a hazard_n to_o himself_o when_o the_o emperor_n by_o false_a suggestion_n which_o he_o very_o much_o hearken_v to_o be_v urge_v on_o to_o violent_a counsel_n that_o he_o have_v often_o cast_v aspersion_n upon_o he_o and_o have_v public_o reproach_v he_o on_o the_o score_n of_o his_o mildness_n and_o love_n of_o the_o people_n and_o have_v therefore_o accuse_v he_o of_o laziness_n and_o dissoluteness_n of_o manner_n that_o he_o always_o entertain_v flatterer_n and_o such_o as_o inflame_v he_o by_o their_o calumny_n and_o spur_v he_o on_o to_o cruelty_n look_v upon_o they_o as_o his_o true_a friend_n and_o the_o warm_a zealot_n for_o his_o interest_n that_o for_o his_o own_o part_n he_o always_o approve_v gentle_a method_n that_o therefore_o he_o have_v put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o war_n with_o the_o parthian_n which_o have_v make_v the_o whole_a empire_n tremble_v that_o in_o the_o action_n of_o the_o war_n they_o come_v no_o way_n short_a of_o the_o enemy_n in_o prowess_n and_o gallantry_n that_o by_o the_o peace_n which_o he_o have_v conclude_v a_o formidable_a enemy_n that_o be_v advance_v against_o they_o with_o a_o puissant_a force_n be_v become_v their_o friend_n and_o ally_n that_o as_o long_o as_o he_o shall_v be_v their_o prince_n a_o stop_n shall_v be_v put_v to_o effusion_n of_o blood_n and_o alarm_n of_o war_n
empire_n alexander_n be_v in_o rome_n be_v advertise_v of_o the_o hostility_n commit_v by_o the_o barbarian_n and_o their_o insolence_n which_o be_v now_o insupportable_a even_o in_o his_o own_o judgement_n and_o be_v press_v by_o the_o instance_n of_o his_o general_n in_o those_o part_n begin_v to_o put_v all_o thing_n in_o readiness_n for_o a_o expedition_n against_o they_o though_o with_o some_o reluctancy_n and_o after_o much_o struggle_n with_o his_o natural_a aversion_n to_o a_o war._n according_o he_o proceed_v to_o make_v his_o levy_n in_o italy_n and_o all_o the_o province_n of_o the_o empire_n require_v all_o man_n who_o age_n or_o habit_n of_o body_n have_v not_o render_v uncapable_a to_o enter_v into_o his_o service_n so_o muster_n be_v make_v with_o great_a vigour_n and_o application_n throughout_o the_o whole_a empire_n to_o raise_v a_o army_n sufficient_a to_o cope_v with_o the_o barbarian_a force_n and_o alexander_n have_v give_v out_o order_n for_o the_o praetorian_a 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