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 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
though Cruel to his own Relations and Family putting Licinius to death Poysoning Crispus stifling Fausta his Wife in a Bath yet was he not at all Cruel in his own Nature abolishing that cruel manner of death Crucifying not taking Revenge of the Egyptians for defaceing his Statues Herculi Conservatori Caes. Hercules strangling the Lyon Hercules represented young intimating Constantine himself who whilst Hostage in the Court of Galerius was by him put to Combat a Lyon which he overcame and slew Jovi Conservatori Augg. He seems to mean Diocletian and by Augg. Constantine and Licinius Marti Conservatori Mars resembled like Constantine Mars also being born in Thrace Constantine also in his Youth was called Thracala Thracula praestantissimus the most excellent Thracian Soli invicto Comiti the Sun as Constantine radious Constantine being esteemed to have the Genius of the Sun his Swiftness Beauty Vigor unconquerable Force Influence upon his Inferiors Fundator Pacis Constantine as Mars drawing a Captive by the Hair of the Head probably alluding to what he did in the Wars against the Sarmatae whither he was sent by Galerius with a few Men on purpose to have been destroyed but he overcame and in Person drew a fierce young Sarmate by the Hair of the Head before Galerius Constantine having on his Head-piece which Mark is also found on some ancient Medals even of the Ptolomees and some Romans also which whether any of their Hieroglyphicks or the Letters of the Coiners name or what else is uncertain ℞ Victoriae laetae over Maxentius and Licinius represented by two Captives below Principis perpetui vota upon an Altar denoting Christ as Julian notes or signifies the Victory in his tenth Year or vota Decennalia DV Divus Constantinus PT Pater Augg. Constantine veiled ℞ Constantine drawn in a Chariot with four Horses holding up his Hand towards another Hand coming out of Heaven It doth not appear that Constantine was consecrated either by Pagans or Christians till a long time after by the Greeks yet was generally by both esteemed to be Happy and Blessed a Man performing such great Actions being as they thought very dear to the Gods and though not consecrated yet taken up by Jupiter reaching him his Hand to draw him up into Heaven Drawn in a Chariot the Soul being called by the Philosophers the Charioteer of the Body and his Head veiled to intimate his dazling Splendor So that this Medal represents the common opinion had of him both by Christians and Pagans Constantine's first Wife was Minervina whom he married being a Young Man and the Son only of Constantius Caesar with whom he lived in great Continence and had by her Crispus 2. Fl. Jul. Crispus eldest Son of Constantine by Minervina born at Arles was a Beautiful Valiant Couragious Mild Chaste Constant Virtuous young Man having all the Virtues without any of the Vices of his Father was also a Christian educated by Lactantius in his Youth he conquered the Franks and Allemans in the depth of Winter also he vanquished by Sea the Admiral of Licinius who escaped with no more than four Vessels He fought also with great Reputation against the Generals of Licinius and Licinius himself also At length being frequently solicited to Wickedness by Fausta his Mother-in-law and he refusing her she turned her Love into Hatred she accused him falsly to Constantine to have endeavored to force her who either really or for some other private Consideration feigning to believe her condemned him to dye without hearing him speak in his Justification and accordingly he was put to death by Poyson But Helena Grand-mother to Crispus being exceedingly grieved and blaming her Son very much for that unjust Action he enquired secretly concerning the Accusation and having discovered the Truth he commanded his Wife Fausta to be stifled in a Bath over-heated It should seem he was married to one Helena and that they had a Child but nothing mentioned in History 'T is said by some that Constantine erected a Statue of Silver with a Head of Gold to Crispus with this Title 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to his Son unjustly condemned Constantine's second Wife was Flavia Aurelia Maximiana Fausta the Daughter of Maximianus and Eutropia she had three Sons Constantinus Constantius and Constans and three Daughters After she was dead they say that Constantine would not vouchsafe her Burial but caused her Carcass to be carried to the top of an high Mountain to be eaten by Fowls and Beasts and that her Sons afterwards buried her Bones with their Father She was a Pagan and had that Reputation with her Husband after his Victory over Maxentius that she perswaded him again to Idolatry wherein notwithstanding he staid not long 3. Fl. Jul. Constantius the Brother of Constantine seems to have been second Son of Constantius and Theodora though Factious Seditious and Envious of the Glory of Constantine if he had failed the Empire would have come to his House yet was many times employed by him as in Embassy to Licinius who had married their eldest Sister Constantia to perswade him to create Caesar Bassianus who had married another Sister Anastasia He was also made Patricius and Cos. and Praefectus Orientis though it seems this was after the death of Helena who was no Friend to him It is reported by some Authors that Constantius and his Brother caused Constantine to be poisoned in a Bath but Constantine coming to the Knowledge of it writ to his Son Constantius to dispatch him out of the way which he did shortly after making him be slain by the Soldiers a little while after he had taken Possession of the Empire His first Wives name was Galla Flav. Anicia Galla by whom he had two Sons the eldest slain with his Father the other Gallus put to death by Constantius for his evil Government His second Wives name was Flav. Anicia Basilina the Daughter of Anicius Julianus she was a Pagan died young and had no Child but Julianus The third Brother of Constantine 1. Delmatius 2. Constantius was Constantine probably he helped Constantius in poisoning Constantine and was put to death also as well as he by Constantius 4. Fl. Claud. Constantinus eldest Son of Constantine and Fausta was born at Arles A. D. 312. was made Caesar by his Father who died when he was Twenty two Years old and was slain at Twenty five Years reigning only three Years seems to have been of a peaceable Disposition very Bold if not Rash yet Ambitious of Honor and loving Wine In the division of the Empire between Constantine's three Sons and two Nephews Delmatius and Hanniballianus of which two the rest quickly eased themselves Constantine had for his share Spain Gallia Germany and Britain Constantius Thrace Asia and the East Constans Illyricum Italy and Africk Delmatius Macedonia Achaia and Peloponesus and Hanniballianus Armenia Cappadocia and Pontus The first Quarrel was that Constantine pretended to Italy and Africk and resolved to force them from Constans and came
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
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
Treacherously So did he also to the Germans under pretext of Marriage with his Daughter he invited Artabanus King of the Parthians with his Nobility into a great Plain and theâ—…e slew most of them but the King escaped He designed to Murther his Father threatned his Mother killed his Brother his Father-in-Law Plautianus his Aunt Lucilla his Governour and Kinsinan Papinianus forced his Preceptor to kill himself for which he was so haunted that many times he became Furious crying out upon his Father and Brother for Persecuting him so much that none durst â—…ame Geta to him Tho his Baseness was such â—…hat he durst not put on Armour 〈◊〉 â—…is Fear â—…rced him to make his Cloaths so like Armour â—…hat he was believed alwaâ—…â—…o 〈◊〉 Aâ—…med As he passed through Macedoma he imitated Alexander the Great would be called Magnus and set both their Heads upon the Bâ—…sts of â—…is Statues At Ilium he would needs be Achilles Providentia the Head of the Sun to whom Providence is many times attributed as well as Power shewing the Providence of Severus in â—…aking Antoninus Caesar. A Lyon Radiant with Thunder in his Mouth â—…ems to signifie the Lyon which as he was going against the Parthians came down from 〈◊〉 Mountain and fought against his Enemies 〈◊〉 the head of his Troops He also nourished 〈◊〉 Tame Lyon which he sed at his Board â—…d carried always with him and which when he went forth that time he was slain â—…ould have stayed him in his Tent so that â—…e tore his Garment A Lyon also in this Figure was worshipped at Heliopolis the Country of Julia and thereabouts as the God Genaeus or the Sun a certain 〈◊〉 â—…amed Eusebius testifying that â—…e saw a Globe 〈◊〉 Fire descending from Heaven and that it â—…as the God Genaeus Col. Caesarea Aâ—…ph in the 〈◊〉 oâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Goddess 〈◊〉 like a Nun 〈◊〉 â—…eems to be Diana Alpâ—…a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Indulgentiae foecundae Julia sitting as a Goddess obtaining some Favour or Indulgence for Carthage or some other City v. g. some Privilege Liberty Prerogative c. So the Romans expressing by this Medal the great Benefit to all the World by her Fecundity Caracalla Radiant imitating the Sun in a little Oval Chariot drawn by four Horses which was the manner in the Ludi Circenses in Honour of the Sun whom they fansied to be carried about the World in such a Vessel With these and such-like Games was Caracalla mightily delighted AEsculapius with the little God Telesphorus and a Ball it seems coined for the recovery of Caracalla from some great Sickness and that he submitted his Empire unto them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Decreto Senatus An Eagle crowning Caracalla c. Severus to the great affright of the Senate declared himself Son of M. Aurel. and Caracalla took upon him the name of Commodus Two Gods the one inâ—…olded in the Scarf of the other drawn by two Horses Probably Caracalla and Julia represented by the Perinthians in their Games as the Sun and Moon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zeugma was a strong City and Castle upon a Passage over Euphrates on the other side on the edge of a vast Solitude a Temple on the Top of an high Rock to which there are two Ascâ—…nts probably erected by Vespasian and repaired by Caracalla at his return out of Parthia or by the People in Honour of him with a Capricorn alluding to the Situation of the place on one side being a place fit for Goats only the other for Fishes i. e. Euphrates where Venus turned her self into a Fish 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A freed Man of the Emperor 's made Governour of Magnesia a City of Ionia at the Mouth of Maeander A young Man Caracalla crowned with Olive and a Girdle of Scarlet sitting before an Altar whereon is a Pine-Apple Sacred to Cybele and about him three Coribantes beating their Sheilds probably intimating the Initiation of the Emperor in these Mysteries for the Expiation of his Fratricide for which these Ceremonies were accounted very Efficacious two of the Coribantes having killed their Brethren and Preservation from Danger This Emperor being very Timorous and also much troubled in mind for that Fratricide of which yet probably by being thus initiated he was not recovered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Serpent with a Man's Head the Serpent the Genius of Wisdom c. was frequently worshipped and particularly by the Nicomedians the Egyptians brought in the manner of joyning Beasts with Mens Heads or Bodies Bacchus leaning upon and caressing Pan in the other Hand a Capricorn into which Sign Pan was converted â—…or transforming himself first into it and thereby shewing the Gods the means to escape Typhon who had almost surprised them Pan is joyned to Bacchus both because he was brought up in the Cave with him ☿ his Father leaving him there to keep him company and that he was the Best and Drunkennest Companion he had Bacchus was worshipped chiefly at Nysa in Egypt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 An Instrument betwixt an Ox and Sheep it may be to draw Water out of the bottom of the Sea as they say they did their Island sâ—…uate in the Phaenician Sea being a Rock and having no Spring being once besieged Geta in a Croissant they imagined that the Souls of theiâ—… 〈◊〉 inhabited the Air from the Earth to the Moon but the Gods above the Moon and Sun and that the Goddesses or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 passed through the Moon and some pure and innocent Men also as Geta. But this raâ—…ly for ordinarily they took their way through the Sun His Wiâ—… was 〈◊〉 Plautilla Daughter of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the greatest Favourite the 〈◊〉 Empire ever saw a Vile Brutal Traitor that 〈◊〉 one time caused a hundred Citizens Soâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quality to be gâ—…lded for Musitians â—…o 〈◊〉 Daughter he was slain for Treason in 〈◊〉 his presence and his Daughter with the two Children thereupon banished and afterwards slain a fit end for so shameless and impudent a Woman Venus felix Plautilla like Venus giving an Apple to her Son young Antoninus 4. P. Septimius Geta was born A. C. 190. reigned with his Brother ten Months fifteen Days was slain by him in his Mothers Bosom at the Age of Twenty three Years was like his Father Severe but not Cruel having as some Authors say disswaded him from putting to Death so many of the Friends of Niger and Albinus lest there should be more in Rome sorry than glad for their Victory Delighted much in Neatness Gardens learned and virtuous Mens Conversation acquitted himself well in the Wars wherefore his Brother jealous of the Affection generally born to him never rested till he had slain him and to satisfie the People he afterwards Consecrated him Principi Juventutis Geta on Horse-back looking back upon two others that ride after him The Ludus Trojanus invented by Ascanius and described AEneid 5. Castor standing by his Horse Cyllanus intimating the Excellency of Geta in that
his Table and every other Place carrying him along to the Wars with him and inviting him to take pains c. according to his Example which so wearied Camillus that he desired leave to retire and so did He changed all Elagab's Officers which he had set in all the Empire He forbad all vicious Persons to salute and come to him but good Men he visited even in their own Houses especially when Sick To Courtiers and Smoak-sellers he was an implacable Enemy stifling one of them with Smoak because he Sold Smoak He would not have any Panegyrick made in his Praise Severus and Maesa â„ž 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Bona for tuna sive Tucca Terebentinorum Carthaginensium Fortune with a Globe Scepter and Wheel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was the Name of a Town which worshipped Fortune which they here apply to Maesa by whose Conduct Severus came to the Empire A Lectisternium to Fortune as giving her thanks for the Empire Severus Alex. without a Garland â„ž Alex. the Great 's Effigy a sign of the great Honor and Devotion he bore to him A Garland of Gold within 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Chrysanthina Sardianorum ter Neocororum The Sardians as Neocori made Games and Wrestlings in Honor of Sev. Alex. called Chrysanthina and sent him this Crown of Gold made in fashion of Leaves probably of the Plant and Flower Chrysanthis these Games probably instituted by Chrysanthas a great Commander of Cyrus the Great famous for his great Services to him whom he set over Lydia and Ionia after the Example of Cyrus himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tenos was an Isle one of the Cyclades a Trident charged with a Serpent In that Isle Neptune was worshipped under the Epithete of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Neptune also brought Storks amongst them 〈◊〉 devour their trouble-some Serpents 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Zacinthyans Zante now the Isle is called a Colony of the Ionians were very idle and effeminate Persons given much to Plays and Dances one of which is here represented i. e. Diana as surprising the Satyrs and old drunken Maron Dancing about one of her Nymphs lying asleep 〈◊〉 His Wife was Sulpitia Memmia Daughter probably of Sulpitius Marcianus a Person of great Reputation Power and a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in also to the Emperor Mamaea being offended that she took the Name of Augusta caused her to be banished wherefore her Father being Angry endeavored to raise a Mutiny amongst the Soldiers against the Emperor for which he was put to death Monsieur Seguin as Morellus saith discovered S. Barbiam Orbianam to have been the Wife of Alex. Severus He had a Sister called Theoclia whom he would have married to Maximus Son of Maximinus had it not been for the barbarousness of the Father which exasperated his Father against him Afterwards she was married so Messala Son of Silius Messala put to death by Elagabale Julia Mamaea Mother to Sev. Alex. was at first instructed by Origen and the Christians but afterwards fell into divers Heresies that taught her to conceal next to counterfeit and and lastly to quit all Religion and give her self up to hoarding of Money She became also Proud and Haughty by which Courses she brought that excellent Emperor into Disâ—…putation he strived to reform and restrain her but could not she having got so great Power A Medaillon wherein she is represented as having somewhat of Isis having a Peach between two Leaves on her Head the Moon by the Crescent Nature by her Breasts discovered Concord a Cornucopia Minerva by her Nose-gay of Olive and Laurel and Victory by her Wings â„ž Felicity or Maesa Crowning Mamaea holding a Sacrificing Platter and a Scepter Two other Figures perhaps of Theoclia and Memmia Col. F. Bostra Alexandrea Bostra one of the chiefest Cities of Arabia first made a Colony by Trajan afterwards repaired by this Emperor A Head with Towers to shew its Strength Cornucopia for its Plenty and a Star for the East 5. Sulpitius Martianus Father-in-Law to Alex. made Caesar by him V. S. Antoninns was by the Guards who had slain Ulpianus set up but he refused to be Emperor and going away lived unknown After his refusal they set up Uranius In the East one Taurinus set up himself but for fear drowned himself in Euphrates Ovinius Camillus also rebelled against him whom Alex. sent for carried him into the Senate declared him his Companion communicated Counsels with him took him with him to the War where he presently grew weary and disposed to kill himself which the Emperor prevented sending him to his own House with a Guard of Soldiers but afterwards finding that he practised the Soldiers against him and that the Soldiers were inclined to him as one likely to let them do what they list he was put to death CHAP. XV. Of Julius Verus Maximinus and Maximus 1. C. Julius Verus Maximinus Son of Micca and Abaqua the one a Goth the other an Alain born in a Village of Thrace about A. D. 173. reigned five Years more or less was slain with his Son Maximus about the Age of sixty five Years was a Gyant in Stature Bulk Strength Force Boldness Eating c. a great Enemy to Idleness Filthiness c. which made him retire under Elagabale but otherwise Impious Sacrilegious Ungrateful in the highest degree to his Emperor who had brought him from his Retreat made him General of his Armies and had thoughts of Marrying his Sister to his Son Murdring him and all those who had assisted him in his necessitous and low Condition Cruel and Avaritious putting to death all Alexander's Friends and Counsellors all the chiefest Christians all the Eminentest Persons of the Commonwealth to get their Wealth suborning Accusers Informers and Calumniators against them an incredible number of whom was put to death by Pupienus c. Inconsiderat Rash Imprudent even in War losing by his ill Conduct an Army that he carried against the Persians and at last his Life also by his indiscreet besieging of Aquileia which not being able to take he accused his Officers and put most of them to death which made the whole Army rise against him and kill him and his Son in his Tent. Maximinus and his Son â„ž Castor and Pollux naked on foot with their Bucklers and Javelins Maximinus and Maximus â„ž Neptune sitting and two Tritons who were the Sons of Neptune and Salacia BPOYZHN 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 N. which is no other than 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the like Letters being often changed one into another a City of Bithynia upon the Sea of Propontis His Wife probably was Paulina a good Woman aged when he came to the Empire who endeavored to perswade him from that Cruelty he used and was sorry when he committed it which the Tyrant not enduring made her away also She was Consecrated of which some Medals His Son was C. Jul. Verus Maximus the beautifullest Person of his time and withal Chast Liberal and
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Bacchius Panegyricus Apameorum Phrygiae situated upon two Rivers Marsyas or Lycus and Maeander grown bigger with Orga or Orba newly received into its Channel Marsyas holding a Flute in his Hand because there grows in him a certain Reed called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word signifying a 〈◊〉 which being shaken with the Wind makes excellent Melody or perhaps of which Flutes were made Marsyas also was the first that invented that Instrument on which he plaid so cunningly that he challenged Apollo with his Harp who overcoming him fleaed him alive for whom the Nymphs and Satyrs were so grieved that they increased his small Stream with their Tears into a River Diana of the Ephesians worshipped also at Apamea and all the Country thereabout The two Nymphs also represent the Situation of the City between two Mountains and these two Rivers one of them having in her Hand a Rock with a Cave whence issueth the River Marsyas What the Letters signifie is not known 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hypaepenorum Praetore Ant. Tauro Anno primo Hypaepis a Town of Lydia Gordianus â„ž a Woman crowned with Towers sitting upon Rocks at her Feet the River Tygris 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Singara a Town in Mesopotamia whither it should seem Severus transported a Colony calling it Aurelia because of his great Affection and Observance to M. Aurelius Gordianus undertook such another Expedition into these places as Severus had done before His Wife was Furia Sabina Tranquillina of whom little written or known 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chalcedon A Swan carrying Apollo up to Heaven which was the Form under which the Chalcedonians worshipped him Against this Emperor the Carthaginians chose one Sabinianus whom afterward being besieged by the Emperor's Army they delivered up into his hands The Senate also chused Severus Hostilianus to oppose the Violence of Philip who had murthered the Emperor but Philip advancing before Hostilianus was in order to receive him he either slew himself or by ill binding his Wound after letting Blood he bled to Death CHAP. XVIII Of M. Julius Philippus Father and Son Carvil Marinus G. Messius Quintus Trajanus Decius Q. Hetruscus Messius Decius Caius Valens Hostilianus Messius Quintus C. Julius Valens Hostilianus C. Vibius Trebonianus Gallus C. Vibius Volusianus C. Julius AEmylianus 1. M. Julius Philippus born at Bostra his Father was a Famous Captain of Robbers his name Saturnius reigned about five Years and a half and with his Son was slain by Decius A. D. 253. an Ambitious Bloody Traiterous Person and a Fighting but not very resolute or provident Soldier He celebrated with great Pomp the Ludi Saeculares and was slain by Decius his own General whom he had sent against the Rebels Virtus Augg. the two Emperors on Horseback Philip desired to bring that Militia into request above foot P rovinciae M ysiae S uperioris Col onia Uim inacium An. VII perhaps Annona VII a Goddess the City between a Cow for a Colony and a Lyon shewing the Valour of the People The Heads of Jupiter and Bacchus representing the two Philips Bacchus being born in Arabia or rather unsowed from the Thigh of his Mother Semele Philip's Head â„ž 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the three Furies one with a Serpent and Key with a Key perhaps they open and shut Hell-gates at their pleasure another with two Fire-brands or Torches a third with a Sword and Whip and two Dogs Visaeque canes ululare per umbras Adventante Deâ AEn 6. They were worshipped in divers places that they might not hurt His Wife was Marcia Otacilla Severa a Virtuous Prudent and Chast Woman of whom little known save that some say she was a Christian. Provincia Dacia probably her Country Transilvania a Woman between an Eagle and Lyon signifying their Faithfulness to the Romans and their Valor His Son was Caius Saturnius afterwards called M. J. Philippus was slain in the Arms of his Mother at twelve Years old naturally 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He had a Sister married to Sabinianus Carvilius Marinus Governor of the Legions of Pannonia c. rebelled against Philip who sent Decius against him but the Soldiers had slain him before and perswaded Decius to take the Empire who joyning those Rebels to his own Army came into Italy conquered and killed Philip. Seguin hath a Coin an Head with an Eagle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it seems Marinus was consecrated either by the Soldiers repenting of their Murther or in hatred to Philip whose Vengeance they feared or by Decius thinking by this means to gain his Soldiers or by Philip to divert from himself the opinion of his Murther â„ž Rome sitting with a Victory on her Hand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 S. C. Jotapianus also in Syria was slain by his Soldiers Lucius Priscus Brother to Philip Governor of Syria after his Brothers Death set up for himself but was slain by the Soldiers 2. G. Messius Quintus Trajanus Decius born at Bubalia Buda A. D. 211. reigned about two Years and died swallowed in a Marish as he was flying from Cneva King of the Goths he was a prudent Person able to govern a great Empire by reason of his Experience Vigilant Couragious not Ambitious Fair-conditioned but a cruel Persecutor of the Christians insomuch that he slew a Kings Son an Hostage in his Court only because he saw him frequent the Christians Church The Arabians were so implacably offended with him that to keep them in order since he could not send an Army against them he caused many Lyons as also Serpents of both Sexes to be brought out of Lybia and sent amongst them Dacia A Woman with an Ass's Head upon a Spear Dacia contains Transilvania Moldavia and Walachia the People were called Getae by the Greeks they carried an Ass's Head as their chief Ensign before the Battel intimating their Constancy and Fearlesness of Death their Sufferance also c. also a Sign of good Luck CE II. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Septimia Colonia Rhesaenesiorum Anno 1. A City in Mesopotamia near the River Aborus made a Colony by Sept. Severus His Wife was Herennia Sallustia Barbia Orbiana of whom little is written and very few Medals found tho others say that she was the Wife of Alex. Severus and that Decius's Wife was Herennia Etruscilla His Son was L. Herennius Hetruscus Messius Decius made by his Father Caesar at the beginning of his Empire and Augustus when he took him with him in his Expedition against the Goths where he was slain with an Arrow valiantly fighting in the Van-guard which being related to his Father he said the loss of one Soldier was no great matter Pietas Augg. ☿ without wings as being continually to reside with the Emperors and not to return to Heaven with a Purse as if all their Piety was for Interest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Sub Praetore Glycone Theologo â—ergamenorum primorum Neocororum AEsculapius under the Countenance of young Decius and Juno Pronuba
or Nuptialis in Honor of the Marriage of this young Prince carrying two Torches as Mother of the Sun and Moon as also the Mother or at least the next Kindred carried Torches before the Bride and a Veil wrought only by the Hands of Chaste and Fruitful Matrons His Wife the Martyrologies say was Tryphonia a Christian Woman who suffered Martyrdom as is supposed under Valerian 3. Caius Valens Hostilianus Messius Quintus seems to be the Son of Severus Hostilianus Caesar before Philippus he received the names of Messius Quintus by the Adoption of Decius who married to him his Daughter Gneia Seia Sallustia Barbia Orbiana and left him to govern Rome and Italy whilst he went against the Goths Decius thus providing to settle the Empire in his Family but was deceived the Pestilence taking away Hostilianus about the same time the Decii were slain by the Goths His Wife was Gneia Seia c. not Herennia as her Mother was called Caius Julius Valens Licinianus seems to be the Brother of Hostilianus him the People seeing the Decii were dead perswaded to be Emperor who going into Illyricum to fight against Gallus was abandoned and slain by his Soldiers The Senate also chused Hostil Perpenna Licinianus of the same Family who was also after a while taken away by the Plague 4. C. Vibius Trebonianus Gallus was born Anno Christi 207. was with his Son Volusianus made Emperor in the Isle Meninge or Girba reigned about two Years six Months was slain by AEmilianus at the Age of Forty seven Years seems to have married Hostilia Severa Daughter of Severus Hostilianus and his Son Volusianus to have married Herennia Hetruscilla Daughter of Decius so that Decius could not trust any Man better to go against the Goths who had seized upon Philippopolis in Thrace nor is it probable what many Authors say that Gallus betrayed Decius into the Hands of the Goths shewing them what was to be done to ruine Decius but rather that Decius was Ruined by his own Rashness constraining the Goths to fight with him upon Disadvantages for hastily and disorderly pursuing them through a Marsh they turned Head and destroyed him but Gallus gathering the Relicks of the Army and what more Men he could get together put himself speedily in a condition to fight them but because of the Persians then Invading and the Plague within ruining the Empire he chose rather to make them a Bridge of Gold and send them away with a 〈◊〉 of Money which though Dishonorable yet was then a necessary Composition Returning to Rome he began to make Preparation against the Persians who had taken and pillaged as far as Antioch mean while AEmylianus left by him Governor in Pannonia practised the Soldiers against him who â—…lew him and his Son at Interamna Tarni as he was marching against the Persians Junoni Martiali the Mother of Mars and also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fortitude presiding over Arms whence by the Falisci called Curitis from Curis signifying a Spear Juno sitting with a pair of Sizers or some such thing in her Hand if Sizers it denotes the Custom that Men had to cut off and cleanse themselves from their Hair before her Images or because Sizers are the chiefest and most ordinary Tools of Womens labor Apollini Salutari because the Emperors took great care to free the Empire from the Contagion that reigned they were called Apollines Salutares His Wife was Hostilia Severa of whom we find nothing In Sir J. Cotton's Library is a small broken Coin with OCTIA 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 probably this Woman 5. C. Vibius Volusianus little noted except for a great Persecutor of the Christians and his care for Interring such as died of the Plague Was â—…ain with his Father His Wife seems to be Herennia Hetruscilla of whom little is spoken yet there are some Meâ—…als both of her Husband and her self but easie â—…o be understood 6. C. Julius AEmylianus called by Victor AEmilius AEmilianus was a Moor and born about A. D. 214. reigned about four Months and was slain in his Palace at Spoleto about forty six Years old got the Empâ—… by Treachery and Ingratitude kept it without any Reputation and lost it shamefully being by the Senate declared publick Enemy and sending to Valerianus then with the Gaulish Legions offering to make him Emperor if he would destroy AEmilianus which he understanding offered to lay down the Empire so that he might command the Army against the Persians but Valerian would not Capitulate with but slew him Votis decennalibus S. C. the Senate made solemn Prayers that it would please the Gods to grant him a Reign of Ten Years when they would renew them again CHAP. XIX Of P. Licinius Valerianus M. Cyriades Ingenuus Q. Nonius Regilianus M. Fulvius Macrianus Father and Son Quietus Balista Odenatus Moeonius Herodes Valens Piso AEmylianus Saturninus Trebellianus Celsus Victorinus § 1. P. Licinius Valerianus Sirnamed Colobius Son of Valerius Licin Gallienus was born A. C. 184. reigned about seven Years was taken Prisoner at Cesarea by Sapor King of Persia and afterwards cruelly flea'd to death at seventy six Years old Notwithstanding what some Authors say he seems to have been a Man of great Valor Prudence and Conduct of great Experience and an Exemplary Life being by Decius made Censor an Office usually annexed to the Emperor's Person and partaker of the greatest Charges of the Empire and was in such Reputation that he was generally desired by all Men to be Emperor At first he ceased the Persecution raised against the Christians and employed them very much afterwards by the perswasion of a certain Magician he began a most violent and inhuman Persecution against them using also most devillish Sacrifices and Practises for which causes God Almighty it seems gave him up into the Hands of the Persians For many of his Lieutenants being by them beaten and the East Country much ruined by the Plague and the Wars he was forced to go in Person where Fighting his Army was ruined and himself taken Prisoner and laden with Chains in his Robes was forced to be a Foot-stool to the Persian when he got on Horse-back for many Years together and at last flea'd alive Col lonia Julia Augusta Felix Helvia Lilybeum in Sicily certamina Sacra Capitolina OEcumenica Iselastica Helvia Three Vessels with Palms in them Prizes for the Victors OEcumenica probably because free for all Nations to come and all sorts of Exercises Iselastica because the Victors were drawn in a Chariot of four Horses into their own Town and received a certain Stipend from the Emperors called therefore Iselasticum Coloniae Tyro Metropoli Tyre made Metropolitan of Phoenicia by Hadrian and a Colony by Sept. Severus A Man upon a Gate with a Goddess the Sun c. hard to be understood except it refer to the Story of the Slaves who having all but one Straton slain their Masters ordered that he should be King who saw first the Sun arising Straton by the
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
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
with an Army into Italy where he was met with an Army which Constans pretended to send to his Brother against the Persians was defeated fighting undiscreetly as having drank too much and slain and cast into the River Alsa near Aquileia In his Fathers time he had conquered the Goths and Allemans and as soon as he came to be Augustus he restored Athanasius to the Bisnoprick who was banished at Triers Constantius his Brother lamented mightily his death Nothing mentioned of his Marriages Victoria Beatissimorum Caes. Crispi and Constantini Vot V. which was always made at their entrance into their Caesarship 5. Fl. Jul. Constans youngest Son of Constantine and Fausta was born A. D. 320 was made Caesar Anno 334. and three Years after came to the Empire which he governed about thirteen Years was Assassinated about the Age of thirty Years by the Complices of the Rebellion of Magnentius He was Active Vigilant Warlike by the sole Terror of his name keeping the Barbarians his Neighbors in Peace all the time of his Reign Also very Pious restoring all the Orthodox Bishops and adorning the Churches very much very Bountiful sending great Alms to the Poor every where extremely Vigilant Industrious and Laborious he overcame the Franks and other Barbarians he made a Voyage in the midst of Winter into Britain he marched always on Foot in the head of his Army his very great Labors brought him into Gouts and Pains in his Sinews which much tormented him He chased away from the Court all Players Buffoons c. Some Writers give him a contrary Character but Libanius a Pagan and all the Christians speak very much in his Honor. By his Severity he alienated the Minds of the Soldiers from him which encouraged Magnentius a wicked debauch'd Person but much acquainted with the Barbarians himself being a Gaul one whom Constans had rescued with his own Robe from the Fury of the Soldiers to rebel against him and declare himself Emperor at Authun whose General Gaiso pursuing Constans forsaken of most of his Men overtook him as he was passing the Pyronean Mountains to go into Spain at a Town called Helene Helne or Elne and there slew him He was afterwards very much lamented and all his Murtherers and Opposites grievously punished especially Marcellinus who cruelly persecuted all Constans's Kindred slaying Nepotianus Eutropia and many others Gaudium Pop. Romani A Crown within Sic V. Sic i. e. Sicut quinquennalia sic Decennalia intimating the Publick Joy expressed in Pastimes c. at the beginning of the sixth Year of Constans and that the People desired to do so much again after the tenth Year T E S Thessalonicae coined Felix temporum reparatio A Phenix burning her self on the top of a Rock signifying the renewing of the Empire decayed by reason of the Wickedness of former Emperors under Constantine and his Sons as the Phenix renews her self Some write that there was a Phenix seen at the building of Constantinople by Constantine Gloria Reip. Constantius and Constans being Consuls the tenth Year of their Reign and it should seem entering their Charge at Siscia after they had been at Thessalonica celebrating their Decennalia and now consulting about the War in Britain with two Women Constantinople and Rome the one being Cos. for the East the other for the West presenting them Branches of Laurel Circles as Glories about their Heads such as the Pagan Gods had about theirs representing a bright Cloud which they called Nimbus such as Virgil describes about Pallas AEn 2. and the Moon AEnei 3. and in some Medals is seen about Nero. Felix temp orum Reparatio Constans drawing after him a Youth for reforming the Times must begin with Youth old Men accustomed to their old Habits being irreformable near two Trees the one withered representing the former times of Paganism the other fresh the new ones under Constantius for we find this called Novum Saeculum He was espoused but it appears not that he was married to Olympias the Daughter of Ablatius Praefect of the Praetorium to Constantine and put to death by Constantius after Constans's death she was married to Arsaces King of Armenia 6. Flavius Popilius Nepotianus Constantinus taking his name probably when he came to be Emperor was Son of Popilius Nepotianus and Eutropia the Sister of Constantine seems to have been employed in the Wars and made a Tribune in his Youth by Constantine he and his whole Family are commended by Athanasius entertained by them for good Christians When Constans was slain and Magnentius prospering he conceived himself and his whole Family Ruined and Massacred if that Tyrant prevailed being therefore of Constantine's Family he gathered together the Gladiators Slaves and such Men as he could get armed them and calling himself Emperor vanquished Probinus Governor of the City for Magnentius Pâ—…t his Men not being disciplined 〈◊〉 great Murthers upon all who were 〈◊〉 to favour Magnentius Magnentius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Insurrection sent Marcellinus 〈◊〉 â—…ent with part of the Army against Nepotianus who not having had time to gather Strength not having reigned Forty days was defeated and slain and all his Family and Friends also so that Rome was by reason of the Murthers almost desolated 7. Vetranio born in Maesia Sober and Innocent of a plain and sweet Conversation yet an excellent and experienced Soldier Fortunate and Beloved a Devout and Charitable Christian also was declared Emperor against his will by the Legions of Pannonia in Envy to those of Gaul c. which had chosen Magnentius to whom he would not in any wise though solicited joyn himself but sent to Constantius to assist him against Magnentius But Constantius being at a great distance and Magnentius near approaching to him he was forced to accommodate his business with Magnentius and so they both sent Messengers to Constantius to make Peace they continuing in the Government of their Provinces as Emperors yet he as Supreme But Constantius kept the Messengers in the Court and hasted with all Diligence and Secrecy so that he surprised Vetranio who was forced to joyn his Army with Constantius Constantius mean while used him with all Magnificence and they agreed the next day to Harangue both Armies which Constantius knew so well how to do having also gained some of his chiefest Officers by Money that both the Armies declared him sole Emperor and plucked Vetranio off the Scaffold pulled off his Purple and declared him a private Man Constantius then sent him to Constantinople and in Bithynia assigned him a House and sufficient Revenues where he lived contentedly six Years afterwards and very Holily He reigned about ten Months 8. Magnentius Son of one Magnus was of great Strength Eloquent Confident in Prosperity Timorous in Adversity dissembling his Cruelty Treachery and Ingratitude He pretended to be a Christian yet permitted the Idolaters their Night-Sacrifices used Magick and Inchantments He was Colonel of the two principal Legions Jovian and Herculian of Constans's Army and gracious amongst
prevent and remove damnable Presumption also to quiet and ease distressed Consciences By Hen. Scudder Hume's steadfast Christian. Juan de Luar Spanish and English Grammar Gouge's Word to Saints and Word to Sinners Knolly's Rudiments of the Hebrew Grammar Latine's Apprentice made Free man Love's Dominion Lucius Florus in English Natural and artificial Conclusions Sharp's Midwifry Ward of Wit Wisdom and Folly describing the Nature Use and Abuse of the Tongue and Speech Skelton's Tachugraphia in Latin Emblems Divine Moral Natural and Historical expressed in Sculptures and applied to the several Ages Occasions and Conditions of Men. By a Person of Quality In Twelves Boulton's Devout Prayers St. Barnara's Meditations Bradshaw and Hildersham on the Sacrament Cotton's none but Christ. Capell of Temptation Coral and Steel their Virtue David's Repentance Duty of every one that intends to be saved Compleat English and French Cook Fettiplace's Christ Monitor His holy Exercises of heavenly Graces Sinners Tears Grandda of Prayer and Meditation Books Printed for and sold by Christopher Wilkinson at the Black Boy against St. Dunstan ' s Church in Fleet-street CHaracters and Discourses on several Subjects written by the Right Honorable Francis Lord Viscount Shannon A Collection of English Words not generally used with their Significations and Original in two Alphabetical Catalogues the one of such as are proper to the Northern the other to the Southern Counties With an account of the Preparing and Refining such Metals and Minerals as are gotten in England With Observations and Letters c. By John Ray Fellow of the Royal Society Dictionariolum Trilinguae secundum Locos Communes nominibus Visitationibus Anglicis Latinis Graecis Opera Joannis Raii M. A. Societatis Regiae Sodalis A Catalogue of the Nobility of England according to their Respective Precedencies and Titles of Honor they now enjoy with the Blazon of their Paternal Coats of Arms and a Catalogue of the Bishops in a large Sheet Sixty Curious Cuts Engraven on Copper for the New Testament and Common Prayer in Folio and Quarto by Mr. Faithorn deceased FINIS Ln. I know not to which of these two it belonged * Andreas Fulvius not Fulvius Ursinus Vide Geâ—…neri Bibliot à Simlero edit Phil Labbe Bibliothecae Nummarâ—…ae Part 1. †Monsieur Patin since the writing of this hath somewhat augmented Fulvius Ursinus's Collection and Morellius in his late Book promiseth to add a Third Part more * Therefore by some thought to be called Ammon from the Sands the others rather think him to have been Cham the Son of Noah and Peopleâ—… of Africa V. S. Jupiter †A conceit crept also into America and amongst the Inland inhabitants of Canada such are the Algoumekins and many other neighboring Nations V. part 2 cap. 1. * Images with the Heads of Mercury and Minâ—…va C. 9. Eygpt Cic. de prov Cons. â—…o l. 39. J. Gregorout of Job Antioch Polyb. l. 3. Flor. Epit. 18. Pet. l. 2. Some say that of all the Sacred Order the Rex Sacrorum was chief next the Flamen Dialis then Martialis next Quirinalis and then Pont. Max. but it seems that Pont. Max. was chief and had Authority over all the Sacred Order and that Rex Sacrorum and the Flamines were designed only to the peculiâ—… Service of certain Gods without any other Authority The Flamines were at first by Numa instituted three but afterwards thâ—… came to be fifteen but the first three were of most esteem and werâ—… always Patricii Liv. l. 27. Flaminem Dialem invitum inauguraâ—… coegit P. Licinius Pont. Max. C. Valerim Florus Epit. l. 19. L. Caecilius Metellus Pont. A Posthumium Cos. quoniam idem Flamen Martialis erat in urbe tenâ—…it nec pallus est à Sacris receâ—…ere Pro Domo suâ in Rullum Spartian Gutherius Serv. AEn 8. Cic. de ND 13. de Arusp resp Cic. pro Domo suâ Cic. Epist. 7. l. 5. ad Attic. Epp. 9. 13. Dionys. l. 2. 10. Serv. AEn 8. Fest. verbo Mamurius Kings Vide capâ—… 10. of Crowns Consuls Praetors AEdiles Tribunes Quaestor Censors Dictator Pro-Cos Yet that sort of Ensign was in use before AEn Vic. * The divers writing of this name Elagabalus Sec Selden de Diis Syris Synt. 2. c. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 oâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ingenuus Regilianus Macrianus Macrianus 〈◊〉 Balista Odenatus Maeonius Valens Piso. AEmylianus Saturninus Trebellianus Celsus Victorinus It is said that his Brother Domitian and his Nephews Probus and Metrophanes Sons of Domitianus were Bishops of Constantinople v Jus. Cp. R. p. 297.