but rightly weighing his cause and ballancing his purpose they will soone discern that it is farre more reasonable and necessary to revenge than receive an Injurie the Party slaine being withall so egregious a coward and the Victor so bravely valorous as appeares by the Event What perillous Plots hee had on foâ—t against me both by Poysons and all sorts of treacherous practices you may soone finde by the torture of his Servants whom I have therefore commanded to bee brought hither that you may know the truth Divers of them have beene examined already whose Confessions you may heare The truth is I being with my Mother he and others rusht in upon me with drawne swords but I shrewdly suspecting it my mind misgiving me prevented it and slew him as a Traitonr for certes hee had not the affection or disposition of a brother Now as it is an act of Iustice to bee revenged on such dangerous persons so are there good Precedents for it Romulus the first Founder of this City would not indure his owne brother * * Vid. Liv. Aurel. Victor de Orig. Gent. Roâ—â— that did but jest at his endeavours I omit Germanicus brother to Nero and Titus brother to Domitian Marcus himselfe that made such afaire Flourish of Philosophy and Humanity would not suffer the affront of * * There was a Report that Marcus Aurelius poysoned him but as Aurelius Victor saith none but lewd persons believed it Lucius his Sonne in law but secretly dispatcht him And so have I anticipated by a just Vindication the Poysons and Sword of an Enemy for so his Deeds stile him You are therfore to thanke the Gods that have reserved you such a Prince under whose sole Regiment you may now live quietly and securely without Distractions For as Iupiter is the onely Emperour among the Gods so hath hee decreed that there shall bee but one Emperour among Men. Having thus said with a loud Voice in great rage and casting His Savage Cruelty a terrible frowne on his brothers friends he leaves the Senatours most whereof lookt pale and trembled and hurries to the Pallace where he instantly slew all his brothers servants friends not sparing any Officers that were found in the House nor any other no not very Infants All whose Carkasses being despightfully throwne into Carts and carryed out of the City were cast by heaps at randome into the * They had not the honour of a decent Funerall fire Hee spared none that had the least acquaintance with Geta but put to the sword even Wrestlers Charriot-drivers and all kinde of Players and Actors that had any way delighted him by seeing or hearing them He slew also the most eminent and opulent Senatours upon the least suipicion or suggestion that they were friends to his brother He put to death Commodus his Sister who was then an old woman and had bin much honoured of all the Emperours because she was Marcus his Daughter imputing it as a crime that shee wept with his Mother at her Sonnes Murther Nor did hee forget his quondam Wife Plautians Daughter that lived in Sicily nor his Couzen-german named Sevecus nor Pertinaxes Sonne nor the Sonne of Lucilla Sister to Commodus but cut them all off together with all the Imperiall Kindred and the flower of the Nobility and Gentrie Then sent he into the Provinces and massacred all the Presidents and Procurators as Geta's Favourites Yea whole Nights were spent in such Tragicall executions of all sorts of people Hee buryed the Vestall Virgins quicke pretending they had lost their Virginity Lastly which was never done before when at the Circensian * Instituted in honour of Neptune Vid. Al. ab Alex. Gen. Die lib. 6. cap. 19. Sports where himself was a spectator the people cast some scoffe at a Charriotier which he favoured he taking it as an affront to himselfe suddenly commanded his Men at armes to rush among the Multitude and kill all that had scorned the Charriot-driver Upon this Command it being impossible to find out the Delinquents in so great a throng no man confessing himselfe guilty the Souldiers spared none that they light upon but either slew them or tooke away that they had in lieu of Ransome After all which hainous Acts his conscience His guilty Conscience recoyling and shrewdly stinging him he was weary of the City life and resolved to leave Rome upon colour to reforme the Legions and visit the Provinces Departing therfore from Italy he came to the banks of Ister and the Northern parts of the Empire where he exercised His Exercises himselfe in Coach-races and combating with all kind of Wilde-beasts Sometime he sat in judgement though very seldome where after a few words on either side he presently gave Sentence He much affected the Germanes and made them his His affection to the Germanes Confederates and Associates in warre choosing from among them the most valiant and personable to bee of his Guard Yea he oft laid aside his Roman habit and put on Germane attire going abroad in their Cassockes trimmed with Silver and wearing a yellow Periwig lâ—ke the Germane bush Which affected Garbe infinitely indeared him to the Barbarians And the Roman Army was well pleased by reason of his profuse Donatives and because he descended to the performance of all Military His Military Austerity labours in his owne person for hee would first dig when neede required and if a bridge were to bee made over a River or a Rampire to be cast or any Manuary worke or toyle to bee undertaken he would be the first that should put his hand to it contenting himselfe with a spare Diet wooden cups and platters and any bread whatsoever for his manner was to take so much wheat as would suffise one man which he grinded himselfe and then kneading it into Cakes and baking it on the Embers eat it Briefe hee left off all manner of Iunkets and delicates faring no otherwise than the poorest common souldier Moreover it pleased him better as he pretended to bee called Fellow-souldier than Emperour accustoming himselfe to travel on foot as the rest did and rarely using Horse or Caroach carrying also his owne Armes and many times the Great Imperiall Standard which being marveilous weighty by reason of the rich and Massie Gold-worke was not easily borne by the strongest Ancient-bearer For these and the like observances the army loved him as a good Souldier and honoured him as a brave Commander And indeede it was a wonder that so small a timberd man was able to do so great matters But when he had visited the Legions upon the banks of Isâ—er and went downe into Thrace which borders on Macedonia he then began to play Alexander He acts Alexander reviving that Kings Memory by all meanes possible causing his Statues and Images to be erected in every City and filling Rome it selfe the Capitoll and all the Temples with them I have seen also divers ridiculous Images
This Heav'n-aspiring Tree's th' Imperiall State Whose Branches shaken by the Hand of Fate Let fall their rip'ned Monarchs which appeare The same in Vrns as on their Thrones they were Herodian observ'd and having tooke Their sev'rall Lives hee weighs them with his Booke Hee findes them weight Then recommends their Story To Fame Fames Trumpet sounds their Shame their Glory HERODIAN'S IMPERIALL HISTORY Non ficti pravique tenax sed nuntia vero London printed for Hen Taunton and are to be sold at his shop in St. Dunstons Church yard Fleetstreete 1635 HERODIAN OF ALEXANDRIA His HISTORIE OF TVVENTY ROMAN CaeSARS and EMPERORS of his time Together with the most Solemne Deification of the Roman Emperors and Empresses Interpreted out of the Greeke Originall LONDON Printed for Henry Taunton and are to bee sold at his shop in St Dunstons Churchyard in Fleetstreet 1635. THE APPROBATION OF THIS HISTORIE by divers Authors of Eminent place and esteeme PHOTIVS the Patriarke in the 99. Chapter of his Greeke Bibliotheke HERODIAN neither swells with Superfluitie nor omits ought that is Necessarie In a word hee is not inferiour to any * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for all Historicall perfections HENRY STEPHAN in his Latine Dedicatorie Epistle to Sir Philip Sidney of glorious memory prefixt before Herodians Greeke Historie THe reading of HERODIAN'S Historicall Worke will bee a matter of singular profit and pleasure to the * Nostri Temporis Aulicis Courtiers of this Age for hee represents as in a glasse the Emperours of that age and their Courts with their Comedies Tragedies and Tragecomedies It is most certaine that hee was both an Eye-witnesse and an Eare-witnesse of many things which he writ No Roman Historie did ever comprize such * Tam mirabiles vicissitudines wonderfull changes hapning in the Romane Empire in so small a circle of time POLITIAN in his Epistle to Pope INNOCENT the 8. HAving bethought my selfe which of all the Hstorians I should translate according to your H. Command I resolved at last on HERODIAN that * Excellens rerum scriptor quâ— diu in Palatiâ—â— versatus Aulâ—â— affect eque equeâ—tâ—tâ—â— â—istorian â—â— suis 〈…〉 eâ—â—â—â— c. excellent Writer who having long continued in the Emperors Court and being very aged undertooke to write the History of his Time which he hath pâ—rformed not onely eloquently but withall most frankly and faithfully Your Holinesse shall finde in him great variety of Persons and Actions many strange things and frequent Examples of Fortune * Vacillantis reeling as it were sometime one way sometime another as also wonderfull wise Counsells accompanyed with unexpected Events and sage Precepts delivered in a Stile full of Majesty and Sweetenesse lastly a very Magazin of Morality and as it were a Mirrour of humane Fate whence all men may select choice Documents conducing to the Weale and advancement of a private and publick Estate M. D. WHEAR the publicke Professour of History in the most noble Vniversity of * Quam semper amatam semper honoratam sic Dâ—voluistis habebo Oxford in his Booke De Ratione Methodo legendi Historias pag. 35. HERODIAN a most polite and judicious Author hath with singular Eloquence described the Acts and Lives of many Caesars and Emperours THE NAMES OF the Romane Caesars and * Their gold silver and copper Coines with their Images and Inscriptions are in the custody of that noble Antiquary Sir R. C. Emperours whose Acts and Lives are recorded by HERODIAN Anno Dom. 163. MArcus Aurelius * There is yet extant at Rome a stately Columre erected by him In his time Britaine received the Christian Faith Beda Eccl. Hist l. 1. Antoninus Lucius Verus his son in law The two first CoÌ„sorts in the Roman Empire Anno Dom. 182. * His naked Statue as hee playd the Gladiator is extant at Rome in the Fâ—rnesian Palace See the Transumpt oâ— it in M. â— Sandys Iournall pag. 271. Commodus Anno Dom. 195. * So called because hee pertinaciously refused to accept the Empire offered hir by the Senate X 〈…〉 Pertinax Anno Dom. 195. Iulian. Anno Dom. 196. Niger in Asia at once * His Triumphall Arch is yet extant at R 〈…〉 No marvell if three stood for the Empire for once there were thirty Princes elected â—one time by severall Armies Zenobâ—a was one of them Vid Bed Severus in Italy at once Albinus in Britanie at once â— Rep. l. 6. â— 5. P. Mexia in Galten Antoninus Geta Brothers and Colleagues Anno Dom. 219. Macrinus and Diadumenianus Caesar his Sonne Anno Dom. 220. Antoninus or rather Pseud-Antoninus Anno Dom. 224. Alexander Maximinus Quartinus Anno Dom. 237. Gordian the Father Gordian the Sonne Anno Dom. 239. Maximus * In the Greeke Balbinus sed in Fastâ— Siculis Capitolinis Albinus Albinus Colleagues Anno Dom. 241. Gordian Nephew to the Elder Gordian HERODIAN HIS IMPERIALL HISTORIE The first Booke The Contents HErodian's Historicall faith The rare and choice Occurrents here recorded A briefe Character of the Emperors insuing A Summary of the Emperor Marcus his Life and Reigne The education of Prince Commodus How Marcus bestowed his Daughters His Princely Qualities Herodian a great Statesman Marcus misdoubts Commodus His speech on his death-bed Hee dies and is generally lamented Commodus succeeds His speech to the Army His bad Courtiers Pompeianus a grave Counceller Romane Triumphs Commodus poasteth to Rome The Romanes dearely affect him His Description His Entrie into Rome Perennius a Favourite Lucilla Commodus his Sister conspires against him Perennius his Treason Iupiters Festivall Romane Priests honoured Perennius discovered and beheaded Maternus rebells his Plot detected The Mother of the Gods her Holiday and History The strange river that made men geld themselves A Plague and Famine at Rome Cleander a Favourite His Treason He is generally hated He armes the Souldiers against the Commons Fadilla detects him He is beheaded Commodus his Cruelty and Credulity Strange Prodigies Rome fired Commodus debauched and infatuated Liberty a Goddesse Commodus an excellent Archer Hee fights naked with Fencers before all the People New-yeares-gifts New-years-tide solemnly kept Marcia Commodus his chiefe Concubine Philo-Commodus Marcia and others conspire Commodus Death Hee is poyson'd and strangled HERODIAN'S Induction OF those which have hitherto bestowed their paines in compiling Historie and recording the Acts of ancient Time divers affecting the reputation of Learning and covering by wel-tuned language to eternize their Fame lest by silence they should bee lost among the Vulgar have beene more carefull to gild and embosse their Discourse than to mine and search out the Truth supposing belike though they Truth the Soule of 〈…〉 delivered many fabulous Narrations of things done so long since they could not easily bee controlled and yet neverthelesse their neat and spruce Compositions should bee highly applauded Others againe transported Passionate Historians censured with spleene against some particular People or with hatred
execute his Command lest upon my Refusall some other should have attempted it This I come to certifie your Majestie that you may avoyd him The Tribune having done fell a weeping But Severus could not instantly credite it For Plautian's Love had taken deep root in his heart and hee suspected it to bee a meere Illusion and cunning Imposture imagining that his son the Prince out of his hatred to Plautian and his daughter had devised this stratagem deadly * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 slander wherfore instantly sending for him he sharply rebuked him for plotting such things against his deare bosome-friend Antoninus swore deeply he knew nothing of it The Tribune producing Plautians Warrant Antonine incouraged him to detect the Crime The Tribune perceiving his owne Danger and well-knowing how gracious Plautian was with the Emperor so that if now hee made not good his Charge he should bee put to a cruell death sayd thus Sir what clearer proofe or stronger Evidence can you desire yet if you will give mee leave to goe out of the Pallace and send a trusty Messenger to him to let him know that I have done his Command hee will presently believe it and repaire hither to seize the Pallace So may you learne out the Truth Onely command all in the Court to be quiet that there may bee no intelligence given to prevent the Plot. This being agreed he sends a speciall friend to Plautian to bid him come quickly now both Princes were slaine before it were blazed abroad that possessing the * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Castle and seeling himselfe in the Empire he might get the Soveraignty in despight of all men Plautian believing the Message was full of hope and putting on a Cuirace for defence under his Garments the night being well spent he poasted in his Caroach to the Court taking but a few with him that supposed the Emperours had sent for him about extraordinary Affaires Being enâ—â—ed the Royall pallace without any stop the Corps de guard knowing nothing of the busines the Tribune meets him and of set purpose salutes him Emperour Plautian the Traitor betrayed then taking him by the hand in friendly sort he leades him to the Chamber where he said hee had throwne the dead bodies of the Emperours Severus having appointed some of his Guard as soone as hee entred the roome to lay hands on him But Plautian who little expected such a banquet perceiving when he was come into the Chamber both the Emperours standing there and that hee was taken in the manner being horribly afraid fell on his knees and sought them not to misdeeme him saying it was a meere Gull and Tricke put upon him Severus exprobrating his Ingratitude in rewarding his many Honours and Favours in that sort and Plautian on the other side remembring him of his ancient love and approoved Fidelity the Emperour beganne by little and little to incline to believe him till his Cuirace was discerned by the opening of his Garment Which Antonine espying being a bold chollericke Youth and bearing a grudge against him Sir quoth he what colourable answer can you make to these two poynts First you come to Vs thus late unsent for Next what is the meaning I pray of this Cuirace who uses to sup or banquet in Armour With that hee commands the Tribune and the rest that were present to dispatch him with their swords as an open enemy Plautian slaine They without dilay did as the young Emperour bade them and threw his carcasse into the High-way to bee the scorne of them that haâ—ed him This end had Plautian answerable to his exorbitant Life and Insatiate Ambition Severus henceforth made two Pretorian Prefects and spent most of his Time in his Royall houses in the Suburbs or in the Sea-coast of * The Region betwixt Rome and Naples Campania ministring †Severus was a good Law-giver S. Aur. Vici de Caesar Iustice and attending State-Affaires Hee was also exceeding carefull to have his Sonnes at Rome bred in honourable fashion For he perceived they were more addicted to Playes and Games than was agreeable to their Princely estare The pursuit whereof and their eager desire to win being stâ—ll accompanyed with different successe and vehement altercation distracted the Brethrens affections and inflamed them with Fire-brands of enmity and discord But Antonine especially now Plautian was made away beganne to be intolerable in his behaviour and formidable to all using all possible meanes to destroy his wife daughter to Plautian But Severus sent her away with her brother into Sicilie assigning them sufficient Maintenance to live plentifully imitating Augustus who dealt in like sort with Antonius sonnes when he became his Enemie And now he mainly laboured Severus Instruction to his Sonnes to reconcile his Sons and reduce them to Vnity and Vnanimity * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Remembring them out of old Stoties and Tragedies of the disasters which befell to Brothers that were Princes by such Dissentions Hee shewed them how full of Money the Treasuries and Temples were so that they needed not to seeke for Wealth and Riches abroad that had such abundance at home whereby they might bountifully reward the Souldiers at their pleasure That the Romane Guards were quadrupled and so puissant an Army lay before the City that considering the Number of men at Armes Hugenes of their bodies and great store of treasure no forraign power was able to come neere them And yet all he said would come to nought if they jarr'd warr'd one with the other Thus did hee daily schoole them and by sharpe reprehensions and faire speeches strove all hee could to bring them to sobriety and temper But all in vaine For these unbridled Gallants being in those first heats of youth flesht in all kinde of Pleasures by reason of their Imperiall State became worse and worse and were more at ods than ever by the practices of their Parasites who did not only base offices in serving their Lusts but were also still projecting new Quarrells and Debates betwixt them for their own sinister ends But Severus finding out divers of those bad Instruments severely punisht them The Emperour being in great anguish of spirit by reason of his Childrens unseemly and unprincely Demeanour received Newes from Britaine Letters from his Vice-Roy of Britaine cerifying that the Barbarians there were risen and had ranged over the Country pillaging wasting all before them that he needed therfore greater Forces to defend the * He means the Provinciated part of Britaine Place or rather that his Imperiall Majestly should come in person Severus was glad of this newes as naturally desirous of honour and ambitious after his Eastern and Northern Victories and Sirnames to make a Conquest of the Britaines Ioyfull also hee was of so faire an occasion to take his Sonnes from Rome and weane them from the Diet and Delights of the City by inuring them to a sober military life