yeares he was twice Consul once Gouernour of the citie and once Iudge in suche wise that his vertue was more beneficiall then others to be naturall of the countrie The father of Antoninus Pius was named Fuluius Aurelius a man vertuous and learned and no lesse then his grandfather Titus was twice Consul his grandmother of the mothers side was named Bobinia and the father of his mother whiche was Arrius Antoninus was no lesse estéemed in the Romaine Empire then was his other grādfather for he was Iudge two yeres Master of the horsse men one yeare Tribune of the people an other yeare and in the ende two times Consul This Arrius Antoninus was a great persecuter of Domitian a great friende of Nerua and verie priuate with Traiane whiche when he perceiued Nerua to accept the Empire being so olde he had greate compassion of him and sayde these wordes My friende Nerua I giue thee to vnderstande eyther it is some cursse from thy predecessours or some vengeaunce that the Goddes will take of thee since they permitte thee to take the Empire and at the time of most neede to haue counsell they depriue thee of thy sound and good iudgement The good olde Nerua did so sensibly féele these wordes spoken by his friende Antoninus that had it not béene by the great importunitie of Traiane he had presently renounced the Empire which if he had done as afterwards he did he had not erred bycause his age was too greate and his strength but weake Antoninus Pius had a father in lawe named Iulius Lupus which long time was a Senatour that desired not to beare office but with his patrimonie to liue in quietnesse Antoninus Pius married with the daughter of Annius Verus who was named Annia Faustina a woman of excelling beautie and this was mother vnto the famous Faustine wife vnto the great Emperour Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Pius and Faustine his wife had two sonnes which died in their youth and also two daughters of which the elder was married vnto the Consul Sillanus which also died in their youth The second daughter as the mother was named Faustine married vnto Marcus Aurelius in whome the succession of the Empire did remaine Antoninus Pius had but one sister named Iulia Fadilla whome he tenderly loued not onely for that he had no more but because they were twinnes and borne both at a birth Antoninus Pius was borne the xiii daye of October at a certeine place named Laurina which afterwardes he did nobilitate with stately buyldinges and indued with great priuileges and also did amplifie the boundes thereof which were but short and narrowe In the moste time of his infancie he was nourished with his fathers father and being more entred into yeres he continued with his other graund father by the mothers side and was so vertuous and so well inclined that he was pleasing vnto all men and beloued of all persons he attained to be knowen vnto all his grandfathers both of father and mother who all fixed their eyes vppon Antoninus as well to inuest him with learning as to endue him with riches and wealth for as he afterwards reported of them they vsed to saye that they fauoured him more for his vertue then for affinitie With his graundfathers he learned both tounges of Greeke and Latine he gaue him selfe more to Cosmographie then to any other science and did muche delight to talke with men of straunge nations to giue them to vnderstande that he did knowe all the particularities of their countries by science as they did by experience Being so intirely beloued of his graundfathers they helde him alwayes in company with Philosophers who of his owne natural condition delighted not but in the company of the vertuous whereof it procéeded that after he became so cruell an enimie vnto the wicked and so perfect a friend vnto good men The customes and companies that Princes do take in their youth they loue and followe afterwardes when they be men CHAP. II. ¶ Of the inclination proportion and naturall fashion of his bodie ANtoninus Pius was of an high stature slender and very streight his eyes somewhat outward black hayre thicke bearde white rare and gaptothed his face white merrie gladsome and faire in such wise that he did rather prouoke to be loued then feared Naturally he was of great health his téeth excepted which he lost before he came to age When a certeine cunning man made offer to be bound to place him téethe wherewith to speake and eate Antoninus made him aunswere Since neuer from my harte proceeded fained or double woords there shall neuer enter into my mouth counterfete teeth The want of his téeth made him to eat with paine and stutter in his spéeche Being touched with a Iester for his stammering Antoninus aunswered I recke not greatly to stumble in wordes so that I erre not and stand vp right in deedes In Rome there was a Senatour named Taurinus liberall in spéeche and not sober in diet who reprouing Antoninus for that his téeth failed him bothe to eate and speake aunswering saide I consent to that which thou saiest for that I if I woulde may not be a glutton but thou maist and wilt not leaue to be malicious Many Princes did excell Antoninus Pius in science but none did matche him in eloquence for that ordinarily he did talke in the Latine tounge did dispute in the Greeke He was naturally very well conditioned which had in him moste apparance for that alwayes his woords were without malice and his thoughtes without suspicion Although he were of complexion cholerike sanguine which giueth men occasion to be rashe and soudein it had no place in Antoninus Pius for that he was constant in aduersities and patient in iniuries When in his presence they saide any woordes that did grieue or offende him or brought him any sorrowfull newes in biting of his lipp in casting downe his eyes and laying one hand vpon another they vnderstood his great sorrow but ioyntly herewith he was neuer séene of any man soudeinly to chaunge countenaunce muche lesse to speake any cruell or iniurious woorde Before he was Emperour he was the welthiest man of all the Empire for that he did inherite from his foure graundfathers greate and ample patrimonies vnto whome he was sole inheritour He was giuen to gather conserue and augment his goodes riches and wealth but without all oppression to any person for that he liued onely of him selfe defrauding no man of his suite After he obteined the Empire when by chaunce any talke was moued of the couetousnesse of men and of the necessitie of Princes many times he woulde saye I giue thankes to the immortall Gods that since I haue beene Emperour I haue not taken any thing from any man either before that euer I was benighted with debt He had great affection to the woorkes of the fielde and therein had not onely the tooles and thinges necessarie for the purpose that is to saye buffes oxen cartes
slaine his Lord Bassianus not by inducemente of any person but to reuenge his brothers death Many others were of this conspiracie besids Macrinus that ordeyned it and Martianus that sought the same that is to say Nemesianus his brother Apolinarius Renonuus Agrippa al which had sworn his death some for iniuries which they had receiued others for seruice vnrecompenced Presently vppon Bassianus his death Macrinus commaunded his body to be burnt and his ashes to be placed in a coffin of gold so with great gard and no lesse accompanied hee sente the same vnto Iulia his mother in law being then at Antioch who at the instante when she vnderstoode Bassianus to be dead dranke a litle poison wherewith she finished her life The case stāding in this estate newes arriued at the Romaine campe that Arthabanus king of Parthians pursued Antoninus Bassianus to execute vengeance for the iniurie which he had receiued and to the same end the king his knightes before they came to the field made a vowe vnto their Gods neuer more to returne with life before they had slaine the Emperour Bassianus The Romanes beheld themselues in great confusion on the one parte findeing themselues in so straunge a Countrie wythout hope of succour and also for the death of their prince and their enimie so néere at hand to repaire and remedie which mischiefe with great diligence they elected a prince named Audentius a man of honest life and of great experience in the warres which he refused alledging for himselfe age and sickenesse and that of his election hee might not gather but trauel offence vnto the common wealth Two dayes was the armie without an Emperour and in the end vppon Audentius his refusall they elected Macrinus for Emperour which election did rather procéed of necessitie then of will because their Parthian enimies were very néere the worthie persons of the Empire very farre Aboue wée made mention of Iulia the mother in law vnto Bassianus this Ladie being a widowe and resident in the Court in the summer time Bassianus beheld her at a feast as she was halfe naked and inflamed with her loue said vnto her these words If it were possible to renounce this name mother which I owe thee from henceforth I would call thee wife Iulia aunswered If thou wilt thou mayest because princes haue authoritie to make lawes but are not bound to obserue them And as in Bassianus loue did abound so finding in Iulia a readie minde presently he married with her in such wise that vnto patricide he added incest that is to say that hauing slaine his brother Geta also he married his fathers wife Bassianus naturally was euil inclined and if his father were cruell he was most cruell in eating disordinate in drincking vntemperate for many times in his excesse of drinke he would talke at large From his infancie he was hated of all persons no lesse of his owne then of strangers the Pretorian knights onely excepted which was not for the benefites that of him they had receiued but for the libertie which he gaue them to robb and steale Some notable buildinges hee erected in Rome especially certaine stately bathes which hee named after his owne name in cost and curiousnes excéeding all workes and buildinges in Rome He made also a gate in Rome called it Seueriana in the reuerence of the name of his father Seuerus wherin he caused to be grauen al the victories and triumphes that his father had obteined either after or before he was Emperour Hee was the first that brought vnto Rome the image of the Goddesse Isis vnto whome he edified a sumptuous temple and therein did constitute priestes He left no child either legitimate or not legitimate but Heliogabalus whom he had by a néece of his mother Iulia of whom we will speake in the historie following The life of the Emperour Heliogabalus compiled by sir Anthonie of Gueuara Bishop of Mondonnedo preacher chronicler and counseller vnto the Emperour Charles the fifte CHAP. I. ¶ Of the linage and nouriture of the Emperour Heliogabalus THE second wife of Seuerus was named Iulia which was mother vnto Geta and mother in lawe vnto Bassianus this Iulia when she was married vnto Seuerus brought vnto Court with her an elder sister named Mesia a woman of proportion sufficient faire and comely but of condition very wilie This Mesia had with her two daughters whereof the elder was named Semiamira and the yonger Manea both borne in the Emperour Seuerus his Courte and bred and nourished a long time after in the house of the Emperour Bassianus The writers of those times do not name who was the husband of Mesia and the father of Semiamira of Manea and therefore doubted to be conceiued in adulterie or that the father was of linage obscure Mesia remayning in the Court of Seuerus with her two daughters being young very faire Bassianus the sonne of Seuerus had accesse vnto Semiamira and begate of her a sonne named Antoninus Caracalla and for the loue of Iulia his aunt and also to the end the damosell should not bee despised in the sighte of Seuerus the graundmother vsed so great skill in this busines that no person of the Courte might perceiue the daughter to be with child or brought a bed or whether the child was put foorth to be noursed The auncient linage of this womā Mesia was of Phoenicia borne she was in a citie called Mesania néere vnto whiche place in times past a battell had béene fought betwéene the Rhodians and the Phoenicians Antoninus Caracalla on the fathers side was sonne vnto the Emperour Bassianus and on the mothers side sonne of Semiamira and conceiued in adulterie Whē the child was fiue yeares of age he was brought vnto the Courte and there bred nourished with the mother and graundmother but all the dayes that Bassianus liued they neuer durst say that it was his sonne because Iulia his aunt and mother in lawe to Bassianus had married with the selfe same Bassianus and if she had knowen the child to be such she would haue slaine it banished her Néece sent away her sister This woman Mesia was so wise prouident that in the reigne of Seuerus at Court all men did serue her after in the dayes of Bassianus shée commaunded and gouerned all thinges at her owne pleasure and this was in such extréeme wise that with her he did take counsel for the affaires of the cōmon wealth and shée did alwayes accompanie him whither soeuer he went out of Rome although it were vnto the warres This Mesia was frank of speach of no great reformation of life howbeit very skilful in al things which she aduentured to take in hand for notwithstanding al men had of her great suspiciō yet they were fewe that atteyned vnto her secrete drifts Although on the one part she was accused to be lewd loase of life yet on the other shée was praised because shée
the ambassage that thy greatly fauoured Plautianus doth send thée whose messenger I am not to giue thée warning as I do aduise thée but to kill thée and thy sonne Bassianus for that as thou hast trusted him with thine honour and giuen him of thy goodes it séemeth vnto him also that thou shouldest serue him with thy life Great was the admiration of Seuerus when hee heard what Saturninus said and yet most true that presently hee mighte not beléeue the same or could thincke that so vile treason might be conteyned in Plautianus but rather that his sonne Bassianus had béene the inuenter thereof to lead him into disdaine and hatred against Plautianus Bassianus being lodged within his father at his voyce did awake and came foorth whome his father Seuerus reproued blamed with words very sharpe for the inuention of so great euill and sware by the immortal Gods to receiue him from thenceforth into his further grace and fauour in the way of reuenge for so great an impietie for Plautianus was not a man to haue any such thought in his heart And as Bassianus had not heard the beginning of Saturninus speach so was hee abashed to sée his father so gréeuously offended wheruppon Saturninus seeing the incredulitie of the Emperour Seuerus how entirely he loued Plautianus puld foorth his writing wherein hee was commaunded to kill both him his sonne and further did humbly craue that Plautianus might be sent for with aduertisement that Seuerus and his sonne were slaine and then it should be séene that he would come apparelled not in silk but in yron One was sent as from Saturninus vnto Plautianus to come to Court where at his arriuall finding all in silence Saturninus met him at the chamber doore receiuing him as new Emperour vppon his knées did kisse his hands and taking him by the hand in the darke said he would direct him where Seuerus was strangled and his sonne Bassianus slaine Plautianus thinking all safe sure that Saturninus saide entered the chaÌ„ber alone where Seuerus Bassianus with certaine assistants were readie to receiue them whome when hée beheld liuing that hée had thought to be dead he chaunged countenaunce and lost his speach A long time was Seuerus reprehending Plautianus putting him in remembraunce of all thinges which he had done for him and in especiall so many great displeasures which he had passed for his sake and had aduaunced him aboue all persons in the Empire and aboue all the rest had reuenged him of all his enimies After Plautianus had a little recouered himself he bowed his knées before his lord Seuerus and with teares began to craue pardon for his offence promising amendment in time to come saying that for his owne cause hee ought to pardon him although hee wanted all deseruing for any mercie but to take away all occasion of reporte in the Empire that euer he had fauoured so wicked a person Beholding Plautianus teares the promises which he made the hoarie head beard that he so tare and the great loue that he had borne him Seuerus was in a maner determined to pardon him but in the end being found to be clad in a shirt of male wheron Bassianus laying his hand said Tell mee Plautianus into princes chambers at such an houre as this do seruauntes enter apparelled in silke or armed with yron I sweare vnto thee by the immortall Gods since thou bringest yron to kill vs thou shalt here die with yron And hardly had ended these woords when he began to stab him with his dagger whoe presently fell downe dead and was beheaded whose head was fixed vppon a launce ouer the port of Hostia the body deliuered vnto boyes to trayle alongest the streates of Rome This was the ende and conclusion of the fauoured and priuate Plautianus whome Fortune sâ—â—st aduaunced and follie afterwards cast away CHAP. XVII ¶ Of the particular vices and vertues of Seuerus THe newes being spread throughout Rome that Plautianus was dead al the people tooke great pleasure and no lesse would haue ioyed if Plautianus had slaine Seuerus and his sonne Bassianus for that all thrée were so euil wished in the common wealth that the least euill which they would them in the common wealth was but death The offices that Plautianus held in the common wealth Seuerus diuided amongest the Tribunes simple and plaine meÌ„ and not giuen to trouble but the loue and fauour which he had vnto Plautianus he neuer after committed vnto any person for as afterwardes he said he knew not whome to trust since his priuate and fauoured seruaunt Plautianus would murther him Plautianus being dead there was none that might suffer or indure the cruelties of the prince Bassianus or follerate his tyrannies for Bassianus stoode in awe of Plautianus partly for that he was his father in lawe as also for that he had bred him from his infancie Seuerus considering his sonnes Bassianus Geta to increase in age decrease in wit caused wilde beasts to be brought for them to kill horses to runne inuenting new playes to practise therein to occupie their persons diuerting their mindes to those games to reinoue them from vices Finding no profite to lead his sonnes to vertue by those warlike exercises he would cal them in secrete and tel them of many old examples how such and such princes were cast away by discord and that the same mischance must happen vnto them if they did not behaue themselues as friends fauour eche other as brothers for that with concord smal things increase by discord great things came to nought Besids that the two brethren were ouerthwart in maners and peruerse of conditions as before hath beene said their tutours did them much hurt that is to say in dissembling their vices inciting them to greater enimities whereof Seuerus being aduertised some of them he banished some he dispatched some he drowned in welles affirming that they deserued more punishment that kindled enimities then the persons that did execute them Plautianus left a daughter that was wife vnto Bassianus and her sonne nephue vnto Seuerus and sonne vnto Bassianus as well the mother that was young as the sonne which was a child they banished into Sicyl giuing them of al that which they had no more but to serue them wherw t to eate which Seuerus did not for enuie that he bare to his nephue daughter in law but not to offeÌ„d his sonne Bassianus Seuerus did vaunt himself that his predecessours had bin of a citie in Africa named Tripol which he did nobilitate not only in buildings but also in rents priuileges and plaÌ„ted there and orchard of Oliue trées which did yéeld so great quantitie of oyle that it was sufficient for a great part of Africa and Italie Seuerus was a friend of wisemeÌ„ fauoured studious delt very well with such as were learned but ioyntly with this hee did most abhorre them if they were either ouerthwart or troublesome
was very wise in all thinges wherein she gaue counsell which most clearely appeared for that in the 16. yeares in which she remained in the Courte and manours of those princes who by her iudgement and opinion were gouerned shée was neuer séene to twite or reproue any person with her tongue or giue counsel in any thing that offended the common wealth Being as she was sister vnto Iulia the Empresse and so accepted with those princes this Mesia was marueilous riche and the cause thereof was that all good thinges which were vacant in the Empire she craued and whatsoeuer was giuen her shee receiued The second daughter of this Mesia named Manea maried with a Cōsul named Verius and brought him forth a sonne then named Alexius but afterwards Alexander the Emperour in such wise that this Mesia had one sister an Empresse sawe her two nephues Emperours Mesia doubting that some day it might come to the notice of Iulia her sister that Antoninus Caracalla was the sonne of her husband Bassianus aduised to send both her nephues vnto her owne proper countrie of Phoenicia there to hold them more safe and better taught In the prouince of Phoenicia was a most sumptuous temple dedicated vnto the God Heliogabalus the woorkemanship whereof was wrought all of sawen stone as if it had béene timber in the ioyning whereof their appeared no seame but all mē iudged that knew not that secrete that the whole temple had béene made of one stone There was not in that temple as was in other tēples which is to wit any image or simulachre of any God but that which it conteyned was a blacke shining stone great large beneath and vpwards more narrow wherein was grauen the Sunne and the Moone right curiously subtily which in viewe and beholding did dazill the eyes of men The people of Phoenicia did report that the temple was made by mans hand but the stone was sent by the Gods from heauen for which cause they offered vpon the same siluer gold iewels and other great riches and it was visited not onely by the natiues of Phoenicia but also from many partes of Asia In that temple there were not onely priestes but also Philosophers to the ende that some should sacrifice and others teache and refourme maners because that temple was indued with so great riches that there was sufficient both for the one the other Heliogabalus being of the age of xiiii yeres and his cousin Alexius of the age of twelue yeares their graundmother Mesia placed them in that temple to enure them to offer sacrifices to learne Philosophie These two brethren went apparailed after the manner of two Priestes which is to wéete in shirtes of Linsey woolsey their garments of gold and cotton their sléeues buttoned with Corrall their robes trailing their heades couered with silke calles about their neckes collars of golde their féete bare vppon the instep leaden ringes vppon their little fingers and ringes of golde vpon their thumbes but aboue al the rest they might not eate but in their houses either sléepe but in their temples And because Antoninus was Priest and brought vp in the temple of the God Heliogabalus that is to saye a Priest of the Sunne he was afterwardes named Antoninus Heliogabalus and also many dayes after that he was exalted vnto the height of the Empire he kepte the garments and receiued the stipend of his auncient priesthood Heliogabalus was of meane stature redde haired white faced small mouthed shorte legged and largely bearded and as at that time he was young and faire and his sacerdotall vestmentes did so adourne him although the secrete of his parentage was vnknowen yet all men presupposed that he was of noble bloud CHAP. II. ¶ Howe capteine Macrinus did exalt him selfe with the Empire after the death of Bassianus AFter that Martianus had slaine Bassianus his Lorde through the counsell of Macrinus presently he exalted him selfe or to saye better did tyrannize the Empire neuerthelesse the armies elected him and the Romanes allowed him not because they were pleased with Macrinus but for ioy to sée them selues frée and deliuered of Bassianus So generall was the ioye amongest the Romane people to sée Bassianus dead that they cared not to consider of Macrinus that should succéede whether he were good or bad because heartes that be tormented and men that be despighted when they hap to oppresse their enimies consider not so much of their profite as they respect their reuengement Tenne dayes after Macrinus sawe him selfe Emperour Arthabanus king of the Parthians gaue him battell to reuenge the iniurie which Bassianus had done vnto him this battell betwixt both partes was so contended and so bloudie that the victorie on that daye remained on neither side yet least was the losse vnto the Romanes Arthabanus being aduertised of the death of his enimie Bassianus and his choler also somewhat alaide made peace with the Romanes and with his armies retired into his countrie After Macrinus behelde him selfe elected and confirmed Emperour and king Arthabanus returned vnto his kingdome and that in all Asia not so much as a lance in the rest against him he departed to the citie of Antioche not of any intent to refourme his armie but of purpose totally to vowe him selfe vnto vice and filthinesse The case was thus that being setled in Antioche he gaue héede vnto no other matter but to the vse of the Bathe trimming his head annoynting his bearde going on hunting prosecuting gluttonie and excesse giuing him selfe vnto women and that which was woorst he fledde from affaires and followed vices When at any time Macrinus did issue foorth to viewe his men of warre he walked not with a lance but with a Caane in his hande which they helde for no small iniurie for that amongest them it was a lawe that none might passe through their bandes except he were armed with some armour It was a lawe muche vsed and obserued amongest the Romanes that their Princes did neuer enter armed into the Senate either vnarmed did viewe their Campes and armies since in the one they did manage matters of peace and in the other nothing but warres Macrinus heard by reporte that the good Marcus Aurelius spake sildome and with lowe voice and so he vsed for resemblance to aunswere suters with fewe woordes and verie base in such wise that in his speache he did imitate Marcus Aurelius and in his life did resemble Nero. With none of the Antiochians either with any person of all Asia did he consent to haue conference or to be serued at his table either enter into his chamber or sléepe in his house but after the manner of a tyraunt with his owne he stoode vppon his guarde and with straungers not a little suspicious Auncient persons his olde horsemen and the Capteines of his armies he woulde not commaund to stande vp although they had long continued vppon their knées either to put on their cappes when they stoode bareheaded
and promise for from that day wherein Princes shal vnable thē selues to punishe vice and sinne from thenceforth their vassals shal followe wickednesse In the yere that Adrian entred Rome all thinges were deare and the people not sounde or in health who vsing greate magnificence commaunded much money to be giuen to the poore of the common wealth in such wise that it was not founde that any died for hunger either suffered any extreme necessitie There were many that had béene banished and diuerse in prison for debt due vnto the Fiscall that is to saye vnto his chamber Adrian gaue commaundement by publique proclamation that all such debtes should be absolued and that for any such debte none should be runnagates either kept in prison Adrian did derogate the law custome of his predecessours which is to wéet that the goods of the condemned should be for the Prince which he commaunded from thenceforth to be imployed not to his chāber but to the comfort of the common wealth for he saide and helde opinion that the Iudge should neuer be grieued to punishe offendours when he should remember to inherite a share of the offendours goods He extremely delighted when any person came to craue and much more did reioyce if he had to giue but if by chaunce he had not to satisfie his demaund at the least he gaue him a friendly aunswer From the time that Adrian was in possession of the Empire he was neuer heard to say or name Traiane but my Lord Traiane CHAP. VIII ¶ Of the good conditions and inclinations of Adrian WIth much diligence and no lesse secrecie Adrian inquired what life the Senatours did leade and what exercise they vsed and such as he found poore and vertuous he augmented their patrimonie and such as he found riche and vicious he found meane to depriue them from the Senate Adrian was a Prince verie skilfull and muche considerate in punishing his officers and seruauntes that is to saye he kept secrete from the people the causes why he remoued any person from his office And further if he displaced any person from his commoditie he did not forget otherwise to recompence him in such maner that if he did chastice them he did not dishonor them Many times did Adrian speake these woordes Whome I shal see esteemed and worshipped in the common wealth I wil rather determin to take away his hed then his honour The rēts which the good Traiane left in many partes of Italie for the bréeding of children the sustaining of widowes the marriage of Orphans he did not only confirme but also made better All the seruants of Traiane he did aduaunce to better offices such as were not méete for offices he gaue thē money Adrian commaunded serch to be made how many noble men were falne into pouertie such as were decayed by mischaunce he relieued such as procured pouertie by vice he gaue them leaue to endure necessitie He gaue help to al the Romaine widowes to marrie their daughters he was not more boūtiful in giuing relief vnto the daughters then he was an enimie to succour the sonnes for he helde opinion that that young man deserued not to be married that with his handes did not obteine a marriage By thrée dayes space he did celebrate the feast of the god Genius that is to saye the daye of his birthe and commaūded vpon those dayes to giue pitances vnto all the people and he with all the Senatours and nobles did eate and banquet in his imperiall palace the cost whereof did not amount vnto so little but as they were thrée if they had béene sixe the rentes of the whole Empire had béen spent and parte of their treasure By the space of sixe continuall dayes he did cause them to represent the game of swoorde players and the people craued certeine other playes which he would not consent not for that he delighted not therein but to giue them to vnderstand in Rome that it appertained vnto Princes as much to moderate their pleasures as to giue order for thinges of importance Before Adrian was Emperour he was thrise Consul for which cause he made diuers Romaines thrée times Consuls and whereas some were offended for want of like fauour he did aunswer Such as did exceede mee in merite ought to be equall with mee in dignitie Within the compasse of Rome neuer before the dayes of Adrian were permitted more then two Consuls the one to gouerne the common wealth the other to go to the warres but Adrian did adde and create a thirde Consul for that if the one should be sicke and the other resident in the warres the common wealth shoulde not remaine without an head Tutinus a noble knight of Rome Adrian did create Senatour and gaue him the ensignes of Consul whereat the whole Senate was offended affirming that the Emperour ought or might not create in such manner partely because Tutinus was not of deseruing and partly for that the aduise of the Senate should haue béene vsed therein Adrian was displeased with these wordes of the Romaines and from thence foorth did vse more libertie in reparting offices and lesse companye in determining causes He helde Seuerianus in greate veneration which had married his sister vnto whome he gaue both honour and great rewardes and at all times when Seuerianus came vnto his chamber to conferre and to vnderstand his pleasure Adrian came foorth to méete and receiue him at the doore Although Seuerianus came to visite Adrian and Adrian came foorth to receiue Seuerianus yet auncient and very mortall was the hatred betwixt them for in this case either of them did vtter and discouer to be possessed with a moste vile intent for that Seuerianus did trauaile to depriue Adrian from Empire and honour and Adrian with no lesse facilitie did take away his life When Adrian was in Rome at the least he went thrise a wéeke vnto the Senate and if he were either sicke or muche busied they did repaire vnto his presence in such maner that nothing of importance did passe in the Senate wherein they did not vse his iudgement Adrian was of familiar conuersation with his speciall friendes and with his particular seruaunts with whome he went to eate in their gardeines to fishe at riuers to hunt in the fieldes and all other such like pastimes Naturally he was giuen to haue compassion of the sicke and herein he did neither consider whether they were friends or foes for that indifferently he did visite them and at his owne charges did prouide for them He did not onely visite the sicke but also the olde men decrepite with age of whome at large he woulde inquire of the yeres that they had liued the kingdomes they had trauelled the daungers they had passed the enimies which they had helde the necessities that they had endured in suche wise that many times of the things which they had saide of times past he tooke example for the time
and consent vnto the obedience of Rome Rometalce king of the Pindaroes was accused in the Senate of disloyaltie vnto the Romaines in the warres they helde against the Rhodes who coÌ„ming vnto Rome to quite him selfe the good Antoninus did not onely confirme him in his kingdome but also did not permit that for any thing past any motion should be made affirming that his offence might not be so great but that his submissiue apparance did reforme the same The Olbiopolites a people in Asia held warre with the Taurocistes alies of Rome vnto whom Antoninus sente succour by sea and with assistance of the Romanes subdued the Olbiopolites who not only paid all charges of the warres but also gaue hostages to maintaine peace Antoninus neuer raised warre but that first he sought to conserue peace and praised not a little that saying of Scipio that is to say Hee rather wished the life of one citizen of Rome theÌ„ the death of a thousand enimies When hée married his daughter Faustina vnto Marcus Aurelius he made a suÌ„ptuous feast and gaue great rewards vnto his men of warre He held his sonne Marcus Aurelius in great reuerence and would haue made â—im Consul which hee refused holding it for more happie to turne bookes then to appease nations After he had sent vnto Calcedonie for the great Philosopher Apollonius and had giuen him an house to dwell in solitarilie neare vnto the riuer Tiber Antoninus sent for him who refusing to come sent answeare That schollers do vse to come to their maisters and not maisters vnto their scholers whereat Antoninus laughing said A trim ieste that Apollonius hath paste so many seas from Calcedonie vnto Rome and now refuseth from his house to come to mine Although Apollonius were learned in Philosophie yet was hée in his life very couetous whereat when certaine in presence of the Emperour did murmur hée aunsweared for very deare that Philosophers sell vs their Philosophie alwayes their science is more worthe which they teach vs then the goodes which wée giue them CHAP. XII ¶ Of the succession of the Empire and the occasion of his death AS the Emperour Antoninus in his youth was alwayes a frend vnto the vertuous euen so in his age carefully hée did séeke the conuersation of the wise and therewith had no lesse care of publique matters then of his owne priuate affaires Generally hée was so liked and loued of al nations that in all temples in all walles gates and buildings these foure letters were placed namely V.A.C.R. whiche is to saye Vita Antonini Conseruatur Respublica which is to saye On the life of Antoninus the whole weale of the Romane Empire dependeth Leauing a part many good lawes which he made for the Common wealth for which purpose hee had alwayes attendant about him men in the lawes singularly learned who among the chiefe was Vindemius Verus Siluius Valente Abolusius Metianus Vlpius Marcellus and Iabolinus before whome hée set the lawes of all kingdomes and of the most necessarie and approued to take the choice to be established in his kingdomes When he did institute any lawe either ordeine any proclamation he alwayes expressed therein so great reason that his commaundements were neuer disobeyed either his lawes reuoked The cause of his death they say was after this maner from Gallia Transalpina that is to say swéete Fraunce they did present him certaine chéeses whereof he eating at his supper more then was conuenient they ministred vnto him a perillous vomit whereby they discharged his stomache not onely of meate superfluous but also of bloud righte necessarie which bredd in him a furious feuer and finding himselfe in great weaknesse without disposition to sléepe either appetite to eate he commaunded al the Senatours and chief gouernours to be called vnto his presence and before theÌ„ all did commende the common wealth vnto Marcus Aurelius his sonne and Faustine his daughter And making his testament in verie good order wherin he gaue vnto his seruants great gifts which being finished and perfourmed he gaue vnto his daughter Faustine the inheritaunce of all his lands which he possessed before he came vnto the Empire His feauer increasing and his strength and life wasting the fourth day of his sicknesse about noone beholding and viewing all the circumstants and shutting his eyes as if he would sléepe gaue vp the ghost who was no lesse bewailed at his death then he was beloued in time of life and presently by conformitie of the whole Senate was intituled Holie and all the people at the newes of his death a vie in euery streate did grite skrich and cry aduauncing and magnifying his bountie clemencie benignitie liberalitie iustice patience prudence and prouidence Al the honours were done vnto him and all the famous titles were giuen him that vpon any noble Prince had bene imployed And deserued that in the temple of Iupiter a priest of his owne name should be institute Also they built him a temple and dedicated vnto his honour the Circene playes and a fraternitie where they were all called Antonines This Prince onely amongest all Princes liued and dyed without sheading of bloude and for likelinesse compared vnto Numa Pompilius not onely in good gouernement of the common wealth but also for sinceritie of life The life of the Emperour Commodus the sonne of good Marcus Aurelius compiled by Syr Anthonie of Gueuara byshop of Mondonnedo preacher Chronicler and CouÌ„seler vnto the Emperour Charles the fift CHAP. I. ¶ Of the byrth of the Emperour Commodus THe Emperour Commodus had to his grandfather Annius Verus and his father was the good Emperour Marcus Aurelius and his mother was the right faire and renouned Faustine on whose side he was nephewe vnto the Emperour Antoninus Pius a man of a refourmed life and very beneficiall vnto the common wealth of Rome He was borne in a certaine place named Lodie on the eight day of September at the time that his father and Drusius his vnckle were Consuls the one gouerning matters of warre in Datia and the other in refourmation of causes in the common wealth The Empresse Faustine being great with childe and neare vnto the time of her childe byrth dreamed that she was deliuered of certaine serpents but especially of one more fierce then the rest of which dreame when his father Marcus Aurelius was infourmed they say that he sayde I feare me Faustine that the sonne of this birth shall proue so fierce a Serpent that shall be of power to commit a murther of our fame and to poyson the whole common wealth of Rome The Astronomers and Nekromantiques which in those dayes were resident in Rome they sayde and prognosticated many things of the byrth of the Emperour Commodus and as it appeared afterwardes they sayde very little in respect of that which followed bycause this miserable and vnfortunate Prince in his manners did rather resemble the infernall furies then reasonable creatures From his infancie his father Marcus Aurelius carefully did trauell in the
man that although the state be finished and the goods cōsumed notwithstanding folly remaineth Thus stoode the case Commodus was after married vnto a Romaine ladie named Crispina vnto whome from thence foorthe honour was done that was accustomed to be vsed vnto Lucilla that is to say in the Theatre or open place to sitt in the chiefest seate to receiue giftes presents of frée men and by the ways to haue torchlight and to be recited by name in prayers made in Temples Mortall was the enuie that Lucilla receiued to beholde the honour imperiall whiche shée had once in possession to be remoued and passe vnto her sister Crispina and from thence foorth all her deuice practise and speach tended but to ridde her brother Commodus of his life and Crispina her sister in lawe of her honour There was at courte with the prince a young gentleman of Rome of noble bloude of face beautifull with whom it was bruted Lucilla vsed vnhonest loue his name was Quadratus the sonne of a very riche father vnto whome shée discouered the secrete of her intent to kill her brother Commodus because he persecuted her husbande Pompeyanus the Empresse Crispina did deadly hate her Quadratus desirous to do Lucilla a pleasure consented to performe that act the order which he vsed therin was that he ioyned in counsell with the sonne of a Senatour named Quincianus a yong man both doughtie valiaunt who shoulde vpon the soudaine with a swoord drawne enter vpon Commodus in his chamber with these words This present the Senate sendeth thee and at the instante to cutt off his life Quincianus accepted this enterprise that is to say to kill the Emperour Commodus but failed at the time of the execution thereof for notwithstanding he had courage sufficiēt to enter the chamber with a sword drawen yet to performe the dede his hart was dismaide in such wise that the treason was vttered and the déede vnperformed Quincianus was presently taken and discouered the conspiracie that Quadratus and Lucilla had deuised for the destructiō of the Emperour Commodus And for as much as Quincianus was sonne vnto a Senatour Commodus did beare so mortall hatred vnto the Senate that from thence forth whosoeuer named him selfe a Senatour he helde him for a traitour Immediately after Commodus beganne to reigne a warrlike capteine named Perennius fell into his fauour who in martiall affaires was verie experte and of inclination and condition no lesse peruerse for his pride was intollerable his couetousnesse insatiable The fauour conuersation and credite that Perennius had with Commodus was to the greate preiudice of al the Romaine people because if Commodus were cruell Perennius was most cruell if Commodus had yre Perennius did persuade to take vengeance and beyonde al the rest did not disuade from vice but inuented new deuises to leade vnto wickednesse Pompeyanus being a mā both honourable and aunciente and husband vnto Lucilla sister vnto Commodus the Emperour did beare him some reuerence and ioyntly therewith Lucilla had the fame of great riches in money iewells wherof procéeded no small displeasure vnto Perennius whoe hardely indured the estimation of others in the courte of the Emperour Commodus Where vpon the treason being discouered he with greate impatience did incite the Emperour Commodus on Pompeyanus and Lucilla to execute cruel iustice which he incessantly persuaded not for iustice sake but to finish the fauour which the Emperour did beare vnto Pompeyanus and to gette vnto him selfe the treasure of the ladie Lucilla When princes be in yre and furious they haue much to consider of whome they demaunde counsell because not a fewe but manie times it hapneth that the priuate and fauoured courtiour giueth counsell vnto the prince not so muche for the fauour he beareth to the execution of iustice as for the reuengement of his owne cruell and damnified harte The tyrant Perennius beholding Cōmodus inflamed with yre did knowe to take the profite and benefite of time that is to say Pompeyanus Lucilla Quadratus Quincianus and al their affinitie brothers friends seruants he caused to be slaine put to death their goods to be confiscate in such wise that he was not onlie reuenged of all his enimies but also applied vnto him selfe all their treasure After the death of these persons all the affaires of the Empire were gouerned at the will wisedome pleasure of Perennius who grewe to be a lord so absolute of the Empire that al ambassages that came to Commodus he only heard them and all letters missiue he reade and answered them in such manner that Commodus bare the name of Emperour Perennius did enioy the empire All offices and rewards being giuen by the handes of Perennius procured seruice and diligence from all men that in as much as he that might do most saued most but he was so harde of condition and of golde and riches so cruel and couetous that of méere grace he gaue no office but by the weight of pure money alwayes did sell the same and to him that woulde not buy hee gaue presentes more deare then the money which he demaunded Perennius had enrolde the names of all the moneyed men in Italie which if they did not present him some riche iuells hee procured them to be placed in offices wherein he did séeke quarells to spoile them of their liues and to robbe them of their goods CHAP. VIII Of a conspiracie that Perennius wrought against the Emperour Commodus IN verye shorte time Perennius became very riche but his presumption and riches being examined and laide together without comparison muche greater was the pride whiche he did shewe then the treasures which he possessed Commodus had suche confidence in Perennius that he not onely committed vnto him the gouernement of the whole common wealth but also the order and honour of his house in so muche that Perennius was of the one and the other so absolute so dissolute that he was not contented to robbe Cōmodus of his riches but also vsed vnlawfull companie with his owne especiall courtisans by whōe he had both sonnes and daughters Perennius had sonnes growne to mans estate whiche were in the armies and when any notable déede was done in the warres he would reporte at the Emperours table that it was perfourmed and atchiued by his sonnes in such wise that frō them the were in peace he bereft their goods and them that died in the warrs he spoiled of their honour In the fifte yeare of Commodus reigne the Senate sent an huge armie against the Britaines whereof Perennius was admitted both Consul and capteine in whiche iourney he was not satisfied to be serued as one in fauour and obeyed as Consul but would bee reuerenced as a prince and adored as a God. Perennius prospering in his martiall affaires and holding the whole common wealth in his owne handes and possessing wealth aboue all reckoning he then immagined to want nothing but the
his defence in such wise that although they wer of great disorder in their life yet they vsed great conformitie in agréement for the manner and fashion of their robberies One of the thinges wherein the malice of man moste readily doeth shewe it selfe is that to doe euill wee are soone agreed but to perfourme a good woorke wee consent with greate difficultie Commodus was well persuaded that the tyraunt Maternus was nowe deade imagining in his owne conceit that at the forsaking of his campe and renouncing of his armie of extreme desperation and horrour of him selfe he had desperately drowned or committed him selfe to the halter But Maternus in recompence of the losse of his potencie and negligence of his honour bent all his studie to deliuer Commodus from his life The Romaines helde a custome vppon the tenth day of Marche to celebrate the feast of the Goddesse Berecyntha on that day the Emperour and the Senate went vnto her temple to offer sacrifices which done and perfourmed generally all persons for the most part disguised them selues masking and feasting throughout the whole citie in suche manner their faces being couered the one was vnknowne vnto the other Maternus and other his fellowe théeues and friendes had agréed to weare secrete armour with face disguised that when the Emperour Commodus should most chiefly be addicted to viewe and beholde the playes and his guarde most carelesse of his person by a coūterfet braule amongst them selues to finde ready meane to cut off his life But notwithstanding Maternus had lost his welth power and honour he ceased not to continue proude hautie and disdainefull seeking to be serued and reuerenced not as a friende and poore companion but after the manner of a Prince and as one that were very rich Wherevpon certaine of his companions being not onely wéeryed but tyred to walke lurkingly in corners and not able to indure to be handled with so great seruitude and further fearing some day to be discouered they repayred vnto Commodus and with great secrecie manifesting the whole matter which is to wit that Maternus the tyrant was a liue and fully determined in those playes and feastes to kill him Incredible was the feare wherewith Commodus was touched when he hearde that Maternus the tyrant was aliue and no lesse was his ioy to consider the conspiracie to be detected and notwithstanding Commodus had intelligence thereof certaine dayes before the feast hée suspended the execution thereof vntill the day of the Goddesse Berecyntha to the end that nothing should be reuealed vnto Maternus of that which was discouered vnto Commodus The maner that Maternus deuised to murder Commodus the same did Commodus vse to take and kill Maternus that is to say the great day of the feast being come as Maternus and his band came masked and armed so Commodus brought forth his men armed and disguised and with a set quarell the traitour and tyraunt Maternus was slaine and his men cutt all to péeces The greatest feast of that feast was celebrate in strāgling hewing mangling drawing burning of the bodies of these miserable théeues because it is an euident lawe for tyrants that the hurtes robberies slaughters violences and burninges which they haue committed in many dayes they come to make repayment thereof in one houre CHAP. X. ¶ Of the inexpected death of Cleander a fauoured and most priuate seruant vnto Commodus AFter the death of the tyrant Maternus the Emperour Commodus passed his life in great doubt and feare imagining with himselfe that some day they would dispatch him either eating or sléeping for he did both knowe and also would say that they were fewe which prayed for his life but very many that sighed for his death Vntill Commodus died hée euer walked warely for hée doubled his guard to guard him by day and strongly shutt in his house by nighte in that which hée did eate in his lodging where he slept on the palfrey wheron he roade on the garments which hée did weare hée set great watche in such wise that hée paid it but only with his life that durst touch his garment Very séeldome he went to the Senate and much lesse did ride openly in the citie hée had not talke with strangers but by writing with his subiects he had no conference but by a person intermitted and that which was more maruell hée had many times such conceite not onely to refuse to write aunsweare heare causes or dispatch affayres but also in foure or fiue dayes would not speake onely one word In the xi yeare of his Empyre Maternus the tyraunt was slaine on the next yeare there followed a great pestilence and a generall hunger in which hunger and pestilence the third part of Italie was consumed Immediatly after the pestilence had entred Rome Commodus departed vnto the citie of Laurento where were planted many Laurel trées for which cause the citie was named Laurento where also the Emperour more remayned then in any other place the Physicians giuing him to vnderstand that to be vnder the shadowe therof was very proper and conuenient for defence of the pestilence Notwithstanding the scarsitie of bread and wine that was that yeare further a certaine occasion of great hūger happened in Rome which was as followeth When the good Marcus Aurelius triumphed ouer the Argonautes he brought amongest other captiues a younge man named Cleander who was openly solde in the market place in Rome and by chaunce bought by a clarke of the kitchin to swéepe make cleane the larder at courte This slaue Cleander became so handsome in swéeping seruing and pleasing his maister that not many yeares after he did not onely make him frée and marrie him with his daughter but also did aduance him to the office of Clarke of the kitchin in such maner that from the estate of a bondman hée indued him with the condition of a sonne Nowe when Clēander sawe himselfe frée married and in office in the Court he trauelled to obteine the good will of the Emperour Marcus Aurelius which he obteyned by carefulnesse in seruice and diligence in his office and vsed therin so great diligence and promptnesse that he was neuer noted either slacke in prouision or false in reckoning Marcus Aurelius being deade Commodus forgate not to remoue Cleander from the affayres of the kitchin and made him capitaine of his guard and Lord great Chamberlaine of his chamber Vnto none of as many as did serue accompany Commodus in his youth that hée was gratefull but vnto Cleander vnto whom it had bin much better neuer to haue risen to so great honour for thereof onely procéeded the losse of his life Althoughe the fauour of Cleander did rise in iest or of small causes he framed in fewe dayes to performe the same in earnest which was as followeth that as Commodus grew into disgrace was abhorred and had no care of the gouernement of the Empire Cleander did presse and in such maner did thronge to entermedle with affayres
possessedst in thy daughters which thou nourishedst in thy sonnes which thou begattedst CHAP. IIII. ¶ A certeine notable speach vttered by Letus vnto the armie in the fauour of Pertinax AFter that Pertinax had bewayled the death of Commodus not for his owne condition but for that he had béene the sonne of the good Marcus Aurelius hée said vnto Letus Electus that he would not by any meane receiue the Empire if the Senate did not commaund it and the armie consent vnto it because to hold the Empire safe and established and not to enter the same as a tyrant vnto the Senate it apperteyned to vse their election and the armie their confirmation Letus made offer to finishe all that which Pertinax demaunded that is to say the Senate should elect and choose him the armie confirme and allow their election and the hope that he had to obteine the same was that hée had amongest them many friends and kinsefolke and the ioy that all would receiue vppon the newes of his death Letus departing to talke with the Capteines and leaders of the armie made vnto them a compendious speach after this manner His Oration to the assemblie THAT which now I meane to say right excellent Princes and my martial companions will be verie straunge vnto your hearing although not farre distant from your desires because of many things whiche we desire the least and fewest parts thereof we do obteine Neither are the Gods so liberall to giue vs al that we desire either so niggard to denie vs all that we craue and this they do because we shal acknowledge them to be good for that which they giue vs and cōfesse our selues to be euill for that which they denie vs The good and vertuous be not onely knowen in the good woorkes which they doe but also in their good desires which they haue because the euill and wicked if they durst would neuer cease to commit mischiefe and the vertuous if they might would neuer growe cold in doing vertuous acts The Gods neuer ioyntly accomplished the desires of so many as this day they haue accomplished all your desires for being as you are noble generous valiaunt true and no counterfect Romanes it is not to be thought that ye should wish or desire but the libertie of our mother Rome and the reformation of our auncient common wealthe Ye haue all seene what the Emperour Commodus hath beene whiche is to witt howe large in commaundement howe cruell in killing howe carelesse in gouernment how filthie of life through which cause we not onely held our houses as consumed lost and our persons in perill but also were defamed throughout all straunge nations The Prince that is ouer youthly foolish absolute or dissolute looseth his people and defameth his kingdome Since ye haue seene the euils and cruelties which hee hath done I would haue you see heare vnderstād what he mēt to doe for as it seemeth by this memoriall written with his owne hand hee had a will to haue slaine all persons within the Empire and if hee might haue brought it to passe it is credible he would haue cut the throtes of so many as be in this world It was neuer seene or heard off in this world of any tyraunte that hath beene of the maner and condition of Commodus for that naturally he delighted in losse of friends and did glorie to haue enimies Commodus your Emperour is now dead if I be not deceiued I suppose he dieth with conformitie of the whole Empire because there is nothing more certaine then that hee which liueth to the preiudice of all men should die to the conformitie of all men In as much as the Gods haue taken in good part to deliuer vs from the seruitude of this tyrant it is necessary that another Emperour be prouided and chosen and this election may indure no delay but must be dispatched at this instāt because otherwise as the great dignitie of the empire is a thing that many desire few deserue so it might happen that at the time wee would bestowe the same vppon some vertuous man it might be vsurped by some straunge tyrant If vnto euery man that is here present we should haue due respect according to their deseruing I sweare by the immortall Gods wee should want Empires and not Emperours but considering the Empire is but one is not to be giuen but vnto one in the end none shall obteine the same but he vnto whome the Gods shall assigne and the destinies permit The prince that ye haue to electe ought in my iudgement to be natiue of your countrie because the prince that is not natiue but a straunger he shall rather first finishe his dayes then attaine to the loue of his common wealth Ye haue also to elect chuse an Emperour that possesseth age grauitie for that it furthereth not a little the profit and reputation of the common wealth to haue a beard on the face hoarie haires on the head Also it is right necessarie in the Emperour which ye shal elect that he be no foole either a coward but that he be wise pregnant noble minded of experience because in naturall science and long experience the good gouernement of the whole common wealth doth consist Manifesting my minde more clearely I say againe vnto that which I haue said that if my opinion might be taken in this case we ought to determine and fixe our eyes vppon Publius Pertinax in whome concurre all the conditions aforesaid that is to say naturalitie age grauitie science and experience that this is most true there needeth no greater testimonie for the credite thereof then that Commodus held him for his enimie It is not to be thought that the Gods in vaine haue conserued the life of Pertinax vntil this day Commodus procuring by a thousand meanes to put him to death as it is most true that of al the old seruaunts of his father by him slaine onely Pertinax is reserued aliue As wee haue all wel knowen that be here present that Pertinax hath been the man most afflicted banished enuied toyled and persecuted of al the men that now are aliue in this world and surely it is a great argument to thinke that for him for no other the Empire hath beene reserued because the Gods do neuer preserue the life of any man amongest so many perils but afterwards greatly they aduaunce him Wee ought all to hold it for great good hap and greatly to gratifie the gods in respecte of such and so many as haue bin slaine in our common wealth that we finde such a prince for our mother Rome whom they shal not aduenture to contemne because of his grauitie neither be daūted with feare for that he is noble minded either noted of simplicitie in as much as hee is sapient neither accused of vice for that he is vertuous either reproued of feeblenes because he is reposed finally no man may deceiue
olde and rich and hauing but one daughter whiche also was married Iulianus gaue him selfe to liue in ioy and pleasure that is to say vsed not but to solace alongst the riuers to haunte places frequēted with people to recreate with friends to talke of times paste to séeke exquisite and delicate meates and alwayes to haue new guestes in such wise that hee did flie eache thinge that was displeasante and did and procured what so euer might yealde pleasure Iulianus longe time perseuered in Rome in this manner of life according to which life he had neither faithfull friendes or feared and cruell enimies because if anie did loue him it was for that hee gaue them some of his money and if others did hate him it was because they receiued no parte of his riches CHAP. II. Howe the Empire of Rome was set to sale and also soulde by proclamation AT the instante that the Pretorian bandes had slaine the Emperour Pertinax they aduised to ioyne in one to seaze the walles to take the gates of Rome and that with an armed power partelie for that the people should not rise against them as also to choose an Emperour at their owne liking Although the common people behelde the imperiall palace besette yet they did not thinke that they woulde haue slaine the Emperour because the fame went amongst them that Pertinax was come foorth and that with milde wordes he had intreated them but as it after chaunced though the greate troupes were retyred Pertinax was slaine by the fewer number Whē the death of Pertinax was notified vnto the commō people al Rome was readie in armour Verie greate was the confusion whiche was that day in Rome both of the one parte to see Pertinax slaine and also for that the armie was bent against the people and euerie houre redie to ioyne kill eache other but that they knewe not againste whome to fight because the people woulde haue taken vengeaunce of the traitours that had slaine the Emperour but the armie woulde not deliuer them in suche wise that they were all faultie in that facte the one in the acte the other for consent The moste principall of the Senate manie matrones of Rome moste wealthy persons and such as loued peace and quietnesse after that they sawe the walles besette the towers taken the gates lockt and the streetes stopte through out al Rome they departed vnto their inheritances vntill they might see the conclusion of that so perilous scandalous a tumulte for they had had experience that no man might be safe in his house vntill there were a new Emperour and that the election of him shoulde be consecrated with the handes of manie persons The Pretorian bandes beholding the moste parte of the people to be fled and none lefte that durste reuenge the death of Pertinax or resiste their attempts they lost al feare and recouered a newe courage not to amende the fault whiche they had committed but to giue and sell the Romane Empire The case was thus that a man at armes mounted vpon the wall at the gate Salaria who in the name of the whole armie made proclamation and saide with a loude voice Is there anie man that will giue more for the Empire of Rome is there anie man that will set a price for vnto him that will giue most money we will giue it for his owne Of all the iniuries disgraces and calamities that the Frenchmen the Assyrians the Hunnes the Gothes the Lombards did vnto Rome none was equal vnto this which is to say to set the greatnesse and maiestie of Rome in open sale It was greate griefe to sée it and also presētlie to write it to sée and heare proclamation who will giue money for the Empire of Rome vnto whome a fore time the whole worlde had giuen tribute By this so notable example princes and mightie Potentates are to be admonished what greate mutabilitie is conteined in thinges of this worlde since the same persons that had seene Rome the ladie of so manie and greate kingdomes did also see her solde proclamed and bought for money Al the gentlemen auncient Romanes and Senatours coulde not fill or satisfie them selues with wéeping when they behelde and hearde the proclamations made out at windowes and that which did more grieue them was the greate infamie whiche allwayes shoulde followe Rome in that shée was set to sale and of the daunger also of the common wealth which was to be bought of some tyrante Those that woulde haue bought the Empire had no money for that Commodus had ouerviewed and ransackt their store and those that coulde haue bought of greate griefe and no lesse shame woulde not deale therein for in respect of the iniurie that they should haue committed vnto their mother Rome it might not be saide that they bought it for money but solde it vnto some enimie In conclusion the segniorie of Rome and the greatnesse and maiestie of the Empire passed in publique proclamations by the space of three dayes in whiche no man woulde buye it or sette it in price in so muche as the Pretorians were despited that no man would giue money and the common people in greate sadnesse that they woulde sell it The fourth day after Pertinax was slaine as Didius Iulianus was at supper with greate pleasure and talking howe the Empire continued in proclamations his wife daughter and sonne in lawe persuading him to aduēture to buy it since the Pretorians were growne to so great wante of shame as to sell it Iulianus consideringe of the one parte what was saide by proclamation and on the other parte what his friendes did persuade him left his eating cast downe his heade and gaue him selfe profoundlie to consider of the matter whiche is to wéete whether it were simplicitie to leaue or vilanie with money to buy the common wealth Iulianus being verie pensatiue with him selfe and indetermined his wife daughter and kinsfolke yet againe replied saying that it was not nowe time to blinde him selfe with studie but to profite him selfe by his money and that also he had to consider that it were lesse euill to buy the Empire with his owne proper money thē as other to obteine the same by losse of mens liues and that he shoulde not care to deferre the euente by delayes since the Pretorians grewe displeased and proclamations to be cut off As Iulianus naturally was proude founde him selfe riche and also importunated by his friendes he determined to buy the Empire and for the purpose presently goeth to the foote of the wall and crieth out vnto the watch that was thereon saying for bloud ye knowe me to be descended of noble Romanes and in riches most wealthy and that he woulde giue them so muche money for the Empire that they shoulde be abashed to sée it and tyred to tell it The Consul Sulpitius father in lawe vnto the Emperour Pertinax in secrete did solicite the Pretorians to giue him the Empire not to the ende he
the Romanes went after him hearing what he said and praising what he did If in humaine affaires he were prouident in diuine matters surely he was not negligent for that euery day hée visited temples honoured priestes offered sacrifices repaired edifices heard orphans and afflicted in such wise that in victories they compared him vnto Iulius Caesar in humaine policies to Augustus and in diuine thinges to Pompilius The old Senatours and auncient Romanes that had béen bred with Seuerus from their youth were amased to sée how his euil condition was changed and on the other part they thought with themselues that all which he did was but fained for of his owne naturall condition he was subtile warie milde and double and did know how to denie his owne will for a time in that which hée wished to doe afterwardes with all men all that he desired It is a point of wise and skilfull men to ouercome their owne wills in small matters afterwardes to drawe others after them for causes of greater importaunce Althoughe there bee more credite to bee giuen to that which wée sée then vnto that which wée suspect yet in this case they were more deceiued that praised Seuerus in his good woorkes then those which did suspecte him for his old subtilties for that in shorte space they vnderstoode in him great cruelties and no lesse disordinate couetousnesse Those that from their youth bee not bredd in vertuous woorkes or that naturally of themselues bee not of good condition they may for a time deceiue some persons with their guiles but in the end their malice commeth to the notice of all men all which was experimented in Seuerus who vsed violence with his owne proper nature vntill hée sawe himselfe in possession of the common wealth The first office that hée gaue in Rome was vnto Flauius Iuuenal whome hee made Pretor of the people of whiche prouision of the one part he pleased all men because Flauius was a vertuous person and on the other parte it did grieue them because he was seruaunt vnto Iulianus The whole armie that Seuerus led with him he also brought into the citie of Rome and being in quantitie great and of condition proud they might not be contained within the citie for which cause they lodged not onely in houses priuileged and in sacred temples but forceably brake vp doores and entred houses The Romanes receiued the same for a very great iniurie because they onely felt not the despight done vnto their persons but also did bewaile the breach losse of their liberties Thrée dayes after Seuerus entered Rome the captaines of his armies sent to demaund of the Senate to haue giuen them an hundred thousand pesants of gold which were due vnto them for that in times past so much was giuen vnto them that first entered with the Emperour Augustus At the houre when the captaines sent these words vnto the Senat presently and ioyntly they armed themselues and marched vnto the field swearing and forswearing by the life of Seuerus by the world of Marcus that if it were not giuen that day at night they would sack Rome After that Seuerus heard that his armie was in readinesse in the field of Mars and without his cōmaundement he was not a litle escandalized thinking there had béene some treason against him amongest the people but the truth being knowen he requested them to be pacified and to disarme themselues saying that it proceeded not of wise Captaines but of seditious persons to demaund with threatenings that which would be giuen by request Seuerus saw himselfe in great trauell to finish agréement betwixt the one the other but in the end giuing them some monie out of his owne coffers and some from the common wealth he brought them all to a vnitie which was that vnto the Captaines was giuen lesse then they demaunded and the Romanes paid somewhat more then they offered Before all things Seuerus did celebrate the obsequies of Pertinax whereat all the Romanes were present and offered that day vnto the Gods great sacrifices accompting Pertinax amongest the Gods and placeing Priestes to do sacrifices vpon the sepulchre that for euermore should susteine his memorie When Seuerus entred the Empire he found many rents of the treasurie morgaged which is to wéete the royall patrimonie wherein he gaue order for the redéeming thereof to be reduced vnto the royall crowne Seuerus had two daughters of ripe age the one of xxv the other of xxx yeres whome he married within twentie dayes after he came to Rome the one with Prolus and the other with Laertius men of greate wealthe and riches and generous in bloud Seuerus offered his sonne Prolus the office of Censor which he refused saying that he fought not to be sonne in lawe vnto the Emperour to be a scourge of euill men but to be serued of good men Seuerus made bothe his sonnes in lawe Consuls and about Rome he bought them great rentes and also gaue them large summes of money to spend and to his daughters he gaue Iewels wherewith to honour them CHAP. VI. ¶ Howe the Emperour Seuerus passed into Asia against capteine Pessenius that rebelled against him ONe of the famous capteines that rebelled against the Emperour Iulianus as hath béene recounted in his life was Pessenius Niger who with the armies that were in Assyria did gouerne and rule all Asia Seuerus rose in Germanie and Pessenins in Asia and notwithstāding they were both traitours vnto their Lorde the difference betwixt them was that Seuerus for his comming vnto Rome they aduaunced vnto the Empire and Pessenius for remaining at his ease in Asia was condemned for a traitour At the houre that Iulianus his death was published presently Pessenius inuested him selfe with the title of Emperour and Augustus in such wise that Seuerus in Europa and Pessenius in Asia had diuided betwixt them selues all countries and prouinces and much more the one from the other had diuided their willes mindes Pessenius was very wel aduertised in Asia howe Seuerus had entred Rome with a great power and was in state of gouernement as naturall Emperour of the common wealth but neither for letters that were written vnto him or for any thing that might be saide vnto him would he obey Seuerus or muche lesse shewe any feare of him Pessenius was grosse of person valiant warlike and of al men with whome he dealt very well liked and surely if he lost the Empire it was not for want of friendes in Rome but that he abounded with vices in Asia After that Seuerus sawe that neither for threateninges either for promises that he made or for letters that he wrote he might not drawe Pessenius Niger vnto his seruice he determined to conquer him as an enimie although as he afterwardes saide he wished not with him to come in contention because Pessenius was a friende in earnest and no enimie in iest Seuerus commaunded a muster to be taken of all the men he had and
experience whiche thou hast in this case for as thou haste no brothers either hast béene married to haue any children no more knowest thou what difference of loue is beetwixte the one and the other For I giue to vnderstande that without all comparison wee fathers doe more loue the thwartes of oure children then the seruice of oure brethren The elder brother whiche was named Bassianus changed his name and commaunded all men to call him Antoninus Aurelius in the memorie of Antoninus Pius and of Marcus Aurelius because these Princes were verye glorious in their liues and in their Common wealthes no lesse beloued When Seuerus returned from the warres of Parthia his sonnes Bassianus and Geta were then men and for that hee vnderstoode that the Romanes were thereof then very doubtfull hée requested his sonnes that notwithstandinge the variaunce betwixte themselues they woulde bée in peace wyth the people but héerewith mighte hee not tame the condition of the young men either persuade them to be in friendshippe with the Romanes for as much as he soldered with his good woords so much did they escaÌ„dalize with their lewd woorkes Seuerus finding himselfe infected with infirmities compassed with enimies and his sonnes so euill inclined was alwayes sad pensiue melancholie and in a manner in despaire not onely doubting they would diminish the estate wherein he left them but also lose the honour which they did inherite Seuerus considering the daily complaints made of his sonnes in the Senate and the continual displeasures which they gaue him aduised to banishe them the vices and pleasures of Rome the one hee sent into Germanie the other into Panonia but if they were euil in his presence they were much worse in his absence for that aforetime by their subiection they absceined from some vices but afterwards with libertie they committed all mischiefe The parents that with their owne hands and in their owne houses may not frame vertue in their children will hardly atteine it at the hands of others for that vertue is not obteyned in seeking straunge countries but in the amendment of old errours CHAP. XV. ¶ Of a fauoured seruaunt of Seuerus named Plautianus JN the dayes of the Empire of the good Marcus Aurelius there came from Africa vnto Rome a gentlemaÌ„ named Plautianus poore blind in sight craftie and subtile in condition and being as hee was mutinous and quarelling and wheresoeuer he went mouing some debate Marcus Aurelius commaunded him to be banished Rome for he was a prince of such patience that he suffered not in his common wealth a man that was vitious or any young maÌ„ that was quarellous Plautianus being banished Rome departed vnto the garrisons of Illyria and from thence also being caste as a seditious person repaired at last into the company of Seuerus of whome he was very well handled and also honoured and in all thinges placed aboue all men some said that it was done of Seuerus for that hée was of his countrie some for kindred and some durst say that hée serued not onely for martiall affayres but also to do him seruice in the chamber After that Seuerus came to be Emperour he gaue so great credite vnto Plautianus and so strictly did follow his counsell that he neither read letter but hée did sée it or signed commission that hée liked not either gaue any reward that he craued not In the Senate he was placed in the most honourable seate when he came forth into Rome all the Gentlemen did accompanie him when he came out of his house all Embassadours did attend on him in time of warre all captaines sued vnto him if there were playes and pastimes they were alwayes represented before his palace if they had to giue or receiue any money all did passe through his hands in such wise that it was neuer séene in Rome that any man without the title of an Emperour enioyed so great portion of the Empire Plautianus naturally was proud ambitious couetous and cruell and the more to shewe his fiercenesse crueltie magnificence he alwayes had a drawne sword borne before him and when he passed through the streats hee would that none should dare to behold him in the face but cast downe their eyes to the ground and when hée trauelled vpon the way he had alwayes one that went before to giue warning to all persons to giue way where he should passe in such wise that hee neither would behold straungers either be séene of the countrie natiues Seuerus gaue in reward vnto Plautianus the goods of al persons that were condemned and confiscate in the Empire and as hée was of a gréedie and couetous nature so they were infinite that he caused to be slaine in the Empire not because they had so deserued but for their goods which they possessed The elder sonne of Seuerus named Bassianê° being come to ripe vnderstaÌ„ding and perceiuing how al things went was greatly gréeued to se Plautianus haue so great power in the gouernement of the common wealth and Plautianus presently finding the hatred of Bassianus practised with Seuerus that Bassianus should marrie with his only daughter and incoÌ„tinently the elder sonne of Seuerus was married vnto the daughter of Plautianus Plautianus beholding himselfe not onely the alone fauoured but also father in lawe with Seuerus it séemed vnto him but a trifle to be Lord of the whole world and most truly Plautianus in heaping honour vpon honour and estate vpon estate bredd his owne destruction for that men neuer surfet to eate that which is necessarie but in eating and drinking more then the stomache will beare Though Plautianus daughter was very faire of good condition and brought with her a most rich dowrie yet did her husband Bassianus most cruelly hate her which he discouered both in woord and déede affirming her to be the daughter of a base and vile person and that hée would one day kill both her and her father and yet not therewithall satisfied they did neither sléepe in one chamber or dine at one table Bassianus aunsweared certaine Romanes that requested him to bee friend with his wife and to honour his father in law I giue you Romanes to vnderstand that I did not marrie but my father did marrie mée which I would not haue done if he had coÌ„maunded me but to defloure the daughter and enioy the treasure of her father and since it is done let her séeke an husband for I will séeke a wife Plautianus vnderstanding what his sonne Bassianus had said and that his daughter was not married but dishonoured that Seuerus was old sicke and that Bassianus held him not as a father in lawe but as an enimie determined to reuenge that iniurie either els to loose both life and honour in the enterprise Bassianus informed his father Seuerus of many tyrannies which Plautianus committed in the common wealth and Plautianus also complained howe euill hée vsed his daughter and thus they went on coÌ„firming their enimitie and giuing euery day new passions
tedious complaintes vnto Seuerus but in the end hée gaue eare vnto the complaints of Plautianus as vnto a seruaunt but vnto Bassiaaus as vnto a sonne Seuerus considering the continuall displeasure giuen him by Plautianus the tyrannies hee executed in the Empire the enimitie betwixt him and Bassianus and that also with his great fauour he estaéemed him litle conceiued that some day he might rise with the Empire wherefore from thenceforth hée neither shewed him good countenaunce either gaue him so great authoritie in the common wealth Plautianus did well perceiue that he had not onely Bassianus vnto his enimie but also stoode in disgrace of Seuerus and thought with himselfe that to escape best cheape either they would take away his life or cast him out of fauour and to deliuer himselfe of so great an infamie he determined to kill them to quite himselfe CHAP. XVI ¶ Of a certaine treason that Plautianus had ordeined against Seuerus and how it was discouered THe order that Plautianus vsed or to say better the disorder that he practised to kill Seuerus and Bassianus procéeded as from a passioned tyraunt and not as a man aduised and so it afterwards redounded to his losse and destruction The case was thus there was in Rome a Tribune named Saturninus natiue of Assyria who was the greatest friend that Plautianus had with whome hée did most communicate to whom he did most commend his secretes and also for whom he did most pleasure Plautianus sending for this Saturninus an houre within night and inclosing themselues within a chamber said in great secrecie these wordes following Plautianus his Oration to Saturninus Saturninus thou knowest how great loue I haue borne thee and how many good deedes I haue done to thee thy house wherof there needeth no other token but the beholding of thee so highly aduaunced in the Court so accepted in my seruice many with me be offended at thee al men haue enuie Friends parents acquaintance recommended and seruaunts I had for whome to haue done vnto some of whom I was much beholding of others I was to haue coÌ„sidered for seruice all these notwithstanding on thee onely I fixed mine eyes to magnifie thee and in thee I imployed my hart to loue thee I sent now for thee to recompt vnto thee my trauels and sorrowes to the end thou shouldest helpe to deliuer mee from them and herein thou shalt perceiue the affectionate loue which I beare thee in that I repose my confidence in thee wherein I would not trust mine owne proper sonne for sonnes thincke not but howe to inherite their fathers goods but verie friendes haue care to deliuer their friendes from griefe and sorrowe Thou well knowest Saturninus what great seruice I haue done to Seuerus and since my youth haue followed him in the warres I say I serued him so young that I alone am his most auncient seruaunt although I bee now the most forgotten and abhorred Setting a part all seruices which I haue done for him and all great daungers that I haue passed to deliuer him from perill I haue borne so tender affection vnto my Lord Seuerus that I left to like him as a man and did adore him as a God and that this is true it appeareth most cleare in that I gaue my daughter vnto his sonne Bassianus and my selfe to be his perpetuall slaue After I spent my youth in his seruice followed the father throughout the world his sonne Bassianus nourished in my armes from his infancie I did yeeld him my goods I gaue him my onely daughter I gouerned his common wealth in peace of his euill life I framed in al men an opinion of great vertue his cruelties and tyrannie I made all men beleeue to be zeale of iustice in such wise that they neuer committed vile deede that I soldered not either at any time commaunded any difficult matter that I accomplished not The matter is thus come to passe the Gods permitting or my sorrowfull destinies procuring I am fallen into so great hatred of Seuerus and in so cruel contempt and enimitie with Bassianus that in recompence of al my seruice which I haue done them all the dayes of my life they are nowe determined to take away my life Thou seest now Saturninê° whether it be reason that I endure the same whereunto if I should giue place I should perish my house should be lost the gods vnserued the whole Empire escandalized and therefore it is coÌ„uenient that I execute on them that which they would execute vppon mee for that it is more consonant vnto reason that the euil be corrected of the good then that the vertuous should come vnder the power of the wicked Behold Saturninus what affection I beare thee that haue layd vp in thy breast so great a secrete this terrible deede I will put into thy handes therefore presently thou must depart vnto the Court and go into his chamber where Seuerus sleepeth and cut off his head from Bassianus his sonne also thou shalt take away his life Thou shalt say vnto the guard at Court that euen nowe there came vnto mee a post out of Asia and art sent by mee to giue Seuerus intelligence thereof and goest at such an houre for that daunger dependeth thereon And since thou hast not beene abashed to heare it be not terrified to performe it for that I sweare vnto thee by the immortal gods that after Seuerus is dead and I in the possession of the Empire conformable vnto the great perill wherein nowe thou doest aduenture thy selfe shall be thy rewards that then thou shalt receiue These and such other thinges Plautianus said vnto Saturninus who aunsweared that hée was readie to do his commaundement vppon condition that hée would giue him in writing in what manner he would haue him to kill Seuerus and Bassianus his sonne which he desired to this end that if in time he should forget the recompence of so great a seruice he might shewe him that writing both to remeÌ„ber the seruice past as also the reward vnperformed Plautianus doubted not to giue Saturninus a writing signed with his owne hand wherein hee commaunded to kill Seuerus and Bassianus his eldest sonne the contents of the writing was thus J Plautianus do request as a friend and commaund as a Censor that thou Saturninus Tribune do kill the Emperour Seuerus and Bassianus his elder sonne and for the same I promise thee and by the immortall Gods sweare vnto thee that as thou art onely in perill so to make thee singular in the Empire Saturninus as a man skilfull and subtile for more assuraunce vnto Plautianus vppon his knées kist his hand as though alreadie he had béene sure of the Empire and then being in the déepe of the night he departeth vnto the Court the guard presently giuing place and the chaÌ„berlaines in like maner who placing himselfe directly before Seuerus as he lay in his bed said these words O Seuerus how carelesse art thou of
Antoninus Galba and Othos Othos and Bytellus Bytellus and Vaspasianus now of late betwixt Seuerus my father and Iulianus and Albinius All these great calamities whiche the miserable common wealth of Rome hath suffered was not for that many would not be commaunded but for that many would commaund Admitting that my father commaunded in his testament that Geta my brother and I should diuide the Empire yet many doe know they are not fewe which presume that he would neuer haue done it but his wife and my mother in lawe constrained him so to assigne and in a case so great hard graue respect ought not to be giuen to that whiche hee did but vnto that which he would haue done because the magnificence of the Empire and the wisedome of the Senate ought not to be bound to the procurement of a vaine woman but vnto that which is most conuenient for the common wealth CHAP. VII ¶ Of the great crueltie of Bassianus and of such as he commaunded to be slaine ALl the time that Bassianus vsed this speach vnto the Senate no mā cut off his talk or when he had finished no person durst aunswere one word but that he in ending his tale beheld all his friends such as he suspected he would not once looke vppon wherof they remained not only despited but also terrified because the thinge that the heart loueth is seene and knowne by the vents and windowes of the eyes Neither for that Bassianus had said in open place either for any aduisement of friends in secrete did he cease to continue his cruelties but that presently he commaunded to be slaine not onely such as his brother Geta held for friends but also the friends of his friends He slue all the seruaunts and officers of his brother not only such as serued him in the common wealth but all such also as serued him in all maner of vile things of his house that is to say cookes butlers caters swéepers moile kepers turne spits and boyes of the kitchen at the death of whom albeit both before and after he slue many yet of none had they so great compassion in Rome as of those persons Also he slue al his wagginers all his horsekéepers all his bakers all his laūderers all his musicians al his taylers finallie he slue all that his brother loued and all such as did serue him Hée slue all the Senatours and officers of Rome that folowed the parcialitie of his brother Geta and kilde all Questors Pretors and valiant capitaines throughout the Empire He slue Lucilla an excellent matrone of Rome sister vnto the Emperour Commodus and daughter vnto the great Marcus Aurelius whome all Emperours past did honour as an Empresse and serued as a mother and this was in such wise that as any temple of Rome her house was priuileged The cause wherefore they say he slue the Lady Lucilla was for that when she heard of the death of Geta shee went vnto the Courte to comfort the mother and bewailed her sorrowe whereof Bassianus being aduertised said Since Lucilla mourneth for the death of my brother Geta with my mother in law it signifieth that she would ioy of his life and of my death but I will liue and she shal die Also he slue many of the vestall virgins some that he accused for breaking their virginitie and others for that they presumed to be virgins saying it was a iest to beleue that any might liue and die a virgine in this life He slue an auncient knight named Letus which was at the death of Commodus and also was acquainted with the death of Geta his brother He slue Rufus a knight of Africa and his néere kinsman that is to say his vnckles sonne who at the euening did inuite him to supper and in the morning commaunded to be slaine He slue Pompeyanus the sonne of Lucilla and nephue vnto Marcus Aurelius a man of great courage in warres and venturous in armes whome he commaunded to be slaine trauelling vppon the way and cast foorth report that théeues had slaine him Hée slue Papianus the learned Lawyer who in those dayes was most famous in knowledge and counsell that was in all the Romane Empire and thus it passed that Bassianus when hée came out of the Senate did take Papianus on his right hand and all alongest the streate layde his righte arme vppon his shoulder vntill they came vnto the entrie of the house at the foote of the staire where with an axe such as they cleaue woode hee commaunded his head to be cut off Hee slue Petronius whiche had béene Consul Senatour Questour Pretor Edil and Flamen fourtie yeares in all whiche time hee neuer offended any man either any person had complained of him wherefore hee was named the good Petronius Hee slue Samonicus Serenus whiche also was a Lawyer and of this man it is said that in eloquence hee was very sweete and in writing no lesse Satyricall Also hee slue a sonne of the Emperour Pertinax named Elius Pertinax who for a wonder was said in Rome that in either woord or déede it was neuer perceiued in him that euer in his whole life hee did so muche as vent for the Romane Empire whiche was not a little to bee praised and also meruailed because sonnes naturally are not onely inclined to inherite their fathers goodes but also to succeede them in their honours Furthermore hee commaunded a notable Romane to be slaine named Chilus because hee had continually traueiled to make him friende wyth his brother Geta whoe presupposing that they came to kill him stripte himselfe cleane oute of his apparell and escaped oute at a certaine windowe of his house He killed his first wife the daughter of Plautianus which was exiled into Sicyl caused search to be made in Rome throughout the Empire for al that were sonnes cousines vnckles nephues or néere parentes vnto the bloud royall all which hée commaunded to be slaine both men and women because neither roote branche or memorie should remaine of auncient or generous bloud As well in Rome as els where throughout the Empire Bassianus cōmaunded many others to be slaine but that which was more cruell the erecutioners had authoritie to take away their miserable liues but not to burie their bodies leauing them to the foules of the ayre as for the noblest they were carried in carres on heapes and consumed with fire euen to ashes He was not onely euill and cruell but also did boast himselfe to be a friend of such as were noted to be euil cruell for they neuer heard him say well of any prince past but of Silla the cruell Brute the traitour Catiline the tyrant the Gracchies seditious Domitian the defamed and Commodus the dissolute Exactly to accomplishe his cruelties it chaunced on a certaine day represēting the Circen playes in Rome vnto which feast an huge nūber of people were come to behold that as the guide of the imperiall chariot might not passe because the streats were
also manie and rich iuels and writinge with his owne hande a letter after this manner Bassianus Antoninus onely Emperour of the Romanes to Arthabanus the greate king of Parthians health and good fortune ⸫ The famous auncient Romanes and many of the principall of my predecessours came from the West into Asia onely to make warre vppon this thy kingdome but I come not to make thee warre but to seek peace and to this peace both thou I haue to search a meane that it may be perpetuall for otherwise a iust warre were more safe for princes then a fayned peace As wee read in bookes and heare of our forefathers there is not a more briefe and sounde waye for greate enimies to growe to bee faithfull friendes then by recouering newe aliance by the waye of marriage for in true and faithfull marriages as the married be ioyned in bodies so be they lincked and confederate in heartes and mindes Although some Princes haue married with the daughters of Consuls and Senatours and admitting they haue so done I will not so doe for that I was borne a prince and am a prince and will dye a prince wherefore I will not marrie but with the daughter of a Prince When congruently or aptly it may be done it agreeth not with the maiestie of the Empire that the Prince this day should holde him for his father in lawe whome he helde yesterday for his vassall Although the wiues of Princes vse not to commaunde and gouerne yet we must graunt that when Princesses be the daughters of high Princes and desscended of royall bloud the people and subiectes are more honoured satisfied and pleased and such bring foorth children more noble and generous The Empire of the Romanes and the Empire of the Parthians are two the moste renoumed Princes throughout the whole worlde for notwithstanding the one at times hath subdued the other yet neuer intirely had the one lordship of the other I am prince of the Romanes and thou art Prince of the Parthians if thou wilt marrie thy daughter with mee with greate good will I would matche with her and after this manner of two diuided Empires wee shall make one in concorde These two Empires beeing ioyned may there be any kingdome that will disobey them or any king that shall dare to saye against them I demaunde not thy daughter for her beautie for there are others muche fairer in mine Empire neither doe I request her for thy richesse for I haue sufficient neither doe I craue her to recouer more vassals for I haue kingdomes ynough subiecte vnto mee But I do it because of auncient enimies wee might frame our selues immortall friendes in such wise that as hitherto we haue had you in contempt as barbarians from hencefoorth wee shall behaue our selues as brethren Thincke not that I write thus vnto thee by thy fauour to be reuenged of mine enimies or for that my kingdomes haue rebelled against mee as thou shalte vnderstande by these mine Ambassadours which my father lefte vnto mee so plaine and their Princes so dedicated to obedience that they doe not onely accomplishe what I commaunde them but also request mee to inioyne them more If in this which I write to thee thou thinkest there be deceipte thou oughtest also to conceiue that I shal bee most deceiued partely for that beeing as I am a Romane Prince and partely because I am the person whiche sueth for that in this marriage thou aduenturest not more then thy daughter but I committe vnto Fortune mine honour goods and person Herein I will saye no more but I praye thee to receiue these iewelles which I sende thee in good parte and to that which mine Ambassadours shall saye giue credite The king of the Parthians after he had read this letter and hearde the Ambassadours what they had to saye in the behalfe of Bassianus did aunswer him after this manner CHAP. XI ¶ Of another solemne letter wherein the king of the Parthians aunswered Bassianus Arthabanus king of the auncient kingdome of the Parthians to Antoninus Bassianus the onely Romane Emperour health prosperitie Before all thinges I giue thankes vnto the immortall Gods because they haue put into thy heart that which thou hast written and that which thou with thy Ambassadours hast sent to saye vnto vs By that which I haue read in thy letters and hearde of thy Ambassadours I knowe that thou beleeuest in the Gods and hast not taken counsell of men for men alwayes giue counsell vnto Princes to make warre but the Gods alwayes persuade them to keepe peace Thou sayest that the Romane Princes thy predecessours alwayes passed into Asia with a minde determined to make warre with the Parthians ▪ but ioyntly herewith I would thou shouldest consider that as the warre which ye tooke in hand against vs was vniust so fortune was vnto them alwayos vnfortunate for it is not the will of the Gods that by an vniust warre an entire victorie should be obteined Ye Romanes tooke the enterprise to be Lordes of the whole worlde and to prosecute the same ye rigged foorth many nauies and fleetes ye ioyned greate armies conquered straunge prouinces destroyed many kingdomes killed much people robbed infinite treasures and aduentured your selues into great and immeasurable daungers and in the ende that which they had obteyned they lost yea the conquerours also lost them selues because whatsoeuer is gotten to the preiudice of another man is lost to the greate hurte offence of him that obteined the same That which thou promisest in thy letter and in thy name thy Ambassadours offer mee I am not onely bound to accepte but also deserued greate displeasure if I durst denie the same beecause it is a thinge moste iuste that the Goddes make warre vppon that prince which refuseth the request of men in peace Thou sayest that the chiefest meane to cōfirme peace is for princes to practise marriage betwixt thēselues I denie not but that in some persons it is moste true but it is no generall rule for all men for we daily see betwixte moste neare kinred and alies moste greate quarelles and scandals to arise My greate graundfather was father in lawe vnto kinge Arsacidas and afterwardes the one slewe the other in the fielde and the verie same we heare reported to haue chaunced amongst you Pompey married with the daughter of Iulius and afterwardes Iulius ouercame and destroyed Pompey his sonne in lawe in suche wise that the marriages which they made to conserue peace did awake and inflame them to more cruell warre The Prince that hath feare of the Goddes and is naturallie giuen to peace may not finde a better meane to obtaine the same thē to be quiet in his owne realme for speakinge the verie trueth the prince that is satisfied with his owne proper estate needeth not to seeke affinitie in straunge kingdomes Vnto my father were offered greate noble and mightie mariages frō straunge kingdomes whereunto he woulde neuer consente either hardely indure to
heare thereof and woulde ofte say vnto me that manie kinges and kingdomes he had seene lost by mariage in straunge countries and therefore woulde not marrie me but within his owne kingdome and saide at the houre of his death that if I woulde liue manie yeares in peace I shoulde not abandon my children to straunge marriages I had three sonnes whiche nowe bee all deade and there remaineth vnto me but only one daughter in whome remaineth all my hope and if the Gods would and my destinies permitte I woulde giue her an husbande within mine owne naturall countrie whome I might esteeme as my sonne and he me as his father for my intent is not to giue her an husband that hath much goods but in his person greate worthinesse To that which thou sayest of the kingdoms of Parthians the Empire of Romanes would do verie wel to be ioyned in one thou hast great reason in that which thou sayest if it might be done with as great facilitie as it is spoken but how is it possible they may be made one being as they are so strange in nation so distant in situation so distinct in language so diuers in lawes and aboue all the reste so contrarie in conditions Since betwixt you and vs there are so manie landes countries nations hills and seas howe is it possible the bodies beeing so distante that the harts may be vnited Wee are much better knowne vnto the Godds then wee knowe our selues and since they haue created vs and separated vs the one from the other howe is it possible for vs to liue and enioy together for by greate diligence that men may vse either power that princes may practise it is impossible for them to scatter that whiche the Godds do gather together or to ioyne that whiche they do separate If thou wilte haue men for thy warres I wil sende them If thou wilt haue money to inrich thy treasure I will furnishe thee If thou wilt enter peace with mee I will graunte it If thou wilte that wee be brothers in armes by othe I will confirme it Finally I excepte nothing betwixte thee and mee but that thou do not craue my daughter to wife I am determined wil not for giuing my daughter a good marriage leaue my countrie tributarie vnto straunge people The precious iuells and greate riches which thou sentest me I haue receiued with greate good will and I sende thee others although not such either so riche neuerthelesse thou mayest alwayes cōceiue by them that the kinges of the Parthians haue greate treasures in their keeping and no lesse noblenesse of minde to spende them No more but the Goddes be thy defence and that thou of me and I of thee may see good fortune CHAP. XII Howe Bassianus committed a greate treason against the Parthians THis letter being receiued by Bassianus he made semblance of greate sorrowe that the kinge of Parthians would not giue him his daughter to wife howbeit he ceased not therefore eftsones to write sende more presents to bringe to passe by importunities that which of will he might not frame Arthabanus considering the importunities of Bassianus in writinge and his largesse in sending more riche iuells not doubting that anie guile might be concealed in that marriage did yealde him selfe vnto the iudgmente of his friendes who counselled him that hee shoulde not in anie wise but accept the Emperour of Romaines for his sonne in lawe for it might be that hee shoulde recouer him for an enimie that would not accept him for a sonne The fame beeing spread throughout all Asia that the kinges daughter shoulde marrie with the Emperour of Rome Bassianus aduised to repaire and prepare with all speede so that in all cities of the Parthians where he passed they did not only not resiste him but with greate ioy did receiue and feast him for they helde it for greate vaine glorie to sée their princesse demaunded for wife by the great Emperour of Rome In all places where Bassianus passed he offered riche sacrifices in their temples and gaue greate rewardes vnto suche as did attende and receiue him all whiche he dissembled to escape suspicion of the exceeding malice whiche he determined to execute Bassianus beeing arriued at the greate citie Parthinia where most times the greate kinge of Parthians was residente Arthabanus issued foorth to receiue his sonne Bassianus who most truly ranne foorth as cōformable vnto peace as Bassianus readie and determined for the warres There issued foorth with kinge Arthabanus not only the noble and valiaunt personages of his house and courte but also all the men of power and wealth of his kingdome which against that day were called and did attende in such wise that by his traine the kinge discouered his valure as also the noblenesse of his people Nowe when the Parthians beganne to ioyne with the Romaines and of both partes greate courtesies offered Bassianus gaue a signe vnto his armed knights to giue a charge vpon the Parthians vpon whome they executed as greate a slaughter as Hanibal at Canasse and Scipio at Carthage The kinge Arthabanus as he came in the troupe of all his royaltie tooke his seruaunts horse and gaue him selfe to flight and then as it was night his horse verie swift he had leasure to escape with his life although not able to defende his countrie This beeing donne he sackt the royall palace and al the citie and after commaunded fire to be giuen to all partes thereof whiche he perfourmed in all cities where he passed all the time that he remained in Parthia and freely gaue licence vnto his armie to take what they might to kill whome they would This was the manner that Bassianus vsed to subdue the Parthians whiche conquest with more reason may be termed the inuention of a traytour then the conquest of an Emperour for the innocente Parthians were rather solde then ouercome At the presente when these thinges passed Bassianus did write vnto the Senate aduertisinge them that hee had subdued all prouinces and kingdomes of the Easte vnto the Romaine Empire some by force and others by good will and that allthough the Romane princes his predecessours did excéede him in yeares and riches yet not to be comparable vnto him in victories The Senate béeing ignorante of the greate treason of Bassianus practised against the Parthians because they receiued his letters before anie other messenger had made reporte thereof were verie ioyfull and made greate feastes in Rome placeing his counterfeit vpon all the gates of the citie but after they vnderstoode the trueth of the treason committed they were so muche grieued with that so vile a deede that if the Parthians did suffer the Romanes did bewayle CHAP. XIIII How Bassianus was slaine by the commaundemente of his priuate captaine Macrinus THe Emperour Bassianus beeing departed from the territories of Parthia came vnto the prouince of Mesopotamia which was in the moneth of October and beeinge full of woodes wherin were
mightest be one of them And if I haue erred in purchaseing the Empire much more should I erre to make thee one of the Gods since in thee no vertue is to be founde either any vice wanting The Gods haue made thee faire of face gallant of proportion stout of strength learned in letters expert in armes valiant of heart delicate in iudgement and bolde in perils but what profite all these graces since thou art so greate an enimie of others counsel and so farre enamored of thine owne proper iudgement Thou followest vanitie as one most inconstant thou dost prosecute thine age as one ouerchildishe thou pursuest sensualitie as one most wilfull in follies which thing for a while may be dissembled but long time may not be suffered in such wise that either the Empire shal be lost betwixt thine handes or thou must dye within fewe dayes As the seate of the Empire is consecrated vnto the Gods so they suffer not euil Princes long to reigne ▪ which thou mayst consider in Tyberius Caligula Claudius Nero Galba Otho Vitellius Domitian Commodus Iulianus Bassianus Niger al which had so euil an ende that where the yron of the enimie entred by the same place the soule departed Oh my sorrowful and vnfortunate sonne Bassianus of whome vntil this time I goe laden with sorrowes and also thou hast to holde it for most certeine that since thou arte a disciple of his euil manners so shalt thou be also a follower of his most miserable death Being verie young and as then but a childe I hearde my Lorde Marcus Aurelius verie oft saye that the immortall Gods did sooner slaye euil Princes then other wicked persons because the euil man is only euil vnto his owne house and person but the euil prince liueth to the hurte of the whole cōmon wealth I bought not the Empire for any other cause but chiefely to renue the memorie of the good Emperour Antoninus Pius but alas alas of mee whoe greately feare and also hold it for certeine that as in Nero the generation of the Caesars finished euen so in thee the sincere linage of the Antonines shal be ended In the dayes that I remained at Rome I vnderstoode and since I came into Asia I haue also seene that by the prosperitie of a good man many be aduaunced and by mishap of a wicked person many finish and decaye I am aduertised that in thy house and chamber men of wicked life and little wisedome haue free entraunce and familiaritie which in princes houses is verie perillous and no lesse pernitious for that such persons do procure thee to followe the counsels which they shall giue and to dissemble the excesse which they shall committe If thou bee euill and such as attende thee be wicked howe maist thou haue hardinesse to chastice any euill To refourme others thou must firste refourme thy selfe and to chastice others thou hast firste to punishe thy seruaunts for that if the priuate and fauoured seruants of Princes be dissolute the cōmon wealth doeth fall out to be absolute In the reigne of my lorde Marcus Aurelius I sawe his courte furnished with vertuous persons and in the dayes of his sonne Commodus I sawe his house filled with wicked people and am well able to saye vnto thee my sonne that as their houses were so was their common wealths If thou wilt liue in quiet go alwayes in peace and auoide suspicion keepe in thine house continually men of honestie grauitie and wisedome because honourable and wise men in Princes houses yealde authoritie with their persons and profite with their counsels Nowe or neuer thou maist withdrawe thine hande cease to be euil and binde thy selfe to bee good because of all that is past we will impute the fault to thy youth which if thou refusest to do then will wee referre it whollie vnto thy wilfull vanitie It profiteth not a litle for the healpe of good gouernement of the common wealth that the Prince be of good life for subiects hauing good Princes imitate what they see and perfourme what they commaunde CHAP. XI ¶ Of certeine lawes which the Emperour Heliogabalus made in Rome HEliogabalus made certeine lawes wherof some were good some indifferent and others neither good nor euill but moste vaine for as he vsed to saye so greate authoritie haue Princes in their kingdomes as the gods in the heauens He made a lawe that no vestall virgine should make a vowe of chastitie but to stande at her libertie to be inclosed or to be married for he helde opinion that women were verie weake to perfourme vowes and at euery houre variable of opinion and aduise He made a lawe that no widowe might marrie within a yeare of her husbandes death on the one parte sufficiently to bewaile the dead and on the other parte exactly to consider of him that shoulde marrie her He made a lawe that no fleshe breade wine or any fruite shoulde be solde in Rome by viewe but by weight and measure because in selling of thinges by weight and measure they are bought according to their value and not as they are praised He made a lawe that al taylers in receiuing garments to make shoulde take the same by weight to auoyd purloyning of any parte thereof He made a lawe that no young man vnder the gouernement of father mother or tutour might giue take or playe any money because it were to be presupposed that such a one being in no possession of inheritance had either stolne or made some euil marte He made a lawe that all maides hauing attained the age of xxv yeares might marrie althoughe their parents would not thereunto consent for he vsed to saye that good parents haue more care to marrie one daughter then to breede x. sonnes He made a lawe that on holy dayes and dayes of publique feastes and ioye they should not openly burie their dead saying it were an euil signe vnto the common wealth if at the time of ioy others should begin to weepe He made a lawe that no Romane should presume to throwe out at doore any seruaunt slaue or horse or any other beast were it but a dogg either for any olde age or sicknesse saying that for the same purpose men serue from their youth to be succoured when they come to age He made a lawe that punishment should not be giuen vnto théeues as Iudges cōmaunded but at the wil of the persons which were robbed affirming theaft to be so foule a fault that by the hands of all persons they deserued chasticement He made a lawe that no citizen of Rome should presume to drawe to drowne to strangle or hang his slaue for any offence saying that to the Gods alone and to Princes power is giuen to slaye and kill and to others onely to punishe He made a lawe that if any married woman should committ adulterie with any kinsman or friend of her husband he might neither chastice reproue or blame her if shée proued that her husband had first