Marcia Furnilla whom some call Fulvia by whom he had Julia Sabina he was divorced from her being yet a private Person Julia Sabina his Daughter refused by Domitian married Flavius Sabinus whom Domitian for love of her caused to be Murthered and having got her with Child perswaded her to destroy the Foetus whereby she also killed her self Her Medals a Julia Augusta ℞ a Peacock Divi Titi F. Venus Augusta Venus resting upon a Pillar in one Hand the Helmet of Mars in the other a Spear her Cestus or Scarf which was a sort of thin Vestment through which the whole Body was seen therefore in the Cestus was said to be placed the Charm of Love tyed about her Thighs Signifying that she was Venus and had Command and Power over Domitian Domitian § 3. Was born A. D. 52. U. C. 803. reigned about fifteen Years was slain at the Age of Forty four Years by his Domesticks who were afraid he should have Murthered them as he had done many others He was Beautiful enough and at first by his good Laws for reforming their Religion and against Gelding Boys and his frequent hearing of Causes gave hopes of good Government but he changed after a while and shewed his own Inclinations to be Barbarously Cruel Traiterous Insolent Cowardly Ignorant Lustful and every way Vitious He because as some imagine he heard the Sybils prophecied of a Virgins Conception gave out and imprisoned some for not saying that he was the Son of Pallas which is the reason why somewhat of Pallas is upon most of his Medals He would needs be a God sometimes Jupiter Hercules c. would have his Bed be called Pulvinar suffered himself to be adored gave his Hand to be kissed c. He banished also all Learning especially Philosophy out of Rome A Goat within a Crown Princeps Juventutis perhaps in Flattery to resemble him to Jupiter educated by a Goat of Amalthaea of whose Skin he made his AEgis A Ram. Princeps Juventutis the Ram the chief of the Flock and first of the Signs Domitian having upon his Breast the AEgis ℞ on Horse-back his Horses Foot upon the head of a River representing a Statue described by Papinius Statius made in Honour of Domitian after his giving Peace to Germany or rather his buying it A Triumphal Arch. In the Habit of Mars with a Trophy on his Shoulder for his German Victory Pallas standing upon a Ship with two Prows her Invention probably representing the Vessel in which Domitian passed the Rhine and Danow being so fearful that he could not endure so much as the trouble of Rowing he had a Boat on purpose drawn by the Gallies in which he sate alone like an Image Plin. Paneg. An Altar dedicated to him by the Nicaeenses probably for giving them the Primacy of Bithynia against the Nicomedians under the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Forensis President of Tribunals esteeming him a God As also in that of an Eagle holding Thunder they called him Jupiter Domitor Orbis Isis stretching or displaying a Sail called Pelagia Goddess of Navigation and Inventress of Sails § 4. His Wife was Domitia Longina Daughter of that brave Corbulo whom Nero caused to kill himself he took her from her Husband AElius Lamia whom he afterwards also slew She was a very wicked Woman and governed by Paris a Comaedian whereupon Domitian turned her away but overcome with her Beauty afterwards received her and for fear he should again use her worse she helped to Murther him Others commend her much for her Virtue and Procopius saith that after Domitian's Death she was so much reverenced by the Senate that she was sent for thither and desired to request what she pleased of her Husbands she only desired the liberty to set up his Image where she pleased which was granted She sent therefore and gathered together his torn Limbs and had them put together and sowed and fastened so as the Body being given to the Statuaries they made a Statue upon it which she placed upon the ascent to the Capitol which he saith remained there till his time representing the marks of the sowed Limbs A Peacock Concordia August made after her Repeal By her he had a Son which dying young was consecrated A Child sitting upon a Globe amongst Stars Domitian and Domitia ℞ a Temple with a Goddess 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Domitian began his Patents Dominus ac Deus noster sic jubet she might well be a Goddess then Lucius Antonius injured by Domitian who called him Scortum Governour of Germany raised a Rebellion but was overcome and slain by another General CHAP. VII Of Cocceius Nerva Ulpius Trajanus § 1. NErva was born A. D. 33. reigned some say sixteen Months others 27. he entered into the twenty eighth Month for he was Cos. IV. and in the second year he was made Emperor for at that time we find his Medals died aged above Seventy two Years was a most Just Mild Wise Tranquill Passionless Irreproachable Bountiful Learned Prince recalled those Domitian had banished and in their rooms sent the Informers Accusers Sycophants of the Court was persecuted and banished by Domitian jealous of his Virtues Being advanced to the Empire by the Murtherers of Domitian he could not protect them from the Rage of the Soldiers who cut them to pieces the first Action of Insolence of the Army but not the last A little before his Death he most wisely provided for the Commonwealth by adopting Trajan who having gained a great Victory in Pannonia and sending a Crown to Nerva was by Nerva adopted in the Temple of Jupiter Capit. and immediately made Caesar and Trib. Pot. given him tho it seems he abstained till after Nerva ' Death from the Title of Augustus yet was he partaker of the Sovereignty Ulpius Trajanus § 2. Was born A. C. 54. reigned nineteen Years six Months sixteen Days we find no more than TRI. Pot. XVII died at the Age of sixty four Years at Selinapte from his death called Trajanopolis was exceedingly Valiant Magnificent Just Liberal Benign Eloquent but either for Laziness State or his squeaking and not very intelligible Voice had another to speak for him in the Senate a very great Soldier Patient and Painful was taxed for Drunkenness Lust and Ambition of Honor which made him be called Wall-Flower because so many Inscriptions of his Name upon Buildings His Medals very many His Head with an ordinary Inscription ℞ Osyris or the Sun with a Peach upon his Head and a Stag to intimate his Swiftness in his Hand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 LI I. Koptika was a Prefecture in Egypt His Head an ordinary Inscription ℞ his Pillar with an Owl on the Top an Emblem of Vigilance Providence and Wisdom A Ship with Soldiers in a Storm and Trajan standing in the Sea calming it c. shewing the miserable Condition of the Commonwealth when Trajan undertook it Trajan under the shape of Hercules ℞ the Erymanthean Boar ℞ the Club as
But what he did well was for fear lest the chief Men should Conspire against him not for love of Virtue and the same fear wrought in him by Messalia and Agrippina his Wives caused him to cut off whomsoever they pleased So that he put to Death Thirty Senators 221 Equites and other Persons innumerable So Foolish and Timorous was he that when his Wife Messalina was Married openly to Silius it was a long time before he knew it and when he did durst not a great while take Vengeance of her But he was afterwards poisoned by his Wife Agrippina in a Dish of Mushrooms or Tertuffale which he loved above all other things and his Mother had longed for when Great with him Claudius had one only Son called Britannicus whom Nero and Agrippina his Step mother Murthered of him Medals very rare Yeâ—… Seguinus hath one his Head 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â„ž a naked Figure supposed to be the Sun with a Hart to shew his Swiftness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Alabanda was a City in Caria where the Sun was very much worshipped Many Medals of Claudius one reverse a Temple in which Peace or Rome crowneth him the words Romae Augusto communitas Asiae A Britain naked fighting with a Poignard against a Roman Soldier armed A Jupiter amidst seven Stars with Thunder in one Hand and a Trident in the other or a Jupiter and Neptune joyned as if both gave their Power to Claudius There arose in his days a Rebellion headed by Furvus Camillus Scribonianus Legatus in Dalmatia the Army which chused him Emperor terrified with Omens slew him the fifth day No Medals of him Seguinus hath set down a very curious Coin of Lead on the one side a Digamma a Letter sound out by Claudius and not used after his Death with a Palm issuing out of it IO. 〈◊〉 Sat. â„ž a Garland which he conceives very probably to be after the Victory Claudius obtained in Britanny Dio saith that the Gallican Legions refusing to march into Britanny he sent Narcissus his Freed-man to perswade them to it who coming to the Army and setting himself in the General 's Seat and beginning to make a Speech the Army universally cried out IO Saturnalia IO. as if Servants then ruled and turning to A. Plautius their General desired him to lead them into Britanny which he did and afterwards hearing of their good Success Claudius came in Person and attributed to himself the Victory and Triumph CHAP. IV. Of Nero Claudius Macer 1. NERO was born A. U. C. 789. A. D. 38. reigned thirteen Years seven Months Twenty eight Days died about Thirty two Years old The most abominable Monster for Lust Debauchery Cruelty and all Wickedness that ever the World saw He gave his mind to nothing laudable but Singing and Playing The Senate having voted him to be whip'd to Death through the Streets he chused rather to kill himself crying out Qualis Artifex pereo Medals many of him tho the Senate decreed his Coins should not be Currant because of the length of his Reign Yea mistrusting some such thing of the Senate 't is probable that he caused upon divers of his Coins the Pourtraict of Augustus and Tiberius to be stamped 2. As himself standing one Foot on a Globe and a Spear in his Hand as if his Valour had given him the Empire of the World The like a Roma sitting and setting her Foot upon a Globe His Figure standing Raies about his Head like the Sun in the one Hand a Laurel in the other a Victory the word Aug. Germanico perhaps to represent the Colosse he caused to be made of himself and in imitation of that of Rhodes Four Fishes perhaps coined in Greece upon the Birth of his Daughter Claudia where it was the Custom that the fifth day after the Birth of a Child the Women who had been assistant at the Labour first washed their Hands then took up the Infant and carried it running throughout all the House to the Hearth especially and then the Kindred made a Feast of such Fishes as are here expressed Lobsters Pulpes such viz. as are very Proliferous and Inciters to Lust these Feasts were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By the way Athenaeus notes that the tenth day after the Child was born the nearest Kindred met together to name the Child which they did after they had Sacrificed and Banqueted together In Rome the eighth day was commonly for Females the ninth for Males the Lustricus for purifying and naming the Child Ara pacis and another the Temple of Janus shut up the reason of opening of Janus's Temple in time of War was taken from Romulus who fighting against the Sabins and being worsted there rose up immediately out of Janus's Temple a Spring of Hot Water wherewith the Romans scalded and so vanquished their Enemies Going therefore to War they set open Janus's Temple in hopes of like Success Three Arches of a Bridge with Con. C C II. i. e. perhaps Consensu civitatum Campaniae duarum Then it signifies some Bridge made over the great Trench he endeavoured to cut between Avernus and Ostia The Port of Ostia tho upon his Medals was chiefly built by Claudius he only adorned and compleated it A Triumphant Chariot drawn with four Horses and Nero holding a Crown and Palm with the word Euthymius perhaps representing his Victory at the Olympick Games in a Race of Horses Euthymius was a Famous Wrestler of Locri who fought with the Daemon Temsus and delivered a Beautiful Damsel from him for which reason he was made a God and worshipped by the Locri who probably stamped this Medal in Honor of him An Hydraulick Instrument like our Organs in which he was much delighted as Sueton. noteth A Serpent as ready to take Fruits from an Altar which either represented AEsculapius or as a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Mother perswading him that sleeping he was preserved by a Serpent from the Trains of Messalina Besides it was a good Augury to have a Serpent come and eat upon their Altars as Virgil noteth of AEneas and that they nourished Serpents as signs of good Luck and this Nero did in the Wood of Lavinium amongst the rest Nero Caesar in his Youth â„ž a Senator 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Acknowledgment of some Favour that City received by his means Nero Radiant as the Colossus of Rhodes â„ž 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Rhodians stâ—…g themselâ—…es Rhodiâ—… Neâ—…nenses Augusti Nero like Apollo â„ž his Wife like Latona 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Europa carried upon a Bull. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 She being Venus and Astarte Nero with a Serpent about his Neck signifying Felicity â„ž An Eagle with a Palm 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The River Meles Famous for inspiring Poetry Nero and Agrippina â„ž Libertas Nero â„ž Jupiter the two Monarchs of Heaven and Earth So of Serapis also Nero. â„ž Poppaea Sabina as a Juno Nero. â„ž Messalina his last Wife as a Ceres Claudius Macer 3. Was Propraetor
if Trajan were a new or second Hercules So he is also represented as Euthymius the famous Locrian Wrestler and deified for it drawn in a Chariot by four Horses as the Cities were wont to bring home breaking down a part of their Walls for them their Citizens when Victorious in their Games Divi Nerva Trajanus Pat res For Trajan did extremely honor his Father Trajanus who had obtained a great Victory against the Parthians calling him Divus erecting Statues a triumphal Arch unto him and coining many Medals with his Name Arabia with a Camel in one Hand a Branch it should seem of a Frankincense-Tree or perhaps Schoenanthe the best Food of the Camel in the other a Calamus Odoratus Never wholly conquered but by Trajan who made it a Province and endeavored to bring it under the Roman Laws Italia presenting two Children to Trajan and underneath Alim Ital. many People abstaining from marriage because of the difficulty of Educating their Children the Emperor took upon him that Charge and maintained at least five thousand of them in Italy At Alexandria a Woman having five Children at one Birth he took Charge of them all and the next year he returning thither she had three more all which he maintained also Parthia Capta a Trophy between two Captives in Memory of Trajan's great Victories there where he took Susa it self the chief City and in honor of which Conquest Hadrian instituted Games every year called Trajanalia which continued a long time probably till after Constantine the Great An Athlete between two Goddesses Filinus who was an excellent Athlete of Cos and won twenty four Prizes at the Olympique and other Games This was coined by the Coans in honor of Trajan to signifie that he had won as many Victories over his Enemies as their brave Athlete had So the Locrians called him Euthymius Diana winged Shooting drawn in a Chariot by two Centaurs and Trajan-Hercules marching before Diana drawn in a Chariot by a Lyon and a Boar both stamped in his honor of giving liberty to Hunt in the Circensian Games and other where which by the former Emperors were forbidden The Centaurs taught Diana to Hunt and they who are born under that Sign are supposed to have great power over Beasts or that Trajan-Hercules as Hercules was said to do brought Diana from the banks of Ister Danubius where she used to Hunt and where he was favoured by her in his Dacick Wars to Rome to inspire the Skill and Dexterity of Hunting into the Romans Imp. Nervae Traj c. ℞ Diana sitting naked betwixt two Soldiers standing with a Child in one Arm. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 On the same Medal Latin and Greek which is very rare Dictynna was a Nymph companion of Diana afterwards taken for Diana her self and so worshipped The two armed Figures intimate perhaps the Pyrrhichian manner of Dancing invented in Creet either by one Pyrrhus as Pliny saith or by the Curetes or Coribantes A Croissant with a Star between her Horns B 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ZANTIN 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 N 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 T 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Byzantines Constantinopolitans being besieged by Philip of Macedon he endeavored to take the City by a Mine in a dark cloudy rainy Night but upon a sudden the Moon broke forth dispelled the Clouds and discovered his Men some add also that the Dogs about the Town by their barking advertised the Citizens and after the Moons setting the Morning Star shined so bright that Philip could not do any thing that Night and afterwards raised his Siege and went away Whereupon the Byzantines grew very Devout towards the Moon which they called Hecate to which Dogs also are Sacred and took the Moon for their Devise The Front of an ancient Temple with a Semicircle before it and four Pyramids betwixt the two middlemost a kind of Pyramidal Figure which was of Venus Paphia for there she was worshipped under that form Clem. Alexand. Strom. 1. saith that the Ancients before they had the Art of Statue-making worshipped Pillars as their Gods citing a Passage out of the Author of Phoronis to this purpose Callithoe excelsi clavem quae gest at Olympi Junonis quae velleribus festâque Coronâ Reginae ornavit Sublimem prima Columnam and out of the Author of Europaea that the Statue of Apollo Delphicus was a Pillar Tacitus Maximus Tyrius and others say that the Statue of Venus Paphia was a Pillar ending ina Pyramid The same is said to be done by the Phaenicians to their Gods Euseb. de praepar Evang. l. 1. Jupiter sitting c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that throws down Thunder 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Cyrrtum in Syria A Vase or Water-pot with a Womans Head coifed c. The Picture of Canopus the Egyptian God who was supposed to govern the Water and was much worshipped in Egypt and when the Persians came with their Fire the Egyptians made a Canopus full of holes which they stopped with Wax and filled the Vessel with Water the Wax being melted with the Fire the Water running out quenched the Fire and so Canopus got the Victory over the Persian God A Temple and within it a Mountain under it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the People thought that the Mons Casius was indeed Jupiter 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Seleucensis Pieriae Syriae Seleucis was that part of Syria called Tetrapolis Many of his Medals also are reversed with his Pillar set up by S. P. Q. R. in honor of him for his Dacick Victories 't is still extant at Rome in the same Place where erected then It was designed by Julio Romano at the Expence and Command of Francis I. King of France who had an Intention to have such another cast in Brass for himself in France Fr. Villamena Engraved it and Mutianus first and afterwards Ciaconius Interpreted it His only Wife was Plotina a very Grave Prudent Just Moderate Courageous Woman and Virtuous Pliny calls her Sanctissimam The first time she entred the Palace she said openly Talis huc ingredior qualem me egredi opto As Trajan long time refused to be called Pater Patriae so she with her Sister Marciana to be called Augustae Hadrian did extremely honor her whereupon she disposed Trajan to adopt him his Cousin rather than her own Cousin he built Temples made Hymns and mourned extremely for her Pudicitia The Empress holding her Scarf or Veil by the ends whereas ordinarily Pudicitia is described a Woman veiled His Sister Marciana like him in Countenance and Manners lived in the Palace in wonderful Concord with him and Plotina He built in honor of her Marcianopolis in Mysia upon occasion that her Maid going to take up Water out of the River there let fall her Pitcher of Gold which a good while after she took up Swimming upon the Top. For Trajan apprehending there the Presence of some God built that City and called it by the name of his Sister She had a
one of the Fountains of Jordan afterwards rebuilt and called Caesarea Paneadis and Caesarea Philippi the two Temples one to Augustus the other to Antoninus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 AEsculapius and Venus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being quite ruined by an Earthquake as also a great part of Ionia sore shaken Antoninus repaired them and planted Coos with a Colony of Milesians therefore Antoninus and Faustina were meant by the two Deities Cybele sitting upon a Rock under her a Man with his Head and Arms above Water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Flavia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Samosate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sacrum asylum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 legibus suis vivens 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Metropolis Comagenes The Man seems to be Euphrates the Son of Arandax who finding his Son Axurta sleeping one day near his Mother by mistake slew him and afterwards drowning himself gave name to the River Euphrates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Jupiter's Head with Serapis's Bushel Ammon's Horns and Osiris or the Suns Beams AEsculapius's Serpent twisted about a Pisis or Neptune's Trident like a Mercuries Caduceus and a Cornucopia for Nilus The NT probably Antoninus as if he were acknowledged by the Egyptians to have been their Serapis or comprehending all the Gods of the Heathen â„ž 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Man on Horse-back under him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perhaps for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one of the Cabiri Corybantes or Idaei Dactili Antoninus's Head Antoninus Aug. Pius P P. TR. P. Cos. IV. â„ž a young Child swathed newly born not Faustina for she was married when he was Cos. IV. whose Mother seems there to represent Rhea or Mater Magna with the Corybantes or People with Instruments of Musick and Satyrs Antoninus's Head 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. â„ž Jupiter or Pius in his shape sitting upon Rocks and raining out of an Horn upon a Statue lying along underneath probably some River a Rock also a little House or Temple and a Cypress-Tree 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where note that it should seem I anciently in Latin was not pronounced like ee since the Greeks express it by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Seneca Ep. 58. renders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by I. Antoninus's Head c. â„ž a Woman naked sitting upon a Rock with a Water-flower in her Hand and a Water-plant behind the Rock 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Marcus Sabinus Governor of Philippopolis a City in Thrace under Mount Rhodope coined this it should seem by this that Rhodope was so called not from a Queen of Thrace but from a Nymph Daughter of Strymon got with Child by Neptune 2. His Wife was Annia Galeria Faustina Sister to AElius Caesar a foolish lightheaded Woman who denied her self nothing she desired she died at thirty six Years three Months old she had two Daughters one died in his Proconsulat married to Silianus Lamia the second was Faustina and two Sons one of whom a Medal with his Mother deified Galerius Anton. the others name not known as neither the time of their Death as neither whether the two Cornucopia's a â„ž of Antoninus be meant of them or the two Sons of M. Aurelius Faustina that hath her Hair wreathed on the top of her Head is the Mother she that hath it tied up behind the Daughter CHAP. X. Of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus and Lucius Aurelius Verus 1. M Aurelius Antoninus Son of M Annius Verus Brother of AElius Caesar and Domitia Lucilla was born A. C. 122. reigned nineteen Years ten Days died at fifty nine Years old At Syrmium by the help of his Physicians as some say in favor of Commodus Was sickly but exceeding Couragious Laborious Prudent Just Mild Learned in Philosophy especially and Chast. He put none to death but only banished them for Treason forbad Gladiators to kill one another and therefore blunted their Weapons Whilst he was Caesar he wore not Garments different from ordinary Persons nor would suffer Fire to be carried before him his word was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All things flow from Above and that he that would live or govern happily must imitate the Gods Very liberal towards all Poor Persons even the Christians as appears by Capitolinus who calleth them homines novos where see also who was Lucius Commodus Verus He gave to Hierapolis which was almost wholly Christian at one time three thousand quarters of Coin Yet held the Soul to be Mortal and the Gods to have Bodies Notwithstanding his great Wars he never forsook his study of Philosophy which yet made him not at all morose Aurelius Caesar armed riding upon a Sphinx the Emblem of Subtilty Cunning and Prudence as also of Egypt either as if by his Prudence he conquered Barbarians and all other his Enemies or particularly some Exploit in Egypt A Woman perhaps Faustina praying for the Health of M. Aurelius or perhaps of the whole Empire which was in his time much afflicted with the Plague and such Diseases before the Altar of Salus another of AEsculapius presenting a little Cake which they called Sanitatem and being put into the hands of the Idol and taken out again was accounted Sovereign for many Diseases and a small Vase it may be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or poculum Sanitatis The Temple of Mercury upon four Hermes's Over-head a Dog a Cock a Tongue Relig. Aug. for ☿ as the Inventor of Religion and Sacrifice was accounted the Genius of Piety and Religion with a Purse to shew the plentiful Provision for the Entertainment of his Temple by the Bounty of the Emperors A Dog Fidelity a Cock Vigilance and a Tongue Perswasiveness necessary to a Pontifex This God much worshipped by M. Aurelius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A King with a Diadem and Head-â—…e not unlike an Imperial one the name of the Kings of the Osdroenians Eddessenians c. which are parts of Arabia who seemed to be Christians and are divers of them called by the Fathers Viri Sancti 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Emperor presenting an Eagle to Cybele Attalus the Son of Polemon the great Sophister probably sent to the Emperor in behalf of his Country ruined by Earthquakes obtained great Succor for he repaired them and many other of those Asian Cities which worshipped the Goddess Cybele 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Two Athletes with Cestus's probably some Eminent Persons the Lacedemonians a People above all other addicted to Martial Exercises sent to the Emperor who also practised those Athletick Exercises very much to strengthen his Health as he did also Hunting and Hawking as his Father loved Fishing If it be enquir'd what kind of Hawking was then in use among the Romans whether like our Modern and of what Continuance that hath been I answer that it is out of my design to enter into such Discourses but that I am informed that a Person of Quality of this Nation hath an ancient Greek Author of this Subject ready for the Press 2. His Wife was Faustina a very beautiful and
Velia Germalum and Forum this Germalum called also Germanum was as Plutarch notes afterwards called Cermanum Cermenum which it seems Commodus stored with People Commodus with a Lion's Skin L. AE L. Aurel. Commod P. F. ℞ Herculi Romano Aug. for amongst other Madnesses of this Sot this was one that he would be called and clothed as one of the Gods so Anubis Nobilitas Aug. P. M. he said Anubis was his Ancestor at whose Ceremonies he presided and was masked like Anubis with his Dog's Head with the Snout whereof he used to beat the bare Scalps of such as went nigh him Crispina in the habit of Fortuna Victrix before her a Basket of Fruits behind three Children one swathed as if Crispina were the cause of all his good Fortune that she had any Children is known only by her Medals It seems they lived not long Africk and Egypt giving a handful of Corn to Commodus habited as Hercules Romanus setting his foot upon a Prow For by his Negligence there being a great Famine and the People mutining he built a Fleet to fetch Corn out of Afrrick and Egypt The Goddess Salus Daughter of AEsculapius raising up a Man Salus generis humani seems to initiate the recovery of Commodus and in him of the whole World from some great Disease Apollini Monetae perhaps referring to this that Commodus inspired by him had put to death Cleander the Cause of the Dearth and Poverty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Telesphorus a God of Health and Son or Grand-child of AEsculapius upon an Altar in a Capuch and his Hands as if cold under a long wide Vestment as he is usually represented 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Juno the Goddess of the Samians Juno Pronuba or as she presided at Marriages therefore is she habited like a new married Woman This seems coined in Honor of the Marriage of Commodus Bacchus drawn by four Elephants 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 calling Commodus as it were their new Founder An Eagle and a Serpent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nicomedia being horribly ruined with an Earthquake the People had a design to build it in another place over against the ancient Situation As they were therefore Sacrificing an Eagle came and took the Head of the Sacrifice off the Altar and carried it on the top of a Rock on the other side of an Arm of the Sea a vast Serpent appeared at the same time which Swom to the same place which the Inhabitants following there built their City 2. His Wife was Crispina the Daughter of Brutius Praesens whom having taken in Adultery he slew A naked Woman stooping down with a Laurel branch in her Hand and setting her Foot upon I know not what Colo. Aug usta Troas Troas was called Alexandria from Paris the Son of Priam and Antigonia Antigonus re-peopling it and was situated between Mount Ida and the Sea The Figure seems to be of Herophile the Sybil in her posture of Prophecying standing upon a Stone and Laurel in her Hand which Herophile lived a great part of her time at and was buried near this Alexandria From whence she was called Phrygia Trojana Hellespontica Gergithea Marpessa Erythrea from Marpesses called Erythrea because of the red Soil Ancyrana and Delphica from the several places of her Abode and Prophecying CHAP. XII Of Helvius Pertinax Didius Julianus Pescennius Niger and Clodius Albinus 1. P. Helvius Pertinax Son of Helvius Successus Son of a Freed Man was born A. C. 127. reigned about four Months died aged 67 Years four Months more or less slain by the Praetorian Soldiers his Guards He was very Prudent Learned Eloquent Valiant Constant of a present Spirit Moderate Just so Frugal that he seemed Avaritious A very skillful and experienced Soldier was very averse from receiving the Empire put upon him by the Murderers of Commodus In the Senate preferring others before himself hindering his Wife as much as he could from being called Augusta and his Son from being Caesar saying That it was sufficient that himself reigned against his will Whether discouraged by his obscure Birth his old Age or the Licentious Times is unknown He endeavored with great Labor Vigilance Courage and Dexterity to settle the Common-wealth in good order repressing the Insolencies of the Soldiers banishing and punishing all the Ministers of Tyranny bestowing the wast and untilled Grounds upon such as would husband them saying That those Possessions were the Commonwealths not the Emperors taking away illegal Taxes selling all Commodus's Superfluous and Luxurious Statues Eunuchs and Houshold-stuff to pay a Largess to the Soldiers and Citizens recovering vast Sums of Money which Commodus had sent to the Barbarians to buy Peace of them retrenching the Expences of his House And it is almost incredible what Reformations he made in those few Months of his Reign His Head Imp. C. P. Helvius Pertinax Aug. ℞ A Woman with a Cornucopia and a Tessera such a one as they used in their Largesses Civibus Liberatis Either from the Tyranny of Commodus the People as they met any Senator crying out Age Age Salvus evasisti vicisti or because People being very much necessitated for want of Corn himself went by Sea to hasten home the Corn that was sent for 2. His Wife was Fl. Titiana of a loose and wicked Behavior which is the Reason he would never permit her to be called Augusta therefore also few Medals of her besides he was enamoured of Cornificia his Concubine but not to the Prejudice of any one He had by his Wife divers Children amongst the rest a Son called Pub. Helvius Pertinax whom he educated as a private Person at his Father's House at School c. nor suffered him to use the Title of Caesar the Senate gave him after his Father's Death and Consecration he was made his Priest and afterwards Consul and was at last murdered by Caracalla for having called him Geticus after the Murder of his Brother Geta. DIS Custodibus A Fortune setting her Stern upon a Globe either intimating the Golden Fortune which was solemnly carried into the Palace of the new Emperors or else some Statue of Fortune erected by him in Honor of the Gods that so protected him Col. Hel. Colonia Helvia of which two are mentioned one on the Promontory of Lilybeum in Sicily the other in Piceno Two Hercules's with their Clubs the one supposed the Divine Hercules the other Pertinax It was taken as an Omen of the Empire that Commodus that day he was slain gave to Pertinax his Club to hold wherewith he acted Hercules 3. M. Didius Severus Commodus Julianus was born A. C. 134. reigned two Months six Days and was beheaded by the command of Severus at the Age of sixty Years four Months four Days The Praetorian Soldiers having murdered Pertinax retired into their Camp and proclaimed that he who would give most should by them be made Emperor which Julianus hearing made them such offers as contented them whereupon they presently saluted him Emperor and conducted him
Treacherously So did he also to the Germans under pretext of Marriage with his Daughter he invited Artabanus King of the Parthians with his Nobility into a great Plain and theâ—…e slew most of them but the King escaped He designed to Murther his Father threatned his Mother killed his Brother his Father-in-Law Plautianus his Aunt Lucilla his Governour and Kinsinan Papinianus forced his Preceptor to kill himself for which he was so haunted that many times he became Furious crying out upon his Father and Brother for Persecuting him so much that none durst â—…ame Geta to him Tho his Baseness was such â—…hat he durst not put on Armour 〈◊〉 â—…is Fear â—…rced him to make his Cloaths so like Armour â—…hat he was believed alwaâ—…â—…o 〈◊〉 Aâ—…med As he passed through Macedoma he imitated Alexander the Great would be called Magnus and set both their Heads upon the Bâ—…sts of â—…is Statues At Ilium he would needs be Achilles Providentia the Head of the Sun to whom Providence is many times attributed as well as Power shewing the Providence of Severus in â—…aking Antoninus Caesar. A Lyon Radiant with Thunder in his Mouth â—…ems to signifie the Lyon which as he was going against the Parthians came down from 〈◊〉 Mountain and fought against his Enemies 〈◊〉 the head of his Troops He also nourished 〈◊〉 Tame Lyon which he sed at his Board â—…d carried always with him and which when he went forth that time he was slain â—…ould have stayed him in his Tent so that â—…e tore his Garment A Lyon also in this Figure was worshipped at Heliopolis the Country of Julia and thereabouts as the God Genaeus or the Sun a certain 〈◊〉 â—…amed Eusebius testifying that â—…e saw a Globe 〈◊〉 Fire descending from Heaven and that it â—…as the God Genaeus Col. Caesarea Aâ—…ph in the 〈◊〉 oâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Goddess 〈◊〉 like a Nun 〈◊〉 â—…eems to be Diana Alpâ—…a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Indulgentiae foecundae Julia sitting as a Goddess obtaining some Favour or Indulgence for Carthage or some other City v. g. some Privilege Liberty Prerogative c. So the Romans expressing by this Medal the great Benefit to all the World by her Fecundity Caracalla Radiant imitating the Sun in a little Oval Chariot drawn by four Horses which was the manner in the Ludi Circenses in Honour of the Sun whom they fansied to be carried about the World in such a Vessel With these and such-like Games was Caracalla mightily delighted AEsculapius with the little God Telesphorus and a Ball it seems coined for the recovery of Caracalla from some great Sickness and that he submitted his Empire unto them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Decreto Senatus An Eagle crowning Caracalla c. Severus to the great affright of the Senate declared himself Son of M. Aurel. and Caracalla took upon him the name of Commodus Two Gods the one inâ—…olded in the Scarf of the other drawn by two Horses Probably Caracalla and Julia represented by the Perinthians in their Games as the Sun and Moon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zeugma was a strong City and Castle upon a Passage over Euphrates on the other side on the edge of a vast Solitude a Temple on the Top of an high Rock to which there are two Ascâ—…nts probably erected by Vespasian and repaired by Caracalla at his return out of Parthia or by the People in Honour of him with a Capricorn alluding to the Situation of the place on one side being a place fit for Goats only the other for Fishes i. e. Euphrates where Venus turned her self into a Fish 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A freed Man of the Emperor 's made Governour of Magnesia a City of Ionia at the Mouth of Maeander A young Man Caracalla crowned with Olive and a Girdle of Scarlet sitting before an Altar whereon is a Pine-Apple Sacred to Cybele and about him three Coribantes beating their Sheilds probably intimating the Initiation of the Emperor in these Mysteries for the Expiation of his Fratricide for which these Ceremonies were accounted very Efficacious two of the Coribantes having killed their Brethren and Preservation from Danger This Emperor being very Timorous and also much troubled in mind for that Fratricide of which yet probably by being thus initiated he was not recovered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Serpent with a Man's Head the Serpent the Genius of Wisdom c. was frequently worshipped and particularly by the Nicomedians the Egyptians brought in the manner of joyning Beasts with Mens Heads or Bodies Bacchus leaning upon and caressing Pan in the other Hand a Capricorn into which Sign Pan was converted â—…or transforming himself first into it and thereby shewing the Gods the means to escape Typhon who had almost surprised them Pan is joyned to Bacchus both because he was brought up in the Cave with him ☿ his Father leaving him there to keep him company and that he was the Best and Drunkennest Companion he had Bacchus was worshipped chiefly at Nysa in Egypt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 An Instrument betwixt an Ox and Sheep it may be to draw Water out of the bottom of the Sea as they say they did their Island sâ—…uate in the Phaenician Sea being a Rock and having no Spring being once besieged Geta in a Croissant they imagined that the Souls of theiâ—… 〈◊〉 inhabited the Air from the Earth to the Moon but the Gods above the Moon and Sun and that the Goddesses or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 passed through the Moon and some pure and innocent Men also as Geta. But this raâ—…ly for ordinarily they took their way through the Sun His Wiâ—… was 〈◊〉 Plautilla Daughter of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the greatest Favourite the 〈◊〉 Empire ever saw a Vile Brutal Traitor that 〈◊〉 one time caused a hundred Citizens Soâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quality to be gâ—…lded for Musitians â—…o 〈◊〉 Daughter he was slain for Treason in 〈◊〉 his presence and his Daughter with the two Children thereupon banished and afterwards slain a fit end for so shameless and impudent a Woman Venus felix Plautilla like Venus giving an Apple to her Son young Antoninus 4. P. Septimius Geta was born A. C. 190. reigned with his Brother ten Months fifteen Days was slain by him in his Mothers Bosom at the Age of Twenty three Years was like his Father Severe but not Cruel having as some Authors say disswaded him from putting to Death so many of the Friends of Niger and Albinus lest there should be more in Rome sorry than glad for their Victory Delighted much in Neatness Gardens learned and virtuous Mens Conversation acquitted himself well in the Wars wherefore his Brother jealous of the Affection generally born to him never rested till he had slain him and to satisfie the People he afterwards Consecrated him Principi Juventutis Geta on Horse-back looking back upon two others that ride after him The Ludus Trojanus invented by Ascanius and described AEneid 5. Castor standing by his Horse Cyllanus intimating the Excellency of Geta in that
in Memory of which they coined his Capricorn 3. Julia Aquilia Severa a Vestal Virgin but very beautiful and for that cause taken by him out of the Sanctuary saying That being a Priest and marrying a Vestal their Children must needs be holy yet after a while he cast her off and married three others successively whose names are lost and took her again at last 2. The Mother of Elagabale was Jul. Sooemias who educated him to that Lasciviousness and Wickedness he afterwards practised being her self so inclined after her Husband's death she took to her Assistance in all her Affairs in Bed and elsewhere Eutychianus a Freed Man who had been a Comaedian but a prudent Man whom Elagab slew She was very Proud taking place in the Senate and Voting and Signing all Acts as did Maesa also endeavoring by all means to destroy Alex. Severus her Sisters Son she drew Ruin upon her Self and Son by the universal Hatred all Mankind bore to them She erected a little Council of Women where they voted ridiculously concerning their Habits Ornaments c. Venus Caelestis Sooemias in habit of Venus with a little Boy Elagab and the Sun upon a Globe she publishing him to be the Son of Caracalla 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Goddess with a Wheel and a Rhombus representing Fortune Venus Nemesis or Hecate favorable to Sooemias and her Family 〈◊〉 Rhombus accompanieth Hecate and was a certain Instrument whereby Magicians pretended to work many Feats whose help these People it seems used to get the Empire Julia Maesa was called Maesa because Priestess of the Sun by them named Mese a Subtil Prudent and Sprightful Woman was exceedingly enriched by living in the Court of Severus and Caracalla all which Macrinus to shew that he was no Enemy to the House of Severus suffered her to enjoy and inherit also her Sisters Wealth by which she afterwards corrupted the Soldiers against Macrinus Under Elagabalus she shewed her self a discreet Woman managing whatever she had committed to her very prudently and she was the only Support he had but perceiving his Courses she foresaw he could not escape sudden Death and therefore perswaded him to adopt Alexander Severus for fear also lest he should adopt Hierocles whom he married To this purpose for a while she accompanied him in his wicked detestable Actions but after he had adopted him she took very great care for his Preservation and afterwards advised him very prudently in Governing and Reforming and at last died very Aged and was consecrated When the Soldiers were worsted by Macrinus's she descended from a Tower where she beheld the Fight run amongst them with Elagabalus on Horse back and by Perswasions and Reproaches rallied them again and won the Fight 3. Alexianus Marcellus called afterwards Bassianus in favor of Caracalla whom he was not unwilling should be thought to be his Father rather than Varius Genecâ—…s 〈◊〉 a Syâ—…an But being Emperor he was called M 〈◊〉 Severus in honor of those two 〈◊〉 Alexander changing Alexianus into Alexander in Honor of Alexander the Great in whose Temple on whose Birth-day he was born at Arâ—…na whom he desired to imitate and iâ—… he could to equal He was born A. C. 207. reigned thirteen Years seven Months seventeen Days and was slain by Maximinus at the Age of twenty nine Years He was of a vivacious Spirit which appeared by his bright and sparkling Eyes which they who looked upon him were not able stedfastly to behold and by the Subtilty and Piercingness of his Spirit many were perswaded that there was somewhat more than Human in him He was excellently â—…arned in most kinds of good Literature beâ—…g of an excellent Wit and Memory He was Wise Moderate Prudent Just Merciful beâ—…ved and reverenced of all good Men though 〈◊〉 seveâ—… a Justicer that the Colour came in his face and his Choler was stirred even to vomitâ—…g at the sight of a corrupt Judge yet was not Cruel nor ever put to death any who was not condemned by the Senate So Pious that â—…e adjugded a Tavern in Controversie betwixt â—…he Christians for a Church and the Host to 〈◊〉 Christians saying That it was much better â—…od should be served there in any manner than it â—…ould be a place of Debauchery He also worshipped Christ and Abraham amongst his Lares or private Gods and made use of Sentences of Scripture which he had learned up and down Though accused by the Soldiers and such People as under the last Emperors were only enriched of Avarice yet was it necessary after the Commonwealth was so exhausted by those Prodigies that good Husbandry should recover it and he began the Reformation in himself retrenching all Superfluity at his Table Utensils Cloths of which all he used were very ordinary and of common sort he sold all his Jewels applied the Taxes and Paiments of the Cities toward the Reparation of their publick Places set up Manufactures lent Money to Poor People he repaired the Ruins of all the ancient Buildings and put not his Name upon any of them and erected many new He gave four Congiaries to the People and a quantity of Oil promised by Severus When a Governer returned from his Charge if he had done well he thanked him in the name of the Commonwealth used him with all possible Honor and rewarded him Nobly He reduced the Taxes to a third part repaired many Cities and Temples ruined with Earth-quakes settled Salaries for the Professors of Sciences and the Nourishment of such Poor Children as were willing and fit for Study Would often Chide virtuous Persons who had served the Common-wealth foâ—… not asking somewhat of him founded and endued many Hospitals for such Children as had theiâ—… Patrimonies ruined in the Wars For these anâ—… such-like Actions the Comedians Calumniators and other wicked Courtiers and especially the Soldiers accustomed to the Profuseness of Caracalla and Elagab hated him extremely as likewise because he endeavored to reform their Discipline exceedingly corrupted that he with great Courage and Dexterity cashiered a Legioâ—… sometimes all at once which was incorrigible And Maximinus offended with him for a just Reproof given him by the Emperor for some indiscreet Actions in the Parthian War wherein Severus though with great Loss so suppressed and abated the Fury of the Parthian that he stirred not in many Years afterwards taking occasion upon it perswaded the Soldiers to Murther him which they most vilely and wickedly did near Ments in Germany Thus died the Repairer of the almost ruined Commonwealth the Stay of Justice the Reformer of the Soldiers the Refuge of the Poor and who for good Government had no equal amongst all the Emperors he did nothing without the Advice of twenty of the Prudentest most experienced Persons in the Commonwealth When the Legions mutined in the East and threatned to kill him with wonderful Courage he commanded them to lay down their Arms and Disband When Camillus would have made himself Emperor he accorded to him that Honor at
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Bacchius Panegyricus Apameorum Phrygiae situated upon two Rivers Marsyas or Lycus and Maeander grown bigger with Orga or Orba newly received into its Channel Marsyas holding a Flute in his Hand because there grows in him a certain Reed called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word signifying a 〈◊〉 which being shaken with the Wind makes excellent Melody or perhaps of which Flutes were made Marsyas also was the first that invented that Instrument on which he plaid so cunningly that he challenged Apollo with his Harp who overcoming him fleaed him alive for whom the Nymphs and Satyrs were so grieved that they increased his small Stream with their Tears into a River Diana of the Ephesians worshipped also at Apamea and all the Country thereabout The two Nymphs also represent the Situation of the City between two Mountains and these two Rivers one of them having in her Hand a Rock with a Cave whence issueth the River Marsyas What the Letters signifie is not known 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hypaepenorum Praetore Ant. Tauro Anno primo Hypaepis a Town of Lydia Gordianus â„ž a Woman crowned with Towers sitting upon Rocks at her Feet the River Tygris 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Singara a Town in Mesopotamia whither it should seem Severus transported a Colony calling it Aurelia because of his great Affection and Observance to M. Aurelius Gordianus undertook such another Expedition into these places as Severus had done before His Wife was Furia Sabina Tranquillina of whom little written or known 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chalcedon A Swan carrying Apollo up to Heaven which was the Form under which the Chalcedonians worshipped him Against this Emperor the Carthaginians chose one Sabinianus whom afterward being besieged by the Emperor's Army they delivered up into his hands The Senate also chused Severus Hostilianus to oppose the Violence of Philip who had murthered the Emperor but Philip advancing before Hostilianus was in order to receive him he either slew himself or by ill binding his Wound after letting Blood he bled to Death CHAP. XVIII Of M. Julius Philippus Father and Son Carvil Marinus G. Messius Quintus Trajanus Decius Q. Hetruscus Messius Decius Caius Valens Hostilianus Messius Quintus C. Julius Valens Hostilianus C. Vibius Trebonianus Gallus C. Vibius Volusianus C. Julius AEmylianus 1. M. Julius Philippus born at Bostra his Father was a Famous Captain of Robbers his name Saturnius reigned about five Years and a half and with his Son was slain by Decius A. D. 253. an Ambitious Bloody Traiterous Person and a Fighting but not very resolute or provident Soldier He celebrated with great Pomp the Ludi Saeculares and was slain by Decius his own General whom he had sent against the Rebels Virtus Augg. the two Emperors on Horseback Philip desired to bring that Militia into request above foot P rovinciae M ysiae S uperioris Col onia Uim inacium An. VII perhaps Annona VII a Goddess the City between a Cow for a Colony and a Lyon shewing the Valour of the People The Heads of Jupiter and Bacchus representing the two Philips Bacchus being born in Arabia or rather unsowed from the Thigh of his Mother Semele Philip's Head â„ž 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the three Furies one with a Serpent and Key with a Key perhaps they open and shut Hell-gates at their pleasure another with two Fire-brands or Torches a third with a Sword and Whip and two Dogs Visaeque canes ululare per umbras Adventante Deâ AEn 6. They were worshipped in divers places that they might not hurt His Wife was Marcia Otacilla Severa a Virtuous Prudent and Chast Woman of whom little known save that some say she was a Christian. Provincia Dacia probably her Country Transilvania a Woman between an Eagle and Lyon signifying their Faithfulness to the Romans and their Valor His Son was Caius Saturnius afterwards called M. J. Philippus was slain in the Arms of his Mother at twelve Years old naturally 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He had a Sister married to Sabinianus Carvilius Marinus Governor of the Legions of Pannonia c. rebelled against Philip who sent Decius against him but the Soldiers had slain him before and perswaded Decius to take the Empire who joyning those Rebels to his own Army came into Italy conquered and killed Philip. Seguin hath a Coin an Head with an Eagle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it seems Marinus was consecrated either by the Soldiers repenting of their Murther or in hatred to Philip whose Vengeance they feared or by Decius thinking by this means to gain his Soldiers or by Philip to divert from himself the opinion of his Murther â„ž Rome sitting with a Victory on her Hand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 S. C. Jotapianus also in Syria was slain by his Soldiers Lucius Priscus Brother to Philip Governor of Syria after his Brothers Death set up for himself but was slain by the Soldiers 2. G. Messius Quintus Trajanus Decius born at Bubalia Buda A. D. 211. reigned about two Years and died swallowed in a Marish as he was flying from Cneva King of the Goths he was a prudent Person able to govern a great Empire by reason of his Experience Vigilant Couragious not Ambitious Fair-conditioned but a cruel Persecutor of the Christians insomuch that he slew a Kings Son an Hostage in his Court only because he saw him frequent the Christians Church The Arabians were so implacably offended with him that to keep them in order since he could not send an Army against them he caused many Lyons as also Serpents of both Sexes to be brought out of Lybia and sent amongst them Dacia A Woman with an Ass's Head upon a Spear Dacia contains Transilvania Moldavia and Walachia the People were called Getae by the Greeks they carried an Ass's Head as their chief Ensign before the Battel intimating their Constancy and Fearlesness of Death their Sufferance also c. also a Sign of good Luck CE II. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Septimia Colonia Rhesaenesiorum Anno 1. A City in Mesopotamia near the River Aborus made a Colony by Sept. Severus His Wife was Herennia Sallustia Barbia Orbiana of whom little is written and very few Medals found tho others say that she was the Wife of Alex. Severus and that Decius's Wife was Herennia Etruscilla His Son was L. Herennius Hetruscus Messius Decius made by his Father Caesar at the beginning of his Empire and Augustus when he took him with him in his Expedition against the Goths where he was slain with an Arrow valiantly fighting in the Van-guard which being related to his Father he said the loss of one Soldier was no great matter Pietas Augg. ☿ without wings as being continually to reside with the Emperors and not to return to Heaven with a Purse as if all their Piety was for Interest 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Sub Praetore Glycone Theologo â—ergamenorum primorum Neocororum AEsculapius under the Countenance of young Decius and Juno Pronuba
Saturninus was a Person of very great Worth the best Soldier of his times and was constrained to be made Emperor at that time he telling the Soldiers that they had lost a good General for a bad Emperor he got many Victories over the Barbarians and was at last slain by his own Soldiers unwilling to be reformed C. Annius Trebellianus was first chosen Prince of the Isaurians because of his Dexterity in Thieving and afterwards made himself Emperor and so maintained himself a long time in that Mountainous Country till Causisoleus the Brother of Theodotus found means to draw him into the Plains where he fought and slew him He was probably by some Rebellious City as other Rebels were consecrated as appears by his Medals C. Titus Cornelius Celsus having a long time with great Reputation served in Africk the Africans were advised to make themselves an Emperor like other Countries which they did and chose this Man forcing him to accept it the seventh day after he was slain by the Citizens of Sicca by the perswasion of Galliena the Cousin of Gallienus his Body was eaten by Dogs and his Effigie hang'd upon a Gibbet 7. M. Piauvonius Victorinus Son of Victorina possibly the Sister of Postumus a Man comparable to any or perhaps all the Ancients had it not been that his Lust spoiled all his Virtue he was chosen by Postumus to assist against the Generals of Gallienus which he did so valiantly that they got no Advantage over them He was slain by the Practises of Attilianus for having violated his Wife After his Death Postumus consecrated him and chose Tetricus in his stead Invictus the Sun running either to shew Victorinus's Celerity in his Warlike Enterprizes or his design to go into the East whither his Mother envious of the Glory of Zenobia urged him to go Saeculi felicitas Fortune carrying the Infant Platus as represented at Thebes as Pausanias reporteth in his ninth Book Shewing that by Fortune's favoring the Enterprizes of Victorinus Riches were much encreased L. A. perhaps Aurelius Piauvonius Victorinus Son of the other was made Caesar when his Father was made Augustus and afterwards Augustus also probably slain with his Father A Galley I. AASVI what the meaning is is not known CHAP. XX. Of Licinius Gallienus Cornelius Saloninus Valerianus Q. Julius Saloninus Gallienus P. Licinius Valerianus § 1. P. Licinius â—…gnatius Gallienus born A. C. 219. reigned with his Father near seven Years and eight Years alone was slain about the Age of Fifty Years was very Courteous and Liberal Quick Ingenious Easie Learned Eloquent Vigilant also Circumspect and Valiant but very Vindicative putting to Death Four thousand of Ingenuus's Soldiers in cold Blood very Debauched Wanton and given to his Pleasures which he unwillingly left when he was to go upon any Exploit He ruined Three hundred thousand Goths with Ten thousand Men he conquered also Ingenuus Regilianus and divers other Tyrants but Postumus he could not overcome nor did he pursue his Victories against the Barbarians nor endeavor to redeem his Father nothing but imminent Danger forcing him to quit his Voluptuousness and Debauchery And as he neglected to provide against the Goths who invaded the Empire the Officers of the Army slew him and chose Claudius in his stead wherewith the Soldiers were much displeased but the same Officers appeased their Mutiny by Money distributed amongst them Gallienus as the Genius of the City of Rome â„ž Intrans S. C. Urbem probably when made Augustus by his Father and sent with an Army to protect the West where the Barbarians made great Spoil even in Italy it self to the great Affright of the Romans who thought themselves secure by his their good Genius's entering the City Gallienum Aug. possibly to be supplied SPQR Statuâ donavit â„ž ob conservationem salutis he endeavoring to remedy the great Mortality which continued in his time Restit Galliarum probably after a Battle which he gained against Postumus he took this Title Galliarum were the three Gallia's Cisalpina Narbonensis Comata Apollini Cons. Aug. a Centaure shooting Apollo being Famous for it and for his Horses they are both joyned together to preserve the Emperor from the Archers of the Persians on Horseback Leg II. Parthica VII Septimum Pia. VII Felix He gave these Titles to his Legions as often as they did him Service eminently which they carried also in their Ensigns and was a gentile Invention to engage them to him So Leg Mi nervia P ia F elix Vic trix Jovi Cons. Aug. the Amalthean Goat which nourished him of whose Horn he made the Horn of abundance of her Skin his AEgis and made her self a Star Soli Cons. Aug. an Ox consecrated to Apollo who by his force brings forth Pasturage for them Mnevis was an Ox sacred to Jupiter as Apis to the Moon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without naming him Emperor or Aug. â„ž 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Mans Head altogether unknown probably some Kinsman of the Emperor's § 2. His Wife was Cnea Cornelia Salonina Daughter of Attalus and before called Chrysogone a learned Woman and Favorer of Plotinus and other knowing Persons He had a Concubine dearly beloved of him called Pipara or Pipa Daughter of a King of Germany to whom he gave part of Pannonia for his Daughter Juno Aug. Salonina in the Habit of Juno with a Flower Lilly in one Hand the Flower over which Juno passing conceived Mars and which signifieth the Chaste Love of Man and Wife and a Torch in the other AEquitas publica Three Goddesses with Balances and Cornucopia's expressing the Justice of the Emperor in governing the three parts of the Empire signified Africk by Serapis Asia by the Sun and Europe by Salonina Augusta in pace Salonina sitting in the habit of Peace Junoni Cons. Aug. Stags with Horns Dian Hunting spied five mighty Stags with Golden Horns four whereof she took the fifth by the help of Juno escaped and was slain by Hercules after Deae Segetiae or she that takes care of the Corn after it appears out of the Earth 3. Publius Licinius Cornelius Saloninus Valerianus Son of Gallienus and Salonina all the Medals inscribed P. C. Lic Valerianus Nob. Caes. are of this Person So those with Pub. Lic Saloninus Valerianus Caes. So with D. Valeriano Caesari or Divo Caesari Valeriano was of a good Wit but given to his Pleasures as much as his Father being young he was sent to Gallia with Albinus yet under the Command of Postumus to dispose the Legions there to oppose the Goths When he arrived Postumus had defeated the Goths and recovered from them a very great Booty which Albinus said he ought to have presented to Saloninus as representing his Father Postumus provoked by the Reproaches of that Man made the Soldiers to whom he had distributed a great part of it to Mutiny and bringing them before Colen the Citizens delivered up Saloninus and Albinus into his hands who presently put
M. Annius Florianus Brother to Tacitus's Mother was chosen Emperor after Tacitus's death he reigned two Months and either killed himself or was slain by the Soldiers unanimously favoring the Election of Probus He was not so sufficient as desirous to govern and therefore immediately after his Nephew's death seized upon it But hearing that the Syrian Legions had chosen Probus he left the Goths half conquered permitting them to return into their Country to go fight Probus and to that purpose march'd to Tarsus Probus being weaker delay'd to fight till the Advantages were equal when the Armies came in sight they separated without fighting as endeavoring an Accommodation But Probus mean while debauched Florianus's Legions from him insomuch that Probus's Soldiers came to Florianus and took away his Robes but he taking heart put them on again and sent to Probus to know if he would partake of the Empire Probus having got all the Soldiers sent him word that he must either be a private Man or dye So he chused to have his Veins cut and died A. P. Sempronius Saturninus a Gaul a Man of great Abilities and who had done very eminent Services for the Empire was by Valerian set over the Eastern Limits of the Empire but forbid to come into Egypt Yet in Aurelian's time he came to Alexandria where he was presently saluted by that giddy People Augustus which he refused and immediately retreated into Palestine where considering with the Soldiers that what had been done was sufficient to give Umbrage to Aurelian who never pardoned and that therefore they were in eminent Danger the Soldiers forced him to accept the Title which he maintained till Probus's reign who offered him pardon if he would lay down his Arms which the Soldiers fearing Revenge would not suffer him to do So Probus came against him and with very great difficulty forced him into a Castle there besieging him and there he was slain against the will of Probus who would gladly have preserved him 5. Q. Bonosus a Britain but spending most of his time in Spain was made Governour of the Frontiers of Rhetia the Grisons he was a very great Drinker yet never Drunk and Aurelian made use of him to make the Embassadors of the Barbarous Nations Drunk and get out their Secrets The Germans burning one time all the Roman Veâ—…els that were upon the Rhine and in his Custody fearing Punishment he made himself be declared Emperor and maintained himself in Gallia a great while till after a long and sore Battle being conquered and taken by Probus he was hang'd His Wife was Hunila Daughter of a King of the Goths a Beautiful Virtuous and Discreet Woman whom being Captive Aurelian gave to Bonosus to the end that being next to the Barbarians by her means he might have better Intelligence concerning them By her he had two Sons they were all honourably maintained by Probus after Bonosus's death Titus AElius Proculus a very Valiant and Experienced Captain but much given to Lust was perswaded by his Wife to make himself Emperor which with the help of the Lionois and some Slaves added to his Army he did but was first chased by Probus then taken together with his Son Herennianus whom he intended to make his Companion in the Empire and slain His Wives name was Viturgia called also Samso an Ambitious Woman CHAP. XXIII Of M. Aurel. Val. Probus M. Aurelius Carus M. Aurel. Numerianus J. Sabinus Aurelius Carinus Eugenius 1. M. Aurel. Val. Probus Son of Maximus a Man Famous amongst the Soldiers was born A. D. 231. reigned seven Years more or less and was slain by his Soldiers at Syrmium the place of his Birth He was very Mild Just Liberal but severe towards the Soldiers never suffering them to be Idle insomuch that at their leisure times he made them Plant Vines in several Countries as Hannibal to whom he was compared filled Africk with Olive-trees yet very liberal to them never retaining to himself any thing of the Spoil but the Arms. He was so Moderate that he withstood as much as he could being chosen Emperor though in all Mens Judgments the fittest for it He was mightily esteemed by all the preceding Emperors Valerian making him Tribune of the third Legion before he had a Beard Aurelian designed him for his Successor Tacitus would have had him chosen Emperor and made him Lieutenant General through all the East At twenty Years old he sought against the Sarmatae where he was honored with four Hastae purae two Vallares Coronae one Civique four Ensigns Military two Bracelets one Chain and a Plate of Gold weighing five Pound After the Death of Tacitus the chief Officers speaking to the Soldiers to chuse an Emperor Fortem Sanctum Verecundum Clementem Probum they all cried out with one accord Probe Dii te salvent His first care was to search out and punish all those that had alarmed Tacitus or had any hand in the Murther of Aurelian but all that assisted Florianus he pardoned The Senate was infinitely rejoyced with his Election for indeed never any Man had performed such and so many noble and heroical Exploits before being Emperor as he had done nor any Man in so short a space of time so many after for in Gallia he slew at divers Battles Four hundred thousand Barbarians took from them Seventy Towns with all the Booty and Wealth they had got nine Kings he had Prisoners at one time Afterwards he marched into their the Germans Country destroyed their Army took Semnon their King and his Son Prisoners He defeated the Franks Vandals Bargundians and took their General Ingillus and sent the Prisoners to People Britanny Thence he went against the Sarmatae whom he forced to restore all that ever they had taken from the Romans Thence into Thrace where he so frighted the Goths Scythians and Getae that they absolutely submitted to him Thence he passed into Asia destroyed in Isauria the dangerous Thief Palfurius and settled all the Provinces Thence he went into the East where he subdued the Blemmyes took the strong Cities Copten and Ptolomais He so frighted the Persians that they sent to beg Peace which he refused Mean while he sent vast Numbers of Barbarians to People the wast Regions of the Empire some of whom rebelled and spoiled others of the Provinces Having triumphed over an infinite number of Nations he departed to go against the Persians when employing his Soldiers to drain some Marshes about Syrmium and withal saying That he hoped after a while there would be no more need of Soldiers which was an Aim more glorious than ever any had before him his Army mutined against him and slew him Nor indeed was there any of the ancient Heroes to whom he was Inferior He was Consecrated Siscia Probi Aug. probably his Birth Place a City in Pannonia situated between the Savus Saw and Colapis Calpa which makes an Island called Segestica wherein Siscia is situated now called Sisceck the chief Town of
Court which were many the Prince hearkening to them perswaded him that Silvanus intended to Rebel and counterfeited Letters as sent from Silvanus to some Friends for that purpose So that to preserve his Life he was forced to make himself Emperor Whereupon Constantius then at Milan sent Ursicinus an Ancient Soldier but laid by by the Flatterers means with some other valiant Men with Letters to him from the Emperor who dissembled that he knew any thing of his Rebellion but with Instructions to kill him which they did having insinuated themselves into his Favor by pretending Discontents by which Suggestion Ursicinus got so much into Favor with him as none so much CHAP. XXVI Fl. Jul. Constantius Fl. Claudius Julianus Fl. Jovianus 1. FL. Jul. Constantius second Son of Constantine was born A. D. 317. was Caesar thirteen Years and a half being created that day his Father laid the first Stone of Constantinople He reigned about Twenty five Years and six Months and died Aged about Forty four Years He was Sober Chaste Learned Peaceable Bountiful and too credulous towards his Friends affectedly Grave his greatest Vice was hearkening to Eunuchs and Courtiers and by their Instigation doing things sometimes Cruelly and Unreasonably these Julian afterwards put to death had it not been for that and his own Distrustfulness Jealousie and Suspitions of his Kindred Friends and Officers he had been comparable to the best Princes By his extreme Zeal also to Arrianism he vexed mightily many of the Godly Bishops and Doctors of the Church He fought against the Persians and vanquished them though with very great loss afterwards with Magnentius c. but returning to the East the Barbarians invaded Gaul and the Persians the East so that he was forced to seek out for some one to make Caesar which was Julian Son of Constantius his Uncle and Basilina which he did and gave him Helena his Sister in Marriage sending him into Gallia where Julian having done very great matters was by the Legions saluted Augustus which so alarmed Constantius that he left the Persians and the East to chastise Julian but as he was in Cilicia a violent Feaver surprised him and he died with great Grief and Sorrow that he left his Enemy his Heir and one that was so great an Idolater that he had been such a Favorer of Arrianism and put to death so many of his Kindred He was brought to Constantinople and buried with very great Pomp. Constantius Aug. Three Palms representing probably the three Sons of Constantine over the middlemost Constantius a Star perhaps the beatified Soul of Constantine for that was in his time and afterwards the ordinary Representation of that shedding his Influence upon Constantius He was married in his Father's Life-time to the Daughter of his Uncle Constantius the Sister of Gallus whose Name and Story is unknown But after the death of Constans and Victory over Magnentius he married Fl. Aurelia Eusebia the beautifulest Woman of that Age and very Virtuous also learned and of a sweet and mild Disposition but proud and intermeddling so with all Affairs that nothing could be done without her an Arrian and great Supporter and Favorer of them She was Barren but very desirous to have Children whereupon taking some Drugs into her Womb she became Sick and Hectick and so died His last Wife was Maxima Faustina whom at his death he left with Child of a Daughter called Constantia which at the Age of fourteen Years was married to Gratianus the Son of Valentinian 2. Fl. Claudius Julianus Son of Constantius and Basilina was born A. D. 360. was made Caesar by Constantius and so governed five Years when he had made himself Augustus he reigned about one Year and eight Months and was slain in Persia about the Age of Thirty three Years he was Light-headed Vain Fantastical but desiring to seem a great Philosopher imitating them in all external Behaviour Loquacious in Extremity and so Superstitious and Anxious for the future that he consumed innumerable Sacrifices a Flatterer of Constantius when alive and contrary in all things to him when dead He was by Constantius destined to the Clergy and accordingly he studied Theology and all other Sciences fit for that Profession yet Hypocritically having Paganism in his Heart this proceeded from his Masters some whereof were Pagans as Mardonius Libanius and his Acquaintance with Maximus a great Magician and Necromancer put to death afterwards for these things by Valentinian Julian's Ambition still inciting him to search and enquire after the future This Maximus as also his Master AEdesius and Jamblichus were the great Procurers of his Apostacy which notwithstanding he dissembled all the time of Constantius He was in danger of death with his Brother Gallus but by the Favor of Eusebia he escaped and obtained leave to go to Athens whither he drew also divers of his Philosophers and Magicians and by the Priest of Eleusis the knowingest Magician of his time he enquired of his future Condition From Athens he was sent for to Court then at Milan where he was made Caesar married to Helena the Emperor's Sister and sent into Gaul with a small Army to deliver it from the Oppression of the Barbarians at that time he professed Arrianism but coming into Gaul and finding the People so many as knew of it averse from it he pretended to be Orthodox animating the Bishops and Clergy against it because against Constantius Being arrived at his Command he regained many places from the Franks escaped many Dangers especially at Sens his Winter-quarters Next year Constantius gave him a larger and absoluter Commission to raise Men c. and then he defeated and took Prisoner Chnodomarius and sent him to Constantius complaining afterwards very much that not himself but Constantius had triumphed He chased away the Franks restored Gallia and transferred the War into Germany where he delivered many Prisoners took much Spoil Towns and Captives and sent many Soldiers to Constantius then going to the East and whether puffed up with these Successes he made himself or was by the Force of the Soldiers compelled so it was that he was saluted Augustus of which he gave notice to Constantius presently with many Excuses and Protestations Constantius endeavored to reduce him to reason by Letters but in vain for he resolved to maintain his Election and to that purpose after a while his Wife dying in the mean time he resolved to fight Constantius In his way Vadomarius with an Army who had defeated one of his Tribunes with his Army interposed himself as he saith by the setting on of Constantius whom under shew of Friendship inviting him to a Feast he took Prisoner Marching forward then into Illyricum and Thrace Constantius returned from the Persian War to fight him but died in the way in Cilicia so that Julian remained sole Emperor The principal Officers and Commanders went to Julian assuring him that Constantius had named him his Successor thinking thereby to calm his Spirit