on a time murmuring of the insolencies of the Emperour Domitian Traiane sayde vnto them The intention wherwith Domitian hath intreated me the Gods haue to iudge for of his works which he hath done I may not complaine since he hath bene the occasion that I haue recouered Nerua for my father Plutarche for my maister Plotina for my wife and aboue al the rest he brought me acquainted with aduerse Fortune for that afore I presumed of nothing but to commaund but now only to serue A yeare before Domitian died or to say better before they had slaine him he went to the wars in Germanie and in that yeare Traiane was elected Consul in the Senate of Rome It was no smal griefe vnto Traiane to accept that Consulship not for that he liked not to be lincked with the friendship of honour but for the griefe whiche he felt to leaue the companie of Nerua CHAP. V. Howe Nerua was made Emperour and adopted Traiane his sonne THe Romains not able to indure the iniuries and tyrannies of Domitian determined to kil him the which out of hande they did perfourme the xiiii of October in the fourtie fifte yeare of his age when he had reigned xv yeares In many a day the Romaine people had nor receiued so ioyful newes as the newes of the death of Domitian in such maner that they gaue rich rewards vnto currers postes that brought the same and made great ioy in the countries where they passed for that they did as muche desire his death as they did abhorre his life Petronius capteine of the guard and Partenius his chamberleine were the men that practised the death and also violated the life of Domitian and they them selues gaue order that Nerua presently should be elected Emperour The Romaines did so extremely hate Domitian that not contented to sée him deade to hale his bodie péecemeale trayling through the streates of Rome al his pictures and counterfets they did spoyle and take away all his arches and titles they did raze out all his edifices whiche he had built they ouerthrewe all writings which he had firmed they burnt and all that were named Domitians were banished in suche wise that they could neyther indure to sée him aliue neither heare him named after his death The day after the death of Domitian Nerua Coceius was declared Emperour and of his election all the Romaine people were much pleased the one cause for that he was so vertuous and the other bicause he was an enimie vnto Domitian Presently that Nerua was elected Emperour presently he sent Traiane as Pretour into Germanie to the end he should take into his power the legions and gouernement of that prouince on the one parte for that Traiane was liked and muche desired of all the men of warre and the other for that Calphurinus capteine vnto Domitian was holden somewhat suspected Amongest other euill conditions wherewith the Emperour Domitian was possessed was that all thinges which séemed vnto him good riche or faire he dyd much praise it and therof they had to consider for most certaine that all whiche he praised fréely they had to present the same for if otherwise incontinently he tooke it by force Of these like things Nerua found in his palace much goods of other mens whiche by publike proclamation were all restored vnto the owners In suche wise that this good prince wold not only not take frō other men but also make restitution of that which by his predecessours had bin robbed When Nerua was elected Emperour he was excéeding olde and of infirmities much persecuted for in him there was nothing sound but his toung wherewith he did talke and his good iudgement wherewith he did gouerne The Romaines beholding Nerua so olde and sickly complayning that he coulde not sléepe and that for weaknesse of stomach he durst eate but of verie fewe things they helde it for most certaine that his life was verie short and with this motion they beganne to holde him in smal estimation Considered by Nerua that he had not long to liue and that the Romaines did not estéeme him he remembred to adopt Traiane as his sonne and to accept him for companion in the Empire and so it came to passe that presently he sent him the imperiall ensigne which was a certaine manner of cape with a hoode and with the same he wrote him a letter wherein were written no other wordes but these Phoebe tuis telis lachrimas vlciscere nostras As if he shuld say Noble Traiane thou shalt haue charge with thy venturous armes to reuenge my sorrowfull teares For the disobedience which the Romaines committed against his commaundements and the want of reuerence they helde of his person Nerua of Traiane craued that reuengement bycause it is a thing much vsed amongest men persecuted afflicted that the iniuries which they may not reuenge with their handes they bewaile with their eyes In the time that this did passe Traiane was in Almane in the citie of Agrippina which nowe is called Coleine and the night before that he receiued the imperiall ensigne and the letter from the Emperour Nerua he dreamed that he was inuested with a purple garment and a ring put on his right hand and crowned with a certaine crowne Only thrée monethes and fiue dayes did passe after Traiane was elected Emperour vnto the death of Nerua who dyed in the age an hundred tenne yeares ten monethes and tenne dayes THE VI. CHAP. Of the lawes that Traiane made to the profite of the common wealth AT the instant in which Traiane vnderstoode that the Emperour Nerua was deade he departed vnto Rome where at his comming he did celebrate the obsequies of his Lorde and friend Nerua and they were suche and so riche that it séemed rather feastes for the liuing then honours for the dead bycause there was nothing in them that moued sadnesse but to sée Traiane goe verie sad The first thing that Traiane sayd promised sware in the Senate was that no man that was good and peaceable by his cōmaundement or consent should be put to death which he obserued al the daies of his Empire After this he cōmanded Emilia to be sent for which was captaine of the Pretorian armies whom he commaunded to be discharged of his office and to be banished the Empire the one cause for that he had disobeyed the emperour Nerua and the other cause for that he had imbezeled the payes of the men of warre He commaunded publike proclamation to be made that all men that had iust cause to complaine of the Consuls of the Senatours of the Iudges or other officers of Rome that they shoulde come foorth and declare for that he wished satisfaction vnto the one and correction vnto the other Personally Traiane did visite all offices of Rome which is to vnderstande where they solde breade where they weighed flesh where they measured wine where the merchaunts dwelt where straungers did lodge and so of al other offices among
naturall condition mutinous ambitious importune intermedling quarellous full of garboyle and being aduertised that Enatius was deade he fell into a greate laughter and sware that he could not a little maruell howe he coulde intend to dye considering his great businesse both night and daye A certaine auncient citizen comming vnto the Emperour Adrian for certaine suites and causes propounding his demaunde and also replying an answere without intermission remouing without all manner any meane for the Emperour to speake answered Friende if thou feede on both cheekes we may not eate both together Surely it was an answere very fayre and of great vrbanitie for thereby he gaue him to vnderstande that if he both propounde and answere he could not giue him iustice There was a Senatour in Rome named Fabius Cato of auncient yeares and amongst the people in great credite but ioyntly therewith he was a man of a small stature which would soone be offended and as soone be pleased vnto whome on a time Adrian sayde Since your chimney is so small you must beware to lay much wood vpon the fire for otherwise it will be alwayes smoakie CHAP. XV. Of the thinges that he did woorthy prayse and some other things worthy dispraise THe Emperour Adrian did vse and intreate such as did serue him very well and with great affection but he might not indure them to presume to be ouer priuate for he would say that he held them not to commaund him but to serue him and grewe not a little displeased with such as were not moderate in their déedes and courteous in their wordes Being in Spaine in the citie of Taragon he behelde in a garden one of his meane seruaunts walking betwixt two Senatours vnto whome he commaunded to be giuen a great blowe with this aduertisement The Emperour commandeth this blow to be giuen thee bycause thou shalt be ashamed to presume to walke with such as thou art bound to serue In his dyet he was neyther temperate much lesse a gormound that vsed excesse for that he left not to eate of any thing in respect of health or vertue but without dyet did eate both what and whē he liked In wine he had a good rellish and at times dranke thereof so frankly that he hindered the health of his person and also the credite of his fame There was in his dayes great earthquakes pestilences dearth and hunger in which calamities he shewed him selfe a pitifull Prince and of great magnanimitie bycause in time of hunger he gaue the people wherewith to be susteined and in time of earthquakes money to reedifie He discharged many cities of their whole tributes and to others some part he released in suche wise that in all his Empire there was no citie that newly receiued not some benefite at his hande eyther deliuered not from some olde payment In the first yeare of his Empire the riuer Tyber did so ouerflowe that thrée dayes damage thereof was not repayred in thrée yeares He was of the men of warre much feared for that he did chastise them and no lesse beloued bycause he did pay them The chiefest cause of his great prayse in Chronicles or of writers of histories and the tender affection that the Romaines did beare him procéeded that in time of peace he helde his men of warre in great ciuilitie and in time of warre he gouerned the common wealth as if it had béene in peace Alwayes when the Senatours repayred vnto him eyther to eate or for affaires he did alwayes entertaine them standing and if they were Consuls he came foorth to receiue them and if they were Iudges he did rise when they came before him and if they were officers of the Senate he would somewhat stoupe or nod with the head in suche wise that with all he vsed greate courtesie and in speache and conference no lesse vrbanitie To repaire temples to prouide priestes and to offer sacrifices he was a Prince both carefull and diligent and ioyntly therewith it is to be noted he consented not to the inuention of newe deuices and muche lesse did he admit straunge customes CHAP. XVI Whome Adrian did adopt to succeede him in his Empire AFter the Emperour Adrian had trauelled in a manner throughout the world by sea and lande and passed both colde and heate he fell into a grieuous sicknesse he himselfe giuing occasion therof for that in his dyet either in the time of heate or colde did sildome or hardly vse any order Presently vpon his sicknesse his heart was touched with great care vpon the determination whom he should adopt to the succession of the Empire bycause many did followe him that did much desire it but verie fewe that did deserue it The death of Seuerian Dion doth report was after this manner Adrian on a certaine daye at his dinner sayd vnto the Consuls that sate at his table I would haue you name me ten men in science learned and sincere of life vnto one of which I may commend after my dayes the estate of the common wealth They all vsing silence vnto that demaund Adrian sayd reckon me but nine for I haue one and such a one as is my brother in lawe Seuerian for that he hath both age and grauitie After a fewe dayes that these things did passe Adrian being in great daunger through a fluxe of bloude that brake foorth without ceassing at his nose doubting that first his life shoulde haue finished before the bloude would haue staunched did point with his finger Lucius Cōmodus to be his successour And after recouering more health he was aduertised that Seuerian and Fuscus his nephew continued murmuring at that whiche he had commaunded and that vnto him the Empire was not directed Adrian beganne to disdaine and abhorre him with great hatred This Seuerian of the age of ninetie yeares Adrian commaunded to be slaine bycause he set him selfe in the imperiall chaire and gaue vnto such as were in fauour with the Emperour a solemne supper and bycause in secrete he had conference with the capteines of warres Before that Seuerian dyed hée determined to haue giuen the Empire vnto the Consul Fuscus which was his nephewe but when Adrian vnderstoode that Fuscus had conference with Magicians and Soothsayers to be aduertised if he should inioy the Empire he put him to death in suche wise that he both lost the inheritaunce and also his life Pletorius Metus came to visite Adrian in his sicknesse which being his great frend he would neither heare nor sée bicause he did imagine that he came not to visite but to inherite Gentian the Consul a noble and auncient Romaine also he persecuted for no other cause but for that he vnderstoode he was both liked and honoured of the Senate and that all men did hope hée shoulde succéede him in the Empire The Emperour Adrian did neuer shewe him selfe so cruell in his life as he did somewhat before his death bycause all those that he thought did hope to succéede him in the Empire
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
so the destinies did ordeine that he died which deserued to liue and that he liued which deserued to dye When in the presence of Marcus Aurelius talke was moued of Princes that had béene honourable and happye some praising Alexander that ouercame Darius others Scipio that subdued Haniball others Iulius Caesar that conquered Pōpeius others Augustus that defeated Marcus Antonius Marcus Aurelius made this aunswer I holde the Emperour Nerua more happie then all the rest and for no other cause but for that he adopted Traiane for his sonne in such wise that he elected whome he liked and not as I moste sorrowful that must take such as they haue giuen mee CHAP. III. ¶ Howe Commodus did inherite the Empire of his father Marcus Aurelius and of a certeine speech which he vsed vnto the Senate JN the xvi yere of the reigne of Marcus Aurelius and in the 63. yere of his age warre was raised in Panonia which at these dayes is otherwise named Hungarie in which warres the good Emperour woulde goe in his owne person leading also with him his sonne Commodus according vnto his accustomed manner that by the taste of trauels in the warres he should bende and yelde him selfe to conserue peace The Emperour in the greatest heate and furie of those martiall affaires was soudeinly striken with a deadly sicknesse and in fewe dayes depriued of his life Commodus being then in so tender yeares that he neither felt what he lost either the daunger wherin he stoode At the death of Marcus Aurelius his sonne Commodus was elected Prince and confirmed Caesar whereof procéeded but chiefely for affection they bare vnto his father that presently he was obeyed of all the armies as true Emperour notwithstanding they all suspected he should be the losse of their common wealth and procure to his person some euil conclusion Before the emperour Aurelius died he left his sonne Commodus commended vnto certeine tutours as well fortunately to finishe those warres begonne as also to assist and counsell him in the gouernement of the common wealth because the father comprehending the sonne did feare that leauing the enimies he would abandon him selfe vnto vices and although the common wealth were forgotten would dedicate him selfe vnto the pleasures of his person The exequies for the good Prince Marcus Aurelius being celebrated and sumptuous sacrifices also offered for him vnto the Gods Commodus was aduised by his coūsell to vse some speache vnto all his Senatours and captaines attendant in those warres who being aduaunced vppon an high skaffolde began after this manner to make his Oration The Oration of Commodus made to the Senate The vniuersall calamitie and the particular sorrowe which for the death of my father this sorrowfull day doth represent is no lesse common vnto you then to mee for if I haue lost a pittifull father you haue lost a righteous and a iust Prince My losse is not small that haue lost such a father but much more haue you lost that haue lost such a Prince because the hurte of one is tollerable but that which redoundeth to the offence of many for euer is to be lamented Experience teacheth vs that of an hundred fathers there be not twaine that are euill vnto their children and by the contrarie of an hundreth princes ye shall hardly finde twaine that exquisitely shal proue good for their subiectes If this be true as it is moste true that I haue saide it is iust and verie iust that if sonnes lament the death of their parentes with teares of their eyes that subiectes bewaile the death of their good Princes with drops from their heartes Howe humble my father hath beene vnto the Gods how seuere with the wicked howe affable with good men how patient in iniuries how grateful for seruice howe bountifull in his house and howe zealous for the common wealth although you haue seene you haue not throughly comprehended for that good Princes be not exactly knowen vntil they be lost My father was so fortunate and venturous in the warres so singular in science so sincere and cleane of life and so perfecte a louer of the common wealth that the dead had enuie at the liuing not of the life which they possessed but of the Prince which they inioyed It may not be denied but that the Romaine Empire is in debt and beholding vnto many Princes past but I saye and affirme that Rome is more in debt vnto my father aboue all other for others made the common wealth riche but my father made it vertuous others repaired walles but he reformed manners and that which is more others brought to passe that Rome was feared of all strange nations but my father framed that Rome of all in generall was both serued and beloued You all well vnderstande what difference there goeth betwixt voluntarie and forceable seruice for as my father did vse to saye it is more tollerable to be commaunded of suche as loue vs then to be serued of such as abhorre vs My father hath now finished his iourney and certeinly moste perfectly hath runne out his race herein ye may conceiue his inestimable loue towardes you in that he commended mee his onely sonne into your handes and if I followe and perfourme his will he gaue mee not the Empire to commaund you but to the ende I should serue you for he expressely gaue in charge that my Empire should tende more to your vtilitie then to mine owne profite humbly beseeching the immortal Gods to make mee such as my father at his death commaunded as you Romaines do wishe and desire because there is no man in this worlde so euil that desireth not to be gouerned by a Prince that is good You with me and I with you in the manner of our gouernement after his death he did verie well expresse in the time of his life directing me by commaundement to call you fellowes and forbidding you to call me Lord for his desire was that you should fauour and counsell me as a sonne and that I should deale with you as with brethren and trust beleeue you as fathers The loue which the gods do beare vs the same my father alwayes vsed with you that is to say he did so tenderly loue you all as if ye all had beene but one man whereof it foloweth that you are not so much in his debt for that which he did for you as for the hee woulde haue done and coulde not I remember me that many times being a childe my father delighted that ye should take imbrace kisse and cherish me to the end that imbracing of me in your armes ye shuld place me in your hartes and also that I finding your armes open shoulde not vniustely close my bowels from you My Empire is not as the Empire of others that is I neither bought it with money either obteined it by voices or wonne it by armes or toke it by guile no doubtles it is not so for as others obteine by aduēture naturally I
woulde haue made reporte thereof vnto his father terrour and trembling woulde not suffer him to speake At the instant that Pertinax vnderstood how Letus and Electus were come with armed men he leapt from his bedde and commaunded his gates with greate spede to be opened which procéeded of a noble and a valiaunt minde for that he helde it for most certaine that for as much as they were both so priuate with Commodus who did beare him so mortall hatred and comming vnto his house at suche an houre might be to no other end then to take away his life And all the time whilest these matters did passe betwixt the one and the other parte Pertinax was neither troubled or altered but after the maner of a man determined to die saide vnto Letus and Electus these woordes I do well vnderstande that the Emperour Commodus my Lord hath sente to kill me whereof I doe not meruel but wonder it is that so long he suffered me to liue because of all the olde seruants that were bred with his father Marcus Aurelius I onelie am aliue a small remnant of all the reste whiche hee hath slaine I may not with reason complaine me the Commodus in my quietnesse and securitie doth send to put me to death since certaine dayes past I haue attēded this last day houre for that abhorring as I did abhorre his wicked life I was moste sure hee woulde procure my death It grieueth me not to die but for that I die before I see my countrie deliuered from the handes of so cruell a tyrant for I sweare vnto you by the immortall Godds that I neuer wished anie thinge rather vnto my selfe either my posteritie then that it might please them before they woulde take away my life I might beholde my mother Rome set at libertie I haue been a right perfect and sincere Romaine and zealous for the common wealth of my countrie and doe hope in the immortall Godds that I shall obteine that in their presence whiche they haue denyed mee in their absence before whome his malice and mine innocencie shal be examined You Letus and Electus seruauntes friendes and fauoured with Commodus doe that whiche he hath commaunded you and dispatche mee out of this tedious and miserable worlde for in the ende to dye with the swoorde or to dye with an ague all is but death Letus and Electus were astonnied to beholde the constancie that Pertinax had and to consider the excellent woordes whiche he saide whereunto they made aunswere Oh howe secrete are the iudgementes of God and howe variable are the thoughtes of menne This wee saye vnto thee Pertinax because thou thinkest that wee are come to take awaye thy life and wee are not come but to the ende thou shouldest giue vs life and take wretched Rome vnder thy defence Wee may not speake or aduertise thee at large for want of time the breake of day being at hande but the case is thus that the tyrante Commodus is deade the cause thereof proceeded for that he had determined as was founde in memoriall written with his owne handes this day to haue slaine vs all and as by a certaine manner neuer harde of the matter was discouered we determined to preserue our own liues and giue an ende to his tyrannies In this deed which we haue done we neither thinke to haue offended the Gods or committed treason for that the life of this tyrant was odious vnto the Gods and daungerous vnto men It was nowe high time that some man shoulde giue an ende vnto his life that had taken away the life of so many good men We as we were in his fauour had perfect intelligēce whom he helde for friends or enimies and also we knowe right certeinely that if thou Pertinax be now aliue it is not that he so wished it or that he procured not to kil thee but the Gods gaue him no place but haue reserued thee to the ende thou shouldest deliuer Rome and restore the common wealth No man knoweth vnto this houre that Cōmodus is dead but Martia and we that haue slaine him and as we haue laide our handes vpon him to finishe his dayes so haue we fixed our eyes vpon thee to make thee Emperour And beleeue vs Pertinax that if we coulde haue made choice of any better then thy selfe we woulde haue chosen better because they are so many and so greate euills which haue beene committed by this tyrant that they may not be amended or repayred but by the hands of some most vertuous prince That which hath moued vs to elect and giue thee this Empire is because thou art auncient wise valiaunt vertuous riche and of great experience aboue all the rest loued desired of all the people for that Prince whiche is not acceptable vnto his people he shal of many be disobeyed of many much lesse duely esteemed These woordes being noted of Pertinax determinatly did thincke them to be spoken fainedly and with collusion and thereto aunsweared Oh Letus and thou Electus you ought to be satisfied simply to accomplish the vniust commaundement of Commodus without derision of these my poore auncient yeres that is to say first gilefully to flatter me and afterwards to kill mée As I haue said performe that which ye haue to doe which the sooner ye shall accomplish the greater ioy shal ye yéeld vnto Commodus and deliuer me of griefe I well know that Commodus now sléepeth not but carefully abideth your returne for at this present he attēdeth no better newes then the report that ye haue giuen an end vnto my wretched life Letus and Electus considering that Pertinax continued doubtful and suspicious began to say and replie there is so small time for so great affaires as wée haue to do that there resteth no time to contend vpon our ambassage and thy suspicion and because thou shalt sée the truthe of that which we haue said and not as thou supposest take and reade this memoriall written with Commodus his owne hand and there shalt thou sée how great reason wée had to kill him this night since to morrow he ment to haue slaine vs all Pertinax receiuing the memorial into his hands and knowing it to be Commodus writing found himselfe placed in the fourth degrée which is to witt that on the morrowe Commodus would haue killed Martia Letus Electus and Pertinax so by degrées many other Senators Consuls of Rome Pertinax hauing read the memoriall stayed as one astonied againe demaunding if Commodus were dead in déede they aduouched no lesse and thoroughly affirmed the same whereuppon hee beganne most pitiously to wéepe saying that he wept not for the death of Commodus but because the memorie of the good Marcus Aurelius in him was finished And lifting his eyes vp to heauen said Oh vnfortunate Marcus Aurelius Oh vnfortunate Marcus Aurelius Oh infortunate Marcus Aurelius thrée times exclaming him to be vnfortunate and vnhappie because thou wast vnfortunate in thy wife whiche thou
giue vnto the multitude to murmur He many times came foorth vnto the fielde of Mars and there he caused the whole armie to exercise feates of war rewarding such as were industrious and reprehendinge such as were dull and hartelesse There were many Romaines and others in the confines of Italie whiche did owe great summes of money not onely vnto the fiscall but also vnto the treasurie among whome some in times past had béene his friendes and others that were in great necessitie he cōmaunded both the one the other to bee deliuered of the fiscall since it was due vnto him selfe and made payement of their whole debt that was due vnto the treasurie Amongest other vertues the Emperour Pertinax of twaine was muche noted and praised whiche is to wéete of clemencie and gratefulnesse for that he was pitifull vnto the afflicted and thankfull vnto his friendes Pertinax had a sonne whome after he was Emperour he would not permit to come to the court either as much as vnto Rome but that he helde him in his countrey following his owne affaires and the profite of his owne house whereuppon the Consul Fuluius Turbone saide vnto Pertinax that he séemed rather the sonne of a labourer then of an Emperour he lift vp his eyes to heauen and with a greate sigh saide My mother Rome hath cause to be contented that I offer and put my life in perill for her cause without venturing my sonne and house in like daunger Most surely the saying was lamentable and the more it is considered the more profounde it is whereby it appeareth that he helde him self for moste vnfortunate to be established in the Empire and that he left his sonne in greatest felicitie to be depriued of the Empire Although Pertinax were olde and graue and was placed in the height of the Empire he alwayes vsed greate vrbanitie towardes all men in suche wise that no man did him reuerence vnto whome he did not vtter some courtesie according to the qualitie of the person Fiftie seruauntes in Rome in one night and in one houre slewe their maisters for whome the Emperour caused so diligent searche that onely fiue escaped and the paine that he commaunded they should suffer was to carrie the dead bodies bounde fast backe to backe in suche wise that the stenche of the dead did finishe the wretched life of the liuing In the schoole where Pertinax studied a certeine Romaine named Valerius was there also a student and being alwayes in companie and of age not much vnlike and continuing in greate friendship did many times eate with Pertinax which during their repast were neuer hearde to talke but of science knighthood repayring of Rome or else the reformation of the common wealth It did well appeare in Pertinax that he tooke the Empire against his will for truely neither in his dyet either in his apparell either in his gesture or spéeche either in any other thing did he behaue him selfe as an Emperour in suche wise that he presumed not to represent what he was but what he had béene He saide manie times that in this worlde he neuer made the like faulte as when he accepted the Empire and many times made motion to leaue the same and to returne vnto his house but that he did recomfort him selfe with this saying that for as muche as he was of so greate age he might not liue longe but be deliuered of his tedious life CHAP. VIII ¶ Of certeine vices wherewith he was infected and of the prodigies of his death AS the Emperour Pertinax was olde so was he charged with the infirmities of olde age that is to saye with auarice because in gathering and kéeping of money he was verie diligent and in giuing or spending verie dull and vnwilling Also he was noted to be a man verie flexible in his affaires that is to saye he was not stiffe either greatly did vse therein any contradiction but that which one did counsell him another might easily persuade the contrarye the cause whereof was his good naturall inclination whiche coulde not without griefe beholde any man that was in sorrowe Also Pertinax was noted that he neuer denied any thing that was demaunded although many his promises were neuer perfourmed for at moste times he promised to giue that which was impossible to be accomplished And because the maiestie and greatenesse of Princes doth consist to haue and possesse whereof to giue they ought much to be aduertised in consideration what is craued of them and what they promise for hauing to do as they haue with so manie and to furnishe so infinite necessities they ought if their subiectes be vnshamefast in crauing to be graue in promising Ioyntly with this Princes ought to be aduertised that where they haue once gaged their royall worde all things set aparte they ought to perfourme the same Pertinax was twise married his seconde marriage was with the daughter of Vulpitianus whome he made prefecte when he was made Emperour As concerning the vnchastitie of his wife also Pertinax was noted whiche is to wéete of negligence in gouerning and remisse in reprehending her for that truely shée was both young and faire absolute and dissolute and reported in Rome to be more enamoured with a young Musician then with Pertinax her olde husbande Also Pertinax was much noted to haue vsed vnlawfull loue with Cornificia his néere kinswoman whome he had nourished from her childhood for shée was committed by her father vnto his protection this matter was no lesse scandalous then foule and no lesse foule then scandalous for that suche like and so great euill was not conuenient to a man of so greate age either permissible in a Prince of so great grauitie Some prodigious and straunge signes appeared before his death especially on a time offering certeine sacrafices vnto the Goddes Penates that when the coales were moste kindled and on fire soudeinly they were séene all dead and quenched whiche did signifie that in the greatest certeintie of his life soudeinly death should assaile him Not sixe dayes before he was slaine as in the temple of Iupiter he was offering great sacrifices with his own handes he offered a Pecocke wherein he found no hearte when it was opened and soudeinely the head vanished when the throate was cutt Eight dayes before he was slaine a Starre ioyned with the Sunne and did shine at noone dayes as if it had béene midnight Thrée dayes before he was slaine Pertinax dreamed that he fell into a fishepond and that there was a man with an huge knife to kill him and woulde haue fled and could not Iulianus whiche after succéeded Pertinax in the Empire hauing a Nephewe newe married vnto his Néece and hauing repaired vnto Pertinax to visite him Pertinax saide vnto the young married man be good and I shall holde and esteeme thee as my sonne serue thy vncle Iulianus as a father because he is my fellowe in office and successour They had béene ioyntly Consuls and afterwardes Iulianus in the
giuen vnto the Romanes so many and so great triuÌ„phes there ought to be in them many very notable deseruings There be two things which cause the Romans to hold freÌ„dship with the gods to be lords of meÌ„ which is to wit great worshippers of temples and conseruers of people in iustice for that countrie where temples be not honoured and the wicked chastised may be better termed a den of theeues then a kingdome of good men Ye all vnderstand that be here present howe ye haue slaine the Emperour Pertinax a maÌ„ most surely both holy and most holy because the greatnes of the Empire being conferred with the sinceritie of his deseruing it had not beene much for him but rather a smal reward to haue beene Lord of the whole world In this deede ye haue offended the gods escandalized men committed treason vnto your Lord defamed your countrie troubled your common wealth and brought all Rome vnto confusion in such wise that your fault being so exceeding it may not deserue any parcialitie in punishment Now that ye haue slaine him is it as if ye had slaine Caligula Nero Sergius Vitellius DomitiaÌ„ or Commodê° no but Pertinax which was one of the princes most without repreheÌ„sion that euer reigned in the Romaine Empire As princes be few wilful so it is a venture to chance on such as be good so much the more deserue ye the greater paine as the good Pertinax was profitable vnto the common wealth Vnto whome shall Rome aduenture to commit her trust since they which were appointed for her guard haue set her a sale O treason neuer thought of Oh wickednes neuer heard of to kill the Emperour and to sell the Empire After the vassals haue slaine their Lord and the natiues of the countrie haue sold their common wealth I know not why the gods coÌ„maund not the ground to swallow you vp and presently put not fire into Rome to consume it for after so great an infamie Rome ought neuer more to be named in this world Who should haue said to Quintus Cincinatus Numa Pompilius Camillus Marcus Fabritius Mutius Scaeuola Silla Marius Scipio Iulius Caesar Augustus Germanicus who with great and many triumphes did both beautifie and magnifie Rome that ye should haue set Rome in open sale I firmely beleeue and am out of doubte that they would haue died of pure sorrowe or else would haue slaine your progenitours from whom ye are descended FroÌ„ the time I departed out of Germanie I came musing vppon the way what punishment I should giue you for of the one part if I suffer euery one of you with his life it redoundeth to the scandal of the common wealth and if I would take the same from you the paine is very smal in respecte of your extreme fault for vnto one that is euil they doe him no small benefite to rid him out of this world I coÌ„maund your noses to be slit your tongues to be boared your garments beneth the wast to be cut off and your beards halfe shauen yee shall liue without honour credite or libertie as slaues bondmen in the common wealth in such wise that ye shall not die as the good do vse to die to the end to liue but ye shal liue as the wicked do liue to the end to die Neither doe I suffer you to liue because ye deserue life but for that I will not staine my fame with your filthie bloud If in giuing you al death I might giue the good Pertinax his life not onely yours but also right willingly would I offer mine owne because there is no vent more iust then that one good life by the exchange of many wicked liues might be bought redemed If the gods would permit that at the houre I should coÌ„maunde ye to bee slaine ye should reuiue and recouer life a thousand times would I take away your liues because the horror of your offence deserueth a thousaÌ„d deathes but since losse of life in a momeÌ„t doth deliuer the malefactour of his scourge and torment and afterwardes no other meane remayning to take vengeaunce it is more iust that ye should liue euery day desiring death then that ye should die abhorring life There is nothing more iust then to kil him that killeth but I commaund not that ye be slaine although ye durst kill the good Pertinax and this I do not to the end to do no iustice either to doe you good or pleasure but for that many yeares ye shall haue time to bewaile your wretched life and his innocent death CHAP. V. ¶ Of thinges that he did in Rome presently after he was Emperour AFter that Seuerus had said and finished his speach and coÌ„demned and banished the murtherers of the Emperour Pertinax he determined to enter Rome and his receyuing was mixt with ioy and sorow because of the one part seing him so great a frend of iustice they reioyced and on the other part to sée him coÌ„passed with so great armies they feared him Presently vpon his entrie into Rome he visited the temples according to the custome of the Romane Emperours and there he offered no small but generous sumptuous sacrifices Although in his receyuing a great part of the day was spent and in visiting temples the rest was consumed and now wheÌ„ it was night he was requested of all men to take his ease and to withdrawe vnto his palace yet he would in no wise consent vntil he had visited the Sepulcher of the good Marcus Aurelius where he remained a great space vppon his knées and poured foorth many lamentable teares The next day he went vnto the high Capitol where all the Senate was assembled and there he spake vnto all the Senatours Consuls and all other Romane officers to whome he said many good words and gaue them great hope of many rewards All the people of Rome were astonied terrified to behold the great audacitie and fortune of Seuerus which procéeded of consideration howe without daunger and lesse trauell hée obteyned the Empire for that he gat it not by sheding others bloud neither by the exchange of his owne proper goodes The first day that Seuerus spake in the Senate he made a solemne vow before them all Neuer to kill any Romane if he were not iudged by iustice or to take the goods of any person if by the fiscal he were not condemned If it had béene found in Seuerus workes which hée sware that day in wordes namely that they might not accuse him of crueltie either note him of couetousnes it had béene a great weale for the Romane Empire for there is nothing wherwith princes doe more destroy their common wealthes and also staine their persons then to bee giuen to reuenge their owne proper iniuries and couetous of other mens goodes Forthwith at his beginning Seuerus did shew himselfe milde benigne pitifull liberall valiant harted affable gratious and humaine imbracing his familiars ioying and laughing with straungers in such wise that
but that which was more odious vppon wagers would kill a whole kinred vntil they left no persone in whome any remembrance might remaine Many noble persons were determined to haue slaine Bassianus in the beginning of his Empire which they left not vndone for his deseruing either for want of will but for doubt that after his death many should rise with the Empire for presently they thought it lesse euill to suffer one then to resist many Now when Bassianus sawe himselfe rich in treasure of the temples and obeyed of the Pretorians he determined to mount aloft vpon the high Capitol and there to speake vnto the Senat partly to giue accompt of that which was done and partly to giue them to vnderstād what he would doe Being placed in the middest of the Senate and set in the imperiall chaire and euery man vsing silence he said after this manner CHAP. VI. ¶ Of a certaine speach vsed of Bassianus vnto the Senate excusing himselfe of the death of his brother Geta. ALthough in age I am but younge and in mine attemptes reputed as rash yet I cease not to confesse that I am in great hatred with the people and that my death should as much content them as now my life is displeasant vnto them And as princes are in the view of all persons so are all their works iudged of al men and from thence it procedeth that their iust attempts are praised of many but their errours condemned of all They that presume to iudge the woorkes of princes are not alwayes so iuste that they iudge continually conformable vnto iustice for as many times they praise the prince with lies so it may happen that they accuse them with malice One of the extremest trauels that princes haue is that such as throng in themselues to talke of our liues and to examine our deeds and actes they talke not as we liue but as we vse and deale with them for if we honour magnifie them they report we be no princes but gods but if we chastise and bring them downe they say wee be no men but furies Many times princes do chastise many not because we delight to punish but that it so agreeth with the imperiall authoritie so to be done for as with rewardes and pardons wee magnifie our pierie clemencie so it is cōuenient that with rigorous chastisements wee make our iustice to bee esteemed Many presume to iudge the vices of princes which if they were princes would not onely commit thinges worthie of iudgement but also iustly to be depriued of the Empire for the knowledge of good gouernement is not a thing that men obtaine of themselues but a gift which the Gods do giue vnto whome they please There is no prince so absolute or dissolute that at the least in his gouernment desireth not to be iust but what shall wee doe that haue no more power but to wish to do well and the gods onely to giue grace to gouerne well But comming to the case now chaunced for which the whole multitude with me be escādalized I sweare by the immortall gods that if the truth as it was were manifested I should be found without blame but I am of the one part so vnfortunate and of th other part the multitude is so variable that it many times happeneth that of my manifest actes they say nothing and of that which neuer passed my thought they accuse me O ye iust gods vnto you all I appeale as witnesses who first would haue kild the other either whether my brother Geta would haue slaine mee or I would haue slaine him for ye well vnderstand that being reposed on my bed he entered vpon me with a naked sword with which hee would haue drawne forth my soule if by chaunce I had not found one at my beds head If hee was the beginner of that quarrel and that fortune would fauour me at that instant wherefore being vtterly without any fault should I be blamed of all persons in Rome What greater testimonie would ye of my innocencie but respecting that hee being the person that offended and I the man that defended my selfe the gods haue brought vppon him that which hee ment to perfourme on mee neither in any good iudgement may it be conteined that if by malice or enuie I would haue slaine my brother that I should execute the same by stealth and within the sacred palace for that in so enorme a case I deserued not so much chastisement for the deede as to committe the same in the place where that was done I will not denie that vnto my brother I was not bound to honour him loue him succour him and to deale well with him but I will not confesse that I was bound for all treasons and iniuries to suffer him for as it is honourable for great princes to dissemble pardō iniuries that are done to them by their inferiours so necessarie is it for them to reuenge the discourtesies and displeasures done vnto them by their betters or equals It is notorious vnto al men that in times past many princes of the Romaine Empire had brethren with whom they might not endure but that many of them were slaine ▪ or at the least driuen out of the Empire for in fine there is none of so great temperaunce that in case of commaundement would haue a companion no not his brother Consider the behauiour of Remus and Romulus Tiberius and Germanicus Titus and Domitian Marcus and Lucius others infinite that were brethren amongest whome vppon the point of commaundement and gouernement there arose so great displeasures and vnkindnes not as though they had beene natural brethren but as most cruel enimies O fathers conscript and friends giue thanks vnto the Gods that haue preserued your prince safe soūd for that with out cause they would not haue giuen him his death and conserued my life for the workes of our gods are so profound secreate and vnknowne that althoughe wee see what they doe yet wee see not the end why they do it Amongest all the gods onely Iupiter is he that hath dominion and so amongest al men the god Iupiter would not but that onely one should possesse the Empire for it were no lesse monstruous to gouerne the Empire by two persons then one body to haue two heads If for all the Heauens one God be sufficient and for all Bees but one king and all members be gouerned with one heart all birds haue but one guide I demaund of you my friends to gouerne the common wealth of Rome if one man be not sufficient As we haue read in bookes of our forefathers and as we haue seene in our dayes there is nothing more conuenient vnto the Romane Empire as to be gouerned by one only person for that we haue seene more warres raised vppon which prince should commaund then for any disobedience of subiects Howe fierce warres were raised betwixt Silla Marius Caesar and Pompeie Augustus and Marcus
because the more part had not to eate nor garments to weare adueÌ„turing to rob vppon the wayes and in townes to silch steale And since my nephue is sonne vnto Bassianus nephue vnto Seuerus a young man of himselfe in semblance of good inclination it seemeth not that we haue erred in his electioÌ„ either shal ye swarue in his coÌ„firmation for that in life he resembleth the father and in courage and noblenesse of minde the graundfather Neither is this election to be reproued for his euil nourturing or doctrine for as ye know he was not trained in vices but in temples not with prophane men but with honest priests not robbing on high wayes but offering sacrifices not sheading bloud but teares not wandering at large but withdrawen not persecuting men but seruing the gods From a child of much infancie I offered my nephue Heliogabalus to the gods in the temple where he hath beene instructed to be milde chaste silent patient sober pitiful and abstinent and if by hap he shall proue otherwise then nowe hee is it may be for the libertie that he shal obteine and not for the doctrine which he hath learned All princes past haue beene elected onely of men but my nephue both of Gods and men for that I vowed him to doe sacrifices the Gods haue rendered him to gouerne kingdomes Ye Romanes do greatly coÌ„mend your selues that ye remoued Quintus Cincinatê° from earing at the plough to be Dictatour but more is my nephue to be praised that was praying in the temple for of more excellencie is that man that prayeth before the gods then he that ploweth after oxen In Rome alwayes in times past the priesthood was diuided from the Empire but ye see that whiche was neuer seene of your forefathers namely that the priest is an Emperour and the Emperour a priest in such wise that with his sacrifices hee shal reconcile vs with the gods with the empire defend vs against our enimies Fathers coÌ„script great infinite thanckes haue we to render vnto all the gods for that they haue giuen vs an Emperour which knoweth to pray hath skil to fight for as ye al knowe few victories are obteined by fight of meÌ„ if the gods do not dispose the same Although the election of my nephue hath beene done by the armie and supposed also to be confirmed by the gods yet neither will I that he rule the empire or be established Emperour vntill by the sacred Senate it be considered also coÌ„firmed for I hold him not Emperour that is obeyed in Asia but that is loued elected at Rome Since this young maÌ„ Heliogabalus is the sonne of a prince the nephue the cousen the brother of a prince a prince elected we haue al to presume that he shal proue a good prince for that he is much bound to be good that is desceÌ„ded of many good persons As long as I enioy life I shall not cease to trauel that his life be such as the doctrine and nourture which I haue giuen him and if after my death he shal proue euil the fault shal then be none of mine for as ye fathers conscript do wel vnderstand no blame is to be imputed to him that is alreadie dead neither may any excuse serue the manifest fault of the liueing CHAP. VIII ¶ How the Romane Senate did allow the election of Heliogabalus of the present apparance of his wickednes THe Embassadors being arriued their Embassage also knowen at Rome both the Senate and people were in excéeding admiration when they vnderstood of the great acts which Mesia had done in Asia heard of the letter that she wrote vnto Rome whereof many copies were made and sent to diuers townes cities In Rome they found themselues in great confusioÌ„ vpon determinatioÌ„ of an answere to the demaund which the matrone Mesia had made because the Senate doubted her atteÌ„pts in time to come in respect wherof they so deferd their aunswere that the Embassadors coÌ„plained vnto the Tribune of the people By letters of her Embassadors the matrone Mesia was aduertised of the dissention betwixt the Senate and people as concerning the election confirmation of her nephue Heliogabalus whervpon presently she determined to depart froÌ„ Asia to Italie vowing with an othe to constraine the Senat to performe by force that which they refused to accomplish of their owne accord The Senate hauing intelligence the matrone Mesia to be departed froÌ„ Asia to Rome not to sue or make request but to fight forgate not to allow the election of Heliogabalus commaunding by publique proclamation that from theÌ„ceforth they should hold estéeme him as their souereigne lord obey him as emperour The matrone Mesia iourneying from Asia to Rome vnderstanding that the Senate had confirmed the election of Heliogabalus stayed in the borders of Greece for that to returne vnto Phoenicia was very far to saile vnto Italie no lesse late The winter being past Mesia in the prime of the Spring sayled into Italie directing her course streight vnto Rome where she was wel receiued and no lesse feasted although it be most true at that instant shee was more feared then beloued that shee was of so great skill and of so much patience that she most wisely could dissemble iniuries and accept and also gratifie seruice Mesia was so prudent and aduised that neither in countenaunce gesture wordes or workes she did either secretly or openly discouer any malice against any person but delt with all persons as with her sonnes and honoured al men as her brethrene All the Romanes were so pleased with the grauitie of her speach and the honestie of her life that on a day the Senate people being conioyned requested with great instance that it might please her to accept the gouernement of the coÌ„mon wealth since she had therein so great experience and that her nephue was in Asia To this demaund Mesia aunswered Fathers conscript I do greatly gratifie your request which vnto me appertayneth not for that it rather agreeth with the condition of women to breede and nourish Emperours and vnto men to gouerne Empires When these matters passed in Rome Heliogabalus stayed in Phoenicia attending an answere from his grandmother Mesia who being aduertised that he was accepted in Rome for their absolute Lord souereigne Emperour came immediatly vnto Antioch with intent the yeare following to passe into Italie Heliogabalus finding himselfe escaped fréely deliuered from the church confirmed Emperour dispatched of the hands of tutours absent from his grandmother and in possession of libertie to liue at his liking his euil inclination presently appeared because the vertue if he had any of his former life was but feyned for the euill inclination of young men may for a time be dissembled but being at libertie they cannot cloake it The first insolencie that Heliogabalus committed in Asia was that he appareled himselfe in a robe wouen with gold silke cotton flax
thinges whiche he did in Rome and howe the tyrant Maximius did kill him in Britaine AFter that Alexander had subdued and triumphed ouer the Persians certeine dayes he was deteined in the gouernement and refourmation of the cōmon wealth because the longe absence of princes breedeth wante of iustice amongst the multitude Of all the riches that he brought from the warres of Asia he did take for him selfe but one horse one chariot foure Elephantes one sworde one cuppe of Ius and a paper of poinctes which belonged vnto kinge Artaxerxes for as he saide The pray of princes ought to be imployed on princes The defence of the most daungerous frontiers he commended not but vnto men that had great wealth in the same which if he had not he gaue it them in such wise that to conserue his fidelitie which he did owe to saue his goods which he possessed he should be forced to defende his countrie or dye in the enterprise There was in Rome in those dayes a Mathematiciā named Thrasibulus of whō Alexander demaunded what death he should dye who aunswered thou shalt dye in a straunge countrie not in thine olde age but by the swoorde of a Barbarian whereat Alexander was nothing altered but rather with excéeding ioy imbracing Thrasibulus said A certeine speach of Alexander against the terrour of death If the Gods did graunt vnto other princes to liue perpetually and commaund mee onely to dye I confesse I should dolefully feele the deede of death but our life being as it is so shorte and death so necessarie I had rather dye in the field by the handes of mine enimies then in my chamber compassed with Physicians Vnto the greatnesse of Princes it appertaineth not onely to lead a good life but also elect an honourable death and to this ende I say vnto thee Thrasibulus that all the felicitie of a Prince consisteth in well gouerning the common wealth and also to imploye his life for the same What fame or glorie what ease or quietnesse doth followe the life of that Prince which dieth in his olde yeres and sickely in which age for the most parte olde men be euil serued of their subiectes and contemned of straungers He that conceiueth it to bee good for the priest to dye in the temple conceiueth no lesse of the Prince that dyeth in the field for that the office of the one is to praye of the other to fight I haue seene many dye here in Rome after the manner which the common people do thinke the best kinde of death that is to saye laden with yeares laide in their beddes accompanied with sonnes honoured of parents compassed with sonnes in lawe visited of Physicians and serued of nephues at whose death I beare no enuie since I knewe of them that before their bodies were tasted of woormes their hearts were vnbowelled with griefe thought Thrasibulus thou doest well knowe that Alexander Darius Hector Pompeyus Gayus Tullius Seneca and Demosthenes were men in their persons verie glorious in doctrines verie wise and in their deedes no lesse heroycall and yet all these with many others dyed not accōpanied with their friends but by the handes of their enimies neither were they blemished with so vntimely a death since of them nothing was lesse esteemed but rather by their cruell deaths they aduaunced their fames No other thing is diuers in death but onely the manner of the same sithence death in the ende is alwayes but one thinge for we should not be afflicted with the manner of our death but what thinges we should repaire to the amēdement of our life Admitting that these cōsiderations apperteine more vnto Philosophers then vnto the simple yet I saye both to thee and other that as it was not in our handes to be borne so shal not the manner of our death consist in our selues but that houre being arriued there and then shall euery man finde for him selfe what fortune hath prouided All these thinges Alexander saide vnto Thrasibulus in secrete and afterwards openly in the hearing of all men Not manie dayes after these thinges passed Alexander departed vnto the warres of Germanie which were not prosecuted in Germanie but in Gallia transalpina for because the French men were subiect vnto the Romains the Germaines did inuade them Alexander beeing in the greatest heate of these warres certeine mutinous souldiours and olde seruantes of Heliogabalus did create a capteine named Maximius Emperour béecause the Emperour Alexander woulde not consente but vtterly detested their horrible and vicious actes Alexander remaining in the lesser Britaine in a place named Cilicia Maximius his trayterous adherentes determined to kill him their Lorde and Emperour before it might be manifested through the armies for that notwithstanding diuers of them did doubt his seueritie yet on the other parte all persons did loue his iustice Alexander reposinge at after noone the traytours agreed with a iester to murther him in his tente who beeing entred fel into such dismay that he not only gaue ouer his determined attempt vnperfourmed but also fledde with no small doubt and feare affrighted But beeing afterwardes retyred vnto Maximius and his companions persuaded them presently to kill Alexander beeing at that time on his bedde solitarie and vnaccompanied for that other wise he woulde discouer their whole intente which he saide because it was A lawe Martiall that anie which shoulde aduenture to enter the tente of the prince without licence shoulde pay no lesse then the losse of his life Maximius and his complices consideringe what the iester had saide presently determined to murther their Lorde and Emperour Alexander and so ioyntly and furiously entringe his tente slewe both him his mother and all persons that made resistance or ouerthwarted them with anie displeasaunt speache Alexander died one the twelfth of Iune after thirteene yeres nine dayes of his Empire were expired he liued twentie nine yeres three moneths and seuen dayes and was a Prince in Rome moste loued in his life and most bewayled at his death The enimies of Alexander did note him that he despised in him selfe to be natiue in Assyria that he loued gold inuented newe tributes was seuere with souldiours did what he could to resemble Alexander Magnus and that he was somewhate suspicious But the thing wherefore Alexander was most blamed and iustly deserued to bee noted was that being a man and of greate experience in the gouernement of the Empire he continued subiect vnto his mother as when he was a childe and in this case it was sufficient that he had reuerenced and honoured her as a mother and on the other parte to haue considered that her counsell in the ende was but of a woman Alexander was so vniuersally beloued of all nations of the Empire that it chaunced at his death which neuer was read to haue chaunced at the death of any Prince of the worlde that is to saye that they were all slaine which brought the newes of his death neither the
made answere I confesse vnto thee Marius Fabritius that thy good face was knowne in Rome before thy euill life but thou canst not denie that in Rome they did not knowe mine honest life before my euill face At the first when Traiane came to Rome Titus sonne to Vespasian the Emperour placed him Pretour of ten legions and sent him to the frontiers of Illyria where he remained all the life of Titus The Romaine legions did not a little murmur to haue Traiane for their capteine affirming that in age he was a childe in nation a straunger but after when they found him so valiant in fighting so wise in gouernment they loued him as a father obeyed him as a captein And as in winter Traiane wāted victuals for that he had taken truce with the Barbarians a certaine gentleman sayd vnto him it is not conuenient thou shouldest be so sad or that we shoulde suffer so great penurie take in good part that by dissimulation we break the truce by which meane we shal prouide for our selues and our cattel The good Traiane answered I am not only grieued with that thou speakest but also despited with that thou presumest to say for those matters which we set downe by promise we haue not so great cause to obserue our fidelitie made vnto men as for that we haue sworne by the immortal Gods. And the Emperour Titus being dead his brother Domitian did succéede him in the Empire which whē Traiane vnderstood presently he left the charge of frontier capteinship of Illyria The emperour Domitian was not a little grieued the whole armie as also all the Senate the Traiane had forsakē the frontiers of Illyria for that in matters of warre he had great experience no lesse fortune The Romaines did vse great vigilancie in séeking and conseruing fortunate capteines with whom they did dissemble suffer more defections then with al other persons and this they did bicause there be many capteines that if they be expert in armes they be moste vnfortunate in the execution thereof Traiane remaining in Rome without all disposition to take charge of an armie the emperour Domitian sayd vnto him tell me Traiane it it doutful that my empire is lesse then that which my father Vespasian helde or that I am more ingrate then my brother Titus was that for them thou shouldest euerie day aduenture thy life and for my seruice thou dainest to take a launce in hande Traiane did answere him I confesse that thy power is as great as thy fathers and thy knowledge no lesse then thy brothers but ioyntly with this thou arte verie souden in thy commaundements and very swift in the execution thereof and it may be that hauing charge of thy armies I might be commaunded to doe some thing the accomplishment whereof might stand muche against all bountie and not perfourming the same I should breake the oth of fidelitie that I haue made vnto thée CHAP. IIII. Of the friendship and parentage that Traiane had with the Emperour Nerua IN those dayes there was a certaine Consul named Nerua Coceius banished out of Rome by the Emperour Domitian a man in yeares very auncient and in all that he eyther sayde or did of great credite As Traiane was at that time in the disgrace of the Emperour Domitian frō Rome he departed vnto Nola a certain place where Nerua was in Campania bycause It is a thing very common vnto a man afflicted to seeke the companie of an other in like trouble These two right excellent men whiche is to say Nerua and Traiane remained there long time in Campania poore banished persecuted out of fauour abyding the time when Domitian shuld send to kill thē or when they should heare that he were dead bicause if they desired his death no lesse did he séeke occasiō to take away their liues Traiane for that he was young helde Nerua who was olde in great veneration and Nerua did beare so great affectiō vnto Traiane that he did loue him vse him as his sonne for that Traiane besides his sufficiēcie ablenesse for all causes was in his conuersation most amorous Nerua and Traiane remaining in that banishment found themselues of neare kinred and affinitie that is to say of one countrie which was Spaine of one place which was Italica and that the one discended of the Coceians and the other of the Vlpians two famous and auncient linages of whome we haue aboue made mention When Traiaane passed into Italie he found no other parētage but Nerua and Vlpius Ricinius his vnckle which was two times Consul in Rome Some say that this Vlpius Ricinius was father vnto Traiane but the truth is that he was but his vnckle for Plutarche in an Epistle that he writeth vnto Traiane sayth The good newes in Rome being knowne howe thou hast ouercome king Decebal which did tyrannize this lande so great was the ioy which the people did receiue that as thy fathers bones be in Spaine they had bene here in Italie they would do no lesse honour vnto them in the sepulchre then they shall yealde vnto thee on that day when thou shalt enter triumphing into Rome And for that Nerua was so auncient and so honourable and Traiane so valiaunt and so wel liked many Romaines did come and goe betwéene Rome and Campania to sée them and this was done more secretely then publikely bycause the Emperour Domitian was verie suspicious being most true Verie fewe dare serue or followe such as princes do hate Amongest all other that went frō Rome vnto Campania to sée these two knights was the great Philosopher Plutarche who with Traiane and Traiane with him did plante so perfect and sounde friendship that onely death was able to giue ende to the same And as Plutarche sawe suche abilitie and will in Traiane to learne ioyntly with this there was no wars wherein to be exercised he was so drunken with learning that he did abhorre armes vppon which occasion Nerua saide in iest By my counsel thou shalt leaue bookes and returne to armes since thou haste better handes to fight then a tong to dispute for that it is not iust thou shouldest cease to be singular amongest capteines to be indifferent among Philosophers Traiane remayning there in Campania did marrie with Plotina which was his onely wife and is sayde only for that before nor after did euer marrie other the which vertue vntil his time was found in no Romaine prince for that by growing olde or misliking of the one presently they did take another And as on a day certaine Romaines practised by secrete deuice to kil the Emperour Domitian and in great secrecie gaue part therof vnto Traiane did answere I do well sée that Domitian deserued not to be elected Emperour much lesse deserueth to be sustained in the same yet neuer the more shal I consent vnto his death for that I will rather suffer a tyraunt then recouer the renowne of a traitour Many Romaines
and an husband for Sabina When as Adrian had presented many giftes and offered many seruices vnto Plotina partely for the great loue that she did beare him and for that she had married him vnto Sabina she made him answere Adrian according to the good will which I beare thée it is smal which I haue done for thée in respect of that which I meane to doe for that I may doe little with my Lord Traiane but as he hath chosen thée to be his nephew he shall also adopt thée to be his sonne After Adrian had obteined Plotina for his good Ladie Sabina for his wife and Surus for his friend he little estéemed the enimitie of Seuerianus his enimie bycause in Traianes house all did honour him as one in fauour did serue him as a maister CHAP. IIII. Of the loue that the Emperour Traiane had vnto Adrian BY the marriage that Adrian had with Sabina néece vnto the Emperour Traiane there followed him not a litle but very much profite for besides that he was most in fauour with the Emperour and verie well liked of the Empresse Plotina the greatest parte of the affaires of the Empire was dispatcht by his handes Adrian presuming of great eloquence presented vppon a day before the Senate a certaine pastorall enterlude whereat the Senatours and Oratours did greatly laugh not onely of that whiche he sayde but also of the base style wherein he did speake the same He gaue him selfe to the Latine toung and to the Art of an Oratour wherin he grew so profound that they gaue to him as great glory for his speache as vnto Cicero for his writing In the first warres that Traiane had with the Datians Adrian was made Questor that is to say he had charge to prouide victuals and furniture for the campe whiche was an office amongest the armies of great honour and of much confidence for he had both the treasure in his custodie and the payment of the campe When Traiane was eyther sicke or not at leasure on his behalfe Adrian went to the Senate but the Senators although they did admit him to speake they did not permit him to excéede or to take the chiefe place for it was a lawe amongest them much vsed that being assembled in the Senate none should presume to clap his handes to cause silence or cōmaūd the doore to be shut neyther enter being clad with a long gowne or to place him selfe in the highest seate but onely the Emperour Being notorious vnto all men that Adrian was priuate with the Emperour Traiane and in great fauour with Plotina his wife and therewithall that he was a man both prudent and politique and although in the Senate not permitted to the chiefest place yet all things were directed by his counsell in suche wise that at home all things were done as he thought good and abroade as he did commaund When it was knowne in Rome that the king of Datia eftsoones had rebelled Adrian presently persuaded Traiane in his owne person to go to that war and to leaue the enterprise to no other man wherein Adrian did followe and serue Traiane more then any other capteine and certainly did there so valiaunt and notable déedes that with Traiane he obteined fauour and aduaunced his person to great estimation Adrian being thus notified in the warres of Datia Traiane thought it méete to commende vnto him the seconde legion which was vnder the protection of the Goddesse Minerua and in such manner did gouerne the same and gaue his souldiers so great courage that he was the man that did most grieue the enimie and least did feare perilles The thing moste estéemed of the Emperour Traiane was a Diamond which Nerua had giuen him this Diamond Traiane gaue Adrian in the time of the warres of Datia which was so kept and estéemed of Adrian that vntill the day of his death it was neuer séene off from his finger The warres of Datia being finished Traiane returned to Rome leauing Adrian as Pretour of that Prouince Sussurus and Seuerianus being consuls He had not long gouerned Datia when Adrian receiued from the Senate newe prouision to passe into Panonia where he was not only gouernour in causes of iustice but also had charge of all martiall affaires bycause certaine barbarous Danubians had entered those Prouinces sacking and spoyling greate countries Adrian being arriued into Panonia did in short time expell the enimies visited the countries refourmed the armies chasticed the Romaine officers and founde by infourmation that they were great friendes of idlenesse and no enimies of robberie The fame being come to Rome of the commendable gouernement of Adrian in Panonia in the yeare following in the Kalends of Ianuarie the Senate did elect him Consul and truely as they were many that did alowe this election so they were not few that did resist it but in fine the procurers had more force in their diligence then the malice of them which resisted CHAP. V. Of the care and solicitude of Adrian to obteine the Empire IN all Kingdomes and Prouinces where Adrian was eyther Pretour or Questour presently he made diligent inquisition if there were any Magicians of Soothsayers and if he founde any he did persuade them with swéete wordes and riche rewardes to be certified if after the death of Traiane the Empire should come vnto his handes for that he was not onely desirous to obteine the same but carefull to know the issue thereof Being resident in the Prouince of Mesia he was aduertised by a Mathematike that he should be Emperour and demaunding howe and by what meanes he vnderstoode thereof answered by a certaine friend which was not onely learned in the naturall courses but also did vnderstande the secretes of the immortall Gods. Although Adrian was resident in straunge Prouinces he was not slacke to serue the Empresse Plotina and to please the chamberleine Surus in such wise that if his enimies did thinke him farre off they found his seruice alwayes ready and at hande Nowe when Traiane was stricken in age and become sickly Adrian continued no lesse diligent to solicite Plotina and Surus to persuade the Emperour to adopt him for his sonne but on the other side the Consul Seuerianus Palma and Celsus and other his enimies did withstande whose diligence and malice did little profite bycause they did but discouer their intent and coulde not obteine their desire Eyther by the onely will of Traiane or by the importunitie of Plotina nor by the suite of Surus eyther by the merite of his owne person the Emperour Traiane determined to those Elius Adrian to be his sonne after his dayes to succéede him in the Empire for the Emperour had many kingdomes to giue but no sonne to whome he might leaue the same Before Traiane had elected Adrian he was long determined to make no assignment of any person to succéed him in the Empire but to haue vsed the order of Alexander the great who being demaunded whome he woulde assigne to
succéede him in his Monarchie answered Vnto the most worthy Traiane made a memoriall of all the most vertuous wise and of most worthinesse within the Empire and ioyntly therewith caused to be written of them seuerall Orations in Gréeke and Latine and he him selfe did adde with his owne hande what he thought agréeable to their conditions and abilities To the ende that after his dayes the Senate might open and reade the same and from thence to make election not of him that did most procure but that did best deserue At one time a certaine Consul named Neratius Priscus was greatly in his fauour vnto whom he had thought to haue left the Empire in so much the one day Traiane said vnto him Neratius Priscus from hencefoorth I comend the Empire vnto thée if any sorrowfull or souden destinie shall happen vnto me All such as did withstande the adoption of Adrian did fauour the election of Neratius Priscus but Fortune that should haue framed the effect brought Neratius into Traianes great hatred not a little to the profite of Adrian bycause from thence foorth although their remained enimies to hinder his intent none as an opposite durst demaunde the same When Traiane passed from Spaine into Asia to the wars of the Parthians Plotina and Surus made great suite that Adrian might be sente as Pretour into Syria whoe being in Antioche was aduertised by a messinger from Traiane which in times past had bene his tutor how he was elected to be Traianes sonne and assigned his successour in the Empire Excéeding was the ioy that Adrian receiued with that newes which he did vtter in such excessiue manner and degrée that presently he did celebrate with great games and feastes the day of his natiuitie and not only vpon that day but euery yeare all the dayes of his life bicause it was the thing that his heart most desired and for the attainement whereof he had imployed his greatest skill and strength At that time were Consuls Sosius and Pretorius with whome Adrian entered newe friendshippe and the ende wherefore he did vndertake this newe affection was that as Plotina Surus did solicite procure the Empire with Traiane so those two Consuls shuld subsist him in the Senate in such wise that if he did watch to obtaine it he did ouerwatch to sustaine it Not long after that Adrian was adopted that is to say after fourtéene monethes Traiane dyed presently Plotina his wife and the Consul Tatianus being chiefe friendes vnto Adrian did take order and vse great diligence that Adrians admission vnto the Empire might first be notified and knowne in Rome before the death of the Emperour Traiane whiche was concealed and couered for certaine dayes saying that he was so sicke that he would not be visited vntill they were possest of the power of the armies and had obteined the good will of the Senate Adrian did write vnto the Senatours giuing them to vnderstand that Traiane was at the point of death and that also he was assigned and adopted to be his successour and heire in the Empire and did right instantly request them to take the same in good parte and therevppon did promise and sweare vnto them to diuide or giue offices but at their owne liking and consent CHAP. VI. Howe at Traianes death Adrian was declared Emperour THe newes of Traianes death being arriued at Rome presently it was published that the succession of the empire was cōmitted vnto Adrian vpon the confirmation or refusal of this election there arose no smal contention in the Senate and the matter so far argued prosecuted by his friendes and so resisted by his enimies that it gaue no small doubt of intestine warrs no lesse cruell then the warres betwixt Caesar and Pompey The seruaunts of Traiane the friends of Plotina and the kinred and alies of Tatian did vse suche diligence in this case that within thrée dayes they confirmed Adrian in the Empire and the greatest cause to moue the Senate therevnto was that they had intelligence that Adrian was in Syria in full power possession and authoritie of the whole armie and might haue bene constrained to yealde by force which they refused to perfourme by good will. Presently after Adrian was confirmed in the Empire he did write vnto the Senate gratifying their friendly fact and requesting that Traiane might be collocate amongst the Gods since he had bene a Prince so diuine whereto the Senate gladly consented saying that although Traiane had finished his life for euermore in Rome his fame shoulde indure In memorie that Traiane had ouercome the Parthians they ordeined that euery yeare the Parthik playes should be celebrated in Rome which indured amongst the Romains many yeres but in fine they and their playes had an end Before all thinges Adrian gaue order that the body of Traiane might be brought into Italie where it shoulde be giuen a generous sepulchre and to effectuate the same commanded his ashes to be inclosed in a boxe of Vnicorne which also was inclosed with golde and placed in a piller of most excellent marble lyned with most rich purple all which being ladē into a gallie he sent Tatian and Plotina with the body vnto Rome al Rome went foorth to receiue the body of Traiane and as it is sayd and written there was neuer so muche ioy vttered for any man that entered being aliue but muche more sorrowe was discouered for Traianes comming deade Adrian stayed in Antioche whiche is the heade of Syria partly to assemble the whole armie and partly to recouer money for being then winter he could neyther campe for coldenesse of the weather eyther marche or iourney for want of money Adrian was there aduertised howe the Mauritans did defie him the Sarmatians did mutinate the Britans did rebell the Palestines resist the Aegyptians disobey and that all the Barbarians were in commotion Finally it is to be vnderstoode that vpon the death of Traiane al people and nations were so escandalized that it séemed not but that he left the world without a maister or an owner Adrian perceiuing the greater part of the Empire in commotion determined to make them no war but to intreate them by peace and for this cause he refused and forsooke al those kingdomes and Prouinces that lay beyond the riuer Euphrates and the riuer Tygris which the good Traiane had wonne and conquered in which conquest he imployed his noble person and gaue ende vnto his honourable life Vnto all kingdomes and Prouinces Adrian sent Embassadours to confederate with some and to confirme peace with others and with some he did capitulate thinges so slaunderous and with so great disaduauntage that it had bene much better to haue raysed warre then to haue procured a peace so infamous Parsnapate king of the Parthians came to complaine vnto Adrian saying that the good Traiane had giuen him that kingdome and crowned him with his owne hands and now vpon the death of Traiane they would neyther obey him or suffer
him to liue within the kingdome Adrian would not or else durst not make warres with the Parthians but gaue vnto Parsnapate the Seigniorie of certaine countries and Prouinces of Syria being vacant at that time as Lorde to inioy the fruites thereof and as Romaine Pretour to gouerne the people When Adrian had obteined the Empire presently he published and sayd vnto all men that he wold become a pitifull Prince and truly in some pitifull causes he did shew him selfe to be the sonne of Traiane but in some rigorous matters he séemed to be the brother of Nero. A certaine man named Bebius was Prefect in Rome who was contrarie vnto Adrian in all thinges that eyther touched his honour or profite and being counselled to kill Bebius for that he ceased not to be his aduersarie made answere I will not onely permit Bebius to liue but also the office of Pretour which hee helde but for a yeare I will confirme vnto him during his life Laberius and Frugius two Romaine Senatours were banished vnto the Isle of Pontus whom he commaunded to returne to their houses and their goodes to be restored them but the Consul Frugius being mutinous mouing commotion betwixt Adrian and the Senate he commaunded to be throwne aliue into Tyber and obteined no lesse honour in the executing of the one then in pardoning the other Vnto certaine Gentlemen of the armie that sayde vnto Adrian in times past that he should be Emperour he gaue double rewardes affirming that he gaue them not for their aduertisement but for their good will. CHAP. VII Of his entrie into Rome NOwe when Summer was come Adrian parted from Antioche to come to Rome and lefte for Preposite of Syria Catalius Seuerus and tooke his way throughe Illyria and determined to make warre with the Sarmatians which would not receiue the Ambassadours of peace Lucius Turbon that had béene Pretour tenne yeares in Mauritania came foorth to méete him vpon the waye with whome Adrian had great friendship being a young man and in house with his Lorde Traiane presently he made him Pretour of the Prouince of Datia and Panonia At that time Lucius Turbon was in Africa maister of the horsse men of whome Adrian was aduertised that he was verie riche and in greate power throughout the kingdome and that he had not obteined all that riches in the time of warre but by briberie in time of peace Adrian was not a little grieued of that which was sayde by Lucius Turbone bycause he was his friende and also seruaunt vnto Traiane but all this notwithstanding he applyed all that he had vnto the common treasure and disarmed him of his knighthoode As muche as Adrian did increase in potencie so much did his enimies increase in enuie in suche manner that they coulde neyther incline their harts to loue him eyther yeald their strēgth to serue him The case was thus that Palma Celsus Sobaius and Lucius Adrian going on hunting were determined in the middest of the chace to rid him of his life wherevpon they were agréed that in his swiftest pursuit of any wild beast they would attend him in the most thickest pace or track there vnder the colour to misse their leuell at the beast would shoote and kill the Emperour All these foure were men of noble bloud and rich in goods and were called Cōsulares bycause at other times they had bene Consuls but as their treason was discouered first by iustice they were beheaded before Adrian went on hunting Great was the murmuring and mutinie throughout all Rome when they vnderstoode howe Adrian had executed so cruell iustice vpon these foure Consulares or noble men partly for that they helde opinion that Adrian had raised that quarell againste them and partly for custome and manner for that fewe were the chastisements whiche the good Traiane did execute but great was the number that receiued pardon Adrian being aduertised that for the death of the foure Consulares all Rome was escandalized and that for a man reuenging and cruell his person was defamed determined with all spéede to come to Rome to excuse him selfe of that fault The affaires of Adrian stood not in so euill estate as vpon the way they gaue him aduertisement which did well appeare in that the Senate did offer him the triumph due vnto Traiane being cut off by death to inioy the same but Adrian refusing gaue order that the Image of Traiane shoulde be placed in the triumphant chariote to the ende that good Traiane shoulde not want a triumphe although but after his death Presently when Adrian came to Rome he went to visite the Sepulchre of his Lorde Traiane where his eyes did shed many teares and for him did offer vnto the Gods most sumptuous sacrifices All the Senate being ioyned and also all the most principal of the people vnto whome Adrian made a long oration wherin he gaue them to vnderstand of the state of the Empire and did excuse him selfe of the death of the aforesaide foure Consulares because the officers of the Senate had made searche and inquisition of the cause and the Pretors of the armies did execute the sentence The Senate did offer Adrian the title of Pater patriae but he would not receiue it affirming it to be one of the titles of his lord Traiane and since he had been a good father it were great reason he should proue a good sonne It was a custome in Rome and throughout all Italie that when their Princes came newely to gouerne the Empire that all cities and other people should furnishe him with a certeine summe of golde and siluer with the golde to make a crowne and the siluer for the seruice of his house and sometimes they did present so much golde to make the crowne that the remnant was sufficient to mainteine the warres Adrian refused not onely this seruice to be demaunded but also returned that which was brought him saying that his crowne should be riche when his subiectes should be in wealth The officers of the treasurie that is to saye suche as had the collection and kéeping of the masse of Rome had raised greate rentes daily inuenting newe manner of tributes in the common wealth which being knowen vnto Adrian he commaunded all newe impositions to be remoued from the common wealth and the inuentors thereof to be displaced from their offices Generally the Romains complained vnto Adrian of the dearth of victuals foorthwith he prouided for prouision of wheat from Sicyl wines from Candie and oyle from Spaine and further gaue such prices vnto the same and all other victuals that the poore might féede with the riche He did promise and sweare in the Senate to put no Senatour vnto death although he were culpable without the accused should first be heard and his cause considered by all the Senate and truely this othe did excuse Adrian of many executions and was no lesse occasion that the Senatours committed many faultes Princes haue to consider what they sweare
good Prince howe perfect the refourmation thereof was established for surely whether their affaires were eyther with the Prince or with the Senate neyther did they beginne their suit with feare or were dispatched with iust cause to murmur The officers of his house and also of the Senate by whose handes matters were dispatched some he aduaunced and to others he gaue double fée to no other ende but to remoue them from aduenturing to take any bribe Being as he was a great friend vnto the common wealth and not a little delighted to be in the grace thereof and to this ende with the good he vsed great liberalitie and with the euill great clemencie in such wise that of all men he was beloued and also praysed as well for that he pardoned the one as gaue vnto the other All that euer he sayde or wished to be vsed of good Princes the same did he perfourme after he was Emperour and refourmed all things that he thought were to be amended In the third yeare of his Empire Faustine his dearely beloued wife dyed in whose death he did vtter so great sorrowe that it exceeded the authoritie of his estate and also the grauitie of his person In the memorie of Faustine he placed hir picture in all the temples and perfourmed with the Senate that she should be recounted amongest the Goddesses which was as to canonize hir all whiche was truely agréed by the Senate more at the request of Antoninus then for the deseruings of Faustine CHAP. VIII Of certaine notable buildings erected by Antoninus THe buildings which he made were not many but excéeding stately and sumptuous for in them appeared and were represented the greatnes of his estate and the magnanimitie that he had in spending He built a temple in the reuerence of his Lorde Adrian wherein he erected a picture of siluer with a Coronet of golde and a chaplet of Nacre a worke most certainly no lesse curious then costly He reedified a certaine building called Gregostasens which serued to lodge all straunge ambassadours bycause the Romaines did vse to giue ambassadours an house to dwell in and a stipend for their dyet He did amplifie and nobilitate the sepulchre of his Lord Adrian wherevnto none durst approch but on their knées The greatest session house of al Rome was burnt in the time of Domitian which the good Antoninus built from the foundation He built the temple of Agrippa and indued and dedicated the same in the reuerence of the Goddesse Ceres Ouer the riuer Rubicon he built a sumptuous and a stately bridge and also not a little necessarie bycause afore time many were there daungered and aftewardes that way muche victuall and prouision was carried Not farre distant from the port of Hostia neare vnto the sea he built a right strong tower for the safetie and defence of the ships of Rome which a foretime might not bring in any victuall or other prouision but were distressed of pyrates The hauen or port of Gaieta whiche had bene long through great antiquitie forsaken he freshly reedified that is to say built newe houses erected a mightie tower made a strong wall placed inhabitants and gaue them great priuileges in such wise that whereas afore time it was a thing vtterly forgotten it was from thence foorth most estéemed That whiche he did in Gaieta he perfourmed in a porte of Spaine named Taragon whiche he reedified amplified with great buildings and priuileges A myle from the port of Hostia he built a sumptuous and a curious bathe and indued the same in suche manner that in all Italie it was the onely bath that was vnto all men frée without charges A myle without Rome he built thrée temples naming them Laurianos for that many bay trées grewe there to this ende that the dames and matrones of Rome walking according vnto their manner should encounter with some Church to pray in CHAP. IX Of certaine lawes which the Emperour Antoninus Pius made IT was a law amongst the Romaines that such as were put to death by iustice might make no testament but that in loosing their life they lost also their goods Antoninus moued with pietie did ordein that none for any fault what so euer should ioyntly loose both life and goods but if any were put to death he might frankly make a testament of his owne proper goods Where he had placed any good and sound Iudge in any common wealth he did not onely permit him not to be remoued but also with giftes and requestes he did susteine him This good Prince made a law that none should presume to sue to the Prince or Senate for the office of iustice vppon paine to be banished Rome There was in Rome a Iudge named Gaius Maximus who in Rome continued a iudge twentie yeares of whom Antoninus wold oft say that he had neuer séene heard or read of a man more cleare of life eyther right in iustice In the place of Gaius Maximus there succéeded Tatius Succinus a man surely of many hoare haires and of muche learning but the office of Pretour being so tedious and he of yeares so auncient dyed immediately vpon the burthen thereof Antoninus being infourmed that the good olde Tatius dyed with the burthen of his office diuided the same betwixt Cornelius and Repentinus but after the Emperour being infourmed howe the Senate had giuen the same vnto Repentinus not for his deseruing but at the suite of a Gentlewoman of the Courte he commaunded him publikely to be banished declaring by the voice of a cryar throughout all Rome that he was banished for obteining the office of a Iudge by the suit of a woman This was the first officer of Rome that in the dayes of Antoninus suffered punishment which correction gaue so greate feare throughout the Romaine Empire that from thencefoorth the Emperour Antoninus was as muche feared of the euill as beloued of the good A mightie Senatour named Tranquillus confessing to haue procured his fathers death of extreme desire to inherite he commaunded to be remoued into an Island onely to passe his life with the breade of sorrowe and the water of teares All the time of his Empire he gaue wheate and oyle vnto the citizens of Rome The people of Rome in those dayes being giuen to drinke wine without measure he commaunded that none shuld presume to sel wine but in Apothecaries shops for the sicke or diseased He established a lawe for him self and his successours that openly thrée dayes in the wéeke they should shewe them selues in Rome and if by any weightie cause there happened some impediment that on suche dayes their gates should stand wide open without porters that fréely the poore might repaire to follow their suits In deare yeres he did ordeine through Italie that no gardener should dare to sowe in his garden any féede but wheate and barley whereby the poore of the common wealthe might be relieued of their penurie He made an vniuersall lawe throughout the Empire that gouerners
mountaines to hunte on whiche chace many were the dayes that he imployed much mony hee spente but muche and many more were the vices which he there committed Thrée monethes and odde dayes he went a fishing at riuers passinge the fieldes and huntinge in mountaines in all whiche time he neuer entered citie towne or village either slepte in anye house and then sent his commaundement vnto the Senate to prepare a triumph for that he woulde enter triumphinge into Rome affirminge that he better deserued triumph for killing beasts that did eate corne then other Emperours for killinge of men that liued in townes The Senate neither might or durst but to receiue him with great triumph the abhominable Commodus most odiously in the chariot triumphant placed a younge man named Anterus and opēly after the manner of man and wife did imbrace eche other In his progresse and pastimes whiche hee vsed in those mountaines he lost no parte of his euill customes but rather added euill vpon euill that is to say the fiercenesse which he recouered in slaying of wilde beastes after his comming to Rome he imploied in murdering of many honourable personages As touchinge the first it is to wéete he banished xxiiii Consuls possest their goods and made a rewarde therof vnto his strumpets other infamous persons whereof fiue by importunate suite of his gratious fauour were restored to their houses and shortly after he cutt off their heads There was in Rome a Senatour named Birrius a man in the days of Marcus Aurelius much estéemed who deserued to marry with a sister of Commodus who for that he warned and informed Commodus of his euill and foule life he commaunded him and all his friends to be slaine and also al the alies and seruants vnto his sister From the time of Commodus father there was remaining a certaine prefect named Ebutianus a man moste truely auncient in yeares and no yonglinge in vertues Commodus being aduertised that Ebutianus had much lamented the death of the Consul Birrius vnto whom Commodus sent a messenger to say vnto him that he woulde vnderstand of him if he woulde wéepe for the death whiche he sente him as he had wéept with the life which he possessed whiche being saide by the commaundement of Commodus he cutte off his head Another Senatour named Apolaustus who also sorowed the death of Ebutianus Commodus commaunded to be slaine The daye that Apolaustus was executed certeine young gentlemen of Commodus his chamber when they vnderstoode of execution done vnto suche as mourned for Ebutianus they deuised to make a shewe of great ioye for the death of Apolaustus to escape the like daunger whereof Commodus being aduertised he commaunded their throtes to be cutte saying that for any acte done of the prince they ought neither to laugh or weepe but heare and see and holde their peace Also he slewe Seruilius and Dulius with all their parentage which were descended of the linage of Silla and he slewe Antius Lupus Petronius and Mamertus with all their bande which were of the linage of Marius affirminge that he executed the Sillans to reuenge the Marians and executed the Marians to reuenge the Sillans There was in Rome a younge gentleman a cousen to Commodus both very faire and valiant and one saying by chaunce vnto Commodus that Mamertus Antonianus his cousen did resemble him in fauour and imitate him in valiantnesse he commaunded them both presently to be slaine affirming that he shoulde be an Emperour that did so resemble and compare with him Amongst other anciente Romaines there were sixe olde Consuls whose names were Alius Fuscus Celius Felices Lucius Torquatus Alatius Ropianus Valerius Bassianus and Patulius Magnus who for their impotencie were not able to come vnto the Senate he commaunded them all to be slaine saying that he was bounde to do in Rome as the good gardener in his orchard that is to say that the drie olde tree must be cutte or puld vp by the roote and cast into the fire In the gouernement of Asia the Senate had placed Sulpitius Crassus Iulius Proculus and Claudius Lucanus as Proconsuls to gouerne those prouinces whome withe their families Commodus gaue order to be murthered with poyson because in his presence they were praised for their déedes done in Asia and also for communication which they had of his euils committed in Rome Marcus Aurelius visitinge the kingdome of Achaia had borne vnto him a Néece and daughter of his sister named Annia Faustina whome also Commodus commaunded to be slayne but the quarell that he had to take away her life was for that shée had married without his licence On a certaine day vpon the bridge of Tiber were fourtéene noble Romaines talking and passinge the time and Commodus at that instant passinge that way saide vnto one that he should demaunde as of him selfe whereof they talked vnto whome they answeared that they were recountinge the vertues of Marcus Aurelius and that they had great sorrowe of his death Commodus hearing this answere presently and out of hande commaunded all the xiiii gentlemen to be hurled headlong ouer the bridge into the riuer affirming that they coulde not speake well of his father but that they must speake euil of him which was his sonne He woulde many times play with the sworde players and betwixte ieste and earnest he killed a thousand of them He was so cruell of nature and so doughtie in his déedes that he had no scruple to kill either feare to be slaine Commodus perceiuinge that al the Romaines fledd either to sée heare speake or to be conuersant with him to no other ende but to auoyde occasion to be slaine at his handes he remembred to inuente a conspiracie which is to wéete to say and publishe that many had conspired against him to his destruction all which he commaunded to be strangled and cutt in péeces notwithstandinge that any suche conspiracie was neuer thought of or intended CHAP. VII Of a certaine conspiracie attempted against Cōmodus and of Perennius his most fauoured counsellour Amongst other sisters Commodus had one named Lucilla who in the life of her father Marcus Aurelius maried with a Consul whose name was Lucius Verus whōe he admitted with him selfe to be cōpanion in the Empire by such meane as Lucilla was intituled Empresse her husbande Emperour But a yeare and three monethes Lucius Verus liued as companion in the Empire with Marcus Aurelius his father in lawe in suche wise that euen then when he was very younge he loste his life and Lucilla as younge became a widowe Lucius Verus being dead Marcus Aurelius married his daughter Lucilla vnto a noble Romaine named Pompeyanus a man verie wise in letters experte in armes and aunciente in yeares After the death of Marcus Aurelius Commodus succeding in the Empire and not then married did allwayes intreate his sister Lucilla as Empresse for as muche as shée had beene wife vnto an Emperour and also being an auncient custome continued in the malice of
that for the more part all matter were dispatched at his will and pleasure in such wise that Commodus gaue or firmed nothinge if Cleander did not signe or allowe the same Commodus had neuer any priuate or fauoured seruaunt that in all points could so winne his will as Cleander who affirmed to wishe nothing that Commodus wished not either to allowe any thing that hée said not but aduouched also that he did not thinke or dreame but that which Commodus did dreame and thinke and with these and suche like lyes and flatteries hee wan the hart of Commodus and obteyned seruice of the whole Empire After Cleander beheld himselfe the onely priuate and fauoured seruaunt of Commodus hée easily made himselfe rich obteyning the custodie not onely of the whole common treasure but also the kéeping of all the monie and iewels of the Emperour Cōmodus and further in giuing offices and receiuing presentes his sinceritie excéeded not But Cleander finding himselfe in so great magnificence began not greatly to regarde so great fauour or much lesse the obteyning of so great wealth conceyuing in the end that Commodus did vse him as a vassall and that hée must accompt him as his Lord to cut off which opprobrie and to giue contentation vnto his heart he determined to kill Commodus and for himselfe to vsurpe the Empire Cleander did build at the port Salaria most costly and delectable bathes and comaunded proclamation to be made in Rome to notifie vnto all men that would bathe therein to be discharged of all cost and fréely to vse the same and also added thereunto great pastimes and preparations vnto all kinde of vices in such wise that there they cleansed their bodies defiled their soules Many times Cleander did inuite the Senate and sent them particular presents home to their houses The Pretors Censors Questors Tribunes Prefectes and other Romane officers he caused their dueties to be paied and all the men of warre he did not onely pay them but also did trauel to hold them contented in such maner that some with vitious delights and pleasures and some by rewards giftes and monie in a maner he recouered all men for his friendes In the yeare of great hunger and pestilence in Italie Cleander bought all the wheat in the countries adioyning vnto Rome wherein his intent was not to gaine or make a profite thereof but to bring Rome into a necessitie to the end that all men should come to his house for wheate and therein to haue vsed so great liberalitie in selling good cheape and giuing plentifully in a yeare so deare that after the death of the Emperour Commodus they should not mislike to giue him the Empire And as hunger increased cruelly a great part of the yeare beeing as yet to come and the people not knowing Cleanders intent who did neither giue or sell any wheate soudainly al Rome did rise exclaming death and treason against Cleander as an vsurper of the goodes of the common wealth Cleander being a man valiaunt of great power and Captaine of the guard comaunded all the men of his captaineship to be armed who did place themselues in the compasse of his house for the garde of his person and to resiste that ciuil furie although it be most true that hée rather defended the sacking of his house then of feare to defende his life The townesmen on the one side and Cleander on the other part trauersed amongest themselues so long and perillous a contention that it séemed no other matter but that Silla and Marius were once more fallen into fight for the seignorie of Rome And as Cleanders partie was defended with men both armed and determined in the first onset they executed so great slaughter amongest the people that scarsly a streate was to be founde in Rome that was not bathed with bloud either any place great or litle that was not filled with dead bodies The townesmen perceyuing the slaughter and hauocke which the men of warre so cruelly did performe amongest them retired euery man into his house and fortifying their doores they fought from their windowes and house toppes and from thence threw and whirld out stones tiles spitts potts and caldrons and in that so common danger no lesse did womē fight then men Cleanders partie so hardly handled that scarcely remained a hundred that were not slaine or woūded Whilst these déeds were doing at Rome Commodus was recreating himselfe in an house which he had in an orchard and Cleander being of great power of some feared and of others beloued no man durst make report therof vnto Cōmodus because so strong was the frendship betwixt them that they feared the displeasure of the one and the vnkindnes of them both There was in the Courte a sister vnto Commodus named Fadilla whose eyes being charged with teares and tearing her haire from her head as one in gret distresse said vnto her brother Commodus Most serene prince and right deare brother if thou wert aduertised of the condition and estate of Rome thou wouldest not be so carelesse solacing in this garden because I giue thee to vnderstand that the yeomē of thy guard in the fauour of Cleander and al the other people of the common wealth haue trauersed amongest themselues so cruell a fight that if presētly at this instant thou prouide not some remedie this day wil be the end of the Romane people The exceding honour the great riches to to much fauour which thou hast imployed vppon Cleander hath raised him into exceeding great pride wherof although he be in the fault yet the occasion hath beene giuen by thee for as thou makest Lordes of bondmen it is most certaine that they will make slaues of Lords noblemen The people be so furious against Cleander Cleander and his men so flesht against the people that thou haste to chuse one of two thinges which is to witt to yeld Cleander vnto the common people or els to abide what fortune of them and vs shal be proued for as the case standeth now impoisoned it is impossible that ioyntly thy life and his person this day may be preserued These words being spoken by the infant Fadilla all men present recouered new boldnes persuading Commodus to remoue Cleander from amongest them and so to appease the whole people of Rome and to hold the ease of the common wealth more deare then the friendship or life of Cleander Commodus hearing these matters dismaid with feare forthwith cōmaunded Cleander to come vnto his presence and at the instante of his appearance commaunded his head to be cut off which being set vpon a lance and carried about Rome immediatly the whole multitude was pacified Cleander being put to death his children seruauntes friends were executed whose bodies after they were drawen by boyes throughout Rome were throwen into sinkes and places of vile ordure This was the conclusion and end of Cleander and the end of his children his house goodes and honour who though
in so great feare of the hazard of his life that he ceased that day to execute so desperate a déed and being demaunded why hée would burne his mother Rome aunsweared that he would not burne Rome but his Commodian Colonell because at that time it was named Rome These prodigies following did precede his death There came out of his house certeine little birds of the fashion and colour of turtles which were neuer séene either in Rome or in any the confines of Italie and remained iij. dayes vppon his house neither flying or remouing to any other house and their note and songe which they vsed did rather giue motion of wéeping then of mirth Soudeinly the ports of Ianus did open the copper Image of the god Mercurie was séene to sweat the Image of Hercules without approch of any person was séene to moue and vppon his chamber where hée slept the skrich owle nightly ceased not to houle Commodus cōsidering these causes departed to remaine at mount Celius affirming that he was feared by night might not sléepe On the next day being demaunded for the celebration of certeine feastes games which were to be done before the gates of his Palace what garmentes his guard should weare hée aunswered and commaunded them to be clad with hooded capes for the raine a garment much vsed in Rome for mourners in such wise that on the other day hée was in such maner accompanied that it seemed rather they wente to honour his obsequies then to celebrate or magnifie his feastes CHAP. XIIII ¶ Howe Commodus was slaine by the deuice and counsel of his Courtisane Martia THe time approching wherein the follies and wickednesses of the Emperour Commodus should finish and the sorrowfull Rome obteine libertie from the seruitude of so cruell a tyrant the occasion both of the one and the other was after this maner The first day of the moneth of Ianuary the Romanes did celebrate the feast of the God Ianus on which day Commodus determined to shewe himselfe in the habite not of an Emperour but of a sword player whereof Martia his cōcubine being aduertised with great instāce did humblie pray him and with many teares no lesse request and béeseech him that it might please him to take some other order both to auoyde the perill that might happen vnto his person as also the blemishe vnto his authoritie This Martia was so loued and so tenderly cherished and honoured of the Emperour Commodus that notwithstanding shée did serue him as a concubine yet hée brought to passe that all men did serue her as Empresse To restraine Cōmodus from that feast in the shewe and forme of a sword-player neither were the abundant teares powred forth of Martia sufficient either her humble sute so instantly requested either the feare and hazard of his person so flatly informed either the amorous intisementes so exactly performed remoue his purpose the which Martia considering forgat not to request others to be assistant in that sute for as afterwardes shée reported her heart did giue her that Commodus that day should passe great perill At that time Letus was his Chamberlaine and Electus Capiteine of his guard whoe were priuate and in great fauour with the Emperour Commodus friendes vnto Martia these both shée requested to be humble furtherers in her former sute But Commodus was so obstinate and determined to celebrate that feast of Ianus in forme of a fenser that he was not onely vnwilling to heare them but also grew to be offended with them On the eues eue of the great feast of the God Ianus Commodus cōmaunded the Capiteines of the sword players to prepare him the armes ensignes of a sword player for that hée would celebrate those feasts not as an Emperour but as a swoord player This done and prouided Commodus cōmaunded Letus and Electus to depart to their lodging to the end he might repose and séeing himselfe alone in his chamber inclosed with doores shut he tooke paper and incke and did write with his owne handes the names of all such persons which he determined on the next day should be slaine with the swoord players for his meaning was not principally to adorne those feastes and to honour them but to dispatch manye men of their liues This memorial being made of al such persons as the nexte day shoulde be slaine partely of excesse and partely of wearinesse in writinge he was taken with deade sleape laying his memoriall vnder his pillowe not doubting that any person should encounter therewith Commodus had in his chamber a little boye sufficiently faire named Pugius whome he did loue and fauour aboue all the rest not for his seruice but for delight he had of him in bedde As Pugius was but childishe and in so greate fauour comming and going alwayes into Commodus chamber fortune would or to say better God so ordayned that he shoulde take that paper in hande wherein were contained the names of al such as were appointed to the slaughter and came forth vnto the lodging where Martia receiued him to play according vnto the custome vsed with children and finding the paper in his handes suspecting it to be some writinge of importance tooke the childe into her armes imbracinge kissinge and dallying with the childe Pugius and giuing him another iuell wherewith to play tooke the paper into her hands without all suspicion to finde that which therein was conteined Martia coulde both write and reade and vnderstoode the Gréeke and spake the Latine toung and presently begane to reade the contents thereof written by Commodus his owne handes wherein shée founde firste her owne proper name as appointed amongst the reste to be slaine the seconde was the chamberlaine Letus the thirde the captaine Electus and so consequentely the most auncient wealthy the most noble personages of Rome Martia being astonnied and terrified to find what she foūd in that libell began to sobbe and wéepe and saying with her selfe what is this may it be that I am Martia that reade this writing and shal be executed to morrowe Oh Commodus ioy take no care for whereas thou hadst thought to haue done vengeaunce vppon thine enimies this daye they shal be reuenged of thee in suche wife as men shall praise it and the Gods allowe it that in thy rigorous chasticements all tyraunts shall obteine and recouer both warning and example If thou euer in all thy life didest committ or perfourme any good deede it hath beene to place mee amongst suche persones as thou hast appointed to be slaine to morowe for that shee deserueth moste iustly to dye that abandoneth her conuersation vnto so vile a person Since the Gods haue so permitted and my good fortune woulde that this matter should be discouered full contrarie to thy purpose it shall haue successe because thou thoughtest to haue slaine mee and all other vertuous noble and most wealthie of the Empire but the case shall be thus that this daye thou shalt see the ende of thy wicked
remoue me perforce from that whiche I woulde haue lefte and remitted with greate good will. And if for that I haue beene ingrate vnto my mother Rome or haue vsed euill gouernement in the common wealth ye will take away my life then I cannot but confesse it to be a worke most iust albeit thereby I shoulde be pursued not onely with paine and griefe but also with infamie because suche a death yealdeth more paine and shame to deserue it then to suffer it And if ye thinke your selues disgraced to haue a Prince that is not descended of the Fabians of the Metells of the Fabritians or of some other notable Romanes in this case impute the fault vnto the Gods whiche so haue created me and vnto your selues who with such conditions woulde electe me Emperour because in naturall matters neither deserue we prayse for that we haue either reprehension for that whiche wee lacke It were more iust O my friendes and commilitants in this case to haue respecte not to the shadowe and vanitie of linage but vnto the vertue grauitie of the persō for it stretcheth vnto small purpose in good gouernemente to be descended of generous bloude and to bee of filthy life And if ye haue been altered for wante of pay of wages for the whole or in parte presently giue me to vnderstande and I sweare and promise that presently euerie man shall entirelie be paide whiche if it be so I am vtterly without faulte since vntill this present I neuer hearde thereof And seeing ye be gentlemen of greate power and Romanes of noble bloud ye haue to consider in this case that according vnto our lawes innocencie and ignorance of the fault mitigateth diminisheth the extremitie of punishmēt And if in case ye be escādalized for that ye see mee rigorous hard extreme that I am so reputed amongst the people as small reason haue ye in this case as in the rest because vniuersaly they craue that iustice be done and yet they abhorre the execution thereof And if ye would blame me for the death of Commodus my predecessour and your Lorde ye haue seene by experience howe muche I am blamelesse and that vnto mee more then to anie man his death was grienous and that this is true call to your remembrance the day on which Commodus was slaine where in I sawe you singe for ioy and of greate griefe ye sawe me to weepe You Romaines you may not denie mee but that the death of Commodus was of you all desired and my election of you all alowed and since it was so I maruell that men of so greate authoritie and grauitie should inuente so straunge a noueltie as this that is to say in so shorte space to hate that whiche ye procured and to haue an appetite to that which ye loathed I sweare by the immortall Gods I knowe not of anie vile deede which I haue don against the common wealthe wherefore ye should abhorre mee neither knowe I anie thinge that Commodus hath done since hee died wherefore ye shoulde loue and desire him for if we sighe for the dead it is not for their deedes done after that they died but for the good woorkes whiche they perfourmed when they were liuinge If for no other cause then to take away my life ye haue ioyned and armed all these men of warre certeinlie it is a thinge superfluous and vaine in as much as I am both sicke olde and with the burthen of the Empire so muche discontented and with my life so muche displeased I esteeme little to liue and much lesse to die It grieueth me not so muche to lose my life as it doth of the slaunder and infamie whiche ye lay vpon our mother Rome whiche is to say that the Romans which haue bene renowned for their loyaltie towardes their princes shoulde haue reporte throughout the worlde to haue slaine their Emperour Ye knowe that ye beeing as ye are men of warre and to no other ende so well payed and relieued of the tribute but to chastice suche as rebell in the common wealth and to defende the house and the imperiall persone of your prince and since it is thus what may be more vnseemlie impertinent and scandalous then suche as be admitted for my guarde and safetie that they and no other should come to take away my life And for as muche as ye be men of warre ye are bounde to obserue the lawes there of that is to say euen in the warrs of enimies yee may not or ought not to kill children or olde men and since I am an olde man and a citizen of Rome wherefore will yee do with mee that which yee will not do with an enimie In these wordes whiche ye haue saide in the disorder whiche ye haue vsed and in the houre wherin ye haue vndertaken this matter it clearely appeareth that to enterprise so greate a matter ye haue not vsed greate prouidence for if ye had considered and examined the matter ye shoulde moste certainlie haue founde that in your determination to kill mee there is no other fruite gathered but to raise in your mother Rome a greate scandal and to thruste your selues in great daunger And since one shall inherite the Empire and not all with what folly are you taken ye Romaines for ye al to hazarde and lose your selues for one mans gaine and yet knowe not if afterwardes that one man shall be gratefull or vnthankefull I may not flee that whiche the destinies haue ordayned either what ye haue determined but in case this be my last day and my fatall houre be come I pray the immortall Godes that the innocent bloude whiche shal be shead of me that the vengeance thereof fall not vpon my mother Rome but that euerie one of you doe feele it in his person and his house When Pertinax came to the pointe to speake these woordes for the moste parte al that were presente let fall teares from their eyes and beganne to departe turning their backes and holding downe their weapons because they had greate shame to offende and to wante reuerence vnto so honourable horie haires and to wordes so wel spoken He that moste vilelie had spoken against Pertinax he that most had moued the men of warre was one named Tuncius of the countrie of Theutonio this wretched caytiue whē he sawe that al men returned and had renounced to kill Pertinax he thrust a lance through the midest of his bodie with whiche wounde Pertinax fell to the earth and therevpon gaue him other woundes wherof he presentlie dyed Greate sorrowe was it vnto the people of Rome when they vnderstode that Pertinax was dead and hauing reigned but fourtéene moneths xx dayes he profited more the commonwealth thē others in fourtéene yeares The traytour Tuncius was not cōtented to haue slaine Pertinax but he also and his companions forgotte not to cute off his head to fixe it on a lance and to beare it through the stréets of Rome
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
wherein he had no office in the coÌ„mon wealth In those dayes Letus the Captaine of the guard was greatly in fauour with the Emperour Commodus by whose intercession they coÌ„mended the garrisons of Germanie vnto Seuerus who so skilfully behaued himselfe in that iourney that he returned 2. yeares after vnto Rome with great honour no smal riches At his returne vnto Rome Seuerus bought a certaine compasse of land wherein to till for corne and to féede and bréede cattell and alongest the riuer Tiber hée bought certaine stately and fertill gardens where hee builte houses of great pride which long time after were called Seuerians At a certaine time supping in those gardens vppon the grasse where the freshnesse of the greene was verye great and vigualls very small the case was thus His owne sonne of the age of fiue yeares did giue and diuide vnto all persons of all thinges that were there vnto whome the father said temper thy hand sonne in reparting because thou hast no reall riches to giue The childe made aunswere if I haue them not nowe when I am a child I shall haue them when I am a man All men present wondered considering the age of the child that so graue an aunsweare should procéede from so tender youth CHAP. III. ¶ How the Pretorians did electe him Emperour IN the 10. yeare of the Empire of Commodus Seuerus was sent in message vnto the prouince of Germanie in which Ambassage he obteyned much honour and no small wealth for naturally he was of great dispatch in affaires and skilfull to gather monie Hée was resident in Germanie the space of thrée yeares that is to say vntill in Rome they had slaine the Emperour Commodus of whole death he had great pleasure and of the election of Pertinax no lesse ioy because the liuing was his most special friend and the dead his mortall enimie Not many monethes after he receiued newes how the Emperour Pertinax was slaine by the Pretorians and that hée for very monie had bought the Empire he was much gréeued with the death of the one and the election of the other Seuerus was aduertised how Iulianus was in great hatred of the people for merchandizing of the Empire presently at the instant the men of warre that he had with him declared him Emperour whiche was done in a citie named Carunto on the xii day of the moneth of August That day whereon the armies did aduaunce him as Emperour he gaue and diuided amongst them so great summes of monie as neuer any Emperour had done afore time for he gaue not onely all his owne but also the treasure of his friends With great speede Seuerus sent vnto the armies of Illyria in Pannonia in Spaine Fraunce and Britaine and gaue them to vnderstand how Pertinax was dead that Iulianus had bought the Empire and that the armies of Germanie had elected him Emperour but that hée would not accept the same vnlesse they as true defenders of the Empire would consent vnto their election wherein all with one conformitie did alowe that election which the Germaines had made of Seuerus and vtterly did adnihilate all consents and elections that had or might be to the aduauncement of the Empire of Iulianus and vppon condition that Seuerus should first be sworne to reuenge the death of the good Emperour Pertinax and to giue his fauour vnto the men of warre Presently when the Seuerus sawe his Empire confirmed by the men of warre spéedily he toke his way towards Rome vpon which way not onely he had no resistance but in all places was receiued with great ioy Two Consuls 100. Senatours 30. Questors 22. Iudges 14. Tribunes 10. Pretours 400. priestes and 50. vestal virgins came forth to receiue Seuerus vnto whom he sent to giue vnderstanding that if they would behold his face milde that all persons of al armour either open or secret should disarme themselues for that it was sufficient that he was of the warres and they to receiue him in peace They being persons of so great honour riches and auncient that came foorth to receiue him were not a litle despited that Seuerus should commaund them to be disarmed but in the end they accomplished that which was commaunded them and from thence foorth conceiued against Seuerus mortall hatred because if they disarmed their persons of armour they did arme their hartes with malice And as Seuerus was proud with his Empire and the Consuls and Senatours wise and aduised neither did he perceiue them to be offeÌ„ded either did they discouer themselues to be gréeued or despited for that if they had patience to suffer the iniurie they waÌ„ted not wisedome to dissemble the same As Seuerus was subtile and skilful he did two thinges before he entered Rome wherewith hée greatly wanthe fauour of the common people wherof the first was that he publikely changed his ouer name which is to wit that as he afore time was named Septimius Seuerus after he was named Seuerus Pertinax this he did to the end al men should perceiue the taking the name of the good Emperour Pertinax he would likewise folow the steps of his good life and profite himselfe by his good doctrine for Pertinax was not only loued as a man but also adored as a god And the second thing which he did was to coÌ„maund al the bands of Pretorians which were the men at armes which guarded Rome that leauing all armour they shuld come do him reuerence which were the men that had slaine th'emperour Pertinax not for his owne deseruing but for that he consented not to their wickednes Seuerus secretly had agréed with his armie that they should haue regard to compasse them round in such wise that finding them vnarmed they should stop al meanes to recouer the same for their defence either place of safetie to flie vnto And now when they stood all vnarmed compassed Seuerus commaunded a general silence thoroughout his armieê and directed his words vnto those homicides or mansiears speaking after this maner CHAP. IIII. ¶ How he reuenged the death of the good Emperour Pertinax ALthough al humaine things be subiect vnto vanitie mutabilitie yet this preemineÌ„ce haue the gods aboue men that al things being subiect to changing and variablenes they remaine immutable al things perishing finishing they for euer do continue because there is nothing perpetual but such things vnto whiche the gods do giue perpetuitie The great Romaine Empire much reseÌ„bleth the immortal gods of heauen because all the kingdomes of the earth be finishing haue their ends but she is perpetual all are weake and she strong all be subiect she at libertie all vanquished and she inuincible finally she is she that neuer suffered her better or endured another that was her equal And as it is most true that the gods neuer giue reward without a preceding merit so do they not giue punishment without some fault in him whom they chastise wher of it followeth that since the gods haue
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
clearely see that amongest all the trauels of men to be an Emperour is the greatest Neither merueile either be escādalized O ye fathers conscript to see me so vntractable and with so many teares to refuse the Empire for if I thought to vse my selfe therein as a tyrant I would not caste it off but would rather procure the same but as my meaning is to liue gouerne more to the profite of the common wealth thē to the aduancement of mine owne house respecting my small strength the Empire is to mee a great burthen Being as I was most truly satisfied with the acquaintance and conuersation of the trauels of the Empire there were no reason to think I should desire the Empire because there is none so foolish as the man that with the hope of a remedie would offer himselfe vnto an hazard Vnto this day I haue beene esteemed in possession of great wealth but now that I am an Emperour I am forced to become poore for that a prince in respect of such with whō he hath to deale and accomplish hath fewe thinges to giue and hath a thousand necessities that constreine him to bribe and robbe Vntil this day I haue had some quietnesse but from henceforth I shal be constreined to liue discontented because from the trauel and disquietnes of the prince peace and quietnesse doeth proceede vnto the common wealth The office of the prince is not to sleepe but to watche not to be idle but to trauell for that euerie excessiue recreation which his person taketh forthwith redoundeth to the offence of the common wealth From my birth vntill this day of any thing I haue not had greater experiēce then to see heare read suffer and experiment trauels wherof many I beheld farre off but alas of my selfe that nowe am inuironed therewith because the appetite of the vulgar people is so feeble and variable that if to day they giue and elect a good prince to morrow they would relishe and haue a taste of the gouernement of some other Naturallie all men in all thinges and at all houres desire to heare and see nouelties and much more desire the same in the estate of gouernement then in all other thinges for that no prince gouerneth so well but that they conceiue an other should gouerne better Vntill this day I haue beene well liked serued and reuerenced but from henceforth al men for the most part shal beare me enuie and hatred because the estate of princes is so enuied that hee shall want sand in the Sea to reckon his enimies but the number of his fingers of one hand shal exceede to point out his friends All this I haue said fathers conscript to the end ye shall not merueile why I haue refused the burthen of the Empire but rather am escandalized knowing what I know to see my selfe charged and ouer laden with the Empire because to renounce it a thousād thinges do moue me to attempt it nothing inuite me But since the gods haue so willed my destinies so permitted ye also haue so ordeined I determin to lode my selfe with this burdē although I am assured it wil cost me my life but I yeld it al for wel imployed if it perfourmed to the benefite of the common wealth These woordes being said by Pertinax the Senate receiued great pleasure and chiefly praised him for that hée forbad all men to speake euill of Commodus knowing as they all did knowe that hée had béene his mortall enimie The Senat receiued Pertinax in the midst amōgest them and did accompany and attend vpon him vnto all the temples and euery temple did offer vnto the Gods notable sacrifices And most truly this was a notable and also a laudable custome amongest the Romans which is to witt that princes newly elected did first visite the Gods before they permitted themselues to be visited of men As Pertinax had his person in so great authoritie and being elected by the armie and the Senat with so great concord and further being old and hoarie headed and so long time knowen in Rome it was a monstruous thing to behold when he came forth into Rome how al men hasted to sée his face for truly it seemed litle vnto euery man to obey him as a prince but to loue and serue him as a father CHAP. VI. ¶ Of many thinges which he did after he was Emperour THe first thing that Pertinax commaunded or prouided was that the men of warre were very wel payed and therwith practised great discipline in which matter more then in any other he presently gaue reformation for that in the Empire of Commodus the armie was abandoned vnto great libertie Cōmodus consumed so great summes of monie in vices that there was not sufficient to pay the men of warre by this occasion they did filche by night rob on high wayes sacke houses spoile corne oppresse the poore and were bribers with rich men finally they were desperate and so flesht that for feare of any paine they neuer absteyned from offence Not many dayes after that Pertinax was published Emperour and with great seriousnes on a certeine day vsed familiaritie with Letus and Electus a Consul named Falcus said vnto him what an Emperour O Pertinax thou shalt proue thy workes begin to make demonstration since thou leadest after thee Letus and Electus which as traytours did kill their Lord Commodus doing what thou doest and consenting to that wherto thou didst consent it may be no lesse besides the euill example which thou yéeldest vnto Rome thou giuest also such scruple vnto thy fame whereby we thinke that if thou wert not the inuentour of his death at the least thou delightest to cloke the same Vnto this Pertinax made aunswere it well séemeth that although thou be a Cōsul thou art but a yongling since thou knowest not to make difference of times It maketh no great matter that I doe with Letus and Electus as they did with their Lord Commodus that is to say they obeyed him and followed him and that whiche they most desired they most dissembled and at the houre of opportunitie they dispatched him of his life The same day that hée was created Augustus and Emperour hée was intituled Pater patriae this excellencie vnto none either since or before was giuen vppon that day His wife was named Flauia Titiana vnto whome likewise on the same day that he was inuested Augustus she was intituled Augusta The Emperour Pertinax did greatly trauell to allowe all thinges that his Lord Marcus Aurelius did fauour to finish that which hée had begon to susteine that which hée had left to repaire that which he had built and to imitate all that which hée had done for hée said it was impossible to erre in following the stepps of the good Marcus Aurelius The fame being diuulgate thoroughout the Empire howe Commodus was dead and Pertinax chosen Emperour the countries cities prouinces and kingdomes gaue very large rewards vnto the messengers thereof no
lesse for the death of Commodus then for the election of Pertinax As hée had béene in so long time in so many prouinces Pretor Censor Quirite Edil Consul Proconsul and Censor Pertinax was one of the most famous Romanes in the Empire whereof succéeded that after the Barbarians were aduertised that Pertinax was Emperour of Rome such as were rebelles left their armour and such as had taken truce made peace Pertinax had a sonne whome the Romanes would haue created Augustus to the end hée should succéede him after his dayes in the Empire which he could neuer like off or consent vnto saying The Gods neuer graunt that with the hope of the Empire my sonne should be nourished vnto vice and idlenesse Commodus had laide intollerable impostes and tributes vpon his people which Pertinax commaunded to be made frustrate affirming that of the will of princes in charging their kingdomes with vniust tributes there succedeth a wilful denial of due and most iust paiments False witnesses hee commaunded to be punished according vnto the lawe named Pena del talion that is to say they should be executed by Iustice wherein they had accused others by malice Hée ordeyned that the testament which had béen made by the husband wise ioyntly might not be altered by the suruiuer Also he did ordeyne that any man dying intestate should not forfett his landes or goods vnto the fiscall but that his sonne or most néere kinsman should inherite the same saying there were no reason or iust lawe where the dead for want of speach should loose his goods The Senators on a day said vnto Pertinax how the Questors of the treasurie and the officers of the fiscal had murmured at him for the law that he made in the fauour for the dead intestate vnto whom hee aunsweared Fathers conscript I may safely say there are not so many that complaine of this lawe as there be that praise and alowe it but I recke not whether the one doth praise or the other mislike but in my iudgement it is no worke of Romanes but the inuētion of tyrants of robberies briberies rapines to fill the treasurie with riches He made a lawe that no fiscall should sue anye person for landes or goodes that were doubtfull saying that the fiscall ought to remoue nothing that clearely were not his owne and that in case of doubt more sure and more conformable vnto iustice were it to remaine with him that doth possesse it thā with the fiscall that doth demaunde it He commaunded all things vniustly taken by his predecessour Commodus to be restoared vnto the owners When the Secretarie came to firme this lawe to be proclaimed and Pertinax reading the same wherein it was said Wee commaunde that all thinges which our predecessour Commodus hath robbed which word robbed he blotted out with his pen and enterlined this woord gotten saying it is sufficient that the lawe be in the fauour of the liuing without iniuring with foule woordes Princes that be dead All that which was knowen manifestly to be Commodus debt he commaunded to be payed and all which he had promised to be giuen and besides all this the wheat oyle and other things which particularly were vsed to be giuen and diuided amongest the people of Rome he caused with great diligence to be brought from all kingdomes and in great abundance and liberalitie commaunded it to be bestowed Many vniust tributs being takē away by Pertinax there succéeded a great necessitie for the paiment and reliefe of the armie of Africa whereby he was constreyned to exact new impositions of his common wealth whereuppon the Consul Gelianus toke occasion to say that he had done contrary to that which he had begon in the Empire against that which he had said in the Senat Pertinax aunswering said When I was Consul as thou art I did meruaile at the déedes of princes and now that I am an Emperour I meruaile of that which you Consuls do speake thus much Gelianus I say to this end because thou shalt vnderstand that Emperours at times make lawes as they ought and at other times not as they would but as they may CHAP. VII ¶ Of many thinges which he did ordeine and reforme in the common wealth THere was in Rome and in the confines of Italie much roughe ground for corne which being barren for want of manuring Pertinax commaunded proclamation to bée made that if any man would grub manure or till the same hée should fréely for tenne yeares take the profite thereof Before Pertinax vsed this diligence in Italie frō Aegypt Spaine and Sicyl they brought wheat to furnish the same for which cause Traiane did vse to say that Rome was more tributarie then any place of the world for that they could not eate but if it were giuen them from other kingdomes There were many particular thinges said to be the Emperours namely hills heards gardēs riuers palaces and houses which hée commaunded to be altered naming them hils gardens and riuers not of the Emperour but of the common wealth for hée affirmed that on that day in which any whatsoeuer was made Emperour hée might haue nothing proper vnto himselfe and said further that if this name Prince be well vnderstoode it giueth no other dignitie to the person that vseth the same but to make him defender of the territories of the countrie and procurer of the common wealthe In the dayes of his predecessours they had attempted new impositions that is to say in ports of the sea at the ports of cities for passage of high wayes of barkes vppon riuers and for baking in ouens al which were to the great detriment of the common wealth and the auncient libertie of Rome the collection whereof Pertinax from thence forth commaunded to ceasse Being demaunded of the Consul Tortelius why he made frustrat lawes so profitable aunsweared because without comparison much more are the displeasures which they giue me then the money which they bring me and as mée séemeth we may not saye that that money is verie cleanely that comes imbrewed with displeasures He commaunded that in criminall causes offendours should be verie well hearde and if in case any should dye fourtie dayes to be expired before he should suffer It was a matter verye monstruous and scandalous that was consumed in expences in the dayes of Commodus wherein Pertinax in suche wise prouided that they murmured no lesse against him for his frugalitie then against Commodus for his prodigalitie They muche blame Pertinax who set before his guestes whiche did eate at his table halfe pigges and halfe géese and many times sent two soppes betwixt two plates for a present and sometime the legge of a Phesant at other times the wing of a capon and reserued also in the morning somewhat to be eaten at night Princes ought verie muche to consider and also to auoyde not to be noted miserable at their table for it is verie small that in such trifles may be saued and verie much that they
for he vsed to say that fooles set neighbours at variance but men that were wise malicious brought kingdomes together by the eares He was also inclined to read books and to vnderstand antiquities if he might not by his important affaires read himselfe he made others to read and further if he chaunced to be so busied that he might not read himselfe either heare reading at such times they read vnto him when he was eating or whē he went to bed He himselfe did write his owne life did write it as truly as if he had béen a chronicler that is to say praising his victories reprehending his vices and also most truly made report of all men that he kild but not of the smal reason that he had so to do Seuerus was much blamed for his great couetise of goods for want of care negligēce of his honour for that his wife Iulia was a cōmon adulteresse whom he did neither chastice or put away neither is it written that euer he did aduise or blame her It was sufficient for Seuerus to know his wife to be euil to be named Iulia whiche name was euer infamous amongest the womē of Rome Although he were an enimie of vices and of vicious mē much more was he enimie of théeues aboue all other kinde of wicked people and so is it said and found of him that he did beare with many malefactors but neuer pardoned any théefe In his apparel he was not curious or costly but alwaies was apparelled as a man of great sobernes especially much cōmended that in his Empire he neuer beheld any person in Rome clad with silke or purple Also in his féeding he was not disordinate yet truly of certaine fruits of Africa giuē to féede somewhat ouermuch and vsed to say that they had a better relishe then others for that being a child hee was bred with them Hée delighted also more to eate fishe then flesh and sometimes passed an whole moneth without the tast of any flesh the flesh that he best loued was mutton of fish the Trout In many cities of the Empire they made by his comaundement very notable woorkes especially in the citie of Tripol in Africa where he was borne he made there a fort an house compassed it with a very stronge wall He was a prince very careful that the citie of Rome should alwayes be well prouided which was manifested at his death at what time they found vij yeares prouision in wheat and oyle CHAP. XVIII ¶ How Seuerus passed into great Britaine where he died SEuerus being settled in securitie and intending certaine buildinges in Rome receiued letters from the gouernour of great Britaine which now is named England that a great part of the Island was reuolted from the seruice of Rome and to appease force them to obedience his presence was right necessarie because the Prefect himselfe was not only denied al obedience but they sought meanes also to kill him Seuerus was not displeased with this newes although he were both old and sickly for that he alwayes desired the offer of great things to magnifie his fame and perpetuate his memorie Seuerus also was pleased with those warres to haue occasion to withdraw his sonnes from the vices of Rome and so it came to passe that his elder sonne Bassianus he made captaine of the armie that he led by land to his younger sonne Geta he gaue the charge of his armie nauie that passed by sea Seuerus at the soudeine and vnprouided assailed the Britaines who at that instāt they vnderstoode of his arriuall in the Isle sent their Ambassadours partly to yéeld accompt and partly to discharge themselues of their rebellion as also to set downe betwixt them a certeine concord which Seuerus would neither yéeld vnto or abide to heare off for he vented rather to obteine the renoune of Britaine then for any reason to make them warre His armies being disimbarked the Ambassadours dispatched euery man prepared the one to offend and the other to defend Seuerus first prouided bridges wheruppon his horsemen might passe his foote men auoyd occasion to swim The Britaine 's of that part of Britaine in those dayes had a custome in time of warre to encounter their enimies in lakes waters where they did place themselues vp vnto the arme pits and from thence did fight and shew their skil when their enimies did shoote or whirle their dartes they would stoope or diue vnder water in such wise that it chāced thrée sundrie times that neuer happened in any part of the world which is to witt that 100. naked men ouercame 1000. armed persons Whē at any time they would fight in the field they vsed certaine targets after the maner of bucklers halfe swords girt vppon their bare flesh All matters apperteining vnto the warres brought vnto perfection Seuerus confirmed his younger sonne Geta gouernour of a certaine place of the Island that had not rebelled and kept his elder sonne Bassianus néere vnto his owne person executing cruel warres vppon the Barbarians who vppon determination to doe hurte or offend their enimies dyed with great hardinesse and vppon other determination would put themselues to flighte in whiche flight their enimies alwayes had the woorsse The warres being trauersed after this manner the gowt did grieuously increase vppon Seuerus in such manner that he could neither go out of his campe either sitt in counsel with his capteines in so much that he was constrained to commende the whole charge of the armie vnto his sonne Bassianus who more did practise secreately to frame hatred amongest the armies vnto his brother Geta then to make conquest of the enimies Bassianus so much reioyced of his fathers griefe and had so great care to inherite that he sawe no houre wherein he wished not his fathers death Not meaning to leaue any euil vnperfourmed that touched an euil nature adding euill vnto euill he suborned the Physicians that did cure him and the seruaunts that serued him in such wise the one to serue him and the other cure him that if the gowte did not finish him poison shoulde dispatche him Although no man said vnto Seuerus any one woorde he did well perceiue what his sonne Bassianus desired and so it came to passe that beholding the disobedience which his sonne did beare him howe euil his seruaunts serued him and howe slenderly his Physician did visite him although he were olde and sickely he died of pure sorrowe and melancholy The last wordes which Seuerus saide before he dyed they saye were these When I tooke the Empire I founde the common wealth throughout the worlde in trouble and nowe I dye I leaue it in peace and although I dye without power to testar ny firmar yet I leaue the Empire firme vnto my two sonnes Antonines if they shal proue good they remaine exactly made princes and if they shal be euil I leaue them nothing Before Seuerus dyed he
commaunded two Fortunes of gold to be made for either of his sonnes one because it was the ensigne of the Empire to take away all occasion after his death for any of them by him selfe or for him selfe to be aduaunced with the Empire but equally to remaine in power and estate This was the ende of Seuerus whome his enimies might not kill with armes and yet with griefe and sorrowe was slaine by his sonnes Seuerus liued thrée score and fiftéene yeres and reigned two and twentie yeres his bones were burnt and the ashes carried to Rome Of this Emperour Seuerus the Senate determined that which of no other prince was determined namely Illum aut nasci non debuisse aut mori whiche is to saye It had beene good in respect of his cruelties which he did he had not beene borne and since that he was borne in consideration of the profite which he did in the common wealth it had beene good he had not died The life of the Emperour Bassianus sonne vnto Seuerus compiled by syr Anthonie of Gueuara Bishop of Mondonnedo preacher chronicler and counseller vnto the Emperour Charles the fifte CHAP. I. ¶ Howe Bassianus and his brother Geta did inherite the Empire of their father Seuerus PResently after the death of the Emperour Seuerus in great Britaine his two sonnes Bassianus and Geta did succéed him in the Empire betwixt whome there was extreme discorde and cruell hatred for notwithstanding in bloude they were brothers yet in wil works they dealt as enimies As Bassianê° was elder brother and also more cauillous troublesome so he began secretely to practise and subborne the capteines of the armie to him onely to giue the Empire and to exclude Geta his younger brother from the inheritaunce and to drawe them vnto his purpose he spake swéete wordes blinded them with faire promises of greate hope and also gaue them riche Iewels Nothing might Bassianus attaine with the capteines of his armie for that euery one in particular and all in generall made him aunswer that since they were sonnes vnto their lord Seuerus and bothe brethren and ioyntly had sworne vnto them as their Lordes and Princes it were not iust they should be traytours in their promise vnto their father or shoulde make a breache of their othe that in the temples they had sworn vnto the Gods. After that Bassianus might not corrupt the armie with woordes déedes or giftes he tooke peace with the Britans to the ende presently to departe towardes Rome and his brother Geta being aduertised that Bassianus sought the Empire vnto him selfe which the father Seuerus had lefte vnto them both grewe into great hatred disdaine with his brother in such wise that from thenceforth the two brethren behaued them selues not only as vtter enimies but also the courte was diuided into bandes Bassianus Geta were brethren by the father but not by the mother for that Bassianus was his sonne by his first wife and Geta by Iulia whiche was the second wife Geta his mother and the auncient and honourable Romanes that were remaining after the death of Seuerus did not a little trauaile to confederate and set them at agréement but in the ende they were neither conuinced with the infinite beares of the mother either might be persuaded by the great requestes and instant intreatance of their friendes The affaires of Britaine being set in order the two brethren much without order departed towardes Rome carrying with them the reliques of their father Seuerus that is to say his bones made ashes which in all cities as they passed were receiued with as great reuerence as if Seuerus had béene aliue From the time that Bassianus Geta departed from Britaine vntil they entred Rome they neuer lodged in one lodging or fedde at one table or had conference vppon the waye but had of eache other great suspicion yea in meat and drinke to haue receiued poyson To go in so greate doubt and suspicion was cause of small staye vppon the waye although it were very long and before their comming vnto Rome either of them had sent their secreate messengers not onely to take vp the best lodginges in Rome but also to solicite and to winne the willes of the common wealth because they conceiued that they might not ioyntly be conserued in their seigniorie but that one must remaine with the Empire That day on which Bassianus and Geta his brother shoulde enter Rome all Rome came foorth to receiue them which was mixed with ioye and sorrowe sorrowe for the death and buriall of Seuerus and ioye for that his children were come aliue to reigne in his steade Entring into the citie the two brethren and newe Emperours went before appareled in purple on horssebacke after them came the Senatours all on foote who bare on their shoulders a chest of Unicorne wherein was placed the ashes of Seuerus such persons as attended the dead went wéeping and those that accompanied Bassianus Geta went singing Being entred into the citie and the day farre spent they went vnto the temple of the greate Emperour Marcus Aurelius where the two newe Princes fell on their knées to adore his sepulchre as a moste holie man and there bestowed the ashes of their father Seuerus Before Seuerus departed vnto the second warres of Britaine he had begon a most sumptuous sepulchre in the fielde of Mars amongest other ornaments that it had were seuen pillers polished verie high and stately wherein was grauen all his actes and victories but his life first was finished before his sepulture was ended CHAP. II. ¶ Howe in Rome they burie their Emperours and of greate ceremonies which there they vsed After that Bassianus and Geta his brother had reposed the body of their father Seuerus in the temple of the Emperour Marcus Aurelius presently they beganne to consecrate his body and to place his soule with the Gods accordinge to the custome of the Romans whiche ceremony was not done but vnto dead Emperours and the order thereof was thus Presently vpon the death of an Emperour the Senate did assemble to determine if hee deserued to be buried with the Godes either els after his burial to leaue him to obliuion as other men and if he had beene euill the Senate woulde be absent at his buriall and if he had bene good all clad in blacke woulde attend to consecrate his body And to do the same their firste attempt was to bury the body of the deade prince without any ceremonie and then made him an image of woode after the manner of a sicke and colourlesse man which they placed alofte vpon a scaffolde ouer the Courte gate and that image although it were of a sicke man yet did they clad it with garmentes of silcke and golde as though the counterfeite were aliue In the hight of that scaffolde or throne the Senate were set on the lefte hande and on the right hand all the matrones of Rome of whome none might he apareled richly either deckt with