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order_n	day_n	house_n	lord_n	3,712	5	3.9612	3	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A02294	A chronicle, conteyning the liues of tenne emperours of Rome Wherin are discouered, their beginnings, procéedings, and endings, worthie to be read, marked, and remembred. Wherein are also conteyned lawes of speciall profite and policie. ... Compiled by the most famous Syr Anthonie of Gueuara, Bishop of Mondonnedo, preacher, chronicler, and counsellour to the Emperour Charles the fift: and translated out of Spanish into English, by Edward Hellowes, Groome of her Maiesties Leashe. Hereunto is also annexed a table, recapitulating such particularities, as are in this booke mentioned.; Decada de los diez Cesares y emperadores Romanos. English	Guevara, Antonio de, Bp., d. 1545?; Hellowes, Edward.	1577 (1577)	STC 12426; ESTC S103534	315,538	500

daunger not to seeke to escape the perill thereof CHAP. V. How Commodus left the warres of Panonia to go to Rome After that Pompeyanus had ended his Oration Commodus did shew him selfe offended for the opening thereof in so common assembly and pleased for the integritie of his woordes giuing for an answere that for the present he woulde deferre his departing vntill ripe counsell should determine some other matter Not withstanding his small age he was of suche dissimulation in matters he woulde bringe to passe and so double in his words which he did speake that the aunswere which he made was not to the intente to stay his departing but to confirme them in negligence and want of prouidence It was published in the whole armie what Pompeyanus had sayd vnto Commodus and that the departing into Italie was deferred vntill the warres were finished of which newes some were pleased and some displeased because the auncient and vertuous wished all thinges to be done to the honour of the common wealth but the younger persons and suche as were vitious had desire to go the vices of Rome Some remaining quiet and others negligent Commodus determined to procéede with his purpose and wrote certeine letters vnto Rome wherin he commaunded they shoulde order his house and prepare for his comminge and he did also write that they shoulde relieue him with some monye for that with the warres he was much consumed His letters being dispatched vnto Rome Commodus commaunded all the valiant capteins to come vnto his presence with whome he did communicate the manner and fashion which he woulde vse with those barbarous people to frame them to yeald to some honest truce if a better cōclusion might not be obteined to finish the same with a peace dearly bought After that messengers had passed betwixt Commodus and the Barbarians diuersly to and fro in the ende it was resolued that hee rendered many countries that had bene taken from the enimies and also gaue thē a great summe of money and they promised to continue friendes but not vassals vnto the Romaines This conclusion being knowne and published was not a little grieuous vnto all noble minds of the armie because most truely the capitulation thereof was too too infamous that in respect of the state of those warrs it was not onely not to be done either as much as to be talked of Of these infamous conclusions and the paimente of so greate summes of money he gaue no parte therof vnto the Senate or gouernours to vnderstande but vnto such men of warre as he vnderstoode had desire to be gone and such as he thought durst not repugne The fame beinge published that Commodus would depart towards Rome the whole armie was so altered that none would remaine in the frontiers but that euery man without order prepared with greate hast to returne into Italie in such wise that Commodus not onely ceased to continue hostilitie against the Barbarians but also left no garrisons to guard the Romaine people The Emperour Commodus parted from Panonia to go to Rome the tenth day of the moneth of Februarie and so greate was his desire to come to Rome that in many cities which were in his way where they came foorth to receiue him he would not onely stay to heare what they would say either receiue that which they would present but also alone and disguised in poste woulde passe theire stréets Incredible was the pleasure which they receiued in Rome when Commodus did write of his partinge from Panonia but muche greater was their ioye when they vnderstoode that he was at hande for remembringe that he was borne amongest them and that they had bred and nourished him and that he was the sonne of so good a father they helde it for certeine that in his time Rome more then euer it did should flourish and that euery man in particular should augment his estate In respect of the greate loue and reuerence they did beare vnto the father Marcus Aurelius and the reporte blowne amongst the Romaines of the singular beautie of his sonne Commodus they did so extremly desire to sée him that he held him selfe most happy that came furthest off to receiue him Marche was halfe past when Commodus came to Rome at which time trées do yealde foorth their flowers and fields their fragrant smelles against the day that he shoulde enter Rome the Romains had made all wayes euen and cleane and banqueting houses deckte with boughes to eate and drincke in the Senatours came forth in great order the women of Rome in sumptuous apparel the townesmen all with boughes and greene braunches in such manner they receiued him that day with as greate pleasure and ioy as if he had entered in his chariote triumphant triumphinge of all Asia After he entred the citie that whiche he firste did was in visitinge all the temples within the same chieflye he stayed in the temple of Iupiter where he offered sumptuous sacrifices all the noble men of Rome being present Also he did visite certaine auncient sepulchers especially the sepulchre of Adrian of Traiane of Antoninus Pius his grandfather of Faustina his grand mother Faustina also his mother and some thinges that were in them euill handled or decayed he cōmaunded to be repaired and made better Ioyning vnto the sepulchre of Adrian he commaunded another sepulchre to be made riche and sumptuous wherein the bones of his father Marcus Aurelius shoulde be translated which sepulchre being finished and hauing in remembraunce howe greate loue Marcus Aurelius did beare them and the good sincere dealing he vsed with them the Romaines did visite honour and helde his sepulchre in as greate reuerence as their chiefest temples This done Commodus on a day went vnto the Senate saying and giuinge them warning that in all and for all thinges they shoulde followe the ordinaunce of his father and performe and execute all that he had commaunded them because after this manner the imperial state should be conserued as concerning straunge nations and the common wealth wel gouerned amongst them selues Also hee commaunded all Iudges of Rome to come before him charginge and commaundinge them that without all exception of persons equally to giue sentence accordinge to iustice with a warninge that if any of them shoulde presume to attempt the contrarie to haue his sentence reuoked and his person chasticed The Romaines receiued greate delight to sée how Commodus was obedient vnto the Gods a louer of temples grateful vnto his friendes and zelous of the cōmon welth but alas for sorrowe so fewe were the monethes and also the dayes that this gratious heate endured that it semed rather they had dreamed it then that he had done or performed it CHAP. VI. Howe Commodus was cruell and of the cruelties which he vsed IN the nintéenth yeare of his age and the thirde yeare of his Empire he aduertised the Senate that he would visite all the cities in Italie at his departinge from Rome he went vnto the

vnder their histories which they shall write our same shal shine and flourish Alexander in the dayes of his youth was deadly hated of his cousen Heliogabalus this procéeded not of the sharpe condition of Alexander but for the euil nature of Heliogabalus that is to say for that he would not consent to be a cōpanion in his wickednes as by birth he was his kinseman There were neuer séene two princes so conioyned in parentage so nere in succession so different in liues as Heliogabalus Alexander for that in Heliogabalus there was not one vertue to be praised either in Alexander one vice to be reprehended CHAP. II. ¶ Howe Alexander was aduaunced vnto the Empire and of his laudable manners TWo yeares before the Pretorians killed Heliogabalus the Emperour Alexander was elected Augustus to the great grace liking and conformitie of al the Romane people whereof procéeded that on the day in which they had slaine the vnworthie Heliogabalus they gaue vnto Alexander the ensignes of the empire When Alexander began to reigne he was very younge wherfore Mesia the ●randmother and Manea the mother did take the charge 〈◊〉 gouernement of the empire who although in condition they were womē yet most truly in gouernement they discouered themselues to be men They elected xij persons to assist them in the affaires of the Empire which were chosen amongest the auncient the most experte amongst the learned the most wise without determination iudgment of all these they did neither heare what was demaunded either determined any matter that they had to doe The first déede of Alexander his grandmother Mesia his mother Manea his xii counsellours was to take order for reformation of temples namely to repaire the decaide to clense the defiled inrich such as were robbed and to populate such as were disinhabited because in the dayes of his predecessour Heliogabalus not only humaine matters went to wracke but the gods also were profaned Diuine matters being reformed presently they toke order for cōseruation of the cōmon wealth before all things all vicious persons were resolued from their offices and not satisfied to punish their offences with depriuation of their offices he forced them to make restitution of whatsoeuer they had either bribed or purloyned from thencefoorth to liue of their owne proper sweate Matters of iustice were not handled but of men very well learned Martiall affaires were not commended but vnto men of great experience causes of the common wealth were not manured but of persons skilfull therein in such wise that they prouided not offices for men but men for offices Also Alexander reformed the whole condition estate of his house as well the ministers as the expences thereof which all the dayes of Heliogabalus excéeded in disorder was no lesse defiled with vice for which cause he set a seazment of the charges thereof and elected faithful officers to spend the same in such wise that in the house of Alexander there was neither immoderate expences either men wanting offices Although order was taken for the ordinarie expences of his house yet notwithstanding his houshold had all things in abundance conuenient vnto his imperial magnificence and many strangers that came from farre praised Alexander because they might not accuse him of prodigalitie either note him of auarice The temples the common wealth and his house being ordered the good prince forgat not to reforme his owne person not only for the maner of consuming of time but also for the order and maner of his apparel for that he vsed to say if the monie which princes spend in robes superfluous the time which they cōsume in apparelling decking themselues were spent to the profite of their common wealthes they should obteine more fauour of the gods lesse hatred of men Alexander was so humble in condition that publikely he cōmaunded none should call him Lord either by word or writing but the priests should call him brother the Senatours sonne men at armes companion and common persons friend and this he did for that he held the gods in so great reuerence that he would they only should be called Lords On the superscriptiōs of letters brought him by Embassadours or sent him from any prouince they wrote theron exquisite and stately titles wherin he prouided no other superscription to be added but this Vnto our sonne our Brother our Companion or Friend Aurelius Alexāder Romane Emperour Heliogabalus his predecessour did commonly weare precious stones on his feete and most costly iewels of gold and Vnicorne in his apparel whiche thinges Alexander neuer vsed either delighted to weare for as he was wont to say princes are not to be knowen of their vassals by their rich robes but by their good works performed in their common wealthes He was apparelled most cōmonly in white in winter with a certaine kind of blāket of Britaine and in summer with a certaine maner of cotton that was brought him from Asia Some times he would make him garments of cotton linnen wouen together oftentimes saying that he much delighted therein for that it was very cheape to be bought light to weare might best be washed in summer He would many times walke in Rome with a friend or twaine holding his hands behind and finding himselfe wearie would enter into the first neighbours house and sit downe vppon a banke of earth some times would there fall a sléepe in such maner that he had so great familiaritie with all men as if he had béene one of them He was mild pitiful patiēt silent in all things of great continencie was neuer séene extréemely distēpered or at any time to vse furious words with any person for which cause no maner of person did wish him euil for his euil déeds but of a cancred and corrupt nature wherewith he was defiled CHAP. III. ¶ How Alexander being inuested with the Empire presently did visite and reforme his common wealth IN the second yeare of the Empire of Alexander his grandmother the great and renowmed matrone Mesia died in whose death he the Romane people also discouered great sorrow bestowing vppon her coarse so honourable a funeral and such solemne obsequies as apperteined to one that had béene cousen vnto the Emperour Seuerus and had for nephues the Emperour Heliogabalus and Alexander Mesia being dead the burden of gouernement was layed vpon Manea mother vnto Alexander whome al men conceiued to be in full possession of chastitie temperance prudence and patience but notwithstanding somewhat inclined to auarice whereof procéeded these words earely in the morning to be written vppon the gates if Manea had not charge of monie in the cōmon wealth such a Romane had neuer béene borne in Rome Long time passed in which the Senate had not béene visited which Alexander forgat not as wel to visite as also to reforme not only by inquisition how they liued and gouerned the common wealth but also how they ordered their houses

offer On the daye of his triumph the sonne of king Decebal was placed in the arche with Traiane for that he was a verie childe whome afterwardes he did intreate not as a prisoner but as his owne proper sonne In the conquest of the Datians and in visiting the Germaines Traiane was deteyned willingly two yeares and at his returne vnto Rome he found not the common wealth in such order as he left the same and thereof is no marueile for Princes making warre with their enimies presently the citizens make peace with vices That day in which Traiane entred triumphing into Rome he that by chaunce was moste noted in those playes and pageantes and of whome Traiane that day did take moste delight was a certeine maister of Enterludes named Pilas who for rewarde of his traueile did not craue of Traiane but licence to vse his facultie wherein Traiane did aunswere him Princes haue to consider that their commaundements be iust but after commaundement for no request or seruice they ought to reuoke the same That which I will do for thée shal be to paye thée yerely out of mine owne treasure as muche as thou maist gaine by playing in the stréetes of Rome Although Traiane went laden with armour compassed with affaires occupied in warres busied in buyldings importuned with friendes tyred with enimies and aboue all moste studious in amplifying his fame and to perpetuate his memorie he neuer grewe negligent in good gouernement of the common wealth He was no lesse attentiue in hearing either lesse diligent in dispatching base ciuil affaires then those cases of great weight in the common wealth Notwithstanding he were much busied in the affaires of warres he did neuer the more growe negligent in the administration of iustice All the time that he was remaining in Rome once or twice a wéeke he did sitt openly to dispatche matters of iustice For any motion that good Traiane had to be solitarie in his house or for any disease whereby he was withdrawne into his chamber either for any affaires that he ●ad for the warres neuer man came to craue iustice vnto whome he denied audience When any person came much troubled and furious in complaining of some friend or enimie presently he stopte his eare with one of his fingers saying that he reserued the same to heare the accused Traiane did neuer sitt to heare and determine matters of iustice but at the gate of the Emperour Titus and in the place of Augustus and being demaunded why more there then elsewhere aunswered I place my selfe where iust Princes were wont to sitt because in remembring them I may committ no want of iustice Traiane being on horsebacke and vpon the voyage of the seconde warres into Datia there came a woman and saide vnto him Emperour Traiane I am poore olde and a widowe and hauing but one daughter one of thy housholde seruaunts hath rauished her Traiane aunswered poore woman be not importune with mée for I sweare vnto thée by the immortall Gods that being returned from the warres I will do thée iustice to this the olde woman did replye and what suretie hast thou Traiane to returne from the warres hearing so byting an aunswere presently he lighted on foote and deferred his departure vntil he perfourmed iustice with the poore olde woman Traiane helde for custome when any person did complaine presently he commaunded it to be written in a booke which he had in his chamber this the good Prince did to the ende to aske accompt of the Iudge to whome he did remitt the same or else for his own better remembrance for dispatch thereof In some thinges some Princes were equall vnto Traiane and in some thinges did surmount him but in rectitude of iustice there was no prince like him in Rome for that he did neuer man wrong in iustice either at any time had affection or passion in giuing sentence Many times Traiane did vse to say that for Princes to be Iusticers it were right necessarie to be iust in their owne persons because subiectes and vassals be more easily persuaded to do that which they sée then to obey in that which they are commaunded Traiane was the first that placed patrones in the Senate that should defend the poore and the first also that gaue order that one daye in the wéeke their causes should be hearde The Censours or Iudges of Rome did sit but two houres in the morning and one at after noone to heare causes and Traiane did giue order that they should be resident thrée houres before noone and two houres at after noone whereof Traiane was much praised because it was occasion both to cut off suits and to dispatch suiters In the dayes of Traiane none that had charge of Iustice might augment his goods but in that estate of riches or pouertie wherein he began to gouerne in the same he had to conserue him selfe and in repaymēt of his trauaile besides the rewardes which the Prince did giue him his sonnes were married with the goods of the common wealth Being knowen vnto Traiane howe immortall suites were in the Senate he ordeined that all suites of Italie should continue but one yere and the suites of straunge countries but halfe a yere Traiane made diuers houses in Rome where the Censours and Iudges might assemble to heare and administer iustice and also made strong prisones in such wise that this good Prince prouided that the good should be succoured and the euil chastised CHAP. XII ¶ Of the seconde warres that Traiane had against the Datians TWentie monethes after that Traiane had ouercome the Datians the sonne of king Decebal died in Rome whoe remained there as pledge for that which his father had sworne and promised and Traiane was no lesse greued with the death of that childe then if it had béene his owne proper sonne and heire The day that king Decebals sonne was dead they saye that Traiane saide the death of this childe grieueth me not for that it is a sorrowe to the father but for breache of promise which he shal committ for if he haue béene quiet it was more for the recouering of his sonne then for obedience vnto the Senate Not long after this newes came to Traiane howe king Decebal was rebelled and to resist the Romaines he repaired the diches furnished the castels entred confederacie with his neighbours renued and recouered victuals and more and aboue the rest made warre with the friendes of Romaines The campe of Agius which was a greate and a populous countrie being restored by Traiane vnto him from whome it was taken king Decebal reentred did take and occupie the same in suche wise that all thinges which Traiane had set downe and determined was despised and in all that king Decebal had sworne he was forsworne Relation of these thinges béeing made vnto the Senate king Decebal was pronounced an enimie to publishe libertie vnto all persones to giue him and make him warre bycause it was a law amongest the 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

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

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

life and wee all shall beholde our mother Rome set at libertie These and suche other woordes being spoken shée sent for Letus and Electus to whome in greate secrecie shée shewed this writing and when they considered that on the next daye they shoulde all be slaine they forgate not to determine to kill Commodus that night but hardely might agree vppon the deuice and manner of his death It was the euen of the feast of Ianus and also a great parte of the daye alreadie past and not as yet determined with what manner of death they shoulde finishe Commodus his life for that if they shoulde kill him on the soudeine he might defende him selfe and the case discouered and if their affaires were deferred on the next daye they were iudged to dye but finally they concluded to dispatche him with poison offered by the hands of Martia The manner was thus Martia persuaded Commodus that night to bathe him selfe and comming from the bathe Martia bare him in hande that he was pale and colourlesse and prayed him to drinke and to eate a morsell and in that same whiche shée gaue him in a colation to eate in the same shée ministred poison for him to dye Not long after this surfeting dyet his head began to ake and being counselled by Martia to take his bedde shée prouided to sende foorth all persones that might seeme either to hinder his rest or her determined purpose He had reposed little more then an houre when the poison began to come to his heart and taking occasion with his fingers to cast Martia Letus Electus doubting that by vomite he might throwe foorth the poison and so they by matter committed might iustly be put to death beganne to féare and dismaye in their enterprise But Martia more like a man then a woman perceiuing her complaintes to be daunted with feare brought in Narcissus a beardlesse and shamelesse young man fleshed in murthers to whome shée promised a greate summe of money who entring the chamber finished the murther This was the ende of the vnchast and filthie life of Commodus whose life and death may yealde vnto all Princes bothe example and terrour for notwithstanding the wicked are forborne for a time yet Gods iustice doth not permitte them to escape vnpunished ⸫ The life of the Emperour Pertinax compiled by syr Anthonie of Gueuara Bishop of Mondonnedo preacher chronicler counseller vnto the Emperour Charles the fifth CHAP. I. ¶ Of the linage and countrie of the Emperour Pertinax THE emperour Publius Pertinax was borne in the prouince of Apennia in a certeine place named Martos in the second yere of the Empire of Traiane and his father was named Lineotinus a man that liued by his owne proper sweate and trauaile Pertinax beeing a stripling serued his father with the carriage of wood vpō an asse to be solde at the towne who vsed to sell so déere contentious and pinching that if they gaue him not his first demaunde he did rather leaue his wood vnsolde then abate one blanke of his price And being noted of all men and but for a packeman it procéeded thereof to be named Pertinax that is to say contentious for that before time he was named Publius Pertinax perceiuing that he was now called not Publius but Pertinax contentious and packman he parted from his countrie in a greate chafe and shamed giuing him selfe to write and read whiche when he had learned he traueiled to atteine the Gréeke Latine tounges which also he obteined in such wise that he became more handsome in science then in selling of wood Nowe when Pertinax perceiued him selfe to be instructed bothe in the Gréeke and Latine tounges he gaue him selfe vnto the warres to learne the arte of warrefare perceiuing that from his studie there procéeded much traueile and no profit and that his life diminished and his goods nothing increased In those dayes the Romaines helde warres with the Assyrians against whome the Consul Lolianus was capteine where Pertinax being repaired made couenant with a capteine of Rome to serue him for his prouision in the condition of a cater who vsing his seruice in that office verie faithfully and in skirmishe and encounter with the enimie no lesse valiantly his maister remoued from his saide office and aduaunced him to the state of a Souldiour Not long after that Pertinax had serued in the condition of a souldiour but he was raised to an office of more honour and credite which in these dayes is termed Sergeant of the hande that is to wéete to giue order vnto the souldiours to sette in arraye Pertinax euery daye recouered fame in the warres and his valiantnesse and noble minde was notorious vnto all men in the campe It chaunced at the furious encounter of the enimie the capteine of his hande to be slaine whereof the Consul Lolianus commaunded him to take the charge wherein he did so behaue him self that not long after he did not onely with bloud reuenge the bloud of his capteine but also brought to passe to be loued of the Romaines and feared of the enimies The warres of Assyria being finished Pertinax remained as pretor thereof and as he was feared of the Assyrians in the time of warre so was he afterwardes beloued in time of peace for if in times past he had béene rigorous as vnto enimies so was he in processe without all comparison more pittifull vnto offenders In the seconde yeare of the Empire of the good Marcus Aurelius the king of Parthians rebelled against the Romanes amongst other Capteines that were called vnto that conquest was Pertinax the Pretor of Assyria in which warres so straight and sound frindship was planted betwixt Marcus Aurelius and Pertinax that from thenceforth they dealte not as maister and seruaunt but as father and sonne because no matter were it of moste greate importance whiche Marcus Aurelius commaunded that Pertinax perfourmed not and exactly did not accomplishe either any counsell ministred by Pertinax vnto Marcus Aurelius vnto whiche he yealded not In those Parthian warres Pertinax proued so prouident in perils so doughtie in hazardes so wise in counsell so venturous in sallies and so valiant in battaile that by reporte of the enimies and iudgement of the armies he onely deserued more glorie then all the rest The warres of Asia being finished the Emperour Marcus Aurelius sente him as Pretor vnto the prouince of great Britaine which nowe is called Englande Two yeares after he arriued into Britaine warre was raised against the Germaines vnto which warres Pertinax was also called and there had the charge of the Eagle which was to be bearer of the royall standarde and was called the Eagle because the Romanes had alwayes in that speciall standard an Eagle brauely painted Pertinax being resident in the warres of Germanie his owne mother from Rome came to visite him for that tenne yeres had passed in whiche shée had not séene him and not tenne dayes after shée had inioyed the sight of her desired

the Romanes went after him hearing what he said and praising what he did If in humaine affaires he were prouident in diuine matters surely he was not negligent for that euery day hée visited temples honoured priestes offered sacrifices repaired edifices heard orphans and afflicted in such wise that in victories they compared him vnto Iulius Caesar in humaine policies to Augustus and in diuine thinges to Pompilius The old Senatours and auncient Romanes that had béen bred with Seuerus from their youth were amased to sée how his euil condition was changed and on the other part they thought with themselues that all which he did was but fained for of his owne naturall condition he was subtile warie milde and double and did know how to denie his owne will for a time in that which hée wished to doe afterwardes with all men all that he desired It is a point of wise and skilfull men to ouercome their owne wills in small matters afterwardes to drawe others after them for causes of greater importaunce Althoughe there bee more credite to bee giuen to that which wée sée then vnto that which wée suspect yet in this case they were more deceiued that praised Seuerus in his good woorkes then those which did suspecte him for his old subtilties for that in shorte space they vnderstoode in him great cruelties and no lesse disordinate couetousnesse Those that from their youth bee not bredd in vertuous woorkes or that naturally of themselues bee not of good condition they may for a time deceiue some persons with their guiles but in the end their malice commeth to the notice of all men all which was experimented in Seuerus who vsed violence with his owne proper nature vntill hée sawe himselfe in possession of the common wealth The first office that hée gaue in Rome was vnto Flauius Iuuenal whome hee made Pretor of the people of whiche prouision of the one part he pleased all men because Flauius was a vertuous person and on the other parte it did grieue them because he was seruaunt vnto Iulianus The whole armie that Seuerus led with him he also brought into the citie of Rome and being in quantitie great and of condition proud they might not be contained within the citie for which cause they lodged not onely in houses priuileged and in sacred temples but forceably brake vp doores and entred houses The Romanes receiued the same for a very great iniurie because they onely felt not the despight done vnto their persons but also did bewaile the breach losse of their liberties Thrée dayes after Seuerus entered Rome the captaines of his armies sent to demaund of the Senate to haue giuen them an hundred thousand pesants of gold which were due vnto them for that in times past so much was giuen vnto them that first entered with the Emperour Augustus At the houre when the captaines sent these words vnto the Senat presently and ioyntly they armed themselues and marched vnto the field swearing and forswearing by the life of Seuerus by the world of Marcus that if it were not giuen that day at night they would sack Rome After that Seuerus heard that his armie was in readinesse in the field of Mars and without his cōmaundement he was not a litle escandalized thinking there had béene some treason against him amongest the people but the truth being knowen he requested them to be pacified and to disarme themselues saying that it proceeded not of wise Captaines but of seditious persons to demaund with threatenings that which would be giuen by request Seuerus saw himselfe in great trauell to finish agréement betwixt the one the other but in the end giuing them some monie out of his owne coffers and some from the common wealth he brought them all to a vnitie which was that vnto the Captaines was giuen lesse then they demaunded and the Romanes paid somewhat more then they offered Before all things Seuerus did celebrate the obsequies of Pertinax whereat all the Romanes were present and offered that day vnto the Gods great sacrifices accompting Pertinax amongest the Gods and placeing Priestes to do sacrifices vpon the sepulchre that for euermore should susteine his memorie When Seuerus entred the Empire he found many rents of the treasurie morgaged which is to wéete the royall patrimonie wherein he gaue order for the redéeming thereof to be reduced vnto the royall crowne Seuerus had two daughters of ripe age the one of xxv the other of xxx yeres whome he married within twentie dayes after he came to Rome the one with Prolus and the other with Laertius men of greate wealthe and riches and generous in bloud Seuerus offered his sonne Prolus the office of Censor which he refused saying that he fought not to be sonne in lawe vnto the Emperour to be a scourge of euill men but to be serued of good men Seuerus made bothe his sonnes in lawe Consuls and about Rome he bought them great rentes and also gaue them large summes of money to spend and to his daughters he gaue Iewels wherewith to honour them CHAP. VI. ¶ Howe the Emperour Seuerus passed into Asia against capteine Pessenius that rebelled against him ONe of the famous capteines that rebelled against the Emperour Iulianus as hath béene recounted in his life was Pessenius Niger who with the armies that were in Assyria did gouerne and rule all Asia Seuerus rose in Germanie and Pessenins in Asia and notwithstāding they were both traitours vnto their Lorde the difference betwixt them was that Seuerus for his comming vnto Rome they aduaunced vnto the Empire and Pessenius for remaining at his ease in Asia was condemned for a traitour At the houre that Iulianus his death was published presently Pessenius inuested him selfe with the title of Emperour and Augustus in such wise that Seuerus in Europa and Pessenius in Asia had diuided betwixt them selues all countries and prouinces and much more the one from the other had diuided their willes mindes Pessenius was very wel aduertised in Asia howe Seuerus had entred Rome with a great power and was in state of gouernement as naturall Emperour of the common wealth but neither for letters that were written vnto him or for any thing that might be saide vnto him would he obey Seuerus or muche lesse shewe any feare of him Pessenius was grosse of person valiant warlike and of al men with whome he dealt very well liked and surely if he lost the Empire it was not for want of friendes in Rome but that he abounded with vices in Asia After that Seuerus sawe that neither for threateninges either for promises that he made or for letters that he wrote he might not drawe Pessenius Niger vnto his seruice he determined to conquer him as an enimie although as he afterwardes saide he wished not with him to come in contention because Pessenius was a friende in earnest and no enimie in iest Seuerus commaunded a muster to be taken of all the men he had and