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.

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 Germa∣nie 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 y^e 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 y^e one and the election of the other. Seuerus was aduertised how Iulianus was in great hatred of the people, for merchan∣dizing of the Empire: presently at the instant the men of warre that he had with him, declared him Emperour: whi∣che 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 Se∣uerus sent vnto y^e 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 Empe∣rour: but that hée would not accept the same, vnlesse they (as true defenders of y^e Empire) would consent vnto their election: wherein all, with one conformitie, did alowe that election which the Germaines had made of Seuerus, and vt∣terly 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 y^e 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 recei∣ued 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 Seue∣rus: 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 ho∣nour, 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 con∣ceiued against Seuerus mortall hatred: because if they dis∣armed 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 offēded, either did they discouer themselues to be gréeued or despited: for that, if they had patience to suffer the iniurie, they wāted 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 Se∣uerus, after he was named Seuerus Pertinax: & this he did, to the end al men should perceiue, y^e taking the name of the good Emperour Pertinax, he would likewise folow y^e 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 cōmaund 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 y^t had slaine th'emperour Pertinax, not for his owne deseruing, but for that he consented not to their wickednes. Seuerus secret∣ly had agréed with his armie, that they should haue regard to compasse them round, in such wise, y^t finding them vnar∣med, they should stop al meanes to recouer y^e 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 armie{is} and directed his words vnto those homicides or mansiears, speaking after this maner.