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.

The life of the Emperour Seuerus, com∣piled by syr Anthonie of Gueua∣ra, bishop of Mondonnedo, preacher, chro∣nicler, and counseller, vnto the Em∣perour Charles the fift.

CHAP. I. ¶Of the linage and countrie of the Emperour Seuerus.

THE auncient linage of the Emperour Seuerus was of Africa, his grandfather was named Fuluius Pius, and his grand∣mother Agrippa, which came and died in Lepe, an auncient citie in Mauritania, & was destroyed in the warres of Iugur∣tha, & Massimila: his father was named Geta, and his mo∣ther Fuluia Pia, a people neither renowmed in armes, or glorious in bloud, either indued with riches.

Seuerus was borne in Etrutio, Clarus and Seuerus being Consuls, the 4. day of April: and as his mother reported, she had with him a difficult childbirth, & very tedious to nourse. In his first infancie, he chiefly delighted to play with other children his fellowes, the play of Iudges: and when his lot fell to be Iudge, as sharpely did he chastice their trifling faultes, as he did afterwards chastice their errours in earnest. Hee learned the Gréeke and latine tongues with such singular perfection, and was so prompt to speake, write, read, & dis∣pute in the said tongues, as if hee had béene borne in those countries, and learned no other languages.

At the age of xviij. yeres he was a publique aduocate, and defended cau∣ses in lawe: in such wise, that if he had followed Science, as hée did Warres, hée had béene no lesse renowmed in science and letters, then he was famous in armes. He was not full xx. yeares of age, when he first entered Rome: in which dayes, there reigned the right happie Marcus Au∣relius, and by intercession of his kinseman Septimius Seue∣rus, hée had the office to register daily such as either died

or were borne in Rome: which office, although it were not profitable, yet was it an occasion of great acquaintance, & to be throughly knowen: because nightly he wēt to Court to report who was borne, or had died that day.

The first night y^t he entred Rome, by chance his host wher he lodged was reading the life of y^e Emperour Adrian, wherin was relation of y^e great perils which he passed, before he might atteine the Empire: Seuerus said vnto his host in iest. In trauels & perills I imitate Adrian: I hope also that I shall succede him in the Empire. By chance, as y^e Emperour M. Aurelius made a general & sumptuous supper vnto many noble Romans, Seuerus was amongest them, & at the time that he shuld haue taken his seat at the table, w^tout regard he placed him in the Emperours chaire: and when others derided him for his negligence & folly which he had comit∣ted, Seuerus aunswered: Peace & gibe not, it is possible (my destinies may be such) that as I nowe sitt in the imperiall chaire in iest, so one day I may sit therin in earnest. Seue∣rus dreamed on a night, y^t he suckt the teats of the wolfe y^t noursed Remus and Romulus, which dreame he alwayes held for a great good signe of his future Empire.

In y^e time of his youth, he was both absolute and dissolute, especially in womens matters, & other vanities: for which causes hee was many times taken, banished, & shamed. In the offices of warre, he was placed in them all, especially the office of Questor, which he held long time: and it is said of him, that hauing by that office charge of monie, he was diligēt in re∣couering, & faithful in diuiding & parting therof. In y^e mo∣neth of Ianuary, in the 5. yeare of the Empire of M. Aure∣lius, it chaunced him to be Proconsul of Betica, which now in Spaine is named the kingdome of Andoloizia, where he remained y^e space of a yeare & a halfe: in which gouernment he was no lesse loued then feared, and feared then loued.

Seuerus being Proconsul in Betica, receiued newes of his fathers death in Africa: wherupon he presently passed into Africa, partly to execute the obsequies, and to giue his father an honourable Sepulcher, and partly to take

order for a sister that was left vnto him, and goods whiche he did inherite. The Consul that then was resident in A∣frica, sent Seuerus for his Embassadour to the Sardinians, which were reuolted from the Romanes: and entering in∣to Sardinia with certeine burning torches, according to the maner of an Embassadour of Rome, there came vnto him a townesman after the fashion of a iester, and did imbrace him, whom Seuerus commaunded to be whipt, saying: In the act of so great grauitie, trifling gibes be inconuenient. For that which this iester did, and for the disgrace which Seuerus receiued, they ordeyned in Rome, that from thence forth, Embassadours alwayes should enter all cities on horsebacke, as in times past they had vsed on foote. Conti∣nuing Proconsul in Africa, he would néeds vnderstand of a Mathematiciā or Astronomer, how farre his fortune extē∣ded or did reach: and hauing receiued the day and houre, and also the ascendent of his natiuitie, the Astrologian be∣ing amased and terrified of the Fortune which his natiui∣tie did promise him, said vnto him: It is not possible that this be thy natiuitie, & therfore were it meete thou shoul∣dest giue me thine owne, and not the natiuitie of another: for were it true, that thou wast borne vnder such a cōstel∣lation, thou shouldest be Emperour of Rome.

At the age of 32. yeares, hée was in Rome elected Tribune of the peo∣ple: more for the pleasure of Marcus Aurelius whome he serued, then for the seruice that Seuerus had done in the common wealth: but afterwards he proued so toward, and was so vpright in causes of iustice, that it neither repented the cōmon wealth to haue chosen him, either Marcus Au∣relius to haue procured the same.

His Tribunal office be∣ing ended, he was named Pretor of the people: and on the day of his election, the more to aduaunce his honour, the Emperour passing throughe the streates of Rome, placed him with himselfe in the Licter: which déede was not a li∣tle reproched, of some through enuie, and of othersome tho∣rough disdaine.

CHAP. II. ¶ Of the offices which Seuerus held in the Empire, before he was Em∣perour.

THe affaires of Spaine being dispatched, Seuerus failed into Asia: and assone as he had set his foole a land, hee departed vnto Athens: partly to behold the gouernement of the Greekes, and partly also to heare the doctrine of Phi∣losophers: because in those dayes, they talked not of any matter more in all this world, then of the great Fortune of the Romanes, and the profound eloquēce of the Greekes. Not a few dayes he remayned in Athens hearing the Phi∣losophers, conferring with the Senatours, visiting tem∣ples, and viewing buildings: because naturally he was a friend of new inuentions, & desired no lesse the knowledge of antiquities. Although Seuerus of person was valiant, and Capitaine of Rome, and also of indifferent eloquence, yet they gaue him no good interteinment in all Grecia: for which cause when he came afterwardes vnto the Empire, he streightly reuenged the olde vnkindnesse which he bare vnto the Greekes, euery day diminishing their priuiledges. Being returned from Asia vnto Rome, hee was sente Embassadour vnto the prouince of Lugdune, which nowe in Fraunce, is named Lion of Sonorona: and being at that time a widower, they practised with him a marriage with a certeine Lady of noble bloud, in countenance most faire, and gratious in gesture. That Lady was named Iulia, & of royall bloud: vnto whome purposing to present iewels of great price, and finding no goldsmith sufficient to performe the same: being also aduertised of a goldsmith in Syria that excelled all men in that facultie, and doubting all messen∣gers to be insufficient, trauelled in his owne person, to fetch the same: & as he after made reporte vnto his spouse, that with the rewards which he gaue vnto the goldsmith, and the charge of that voyage, hée might twise haue béene

maried. The Senators sēt to reproue Seuerus, not because he had married, but for the great iourney and large expen∣ces which he had passed for a woman: aduising him, that it was not conuenient for a citizen of Rome, to imploy his person, but to aduaunce his honour: either consume his goods, but for defence of the common wealth: whereunto Senerus aunsweared, that for none of those matters wher∣of he was blamed, he either deserued blame or punishmēt: because without all comparison, much more was the me∣rite of that Lady with whom he was married, then the ex∣pences or trauells which for her seruice he had suffered. And further he said: it seemeth vnto mée (fathers conscript) that for this acte I deserue honour, & no blame, since there∣by ariseth vnto Rome, both honour and profite: because strange kingdoms haue séene, that Captaines of Rome, to obteine riches, haue strēgth & skil, and to spend them haue noble minds. Seuerus stayed ioyntly 3. yeares in Fraunce, both loued and feared, & no lesse reuerenced of the French∣men: not onely for that he was iust in iudgment, and libe∣ral in expences, but aboue the rest, in that he was of a sin∣cere life. The Calends of Ianuarie being come, (at what time in Rome they diuide their offices) the Proconsulship of Sicylia was allotted vnto Seuerus, wherof he receiued no smal griefe, partly for that he found himself very wel pla∣ced in Fraunce, & feared the condition of the Sicylians. Be∣ing resident in the Isle of Sicyl, he was accused by his eni∣mies of Rome, that he did not exercise the gouernement of the common wealth, so much as the search of southsayers, who should be Emperour of Rome: because in those dayes Commodus was Emperour of Rome, and all men held it for certaine, that for his wickednesse he should be slaine, or himselfe, for his great vitiousnes, should die. Commo∣dus receiued great displeasure when hee vnderstoode, that being (as hee was) aliue, and but a young man, Seuerus should séeke for the succession of his Empire: for which cause Seuerus was forced presently to depart from Sicyl, & come to Rome, there to discouer and make proofe of his in∣nocencie:

because the daunger was no greater, then losse of honour and life. Presently vppon his arriuall at Rome, he did yéeld himselfe vnto the gaile Mamortina, and would not depart from thence, vntill by publique sentence his in∣nocencie was vttered, and his accusers depriued of their liues. Two monethes after these matters passed, the Ca∣lends of Ianuarie were come, in which Seuerus was elec∣ted Consul, ioyntly with Apuleius Rufinus: the day that this was published, they say that Seuerus said. This day it is manifested in mee, that men neither know what pros∣perities be conuenient for them, either what aduersities doe impeache them: and I say it for this cause, for that criminally I was accused in Rome, and my person priso∣ner in the place of malefactours: whereof there proceded, that I departed from Sicyl, came to Rome, giue safetie vnto my life, augment my goods, recouer fame, take ven∣geance of mine enimies, and obtaine the Consulship of the common wealth.

The time passed of his Consulship, hee stoode an whole yeare without any office: and as he afterwards said many times, the best and merriest dayes of all his life, were con∣teined in that yeare, wherein he had no office in the cōmon wealth. In those dayes, Letus the Captaine of the guard was greatly in fauour with y^e Emperour Commodus: by whose intercession they cōmended the garrisons of Germa∣nie 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 gar∣dens, 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, vn∣to whome the father said: temper thy hand (sonne) in re∣parting, 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 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.

CHAP. IIII. ¶How he reuenged the death of the good Emperour Pertinax.

ALthough al humaine things be subiect vnto vani∣tie & mutabilitie: yet this preeminēce haue y^e gods aboue men, y^t al things being subiect to changing and variablenes, they remaine immutable: & al things pe∣rishing & finishing, they for euer do continue: because there is nothing perpetual, but such things, vnto whi∣che the gods do giue perpetuitie. The great Romaine Empire much resēbleth 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, y^t neuer suffered her better, or endured another y^t was her equal. And as it is most true, y^t the gods neuer giue reward with∣out a preceding merit: so do they not giue punishment without some fault in him, whom they chastise: wher of it followeth, y^t since the gods haue giuen vnto the Romanes so many and so great triūphes, there ought to be in them many & very notable deseruings. There be two things which cause the Romans to hold frēd∣ship with y^e gods, & to be lords of mē, which is to wit, great worshippers of temples, and conseruers of peo∣ple in iustice: for that countrie where temples be not honoured, and the wicked chastised, may be better ter∣med 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 mā most surely both holy and most holy, because the greatnes of the Em∣pire, being conferred with the sinceritie of his deser∣uing, 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, Domitiā, or Com∣mod{us}? no, but Pertinax, which was one of the princes most without reprehēsion, that euer reigned in y^e Ro∣maine 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 Perti∣nax 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 wic∣kednes 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 cōmaund 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 Cincina∣tus, 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 firme∣ly 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. Frō 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 be∣nefite, to rid him out of this world. I cōmaund your noses to be slit, your tongues to be boared, your gar∣ments beneth the wast to be cut off, and your beards halfe shauen: yee shall liue without honour, cre∣dite,

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 gi∣uing 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 y^t one good life (by y^e exchange of many wicked liues) might be bought & redemed. If the gods would permit, that at the houre I should cōmaunde ye to bee slaine, ye should reuiue and recouer life, a thousand ti¦mes would I take away your liues, because the horror of your offence deserueth a thousād deathes: but since losse of life, in a momēt, 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 Per∣tinax: and this I do not, to the end to do no iustice, ei∣ther 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, present∣ly after he was Emperour.

AFter that Seuerus had said and finished his speach, and cōdemned and banished the murtherers of the Empe∣rour

Pertinax, he determined to enter Rome, and his re∣ceyuing 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 cōpassed with so great armies, they feared him. Presently vpon his entrie into Rome, he visited y^e 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 whē it was night, he was reque∣sted of all men to take his ease, and to withdrawe vnto his palace: yet he would in no wise consent, vntil he had visi∣ted 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 o∣ther Romane officers: to whome he said many good words, and gaue them great hope of many rewards. All the peo∣ple of Rome were astonied, & terrified, to behold the great audacitie and fortune of Seuerus: which procéeded of consi∣deration howe without daunger, and lesse trauell, hée ob∣teyned 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 a∣ny 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 weal∣thes, and also staine their persons, then to bee giuen to re∣uenge their owne proper iniuries, and couetous of other mens goodes. Forthwith at his beginning, Seuerus did shew himselfe milde, benigne, pitifull, liberall, valiant har∣ted,

affable, gratious, and humaine, imbracing his famili∣ars, ioying and laughing with straungers: in such wise, that 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 themsel∣ues, that all which he did was but fained: for of his owne naturall condition, he was subtile, warie, milde, and dou∣ble: 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 impor∣taunce.

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 Iuue∣nal, whome hee made Pretor of the people: of whiche prouision of the one part he pleased all men, because Flaui∣us

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 in∣to the citie of Rome: and being in quantitie great, and of condition proud, they might not be contained within the ci∣tie: for which cause they lodged not onely in houses priui∣leged, 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 y^e captaines sent these words vnto the Senat, presently and ioyntly they ar∣med themselues, and marched vnto the field, swearing and forswearing, by the life of Seuerus, & by the world of Mar∣cus, 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 cōmaun∣dement, he was not a litle escandalized, thinking there had béene some treason against him amongest y^e 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. Se∣uerus saw himselfe in great trauell, to finish agréement be∣twixt 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, y^t vnto the Captaines was giuen lesse then they demaunded, and the Romanes paid somewhat more then they offered. Be∣fore all things, Seuerus did celebrate the obsequies of Per∣tinax: whereat all the Romanes were present, and offe∣red 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 Em∣pire, he found many rents of y^e 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 Pro∣lus, 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, say∣ing, that he fought not to be sonne in lawe vnto the Em∣perour, to be a scourge of euill men: but to be serued of good men. Seuerus made bothe his sonnes in lawe Con∣suls, 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 notwithstā∣ding they were both traitours vnto their Lorde, the diffe∣rence betwixt them was, that Seuerus for his comming vnto Rome, they aduaunced vnto the Empire: and Pesse∣nius 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 Seue∣rus 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 de∣termined to conquer him as an enimie: although (as he af∣terwardes saide) he wished not with him to come in con∣tention: 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 tooke the names of all persons that he might haue with him out of Italie, commaundinge them to prepare, and to pay his officers, & that all thinges should be done with moste spéedie diligence: for his in∣tent was to enter with so greate haste into Asia, that his arriuall, and the newes thereof, at one instant, might appeare vnto Pessenius.

All the armies of Illyria which he had left in Thracia, he commaunded to passe into Asia: and all the Sena∣tours, all the warrelike officers of Rome, all the riche men, and all the sonnes of mightie and greate Lordes that were in Italie, he ledde with him in that warre.

He armed in the Sea Mediterrane an hundred galleys, and also rigged foorth two hundreth shippes, fiftie barkes, and innumerable foystes: all which went laden with

men, armour, and victuals: in such wise, that in respecte of his greatnesse and potencie, there was none that woulde encounter with him by lande, either abide at the Sea.

Onelie xxx. dayes Seuerus was in Rome, dispatchinge with the Senate, he departed vnto the porte of Hostia, to beholde his nauie, and from thence he departed to Nola in Campania, where his armye was assembled, where he added many thinges that wanted, and also re∣moued many thinges that were superfluous: because in thinges of greate importance, he was not satisfied to giue them in charge to men of experience: but that he woulde see and beholde them with his owne proper eyes. When Pessenius Niger heard the newes, howe Seuerus came a∣gainst him by sea and lande: they say that he saide, these woordes: If the destinies be bente against me, small may it auaile me, that men fauour mee: and if Gods be pleased to help me mē may little hinder me. And further he saide: Seuerus is not satisfied to haue slaine his Lorde Iulianus, and to vsurpe the Empire, but hath made mee an enimie vnto the people of Rome: but I beseche the immortall Gods, that if it shal not please them to giue me victorie in this warre, that Seuerus may bee conquered, when hee moste desireth to ouercome. Although Pessenius com∣mended his fortune into the handes of God, not with∣standing he left not to seeke the aide of men: & to this ende he did write and send Ambassadours, vnto the kinge of the Parthians, to the king of the Arthabanes, and to the king of the Armenians to succour him with men & money, because Seuerus came with a determinate minde to des∣troy them all.

The kinge of the Armenians aunsweared the Am∣bassadours of Pessenius Niger, that he woulde neither helpe the one, or offende the other, but defende and con∣serue his owne kingdome: moued therevnto, for that Pes∣senius was his friende, and Seuerus not his enimie.

The kinge of Parthians, presently sente his letters

throughout his kingdome, commaunding them to repaire vnto Pessenius, and refuse Seuerus: which he did not for the narrowe friendship that he helde with Pessenius, but for the auncient enimitie that he did beare vnto the Romane Empire. The king of Arthabanes sent vnto Pessenius, ten thousand archers with crossebowes, all na∣tiues of the prouinces of Bersezana, which throughout the worlde were much renowmed, and in the warres no lesse feared, because they were of valiant mindes in fight, and excéeding readie in shooting. Further, Pessenius Ni∣ger commaunded his armie to be renewed with twentie thousand footemen, and sixe thousand horsemen, whereof the moste parte being taken out of Antioche (where the people be most féeble) their names being registred, and receiuing paye, neuer afterwardes came to the warres. Vnto all them that vsed this guyle, Seuerus afterwardes gaue great punishment: not for that they had béene tray∣tours vnto Pessenius, but for example to terrifie others. Vpon the mount Taurus parte of Cappadocia and Sicyl, Pessenius, as a man of experience in martiall affaires, pro∣uided that the woodes were feld vpon the toppes of moun∣teines, and in streightes, and most perillous places made strong watche and warde, in such wise, that no enimie might approche, that was not séene: or passe, that were not slaine. In those dayes, there was not in all Thracia a citie more opulent then was Byzantio, nowe named Cō∣stantinople, which in buildinges did excéede all cities of Asia, and in fertilitie was equall with the best in Europa. Amongest other thinges conteined therein that was faire to beholde, and much to be praised, were the walles, the stones whereof were brought from Mylesius, curiously squared, as if it had béene timber sawen with a sawe: which was the cause that the wall being made of many stones, the whole wall séemed but one stone. Although with the calamities of time, the walles be nowe ruina∣ted: yet notwithstanding, of the same there remaineth some steppes and signes: in the viewe whereof there is

none but wil praise the witt of them that made it: & cursse the handes of them that did subuert it. When Pessenius sawe him selfe a Lorde so absolute of all Asia, and accom∣panied with so many & so noble men of warre, he thought him selfe sure of the victorie: but as in such cases, that which Fortune guydeth, is farre differēt from that which the person desireth: so, very cōtrarie to his former purpose it afterwardes succéeded.

CHAP. VII. ¶Of the warres that passed betwixt Pessenius and Seuerus in Asia.

IT was great griefe vnto Seuerus, when he vnderstoode howe Pessenius was in so greate redinesse, that thought not onely to defende, but publiquely to offende. Seuerus being certified that Pessenius was in possession of y^e greate citie Byzantio, marched with more spéede, with intent to batter the same, before Pessenius might come to the succour thereof: for that by secrete practises, Seuerus had within the citie newe friendes: and Pessenius in gouerne∣ment had recouered some enimies. Neither the intelli∣gences which Seuerus practised secretely, either the dili∣gences whiche he vsed publiquely, might profite him to obteine Byzantio: which when he vnderstoode, he trauei∣led to recouer another citie not farre from thence, named Cyzica: which was both rockie and compassed with mar∣rishes, that is to saye, it stoode vppon a rocke, & inuironed with a riuer. Pessenius had for his capteine generall of all his hostes, a certeine knight named Emilianus, in whome he reposed confidence, not onely for matters of warre, but also for expedition of causes of peace, for that he had bothe wisedome for the one, and fortitude for the other. The cap∣teine Emilianus put him selfe into the citie of Cyzica, whē presently after, the souldiours of Seuerus came to besiege it. There was betwixt both the armies at diuers times,

diuers encounters, & repulses, wherin Fortune indifferēt∣ly discouered her selfe vnto either partie: for at all times, when they fought at the wall, Seuerus side had the woorse: but when they fought in the field, Pessenius bandes had y^t repulse. Two monethes after the citie of Cizica was be∣sieged, they made a salle, and as they would haue retyred, Seuerus capteines pursued and entred pelle melle with the capteines of Pessenius: and notwithstanding there was betwixt them greate slaughter for the recouering of a gate, and to fortifie a certeine place: in the ende Pesse∣nius lost the citie, and Seuerus obteined the victorie. Pes∣senius greatly complained, and so was it bruted amongst the people, which is to wéete, that the capteine Emilianus had secrete practise with Seuerus: for, considering the stately walles wherewith the citie Cizica was compas∣sed, and the valiant people wherewith it was defended: al men iudged it impossible to take it, and follie to besiege it. The cause that moued the capteine Emilianus to do this vnworthie déede, was: that his sonnes, who were left at Rome, Seuerus brought with him into that warre, vn∣der great garde: and it is to be thought, that to giue liber∣tie vnto his sonnes which he had ingendred, he made a breache of his fidelitie and othe which he had sworne. The Emperour Commodus, as he was suspicious of them, with whome he had to deale: and so euil wished of all such as did serue him: so it was his fashion, for the most parte, when he sent any noble Roman to gouerne any prouince, presently to place their sonnes in a fort: and this he did, to the end their fathers should not be traitours, respectinge their children that were kept vnder ward. From the time that Commodus reigned in Rome, Emilianus gouerned the prouinces in Asia: by which cause Seuerus recouered the children, & Pessenius lost the father. The fame being diuulgate throughout all Asia, that the citie Cizica was sacked, & that Seuerus kept the field with victorie: all Pes∣senius knightes that scaped from thence, & all other their companions that heard therof, gaue them selues to flight:

to séeke places of fortificatiō wherein to hide their persōs. Seuerus not onely recouered honour & profite of this victo∣rie, but also planted both feare & discorde almoste through∣out all Grecia: for some rebelled against Pessenius, and o∣thers did obey Seuerus. Although the people of Grecia haue ablenesse to learne science, they are no lesse mutable in martial affaires: for in warres which they prosequute, they follow not the Prince that hath most iustice, but him that most is fauoured of Fortune. The citizens of Bithy∣nia sent Ambassadours vnto Seuerus, saying, that they & their children were at his commaundement: and on the other side, the people of Nicena gaue Pessenius to vnder∣stand, that if he sent his armie thither, they woulde not only receiue them, but also mainteine them: which offers they presēted not vnto these two Roman princes, for loue or friendship that they did beare them: but for the aunci∣ent enimitie which they had betwixt them selues. Seuerus w^t his armie entring Bithynia, and Pessenius into Nicena, from thence, as from two fortes, they did issue to fight: & in the end betwixt the two armies vpon a certeine day, they trauersed so fierce a skirmishe, that in bloud & slaugh∣ter it was no lesse then a battel: where the field remained vnto Seuerus, & Pessenius bands were put to flight. Pesse∣ni{us} neither for the losse of the citie Cizica, neither for that he was beaten out of the field at Bithynia, did shewe either feare or weakenesse: but diuiding his armie that remai∣ned in two partes, he sent the one to mount Taurus to de∣fend that passage from Seuerus, & the other parte he ledde with him selfe vnto Antioche, partely to take money out of his treasurie, & partly to renue, as also relieue his ar∣mie. Seuerus marched w^t his armie frō Bithynia vnto Ga∣latia, & from Galatia vnto Cappadocia, which stoode in de∣fence on the behalf of Pessenius, where Seuerus souldiours w^t great furie did assault the same: in which iourney the Seuerians receiued no small losse, because the citie was si∣tuate vpō the side of an hill, frō whence to execute slaugh∣ter amongest their enimies, they néeded no other defence, but to whirle stones.

The affaires standing in this estate, there chaunced two cities of Phoenicia to reuolt from Pessenius, and to yelde them selues vnto Seuerus, that is to saye, Laodycia and Tyrus: of which newes Pessenius tooke greate griefe, and no small hatred, which passions conceiued against those cities, he not onely vttered in the foule wordes which he sent to be saide vnto them: but also in the cruel acts which he commaunded to be done vnto them. Pessenius had in his armie fiftéene thousand archers, which were called Mauri, people that naturally of their owne inclination were giuen to bloud, and without al feare of death: these, Pessenius commaunded to go vnto Laodycia and Tyrus, vtterly to burne and consume both citie and people: with a warning confirmed by an othe, that if they tooke any prisoners to giue any man life, the person that vsed that pitie should be slaine. These fiftéene thousand archers named Mauri departed vnto Laodycia and Tyrus, and manie other that ioyned with them: & as they tooke them at the soudeine being vnprouided, and hauing no time to demaund succour of Seuerus: so cruell and inhumane was that barbarous people, to those so generous and noble ci∣ties, that they left not vpon the walles one stone vpon an other, either house that they subuerted not, either the hed of man woman or childe that they did not cutt off. When these matters passed in Assyria, the knightes of Seuerus were in Cappadocia, traueiling greatly to possesse the mount Taurus: but as it was naturally of great height, and rockie, & Pessenius possessing all the passages, so they might not by any meane assaile them, or conceiue hope of any profitable or honourable attempt. Vpon the top of this mount Taurus, Pessenius his people had brought an huge number of great stones and rockes, to throwe down vpon Seuerus souldiours, if they should attempt to climbe the hill: but as on the side of the mounteine, there grewe many trées, both high and great, which Seuerus souldiers cut downe in great heapes & multitudes to stay the stones before they tumbled vpon men, that might be throwne

In hauing redy captaines to fight, and skilfull to defende none of the armies had cause to complaine, either of their enimies to haue enuie, except that Pessenius was more vertuous, and Seuerus more venturous,

CHAP. VIII. Of a cruell and furious battell, betwixt Pessenius and Seuerus, wherein Pes∣senius was slaine.

IN certaine broken, worne, and hollowe places, as in suche groundes the waters do vse to make, Pessenius souldiers had fortified w^t stones & boughes, whiche serued them to blinde and stoppe the waye for passage, as also from thence both to defende and offend their enimies. Nei∣ther for trauell to climbe the hill, either for feare of death, did Seuerus his captaines ceasse any houre to attempt the recouering of the mounte: but the waye•• and passages were so narrowe, and the mountaines so rockie & macces∣sible, that tenne defended an hundred, an hundred a thousand: & a thousand tenne thousand. The case was thus, that the Seuerian armies more daunted with des∣paire, thē aduaunced with hope, soudenly on a night there fel vpon Pessenius souldiours retired from theire rampiers, and fortified rockes: and that whiche was worse, many persons and beastes were there daungered & also lost, and their victualls all caste and carried away. By time that shoulde do the deede, and the sorrowfull destinies of Pes∣senius that shoulde conduct the same: it chaunced vpon the thirde day after the snowe had fallen, the sunne did shine with as hote a glome as in y^e heate of summer, wher∣with all the snowe being throughly thawed, the violence of most furious waters that descended the hil, ouerthrewe and carried away all bulworkes and rampiers that Pes∣senius had made in that mountaine: in such wise, that na∣ture

framed in one houre y^t Art might not bring to passe in many dayes: that is to say, the snowe draue away the people, and soone opened the way. When the Seuerian armies founde, that Pessenius souldiours had forsaken the mounte Taurus, and y^e thawed snowe had opened their way: they not onely recouered greate courage, but also presumed to haue obtained diuine fauour: saying, that Seuerus did gouerne them, but that the Godds did guide them. Vpon the fifte day after the snowe, Seuerus souldi∣ours mounted vpon y^e toppe of Taurus, & al the snowe bee∣ing thawed and gonne, and trackes and wayes beeing dri∣ed vp, in euery place they founde deade men, drowned beastes, broken armour, and victualls scattered: in the viewe whereof they tooke no small pleasure, because they had nowe set their feete, where before they imployed but their eyes. Pessenius being aduertised, howe his souldi∣ours had forsaken the mounte Taurus, departed with all his hoste from Antioche, & toke the way vnto Sicyl: the multitude of people that hee ledde with him was marue∣lous and terrible to beholde: and yet truly notwithstan∣ding, more fearefull in viewe, then in fight: for admit∣ting they were many, & younge men well armed, yet they were more accustomed to haue peace with vices, then warr w^t enimies. Seuerus w^t his armies, & Pessenius w^t his hostes incountred in Sicyl, not a league one from an other, hauing betwixt them a greate plaine which was named by the men of the country, the field of Ysico, where was gi∣uen the laste and most famous battel betwixt Alexander and Darius, in which the great king Darius was ouercōe, and the great Alexander remained monarche of y^e world. In memory of which notable battell, there is situated at these dayes,

the renowmed citie of Alexandria, wherein there is is a picture of brasse, so naturall a counterfeite of Alexander, that to beholde doth partly terrifie, and also giueth motion of great reuerence.

Two dayes after these princes came to this place, with conformitie they determi∣ned to giue the battell, since either of thē had ioyned their

whole powers, with the presence of their proper persones: vntill which time, betwixt them there was but small dif∣ference, for that either of them had greate hope to haue the victorie. The night before they fought, Seuerus & Pes∣senius were both sadde, and their armies in greate watch: for as the fatall houre of fight drewe neare (although their generous hartes gaue them hope to ouercome) their mor∣tal bodies did feare to die. At the breake of y^e day al the cap∣taines made ready to y^e battell: continually two houres be∣fore the charge, both of the one parte and the other, they played vpō instrumētes of musicke, which w^t their melody did yealde such dolefulnesse, that exactly it discouered the sorrowfull successe that shoulde followe in that cruell bat∣tell. The hostes béeing ioyned the one w^t the other, there was trauersed betwixt thē so cruel a fight, & of euery parte so traueled to obtaine the victory, y^t the day ended, & y^e bat∣tell not finished. That battell was so bloudie, wounded, & of both partes so much contended, y^t within the compasse of two leagues, there was not iii. foote of ground, y^t was not couered w^t mans bloude. If the two armies were valiant in fighting, surely y^e two princes, their lordes, were no cow∣ardes: but in the ende, when night was come, the Pesseni∣ans turned their backes: & the whole conclusion was, that Pessenius fledde wounded, and Seuerus remained lorde of y^t field. Vpon an horse of greate swiftnesse, & accompanied w^t fewe persons, Pessenius tooke the way vnto Antioche: as the enimies did pursue him, at the doore of a poore cottage where he neither had time to rest, either place to hide him selfe, but groueling vpon his breastes, drinking with a pit∣cher, at a blowe his enimies cutte off his head. This was the sorrowfull end of Pessenius Niger, vpon whose sepul∣ture they placed this Epitaph: Here lieth Pessenius Niger, an auncient Romane, whiche in merite was equall with the vertuous: but in misfortunes exceeded the most vnfortunate.

When Seuerus sawe him selfe aduaunced to so great vic∣torie, and that in all Asia, there was not one launce

in the Rest against him, he procured to seaze vpon al prin∣cipall persons, that had escaped from the campe of Pesseni∣us: and commaunded not onely to kill them all, but also to execute them with greate tormentes. Many were founde in the campe of Pessenius, whiche did followe him against their willes, whome also Seuerus commaunded to be slaine as the rest: whiche in déede was rather the acte of a cruell tyrante, then a vertuous prince. Seuerus had with him the mother and the sonnes of Pessenius, whome he sente (both mother and sonnes) banished vnto an Islande.

All thinges set in order, that were conueniente for the prouision of the good gouernement of Asia, Seuerus moued talke amongst his moste familiar friendes, for the conquest of the kinge of Parthia, and the kinge of The∣bes: not because they helde him as an enimie, but for that they were friendes vnto his enimie Pessenius. Seue∣rus friendes did counsell him, that by no meanes he should publish any intente of warre againste the kinge of Parthi∣ans, or the kinge of Thebanes: for y^e notwithstanding Pes∣senius was dead in the East, Albinius was aliue in the kingdomes of the Weste: and that hee was not so sure of the Empire, but y^t it were better counsell for him to seeke newe friends, then to awake olde enimies. Seuerus dealt cruelly with the inhabitants of Antioche, because they had receiued and obeyed his enimie Pessenius, and with them did not onely vse iniurious wordes, but also did dis∣charge them of al their auncient liberties. He slewe all the Senatours of Rome, that is to say, suche as folowed Pes∣senius and tooke the name of captaines and Tribunes: & of other persones he slewe but one, and woulde neuer say, wherfore but he alone, and none other was put to death.

CHAP. IX. Of the Consul Albinius, and howe he rebelled against Seuerus being in Englande.

AMongest the moste extreme young gentlemen, that were bred in the house of the good Marcus Aurelius, were three, which in those dayes were placed for captains in the most famous and daungerous places of the empire, that is to say, Seuerus in Illyria, Pessenius in Asia, & Al∣binius in greate Britaine. Their Lorde Marcus Aurelius had brought them vp so expert in science, so accustomed to vertues, so readie in armes, so skilfull in perills, and so made vnto trauels, that if they them selues, had not war∣red & destroyed them selues, al the world had not bene suf∣ficient to haue defeated thē. Aboue, it is said, how Seue∣rus came to Rome to take the Empire, and howe Pesse∣nius was ouercome in Asia: there resteth nowe to speake of Albinius, who was in Britaine: a man in his life righte venturous, and in his deathe no lesse vnfortunate. Albinius was natiue of Rome, and as soone as he was of age sufficient, he was made a Senatour, being of most auncient linage, and did inherite of his predecessours, greate wealth, whiche he wanted no skill to conserue, as also to increase, and excellently to inioy: for, notwith∣standing his degree was but a Senatour: yet in seruice of his house, and behauiour of his person, he was af∣ter y^e manner of an Emperour. In the dayes of the empire of Pertinax, Albinius was sente as captaine and gouer∣nour vnto greate Britaine: in whiche gouernement hee was very well loued, and no lesse feared: for by his greate iustice he was feared and with his greate libe∣ralitie he was beloued. When Seuerus departed vn∣to Asia, to warre with Pessenius, vnderstandinge how renouned the name of Albinius was throughout all the worlde, and howe well liked of the Romaine Empire: hee greatly doubted to aduaunce him selfe with the Ro∣mane Empire: and the rather, for that he perceiued the principall Romanes, to fixe their eyes vpon Albinius. Se∣uerus aduised him selfe to vse a certaine cautele with Al∣binius, which was: before he departed frō Rome, to write vnto him into Britaine, aduertising him, that he would

haue his felowship in the Empire, from thence forth in∣tituling him Augustus: & since his departing to y^e warrs of Asia, requesting him to take the charge of the gouerne∣ment of the common wealth. With these and suche like wordes whiche hee sente him, and with a letter written vnto him, and certaine iuells whiche hee gaue him, Al∣binius did endure to be deceiued, though voide of all mis∣strust to be deceiued.

Albinius had with him an auncient knight named Cy∣pro Albo, who (as it is reported) saide vnto Albinius: thou art not so neare a kinseman, either so deare a friende vnto Seuerus, that without thy request, hee will with thee diuide the Empire: for that truely, euen betwixt the father and the sonne, it were verie muche: but that I thinke hee will nowe be assured of thee, to the ende when hee returneth from the warres to destroy thee: be∣cause from a man so noble as Seuerus is, so amorous let∣ters, and iuells so precious, may not proceede, but wrapt in malice. Albinius woulde giue no credit vn∣to Cypro Albo, but openly did reade his letters, and shewed his iuells: whiche when Seuerus vnderstoode, hee receiued greate pleasure thereof: and the better to finishe his guile, hee made money in both their names, placing Albinius his picture in the Senate. The minde of Albinius being wonne and obtained, to the ende to holde safe and sure the kingdomes of Europa, hee departed into Asia: and sundry times did write vnto Albini∣us, and not vnto the Senate: giuing accompt of y^t whiche hee had donne, and demaundinge counsell in that whiche hee mente to do.

Fifteene monethes Seuerus stayed in the warres with Pessenius: whome, after hee had ouercome and slaine, he determined to destroy Albinius: and because hee had no occasion, either greate or small to make him publike warre, hee aduised to kill him by guile. Many Sena∣tours and noble Romanes did write him letters, and al∣so persuaded Albinius in woordes, that hee shoulde ad∣uaunce

him selfe with the Empire: and to the same ende, they did sweare and affirme vnto him, that although Se∣uerus were farre from his countrie, yet without compa∣rison, hee was muche more distante from their willes. The case was thus, the warres of Asia béeing finished, Seuerus in greate secrecie conferred with certaine Purse∣uantes by whome hee was accustomed to write letters: whome he commaunded to departe vnto greate Britaine, and to presente their letters openlye vnto Albinius: and further, to giue him to vnderstande, howe they had secret∣ly to say vnto him: and that: if with them hee shoulde seperate him selfe, presently to kill him: promising them, that if they perfourmed that enterprise, hee should make them the greatest men of Rome. Hee gaue them also a boxe of fine poyson, & therew^t this instruction, that if they might not by chaūce dispatch & kil Albinius, by such meane: they shoulde trauell in some meate to giue him of that poyson.

Albinius was gro〈…〉〈…〉 ••••mewhat suspicious of Seue∣rus, partely for that so rarely hee did write vnto him, and also because hee was aduertised, that in secrete hee vsed euill speach of him: wherefore he liued more warely, not onely with suche as hee had talke, but also of his meate whiche hee shoulde eate. These Purseuaunts béeing ar∣riued in greate Britaine, deliuered their letters openly vnto Albinius, saying, that they had to tell him in secret, and being nowe in doubt and suspicion of Seuerus his mat∣ters, he commaunded these Purseuauntes to be taken, and grieuously tormented: which presently confessed, that Seuerus sente them, for none other purpose, but either w^t yron or with poyson to take away the life of Albinius.

Presently Seuerus was aduertised, y^t Albinius had ta∣ken, tormented, and put to death his Purseuantes: where vppon followed, that the one did publishe the other o∣pen enimies: and for suche they exclaymed them selues in woordes, defied in letters, and also vttered in workes.

Seuerus had greate sorrowe, for that Albinius had mani∣fested him selfe his enimie: and the greater was his griefe, for that his enimies made common reporte, that he would haue slaine Albinius as a cowarde, and not deale with him openly as a man of a valiant minde. Seuerus also had greate griefe, of the generall reporte of Albinius boaste, before all men that woulde heare the same: of the greate numbers of people and armies of men that did obey him in greate Britaine: and muche more, that did loue and wish him in Rome. Seuerus not able to endure with patience, the reports that ranne of Albinius, aduised to assemble his armies, vnto whome hee did speake after this man∣ner.

CHAP. X. Of a famous speach that Seuerus vttered vnto his armies, to bringe them in ha∣tred with his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Albinius.

IT were not iuste, that any prince shoulde be noted vnstable, if by chaunce they be seene to abhorre at one time, that which they did loue at an other time: for that subiects changing their custōes, it is not much that Lordes alter their opinions. As much as a friend shalbe vertuous, so muche and no more, he shall be loued of his friendes: for if it be a thing commenda∣ble to loue the good, it is no lesse vituperable to loue the euill. Admitting that princes deale hardly with some, and fauour others, neither for the one are they to be praised, either blamed for the other: because re∣warde, or punishmente, is neither giuen or ought to be giuen conformable vnto princes wills: but agree∣able vnto the subiects merite. Ye all vnderstand, how

Albinius and I, beeing young men, were bred in the house of the good Emperour Marcus Aurelius: and truly, vnto this day, I haue intreated him, not as a companion, but as a brother: which seemeth no lesse true, for that I parted with him the Empire, which sil∣dome is diuided betwixt the father and the sonne. I did not onely deale with him as with a brother, and with him did parte the Empire: but also at my iour∣ney vnto the warres of Asia, vnto him onely I recō∣mended the gouernement of the common wealth: re∣specting the possession which I had of him, and the confidence which I committed vnto him, when I did trust him with the cōmō wealth: I would haue parted my soule with him, if it had benepartible. Being (as I was) wounded in the warres of Asia, and he placed in the gouernement of great Britaine: notwithstanding the distance that was betwixt them, there passed fewe monethes wherein I did not write vnto him, giuing large accōpt of that which was done, and hideing no∣thinge of all that I determined to do: In suche wise, that in him was registred al my triumphs, and he was the hoorde of al my profound secreats. Betwixt me & Albinius, there was neuer any thing y^t was not com∣mon, in my house there was neuer doore shut against him, the letters which he wrote I did with greate ioy reade, that which he requested me I alwayes perfour∣med, whereof he warned me I euer corrected: final∣ly, he neuer desired any thing of me, that he obtayned not: and neuer had trauell, but I was present, and prest to succour him. After all these things, his sorrowfull destinies woulde, and no lesse hath my fortune with∣out al felicitie perfourmed, that our friendship is tur∣ned to enimitie, our felicitie vnto treason, our benefits

to ingratitude, our loue vnto hatred, our communi∣on to diuorce, our confidence to suspicion, in such wise, that at this day there is nothing spoken more commonly throughout the Romane Empire, but of the greate friendship whiche wee haue had, and the cruell enimitie whiche nowe we haue. That Albini∣us desireth to be Lorde, and procureth to be Empe∣rour, I neither wonder, either is it to be marueled: but that which maketh me amased, is, that I placeing him with confidence in gouernement of the common wealth, he shuld procure to rise or rebell with Rome: that speaking according to the lawe of a good man, y^t if Albinius had thought to attempte so foule a dede, if I had requested him to take the charge, he ought not to haue cōsented: for there is not the like traitour in this world, as he to whom I cōmitted my house, to robbe me of mine honour, and spoile mee of my goods. A greater faulte in lesse magistrates hath Albi∣nius committed thē Pessenius Niger: for that Pesseni∣us from the time that I was elected Emperour, pre∣sently manifested him selfe mine enimie: & more, y^t I neuer helde him as my friende, either did he accepte me as his Lord: and to say that which I had thought neuer to haue saide, Pessenius Niger did write vnto vs, that if wee would perpetuate the principalitie of Asia vnto him, he woulde vtterly yealde vnto vs all obedience: and for that we would not graunt it him, speaking without passion, although he had no reason to rebell, he had occasion to be offended. The matter hath not so passed betwixt Albinius and me, but that without his owne sute, or any other mannes for him, besides the gouernement of Britaine, I gaue him the principalitie of al Europe, sent him the ensigne of the

Empire, commaunded him by proclamation to be intituled Augustus. & y^t which is not smally to be es∣temed, I caused with his image & mine, money to be grauen, and with mine owne proper handes I placed his statuie or picture in the Senate. In repaimente of these so notable benefites, he hath committed an hun∣dreth thousand insolences, namely, hee hath muti∣ned the armies, altered and offended the people, rob∣bed our treasures, taken our castels, escandalized me with the Romanes, and nowe of late hath slaine my Purseuaunts: and that whiche grieueth me moste, is, that he made them say in their tormentes, that which neuer was in my thought. I hauing slaine the prince Pessenius, and beeing (as I was) triumphant of the fielde, no man hath to beleeue that I haue so small es∣timation of my honour, that he beeing my detected enimie, shoulde be slaine in secrete at my commaun∣demente.

In what heart may it be conceiued, that I hauinge (as I haue) armies of so greate power and dexteritie, here in my presence, shoulde procure to kill him with poyson. For to haue slaine Albinius by treason, it had beene blame to me, and shame vnto you, but to him glory: for as his name is renowned, and his fame spread throughout the Empire, his person to haue beene so inuincible, that wee durst not giue him battell as an enimie, but murther him as tray∣tours.

The Godds neuer consent, neither my venturous destinies permit, that the slaunderous renowne of a traytour, whiche hee hath recouered with his e∣uill life, shoulde cleaue vnto mee by his secreate deathe: for that (to conclude) I had rather

holde him as an enimie all the dayes of my life, then to fixe any scruple in my fame. Albinius did sweare by the simulachre of Diana, not once, but thrice: not with one hande, but with both handes: not in one temple, but in many: for euer more to holde the gods in greate veneration, the people in iustice, the temples in reuerence, and to me obedience: all which the per∣iured Albinius hath broken, and neither hath feare or shame for that which he hath done: but I hope in the Gods, it shal not come to passe as he thinketh, that is, to die with poyson: but the time shall come, that hee shall pay in the fielde, that which he hath sworne in y^e temple. If this infamous deede had bene done against any particular person, they should both heare and see throughout the world, the amends that I would take thereof: but in as muche as it toucheth none but my selfe, who at this present am had in suspicion, Albini∣us being held as innocente, it sufficeth that it is not in me, but to aduertise you thereof: and to you it apper∣taineth to reuenge the same. In y^e warres against Pes∣senius Niger, ye folowed me: in this against Albinius, I will folow you: and I hope in the immortall Gods, that they wil giue you the victorie: and in my behalfe on Albinius wil take vengeance.

CHAP. XI. Howe Seuerus departed from Asia to Fraunce, and fought with Albinius and slewe him.

AT the instante that Seuerus had finished his speach, all the army exclaming with lowde voyces, againe confir∣ming Seuerus in the Empire, manifested Albinius an eni∣mie vnto the Romaine Empire. And for as much as none that was present, vnderstoode the treason that Seuerus had attempted against Albinius, they gaue him credite in all that he saide: & so in generall they conceiued as greate hatred against the one, as loue vnto the other: procee∣ding no lesse by the presence of Seuerus, then by the absence of Albinius: for (according to the olde prouerbe) the ab∣sent is neuer without blame, nor the present without ex∣cuse. When Seuerus sawe that he had wonne y^e hearts of his armies, hee recouered newe hope to be reuenged of Albinius: and to the purpose he made a generall muster of his men of warre, and founde tenne thousande horse∣men, and xl. thousand foote men: all whiche he presently payde, not onely that whiche he did owe them: but also gaue them many and greate rewardes, adding therevnto many faire promises.

The first iourney that Seuerus made, was to besiege Bizantio (for thither the captaines repaired that had escaped the mortall battaile of Pessenius Niger) and in the ende tooke it, not by force, but by hunger: and hauing the citie vnder his power, he displaced the bul∣workes, made plaine the towers, ouerthrewe the Theaters, subuerted their bathes, burnt their houses, strangled the straungers, & the natiues he did captiuate: finally, he behaued him selfe not as a Romane prince, but as a moste cruel tyrant.

With the riches that hee recouered in Bizantio, and the aboundance whiche he robbed in other partes, he com∣maunded the cities to be repaired, that Pessenius souldi∣ours had sackt: and charged the fortes to be erected that they had throwne downe: and leauing officers necessarie for gouernement, and men of warre to defende those countries, he departed with greate celeritie vnto greate Britaine, with a determined intente to make furious warres against Albinius.

His desire was so disordinate to encounter with Albinius, that he traueled night and day, thicke and thinne, foule and faire: and that wherefore they most blamed him, was, that he neither obserued the solemne festiuall dayes, or had compassion of the tyred. Traueling on those wayes when it snowed, manie times hee was bare headed: and in the mire, hee woulde trauell one foote: when it rained, hee woulde marche in his doublet and hose: and wanting victualles, he woulde eate bareley bread: and (as he after reported) to be reuenged of his enimie, he thought it all well imployed. Hee sent before him valiant captaines, and men very light & of greate swiftnesse, to cleare the wayes vpon the highte of the mountaines, and to defende the most perilous places: chiefly when he passed the Alpes of Italie, doubting that Albinius might haue in that place some hidden ambushe. Nowe, when Seuerus sawe him selfe and all his armies in Gallia Transalpina, and that in so longe a iourney hee had incountered with no stumbling blocke: if vntill that time he went with hope, from thence foorth he marched in certeintie to obtaine victorie: for the feare whiche he had, was, that his armie trauelinge both weary and spent, Albinius at the souden might dis∣couer to giue him battell. In al this time Albinius remai∣ned in the Isle of Britane, which nowe is Englande: but presently after hee vnderstoode that Seuerus had pas∣sed y^e Alpes, he brought foorth all his armie out of y^e Isle, & sente them into Fraunce, rather to defende the frontiers, then without any commaundement to make warre: be∣cause Seuerus was so souden in his arriuall, y^e he was then in Fraunce, whē they belieued him not to be departed from Italie. With great speede Albinius did write vnto the ci∣ties adioyning, requesting their helpe for money, and com∣maunding them to be stronge and valiant in his seruice, of whom manie disobeyed, and other rebelled against him: notwithstanding, they all confessed, that they rather did it for feare of the potencie of Seuerus, then for the hatred whiche they did beare vnto Albinius. But in the ende,

the two armies beeing ioyned, and all the cities diuided into parcialities, euery day betwixt them there was in∣counters, and daily meetings to skirmishe: and for the moste parte, the souldiours of Seuerus departed with broken heades, and Albinius his bandes returned victo∣rious.

They trauersed on a certaine day so furious a skirmish, that it was necessarie Seuerus shoulde come foorth armed vnto the same: and as hee was not able to make his soul∣diours to retire, neither constraine his enimies to flie, thinking to enter to haue parted the fray, hee was vrged to fight in his owne person: in whiche fight he receiued so greate a blowe with a plummette of leade, that hee was feld downe to the grounde, and lay for deade so longe space, that many did kisse the handes of his sonne Geta, as Emperour. After Seuerus had escaped that daunger, and was cured of his wounde, in greate secrecie he called into his presence certaine Sorcerers and Inchanters that hee brought with him, both requesting, threatening, and promising them manie thinges, if they woulde tell him the ende of those warres: for if hee shoulde be conque∣rour, hee woulde prosecute the same: and if hee shoulde be ouercome, he woulde returne into Italie. The Sor∣cerers and Inchaunters answered, that his armie should receiue greate hurte, but in the ende his enimie Albinius shoulde be ouercome: and that hee shoulde not obtaine in this case, that which he desired, that is to say, to kill Albi∣nius with his owne handes: but that hee shoulde sée him deade before his eyes. The tenth of March, Seuerus recei∣ued this answere of his Inchanters, and presently on the next day, he tooke muster of all his men, commaundinge them to shooe their horse, and amend their armour: and the third day hee gaue battell vnto Albinius, neare to a citie named Lugduno, whiche nowe in Fraunce is cal∣led Lions Sonarona, whiche on bothe sides was so ex∣tremely contended, that a greate parte of the day it might not be knowne, vnto whome the victorie would incline.

When al the day was passed, and darke within night, the one army fighting with the other, in the ende Albinius was ouercome. This battaile was so bloudie, that of so greate a number of people, as both the hoastes did con∣teine, there escaped not a man, that was not slaine in the fielde, or returned vnto his tente vnwounded. Albini∣us remained to keepe the citie, and sent his capteines to giue battaile, who beeing beaten out of the fielde, the Seuerians entred into the citie, spoyling goodes, burning houses, and slaying people. Seuerus had a captaine na∣med Letus, whiche was the cause of the conquest of that battell: for y^t Seuerus his souldiours beeing in a manner ouercome, and Seuerus ready and prest to flie, he relieued the battell with a fresh bande of souldiours: Letus of skill and industrie woulde not fight that day, vntil he sawe Se∣uerus fledde, and also fall from his horse: thinking, that if Seuerus shoulde die or be slaine, and hee ouercomminge and conquering the battell, to aduaunce him selfe with the Romaine Empire. Seuerus was not ignorant of the good seruice whiche his captaine had done him at that in∣stant, either did he hide the intente wherewith he per∣fourmed the same: for whiche cause the warres beeing fi∣nished, he commaunded his heade to be cut off: not for that whiche hee did, but for that which he woulde haue done.

When the Seuerians destroyed the citie of Lugduno, amongst the reste they slewe the sorrowfull Albinius, who so slaine they brought vnto Seuerus, commaun∣ding to cutte off his heade, and to dismember and mangle his bodie all to pieces: whiche beeing done, he riding vpon a rough horse, all to trampled the body of Albinius, whiche was hackt and hewed to mamocks. All men that be∣helde Seuerus vse so greate inhumanitie with the body of Albinius, wepte: and all men that hearde the reporte thereof, were escandalized, and not without greate reason, for The office of a prince of moste perfecte pietie, is, to pardon the liuinge, and to bury the deade.

Seuerus treading and trampling the bodie of Albinius (af∣ter the maner of a fierce Lion) his horse grewe fearefull, and gaue him so shrewde a fall against the grounde, that he remained a great space astonnied and in dismay, in such wise, that he missed verie narrowly, presently to haue paide with life, so enorme an iniurie. These matters be∣ing finished, Seuerus dispatched his Purseuaunts into all partes, with the newes of this victorie: and the head of Albinius vnto Rome, and his bodie, as it was all to pieces troaden, trampled and drawen, he commaunded to be throwen into the riuer Rhodanus, to the ende that as he had taken away his life, so by no meanes any memorie should remaine of Albinius

CHAP. XII. ¶Howe after the death of Albinius, Seuerus returned to Rome, and there slewe many.

SEuerus not satisfied with slaying his enimie Albinius, treading his bodie vnder his horsse féete, casting the pie∣ces thereof into the riuer Rhodanus, and sending his head vnto Rome to be set in the pillorie: but commaunded serch to be made for the bodies of all the noble Romans, which had béene slaine in the seruice of Albinius: and for that he might not chastice them in time of their life, he aduised to vituperate and defile them after their death, causing their bodies to be drawen, cut in pieces, and burnte: some throwen into riuers, to the ende they should neuer more appeare: and othersome vnto beastes to be deuoured. In all cities that receiued, obeyed, or succoured Albinius or his souldiours, Seuerus did greate hurte, robbing their goods, and punishing their persons. Manie cities and peo∣ple made their excuse, saying, they had not serued or fol∣lowed Albinius, for that they had a desire so to do: but be∣cause they were not succoured of Seuerus, and yet ceased

not to chastice and robbe them. Albinius had thrée sonnes, a daughter, and a wife, generous in bloud and beautifull of face, whose throte with his children he commaunded to be cutt, and their bodies also to be cast into the riuer Rho∣danus. And as Albinius was of greate power in all the Empire of Europe, and of him self verie gratious, liberal, valiant, and noble minded: so in a manner all the nobles of Spaine and Fraunce, had followed his parte alike: the throtes of all which, Seuerus (after the battaile) cōmaun∣ded to be cutt: and though he slewe the fathers, yet he did not therefore pardon the wife and children. Albinius his wife and his children being slaine, and execution done vpon all persons that followed his opinion: Seuerus ap∣plyed all their goods and riches, for his owne chamber, which were so great, and of such value, that it was doub∣ted whether any Emperour had euer attained vnto the like. The prouinces of Spaine and Fraunce being ordered, and two gouernours placed in greate Britaine, Seuerus departed vnto Rome, and led with him all his armie: not for that, in all Italie he had any enimie bent against him, but to terrifie the common wealth of Rome. Seuerus of his owne naturall inclination was so quarelous, proude, vnquiet, bloudie, and doubtfull, that although he had peace, yet he woulde goe alwayes after the fashion of a warriour. Seuerus was receiued with greate ioye of the Romanes, although most certeinly many of them stoode in greate feare, for that they had wished that Albinius might haue preuailed, whereof Seuerus had certeine in∣telligence: whose condition was so harde, that to giue a cruell chasticement, a small occasion was sufficient. Af∣ter that he had visited the great temple of Iupiter, he di∣uided amongst the capteines that followed in the warres, many iewels and greate riches: and further, gaue them certeine liberties, which is to wéete, that they might wear rings of golde vpon their fingers, and entertaine Courti∣sans within their houses. It was no small griefe vnto the Romanes, that Seuerus had giuen such liberties vnto his men of warre: saying, that from thenceforth for euer to

weare ringes of golde, they woulde spende their owne, & robbe others: and to vse concubines in their houses, would cause dissention amongest the people, and also debilitate their persons. In Rome there was a Consul named Clau∣dius, which had his picture placed in the Senate, & was praised before all the people with a publique Oration for his worthie actes done in Asia: whereof Seuerus tooke greate despight, because this Claudius was kinsman vn∣to Albinius. Seuerus did not knowe how to be reuenged of the Senate, but publiquely by proclamation, commaun¦ded (vpon paine of death) that al men should call Commo∣dus a God: for confirmation whereof, he did not only place his picture in the Senate, to the end they should reuerence him, but also in the temples to be adored. To commaund the Romanes to adore & reuerence Commodus, as one of the Gods, being (as he was) the woorst of all men, it was vnto them so grieuous to heare, & so harde to perfourme, y^t they determined, not to go to the church, either to offer sa∣crifice vnto their Gods: because no parte thereof should be allotted vnto the God Commodus. Seuerus vppon a daye went vnto the Senate, & made there a long and truculent Oration, wherin, after he had spoken many threateninge & malicious woords, he commaunded certeine letters to be read, which he found amongst Albinius writings, made by many Consuls, Senatours, & other gentlemen amongst y^e people, vnto Albinius, offering him their persons, sending their goods, & that he should not be dismaid in those warrs: for that in the common wealth he was much desired. The reading of these letters being ended, he commaunded them presently to be torne: & for the time did dissemble the mat∣ter, or to say better, did deferre the chastisemēt: for y^t after wardes, as well of such as were absent, as of them y^t were present, he tooke so great reuengement, y^t as y^e stréets were bathed in bloud, y^e fields filled w^t carcases, y^e wayes scatte∣red with quarters, & the pillories beset with heades: they saide in Rome, y^e Silla was reuiued, & Nero was not dead. Seuerus made a memoriall of all the riche men, valiant, &

of power, that were in all the Empire: the greater parte whereof he charged to haue béene the seruauntes, friends or fauourers of Iulianus, of Niger, or else of Albinius, his mortall enimies: for which cause, of frée men, he made them slaues: of lordes, seruauntes: of riche, poore: and also of liuing, dead men: in such wise, that he slewe ma∣ny, not for offences which they had committed, but to rob them of their goods, which they had gathered togeather. Seuerus slewe some, with some reason, & others vpon smal occasion: but all these which followe, he killed without all reason or occasion: that is to say, Munius, Sellius, Claudi∣us, Bitalius, Papianius, Elius, Iulius, Lolius, Aurelius, Antoninus, Posthumius, Sergius, Fabius, Nenius, A∣mussius, Casperius, Seyonius, Sulpitianus, Coceyus, Eructus, Assilonius, Claudius, Honoratus, Petronius, Pessenius, Cestus, Aurelianus, Materius, Iulianus, Albi∣nius, Cerelius, Faustinianus, Herenius, Valerius, Nobi∣us, Arabianus, Marcus, Fabatus. These men were glorious, both of bloud & also for noble déedes & riches: for they were either Consuls, Censors, Pretors, Senatours, Ediles, Tribunes, or capteines: whose goods he imployed not vnto the publique treasurie, but did incorporate vnto his patrimonie, for him selfe to inioy the dayes of his own life, & to leaue vnto his children after his death. Seuerus defamed Cincius an auncient Consul, affirming, that he had procured poyson to kill him, wherfore he commaunded him to be slaine: but the trueth being knowen as Seuerus afterward reported, but y^e Cincius did much delight to goe on hunting, & had a fine yeark to kill the Bore & other ve∣nerie in the mountaines. He commaunded also Narcissus to be cast vnto y^e Lyons, who at the request of Martia cho∣ked Commodus: it was nothing to commaund them to be slaine, but y^t with his owne eyes he would behold them ex∣ecuted, which was wont to be so straunge vnto Romaine princes, that they neuer vsed to sée any person put to deth, neither so much as in the citie to be resident: but they vsed, if any suffered, to ride or go foorth on hunting.

CHAP. XIII. ¶Howe Seuerus returned into Asia, and con∣quered many prouinces.

AFter that Seuerus had conquered and slaine thrée Em∣perours, that is to saye, Iulianus in Rome, Niger in Asia, and Albinius in Fraunce: it séemed vnto him, that since he had chasticed and triumphed ouer the Romans, he ought also to make his name glorious amongest the Bar∣barians: because all the warres that he helde vnto that daye, were more to make him selfe Lorde of the common wealth, then to magnifie his name. Seuerus aduised him selfe to go in his owne person to make warres with the Parthians, the occasion of which enterprise was: for that the king of Atrenoes had fauoured y^e parcialitie of Niger, but had deferred the reuengement thereof, to make con∣quest of Albinius being in great Britain. If Seuerus in this case had taken the opinion of the people, either the coun∣sell of the Senate, he woulde neither haue taken those warres in hande, or made accompt of the iniurie: because at that time, those kingdomes were neither friendes or foes with Rome. And as the Romans were fatigated & tyred with warres, so they were contented (for the time) to ceasse the recouering of them for their vassals, to obtein them for quiet enimies. Seuerus departed vnto Asia, and in the way would first take the kingdōe of y^e higher Arme∣nia, whereof the king of Armenia being aduertised, and that he came with an armie of so greate power, and so de∣termined to take his kingdome, met him vppon the way, not armed as a man of warre, but clad with the gar∣ments of peace: his truce being set downe with Seuerus, presently he gaue him much money, and offered to sende him succour: for the accomplishment wherof, he deliuered vnto Seuerus his two sonnes in pledge: Seuerus did not onely confirme him in his kingdome, but also tooke him

vnder his protection. The affaires of Armenia being dis∣patched, Seuerus departed towardes the kingdom of Hos∣droenos, whose king was named Anguaro, bothe crooked and same, but yet no foole: for he had such skill to recouer the good will of Seuerus, that he neither admitted him as a vassall, tooke no money, demaunded no hostages, or did his countrie hurt, but receiued him to his familiar friend∣ship, and made him a confederate with the people of Rome. Hauing passed the kingdome of Hosdroenos, Se∣uerus entred the landes and countries of Albanos, and being then the moneth of April, and spring time, he founde the fieldes full of flowers and grasse, and commaunded his horsses for the space of fiftéen dayes to be fedde, and his ar∣mie to be recreated and refreshed:

because his horsses were growen leane, and his men tyred. Seuerus beeing de∣parted from the fieldes of Albanos, entred the countrie of Arabia Felix, where they found that, which they found not in all the kingdomes of the worlde: namely, the trées that hare the precious Aromatike spices, and the boughes whereof they gathered the most fine and excellent baulme. Seuerus sacked all the townes of Arabia Felix, cut downe their fieldes, spoyled and oppressed all people, and as he afterwardes saide, he would not haue entred therein: for that being (as it was) so riche, so ioyfull, pleasant, and de∣lectable: but because he found him selfe in greate cumber, to withdrawe his souldiours from thence: for that they felt them selues more delighted with the vices of Arabia, then with the hazardes and daungers of the warres. Hauing passed the delectable countrie of Arabia Felix, Seuerus entred the countrie and kingdom of Athrabanos, against whose king principally he made that iourney.

Athras was a great citie, situated vpon the top of a most high hill, and chiefest citie of all the kingdome: and for that cause was named the kingdome of Athrabanos. Seuerus went presently to the siege thereof: but as the king had in∣closed him selfe therein, with great readinesse and proui∣sion, the wall being strong, the citie rockye, the people

warrelike, and furnished with munition and victuals: small was the hurte that Seuerus did vnto them within, but which the Romans receiued was very greate. And as Seuerus gaue foorth no other bruite, when he came from Rome, but to be reuenged of the Athrabanos, he perfour∣med that warre so exactly, that there was no daye but he battered the citie of Athras, and occupied his warlike engins, deuised and practised all manner fights and offen∣ces, that might be against the enimie, and the moste noti∣fied Romans, that there did not notifie them selues: but in the ende, might neither take the same, either as much as a capteine, or ouerthrow one windowe.

Those that were besieged within that citie, to iest with their enimies, tyed very subtily, little earthen pottes, vnto a kinde of byrdes like vnto Crowes, which flying ouer the armies of Seue∣rus, let fall their pottes vpon their pates: by which iest many had their heades broken: but much more were the Romans despighted, to consider howe little they did es∣téeme them, not fighting with them in armour, but with pottes, and tankardes. The ayre of that mountaine was verie subtile, the waters verie thinne, fruites in great a∣boundaunce, and the Sunne verie hoat, and the grounde somewhat moyst: by which occasion Seuerus his whole campe fell into the disease of the fluxe, and there died a∣mongest the rest seuen notable capteines, two of Seuerus cousins, and a little bastarde sonne, which all men like∣wise thought to be his cousin: but by his greate sorrowe & teares, he discouered the childe to be of his owne proper fleshe.

Seuerus considering the citie of Athras to be inexpug∣nable, the people therein inuincible, and his campe also weakened through greate sickenesse, aduised to rayse his siege, before his armie were vtterly lost, which he did, not without greate griefe, and no lesse despight, being as he was, giuen vnto so many triumphes, and victories, he thought him self vāquished, since he might not ouercome: but fortune y^t naturally discouereth her self to be variable,

the victorie which shée denied Seuerus in fighting, shée in his flight gaue afterwardes more largely. The case was thus: that sailing on the Sea with all his armie, it was his chaunce to encounter with a tempest, and being for∣ced to followe the disposition of the weather, and not as his heart desired, they brought him to riuers of the king∣dome of Parthia, not thrée leagues distant from the greate citie of Tesiphont, where the king was further entred into feasting, then compassed with armour. Seuerus en∣tred into the fielde of Tesiphont, committing so greate spoiles and robberies, that he put the people into greate feare, which as Seuerus did take at the soudeine and vn∣wares, and being amazed, neither able to saye or aun∣swere, if they were demaunded: for that to flye they had no time, and to resist they had no force: & that whiche was woorst of all, to make agréement, it was not in their handes: neither might they endure to submitt themselues vnto the Romans. Seuerus arriuing at Tesiphont did subuert it vnto the ground, slewe al that made resistance, and did captiuate man, woman, and childe: he tooke al the treasure and riches, bothe of the citie and royall palace:

fi∣nally all the countrie, treasure, goods and persons came to the handes of Seuerus, except the king Arthabanus, who escaped on horsebacke. Seuerus led with him certeine skil∣full painters, which as he went traueiling, they went drawing and painting, all cities, castels, riuers, moun∣taines, nations, kingdomes, and prouinces, by & throughe which he passed: and all the battels and victories whiche he had made and obteined.

Seuerus sent a greate Ambas∣sage vnto the Senate and people of Rome, with whome he sent many captiues, much riches, and the tables wher∣in his victories were set out at large: the Romains gaue greate thankes vnto the Gods, and also greate praises vn∣to Seuerus: although moste true, that all men were plea∣sed with the victories, but would not, that they shoulde haue béene obteined by Seuerus.

Departing from the kingdome of Parthia, he diuided amongest his armies all

that he had taken from the Parthians: and for himselfe re∣serued nothing but that which he sent vnto the Senat, and a ring of Vnicorne, a white parat or popingay, and a gréen horse: the which thinges he toke not for their value, but for∣the straungnes of their colours. Seuerus came through the kingdome of Palestina, and gaue them many lawes con∣formable vnto the lawes of the Romanes: commaunding vppon paine of death, that none should name himselfe a Iew, either call himselfe a Christian, or obserue the lawe

of Christians. From Palestina he came through Assyria, vnto the citie of Alexandria, where also he placed new cu∣stomes, and also made newe lawes, which he caused them to write and obserue: howbeit, they endured but the life of Seuerus: for after his death, they did not onely breake them, but also burnt the tables wherin they were writen.

CHAP. XIIII. ¶ Of Seuerus his sonnes, and of their euill inclination.

THe kinges that were enimies being ouercome, new cō∣federation made with old friends, and all the prouinces of Asia reformed, he came vnto Rome, and as the Romans had prepared the Parthicke triumph, he might not enter triumphing: for that he came so weake of a quartane, and so lame of the goute, that he might neither indure the cha∣riott, or suffer the intertainement of the people. It had chaunced to none of y^e Romane Empire, as it fortuned vn∣to Seuerus, that is to say, that had slaine so many princes, & obteyned so many victories, and yet neuer entered trium∣phing into Rome: which was not for his demerits, or re∣pugnancie of the Romanes: but for his thrée first victories he might not triumphe, because they were Romane prin∣ces, and to his other victories of Asia his disease gaue im∣pediment.

Seuerus had two legitimate sonnes, y^e elder was named

Bassianus, the other Geta, who notwithstanding they were brothers in bloud, yet were they much different in conditi∣ons, which infirmitie was not onely manifested in their infancie:

for that in their childish playes they could neuer agrée, either in weightie affaires yeld one consent. It was much noted amongest the Romanes, that y^e two bretherne being but children, might neuer agrée in their childishe playes and deuises, that is to say, in making houses of clay, running at base, driuing topps, meating strawes, trilling the bowle, striking the drumme, and other such like chil∣dishe trifles. That the one delighted, the other lothed: that which the elder affirmed, the younger denied: and if it happened their tutours to commaund them to play to∣gether, if the one did winne, and the other loose, they tare their haire, scratched their faces, whirled stones, strucke with their fistes, in such wise, that as from their téeth and face they drue bloud, and rent off their lockes, so they séemed rather to kill eche other as enimies, then to iest as brethren.

It was no small griefe vnto Seuerus, when hée vnder∣stoode of the euil condition of his sonnes, and that alwayes they were diuided amongest themselues, who trauelled (by al meanes possible) to bring them to conformitie, which he might neuer (by any meanes) bring to passe, althoughe he requested: either would they obey, although hée com∣maunded: for his sonnes were so wilfull, that they ceased not to execute their owne wills, notwithstanding their fathers gentle sute, or his extréeme commaundement. Seuerus also had a brother named Geta, a person of great bolonesse, and warrlike, who in all warres followed Seue∣rus, and if Seuerus had hautie thoughtes, truly Geta his thoughtes were not humble: for hée helde it for most cer∣taine, that vnto him Seuerus should leaue the Empire. Besides that Geta was valiaunt and warrlike, so was he also guilefull and diligent, that is to say, in seruing Seue∣rus, contenting the Senate, and pleasing the people.

The hatred and brabbling that passed betwixte Bassia∣nus and Geta his cousins, vsually hée reported it vnto all men, in such wyse, that Geta supposed to obteine by guile the Empire, that Seuerus had gotten with armes. Seue∣rus well vnderstoode, howe Geta wente thus anglinge for the Empire, and therein to take awaye all occasions, in the fourth yeare of his Empire, going against Albini∣us, at that time in the citie of Millaine, before hée passed the Alpes, hee created his elder sonne Caesar, and his youn∣ger Consul: whereuppon a certaine Capitaine said vn∣to Seuerus: it well séemeth Seuerus, thou remembrest not the displeasures that Bassianus and Geta thy sonnes haue done thée, either the seruice which thy brother Geta hath performed on thy behalfe.

To this Seuerus aunsweared, it well appeareth that thou speakest by hearesaye, rather then by anye experi∣ence whiche thou hast in this case: for, as thou haste no brothers, either hast béene married to haue any children, no more knowest thou, what difference of loue is bee∣twixte the one and the other: For I giue to vnderstande, that without all comparison, wee fathers doe more loue the thwartes of oure children, then the seruice of oure brethren.

The elder brother whiche was named Bassianus, chan∣ged his name, and commaunded all men to call him Anto∣ninus Aurelius, in the memorie of Antoninus Pius, and of Marcus Aurelius: because these Princes were verye glorious in their liues, and in their Common wealthes no lesse beloued.

When Seuerus returned from the warres of Parthia, his sonnes Bassianus and Geta were then men: and for that hee vnderstoode that the Romanes were thereof then very doubtfull, hée requested his sonnes, that notwithstan∣dinge the variaunce betwixte themselues, they woulde bée in peace wyth the people: but héerewith mighte hee not tame the condition of the young men, either persuade them to be in friendshippe with the Romanes: for as much

as he soldered with his good woords, so much did they escā∣dalize with their lewd woorkes. Seuerus finding himselfe infected with infirmities, compassed with enimies, and his sonnes so euill inclined, was alwayes sad, pensiue, melan∣cholie, and (in a manner) in despaire: not onely doubting, they would diminish the estate wherein he left them, but also lose the honour which they did inherite. Seuerus consi∣dering the daily complaints made of his sonnes in the Se∣nate, and the continual displeasures which they gaue him, aduised to banishe them the vices and pleasures of Rome: the one hee sent into Germanie, the other into Panonia: but if they were euil in his presence, they were much worse in his absence: for that aforetime, by their subiecti∣on, they absceined from some vices, but afterwards with libertie they committed all mischiefe.

The parents that with their owne hands, and in their owne houses, may not frame vertue in their children, will hardly atteine it at the hands of others: for that vertue is not obteyned in seeking straunge countries, but in the amendment of old errours.

CHAP. XV. ¶Of a fauoured seruaunt of Seuerus named Plautianus.

JN the dayes of the Empire of the good Marcus Aureli∣us, there came from Africa vnto Rome, a gentlemā na∣med Plautianus, poore, blind in sight, craftie and subtile in condition: and being (as hee was) mutinous and quarel∣ling, and wheresoeuer he went, mouing some debate, Mar∣cus Aurelius commaunded him to be banished Rome: for he was a prince of such patience, that he suffered not in his common wealth a man that was vitious, or any young mā that was quarellous. Plautianus being banished Rome, departed vnto the garrisons of Illyria: and from thence al∣so being caste as a seditious person, repaired at last, into the company of Seuerus, of whome he was very well han∣dled,

and also honoured, and in all thinges placed aboue all men: some said that it was done of Seuerus, for that hée was of his countrie: some for kindred, and some durst say that hée serued not onely for martiall affayres, but also to do him seruice in the chamber. After that Seuerus came to be Emperour, he gaue so great credite vnto Plautianus, and so strictly did follow his counsell, that he neither read letter, but hée did sée it, or signed commission that hée liked not, either gaue any reward that he craued not. In the Senate, he was placed in the most honourable seate: when he came forth into Rome, all the Gentlemen did accompa∣nie him: when he came out of his house, all Embassadours did attend on him: in time of warre, all captaines sued vn∣to him: if there were playes and pastimes, they were al∣wayes represented before his palace: if they had to giue or receiue any money, all did passe through his hands: in such wise, that it was neuer séene in Rome, that any man with∣out the title of an Emperour, enioyed so great portion of y^e Empire.

Plautianus naturally was proud, ambitious, co∣uetous, and cruell: and the more to shewe his fiercenesse, crueltie, & magnificence, he alwayes had a drawne sword borne before him: and when he passed through the streats, hee would that none should dare to behold him in the face, but cast downe their eyes to the ground: and when hée trauelled vpon the way, he had alwayes one that went be∣fore, to giue warning to all persons to giue way, where he should passe: in such wise, that hee neither would behold straungers, either be séene of the countrie natiues.

Seuerus gaue in reward vnto Plautianus, the goods of al persons that were condemned and confiscate in the Em∣pire: and as hée was of a gréedie and couetous nature, so they were infinite that he caused to be slaine in y^e Empire: not because they had so deserued, but for their goods which they possessed.

The elder sonne of Seuerus named Bassian{us}, being come to ripe vnderstāding, and perceiuing how al things went, was greatly gréeued, to se Plautianus haue so great power

in the gouernement of the common wealth: and Plautia∣nus presently finding y^e hatred of Bassianus, practised with Seuerus that Bassianus should marrie with his only daugh∣ter: and incōtinently, the elder sonne of Seuerus was mar∣ried vnto the daughter of Plautianus. Plautianus behol∣ding himselfe not onely the alone fauoured, but also father in lawe with Seuerus, it séemed vnto him but a trifle to be Lord of the whole world: and most truly, Plautianus in heaping honour vpon honour, and estate vpon estate, bredd his owne destruction: for that men neuer surfet to eate that which is necessarie, but in eating and drinking more then the stomache will beare. Though Plautianus daugh∣ter was very faire, of good condition, and brought with her a most rich dowrie, yet did her husband Bassianus, most cru∣elly hate her: which he discouered both in woord and déede, affirming her to be the daughter of a base and vile person, and that hée would one day kill both her and her father: and yet not therewithall satisfied, they did neither sléepe in one chamber, or dine at one table. Bassianus aunsweared certaine Romanes that requested him to bee friend with his wife, and to honour his father in law: I giue you Ro∣manes to vnderstand, that I did not marrie, but my father did marrie mée, which I would not haue done if he had cō∣maunded me, but to defloure the daughter, and enioy the treasure of her father: and since it is done, let her séeke an husband, for I will séeke a wife. Plautianus vnderstanding what his sonne Bassianus had said, and that his daughter was not married, but dishonoured, that Seuerus was old & sicke, and that Bassianus held him not as a father in lawe, but as an enimie, determined to reuenge that iniurie: ei∣ther els to loose both life and honour in the enterprise.

Bassianus informed his father Seuerus, of many tyran∣nies which Plautianus committed in the common wealth, and Plautianus also complained howe euill hée vsed his daughter: and thus they went on cōfirming their enimitie, and giuing euery day new passions & tedious complaintes vnto Seuerus: but in the end, hée gaue eare vnto the com∣plaints

of Plautianus, as vnto a seruaunt: but vnto Bassia∣aus, as vnto a sonne. Seuerus considering the continuall dis∣pleasure giuen him by Plautianus, the tyrannies hee exe∣cuted in the Empire, the enimitie betwixt him and Bassia∣nus, and that also with his great fauour he estaéemed him litle, conceiued that some day he might rise with the Em∣pire: wherefore, from thenceforth hée neither shewed him good countenaunce, either gaue him so great authoritie in the common wealth.

Plautianus did well perceiue, that he had not onely Bas∣sianus vnto his enimie, but also stoode in disgrace of Seue∣rus: and thought with himselfe, that to escape best cheape, either they would take away his life, or cast him out of fa∣uour: and to deliuer himselfe of so great an infamie, he de∣termined to kill them, to quite himselfe.

CHAP. XVI. ¶Of a certaine treason that Plautianus had ordeined against Seuerus, and how it was dis∣couered.

THe order that Plautianus vsed, or to say better, the dis∣order that he practised to kill Seuerus and Bassianus, procéeded as from a passioned tyraunt, and not as a man aduised: and so it afterwards redounded to his losse and de∣struction. The case was thus, there was in Rome a Tri∣bune named Saturninus, natiue of Assyria, who was the greatest friend that Plautianus had, with whome hée did most communicate, to whom he did most commend his se∣cretes, and also for whom he did most pleasure. Plautianus sending for this Saturninus an houre within night, and in∣closing themselues within a chamber, said in great secrecie these wordes following.

Plautianus his Oration to Saturninus.

Saturninus, thou knowest how great loue I haue borne thee, and how many good deedes I haue done to thee, & thy house: wherof there needeth no other token, but the beholding of thee so highly aduaunced in the Court, & so accepted in my seruice, many with me be offended, & at thee al men haue enuie. Friends, parents, acquaintance, recommended, and seruaunts, I had for whome to haue done: vnto some of whom I was much beholding, & of others I was to haue cō∣sidered for seruice: all these notwithstanding, on thee onely I fixed mine eyes, to magnifie thee: and in thee I imployed my hart to loue thee. I sent now for thee, to recompt vnto thee my trauels and sorrowes, to the end thou shouldest helpe to deliuer mee from them: and herein thou shalt perceiue, the affectionate loue which I beare thee, in that I repose my confidence in thee, wherein I would not trust mine owne proper sonne: for sonnes thincke not, but howe to inherite their fathers goods, but verie friendes haue care to de∣liuer their friendes from griefe and sorrowe. Thou well knowest, Saturninus, what great seruice I haue done to Seuerus, and since my youth haue followed him in the warres. I say, I serued him so young, that I alone am his most auncient seruaunt: although I bee now the most forgotten and abhorred. Setting a part all seruices which I haue done for him, and all great daungers that I haue passed to deliuer him from pe∣rill, I haue borne so tender affection vnto my Lord Seuerus, that I left to like him as a man, and did adore

him as a God and that this is true, it appeareth most cleare, in that I gaue my daughter vnto his sonne Bas∣sianus, and my selfe to be his perpetuall slaue. After I spent my youth in his seruice, & followed the father throughout the world, his sonne Bassianus nourished in my armes from his infancie, I did yeeld him my goods, I gaue him my onely daughter, I gouerned his common wealth in peace, of his euill life I framed in al men an opinion of great vertue, his cruelties and ty∣rannie I made all men beleeue to be zeale of iustice: in such wise, that they neuer committed vile deede, that I soldered not: either at any time commaunded any difficult matter, that I accomplished not. The mat∣ter is thus come to passe, the Gods permitting, or my sorrowfull destinies procuring, I am fallen into so great hatred of Seuerus, and in so cruel contempt and enimitie with Bassianus, that in recompence of al my seruice which I haue done them all the dayes of my life, they are nowe determined to take away my life. Thou seest now, Saturnin{us}, whether it be reason that I endure the same, whereunto if I should giue place, I should perish, my house should be lost, the gods vnser∣ued, the whole Empire escandalized: and therefore it is cōuenient, that I execute on them that which they would execute vppon mee: for that it is more conso∣nant vnto reason, that the euil be corrected of y^e good, then that the vertuous should come vnder the power of the wicked. Behold Saturninus, what affection I beare thee, that haue layd vp in thy breast so great a se∣crete, this terrible deede I will put into thy handes: therefore presently thou must depart vnto the Court, and go into his chamber, where Seuerus sleepeth, and cut off his head: & from Bassianus his sonne also thou

shalt take away his life. Thou shalt say vnto y^e guard, at Court, that euen nowe there came vnto mee a post out of Asia, and art sent by mee, to giue Seuerus intel∣ligence thereof, and goest at such an houre, for that daunger dependeth thereon. And since thou hast not beene abashed to heare it, be not terrified to performe it: for that I sweare vnto thee by the immortal gods, that after Seuerus is dead, and I in the possession of the Empire, conformable vnto the great perill where∣in nowe thou doest aduenture thy selfe, shall be thy rewards that then thou shalt receiue.

These and such other thinges Plautianus said vnto Sa∣turninus: who aunsweared, that hée was readie to do his commaundement, vppon condition, that hée would giue him in writing, in what manner he would haue him to kill Seuerus, and Bassianus his sonne: which he desired to this end, that if in time he should forget the recompence of so great a seruice, he might shewe him that writing, both to remēber the seruice past, as also the reward vnperformed. Plautianus doubted not to giue Saturninus a writing sig∣ned with his owne hand, wherein hee commaunded to kill Seuerus, and Bassianus his eldest sonne: the contents of the writing was thus.

J Plautianus do request as a friend, and commaund as a Censor, that thou Saturninus Tribune, do kill the Em∣perour Seuerus, and Bassianus his elder sonne: and for the same I promise thee, and by the immortall Gods sweare vnto thee, that as thou art onely in perill, so to make thee singular in the Empire.

Saturninus, as a man skilfull and subtile, for more assu∣raunce vnto Plautianus, vppon his knées kist his hand, as though alreadie he had béene sure of the Empire: and then being in y^e déepe of the night, he departeth vnto the Court,

the guard presently giuing place, and the chāberlaines in like maner: who placing himselfe directly before Seuerus as he lay in his bed, said these words. O Seuerus, how care∣lesse art thou of the ambassage that thy greatly fauoured Plautianus doth send thée, whose messenger I am, not to giue thée warning (as I do aduise thée) but to kill thée and thy sonne Bassianus: for that as thou hast trusted him with thine honour, and giuen him of thy goodes, it séemeth vnto him also, that thou shouldest serue him with thy life. Great was the admiration of Seuerus, when hee heard what Sa∣turninus said: and yet most true, that presently hee mighte not beléeue the same, or could thincke that so vile treason might be conteyned in Plautianus: but rather y^t his sonne Bassianus had béene the inuenter thereof, to lead him into disdaine and hatred against Plautianus. Bassianus being lodged within his father, at his voyce did awake and came foorth, whome his father Seuerus reproued & blamed with words very sharpe, for the inuention of so great euill: and sware (by the immortal Gods) to receiue him from thence∣forth into his further grace and fauour, in the way of re∣uenge, for so great an impietie: for Plautianus was not a man to haue any such thought in his heart. And as Bassi∣anus had not heard the beginning of Saturninus speach, so was hee abashed to sée his father so gréeuously offended: wheruppon Saturninus seeing the incredulitie of the Em∣perour Seuerus, & how entirely he loued Plautianus, puld foorth his writing, wherein hee was commaunded to kill both him & his sonne: and further, did humbly craue, that Plautianus might be sent for, with aduertisement, that Se∣uerus and his sonne were slaine, and then it should be séene that he would come apparelled not in silk, but in yron. One was sent as from Saturninus, vnto Plautianus to come to Court, where, at his arriuall finding all in silence, Saturni∣nus met him at the chamber doore, & receiuing him as new Emperour, vppon his knées did kisse his hands, and taking him by the hand in y^e darke, said he would direct him where Seuerus was strangled, and his sonne Bassianus slaine.

Plautianus thinking all safe & sure that Saturninus saide, entered the chāber alone, where Seuerus & Bassianus with certaine assistants were readie to receiue them: whome, when hée beheld liuing, that hée had thought to be dead, he chaunged countenaunce, and lost his speach.

A long time was Seuerus reprehending Plautianus, putting him in remembraunce of all thinges which he had done for him, and in especiall, so many & great displeasures which he had passed for his sake, and had aduaunced him a∣boue all persons in the Empire, and aboue all the rest, had reuenged him of all his enimies. After Plautianus had a little recouered himself, he bowed his knées before his lord Seuerus, and with teares began to craue pardon for his of∣fence, promising amendment in time to come, saying: that for his owne cause, hee ought to pardon him, although hee wanted all deseruing for any mercie, but to take away all occasion of reporte in the Empire, that euer he had fauou∣red so wicked a person. Beholding Plautianus teares, the promises which he made, the hoarie head & beard that he so tare, and the great loue that he had borne him, Seuerus was in a maner determined to pardon him: but in the end, being found to be clad in a shirt of male, wheron Bassianus laying his hand, said. Tell mee Plautianus, into princes chambers at such an houre as this, do seruauntes enter ap∣parelled in silke, or armed with yron: I sweare vnto thee by the immortall Gods, since thou bringest yron to kill vs, thou shalt here die with yron. And hardly had en∣ded these woords, when he began to stab him with his dag∣ger, whoe presently fell downe dead, and was beheaded: whose head was fixed vppon a launce ouer the port of Ho∣stia, the body deliuered vnto boyes to trayle alongest the streates of Rome.

This was the ende and conclusion of the fauoured and priuate Plautianus, whome Fortune s••••st aduaunced, and follie afterwards cast away.

CHAP. XVII. ¶ Of the particular vices and vertues of Seuerus.

THe newes being spread throughout Rome, that Plau∣tianus was dead, al the people tooke great pleasure: and no lesse would haue ioyed, if Plautianus had slaine Seuerus and his sonne Bassianus: for that all thrée were so euil wi∣shed in the common wealth, that the least euill which they would them in the common wealth, was but death. The offices that Plautianus held in the common wealth, Seue∣rus diuided amongest the Tribunes, simple and plaine mē, and not giuen to trouble: but the loue and fauour which he had vnto Plautianus, he neuer after committed vnto any person: for as afterwardes he said, he knew not whome to trust, since his priuate and fauoured seruaunt Plautianus would murther him. Plautianus being dead, there was none that might suffer or indure y^e cruelties of the prince Bassianus, or follerate his tyrannies: for Bassianus stoode in awe of Plautianus, partly for that he was his father in lawe, as also for that he had bred him from his infancie. Se∣uerus considering his sonnes Bassianus & Geta to increase in age, & decrease in wit, caused wilde beasts to be brought for them to kill, horses to runne, inuenting new playes to practise, & therein to occupie their persons, diuerting their mindes to those games, to reinoue them from vices.

Fin∣ding no profite to lead his sonnes to vertue by those war∣like exercises, he would cal them in secrete, and tel them of many old examples how such and such princes were cast a∣way by discord: and that the same mischance must happen vnto them, if they did not behaue themselues as friends, & fauour eche other as brothers: for that with concord smal things increase, & by discord great things came to nought. Besids that, y^e two brethren were ouerthwart in maners, and peruerse of conditions, (as before hath beene said) their

tutours did them much hurt: that is to say, in dissembling their vices, & inciting them to greater enimities: whereof Seuerus being aduertised, some of them he banished, some he dispatched, & some he drowned in welles: affirming that they deserued more punishment that kindled enimities, then the persons that did execute them.

Plautianus left a daughter, that was wife vnto Bassianus, and her sonne ne∣phue vnto Seuerus, and sonne vnto Bassianus: as well the mother that was young, as y^e sonne which was a child they banished into Sicyl, giuing them of al that which they had, no more but to serue them wherw^t to eate: which Seuerus did, not for enuie that he bare to his nephue & daughter in law, but not to offēd his sonne Bassianus, Seuerus did vaunt himself, y^t his predecessours had bin of a citie in Africa, na∣med Tripol, which he did nobilitate, not only in buildings, but also in rents & priuileges, and plāted there and orchard of Oliue trées, which did yéeld so great quantitie of oyle, y^t it was sufficient for a great part of Africa and Italie, Seue∣rus was a friend of wisemē, fauoured, studious, & delt very well with such as were learned: but ioyntly with this, hee did most abhorre them, if they were either ouerthwart, or troublesome: 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, y^t 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 vic∣tories, & reprehending his vices: and also most truly, made report of all men that he kild, but not of the smal reason y^t he had so to do. Seuerus was much blamed for his great co∣uetise of goods, & for want of care & negligēce of his honour: for y^t his wife Iulia was a cōmon adulteresse, whom he did neither chastice, or put away: neither is it written, y^t 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 y^e 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 cō∣mended, 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 y^e 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 y^e gouernour of great Britaine, which now is named England, y^t 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 on∣ly 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 Bassia∣nus 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 vnpro¦uided, assailed the Britaines, who at that instāt they vnder∣stoode 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 cer∣teine concord, which Seuerus would neither yéeld vnto, or a∣bide to heare off: for he vented rather to obteine y^e 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 de∣fend: Seuerus first prouided bridges, wheruppon his horse∣men might passe, & his foote men auoyd occasion to swim.

The Britaines of that part of Britaine, in those dayes, had a custome in time of warre, to encounter their enimies in la∣kes & 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 chā∣ced thrée sundrie times, that neuer happened in any part of the world: which is to witt, that 100. naked men, ouer∣came 1000. armed persons. Whē at any time they would fight in the field, they vsed certaine targets after the ma∣ner of bucklers, & halfe swords girt vppon their bare flesh.

All matters apperteining vnto the warres brought vnto perfection, Seuerus confirmed his younger sonne Geta, go∣uernour of a certaine place of the Island that had not re∣belled, and kept his elder sonne Bassianus néere vnto his owne person: executing cruel warres vppon the Barbari∣ans, 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 con∣strained to commende the whole charge of the armie vn∣to 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 in∣herite, that he sawe no houre, wherein he wished not his fathers death. Not meaning to leaue any euil vnperfour∣med that touched an euil nature, adding euill vnto euill, he suborned the Physicians that did cure him, and the ser∣uaunts 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 be∣holding 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 Em∣pire, 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 determi∣ned that, which of no other prince was determined, name∣ly, 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.