COmodus after his father Antonius Philosophus succeded* 1.1 in the Empire with most cruel tyranny. In his time the Northerne Britains burst in through the wall, forrayed the Countrey, and slew the Romaine Generall with his souldi∣ours, wherfore Vlpius Marcellus was appointed here a care∣ful vigilant Captaine: he sore annoyed the Brytains, which were enemies to the Romain state, and purchasing enuie by his vertue, was shortly dismissed▪
Then Ceronnis who ruled all vnder Comodus, appointed* 1.2 certaine men of base estate to gouerne the Romain enemies here, wherewith the souldiours being gréeued, sent. 1500. chosen men out of theyr number to Rome, who accusing hym before Comodus to compasse the Empire, for his sonne was deliuered vnto them, who immediatelye mangled hym and slew his wife with his two sonnes.
Comodus thē sent Holnius Pertinax into Brytain, and sur∣named* 1.3 himselfe Brytanicus, thervnto perswaded by flatterers, when the Brytaines were so euill affected toward him, that they woulde haue nominated some other Emperour against* 1.4 him, and namely Pertinax: but these tumults were appeased by the Wisdome of Pertinax, to his great danger, for he was wel-nere slaine in tumulte, and left among the dead, whiche iniurie he after seuerallye reuenged, & sued for his discharge, being afterwarde preferred to the Empire.
Clodius Albinus was then sente hyther by Comodus▪ who* 1.5 at the first so greatlye estéemed of him, that he honored hym with y• title of a Caesar▪ which Clodius refused: but afterwards when a false rumor was dispersed, yt Comodus was slain, he made an Oratiō to the legions of Brytain, impeaching yt go∣uernement of Emperours, and preferring the Senate, wher¦vpon Commodus being sharpned againste hym, sente Iunius Seuerus to rule héere, and shortly after Comodus was slaine. slaine.