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CHAP. X. Of divers other Murderers, and their severall punishments.
MAximinus from a shepheard in Thracia, grew to be an Emperor in Rome by these degrees: his exceeding stength and swiftnesse in running commended him so to Severus then Emperour, that he made him of his gard, from that he arose to be a Tribune, and at last to bee Emperor: which place he was no sooner in possession of, but immoderate cruelty (all this while buried) began to shew it selfe: for he made havocke of all the Nobilitie, and put to death those that he suspected to be acquainted with his estate: insomuch as some called him Cyclops, some B••siris, others A••∣teus, for his cruelty. Wherefore the Senate of Rome seeing his indignity, proclaimed him an enemy to their commonwealth. and made it lawfull for any man to procure his death: Which being knowne, his souldiers lying at the siege of Aquileia, moved with hatred, entred his tent at noone day, and flew him and his sonne together.
Iustinian the yonger (no lesse hatefull to his subjects for his cruelty than Maximinus) was deposed from the empire by conspiracy, and having his nosthrils slit, exiled to Chersona, Leontius succeeding in his place. How∣beit ere long he recovered his Crowne and Scepter, and returned to Con∣stantinople, exercising more cruelty at his returne, than ever he had done before: for he had not only put to death Leontius and Tiberius, but also all that any way favored their parts. It is said of him, that he never blew his mangled nose, but he caused one of them to be executed to death. At last he was slaine by Philippicus, to verifie the word of the Lord, That he which striketh with the sword shall perish with the sword.
Albonius king of Lunbardy, drinking upon a time to his wife Rosimund in a cup made of her fathers skull (whom he in battell had slaine) so dis∣pleased her therewith, that (attributing more to naturall affection than unity of marriage) decreed with her selfe to hazard life and kingdome, to be revenged upon this grievous injurie; wherefore she thus practised: A knight called Hemichild was enamoured with one of her maids; him shee brought into a secret darke place by policie, in shew to injoy his love, but indeed to be at her command; for she supplyed his loves place: and then discovering her selfe, put it to his choise, either to kill her husband, or to be accused by her of this villanie. Hemichild chose the former, and indeed murdered his Lord in his bed; and after the deed done, fled with her to Ra∣venna. But marke how the Lord required this murder, even most strangely; for they both which were linkt together in the fact, were linkt together also in the punishment; and as they had beene joynt instruments of anothers destruction, so he made them mutuall instruments of their owne for Rosi∣mund thinking to poyson him too, made him drinke halfe her medicine: but hee feeling the poyson in his veines, staied in the mid way, and made her sup up the other halfe for her part: so they died both together.
The Electors of the Empire disagreeing in suffrages, Adolphus Duke