Select Observations of Roman Emperors 2, Part 1 · Emperor 27 – Emperor 34
Choyce Observations OF MAXIMINUS, And his Son MAXIMUS.
MAximinus spent his youth in keeping cattle, yet was advanced afterward for his stature which exceeded 8 foot by 6 fingers. Capitolinus in Maxim. c. 1. & in Maximino I un, c. 2. secundum correctionem Casauboni & Salmasii. [Ego (ut foreign, cui magna solet esse fides, testem saciam) Belgam (Antwerpianum se fere. bat) in Galliis, Anno 1583. vidi novem pedes altitudine excedentem, &c. Merula Cosmographis parte prima, l. 3. c. 14.]
His body was so great that his wives bracelet served him for a ring. Capitolinus in Maximino, c. 6.
His stomach was answerable; he eating daily 40, sometimes 60 pound weight of flesh; and drinking 6 gallons of wine, Id. ibid. c, 4.
His strength was sutable; he being able to draw waines loaden with his hands; to strike out the teeth of a horse with his fist, to break his thighes with a kick; to crumble tophy stones between his fingers, and to cleave young Trees: for which he was called Hercules, Antaeus, and M…lo; as Achilles, Hector, and Ajax, for his valour. Id. ibid. c. 6. and 8.
Sept. Severus celebrating the birth-day of his Son Geta, with military sports, gave the winners for a reward jewels, collars, bracelets, belts; Maximinus who was newly come to the army, and could scarce speak Latine came before him, intreating his leave that he might put forth himself in these exercises. Severus wondring at the greatness of his body, granted his request; but upon conditition, that he should not encounter with any souldier,*Nequid a rudi homine militaribus viris venires injuriae, saith Iorna…des in Geticis. c. 15. but with such as were water-bearers and servitors of the Camp, among which were very strong and stout men. Maximinus overcame 16 of them before he rested, receiving so many smaller rewards, but not such as were given to the Souldiers, and was listed for service. Three dayes after the Emperour riding to view his Camp, saw Maximinus (who was yet but a fresh water-souldier) out of order; wherefore he commanded a Colonel to call him into his rank, and to instruct him in the duty he was to obverve in the warres: Maximinus imagining the Emperour spake of him, kneeled down at his feet. The Emperour desiring to see whether he could run well or no, spurred his Horse and took several Turnes in the field; and seeing Maximinus left not of running, old Severus being tired said to Maximinus, Thracian, will you wrestle after your race? whereto he answered, So long as it shall please your Majesty. Then the Emperour chusing 7 of the strongest men in his army, Maximinus overcame them without resting between. Whereupon Severus commanded a collar of gold to be given to him alone, with certain pieces of silver; made him one of his guard, and commanded that he should continually attend in the palace: by which means he came to be esteemed by the Commanders and Souldiers, and to obtain what he desired of the Emperour, Id. ib. c. 2. and 3.
He was diligent as well after as before his preferment, saying, Ego quò major fuero, tanto plus labor abo: and rather then his Souldiers should be out of action, he imployed them in hunting.
Even in his old age he would throw down 5, 6, or 7 Souldiers (whom he wrestled with) one after another; and being challenged by a Tribune who envied him, whē they met, Maximinus gave him such a blow on the breast with the palm of his hand, that he threw him flat upon his back, saying, in sport; Date alium, sed Tribunum. Id. ib. c. 6.
Caracalla made Maximinus a Centurion; (in Macrinus his reign he left the army out of hatred to the assasinate of his sovereign;) even Heliogabalus permitted him to be a Tribune: but Alexander Severus gave him the command of a Legion, whose death notwithstanding he disloyally practised (as is before mentioned;) whereupon he was elected Emperour by the souldiers, without the consent of the Senate. Id. ibid. c. 4. 5. 7. 8.
It appeareth unquestionably that he committed this villany (notwithstanding the doubts of some) because he killed all Alexanders relations and friends. Tristan.
He arrogantly usurped the names of Cajus Julius Verus, and the proud Epithets of Invictus, Fortissimus, and Nobilissimus; notwithstanding his ignoble extraction. Tristan.
He suffered no noble person to be about him, and out of a desire to conceal the baseness of his birth, slew even the best of his friends who were conscious of it. Lampridius c. 9.
His tyranny caused many to conspire against him, which he discovering, took an occasion to renew his cruelty.
Maximinus first thanked Macedonius, who treacherously slew Tycus that had rebelled against him, but afterward put him to death as a Traitor. Capitolinus c. 11.
Prae…larum tyranni factū, & verè singulare, nam totâ vitâ unicum hoc laude dignum. Elenchus Numismatum in Bibliotheca Bodlejana.
He slew all of the faction of his adversary Magnus without any judiciall processe, not satisfied with the slaughter of above 4000. Capitolinus c. 10.
Maximus Pupienus (who made preparations at Ravenna to wage war against him by the Senates appointment) was exceedingly afraid of him, and saying often; that he was not engaged against a man, but a Cyclops: and Balbinus (who was made his colleague in the Empire by the Senate, and staid at Rome) trembled at the naming of him.
He was so feared at Rome, that, when he was in Italy, the women with their children prayed solemnely in their Temples that he might never return; having heard that some were crucified by him, some inclosed in beasts newly killed, others cast to wild beasts, others bruised with clubs, without any regard to the quality of persons. Id. ibid. c. 8.
For his cruelty (which he thought necessary for his security) he was hated, and called Cyclops, Busiris, Syron, Phalaris, Typhon, and Gyges. Id ib. &c. 9.
He was so infatuated with the confidence of his own greatness and personal strength, that he entertained a conceit, that death durst not adventure to encounter him, for fear of having his Javelin broke about his own crazy skull, and all his Skeleton of bones rattled to dust. Dr. Charletons Darkness of Atheism dispelled by the light of nature, p. 178.
Because he thought himself immortal, he was covertly defied in the Theatre by a Comoedian in these verses:
Qui ab uno non potest occidi, à multis occiditur:
Elephas grandis est, & occiditur:
Leo fortis est, & occiditur:
Tigris fortis est, & occiditur:
Cave multos, si singulos non times.
If thou fear'st not the force of one alone,
Beware the strength of many joyn'd in one.
Capitolinus c. 9.
What was spoken in sport, befell him in earnest; for Maximinus hasting with his army towards Rome to be revenged of the Senate which intended resistance, was opposed at Aquileja, where women made bow-strings of their hair to shoot against him; at which repulse he became so furious that he killed many of his own Souldiers;Capitolinus in Maximimino Ian. & id Maximo & Balbino. wherewith the rest being enraged slew him and his Son, saying; Canis pessimi ne catulus quidem relinquendus: Of a bad litter not a whelp is to be left.
He was 65 years old when he dyed, and his Son 21.
The time of their reign is not agreed upon.
The Messenger who brought word of their death, came from Aquileia to Rome (798 miles) in 4 dayes, Capitolinus c. 25.
Magna sane diligentia: sed non incredibilis; cùm similis celeritatis aut etiam majoris exempla & apud veteres legantur, & hodiéque ed saepissimè videamus. Constat hodiernos veredarios Roma Lute…iam saepe diebus sex septem commeare: quae longè major contentio est, Casaubonus.
When his head with his sons were brought to Rome, all ran to the Altars to thank the Gods, and Balbinus sacrificed Hecatombs for his deliverance, commanding the same to be done throughout the Empire.
Maximinus was the Author of the 6 persecution, which Tristan thinks he raised onelyonly that he might confiscate the Christians goods, his sacrilegious covetousness not permitting him to spare Heathen Temples.
In his reign GORDIAN the father and son took upon them the Empire in Africk, the Son was slain by Capellianus a friend to Maximinus, the Father through despair strangled himself.
Choyce Observations OF MARCUS CLODIUS, PUPIENUS MAXIMUS, And DECIMUS CAELIUS BALBINUS. Collegues
VPonUpon the death of the 2 Gordians the Senate chose Pupienus and Balbinus Empeperours in opposition to Maximinus. In the mean time the Commons decryed the election, but especially rejected Pupienus, as too austere; and cryed out that they would presently kill them both, and have a Prince of Gordians linage, that the Empire might continue in that name. Balbinus and Pupienus assaying to go forth of the Capitol, were kept in with clubs and stones, till they deluded the people by this invention.
There was in the City a little boy, son to Gordians daughter, and of his Grand-fathers name; whom they sent for thither. They who were sent for him, finding him playing at home, lifted him on their shoulders, and so carried him through the crowd, telling the people he was Gordians Nephew, and of his name: the people shouting for joy, and casting leaves upon him. When the Senate had proclaimed him Caesar (his minority not permitting him to manage the state) and the people were calmed, the elected Emperours were suffered to passe to the Palace, Herodian. l. 7. c. 10.
Balbinus was both noble and ancient,Ridiculè Orosius l. 7. fratres fuisse scribit, cùm alter nobilis, ignobilis alter fuerit, Capitolin… auctore Schottus in Aur. Victorem. Pupienus was ignobly descended, but had born many offices, which having discharged with wisdome and valour, he was highly prized by the Senate.
These Emperours were not joyned in affection, as in authority; each holding himself most deserving: each having their own, and standing upon their own guard.
The election of these Emperours by the Senate displeased the souldiers so much, that at last they assaulted the Court, and easily slew these Senatorian Emperours, (as they carried them) being at variance; crying out that they had but slain them, whom themselves first rejected.
Zosimus, saith that Balbinus and Pupienus, would have killed young Gordian, because he was more beloved of the souldiers, by whom he was made Caesar; who hearing of their designe, prevented them: but Boeclerus thinketh he is mistaken.
Choyce Observations Of ANTONIUS GORDIANUS
UPon the dath of Balbinus and Pupienus, Gordian the third, before created Caesar by the Senate through the importunity of the souldiers; was made Emperour by a general consent in the thirteenth year of his age.
He married Tranquillina daughter of Misitheus, whom he loved and honoured for his learning; by whose advice he transacted state-affaires prosperously, expelling Sapor King of Persia from Syria, recovering Antioch, Nisibis, and Carrae by his assistance: for which successe the Senate appointed a triumph for Gordian, and a triumphal chariot for Misitheus with this inscription: Misitheo parenti principum, Pop. Rom. tutori r…ip. S. P. Q. R.
Misitheus was soon missed for counsell and trust, being poisoned by Philip an Arabian of ignoble parentage,Eutropius. who was made Prefect in his stead, and aspired to the Empire.
Philip secretly caused a scarcity of victuals in the Army, which he did, that the souldiers might imagine it to be occasioned by Gordians neglect, whom he charged with inability to govern, being so young.
The Officers were corrupted by Philip, and the souldiers through ignorance of his deceipt, make him Gordians Governour, whereupon he grew so insolent, that he commanded all, as if he had been sole Emperour.
Gordian discerning his aim complaineth openly to the souldiers of the wrong which was done to him by Philip, notwithstanding all obligations to the contrary; but Philips project prevailing, Gordian since he could not share in the Empire, sued to be a Captain, which was denyed him: Philip not thinking himself safe (whilest Gordiā of great blood and esteem was alive) slew him in the 22 year of his age, and 6 of his reign; as if Justice her self appeared evidently to take vengeance on the Traitors,See Iulius Caesar, p. 19. each of his Murtherers with the same Poinyard wherewith they slew him, killed himself.
Gordiaus Motto was Miser est Imperator apud quem verà reticentur; which was his own case.
Choyce Observations OF PHILIPPUS ARABS, And his Son CAIUS JULIUS SATURNINUS PHILIPPUS.
PHILIP the Father writing to the Senate of Gordians death as if it had hapned naturally, was by them proclaimed Emperour, through fear of the Souldiers.
The Gothes infesting Mysia and Asia, Philip sent Marinus against them, who as soon as he came into those parts drew his Army into a rebellion, and proclaimed himself Emperour; taking (he said) his example from Philip, who raised his title by his sovereignes fall.
Philip complaining very much to the Senate of Marinus his ingratitude, Decius bid him not fear, for Marinus should suffer for it, as he did, for the mutable souldiers, who even now erected him, suddenly threw him down, and slew him.
Decius being sent in Marinus his room, was also proclaimed Emperour by the souldiers, though against his will, out of their hatred to Phil…p.
Decius sent secretly to Philip, professing he meant to escape the souldiers, and persist in his allegiance: Philip fearing that was but policy (lest Decius should be stronger by delayes) hasted himself with a great Army, and being overcome was slain by the souldiers at Verona, his head being cut off through the teeth.
At the newes whereof the Pretorian souldiers slew his son, but 12 years old; who was so composed, that it from the 5 year of his age none could make him laugh: and when his Father was tickled with laughter at the secular playes, he looked on him with an estranged countenance.
The time of their raign was 7 years say some, others say 6, some but 5.
The elder Philips age is not related by any Historian.
Choyce Observations OF TRAJANUS DECIUS, And his Son ETRUSCUS DECIUS.
DECIVS was elected Emperour by the Persian legions, proclaimed in Verona by the Roman souldiers, and had the voices of the Senate to confirm him.
He was noble by birth, an experienced, wise and valiant Prince; and might have been reckoned among the best; had he not with an heathenish rage persecuted the Christians, being Author of the seventh persecution.
He put more Christians to death in a year and an half, than Trajan (whose name he had, and whom he would have been thought to resemble) in 20. Tristan.
The Novatians would not communicate with them, who had denyed the faith in the persecution of Decius, and afterwards repenting turned to the same faith again, Nicephorus Callistus l. 12. c. 28. The fear of his persecution gave the original to a Monkish life.
He was victorious against the Gothes, and joyning a fresh battail with them,Of Brutus saith Aur. Victor. was overthrown by the treason of Gallus his General: saith Pomponius Laetus.
His son was mortally wounded by an arrow, he leaping into a whirl pool was never seen after.
Tristan thinketh this misfortune befell Decius for a punishment of his persecutions.
Vopiscus in the life of Aurelian, and Pomponius Laetus compare Decius and his son with the Decii Mures, who devoted themselves to destruction in a dangerous fight, for the safety of their Country, which depended thereupon. But the comparison doth not agree saith Tristan. For the 2 ancient Decii rendred the Romans victorious by their death, whereas these by theirs made them slaves to the Barbarians, and lost many of their Provinces. Besides that Decius the Father was drowned and swallowed up in his flight, which hath no resemblance with the end of the Decii of the ancient Commonwealth.
He dyed at the age of 50, having reigned 2 years.
Choyce Observations OF TREBONIANUS GALLUS, And his Son VOLUSIANUS.
GALLVS appearing much grieved for Decius his death, was not suspected; which facilitated his attaining of the Empire.
He caused Virtus Augustorum to be stamped upon his and his sons medails, as if he had got the Empire by valour and not by deceit.
Under these two Emperours arose a plague in Ethiopia, Solâ pestilentiâ, morbis atque, a… gritudinibus, Galli & Volusiani notus fuit principatus. Eutropius.which spred it self by degrees in all the Provinces of the Roman Empire, and lasted 15 years together, without intermission; and so great was the mortality, that in Alexandria, as Dionisius himself (at that time the Bishop of that Sea) reports, there was not one house of the City free, and the remainder of the inhabitants equalled not the number of old men in former times: By means whereof St. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, who lived in that age, took occasion to write that excellent Treatise de Mortalitate: And Lipsius his censure of this pestilence is, Non alia unquam major lues mihi lecta, spatio temporum sive terrarum.
Aemilianus his General having overcome the Gothes, grew so proud thereupon, that he aspired to the Empire, which he purchased by the good will of the souldiers, who slew Gallus and his Son in battail.
Dexippus who lived in those times saith he governed but 18 months.
Choyce Observations OF AEMILIANUS.
HE was an African of obscure parentage, and arose to be a General from a common souldier.
His election was at first contradicted by the Italian band, who sought to make Valerian Emperour, to which the Senate inclined, because of Valerians renown.
Aemilians Army hearing of the election of Valerian, tumultuously murdered their own creature, who reigned almost 4. months.
Some reckon him among Usurpers, but his title is allowed by Eutropius.
Of 30 Emperours who reigned since Octavius Augustus time, untill Valerian, 6 of them escaped not the hands of murtherers. Lloids consent of time.
Choyce Observations OF VALERIANUS.
HE was nobly descended, and of such esteem among the Romans that being a private man, and absent they chose him for their Censor; Valeriani vita censura est.an office of great dignity, ever conferred upon the best saith Trebellius Pollio who wrote his life.
At the beginning of his reign he was gracious to the Christians above any of his Predecessors, but after being perverted by an Egyptian magician and Macrianus, he was author of the 8 persecution.
He was very cruel;Massa Candida in Africa. pulled out the eyes of young children thereby consulting of future Events.
In his reign there suffred 300 Martyrs together at Carthage, whom the Governour of the City commanded either to throw frankincense into the fire (set before them) in honour of Iupiter, or else to cast themselves head-long into a Brick kiln hard by, which they did, chusing rather to embrace fire, than resist light. Prudentius in Peristeph.
When he warred in Mesopotamia, he was taken prisoner by Sapor King of Persia (through the treachery of Macrianus) and used like a slave as long as he lived, Sapor setting his foot upon his neck whensoever he mounted on horse-back, to the utmost vilifying of Majesty, and the regret of divers interceeding Princes.
It was the most signal affront which the Romans hitherto ever received in the person of their Emperours. Tristan.
At last saith Eusebius, by Sapors command, his eyes were pulled out, wherewith he dyed; Agathias saith he was flayed alive, and rubbed all over with salt: a calamity which may challenge tears of blood.
He lived along, but disgracefull age; was 76 years old before he was taken prisoner: after his captivity he lived 7 years in reproches, and then died a violent death. A man of a poor mind, and not valiant; notwithstanding lifted up in his own, and the opinion of men, but falling short in the performance. Sr. Fr. Bacon. Infaelicissimus Principum a filio Gallieno in Deos relatus est, quasi Deum facere posset, quem liberum facere aut nequiverat, aut neglexerat, Cluverus.
Gallienus tam claro Dei judicio territus miseroque collegae permotus exemplo, pacem Ecclesiae trepidâ satisfactione restituit, saith Orosius.