Select Observations of Roman Emperors 2, Part 1 · Emperor 39 – Emperor 40
Choyce Observations OF PROBUS.
VPonUpon Tacitus his death, the Army unanimously cryed out, Let us have Probus for our Emperour; and the Senate with applause confirmed the election.
The manner of his being chosen by the Souldiers was thus; The Officers told them the requisites of one that should be elected, that he should be Fortis, Sanctus, Verecundus, Clemens, Probus: which when it was spoke to many companies, on all sides they cryed out as it were by a divine instinct, Probe Auguste, Dii te servent. Vopiscus in Probo, c. 10.
Valerian the Emperour called him Verè Probum, saying in an epistle, that if he had not had Probus for his name, he deserved to have had it for his surname. Id ib. c. 4.
He was made tribune by Valerian, in which office he served under Gallienus, Claudius, Aurelian, and Tacitus.
His first service, after he became Emperour,Vopiscus in Probo, c. 13. 14, 15. Iulianus in Caesaribus. was in France, against the Germans who had conquered it; wherein one battel he slew almost 400000 Germans, 9 of whose Kings prostrated themselves at his feet: he won also and repaired 70 of their Cities in lesse than 7 years.
The Egyptians electing Saturninus a wise and valiant Captain▪ Emperour, so sore against his will, that he was like to be slain for gain-saying their desires; Probus hasting towards them offered them pardon, out of an unwillingnes to shed civil blood, or to loose such a man as Saturninus: but upon refusal of his clemency, he engaged in a sharp battail, wherein most of the revolters were overthrown, and Saturninus slain in the assault of a besieged Castle, to the grief of Probus who sought to save his life. Vopiscus in Saturnino.
Bonosus who had charge of ships, which the Germans burned in the mouth of the Rhine through his negligence▪ if not treachery; who fearing punishment for his fault, rebelled against Probus, but was overcome and through despair hung himself: whereupon it was said, Amphoram pendere, non bominem; That a barrell or tankard hung there, and not a man; because he was so given to drink. Vopiscus in Bonoso.
There rebelled also against Probus, Proculus as insatiate a vassal to Venus, as Bonosus was to Bacchus; so impudent that he did not onelyonly cōmit filthinesse, but boasted of it, as appeareth by his Letter wherein he braggeth that having taken 100 Sarmatian Virgins he deprived 10 of that name in a night, and all the rest within a fortnight: inter fortes se haberi credens si criminum densitate coalescat, saith Vopiscus in Proculo.
He honoured Aradion a most valiant man (whom he overcame in wrestling) with a tomb 200 foot broad remaining in Vopiscus his time; which he caused the souldiers, whom he never suffered to be idle, to erect: testifying the greatness of his respect by his largenes of his monument. Vopiscus in Probo c. 9.
Quo latior agri modus sepulchro assignabatur, eo magis crescebat honos. Casaubonus.
Being presented with a Horse taken in War, which it was said, could go an 100 mile in a day, for 8 or 10 dayes together, he said, He was fitter for a cowardly than a valia… souldier. Id. Ibid. c. 8.
Some say he was the last Emperour who triumphed, after his Victory over the Germans and the Blemiae a people of Africk.
He commanded to be let loose at once 1000 estriches, 1000 stags, 1000 wild boars, 1000 fallow dear beside wild goats, wild sheep, and other creatures which sed upon grasse, as many as could be fed or found; which he gave to the people to catch as they could; the Circus being set all over with great trees, which by the souldiers were taken up by the roots, as they grew in the woods, and planted there with green turf about them, and fastned with beams and irons: next day he let into the same place 100 maned Lyons, which filled the air with roaring as if it had thundred; 100 Lybian Leopards, 100 Syrian, 100 Lionesses, and 300 beares. Vopiscus in Probo. c. 19.
As Hanibal filled most parts of Africk with Olive-yards planted by his souldiers that they might not be idle, to the indangering of the Common-wealth; so Probus, who for his famous acts is compared with Hanibal and Caesar, for the same reason caused his souldiers to plant vineyards throughout all France, both the Pannonias, and the Mysian hills. Aur. Victor.
He undid himself by that speech of his; Brevi milites necessarios non futuros: wherewith the souldiers being offended murdered him, when he had lived 75 years, and reigned 6 years 4 moneths; others say 6 years.
Iulian feigneth that Silenus reproched him with his severity towards his souldiers, who added that he underwent deserved punishment, though unjustly inflicted by them.
It is thought, that because he suffered the Christians to live in peace, God gave him so many victories against the Barbarians.
Choyce Observations OF CARUS, With his Sons CARINUS And NUMERIANUS.
PROBVS being slain the Army chose Carus Emperour, whereunto the Senate consented.
The Sarmatians threatning Italy he engaged with them, and overthre… them with the slaughter of 16000, taking 20000 prisoners. Vopiscus in Caro. c. 9.
Leaving Carinus his elder son to govern Britain, France, Illyricum, and Spain; he prepared with Numerian against the Persians, in which expedition he took in his way Mes… potamia, Ctesiphon, &c. Whereby he purchased the surname of Persicus.
Embassadors coming to him from the King of Persia, find him lying upon the grasse, eating black broath and morsels of swines-flesh; (whom he bade to tell their young master: If he continued obstinate, within one monethmonth, all his woods and fields should be as bare as hisb. …ld pate, which he shewed; offering them to eat out of the pot, if they pleased, otherwise to depart forthwith.
Lipsius in his Notes to his second Book of Politicks and the fiftenth Chapter out of Synesius de Regno, where see Petarius who applieth it to Probus.
Surprized with sicknesse he pitched his tent on the shore of Tigr…s; where he and others were slain in their beds by a thunder-bolt.
—Fulmine captus Imperator
Vitam fulminibus parem peregit.
Sidonius Apollinaris.
Arrius Aper a Pretorian prefect having murdered Numeri…n (his Son-in-law) being troubled with sore eyes upon his return from Persia (saith Zonaras) pretended to those of the Army who enquired how de did, that his infirmity onelyonly kept him from sight, but at length his treason was discovered by the putrefaction of Numerians body. Whereupon he being brought by the souldiers before the tribunal was slain by Diocletian; who was both his Judge and Executioner. Vopiscus in Numeriano.
Carinus gave himself to all lusts, married 9 Wives and then divorced them bei…g big with child; he was twice overcome by Diocletian, and slain by a Tribune, whose wife he had abused. Vopiscus in Carino.
Some say Carus and his Sons reigned but 2 years or some what more, others say but a little above one.
These 7 Emperours Claudius his brother Quintillus, Aurelian, Tacitus, his brother, Florian Probus and Carus reigned but 18 years. Lloids Consent of Times.