Select Observations of Roman Emperors 2, Part 1 · Emperor 26
Choyce Observations OF ALEXANDER MAMMAEAE.
HE was named Alexander, because he was born in the Temple of Alexander the Great, and on that day that Alexander dyed; he had a Foster-father called Philip, and a nurse named Olympias: in allusion to Alexander the Great's Father and Mother. Lampridius in Alexandro Severo. c. 5. & 13. who reckoneth 14. omens of his coming to the Empire.
He is called Alexander Mammaeae from his mother Mammaea more known then his Father.Of his pedigree, see H. Valesius on Peiresci, Excerpta p. 112.
Though he was strict in his discipline, yet Lampridius erroneously affirmeth that he was named Severus for his severity to the Souldiers. Tristan tom 2. p. 385.
His mother Julia Mammaea (daughter of Maesa) was a Christian woman, and did send for Origen to instruct her son in the grounds of the Christian religion.
He was the first who received at one time all ornaments and tokens of honour, which he purchased by his honest life and vertuous manners, whereby he obtained such favour of all men, that when his Cousin-German Heliogabalus would have slain him, he could not for the Souldiers and Senates resistance: he proving himself worthy to be saved harmless by the Senate and Souldiers, and to be elected Emperour by the votes of all good men, when he was but 16. years old. Lamprid. c. 2.
He was then so modest, that when the Senate and people would have given to him the sur-names of Antoninus and*Quod ei qussi Alexandre est oblatum. Magnus as principall titles of Honour, he humbly refused them, saying openly unto the Senate; It pleaseth me not to assume what belongeth to others, and I find my self overladen with your love, for these high names of honour are too burdensome to me. Whereupon (saith Lamprid. c. 12.) he gained more honour, than if he had taken titles upon him, and from that time he had the repute of a moderate and wise man.
[Eruditionis gloriam famam que declinando eruditissimus habebatur saith Hierome of Nepotianus.]
He went usually in the morning betime to his devotion into his closet, where were set the images of Apollonius, Christ, Abraham, and Orpheus. Lamprid. c. 29.
He did read much the life of Alexander the Great,See p. 13. in the margin. whom he imitated especially, yet abhorred his drunkeness and cruelty toward his friends. Id. c. 30.
He would not hear Oratours or Poets speak any thing to his praise, counting it folly, but willingly heard Orations of the acts of other good Princes, or of famous Romans; and most gladly such as were made in praise of Alexander the Great. Id. c. 35.
He had the picture of Virgil and Tully, with Achilles and other great persons in his lesser lararium; Alexander the great among those he worshipped as Gods in his greater. Id. ibid. c. 31.
He was at first harsh, after favourable to Christians, thought to build a Temple to Christ, but was diverted by Vlpian and others who having consulted their Heathen gods,See p. 44. and 132. received this answer (saith Lamprid. c. 43.) that if that were suffered, all men would be Christians, and all other Temples desolate.
He delighted not in cloath of gold or silkes, saying; Government consisted in vertue, and not in costly apparell. Lamprid. c. 33.
At his table he drunk not in cups of gold, and kept not above 200. pound weight of silver vessels in his house, Id. ibid. c. 34.
He sold Jewels that were given to him,Lamprid. c. 51. counting it unfit for himself to possesse such things, as he could neither give to his souldiers, nor any man find profit in. Wherefore when an Embassador had given to the Empresse 2. unions of wonderfull greatnesse, he commanded them to be sold: and when none could be found who would give as much as they were prized at, lest any ill example should proceed from his wife, if she wore that which no body could buy, … caused them to be hanged at the eares of the Image of Venus: Sr. Th Elyot his image of govern.thereby declaring that such things either for the inestimable price were …itter for gods then men: or for the unprofitable beauty thereof served onelyonly for persons of wanton dispositions, whereof Venus was goddesse and patronesse.
He would not suffer any to come into his presence, but such as were honest and of good report, commanding that none should enter into his Palace, but onelyonly such who knew themselves to be free from vice: causing it to be proclaimed that no person knowing himself to be a thief, should presume to salute him upon pain of capitall punishment. Lamprid. c. 18.
He prohibited infamous women to salute his Wife or Mother. Id. c. 25.
He was strict in his own manners, wherefore all noble men assayed to imitate him, and honourable matrons followed the Empresses example. Id. c. 41.
He caused the sinews of one of his Secretary's fingers to be cut through,See p. 62. and 63. so that he could never write after, and banished him, for forging a false bill in his Counsell. Id. ib. c. 28. Videsis plura.
He commanded one of his own servants, who had abused him by receiving 100. Crownes of a Souldier for a bribe, to be hanged in the high way, wherein his servants most frequently passed to his mannors without the City. Id. c. 23.
He used like severity toward souldiers; for when he heard that one of them had wronged a poor old woman, he cashiered him and made him be bond slave to the woman, that he being a carpenter might with his trade and labour maintain her: and when the Souldiers were grieved thereat, he perswaded them to be contended, and made them afraid to grudge at it. Id. c. 51.
He would in no case permit offices to be sold; for (said he) he who buyeth, must sell; I will not endure any merchandise of authority; which if I tolerate, I cannot afterwards condemn; and I shall be ashamed to punish him who sold what I permitted him to buy. Id. c. 49.
He so abhorred bribery, that if by chance he saw a Judge therewith corrupted, he was ready to scratch out his eyes; and was so incensed at the sight of such extortioners, that he would immediately vomit up choler, his face being as it were on fire, and he not able of a long time to speak a word. Id. c. 17.
He had a favourite named Vetronius Turinus, who used to be more familiar with him then others, which so blinded him, that he by lyes confirmed the opinion of many, who thought the Emperour would do nothing without his advice. Which abuse the Emperour hearing of used this plot to circumvent him. He caused one to desire something of him openly, and after to sue privily to Turinus to help him in his demand, and secretly to move the Emperour for him: which being done, Turinus promised good will to the petitioner, and soon after said that he had sollicited the Emperour therein, (whereas he spoke not a word thereof) and expected his answer; whereupon he received of the said person a great summe of money, which the Emperour knowing, caused him to call often on Turinus; who, as if he had other business in hand, onelyonly beckened on him without speaking any thing to him; the Emperour in the interim having given to another that which this man sued for, who grudging thereat, discovered openly what Turinus had received of him: whereupon the Emperour commanded Turinus to be accused openly in his presence, and all things being proved by sufficient and credible witnesses, in whose presence he had received bribes, and in whose hearing he had promised great matters: he was adjudged by the Emperour to be bound to a stake in the market place, and to be smothered to death with smoke of green sticks and wet stubble, the bedell being commanded to cry the mean while, Fumo punitur qui vendidit fumum; He perisheth by smoke who had vented smoke in stead of substance. But lest men should think the judgement was too rigorous for one offence, before he was condemned to dye, the Emperour made diligent search, and found by evident proofes, that Turinus had often and in many causes received money of both parts, promising to promote their cause to the Emperour. Lamprid▪ c. 35. & 36.
He had in his chamber bills containing the number of his Souldiers, with their names, and what time they had served; and when he was alone, he perused their accounts, and the number of them with their dignityes and wages, that he might be surely provided upon all occasions: wherefore when he had any thing to do with them, he could tell many of their names. When he was sollicited to promote any one, he marked his name, and then searched his books of remembrance, wherein were the names of them who served him, with the time of their service, also their reward, and at whose request they were promoted. Id. c. 21.
In his expeditions if any Souldier going out of the way passed through an other mans ground, he would cause him to be beaten with rods, or be drubbed in his sight: or if the dignity of the person freed him from such punishments, he would severely reprove him, saying; Visne hoc in agro tuo fieri, quod alteri facis? Lamprid. c. 51.
When his Souldiers mutinyed at Antioch, See p. 128.because he exercised martial discipline upon some of them for debauchednesse, he stilled them with these words; Quirites discedite, atque arma deponite. A wonderfull example, they all putting off their armes and souldiers coates, departed to their severall lodgings. Then the Emperours guard brought all the Standards into the Camp, and the people themselves brought all their armour to the Emperours Palace: Yet that very Legion which he disbanded, being sued unto 30 dayes before he went toward Persia, he received again, and by their valour especially, he overcame his enemies: notwithstanding ere he departed he put to death the Commanders of that Legion, because the souldiers passed their time riotously at Daphne, through their negligence or connivence. Id. ib. c. 53. & 54.
He so heard the complaints of souldiers against their Commanders, that if he found any Officer faulty, he punished him according to the quality of the offence, without purpose of pardon. Id. c. 23.
He made one a pretorian prefect, who fled to avoid so arduous imployment, saying; Invitos, non ambientes in republica collocandos, They were fit to bear office of state who shunned them, not those that sued for them. Id. c. 19.
[King William Rufus (sacrilegious in other acts) herein discharged a good conscience. Two Monks came to him to buy an Abbots place of him, seeking to outvie each other in offering great summes of money, whilest a third Monk stood by, and said nothing. To whom said the King; What wilt thou give for the place? Not a penny, answered he, for it is against my conscience; but here I stay to wait home on him whom your Royall pleasure shall design Abbot. Then quoth the King, Thou of the three best deservest the place, and shalt have it, and so bestowed it on him. Fullers Holy stare. l. 2. c. 12.]
He never made a Senatour without the Counsell and approbation of the whole Senate, testimony of him being given by honourable persons; but if either the Senatours who gave their suffrage, or the witnesses were found to have spoken untruly, they were put into the lowest place of esteem, being also condemned by the people as deceivers and forgers without hope of remission. Lamprid. c. 19.
He loved learned men, and feared them also very much, lest they should write any thing sharply of him. Lamprid. c. 3.
His Mother Mammaea and his Grand-mother Maesa chose out of the Senate 16 grave and honourable Peeres for his Counsellers and Assistants, without whose consent nothing was to passe as an Act of State. Herodian. l. 6. c. 1.
He transacted no weighty matter of judicature, without the advice of no lesse then 50 most learned and wise men, beside 20 Lawyers (18 whereof were Scholars of Papinian) of whom Vlpian was chief.
Every mans opinion was heard, and what they said was written; a competent time being given each Counsellour to consider what they propounded, that they might not speak unadvisedly in matters of importance. Lamprid. c. 16. and 68.
In Law and business of state, intelligent, learned and eloquent men were of his Councel; in military affaires old Commanders, who had behaved themselves valiantly in several battails, and were expert in the situation of places, pitching of fields, and preparation of camps; in each matters he advised with the best Historians: asking them, what the Emperours of Rome or Princes of forreign countries in former times did in like cases as were then in debate. Id. c. 16.
When he appointed Governours of Provinces, he published their names, exhorting and encouraging the people to bring in what exception they could against them, and manifestly to prove the crime, if there was cause of accusation; provided, if they did not sufficiently prove their charge, and that their accusation proceeded from malice, the accuser should forthwith be beheaded: for, said he, Since Christians and Jews use this method in ordination of Priests, it is most reasonable that the like course should be taken in the choice of Rectors of Provinces, to whom are committed the lives and fortunes of those who are under them. Id. c. 49.
When certain Hucksters and Cookes pretended they had right to a place which was consecrated by the Christians, and it was inquired what was his pleasure therein, he answered; It was better that God should be worshipped there after any sort, then that the place should be put to vain uses. Id. c. 49.
Eusebius in his Ecclesiasticall History l. 6. saith, that there were many Christians in his family.
He wrote down so far as he could remember, what he had given to any man, and if he found any to whom he had either given nothing, or that which was not equall to his merit, he called them unto him, saying What is the cause that thou askest nothing of me? Wouldst thou have me to be in thy debt? Ask something that thou mayest not complain of me for want of promotion. Id. c. 46.
When any one had exercised his office in the Common-wealth well, at the end of his term when there was a Successour appointed, he would say to him who departed out of his office; Gratias tibi agit Respublica: and would so reward him, that being a private person, he might according to his degree live the more honestly. Id. c. 32.
He allowed every Judge of a Province 20 pound weight in silver, 6 silver pots, 2 Mules, 2 Mulets, 2 Horses, a Horse-keeper and a Muletour, 2 Robes to sit in judgement, one honourable garment to wear in his house, one for his bath, one cook, and 100 crowns; their employment being ended, they were bound to restore the Mules, Mulets, Horses, Muletours and Cooks: but might retain the residue if they had discharged their office well, otherwise they payed 4 times as much as they received. Id. c. 42.
He did let no day passe without exercising himself in learning and martial affaires. Id. c. 3.
Every day also he did some good to others, in which (saith Tristan) he had an advantage of happinesse above Titus, who could not expresse the like goodness above space of 2 yeares in which he reigned.
If necessity required, he heard matters before day, staying till it was late; never seeming to be weary or troubled: but had all the time the same countenance, in all things appearing merry and pleasant. Lampridius c. 29.
He was so courteous, that he visited the meanest of his sick friends, desiring them to tell him their minds freely of every thing, and hearing them attentively; and when he had heard them throughly, whatsoever he found amisse he carefully amended: and when his mother Mammaea and his wife Memmia blamed him for his great civility, saying it made his authority contemptible, he answered; but more secure and durable. Id. c. 20.
He repaired most of the Bridges which were built by Trajan, leaving notwithstanding the name and honour thereof to Trajan. Id. c. 26.
His Souldiers marceed like Senatours to the Persian war, the Country loving them as brethren, and honouring the Emperour as a God. Id. c. 50.
When he dined or supped abroad, he had ever with him Vlpian or other learned men, that he might benefit himself by their discourse, with which he said, that he was both recreated and …ed. Id. c. 34.
In all the time of his reign, which lasted 14 yeares he suffered none to dye, but those who were condemned by law; a rare vertue, and not practised by any since Marcus Aurelius: and there had been nothing wanting to have rendred him a most excellent Prince, had not his Mother who was (a good woman but) too miserable, blasted his honour by her sordid demeanour.Lampridius c. 14. Herodian l. 6. c. 9.
He meeting with a Druid as he went into Germany, she said to him; Vadas, nec victoriam speres, nec militi tuo credas. Lampridias c. 60.
Thrasybulus his friend foretelling that he should die by the hand of a barbarian, he rejoyced, thinking that he should die a warlike death; but he was mistaken in his interpretation, dying not in war: for the souldiers enraged with his discipline, and his mother Mammaea's covetousness, slew both near Mentz in Germany, by the instigation of Maximus a muletour whom he had raised.
He lived 29 yeares 11 months and 7 dayes, and reigned (saith Lampride) 13 years and 9 dayes. S. Aur. Victor saith that when Alexander saw himself forsaken of his guard, he cryed out upon her which gave him his life, as the cause of his death; adding that Mammaea had reduced her son to such an extremity by her sparing humour, who if never so little was left at their overfrugal table,Matris cultu plus quam pius. Aur. Victor. reserved it till another time.
Verè Mammaeus à studio in matrem Mammaeam, ex cujus arbitrio & consilio multa administrat infeliciter & cum proprio exitio. Dietericus in breviario historico.
Iulian bringeth in Silenus thus deriding him: O te hominem amentissimum, & nullius plane consilii! qui ad tantum dignitatis fastigium elatus, tuas res ex animi tui sententia non administrasti, sed tuas pecunias matri commisisti, neque tibi tn mentem venit, longe satius & utilius esse eas amicis impartiri, quàm sibi recondere.
He is the more to be honoured and admired, since being come of uncertain linage, born far from Rome, and in so barbarous a Country as Syria, he so well governed the Roman Empire, which before his time was extremely corrupted with detestable vices.
Dion was contemporary and Consul with Alexander, with whom he endeth his history, of which Bussieres in his Flosculi historici passeth this censure: Tunc Dio Cassius principi charus & fastis insertus, inauguravit literas trabea; Romanae Graecus scriptor historiae perquam accuratus, quam tamen negligentia temporum perdidit, dum studiosus brevitatis in Xiphilino, ignorantiam sovet, & umbram amans corpus amittit.