Select Observations of Roman Emperors 2, Part 1 · Emperor 37 – Emperor 38
Choyce Observations OF AURELIANUS.
HIS Parents being mean, he followed the Warres, and advanced himself thereby.
There being in the Army another tribune, who was named Aurelian, Aurelianus ma…ad ferrum.and had been taken prisoner with Valerian the Emperour, to distinguish the one from the other, this was called Aurelian with his hand upon his sword; he being upon all occasions with a weapon in his hand, ready for service. Vopiscus in Aureliano. c. 6.
He was very temperate, made no use of Physicians when he was sick, but cured all excesse by abstinence. Id. ibid. c. 50.
Though temperate himself, yet he delighted in Phago, who in his presence at one meal ate 100 loaves, and a boar, with a weather and a pig; and drank through a tundish plus orcâ, which Lipsius saith was bigger than the Amphora, The Amphora Copitolina held 6 Gallons.but how much he knoweth not; and honoured Bonosus a great drinker; of whom he was wont to say, Non ut vivat natus est, sed ut bibat: He was not born to draw in breath, but beer.
Aurelian married this Bonosus a Spaniard (but son of an Englishman) to Hunila a noble Gothish Woman, meerly that by her means he might discover the Gothes secrets. Vopiscus in Bonoso.
Aurelian appointed Bonosus to carouse with Embassadours, that they might be brought to bewray secrets by this lene tormentum; whilest he (who had this wonderfull property, that he could pisse as fast as he drunk, without containing any jot within his body) faultred not, but was more discreet. Id. ibid.
[Schenkius arma nunquam accuratius tractabat, quàm quum effusè potus, ac vino amens: immo ebrietate ipsa, quae resignare ac aperire occulta quaeque consuveerit, illum ad arcana occult and a uti solitum ferunt. Strada Belli Belgici Decade secunda, l. 10.
Aurelian was Colonel of Horse under Claudius in Persia; he slew in one day 48 of his Enemies with his own hands in the War against the Sarmatians: and slew in severall dayes above 950; whereupon Ballads were sung by Boyes on Festivals in praise of him. Vopiscus in Aureliano, c. 6.
When the Enemies of the Romans, had overrun all France, he made such havock of them at Mentz, that he slew 700, and sold 300 sub corona; upon which occasion new I…gges were made. Id. ib. c. 7.
He overcame all his Enemies in 3 years, whereas Alexander the Great travelled 13 years by great victories, before he came into India. Caesar spent 10 years in overcoming the Gaules, and 4 years in conquering the Romans. S. Aur. Victor.
He caused a Souldier,See Macrinus, p. 177. who had committed Adultery with his Hostesse, to have h…s feet tyed to the tops of 2 Trees bent downward, and suffered suddenly to start back again; so the wretch was twitched in sunder, and hung on both sides in halves.
He wrote to one of his Lieutenants, If thou wilt be a Captain, nay if thou wilt live, contain thy Souldiers in their duty. I will not have a peasant wronged in a Chicken, nor a Grape taken without his permission; not a grain of Salt, or a drop of Oil unjustly exacted. I desire my Souldiers should be enriched with spoils of Enemies, not the tears of my Subjects. I would have them chast in their Quarters, & no Quarrellers. Which commands Baronius compareth with that of Iohn the Baptist to the souldiers, Luk. 3. 14.
He advanced Tetricus (one of the 30 Tyrants in Gallienus his time, whom he overcame) and made him Provost of Lucania, who had been before proclaimed Emperour by the French Army; elegantly upbraiding him, That it was more majestical to rule some part of Italy, than to reign beyond the Alpes. S. Aur. Victor.
Being incensed against Tyana, See in Herberts Travels the pillar of beasts heads erected at Spa…awn on such an occasion.because the Gates of the City were shut against him, he vowed, He would not leave a Dog in it; but having taken it, upon a fright by the ghost of Apollonius Tyanaeus dead long before, he commanded his Souldiers to kill all the Dogs, but spare the Citizens. Grande Principis dictum, grandius militum votum: nam dictum Principis quo praeda negabatur, civitas servabatur, totus exercitus ita quasi ditaretur, accepit. Vopiscus.
Aurelian demanding how he might govern well, was answered by a great personage; You must be provided with Iron and Gold; Iron to use against your Enemies, and Gold to reward your friends. Zonoras.
His chief engagement was against Zenobia, the most beautiful, chast, learned, wise, and valiant Woman of that age.
Her Letter in answer to him, who sorely tired, profered her life, and liberty, and wealth, if she would yield, sheweth her resolves for fight.
He was so inraged at her haughty reply, that he forthwith besieged Palmyra, destroyed her aids, and at last took her prisoner, whom he led in triumph; ea specie, ut nihil pompabilius populo Rom. videretur, saith Treb. Pollio in Zenobia.
He put Longinus to death upon a supposition that he dictated Zenobias Epistle. He is called Necessarius magis quàm bonus Imperator, because he wanted clemency, which is Imperatorum dos prima, saith Vopiscus.
He was so bloody, that he put to death his own Sisters son.
Being about to signe an edict for the 9 persecution (of which he was the author) God hindred his purpose. Theodoret. l. 4. reportes of Valens the Arrian Emperour) that as he was attempting to sign an edict for the banishing of Basil, he could not write one tittle of a Letter, Providence breaking his Pen 3 several times; at the fourth assay his hand was struck with a palsy, cramping (as it were his knuckles, and thereupon as a man affrighted, with his own hands he tore the paper in pieces; manifesting to all, that the Princes of this World have no power to practise any thing against the Church, any farther than God permitteth. Eusebius l. 7. Haymo l. 7. c. 11.
At the same time also a Thunder-bolt fell so near him, that all thought he was slain; by which messenger God warned him to be wise, lest he perished in those destructive wayes, as shortly after he did; Mnestheus his Secretary fearing punishment for some offence, for which the Emperour threatned him with death, and knowing that he used not to pardon if he threatned, counterfeited the Emperours hand, and wrote the names of many in a rowl as appointed by him to dy; mixing the names of some, with whom the Emperour was truly offended, with those of others whom he was not displeased with, adding his own name that he might the easilyer be believed. They upon sight hereof, thinking to prevent the worst, slew him in a Castle called Coenophrurium, betwixt Byzantium and Heraclea.
When Mnestheus his Treason was discovered, he was cast to wild beasts, as appeareth by marble statues erected in honour of Aurelian, even by those who slew him.
He reigned 4 years, 11 months, and 7 dayes. Vopiscus calleth him Bonum Medicum, sed mala ratione cur antem; A good Physician, had he not administred too bitter potions: in reference to which, Julian feigneth that he had much ado to defend himself at the tribunal of Minos, before whom many accused him of unjustice; but that the Sun, who had alwayes in his life specially assisted him in all his enterprises, excused him to the other Gods, saying, That he had been punished enough by his death, according to the Delphick Oracle, which saith:
foreign.
Iudicium, si quis quae fecit perfer at, aequū est.
Choyce Observations OF TACITUS, And his Brother FLORIANUS.
UPon the death of Aurelian, the Souldiers who would not have any of his assassinates to succeed, sent to the Senate to chuse an Emperour; the Senate refer the election to the Souldiers, who, they knew, used not to be pleased with the Senates choice: half a year passed in complements with a peaceable interregnum, at last, the Senate and Souldiers joyntly elect Tacitus.
He retired to his mannor in Campania, where he was secret 2 moneths, shunning that dignity which might prove his overthrow; was often sollicited, but, with hearty thanks, absolutely denied; affirming his age made him unable to satisfy expectations; at length, necessity of state so requiring, he accepted of their proffer; at which all rejoyced but himself.
He was such an example of moderation to others,See Alexander Serus, p. 192. that he permitted not his Empresse to wear jewels.
He honoured Tacitus the Historian,He called September Tacitus, because he was born and made Emperour in that month. whom he called his Father, commanded his Works to be put in every Library through the Empire, to be transcribed 10 times every year at publick cost. Vopiscus in Tacito. c. 10.
When the Senate chose him Emperour, they cryed out, Quis meliùs quàm gravis imperat? & quis meliùs quàm literatus imperat?
When he objected his age, they answered, that Trajan, Adrian, and Antoninus were old, when they came to the Empire; whom they mentioned because they reigned well and fortunately: omitting Vespasian, Nerva, Pertinax, Macrinus and Decius, who came older to the Empire; but their reign was short, especially that of the four last: the three last also dyed a violent death. Tristan.
When the Senate denyed him the Consulship, which he sought for his brother Florianus, he took it very well, saying; Scit Senatus quem Principem fecerit. Vopiscus.
He gave the Souldiers all the mony he had in silver, which was a great summe; he having had more than 9 millions in gold for his patrimony.
His death was caused by grief occasined by factions, infirmity of age helping to break his heart and his life, when he had reigned 6 months. Vopiscus.
His brother Florianus ambitiously strove to get the Empire as true heir, though he knew Tacitus was engaged to the Senate, that he would prefer worth before his relations in the designation of his Successour.
Being not able to withstand Probus who was chosen by the Army, he was killed by the Souldiers, say some; but most write, that by opening a vein he killed himself at Tarsus, as Quintillus also did, who was reduced to the same extremity.