Select Observations of Roman Emperors, Life 42
Carus, with his Sons Carinus and Numerianus
PRobus being slain,Aurelius Carus Carinum & Numerianum filios collegas sibi assumpsit, quorum hic probus, ille adeo protervus ut pater saepius exclamaret, Non est meus. Io. Laetus in Compend. Hist. Vniv. the Army chose Carus Emperor, whereunto the Senate consented.
The Sarmatians threatning Italy, he engaged with them, and overthrew 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 Mesopotamia, Ctesiphon, &c. Whereby he purchased the surname of Persicus.
Embassadors coming to him from the King of Persia, find him lying upon the grass, eating black broth and morsels of swines-flesh; whom he bad to tel their young master: If he continued obstinate, within one month all his woods and fields should be as bare as his bald 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 fifteenth Chapter out of Synesius de Regno, where see Petavius, who applieth it to Probus.
Quamvis ethnicus, ecclesiam Thessaloniceusem à tributis immunem fecit. Chr. Schotanus in his Catalogue of Cesars, at the end of Sulp. Severus's History continued by himself.
Surprized with sickness he pitched his Tent on the shore of Tigris; where he and others were slain in their beds by a thunder-bolt.
— Fulmine captus Imperator
Vitam fulminibus paerem peregit.
Sidonius Apollinaris.
Memorabile maximè Cari, & Carini, & Numeriani hoc habuit imperium, quod ludos Romanos novis ornatos spectaculis dederunt, quos in palatio circa porticum stabuli pictos vidimus. Vopiscus in Caro, Numeriano & Carino, c. 19.
Arrius Aper a Pretorian Prefect having murdered Numerian (his Son-in-law) being troubled with sore eies upon his return from Persia (saith Zonaras) pretended to those of the Army who enquired how he did,Numerianus post Cari parentis obitum, ex Oriente, ac Perside rediens, à socero in itinere est interfectus; recenti adhuc Cari funere: cui pius juvenis praeter modum illacrymans, ocularem in morbum inciderat. Petavius De Doctrina Temporum, p. 11. c. 26. that his infirmity only kept him from sight, but at length his treason was discovered by the putrefaction of Numerian's body. Whereupon Aper being brought by the Soldiers before the Tribunal, was slain by Diocletian; who was both his Judge and Executioner. Vopiscus in Numeriano.
In the life of Carus, written by Eutropius in the later edition set forth by Frobenius, I find (which in other editions of Eutropius doth not appear) that Numerianus slew Babylas the Martyr. But that seemeth not likely, both by narration of Chrysostom and Vrspergensis, who, declaring the same history, and in the same words, as it is in Eutropius, saith it was Cyrillus whom Numerian killed, the story whereof is this: When Carus in his journey toward the Persians remained at Antioch, Numerian would enter into the Christians Church, to view their Mysteries. But Cyril their Bishop would not suffer him, saying; It was not lawful for him to see the mysteries of God, who was polluted with the sacrifice of Idols. Numerian not suffering that repulse at the hands of Cyril, in his fury slew the godly Martyr; and therefore justly (as it seemeth) was himself slain by the hands of Aper. Fox his Acts and Monuments of the Church, tom. 1. p. 69.
Calpurnius the Poet was Secretary to Carus, and after him to Numerian, saith Vopiscus in vita Cari. Nemesianus the Poet was also contemporary with Carus and his Sons.Numerianus versu talis fuisse praedicatur, ut omnes Poetas sui temporis vicerit. Nam & cum Olympio Nemesiano contendit, qui foreign, & foreign scripsit, quique omnibus coloniis illustratus emicuit, & Aurelium Apollinarem iamborum scriptorem, qui patris ejus gesta in literas retulit, iisdem, quae recitaverat editis, veluti radio solis obtexit. Vopiscus in Numeriano, c. 11.
Carinus gave himself to all lusts, married 9 Wives, and then divorced them being big with child; he was twice overcome by Diocletian, and slain by a Tribune, whose Wife he had abused. Vopiscus in Carino.
Tristan parallels Carinus with Gallienus.
Some say Carus and his Sons reigned but 2 years or somewhat more, others say but a little above one.
These 7 Emperors, Claudius, his brother Quintillus, Aurelian, Tacitus, his brother Florian, Probus and Carus reigned but 18 years. Lloids Consent of Times.
Persica diminues victricibus agmina signis:
Foelix, ni torto fulminis igne cadas.
Boissardus.