Select Observations of Roman Emperors, Life 26
Alexander Severus.
HE was named Alexander, *Longè aliter hujus nominis causam explicat Dio, quem vide. Casaub.because he was born in the Temple of Alexander the Great, and on that day that Alexander died; 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, and 13. who reckoneth 14 omens of his coming to the Empire.
Of his pedigree, see Helagabalus in the beginning.He is called Alexander Mammaeae from his Mother Mammaea more known than his Father.
Though he was strict in his discipline, yet *Cap. 12. But Heraldus in Apologet. Tertul. p. 40. saith, Ab animifirmitudine & constantia Alexander Mammaeae optimus Principum, Severi nomen meruit.Lampridius erroneously affirmeth that he was named Severus for his severity to the Soldiers. Tristan tom. 2. p. 385.
His Mother Iulia 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 Emperor that favoured Christians.
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 Helagabalus would have slain him, he could not for the Soldiers and Senates resistance: he proving himself worthy to be preserved by the Senate and Soldiers, and to be elected Emperor 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 Antonius and |Quod ei quasi Alexandro est oblatum.Magnus as principal 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 burdensom to me. Whereupon (saith Lampridius in Alexander Severus 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.
By the counsel of his wise and vertuous Mother, he purged his Palace, excluding out of his Court dishonest and infamous persons; and would suffer none in his houshold but of necessary use: binding himself by an oath, that he would not have a superfluous number of servants, lest he should burden the Common-wealth with his provision, saying; Malum pupillum esse Imperatorem qui ex visceribus provincialium homines non necessarios, nec reip. utiles pasceret. Lampridius. c. 15.
He was a most vertuous young man, and of necessary use to the Common-wealth. Lampridius in Helagabalo, c. 13. and in Alexandro Severo, c. 4.
No day passed, wherein he did not aliquid mansuetum, civile, pium; but in such manner that he consumed not the common Treasure. Id. Ib. c. 20.
He went usually betime in the morning to his devotion in his Closet, where were set the images of Apollonius, Christ, Abraham and Orpheus. Lampridius. c. 29.
He did read much the life of Alexander the Great, whom he imitated especially; labouring to be thought worthy of his name, and to excel him: yet abhorred his drunkeness and cruelty toward his friends (though the one and the other is extenuated by some good Authors, to whom he often gave credit.) Id. c. 50, and 30
He went oftentimes to hear Greek and Latine Rhetoricians and Poets; heard also Orators reciting causes, which they had pleaded before him, or the City-Prefects. Lampridius. c. 35.
He would not hear Orators or Poets speak any thing to his praise (counting it folly as Pescennius Niger did) 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. Ib.
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. Ib. 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, received this answer (saith Lampridius 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 silks, saying; Government consisted in vertue, and not in costly apparel. Lampridius. c. 33.
At his table he drunk not in cups of gold, & kept not above |Hoc quis sine admiratione summa legat? nam per antiquissimas Romanorum leges. quae conviviis modum ponebant, centum tamen argenti libras convivio licuis inferre. Casaubonus.200 pound weight of silver vessels in his house. Id. Ib. c. 34.
Lamprid. c. 31He sold Jewels that were given to him, counting it unfit for himself to possess such things, as he could neither give to his Soldiers, nor any man find profit in. Wherefore when an Embassador had given to the Empress 2 unions of wonderful greatness, 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, he caused them to be hanged at the ears of the Image of Venus:Sir Tho. Eliot his Image of govern. thereby declaring that such things either for the inestimable price were fitter for gods than men; or for the unprofitable beauty thereof served only for persons of wanton dispositions, whereof Venus was goddess and patroness.
He would be saluted by his name; if any man bowed his head, or spoke any thing in flattery, he was repulsed if his quality admitted of it, or greatly derided. Lampridius in Alexandro Severo, c. 18.
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 only 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 capital punishment, saying moreover; Thieves only complain of poverty, seeking thereby to hide their mischievous living. Id. Ib.
He prohibited infamous women to salute his Wife or Mother. Id. ib. c. 25.
He ordered that condemnations should be rare, but reversed not those which passed. Id. ib. c. 21.
He was strict in his own manners, wherefore all noble men assayed to imitate him, and honourable Matrons followed the Empress her example. Id. ib. c. 41.
He caused the sinews of one of his Secretary's fingers to be cut through,Spectarunt hoc saepius. antiqui legum conditores, ut qua parte quis peccasset, eadem puniretur. so that he could never write after, and banished him, for forging a false bill in his Counsel. Id. Ib. c. 28. Videsis plura.
He commanded one of his own servants, (who had abused him by receiving 100 Crowns of a Soldier for a bribe) to be hanged in the high way,Casaubon. wherein his servants most frequently passed to his Mannors without the City. Id. ib. c. 23.
He used like severity toward Soldiers;Vix annos viginti natus in summa rerum affluentia, magnoque Imperio, & ipsè se egregium militaris disciplinae exemplum praestitit, & a militib us ut idem agerent, exegit. Neque enim alio quàm militari cibo utebatur, apertoque tentorio ut omnes conspicerent vescebatur. Fulgosius. l. 2. c. 2. for when he heard that one of them had wronged a poor old woman, he cashiered him and made him be bondslave to the woman, that he being a Carpenter might with his trade and labour maintain her: and when the Soldiers were grieved thereat, he perswaded them to be contented, and made them afraid to grudge at it. Id. ib. c. 51.
He said that a Soldier is never afraid, but when he is well appareled, and his purse furnished with money. Lampridius in Alex. Severo. c. 52.
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. ib. c. 49.
He so abborred bribery, that if by chance he saw a Judge therewith corrupted, he was ready to scratch out his eies; 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. ib. c. 17. out of Encolpius and Seprimius.
Prodiit ante annos ferme abhinc centum Londini, libellus Anglicanus Imago Gubernationis seu The Image of Governance dicius, quem in Epistola ad proceres Anglicanos dedicatoria, è Graeco sermone transtulisse se ait Thomas Eliotus eques auratus, atque celebris tunc inter liberatos nominis (de quo videsis Balaeum Cent. 8. script. 77. & Pitsaeum aetate 16, script. 969) atque exemplar Graecum commodato accepisse a Clarissimo quodam Neapolitano, cui nomen Pudericus. Autorem libelli asserit fuisse Encolpium Alex. Severo a Commentariis. Et Encolpium quidem scriptis mandasse res aliquas Alexandri illius scimus ex Lampridio qui vitam ejus contexens Encolpium semel & iterum adhibet autorem, quo & familiarissimo usum fuisse ait Alexandrum. Graecum puto nullibi jam extare. Sed capite libelli hujus vicesimo quinto, veluti ex Encolpii Graecis, narratur, Alexandrum, hortatu Mammaeae matris, Origenem (qui coaevus quidem erat) ex Aegypto accercivisse, ac literas ad episcopum Alexandriae datas, quibus ei jussum est ne Origenis iter impediret; praefixo qui ad hunc modum sonat titulo, Alex. Imp. Aug. &c. Alexandro Archiepiscopo Christianorum in magna civitate Alexandriae foreign. Graecum enim hoc vocabulum in margine apposuit Eliotus, ut sciret lector quid in Graecis responderet verbis suis Anglicanis Well to do. Dissertationes dein etiam addit aliquot Alexandri & Originis de rebus divinis. Sed nullus tune temporis planè episcopus Alexandriae, Alexander dictus est, nec ullus ante Constantinum. Neque aliud quàm Graeculi alicujus recentioris commentum libellum illum fuisse dubito, utcunque sanè Lampridio subinde satis concordem. Seldenus in Interserendis ad Eutychium, p. 174, 175.
When one Septimius Arabinus, who in the time of Helagabalus, was infamous for bribery, came in the company of Senators to salute him, he cryed out invocating his Syrian God with other Deities; O Marna, O Iupiter, O Dii immmortales, Arabinus non solum vivit, verum etiam in Senatum venit: fortassis etiam de me sperat; tam fatuum, tam stultum esse me judicat. Arabinus not only liveth, but cometh into the Senate, (alluding to Tully his speech against Catiline) perhaps to be presumeth on me, judging me to be an ignorant and foolish Prince. Id. ib.
He had a favourite named Vetronius Turinus, who used to be more familiar with him than others, which so blinded him, that he by lies confirmed the opinion of many, who thought the Emperor would do nothing without his advice. Which abuse the Emperor 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 Emperor for him: which being done, Turinus promised his good will to the Petitioner, and soon after said that he had sollicited the Emperor therein, (whereas he spoke not a word thereof) and expected his answer; whereupon he received of the said person a great sum of money, which the Emperor knowing, caused him to call often on Turinus; who, as if he had other business in hand, only beckoned on him without speaking any thing to him, the Emperor 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 Emperor 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 Emperor 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 Bedel being commanded to cry the mean while, Fumo punitur qui vendidit fumum; He perisheth by smoke who had vented smoke instead of substance. Alexandrum Severum non laudo optimum alioquin principem, qui fumo ex stipulis & humidis lignis facto, eum puniit, qui vendiderat fumum. Casaubonus in Vulcatii Gallicani Avidium Cassium. cap. 4.But lest men should think the judgment was too rigorous for one offence, before he was condemned to die, the Emperor made diligent search, and found by evident proofs, that Turinus had often and in many causes received money of both parties, promising to promote their cause to the Emperor. Lampridius, c. 35. and 36.
He had in his chamber bills containing the number of his Soldiers, 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 dignities 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 *Pittacia à foreign, & foreign.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. ib. c. 21.
His Soldiers marched like Senators to the Persian war, the Country loving them as brethren, and honouring him as a God. Lampridius in Alexandro Severo, cap. 50.
In his expedition if any Soldier going out of the way passed through another 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.
Sandys in his Travels lib. 1. writeth, that amongst the Turkish commandments this is one, drawn originally from our Saviours, Thou shalt not do, what thou wouldest not have done to thee: with which speech Alexander Severus was so delighted, that he caused it to be written on the wals of houses, and to be publickly proclaimed by a Cryer, that all might the better observe it. Camerarius in his Historical Meditations saith, Vlpian hence framed the constitution which is found in the Pandects under the title: Quod quisque juris in alterum statuerit, ut ipse eodem jure utatur.
When the Soldiers mutinyed at Antioch, Herodianus Alexandrum ut ignavum, matrem ejus Mammaeam ut impiam, traducit: sed videtur id facere, religionis Christianae, cui favebant, odio: cum Lampridius tot nominibus Alexandrum commendet ob frugalitatem, liberalitatem, integritatem, adeoque fortitudinem. Jac. Cappellus in Eccles. Christ. cent. 2. p. 52.because he exercised martial discipline upon some of them for debauchedness, he stilled them with these words; Quirites discedite, atque arma deponite. A wonderful example, they all putting off their arms and soldiers coats, departed to their several lodgings. Then the Emperors guard brought all the Standards into the Camp, and the people themselves brought all their armour to the Emperors Palace: yet that very Legion which he disbanded, being sued unto 30 daies 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 Soldiers passed their time riotously at Daphne, through their negligence or connivence. Id. ib. c. 53, 54.
Herodian writeth that the Romans were vanquished in this War. But Lampridius, Eutropius, Orosius and Zosimus say, that Severus obtained the victory, took Ctesiphon with Babylon, and subdued also Arabia.
Fides Herodiani nutat in Alexandro & Maximino. Vossius de Histor. Graec.
He so heard the complaints of Soldiers 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. ib. c. 23.
He made one a Pretorian Prefect, who fled to avoid so arduous an employment, saying; Invitos, non ambientes in republica collocandos, They were fit to bear offices of state who shunned them, not those that sued for them. Id. ib. c. 19.
He never made a Senator without the counsel and approbation of the whole Senate, testimony of him being given by honourable persons; but if either the Senators who gave their suffrage, or the witnesses were found to have spoke untruly, they were put into the lowest places of esteem, being also condemned by the people as deceivers and forgers without hope of remission. Lampridius, c. 19.
Doctos reformidat, nihil enim acutius calamo rerum perito, is Goulartius his marginal note.He loved learned men, and feared them also very much, lest they should write any thing sharply of him. Lamprid. c. 3.
He feared less a hundred lances, then
Th' impetuous charges of a single pen.
Allen's History of Henry the 7. p. 85.
His Mother Mammaea and his Grandmother Maesa chose out of the Senate 16 grave and honourable Peers for his Counsellors and Assistants, without whose consent nothing was to pass as an Act of State. Herodian, l. 6. c. 1.
He transacted no weighty matter of judicature, without the advice of no less than 50 most learned and wise men, beside 20 Lawyers (18 whereof were Scholars of Papinian) of whom *Ideo summus Imperator fuit, quod ejus consiliis praecipuè Rempublicam rexit.Vlpian was chief. Every mans opinion was heard, and what they said was written; a competent time being given each Counsellor to consider what they propounded, that they might not speak unadvisedly in matters of importance. Lampridius, Lampridius c. 51. See Aelians Various History, l. 3. c. 17.cap. 16. and 68.
In Law and business of state, intelligent, learned and eloquent men were of his Councel; in military affairs old Commanders, who had behaved themselves valiantly in several battels, 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 Emperors of Rome or Princes of forreign countries in former times did in like cases as were then in debate. Id. ib. c. 16.
He said, they only should be advanced who could order the Common-wealth by themselves, and not by Deputies, adding thereto, that martial men had their administrations, and Scholars theirs: and therefore every one should do that whereof he had most knowledge. Lampridius in Alexandro Severo, c. 46.
When he appointed Governors 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 Iews 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. ib. c. 49.
When certain Hucksters and Cooks pretended they had right to a place which was consecrated by the Christians, and it was enquired what was his pleasure therein, he answered; It was better that God should be worshipped there after any sort, than that the places should be put to vain uses. Id. ib. c. 49.
Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History l. 6. saith, that there were many Christians in his family.
He freely sent of his Treasure to many poor men for the purchasing of lands, receiving his money from the rents thereof. Lampridius in Alex. Sev. c. 21.
To many Cities which were defaced by Earthquakes, he remitted the tribute for their reparation. Id. c. 44.
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 equal to his merit, he called them unto him, saying; What is the cause thou askest nothing of me?It was more troublesome to him (saith one) to be asked nothing, than to give much. Wouldst thou have me be in thy debt? Ask something that thou mayest not complain of me for want of promotion. He gave such things as impaired not his honour; viz. goods of men attainted, not being in gold, silver or jewels: for that was put in the common treasury. Lampridius in Alex. Sev. c. 46.
When any one had exercised his office in the Common-wealth well, at the end of his term when there was a Successor 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 in good fashion. His reward was in land, cattel, horses, grain, iron, stone, and other things necessary for Edifices. Id. Ibid. 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 Muletor, 2 Robes to sit in judgment, 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, Muletors 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. Ib. c. 42.
He thought the safety of the State depended upon the Soldiers. Lampridius in Alex. Severo, c. 47.
He gave such lands as he won out of the Enemies hands to his Lords Marchers, and his Soldiers, that they should be theirs, and their heirs for ever, so they would be Soldiers, neither should they at any time come to the hands of private men, saying They would more carefully serve, if they fought for their own lands. Lampridius in Alexandro Severo.
He did let no day pass without exercising himself in learning and martial affairs. Id. Ib. c. 3.
After publick affairs whether martial or civil, he employed himself most about the reading of Greek Authors, as Plato de republica. And when he would read any Latine books, he chiefly made use of Tully his Offices, and his tract De republica, not now extant. Sometime he read Orators and Poets, among whom was Serenus Sammonicus (whom he knew and favoured) and also Horace. Lampridius in Alex. Sev. c. 30.
When he dined or supped abroad, he had ever with him Vlpian or other learned men,In jocis Alexander dulcissimus fuit, in fabulis amabilis, in conviviis comis, ita ut quisque posceret quod vellet. Lampridius in Alexandro Severo, c. 4. that he might benefit himself by their discourse, with which he said; that he was both recreated and fed. Id. ib. c. 34.
He delighted not so much in Latine eloquence, as in the Greek, in which he made elegant verses; inclined to Musick, was learned in the Mathematicks; and appointed the professors of those sciences openly to propose questions at Rome, for the information of those who were that way addicted. In divination he was so skilful, that he excelled the Augurs of Gascony, Spain, and Hungary. He painted excellently, sang very pleasantly, but never before any, except the Pages of his Privy-chamber. He wrote the lives of good Princes in verse, which he sung unto the Harp and Organs. Sir Thomas Eliot his Image of Govern. ex Lamprid. c. 3. & 27.
He never had any scenical sports at a feast, but delighted much in making whelps to play with young pigs, in the fighting of Partridges, and in little birds flying up and down. To lighten his publick cares, he had Aviaries of Peacocks, Pheasants, Ducks, Partridges, and Ringdoves; which he so extreamly liked, that he had about 20000 of them: for the feeding whereof his servants provided by sale of their Eggs and young ones. Lampridius in Alex. Sev. c. 41.
Every day also he did some good to others, in which (saith Tristan) he had an advantage of happiness above Titus, who could not express the like goodness above the space of a years in which he reigned.
Alexander Mammaeae satis copiosa expositione (quippe cum tredecim annis regnaverit) utique est ad praeclari imaginem imperii descriptus: adeo planè nihil desideratur eorum, quae vel ad educationem Principalis sobolis, vel ad normam imperatoriae virtutis, vel ad temperamentum singularis potestatis, vel ad disciplinam aulae, vel ad confilia publicae tranquillitatis creduntur pertinere. Boeclerus in Dedicatione, praefixa Herodiano.
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 amiss 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. ibid. cap. 20.
He repaired most of the Bridges which were built by Trajan, leaving notwithstanding the name and honour thereof to Trajan. Id. ib. c: 26.
In all the time of his reign, which lasted 14 years, he suffered none to die, 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) *Mulier sancta, sed avara. Lampridius, c. 14.too miserable, stained his honour by her sordid demeanor. Herodian, l. 6. c. 9.
Though duty binds, yet herein was his error,
He gave her too much sway, to others terror.
Herodian in english verse, p. 136.
When he was passing along in his expedition against the Germans through France, a Druid woman cryed out after him in the Gallick tongue, Go thy way and look not for the victory, and trust not thy Soldiers. Purchas his Pilgrims the first part. l. 1. c. 12. p. 101.
Thrasybulus his friend foretelling that he should die by the hand of a Barbarian, he rejoiced, thinking that he should die a warlike death; but he was mistaken in his interpretation, dying not in war: for the Soldiers enraged with his discipline, and his Mother Mammaea's covetousness, slew them both near Mentz in *Quod Lampridius Alexandrum occisum refert in Britannia vel in Gallia, videtur hinc natum, quod consilium in Britannia captum, & quidem hoc, ut videtur, anno, proxime sequente peractum est in Gallia. Jac. Cappellus in 5 Centuriis. ad an. Dom. 234.Germany, by the instigation of Maximinus a Muletor whom he had raised.
Herodianus VI. Maximinum ait imperium usurpasse primum: deinde Alexandrum cum matre sua necasse; in quo a Lampridio discrepat. Petavius De Doctrina Temporum, lib. 13. p. 699.
This end had both the Mother and the Son,
A gentle Prince of mild and temperate raign;
His edict was, none should to death be done,
Except the law did first inflict the pain:
His rule and he much longer might have lasted,
Had not his Mother thus his honour blasted.
Herodian in english verse p. 155.
S. Aurelius 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 humor, who if never so little was left at their overfrugal table; reserved it till another time.
— Civilibus occidit armis,
Maternasque cadens incusat serius artes.
Diarium Historico-poet. l. 3. p. 32.
Verè Mammaeus à studio in matrem Mammaeam,Matris cultu plus quam pius. Aur. Vict. ex cujus arbitrio & consilio multa administrat infeliciter & cum proprio exitio. Dietericus in Breviario historico.
Iulian bringeth in Silenus, Iupiter's buffon, 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 in mentem venit, longe satius & utilius esse eas amicis impartiri, quam sibi recondere.
He lived 29 years 11 months and 7 daies, and reigned (saith Lampridius) 13 years and 9 daies.
Quibus Consulibus natus sit Alexander, legisse me non memini, inter historices quidem omnes eum constat occisum fuisse anno Imperii tertio decimo: sed quoto aetatis anno ambiguum. Apud Lampridium enim invenies, an. 29, in Victoris vero Epitome 26, ex quibus tamen numeris, si tredecim annos imperii deduxeris, Alexandrum rerum potiri coepisse anno aetatis sexto decim… aut decimo tertio colliges: nisi & illi quoque numeri utrique falsi sint. Vinetus in Eutropium.
He found his real Sepulchre in Rome, but his empty grave in Gallia. Dr Brown's Urn-burial. p. 41.
He is the more to be honoured and admired, since being come of uncertain lineage, 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. See Lamprid. c. 66, &c.
Dio 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 studiosa brevitatis in Xiphilino, ignorantiam fovet, & umbram amans corpus amittit.
Dio Cassius Coccejanus historicus prudentissimus, & immerito a J. Lipsio in Catalogo prudentiae Doctorum [in not. ad polit.] praeteritus. Forstnerus ad Tacitum, p. 101.
Dio Cassius in Casaubons opinion, the most accurate Historian, saith Bolton in his Nero Caesar, p. 233.
Sub eodem principe floruit Herodianus, qui Graecè quoque scripsit historiam pauciorum quidem quàm Cassius annorum, sed admodum judiciosam & elegantem, a Commodo, qui regnare coepit anno V. C. 933. ad Maximinum, qui periit anno 990. Jac. Cappellus p. 8. praefationis, praefixae Centuriis quinque Ecclesiasticae Historiae.
Dioni & Tacito, non contextu tantum operis, sed pragmaticae gravitatis comparatione adjungendus. Boeclerus in Epistola Dedicatoria, praefixa Herodiano.
Sub eoque vixit Aelianus, qui de Varia Historia scripsit. Besoldus in majore Synopsi Historiae universae.
The Persian State Alexander o'rethrew;
Rome's Alexander did himself subdue.
Dr. Holyday's Survey of the world. lib. 8.