Select Observations of Roman Emperors, Life 36 – Life 37
Gallienus.
WHen Valerian his Father was taken prisoner, he was made Emperor.
He was expert in Oratory, *His Epithalamium is more fully expressed in Swartius's Analecta. lib. 1. c. 10. than in Tr. Pollio.Poetry, and all other arts, but was defective in qualifications which are requisite in an Emperor. Trebellius Pollio.
He Governed the Common-wealth prosperously, with his Father Valerian; indifferently, with Valerian his younger Brother: At the last destructively, when he managed all himself. Glareanus on Eutropius, p. 224.
Ob meritum vel propriae libidinis, vel paternae theomachiae innumera Barbaris assurgentibus, regni detrimenta sustinuit. Haymo Hist. Eccl. l. 7. c. 6.At first he acted like a valiant Captain, overcame and slew Ingenuus (who usurped the Empire) as also Regillianus; and overcame 300000 Gothes and Almans, having but 10000 on his side, (saith Zonaras) but after he gave himself so much to sensuality, that when the World was infected with Warres, he continued for the most part in Rome among Whores, compassed with Roses and Flowers; seeking new delights, often bathing himself, studying how he might keep Figs and other fruits green all the year; having ordinarily at his table most exquisite and delicate meats, and of great cost. Trebellius Pollio in Gallieno, c. 16.
Quod insolens ille Princeps castella de pomis, &c. fieri jussit, merae fatuitati (ne quid turpius dicam) perpetuo attribuendum erit: Quia nulla specie fortitudinis, quae gloria Principum est, id fieri decuit, prout hic superius de nivalibus castellis est deductum: in quibus jactu globorum se pueri & adolescentes (futura certamina fortiter toleraturi) exercent; nulla coeli, elementorumve injuria fracti, vel fatigati, dum in tam duris lusibus, & aspera hieme fuerint educati. Olaus Magnus de ritu gent. Septentr. lib. 1. c. 23.
A facetiis aliquam meruit laudem, saith Micraelius in his Syntagma Hist. Polit.When a shooting prize was played before him, he gave the garland to one who shot alwayes wide, concluding that it was the more improbable difficulty to aim so often, and never to hit. Taurum toties non ferire difficile est. Treb. Pollio in Gallieno, c. 12.
When it was told him that Egypt rebelled, he answered, Cannot we live without the linen of Egypt? France being lost, he laughing said; Cannot the Land stand without those Soldiers Cassocks which France sends us? Being advertised also of Asias destruction, by Earthquakes and Scythian invasion; Cannot we subsist (said he) without Salt-peter?
'Tis observed that there were thirty competitors once on foot, for one and the same throne, to wit, that of the Roman Empire, who confounded one another. And I think our age hath seen a greater number of aspirers for a narrower Territory. Mr. Gee in his Preface to the Divine Right and Original of the Civil Magistrate from God, illustrated and vindicated.
In his reign the Heavens were darkned so,Tot rebelliones Gallieno Principe extiterunt, imo tot tyranni, qui imperatoris nomina tulerunt, quot à Caesare Dictatore ad id tempus in tam longa imperatorum serie nunquam inventi f…ere. that the Sun was not seen for many dayes; in the bowels of the earth were heard roarings, with the fear whereof many dyed; Earth-quakes threw down many houses, whereby the Inhabitants were destroyed; these Earth-quakes were frequent in Rome, Africk, but especially in Asia; the Earth opened in many places, and shewed Vaults and Caves, from whence salt water streamed; and several Cities were drowned by the Sea:Olaus Magnus, fol. 29▪ and in Rome there dyed above 5000 in one day of the pestilence. Treb. Pollio. c. 5.
Gallienus addicted only to his pleasures, was not affected with these calamities, thinking they proceeded rather from chance than any signal punishment.
He grieved not for his Fathers captivity, but, when he was informed of it, (alluding to the speech of Xenophon the Philosopher who having lost his son, said, Sciebam me genuisse mortalem;) answer'd, Sciebam patrem meum esse mortalem: I knew that my Father was lyable to the miseries as other men. Nec defuit Annius Cornicula, qui eum quasi constantem Principem falso sua voce laudaret, pejor tamen ille qui credidit, saith Pollio, c. 16.
Romae in arcu S. Viti reperta est haec inscriptio:
Galieno clementiss. Principi, cujus invicta virtus sola pietate superata est.
M. Aurelius Victor deditissimus numini majestatique ejus.
Sic est nulla labes tam grandis, quae non possit obscurari: & vitia suum habent defensorem. Cuspinianus in Gallieno.
Odenatus, though an Independent Prince, was of such moderation, that he held correspondence with Gallienus, and sent him such of the Persian Nobility as he had taken prisoners, for monuments of his victory over Sapor, and revenge of the indignities offered to Valerian: thus Odenatus conquered, and Gallienus triumphed, who when he could not eclipse Odenatus his merit by any Princely vertue, or suppress it by valor, sought to deface it by treachery; but failing of his aims therein, he made him partner of the Empire for fear; Odenatus receiving the titles of Imperator, and Augustus, from Gallienus and the Senate.
Being not ashamed ridiculously to triumph over the Persians, who detained his Father prisoner, and to lead them captive in his mock-shew; some jeering companions mixing themselves with the Persians, exactly viewed their countenances, and being asked wherefore they did it, answered, We seek for his Majesties Father; which when Gallienus heard of, he was so incensed at the taunt, that he commanded those who uttered it to be burned alive.
The Scythians invading Cappadocia, the Soldiers attempted to make a new Emperor, for which Gallienus put them all to the sword. Pollio, c. 11.
In his time the City Byzantium (renowned for the sea-fights, and the place which barreth in the Euxine Sea) was destroyed by his soldiers; to revenge which, he being received into Byzantium, compassed them unarmed with armed soldiers, and slew them contrary to his covenant. And as if he had done some great matter, he posted to Rome, and summoning the Senators, appointeth decennial playes to be celebrated novo genere ludorum, nova specie pomparum, exquisito genere voluptatum, saith Pollio c. 7.
He killed sometimes 3 or 4000 soldiers in a day. Id. Ib. c. 18.
At last he himself, with his brother Valerian and his son Gallienus, were slain near Milain (where he besieged Aureolus) by the treachery of Marcianus Ceronius, Aliter Aur. Victor.or Cecropius and Heraclian. Pollio, c. 14.
He was a bad man, and a worse Governor; yet an act of clemency that he did, gat him much love, and covered many of his vices: the act was this. One sold unto the Empress counterfeit Jewels instead of true ones, and so cozened her of much money; she complaineth thereof to the Emperor, importuning him to execute the Law in all rigor: who seemeth to give way, commanding the Malefactor to be exposed to a Lion. But when this Chapman looked for nothing less than death, and that a cruel one; in the room of a Lion rampant a Capon was ordered to be put out through the Den, at which all the Spectators marvelling, Gallienus bad the Cryer proclaim: Imposturam fecit & passus est, He deceived others, and now is cozened himself; being made to believe he should dy, is suffered to live, and hath a Capon to his supper. Bp. Smith's Sermons, p. 244.
Nempe id leporis voluit, id spectaculi,
Id Gallienus muneris populo dare,
Id ultionis conjugi, id metus reo.
Angelini Gazaei Pia Hilaria, edita Cantabrig. tom. 1. p. 168, 169.
He lived 50 years, reigned 15, 7 with his Father, 8 alone.
At once Rome 30 Tyrants had; this fits
A monster: many Heads! how many wits?
Dr. Holydayes Survey of the world, lib. 9. p. 100.
Saloninus Gallienus
WAS Son of the forementioned Gallienus and Cornelia Salonina Pipara, whence some think he was called Saloninus; though others conceive him to be so named for being born at Salona: but Casaubon inclineth to the former opinion.
There is little memorable recorded of him besides his noble extraction and education, and that he was murdered not so much for his own, as his Fathers sake. Trebellius Pollio in his life, c. 1.
Exiguum decus nobile stemma & regia educatio, nisi virtus accedat, saith Goulartius in his marginal observation.
He was substituted by his Father, in the place of his elder brother Cornelius Valerianus, who died in his minority.
Divers Soldiers invited to a feast by Gallienus, in the time of their repast laid aside their Girdles and Belts, which being gilt, or studded with gold, silver and precious stones, Saloninus took away: which being hardly recovered, when lost in a Princes Court, the military Officers silently bore their loss, but the next time they were invited sate not down ungirt. And being demanded why their Girdles were not put off? they answered, Salonino deferimus. Tr. Pollio in his life, c. 2.
Ambiguum hoc militarium virorum responsum, quod non videntur animadvertisse doctissimi viri. Duplicem enim sensum potest habere: aut Salonini honori se hoc tribuere, aut ejus causa hoc facere, ut baltheos non deponerent, ne iterum ab ipso raperentur, hoc responso voluerunt intelligi milites isti. Sed magis verum est, illos sic intellexisse, ne iterum perderent baltheos suos, quos prius rapuerat Saloninus, Salonini causa se facere, ne eos dimitterent. Salmasius.