Select Observations of Roman Emperors, Life 43
Diocletian and Maximian Collegues.
DIocletian's parentage is uncertainly reported, some making him the son of a Scrivener, & others of a bondman made free by Anulinus a Senator: but all agree he was a Dalmatian of base birth.
Haec eadem est Dalmatia quae Hieronymum ceu patronum ecclesiarum, & quem nemo Latinorum lucubrando vicit, nobis dedit. Tam verè igitur quàm eleganter a Sulmonensi vate dictum est:
Terra salutifer as herbas eademque nocentes
Gignit, & urticae proxima saepe rosa est.
Vadiani Epitome trium terrae partium.
The name of his Mother (and of the Town wherein he was born) was Dioclea, whence he was called Diocles till he came to be Emperor, and then named himself Diocletian (converting a Greek name into a Roman form) and upon the conquest of the Persians and Egyptians, *Iovii cognomentum primus sibi sumpsit Diocletianus, ut collega ejus Maximianus Herculii. postea cum Caesares facti essent Constantius & Galerius: Galerius quidem qui Diocletiani filiam duxerat, & qui cum Diocletiano in Oriente fere semper versatus est, Caesar Iovius est appellatus. Sic enim in Chronico Alexandrino dicitur, & in vetere nummo quem edidit Iohannes Tristanus. Constantius vero, utpote qui Maximiani Herculii privignam duxerat, & cum illo in Occidente versabatur, Caesar Herculius dictus est, ut ex vetere panegyrico observavit frater meus Hadrianus Valesius. Mortuo deinde Galerio, Maximinus qui Caesar ab illo factus fuerat, cognomentum Iovii assumpsit, ut ex hoc Eusebii loco discimus. Valesius in Eusebium, p. 186.Iovius; as Maximian his Collegue stiled himself Herculius: velut ille Jovis, hic Herculis haeres saith P. Laetus, who parallels Diocletian with Iupiter, and Maximian with Hercules.
Iupiter, gigantes, ut coeli regiam defenderet, perdidit; Diocletianus, ut orbis terrarum regiam tueretur, tyrannos surgentes, ut Centimanos, diligenti cura delevit; saith the same Author in Rom. Hist. Comp.
Maximianus se progeniem esse Herculis non adulationibus fabulosis, sed aequatis virtutibus comprobavit. Paneg. Const. dictus.
Iovius & Herculius a Gallis adeo dilecti, ut ab eis duo populi nomina sumpserint Ioviorum & Herculiorum; & Viennenses duas urbis portas, Ioviam & Herculeam appellavere, ut epigrammata docent. Pomponius Laetus, ubi supra.
When Diocletian serving as a common Soldier in France, reckoned with his hostess (one of the Druids) she told him he was too penurious;Oraculum apud Plutarchum monebat quendam ut anguem sedulo vitaret: id cum praestaret ille, in militem cui anguis insigne clypei erat, incidit, ac obtruncatus fuit. he jeastingly answered, that he would be bountiful when he came to be Emperor of Rome: she bid him not mock, saying; Imperator eris cum aprum occideris. From that time he hunted often and killed many boars, to see if a Crown would spring from their blood; but still missed the Empire, which Aurelian, Tacitus, Probus and Carus obtained, whereupon he said: I kill many boars,Quanquam putem ego (pace magni istius Philosophi, & Historici tamen) monuisse Deum ut foreign vitaret, quod commune nomen & clypei & serpentis est; ita oraculo illi aequivocatio sua constat. Heinsius in Crepundiis. Vide Val. Maximum, l. 1. c. 8. de Daphida & Philippo Macedone. but others go away with the flesh. At last Aper having killed Numerianus (as is above mentioned) was brought by the Soldiers before Diocletian, who being told his name, (and concluding at length that the prediction was to be understood of a man) presently killed him; in outward shew for zeal of justice, as being not able to endure so foul a fact, but in truth to fulfil the prediction of his hostess the Druid: for that Aper signifieth a Boar. Vopiscus in Numeriano saith, that his Grand-father, from whom he had this report, was present when Aper was slain, to whom Dioeletian, when he struck him, said in a bravado; Gloriare Aper, Aeneae magni dextra cadis: adding; Tandem Aprum fatalem occidi. Vopiscus in Caro, Numeriano, &c. c. 15, 16.
Promisit verace tibi Druis hospita voce
Imperium, fuerit cum tibi caesus Aper.
Boissardi Distich. in Iconas, l. 1. p. 30.
Diocletian was a man greatly esteemed, but thus conditioned; for he was the first that wore cloath of gold, trod on silk and purple embellished with pearls; which, though it were more than did become him, and argued in him a lofty and proud spirit; yet this was nothing in respect of his other carriage: for (next after Caligula and Domitian) he was the first, who allowed himself to be called Lord and God, and would be sued unto as a god, though (saith Aur. Victor) he carried himself liker a Father,Diocletianus, aurei parens saeculi, & Maximianus (ut vulgo dicitur) ferrei. Lampridius in fine Helagabali. than a Tyrant.
Sibi immani saevitia, qua religionis odio in omne Christianum nomen est grassatus, aeternas infamiae notas, ceteroqui non pessimus Princeps inussit. M. Velserus Rerum Aug. Vind. l. 6. p. 136, 137.
It was a good speech of him though an evil Emperor, That the best and most wary Prince may be abused by bad servants. Vopiscus in Aureliano.
Vt maximè infame Diocletiani Imperium fuerit, ob excitatam & exercitam saevissimam in Christianos persecutionem, & privata insuper vitia nonnulla; attamen & alias laudatissimum Principem fuisse, & constitutiones de jure nobilissimas & aequissimas promulgasse constat, & quidem ex veteri Iurisprudentiae passim petitas, & ad ejus normam compositas. Gothofredus in secunda dissertatione juridica, p. 39.
Notwithstanding his cruelty condemned even by Libanius a Heathen (in his Oration to Theodosius the Great) yet he counterfeited Clemency, and in appearance had the memory of Marcus Aurel. in great veneration, as a God, saying often, that he desired to resemble him in humanity. Capitolinus in Marco Antonino Philosopho.
Rescriptum Diocletiani & Maximiani, l. 6. C. de. Patr. potest. Abdicatio, quae Graeco more ad alienandos liberos usurpatur (f. usurpabatur) & foreign dicebatur, Romanis legibus non comprobatur. Rittershusius in Salvianum, p. 499.
Diocletianus, si quisquam alius Principum, praecipuam Testamentorum rationem habuit, enixeque testantium utilitati consultum ivir. Jac. Gothofredus in secunda dissertatione Iuridica, p. 40.
Diocletian by his *Prudentiae illa Diocletian. (quae Christi nomen insolentissimè contemnebat, & se pro Deo adorari jubebat) prohibere nequivit, quin ubique terrarum plures uno tempore rebellarent, alius hic, alius ibi, vel alibi. Olaus Magnus, fol. 675, 676.profound wisdom wherewith he was endued, found out a more assured way to secure himself against rebellions, than others had discovered: for having taken Maximian for his Companion and Allie: and afterwards created Galerius and Constantius Cesars, he rendred himself formidable to those who desired to make themselves Emperors. For in what part soever the rebels rose, one of these four was upon their backs, and stifled them in the birth. Only *For subduing of whom Constantius is compared to Pompey the Great, by Dr. Rives in his Historia Navalis Media, l. 2. p. 96, 97.Carausius, whom the situation of great Britain rendred invincible, stood out 7 years. But all the other who had the boldness to make themselves Emperors, as Aulus Pomponius Aelianus, Amandus, Iulianus, &c. were quickly defeated before they could make any considerable progress. Tristan.
Diocletianus post segetem tyrannorum Maximianum Caesarem & collegam feeit. Chr. Schotani Heptaemeron, p. 215.
These 2 Emperors chose 2*Ceterum, ut inquit Ammianus, hi Caesares ipsis Augustis tanquam apparitores obtemperarunt, ultro citroque pro eorum arbitrio commeantes. Sigonius de Occid. Imperio, l. 1. Cesars; Diocletian chose Galerius surnamed Armentarius, and Maximian, Constantius Chlorus; enforcing them to put away their wives, and take their Daughters for an assurance of love by the bonds of that alliance. Aur. Victor.
Whereas Eutropius calleth the marriage of Constantius Chlorus with Helena, obscurius matrimonium, Pauca supersunt nobis hodie gesta Diocletiani, penuria auctorum. Ex iis qui supersunt, nullus plura de eo paucioribus verbis complexus est, quam Eutropius. Scaliger in Eusebium, p. 244.a more obscure marriage, his meaning is plain. For he neither meant, nor said that it was simply ignoble, but speaking comparatively, and comparing it to his second marriage with Theodora the daughter-in-law to the Emperor; by which he obtained first to be Cesar & then Emperor: in respect of the splendor of this second marriage, and the Imperial dignity obtained thereby, he did and might well say, that the former was more obscure, or not so illustrious; though in it self it was both very honourable, and in no sort any disparagement to Constantius. Dr. Crakanthorp's Defence of Constantine. ch. 10.
In the 19. year of his reign he raised the 10. and extremest persecution,Quae persecutio omnibus ferè anteactis diuturnior atque immanior fuit Nam per decem annos incendiis Ecclesiarum, proscriptionibus innocentum, caedibus martyrum incessabiliter acta est. Sequitur terrae motus in Syria, ex quo apud Tyrum & Sidonem passim labentibus tectis, multa hominum millia prostrata sunt. P. Orosius, l. 7. c. 25. wherein 17000 men, women and children were martyred within one month, besides infinite numbers otherwise punished: the Christians torments lasting 10 years without intermission, no place being free.
Eusebius l. 5. de prep. Evang. writeth that Diocletian going to Apollo for an Oracle, received answer, That the just men were the cause that he could say nothing. Which just men, Apollo's Priests interpreted to be Christians, whereupon Diocletian began his most fierce and cruel persecution. Bayfield of the Trinity, ch. 2. p. 51.
Infinite multitudes were every where imprisoned, and the Prisons of old appointed for murderers and riflers of graves, were then filled with Bishops, Ministers, Deacons, Readers and Exorcists, so that there was no room in them for hainous offenders. Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History, l. 8. c. 6.
Nullus dies cui non ultra quinque millium numerum Martyrum reperiri posset ascriptus, excepto die Calendarum Ianuarii. There was never a day in the year,Heylin's Geography. except the first of Ianuary (on which they used not to shed blood) whereto the number of 5000 Martyrs at the least might not be ascribed saith Hierome in *Si tamen illa sit Hieronymi epistola, saith Dr. Hakewil in his Scutum regium, p. 74.his Epistle ad Heliodorum & Chromatium.
Nicomedia was honoured with the seat and residence of many of the Roman Emperors, when their affairs called them into the East, before the building of Constantinople; on that occasion made the Throne on which many of God's Saints received the Crown of Martyrdom, especially in the persecution under Diocletian. Dr. Heylin's Geography.
Cyprian a Magician, converted at Nicomedia by Iustina a Christian Virgin, suffered under Diocletian. Velserus Rerum Boicarum, l. 3.
Quis non horreat in una Aegypto 144 millia mortalium caesa, 700 millia in exilium acta; praeter Africam totamque Europam in carnificinam versas? ut totum orcum dicas in orbem effusum, ubi nemo nisi tortus vel tortor sit. Vide Hottingerum Hist. Ecclesiast. parte prima, p. 182.Triumphavit tamen iis cladibus Christi Ecclesia, & scoria per ignem purgata longè illustrior, damnis suis ferax, miseriis foelix, ruinis erecta, jacturis dives, rediviva in morte, mortalium victrix & Daemonum, sementem fecit effuso sanguine, profligatura statim Imperium, & Orbem totum missura sub jugum. Bussieres in Flosculis Historicis.
Evectus ad imperii culmen Diocletianus, cum inter caeteras provincias bello subactas, Aegyptus maximè Achilla duce rebellasset, ex indignatione summa, ob contumeliam, ut ipse putabat, sibi à Refractariis illis illatam; in furorem versus, mox ea expugnata non satis esse ratus est, Achillam jam in potestatem suam redactum, feris dilaniandum objicere: sed vindictam quoque omni crudelitatis genere refertam, sibi exercendam existimans, in cujuscunque conditionis homines foedum in modum debacchatus est. Verum inter alia, tria potissimum quae persecutionem vehementer auxere, contra eos machinatus est. Primum fuit, ut omnes cum aliorum, tum Christianorum libros sacros hinc inde per universam Aegyptum collectos, aboleret; his enim abolitis, ad Romanorum ritus facilius eos allectum iri confidebat. Alterum erat, ut artem transmutationis metallorum interdic…ret; timebat enim, ne inde locupletiores facti Aegyptii, collectoque exercitu multum Romanis in posterum fortassis facesserent negotii. Tertium denique erat, ut computus anni Aegyptiis usitatam rationem, Romano stylo accommodaret. Duo prima, esti multum in eis desudaverit, assequi nunquam potuit; hoc uti voluit, ita & perfecit. Kircherus in Prodromi Coptici, c. 2. p. 21, 22.
Divine mercy herein magnified it self toward this Island, that the last Oecumenical was the first Provincial Persecution in Britain. Dr. Fuller's Church-History of Britain, p. 17.
The persecution of Diocletian in Britain, continued only one year, saith Mr. Ball against Can, c. 2. p. 62.
Magnum Christianorum numerum, quod Amphibalum praedicantem audivisset, Iohannes Rossus Warwicensis (in libro de Wigorniensibus Episcopis) impiorum telis occubuisse narrat, in loco qui ab eventu Lichfield, id est, Cadaverum Campus appellatur. Qua vocis etymologia nixi Lichfeldenses, pro civitatis suae insignibus Campum occisorum cadaveribus constratum etiam nunc usurpant. Nec desunt qui mille & ducentorum monachorum Bangorensium caedem ab Ethelfrid Northanhumbrorum rege factam eo trahant: sed contra Historiae fidem, quae non juxta Lichfeldiam, sed prope Vrbem Legionum, quae hodie Occidentalis vocatur Cestria, interemptos illos fuisse confirmat. Usserius De Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Primordiis, p. 161.
In the said Brittish Churches Antiquities, p. 145, 167, 170, &c. he saith this persecution lasted but little above a year in France, imputing the shortness thereof to Constantius his *Calvisius in the quarto edition of his Chronology, p. 555. gives the same reason why Germany then escaped persecution.moderation.
Hujus persecutionis non minima laus debetur Hispaniae, atque haud scio, an ulla tunc provincia plus effuderit sanguinis pro fide & nomine Christi. Sola Caesar-Augusta, ni fallor, potest hac parte contendere cum quavis non dico civitate, sed provincia, ut eleganter testatur Prudentius in hymno de octodecim martyribus Caesar-Augustanis. Vasaei Chronicon Hispaniae, p. 272.
Cum non sine stupore Diocletiani Thermas perlustrare possis, quarum vastitatem & sumptuositatem vix unquam satis admiraberis, scias, in illis olim construendis quadringenta Christianorum millia, per annos quatuordecim, servili more, sub crudelissimo persecutore vexata esse. Joh. Jac. Grasseri Itinerarium, p. 228.
Saint Macra suffered in Diocletian's persecution (by command of Rictiovarus) whose passion Ondart thus expresseth in his Ecclesiastical Ephemerid…s.
Rictius injecit te praeses Varus in ignem,
Praeciditque ferox ubera Macra tibi.
Attamen haud quidquam flammae nocuere rogales,
Vber utrumque loco restituitque Deus
Quod notum Rhemis; quorum tegeris solo, acuta
In testa oranti postquam ibi obisse datum.
Usserius in Addendis ad Britannicarum Ecclesiarum primordia, p. 1040.
Genesius being the chief of the Theatrical Mimi, Genesius Abbas Arelatens. per jocum baptisatus, & serio conversus. 289. Oreus in Nomenclatore Praecipuorum D D.at the command of Diocletian, acted a play of the Christian religion before the Emperor, in derision of the Christian Faith and Mysteries. To express the custom of Christians, he was laid as one Clinicus, on his couch upon the Theatre, then he called for baptism; the mimical Presbyter being brought, asked him if he did believe? who answering he did, he was mimically baptized: then apparelled in white, and for making that profession, he was in mimical fashion led to be executed. But this play was then turned into sad earnest, for at that time he being truly converted to Christianity, instead of cursing and deriding, began to bless and adore Christ, and seriously exhorted the Emperor, and all in the Theatre, to embrace the holy Christian Faith, as himself did: at which the Emperor being incensed with rage, commanded him to be most cruelly tormented; and when by no torments whatsoever, he could be driven from the constant profession of Christ, he was at last beheaded, and is now enrolled among the blessed Saints and Martyrs. Dr. Crakanthorp's defence of Constantine, c. 6. p 84. out of Martyrologium Rom. & Mart. Vsuardi.
S. Helychius, sub Diocletiano cum esset, & praeceptum audisset, ut quisquis non sacrificaret idolis, cingulum solveret, repente cingulum solvit. Ob hanc caussam Imp. colobio muliebri indutum primo eum in gynaeceum dedit. Savaro in Epist. S. Sidonii l. 1. Pontanus Attic. Bellariorum parte secunda, p. 300.
Diocletianus edictum eum Maximiano proponit, ne cui vendere aut emere, aut molere, aut aquas haurire liceret, nisi statuis thura incenderet. Baronius cited by Calvisius in the quarto edition of his Chronology, p. 551.
Diocletiano & Maximiano imperantibus, acerbissima persecutio exorta, quae per decem continuos annos plebem Dei depopulata est, qua tempestate omnis ferè sacro martyrum cruore orbis infectus est: quippe certatim gloriosa in certami…a ruebatur, multoque avidius tum martyria gloriosis mortibus quaerebantur, quàm nunc Episcopatus pravis ambitionibus appetuntur. Nullis unquam bellis mundus magis exhaustus est, neque unquam majore triumpho vicimus, quàm cum decem annorum stragibus vinci non potuimus. Sulpitius Severus Sacr. Hist. l. 2.
There was a Column (as a Trophy of extinguishing the Christian Faith) erected to him with this Inscription.
Diocletiano Caes. Aug.Nomine Christianorum deleto, QuiRemp. evertebant.
Galerio in Oriente
Adopt.
Superstitione Christi ubique deleta,In another Inscription mentioned by Baronius anno 304.
Et cultu Deorum ubi que propagato.
Gruter's Inscriptions, p. 280
Maximian at Octodurum commandeth the Army to sacrifice to false gods; the Theban Legion consisting of 6666 Christians remove their quarters to Agaunum, to avoid (if possible) occasion of discontenting the Emperor; who summoneth them to perform their parts in this devilish worship: they return an humble denial, with their resolve not to disobey God, for whose sake they would ever continue faithful to him. He unsatisfied with this answer, putteth them to a decimation; to which they submit with cheerfulness, praying for their murderer. His commands are renewed, but prevail not on the remainder, who are butchered without resistance, there being no delay in their death, except from the weariness of their Executioners. Mauricius their Colonel could not contain his joy, when he saw the first decimation gallantly suffered. How fearful was I, said he to his a while surviving Soldiers (for armed men may be attempted to defend themselves) lest any of them might upon colour of just resistance for self-preservation in an innocent cause have strugled against this blessed slaughter! I was watchful and had Christs example in readiness, who commanded his Disciple to put his Sword into his scabbard. Salus vestra non periclitabitur, nisi armis vestris. Despair it self could not conquer one single patience, which yet createth valour in cowards, and maketh them more couragious in such extremities, because they are fearful; since they are like to do most to preserve life, who are most afraid of death. Eucherius Lugdunensis.
Maximianus adhuc grassatur in milites sed non caede, ut hactenus fecerat, cum nihil proficeret; sed damnat eos ad labores serviles, ad aedificandas thermas Romanas & Carthaginenses. Eusebius cited in the quarto edition of Calvisius's Chronology, p. 554.
This most bloody persecutor Diocletian, at last perswaded Maximian to lay aside with him all government (not because he was weary of persecuting, but of Zonaras, Nicephorus Callist. Th. Metochita, &c. but neither Tristan, nor Chr. Matthias hold this to be the sole, or chief cause of his resignation.disappointment) since he could not …atch his long brooded designs for the utter extirpation of the Christians; being thus out of hope to do all the mischief he intended,Nova certe, quaecunque ea fuerint, in eo haec duo contigerunt, quod primus ut oratores dixerunt, Imperium & communicavit, & posuit. Sigonius de Occidentali imperio, l. 1. Quanquam aliis alia aestimantibus veri gratia corrupta sit; nobis tamen excellenti natura videtur ad communem vitam spreto ambitu descendisse. Aurelius Victor. by resigning the Empire, he putteth himself out of power to do any.
Both of them on one day changed their Imperial estate, returning to a private condition, Diocletian at Nicomedia, and Maximianus Herculius at Milain; so soon as they had finished the triumphs kept at Rome with great solemnity of Pageants: in which the Concubines, Sisters, and Children of Narseus were led before their Chariots. This triumph being ended, one of them went to Salona, and the other into Lucania. Eutropius, l. 9.
De hoc Diocletiani ac Maximiani Augustorum triumpho multa Pomponius Laetus, ut nullus ethnicus copiosius. Glareanus in Eutropium, p. 246.
Eusebius l. 8. c. 13. imputeth Diocletian his resignation to phrensy.
Equidem facilè crediderim, Diocletianum post coeptam persecutionem morbo correptum, de statu mentis aliquantisper deturbatum fuisse; maximè cum Constantinus & Eusebius id constanter affirment. Hoc enim evenire solet aegrotantibus, & praecipue melancholicis, cujusmodi Diocletianum fuisse ex nummis conjicere licet. Sed nego illum ob hanc causam imperium posuisse. Valesius in Eusebium, p. 270.
Being sollicited 4 years after by Maximianus Herculius and Galerius to resume his charge, he answered; Did you see the herbs set with my own hands in my Garden at Salona, you would think me too good a Gardiner to become a miserable Emperor.
O thou great Monarch, and more great therefore,
For scorning that whereto vain pride aspires,
Reckoning thy Gardens in Illyria more
Than all the Empire; took'st those sweet retires:
Thou well didst teach, that O he is not poor
That little hath, but he that much desires:
Finding more true delight in that small ground,
Than in possessing all the earth was found.
Daniel of the Civil Wars between the houses of York and Lancaster, l. 3.
Diocletian being invited by Constantine the Great and Licinius to their marriage feast, excused himself, that by reason of his age he could not come; upon which they wrote back a threatning Letter, wherein he was charged with inclining to Maximinus, and assisting of Maxentius: whereupon fearing some shameful death, he poysoned himself. S. Aur. Victor.
Eusebius de vita Constant. l. 5. saith
Diocletian's house was wholy consumed with lightning, and that he hiding himself for fear thereof, died within a little after.
He was deified, though a private person when he dyed; an honour that had not been conferred on any before. Eutropius, l. 9. c. ult. Quem honorem ab Augustis admiratione virtutis accepit, saith Sigonius de Occid. Imp. l. 3.
Eusebius reports that Arnobius then a Teacher of Rhetorick and a Gentile,Vadianus in Epitome trium terrae partium, makes Hierom the Author of this story. was constrained by sundry dreams to believe the glorious Gospel, yet the Christian Bishops would not receive him to their Fellowship, till he had written and published those excellent books of his against Gentilism; wherein he confuted that vain superstition and Idolatry, whereof he had been before so great a Patron and Advocate. Larkin's Speculum Patrum, p. 27.
Herculius, was openly fierce and of a rude disposition, shewing his austerity by the terror of his countenance; complying with Diocletian in all his cruel designs. Eutropius, l. 9.
Mamertinus non minus ad fidem, quàm ad laudem dixit, Maximianum primum omnium Imperatorùm probasse, Romani Imperii nullum esse terminum, nisi qui suorum esset armorum. Sigonius de Occidentali Imperio, l. 1.
Iulian the Emperor feigneth that Silenus judged him not worthy to break a jest on, or to be admitted into the assembly of the Gods; from whence Nemesis soon chased this excessively intemperate person: who was not only addicted to all sorts of lusts, but also perfidious and factious.
Maximianus tradit fasces imperiales non Maxentio, quem filium habebat, sed (imperii caritatem paterno amori praeferens) Constantio Chloro, In historia rerumà Maximiano gestarum merae tenebrae apud scriptores qui nunc extant. Livineius in Panegyrica, p. 316.privignae suae marito. Dietericus in Breviario Historico.
Maximian seemingly taking offence at his son Maxentius, then at variance with his Son-in-law Constantine the Great, under colour of this dislike, repaired to Constantine, who married Fausta his daughter, with whom he tampered to make away her husband: but she revealed his treachery to Constantine, who thereupon*Solus Zosimus Maximianum, in desperationem rerum omnium adductum, & apud Tarsum morbo extinctum ait, confundens Maximianum, cum Maximino. Chr. Ad. Rupertus in Besoldi min. synop. p. 399. put him to death.
Herculius natura impotentior, simul filii segnitiae metuens, inconsulte imperium repetiverat: cumque specie officii dolis compositis Constantinum generum tentaret acerbè, jure tandem interierat. Aur. Vict.
Vtinam Maximianus suo potius ingenio, quàm alieno exemplo fastidiisset fortunae fastigium. Diocletianum secutus est. Sic vero animi inconstans; quia cum ex Augusto privatus esset, è privato tyrannus esse voluit. Nam ut ad Imperii majestatem eveheret Maxentium filium, acriter afflixit Rem Romanam: ut deinde evectum rejiceret, pater quoque esse recusavit. Iam nec in filio Maxentio, nec in genero Constantino purpuram ferens, dum insidias utrique struit, interficitur. Puteanus in Historia Insubrica.
Reus insidiarum in Constantinum, Massiliae cervicibus laqueo fractis, impietatis perpetuae & ambitionis praeposterae poenas luit. Bussieres in Flosculis Historiarum.
Shrewd Diocletian Empire got: Design'd
Partners! raign'd long: then rule and wit resign'd,
Dr. Holyday's Survey of the world, l. 9. p. 100.