Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 1.djvu/19

 CONTENTS. CHAPTER V. PUBLIC SALE OF THE EMPIRE TO DIDIUS JULIANUS BY THE PRETORIAN GUARnS.— CLODIUS ALE1NU8 IN BRITAIN, PESCENNIUS NIGER IN SYRIA, AND SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS IN PANNONIA, DECLARE AGAINST THE MURDERERS OF PERTINAX.— CIVIL WARS, AND VICTORY OF SEVERUS OVER HIS THREE RIVALS.— RELAXATION OF DISCIPLINE— NEW MAXIMS OF GOVERNMENT. 137 Proportion of the military force to the number of the people. The institution of the pretoiian guards Their camp, strength, and confi- dence. Their specious claims They offer the empire to sale A. p. 193. It is purchased by Julian ib Julian is acknowledged by the senate. Takes possession of the palace. The public discontent The armies of Britain, Syria, and Pannonia declare against Ju- lian Clodius Albinus in Britain. Pescennius Niger in Syria Pannonia and Dalmatia A. D. 193. Septimius Severus de- clared emperor by the Pan- nonian legions Marches into Italy Advances towards Rome Distress of Julian His uncertain conduct. Is deserted by the pretorians Is condemned and executed by order of the senate. 136 123 124 ib. 125 126 127 128 ib. 129 ib. 131 132 133 ib. 134 ib. 135 ib. Disgrace of the pretorian guards Funeral and apotheosis of Perti- nax A.D. 193-197. Success of Severus against Niger and against Al- binus Conduct of the two civil wars Arts of Severus Towards Niger Towards Albinus Event of the civil wars. Decided by one or two battles. Siege of Byzantium Deaths of Niger and Albinus. Cruel consequences of the civil wars Animosity of Severus against the senate The wisdom and justice of his government General peace and prosperity. Relaxation of military discipline New establishment of the preto- rian guards. The office of pretorian prefect The senate oppressed by military despotism New maxims of the imperial pre- rogative ib. 138 ib. 139 ib. 140 141 ib. 142 143 ib. 144 ib. 145 146 147 ib. 148 ib. CHAPTER VI. THE DEATH OF SEVERUS.— TYRANNY OF CARACALLA.— USURPATION OF MACRINUS. —FOLLIES OF ELAGABALUS.— VIRTUES OF ALEXANDER SEVERUS.— LICENTIOUS- NESS OF THE ARMY.— GENERAL STATE OF THE ROMAN FINANCES. Greatness and discontent of Se- verus. . . 151 His wife the empress Julia. ib. Their two sons, Caracalla and Geta. . 152 Their mutual aversion to each other. . .153 Three emperors. . ib. A. D. 208. The Caledonian war ib. Fingal and his heroes. . 154 Contrast of the Caledonians and the Romans. . ib. Ambition of Caracalla. ib. A.D. 211. Death of Severus, and accession of his two sons. 156 Jealousy and hatred of the two emperors. . . ib. Fruitless negociation for dividing the empire between them. 157 A. D. 212. Murder of Geta. 158 Remorse and cruelty of C'aracalla 159 Death of Papinian •. 160 A.D. 213. His tyranny extended over the whole empire Relaxation of discipline A. D. 217. Murder of Caracalla Imitation of Alexander. Election and character of Macri- nus Discontent of the senate Discontent of the army Macrinus attempts a reformation of the army Death of the empress Julia Education, pretensions, and revolt of Elagabalus, called at first Bassianus and Antoninus. A. D. 218. Defeat and death of Macrinus Elagabalus writes to the senate A.D. 219. Picture of Elagabalus His superstition His profligate and effeminate lux- ury 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 ib. 168 ib. 170 171 172 ib. 174