Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 1.djvu/437

 OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 413 their choice had fallen on Diocletian, commander of CHAP, the domestics or body guards, as the person the most ' capable of revenging and succeeding their beloved em- A. D. 284. peror. The future fortunes of the candidate depended Ekction of on the chance or conduct of the present hour. Con- the emperor scious that the station which he had filled exposed him to some suspicions, Diocletian ascended the tri- bunal, and raising his eyes towards the sun, made a solemn profession of his own innocence, in the presence of that all-seeing deity **. Then, assuming the tone of a sovereign and a judge, he commanded that Aper should be brought in chains to the foot of the tribunal. " This man," said he, "is the murderer of Numerian;" and, without giving him time to enter on a dangerous justification, drew his sword, and buried it in the breast of the unfortunate prefect. A charge supported by such decisive proof, was admitted without contradic- tion, and the legions, with repeated acclamations, ac- knowledged the justice and authority of the emperor Diocletian p. Before we enter upon the memorable reign of that Defeat and prince, it will be proper to punish and dismiss the un- carinus. worthy brother of Numerian. Carinus possessed arms and treasures sufficient to support his legal title to the empire. But his personal vices overbalanced every ad- vantage of birth and situation. The most faithful ser- vants of the father despised the incapacity, and dreaded the cruel arrogance, of the son. The hearts of the people were engaged in favour of his rival ; and even the senate was incHned to prefer an usurper to a tyrant. The arts of Diocletian inflamed the general discontent; and the winter was employed in secret intrigues, and open preparations for a civil war. In the spring, the A. D. 285. forces of the east and of the west encountered each ^^^^' other in the plains of Margus, a small city of Maesia, o Aurel. Victor; Eutropius, ix. 20 ; Hieronym. in Cliron. P Vopiscus in Hist. August, p. 252. The reason why Diocletian killed Aper (a wild boar) was founded on a prophecy and a pun, as foolish as they - are well known.