Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/72

 xx round the Pyramid in good order; adjusting the Motions of their March to the Tune of several Military Instruments which plaid to them; This sort of Tournament was followed by Chariot-Racing managed by young People in Habits edg'd with Purple, and disguis'd in Visors, which represented the Persons of the most celebrated Generals, and Emperours of Roman Extraction.

This Cavalcade and Racing being over, those who were to succeed to the Empire came up to the Funeral Pile, and set fire to it with Flambeaux; the Consuls, Nobility, and Gentry doing the same afterwards in their Order. And thus all being presently in a Flame, there was an Eagle privately let loose from the top of the Pyramid; which immediately towring out of sight, was supposed to carry the Emperour's Soul into Heaven; who from this time was reputed a God, and worship'd accordingly.

After this Ceremony the two Emperours made each of them a Funeral Oration in Commendation of their Father, chose him a high Priest out of his own Family; set up a Fraternity of Priests call'd Aurelians in Honour of him, and concluded the Solemnity with playing of Prizes, or Combats between the Gladiators. Rh