Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/83

 Rh strong Dose of Infection flew out on't, that it poison'd the Air to a vast Extent, and carried the Mortality from Mesopotamia, as far as Gaul. But this Conjecture apart, 'tis more probable the Plague was bred by the Famine and Diseases in Cassius's Army, at his Return from the Defeat of the Parthians.

About this time the Germans revolted, made an Irruption into Italy, and put the Country under Military Execution.

Pertinax a Man of known Bravery, tho' by the ill Offices of some Envious People his Fidelity being suspected, neither his own Merit nor the Interest of his Friends, could ever prefer him any higher than to the Command of some Auxiliaries; this Person, notwithstanding the Opposition of the Courtiers, was pitch'd on with his Friend Claudius Pompeianus to make head against this terrible Invasion, which threatned as far as Rome it self. Antoninus made them both his Generals, and was resolv'd they should share with him in the Honour of this Expedition. Pertinax being highly sensible of the Favour of this Trust, took care that the Emperour should have no Cause to repent it; and gave no less Proof of his Honesty than of his Experience, and Courage. In short, the Romans charg'd the Enemy briskly,