[Footnote27:SuchisthereflectionofHerodian，l。ii。p。74。
WillthemodernAustriansallowtheinfluence?]
ThePannonianarmywasatthistimecommandedbySeptimiusSeverus，anativeofAfrica，who，inthegradualascentofprivatehonors，hadconcealedhisdaringambition，whichwasneverdivertedfromitssteadycoursebytheallurementsofpleasure，theapprehensionofdanger，orthefeelingsofhumanity。^28OnthefirstnewsofthemurderofPertinax，heassembledhistroops，paintedinthemostlivelycolorsthecrime，theinsolence，andtheweaknessofthePraetorianguards，andanimatedthelegionstoarmsandtorevenge。Heconcludedandtheperorationwasthoughtextremelyeloquentwithpromisingeverysoldieraboutfourhundredpounds；anhonorabledonative，doubleinvaluetotheinfamousbribewithwhichJulianhadpurchasedtheempire。^29TheacclamationsofthearmyimmediatelysalutedSeveruswiththenamesofAugustus，Pertinax，andEmperor；andhethusattainedtheloftystationtowhichhewasinvited，byconsciousmeritandalongtrainofdreamsandomens，thefruitfuloffspringseitherofhissuperstitionorpolicy。^30
[Footnote28:InthelettertoAlbinus，alreadymentioned，CommodusaccusesSeverus，asoneoftheambitiousgeneralswhocensuredhisconduct，andwishedtooccupyhisplace。Hist。
August。p。80。]
[Footnote29:Pannoniawastoopoortosupplysuchasum。Itwasprobablypromisedinthecamp，andpaidatRome，afterthevictory。Infixingthesum，IhaveadoptedtheconjectureofCasaubon。SeeHist。August。p。66。Comment。p。115。]
[Footnote30:Herodian，l。ii。p。78。SeveruswasdeclaredemperoronthebanksoftheDanube，eitheratCarnuntum，accordingtoSpartianus，Hist。August。p。65，orelseatSabaria，accordingtoVictor。Mr。Hume，insupposingthatthebirthanddignityofSeverusweretoomuchinferiortotheImperialcrown，andthathemarchedintoItalyasgeneralonly，hasnotconsideredthistransactionwithhisusualaccuracy，Essayontheoriginalcontract。
Note:Carnuntum，oppositetothemouthoftheMorava:itspositionisdoubtful，eitherPetronelorHaimburg。AlittleintermediatevillageseemstoindicatebyitsnameAltenburg
thesiteofanoldtown。D\'AnvilleGeogr。Anc。Sabaria，nowSarvar。—G。Comparenote37。—M。]
Thenewcandidateforempiresawandimprovedthepeculiaradvantageofhissituation。HisprovinceextendedtotheJulianAlps，whichgaveaneasyaccessintoItaly；andherememberedthesayingofAugustus，ThataPannonianarmymightintendaysappearinsightofRome。^31Byacelerityproportionedtothegreatnessoftheoccasion，hemightreasonablyhopetorevengePertinax，punishJulian，andreceivethehomageofthesenateandpeople，astheirlawfulemperor，beforehiscompetitors，separatedfromItalybyanimmensetractofseaandland，wereapprisedofhissuccess，orevenofhiselection。Duringthewholeexpedition，hescarcelyallowedhimselfanymomentsforsleeporfood；marchingonfoot，andincompletearmor，attheheadofhiscolumns，heinsinuatedhimselfintotheconfidenceandaffectionofhistroops，pressedtheirdiligence，revivedtheirspirits，animatedtheirhopes，andwaswellsatisfiedtosharethehardshipsofthemeanestsoldier，whilsthekeptinviewtheinfinitesuperiorityofhisreward。
[Footnote31:VelleiusPaterculus，l。ii。c。3。WemustreckonthemarchfromthenearestvergeofPannonia，andextendthesightofthecityasfarastwohundredmiles。]
ThewretchedJulianhadexpected，andthoughthimselfprepared，todisputetheempirewiththegovernorofSyria；butintheinvincibleandrapidapproachofthePannonianlegions，hesawhisinevitableruin。Thehastyarrivalofeverymessengerincreasedhisjustapprehensions。Hewassuccessivelyinformed，thatSeverushadpassedtheAlps；thattheItaliancities，unwillingorunabletoopposehisprogress，hadreceivedhimwiththewarmestprofessionsofjoyandduty；thattheimportantplaceofRavennahadsurrenderedwithoutresistance，andthattheHadriaticfleetwasinthehandsoftheconqueror。TheenemywasnowwithintwohundredandfiftymilesofRome；andeverymomentdiminishedthenarrowspanoflifeandempireallottedtoJulian。
Heattempted，however，toprevent，oratleasttoprotract，hisruin。HeimploredthevenalfaithofthePraetorians，filledthecitywithunavailingpreparationsforwar，drewlinesroundthesuburbs，andevenstrengthenedthefortificationsofthepalace；asifthoselastintrenchmentscouldbedefended，withouthopeofrelief，againstavictoriousinvader。Fearandshamepreventedtheguardsfromdesertinghisstandard；buttheytrembledatthenameofthePannonianlegions，commandedbyanexperiencedgeneral，andaccustomedtovanquishthebarbariansonthefrozenDanube。^32Theyquitted，withasigh，thepleasuresofthebathsandtheatres，toputonarms，whoseusetheyhadalmostforgotten，andbeneaththeweightofwhichtheywereoppressed。Theunpractisedelephants，whoseuncouthappearance，itwashoped，wouldstriketerrorintothearmyofthenorth，threwtheirunskilfulriders；andtheawkwardevolutionsofthemarines，drawnfromthefleetofMisenum，wereanobjectofridiculetothepopulace；whilstthesenateenjoyed，withsecretpleasure，thedistressandweaknessoftheusurper。^33
[Footnote32:Thisisnotapuerilefigureofrhetoric，butanallusiontoarealfactrecordedbyDion，l。lxxi。p。1181。Itprobablyhappenedmorethanonce。]
[Footnote33:Dion，l。lxxiii。p。1233。Herodian，l。ii。p。81。
ThereisnosurerproofofthemilitaryskilloftheRomans，thantheirfirstsurmountingtheidleterror，andafterwardsdisdainingthedangeroususe，ofelephantsinwar。
Note:Theseelephantswerekeptforprocessions，perhapsforthegames。SeHerod。inloc。—M。]
EverymotionofJulianbetrayedhistremblingperplexity。
HeinsistedthatSeverusshouldbedeclaredapublicenemybythesenate。HeentreatedthatthePannoniangeneralmightbeassociatedtotheempire。Hesentpublicambassadorsofconsularranktonegotiatewithhisrival；hedespatchedprivateassassinstotakeawayhislife。HedesignedthattheVestalvirgins，andallthecollegesofpriests，intheirsacerdotalhabits，andbearingbeforethemthesacredpledgesoftheRomanreligion，shouldadvanceinsolemnprocessiontomeetthePannonianlegions；and，atthesametime，hevainlytriedtointerrogate，ortoappease，thefates，bymagicceremoniesandunlawfulsacrifices。^34
[Footnote34:Hist。August。p。62，63。
Note:Quaeadspeculumdicuntfieriinquopueripraeligatisoculis，incantate……，respiceredicuntur。***TuncquepuervidissedicituretadventunSeverietJulianidecessionem。ThisseemstohavebeenapracticesomewhatsimilartothatofwhichourrecentEgyptiantravellersrelatesuchextraordinarycircumstances。SeealsoApulius，Orat。deMagia。—M。]
ChapterV:SaleOfTheEmpireToDidiusJulianus。
PartII。
Severus，whodreadedneitherhisarmsnorhisenchantments，guardedhimselffromtheonlydangerofsecretconspiracy，bythefaithfulattendanceofsixhundredchosenmen，whoneverquittedhispersonortheircuirasses，eitherbynightorbyday，duringthewholemarch。Advancingwithasteadyandrapidcourse，hepassed，withoutdifficulty，thedefilesoftheApennine，receivedintohispartythetroopsandambassadorssenttoretardhisprogress，andmadeashorthaltatInteramnia，aboutseventymilesfromRome。Hisvictorywasalreadysecure，butthedespairofthePraetoriansmighthaverendereditbloody；andSeverushadthelaudableambitionofascendingthethronewithoutdrawingthesword。^35Hisemissaries，dispersedinthecapital，assuredtheguards，thatprovidedtheywouldabandontheirworthlessprince，andtheperpetratorsofthemurderofPertinax，tothejusticeoftheconqueror，hewouldnolongerconsiderthatmelancholyeventastheactofthewholebody。ThefaithlessPraetorians，whoseresistancewassupportedonlybysullenobstinacy，gladlycompliedwiththeeasyconditions，seizedthegreatestpartoftheassassins，andsignifiedtothesenate，thattheynolongerdefendedthecauseofJulian。Thatassembly，convokedbytheconsul，unanimouslyacknowledgedSeverusaslawfulemperor，decreeddivinehonorstoPertinax，andpronouncedasentenceofdepositionanddeathagainsthisunfortunatesuccessor。Julianwasconductedintoaprivateapartmentofthebathsofthepalace，andbeheadedasacommoncriminal，afterhavingpurchased，withanimmensetreasure，ananxiousandprecariousreignofonlysixty—sixdays。^36ThealmostincredibleexpeditionofSeverus，who，insoshortaspaceoftime，conductedanumerousarmyfromthebanksoftheDanubetothoseoftheTyber，provesatoncetheplentyofprovisionsproducedbyagricultureandcommerce，thegoodnessoftheroads，thedisciplineofthelegions，andtheindolent，subduedtemperoftheprovinces。^37
[Footnote35:VictorandEutropius，viii。17，mentionacombatneartheMilvianbridge，thePonteMolle，unknowntothebetterandmoreancientwriters。]
[Footnote36:Dion，l。lxxiii。p。1240。Herodian，l。ii。p。83。
Hist。August。p。63。]
[Footnote37:Fromthesesixty—sixdays，wemustfirstdeductsixteen，asPertinaxwasmurderedonthe28thofMarch，andSeverusmostprobablyelectedonthe13thofApril，seeHist。
August。p。65，andTillemont，Hist。desEmpereurs，tom。iii。p。
393，note7。Wecannotallowlessthantendaysafterhiselection，toputanumerousarmyinmotion。Fortydaysremainforthisrapidmarch；andaswemaycomputeabouteighthundredmilesfromRometotheneighborhoodofVienna，thearmyofSeverusmarchedtwentymileseveryday，withouthaltorintermission。]
ThefirstcaresofSeveruswerebestowedontwomeasurestheonedictatedbypolicy，theotherbydecency；therevenge，andthehonors，duetothememoryofPertinax。BeforethenewemperorenteredRome，heissuedhiscommandstothePraetorianguards，directingthemtowaithisarrivalonalargeplainnearthecity，withoutarms，butinthehabitsofceremony，inwhichtheywereaccustomedtoattendtheirsovereign。Hewasobeyedbythosehaughtytroops，whosecontritionwastheeffectoftheirjustterrors。AchosenpartoftheIllyrianarmyencompassedthemwithlevelledspears。Incapableofflightorresistance，theyexpectedtheirfateinsilentconsternation。Severusmountedthetribunal，sternlyreproachedthemwithperfidyandcowardice，dismissedthemwithignominyfromthetrustwhichtheyhadbetrayed，despoiledthemoftheirsplendidornaments，andbanishedthem，onpainofdeath，tothedistanceofahundredmilesfromthecapital。Duringthetransaction，anotherdetachmenthadbeensenttoseizetheirarms，occupytheircamp，andpreventthehastyconsequencesoftheirdespair。^38
[Footnote38:Dion，l。lxxiv。p。1241。Herodian，l。ii。p。84。]
ThefuneralandconsecrationofPertinaxwasnextsolemnizedwitheverycircumstanceofsadmagnificence。^39Thesenate，withamelancholypleasure，performedthelastritestothatexcellentprince，whomtheyhadloved，andstillregretted。Theconcernofhissuccessorwasprobablylesssincere；heesteemedthevirtuesofPertinax，butthosevirtueswouldforeverhaveconfinedhisambitiontoaprivatestation。Severuspronouncedhisfuneralorationwithstudiedeloquence，inwardsatisfaction，andwell—actedsorrow；andbythispiousregardtohismemory，convincedthecredulousmultitude，thathealonewasworthytosupplyhisplace。Sensible，however，thatarms，notceremonies，mustasserthisclaimtotheempire，heleftRomeattheendofthirtydays，andwithoutsufferinghimselftobeelatedbythiseasyvictory，preparedtoencounterhismoreformidablerivals。
[Footnote39:Dion，l。lxxiv。p。1244，whoassistedattheceremonyasasenator，givesamostpompousdescriptionofit。]
TheuncommonabilitiesandfortuneofSeverushaveinducedaneleganthistoriantocomparehimwiththefirstandgreatestoftheCaesars。^40Theparallelis，atleast，imperfect。Whereshallwefind，inthecharacterofSeverus，thecommandingsuperiorityofsoul，thegenerousclemency，andthevariousgenius，whichcouldreconcileandunitetheloveofpleasure，thethirstofknowledge，andthefireofambition?^41Inoneinstanceonly，theymaybecompared，withsomedegreeofpropriety，inthecelerityoftheirmotions，andtheircivilvictories。Inlessthanfouryears，^42SeverussubduedtherichesoftheEast，andthevaloroftheWest。Hevanquishedtwocompetitorsofreputationandability，anddefeatednumerousarmies，providedwithweaponsanddisciplineequaltohisown。
Inthatage，theartoffortification，andtheprinciplesoftactics，werewellunderstoodbyalltheRomangenerals；andtheconstantsuperiorityofSeveruswasthatofanartist，whousesthesameinstrumentswithmoreskillandindustrythanhisrivals。Ishallnot，however，enterintoaminutenarrativeofthesemilitaryoperations；butasthetwocivilwarsagainstNigerandagainstAlbinuswerealmostthesameintheirconduct，event，andconsequences，Ishallcollectintoonepointofviewthemoststrikingcircumstances，tendingtodevelopthecharacteroftheconquerorandthestateoftheempire。
[Footnote40:Herodian，l。iii。p。112]
[Footnote41:Thoughitisnot，mostassuredly，theintentionofLucantoexaltthecharacterofCaesar，yettheideahegivesofthathero，inthetenthbookofthePharsalia，wherehedescribeshim，atthesametime，makinglovetoCleopatra，sustainingasiegeagainstthepowerofEgypt，andconversingwiththesagesofthecountry，is，inreality，thenoblestpanegyric。
Note:LordByronwrote，nodoubt，fromareminiscenceofthatpassage—\"Itispossibletobeaverygreatman，andtobestillveryinferiortoJuliusCaesar，themostcompletecharacter，soLordBaconthought，ofallantiquity。Natureseemsincapableofsuchextraordinarycombinationsascomposedhisversatilecapacity，whichwasthewonderevenoftheRomansthemselves。Thefirstgeneral；theonlytriumphantpolitician；
inferiortononeinpointofeloquence；comparabletoanyintheattainmentsofwisdom，inanagemadeupofthegreatestcommanders，statesmen，orators，andphilosophers，thateverappearedintheworld；anauthorwhocomposedaperfectspecimenofmilitaryannalsinhistravellingcarriage；atonetimeinacontroversywithCato，atanotherwritingatreatiseonpunuing，andcollectingasetofgoodsayings；fightingandmakingloveatthesamemoment，andwillingtoabandonbothhisempireandhismistressforasightofthefountainsoftheNile。SuchdidJuliusCaesarappeartohiscontemporaries，andtothoseofthesubsequentageswhowerethemostinclinedtodeploreandexecratehisfatalgenius。\"Note47toCantoiv。ofChildeHarold。—M。]
[Footnote42:Reckoningfromhiselection，April13，193，tothedeathofAlbinus，February19，197。SeeTillemont\'sChronology。]
Falsehoodandinsincerity，unsuitableastheyseemtothedignityofpublictransactions，offenduswithalessdegradingideaofmeanness，thanwhentheyarefoundintheintercourseofprivatelife。Inthelatter，theydiscoverawantofcourage；intheother，onlyadefectofpower:and，asitisimpossibleforthemostablestatesmentosubduemillionsoffollowersandenemiesbytheirownpersonalstrength，theworld，underthenameofpolicy，seemstohavegrantedthemaveryliberalindulgenceofcraftanddissimulation。YettheartsofSeveruscannotbejustifiedbythemostampleprivilegesofstatereason。Hepromisedonlytobetray，heflatteredonlytoruin；andhoweverhemightoccasionallybindhimselfbyoathsandtreaties，hisconscience，obsequioustohisinterest，alwaysreleasedhimfromtheinconvenientobligation。^43
[Footnote43:Herodian，l。ii。p。85。]
Ifhistwocompetitors，reconciledbytheircommondanger，hadadvanceduponhimwithoutdelay，perhapsSeveruswouldhavesunkundertheirunitedeffort。Hadtheyevenattackedhim，atthesametime，withseparateviewsandseparatearmies，thecontestmighthavebeenlonganddoubtful。Buttheyfell，singlyandsuccessively，aneasypreytotheartsaswellasarmsoftheirsubtleenemy，lulledintosecuritybythemoderationofhisprofessions，andoverwhelmedbytherapidityofhisaction。HefirstmarchedagainstNiger，whosereputationandpowerhethemostdreaded:buthedeclinedanyhostiledeclarations，suppressedthenameofhisantagonist，andonlysignifiedtothesenateandpeoplehisintentionofregulatingtheeasternprovinces。Inprivate，hespokeofNiger，hisoldfriendandintendedsuccessor，^44withthemostaffectionateregard，andhighlyapplaudedhisgenerousdesignofrevengingthemurderofPertinax。Topunishthevileusurperofthethrone，wasthedutyofeveryRomangeneral。Topersevereinarms，andtoresistalawfulemperor，acknowledgedbythesenate，wouldalonerenderhimcriminal。^45ThesonsofNigerhadfallenintohishandsamongthechildrenoftheprovincialgovernors，detainedatRomeaspledgesfortheloyaltyoftheirparents。^46AslongasthepowerofNigerinspiredterror，orevenrespect，theywereeducatedwiththemosttendercare，withthechildrenofSeverushimself；buttheyweresooninvolvedintheirfather\'sruin，andremovedfirstbyexile，andafterwardsbydeath，fromtheeyeofpubliccompassion。^47
[Footnote44:WhilstSeveruswasverydangerouslyill，itwasindustriouslygivenout，thatheintendedtoappointNigerandAlbinushissuccessors。Ashecouldnotbesincerewithrespecttoboth，hemightnotbesowithregardtoeither。YetSeveruscarriedhishypocrisysofar，astoprofessthatintentioninthememoirsofhisownlife。]
[Footnote45:Hist。August。p。65。]
[Footnote46:Thispractice，inventedbyCommodus，provedveryusefultoSeverus。HefoundatRomethechildrenofmanyoftheprincipaladherentsofhisrivals；andheemployedthemmorethanoncetointimidate，orseduce，theparents。]
[Footnote47:Herodian，l。iii。p。95。Hist。August。p。67，68。]
WhilstSeveruswasengagedinhiseasternwar，hehadreasontoapprehendthatthegovernorofBritainmightpasstheseaandtheAlps，occupythevacantseatofempire，andopposehisreturnwiththeauthorityofthesenateandtheforcesoftheWest。TheambiguousconductofAlbinus，innotassumingtheImperialtitle，leftroomfornegotiation。Forgetting，atonce，hisprofessionsofpatriotism，andthejealousyofsovereignpower，heacceptedtheprecariousrankofCaesar，asarewardforhisfatalneutrality。Tillthefirstcontestwasdecided，Severustreatedtheman，whomhehaddoomedtodestruction，witheverymarkofesteemandregard。Evenintheletter，inwhichheannouncedhisvictoryoverNiger，hestylesAlbinusthebrotherofhissoulandempire，sendshimtheaffectionatesalutationsofhiswifeJulia，andhisyoungfamily，andentreatshimtopreservethearmiesandtherepublicfaithfultotheircommoninterest。ThemessengerschargedwiththisletterwereinstructedtoaccosttheCaesarwithrespect，todesireaprivateaudience，andtoplungetheirdaggersintohisheart。^48Theconspiracywasdiscovered，andthetoocredulousAlbinus，atlength，passedovertothecontinent，andpreparedforanunequalcontestwithhisrival，whorusheduponhimattheheadofaveteranandvictoriousarmy。