itextendedonlytoItaly，withtheexceptionofRomeanditsdistrict，whichwasgovernedbythePraefectusurbi。Astothecontrolofthefinances，andthelevyingoftaxes，itwasnotintrustedtothemtillafterthegreatchangethatConstantineI。

　　madeintheorganizationoftheempireatleast，Iknownopassagewhichassignsittothembeforethattime；andDrakenborch，whohastreatedthisquestioninhisDissertationdeofficialpraefectorumpraetorio，vi。，doesnotquoteone。—W。]

　　[Footnote68:Oneofhismostdaringandwantonactsofpower，wasthecastrationofahundredfreeRomans，someofthemmarriedmen，andevenfathersoffamilies；merelythathisdaughter，onhermarriagewiththeyoungemperor，mightbeattendedbyatrainofeunuchsworthyofaneasternqueen。Dion，l。lxxvi。p。1271。]

　　[Footnote*:Plautianuswascompatriot，relative，andtheoldfriend，ofSeverus；hehadsocompletelyshutupallaccesstotheemperor，thatthelatterwasignoranthowfarheabusedhispowers:atlength，beinginformedofit，hebegantolimithisauthority。ThemarriageofPlautillawithCaracallawasunfortunate；andtheprincewhohadbeenforcedtoconsenttoit，menacedthefatherandthedaughterwithdeathwhenheshouldcometothethrone。Itwasfeared，afterthat，thatPlautianuswouldavailhimselfofthepowerwhichhestillpossessed，againsttheImperialfamily；andSeveruscausedhimtobeassassinatedinhispresence，uponthepretextofaconspiracy，whichDionconsidersfictitious。—W。Thisnoteisnot，perhaps，verynecessaryanddoesnotcontainthewholefacts。DionconsiderstheconspiracytheinventionofCaracalla，bywhosecommand，almostbywhosehand，PlautianuswasslaininthepresenceofSeverus。—M。]

　　[Footnote69:Dion，l。lxxvi。p。1274。Herodian，l。iii。p。122，129。ThegrammarianofAlexanderseems，asisnotunusual，muchbetteracquaintedwiththismysterioustransaction，andmoreassuredoftheguiltofPlautianusthantheRomansenatorventurestobe。]

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