grandfather。]
[Footnote16:TheClaudian，theNumidian，theCarystian，andtheSynnadian。ThecolorsofRomanmarbleshavebeenfaintlydescribedandimperfectlydistinguished。Itappears，however，thattheCarystianwasasea—green，andthatthemarbleofSynnadawaswhitemixedwithovalspotsofpurple。SeeSalmasiusadHist。August。p。164。]
[Footnote17:Hist。August。p。151，152。Hesometimesgavefivehundredpairofgladiators，neverlessthanonehundredandfifty。HeoncegavefortheuseofthecircusonehundredSicilian，andasmanyCappaecianCappadecianhorses。Theanimalsdesignedforhuntingwerechieflybears，boars，bulls，stags，elks，wildasses，&c。ElephantsandlionsseemtohavebeenappropriatedtoImperialmagnificence。]
[Footnote18:Seetheoriginalletter，intheAugustanHistory，p。152，whichatonceshowsAlexander\'srespectfortheauthorityofthesenate，andhisesteemfortheproconsulappointedbythatassembly。]
[Footnote*:Herodianexpresslysaysthathehadadministeredmanyprovinces，lib。vii。10。—W。]
[Footnote19:Byeachofhisconcubines，theyoungerGordianleftthreeorfourchildren。Hisliteraryproductions，thoughlessnumerous，werebynomeanscontemptible。]
[Footnote!:Notthepersonallikeness，butthefamilydescentfromtheScipiod。—W。]
AssoonastheGordianshadappeasedthefirsttumultofapopularelection，theyremovedtheircourttoCarthage。TheywerereceivedwiththeacclamationsoftheAfricans，whohonoredtheirvirtues，andwho，sincethevisitofHadrian，hadneverbeheldthemajestyofaRomanemperor。ButthesevainacclamationsneitherstrengthenednorconfirmedthetitleoftheGordians。Theywereinducedbyprinciple，aswellasinterest，tosolicittheapprobationofthesenate；andadeputationofthenoblestprovincialswassent，withoutdelay，toRome，torelateandjustifytheconductoftheircountrymen，who，havinglongsufferedwithpatience，wereatlengthresolvedtoactwithvigor。Thelettersofthenewprincesweremodestandrespectful，excusingthenecessitywhichhadobligedthemtoaccepttheImperialtitle；butsubmittingtheirelectionandtheirfatetothesupremejudgmentofthesenate。^20
[Footnote20:Herodian，l。vii。p。243。Hist。August。p。144。]
Theinclinationsofthesenatewereneitherdoubtfulnordivided。ThebirthandnoblealliancesoftheGordianshadintimatelyconnectedthemwiththemostillustrioushousesofRome。Theirfortunehadcreatedmanydependantsinthatassembly，theirmerithadacquiredmanyfriends。Theirmildadministrationopenedtheflatteringprospectoftherestoration，notonlyofthecivilbutevenoftherepublicangovernment。Theterrorofmilitaryviolence，whichhadfirstobligedthesenatetoforgetthemurderofAlexander，andtoratifytheelectionofabarbarianpeasant，^21nowproducedacontraryeffect，andprovokedthemtoasserttheinjuredrightsoffreedomandhumanity。ThehatredofMaximintowardsthesenatewasdeclaredandimplacable；thetamestsubmissionhadnotappeasedhisfury，themostcautiousinnocencewouldnotremovehissuspicions；andeventhecareoftheirownsafetyurgedthemtosharethefortuneofanenterprise，ofwhichifunsuccessfultheyweresuretobethefirstvictims。Theseconsiderations，andperhapsothersofamoreprivatenature，weredebatedinapreviousconferenceoftheconsulsandthemagistrates。Assoonastheirresolutionwasdecided，theyconvokedinthetempleofCastorthewholebodyofthesenate，accordingtoanancientformofsecrecy，^22
calculatedtoawakentheirattention，andtoconcealtheirdecrees。\"Conscriptfathers，\"saidtheconsulSyllanus，\"thetwoGordians，bothofconsulardignity，theoneyourproconsul，theotheryourlieutenant，havebeendeclaredemperorsbythegeneralconsentofAfrica。Letusreturnthanks，\"heboldlycontinued，\"totheyouthofThysdrus；letusreturnthankstothefaithfulpeopleofCarthage，ourgenerousdeliverersfromahorridmonster—Whydoyouhearmethuscoolly，thustimidly?Whydoyoucastthoseanxiouslooksoneachother?Whyhesitate?Maximinisapublicenemy!mayhisenmitysoonexpirewithhim，andmaywelongenjoytheprudenceandfelicityofGordianthefather，thevalorandconstancyofGordiantheson!\"^23Thenobleardoroftheconsulrevivedthelanguidspiritofthesenate。Byaunanimousdecree，theelectionoftheGordianswasratified，Maximin，hisson，andhisadherents，werepronouncedenemiesoftheircountry，andliberalrewardswereofferedtowhomsoeverhadthecourageandgoodfortunetodestroythem。
[SeeTempleOfCastorandPollux]
[Footnote21:Quod。tamenpatresdumpericulosumexistimant；
inermesarmatoesistereapprobaverunt。—AureliusVictor。]
[Footnote22:Eventheservantsofthehouse，thescribes，&c。，wereexcluded，andtheirofficewasfilledbythesenatorsthemselves。WeareobligedtotheAugustanHistory。p。159，forpreservingthiscuriousexampleoftheolddisciplineofthecommonwealth。]
[Footnote23:Thisspiritedspeech，translatedfromtheAugustanhistorian，p。156，seemstranscribedbyhimfromtheoriginaregistersofthesenate]
Duringtheemperor\'sabsence，adetachmentofthePraetorianguardsremainedatRome，toprotect，orrathertocommand，thecapital。ThepraefectVitalianushadsignalizedhisfidelitytoMaximin，bythealacritywithwhichhehadobeyed，andevenpreventedthecruelmandatesofthetyrant。Hisdeathalonecouldrescuetheauthorityofthesenate，andthelivesofthesenatorsfromastateofdangerandsuspense。Beforetheirresolveshadtranspired，aquaestorandsometribuneswerecommissionedtotakehisdevotedlife。Theyexecutedtheorderwithequalboldnessandsuccess；and，withtheirbloodydaggersintheirhands，ranthroughthestreets，proclaimingtothepeopleandthesoldiersthenewsofthehappyrevolution。Theenthusiasmoflibertywassecondedbythepromiseofalargedonative，inlandsandmoney；thestatuesofMaximinwerethrowndown；thecapitaloftheempireacknowledged，withtransport，theauthorityofthetwoGordiansandthesenate；^24andtheexampleofRomewasfollowedbytherestofItaly。
[Footnote24:Herodian，l。vii。p。244]
Anewspirithadariseninthatassembly，whoselongpatiencehadbeeninsultedbywantondespotismandmilitarylicense。Thesenateassumedthereinsofgovernment，and，withacalmintrepidity，preparedtovindicatebyarmsthecauseoffreedom。AmongtheconsularsenatorsrecommendedbytheirmeritandservicestothefavoroftheemperorAlexander，itwaseasytoselecttwenty，notunequaltothecommandofanarmy，andtheconductofawar。TothesewasthedefenceofItalyintrusted。
Eachwasappointedtoactinhisrespectivedepartment，authorizedtoenrollanddisciplinetheItalianyouth；andinstructedtofortifytheportsandhighways，againsttheimpendinginvasionofMaximin。Anumberofdeputies，chosenfromthemostillustriousofthesenatorianandequestrianorders，weredespatchedatthesametimetothegovernorsoftheseveralprovinces，earnestlyconjuringthemtoflytotheassistanceoftheircountry，andtoremindthenationsoftheirancienttiesoffriendshipwiththeRomansenateandpeople。Thegeneralrespectwithwhichthesedeputieswerereceived，andthezealofItalyandtheprovincesinfavorofthesenate，sufficientlyprovethatthesubjectsofMaximinwerereducedtothatuncommondistress，inwhichthebodyofthepeoplehasmoretofearfromoppressionthanfromresistance。Theconsciousnessofthatmelancholytruth，inspiresadegreeofperseveringfury，seldomtobefoundinthosecivilwarswhichareartificiallysupportedforthebenefitofafewfactiousanddesigningleaders。^25[Footnote25:Herodian，l。vii。p。247，l。viii。p。277。Hist。August。p156—158。]
ForwhilethecauseoftheGordianswasembracedwithsuchdiffusiveardor，theGordiansthemselveswerenomore。ThefeeblecourtofCarthagewasalarmedbytherapidapproachofCapelianus，governorofMauritania，who，withasmallbandofveterans，andafiercehostofbarbarians，attackedafaithful，butunwarlikeprovince。TheyoungerGordiansalliedouttomeettheenemyattheheadofafewguards，andanumerousundisciplinedmultitude，educatedinthepeacefulluxuryofCarthage。Hisuselessvalorservedonlytoprocurehimanhonorabledeathonthefieldofbattle。Hisagedfather，whosereignhadnotexceededthirty—sixdays，putanendtohislifeonthefirstnewsofthedefeat。Carthage，destituteofdefence，openedhergatestotheconqueror，andAfricawasexposedtotherapaciouscrueltyofaslave，obligedtosatisfyhisunrelentingmasterwithalargeaccountofbloodandtreasure。^26
[Footnote26:Herodian，l。vii。p。254。Hist。August。p。
150—160。Wemayobserve，thatonemonthandsixdays，forthereignofGordian，isajustcorrectionofCasaubonandPanvinius，insteadoftheabsurdreadingofoneyearandsixmonths。SeeCommentar。p。193。Zosimusrelates，l。i。p。17，thatthetwoGordiansperishedbyatempestinthemidstoftheirnavigation。
Astrangeignoranceofhistory，orastrangeabuseofmetaphors!]
ThefateoftheGordiansfilledRomewithjustbutunexpectedterror。Thesenate，convokedinthetempleofConcord，affectedtotransactthecommonbusinessoftheday；andseemedtodecline，withtremblinganxiety，theconsiderationoftheirownandthepublicdanger。Asilentconsternationprevailedintheassembly，tillasenator，ofthenameandfamilyofTrajan，awakenedhisbrethrenfromtheirfatallethargy。Herepresentedtothemthatthechoiceofcautious，dilatorymeasureshadbeenlongsinceoutoftheirpower；thatMaximin，implacablebynature，andexasperatedbyinjuries，wasadvancingtowardsItaly，attheheadofthemilitaryforceoftheempire；andthattheironlyremainingalternativewaseithertomeethimbravelyinthefield，ortamelytoexpectthetorturesandignominiousdeathreservedforunsuccessfulrebellion。\"Wehavelost，\"continuedhe，\"twoexcellentprinces；butunlesswedesertourselves，thehopesoftherepublichavenotperishedwiththeGordians。Manyarethesenatorswhosevirtueshavedeserved，andwhoseabilitieswouldsustain，theImperialdignity。Letuselecttwoemperors，oneofwhommayconductthewaragainstthepublicenemy，whilsthiscolleagueremainsatRometodirecttheciviladministration。
Icheerfullyexposemyselftothedangerandenvyofthenomination，andgivemyvoteinfavorofMaximusandBalbinus。
Ratifymychoice，conscriptfathers，orappointintheirplace，othersmoreworthyoftheempire。\"Thegeneralapprehensionsilencedthewhispersofjealousy；themeritofthecandidateswasuniversallyacknowledged；andthehouseresoundedwiththesincereacclamationsof\"LonglifeandvictorytotheemperorsMaximusandBalbinus。Youarehappyinthejudgmentofthesenate；maytherepublicbehappyunderyouradministration!\"^27
[Footnote27:SeetheAugustanHistory，p。166，fromtheregistersofthesenate；thedateisconfessedlyfaultybutthecoincidenceoftheApollinatiangamesenablesustocorrectit。]
ChapterVII:TyrannyOfMaximin，Rebellion，CivilWars，DeathOfMaximin。
PartII。
ThevirtuesandthereputationofthenewemperorsjustifiedthemostsanguinehopesoftheRomans。Thevariousnatureoftheirtalentsseemedtoappropriatetoeachhispeculiardepartmentofpeaceandwar，withoutleavingroomforjealousemulation。Balbinuswasanadmiredorator，apoetofdistinguishedfame，andawisemagistrate，whohadexercisedwithinnocenceandapplausetheciviljurisdictioninalmostalltheinteriorprovincesoftheempire。Hisbirthwasnoble，^28hisfortuneaffluent，hismannersliberalandaffable。Inhimtheloveofpleasurewascorrectedbyasenseofdignity，norhadthehabitsofeasedeprivedhimofacapacityforbusiness。ThemindofMaximuswasformedinaroughermould。Byhisvalorandabilitieshehadraisedhimselffromthemeanestorigintothefirstemploymentsofthestateandarmy。HisvictoriesovertheSarmatiansandtheGermans，theausterityofhislife，andtherigidimpartialityofhisjustice，whilehewasaPraefectofthecity，commandedtheesteemofapeoplewhoseaffectionswereengagedinfavorofthemoreamiableBalbinus。Thetwocolleagueshadbothbeenconsuls，Balbinushadtwiceenjoyedthathonorableoffice，bothhadbeennamedamongthetwentylieutenantsofthesenate；andsincetheonewassixtyandtheotherseventy—fouryearsold，^29theyhadbothattainedthefullmaturityofageandexperience。
[Footnote28:HewasdescendedfromCorneliusBalbus，anobleSpaniard，andtheadoptedsonofTheophanes，theGreekhistorian。
BalbusobtainedthefreedomofRomebythefavorofPompey，andpreserveditbytheeloquenceofCicero。SeeOrat。proCornel。
Balbo。ThefriendshipofCaesar，towhomherenderedthemostimportantsecretservicesinthecivilwarraisedhimtotheconsulshipandthepontificate，honorsneveryetpossessedbyastranger。ThenephewofthisBalbustriumphedovertheGaramantes。SeeDictionnairedeBayle，aumotBalbus，wherehedistinguishestheseveralpersonsofthatname，andrectifies，withhisusualaccuracy，themistakesofformerwritersconcerningthem。]
[Footnote29:Zonaras，l。xii。p。622。ButlittledependenceistobehadontheauthorityofamodernGreek，sogrosslyignorantofthehistoryofthethirdcentury，thathecreatesseveralimaginaryemperors，andconfoundsthosewhoreallyexisted。]
AfterthesenatehadconferredonMaximusandBalbinusanequalportionoftheconsularandtribunitianpowers，thetitleofFathersoftheircountry，andthejointofficeofSupremePontiff，theyascendedtotheCapitoltoreturnthankstothegods，protectorsofRome。^30Thesolemnritesofsacrificeweredisturbedbyaseditionofthepeople。ThelicentiousmultitudeneitherlovedtherigidMaximus，nordidtheysufficientlyfearthemildandhumaneBalbinus。TheirincreasingnumberssurroundedthetempleofJupiter；withobstinateclamorstheyassertedtheirinherentrightofconsentingtotheelectionoftheirsovereign；anddemanded，withanapparentmoderation，that，besidesthetwoemperors，chosenbythesenate，athirdshouldbeaddedofthefamilyoftheGordians，asajustreturnofgratitudetothoseprinceswhohadsacrificedtheirlivesfortherepublic。Attheheadofthecity—guards，andtheyouthoftheequestrianorder，MaximusandBalbinusattemptedtocuttheirwaythroughtheseditiousmultitude。Themultitude，armedwithsticksandstones，drovethembackintotheCapitol。Itisprudenttoyieldwhenthecontest，whatevermaybetheissueofit，mustbefataltobothparties。Aboy，onlythirteenyearsofage，thegrandsonoftheelder，andnephewoftheyoungerGordian，wasproducedtothepeople，investedwiththeornamentsandtitleofCaesar。Thetumultwasappeasedbythiseasycondescension；andthetwoemperors，assoonastheyhadbeenpeaceablyacknowledgedinRome，preparedtodefendItalyagainstthecommonenemy。
[Footnote30:Herodian，l。vii。p。256，supposesthatthesenatewasatfirstconvokedintheCapitol，andisveryeloquentontheoccasion。TheAugustarHistoryp。116，seemsmuchmoreauthentic。]
[Footnote*:Accordingtosome，theson。—G。]
WhilstinRomeandAfrica，revolutionssucceededeachotherwithsuchamazingrapidity，thatthemindofMaximinwasagitatedbythemostfuriouspassions。HeissaidtohavereceivedthenewsoftherebellionoftheGordians，andofthedecreeofthesenateagainsthim，notwiththetemperofaman，buttherageofawildbeast；which，asitcouldnotdischargeitselfonthedistantsenate，threatenedthelifeofhisson，ofhisfriends，andofallwhoventuredtoapproachhisperson。ThegratefulintelligenceofthedeathoftheGordianswasquicklyfollowedbytheassurancethatthesenate，layingasideallhopesofpardonoraccommodation，hadsubstitutedintheirroomtwoemperors，withwhosemerithecouldnotbeunacquainted。RevengewastheonlyconsolationlefttoMaximin，andrevengecouldonlybeobtainedbyarms。ThestrengthofthelegionshadbeenassembledbyAlexanderfromallpartsoftheempire。ThreesuccessfulcampaignsagainsttheGermansandtheSarmatians，hadraisedtheirfame，confirmedtheirdiscipline，andevenincreasedtheirnumbers，byfillingtherankswiththeflowerofthebarbarianyouth。ThelifeofMaximinhadbeenspentinwar，andthecandidseverityofhistorycannotrefusehimthevalorofasoldier，oreventheabilitiesofanexperiencedgeneral。^31Itmightnaturallybeexpected，thataprinceofsuchacharacter，insteadofsufferingtherebelliontogainstabilitybydelay，shouldimmediatelyhavemarchedfromthebanksoftheDanubetothoseoftheTyber，andthathisvictoriousarmy，instigatedbycontemptforthesenate，andeagertogatherthespoilsofItaly，shouldhaveburnedwithimpatiencetofinishtheeasyandlucrativeconquest。Yetasfaraswecantrusttotheobscurechronologyofthatperiod，^32itappearsthattheoperationsofsomeforeignwardeferredtheItalianexpeditiontilltheensuingspring。FromtheprudentconductofMaximin，wemaylearnthatthesavagefeaturesofhischaracterhavebeenexaggeratedbythepencilofparty，thathispassions，howeverimpetuous，submittedtotheforceofreason，andthatthebarbarianpossessedsomethingofthegenerousspiritofSylla，whosubduedtheenemiesofRomebeforehesufferedhimselftorevengehisprivateinjuries。^33
[Footnote31:InHerodian，l。vii。p。249，andintheAugustanHistory，wehavethreeseveralorationsofMaximintohisarmy，ontherebellionofAfricaandRome:M。deTillemonthasveryjustlyobservedthattheyneitheragreewitheachothernorwithtruth。HistoiredesEmpereurs，tom。iii。p。799。]
[Footnote32:Thecarelessnessofthewritersofthatage，leavesusinasingularperplexity。1。WeknowthatMaximusandBalbinuswerekilledduringtheCapitolinegames。Herodian，l。