Chapter XIII: Book IX: Page 83

CH. 1.

1. =Māximīnus=: his full name was Gaius Iulius Verus Maximinus. He was born of barbaric parentage, his father being a Goth and his mother a German. He was famous for his gigantic size and his marvelous feats of strength. His government was characterized by oppression and excesses.

CH. 2.

9. =Gordiānus=: Marcus Antonius Gordianus was the grandson of the elder Gordianus. He was a mere boy, probably not more than twelve years old, when he was proclaimed emperor by the soldiers.

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CH. 3.

1. =Philippī=: Marcus Iulius Philippus I was an Arabian by birth. After the death of Misithus, the father-in-law of Gordianus, he became praetorian praefect, and caused the soldiers to revolt, to slay Gordianus, and to proclaim himself emperor. He proclaimed his son of the same name Caesar, though he was only seven years old.

3. =mīllēsimus annus=: this anniversary was marked by the celebration of the Saecular Games with unusual magnificence, 248 A.D.

CH. 4.

8. =Decius=: his full name was Gaius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius. He was sent by Philippus to Moesia to crush an insurrection, and was compelled by the soldiers to proclaim himself emperor. His reign was occupied chiefly with warring against the Goths. He persecuted the Christians with great severity.

CH. 6.

21. =exstinctus est=: he was slain by the soldiers.

CH. 7.

23. =Galliēnus=: the son of Valerianus.

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5. =superātus est=: at first Valerianus was successful; but he followed the enemy too rashly. He was captured near Edessa. After his death his skin was stuffed and long preserved as a trophy in the chief temple of the nation.

CH. 9.

22. =Postumus=: this period is known as the ‘Rule of the Thirty Tyrants.’ These men, who revolted from Gallienus and set up separate governments for themselves, were noted in the main for their courage. They repelled the invaders and established governments that gave peace and security to their provinces.

28. =vīlissimus opifex=: he is said to have been a smith, _ferrī opifex_.

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3. =mātrimōnia=: here has a concrete meaning, ‘wives.’

CH. 10.

10. =Odenāthum=: he was the ruler of Palmyra. He checked the incursions of the Persians and drove Sapor out of Syria. In return for these services Gallienus honored him with the title of Augustus.

CH. 11.

16. =occīsus est=: he was slain by his soldiers while besieging Milan.

18. =Gothōs … vīcit=: he conquered the Goths at Naisus in Dardania and received the surname Gothicus in consequence.

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CH. 13.

3. =Aurēliānus=: his reign presents a succession of brilliant exploits, and it seemed for a time that he would restore Rome to her former position. The Goths, Vandals, and the Alemanni were conquered. Zenobia, who had succeeded her husband as ruler of Palmyra, was captured and carried to Rome. Tetricus was crushed near Catalauni. Aurelian commenced many works of public utility, including a new city wall. He was on his way to chastise the Persians when he was killed by some of his officers, a conspiracy having been formed against him. Creighton, p. 109.

11. ‘=Ēripe mē=’: _Aeneid_, VI, 365.

12. =Zēnobiam=: she was not content with the power she had, but tried to extend her sway over all Syria, Asia, and Egypt. Aurelian captured Palmyra in 273 A.D., and took her prisoner. After adorning his triumphal procession, her life was spared and she lived near Tibur for several years.

=occīsō Odenāthō=: it is said that he was assassinated and that Zenobia had a hand in it.

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CH. 15.

2. =Dāciam … intermīsit=: he made the Danube the boundary of the empire, as Augustus had done.

8. =servī=: the private secretary of the emperor. He is generally said to have been a freedman.

13. =mors … fuit=: Tacitus had the assassins put to death soon after the beginning of his reign.

CH. 17.

21. =Probus=: his full name was Marcus Aurelius Probus. He was as just and virtuous as he was warlike, and is deservedly regarded as one of the greatest and best of the Roman emperors.

27. =apud Sirmium=: it was his birthplace.

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4. =tumultū mīlitārī=: the soldiers mutinied because he had employed them in laborious public works.

CH. 18.

14. =oculōrum dolōre correptus=: ‘affected with a disease of the eye.’

CH. 19.

24. =mātrimōnia=: cf. _mātrimōnia_, Ch. 9.

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4. =Dioclētiānum=: he was born near Salona in Dalmatia. He rose in the army from one position to another until on the assassination of Numerianus he was chosen emperor. He made a great change in the system of government. In 286 A.D. he associated Maximianus with himself as a colleague and gave him the title of Augustus. Six years later, 292 A.D., Constantius Chlorus and Galerius were proclaimed Caesars, and the government of the Roman world was divided among four men, Diocletian taking the East, with Nicomedia as his residence; Maximianus taking Italy and Africa, with Milan as his residence; Constantius taking Britain, Gaul, and Spain, with Treves as his residence; Galerius taking Illyricum and the whole line of the Danube, with Sirmium as his residence. This division was natural and possessed many advantages. It was the only way that the falling empire could be preserved, and a semblance of union retained. Creighton, p. 109.

CH. 21.

22. =strēnuae mīlitiae ōrdine=: ‘by a course of active service.’

24. =accēpisset=: sc. _imperium_.

29. =Britanniās occupāvit=: in 287 A.D.

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CH. 22.

5. =Cōnstantium=: surnamed Chlorus, ‘the pale.’

6. =nepōs Claudī=: ‘the grandnephew of Claudius.’ He was the son of Eutropius, a Dardanian noble, and Claudia, daughter of Chrispus, the brother of Claudius.

14. =pāx convēnit=: Carausius was recognized as a colleague.

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CH. 25.

18. =extrīnsecus= ＝ _praetereā_, a late usage.

CH. 26.

28. =rēgiae cōnsuētūdinis fōrmam=: Diocletian introduced the customs of an Oriental monarch. He wore the diadem, the robes of silk and gold, and replaced the republican form of salutation by the adoring prostration of the East.

CH. 27.

9. =ingravēscente aevō=: he was sixty years old, being born in 245 A.D., and abdicating in 305 A.D.

17. =pompā ferculōrum inlūstrī=: ‘with a famous succession of pictures.’ _Fercula_ are representations of cities, rivers, and other objects in the conquered countries, carried in procession at a triumph.

CH. 28.

24. =post nātōs hominēs=: ‘since men were created.’