remission of the tribute of crowns, and of debts long due, his putting the rights of individuals on an equal footing with those of the treasury, his restoration of their revenues and their lands to different cities, with the exception of such as had been lawfully sold by former princes; and also the fact that he was never covetous of money. [§ 16] Having discussed those of his good qualities which have come within our knowledge, let us now proceed to unfold his faults, though they have been already slightly noticed. He was of an unsteady disposition; but this fault he corrected by an excellent plan, allowing people to set him right when guilty of an indiscretion. [§ 17] He was a frequent talker, rarely silent. Too much devoted to divination, so much so as in this particular to equal the Emperor Hadrian. He was rather a superstitious than a legitimate observer of sacred rites, sacrificing countless numbers of victims; so that it was reckoned that if he had returned from the Parthians, there would have been a scarcity of cattle. [§ 18] He was very fond of the applause of the common people, and an immoderate seeker after praise even in the most trifling matters; often, from a desire of popularity, indulging in conversation with unworthy persons. [§ 19] But in spite of all this, he deserved, as he used to say himself, to have it thought that that ancient Justice, whom Aratus said fled to heaven from disgust with the vices of men, had in his reign returned again to the earth; only that sometimes he acted arbitrarily and inconsistently. [§ 20] For he made some laws which, with but few exceptions, were not offensive, though they very positively enforced or forbade certain actions. Among the exceptions was that cruel one which forbade Christian masters of rhetoric and grammar to teach, unless they came over to the worship of the heathen gods. [§ 21] And this other ordinance was equally intolerable, namely, one which allowed some persons to be unjustly enrolled in the companies of the municipal guilds, though they were foreigners, or by privilege or birth wholly unconnected with such companies.—Roman History, tr. C. D. Yonge, 383-6. No. 94.-Damasus, Bishop of Rome, 366-†84 From Ammianus Marcellinus, Res Gestæ, XXVII. iii. §§ 12-15. [§ 12] Damasus and Ursinus, being both immoderately eager to obtain the bishopric, formed parties and carried on the conflict with great asperity, the partisans of each carrying their violence to actual battle, in which men were wounded and killed. And as Juventius [Prefect of the City] was unable to put an end to, or even to soften, these disorders, he was at last by their violence compelled to withdraw to the suburbs. [§ 13] Ultimately, Damasus got the best of the strife by the strenuous efforts of his partisans. It is certain that on one day one hundred and thirty-seven dead bodies were found in the Basilica of Sicininus, which is a Christian church. And the populace who had been thus roused to a state of ferocity were with great difficulty restored to order. [§ 14] I do not deny, when I consider the ostentation that reigns at Rome, that those who desire such rank and power may be justified in labouring with all possible exertion and vehemence to obtain their wishes; since, after they have succeeded, they will be secure for the future, being enriched by offerings from matrons, riding in carriages, dressing splendidly, and feasting luxuriously, so that their entertainments surpass even royal banquets. [§ 15] And they might be really happy if, despising the vastness of the city, which they excite against themselves by their vices, they were to live in imitation of some of the priests [i.e. bishops] in the provinces, whom the most rigid abstinence in eating and drinking, and plainness of apparel, and eyes always cast on the ground, recommend to the everlasting Deity and His true worshippers as pure and sober-minded men.--Roman History, tr. C. D. Yonge, 441. 364-†75 No. 95.-The Character of Valentinian I., [§ 4] And although Valentinian was a man of undisguised ferocity, he nevertheless at the beginning of his reign, in order to lessen the opinion of his cruelty, took all possible pains to restrain the fierce impetuosity of his disposition. But this defect increasing gradually, from having been checked for some time, presently broke out more unrestrained, to the ruin of many persons; and his severity was increased by the vehemence of his anger. .. [§ 9] . . . He kept two ferocious she-bears which were used to eat men; and they had names Golden Camel and Innocence, and these beasts he took such care of that he had their dens close to his bedchamber; and appointed over them trusty keepers who were bound to take especial care that the odious fury of these monsters should never be checked. At last he had Innocence set free, after he had seen the burial of many corpses which she had torn to pieces, giving her the range of the forests as a reward for her services. [§ 2] He was, both at home and abroad, a strict observer of modesty and chastity, keeping his conscience wholly free from all taint of impurity or obscenity, and in consequence he bridled the wantonness of the Imperial court as with a strong rein; and he was the more able to do this because he had never shown any indulgence to his own relatives, whom he either kept in obscurity, or (if he promoted them at all) raised to a very moderate rank, with the exception of his brother, whom, in deference to the necessities of the times, he made his partner in the Imperial dignity. [§ 4] In waging war, and in defending himself from attacks, he was prudent and very skilful, like a veteran of great experience in military affairs. He was a very wise admirer of all that was good, and dissuader from all that was bad; and a very accurate observer of all the details of military service. He wrote with elegance, and described everything with great neatness and skill in composition. He was an inventor of new arms. He had an excellent memory, and a fluent, easy style of speaking, which at times bordered closely upon eloquence. He was a lover of elegant simplicity, and was fond not so much of profuse banquets as of entertainments directed by good taste. [§ 5] Lastly, he was especially remarkable during his reign for his moderation in this particular, that he kept a middle course between the different sects of religion; and never troubled any one, nor issued any orders in favour of one kind of worship or another; nor did he promulgate any threatening edicts to bow down the necks of his subjects to the form of worship to which he himself was inclined; but he left those parties just as he found them, without making any alterations. [§ 6] His body was muscular and strong: the brightness of his hair-the brilliancy of his complexion, with his blue eyes which always looked askance with a stern aspect-the beauty of his figure-his lofty stature, and the admirable harmony of all his features-filled up the dignity and beauty of an appearance which bespoke a monarch.— Roman History, tr. C. D. Yonge, 451, 523, 572 sq. No. 96.-The Character of Gratian, 375–†83 From Ammianus Marcellinus, Res Gesta, XXXI. x. §§ 18, 19. [§ 18] He was indeed a young prince of admirable disposition, eloquent, moderate, warlike, and merciful, rivalling the most admirable of his predecessors, even while the down of youth was still upon his cheeks; the only drawback to his character being that he was sometimes drawn into ridiculous actions when, in consequence of temptations held out by his minions and favourites, he imitated the vain pursuits of Cæsar Commodus; but he was never bloodthirsty. [§ 19] For as that prince ... prided himself beyond measure on the skill with which he slew a hundred lions let loose at the same time in the amphitheatre with different missiles, and without ever having to repeat his shot; so Gratian, in the enclosures called preserves, slew wild beasts with his arrows, neglecting much serious business for this amusement, and this at a time when, if Marcus Antoninus had resumed the empire, he would have found it hard. . . to remedy the grievous disasters of the republic.—Roman History, tr. C. D. Yonge, 605. No. 97. Theodosius, 379-†95: The Prohibition of Sacrifice, February 24, 391 From Nemo se hostiis (Cod. Theod. XVI. x. 10). No one shall defile himself with sacrifices: no one shall slay an innocent victim: no one shall enter shrines, frequent temples and pay homage to images fashioned by mortal hands, lest he become guilty both by divine and human laws. Proconsuls also shall be bound by this requirement that, if any person surrender himself to a profane rite and enter a temple anywhere, whether on a journey or in the city, with the purpose of offering worship, he be forthwith. subjected to a fine of fifteen pounds of gold. The officials of the Proconsul shall forfeit an equal sum with like speed if they do not resist the Proconsul [should he fail to carry out this enactment] and immediately report the matter with public attestation. Consulars shall be fined six pounds, and their officials subjected to similar requirements. Rectors and Presidents, four pounds; and their apparitors shall likewise pay a like sum.-K. No. 98.-Theodosius, 379-†95: The Suppression of Pagan Worship, November 8, 392 From Nullus omnino (Cod. Theod. XVI. x. 12). Hereafter no one of whatever race or dignity, whether placed in office or discharged therefrom with honour, powerful by birth or humble in condition and fortune, shall in any place or in any city sacrifice an innocent victim to a senseless image, venerate with fire the household deity by a more private offering, as it were the genius of the house, or the Penates, and burn lights, place incense, or hang up garlands. [§ 1] If any one undertakes by way of sacrifice to slay a victim, or to consult the smoking entrails, let him, as guilty of lese-majesty, receive the appropriate sentence, having been accused by a lawful indictment, even though he shall not have sought anything against the safety of the princes or concerning their welfare. It constitutes a crime of this nature to wish to repeal the laws, to spy into unlawful things, to reveal secrets, or to attempt things forbidden, to seek |