CONTENTS.

CHAPTER 1.

The extent and military force of the empire, in

the age of the Antonines.

A. D.

INTRODUCTION. Moderation of Au-

gustus. Imitated by his successors

Conquest of Britain was the first ex-
ception to it. Conquest of Dacia,
the second exception to it. Con-
quests of Trajan in the east

Resigned by his successor Hadrian.

Contrast of Hadrian and Antoninus

Pius. Pacific system of Hadrian and

the two Antonines. Defensive wars

of Marcus Antoninus. Military es-

tablishment of the Roman emperors

Discipline. Exercises. The legions
under the emperors

Arms. Cavalry. Auxiliaries
Artillery. Encampment. March.
Number and disposition of the le-
gions. Navy

Amount of the whole establishment.
View of the provinces of the Roman
empire. Spain. Gaul. Britain. It-
aly

The Danube and Illyrian frontier.

Rhætia. Noricum and Pannonia.

Dalmatia. Masia & Dacia. Thrace.

Macedonia and Greece. Asia Minor.

Syria. Phoenicia and Palestine

Egypt. Africa. The Mediterranean
with its islands

General idea of the Roman empire

CHAPTER II.

Page

13

14

15

16

VOL. I.

A. D.

The race of the Cæsars, and Flavian

96 family. Adoption and character of

116 Trajan. Of Hadrian. Adoption of
the elder and younger Verus. Adop-
138-180 tion of the two Antonines
Character and reign of Pius. Of Mar-
cus. Happiness of the Romans. Its
precarious nature. Memory of Ti-
berius, Caligula, Nero, and Domi-
tian. Peculiar misery of the Romans
under their tyrants

Insensibility of the Orientals. Know-

ledge and free spirit of the Roxans.

Extent of their empire left them no

place of refuge

CHAPTER IV.

18

The cruelty, follies, and murder of Commodus.

-Election of Pertinax.-His attempts to re-

form the state.-His assassination by the præto-

rian guards.

208

211

19

180 To his wife Faustina. To his son

Commodus. Accession of the empe-

ror Commodus. Character of Com-

modus. His return to Rome.

41

212

213

42

217

Of the union and internal prosperity of the Ro-

man empire in the age of the Antonines.

Principles of government. Universal

spirit of toleration. Of the people.

Of philosophers

Of the magistrates. In the provinces.

At Rome. Freedom of Rome

Italy. The provinces. Colonies and

municipal towns

Division of the Latin and the Greek

provinces. General use of both the

Greek and Latin languages. Slaves

Their treatment. Enfranchisement

Numbers. Populousness of the Ro-

man empire. Obedience and union.

Roman monuments. Many of them

erected at private expense

Example of Herodes Atticus. His re-

putation. Most of the Roman mon-

uments for public use. Temples,

theatres, aqueducts

183 Is wounded by an assassin. Hatred

and cruelty of Commodus, towards

the senate. The Quintilian brothers.

186 The minister Perennius. Revolt of

Maternus

The minister Cleander. His avarice

and cruelty, Sedition and death of

Cleander. Dissolute pleasures of

Commodus

His ignorance and low sports. Hunt-

ing of wild beasts. Commodus dis-

plays his skill in the amphitheatre,

Acts as a gladiator. His infamy and

extravagance

Conspiracy of his domestics. Death

192 of Comodus. Choice of Pertinax

for emperor. He is acknowledged by

the prætorian guards. And by the

senate. The memory of Commodus

declared infamous

193

27

Legal jurisdiction of the senate over

the emperors. Virtues of Pertinax.

He endeavours to reform the state.

His regulations. His popularity

Discontent of the prætorians. A con-

spiracy prevented. Murder of Per-

tinax by the prætorians

CHAPTER V.

Of the constitution of the Roman empire, in the

age of the Antonines.

Idea of a monarchy. Situation of Au-

gustus

He reforms the senate. Resigns his

usurped power. Is prevailed upon

to resume it under the title of empe-

ror, or general. Power of the Roman

generals

Lieutenants of the emperor. Division

of the provinces between the empe

ror and the senate. The former pre-

serves his military command, and

guards, in Rome itself. Consular

and tribunitian powers

Imperial prerogatives. The magis-

trates. The senate. General idea

of the imperial system

Court of the emperors, Deification.

Titles of Augustus and Cæsar. Cha-

racter and policy of Augustus

Image of liberty for the people. At-

tempts of the senate after the death

of Caligula. Image of government

for the armies. Their obedience.

Designation of a successor. Of Ti-

berius. Of Titus

The public discontent. The armies

of Britain, Syria, and Pannonia. de-

clare against Julian. Clodius Albi-

nus in Britain. Pescennius Niger

in Syria

Pannonia and Dalmatia, Septimius

Severus. Declared emperor by the

Pannonian legions. Marches into

Ialy. Advances towards Rome.

Distress of Julian. His uncertain

conduct

Is deserted by the prætorians. Is on-

demned and executed by order of the

senate. Disgrace of the prætorian

guards. Funeral and apotheosis of

193-197. Pertinax. Success of Severus

against Niger and against Albinus.

Conduct of the two civil wars. Arts
of Severus. Towards Niger,

Towards Albinus. Event of the civil

wars. Decided by one or two battles.

Siege of Byzantium

Death of Niger and Albinus. Cruel

consequences of the civil wars. An-

imosity of Severus against the sen-

ate. The wisdom and justice of his

government. General peace and

Greatness and discontent of Severus.

His wife the empress Julia. Their

two sons, Caracalla and Geta. Their

mutual aversion to each other

Three emperors. The Caledonian

war. Fingal and his heroes

Contrast of the Caledonians and Ro-

mans. Ambition of Caracalla, Death

of Severus, and accession of his two

sons. Jealousy and hatred of the two

emperors. Fruitless negociation for

dividing the empire between them.

Murder of Geta

Remorse and cruelty of Caracalla.

Death of Papinian

His tyranny extended over the whole

empire. Relaxation of discipline.

Murder of Caracalla

Imitation of Alexander. Election and

character of Macrinus. Discontent

of the senate. Discontent of the ar-

my. Macrinus attempts a reforma-

tion of the army

Death of the empress Julia. Educa-
tion, pretensions and revolt of Ela-
gabalus, called at first Bassianus

218 and Antoninus. Defeat and death

of Macrius. Elagabalus writes to

the senate

219 Picture of Elagabalus. His supersti-

tion. His profligate and effeminate

luxury

Contempt of decency, which distin-
guished the Roman tyrants. Dis
contents of the army. Alexander
Severus declared Cæsar. Sedition
of the guards, and murder of Elaga-
balus. Accession of Alexander Seve-
rus. Power of his mother Mamaa
His wise and moderate administra-
tion. Education and virtuous tem-
per of Alexander. Journal of his

222-235 ordinary life. General happiness

of the Roman world

Alexander refuses the name of Anto-

ninus. He attempts to reform the

army, Seditions of the prætorian

guards, and murder of Ulpian. Dan-

ger of Dion Cassius. Tumults of the

legions

Firmness of the emperor. Defects of

his reign and character. Digression

or the finances of the empire. Es-

tablishment of the tribute on Roman

citizens

Abolition of the tribute. Tributes of

the provinces. Of Asia, Egypt, and

Gaul. Of Africa and Spain. Of the

isle of Gyarus. Amount of the reve-

nue. Taxes on Roman citizens in-

stituted by Augustus

1. The customs. II. The excise. III.

Tax o legacies and inheritances.

Suited to the laws and manners

Regulations of the emperors. Edict

of Caracalla. The freedom of the

city given to all the provincials for

the purpose of taxation. Tempora-

ry reduction of the tribute, Conse

quences of the universal freedom of

Rome

Page

122

123

282 His death. Election and character of

Carus. The sentiments of the senate

and people. Carus defeats the Sar-

matians, and marches into the east 124

283 He gives audience to the Persian am-

bassadors. His victories and extra-

283 ordinary death. He is succeeded by

his two sons, Carinus and Nume-

284 rian. Vices of Carinus

125

126

127

128

128

The reign of Diocletian and his three associates,

Maximian, Galerius, and Constantius.-Gen-

eral re-establishment of order and tranquillity.

-The Persian war, victory, and triumph.-

The new form of administration.-Abdication

and retirement of Diocletian and Maximian.

285 Elevation and character of Diocletian.

His clemency and victory

286 Association and character of Maxi-

292 mian. Association of two Cæsars,

Galerius and Constantius. Depart-

ments and harmony of the four prin-

287 ces. Series of events. State of the

peasants of Gaul

287 Their rebellion and chastisement. Re-

volt of Carausius in Britan. Im-

289 portance of Britain. Power of Ca-

rausias

289 Acknowledged by the other emperors.

294 His death. Recovery of Britain by

Constantius. Defence of the fron-

tiers. Fortifications. Dissensions of

the barbarians. Conduct of the em-

perors

129

130

131

132

133

134

135

136

137

138

Civil magistracies laid aside. Impe-

rial dignity and titles. Diocletian

assumes the diadem, and introduces

the Persian ceremonial

New form of administration, two Au-
gusti, and two Cæsars. Increase
of taxes. Abdication of Diocletian
and Maximian, Resemblance to
304 Charles the fifth. Long illness of
Diocletian
139

140

141

Troubles after the abdication of Diocletian.-

Death of Constantius.-Eleration of Constan-

tine and Marentius-Six emperors at the same

time.-Death of Marimian and Galerius.-

Victories of Constantine over Maxentius and

Licinius-Feunion of the empire under the au-

thority of Constantine.

305-323 Period of civil wars and confu-

sion. Character and situation of

Constantius-of Galerins. The two
Caesars, Severus and Maximin
Ambition of Galerius disappointed by
two revolutions. Birth, education,
and escape of Constantine. Death of
Constantius, and elevation of Con-
stantine

He is acknowledged by Galerius, who

gives him only the title of Caesar, and

that of Augustus to Severus. The

brothers and sisters of Cons:antine.

Di content of the Romans at the ap-

prehension of taxes

306 Maxent us declared on peror of Rome.

Maxin an re-assumes the purple.

142

143

144

A.D.

307 Defeat and death of Severus. Max-
imin gives his daughter Fausta, and
the title of Augustus, to Constan-
tine. Galerius invades Italy

307 His retreat. Elevation of Licinius to

308

the rank of Augustus. Elevation of

Maximin. Six emperors. Misfor-

tunes of Maximin

310, 311 His death. Death of Galerius.

His dominion shared between Max-

imin and Licinius

306-312 Administration of Constantine in

Gaul. Tyranny of Maxentius in It-

312 aly and Africa. Civil war between

Constantine and Maxentius

Preparations. Constantine passes the

Alps. Battle of Turin

Siege and battle of Verona. Indolence

and fears of Maxentius

312 Victory of Constantine near Rome.
His reception. His conduct at Rome
313 His alliance with Licinius. War be
tween Maximin and Licinius. The
defeat of Maximin. His death. Cru-
elty of Licinius. Unfortunate fate
of the empress Valeria and her mo-
ther

314 Quarrel between Constantine and Li-

314 cinius. First civil war between

them

Battle of Cibalis. Battle of Mardia.

315-323 Treaty of peace. General peace

and laws of Constantine

146

147

148

149

150

151

152

Of miracles. General silence concern-

ing the darkness of the passion

145

5. The private treasurer. 6, 7. The

counts of the domestics. Agents, or

official spies. Use of torture

Finances. The general tribute, or in-

220

diction

221

CHAPTER XVI.

The conduct of the Roman government towards

the christians, from the reign of Nero to that

of Constantine.

Christianity persecuted by the Roman

emperors

Inquiry into their motives. Rebellious

spirit of the Jews. Toleration of

the Jewish religion. The Jews were

a people which followed, the chris-

tians a sect which deserted, the re-

ligion of their fathers

Christianity accused of atheism, and

mistaken by the people and philoso-

phers. The union and assemblies of

the christians considered as a dan-

gerous conspiracy

Their manners calumniated. Their

imprudent defence

Idea of the conduct of the emperors

towards the christians. They ne-

glected the christians as a sect of

Jews. The fire of Rome under the

reign of Nero

181

182

Assessed in the form of a capitation

Capitation on trade and industry

Free gifts. Conclusion

CHAPTER XVIII.

Character of Constantine.-Gothic war.-Death

of Constantine.-Division of the empire among

his three sons.-Persian war.-Tragic death

of Constantine the younger, and Constans.-

Usurpation of Magnentius.-Civil war.-Vic-

tory of Constantius.

Character of Constantine

183

224

184

325

326

His virtues. His vices. His fami-

ly

324 Virtues of Crispus. Jealousy of Con-

stantine. Edict of Constantine.

Disgrace and death of Crispus

The empress Fausta

225

226

227

The sons and nephews of Constantine.

Their education. Manners of the

Sarmatians

228

Their settlement near the Danube,

331

The Gothic war

229

186

334 Expulsion of the Sarmatians. Death

Secon civil war between Constan-

tine and Licinius. Battle of Hadri-

323 anople. Siege of Byzantium, and na-

val victory of Crispus

Battle of Chrysopolis. Submission and

324 death of Licinius. Re-union of the

empire

Oppression of the Jews and christians

by Domitian

337

187

156

157

Execution of Clemens the consul. Ig-

norance of Pliny concerning the

christians. Trajan and his succes-

sors establish a legal mode of pro-

ceeding against them

310

188

and funeral of Constantine. Fac-

tions of the court

337 Massacre of the princes. Division

of the empire. Sapor, king of Per-

sia

State of Mesopotamia and Armenia.

342, 337-360 Death of Tiridates.

230

231

The

Popular clamours. Trials of the chris-

tians

189

Humanity of the Roman magistrates.

Inconsiderable number of martyrs

Example of Cyprian, bishop of Car-

thage. His danger and flight. His

banishment. His condemnation

His martyrdom. Various incitements

to martyrdom. Ardour of the first

christians

Persian war. Battle of Singara
338, 346, 350 Siege of Nisibis
340 Civil war, and death of Constantine.
Murder of Constans. Magnentius
and Vetranio assume the purp'e
Constantius refuses to treat. Deposes
Vetranio

232

233

234

235

351 Makes war against Magnentius. Bat-
tle of Mursa

336

192

158

Its gradual increase. Their religion

better suited to defence than con-

quest

More liberal zeal of christianity, Ob-

stinacy and reasons of the believing

Jews. The Nazarine church of Je-

rusalem

160

The Ebionites. The Gnostics

Their sects, progress, and influence.

The dæmons considered as the gods

of antiquity

Abhorrence of the christians for idol-

atry, Ceremonies. Arts. Festivals.

Zeal for christianity

163

II. THE SECOND CAUSE. The doctrine

of the immortality of the soul among

the philosophers. Among the pa-
gans of Greece and Rome. Among
the barbarians and the Jews

Among the christians. Approaching

end of the world. Doctrine of the

millennium

Conflagration of Rome and of the

world. The pagans devoted to eter-

nal punishment

Were often converted by their fears.

III. THE THIRD CAUSE. Miracu-

lous powers of the primitive church.

Their truth contested. Our per-

plexity in defining the miraculous

period

Use of the primitive miracles. IV.

THE FOURTH CAUSE. Virtues of the

first christians. Effects of their re-

pentance, Care of their reputation

Morality of the fathers. Principles of
human nature. The primitive chris-
tians condemn pleasure and luxury
Their sentiments concerning marriage
and chastity. Their aversion to the
business of war and government.

V. THE FIFTH CAUSE. The christians

active in the government of the

church. Its primitive freedom and

equality. Institutions of bishops as

presidents of the college of presby-

ters

Provincial councils. Union of the

church. Progress of episcopal au-

thority

Pre-eminence of the metropolitan

churches. Ambition of the Roman

pontiff. Laity and clergy. Obla-

tions and revenue of the church

Distribution of the revenue

Excommunication. Public, penance.

The dignity of episcopal govern-

ment

Recapitulation of the five causes.

Weakness of polytheism. The sçep-

ticism of the pagan world proved fa

vourable to the new religion, And

to the peace and union of the Roman

empire

Historical view of the progress of

christianity. In the east. The

church of Antioch. In Egypt

In Rome. In Africa and the western

provinces

Beyond the limits of the Roman em-

pire. General proportion of chris-

tians and pagans. Whether the first

christians were mean and ignorant.

Some exceptions with regard to

learning

To rank and fortune. Christianity
most favourably received by the
poor and simple. Rejected by some
eminent men of the first and second
centuries. Their neglect of prophe-
ey

164

165

166

167

Gradual relaxation. Three methods

of escaping martyrdom

Alternatives of severity and toleration.
The ten persecutions. Supposed
edicts of Tiberius and Marcus An-
toninus. State of the christians in
the reigns of Commodus and Seve-

rus

211-249 Of the successors of Severus.

244 Of Maximin, Philip, and Decius

253-260 Of Valerian, Gallienus, and his

successors. Paul of Samosata, his

manners. He is degraded from the

see of Antioch

The sentence is executed by Aurelian.

284-303. Peace and prosperity of the

church under Diocletian. Progress

of zeal and superstition among the

pagans

Maximian and Galerius punish a few
christian soldiers. Galerius prevails
on Diocletian to begin a general per-
seculion

303 Demolition of the church of Nicome-

dia. The first edict against the

christians. Zeal and punishment of

a christian

Fire of the palace of Nicomedia impu-

ted to the christians. Execution of

the first edict. Demolition of the

churches

303-311 Subsequent edicts. General idea
of the persecution. In the western
provinces, under Constantius and
Constantine. In Italy and Africa,
under Maximian and Severus

And under Maxentius. In Illyricum

and the east, under Galerius and

Maximin. Galerius publishes an

edict of toleration

Peace of the church. Maximin pre-

pares to renew the persecution. End

of the persecutions. Probable ac-

count of the sufferings of the mar-

tyrs and confessors.

Number of martyrs

352, 353 Conquest of Italy. Last defeat

and death of Magnentius

237

193

194

195

196

197

355 He is sent to Athens. Recalled to Mi-

lan

241

Declared Cæsar.. Fatal end of Sylva-

nus. Constantius visits Rome

357, 358, 359 A new obelisk. The Qua-

dian and Sarmatian war

358 The Persian negociation

242

: 243

244

245

360 Siege of Singara. Conduct of the Ro-

mans. Invasion of Gaul by the Ger-

246

247

357 His second campaign. Battle of Stras-

burg

248

201

358 Julian subdues the Franks. Makes

357, 358, 359 three expeditions beyond the

Rhine

249

Restores the cities of Gaul

250

202

Civil administration of Julian. De-

scription of Paris

251

CHAPTER XIX.

Constantius sole emperor.-Elevation and death
of Gallus.-Danger and elevation of Julian.-
Sarmatian and Persian wars.-Victories of
Julian in Gaul.