高考英語 可能考的名著《HISTORY OF ROMAN-1》04素材

PAGEPAGE48用心愛心專心HISTORYOFROMAN-1ChapterIV:TheCruelty,FolliesAndMurderOfCommodus.PartI.TheCruelty,Follies,AndMurderOfCommodus-ElectionOfPertinax-HisAttemptsToReformTheState-HisAssassinationByThePraetorianGuards.ThemildnessofMarcus,whichtherigiddisciplineoftheStoicswasunabletoeradicate,formed,atthesametime,themostamiable,andtheonlydefectivepartofhischaracter.Hisexcellentunderstandingwasoftendeceivedbytheunsuspectinggoodnessofhisheart.Artfulmen,whostudythepassionsofprinces,andconcealtheirown,approachedhispersoninthedisguiseofphilosophicsanctity,andacquiredrichesandhonorsbyaffectingtodespisethem.^1Hisexcessiveindulgencetohisbrother,^*hiswife,andhisson,exceededtheboundsofprivatevirtue,andbecameapublicinjury,bytheexampleandconsequencesoftheirvices.[Footnote1:SeethecomplaintsofAvidiusCassius,Hist.August.p.45.Theseare,itistrue,thecomplaintsoffaction;butevenfactionexaggerates,ratherthaninvents.][Footnote*:Hisbrotherbyadoption,andhiscolleague,L.Verus.MarcusAureliushadnootherbrother.-W.]Faustina,thedaughterofPiusandthewifeofMarcus,hasbeenasmuchcelebratedforhergallantriesasforherbeauty.Thegravesimplicityofthephilosopherwasillcalculatedtoengageherwantonlevity,ortofixthatunboundedpassionforvariety,whichoftendiscoveredpersonalmeritinthemeanestofmankind.^2TheCupidoftheancientswas,ingeneral,averysensualdeity;andtheamoursofanempress,astheyexactonhersidetheplainestadvances,areseldomsusceptibleofmuchsentimentaldelicacy.MarcuswastheonlymanintheempirewhoseemedignorantorinsensibleoftheirregularitiesofFaustina;which,accordingtotheprejudicesofeveryage,reflectedsomedisgraceontheinjuredhusband.Hepromotedseveralofherloverstopostsofhonorandprofit,^3andduringaconnectionofthirtyyears,invariablygaveherproofsofthemosttenderconfidence,andofarespectwhichendednotwithherlife.InhisMeditations,hethanksthegods,whohadbestowedonhimawifesofaithful,sogentle,andofsuchawonderfulsimplicityofmanners.^4Theobsequioussenate,athisearnestrequest,declaredheragoddess.Shewasrepresentedinhertemples,withtheattributesofJuno,Venus,andCeres;anditwasdecreed,that,onthedayoftheirnuptials,theyouthofeithersexshouldpaytheirvowsbeforethealtaroftheirchastepatroness.^5[Footnote2:FaustinamsatisconstatapudCajetamconditionessibietnauticasetgladiatorias,elegisse.Hist.August.p.30.LampridiusexplainsthesortofmeritwhichFaustinachose,andtheconditionswhichsheexacted.Hist.August.p.102.][Footnote3:Hist.August.p.34.][Footnote4:Meditat.l.i.TheworldhaslaughedatthecredulityofMarcusbutMadamDacierassuresus,(andwemaycreditalady,)thatthehusbandwillalwaysbedeceived,ifthewifecondescendstodissemble.][Footnote5:DionCassius,l.lxxi.[c.31,]p.1195.Hist.August.p.33.CommentairedeSpanheimsurlesCaesarsdeJulien,p.289.ThedeificationofFaustinaistheonlydefectwhichJulian'scriticismisabletodiscoverintheall-accomplishedcharacterofMarcus.]Themonstrousvicesofthesonhavecastashadeonthepurityofthefather'svirtues.IthasbeenobjectedtoMarcus,thathesacrificedthehappinessofmillionstoafondpartialityforaworthlessboy;andthathechoseasuccessorinhisownfamily,ratherthanintherepublic.Nothinghowever,wasneglectedbytheanxiousfather,andbythemenofvirtueandlearningwhomhesummonedtohisassistance,toexpandthenarrowmindofyoungCommodus,tocorrecthisgrowingvices,andtorenderhimworthyofthethroneforwhichhewasdesigned.Butthepowerofinstructionisseldomofmuchefficacy,exceptinthosehappydispositionswhereitisalmostsuperfluous.Thedistastefullessonofagravephilosopherwas,inamoment,obliteratedbythewhisperofaprofligatefavorite;andMarcushimselfblastedthefruitsofthislaborededucation,byadmittinghisson,attheageoffourteenorfifteen,toafullparticipationoftheImperialpower.Helivedbutfouryearsafterwards:buthelivedlongenoughtorepentarashmeasure,whichraisedtheimpetuousyouthabovetherestraintofreasonandauthority.Mostofthecrimeswhichdisturbtheinternalpeaceofsociety,areproducedbytherestraintswhichthenecessarybutunequallawsofpropertyhaveimposedontheappetitesofmankind,byconfiningtoafewthepossessionofthoseobjectsthatarecovetedbymany.Ofallourpassionsandappetites,theloveofpowerisofthemostimperiousandunsociablenature,sincetheprideofonemanrequiresthesubmissionofthemultitude.Inthetumultofcivildiscord,thelawsofsocietylosetheirforce,andtheirplaceisseldomsuppliedbythoseofhumanity.Theardorofcontention,theprideofvictory,thedespairofsuccess,thememoryofpastinjuries,andthefearoffuturedangers,allcontributetoinflamethemind,andtosilencethevoiceofpity.Fromsuchmotivesalmosteverypageofhistoryhasbeenstainedwithcivilblood;butthesemotiveswillnotaccountfortheunprovokedcrueltiesofCommodus,whohadnothingtowishandeverythingtoenjoy.ThebelovedsonofMarcussucceededtohisfather,amidsttheacclamationsofthesenateandarmies;^6andwhenheascendedthethrone,thehappyyouthsawroundhimneithercompetitortoremove,norenemiestopunish.Inthiscalm,elevatedstation,itwassurelynaturalthatheshouldprefertheloveofmankindtotheirdetestation,themildgloriesofhisfivepredecessorstotheignominiousfateofNeroandDomitian.[Footnote6:CommoduswasthefirstPorphyrogenitus,(bornsincehisfather'saccessiontothethrone.)Byanewstrainofflattery,theEgyptianmedalsdatebytheyearsofhislife;asiftheyweresynonymoustothoseofhisreign.Tillemont,Hist.desEmpereurs,tom.ii.p.752.]YetCommoduswasnot,ashehasbeenrepresented,atigerbornwithaninsatiatethirstofhumanblood,andcapable,fromhisinfancy,ofthemostinhumanactions.^7Naturehadformedhimofaweakratherthanawickeddisposition.Hissimplicityandtimidityrenderedhimtheslaveofhisattendants,whograduallycorruptedhismind.Hiscruelty,whichatfirstobeyedthedictatesofothers,degeneratedintohabit,andatlengthbecametherulingpassionofhissoul.^8[Footnote7:Hist.August.p.46.][Footnote8:DionCassius,l.lxxii.p.1203.]Uponthedeathofhisfather,Commodusfoundhimselfembarrassedwiththecommandofagreatarmy,andtheconductofadifficultwaragainsttheQuadiandMarcomanni.^9TheservileandprofligateyouthswhomMarcushadbanished,soonregainedtheirstationandinfluenceaboutthenewemperor.TheyexaggeratedthehardshipsanddangersofacampaigninthewildcountriesbeyondtheDanube;andtheyassuredtheindolentprincethattheterrorofhisname,andthearmsofhislieutenants,wouldbesufficienttocompletetheconquestofthedismayedbarbarians,ortoimposesuchconditionsasweremoreadvantageousthananyconquest.Byadexterousapplicationtohissensualappetites,theycomparedthetranquillity,thesplendor,therefinedpleasuresofRome,withthetumultofaPannoniancamp,whichaffordedneitherleisurenormaterialsforluxury.^10Commoduslistenedtothepleasingadvice;butwhilsthehesitatedbetweenhisowninclinationandtheawewhichhestillretainedforhisfather'scounsellors,thesummerinsensiblyelapsed,andhistriumphalentryintothecapitalwasdeferredtilltheautumn.Hisgracefulperson,^11popularaddress,andimaginedvirtues,attractedthepublicfavor;thehonorablepeacewhichhehadrecentlygrantedtothebarbarians,diffusedauniversaljoy;^12hisimpatiencetorevisitRomewasfondlyascribedtotheloveofhiscountry;andhisdissolutecourseofamusementswasfaintlycondemnedinaprinceofnineteenyearsofage.[Footnote9:AccordingtoTertullian,Apolog.c.25,)hediedatSirmium.ButthesituationofVindobona,orVienna,whereboththeVictorsplacehisdeath,isbetteradaptedtotheoperationsofthewaragainsttheMarcomanniandQuadi.][Footnote10:Herodian,l.i.p.12.][Footnote11:Herodian,l.i.p.16.][Footnote12:Thisuniversaljoyiswelldescribed(fromthemedalsaswellashistorians)byMr.Wotton,Hist.ofRome,p.192,193.]Duringthethreefirstyearsofhisreign,theforms,andeventhespirit,oftheoldadministration,weremaintainedbythosefaithfulcounsellors,towhomMarcushadrecommendedhisson,andforwhosewisdomandintegrityCommodusstillentertainedareluctantesteem.Theyoungprinceandhisprofligatefavoritesrevelledinallthelicenseofsovereignpower;buthishandswereyetunstainedwithblood;andhehadevendisplayedagenerosityofsentiment,whichmightperhapshaveripenedintosolidvirtue.^13Afatalincidentdecidedhisfluctuatingcharacter.[Footnote13:Manilius,theconfidentialsecretaryofAvidiusCassius,wasdiscoveredafterhehadlainconcealedseveralyears.Theemperornoblyrelievedthepublicanxietybyrefusingtoseehim,andburninghispaperswithoutopeningthem.DionCassius,l.lxxii.p.1209.]Oneevening,astheemperorwasreturningtothepalace,throughadarkandnarrowporticointheamphitheatre,^14anassassin,whowaitedhispassage,rusheduponhimwithadrawnsword,loudlyexclaiming,"Thesenatesendsyouthis."Themenacepreventedthedeed;theassassinwasseizedbytheguards,andimmediatelyrevealedtheauthorsoftheconspiracy.Ithadbeenformed,notinthestate,butwithinthewallsofthepalace.Lucilla,theemperor'ssister,andwidowofLuciusVerus,impatientofthesecondrank,andjealousofthereigningempress,hadarmedthemurdereragainstherbrother'slife.Shehadnotventuredtocommunicatetheblackdesigntohersecondhusband,ClaudiusPompeiarus,asenatorofdistinguishedmeritandunshakenloyalty;butamongthecrowdofherlovers(forsheimitatedthemannersofFaustina)shefoundmenofdesperatefortunesandwildambition,whowerepreparedtoservehermoreviolent,aswellashertenderpassions.Theconspiratorsexperiencedtherigorofjustice,andtheabandonedprincesswaspunished,firstwithexile,andafterwardswithdeath.^15[Footnote14:SeeMaffeidegliAmphitheatri,p.126.][Footnote15:Dion,l.lxxi.p.1205Herodian,l.i.p.16Hist.Augustp.46.]ButthewordsoftheassassinsunkdeepintothemindofCommodus,andleftanindelibleimpressionoffearandhatredagainstthewholebodyofthesenate.^*Thosewhomhehaddreadedasimportunateministers,henowsuspectedassecretenemies.TheDelators,araceofmendiscouraged,andalmostextinguished,undertheformerreigns,againbecameformidable,assoonastheydiscoveredthattheemperorwasdesirousoffindingdisaffectionandtreasoninthesenate.Thatassembly,whomMarcushadeverconsideredasthegreatcouncilofthenation,wascomposedofthemostdistinguishedoftheRomans;anddistinctionofeverykindsoonbecamecriminal.Thepossessionofwealthstimulatedthediligenceoftheinformers;rigidvirtueimpliedatacitcensureoftheirregularitiesofCommodus;importantservicesimpliedadangeroussuperiorityofmerit;andthefriendshipofthefatheralwaysinsuredtheaversionoftheson.Suspicionwasequivalenttoproof;trialtocondemnation.Theexecutionofaconsiderablesenatorwasattendedwiththedeathofallwhomightlamentorrevengehisfate;andwhenCommodushadoncetastedhumanblood,hebecameincapableofpityorremorse.[Footnote*:Theconspiratorsweresenators,eventheassassinhimself.Herod.81.-G.]Oftheseinnocentvictimsoftyranny,nonediedmorelamentedthanthetwobrothersoftheQuintilianfamily,MaximusandCondianus;whosefraternallovehassavedtheirnamesfromoblivion,andendearedtheirmemorytoposterity.Theirstudiesandtheiroccupations,theirpursuitsandtheirpleasures,werestillthesame.Intheenjoymentofagreatestate,theyneveradmittedtheideaofaseparateinterest:somefragmentsarenowextantofatreatisewhichtheycomposedincommon;^*andineveryactionoflifeitwasobservedthattheirtwobodieswereanimatedbyonesoul.TheAntonines,whovaluedtheirvirtues,anddelightedintheirunion,raisedthem,inthesameyear,totheconsulship;andMarcusafterwardsintrustedtotheirjointcaretheciviladministrationofGreece,andagreatmilitarycommand,inwhichtheyobtainedasignalvictoryovertheGermans.ThekindcrueltyofCommodusunitedthemindeath.^16[Footnote*:Thisworkwasonagriculture,andisoftenquotedbylaterwriters.SeeP.Needham,Proleg.adGeoponic.Camb.1704.-W.][Footnote16:InanoteupontheAugustanHistory,Casaubonhascollectedanumberofparticularsconcerningthesecelebratedbrothers.Seep.96ofhislearnedcommentary.]Thetyrant'srage,afterhavingshedthenoblestbloodofthesenate,atlengthrecoiledontheprincipalinstrumentofhiscruelty.WhilstCommoduswasimmersedinbloodandluxury,hedevolvedthedetailofthepublicbusinessonPerennis,aservileandambitiousminister,whohadobtainedhispostbythemurderofhispredecessor,butwhopossessedaconsiderableshareofvigorandability.Byactsofextortion,andtheforfeitedestatesofthenoblessacrificedtohisavarice,hehadaccumulatedanimmensetreasure.ThePraetorianguardswereunderhisimmediatecommand;andhisson,whoalreadydiscoveredamilitarygenius,wasattheheadoftheIllyrianlegions.Perennisaspiredtotheempire;orwhat,intheeyesofCommodus,amountedtothesamecrime,hewascapableofaspiringtoit,hadhenotbeenprevented,surprised,andputtodeath.Thefallofaministerisaverytriflingincidentinthegeneralhistoryoftheempire;butitwashastenedbyanextraordinarycircumstance,whichprovedhowmuchthenervesofdisciplinewerealreadyrelaxed.ThelegionsofBritain,discontentedwiththeadministrationofPerennis,formedadeputationoffifteenhundredselectmen,withinstructionstomarchtoRome,andlaytheircomplaintsbeforetheemperor.Thesemilitarypetitioners,bytheirowndeterminedbehaviour,byinflamingthedivisionsoftheguards,byexaggeratingthestrengthoftheBritisharmy,andbyalarmingthefearsofCommodus,exactedandobtainedtheminister'sdeath,astheonlyredressoftheirgrievances.^17Thispresumptionofadistantarmy,andtheirdiscoveryoftheweaknessofgovernment,wasasurepresageofthemostdreadfulconvulsions.[Footnote17:Dion,l.lxxii.p.1210.Herodian,l.i.p.22.Hist.August.p.48.DiongivesamuchlessodiouscharacterofPerennis,thantheotherhistorians.Hismoderationisalmostapledgeofhisveracity.Note:GibbonpraisesDionforthemoderationwithwhichhespeaksofPerennis:hefollows,nevertheless,inhisownnarrative,HerodianandLampridius.DionspeaksofPerennisnotonlywithmoderation,butwithadmiration;herepresentshimasagreatman,virtuousinhislife,andblamelessinhisdeath:perhapshemaybesuspectedofpartiality;butitissingularthatGibbon,havingadopted,fromHerodianandLampridius,theirjudgmentonthisminister,followsDion'simprobableaccountofhisdeath.Whatlikelihood,infact,thatfifteenhundredmenshouldhavetraversedGaulandItaly,andhavearrivedatRomewithoutanyunderstandingwiththePraetorians,orwithoutdetectionoroppositionfromPerennis,thePraetorianpraefect?Gibbon,foreseeing,perhaps,thisdifficulty,hasadded,thatthemilitarydeputationinflamedthedivisionsoftheguards;butDionsaysexpresslythattheydidnotreachRome,butthattheemperorwentouttomeetthem:heevenreproacheshimfornothavingopposedthemwiththeguards,whoweresuperiorinnumber.HerodianrelatesthatCommodus,havinglearned,fromasoldier,theambitiousdesignsofPerennisandhisson,causedthemtobeattackedandmassacredbynight.-G.fromW.Dion'snarrativeisremarkablycircumstantial,andhisauthorityhigherthaneitheroftheotherwriters.HehintsthatCleander,anewfavorite,hadalreadyunderminedtheinfluenceofPerennis.-M.]Thenegligenceofthepublicadministrationwasbetrayed,soonafterwards,byanewdisorder,whicharosefromthesmallestbeginnings.Aspiritofdesertionbegantoprevailamongthetroops:andthedeserters,insteadofseekingtheirsafetyinflightorconcealment,infestedthehighways.Maternus,aprivatesoldier,ofadaringboldnessabovehisstation,collectedthesebandsofrobbersintoalittlearmy,setopentheprisons,invitedtheslavestoasserttheirfreedom,andplunderedwithimpunitytherichanddefencelesscitiesofGaulandSpain.Thegovernorsoftheprovinces,whohadlongbeenthespectators,andperhapsthepartners,ofhisdepredations,were,atlength,rousedfromtheirsupineindolencebythethreateningcommandsoftheemperor.Maternusfoundthathewasencompassed,andforesawthathemustbeoverpowered.Agreateffortofdespairwashislastresource.Heorderedhisfollowerstodisperse,topasstheAlpsinsmallpartiesandvariousdisguises,andtoassembleatRome,duringthelicentioustumultofthefestivalofCybele.^18TomurderCommodus,andtoascendthevacantthrone,wastheambitionofnovulgarrobber.HismeasuresweresoablyconcertedthathisconcealedtroopsalreadyfilledthestreetsofRome.Theenvyofanaccomplicediscoveredandruinedthissingularenterprise,inamomentwhenitwasripeforexecution.^19[Footnote18:DuringthesecondPunicwar,theRomansimportedfromAsiatheworshipofthemotherofthegods.Herfestival,theMegalesia,beganonthefourthofApril,andlastedsixdays.Thestreetswerecrowdedwithmadprocessions,thetheatreswithspectators,andthepublictableswithunbiddenguests.Orderandpoliceweresuspended,andpleasurewastheonlyseriousbusinessofthecity.SeeOvid.deFastis,l.iv.189,&c.][Footnote19:Herodian,l.i.p.23,23.]Suspiciousprincesoftenpromotethelastofmankind,fromavainpersuasion,thatthosewhohavenodependence,exceptontheirfavor,willhavenoattachment,excepttothepersonoftheirbenefactor.Cleander,thesuccessorofPerennis,wasaPhrygianbybirth;ofanationoverwhosestubborn,butserviletemper,blowsonlycouldprevail.^20HehadbeensentfromhisnativecountrytoRome,inthecapacityofaslave.AsaslaveheenteredtheImperialpalace,renderedhimselfusefultohismaster'spassions,andrapidlyascendedtothemostexaltedstationwhichasubjectcouldenjoy.HisinfluenceoverthemindofCommoduswasmuchgreaterthanthatofhispredecessor;forCleanderwasdevoidofanyabilityorvirtuewhichcouldinspiretheemperorwithenvyordistrust.Avaricewasthereigningpassionofhissoul,andthegreatprincipleofhisadministration.TherankofConsul,ofPatrician,ofSenator,wasexposedtopublicsale;anditwouldhavebeenconsideredasdisaffection,ifanyonehadrefusedtopurchasetheseemptyanddisgracefulhonorswiththegreatestpartofhisfortune.^21Inthelucrativeprovincialemployments,theministersharedwiththegovernorthespoilsofthepeople.Theexecutionofthelawswaspenalandarbitrary.Awealthycriminalmightobtain,notonlythereversalofthesentencebywhichhewasjustlycondemned,butmightlikewiseinflictwhateverpunishmenthepleasedontheaccuser,thewitnesses,andthejudge.[Footnote20:CiceroproFlacco,c.27.][Footnote21:Oneofthesedear-boughtpromotionsoccasionedacurrent...thatJuliusSolonwasbanishedintothesenate.]Bythesemeans,Cleander,inthespaceofthreeyears,hadaccumulatedmorewealththanhadeveryetbeenpossessedbyanyfreedman.^22Commoduswasperfectlysatisfiedwiththemagnificentpresentswhichtheartfulcourtierlaidathisfeetinthemostseasonablemoments.Todivertthepublicenvy,Cleander,undertheemperor'sname,erectedbaths,porticos,andplacesofexercise,fortheuseofthepeople.^23HeflatteredhimselfthattheRomans,dazzledandamusedbythisapparentliberality,wouldbelessaffectedbythebloodysceneswhichweredailyexhibited;thattheywouldforgetthedeathofByrrhus,asenatortowhosesuperiormeritthelateemperorhadgrantedoneofhisdaughters;andthattheywouldforgivetheexecutionofArriusAntoninus,thelastrepresentativeofthenameandvirtuesoftheAntonines.Theformer,withmoreintegritythanprudence,hadattemptedtodisclose,tohisbrother-in-law,thetruecharacterofCleander.Anequitablesentencepronouncedbythelatter,whenproconsulofAsia,againstaworthlesscreatureofthefavorite,provedfataltohim.^24AfterthefallofPerennis,theterrorsofCommodushad,forashorttime,assumedtheappearanceofareturntovirtue.Herepealedthemostodiousofhisacts;loadedhismemorywiththepublicexecration,andascribedtotheperniciouscounselsofthatwickedministeralltheerrorsofhisinexperiencedyouth.Buthisrepentancelastedonlythirtydays;and,underCleander'styranny,theadministrationofPerenniswasoftenregretted.[Footnote22:Dion(l.lxxii.p.12,13)observes,thatnofreedmanhadpossessedrichesequaltothoseofCleander.ThefortuneofPallasamounted,however,toupwardsoffiveandtwentyhundredthousandpounds;Termillies.][Footnote23:Dion,l.lxxii.p.12,13.Herodian,l.i.p.29.Hist.August.p.52.ThesebathsweresituatednearthePortaCapena.SeeNardiniRomaAntica,p.79.][Footnote24:Hist.August.p.79.]ChapterIV:TheCruelty,FolliesAndMurderOfCommodus.PartII.PestilenceandfaminecontributedtofillupthemeasureofthecalamitiesofRome.^25Thefirstcouldbeonlyimputedtothejustindignationofthegods;butamonopolyofcorn,supportedbytherichesandpoweroftheminister,wasconsideredastheimmediatecauseofthesecond.Thepopulardiscontent,afterithadlongcirculatedinwhispers,brokeoutintheassembledcircus.Thepeoplequittedtheirfavoriteamusementsforthemoredeliciouspleasureofrevenge,rushedincrowdstowardsapalaceinthesuburbs,oneoftheemperor'sretirements,anddemanded,withangryclamors,theheadofthepublicenemy.Cleander,whocommandedthePraetorianguards,^26orderedabodyofcavalrytosallyforth,anddispersetheseditiousmultitude.Themultitudefledwithprecipitationtowardsthecity;severalwereslain,andmanymoreweretrampledtodeath;butwhenthecavalryenteredthestreets,theirpursuitwascheckedbyashowerofstonesanddartsfromtheroofsandwindowsofthehouses.Thefootguards,^27whohadbeenlongjealousoftheprerogativesandinsolenceofthePraetoriancavalry,embracedthepartyofthepeople.Thetumultbecamearegularengagement,andthreatenedageneralmassacre.ThePraetorians,atlength,gaveway,oppressedwithnumbers;andthetideofpopularfuryreturnedwithredoubledviolenceagainstthegatesofthepalace,whereCommoduslay,dissolvedinluxury,andaloneunconsciousofthecivilwar.Itwasdeathtoapproachhispersonwiththeunwelcomenews.Hewouldhaveperishedinthissupinesecurity,hadnottwowomen,hiseldestsisterFadilla,andMarcia,themostfavoredofhisconcubines,venturedtobreakintohispresence.Bathedintears,andwithdishevelledhair,theythrewthemselvesathisfeet;andwithallthepressingeloquenceoffear,discoveredtotheaffrightedemperorthecrimesoftheminister,therageofthepeople,andtheimpendingruin,which,inafewminutes,wouldburstoverhispalaceandperson.Commodusstartedfromhisdreamofpleasure,andcommandedthattheheadofCleandershouldbethrownouttothepeople.Thedesiredspectacleinstantlyappeasedthetumult;andthesonofMarcusmightevenyethaveregainedtheaffectionandconfidenceofhissubjects.^28[Footnote25:Herodian,l.i.p.28.Dion,l.lxxii.p.1215.ThelattersaysthattwothousandpersonsdiedeverydayatRome,duringaconsiderablelengthoftime.][Footnote26:Tunequeprimumtrespraefectipraetoriofuere:interquoslibertinus.Fromsomeremainsofmodesty,Cleanderdeclinedthetitle,whilstheassumedthepowers,ofPraetorianpraefect.Astheotherfreedmenwerestyled,fromtheirseveraldepartments,arationibus,abepistolis,Cleandercalledhimselfapugione,asintrustedwiththedefenceofhismaster'sperson.SalmasiusandCasaubonseemtohavetalkedveryidlyuponthispassage.Note:M.GuizotdeniesthatLampridiusmeansCleanderaspraefectapugione.TheLibertinusseemstometomeanhim.-M.][Footnote27:Herodian,l.i.p.31.ItisdoubtfulwhetherhemeansthePraetorianinfantry,orthecohortesurbanae,abodyofsixthousandmen,butwhoserankanddisciplinewerenotequaltotheirnumbers.NeitherTillemontnorWottonchoosetodecidethisquestion.][Footnote28:DionCassius,l.lxxii.p.1215.Herodian,l.i.p.32.Hist.August.p.48.]ButeverysentimentofvirtueandhumanitywasextinctinthemindofCommodus.Whilsthethusabandonedthereinsofempiretotheseunworthyfavorites,hevaluednothinginsovereignpower,excepttheunboundedlicenseofindulginghissensualappetites.Hishourswerespentinaseraglioofthreehundredbeautifulwomen,andasmanyboys,ofeveryrank,andofeveryprovince;and,wherevertheartsofseductionprovedineffectual,thebrutalloverhadrecoursetoviolence.Theancienthistorians^29haveexpatiatedontheseabandonedscenesofprostitution,whichscornedeveryrestraintofnatureormodesty;butitwouldnotbeeasytotranslatetheirtoofaithfuldescriptionsintothedecencyofmodernlanguage.Theintervalsoflustwerefilledupwiththebasestamusements.Theinfluenceofapoliteage,andthelaborofanattentiveeducation,hadneverbeenabletoinfuseintohisrudeandbrutishmindtheleasttinctureoflearning;andhewasthefirstoftheRomanemperorstotallydevoidoftasteforthepleasuresoftheunderstanding.Nerohimselfexcelled,oraffectedtoexcel,intheelegantartsofmusicandpoetry:norshouldwedespisehispursuits,hadhenotconvertedthepleasingrelaxationofaleisurehourintotheseriousbusinessandambitionofhislife.ButCommodus,fromhisearliestinfancy,discoveredanaversiontowhateverwasrationalorliberal,andafondattachmenttotheamusementsofthepopulace;thesportsofthecircusandamphitheatre,thecombatsofgladiators,andthehuntingofwildbeasts.Themastersineverybranchoflearning,whomMarcusprovidedforhisson,wer