A.C. Having arranged every thing at Rome, the emperor de120 parted to visit the provinces, commencing with Germany and the Gauls, from whence he passed into Britain, and in order to separate the Roman provinces from the barbarians or Picts, northward of the island, he caused an earthen wall to be thrown up from Carlisle to the river Tyne, in Northumberland, being 80 miles in length. Adrian then returned into Gaul, where he caused to be erected in honour of Plotina a monument still existing at Nismes, under the title of The Square House; he then proceeded to Spain, and remained for a length of time at Tarragona, at which place he built a temple in honour of Augustus. 123 124 130 133 From Spain the emperor journeyed into Asia, where he had an interview with the Parthian monarch, and the troubles excited by that people were appeased. Adrian then proceeded into Greece, where he caused himself to be initiated in the Eleusinian mysteries. Having then continued for a time in Sicily, the emperor returned to Rome; where Quadratus, a disciple of the apostles, presented him an apology on the part of the persecuted Christians. Having carefully examined that petition, the emperor wrote to Minucius Fundanus, the pro-consul of Asia, ordering him not to condemn any Christians to death who should not be convicted of crimes. Adrian repaired to Africa, where he continued but a short space of time, and upon his return to Rome, conferred various privileges upon the provinces. Telesphorus was elected to the Papal chair. On visiting Asia the second time the Emperor remained for a period at Athens, where he caused the citadel to be rebuilt, repaired the ancient monuments, and erected a palace, the remains of which are to the present day greatly admired; he also permitted the Athenians to dedicate a temple to him. Adrian built the most celebrated temple at Rome, in honour of that city, and changed the name of the annual feast kept for its foundation on the 21st of April from Polilia to Romana. The ensuing year Adrian caused the city of Jerusalem to be rebuilt, to which he gave the name of Elia Capitolina, and sent a colony thither; from thence he passed to Pelusium, in Egypt, when his favourite Antinous was drowned in the Nile, in consequence of which he there raised a city to his honour, which was called Antinopolis. Adrian visited Thrace and Macedon in his progress to Syria, and then returned to Athens, where he learned that the Jews had revolted, on account of his having built a A.C temple to Jupiter Capitolinus in Jerusalem. Barcochebas, an adventurer, notorious for his daring effrontery, succeeded in persuading the Jews that he was the Messiah, and that people acknowledged him for their chief. This revolt caused a massacre of 800,000 Jews, the residue being publicly sold by auction for slaves, when Judæa was converted almost into a desert. Such was the effect of the terrible anathema launched against the Hebrews, that during the period of 66 years, upwards of two millions of that wretched nation perished by violent deaths. Adrian having been formerly elected archon of Athens, 135 assumed the habit of that office, celebrated the festival of Bacchus, distributed vast quantities of corn among the populace, and adorned the city with many stately edifices, particularly a library of very wonderful structure, and consecrated in person the temple of Jupiter Olympius, which had been commenced 560 years before, as a memorial of which one quarter of the city was called Adrianopolis; after which he sailed for Rome towards the close of the year. Adrian adopted Cesonius Commodus Verus, and gave the 187 title of Cæsar to Elius Verus. The latter died in the month of January, 138; when the emperor growing weak through incessant fatigues and indispositioh, adopted Arrius Antoninus, on condition that the latter would adopt Annius Verus and Marcus Aurelius. His Adrian retired to Tibur, now Tivoli, where he erected a magnificent villa, the ruins of which are still to be seen. illness there becoming a very painful flux, he gave himself up to cruelty, causing several illustrious persons to be arraigned and executed, while others were privately murdered. Among the former were his brother-in-law Servianus, aged 90, and Tuscus, his grand nephew, 18 years old. Adrian became so impatient under his lingering and pain- 138 ful disorder, that he was with difficulty restrained from laying violent hands upon himself, and solicited to be despatched by poison. Several eminent persons were also ordered by him to be put to death, whom however Antoninus ventured to save. Adrian having been conveyed to Baia, in Campania, died in the arms of Antoninus, who during his protracted illness, had never ceased to show him the assiduous cares of a tender and respectful son. He was in his 72nd year, of which he had ruled 22. Hyginus was made pope. A.C. Antoninus, descended from a very ancient family of Nismes, 139 and whose piety caused him to be surnamed Pius, ascended the throne, and acquired the love and respect of all good and virtuous citizens, by the gentleness of his character, the equality of his temper, and above all by his love of justice; notwithstanding which, although he never published any edict against the Christians, he did not put a period to the persecutions still carried on against them." 142 Antoninus created Marcus Aurelius, Cæsar, gave him his daughter in marriage, and named him his colleague in the consulship for the following year. In the course of the ensuing year he lost his wife Faustina, in honour of whom he caused altars to be raised. Antoninus instituted the games called Pia and Pialia, in honour of Adrian, which were to be exhibited at Puteoli, on the second year of each olympiad. Pius the first was elected Roman pontiff. 144 The Brigantes in Britain revolted, but were speedily reduced by Lollius Urbicus, the Roman governor, who stripped them of a portion of their territory, and carried his conquests further northward, where he caused to be built another wall of earth, beyond the former, extending from Edinburgh to Dunbritton on the Frith. 146 The worship of Serapis, was introduced at Rome. Anicetus was elevated to the papal chair. 150 162 164 Antoninus, cherished by his subjects, and respected by the neighbouring countries, had written to the governors of the provinces of Asia, commanding them to desist from persecuting the Christians, when he fell ill at Lorium, and expired on the 7th of March, at the age of 73 years, five months, and 16 days, having reigned 22 years and six months. Marcus Aurelius who had espoused Faustina, the daughter of Antoninus, reigned in conjunction with Verus, his adopted brother, and thus the throne was occupied by two princes of directly opposite characters. Marcus Aurelius united all the most noble and virtuous qualifications, while Verus was, on the contrary, governed by the most groveling and vile in clinations. Vologeses the Second, king of the Parthians, declared war against the Romans, when Verus undertook to subdue them, but halted at Antioch, where he gave himself up to every species of sensual gratification, while his generals, who gained victories in his name, penetrated into Armenia, and even advanced to the country of the Medes. Fresh disturbances and revolts occurred in Britain, which were speedily suppressed by Calpurn: Agricola sent thither A.C. by M. Aurelius. FOURTH PERSECUTION OF THE CHRISTIANS. Marcus Aurelius, that wise, prudent, and virtuous prince, who was in the habit of saying that Incapable as he was of rendering men as perfect as he wished, he was yet bound to support them such as they were, and endeavour to procure from them all the good possible! Yet even Marcus Aurelius caused the Christians to be persecuted. The Parthians had purchased peace of the Romans, by 166 yielding up Mesopotamia and other territories, when the two emperors received the honours of a triumph, and the title of fathers of the country. M. Aurelius sent his daughter Lucilla to Antioch, followed by a grand retinue, in order to espouse his colleague L. Verus, who, as we have before stated, was indulging in all the pleasures of that city, and its infamous suburb of Daphne. Polycarp and Pionices suffered martyrdom in Asia. Two years after, the Marcomanni, the Hermanni, and the Quadi, leagued against the Romans; when the two emperors marched against those people. Verus died of an apoplexy, and Aurelius returned to Rome, to preside at the funeral of his deceased colleague. Eleutherius was elected pope. Aurelius married his daughter Lucilla, widow of L. Verus, to Claud. Pompeianus, a knight of Antioch, highly esteemed for his wisdom, courage, and integrity; soon after which Annius Verus, the emperor's second son, died at Palestrina, in his 7th year. 167 171 172 The emperor leaving his remaining son Commodus to the 178 care of his great chamberlain, and the famed physician Galen, marched against the Germans, whom he defeated in several encounters, for which he acquired the surname of Ger manicus. Aurelius placed himself at the head of the army raised to 174 repel the Quadi; when, during the march, such had been the heat, that the sources of all the fountains were dried up, and the Roman cohorts on the point of abandoning them; selves to despair. Upon that occasion, the legion denominated Melitina, almost entirely composed of Christians, obtained from heaven, through the medium of its prayers, an abundant fall of rain, which invigorated the Romans, while the opposing army was assailed by thunder, lightning, and hail, in consequence of which the Romans gained a complete A.C. victory, when an imperial decree was issued forbidding that any Christian should be molested on account of his religion. 176 179 180 181 185 During the following year, a report was disseminated in Syria that the emperor was dead; when Avidius Crassus, seized upon the government of that country, but was put to death three years afterwards. Marcus Aurelius marched into the east, with Faustina, his wife, and their son Commodus; when the empress died at a village at the foot of Mount Taurus, afterwards called Faustinopolis, and Aurelius returned to Rome, and caused his son to be recognised for his successor. The ensuing year the persecutions of the Christians were carried on with additional vigour, and many illustrious persons were put to death. The emperor also renewed the war against the Marcomanni, the Quadi, the Hermanni, and the Sarmatæ. Aurelius married his son Commodus to Crispina, the daughter of Bruttius Præsens, and then set out with him on the 5th of August to suppress the Marcomanni, who had recommenced hostilities with the greatest fury. The emperor gained several victories over the Marcomanni and their allies, for which himself and his son assumed the title of Imperator; at the same period Paternus, the Roman general in Germany, engaged several nations of that country and totally defeated them. Marcus Aurelius died at Sirmium, now Sirmich, in Pannonia, universally lamented, after reigning 19 years and 10 days, during which he had for nine years shared the throne with L. Verus. He had strongly recommended to his son Commodus to continue the war against the barbarians, but scarcely had the youthful prince obtained the imperial title than he hastened to return to Rome. Commodus was the first emperor born during his father's reign, and the second who succeeded him in it; he proved, however, of a character diametrically opposed to that of his good old father, though carefully brought up under his guidance, being of a cruel, avaricious temper, and addicted to every species of debauchery. Lucilla, the emperor's sister, and wife of Pompeianus, entered into a conspiracy against her brother; but the plot failed, owing to the precipitancy of Quintius, a young senator, who was desirous of striking the first blow, upon which occasion he cried out; This is what the senate sends thee. Perennis, the prætorian prefect, who was deputed to superintend the process, condemned all the conspirators to death, Victor the First, was elected to the popedom. |