Historia Augusta: Marcus Aurelius

I. 1 Marco Antonino, in omni vita philosophanti viro et qui sanctitate vitae omnibus principibus antecellit, 2 pater Annius Verus, qui in praetura decessit, avus Annius Verus, iterum consul et praefectus urbi, adscitus in patricios a principibus (a) Vespasiano et Tito censoribus, 3 patruus Annius Libo consul, amita Galeria Faustina Augusta, mater Domitia Calvilla, Calvisii Tulli bis consulis filia, 4 proavus paternus Annius Verus praetorius ex Uccubitano municipio ex Hispania factus senator, proavus maternus Catilius Severus bis consul et praefectus urbi, avia paterna Rupilia Faustina, Rupili Boni consularis filia, fuere. 5 Natus est Marcus Romae VI. kl. Maias in monte Caelio in hortis avo suo iterum et Augure consulibus. 6 Cuius familia in originem recurrens a Numa probatur sanguinem trahere, ut Marius Maximus docet; item a rege Sallentino Malemnio, Dasummi filio, qui Lopias condidit.

1. 1 For Marcus Antoninus, a man philosophizing throughout his whole life and one who surpasses all princes in the sanctity of life, 2 there were: a father Annius Verus, who died in the praetorship; a grandfather Annius Verus, consul again and prefect of the city, enrolled among the patricians by the princes (a) Vespasian and Titus, censors; 3 a paternal uncle Annius Libo, consul; a paternal aunt Galeria Faustina, Augusta; a mother Domitia Calvilla, daughter of Calvisius Tullus, twice consul; 4 a paternal great‑grandfather Annius Verus, of praetorian rank, from the municipal town of Uccubis in Spain, made a senator; a maternal great‑grandfather Catilius Severus, twice consul and prefect of the city; a paternal grandmother Rupilia Faustina, daughter of Rupilius Bonus, a man of consular rank, there were. 5 Marcus was born at Rome on the 6th day before the Kalends of May, on the Caelian Hill, in the gardens, when his grandfather was consul for the second time together with Augur. 6 His family, tracing back to its origin, is proved to draw blood from Numa, as Marius Maximus teaches; likewise from the Salentine king Malemnius, son of Dasummus, who founded Lopias.

7 Educatus est in eo loco, in quo natus est, et in domo avi sui Veri iuxta aedes Laterani. 8 Habuit et sororem natu minorem Anniam Cornificiam, uxorem Anniam Faustinam, consobrinam suam. 9 Marcus Antoninus principio aevi sui nomen habuit Catilii Severi, materni proavi.

7 He was brought up in the place where he was born, and in the house of his grandfather Verus, next to the Lateran halls. 8 He also had a younger-by-birth sister, Annia Cornificia, and a wife, Annia Faustina, his cousin. 9 Marcus Antoninus, at the beginning of his life, bore the name of Catilius Severus, his maternal great‑grandfather.

10 Post excessum vero patris ab Hadriano Annius Verissimus vocatus est, post virilem autem togam Annius Verus. patre mortuo ab avo paterno adoptatus et educatus est.

10 After the death of his father he was called by Hadrian Annius Verissimus; but after assuming the toga virilis, Annius Verus. With his father dead, he was adopted and educated by his paternal grandfather.

II. 1 Fuit a prima infantia gravis. at ubi egressus est annos, qui nutricum foventur auxilio, magnis praeceptoribus traditus ad philosophiae scita pervenit. 2 Usus est magistris ad prima elementa Euforione litteratore et Gemino comoedo, musico Androne eodemque geometra.

2. 1 He was grave from his earliest infancy. but when he had passed out of the years which are fostered by the help of nurses, entrusted to great preceptors he arrived at the precepts of philosophy. 2 He made use of teachers for the first rudiments: Euphorion the litterator and Geminus the comedian, and Andron the musician and likewise a geometer.

Quibus omnibus ut disciplinarum auctoribus plurimum detulit. 3 Usus praeterea grammaticis Graeco Alexandro Cotiaensi, Latinis Trosio Apro et Polione et Eutychio Proculo Siccensi. 4 Oratoribus usus est Graecis Aninio Macro, Caninio Celere et Herode Atti(o)co, Latino Frontone Cornelio.

To all of them, as authors of the disciplines, he paid the greatest deference. 3 He furthermore made use of grammarians: on the Greek side Alexander of Cotiaeum; on the Latin side Trosius Aper and Polio and Eutychius Proculus of Sicca. 4 He made use of orators: the Greeks Aninius Macro, Caninius Celer, and Herodes Atti(o)cus, and, on the Latin side, Cornelius Fronto.

5 Sed multum ex his Frontoni detulit, cui et statuam in senatu petit. Proculum vero usque ad proconsulatum provexit oneribus in se receptis. 6 Philosophiae operam vehementer dedit et quidem adhuc puer.

5 But among these he paid much deference to Fronto, for whom he even sought a statue in the Senate. He actually advanced Proculus as far as the proconsulship, having taken the burdens upon himself. 6 He devoted himself vehemently to philosophy, and indeed while still a boy.

Nam duodecimum annum ingressus habitum philosophi sumpsit et deinceps tolerantiam, cum studeret in pallio et humi cubaret, vix autem matre agente instrato pellibus lectulo accubaret. 7 Usus est etiam Commodo magistro, cuius ei adfinitas fuerat destinata, usus est et Apollonio Chalcedonio stoico philosopho.

For upon entering his twelfth year he assumed the habit of a philosopher and thereafter [practiced] tolerance, as he studied in a pallium and lay on the ground, and scarcely, however, with his mother urging, would he recline upon a little bed strewn with skins. 7 He also made use of Commodus as a teacher, to whom an affinity by marriage had been destined for him; he likewise made use of Apollonius the Chalcedonian, a Stoic philosopher.

III. 1 Tantum autem studium in eo philosophiae fuit, ut adscitus iam (in) imperatoriam tamen ad domum Apollonii discendi causa veniret. 2 Audivit et Sextum Chaeronensem Plutarchi nepotem, Iunium Rusticum, Claudium Maximum et Cinnam Catulum stoicos, 3 peripateticae vero studiosus audivit Claudium Severum, et praecipue Iunium Rusticum, quem et reveritus est et sectatus, qui domi militiaeque pollebat, stoicae disciplinae peritissimum; 4 cum quo omnia communicavit publica privataque consilia, cui etiam ante praefectos praetorio semper osculum dedit, quem et consulem iterum designavit, cui post obitum a senatu statuas postulavit.

3. 1 So great, moreover, was the zeal for philosophy in him that, already admitted into the imperial house, he nevertheless would come to the domicile of Apollonius for the sake of learning. 2 He also heard Sextus of Chaeronea, the grandson of Plutarch, Junius Rusticus, Claudius Maximus, and Cinna Catulus, Stoics; 3 but as a devotee of the Peripatetic school he heard Claudius Severus, and especially Junius Rusticus, whom he both revered and followed, who prevailed both at home and in the military, most skilled in the Stoic discipline; 4 with whom he shared all public and private counsels, to whom also he always gave a kiss before the praetorian prefects, whom too he designated consul a second time, and for whom after his death he requested statues from the senate.

5 Tantum autem honoris magistris suis detulit, ut imagines eorum aureas in larario haberet ac sepulchra eorum aditu, hostiis, floribus semper honoraret. 6 Studuit et iuri audiens Lucium Volusium Maecianum. 7 Tantumque operis et laboris studiis inpendit, ut corpus adficeret, atque in hoc solo pueritia eius reprehenderetur.

5 So much honor did he defer to his teachers that he kept their golden images in the lararium and always honored their sepulchers with approach, with victims, with flowers. 6 He also studied law, listening to Lucius Volusius Maecianus. 7 And he expended so much work and labor upon his studies that his body was affected, and in this alone was his boyhood censured.

8 Frequentavit et declamatorum scolas publicas amavitque [ex] condiscipulis praecipuos senatorii ordinis Seium Fuscianum et Aufidium Victorinum, ex equestri Baebium Longum et Cal(l)enum. 9 In quos maxime liberalis fuit, et ita quidem ut, quos non posset ob qualitatem vitae rei p. praeponere, locupletatos teneret.

8 He frequented also the public schools of declaimers, and loved [ex] from among his co-disciples the foremost men of the senatorial order, Seius Fuscianus and Aufidius Victorinus, and from the equestrian, Baebius Longus and Cal(l)enus. 9 Toward these he was especially liberal, and indeed in such a way that those whom he could not, on account of the quality of their life, set over the republic, he kept enriched.

IV. 1 Educatus est in Hadriani gremio, qui illum, ut supra diximus, Verissimum nominabat et qui ei honorem equi publici sexenni detulit, 2 octavo aetatis anno in saliorum collegium rettulit. 3 In saliatu omen accepit imperii: coronas omnibus in pulvinar ex more iacientibus aliae aliis locis haeserunt, huius velut manu capiti Martis aptata est. 4 Fuit in eo sacerdotio et praesul et vates et magister et multos inauguravit atque exauguravit nemine praeeunte, quod ipse carmina cuncta didicisset.

4. 1 He was educated in Hadrian’s bosom, who, as we said above, used to name him Verissimus, and who conferred upon him the honor of the public horse when he was six years old, 2 in the eighth year of his age he enrolled him in the college of the Salii. 3 In the Salii rite he received an omen of rule: as all, according to custom, were throwing garlands onto the pulvinar, some stuck in various places; his was fitted, as if by a hand, to the head of Mars. 4 In that priesthood he was both praesul and vates and magister, and he inaugurated and exaugurated many with no one prompting, because he himself had learned all the songs.

5 Virilem togam sumpsit quinto decimo aetatis anno, statimque ei Lucii Ceionii Commodi filia desponsata est ex Hadriani voluntate. 6 Nec multo post praefectus feriarum Latinarum fuit. In quo honore praeclarissime se pro magistratibus agentem et in conviviis Hadriani principis ostendit.

5 He assumed the virile toga in the fifteenth year of his age, and immediately the daughter of Lucius Ceionius Commodus was betrothed to him by Hadrian’s will. 6 Not long after, he was prefect of the Feriae Latinae. In which honor he showed himself most excellently, acting on behalf of the magistrates and at the banquets of the emperor Hadrian.

7 Post hoc patrimonium paternum sorori totum concessit, cum eum ad divisionem mater vocaret, responditque avi bonis se esse contentum, addens, ut et mater, si vellet, in sororem suum patrimonium conferret, ne inferior esset soror marito. 8 Fuit autem vitae indulgentia, ut cogeretur nonnumquam vel in venationes pergere vel in theatrum descendere vel spectaculis interesse. 9 Operam praeterea pingendo sub magistro Diogeneto dedit.

7 After this he conceded the entire paternal patrimony to his sister; when his mother called him to a division, he replied that he was content with his grandfather’s goods, adding that his mother also, if she wished, should confer her patrimony upon his sister, lest the sister be inferior to her husband. 8 He was, moreover, indulgent in his manner of life, so that he was sometimes compelled either to go out to hunts or to go down into the theater or to take part in spectacles. 9 Besides, he devoted effort to painting under the master Diognetus.

Amavit pugilatum luctamina et cursum et aucupatus et pila lusit adprime et venatus est. 10 Sed ab omnibus his intentionibus studium eum philosophiae abduxit seriumque et gravem reddidit, non tamen prorsus abolita in eo comitate, quam praecipue suis, mox amicis atque etiam minus notis exhibebat, cum frugi esset sine contumacia, verecundus sine ignavia, sine tristitia gravis.

He loved pugilism, wrestlings and running, and he engaged in fowling, and he played ball especially, and he hunted. 10 But from all these pursuits his zeal for philosophy drew him away and made him serious and grave, yet not with the comity in him utterly abolished, which he showed especially to his own, then to friends and even to the less well-known, since he was frugal without contumacy, modest without cowardice, grave without sadness.

V. 1 His ita se habentibus cum post obitum Lucii Caesaris Hadrianus successorem imperii quaereret, nec idoneus, utpote decem et octo annos agens, Marcus haberetur, amitae Marci virum Antoninum Pium Hadrianus ea lege in adoptationem legit, ut sibi Marcum Pius adoptaret, ita tamen ut et Marcus sibi Lucium Commodum adoptaret. 2 Sane ea die, qua adoptatus est, Verus in somnis se umeros eburneos habere vidit sciscitatusque, an apti essent oneri ferundo, solito repperit fortiores. 3 Ubi autem comperit se ab Hadriano adoptatum, magis est deterritus quam laetatus iussusque in Hadriani privatam domum migrare invitus de maternis hortis recessit.

5. 1 With things being thus, when after the death of Lucius Caesar Hadrian was seeking a successor of the imperium, and Marcus was not held suitable, as being eighteen years old, Hadrian chose for adoption Antoninus Pius, the husband of Marcus’s aunt, on this condition, that Pius should adopt Marcus for himself, yet in such a way that Marcus also should adopt Lucius Commodus for himself. 2 Indeed, on the very day on which he was adopted, Verus in dreams saw that he had ivory shoulders, and, having inquired whether they were fit for bearing a burden, he found them stronger than usual. 3 But when he learned that he had been adopted by Hadrian, he was more deterred than gladdened, and, being ordered to move into Hadrian’s private house, he unwillingly withdrew from his mother’s gardens.

4 Cumque ab eo domestici quaererent, cur tristis in adoptionem regiam transiret, disputavit, quae mala in se contineret imperium. 5 Tunc primum pro Annio Aurelius coepit vocari, quod in Aureliam, hoc est Antonini, adoptionis iure transisset. 6 Octavo decimo ergo aetatis anno adoptatus in secundo consulatu Antonini, iam patris sui, Hadriano ferente gratia aetatis facta questor est designatus.

4 And when his household attendants asked him why he was passing sadly into royal adoption, he discoursed upon what evils the empire contains in itself. 5 Then for the first time, instead of Annius he began to be called Aurelius, because by the right of adoption he had passed into the Aurelian house (that is, of Antoninus). 6 Therefore, in the 18th year of his age, adopted in the 2nd consulship of Antoninus, now his father, with Hadrian procuring a dispensation on account of age, he was designated quaestor.

7 Adoptatus in aulicam domum omnibus parentibus suis tantam reverentiam, quantam privatus exhibuit. 8 Eratque haut secus rei suae quam in privata domo parcus ac diligens, pro instituto patris volens agere, dicere, cogitare.

7 Adopted into the court household, he paid to all his kin as much reverence as he had displayed when a private man. 8 And he was, in regard to his own affairs, no otherwise than in a private house frugal and diligent, wishing to act, speak, and think according to his father’s institution.

VI. 1 Hadriano Baias absumpto cum Pius ad advehendas eius reliquias esset profectus, relictus Romae avo iusta implevit et gladiatorium quasi privatus quaestor edidit munus. 2 Post excessum Hadriani statim Pius per uxorem suam Marcum sciscitatus est et eum dissolutis sponsalibus, quae cum Lucii Ceionii Commodi - desponderi voluerat impari adhuc aetate, habita deliberatione velle se dixit. 3 His ita gestis adhuc quaestorem et consulem secum Pius Marcum designavit et Caesaris appellatione donavit et sevirum turmis equitum Romanorum iam consulem designatum creavit et edenti cum collegis ludos sevirales adsedit et in Tiberianam domum transgredi iussit et aulico fastigio renite[n]tem ornavit et in collegia sacerdotum iubente senatu recepit.

6. 1 With Hadrian taken away at Baiae, when Pius had set out to convey his remains, left at Rome he fulfilled the just funeral rites for his grandfather and, as though a private quaestor, put on a gladiatorial show. 2 After Hadrian’s departure, Pius at once made inquiry of Marcus through his wife; and he, the sponsals dissolved—which he had wished to be betrothed for with the daughter of Lucius Ceionius Commodus, at an age still unequal—after deliberation said that he was willing. 3 With these things thus done, while still quaestor Pius designated Marcus consul with himself and endowed him with the appellation of Caesar, and made him sevir over the troops of the Roman equites, already designated consul, and as he together with his colleagues was giving the Seviralian games he sat beside him; and he ordered him to pass into the Tiberian house, and, though he resisted, adorned him with aulic eminence, and, the senate ordering it, enrolled him into the colleges of priests.

4 Secundum etiam consulem designavit, cum ipse quartum pariter inierit. 5 Per eadem tempora, cum tantis honoribus occuparetur et cum formandus ad regendum statum rei publicae patris actibus interesset, studia cupidissime frequentavit. 6 Post haec Faustinam duxit uxorem et suscepta filia tribunicia potestate donatus est atque imperio extra urbem proconsulari addito iure quintae relationis.

4 He also designated him consul for a second time, when he himself entered upon it for the fourth at the same time. 5 During the same period, while he was occupied with such great honors and, being formed to rule the commonwealth, took part in his father’s acts, he most eagerly frequented studies. 6 After this he took Faustina as his wife, and, a daughter having been received, he was endowed with tribunician power and with proconsular imperium outside the city, with the right of a fifth relatio (referral) added.

7 Tantum apud Pium valuit, [ut] numquam quemquam sine eo facile promoverit. 8 Erat autem in summis obsequiis patris Marcus, quamvis non deessent, qui aliqua adversum eum insusurrarent, 9 et prae ceteris Valerius Homullus, qui, cum Lucillam matrem Marci in virdiario venerantem simulacrum Apollinis vidisset, insusurravit: "Illa nunc rogat, ut diem tuum claudas, et filius imperet". quod omnino apud Pium nihil valuit: 10 tanta erat Marci probitas et tanta in imperatorio participatu modestia.

7 He had such weight with Pius, [that] he never readily advanced anyone without him. 8 Moreover, Marcus was in the highest obsequies of duty toward his father, although there were not lacking those who would whisper some things against him, 9 and before the rest Valerius Homullus, who, when he had seen Lucilla, the mother of Marcus, in the garden venerating a simulacrum of Apollo, whispered: "She is now asking that you close your day, and that your son rule." which availed nothing at all with Pius: 10 so great was Marcus’s probity and so great his modesty in the imperatorial participation.

VII. 1 Existimationis autem tantam curam habuit, ut et procuratores suos puer semper moneret, ne quid arrogantius facerent, et hereditatis delatas reddens proximis aliquando respuerit. 2 Denique per viginti et tres annos in domo patris ita versatus, ut eius cotidie amor cresceret, nec praeter duas noctes per tot annos ab eo mansit diversis vicibus.

VII. 1 Moreover, he had so great a care for reputation that, even as a boy, he would always warn his procurators not to do anything too arrogantly, and, when inheritances were tendered to him, returning them to the nearest kin, he sometimes spurned them. 2 Finally, for twenty-three years he conducted himself in his father’s house in such a way that his love grew for him daily, and, apart from two nights, through all those years he did not remain away from him on separate occasions.

3 Ob hoc Antoninus Pius, cum sibi adesse finem vitae videret, vocatis amicis et praefectis ut successorem eum imperii omnibus commendavit atque firmavit statimque signo aequanimitatis tribuno dato Fortunam auream, quae in cubiculo solebat esse, ad Marci cubiculum transire iussit. 4 Bonorum maternorum partem Mummio Quadrato, sororis filio, quia illa iam mortua erat, tradidit. 5 Post excessum divi Pii a senatu coactus regimen publicum capere fratrem sibi participem in imperio designavit, quem Lucium Aurelium Verum Commodum appellavit Caesaremque atque Augustum dixit.

3 On account of this, Antoninus Pius, when he saw the end of life was at hand for himself, having called his friends and the prefects, commended him to all as successor of the imperium and confirmed it; and immediately, having given to the tribune the sign “Equanimity,” he ordered the Golden Fortuna, which used to be in the bedchamber, to pass over to Marcus’s bedchamber. 4 He handed over a portion of the maternal estates to Mummius Quadratus, his sister’s son, since she was already dead. 5 After the passing of the deified Pius, compelled by the senate to take up the public governance, he designated his brother as a sharer with himself in the imperium, whom he named Lucius Aurelius Verus Commodus, and he styled him Caesar and Augustus.

6 Atque ex eo pariter coeperunt rem publicam regere. tuncque primum Romanum imperium duos Augustos habere coepit, [cum imperium sibi re]lictum cum alio participasset. Antonini mox ipse nomen recepit.

6 And from that time they began to rule the commonwealth together. And then for the first time the Roman imperium began to have two Augusti, [since he had participated with another in the imperium left to him]. He soon himself received the name of Antoninus.

7 Et quasi pater Lucii Commodi esset, et Verum eum appellavit addito Antonini nomine filiamque suam Lucillam fratri despondit. 8 Ob hanc coniunctionem pueros et puellas novorum nominum frumentariae perceptioni adscribi praeceperunt actis igitur, quae agenda fuerant in senatu, 9 pariter castra praetoria petiverunt et vicena milia nummum singulis ob participatum imperium militibus promiserunt et ceteris pro rata. 10 Hadriani autem sepulcro corpus patris intulerunt magnifico exequiarum officio.

7 And, as though he were the father of Lucius Commodus, he also called him Verus with the name Antoninus added, and he betrothed his own daughter Lucilla to his brother. 8 Because of this conjunction they ordered that boys and girls of the new names be enrolled for receipt of the grain-dole; therefore, the things which had had to be done in the senate having been transacted, 9 together they sought the Praetorian camp and promised 20,000 sesterces apiece to the soldiers for the shared imperium, and to the rest pro rata. 10 Moreover, in Hadrian’s sepulcher they laid their father’s body with a magnificent funeral office.

mox iustitio secuto publici quoque funeris expeditus est ordo. 11 Et laudavere uterque pro rostris patrem flaminemque ei ex adfinibus et sodales ex amicissimis Aurelianos creavere.

soon, with a iustitium following, the order of the public funeral too was set in readiness. 11 And both of them lauded their father before the rostra, and they created for him a flamen from among his affines, and Aurelian sodales from among his most intimate friends.

VIII. 1 Adepti imperium ita civiliter se ambo egerunt, ut lenitatem Pii nemo desideraret, cum eos Marullus, sui temporis mimografus, cavillando inpune perstringeret. 2 Funebre munus patri dederunt.

8. 1 Having attained the imperium, both conducted themselves so civilly that no one missed the lenity of Pius, even though Marullus, a mimographer of his time, was lampooning them by cavilling with impunity. 2 They gave their father a funeral munus.

3 Dabat se Marcus totum et philosophiae, amorem civium adfectans. 4 Sed interpellavit istam felicitatem securitatemque imperatoris prima Tiberis inundatio, quae sub illis gravissima fuit. Quae res et multa urbis aedificia vexavit et plurimum animalium interemit et famem gravissimam peperit.

3 Marcus devoted himself wholly—and to philosophy—courting the love of the citizens. 4 But that felicity and the emperor’s security was interrupted by the first inundation of the Tiber, which under them was the most severe. This event both vexed many of the city’s edifices and destroyed a very great number of animals, and engendered a most grievous famine.

5 Quae omnia mala Marcus et Verus sua cura et praesentia temperarunt. 6 Fuit eo tempore etiam Parthicum bellum, quod Vologessus paratum sub Pio Marci et Veri tempore indixit fugato Atidio Corneliano, qui Syriam tunc administrabat. 7 Imminebat etiam Brittanicum bellum, et Catthi in Germaniam ac Raetiam inruperant.

5 All these evils Marcus and Verus tempered by their own care and presence. 6 At that time there was also a Parthian war, which Vologeses, having prepared under Pius, proclaimed in the time of Marcus and Verus, Atidius Cornelianus—who was then administering Syria—having been put to flight. 7 A Britannic war too was impending, and the Chatti had broken into Germania and Raetia.

8 Et adversus Brittannos quidem Calpurnius Agricola missus est, contra Catthos Aufidius Victorinus. 9 Ad Parthicum vero bellum senatu consentiente Verus frater est missus; ipse Romam remansit, quod res urbanae imperatoris presentiam postularent. 10 Et Verum quidem Marcus Capuam usque prosecutus amicis comitantibus a senatu ornavit additis officiorum omnium principibus.

8. And against the Britons indeed Calpurnius Agricola was sent, against the Chatti Aufidius Victorinus. 9. But for the Parthian war, with the senate consenting, his brother Verus was sent; he himself remained at Rome, because the urban affairs demanded the presence of the emperor. 10. And Marcus, having escorted Verus as far as Capua, with friends accompanying, had him honored by the senate, the chiefs of all the offices being added.

11 Sed cum Romam redisset Marcus cognovissetque Verum apud Canusium aegrotare, ad eum videndum contendit susceptis in senatu votis; quae, posteaquam Romam redit audita Veri transmissione, statim red[d]idit. 12 Et Verus quidem, posteaquam in Syriam venit, in deliciis apud Antiochiam et Daphnen vixit armisque se gladiatoriis et venatibus exercuit, cum per legatos bellum Parthicum gerens imperator appellatus esset, 13 cum Marcus horis omnibus rei publicae actibus incubaret patienterque delicias fratris et prope [non] invitus ac volens ferret. 14 Denique omnia, quae ad bellum erant necessaria, Romae positus et disposuit Marcus et ordinavit.

11 But when Marcus had returned to Rome and had learned that Verus was ailing at Canusium, he hastened to see him, vows having been undertaken in the senate; which, after he returned to Rome on hearing of Verus’s remission, he immediately rendered. 12 And Verus indeed, after he came into Syria, lived in delights at Antioch and at Daphne, and exercised himself with gladiatorial arms and with hunts, while, conducting the Parthian war through legates, he had been appellated imperator, 13 while Marcus was devoting himself at all hours to the acts of the commonwealth and was patiently bearing his brother’s delights, and almost [not] unwilling and willing. 14 Finally, everything that was necessary for the war, stationed at Rome Marcus both disposed and ordained.

IX. 1 Gestae sunt res in Armenia prospere per Statium Priscum Artaxatis captis, delatumque Armeniacum nomen utrique principum. quod Marcus per verecundiam primo recusavit, postea tamen recepit. 2 Profligato autem bello uterque Parthicus appellatus est.

9. 1 The affairs were carried out in Armenia prosperously by Statius Priscus, with Artaxata captured, and the name Armeniacus was conferred upon both of the princes. which Marcus, out of modesty, at first refused, later, however, accepted. 2 With the war brought to an end, moreover, each was styled Parthicus.

Sed [id] quoque Marcus delatum nomen repudiavit, quod postea recepit. 3 Patris patriae autem nomen delatum (a) fratre absente in eiusdem praesentiam distulit. 4 Medio belli tempore et Civicam, patruum Veri, et filiam suam nupturam commissam sorori suae eandemque locupletatam Brundisium usque deduxit, ad eum misit Romamque statim rediit, 5 revocatus eorum sermonibus, qui dicebant Marcum velle finiti belli gloriam sibimet vindicare atque idcirco in Syriam proficisci.

But Marcus also repudiated the name that had been conferred [it], which he later accepted. 3 However, the name father of the fatherland, conferred (a) while his brother was absent, he deferred until that same man’s presence. 4 In the midst of the war he escorted both Civica, the paternal uncle of Verus, and his own daughter—about to be wed, entrusted to his sister, and likewise endowed—as far as Brundisium, sent her on to him, and at once returned to Rome, 5 having been called back by the talk of those who were saying that Marcus wished to vindicate to himself the glory of the finished war and therefore was setting out for Syria.

6 Ad proconsules scribsit, ne quis filiae suae iter facienti occurreret. 7 Inter haec liberales causas ita munivit, ut primus iuberet apud praefectos aerarii Saturni unumquemque civium natos liberos profiteri intra tricensimum diem nomine imposito. 8 Per provincias tabulariorum publicorum usum instituit, apud quos idem de originibus fieret, quod Romae apud praefectos aerarii, ut, si forte aliquis in provincia natus causam liberalem diceret, testationes inde ferret.

6 He wrote to the proconsuls that no one should go to meet his daughter as she made her journey. 7 Amid these things he so fortified liberal causes that, as the first, he ordered that before the prefects of the treasury of Saturn each citizen should profess freeborn children within the thirtieth day after a name had been imposed. 8 Through the provinces he instituted the use of public tabularia (record-offices), with whom the same about births should be done as at Rome with the prefects of the treasury, so that, if by chance someone born in a province should plead a liberal cause (a case about free status), he might carry attestations from there.

9 Atque hanc totam legem de adsertionibus firmavit aliasque de mensariis et auctionibus tulit.

9 And he confirmed this entire law concerning adsertions, and he brought forward others concerning mensarii (money‑changers) and auctions.

X. 1 Senatum multis cognitionibus et maxime ad se pertinentibus iudicem dedit. de statu etiam defunctorum intra quinquennium quaeri iussit. 2 Neque quisquam principum amplius senatui detulit.

10. 1 He gave the senate as judge in many investigations, and most of all in those pertaining to himself. He also ordered that inquiry be made about the status even of the deceased within five years. 2 Nor did any one of the emperors defer more to the senate.

in senatus autem honorificentiam multis praetoriis et consularibus privatis decidenda negotia delegavit, quo magis eorum cum exercitio iuris auctoritas cresceret. 3 Multos ex amicis in senatum adlegit cum aediliciis aut praetoriis dignitatibus. 4 Multis pauperibus sine crimine senatoribus dignitates tribunicias aediliciasque concessit.

in honor of the senate, moreover, he delegated to many praetorian and consular private individuals the business to be decided, in order that their authority might grow with the exercise of law. 3 He adlected many from among his friends into the senate with aedilician or praetorian dignities. 4 To many poor but blameless senators he granted tribunician and aedilician dignities.

5 Nec quemquum in ordinem legit, nisi quem ipse bene scisset. 6 Hoc quoque senatoribus detulit, ut, quotiens de quorum capite esset iudicandum, secreto pertractaret atque ita in publicum proderet nec pateretur (a)equites Romanos talibus interesse causis. 7 Semper autem, cum potuit, interfuit senatui, etiamsi nihil esset referendum, si Romae fuit; si vero aliquid referre voluit, etiam de Campania ipse venit.

5 And he enrolled no one into the order, except one whom he himself knew well. 6 He also deferred this to the senators: that, whenever there was to be judgment in a capital matter, he should handle it in secret and thus bring it forth into the public, nor did he allow (Roman equestrians) to take part in such cases. 7 And always, whenever he could, he attended the senate, even if there was nothing to be referred, if he was at Rome; but if he wished to refer anything, he himself came even from Campania.

8 Comitiis praeterea etiam usque ad noctem frequenter interfuit neque umquam recessit de curia, nisi consul dixisset : "Nihil vos moramur, p. c." 9 Senatum appellationibus a consule factis iudicem dedit. 10 Iudicariae rei singularem diligentiam adhibuit. Fastis dies iudiciarios addidit, ita ut ducentos triginta dies annuos rebus agendis litibusque disceptandis constitueret.

8 He furthermore frequently took part in the assemblies even up to night, nor did he ever withdraw from the Curia, unless the consul had said: "We do not delay you, conscript fathers." 9 He appointed the senate, upon appeals made by the consul, as judge. 10 He applied singular diligence to judicial business. He added judicial days to the Fasti, such that he established 230 days yearly for conducting business and for adjudicating lawsuits.

11 Praetorem tutelarem primus fecit, cum ante tutores a consulibus poscerentur, ut diligentius de tutoribus tractaretur. 12 De curatoribus vero, cum ante non nisi ex lege Laetoria vel propter lasciviam vel propter dementiam darentur, ita statuit, ut omnes adulti curatores acciperent non redditis causis.

11 He was the first to establish a tutelary praetor, whereas previously guardians were requested from the consuls, in order that matters concerning guardians might be handled more diligently. 12 As for curators, since before they were given only by the Lex Laetoria or on account of profligacy or insanity, he decreed thus: that all adults should receive curators, without causes being stated.

XI. 1 Cavit et sumptibus publicis et calumniis quadruplatorum intercessit adposita falsis delatoribus nota. 2 Delationes, quibus fiscus augeretur, contempsit. De alimentis publicis multa prudentur invenit.

11. 1 He took care also for public expenditures and intervened against the calumnies of the quadruplators, a mark of infamy being affixed to false informers. 2 He despised denunciations by which the fisc would be augmented. Concerning public alimentary support he devised many prudent measures.

curatores multis civitatibus, quo latius senatorias tenderet dignitates, a senatu dedit. 3 Italicis civitatibus famis tempore frumentum ex urbe donavit omnique frumentariae rei consuluit. 4 Gladiatoria spectacula omnifariam temperavit.

He appointed curators to many communities, in order that senatorial dignities might extend more widely, by decree of the senate. 3 To the Italian communities, in a time of famine, he donated grain from the city and took thought for every matter of the frumentary business. 4 He tempered the gladiatorial spectacles in every respect.

temperavit etiam scaenicas donationes iubens, ut quinos aureos scaenici acciperent, ita tamen ut nullus editor decem aureos egrederetur. 5 Vias etiam urbis atque itinerum diligentissime curavit. Rei frumentariae graviter providit.

He also tempered the scenic donations, ordering that the scenic performers receive five aurei, yet in such a way that no editor should exceed ten aurei. 5 He also cared most diligently for the streets of the city and for the roads. He made serious provision for the grain-supply.

6 Datis iuridicis Italiae consuluit ad id exemplum, quo Hadrianus consulares viros reddere iura praeceperat 7 Hispanis exhaustis Italica allectione contra ... Traianique praecepta verecunde consuluit. 8 Leges etiam addidit de vicensima hereditatum, de tutelis libertorum, de bonis maternis et item de filiorum successionibus pro parte materna, utqu(a)e senatores peregrini quartam partem in Italia possiderent. 9 Dedit praeterea curatoribus regionum ac viarum potestatem, ut vel punirent vel ad praefectum urbi puniendos remitterent eos, qui ultra vectigalia quicquam ab aliquo exegissent.

6 By appointing juridici he took thought for Italy, on that model by which Hadrian had ordered consular men to render judgments. 7 For the Spaniards, exhausted by the Italian allection, against ... and the precepts of Trajan, he provided with due modesty. 8 He also added laws concerning the vicensima (one‑twentieth) of inheritances, concerning the tutelages of freedmen, concerning maternal goods and likewise concerning the successions of sons for the maternal share, and that senators who were foreigners might possess a fourth part in Italy. 9 He further gave to the curators of regions and of roads the power either to punish or to remit to the prefect of the city for punishment those who had exacted anything beyond the taxes from anyone.

10 Ius autem magis vetus restituit quam novum fecit. habuit secum praefectos, quorum et auctoritate et periculo semper iura dictavit. usus autem est Scaevola praecipue iuris perito.

10 However, he restored the more ancient law rather than made new law. He had with him prefects, by whose authority and at whose peril he always gave judgments. Moreover, he made use especially of Scaevola, an expert in law.

XII. 1 Cum populo autem non aliter egit, quam est actum sub civitate libera. 2 Fuitque per omnia moderantissimus in hominibus deterrendis a malo, invitandis ad bona, remunerandis copia, indulgentia liberandis fecitque ex malis bonos, ex bonis optimos, moderate etiam cavillationes nonnullorum ferens.

CHAPTER 12. 1 With the people, however, he dealt no otherwise than it was done under a free commonwealth. 2 And he was in all respects most moderate in deterring men from evil, inviting them to good things, remunerating with abundance, freeing by indulgence, and he made out of bad men good, out of good the best, even bearing with moderation the cavillations of some.

3 Nam cum quendam Vetrasinum famae detestandae honorem petentem moneret, ut se ab opinionibus populi vindicaret, et ille contra respondisset multos, qui secum in harena pugnassent, se praetores videre, patienter tulit. 4 Ac ne in quenquam facile vindicaret, praetorem, qui quaedam pessime egerat, non abdicare se praetura iussit, sed collegae iuris dictionem mandavit. 5 Fisco in causis conpendii numquam iudicans favit.

3 For when he was advising a certain Vetrasinus, a man of detestable reputation, who was seeking an honor, to vindicate himself from the opinions of the people, and the latter in reply had said that he saw many who had fought with him in the arena as praetors, he bore it patiently. 4 And, that he might not easily exact vengeance upon anyone, he did not order a praetor who had conducted certain matters very badly to abdicate the praetorship, but assigned the jurisdiction to the colleague. 5 He never, when judging, favored the fisc in cases of pecuniary advantage.

6 Sane, quamvis esset constans, erat etiam verecundus. 7 Posteaquam autem e Syria victor rediit frater, patris patriae nomen ambobus decretum est, cum se Marcus absente Vero erga omnes senatores atque homines moderatissime gessisset. 8 Corona praeterea civica oblata est ambobus; petitque Lucius, ut secum Marcus triumpharet.

6 Indeed, although he was constant, he was also modest. 7 Afterwards, however, when the brother returned victorious from Syria, the title Father of the Fatherland was decreed to both, since Marcus, with Verus absent, had conducted himself most moderately toward all the senators and men. 8 Moreover, the civic crown was offered to both; and Lucius requested that Marcus triumph with him.

petit praetera Lucius, ut filii Marci Caesares appellarentur. 9 Sed Marcus tanta fuit moderatione, ut cum simul triumphasset, tamen post mortem Lucii tantum Germanicum se vocaret, quod sibi bello proprio pepererat. 10 In triumpho autem liberos Marci utriusque sexus secum vexerunt, ita tamen ut et puellas virgines veherent.

Lucius furthermore petitions that the sons of Marcus be called Caesars. 9 But Marcus was of such moderation that, although he had triumphed together, yet after the death of Lucius he called himself only “Germanicus,” which he had won for himself by his own war. 10 In the triumph, moreover, they carried with them Marcus’s children of both sexes, yet in such a way that they also bore the girls as virgins.

11 Ludos etiam ob triumphum decretos spectaverunt habitu triumphali. 12 Inter cetera pietatis eius haec quoque moderatio praedicanda est: funambulis post puerorum lapsum culcitas subici iussit. Unde hodieque rete praetenditur.

11 They also watched the games decreed on account of the triumph in triumphal attire. 12 Among the other features of his piety, this moderation too is to be proclaimed: after the fall of some boys, he ordered mattresses to be placed beneath the funambulists. Whence even today a net is stretched out.

13 Dum Parthicum bellum geritur, natum est Marcomannicum, quod diu eorum, qui aderant, arte suspensum est, ut finito iam orientali bello Marcomannicum agi posset. 14 Et cum famis tempore populo insinuasset de bello, fratre post quinquennium reverso in senatu egit, ambos necessarios dicens bello Germanico imperatores.

13 While the Parthian war was being waged, the Marcomannic arose, which for a long time was kept in suspense by the skill of those who were present, so that, with the eastern war now finished, the Marcomannic might be prosecuted. 14 And when, at a time of famine, he had insinuated to the people about the war, with his brother having returned after five years he conducted business in the senate, declaring both emperors necessary for the Germanic war.

XIII. 1 Tantus autem timor belli Marcomannici fuit, ut undique sacerdotes Antoninus acciverit, peregrinos ritus impleverit, Romam omni genere lustraverit; 2 retardatusque bellica profectione sic celebravit et Romano ritu lectisternia per septem dies. 3 Tanta autem pestilentia fuit, ut vehiculis cadavera sint exportata serracisque.

13. 1 But so great was the fear of the Marcomannic war that Antoninus called in priests from all quarters, fulfilled foreign rites, and lustrated Rome by every kind; 2 and, his warlike departure having been delayed, he thus celebrated lectisternia also in the Roman rite for seven days. 3 And so great was the pestilence that cadavers were carried out by vehicles and by serracae.

4 Tunc autem Antonini leges sepeliendi sepulchrorumque asperrimas sanxerunt, quando quidem caverunt, ne quis [ubi] vellet fabricaretur sepulchrum. quod hodieque servatur. 5 Et multa quidem milia pestilentia consumpsit multosque ex proceribus, quorum amplissimis Antoninus statuas conlocavit.

4 Then, moreover, the laws of Antoninus enacted the harshest regulations concerning burial and tombs, since indeed they provided that no one should construct a tomb wherever he wished; which even today is observed. 5 And indeed the pestilence consumed many thousands and many from among the nobles, for the most distinguished of whom Antoninus set up statues.

6 Tantaque clementia fuit, ut et sumptu publico vulgaria funera iuberet (et) ecferri et vano cuidam, qui diripiendae urbis occasionem cum quibusdam consciis requirens de caprifici arbore in campo Martio contionabundus ignem de caelo lapsurum finemque mundi affore diceret, si ipse lapsus ex arbore in ciconiam verteretur, cum statuto tempore decidisset atque ex sinu ciconiam emisisset, perducto ad se atque confesso veniam daret.

6 And so great was his clemency that he ordered even common funerals to be carried out at public expense (and) to be borne out, and that to a certain vain fellow, who, seeking with certain accomplices an occasion for the city to be plundered, haranguing from a wild-fig tree in the Campus Martius, said that fire would slip from the sky and that the end of the world would be at hand, if he himself, having fallen from the tree, were to be turned into a stork, when at the appointed time he had fallen and had sent forth a stork from his breast, after he had been brought to him and had confessed, he granted pardon.

XIV. 1 Profecti tamen sunt paludati ambo imperatores et Victualis et Marcomannis cuncta turbantibus, aliis etiam gentibus, quae pulsae a superioribus barbaris fugerant, nisi reciperentur, bellum inferentibus. 2 Nec parum profuit ista profectio, cum Aquileiam usque venissent.

14. 1 Nevertheless both emperors set out in their paludamenta, with the Victuali and the Marcomanni throwing everything into turmoil, and other nations as well, who, driven by the barbarians higher up, had fled, bringing war unless they were received. 2 Nor was that march of little benefit, when they had come as far as Aquileia.

Nam plerique reges et cum populis suis se retraxerunt et tumultus auctores interemerunt. 3 Quadi autem amisso rege suo non prius se confirmaturos eum, qui erat creatus, dicebant, quam id nostris placuisset imperatoribus. 4 Lucius tamen invitus profectus est, cum plerique ad legatos imperatorum mitterent defectionis veniam postulantes.

For many kings both withdrew with their peoples and put to death the authors of the tumults. 3 The Quadi, however, having lost their king, said that they would not confirm him who had been created before this had pleased our emperors. 4 Lucius, however, set out unwillingly, while many were sending to the emperors’ legates, requesting pardon for defection.

5 Et Lucius quidem, quod amissus esset praef. praetorio Furius Victorinus, atque pars exercitus interisset, redeundum esse) censebat; Marcus autem fingere barbaros aestimans et fugam et cetera, quae securitatem bellicam ostenderent, ob hoc ne tanti apparatus mole premerentur, instandum esse ducebat. 6 Denique transcensis Alpibus longius processerunt composueruntque omnia, quae ad munimen Italiae atque Illyrici pertinebant.

5 And Lucius indeed, because the praetorian prefect Furius Victorinus had been lost, and a part of the army had perished, judged that there must be a return) ; but Marcus, estimating that the barbarians were feigning both the flight and the other things which would exhibit war-security, for this reason—that they might not be pressed by the mass of so great an apparatus—held that one must press on. 6 Finally, the Alps having been crossed, they advanced farther and composed all things which pertained to the muniment of Italy and of Illyricum.

7 Placuit autem urgente Lucio, ut praemissis ad senatum litteris Lucius Romam rediret. 8 Biduoque, postquam iter ingressi sunt, sedens cum fratre in vehiculo Lucius apoplexi arreptus perit.

7 It was decided, however, with Lucius urging, that, letters having been sent ahead to the Senate, Lucius should return to Rome. 8 And on the second day after they had begun the journey, as he was sitting with his brother in the carriage, Lucius, seized by apoplexy, perished.

XV. 1 Fuit autem consuetudo Marco, ut in circensium spectaculo legeret audiretque ac suscriberet. ex quo quidem saepe iocis popularibus dicitur lacessitus. 2 Multum sane potuerunt liberti sub Marco et Vero Geminus et Agaclytus.

15. 1 It was, however, Marcus’s custom that at the circus spectacle he would read, listen, and subscribe; from which indeed he is said to have been often provoked by popular jests. 2 Indeed, the freedmen under Marcus and Verus—Geminus and Agaclytus—wielded much power.

3 Tantae autem sanctitatis fuit Marcus, ut Veri vitia et celaverit et defenderit, cum ei vehementissime displicerent, mortuumque eum divum appellaverit amitasque eius et sorores honoribus et salariis decretis sublevaverit atque provexerit sacrisque eum plurimis honoraverit. 4 Flaminem et Antoninianos sodales et omnes honores, qui divis habentur, eidem dedicavit. 5 Nemo est principum, quem non gravis fama perstringat, usque adeo ut etiam Marcus in sermonem venerit, quod Verum vel veneno ita tulerit, ut parte cultri veneno lita vulvam inciderit venenatam partem fratri edendam propinans et sibi innoxiam reservans, 6 vel certe per medicum Posidippum, qui ei sanguinem intempestive dicitur emisisse.

3 Marcus was of such sanctity that he both concealed and defended Verus’s vices, although they were most vehemently displeasing to him, and he called him divine after his death, and he helped and advanced his paternal aunts (amitae) and sisters with honors and decreed salaries, and honored him with very many sacred rites. 4 He dedicated to the same man a Flamen and Antoninian sodales and all the honors that are held for the divi. 5 There is no emperor whom serious rumor does not lash, to such a degree that even Marcus has come into gossip: that he removed Verus either by poison in this way, that with part of a knife smeared with poison he cut up a womb, proffering the poisoned part for his brother to eat and reserving the harmless part for himself, 6 or else through the physician Posidippus, who is said to have let blood from him at an untimely moment.

Cassius post mortem Veri a Marco descivit.

Cassius, after the death of Verus, defected from Marcus.

XVI. 1 Iam in suos tanta fuit benignitate Marcus, ut cum in omnes propin quos cuncta honorum ornamenta contulerit, tum in filium et Commodum quidem - scelestum atque inpurum - cito nomen Caesaris et mox sacerdotium statimque nomen imperatoris ac triumphi participationem et consulatum. 2 Quo quidem tempore sine - imperator filio ad triumphalem currum in circo pedes cucurrit.

16. 1 Already toward his own Marcus was of such kindness, that while upon all his relatives he had conferred every ornament of honors, so upon his son, and upon Commodus indeed - wicked and impure - quickly the name of Caesar, and soon the priesthood, and immediately the name of imperator and a sharing in the triumph and the consulship. 2 At which time - with his son as imperator - he ran on foot beside the triumphal chariot in the circus.

3 Post Veri obitum Marcus Antoninus solus rem publicam tenuit, 4 multo melior et feracior ad virtutes, quippe qui nullis Veri iam impediretur aut simulatis callidae severitatis, qua ille ingenito vitio laborabat, erroribus aut his, quae praecipue displicebant Marco Antonino iam inde a primo aetatis suae tempore, vel institutis mentis pravae vel moribus. 5 Erat enim ipse tantae tranquillitatis, ut vultum numquam mutaverit maerore vel gaudio, philosophiae deditus stoicae, quam et per optimos quosque magistros acceperat et undique ipse collegerat. 6 Nam et Hadrianus hunc eundem successorem paraverat, nisi ei aetas puerilis obstitisset.

3 After the death of Verus, Marcus Antoninus held the commonwealth alone, 4 much better and more fruitful for virtues, since he was now hindered by none of Verus’s errors or by the errors of a simulated cunning severity, with which that man labored by an inborn defect, nor by those things which especially displeased Marcus Antoninus from the very beginning of his age, whether the institutes of a perverse mind or the morals. 5 For he himself was of such tranquility that he never altered his countenance by grief or by joy, devoted to Stoic philosophy, which he had both received through the best of teachers and had himself gathered from every side. 6 For even Hadrian had prepared this same man as successor, had not a boyish age stood in his way.

7 Quod quidem apparet ex eo, quod generum Pio hunc eundem delegit, ut ad eum, dignum utpote virum, quandocumque Romanum perveniret imperium.

7 Which indeed is apparent from this: that he designated this same man as a son‑in‑law to Pius, so that to him, a worthy man as indeed he was, the Roman empire, whenever it should come, might come.

XVII. 1 Ergo provincias post haec ingenti moderatione ac benignitate tractavit. contra Germanos res feliciter gessit.

17. 1 Therefore after these things he handled the provinces with immense moderation and benignity. against the Germans he conducted affairs successfully.

2 Speciale ipse bellum Marcomannicum, sed quantum nulla umquam memoria fuit, cum virtute tum etiam felicitate transegit, et eo quidem tempore, quo pestilentia gravis multa milia et popularium et militum interemerat. 3 Pannonias ergo Marcomannis, Sarmatis, V(u)andalis, simul etiam Quadis extinctis servitio liberavit et Romae cum Commodo, quem iam Caesarem fecerat, filio, ut diximus, suo, triumphavit. 4 Cum autem ad hoc bellum omne aerarium exhausisset suum neque in animum induceret, ut extra ordinem provincialibus aliquid imperaret, in foro divi Traiani auctionem ornamentorum imperialium fecit vendiditque aurea pocula et cristallina et murrina, vasa etiam regia et vestem uxoriam sericam et auratam, gemmas quin etiam, quas multas in repostorio sanctiore Hadriani reppererat.

2 He himself carried through the special Marcomannic war, and to a degree such as there had never been any record, both by valor and also by good fortune—and at that very time when a grievous pestilence had slain many thousands both of the populace and of the soldiers. 3 Therefore he freed the Pannonias from servitude, the Marcomanni, the Sarmatians, the Vandals, and likewise also the Quadi having been crushed, and at Rome he celebrated a triumph with Commodus—his son, as we have said—whom he had already made Caesar. 4 But when for this war he had exhausted all his treasury and could not bring himself to impose anything out of the ordinary upon the provincials, in the Forum of the deified Trajan he held an auction of the imperial ornaments and sold golden cups and crystalline and murrhine vessels, royal vessels too, and his wife’s silken and gilded clothing, nay even gems—many of which he had found in Hadrian’s more sacred repository.

5 Et per duos quidem menses haec venditio celebrata est, tantumque auri redactum, ut reliquias belli Marcomannici ex sententia persecutus postea dederit potestatem emptoribus, ut, si qui vellet empta reddere atque aurum recipere, sciret licere. Nec molestus ulli fuit qui vel non reddidit empta vel reddidit. 6 Tunc viris clarioribus permisit, ut eodem cultu quo et ipse vel ministris similibus convivia exhiberent.

5 And for two months indeed this vendition was celebrated, and so much gold was realized that, having prosecuted the remnants of the Marcomannic war to his satisfaction, afterwards he gave the buyers the power that, if anyone wished to return the things bought and receive the gold, he should know it was permitted. Nor was he troublesome to anyone whether he did not return the purchases or did return them. 6 Then he allowed the more illustrious men to put on banquets with the same adornment as he himself, even with similar attendants.

7 In munere autem publico tam magnanimus fuit, ut centum leones una missione simul exhiberet (et) sagittis interfectos.

7 In the public spectacle, moreover, he was so magnanimous that he exhibited one hundred lions in a single release at the same time, (and) had them slain by arrows.

XVIII. 1 Cum igitur in amore omnium imperasset atque ab aliis modo frater, modo pater, modo filius, ut cuiusque aetas sinebat, et diceretur et amaretur, octavo decimo anno imperii sui, sexagesimo et primo vitae, diem ultimum clausit. 2 Tantusque illius amor adeo die regii funeris claruit, ut nemo illum plangendum censuerit, certis omnibus, quod ab diis commodatus ad deos redisset.

18. 1 Since therefore he had ruled in the love of all, and by some was called now brother, now father, now son, as each one’s age permitted, and was both called and loved, in the eighteenth year of his rule, the sixty-first of his life, he closed his last day. 2 And so great was the love for him, and it so shone forth on the day of the royal funeral, that no one judged him to be lamented, all being certain that, lent by the gods, he had returned to the gods.

3 Denique, priusquam funus conderetur, ut plerique dicunt, quod numquam antea factum fuerat neque postea, senatus populusque non divisis locis sed in una sede propitium deum dixit. 4 Hic sane vir tantus et talis ac diis vita et morte coniunctus filium Commodum dereliquit: qui si felix fuisset, filium non reliquisset. 5 Et parum sane fuit, quod illi honores divinos omnis aetas, omnis sexus, omnis conditio ac dignitas dedit, nisi quod etiam sacrilegus iudicatus est, qui eius imaginem in sua domo non habuit, qui per fortunam vel potuit habere vel debuit.

3 Finally, before the funeral was interred, as most say—something which had never before been done nor afterwards—the senate and the people, not in divided places but in one sitting, declared him a propitious god. 4 This truly a man so great and such, and conjoined with the gods in life and in death, left as son Commodus: who, if he had been fortunate, would not have left a son. 5 And it was indeed too little that every age, every sex, every condition and dignity bestowed upon him divine honors, unless also he was judged sacrilegious who did not have his image in his own house, if by fortune he either could have had it or ought to have had it.

6 Denique hodieque in multis domibus Marci Antonini statuae consistunt inter deos penates. 7 Nec defuerunt homines qui somniis eum multa praedixisse augurantes futura et vera concinuerunt. 8 Unde etiam templum ei constitutum, dati sacerdotes Antoniniani et sodales et flamines et omnia, quae de sacratis decrevit antiquitas.

6 Finally, even today in many houses statues of Marcus Antoninus stand among the household gods (Penates). 7 Nor were there lacking men who, interpreting dreams, proclaimed in concert that he had foretold many things, future and true. 8 Whence also a temple was established for him, Antoninian priests and sodales and flamines were appointed, and everything which antiquity decreed concerning the deified.

XIX. 1 Aiunt quidam, quod et verisimile videtur, Commodum Antoninum, successorem illius ac filium, non esse de eo natum sed de adulterio, ac talem fabellam vulgari sermone contexunt. 2 Faustinam quondam, Pii filiam, Marci uxorem, cum gladiatores transire vidisset, unius ex his amore succensam, cum longa aegritudine laboraret, viro de amore confessam.

19. 1 Some say, which also seems verisimilar, that Commodus Antoninus, his successor and son, was not born from him but from adultery, and they weave such a little fable in vulgar speech. 2 Faustina once, the daughter of Pius, the wife of Marcus, when she had seen gladiators pass by, inflamed with love for one of them, while she was laboring with a long sickness, confessed to her husband about the love.

3 Quod cum ad Chaldaeos Marcus rettulisset, illorum fuisse consilium, ut occiso gladiatore sanguine illius sese Faustina sublavaret atque ita cum viro concumberet. 4 Quod cum esset factum, solutum quidem amorem, natum vero Commodum gladiatorem esse, non principem, 5 qui mille prope pugnas publice populo inspectante gladiatorias imperator exhibuit, ut in vita eius docebitur. 6 Quod quidem verisimile ex eo habetur, quod tam sancti principis filius his moribus fuit, quibus nullus lanista, nullus scaenicus, nullus arenarius, nullus postremo ex omnium decorum ac scelerum conluvione concretus.

3 When Marcus referred this to the Chaldaeans, their counsel was that, the gladiator having been slain, Faustina should bathe herself with his blood and thus lie with her husband. 4 When this had been done, the passion was indeed dissolved; but the one born, Commodus, was a gladiator, not a princeps, 5 who, as emperor, exhibited nearly a thousand gladiatorial fights publicly, with the people looking on, as will be shown in his life. 6 This is held to be plausible from the fact that the son of so holy a prince was of such morals as no lanista, no stage-actor, no man of the arena—finally, no one compacted from the confluence of all disgraces and crimes—[ever had].

7 Multi autem ferunt Commodum omnino ex adultero natum, si quidem Faustinam satis constet apud Caietam condiciones sibi et nauticas et gladiatorias elegisse. 8 De qua cum diceretur Antonino Marco, ut eam repudiaret, si non occideret, dixisse fertur : "Si uxorem dimittimus, reddamus et dotem." 9 Dos autem quid habebatur [nisi] imperium, quod ille ab socero volente Hadriano adoptatus acceperat? 10 Tantum sane valet boni principis vita, sanctitas, tranquillitas, pietas, ut eius famam nullius proximi decoloret invidia.

7 Many, moreover, report that Commodus was altogether born from an adulterer, since indeed it is well established that at Caieta Faustina chose for herself both nautical and gladiatorial liaisons. 8 And when it was being said to Marcus Antoninus about her, that he should repudiate her, if he did not kill her, he is said to have remarked: "If we dismiss the wife, let us also return the dowry." 9 But what was held to be the dowry [unless] the imperium, which he had received, adopted by his father-in-law, with Hadrian willing? 10 So greatly, to be sure, do the life, sanctity, tranquillity, and piety of a good prince avail, that the envy of no kinsman tarnishes his reputation.

11 Denique Antonino, cum suos mores semper teneret neque alicuius insusurratione mutaretur, non obfuit gladiator filius, uxor infamis : 12 deusque etiam nunc habetur, ut vobis ipsis, sacratissime imperator Diocletiane, et semper visum est et videtur, qui eum inter numina vestra non ut ceteros sed specialiter veneramini ac saepe dicitis vos vita et clementia tales esse cupere, qualis fuit Marcus, etiamsi philosophia nec Plato esse possit, si revertatur in vitam. Et quidem haec breviter et congeste.

11 Finally, for Antoninus, since he always held to his own manners and was not altered by anyone’s whispering insinuation, neither a gladiator son nor an infamous wife was a hindrance: 12 and he is even now held as a god, as it has seemed and seems to you yourselves, most sacrosanct Emperor Diocletian, you who venerate him among your divinities not as the others but specially, and often say that you desire to be such in life and clemency as Marcus was, even if in philosophy not even Plato could be, were he to return to life. And indeed these things briefly and in compressed fashion.

XX. 1 Sed Marco Antonino haec sunt gesta post fratrem: primum corpus eius Romam devectum est et inlatum maiorum sepulchris. Divini ei honores decreti. 2 Dein cum gratias ageret senatui, quod fratrem consecrasset, occulte ostendit omnia bellica consilia sua fuisse, quibus superati sunt Parthi.

20. 1 But by Marcus Antoninus these things were done after his brother: first, his body was conveyed to Rome and brought into the sepulchres of the ancestors. Divine honors were decreed to him. 2 Then, when he was giving thanks to the senate, because it had consecrated his brother, he covertly indicated that all the bellicose counsels had been his, by which the Parthians were overcome.

3 Addidit praeterea quaedam, quibus ostendit nunc demum se quasi a principio acturum esse rem publicam amoto eo, qui remissior videbatur. 4 Nec aliter senatus accepit, quam Marcus dixerat, ut videretur gratias agere, quod Verus excessisset vita. 5 Omnibus deinde sororibus et adfinibus et libertis iuris et honoris et pecuniae plurimum detulit.

3 He added, moreover, certain things, by which he showed that now at last he would conduct the commonwealth as if from the beginning, with that man removed who seemed more remiss. 4 Nor did the senate receive it otherwise than Marcus had said, so that he seemed to be giving thanks because Verus had departed from life. 5 Then to all his sisters and relations by marriage and to his freedmen he bestowed very much of right, of honor, and of money.

erat enim famae suae curiosissimus, requirens ad verum, quid quisque de se diceret, emendans quae bene reprehensa viderentur. 6 Proficiscens ad bellum Germanicum filiam suam non decurso luctus tempore grandaevo equitis Romani filio Claudio Pompeiano dedit genere Antiochensi nec satis nobili (quem postea bis consulem fecit), cum filia eius Augusta esset et Augustae filia. 7 Sed has nuptias et Faustina et ipsa, quae dabatur, invitae habuerunt.

for he was most curious about his own fame, inquiring in pursuit of the truth what each person said about himself, emending what seemed rightly reprehended. 6 Setting out to the Germanic war, before the time of mourning had run its course, he gave his daughter to Claudius Pompeianus, an elderly man, the son of a Roman knight, of Antiochene lineage and not sufficiently noble (whom afterward he made consul twice), although his daughter was an Augusta and the daughter of an Augusta. 7 But both Faustina and she herself who was being given went through these nuptials unwilling.

XXI. 1 Cum Mauri Hispanias prope omnes vastarent, res per legatos bene gestae sunt. 2 Et cum per Aegyptum Bucolici(s) milites gravia multa fecissent, per Avidium Cassium retunsi sunt, qui postea tyrannidem arripuit.

21. 1 While the Moors were devastating nearly all the Spains, matters were well conducted by the legates. 2 And when throughout Egypt the Bucolic soldiers had committed many grievous acts, they were checked by Avidius Cassius, who afterwards seized tyranny.

3 Sub ipsis profectionis diebus in secessu Praenestino agens filium, nomine Verum Caesarem, execto sub aure tubere septennem amisit. 4 Quem non plus quinque diebus luxit consolatusque etiam medicos [se] actibus publicis reddidit. 5 Et quia ludi Iovis Optimi Maximi erant, interpellari eos publico luctu noluit iussitque, ut statuae tantum modo filio mortuo decernerentur, et imago aurea circensibus per pompam ferenda, et ut saliari carmini nomen eius insereretur.

3 During the very days of departure, residing in the Praenestine retreat, he lost his seven-year-old son, named Verus Caesar, with the swelling under the ear excised. 4 Him he mourned no more than five days, and, having consoled even the doctors, he returned [himself] to public acts. 5 And because the games of Jupiter Best and Greatest were underway, he did not wish them to be interrupted by public mourning, and he ordered that only statues be decreed for his dead son, and a golden image to be borne in procession at the circus-games, and that his name be inserted into the Salian chant.

6 Instante sane adhuc pestilentia et deorum cultum diligentissime restituit et servos, quem ad modum bello Punico factum fuerat, ad militiam paravit, quos voluntarios exemplo volonum appellavit. 7 Armavit etiam gladiatores, quos obsequentes appellavit. Latrones etiam Dalmatiae atque Dardaniae milites fecit.

6 With the pestilence still pressing, indeed he also restored the worship of the gods most diligently, and he prepared slaves for military service, just as had been done in the Punic War, whom he called volunteers after the example of the volones. 7 He also armed gladiators, whom he called “obsequents.” He even made the brigands of Dalmatia and Dardania into soldiers.

Armavit et diogmitas. emit et Germanorum auxilia contra Germanos. 8 Omni praaeterea diligentia paravit legiones ad Germanicum et Marcomannicum bellum.

He armed also the diogmites. He also bought German auxiliaries against the Germans. 8 Besides, with every diligence he prepared the legions for the Germanic and Marcomannic war.

9 Et, ne provincialibus esset molestus, auctionem rerum aulicarum, ut diximus, fecit in foro divi Traiani, in qua praeter vestes et pocula et vasa aurea etiam signa cum tabulis magnorum artificum vendidit. 10 Marcomannos in ipso transitu Danuvii delevit et praedam provincialibus reddidit.

9 And, lest he be troublesome to the provincials, he held, as we have said, an auction of palace goods in the Forum of the deified Trajan, in which, besides garments and cups and golden vessels, he even sold statues with panels/paintings of great artists. 10 He destroyed the Marcomanni in the very crossing of the Danube and returned the booty to the provincials.

XXII. 1 Gentes omnes ab Illyrici limite usque in Galliam conspiraverant, ut Marcomanni, Varistae, Hermunduri et Quadi, Suevi, Sarmatae, Lacringes et Burei + hi aliique cum Victualis, Sosibes, Sicobotes Roxolani, Basternae, Halani, Peucini, Costoboci. Inminebat et Parthicum bellum et Brittanicum.

22. 1 All the peoples from the frontier of Illyricum all the way to Gaul had conspired, such as the Marcomanni, Varistae, Hermunduri and Quadi, Suevi, Sarmatians, Lacringes and Burei + these and others together with the Victuali, Sosibi, Sicobotes Roxolani, Bastarnae, Alani, Peucini, Costoboci. A Parthian war and a British one was also looming.

2 Magno igitur labore etiam duo gentes asperimas vicit militibus sese imitantibus, ducentibus etiam exercitum legatis et praefectis praetorio, accepitque in deditionem Marcomannos plurimis in Italiam traductis. 3 Semper sane cum optimatibus non solum bellicas res sed etiam civiles, priusquam faceret aliquid, contulit. 4 Denique sententia illius praecipua semper haec fuit : "Aequius est, ut ego tot talium amicorum consilium sequar, quam ut tot tales amici meam unius voluntatem sequantur." 5 Sane quia durus videbatur ex philosophiae institutione Marcus ad militiae labores atque ad omnem vitam, graviter carpebatur, 6 sed male loquentum vel sermoni vel litteris respondebat.

2 Therefore with great labor he also conquered two most harsh peoples, with the soldiers imitating himself, and with the legates and the Praetorian Prefects leading the army; and he received the Marcomanni into surrender, with very many being transferred into Italy. 3 He always indeed conferred with the Optimates not only about military affairs but also civil ones, before he did anything. 4 Finally his chief maxim was always this: "It is more equitable that I follow the counsel of so many such friends, than that so many such friends follow the will of me alone." 5 Indeed, because Marcus seemed severe from his instruction in philosophy for the toils of military service and for all of life, he was sharply criticized, 6 but he would reply to the ill-speakers either in speech or in letters.

7 Et multi nobiles bello Germanico sive Marcomannico immo plurimarum gentium interierunt - quibus omnibus statuas in foro Ulpio colloquavit -; 8 quare frequenter amici suaserunt, ut a bellis discederet [et] Romam veniret, sed ille contempsit ac perstitit nec prius recessit, quam omnia bella finiret. 9 Provincias ex proconsularibus consulares aut ex consularibus proconsulares aut praetorias pro belli necessitate fecit. 10 Res etiam in Sequanis turbatas censura et auctoritate repressit.

7 And many nobles perished in the German or rather the Marcomannic war, indeed of very many nations — to all of whom he set up statues in the Forum Ulpium —; 8 wherefore friends frequently advised that he should withdraw from the wars [and] come to Rome, but he scorned it and persisted, nor did he withdraw before he had finished all the wars. 9 He made provinces, according to the necessity of war, from proconsular into consular, or from consular into proconsular, or into praetorian. 10 He also repressed the disturbed affairs among the Sequani by censorship and authority.

11 Compositae res et [in] Hispania, quae per Lusitaniam turbatae erant. 12 Filio Commodo accersito ad limitem togam virilem dedit, quare congiarium populo divisit, et eum ante tempus consulem designavit

11 The affairs were settled also [in] Spain, which had been disturbed through Lusitania. 12 Having summoned his son Commodus to the frontier, he gave him the toga virile, wherefore he distributed a congiary to the people, and he designated him consul before the time.

XXIII. 1 Si quis umquam proscriptus est a praefecto urbi, non libenter accepit. 2 Ipse in largitionibus pecuniae publicae parcissimus fuit, quod laudi potius datur quam reprehensioni, sed tamen et bonis viris pecunias dedit et oppidis labentibus auxilium tulit et tributa vel vectigalia, ubi necessitas cogebat, remisit.

23. 1 If ever anyone was proscribed by the Prefect of the City, he did not receive it gladly. 2 He himself was most sparing in largesses of public money, which is given rather to praise than to reprehension; yet nevertheless he also gave monies to good men and brought aid to towns slipping into ruin, and he remitted tributes or taxes, where necessity compelled.

4 Absens populi Romani voluptates curari vehementer praecepit per ditissimos editores. 5 Fuit enim populo hic sermo, cum sustulisset ad bellum gladiatores, quod populum sublatis voluptatibus vellet cogere ad philosophiam. 6 Iusserat enim, ne mercimonia impedirentur, tardius pantomimos exhiberi, non totis diebus.

4 While absent, he strongly instructed that the pleasures of the Roman people be cared for by the wealthiest sponsors. 5 For there was this talk among the people, since he had removed the gladiators for the war, that, with the pleasures taken away, he wished to force the people to philosophy. 6 For he had ordered, lest commerce be impeded, that pantomimes be exhibited later, not for whole days.

7 De amatis pantomimis ab uxore fuit sermo, ut superius diximus. Sed haec omnia per epistolas suas purgavit. 8 Idem Marcus sederi in civitatibus vetuit in equis sive vehiculis.

7 About the pantomimes beloved by his wife there was talk, as we said above. But he purged all these things through his own epistles. 8 The same Marcus forbade being seated in the cities on horses or in vehicles.

Lavacra mixta summovit. mores matronarum conposuit diffluentes et iuvenum nobilium. Sacra Serapis a vulgaritate Pelusiasca summovit.

He removed mixed baths. He set in order the dissolute manners of matrons and of noble youths. He removed the rites of Serapis from Pelusiac vulgarity.

9 Fama fuit sane, quod sub philosophorum specie quidam rem publicam vexarent et privatos. quod ille purgavit.

9 There was indeed a rumor that, under the appearance of philosophers, certain men were vexing the commonwealth and private individuals; this he cleared.

XXIV. 1 Erat mos iste Antonino, ut omnia crimina minore supplicio, quam legibus plecti solent, punirent, quamvis nonnumquam contra manifestos et gravium criminum reos inexorabilis permaneret. 2 Capitales causas hominum honestorum ipse cognovit, et quidem summa aequitate, ita ut praetorem reprehenderet, qui cito reorum causas audierat, iuberetque illum iterum cognoscere, dignitatis eorum interesse dicens, ut ab eo audirentur, qui pro populo iudicaret.

24. 1 It was this custom of Antoninus, to punish all crimes with a lesser punishment than they are wont to be punished by the laws, although sometimes he remained inexorable against those caught in the act and against defendants of grave crimes. 2 He himself took cognizance of the capital cases of honorable men, and indeed with the highest equity, to such an extent that he would reprehend the praetor who had heard the defendants’ cases too quickly, and he ordered him to take cognizance again, saying that it concerned their dignity that they be heard by him who judged on behalf of the people.

3 Aequitatem autem etiam circa captos hostes custodivit. Infinitos ex gentibus in Romano solo collocavit. 4 Fulmen de caelo precibus suis contra hostium machinamentum extorsit suis pluvia impetrata, cum siti laborarent.

3 He also kept equity even toward captured enemies. He settled countless persons from the nations on Roman soil. 4 By his prayers he drew lightning from the sky against the enemies’ machination; for his own, with rain obtained when they were suffering from thirst.

5 Voluit Marcomanniam provinciam, voluit etiam Sarmatiam facere, et fecisset, nisi Avidius Cassius rebellasset sub eodem in oriente. 6 Atque imperatorem se appellavit, ut quidam dicunt, Faustina volente, quae de mariti valetudine desperaret. 7 Alii dicunt, ementita morte Antonini Cassium imperatorem se appellasse, cum divum Marcum appellasset.

5 He wished to make Marcomannia a province, he wished also to make Sarmatia, and he would have done so, had not Avidius Cassius rebelled under him in the East. 6 And he styled himself emperor, as some say, with Faustina willing, who despaired of her husband’s health. 7 Others say that, with the death of Antoninus feigned, Cassius styled himself emperor, when he had proclaimed Marcus deified.

8 Et Antoninus quidem non est satis motus defectione Cassii nec [in] eius affectus saevit. 9 Sed per senatum hostis est iudicatus bonaque eius proscripta per aerarium publicum.

8 And Antoninus indeed was not sufficiently moved by the defection of Cassius, nor did he rage against those devoted to him. 9 But by the senate he was declared an enemy, and his goods were proscribed to the public treasury.

XXV. 1 Relicto ergo Sarmatico Marcommannicoque bello contra Cassium profectus est. 2 Romae etiam turbae fuerunt, quasi Cassius absente Antonino adventaret.

25. 1 Therefore, the Sarmatian and Marcomannic war having been left, he set out against Cassius. 2 In Rome there were also tumults, as if Cassius were approaching with Antoninus absent.

sed Cassius statim interfectus est, caputque eius adlatum est ad Antoninum. 3 Marcus tamen non exultavit interfectione Cassii caputque eius humari iussit. 4 Maecianum etiam, filium Cassii, cui Alexandria erat commissa, exercitus occidit; nam et praef(ectum) praet(orio) sibi fecerat, qui et ipse occisus est.

but Cassius was immediately slain, and his head was brought to Antoninus. 3 Marcus, however, did not exult at the killing of Cassius, and he ordered that his head be buried. 4 Maecianus also, the son of Cassius, to whom Alexandria had been entrusted, was killed by the army; for he had even made for himself a praef(ectum) praet(orio), who was himself likewise killed.

5 In conscios defectionis vetuit senatum graviter vindicare, 6 simul petit, ne qui senator tempore principatus sui occideretur, eius pollueretur imperium 7 - eos etiam, qui deportati fuerant, revocari iussit, - cum paucissimi centuriones capite essent puniti. 8 Ignovit et civitatibus, quae Cassio consenserant, ignovit et Antiochensibus, qui multa in Marcum pro Cassio dixerant. 9 Quibus et spectacula et conventus publicos tulerat et omnium contionum genus, contra quos edictum gravissimum misit.

5 He forbade the senate to avenge gravely upon the accomplices of the defection, 6 at the same time he requested that no senator be executed in the time of his principate, lest his imperium be polluted, 7 - he even ordered those who had been deported to be recalled, - while a very few centurions had been punished with capital punishment. 8 He pardoned also the cities which had agreed with Cassius, and he pardoned the Antiochenes as well, who had said many things against Marcus on behalf of Cassius. 9 From them too he had removed spectacles and public assemblies and every kind of convocation, against whom he sent a most grave edict.

10 Seditiosos autem eos et oratio Marci indicat indita a Mario Maximo, qua ille usus est apud amicos. 11 Denique noluit Antiochiam videre, cum Syriam peteret. 12 Nam nec Cyrrum voluit videre, ex qua erat Cassius.

10 Moreover, that they were seditious even the oration of Marcus indicates, set down by Marius Maximus, which he used among friends. 11 Finally, he did not wish to see Antioch, when he was making for Syria. 12 For he did not wish to see even Cyrrhus, from which Cassius was.

XXVI. 1 Fuit Alexandriae clementer cum his agens. Postea tamen Antiochiam vidit.

26. 1 He was in Alexandria, dealing clemently with them. Afterwards, however, he saw Antioch.

multa egit cum regibus et pacem confirmavit sibi occurentibus cunctis regibus et legatis Persarum. 2 Omnibus orientalibus provinciis carissimus fuit. apud multas etiam philosophiae vestigia reliquit.

he did many things with kings and confirmed peace, as all the kings and the legates of the Persians came to meet him. 2 He was most dear to all the eastern provinces. In many places, too, he left vestiges of philosophy.

3 Apud Aegyptios civem se egit et philosophum in omnibus studiis, templis, locis. et cum multa Alexandrini in Cassium dixissent fausta, tamen omnibus ignovit et filiam suam apud eos reli(n)quit. 4 Faustinam suam in radicibus montis Tauri in vico Halalae exanimatam vi subiti morbi amisit.

3 Among the Egyptians he conducted himself as a citizen and a philosopher in all studies, temples, places. And although the Alexandrians had said many auspicious things in favor of Cassius, nevertheless he forgave all and left his daughter among them. 4 He lost his Faustina, lifeless by the force of a sudden illness, at the roots of Mount Taurus, in the village of Halala.

5 Petit a senatu, ut honores Faustinae aedemque decernerent, laudata eadem, cum impudicitiae fama graviter laborasset. 6 Quae Antoninus vel nesciit vel dissimulavit. novas puellas Faustinianas instituit in honorem uxoris mortuae.

5 He asked from the senate that honors and a temple be decreed for Faustina, she being praised all the same, although she had suffered grievously from a reputation for unchastity. 6 Which Antoninus either did not know or dissembled. He established new Faustinian girls in honor of his dead wife.

7 Divam etiam Faustinam a senatu appellatam gratulatus est. 8 Quam secum et in aestivis habuerat, ut matrem castrorum appellaret. 9 Fecit et coloniam vicum, in quo obiit Faustina, et aedem illi exstruxit.

7 He rejoiced that Diva Faustina had been appellated by the senate. 8 Whom he had kept with him even in the summer quarters, so that he might call her “mother of the camps.” 9 He also made into a colony the village in which Faustina died, and constructed a temple for her.

Sed haec postea aedis Heliogabalo dedicata est. 10 Ipsum Cassium pro clementia occisum passus est, non occidi iussit. 11 Deportatus est Heliodorus, filius Cassi, et alii liberum exilium acceperunt cum bonorum parte.

But this temple was later dedicated to Heliogabalus. 10 He allowed Cassius himself to be killed, for the sake of clemency; he did not order him to be killed. 11 Heliodorus, the son of Cassius, was deported, and others received free exile with a part of their goods.

12 Filii autem Cassii et amplius media parte acceperunt paterni patrimonii, et auro atque argento adiuti, mulieres autem etiam ornamentis: ita ut Alexandria, filia Cassii, et Druncanius gener liberam vagandi potestatem haberent commendati amitae marito. 13 Doluit denique Cassium extinctum, dicens voluisse se sine senatorio sanguine imperium transigere (voluisse se).

12 But the sons of Cassius received even more than half of their father’s patrimony, and were aided with gold and silver, while the women also with ornaments: such that Alexandria, the daughter of Cassius, and Druncanius, the son-in-law, had free permission of roaming, having been commended to their aunt’s husband. 13 He grieved, finally, that Cassius had been extinguished, saying that he had wished to carry on his rule without senatorial blood (he had wished).

XXVII. 1 Orientalibus rebus ordinatis Athenis fuit et initialia Cereris adit, ut se innocentem probaret, et sacrarium solus ingressus est. 2 Revertens ad Italiam navigio tempestatem gravissimam passus est.

27. 1 With the Eastern affairs ordered, he was at Athens and undertook the initiatory rites of Ceres, to prove himself innocent, and he entered the sanctuary alone. 2 Returning to Italy by ship, he suffered a most grievous tempest.

3 Per Brundisium veniens in Italia togam et ipse sumpsit et milites togatos esse iussit, nec umquam sagati fuerunt sub eo milites. 4 Romam ut venit, triumphavit et inde Lavinium profectus est. 5 Commodum deinde sibi collegam in tribuniciam potestatem iunxit, coniarium populo dedit et spectacula mirifica; dein civilia multa correxit.

3 Coming through Brundisium into Italy, he himself assumed the toga and ordered the soldiers to wear the toga, nor were the soldiers ever in the sagum under him. 4 When he came to Rome, he celebrated a triumph and from there set out for Lavinium. 5 Then he joined Commodus to himself as colleague in the tribunician power, gave a congiarium to the people, and marvelous spectacles; then he set right many civil matters.

6 Gladiatorii muneris sumptus modum fecit. 7 Sententia Platonis semper in ore illius fuit florere civitates, si aut philosophi imperarent aut imperantes philosopharentur. 8 Filio suo Brutii Praesentis filiam iunxit nuptiis celebratis exemplo privatorum, quare etiam congiarium dedit populo.

6 He set a limit to the expenses of the gladiatorial spectacle. 7 The sententia of Plato was always on his lips: that commonwealths flourish, if either philosophers rule or those ruling philosophize. 8 He joined to his son the daughter of Bruttius Praesens in nuptials celebrated after the example of private persons, for which reason he also gave a congiary to the people.

9 Dein ad conficiendum bellum conversus in administratione eius belli obit labentibus iam filii moribus ab instituto suo. 10 Triennio bellum postea cum Marcomannis, Hermunduris, Sarmatis, Quadis etiam egit et, si anno uno superfuisset, provincias ex his fecisset. 11 Ante biduum quam exspiraret, admissis amicis dicitur ostendisse sententiam de filio eandem quam Philippus de Alexandro, cum de male sentiret, addens minime se aegre ferre [quod moreretur, sed quod moreretur talem] filium superstitem relinquens; 12 nam iam Commodus turpem se et cruentum ostentabat.

Then, having turned to the finishing of the war, he died in the administration of that war, his son’s morals already slipping, short of his design. Afterward, for three years he waged war with the Marcomanni, the Hermunduri, the Sarmatians, and even the Quadi, and, if he had survived one more year, he would have made provinces out of these. Two days before he expired, with his friends admitted, he is said to have shown the same opinion about his son as Philip about Alexander, when he thought ill of him, adding that he took it not at all hard [that he was dying, but that he was dying such a] leaving such a son surviving; for already Commodus was exhibiting himself as shameful and blood-stained.

XXVIII. 1 Mors autem talis fuit: cum aegrotare coepisset, filium advocavit atque ab eo primum petit, ut belli reliquias non contempneret, ne videretur rem p. prodere. 2 Et, cum filius ei respondisset cupere se primum sanitatem, ut vellet, permisit, petens tamen, ut expectasset paucos dies, haut simul proficisceretur.

28. 1 His death, however, was such: when he had begun to fall ill, he called his son and first asked of him that he not despise the remnants of the war, lest he seem to betray the republic. 2 And, when the son had answered him that he desired health first, he permitted him as he wished, yet asking that he wait a few days, not set out at once.

3 Deinde abstinuit victu potuque mori cupiens auxitque morbum. 4 Sexta die vocatis amicis et ridens res humanas mortem autem contempnens ad amicos dixit : "Quid de me fletis et non magis de pestilentia et communi morte cogitatis?" 5 Et cum illi vellent recedere, ingemescens ait : "Si iam me dimittitis, vale vobis dico vos praecedens." 6 Et cum ab eo quaereretur, cui filium commendaret, ille respondit : "Vobis, si dignus fuerit, et dis inmortalibus." 7 Exercitus cognita mala valetudine vehementissime dolebant, quia illum unice amarunt. 8 Septimo die gravatus est et solum filium admisit, quem statim dimisit, ne in eum morbus transiret.

3 Then he abstained from food and drink, desiring to die, and he increased the sickness. 4 On the sixth day, with his friends summoned and smiling at human affairs but, moreover, despising death, he said to his friends: "Why do you weep for me and not rather think about the pestilence and the common death?" 5 And when they wished to withdraw, groaning he said: "If now you dismiss me, farewell I say to you, going before you." 6 And when it was asked of him to whom he would commend his son, he replied: "To you, if he shall be worthy, and to the immortal gods." 7 The army, when his bad health became known, grieved most vehemently, because they loved him uniquely. 8 On the seventh day he was weighed down and admitted only his son, whom he immediately dismissed, lest the disease pass over into him.

9 Dimisso filio caput operuit quasi volens dormire, sed nocte animam efflavit. 10 fertur filium mori voluisse, cum eum talem videret futurum, qualis exstitit post eius mortem, ne, ut ipse dicebat, similis Neroni, Caligulae et Domitiano esset.

9 After sending away his son, he covered his head as if wishing to sleep, but in the night he breathed out his spirit. 10 It is reported that he wished his son to die, when he saw that he would be such as he proved after his death, lest, as he himself said, he be like Nero, Caligula, and Domitian.

XXIX. 1 Crimini ei datum est, quod adulteros uxoris promoverit, Tertullum et Tutilium et Orfitum et Moderatum, ad varios honores, cum Tertullum et prandentem cum uxore deprehenderit. 2 De quo mimus in scaena praesente Antonino dixit; cum stupidus nomen adulteri uxoris a servo quaereret et ille diceret ter "Tullus", et adhuc stupidus quaereret, respondit ille : "Iam tibi dixi ter, Tullus dicitur." 3 Et de hoc quidem multa populus, multa etiam alii dixerunt patientiam Antonini incusantes.

29. 1 It was charged against him that he had promoted his wife’s adulterers—Tertullus and Tutilius and Orfitus and Moderatus—to various honors, although he had caught Tertullus even dining with his wife. 2 About this a mime on the stage, with Antoninus present, delivered a line: when a simpleton was asking a slave the name of his wife’s adulterer and the slave said three times "Tullus", and the simpleton still kept asking, the slave replied: "I have already told you thrice—Ter Tullus is said." 3 And about this indeed many things were said by the populace, and many also by others, accusing Antoninus’s patience.

4 ante tempus sane mortis, priusquam ad bellum Marcomannicum rediret, in Capitolio iuravit nullum senatorem se sciente occisum, cum etiam rebelliones dixerit se servaturum fuisse, si scisset; 5 nihil enim magis et timuit et deprecatus est quam avaritiae famam, de qua se multis epistulis purgat. 6 Dederunt ei vitio, quod et fictus fuisset nec tam simplex quam videretur aut quam vel Pius vel Verus fuisset. 7 Dederunt etiam crimini, quod aulicam adrogantiam confirmaverit summovendo amicos a societate communi et a conviviis.

4 indeed before the time of his death, before he returned to the Marcomannic war, on the Capitol he swore that no senator had been slain with his knowledge, since he even said that he would have preserved even rebellions, if he had known; 5 for nothing did he both fear and deprecate more than a reputation for avarice, from which he clears himself in many epistles. 6 They imputed it to him as a fault, that he had been feigned and not so simple as he appeared, nor as either Pius or Verus had been. 7 They also made it a charge that he confirmed courtly arrogance by removing friends from common fellowship and from banquets.

8 Parentibus consecrationem decrevit. amicos parentum etiam mortuos statuis ornavit. 9 Suffragatoribus non cito credidit, sed semper diu quaesivit, quoderat verum.

8 He decreed consecration for his parents. he adorned the friends of his parents, even the dead, with statues. 9 He did not quickly trust suffragators, but he always sought for a long time what was true.

10 Enisa est Fabia, ut Faustina mortua in eius matrimonium coiret. Sed ille concubinam sibi adscivit procuratoris uxoris suae filiam, ne tot liberis superduceret novercam.

10 Fabia strove that, with Faustina dead, she might enter into marriage with him. But he took to himself as a concubine the daughter of the procurator of his wife, lest he set a stepmother over so many children.