wives, together with distinguished knights and peoples and the collegia of the city, had sent.  They were accompanied by an altar, entirely gilded, the beauty of which was enhanced by ivory and Indic jewels. [Sidenote:—­5—­] When these had gone by, Severus mounted the Platform of the Beaks and read a eulogy of Pertinax.  We shouted our approval many times in the midst of his discourse, partly praising and partly bewailing Pertinax, but our cries were loudest when he had ceased.  Finally, as the couch was about to be moved, we all together uttered our lamentations and all shed tears.  Those who carried the bier from the platform were the high priests and the officials who were completing their term of office, as well as any that had been appointed for the ensuing year.  These gave it to certain knights to carry.  The rank and file of us went ahead of the bier, some beating our breasts and others playing on the flute some dirge-like air; the emperor followed behind all, and in this order we arrived at the Campus Martius.  Here there had been built a pyre, tower-shaped and triple pointed, adorned with ivory and gold together with certain statues.  On its very summit was lodged a gilded chariot that Pertinax had been wont to drive.  Into this the funeral offerings were cast and the bier was placed in it, and next Severus and the relatives of Pertinax kissed the image.  Our monarch ascended a tribunal, while we the senate, except officials, took our places on the benches, that with safety and convenience alike we might view what went on.  The magistrates and the equestrian order, arrayed in a manner becoming their station, besides the cavalry of the army and the infantry, passed in and out performing intricate evolutions, both traditional and newly invented.  Then at length the consuls applied fire to the mound, which being done an eagle flew up from it.  In this way was immortality secured for Pertinax [who (although bodies of men engaged in warfare usually turn out savage and those given to peace cowardly) excelled equally in both departments, being an enemy to dread, yet shrewd in the arts of peace.  His boldness, wherein bravery appears, he displayed towards foreigners and rebels, but his clemency, wherewith is mingled justice, towards friends and the orderly elements of society.  When advanced to preside over the destinies of the world, he was never ensnared by the increase of greatness so as to show himself in some things more subservient and in others more haughty than was fitting.  He underwent no change from the beginning to the very end, but was august without sullenness, gentle without humiliating lowliness, prudent, yet did no injury, just without inquisitorial qualities, a close administrator without stinginess, highminded, but devoid of boasts.]

[Sidenote:—­6—­] Now Severus made a campaign against Niger.  The latter was an Italian, one of the knights, remarkable for nothing either very good or very bad, so that one could either greatly praise or greatly censure him. [Wherefore he had been assigned to Syria by Commodus.] He had as a lieutenant, together with others, Aemilianus, who [by remaining neutral and watching the course of events] was thought to surpass all the senators of that day in understanding and in experience of affairs; for he had been tested in many provinces. [These conditions and the fact that he was a relative of Albinus had made him conceited.]