This manifestation caused us still greater disturbance as did also the fact that so great a fire was of a sudden seen by night in the air toward the north that some thought that the whole city and others that the sky itself was burning.  But the most remarkable fact I have to chronicle is that in clear weather a fine silvery rain descended upon the forum of Augustus, I did not see it in the air, but noticed it after it had fallen, and with it I silverplated some small bronze coins.  These retained the same appearance for three days:  on the fourth all the substance rubbed upon them had disappeared.

[Sidenote:—­5—­] A certain Numerianus, who taught children their letters, started from Rome for Galatia with I know not what object, and by pretending to be a Roman senator sent by Severus to gather an army he collected at first just a small force by means of which he destroyed a few of Albinus’s cavalry, whereupon he unblushingly made some further promises in behalf of Severus.  Severus heard of this and thinking that he was really one of the senators sent him a message of praise and bade him acquire still greater power.  The man did acquire greater power and gave many remarkable exhibitions of ability besides obtaining seventeen hundred and fifty myriads of denarii, which he forwarded to Severus.  After the latter’s victory Numerianus came to him, making no concealment, and did not ask to become in very truth a senator.  Indeed, though he might have been exalted by great honors and wealth, he did not choose to accept them, but passed the remainder of his life in some country place, receiving from the emperor some small allowance for his daily subsistence.

[Sidenote:  A.D. 197 (a.u. 950)] [Sidenote:—­6—­] The struggle between Severus and Albinus near Lugdunum is now to be described.  At the outset there were a hundred and fifty thousand soldiers on each side.  Both leaders took part in the war, since it was a race for life and death, though Severus had previously not been present at any important battle.  Albinus excelled in rank and in education, but his adversary was superior in warfare and was a skillful commander.  It happened that in a former battle Albinus had conquered Lupus, one of the generals of Severus, and had destroyed many of the soldiers attending him.  The present conflict took many shapes and turns.  The left wing of Albinus was beaten and sought refuge behind the rampart, whereupon Severus ’s soldiers in their pursuit burst into the enclosure with them, slaughtered their opponents and plundered their tents.  Meantime the soldiers of Albinus arrayed on the right wing, who had trenches hidden in front of them and pits in the earth covered over only on the surface, approached as far as these snares and hurled javelins from a distance.  They did not go very far but turned back as if frightened, with the purpose of drawing their foes into pursuit.  This actually took place.  Severus’s men, nettled by their brief charge and despising them for their retreat