indeed, the latter was stripped of most of his power.  Hence [Sidenote:  A.D. 203 (a.u. 956)] Plautianus became violently enraged, and whereas he had formerly hated Antoninus for slighting his daughter, he was now especially indignant, feeling that his son-in-law was responsible for his present disgrace, and began to behave more harshly toward him. [Sidenote:—­3—­] For these reasons Antoninus became both disgusted with his wife (who was a most shameless creature), and offended at her father himself, because the latter kept meddling in all his undertakings and rebuking him for everything that he did.  Conceiving a desire to be rid of the man in some way or other he accordingly had Euodus, his nurse, persuade a certain centurion, Saturninus, and two others of similar rank to bring him word that Plautianus had ordered some ten centurions, to whose number they also belonged, to kill both Severus and Antoninus; and they read a certain writing which they pretended to have received bearing upon this very matter.  This was done as a surprise at the observances held in the palace in honor of the heroes, at a time when the spectacle had ceased and dinner was about to be served.  That fact was largely instrumental in showing the story to be a fabrication.  Plautianus would never have dared to impose such a bidding upon ten centurions at once, certainly not in Rome, certainly not in the palace, nor on that day, nor at that hour; much less would he have written it.  Nevertheless, Severus believed the information trustworthy because he had the night before seen in a dream Albinus alive and plotting against him. [Sidenote:—­4—­] In haste, therefore, he summoned Plautianus, as if upon some other business.  The latter hurried so (or rather, Heaven so indicated to him approaching disaster) that the mules that were carrying him fell in the palace yard.  And when he sought to enter, the porters in charge of the bolts admitted him alone inside and would permit no one to enter with him, just as he himself had done in the case of Severus at Tyana.  He grew a little suspicious at this and became terrified; as he had, however, no pretext for withdrawing, he went in.  Severus conversed with him very mildly:  “Why have you seen fit to do this!  For what reason have you wished to kill us?” He gave him opportunity to speak and prepared to listen to his defence.

In the midst of the accused’s denial and surprise at what was said, Antoninus rushed up, took away his sword, and struck him with his fist.  He was ready to put an end to Plautianus with his own hand after the latter said:  “You wanted to get the start of me in any killing!” Being prevented, however, by his father, Antoninus ordered one of his attendants to slay Plautianus.  Somebody plucked out a few hairs from his chin and carried them to Julia and Plautilla (who were together) before they had heard a word of the affair, and said:  “Behold your Plautianus!” This speech aroused grief in one and joy in the other.