[Sidenote:  U.C. 945.  A.D. 192.]

10.  Such were the secrecy and expedition with which Com’modus was assassinated, that few were acquainted with the real circumstances of his death.  His body was wrapt up as a bale of useless furniture, and carried through the guards, most of whom were either drunk or asleep.

11.  Hel’vius Per’tinax, whose virtues and courage rendered him worthy of the most exalted station, and who had passed through many changes of fortune, had been previously fixed upon to succeed him.  When, therefore, the conspirators repaired to his house, to salute him emperor, he considered it as a command from the emperor Com’modus for his death. 12.  Upon Lae’tus entering his apartment, Per’tinax, without any show of fear, cried out, that for many days he had expected to end his life in that manner, wondering that the emperor had deferred it so long.  He was not a little surprised when informed of the real cause of their visit; and being strongly urged to accept of the empire, he at last complied. 13.  Being carried to the camp, Per’tinax was proclaimed emperor, and soon after was acknowledged by the senate and citizens.  They then pronounced Com’modus a parricide, an enemy to the gods, his country, and all mankind; and commanded that his corpse should rot upon a heap of dirt. 14.  In the mean time they saluted Per’tinax as emperor and Caesar, with numerous acclamations, and cheerfully took the oaths of obedience.  The provinces soon after followed the example of Rome; so that he began his reign with universal satisfaction to the whole empire, in the sixty-eighth year of his age.

15.  Nothing could exceed the justice and wisdom of this monarch’s reign, during the short time it continued.  But the praetorian soldiers, whose manners he attempted to reform, having been long corrupted by the indulgence and profusion of their former monarch, began to hate him for his parsimony, and the discipline he had introduced among them. 16.  They therefore resolved to dethrone him; and accordingly, in a tumultuous manner, marched through the streets of Rome, entered his palace without opposition, where a Tungrian soldier struck him dead with a blow of his lance. 17.  From the number of his adventures he was called the tennis-ball of fortune; and certainly no man ever went through such a variety of situations with so blameless a character.  He reigned but three months.

[Sidenote:  U.C. 954.  A.D. 201]

18.  The soldiers having committed this outrage, made proclamation, that they would sell the empire to whoever would purchase it at the highest price. 19.  In consequence of this proclamation, two bidders were found, namely, Sulpicia’nus and Did’ius.  The former a consular person, prefect of the city, and son-in-law to the late emperor Per’tinax.  The latter a consular person likewise, a great lawyer, and the wealthiest man in the city. 20.  Sulpicia’nus had rather promises than treasure to bestow.  The offers of Did’ius,