13.  What ensued on his compliance?

14.  Was he acceptable to the Roman people?

15.  How did he govern?

16.  What was the consequence?

17.  By what appellation was he distinguished, and why?

18.  How was the imperial purple next disposed of?

19.  Who were the candidates?

20.  Who was the successful candidate?

21.  Was he acknowledged by the senate?

22.  What was his conduct as emperor?

23.  What gained him the hatred of the soldiers?

24.  Was he a favourite of the people?

25.  How did Didius bear this?

26.  What new competitor for the throne appeared?

27.  How did Didius act on this occasion?

28.  Was his offer accepted?

29.  What was the event?

SECTION II.

  There’s nought so monstrous but the mind of man,
  In some conditions, may be brought to approve;
  Theft, sacrilege, treason, and parricide,
  When flattering opportunity enticed,
  And desperation drove, have been committed
  By those who once would start to hear them named.—­Lillo.

1.  Seve’rus having overcome Niger, A.D. 194, and Albinus, A.D. 198, who were his competitors for the empire, assumed the reins of government, uniting great vigour with the most refined policy; yet his African cunning was considered as a singular defect in him. 2.  He is celebrated for his wit, learning, and prudence; but execrated for his perfidy and cruelty.  In short, he seemed equally capable of the greatest acts of virtue, and the most bloody severities. 3.  He loaded his soldiers with rewards and honours, giving them such privileges as strengthened his own power, while they destroyed that of the senate; for the soldiers, who had hitherto showed the strongest inclination to an abuse of power, were now made arbiters of the fate of emperors. 4.  Being thus secure of his army he resolved to give way to his natural desire of conquest, and to turn his arms against the Parthians, who were then invading the frontiers of the empire. 5.  Having, therefore, previously given the government of domestic policy to one Plau’tian, a favourite, to whose daughter he married his son Caracal’la, he set out for the east, and prosecuted the war with his usual expedition and success. 6.  He compelled submission from the king of Arme’nia, destroyed several cities of Ara’bia Felix, landed on the Parthian coast, took and plundered the famous city of Ctes’iphon, marched back through Pal’estine and Egypt, and at length returned to Rome in triumph. 7.  During this interval, Plau’tian, who was left to direct the affairs of Rome, began to think of aspiring to the empire himself.  Upon the emperor’s return, he employed a tribune of the praetorian cohorts, of which he was commander, to assassinate him, and his son Caracal’la. 8.  The tribune informed