20.  Upon the death of Clau’dius, Aure’lian was acknowledged by all the states of the empire, and assumed the command with a greater share of power than his predecessors had enjoyed for a long time before. 21.  This active monarch was of mean and obscure parentage in Da’cia, and about fifty-five years old at the time of his coming to the throne.  He had spent the early part of his life in the army, and had risen through all the gradations of military rank.  He was of unshaken courage and amazing strength.  He, in one engagement, killed forty of the enemy with his own hand; and at different times above nine hundred.  In short, his valour and expedition were such, that he was compared to Julius Caesar; and, in fact, only wanted mildness and clemency to be every way his equal. 22.  Among those who were compelled to submit to his power, was the famous Zeno’bia, queen of Palmy’ra.  He subdued her country, destroyed her city, and took her prisoner.  Longi’nus, the celebrated critic, who was secretary to the queen, was by Aure’lian’s order put to death.  Zeno’bia was reserved to grace his triumph; and afterwards was allotted such lands, and such an income, as served to maintain her in almost her former splendour. 23.  But the emperor’s severities were at last the cause of his own destruction.  Mnes’theus, his principal secretary, having been threatened by him for some fault which he had committed, formed a conspiracy against him, and as the emperor passed, with a small guard, from Ura’clea, in Thrace, towards Byzan’tium, the conspirators set upon him at once and slew him, in the sixtieth year of his age, after a very active reign of almost five years.

[Sidenote:  U.C. 1028.  A.D. 275.]

24.  After some time the senate made choice of Ta’citus, a man of great merit, and no way ambitious of the honours that were offered him, being at that time seventy-five years old. 25.  A reign begun with much moderation and justice, only wanted continuance to have made his subjects happy:  but after enjoying the empire about six months, he died of a fever in his march to oppose the Persians and Scyth’ians, who had invaded the eastern parts of the empire. 26.  During this short period the senate seemed to have possessed a large share of authority, and the histories of the times are liberal of their praises to such emperors as were thus willing to divide their power.

27.  Upon the death of Ta’citus, his half-brother took upon himself the title of emperor, in Cile’sia:  but being twice defeated by Pro’bus, he killed himself in despair, when the whole army, as if by common consent, cried out that Pro’bus should be emperor. 28.  He was then forty-four years old; was born of noble parentage, and bred a soldier.  He began early to distinguish himself for his discipline and valour:  being frequently the first man that scaled the walls, or that burst into the enemy’s camp.  He was equally remarkable for single combat, and for having saved the lives of many eminent citizens.