among _the tributary Cities of his empire. The rising fury of the people was encouraged by the authority, or at least the connivance, of the senate; and the feeble remains of the Praetorian guards, who had reason to apprehend their own dissolution, embraced so honourable a pretence, and declaredtheir readiness to draw their swords in the service of their oppressed country. It was the wish, and it soon became the hope, of every citizen, that after expelling from Italy their foreign tyrants, they should elect a prince who, by the place of his residence, and by his maxims of government, might once more deserve the title of Roman emperor. The name, as well as the fituation, of Maxentius, determined in his ' favour the popular enthusiasm.

_ Maxcntius was the son of the emperor Maximian, and he had married the daughter of Galerius. His birth and alliance seemed to offer him the fairest promise of succeeding to the empire; but his vices and incapacity procured him the same exclufion from the dignity os Caesar, which Constantine had deserved by a dangerous superiority' of merit. The policy of Galerius preferred such associates, as would never disgrace the choice, nor dispute the commands of their benefactor. An obscure stranger was therefore raised to the throne of Italy, and the son of the late emperor of the West was left to enjoy the luxury of a private fortune in a villa a few miles distant from the capital. The gloomy pasiions of his soul, shame, vexation, and rage, were inflamed by envy on the news of Constantine's suc

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but as soon as the standard of rebellion was erected at Rome, the old emperor broke from the retirement where the authority of Diocletian had condemned him to pass a life os melancholy solitude, and concealed his returning ambition under the disguise of paternal tenderness. At the request of his sc'm and of the senate, he condescended to re-'assume the purple. His ancient dignity, his experience, and his. fame in arms, added strength as well as reputation to the_ party of Maxentius ".

According to the advice, or rather the orders, of his colleague, the emperor Severus immedi'ately hastened to Rome, in the full confidence, that, by his unexpected celerity, he should easily suppress the tumult of an unwarlike populace, commanded by a licentious youth. But he found on his arrival the gates os the city shut against him, the walls filled with men and arms, an experienced general at the head os the rebels, and his own troops without spirit or affection. A large body of Moors deserted to the enemy, al

is it be true that they had been levied by Maximian in his African war, preferring the natural seelings of gratitude to the artificial ties of allegiance.- Anulinus, the Preetorian presect, declared himself in favour of Maxentius, and drew after him the most considerable part of the troops, accustomed to obey his commands. Rome, according to the expression of an oratorr recallcd her armies; and the unfortunate Severus, desti_ tute of force and of counsel, retired, or rather fled, with precipitation to Ravenna. Here he might for some time have been safe. The fortifications of Ravenna were able to resist the attempts, and the morasses that surrounded the town were sufficient to prevent the approach, of the Italian army. The sea, which Severus commanded with a powerful fleet, secured him an inexhaustible supply of'provisions, and gave a free entrance to the legions, which, on the return of "spring, would advance to his affistance from

12 Illyricum