Carus defeats the Sarmatians, and marches into the East 283. He gives Audience to the Persian Ambassadors CH. XIII. THE REIGN OF DIOCLETIAN AND HIS THREE ASSOCIATES, MAXIMIAN, GALERIUS, AND CONSTANTIUS.-GENERAL RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF ORDER AND TRANQUILLITY. THE PERSIAN WAR, VICTORY, AND TRIUMPH.-THE NEW FORM OF ADMINISTRATION.-ABDICATION AND RETIREMENT OF DIOCLETIAN AND MAXIMIAN. 285. Elevation and Character of Diocletian 286. Association and Character of Maximian CHI. XIV.-TROUBLES AFTER THE ABDICATION OF DIOCLETIAN.-DEATH OF CONSTANTIUS.-ELEVATION OF CONSTANTINE AND MAXENTIUS.—SIX EMPERORS AT THE SAME TIME.-DEATH OF MAXIMIAN AND GALERIUS. 306. Death of Constantius, and Elevation of Constantine Maximian re-assumes the Purple 307. Defeat and Death of Severus The Brothers and Sisters of Constantine Discontent of the Romans at the Apprehension of Taxes 806. Maxentius declared Emperor at Rome Maximian gives his Daughter Fausta, and the Title of Augustus, to Constantine 307. Elevation of Licinius to the Rank of Augustus 476 Elevation of Maximin His Dominion shared between Maximin and Licinius 812. Civil War between Constantine and Maxentius. War between Maximin and Licinius THE HISTORY OF THE DECLINE AND FALL ОР THE ROMAN EMPIRE CHAPTER I. THE EXTENT AND MILITARY FORCE OF THE EMPIRE IN THE AGE In the second century of the Christian era, the empire of Rome comprehended the fairest part of the earth, and the most civilized portion of mankind. The frontiers of that extensive monarchy were guarded by ancient renown and disciplined valour. The gentle, but powerful, influence of laws and manners had gradually cemented the union of the provinces. Their peaceful inhabitants enjoyed and abused the advantages of wealth and luxury. The image of a free constitution was preserved with decent reverence: the Roman senate appeared to possess the sovereign authority, and devolved on the emperors all the executive powers of government. During a happy period of more than fourscore years, the public administration was conducted by the virtue and abilities of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and the two Antonines. It is the design of this, and of the two succeeding chapters, to describe the prosperous condition of their empire; and afterwards, from the death of Marcus Antoninus, to deduce the most important circumstances of its decline and fall; a revolution which will ever be remem hered, and is still felt, by the nations of the earth. VOL. I. |