et suffered. The last combined effort to suppress them was under
DIOCLETIAN, in 284, but it ended with the EDICT OF MILAN in 312, which
famous decree gave the imperial license to the religion of Christ.

CHAPTER XLI. PERIOD OF MILITARY DESPOTISM.--DECLINE OF THE EMPIRE.

COMMODUS (180-192).

On the death of Aurelius, his son, Commodus, hastened to Rome, and was
received by both the Senate and army without opposition. His
character was the opposite of that of his good father. In ferocity and
vindictiveness he was almost unequalled, even among the Emperors of
unhappy Rome. By means of informers, who were well paid, he rid himself
of the best members of the Senate. His government became so corrupt,
he himself so notorious in crime, that he was unendurable. His proudest
boasts were of his triumphs in the amphitheatre, and of his ability to
kill a hundred lions with as many arrows. After a reign of twelve years
his servants rid the Empire of his presence.

PERTINAX (192-193).

PERTINAX, the Praefect of the city, an old and experienced Senator,
followed Commodus. His reign of three months was well meant, but as it
was not supported by the military it was of no effect. His attempted
reforms were stopped by his murder.

JULIANUS (193).--SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS (193-211).

The Praetorians now offered the crown to the highest bidder, who proved
to be DIDIUS JULIANUS, a wealthy Senator. He paid about a thousand
dollars to each soldier of the Guard, twelve thousand in number. After
enjoying the costly honor two months he was deposed and executed.

In the mean time several soldiers had been declared Emperor by their
respective armies. Among them was SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS, an African,
belonging to the army of the Danube.

Severus was an able soldier. He disarmed the Praetorians, banished them
from Rome, and filled their place with fifty thousand legionaries, who
acted as his body guard. The person whom he placed in command of this
guard was made to rank next to himself, with legislative, judicial, and
financial powers. The Senate he reduced to a nonentity.

After securing the capital, Severus carried on a campaign against the
Parthians, and was victorious over the rulers of Mesopotamia and Arabia.
In 203 he erected, in commemoration of these victories, a magnificent
arch, which still stands at the head of the Forum. He died at Eboracum
(York), in Britain, while making preparations for a campaign against the
Caledonians.