CARACALLA, MACRINUS, AND HELIOGABALUS.

Severus left two sons, both of whom he had associated with himself in
the government. No sooner was he dead than they quarrelled, and the
elder, CARACALLA, murdered the other with his own hand in the presence
of their mother.

Caracalla was blood-thirsty and cruel. After a short reign (211-216) he
was murdered by one of his soldiers. By him were begun the famous
baths which bore his name, and of which extensive remains still exist.
Caracalla was succeeded by MACRINUS, who reigned but one year, and
was followed by HELIOGABALUS (218-222), a priest of the sun, a
true Oriental, with but few virtues. His end was like that of his
predecessors. The Praetorians revolted and murdered him.

FROM ALEXANDER SEVERUS TO THE AGE OF THE THIRTY TYRANTS (222-268).

ALEXANDER SEVERUS was a good man, and well educated. But he endeavored
in vain to check the decline of the state. The military had become
all powerful, and he could effect nothing against it. During his reign
(222-235), the famous baths begun by Caracalla were finished.

Severus was killed in a mutiny led by MAXIMIN, who was Emperor for three
years (235-238), and was then murdered by his mutinous soldiers.

GORDIAN, his successor (238-244), was also slain by his own soldiers
in his camp on the Euphrates, and PHILIP (244-249) and DECIUS (249-251)
both fell in battle. Under Decius was begun a persecution of the
Christians severer than any that preceded it.

The next seventeen years (251-268) is a period of great confusion.
Several generals in different provinces were declared Emperor. The
Empire nearly fell to pieces, but finally rallied without loss of
territory. Its weakness, however, was apparent to all. This period is
often called the AGE OF THE THIRTY TYRANTS.

FIVE GOOD EMPERORS (268-283).

FIVE GOOD EMPERORS now ruled and revived somewhat the shattered strength
of the government: CLAUDIUS (268-270); AURELIAN (270-275); TACITUS
(275-276); PROBUS (276-282); and CARUS (282-283). Aurelian undertook a
campaign against the famous ZENOBIA, Queen of PALMYRA. In her he found
a worthy foe, one whose political ability was rendered more brilliant by
her justice and courage. Defeated in the field, she fortified herself
in Palmyra, which was taken after a siege and destroyed. Zenobia was
carried to Rome, where she graced the triumph of her conqueror, but was
afterwards permitted to live in retirement. Aurelian was the first wh