159

OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

senate-house, that the military consent might he chap.

ratified by the civil authority. -

This important night was now far spent; with and by thethe dawn of day, and the commencement of the ® cn ®* <> 1 ’ 93fnew year, the senators expected a summons to i* 1 Ja,m -attend an ignominious ceremony. In spite of allremonstrances, even of those of his creatures,who yet preserved any regard for prudence ordecency, Commodus had resolved to pass thenight in the gladiator’s school, and from thenceto take possession of the consulship, in the habitand with the attendance of that infamous crew.

On a sudden, before the break of day, the senatewas called together in the temple of Concord, tomeet the guards, and to ratify the election of aaew emperor. For a few minutes they sat insilent suspense, doubtful of their unexpecteddeliverance, and suspicious of the cruel artificesof Commodus ; but when at length they wereassured that the tyrant was no more, they re-signed themselves to all the transports of joyand indignation. Pertinax , who modestly re-presented the meanness of his extraction, andpointed out several noble senators more deserv-ing than himself of the empire, was constrainedby their dutiful violence to ascend the throne,and received all the titles of imperial power,confirmed by the most sincere vows of fidelity.

The memory of Commodus was branded with The me.eternal infamy. The names of tyrant, of gla-diator, of public enemy, resounded in every dusdeciar.corner of the house. T.hey decreed, in tumul- nious*tuous votes, that his honours should be rever-