OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

161

Pertinax found a nobler way of condemninghis predecessors memory, by the contrast of hisown virtues with the vices of Commodus . Onthe day of his accession, he resigned over to hiswife and son his whole private fortune, that theymight have no pretence to solicit favours at theexpence of the state. He refused to flatter thevanity of the former with the title of Augusta;or to corrupt the inexperienced youth of the lat-ter by the rank of Caesar. Accurately distin-guishing between the duties of a parent andthose of a sovereign, he educated his son with asevere simplicity, which, while it gave him noassured prospect of the throne, might in timehave rendered him w orthy of it. In public, thebehaviour of Pertinax was grave and affable.Me lived with the virtuous part of the senate(and, in a private station, he had been acquaint-ed with the true character of each individual),without either pride or jealousy; consideredthem as friends and companions, with whom hehad shared the dangers of the tyranny, and withwhom he wished to enjoy the security of thepresent time. He very frequently invited themto familiar entertainments, the frugality of whichwas ridiculed by those who remembered andregretted the luxurious prodigality of Corn-modus.'

Dion (1. Ixxiii, p. 1223) speaks of these entertainments, as asenator who had supped with tile emperor. Capitolinus (Hist. August,p. 58), like a slave, who had received his intelligence from one of thescullions.

VOL. I. M

CHAP.

IV.

Virtues ofPertinax.