100
CHAP.
V.
THE DECLINE AND FALL
and people, his intention of regulating: the east-ern provinces. In private he spoke of Niger ,his old friend and intended successor , 11 with themost affectionate regard, and highly applaudedhis generous design of revenging the murder ofPertinax . To punish the vile usurper of thethrone, was the duty of every Roman general.To persevere in arms, and to resist a lawfulemperor, acknowledged by the senate, wouldalone render him criminal/ The sons of Niger had fallen into his hands among the children ofthe provincial governors, detained at Rome aspledges for the loyalty of their parents/ Aslong as the power of Niger inspired terror, oreven respect, they were educated with themost tender care, with the children of Severushimself; but they were soon involved in theirfather’s ruin, and removed, first by exile, and af-terwards by death, from the eye of public com-passion.’
While Severus was engaged in his eastern war,he had reason to apprehend that the governor ofBritain might pass the sea and the Alps, occupythe vacant seat of empire, and oppose his return
x Whilst Severus was very dangerously ill, it was industriously givenon!, that he intended to appoint Niger and Albinus his successors. Ashe could not be sincere with respect to both, he might not be so withregard to either. Yet Severus carried his hypocrisy so far, as to professthat intention in the memoirs of his own life.y Hist. August, p. 65.
7 * This practice, invented by Commodus , proved very useful to Seve-rus. He found at Rome the children of many of the principal adher-ents of his rivals ; and he employed them more than once to intimidate,or seduce, the parents.
a Herodian, I. iii, p. 96. Hist. August, p. 67, 66,