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had been capable of reflecting on the sure con-sequences of his own conduct, he would per-haps have enjoyed the dark prospect of the dis-tress and calamities which he bequeathed to hissuccessors.
In the management of this necessary reforma-tion, Macrinus proceeded with a cautious pru-dence, which would have restored health andvigour to the Roman army, in an easy and al-most imperceptible manner. To the soldiersalready engaged in the service, he was con-strained to leave the dangerous privileges andextravagant pay given by Caracalla ; but thenew recruits were received on the more mode-rate, though liberal, establishment of Severus,and gradually formed to modesty and obedi-ence.* One fatal error destroyed the salutaryeffects of this judicious plan. The numerousarmy, assembled in the east by the late emper-or, instead of being immediately dispersed byMacrinus through the several provinces, weresuffered to remain united in Syria , during thewinter that followed his elevation. In the luxu-rious idleness of their quarters, the troops view-ed their strength and numbers, communicatedtheir complaints, and revolved in their mindsthe advantages of another revolution. The ve-terans, instead of being flattered by the advan-tageous distinction, were alarmed by the first
* Dion, 1. lxxxiii, p. 1336. The sense of the author is as clear as theintention of the emperor ; hut M. Wotton lias mistaken both, by under-standing the distinction, not of veterans and recruits, but of old and newlegions. History of Rome, p. 347.
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