Julianus is slain 66 days after the death of Pertinax. From March 28 inclusive 66 days will place his death at June 1. He lived according to Dio 665 4m 4d.

Severus, who had assumed the empire at Carnuntum on the 13th of April, 16 days after the death of Pertinax, is met at Interamna after the death of Julianus by a deputation of 100 senators, and enters Rome probably about the 10th of June, less than 60 days after the assumption of the empire. On the 30th day after his arrival he quitted Rome and proceeded to the East.

Clodius Albinus, governor of Britain, is declared Cæsar by Severus.

Galen delivers lectures in the reign of Pertinax.

Dion Cassius is a senator under Pertinax, and prætor elect. He describes himself in the reign of Julianus. As a senator

he voted for his death. Dion is present at the entry of Severus into Rome and at the consecration of Pertinax.

194 947 L. Septimius Severus Augustus II D. Clodius Septimius Albinus Cæsar II. Severi 2 from June 1, trib. pot. 2 from

January 1.

Emilianus is defeated and slain near Cyzicus by the generals of Severus, and Byzantium is besieged. After this, an obstinate battle was fought near the lake Ascanius, in the passes between Nicæa and Cius or Prusias. The forces of Severus were led by Candidus, who was opposed by Niger himself: Candidus rallied his men who were giving way, and Niger was defeated. The decisive combat was at Issus. Valerianus and Æmilianus commanded the army of Severus. The forces of Syria were led by Niger in person. The contest was long and doubtful. At length Niger was routed with the loss of 20,000 men, who fell in the action. Not long after, Antioch was taken, and Niger attempting to escape to the Euphrates was overtaken and slain. His head was exhibited before the walls of Byzantium.

Athenæus wrote after the death of Commodus; but, as he mentions no work of Galen, he probably composed before the death of Galen cir. A. D. 200. Athenæus preceded Elian, who transcribed from his work. And Ælian himself lived in the time of Elagabalus A. D. 222.

(Galeni de suis libris. Composed after the reign of Pertinax, for he mentions among his works an account of lectures delivered in the reign of Pertinax.)

Clemens Alexandrinus and Pantænus are commemorated at the year 2209 by Eusebius. A date consistent with Clemens himself, who mentions the death of Commodus but never names Severus. The Stromata were therefore written in the

reign of Severus. When the Stromata were composed, he had already written the Protrepticus, and after that the Padagogus in 3 books, and he looked forwards to old age as still

future. Pantænus, who was in reputation at Alexandria in the episcopate of Demetrius, by whom he was sent to India (in 190), was the preceptor of Clemens. In an account of his own teachers Clemens adds, last of all I met with Pantænus." As Clemens was the disciple of Pantænus, Origen was the disciple of Clemens.

Marcion the heretic is still living and is mentioned by Clemens.

195 948 Scapula Tertullus et Tineius Clemens. Severi 3 from June 1, trib. pot. 3 from January 1.

The siege of Byzantium continues.

Severus in the summer crossing the Euphrates makes war upon the Osrhoeni, the Adiabeni, and the Arabians. Remaining himself at Nisibis, he committed the war to his generals Lateranus, Candidus, and Lætus. For his success he has the names Arabicus, Adiabenicus. Fixed by coins to the third tribunician year.

Hippodromus of Larissa the sophist presided at the Pythia. He presided twice, and did justice to Clemens of Byzantium a tragic actor, who performed at the games. Hippodromus boldly adjudged the prize to a Byzantine during the siege of Byzantium. As the Pythia during that siege occurred in Ol. 243. 3, they are determined to the autumn of 195. Hippodromus was liberal in speaking of other sophists, both of those who were much older than himself, as Polemo, and of those who were only a little older, as Proclus of Naucratis, and of his contemporaries, as Heraclides, and of younger sophists, as Philostratus of Lemnos. He excelled all in extent of reading, except only Ammonius the peripatetic (see 265). He came to Smyrna to hear Heraclides, left about 30 meletæ, and died at the age of 70. He taught Aspasius.

The following ecclesiastical writers flourished in the reigns of Commodus and Severus: Heraclitus, Maximus, Candidus, Apion, Sextus, Arabianus.

196 949 C. Domitius Dexter II L. Valerius Messalla Thrasea PrisSeveri 4 from June 1, trib. pot. 4 from Jan. 1.

cus.

Byzantium is taken after 3 years' siege.

Severus returning to Rome prepares for the war against Albinus, which was expected in December.

Caracalla is appointed Cæsar.

Heraclides of Lycia flourished. The disciple of Herodes, Adrianus, Chrestus, and Aristocles. Contemporary with Hippodromus. The Apollonii and Ptolemy of Naucratis were his rivals. He lived to past 80 years of age.

Ptolemy of Naucratis visited many countries, and had a great reputation. He died in old age in Egypt.

Apollonius the Athenian taught at Athens in the time. of Heraclides and Apollonius of Naucratis. He was am

1

bassador to Severus at Rome.

years.

Apollonius lived about 75

The contemporary Apollonius lived 70 years. The disciple of Adrian and Chrestus.

Narcissus bishop of Jerusalem, Theophilus of Cæsarea, Polycrates of Ephesus, and Bacchylus of Corinth, flourished at the Eusebian year 2211, which was the 3rd of Severus.

Rhodon, who was from Asia, flourished in the times of Narcissus, and of Commodus and Severus. Taught at Rome by Tatian, he conversed with Apelles the disciple of Marcion.

197 950 Ol. 244 Lateranus et Rufinus. Severi 5 from June 1,
trib. pot. 5 from January 1.

Albinus is defeated in a great battle near Lyons on the
19th of February. Severus, who commanded in person in
this action, was in great peril, but rallied his troops and ob-
tained the victory. The collected force of the two armies
amounted to 150,000 men. Great numbers fell on both sides.
Albinus escaping to a house near the Rhone slew himself.

Severus after this war proceeds to the East against the
Parthians.

Dion Cassius was at Rome when the war with Albinus was
impending. He was present at games in December 196.
After the death of Albinus he was present at Rome when Se-
verus by a message to the senate and people declared himself
the son of Marcus and brother of Commodus.

The dispute concerning Easter is placed by Hieronymus at the Eusebian year 2212, the 4th of Severus. The facts are in Eusebius H. E. V. 23–25. The churches of Asia Minor, the Quartadecimans, commemorated the Crucifixion on the 14th day of the moon, and the Resurrection on the 16th day of the moon, on whatever days of the week these might happen to fall. The other churches, neglecting the age of the moon, commemorated the Crucifixion on the 6th day of the week and the Resurrection on the 1st day of the week following. The Quartadecimans again (to commemorate the Last Supper) interrupted the Fast of Passion Week by eating their Paschal Supper in the evening which began the 14th day of the moon; the time of the Jewish Passover (for the Jews reckoned their days from sunset to sunset). The other Christians deferred their Paschal Supper till Easter day.

The Quartadecimans followed the Apostles St. Philip and St. John. The other churches also asserted for their usage apostolical tradition. Victor bishop of Rome attempted to persuade the other churches to join in excommunicating the Quartadecimans, but the other bishops refused their consent. The Quartadecimans were only put out of communion with the diocese of Rome, and continued to observe Easter after their own way till A. D. 325.

On this question the following bishops wrote against the

Quartadecimans; Narcissus of Jerusalem, Theophilus of Cæsarea in Palestine, Victor of Rome, Palmas of Pontus, Irenæus of Lyons, Bacchylus of Corinth, Cassius of Tyre, Clarus of Ptolemais. But Irenæus recommends toleration and forbearance, quoting the precedent of Polycarp a Quartadeciman, who was received at Rome and treated with respect by Anicetus. Each was tolerant of the opinion of the other.

For the Quartadecimans Polycrates of Ephesus, who followed their usage, claims the authority of the apostle St. Philip, the evangelist St. John, Polycarp of Smyrna (who appealed to the practice not only of St. John but of the other apostles with whom he had associated), Thraseas a bishop and martyr, Sagaris a bishop and martyr, Papirius, and Melito of Sardis. Polycrates speaks of himself at this time as “65 years old in the Lord." He probably computed the 65 years not from his birth but from his baptism.

198 951 Ti. Saturninus C. Gallus. Severi 6 from June 1, trib. pot. 6 from January 1.

Caracalla is named Augustus in the beginning of this year, and Geta Cæsar. See F. Rom. Vol. I p. 203.

Severus passing the Euphrates occupies Seleucia and Babylon, and takes Ctesiphon.

199 952 P. Cornelius Anullinus II M. Aufidius Fronto. Severi 7 from June 1, trib. pot. 7 from Jan. 1. Caracallæ trib. pot. 2.

Severus after the capture of Ctesiphon besieges Atra with

out success.

Antipater of Hierapolis the sophist, a disciple of Adrian and Pollux, is favoured by Severus. Galen or the author of the Theriaca ad Pisonem, names Antipater after the year 198. His daughter was married to Hermocrates, whose mother Callisto was the granddaughter of Polemo the sophist.

200 953 Ti. Claudius Severus C. Aufidius Victorinus. Severi 8 from June 1, trib. pot. 8 from Jan. 1. Caracallæ trib. pot. 3. Severus is still in the East.

Galen according to Suidas lived 70 years; which would place his death at 200, since he completed his 37th year in 167.

Alexander of Aphrodisias flourished. His work de Fato is addressed to the Augusti Severus and Antoninus: therefore after the beginning of 198, when Caracalla was appointed Augustus, and before Feb. 211, when Severus died. Alexander in another work quotes Athenæus, who probably wrote a short time before this period. See 194.

201 954 Ol. 245 L. Annius Fabianus M. Nonius Mucianus. Severi 9 from June 1, trib. pot. 9 from Jan. 1 Caracalla trib. pot. 4.

The Therma Severiana are placed at this year by Hieronymus and Cassiodorus.

Severus and Caracalla at the close of this year are in Syria. Caracalla receives the toga virilis.

Ammonius Saccas taught at Alexandria. He was heard by Origen in 206, and by Heraclas five years before Origen. He still taught in 242, so that he presided in his school at least 42 years. Longinus in his youth heard Ammonius. See 265. Plotinus studied under him eleven years. See 232.242.

Origen's education at this time, during his father's life, and after his father's death, is described by Eusebius.

202 955 L. Septimius Severus Aug. III M. Aurelius Antoninus Aug. Severi 10 from June 1, trib. pot. 10 from Jan. 1. Caracallæ trib. pot. 5.

Severus and Caracalla are in Syria on the 1st of January. After this Severus renews the attack upon Atra, and after 20 days consumed in the siege passed into Palestine, and thence to Egypt. Then he returned through Thrace and Pannonia to Rome. He celebrates at Rome the decennalia and the marriage of Caracalla and Plautilla. The marriage is fixed to this year by coins.

Dion Cassius is at Rome or in Italy during this period. He was prætor in 194, in the senate at the arrival of Severus in 193, and present at his harangue to the people. He is at Rome during the war with Albinus in 195, and in 200, and at the marriage of Caracalla and Plautilla in 202, and also in 203, and after the return of Severus to Rome. At this period Dion often retired to Capua.

A persecution of the Christians is recorded by Eusebius in the 10th of Severus, when Lætus was governor of Egypt and Demetrius bishop of Alexandria. In this persecution Leonidas the father of Origen perished. Origen at the death of his father had not completed his 17th year. If his 17th year was still current in the autumn of 202, his first was still current in the autumn of 186, and his birth may be placed at the close of 185.

Judas flourished, who composed a commentary on the 70 weeks of Daniel, and brought his Chronography down to the 10th year of Severus.

203 956 P. Septimius Geta Fulvius Plautianus II. Severi 11 from June 1, trib. pot. 11 from Jan. 1. Caracallæ trib. pot. 6.

Plautianus is slain Jan. 22 by the contrivance of Caracalla. The character, the power, and the insolence of Plautianus are described by Dio 75. 14-16 and by Ammianus 26. 6, 8.

Origen at the age of 18 teaches at Alexandria. Others being dispersed by the persecution, he presides in the cate