A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

528 The Absolute Monarchy
Carinus,
brother of
Numerianus,
had likewise
been emperorthus
it is quite evident that the wise prince wished to prove
that barbarous deeds are harmful, not names. . . .
Maximianus. Need I recall that he associated with him in power manycitizens
and foreigners, for tJie sake of protecting and
The Caesars.
extending the rights of the Roman Empire?
For when he
learned that after the removal of Carinus, ^lianus and
Amandus had stirred up in Gaul a band of peasants and
robbers whom the inhabitants call Bagaudae, and had
devastated the fields far and wide and attacked many
cities, he immediately made Maximianus, his faithful
friend,
man.
emperor although the latter was not a cultivated
Afterward Maximianus added the cognomen Herculius
to his name, because of his devotion to the cult of
the god Hercules, just as Valerius took the name of Jovius
from Jove; whence they also gave these names to
those
auxiliary troops that distinguished themselves greatly in
the army. . . .
The two existing emperors associated with themselves
as Cassars, Julius, Constantius and Galerius, Maximianus,
whose family name was Armentarius. The former married
a step-daughter of Herculius, the latter a daughter of
Diocletian; both divorced their wives, just as Augustus
had done formerly when he had commanded Tiberius
Nero to marry his daughter Julia. All of these princes were
born in Illyricum; and though they were of little culture,
nevertheless since they were inured to the hardships of
the country and of the battle-field, they rendered good
service to the state. Hence it is evident that calamities
are the best teachers of goodness and wisdom, while on
the other hand, men who have never had troubles, are
prone to judge all men in accordance with their wealth
and have themselves but little insight. But the harmony
among the rulers proves conclusively that their natural