expected that they came to put him to death by the tyrant's orders, instead of their offering him the empire. The Romans had various emblems of Divine Providence, as the altar, the eagle, the globe, and the fulmen, (see No. CCXV.) but it is singular that the poets have no where described them.

CCCXII.

Obrerse. IMP. CAES. P. HELV. PERTINAX AVG. (Imperator Cæsar, Publius Helvius Pertinax, Augustus.) A manly laurelled head of Pertinax, with curled hair, thick mustachios, and a flowing beard. This medal is in excellent condition, and densely coated with a deep green patina; it was purchased at Mr. Henderson's sale, in 1830.

Reverse. AEQVIT. AVG. TR. P COS. II. (Equitas Augusti,* Tribunitia potestate, Consul iterum. In the field S. C. A robed female, standing with balanced scales in her right hand, as Equity, a quality which obviates the cruelty sometimes committed by Justice in pushing the law to the extreme :

"Scis etenim justum geminâ suspendere lance
Ancipitis libræ."

Her left arm supports a cornucopiæ, to shew that plenty follows a just award; but this expla-nation does not contemplate a client's being ruined by his lawyer's fees. The legend shews the several imperial honours which the Senate decreed to Pertinax; still, though he was the only Emperor who had been complimented with the title of Pater Patriæ on the first day of his reign, it does not appear upon any of his coins-whence it may be inferred that, after the example of the best of his predecessors, he wished it to be deferred.

Besides being an emblem of justice, this balance has also been considered to allude to the constellation Libra. Ruæus, however, accuses Virgil, in common with other ancients, of being ignorant of that sign, from some confusion which certainly exists as to the limits of Scorpio; yet in the Georgics, l. i. v. 208, it is distinctly said—

"LIBRA die somnique pares ubi fecerit horas.

Manilius, in describing the same sign, says—

"Hesperiam sua Libra tenet, quâ condita Roma,
Et propiis froenat pendentem nutibus orbem."+

CCCXIII.

Obverse. IMP. CAES. P. HELV. PERTINAX AVG. (Imperator Cæsar Publius Helvius Pertinax, Augustus.) A venerable laureated head of the Emperor, with a large forehead, long beard, and curled hair. This medal is in beautiful preservation, and covered with brown patina; it was procured from the Rev. Mr. Hall, at Leghorn, in 1823, in exchange for some Athenian tetradrachms.

Reverse. LAETITIA TEMPORVM COS. II. (Lætitia temporum, Consul iterum.) In the field S. C. A stolated female standing with a garland of flowers in her right hand, and a hasta pura in her left. There were several epithets of this virtue, as Deorum, Æterna, Publica, and Fundata, under which, no doubt, separate and especial rites were appointed, according as the happiness was public or private. See No. CCCVII. But this of Temporum testifies the general exultation at the accession of Pertinax, when the wreaths of gaiety were actually

* A certain king of Naples struck a device with the legend Equitas Regni, whence the name "Cavalli" and "Cavallucci" was absurdly given to the money, as if derived from Equus, a horse; reminding one of the Horatian "Saw" against selling a mare, “Æquam (Equam) memento rebus in arduis servare."

+ Perhaps I should not omit, that one medallist assigns this Equity, not in a general sense, but to the particular act of the seizure of some Barbarian deputies on the road to their country, for the purpose of compelling them to return the gold which Commodus had paid as the price of their friendship; and which, that writer says, was justly wrested from them. If this tribute, however, was rendered in consequence of stipulations, it is difficult to find where the equity lies. The act was perpetrated by order of Lætus, who dismissed the deputies with a charge that they should acquaint their government that, "Pertinax was now Emperor," to whose reputation they were no strangers. The Romans never forgot, nor forgave, a defeat or humiliation.

scattered about the streets: "Tanta fuit Populi Romani lætitia, ut vicos urbis coronis straverit." This was a joyous time which recalled the words of Horace :

"Iam Fides, et Pax, et Honor, Pudorque

Priscus, et neglecta redire Virtus

Audet; apparetque beata pleno
Copia cornu.

CCCXIV.

Obverse. DIVVS PERT. PIVS PATER. (Divus Pertinax, Pius, Pater.) The head of Pertinax, with the full beard and curled hair of the former coins, but without a laurel wreath, and having the shoulders robed. The title of Pater here applies to the divinity of the Emperor, for the reason given at No. CCLIX. A medal in excellent condition, and incrusted with a reddish-brown patina; it was purchased from Mr. Young, in 1826.

Reverse. CONSECRATIO. On the exergum S. C. A grand pyra adorned with statues, tapestry, and festoons of flowers; and surmounted by a quadrigated car. The body of Pertinax was interred with great pomp by Didius Julian. Severus afterwards honoured his memory with a most magnificent funeral ceremony, pronounced his panegyric himself, and caused him to be ranked among the number of the Gods;-appointing Pertinax, the son, chief priest to his father. This medal is beautifully figured in M. Mionnet's well-known work.

DIDIUS JULIANUS.

Marcus Didius Severus Julianus, son of Petronius Didius Severus, and grandson of Salvius Julianus, the celebrated civilian, was born at Milan, A. D. 133, and was brought up by Domitia Lucilla, the mother of Marcus Aurelius. That prince, who had a particular regard for him, created him successively Quæstor, Edile, and Prætor, and appointed him Governor of Belgic Gaul. In the reign of Commodus, he narrowly escaped being included in the pretended conspiracy of his uncle Salvius Julianus; but after a time was restored to favour, and became Governor of Bithynia. He was elevated to the Consulship, as the colleague of Pertinax, A. D. 172, whom he succeeded in the Proconsulship of Africa; and was afterwards his Præfectus Vigilum." When the murderers of Pertinax found that nobody attempted to avenge him, their insolence increased, and they determined to set the imperial authority to sale. In effect, they caused a soldier, remarkable for a loud voice, to mount the ramparts of the camp, and proclaim that the empire was to be sold to the highest bidder: and the throne, in consequence, fell to Julian "by purchase." His bargain lessened his property, impaired his credit, and cost him his life; for on the approach of Severus with the warlike legions of Pannonia, he was put to death by order of the terrified Senate, A. D. 193, after a wretched reign of 66 days, in the 61st year of his age.

66

The general inpression, that Julian was a mere monied adventurer without a single quality to entitle him to the exalted dignity he coveted, is contradicted

by the important appointments which he held. Gibbon declares that he had neither friend nor adherent-but this could hardly have been the case with one who had borne high commands through life. The project of buying the empire is said to have been formed while he was giving a "jollification" to his companions; yet this is at variance with Spartian, who tells us that Didius was carried to the camp against his will. Dio, an eye-witness of the events, says, that the new prince, entering the palace, and despising the frugal supper which had been prepared for his predecessor, ordered a magnificent feast to be got ready, so as to gratify at once his ambition and appetite-yet other writers describe him as singularly penurious. He is accused of treating the body of Pertinax with contempt, yet he gave it honourable burial. If we admit, with Dio, that he was avaricious, greedy, and petulant, there is also evidence that he was brave, affable, and learned; and though he could not defend the disgraceful venality of the soldiers, he was probably not very wide of the truth when he assured the Conscript Fathers, that he was the fittest person they could choose for an emperor. Indeed, when we consider his rank, education, and riches, his pretensions were assuredly as legitimate as those of the African who opposed him; he was not the author of the distresses or degradation of the country; and there really appears an exaggeration in the horror of the citizens, the hatred of the populace, and the devouring grief of the supple Senators, at a sale which was no novelty but in form.

The medals of Didius are rare in each of the metals, and none are known in small-brass. The types are confined to the three about to be described; for though a Juno Regina appears in large-brass, similar to that of Manlia Scantilla, the cautious Eckhel questions its authenticity. There is also a silver Fides Exercit. which is doubted; and another, commemorating the name of Commodus, which the soldiers gave to Didius, is to be seen in the Index of Goltzius-but it is false.

CCCXV.

Obverse. IMP. CAES. M. DID. SEVER. IVLIAN. AVG. (Imperator Cæsar, Marcus Didius Severus Julianus, Augustus.) A laureated head of Julian, with curled hair, full mustachios and beard, and a bare neck. The expression is venerable and sensible, though the features are not remarkable. This medal is in high perfection, and coated with a dark-green patina; it was procured at Cagliari, in 1823.

Reverse. CONCORD. MILIT. (Concordia Militum.) In the field S. C. A robed female standing with a splendid military ensign in each hand; this was struck A. D. 193, in token of the influence which the army exercised in the election of the new Emperor, and whose concord was purchased at about £200. a man. The standards are here surmounted by legionary eagles, but there is another medal with this device, in which they are omitted.

CCCXVI.

Obverse. IMP. CAES. M. DID. SEVER. IVLIAN. AVG. (Imperator Cæsar, Marcus Didius Severus Julianus, Augustus.) A fine and characteristic head of the Emperor, with a laurel

crown, nicely trimmed beard, and bare neck. Both Spartian and Capitolinus say, that Julian received the title of Pater Patriæ, but it does not appear upon any of his coins. This medal, covered with a brownish-red varnish, and in excellent condition, was purchased from Mr. Young, in 1825.

Reverse. RECTOR ORBIS; a legend expressed with beautiful simplicity. In the field S. C. Didius in "vestimentis pretiosis," and bareheaded, holds a globe in his right hand, and a roll of paper in his left, with a commanding air; such as we may suppose he assumed when he addressed the Conscript Fathers with-" vobis Principe opus est, et ego, præ cæteris omnibus, sum Principatu dignissimus." The "Rector Orbis," however, seems to have changed domestic life for splendid misery, and the comforts of a stable home for the empty pomp of a palace, wherein he existed, to use Bishop Hall's words,

"Like a scabb'd cuckoo in a cage of gold."

CCCXVII.

Obverse. IMP. CAES. M. DID. SEVER. IVLIAN. AVG. (Imperator Cæsar, Marcus Didius Severus Julianus, Augustus.) The laurelled head of the Emperor, with features expressive of advanced age. This medal is thickly incrusted with rich brown patina, and is in remarkably fine condition; it was procured near Mazzara, in Sicily, in 1820.

Reverse. P. M. TR. P. COS. (Pontifex Maximus, Tribunitia potestate, Consul.) In the field S. C. The figure of Fortune, robed as a Roman matron, and standing, holds a cornucopiæ in her left hand, and with the right supports a rudder upon a globe, in token of universal dominion. Such was the device by which was represented the fortunate elevation of an old man, who in a few weeks was slain on his bed, after bitterly bewailing his fate, and beseeching permission to resign his power. "Manente adhuc in Imperatoria aula Juliano, ac fortunam suam miserante, suppliciterque rogante, ut sibi ejurare Imperium liceret, omnemque ejus potestatem Severo transcribere." Dio accuses him of murdering some children, in order to prognosticate, by magic, his future fate. His corpse was given by Severus to Manlia Scantilla, for sepulture.

MANLIA SCANTILLA.

Manlia Scantilla was the wife of Didius Julianus; but we are unacquainted with her descent and connexions, as well as the dates of her birth, marriage, and death. As with Titiana, she partook of her husband's elevation, A. D. 193, and after his fall, was permitted to retreat again into private life. Historians have left but slight notices of this lady, who, it appears, was very much deformed in her person. Herodian and Zosimus accuse her, of foolishly persuading her husband to the fatal step of prodigally scattering his wealth, to obtain the sovereign authority. But Spartian assures us that, on the very day on which the Senate elected the family of Julian into the Patrician order, and honoured Scantilla and her daughter with the title of Augusta, these females entered the palace with a dread of impending destruction: "Inde se ad palatium recepit, uxore ac filia illuc vocatis, trepidis et invitis illuc transeuntibus, quasi jam inminens exitium præsagirent."

All the medals of this Empress are very rare; nor are there any Greek or Colonial ones known. The only symbol which I have yet met with, either on Sestertii or

Denarii, is that about to be described: for though there is mention of one having Fortune, as in No. CCCXVII, it must be the result of some blunder in the mintage, since it bears the husband's titles,-and there is moreover a medal of Didius, bearing the Juno Regina of Scantilla, as a reverse. Spartian writes this lady's name Mallia, but had he been a numismatist, he would probably have corrected the orthography.

CCCXVIII.

Obverse. MANI.. SCANTILLA AVG. (Manlia Scantilla Augusta.) A matronly head of Scantilla, with a quiet expression of countenance, and good features. The hair hangs over the ears, and is turned up at the back of the head in plaits, but without any ornament;—and the bosom is covered with drapery. This medal is in fine preservation, though a portion of its Saxon-green patina has been rubbed from the reverse; it was procured near Nice, in 1823.

Reverse. IVNO REGINA. In the field S. C. A robed female standing with the sacred patera, and the lance of divinity; at her feet is a peacock :

"Habili Saturnia curru

Ingreditur liquidum Pavonibus aêra pictis.”

We have seen Julian as Rector Orbis, and here his wife appears as queen of heaven. Of all the pagan deities there was not one whose worship was more solemn and more universal than that of Juno; and the general name for the tutelary deities of women was Junones. She not only protected weddings and births, but even presided over female dress and ornaments. See Nos. CCLXVII and CCLXXXI. As the Roman emperors were assimilated to Jupiter, and ranked among the great gods, so were the empresses placed with the goddesses of superior rank, and addressed as Juno. Hence Prudentius:

"atque adytis, et flamine, et aris,

Augustum coluit, vitulo placavit, et agno:

Strata ad pulvinar jacuit, responsa poposcit,

Testantur tituli, produrt Consulta Senatus

Cæsareum, Jovis ad speciem, statuentia templum ;
Adjecere sacrum, fieret quo Livia Juno."

DIDIA CLARA.

Didia Clara, the daughter of Didius Julianus and Manlia Scantilla; appears to have been born about A. D. 153, and is represented as having assisted her mother's endeavouring to persuade Julian to purchase the empire. She was esteemed the most beautiful woman of her age, and was married to Cornelius Repentinus, who, during her father's brief reign, was made Præfect of Rome. She was honoured as Augusta at the same time with Scantilla, and a revenue proportionate to her new dignity was settled upon her. This dream of power, however, which was purchased at the expense of her father's life, lasted but a couple of months; what becaine of her husband is not known, but Severus permitted Clara to retire, with her mother, after taking away her patrimony, and divesting her of the proud title of Augusta, an act of mercy rather unusual with that relentless tyrant.