A.D. 238.
[Born at Rome, A.D. 157. Died at Carthage, in Africa, A.D. 238. Aged
80.]
Born of an honourable family, claiming high descent, and possessing
great wealth. When Ædile, his public spectacles were pre-eminently
magnificent. At one of them 1000 gladiators fought at once. When
appointed Pro-Consul in Africa, he was called “The New Scipio,” on
account of his popular manners. When eighty years of age he was forced
to become Emperor by the people of Carthage, who would not submit to the
ferocious Maximinus. After a few months’ reign, however, he was attacked
by Capellianus, the Procurator of Numidia, and hearing of the fall of
his son, strangled himself with his own belt. A man of extraordinary
self-command and sobriety, and very studious. In his youth he composed a
poem in thirty books; and, to his latest hour, he passed some portion of
the day in the study of Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, and Virgil. In temper
gentle and affectionate.
[From the marble in the Capitoline Museum at Rome.]