Ti.  Saturninus, C. Gallus. (A.D. 198 = a.u. 951 = Sixth of Severus).

P. Cornelius Anullinus, M. Aufidius Fronto. (A.D. 199 = a.u. 952 = Seventh of Severus).

Ti.  Claudius Severus, C. Aufidius Victorinus. (A.D. 200 = a.u. 953 =
Eighth of Severus).

L. Annius Fabianus, M. Nonius Mucianus. (A.D. 201 = a.u. 954 = Ninth of
Severus).

L. Septimius Severus Aug. (III), M. Aurel.  Antoninus Aug. (A.D. 202 = a.u. 955 = Tenth of Severus).

[Sidenote:  A.D. 195 (a.u. 948)] [Sidenote:—­1—­] Of such a nature were the walls of Byzantium.  During the progress of this siege Severus out of a desire for fame had made a campaign against the barbarians,—­the Osrhoeni, the Adiabeni, and the Arabians. [The Osrhoeni and Adiabeni having revolted were besieging Nisibis:  defeated by Severus they sent an embassy to him after the death of Niger, not to beg his clemency as wrongdoers but to demand reciprocal favors, pretending to have brought about the outcome for his benefit.  It was for his sake, they said, that they had destroyed the soldiers who belonged to Niger’s party.  Indeed, they sent a few gifts to him and promised to restore the captives and whatever spoils were left.  However, they were not willing either to abandon the walled towns they had captured or to accept the imposition of tributes, but they desired those in existence to be lifted from the country.  It was this that led to the war just mentioned.]

[Sidenote:—­2—­] When he had crossed the Euphrates and invaded hostile territory, where the country was destitute of water and at this summer season had become especially parched, he came dangerously near losing great numbers of soldiers.  Wearied as they were by their tramping and the hot sun, clouds of dust that they encountered harrassed them greatly, so that they could no longer walk nor yet speak, but only utter the word “Water, water!” When [moisture] appeared, on account of [its] strangeness it attracted no more attention than if it had not been found, till Severus called for a cup, and having filled it with water drank it down in full view of all.  Upon this some others likewise drank and were invigorated.  Soon after Severus entered Nisibis and himself waited there, but despatched Lateranus and Candidus and Laetus severally among the aforementioned barbarians.  These upon attaining their goals proceeded to lay waste the land of the barbarians and to capture their cities.  While Severus was greatly priding himself upon this achievement and feeling that he surpassed all mankind in both understanding and bravery, a most unexpected event took place.  One Claudius, a robber, who overran Judaea and Syria and was sought for in consequence with great hue and cry, came to him one day with horsemen, like some military tribune, and saluted and kissed him.  The visitor was not discovered at the time nor was he later arrested. [And the Arabians, because none of their neighbors was willing to aid them, sent an embassy a second time to Severus making quite reasonable propositions.  Still, they did not obtain what they wanted, inasmuch as they had not come in person.]