35.  To whom were they imputed?

SECTION IV.

  And wise Aurelius, in whose well-taught mind,
  With boundless power unbounded virtue join’d. 
  His own strict judge, and patron of mankind.—­Pope.

1.  In this scene of universal tumult, desolation and distress, there was nothing left but the virtues and the wisdom of one man to restore tranquillity and happiness to the empire. 2.  Aure’lius began his endeavours by marching against the Marcoman’ni and Qua’di, taking Ve’rus with him, who reluctantly left the sensual delights of Rome for the fatigues of a camp. 3.  They came up with the Marcoman’ni near the city of Aquile’ia, and after a furious engagement, routed their whole army; then pursuing them across the Alps, overcame them in several contests; and, at last, entirely defeating them, returned into Italy without any considerable loss.

[Sidenote:  U.C. 022 A.D. 169.]

4.  As the winter was far advanced, Ve’rus was determined on going to Rome, in which journey he was seized with an apoplexy that put an end to his life, at the age of thirty-nine, having reigned in conjunction with Aure’lius nine years.

5.  Aure’lius, who had hitherto sustained the fatigues of governing, not only an empire, but his colleague, began to act with greater diligence, and more vigour than ever.  After thus subduing the Marcoman’ni, he returned to Rome, where he resumed his attempts to benefit mankind by a farther reformation.

6.  But his good endeavours were soon interrupted by a renewal of the former wars.  In one of the engagements that ensued, he is said to have been miraculously relieved when his army was perishing with thirst, by the prayers of a Christian legion[10] which had been levied in his service; for we are told, that there fell such a shower of rain, as instantly refreshed the fainting army.  The soldiers were seen holding their mouths and their helmets towards heaven, to catch the water which came so wonderfully to their relief. 7.  The same clouds which served for their rescue, discharged so terrible a storm of hail, accompanied with thunder, against the enemy, as astonished and confused them.  By this unlooked-for aid, the Romans, recovering strength and courage, renewed the engagement with fresh vigour, and cut the enemy to pieces. 8.  Such are the circumstances of an event, acknowledged by Pagan as well as Christian writers; only with this difference, that the latter ascribe the miracle to their own, the former to the prayers of their emperor.  However this be, Aure’lius seemed so sensible of miraculous assistance, that he immediately relaxed the persecution against the Christians, and wrote to the senate in their favour.

9.  Soon after this event, Avid’ius Cas’sius, one of the generals who had fought with such success against the Parthians, assumed the imperial purple, but was shortly after killed in an engagement.  When his head was brought to Aure’lius, he expressed great sorrow, turned his eyes away, and caused it to be honourably interred, complaining that he had been robbed of an opportunity of showing mercy.  On being blamed for his too great lenity to the relatives and friends of Cas’sius, he sublimely replied, “We have not lived nor served the gods so ill, as to think that they would favour Cas’sius.”