moments. To divert the
public envy, Cleander, under the Emperor's name, erected baths,
porticoes, and places of exercise for the use of the people. He
flattered himself that the Romans, dazzled and amused by this apparent
liberality, would be less affected by the bloody scenes which were daily
exhibited; that they would forget the death of Byrrhus, a senator to
whose superior merit the late Emperor had granted one of his daughters;
and that they would forgive the execution of Arrius Antoninus, the last
representative of the name and virtues of the Antonines. The former,
with more integrity than prudence, had attempted to disclose, to his
brother-in-law, the true character of Cleander. An equitable sentence
pronounced by the latter, when proconsul of Asia, against a worthless
creature of the favorite proved fatal to him. After the fall of
Perennis, the terrors of Commodus had for a short time assumed the
appearance of a return to virtue. He repealed the most odious of his
acts, loaded his memory with the public execration, and ascribed to the
pernicious counsels of that wicked minister all the errors of his
inexperienced youth. But his repentance lasted only thirty days; and,
under Cleander's tyranny, the administration of Perennis was often
regretted.

Pestilence and famine contributed to fill up the measure of the
calamities of Rome. The first could be only imputed to the just
indignation of the gods; but a monopoly of corn, supported by the riches
and power of the minister, was considered as the immediate cause of the
second. The popular discontent, after it had long circulated in
whispers, broke out in the assembled Circus. The people quitted their
favorite amusements for the more delicious pleasure of revenge, rushed
in crowds toward a palace in the suburbs, one of the Emperor's
retirements, and demanded, with angry clamors, the head of the public
enemy. Cleander, who commanded the praetorian guards, ordered a body of
cavalry to sally forth and disperse the seditious multitude. The
multitude fled with precipitation toward the city; several were slain,
and many more were trampled to death; but when the cavalry entered the
streets their pursuit was checked by a shower of stones and darts from
the roofs and windows of the houses.

The foot-guards, who had been long jealous of the prerogatives and
insolence of the praetorian cavalry, embraced the party of the people.
The tumult became a regular engagement, and threat