request was granted.

10. Now, therefore, that he had an opportunity of doing injury, Maximin
displayed the innate ferocity which was implanted in his cruel heart,
just as wild beasts exhibited in the amphitheatre often do when at
length released from their cages. And, as this affair was represented
first in various ways, as if in a kind of prelude, and some persons with
their sides lacerated named certain nobles, as if by means of their
clients and other low-born persons known as criminals and informers,
they had employed various artifices for injuring them. This infernal
delegate, carrying his investigations to an extravagant length,
presented a malicious report to the emperor, in which he told him that
such atrocious crimes as many people had committed at Rome could not be
investigated nor punished without the severest penalties.

11. When the emperor learnt this he was exasperated beyond measure,
being rather a furious than a rigorous enemy to vice; and accordingly,
by one single edict applying to causes of this kind, which in his
arrogance he treated as if they partook of treason, he commanded that
all those whom the equity of the ancient law and the judgment of the
gods had exempted from examination by torture, should, if the case
seemed to require it, be put to the rack.

12. And in order that the authority to be established, by being doubled
and raised to greater distinction, might be able to heap up greater
calamities, he appointed Maximin proprefect at Rome, and gave him as
colleague in the prosecution of these inquiries, which were being
prepared for the ruin of many persons, a secretary named Leo, who was
afterwards master of the ceremonies. He was by birth a Pannonian, and by
occupation originally a brigand, as savage as a wild beast, and
insatiable of human blood.

13. The accession of a colleague so much like himself, inflamed the
cruel and malignant disposition of Maximin, which was further encouraged
by the commission which conferred this dignity on them; so that,
flinging himself about in his exultation, he seemed rather to dance than
to walk, while he studied to imitate the Brachmans who, according to
some accounts, move in the air amid the altars.

14. And now the trumpets of intestine discords sounded, while all men
stood amazed at the atrocity of the things which were done. Among which,
besides many other cruel and inhuman actions so various and so numerous
that it is impossible for me to rel