uttered against them. And this partiality of his was the cause
of the murmurs in Britain, and the disasters in Africa, and the
devastation of Illyricum.

2. He was, both at home and abroad, a strict observer of modesty and
chastity, keeping his conscience wholly free from all taint of impurity
or obscenity, and in consequence he bridled the wantonness of the
imperial court as with a strong rein; and he was the more easily able to
do this because he had never shown any indulgence to his own relations,
whom he either kept in obscurity, or (if he promoted them at all) raised
to a very moderate rank, with the exception of his brother, whom, in
deference to the necessities of the times, he made his partner in the
imperial dignity.

3. He was very scrupulous in giving high rank to any one; nor, as long
as he was emperor, did any one of the moneyed interest become ruler of
a province, nor was any government sold, unless it was at the beginning
of his reign, when wicked actions were sometimes committed in the hope
that the new prince would be too much occupied to punish them.

4. In waging war, and in defending himself from attacks, he was prudent
and very skilful, like a veteran of great experience in military
affairs. He was a very wise admirer of all that was good, and dissuader
from all that was bad; and a very accurate observer of all the details
of military service. He wrote with elegance, and described everything
with great neatness and skill in composition. He was an inventor of new
arms. He had an excellent memory, and a fluent, easy style of speaking,
which at times bordered closely upon eloquence. He was a lover of
elegant simplicity, and was fond, not so much of profuse banquets, as of
entertainments directed by good taste.

5. Lastly, he was especially remarkable during his reign for his
moderation in this particular, that he kept a middle course between the
different sects of religion; and never troubled any one, nor issued any
orders in favour of one kind of worship or another; nor did he
promulgate any threatening edicts to bow down the necks of his subjects
to the form of worship to which he himself was inclined; but he left
these parties just as he found them, without making any alterations.

6. His body was muscular and strong: the brightness of his hair--the
brilliancy of his complexion, with his blue eyes, which always looked
askance with a stern aspect--the beauty of his figure--his lofty
stature, and