Works and Other Worthy Writings (Aldine Edition)

and willingly bestowed all my study upon you, and whether it must be shown by you in return, by a return of gratitude, that you are not unmindful of the things you have received. You see the son whom you yourselves have educated, now entering the first milestones of youth and, as it were, on the high seas and in the waves of life, needing guides, lest he be swept off his straight course by the inexperience of affairs and strike upon evil arts. Therefore, be to him, in my place, many parents, cultivating him and suggesting only the best things. For neither can a force of money satisfy the luxury of a tyranny, nor can hosts of bodyguards protect a prince, unless those very people whom you rule accommodate their benevolence and minds to the ruler. For those indeed rule for a long time and safely who instill not fear from cruelty, but love from kindness into the minds of their citizens. For those who are forced to serve by necessity, and not those whom their own will compels to obey, are free from all suspicion and flattery in their actions and suffering, and they never refuse the empire unless they have been treated violently and contumeliously. It is, however, difficult in the greatest license to moderate oneself and, as it were, to impose reins upon one's desires; if you will be the authors of his good living for him, and shall admonish him repeatedly of what he now hears before you, by one labor you will both render him an excellent prince to yourselves and to all others, and you will earn our memory, which you will be able to make immortal in this one way. As Marcus was saying such things, his spirit suddenly failed him, so that he immediately fell silent and, out of excessive weakness, fell back supine upon his little bed. Such great compassion took hold of all who were present that some of them, out of grief, being scarcely in control of their senses, raised a cry. But when he had survived for only one day and night, he met his fate, in such a way that he left a great longing for himself among the mortals of that age, and for posterity, a memory of his virtue that will last forever. But after fame had divulged the news of his death, an incredible grief suddenly occupied the army itself and the entire populace. And there were truly no mortals within the Roman dominion who did not receive such news with many tears, and all, as if with one voice, called him, some a righteous parent, others a good emperor, some a most brave leader, and others even a continent and moderate prince. And surely no one was considered to be wrong. But a few days later, the funeral having already been celebrated, it seemed best to his friends to bring the youth to the army, so that he might address the soldiers and (which is the custom for new emperors) by distributing money, he might, as if by a certain fee, bind their minds to himself. It was therefore proclaimed to all that they should be present in the field, as was the custom, in great numbers. When, therefore, Commodus had proceeded and had performed the divine rite, and having been lifted up for this very purpose had climbed a tribunal in the midst of the camp, with his father’s friends—who were indeed many and most learned men—standing around, he spoke to them in roughly this manner.