Works and Other Worthy Writings (Aldine Edition)

contagion, as much from the odors of laurels as from the pleasantness of the shadows themselves. For this reason, in the city itself, many people, acting on the advice of physicians, filled their nostrils and ears with the sweetest ointments and made constant use of incense and perfumes, because the sensory passages (as some say), being occupied by those odors, would not admit the pestilential air; and even if they did admit it, it would nonetheless be overcome by a sort of greater force. However, the disease grew no less severe, and men and the cattle moving among men perished everywhere. But a famine had also oppressed the state at that same time for this reason. There was a certain Phrygian named Cleander, from that class of men who are sold publicly by a crier. Once he had been surrendered into servitude in the imperial household and had grown alongside Commodus himself, he was advanced to such a degree of honor and authority that he alone obtained the custody of his body, the care of his bedchamber, and, furthermore, the command of the soldiers. But riches and luxury spurred him on even to the hope of imperial power. Therefore, having amassed a great sum of money, he bought up a great deal of grain. He kept this secret, hoping that he would attach to himself the goodwill of the Roman people and the army if he were to immediately win them over with largesse after they had first suffered from a lack of necessities. He had also built a very large gymnasium, with baths opened to the public, so that he might in that way ensnare the people. But the Romans, who had long been resentful and attributed the cause of the entire pestilence to him, and who at the same time detested a man insatiable for wealth, first of all repeatedly denounced him in the theaters. Then, while Commodus was staying in the suburbs, they all suddenly gathered with great shouting, demanding Cleander for slaughter. And when the entire suburban area was filled with tumult, and Commodus himself was indulging in pleasures in a high retreat, unaware of what was happening (for Cleander had taken care of that), suddenly, beyond everyone's expectation, the prince's armed cavalry burst forth, rushing out at Cleander’s command and wounding everyone they encountered. The unarmed people were, of course, unable to withstand the attack of the armed men, nor could those on foot withstand the horsemen; therefore, having been put to flight, they were driven back into the city, and there many were put to death, not only those whom the soldiers finished off with iron, but also those whom the horsemen trampled, and those who were crushed either by the dense crowd or by the onrush of the cavalry. Thus, having pursued them to the city gates without any hindrance, they killed a great part of the people. But those who had remained in the city, having understood the calamity of their own people, with their houses closed, retreated to the roofs and pinnacles and assailed the horsemen from above with stones and tiles. And so, fortune was immediately reversed, with no one daring to fight hand-to-hand, but with the entire mul