only to follow in the footsteps of his father to please hispeople and soldiers； but； being by nature cruel and brutal； he gavehimself up to amusing the soldiers and corrupting them； so that he mightindulge his rapacity upon the people； on the other hand； not maintaininghis dignity； often descending to the theatre to pete with gladiators；and doing other vile things； little worthy of the imperial majesty； hefell into contempt with the soldiers； and being hated by one party anddespised by the other； he was conspired against and killed。It remains to discuss the character of Maximinus。 He was a very warlikeman； and the armies； being disgusted with the effeminacy of Alexander；of whom I have already spoken； killed him and elected Maximinus to thethrone。 This he did not possess for long； for two things made him hatedand despised； the one； his having kept sheep in Thrace； which broughthim into contempt （it being well known to all； and considered a greatindignity by every one）； and the other； his having at the accession tohis dominions deferred going to Rome and taking possession of theimperial seat； he had also gained a reputation for the utmost ferocityby having； through his prefects in Rome and elsewhere in the empire；practised many cruelties； so that the whole world was moved to anger atthe meanness of his birth and to fear at his barbarity。 First Africarebelled； then the Senate with all the people of Rome； and all Italyconspired against him； to which may be added his own army： this latter；besieging Aquileia and meeting with difficulties in taking it； weredisgusted with his cruelties； and fearing him less when they found somany against him； murdered him。I do not wish to discuss Heliogabalus； Macrinus； or Julian； who； beingthoroughly contemptible； were quickly wiped out； but