Graham, Alexander: Roman Africa: an outline of the history of the Roman occupation of North Africa ; based chiefly upon inscriptions and monumental remains in that country (London [u.a.], 1902)

Africa under Antoninus Pius 149

in its wording, tells us that in the most happy reign (beatissimis
temporibus) of Honorius and Theodosius the younger, who
shared the throne A.D. 408-423, and with the approval of the
two imperial functionaries, both described as viri clarissimi,
and one of them amplissimus also, the town, which had been
allowed for some time to get into a filthy state, was put
into good condition and made pleasant for visitors at the
expense of a worthy man named Valentinus, who had the
management of the town revenues, and is appropriately styled
nonestissimus.1

Beatissimis temporibus dominorum 7iostrorum Ifonori et Theodosi semper
et ubique vincentium administrante Pomp . . . viro clarissimo amplissimoque
procottsule et Thersio Crispi?io Megethio viro clarissimo legato ....
Valentinus vir honestissimus curator rei publicce locum minis obsilum, qui
antea squalore et sordibus fcedabattir, ad ttecessariinn usutn et ad peregri-
norum hospitalitatem in meliorem statum ad usum et aspectum propria
pecunia reformavit feliciter.

The record of Antonine's career is one of almost unbroken
peace at home and abroad. To defend the Empire as it was
handed to him by his predecessor, and to avoid the sacrifice of
a single life in extending its borders, was the political creed of
this tranquil ruler of mankind. ' I would rather; said the
Emperor, 'save the life of a single citizen than slay a thousand
enemies.' A tender regard for the welfare of his subjects
showed itself at the close of Antonine's career. When the last
hour had come and the officer on guard was waiting in the
antechamber for the watchword of the day, the word ALqua-
nimitas was muttered by the Emperor with his last breath ; and
so he passed away as he had lived, even-minded in all things,
loving empire for the sake of doing good, and secure in the
esteem and affections of his people.

This excessive amiability was severely strained on several
occasions by the conduct of the Empress Annia Gallia Faustina,
called Faustina the elder to distinguish her from her daughter
Faustina, the wife of Marcus Aurelius. If we are to accept all
the evil things said by Latin authors about the wife of Antonine,
justice to her memory compels also the acceptance of the
Emperor's testimony to her worth. ' I would rather,' said Anto-

1 C.I.L. No. 5341.