DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18096#0225
Africa under Marcus Aurelius 161
e said that the town has long since been swept away and its
Existence almost forgotten.
It is a matter of regret that the chief authorities for this
Period of African history, embracing the career of such a re-
markable Emperor as Marcus Aurelius, should have written so
little about his eventful reign. Capitolinus has placed much
^l-assorted material at the disposal of biographers, and Dion
Cassius has supplied some fragmentary notes, strung together
Without much forethought and with no attempt at methodical
arrangement. Where written records fail, inscriptions and coins
are the sure guide ; and whether they relate to the Emperor's
achievements in the defence of a vast Empire, or are expressive
°f the good will shown to him by his subjects for wise adminis-
tration and just rule, they are for all purposes to be depended
^pon as faithful memorials.
The earlier years of the reign of Marcus Aurelius were
doubled by incessant wars, in which the Emperor took no active
Part. But on the death of Verus the philosopher turned warrior
from duty rather than choice, and conducted various campaigns
^th considerable success. Like most of his predecessors, the
thought of crossing the Mediterranean—the mare scevum, as
Romans called it—was distasteful, partly on account of a
s°mewhat fragile constitution and susceptibility of taking cold
after the slightest exposure. To Marcus Aurelius Africa was
Personally an unknown country, but his regard for this magnifi-
Cent appendage of the Empire is attested by the vast number
°/ dedicatory inscriptions throughout the provinces. At the
tirne of his accession the turbulent disposition of the Moors
lri the extreme west, which had caused Antonine some little
anxiety at the close of his reign, had been successfully checked,
. ut had never been entirely repressed. With that spirit of
Impetuosity which characterises southern races, these restless
lnhabitants of Western Mauritania were not content with
faking continual raids into the less protected parts of Roman
erritory, but, taking advantage of disturbances in other parts of
e Empire, crossed the Mediterranean with the intention of
. rcmg the Romans to surrender their hard-won possessions
ln Southern Spain. But this adventurous expedition was not
tended with success.
The rapid spread of colonisation westward in the African
M
e said that the town has long since been swept away and its
Existence almost forgotten.
It is a matter of regret that the chief authorities for this
Period of African history, embracing the career of such a re-
markable Emperor as Marcus Aurelius, should have written so
little about his eventful reign. Capitolinus has placed much
^l-assorted material at the disposal of biographers, and Dion
Cassius has supplied some fragmentary notes, strung together
Without much forethought and with no attempt at methodical
arrangement. Where written records fail, inscriptions and coins
are the sure guide ; and whether they relate to the Emperor's
achievements in the defence of a vast Empire, or are expressive
°f the good will shown to him by his subjects for wise adminis-
tration and just rule, they are for all purposes to be depended
^pon as faithful memorials.
The earlier years of the reign of Marcus Aurelius were
doubled by incessant wars, in which the Emperor took no active
Part. But on the death of Verus the philosopher turned warrior
from duty rather than choice, and conducted various campaigns
^th considerable success. Like most of his predecessors, the
thought of crossing the Mediterranean—the mare scevum, as
Romans called it—was distasteful, partly on account of a
s°mewhat fragile constitution and susceptibility of taking cold
after the slightest exposure. To Marcus Aurelius Africa was
Personally an unknown country, but his regard for this magnifi-
Cent appendage of the Empire is attested by the vast number
°/ dedicatory inscriptions throughout the provinces. At the
tirne of his accession the turbulent disposition of the Moors
lri the extreme west, which had caused Antonine some little
anxiety at the close of his reign, had been successfully checked,
. ut had never been entirely repressed. With that spirit of
Impetuosity which characterises southern races, these restless
lnhabitants of Western Mauritania were not content with
faking continual raids into the less protected parts of Roman
erritory, but, taking advantage of disturbances in other parts of
e Empire, crossed the Mediterranean with the intention of
. rcmg the Romans to surrender their hard-won possessions
ln Southern Spain. But this adventurous expedition was not
tended with success.
The rapid spread of colonisation westward in the African
M