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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;ancient coin hunter, post: 2954799, member: 87200&quot;]Here&#039;s how good &#039;ol Edward Gibbon characterized the downfall of Arrius Aper, the praetorian prefect...</p><p><br /></p><p>&quot;Yet, even in the transport of their rage and grief, the troops observed a regular proceeding, which proves how firmly discipline had been re-established by the martial successors of Gallienus. A general assembly of the army was appointed to be held at Chalcedon, whither Aper was transported in chains, as a prisoner and a criminal. A vacant tribunal was erected in the midst of the camp, and the generals and tribunes formed a great military Council.</p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>Election of the Emperor Diocletian, A.D. 284, Sept 17</i></p><p><br /></p><p>They soon announced to the multitude that their choice had fallen on Diocletian, commander of the domestics or bodyguards, as the person the most capable of revenging and succeeding their beloved emperor. The future fortunes of the candidate depended on the chance or conduct of the present hour. Conscious that the station which he had filled exposed him to some suspicions, Diocletian ascended the tribunal, and, raising his eyes towards the Sun, made a solemn profession of his own innocence, in the presence of that all seeing Deity. (<a href="https://www.ccel.org/g/gibbon/decline/volume1/nt12/106.htm" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.ccel.org/g/gibbon/decline/volume1/nt12/106.htm" rel="nofollow">106</a>) Then, assuming the tone of a sovereign and a judge, he commanded that Aper; should be brought in chains to the foot of the tribunal.</p><p><br /></p><p>&quot;This man,&quot; said he, &quot;is the murderer of Numerian;&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p>and without giving him time to enter on a dangerous justification, drew his sword, and buried it in the breast of the unfortunate praefect. A charge supported by such decisive proof was admitted without contradiction, and the legions, with repeated acclamations, acknowledged the justice and authority of the emperor Diocletian.&quot; (<a href="https://www.ccel.org/g/gibbon/decline/volume1/nt12/107.htm" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://www.ccel.org/g/gibbon/decline/volume1/nt12/107.htm" rel="nofollow">107</a>)[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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