Sevérus left two sons, both of whom he had associated with himself in
the government. No sooner was he dead than they quarrelled, and the
elder, CARACALLA, murdered the other with his own hand in the presence
of their mother.

Caracalla was blood-thirsty and cruel. After a short reign (211-216)
he was murdered by one of his soldiers. By him were begun the famous
baths which bore his name, and of which extensive remains still exist.
Caracalla was succeeded by MACRÍNUS, who reigned but one year, and was
followed by HELIOGABALUS (218-222), a priest of the sun, a true
Oriental, with but few virtues. His end was like that of his
predecessors. The Praetorians revolted and murdered him.


FROM ALEXANDER SEVERUS TO THE AGE OF THE THIRTY TYRANTS (222-268).

ALEXANDER SEVÉRUS was a good man, and well educated. But he endeavored
in vain to check the decline of the state. The military had become all
powerful, and he could effect nothing against it. During his reign
(222-235), the famous baths begun by Caracalla were finished.

Sevérus was killed in a mutiny led by MAXIMIN, who was Emperor for
three years (235-238), and was then murdered by his mutinous soldiers.

GORDIAN, his successor (238-244), was also slain by his own soldiers
in his camp on the Euphrates, and PHILIP (244-249) and DECIUS (249-
251) both fell in battle. Under Decius was begun a persecution of the
Christians severer than any that preceded it.

The next seventeen years (251-268) is a period of great confusion.