MARCUS AURELIUS
seen service, is of austere life and serious character. I think that his appointment will be of advantage to the army; that it will not be disadvantageous, I am sure. I have granted him double allowances, a simple military robe, but four times the pay of his rank. Exhort him to shew himself a pattern to the State for he is assured a reward equal to his tleserts.
From a Letter about Albinus written by Marcus during the Rebellion of Avidius Cassius
The loyalty of Albinus is worthy of all praise in that he kept to their allegiance troops that were seriously disaffected, when they were ready to go over to Cassius. And had he not been on the spot, the defection would have been general. In him then we have a man worthy of the consulship, and I will appoint him in the room of Cassius Papirius, who, as I have just been told, is dying. But I would rather not have this appointment made public at present, that it may not get to the ears of Papirius himself or his relations, lest we seem to have elected a consul to take the place of one who is still alive.
Marcus Antoninus to Cornelius Balbus
You praise Pescennius[1]1 to me. I am not surprised, for your predecessor also spoke of him as energetic in action, serious in character, and even
- ↑ Pescennius Niger, like Albinus, became a claimant for empire, but was defeated and slain by Severus.
