[776]. Gibbon, op. cit. I. p. 209. Severus’ victories are doubted by Gibbon; and Prof. Bury apparently supports his author.
[777]. Op. cit. I. pp. 269, 270. Prof. Bury in his Appendix 17 points out that the whole history of Valerian’s capture is still very obscure.
[778]. Op. cit. I. p. 340.
[779]. Op. cit. I. p. 375. See Prof. Bury’s note 83 on page cited.
[780]. Op. cit. II. pp. 228-231.
[781]. Op. cit. I. p. 373.
[782]. Gibbon, op. cit. V. pp. 78 sqq. Winwood Reade, Martyrdom of Man, pp. 249, 250, tells the story excellently and dramatically.
[783]. Horace, Odes, Bk I. Ode 38.
[784]. Gibbon, op. cit. I. p. 382. Cf. Cumont, Religions Orientales, p. 171. Lactantius, de Mort. Persecutor. c. XXI., says that this was the conscious aim of Galerius. Although his authority in such a matter is suspect, there can be little doubt of the fact.
[785]. The actual decree of the emperors is given in Cumont, Textes et Monuments, t. II. inscr. 367. The date should probably be 304 A.D. See n. on Table of Dates, Vol. I. supra.