ROMAN EMPERORS, GOOD AND BAD.

Character of the Roman Army.—​Conspiracy of Otho.—​Death of Galba.—​Vitellius Emperor.—​Revolt of the Jews, and Destruction of Jerusalem.—​Reign of Vespasian.—​Character of Titus; of Domitian.—​Religion of Pagan Rome.—​Nerva.—​Anecdotes of St. John.—​Exploits of Trajan.—​Letter of Pliny.—​Letter of Trajan.

[CHAPTER XI.]

MARTYRDOM.

The Martyrdom of Ignatius.—​Death of Trajan.—​Succession of Adrian.—​Infidel Assaults.—​Celsus.—​The Apology of Quadrat.—​The Martyrdom of Symphorose and her Sons.—​Character and Death of Adrian.—​Antoninus.—​Conversion of Justin Martyr.—​His Apology.—​Marcus Aurelius.—​Hostility of the Populace.—​The Martyrdom of Polycarp.

[CHAPTER XII.]

PAGAN ROME.

Infamy of Commodus.—​His Death.—​The Reign of Pertinax.—​The Mob of Soldiers.—​Death of Pertinax.—​Julian purchases the Crown.—​Rival Claimants.—​Severus.—​Persecutions.—​Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas.—​The Reign of Caracalla.—​Fiendlike Atrocities.—​Elagabalus, Priest of the Sun.—​Death by the Mob.—​Alexander and his Mother.—​Contrast between Paganism and Christianity.—​The Sin of Unbelief.

[CHAPTER XIII.]

SIN AND MISERY.