hereditary right, and who had thereforé no obligation

either to the people or the legions. Caracalla, Commodus, and Maximinus, wete severally sacrificed by wishing to regulate their conduct by that of Severus, to whom they were far from equal in talent. A new prince should therefore conduct himself differently from Marcus and Severus; but he may learn from the first how to elevate himself, and from the other by what means he may maintain that elevation,