NIGER

NIGER (C. Pescennius Justus), a celebrated governor in Syria, well known by his valour in the Roman armies while but a private man. At the death of Pertinax he was declared emperor of Rome; and his claims to that elevated station were supported by a found understanding, prudence of mind, moderation, courage, and virtue. He proposed to imitate the actions of the venerable Antoninus, of Trajan, of Titus, and M. Aurelius. He was remarkable for his fondness of ancient discipline. He never suffered his soldiers to drink wine, but obliged them when thirsty to use water and vinegar. He forbade the use of silver or gold utensils in his camp. All the bakers and cooks were driven away, and the soldiers were ordered to live during the expedition they undertook merely upon biscuits. In his punishments Niger was inexorable: he condemned ten of his soldiers to be beheaded in the presence of the army, because they had stolen and eaten a fowl. The sentence was heard with groans. The army interfered; and when Niger consented to diminish the punishment, for fear of kindling rebellion, he yet ordered the criminals to make each a restoration of ten fowls to the person whose property they had stolen. They were besides ordered not to light a fire the rest of the campaign, but to live upon cold aliments and to drink nothing but water. Such great qualifications in a general seemed to promise the restoration of ancient discipline in the Roman armies; but the death of Niger frustrated every hope of reform. Severus, who had also been invested with the imperial purple, marched against him; some battles were fought, and Niger was at last defeated A. D. 195. His head was cut off and fixed to a long spear, and carried in triumph through the streets of Rome. He reigned about a year.