[ HO ] 
or eight months, the fenate elected Tacitus ( i ), one - 
of their own body, and who was at that time princeps 
f hiatus . 
No hiftorian has fettled the time, when Tetricus 
died. For Zofimus only tells us, either from vulgar 
reports, or miftaken memoirs, that he was put ta 
death by Aurelian among other rebels in Gaul (2). 
All the reft agree in faying, or luggefting at leaft, that 
he furvived his refignation of that empire; which 
however could not be more than about eighteen 
months, or two years at the fartheft, if he died be- 
fore Aurelian. But that does not fuit with the medals 
of Tetricus. For fome of thele have his head on one 
fide, with a radiated crown ; and on the other an 
eagle, funeral pile, or flaming altar ; with the legend 
Consecratio, the ufual emblem of deification. And 
as it can fcarce be thought, that a prince of Aure- 
lian s martial difpofltion would permit divine honors 
to be confered on one, whom he had himfelf led in 
triumph to mortify the fenate ; it is more natural to 
fuppofe, that it muft have been done by Tacitus , who 
was railed to the empire by the fenate, thought it his 
honor to govern by their counfels, and had nothing 
more at heart, than to repair the injuries they had fuf- 
fered by his predeceflors. And this opinion feems fur- 
ther confirmed by conlidering, that the fuccefl'ors of 
Tacitus had a military turn, and copied after Aurelian 
both in their fentiments and actions. As Tacitus there- 
fore reigned but about feven months, from September 
-75 
(1) Marcvs Clavdivs Tacitvs. 
(2) Lib. 1. 
