[ 459 ] 
begun at Nicomedia in hatred of Nicaea , which 
was very zealous for Pefcennius, and grealy favouro 
by him. Tyre and Laodicea followed the example ef 
Nicomedia , from an averfion to Antioch and Be- 
rytus. And in like manner Perinthus, in oppofition 
to Byzantium. In order to put a flop to this threaten- 
ing mifeheif, Pefcennius ordered fome of thofe 
cities to be plundered and burnt, particularly Tyre 
and Laodicea. But among all the cities, which 
cfpoufed his interefl, Byzantium behaved with the 
greateft gallantry ; and even after his death held out 
a feige of three years againft all the power of 
Severus , till at length being reduced by famine it 
was taken, and the walls demolifhed. Mr. de Boze 
has given a fuccin<ft account of this tragical feene 
from Dion Caffms (i). But as it was not his defign 
to write a narrative of all the occurrences relating 
to thofe wars, which may be found in the hiftorians, 
who have profefledly treated of them (2); he im- 
ploys the remainder of his difeourfe upon fomc 
particular circumftances, which refped c i Pefcennius, 
and have not been yet fo throughly confidered, as 
they delerve. 
And he remarks here, that the accounts of hiflo- 
rians relating to the defeent of Pefcennius ; arc doubt- 
ful and uncertain 5 fome telling us, that he fprang 
from a patrician and confular family, which had 
been imployed in the higheft offices of ftate, and 
dwelt long at Rome in great fplendor: but others, 
that his birth was obfeure, both h&iat her and grand- 
father 
(1) Lib. lxxiv. p. 844. •>. - ■ 1 . • •; 
(a) Hcrodiari) Dion } Spartian , Mr. Ttllemont Tom. 111. 
N n n 
