The possession of wealth stimulated the diligence of the informers; rigid virtue implied a tacit censure of the irregularities of Commodus; important services implied a dangerous superiority of merit; and the friendship of the father always insured the aversion of the son.

Suspicion was equivalent to proof; trial to condemnation.

The execution of a considerable senator was attended with the death of all who might lament or revenge his fate; and when Commodus had once tasted human blood, he became incapable of pity or remorse.
[Footnote 151: The conspirators were senators, even the assassin himself.Herod.

81 .-- G.] Of these innocent victims of tyranny, none died more lamented than the two brothers of the Quintilian family, Maximus and Condianus; whose fraternal love has saved their names from oblivion, and endeared their memory to posterity.

Their studies and their occupations, their pursuits and their pleasures, were still the same.