42. Pertinax was a native of Alba Pompeia, in Piedmont, and
son, of a timb er-merchant. The order of his employments (it
is marked by Capitolinus) well deserves to be set down, as
expressive of the form of government and manners of the age.
1. He was a centurion. 2. Praefect of a cohort in Syria, in
the Parthian war, and in Britain. 3. He obtained an 'Ala',
or squadron of horse, in Maesia. 4. He was commissary of
provisions on the Amilian way. 5. He commanded the fleet
upon the Rhine. 6. He was procurator of Dacia, with a salary
of about �1600 a year. 7. He commanded the Veterans of a
legion. 8. He obtained the rank of senator. 9. Of praetor.
10. With the command of the first legion in Rhaetia and
Noricum. 11. He was consul about the year 175. 12 He
attended Marcus into the east. 13. He commanded an army on
the Danube. 14. He was consular legate of Maesia. 15. Of
Dacia. 16. Of Syria. 17. Of Britain. 18. He had the care of
the public provisions at Rome. 19. He was proconsul of
Africa. 20. Praefect of the city. Herodian (1. i. p. 48)
does justice to his disinterested spirit; but Capitolinus,
who collected every popular rumour, charges him with a great
fortune acquired by bribery and corruption.