PREFACETHIS essay deals chiefly with the Reign of theEmperor Probus. But the essential preliminaryto an investigation of the reign of any emperorwho ruled between A.D. 117 and 285 is an examinationof the Augustan History, and thereforeconsiderable space has necessarily been devotedto a discussion of the views which have been putforward, from time to time, by so many scholars.The controversy as to the date and authenticityof the Augustan History has been maintainedchiefly by German, Italian and French scholars,and, so far as I ani aware, no monograph dealingwith the subject has yet appeared in England.~Iiss Orma Fitch Butler, of the Oxford College forWomen (Ohio), in Studies in the Life of Heliogabalushas recently discussed the question of theauthorship of the Augustan History. The conclusionsto-which I have come were arrived at beforeI had had the advantage of seeing her work.The following books have been consulted:-Ancient Authors-ScriptoresAbout the Publisher Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, History, Folklore and Mythology.Forgotten Books' Classic Reprint Series utilizes the latest technology to regenerate facsimiles of historically important writings. Careful attention has been made to accurately preserve the original format of each page whilst digitally enhancing the difficult to read text. Read books online for free at www.forgottenbooks.org