42. Dion, l. lxxxviii. p. 1350. Elagabalus reproached his
predecessor, with daring to seat himself on the throne;
though, as Praetorian praefect he could not have been
admitted into the senate after the voice of the crier had
cleared the house. The personal favour of Plautianus and
Sejanus had broke through the established rule. They rose
indeed from the equestrian order; but they preserved the
praefecture with the rank of senator and even with the
consulship.