62. The era of the death of Elagabalus, and of the accession
of Alexander, has employed the learning and ingenuity of
Pagi, Tillemont, Valsecchi, Vignoli, and Torre bishop of
Adria. The question is most assuredly intricate; but I still
adhere to thc authority of Dion; the truth of whose
calculations is undeniable, and the purity of whose text is
justified by the agreement of Xiphilin, Zonaras, and
Cedrenus. Elagabalus reigned three years, nine months, and
four days, from his victory over Macrinus, and was killed
March 10, 222. But what shall we reply to the medals,
undoubtedly genuine, which reckon the fifth year of his
tribunitian power? We shall reply, with the learned
Valsecchi, that the usurpation of Macrinus was annihilated,
and that the son of Caracalla dated his reign from his
father's death. After resolving this great difficulty, the
smaller knots of this question may be easily untied, or cut
asunder.