Note 045 Pertinax was a native of Alba Pompeia, in Piedmont, and son, of a timber 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 1600l. 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.

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Note to Chapter 4 of DECLINE & FALL by Gibbon