* 
 
HISTORY 
 
 Of 
 
 ROME: 
 
 FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS 
 
 BT 
 
 F. W. RICORD. 
 
 PART L-THE KtXUS OF ROMS. 
 PART II THE REPUBLIC OP BOMB. 
 PART IU.-THE EMPIRE OP Rf> 
 
 HEW YORK: 
 
 3 & OO n 51 <k 5 
 
-p 
 
 ^v 
 
 
 
 A. B. BARNES * CO, 
 
 In ti.e CUrk'i Offle* of th* DUtrin Court at the United But few U* 
 Dtouirt of Mew York. 
 
H g e m t n t . 
 i ; i 
 
 MM 
 
 I-Romulo. 
 
 II Nam*PoaipiUitt... . 26 
 
 111 Tullu* HUlh. . . . 87 
 
 Anew Hardu* 46 
 
 V.-TkrqolnJu. Prims. .66 
 
 Scrviu. Tulliu- . 67 
 
 Tarquinittt 8aperbu> . 79 
 
 PABT II. 
 
 I.-Tb Wr with Ptowemui. . 
 I! The War with the Utinn. . . 
 1 1 1 -The P^tridMM MM! the 
 
 -Tir Tribune of the People. 
 
 -The Decemrira 
 
 -DtatnictioQ of Rome bj the Ctaols 
 v II . Foreign Oooqaaft* 
 V 1 1 1 -The Jagarthlne War . . 
 IX.-Mariiand8)lU. 
 X. Clrll Wan and Coospiradet. 
 Julio* OMT. . 
 
8 ARRANGEMENT. 
 
 PART III. 
 
 PACK 
 
 I. The Beginning of the Empire 15 
 
 II. Caligula and Claudius 47 
 
 III. The Last of the Caesars 75 
 
 IV. Transient Rulers 10! 
 
 V. Vespasian and his Sons 123 
 
 VI. Extension of the Empire 147 
 
 VII. The Antonines ' 173 
 
 VIII. The Prsetorian Guards 197 
 
 IX. The Decline of the Empire 241 
 
 X. Rome Abandoned 273 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 IN the volume now offered to the public, it is the 
 intention of the author to connect the most important 
 events of Roman history, from the foundation of 
 Rome to the death of Constantino. That these events 
 may be more easily fixed upon the memory, it is 
 thought advisable to separate the narrative into three 
 parts. 
 
 PART I. is confined to that period known as the 
 monarchy, which, although very properly regarded as 
 wholly fabulous, is the only foundation that can be 
 obtained for a history upon whose pages almost all 
 the nations of the earth appear. 
 
 PART II. gives briefly the narratives which make 
 up the history of the Republic of Rome, and which 
 are rendered none the less instructive to the general 
 reader, and certainly none the less essential to the 
 student, by reason of the abundant acuteness evinced 
 by Beaufort and Niebuhr in disproving the testimo- 
 nies of Livy and Dionysius. Indeed, a very good 
 knowledge of these narratives is necessary, in order 
 that either pleasure or profit may be derived from 
 the writings of these modern historians. 
 
 PART III. begins with the circumstances that 
 
10 PR] 
 
 attended the rl.-vation of Octavius and oontaii 
 most interesting portions of the history of the empire 
 to the death of Constantino, during whose reign 
 
 ceased to be the capital of the world. 
 There are many persons who, through ignorance 
 of the prominent facts of hi>t<>ry, are deprived of 
 much of the pleasure to be derived from evi-ry-day 
 wants of such individuals have not 
 here been forgotten, while, with a r the 
 
 volume d< :<r schools, the author 
 
 stantly eoiiMiltrd ti 
 
 who irad it will fail to go to the sources whenc- 
 
 nd will bt- ind 
 
 1, ii(t only to ii , the 
 
 subjt i, but to ] . ly of 
 
 thi> intcn-iiu- to the dissolution of the em- 
 
 NKWAM, N. J., October, 1858. 
 
FROM 752 TO 714 B.C. 
 
Home and the surrounding Country Ancient Inhabit- 
 ants Cities of the ancient Latins Birth of Romulus and 
 Remus Rhea Silvia Founding of Rome Capture of the 
 S;il,i no Women War with the Sabines Tatius Ambition 
 of Romulus His death. 
 
MAP OF ROME. 
 
I. 
 
 ROMULUS. 
 
 THERE is such an air of truthfulness about the 
 legends, or the lays, of Rome that, notwithstand- 
 ing the amount of learning brought into requi- 
 sition to extinguish them, they will ever hold a 
 place in the history of this remarkable nation. 
 Besides, though they were utterly unworthy 
 of credibility, they are so interwoven with the 
 tture of all ages, that an acquaintance with 
 them is indispensable to both the reader and 
 the student. 
 
 Italy, the country of which Rome is regarded 
 as the centre, lias always been celebrated as the 
 most fertile and desirable land of the world. 
 Its delicious fruits, its corn, wine, soil, and cat- 
 tle form not its only wealth ; metals of every 
 kind, valuable stone, and timber here, too, 
 abound. In short, it is a land affording every 
 thing that can admini-Ur comfort or pleasure ; 
 possessing a climate that has ever been unri- 
 
14: K I N G 8 O F K O M K . 
 
 Ancient Inhabitants Alba. 
 
 vailed, and presenting a surface unsurpassed for 
 its beautiful diversity of bays, promontories, 
 rivers, mountains, hills, and plains. 
 
 This country was originally occupied by nu- 
 merous, and independent, nations, among whom 
 the most considerable were the Aborigines, a 
 name always given to those inhabitants of a 
 country whose derivation is uncertain. Of 
 these Aborigines there were various tribes ; as 
 fur example, the Latins, the Umbrians, the 
 Rutuli, etc., who enjoyed in their separate 
 ciiie- the !! of liberty ami equality. 
 
 dee tli-M'. there were also the Ktnir 
 who had sprung from col- out of Lydiu 
 
 and Tliessaly. The Sahines, who, iiually, be- 
 came Mended with the Romans, were a tribe of 
 the I'lnbrians, which hal :>arated from 
 
 their fellows by the Ktrurians, : .vhoso 
 
 victorious anus they were oMi^c'l to fly. 
 
 Long before Rome was built, the Latins had 
 founded in-ar its site a large and flourishing 
 to which they gave the name of Alba, 
 and which, f>r a period of tour liundr. 
 continued to be ruled by a race of kin- 
 tor their warlike exploits, and their love of 
 power. This city, and Lavinium which was 
 built by Eneas, soon after the destruction of 
 Troy, are called // -f the ancient Latins. 
 
QLU8. 15 
 
 Rhea Silvia Koniulus and Remus. 
 
 According to the legend, Remains, the 
 
 founder ut' Rome, and his twin-brother liemns, 
 were descendants of Procas, one of the kings 
 of this ancient city. Their mother was Rhea 
 Silvia, a priestess in the temple of the godde-s 
 . herself, was the daughter of the 
 rightful claimant to the throne ; and her uncle, 
 who had usurped it. fearing that these children 
 might some day dispossess him, ordered them 
 to be thrown into the river Tiber. They were 
 carried upon tin to the foot of the 
 
 hill called the Palatine, where a wolf is said to 
 nourished them with her milk, until they 
 red by a shepherd who t....k them 
 into bis hut, and, by the aid of h 
 them from death. 
 
 Growing up to manhood, they exhibited a 
 
 and mental superiority th.r 
 the admiration and o 1 iiepherds 
 
 hum they were Mirrundrd. Learning, in 
 . the history of their parentage, ihe;. 
 lected a band of followers, and proceeding to 
 Alba, succeeded, by means of a well-laid plot, 
 in putting to death tin; usurper of the throne, 
 and placing upon it their injured grandfather. 
 'I ambitious they were not con- 
 tented to remain at Alba, and, n-olving to 
 build a city for themselves, assembled about 
 
16 K : >9 
 
 Building ol '.. 
 
 fifteen hundred fullowere, and proceeded to the 
 banks of the Tiber. 
 
 J hiving selected a spot suitable for their de- 
 sign, some difficulty arose in regard to naming 
 and regulating the future city. A quarrel, 
 finally, took place. From angry words they 
 came to blows. A tumult ensued, their respec- 
 t'riends taking an active part. K<>mu- 
 lus, dealing his brother an unfortunate blow, 
 stretched him dead UJM>M the ground. 
 
 The building of the city pr with 
 
 great activity, and n K<>mulus and 
 
 his followers soon spread throughout the sur- 
 rounding country. The c>l"iiy was, how. 
 
 -mall; and to in.-: BMfft rapidly, 
 
 Etonudofl opened A sanctoi . 
 
 in the c' ;dl who might c: avail 
 
 tlu-niM'hvs ot' it. Thither iinm- llfd 
 
 fnm the lu-igliboring states crowds of people: 
 08, good and bad. That this 
 increasing strength might 1 :vgu- 
 
 lated, the sagaci"iis leadi-r ii. an < r<K-r 
 
 . iiom he called 
 
 -tvled l-'athers. and tliei:- lantfl Ta- 
 
 triei;. 
 
 Unfortuiuit. . "f the colonists 
 
 vided with wives, and as there were 
 
 scarcely any females in the city. K-multis 
 
K M I LU8. 
 
 Capture of the Babine Women. 
 
 I that h! ta miirht forsake him. To 
 
 guard airain-t th: -. > the 
 
 adjoining states to solicit permission for his 
 
 !o to marry among them. But this being 
 
 .ed to accomplish his d< 
 by str 
 
 Dissembling as well as possible the indignity 
 - him and his people, he made irivat. 
 arutiniis fur the cuk-bratiun of solemn 
 hoimr <>f Xeptune. Tlie coK-bratinn 
 of th' l-o jTorlaimed 
 
 thrMiiirhout all the adjoh; t6S, and nuth- 
 
 .vas omitted that mi^ht attract attenti-n to 
 them. When the day arrived, crowds of 
 ]>le from tin- >urr.-undii!L'' country, ponivd into 
 .Koine. The Cii'iiincnsia!. . u>tnminian<. 
 
 and especial! -miltitudes of the Sabines 
 
 !i their wi\ s and children. As soon 
 as th- ben the irames were 
 
 to be held was filled, Jiomulns, seated upon a 
 gorgeous tribunal, irave the .-i^nal, and in an 
 instant the Ionian youth, who had well ar- 
 ranged them- :-r the occa-ion, rushel, 
 d in hand, into the midst of the unsuspect- 
 ing multitude. ( hvrtiiniini; the unarmed men 
 wlm opposed them, they seized upon the terri- 
 fied females, and bore them off to their respec- 
 tive homes. 
 
18 KINGS OF ROME. 
 
 War with the Sabiues Tatius. 
 
 Deep hatred immediately took possession of 
 the people thus grossly injured by the Romans. 
 Wars began, and nation after nation marched 
 against Rome ; but they were invariably de- 
 feated and forced to retreat. The Sabines were 
 not, however, overcome as easily as the others, 
 and, after several bloody battles, they were 
 pacified only by the interference of their cap- 
 tured women, who rushed into the midst of the 
 contending armies and begged them to lay 
 a>ide their arms. A treaty was made betv 
 them and the Romans, by which Romulus, and 
 Tatius, king of the Sal>i me kings of 
 
 Rome with equal powers and equal h- 
 They continued to reign together in the m-t 
 friendly manner for nearly v.hen 
 
 Tatius was slain by a party of Laurentians who 
 had le-en oil'ended by some of his acts. 
 
 The nations bordering upon Koine continued 
 to be troublesome for a long time; and it re- 
 quired all the skill and strength of Romulus to 
 subdue them. In this he, finally, succeeded ; 
 and, then, finding himself comparatively unoc- 
 eupied, he undertook, in various ways, to in- 
 M his authority at home. Three hundred 
 young men. called Celeres, were appointed to 
 wait upon him ; and the Senate, with whom lie 
 had been wont to advise and co-operate, were 
 
ROMULUS. 19 
 
 Ambition of Eouiulus His Death. 
 
 stripped of their power, and forced to meet in 
 the Council-house only to listen to his despotic 
 orders. 
 
 These and many other things were submitted 
 t<> with becoming patience, but the pride and 
 ambition of Romulus were daily becoming 
 more intolerable. Finally, after the subjuga- 
 tion of the Yeientiuns, lie divided, without the 
 consent or approbation of the Senate, the con- 
 quered lands among his soldiers, and sent home 
 the i . The indignation of the Senate 
 
 was beyond control, and, soon afterwards, Rom- 
 ulus disappeared, and no trace of him could 
 - be found. 
 
 This event occurred a; -n of thirty- 
 
 seven years; and his extraordinary disappear- 
 ance was accounted for in a variety of \ 
 The Senators declared that he had been carried 
 up to heaven on a flash of lightning, to take 
 his place among the gods, but they were 
 boldly accused by the people of having mur- 
 dered him; and it was only by a well-do - 
 story that they were able to save themselves 
 from the fury of the people, by whom Romulus 
 I much beloved. 
 
NUMA POMPILIUS. 
 
 FROM 7J i 
 
Appearance of Rome at the death of Romulus Interreg- 
 num Choice of a King Wisdom displ.-iycil by Numa 
 'JViiiplr -f Janus Religion of the Romans The ^ 
 
 ]i\i>i..n .f tli.- Lands Distril.ution of tl. - -Rcf- 
 
 oniKiii MI of the Calendar- N'uma Sorrow of tho 
 
 people 
 
IK TLMl'LE OF JANT8. 
 
1 1. 
 
 NUMA I'OMI'IUUS. 
 
 nd, had, 
 
 under the administration of Romulus, risen to 
 an a>i>ni>h;n:;- height of p,,\ver. At his death, 
 <dl within its walls was activity and life. Tein- 
 and palaces l.^ki-d proudly from its hill- 
 tops. Through its in; 9 poured busy 
 it the to< Anrknu-n soundrd 
 only for tin- purpose of addinir further htivnirtli 
 [tB anvils ran^ only under the 
 ed for swords and spears, 
 
 and the luisy thoii-ands that went in and out 
 
 :ied in the panoply ot 
 war. 
 
 The death of Romulus was rendered more 
 
 lie fact that he had not bequeathed 
 
 ;'irit to a son, who, stepping into his place, 
 
 ini^ht lead the people on in the path of glory 
 
 which they had so long been tivadinir. A 
 
 kinir could not be made at once, for the 
 
-' KINGS oi K o M i. . 
 
 Ii.t.-rn-eniim Choice of a ! 
 
 mans ;uil Sahines who composed the nation, 
 
 so thoroughly comminirled 
 feel like one people. "While the latter 1> 
 that ly t<<> easily yielding they might wholly 
 
 their claims, the farmer spurned the 
 thought <>f having a t'oiviirner placed upon the 
 
 throne. 
 
 The safety of the nation demanding a head, 
 the > iniu-d, ly turns, the ryal piv. 
 
 dy wa- conip.ised of a Inn,' 
 individuals, taken equally from t! 
 
 <livi<K-<l tln-mselvi's into 
 
 each member pn-idt-d l>y tunis IB n de- 
 
 cade. Tin- time that each held the 
 ment \va- lin d the admin- 
 
 ihem all in i-.-ration. A 
 d ly in this manner withoir 
 the interval was. In MM thi- cirCUHl 
 an intiTn-^nnni. The people 
 
 i>fu'd with this inod< ernnien;. 
 
 ared to t: pronld h;. 
 
 king. 
 
 An election was accordingly held ; and the 
 
 clu>iee fell n]>on Nunia I'mnjiilins, a ]>rivate 
 individual, livinir near Cures, a city ..f tl: 
 
 . lie hesitated, BOO to accept the 
 
 chai': vt-rninir a martial and impetuous 
 
 people: 1'iit, persuaded 1,. and eir 
 
\i \ PoMPILl 
 
 Uuus. 
 
 16 finally eame t K"ine, and was tin-re 
 with the in>iirnia >f royalty. 
 
 :he iir>t place, it was 5m- 
 
 ain the confidence of the people; 
 
 and he knew very well tl. der t<>accMii- 
 
 pli-h thi-i. he niu-t >hw hi.s coiitideiiee in t 
 
 : assumed anth'T- 
 
 ian he three hundred men, 
 
 A-hnm K.iiiiiilus always kept 
 al<ii rson as guards, t 
 
 1 him higher in the 
 -t' his s'i 
 
 their tl Vim 
 
 d fur a ma.iriiitie.-nt tern- 
 ancient 
 
 wa- tu 1, 
 haps. :ly. an arch, in the furm 
 
 the muiiareh 
 :. It- b 
 
 Nun.: !i in time 
 
 IT, and -hut in ' 
 
 . as thf wa- cumph-t.-d. he 
 
 ; emhle alx'iit it, and, in 
 a very solemn m;i its mass! 
 
 ivxpr. 
 that the pi-:ife w; were then enj" 
 
K [HGS o F KM M 
 
 Religion of the Romans. 
 
 with all nations, might continue during his 
 reign. Wonderful as it may seem, after the 
 death of JSTuma, these gates were closed twice, 
 only, during a period of more than six hundred 
 years. 
 
 So great was the anxiety of JSTuma to main- 
 tain peace and promote the welfare of his peo- 
 ple, that he favored a belief generally enter- 
 tained, that the goddess Egeria and the Muses 
 appeared to him, and taught him how to rule 
 his kingdom. This belief gave great weight to 
 his infractions, and his wishes seemed to be 
 regarded as divine commands. 
 
 The Romans believed in an immortal race of 
 beings, inhabiting the sky, whom they called 
 gods. These were regarded as the creators and 
 preservers M!' all tilings, as intimately acquainted 
 with human ail'airs, and mindful of the action 
 of men and states, rewarding good and puni^h- 
 iiig evil. The worship of these gods was per- 
 formed in a very irregular manner, and one of 
 N unia's earliest cares was to reduce it to a 
 regular system. 
 
 lie instituted an order of priests that after- 
 wards became so highly respected that the 
 most distinguished men of Rome, and even em- 
 perors, were proud to be of the number. These 
 were called Salii. They were created in honor 
 
NUMA PuMIMI.i 29 
 
 The Salii Division of Lands. 
 
 of Mars, and their name is derived fruiii the 
 won; U) dance, because, >n certain ll-ti- 
 
 val days, they pa ed about the city, dancing 
 and >inging in honor of that divinity. Their 
 number was originally twelve, but they were 
 afterwards increased to twenty-four by Tullus 
 
 .ins. 
 
 I'.y thus directing ti in of the people 
 
 to matters of religion, he E d in piv 
 
 ing a pr<>tbund peace. In the mean time, he 
 
 d them to cultivate b:. industry, 
 
 and taught them that id. rtt hateful to 
 
 the L r "d>. II i them t be contented 
 
 with whatever might be their lot in life. lie 
 cheri-hed in them p-nerus -eiitinieiits, and 
 in-jired them with love fur the gods, with 
 
 whuse ir bit-s he suutrlr importunity to 
 
 impress them. In a short time, the Roman 
 
 :-went a 1 . Numa 
 
 was loved, almost adivd. by them; and they, 
 
 in turn, were the admiration of all surrounding 
 
 nations. 
 
 In perfecting his reirulatioii-, Xuma causi-d 
 the boundaries of the Roman State to be marked 
 out. The lands which had : t uired by 
 
 liomulus he divided among the indigent citi- 
 . in order t preserve them from the com- 
 minion of erime> to which they might be driven 
 
30 K INGS OF R O M E . 
 
 Distribution of the Citizens Death of Numa. 
 
 by poverty. The country was divided into 
 pagi, or boroughs, and over each borough was 
 a] (pointed a governor or overseer. Through 
 the instrumentality of these, the people were 
 encouraged to industry and alove of husbandry. 
 Kama frequently went out himself from the 
 city to visit his agricultural subjects, inspected 
 their farms, censured the indolent, and ad- 
 vanced the industrious to posts of honor and 
 trust. 
 
 In order to unite more perfectly the two peo- 
 ple composing the Roman nation, he distributed 
 all the citi/ens into companies, according to 
 their arts and trade-;. Thus the distinction be- 
 tween Sabines ami Romaic was entirely for- 
 gotten, and all the people were thoroughly 
 united into one. 
 
 Not among the least of the works of Numa 
 wa- the attempt which he mad- to reform the 
 calendar. In this lie showed a great deal of 
 skill, although it was reserved for Julius ( 
 to accomplish this difficult task. 
 
 AVhen death at last came- to put an end to 
 his peaceful labors, he had become quite old. 
 Four-core years had pas-ed over him, more 
 than half of which had been devoted to th- 
 rice of his country. The news of his departure 
 seemed to carry desolation everywhere. 
 
N I' M A I'o M I' I I. I I 31 
 
 Mourn i Hi.- ' 
 
 only (lid the lion. 6 lor hiin a< a lather, 
 
 but tin- neighboring nations mourned that a 
 benefactor was lost to all mankind. In tokm 
 of their sorrow, they j>oiired into Koine to aid 
 in doing honor to his remains, bringing with 
 them and public offerings without num- 
 
 ber. The bier was carried by the Senators, 
 followed by a long proce- men, 
 
 w>men, and children crowded after, not . 
 were attending the funeral of an : 
 . but with tear-; and loud lamentations, as 
 if thev had lost a bel Jive in the bloom 
 
 ofl 
 
TULLUS IIOSTILIDS, 
 
 FROM 670 TO 638 B.C. 
 
liilii. ulti. > \\iil. i 
 
 1 Cmiuiii 
 
 k tll nl Till- 
 
 Los. 
 
FIGHT BETWEEN THE HOEATII AND THE CURATII. 
 
III. 
 TULLUS HOSTILIUS. 
 
 SCARCELY had the peaceful Numa been laid 
 in liis grave, than the brazen gates of the tern 
 pie of Janus were thrown open, as an indication 
 that Rome was once more plunged in war. 
 
 Tullus Hostilius, a Eoman by birth, and the 
 son of a distinguished general, was elected 
 king ; and his whole reign proved to be one of 
 war and bloodshed. His first act was, however, 
 a generous one, and w r ell calculated to secure 
 for him the confidence and esteem of his coun- 
 trymen. No sooner had he received the scep- 
 tre, than he caused a proclamation to be made 
 throughout the city, that it was his intention to 
 receive nothing whatever of what had been 
 appropriated for the support of his predeces 
 sore ; that his own private income was sufficient 
 for his necessities, and that the lands devoted 
 to the former kings should be divided among 
 the poorer citizens. Nor did he stop here ; for, 
 
38 K I N G S O F II O M K . 
 
 Generous Conduct of Tullus Hostiliu?. 
 
 notwithstanding this noble provision for his 
 more humble subjects, there still remained a 
 large number who were destitute of lands and 
 houses. In order to accommodate these, he 
 caused the walls of the city to be extended so 
 as to inclose a very considerable tract, embra- 
 cing Mount Caelius ; and here he made such an 
 allotment, that not a single citizen of Rome re- 
 mained without ground sufficient for a dwelling 
 
 The principal events of his reign grew out of 
 the jealousy which sprang up between Rome 
 and the city of Alba, which might be called 
 the mother of Rome. During the reign <>f 
 7S' iiuia, tin-so two cities had continued in entire 
 i' with each other; but no sooner had Tul- 
 1ns received the sceptre, than difficulties broke 
 out between them. 
 
 War was declared on both sides ; and the Al 
 ban king set out, without delay, with a power- 
 ful army, for Rome. He died, however, of an 
 insidious disease, just after bringing his troops 
 within five miles of. the city, and after having 
 prepared to attack it. With great presence of 
 mind, his officers concealed his death, and se- 
 lected Mettius Fuffetius to conduct the war. 
 
 News of the king's death was, however, car- 
 ried to Rome, and Tullus collecting immedi- 
 
Tri. i. rs HOBTILI 
 
 !ied forth by niirht, 
 ';ip, and pushed <>n rapidly 
 
 with the intention of destroying Allia. Metti- 
 
 us, hearing of this procedure, sent with all 
 
 i an ambassador to Tulh; g him to 
 
 stop. MUM! t> propose sonu'thinir t>rhis 
 
 'U'rati<n which i -1 the ii. 
 
 H than that !' A! 
 
 Tullus >t"{'{H-(l ; ami M -ivmy 
 
 C"minir up sm.ii at'trr, the t\v> C'Unmumlers held 
 il l-.inr conference, wl 
 them that the <l :' their i< 
 
 led by a combat bet 1 . 
 
 six individual-, thn-e t ' d from each 
 
 of the hn>tile an: 
 
 Champi'.ns mi bolfti 
 
 nderful emu- 
 lation ar : amoiiLT the oilicers and s..l- 
 . The ! :-.imd izTeat ditli- 
 culry in making clioice .f the mt Miitabie j.er- 
 : and tin Q wouhl liavc BAOflt 
 impo>-ibK'. ii ! :ia<l not called to mind the 
 
 ^rdinary youtlis, thr. 
 
 whom were Kmnaiis and thive Albans, and 
 all cl L The-e youths were th- 
 
 ipriogoftwin :iom had married 
 
 Iloratius, a Roman, and the other ( 'uriatii; 
 Alban. They were, con^MjiuMitly, cousins; 
 
40 K [HOfl i ROM K. 
 
 th.- Horatii and the Curiatii. 
 
 and, what was most remarkable, were born 
 upon the same day. 
 
 Tlie necessary arrangements for the combat 
 having been completed, the two armies were 
 drawn up opposite to each other, and the 
 youths were led into the centre of the space 
 en them. At an appointed signal, their 
 swords were drawn, and they rushed upon one 
 another with the fury of d< 
 
 iied in breathless silence, their hopes ot 
 
 success, for a season, equally balanced. 
 
 Pr< t shout ..t' j,,y ascrndfd tVom the 
 
 Alban ranks and in the centre of the tield four 
 
 combatants alone were visible; twonf the Ib- 
 
 ratii lay dead, and the remaining bn-ther. sur- 
 rounded by his victorious fo8, >eemed I! 
 eiied with imniedia- .ctiou. Hitl 
 
 how, had not been wounded, whi 
 
 weaki'iiel by divers inj- 
 
 lie resolved to light tl. 'y; and, 
 
 with this in view, darted away from them. 
 
 \e himself by ilight. Hi- eneiir- 
 ing him to be an easy prey, followed exultingly, 
 though with uiHMjua'. 
 
 Perceiving them to be suflicientl v separated, 
 lloratiu< wheeled sinldenly round, and rushing 
 with the fury nf a madman upon his ih 
 pursuer, stretched him lifeless upon the ground. 
 
B.O8TILIU8. ! 1 
 
 i the Alban General. 
 
 Ill ti. manlier hr .-olid, 
 
 :inally, the third, when a drat'eiiini: shmit 
 nt' j->y buist frm liif Kman ranks, while the 
 vanquished Albans, with un< ; srr. >w, 
 
 threw down their arms, and, in the attitu-. 
 
 iriently awaited the orders to which 
 
 tedly Bt 
 On returning to R 
 
 sister because sh- wept over the 
 u-iatii, to one of wi 
 
 trothed. For th'- mm-d to die, 
 
 but was 6Ub> v ae<|nitted -to of 
 
 MettiiH Fulletius was | d to return 
 
 with his army to Alba; but having a* 
 not long after, t< i to their 
 
 Veientiuns, he was taken by Tul- 
 
 lus and barbar..u>ly put to di-atli. At the >anie 
 
 time, all - >t' Alba were removed to 
 
 \<1 their y was levelled to 
 
 ground. 
 
 nt. a war broke out 
 with the Fi'i . which re-nlted in their 
 
 overthrow. Then t<.llu\ved a Bttoceesion ot' 
 
 :y battles with the Sabine<. a portion <!' 
 which nation had not removed to R..me. at the 
 time of their union with the Roman ]e"j,h\ 
 Tliese wars were followed by a dreadful 
 
42 Kix ns OF ROMK. 
 
 Pestilence in Rome Death of Tullus. 
 
 tilcnce, wliich carried off, daily, hundreds of the 
 
 citizens of Home. Tullus did all in his power 
 to mitigate the calamity, and by constantly oc- 
 cupying his people, and furnishing them with 
 excitement, caused them to forget in some de- 
 gree the frightful scourge with which they 
 
 vi.-ited. 
 
 The plague gradually subsided, but the days 
 of the warlike king were drawing to a <' 
 and he who but lately thought that nothin. 
 trayed so much weakness, or was so unworthy 
 of a king, as to be occupied with matters of re- 
 te a slave to every kind of super- 
 stition. While ei day, in perf>rm- 
 iiiir a >acriti<-r to Jupiter, a violent storm a: 
 the 1 . which he dwelt was -.truck by 
 
 ling, and both himself and his property 
 
 all reduced 
 
ANGUS MAIM' I US, 
 
 FROM 038 TO 
 
f'h;ii;i''tT of !iti<m of i 
 
 Troul.li-s with tin- LitiiK < 
 u-gemeiitot .i.li: Inij.i. 
 
I V. 
 
 ANGUS .M A III' 1 US. 
 
 AN i - M \i: ii B, though tin- :i of the 
 
 le Nunuuand a m MiruMu-d thn 
 
 itioll, 
 
 and f'>r his t':. 
 
 a skilful 
 
 11'- elevation -1 t. 
 
 an u : tin- part <>t' tin- j.roph- 
 
 tin- i-viU n-snitin^ Inmi tin- warlii -itiun 
 
 illus. '1 fa had, in 
 
 HIM!, and CMIMIIP 
 
 ami the arts had not, f<>r many 
 
 d that care and proU-i-timi which 
 
 a kini^ should bft<.>w upon matters of Mich 
 
 Th< wi'i-c not disappointed ontin-lv in 
 
 tlu-ir an blfl : 
 
 v>y the most strenuous efforts to correct the 
 
 that had liueii I i lv his j>re i 
 
KINGS 01 ROM i. . 
 
 Reforms in Home Trouble with the Latin?. 
 
 sor. The worship in the temples, and the daily 
 sacrifices, were once more conducted with all 
 their ancient regularity and solemnity, and 
 whatever had been neglected or suffered to de- 
 cay he restored to its original condition. The 
 arts began again to flourish, and the field? and 
 plains that lay around the city resumed the 
 thriving appearance which they were w>ut to 
 wear during the reign of Xiiina. 
 
 The preparations which Ancus made for n, 
 peaceful reign were scarcely completed, when 
 tin- re>tle-s Latins, llatlered by the h 
 CC8S, and regardless of the tn-aty establi-h'-d 
 with Tullus. began to make inclusions into the 
 Roman territories. Unwilling to report t 
 lent measures, if sat:-;' <iild be other 
 
 obtained. -nt ambassador- to the Latins, 
 
 instructing them to complain of the out: 
 committed again>t t 1 ffi people, and to 
 
 demand reparation. I Jut the Latins being un- 
 willing to atone for their mi-deeds he A 
 mined to make them an example to the 
 nations around him. 
 
 His first step was towards 1'olitorium, a large 
 and well-fortitied city belonging to this people. 
 Having broken down the walls, and entered 
 the city with his victorious troops, li< 
 the people to be di>armed. and, without de- 
 
A.* llARCIl 
 
 Con. ; l.:itins Knln | 
 
 stroyiiur a >iiiirl' h<>u<o, marched them all. ; 
 tin' example of Till hi-. 
 
 This conquest having been made 
 laid E Telleme, and 1; ' < Ficana, 
 
 eompelln u 1m lit, and tbrein^ 
 
 tlie inhabitants to follow ; I'olitorium to 
 
 limne. The Latin< 'vmaininu: uiK'nuqiK-n-d 
 and resolute in their .-e t<> tho Rmnan 
 
 ncentrated the': '' .iillia, 
 
 wlu-re they made ]>iv]>ar >r a tinal en- 
 
 ((untrr with their vietri.n< ; 
 
 Ancus proc -Meni with entire 
 
 He Hindi- him-elt' ma-ter of their 
 j-h.'ld, de].riv t -d tlu-ni of tlu-ir arm?, and, 
 causing all their treasures to l>e ri'inoved to 
 Koine, sent them thither also, as he had 
 others upon former occasions. Thus the popu- 
 lation <,f K,.me was airain augmented by sev- 
 eral thousands, and it became necessary to 
 ;d its limits. The L r roiind lyin^ near the 
 
 '. was allotted to the : 
 
 in order to unite the Aventine to tlie Pala- 
 tine hill. Janicnlum was also inclosed within 
 ; ry, that it miirht never be used as a place 
 of strength for an enemy, a connection with it 
 g formed by means of a wooden bridge 
 built acmss the Tiber. 
 
 Besides the great additions which Ancus 
 
K i 1! o M i . 
 
 Public Improvements. 
 
 made to the population ami extent of lion, 
 found means of making a iort at the mouth of 
 the Tiber, quite sufficient lor the wants of the 
 city. Here he also founded and fortiik-d a 
 town which lie called Ostia. 
 
 Jn proportion as the niunl>er of citi. 
 increased, licentiousness and crime inciv 
 also ; and greater severity on the part of the 
 government became ry. In order to 
 
 check the audacity of evil-doers, and to intinii- 
 duU', by the fear of puni>lm. . . hm 
 
 ct for the laws could not iv \ncus 
 
 built a prison in the midst of the cit \ , iu-ar the 
 Forum. Th v effect of this sooi 
 
 quite evident. 
 
 The success of Ancus as a '. did not 
 
 him to forget his duty to the go Ig, ,\ 
 prosjx ct !' peace having occurred, he took OC- 
 casio 1 thanks by enlaririn^ tlie 
 
 templi- of Jupiter Feretriu-, which had 
 dedicated to this divinity by U'mulus. alter his 
 
 ' 
 died, l)i-!- family and lamented by 
 
 ret more - 
 
 de>irms of promoting the welfare of his coun- 
 
 and the cause of religion and morality. 
 
 As an evidence of the affection of his people, 
 
A .\ OUI M A ]: i i r < . 49 
 
 Death of Ancus. 
 
 the : d upon him ; 
 
 and at his death almost as much S'-rr..\v was 
 manih-red a> UJMHI the decease of Numa. Ho 
 h-t't many endiii-iiii: monuments of his wi>dm 
 and prudence; and the irivatm < t which 
 
 linally arrivi-d, wa-, in no small degree, 
 
 t his generous efi 
 
TAiiormrs ruscus, 
 
 j o 
 
 
y of Tuniuinius His ani\;il at Koine- -II. 
 a* Kin- Kiilaiu- -iiK-iit ai the Senate Ware of Taiquinius 
 - I'ul.lic Work* Story Of \]\>- Auirur Navins Inva>i.i:i i.t' 
 tin- 'ryrrlii-niaiis New Wall al-out K.-IIH- 'li 
 'II,.- l'a\.-.l lloa.U liilli.-ully with th Mm- 
 
 del "f 'laiiMiiiiii> >tiMlj^"iii "f 'lana-jnil Su<-i-i->> 
 
THE OMEN* GRANTED TO 
 
 
V. 
 TARQUINIUS 1'IIISCUS. 
 
 T.\i:nriNirs PKisrrs, the fifth king r>f Rome, 
 \\a> a mail of ( 'orinthian <riirin, wh<>, during 
 
 t!u iviLrii ni 1 ed ! 
 
 hv tlic nuinen>us ldTU)tag68 then 
 ,.f ..htaiiiiiiir \vi-alth or IIOIKT. On his 
 ii.anird l.y his will', Tan- 
 
 a<|iiil, uii'l a n le, living 
 
 aijaci-!:' ndrd >l.\vly over 
 
 :nl, takinir otV his cap, lK-w ra]'illv 
 
 al'ir ; in a little while it ivturno<l, and, nttrrin^ 
 
 a j.iorcing Pt-reani, rcplactMl tlu? cap ami di-ap- 
 
 d. " U.-h.ild, Liicuiiin," crit-d his will-, 
 
 "a meaaengeK Irnm lu-avm, ].. rti-ndiiiir the 
 
 magnificent fortune 1 Th<>n >halt he the 
 
 n.)l)k->t anmn^ tho imhles <>[' K<M: 
 
 A ~; anger possessing such wealth ami such 
 personal attractions, c<>uld not n-main lonir un- 
 noticed in Koine; nor did he ]<>>e any oppor- 
 tunity of gaining the attention and conciliating 
 
56 1\ 1 N < , S OF Ft n M I ; . 
 
 Tarquinius eler-U'il Kin-r. 
 
 tlic friendship of the people. Even the 
 sought him ; and a mutual and strong attach- 
 ment sprang up between them. 
 
 As usual, soon after the deatli of Aliens, an 
 election of a kini: wa> held, and Tarquinius 
 with little difficulty, able to succeed him a 
 the throne: In order to strengthen himself in 
 the opinion of the lower classes of JM-OJ,: 
 choM- a hundred men from among the Plebeian-, 
 and elevated them to the rank of Patricians 
 
 and Senators. Thus the Senate was com]. 
 
 of three hundred members, and so continued 
 duri: .1 centuries. 
 
 Th< - adjacent to Koine v. 
 
 in throwing - in the way of tiie new 
 
 kiiiic. and upon the most trifling prel 
 : Jrurians, and the Sabin- 
 :;d oaths which had b- 
 from them by 1, '-essore. 
 
 Tli- from t: 
 
 AjU'iohe, airainst which Tarquinius 
 marclu-d with a powerful army. His si:- 
 
 and having jJundered and 
 burned the town, he currie.l --reat numb. 
 
 inhabitants to Rome. This achievement 
 commemorated by the building of an im- 
 TCUS between the Palatine and Aven- 
 tine hills. 
 
PBIB< 
 
 of Tarquinius Public Works. 
 
 Hut Tarquinius had not much time t<> r 
 
 B watched him on every 
 >le, to accomplish liis 
 
 downfall. Nation after nation loll upon him, 
 . one by one, when they linally 
 contrived to unite their stivnirth ; but, 
 then, they were unable to match the skill of 
 the Roman kinir, <r the valor of the \l 
 
 -ained rapid and brilliant 
 f the, 
 
 valuable 
 
 Obtaining a li ; :V.m WftI 
 
 term: 
 
 . by >iirrun.. ith a moiv >nb- 
 
 al wall. 11-' had olerve<l, durinir his 
 
 incipal di-frr 
 f cavalry ; and, to rein- 
 :his, he resolved to improve the pn 
 !-;unity by adding other eentnries to ; 
 itted by Konmlu>, and to have them dis- 
 tinirui>hed by his own name. Makinir known 
 tion, he found it bitterly opposed by 
 ry celebrated angnr named Navius, who 
 ; that serious calamities would befall 
 any of the institutions nulus 
 
 was very angry at this opposition, 
 but being afraid to disregard the warnings of 
 
KING 3 o |. IJ M i: . 
 
 of thf Hii^nr N.-ivins. 
 
 the augur, ho determined, at least, to prove 
 him to be a fal-c prophet. Summoning Xavius 
 to liis tribunal, he said to him, in the presence 
 of a large number of spectators: "This is the 
 time, "Xavius. for y< MI to show the certainty of 
 your ])ro])hetic art; for I have in my thoughts 
 a great undertaking, ami would like to know 
 whether it be practicable or not/' Without 
 much hesitation. Xavins assured the king that 
 it would be practicable. TarquiniiH then tak- 
 ing out a ra/.or and a hone iVom under his robe, 
 said : " 1 wisli to know, by the rnK-s of yMir 
 art. whether, if I >:rike ! with thi> ra- 
 
 i shall cut it asiiinh-r." L'kin^ undi>- 
 turbed at the kinir. Xavius ivplied: ''Strike 
 lideiitly. as you pr.>p.-rd, Tai'fpiin- 
 ius. f-r it will In- cur a-under; if ii"t. I am 
 uhmit to any punishment." The king 
 struck, and the rax>r. cK-aving the hone, cut 
 al>o the hand that -upporU-d it. 
 
 In cinso<inence nf this. Tanjuinius abandoned 
 liis design of adding to the number of the 
 tunes, but he do.ubled the number of men in 
 already intituled. AVith an army 
 ain made ]reparatins to 
 id Tyrrhenians, who, not- 
 withstanding their recent defeats, lust no op- 
 portunity to annoy him Once more he 
 
 
T A K o ( IHIU8 PRI8< i 
 
 Iiua- > rrliriiians. 
 
 i destroyed the ilower of 
 
 their army; Imt tlie Tyrrhenians, still un- 
 daunted, united all their forces and committed 
 
 terrible, ravaire- upon the Roman territor 
 
 [iiinius, mustering all his troops, sallied 
 forth to repel the invaders. One division of 
 his army, under tin- command of K^eriu*, his 
 lieutenant, was put to tli^ht and sorely beaten ; 
 but Tarquinius himself, without jiayin^ a:- 
 tention to this di-a-t^r. went from om- <' 
 siimtlier of Tyrrheiiia. putiin^ to ilie >w<.rl all 
 who opposed him, and plundering wherever he 
 could tind any tliiu^ of value. Kiicounteriu^ 
 
 irmy that had rotiti-(l Kirerius. he fell upon 
 it \\itli thi' utmost fury, and, not contented 
 with a simple victory, he whipped its leaders 
 throu-h : Kidrme, belu-aded >ome, 
 
 and sent others of them into pi-rpetual banish- 
 ment. Tin- Tyrrhenian-, routed and beaten on 
 
 v side, lied to tin- fa>tne>scs of ihc nioim- 
 
 i;-ave them-elve< \\\> to their coiipier- 
 
 'J'ar^juinius was greatly applaudc*! for his 
 
 brilliant achievements, and the Senate, in token 
 
 of their appreciation of his military skill, de- 
 
 i to him the honors of a triumph. 
 After some further difficulties with the Sa- 
 bines, whom lie finally overcame, Tar<jiiiniu3 
 was able to give his attention to various enter- 
 
K 1 \ <i S V 
 
 New wall Sewers Paved w;iys. 
 
 prises of a peaceful character. Besides rebuild- 
 ing the walls of Kome, which was done in a 
 substantial manner, he constructed many other 
 works, that have always been the wonder and 
 glory of the city. Among these, not the Iear4 
 remarkable were the sewers, used for collecting 
 the foul water from the streets and conveying it 
 to the Tiber. These sewers, or cloacce, as they 
 were called, were constructed under almost all 
 the streets of Kome, and nearly every house was 
 fin-nibbed with pipes communicating with them. 
 
 The celebrated paved ways, or roads, of 
 Koine were also introduced by Tarquinius. It 
 is true that, during his time, they were not ex- 
 tended beyond the city, because there was very 
 little friendly intercourse with the surrounding 
 nations. About four hundred years after the 
 foundation of Kome, these roads extended to 
 the most distant provinces, constituting the 
 m-t useful and the most durable of her work-. 
 
 Tar<[uinius, having reigned thirty-eight years, 
 was rendered incapable of managing the affairs 
 of go\ eminent, by reason of his advanced age. 
 finding that Servius Tullius, his adopted 
 enjoyed the esteem of the Senate as well as of 
 the people, he committed almost every thing to 
 his rare. This was a .-"iinv of great vexation 
 to the TV >f Annir- Maivin.-. hi prede- 
 
TARQUINTUS PRISCUS. 61 
 
 Sons of Ancus Murder of Tarqnlnins. 
 
 :-, who had always regarded Tanjuinius as 
 an usurper of their rights. Upon several occa- 
 sions they liad made ineffectual attempts to re- 
 move him, and now, as they became well con- 
 vinced that he would not resign the sceptre in 
 their favor, they resolved to be, at least, re- 
 venged of the injury which they had received. 
 
 Two persons, whose services they had >ecured, 
 contriving to obtain access to the king, slew him 
 by means of axes which they had. concealed 
 about their persons. Tana<|uil. his wife, 
 hearing the tumult, ru-hcd to the chamber of 
 the king, where many persons were already MF 
 sembled. Instantly deciding what would be 
 lu-r best, policy, she stooped over the body of 
 the king, pretending to examine his wound, and, 
 pronouncing it to be nothing more than a slight 
 scratch, ordered bandages and ointments, re- 
 questing, at the same time, that all present 
 should leave the palace. 
 
 Finding herself alone with the dead body, 
 she admitted Servius, for whom she had pre- 
 viously sent, and, showing him the late king, 
 she laid hold of his right hand, beseeching him, 
 at the same time, that he would not suffer the 
 death of his father-in-law to pass unrevenged, 
 nor his mother-in-law to be exposed to the in- 
 sults of their enemies. "Servius," said she, 
 
K I .N (, S O K K o M K. 
 
 StnitaL't-m of Tanaquil. 
 
 " it' you act as a man, the kingdom is yours, 
 and not theirs, who. by the hands of others, 
 have perpetrated the basest of crimes." 
 
 Having arranged every thing with Serving 
 she proceeded to a balcony, which overlooked 
 the street, where a large multitude of people 
 had assembled, to learn the result of what had 
 happened. ANSuming a ch'-i-rfnl countenance, 
 she commanded their attention, and then told 
 tin-in, in a pleasant manner, that tliere Wftfl 
 
 ion tor their alarm, as the king had only 
 heen stunned by the blow which In- had re- 
 - told the pcopl \va- 
 
 A ish that they should oliey the ordei 
 Servius Tullius, \vlio would administer ju~ 
 and sujiply his place until he >liould ! a!-h- to 
 me hi> duties. At tiiia intrlli^ence. the 
 le exprefleed i-ntire satisfaction; and. 
 after. Servius made his appearance, clothed in 
 the robes of state, and attended by the lie 
 Seating him-elf upon the throne, he p: 
 to the trial of some caosea then in piv L 
 jud^intr some, and, concerning others, piv 
 ing that he would obtain the ki nion. 
 
 Thus, lor several days, the king'.- death was 
 
 ; Servius in the i: 
 
 time, taking every opportunity gthen his 
 
 own inter 
 
SKKVIUS TULLIUS. 
 
 FROM 576 TO 532 
 
Kurly lli>to]-y .ition of tin- Throne 
 
 lli> |iluii> t< j::iiii ill.- <: 1 -\\iil of tli<- IVo|,l.- II.- i 
 
 I Kini; Hi- AI.I.K']ICII~' ni.-nt 
 
 f tin- ( iiy Con. lu. t oi I,.uiu> Tai.piini. M iit- 
 
 1.'lll|it In ol.t.lill til. I |o\M, M.M.l'T of S" 
 
 ^ter. 
 
IMA m::- R THE HEAP r><>r>Y OF IIKK FA 
 
V I. 
 
 Slavics in. i, i us. 
 
 i i.ifs, accord! HIT t> the legend, 
 
 was the son of a female slave belon^im: t the 
 
 li< ld of Tanjuinius, his lather lein-- i\ 
 
 . who was slain while bravely ii^ht- 
 
 inir in iH'halt'oi'liis count: 11. MIS 
 
 eirci: 
 
 i"jt him, and t c<lu- 
 any station in life that he miirlit 
 
 ; n pa- 
 ra 1 nf his expedition-, 
 
 and r\hiliitel BO lunch hravery that the wlmle, 
 ann\ d t> him a >haiv t' prai>c which 
 
 n ntlu-r per~n wa^ ahh- t- claim. 
 
 Ha\:nLr. !;> ,M|uil, place<l hiniM-lt' 
 
 np"ii the th; ,.dy related, lie iiuin- 
 
 a<r'd fur son In it uninnh- 
 
 . lani>hini: the two sons of Ancus Marciiis, 
 
 known t- the ]eple that Tan[iiinins 
 
 . tor the cele- 
 
i\ I x < ; s ? K " M I . 
 
 Usurpation of Servins Tullius. 
 
 bration of his funeral. This was conducted in 
 the most magnificent manner, Servius retaining, 
 meanwhile, the robes of state, together with all 
 the other insignia of royalty. 
 
 With the utmost self-possession, and withm; 
 consulting the wishes of either the people or 
 the Senate, he took upon himself the adminis- 
 tration of public affairs, as guardian of the chil- 
 dren of the late king. But, notwithstanding 
 the favor in which he was generally held, this 
 proceeding was strongly disapproved, and the 
 Senate resolved that they would compel him to 
 lay aside the robes and other ensigns of royalty. 
 
 Urei-iving information of this resolution, 
 vius applied himself to llattor and court the 
 poorer clasaea, in hopes that through them he 
 miii-ht be able to retain his power. To this end, 
 ailed an assembly of the people, and made 
 them a long speech, in which he held out to 
 them promises that could not fail to call forth 
 the most noisy applause. On every hand he 
 was extolled for his fidelity and justice to his 
 laetors, for his humanity and generosity to 
 the poor, and for his kindness to those of an 
 interior rank. 
 
 On the following day, he caused a list to be 
 made of all the insolvent debtors in Home, to- 
 gether with the sums which each of them - 
 
T r i. r. i us. 69 
 
 plans to win : 
 
 ctively. Af -""ii as this li>t was coni])leted, 
 he commanded tables to bo placed in the Forum, 
 and, in the presence of all the citizens, he paid 
 the money to the creditors. This business being 
 done, he published a derive bv which it wa- 
 ordained that those who had c>n verted the pub- 
 lic lauds to their own use >hould give up 
 session within a certain number of days; and 
 that those citi/.ens who had no lands should 
 give in their names to him. 
 
 Having thus acquired a great multitude of 
 friends, he laid aside his robes of state, and, 
 putting on a very mean div-s, came, <>no day, 
 into the Forum. Such an extraordinary pro- 
 ceeding eau-ed a irreat sensation throughout the 
 city, and the people came to the place in 
 crowds, to know it- n Sorvius, mount- 
 
 ing the tribunal, told them, in a long speech, 
 that, inasmuch as it was the determination of 
 the Senate and the Patricians to drive him 
 from the throne, he had determined to K>t the 
 people choose some one to rule them in his 
 stead. "Take, then, the rods," he exclaimed, 
 u and give them, if you think fit, to the Patri- 
 cians; my presence shall cause you no further 
 trouble." 
 
 The people, making a great clamor, entreated 
 him to continue in the administration of affairs. 
 
I\IN<;s OF KM MR. 
 
 Servioa elected King His apprehensions. 
 
 1 J is particular friends, who were scattered about 
 in different ])arts of the Forum, cried out that 
 they onirht to make him kinir, and demanded a 
 vote of the people to be taken. The demand 
 bciiiir constantly repeated, an election wa< held, 
 and, as iniirht be expected, a larire majority of 
 the people cast their votes f..r him. and he ac- 
 cepted the kindly oflice, though the Sena 1 
 fused t<> confirm the proceedings of the people. 
 
 l-'cai-inir le<t tlie two irrand-"iis of the late 
 
 kiiiir. Tar<iuinius. niiirht. SOUK- day, dispute with 
 
 him the crown, he contrived to marry them to 
 
 his two danirhters, who wnv about the same 
 
 Hut th' -hall see, was in- 
 
 sufficient to protect him airain>t the envy which 
 
 reign p'.wer will always draw upon itself. 
 
 Kretjiient war- occurred during almost the 
 entire reiirn of Serviu<. the advantage 
 nniformlynjM.nl' . ,f tlie Komans. 
 
 turninir victorioiU from his iiist campaign, he 
 undertonk a variety of political improvements 
 of irreat and la>tiiiir importance. The>i* im- 
 provements have servc(l to immortali/.e hir=; 
 name, and ]laei- him, in fact, by the side of the 
 iiivah-.-t leiri-hitors of the world. 
 
 Th. rk- was the establishment 
 
 of tli -try of the Roman citizens 
 
 and their property. He then divided the citi- 
 
T i 1. 1. 1 r s . 71 
 
 Kumrir.'iiK'Mt of the City. 
 
 . according to their possessions, into six 
 rs, and these classes he subdivided into 
 centuries. Each of these classes had its partic- 
 ular arms ; and the soldiers selected from each, 
 had their particular positions in the army. 
 Previous to this, the poor citizens were obliged 
 to pay the same amount of taxes, and render 
 the same services in war as the rich ; but in 
 uce of this disposition of the people, 
 he raised soldiers according to the division of 
 the centuries, and taxes in proportion to their 
 
 The population of Rome having very much 
 
 increased, Servius added two more hills to the 
 
 A-d the Viminal, and the other the 
 
 .iline, hill. The land thus included within 
 
 the city, he divided among such of the Romans 
 
 as had no houses; and he, himself, fixed his 
 
 habitation in the most convenient part of the 
 
 Ksquiline Hill. This is the last addition that 
 
 was ever made to the city. It now stood upon 
 
 i hills; every increase of its dimensions 
 
 having been made after n'rst consulting the 
 
 auspices as the law directed, and performing 
 
 religious rites. 
 
 Servius spent a large portion of his time in 
 
 devising and executing plans for the general 
 
 . but he was coi.staiitly annoyed by the in- 
 
t'2 KINGS ot ROM r . 
 
 Jealousy of Lucius Tarquinius. 
 
 subordination of the nations conquered by liis 
 
 predecessors. These he punished, one alter 
 another, until they became thoroughly con- 
 vinced of his ability to control them. 
 
 The earliest and worst fears of Serving now 
 hi-gan to be realized. Lucius Tarquinius, 
 grandson of the late king, and son-in-law of 
 Servius, became impatient for the crown, and, 
 -ated by Tullia, his wife, determined to 
 possess it at all hazards. Reports of their pro- 
 ceedings were brought to the king, who, while 
 he listened to them with calmness, was ill led 
 with resentment as well as with uncertainty as 
 to the course most advisable for him to pnj 
 
 Hi- concluded to remonstrate with liis son-in- 
 law, and to persuade him, if possible, to relin- 
 quish a scheme which must inevitably end in 
 mi-fortune and ruin. Hut the insolent Tarquin- 
 ius charged his father-in-law with haviin 
 privcd him of the throne, and ap|.i-ah'd to the 
 Senate to sustain his cause. Tin- . who 
 
 haled IServius, were glad of any thing that 
 might relievo them of his 
 They were, therefore, disposed to aid Tarquinius 
 in his base design. 
 
 Appealing to the people, Servius succeeded, 
 with little difficulty, in silencing the Senate, 
 and in driving Tarquinius into concealment. 
 
Tr i.i. i i < . 7:1 
 
 His bold Attempt to possess the Throne. 
 
 But a favnraMe ..pportunity occurring. Tar- 
 quinius, accompanied by a number of his 
 friends, sallied forth, determined to make a 
 bold stroke for the kingdom. Getting posses- 
 sion of the axes of the lie-furs, and the : 
 I, ho placed the former in the han' 
 some, of his domestics, and arraying himself in 
 the latter, he proceeded cautiou-ly to the Forum. 
 
 :ing the Senate-hdise, he seated hi: 
 iipnii the ti. Mere tin- . having 
 
 assembled, paid to him all the honors of his 
 'on. 
 
 I, being informed of what had taken 
 astened : Senate-chamber, 
 
 ;ar<ininiiis seated upon the thr-.i. 
 proache<l him in hitter terms for his conduct. 
 Tarquinius, exulting in the favorable opportu- 
 
 ed frmii hi< seat, and seixing the . 
 king, by the throat, dragged him t< the >tairs 
 which led from the apartment, and threw him 
 1 1 ly to the pavement below. The servants 
 \ ins, outnumbered by those of Tarqniniu-, 
 fled in terror, and the old man, stunned by the 
 blow and covered with blood, was obliged t 
 rise without the least assistance, and to proceed 
 homeward undefended. 
 
 While Servins was on his way to the palace, 
 the servants of Tarquinius, by order of their 
 
74: K I N O 8 O I- K M 
 
 Murder of 8erviu Cruelty of his Daughter. 
 
 -ok liiin, and having barbarously 
 
 slain him, left his body in the middle of the 
 
 N"t long after, his daughter Tullia. the 
 
 wife of Tar-iiiiniu^ reached the spot in lu-r 
 
 chariot. The street being narrow, and the bdy 
 
 of the kinr lyin.i? directly across it, her horses 
 
 d and were arrested by the 
 
 driver. "Why do you stop?" crii-d Tullia; 
 
 "drive on, slave!" " Look!" replied t: 
 
 dead body of your father lies before us, 
 and there is no passage except we drive across 
 it!" "Then di ive across it, wretch !"( 
 the heartless woman ; and away went t 
 
 'n-akintr the bones and tearinir 
 
 ate Servins. 
 
 Tiie street in which tliis horrid scene oc- 
 (nil* d. K < i ived the name of Vious Soderatua^ 
 th< iinjnuntt #trt. AVlien the death of Servins 
 became generally known, a tumult ensue- ;. 
 Tarquinius was obliged to conceal him.-elf in 
 to >a\e liis life. 
 
riRQUINIUS SUPERBUS. 
 
 IK"M M i ;...; H c. 
 
Fears of Tarquinius His Precautions His Cruelty His 
 'l';irjuiniu.s Prodigies Story of 
 
 Lucrt'tiii Conduct 'f Brutus ami liis ( 'oinpanions - ( 
 of annual Magistrates Conspiracy to ovri turn tin- lu-puli- 
 lic ConcK-Minsiti'iii an-1 I>-;ith d tin- Smis ..f I'.iutus Ef- 
 forts of Tanjuinius to n--aiii tli-- IbraM -Lars Poreenna. 
 
Burrrs AND ins COMPANIONS. 
 
VII. 
 
 TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS. 
 
 TARQUIN KBBUS, or Tun pi in th> 
 
 was thus named because of the impeii>i 
 which lie assumed upon all occasions, l.th 
 public and private. His reign, as may be 
 posed from what has been already related of 
 began in fear and trembling. The divud 
 of poison and the assassin's dagtr 
 
 much, that, for >ine time after the mur- 
 der of Servius, he scare. 1 beyond 
 sails of his own dwelling. By night ho 
 around his palace a strong body of choseL 
 with swords and spears, and, l.y 
 day, ti ndc-d him wherever he went. 
 Spies informed him of every thing that trans- 
 .irdom, and any one who 
 uttered a word against him was sure to be put 
 to death. Hundreds of persons, including 
 ators and the wealthier BMI -ne, fell a 
 sacrifice to his barbarity ; and the Plebeians, 
 
80 I\ I N G S O F E O M K . 
 
 Cruelty of Tarquiniua Mamillus. 
 
 whom he disdained to kill, were tormented by 
 his unjust and cruel laws. The institution 
 Servius, by which tliey were protected against 
 injury from the Patricians, were all taken away, 
 and the taxes which he imposed upon them, 
 stripped the poorer classes of almost all their 
 possessions. 
 
 Nor wa< this all ; for, by the power which lie 
 obtained throiiirh bribery and threats, IK- was 
 enabled to compel multitudes of the ] rt- la- 
 in r. merely for their f"d, at the build: 1 
 temples and other public works, which he un- 
 dcrt'-ok with -ivat vip.r. F,r all these evils 
 seemed to be no remedy, f r 
 ] -leased to see th- in people op- 
 -d. and the cmmuii people were imt - 
 that the Patricians liad been rol their 
 
 To make up for his want d' 
 
 iirthen hini-elf by fnreitrn alli- 
 
 dauirliter in marria. 
 
 Octavius Mamilius, a man of great power and 
 A-n thr.mirh'mt the whoh- Latin nation, he 
 :\-<l his la : with that of the nn-t 
 
 considerable ma^iMrati-.s in c\f!-\ city. 
 
 Tanpiinius was not unambitious of mil: 1 
 fame, nor was his knowledge of war by any 
 means cuntemptible. On the other hand, he 
 
Sri- KIM-, i 81 
 
 Wars of Tsrqninia* - Prodigies. 
 
 liuve equalled, perhaps surpassed, the 
 of his predecessors, had tlie baseness and 
 wick T his character been less irhirin^. 
 
 os of tlie Volsci having refused t 
 alliance with him, he made war upon 
 tin-in, and tok by storm Suessa Fomeiia. from 
 which he realized a very large booty. 
 II raring, soon after, that the Sabines 1 ^ 
 
 the Roman territory, he marched out 
 against them and Miccceded in dcstrovinir their 
 entire army. But he was less fortunate against 
 abians, who had rendered them>elves \ ei-y 
 odious to him by giving protection to many of 
 his enemies, and especially to the banished citi- 
 zens of Rome. Army after army wa- 
 
 purpose. Finally, they 
 were conquered by means of a stratagem de- 
 
 Idest son, Sextus Tar<iuinius. 
 
 This Roman king, according to the legend, 
 
 was especially favored with prodigies of vari us 
 
 I, which had irreat inlluencc upon the j.eo- 
 
 ple, many of whom regarded them as evidences 
 
 of the high esteem in which he was held by the 
 
 While Tarquinius was engaged in beffoging 
 Ardea, a city of the Kutulians, a circumstance 
 
 :rcd which roulted, according to the le- 
 gend, in his downfall and expulsion from Rome. 
 
K i N <; M OK U <> M i. . 
 
 Story of Lucretia. 
 
 Sextus, his eldest son, conceiving a strong 
 sion for Lncretia, the wife of his cousin Col la 
 tinns Tarquinius, went to her house, and after 
 urging her to abandon her husband, forced her 
 to commit a crime for which she afterwards 
 stabbed herself dead in the presence of her 
 father, and of Collatinus, with his friends Vale- 
 rius and Brutus. "Swear," she cried t> them 
 with her dying breath, "that the de- 
 my peace shall not go unpunished ! It is 
 tus Tarquinius who hath wronged thee, O ('!- 
 latinus, and carried sorrow into thy household ! 
 If ye be men, swear that he shall not < 
 
 Springing towards the body of Luci 
 ISrutus snatched from the wound the bloody 
 knii'e, and raising it to his lips, exclaimed: 
 "By this blood most chaste until injure* 1 by 
 n>y;il in^'lence, I swear and call you, oh ye 
 . to witness, that I will pr -truc- 
 
 . by sword, lire, and every possible in 
 in my power, both Lucius Tanpiinius the I 'mini, 
 and his impi. r with their entire 
 
 . and never will suffer one of them, nor any 
 other pei-son whatsoever, to be king in E-ome! 
 Lay aside your grief, Collatinus; kiss this sa- 
 id swear as I have sworn ; kiss it, 
 Lucretius, and you, too, Valerius. The bl>..d 
 of Lucretia shall piir^e tin.- palaces of Rome!*' 
 
TARQCINIUS SIM-KIM; rs. 83 
 
 Conduct of Brutus and his Companions. 
 
 Taking the body in their amis, they carried 
 it intu the Forum, followed by a largo ami curi- 
 ous crowd. Here Brutus told the revolting 
 . which was caught up and circulated by a 
 thou>and tongues through every part of Rome. 
 Nothing was talked of but the enormities of the 
 royal family; and the rage of the people, 
 finally, rose so high, that they declared that 
 Tar<|uinii;s and hi >lnuld die ; and they 
 
 implored Brutus to lead them on against the 
 bloody tyrants. 
 
 A little consultation among the leaders of the 
 rebellion resulted in a recommendation to the 
 people to appoint two annual magistrates, to be 
 
 1 with the kingly power. An el 
 was held without delay, and Ilrutus and Colla- 
 tinus were unanimously chosen. Thus, in a 
 short time, the government of Rome was 
 entirely changed. 
 
 AVhile this revolution was in progress, Tar- 
 quinius was in his camp, at Ardea. Hearing 
 what had happened, he set off, full speed, for 
 Rome, but was peremptorily denied admission 
 and warned to go away. Returning to his 
 camp, he there met with a similar reception, 
 and, to save his life, was forced to fly, in com- 
 pany with his sons, to Caere, a city of Ktruriji. 
 
 With a view to recover his power, Tarquin- 
 
- } K I N O 8 O F R V 
 
 ilMon of Tarquinius The Sons of Brutus. 
 
 ius, some time after, sent friends to Rome, un- 
 der pretence of asking tlie Roman government 
 to restore the property which he had been com- 
 pelled to leave behind him. These friend-, 
 with a view to overthrow the government, 
 
 I in securing the co-operation of a num- 
 ber of influential men, and among them the 
 two sons of Brutus. The conspirators aim 
 (.-induct every thing with the utmost 
 but their plans were di>covercd, one night, by 
 a slave, and they were con\ <<:, d of crime 
 against the FI 
 
 Unit us, as chief magistrate, 'was obliged to 
 sit up.. M tin- judgment-rat to which the con- 
 spirators, including his own sons, were brought 
 l'r trial. ' v one th. placed 1,. 
 
 him, and the testimony in 
 produced and weighed. AVith a linn VtWC he 
 
 need them all to scourging and t< i 
 nor did he turn away his eyes when the heads 
 of his two sons were placed beneath the fatal 
 
 d at the failure of his enterprise, Tar- 
 <|uiniu-> now went throughout all the cities of 
 Ktruria, endeav-.riiig t<> urge them to take up 
 arms against the Roman people. The \< 
 lian< and the Tar.juinians. in answer to hi- , 
 
 . placed two powerful armies un- 
 
TARQUINIUS SUPERBUS. 85 
 
 Lars Poreenna. 
 
 der his command. Unit us and his e*>lK : 
 
 ii t meet him, and, after a terrible 
 eonilk't, succeeded once more in delivering 
 tlieir country ; but Brutus lost his lite upon the 
 battle-field. 
 
 Tarquinius, though greatly discouraged by a 
 second failure, carried his complaints to Lars 
 Poreenna, king of Clusium. His arirui 
 
 not in vain. Porsenna dt-claivd that 
 e should have a king, and tl kiiiij 
 
 should be of the Etrurian race. M< 
 preparations were once more madt < >ver- 
 
 throw of the Roman Republic; but the m-w 
 troubles into which the nation was plunged, 
 ami the narrative of its contest with the famous 
 Porsenna, belong more properly to the second 
 part of this hist* 
 
TART I. 
 
 QUESTIONS. 
 
 I. ROMULUS. 
 
 Page 13. What Is said of the legends of Rome ? For Nvh.it 
 
 11 H,s ually occupied? Mention some : 
 
 .said of Alba? What were A 1 hi 
 and Lavinium called ? 
 
 1". Fi.'m whom diil Romulus and Remus descend ' Who 
 was their 111. t h.-r.' \\ .t.-d of th.-ir infancy .' H-w 
 
 <li<l they act, on reaching manhood? What resolution did 
 .,en take? 
 
 I. What is related of their quarrel? What i> 
 new city? How did Romulus increase hi* people? What 
 order of nobler did he iii>titute? 
 
 17. What st.-ps did he take to procure wives for his peo- 
 ple? Of what stratagem did hi-, finally, make use? 
 
 18. What wen Its of this act.' How \\. 
 Sabines pacified.' What was the treaty made with tlu-iu ? 
 What became of Tatius? What troubles did Komulus ex- 
 perience ? How did he show his pride and ambition ? 
 
 19. In what way did he arouse the indignation of the 
 Senate against himself ? What became of him ? What fol- 
 lowed his disappearance ? 
 
 IL NUMA POM 1 'I LI US. 
 
 Page 25. What was the condition of Rome at the death of 
 
 Iti-Minlus.' What irnd.-ivd bi> death inon: -ri.-vous? What 
 dilncultie.s were in the way of making a king? 
 
88 K I N G S O F R O M K . 
 
 lir,. Who assumed the royal prerogative? How was the 
 Senate composed? How did they administer the govern- 
 ment? What was this interval called? Who was limilly 
 chosen king ? What is said of Numa ? 
 
 27. How did he gain the confidence of the people ? What 
 temple did he build ? What is said of this temple f 
 
 \Vhut belief was entertained in regard to Numa 
 What was the religion of the Romans? What order of 
 priests did Numa institute? 
 
 li'.i. Why were they called Salii? What was their num- 
 ber? How did Numa preserve peace? What did he culti- 
 vate and teach among the people? How did they i 
 him ? What division was made of the lands? 
 
 30. How was the country divided ? How did Numa pro- 
 mote industry .' How did he unite more thoroughly the 
 people ? Wliieh of his works is here spoken of.' At what 
 age did he die? 
 
 :;l. llv, \\, . the people affected by his death .' What is 
 said of his funeral ? 
 
 1 1 1 . TULLUS HOSTILI I s. 
 
 Page 37. What happened soon after the death of Numa? 
 Wh.. | .1 king.' What was the first n< t of Tul- 
 
 38. How liil he provide for those who were drstii 
 lands.' I'rom what grew the principal events uf his i 
 What is said of the Alban king.' Who Succeeded him? 
 How did Tullus proceed? 
 
 89. What did Mettius then do? What :it did 
 
 they make? Who were the champions selected to d 
 the destinies of Rome and Alba? 
 
 40. How did the combat begin? Relate what followed. 
 
 41. What did Horatius do on returning to Rome ? What 
 lu-camr of Mettius { What wars followed this e- 
 
 I'J. What calamity ensued.' What i> stid of th 
 H.'W did hi.-> death o 
 
8 T 1 V , 89 
 
 IV.-_A\TS 
 
 Page IV Fm what was A \vh;it 
 
 was Li- ils h;ul 
 
 :_'u of Tuli || U-Ljin his 
 
 :ms .!i,l he make? \ til tied had 
 
 li.lheW. ... \Vh;it 
 
 was the con.lu. -t of the Latins ? What wa.* ooeed- 
 
 ing against them ? 
 
 47. ' 1 he conquer? What did the Latins 
 now do? How did he, finally, dispose of them? H 
 
 he enlarge Rome. 
 
 48. What i-iiMi,- improvem.-nts did he make? How did 
 he restrain evil-doers P How did he test! 
 
 the gods? How long did he reign P Wi 
 
 ll.Mth' 
 
 49. What title was bestowed upon him ? 
 
 V. T Ai;< >l INITJS PRISCUS. 
 
 Page 55. Who was Tarquiniiw Priscus P What story is 
 told concerning his advent to Borne ? 
 
 56. What attentions did he receive P On l.i-ii,^ nmilc 
 i...w di.l he strengthen his position P \N i 
 
 1 1 What was his first achievement ! 
 How did he commemorate it ? 
 
 57. What was his success against his jealous neighbors P 
 What did he do for the greater safety 
 
 he wish to improve the armyP Whom did he consult in 
 thhsni.v 
 
 58. What story is related of NaviusP HowdidTarquinins 
 now act? What nations did he prepare to attack P 
 success had he against the Sabines P 
 
 l;it-.l of his war with th.- T\ i rl.'-niansP 
 60. In what way did he now employ him-. -It ' \\ luit is 
 sii.l of hw sewers, or doaeaet What cf th- jaN.-.I ways? 
 
90 K I N G S < > I- I J < M E . 
 
 To whom did Tarquinius now commit the cares of govern- 
 ment? 
 
 61. How did the sons of Ancus Marcius show their vexa- 
 tion ? How did they accomplish the king's death? \Yh;il 
 did Tanaquil do upon the occasion ? What appeal did she 
 make to Ser.vius ? 
 
 t', What stratagem did they adopt? What was their 
 success ? 
 
 VI. SERVIUS TULLIUS. 
 
 Page 67. What is said of the origin and youth of Servius 
 Tu 11 MS.' What course did he pursue after placing himself 
 upon the throne? 
 
 68. In whoso name did he assume the government? 
 What \\crc the feelings of the Senate? What means did 
 Servius adopt to retain his power ? 
 
 What did he do for insolvent debtors and those who 
 had no lands! 1 In what way did he appeal to the peo- 
 ple? 
 
 70. What demand did they make ? What was the result 
 of the election? How did he dispose of the grand>onx ,,i 
 TarqniniMs? What is said of the wars of Servius ? What 
 of his public works? 
 
 71. How did he divide the citizens? What additions did 
 he make to the city? How did Servius spend much of his 
 time? 
 
 72. What difficulty did he experience with his son-in-law ? 
 What was the result of his remonstrance with him ? How 
 did the Senate act? 
 
 73. How did Tarquinius get possession of the throne? 
 What did Servius then do? What treatment did he receive 
 from Tarquinius? 
 
 74. How was his death accomplished? What was the 
 eondiict of his daughter ? What name was given to the 
 
 iu which this scene occurred? 
 
QUESTIONS. :1 
 
 VII. TAKQl'lNIUS SUPERBUS. 
 
 Pay 79. How did Tarquinius Superbus receive his nadfof 
 How did he begin his reign ? What care did he take to pre- 
 serve his life f Of what cruel acts was he guilty f 
 
 80. How did he treat the poor? Why wen n..t the evils 
 remedied ? What foreign alliance did he contract f What 
 to said of his military knowledge T 
 
 81. What ware did he carry on ? What Is said of the pro- 
 digies with which he was favored? 
 
 uinstance led to his downfall f What is re- 
 lated of Brutus ? 
 
 88. How were the people affected by the fate of Lucretia ? 
 What was the result of the rebellion f How did Tarquitaus 
 proceed, and how was he treated f 
 
 84. How did he try to recover his power ? What is related 
 of the conspiracy ? How did Brutus act in this case f W hat 
 further means did Tarquinius adopt to recover the kim. 
 
 85. What was the fate of Brutus ? What is related of 
 Lars Porsenna f 
 

THE absorbing narratives which make up the his- 
 tory of the Republic of Rome, are rendered none the 
 leas instructive to the general reader, and certainly 
 
 the less essential to the student, by reason of the 
 abundant :u iiu-ness evinced by Beaufort and Ni.-huhr 
 
 proving the testimonies of Livy and Dionysius. In- 
 deed, a very good knowledge of the narratives here col- 
 
 i is necessary, in ord- leasure or profit 
 
 -e derived from the writings of these modern his- 
 torians. \\ '!,:! much of this period of Roman 1 
 is undoubtedly fabulous, real characters begin to make 
 
 appearance, and the early struggles between Lib- 
 
 nd Despotism evince an origin antect< 
 
 ters of anti.juity who have recorded 
 th. in. They are always read and studied with the 
 
 -t interest, and so, too, are those exhibitions of 
 the love of authority, and thirst of military glory, 
 .\iivh, taking the place of the -stern Roman v 
 drained the plains of Italy of its noble inhabitants, and 
 to die in distant lands, whil<- th -ir ambi- 
 tious leaders, making conquest after conquest, sul 
 Sj.ain, Carthage, Greece, Egypt, Asia, and, at length, 
 inul.T Julius Cjesar. Rome itself. 
 
nu nt. 
 
 I. TOE WA* WITH POKBENXA 15 
 
 II. THE WA* WITH TH* LATINS 41 
 
 III. THE PATRICIANS AND PLEBEIANS 
 
 I V. THX TRIBUNES of TH* PEOPLE 87 
 
 V TlUR DECEMTOa ... 121 
 
 VI DESTRUCTION or ROME BT TBS OAULA 149 
 
 VII. FOREIGX CONQUESTS 173 
 
 VIIL THE JuGURTniNE WA ... 197 
 
 IX. MARIUS AND SYLLA . 281 
 
 CITIL WARS AJCD CONSPIRACIES 253 
 
 
 
 XL JCLIUB CJHAE.. . 286 
 
Illustrations. 
 
 MM 
 
 FEAT or UOKATIUS COCXJEB Frontitpttef. 
 
 CORIOLANCS AND HIS MoTUXB 86 
 
 DEATH or VIBOIMA 
 
 CAPTURE or CAIUS MABJUS 
 
 AMAJMDTATIOV or JULIUS CJMAR 
 
TIIK WAR WITH PORSENNA. 
 
 FROM 407 TO 60S B. C. 
 
THINGS related in the Stories of " The Kings of Rome" 
 The consul Publius Valerius Unjust Suspicions 
 
 t him His Refutation of them Anecdote of Hora- 
 
 tius Pulvillus King Tarquinius appeals to Por.-enim. king 
 
 of Clusium Porsenna prepares to MM'..- \Y;ir iijion Rome 
 
 a.ks Rome Horatius Codes His Defence of the 
 
 Jfri'l^e across the Til>er The Honor paid to him !'<>: 
 
 -s Rome The Story of Caiua Mucius The Story of 
 Clcelia, 
 
FEAT "OF HOEATIUS COCLES. 
 
THE WAR WITH PORSENNA. 
 
 THE Koman Eepublic may be said to have 
 commenced upon the day when Brutus and 
 Collatinus were elected consuls. Tarquinius 
 Superbus was at this time king of Rome ; and 
 at the very moment when the revolution took 
 place, he and his immense army were encamped 
 before the walls of Ardea, endeavoring to 
 bring that strong city in subjection to Rome. 
 To be completely stripped of his power at home, 
 and to be shamefully and helplessly driven 
 fruni the mid-r of his troops, was an event of 
 which neither he nor his subjects had dreamed 
 two clays before its occurrence. Still it is not 
 a matter which should occasion surprise, for 
 Tarquinius was a detested tyrant, whom the 
 people, under a resolute leader, were at any 
 moment ready to crush. 
 
 This leader was Brutus ; and the Roman 
 
16 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Things related in the Stories of the Kings of Home. 
 
 people vested him and his colleague, Collati- 
 nus, with the government of the city. The ar- 
 my was withdrawn from the walls of Ardea. 
 Joy took the place of the murmuring and dis- 
 content which had prevailed throughout the 
 city. The excellent laws which had been es- 
 tablished by King Servius, and abolished by 
 Tarquinius, were now restored. The people 
 again exercised the rights of freemen ; and 
 peace and prosperity seemed to be the destiny 
 of Rome. 
 
 But Tarquinius was still alive. The en 
 Cumre had opened its gates to receive him ; and 
 . mortified and em-aired. IK- -pent his time 
 in devising means tor tin.- rec\vry <f his throne. 
 
 Kirst he resorted to stratagem ; hut h 
 
 ])lislic(l imtliin^ exe.-pt the sacrifice of the 
 of IJrutus ami the destruction of all the friends 
 whom lie ^till ]s>c>si-<l in Koine. Then ho 
 appealed to the \\-ieiitians and Tarquinia 
 aid him in his de>i t irn. Here a.Lrain he failed, 
 him>elf and allies being driven in terror fmiu 
 the battle-field, while the Roman army, laden 
 with spoil-, went home in triumph. 
 
 Not lon^ before this last-mentioned event, 
 Collatings, the colleague of Brutus, had been 
 obliged to resign the consulship and leave 
 Rome, simply because he bore the hated name 
 
WITH POBI 17 
 
 The consul Publlns Valerius. 
 
 of Lucius Turquinius. Publius Valerius was 
 appointed in I ilrutu< 
 
 too, having been the lirst tu >hed his blond in 
 the cause of the Republic. All tlie-e things 
 have been related in the, stories of Tin; K 
 
 o loss of Brutus was a grievous thin_ 
 the Eoman people. He had donemme than 
 anv . ! the accompli-1 
 
 freedom. He was, in fact, regarded as 
 
 deliver, ;. He ! I" bo 
 
 t.lain v had < the 
 
 .d in him ti. they e.-uld j.lact^ 
 
 the i. di-atll lilletl them 
 
 with app. iway im- 
 
 i with >i 
 
 ie the prey to a t 
 
 d than that frni \\ i had justes- 
 
 :i the cmi-iil I'lihlius became an 
 
 lousy and suspicion, because he 
 
 did nt : ;cy occa- 
 
 d by tli- \n> lilled. It 
 
 M.ut that he to rule a 
 
 in order that he iniirht i\mi\- ea-ily make him- 
 self kinir of Ron.''. M Why d-.e-, he choose 
 Mount Yelia for his residence?" asked one. 
 lie has grown proud and wMi-- t place 
 e the common people," was the 
 
18 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 The consul Publius Valerius. 
 
 reply of some. " He desires to be king, and 
 means to build an impregnable fortress," said 
 others. 
 
 Though these remarks and suspicions were 
 not accompanied by threats, or violent demon- 
 strations, yet they had great effect upon the 
 consul Publius. He heard them indeed with 
 indignation, for it was far from his intention to 
 usurp authority greater than he already pos- 
 sessed. Still he resolved to dispel the fi-aix 
 entertained concerning him, and therefore is- 
 sued a proclamation for the people to meet 
 him in a public assembly. When they were 
 all convened, he went into their midst, and or- 
 dering the fasces to be lowered, mounted the 
 tribunal to speak to them. This proceeding 
 was highly grateful to the people, for by low- 
 ering the fasces he acknowledged their sover- 
 eignty. "Romans," said he, "how excellent 
 the fortune of my colleague, who, after 
 having accomplished the deliverance of his 
 country, and after having been raised to the 
 highest post- of honor, It'll dying in defence of 
 the republic ! When his glory was in its per- 
 fection he departed ; before the glance of sus- 
 picion had been directed towards him, before 
 the tongue of jealousy had wounded him. But 
 I, surviving the glory which I have won. have 
 
WAR WITH PORSEXXA. 19 
 
 The consul Publius Valerius. 
 
 at last l>ec<>ine the object of calumny, and, 
 from the character of deliverer of my country, 
 I am sunk to the level of those who would have 
 
 ,\vd it. AVill no degree of merit, then, 
 ever gain your confidence, so far as to be se- 
 cure from the attacks of suspicion ? Could I 
 have the least apprehension that I. the bitterest 
 enemy to kings, should undergo the charge of 
 aiming at kingly power? Supj> 
 dwelt in the very citadel, and in the capitol, 
 could I believe that 1 was an object of t< 
 to my countrymen ? Doeimy reputation amn^ 
 you depend on so mere a trifle? Is my title 
 to your confidence so slightly founded that it 
 
 re to be considered where I am, than 
 what I am? Citizens, the h<ui<e of Publius 
 Yah-riu< shall be no obstruction to your free- 
 dom : the Velian Mount shall be secure to you. 
 I will not only bring down my house to the 
 plain, but will iix it under the hill, that your 
 dwellings may overlook that of your suspected 
 countryman. Let those build on the Velian 
 ^M>unt to whom you can better intrust your 
 liberty than to Publius Vale: 
 
 These few words were sutlicient to convince 
 the people that their suspicions were unfound- 
 ed. They served also to remind them that Va- 
 lerius was the coadjutor of Brutus and Collati- 
 
20 KEPUBLIC OF EOME. 
 
 The consul Publius Valerius. 
 
 nus in expelling the tyrant who had so long 
 oppressed them. Shame therefore took pos- 
 session of them, and they separated for their 
 respective homes, leaving Valerius to enjoy the 
 satisfaction of having triumphed over their sus- 
 picions. 
 
 Faithful to his promise, he immediately 
 caused the workmen who were engaged upon 
 his palace to remove the stones and timbers 
 from the top of the mount to the vale below. 
 Here he erected a modest mansion, and laying 
 aside every thing which was calculated to ex- 
 cite envy or jealousy, applied himself to the 
 administration of his office. The excellent laws 
 which he proposed, and his manifest devotion 
 to the cause of the people, soon secured the 
 confidence of his fellow-citizens ; and he even 
 became so popular that the surname of Publi- 
 cola was bestowed upon him. 
 
 In a short time Spurius Lucretius was elected 
 consul in the pla'ce of Brutus ; but being far 
 advanced in years, he died in a few days after 
 his election. Marcus Horatius Pulvillus was 
 placed in his stead. _Of him nothing remark- 
 able is related, except that on one occasion he 
 showed a good deal of self-possession. It seems 
 that the temple of Jupiter, though some time 
 completed, had never been dedicated. The 
 
W A R W I T H P O R S K X N A . 21 
 
 Anecdote of Horatius Fulvillus. 
 
 honor of performing tin- - on Mich 
 
 an occasion beini: very considerable, the t-\\o 
 
 consuls, Publius and lioratius, east l"ts tor the 
 office. The lot fell to ll<>ratiu>. This 
 
 1 displeasure to the friends of Puhlius, who 
 avoivd in every way to delay and prevent 
 the 'ceremonies. Their elfor 
 iiM-K-s. The day was appointed, and all the 
 preparat: oeca-ioii ]>i'M].erly made. 
 
 A great multitude assembled around the tem- 
 ple, and Horatius hciran by perl'..rmin^ tl.< 
 rifices and other preliminai it--. Having liniVh- 
 ed these, he laid hold of the do..r-po-ts. while all 
 
 - in a moi revi-i-ential 
 
 re to listen to his pronunciation ,,f the 
 r of consecration. Just as he had 
 :id was about calling upon the 
 name of Jupiter, the brother of 1'ublius, who 
 had watched the opportunity, ru> : ieiily 
 
 before him, and exclaimed in an excited man- 
 mer : Horatius, your son has just died/' Ho- 
 ratius, lowering I/ ;i'id looking for a mo- 
 meut at the messenger, calmly replied, - Let 
 him then be buried." He then proceeded 
 with his prayer, completed the dedication, and 
 caused his name to be placed upon the front of 
 the temple. 
 
 For a brief period, the affairs <>f the Kouian 
 
22 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 King Tarquinius appeals to Lars Porsenna. 
 
 Republic seemed prosperous enough. Abroad 
 their arms had been triumphant under the di- 
 rection of the consuls ; at home the resolution 
 of the people to maintain republican principles 
 had intimidated the ambitious, and forced the 
 proud Patricians to show a degree of kindness 
 and justice which they had never before ex- 
 hibited. The Senate carried their generosity 
 so far as to tax themselves much more than the 
 other citizens, and even took pains to furnish 
 provisions to the poorer classes at a much low- 
 er price than they had been accustomed to 
 pay. But in all this they were actuated by 
 fears for their own safety ; for enemies to the 
 Republic were now springing up on every 
 hand, and it behooved those who had every 
 thing at stake to exercise prudence, and even 
 to make some sacrifices. King Tarquinius, 
 though constantly baffled in his undertakings, 
 was still determined to recover, if possible, his 
 throne. In connection with the defeated Ye- 
 ientians and Tarquinians, he made a strong 
 appeal to Lars Porsenna, the powerful king 
 of Clusium. He* laid before him his own 
 wrongs ; spoke of the indignities which, through 
 him, had been offered to kings, and urged 
 Porsenna to revenge the common cause of 
 royalty. 
 
AV A R W I T II P O R S K X N A . 23 
 
 Porsenna prepares to make War upon Home. 
 
 Porseiina. willing to add to the gl.>ry which 
 he had already acquired, readily took up tlie 
 quarrel of Tarquinius. and forthwith made the 
 active preparation t> march a powerful 
 army against K"me. He knew full well that 
 it was no ordinary war in which he would have 
 to engage. The num d brilliant victo- 
 
 achieved by K"man amis were well known 
 to him ; and he did not forget, moreover, that 
 in defence of their li <-y would exhibit 
 
 a degree of valor which a contest lor dominion 
 or spoils would not call forth. 
 
 Th- M.sofPor re tlu-refore 
 
 made with the utnio>t care. His own c: 
 Clusiuni furnishe<l an army Millicient to cope 
 with an ordinary foe; hut he wa< not satisfied 
 with this. M --were di-patelu-d to all 
 
 tlie cities of Ktruria, with invitations to join 
 liim in cni>liing the common i-m-mv of Italy. 
 Latin ci: ,''-d to furnish all 
 
 the aid which th- ;d, and, from all 
 
 direc: >ops flocked dailv around his stan- 
 
 dard. 
 
 Intelligence of these vigorous proceedings 
 wa- not IMIIM- in reaching Home. The Senate 
 received it with terror; and the people, de- 
 spairing of being able to resist such a host c 
 enemies, were alni">t ready to yield the city 
 
24 KEPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Porsenna attacks Koine. 
 
 without a blow. The news was carried, too, 
 to the seaport of Ostia and spread among the 
 shepherds and husbandmen all around the city, 
 and so great was the fear that took possession 
 of those who heard it, that a general flight took 
 place among them. The walls of Rome seemed 
 to afford the only safeguard against their innu- 
 merable foes. Thither they fled in multitudes : 
 the aged and the young. Thither they drove 
 their flocks of sheep and goats, their horses 
 and mules and cattle ; and thither, from every 
 farm-house and hamlet, went long trains of 
 wagons loaded with grain and wine and house- 
 hold goods, so that every gate of Rome was 
 fairly choked with those who sought refuge 
 from the invading foe. 
 
 Nor were the apprehensions of these fugi- 
 tives without foundation ; for scarcely had they 
 found security within the walls, than, looking 
 behind them, they beheld the smoke and 
 flames of their abandoned dwellings, and knew, 
 by the clouds of dust that filled the sky, that 
 their foes were pushing forward, resolved upon 
 the total destruction. of their State. 
 
 Onward they came, trampling down and 
 covering every field and vineyard within sight 
 of Rome, and speedily reaching the high wall 
 that surrounded the Janiculum, boldly and vig- 
 
\Y AR WITH I'.MJS K\ \ \ . 
 
 Valerius ami tin- Unman H 
 
 plied their batter.' .st its ponder- 
 
 ous - rk. 
 
 It was a dreadful moment for the Roman 
 
 le ; and the v -iek at In-art, an<; 
 
 tain that their power was at an end. knew not 
 what to do. They nu-t ; but it seemed n 
 for the purpose of bearing ea< Company 
 
 in the d. they hourly awaited, 
 
 iiad any plan ot a to pro} 
 
 M, fr the 
 
 walls were alrea<i ::h the 1 
 
 of h- :iuts of triiunph, 
 
 !' the Janieubint 
 acro>- terv-ninir T' :ietrated into 
 
 citadel. 
 
 :ore," shouted the consul Valerius, as 
 ,-hrd into the mi<Ut of the terrified a 
 
 %> why >tand ye here idle and craven- 
 ted '. Alrea<i\ t: :ihnn 
 
 :'allin^ Itefon- the batteries of Poreenna ! 
 Once ujM.n it- h. y have mil;. 
 
 bridge and Kome \\ ill 1 
 Hasten, Senators! Let us meet them at. 
 the Km-: ; iid be the first to block its 
 
 passage by our i 
 
 Forth went Valerius, and forth, too, went the 
 
 an Senate with all speed \ the 
 
 bridge which, crossing the Tiber, united the 
 
26 HE PUBLIC OF HOME. 
 
 Horatius Codes. 
 
 Janiculum to the more densely inhabited por- 
 tions of the city. Here they arrived just as the 
 enemy began, one by one, to leap through the 
 breaches made in the wall on the opposite side 
 of the river. "The bridge must be broken 
 down," shouted Valerius ; " there is no other 
 hope for Rome ! Bring axes, my brave Hora- 
 tius," he continued, addressing the captain of 
 the gate, "bring axes ; hew down the bridge." 
 
 "Thou art right, Valerius," replied Horatius 
 Codes; "the bridge must be lu-wn down, but 
 let this be thy task, while I, with two others, 
 cross to the further side and defend the passage 
 till your work is done. Who dare follow me?" 
 shouted Codes. "If none, then I will meet 
 alone the hosts of Porsenna." Saying which 
 he sprang, sword in hand, upon the bridge, 
 and ran towards the other end, which the en- 
 emy were now approaching. Behind ran also 
 two brave Romans who had l>een inspired, by 
 his words ; ami no sooner had the three reached 
 the middle of the bridge than the consuls, the 
 senators, and the people all began with 
 and bars to tear it down. 
 
 "Vile slaves," shouted Codes to the fore- 
 most of the approaching host, "why do you 
 not seek to secure your own liberty rather than 
 to wrest it from those who have had the courage 
 
\V A i: w i i H r 27 
 
 Bridge across the Ti 
 
 in it ? By the . i nut 
 
 pass I until I hii\v 1 it with 
 
 At these words a loud peal of 1; rose 
 
 from the troops, who, n< w, K-apin;: by thousands 
 tlm urh the broki ^ towards 
 
 the river. The next moment a cloud of ai 
 showered down upon Cocles and his brave 
 companions; but ess upon the 
 
 lers and heavy armor which they wore. 
 
 i the stoutest and bravest warriors from 
 the ranks of the enemy, eager for glory and 
 confident of success, ran with spears and axes 
 to win the narrow pass; but Cocles and his 
 companions stood like rocks before them, and, 
 one by one, the greatest champions of Yeii, of 
 
 11 lifeless at 
 
 In the mean time, the Romans on the < 
 
 vigorously with 
 
 axes, cut away, one after ano timbers 
 
 which supported the bridge. The last prop 
 was all that now remained ; Valerius, seeing 
 that the structure would soon fall, called out, 
 "Come back, Horatius Cocles; come back, 
 brave Romans ; the bridge is } ^ enough 
 
 to hold you ; come back, before it is too late." 
 The companions of Cocles at once obeyed the 
 
BE PUBLIC or 
 
 Codes' Defence of the Britlse acr<s tho Tiber. 
 
 Biimmons, but that fierce Roman, being en- 
 gaged in a desperate conflict with a stalworth 
 Yeientian, paid no attention to the call. Again 
 Valerius shouted to him, but the words had 
 hardly escaped his lips, when the bridge fell, 
 with a mighty crash, into the waters of the yel- 
 low Tiber. 
 
 A scream of rage now burst forth from the 
 disappointed hosts of Porsenna, and a thousand 
 arrows were directed against the body of the 
 brave Codes. Protecting himself by his broad 
 buckler, and succeeding, too, in cleaving to the 
 earth the enemy with whom he was engaged, 
 lie sprang into the Tiber. "Holy father Tibe- 
 rin-. I be-eeeh thee to receive the-e anus, and 
 this thy soldier, into thy propitious stream/' 
 said the courageous man, as he leaped from the 
 banks of the' river. 
 
 Down went Codes loaded with his heavy 
 armor, and the deep waters dosod above him. 
 His friends <>n the one side and his foes on the 
 other, all ga/ed in solemn silence at the spot in 
 which he sank. His valor and his intrepidity 
 had excited the admiration of his enem ; < 
 well as of his friends, and sorrow lor the possible 
 Lott of so brave a man seemed to pervade 6 
 breast. "While they were still gazing upon the 
 ruffled stream, a black helmet rose above the 
 
V-' I \A. 29 
 
 Tli 
 
 i hand- i 
 
 . A. 
 
 and even l'>rsenna himself, nnal- 
 
 . 
 man and boar liii;: 
 
 1 the we 
 
 ntly, too, 
 
 did he I'M rev I -rent, 
 
 'nmln-Miis mail in 
 A hui 
 
 1 the 
 floOfl 
 
 -d lie went alon, 
 ' 
 As he wal! , up tlio river 1- 
 
 OIB, ami the ](.; 
 ;ind him, and t'airl; i him in 
 
 with 
 crowns <>f \ y ^ave him the 
 
 ithout t! 
 liim - 
 
 duri' : ire 4 win'.- 
 
 liiui CMI-II and wine, and daily loaded his table 
 and his store ith every tiling that the 
 
30 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Porsenna besieges Rome. 
 
 market produced ; and besides all this, they 
 commemorated his bold achievement by a bra- 
 zen statue which they erected in the Comitium. 
 
 Notwithstanding the admiration which Por- 
 senna felt for his foes, he w^as still determined 
 to accomplish their destruction. Failing in his 
 meditated attack upon the city, he resolved to 
 besiege it, and force the inhabitants to yield, if 
 possible, by destroying the fields and hamlets 
 which lay around it, and by plundering and 
 slaying all who unfortunately fell in his way. 
 The Romans did not quietly submit to all this. 
 Whenever an opportunity occurred, they sent 
 bands of soldiers privately from the city, who 
 would frequently cut off hundreds of their 
 enemies, with very little injury to themselves. 
 Stratagems of every kind w r ere resorted to by 
 them, and Porsenna, finding upon one occasion 
 that he had lost more than five thousand of his 
 best troops, resolved to surround the city with 
 his vast army, and, by cutting off all supplies 
 of provisions, finally starve the people into sub- 
 jection. 
 
 It was not long before the citizens began to 
 suffer extremely from this blockade. They 
 had, fortunately, an unusual quantity of food, 
 but every day it was diminishing with great 
 rapidity, and starvation or slavery seemed in- 
 
W A R W I T II 1' . V A . 31 
 
 The Story of Caius ^Iiu-ius. 
 
 evitable. In this strait, Koine presented an- 
 other evidence of the boldness and patriotism 
 of her citizens. 
 
 Three Inmdivd young men of illustrious birth, 
 'mining that they would rather die than 
 see Home subjected to a foreign yoke, bound 
 tlieinselves by tlie most solemn oatlis that they 
 would fi-i -s from Porsenna or Bi 
 
 death in the attempt. In accordance with a 
 i-ted plan, one of them, named Cains 
 Mucius appeared one day bef>re the Senate 
 and demanded j a to leave the city, 
 
 saving at the same time that he i 
 something of great importance to the common- 
 weal; h, and that he was willing to risk his life 
 in the undertaki: -ion was granted, 
 
 and he found the v nn- 
 
 ( by the enemy. 
 
 In-ing well acquainted with their language, 
 he had no difficulty in mingling with the sol- 
 diers and pas-ing himself off a- one of their 
 number. AYandering about the camp, he final- 
 ly d! ; the king'- tent; and oldening 
 that many persons were pacing in and out, he 
 ventured to intrude upon, the royal presence. 
 Looking about for the king, his attention was 
 anv>ted by two persons of very dignified ap- 
 pearance, and both arrayed in robes of equal 
 
REPUBLIC o F H o M K . 
 
 The Story of Caius Mucius. 
 
 splendor. One of them sat motionless and ap- 
 parently deep in meditation ; the other, with 
 large heaps of gold before him, was constantly 
 occupied in giving and receiving messages, 
 and in bestowing portions of his gold upon one 
 and another who went in and out before him. 
 
 " This busy individual is certainly the king," 
 thought Mucius. He dared not, however, ask, 
 lest his ignorance should betray him. Firm 
 in his resolution, he therefore stole slowly and 
 carelessly towards him, and having arrived 
 within Ji (TUtance suitable fur his purpose, drew 
 forth a knife which he had concealed within 
 his div<-;, and plunged it into the heart of his 
 victim. 
 
 A cry of horror iv.se on all sides, and Mu- 
 cius, notwithstanding hi- -ate efforts to 
 'ily anvskMl. ]]\- had killed 
 the ki HIT'S secretary instead of the king, and 
 those who held him. , ; him at once be- 
 fore the monarch to receive the sentence due 
 to his criiiK>. Trembling with ra^v, IVisenna 
 demanded his rea-uji for such monstrous con- 
 duct. Without the least manifestation of fear, 
 he replied in a firm voice: "I am a Roman. 
 My name is Cains Mucius. I came here wiih 
 a determination to kill the enemy of my coun- 
 try. Fortune. Porsenna, hath permitted thee 
 
WAR WITH 1' N A . 
 
 , I'orsenna. 
 
 ' 
 
 for ti. '. 1 H-ii 
 
 ana than mine will reach thee. 
 . 
 
 I 
 
 not seek the 1.1. >od of thy soldiers, but thine 
 
 II- >mlied at SUC :ent, 
 
 the kini^ at 01 him, 
 
 and order kindled. comma 
 
 i'l"t in which !; 
 i, under 
 
 arm in the tlan: 
 h-.\v h. 
 
 hack 
 i'ered 
 his hand to become fairly roasted in i 
 
 Po; _r for a few munii-nts this 
 
 from 
 
 St of hi- 
 
 :a the lire. " Go home, 
 yum., . laimed ;" I cannot destroy 
 
 such go it be use'. 
 
 .0 the liheriy which I give 
 and depart." 
 
 .Mucius appra 1 /' TO l)y tlie 
 
 roeity of l^r-eima than ly the flames kin- 
 I 
 
34: EEPUBLIC OF KOME. 
 
 Departure of Mucius. 
 
 died for his destruction, thus addressed the 
 monarch : I desire, O king ! to show you that 
 kindness is more powerful with the brave than 
 threats ; and since you are disposed to honor 
 courage, be it knowTi to you, that three hundred 
 of the principal youths of Rome have bound 
 themselves by an oath to attack you, as I have 
 done ; my lot happened to be first ; the others 
 will be with you, each in his turn, according 
 as the lot shall set him foremost, until fortune 
 shall afford an opportunity of succeeding 
 against you." 
 
 Having uttered these words, he departed, 
 leaving Porsenna most deeply affected by the 
 danger to which he now saw himself daily ex- 
 posed. One of the three hundred assassins 
 had already been within his tent ; the knives of 
 the others were doubtless ready to draw his 
 blood ; and if in the hands of such daring men 
 as Mucius, how small was his prospect of life. 
 For some time Porsenna sat upon the tribunal, 
 silent and meditative. Having carefully re- 
 flected upon his condition, and the chances of 
 conquering a people who had resolved to resort 
 to the most desperate measures in self-defence, 
 he concluded that it would be the part of wis- 
 dom to propose terms of accommodation to the 
 Eomans. 
 
WITH PORSEXXA. 35 
 
 The Story of Cloelia. 
 
 Ilis resolution beinu- taken. IK- at once sent 
 ami-; :<> tlie city vith 
 
 /ti>n that Tarquiniua should he ac-kimwl- 
 
 . This the li-'inan- ]>er- 
 
 emptorily refused ; and the amla- ; >eing 
 
 ucted no- vield- 
 
 c d. propnsiiiLT nt the same time to withdraw 
 
 their army, <>n c'iulitin that tlie linnians should 
 
 up the lands whieh they had, some time 
 
 l>el're, ta 'in the Veieiitians; and that 
 
 tliey should n'ive hostagefl t ; r the iiillilnu-nt 
 
 of tl The Romans In- 
 
 to this, Porsenna removed his troops tVom 
 
 the Janiculuni and departed to his own 
 
 country. 
 
 It is said that a y.nniir \v-.man named Clu-lia, 
 one of the hostages, watching a favorahle op- 
 portunity, escajjed as they were almt depart- 
 inir. with several of her companion-, and swam 
 acn-s the Tiber, thnniirh a >hower of dan 
 charged at them hy the enemy. Arrivin 
 
 ill the other- repaired 
 
 t<> th ; but Porsenna, hear- 
 
 f the atlair, was very anirry. and sent am- 
 
 tdors to Eome demanding the restoration 
 
 .'i-lia. No sooner, however, had the am- 
 
 adore gone, than Porsenna expressed the 
 
 greatest admiration of the conduct of Cloelia, 
 
36 EEPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 The Romans reward Mucius and Cla-lia. 
 
 and declared that if she was restored he would 
 tend her back to Rome. 
 
 Faithful to the terms of their treaty, the Ro- 
 mans caused Cloelia to be sent back to the 
 camp of the Etrurians. Porseima not only 
 complimented her upon her courageous con- 
 duct, but told her that she might return to the 
 city and take with her half of the hostages. 
 Granting her the privilege of choosing am'iig 
 them, it is said that she took the youngest, as 
 she considered these most liable to injury from 
 the enemy. 
 
 Peace being again restored, the Romans did 
 not forget to reward Mucius for his heroic con- 
 duct. In addition to the honor which wa< paid 
 to him, the Senate bestowed upon him a largo 
 traci near the river Tiber, culled afterwards the 
 Mucian meadows; and Mucius i the 
 
 name of Sc;i-v..la, or the left handv d. because 
 his right hand was destroyed by the flame- in 
 which he held it. Nor did the conduct of 
 Oo-lia go unnoticed. Her intrepidity 
 commemorated by an e<]iie>trian statue erected 
 at the head of the Sacred street. 
 
 Porsenna, unwilling to return home without 
 the glory of a single victory, sent a portion of 
 his forces to lay siege to Aricia, a city of La- 
 tium. It proved, however, an unfortunate un- 
 
\VITH ]' 37 
 
 Friendship between Porsenna and the Romans. 
 
 r although the arrack \vas entirely 
 unev it rived to di 
 
 their city until sufficient ai<l \\ 
 the I ates and fro hen they 
 
 :n -d an engagement in the lield. The 
 success of the Ktrurians seemed at first 1>< 
 a doubt; but an artful movement on the j.art 
 of the cohorts of Cumse decided the 
 
 rces of Porsenna were completely b< 
 and scattered over the plains. A great many 
 of them fled to Rome for protection. 1 
 .so kindly received, that Porsr 
 
 ifl gratitude, gave ba> 
 
 mans the lands which they had \ i*ree- 
 
 alily to the treaty that had been lately made 
 between the 
 
 :ice was the cause of so strong 
 
 endship between Porsenna and the Ro- 
 mans, that Tarqu: 
 
 to promote his own interests through their 
 quarrels, went from Clusium to Tusculmn, in 
 hopes of procuring the aid of Octavius Mam 51- 
 
 he renowned chief of the Latin nation. 
 His application in this quarter was not in \ 
 Man, -nt secretly to work among the cit- 
 
 ies of Latium, and thirty of them joined in a 
 league against the State of Rome. 
 
THE WAR WITH Till- LATINS. 
 
 FROM 803 TO 49S B. 
 
INCREASE of (he Population of Rome Public Lands Pov- 
 ertv Debts Slaves <>otaviu> M.-mliu-* make> War Diffi- 
 culty of raising Tn>u]>s Abolishment of I>-l>t- < .'ppositioii 
 of Appius Claudius Kmliarrav- ment of the S<n;it< i 
 lishment of llir Dictatorship l'o\vei> ut' tin- Dictator Nu- 
 ble Conduct of Lartius and ('ld-liu> Lartius ci-cat-d Dicta- 
 tor I'lV'jiai'ations for War Aulus PottmniQI Battle of the 
 Lake of Regillus Result of the Battle Ca.-ior and Pollux 
 Peace concluded with the Latins Death of Tarquinius. 
 
II. 
 
 THE WAI; WITH Tin: LATINS. 
 
 BEFORE the La t Ithiir; 
 
 arations for war. 
 
 had been .! humiliated l>y 
 
 _rau to plunder and a- 
 
 ; PuMiiw 
 . iiu- 
 :. inarch- 
 . 
 
 I Ian:*' portion of 
 
 tln-ir !es. The Sabines were not, how- 
 
 K-'inans 
 
 their -tinacy. 
 
 <e the 01 of Reme. 
 
 icians, some connec- 
 
 tion and sometimes separ uade attacks 
 
 apon it, : -ally with very little success. 
 
 These cruel and continued attacks upon the 
 
4:2 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Attus Clausus Increase of Population. 
 
 young and struggling Republic were not with- 
 out opposition even among the people who 
 carried them on. A large number of the Sa- 
 bines protested against the conduct of their 
 countrymen, and used every argument to pre- 
 vent them from committing further injuries. 
 Among these, was one Attus Clausus, a man of 
 great wealth and powerful connections. This 
 man, having made repeated but ineffectual ef- 
 forts to put an end to the aggressions of his 
 people, and finally becoming discouraged and 
 disgusted, resolved to abandon his native coun- 
 try and move with all his household and riches 
 to Rome. A great many others followed his 
 example, and it is said that Clausus went to 
 Rome accompanied by no less than five thou- 
 sand persons. 
 
 This was a very valuable accession to the 
 Roman power, and Clan -us met, of course, with 
 a favorable reception. He wa< da ed among 
 the patricians, enrolled in the Senate, and des- 
 ignated by the more Roman name of Appius 
 Claudius. The rights of citizenship were given 
 to those who attended him. and lands upon the 
 river Anio assigned for their support. Thus 
 formed the nucleus of what afterwards be- 
 came the Claudian tribe. Appius was a man 
 of stern and harsh character, loved by the pa- 
 
W A ii WITH THE LATI 43 
 
 Public Lands Poverty. 
 
 trician?, dreaded l>v tin- plebeian-, and exert- 
 
 . a powerful influ- 
 ence in 
 
 It was not until six or i r the 
 
 lis.hu icnt of peace between Porsenna and 
 
 .ans, that ( ' Mamilius found 
 
 ared to undertake the <U>tn, 
 of the Roman Republic. When the news of 
 
 . the Con- 
 suls and tilled with the ut 
 consternation, for, in addition to the t roubles 
 which threaten* d them abroad, the utmo>' 
 
 d at In -me. The common people, 
 by reason of incessant wars and by the c 
 ousness of the patricians, found themselve 
 duced to the in- 'lied |.. \vrty. I'nder 
 
 the dominion of the kings they had always re- 
 ceived a share of the hooty, together with a 
 
 ion of the lands t >m their ene 
 
 in \\: reinaindi-r leiiiL r n-ervod to pay 
 
 uses of the State; but t: -ians, 
 
 -ding themselves as the sovereigns of the 
 
 ihlic, appropriated to their own u>e tho 
 
 I by battle, or cau-ed 
 
 them to be sold in such a manner as to place 
 all the profit in their own coli 
 
 Nor did they confine themselves to these 
 usurpations only. It happened frequently that 
 
REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Debt* Slaves Octavius Mamilius makes War. 
 
 the crops were insufficient by reason of an un- 
 favorable season, or because of the devastations 
 of an enemy. Whenever tii the case, 
 
 these patricians, finding means to get possession 
 of all, compelled the plebeians to have recourse 
 to them for the nectaries of life. Those who 
 wished food were obliged to borrow money, 
 and this was lent to them only at exorbitant 
 usury. Many thus incurred debts which they 
 
 utterly unable to pay; and the law in 
 those days permitted the creditor to take the 
 debtor, upon default of payment, to his o\vn 
 house. and retain him as his slave. Stripes 
 and torments were likewise all" that 
 
 the conduct of the patricians rendered th-. 
 fcrin^s of the people quite intolerable. 
 
 It was while the complaints of the plebeians 
 
 rising most loudly t the ears of the 
 
 :!iat the news came that Octavius ^lamil- 
 
 ius, with the combined armies of thirty Latin 
 
 .ing to march against Rome. 
 
 Already deputies from these people were with- 
 
 in the walls, Uttering the most bitter complaint-, 
 
 e of some excuse, that 
 
 the Romans had violated their treaties and for- 
 feited the iv-pect and even the mercy of their 
 neighbors. ]lpii!r to derive great advantage 
 from the embarrassing condition of the Senate, 
 
A\~ A i! \\' i ; L A T I N 45 
 
 Difficulty of raisin- Troops. 
 
 . 
 
 A 
 
 Roman i the 
 
 1 upon such (M If 
 
 their encouragement in beirinning was small, 
 
 it al: L r e<l into di-spair as they pr.> 
 
 ed. The ditliculty of raising troops was ex- 
 
 Tlie pe. 
 pover \erse to ing a 
 
 akc up arn. . 
 
 i compel those who aj> d to 
 
 light for its posse- 
 
 disaffi 
 
 \vnuhl pa-> an nnlinaiic^ wh.-rt-l.y th'<t- 
 1 with U'lt> iniirht IK- r- 
 
 orts to restore <] 
 
 to as- 
 
 lious. A ditU'ivnce of opini-'ii w:us at once 
 manifest among those composing tl.i 
 body. Som .illy incl: 
 
 and not so rich lo to 
 
 making a law which >h..uUl ivlit-ve the poor of 
 
46 EEPUBLIC OF HOME. 
 
 Marcus Valerius on the Abolishment of the Debts. 
 
 their debts; while others declaimed violently 
 against it, as unwise and at variance with honor 
 and justice. " I am of opinion," said Marcus 
 Valerius, a much respected senator, " that by 
 abolishing these debts we shall purchase the 
 good-will of the citizens at a small price, and 
 that the great gain which private individuals, 
 as well as the public, may thence derive, will 
 amply compensate for so small a loss. Such a 
 measure would not be without precedent, for 
 we all know that the Republic of Athens, on a 
 similar occasion, at the instance of Solon, de- 
 livered its poor from the debts which embar- 
 rassed them. How glorious will it be for us to 
 relieve those citizens who have- rendered such 
 great service to the lie-public. wln have >h<>wu 
 so much courage in delivering their country 
 from the cruelly of tyrant-. wh> have always 
 been ready to sacrifice themselves fnr the 
 oral good! Can \\v ask them to expose their 
 li\v>, while we deny them the most trilling as- 
 sistance? Is not their poverty inure worn 
 compassion than of hatred? Is not, in fact, 
 this poverty more reproachful to us than to 
 them f' 
 
 Having >pokon in this manner for some time, 
 Valerius at length sat down amid the applauses 
 of a large number of the senators. But the 
 
WAR WITH THE LATINS. 47 
 
 The Opposition of Appias Claudia*. 
 
 nid when Appius 
 -peak. 
 
 e of 
 
 l>tors. A la g pri- 
 
 vate 
 public faith ; ami those in wh r it is de- 
 
 . 
 
 eooteoi of the gn lesstob- than 
 
 i lurmnrin^s nf the people. 1 mny 
 
 006 \\h- 
 ruined themselves by debauch- 
 
 iiappy if they >li..ull (piit it 
 
 er. A- to the on 
 
 em ; luit let it I.. ;' the 
 
 creditors 
 
 .t:i\. '1 :it to 
 
 give 
 
 am--! .-nplo ai> 
 
 . let those who ha 1 , 
 up..;. :. prnnitted their 
 
 . the .-edition, the way t-- 
 ty \\ ill i;. . ( pled 
 
 \- \\i!l restrain tii*- n-bellion> .- 
 
 pel them to return to tin 
 
 With such words he put to silence the sup- 
 
48 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Embarrassment of the Senate Oppression of the People. 
 
 porters of Valerius, and a long di-cus-km hav- 
 ing ensued, the Senate finally adjourned, re- 
 solving that they would make no decision in 
 the matter until after the termination of the 
 war. The people, in return, testified their dis- 
 approbation of this proceeding by renewing 
 their complaints in more bitter terms, and 
 showing in a more decided manner their deter 
 mination to try their strength with that of the 
 patricians. 
 
 The situation of the Senate became, day by 
 day, more embarrassing. Their efforts to rai>e 
 an army were not only fruitless, but ridiculous; 
 and in the mean time rumors were constantly 
 reaching Rome that tin- powerful forces of the 
 Latins would soon be within their terr: 
 Consternation and despair were painted on the 
 faces of every j-atrieian. The Senate not hav- 
 ing Miiticient power to enforce obedience to its 
 will, feared that the punishment frac- 
 
 tory would result in a civil war, more ; 
 dreaded than the hatred of foreign enemies. 
 lint all that the Senate lacked in pin 
 strength was made up in superior cunning ; 
 and, finding that they must, yield, they deter- 
 mined that in doing it they would place the 
 people under a yoke worse than that from 
 which they hoped to escape. Pretending, there- 
 
\V AR WITH T !l K L VTI XS. 
 Esu .tor. 
 
 their authority, d to 
 
 ! 
 
 ulil be 
 
 all law, ' .oj-t duration. '[ 
 
 of the decree which they made n tin- 
 was: "'1 i C'lu'lius, who 
 
 ber witli all 
 
 publ . ^houhl lay aside their \> : 
 
 that there shouM he lut oiu ; that 
 
 I be selected by 
 
 voice of the people, and that his 
 power should not continue 1 lon^r tha 
 The peopl 
 
 -si on on the part oi 
 
 be gON -y the newly 
 
 ate. 
 
 < !' Rome, b\ MJUS con- 
 
 tlius 
 to be placed in the hands of a hi 
 
 whose voice was to be superior t<> that of 
 
 . 
 
 they had written upon 
 
 wood jii. .stain 1 or lull :i- 1m 
 
 al"iie might cho oflScers of State, 
 
 !x, Wei'e to be 
 
 at his disposal ; the treasures of the Republic 
 
 4 
 
50 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Checks upon his Conduct. 
 
 were to be used as he might deem proper; 
 peace and war were to be at his option ; the 
 armies were to march wherever he might or- 
 der, and the people were to do his bidding, in 
 whatever station he might choose to place 
 them. 
 
 The name of Dictator was given to this new- 
 ly created magistrate, and such was doubtless 
 the extraordinary powers originally conferred 
 upon him, although at a subsequent period, 
 when circumstances demanded the exercise of 
 this office, these powers were somewhat dimin- 
 ished. In later times the dictator could not 
 use the public money without the authority of 
 the Senate or the consent of the people, 
 ther could he leave Italy ; nor was he permit- 
 ted to ride on horseback without the permis- 
 sion of the people; and. what was a si ill great- 
 er check upon his conduct, he might be e. 
 to an account for his actions after the expira- 
 tion of his term of office. 
 
 It was important that the man selected for 
 this office should possess extraordinary abilities. 
 He should be skilful in the affairs <,f govern- 
 ment, experienced in the art of war ; lie should 
 be a man of wisdom and resolution, and 
 cially should he be possessed of the greatest 
 moderation. 
 
\V A II W IT II 'I II K L AT I - fL 
 
 The co ius and ] Cloe- 
 
 .<! wort: 
 
 .'d with the pov> ator ; 
 
 but it was believed t: -jual- 
 
 ate, willing that either ol' .<uhl 
 
 posed that they 
 
 id decide the ma dyes. 
 
 1. art ius at once iv- ; ('In-lius as m..re 
 
 deserving than liim-rll'. and Clu-lius in>i.-.ti-d tliat 
 assessed abilities superior to hi- >\\ n ; 
 '.-iuld either ot' tlu-m .it ho 
 
 inrir d ! th-' h no- 
 
 ble cnn<i U to win universal ad- 
 
 niiratinn ; and the Senate and ju-nph- 1,, 
 more anxious that nm- of ;nidd 1.. 
 
 suaded to assume t! The 
 
 anie eager in their de- 
 
 maii'. . B; i-ntiiv ^ illiiiL r !i--- t sul.mit 
 
 t> th -ii nf nu-n i'.,r wlium the L r lnr. 
 
 advantajre- <>l' ah-nlute j.n\\er }..-s>es>ed s<> little 
 ehann. 
 
 The Senate ha [ted a wlmle day, in 
 
 at one or the nther ^>i' th- 
 
 mnHils- w..uld permit liiniselt' t> ' ,\ f,,r 
 
 the ne\v office, finally a<ljounied. In the . 
 ing, many of the relatives ,t' ( In lin> and Lar- 
 tius, together with several of the most eminent 
 
52 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Lartius made Dictator His Public Appearance. 
 
 senators, repaired to the house of Lartius, and 
 bdfeought him in the most earnest terms that he 
 would sacrifice his generous feelings to the 
 public goud. Overcome at length by their con- 
 tinued remonstrances, he consented that his col- 
 league should name him as Dictator. 
 
 Having accepted thN new office, Lartius re- 
 solved t<> make such an impression on the peo- 
 ple as was intended by it> creation. To this 
 end, he made his appearance before them 
 with the utmost pomp. The kings had always 
 d by twelve lictors, each carrying 
 in his hand an axe. These axes had been re- 
 moved by the consul Valerius ; but Lartius not 
 only caused the 8 -red. but lie even 
 
 doubled the number of the lictrs, in t<k. 
 a p"' :-ior to that of kings. The e 
 
 precisely such as could be de-iivd. A 
 magi-Irate. >uch as the Dictator presented him- 
 self, was little in accordance with the 
 tions of the people. They were n<>t only a 
 Hied but frightened at }\\< appearance, having 
 ted upon the immense power 
 with which he wa- clothed. The magnilicence 
 of his cortege, the proud and commanding air 
 which he assumed, reminded them of the !. 
 
 re whom they had lately trembled ; and the 
 obedience which they had promised to the new 
 
V, i: LATI 53 
 
 Impression upon the People Manner of raising Troop*. 
 
 ruler, was MOV .1 iVuin the \ with 
 
 which h- 
 
 or having made a -sion 
 
 upon the minds c\vn .>!' i turbulent, he 
 
 d all th lied with the 
 
 utmost 6} :ie number of those a 
 
 age of si nd to be a hun- 
 
 housand and seven him 
 Having -c|.arated the old men from those who 
 
 : ins, he formed the 
 
 into four bodies : ry and cavalry. The 
 
 d of the bravest and most expe- 
 
 . and, 
 
 .itting Cla-lius, his former colh 
 choo the others, he p. 
 
 ins his general 01 1 the 
 
 :irius Lav 
 Jlaviii:.-- 
 
 i ody of troops to protect 
 
 at thos* -.vliL-re he 
 
 they would be most likely to encoun- 
 y. But he was anxious, if possi- 
 :-e peace ^nthout blood^i 
 5 that he miirht succi-ed in Mr 
 with j.rudent men to the 
 
 }>rincipal ai>n, and iinally suc- 
 
 '::^ a truce fr OM6 year. 
 Althnu_. if with the Latins was inevita- 
 
54: EEPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Preparations made for War. 
 
 ble, still its postponement for so long a time 
 was gratifying both to the people and to the Sen- 
 ate. Lartius, believing that the office of Dicta- 
 tor was no longer necessary for the safety of 
 Rome, returned with his army, and resigning 
 his authority, named Sempronius Atratinus and 
 Marcus Minucius as consuls for the remainder 
 of the year. 
 
 Nothing now was thought of but the prep- 
 aratioas necessary for the deadly struggle 
 which must take place between Rome and the 
 Latin nation. In order that civil discord might 
 be prevented, the Senate issued a decree for- 
 bidding creditors to disturb their debtors until 
 after the war. They also decreed that any 
 Latin WOUK-II who hud married and settled in 
 Rome should be permitted to go, with their 
 daughters, to the home of their ancestors it' 
 they chose; they also invited those Roman 
 women, who had married and gom into the 
 cities of the Latins, to return with their daugh- 
 ter- t> U<>im>, for none could tell how dreadful 
 would be the war which was shortly to begin. 
 All the Latin women, it is said, but two re- 
 mained in Rome witJi their husbands; while 
 all the Roman women, loving Rome more than 
 their husbands, took their young daughters, 
 and came hack to the homes of their fathers. 
 
WAR WITH THK LAT 55 
 
 us created Dictator. 
 
 In for con- 
 
 had taken place, and Auli.- r<-:umius and 
 
 . >u^ht that this war Q tho 
 
 Latin- and the Romans would re-ult in the de- 
 or the other nation ; and at 
 such a critical time, it was : that the 
 
 admi :i ..f n>\vrnment should he ; 
 
 <>f one person. Tin 
 ,;lh'd uj.. .me a 
 
 Yiipniu- named his 
 I'.^tuniiu-, f.r thi- imp-. 
 was .'iily t: B the 
 
 Us, one of the 
 in.-t ti-rrihh- 
 
 11 Cll_M v L r 
 
 A- .-.Mil a> every tliinir was in ivadines-, 
 Aulro ]>ut himself at the head i' liis tr..,p- 
 
 :UM! l'..rih }),>ldly to in.-ct the enemy. He 
 
 t' Pneneste, a 
 
 ahoiit i .-tward tr^ni 
 
 K.'ine. Arriving near the L:ik- 
 which was not very tar l'riii I'ra 
 
 army of Octaviu- Mainil- 
 
 .idvancii | !> him. Hi- <>\\n army 
 
 >mall. composed of 
 
 >,tnd intantry and three thou- 
 
 ?and horse; hut the I.atin< tar 
 
56 KEPUBLIC OF HOME. 
 
 Battle of the Lake of Regillus. 
 
 him, they being three thousand horse and forty 
 thousand infantry. 
 
 Approaching each other, they immediately 
 formed in battle array. Sextus Tarquinius ap- 
 peared at the left wing of the Latins ; Octavius 
 Mamilius at the right ; while Titus, the other 
 son of Tasquinius, occupied the centre, at the 
 head of the exiles, and of those who had pre- 
 ferred the party of the Tarquins to that of their 
 country. The cavalry was also divided into 
 three bodies, one in each wing, and one in the 
 centre. Conspicuous, too, among the leaders 
 was old King Tan|iiinius, though his head was 
 now white with the frost of nearly ninety win- 
 ters. 
 
 The Roman army, small when compared 
 with that of tin 1 Latins, drew up boldly t<> the 
 conte>t. Titus ^Ebutius, general of the cavalry, 
 was stationed upon the left; the consul Vir- 
 ginius on the right ; and the Dictator Aulus 
 commanded the front of the battle. Though 
 the Romans perceived at a glance that their 
 force was unequal to that of their enemie- 
 they were n< >wi>e. daunted, but seemed rather 
 t<> be endowed with twofold strength when they 
 found that their former tyrant and his hateful 
 sons were prominent among the leaders of their 
 toes. The knowledge of this fact filled them 
 
AVAR WITH THE LATINS. 57 
 
 The Fuiy of the Battle. 
 
 with so much fury, that it was with diiliculty 
 thev ::ted fruin rushing headlong 
 
 into the battle. 
 
 Aldus. :iir the anl<>r uf his troops, 
 
 and hearing, \ that tl. 
 
 flirt h d for the 
 
 battle. Nnthiiiir could . 
 
 with which the tW< 
 
 upon each other. That vast line of >ol, 
 . 0r liill aii'l <lale, a- lar a- th- 
 eh. SOOHHM! sudden! 
 
 as it' by IIKILMC. ( )nward 
 
 is and spears giving forth a 
 nado tlie earth tremble around 
 le confined to the sol- 
 alone. Tliose who '_i-he>t in com- 
 mand were con-], it. Even old 
 la rquinius dashed forward, lance in hand, 
 to where it rai^-d most fiercely; and his son 
 
 i']y by his side.till oblig> 
 
 retire, woimdt-(l by a javelin. yKhutiu-, also, 
 the general of the Homan cavalry, heedless of 
 his own person, darted upon ^Mamilius, com- 
 mander-in-chief of the en.-my, woundinir him 
 in the bn-a<t, and r> B a bl\v 
 
 that nearly deprive<l liim nf an arm. S 
 
 litu- llci-minius iiiclitinir a< bravely as he 
 did upon the bridge, when Horatius Codes mi- 
 
58 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Marcus Valerius The Progress of the Battle. 
 
 dertook to defend it against the combined for- 
 ces of Porsenna. And Marcus Valerius, also, 
 entered the contest, swearing that as his family 
 had the honor of having banished the Tar- 
 quinii, so they should possess that of having 
 slain them. But the boast of Valerius was in 
 vain, for, intent upon killing Titus Tarquinius, 
 he rushed madly into the midst of a band of 
 Latins, and was pierced by a score of darts. 
 nge immediately took p<>.->e ion of those 
 who witnessed the deed, and the body of Va- 
 lerius was soon covered by a hundred of his 
 foes. 
 
 The left wing of the Roman army, discour- 
 aged by the loss of its chiefs, and vigorously 
 attacked by tin.- o\il I t-> -ivr way and 
 
 lly. Tlu- Dictator Aulus perceiving it, gave 
 orders for a detachment of cavalry to repair to 
 the .spot and compel the deserters to return, 
 or slay them a< eneniie-. Placing himself al>o 
 at the head <"f a flu-sen band, he fell furi- 
 ously upon the exiles, put them to flight, and 
 slew Titus, the son of King Tarquinius. 
 
 This all'air, so unfortunate for the Latin ar- 
 my, \va- perceived by Mamilius, their leader. 
 Fearful of the consequences, lie sped with a 
 detachment to aid the routed exiles. But 
 llerminius, the lieutenant-general of the Ro- 
 
: WITH THK 1 
 
 : I'rogreM of the Battle Result of the Battle. 
 
 man arm 'I:imilius l>y hi- elothes 
 
 and arm-, daru-d upon him and slow liim at u 
 
 w of his lanee. A Minilar fate, how- 
 
 minius for as he stooped to 
 
 il Mamiliu- :lmu;li with 
 
 a javelin, and laid dead upon th. t' his 
 
 11 the !<-. of the Latin army, under 
 
 the CMiui! . .ir<|iiinins. maintained 
 
 their ground, and th- U>man 
 ^ivin.ir way 1 bem, when Aulns, with a 
 
 I tO their 
 
 viiiij his situation t hi- 
 
 :ms with the 
 
 fury M!' despair. AVith his of 1 lie cut 
 
 him, until at length, 
 surrounded ! HM hurh-d to the 
 
 .ml, covered with blood and wounds. 
 The Latin-. inir that their elm-f- 
 
 all slaii.. Town in 1 -iio>t con- 
 
 interior officers ].artieij>atii 
 ral alarm, :' 
 
 mand, and in a short time that ii> army 
 
 . lli^ht. The 
 
 !-y of the Kumans was complete. Th.- 
 tie hud < ing the whole day, and 
 
 when they laid down at ni^ht, tlu-y w-re sur- 
 rounded by the dead bodies of thirty thousand 
 
60 REPUBLIC OF ROMP:. 
 
 The two mysterious Horsemen. 
 
 of their enemies ; they also had in charge 
 five thousand prisoners, together with a large 
 amount of the richest spoils. 
 
 Many wonderful things are related of the 
 battle of the Lake of Regillus. Among others, 
 it is said that during one period of the battle 
 the Romans gave way so rapidly before the 
 Latins, that Aulus fell down upon his knees 
 and vowed a temple to the deities Castor and 
 Pollux, if they would aid him to win the vic- 
 tory. No sooner had he risen to his feet than 
 two horsemen, arrayed in glittering apparel 
 and upon snow-white steeds, appeared at the 
 head of the Roman bands, exciting all around 
 
 7 O 
 
 them to courage, and carrying destruction 
 wheresoever they went. Wherever the battle 
 was fiercest, there might these shining cava- 
 liers be seen ; nor did they quit their danger- 
 ous position until the camp was taken and the 
 enemy put to flight; but when Aulus inquired 
 fur them, in order that he might bestow UJM.U 
 them ii reward Milted t<> their valor, they could 
 not be found, either among the living or the 
 dead. As the sun- went down, the people of 
 Rome became anxious to know h\v the battle 
 had gone; and while they were wonderi : 
 to the fate of their friends, there suddenly ap- 
 peared in the Forum two shining horsemen upon 
 
\Y A R WITH Tiir: 1 61 
 
 Castor And Pollux Triumph of Auhi?. 
 
 snow-white h< irses. h;r- ry appearance of 
 
 men who lia<l ju>t 00 attle. and 
 
 their hor>es all covered with foam. Gfaing iin- 
 medi; fountain by the temple of 
 
 ;u they wa-hed away the >tain> of the 
 %ht, and related t> all wh< cruwdi-d anaind 
 them how the battle had l>een tu^ht, and huw 
 it had l>een w.n. Then they iiKnnted their 
 horses and rnle tVnm the 1-Wuin; imr euld 
 they ever be fmiiid . th..uirh dil' 
 
 :i wa< inadi- t'.-r them in every j!: 
 
 f the battle were sent t-> the E 
 -e j.e.'i'h" nn the l'..ll..win^ day ; 
 and mention i> said t havi- b :' tin? 
 
 n. Tin 
 
 1 Pollux had aided Anlus 
 cord- 
 iiiirly rai-ed in their honor. 
 
 < ii 'ie ri'joiein^r in Rome when Anlns 
 
 with his victorious army retn;: inj/ their 
 
 rii-h ' , and Accompanied by tiu-ii-numer- 
 
 OUB pi d with a ina^niii- 
 
 triumphal procession, and a tenth part of 
 
 M set apart for the celebration of 
 
 games, and fur the performance of suitable 
 
 sacrifices. 
 
 These had scarcely been concluded, when the 
 Latins sent ambassadors to Rome, chosen from 
 
BE PUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Peace concluded with the Latins. 
 
 all the principal cities which had opposed the 
 recent war. They brought olive branches in 
 their hands; and appearing before the Sen- 
 ate, made long speeches, in which they con- 
 demned the conduct of their countrymen, and 
 threw the blame of the war upon their rulers. 
 They confessed that they had been justly pun- 
 ished, and desired to become the inseparable 
 friends of the Romans, promising implicit obe- 
 dience to their commands, and aid to them in 
 all their enterprises. 
 
 The Senate did not seem much inclined to 
 listen to their professions, inasmuch as they had 
 hitherto proved themselves false and treacher- 
 ous. Nevertheless, it was finally determined 
 to grant them peace, on condition that they 
 would deliver up all their deserters, drive awav 
 the exiles who had taken rei'mre among them, 
 and surrender th<>e whom they had taken pris- 
 oners. "Do all this/' said the .Dictator to 
 them, "and then return, and we will conclude 
 with YOU a treaty of peace." 
 
 A low days alter, the ambassadors returned, 
 bringing with them the deserters, whom they 
 had caused to be arrested. A treaty of friend- 
 ship was then arranged ; and thus, after strug- 
 gling fourteen years against the machinations 
 of King Tarquinius, Rome at last beheld him 
 
WAR WITH THK LATIH 63 
 
 D**thofT*rquinlo*. 
 
 completely OYOPtfalOWn, Driven away from 
 the cities of tlio Latins, he was obliged to take 
 i;e. W!K- re he, at last, died in<>l>-rii- 
 rity and wn-:.- I, Tli- IK-WS .f his death 
 
 was reci-ive<l with i^reat joy at Ronu 1 , lxth 
 ainun^ the senators and the onum-ns; but it 
 wast 1 t'>r fre>h injuries to the people, 
 
 and further di>turbances of the public peace. 
 
THE PATRICIANS MD PLEBEIANS, 
 
 FROM 493 TO 401 B. C. 
 
SERVILIUS and Appius Claudius Oppression of the Poor 
 The Story of the old Centurion Trouble with the People 
 A threatened Invasion Preparations for Battle The Vol- 
 f-'i repulsed Further Troubles on account of the Debts 
 The Sabines attack Rome The People refuse to enlist A 
 Dictator created Rome's Enemies defeated Retirement of 
 the People to Moris Sacer Effort of the Patricians to bring 
 them back. 
 
III. 
 
 THE PATRICIANS AND PLEBEIA 
 
 SINCE the creation of the first Dictator, the 
 patricians had learned that their own sa 
 as well as that of the commonwealth, depend- 
 ed upon their treatment of the poorer classes. 
 These must be conciliated, if protection was 
 I'd against the enemies of the Republic. 
 One source, and a very great source too, of 
 their uneasiness was removed, since death had 
 I Tarqu tn ^ivin^ them any 
 
 further trouble. No sooner did they see them- 
 
 red from this fear, than 
 commenced the same hateful course which had 
 so exasperated the poor upon former occasions. 
 Those debts which had before created so much 
 trouble, remained still unpaid. They were now 
 talked .f, and their payment vehemently de- 
 manded. The poor expostulated, and earnestly 
 plead their inability. The creditors replied, 
 
68 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Servilius and Appius Claudius. 
 
 that they had acted with leniency ; that they 
 had submitted to a law which had robbed them 
 of their rights ; that the war was at last brought 
 to a close, and that the time for the settlement 
 of their claims had now arrived. Severity was 
 used; and it was not long before the utmost 
 cruelty was resorted to. It is not surprising, 
 then, that a general discontent should follow, 
 and that the city should again be threatened 
 with civil discord. In the midst of all this, 
 Aulus Postumius resigned the dictatorship, and 
 Appius Claudius and Publius Servilius were 
 elected consuls. 
 
 The election of these two men to the consul- 
 ship was a contrivance, and perhaps a good 
 contrivance, of the Senate ; for, although they 
 both possiv-M-d exeellent traits, they were very 
 different in their dispositions. Appius was a 
 man of pvat resolution, and a severe olerver 
 of the lavi s ; while Servilius, on the other hand, 
 was gentle, humane, and agreeable to the poor 
 aud to the multitude. There was nothing more 
 certain than a contrariety of opinions between 
 them. Servilius could not fail, from the good- 
 ness of his heart, to favor the suppression of 
 debts, or at least the taking off of the exorbitant 
 and accumulated interest, which already ex- 
 ceeded the debts themselves. Appius, on the 
 
PATRICIANS AND PLEBEIANS. 69 
 
 Oppression of the Poor. 
 
 ury, maintained that it was unjust to re- 
 lieve the debtor at th 36 of the creditor; 
 and lie iirred that the course proposed by Ser- 
 vilius would be regarded by the seditious only 
 a< a mark of concealed weakne-s, and that new 
 
 uld be thereby IbsU 
 
 Tli- ions which they hold together did 
 
 not fail to roach tho ears of the peplo. and j.nb- 
 
 lic feeling wafl oxhihitod in the ; hich 
 
 bestowed ifpon S . as woll a- in tho 
 
 '.(a[od upon ..'1 >f 
 
 Aj'j'in-. hi- o.lleaguc. 
 
 All the efforts of Servilius were in vain. 
 
 }>y their 
 
 iless en- . in delivered them ; 
 
 prisons and >t rij.es, and made them undergo 
 
 11 they cried >ut 
 :':ie law, and in, iiiont 
 
 .^rs to free themseT 
 
 their "j'i>!o i.ius. Secret meeting- wei\- held 
 in t!. ^ (.f dol'r -.vere 
 
 tantly devi.-e<l and di . :id, in a 
 
 >hort time. th city was thrown into the most 
 violent commotion. 
 
 I pon a certain occasion, while G MMIII- 
 
 Of the people together and 
 
 talking over thel: and 
 
 feeble centurion, loaded with heavy chains, 
 
70 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 The Story of the old Centurion. 
 
 threw himself in their midst, claiming their 
 protection. His clothes were soiled and torn, 
 his face pale and disfigured, and his whole ap- 
 pearance gave evidence of the grossest mal- 
 treatment. Notwithstanding his pitiful and 
 wretched condition, there were many present 
 who recognized him, and who said that he had 
 formerly been a centurion that had often won 
 distinction by his bravery in battle. He him- 
 self showed the scars which he. had received in 
 various combats, and gave the names of the 
 consuls and officers under whom he had served. 
 Upon being asked by the multitude, whence he 
 came, and why he was in such a deplorable 
 condition, he replied, that while he was serving 
 in the war against the Sabines, the enemy had 
 fallen upon his property, destroying not only 
 the crops which covered his fields, but the 
 house which proteeted his little ones; that 
 they had carried away his ihcks and herds, 
 and all that he had laid by to support himself 
 and family. lie said, too, that, to increase his 
 misfortunes, a heavy tribute had been exacted 
 from him at a timw when he was without the 
 means to pay it ; that, in order to satisfy this 
 demand, he had been compelled to borrow 
 money on exorbitant interest; that this interest 
 having accumulated, he had been obliged first 
 
PATRICIANS AND PLEBEIANS. 71 
 
 Effect of the Story upon the People. 
 
 ! his lands, then his household goods, and, 
 finally, that he had been compelled to deliver 
 him- -lave t.. those who hud taken 
 
 n of his substance. IK- said, n 
 that hi> eredit"is had treate<l him, not as a 
 >lave, hut us a criminal condemned to the 
 punishment; and in proof ef this, 
 exhibited UJM.II his back the marks of the 
 whips and rods with which his flesh had been 
 torn. 
 
 soon as he had finished speaking and 
 wounds, the pe a tu- 
 
 mult which pervaded the whle 
 who ha<; i similar maltreatmi-n 1 . 
 
 from all quarters, imploring the protection of 
 their fellows, and the multitude .-oon became 
 so great as to create considerable alarm amon^ 
 the patricians. S<.me of them, indeed, would 
 have doubtless lost their lives, had not the 
 
 the aiiLTiT of the 
 
 pop;, As soon as these magi ::ad- 
 
 their a}j)earance, the multitude turned towards 
 them, and exhibited the chains and ignomini- 
 ous stripes that had been inflicted upon ; 
 who had hazarded their lives in behalf of the 
 "Republic. They demanded, in threatening lan- 
 e, that the Senate should be assembled at 
 once, and that something should be done to 
 
BE FUEL ic or HOME. 
 
 Trouble with the People An Alarm. 
 
 protect them from the injuries to which they 
 were expo-cd. 
 
 Some of the senators having collected to- 
 irotlicr. the people assembled in crowds around 
 their place of meeting, determined that they 
 should act promptly and efficiently in their be- 
 half. But either through fear, or a di.-inclina- 
 tion to act, they sent out word to them that 
 t a sufficient number present to 
 Iran-act business. This exei; iiow- 
 
 . satisfactory, and the tumult continued 
 with increasing fury. The absent 
 being linally con :hey promised to do 
 
 something at on< people. 
 
 Jn the mid>t of all this tumult, the attention 
 of the multitude nly attracted to- 
 
 ward an who \ I'uri- 
 
 ou>ly over the <listant hills in the direction ,.f 
 Koine. Onward he C if lite depended 
 
 on the speedy fultilment nf hU course. The 
 multitude ga/.ed and wondered, and seemed for 
 the time to f,rget the C&USe wiiich had brought 
 them together. Presently the lior>eman was 
 hid behind the walls which he was rapidly ap- 
 proaching: and then the city gates tlew open, 
 and, without .Blackening his ] hounded 
 
 forward towards the plae< -mbly. u To 
 
 arms ! To arms, Romans !" he shouted ; " the 
 
I 
 
 . atened Invasion Joy of the People. 
 
 ' 1111- 
 
 a friendly eh' 
 
 . A pro- 
 vast as- 
 
 lage. 1 ut of 
 
 i^ods are 
 
 I tlu furious nmlti: 
 will soon him. 
 
 . 
 
 iitul now 
 . 
 
 of joy with which it i i ly the 
 
 d people. All was confusion and un- 
 -enators, ; 
 
 :.(-< .uirht the con- 
 
 was more popular than his 
 
 appease 
 
 the people, a in hack t> a sense of 
 
 thi-ir lut; tlh-ir mi I iliti- 
 
 iM^st sootl. . that. 
 
 :i the 
 
 :m-ansofgra r^p- 
 
 .ted to : ie consternation pro- 
 
74: REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Murmurings cease Preparations for Battle. 
 
 ducecl by hearing of the approach of their 
 enemies, together with the necessity of imme- 
 diate action on their part, made it impossible 
 for them to labor effectually in behalf of the 
 private interests of the citizens. He implored 
 them, for the sake of their wives and children, 
 to lay aside their hostility towards the patri- 
 cians, and to aid in the public defence. He 
 promised also that upon the close of the war, 
 every thing should be done which could pro- 
 mote their welfare ; and decreed that, in the 
 mean time, no debt whatever should be pros- 
 ecuted. 
 
 The well-known kindness of Servilius, the 
 zeal which he had always manifested in behalf 
 of the people, together with the mildness and 
 eloquence with which he spoke, were powerful 
 enough to calm all mimnurings. The people 
 permitted themselves to be enrolled, and < 
 exhibited considerable ardor in ranging them- 
 selves under the ^tandards of their leaders. 
 Marching out of the city, with Servilius at their 
 head, they encountered the enemy, who were 
 hastening forward, "conn 1 dent of victory. The 
 battle was delayed until the consul felt assured 
 that the sudden animation of his troops was not 
 affected. Seeing that they were really eager 
 for the combat, he gave the signal, and nc\--r 
 
PATRI AND PLEBEIANS :: 
 
 The Volscl repulsed. 
 
 did soldier^ d r bravery <>r intr 
 
 ity. TheVi-'. unable to withstand their 
 
 !1 back terrified and confined. The 
 Komans pursued them e\vn into the midst of 
 
 their Their triumph was complete; and, 
 
 :iir themselves with booty, they 111:11 
 en t. ^^uessa Pometia, where tlu- i\-innant <!' 
 
 nciny ha<l ll--L Iln-.- liu- \ 
 ti-ndrd them-' h much obstinacy during 
 
 -. but \\viv linally cmnjn l!cd t> 
 yield. Having pillaged all the houses and 
 
 . and put the inhabitants to the swnrd. 
 
 iius ]\-turiK'd with his victorious tnx>] 
 Ron 
 
 Tlii'-e adtlitinnal victMi-i, .-1 tin- peo- 
 
 ple with a hope that the Senate would now 
 ^rant the relief which had been promised to 
 them through the c<n>ul Servilius. A short 
 
 i the re- 
 cent campaign, they di-manded a I'uliilment of 
 the proiiii-e. Hut Apjtins had become jealous 
 of the success of his colleague Servilius, and, 
 in order to throw him into contempt, i. 
 the law to be enforced with all its se\\-ritv 
 against debtors. Those who were thereby per- 
 secuted resorted to Servilius for protection : 
 but it was all in vain ; for even if he had been 
 able to help them, he was. now disinclined to 
 
76 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Further Troubles grow out of the Debts. 
 
 interfere, inasmuch as his colleague and all the 
 nobility were favorable to opposite measures. 
 But by this course of conduct he not only ac- 
 quired the hatred of the plebeians, but lost 
 the esteem of the patricians ; the former re- 
 garded him as a deceiver, and the latter con- 
 sidered him as devoid of the firmness necessary 
 to a ruler. 
 
 The people now, giving up all hopes of pro- 
 tection, resolved to take matters in their own 
 hands. Persons were stationed in the neigh- 
 borhood of the courts for the purpose of watch- 
 ing whatever transpired. Whenever any debtor 
 was seized and led in for trial, a crowd rushed 
 in from all quarters, making so much clamor 
 and confusion as to prevent the voices of the 
 officers from being heard, and likewise to deter 
 any one from executing the sentence of the 
 la\v. The people seemed likely to obtain by 
 force what they had failed to procure by en- 
 tivaty : and the creditor, who was now assailed 
 and abused by the angry multitude, seemed 
 even in greater divad of Wing his liberty than 
 the debtor. In the midst of this difficulty, an 
 alarm was spread that the Sabines were intend- 
 ing to make an attack upon the city. Orders 
 were promptly issued for a levy of troops, but 
 not a single man would suffer himself to be en- 
 
I > A T R I r\ A X S A XI) P L K B K I A X S . 77 
 Attack of the Sabines The People refuse to enlist 
 
 rolled. Dismay airain took posses>ion of the 
 
 be. The consul Servilius llattered the peo- 
 ple in vain, and in vain did the consul Appius 
 scold and threaten to vi-it their disobed: 
 with tin- :' the law. They 
 
 hade the senators to take up amis them-e 
 they told Servilius that his promises wer 
 
 i- than those of their perjured allies, and 
 they ridiculed the raire of Appius and <; 
 him ' , 'e tli.- threats uf which he was SO 
 
 lavish. Kvery day man IV worse and 
 
 id most srrion- fear> wen- ei.' 
 for the safety of the commonwealth. 
 
 About this time, the term- of the consuls 
 
 !lius and Appius drawing to a close, the 
 friend- of the UepuMie hoped that the election 
 of COIIMI! aide to the people would 
 
 he productive of some derive of rpiict. Aldus 
 ^'iririIliu- and Titus Vetu-iiN were the penom 
 
 <1 to ntlice; lut the people, now uncer- 
 tain a- to what kind of governors were set 
 them, held regular nightly in upon the 
 
 K-<juiline and Aventine mounts, in order that 
 they might, it any time, he alle to act prompt- 
 ly and in concert. These meet in ::- 
 ( L r reat uneasiness to the c<n>ul>. and the Senate 
 upbraided them in the bitterest terms, becau-e 
 they did not put a stop to them, and make ex- 
 
78 EEPUBLIC OF EOME. 
 
 Vain attempts to raise Troops Dictator created. 
 
 ainples of the ringleaders. A decree was now 
 'd, that the consuls should enforce the lev- 
 ies with the utmost strictness. This they ac- 
 cordingly attempted, and, mounting the tribu- 
 nal, they cited the younger citizens by their 
 names; but no other answer was made except 
 a shout from the multitude, " that the common 
 people could no longer be deceived; and that 
 not a single soldier should be raised until the 
 public engagements were fulfilled ; that every 
 man must have his liberty restored, before arms 
 were put into his hands, in order that the peo- 
 ple might be convinced that they were to fight 
 for their country and fellow-citizens, not for 
 their masters." 
 
 It wa- evident enough to the consuls, that 
 neither they nor the Senate po>se>-e<l Miflirieiit 
 'r to control this determined multitude; 
 so, after making one or two vain etl'<rts to en- 
 force obedience, they concluded to resign their 
 office and create a I ) it- tutor. 
 
 The person whom they selected wa< Marcus 
 Valerias, the In-other of Pnblius Valerius, who 
 had always been a givat favorite of the people. 
 The choice proved very acceptable to every 
 one, and he at once gained the confidence of 
 all, by proclaiming that no person should be 
 molested on account of debt, and by promising 
 
PATH i 
 
 The Enemies of Koine again defeated Further Trouble. 
 
 cmmpaigi 
 
 tin' difficulties of -I/ens 
 
 iii'. iv irave in : 
 
 them>elves U) "lied \\-itliMi;- 
 
 tion. Ten legions were raised. 
 
 mi thousand infantry and three him 
 
 Three of these weiv placed under 
 
 I of each consul. and t'"nr i 
 tlie 1 ' 
 
 Tli ere was no furtl The 
 
 UN were already iiivadinir the t- 
 of tl. i ambassadors were in Rome 
 
 beee< >c Senate to send troops to the as- 
 
 si>ta; 'heir allies. Th- . too, 
 
 -ahines \\ 
 
 initting depiv hainl. < )nwanl, 
 
 :it the Konian armies, led i?i dif- 
 n-i ly i Ji and the I ' 
 
 a ed in numliers l.y 
 
 their nij.any tin-in. 
 
 The K.|UJllis, the V and thi 
 
 ieces,orsent il; int: t. their homes; 
 
 and the Konian lea-. their 
 
 d \vith priory and laden with tho 
 
 As soon as the army had returnrd to K 
 the I ' \'aleriu-> appean-d ht-t'..re the S-n- 
 
 and demanded of them what course they 
 
80 EEPUBLIC OF EOME. 
 
 Valerius resigns the Dictatorship. 
 
 intended to pursue in regard to those persons 
 who were confined fur debt. In reply to his 
 inquiries, the Seriate giving him to understand, 
 that they were opposed to taking the matter 
 into consideration, Valerius thus addressed 
 them : " My endeavors, senators, to restore 
 concord are, I see, displeasing to you ; believe 
 me, when I solemnly declare, that the time 
 will shortly come when you will wish that the 
 commons of Rome had just such patrons as I 
 am ; as to myself, I will neither be the means 
 of further disappointments to the hopes of my 
 countrymen, nor will I hold the office of Dicta- 
 tor without effect. Intestine discord and foreign 
 wars made it necessary for the commonwealth 
 to have such a magistrate ; peace has been 
 procured ill) road ; at home it is not suffered to 
 take place ; it is my determination then, in time 
 of sedition, to appear in the character of a pri- 
 vate citizen, rather than in that of Dictator." 
 
 Having delivered this speech, he left the Sen- 
 ate chamber-, abdicating at the same time the 
 dictatorship. The common people, believing 
 that he had resigned his office on account of 
 the ill-treatment which they had received, at- 
 tended him, as he retired to his house, with 
 gratitude and applause. 
 
 Upon the abdication of Valerius, those le- 
 
PATRICIANS AND PLEBEIANS. 81 
 
 Retirement <>f the Plebeians to Mons Sacer. 
 
 gions assigned to him wore disbanded accord- 
 ing to custom ; but the other six legions which 
 had been under the command of the coiiMils 
 were still kept together, and ready for service. 
 In order that they might not be broken up, the 
 Semite instructed the consuls to lead them out 
 against the E<juan>, who, they pretended, had 
 renewed their hostilities. The design of the 
 patricians was, however, too evident, and the 
 commons resolved unanimously, but silently, 
 that they would no longer Milter themselves to 
 be deceived. Obedient to the commands of 
 the consuls they took up their arms, and, 
 inarching forth from the city, encamped on the 
 banks of the river Anio near to Rome. 
 
 The day drawing to a close, they lighted 
 their camp-fires and made the usual prepara- 
 tions for the night. l>ut as they were all going 
 about, each in the performance of his respective 
 duty, word was passed around, from man to 
 man, that none of the commons should go to 
 sleep that night, but be ready at a signal to 
 follow their secret leaders. At the appointed 
 time, when the patricians, stretched upon their 
 soft couches, were locked in slumber, they all 
 marched silently forth with their arms and 
 standards, and took possession of a fortified 
 hill about three miles distant from the city. 
 
82 KEPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 The Patricians strive to bring them back. 
 
 The vexation of the consuls arid of the offi- 
 cers may be easily imagined, when, at the 
 break of day, they discovered themselves to 
 have been entirely deserted by their troops ; and 
 it being no difficult matter to ascertain the direc- 
 tion in which they had gone, we cannot doubt 
 that immediate measures were taken to bring 
 back the deserters to their duty. The proud 
 patricians followed, then, with all speed in the 
 track of their revolting army, and reaching the 
 base of the hill where the rebels had encamped, 
 sought, by alternate reproaches and promises, 
 to win them again to obedience. 
 
 " Enough, enough !" shouted Sicinius, who 
 acted as a leader among the soldiers. " How 
 have ye the heart, O patricians, to call back 
 men whom ye yourselves turn into slaves or 
 exiles ? How will ye give us faith in promises 
 so often broken as yours have been? If ye 
 wish the city to yourselves, go hence unhin- 
 dered ; but for us, our country shall be that in 
 which we can find liberty." 
 
 The consuls and the patricians were soon 
 convinced of their inability to contend against 
 so much resolution, and, therefore, quietly 
 mounting their horses they turned towards 
 Borne. 
 
THE TRIBUNES OF Till- PEOPLE. 
 
 FROM 491 TO 485 B. C. 
 
FEARS of the Patricians Embassy to the Revolters Their 
 Reception and Offers Discourse of Junius Brutus Fable 
 related by Menenius Reconciliation of the Plebeians Cun- 
 ning of Brutus Tribunes of the People created Their 
 Powers The ^Ediles Famine in Rome Coriolanus His 
 Character The Hatred of the People towards him He is 
 cited before them Efforts made to save him His Trial and 
 Condemnation He offers his Services to the Volsci He 
 goes to the house of Tullus Attius His Reception Enters 
 into the Service of the Volsci Marches against Rome Fail- 
 ure of the different Embassies sent to him His Mother pre- 
 vailed upon to intercede with him Her Appeal to him in 
 behalf of Rome Her Success Death of Coriolanus. 
 
COBIOLAXUS AND HT8 MOTHER. 
 
IV. 
 THE TRIBUNES OF THE PEnl'LE, 
 
 No sooner had the news of the revolt 01 
 
 I 
 
 .!< the greatest commotion. Those 
 nds and -s among the reb- 
 
 them the greatest s 
 my cases undertook to join 
 : rifled by 
 
 tlu- loss of citizens upon wlnm tlu-y d 
 for defence and service, endeavored to retain 
 all \vlm and, closing tlie 
 
 raised to m; most 
 
 fforts to bring back those who 
 
 Oft, Tln-n- 
 
 main. u-K--<, M!I. fled to join t 
 
 UJIMII tin- Sacivd Hill. 
 
 nis di-<iTtr<l, was in the utmost 
 frnin its numerous foes, who, in time, 
 ncr ,-,f the ci\-il discord by which it had 
 
88 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Fears of the Patricians Embaosy to the Revolters. 
 
 been rent, would be certain to make it an easy 
 prey. To make the best of their condition, the 
 patricians armed themselves, their clients, and 
 as many as they could gather from the lowest 
 classes of the plebeians. They strengthened 
 also the gates, manned the towers, and set their 
 posts without the walls. Besides all this, through 
 the temperate counsels of the wiser patricians, 
 it was resolved to send an embassy to the re- 
 volters, who still remained upon the hill by the 
 river Anio, increasing daily in number, and 
 procuring such fond and shelter as the neigh- 
 boring lands afl'onU-d. It may be easily im- 
 agined that the revolteiv themselves were quite 
 as anxious as the patricians to become recon- 
 ciled with their countn men, for it was not very 
 probable that they could form a more agree- 
 able alliance; and the means of gaining a sub- 
 sistence, after the harvests around them had 
 been reaped, would be very scanty indeed. 
 
 "When, therefore, the commissioners, sent by 
 the Senate, came within sight of the hill, the 
 whole throng of revolters descended to meet 
 them. At their head was Sicinius, whose name 
 has been already mentioned, and Juuius Bm- 
 tns, a very quick-witted and self-esteeming per- 
 Bonage. At the head of the embassy was Me- 
 iienius Agrippa, whose oft-hand eloquence had 
 
TUIBTNKS OF Tl OPLE. Bi 
 
 Reception of the Embus/. 
 
 made him a general favorite at Rome. He 
 had, moreover, sprung from tlie plebeians him- 
 self, and was, therefore, a very suitaMe person 
 intrusted with Mich a matter. 
 
 Reaching the great multitude that ll<>< 
 down the hill to meet him and his associates, 
 he made known to them at once the wi>hes of 
 id In-sought them to return peace- 
 fully to Rome. But the plebeians who had 
 heen apprised of the approach of the embassy, 
 determined to cross at tiist t; 
 tin- c<>m;: B, and, by rai-ing <b-tae 
 
 union and ju-ace, to train e\vry p-.s-ible advan- 
 iiiiL r ly, wlien they had >tated their 
 message from ftte, Juntas BrntOi imme- 
 
 diately cried out: u Th Senate betray their 
 are masters if we know how to im- 
 prove this opportunity; speak, then, all that \ < .u 
 to say, and I will endeavor to answer, in 
 the name of my comrade-, in -uch a way as 
 will be equally useful and airiveable to tl; 
 
 It was tlu-ivu|>on agreed that the COU 
 sioners and the multitude should reascend the 
 hill and talk the matter over in the camp. 
 Having here arranged themselves in the most 
 convenient manner, both for speaking and list- 
 ening, M. Valerius began the negotiation by 
 offering, in the name of the Senate, pardon to 
 
REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Otters to the Eevolters Deliberations. 
 
 all the revolters, and, at the same time, an 
 earnest appeal to them to return to the city, 
 where their wives and children were sighing 
 for their embraces. 
 
 This speech was replied to by Sicinius, who 
 urged that, before the people consented to this, 
 it was but just that they themselves should 
 open their grievances, and know what they 
 might hope from the fine promises of the Sen- 
 ate. Closing his harangue with a call upon 
 the soldiers to defend the public liberty, he 
 was i inn KM! lately followed by Junius Brutus, 
 who a<l<livs>txl himself to the multitude in such 
 a way as to encourage them in their revolt, 
 and to increase in them a hatred of the patri- 
 cians, who wore already beginning to feel the 
 want of their protection and their service. 
 Then, turning towards the ambassadors, he 
 cried out: "You invite us to return to Rome, 
 but you do not tell us upon what conditions. 
 You talk to us of nothing but pardon and for- 
 giveness, as if we were your subjects, and sub- 
 jects in rebellion ; but that is the point to be 
 decided. The question is Which is in the 
 fault, the people or the Senate ? which of these 
 two orders first violated that common society 
 which ought to subsist between the citizens of 
 one and the same republic '." 
 
TRIBUNES OF THE PKOPLE. 91 
 
 Discourse of Junius Brutus. 
 
 In a long oration, he thru related t< them a, 
 number of facts by which he >ho\\-ed the con- 
 tinued devotion of tlie commons to the higher 
 
 nd the self-sacrificing spirit which they 
 }jad ever inn 1 in their behalf; and con- 
 
 cluded by asking them to show what reeom- 
 
 commons had ever , for their 
 
 assistance. "Instead of assi>t;u 1 he, 
 
 "have not our bravest soldiers, oppn--ed with 
 the weight of usury, groaned beneath tin- chains 
 of their nu-iviK^s creditors? Have not y>ur 
 promises to relieve us been forgotten, and have. 
 not our services bei-n denied I Sutler us then, 
 to depart from a country when- v. 
 like >o many slaves; and, so long as we have 
 oursw.'nU in our hands, we shall be able to 
 open for ourselves a way into more fortunate 
 
 C'lill: 
 
 Every one of the multitude, by his looks and 
 'tied to the truth of these words; 
 and many came forward and showed the marks 
 of the stripes and injuries which they had re- 
 ceived. T. Largiu-. the head of the embassy, 
 endeavored to justify the conduct of the patri- 
 - and of the creditors; but he only made 
 the matter worse, and even pmv"ked Sicinius 
 to inteiTupt his speech, and to order him and 
 his fellow commissioners to propose the condi- 
 
92 KEPUBLIC OF KOME. 
 
 Conciliatory Speech of Menenius A Fable. 
 
 tions which they were empowered to make, or 
 to leave the camp at once. 
 
 This brought out Menenius, a man of great 
 prudence and penetration, who, in a speech full 
 of moderation and wisdom, was able to win the 
 attention and respect of the multitude. He 
 stated to them that the Senate had carefully 
 inquired into the poverty of the plebeians and 
 the severity of their creditors, and that it was 
 their determination to annul all obligations, 
 and to declare the poor citizens free of all man- 
 ner of debts. Taking advantage of the soften- 
 ing influence of his words, he represented to 
 them how necessary it was to the State that one 
 part of the citizens should be richer than an- 
 other, and enforced this maxim by relating to 
 them the following fable : " At a time when 
 the members of the human body did not, as at 
 present, all unite in one plan, but each member 
 had its own scheme and its own language, the 
 other parts were provoked at seeing that the 
 fruits of all their care were applied to the use 
 of the stomach ; and that the stomach mean- 
 while remained at its ease, and did nothing but 
 enjoy the pleasures provided for it. On this 
 they conspired together, that the hands should 
 not bring food to the mouth, nor the mouth 
 receive it if offered, nor the teeth chew it. 
 
TRIBUNES OF THE PEOPLE. 93 
 
 The Plebeians reconciled Cunning of Hrutus. 
 
 "While they wished, through these angry meas- 
 ures, to subdue the >t<>niach through hunger, 
 the members and the whole body were, to^vther 
 with it, reduced to the last stage of deca\. 
 From thence it appeared that the ollire of the 
 stomach itself was not confined to a slothful 
 indolence ; that it not only received noiirish- 
 inent. hut supplied it to tlie others, conveying 
 to every part of the Imdy that blood <n which 
 depend- uir life and vigor, by distributing it 
 e(|iially thnuiirh the vein>, after having brought 
 it to perfection by digestion of th 
 
 Making an application <f this fable t> the 
 present ease, and showing the great similarity 
 between the dissension of the membei-s and the 
 imeiit <>f the commons airain-t the patri- 
 cians, he made a powerful impression upon the 
 people. "Receive our embraces as the lirst 
 fruits of peace," said he, " and let us enter all 
 together into Eome ; let us jointly carry thither 
 the first news of our reunion ; and may the gods 
 AN ho protect this empire, grant that it may be 
 hereafter celebrated by new victories !" 
 
 All the people, moved by this speech, cried 
 out to Menenius that they were satisfied, and 
 that lie might lead them back to Rome. But 
 the cunning Brutus checked their sudden trans- 
 port, and insisted upon having some pledge of 
 
EEPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Tribunes of the People created. 
 
 the sincerity of the patricians. " Grant us," 
 said he, "some officers chosen out of the body 
 of the plebeians ! We ask for them neither 
 purple robes, nor the curule chair, nor the lie- 
 tors; but let them have the power to hinder 
 the injustices that may be done to the people, 
 and to defend their interests, both public and 
 private." 
 
 This demand took the commissioners by sur- 
 prise ; and having conferred together on the 
 subject, they agreed that this exceeded the 
 bounds of their instructions, but that some of 
 them would go back to the city and obtain the 
 answer of the Senate. The distance not being 
 great, and the Senate being easily convened. it 
 was determined, after some discussion, to end 
 the dispute by allowing the Plebeians to elect 
 yearly from their number certain magistrates, 
 who were to be called T-rifainca of the People. 
 Before leaving their camp upon the hill, they 
 accordingly elected, for the first Tribunes, L. 
 Jnnius Brutus', and C. Licinins Bellutus, the 
 leaders of the revolt* And now having noth- 
 ing to detain them any longer from Eome, they 
 first performed a sacrifice to the gods upon the 
 
 * Livy says that C. Licinius and Lucius Albenus were the 
 first Tribunes, and that they created three colleagues, one of 
 W 1 Qin was Sicinius. 
 
TRIBUNES OF THE PEOPLE. 95 
 
 Powers of the Tribunes. 
 
 hill, which they afterwards culled Mons Saivr; 
 ami then, led hy their Tribunes ami the r.>m- 
 mi-Moners. they went to the embraces of their 
 
 The establishment of the Tribnneship was 
 another change in the form of the government 
 .f Rome, l-'rom a monarchy to a kind .f aris- 
 y, it was by >l-w steps approach! 
 
 denoera 
 
 The Tribunes, it is true, had little in their 
 appearance to awaken any appivlu -!i>i- ' 
 the part of the proud patricians. They 
 dre ed like the plainest C .-ilteiided only 
 
 hy a .-Siiir'e ft ;ilel ri,ttni\ and never ad- 
 
 mitted in-idi' pt on 
 
 invitation. 1 had ihe riirht to oppose 
 
 and wholly nullify the decrees -of thi- a 
 
 : nir the little J.atiu \ 
 ^Iforbidit; and this they 
 wrote at the bottom of these decrees, when thev 
 thought them contrary to the liberty of the 
 !e. This was a simple and unobjection- 
 able means of preventing oppre ion ; but it 
 will in the end that, under pretence of 
 
 securinir the liberty of the people, these humble 
 magi- _rn of ruining the 
 
 authority of the Senate. It wa- not l,mg bi-tore 
 they obtained permission to choose, as their as- 
 
96 KEPUBLIC OF KOME. 
 
 The ^Ediles Famine in Koine Coriolan us. 
 
 sistants, two plebeians, with the title of aediles, 
 who, from acting as their agents, finally became 
 in-pectors of the public edifices, baths, aque- 
 ducts, &c. Still Home presented every appear- 
 ance of repose, and the friendly feelings be- 
 tween the plebeians and the patricians seemed 
 to be sincere and durable. But the fire of di- 
 vision had not been wholly quenched. 
 
 During the consulate which followed the re- 
 volt, a terrible famine occurred, and, as a mat- 
 ter of course, all kinds of provisions were sold 
 at an excessively high price. Bitter complaints 
 were made on the part of the people, and it was 
 commonly believed that the patricians, having 
 their granaries full, had occasioned the public 
 dearth, in order to make up to themselves the 
 abolition of the debts. This opinion was very 
 much strengthened, too, by the conduct of Mar- 
 cius ('oriohmus, an avowed enemy of the power 
 of the Tribunes. "If the plebeians wish to have 
 provisions at the usual price," said he, "let 
 them restore te the patricians their former 
 rights. Why am I obliged, after being sent 
 under the yoke after being ransomed, as it 
 were, from robbers to behold plebeian magis- 
 trates, to behold Sicinius invested with power 
 and authority? The road is open to the Sacred 
 Mount, and to other hills ; let them carry off 
 
TRIBTNKS OF THE PKOPLE. 97 
 
 The Character of Coriolanua. 
 
 tin- (Mrn from our land-, as tlu-v did two \ 
 ago." 
 
 This Marcius Coriolaini- wa- !ed tVoin 
 
 one of tlu- in'st illu>trions patrician families in 
 Koine, lie liad l>eeii brought up with <rreat 
 by his mother, Yetnria. a woman of noted 
 austerity, wlio liad taken every pains to inspire, 
 him with her own sentiments At an early 
 <L he r-howed irre::t capacity t'..r tin- art of 
 war. JndetMl, he receive(l the surname of Co- 
 riolamis tor liavinir tlUtiniriiisluMl liiin-elf so 
 mueli in tlie capture of ('orioli, one of the c 
 of the Vnlx-i, which lie set on tire with his own 
 hand, pcrformim: at the -arnc time many val- 
 
 - of manner wa-, 
 
 however, so great, that he could never make 
 him-elf a favorite anioiir tlie people, wlm, 
 while they admiivd his val>r, his upright 
 
 and his generosity, dreaded his severity and his 
 
 pride. When he wi-hrd the c. .nsuUhip, the 
 ])!eheia!is tln-refore iv fused to him their \ 
 and for this remsOB he ever entertained for 
 them the irreate-t liatred. It is not surju^in^, 
 then, that lie .-Imuld have endeavored to avenge, 
 liimself iijion the plebeians, at a time when 
 their poverty threw them so completely in his 
 power. 
 
 The speech of Coriolanus, just now quoted, 
 7 
 
98 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Hatred of the People towards Coriolanus. 
 
 was highly applauded by the younger senators, 
 who openly advocated the abolishment of the 
 Tiibuneship; but the Tribunes, on the other 
 hand, who happened to be present by invita- 
 tion, were very much incensed ; and assem- 
 bling the people tumultuously, they cried out 
 that the patricians had made a league to de- 
 stroy them, their wives and their children, 
 unless the plebeians delivered their magistrates, 
 chained, into the hands of Coriolanus. They 
 declared that he was a second tyrant rising up 
 in the Republic, and aiming at their death or 
 slavery. 
 
 The plebeians had now, however, acquired 
 so much power that they no longer entertained 
 the idea of deserting, as upon a former occa- 
 sion, but rather of making a trial of their 
 strength with the patricians in the very centre 
 of Koine it-elf. Nothing now but the destruc- 
 tion of their enemies could be thought of; hut, 
 that the forms of justice might be observed, 
 they summoned Coriolanus to come and an- 
 swer for his conduct before an assembly of the 
 people. But this proud senator sending back 
 their officer with contempt, they Availed for 
 him at the door of the Senate, in order to seize 
 him when he should come out. As he made 
 his appearance, therefore, the a^diles were or- 
 
TRIBUNES OF TFIK PKOPLE. 99 
 
 Treatment of Corioltnus. 
 
 dered to lead him to prison ; lut the command 
 WM n-'t an easy one t execute, for Coriulanus 
 and his friend- .-to,d upon their defence, ami, 
 liMiig well their li.Ms. forced the ffidiles to make 
 a quick retivat. A general disturhanee im- 
 mediately ensued, in which the plebeians on 
 one side, and the patricians on the other, com- 
 abusing and reproaching one another 
 in tl.i . In the in\(\>{ of it the 
 
 ;ls arrived, and by means of entreat:. 
 well as by their authority, succeeded in dis- 
 persing, the multitude and sending them to 
 their lion 
 
 Hut the pleheia -ions of their power, 
 
 had determined not so easily to abandon their 
 iraine. On the following day, therefore, they 
 ibled in crowds at the Konim to talk over 
 their irrievance-, and to contrive plans Hr rem- 
 edying them. The patricians also asseml.)lt'<l 
 with them, and the conduct of Coriolanus be- 
 inir the exciting theme, much was said by 
 both parties fur and a-ain-t him. Coriolanus 
 himself was there: and being called upon to 
 M had been stated by his friends, that he 
 wa< willing to a-k pardon if he had done 
 wrong, he inveighed more violently than ever 
 against the enterpri>es of the Tribunes, and de- 
 clared boldly, that the people had no right to 
 
100 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Coriolanus cited before the People. 
 
 judge a senator ; that the consuls and the Sen- 
 ate alone had a right to call him to account for 
 his behavior. 
 
 A serious attempt would have been made to 
 destroy him at once, had not the cunning Bru- 
 tus perceived that the people were not, at the 
 moment, in a mood to lay hands upon him and 
 to drag him from the midst of his numerous 
 compeers. This individual then holding a brief 
 consultation with the Tribune Sicinius, the lat- 
 ter cried out : " You see, O Romans, that it is 
 not the fault of the patricians that much blood 
 is not shed to-day, and that they are ready to 
 come to the greatest extremity to rescue the de- 
 clared enemies of the Roman people out of the 
 hands of justice. But it is our duty to set them 
 better examples: we will do nothing rashly. 
 Though tlu- criminal is sufficiently convicted 
 liv his own coni'i'SHon, we are yet willing to 
 give him time to prepare his defence. We cite 
 thee," added he, addressing himself to Coriola- 
 nus, " to appear before the people in seven and 
 twenty days. As to the distribution of the 
 corn, if the Senate does not take due care of 
 that matter, the Tribunes will give directions 
 about it themselves." 
 
 It was very hard for the Senate to yield to 
 such an extraordinary measure ; but agreeably 
 
T BIB 015 >PLE. 101 
 
 Efforts to save Coriolanus from the People. 
 
 t. tlio I mail having the 
 
 t<> appeal t the people lrm th< 
 ot'tln- 
 
 H I'M!' thrill ' 
 
 It \va3 not a single pie' 
 
 tliat complained, but tin* whole body <>f the 
 ii pruph', who were demandlm: the con- 
 ati-.n nf a tyrant who had been cha 
 with atteni]>: 
 
 uniiie, and with having pni'^i <1 the abo- 
 litin of the trilniiu'-liij>, a ina^i-tracy made 
 
 '1 I iv the most solemn oa 
 A)).iu- ( 'hiudius and other jatrieian> did all 
 in thrir i.\\er t >av- Din tV->ni th 
 
 .onMd M. \'ah-riu^ Ix-lievinir that 
 _: go some little <!' it< au- 
 
 tlmritv. WMiil-: tlu- durati-'ii <>t' it, and 
 
 wtiuld be more likely ! di-ann 
 tin* j.e-.]K'"> rage against the illii-:rius crim- 
 inal thazi 1'V all'-wiii^ them t.. jud^** him. turn- 
 ed t" ii-h: him in the im>-t 
 teudi-r maim a peace to t .blio. 
 
 -aid he; u oH-r you 
 tlie jud_L r nn-nt !' the jK-i.j.le : this 
 is the only liMim:: ;. nf ju-tityiii_r ynur- 
 
 tC6 tlmsc 
 
 \vli<. \nii f.f aiming at tyranny. The 
 
 1 with beholding so great a soul 
 
102 Ft E PUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 The advice of Valerius to Coriolanus. 
 
 bowing under the power of their Tribunes, can 
 never bring themselves to pronounce sentence 
 of condemnation upon Coriolanus. If, on the 
 other hand, you show contempt for the tribu- 
 nals of the people, you will become the fatal 
 torch ; and who can tell how far the flame may 
 run. Set Rome, therefore, before your eyes, 
 and give it an exhibition of your love." 
 
 The minds of many of the senators being 
 thus disposed to peace by the speech of Vale- 
 rius, they united with him, beseeching Coriola- 
 nus to yield himself to a trial by the people. 
 " You know, Conscript Fathers," replied Co- 
 riolanus, addressing the senators, "what the 
 whole course of my life has hitherto been. 
 You know that this obstinate hatred of the peo- 
 ple, and that unjust persecution which I now 
 suffer from it, are occasioned only by the in- 
 violable zeal which I have always shown for 
 the interests of this body. I will not insist, 
 upon the returns I now meet with ; the event 
 will show tin- weak ness and perhaps the malice 
 of the counsels which are given you in this af- 
 fair. But since Valerius's opinion has at length 
 prevailed, let me know, at least, what is the 
 crime that I am charged with, and upon what 
 conditions I am delivered over to the fury of 
 my adversaries." 
 
TRIP. INKS oi PEOPLE. 
 
 
 
 After some consultation, the Tribunes agreed 
 
 that they would confine their whole accusation 
 
 to the single crime of tyranny. " If it U 
 
 replied (JoriolaniN, "and 1 have nothing to 
 
 disprove but a calumny so ill-grounded, I free- 
 
 ly yield myself to the judgment f the people." 
 
 Thus, with the consent of all parties, the de- 
 
 Hlfl rigned, allowing ('n-ilaiius >even and 
 
 twenty .;, pivparc his detence. 
 
 when the day arrived, an iniinense multitude 
 
 crowded the Forum at an early hour. The 
 
 friends of C'oriolanns lahnv<l faithfully in his 
 
 In-half; while, on the other hand, the Trilmncs 
 
 and all his < did every tiling in their 
 
 r to accomplish his destruction. ('-rila- 
 
 lius him-elf answered the >u<picioii< which had 
 
 uj.on him. l.y a >imile narratio 
 
 He u'ave an account of all the 
 
 en-a-viiiriit- in which lie had taken part, 
 
 showed the wound-, which he had received, the, 
 
 military honor> which his general- had le~tow- 
 
 ed upon him. and named the several posts in 
 
 the army through which he had successively 
 
 i. lie then called upon the multitude 
 
 :it, even citing many of them ly name, 
 
 and demanded if they could not t-ti!y to the 
 
 truth of what lie said. 
 
 A great deal of feeling was manifested by his 
 
104: REPUBLIC or ROME. 
 
 His Defence and Condemnation. 
 
 old comrades in arms, and many among the 
 plebeians shouted out in his behalf. But the 
 Tribune Decius rising up, made a most power- 
 ful speech against him, in which he endeavored 
 to show that Coriolanus had, upon a certain 
 occasion, defrauded the soldiers of their booty, 
 and had distributed it among his friends. He 
 called upon many to testify to the fact, and, 
 succeeding in turning the current of popular 
 feeling against Coriolanus, called for the judg- 
 ment of the people, which was promptly given, 
 and Coriolanus was condemned to perpetual 
 banishment. 
 
 The greatest consternation prevailed imme- 
 diately among the patricians. This feeling was 
 succeeded by rage and indignation ; and Vale- 
 rius was bitterly reproached for having misled 
 them by his artful discourses. Coriolanus, how- 
 ever, with an appearance of the utmost uncon- 
 cern, left the assembly, went to his house, 
 where he found his w T ife and mother bathed in 
 tears. Exhorting them to bear with patience 
 this reverse of fortune, he bade them farewell, 
 and refusing to take with him a single attend- 
 ant, walked out of the gates of Rome, without 
 speaking one word to the many friends who 
 followed in his footsteps. 
 
 The people, of course, testified great joy on 
 
T R 1 HI" N E S OF T II K J ' E O P L E . 105 
 
 He offers his Services to the Volsci. 
 
 account of this decided triumph over the 1 Sen- 
 ate. Hitherto dependent upon the patricians, 
 they were now hec<>me their judges, and had. 
 obtained a right to decide the fate <>t'the great- 
 est in the commonwealth. A terrible triumph 
 for them it was. as we shall presently behold. 
 
 After leaving Koine, ('oriolanns wandered 
 about, indifferent a> to the >pt which should 
 oifer him an asylum, provided only that he 
 could lind the means and opportuniti* 
 avenging his wrongs. Looking around for the 
 mo>t powerful enemy of Koine, he finally de- 
 termined to offer his service- to the Yol-ei, 
 and, if possible, to stir them np to war. This 
 nation, bordering upon Koine, had always op- 
 i it with remarkable courage, but never 
 with much succex. The Romans had taken 
 from them, at different times, a great deal of 
 their territory, and they had been compelled, 
 not long before, to sue for a truce of two y 
 in order to repair their broken strength. Co- 
 riolanus himself had, more than once, cut to 
 pieces their troops and ravaged their country ; 
 and his name was a terror throughout all their 
 borders. And their very ruler, Tullus Attius, 
 having been beaten by him in several engage- 
 ments, it seemed the height of madness for him 
 to venture in their midst. Hut Toi-mlanus 
 
106 EEPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 His appearance at the house of Tullus Attius. 
 
 thirsted for revenge, and determined to obtain 
 it in the speediest and most certain manner, or 
 die in the attempt. 
 
 Disguising himself, then, he one evening en- 
 tered Antium, the chief city of the Volsci. and 
 proceeded immediately to the house of Tullus. 
 Entering it without speaking a single word, lie 
 took a seat by the domestic hearth a place, 
 sacred in all the houses of anci<-nt paganism. 
 The servants, astonished at >m-!i extraordinary 
 conduct, and struck by his majestic, air. ran to 
 tell their master. Tullus immediately appeared, 
 and demanded of him who lie was, and what 
 lie required. 
 
 "If thou dost not know me," he replied, U I 
 am Cains Marcius; my surname is CWiolanus, 
 the only reward left me of all my service-. I 
 am bani>hcd from K<>me by the batred of the 
 people, and the pusillanimity of the great : I 
 seek revenge: it lies in thy power to employ 
 my sword against my foes and thy c<>imtrvV. 
 If thy republic will not accept of my Ben 
 I give my life into thy hands; put an end to 
 an old enemy, that may else come to do more 
 mischief to thy country." 
 
 Tullus was, of course, in great ama/.ement, but 
 in a moment comprehend ing all, he stretched to 
 him his hand, and said: ".Fear nothing, Mar- 
 
 
TRIBI 
 
 The Volsci seek a pretext for Wr with Rome. 
 
 'Mr pledge lif tl: 
 
 curitv. I'.v if, tliou i/ivi-M us 
 
 And 
 
 _rly we shall have can' to ackn>\\ 
 ' than thy l'ell>v. 
 
 :-Miii the 
 
 Tlu-y a- frsa- 
 
 D loriniiiir the 1'ollow- 
 i.lan I'-i* n-!: w ith the Ro- 
 
 mans, -which h:i'l 'h-i 1-y ih' i 
 
 :iliel, u: 
 
 to conver ce into a solid jn-aci- IK t 
 
 the t "iis, that imbMMMlon should le 
 
 and unly this one condi- 
 
 . a restitution of the lands which 
 
 had been taken t n at different times; 
 
 a tiling which 1 \v that the liuinans 
 
 to d< >. 
 
 r l'hi- plan having been approved by the V.,1- 
 
 .bassadors were selected and 
 
 d to Rome, and in the mean time, the 
 
 :ve preparations were made for war. 
 
 A- a matter of course the Senate of Rome re- 
 
 fiiM'd t-> re-ton- the territory which t] 
 
 taken by c<n<jik->t tnm the Volsci, an<l their 
 
 reply t> the ;; A a-, that if the Volsci 
 
 HUM liiM. i w.uld lay them 
 
108 UK PUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Coriolanns marches against Rome. 
 
 down last. A declaration of war followed at 
 once, and Tullus, remaining at home with a 
 large body of troops, sent Coriolanus at the 
 head of the army into the Rnman territory. 
 So rapid and unexpected were all his proceed- 
 ings, that the citio against which he inarched 
 had neither time nor courage to defend them- 
 selves. The towns of Same-inn, Longnlinn, !'<- 
 lusca, and (Jorioli, were taken from the Ro- 
 mans in quick succession; so al>> were Cm-bin, 
 Yin-Ilium, Trebia, Labicum, and 1'edum. The 
 citizens of Bola, more obstinate than the other.-, 
 were put to the sword, and the wlmlo country 
 was plundered and devastated. The lmu-es 
 and e>iatr> of the ]>atrieians, by order of Co- 
 rinlanus. were, however, .-pared, a eireunistance 
 which greatly inilanie*! the plebeians. 
 
 Such continual success inspiivtl the snldiers 
 of Coriolanus, who, finding nn army in the 
 field t npp.ise his doigns, advanced upon La- 
 viniuni, took it, and, coining within five miles 
 of Koine, encamped his army. 
 
 The consternation at Rome wa- great indeed. 
 No one had the courage to fight, and no one 
 was found capable of leading. The people ran 
 up and down on all sides, begging that means 
 nhould le taken to bring aU.ut a peace, and 
 they even expressed a wish to annul the ten- 
 
TRIBI r THK PlOPLE. 109 
 
 ^ ___ L _ _ _ u -, _ . _ i-.-n - - rr_ 
 
 Terror of the Roman People. 
 
 tence passed upon Cori>lanus ami t< recall him 
 from hi- exile. The Senate, howev< sedto 
 
 do this saying, that Rome wuld never grant 
 any thing to a rebel eo long as be remained in 
 
 This decision coining to tlie ears of Cori<>la- 
 nus, la* immediately broke up his camp, and 
 niaivliing to the city, pr- 
 At >ight of 8ucb a daring procectliug, tin- pa- 
 tht* j.cupK- l.ccaine still nmrc 
 alarnu-*!. Hesolution entirely taih-il them. 
 they jniiu-d together in sending a <h-pntatin to 
 
 _r of five men of 
 dignity. Unt the haughty general would 
 
 liti.n that K"me 
 
 should restore to the Volsci tin- t<-rrit<rv \\hich 
 
 it bad taken t'nm them. At the earnest re- 
 
 : of the deputies, he granted the city a- 
 
 hirty day<, at the end >!' wliidi time 
 
 again at the gates of Rom . 
 Other dr|>: !'0 now Pent t him, who 
 
 ight him not t- any thing whicli 
 
 might imt be agreeable t< the dignity .f Kome; 
 but he persisted obstinately in his demand, and 
 threatened the destruction of the city it 
 did not comply within three d 
 
 Terror now took possession of the Roman-, 
 and they appeared willing to do any thing to 
 
110 EEPUBLIC OF HOME. 
 
 Ambassadors sent to Coriolanus. 
 
 avert the evil which awaited them. The priests, 
 the augurs, and the guardians of the sacred 
 things, dressed in their ceremonial robes, 
 marched in procession to the camp, and bei 
 Coriolanus by the respect that he owed to the 
 gods, and by all that was sacred in religion, to 
 grant to his country peace. He made to them, 
 however, the same stern reply, adding that, 
 in t withstanding their belief that the gods de- 
 cived the empire of the world to Borne, pr. 
 appearances were iniieli against it, and that he 
 \va- sure of carrying the town. 
 
 The disappointed priests returned, and ma- 
 king known the result of their mission, the men 
 women and children, bathed in tears, flocked 
 to tin- temples to implore the gods to save their 
 country. Moved by a sort of divine inspira- 
 tion, a lady named Valeria, accompanied by a 
 great number of women, went to the house of 
 Yeturia, the mother of Coriolanus, where they 
 found her, as well as his wife, bitterly deplor- 
 ing the misfortunes of Rome. 
 
 "We are Eoman ladies," said Valeria, as 
 soon as she came into the presence of the mo- 
 ther of Coriolanus ; " we are Roman ladies who 
 have come to beseech you to aid in securing 
 the safety of our common country. Go along 
 with us to the camp of Coriolanus, and beg of 
 
TRIIH-NF.S oi 'PLE. Ill 
 
 him peace for hi- fell- us. All our hope 
 
 is in the tend- h ho may have for so 
 
 good a mother and so virtu-. u- a wife. Jm; 
 demand him. IK' rannt with- 
 
 '. ith Mm- childivn will fol- 
 V"ii, and cast ourselves at his fe* 
 
 of Coriolanus was quite as anx- 
 ious for the honor and safety of Home as any 
 of the ladies who surrounded her; but knowing 
 perfectly tin- character of her son, she Ml that 
 it wniil.l IK- useless for her to interpose. 
 What -access can you expect from m 
 es to a man so implacable ?" said she. 
 t\vo women IK-IK! that stubborn heart, 
 which the ministers of religion themselves 
 could not soften? And indeed what shall I 
 bo him? What can I reasonably < It-ire of 
 him ? Shall I a>k him to pardon those who 
 have treated him like a man blackened with 
 the foulest crimes ? Shall I ask him to betray 
 a nation that has opened to him an asylum, 
 and preferred him to its most illustrious citi- 
 in the cninmand of it> armies? Can a 
 an mother and a Roman wifr with de- 
 
 <>m a son and a husband ti. 
 which mu-t di-h.MiMr him before both gods and 
 men ? Give us up therefore to our unhappy 
 destiny; leav. n our iu?f affliction*.' 1 
 
112 KEPUBLIC or EOME. 
 
 She goes to the Camp of her Son. 
 
 But the mother and wife of Cori claims being 
 finally overcome by their entreaties, consented 
 to accompany them to the camp, and the ap- 
 proval of the Senate being obtained, they set 
 out upon their mission in chariots provided for 
 the purpose. 
 
 The news of their approach was carried to 
 Coriolanus, who, conceiving it to be the last 
 expedient of the Senate, determined to receive 
 them with respect, but to grant none of their 
 requests. Severe and resolute, however, as he 
 was, he could not behold his mother and wife 
 at the head of this troop of Roman ladies with- 
 out running to embrace them ; but the moment 
 they began to entreat him to remove his troops 
 from Rome, all his natural sternness returned, 
 and he declared that he could grant the Ro- 
 mans peace only on the conditions already 
 named. 
 
 " And can you, my son," said the mother, 
 raising her voice, " can you refuse a proposal 
 so equitable, unless you prefer a cruel and ob- 
 stinate revenge to your mother's tears and en- 
 treaties ? Consider that your reply is to decide 
 the fate of my glory, nay, and of my life too !" 
 
 Coriolanus made no answer, but on his face 
 any one might see a stern refusal of his mother's 
 prayer. 
 
TRIIU-NKS UK TIIK PEOPLE. 113 
 
 Her Appeal in behalf of 1: 
 
 "Dot thou believe," she continued, u that, 
 covered with the >hame of a contemptuous de- 
 nial, I can ]atiently wait till thy anus have 
 pronounced our doom ? A KMIM:IH woman 
 knows how to die, when her honor calls her so 
 to do; ami if I cannot move thee. I am iv- 
 1 to irive death to myself, here in thy 
 :KV. Thou -halt not march to Koine 
 without treading over the hody of her to whom 
 thou owe>t thy beinir; and if asi^ht of ><> much 
 hornn- has not the power to -top thy fur; 
 member, at least, that by mean- of thy endeav- 
 oring to bring Rome into chains, thy wife and 
 children cannot avoid a speedy death, or a te- 
 dious servitu. 
 
 Uy this time the appearance of Coriohmus 
 
 :i to chanire. His hatred and desire of 
 
 Qge 8eemd to be yielding to tlie moving 
 
 ;u-le before him, but still he would not say 
 
 a word. 
 
 " \\ r hy dost thou not answer me, my son?" 
 cried again his mother. " Wilt thou not know 
 thy mother 1 lla>t thou forgotten the care I 
 took uf thy infancy? Canst thou, who make-t 
 war only to revenge thyself of the ingratitude 
 of thy fellow- citizens, deny me the first favor 1 
 ever asked thee, without blackening thyself 
 with the very same crime ? If I required thee 
 8 
 
114 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 The Effect of her Prayers and Tears. 
 
 to betray the Volsci, who have given thee so 
 generous a reception, thou wouldst have just 
 cause to reject such a proposal. But I only 
 desire thee to withdraw thy troops from Rome ; 
 allow us a truce for a year, that in this inter- 
 val measures may be taken to procure a solid 
 peace. Grant this, my son, I conjure thee by 
 Jupiter, all-good and all-powerful, who presides 
 at the capitol, by the manes of thy father and 
 of thy ancestors 1 If my prayers and tears are 
 not able to move thee, behold thy mother at 
 thy feet, imploring of thee the preservation of 
 her country!" And bursting into tears, she 
 embraced his knees. His wife and children, 
 and all the Roman ladies, falling down before 
 him, begged him to have mercy upon their 
 beloved city. 
 
 ""What is it that you do, my mother?" cried 
 Coriolanus, stooping down to raise her from the 
 ground. " Rome is saved, but your son is lost ! 
 Farewell, farewell forever !" and then embra- 
 cing her, and his wife and children, he moved 
 slowly towards his tent. 
 
 On the following day he called a council of 
 war, and, no one presuming to contradict his 
 opinion, it was decided that the army should 
 return home to Antium. Without delay the 
 march began : but they had no sooner entered 
 
TRIBUNES OF THE PEOPLE. 115 
 
 IVatii ofCoriolanus 
 
 the ii the city than the cry was raised 
 
 that Coriolanus had turned a traitor to the in- 
 
 ici II' 1 demanded a trial by 
 
 nil council of the nation; but Tullus. the 
 
 nor, jealous of his exploits, and ti-arin^ his 
 eloquence a> much as his valor, rai>ed a tuniult, 
 and, by nu-uns of a^i'iit^ previ.ni-ly iiivtnu-UMl, 
 
 d him to be stabK-d. 
 f j'hus tell this remarkable man, though it was 
 
 titly without the approbation of the VoKci, 
 fortliey a t'liiMi-d in rreat multitink-s Ironi the 
 
 :l>orinir cities to do hiin honor at his bur- 
 ial, and upon his tomb they placed garlands 
 and spoils of war. 
 
 At Rome the report of his death was received 
 with neither favor nor resentment. The women 
 all went into mourning for him for the space of 
 ten months, the longest period for wearing ha- 
 biliments of grief. 
 
THE DECEMVIIIS 
 
 FROM 485 TO 446 B. C. 
 
THE Agrarian Law Increasing power of the Tribunes 
 Efforts to pacify tli<- JVople Proposition to establish fixed 
 Laws Conduct of Quintius Ceso Cincinnatus created Die- 
 tutor Commissioners sent to Greece Decemvirs appointed 
 Their powers Appius Claudius The Ten Tables Con- 
 duct of the Decemvirs Their Tyranny "\V;ir with the Sa- 
 bines Defeat of the Romans Story of Bioeios Dentatal 
 Story of Virginia The Decemvirate abolished Death of 
 Appius 
 

 
DEATH OF VIRGINIA. 
 
V. 
 
 THE DEC KM V IRS. 
 
 some anil it iuis indi- 
 vidual >h"iild take advantaL'v f t: 
 
 the ph : ,:il tin* pair 
 
 prun >wn telfiah ends, and, accord! 
 
 ^p. Cassius Vueellimitt ei 
 
 inir in thi> way to obtain ti < >..!- 
 
 einnlv p: . ly tin- law. A m ly 
 
 birth, and a i-nsul, IK- snu^ht, l, v ^ainmir the 
 atl'H-ti..n of tin- plflu-iai:-. .nipli-h liis 
 
 T" i hi- mil J.M^M!. in order to 
 
 juit the poor citi/i-ii> up.n -..mc r<juality with 
 the rich, and them t> >ulsi-t. that the 
 
 land> takni fnun th' . and 
 
 which had !.< 'I'.nld 
 
 jiially <livi<K-d ainMn L r tin- pf-plc. And 
 this was tlie tain" 10, which 
 
 made so much tnaihle durinr many follnwin^ 
 years. This law, nf c<ur>'. nn-t immediate op- 
 position from the patricians, and such was the 
 
122 EEPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 The Agrarian Law Genutiua. 
 
 expectation of Cassius ; but the Tribunes, jeal- 
 ous that a patrician should undertake to rise 
 through the favor of the people, succeeded in 
 bringing about his death. 
 
 The subject of dividing the public lands 
 among the people was not, however, forgotten, 
 and a law was obtained from the Senate pro- 
 viding for the appointment of commissioners, 
 who should proceed with the partition of these 
 lands, and set up landmarks, that might put a 
 stop to all usurpations for the future. Still, few 
 were found among those having influence or 
 power who dared to move in the matter, and 
 it remained for a long time unagitated. At 
 length, however, one of the Tribunes, Cn. Ge- 
 nutius, publicly cited the two consuls to nomi- 
 nate the commissioners, and to proceed in the 
 partition of the lands ; and so boldly was he 
 sustained by the people in his demands, that 
 the Senate finally fixed a day for the decision 
 of this vexatious matter. But on the night 
 preceding this" day, Genutius was found dead 
 in his bed, without the least marks of poison or 
 any other violence. His body was laid out in 
 the Forum, and the report was circulated that 
 the gods, disapproving his enterprise, had put 
 an end to his life. Thus the Agrarian law was 
 again silenced for a long time. 
 
TH K DKCEMV IBS. ii'.. 
 
 ili- Trilnines. 
 
 The contest between the pK-heians and the 
 patricians continued with little abatement ; and 
 the death of Genutius wa- rather an incentive 
 t- activity than a motive to despair. While 
 the consuls every year incurred only the h; ; 
 of the people, the Tribunes, studying to gain 
 their applause, aimed at sharing with the Sen- 
 ate and patricians the wealth, the digi/ 
 and the magistracies of the Republic. The 
 pi.wer of the Tribunes occasionally rose so high 
 that the consuls fled before them ; thus the 
 consul Appius, opposing vehemently the Agra- 
 rian law, was so furiously attacked by them, 
 that he w.-nt into exile, or. as some historians 
 say, ]>ut an end to his life. 
 
 There was not however wanting, among the 
 patricians, some who would occasionally, fivm 
 N'oleiice or ambition, put themselves at the 
 head of the common people. The desire on 
 the part of the plebeians to have houses and 
 homes was too reasonable and too simple to 
 be resisted; and it would have been stranire 
 enough, had no one, either from selfishness or 
 kindness advocated their cause. During the 
 consulship of Tib. Emelius and Q. Fabins, 
 twenty years after the Agrarian law was first 
 mooted, a strong effort was made to satisfy the 
 people by furnishing them with lands. Erne- 
 
12-4 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Efforts made to pacify the People. 
 
 lius stoutly averred that it was impossible to 
 maintain peace and union among the citizens 
 of a free State, unless the lands taken from 
 their enemies were fairly divided between the 
 rich and the poor. He obstinately persisted 
 upon the publication of the Agrarian law. and 
 wa- ably sustained by some of the older sena- 
 . but most of them complained that he was 
 do-irous of gaining popularity l>y distributing 
 property which did not belong to him. Dis- 
 cord was likely to follow, when Fabius, his col- 
 league, proposed that the city of Antium, whose 
 inhabitants had been recently de-troyed by 
 Avar, should be given to the poorer people of 
 Rome. Three citizens were named to make 
 the establishment of this colony ; but when the 
 people were called to give their names to these 
 pi-r>ons, few appeared, so strong was their at- 
 tachment lor Koine, and so little inclination 
 had they to give up its games, its spectacles, 
 its public a>semblies, and its busii 
 
 At this time Koine had no fixed laws, nor 
 any constant form of administering justice. 
 The will of its kings had been, at lirst, its law, 
 and the consuls and Senate succeeding to their 
 power, succeeded likewise to the same right of 
 dispensing justice. Not long, then, after the 
 attempt to found a colony at Antium, a certain 
 
T ii R DlOl M 9 : 1-J,") 
 
 Proportion to establish fixed Laws. 
 
 Tribune, named Terentillu- Ai-a, undertook to 
 signalize hi- tribunate by prop..>in^ the * 
 li-hment of la I ami determined, t'..r the 
 
 by in tlu- jnliT! 
 
 they should j. man ami man. TIio-o 
 
 law- -iMl I iv trn o 'imn 
 
 half of v '.-ins ami half 
 
 with a 
 Opposition on the part ..f tin 
 
 OB, ami iiHH'tin<r> were re- 
 lly hrhl, hut to no purpose. At length, 
 im-s (h-ti-nniiic-.l to 
 
 1 the ]M 
 
 for the ]>nrp-- t . !' naming their cnnimissi..- 
 AVhile tlu- l.u-incss was in progress, Qnintius 
 . -on of (Juintius Cinei- I eoii-iil, 
 
 ru-hed into the crowd, knocked down M 
 1 all tli:/ ; nd by m- 
 
 of the uproar which lie raised. .if the as- 
 
 seml.Iy, notwithstanding all that the Trih 
 could do t> keep them together. 
 
 inch applauded l.y the senators 
 and ) a, l.ut his conduct was so 
 
 to the Triluines that lie was summoned to ap- 
 .hly of the people. His 
 
 father, Cincinnati. - friends and 
 
 relations, did all in their power to save him; 
 but the pcoi.je were so exa-porated by his con- 
 
REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Conduct of Quintius Coso. 
 
 duct, as well as by the discreditable stories 
 which were related concerning him, that they 
 were determined to condemn Ceso to death. 
 The witnesses, however, by whom they were to 
 condemn him, not being present, it was deemed 
 advisable to commit him to prison until such 
 time as he could be tried; but this proceeding 
 having been disousseil, it wa< a give d that ten 
 citizens should be bound for his forthcoming 
 on the day when he was to be tried, or pay 
 siich line a< should bo determined upmi be- 
 twiM-n the Senate and the Trihiin did 
 
 QOt, however, dan t<> appear before the people, 
 but, departing that very night from Rome, 
 went t- Tii-cany. The fine WB6 exacted with 
 so much rigor from hU bondsmen, that his il- 
 liHtrion-, lather, obliged to sell his e>taU-s. re 
 tired t.. a few iCTOfl of land, which ho cultiva- 
 ted wi:h hi- \vn hand- in order to j)rocure a 
 
 subsistence. 
 
 Not long after tin- a war broke nut between 
 the Romans -mi the one hand, and the Sabiiu-* 
 and the Jvjiii on tho other. The two consuls. 
 at the head >f their rospcctivo arn 'it out 
 
 eoivo tho invaders. Xautius, who attacked 
 the Sabines. met with great bi; ait, while 
 
 he was pursuing them with a terrible slaughter, 
 his colleague Minutius was pushed into such 
 
THK DECIMVI 1-J7 
 
 
 :iii. that it : 
 
 It 
 
 f.'und iml -pensable under ii eum- 
 
 L. QuintiiH 
 Cineinnatus having been named for this hirh 
 
 . a deputation wa< >eiit to hrin<: liiin 
 his lirtlc tann. Dropping the han<lh' ut' iiis 
 plough, be girded on his sword, and at tin- 
 lf<l in - 
 
 Tln S 
 
 in rratitiiK' I'-T his ;ild hav.- 
 
 <1 upon him th- 
 
 liiniT <"t' the kind, he 
 DM t. the occupations of his little 
 farm. 
 
 innatm \\.-i-c with 
 
 thr : -; he even recommended the in- 
 
 !' tin* number of the Tril 
 
 that M- \\<.uld tl. 
 
 among them ; and such was undoubtedly 
 
 trill-, though the Triliuru-: .-rrnied m 
 ciallv ., ruin the consuls and tin- nnl.il- 
 
 ity. A cnnstant union was, howt-ver, main- 
 tained lu-twi-i-u the Tribunes and the jilolx 
 and for live MU-O. the same Tribunes 
 
 te proposition 
 
 of Terentillus Arsa for a code of fi\e<l law was 
 not forgotten, but was now continually urged 
 
128 EEPUBLIC OF KOME. 
 
 Commissioners sent to Greece. 
 
 upon the Senate, who took every mea 
 
 ;;'id defeat it. To this end, am<mir other 
 tilings, it \vas proposed that three commi ion- 
 ers l)e sent to Athens to examine Mich of the 
 of Solon a< were mo>t popular anin<r the 
 ks, making choice of those most suitable 
 for tlu- ]: <n>titution of the linniai; 
 
 j)ul)lic'. Tln->o foinini>-i' jointed, 
 
 and dui-inir their alienee tiie city was compar- 
 atively free from the (li-srn-ioii- \vhieh usually 
 ailed. Hut they had no sooner returned 
 than thr Tril.uues and people lu-^an to clamor 
 for th.e appointment of tin- Decemviis, who 
 be eiiipl'.yt-d upon the ^i-eat w<>rk <f 
 fixing a body of law- tor the government ot'tiio 
 Commonwealth* Kvery etl'.'rt was made by 
 the COngalfl lo di-ter the appointment of 
 
 | and <ne of them even feigned, f ( ,r 
 some time, to le >iek. in order that he mi^ht 
 not lie importuiiiMl in the matter. P.y the art- 
 fulne>-, 1. !' the Tribuiu-s the appoint- 
 
 ment of the I K-ceniN "ir- \\a- finally achieved; 
 but the de-i-n of 'JVivntillus \\;i- not fully car- 
 rird out, for live of them -hoiihl have 
 
 n from anioiiM- the plebeians, which \va< 
 
 not done, 'i'he-f Decemvirs consisted . of Ap- 
 
 jiius C'laudius, T. Genutius, 1 -. Yeiuri- 
 
 u<. C'. Julius, A. Manlius, S. Siiljiitius, i j . Cu- 
 
Tii i DEOB M \ 
 
 Power* of lb Daeemrlre Applus OUadlua. 
 
 amiuB. 
 
 All >ther of: 
 
 inite c<>nt i i 
 
 anl even the common 1 . .f the ] 
 
 be at i 
 
 A jipius ( 'laii'T ono 
 
 en, In* II-SUHUM! ii" autli'-ritv | 
 
 . 
 
 !;ir iwpoesi! 
 was sure to rec< 
 
 !i>iiK'>< intrustiMl to him 
 , 
 
 urn 
 the 
 
 . lirt.is, \vl. -:i tin* 
 
 I 
 
 '..(I their 
 
 point hiitht'ully 
 
 Upon . which 
 
 i-s of the 
 
 Iliiving completed their work, 
 
130 REPUBLIC' OF ROME. 
 
 The Ten Tables The Ambition of Appius Claudius. 
 
 proposed it in ten table.*, sonic of them relating 
 to the concerns of religion, others to the public 
 rights, and the greater part to private persons. 
 The>e laws were submitted to the people, and 
 received their unanimous approbation, though, 
 in the opinion of some person-., several regula- 
 tions were wanting which, if added, would ren- 
 der the body of the Roman law complete. 
 This opinion becoming very general, it civ 
 a desire to make another election of Decemvirs 
 for one year more; and the Senate glad thus 
 to get rid of the Tribunes and the people glad 
 to be i'ree from the con<nN. the thing was dime. 
 The day was fixed for the election, and 
 among the senators tin-re were, of COUTBe, many 
 who aspired to the dignity of the otliee. Ap- 
 piu-. however, pretended that, having labored 
 in it assiduously for a whole year, he was will- 
 ing that any one should now occupy hi* place. 
 Hut when the day arrived, he -urreeded not 
 only in procuring hi- own election, hut the 
 fK-ction of six other senator> least esteemed in 
 the wlioU- body, and what was still more sur- 
 pri-ing. of three plebeians Throwing off then 
 the line mask which he had worn during the 
 previous year, he represented to his colleagues 
 that there was nothing more ea-y than for 
 them to retain the sovereign power during their 
 
Tin. 
 
 lUut-litv Co:<.du,-t , 
 
 ut a 
 
 16 ofcon rules, which 
 
 all irmi<L'd with t'. -ulemn - 
 
 ve. 
 
 poo which these ' 
 
 y appeared in public, 
 with tw. 
 
 -ts befor. 
 rr all wlmm tin- 
 
 >urse preva; 
 
 plaii. n-uU, I 
 
 had : 'irninir " v ^' r ^ K ' ! 
 
 these complaint- confined t< : -, but 
 
 the : s made tlic-in al>, althoiiirh the 
 
 .'ned to take advantage of the res- 
 ignation of the I> >ull 
 
 \lany nf them. 1; 
 
 Agiveahly ' in which 
 
 these iirst aj : 
 
 igfl in the HUM iniprriMii- and 
 
 . 
 
 help them in 
 
 their bate design*; and even ; "iimr 
 
 many \\ . ^rrin^ li- 
 
 ccnti 1 not blusli to become 
 
 the MM vants and accomplices of 
 nu-ii. UMBVB was no safety in B '- 
 and virtue; and the j .f honest ci: 
 
132 REPUBLIC OF 11 o M K . 
 
 Their Tyranny Rome threatened from abroad. 
 
 was daily plundered, while the unfortunate 
 sufferers were unable to procure the least relief. 
 If any one was bold enough to express his in- 
 dignation at such a government, these tyrants 
 ordered him to be beaten as a slave ; some 
 were even put to death, and confiscation wa> n 
 common occurrence. 
 
 Hope began to spring up in the breasts of 
 the people as the time drew near when the 
 reign of these terrible men should cease ac- 
 cording to law. But the year came to a close 
 without any appearance of an as-embly of the 
 people for an election. The tyrants, in fact, 
 now boldly proclaimed that they should retain 
 the government, if neccs- ary. by force and vio- 
 lence; and, many of the citi/eiis g"ing into 
 voluntary exile, Koine seemed destined to de- 
 struction. Its foreign enemies no longer re- 
 mained quiet, and even the nations owing it 
 allegiance de-pi>cd the orders that were sent to 
 them, as if they were unwilling to submit to a 
 people that hud lost their own liberty. 
 
 The yKijiii and the Sabines, ever ready to 
 show their enmity to Rome, raised two large 
 armies and inarched against it. The Decem- 
 virs, seeing themselves thus compelled to de- 
 fend the city, sought the aid of the Senate and 
 people, and, after a great deal of difficulty, ar- 
 
Tin: I>K-KMVIRS. 133 
 
 mies wer . and placed under their c-"in- 
 
 niand. Appiu-. conh'dini: them t his col- 
 them forth -my; 
 
 whil>t he, with a body of 
 maintain hi> authority against the c-neniy at 
 
 boo 
 
 It cnuld not le >nj.]>rsed that men who had 
 
 lly di'i -rived ( ,f their lil- 
 
 alnsrd i- imairinalle way, w-mld li^-ht 
 
 well for tlmse who had occasioned all their <ut- 
 1'erinir-; and we accnrdin^ly find that the Ko- 
 niaii ani: in thi> war, were in ji 
 
 >hort time (inpleti-ly I-I.UUM! ami dri . 
 
 ilieir ">'. i-y. Hut the new> of the 
 
 ;ne with as mud: 
 
 at a victory. K said that i' 
 
 ierful that the armies of tin- Kejnillic 
 should be un 'iiand of 
 
 usurper.-; and while some called to- 
 others proposed that a Dictator should 1>. 
 
 Dentatus, an old plebeian, who hud 
 
 at in a hundred and t \venty lattl-s. went 
 
 about denouncing in the seveiv-r terms the 
 
 mvirs as the cau-e !' this mi>i'oi-: 
 into so. much contempt did he throw them, that 
 would scarcel i^jvc heed to their 
 
134 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Siccius Dentatus His Defence against his Murderers. 
 
 commands. The discontent, indeed, became 
 so general, that an open revolt seemed almost 
 inevitable. 
 
 But Appius, provided for such an event, sent 
 provisions and recruits to his colleagues, and 
 bid them, at the same time, to punish in the 
 most rigorous manner all those who gave any 
 evidence of mutiny. Resolving also to be re- 
 venged upon Siccius, he pretended to have 
 great respect for his experience as a soldier, 
 and engaged him to go and assist the generals 
 with his counsels. 
 
 The old soldier, sincerely desiring to serve 
 his country, and unsuspicious of the cunning 
 Decemvir, set out at once for the camp, where, 
 according to previous instructions from Appius, 
 hi- was recvived with every appearance of joy 
 and resj.eet. l>ut the secret agents of Appius, 
 contriving to iret him out of the camp into a 
 lonely place, fell upon him with their swords. 
 The hero of a hundred and twenty battles was 
 not, however, to be slain without a >tni<_ r i:le. 
 Placing his back airainst a r<>ek. in order k> 
 prevent an attack from behind, he defended 
 himself with so much skill that several of 
 them were killed, while others were terribly 
 wounded. The villains, however, bent upon 
 the accomplishment of their purpose, climbed 
 
T H K : vi us. 135 
 
 Apptu* saspected of causing bis Death. 
 
 up to th. I thence heat him 
 
 on tlu- head witl. g into the 
 
 cam; . hearile-s rutiian- .-aid that they 
 
 hal fallen into an amhu-h, in which Siccius 
 and some of their rmr; -lain. 
 
 The -tory was at hut some of 
 
 who regarded Siccius as a lather, 
 went nut to seek his cor found it; 
 
 but they found also that thu- 
 with him were all - ; and what 
 
 them more \va>, that none uf them liad been 
 stripped of their arms or clothes, and that the 
 slain all lay with their faces towards him. Be- 
 this, then- were no i3 indicating 
 
 the retivat of any who mi^ht have In r:i >up- 
 posed to attack th 
 
 ! these things made th- -ct that 
 
 iufl had lu-en mn : and it was 
 
 natural for ti. was 
 
 This 
 
 was confirmed 1 
 -my dei. 'lie ])iinisliment of the 88- 
 
 mid. having 
 
 : assisted in making their t-eape. These 
 
 ii-re the 
 
 citi/.ens and soldi' ' and the people, 
 
 all cried out against ?o infamous a deed. But 
 ere Rome could be free from the yoke of Ap- 
 
136 KEITH LIC OF ROME. 
 
 Appius attracted by Virginia. 
 
 pins, he was to fill up the measure of his tyran- 
 nies by a deed still more odious and horrible 
 than the murder of Siccius. 
 
 While the armies were engaged in the war, 
 it was the custom of this brutal Decemvir to 
 administer justice in the Forum, where, at 
 stated seasons, he sat to receive those who re- 
 quired his services. From the position which 
 he occupied, he could easily perceive all who 
 passed to and fro, either upon their business or 
 their pleasure; and it is not difficult to admit 
 that his mind was not so completely occupied 
 with the interest of his fellow-citizens, as to pre- 
 vent hi- eyee from being sometimes wickedly 
 engaged. 
 
 Seated one day in his u>ual plan-, lie chanced 
 lo >py a beautiful girl, of about iiftecn years, 
 who, under the charge of an attendant, was 
 pacing through the Forum on her way to 
 school. Struck with her appearance, he imme- 
 diately inquired her name and condition, and 
 aM-rrtained that she was a plebeian ; that her 
 lather was cue \ irginius, a centurion in the 
 army then engaged in the war ; that her own 
 name was Virginia, and that >he was engaged 
 to be- married to Icilius, lately one of the 
 Tribunes. 
 
 Such a story had little in it to encourage his 
 
Tin: lM:i'KMv; 137 
 
 Virginia claimed as a Slav* by Claudius, 
 
 :i if Appius had not In 
 
 married man. tin- lows of the Twelve Tablefl for- 
 bade all alliances between the patrician- ami 
 
 pleK-ians and he very soon dif 
 that Virginia wa< proof ; my dish* 
 
 purp. ''( lie might cherish towards lu-r. 
 
 , to get her into his pos- 
 ;rse to M. Claudius, one of 
 the nunien-us sc<undivls whom he kept in his 
 
 empl 
 
 This man having one day t''ll,,\\ 
 discoverr<l the school to which -: 
 and after waiting a short time at tlu- < 
 entered, and taking the UINU-JM ! ly 
 
 the hand. .ted by f drag h. 
 
 his own h-.iise, under j.ivtencc was 
 
 the daughter of one of his slaves. ( > 
 wlii'lnied with confusion, Virginia could 
 fend her-. -If only ly lu-r t-ars; hut the wit- 
 nesses of the transaction, moved l.y the sight, 
 ran to her assistance, and put a Stop to the 
 
 :ig of Claudius. The villain a- 
 that he meant to use no violence, but simply to 
 take possession of his own property, to which 
 he was certainly entitled, wherever he might 
 lind it; and In- challenged all those wh- 
 ined his right, to appear with him hefore the 
 Decemvir Apjius, where he would lead Yir- 
 
138 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Virginia carried before Appius. 
 
 ginia, and prove abundantly that she was his 
 slave. 
 
 Some of the people, who knew both the girl 
 and her father, and others, moved only by curi- 
 osity, followed to the Forum, where Claudius 
 stated his case before a judge who was himself 
 the author of the villany. lie said that Vir- 
 ginia had been born in his own house, and that 
 her mother had secretly sold her to the wife of 
 Virginius, who now made her pass for his own 
 daughter. lie offered also to produce undenia- 
 ble testimony of the truth of his assertions, but 
 claimed that until the matter could be decided, 
 it was but just that >lu- >hould accompany him 
 as her master; and at the same time signified 
 his willingness to give good security lor her 
 appearance, it' Vilnius, at hi- return, still pre- 
 tended to be her real father. 
 
 Numitorius. her uncle, who had been in- 
 formed of what had taken place, had by this 
 time reached the Forum. Without much diffi- 
 culty he discovered the plot that had been laid 
 by the unprincipled Appius; hot, concealing 
 his suspicions, he simply claimed that, as the 
 uncle of the girl, he was entitled to her guar- 
 dianship until the appearance of her father, 
 and asked that the case might be postponed for 
 two days, by which time he thought that Yir- 
 
'I'm: !>!:> KMVIRS. 139 
 
 At'.Tii; 
 
 ginius iiii^ht le brought from the cam}). So 
 ju>t a demand could not tail to gain tin- ap- 
 proval of the a-^emhly ; but Api ared 
 
 that, however willing ho might he to deliver 
 the girl into the liamK of any one claiming to 
 be her father. In- could not with justice give 
 her up to a person asserting him>elf t- 1 
 uncle; ami that, under the C 
 
 "-lled to place her in the custody of 
 Claudius, who should give sec produce 
 
 gafa at the return of her reputed fat: 
 
 Such an unjust decree aroused the indigna- 
 
 tion of the whole assembly, and murmurs and 
 
 complaints arose on <le. Th 
 
 who resent gathered around Virginia 
 
 BSj and declared that she 
 
 should not be delivered in hands of 
 
 Claudius. 13ut this cruel monsVr. reiranlh->- 
 of tl, . \va- attempting to force her 
 
 , when Icilius, to whom she was promised 
 in marriaire, ru.-hed into the Forum, maddened 
 by the report- which had imw i his ears. 
 
 BegvdieM of all danger, he flung himself 
 into the presence of the haughty Decemvir, 
 and shaking i lied hand in his very face, 
 
 cried out "Thou shalt t me, 
 
 before thou shalt enjoy the fruit of thy vile ar- 
 tifices and insupportable tyranny. Is it not 
 
140 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Effective Speech of her Lover. 
 
 enough that thou hast deprived us of the two 
 strongest bulwarks of our liberty, the protection 
 of our Tribunes, and the right of appeal to the 
 assembly of the people ? Cannot the honor of 
 the Roman maidens be safe with thee ? Know, 
 tyrant, that Virginia is betrothed to me, and 
 that I expect to marry a virgin, and one free 
 born. If, in the absence of her father, any 
 attempt is allowed to do her violence, I will 
 implore the aid of the Roman people for my 
 wile; Virgin his will demand assistance of all 
 his fellow-soldiers for his daughter, and both 
 gods and men will be on our side. IJut tin. ugh 
 I hud not a man to assist me. justice and vir- 
 tuous love w r ill give me sufficient power to pre- 
 vent the execution <>f thy unjust sentence !" 
 
 Such passinnule language moved every one, 
 in his behalf, and Claudius wa> driven to take 
 refuge at the feet of Appius. Multitude.- of 
 people, llocked into the Fnruni, and the De- 
 cemvir, fearing an open revolt, thought lit to 
 revoke his decree and to give Virginia her 
 freedom, on condition that Icilius should give 
 r-eeurity for her appearance on the morrow. 
 
 AVithout a moment's delay, Appius dis- 
 patched a secret messenger to his colleagues 
 svho commanded the army, begging them to 
 invst Virginius, upon tome pretence or other, 
 
Tii i: DKCE M v . 141 
 
 
 or at lea-t nt to permit him to return to 
 Koine. In this way. he still hoped that he 
 .-honld IK- able t- deliver Virginia into the 
 hands of daadius. I!ut hi- mes-enger reached 
 
 ainj) too late: Vidimus- had been prompt- 
 ly apprised of hi- daughter's danger, and had 
 obtained leave ot' absence from the camp b. 
 the arrival of the m68BeBgen of ApphMd liv- 
 ery effort was. h-.wever, made him, 
 and pivvent him from ^ettin^ back to Rmne, 
 but it wa- all in vain. Prompted by a lather's 
 
 . lie llew a- <n the winirs ot' the wind. 
 
 :o bloodhounds dispatche<l in pur-uit 
 of him had -rented lii- trark, he was locked in 
 the arm- !' hi- unhappy dau^: 
 
 With a bleeding heart he went to the Forum 
 on the foIliiwinLT day, leading \'irL r inia by the 
 hand. A en>wd of people had already a- 
 bled, to whom Icilius \va loudly declaimiiii; 
 against the tyranny and ba>ene-s of the !)- 
 cemvir. JJnt the youth, the beauty, and inno- 
 cence of Virginia moved the multitude more 
 than all the complaints ami eiitr ; her 
 
 family: and Appiu-. hearing of the Btr 
 feelinir that had against him, or- 
 
 ; a b< :dy of troops to be sent to the Forum 
 for his protection. Then repairing thither him- 
 self, and taking possession of his tribunal, ho 
 
142 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Trial before Appius. 
 
 called upon the villain Claudius to open his 
 demand, and to proceed in his action. 
 
 Claudius, of course, began by claiming Vir- 
 ginia as his slave, and offered to prove his 
 pretensions by a dozen witnesses. Having per- 
 mi-sion to. produce these witnesses, he brought 
 immediately upon the stand a female slave, 
 who, for a bribe, swore that Virginia was her 
 own daughter, and that she had sold her to the 
 wife of Virginius, who wished to bring her up 
 as her own child. 
 
 " If the evidence of this woman is not suffi- 
 cient," said Claudius, "I will adduce still fur- 
 ther proof; but I hope that justice will not 
 be denied to me on account of the threats of 
 this Icilius, or the clamors of these pretended 
 relatives." 
 
 But the friends of Virginia brought witnesses 
 who had known her from the very moment of 
 her birth, and who had seen her when a babe 
 upon her mother's bosom. Nothing, indeed, 
 could be made more clear, than the fact that 
 Claudius was a ba-o impostor, and that Vir 
 ginia was the victim of a foul conspiracy. 
 
 Observing the effect produced by the wit- 
 
 8 of Virgin! us upon the multitude, Appius 
 
 stopped the proceedings, and addressing the 
 
 assembly. >aid : 4 ' Be it known to you, O 
 
Tin; DEOKMVIRS. 143 
 
 >tous Judgment Indignation of Virginias. 
 
 ! that I am net ignorant of the facts 
 
 connected with r .It is true, that du- 
 
 rinir the whole life of this maiden. Claudius 
 
 not until yesterday claimed her as hi> 
 
 slave; but this dues not in any wi-e diminish 
 
 'iirht t< do so now. Everybody knows 
 
 that Claudius* father, at his death, left me 
 
 guardian of hi- s n. Soon afterward-. I was 
 
 tuld that, as Mich, i o- aim this 
 
 young slave, as part of his M n : and I 
 
 then heard the evidence wliieh has this day 
 
 !i in your hearing. Kvery tiling c-'ii- 
 
 sj.in-d t.. hinder me in the performance of my 
 
 duty; hut the post I now occupy will not allow 
 
 me i him the justice which I ov 
 
 and I therefore decree that the 
 plaintiff take home the ^irl a-> his slave." 
 
 W roil i(l it up to the highest pitch of mad 
 by such an unjust sentence, Virginiufl ]'.; 
 hi- arm around his child, and turning to the 
 cruel Decemvir, he shouted: k Know, () A].- 
 : 1 did not educate my daughter for >uch 
 a hideous wretch as thoii ! I gave her to 
 Icilius, and tlmu shalt i. il her thine. 
 
 AVhat! shall it he said of Romans, that they 
 ares- yield tamely their wives 
 
 and daughters to beasts like thee?" 
 
 A thousand clamors now filled the air ; and 
 
14A REPUBLIC OF HOME. 
 
 Virginias slays his Daughter. 
 
 Appius, maddened by the exposure of his 
 crime, and fearing too for the safety of his life, 
 was obliged to order his soldiers and his lictors 
 to drive the people from the Forum. 
 
 Yirginius, perceiving then that it was impos- 
 sible for him to save his daughter, begged of 
 Claudius that he would allow him to have a 
 moment's conversation with her in private. 
 The request was granted, on condition that she 
 should not be taken out of the Forum. 
 
 Pierced to the heart he clasps the stricken 
 maiden in his arms; he wipes away the tears 
 which bathe her face, and, drawing her closer 
 and closer to his bosom, removes her slowly 
 from tin- tribunal, as if in search of some quiet 
 plaee where, undisturbed, he may whisper in 
 her ear. Approaching ( ne of the littler-hops 
 that opened in the Forum, he spies a butclu-r's 
 knife. Keaching out his hand In- takes it 1111- 
 perceivcd, and pivs>ing Virginia to his heart 
 with still more tenderness than ever, he e.x- 
 claims: ".My dearest child, this is the only 
 way to -a\e thy honor and thy liberty." With 
 these words he plunges the knife into her 
 bosom, and then drawing it out all reeking with 
 her blood, he rushes to the tribunal of the ty- 
 rant, and holding up the knife to the terrified 
 monster, shrieks into his ears : " It is Avith 
 
Tin-: I vi us. l-l.~. 
 
 - .Iriven fnun tho i 
 
 this innocent 1.1 1. O Appius that I <i 
 
 thy head to the internal L 
 
 I... ml -hrieks n<>\v till tho F>rum; and Ap- 
 
 ' -r his life, calU upon hi 
 Vir_i:iniu< and di>arm him. IJut 
 the brave centurion, brandi-hiii- 
 
 ihem all defiance ; and, Ope&ing a passage 
 thri'iiirli the c-r'\vd, reaches the r! . and 
 
 itnpi, 
 
 lr v for Appius and his bru- 
 
 tal c -lii-agues. Crowds of pr ; int> 
 
 tlu- I-'.. rum In n. ., . and 
 
 sluwed l.y tlu-ir actions tho t'nllo-t li-tormin:i- 
 tin t> avi-n^f tlu- death >f Viririnia. 'J'he des- 
 j.oratt- Appius called upon his guards to 
 their leaders; but th- po<plr. n..\v prrt'cdlv 
 furio B thorn. t': l-'nim. lnko the 
 
 - of the liotors, and cha>in^ tho tyrant 
 him>olf tVom his tribunal, eumpolh-d him to 
 take ivfuge in a neighboring Inn: 
 
 Viririniiis having ; camp, with 
 
 the bloody knife still in his hand, told the 
 dreadful story to the soldiers. Kui-ed to the 
 highest pitch of madness, his comrade- tn.k up 
 their arms, and, in spite of the threat- of their 
 generals, marched that very day t< Komo. 
 Their arrival in the city changed the tumult to 
 an open rebellion, and, the Senate being con- 
 10 
 
146 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 The Dccemvirate abolished Death of Appius. 
 
 venecl, all the Decemvirs promised to abdicate 
 their offices, if they might only be saved from 
 the hatred of the people. An interrex was 
 promptly chosen, and L. Valerius and M. Ho 
 rat ius were afterwards named as consul-. 
 
 In the course of a few days the excitement 
 somewhat subsided. The people elected their 
 Tribunes ; the Lex Valeria was confirmed anew, 
 and thus the innocent blood of the unfortunate 
 Virginia, like that of Lucretia, procured the 
 Roman people their liberty a second time. 
 Appius was arraigned before the people to an- 
 swer for his crimes ; but bi'ing placed in prison 
 to await his trial, he avoided punishment by 
 taking his own life. His infamous accomplice, 
 Marcus Claudius, was condemned to death. 
 Through the intercession, however, of his pow- 
 erful friends, Virginius consented that this sen- 
 tence, though not too severe, should be changed 
 to banishment. 
 
THE DESTRUCTION OF ROM1-] 
 BY TIIF. CAULS. 
 
 FROM 448 TO 380 B. 0. 
 
THE Siege of Veil Camillas made Dictator Taking of 
 Voii Triumph of Camillus A<-ou>at ions brought against 
 liim Ills Kxile Difficulties with (he Gauls Brennus 
 marches a.u'ain.-t Home Rome abandoned to its Enemies 
 Thr- City destroyed Camillus undertakes to punUh the 
 Gauls Bravery of Cominius Attempt to take the Capitol 
 Singular Alarm Fate of the Invaders Inmates of the 
 Ca]>i;>l niak<- -MVrs t iSr.-mius The Gauls driven from 
 Home Desolate Appearance of the City Proposals to for- 
 sake : i Determination to rebuild it Jealousy of 
 M. Munlius His Imprisonment and Death. 
 
VI. 
 
 THI-DKSTIilVTInN OF I^MI- I'.Y TIIK HAILS. 
 
 A i i notion of the Deceimi 
 
 ami ' ul-ion of the IK 
 
 r a seas< ed comparative tran- 
 
 (juiH i it was not long before the old 
 
 quarrels between the n<> '1 the people 
 
 need with almost as much violence as 
 . "One would thinky' >aid the illu>: 
 Quintius, "that Rome holds within her walls 
 two different nations contending with 
 otlicr for the command." Encouraged by their 
 numerous triumphs, the people at length began 
 to offices hitherto held only by the 
 patricians, and demanded also a repeal of the 
 law that prohibited intermarriages between 
 them. 
 
 Taking advantage of these continual strifes, 
 the neighboring nations, ever jealous of this 
 powerful city, made incursions upon their ter- 
 
150 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 The Siege of Veii. 
 
 ritory, and threatened them with evils still 
 greater than they were suffering by their civil 
 contentions. Among the boldest of their ene- 
 mies were the yEqui and the Yolsci, whose 
 armies came to the very gates of Rome. But 
 they were driven away as often as they made 
 themselves subject^ of alarm. 
 
 The most insolent and provoking treatment 
 which they received, came, however, from the 
 Veientes, who drove away with contempt the 
 ambas<adiv sent to them to demand repara- 
 tion. These people, occupying the city of Veii, 
 one of the strongest and wealthiest in Italy, 
 were enemies that, the Romans might take 
 great pride in subduing; and the Jlagrant of- 
 fence recently committed by them, was suffi- 
 cient to just if v the severest proceedings on the 
 part of Koine. 
 
 The siege of Veii was accordingly resolved 
 upon, and a large army was collected and sent 
 against it. .Hut the place being almost im- 
 pregnable, ii was a long time before the Ro- 
 mans gained any perceptible advantage. In- 
 deed they suffered so much from the sallies 
 made from the city, that they were sometimes 
 on the point of giving it up entirely. It was, 
 however, determined that the military tribunes 
 in command of the Roman forces should be re- 
 
i ox OF Ro 
 
 Camilla* made Dictator-Taking of Veil 
 
 called, and that the conduct of tli- iould 
 
 becoinn.' M". Furiu- Caniil -eral 
 
 , alor and extraordinn -ity. 
 
 That li. have every possible advan- 
 
 . Camilli: ieed to th.- diL'ni' 
 
 . and the army was irreatly and rapidly in- 
 
 creased by men of every rank, whom, ly the 
 
 lu-tre of \\\< name, he drew anuuid him. March- 
 
 ing t- \\-ii he went vigorously t< wrk, with 
 
 the h'|u- tliat he mi^ht l.e alle t> carry the 
 
 t..wn lya<-ault <r '|.. ; luit lindin^ that 
 
 'uhl nut succeed in this way, he had re- 
 
 cnur-e 1.. mininir and sapping. By dint of a 
 
 .1 uf lal.r, liis MUlifi-s dug a subt' 
 Q6O1U i>aaire, under the v 'li.- \t-r\ 
 
 tre of the place; and then ei: t'rum the 
 
 aTuimd, spread thenif-elve.- thruughout the town. 
 The ' . whully unsu.-piciuus of such an 
 
 attack, and having all their forces near the 
 walls, found themselves suddenly overwhelmed 
 by tin- enemy. It wa- in vain for them to 
 : and the JJoinan soldiers, cutting down 
 all whom they found in arms, plundered the 
 city. 
 
 The news of this achievement was rece' 
 at Koine with demonstrations, of the greatest 
 j'>y. The temple- were crowded with grateful 
 worshippers, and four days were set apart for a 
 
152 KEPUBLIC OF KOME. 
 
 Triumph of Camillas Proposition concerning Veil. 
 
 public thanksgiving to the gods. Camillus 
 himself, returning with his victorious army, en- 
 tered the city in a stately chariot, drawn by 
 four milk-white horses. Such parade was not 
 wholly agreeable to the people, who had not 
 seen so much pomp since the expulsion of their 
 kings. 
 
 A proposition was immediately made by T. 
 Siciiiius Dentatus, Tribune of the people, to 
 make a second Rome of the city of Yeii, by 
 sending one-half of the Senate, knights, and 
 people to dwell there. But this proposition 
 met with "vnrnil >j.j<.>it ion from the patricians, 
 with Camillus at their head; and when sub- 
 mitted to the decision of the people was prompt- 
 ly rejected. 
 
 The kindly lei-ling of the people towards Ca- 
 millus was not destined to be of long duration. 
 It seems that this great general, when engaged 
 in the sieire of \\-ii, had vowed that if success 
 attended his arms, he would consecrate the 
 tenth part of the booty to Apollo. But in the 
 contusion of victory he forgot his vow ; and his 
 conscience being troubled upon the recollection 
 of it, he sought, through the aid of the Senate, 
 to compel the soldiers to return a tenth part of 
 their booty, in order that he might fulfil his 
 vow. The soldiers, unwilling to give up their 
 
I)' F Roy. 153 
 
 Camillas accused His exile. 
 
 spoil u clamor, and declared that he 
 
 nod with tin- patricians to keep the 
 le always in inl : . lie wa< even ac- 
 
 i >V havini: embezzled, out of the pillage 
 tin brass gates that \\viv -een in 
 .-I was summoned to answer to the 
 re an assembly of the people. 
 Mrtitied by such an accn-ati-n, IK- appealed 
 1'nr prtM-ti..M ; hut hcinir tll hy 
 them that they cmild <lo nothing more than 
 pay the line that ini^ht he imposed upon him, 
 he declared that he wuhl rather hanish him- 
 :'r..iu Rome than answer to such an infa- 
 mou> -rdiiiLrly, t> his house, 
 
 . his \\ilt- and children, and, at- 
 tended hy nly two <>r three friend.-, went t> 
 the gate of the city, where, turning tnwani 
 capitol, he prayed the gods that his im-ratefnl 
 cuntrynu-n miirht quickly repent the outra- 
 annrr in whicli they had repaid his 
 Bervice0; and that their calamitit com- 
 
 pel them to recall him. And shortly after this, 
 a misfortune came upon Rome, greater than 
 any which it had hitherto suffered. 
 
 Ab'ut two hundred years previous to this 
 
 event, the Gauls, one of the most numerous na- 
 
 of Kurope, had migrated in large bodies 
 
 to Italy, where they established a number of 
 
154: KEPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Brenntis marches against Rome. 
 
 very powerful settlements. Milan, Verona, 
 and Padua, cities winch subsist at tlie present 
 day, are said to have been founded by them ; 
 and at the very time when Camillas was en- 
 gaged in besieging Veii, these barbariai, 
 they were called, were endeavoring to strength- 
 en themselves by the acquisition of Tuscany. 
 The city of Clusium, on the very verge of fall- 
 ing into their hands, sought aid from the Ro- 
 mans, who, accordingly, sent three amba a- 
 dors to Brennus, leader of the Gauls, with in- 
 structions to ell'ect a reconciliation between him 
 and the people of Clusium. 
 
 These ambassadors, thinking themselves un- 
 civilly treated by 15ivmm>, went to the city of 
 Cbisium, undiT pretence of conferring with its 
 magistrate-, and stirred them up to a vigorous 
 reM-taiice. A report of their proceedings com- 
 ing to the ears of Brennus, he sent a herald to 
 Rcme. who demanded that these ambassadors 
 should be delivered up to him. But the affair 
 being referred -to the people, it was resolved 
 that the ambassadors should be sustained in 
 what they had done, and an army was imme- 
 diately raided to resist the Gauls, if they at- 
 tempted to attack the city. 
 
 Brennus became so enraged on account of 
 these proceedings, that, removing his troops 
 
I); 155 
 
 Battle between the Romans and Hauls. 
 
 In nil ('lii-ium, he marched directly t-> K 
 Tlie inhabitants of the eoimtry lied before him; 
 aiul the IMWIIS ami villages in his path were 
 completely deserted. JJut Rome was the ob- 
 rath, and he wa- determined ..n 
 nothing Lett tha:i ItB i"tal destruction. M^: 
 
 ailr.l, naturally, in th 
 
 the ivjx-rt nf hi> ajij.n.aeli; but with 
 th'U>and tnMjs it \va> h<.| K '(l that the in\ 
 
 Illicit be j.llt to tlirht. 
 
 man jinnies, aeeonlinirly, went 01 
 the barbarian-. They \\vnt "Ut b..Mly, 
 too, lieade<l by their MX military tri'h 
 VMim % ir men !' 1a f \al-r than eapaeity. 
 
 Near the ri\er Allia. a half-day'.- jum 
 e li.i-.tile armii-s met. The\ 
 . drawn out in battle arrav uanl 
 
 them-elves a 'i!iL r -unfunded, the U- 
 
 man- e\te!id.-l their win^s, plaein^ their \t- 
 eran tno|s UJM.II the ri^lit and let'r, and leav- 
 :re in a 'iditi<>n. r J'he 
 
 (iau! directed their main 
 
 Mivn^th against thi> feelly defended jmint, 
 and, breakini:- thr..u_ir!i the e.h.>rts that occu- 
 pied it, made a eimjlete ilivi.>i..n of the ene- 
 ai-my. (.'..nl'-undtMl by sue h a movement, 
 the I: \ en di-awin^ their swords, 
 
 fled in every direction. Some ru>hed with all 
 
156 EEPUBLIC OF EOME. 
 
 Rome abandoned to its Enemie?. 
 
 speed into the neighboring city of Yeii ; others, 
 in hope of escape, plunged into the river Tiber ; 
 and a few, too swift-footed for their pursuers, 
 contrived to make their way to Rome, where, 
 of course, they carried terror and consternation. 
 The Senate suppling that the whole army had 
 
 cut to pieces and expecting that the < iauls 
 would immediately cilect an entrance into the 
 city, ivnvated to the capitol. where they col- 
 
 d. Ibr iN defence, all the strength remain- 
 ing in the city. Here. 1"". they brought what- 
 provi>ii>ns they c<>uhl gather; but the 
 women, children, and all such as were incapa- 
 ble of rendering eliicieitt aid, were excluded 
 and compelled t shelter themselves from the 
 
 enemy a- wi-11 a they could. Some took ref- 
 
 :n the neighboring fields, and others lied 
 
 to the adjacent towns. There were, however. 
 
 among the old senators and priests, a good 
 
 many who disdained to take advantage of a 
 
 shelter which wa- denied to the weak and help- 
 
 and who. were. DKHTeOVer, <letermined to 
 
 sncrilice their lives rather than abandon a city 
 
 where they had >jent all their years. These 
 
 ::ihle men. dressing themselves in their 
 
 ]>riestly and consnlar robe-, and assuming their 
 
 various emblems of oilice, seated theinselve> in 
 
 the open doors of their respective dwellings, re- 
 
1> OF Ro lf7 
 
 The O:s 
 
 -ubniit to whatr -Mii-iit the en- 
 
 emy mi^lit irive t! 
 
 Two or tluve days, however, elapsed b< 
 the (ianls had suHk-ientl; :vd t'n.in the 
 
 inirs attending their victory t enable 
 tin-in to proceed to Rome. And when tlu-y 
 
 them, and n-.t an obj :nir in t! 
 
 Such an uin-\ "\- naturally tilled 
 
 with >u-jirioii ; and passing within the 
 walls, tli- _ : eautiouviy to the riirlit and 
 
 to tli, -.Ian had 
 
 '. ly which to brinir about tlu-ir le-tnn-tin. 
 Ai along ti 
 
 gained niorr oonl ] but what wa- the as- 
 
 t.'iii-hnient of tiie-e barbarians a^ the\ 
 
 i there a solitary, <rray-hrarded man, 
 dressed in costly robe ai <l at the 
 
 nt'his dwi-llinir in a magnificent chair t' i 
 Tlie >oldier> >t"] ( ],cd and L r a/.ed in aw- IIJMHI 
 
 !-rable ti^un-s. who neiti 
 mo\ M benr upon the 
 
 :iscious of the passing crowd. 
 appp-achrd them to admirr tiieir splendid : 
 an<l ilnwing beards, but, apparently. 
 
 :'-h them. soldier, 
 
 more COrioiH ami more imj.iident than the oth- 
 
 lucked the t' one of these venera- 
 
158 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 The Destruction of Rome. 
 
 ble men. Raising his ivory wand, lie gave the 
 soldier a blow which sent him reeling to a dis- 
 tance. Enraged to the highest pitch, the sol- 
 dier returned, and with one blow of his axe 
 felled the aged Roman to the ground. 
 
 As the army advanced through the streets, 
 the old priests and senators, seated in their 
 chairs, were now slain, one by one ; and of all 
 the inhabitants of Rome none were left alive 
 within its walls, except those win* were deter- 
 mined to defend the capitol. Thither Brennus 
 hastened with his victorious troops. I hit in 
 vain did he call upon its tenants to surrender. 
 Nature had provided them with ramparts which 
 delianee to his utmost etli.rts, and. in order 
 to coin pi IT. he was forced to starve his victims 
 in their >trnngli<ld. lie could, however, re- 
 venge himself l'<r their obstinacy, and accord- 
 ingly turned his soldiers loose to pillage and 
 destroy every thing around them. The tire- 
 brand was applied to the palaces, of the patri- 
 cians and the "humbler dwellings of the ple- 
 beians. The sacred temples and the public 
 edifices were razed to the ground ; and in a 
 short time the great city of Rome, famous 
 throughout all Italy, and lately the terror of 
 surrounding nations, was nothing but a mass 
 of unsightly rubbish. Encamped amid its bro- 
 
DESTRUCTION OF ROME. 159 
 
 KrtWt "f i:..nu-'s u Camillas. 
 
 ken colwnns and smouldering ruins wa- llren- 
 nu>. with his army, anxiou>ly waiting uiitil 
 famine should terminate his work, l>y forcing 
 the inmates of the Capitol to throw themselves 
 into hix power. 
 
 JJtit the soldiers of Hi-cnnus could not all sit 
 idly around the capital. Uy leave uf their 
 commander, they wandered in parties, liere and 
 there, about the country, preserving neither or- 
 der nor di-eipline in any of their pn>, 
 tor. heinir the masters ot' Rome, they fancied 
 that the whole region was under their suh- 
 
 jectioiL 
 
 nilius. ;. i. not far di-tant, 
 
 wa- a >ileiit >j tclator of what was ^oin^ <n. 
 
 irue that lie if a irrcat suf- 
 
 at the hands of his fellow citizens, but the 
 
 calamities of his country unVctrd him more 
 
 than any evils that he had liim-elf endured ; 
 
 and striving nol)ly to forget hi- own wrongs, 
 
 he undertook t redress those of hi- enemies. 
 
 For a warrior of his renown, it was no diffi- 
 cult task to iind enough ready to follow where 
 he should lead; and, with the consent of the 
 -trates of Ardea, he sallied forth one 
 night, with a band of well-armed youth, and 
 surprised a largo body of Gauls, who had been 
 recklessly indulging in wine. The slaughter 
 
160 REPUBLIC OF ROMK. 
 
 Camillus undertakes to punish the Gauls. 
 
 wa> terrible indeed, and the appearance of 
 those who escaped only served t<> inspire the 
 fugitive .Roman.-, lurking heie and there, with 
 hope. They started from their hiding-place^ 
 and ran toovthcr from every quarter, to inquire 
 who it w:is that had ri-en up to deliver Koine 
 from her invaders. And when they learned 
 that it was Oamillus. their irreat ireneral. whom 
 they had compelled to jLro into exile, they he- 
 pin to condemn thruiM-lve.-. and eagerly run- 
 niiii: to him. pn>elainied their j)enitence, and 
 <! liim to lead them on airainst the (iauls. 
 Caniillus told tlu-ni that he would willingly 
 his country, hut that he was an exile, and 
 
 Incapacitated from holding tin- ( imand of 
 
 his country"- armies. IJut emwdin^ more nu- 
 mt'iMii-ly every moment amuud liim, they 
 wonld not h-t him ^o. Still, he would not con- 
 st-lit, until they promised iir~t to send >me one 
 to Koine to know whether the capitol yet held 
 <ut. ami, in casi- it did, ! take orders from the 
 Senate, which was >hut up within it. 
 
 This \va- a vei-y dillieult task to pel-form, but 
 a yoiinir Koman named Pontius ( 'ominius dared 
 to undertake it. lie passed through the 
 my'.- ranks, and reaching the Capitoline Hill, 
 clambered from rock to rock, Dealing }ivcijiee 
 after precipice, and, encountering a tho-,,- 
 
I> 
 
 
 . !innlly read" apitol. Without 
 
 a moment's delay. tho Senate, hearing hi 
 . with <>!: , ( 'ainillus I ' 
 
 to the hi_ r he-t dignity ot' hix c >mitry. Hut it 
 
 without any thinir t- >upprt it. 
 
 imprisoned S --nhl i'unii>h him with 
 
 MiMthiT in'iifv, ii,. r anus. inr troop-. '!'< a >\- 
 
 tlier like ('aniiilu-.it was. IH>\\V little 
 
 bo hal capti: 
 
 \vlu-n it hal withstood tor 
 that couhl In.* lu-nu^lit a--ain-t it, was al> 
 find - wbo OOimted it Millicirnt 
 
 to follow wh-!vvT li<- ini_L r ht h-ad. 'I'lu-y 
 -tartc<i up Iron i every liill-idc. and poured upon 
 him i and riv In- c<tuld conclude 
 
 upon any plan for dcli\ . iu- found 
 
 \ thoii-and sold' 
 In the mean time some of the tn.oj. 
 
 ihlinjr al'oiit the ( 'aj'iloliuc Hill, 
 
 1 anionir the rocks t 1 if the 
 
 darinir Pontiu-. (in- iiat they 
 
 miirht l>e the means of indicating ><>me passage 
 
 t> the capitnl. they traced them until they fun ml 
 
 out how this hitherto inacce--ille place could 
 
 ached. Tin-*- made known 
 
 their di-r lirennns. who. forming a plan 
 
 to surprise the fortre>s, di.>e from hi- 
 
 ll 
 
162 EEPUBLIC OF HOME. 
 
 Attempt to take the Capitol Fate of the Invaders. 
 
 number of youths accustomed to mountain life, 
 and sent them out by night to take the place. 
 "With great difficulty these bold fellows followed 
 the tracks of the Roman Pontius, lending each 
 other a helping hand, until they arrived at the 
 foot of the wall, which on that side was built 
 very low, because so craggy a place seemed 
 safe from all attack. 
 
 Finding the sentinel asleep, these Gauls be- 
 gan to scale the wall, when some geese, con>e- 
 crak-d to Juno, awakened by the noise, made 
 a loud cackling; the sound, so unusual at mid- 
 night, arousrd the suspicions of M. Manilas, a 
 con-ular per.-on, who immediately ran to the 
 spot 1o ascertain the cau-e. It was impossible 
 for him to mistake it. and it was equally im- 
 :>le tor tlu- d:>C'vrivd invaders to retreat. 
 Alone he face- the ennny. who. notwithstand- 
 ing their number, must light him at a feait'ul 
 disadvantage, lie cuN oil' the hand that is 
 lifting a battle-axe t fell him ; with his buckler 
 lie pushe- another to the bottom of the preci- 
 pice; again and again, he sends another tum- 
 bling headlong after, and clamoring as loudly 
 as he can, succeeds at last in raising the gar- 
 rison. No quarter is now grVen to the Gauls, 
 who, finding it in vain to fly, are successively 
 thrown into the abyss below. 
 
DESTIM CTION OF ROME. 163 
 
 ft he Gauls. 
 
 As SIM .n a< thr II>inan-; in the eapitol found 
 themselves delivered from the great danger 
 that had threatened them, they >eized the sen- 
 tinel who liad so caivle ly slept upon his p>t. 
 and hurled him headlong from the rock; and, 
 at the same time, they rewarded M. .Manlin>, 
 who ly his coiiraire and vigilance had saved 
 them. As the provisions of the garri>>n were 
 . ach soldier presented 
 
 him with halt' a pound of meal and a mea-ure 
 of wine. 
 
 It v long before the Gauls th 
 
 tt to e.\]'erience the inconvenieiico of scar- 
 eity almost as innch as those whom they were 
 j-ini: in the eapitol. Hitherto they had 
 procured their provisions by iMlla^i"^ the sur- 
 rounding country; but, through tear of the 
 army of ( 'amillns they contined themselves 
 more cl.sely to the city, and thus the besiegers 
 \\ere. in turn, tlu-m-clvi-s lie-ieu'ed. By de- 
 grees they l.eiran to be fairly in want, and 
 would have been glad enough could they 
 have withdrawn honorably from the walls of 
 Home. 
 
 During this time, the Romans in the eapitol 
 did not know that their Dictator, Camillus, 
 was working zealously for their delivery. Dis- 
 tressed by hunger, they resolved to enter into 
 
I'M KKITTJLIC OF KOMI-:. 
 
 Distress in tlie Capitol Appear:. !us. 
 
 iations with I'rennus I'm- the surrender of 
 the capital; and intrusted tlieir in! 
 Sulpicius, a military tribune, who agreed with 
 Urenims to give him a thousand pound-* weight 
 
 Id, if lie would immediately withdraw his 
 army from the dominions of the Kepublie. 
 
 .'dmir 1" agreement the t r<>ld was brought; 
 but upon weighing it the GauU made use of 
 fabc balances. Such unfairness cau-ed a mur- 
 mur among the "Ilmnans ; but Urennus, in 
 of redrc->in i ir tin- abuse, pulh-d ..it' his >w<nl 
 nnd belt, and threw them int> the >cale. al- 
 ready Mverrhariri'd. Sulpicius, enraged at >uc\\ 
 an insult. a-ke<l him the meaning f his cun- 
 duct. "What should it be," replied the bar- 
 barian, '* but w- 'ie;vd f % 
 
 Hut Ca:uillu>. with hi> army, ad 1 - \vitli 
 
 all >pei-<l. ar IJi.me. Wnnl having 
 
 -c-nt t<> him that a treaty had been I'm 
 between the inmates nf the eajutol and the 
 (iauls. and that the deputies of the former 
 now in eonfen-iiee with 1'rennus. he immedi- 
 ately took with him some of his prineipal otli- 
 oiit in haste for the city, lieacli- 
 
 ihe jilare when.' Sulj icius and Brennufl 
 
 .:end;nic ab.mt the j^'hl, he wa- i'e- 
 
 ceivi-d with every mark of attention by the 
 
 Koinaii depurie-. Sulpieiiis at onee made known 
 
iircTiox OF ROME. 
 
 Brennus and Camillas. 
 
 :n the nnfair dealing of 1'rennus, and ap- 
 pealed to him for ju-t 
 
 "Carryback this gold into the capital. " 
 Camillas to the deputies "aiii! ( aul<, 
 
 retire with y a and weight-. I: ifl with 
 
 alone that the Romans shall recover their 
 
 Cont'nnnded hy sueh lianirhty lai! i^ren- 
 
 nns stood speech a moment, while the 
 
 (ijiuls and the Uman dejmties jnvpaivd to do 
 the hiddin t ir >t % Cainillus. At lenirth he vi-n- 
 -t airai; i^s of Ca- 
 
 milliH, as a contraveiiti-.n ui* a treaty air. 
 
 " I am Dietat.T of IJ..me," ; ( 'ami llus, 
 
 i who dares to determine an affair of Mich 
 importance without my sanction? Away with 
 your ir"ld. your w- ,d halai 
 
 Ureimus, recovering from his conl'ii-iun. re- 
 plied with a- much han^htiiu-s a< Cainillus, 
 and the t'.vn chirt'tain> separated, in order to 
 juarrel by an ajpeal to arms. 
 Without the least delay, the army of Cainillus 
 advancing, da-hed with fury upon the (iauls, 
 who were promptly drawn out t- iiem. 
 
 iis time disevered his match in 
 the leader of the Roman His hr. 
 
 troops fell hack, notwithstanding I . iori- 
 
EEPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 The Gauls driven from Rome Appearance of the City. 
 
 ty of their position. Rallying them as well as 
 he could, he raised the siege, and retreated 
 some miles from Rome. But Camillus was de- 
 termined to punish him for the injuries su-- 
 tained by Rome. He followed him in his re- 
 treat. slew almost all his soldiers, and reco\ 
 from them the rich spoils which they were car- 
 rying away. 
 
 Although delivered from its enemies, Rome 
 was not. at this time, a place suitable for the 
 accommodation of the many thousands who 
 claimed if as their home. Scarcely a house 
 wa- >tanding within its walls, and the walls 
 themselve- were, in many places level with 
 the ground. Under such circumstances, i 
 not strange that a proposition should he made 
 and urged, to remove, in a mass, to the city of 
 Ycii, which was a well-fort i tied place, with 
 stately buildings, and surrounded by a fruitful 
 territory. The Tribunes advocated the plan 
 with the greatest ardor, representing the diffi- 
 culty which must attend any attempt to rebuild 
 a city in the midst of such immense hea; 
 ruins. Besides, the people were exhausted by 
 mi-fortunes, without strength, without money, 
 and almost without provisions* But the Sen- 
 ate did not agree with the Tribunes, although 
 their opposition was rather in the form of pray- 
 
DESTRUCTION OF Etc 167 
 
 The rebuilding of Borne. 
 
 iinl entreaties. They showed the people 
 the* tombs of their ancestors; pointed to tlie 
 spots consecrated to the gods by Romulus and 
 A'nnia. and reminded them of tlie prophecies 
 that 1: -hould become the mistivs> of tlie 
 
 world. Camillus, too. was among the number 
 <.f those \\hoopposed the proportion to aban- 
 don Rom " said he, "that by re- 
 tiring to u will assume the name of a 
 conquered people, and l<e that of Roman 
 getherwith the glorious destiny which the gods 
 atlixed to it. and which, with your name, 
 will go to the iir>t barbarians that shall get 
 i of the eapitol, and who, by this 
 change, may perhaps in time become yur 
 nd your tyr- 
 
 The words of Camillus acted like a charm 
 on all. The pm-pcrt of future empire was far 
 to be preferred, by the Romans, to the pr- 
 conveniences of life. The Tribunes yielded. 
 The people declared that they would not go to 
 Veii; and everyone falling to work, the re- 
 building of the city went on with such rapidity, 
 that in less than one year it a>sumed the same 
 appearance which it presented on the arrival 
 of tlie dreadful Brenntis. 
 
 But scarcely had Rome thus arisen from its 
 ashes, than its old enemies, the Tuscans, the 
 
168 EE PUBLIC OF Ho MI:. 
 
 Jealousy of M. Manlius. 
 
 ii, an<l the Yolsci, leagued together for the 
 purpose of oppres>ing it. Camillas was again 
 
 call'-d to tlie Dictatorship; and, by his con- 
 sin innate ability a< a general, succeeded in de- 
 feating tlieir armies and compelling them to 
 sue for mercy. In consequence of these and 
 fanner services lie l>ecame the idol of the peo- 
 ple, who h<n<red him with the title of Reel 
 of the Country and Second Founder of Rome. 
 Among the fellow-citi/ens of Cainillus, ; 
 
 lie, however, who was unwilling t<> yield 
 him all the glory accorded freely by the 
 
 a< !Maivu> "Manlius, the l>rave -t-ldier, 
 
 . with his single arm. had defended the 
 eapilol wlii-n alxtut to be surprised hy the 
 (iauls at midnight, lie c<>uhl not bear t 
 Cainillus preferred. bef..re him. in the command 
 of the armies; and. by his fiv<|Ueiit -peeehes, 
 
 DdeaVOTed t. blaeken the character of a 
 man wh<> wa- admire<l and bel >ved by all. 
 AVith the d Sign, as was said, of promoting his 
 ambitious aims he beg ! atter the people, 
 
 and to impress them witli the idea that he was 
 friendly to their int lie renewed the 
 
 proposals for the division of the lands; he even 
 sold his own to aeiplit the debts of the <p- 
 
 -ed plebeians; he interfered between d 
 ore and creditors, and was frequently insiru- 
 
DESTRUCTION OF ROME. 169 
 
 Troubles again Dictator created. 
 
 mental in rescuing from prison those whom 
 
 ity had sent there. The- ' was as- 
 
 1, sprang, ii"t from benevolence, but from 
 
 lia whole aim being to secure 
 
 T through tlie aid of the lower el;, 
 
 AVhether this was true or nut, it is certain that 
 
 Manlius acquired numerous 1'rieiids and sup- 
 
 \ ho, not contented alone with l>eM<>\v- 
 
 inir upon him their praises, attended him often 
 
 as a s ,anl. 
 
 In time, the patricians began to feel a good 
 deal of unea- itluence of ^lun- 
 
 ily MrongtT and strui. 
 
 <ed it iiece>sirv t iv>rt to tin- usual rem- 
 edy, \vhieh wa- to create a l)ietator. Tliis was 
 done on j.ivtence that the interests of Rome 
 demanded an army to be sent again>t the Vol- 
 sci. Cornelius Cossus was c-h'-eii Dictator. 
 The Vnlsei were BOQD reduced to submiion, 
 and the Dictator, returning to Ruine, summoned 
 Manlius to ap}>ear before him. Manlius obeyed 
 with promptness, attended by a concourse of 
 his friend-. Failing to satisfy the Dictator, 
 when charged with engaging in various disor- 
 derly practices, he was committed to prison 
 without making any other resistance than an 
 appeal to the deities of the capitul, that they 
 would protect their soldier and defender. 
 
170 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Manlius placed in Prison His death. 
 
 The friends of Manlius, chiefly plebeians, in 
 token of their sorrow, dressed themselves in 
 mourning, and even uttered seditious murmur- 
 ing. In order to appease them, they were 
 offered lands belonging to one of the newly- 
 conquered towns ; but this did not succeed. 
 The prison of Manlius was surrounded, night 
 and day. by crowds of people, eager to effect 
 his liberty ; and, in order to prevent mischief, 
 lie was at length set free. But the evil prac- 
 tices of which lie wa- accused, were Mill .kept 
 up, with the very de-igns urged as reasobs for 
 his arrest and imprisonment. 
 
 Camillus now, for the fifth time, became 
 it<>r : and such a triumph of his rival 
 could nut he otherwise than tormenting to a 
 soul like that !' ManliiN. He did not, of 
 course. 1'ail t< te-tify his feelings; and his pro- 
 ceedings, whether legal or illegal, were suffi- 
 ciently oH'eii-ive to the patricians t<> bring upon 
 him the charge of aspiring after royalty. Once 
 more he was summoned to be tried, and the 
 charges against him having been fully estab- 
 lished, he was condemned, as is said, to be 
 thrown from the Tarpeian rock a spot which 
 was at once the monument of his glory and his 
 shame. 
 
FOREIGN CONQUESTS. 
 
 FROM 380 TO 120 B. C. 
 
CAJRTHAGE and ite People Ship-building among the Ro- 
 mans First Naval Engagement Expedition against Car- 
 thage Regulus is taken Prisoner His noble Conduct 
 Carthaginians beaten Peace The War renewed Hanni- 
 bal invadr.s Italy Hi^ March lli> Success Opposed by 
 the Roman Armies Artifice of Hannibal Defeat of the 
 Roman. Palnntisui of Scipio The Romans encour.u 
 Hannibal rallrd Ibuno Misfortunes of Carthaire 1' 
 Tiberius and Caius Gracchus Ambition Agrarian I.u\v 
 Designs of Tiberius defeated His Artifice His Deatli 
 Caius and Drusus Death of Caius. 
 
VII. 
 
 FOREIGN CONQUESTS. 
 
 IT was almost five hundred years before the 
 Unmans had so i'ar subdued the nations by 
 which they were surrounded, as to think of 
 spreading their conquests, beyond the limits of 
 Italy. .Hut they no sooner felt themselves to 
 be perfect masters of the countries near them, 
 than they determined to carry their arms be- 
 yond the sea; and the first foreign war which 
 they undertook was with Carthage, a rich and 
 powerful city, on the coast of Africa. 
 
 The foundation of Carthage was laid about a 
 hundred and thirty-seven years before that of 
 Koine. All its citizens were merchants, and 
 traffic was esteemed among them far above 
 the profession of arms. The fleets of Carthage 
 were, however, among the most powerful in the 
 world, and no one doubted her superiority upon 
 the sea, over which she had extended her do- 
 minion, quite to the coasts of Spain, and in the 
 
174 EEPUBLIC OF HOME. 
 
 The Romans engage in Ship-building. 
 
 islands of Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia. But 
 the conquests of Carthage were effected, chiefly, 
 by the aid of foreign troops, and, in some c 
 even under the command of hired generals. 
 Rome, on the other hand, reared her own mi- 
 litia, and her officer.- were taken from among 
 those who had been brought up to fight her 
 les. 
 
 A great sea lay between Rome and Cart! 
 and Home had not a single ship to launch upon 
 it, nor had the a single sailor or naval captain 
 ain<ng all her legions. But her people were 
 ingenious, diligent, and never di>couraged by 
 tlie greatest labotB. When they had formed 
 the resolution to gather glory and wealt! 
 vend the waves, it was not long before they 
 found the means < f carrying thi> resolution into 
 effect. Hitherto they had never paid the least 
 attention to the construction of the ves>el> that 
 
 ieiihilly. or otherwise, vi>ited their c< 
 but no\\. a (.'arthaginian galley having been 
 driven to them by >tre>s of weather, tln-y 
 upon it eagerly, and taking it for a model, 
 built, within two months, a fleet sufficiently 
 powerful to commence their enterprise agi 
 the great city, whose dominion upon the sea 
 it was their intention to dispute. Their first 
 naval engagement was successful, too ; and 
 
FOREIGN CONQUESTS. 175 
 
 First naval Engagements. 
 
 their first naval commander, in honor of his 
 achievements, was ever attended at night, dur- 
 ing the remainder of his lite, with flambeaux 
 and music. 
 
 Encouraged by their early hiicce-, they in- 
 civa-i-d, rapidly, their fleets, and spreading 
 them <>\vr the sea, made them-elves the mas- 
 ters of Agrigentnm, and of the chief towns in 
 that inland ; tliey took Aleria, tlie capital of 
 Corsica, Olbia in Sardinia, and, finally, car- 
 ried their victorious arms to the very gates of 
 ( 'arthage. 
 
 L. Manlius and Attilins Regains commanded 
 the first uYi-t that was sent to Carthage. It 
 cnn>i-t-(l of three hundred and forty ships, with 
 a hundred and forty thousand troops. But be- 
 fore they iv ached their destination, the Cartha- 
 ginians met them on the sea, with an e<jual 
 armament. The struggle was a long and des- 
 perate one, the Carthaginians having the ad- 
 vantage of lighter vessels and better sailors. 
 Fortune seemed uncertain where to choose ; 
 but, the Roman vessels finally grappling with 
 those of the Carthaginians, the fighting began 
 foot to foot, and, as it were, on dry land. Then 
 it was that the Romans got the better of their 
 enemies. They fought like madmen, deter- 
 mined to conquer or to die. The Carthagin- 
 
176 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Expedition against Carthage. 
 
 ians were slaughtered by hundreds and thou- 
 sands. The sea was perfectly red with blood, 
 and the bodies of the dead floated far and wide 
 on every hand. Ship after ship was disabled 
 and sunk, until the whole Carthaginian fleet 
 was completely scattered. 
 
 The Romans obtaining, in this way, a free 
 passage to the coast of Africa, succeeded in 
 Handing, and immediately began to ravage the 
 country in a most terrible manner. In a short 
 time Manlins >ailed buck to Italy, with twenty- 
 seven thousand prisoners, while Regains, ac- 
 cording to the instructions of the Senate, 
 continued his conquests. Success attended 
 him wherever he went, until finally he brought 
 his army to the walls of Carthage. By this 
 time tlu- city was crowded t<> overflowing by 
 the terrified inhabitants of the surrounding 
 country, who had tied thither for protection; 
 and Kciruln> had not been long about the Avails 
 with his besH-iriiiir army, before the Carthagin- 
 ians began to experience all the terrors of fam- 
 ine and sickness. 
 
 The Carthaginians, relying but little upon 
 their ability to cope with an enemy that had 
 thus far beaten them by sea and land, were 
 very desirous of entering into negotiations; 
 and Regulus himself, contented with his vie- 
 
FOREIGN CONQUESTS. 177 
 
 Advantages gained over the Carthaginians. 
 
 . was not averse to it. But as he held 
 Carthago completely in hi* power, he felt that 
 he had a right to impose upon them such terms 
 as he pleased, and accordingly agreed to re- 
 move his army on condition that the Cartha- 
 ginians should deliver up to Rome the islands 
 of Sicily and Sardinia, "give liberty to all the 
 prisoners that they had taken, defray the e\- 
 ' the war, pay an animal tribute, never 
 undertake a war without the consent of the 
 Senate, keep hut one large ship in their navy, 
 and furnish h'fty galleys, completely equipped, 
 whenever the interest of Rome might require 
 them. 
 
 These terms imposed by the Romans were 
 considered very hard by their enemies, but 
 ilus, who thought himself master of the 
 country, replied "That enemies must either 
 conquer, or submit to the law of the con- 
 queror." This rendered the Carthaginians des- 
 perate ; and accordingly, mu>tering all their 
 forces, and marching out into the open field, 
 under the command of Xantippus, a Lacede- 
 monian general, they offered battle to the 
 Romans. Their position was admirably cho- 
 M-n. while that of the Romans was not. But 
 the Rumans, having been hitherto successful, 
 began to despise their foes, and rushed upon 
 12 
 
178 REPUBLIC OF KOME. 
 
 Eegulus, the Roman General, taken Prisoner. 
 
 them with deafening shouts. The Carthagin- 
 ians maintained their ground like men deter- 
 mined to conquer or to die; and in a short 
 time, by means of their elephants and cavalry, 
 succeeded in putting the Romans to flight, with 
 a loss, of thirty thousand men. Kegulus, their 
 
 ral, was taken prU'>iu-r, and being loaded 
 with cliains. wa- carried to Carthage and con- 
 iined in a gl"..my dungeon. 
 
 The war between these two nations wa< still 
 continued with the same anii . ;emelill- 
 
 iie seas with her navies, ami pouring into 
 
 Africa her countless soldiers. > IOID6- 
 
 times amended One side, and sometimes the 
 
 other; but the Carthaginians having finally 
 
 B number !' battles took Regulus from his 
 
 :it him to liome to solicit a p> 
 or, at h , of priMiners. lie fore 
 
 :. h.iwevi-r, he was compelled to make a 
 promise, that he would return to Carthage if 
 he failed in his DUflVOO, and was moreover told 
 that his life depended upon his siicc- 
 
 The joy of the Senate at having thus an op- 
 port unit v to liberate their brave and faithful 
 general was very great, and they would have 
 willingly testiiied their regard for him by buy- 
 ing hi- frei-doni at any price, lint Kegulus 
 labored earnestly against his own interest, and 
 
FOBB] N QUESTS. 179 
 
 Tho Carthaginians beaten Peace. 
 
 succeeded in persuading hlB fellow-countrymen 
 
 to continue the war. Then, without entering 
 his house, or seeing hi< wife and children. 
 he should ho softened by their tears, h- 
 turned to Cartha-. ding to his promise, 
 
 when- he i in the most cruel turnn 
 
 After a great deal of lighting, the Roman- 
 finally gained such advantage over the Cartha- 
 ginians that the latter were 'l>liL r *''l OHC6 more 
 to sue for peace, which was irranted, upon the 
 hardest conditions. Tlu-y were conipi-lled to 
 ahandon the i>land of Sicily. t< re-tore all pri-- 
 
 iiont ran-oni, t ^ive up all d 
 to pay <lown a thousand talents for the charge 
 of the war, and two thousand two hundred in 
 
 two y way of tribute. The Oarthagin- 
 
 . were glad to obtain peace even 
 
 upon re term- ; hut it was n- 
 
 niuch peace, that tlu-y <h->ired. as a truce. Tliey 
 liadsutl'ered trrril.lv, and needed time to repair 
 their fore -oon, then, as they found them- 
 
 selves in a condition to light, they took up arms 
 with even greater fury than before. 
 
 The famous Hannibal was, no doubt, the 
 cait-o of this second war, memorable for some 
 of the most daring exploits that are found re- 
 corded upon the page of history. AVhen this 
 great Carthaginian general was only nine years 
 
180 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 The War renewed Hannibal invades Italy. 
 
 of age he accompanied his lather in the war 
 against Spain, and at that time swore, at the 
 altar, eternal hatred to the Roman-. Faithful 
 to this early vow, he took the first opportunity 
 to bring about a violation of the tre;t 
 inn 1 between Carthage and Rome; and as soon 
 as war was declared on the part of Rome, he 
 
 ut lor Italy with an army of ninety thou- 
 sand toot -oldier-. t<rty elephant-, and twelve 
 thousand cavalry. AVith this immense army, 
 lie tr; < iaul in the depth of winter. .His 
 
 acroefl tin- Alp- wa- accomplished in 
 nine day.-, hut tin- dc-perate journey wa- per- 
 formed at the expense ot' -i\ thousand 1. 
 mm and .-evenly tliousand fo linen, who p ( -r- 
 
 1 Irom tin- hardship.- which they were 
 ioivcd to in:- Capturing Turin, he siip- 
 
 plied his nec.U tro..p- with pr.vi-ioii>, and 
 
 u raged tin- pr .pie of Cisalpine (Jaul to 
 join his standard. AVith all .-pci-d he tin 
 out for Koine; hut the army of that Republic, 
 under the cmuUict of Cornelius Scipio, ad- 
 vanced in the mean time to re>isi him. and on 
 the hanks of the river Ticinus they met. The 
 liattle was Moody, but the day was decided by 
 a charge ot' the Numidian horse, which left 
 .Hannibal master of the Held. The lite of the 
 Roman general wa> saved by hi- .-on Publius 
 
 
FoKKHiX HONQUKSTS. 181 
 
 Armir* M-nt from !: .bal's March. 
 
 Scipio, who afterwards gained > iniu-h dis- 
 tinction in the war with the Carthaginians. 
 
 A MM-. -nd army, under the command of Tibe- 
 rius Sempronius, was now sent against Hanni- 
 bal, but with no better success the Romans 
 g their cam]), and twenty-six thousand 
 men. \\y this time, Hannibal was willing to 
 give his army re>r. and accordingly he retired 
 into winter quarters. But the K<>mans, mean- 
 while, were in it idle. Their empire in Italy 
 iisly threatened, and whatever they 
 could do t> i-epel the .-uece.-sful invader must 
 !>e doiu- prnmprly.and vigorously. Two larirc 
 armi- berafon raised, and fully eipiipped 
 
 for the iMi>uinir campaign. Tln-e wen- sent to 
 the pa es of the Apennines ; but llannibal.de- 
 tennininir to enc>nnter only one of them 
 time, enmed the mountain-, and traver.-ed the 
 Clu.-ian Mar-h. F.r fur days and ni^ht.- his 
 army march(Ml through water; and he him>elf, 
 nmimted on the only remaining elephant, bare- 
 
 \cd his own life, and lo-t an eye in o 
 <|iience of an intlammation. As soon as he 
 found a solid footing, he sought to engage in 
 battle the army under r'laminius. lie laid 
 wa>te with lire and sword the whole country 
 around him, and pretended that he was about 
 marching upon the city of Koine. Flaminius, 
 
182 RK PUBLIC OF EOME. 
 
 Artifice of Hannibal 
 
 induced to keep nearer to him than was pru- 
 dent, was suddenly attacked, upon the borders 
 of the Lake Thrasymenus, and his army was 
 completely cut to pieces before he could dis- 
 play his colors. Hannibal now marched into 
 Apulia, spreading terror wherever he went. 
 Meanwhile another army, under the command 
 of Fabius Maximus, was sent out to oppose 
 him. With this general. Hannibal experienced 
 more trouble than with those whom he had 
 been hitherto obliged to encounter. Fabius 
 almo-t equalled him in the r.-e nf stratagem, 
 and so completely bairied him in his designs, 
 tliat lie >carcely knew what to do. But Han- 
 nibal outwitted him at last. Finding him- 
 self suddenly >\\u{ between impassable rocks 
 and mar-lies, he cnlk-ctcd a thousand oxen, and 
 labelling burning torches to their horns, drove 
 them furiously, at midnight, into the deiiles 
 which were guarded by the Unmans. Panic- 
 struck, by the terrible >ight, the guards fled 
 frm their pts, and Hannibal forced his way 
 through the Unman ranks. 
 
 Delay was disastrous to the Carthaginians, 
 
 whenever a .Unman army was hovering around 
 
 them. Their dependence for support was upon 
 
 the territory in which they happened to be lo- 
 
 : ; and it wa* nece>>ary fur them to meet 
 
CONQUESTS. 183 
 
 Defeat of the Romans They recover. 
 
 opposition with the utmost promptness. Being 
 now in possession of Camue, they used every 
 effort to bring the Eomans to an engagement, 
 but for ;i time were unsuccessful. It was finally 
 bi*i night about, and the linnan army was to- 
 tally de.-troyed. Rome lo-t. as is .-aid, fifty 
 thousand men ; and the conqueror sent to Car- 
 thage tw<> bushels of gold rings, to show the 
 incredible number of Roman knights that had 
 fallen in the battle. It is quite probable that 
 Hannibal would have made himself master <>1 
 the city without striking a bl\v, if he had at 
 thi> time marched his victorious jinny dii'ectly 
 t Knif. Acting, Imwi-vi-r. a< if he feared to 
 put an end to the war t<>, snon. he lingi-red in 
 Campania, under pretence that his troop- : 
 
 ed some ivpoM-. Thi- gave the Romans time 
 
 r from their consternation, and to take 
 3 for preserving themselves fn>m total de- 
 struction. It wa- to the young Scipio that they 
 were mainly indebted f<r this success. 
 
 After the battle of Caniuv. lie, with a number 
 of other officers, retired to a neighboring town, 
 which still held for the Itomans, and while oc- 
 cupied at the house of a friend was informed 
 that these officers, in despair of saving the Re- 
 public, had assembled at a certain place for the 
 purpose of making arrangements to abandon 
 
184 KKITHLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Conduct of ?cij>io The Romans enc<> . 
 
 Italy. Extremely indignant at Mich conduct, 
 he repaired immediately to the assembly, and 
 entering with his drawn sword in liand, lie 
 cried out: "I swear that I will never abandon 
 the Republic, nor suffer any of her citizen- to 
 do it. Whoever here >hall refu-e to take this 
 oath which I have taken, shall perish beneath 
 jny sword!" 
 
 Ashamed of their conduct, and willing to do 
 any thing to atone for it, they took the 
 
 ribed by Scipio. S'>me repaired to Rome, 
 and other- undertook to rally the allies, so that 
 hope began to spring up in the 1 if the 
 
 people. Kvery i-libr; \vj> made to repel Ilan- 
 nihal. Hie citizens armed their slaves. Tliey 
 
 their silver and their gold. They took 
 down from the r<.of> of the temples the old 
 arms that had been hung up there as trophies, 
 and gave them to the trmps. Q. Fabins Max- 
 iuius, leader of the Roman army at hine. by 
 all sorts of artiiice and delays, 1'uiU-d the Car- 
 thaginian general" at every step. Scipio. IH>, 
 at the head <>f the ]I'iiian army in Africa, was 
 gaining battle after battle, and daily threaten- 
 ing the deMruction of Carthage. lie had there 
 gained. a> allies, the two powerful king-, 
 phax and Ma>:ni.--a; and so great was his siic- 
 . that the Carthaginians were compelled to 
 
!'- CON Q TESTS. 185 
 
 :irtbacrinians compolled to mak I 
 
 call Hannibal home to defend his own country. 
 two :rt met near Zaina. with 
 
 the full knowledge- that the battle about to be 
 
 fought between them, would decide the empire 
 
 and the liberty of their ropcctive countries. 
 
 >. h>\v much depended on 
 
 their spirit and courage. Succos, under such 
 circumstances, was lor a Jong time doubtful, 
 hut victory at last declared forScipio. r i\vc-nty 
 thousand Carthaginianfl tell ii})on the lield, and 
 ;ial numher were taken prisoners. 
 
 It was now impossihle l>r ('artha^e t-> make, 
 any further resistance to K.,nu-. l\ace must 
 be obtained at almost any price, and even the 
 proud Hannihal him>clf wa- ohli^-d to >ue for 
 il. P.ut the lioman- woiihl nut <^rant it e\cr])t 
 on the hard. They compelled the 
 
 Carthaginiane all their ileet-, and 
 
 their elephants; they forced them to restore 
 all their pri-om-rs and to deliver up all doert- 
 ers; they made them pay immen-e >ums of 
 money; forhid them to make alliances with 
 other nation-, or to eniraire in war, without the 
 knowledge and express permi-Mon of the Ro- 
 man Senate. 
 
 The deplorable condition of Carthage was 
 rendered even more deplorable through the 
 implacable hatred of Masini^u, king of Xu- 
 
186 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Fall of Carthage Aspirations of Rome. 
 
 midia. Protected by Rome, this old enemy 
 deprived the Carthaginians of the best part of 
 their possessions, and destroyed their trade in 
 the interior of Africa. But, more than all this, 
 the Romans, seeing them so enfeebled, and 
 still remembering the injuries sustained at 
 their hand< in the battle*; of Thrasymenus and 
 CamiJi'. resolved upon their total destruction. 
 And now the third war with Carthage beiran, 
 but it wa- not of so long duration as the two 
 preceding. That stately city, which had pre- 
 sumed to dispute the empire of the world with 
 "Rome, fell, and it> inhabitants were scat' 
 amonir the ditferent nations of the earth. 
 
 And n\v Koine, eh-vated to the In'-' 
 pitch by Mich a triumph, aspired to the con- 
 qur-t of tin- whole earth. Their military lead- 
 
 :md their armies marched forth in every 
 direction. The irivat Antiochus, who ruled 
 o\vr the larger part of Asia, was driven by 
 them from his poeeessions. They cn(]iiercd 
 the Insubrians an<l thi> Li^urian-. They re- 
 duced Macedon as well as Illyrium into pr-v- 
 
 5. Tlie Greeks, too, fell under their do- 
 minion. In one word, all Italy, Spain. Illyrium 
 quite to the Danube, Africa, Greece, Thrace, 
 Macedon, Syria, all the kingdoms of Asia Mi- 
 nor, became members of the Roman Empire ; 
 
FOREIGN CONQUESTS. 187 
 
 Tiberius and Ca'us Gracchus. 
 
 and the name of Rome struck terror and re- 
 spect among all the nation- of the earth. 
 
 With so much success, came the greatest lux- 
 ury : and the manm-rs of the Roman* offered 
 
 so much change by their good fortune, that they 
 seemed altogether another people. The up- 
 rightness for which they had been held in such 
 in, became corrupted by the pleasure of 
 conquest and dominion. Ambition, rather than 
 justice, governed their undertakings; seltish- 
 succeeded the care formerly manifested 
 f<>r the public good; and patriotism almost 
 eea-ed to i-xist among them. 
 
 In this state of things arose Tiberius Grac- 
 chus and Caius Gracchus, names too familiar 
 in 'Roman history to be numbered with those 
 which can be mentioned only where the great- 
 est minuteness is to be observed. These bro- 
 thers were grandchildren of the great Scipio, 
 and their sister marrying the younger Scipio, 
 they were thu< related to the most powerful 
 families in the Republic. Their mother, Cor- 
 nelia, bestowed upon them a most excellent ed- 
 ueation. She, one day, being in the company 
 of a Roman lady who w r as displaying her jew- 
 els, was asked to exhibit hers. Sending at once 
 l >r her two sons, she pointed to them and ex- 
 claimed : " These are my jewels." 
 
188 KE PUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Ambition of Tiberius fostered by his Mother. 
 
 Tiberius, the elder, wa- endowed by nature 
 with all those graces which serve as a recom- 
 mendation to merit. He was also noted for his 
 moderation, frugality, and public spirit; and, 
 at an early age, had made himself conspicuous 
 in the military service. Under the command 
 of his brother-in-law, Scipio, lie a :.-ted at the 
 of Carthage, and was the first man who 
 mounted the walls of the burning city. At the 
 age of thirty he was considered one of the best 
 orators of Rome; but those who were jealous 
 of ins ri.-ing merit insinuated that he . 
 inordinate ambition, an implacable h; 
 against the Senate, and a pretended zeal for 
 the interest- of the people. 
 
 His mother. Cornelia, is reported to hav 
 coin-aired his ambition by saying that people 
 spoke of her as the mother-in-law of Scipio, 
 and nt as the mother of the (iracchi. u Your 
 l)rotlier-in-law, Scipi..," she continually >aid. 
 "stand- in the lir>l rank among the captains 
 and generals of thfi Republic; make, now. your 
 own name distinguished by the establishment 
 of laws useful to the peoj 
 
 'Whether at the solicitation of his mother or 
 not. it is quite certain that lie oii'ered himself 
 as a candidate for the tribuneship of the ]n-o- 
 ple, and he was duly invested with this oilice. 
 
FOREIGN CONQUESTS. 189 
 
 The Agrarian Law. 
 
 Hi- attention had been, doubtless, called to the 
 poverty of the lower classes ; and the success- 
 ful application of a remedy would certainly 
 place his name as conspicuously before the 
 world as that of his illustrious brother-in-law, 
 Scipio. He undertook the task, but, lijve most 
 reformers and servants of the people, whether 
 selfish or unselfish, he reaped, in the end, sor- 
 row and >hame. 
 
 Two hundred and thirty-two years had now 
 d since the enactment of the Agrarian 
 law, by which it was declared that no person 
 should possess more than five hundred acres of 
 the public domain, and that the overplus should 
 be divided among the plebeians. This law 
 had ever remained a dead letter, and Tiberius 
 knew th;; : val woidd only meet with the 
 
 strongest opposition from the higher cl; 
 Hut he managed to bring it up, with >everal 
 ;iing clauses. lie provided that the pos- 
 rs of Mir] >lu- lands should receive compen- 
 >ation for the buildings and other improvements 
 erected on them; that every sun who w; 
 age might possess the whole quantity allowed 
 by law to a citizen and householder; and that 
 every son under age might possess half that 
 quantity. 
 
 But the nobles and rich citizens of Koine re- 
 
190 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Designs of Tiberius defeated. 
 
 jected the propositions of Tiberius with con- 
 tempt, and stigmatized him as a promoter of 
 sedition and a disturber of the public peace ; 
 and to counteract his plans, they gained over 
 one of the Tribunes of the people, Marcus Oc- 
 tavius, without whose consent it would be im- 
 possible to enact the modified law. According 
 to custom, however, Tiberius exposed his law 
 nineteen days to the view of the people, and 
 then proceeded to take' their votes upon it. 
 But Octavius interposed with his veto, and the 
 whole undertaking seemed thus, at once, to be 
 defeated. 
 
 Tiln-riiis wa> not, however, to be so easily 
 thwarted in his designs; and while the great 
 men of Rome were triumphing over his defeat, 
 he was taking measures to put a speedy termi- 
 nation to their joy. 
 
 At the next assembly of the people he arose 
 ad thus addressed them: "Since custom will 
 not allow a Tribune to propose any new law, if 
 but one of his colleagues forbids it, it is but 
 justice that I should submit to the opposition 
 of Octavius. But then as the tribuneship was 
 created with a view to the redressing of the 
 people's grievances, and as that Tribune, who 
 for.-akes this view, destroys the very foundation 
 of this institution, I demand that the people, by 
 
FOREIGN CONQUESTS. 191 
 
 His artifice The Law revived. 
 
 plurality of voices, decide which of the two, 
 ( Jctavius or I, acts most contrary to their in- 
 terests; and that he who is judged to have 
 failed in his duty, and to have abused his priv- 
 ilege of opposition, be immediately deposed." 
 
 This proposition of Tiberius was at once 
 unanimously approved ; and the vote being 
 taken without delay, Octavius was excluded 
 from the tribuneship. Thus, every obstacle to 
 the law being removed, it was revived, and 
 three commissioners, or triumvirs, were chosen 
 to attend to the division of the lands. But the 
 difficulties attending this, now appeared in their 
 full light. Complaint! of the bitterest kind 
 proceeded from every part of Italy, and Tibe- 
 rius began to find his enemies daily increasing 
 around him. Endeavoring to regain the favor 
 of the people, he occupied himself in devising 
 new plans for promoting their interest ; but so 
 zealously did the patricians labor against him, 
 that, when the day for electing the Tribunes of 
 the following year arrived, it was found impos- 
 sible to hold any election at all. And on the 
 next day, such a noisy multitude beset the Fo- 
 rum, that Tiberius strove in vain to raise his 
 voice among them. 
 
 Alarmed for his own safety, the Tribune 
 beckoned to his nearest friends, and, wishing 
 
192 REPUBLIC OF HOME. 
 
 Death of Tiberius. 
 
 t<> intimate to them that his life was in danger, 
 In- touched his head with the end of his ti 
 "*He wishes a crown!" shouted Lis cue: 
 " Whoever h.ves the Republic, let him follow 
 
 cried his own kin-man, Scipi- 
 and at the head of hi- follower- h<- nia<!e an 
 
 upon Tileriu< and his friend-. A 
 tnninit ensued. The friends of Tilu'riu-. torri- 
 iie<l, abandoned him. They ran in every di- 
 >n; and Tilieriu- liini-t-lf, llin^ini:- away 
 liis milts of office, darted from his tribunal, 
 and ran ' bit lilt'. He tell. ho\\e\cr. in 
 
 liis tli^'ht. ami. at the same time ne.-ivin^ a 
 blow iijM.n the head fmm KmM one near, never 
 aii-ain arr-e t hi- f-et. \\"ith him three hun- 
 dred !' his friends and adheivnt> \\i-re slain 
 and tlnni: int th- 
 
 The A ;.i-onian. law was in 
 
 iS8 atiected by the death of Tiierins. It 
 still continued in full -ed nt to 
 
 be the source of i mmotions. < hie of the 
 
 (Minmi- aj'j.oinied to ezeCUt 
 
 Ml sho of ihe mnnK-red 
 
 Tilerius; and, for ; -i-veni. . ! e-me wa> the 
 
 theatre of c . between the pa- 
 
 tricians and plebeian-. Cain- (iraechus, bro- 
 ther of Tiberius, came t<> t!ie tribune-ship ten 
 }ears afterwards. With a desire of revenge, 
 
FOREIGN CONQUESTS. 193 
 
 Cains Gracchus and Livius Drusus Death of Caius. 
 
 he omitted no opportunity to gain the favor of 
 tlie plebeians, as well as to arou-e them against 
 the patrician-. Many of liis brother's enemies 
 . through his instrumentality, expelled 
 from the city; and the execution of the hateful 
 law was earnestly attempted. Such was his 
 Biicce>s in operating upon the people, that he 
 Tribune for a second year. I Jut 
 tlu* Senate l'und the means of withdrawing the 
 favor of tin- people from Caius. Their in>tru- 
 ment was hi- oo] Drusus, who, 
 
 by means of making still greater promises to 
 them than were made by Caius, succeeded in 
 winning their approbation. When, therefore, 
 a third election for Tribunes took place, Caius 
 was d . and Opimius, one of his- bitterest 
 
 enemies, was chosen to the c<>n>ulate. 
 
 Soon after his elevation to office, Opimius 
 sought to repeal the laws made by Caius: in 
 consequence of which a great tumult arose in 
 the city. Thousands of people armed them- 
 - upon different sides; and the streets of 
 Rome once more flowed with the blood of its 
 citizens. No less than three thousand were 
 slain. The head of Caius was cut off, and car- 
 ried about upon the end of a spear; and his 
 body, like that of his brother Tiberius, was 
 thrown into the river Tiber. 
 
 13 
 
THE JUGURTHINE WAR. 
 
 FROM 120 TO 102 B. C. 
 
EARLY Education of Jugurtha He forms Plans to obtain 
 the Throne of Xumidia Is adopted by the King, his I'nelo 
 Death of Hinnpsal, his adopted Brother Civil War in 
 Numi'lia Commissioners sent thither from Rome Ju.umr- 
 tha's manner of satisfying lln-in Civil "War continued His 
 :td"pt-.l brother, Adherbal, appeals to Rome Murder of 
 Adlicrbal Koine makes War against .Juirurthu The Roman 
 :il bribed by him Indignation of the People Jugur- 
 tha goes to lioim Aiu.th.-r Rinnan Army -1 him 
 It- 1 >!". a- 1 , Partial Defeat of Jugurtha Cains Mar: 
 eomes Consul and takes command in Nmnidia Final Over- 
 throw of .Tugurtha His Delivery to Sylla His Death. 
 
vi i r. 
 
 THE JIGTUTHIXE WAR. 
 
 THK l*>ss of the Gracchi was very deeply t'elt 
 hv the people of Rome; and an affair of less 
 moment than that of Jugurtha, would liave 
 scarcely brought them out nt'the dejection and 
 c Mi-tcrnatiuii into which this loss had thrown 
 them. 
 
 During the war against the Carthaginians, 
 the Roman general, Scipio, had formed a friend- 
 ship with Masinis-a, a famous African prince. 
 This prince rendered him such valuable servi- 
 ces in his campaigns, that the Romans bestowed 
 upon him the kingdom of Numidia, which at 
 his death he left to Micipsa, who succeeded 
 him. Hicipsa had two sons, the elder named 
 Adherhal and the younger lliempsal. Resides 
 these, he had a nephew named Jiigurtha, who 
 being a promising youth, and without protect- 
 ors, was taken into the family of Micipsa, and 
 
198 KK PUB LIC OF ROME. 
 
 Early Education of Jugurtha. 
 
 educated with his sons, although he was con- 
 siderably older than they. 
 
 Nothing could be more satisfactory to a pa- 
 rent or guardian than were the early conduct 
 and progress of Jugurtha. His masters all 
 praised him for his diligence, and prophesied 
 that he would be a prodigy of learning. In 
 drawing the bow, managing a horse, and in all 
 kinds of athletic exercises, he was surpassed by 
 no one; and it is said that his boldness in the 
 chase was only equalled by the modesty with 
 which lie received the praises bestowed upon 
 his difficult achievements. 
 
 Young .luirurtha soon became one of the or- 
 naiiKMits of the court of Numidia; and the 
 king, his uncle, looked upon him with pride 
 and pleasure. Uut as the young prince grew 
 older, it became very evident that he ] 
 an inordinate ambition, guided by an artful, 
 insinuating, dextrous, and deceitful irenius. The 
 discovery of this filled the king with anxiety, 
 for he, himself, was now becoming old, and his 
 two sons were not of sufficient age or ability to 
 oppose artifice, such as he began to fear that 
 Jugurtha might use against them. It seemed 
 plain enough, that he had nourished in his 
 bosom a viper that would eventually turn and 
 sting him. 
 
J I" (i I K 1 1! 1 .\ K \V AR. 199 
 
 His success In War S-x-ures Friends. 
 
 The love which he bore to his own oll'spring 
 prompted him, at once, to get rid of Jugurtha ; 
 and the least objectionable manner of accom- 
 plishing this seemed to he, by sending the am- 
 bitious youth to the war. IK- placed him, ac- 
 cordingly, at the head of a body of troops which 
 he otl'eivd to Scipio .Kmilianus, who was then 
 
 jing Numantia, in Spain. Jugurtha was 
 not, however, destined to he slain in war. and 
 lu- entered it as if he felt the aurance that this 
 
 NX His Mirprising acts of valor won for 
 him universal admiration; and he made him- 
 self especially pleasing to his own officers and 
 soldiers hv his winning manners, and his con- 
 tinual favors and pre-ents. Not forgetting the 
 importance of securing the principal men under 
 his command, he omitted nothing which could 
 bind them to his interests. And even before 
 the conclusion of the campaign they intimated 
 to him that he would have little difficulty in 
 placing himself upon the throne of Numidia. 
 
 Returning to his own country covered with 
 the glory which he had acquired in the arrny, 
 and also hearing a letter from the Roman gen- 
 eral, in which his valor and his services were 
 commended in the highest terms, he could not 
 fail to lay a good Inundation fnr his plans. 
 Friendfl ilocked to him fj-om every quarter, 
 
200 H K P I B L i C O F It O .\L K . 
 
 His adoption by the King His Plans. 
 
 even from among the ministers of the kingdom ; 
 and those who did not come voluntarily, he 
 managed to gain by promises and presents. 
 Without a great deal of difficulty, he contrived 
 to have it intimated to the old king that he 
 could not do a wiser thing than to adopt him 
 a> his son, in order to give hi> younger children 
 a guardian, and the State a protector. The 
 king, ready to drop into his grave, listened to 
 the hint, and in hopes that Jugurtha would at 
 least be grateful, adopted him in a public man- 
 ner, beseeching him earnestly, at the same time, 
 to have a tender regard for the interests of his 
 younger brothers. 
 
 Hut the projects of .higurthu did not admit 
 of any display of gratitude; and every thing 
 like a tender regard fr his younger brothers 
 would have been equally injurious to them. 
 The death of the old king was only a signal for 
 the execution ,.f these plans and the event, 
 showed how admirably they had all been laid, 
 ^sumidia wa< divided into three equal prin- 
 cipalities, at the head of which were three 
 sovereigns, possessing equal power, and all 
 under the protection of the Romans. To be 
 the sole master of Numidia was the aim of 
 Jugurtha, and it was no great trial of his e<n- 
 Bcience to rid himself of the two young princes, 
 
WAR. 201 
 
 Death of Hiempsal Ci?il War. 
 
 his adopted brothers. ]>y the aid of as>assins, 
 whom it was easy enough for him to hire, he 
 caused the younger to be stabbed at night, 
 while keeping in his bed. 
 
 Adherbal, the elder brother, terrified by such 
 a wicked act, fled to that portion of the king- 
 dom over which he had been appointed ruler ; 
 and immediately proceeded to raise troops to 
 defend himself against the designs. of his brutal 
 kinsman. The whole nation now became di- 
 vided, some declaring themselves in favor of 
 one prince, and some in favor of the other. A 
 bloody civil war ensued, during which many 
 of the towns of Xumidia were destroyed, and 
 thousands of its inhabitants were put to the 
 sword. Success generally attended the arms of 
 Jugurtha, and Adherbal linally Mitfej-inga com- 
 plete defeat, was obliged to fly for safety in 
 disguise. Wandering tor some time about his 
 native land, lie managed, at last, to make his 
 e-rape to Koine. 
 
 The arrival here of a young prince, thus per- 
 secuted and driven from his country by an am- 
 bitious and blood-thirsty brother, could not fail 
 to arouse the indignation of the Roman people. 
 The whole city was thrown into excitement, 
 and every one declared that nothing less could 
 be done than to send an army into Africa to 
 
I K I ' I B L I C OF 1 1 < > M K . 
 
 Interference of Borne- t into NumMia. 
 
 punish the ba-e Jugurtha. But the base, ami, 
 at the same time, cunning Jugurtha. sent am- 
 ba-sador- to Koine to justify his barbarous con- 
 duct. And these ambassadors being loaded 
 with immense nuns of money, found it no very 
 difficult task to convince the Senate and gran- 
 deefi <>t' limue that he was not, after all, sii-h 
 an abominable Avivtch as, at first sight, he 
 might a]]M-ar. Thi- nutcries of the people were 
 hushed, and ten cominiioiiers were sent into 
 >Jumidia to i-llect a reconciliation between Ju- 
 gurtha and Adherbal. 
 
 The-e commi^inTii-i-s, on their arrival, {bund 
 Jugurtha to be one of the mo>t ho>pitable and 
 gi-nerous of mortal. He provided them with 
 every thing that they could wi-h, and neg! 
 not to bestow upon them gold and -ilver to 
 their heart'- content. In turn they pnnu' 
 him an excellent and much abused man; and 
 in -ettling the ditliculty between him and Ad- 
 herbal, contrived to give him the 
 cities and richest province-, a- a token of their 
 great regard for the untold wealth which he 
 evidently [K>fi868B6<L 
 
 Having rid himself of these conmii 
 Jugurtha began, at once, to prosecute his de- 
 signs against Adherbal. In order, however, to 
 have some little show of justice on his side, he 
 
J i ; i in 11 i N K YY .\ u. 203 
 
 The War continued The Gold of Jugurtha. 
 
 tried to provoke him to resentment, by com- 
 mitting small depredations upon his frontiers. 
 Uut Adherbal took no notice of these tilings, 
 and Jugurtha finally entered bis dominions at 
 the head ot' a large army, and made himself 
 master of most of his cities and provinces. 
 There was now no other course for Adherbal 
 he must either fight or deliver himself up to 
 his Uood-thirsty enemy; and, accordingly, lie 
 levied a great army, at the head of which he 
 undertook to drive .Jugurtha from his kingdom. 
 J.ut Jugurtha, vastly his superior in the art of 
 war, attacked him upon all sides, de-troyed his 
 troops, and endeavored to take possession of 
 his person. Adherbal, however, made good 
 -ape- to Cirta, the capital of his dominions. 
 To Cirta, also, Jugnrtha hastened, determined 
 upon Adherbal's death, lie besieged the town; 
 he used every effort to obtain an entrance, and 
 even swore that he would not leave its walls 
 until his enemy was within his grasp. So des- 
 perate, at last, became the position of the poor 
 persecuted prince, that he was obliged to dis- 
 patch messengers to Rome, to beg the people 
 there to interfere and save his life. To Rome, 
 however, Jugurtha had also hastened messen- 
 gers, in the form of bags of gold ; and these, 
 placed in the hands of his emissaries there, 
 
REPUBLIC OF ROMP:. 
 
 Adherbal's difficulty in obtaining Aid from Rome. 
 
 contended with great effect against the meen- 
 gers of Adherbal. The Romans scarcely knew 
 which to choose, but finally the gold prevailed, 
 
 and they contented themselves with sending 
 three commissioners into Africa, who were in- 
 structed to make peace, if possible, between 
 the t\v<> Numidiao princes. 
 
 I Jut Jugnrtha's gold succeeded in sending 
 back these commissioners, soon after their ar- 
 rival ; and his gold, also, prompted them to re- 
 port in Roine that the affairs of Numidia were 
 ne\er in a more prosperous condition. Mean- 
 while, Adherbal, driven to extremity, wrote a 
 long account of his condition to the Roman Sen- 
 ate, informing them how .Jugurtha had bribed 
 their commissioners, and imploring them, in 
 the name of Ma>ini.^sa, his grandfather, to save 
 at least, his life. fc> Dispo-e. a- \..u plea>e. of 
 tlu- kingdom of Numidia, but Miffer me not to 
 fall in the hands .if a tyrant, and of the mur- 
 derer of my family." said he. 
 
 There were some honest men in the Senate, 
 who had not been corrupted by the gold ot 
 Jugurtha, and who were of opinion that an 
 army should be sent immediately into Africa 
 to raise the siege of Cirta, and to punish this 
 wicked man. But the number of these honest 
 men was not great enough to prevail ; and 
 
J r <T r H T n i x K W A R. 205 
 
 Adberbal's murder An Army sent Into Numidia. 
 
 nothing more was done than to send commis- 
 sioners again into Xumidia. Like those who 
 had been sent before, they were easily seduced 
 by the cunning Jugnrtha, who bribed them to 
 believe that his brother, Adherbal, had at- 
 tempted to destroy him, and that it was only 
 in suit-defence that he had taken up arms again>t 
 him. 
 
 With this report the commissioners returned 
 to Rome; and Jugurtha, once more allowed to 
 continue his persecution of Adherbal, pushed 
 the siege of Cirta with so much vigor, that it 
 wa- obliged to yield, and Adherbal fell into 
 his hands. The poor prince demanded no other 
 conditions but the preservation of his life, which 
 Jugurtha promised him in the most solemn 
 terms; but no sooner had he entered the city, 
 than he slaughtered all the Numidians, and put 
 Adherbal to death by the most cruel tortures. 
 
 The news of such an outrage could not be 
 circulated in Rome without exciting universal 
 indignation. Those Senators who had suffered 
 themselves to be bribed by the infamous Ju- 
 gurtha, beginning to fear now that they might 
 be accused as accessories to his crime, consent- 
 ed to have an army sent into Africa to punish 
 him as he deserved. The commaud of this 
 army was given to L. Hestia Calpuniiu^ a man 
 
206 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 War made upon Jugurtha. 
 
 of sordid avarice, and t> whom war was merely 
 a trade, by which to fill his cotters with gold. 
 At his own solicitation he was furnished witli 
 officers whom lie knew to be no better than 
 him-elf; and by whose assistance, doub 1 
 lie Imped to reap a golden harvest. 
 
 Before, however, the army was ready to set 
 out from Home, Jugurtha, informed of what 
 A\a< going on, sent thither an embassy plenti- 
 fully provided with money. JJut he was mi>- 
 taken upon this occasion. It was impossihle 
 for the Senah- to sutler hi- ojlciicr- to go any 
 longer unpunished. His aniba^adoix wen- or- 
 deivd to depart without even entering the city, 
 unless they would consent to give up the king- 
 dom of Numidia, as well as the person of ,Iu- 
 gurtha himself, rnwilling to comply with 
 such a demjUld, they accordingly retired; and 
 Calpiirnius. embarking with his troops at Rhe- 
 gium. entered the dominions of .lugurlha. and 
 ,11 a vigorous war. The course of his army 
 Wai ever\whei\' 'marked by the most dread- 
 ful deva>tation. Jle formed sieges, pi undered 
 cities, and made prisoners. The terrified in- 
 habitants iled in all directions at the simple 
 mention of his name, and rlugurtha himself be- 
 gan linally to fear that his empire was at au 
 end. Uut what could he do ? His armies were 
 
J IT, T KTIl I N K \V AH. 207 
 
 Tbe ! r al bnbed by Jugurtba. 
 
 iiisuflicicnt to cope with the veteran troops of 
 Koine, and he had no allies strong enough to 
 enable him to make a determined resistance 
 inst his invaders. 
 
 Jugnrtha knew well enough what to do. 
 Hitherto the Romans had not been \ 
 
 -t the power of his gold, and his cullers 
 Mill amply provided with it. Coniident 
 that in this way he could drive them from his 
 country, he sent emissaries to Calpurnins, with 
 oilers <!' la rife sums of money, it' lie would leave 
 him alone in peftoa Calpurnius was pure! 
 ea-ily ; and, in urder to deceive the Roman 
 Seiiatt-, ]reii'iMh-d that the Tsumidian king had 
 delivered up to him his towns, his horses, his 
 elephants, and everything that he possessed; 
 and lor a time this wa< apparently the Oftta 
 Hut so s<>. >n as the IJoman army had left Nn- 
 midia. .hignrtha entered again into possession 
 of all his dominions, and even pureha-ed of the 
 ( 'alpurniiis the horses and elephants which 
 should have been retained for the >ervice of 
 Rome. 
 
 It was not very long before the Roman peo- 
 ple began to suspect that the treaty made be- 
 fcpeen Calpurnius and Jugnrtha was a perfect 
 sham; and when, at length, their Mi-picions 
 were confirmed, the greatest indignation was 
 
REPUBLIC OP 
 
 Indignation of the People Jugurtha sent for. 
 
 manifested against the Senate. The Tribunes 
 of the People complained in the bitterest terms. 
 They declared, in the public assemblies, that 
 there was no justice left among them that 
 money was the tyrant of Rome, and that the 
 grandees and nobles had no other deities. 
 "They tell us," said one of them, "that the 
 Xumidian has yielded himself up to the Re- 
 public that he has delivered up his p!; 
 his troops, and his elephants. Convince us of 
 the truth of this assertion ; make Jugurtha 
 come to Rme. It' it le true that he has sub- 
 mitu-d. lu- will obey your orders; if not. y.-u 
 may easily judge that what they call a tivaiy 
 is nothing but ft COllnaioO between that crafty 
 prince and our generals a treaty that has pro- 
 duced nothing but impunity of his crim 
 him. scandalous riches to tho>e who weiv in- 
 trusted with the Senate's commission, and an 
 eternal dishonor to the Republic." 
 
 It was impossible to prevent the people from 
 sending for Jugurtha, and the praetor Cas-ius 
 was consequently di-patched to bring him to 
 Koine. A less artful man would have proba- 
 bly resisted any such proceeding, but Jugurtha, 
 still counting upon the power of his gold, con- 
 sented to go, on receiving the public faith as 
 his safeguard. On reaching Rome, he gained 
 
J re i in H i N K \V A R. 209 
 
 More Corruption Jngurtha Sc-nt Home. 
 
 at once the Tribune Boehius, who managed to 
 protect him, but not without exposing himself 
 tu the charge of corruption. Indeed, the peo- 
 ple became so provoked at this fresh instance 
 of collusion, that they threatened to seize Ju- 
 gurtha, and give his crown to another grandson 
 of Ma>inis~a, who, upon the death of Adherbal, 
 had taken refuge in Rome. Jugurtha, how- 
 ever, put an end to such a plan as this by 
 causing the assassination of his rival. But the 
 murderer being taken, confessed that he had 
 been employed by Jugurtha to commit the 
 deed, whereupon this infamous wretch was 
 cumn landed by the Senate to depart at once 
 from Koine. Passing through the gate of the 
 city, it is said that he looked back and ex- 
 claimed: "O mercenary town! thou wouhUt 
 quickly be enslaved, if a merchant were found 
 but rich enough to buy thee !" 
 
 Although the Romans were bound by their 
 promise to suffer Jugurtha to return to his do- 
 minions, yet they were determined to bring 
 him back to Rome, and punish him for his ini- 
 quity. The voice of the people was now raised 
 against him, and it was publicly declared that 
 he should never escape again. A large army, 
 under the command of the consul Albinus, was 
 accordingly sent into Numidia, with orders to 
 u 
 
210 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Defeat of another Army sent against Jngurtha. 
 
 make a vigorous war upon him, unless he de- 
 livered his person and kingdom up to the dis- 
 posal of the Roman people. But Jugurtlia 
 found means to perplex and delay Albinus, to 
 such a degree, that he actually accomplished 
 nothing during the time that he remained in 
 Africa ; and the season for holding the election 
 in Rome having arrived, he was obliged to re- 
 pair thither, and leave his army under the di- 
 rection of his lieutenant, Aulus. This man 
 possessed neither valor nor military knowl- 
 edge ; and the crafty Numidian succeeded, 
 without much difficulty, in drawing so poor a 
 general into difficulty. Aulus was led, through 
 his artifices, to conduct his army into narrow 
 it, whose avenues had been previously 
 secured, and then lie was completely cut to 
 pieces: life and liberty being Driven to those, 
 who escaped the sword, only on condition that 
 they should pass under the yoke an ignomini- 
 ous ceremony, by which the conquerors affixed 
 an eternal shame to the defeat of the van- 
 quished. Besides this, J'ugurtha compelled 
 Aulus and his principal officers to promise that 
 the Romans should never again disturb him in 
 the possession of the kingdom of Xumidia. 
 
 As soon as the Senate heard of this shameful 
 treats, tlu-v declared it void: and recalling 
 
JUGURTHINE WAR. 211 
 
 Another Army sent Jugurtha defeated. 
 
 Aulus, intrusted Metellus, the consul elect, 
 with the prosecution of the war. The new 
 general, having collected a large supply of 
 provisions and ammunition, set out for Numid- 
 ia, accompanied by Caius Marius, whom the 
 people had chosen as his lieutenant. On arri- 
 ving in Africa, Metellus received from Aulus 
 the command of the Roman army, and maivh- 
 ing at once against Jugurtha, he drove him to 
 the very extremity of his dominions. Jugurtha 
 was stripped of all his troops, and completely 
 shut out of all his fortified towns. Nothing 
 seemed left for him to do but to submit to 
 whatever terms the Roman general should 
 think fit to dictate to him, and he agreed ac- 
 cordingly to pay to Metellus two hundred thou- 
 sand pounds weight of silver ; to deliver up all 
 his elephants and a certain quantity of arms 
 and horsed; and to yield up all who had de- 
 serted to his ranks. To these hard conditions 
 Jugurtha rendered a ready obedience; but 
 when Metellus ordered him to repair, himself, 
 to Tisidium for further directions, he began to 
 hesitate, and spent several days without com- 
 ing to any resolution. The fear of falling into 
 the hands of the Romans, who would doubtless 
 punish him for all his crimes, finally prevailed ; 
 and he determined that he would not surrender 
 
212 KEPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Trouble in the Roman Army. 
 
 as long as he could find a single soldier to help 
 him fight. Accordingly he broke off all nego- 
 tiations; gathered together new troops; forti- 
 fied some small places that were still in his 
 possession, and bid the Romans to take him if 
 they could. 
 
 In the mean time trouble arose in the Ro- 
 man camp. Gains Marius, the lieutenant of 
 Metellus, and a very ambitious man, aspired 
 to the supreme command. The 1 tetter to attain 
 the object of his wishes, he caused a report to 
 be carried to Rome, that Metellus was prolong- 
 ing the war in Africa, in order to continue him- 
 self in ]>o\\er; and contrived also to have it 
 circulated, that, if he was at the head of the ar- 
 my, a single campaign alone would be sufficient 
 to bring Jug ml ha, dead or alive, to Rome. 
 
 J lit heiio the consulship had never been filled 
 pt by a patrician, and Marius belonging 
 to the order of the plebeians, it seemed a very 
 bold thing for him to aspire to this office, lie 
 found, however, friends enough in Rome to la- 
 bor in his interest. A short time previous, 
 then, to the election, word was sent to him in 
 Africa, that tin-re was little doubt of his receiv- 
 ing the majority of the votes. As it was ne- 
 HT fur him to be in Rome at the time of 
 <he election, he asked his discharge of Metel- 
 
JUGURTHINE WAR. 213 
 
 M.-irius made Consul. 
 
 lus, and received it, though not without a sharp 
 rebuke for making gach high pretensions. AVith- 
 
 out appearing to be offended, he took his de- 
 parture, and, notwithstanding the obstacles 
 thrown in his way by the nobility, wa>, in due 
 n. made consul and commander of the ar- 
 mies of Rome. 
 
 TliN was a great triumph for the common 
 people; and Marius himself boasted in pivs- 
 of the patricians, that the dignity he had 
 obtained was a victory which the people had 
 gained over the great, by means of his coin-age 
 and valor. "By taking the command of the 
 army out of the hands of the great," said he in 
 a public assembly, "yon have removed the 
 chief obstacle that lay in the way of victory. 
 It has been nothing but their ignorance in the 
 military art, their presumption, and especially 
 their scandalous avarice, that have drawn out 
 the war to such a length already." 
 
 "With as little delay as possible, Marius pro- 
 ceeded to raise new troops for the war in Afri- 
 ca. Arriving in Xumidia, he marched with 
 the forces that accompanied him, to join those 
 under Metellus. This great general, deeply 
 mortified at being superseded by his late lieu- 
 tenant, appointed one of his officers to deliver 
 over his army to Marius, and then set out at 
 
214 .REPUBLIC OF KOME. 
 
 Marias takes the Command in Numidia. 
 
 once for Rome. A strong body of cavalry, un- 
 der the command of Cornelius Sylla, soon after 
 arrived in Africa ; and these, joining the forces 
 under Marine, formed a large and powerful 
 army. 
 
 Previous to the arrival of Marius in Rome, 
 Jugurtha had succeeded in securing the pro- 
 tection and aid of a neighboring king, named 
 Bocchus. Their united army presented a very 
 formidable appearance, but Marius determined 
 to attack them without delay. Taking, first, the 
 great and populous city of Capsa, he began to 
 form plans for destroying the army of Jugur- 
 tha; but while thus engaged, the two kings 
 marched privately upon him, and throwing the 
 Rum an troops into the greatest consternation, 
 slaughtered them by hundreds. Indeed they 
 would have gained a complete victory, had 
 they known and improved the advantage which 
 they, upon this occu-i'n, acquired. 
 
 Recovering from his surprise, and rendered 
 by this misfortune much more cautious. .Marius 
 collected his troops and once more made an ef- 
 fort to meet and punish his crafty foe. Two 
 decisive battles were soon after fought, and the 
 two kings were sadly beaten in both. Bocchus 
 became convinced that he had committed a 
 great error in allying himself with Jugurtba 
 
.} C (i C KT H I X K \V A R. 
 
 Bocchus sends Ambassadors to Rome. 
 
 against the Roman nation. Hoping, however, 
 that he might vet save his crown, he sent am- 
 bassadors to Rome, with instructions to signify 
 to the Senate his regret at having engaged in 
 the service of Jugurtha. 
 
 These ambassadors were received with great 
 respect at Rome ; but in reply to their solicita- 
 tions they were answered in these w >rds : " The 
 Senate and Roman people are not used to for- 
 get either services or injuries ; however, since 
 Bocchus repents of his fault they grant him 
 their pardon. As to peace and alliance, he 
 shall obtain them when he has deserved thejn 
 by his actions." 
 
 " What does this mean ?" said Bocchus, in 
 reply to these words, as they were delivered to 
 him by the ambassador. "What would the 
 Senate desire when they tell me, that I shall 
 have peace and alliance after I have deserved 
 them by my actions ? Go to the camp of Ha- 
 rms, and bid him to send his qutestor hither." 
 
 The quaestor, Sylla, was accordingly sent to 
 the troubled king. " You have no other way," 
 said Sylla to him, " of obtaining peace and al- 
 liance, but by delivering Jugurtha to us ; and 
 thus you will make amends for the imprudence 
 of your first engagement." 
 
 The proposal was not at all agreeable to 
 
210 REITHMC OF HOM K. 
 
 Boocbus delivers Jugurtha to Sylla. 
 
 lnis, who could ni-.t In-ill* to be guilt 
 such apiece of treachery, lie would not . 
 to it; and their interview ended. l>ut Sylla 
 came t see him again and again, and each 
 time being more preying, and more eloquent, 
 
 ;ui- finally confuted to yield up .Jugurtha. 
 Tin- wretched jirince was seized, loaded with 
 chain-, and given ii]> to Sylla, who placed him 
 in the hand- of MarillS. 
 
 M Mengers -re at once di>jatched to Rome 
 to bear the joyful tiding, and, soon after, the 
 eoiijueror of Numidia followed with his vic- 
 tori.aia army. Th -att-s of the city were 
 wide open fur his triumphal entry, and 
 tha, eo\ei-ed with chains, was dragged like a 
 slave at the- wheels of the chariot of Murius. 
 In order to prevent 1;: was taken at 
 
 to pri-Mit. where he was condemned to he 
 starved to death. l\\> royal n-be was taken otl 
 by tin- executioner, as well as all the clothes 
 which covered him, and then the mi-craMe 
 
 eh was rudely .pushed into the dungeon, 
 destined to be his tomb. u ( )h, Hercules, how 
 cold are thy siove- !" he exclaimed, as the 
 damp air struck upon hi- naked body; and 
 thus, after >tnii:^linj with hunger for -i.\ days, 
 died a kinj who, to gratify his ambition, did 
 not he-ita'e to commit the blackest cr; 
 
MARIUS AND SYLLA 
 
 FROM 102 TO 86 B. 0. 
 
defeats the Barbarians Marius in disfavor He 
 goes to Asia Assassination of Drusus War of th< 
 federates Sylla sent against Mithridates Contention be- 
 t \ve.-n Marius and Sylla Sylla inarches against his rn.-mirs 
 at K.-III.- -ICtfiol :t:.d Sulj-itius driven from the cit\ They 
 an- pro- -rilied Suljitius slain Cinna made Consul He 
 oj'|ii'U8 the measures of Sylla Stratagem of Cinna His 
 <lrh-.it l>c|triv.-il ,.l' his ( .lli,'.- ( 'miij'laiii^ t<; tli- army 
 Tin- flight of Mariu> I1U i-onJ.-iinnition !r<mi 
 
 (1-ath -11> goes to Africa His arrival at Carthaire 11- is 
 invited to join Cinna Tlu-y \\r . made 
 
 .1 Brutal conduct of M;irius Death of Marius. 
 
r.MTTRE OF CAIU8 MA HITS. 
 
IX. 
 
 MARIUS AND SYLLA 
 
 Tin: rejoicings in Home on account of the 
 tt and capture of Juirurtlia. were very 
 much marred by the disputes between the pa- 
 ;ind plebeians, as to who was entitled 
 to most honor for this acliicveinent. The ple- 
 1 that the successful termina- 
 tion <>t' the war was due to Marine the 
 consul clio-rii from tlieir numl)er ; and the pa- 
 trician- c d that Marius miirht vet have 
 been in Africa, if Sylla, a patrician, had not 
 contrived to r t .t p.^e ion of the pei-son of Ju- 
 irnrtha. ' jealousy at once sprang up 
 betw< t\vo di-tin<ruishcd soldiers, which 
 resulted in a good deal of trouble and blood- 
 shed. 
 
 These contentions, however, gave place, for a 
 while, to a general alarm created by the threat- 
 invasion of a great multitude of barbari- 
 
K K 1M H L f C OF K O M E . 
 
 Marius defeats the Barbarians. 
 
 ans, known by the name of Teutones and Cini- 
 bri, is-uin^ from Chersonesus Cimbrica, now 
 called Jutland. These barbarians, numbering 
 more tlian three hundred thousand, had already 
 overrun (iaul, and were making preparations 
 to pass into Italy. The fear of such immense 
 numbers of people, remarkable for their iierce- 
 ness, smothered, of course, every tiling lik-- 
 cord amonir the citi/en- .f Ilmne. The com- 
 m-.n >afrty occupied their attention more than 
 \mr\\ . and. with mir aec-n-d, Marius was 
 
 I to take command <f the armies, in this 
 time of troul.le. I'ndcr his direction the Ro- 
 man te-rrit'>rv wa> ably defended. In OQ6 
 tie, which la-ted, as i> said, two whole d; : 
 hundretl and f.irty thousand of the Ti-ir 
 were slain ; and at another time, a hundred and 
 twenty tln-u^and of the Cimbri fi 11 ujnn the 
 liehl. :v thousand that were taken 
 
 If Marius had IUH-II ooH8id< 
 
 ei-al before, he mu-t. c.-rtainly. no\v lie regard- 
 ed as the iir>t in the lioinau liepublic. Ii; 
 his jiuj.ularity was very irreat. but he was not 
 inch admired for his \ii \Tetellus, 
 
 the Li'eneial whom he had superseded in Nu- 
 midia. This fact was to him a subject of deep 
 mortification, and he therefore did every 
 
MART rs AND S vi.i. A. 223 
 
 Marius' jealousy of Metellus Marius in disfavor. 
 
 in his power t-> accomplish tlie downfall of his 
 rival. Through the instrumentality of certain 
 men whom he had in his employ, lh 
 d in procuring the banishment "f Metel- 
 lus. Hut these men, who soon heeanie known 
 as the tools of his ambition, were detected in 
 the - : <>n of the grossest crimes; and 
 
 when Mariu< wa< called upon to punish them, 
 a- they deserve-. 1, he did every thing in his 
 power to facilitate their escape. The people 
 v naturally, indignant at Mich conduct 
 in their chief ruler; and determining to take 
 the matter in their own hands, pursued thc-e 
 n< with so much vigilance, that they were 
 <>lliired, for - surrender then: 
 
 Marius. who secured them against the attempts 
 of their enen. 
 
 This only made tin- matter worse. The ser- 
 ! which Marius had rendered to the State 
 all forgotten, ly rea-n of this con-piracy 
 with evil-doers. The people resolved that they 
 would thi'iiisi-hvs have justice; and surround- 
 ing, therefore, the house in which lu- was pro- 
 ng these wicked men, they forced it open, 
 and killed them with clubs and stone-, 
 turning upon Marius, they heaped upon him 
 all sorts of accusations ; and, as a kind of pun- 
 ishment, demanded the repeal of the sentence 
 
L'lM K KP I HI. 1C OF Ko V 
 
 .-Marina goes to Asia. 
 
 of liiuiMniie:.- [etellns. A puM: 
 
 Hcmhly was com ad, ly an al- 
 
 most unanimous v<>tc, Metellu- W8 
 the rights of citizenship. 
 
 With iis little delay as possible, the fri. 
 of this old and faithful general notified him of' 
 what had takm place; and when in', 
 arrived that he was on hi> way f K"ine, the 
 whoK- ci1 "lit t inert liiin, so that hi* 
 
 return wa-. in fact, a triumph. Hut while this 
 9ioD lilliMl every one with joy, Mariu- alone 
 much (K-jectc-d; and, with a< little delay 
 :.-a\inr Knme, he emharke.l for 
 . under pivtrncr .f pi-rfoniiin 
 which IM- had \.\ved din war with 
 
 :ilri. It i- .-aid that his 
 to liriiiir al>out a war Let 1 . 
 6 and Mithridatr-. On of 
 ful mi in the KaM. With- 
 
 mpliehing any thing, he retnmed to \i 
 where, during a season of j- d amid a 
 
 nunilK-r 
 came in a niti(H-<l. 
 
 It \ l..n^ h.,w-ver, lief.. re diillci. 
 
 B, the results if which v 
 
 little while, felt throULrh"iit the \\ : :it of 
 
 Italy. The-e diilicultie- had their nri^iu in the 
 rreat privilege- attached t. the (piality 
 
M A 1:1 I B A N i> S v 
 
 tie* in Koine. 
 
 tinction, wherever he ini % irht clio.-e t dwell, 
 
 ill the election ..f 
 
 ::1 commanders, and was a sliaivr 
 
 in the sovereignty of 1 hore- 
 
 ,1'ural that tlne nations that had 
 
 submitted th> to the commonwealth 
 
 I .aid tin- :d furnished the sol 
 
 required of ' <-k t<> h;: 
 
 .vhieh tl. thus 
 
 supjM.rtiiiir. And, accordin,u r lv, when an oppor- 
 tunity occurred, some of them demanded the 
 
 9 and name of Koman citi/cns. '! 
 maintained that they did more for the support 
 and : . ;!iun -he and her ter- 
 
 ritoiits did themselves; and they urired that 
 - no justice in treating as mere' 
 iio were, in every way, equal- 
 fell- na. 
 
 '.limn-, Livius Drusus, took it upon 
 If to settle these difficulties and to this 
 end made >e\*-ral propositions, which v 
 
 nirly obnoxious to the Senate. 
 : :cm was a very lar^e incivaM' of their 
 number, and the division <f the public 1; 
 
 Uut ilie proud senatore disdained to have intru- 
 
 ihru.-t amonir them, and the very 
 of Agrarian law wa> en-'iiirh to rai>e a 
 
 15 
 
226 EEPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 W&r of the Confederates. 
 
 acy against Drusus. The Latins and other na- 
 tions did all in their power to protect him, but 
 notwithstanding this he was unable to escape 
 the fury of his opposers, and was finally slain 
 at the very door of his own house. 
 
 The cruel assassination of a man who had 
 labored to procure the rights of citizenship for 
 the foreign subjects of the commonwealth, 
 could not fail to arouse among them the great- 
 est indignation ; and these people very natu- 
 rally sought to obtain their right- by force of 
 amis. This, it was, that gave rise to what is 
 called the Social W<u\ or War of the Cv; 
 eratcs. Deputies were sent from one ci; 
 another, and a league entered into between 
 them, by which it was agreed that each district 
 should furnish a certain proportion of arms anH 
 soldiers. They appointed also their most skil- 
 fnl generals to command their troops, and made 
 the nmst rapid preparations for an attack upon 
 Koine. JJut before commencing any ac' 
 hostility, they sent ambassadors to the city, 
 demanding, in the. name ot' all the nations of 
 Italy, to be recognized as IJoman cjtizens. 
 
 A demand made under such circumstances 
 could not be granted ; and the Senate, even 
 reJ'iiMiig to listen to their ambassadors, the 
 Confederates promptly drew out their forces, 
 
MARIUS AND SYLLA. 227 
 
 War of the Confederates. 
 
 consisting of more than a hundred thousand 
 men, with the determination to enforce their 
 claims. With equal promptness, the Senate 
 al-o raised an unusual number of lei: 
 which, under the command of the two consuls, 
 
 by C. Marius, Cn. Pompeius, Corne- 
 lius Sylla, and Licinus Crassus. took the lield 
 against the foe. Each of these persons com- 
 manded separate bodies, on account of the 
 great number of places t<> which it wa- DI 
 sarv for them to give attention at the same 
 time; and thus Rome hud. in fact, a number 
 of very large armies scattered uver different 
 part- of Italy. 
 
 The spirit manifested on both sides seemed 
 to be nearly the same. The one fought <>bsti- 
 nately for their rights, and the other determined 
 to resist to the last. Many were the bloody 
 encounter* between them, and many were the 
 - taken and retaken, without any apparent 
 advantage to either. But, day by day, their 
 
 re diminished and weakened to such 
 a degree, that it became evident that, which- 
 ever side -wa- victorious, the commonwealth 
 must be ruinously affected. Willing to pre- 
 vent, if possible, an act of self-destruction, the 
 Senate signified their determination to yield to 
 the Confederates as much as was consistent with 
 
228 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Marius falls in public Estimation. 
 
 the dignity of the Roman name. The rights 
 of citizenship were at first given to such as had 
 not taken up arms ; then to those who offered 
 first to lay them down ; and, finally, to the na- 
 tions adjoining the Roman territories. In this 
 way the fury of the enemies was allayed, and 
 they, at length, becoming suspicious of one an- 
 other, hastened to make their separate peace. 
 
 When an end had been put to the war, the 
 people, as a matter of course, began to talk 
 over its incidents, and to bestow their praise, 
 or their dispraise, according to the merits of 
 the* different officers who had been trusted with 
 conducting it. The great reputation that had 
 been heretofore sustained by Marius, suffered, 
 for some rea>on, upon this occasion. Whether 
 it was on account of the heaviness and slow- 
 ness natural to advancing years, or because he 
 had no opportunities to di-play his military 
 talents cannot be known; but certain it is, 
 that he did very little for the glory of the Ro- 
 man arms, while Sylla, his great rival, distin- 
 guished himself by so many grand achieve- 
 ments, that immediately after the conclusion of 
 the war, the consulate was conferred upon him; 
 and, not long afterwards, he was made gover- 
 nor of Asia Minor. 
 
 About this time, Mithridates, the mightiest 
 
MAKIUS AND SYLLA. 229 
 
 Mithridates offends the Roman People. 
 
 prince of all the Ka>t, gave great offence to the 
 Koman people, by making war upon, and con- 
 quering several kingdoms in alliance with them. 
 And when the Senate sent to him a request 
 that he would withdraw his forces from all the 
 provinces under the protection of the common- 
 wealth, he testified his contempt of their power 
 and his resentment, by causing the murder of 
 iifty thousand Rinnans, who, for the purpose of 
 carrying on di lie rent kinds of traffic, had set- 
 tled in the East. Not content with this, he 
 wen threau-iied Koine itself, and all Italy, with 
 the power nf his arm.-. 
 
 It was no common enemy that had now r'. 
 up against Koine. In every direction he had 
 carried the terror of his name, and nation after 
 nation had fallen a prey to his fearful arms. 
 His armies were said to reckon more than two 
 hundred and fifty thousand foot, and fifty thou- 
 sand horse, with an infinite number of armed 
 chariots ; and his seaports contained more than 
 four hundred ships of war. But the ivsoum-s 
 of "Rome were also vast ; and the Senate, trust- 
 ing in the valor of its soldiers, and in the expe- 
 rience of its generals, did not hesitate to enter 
 the lists, even against a prince as powerful as 
 Mithridates, and accordingly appointed Sylla 
 to undertake the war. 
 
230 REPUBLIC or ROME. 
 
 Jealousy of Marius Disturbances. 
 
 So great an honor conferred upon a hated ri- 
 val was a bitter thing for Marius, and he re- 
 solved, if possible, to take it from him, and to 
 have it bestowed upon himself. For this pur- 
 pose he brought over to his own inter* 
 Tribune of the people, named P. Sulpitius, a 
 bold and enterprising man, and an inveterate 
 enemy of Sylla. By skilful management of 
 their plans, tlu-M- two persons succeeded in 
 rousing the allies <>f Koine again>t the Senate, 
 and in inciting them to demand such an alter- 
 ation of the laws, as w >uld throw into their 
 hands a degree of p>wer which would enable 
 them to defeat the purposes of the Senate. 
 This met with in.-tant opposition, and holy days 
 proclaimed, whereon ir was not lawful to 
 do business, in order that compliance with the 
 demand might be p.-aerfully deterred. P>ut 
 Sulpitius, without any regard for this j.mda- 
 mation, summoned an aembly'of the people, 
 and sent to the consuls a bold re<pie>t that the 
 holy days should be. revoked, in order that the 
 people might give their v.tes upon the altera- 
 tion of the law. This being refused, a great 
 commotion arose, and the party of Sulpitius 
 drawing their swords, much blood was .-pilled, 
 and the son-in-law of Sylla was killed, while 
 endeavoring to succor his father. Sylla, him- 
 
MA KITS AND SYI.LA. 231 
 
 Marius ?paree the Life of Syllm. 
 
 self, was pursued by his enemies, and com- 
 
 pelled t.) rake rei'nire in tlie house of .Marius, 
 which he happened to lind open in his flight. 
 
 It would now have been easy enough for 
 Mari >e himself forever of liis rival; but 
 
 he could not take tin- life of a man \vh< had 
 ,!ety at his lhv>ide ; >till, he compelled 
 him to return to the a-embly, and declare the 
 holy days ahli>hed and n-j.t-ah-d. But Sylla 
 had no" sooner dune this, than he lied from the 
 and placed himself at the head of th">e 
 - which he had commanded in the war of 
 the Confederates, and which were to inarch 
 under him airainst Mithridates. In the- mean 
 time, the holy days hein*j repealed, Sulpitius 
 procured the alteration of the law, and suc- 
 d al-o in causing the command of the ar- 
 my to he taken away from Sylla and best" 
 upon Marins. 
 
 This was the beginninir of a >eries of dis- 
 turbances, in and about Rome, which miirht, 
 with truth, be called a civil war. Marius, ap- 
 pointed to the command of the army, now on 
 its way against Mithridates, sent immediate! v 
 some officers of his party to take possession of 
 it, until he could himself get ready to overtake 
 it. Proceeding with all dispatch, these officers 
 finally reached the camp of Sylla, to whom 
 
232 REPUBLIC OF HOME. 
 
 Contention between Marius and Sylla. 
 
 they communicated their message, requesting 
 him to yield to them the command of the ar- 
 my. But Sylla was not one of those men who 
 tamely submit to the dictation of others. He 
 bid the officers of Marius to go back to Rome, 
 and tell their master to come and take the 
 command himself, if he could. But these offi- 
 cers becoming insolent, some of the soldiers of 
 Sylla, who were standing by, fell upon them 
 and slew them ; and then, turning to their 
 commander, besought him to lead them against 
 his enemies at Rome, before taking them to 
 Asia. 
 
 The news of the slaughter of these officers 
 having been carried to the city, Marius was so 
 enraged, that he caused a number of the friends 
 of Sylla to be put t<> death, and their houses to 
 be plundered. This occasioned so much terror 
 among others, that they fled with all haste to 
 the distant camp, and thither carrying a report 
 of what had taken place at home, created so 
 much excitement, that Sylla determined to go 
 back, at once, to Rome. This resolution caused 
 a number to leave him, because they were un- 
 willing to turn their arms against their own 
 country. Still these were, in comparison, so 
 very few, that Sylla would not change his pur- 
 pose ; but, on the contrary, hastened to put it 
 
MARIUS AND SYLLA. 233 
 
 Sylla marches against his Enemies at Borne. 
 
 into execution. His colleague, Q. Pompeius, 
 hearing of his proceedings, set out from Rome 
 to join him ; but while they were yet at some 
 distance from the city, Marius and Sulpitius, 
 who had no army to oppose them, sent the pne- 
 tors, Brutus and Servilius, to command Sylla 
 to stop his march. 
 
 The insolent manner in which these two men 
 addressed the commander of the army, so ex- 
 asperated the soldiers, that they fell upon them, 
 broke the fasces and axes carried before them, 
 and, tearing in pieces their purple gowns, 
 would have killed them, if Sylla had not in- 
 terfered. Seeing the praetors return to Rome 
 in such a plight, Marius and Sulpitius became 
 convinced that it was useless to resist so power- 
 ful and so bitter an enemy, and accordingly 
 dispatched deputies to him, hoping, at least, to 
 delay his march. When these deputies reached 
 Sylla, they began, at once, to entreat him and 
 his colleague, Pompeius, to suspend their anger, 
 and to cause their troops to halt within five 
 miles of Rome. " The Senate," said they, " are 
 in hopes of bringing about an accommodation, 
 and will see you fully satisfied in this matter. 
 Be contented to let your troops rest until these 
 difficulties can be settled." 
 
 Sylla perceiving, however, that the object of 
 
234 KEPUBLIC OF EOME. 
 
 Sylla drives Marius and Sulpitius from the City. 
 
 the deputies was simply to delay his progress 
 until Marius could raise forces to meet him, 
 made them believe that he accepted their pro- 
 posals, and even directed his officers, in their 
 presence, to mark out a camp. But as soon as 
 the deputies had got out of sight, he sent his 
 cavalry behind them, and, bringing on the re- 
 mainder of his army with the greatest speed, 
 arrived before the gates of Rome, while his 
 enemies supposed him to be still far away. 
 
 Notwithstanding the suddenness of Sylla's 
 appearance, Marius and Sulpitius were par- 
 tially prepared to oppose him ; but their resist- 
 ance being very feeble, he entered the city 
 sword in hand, and threatened to burn and 
 ra/A- it to the ground, if the people gave any 
 aid or protection to Marius and Sulpitius. In 
 consequence of this, these two men were aban- 
 doned by every one, and finally forced to fly 
 from Rome. 
 
 With an army of six legions at his command, 
 it was no difficult matter for Sylla to convince 
 the people that there were many things in the 
 government of Rome that needed revision and 
 correction, before order could again exist. Ac- 
 cordingly, he abolished certain laws which gave 
 the control of the elections into the hands of the 
 people ; he took measures to prevent the con- 
 
MARIUS AND SYLLA. 235 
 
 Marias and Sulpitius proscribed. 
 
 tinual speeches by which, as he declared, the 
 Tribunes were wont to create seditions among 
 the people ; and established a law which de- 
 chuvd every citizen who had filled the Tribu- 
 nate incapable of holding any other magistracy 
 for the future. .Redressing, in this manner, the 
 wrongs which he thought had been sustained 
 by the patricians, he turned his attention to re- 
 venging his own private grievances, and, with 
 as little delay as possible, caused the decree 
 which gave the command of the army to Ma- 
 rius to be repealed. Not content with this, he 
 obtained articles of impeachment against him, 
 a- well as against his son ; also against Sulpitius 
 and twelve of the principal senators, for having 
 been authors of the last insurrection. These 
 pei-sons were all declared enemies of the Ro- 
 man State. Rewards were set upon their heads ; 
 they were interdicted water and fire, which 
 meant all manner of subsistence and assistance 
 from anybody; and throughout the city of 
 Rome, and all the provinces of the State, the 
 decree was proclaimed by sound of trumpet, 
 ordaining that they should everywhere be pros- 
 ecuted at the public charge, and be put to 
 death as soon as they could be found. Nor 
 were any efforts spared to find them. By order 
 of Sylla, troops were sent out in all directions 
 
236 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Sulpitius slain Cinna made Consul. 
 
 to take them ; but none of them, except the 
 Tribune Sulpitius, could be found. He was 
 discovered in the moors and marshes of Loren- 
 tum, by some of Sylla's horsemen, who imme- 
 diately cut off his head, and carrying it to 
 Rome, nailed it to the rostrum. 
 
 Such relentlessness on the part of Sylla be- 
 gan, in time, to arouse bitter feelings towards 
 him. The people charged him with cruelty; 
 and the Senate murmured against his proscrip- 
 tion <>f their colleagues, as if they were common 
 thieves and vagabonds. Some became bold 
 enough to say that lie sought the death of a 
 man more generous than himself; and that he 
 had forgotten that he owed his life to Marins, 
 who might easily have destroyed Trim, when he 
 took refuge in his house. These reproaches did 
 not escape Sylla, and he sought to overcome 
 them by feigning, subsequently, a vast deal of 
 moderation. Thus he testified no anger at the 
 defeat of certain person-, who>e election forcer- 
 tain oHiccs he had recommended, and even suf- 
 fered his enemy, Cornelius Cinna, to be chosen 
 consul the following year. 
 
 Cinna, it is true, was his kinsman, and a 
 patrician; but he had devoted himself to the 
 interest of the plebeians, and was consequently 
 an opponent of the measures of Sylla. As soon, 
 
MARIUS AND SYLLA. 
 
 Cinna opposes the Measures of Sylla, 
 
 theref>iv, as he had entered upon tlie duti 
 his office, he declared that lie would procure 
 the repeal of all the la\\ i!a, and even 
 
 undertook, through the instrumentality of one 
 of liis creatures, to procure the inipeachineiit of 
 Sylla. But without deigning to give an answer 
 to the charges made again>t him, Sylla left both 
 the charges and his judges, and set out from 
 Koine for his army, to make war against 3Iith- 
 rida; 
 
 In order to maintain himself more iirmly 
 ugain-t Sylla. it was evident that Cinna must, 
 if puihle, bring ahout the recall of Marius. 
 Hut the decree of his proscription was a very 
 solemn thing, and the party of Sylla in Roiiu- 
 BO stronir, that its n-versal could not he ac- 
 complished without some difficulty. To make 
 sure of it, however, he gained the Confederates 
 on his side, by promising to restore to them 
 f citizenship which Sylla had vir- 
 tually taken away from them. In a secret way 
 he notified them to assemble on a certain day, 
 in large numbers, at Koine, with swords under 
 their gowns, and at the same time appointed 
 an assembly of the people, for the purpose of 
 proposing a new law for their acceptance. 
 
 AVheii the day arrived, the Forum was so 
 crowded with the>e Confederates, that the citi- 
 
238 REPUBLIC OF EOME. 
 
 Stratagem of Cinna. 
 
 zens themselves could scarcely find access to it. 
 Cinna mounted the rostrum, and, in a long 
 speech, set forth the claims of the Latins and 
 Italians, and maintained, that the glory and in- 
 terests of the commonwealth demanded that 
 all the different nations of Italy should form 
 but one body, and one State. lie demanded 
 also, that, as new citizens,, they should receive 
 places in the old tribes, as chance might deter- 
 mine it ; and declared that this was the only 
 way to preserve peace and union, and to in- 
 crease the glory and terror of the Roman 
 name. 
 
 The Confederates, of course, received such a 
 proposition with great applause, and loudly de- 
 manded that a vote should be taken, in order to 
 make it a law. But the ancient citizens and 
 patricians opposed it strongly; and from dis- 
 putes they went rapidly to loud invectives and 
 bitter accusations, when the Confederates final- 
 ly drew their sw r ords from beneath their gowns, 
 and falling upon the ancient citizens, drove 
 them from the Forum. Octavius, the colleague 
 of Cinna, and a friend of Sylla, fearing that 
 something like this might happen, had taken 
 the precaution to have in readiness a large 
 number of armed people. As soon, therefore, 
 as the disturbance took place, he marched to- 
 
MARIUS AND SYLLA. 239 
 
 Cinna leaves Rome He is deprived of his Office. 
 
 wards the Forum, and attacking the Latins, 
 dispersed and pursued them, sword in hand, 
 out of the gates of the city. 
 
 Thus abandoned, Cinna had no other course 
 but to leave Rome also ; and following, accord- 
 ingly, the people whom he had invited thither, 
 he visited successively their largest towns, and 
 endeavored to stir them up to revenge them- 
 selves upon the Roman people. It was not 
 very difficult for him to find, wherever he went, 
 enough enemies to Rome. Most of the cities 
 and towns resolved to unite in war upon their 
 common foe, and he went zealously to work, 
 raising men and money. 
 
 In the mean time, the Senate, hearing of 
 what he was doing, passed sentence upon him. 
 They declared that he had forfeited his right 
 as a citizen ; they deprived him of his office of 
 consul, and elecied Lucius Merula, a priest of 
 Jupiter, in his stead. This increased the fury 
 of the fiery Cinna, and, resolving upon the 
 most destructive measures against his enemies, 
 he proceeded to Capua, where a large body of 
 Roman soldiers was then stationed. The offi- 
 cers and troops, ignorant of what had happened, 
 were, of course, much surprised to see a consul 
 appear among them without his lictors, fasces, 
 and other tokens of dignity. " You see," said 
 
240 EEPUBLIC or BOME. 
 
 The Roman Army at Capua receive him as Consul 
 
 Cinna, addressing them, " an unheard-of prece- 
 dent of the Senate's tyranny. You had made 
 me your consul ; the people of Rome had 
 conferred that dignity on me by their vofes ; 
 and the Senate deprives me of it, without 
 hearing what I can say for myself, and even 
 without having consulted the people. I am 
 stripped of the badges of my office, driven 
 from the tribunal and the city, while you are 
 thereby treated with contempt, dnd deprived 
 of your liberties and your rights." Saying this, 
 he tore his robe, called upon the gods for jus- 
 tice, and threw himself upon the ground as if 
 he was resolved to terminate his life. 
 
 By this conduct Cinna succeeded in his 
 scheme. The soldiers began to cry out against 
 the tyranny of the Senate. They lifted the 
 abused consul from the ground, restored to 
 him the fasces, and, taking an oath of fidelity, 
 acknowledged him as their consul and general. 
 Thus the man so lately forced to fly from Rome 
 became its formidable foe ; and the consuls, 
 Octavius and Merula, were obliged, with all 
 haste, to raise new troops to oppose any pro- 
 jects which he might have for the recovery ot 
 his authority. In the mean time the party of 
 Cinna increased daily in strength. People 
 flocked to him continually from the city. 
 
MARIUS AND SYLLA. 241 
 
 The Flight of Marius. 
 
 Many, even of the senators, went to his camp, 
 and it was reported that the renowned Cains 
 Marius and his son were on their way to join 
 him. 
 
 This extraordinary man, after having been six 
 times elevated to the consulship, and after having 
 acquired the greatest glory for the arms of Rome, 
 was compelled, on account of his many acts of 
 tyranny and violence, to fly, at the age of se \vn- 
 ty years, from his country, unattended even by 
 a single friend or servant. Escaping through the 
 gates of the city, he journeyed all day, on font, 
 with as much rapidity as his great age would 
 suffer him ; and, a price having been set upon 
 his head, he often found it necessary to conceal 
 himself among rocks and caves, in order to pre- 
 serve his life. Finding, near the close of the 
 first clay of his flight, that the soldiers of Syl la- 
 were just upon his track, he plunged into a dis- 
 mal swamp, and, burying himself up to his 
 neck in the sickening mud, there remained 
 during the entire night. Trembling with the 
 cold, and half dead with weariness, he left his 
 hiding-place at break of day, and stealthily 
 pursuing his course towards the sea-coast, hoped 
 that he might meet some vessel that would carry 
 him away from Italy. He had not, however, 
 proceeded very far before he encountered a 
 16 
 
242 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Manns taken lie is condemned to Death. 
 
 party of persons from the city of Minturnae, 
 who, perhaps, hearing of the reward that had 
 been offered for his head, were out in search of 
 him. Being easily recognized by some one 
 among them who had often seen him, he was 
 at once seized, and stripped of all his clothing. 
 A rope was then placed around his neck, and 
 the poor old man was dragged along the road, 
 amid the shouts of a rabble that soon gathered 
 about his heels. In this condition he was car- 
 ried into the city of Minturnie, and delivered 
 up to the magistrates, who cast him immedi- 
 ately into prison. 
 
 After a short conference, these magistrates 
 determined, agreeably in the ediet of the Ro- 
 man Senate, to put Murius t> death, and ac- 
 cordingly sent to his prison a public executioner, 
 who was a rimhrian by birth. Marias, on see- 
 ing the man enter the prison sword in hand, 
 easih d his errand, and drawing up 
 
 his tall form in its utmost height, iixed upon 
 him such a terrible look from beneath his 
 shaggy brows, that the frightened Cimbrian 
 stood transfixed upon the spot. "Thou barba- 
 rian !" shouted the old Roman general, in a 
 voice of thunder. "How darest thou come 
 hither, sword in hand, to take the life of Caius 
 Marius ? Begone, vile slave !" 
 
MART us AND SYLI.A. 
 
 He oscap.- : s to Africa. 
 
 The Cimbrian, terrilied by the voice as well 
 as by the name of Marius, sprang through the 
 pri-on door, and rushing into the presence of 
 the magistrates, declared that it was not in liis 
 -rto take rhe life of >uch a man. The ma- 
 gistrates, seeing the frightened appearain 
 their executioner, concluded that the gods had 
 intrrfered to sivo tlie life ot'^Iarius, and, with- 
 out delay, j him i'ree. Tlu-v 
 
 even furnished him with a vessel, which car- 
 ried him to the island of J-jiariu, whence, 
 learning that his S'-n l;a<l taken refuse at tlie 
 court of Numidia, he detenniniMl to pass into 
 Africa. A storm having arisen, he was ohl.^ed 
 to put into one of the port- of Sicily, whore he 
 intrivd further ilitiij-isliy. IK- had scarce- 
 t his foot upon the shoiv, when the Koman 
 <|iui'.-tor in command <-f that country, happen- 
 ing to he upon the spot, reco^niz-, d him and 
 onlered him to be seized. A tumult at once 
 aro>e between the otlicers of the qiuestor and 
 the men belonging to the vessel of Marius, 
 which resultc-d in the loss of sixteen of the lat- 
 ter. Marius himself escaped, and, a few days 
 after, reaching the coa>t of Africa, landed near 
 Carthage. 
 
 In this ruined city he hoped to find, at last, 
 a place of safety, especially as he had always 
 
244 BE PUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Marius sitting upon the Kuins of Carthage. 
 
 been a friend to Sextilius, the governor of the 
 province, lie had not, however, been here 
 long when a lictor approached him with orders 
 from Sextilius, that he should depart,*at once, 
 from his government, under penalty of being 
 prosecuted as an enemy of the Roman State. 
 Overcome with grief that he, who had once 
 been the master of the whole world, could not 
 now find for himself, in any country upon the 
 earth, a resting-place for his foot, he sat and 
 gazed in the face of the lictor without offering 
 a word in answer. Pressed, however, for a re- 
 ply, lie finally exclaimed: "Go and tell your 
 master, that you have seen Caius Marius, ban- 
 islu-d his native country, sitting upon the ruins 
 of Cartilage." 
 
 Hut Marius did not wait to know what effect 
 this warning, as to the uncertainty of fortune, 
 might have upon the Roman governor. Ri>ing 
 from his humble seat, he went at once upon 
 the vessel, which was still at hand, and spent 
 the ensuing winter in wandering along the 
 ; of Africa, waiting the return of a servant 
 whom he had dispatched to his son, who was 
 in that country. To his great surprise, young 
 Marius himself returned, and together they 
 sailed to the island Cercina, where they re- 
 ceived information of the proceedings of Cinna. 
 
M A K I I* S A XI) S Y L L A . 245 
 
 Cinna invites M?niis to join him. 
 
 AVitli a- little delay as possible, Marius sent a 
 messenger to Cinna, offering to aid him in his 
 intended attack upon Koine. In reply, Cinna 
 dispatched a letter addressed to him as procon- 
 sul, and sent to him also lictors, and all the 
 other insignia of that dignity. But Marius re- 
 turning them all, as not agreeing with his pres- 
 ent circumstances, set out for the camp of Cin- 
 na in nothing but an old gown, and with his 
 hair and beard rough and unshorn. 
 
 The news soon flew to Rome, that Marius 
 had returned to Italy with a design to render 
 aid to Cinna; and, immediately, more than 
 five hundred citizens went out to join him. 
 Encouraged thus, he visited a number of the 
 towns upon his route, and, by means of hand- 
 some promises, induced great numbers of peo- 
 ple to join his standard. Many also of the Ro- 
 man soldiers, who had formerly been under 
 him, came and offered their services; so that 
 in a short time his own army, added to that of 
 Cinna, was thought sufficient to march against 
 Rome. 
 
 In the mean time, active preparations had 
 been made for the defence of the city. The 
 consul Octavius, did not, unfortunately, enjoy 
 that popularity among his troops so necessaiy 
 to the successful conduct of the affairs of war. 
 
KEPUBLIC OF KOME. 
 
 Rome threatened by Marius and Cinna. 
 
 The Senate, therefore, in the absentee of Sylla, 
 who was far away in Asia, fighting against 
 Mithridates, sent for Cecilius Metellus, a man 
 of great courage and ability, then engaged in 
 making war upon the Samnites. They wrote 
 to Metellus, instructing him to bring back his 
 army to Rome, if he could make honorable 
 conditions with the enemy; and, at the same 
 time, charging him, in case he should not be 
 able to do this, to leave it in care of his lieu- 
 tenants and return himself. Through the man- 
 agement of Marius, the Samnites refused to 
 come to terms, and Metellus was consequently 
 obliged to go to Rome alone. 
 
 On his arrival, the soldiers of Octavius loud- 
 Iv demanded Metellus for their general, decla- 
 ring that under him they would brave the 
 greatest warrior that could be brought against 
 them. But he refused, so decidedly, to listen 
 to their seditions language, that many nf them, 
 offended, went over to Marius, who created 
 still farther disorder in the city, by offering 
 freedom to all the slaves who would join his 
 army. Meantime, a great clamor arising among 
 the people on account of the scarcity of food, 
 the Senate were compelled to send deputies to 
 Cinna, to make him some overtures of peace. 
 But Cinna being unwilling to receive them, 
 
MA KITS AND SYLLA. 247 
 
 Cinna restored to the Consulship. 
 
 unless they acknowledged him as consul, they 
 weiv forced to ivturn to Rome. 
 
 This wa- a \vry trying situation for the Sen- 
 ate. On the one hand, the city was so closely 
 .red by the armies of Marius and Cinna, 
 that no food could anywhere be procured. On 
 the other hand, the appointment of Merula to 
 the office of consul could not be repealed, and 
 Cinna would grant ivlief only mi condition that 
 this oilier should be declared his own. Under 
 such circumstances, it was impossible to do any 
 thing ; but, with great generosity, Merula came 
 into thi' Senate, and voluntarily laid down tho 
 consulship. The Senate now sent deputies 
 again to China, inviting him to enter Rome, 
 and assume the office of consul. Nothing was 
 
 O 
 
 demanded of him but an oath, that he would 
 put none of his fellow-citizens to death, except 
 in accordance with the usual course of law. 
 But this oath he would not take, although he 
 promised that he would never give his consent 
 to the death of any one. 
 
 Every one in Rome was not, of course, satis- 
 fied with these proceedings. Metellus chose to 
 banish himself rather than acknowledge Cinna ; 
 but the consul Octavius, whom Cinna had re- 
 quested to leave the city, arrayed himself in 
 his consular habit, and, placing himself on his 
 
248 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Brutal conduct of Marius. * 
 
 tribunal, resolved to meet his fate. Cinna and 
 Marius marched to the gates, the former enter- 
 ing with his guards, while the latter, remaining 
 outside, refused to go in until the decree which 
 proscribed him had been repealed by the peo- 
 ple. It was, therefore, necessary to call an as- 
 sembly of the tribes, but the vote had not been 
 half taken, when the furious man burst into the 
 town at tin- Ik-ad of his lawless troops, and mur- 
 di-ivd every one that he could find of those 
 whom he supposed to be his enemies. The 
 consul Octavius was slain in his tribunal; and 
 Merula, knowing that he would meet a similar 
 fair, npriii-d his own veins and died. The 
 whole city pivM-nted u dreadful sight. Blood 
 flowed on every side, and the dead, both of the 
 patricians and the plebeians, lay nnburied in 
 the streets. The soldiers of Marius had orders 
 to kill all tho>e whose salute he did not return, 
 so that his friends and officers were afraid to 
 come into his presence. 
 
 This bloodthirsty man was not, however, sat- 
 isfied. He had not yet been able to lay his 
 hand upon Sylla, on whom he longed, more 
 than on all others, to vent his rage. This hate- 
 ful rival was far away, fighting the battles of 
 the Republic in distant lands. Still, the old 
 monster sought to do him all the injury he 
 
MAUITS A xi) SYLLA. 249 
 
 Cinna and Marius made Consuls. 
 
 could. IK- raxed his house to the ground, con- 
 fiscated his goods, and sought to slay his wife 
 and children, who, however, fortunately es- 
 caped his fury. Uy means of the power which 
 ised over the Senate, he caused all the 
 laws established during Sylhfs consulship to 
 be revoked, and also had this valiant soldier 
 declared an enemy of the commonwealth. 
 
 AVhen the season for another election of con- 
 suls again occurred, Cinna and Marius man- 
 aged to be chosen to this high office ; but by 
 this time new> wa- brought that Svlla had put 
 an end to the Mithridatic war, and that, hav- 
 ing reduced the provinces, he wa^ returning 
 with a large army to Koine. The two consuls 
 were naturally alarmed by this intelligence, for 
 they would now have no ordinary leaders like 
 Octavius and Merula to contend with, but a 
 skilful general, who had formerly driven Ma- 
 rius himself from his country, and who had 
 recently maintained a successful war with one 
 of the most powerful monarchs of the East. 
 Marius especially was terribly disturbed. He 
 had already experienced all the miseries of 
 banishment and flight, and, old age now full 
 upon him, he trembled at the thought of en- 
 countering them again. So great was his anx- 
 iety that he was unable to sleep either by day 
 
250 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 The Death of Marius. 
 
 or night, and, unable any longer to endure it, 
 he abandoned himself to excessive drinking. 
 Although he might have found in this way 
 a temporary relief for his harassed mind, he 
 rapidly sank beneath it, and before the arrival 
 of Sylla, fell into a pleuritic fever which termi- 
 nated his wretched life. Thus, at the age of 
 seventy years, died the unhappy Marius, who 
 had been seven times consul of Rome, and 
 who, had it not been fur his execrable ambi- 
 tion, might have won the admiration and grati- 
 tude of his country. The news of his death 
 wa> received with the greatest joy, and every 
 Roman leaped as if a load of shackles had been 
 stricken from his body. 
 
CIVIL WARS AND CONSPIRACIES. 
 
 FKOM 86 TO 62 B. C. 
 
and Sylla Sylla returns to Italy His Con- 
 test with young Marius The Siege of Preneste Telesiuus 
 attacks Kciin- 11- is defeated by Sylla Cruel Conduct of 
 Svlla His I .sui patiou of Power His Abdication thereof 
 \\i< I>.;tili anl it> Coii-e^nerices The Servile War Defeat 
 of Spartacus Crassus and romp'-y t 'haraoter of Catiline 
 His Consjiiracv :iL r ;ii!i>' Home 1 )i-c>v<-ry of his Plans by 
 aiiS taken to drtVn>i aOCUSCS 
 
 Catiliin -. -n.-iic Catiline leaves Rome The 
 
 Aniba.-sadurs of the Allobroges Their betrayal of the Con- 
 spirators Defeat and Death of Catiline Ilonor paid to 
 Cicero. 
 
X. 
 
 CIVIL WARS AND CONSPIRACIES. 
 
 MANY tliinirs conspired to delay Sylla in his 
 return t<> Italy, ami among them, especially, 
 the diiliculties which he had in conclu- 
 ding a peace with Mithridates, together with 
 the annoyances thrown in hU way by the army 
 under the command of Valerius Flaccus, which 
 -ent by Cinna into Asia against Mithridates, 
 under ju\-tenco that the war which Sylla had 
 made upon that prince \\:t> disowned by the 
 commonwealth. This army consisted of two 
 legions; but its leader, the consul Valerius, was 
 a man of such a tyrannical and violent spirit, 
 that his soldiers did not hesitate to second the 
 ambitious designs of his lieutenant, Fiinbria, 
 who, immediately upon their arrival in Asia, 
 aspired to the supreme command. Valerius 
 was slain by the hand of Fimbria himself, and 
 this base man at Qnce took the place of the 
 
254 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Mithridates and Sylla. 
 
 general whom he had sworn to follow and 
 obey. 
 
 Mithridates was not ignorant of what had 
 taken place in Rome, and he knew well enough 
 how anxious Sylla was to be at liberty to has- 
 ten thither. In hopes, then, of securing terms 
 more favorable to himself, he made use of ev- 
 ery means to detain and wear out the Roman 
 general. Different parties were intrusted with 
 negotiating between the two great hostile lead- 
 er.-, and diil'erent term- were several times pro- 
 posed, without coming to a sati-ta<-:<>ry conclu- 
 sion, until, linally, the patience of Sylla being 
 exhausted, he spoke with so much tierce- r,< 
 the ambassadors of Mithridates that they went 
 terrified to their master, and advised him, if ho 
 valued his lit'i- and cn>\vn, to come speedily to 
 terms with the iiery Roman. .Mithridates then 
 de.-iivd a personal interview with Sylla be- 
 . by making peace with him, he would 
 not be free from the war which Fimbria was 
 carrying on against him. 
 
 To this interview Sylla readily agreed, and 
 they met at Dardanum, a town of Troas. On 
 approaching the Roman general, Mithridaies 
 held out his hand to him, in token of friend- 
 ship ; but Sylla, drawing back, asked him 
 whether he accepted of the peace upon the 
 
CIVIL WARS. 255 
 
 Sylla, by Stratagem, gains the Army of Fimbria. 
 
 conditions last proposed. The haughty mon- 
 arch of the Kast was so confounded by the 
 rior haughtiness of the Koman general, 
 that ho could scarcely find words lor utterance, 
 and, like an aba-hed maiden, faintly murmured 
 that he was willing to accept the terms. Upon 
 this Syila embraced him, and assured him that 
 lie would soon put Fimbria out of a condition 
 to give him any further trouble. 
 
 Faithful to his w>rd. Sylla marched, without 
 delay, against Fimbria, and pitched his camp 
 by that of his treacherous rival. AVith as 
 little loss of time as possible, he sent him a 
 summons to surrender up to him, as procou-ul, 
 'inmand which he had so basely obtained, 
 without the consent of either the Senate or the 
 Roman people. Jlut Fimbria ivfu-ed to com- 
 ply with his request, and thereupon both ap- 
 plied tin- to the fortifying of their re- 
 camp-. The soldiers of both parties 
 being, however, of the same nation, and chiefly 
 of the same city, it was quite natural that, in a 
 foreign land, they should be rather disposed 
 to friendship than to hostility. Consequently, 
 when they met, they saluted one another, and 
 by degrees visited from camp to camp clan- 
 destinely, until at length it was impossible to 
 make them oppose each other in deadly battle. 
 
256 REPUBLIC OF HOME. 
 
 Sylla returns to Italy Cn. Pompeius. 
 
 Sylla knew how to take advantage of this. He 
 instructed his own troops to encourage deser- 
 tion from the camp of Fimbria, and, one day, 
 this ridiculous general found himself all alone 
 in the midst of his silent fortifications. Know- 
 ing that Sylla would punish him for his murder 
 of Valerius, he fled to Pergarnus, and there run 
 himself through with his own sword. 
 
 With as much haste as possible, Sylla now 
 set forward with his troops for Rome, and after 
 many and long journeys, both by sea and land, 
 finally arrived in Italy. The two consuls, Cinna 
 and Carbo, hearing of his approach, ordered 
 young Marius to raise forces, and likewise re- 
 quired the Samnih-s to assist them against their 
 common enemy. It was the intention of Cinna 
 to meet S\lla before he entered Italy, but a 
 portion of his army refusing to go on board of 
 the ships provided for their transportation, a 
 tumult arose, during which a soldier, becoming 
 enraged with Cinna, ran him through with his 
 sword. 
 
 On reaching Italy, the 'army of Sylla was 
 much increased by handsome bodies of troops 
 brought to him by Metellus Pius and Marcus 
 Crassus; but nothing gratified him more than 
 the succors which he received from Cn. Pom- 
 peius, afterwards surnamed the Great. The 
 
CIVIL WARS. 257 
 
 Sylla wins the Army of Scipio. 
 
 force brought to him by this young general, 
 then only twenty-three years of age, consisted 
 of three legions, which was truly a great addi- 
 tion to the army of Sylla, then numbering only 
 thirty thousand men, while his enemy counted 
 two hundred thousand, under the command of 
 fifteen general officers of great experience and 
 courage. 
 
 New accessions were thus daily made to the 
 army of Sylla; and when, one day, L. St- 
 one of the consuls, encamped very near him, 
 he contrive.!, under some pretence, to procure a 
 short truce, during which his soldiers, as in the 
 case of Fimbria, brought over to his standard 
 a large number of the troops of Scipio. The 
 whole matter was carried on so secretly that 
 the consul himself >uspected nothing, until he 
 was anv>ted in his own tent by Sylla's soldiers, 
 and carried to their general. His army was 
 also much augmented through the aid of ag 
 whom he sent to the very foot of the Alps, in 
 order to gain the Cisalpine Gauls. But young 
 Marius, scarcely less active than he, procured, 
 daily, large forces to oppose him ; and, among 
 others, obtained of the Samnites forty thousand 
 men, whom he placed under the command of 
 Pontius Telesinus, the ablest warrior of their 
 nation. Having been elected to the dignity of 
 17 
 
B. 
 
 Mwiiu rooted by SjrIU, and bmiegd in Preneste. 
 
 ;i. ami t 
 
 ML r ly, 
 
 k head 
 
 osl him. The tirht \ li lv. 
 
 and l'<>r . v douhtt'ul, until 
 
 lion of ><,nie of Manila's troops c; 
 s> iniich C'.nj'u-ion that hi- whole a. 
 broken up and i '^^t, anl lu\ hii. 
 
 compclli-d t, take n-:'iiir- in 1'reneste, a \vrll- 
 
 ic-d j.lace close a 
 
 Imairininir that ho >hul<l concliuk' tin- war 
 1, Sylla at once 
 . After causing lines, 
 
 d-iuhts, t :--.WM up, 
 
 ditches to bf d all the avenues t<> tin- 
 
 :iv LTuai-di-fl. 
 a dfi the 
 
 n. he c;: 
 
 pie togc g i-.'inplaiiu-d ,; 
 
 inannei- in \\ d them- 
 
 to be inMi d lies, he sold t 
 
 Of Mai\i;- and bil : .lower.-, and th--n ivtu. 
 t(. hi- or. l,v the eaj'ture ol 
 
 : niinate I 
 
 Th of all Italv was now 
 
 este. where Marius, >hut uj . 
 Irving to elude tin- gng| 3 La. Hi- im- 
 
 :ider the di: of 
 
V I L \V A KS. 
 TlMtan marebee to Borne. 
 
 LT to gain access t> him at 
 ] 
 M-tuntlv 
 
 :is fought, and th<>u- 
 
 upon thousands were > !:hmt af- 
 
 t'to Marine Thu- allairs 
 
 ct'iiliiuu d, until only three of the great chief- 
 tains of Marius, with hut four legions of troops, 
 
 cause. These, joinin<r 
 
 Telesinus, general of the Samnites, resolved ob- 
 :oly to continue the war. Designing to 
 3, Telesinus came forward, at the 
 \t\ thousand troops. Sylla, send- 
 iiiir I'-'ini^ey to attack liini in the rear, pivpared 
 to assault him viir"rni>ly in front; but tin- cun- 
 , taking advantage of the dark- 
 ness, flew with all speed towi 
 with so much eagerness di<l he pinvue liis 
 :i, that in ilie nioniin^ the van of his ar- 
 my was seen from the hills about the city, 
 ibitants, terrified by such a host of 
 peop!' us they knew, lu-hl them in - 
 
 liest hatred, flew to the gates, and, closing 
 them, prepared to defend their walls. On- 
 Telesinus, concealing nothing of 
 
 hate- 
 ful to all his nation. When close upon it, and 
 ready for his operations, he walked through all 
 
260 JiEPUBLic OF ROME. 
 
 Sylln opposes him. 
 
 tin- ranks and lines of his army, exclaiming 
 " We must cut down that i'nrest win-re thn-e 
 :oiis wolves take shelter. Let lire and 
 sword destroy all spare nothing ; mankind 
 can never U- free a- I'-nir a< any Jioma: 
 main al: 
 
 The people, under the command of Appins 
 Claudiu-, su-tained nol>]y the attack of Telesi- 
 nu>. No OIK- d I., li-rht i;, r tlu-ir h 
 
 and j.roju-rty ; and. alth.iiL r li Apjius was killed 
 in tlu- early part .f the cn^a^ciiH-nt. tlu-\ 
 
 ]>inir oil' the Samniti->. nnt'.l Svlla 
 should In- alilc to CMIIU- to tlu-ir ail. This he 
 did with all dili^-ncc. 'IV him 
 
 near tlu- city, and a latllc f.-r i 1 
 
 led. It waa a M-I-V Moody alfair. 
 I><th ai-mir- tMii-j-ht with the c 
 ration. \'i<-!.ry or death appean-d to l,e the 
 
 motto of every soldier -n tin- held, and for a 
 
 while th-- : extremely <loul,tfnl. 
 
 At la>t ihe Samnites, traininir a coiisideralde 
 advanta-v ..ver the troops of Sylla, pu>hed 
 them H> liard that >everal d' his cohort and 
 entire LegiODfl irave way and lied. With >w..rd 
 in hand, Sylla endeavored io urn ; Imt 
 
 the ternn'-strickeM and disordered soldiers, niv- 
 ini;- no heed to his commands, rushed into the 
 gates of IJome. The inhabitants, fearing that 
 
CIVIL WAS 261 
 
 Telesinus overcome Preneste surrenders. 
 
 -umnites would enter with them, >hui, with 
 all ha>te, the gate-, and letting fall the port- 
 cullis, killed ii great number of permits, and 
 among them >e\eral senators in Sylla's army. 
 All retreat being thus cut off to a large portion 
 of his army, they were obliged to turn ah>ut 
 and laee the enemy, who \ ..m them. 
 
 JJut night coming uu i u the mid-t of the con- 
 ilict, both parties were compelled to suspend, 
 and fcyylla retired to his camp. He ascer- 
 d, however, that the left wing of his 
 , under eiiimand of Crassus, had over- 
 niy. and covered the lie-Id with 
 nniv than iifty thousand slain, among whom 
 
 ; thousand were aU" taken prisoners; 
 the next day Sylla caused all these to be shot 
 
 with da 
 
 habitants of Preneste, an:'Mg whom 
 Marius had taken refuge, opened their i 
 
 OOQ a- they heard of SyllaV . and 
 
 Marius and a brother of Telesinus endt-a- 
 
 a subterran. , but fail- 
 
 i their attem})t, they killed each other, in 
 order that t: ij not fall alive into the 
 
 hands of the enemy. The people of the tu\vn 
 were all put to death, except the women and 
 the children ; and rSylla, iinding his enemies 
 
EEPUBLIC OF HOME. 
 
 Cruel Conduct of Sylla. 
 
 finally subdued, entered Rome at the head of 
 his victorious troops. 
 
 But the glory which Sylla had acquired in 
 war was destined to be tarnished by the mon- 
 strous acts of which he was author during the 
 peace that followed. The remnant of the large 
 armies that had opposed him, de-irons <>f quar- 
 ter, sent deputies to intercede with him. lie re- 
 plied, that lie would spare all those who made 
 themselve- worthy of life by slaying tlu'ir com- 
 panions. These unfortunate men thereupon 
 turned their arm- again-t eaeh other, and a 
 terrible slaughter followed. Six thousand of 
 them, however, e.-eaped and came to Home. 
 These, Sylla caused to be shut up in the llip- 
 podmme. and then .-ending his troop> into the 
 plaee, butehered them in cold blood. Soon 
 after tin-, he pn>.-cribed eighty 
 teen hundred knights, and a large number of 
 the richest citi/ei;- of Rome. l'-r the murder 
 of each of these, he . Hi-red a reward of two 
 talents, and even -paid the money to the very 
 slaves for tl; 'nation of their ma-ters. 
 
 But his cruelty was not limited to the party 
 
 of Marius. lie permitted his friends and offi- 
 
 10 revenge themselves upon all their pri- 
 
 vate enemies, so that the streets of Rome con- 
 
 tinually flowed with blood. No one was sure 
 
CIVIL WARS. 263 
 
 lie declares himself Perpetual Dictator. 
 
 of living a >inu'le day, and every one dreaded 
 to encounter the glance of tliis cruel monster. 
 
 man, C. Metellu^, wa-. however, coura- 
 
 s enough to rise up in the midst of the 
 
 Senate, and ask Sylla to put a stop to the mis- 
 
 !' hi- 1'ellow-citizens. "We do not ask 
 you," said Mctellus, " to forgive any of those 
 whom you have resolved shall die; but pray 
 you to free us from an uncertainty worse than 
 deatli itself, by letting us know whom you de- 
 sign to spare." Sylla coolly replied, that he 
 had not yet fixed upon the number of those 
 whom he should allow to live,; that he had 
 proscribed such as his memory presented to 
 him, and that he should continue to proscribe 
 all that lie could remember among his enemies. 
 As if maddened by the sight of the torrents 
 of blood which lie had shed, he now began 
 to proscribe whole towns and nations, slaying 
 such as he pleased, and stripping the inhab- 
 itants of their houses and lands, in order to 
 reward the soldiers who assisted him in his 
 work of death and desolation. He also de- 
 clared himself perpetual Dictator, and thus 
 changed, in fact, the government from a repub- 
 lican to a kingly form. All the ancient laws 
 were abrogated new ones were created. He 
 made himself master of the public treasures, 
 
264: REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Resigns voluntarily bis Authority. 
 
 and disposed, according to his pleasure, of all 
 the estates and fortunes of his fellow-citizens. 
 It is true that he suffered the Senate, and most 
 of the principal officers to remain, but their 
 authority was absolutely nothing, and the in- 
 ducements to seek them were almost wholly 
 taken avvay. 
 
 "Hut the most extraordinary thing concerning 
 Sylla is yet to be related. Incredible as it may 
 seem, this singular man, after having destroyed 
 more than a hundred thousand of his fellow- 
 citizens in the civil war; after having caused 
 the massacre of ninety senators and twen: 
 Imndivd knights, went into the Forum, and, in 
 the presence of the assembled people, took 
 from his own person the emblems of his office, 
 SIMM away his lictmx di-mis-ed his guards, and 
 voluntarily iv>ii:-ned the office which he had 
 usurped, and which lie might have long con- 
 tinued to hold. It is natural to suppose that 
 the fear of being torn to pieces by a deeply- 
 injiuvd people, would have deterred him from 
 an act so bold as this. "Hut his chief paasion 
 had been revenge, and this being at last satia- 
 ted by the seas of blood which he had spilt, he 
 eared for nothing more, not even power or life. 
 The multitude were thunderstruck at what he 
 did. They could not believe their eyes, and 
 
CIVIL WARS. 265 
 
 Bylla's Death His Epitaph. 
 
 gazed with silence and awe upon him as he 
 stepped down from his tribunal, and mingled, 
 like a private man, among the people, who, a 
 moment before, bowed and trembled in his 
 presence. And strange, too, as it may seem, 
 this very prince of murderers walked forth 
 alone into the open street, and proceeded with- 
 out any molestation to his own house. It is 
 said that one young man addressed to him 
 some in-nlting language, which Sylla disdained 
 to answer ; but the Romans, generally, deemed 
 this act of abdication the last and greatest ef- 
 fort of magnanimity and heroism. They never 
 attempted to punish his murders, although he 
 declared that he was ready and willing to be 
 tried lor any of his deeds. Not long after this 
 i Sylla died, in his own bed, as quietly as 
 the most peaceful citizen of the commonwealth 
 could have desired. A few days before his 
 death he wrote his own epitaph, the substance 
 of which was "That nobody had ever out- 
 done him, either in obliging his friends, or in 
 persecuting his enemies." 
 
 Dissensions and civil wars did not cease at 
 the death of Sylla. The grave, indeed, had 
 scarcely closed upon him, when the consul Lep- 
 idus undertook to make himself the master of 
 the government. To attain his object, it was 
 
266 EEPUBLIC OF EOME. 
 
 Consequences of Sylla's Death. 
 
 necessary to make himself the leader of a par- 
 ty ; Lnt as Pompey, Metellus, Crassus, and even 
 his colleague, Catulus, were chiefs of the pa- 
 trician side, in whose favor he had declared 
 himself, he believed that he should be more 
 successful by going over to the party of Man' us, 
 whose leaders had been dr-troyed in the civil 
 war. 
 
 At the expiration of his consulate, being ap- 
 pointed to the government of (iallia Cisalpina, 
 he began at once to raise an army, and gained 
 to his party the pnetnrians. lirutus and Per- 
 penna. Inviting ihc people of Koine, and 6fr 
 penally tln>>- belonging t' the party of Marius, 
 to jin him, lie marched towards the city, with 
 the fnd h<pe that he should become another 
 Sylla. lint Catulus at the head of the leirions 
 and of all the nobility, charged him with so 
 much vigor, that his army was cut to pieces, 
 and he. himself compelled to tly. Mortified by 
 his ill lucceat) and surely grieved by certain 
 private matter-, he died soon after, and with 
 him his party fell, lirntns, one of his coadju- 
 having been overcome by Pompey, was 
 -mated a few days alter by orders of that 
 : al ; and LV-rpenna, the remaining chief, 
 thus finding himself at the head of thirty-two 
 thousand meu, marched into Spain, according 
 
CIVIL WARS. 207 
 
 The Spanish War The Servile War. 
 
 to the example x>f Sertorius, a general of great 
 lame, who yet maintained the party <>i' ^larius 
 at Lusitania. 
 
 The Senate, in order to preserve those prov- 
 , sent Pompey, with a lar^e anny. against 
 the-e Uvo generals. A irreat many battles tn,k 
 place, without much advantage on either >ide, 
 until tlie death of Sertrius, wliieh wa- occa- 
 sioned ly the jc-alou-y of IVrpeMMa. Tliis 1111- 
 skiliul ireneral was then ea>ily heatc-n ly I'um- 
 \vh(. ordering lii> head to be cut off, put 
 an end t the Spanish war. 
 
 In the mean time a very dangerous war 
 had luvii rxeited in Koine by one Spartaein, 
 a 'I'hracian irladiator. wlm, with -rvnity com- 
 -. had e-eaped iVoin inij.ri-i.nmrnt in ( 'a- 
 pua. .1 laving IK-CM joincil by a multitude of 
 runaway slaves and j.ea-antry fruiii the neigh- 
 borhood, lie iouirht an<l irained a ninnber of 
 eoii-ideraMe battles. Finding himself, linally, 
 at the head of >i\ty thou-and men, he occa- 
 sioned so much alarm, that the two consuls 
 were sent out with two legions to >ubdue him. 
 
 O 
 
 These he succeeded in defeating, and, with his 
 victorious troops, was on his wav to Rome, 
 when Crassus, at the head of a powerful army, 
 went out to meet him. Keaching Spartacns 
 near Rhegium, the Roman general surrounded 
 
268 KEPUBLIC OF KOME. 
 
 Spartacus overcome Crassus and Pompey. 
 
 him with a ditch, six miles in length ; but Spar- 
 tacus evaded him by night, and continued his 
 march towards the city. Crassus, however, 
 determined that he should not thus escape ; 
 and following closely after, compelled him to 
 engage, and finally overcame him after an ob- 
 stinate conflict. Sixty thousand of his followers 
 were slain, six thousand were taken prisoners, 
 and lie himself, it is said, fell, fighting on his 
 knees upon a heap of fallen enemies. 
 
 A large number of these troops of Sparta- 
 cus escaping, fled into the neighboring moun- 
 tains, where Pompey, on his return from Spain, 
 met with, and easily defeated them. By this 
 achievement he sought to raise his own glory, 
 to the disparagement of Crassus; and this, to- 
 gether with other matters, was the cause of the 
 ji-alousy which existed between them, when, 
 subsequently, they were both elevated to the 
 consulship. This jealousy was, however, the 
 means of giving great pleasure to the people of 
 Koine. Crassus, to win their atl'ection, gave 
 them an entertainment upon a thousand long, 
 and well-spread, tables. He also distributed 
 corn enough to all the populace to maintain 
 their families three whole months. Pompey, 
 on the other hand, to outdo Crassus, restored to 
 the Tribunes all the authority of which they 
 
CIVIL WARS. 269 
 
 W:ir Avith the Pirates Catiline. 
 
 had been deprived by Svlla, and by this meas- 
 ure made himself the idol of the people, who, 
 during 1 the war with the Pirates, which occurred 
 soon after, conferred upon him such unlimited 
 powers, that he might easily have become sole 
 reign of the commonwealth. 
 
 The success which attended him in this war, 
 was tlu- reason for appointing him to the com- 
 mand of the army that had been sent out 
 against Mithridates ; and the decree that gave 
 him this, gave him also the government of 
 Asia, and the superintendency of the vast na- 
 val power, with which he had subdued the 
 Pirates. At the time of his departure, Eome, 
 then the mistress of the world, seemed to be in 
 the enjoyment of a profound peace. So far as 
 external appearances could be an indication, 
 union subsisted among her citizens, and an 
 unusual prosperity in all her affairs. But be- 
 neath all this seeming tranquillity, a secret agi- 
 tation was going on ; and new parties and new 
 schemes were in process of formation, which 
 could bring about nothing short of anarchy 
 and despotism. 
 
 At the head of one of these dangerous par- 
 ties was Lucius Sergius Catiline, a descendant 
 of an illustrious patrician family, and one of the 
 ministers of the cruelty of Sylla, to whose cause 
 
270 EEPUBLIC OF KOME. 
 
 Character of Catiline. 
 
 he had ever been devoted. Murder, rapine, 
 and conflagration had been the first deeds and 
 pleasures of this formidable man ; and, withal, 
 he possessed such powers of dissimulation as 
 enabled him to throw a veil over his horrid 
 vices, and render himself agreeable to the just 
 and good. Of the many terrible crimes which 
 he is said to have committed, that of the mur- 
 der of his wife and son may be regarded as 
 a specimen of such as are not too disgusting to 
 relate. 
 
 At a time when Home had grown rich by 
 the spoils of so many conquered nations ; when 
 ambition, luxury, effeminacy, and all the vices 
 inseparable from wealth were exerting their 
 baneful influences, it is easy to imagine that a 
 man like Catiline could find those who would 
 be willing to second him in any plot which he 
 might form, either against private or public in- 
 terests. Indeed, there were hundreds of young 
 men, who, having consumed the patrimony of 
 their ancestors in extravagance and riotous liv- 
 ing, were ready to do any thing which could 
 relieve them from their enormous debts, and 
 promote the gratification of their depraved de- 
 sires. As they could, through the high offices 
 of the State, find every facility to attain their 
 wishes, they sought to fill them with persons of 
 
CIVIL WARS. 271 
 
 Conspiracy against the Government 
 
 their own diameter. Dut being baffled in 
 their efforts to do this, there were some of 
 them who determined to u.-sussinute the prin- 
 cipal officers of the State, and seize upon die 
 government. 
 
 Catiline, foremost in every thing evil, was, 
 of course, a prominent leader upon this occa- 
 sion ; and, through the influence which he 
 could use as a member of the Senate, he con- 
 trived to draw into the plot a great number of 
 senators, knights, and notable men, who, from 
 different motives, were willing to join him. 
 Among these were Lentulus, an unprincipled 
 man, who had been consul with Marius ; and 
 Cethegus, formerly a Tribune of the People, 
 whom he governed at his own pleasure. So, 
 also, in this great conspiracy, were many wo- 
 men of the best families in Rome, as, for in- 
 stance, Sempronia, so remarkable for her high 
 birth, lively wit, undaunted courage, and in- 
 comparable beauty. Indeed, as to numbers, it 
 was sufficient for almost any purpose ;'for in it 
 were engaged all those Roman youth who had 
 ruined themselves by their licentious courses, 
 all those who aspired to posts in the govern- 
 ment, and all those who desired to be revenged 
 ' upon their too powerful enemies. To these, 
 Catiline made the most extravagant promises, 
 
272 EEPUBLIC OF EOME. 
 
 Discoveries made by Cicero. 
 
 on condition that they would elevate him to 
 supreme power. 
 
 A conspiracy, in which so many were en- 
 gaged, could not imain secret for a great 
 length of time. Sooner or later, some one 
 must prove a traitor ; and, fortunately for the 
 Roman people, it engaged the attention of such 
 a man as Cicero. In a short time the whole 
 city talked about it ; but nothing definite was 
 known, except that Catiline was at the head of 
 a large party, who were aiming at some great 
 revolution in the government. Many supposed 
 that it was only the overthrow of Cicero, who 
 had been preferred to him for the consulship. 
 But Cicero was better informed. From the 
 moment that he discovered that there was a 
 secret combination in the city, he made every 
 effort to discover those who were engaged in it, 
 and what were their designs. He ascertained 
 their places of meeting, and finally succeeded 
 in introducing spies among them, who reported 
 faithfully to him all their proceedings. To his 
 surprise and sorrow, he learned that it was the 
 intention of the desperate men to set fire to the 
 city in several places, and, during the confusion 
 that would necessarily follow, to murder the 
 chief men of the Senate in their very houses. 
 It was also a part of their plan to cause the 
 
CIVIL WARS. 273 
 
 Plans of the Conspirators. 
 
 troops then under the command of Manlius to 
 advance, in order to make themselves masters 
 of Rome and of the government. 
 
 "While all this was going on, news was unex- 
 pectedly brought that Pompey, having subdued 
 Mithridates, was returning to Italy with a vic- 
 torious army. This was sufficient to throw Cat- 
 iline and all his party into the utmost conster- 
 nation. They were speedily called together at 
 night, in a private part of M. Lecca's house. 
 Various plans were suggested for carrying their 
 purposes into immediate execution ; and finally 
 it was resolved, on the night preceding the Sat- 
 urnalia, to set fire to the city in a hundred dif- 
 ferent places ; to cut the water-pipes, in order 
 to prevent the extinguishment of the fire ; to 
 murder the whole Senate, and to seize Pom- 
 pey's children, and hold them as hostages 
 against his power and resentment. Thereupon 
 Catiline was to place himself* at the head of 
 the forces of Manlius, and settle his authority 
 in the State. Cethegus, and a Roman knight 
 named Cornelius, volunteered to go and stab 
 Cicero in his own house. 
 
 The correctness of this report being sufficient- 
 ly established, on the following morning, by the 
 appearance of Cethegus at Cicero's door, this 
 prudent consul, at once, convened the Senate, 
 
 13 
 
274 EEPTJBLIC OF KOME. 
 
 Means taken to defend the City. 
 
 to whom he communicated the whole plot, sta- 
 ting that he did not yet think it a proper time 
 to name the persons by whom he had been in- 
 formed. So great, however, was the confidence 
 reposed in his probity, that without asking him 
 to prove his allegations, he and his colleague 
 were fully empowered to use all means neces- 
 sary to protect the commonwealth. 
 
 Without delay, and as quietly as possible, 
 the greatest preparations were made to defend 
 thi' city. Guards were stationed in different 
 parts to thwart the purposes of the incendiaries 
 Bodies of troops were raised and placed con- 
 veniently for action, and every thing was done 
 which the occa-ion seemed to require. Mean- 
 while, a packet of letters, directed by some of 
 the conspirators to different individuals, falling 
 into the hands of Crassus, was brought by him 
 into the Senate and there opened and read. 
 They contained the whole plan of the conspira- 
 cy ; and the persons for whom they were in- 
 tended, were warned, if they valued their lives, 
 to depart at once from Rome. 
 
 These letters produced a great sensation in 
 the Senate ; and while they were deliberating 
 upon them, Catiline walked in and took his 
 seat, with an air as innocent as that worn by 
 the most upright man among them. But this 
 
CIVIL WARS. 275 
 
 Cicero accuses Catiline before the Senate. 
 
 more than Cicero could endure. Rising 
 from the seat in which he was presiding over 
 tli at august assembly, he fixed his eyes upon 
 the guilty Catiline, and with that voice by 
 wlii eh he was accustomed to astonish all who 
 heard him, he exclaimed : 
 
 " How long, O Catiline, dost thou design to 
 abuse our patience ? How long are we yet to 
 be the object of thy fury? How far dost thou 
 intend to carry thy guilty audaciousness ? Dost 
 thou not perceive, by the continual watch all 
 over the city, by the terrified looks of the peo- 
 ple, and by the angry countenance of the sen- 
 ators, that thy pernicious designs are discov- 
 ered? Faith t'ul eyes are upon all thy proceed- 
 ings ; thou canst not hold any council so secret, 
 but that I hear of it : I am present there my- 
 self; I am present to thy very thoughts. Dost 
 thou fancy that I am ignorant of what passed, 
 last night, at M. Lecca's house? Didst thou 
 not there distribute employments, and divide 
 all Italy into shares with thy accomplices? 
 Some are to take the field under the command 
 of JVIanlius, and others to stay in the city, to 
 fire it in a hundred different places at a time. 
 During the disorder and tumult occasioned by 
 so general a fire, the consuls, and most of the 
 senators, are to be massacred in their own 
 
276 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Catihce attempts to answer Cicero. 
 
 houses. The Senate, that august and sacred 
 assembly, is informed of the most minute cir- 
 cumstances of the plot ; yet does Catiline live ; 
 not only lives, but is one among us, and looks 
 on us as so many sacrifices. While I am now 
 speaking, he is marking out those whom he de- 
 signs for death ; yet we are so patient, or rather 
 so weak, that we are less intent on the method 
 how to punish his crimes, than how we shall 
 preserve ourselves from his fury." 
 
 .Catiline, rising with a sneer upon his face, 
 begged the Senate that they would not listen 
 to the invectives of this enemy and low-born 
 upstart, who, for the sake of getting for himself 
 a name, could thus injure a high-born senator, 
 by such unmitigated lies. But he was not al- 
 lowed much time to speak. His guilt was al- 
 ready too apparent to be denied, and he was 
 forced to stop in his harangue by a general 
 murmuring, which finally broke out in loud 
 and repeated accusations against him as an in- 
 cendiary, a parricide, and an enemy of his 
 country. His face pale with anger, and his 
 eyes flashing with rage, he rushed from the 
 senate-chamber, crying out, that, since they 
 had provoked him to the utmost, he would not 
 fall alone, but would involve in his own fate 
 those who had sought his ruin. 
 
CIVIL WARS. 277 
 
 Catiline 'eaves Rome- The Allobroges. 
 
 Calling together Lentulus, Cethegus, and 
 some of the other conspirators, he informed 
 them of what had happened, and, urging them 
 to lose no time in putting Cicero to death, he 
 put himself at the head of three hundred armed 
 men, and went directly to the camp of Manlius. 
 Lentulus and the other chiefs set to work, in 
 the mean time, t< draw into their plot the am- 
 bassadors of the Allobroges who were then in 
 Rome, making vain efforts to procure the dis- 
 charge of their nation from the enormous taxes 
 which they owed to the Roman State. The 
 conspirators told these ambassadors that if they 
 would join Catiline, every surety would be giv- 
 en them of a general discharge of their debts. 
 
 The ambassadors listened with attention to 
 these proposals, but concluded, upon consulting 
 together, that they would gain more in the end 
 by making a revelation of this scheme to the 
 Senate. Going therefore to Cicero, they ob- 
 tained all the promises that they could desire, 
 and then returning to the conspirators, pretend- 
 ed to accept their offers, and received a written 
 agreement from them signed by Lentulus and 
 the principal chiefs of Catiline. With this, re- 
 tracing their steps to Cicero, they informed 
 him that on the following night they should 
 proceed, under an escort, to the camp of Cati- 
 
278 KEPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Conspirators betrayed by the Allubroges. 
 
 line, with letters to him containing the plan of 
 the conspiracy. Acting upon this information, 
 Cicero sent a sufficient number of armed men 
 to intercept these Allobroges; and, having 
 seized the papers in their possession, he was 
 furnished with all the evidence necessary for 
 causing the immediate arrest of Lentulus, Ce- 
 thegus, and other prominent coadjutors of Cat- 
 iline. 
 
 The Senate was at once convened ; and the 
 conspirators, being convicted by their own hand- 
 writing, were severally earned to separate pris- 
 ons. In order to prevent the pnssibility <>f 
 their escape, Cicero determined that the Sen- 
 ate should decide, at once, concerning them. 
 Each senator being accordingly asked to give 
 his opinion, the conspirators were condemned 
 to death by the consent of all except Julius 
 Caesar, who made a long speech in favor of 
 sparing their lives until Catiline should be van- 
 quished. Sentence of death was pronounced 
 upon them, and without waiting for its confir- 
 mation by an assembly of the people, Cicero 
 caused them to be executed within an hour af- 
 terwards. 
 
 The news of their death fell like a thunder- 
 bolt, scattering the multitude of their accom- 
 plices still in the city; and when it reached 
 
CIVIL WARS. 279 
 
 The Destruction of th Conspirators. 
 
 the camp of Catiline, many persons who had 
 been attracted to his standard by the hope of 
 plunder, fled in the utmost terror. But, in no- 
 wise daunted, the bold conspirator made new 
 levies of troops, and only seemed more eager 
 to drink the blood of his countrymen. 
 
 Defeated in the plan which he had formed 
 for taking possession of Rome, he determined 
 to pass over into Gaul. But in this he was al><> 
 disappointed. A powerful army was sent out 
 to cut off his retreat ; and, finding himself >< n 
 surrounded by his foes, he was compelled to 
 come to battle. The fight was long and ol>ti- 
 nate. The soldiers of Catiline knew that they 
 must either conquer or die, and accordingly 
 they neither gave nor asked quarter. As an 
 inevitable consequence, they were all slain 
 upon the field ; and Catiline himself was killed 
 as he stood fighting upon a heap of his fallen 
 enemies. 
 
 When it was known from how dangerous a 
 plot the city had been saved through the un- 
 wearied efforts of Cicero, nothing could exceed 
 the praise bestowed upon him by all the citi- 
 zens. His house was surrounded by people 
 who came to do him honor. Even the women 
 put lights in their windows in token of their 
 gratitude. Almost ready to worship him, every 
 
280 REPUBLIC OF ROMK. 
 
 Honor paid to Cicero. 
 
 one declared that he was the second loumU-r 
 of Rome and the father of his country. And, 
 without doubt, he merited the character given 
 to him by the Emperor Augustus, in tln-st-, 
 words : " He was a good citizen, whu hived his 
 country -incerely." 
 
JULIUS C^SAR. 
 
 FROM 62 TO 85 B. a 
 
POMPKT and Cesar Cunning of Csar His Ill-treatment 
 of Cicero His Conquests His Love of MOM. v l-al" 
 l'<.iii|x-y I'oni|M-y made ('on-ul Cfiesar demands th- 
 < >tli' ;ni(l fail.- !! threatens Rome, and is <l<-.-lar--<l \\\,- Kn- 
 -niy oltlu- ('miijoii\v-alth H<- inarches against tlu- 
 Defeats Pomj-t-y I- nia-l-- Consul and Dictatcr I "i 
 assume the Title of King t't.n-j ira-'v formed against him 
 His Assassination Its Consequences Marc Anton\ 
 h;u'> Will Antony's Oration Octavius returns to Rom. 
 
 Antony's Jealousy <>rtaviu-' MK-C-. 11.- i> ina-1.- Cmi-ul 
 
 j.irntois pro-ci il.od Octaviu- an-1 Antony : 
 cil t .,l Tin- Triumviri The Battle of Philip].! Tin lin.l of 
 the Commonwealth. 
 
ASSASSINATION OF JULIUS CJffiAB. 
 
XL 
 
 JULIUS C.ESAR. 
 
 D the mere name of a Repuhlic, the 
 
 >f U.me had hy this time little 
 
 enough t<> hoast. Tlie whole a<lmini>trati"ii 
 
 iiolde families, who passed 
 
 ilar dignity about to one another as 
 
 they pleased. The sovereignty of tlie people 
 
 almost gone; and, except in a very f'-w 
 
 ;ike Cato, Cicero, and Catullus, tlu-iv \\;i> 
 
 little honesty or patriotism to le i'"ii!id in any 
 
 one. 
 
 Two remarkable men were at this time divi- 
 ding the attentitni of the whole Roman people. 
 OIK- of them was Ciieu- Pompey, an illustrious 
 general, who had won laurels in every part of 
 the known world, and who, in consideration of 
 his splendid achievements, had received the 
 surname of Magnus (Great). He was a man 
 of untainted morals, kind, mild, and humane ; 
 
286 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Pompey and Csosar. 
 
 and, if he was not possessed of true patriotism, 
 he had not any of that ambition which may 
 lead one to become a destroyer of freedom. 
 That any one should pretend to an equal share 
 of the glory which he had acquired was highly 
 offensive to him ; and this was, doubtless, the 
 cause of the enmity which sprang up between 
 him and Julius Caesar, a general of undoubted 
 valor, exalted courage, and wonderful ability. 
 It could not be otherwise than that two parties 
 should spring up in the commonwealth, led 
 respectively by these two illustrious rivals. 
 Pompey, who was at the head of the Senate, 
 div\v alter him, naturally, those who sympa- 
 thi/ed witli the nobility of Rome; and Ciesir, 
 who could be first in no other position, under- 
 took to revive the party of Marius, which was 
 n-ally that of the plebeians. Having been 
 publicly impeached for causing the statue of 
 Marius to be secretly placed in the capitol, he 
 defended himself with so much eloquence, that 
 he not only secured his own absolution, but 
 also procured the recall of those who had been 
 banished during the dictatorship of Sylla. 
 
 Pompey did not, however, share the undivi- 
 ded favor of the Senate. In the wealthy and 
 ambitious Crassus, he had an enemy and a ri- 
 val in the government, dreaded, at first, even 
 
JULIUS CJESAR. 287 
 
 C'linniiij; of Otesar Hi* increasing Power. 
 
 more than Caesar ; so that while he had to con- 
 tend against the growing popularity of the lat- 
 ter, he was also obliged to guard against being 
 supplanted by the former. But Caesar, a man 
 of far more shrewdness than either, knew that 
 his success depended upon diverting their at- 
 tention from him, and causing as much mutual 
 dread as possible between them. So well did 
 he succeed in this, that lie obtained, through 
 their united influence, the consulate; but he 
 had no sooner arrived to this dignity, than he 
 managed, by a master-piece of cunning, to cre- 
 ate an enmity between Pompey and the Sen- 
 ate, and between the Senate and the people. 
 This he contrived to do by undertaking to re- 
 vive the Agrarian law, which Pompey and 
 Crassus consented to advocate, and w r hich their 
 respective friends in the Senate could not fail 
 to oppose. The passage of the law was pro- 
 cured ; but Caesar alone gained the applauses 
 of the people for whose benefit it was made. 
 
 Thus Pompey, distrusted and cast out by his 
 patrician friends, became, in a measure, de- 
 pendent upon his rival Caesar, who, knowing 
 too well the importance of keeping.him quiet, 
 obtained for him the government of both Spains, 
 while he gave that of Syria to Crassus, and at 
 the same time secured for himself the govern- 
 
288 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 His Ill-treatment of Cicero. 
 
 ment of Illyricum and Gaul for the space of 
 five years. So powerful, indeed, did he be- 
 come, that he was able to use force towards his 
 enemies and all those who dared to oppose 
 him. Cato, at his command, was put under 
 arrest ; and Bibulus, his colleague in the con- 
 Hiilship, was driven out of the Forum by the 
 people ; his fasces were broken, his lictors beat- 
 en, and he himself forced to lie a knur time 
 concealed in order to save his life. The great 
 Lucullus, who had so gloriously conqueivd the 
 powerful Mithridate, was compelled to fall at 
 Caesar's feet in a full assembly, and then to re- 
 tire from public- Imsine-s. Nor did ( 
 even hesitate to unite himself with the infa- 
 mous Clodius in order to ruin the great and 
 good Cicero, whom, for a frivolous reason, he 
 caused to be impeached before an assembly of 
 the people ; and when this excellent man found 
 himself abandoned by all his former friends, 
 now the creatures of Caesar, he quitted Rmne 
 by night, and retired into Greece. His houses, 
 both in the city and country, were immediate- 
 ly razed to the ground, and his goods sold at 
 auction by the common officers of the law. 
 
 Caesar, on going to take possession of the 
 government of Gallia Cisalpina, which, at the 
 close of his consulship, he chose for himself, 
 
JULIUS C^SAR. 289 
 
 His Conquests. 
 
 set out at the head <>f an immeii-o army, with 
 the intention ot' conquering the whole country, 
 in hopes that he should thus he furni.-hod with 
 great tivasuros. The vast number of battles 
 which lie fought during this absence of ten 
 
 - In. in Hume, and the splendid vietories 
 which lie achieved, raised him to the highest 
 rank among the captains of the Roman people. 
 r j'he Helvetians, after the most ubstinaio li-ht- 
 
 W&K driven by him into their iimnntains; 
 the Belgians were subjected to his authority. 
 In -hurt, he conquered all Gaul, and then, C 
 ing the >oa, set uj) his standard in Great JJrit- 
 ain. Kight hundred cities are said to have 
 yielded either to the force, or terror, of his 
 linn*. Three hundred different nations sub- 
 mitted to his laws; and of three million^ of 
 men whom he defeated in battle, one million 
 slain and another million taken prisoners. 
 But with so many brilliant achievements, he 
 was guilty of a thousand disgraceful acts. His 
 immoderate ambition and insatiable de>ire of 
 acquiring riches, cau>ed him to set a price 
 upon every thing which could bring him mon- 
 ey. Places, governments, wars, alliances, all 
 had their value in gold ; and the very temples 
 of the gods, and the lands of the Roman allies, 
 were compelled to pour their treasures at his 
 
 19 
 
290 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Hto Love of Money He acquires Frienda. 
 
 feet. But the splendor of his victories, and the 
 gratitude and l"ve <>f his well-paid countrymen, 
 united to give to his rohheries the name of 
 great political actions; and tin !iem- 
 
 ielree were thanked in solemn tun n for the 
 sacrileges which lie had successfully cdiin.' 
 against them. 
 
 It is not strange that Cavar should love 
 money, for. certainly. n man better under- 
 stood its value. "With it. lie, no douht, pur- 
 cha-ed a gVBttl deal <!' that stmn^ aitachinent 
 which his sldi t -rs tr-titii-d ii.r him, and to 
 which he was chietly indchu-d fur ]\\< aztra^ 
 di nary success. Their 1'm-tiines depended nj...n 
 his own, ami he ,:lcd tu reward them 
 
 :-uii-ly frum the trea-ures whirh they ena- 
 hlcd him to accumulate. AVith an 
 iipun tlu- future, he assigned lands and posees- 
 - tu thu>e who served him with m..t lidel- 
 
 lle paid the dehts uf \n< j.rincipal offl 
 and can-cd all tu I'e-anl him as an ho- 
 ard, intrusted with riches ever at their com- 
 mand, while faithful and valorous in the 
 charge uf their duties. I Jut his soldiers and 
 otliceis were not the sole recipients uf his 
 boundless wealth. The Senate it- CD his 
 
 pay. and the chief offices in the commonwealth 
 were the purchased possessions of his creatures. 
 
,1 r LI rs C.ESAR. 291 
 
 Jealonsy of Pompey Pompey made Consul 
 
 The growing influence of Ccesar could nut 
 fail t attract tin- attention of \\\< rival Pompey, 
 who blushed at the thought that he had been 
 outdone by a man to whom he had ever MIJ- 
 posed him-elf Miperior. Crassus, who had al- 
 held the balance of power in his own 
 hands, was no longer living ; and now it was 
 
 nt that a struggle for supremacy nm-t 
 soon ensue between these two leaders of the 
 Roman people. Though still at the head of 
 his government in Gaul, Caesar was able to 
 carry on his operations in the centre uf Rome. 
 
 candidates for office came openly with 
 money in their hands to purchase, but 
 M beaten back by force and vi<>! 
 So dreadful were these disputes, on some oc- 
 
 ;is, that no elections could be held, and 
 U"ine was actually, at one time, during < 
 months, deprived <t' magistrates. Pompey, 
 doubtless, did his share in causing this c in fu- 
 sion; and his friends took the opportunity to 
 declare that such a state of things demanded 
 the immediate creation of a Dictator, and, at 
 the same time, shrewdly named him for the 
 office. The wi>e and good Cato, fearing for 
 the safety of the Republic, declaimed loudly 
 against such a course, and, at his suggestion, 
 Pompey was simply clothed with the power of 
 
REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Ctesar demands the Office His Failure. 
 
 sole consul, amenable to the people for all his 
 actions on the expiration of his ollice. 
 
 lakinir advantage of a precedent thus 
 established, demanded, in his turn, to he made 
 sole consul, and likewise the continual i'-n of 
 his governments ahroad. But his proposition 
 \vu- opposed by the adherents of I^mpey, on 
 the Around that custom required a candidate 
 for the consulship to be present, in person, at 
 JJume during the time of an flection. The 
 oflice wa- con-eijiieiitly conferred on Marcellus 
 and Lentuln-, t\vo of the most prominent of 
 I'ompevV frit-lids. Pompey himself made no 
 oj.cn upp.,>i;inn to Cflesar; but, as he bewail to 
 feel >oi IK- dread of the fortune and valor of this 
 rival commander, hi- tried, in a secret manner, 
 to deprive him of hi- ir.vernmrnt of (iaul. 
 
 were coiic-erti-d with the Sena' 
 some one as his successor, and i 
 ]>"s-ihle was doiu' to brin^ it about. 
 In tlu mean, time, Ca-ar. nut iirnd'ant of 
 what wa> r'inir on at home, wrote several 
 time- to the Senate, ivcpiirin.ir that they -hould 
 either continue him in his government, or allow 
 him to be a candidate lor the cunsulate, nut- 
 hi> absence from IJome. But his 
 ^iicceediuir in uppo>inj his demands, 
 he ]>a>>ed the Alps at the head of one of his 
 
 
JULIUS C.ESAR. 293 
 
 He threatens Rome Is declared an Enemy. 
 
 trust v legions, and halted at Ravenna. From 
 this place he sent to the Senate one of his lieu- 
 tenants, intrusted with letters, in which, rela- 
 :n a lofty man ner all his exploits, he de- 
 clared that, if justict <t done him, he 
 would, in a t- r Rome, for the pur- 
 ging his private injuries, as well 
 as those suffered by his country. 
 
 This threat roused the whole Senate against 
 him: and. appointing Lucius I)..mitius hi- 
 
 : in (iaul, they pa-ed a decree that he 
 
 should le prosecuted as an enemy of the com- 
 
 monw.-altli. Mark Antony, Curio, and Cas- 
 
 hy virtue of their office as Tribunes, op- 
 
 i earnestly this decree; but being driven 
 
 forcibly out of the Senate, they went in all 
 
 ha- .. to the camp of Caesar. 
 
 Thus, again, the commonwealth was divided 
 against itr-elf, through the ambition of two men, 
 who sought to subserve their own private in- 
 y pretending to take up arms in de- 
 fence of the laws and liberty. It is true that 
 Pompey had upon his side a greater appear- 
 ance of justice, and that he was commissioned 
 by the authorities of Rome to oppose Caesar in 
 their behalf; but Caesar had upon his side the 
 affections of the people, and 'he was, moreover, 
 most powerful and most secure. It was, how- 
 
294: REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Ce.ar marches against Rome. 
 
 ever, with great reluctance that he resolved 
 to march against his fallow-countrymen ; and 
 when lie reached the river Rubicon, which di- 
 vided his own government from the rest of 
 Italy, he hesitated for >ome time, in view of 
 the ruin which must certainly fall upon Rome 
 if he passed over the little stream. "If I defer 
 any longer the en -ing of this river," said he 
 to those about him. u l am undone; and if I 
 do cross it, how many people shall I make 
 \vivti-hed !" Hut it being, after all, more diffi- 
 cult for him to endure his own injuries unre- 
 al than to see his country all in devia- 
 tion, he plunged into the river at the head of 
 troopt, and ending it, exclaimed "It is 
 
 done : the die La c 
 
 "With the rapidity which always character- 
 ized the movements of this wonderful soldier, 
 he marched directly to Rimini, and made 
 himself master of the place. The news of 
 this achievement fell like a thunderbolt upon 
 Home. Already they fancied that, his victo- 
 rious legion- were at their very gates; and 
 J'ompey, the two consuls, and a large number 
 of senators, finding themselves entirely without 
 troops, lied in terror from the city, leaving 
 their wives and children to the mercy of their 
 enemy. Onward came the victorious general. 
 
,1 r i.rrs r J-:SAR. 295 
 
 His Pursuit of Pompey. 
 
 The gates of the defenceless city opened to 
 receive him, and its immense treasures were 
 seized, and divided among his faithful follow- 
 ers. Then began his terrible pursuit of Pom- 
 pey, whom he seemed determined t> limit, with 
 all his adherents, from every lurking-place upon 
 the earth. Jle chased him from one part of 
 Italy to another: subjected, within t\vo months, 
 rvrrv inch of its territory to his authority; then 
 following his rival into (treeee. finally met him, 
 surrounded by an immense army on the plains 
 of I'haisalia, where, tailing upon his troops 
 with a terrible slaughter, and even sacking his 
 camp, he c impelled him to fly for his life, on 
 foot, and in a pitiful di>gui-e. And at night, 
 the great Fompey, who, for thirty-four years, 
 had been u>ed to conquer and carry all before 
 him, was obliged to sleep in the miserable 
 cabin of a fi-herman. 
 
 AVandering from one place to another, he 
 was finally induced to proceed to Egypt, where 
 he was promised a favorable reception from 
 the young Ptolemy, whose father had received 
 benefits at his hands. But the base ministers 
 of this youthful king, hearing of his approach, 
 determined to sei/.e and put him to death. On 
 his arrival, a boat was sent from the shore to 
 bring him from the vessel. Embracing his 
 
296 EEPUBLIC OF KOME. 
 
 Death of Pompey Csesar Consul. 
 
 wife and son, who had accompanied him, he 
 stepped into it, though not without some fear 
 of treachery; and, before reaching the land, 
 he was shamefully murdered, and his headless 
 body was left naked upon the beach. 
 
 The death of Pompey completed the fall of 
 all his party, and ( ';i-sar thus became the mas- 
 ter of the world. On his return to Rome, he 
 was appointed, by a decree of the Senate, con- 
 sul for ten years, and perpetual Dictator. The 
 name of /////" r>it<>i- was given to him, together 
 with the august title of F<i.tlu-r nf Ins Country' 
 and his person was declared sacred and invio- 
 lable. Kvery honor and dignity, in fact, were 
 heaped upon him, so that nothing but the title 
 \\as wanting to make him a king. This he 
 would have unhesitatingly assumed, had he not 
 kniiwn the hatred in which the Romans held 
 the name. 15ut his assumption <>f this title was 
 precisely what his secret enemies desired; and 
 the senators who had conferred s many honors 
 on him, sought thereby only to render him 
 odious, in order that they might the sooner 
 bring about his ruin. He was even urged to 
 place upon his head the crown; and when he 
 was preparing himself to set out upon an expe- 
 dition against the Parthians, the books of the 
 Sibyls were produced to prove to him and to 
 
JULIUS C^SAR. 297 
 
 Ctesar arged to take the Crown. 
 
 the people that the Parthians could never be 
 vanquished, unless the Romans had a king for 
 their general. 
 
 So zealous were the friends and flatterers of 
 .r in the prosecution of this matter, that a 
 day was lixed upon on which it should be set- 
 tled by a decree of the Senate; and it was pro- 
 posed that in Rome, and throughout all Italy, 
 he should be styled Dictator, but that he slum Id 
 be Acknowledged a king, and take upon him- 
 self that title, in respect of all foreign nations 
 subject to the Kmau empire. 
 
 L-'i-Min this moment it was agreed, in private 
 calals, that the liberty of Rome could be pre- 
 served only by the death of the Dictator. 
 Marcus Junius Brutus, whom Csesar loved as 
 his own son, and whom he held in the tender- 
 est friendship, was at the head of this conspir- 
 acy. With him were Cassius, a zealous repub- 
 lican, and ( 1 a<ca, and IIHUV than ,-ixty senators. 
 The day upon which the Senate was to meet 
 for the purpose of giving Caesar the title of 
 king, was the ides of March, and upon this day 
 the conspirators determined to carry their plot 
 into execution. A soothsayer had warned 
 Caesar to beware the ides of March ; and his 
 wife, disturbed by a frightful dream, besought 
 him with tears not to go to the Senate-house. 
 
298 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Death of Caesar. 
 
 To please her, he called his friend Mark An- 
 tony, and told him to dismiss the Senate; but 
 Decimus Brutus, one of the conspirators, suc- 
 ceeded in overcoming his apprehensions, and 
 he proceeded to the capitol. On hi.s way 
 thither, a note was placed in his hands, giving 
 him an account of the conspiracy ; but being 
 crowded on every side, he put it by without 
 reading it. 
 
 Srarcvly had lie entered the capitol, when 
 all the conspirators came ar<>uml him, as if to 
 (I him honor. According to an agreement 
 among tlii'm, Attilius C'imber, one of their 
 number, i'ell down at his feet to demand the 
 pardon of hi- In-other, who was banished. 
 1 .r refusing it. the conspirator laid hold of 
 the bottom of hi< mho, and pulled it so hard as 
 to make him bow his head. Ca>ea then drew 
 his dagger, and pierced the Dictator in the 
 ursed Ca>ca, what doest thou?" 
 he exclaimed, as he seized the assassin and 
 dashed him to the ground. u Die, tyrant!" 
 shouted all the conspirators, now rushing upon 
 him from every side. With all the power 
 which he possessed, he at once defended him- 
 self against his numerous foes, until perceiving 
 among them his beloved j'rutus, he exclaimed 
 u And thou, too, my son!" and then, cover- 
 
JULlt'S CjiSAR. 299 
 
 Its Consequences. 
 
 ing his face with his mantle, fell, pierced with 
 twenty-three wounds, at the foot of Pompey's 
 statue. 
 
 The bloody work was no sooner ended, than 
 the conspirators rushed into the Senate-cham- 
 ber, and exhorted the senators to give their 
 approval to an act thai had restored liberty to 
 their country. But the senators, confounded 
 by the dreadful tragedy, fled to their hou-r-. 
 not knowing what they had to hope or fear. 
 Then, still holding their bloody dagger- 
 their hands, the conspirators flew into the 
 ud ]> roe 1 aimed that they had killed 
 the king of Rome, and the tyrant of their coun- 
 try. They placed before them a herald, who, 
 on the point of a javelin, carried a hat ;i> a 
 signal of liberty; and thus marching along, ex- 
 horted the people to lend their aid in restoring 
 the commonwealth. But the people not ap- 
 ing by their conduct to favor what had 
 been done, they retired to the capitol, grieved 
 that the death of a usurper was about to bring 
 fresh calamities upon the commonwealth. 
 
 Antony, whom Caesar had made consul, hid 
 himself when he first heard of his protector's 
 fate ; but on learning the disposition of the 
 people, he resolved to revenge his death ; and 
 causing Caesar's papers and money to be car- 
 
300 KEPUBLIC OF KOME. 
 
 Mark Antony Caoear's Will. 
 
 ried to his own house, he summoned the Sen- 
 ate, in order that they might determine wheth- 
 er Caesar had been a usurper or a lawful ma- 
 gistrate, and whether those that killed him de- 
 served to be rewarded or punished. 
 
 After a great deal of discussion, conducted 
 with abundance of caution, it was finally agreed 
 that n<> one should be prosecuted for Cesar's 
 death, and that all the ordinances which he 
 had made should continue in full force. An- 
 tony \va> indignant at this decision of the 
 Senate, but, dissembling his feelings, he de- 
 termined that the conspirators should not go 
 unpunished, lie 'had ( 'av-ar's will in his pos- 
 <>n; and lie knew full well, that when it 
 should be read in the hearing >f the people, 
 they would rise in anger against his murderers. 
 Alter a great deal of difficulty, he obtained 
 the permi>sion of the Senate to read it at Ca> 
 sai-V funeral, at which a vast concourse of the 
 citizens were present. Kvery one listened in- 
 tently to the words of the great man, who had 
 so endeared himself to them by his muni li- 
 cence when alive ; and on finding that he had 
 not forgotten to leave them something at his 
 death, they were filled with gratitude and 
 moved to tears. To every citizen he gave the 
 sum of seventy-five Attic drachmas, and, more- 
 
JULIUS C^SAR. 301 
 
 Antony's Funeral Oration Terror of the Conspirators. 
 
 over, left his magnificent gardens to the people. 
 Kvi-n to some of the principal conspirators he 
 had bequeathed the most splendid presents, 
 and had appointed them guardians to his 
 nephew Octavius, whom he adopted as his son 
 and heir. 
 
 But it was during the delivery of his funeral 
 oration, that Antony aroused their feelings 
 most. When he gave them a narrative of Cse- 
 sar's victories, and enumerated his many vir- 
 tues, they made the Forum ring with their 
 hearty plaudits. But when he pointed to his 
 corpse, and told them how he died, they 
 ;ied, and groaned, and muttered their re- 
 sentment. And then, when he held up Csesar's 
 bloody robe, and showed them the many rents 
 made in it by the daggers of his foes, their rage 
 overleaped all bounds. They screamed for 
 vengeance, and some of them, flying to the 
 houses of the conspirators, swore that they 
 would, with fire and sword, sacrifice them to 
 Csesar's ghost. In danger of losing their lives, 
 the conspirators left the city as quietly and 
 speedily as possible. 
 
 By insensible degrees, Antony advanced to- 
 wards the sovereign power ; and the authority 
 of the government seemed to be wholly in his 
 hands, when young Octavius, Caesar's grand- 
 
302 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Octavius returns to Home Antony's Jealousy. 
 
 nephew, arrived in Rome to take possession of 
 his inheritance. This young man had been 
 sent by his uncle to Apollonia, a city on the 
 coast of Epirus, to complete his studies ; and, 
 at the time of Csesar's death, he was scarcely 
 eighteen years of age. The sad event afflicted 
 him sorely, and he resolved to revenge it, and 
 to maintain the honor of his adoption at the 
 peril uf his life. Arriving at Drundusium, the 
 usual place of entrance and departure for trav- 
 ellers to and from Greece and Asia, he as- 
 sumed the name of Caesar, was introduced with 
 much formality into the town, and made the 
 master of it. Marching boldly to Rome, he 
 
 joined by large numbers of his ad< 
 father's friend-, frerdmr!i. and even >!, 
 Money and every thing was poured in upon 
 him ; and, when he came near the city, the 
 magistrates, officers of the army, and people 
 thronged the gates to meet him. Every one 
 came out to do him honor, except the ambi- 
 tious Antony, Avho would not so much as send 
 the least of his servants to compliment him in 
 his name. 
 
 After young Octavius had caused his adop- 
 tion to be confirmed in the most solemn man- 
 ner, he went to Antony, beirired hi- friendship, 
 and demanded the inheritance left to him by 
 
JULIUS CJESAR. 303 
 
 Octavius in Favor. 
 
 \ the legacies mentioned 
 
 in his will. Antony, at fiivi. d to ac- 
 
 kn-'wledge his claims, but afterwards changed 
 
 mcanor, when he found the influence of 
 
 iu- continually increasing, and his own 
 
 nably diminishing. For this ine: 
 influence, Octavin- was in a great measure 
 indebted t< the large sacriiice which he made 
 of his personal property, in order to pay his 
 uncle's legacies to the people, who unanii: 
 
 clared in his favor, and against Antony. 
 The murder < 'iesar, supported by the 
 
 >y hirgr arn lie-, were 
 
 much in the way of the ambitious Antony; 
 and he wuld have gladly united with the 
 great man's nephew in destroying them, had 
 he not feared that Octaviu- w..uld grasp at the 
 reign power. This power being the only 
 mark at which he himself aimed, Octavius be- 
 came to him no less odious than Brutus or 
 Cassius. But the Senate hating them both, 
 feared the haughty Antony more than the mod- 
 est Octavius; and for the sake of crushing the 
 former they were willing to flatter and honor 
 the latter. A seat was given to him in the 
 Senate; and he was induced to join his forces 
 with the consuls llirtius and Pansa against 
 Antony, who had refused to comply with a do- 
 
304 REPUBLIC OF ROMK. 
 
 TLe Senate opposes Antony. 
 
 cree which required him to remove his annv 
 from Gallia (Jisalpina, where he was fighting 
 with Decimus Bn 
 
 By tliis movement of the Senate, Antony 
 was nearly ruined ; hut he managed to escape 
 from the legions of Pansa and (Jclavius, and 
 passed the Alps, in order to join his old friend 
 Lepidns, who waa still in daid. and with the 
 hope that lie might also secure the aid of Plau- 
 CMS and Asinius J'ollio, former geiu-rals of Cae- 
 sar, who were, all in eoniinand of numerous ar- 
 Lepidus n-i'used at iiist to join him, un- 
 der pretence that he feared to otl'eiid the IN-II- 
 ate; but Antony, marching >traight nj) to his 
 army, contriveil ly means of hiihes and prom- 
 ises to roh him of his command; and after- 
 ward- M-cmvd al>o the other armies. 
 
 In the mean time the coii-;;l 1'ansa, being at 
 the point of death, sent for Octavins, and, 
 earnestly entreating him to agree with Antony, 
 ] -laced under his authority t\vo legions, which 
 had formerly been in his command. The-e le- 
 gions the Senate ordered him to disband, un- 
 der pretence that the Republic had no further 
 occa-ion for them. But Octavius, in order that 
 he might have the privilege of keeping them 
 on foot, offered him>elf a< a candidate for the 
 consulship. Finding, however, that the Senate 
 
,J r i.i rs (\KSAK. 305 
 
 Octavius consul The Conspirators proscribed. 
 
 were determined to prevent his election, he 
 inarched his forces towards Rome, when the 
 terrified senators not only chose him consul, 
 but caused Quintus JVdius, one of his relatives, 
 to be made his col league. 
 
 Immediately upon taking possession of the 
 consulate, he caused the impeachment of every 
 one who had been engaged in the murder of 
 Caesar, and condemned all the conspirators to 
 lose their lives for not presenting themselves 
 for trial. But Brutus and Cassius, their el. 
 beinir at the head of twenty legions, he con- 
 cluded that it would be impossible to destroy 
 them as long as Antony continued to oppose 
 him. Resolving, therefore, to become recon- 
 ciled with him, he induced his colleague to 
 propose to the Senate to recall Antony, on the 
 ground that it would be to the advantage of 
 the commonwealth. To this many of the sena- 
 tors were not at all inclined, but they were 
 forced to yield; and the decrees against him 
 being repealed, Octavius sent to him a propo- 
 sition, that they should unite their forces, and 
 march against Brutus and Cassius. Antony 
 beginning to despair of making himself sole 
 master of the sovereign power, determined to 
 share it with Octavius; and, in accordance with 
 an arrangement made by their mutual friends, 
 20 
 
306 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Octavius ami Antony reconciled The Triumviri. 
 
 they met, in company with Lepidus, alone, in a 
 little desert island formed by the river Panaro, 
 near Modena. They first embraced ; and then 
 all three sat down, with no one to overhear the 
 agreement made between them concerning the 
 disposition of the government of Rome. 
 
 This conference lasted three days, but the 
 details of it are not known to any one. It is 
 said, however, that they debated what form of 
 government they should settle in the common- 
 wealth, and in what way they should share 
 the - ; p<>wer. Caesar agreed to abdi- 
 
 cate the consulate for the rest of that year, and 
 invest Yentidius, mio of Antony's lieutenants, 
 therewith; and Ga?sar, Lepidus, and Antony, 
 by the title of Triumviri, were to possess the 
 sovereign power f.r live years. After this, 
 they divided the provinces, the legions, and 
 the treasures of the commonwealth between 
 them, as if all the-e had been their patrimony. 
 I'm as a irieat deal of money was oeceflUiy for 
 them to carry out their plans, they resolved to 
 make themselves easy on this score by the pro- 
 scription of the wealthie.-t and most powerful 
 citizens of Rome. A list of them was drawn 
 up, among whom were Paul us, the brother of 
 Lepidus, and Lucius Ca?sar, the uncle of Anto- 
 ny, and Cicero, the tried friend of young Oc- 
 
 
JULIUS CJSSAR. 307 
 
 The end of the Commonwealth. 
 
 tavius. Tliree hundred senators, and more 
 than two thousand knights, were involved in 
 this horrible proscription. 
 
 Then began the war with the commonwealth, 
 which now had n<> existence save in the camp 
 of the conspirators. Caesar and Antony went 
 together with their legions into Macedonia, 
 where Brutus and Cassius were endeavoring t> 
 keep alive the last spark of Roman liberty. 
 The hostile armies met near the town of Phi- 
 lippi. For a while nothing but skirmishes took 
 place, in which the conspirators were always 
 m-t Miccesst'ul. But the day iinally arrived 
 whereon the fortune and destiny of the com- 
 monwealth were decided. It was a furious 
 battle. The plains of Philippi were deluged 
 with blood, and on them were buried the re- 
 mains of liberty, with the bodies of Brutus, of 
 and of the chiefs of the conspirators, 
 and the last of the genuine Eomans. From 
 this gory field sprang forth the Empire. Upon 
 it, all the friends of the Republic lay, and Octa- 
 vius felt that he could now reign alone. The 
 ruin of his colleague, Lepidus, was easily ac- 
 complished ; and then a quarrel, and finally a 
 fight near Actium, left Octavius the master of 
 the world. 
 
 For a long time this successful man, though 
 
308 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Honor paid to Octivius. 
 
 indifferent soldier, hesitated whether he should 
 assume the title of king, or reign under some 
 other name. Finally he resolved to retain the 
 sovereign power, and to cause himself to be 
 styled AUGUSTUS Imperator, a title sometimes 
 given to victorious generals, and to which no 
 odium \vas yet attached. In the mean time 
 he still allowed in Rome the offices of consul, 
 praetor, sedile, and other republican magistrates, 
 l)ii t made them all subservient to his private 
 i-iidv and interests. During his reign, peace 
 and pli-nty flourished anew, and the tempK- t 
 .Janus was closed for the third time since the 
 t'oin nlation of Rome. He adorned the city in 
 such a manner that it was truly said, that " he 
 found it of brick, and left it of marble.'' The 
 ie erected altars to him, and, by a decree 
 of the Senate, the month Sextiles was, in honor 
 of him. called A-uyunt. But all that further re- 
 lates to him and to his successors, will be found 
 in the volume entitled Tin: KMI-IKE OF KOMI-:. 
 
PART II, 
 
 QUESTIONS. 
 
 I. THE WAR WITH PORSENNA. 
 
 Page 15. Who, at the commencement of the Republic, 
 were elected Consuls ? Who was king? What caused the 
 expulsion of Tnrquinins from Rome? At what place was 
 the army encamped ? Who was leader in this revolution ? 
 
 10. What good effects were the result of this change? 
 T "h;it place did T;ir<iuinius withdraw? In what manner 
 did IK- here employ himself? Relate the manner in which 
 the sons of Brutus were sacrificed. What of Goliath. 
 
 17. Who was appointed Consul in his stead? Why was 
 the loss of Brutus so grievous ? What effect had it upon 
 the people? Why did they suspect Publius? What place 
 had l>e chosen for his residence? Why was it offen.- 
 
 the Unmans? 
 
 18. What was the course pursued by Publius ? Why did 
 he lower the fasces? Give some account of his speed) ' 
 
 I'.'. To what place did he propose to remove his duelling ? 
 
 20. What ciVr- t had this upon the populace? Hov. 
 
 his promises fulfil led .' What name was bestowed on him ? 
 Who was , ] ted Consul in place of Brutus, and what fol- 
 lowed ? Who filled his place ? 
 
 21. (live an account of an incident that showed the self- 
 -ion of Horatius. 
 
 22. In what state were the affairs at Rome during these 
 changes ? What actuated the Patricians to show kindness 
 to the poorer classes .' How was Tarquinius employed ? 
 
 23. Who was Porsenna, and why did he engage with Tar- 
 
310 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 quinius ? What preparations did he make for war ? How 
 did they affect the Romans ? 
 
 24. Describe the effect of this panic on Rome. What was 
 done by the enemy ? 
 
 25. What by the Senate ? What by Valerius ? 
 
 26. What was the conduct of Valerius at the bridge? 
 Describe the heroic act of Horatius Codes. 
 
 27. The attack of the troops. The fall of the bridge. 
 
 28. Effect of the intrepidity of Cocles on the spectators. 
 
 29. How was Porsennu affected .' l.k-seribe the end of this 
 adventure. How was Codes rewarded? 
 
 30. Did this heroic action end the war ? How did Por- 
 senna procvrd a.^ain.-t the city of Rome? What is said of 
 the suffering of the dti/.ens ? 
 
 31. What ivMilution was formed by three hundred young 
 men? What did Mucius do .' Win-re did he protvt-d .' 
 
 32. Give an account of his conduct in the king's tent and 
 speech to the king. 
 
 33. How did he K-havo at the burning pile? How did 
 this ronduet all'ert iW.-rnjia ' 
 
 '.\. In \\liii; i.ianin.-r did Mucius disclose the plot of the 
 300 ? Why did 1'orsenna re.sulve on peace ? 
 
 35. On what terms was peace concluded ? What was done 
 by Clu-lia ? What the demand of Porsenna? 
 
 36. How did this affair md ? How \\viv Mudus and Cloe- 
 Jia rewarded t Why was Mucius ealk-d Sc;-vola? 
 
 37. In what other expedition did i'orsnma m-age ? How 
 did this cement the. friendship between him and the Ro- 
 mans? 
 
 II. TUP] AVAR AVITH THE LATINS. 
 
 Page 41. Who, at this time, were the Roman Consuls ? 
 What enemies annoyed Rome? 
 
 \'l. Did all the Sabines engage in these aggressions? 
 What was done by Attus Clausus ? How many accompanied 
 him to Rome ? How were they rewarded? 
 
QUESTIONS. 311 
 
 undertaken by Octavius Mamilius ? How 
 were the Romans aflfected by the news? What domestic 
 troubles had th> 
 
 44. What oppressions had the Plebeians to endure ? How 
 many I^atiii cities prepared to marcli against Rome? 
 
 -1 "). What seemed inevitable ? Why did the Romans rind 
 it difficult to raise troops? What did the people require of' 
 theSenat.-? W- : 
 
 46. What arguments were used by Marcus Valerius for 
 abolishing the debts of the Plebeians? 
 
 47. Who ruse in the opposition, and how? 
 
 48. What effect had the speech of Claudius ? What ren- 
 dered the situation of the Senate embarrassing ? What did 
 they determine upon ? 
 
 4'.'. What How ivivived by the peo- 
 
 ple? What powers were to be intru-t.-d to tins ruler ? 
 
 50. What name given to him? How was the power of 
 this magistrate n-tii.-t.-d ' What abilities were required ? 
 
 ol. Who were th.- two Consul.-, and what their charac- 
 proposed by the Senate ? What noble con- 
 test originated in this proposal? 
 
 ;>'2. In what manner was it terminated ? How. did Lartius 
 manage so as to make an impression of mt>re than kingly 
 power .' With what . 
 
 53. In what manner did Lnrtius divide and enroll the cit- 
 ' To whom give command of the army ? Huw prove 
 himself a wise general and good man .' What did he i- 
 
 o4. Why did Lartius resign his authority ? Whom did he 
 name Consuls? What decree was issued by the Sena 
 specting debts? What with regard to married women? 
 How did the women act ? 
 
 55. Why was a second Dictator chosen? Who was he? 
 What did he do ? What is said of the hostile armies ? 
 
 56. What commanders appeared in the army of the La- 
 tins ? What was the age of King Tarquinius ? Describe the 
 army of the Romans. What excited them to effort ? 
 
312 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 57. Describe the battle. What was the conduct of Tar- 
 quinius and his sons ? 
 
 58. Describe the death of Valerius. How did Aulus act? 
 
 59. Describe the death of Mamilius. Also of Herminius. 
 Fate of Sexttis Tarquinius. Who gained the victory? 
 What the number of the slain ? 
 
 60. What prisoners and spoils were taken by the Romans ? 
 What wonderful incident is related of two horsemen in this 
 battle? 
 
 61. What further account of their appearance in the Fo- 
 rum ? What belief obtained among the people ? How were 
 Castor and Pollux honored ? How was Anlus honored ? 
 
 62. For what purpose were ambassadors sent from the 
 Latins to Rome ? How did these ambassadors act ? Upon 
 what condition was peace granted them ? How long had 
 Rome stni;_'L.--led with Tarquinius? 
 
 63. What was his end .' 
 
 III. Till-: PATRICIANS AND PLEBEIANS. 
 
 Page^l. What lesson had the Patricians learned? Had 
 the Plebeians been benefited by the war? 
 
 68. Whafe arguments did they urge for the payment <>f 
 their debts ? Were they listened to .' What was th-- 
 
 of this treatment ? What two men were elected Consuls ? 
 What was the difference in their characters ? 
 
 69. What were their opinions respecting the debtor and 
 creditor ? llo\v were the two Consuls regarded by th 
 
 pie ? What was the condition of the poor ? What the con- 
 sequence of their sufferings ? 
 
 70. Describe the condition of the old centurion. In what 
 manner had he been thus reduced? 
 
 71 . I low had his creditors treated him ? What effect had 
 this recital upon the people? Had others been so used? 
 What representations did they make to the Consuls ? What 
 demand ? 
 
 Ti'. What did the people obtain from the Senate ? What 
 
QUESTIONS. 313 
 
 strange incident arrested the tumult ? What message was 
 delivered by the horseman ? 
 
 73. How \\;i> the intelligence received ? What effect had 
 it on the multitude ? What did they say ? Whom did the 
 Senate entreat to appease the people .' 
 
 74. In what manner did Servilius proceed ? What prom- 
 ise ? With what effect ? Why did lie delay the hattle ? 
 
 75. How did the Roman soldiers act in the midst of ill- 
 tivatiiu-nt .' What of the Volscians ? Did the Plebeians 
 obtain relief after their victory ? Why not ? 
 
 HIAV did S, rvilins lose favor with both parties? In 
 what manner did the people proovd to protect themselves ? 
 What ii.-mi.-s thivateii'-d at this time to attack the city? 
 
 77. Ho\v did the people treat the demand of the S.-nale 
 and t '< >n>uls .' Who were the next Consuls ? Did the change 
 produce confidence in the people? For what pnrp< 
 
 they hold nightly meeting-: ' Wh.-r.- did tl 
 
 78. What decree was passed' With what effect? To 
 \\hat did t!: uin resort ? What person was selected 
 
 itor? 
 
 I'.y what promise did he render himself acceptable to 
 the people ? How did this succeed ? What enemies came 
 against the Romans ? Who conquered ? 
 
 80. At the return of the army, what demand did Valerius 
 make of tl Their answer. I Tow did he address 
 t hem ? How proceed after his speech ? How were the peo- 
 ple pleased? 
 
 81. What orders did the Senate give the Consuls ? With 
 what design ? Where were they encamped ? In what man- 
 ner did the Plebeians deceive the Patricians ? Of what 
 place did they take possession ? 
 
 82. What course was pursued by the Patricians ? Who 
 was leader among the soldiers ? How did he address the 
 Patricians? What was done by the Consuls and Patri- 
 cians ? 
 
 27 
 
314 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 IV. THE TRIBUNES OF THE PEOPLE. 
 
 Page 87. What effect had the revolt of the Plebeians on 
 the city of Rome ? What was done by the Patricians ? 
 What was the name of the hill of refuge ? 
 
 88. What was the situation of affairs at Rome ? Upon 
 what did the Patricians resolve ? How were the commis- 
 sioners met ? Who were at the head of the revolters ? Who 
 conducted the embassy ? 
 
 89. What was the policy used by the Plebeians? What the 
 speech of Brutus ? How did Valerius begin the negotiation ? 
 
 90. What was the reply of Sicinius ? The address of Ju- 
 nius Brutus to the people ? to the ambassadors ? 
 
 91. How did he appeal to their justice and humanity? 
 What of T. Largius ? Of Sicinius ? 
 
 92. Who was Menenius ? How did he try to soften the 
 people ? Give an account of his fable. 
 
 93. What was its effect ? What did Menenius propose ? 
 
 94. What pledge was demanded by Brutus ? In what 
 manner did the Senate decide ? Who were the first Tribunes 
 of the People ? 
 
 95. To what form of government was Rome now approach- 
 ing? In what way did the Tribunes nullify the decrees of 
 the Senate ? What design had these magistrates ? 
 
 96. What were the JKdilcs? Their office? Give an ac- 
 count of the famine that occurred. Who was Marcius Cori- 
 olanus ? In what manner did he speak of the Plebeians .' 
 
 97. What account is given of his mother ? What had he 
 done for Rome ? Why disliked by the Plebeians ? How did 
 he return this feeling ? 
 
 98. What was the effect of the speech of Coriolanus? 
 How was he treated by the Plebeians ? What orders were 
 given the ^Ediles ? 
 
 W. Why could they not effect this? What ensued? 
 What happened on the following day ? 
 
 100. How did Brutus appease the people ? What did Si- 
 cinius gay ? How did the Tribunes deal with Coriolanus ? 
 
QUESTIONS. ')].*> 
 
 101. What was the Valerian Law ? Who endeavored to 
 save Coriolanus ? What was counselled by the Consul Vale- 
 rius ? What was his speech ? 
 
 102. To what did the Senators urge Coriolanus ? Give 
 his address to them. 
 
 103. Of what did the Tribunes accuse him ? How many 
 days had lie allowed him to make defence ? In what man- 
 ner did he do this ? 
 
 104. What was done by the Tribune Decius ? To what 
 was Coriolanus condemned ? Give an account of the con- 
 duct of Coriolanus on this occasion. 
 
 105. Why did the people rejoice ? What was the only 
 object of Coriolanus after leaving Rome ? Why did he offer 
 his services to the Volsci ? Why was it dangerous for him 
 to venture on this ? 
 
 106. Into what city did he enter ? Into whose house ? 
 Who was Tullus ? Why did he take a seat upon the hearth ? 
 How did he address Tullus ? 
 
 107. How did Tullus jinswcr ? What plan was laid be- 
 tween the two ? How did the Yolscian Senate act upon this 
 plan .' What was the reply of the Romans ? 
 
 108. What followed ? Who led the troops ? What towns 
 did la- take from the Romans ? What inflamed the Plebe- 
 ians ? How near to Rome did Coriolanus encamp his army ? 
 What effect had this on the people ? 
 
 109. What still more alarmed the Romans ? Who were 
 sent to Coriolanus ? What did he grant ? What threaten ? 
 
 110. Who were next sent ? His reply. What was done 
 by Valeria ? To whom did she appeal ? What request ? 
 
 111. Why did the mother of Coriolanus hesitate? In 
 what words did Veturia address the Roman ladies ? 
 
 112. What was finally done by the mother and wife? 
 How did Coriolanus receive them ? His answer to their re- 
 quest. 
 
 1 1 3. Give the appeal of his mother. How was he affected ? 
 
 114. How did Veturia continue her supplications ? What 
 
316 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 actions followed this pleading ? Describe the effect on Cori- 
 olanus. What did he do the next day ? 
 
 115. How did Coriolanus lose his life ? How was he hon- 
 ored by the Volsci ? How by the women of Rome ? 
 
 V. THE DECEMVIRS. 
 
 Page 121. Who was Sp. Cassius Viscellimus ? What his 
 designs ? How did he seek to accomplish them ? What was 
 the Agrarian law ? 
 
 122. What caused his death? What law was obtained 
 from the Senate ? What was done by Genutius ? How was 
 the Agrarian law again silenced ? 
 
 123. Describe the contest between the Plebeians and Pa- 
 tricians. How high did the power of the Tribunes rise ? In 
 what did the I'atrieians sometimes advocate the cause of the 
 Plebeians? What two Consuls made an effort to furnish 
 them with lands ? 
 
 124. What did Kmelius insist on? The consequence. 
 What did Fiibius propose > Why were the people unwilling 
 to accede ? How, at this time, was law administered at 
 Rome? 
 
 1 '2~>. What was proposed by Terentillus Arsa ? How were 
 the laws to be proposed? What violence was perpetrated 
 by Q. Ceso ? Who applauded him ? How did the Tribunes 
 act? 
 
 1 2ii. In what manner did Ceso escape punishment ? What 
 was done by his father to pay the fine? Who was his 
 father ? What war broke out after this ? What of the Ro- 
 man Consuls ? 
 
 127. Why was a Dictator necessary? Who was named? 
 How did tin- deputation find Ciucinnatus employed ? Relate 
 what occurred. What of the Tribunes ? 
 
 128. Why were commissioners sent to Athens? Why 
 were the Decemvirs appointed ? Who were they ? 
 
 12!. What powers were conferred upon them? How did 
 Appius Claudius render himself agreeable to the people? 
 
QUESTIONS. 317 
 
 How was the government administered by the Decemvirs ? 
 How did they form the code of laws ? 
 
 130. Into how many tables was the code arranged ? What 
 caused the election of Decemvirs for another year ? What 
 was the policy of Appius ? To what did he aspire ? 
 
 131. What was the conduct of the new officers ? Of what 
 did the citizens complain ? Give an account of the tyranny 
 of the Decemvirs. 
 
 132. How were those treated who complained ? Did this 
 authority cease at the close of the year ? What did the ty- 
 rants proclaim? What armies were raised against Rome ? 
 Whose aid was sought by the Decemvirs ? 
 
 133. What of Appius ? Of the Roman armies ? Who was 
 Siccius Den tat us ? What did he do ? 
 
 134. How did Appius prevent open revolt ? How revenge 
 himself on Siccius ? Give the story of his assassination. 
 
 135. Why did the soldiers suspect he had been murdered ? 
 What confirmed the suspicion ? 
 
 136. In what place did Appius administer justice? Who 
 was Virginia ? What of her appearance and condition ? 
 
 137. Whom did Appius employ to get her in his posses- 
 sion ? How did Claudius proceed ? What pretend ? 
 
 138. What story did he fabricate of Virginia ? Who dis- 
 covered the plot ? What did Numitorius claim ? 
 
 139. What was decreed by Appius ? How did the assem- 
 bly receive this ? Who was Icilius ? What did he do ? 
 
 140. What language did he use ? What followed ? On 
 what condition was Virginia freed ? Next step of Appius. 
 
 141. In the mean time, what had Virginius done ? What 
 did he do on the next day ? What moved the multitude ? 
 How did Appius provide for his own safety ? 
 
 142. How did Claudius offer to prove Virginia his slave? 
 What witnesses were brought by her friends ? What was 
 done by Appius ? 
 
 143. Give the address^of Claudius to the assembly also 
 his decree. What was done and said by Virginius ? 
 
318 KEPUBLIC OF HOME. 
 
 144. What was the proceeding of Appius ? Request of 
 Virginius ? Describe the death of Virginia. 
 
 145. Describe the flight of Virginius. What was done by 
 the people ? What was the effect of all this on the soldiers ? 
 
 146. What of the Decemvirs ? Who were named Consuls ? 
 What effect had the death of Virginia on the Romans? 
 What became of Appius ? What of Claudius ? 
 
 VI. THE DESTRUCTION OF ROME BY THE 
 
 GAULS. 
 
 Page 149. What effect on Rome had the expulsion of the 
 Decemvirs ? Why did not this state continue ? What did 
 the people aspire to and demand ? 
 
 150. What enemies assailed Rome ? What of the Veien- 
 tes? Of the city of V 
 
 151. To whom was the conduct of the siege committed? 
 With wh:it dignity ? In what manner did he take the city ? 
 
 162. How was Camillus honored at Rome ? What propo- 
 sition was made by Sicinius Dentatus? How received? 
 What of the vow of Camillus, and his forgetfulness ? 
 
 163. What accusation was made against him ? How did 
 Camillus conduct in these circumstances? Who were the 
 Gauls ? 
 
 154. What cities were founded by them ? Of whom did 
 the city of Clusium seek aid ? Who was Brennus ? What 
 produced a quarrel between the Romans and the Gauls ? 
 
 165. What was done by Brennus ? Where did the hostile 
 armies meet ? Describe the battle. 
 
 156. How did the flight of the Roman army affect the city ? 
 How the Senate ? What was their cowardly act ? What 
 was done by some of the old men and priests ? 
 
 157. In what state did the Gauls find Rome on entering 
 it ? What is related of the aged men ? 
 
 158. What caused their destruction ? How did Brennus 
 treat the city ? Why could he not take the capitol ? What 
 did he resolve ? 
 
QUESTIONS. 319 
 
 159. While waiting, how were the soldiers of Brennus 
 employed? Where was Camillas? What did he undertake ? 
 How did he commence his work ? 
 
 160. What did the penitent Romans entreat of him ? On 
 what conditions .did he consent ? Who undertook the task ? 
 How did Cominius reach the capitol ? 
 
 161. How did the Senate receive the proposal ? How did 
 Camillas procure troops ? What discovery was made by the 
 troops of Brennus ? 
 
 102. What plan did Brennus propose to surprise the for- 
 ' What saved it from the Gauls who scaled the wall ? 
 Relate the heroic deed of Manlius ? 
 
 163. How did they deal with the sleepy sentinel ? How 
 reward Manlius? What was the condition of the Gauls 
 within the city ? What that of the Romans within the cap- 
 itol ? What did they resolve upon ? 
 
 164. What agreement make with Brennus? What un- 
 fairness was used by the Gauls ? How did Brennus insult 
 the Romans? Who arrived in the midst of the dispute 
 about the gold ? 
 
 165. What was said by Camillus? What was done by 
 him ? What was the result of his victory ? 
 
 166. What was the condition of Rome after its delivery ? 
 What proposal was made about the city of Veii ? Who ad- 
 vocated it ? 
 
 167. Why did the Senate oppose? What was urged 
 against it by Camillus? With what effect? How much 
 time was taken to rebuild Rome ? 
 
 168. Why was Camillus again called to the Dictatorship ? 
 What titles were given him ? Who refused to honor Camil- 
 lus and why ? How did he seek to gain the people ? 
 
 169. Why did the Patricians again create a Dictator? 
 Who was chosen ? How did he deal with Manlius ? 
 
 170. In what manner did the friends of Manlius show 
 their sorrow ? What did they obtain for him ? What honor 
 was again bestowed on Camillus ? How did this affect Man- 
 
UK PUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 lius? What charges were established against him? What 
 was his condemnation ? 
 
 VII. FOREIGN CONQUESTS. 
 Page 173. How long had it taken the Romans to subdue 
 the surrounding nations ? What was their first foreign war ? 
 What of Carthage ? its foundations ? citizens ? fleets ? 
 
 174. Where and how had Carthage extended its con- 
 quests ? How were Rome and Carthage separated ? What 
 disadvantage had the Romans ? How did they obtain a fleet ? 
 
 175. What of their first naval commander ? What places 
 were taken by their fleets? Where did they carry their 
 arms? Who commanded the first fleet sent to Carthage? 
 Describe the engagement? 
 
 176. Who wei' What further success had the Ro- 
 mans? What of Manlius? OfRegulus? What the condi- 
 tion of Carthage ? Of what were the Carthaginians desirous ? 
 
 177. Upon what terms did Regulus agree to withdraw his 
 army.' How did the Carthaginians receive the proposal? 
 W)i \\a< Xantippus? 
 
 178. What the result of this battle? What became of 
 Regulus? What the conditions upon which he was sent to 
 Rome .' How was In- r. criv.-d l.y the Roman Senat.- ' 
 
 179. Did Regulus remain in Rome? W T hy not? His 
 fate ? Upon what terms did the Romans grant peace to the 
 Carthaginians? Did this peace continue? Who was the 
 cause of the second war ? 
 
 180. What vow had he made? Describe his passage 
 through Gaul across the Alps. W r ho conducted the Ro- 
 man army? Where did the armies meet? How was the 
 battle decided ? How was the life of the Roman General 
 saved ? 
 
 181. Who was now sent against Hannibal ? With what 
 success? What more was done to repel the invader ? What 
 hardships did Hannibal encounter ? What did he lose ? 
 
 182. What mistake was made by Flaminius ? With what 
 
: 
 
 Vf>ult ' Who next \\a> ^--nt to oppose Hannibal .' How did 
 Fahius trouble liiiu .' I low w;i> Kal>iu> ont\\ itted .' Why 
 lay dangerous to the Carthaginians ' 
 
 183. Hive ;iu account of the destruction of the Roman 
 army. What mistake did Hannibal make alter this battle ? 
 Who preserved \(m<- from total distraction .' What iufor- 
 niiitioii did S'ij-io receive after the battle of ('a:. 
 
 184. What oath did he take, and enforce, of his country- 
 ' How did these Romans proc.-ed to recover their 
 
 ' What was done by Fabiu.s Maximus ? Wh. 
 Seipio doin- in Afri.-a .' What kin-s did h.- -ain ? 
 
 Why was Hannibal recalled.^ Where did lie and 
 meet .' Wit-h \\ N .' What was done by the 
 
 I'pou what terms did the Romans grant 
 ' Who was Ma-inissa? 
 
 AVhat did he do to the Carthaginians? How many 
 
 Punic or Carthaginian wars were thnv .' t'onseipit-nce of the 
 
 What did Home after this aspire to ? What nations 
 
 ompiered 1'V tli-m .' 
 
 187. What change accompanied success in the Romans ? 
 What moral change ? Who were Tiberius and Caius Grac- 
 
 What >toi y is related of their mother? 
 
 188. (Jive s.-ine account of Tiberius. At what sie.^e did 
 
 What was insinuated by his enemies? How 
 wa< it >:iM his mother encouraged his ambition? What 
 office did he hold? 
 
 189. To what was his attention called? What was the 
 Agrarian law' Had this law been enforced? What was 
 done by Tiberius ? 
 
 190. How did the nobles and the rich receive the propo- 
 sition of Tiberius? Who was gained over by them ? How 
 did Octavius interpose to overthrow the measure ? In what 
 manner did Tiberius address the next assembly ? 
 
 I'.tl. Who by vote was excluded from the tribuneship ? 
 \V ;1 - the las* revived .' What elV-vts re-ulted ? 
 
 tin- niiinner in which Tiberius lost his life. 
 
322 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 Did the death of Tiberius affect the Agrarian law ? What 
 was the state of Home. When was Caius Gracchus elected ? 
 193. What were his public acts? How were Drusus and 
 Opimius excited against Caius? Give an account of tho 
 second tumult and death of Caius. 
 
 VIII. THE JUGURTHINE WAR. 
 
 Page 197. How did the loss of the Gracchi affect Rome ? 
 Who was Masinissa ? Why did the Romans bestow upon 
 him Numidia ? Who was Micipsa ? Names of his two sons ? 
 What of Jugurtha ? 
 
 198. How did Jugurtha appear in early youth ? How did 
 his mirk- 1 VLTUI d him ? How did his conduct change ? How 
 did this affect Micipsa ? 
 
 199. How did the uncle manage to rid himself of Jii'_rur- 
 tha ? How did Jugurtha gain the army ? W T hat was inti- 
 mated to him ? 
 
 200. How received on his return ? What intimated to 
 Miripsa? How was this adviiv a<-u-d upon? What hap- 
 pened on the death of the king ? How was Numidia divid- 
 ed .' What was tin: aim of .Juirurtha .' 
 
 201. What did he do? How did Adhrrkil act ? What 
 war nisnrd .' Who sur<vs>ful ? What became of Adhnbal t 
 How were the Romans atirrt.-d .' 
 
 202. What artifice did Ju-urtha i-mplc.y ? With what 
 success at Rome ? How did Jugurtha dupe the commis- 
 sioners ? 
 
 203. What next was done by Jugurtha? How did Ad- 
 herbal proceed? Where fly? Next step of Jugurtha? 
 What messengers were sent to Rome ? 
 
 204. Did the men, or gold, prevail ? What was effected 
 by Jugurtha' s gold ? What did Adherbal write to the Sen- 
 ate ? What was the opinion of the honest men at Rome ? 
 
 205. Did their advice prevail ? What was the fate of Ad- 
 herbal ? Effect at Rome of this outrage ? Who was sent to 
 punish Jugurtha ? 
 
 
QUESTIONS. 323 
 
 206. What was the character of Calpurnius ? What was 
 done by Jugurtha ? What ivciuired by the Senate ? What 
 done by tin- army under the command of Calpurnius ? 
 
 What was the resource of Jugurtha? Give an ac- 
 c.'uut of the treachery of Calpurnius. Was this suspected 
 by tin- Roman people? 
 
 Of what did the Tribunes complain ? What demand 
 Senate ? Who was sent to bring Jugurtha to Rome ? 
 Did IK- cnns.-nt to go ? In what did he trust ? 
 
 What was done by him on reaching Rome ? With 
 what did the people threaten Jugurtha? What new crime 
 diil he p'-!p-tiate? What did he say when banished from 
 How did the Romans proceed against him ? 
 
 210. Why did not Albinus succeed in Numidia ? Who 
 took charge of the army ? In what manner was Aulus de- 
 feated ? On what conditions were life ami liberty granted 
 to those who escaped ? How did the Senate keep the 
 treaty ? 
 
 211. Who was intrusted with the war ? What was done 
 in Africa by Metellus ? What terms did Metellus make 
 with Jugurtha ? What prevented Jugurtha from fulfilling 
 his promises ? 
 
 What did he do ? Who was Caius Marius ? How 
 did he cause trouble in the Roman camp? To what office 
 did he aspin- ' Why was this a bold thing for Marius? 
 llo\v did he pnx 
 
 Jlo. What offices did Marius obtain ? In what manner 
 did Marius triumph over the Patricians ? What was done 
 by him ? How did this affect Metellus ? 
 
 214. Who was sent to assist Marius in Africa? What 
 king gave aid to Jugurtha ? What did the two kings effect 
 Marius ? How did he retrieve his loss ? What of 
 Bocchus ? 
 
 2 1 "> . For what purpose did he send ambassadors to Rome ? 
 How were they received and answered ? What was the only 
 condition upon which peace could be obtained from them ? 
 
REPUBLIC OF HOME. 
 
 216. Did Bocchus consent to deliver up Ju.irurtha ? How 
 did Marins enter the city of Rome ? To what was Jugurtha 
 condemned ? Give an account of his end. 
 
 IX. MARIUS AND SYLLA. 
 
 Page 221. After the defeat of Jugurtha what marred the 
 rejoicings? What caused jealousy between Marius and 
 
 Sylla ? What the result ? What invasion alarmed the city ? 
 
 l!J. Where is Jutland? How many barbarians invaded 
 
 Italy ? Who had command of the Roman army ? What 
 
 s were gained by him ? How was Marius regarded f 
 
 Uetellus ? 
 
 223. H<>\v did Marius accomplish his downfall? What 
 i the indiirnatii'ii of tin- people? How did they pro- 
 ceed against tlie>e wieked men? 
 
 II'JI. How was Metellus re>torcd ? In what manner did 
 th- Unman citi/.;-ns show their love for Metellus ? Why did 
 Marius l.-ave Rome ? Origin of new difficulties in Rome ? 
 
 225. What rights had Roman t -iti/.ens .' What was 
 claimed by those who had submitted to Uoine ' Who was 
 Livius I >i usns? How did he offend the Senate .' 
 
 What was tli.- tat.- of Drusus ? To what did thisas- 
 ition ;uouv the foreign subj'---t> ' Wh it 
 the social war f What league was entered into .' Why were 
 ambassadors sent to Rome ? How were they r <. < -iv.-d .' 
 
 J'JT. What was the number of the Confederate army? 
 Who commanded the legions <.f the Senate? How was this 
 contest carried on? What put a stop to it ? 
 
 Who was the great rival of Marius ' What dignities 
 were conferred on Sylla ? Who was the mightiest prince of 
 
 How did he give offence to the Romans ? How tes- 
 
 tify his contempt of their authority ? What threaten ? In 
 
 what respect terrible as an enemy ? W r ho by the Romans 
 
 was appointed to undertake the war with Mithridates? 
 
 230. What feeling did this rouse in Marius ? What re- 
 
QUESTIONS. 
 
 solve? Who joined him ' How did they succeed ? Who 
 
 was killed in the commotion? 
 
 _':;]. Where di.l Sylla take refuse ' Why iliil not Marine 
 
 put him to death .' What did he compel him to do ' What 
 
 'r.e next step of Syllii ? How did Marius olt;iin CI.MI- 
 
 iiuiiid of the army ? Whom did he send to take possession? 
 
 I >id Sylla submit ' What was done to th->e in 
 gers? How did Marius act? What was the determination 
 
 233. Who were sent to stop his march ? How were these 
 
 men treat. -d hy the soldiers of Sylla? What wa> 
 to arre>t tin- march of Sylla? 
 
 How did Sylla answ.-r the artilice of Marin- ' Ii"W 
 
 him? In what manner did Sylla treat Rome and 
 
 uMiIs? How many 1 i ? How did ho 
 control the 
 
 What law di.l he e>tahli>h .' What decree repeal ? 
 Who were declared .-nemies of the state? (Jive particulars 
 j.roseeiition of ti 
 
 A hat of the feelin- towards Sylla' 
 ,i< h.-d ' With what etl'.-ct ' Who was ( 'inna .' 
 What wag done l.yCimia.' What hy Sylla' Why 
 did Cinna wish to iveall Marius.' How did he prc>< 
 
 What i> said of the speech of Cinna.' 1IU d.-man.l ? 
 What cau>ed disputes between i riti- 
 
 Who was Octavius ? What was done hy him ' 
 How did Cinna seek to stir up the j.eoph- .' What 
 -(I on him ' How did he appear at Capua ? 
 1MO. What were his actiOOl there. How : What 
 
 was the strength of his party. 
 
 -41. What was reported .' Give the story of Marius. 
 iM'J. Where was Marius imprisoned? Relate what hap- 
 pened to him in prison. 
 
 _ l:i. Why was he set free ? What occurred on his voyage ? 
 Where did he land ? 
 
326 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 244. Give an coccount of Marius at Carthage. Where was 
 Marius joined by his son ? 
 
 245. How did Marius appear at Rome ? Who joined him ? 
 24G. Who was sent for to defend Rome? Why did not 
 
 Metellus serve ? What occurred between the Senate and 
 Cinna ? 
 
 247. What oath did the Senate demand of Cinna ? What 
 was done by Octavius .' 
 
 248. How was he treated by Marius and Cinna ? How did 
 they treat the city of Rome ? Where was Sylla ? 
 
 ill'.'. How did Marius treat the family of Sylla? also the 
 laws and ] .>)- >n of Sylla? Who were elected Consuls,? 
 What news alanm-d tlu-m ' How was Marius aff.-ctcd ' 
 
 250. To what diil hr abandon himself .' How was the life 
 of Marius terminated' At what age? How often was he 
 ; -if K'.me ' What caused his ruin .' How were the 
 people affected by his death .' 
 
 X. CIVIL WAliS AND CONSl'IlIAriKS. 
 
 lay in the return oOylla .' Who 
 
 .il.-iius l-'lacci ;..,.' Wh' Fimbria .' What occurred be- 
 i tin-in .' 
 
 J.'.l What policy diil Mithridates use with Sylla ? What 
 terrified the ambassadors of the kini; .' Describe the inter- 
 view I ila and .Mithrid 
 
 Mithridai ! What suunnoiis did 
 
 Sylla send (<> Kiiuhria ' How ive.-iv.-d ' Why would not 
 the soldi- -rs fuht ' What th<- consequence? 
 
 What was the Tate of Fimbria .' Where did Sylla 
 conduct his troops .' What ord.-r wa> iu<-d by the Consuls ? 
 Who were they .' What tin- fate of Cinna.' How was the 
 army of Sylla increased ? Who was Cn. I'oinpeius ' 
 
 How old was I'ompey th.- <ireat at that time ? What 
 number of men did he bring to Sylla ? How did Sylla ob- 
 tain the troops of Scipio .' What was done by young Ma- 
 
QUESTIONS. 327 
 
 258. How were his troops routed ? Where did he take 
 refuge ? What was done by Sylla to capture Marius ? To 
 what was the attention of Italy directed ? 
 
 259. Did they afford relief to Marius ? Whom did the 
 army of Marius join ? Who was Telesinus ? To what place 
 diil ho march ? What was done by the inhabitants ? 
 
 260. What was said by Tel, -sinus to his army? Who 
 commanded the people ? How did they sustain the attack ? 
 Give an account of the battle between Telesinus and Sylla ? 
 Win-re was tli-- battle f.u-lit ? 
 
 261. How did the people prevent the entrance of the Sam- 
 nites into the gates? What terrible disaster occurred? 
 What suspended tli.- cnntli. t ' Who overcame ? How did 
 Sylla's cnn-lty appear .' What became of young Marius? 
 
 H>\\- did Sylla enter K.>me? In what manner did he 
 b his glory? Mention some of his monstrous acts of 
 cruelty. 
 
 263. What was said to him by Metellus? What was 
 Sylla's reply? How did he reward his soldiers ? How did 
 he change the government of Rome ? 
 
 264. How many of his citizens had Sylla destroyed ? How 
 many senators and knights ? What was his most extraor- 
 dinary act ? What was his ruling passion ? 
 
 265. What struck the multitude with awe ? How did the 
 Romans regard this act ? In what manner did Sylla die ? 
 What did he leave for his epitaph ? What was attempted 
 
 Mus ? 
 
 Who were chiefs of the Patricians? Whom did 
 Lepidus gain to his party ? What became of him ? and of 
 Brutus ? 
 
 1M7. What put an end to the Spanish war? Who was 
 Spartacus ? Who joined him ? Who went against him ? 
 
 268. Relate his fall. What caused the jealousy between 
 Crassus and Pompey ? How did Crassus seek to gain the 
 people of Rome ? How did Pompey make himself the idol 
 of the people ? 
 
328 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 269. What appointment was given to him ? In what con- 
 dition was Rome at this time ? What Avas going on ? Who 
 was Catiline ? 
 
 270. What his character? Of what crimes was he ac- 
 cused ? Who were ready to join Catiline in any plot ? 
 
 ' 1271. What plot was formed? Who the leader? What 
 noted men were in it ? What of women ? What was the 
 object of all these? 
 
 272. Whose attention did this conspiracy engage ? What 
 was ascertained hy Cicero ? What did he learn of these pro- 
 ceedings ? 
 
 273. What news threw Catiline into consternation ? What 
 did he and his party resolve upon? What was he to do? 
 Who was to stab Cicero ? 
 
 J71. In what manner 'li<l the Senate show confidence in 
 Cicero? How did he prepare for defence ' What papers 
 were brought to tin- Beoatc .' What was d..ne by Catiline ? 
 
 276. How was Cicero affected .' Speech of Cicero. 
 
 276. How was he answered by Catiline? How was Cati- 
 :vcd to stop' What was his declaration? 
 
 J77. Where did he go.' Whom did the conspirators 
 attempt to draw into the plot? With what promise .' To 
 whom did they divulge the plot ' How did the ambassadors 
 procure evidence against Catil'r 
 
 21*. To what \\rie the chief conspirators condemned ? 
 
 *J7'.'. Was I 'atiline among them .' What was he compelled 
 to do? Doseribe his death. How was Cicero honored? 
 
 280. What was- he declared .' What did the Emperor 
 Augustus say of him ? 
 
 XI.-.IVLIUS CJSSAR. 
 
 285. How did Rome now lose its republican form of 
 government? What two men divided public attention? 
 How was Pompey illustrious ? 
 
 286. What was the cause of the enmity between him and 
 Julius Caesar? Of which party was Pompey? Of which 
 
Q u K> r 1 O.N s. 
 
 Julius Cu-siir ? Why was Ca-sar impeached ? What was the 
 effect of his eloquence ? Who with Pom ivy divided the 
 favor of tlr S 
 
 How did I'a-sar obtain the consulate ? What was his 
 policy as to the Airrarian law? What government did Cae- 
 sar obtain for Pompey ? ForCrassus? For himself ? How 
 did he use his power ? How treat Cato ? Bibulus ? Lucul- 
 lus ? Cicero ? 
 
 289. How did Cirsar set out for his government ? What 
 him to the highest rank among the captains ? What 
 nations had he conquered? How many citi.s' What of 
 his battles ? Of his ambition ? His treasures? 
 
 Why diil Cji-sar love money .' How did he spend it? 
 H->w a-.-Ln lands and the ehief offices of state ? 
 
 How was Pompey affected by the influence of Caesar ? 
 In what condition was Home, through these disputes ? What 
 was done by Cato ? 
 
 What u as the demand of Caesar ? How was this op- 
 ' How did Pompey act in secret? Why did 
 \ 1 ps ? 
 
 What 1< -tiers send to the Senate ? What decree did 
 they pass? Who opposed this? How did the Senate 
 them ? What had Pompey on his side ? What had Caesar? 
 
 Describe Caesar at the River Rubicon. To what place 
 did lie march? How was this news received at Rome? 
 What wa> don.- by Pompey and the Senate ? 
 
 What by the city ? What pursuit then commenced ? 
 What happened on the plains of Pharsalia ? How long had 
 Pompey been a conqueror? To what now reduced? Of 
 whom sink protection ? What treachery did Ptolemy con- 
 template ' 
 
 296. Give an account of the death of Pompey. What did 
 Caesar become ? What titles and honors were conferred on 
 him ? Why was not that of king given him ? Why did his 
 enemies wish him to assume it ? 
 
 297. What proposal was made ? What was agreed upon 
 
330 REPUBLIC OF ROME. 
 
 in private cabals ? Who was at the head of this conspiracy ? 
 Who associated with Brutus? What day was fixed upon? 
 How had Cicsar been warned ? 
 
 298. How far did these things affect him ? How was lie 
 attacked? What was done by Casca ? How did the sight 
 of r.rutus aft'ert him? 
 
 What followed this bloody scene ? What was done 
 by the conspirators ? Did the people approve ? Upon what 
 did Antony resolve ? 
 
 300. How did he proceed? What did the Senate decide 
 on ? How were the people affected by the reading of Caasar's 
 \\ ill .' What did he leave to the citizens and others ? 
 
 301. Give an account of the funeral oration of Marc An- 
 tony and its effect? Who was tin; adopted son and heir of 
 
 1 1. >w old was he at Caesar's death ? On what did he 
 
 iv>o|ve .' What name aume ' How was he received in 
 
 KJ>IIIC .' Wh"-<- friendship did ( letavius beg ? 
 
 Why did Antony at first refuse his claims ' Why 
 
 afterwards -rant them ? How did Octavius tfain the people? 
 
 How was ( >. tavius regarded by Antony? Why did the Sen- 
 How did Antony secure the interest at 
 
 Why did Oetavins wish the consulship .' 
 
 How obtain it ' What do > Why reeall Antony ? 
 Where did the thiv in. -el .' HOW.' What d.-ter- 
 
 niine upon in their conference ? What was the Triumviri ? 
 
 How did they divide the commonwealth? How obtain 
 
 money ? 
 
 307. How many were involved in this proscription? 
 
 What war beiran .' (iive an account of what took pi . 
 
 1'hilippi. What sprang from this field ? What left Octavius 
 r of the world .' 
 
 What title did he assume' What flourished in his 
 ' What temple was closed ? How was Augn>tu> hon- 
 
 01 ed I'V the prop],- .' What month n.iin- d attrl him.' 
 
IN the two parts recently offered to the public, 
 respectively entitled THE KINGS OF ROME and THE 
 HLIC OF ROME, the narrative of the establish- 
 ment and growth of the Roman power is brought 
 down to the death of Julius Caesar. The present 
 volume, which forms a sequel to those just nnim .!, 
 begins with the circumstances that attended the 
 elevation of Octavius, and relates the most interesting 
 portions of the history of the empire to the d ath 
 of Constantine, during whose reign Rome ceased to 
 be the capital of the world. Few, perhaps, who 
 have read the first two volumes, will fail to go to the 
 sources from which the narrative has been drawn; 
 and it is believed that those who read the present 
 volume, will be induced, not only to investigate more 
 closely the subjects herein presented, but to pursue 
 the study of this interesting history to the dissolution 
 of the empire. 
 
Arrangement. 
 
 PAOB 
 
 1. THE BEGINNING or THE EMPIRE 15 
 
 II. CALIGULA AKD CLAUDIUS 47 
 
 III. TDK LAST or THE CJBARB 76 
 
 I V. TRANSIKNT RULERS 101 
 
 \ '. VESPASIAN AKD BIS Sows 1 1:8 
 
 ^' I. EXTENSION or THE EXPIRE 147 
 
 V 1 1. THE ANTONINES 178 
 
 V III. THE PRAETORIAN GUARDS 197 
 
 1 X. THE DECLINE or THE EMPIRE 241 
 
 X. ROME ABANDONED.. . 278 
 
ustrgtuns. 
 
 PAOB 
 
 DEATH OF MARK ANTONY Frontitpiece. 
 
 NERO'S EXPEDITION TO GREECE 74 
 
 A ROYAL GLADIATOR 196 
 
 A ROMAN EMPEROR ENSLAVED 240 
 
THE Battle of Actium Death of Antony Octavius and 
 Cleopatra Singular death of Cleopatra Extent of the Em- 
 pire Appearance of Rome Octavius becomes Emperor 
 Takes the name of Augustus His Kindness and Magna- 
 nimity His Wars Birth of Christ Death of Augustus 
 The Honors paid to him Tiberius made Emperor Re- 
 volt of the Army Tiberius jealous of Germanicus His 
 treatment of Germanicus Baseness of Piso and Placina 
 Death of Germanicus Indignation of the People Piso de- 
 stroys himself Ambition of Sejanus His Schemes to ob- 
 tain the Empire His Detection and Punishment Wretched 
 Condition of Tiberius His Death His Treatment of the 
 Christians, 
 
DEATH OP MARK ANTONY. 
 
I. 
 
 THE BEGINNING OF THE EMPIRE. 
 
 BY the death of Caesar, Rome, as may be 
 learned by reference to the close of the pre- 
 ceding volume, was thrown into the utmost 
 contusion. The people, easily persuaded that 
 he had been unjustly murdered, compelled all 
 the principal actors in the bloody scene to flee 
 from the city. The government was then 
 usurped by three men Antony, a friend of 
 Caesar, Lepidus, one of his generals, and Octa- 
 vius, his adopted son who were called trium- 
 virs, or a triumvirate. The chiefs, of the con- 
 spiracy, Brutus and Cassius, with their adhe- 
 rents, were defeated in battle, as already stated, 
 on the plains of Philippi, where they both 
 committed suicide ; and then the members of 
 the triumvirate, each anxious to be first, began 
 a dreadful quarrel among themselves. Lepidus, 
 the weakest of the number, was M.UJI deposed 
 
EMPIRE or EOME. 
 
 Battle of Actium. 
 
 and banished. Mark Antony, the master of 
 the greater part of Asia and Egypt, and in alli- 
 ance with some of the most powerful kings, 
 ceuld not be so easily disposed of by the ambi- 
 tious Octavius, who now wished to rule alone. 
 His shameful conduct, however, in Egypt, 
 where he became intoxicated with the charms 
 of Cleopatra, its queen, having excited against 
 him the displeasure of his countrymen, he was 
 deprived of his government. But being nat- 
 tered and encouraged by the beautiful Egyptian 
 queen, he defied the power of Rome, and 
 brought about a war between his country and 
 Cleopatra, which resulted in his total ruin. 
 
 It was the naval battle fought near Actium, 
 a city of Epirus, that decided the fate of Anto- 
 ny, and made Octavius master of the Ro- 
 man world. The ships of Antony and Cleopa- 
 tra were ranged near the mouth of the Gulf, in 
 
 O 
 
 opposition to those of Octavius, while the land 
 armies of the two generals were drawn up on 
 either side, only as spectators of the engage- 
 ment. The conflict was maintained with equal 
 animosity by both parties, and the advantage 
 gained by either was not at all perceptible, 
 when, suddenly, the fortune of the day was de- 
 cided by the flight of Cleopatra, attended by 
 sixty of her vessels. Antony himself immedi- 
 
BEGINNING OF THE EMPIRE. 17 
 
 Death of Antony Octavius and Cleopatra. 
 
 ately followed her, leaving his fleet at the 
 mercy of the enemy ; and this, together with 
 his land forces, soon after submitted to the vic- 
 torious Octavius. The numerous misfortunes 
 which afterwards befell him in rapid succes- 
 sion, produced such an effect upon his mind, 
 that he called one of his slaves, named Eros, 
 whom he engaged, by an oath, to kill him when- 
 ever fortune should drive him to this last re- 
 source. Eros being soon after commanded to 
 fulfil his promise, pretended the utmost readi- 
 ness to obey, and, requesting Antony to turn 
 away his face, stabbed himself, and fell dead 
 at his master's feet. Moved by such a display 
 of heroic affection, Antony hung for a long 
 while in silent agony over the body of his faith- 
 ful servant; and then, taking up the sword, 
 gave himself a mortal blow. 
 
 The wound, though frightful, did not prove 
 fatal at once ; and the unfortunate man ordered 
 those who heard his groans to carry him* into 
 the presence of Cleopatra. The horror-stricken 
 queen tore her clothes, beat her breast, and 
 kissed the wound of which her lover was rapid- 
 ly dying. Her transports of grief were beyond 
 description ; she was, indeed, with difficulty pre- 
 vented from destroying her own life. In the 
 mean time, Octavius, arriving in the city of 
 
 2* 
 
18 EMPIRE OF KOAIE. 
 
 Cleopatra's singular Death. 
 
 Alexandria, laid plans for seizing the person of 
 Cleopatra, in order to lead her as a captive in 
 his triumphal entrance into Rome. But the 
 queen learning his intentions, resolved to de- 
 feat them, by putting an end to her life. Going 
 previously to the tomb of Antony, she crowned 
 it with garlands of flowers, and kissed the 
 coffin a thousand times. Then, returning to 
 her palace, she ordered one of her domestics to 
 bring to- her secretly, in a basket of fruit, an 
 asp, the bite of which, though deadly, was not 
 accompanied with pain. Informing Octavius, 
 by letter, of her fatal purpose, and requesting 
 Li m to bury her in the same tomb with Anto- 
 ny, she arrayed herself in the most splendid 
 manner, and then dismissing all but her two 
 attendants, Charmion and Iris, laid down upon 
 a gilded couch, and suffered herself to be stung 
 by the poisonous reptile. As soon as Octavius 
 received her letter, he sent messengers in all 
 haste to prevent her terrible design, but they 
 arrived too late. Cleopatra was already dead ; 
 and by her side was stretched the lifeless body 
 of her faithful Iris. Charmion, herself just ex- 
 piring, was arranging the diadem upon Cleo- 
 patra's head. " Alas !" cried one of the mes- 
 sengers, " was this well done, Charmion ?" 
 "Yes," replied Charmion, "it is well done* 
 
B E i J I N N 1 N ' <>F T II K K M 1M K K . 19 
 Extent of the Empire Appearance of Rome. 
 
 such a death becomes a queen defended from 
 a long line of glorious ancestors ;" and the 
 words were no sooner pronounced than she fell 
 dead at the feet of her beloved mistix 
 
 At this period, Rome was at its gre: 
 height of wealth and splendor. Its dominion 
 had been extended over all the nations of Eu- 
 rope, except some powerful northern tribes, 
 that still maintained their independence. With- 
 in the limits of its empire were England, 
 France, Spain, Germany, all the States of Italy, 
 Greece, the country now occupied by Turkey 
 in Europe, and many other nations. Its sway 
 extended over Asia Minor, Syria, Palestine, 
 Arabia, Persia, Parthia, and all the northern 
 part of Africa, from Mauritania, now Morocco, 
 on the west, to Ethiopia uii the east. Through- 
 out all these countries the people of Rome had 
 extended the arts of painting, sculpture, and ar- 
 chitecture, so that a multitude of cities in various 
 parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia, were filled 
 with costly temples and palaces of marble, with 
 beautiful statues and valuable paintings. But 
 Rome itself was, of all the cities in the world 
 the most wonderful. At this period it was fifty 
 miles in circumference, and contained four 
 millions of inhabitants. Within it were the 
 choicest treasures of the countries which it had 
 
20 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Change in Octaviua. 
 
 conquered; the most beautiful statues from 
 Greece ; columns and obelisks from Egypt ; 
 gold, silver, and precious stones from every 
 quarter of the earth. It was adorned with the 
 most magnificent temples, theatres, public 
 baths, aqueducts, and triumphal arches ; and 
 was, by far, the most splendid city in the world. 
 In polite learning, too, the Romans had made 
 a proficiency which has never since been ex- 
 celled. Besides Virgil, Horace, and Ovid, 
 poets whose names are familiar to every one, 
 Livy, the historian, graced this period. In 
 short, the glories of this age reflect a lustre on 
 human nature itself. 
 
 From the moment that Octavius found him- 
 self the master of the world, the government of 
 Rome took a permanent form. This man, who, 
 when surrounded by rivals, had been so cruel, 
 now became mild and kind. He labored ear- 
 nestly to unite the interests of the different 
 classes. Causing himself to be created Tribune 
 of the People," and Prince of the Senate, he 
 managed to govern both, and, at the same time, 
 to make them believe that they were governing 
 themselves. Taking great care to encourage 
 men of learning, and to cultivate their friend- 
 ship, he was repaid by hearing his praise cir- 
 culated in every portion of his empire. 
 
BEGINNING OF THE EMPIRE. 21 
 
 The Senate declare Octavius Emperor. 
 
 When thoroughly convinced that he had se- 
 cured the attachment of all orders of the State, 
 he resolved upon making a great display of his 
 magnanimity, by pretending a wish to relin- 
 quish the sovereign power. All parties, of 
 course, united in entreating him to retain the 
 government, which he finally consented to do, 
 though, apparently, with great reluctance. 
 Such an exhibition of moderation, and so 
 much devotion to the public interest, created a 
 strong desire on the part of the Senate and the 
 people to do whatever might afford him pleas- 
 ure. Then it was that the title which he had 
 as-umed of AUGUSTUS IMPERATOE was legiti- 
 mately bestowed upon him, and his person was 
 declared sacred and inviolable. The Senate, 
 by oath, approved of all his acts, and set him 
 wholly above the power of the laws. They 
 went so far as to swear obedience, not only to 
 the laws which he had made, but even to those 
 which he should make for the future. In fact 
 his power was unlimited, while no one seemed 
 to feel or know it. 
 
 The numerous titles and employments which 
 were thus heaped upon Augustus, did not seem 
 to render him less assiduous in the discharge 
 of his duties. His whole life appeared now to 
 be devoted to the welfare of his subjects ; and 
 
22 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 "Wise regulations of Augustus. 
 
 especially did he aim at the suppression of cor- 
 ruption in the Senate, and of licentiousness in 
 the people. Through his instrumentality a 
 great check was placed upon those cruel shows 
 of gladiators, so common during this corrupt 
 period. He did all in his power to promote 
 marriages and domestic happiness, fining those 
 who refused to enter into wedlock, and reward- 
 ing those who reared large and healthy fami- 
 lies. He ordered that the senators should be 
 held in great reverence, and added much to 
 their outward dignity. He was very strict in 
 regard to the morals of play-actors, forbidding 
 the least licentiousness in their lives, and inde- 
 cency in their actions. In order to prevent 
 bribery at elections, he took, as a pledge, con- 
 sidi'ttiblo sums of money from the candidates, 
 which he obliged them to forfeit in case they 
 were guilty of any unjust practices. In this 
 way he did much to extirpate vice, and to im- 
 prove the conduct of the Roman people. 
 
 The agreeable manners and kindness of Au- 
 gustus, made him a great favorite among the 
 people ; their lawsuits, even, he condescended 
 to plead in person, and such was his affability 
 that he returned the salutations of the meanest 
 persons. It is said that some one, on a certain 
 occasion, presenting him a petition with much 
 
BEGINNING OF THE EMPIRE. 23 
 
 His Kindness unu Magnanimity. 
 
 timidity, Augustus looked at him in a reproach- 
 ful manner, and exclaimed: "What, friend! 
 you act as if you were offering something to an 
 elephant, and not to a man ; be bolder !" But 
 the greatness of his mind was best exemplified 
 in his magnanimous treatment of Cornelius 
 Cinna, the grandson of Pompey. This noble- 
 man had entered into a dangerous conspiracy 
 against him; but the plot was discovered be- 
 \'< 'iv it was ripe for execution. For a long tinio 
 Augustus was uncertain how he should act. 
 JI> clemency, however, at last prevailing, he 
 sent for those who bad been found guilty, and 
 having reprimanded them, dismissed them with- 
 out any further punishment. Then turning to 
 Cinna, the chief of the conspirators, he thus ad- 
 dressed him : " I have twice given you your 
 life first as an enemy, then as a conspirator ; 
 I now give you the consulship ; let us there- 
 fore be friends for the future, and let us only 
 contend in showing whether my confidence or 
 your fidelity shall be victorious." From this 
 time, it is said, that all conspiracies against 
 Augustus ceased. 
 
 Although he was himself totally destitute of 
 military skill, the Eoman arms, under his lieu- 
 tenants, were still generally crowned with sue- 
 But the wars which were carried on in 
 
24 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 The "Wars during the Eeign of Augustus. 
 
 distant provinces aimed rather at enforcing 
 obedience than at extending dominion; and 
 thus the Cantabrians, the Germans, the Rhe- 
 tians, the Dacians, the Armenians, and other 
 nations, were successively defeated in vari- 
 ous contests, and compelled to acknowledge 
 the supremacy of Rome. The war with the 
 Dalmatians and Pannonians, one of the most 
 obstinate that occurred during his reign, con- 
 tinued nearly three years ; but that which 
 proved most fatal to the Roman interests, was 
 under the management of one of his generals, 
 named Quintilius Yarus. This general, inva- 
 ding the territories of the Germans, followed 
 the enemy among their forests and marshes, 
 with his army, in detachments, and was entire- 
 ly cut off, with all his forces, composed of the 
 choicest troops of the empire. Such was the 
 effect of this misfortune upon the mind of Au- 
 gustus, that he was often afterwards heard to 
 cry out, in a tone of anguish : " Quintilius Ya- 
 rus, restore to me my legions !" 
 
 The reign of Augustus, which continued 
 during a space of forty years, was peaceful and 
 little interrupted by commotions, wars, and po- 
 litical intrigues, which are, indeed, the chief 
 materials of history. About the middle of this 
 reign, most of the nations of the world found 
 
BEGINNING OF THE EMPIRE. 25 
 
 Birth of Christ 
 
 themselves, at once, yielding obedience to the 
 same monarch, and in perfect harmony with 
 each other. It may with propriety be regarded 
 as a fitting time for the appearance upon earth 
 of the Prince of Peace; and, indeed, it ANUS 
 about fourteen years before the death of Augus- 
 tus that our Saviour Jesus Christ came into the 
 world. He was born in Judea, one of the 
 many provinces of Rome, in the seven hundred 
 and fifty-second year of this remarkable city, 
 and in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of the 
 first of its emperors. 
 
 While so fortunate in the affairs of his gov- 
 ernment, Augustus, in his domestic relations, 
 experienced a great deal of unhappiness. Al- 
 though twice married, he had but one child, a 
 daughter, named Julia. He felt, however, some- 
 what consoled for the want of children, by see- 
 in g her married and surrounded by a large and 
 promising family ; but, finally, her husband 
 died, and then, one by one, her children also fol- 
 lowed. Meanwhile, Augustus caused his daugh- 
 ter Julia to be married to Tiberius Claudius 
 Nero, a son of his second wife, born during her 
 first marriage. He also adopted Tiberius, com- 
 pelling him in turn to adopt Germanicus, the 
 only surviving child of his brother Drusus. 
 Tiberius had always been very serviceable in 
 8 
 
EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Sickness and Death of Augustus. 
 
 the management of public affairs ; Augustus, 
 therefore, on arriving at the seventy-fourth year 
 of his age, constituted him his successor, and 
 gave up to him, almost entirely, the adminis- 
 tration of the State. 
 
 About this time, seeming to be apprehensive 
 of his approaching end, he made his will, and 
 then solemnized the census or numbering of the 
 people, whom he found to amount to four mil- 
 lions one hundred and thirty-seven thousand. 
 Soon after this, having accompanied Tiberius 
 in his march into Illyria, as far as Beneventum, 
 he was attacked violently by a diarrhoea. Re- 
 turning thence to Nbla, he became so ill that 
 he sent for Tiberius, with the rest of his most 
 intimate friends and acquaintance. Apprising 
 them of his conviction that his end had come, 
 he gave them his last instructions. It is said 
 that, a few hours before his death, he ordered 
 a looking-glass to be brought, and his hair to 
 be dressed with more than usual care. Then 
 addressing his friends, whom he beheld sur- 
 rounding his bed, he desired to know whether 
 he had acted well his part in life. Receiving 
 an affirmative reply, he cried out with his last 
 breath, " Then give me your applause." 
 
 When the death of Augustus became known, 
 lamentation was heard throughout the empire. 
 
BEGINNING OF THE EMPIRE. 27 
 
 Honors psid to Augustus Commencement of the Reign of Tiberius. 
 
 His funeral ceremonies were performed with 
 tlie utmost magnificence ; and when the rites 
 were over, his will was read in the Senate- 
 House. In this will he made Tiberius and Livia 
 his heirs, and gave large legacies to many private 
 persons, and some memento to the praetorian 
 guards, and to all the citizens of Rome. Tem- 
 ples were afterwards erected to his memory; 
 divine honors were allowed to him ; and it is 
 said that one of the senators, in consideration of 
 a large sum of money, swore that he had seen 
 him ascending into heaven. 
 
 There can be little doubt that Augustus did 
 all in his power to promote the happiness and 
 welfare of his subjects. While he appeared to 
 give them a republican form of government, 
 he really ruled them as the most .absolute mon- 
 arch ; but, guided by his consummate pru- 
 dence, they were prosperous and contented. 
 In this virtue few monarchs ever excelled him ; 
 and, could his early crimes be forgotten, he 
 might be pronounced one of the most faultless 
 princes that ever lived. 
 
 The reign of Tiberius began fourteen years 
 after the birth of Christ ; and the unworthy 
 successor of Augustus was fifty-six years of age 
 when he came to the empire. He soon found 
 means to render himself unpopular, by claim- 
 
28 EMPIRE OF Ko MB. 
 
 Revolt of the Array under Germanicus. 
 
 ing as a debt that homage which his predeces- 
 sor had been willing to receive as a favor. In 
 the beginning of his reign, however, he was 
 governed, apparently, by generous and noble 
 feelings. The great names and titles which 
 were liberally bestowed upon him by the Sen- 
 ate, he utterly rejected. He likewise prohib- 
 ited the erection of statues in his honor, and 
 the worship which was offered to him as to a 
 deity. Besides all this, he assumed an appear- 
 ance of great patience and moderation on all 
 occasions, and even suffered others to speak ill 
 of himself and of his government, saying that 
 " in a free city the tongues of men ought also to 
 be free." lie manifested, too, a great hatred of 
 vice, as well as a detenu i nation to cause jus- 
 tice to be duly and regularly administered 
 throughout every part of his empire. In short, 
 he contrived, for a season, to enjoy a degree of 
 ivsjiectand admiration almost equal to that of 
 the excellent monarch who had preceded him. 
 Germanicus, the nephew and adopted son of 
 Tiberius, was at the head of the Roman armies 
 in Germany when Augustus died. As soon as 
 intelligence of this event was brought into that 
 region, these armies revolted, and declared that 
 
 O ' > 
 
 the Roman Empire was in their gift, inasmuch 
 as its principal grandeur was owing to the sue- 
 
BEGINNING OF THE EMPIRE. 29 
 
 Jealousy cf Tiberius. 
 
 cess of their arms. They resolved that they 
 would choose an emperor themselves ; and Ger- 
 manicus being greatly beloved by thorn all, 
 they offered to raise him to this exalted dignity. 
 It is probable, too, that this might have been 
 easily done; but Germanicus was a man who 
 could not, for any consideration, be tempted to 
 do what was dishonorable or wrong. Their 
 offers were consequently rejected with the ut- 
 most indignation, and their seditious behavior 
 was promptly quelled. 
 
 When information of this was brought to 
 Tiberius, he was, of course, gratified by the 
 loyalty of Germanicus, but, at the same time, 
 exceedingly distressed by his popularity ; and, 
 a short time after, his jealousy was so much in- 
 ilamed by the success of Germanicus against 
 the Germans, whom he beat in a number of 
 battles, that he determined to find some plausi- 
 ble pretence for detaching him from the armies. 
 It was not, however, until the Parthians threat- 
 ened to attack Rome, that a favorable oppor- 
 tunity occurred for effecting the ruin of Ger- 
 manicus. That fierce and unconquerable people 
 breaking the peace that had been made with 
 them during the reign of Augustus, invaded 
 Armenia, a tributary kingdom of the empire. 
 This was an occasion for recalling the legions 
 3* 
 
30 EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Tiberius separates Germanicus from the Army. 
 
 of Germanicus ; and Tiberius procuring him a 
 triumph for his victories in Germany, wrote to 
 him to return, in order to enjoy the honors that 
 had been decreed to him by the Senate. He 
 also complimented him upon his achievements, 
 telling him that he had reaped glory enough in 
 a country where he had ever been victorious. 
 In reply, Germanicus earnestly entreated the 
 continuance of his command for one year 
 longer, in order that he might finish the enter- 
 prises that he had begun. But the cunning 
 Tiberius, intent upon the accomplishment of his 
 base design, offered Germanicus the consulship, 
 and requested him to execute the office in per- 
 son. 
 
 Germanicus, although he probably under- 
 stood the motive of the emperor, delayed no 
 longer to obey his wishes, and accordingly set 
 out for Home. Great multitudes of people 
 went out to meet him, and as he entered the 
 city, accompanied, in a chariot, by his wife and 
 children, the people were thrown into a frenzy 
 of joy and admiration ; and Tiberius himself, 
 though extremely jealous, feigning to join in 
 the general rejoicing, gave, in the name of 
 Germanicus, three hundred sesterces to each of 
 the citizens. 
 
 The real aim of Tiberius, in raising German!- 
 
BE<;INNMX<; OF THE EMPIRE. 31 
 
 lie instigates Piso to destroy Germanicus. 
 
 cus to the consulship, was, first to separate him 
 from his army, and then, as soon as possible, to 
 get him far away from Rome, where his popu- 
 larity was now so hateful to him. It was easy 
 enough for him to do this, even in a way that 
 could not be wholly disagreeable to Germani- 
 cus. The Roman Empire was vast, and its in- 
 terest oftentimes demanded the presence of 
 wise and prudent men, at great distances from 
 the capital. At this particular time there was 
 difficulty, not only with the Parthians, but with 
 the people of Comagena and Cilicia ; and the 
 inhabitants of Syria and Judea, overburdened 
 with taxes, were making earnest supplications 
 for redress. To be intrusted with the manage- 
 ment of these important matters was no small 
 honor, and Germanicus could not therefore re- 
 fuse the offer of the government of the prov- 
 inces of Asia. It was decreed to him then, 
 with even greater powers than had been granted 
 to any previous governor. But the malicious 
 Tiberius, intent upon the destruction of his vic- 
 tim, had sent, as governor, into Syria, one 
 Cneius Piso, a man well chosen for his wicked 
 purposes ; and to this person he had given se- 
 cret instructions to oppose Germanicus upon 
 every occasion, and even to procure his death, 
 if he could accomplish it without suspicion. 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Machinations of Piso. 
 
 Accepting his appointment, Germanicus set 
 out, with his wife and children, for his Eastern 
 expedition, and, arriving within the territories 
 intrusted to his care, undertook to settle the 
 difficulties existing between them and the gov- 
 ernment of Home. In the mean time the 
 wicked Piso watched him closely, and endeav- 
 ored to throw various impediments in the way of 
 his success. But Germanicus, notwithstanding 
 every obstacle, soon succeeded in bringing Ci- 
 licia and Comagena into obedience to Koine; 
 also in obliging the king <f Parthia to sue for 
 peace. Still Piso did not cease to do all in his 
 power to injure the favorite general of the Ro- 
 man pi'oplo. He openly censured all his ]>m- 
 (vi>. lings and sought every opportunity to cast 
 ivpmach ii] inn him. His base conduct did 
 not, however, meet with retaliation on the part 
 of Germanicus. This most noble person op- 
 posed him only with patience and condescen- 
 sion ; and when, at last, he found it impossible 
 otherwise to avoid his machinations, as well as 
 those of Placina, the wife of Piso, he made a 
 voyage into Egypt, under a pretence of view- 
 ing the celebrated antiquities of that country. 
 Here he remained as long as the duties of his 
 office would permit; and then returning, fell 
 suddenly and dangerously sick. It now oc- 
 
BEGINNING OF TIIK KM PIKE. 33 
 
 The baseness of Piso and Placina. 
 
 curred to him that his sickness wa< due to the 
 treachery of Piso, and, hoping that he might 
 yet recover, he sent word to this infamous man 
 that all connection must at once cease between 
 them. A short interval of convalescence gave 
 BO much Bnoovagement to his friends that they 
 and the citizens of Antioch prepared to oiler 
 sacrifices for his recovery ; but even these 
 solemnities were not tolerated by the abomina- 
 ble Piso, who sent his lictors to drive the vic- 
 tims from the very foot of the altars. 
 
 The hopes of Germanicus and of his friends 
 were not destined to be realized. Piso and his 
 wicked wife Placina, had been but too success- 
 ful in their attempts upon his life ; and the day 
 iinally arrived when he was forced to meet his 
 approaching end. His weeping friends gath- 
 ered around his bedside, and to them he de- 
 clared that he had fallen a victim to the devices 
 of Piso and Placina. " Let the emperor know, 
 I conjure you," said he, " the manner of my 
 death, and the tortures I endure. Those who 
 loved me when living, those even who envied 
 my fortune, will feel some regret when they 
 hear that a soldier, who had so often escaped 
 the rage of the enemy, has fallen a sacrifice to 
 the rage of a woman. Plead, then, my cause 
 before the people ; you will be heard with 
 
34: EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Death of Germanicus Indignation of the People. 
 
 pity : and if my murderers should pretend to 
 have acted by command, they will either re- 
 ceive no credit or no pardon." With these 
 words lie stretched forth his hands to his weep- 
 ing friends, who all vowed that they would 
 sooner lose their lives than their revenge. 
 
 When news of the death of Germanicus 
 was brought to Rome, the whole city was 
 thrown into the utmost distress. A stop was 
 put to every kind of business, public and pri- 
 vate ; the streets resounded with lamentations, 
 and the people, as if incensed against their 
 gods on account of this calamity, cast stones 
 at their sacred temples, and threw down their 
 very altars. In a little time it was reported 
 that Germanicus had been poisoned through 
 the artifices of Piso and his wife Placina. Im- 
 mediately the greatest indignation prevailed 
 against these persons, as well as against the 
 emperor himself, at whose instigation it was 
 thought that. the crime had been committed. 
 And when Agrippina, the widow of Germani- 
 cus, on her return home, approached the city, 
 the whole body of the people went out to meet 
 her, with a strange mixture of sorrow and ac- 
 clamation. The ceremony of entombing the 
 ashes of Germanicus was regarded in profound 
 silence ; but it was no sooner done, than the 
 
BEGINNING OF THE EMPIRE. 35 
 
 Piso destroys bis own life. 
 
 whole multitude broke out in loud lamenta- 
 tions, crying that the commonwealth was now 
 in> longer. 
 
 Tiberius used all his art to conceal the cha- 
 grin which he experienced at this excessive 
 sorrow of the people, and even made a show 
 of sharing in the general calamity. He aUo 
 permitted the accusation of Piso, who, finding 
 that nothing could save him lYoin the indigna- 
 tion ot' the people, dispatched himself with his 
 own hand. Placina his wife, suffered subse- 
 quently the punishment due to her crime. 
 
 About a year after this event, Tiberius took 
 A-n son Dnisns as a colleague with him in 
 the consulship, and, in order to accustom him 
 to business left to him, almost entirely, the 
 rnment of the city. Having reached the 
 ninth year of his reign, this wicked monarch, 
 who now had no object of jealousy to restrain 
 him, began to exhibit his real character more 
 openly. Assuming to himself the interpreta- 
 tion and enforcement of the laws, he soon 
 a general gloom over the city, by his acts of 
 cruelty and tyranny. One of the first of his 
 victims was Cremutus Cordus, a brave man, 
 who defeated his malice, by putting an end to 
 his own life. But Tibeiius found his match for 
 dissimulation in a Roman knight named Seja- 
 
36 EMPIRE OF HUME. 
 
 The ambition of Sejanns. 
 
 nus, who contrived to gain his confidence, arid 
 lii i ally to bring upon him a great amount of 
 Buffering. 
 
 This subtle, bold, and ambitious man obtain- 
 ed, by degrees, almost entire control over Tibe- 
 rius ; and the servile senators, fearful of his 
 power, and willing to preserve the favor of the 
 emperor, did every thing to please him. Jlis 
 statues were set up by the side of those of Tibe- 
 rius, and the greatest eauvniess was manifested 
 t< pay him equal honors. 
 
 Every day he grew more and more in the 
 favor of the emperor, and, at last, thinking him- 
 selt':-trong enough, lie ventured to aspire to the 
 thn>ne. But this, of course, he could not attain 
 so long as Tiberius or his heirs were living; 
 and judging correctly that the heirs of the em- 
 peror could be disposed of more easily before, 
 than after, the destruction of the emperor him- 
 self, he took his measures accordingly, and soon 
 brought about the death of Drusus, the empe- 
 ror's son. This' was a terrible blow to Tiberius, 
 yet he bore it with great composure, and did 
 not for a moment suspect the cause of it. But 
 there were others besides Drusus in the way of 
 Sejanus. The children of Germanicus must 
 also be disposed of, in order that he might at- 
 tain his wishes; and his next attempt was to 
 
OINNIX1 H i-: K M i' i i: B. -7 
 
 Scjanus persuades Tiberias to remove from 1 : 
 
 -ut their ruin. Ihit finding thorn close- 
 ly Balded by their mother Airrippina, he could 
 not immediately accomplish liis . and 
 
 therefore undert' rsuade Til erius to re- 
 
 tire t >ome airreeable n-tivat, remote from 
 In this way he expected t" lerive 
 many advantages, since there could be no ac- 
 
 pfl tlimii^li him. He 
 .I nn-ncces-t'nl in bis attempt. Til 
 
 v c-miviiK-ed that lite would be far 
 
 iiiMn . himself if he could be five 
 
 fruni the 'I \e\ati. .ns ,,f Idleness ; and, 
 
 i-din^ly, in the twelfth year <f his rei^n, at 
 
 the in-taiuv -f Sejanus, he left Rome and : 
 
 iirned. Th' sjx.t which he 
 for i, nent was the little island <>f Ca- 
 
 o to Naples, and about three miles 
 the main land. Here, utterly re- 
 LrardK'-- <f the welfare of his i-mi .iban- 
 
 douod himself to the most shameful pleasures. 
 Nothing seemed to move him not even the 
 insurrection of the Jews, which followed the 
 erection of his statue in .Jeru-alem, nor the fall- 
 ing of the amphitheatre at Fidenae, by which 
 iifty thousand persons were either killed or 
 wounded. 
 
 While Tiberius was thus passing bis life in 
 excesses of every kind, his favorite, Sejanua 
 4 
 
38 EMPIRE OF BOME. 
 
 He accomplishes the death of the children of Germanicus. 
 
 was intent upon the accomplishment of the 
 plan which he had devised for getting posses- 
 sion of the throne. The cruel and jealous dis- 
 position of the emperor was made subservient 
 to his purpose ; and every day he strengthened 
 liis power, through the terror which he was 
 able to inspire. Secret spies and informers 
 were placed by him in every part of the city, 
 and in this way he managed to get rid of those 
 who were either so bold or so imprudent as to 
 manifest any displeasure at his acts. Having 
 constantly in view the destruction of the chil- 
 divn of Germanicus, he sought every opportu- 
 nity to render them obnoxious to Tiberius; and 
 finally, by means of false reports circulated by 
 his command, he succeeded in causing them to 
 be declared enemies of the State. The two 
 princes were accordingly arrested, thrown into 
 prison, and starved to death, while their mother 
 Agripphui was sent into banishment 
 
 Had his cruelty ceased here, he might have 
 succeeded in his infamous design. But with 
 such a high hand did he wield a power which 
 was not strictly his own, that he at last encoun- 
 tered some one who had sufficient boldness to 
 call him to account. This was Satrius Secun- 
 dus, a man of great resolution, who accused 
 him to the emperor. The charge was seconded 
 
BEGINNING OF THE EMPIRE. 39 
 
 The designs of Sejaims , . 
 
 by Antonia, the mother of Germanic-us ; and 
 Tiberius, being well convinced of the treachery 
 of his favorite, took immediate steps to bring 
 him to punishment. But so strong was the 
 habit of dissimulation with Tiberius, that he 
 could not proceed, even in such a matter, with- 
 out indulging it. Granting, accordingly, new 
 and great honors to Sejanus, lie caused him a 
 moment afterwards to be confounded, by or- 
 dering the Senate t> cast him into prison. And 
 the Senate, eager to comply with the royal 
 mandate, not only placed the unhappy wi 
 in prison, but directed that he should be forth- 
 with executed. 
 
 The sudden downfall of a man who had been 
 at such a height of power, could not be wit- 
 nes-ed without emotion. The whole city was 
 immediately in agitation, and unmistakable 
 evidence was given on every hand that Seja- 
 nus, notwithstanding the adulation so freely 
 offered him, was held in the greatest odium. 
 As he was led to execution, the people loaded 
 him with insult and execration; and when he 
 attempted to hide his face with his hands, they 
 prevented him, and even tied his hands behind 
 his back. His statues were thrown down from 
 their pedestals, and he himself was shortly after 
 strangled by the common executioner. Nor 
 
40 EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Punishment of Sejanus. 
 
 was his death sufficient to appease the enraged 
 populace ; his body was ignoininiously dragged 
 about the streets, and his whole family exter- 
 minated with him. 
 
 But in escaping the cruelty of Sejanus, the 
 people of Rome found themselves none the less 
 miserable under the tyranny of Tiberius. This 
 blood-thirsty monster caused the prisons to be 
 filled at once by those whom he pretended 
 were the accomplices of Sejanus, and numbers 
 of the most illustrious, of all ages and of both 
 . became the victims of his diabolical pas- 
 sions. The whole city was filled with slaugh- 
 ter and Humming. Dead bodies lay putrefy in g 
 in heaps around the place of execution, and 
 the friends of the wretched victims were not 
 permitted the sad satisfaction of weeping over 
 those whom they loved. "Let them hate me !'' 
 exclaimed the brutal tyrant, "so long as they 
 obey me !" 
 
 During all this time Tiberius was still in his 
 at at Caprea, indulging in his pleasures, 
 and issuing his cruel orders to his minions in 
 the capital. Frequently he commanded the 
 victims of his cruelties to be brought to his 
 abode, and tortured before his eyes. But he 
 was not free from suffering himself. His own 
 suspicions were a continual torment to him ; 
 
BEGINNING OF THK KMPIRE. 41 
 
 hod condition of Tiberius. 
 
 JUKI, in one of his letters to the Senate, lie con- 
 fessed that the gods and godde^e- had so af- 
 flicted and confounded him, that he knew not 
 how or what to write. \l\< bodily atHic 1 
 
 rible. AVith a face broken out 
 with ulcers and covered over with ] 
 
 lean and bent, ami a bald and icri/y.ly 
 pate, he presented a very loathsome spec:.- 
 
 \vr, hated and de<j>i-ed him. 
 1*1 1 e Senate j>l<>ivd against him, the peoph- re- 
 viled him. and his greatest favorites dreaded 
 him, because in constant uncertainty of their 
 
 v si \tv-M -veil years of age, and as much a 
 torment to himself as he wa< a subject of odium 
 to the world, he finally beiran to think of his 
 
 'ut ion, and the appointment of a successor. 
 
 : much hesitation lie selected Caligula, one 
 of the sons of (iermaiiicus, and a young man, 
 who-. doubtless, more than any thing 
 
 else, recommended him to the favor of this in- 
 famous monarch. But, a dissembler to the last, 
 lie pretended to be still strong and well, when 
 lie knew that his end was rapidly approaching; 
 and even when he could scarcely maintain a 
 sitting posture, continued to receive his guests, 
 and to protest that he was in perfect health. 
 
 It was while making an effort to read the acts 
 40 
 
4:2 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Death of Tiberiua 
 
 of the Senate, that he, at last, fell senseless to 
 the floor. 
 
 The friends of Caligula, thinking the emperor 
 dead, advised him to prepare to secure the suc- 
 cession. The congratulations of the court were 
 tendered to him, and he caused himself to be 
 acknowledged by the Praetorian soldier.-, and 
 went forth from the emperor's apartments 
 amidst tho acclamations of the multitude. ]*ut 
 during all this, Tiberius suddenly recovered, 
 and asked i'.>r something to eat. The whole 
 court was iillcd with terror by this unexpected 
 change. All resumed their pretended sorrow, 
 and left the new emperor in order to ma: 
 their solicitude for the old. Caligula, thunder- 
 struck, n< led death instead of an em- 
 pire, and, not knowing what to do, stood gazing 
 upon the scene in gloomy silence. His com- 
 panions, however, Imping to gain more from 
 him than from the dying emperor, soon came 
 to his relief. Gathering around the couch of 
 Tiberius, they strangled the wretched man to 
 death. 
 
 It was during the eighteenth year of this 
 wicked monarch's life that Jesus Christ suf- 
 fered crucifixion. Not long after his passion, 
 Tiberius received a letter from Pilate, the gov- 
 ernor of Judea, containing an account of the 
 
 
i UK K M I'l KK. 4.> 
 i ina. 
 
 death, re-unv ' tin* Saviour. 
 
 This letter he communicated to the Senatr. 
 siring them to enrol < nong the number 
 
 of the Koman p'tl-. Jiut, becau-e the propo- 
 i had nt nri^inatfJ among tin 
 -.-nate n <!> this, alleinn^ an an- 
 
 cient law wli: them the supervision of 
 
 all n To show their opposition 
 
 ^till farther, they even commanded that all 
 uld leave the city. T.ut Tiberius 
 thwarted thU unju-tiliable measure, by threat- 
 eiiini; with death any one who should attempt 
 . and for this act Christianity might 
 have ranked him among i . had not 
 
 .iole life been such a disgrace to humanity. 
 
CALIGULA AND CLAUDIUS. 
 
 FROM 37 TO 55 A. D. 
 
CALIGULA'S reception at Rome He begins to reign well 
 His first acts of Cruelty The absurd worship paid to him 
 The honors which he bestowed upon his horse The fa- 
 mous Bridge of Puteoli Caligula's mode of obtaining money 
 His expedition against the Germans and Britons His ri- 
 diculous conduct in Germany The conspiracy of Cherea 
 Assassination of Caligula Claudius made Emperor by the 
 Army His public works War with the Britons Caracta- 
 cus captured and taken to Rome Claildius becomes indif- 
 ferent to the Empire Conspiracies Revolt of Camillus 
 Story of Cecina Fetus Cruelties of Claudius Death of his 
 wife His marriage to Agrippina Her schemes for securing 
 the empire for her son Nero Claudius poisoned. 
 
II. 
 
 CALIGULA AND CLAUDIUS. 
 
 AT this time the Romans lm<l arrived at the 
 highest pitch of effeminacy and vice. From 
 all portions of the empire wealth had poured 
 into the city, and with it the luxuries peculiar 
 to every country in the world. Gluttony was 
 reduced to a perfect system, and debaucheries 
 of every kind were practised openly. Instead 
 of attending to the welfare of the empire, the 
 senators themselves became devoted to the most 
 debasing pleasures ; and the people, if possible, 
 more corrupt, seemed to abandon every kind of 
 labor, and to depend for subsistence upon any 
 thing, save what was honest and manly. Indo- 
 lence became an alarming vice. Courage no 
 longer characterized the Roman soldiery, and 
 their passion for glory was nearly extinguished. 
 Under such circumstances it is not wonderful 
 that the history of Rome should henceforth ex- 
 
48 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Caligula Emperor His reception at Rome. 
 
 hibit continual instances of tyranny on the part 
 of the rulers, and of insubordination among the 
 people. 
 
 The reign of Caius Caligula, the successor of 
 Tiberius, although very short, was more replete 
 with atrocities and abominations than that of 
 any ruler that had yet preceded him in Rome. 
 His ascent to the throne was, however, an oc- 
 casion of great rejoicing ; and, as he approach- 
 ed the city from Caprea, witli the dead body 
 of the late emperor, thither taken for interment, 
 he was received witli new titles of honor by the 
 Senate, and declared sole successor to the em- 
 pire, although Gemellus, tlu grandson of Tibe- 
 rius, had Uvn h-t't r.'-lK'ir. The people flocked 
 about him on every side, pleased at being de- 
 livered i'n.m the cruelties of Tilu'rins, and 
 hoping new ad vantages from the virtues of 
 Caligula. Xor were these manifestations of joy 
 confined to Rome, or even to Italy. They ox- 
 tended over the entire empire ; and the whole 
 world, in short/seemed combined to honor him 
 for qualities which he did not in aiiywiV- 
 sess. 
 
 For several months, it is true, Caligula man- 
 aged to conduct himself in a very praiseworthy 
 manner. The abuses that had crept into the 
 State, became to him an object of attention, 
 
CALIGULA AND CLAUDII 49 
 
 Caligula begins to reign well. 
 
 and lie undertook their correction, with much 
 apparent zeal. The institutions of Augustus, 
 which had been disused during the reign of 
 Tiberius were revived. The condition of the 
 I{man provinces wa< investigated, and several 
 of their governors removed on account of the 
 corrupt conduct of which they were found 
 guilty. Pontius Pilate was one of a number 
 wlmni lie banished into Gaul; and here this 
 unjust ruler afterwards committed suicide. A 
 great many knights were driven from Rome, 
 because of their infamous crimes; and a multi- 
 tude of abominable practices w r ere abolished by 
 his orders. The ancient manner of electing 
 magistrates by the suffrages of the people was 
 restored ; and some kings, w r ho had been un- 
 justly deprived of their dominions, were placed 
 again in possession of them. For these and 
 many similar acts, he did not fail to receive 
 the highest praise. A shield of gold, bearing 
 his image, was ordered to be carried annually 
 to the capitol, attended by the Senate, and the 
 sons of the nobility ; and the day on which hu 
 mounted the throne was inserted among the 
 festivals. 
 
 But this reign of virtue and good sense was 
 of very short duration. Eight months had 
 scarcely elapsed before all his moderation and 
 6 
 
50 !PIKE OF 
 
 His flrst acts of cruelty. 
 
 clemency gave way to tlie most furious pas- 
 sions, unexampled avarice, and capricious cru- 
 elty. It is pretended by some that his mind 
 became deranged by a di<Mnlcr which hap- 
 
 [ to him a short time alter his am 
 to the throne. This may ivally have been the 
 : and it is very diilicult to account, other- 
 . I'm- the extravagant cruelties and ridicu- 
 ]ou< inc<- dea that are imputed to him. 
 
 The iirst instance of cruelty related of him, 
 wa- in the ca-e of a person named Politus, 
 who. during the sickness of the emperor, v> 
 tlia' he w>uld .-acrilice l\\> n\vn life to the 
 if they would restore him to health. Caligula, 
 on hi- having been informed of this 
 
 devotedni->- of 1'olitus, actually compelled him 
 to fulfil his vow. X,,t lo. this, he 
 
 obliged (iemellus C'-heir with him to the em- 
 to kill himself. Then he put to death 
 Silenus. his own father-in-law, and (Iivcinus, 
 a noted senator, who refu-ed to witne.-^ falsely 
 again>t Silenus. Afier this, a multitude fell 
 victims to his avarice or suspicion, and among 
 them Macro, the very person to whom he was 
 most indebted for the empire. 
 
 But his vanity and extravagance soon gave 
 rise to atrocities far surpassing any already 
 mentioned. Not content with assuming the 
 
CALK; r LA A N D C LI r !>i us. 51 
 
 The n ;> paid to Caligula. 
 
 highest hunian titles. In- upon being 
 
 sty KM! a go.j. and actually caused the heals of 
 
 tatues of Jupiter and of other deitie- bo he 
 struck otl', and his own put in their pi, 
 
 nently he would place hiin-v-lf between 
 the images of and Pollux, and order all 
 
 who came into their temple to pay their homage 
 to him, in-tcad of the-e divinities. IK- evni 
 can-ed a magnificent temple to be built and 
 dedicated to himself, and in it placed his statue 
 
 !d, which was dressed every day in cl< 
 similar to thse worn by himself, and ad 
 by crowds of worshippers. The priests of this 
 U-mple v, numerous, and the offitv 
 
 fly sought on account of the exquisite sac- 
 rifices that were here offered up. Caligula's 
 
 ,and his wile, were both among the num- 
 ber of these pric ;. ridiculous as it may 
 
 Necame one of them himself, and 
 shipped his o\m image. In order to maintain 
 
 ivtensions to divinity, he employed many 
 inventions to imitate thunder, and would fre- 
 quently defy Jupiter, crying out to him, " Con- 
 quer me, or I will conquer you!" 
 
 The envy and detestable lusts of this infa- 
 mous man seem almost incredible, and were 
 equalled only by his excessive prodigality. 
 The luxuries of former monarch s were nothing 
 
52 EMPIRE OF 
 
 The Honors bestowed by Caligula upon bis 
 
 compared with his. Tin-. ny thing 
 
 that human ingenuity could contrive for the 
 gratification of the sen-cs, that lie did 
 
 not procure. Kven . 1 tasteless pearls 
 
 >lved in the sauces which were }>laced 
 upon his table, and his baths wer- vd of 
 
 the richest wils and most precious i 
 For his favorite horse Incitatus. he built ; 
 
 of marble, with a manger of ivory. lie 
 
 d Ibr the- animal a house tilled with < 
 furniture and provided with a kitchen, in 
 that all his vi-' ated with ]: 
 
 respe ;iid thai lime- in- 
 
 IncitatiN to dine at his own table, 
 that i : have appointed him to tin 
 
 sul>hip lial he not been ])i\-ventr<l ly death. 
 Such if the folly of this man, that h 
 
 iand in the mi< 
 
 Mount;;' K-vrlled, and plains 
 
 and valleys elevated, only to gratify hi- \\\ 
 
 -t ab-urd j.ircr of extra' 
 of which any human beinir was ever iruilty, 
 
 '.rid t ire .i, which 
 
 built durini:- the thinl year of \\\> rei^n. l-'or 
 the purpose, simply, of calling himself n.: 
 of the ocran as well as of the land, he c:i 
 nn infinite number of >hips to be fa-ti-netl to 
 each other, so as to make a lloatin^ bridge 
 

 CALIGULA AND CLAUDIUS. 53 
 
 The fkmouB Bridge of Patooli 
 
 :i to I'm -s an arm of th< 
 
 :d a halt' in breadth. These ships 
 
 ::i two rows and I 
 
 aius, aii- 'henijm- 
 
 !' timh. : : en laid, and 
 
 1, so that the 
 
 le resembled one of the streets of IJ 
 ; til houses, for the reception of himself and 
 dants, were then built upon it: and 
 when the whole was completed, he ar: - , 
 hiniM-lf in the most u . and, 
 
 by the great officers .inny 
 
 all tlu- n..l,ii;ty, with a protli mlti- 
 
 d at one end of the 
 :id with ridiculous importance ro< 
 ;hi-r. At night tlie im: 
 
 torches and other illuminations withwhich this 
 structure was adoi i up 
 
 A hole bay and the surrounding re. 
 
 ^torm, of course, demolished 
 less fabric, and in a short time not a v< 
 main' rk his folly. 
 
 In a link- more than one year, the imm- 
 
 berius to M all ex- 
 
 vagance, and then to si: 
 his v every species od 
 
 pine , :i. All were di- 
 
 rected to the n : i ient of his coi: 
 
54 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Caligula's methods of obtaining Money. 
 
 Every thing in Home was taxed; freedmeii 
 were obliged to purchase their freedom a second 
 time ; and many who had named him as their 
 heir, were poisoned, that he might obtain im- 
 mediate possession of their fortunes. He even 
 caused a gambling-table to be kept in his own 
 dwelling. On a certain occasion, having been 
 very unlucky, he ordered two rich knights to 
 be apprehended, and, conliscating their e-tates, 
 
 ted that lie never made a better throw in 
 all his life. At <>ne time he complained open- 
 ly of his poverty, and actually stood in the door 
 nf his palace to the donations of his 
 
 MibjecK Certain prison* nf the highest qual- 
 
 enturingat one time to Maine his extrava- 
 
 . he condemned them to dig in the mines, 
 and to repair the highways. 
 
 It is too sickening to read the follies and 
 cruelties of a monster, who could wish ''that 
 the people of Home had but one neck, that he 
 might dispatch them all at a -in^le blow." 
 The people, as -a matter of course, grew weary 
 of his intolerable conduct, and conspir. 
 were everywhere formed against him. The 
 
 piracies were, however, arrested by an ex- 
 pedition which he projected against the Ger- 
 mans and the Britons. For this purpose he 
 made the most extensive preparations. Im- 
 
CALIGULA AND CLAUDIUS. 55 
 
 xpedition against the Germans and Britons. 
 
 numbers of troops were levied, mid war- 
 like engines of every description constructed 
 fr the great campaign. Every one believed, 
 from the interest which he muni tested in the 
 matter, and the energy which he displayed, 
 that he would, at hist, do something for the 
 glory of his own mime and that of the Roman. 
 people. 
 
 In due season the great army set out from 
 Rome, with Caligula at their head. But such 
 was his impatience to reach the countries which 
 he proposed to overrun, that his cohorts were 
 unable to carry along their standards. In a 
 lays, however, hi less subsided, and 
 
 tin 1 march continued then more like a funeral 
 procession. AYhen, iinally, he arrived in Brit- 
 ain, ho merely gave refuge to one of its ban- 
 i>hed princes, and then, in a letter to the Sen- 
 'lescribed the action, as an achievement by 
 which he had taken possession of the whole 
 island. After this, turning his attention towards 
 (iermany, he there, soon after, landed his victo- 
 rious troops. Arranging his engines and war- 
 like machines with great solemnity upon the 
 sea-shore, and drawing up his troops in battle 
 array, he went on board of his galley. Coast- 
 ing up and down, as if for the purpose of seeing 
 that every thing was right, he iinally ordered 
 
56 EMPIRE OF K<>MK. 
 
 absurd conduct in Germany. 
 
 the trumpets to ho sounded, and the signal for 
 enifjiireinent to he irivcn. Immediately, tlie 
 troop-, who had been previously instructed, all 
 stooped down upon the shore, and be^an to till 
 their helmets with the .-hell- that lay 
 here and there. This being done, he went on 
 sin -re airain, and, assembling the army, ap- 
 plauded them, in a pompous harangue, for 
 their irreat achievement, ami caused it to he 
 commemorated by the erection of a lofty 
 
 lower. 
 
 Incredible as it may seem, the Senate, upon 
 }\\< return to Koine, alter this piece of folly, 
 actually r him with th 
 
 and spent a whole day in ]>rai-inir his perfonn- 
 -. lint the iviirn !' ( 'alii:,,^ NV;l> o!rawin<r 
 to a close. Many co: ire already ..n 
 
 foot; but that which was defined to ril the 
 
 1 of \\i\< detestable tyrant, was < 
 by Ca-s;:, ' a. a tribune of the Pnetorian 
 
 bands, and a man of e\ <1 c.>urai r e. whom 
 
 Caligula had takm every opportunity to ridi- 
 cule, simply because he had an effeminate 
 . Many of the most illustrious m 
 8, actuated by revenirc for }>ei-sonal inju- 
 :uul indio-niti, . associated with him; 
 
 and the downfall of Caligula was hastened by 
 the appointment of Cherea to preside over the 
 
CALK \N i) CLATIHI W 
 
 The conspiracy of Cherea Assassination of Caligula. 
 
 tortu .iiid innocent female, 
 
 for whom he entertained a great 
 
 It wa- linallv agreed among the 
 that Caligula should he attacked during the 
 Palatine which continued lour days. 
 
 JJnt, tin-.-- without any 
 
 opportunity to carry out their d< - 
 
 that the con-piracy nii^ht le di- 
 vulged, and therefore determined that it should 
 voinpli>hrd on tiu' r..llowinr day, at the 
 moment that Caligula was to pass throuirh a pri- 
 ^allery to BOOM hath-, not far distant from 
 the pala -. thereupon, sta- 
 
 d tliein in a suitable place, and 
 
 d with irreat patience tor a t;iv.>rahle mo- 
 . This linallv oreunvd. The emperor, 
 mpany in which he was eiiji-yin^ 
 \vards the hath, and on ivach- 
 occujiied by the con-piratoi*8, 
 a .-pranir upon him, and crxin^ out, 
 "'l'yran% think upon tins!" struck him to the 
 ground. The others imn rushed up.n 
 
 the wretched man, and di.-jatched him, with 
 thirty wounds. 
 
 Thus, in the twenty-ninth year of his 
 and after a reign of less than four years, died 
 Cains Caligula, one of the g mongers 
 
 that ever ruled in Rome. So bitter was the 
 
58 EMPIEE OF EOME. 
 
 Claudius made Emperor by the army. 
 
 hatred of the people against him, that his wife 
 and infant child were also put to death : the 
 former was stabbed by a centurion, and the 
 latter was dashed violently against a stone wall. 
 Even the money, which bore his name and 
 likeness, was melted down, by a decree of the 
 Senate, in order, if possible, to obliterate his 
 memory ; and the Senate, having so long suf- 
 fered by the cruelty of tyrants, began to con- 
 sult together concerning the restoration of their 
 former liberty, and even talked boldly of ex- 
 tinguishing the name of Caesar. But the very 
 first step which they took towards the accom- 
 plishment of this design, created alarm among 
 the soldiers and the populace; and such a 
 strong combination was immediately formed 
 against them, that many lives were even sacri- 
 ficed before any active measures had been 
 adopted on either side. 
 
 While every thing was yet in disorder, and 
 neither the Senate nor the people knew pre- 
 cisely what course to take, some soldiers, who 
 were running about the town, discovered, acci- 
 dentally, an uncle of Caligula, named Claudius, 
 who had secreted himself in a quiet place, fear- 
 ing K'.st his relationship to the late emperor 
 might make him an object of revenge. Trem- 
 bling from head to foot, he was dragged from 
 
CALIGULA AND CLAUDIUS. 59 
 
 Public works 'f Claudius. 
 
 his retirement, with no other expectation than 
 a sudden and awful death. But the senseless 
 soldiers, taking him upon their shoulders, car- 
 ried him to the camp, and proclaimed him em- 
 r. Xor w<nld tlu-y listen to the remon- 
 strances of the Senate, who, in order to prevent 
 bloodshed, were obliged to pa a decree con- 
 firming the election of the military, also to go 
 and pay their homage to Claudius. 
 
 This man, who thus nnex] notedly arrived at 
 the height of power, was fifty years of 
 when he began to reign. It is said that the 
 faculties, both of his body and mind, had been, 
 in infancy, so affected by disease, that he was 
 wholly unfit for the position to which he was 
 elevated. "Whatever truth there may be in 
 this, it is quite certain that the commencement 
 of his reign promised much for the people of 
 Koine. Though he caused Cherea to be put to 
 death, yet he exhibited a degree of mildne 
 his conduct which had not, for a long time, 
 been witnessed in the rulers of the empire. 
 Justice was administered by him with great 
 impartiality; and he was assiduous in hearing 
 and examining the complaints even of the 
 meanest of the citizens. Attentive to all the 
 wants of the people, he kept the city well sup- 
 plied with corn, and all the necessaries of life; 
 
60 EMPIRE OF KOME. 
 
 His efforts to promote the interests of the Empire. 
 
 and the style of building which he encouraged, 
 far surpassed any that had, hitherto, been 
 adopted. Through his instrumentality, also, an 
 immense aqueduct was constructed, by means 
 of which water was brought for the use of the 
 city, from a distance of forty miles, through 
 high mountains and over deep valleys. He 
 also made a haven at Ostia, at such amazing 
 expense that his successors were unable to 
 maintain it; and, in order to strengthen the 
 current of the river Tiber, he turned into its 
 channel the waters of the Lake Fucinus. 
 
 Nor were the cares of Claudius directed to 
 the city only. The most distant provinces en- 
 joyed a share of his attentions. Whatever 
 could conduce to their happiness and prosper- 
 ity wa< eagerly promoted by him; and several 
 princes of kingdoms dependent upon Home, 
 who had been unjustly dispossessed by his pre- 
 decessors, were restored at his command. The 
 cruel edicts of Caligula were disannulled, and 
 he refused to receive the worship which had 
 been offered to the monarch who preceded 
 him. 
 
 Willing to gratify the people by foreign con- 
 quest, he made preparations for a descent upon 
 the island of Britain, which had, now, for a 
 long time, been left in the undisturbed posses- 
 
CALIGULA AND CLAUDIUS. 61 
 
 War with the E. items. 
 
 sion of its inhabitants. He had some difficulty, 
 at first, in overcoming the great aversion of 
 his soldiers to making war in a country which 
 they judged to be beyond the limits of the 
 world ; but they finally embarked, and the 
 Britons, under the conduct of their king Cyno- 
 belinus, were several times overthrown. Clau- 
 dius went to Britain himself, that he might, in 
 person, participate in the honor of conquest; 
 but his stay was of no longer duration than six- 
 teen days, when he returned to Rome, where 
 lie was received with all the tributes which it 
 had been customary to pay to the most distin- 
 guished conqueror. Triumphal arches wore 
 erected in his honor, and annual games insti- 
 tuted to commemorate his victories. 
 
 Plautius and Vespasian in the mean time 
 continued the war in Britain, and, after a great 
 many very bloody battles, finally reduced a 
 portion of the island to a Roman province. 
 But a new governor, named Ostorius, having 
 been appointed to succeed Plautius, the Britons 
 rose up in arms and disclaimed the Roman 
 power. Another terrible war immediately en- 
 sued. The Romans, with great difficulty, main- 
 tained the honor of their arms ; and, indeed, 
 so formidable was the resistance of the Silures, 
 or inhabitants of South Wales, under their king 
 
62 . EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Caractacus taken and sent to Rome. 
 
 Caractacus, that the Roman general was nearly 
 discouraged. These people removing the seat 
 of war into the most inaccessible parts of their 
 country, defended themselves with the greatest 
 obstinacy, and for the space of nine years kept 
 the Romans in the utmost terror. Finally, 
 Caractacus, driven to extremes, gathered to- 
 gether a powerful army, hoping, by one deci- 
 sive battle, to be able to drive the invaders 
 from his shores. Before engaging in it, he ad- 
 dressed his countrymen with calm resolution, 
 relating to them the glorious deeds of their an- 
 cestors, and telling them that liberty or slavery 
 depended upon their conduct. It was a terri- 
 ble battle ; but nothing that undisciplined valor 
 could do, was of any avail against the superior 
 skill of soldiers and generals trained to the art 
 of war. The army of Caractacus was cut to 
 pieces, and the wife and daughter of this heroic 
 111:111 were taken prisoners. Caractacus himself 
 was afterwards treacherously delivered into the 
 hands of the conquerors, and sent as a sort of 
 trophy to Rome, where the utmost curiosity 
 prevailed to see a man who had, for so many 
 years, braved the power of the Roman arms. 
 "Alas!" cried he, as he was led in triumph 
 through the streets of the city, " how is it possi- 
 ble that people possessed of such magnificence 
 
CALIGULA AND CLATDILS. 63 
 
 Claudius becomes indifferent to the Empire. 
 
 at home, should think of envying Caractacus 
 an humble cottage in Britain?" The citizens 
 of Borne gazed at him with astonishment, as he 
 passed along the street; they seemed unable to 
 realize the fact that there was upon the earth a 
 man, who could dare to contend against a power 
 like that of Rome. When he was brought be- 
 fore the emperor, he refused to sue for pity, as 
 did the other captives ; but Claudius had the 
 generosity to spare his life. 
 
 By this victory of Ostorius, the Britons were 
 very much humbled, but not by any means 
 subdued. New revolts followed one another 
 in quick succession, and their country was the 
 scene of continual warfare during the whole 
 reign of Claudius. The emperor himself, who 
 had commenced so well, began, in the mean 
 time, to show less regard for the public wel- 
 fare, both at home and abmad. Feeling, per- 
 haps, his inability to manage alone the affairs 
 of his empire, he left them almost entirely to 
 those about him ; and, unfortunately, he hap- 
 pened to be surrounded by the most evil-minded 
 persons in the world. The chief of these was 
 Messalina, his wife, whose name has almost 
 become a common term to express female 
 profligacy. 
 
 Such was the sway borne by these insidious 
 
EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Conspiracies Eevolt of Camillas. 
 
 advisers of the feeble emperor, that all offices, 
 dignities, and governments were entirely at 
 their disposal. Cruelties of every kind were 
 also practised at their command ; and even the 
 family of the emperor himself, was nearly ex- 
 terminated through their instrumentality. As 
 a very natural thing, conspiracies against the 
 life of the emperor resulted from such disorders 
 in the ministers of government. None of them 
 were, however, productive of so much evil as 
 the revolt of Camillus, the lieutenant-governor 
 of Dalmatia. This general, supported by many 
 of the leading men of Rome, openly rebelled 
 against the emperor, and, assuming the title 
 himself, threw Claudius in the utmost conster- 
 nation. So great indeed was his terror, that 
 when Camillus commanded him, by letter, to 
 relinquish his empire and retire to a private 
 station, he seemed actually inclined to obey, 
 and, doubtless, would have obeyed, had not the 
 legions under the command of Camillus de- 
 serted their leader on account of some remark- 
 able prodigies, by which they were greatly ter- 
 rified. 
 
 The scenes of horror which followed this 
 event beggar all description. Messalina and 
 her minions knew no bounds to their cruelty. 
 They wrought so upon the fears and suspicions 
 
CALIGULA AND CLAUDIUS. 65 
 
 Story of Cecina Petus. 
 
 of the emperor, that numbers were executed 
 without trial or proof; and scarcely any, even 
 of those who were barely suspected, escaped, 
 except by the ransom of their lives with their 
 fortunes. 
 
 One of the most affecting incidents of this 
 terrible affair, was the death of Cecina Petus, 
 one of the unfortunate associates of Camillus. 
 This illustrious man, immediately after the 
 death of Camillus, had escaped with his affec- 
 tionate wife Arria, into Dalmatia, where he 
 hoped to be secure against the emperor's re- 
 venge. But he was very soon apprehended, 
 and put on board a ship, in order to be con- 
 veyed to Rome. Arria begged earnestly to be 
 permitted to accompany him, and even offered 
 to perform the offices of a slave, if she might 
 simply be allowed to be near the object of her 
 affections. It was in vain, however, that she 
 used entreaties ; she was not suffered to come 
 on board the ship. But, determined not to 
 be separated from her beloved husband, she 
 procured a fisherman's bark, and sailed by 
 the side of his vessel throughout the entire 
 voyage. Arriving in Rome, she contrived to 
 find access to his prison, and attended him 
 faithfully, through a long and painful illness, 
 resulting from his misfortunes. During this 
 
66 EMPIBE OF ROME. 
 
 Cruelties of Claudius. 
 
 sickness their only son was suddenly attacked 
 and carried off by a fatal disorder. But even 
 this did not diminish the care of Arria for her 
 husband ; she visited him with as much regu- 
 larity as ever, and even managed to conceal 
 from him their grievous loss, restraining her 
 tears, and, in reply to the inquiries of Petus, 
 saying that the child was " well," or " happy." 
 And when, at length, the day was fixed, on 
 which Petus was to die, she used every art to 
 inspire him with resolution; but finding that 
 he continued timid and wavering, she took a 
 poniard, and, stabbing herself in his presence, 
 presented it to him, exclaiming : " It gives me 
 no pain, my Petus !" 
 
 To such an extent were the terrors of Clau- 
 dius excited by Messalina and her favorites, 
 that he began, at length, to devote himself 
 wholly to the work of slaughter. Frequently 
 the very individuals with whom he was sup- 
 ping, would be taken from the table and hur- 
 ried to the place of execution, where they 
 learned, for the first time, that sentence had 
 been pronounced upon them. Some histo- 
 rians affirm that thirty-five senators, and above 
 three hundred knights were executed during 
 his reign ; and such was his unconcern in the 
 midst of cruelty, that one of his tribunes bring- 
 
CALIGULA AND CLAUDIUS 67 
 
 Death of Messalina Claudius marries Agrippina, 
 
 ing him an account of a certain senator that 
 was executed, he owned that he had quite for- 
 gotten his offence, but calmly acquiesced in his 
 punishment. 
 
 In the mean time Messalina. his wife, con- 
 ducted in such a shameful and outrageous 
 manner towards him, that he became greatly 
 enraged, and she was obliged to conceal her- 
 self in order to escape instant death. Many 
 of those who had conspired with her against 
 the honor and peace of the emperor, were taken 
 and put to death; and Messalina herself was 
 finally discovered, and ordered to show the fal- 
 sity of the accusations made against her. She 
 i night, perhaps, have made a successful de- 
 ilnee, by means of her great influence over 
 Claudius, had not Narcissus, her accuser, under 
 pretence of having the authority of the em- 
 peror, given orders to the tribunes and centu- 
 rions to destroy her immediately. The commaix} 
 executed ; and when Claudius heard of her 
 death, he manifested no emotion of any kind 
 whatever. 
 
 It is said that soon after this event, he made 
 a public declaration that he would continue 
 single during the rest of his life, as his mar- 
 riage had been so unfortunate ; but it was not 
 long before he espoused Agrippina, the daughter 
 
68 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Agripplna secures the empire for her son Nero. 
 
 of his brother Germanicus, a woman who had 
 poisoned her former husband, and who, if pos- 
 sible, was even more wicked than the late em- 
 press. Her character was not unknown to 
 Claudius ; but, having always been under the 
 government of women, he found his new situa- 
 tion irksome. 
 
 As soon as Agrippina had become a p'art- 
 ner in the empire, she began to contrive means 
 for setting aside the claims of young Britannicus, 
 the son of Claudius and for securing the suc- 
 cession to her own son Nero. For this pur- 
 pose, a few days after her own marriage, she 
 married Nero to the emperor's daughter Octa- 
 via. and then urged the emperor to make, in 
 imitation of his predecessors, a new adoption, 
 advising him to take Nero as his associate in 
 administering the affairs of government. It 
 no diilieult mutter for her to succeed in 
 this ; and Nero being thus placed in the road 
 to advancement, she sought to increase his 
 popularity, by" putting him under the tutorship 
 of Seneca, a man much beloved and admired 
 by the people, for his genius and strict morality. 
 While Agrippina was thus doing so much 
 for her own son, she pretended to have n 
 affection for Britannicus, the son of her hus- 
 band, the emperor. For this young, man she 
 
CALIGULA AXD CLAUDIUS. 69 
 
 Agrippina plots against her Husband. 
 
 oxJiibited, outwardly, the tcnderest regard, 
 while she was secretly plotting his destruction. 
 But as there was no immediate neces-itv \\>r 
 putting him out of the way, she applied her- 
 self, first, to the removal of other and more 
 l'i innidable obstacles to her ambition. Claudius 
 c<>uld not be completely under her dominion, 
 so long as his faithful friend Narcissus was at 
 hand to warn and counsel him. Th 
 minister, who had already delivered his mas- 
 ter frt -in the hands of one abominable woman, 
 
 i<>r, perhaps, slow to caution him a^, 
 the devices uf another. Agrippinu discovered 
 that Claudius bore her tyranny with great re- 
 luctance; and it was reported to her that he 
 had leeii heard to say that it was his fate to 
 sutler from his wives, until forced to become 
 their executioner. Such a speech was calcu- 
 to alarm her, and she determined to rid 
 herself of Narcissus, and thus acquire greater 
 influence over Claudius. 
 
 Success attended her efforts. Narcissus, un- 
 able to counteract her designs, went, a voluntary 
 exile, into Campania; and the poor emperor 
 beheld himself, without a single friend, exposed 
 to all the machinations of an insidious woman. 
 Under these circumstances, his heart warmed, 
 naturally enough, towards his son Britaiinicus ; 
 
70 EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Claudius poisoned. 
 
 and it was perceptible, every day, that his af- 
 fection for the youth was steadily increasing. 
 This served to arouse still more the jealousy of 
 Agrippina. No crime was now too great for 
 her to perpetrate ; and the death of her hus- 
 band was resolved upon without the least hesi- 
 tation. A notorious woman, named Locusta, 
 was employed by her to prepare a potent poison, 
 and to mix it with the favorite food of the em- 
 peror. Having eaten it, the wretched man 
 dropped down insensible ; but the dose did not 
 prove fatal, and he would have, doubtless, re- 
 red from its effects, had not an abandoned 
 physician, been directed to thrust a poisoned 
 leather down his thn>at, under pretence of ma- 
 king hi in vomit. This put a period to his life, 
 at the age of sixty-three, and in the fifty-fourth 
 year of our Lord. 
 
THE LAST OF THE C^SARS, 
 
 FEOM 66 TO 69 A. D. 
 
NERO proclaimed Emperor He begins his reign with 
 clemency His mother deprived of her power Her efforts 
 to regain it Disorderly conduct of Nero He plots against 
 his mother He destroys her His passion for music His 
 performances in the Circus His musical tour through 
 Greece His return He causes Rome to be burned Perse- 
 cution of the Christians Rebuilding of Rome Nero's 
 palace A conspiracy against him Its consequences His 
 treatment of Seneca Death of Seneca Further cruelties 
 The Britons The Jews Revolt of Galba Nero's anger 
 His absurd preparations for war His despair His flight 
 and death. 
 
NEED'S EXPEDITION TO GREECE. 
 
III. 
 
 TllK LAST OF THE CJESABS, 
 
 NOTWITHSTANDING the disastrous reigns of the 
 preceding emperors, the Roman Empire see 
 to be in a pro.-perous condition when Nero, tlie 
 last of the Caesars, ascended the throne. The 
 number of the inhabitants of the city amounted 
 to nearly seven millions; and, although there 
 were no bounds to luxury and corruption, the 
 military spirit of Rome still kept the world in 
 awe. 
 
 Nero did not ascend the throne, without still 
 farther aid from his wicked mother. This 
 abominable woman had been told by an astrolo- 
 ger that her son would one day be emperor, 
 and the cause of her death ; but her reply was : 
 " Let him kill me, provided he reign ;" and, in 
 accordance with this strong desire, she left 
 nothing undone to place him in J.O-.M ion of 
 the sovereign power. The murder of her hus- 
 
76 EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Nero proclaimed Emperor. 
 
 band the emperor was, through, her instrumen- 
 tality, kept carefully concealed ; and eveiy 
 thing was so adroitly managed, that, before his 
 death had become known to the people, ar- 
 rangements were made for securing the election 
 of Nero. At the proper moment, this young 
 man, then only seventeen years of age, accom- 
 panied by Burrhus, prsefect of the Praetorian 
 guard, appeared before the people and the 
 army, as the successor of the departed emperor. 
 Glad, perhaps, to be rid of a man who had 
 otalilislu'd his authority by so many cruelties, 
 they received the young claimant for empire 
 with the loudest acclamations, though not with- 
 out making some inquiries for Britannicus. 
 By a well-concerted plan, these inquiries wi-iv 
 all silenced; and Nero, having made the most 
 Mattering promises, after the manner of his pre- 
 decessors, was without difficulty proclaimed 
 emperor by the army, the Senate, and the 
 people. 
 
 Indebted so much to Agrippina for his em- 
 pire, he submitted, at first, to her directions, 
 with the most implicit obedience ; and she, 
 taking advantage of her power, resented, in the 
 most terrible manner, all the offences, fancied 
 or real, which had been committed against her. 
 Si la mis, the pro-consul of Asia, Narcissus, the 
 
LAST OF TIIK C.KSARS. 77 
 
 He begins to reign with _riv;it mildnett. 
 
 favorite of her late husband, and many others, 
 put to death to gratit'v her desire of re- 
 58. But her cruelties found strung opposi- 
 tion in Seneca and Burrhus, the tutor and gen- 
 eral of Nero, who succeeded in gaining him on 
 their side, and in forming a plan of g<>\ eminent 
 mereiful and wise. So long, indeed, as Nero 
 -d to the counsels of the-e worthy men, 
 his reign eontinued to be a model for succeed- 
 ing princes. During a period of live \var-. he 
 no exhibitions of his innate depravity. 
 Strict jn- vat liberality and humanity, 
 
 marke<l all his actions; and so agnvable were 
 his manners, that the Romans began to praise 
 the gods for haying sent them a prince who 
 would make amends for the tyranny of those 
 who had preceded him. 
 
 But a reign which commenced with so much 
 clemency was destined to terminate with the 
 most barbarous cruelty. Agrippina, the mother 
 of Nero, could not endure the loss of p 
 which she experienced, in consequence of the 
 iniluence exerted over the young monarch by 
 his counsellors, Seneca and Burrhus. She de- 
 termined, if possible, to regain her former au- 
 thority, and, to this end, resorted to every arti- 
 fice. Nero, encouraged constantly to oppose 
 
 her cruelties, deprived her, by degrees, of the 
 70 
 
78 IMRE OF HOME. 
 
 Nero's mother angry at her loss of power Her efforts to regain 1L 
 
 L8 which .-he possessed of doing mischief; 
 hut. liuving gone s> far as to displace her chief 
 fevorite, 1'allas, she fell into the most ungov- 
 ernable i'liry. and proclaimed that Xero was an 
 usurper, and that Dritannicus, the real heir to 
 the throne, was still living, and in a coin; 
 t<> receive his father's empire. She even threat- 
 ened Nero with the declaration that she would 
 present herself before the army, and thei 
 pose liis baseness, as well as her own. 
 
 These menaces lilled him with alarm. lie 
 knew very well that the claims of IJritannicus 
 to the tl, NT than hi- own; 
 
 hut he had never bet'nv thought of doing him 
 a personal injury. T: . however, tin. 
 
 cited, of losing his p&Wer, h-d him 
 me<litate the death of JJritannicus, and he 
 eventually brought it ab>ut. by in.- 
 adini: to him at a ban. 
 
 Th.mirh A-'i-ippina was thus de]>rived of a 
 rt'ul mean> <>f territyinir her >>n Ni-ro into 
 compliance with her wi>hes. she \va< not totally 
 di>armed. By bribing and ;' the tri- 
 
 bunes and centurions, she endeavored to create 
 
 ng, and even succeeded in making h. 
 somewhat formidable to him. The result of 
 this Avas, that A'ert> di>banded the (-ii-rniau 
 guard which she wa- }ermitted to have about 
 
LAST OF THE C.ESARS. 79 
 
 from the 
 Ttain ] 
 
 1 her, hi mpt 
 
 with ny. 
 
 ifl as if Nero was be- 
 
 >S and less influenced by . ;i-els 
 
 ; llurrlius. Alth> 
 by the former, with 
 
 liter;-. 1 iniide acquaint .<!, lv tin- la 
 
 with cverv ti. 
 
 . lu- lu-iran, linal- 
 he coin]- 
 
 persons, and to alandin hiniM-lf t" tin- 
 si-s. IK- Mviiu-d t> take a sti 
 'it in running ahout tlie city, ly ni- 
 tin- di>^ui-f nt' a .-lave, and in comniittin. 
 
 B96B, in which lu- not only endan- 
 1 the lives uf others, but also his own. 
 lid he take any pains to 
 
 !, attributed it to 
 ked it for the sake of his 
 liberality and kindness as a ruler. But t 
 of his own are repinled hint as an example 
 worthy to imitate, and the city was, in < 
 ([uence, filled i^ht with tumult and dis- 
 
 ordt-r. 
 
 i is of tli e rules of de- 
 cency, Nero at length parsed to the commission 
 
80 EMPIRE OF KOME. 
 
 Bad influence of Poppea He plots against his mother. 
 
 of the greatest enormities. For some trifling 
 reason, he abandoned his wife Octavia, and 
 married Poppea, the wife of his favorite Otho, 
 a woman as much celebrated for beauty as she 
 was notorious for the want of eveiy virtue. At 
 this circumstance his mother Agrippina pre- 
 tended to be greatly shocked ; and she lavished 
 the most disgraceful epithets upon Poppea. 
 She sought, also, by every device, to gain the 
 favor of her son ; but this was now a more diffi- 
 cult matter than before, for, in addition to his 
 own disinclination to receive her, she had also 
 to contend with the resentment of his new wife, 
 who possessed a powerful influence over him. 
 Tim nigh this infamous woman, he was doubt- 
 less induced, finally, to cause his mother's death. 
 He was not yet so hardened in iniquity as to 
 proceed to such a crime at once. Poppea pre- 
 pared him for it by degrees, inciting him, at 
 first, to tease Agrippina with lawsuits, and to 
 employ mean people to sing satirical songs un- 
 der her windows. At last he was induced to 
 believe that he was not sure of his throne so 
 long as Agrippina lived ; and then he resolved 
 to put her forever out of his way. His first at- 
 tempt was by poison ; but Agrippina kept her- 
 self so well fortified by antidotes, that this was 
 quite impracticable. He then endeavored to 
 

 LAST OF THE CAESARS. 81 
 
 He succeeds in destroying her. 
 
 have her drowned while upon an excursion to 
 the coast of Calabria, but failing in this also, he 
 resolved to put her to death openly. That a 
 deed so unnatural might, however, have some 
 appearance of justice, he caused a report to be 
 circulated that Agrippina had conspired against 
 him ; and a poniard was dropped at his feet by 
 a person who pretended that lie had been em- 
 ployed by her to assassinate him. Nero en- 
 deavored to get Seneca and Burrhus to approve 
 of his horrible design. But Seneca would not 
 say a word in reply to his solicitations, and 
 Burrhus declared that he would have nothing 
 to do with such a piece of enormity. 
 
 At last one of Nero's freedmen, named Ani- 
 cetus, offered to perform the dreadful service; 
 and, placing himself at the head of a company 
 of soldiers, he proceeded to the dwelling of 
 Agrippina. The house was surrounded, and an 
 entrance to the apartment containing the un- 
 happy woman having been forcibly effected, 
 this vile wretch, accompanied by some mem- 
 bers of his crew, found himself in the presence 
 of his victim. Agrippina knew, at once, that 
 her doom was sealed ; but, waving her hand 
 towards the ruffians, she cried out : " If you 
 come to inquire after my health, you may in- 
 form the emperor that I am better ; but if you 
 
82 KM i> i K K 'OF EOMK. 
 
 Nero's passion for music. 
 
 come with any worse intention. YOU alone, and 
 not my son, must be guilty !" In reply, a club 
 was immediately dashed against her head, but 
 not with fatal effect. Anicetus then drew his 
 sword, to dispatch her. Observing his action, 
 she tore, open her robe, and, presenting her 
 naked bosom, exclaimed : " Strike here, for this 
 place gave nourishment to a m>n-- 
 
 This dreadful deed was defended before the 
 
 te, on the following day, by Nero hii 
 and the Senate not only excused, but even ap- 
 plauded it. 
 
 It seems strange that a man who could be 
 guilty of such an awful crime, should have a 
 ion for arts that soften and refine the heart. 
 Thi- was, however, the case; and it is 
 said that he had been addicted to them from 
 IIN childhood. The principles of music were 
 among ],is earliest studies; and, as soon as he 
 ;ded the throne, he placed himself under 
 the nio^i celebrated masters, and submitted, 
 with the utmost patience, to all their instruc- 
 tions. Notwithstanding all his assiduity, he 
 still p'. e ed a feeble and unplea-ant voice. 
 I5ut a person in his position c>uld not fail to 
 lind tlmse who were ready to listen to his tire- 
 some performances, and to rank him among the 
 finest musicians in the world. 
 
1. ;:s. 
 
 > one of his favorite 
 
 pmvuits. It is said tliat he never missed the 
 circus when chari were to be exhibited 
 
 At fiist he attended in a private way; 
 then he appeared publicly; and, finally, 1 
 tenni.'ied to take a prominent part in them 
 If'. K very tiling was done by his coun- 
 sellors Seneca and Burrlms, to prevent him 
 from 
 
 illy with .iirnity of his station; but 
 
 'eing all in vai: 
 
 >uud in the valley of tlu- \'ati- 
 .\lu-i-e he lirst exhibited his teats of 1 
 man -hip to a few chosen spectators, and, finally, 
 
 1 who desired to attend. 
 
 Not. oo&tent with the praises be-t.\ V i-d upon 
 him for tlu-e performances, he determin- 
 
 he people sp - of his mu-ical abili- 
 
 and, with this de 
 
 - called Juveniles, at which he ap- 
 
 d upon the stage, surrounded by ccnturi- 
 
 .nd tribunes, and tuning his instrumunt to 
 
 his voice, li' ajer of Ion- 'ence. 
 
 The ]>i-opK' ? who were afraid to do other 
 
 pleasure at this pitiful ex- 
 hibition; and the royal mu>:< so much 
 gratified by their demonstrations, that he re- 
 solved to make the tour of his empire, and give 
 
84 EMPIRE OF HOME. 
 
 Ills expedition to Greece. 
 
 everybody an opportunity to witness his skill. 
 His first exhibition, after leaving Rome, was 
 at Naples, the immense theatre of which was 
 crowded to suffocation, and then closed, so that 
 no one, by leaving the place, might disturb the 
 great performer. The people, notwithstanding 
 their eagerness to gain admission, soon became 
 weary <>f the emperors wretched music, and 
 some of them leaped, Stealthily, from the walls, 
 or ] >retended to fall into swoons, in order that they 
 might be earned out. An old senator, named 
 a-ian, barely escaped with his life, for 
 bring so disrespectful as to go to sleep. 
 
 It was not very long before reports of the 
 strange act ions of the emperor reached Greece; 
 and the cities of that country sent deput! 
 Koine, inviting him to give them a taste of his 
 musical perl- -nuances. These deputies >w- 
 ceeded so well in gratifying his vanity, that he 
 prepared, without delay, to go int.- 
 where he -pent the whole of the ensuing year. 
 The retinue winch accompanied him upon this 
 journey, resembled a vast army, but it was 
 composed only of singers, dancers, tailors, and 
 other attendants upon the theatre. Thus 6E 
 I'd, he travelled throughout all the cities of 
 Greece, exhibiting himself at their games, and 
 carrying off no fewer than eighteen hundred 
 
LAST OF THE C.ESARS. 85 
 
 return to Rome. 
 
 awarded to him, it' not ly merit, at 
 p. On his ivtuni. lif entered Na- 
 a breach in the walls of the city, 
 an honor which "nled to tho-e who 
 
 cun.juerors in the Olympic panics. But his 
 entrance into Rome was splendid, beyond de- 
 ll ere, dressed in purple r- 
 with wild olive, he made hi- aj 
 
 hariot of Augustus. In his <>wn 
 
 hand he bore the Pythian chaplet, while the 
 
 hundred crowns which had been ac- 
 
 1 t him were carried in advance. By 
 
 Me sat Diodorus, a celebrated n 
 
 and in 1 followed a legion of singers, 
 
 who chanted in honor of his victories. The 
 
 Sena 1 j>eople, filled the 
 
 air with their acclamations; all the streets 
 
 smoked with incense; victims were slain on 
 
 hand ; the pavements were strewed with 
 
 .-atl'ron, and g and ribbons were show- 
 
 upon the emperor from every window as 
 
 he pa<>ed al 
 
 Such were, for a long time, the amusements 
 < >f Xero ; but li n g? eventually, to satisfy 
 
 him, lie began a course of extravagance and 
 cruelty, which has placed his name among the 
 first of those who have rendered themselves 
 objects of an unmitigated hatred. A recital of 
 8 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 He causes the city to bo set on fire. 
 
 all his crimes would not only be too disgusting to 
 read, but would form a volume by themselves. 
 The brutal murder of his own mother fitted 
 him for the commission of every enormity; 
 and, by turns, he destroyed Domitia, his aunt, 
 Burrhus, his faithful counsellor, and Octavia, 
 his wife. " My predecessors," said he, on one 
 of these occasions, " did not know the rights of 
 monarchy ; people may hate me, if they only 
 fear mo.*' 
 
 Murder alone, failing, at last, to satisfy his 
 love of cruelty, he endeavored to season it by 
 different horrible accompaniments. For the 
 purpose of gratifying tins terrible appetite, he 
 caused, on one occasion, the city of Rome to 
 be set on thv in >i-\vral places; and then, dress- 
 ing himself in the costume of an actor, mmi 
 one of the highest towers of hi< palace, to enjoy 
 the scone, and to ropeat :; a theatrical 
 
 manner, upon the do-t ruction of Troy. For 
 nino days this terrible fire continued to burn, 
 with the most disastrous effects. Thousands 
 upon thousands of people were turned horn 
 and penniless in the streets. The most beauti- 
 ful monuments of art and of history were 
 leveled to the dust; and the whole city pre- 
 sented such an aspect of wretchedness, as it is 
 not in the power of language to depict. 
 
LAST OF THE CAESARS. 87 
 
 The persecution of the Christians. 
 
 JJut such a vast amount of misery <?<>uld not 
 be oc 1 without some exhibition of indig- 
 
 natio- BO; and Nero, tearing that 
 
 he might have carried his enormities somewhat 
 too far, denied any a :iair. and 
 
 charged the whole guilt of it upon the Chris- 
 tians, wlio were now becoming quite numerous 
 in Rome. In aence of this false ace 
 
 tion, the most terrible persecution v 
 menced again-f theso unfortunate and inn< 
 Nothing could exceed the crue' 
 the treatment whu-li they received at the hands 
 of this hearth-^ wretch. Throughout every 
 portion of the city tl: huntvd like wild 
 
 - : and many of them, actually dre-sed in 
 the si limals, were forced into t 
 
 of furious dogs, who killed and devoured them. 
 Some were crucified, and others were burned 
 alive. At times the whole city would be 
 lighted by the fagots that were kindled about 
 the bodies of these unhappy beings; while the 
 emperor, dressed up like a cliari- 
 himself with their tortures. It was during this 
 terrible persecution that St. Paul was beheaded, 
 and St. Peter crucified, with his head down- 
 ward. 
 
 But this barbarous treatment of the Chris- 
 tians did not serve to rid the emperor of the 
 
88 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Rebuilding of Eotne Nero's palace. 
 
 suspicion, that the conflagration of Rome was 
 the work of nis own hands ; and well aware 
 that everybody believed him to be the author 
 of it, he endeavored, if possible, to establish 
 his innocence, by causing the city to be rebuilt 
 in a far more splendid manner than it was be- 
 fore. The work went on with the greatest 
 rapidity, and Rome, in the end, became more 
 magnificent than ever ; but nothing could ex- 
 ceed in splendor the new palace of Nero. 
 Such was its extent, that within its very walls 
 were inclosed parks, lakes, and vineyards. The 
 apartments were adorned with the richest metals 
 and the most precious jewels. The ceiling of 
 the principal chamber was movable, turning 
 around in imitation of the starry firmament; 
 and tile I'litrance to the palace was so spacious, 
 as to admit a colossal statue of the emperor 
 one hundred and twenty feet in height. But 
 when this magnificent building was completed, 
 Nero took possession of it with the very quiet 
 observation that, now, he was lodged like a 
 man. 
 
 The rebuilding of Rome, and especially of 
 the palace of Nero, was not accomplished with- 
 out extortions of every kind, and in every direc- 
 tion ; still his subjects, with the exception of 
 the Christians, had comparatively little to com- 
 
LAST OF THE C^SARS. 89 
 
 'quences of the conspiracy against Nero. 
 
 plain of liis cruelties. These cruelties had 
 been, hitherto, chiefly confined to his own 
 kindred ; but, at length, the discovery of a 
 iracy formed against him, caused his bru- 
 tality to be felt on every hand. Many of the 
 principal families of Rome were engaged in 
 this conspiracy, and, consequently, a -rear num- 
 ber of the chief men of the city fell victin 
 his wrath. Among these was the celeb rat CM! 
 poet, Lucan ; also, the famous philosopher, 
 ca, who had always been the friend and 
 faithful counsellor of Nero. 
 
 It is true that Seneca, after vainly endeav- 
 oring to correct the evil propensities of the 
 emperor, had virtually withdrawn the assistance 
 of his valuable advice, by retiring from court 
 into solitude and privacy ; but it is by no means 
 certain that he was of the number of those who 
 plotted against his life. Nero, however, either 
 because he believed him guilty, or for the sake 
 of his wealth, or on account of the hatred of 
 his virtues, determined upon his death, and, 
 accordingly, sent a tribune to notify him that 
 he was suspected of being concerned in the 
 conspiracy. Seneca received the tribune, and 
 listened to his communication without the 
 slightest exhibition of fear; and this was 
 reported to the cruel emperor, who immedi- 
 
90 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Nero's treatment of Seneca Death of Seneca Fuither cruelties. 
 
 ately cried out: "Then go to him again, and 
 give him my orders to die !" 
 
 But even this terrible command had no effect 
 upon the calmness of Seneca. He simply 
 asked permission to make some alterations in 
 his will, in favor of some friends who happened 
 to be with him at the time. This privilege be- 
 ing, however refused to him, he turned to his 
 friends and said: "Since I am not permitted 
 to leave vim any marks of my affection, at 
 least I leave you one legacy, more precious 
 than all the rest my examp! 
 
 The only favor which ^Xero was willing to 
 grant to Seneca, was the choice of the manner 
 of his death. The philosopher, accordingly, 
 ean-ed hi- vi-ins to be opened : but. impatient 
 at the slowness of the operation, he demanded 
 poison ; and this Wing also tardy in its elfect, 
 as finally di-owm-d in a warm bath. It is 
 Faid that during li\< Hillerings he dictated a 
 discourse to his seeretary, which was afterwards 
 read with the" utmost eagerness by the people, 
 who held Seneca in the greatest reverence. 
 
 The consequence of this conspiracy against 
 Nero was to fill the whole city with slaugh- 
 ter, and i rightful instances of treason. Every- 
 where people took advantage of it, to avenge 
 themselves of private injuries. Slaves accused 
 
LAST OF i ESARS. 91 
 
 Queen Boatlice* Tl.e Jews. 
 
 their masters of being concerned in it; and in 
 
 .iklren v, enough to make 
 
 it instniinental in causing the destruction of 
 
 their parents. All the country surrounding 
 
 as occupied by soldiers, who were in 
 pursuit of the suspected and the guilty, and 
 crowds of wretches, loaded with chains were, 
 every day, Id-ought up to the palace gates to 
 
 .eir sentence from the bloody tyrant, 
 who to>k a peculiar plea-ure in pronouncing it 
 with his own lips. 
 
 The Roman governors in the different prov- 
 inces of the Empire seemed to be more >r 
 leas influenced by the terrible example of the 
 emperor; and, in some instances, their crucl- 
 
 so great as to cause open revolt on the 
 part of their Mihjeei<. This was the case 
 among the Untuns \vli- , under the conduct of 
 their queen, Boadicea, rose up again>t the Ro- 
 man power, u 1 London, and massacred 
 ;'y thousand of their enemies. They 
 were, however, finally subdued, and Boadicea 
 herself, seeing her destruction inevitable, took 
 poison, rather than fall into the hands of her 
 merciless victors. 
 
 A revolt also took place among the Jews, 
 in consequence of the oppression which they 
 experienced from the Roman governors, one of 
 
92 EMPIRE OF ROMP:. 
 
 Sergius Galba proclaimed emperor. 
 
 whom went so far as to issue a public procla- 
 mation, in which he permitted the country to 
 be plundered, on condition that the spoils 
 should be equally divided with himself. Nor 
 did the infamous Nero attempt to check the 
 outrages committed by those who represented 
 him abroad. 
 
 There now remained nothing monstrous or 
 inhuman, of which this tyrant had not been 
 guilty. All those who >hould have been nearest 
 and dearest to him, had fallen victims to his 
 insatiable cruelty; even his wife Poppea, for 
 whom he had sacrificed the Empress Octavia, 
 had been killed by a blow from his own foot; 
 and the valiant generals, who had led on his 
 armies to victory, were, one by one, slain at. his 
 command; still, he appeaivd in nowise weary 
 of his horrible employment.-, and continued to 
 pursue them with nndiminished activity. But 
 human nature, at last, grew weary of such un- 
 mitigated wrongs, and the whole world seemed 
 to rise up with a determination to get rid of so 
 terrible a monster. 
 
 The first declaration made against him was 
 by the legions in Gaul, under the command of 
 Julius Yindex. This valorous general resolved 
 that he would no longer serve a man, who had 
 proved himself far worse than the very worst 
 
LAST OF THE C^ESAKS. 93 
 
 's reception of the news of this conspiracj. 
 
 of brutes : and he accordingly proclaimed as 
 emperor, Sergius Galba, a brave old general, 
 who was then the governor and head of the 
 legions in Spain. 
 
 Nero was at Naples when he received the 
 news of this revolt. He seemed to feel but lit- 
 tle concern, as to the safety of his empire, 
 though he heard with great indignation, the 
 ridicule which the manifestoes of Vindex 
 throw upon his musical talents. "While the 
 epithets of tyrant and murderer did nt ait'ect 
 him in thi r galled him .sadly to In* called 
 
 a miserable j and as he read what 
 
 Yindex had written a^ain>t him, he frequently 
 turned to those about his person, and inquired 
 whether it was possible, that one who had 
 studied music so long and carefully should de- 
 such treatment. Jle determined, how- 
 ever, to have his revenge, and, accordingly, set 
 a reward of ten millions of s> upon the 
 
 head of Yindex, and then repaired to Rome, 
 where the utmost consternation prevailed on 
 account of the revolt, concerning which, the 
 reports were every hour becoming more and 
 more exciting. 
 
 Soon after his entrance into the city, he 
 called together a number of his favorites in the 
 Senate, for the purpose of taking some meas- 
 
94: EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Galba's revolt Nero's anger. 
 
 ures to subdue the party of Yindex; but in- 
 stead of laying the matter before them, in or- 
 der to obtain their advice, he produced a 
 number of musical instruments, designed to be 
 played upon by water, and entered into a long 
 explanation of their mechanism, advan 
 and defects, adding, in an ironical tone, that 
 he " hoped, with the consent of Yindex, to 
 exhibit these instruments upon the theatre."' 
 
 Many days, however, did not elapse, before 
 
 intelligence reached Koine of ti it of 
 
 Galba. ! at his supper table, 
 
 when the news arrived; and >o g tfi the 
 
 terror with which he was struck, on learning 
 
 ction of this great general, that he 
 
 turned over the table with his font, and fell 
 
 into a swoon. On recovering there from, he 
 
 tore his . and hair, exclaiming that he 
 
 frantic, in. 
 
 ii become, th re all 
 
 - of the different provinces, mur- 
 der every one .of the Gauls in Rome, poison the 
 whole Senate, burn up again the citv. and turn 
 the lions, kept for the purposes of the theatre, 
 loose upon the people. Finding, i . that 
 
 no particular advantage could be derived from 
 such extravagance, even if it were practicable, 
 he more wisely concluded to meet his enemies. 
 
LAST OF THE r.ESARS. 95 
 
 Hi* absurd preparations for war His despair. 
 
 But his usual folly w 1 in the pre- 
 
 'ions which he made for this purpose. A 
 large arn deed raised, and pro- 
 
 perly equipped, but 1. > pro- 
 
 ample conveyances for hi al instru- 
 
 ments, h 1 dancers, also to div 
 
 the o of Amazons a large number of 
 
 unprincn :nen, upon whose services he 
 
 much relied. 
 
 In the midst of these absurd preparations, 
 
 Intel ii \ as brought to Rome that se\ 
 
 other province had :. . and that the 
 
 whole empire wa- ready to shake off the yoke 
 
 of the eriii-1 : A portion of the army of 
 
 alien upon, and routed the 
 
 - under the e-'inmand of Vindex, but the 
 
 us troops were immediately in 
 
 to turn their arms against the 
 
 peror. Indeed, the r< , now so general 
 
 that I e to lind in except 
 
 his b- d to light in his behalf, provided 
 
 himself with poison, as a preparative against 
 
 the worst, and resolved to make his escape into 
 
 Egypt. But, upon inviting the few soldiers 
 
 around him to accompany him in his flight, 
 
 they all excused the . under different 
 
 pretexts, and, before midnight, deserted him, 
 
 and proclaimed themselves in favor of Galba. 
 
96 K M P I K E OF ft < ) .\[ E . 
 
 His flight Phaon's protection. 
 
 Ascertaining his forlorn condition, he sprang 
 from his bed, and desired a favorite gladiator, 
 who happened to be near, to dispatch him with 
 his sword ; but the gladiator fled from his 
 presence, and the wretched Nero, only partly 
 dressed, rushed from his palace with the deter- 
 mination to plunge into the Tiber. But the 
 poor coward, unable to encounter death, stopped 
 before he reached the river-side, and meeting 
 Phaon, one of his freedmen, begged of him a 
 place of shelter. Phaon took pity on him. and 
 conducted him four miles from Rome, t<> his 
 country house, into the back part of which lie 
 n -I -tealthily, creeping through the reeds 
 and brambles, with which the place was over- 
 run. 
 
 I hit I Mini m and the two or three domestics who 
 were with him, soon grew weary of their charge, 
 fr they knew that, ere long, the emissaries 
 of the Senate would be in pursuit of the bloody 
 tyrant; and Nero, moreover, did nothing, after 
 he reached tliB house, but moan, and groan, 
 and act in the most outrageous manner. Phaon 
 endeavored, therefore, to persuade him to de- 
 stroy himself, urging upon him that he would 
 doubtless be put to a cruel death, if he fell into 
 the hands of his enemies. Nero consented, and 
 bade Phaon and the servants to go and dig him 
 
LAST OF THK CJKSARS. 97 
 
 Nero's dread of death. 
 
 
 a flfrave, unl bring the water necessary t wash 
 his body; but when the dagger was placed in 
 his hand, he could not summon resolution 
 enough to strike. 
 
 On the next day a diligent search was made 
 in Rome lr Xero, but he could not be found; 
 und the S -embling, pronounced him an 
 
 enemy of the State, and sentenced him to be 
 stripped naked, and scourged to death. A re- 
 port of their proceedings having been carried 
 to him, he seized a poniard in each hand, and, 
 jning closely their points, returned them 
 to their scabbard-. that his hour had not 
 
 yet come. But he knew that this hour was 
 close at hand, and that the soldiers of the Sen- 
 ate were perhaps even then riding towards his 
 place of concealment. He began, therefore, to 
 reproach himself, exclaiming : " Does this be- 
 come Nero ? Is this trifling well timed ? No, 
 no: let me be courageous!" and, while thus 
 engaged, the clatter of approaching horses fell 
 upon his ear. Again he seized a dagger, and 
 placed its point against his throat ; but, unable 
 still to drive it in, he begged one of the ser- 
 vants to assist him ; and the noise of the pur- 
 suers increasing without, the servant, in pity, 
 gave the poor wretch the fatal stab. The sol- 
 diers of the Senate rushed into the room just 
 9 
 
98 EM FIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Eejoicings at Rome. 
 
 as he fell. One of them tried to stanch the 
 wound, but Nero, with his last breath, told him 
 that it was now too late ; and thus he died, in 
 the thirty-second year of his age. 
 
 The news of the death of this dreadful tyrant 
 was received at Rome with demonstrations of 
 the greatest joy ; and couriers were dispatched 
 to Galba, and to all the provinces, to relate the 
 happy tidings. The people went about the 
 city with liberty-caps upon their heads, singing, 
 and dancing, and expressing their satisfaction 
 in every possible manner. All the statues of 
 the emperor were also thrown down and de- 
 stroyed, while thousands went to the house of 
 Phaon to view his lifeless body, and to triumph 
 over his death. 
 
TRANSIENT RULERS. 
 
 FROM 69 TO 71 A. D. 
 
GALBA'S severity His reforms His avarice Disparaging 
 stories Jealousy He adopts a successor Otho's scheme to 
 obtain the throne Assassination of Galba Otho a 
 the throne His first acts Revolt of Vitellius Cent. 
 tween Otho and Vitellius Defeat of Otho Its effect upon 
 him His death Vitellius marches to Home His indolence 
 and gluttony He incurs the odium of the people ^> 
 siau resolves to displace him His preparations to 
 this Antoiiins sent against Vitellius Civil wars Success 
 of Vespasian Execution of Vitellius. 
 
IT. 
 
 TRANSIENT RULERS. 
 
 THE reign of Nero, the last of the line of the 
 irs, was followed by a few months of civil 
 di-rird, during which three emperors succes- 
 sively ascended the throne, the first of whom 
 wn- Scrvius Galba, a distinguished general, 
 whose native virtues and great abilities marked 
 him as a man eminently qualified for such a 
 responsible position. It is true that he was 
 quite advanced in age, being already in his 
 SL'Nvnty-si'cniid yoar; but he still possessed re- 
 markable vigor both of body and mind. The 
 nomination to the throne had been in nowise 
 desired by him ; and it is even said that when 
 he received it, he was so disturbed at the idea 
 of being elevated to such a dignity, that he 
 contemplated suicide. A message from the 
 Senate announcing the death of Nero, and 
 naming him as the successor to the throne, de- 
 9* 
 
102 EMPIRE OF KOME. 
 
 Galba's severity His reforms. 
 
 termined him, however, to assume the empire ; 
 and taking, therefore, the title and ensigns of 
 royalty, he set forth from Spain, where he was 
 then in command, to Rome. 
 
 As he approached the city, an immense body 
 of mariners, whom ISTero had enlisted among the 
 legions, went out to meet him, and demanded 
 a confirmation of the favor granted to them by 
 his predecessor. Galba endeavoring to defer 
 an answer to their request, they considered the 
 delay as equivalent to a denial, and behaved 
 in a very disrespectful manner, insisting upon 
 an immediate response, and even brandishing 
 their arms in token of a determination to com- 
 pel him to grant their wishes. Without a mo- 
 ment's hesitation, Galba gave orders to a largo 
 body of horse to march among them, and seven 
 thousand were slain upon the spot. 
 
 These mariners, doubtless, deserved some pun- 
 ishment for their insolence, but the severity 
 exercised upon this occasion was illy calculated 
 to make a favorable impression upon the peo- 
 ple over whom he had just been called to rule. 
 Besides this, he began, as soon as he ascended 
 the throne, to root out, in the most violent man- 
 ner, the vices which had grown so enormously 
 during the previous reign ; also to replenish the 
 treasury, now exhausted by the prodigality of 
 
TRANSIENT EULERS. 103 
 
 His avarice Disparaging stories. 
 
 his predecessors. These things were certainly 
 commendable in themselves, though undertaken 
 somewhat prematurely, for the people of Rome 
 were not altogether prepared to step at once 
 from the depths of vice to the summits of vir- 
 tue. Galba, therefore, soon acquired the name 
 of an austere and avaricious man ; and all man- 
 ner of ridicule was heaped upon him, and sto- 
 ries of every kind were circulated in regard to 
 his meanness, and in disparagement of his in- 
 tellect, and even of his honesty. There was 
 indeed some reason to believe that his fondness 
 for money exceeded his love of justice, for, not 
 long after his return to Rome, he caused all the 
 bloody ministers of Nero's cruelties to be pub- 
 licly executed, with the exception of the most 
 notorious of them all, who was said to have 
 purchased his pardon by the sacrifice of his 
 wealth. 
 
 It is however, a matter of much doubt, 
 whether this, and other equally unworthy acts 
 are to be directly attributed to Galba. He 
 was, unfortunately, too much under the in- 
 fluence of these unprincipled men, who took 
 every opportunity to abuse his confidence, and 
 by whose conflicting counsels, he soon rendered 
 himself an object of contempt among his sub- 
 jects. It is far more than probable, that the 
 
EMPIRE OF HOME. 
 
 Jealousies Qalba adopts a successor. 
 
 criminal acts imputed to him, had their origin 
 in these cunning and selfish counsellors. 
 
 Be tliis as it may, the people were very soon 
 lislied with their new emperor, and were 
 v to change him for another, whenever an 
 opportunity occurred." Galbahad beenelev 
 
 npire, through the instrumentality of the 
 army in Spain, and nuw, jealou-' in to 
 
 spring up in the armies of the other provinces, 
 who desired the achievement of something 
 similar. One of the armies in Germany 
 <-ially de-irous of placing their gene- 
 ral. Yiti-llius, up"ii the throne; and, when, in 
 due time, they were called to take the oaths 
 of homage and fidelity to (ialba, they re1 
 
 emperor, and demanded 
 
 thai the supreme authority should be vested in 
 their general, Yitellius. 
 
 Having no children, and believing that lie 
 would be able to strengthen his position by the 
 adoption of some one as his heir and succi 
 
 >\m his determination, and was at 
 
 :med to adopt Marcus Salvius 
 
 , formerly a confidant of Xero, and pro- 
 
 il in Lusitania. Otho himself besought 
 
 him to declare in his favor, and urged his ser- 
 
 - in procuring for him the empire. Hut 
 
 Galba had already determined that Piso Lu- 
 
TRANSIENT .11 ri.Kiis. 105 
 
 Otho's scheme to obtain tbp throne Assassination of Galba. 
 
 cinianu-. a man of great virtue-, -houhl be his 
 lieir; and when hi> adoption was publicly made, 
 Otho resolved t- -Main the empire by t'.rce. 
 
 of money which lie was 
 
 enabled to borrow, Otho bribe <1 snio of the 
 oflicers of the Pnetorian bands, and through 
 their influene succeeded in corrupting 
 
 the fideHty of the soldiers themselves. So much 
 power had he acfjuircd over them within the 
 short space of eiirlu days, that he hesitated no 
 long* '.are to them, in a lengthy sp- 
 
 his determioatioi] .d the throne. (Jalba 
 
 :iati/i-d by him as cnieUnd avarir 
 and unworthy of the empire; and when the 
 harangue of Otho was concluded, the soldiers 
 him upon their shoulders, and, with drawn 
 ds, carried him into their camp, and pro- 
 claimed him emperor. 
 
 The news of this revolt was a dreadful blow 
 to Galba, but a report of Otho's sudden death 
 having immediately succeeded it, he regained 
 his courage, and, buckling on his armor, rode 
 forth into the Forum, accompanied by a num- 
 ber of his folio wers. Just at this moment, a 
 company of Otho's troops entered the place 
 from an opposite direction. Observing the 
 emperor in a comparatively defenceless condi- 
 tion, they rushed upon him with murderous 
 
106 EMPIRE OF ROMP:. 
 
 Otho ascends the throne. 
 
 design. Galba, perceiving that it was impos- 
 sible to save his life, rode forward from the 
 midst of his followers, to meet the assassins ; 
 and, bending his head over his horse's neck, 
 bade the foremost of them to strike it off, if it 
 
 tor the good of Rome. This was accom- 
 plished in the twinkling of an eye, and the 
 head, being stuck upon a pole, was taken to 
 Otho, who ordered it to be carried about the 
 camp in the most contemptuous manner. The 
 body of Galba, after lying several days in the 
 stree^ finally buried by some of his 
 
 friends. Thus, in the seventy-third year of his 
 age, and at't> _rn of on a months, 
 
 died another of the emperors of Rome. 
 
 As soon as tli nation of Galba had 
 
 become generally known throughout the city, 
 UN* and the people rushed to the camp 
 of Otho, ta pay him their homage, and to con- 
 gratulate him on his success. Such a hearty 
 approval of his conduct inspired the new em- 
 
 : with the utmost confidence, and In 
 forth at once from his camp to the S 
 chamber, where he received the titles and cn- 
 
 - of royalty. Thence he went to his palace, 
 
 was evinced by his subsequent 
 
 behavior, to make himself a ruler worthy of the 
 
 ct and admiration of his subjects. 
 
TRANSIENT KULERS. 107 
 
 His first acts. 
 
 One of the first of his acts was to pardon all 
 those who had opposed most strenuously his 
 efforts to obtain the empire ; and the very man 
 who had taken the most active part against 
 him, lie advanced to an office of the highest 
 tru-t. Immediately after this, he caused the 
 most notorious minister of Nero's cruelties, 
 wlinm <4alba had suffered to escape, to be ar- 
 rested and punished a- he deserved. Then ho 
 recalled to the city those who had fled from 
 it, to avoid the rage of Xero ; and restored to 
 them, and to all others, the possessions of 
 which they had been robbed by this men 
 tyrant. 
 
 Hut the reign which promised so much hap- 
 piness to Rome, was destined to be of even 
 shorter duration than that of Galba. Aulus 
 iius, the commander of the legions of 
 T Germany, had long desired to make 
 himself master of the empire, and, by means 
 of large expenditures of money, together with 
 the most, extravagant promises, he had suc- 
 ceeded in gaining over to his wishes the oiV. 
 and soldiers under him. These men, asserting 
 that they had as much right as the cohor 
 Rome to choose an emperor, proclaimed Vitel- 
 as their choice, and boldly declared that 
 they were ready to maintain his cause by an 
 
108 KMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Revolt of Vitellius. 
 
 appeal to arms. The greatest consternation 
 prevailed in the city, when the news of this 
 revolt arrived ; and no one, perha[. ivg retted, 
 more than Otho, the evils likely to ensue from 
 it. Though formerly a weak, vicious, an<l de- 
 bauche<l man, Mnce hi- elevation to the empire 
 incd to have lu-en iran-forined into an- 
 other heing. Tlie welfare of his people was 
 now apparently nearest to his heart, and hene- 
 volence, humanity, and patriotism charade 
 all his actions, Cm. QO doubt, that the 
 
 wliich he had raised liiin-clt' to JM.\V- 
 
 er, were n. ln-ttcrthan those now about to bo 
 
 empl'vrd against him ly Vitellius, he found 
 1111 cliai-p- airainst his rival, which coiihl not he 
 l.rouirht with c|ual force against himself. It 
 was tlh-n-tniv with extreme n-luctance that lie 
 
 n t<> march out 
 airain>t the h-L'ions of Vitelliu8, which v 
 
 . upon their way to Italy. Xor would he 
 
 consent to this at all. until after he had first 
 
 d to >hare the em pi re with his rival, and 
 
 had done every thing in his power to avert the 
 
 i\\< of war. 
 
 When there seemed to be no alternative hut 
 hhiods-hed, he collected a powerful army, 
 which he accompanied a- far as the city of 
 Drixellum, and thence sent forward under the 
 
TRANSIENT IXTLERS. 109 
 
 Coi; ( Uho and Vitcllius Defeat of Otbo. 
 
 of his two generals, Suetonius and 
 Vitellius himself, remaining in Gaul, 
 had dispatched seventy thousand men, under 
 the command of Valens and Cecina, towards 
 Rome. These hostile armies encountered one 
 another in due season ; and, during three suc- 
 v- da\-, three bloody fights ensued, in all 
 of which the legions of Otho were successful, 
 though not completely victorious. At length, 
 however, the generals of Vitellius rect 
 
 reinforcements from Gaul, and another 
 
 jv ii icnt took place, in which the troops of 
 
 Otho, although at first apparently victorious, 
 
 were forced to fly midst a most terrible slaugh- 
 
 ter. 
 
 Otho hiin>elf was at Brixellum, anxiously 
 
 awaiting some tidings from the lield of battle. 
 
 came the news that his legions had Boo- 
 
 ed in capturing the eagles of the enemy; 
 
 then that they were near to victory ; but at 
 
 length no messenger at all arrived, and he began 
 
 to chide his officers for not attending to their 
 
 duties. Finally a poor soldier who had be- 
 
 longed to his now scattered army came in, 
 
 covered with blood and dust, and related to 
 
 him the dreadful termination of the battle. 
 
 Otho was loth to believe the terrible intelli- 
 
 gence ; and the flatterers by whom he was sur- 
 
 10 
 
110 KMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Its effect upon him. 
 
 rounded accused the soldier of cowardice and 
 
 hood. This was more than the poor fel- 
 low could endure, so he drew his sword, and, 
 plunging it through his o\v;i body, told them 
 that thus he was willing to prove that he was 
 neither a coward nor a liar. 
 
 Such was the effect produced upon Otho by 
 the death of this faithful soldier, that he im- 
 mediately exclaimed that he would no !< 
 be the cause of the destruction of such valiant 
 men ; th; 'iild die himself, and thus .-ave 
 
 his country frm further calamity. The friends 
 around 61 --d to cheer his mind, and * 
 
 .-till further effort- against 
 his enemie- ; but it was all in vain ; and, in the 
 
 ; time, the officers, and many .f th- 
 
 -my coming near, he 
 turned and thu- ad-' tern : "I es 
 
 ar more glorious than tl 
 
 don, siin- 9 convinced me of 
 
 ion. I must however enl 
 
 me iavnr more ; which is to die, in ordi 
 procure your safety ; I can never so much ad- 
 vance tiie interests of my country by war and 
 blood, BS by -aerificing myself for its peace. 
 Others have purchased lame by governing well ; 
 let it be my boast to leave an empire, rather 
 than, by my ambition, to weaken or destroy it." 
 
TRANSIENT RTLERS. Ill 
 
 Death of Otho. 
 
 one present could fail to admire the noble 
 gene; ' the emperor; and every one, at 
 
 the close of his address, was still more desirous 
 than ever to prevent his fatal purpose. He 
 assured them, however, that his resolution was 
 firmly taken; and, v 'hem to yield, at 
 
 once, to Vitellius, he entered his chamber to 
 write farewell l.-tteis to his sister, and to his 
 
 'lied. These being finished, he prei 
 
 loath. But a great tumult having 
 arisen amnir his soldiers, he opened his cham- 
 ber door, and employed the remaining part of 
 the day in checking their violence, and in giv- 
 
 >>d advice to all such as chose to receive 
 it from him. Towards evening, he again closed 
 loor, and takinir nothing but a draught of 
 cold water, stretched himself upon his bed. and 
 slept till the break of day, when he arose, and, 
 takiir _rer from beneath his pillow, j 
 
 himself a mortal wound, and tlr ! his 
 
 life, after a short reign of three months and five 
 diivs. 
 
 The news of the death of Otho was received 
 with great lamentation by his soldiers, who 
 were unwilling, notwithstanding his advice, to 
 go and join the ranks of Yitellius. At first 
 they entreated a distinguished general named 
 Virginias to assume the title of emperor, but 
 
112 EMPIRE OF Ro:viE. 
 
 Vitellius marches to Eoma His entrance into the city. 
 
 not being able to prevail upon him to do so, 
 they sent an ambassador to the generals of 
 Yitellius, and obtained a pardon on condition 
 of their submission to his authority. 
 
 During all this time Vitellius was still in 
 Gaul ; but the Roman Senate had no hesita- 
 tion in proclaiming him emperor, and he set 
 forward, without delay, to join his army and 
 to enter Rome. On passing over the field 
 where the bloody battle which gave him the 
 empire was fought, he stopped to gaze upon 
 the dead bodies of the men and horses that lay 
 everywhere about, putrefying and tainting the 
 air with their stench. And, snuffing lip the 
 loathsome breeze, he remarked, with disgusting 
 coolness, that the smell of dead enemies was 
 quite refreshing. On approaching Rome, he 
 affected the utmost splendor in his appearance, 
 and suffered his army to follow him without 
 any regard to order or decency. The country 
 over which they passed was, consequently, ren- 
 dered almost desolate, by the unrestrained 
 ravages of his soldiery ; and when he reached 
 the city, he entered it, not as its ruler, but 
 rather as its conqueror. He inarched through 
 the principal streets on horseback and cased 
 in armor, causing the Senate to walk before 
 him, like so many slaves on foot. On the fol- 
 
TRANSIENT KULERS. 113 
 
 
 
 Indolence and gluttony of Vitellius. 
 
 lowing day he made a very pompous speech, 
 in which he magnified himself into a hero, 
 giving to all an idea that he possessed the 
 power of the very gods to benefit mankind. 
 The manner in which he intended to admin- 
 ;he affairs of the empire was soon appa- 
 rent. Kvery thing wa> intrusted to an unprin- 
 cipled freedman, named Asiaticus, wh<>, witli a 
 band of players and cha 1 d in 
 
 bringing the government into the utmost con- 
 tempt. Cnwilling to assume tin 1 cares of ru- 
 ling, he abandoned himself to all kinds of 
 luxury and profuseness. But, of all the 
 to which he was addicted, gluttony rendered 
 him the nio-t disgu>iing. His meals, of course; 
 "f the most sumptuous character; 
 and, in order that he might cat of all the vari- 
 ous dishes under which his table groaned, he 
 would stuff himself to suffocation, and then dis- 
 gorging the contents of his stomach, commence 
 again ; thus eating and vomiting, by turns, un- 
 til he was no longer able to put the viands into 
 his mouth. The sums of money which his 
 entertainments cost w T ere prodigious. About 
 thirty millions of dollars, it is said, were spent 
 in maintaining his table during the short space 
 of four months. Fortunately his reign was 
 very short, for had it been of any great dura- 
 
114: EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 His prodigality and rapacity. 
 
 tion, the whole wealth of the empire would not 
 have been sufficient to furnish him with food. 
 And short, even, as it was, his prodigality be- 
 gan, at last, to produce want, and this, in turn, 
 rendered him cruel and rapacious. 
 
 His coffers becoming empty, he resorted, at 
 first, to money-lenders in order to replenish 
 them ; but no money-lender was ever fortunate 
 enough to recover from him a loan. Indeed, 
 it is said that if any one of them ever dared to 
 remind him of a debt, he would quickly cause 
 it to be cancelled by the knife of the public 
 executioner. Money-lending, upon such terms, 
 proving to be rather an unprofitable business, 
 there were, .soon, none to follow it; and the 
 needy monarch was compelled to adopt other 
 means of supplying his demands. On one oc- 
 casion, therefore, hearing of the sickness of one 
 of his wealthy associates, he went to visit him, 
 and, mingling a quantity of poison with his 
 medicine, administered it with his own hand, 
 and afterwards took possession of the dead 
 man's fortune. At another time, hearing a 
 Roman knight, who had been condemned to 
 death, cry out, in hope of mercy, that he had 
 made the emperor his heir, he demanded to 
 see the will, where finding himself joint inher- 
 itor with another person, he ordered both to bo 
 
TRANSIENT KULKKS. 115 
 
 He incurs the odium of the people. 
 
 executed, and thus enjoyed the legacy without 
 a partner. 
 
 By such conduct, Yitellius could not fail to 
 render himself, soon, odious to all mankind. A 
 termination to his reign was regarded as in 
 every way desirable; and prognostications of 
 his downfall weiv continually made. One 
 a writing was put up in the Forum to this en 
 ; We, in the name of the ancient Chaldeans. 
 give Vitellius warning to depart this lite by the 
 calends of October." In consequence of this, 
 he became so exasperated that he ordered all 
 the astrologers to be banished from. Rome. 
 Again, an old woman predicted that if he sur- 
 vived his mother, he would reign many years 
 in peace and happiness. The ba-e wretch im- 
 mediately caused his mother's death, by refu- 
 sing her sustenance, under pretence that her 
 health would be thereby impaired. But he 
 very soon began to entertain fears, founded on 
 something more formidable than mere prognos- 
 tications. His mad behavior had rendered him 
 altogether insupportable, and the spirit of re- 
 volt spread, consequently, to every portion of 
 the empire. Vespasian, commander of the le- 
 gions in Judea, and who had been sent into 
 that country to suppress an insurrection of the 
 Jews, learned of the great detestation in which 
 
116 EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Vespasian resolves to displace Vitellius. 
 
 Yitellius was held at Rome. This valiant 
 general had already reduced all the country, 
 except Jerusalem, to subjection, although the 
 disorders in the government at home, during 
 the last three transient reigns, had been a con- 
 stant hindrance to his operations. He, as well 
 as his legions, were becoming discontented 
 with such a state of things, and a resolution 
 was finally taken to displace Yitellius, and 
 give the empire into the hands of some one 
 competent to receive it. 
 
 It was no difficult matter .for Yespasian, un- 
 der these circumstances, to procure the suffrages 
 of his soldiers. Indeed, not only the legions 
 under his own command, but even those in 
 Maesia and Pannonia, resolved to place him 
 upon the throne ; and, without his knowledge, 
 he was also proclaimed emperor at Alexandria. 
 At first, he affected to decline the honors of- 
 fered to him, but his soldiers threatened to put 
 him to death immediately, in case he rejected 
 a title which, without doubt, he was very wil- 
 ling to receive. 
 
 As soon as he had signified his acceptance 
 of the empire, his principal officers were called 
 together, and a resolution taken to leave his 
 son Titus to carry on the war against the Jews, 
 and to send Mutianus, with the greatest part of 
 
TRANSIKNT UI/LERS. 117 
 
 Preparations made to oppose him. 
 
 his legion-, into Italy, while he himself was to 
 be engaged in levying forces in all parts of the 
 "Mast, for the purpose of establishing his au- 
 thority. 
 
 In due time, intelligence of all these proceed- 
 ing- was brought to Rome, and Vitellius, with- 
 out in the least abating his abominable sloth 
 and gluttony, resolved to make an effort to de- 
 lend his power. His generals were ordered to 
 make all preparations to resist the inva. 
 but scarcely had they collected their forces, 
 when Antonius Primus, <>ne <>f the leaders un- 
 der Vespasian, entered Italy with an immense 
 army. A bloody engagement took place near 
 Cremona, in which the troops of Vitellius were 
 defeated, with the loss of thirty thousand men. 
 
 Vitellius, himself, who remained at Rome, 
 eating and drinking, and indulging every 1 
 ly appetite, was tilled with indescribable terror 
 on learning the success of his enemy. At first 
 he desired to go and lay the ensigns of the em- 
 pire at the feet of Vespasian, and was actually 
 taking measures to do it, when an accidental 
 w< >rd of encouragement from some one near his 
 person, determined him to make another effort 
 to save his throne. Further reinforcements 
 were accordingly raised ; but a large party in 
 the city who were bold enough to declare in 
 
118 EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Antonius sent against Vitclllus Civil wars Success of Vespasian. 
 
 favor of Vespasian, seized upon the capital, and 
 although unable to retain it, gave a serious 
 check to the operations of Yitellius. 
 
 In the mean time, Antonius, who was ad- 
 vancing rapidly towards Rome, now appeared 
 before the walls, and commenced a furious at- 
 tack at three different points. The army with- 
 in, sallying forth upon the besiegers, defended 
 themselves with equal obstinacy. But, at last, 
 the besiegers obtained an entrance within the 
 walls, and a terrible slaughter commenced in 
 all the streets. It is remarkable that, during 
 these dreadful scenes of bloodshed, the people 
 could not be prevented from celebrating one 
 )f their noisiest and most riotous feasts, called 
 me Saturnalia. While, therefore, in one part 
 of the city the two hostile armies were engaged 
 in butchering one another, in other parts nothing 
 wa- to be seen but mirth, feasting, and drunk- 
 enness. 
 
 During these extraordinary proceedings, Yi- 
 tellius took- refuge in a private house upon 
 mount Aventine, whence he intended at night 
 to make his escape from the city ; but, with his 
 usual want of resolution, he returned to his 
 palace, which was now empty and desolate. 
 Wandering about from room to room, trembling 
 lest he might encounter some one, he finally 
 
 
TRANSIENT KULERS. 119 
 
 Execution of Vitellius. 
 
 hid himself in an obscure corner, whence, 
 however, lie was soon taken by a party of the 
 soldiers of Yespasian. "With the most earnest 
 entreaties he begged them to send him to pri- 
 S'.M, ami .-pare his life, until Vespasian should 
 arrive; but the soldiers, refosiBg to listen to 
 his prayers, placed a halter about his neck, and 
 dragged him along, half naked. t- the public 
 Forum. As he pa^ed through the street-, every 
 lie loaded him with reproaches; some cast 
 dirt and tilth upon him; others struck him 
 with their hands, and no one failed to make 
 fun of the red face and prominent stomach 
 which he had acquired by means of his ex- 
 cesses. Arriving at length at the place of 
 public execution, they beat him to death; and 
 then, fixing a hook into his body, dragged it 
 in the most ignominious manner about the 
 streets, and finally threw it in the Tiber. 
 
 Thus terminated the life of the glutton, 
 Vitellius, in the fifty-seventh year of his age, 
 after a short reign of less than nine months. 
 As in the case of many of the emperors of 
 Rome, no one was sorry to learn that he was 
 dead. 
 
VESPASIAN AND HIS SONS. 
 
 FROM 71 TO 96 A. D. 
 
 11 
 
VESPASIAN emperor Rebellion of the Jews The war 
 against them Siege of Jerusalem Obstinacy of the Jews 
 Their sufferings Destruction of Jerusalem Triumph of 
 Titus and Vespasian Liberality of Vespasian His death 
 Accession of Titus His character Effects of his example 
 Sufferings in Italy Death of Titus His brother Domitian 
 Indolence and its fruits Military aspirations of Domitian 
 His absurd expedition against the Sarmatians His cruel- 
 ty His hatred of the Senate Attempts to frighten them 
 Conspiracy Assassination of Domitian. 
 
V. 
 
 VESPASIAN AND HIS SONS, 
 
 SOON after the death of Vitellius, the Senate 
 and army united in declaring Flavins Vespa- 
 sian emperor. He was, however, at this time, 
 in Egypt, whither messengers were immediate- 
 ly dispatched to urge him to return, at once, to 
 Rome. But the season being very unfavora- 
 ble for sailing, he deemed it more prudent to 
 defer his voyage, and therefore remained several 
 months in Alexandria, where, it is said, he per- 
 formed miracles, in curing blind and lame men 
 by touching them. 
 
 Vespasian was born in the country of the Sa- 
 bines, about the close of the reign of Augustus ; 
 but he did not attract any especial notice until 
 the reign of Claudius, when he acquired great 
 reputation in Germany and in Britain, on ac-. 
 count of his military talents. In the beginning 
 of the reign of Nero, he retired to private life, 
 
124 KMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Jewish rebellion Vespasian goes to Home. 
 
 but was, at length, appointed by that emperor, 
 proconsul of Africa; and upon the breaking 
 out of the Jewish rebellion, he was sent, as has 
 been already said, with a large army into 
 Judea, the whole of which, with the exception 
 of Jerusalem, he succeeded in subduing. 
 
 This great and ancient city he was just upon 
 the point of attacking, when the civil wars, 
 which followed the death of Nero, occurred. 
 The prosecution of this scheme was in various 
 ways prevented, and, finally, he was obliged 
 to intrust it to other hands, in order to comply 
 witli the wishes of the Roman people, who de- 
 sired to place the empire in his hands. In- 
 tent, however, upon the thorough subjugation 
 of the Jews, he would not set out for Rome, 
 until lie had made every arrangement for its 
 accomplishment; and then, leaving to his son 
 Titus the command of the army that was to be- 
 siege Jerusalem, he went back to Italy to oc- 
 cupy the vacant throne that there awaited him. 
 
 The news that he was on his way to Rome 
 flew before him; and while he was yet many 
 miles from the city, the Senate, accompanied 
 by a great multitude of the inhabitants, came 
 .forth to meet him, sincerely rejoicing at the 
 prospect of having an emperor whose virtues 
 had been so thoroughly tested; and who, it is 
 
VESPASIAN AND H; i-j:> 
 
 Dissensions among the ' 
 
 gratifying to lind, far from disappointing their 
 expectations, devoted himself, with great .-uc- 
 to the promotion of their happiness and 
 welfare. 
 
 Titus, in the mean time, continued the war 
 again>t the .lew-, with the utm>t vigor. No 
 f their country, except Jeru>alem. imw 
 remained unsubdued; and towards this place 
 he marehed his conquering army, halting with- 
 in -ix furlongs of the outer walls. 
 
 The Jews, at this time, were not only obsti- 
 nately rebelli Uoman power, hut 
 they w.-re enpi^ed in a liva<lful war among 
 theniM-l\v~. IK-avt-n it-elf seeni'-.l, also, in veri- 
 licatinn uf the pre<liction of our Saviour, to be 
 directly enira^ed in accomplishing their de- 
 struction, by ' eartlnjuukrs. famine, and 
 lence; and when Titus brought his army 
 to their gates, the streets of the city were already 
 tio\vin t ir with the blood of its inhabitants. 
 Neither of the contending factions hopii, 
 v Kaiii any advantage by an alliance with the 
 Unman leader, a temporary su-pen-inn >f hos- 
 tilities was agreed upon among themselves, and 
 they united against the common enemy. 
 
 The first attack which they in;. con- 
 
 ducted with so much .-kill and fury, that the 
 Romans were driven from the walls in the ut- 
 11 
 
126 EMPIKE OF ROME. 
 
 The iiege of Jerusalem. 
 
 most confusion, and forced to take refuge in the 
 mountains. It was not long, however, before 
 Titus succeeded in rallying his forces and com- 
 pelling the inmates of the city to re-enter their 
 gates. Taking great care that his army should 
 not be again surprised, he did every thing in 
 his power to effect an entrance into the city. 
 This was indeed a very difficult undertaking, 
 as it was surrounded by three walls of great 
 strength and thickness. The first of these was, 
 however, battered down after an immense 
 amount of labor, attended with much fatigue 
 and danger. He then made the most favorable 
 offers to the inhabitants, with repeated assu- 
 rances of pardon, in case they would submit to 
 his authority. But his proffered kindness was 
 treated with contempt, and even regarded as 
 an indication, on his part, of a want of confi- 
 dence in his ultimate success. To show the in- 
 habitants, however, that lie was fully able to 
 conduct his undertaking, lie went vigorously to 
 work ; and within the space of five days there- 
 after, the second wall was laid in ruins, and the 
 inhabitants were compelled to rely for safety 
 on the third alone. 
 
 Again Titus urged the infatuated people to 
 listen to his offers of peace, assuring them, that 
 if they would not submit, he should lay their 
 
V< L ANl> 11 ; 3. [-27 
 
 Obstinacy of the,: 
 
 city in the dust. Josephus, a Jewish com- 
 mander, who had been taken primmer, ^>mc 
 time before, by Vespasian, and who afterwards 
 an account of the Jewish war. was then 
 in the army of -Titus, and wa- sent by him into 
 the purpose of persuading the peo- 
 ield to the Roman power. Hut his 
 
 is of no avail, and he I 
 forced to ocupe from the scotis and repro- 
 with which he was assailed. Titu< therefore 
 
 commenced the down tlie 
 
 :vmaining wall. The engines used fr this 
 
 purpose were brought to bear upon it ; but such 
 
 'ii of the Jews, that nothing 
 
 could be done, and the eiiiri: i 'itus were 
 
 royed as fast as they could be built. 
 The Roman general was not, lu>we\ XT, to be 
 driven from his enterprise; and. a consultation 
 with his officers havii held, it wma deter- 
 
 mined to surround the whole city with a trench, 
 and thus cut off all succor from abroad. The 
 work was accomplished with incredible celerity, 
 and Titus, knowing that the city mu>t eventu- 
 ally submit, sat down in expectation uf a speedy 
 acceptance of his repeated offers of peace. But 
 he v, 'tied to be disappointed; for, not- 
 
 withstanding the horrid ravages uf famine; and 
 pestilence within the walls ; notwithstanding 
 
128 EMPIRE OF HOME. 
 
 Dreadful suffering of the Jews. 
 
 the necessity, to which the people were driven? 
 of eating the very filth in the street, and the 
 rotten carcasses that floated in the sewers, they 
 still refused to yield. 
 
 Finally, a report was brought to the ears of 
 Titus, that a woman of distinction in the city 
 had boiled her own child and eaten it. The 
 dreadful story put the Roman general in such 
 a transport of rage, that he declared that he 
 would leave nothing undone in order to accom- 
 plish the destruction of a city that could toler- 
 ate such abominable crimes. To this end, large 
 detachments of his soldiers were sent into the 
 neighboring forests, and immense quantities of 
 timber having been cut down, innumerable en- 
 gines were constructed and brought to bear 
 upon the walls. The Jews, though starving 
 and dying, fought with the utmost desperation ; 
 in like manner fought the Romans, and the 
 walls of the city finally yielded to the heavy 
 strokes of the never ceasing rams. Then the 
 soldiers of Titns, leaping upon the unprotected 
 inhabitants, slaughtered, without mercy, all 
 who fell in their way. Great numbers of these 
 unfortunate beings fled to the temple, and to 
 the fortified part of the city called Sion, while 
 multitudes concealed themselves in vaults and 
 subterraneous passages. Sion, however, soon 
 
VESPASIAN AND HIS SONS. 129 
 
 Destruction of Jerusalem. 
 
 fell into the hands of the Romans, and the mag- 
 nificent temple, held in such reverence by the 
 le, was, contrary to the commands of Titus, 
 finally. destroyed. 
 
 This dreadful sight filled the Jews with, more 
 terr'r than any thing that had yet occurred. 
 :rding them- - utterly l'<>rsaken of 
 
 God, they filled the aiv with their groans and 
 lamentations, and yielded themselves, volunta- 
 rily, to the swnrds of their conquerors. The 
 then, in verification of prophecy, was 
 raxed to the ground by the ploughshare, so that 
 one Btone was not found upon another; and 
 thus, after a .-iege of six months, Jerusalem, 
 which, under the peculiar care of Heaven, had 
 flourished two thousand years, was totally de- 
 r^troyed. More than a million of its inhabitants 
 perished by the sword and famine, and nearly 
 a hundred thousand were carried away cap- 
 tive ; the survivors were scattered over every 
 portion of the earth, where their posterity re- 
 main, a monument of the wrath of Heaven, and 
 of the truth of Revelation. 
 
 The greatest honors were paid to Titus on his 
 return to Rome, loaded with the spoils of liis 
 recent victory. A magnificent temple was 
 built to Peace, wherein these spoils were de- 
 posited; and, now that all the commotions 
 
130 EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Triumph of Titus and Vespasian. 
 
 throughout the empire were at an end, the 
 doors of the temple of Janus were once more 
 closed. Titus became associated with his 
 father, Vespasian, in the administration of pub- 
 lic afrairs, and both applied themselves to the 
 correction of the innumerable abuses that had 
 crept into the State during the preceding 
 reigns. The licentiousness of the army w r as re- 
 strained, and the ancient discipline restored. 
 Even senators and knights who had disgraced 
 their stations, were degraded, and more worthy 
 men appointed to fill their places. Vespasian 
 turned his attention, also, to the beautifying of 
 the city, erecting many fine edifices, among 
 which was the Coliseum, whose ruins are visi- 
 ble at the present day. This immense amplii- 
 theativ, capable of containing one hundred and 
 ten thousand persons, and deservedly ranked 
 among the wonders of ancient times, was erect- 
 ed in the space of one year, by the compul- 
 sory labor of twelve hundred Jews and Chris- 
 tians. 
 
 Vespasian distinguished himself no less by 
 his liberality in the encouragement of the arts 
 and learning. A salary of a hundred thousand 
 si'skTCL-s was constantly given by him to the 
 teachers of rhetoric. Josephus, and other 
 Jewish historians, experienced the greatest 
 
VESPASIAN AXD HIS SONS. I-'H 
 
 Liberality of Vespasian His death. 
 
 kindness at his hands; and Quintilian, the 
 
 >r, and Pliny, the naturalist, together with 
 all the professors of the useful arts and sciences, 
 shared largely of his bounty. 
 
 The public treasury was so completely ex- 
 hausted \\heii e to the empire, 
 that it was nece raise a sum equal to 
 three hundred millions of pounds sterlii, 
 order to meet the < >vrnment. 
 The ' iiience of this, were 
 
 v; but Ve-paMan expended nothing 
 his private gratification. 
 
 His care was not confined to the city of 
 
 e. Everywhere throughout his exu-n-ive 
 empire, attention was gi\vn to the wants of his 
 
 >;e; and he was especially devoted to pr.- 
 
 moting the welfare rf the people of liritain, 
 
 of whom, through the instrumentality of 
 
 'iierals, were now brought into subjection. 
 AVith only one or tw :-uelty 
 
 ever exercised in the punishment of tho-o who 
 offended against Vespasian; and when, alter a 
 
 i of ten years, he was taken away by death, 
 all the subjects of his great empire mourned 
 for him as for a father. Perceiving his end to 
 be drawing near, he exclaimed: " Methinks 1 
 am going to be a god!" and then declaring 
 that an emperor should die standing, he raised 
 
132 EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Accession of Titus. 
 
 himself to his feet, and expired in the arms of 
 those who stood around him. 
 
 The universal sorrow which followed the 
 death of Vespasian, was succeeded by great re- 
 joicings, on account of the accession to the 
 throne, of his son Titus, who commenced and 
 continued his reign in the practice of every 
 virtue. While his father was living, he was 
 not free from the charge of cruelty and prodi- 
 gality ; but, as soon as he himself began to 
 reign, he shook off every vice, and became a 
 model of moderation and humanity. All the 
 loose and unprofitable companions whom he 
 had around him were dismissed, and he applied 
 himself so diligently to the promotion of the 
 public good, that he acquired the appellation 
 of the " Delight of Mankind ;" a name which 
 he seemed, ever afterwards, anxious to pre- 
 serve. 
 
 \\-spasian had labored assiduously for the 
 welfare of Home, but he omitted much that 
 might have been done for the suppression of 
 the abominable vices that had their origin in 
 the licentiousness of preceding reigns. To the 
 extermination of these, Titus applied an untir- 
 ing hand ; and all persons, consequently, whose 
 conduct marked them out as unworthy mem- 
 bers of society, were deprived of citizenship, 
 
VESPASIAN AND HIS SONS. 133 
 
 Character of Titus Sufferings in Italy. 
 
 and, in many instances, they were publicly 
 scourged, or sold as slaves. Nothing whatever 
 that could promote the good of the State seemed 
 to escape his attention, and while he was not 
 engaged in doing good, he appeared to be un- 
 happy. It is said that, having recollected, one 
 night, that he had, during the day, done noth- 
 ing for the benefit of mankind, he exclaimed to 
 those around him : " Oh, my friends, I have 
 lost a day !" In order that he might keep his 
 hands unstained by the blood of his fellow-men, 
 he took upon himself the office of High Priest, 
 declaring that he would rather die himself than 
 to put another to death. 
 
 It was during the reign of this excellent 
 monarch that the dreadful eruption of Mount 
 Vesuvius occurred, by which the cities of Pom- 
 peii and Herculaneum were destroyed, with a 
 great multitude of human beings, among whom 
 was the celebrated scholar and naturalist, Pliny, 
 who fell a sacrifice to his devotion to the study 
 of nature. A great fire, which continued three 
 successive days and nights, also occurred about 
 this time at Rome ; and not long after this 
 calamity, a terrible plague broke out, by which 
 ten thousand persons perished in a single day. 
 Titus did all in his power to relieve the suffer- 
 ing thus occasioned ; and undertook, at his own 
 12 
 
134 EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Example of Titus Death of Titus. 
 
 nse, to repair the loss resulting from the 
 conflagration. 
 
 The excellent example given by Titus was 
 not lost upon the governors of even the remotest 
 provinces. Cneius Julius Agricola, who had 
 been sent into Britain about the close of the 
 reign of Vespasian, succeeded nut only in bring- 
 ing the whole of that large island into subjec- 
 tion to the Roman arms, but, also, in introducing 
 among the people the polite manners of their 
 conquerors. Temples, theatres, and stately 
 houses were built by them, in accordance with 
 his advice and example. The sons of their no- 
 bility were instructed in the liberal arts ; and 
 the language, modes <fdiv--. and living of the 
 Romans, \\vre cultivated by them. 
 
 The reign of Titus was not. however, of long 
 duration; and his death, which was probably 
 occasioned Ky tin ' his brother Do- 
 
 mitiau, who longed to occupy his place, oc- 
 curred about three year- after he ascended the 
 throne, and' in the forty-iirst year of his a<re. 
 It is said that when he felt his end approach- 
 ing, he declared that during the whole course 
 of his life, he knew but one action of which he 
 repented, and this was an action which he did 
 not think proper to name. Not one of the 
 rulers of Rome was more universally beloved, 
 
D HIS SONS. 135 
 
 lian Good beginning of Domitian. 
 
 or in- ;vly Inn:. ml certainly none 
 
 of hi- aithfully 
 
 and v f..r the good of the c 
 monwealth. 
 
 When Titus "Fhr. B Doini 
 
 clan, by the 
 
 dentil of his brother, ed no 
 
 decided <ii]M>!ti.;i. though tlu-y tivmhlcd. he- 
 :i his youth, thi- younger M 
 
 iih-ivd hini-i-lf iuii..tN l>y his 
 ; vnluj)ti | n> well n< ly his 
 
 cnu-1 nml ninliirnnnt . In the be- 
 
 ginniBg of hif d, he managed to- de- 
 
 am ; ami, \'r a wliile, th. :;ir<l, 
 
 libitions of clemency, lih- 
 ernlity, and j "iild j.r 
 
 another Tim-. .Many excellent 1; e in- 
 
 stituted through his instrumentality, and he 
 an-il t . hr more merciful towards the un- 
 fortunate and the criminal, even, than the ordi- 
 nary hnr-h d 
 
 and j.ntiently i 
 them. 
 
 A com-se of conduct so utterly nt variance 
 with his inclinations, could not be, for any 
 length oi' time, -pursued; and we accord 
 find him, ere IOM--. weary of the affairs of State, 
 and occupied in devising means for gratify ing 
 
136 EMPIRE OF KOME. 
 
 His natural iudolence and ite fruits. 
 
 his taste for mean pursuits. Unlike the noble 
 father and brother who had preceded him, he 
 found his highest enjoyment in such games and 
 sports as should be indulged in only after the 
 mind has been employed in painful labor. 
 Thus, he began to devote all his time to archery, 
 wrestling, and horsemanship; and, at last, in 
 order that graver pursuits might not interfere 
 with his favorite amusements, he banished all 
 philosophers and mathematicians from Home. 
 The most expensive exhibitions were constantly 
 given under his direction ; and he, himself, 
 adorned with a purple robe and crown, pre- 
 sided at them, and distributed prizes with his 
 own hand. But the manner in which he be- 
 guiled the hours that he spent alone in his pri- 
 vate chamber, is disgusting in the extreme. 
 On these occasions, instead of applying his 
 mind to some useful study, he would catch the 
 harmless flies that crept about the wall, and, 
 sticking pins through their bodies, amuse him- 
 self with the struggles which they made to 
 escape his cruelty. 
 
 It was thus that, for a long time, he exhibited, 
 only in petty cruelties, and ignoble pursuits, 
 the baseness of his mind ; but, finally, the odi- 
 um with which the people began to regard 
 him, together with their murmurs, served to 
 
"VESPASIAN AND HIS SONS. 137 
 
 His aspirations for military fame. 
 
 bring out all the malice of which he was capa- 
 ble. The first object of his malevolence was 
 the excellent Agricola, whose talents, both as a 
 general and a statesman, as exhibited in Britain, 
 had won for him such great applause. Domi- 
 tian, with a childish desire to earn a military 
 reputation for himself, had, some time before, 
 undertaken an expedition against the Catti, a 
 people of Germany ; but after marching, in the 
 most warlike manner, towards their territory, 
 he prudently determined to retrace his steps to 
 Rome. Resolving, however, that he would not 
 go home without the honor of a triumph, he 
 purchased a number of slaves, and, dressing 
 them in tlx) (German costume, carried them 
 along as prisoners of war. At the head of this 
 contemptible procession, he entered the city 
 like a victorious general. Conscious, however, 
 that he could not thus diminish the glory ac- 
 quired by Agricola, who was now carrying his 
 victorious arms over the islands in the neigh- 
 
 O 
 
 borhood of Britain, he determined to remove 
 him from his command, and, accordingly, sum- 
 moned him to Rome, under pretence of appoint- 
 ing him to the government of Syria. Agricola 
 obeyed the emperor's call ; but, instead of 
 receiving the government of Syria, he was 
 obliged to retire to private life ; and his death, 
 
138 KMPIRE OF KOME. 
 
 His absurd expedition against the Sarmatians. 
 
 which occurred very soon after, was doubtless 
 accomplished under the direction of Domi- 
 tian. 
 
 Xot long after this event, some of the noma- 
 dic tribes, inhabiting the northern parts of Eu- 
 rope and Asia, and known as the Bannatiane, 
 made a formidable invasion of the Roman em- 
 pire, threatening the destruction of some of its 
 important provinces. Indeed, they succeeded 
 so well in their operations, that Domitian, fear- 
 ful of the result, sent out his forces against 
 them, well armed with an abundant supply 
 of moiH-y. !V;i iinally purcha>ed of 
 
 barbarians, and the contemptible emperor, 
 thinking this a gnn.l opportunity to seize upon 
 a little military honor, resolved to have the 
 ant of a triumph. Jle accordingly entered 
 in the gn 'iendor, claiming the 
 
 e of a people, with whom he had never 
 fought a single battle. 
 
 Becoming, daily, more and more desirous of 
 applause, he iinally grew dissatisfied with every- 
 thing that fell short of the veneration paid to 
 the gods themselves. The titles given to the 
 deities, he, at last, assumed and no statues 
 AVU-O permitted to be erected to his honor, un- 
 they Avere of gold or silver. But even 
 these absurdities might have been endured, had 
 
VESI'ASIAN AM) HIS SONS. 139 
 
 
 Cruelty of Domitian Scheme of Lucius Antonius. 
 
 he not, with them, exhibited the most unmiti- 
 
 i cruelty. Indeed, the M "f <leath 
 
 1 from his lips with as little limitation 
 
 as the m-t ordinary command ; and a lai'ire 
 
 number >f illustv' tton peri-hed at his 
 
 bidding, upon the nit trilling pretences. One 
 
 ..iideliilied !> dl : aimthf 
 
 iperor Otlio ; 
 
 riii"ther, I'm- liavi D liis own uain 
 
 ne\v lance \\hich he had invei i another 
 
 Mi/:, k in which he praised 
 
 distingaiahed i! 
 
 This dreadful eruelty ot' Duinitiaii wa> very 
 
 inuc'li ar.- .u-c-ideiital defeat of a 
 
 plan t'>rme(l ly Lucius Ant>nius, O.)veriior of 
 
 rniaiiN-.' -i..n nfthe throne. 
 
 Marcliini!- t-\vard- K"i:ie, the iMnnidable army 
 
 .ntoiiiu- was suddenly divided l>y an over- 
 
 flowing of tile Rhine* A- junc- 
 
 ture ly tin- 1'nrces of the r which were 
 
 lost him, he was totally routed, and 
 d to abandon his ambitious project. From 
 moment, Domitian seemed to be .Auspicious 
 of all around him; and nothing could exceed 
 ruelty of the tortures which he inflicted 
 upon those whom he ch-e to accuse of treason. 
 Some, he deprived of their limbs, others, he 
 pierced with red-hot irons ; while multitudes, 
 
140 EMPIRE OF HOME. 
 
 His attempt to frighten the Senate. 
 
 were crucified, burned, and otherwise destroyed, 
 to gratify bis fiendish passions. 
 
 His hostility to the Senate and nobility was 
 scarcely kept within bounds ; and on several oc- 
 casions he threatened to extirpate them all. At 
 one time, he put them in the utmost consterna- 
 tion by surrounding the senate-house with a 
 large body of his troops. At another time, he 
 invited them to partake of a great banquet at 
 his palace ; and receiving each with the great- 
 est politeness, as, one by one, they entered, he 
 caused them to be conducted to a spacious 
 apartment, hung round with black, and lighted 
 by a few melancholy tapers. Along the sides 
 of this dismal room were arranged all sorts of 
 instruments of torture and execution ; and close 
 by them, were gloomy rows of coffins, each 
 with a senator's name inscribed upon it. While 
 the terrified nobles were gazing in silence upon 
 these symbols of violence and death, a door 
 suddenly opened at one side of the chamber, 
 uml through it entered, slowly, a hideous com- 
 pany of men, each with a drawn sword in one 
 hand, c^nd a flaming torch in the other. Sur- 
 rounding the horror-stricken senators, these ter- 
 rible looking creatures began a most frightful 
 dance, accompanied with unearthly grimaces, 
 and the flourishing of their swords and torches. 
 
VESPASIAN AND HIS Soxs. 141 
 
 Conspiracy against Domitian. 
 
 Domitian, from n private corner, watched 
 this outrageous violation of all decency; and, 
 when he had sufficiently enjoyed it, sent a 
 vant into the room to inform the half-dead com- 
 pany that the emperor gave them leave to re- 
 tire to their homes. But such detestable 
 trifling, added to cruelties more real and 
 inexcusable, could not be practised with impu- 
 nity ; and, conscious that this must be the case, 
 he began at length to feel some anxiety for his 
 own safely. AVitli a view, therefore, to save him- 
 self from sudden surprise, he kept more closely 
 within his palace, and even ordered the gallery 
 in which he walked to be set around with a pel- 
 lucid stone, which served as a mirror to re- 
 flect the pei-sons of all who approached him 
 from behind. 
 
 But great and costly as were these precau- 
 tions, they were rendered unavailing, by his 
 want of prudence in placing the name of his 
 wife in the written list of proscribed persons, 
 which he was in the habit of carrying in his 
 tablets. This woman, it seems, had for some, 
 perhaps very good, reason, incurred his anger, 
 and, determining to punish her, he had enrolled 
 her name among those destined for destruction. 
 Happening, one day, to get possession of this 
 list, she was terrified at finding her name among 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 His Assassination. 
 
 the victims to his cruelty. She showed it to 
 the prefects of the Praetorian bands, also to Ste- 
 phanus, the comptroller of the household, and 
 to Parthenius, the chief chamberlain, all of 
 whom were upon the fatal catalogue. A con- 
 spiracy was, of course, the result, and a day 
 was fixed upon for dispatching the cruel tyrant. 
 Upon this appointed day, as Domitian was 
 making preparations to go to the bath, a mes- 
 senger informed him that Stephanus desired to 
 consult him upon an affair of great importance. 
 His attendants were consequently dismissed, 
 and Stephanus entered, with his hand in a scarf, 
 which he had worn for several days, under pre- 
 tence that it was injured, but really that he 
 might better conceal a dagger. He began 
 his business by giving the emperor an account 
 of a pretended conspiracy, the particulars of 
 which were specified in a paper which he pre- 
 sented to^him. Domitian seizing it with eager- 
 ness began to read ; but he had scarcely 
 finished the first sentence, when Stephanus 
 drew his dagger and struck him in the groin. 
 The wound not being mortal, a struggle imme- 
 diately ensued. The tumult was overheard by 
 some of the followers of Stephanus, who stood 
 without the door. They rushed, at once, to the 
 assistance of their master, and the emperor was 
 
VESPASIAN AND HIS SONS. 143 
 
 Death of Stephanas. 
 
 dispatched with seven wounds ; but Stephanus 
 also slain by some of the officers of the 
 guard, who came to the rescue of the monarch. 
 Thus ended the life of this infamous tyrant, 
 after a reign of fifteen years, and at the age of 
 forty-five. 
 
EXTENSION OF THE EMPIRE. 
 
 FROM 96 TO 139 A. D. 
 
 130 
 
THE brief reign of Nerva Early training of Trajan His 
 accession to the throne Plutarch First works of Trajan 
 His respect for the laws His military spirit Conquest of 
 the Dacians The bridge over the Danube Prosperity of 
 the empire Persecution of the Christians Extension of the 
 Roman power Splendid victories Death of Trajan His 
 obsequies Trajan's column Character of Hadrian His 
 elevation to the throne His kindness and love of peace 
 I lr ;il >an<lons the conquests of Trajan His famous journey 
 His labors in Germany and Britain His visit to Athens and 
 Carthage His favorite, Antinous Rebuilding of Jerusalem 
 Hadrian's return to Rome His acquirements His suffer- 
 ing near the close of life His death. 
 
VI. 
 
 EXTENSION OF THE EMPIRE. 
 
 NOTHING could exceed the joy that prevailed 
 throughout the city of Rome, when it was pub- 
 licly known that the infamous Domitiuu was 
 ii<> more. The senators, especially, whom he 
 had so constantly held in terror, congratulated 
 one another upon his death, as one of the hap- 
 piest events in the history of the empire ; and, 
 as soon as they could be convened, a decree 
 was parsed that no funeral obsequies should be 
 paid to him, and that all his inscriptions should 
 be erased. At the same time, they declared 
 Cocceius Nerva emperor ; and, without delay, 
 proceeded to his house to render to him the 
 customary homage. 
 
 This choice was exceedingly fortunate, not 
 so much on account of any peculiar qualifica- 
 tions possessed by Nerva for this responsible 
 position, but because, through his instrumen- 
 tality, Rome obtained, as his successors, two of 
 
148 KM i' IKK OF ROME. 
 
 The emperor Nerva. 
 
 the noblest of her emperors Trajan and Ha- 
 drian. 
 
 Nerva, himself, was a very excellent man, 
 thuiigh not possessed of the energy and talents 
 necessary to the ruler of so vast an empire. 
 IIi> exaltation was, indeed, due solely to the 
 blameless conduct of his life; and, even if he 
 had been distinguished as a statesman, or B 
 dier, he was now too far advanced in life. 1 
 sixty-two years old, to labor efficiently again>t 
 vils that had crept into the Stale during 
 the unlbrtuna! "f I)mitian. 
 
 The short period, during which he occupied 
 the throne, was devoted to the welfare of his 
 subjects who very soon began to look upon 
 him as an indulgent lather. The vicious v 
 nl' course, di-pleased at his eil'ort- to promote 
 nler and virtue; but th> i annoyance 
 
 which he :iccd, was i'mm f -riaii 
 
 bands, who insisted upon :.-ath 
 
 of the late emperor, whose frequent liberalities 
 had endeared him to them. Xerva did all in 
 his power to put a stop to this insurrection ; ho 
 even presented himself to the furious soldiers, 
 and, uncovering his bosom, bade them strike 
 him rather than commit ><> unju>t an act. They 
 refused. ho\vever, to listen to his remonstrances ; 
 and seizing upon those who had been accessory 
 
Bl si ON OF ; : i i RE. 149 
 
 rleA reign. 
 
 to the death of Domitian, slew them in a mt 
 
 .aimer. But not conteir 
 with this, they forced the emperor to give an 
 approval of their acts, and to make a sj 
 just it;, ui before the people. 
 
 It was in a great measure owing to this cir- 
 
 1 t. MM 
 
 some one with him in the adi; ;<>n of the 
 
 affairs of Stat.-. 11*- f.-lt. the necessity of a 
 i^er arm than his own to keep i 
 
 ;md to oppose those who were ob- 
 .-tinately bunt upon evil. AVith true devotion 
 to the welfare of th- -, he sought dili- 
 
 v tor some one con to aid him; 
 
 and, fortunat- LS Tl pi us Trajan, 
 
 then governor of Upper Germany, and a 
 
 way connee; family. This 
 
 . >f the last and happiest acts of Nerva. 
 A short t rwards, he was seized with u 
 
 him olV, amid the lanu-n- 
 ! the people, after a reign oj 
 :li>. 
 Tlie tamous Trajan, who is generally ac- 
 
 i he greatest and best of th> 
 eiii[" - a native of Seville, in Spain, al- 
 
 though his family was originally from ! 
 
 rather wa> a brave lioman ^fiieral. who 
 distinguished himself in several expeditions 
 
150 EMPIRE OF KOME. 
 
 Early training of Trajan His modest bearing. 
 
 which he conducted along the Euphrates and 
 the Ehine ; and Trajan, though a lad, accom- 
 panied him in some of these expeditions, march- 
 ing frequently on foot, and sharing, like any 
 common soldier, the dangers and fatigue inci- 
 dent to military life. 
 
 With such an early training, it is easy to be- 
 lieve that Trajan would be rendered fully com- 
 petent to oppose the torrent of public disorders 
 which had so largely swollen under the long 
 tyranny of former emperors. In nowise vain of 
 superior position, he preserved the manners 
 and living of a soldier, and spurned every thing 
 like homage, when he was elevated to the rank 
 of general of the army in Lower Germany. 
 Even when, upon the death of ]S"erva, he was 
 requested by the Senate to repair to Home and 
 receive the crown, he changed in nothing his 
 conduct or appearance, but treated every one 
 as if he were a simple tribune. Nor was his 
 march towards the city, upon this occasion, at- 
 tended with any exhibition of pride or power. 
 At the head of a very large army he proceeded 
 from Germany towards Rome, with a discipline 
 to which the legions of the empire had, for a 
 long time, been strangers; and the countries 
 through which he passed were not in the least 
 disturbed by any improprieties on the part of 
 
EXTENSION or THE KMPIRE. 151 
 
 His accession to the throne Plutarch. 
 
 his numerous followers. Reaching the gates 
 of the city, he did not demand a triumphal en- 
 trance, but, on the other hand, chose to go in 
 on foot, attended by the officers of the State, 
 and followed by his soldiers, who passed silent- 
 ly to their quarters. 
 
 The celebrated Plutarch, whose Lives of illus- 
 trious Greek and Roman personage.- are familiar 
 to every student of history, was, at this time, a 
 resident of Rome. A Greek by birth, he had 
 long resided here as a teacher of philosophy ; 
 and Trajan, whose early life had been spent in 
 arms, became, at a late period, it is said, one of 
 his pupils. The following extract from a let- 
 ter, written by this great philosopher to him, 
 on his accession to the throne, will serve to 
 .-how the high estimation in which this famous 
 monarch was held by those who knew him 
 best: 
 
 " I am sensible," said Plutarch to' him, " that 
 you sought not the empire. Your natural mod- 
 esty would not suffer you to apply for a dis- 
 tinction, to which you were always entitled by 
 the excellence of your manners. That modesty 
 makes you, however, still more worthy of those 
 honors, which you had no ambition to solicit. 
 Should your future government prove, in any 
 degree, answerable to your former merit, I shall 
 
152 EMPIRE OF KOME. 
 
 The first works of Trajan His great respect for the laws. 
 
 have reason to congratulate both your virtue 
 and my good fortune on this event." 
 
 Trajan was forty-two years of age when he 
 ascended the throne ; and, possessing a fine 
 
 >nal appearance, together with a great mili- 
 tary reputation, he succeeded more easily in 
 curbing the insolence of the Prastorian guards, 
 as well as that of other disaffected parties in 
 the State. Having taken measures to supply 
 certain wants of the city, which demanded his 
 immediate attention, he proceeded to banish 
 such persons as exerted a pernicious influence 
 by their lives or conversation. He then under- 
 took to reduce some of the most odious of the 
 
 -. which had been imposed upon the peo- 
 ple by his predecessors. Afterwards he gave 
 his attention to the laws, abolishing such as 
 were unjust, and enacting others that were de- 
 sirable. Nor did the fact escape his notice, 
 that many of the most important offices of the 
 government were occupied by persons very un- 
 suitable, by reason of their want of talent and 
 integrity. These he displaced as rapidly as he 
 could prove them, appointing others in their 
 stead. Upon one occasion, as he was perform- 
 ing the ceremony of giving the sword to the 
 prsefect of the Praetorian guard, he said to him : 
 " Take this sword, and use it, if I have merit, 
 
EXTENSION OF THE EMPIRE. 153 
 
 His military spirit. 
 
 fur me; if othenvi-v. against me.' 7 Immedi- 
 ately afterwards lie took the opportunity to ad- 
 those present in regard to the reforms in 
 which lie had been occupied, and, at the con- 
 clusion, declared that " he who made laws was 
 the first who was bound to preserve them." 
 
 Indeed no one evinced, by his example, a 
 greater desire to preserve the laws than he 
 himself; and if then- was any thing in his 
 character at all exceptionable, it was his im- 
 moderate passion for war, a business to which 
 he had been trained from boyhood. For the 
 profession of arms he seems to have possessed 
 a talent that has been seldom equalled ; but it 
 may be said that he seldom exercised it, unless 
 there was, apparently, a just and sufficient 
 cause, The Dacians were the first, after his 
 accession to the throne, to feel the power of his 
 arms. These people, who occupied a large re- 
 gion of country southeast of Germany, under 
 Decebalus, their king, had given the predeces- 
 sors of Trajan a great deal of trouble. It had 
 been found impossible to conquer them, and 
 therefore a large tribute had been yearly paid, 
 in order to restrain their constant incursions 
 upon the Roman territory. Trajan, however, 
 refusing to pay the tribute which had been ex- 
 acted from his predecessors, found his dominions 
 
154 EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Contest with the Daclans, 
 
 invaded by numberless hordes of these barba- 
 rians, who carried desolation wherever they 
 went He accordingly raised a powerful army, 
 and attacked them upon their own soil. At 
 first he met with a vigorous opposition; but, 
 iinally, constraining them to come to a general 
 engagement, he routed their armies, with a ter- 
 rible slaughter. 
 
 The loss sustained by the Romans, on this 
 occasion, was very great. Trajan, himself, not 
 only displayed the utmost activity during the 
 contest, but, when it was over, he gave his per- 
 sonal attention to those who had been injured, 
 tearing the linen clothing, even, from his own 
 body to dress their wounds. The Dacian mon- 
 arch sne<l t'r peac$, nud, entering the camp of 
 Trajan, paid his homage as a vassal of Home. 
 But Trajan had scarcely returned with his vic- 
 torious army, when the treacherous Dacians, 
 renewing their hostilities, forced him again to 
 inarch again-t them. Decebalus had, by this 
 time, learned how to engage with the Roman 
 troops ; and, by means of various devices, he 
 contrived to protract the war. Trajan deter- 
 mined, however, that he would subdue him, 
 and, in order to be better able to invade his 
 territory, undertook the stupendous work of 
 building a bridge across the Danube. This 
 
EXTENSION OF TIII: KMPIRE. l.V> 
 
 The bridge over the Danube Prosperity of Hume. 
 
 gious >!ructure. emitting of twenty-two 
 arches, a hundred and fifty feet high, and a 
 hundred and seventy broad, ha- been regarded 
 
 o of the ri works of antiquity. It 
 
 be of eminent service to the Roman 
 army, at .pletin, the war was eou- 
 
 ducted \vith so much vigor, that the country, 
 although very spacious, and filled with brave 
 and hardy inhabitai: . tinally subdued. 
 
 Decebalu -iiort to rscape, hut 
 
 finding it impossible, he >h i w him-i-ll', and liis 
 lu'ad was >cnt at once to Rome U a tn .j.hy of 
 success. 
 
 By these conquests, the whole of tin- 
 ritor;, 'a wa- annexed to the Unman em- 
 
 pire. Trajan'- -pivad to the nmst distant 
 
 .nd Uoine enjovi-il ad -plendnr 
 
 greater than she had hitlieri 1. Am- 
 
 liitlier from the ren. 
 
 - of India to con<^ratnla f e the emperor, and 
 to crave his friemUhip. Tiie. rejoicings in the 
 
 "ii account of these victories, were of the 
 most extraordinary character, and continued 
 for the space of a hundred and twenty days. 
 
 Although a man of L r reat prudence, and not 
 easily deceived, Trajan suffered himself to he 
 misled l>y the reports which were brought to 
 him concerning the Christians. Being warned 
 
156 EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Persecution of the Christians Extension of the Eoman power. 
 
 that they were laboring zealously to overthrow 
 the religion of the empire, his extreme venera- 
 tion for the gods induced him to use every 
 means to weaken and discourage them. A law 
 was already in existence, by which all societies 
 dissenting from the established religion of the 
 State, were declared illegal. This law was now 
 permitted to be enforced, and under it, the 
 Christians were, persecuted in every portion of 
 the empire. Among the large numbers that 
 were put to death, was St. Clemens, bishop of 
 Rome, who was thrown into the sea ; also, St. 
 Simeon, bishop of Jerusalem, who, at the age 
 of a hundred and twenty, was scourged and 
 crucified ; likewise St. Ignatius, who was thrown 
 to wild beasts, in the amphitheatre at Rome. 
 
 But these cruel persecutions were imme- 
 diately terminated when the emperor was 
 made acquainted by Pliny, the proconsul of 
 Bithynia, with the true character of the Chris- 
 tians, and their inoffensive and moral way of 
 living. 
 
 For a long time, the empire had now been com- 
 paratively undisturbed by war, but, finally, the 
 Parthians and Arminians attempting to throw 
 off all constraint, Trajan again took up arms, 
 and did not quit them, until he had achieved a 
 series of victories which stretched the Roman 
 
EXTENSION OF THE EMPIRE. i:7 
 
 A long series of splendid victories. 
 
 power even to the Indies. First punishing the 
 Armenians for their rebellion, and then reduc- 
 ing the wealthy kingdom of Mesopotamia into 
 the form of a Roman province, he marched into 
 Syria and Chaldea, conquering these countries, 
 and even taking the famous city of Babylon. 
 Crossing, at this point, the river Euphrates, he 
 pursued the route once taken by Alexander the 
 Great, and, at the head of his victorious legions, 
 traversed vast regions which had never before 
 been visited by Roman arms. Nothing what- 
 ever was sufficient to diminish the ardor with 
 which he had commenced his journey ; and, as 
 he proceeded, province after province was added 
 to the empire. lie passed over the river Tigris, 
 and opening a way for himself in Persia, gained 
 many, and very splendid, victories. Then 
 sailing down the Persian Gulf, he entered the 
 Indian Ocean, and was making conquest after 
 conquest in this distant region, when he was 
 informed of the revolt of some of the provinces 
 which he had already subdued. Sending, 
 therefore, to the Senate a list of the nations which 
 he had already conquered, he returned along 
 the Persian Gulf, for the purpose of punishing 
 the countries that had revolted from him. He 
 not only succeeded in retaking those places 
 that had formerly submitted to him, but also 
 14 
 
158 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Death of Trajan His obsoquies. 
 
 himself master of all the most fertile 
 kingdoms of A.-ia. 
 
 It is said that in the achievement of this long 
 series of conquests, he never met with a repul-e 
 except before the city of Atra in tlie desert of 
 Arabia; soon after which he concluded to give 
 masters to the countries that he had subdued, and 
 then repair to Rome. Going with this design 
 to the city of Ctesiphon in IVr>ia. he crowned 
 Paithenaspatea king of Parthia. lie also gave 
 a king to the province of Albania, and placed 
 governors an<l lieutenants iii other provi 
 Then appointing Pnblius ^Klins Hadrian general 
 of tin.- fiircrs in tin- Bast, In- srt out for IJonic. 
 Uut lu i had not pn.civded farther than Si-linns 
 ; icia, wlii-n In- was taki-n sick and died, at, 
 tlu 1 anv of >i. \ty-t hive, after :i reign of nearly 
 twenty \ < 
 
 Tli, i event eaused the most 
 
 profound sorrow in Rome; and a general de- 
 sire was at once manifested to do something 
 honorable to" the memory of their excellent and 
 wi.-e monarch. A similar desire was also felt 
 by Hadrian, the successor to the empire. This 
 new emperor, who, at the time of his accession, 
 was in command of the forces in the East, sent 
 the ashes of Trajan to Rome, and repaired 
 thither, also, with as little delay as possible. A 
 
BXTKW8IOM OF THE KMPIRK. 
 
 Trajan's column Character of Hadrian. 
 
 triumph having : -:vd to him on h; 
 
 rival. he modestly declined ii, preferrim:, a- he 
 knew would be in. . iv agreeable to the people, 
 tliat these ho; -i!d he paid to the 
 
 Trajan. Accordingly, the iu<>t nia^niticiMit 
 ]>ivjarati"ii- ;ih>, to which Hadrian 
 
 coiitrihiiv v tliiiii: in hi> j>o\vc-r. The 
 
 statue "f Trajan ic*! in tl. 
 
 an lmnr, licv.-r !!'.. re coiiti-rred iqmii the dead ; 
 and his allies, inclosed in a rMrii urn, \vi-re 
 (1 on tlu- t.-j of a marble column, a hun- 
 dred and thirty-t\. i hei^lit. This column 
 tells, even at the present day. the >tory of his 
 military exploits, and t'r the elegance ot' its 
 ]roportinii, Ix-ain nd simplicity and 
 dexh-rity ..f sculpture. i> regarded a- the iine-t 
 in the world. 
 
 Hadrian, the successor of Trajan, was hy 
 birth a Spaniard, and the nejihew ot' hi- [ 
 
 -. He was a man of va-t and active 
 LTenins, intimately acquainted with the Latin 
 and (iivek laniriia^es the laws of his country, 
 and the philosophy of the times; but he was 
 extravagant, incon>tant. capricious, and vain. 
 Although intrusted with the command of the 
 forces in the East, he was not i by Tra- 
 
 jan as the most suitable person to be placed at the 
 head of the empire, and this prudent monarch 
 
160 EMPIRE OF HOME. 
 
 His elevation to the throne. 
 
 accordingly hesitated in naming him for the 
 succession. But during the last illness of Tra- 
 jan, the empress Plotina contrived, either to fix 
 his resolution, or to forge a will by which Ha- 
 drian was nominated his successor. With such 
 varied endowments, and such well-known skill 
 in all the exercises of body and mind, together 
 witli considerable military reputation, he had no 
 difficulty in ascending the throne. The army, 
 all the soldiers of which, it is said, he could call 
 by name, accepted him with acclamations; and 
 tin* Senate to whom he was known as an ac- 
 complished orator, a forcible writer, a profound 
 mathematician, and a skilful general, cheerfully 
 united in giving liim the empire. 
 
 Upon the elevation of Hadrian to the throne, 
 he remitted a very great number of debts due 
 from (liU'eivnt individuals and provinces to the 
 irea-tiry. lie, also, raised himself very much 
 neral estimation by giving the estates of 
 condemned persons to the public, instead of ap- 
 propriating them to himself. His veneration 
 for the Senate was very great; and every thing 
 in his power was done, to promote the dignity 
 and purity of this important body. Such was 
 his eare to prevent all unworthy men from be- 
 ing introduced into it, that he told a captain of 
 his guard, on creating him a senator, that he 
 
KXTKXSIOX OF THE EMPIRE. 161 
 Kindness of Hadrian His lore of peace. 
 
 had n<> honors in his gift equal to what he then 
 
 ded, 
 
 The greatest praise was bestowed upon Ha- 
 drian for his moderation and clemency, which 
 
 exhibited on numberless occasions, , 
 rially towards those who had injured him when 
 lie was a private man. Meeting a person, one 
 \vho had been hi< inveterate enemy, he 
 exclaimed: "My good friend, you hav 
 
 L for I am nw emperor!" His manner 
 
 kind, especially towards 
 
 of meaner stations. No one who was 
 
 to ..brain his assistance; and the 
 
 sick ol'irn >aw him in their chambers. "I am 
 
 emperor," said he, " not for my own good, but 
 
 fur the benefit of mankind." 
 
 Although he pursued a course very different 
 from that of his predecessor, he seems to have 
 been governed by sound sense and distinguished 
 wi-dom. The arts of peace were far more 
 agreeable to him than those of war, and thus 
 he suffered much of the territory acquired by 
 the conquests of Trajan to be lost to the em- 
 pire. The regions beyond the Euphrates lie re- 
 garded as of little value, and making that river 
 the boundary of the empire, he placed his 
 legions along its banks to prevent the incur- 
 - of the enemy. The Alani, the Sarmatians, 
 
162 EMPIRE OF KOME. 
 
 The conquests of Trajan abandoned. 
 
 and the Dacians beginning, soon after. he as- 
 cended the throne, to be very troublesome by 
 their numerous incursions, he was desirous of 
 contracting, still more, the boundaries of his 
 dominions , but being dissuaded by his friends, 
 he iinally satisfied himself by breaking down 
 the bridge which Trajan had built over the 
 Danube, concluding, with much good sense, 
 that the passage which was open to him, was 
 equally advantageous to his barbarian enemies. 
 There were those' who, attributing the peace- 
 ful disposition of Hadrian to cowardice, would 
 have done any tiling to deliver the empire from 
 a ruler who was diminishing its glory and impair- 
 ing its power. Indeed, a very dangerous con- 
 spiracy was fnniu-d against his life by four per- 
 "f consular dignity ; but their designs were 
 discovered, and they were all put to death by 
 order of the Senate. An act so inconsistent 
 with the great moderation which he alway 
 played, occasioned much murmuring on the 
 part of the people. Hadrian, therefore, took 
 the utmost pains to rid himself of the imputa- 
 tion of having been concerned in the execution 
 of these men, who had always been regarded 
 a> among the most worthy in the empire ; and 
 to divert attention from the matter, he soon af- 
 ter caused a number of most magnificent exhi- 
 
EXTENSION OF THK KMIMKK. I*'.:; 
 
 Irian's famous joar: 
 
 hitjons to l>e held in the amphitheatre for tlie 
 entertainment of the people. 
 
 During the fourth year of his reign he began 
 the famous journey through all the jn\! 
 of his empire, which he i- said to have per- 
 formed on foot and with his heikd uncovered. 
 
 It wa- undertaken in pursuanee of one of his 
 maxims, that an emperor ought to imitate the 
 sun, which dillWs warmth and \ r all 
 
 the parts <>f the earth. In imitation, also, of 
 the sun, he determined that his career r-hould 
 be as brilliant as possible, and. m gly, set 
 
 out with a very splendid court, and numerous 
 
 6 in attendance on him. 
 
 The lirM province which he visited was(iaul, 
 where lie halted fora length of time sutlicicnt 
 ike a complete census of the people. 
 Thence he passed into Germany and Holland, 
 travelling slowly, noting every thing worthy "f 
 oWrvatioii, and giving such directions as he 
 thought might improve the welfare of the in- 
 habitants and promote the interests of the em- 
 pire. From these countries he went to Britain, 
 a land in which some of his predecessors had 
 acquired so much glory, and where he was also 
 desirous of leaving a name. Here he rested a 
 considerable period, for the purpose of reform- 
 ing a multitude of abuses, as well as for under- 
 
164 EMPIKE or ROME. 
 
 His labors in Germany and Britain. 
 
 taking to.recancile the natives to the power of 
 Rome. Finding that the southern parts of the 
 province were very much harassed by the in- 
 cursions of the Picts, and other barbarous na- 
 tions of the north, he caused these intruders to 
 be shut off by a wall of wood and earth extend- 
 ing from the river Eden in Cumberland, to the 
 Tyne in Northumberland. 
 
 Having accomplished all that he could in 
 Britain, he returned to Gaul, and, passing 
 through this country, went to Spain, where he 
 was received with groat joy, as 1 icing a native 
 of that country. Selecting the city of Terra- 
 gona as his resting-place, lie there called a 
 mooting of the deputies from all the provinces, 
 and devised many things for the benefit of the 
 nation. Having passed the winter in this coun- 
 try, he returned to Rome, fur the purpo- 
 making preparations to pursue his journey in 
 the East, After arriving in Asia Minor, he 
 was induced to turn aside and make ti visit to 
 Athens, where he remained for a considerable 
 length of time, taking upon himself the office 
 of arclion or chief magistrate of the place. 
 Here, he was initiated into the Eleusinian mys- 
 teries, held among the most sacred in the Pagan 
 mythology. At the suggestion of Gratianus, 
 the proconsul of Asia, he remitted, during his 
 
K X T I. N S i ( X O F T 11 K K M P I K K . 
 Hid visit to Athens and Carthage Ills favorite, Antlnous. 
 
 residence here, the persecution of the Chris- 
 tians, and even thought of receiving Christ 
 among the number of the gods. 
 
 Passing from Athens to Sicily, he visited 
 "Mount -Ktna, and thence returned, once more, 
 to Rome, where he, however, stayed only long 
 enough to ])iv}arc ships to convey him to the 
 coast of Afriea. IK'iv he remained a great 
 length of time, engaged in reforming the gov- 
 ernment, and in erecting the most magnificent 
 Imildings. The famous city of Carthage, which 
 had so long been in ruins, he ordered to be 
 rebuilt, calling it after his <>\vn name, LTadrian- 
 ople, 
 
 Revisiting Rome, Hadrian, in a very short 
 time, undertook a second journey to Greece, 
 whence he passed over into Asia Minor, and 
 thence into Syria, Palestine, Arabia, and Kgypt. 
 It was during this journey that he lost his favor- 
 ite, Antinous, a young Bithynian, who had ac- 
 companied him during his travels. The young 
 man was drowned in the Nile, but whether by 
 accident, or otherwise, cannot be known. J I a- 
 drian was inconsolable on account of his loss; 
 and, not satisfied with giving his name to a 
 newly-discovered star, he built temples in his 
 honor, and caused him to be worshipped as a 
 god. His image was represented by the arts 
 
166 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Rebuilding of Jerusalem. 
 
 in every way ; and some of these figures belong 
 to the finest remains of antiquity, especially the 
 statue, now in the Yatican, called the Antinous 
 of Belvidere. 
 
 The tomb of Pompey, which he found at this 
 time to be in a ruined condition, was ordered 
 to be rebuilt by him. He also gave directions 
 for the rebuilding of Jerusalem, a task which 
 was readily undertaken by the Jews, who now 
 began to hope that they were about to be re- 
 stored to their long-lost kingdom. But not sat- 
 isfied with the benefits which Hadrian had con- 
 ferred upon them, and angry on account of the 
 privileges granted to Pagan worshippers in 
 their new city, they fell upon all the Romans 
 and Christians in Judea, and put them, unmer- 
 cifully, to the sword. Hadrian, who was in 
 Athens at the time, hearing of this base return 
 of his kindness, was so incensed that he sent a 
 powerful army against the Jews, destroying 
 nearly six hundred thousand, and banishing the 
 rest, with orders that they should never again 
 come within view of their native land. 
 
 At length the emperor, after spending about 
 thirteen years in travelling over his dominions, 
 resolved to return and end his days in Rome. 
 The news of his intention was carried to the 
 city, where it was received with every demon- 
 
KXLKNSIOX OF THE EMPIRE. 167 
 
 His joyful reception at Rome The great acquirements of Hadrian. 
 
 stration of joy, for Hadrian had endeared him- 
 self to his people in a thousand different wavs. 
 All his subjects, then, united in giving him n 
 hearty welcome home ; and he came back to 
 them somewhat older and more feeble, but with 
 unabated zeal for their happiness and prosper- 
 ity. AVith the greatest assiduity, he now ap- 
 plied himself to the correction of whatever 
 abuses had crept into the government during 
 his protracted journey ; he caused also the enact- 
 ment of various useful and just laws. The 
 privilege hitherto granted to masters, of killing 
 their own slaves, was very wisely taken t'mni 
 them; and slaves who were accused of miscon- 
 duct, were allowed to be tried in an equitable 
 manner. 
 
 Hadrian was very fond of di>playing his nu- 
 merous acquirements, and seemed ever ready 
 to engage in conversation, upon any topic, with 
 those around him. Such was his ambition to 
 excel in knowledge of the arts and sciences, 
 that he was envious of all those who acquired 
 any considerable reputation therein ; and it is 
 asserted that he allowed his jealousy, on some 
 occasions, to render him unjust and even cruel. 
 Apollodorus, the famous architect, who built 
 Trajan's great bridge over the Danube, is said 
 to have lost his life in consequence of some 
 
168 KM ! IKK OF ROME. 
 
 His suflerintrs near the close of life. 
 
 severe criticisms upon an edifice con.-tr 
 after Ilndrin: rns. According to - 
 
 accounts, it became, at length, a dangerous 
 tli i HIT to dispute with him, even upon philo- 
 sophic subject^. Favorinus, a philosoph 
 great reputation, engaging one day in a di 
 sion with him, was wise enough to allow him- 
 self to be vanquished. Some of his friends 
 blaming him for so doing, he replied: "How, 
 would you have me contend with a man who 
 is ma-tiT <>f thirty legions?" 
 
 v and bodily infirmities began now to 
 warn Hadrian that the time was at hand when 
 he mu>t lay a>ide, : of em- 
 
 pire. Determining, therefore, to adopt some 
 one as his heir and r. he fixed upon 
 
 Titu- Marcu> Antoninus, one of the four per- 
 sons of consular rank among whom he had di- 
 vided the administration of the atfairs of Italy. 
 This adoption was, however, on condition that 
 Antoninus should, in his turn, adopt Lucius 
 VITUS, and Marcus Amvlius, both of whom 
 subsequently a-cended the throne. In the mean 
 time, he became more and more feeble, and, 
 finally, fell into a stale of -uttering, in which 
 life grew quite insupportable. Occasionally 
 his pains were such, that he begged those who 
 were in attendance to dispatch him with the 
 
F THK KM PI HE. l;:i 
 
 I. Hut Ant"ninus was always at hand to 
 
 any tiling <>f this kind; and, m<iv 
 did all in his p<\ver to reconcile the emper>r to 
 
 11 as to make it as sii] 'portal-! 
 
 him as v, ible. It was, perhaps, at the 
 
 imeiiduti.'ii of Antoninus that hi- wont to 
 
 Baia3, in the h>pe that I g6 of air and 
 
 benefit him. This, however, 
 
 ed of no avail, and the sntlering nmnaivh 
 
 mined, at last, to ivf v means 
 
 d to alleviate \\\- pain-, or to protract his 
 
 '!;, "that kings died nu-ivly ly the 
 
 multitude of their physicians." Under such 
 
 circi; 0, death probably came sooner t. 
 
 ; and, iinally, in the 
 of his age, and in the twenty-second of his 
 
 [plied, dictating the cvlcl> 
 ftan/as, nf which Pope has made the following 
 translation: 
 
 "Oh, fleeting spirit, wandering 
 
 That long has warmed my tender breast, 
 Wilt tliou no more my frame inspire ? 
 No more a pleasing, cheerful guest ? 
 Whithrr, ah ! whither art thou flying ? 
 
 To what dark, undiscover'd shore ? 
 Thou seem st ;ill trembling, shivering, dying, 
 And wit and humor are no more." 
 15 
 
Till- ANTONINES. 
 
 FROM 139 TO 181, A. D. 
 
CHARACTER of the Emperor Antoninus Pius His patron- 
 age of learning Apollouius Death of Antoninus Two 
 emperors succeed him Invasion of the barbarians Yerus 
 sent against them His shameful conduct Sutlerin^s of the 
 empire Relief aiT<>r<lr<l by Auivlius Death of Verus 
 Overthrow of the barbarians Further invasions A remark- 
 able bat tl.- Miraculous deliverance, of the Romans Con- 
 spiracy of Avidius Casius Journey of Aurelius into the 
 East His devotion to philosophy His expedition 
 
 -i< kness of Aurelius His anxiety for Corn- 
 modus His death. 
 
VII. 
 
 THE ANTONINES. 
 
 Trrrs MAKTS A. \TONINCS, the successor of 
 Hadrian, was one of that very small nunil)er of 
 men, who, by a proper use of power, render 
 themselves I- 1-3 of their kind. AVith 
 
 it propriety, lie lias been denominated 
 nd Xuma. Indeed, his love of justice, re- 
 ligion, and peace, induced the Roman Seriate i> 
 r iijKtn him the surname of J'tux. And 
 it is, ]erha]s, not a little to his praise, that 
 although his reign continued for a space of 
 twenty-two years, it furnishes very few materi- 
 als for history, which has been justly called a 
 register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes 
 of mankind. 
 
 At the time of his accession to the empire, 
 
 Antoninus had arrived at the age of fifty years, 
 
 having already discharged, with great x.eal and 
 
 integrity, some of the most important offices of 
 
 150 
 
174: EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Character of the emperor Antoninus Pius. 
 
 the State. He began, at once, to ascertain 
 wherein he could propose any thing which 
 might promote the welfare of the empire ; and, 
 from the first moment, he labored with assiduity 
 to this end. Many unworthy persons were re- 
 moved by him from office ; burdensome taxes 
 were moderated or abolished, and the wants of 
 the needy, in many cases, relieved at the sacri- 
 fice of his own private fortune. In this manner, 
 as well as by his great dislike of all personal 
 display, he gained the esteem not only of the 
 citizens of Rome, but of the whole empire. 
 Ambassadors came to him from the remotest 
 regions, to solicit ; his friendship and alliance; 
 an<K in some instancrs. IK- was desired by them 
 to appoint kings for their respective countries. 
 
 The Christians, who in previous reigns had 
 been greatly persecuted, he treated with the 
 utmost kindness. They were not only allowed 
 to practise their religion, but Antoninus de- 
 clare* I thai whoever disturbed them simply on 
 account of their faith, should be punished with 
 great severity. 
 
 Antoninus had very little taste for war ; and 
 when his subjects attempted to inspire him with 
 a desire for military glory, he replied : " I had 
 rather preserve the life of a single citizen, than 
 destroy a thousand enemies." Notwithstanding 
 
THE AN TON IN i 175 
 
 His patronage of learning Apollonius. 
 
 this, he Mippressed with great promptness the 
 insurrections which happened during his reign 
 in IJritain, in Dacia, and in Germany. In or- 
 der t<> prevent the incursions of the barbarians 
 in the former country, he dug a deep trench 
 from twelve to fourteen feet wide, and built a 
 high wall across the isthmus between the Forth 
 and the Clyde. 
 
 Learned men were sure to secure his patron- 
 age. He invited them from the remotest coun- 
 tries, for the purpose of conferring wealth and 
 honor upon them. Among those win > thus came 
 to K 'me at his invitation, was Apollonius, a fa- 
 mous stoic philosopher, whom he designed as 
 an instructor for his adopted son, Marcus Au- 
 relius. It is said that this philosopher, on his 
 arrival, having been sent for by the emperor, 
 replied, in an arrogant manner, that it was a 
 scholar's duty to wait upon the master, and not 
 the master's duty to wait upon the scholar. An- 
 toninus, smiling only at this ridiculous display 
 of vanity, sent Marcus Aurelius to him. 
 
 Not the least of the numberless things, so ad- 
 mirable in Antoninus, wa< the pains which he 
 took to render Marcus Aurelius worthy to suc- 
 ceed him in the empire; and, truly, Marcus 
 Aurelius was. in all respects, worthy to be the 
 adopted son of this excellent monarch. At a 
 
176 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Death of Antoninus Two emperors succeed him. . 
 
 early age he devoted himself to the sever- 
 est study, and to the practice of every virtue. 
 It is said, indeed, that during the whole reign 
 of his adopted father, which continued twenty- 
 years, lie was absent from the palace only 
 two nights, and even these were not in suc- 
 
 '"ii. 
 
 AVh en Antoninus, at the age of seventy-five, 
 found that the hand of death was upon hi in, he 
 convened his friends and principal officers 
 around his death-lied, and in their presence 
 confirmed the adoption of Marcus Aurelius, 
 without mentioning Lucius Vcrus. whom Ha- 
 drian had desired him to adopt al>o. Hut when 
 .Marcus Aurelius who could not Le guilty of an 
 act that had the lea-t appearance of injustice, 
 found himself in Ion of the empire-, he 
 
 admitted Veru> as his a-"ciate ande<[ual; and 
 thus Kome, for the tirst time, found itsi-If under 
 the government of two sovereigns, of e<pml au- 
 thority, hut of very diiferent merit and pi. 
 
 The lamentation for the loss of Antoninus 
 extended over the whole empire. Marcus Au- 
 relius pronounced his funeral oration. The 
 Senate erected a pillar to his memory, which is 
 ^till standing, and known as the Anton nit 
 ( \'hunn. His successors assumed his name in 
 
Tin: AN TON INKS. 177 
 
 Invasion of the barbarians. 
 
 hon,,r i>r him ; ami In- \\a- >p>krn of, a- bein; 
 almost tin.- only monarch that had lived without 
 spilling the 1' .is countrymen or of his 
 
 eriemi 
 
 Tlie two emperors, Mareus Auivlius and Lu- 
 cius Verus, tlieii a-ccndrd the throne together, 
 and reigned c'iij"intly during a space of nine 
 
 -. with far more haniiouy than im'irht have 
 1 from two j ich 4ipjo- 
 
 15ul they had scarcely hcirim 
 t- adniini>ter the atl'airs imient, when 
 
 the empire wa- ; ; on all sides ly the 
 
 l)arl)arou> nati'-n- that >urnnunled it. (iennany 
 :ivaded by the renowned and valiant ( 'atti 
 who had l.een >ueh :'ul oppmu-nts of 
 
 Julius Ca-sar, and who now ravaizyd all before 
 them, with lire and >word. Tho Dritons, aN, 
 rev..ltc<l ; a- K. man authority ; and the 
 
 Parthian-, under their kiln .madean 
 
 irru])ti)ii more dreadi'ul than any that thev had 
 before undertaken, dc>tryiur the lioinan le- 
 gions in Armenia, and driving the .Roman 
 i;o \vrnor from Syria. 
 
 Such a s RTM well calculated to 
 
 the abilities of the new emperors of Rome. 
 Together they devUed plans for subduing their 
 enemies and reducing their revolted provinces 
 
 ibmiflsion. It was agreed between them 
 
178 EMPIRE OF HOME. 
 
 Verus sent to oppose them. 
 
 that Aurelius should remain at home to admin- 
 ister justice, and correct such faults as might 
 exist in the laws and policy of the State, and 
 that Yerus, furnished with the ablest assistants, 
 should take the field in person. 
 
 According to this arrangement, Yerus went, 
 supported by the best advice from the judicious 
 Aurelius, as well as by the most experienced 
 generals, and most valiant troops. But Yerus 
 himself performed a very insignificant part in 
 the victories which were achieved at this time 
 by the Roman arms. Intent, alone, upon his 
 own pleasures, lie resolved to intrust the con- 
 duct <>f this great expedition to his generals; and, 
 accordingly, when he reached Antioch in Syria. 
 he buried himself in one of its beautiful sub- 
 urbs, called Daphne, where lie rioted in excess- 
 es, unknown even to the voluptuous Greeks. 
 The army was abandoned by him, and the ob- 
 ject of his journey to this remote portion of his 
 empire was totally forgotten. His generals, 
 however, leaving him plunged in every kind of 
 debauchery, went forward and fought the bat- 
 tles of the empire with all success. Baby- 
 lon, Ctesiphon, and many other powerful 
 cities, were plundered and destroyed, and, in 
 the course of four years, during which the 
 war continued, the Romans ran over nearly 
 
THE ANTONINES. 179 
 
 Shameful conduct of Verus. 
 
 all the country of Parthia, and thoroughly sub- 
 dued it. 
 
 But Verus who had, all this time, passed a 
 life of indolence and pleasure, determined, now. 
 In iMirn tlu 1 honors which had been so hardly 
 can u-d by others. Appointing, therefore, suit- 
 able persons to take care of the conquests re- 
 cently obtained, and taking upon himself the 
 titles of Armenicus and Parthic-us. he returned 
 to Rome in the greatest pomp and >plendor. 
 
 The excellent Anrclius was n..t ignorant of 
 iiameful conduct of Verus ; and, mortified 
 with the accounts that were daily brought of 
 his excesses, he did every tiling that was possi- 
 ble to reclaim his colleague ; and when app: 
 that he was about to return with his victorious 
 army, he ordered the must magnificent prepa- 
 rations for his reception. But the return of 
 Verus was a terrible thing for the empire. 1 1 is 
 soldiers brought the plague from Parthiu, and 
 spread it over all the provinces through which 
 they passed. Their route was, of course, 
 marked by the most dreadful scenes of wretch- 
 edness and death ; but Verus, insensible alike 
 to humanity and shame, pursued his desolating 
 march, attentive only to the preservation of his 
 own life and the promotion of his own pleasures. 
 
 But the raging pestilence, spread over the 
 
180 EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Terrible sufferings of the empire Aurelius relieves the empire. 
 
 empire by the reckless Yerus, was not the only 
 cause of terror and destruction. Earthquakes, 
 famines, and inundations, such as had never be- 
 fore been known, took place ; myriads of lo- 
 custs filled the air and devoured the productions 
 of the land ; and, besides all this, the barba- 
 rous nations surrounding the empire, taking ad- 
 vantage of these terrible calamities, carried 
 their devastations even into the midst of Italy. 
 To crown the whole, this deplorable state of 
 things was attributed by the pagan priests to 
 the inoffensive Christians, who, in consequence, 
 were cruelly put to death in every part of the 
 empire. During this terrible time, it was, that 
 Justin Martyr, and Poly carp, and a host of 
 other excellent men, were burned to death or 
 crucified. 
 
 To be the faithful ruler and father of a nation 
 under such adverse circumstances was not an 
 enviable lot ; and the efforts of Aurelius to per- 
 form his duty during this trying season, even if 
 they had proved less successful, were enough 
 to confer upon him immortal glory. Using, in 
 the promptest manner, every means to stay the 
 awful pestilence, and providing as well as he 
 could for those who were famishing for food, he 
 collected, with the least delay, the forces of the 
 empire, and dragging Yerus from the sensual 
 
THE ANTONINES. 181 
 
 Death of Verus The barbarians subdued. 
 
 delights of Rome, into which he had plunged 
 himself, marched at the head of his legions to 
 drive away the fierce barbarians who had come 
 to profit by the miseries of his subjects. Not 
 content with chasing their vast armies from the 
 soil of Italy, he even pursued them beyond the 
 Alps ; and then returned to Rome with a loss 
 of men so small, as to be almost incredible. 
 
 But, before Aurelius had completed this vic- 
 tory over the barbarians, Yerus, weary of the 
 toils of war, determined to return to the pleas- 
 ures which he had unwillingly left at Rome. 
 While journeying slowly thitherward, he was 
 seized with a fit of apoplexy, which put an end 
 to his life, and thus gave Aurelius sole posses- 
 sion of the empire. 
 
 This excellent emperor mourned sincerely 
 the loss of his unworthy colleague, and used all 
 laudable means to save his memory from the 
 contempt to which it was justly entitled. It is 
 reasonable, however, to suppose that, for the 
 sake of Rome's welfare, he rejoiced to be able 
 to act now with greater diligence and success 
 than ever. The barbarians, though repulsed, 
 and even driven from the empire, were not yet 
 wholly conquered ; and the return of the em- 
 peror to Rome enabled them to collect in still 
 greater numbers to harass their powerful ene- 
 16 
 
182 EMPIRE OF KOME. 
 
 Further difficulties with the barbarians. 
 
 my. It became necessary, therefore, for Aure- 
 lius to take the field once more; and he pre- 
 pared himself, accordingly, for a long and vig- 
 orous campaign. Indeed, it was several years 
 before these obstinate barbarians could be sub- 
 dued ; but the perseverance of Aurelius finally 
 accomplished it, and they were compelled to 
 accept such terms of peace as he thought fit to 
 propose to them. 
 
 Disbanding now his armies, in the hope that 
 he had secured his empire against further diffi- 
 culties with the troublesome people who sur- 
 rounded it, he applied himself to such matters 
 of internal policy as seemed to demand his at- 
 tention. The public expenses were greatly 
 diminished through his care ; the useless and 
 demoralizing shows and sports exhibited in the 
 amphitheatre were lessened, and the luxuries of 
 the great very much restrained, as well by his 
 own example, as by the wise regulations which 
 it was in his power to enact. 
 
 But the hope which he had entertained con- 
 cerning the barbarians, rested upon a false 
 foundation ; and his zealous efforts to promote 
 the happiness and welfare of his people at 
 home, were suddenly interrupted by ravages 
 upon his empire, carried on with even greater 
 fmy than before. All the nations, indeed, from 
 

 THE AXTONINES. 183 
 
 A remarkable battle. 
 
 Illyricum to the farthest parts of Gaul, had 
 united to take up arms against him, while he, 
 in the enjoyment of a fancied peace, had suf- 
 fered his broken legions to remain unrecruited, 
 and his empty treasury to continue unre- 
 plenished. 
 
 AVith the energy peculiar to him, however, 
 he soon repaired his shattered forces, by large 
 enlistments of slaves and gladiators; and, in 
 order to raise money, sold all the movables of 
 the empire, with the costly furniture which had 
 been deposited, in endless variety, in the cabi- 
 nets of his predecessors. Some idea of this 
 sale may be obtained from the fact that it con- 
 tinued, uninterrupted, for the space of two 
 months. In the mean time his preparations 
 went on with the greatest activity ; and his nu- 
 merous enemies, one after another, were soon 
 compelled to fly from his territories, or to yield 
 themselves as slaves. 
 
 One of the battles fought during these cam- 
 paigns, and which resulted in great benefit to 
 the Christians, is often related on account of 
 the miraculous circumstances accompanying it. 
 This 1 >attle was commenced by an army of the 
 barbarians, near the border of a shallow stream, 
 which separated them from the Koman legions. 
 The attack was so vigorous that the Romans 
 
184 EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Miraculous deliverance of the Romans. 
 
 were induced to ford the stream, in order to 
 punish the enemy with greater severity ; but 
 the latter fled immediately towards the 
 neighboring mountains, at the same time 
 tempting the Eomans, in various ways, to fol- 
 low them. 
 
 By degrees, Aurelius and his troops found 
 themselves in the narrow passes of the moun- 
 tains, surrounded on every side by precipitous 
 rocks, exposed to the intense rays of a summer 
 sun, and utterly destitute of water. The sol- 
 diers, weaned by the useless pursuit of their 
 cunning foes, and fainting, for want of some- 
 thing to quench their intolerable thirst, dropped 
 down by hundreds upon the inhospitable rocks. 
 Aurelius went about, in person, doing eveiy 
 thing in his power to relieve their distress, and 
 to animate their courage. 
 
 In the mean time the barbarians collecting 
 in vast numbers, began to make preparations to 
 take the exhausted Romans an easy prey. But 
 just as they were about to fall upon them, it is 
 said that a Christian legion, under the com- 
 mand of Aurelius, fell down upon their knees, 
 and united in the most earnest supplications to 
 Heaven for deliverance. Immediately a dark 
 cloud, moving over the heads of the contending 
 armies, discharged upon the Romans a refresh- 
 
THE ANTONINES. 185 
 
 Conspiracy of Avidlus Casius. 
 
 ing shower, and, at the same time, sent down 
 upon their enemies a terrible storm of hail, 
 which, slaying them by hundreds and thou- 
 sands, accomplished the salvation of the Roman 
 army. Such was the effect of this miraculous 
 assistance upon Aurelius, that he caused the 
 persecution against the Christians to be sus- 
 pended, and wrote to the Senate a letter in 
 their behalf. 
 
 But the emperor had scarcely achieved his 
 conquest of the barbarians, when a dangerous 
 conspiracy was concerted against him by Avi- 
 dius Casius, one of his favorite generals, who 
 was at the head of a powerful army in the East. 
 This man had acquired a great military reputa- 
 tion, by his success in the wars upon the Par- 
 thians; and he was, moreover, held in great 
 esteem by all the virtuous portion of the em- 
 pire, on account of the excellent discipline 
 which he had introduced into the army. A 
 selfish desire to promote his own interests, 
 seemed, however, to be his motive for gaining 
 popularity ; and, as soon as he believed that he 
 had secured enough of public favor, he caused 
 a report to be circulated that Aurelius was 
 dead, and then proclaimed himself emperor in 
 Syria, declaring, at the same time, that his 
 object was the re-establishment of the for- 
 
186 EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Aurelius's treatment of the conspiracy. 
 
 mer commonwealth of Korne. By such pre- 
 tensions, he succeeded, soon, in drawing im- 
 mense bodies of men under his command, 
 and, in a short time, brought all the countries, 
 from Syria to Mount Taurus, under his subjec- 
 tion. 
 
 When the news of this conspiracy was brought 
 to Aurelius, he listened to it without the least 
 manifestation of fear, but, at the same time, be- 
 gan to make preparations to oppose it, telling 
 his soldiers that he would freely yield the em- 
 pire to Avidius, if such a measure would be 
 most conducive to the public good. 
 
 " I am ready," said he to them, " to meet 
 Avidius before the Senate, and before you, and 
 to yield to him the empire, without the shed- 
 ding of blood, or striking a blow, if it shall be 
 thought for the public good. But Avidius will 
 never submit to such a tribunal ; he who has 
 been faithless to his benefactor, can never rely 
 upon any man^s professions. He will not, even 
 in case of being defeated, rely on me. And 
 yet, my fellow-soldiers, my only fear is that he 
 may put an end to his own life, or that some 
 one, thinking to do me a service, should hasten 
 his death. The greatest hope that I have, is to 
 prove that I can pardon the greatest offences ; 
 to make him my friend in spite of his reluc- 
 
THE ANTONINES. 187 
 
 The conspiracy defeated. 
 
 tance, and to show the world that even civil 
 wais may have a happy issue." 
 
 Avidius left no means untried to strengthen 
 iii> power. His efforts to gain partisans in cer- 
 tain quarters, especially in Greece, were not so 
 {Successful as he anticipated, and his offers to 
 some of the provinces were rejected with con- 
 tempt. Indeed, the excellent Aurelius had ob- 
 tained such a strong hold upon almost the en- 
 tire world, that it is surprising that Avidius 
 should have succeeded even as well as he did. 
 Much of his success was, doubtless, due to his 
 former good character, and the reported death 
 of Aurelius. When his duplicity became ap- 
 parent, and the fact concerning the emperor's 
 well-being established, the officers and soldiers 
 of Avidius began to regard him with contempt, 
 and, finally, only four months after the com- 
 mencement of the revolt, they slew him. His 
 head was carried to Aurelius, who received it 
 with many expressions of regret, and ordered 
 it to be decently interred. 
 
 Those who were engaged in this conspiracy 
 of Avidius, were treated with the utmost len- 
 iency by Aurelius, who would not suffer one of 
 them to receive any greater punishment than 
 banishment. The friends of Aurelius took the 
 liberty to blame him for this leniency, telling 
 
188 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Aurelius makes a journey into the East. 
 
 him that Avidius would not have been so gen- 
 erous had he been the conqueror. To which 
 the emperor made the following reply, so ad- 
 mirably illustrative of the security to be found 
 in the conscientious discharge of all the duties 
 of life : u I never served the gods so ill," said 
 he, "or lived so irregularly, as to fear that 
 Avidius could be the conqueror." 
 
 Not long after this event, Aurelius took a 
 journey into the East, where he feared the ex- 
 ample of Avidius might have a pernicious in- 
 fluence. His absence from Home continued for 
 the long space of eight years, during which time 
 he visited a large number of provinces, charm- 
 ing every one by his affability, and raising, if 
 it were possible, the admiration in which his 
 worth and talents were everywhere held. At 
 Athens, where he remained some time, he 
 seemed to devote himself entirely to the wel- 
 fare of the people, inquiring into their wants, 
 and advising them as to their interests. He 
 conferred many honors upon the inhabitants, 
 and established among them professors in vari- 
 ous sciences, providing abundant means for 
 their proper maintenance. 
 
 Nothing could exceed the joy which pre- 
 vailed throughout all Italy, when Aurelius re- 
 turned from his long sojourn in the East. The 
 
THE ANTONINES. 189 
 
 His return His devotion to philosophy. 
 
 inhabitants of the various towns through which 
 he passed, went out in crowds to meet him, and 
 every honor was paid to his distinguished 
 worth. Laving aside his military dress as soon 
 as he touched the soil, and even obliging the 
 soldiers who accompanied him to do the same, 
 he journeyed towards Rome, and entered it, 
 not as a conqueror, but like a simple citi- 
 zen. Here he distributed large sums of money 
 among his delighted subjects, and remitted 
 taxes which had been accumulating for many 
 years. 
 
 Not long after his return, he named his son 
 Commodus as his successor to the empire, and 
 then, retiring to a beautiful country-seat, spent 
 some time in studying philosophy, which was not 
 with him a subject of mere speculation : such, it 
 is said, was the tranquillity of his mind, that he 
 was never observed to feel any emotion, nor to 
 change the expression of his countenance, either 
 in joy or in sorrow. The fruits of his studies 
 are found in a work, still extant, known as his 
 Meditations, and which was written by him in 
 the Greek language. 
 
 Aurelius was now far advanced in life, and 
 justly entitled to spend the remainder of his 
 days in undisturbed repose ; but this was not 
 destined to be his fortune. The Scythians, and 
 
190 EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 His expedition against the Scythians Sickness of Aurelius. 
 
 other barbarous nations, took up arms once 
 more against the empire, and invaded it with 
 all the fury which they had exhibited upon for- 
 mer occasions. Notwithstanding his increased 
 years, Aurelius made the most active prepara- 
 tions to repel their dangerous incursions, and, 
 despite the earnest remonstrances of his peo- 
 ple, went forth in person to defend his country. 
 But his subjects, fearing that they would never 
 see him again, would not let him set out until 
 he had given them instructions for their future 
 conduct. Accordingly, after spending three 
 whole days in giving them short maxims, by 
 which they might regulate their lives, he de- 
 parted ii] "Hi his expedition, amidst the prayers 
 and lamentations of all his people. 
 
 The usual courage and prudence of Aurelius 
 resulted in the conquest of his enemies, during 
 this campaign. But in the third year of the 
 war he was seized with the plague at Yinde- 
 bona, a city now known by the name of Vien- 
 na. From the first moment of his attack, he 
 seemed to be aware that his end had come, and 
 with undiminished solicitude for the welfare of 
 his country, he desired to spend his remaining 
 breath in its behalf. Gathering, therefore, his 
 principal officers about his bed, he imparted to 
 them such advice as he thought would be of 
 
THE ANTONINES. 191 
 
 IDs anxiety for his sou His death. 
 
 service to them aiid to the public. It was im- 
 possible for him to conceal the uneasiness which 
 he felt at leaving the empire in the hands of so 
 unpromising a person as his son Commodus; 
 and he did not hesitate to implore those who 
 were around him to provide good examples 
 and instructions for this unworthy heir to the 
 reign ty. 
 
 "Make him particularly sensible," said the 
 dying emperor, " that not all the riches and 
 honors of the world are sufficient to satisfy the 
 luxury and ambitiim .!' a tyrant; nor are the 
 strongest guards and armies able to defend him 
 from the just rewards of his crimes. Assure 
 him that cruel princes never enjoy a long and 
 peaceful reign ; and that all the real delights of 
 power are reserved for those, only, whose clem- 
 ency and mildness have gained them the hearts 
 of the people." 
 
 Thus, occupied with the welfare of his coun- 
 try, died the excellent Aurelius in the fifty- 
 ninth year of his age, and in the twentieth of his 
 reign ; and a sad event it was for Rome, whose 
 glory and prosperity seemed to have been 
 buried with him. Bad emperors enough had 
 already occupied the throne, but henceforth 
 they were to be more numerous than ever. The 
 barbarous enemies, heretofore so successfully 
 
192 E'MPIRE OF KOME. 
 
 Factions and conspiracies. 
 
 beaten off, were to become more dangerous, and 
 more obstinate. Factions and conspiracies 
 were to become greatly multiplied, and patriot- 
 ism to diminish year by year until finally 
 extinct 
 
THE PRAETORIAN GUARDS. 
 
 FROM 181 TO 235 A. D. 
 
 140 
 
EARLY conduct of Cominodus lli> hatn <! of the Senate 
 Infamous behavior of Oleander, and its consequences Bru- 
 tality of Comraodus His performances in the circus Con- 
 spiracy against him His death Klcvatinn of iVrtinax 
 His virtuous reign The Pratt uian guards Their i institu- 
 tion Tlu-ir usurpation of power Their sale of the empire 
 at auction Its purchase by ]>idius .lulianus- His ti-eatineiit 
 by the I'ra-torians Srvenis made emperor The I'ra torians 
 disbanded Severus and his rivals- Overthrow of Nip T 
 Sc\ems's e.\i>edition int> I'.ritain His death Quarrels be- 
 twceu Caracalla and Geta Caracalla made emperor by tlic 
 Praetorian guards Jealousy between officers of tin- miard 
 Conspiracy against Caracalla Macrinus made emperor He 
 inrur> tin- hatred of (lie soldiers He is slain The elevation 
 of II-li..i:abalus His follies He is slain by the guard 
 Alexander made emperor His v .tions His mili- 
 
 tary expeditious The conspiracy of Maximiu. 
 
A ROYAL GLADIATOR 
 
VIII. 
 
 THE PRUTORIAN GUARDS, 
 
 IT was very unfortunate t<>r Home tliat Aure- 
 lius ^hould have been willing to place its des- 
 tiny in the hands of a worthless young man like 
 his son Commodus. He did it, howevei . 
 without employing every means within his 
 power to prevent the mischief which was likely 
 to ensue from the elevation to supreme power 
 of a youth of nineteen years, possessed of a very 
 narrow mind, and addicted to the worst of vices. 
 Indeed Commodus listened, for a season, to the 
 wise counsellors, to whom his father had sol- 
 emnly committed him ; and the difficult war 
 against the barbarians, in which the empire 
 was engaged when lie succeeded to the throne, 
 continued to be prosecuted with much success. 
 He took the burden of the campaign upon his 
 own shoulders, and seemed, at first, to sustain 
 it with all the ability displayed by his incom- 
 
198 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Early conduct of Commodus. 
 
 parable father. But, by degrees, dissolute per- 
 sons of his own age, with whom he had, hitherto, 
 been forbidden to associate, began to find ac- 
 cess to him, and, finally, to have more influence 
 over him than the excellent instructors under 
 whom he had been placed. 
 
 It was through their advice, accompanied by 
 the tempting descriptions which they gave of 
 the pleasures of Rome, that he was induced to 
 abandon the campaign in which he had en- 
 gaged, and return to tin- city. P>ut even alter 
 taking this step, he c<>ul<l not, at once, turn a 
 deaf ear to the counsels <>!' the worthy men to 
 whom his lather had commended him. For 
 the sj.ace of three years, being more or less un- 
 der their control, no material change could be 
 seen in the government of the empire, though 
 the youthful monarch indulged, without re- 
 straint, in every species of debauchery. 
 
 It is impo>sible to tell to what extremities of 
 wickedne>< his love of sensual pleasures might 
 have carried him. He does not, however, see ni 
 to have been guilty of bloodshed, until an at- 
 tempt was first made upon his own life. This 
 happened, upon a certain occasion, as he was 
 going through one of the passages of the am- 
 phitheatre. An assassin came suddenly upon 
 him, and, brandishing a drawn sword, cried 
 
PRAETORIAN GUARDS. 199 
 
 Commodus becomes enraged at the Senate. 
 
 out, "Traitor, the Senate sends tliee this!*' 
 I Jut the imprudent assassin was seized by some 
 of the emperor's guards, before he could eiK-ct 
 his purpose; and his subsequent confessions 
 fixed the crime upon the emperor's sister, who 
 afterwards suffered death for this abominable 
 act. 
 
 But Commodus was not satisfied with the 
 punishment of those who were doubtless con- 
 cerned in this conspiracy against his Hie. The 
 words of the assassin inspired him with the 
 most bitter hatred against the Senate; and his 
 suspicion, alone, of this body, was sufficient to 
 lirinir forward those who were ready to accuse 
 its members, for the sake of the rewards which 
 they were sure to receive. Numbers of them 
 in this way suffered death, and many profligate 
 men were really enriched by the mo>t atrocious 
 murders. Among those who thus acquired un- 
 bounded wealth was one Perennis, an unprinci- 
 pled man, to whom Commodus had committed 
 the care of the government, while he himself was 
 buried in his pleasures. Perennis, becoming at 
 length one of the richest men in Rome, began 
 to aspire to the empire, and by means of his 
 great wealth, was enabled to find enough of 
 those who were willing to aid him in his enter- 
 prise. Ill success, which, sooner or later, is sure 
 
200 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Plot against Commodus Its consoquencee. 
 
 to attend bad men, finally visited him ; and the 
 immense treasures which he had accumulated, 
 were insufficient to save him from the anger of 
 Commodus. As soon as the plot of Perennis 
 was discovered, he and his sons were all put to 
 death. 
 
 The emperor finding himself thus surrounded 
 by persons who were willing to take his life, 
 began to grow still more regardless of the lives 
 of others, and the best men of Rome, conse- 
 quently, fell daily, a sacrifice to his unjust sus- 
 picions, or, to his abominable avarice. This 
 cruelty, very naturally, rendered his reign more 
 odious, and his death more desirable. Conspi- 
 racies, therefore, multiplied ; desertions, also, 
 took place among his troops, and revolts oc- 
 curred among his provinces. The murmurs of 
 the people broke out into open rebellion ; and 
 pestilence and famine, finally, filling up the 
 measure of their calamity, they dared to op- 
 pose the bloody tyrant. At this time it was 
 that Cleander, the successor of Perennis, and a 
 great favorite of the emperor, fell a 'sacrifice to 
 the fury of the populace. 
 
 This execrable minister of Commodus, by 
 rendering himself useful to the passions of his 
 master, and by exhibiting an utter want of vir- 
 tue, had acquired an authority little inferior to 
 
PRJGTORIAN GUARDS. 201 
 
 Infamous conduct of Oleander Fury of the people. 
 
 that of the emperor. This authority being 
 exercised, however, chiefly for the purpose of 
 gratifying his own avarice, was accorded, 
 without any limitation, to Oleander. Offices 
 of honor and trust were exposed to public sale, 
 by this infamous man ; and wealthy persons 
 were sometimes compelled to give their entire 
 fortunes for the empty title of Consul, Patrician, 
 or Senator. The laws were also administered 
 by him without any regard to justice. Inno- 
 cent men were condemned, in order that he 
 might be able to sell to them a pardon ; and 
 criminals, justly condemned, could purchase a 
 reversal of their sentences. 
 
 Commodus had a share of the wealth ac- 
 quired by such abominable practices, and in 
 order that it might still continue to flow in, he 
 undertook, in connection with Oleander, to 
 make a great exhibition of liberality by erect- 
 ing baths, porticoes, and places of exercise for 
 the people. But when, during the famine, Ole- 
 ander attempted to monopolize the sale of corn, 
 and thus to fill his coffers, the people rose in 
 mass, and declared that it was time to rid the 
 earth of such a monster. The palace of the 
 emperor was besieged by angry multitudes, 
 who demanded the head of the public enemy. 
 Oleander, terrified by such a furious demonstra- 
 
202 KM FIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Death of Oleander Brutality of Commodus. 
 
 tion, ordered a body of cavalry to fall upon 
 tJie people ; but these were assailed so vigor- 
 ously by stones, arrows, and other missiles 
 tin-own upon them from the windows and house- 
 tops, that they were forced to retreat; and 
 Commodus, at last, to save his own life, ordered 
 the head of his favorite Oleander to be cut oft' 
 and thrown among the crowd. 
 
 Commodus, from the window of his palace, 
 saw, witli the utmost inditl'erence, the head of 
 his favorite minister kicked about tl 
 and turned from it to his pleasures, with all his 
 usual relish. Every of humanity had 
 
 now deserted him. Hi- very amusements, in- 
 deed. CMiisi-ted of cruelties, such as would have, 
 shocked the nio-t degraded savages. His sub- 
 tied at his approach, for it was not unu- 
 sual for him, under the protection of his guards, 
 to strike at them with his sword, cutting oif an 
 or limb, and frequently killing 
 them in the very thoroughfares. On one occa- 
 sion, dressing himself in the costume of Hercu- 
 les, and armed with a heavy club, he went into 
 the street, and entering a group of beggars and 
 cripple-, whom he had caused to be collected 
 her, fell upuii them and beat several to 
 death before they could make their escape. 
 
 Commodus is said to have been the only one 
 

 PR^TORIAN GUARI 203 
 
 Hi* piTformaiuv in the circus. 
 
 of the Human emperors who liad not the least 
 for any of the liberal arts. Even Nero 
 wa< fond of poetry and music, but the pleasures 
 of Coramodus were not elevated above those of 
 the very lowest of the people. "When he was 
 not occupied in gratifying his beastly lusts, he 
 might be found enu-auvd in the exercises of the 
 circus or the amphitheatre ; and, indeed, he ac- 
 quired great skill in shooting with the bow.and 
 in throwing the javelin. Flattered, like Xero, 
 by the prdliirate men who surrounded him, he 
 determined, at length, to u'ive exhibitions of his 
 strength and dexterity; and the amphitheatre 
 was crowded by his curious subject-, when they 
 learned that they were to be entertained by an 
 imperial performer. lie stepped into the arena, 
 armed with bow and arrows; and as lions or 
 panthers were, one by one, let loose upon him, 
 he sent his unerring shafts, alternately, through 
 their heads or hearts. With arrows shaped 
 liked a crescent, it is said that he could cut off 
 the head of an ostrich while running at its 
 greatest speed. 
 
 Not content with such a degrading exhibi- 
 tion of himself, he even entered the lists as a 
 gladiator, a profession which had been long 
 branded as infamous. His favorite character, 
 on these occasions, was that of the Secutor, who, 
 
204 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 His conduct censured by his friends Ills fury. 
 
 armed with a helmet, sword, and buckler, met 
 his antagonist, the Retio/rius. The latter was 
 furnished with a net, with which he tried to 
 entangle his adversary, and with a trident with 
 which he sought to slay him. It is said that in 
 this character he fought seven hundred and 
 thirty-five times. 
 
 Lietius his general, Electafl his chamberlain, 
 and Marcia one of his female favorites, remon- 
 strated with him on this abominable conduct. 
 
 their advice only served to make him 
 : and a< death alone was aji adequate 
 punishment f<>r ih-e who offended him, he 
 phuvd their names among those in his tablets 
 whom In- determined to destroy. Like Domi- 
 tian. being one day careless enough to leave this 
 
 i \n> apartment, while taking a bath in an 
 adjoining room, it was picked up by a little 
 child and carried to Marcia. who was only too 
 eurioii- to examine it. Shocked by di<c<>\vr- 
 ing her own name among the number of those 
 condemned by the tyrant to death, she ran with 
 the fatal list to La-tius and Electus, who were 
 no less terrified at finding their own names as- 
 sociated with here. 
 
 These three persons, without hesitation, re- 
 solved to seize the first opportunity to poison 
 Commodus ; and in accordance with this reso- 
 
PKJETORIAN GUARDS. 205 
 
 Conspiracy against Commodus Its result. 
 
 lution, a deadly draught was soon after admin- 
 i-d to him by the hands of Marcia. The 
 immediate effect of the poti<>n was to throw him 
 into a profound slumber, during which, all his 
 attendants were removed from the apartment, 
 under pretence that he needed rest. Awaken- 
 : n a short time, lie began to vomit violent- 
 ly; and Maivia fearing that he might finally 
 recover, >uminoned to her assistance a young 
 man named Narcissus, wln, with her aid, 
 strangled the unconscious emperor. Thus, 
 a reign of twelve years, and at the age of thirty- 
 one, died one of the HKM execrable immarchs 
 that ever disgraced the Unman empire. 
 
 So much secrecy had been observed by the 
 conspirators, that the death of Commodus was 
 not known until his body had been removed 
 from the palace, and a person selected to fill the 
 vacant throne. This person wa< Jlelvius Per- 
 tinax, the praefect of the city, a senator of con- 
 sular rank, whose merit had elevated him from 
 the lowest position to the highest offices of the 
 empire. The son of a liberated slave, he had 
 been successively a shop-keeper, a school-mas- 
 ter, a lawyer, and a soldier. In the last station 
 he exhibited so much courage and wisdom, that 
 he was made commander of a legion, by Au- 
 relius, and, subsequently, governor of Dacia, 
 
 18 
 
206 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Kelvins Pertinax and the conspirators Pertitiax made emperor. 
 
 Syria, and Asia Minor. Although Commodus 
 had banished him on account of his virtues, he 
 was, afterwards, willing to recall him and make 
 him prefect of the city, on account of his emi- 
 nent abilities. 
 
 As soon as the emperor was dead, Lsetius, 
 the Praetorian prefect, and Electus, the cham- 
 berlain, ran from the palace, notwithstanding it 
 was midnight, and knocking at the door of 
 Pertinax, demanded entrance. On learning 
 the names of his visitors, Pertinax, supposing 
 that they had been commissioned by the empe- 
 ror to hike liis life, bade them come in and ex- 
 ecute their master's orders. And when they 
 told him that Commodus was dead, and that 
 they had (-me to offer to him the empire, he 
 - d 1o trust them, believing that this was 
 only a mad prank [' the tyrant, intended 
 prelude to his own destruction. Convinced, at 
 at length, that they were not deceiving him, he 
 consented with great reluctance to accept the 
 crown, and wau conducted with as little delay 
 as possible to the camp of the Praetorian bands, 
 where it was immediately announced that 
 Commodus had died of apoplexy, and that 
 Pertinax had succeeded him. 
 
 The astonished soldiers having agreed to ac- 
 cept the new emperor, the Senate was called 
 
 
PRAETORIAN GUARDS. 207 
 
 Joy of the people. 
 
 together, at dawn of day, to ratify the choice 
 thus made. Their surprise was not less than 
 that of Pertinax ; but, when they had recovered 
 from it, they made the Senate House resound 
 with their expressions of indignation against 
 the tyrant, and of joy at being delivered from 
 him. They decreed, at once, to erase his name 
 from the public monuments, to throw down his 
 statues, to drag his body with a hook to the 
 -ing-rooms of the gladiators, for the public 
 gaze, and thence to throw it on a dunghill. 
 
 Legal and just as were those decrees, Perti- 
 nax prevented such an unnecessary display of 
 rage ; and, from respect to the memory of 
 Aureliu-. permitted the body of Commodus to 
 have a decent burial, lie knew that a virtuous 
 life on his part would be the most effectual way 
 of condemning the vices of his predecessor; 
 and he accordingly began, even upon the day 
 of his accession, to show the people that neither 
 pride, nor jealousy, nor pomp, nor luxury, were 
 indispensable to the dignity of an emperor. 
 His wife was not permitted, like former em- 
 presses, to be styled Augusta, and he forbade 
 his son to take the rank of Caesar. Different in 
 all respects from his predecessor, he banished 
 from the palace the profligate persons who 
 frequented it, and gave encouragement to 
 
EMPIRE OF KOME. 
 
 Virtuous reign of Pertinax. 
 
 those, only, who were distinguished for their 
 virtues. 
 
 Although Pertinax was, at this time, in the 
 sixty-eighth year of his age, he lacked none of 
 the vigor essential to the conduct of so vast an 
 empire. Had he been allowed a longer reign, 
 he might have brought back the empire to the 
 glnry which it possessed in the days of the An- 
 tonine<. But short, even, as was the reign of 
 this estimable man, he did much to repair the 
 injuries done by Commodus. By economy and 
 industry. In- succeeded in replenishing the pub- 
 lic trca-ury. which had been exhausted through 
 the prodigality of his predecessor. The worth- 
 ivontes of this infamous tyrant were com- 
 pelled t<> give up their ill-gotten treasures; and 
 
 9 who had been r<>' 
 
 through his rapacity, were put in possession of 
 their wealth. The demands of the just cred- 
 itors of t ; -i-tied. Innocent vic- 
 tims were recalled from exile, and ivh 
 from prison; and hundreds of slaves, who were 
 held in unlawful bondage, were set at liberty. 
 The meanest of the people had access to him, 
 the Senate respected him, and the barbarous 
 nations, who regarded his name with terror, 
 laid down their arms when they knew that he 
 had succeeded to the throne. 
 
PRAETORIAN GUARDS. 209 
 
 The Prsetorian guards Their hatred of Pertinar. 
 
 But Homo was under the dominion of an 
 abandoned soldiery, whose manners the 
 mable Pertinax lia<l vainly labored to reform. 
 So !<>Mir had they been accustomed to the indul- 
 a?id profusion of Comniodns, that they 
 were ivady to rebel against a monarch, wln>e 
 ju-tiee lilled the people with joy, while it de- 
 prived them of the hem-tits which they had 
 hitherto derived from the disorders of the Slate. 
 Indeed, Pertinax had not been three days upon 
 the throne, when a party of the Pnetorian 
 guards sei/ed upon a worthy senator, and, car- 
 rying him to the camp, wished to compel him 
 the empire. He stoutly refused the 
 dangerous honor. But, not long after, they 
 Kided Socius Falco to receive it, and a con- 
 spiracy was formed, which was, however, 
 promptly crushed by the resolute conduct of 
 the emperor. This only served to irritate the 
 is more; and, at the expiration of 
 about three months from the accession of Per- 
 tinax, a general sedition broke out in their 
 camp, which it was impossible to control. A 
 large body of soldiers declaring openly that 
 they would no longer endure the rule of Perti- 
 nax, took up their arms, and marched towards 
 the imperial palace. 
 
 The news of their approach preceded them, 
 
210 EMPIRE OF KOME. 
 
 Its consequences Institution of the Praetorian guards. 
 
 and the friends of the emperor, hastening to his 
 apartments, besought him to throw himself into 
 the hands of the people, and entreat of them 
 protection. But he said, in reply, that it was 
 unworthy his imperial dignity and all his past 
 actions, to save himself by flight. In the mean 
 time the rehels entered the palace gates, which 
 were opened by their accomplices within, and, 
 rushing furiously into the chamber of the em- 
 peror, fell upon him with their swords and 
 lances. In an instant his bndy rolled upon the 
 floor, covered with a multitude of wounds. By 
 his side fell, also, Klectus, and several of his 
 faithful attendants, \\l\n vainly endeavored to 
 defend him. His head was then separated 
 from his body, and, placed upon the point of a 
 lance, was can-led in triumph to the camp of 
 the Praetorian guards. 
 
 These Praetorian bands, so frequently men- 
 tioned in the course of this narrative, and into 
 whose hands the destiny of the empire seemed 
 now to have fallen, were instituted by Augus- 
 tus to protect his person and his power. They 
 consisted, originally, of ten cohorts, each num- 
 bering one thousand men, horse and foot. 
 They were distinguished by double pay and 
 especial privileges. Their term of service was 
 twelve years ; at the expiration of which time, 
 
PK.ETORIAN GUARDS. 
 
 Their demands. 
 
 each soldier received twenty thousand sesterces. 
 Augustus kept but three of these cohorts in the 
 city, stationing the remainder of them in dif- 
 ferent parts of Italy ; but Tiberius, about fifty 
 years after, under pretence of introducing a 
 stricter discipline, assembled them all in Home, 
 in a permanent camp, which was strongly for- 
 tified. 
 
 These powerful bands, established in the very 
 seat of the empire, and regarded, at iir- 
 
 ctors of the Senate, the people, and the 
 treasures, perceived, in time, that it was 
 for them to have the empire entirely under 
 their control. At first they exhibited a great 
 deal of pride, and demanded privileges quite 
 inconsistent with the discipline necessary to be 
 observed in armies. Indulged by successive 
 emperors in their pleasures and irregularities, 
 they began, by degrees, to regard themselves 
 as an independent body, and, finally, as the 
 highest power of the State. From the time of 
 Claudius, they exacted from every new succes- 
 sor to the throne, a large donation in considera- 
 tion of their protection ; and, at last, an em- 
 peror could not be appointed without their 
 consent. 
 
 The dreadful disposal which they made of 
 the worthy Pertinax, was a new and still more 
 
212 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Their usurpation of power. 
 
 dangerous assumption of power; but it was, 
 soon after, followed by an act too shameful to 
 be related. When the party who had under- 
 taken the destruction of Pertinax had accom- 
 plished their deadly purpose, the people, ac- 
 knowledging. 21- it were, a power greater than 
 the thnnie, and even than themselves, awaited 
 in patience the next demonstration of the thou- 
 sand-headed tyrant that had assumed to rule 
 them. Previous to the bloody act, the governor 
 of the city. Sulpicianus, had, it is true, gone to 
 the camp for the purpc <!' calming the tern- 
 wit h any hope of sue 
 
 for he had not been long within the fortifica- 
 tion-, when the* lu-ad !' hi> >on-in-law, the em- 
 peror, was brought thither by the furiou- 
 
 . upon the point of a lance. It is natural 
 to suppose that he would have lied with horror 
 from the sight ; but the brutal man. ga/.ing with 
 indifference upon the ^ene. began to urge the 
 claim which he now had upon the vacant 
 throne, and even to oiler money to secure it. 
 
 But a vacant throne was a commodity which 
 the Pnetorian market did not every day atl'ord, 
 and it was fair to suppose that a handsome 1 jar- 
 gain might now be made. The shrewdest of 
 the band having taken the offer of Sulpicianus 
 into consideration, concluded that it was too 
 
PRJETORIAX (i CARDS. 213 
 
 They offer to soil the empire at auction The bidders. 
 
 small ; and, thereupon, one of them ran out 
 upon the ramparts, and bawled out, in trumpet 
 tones, that the Roman empire would be sold, 
 immediately, at public auction, to the highest 
 bidder. 
 
 The news flew in every direction through the 
 city, and presently the walls of the Prretorian 
 camp were be-et by crowds of the wealthy and 
 shameless men of Rome. The bidding was 
 spirited, but chiefly conducted by Sulpicianus, 
 and Didin- Julinuus. a man -d of no 
 
 other commendation for the exalted office than 
 his heaps >!' gold, and his silly wife and daugh- 
 ters, who, like many thousands of their kind, 
 imagined glory and honor to be the attendants 
 of position, and not of ability or talents. The 
 highest bid of Sulpicianus was one hundred 
 and sixty pounds sterling to each soldier. This 
 would make a large sum when multiplied by 
 ten thousand ; but Didius was anxious to secure 
 the prize, and, well aware that he could never 
 be emperor in any other way, rose to two hun- 
 dred pounds, when the gates of the camp were 
 thrown open to the despicable purchaser of 
 empty titles, and the soldiers swore allegiance 
 to him. 
 
 Soon after the accomplishment of this abomi- 
 nable deed, the soldiers conducted Didius to 
 
214 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 The sale and delivery Value of purchased honors. 
 
 the Senate House, and demanded a ratification 
 of their choice. " Fathers," said Did ins, as he 
 was ushered into the presence of the assembled 
 Senators, " you want an emperor, and I am the 
 fittest person you can choose." More words 
 were, of course, unnecessary, under the circum- 
 stances, and Didius, having been at once for- 
 mally acknowledged emperor by the Senate, 
 was escorted to the palace, where his wife and 
 daughters speedily arrived, to share the brief 
 honors which he was dotim-d t' eiijny. 
 
 The people, now thoroughly enraged by the 
 shameful conduct of the Pnetorian bands, be- 
 gan to calculate the strength which they culd 
 bring against them; and, reasonably concluding 
 that the numerous legions scattered over the 
 empire would never assent to such an assump- 
 tion of power on the part of the soldiery at 
 home, they caused the doings at Rome to be 
 carried to them with all dispatch. In the 
 mean time they refused to submit to the 
 authority of Didius, and sought every op- 
 portunity to pour forth their imprecations 
 against him, and to ridicule his contemptible 
 ambition. 
 
 Pescemrius Niger, governor of Syria, and 
 Septimius Severus, commander of the German 
 legions, on hearing what had taken place at 
 
PK^TORIAN GUARDS. 215 
 
 More aspirants Didius in difficulty He is deserted by the Praetorians. 
 
 , n> >lved, by the assistance of their re- 
 spective troops, to take possession of the em- 
 pire. Each, accordingly, proclaimed himself 
 emperor. But while Niger, elated by the 
 homage paid to him by all the kings and poten- 
 in Asia, was giving himself up to feasting 
 and luxury, Severus, at the head of a powerful 
 army, marched with all speed to Rome. 
 
 Poor Didius, who had not dreamed that the 
 throne would cost him any thing beyond the 
 purchase-money, which he had paid into the 
 hands of the Praetorian soldiers, was utterly 
 cuntniinded at the prospect of parting, possibly, 
 with a portion of his blood. Resolving, how- 
 ever, to make the best of his unfortunate posi- 
 tion, he begged the Senate to proclaim Severus 
 a traitor; and when they had gratified him in 
 this respect, he besought the Praetorian cohorts 
 to aid him in opposing the usurper. But the 
 cohorts, relishing the vices and luxuries of 
 Rome more than the dangers and fatigue of 
 war, and quite indifferent, moreover, to the 
 cause of Didius, concluded to remain within 
 their camp, and suffer this affair to take its 
 course. Advice of every kind was, in the mean 
 time, profusely lavished upon the confounded 
 Didius, who, at last, in very desperation, sent 
 an embassy to Severus, offering to receive him 
 
216 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 His fate Severus made emperor. 
 
 as partner in the empire ; but the offer was re- 
 jected with contempt. 
 
 By this time the Senate had become so thor- 
 oughly disgusted with the cowardice and in- 
 conipetency of the emperor, that they decreed, 
 unanimously, that he should be deprived of 
 the empire, and that Severus should be pro- 
 claimed in his stead. Not content with this, 
 they decided, also, that Didius should be slain, 
 and, accordingly, sent to the palace 
 
 fr the purpose of dispatching hint The miser- 
 able man was found by them, weeping in the 
 midst <>t' a few personal friends, who had not 
 yet deserted him. AVhen the executioners 
 made known their errand, he undertook to 
 :i with them <>n the subject, declaring that 
 his purcha-e of the empire wa< no crime, and 
 that he was entitled to enjoy it for the natural 
 1 of his life. But the messengers of the 
 Senate, protesting that they had no authority 
 ,ter into the merits of the case, led him 
 into the secret baths of the palace, where lie 
 paid the penalty of his folly and of his pitiful 
 ambition. 
 
 Soon after this the Senate sent ambassadors 
 to Severus, yielding him obedience, and grant- 
 ing him the ensigns and the usual titles of em- 
 pire. He continued his march towards Rome, 
 
PRAETORIAN <ir.\nDS. 217 
 
 The Praeiori&n guards disbanded. 
 
 but, while yet some distance from the city, ho 
 issued his commands to the PnBtori&D hands 
 t<> meet him, without their arms, on a large 
 plain, at no great distance from the Avails. 
 Afraid to disobey, and yet Imping to gain the 
 favor of the emperor, they maivhed from their 
 camp, arrayed in their most brilliant costume, 
 and : Branches of laurel in their hands. 
 
 The emperor, meeting them upon the appointed 
 
 field, canard a portion <>f his army to surround 
 them, with levelled spears; and, while they 
 expecting the just punishment of their 
 gross misconduct, he mounted a tribunal, pre- 
 viously erected, and, after reproaching them 
 with perfidy and cowardice, caused them to be 
 stripped of their splendid urnaiin-nK and or- 
 dered them, under penalty of death, to march, 
 without the least delay, a hundred mi Irs from 
 Eon 
 
 Severus then entered the city with the great- 
 est military pomp, and took possession of the 
 imperial palace. Promising the Senate that he 
 would reign with clemency and justice, he 
 sought to prove his love of virtue, by ordering 
 the burial rites of Pertinax to be celebrated 
 with the utmost magnificence. He, himself, 
 pronounced his funeral oration; and, at its 
 close, .the people generally agreed that the 
 
 19 
 
218 K M r i R E OF HOME. 
 
 Severus and his rivals. 
 
 royal euW5>t was worthy to supply the place 
 of that much-lamented prince. 
 
 Although Severus had been thus successful 
 in placing himself upon the throne, he feared 
 tlu- power of Peecennius Niger, the governor 
 of Syria, who had been proclaimed emperor by 
 the vast army in the East, and acknowledged 
 by the potentates of A>ia. lie was al>o jealous 
 of Clodius Albinus, commander of the legions 
 in Hritain. In order to prevent them from 
 uniting their forces against him, he cli< 
 tliem both into the belief that he had no suspi- 
 ci"!i of them ; and. at the >ame time, ma- 
 
 accomplish their destruc- 
 tion. l'nder P visiting the eastern 
 pmviaeei for tin- purpo^- of regulating the af- 
 fairs !' that portion .f the empire, lie marched 
 thither with a powerful army, and. coming sud- 
 denly upon Niger, made him an .In 
 the- mean ti: ..-mug upon Albinus the 
 rank of Caesar, he endeavored, alter his vie 
 in the 1 rid of him by treachery. 
 Writing, accordingly, a letter to Albinus, 
 whom he addressed in the most anVtioiiate 
 manner, he recounted his signal victory 
 
 :d begged him to conduct the affairs 
 of Britain with a view to their common inte 
 This letter was intrusted to some of the crea- 
 
PRAETORIAN UTARDS. 210 
 
 Overthrow of Niger. 
 
 - of Severn.-?, with instructions that, after it 
 had been read by Albinus, they should obtain 
 a private interview with him, and plunge their 
 'nto his heart. But Albinus, being no- 
 tiiied of this conspiracy, proclaimed himself 
 emperor, and, crossing into Gaul, at the head 
 of an im: : my, inarched forward with all 
 
 speed to encounter Severus. A battle en 
 between them, which lasted from morning till 
 night without any apparent advantage on either 
 Severn-, Imwever, conquered in the end. 
 Albinus wa> taken prisoner, and his head sepa- 
 
 l from his body. 
 
 I "nwilling to lead an inactive life, Se\v 
 having now secured himself in the possession 
 of his empire, determined to make war upon 
 the Parthians who were invading his i'mii 
 
 dec! in subduing, and, after 
 taking and plundering a number of large and 
 wealthy cities, he returned to Rome in triumph. 
 Then he resolved to make an expedition into 
 Britain, where a formidable resistance had been 
 made to the Roman power. Before setting out, 
 however, Severus appointed his two sons, Carr- 
 calla and Geta, joint successors in the empire. 
 Taking them with him, he landed in Britain, 
 and marched immediately against the Caledo- 
 nians. Notwithstanding the prodigious diffi- 
 
KM PIKE OF ROME. 
 
 Expedition of Severus to Britain His death. 
 
 culiie> attending this expedition, and the 1- 
 
 fifty thousand men from sickne and fatigue, 
 he compelled tin- enemy to sue I'm* peace. 
 tlie better security of the country, he built the 
 famous wall, still called by his name, which 
 .ds from the Solway Frith to the German 
 Ocean. 
 
 The amazing labor which he had 1 
 obliged to perform during this campaign, im- 
 paired his health so much, that he, was obliged 
 t retire 1" York in order to obtain repose. JJut. 
 it was in vain that he endeavored to regain his 
 strength. Indeed, it was still further reduced 
 by a revolt amoiii: his BOldiefB, iiiMi^ated by 
 alia, a youn^ man cntiivly . 
 
 man- 
 
 aged to r, . but not Ion-- afu-r, in the- sixty- 
 
 sixth year of his aL r e and the- iM^hU-enth of liis 
 
 . he dii-.Lh-avini: his Btt -rdin^ to 
 
 liis drelaration, in a comparatively flourishing 
 
 condition. 
 
 His sons Caracalla and Gcta. the fo: 
 
 d cnu-1, the latter mild and mrrcitul, 
 suctveded to the throne. They were cheerfully 
 acknowh'd^-ed by the people ainl'the provi: 
 and received, on their return to Rome, with 
 \ demonstration of respect. Hut such was 
 the enmity which existed between them, that 
 
PR.ETORIAX GTAUDS. 2-21 
 
 The Praetorians make Caracalla emperor. 
 
 they could not meet unless each was surround- 
 ed by a numerous train of armed folio v 
 No communication was allowed between their 
 apartments in the imperial palace, and each 
 fortified his chambers with the utmost dili- 
 iujain>t the other. A proportion Avas made to 
 divide the empire between them, and this, 
 doul. uld have been done, had not the 
 
 inlami>u> ('aracalhi resolved upon a sp< 
 mode of their mutual (parrels to an 
 
 end. At the entreaties of his mother, he con- 
 
 '1 to meet his brother in her apartment, on 
 ti-rm- of peace and reconciliation; but, con- 
 trivipg to OOHC MO soldiers clo-e at hand, 
 
 ,m-ed them to rush in, at a prcc 
 
 was inhumanly murdered in 
 the very arms of his mother. 
 
 The indignation of the people would, per- 
 
 . have In ed upon Caracalla, but he 
 
 from the palace to the Pnetorian camp, 
 where, by means of the most extravagant 
 pron. money, he secured protection. 
 
 These soldiers, oolite . ^,o>e ban- 
 
 i>hed by - . proclaimed him sole emperor, 
 
 and stigmatized his brother Q a traitor, 
 
 andanei: ::e commonwealth. Theyal> 
 
 terrih'ed the Donate into the same measnivs. and 
 
 /alia was invested with undivided power. 
 
222 EMPIRE OF KOMK. 
 
 Tlie follies of Caracalls. 
 
 A man who could thus cause the death of his 
 own brother, was capable <!' any crime; audit 
 is not, therefore, surprising to find that he 
 should, soon alter, kill his own wife, and de- 
 stroy all those who had dared to utter a word 
 against his cruel conduct. Two thousand per- 
 i to have perished on account of 
 their eXpTMsioB <:' sympathy 3 brother. 
 
 Having very properly concluded that the 
 people hated him, lie declared that, knowing 
 how to secure his OW1 . he eared not for 
 
 their lo\v. ! tfl pun-based at an 
 
 enormous pri<-.-. Tin- Pnctorian soldiers could 
 be kepi Bteft his interest only b_. 
 
 haustin^ the treasury, and by conmiittiiiL 
 
 of unpardonable rapa 
 
 Tortured by a ^uih;. -nee, and unable 
 
 main in a city where. a< he -said, he be- 
 held the ariirry forms of his father and brother 
 upbraid him, he K-t'i Home about a 
 year after the murder of Geta, and never more 
 returned. 1 Jut "the cities where lie sojourned, 
 tilled with niouniiii^. on account of his 
 cruel ;id it is . \ that the w: 
 
 of the Nile were tinned with the blood of the 
 citizens of Alexandria, ma-sacred at his com- 
 mand, by his inhuman soldiers. The expense 
 of his journeys, and of his residence in distant 
 
PlI.KTOKIAN GUARDS. 
 
 i^ies between the officers of the Prtorian guards. 
 
 lands, was immense. Magnificent palatvs and 
 theatres were erected f<>r his iooommodation in 
 
 .itirivnt cities through which he p;t 
 and many of these he ordered to be thrown 
 down, because they did not please his 
 Multitudes of people were ruined by the enor- 
 >r the purpose of defray- 
 
 ing 1: WBj the burden of whieh wa.s 
 
 felt, iinh through the empire. 
 
 Ja could not fail, under thesi- eircum- 
 stauce-, to make hini>elf the subject of univer- 
 sal hatred. The Pnvtoiian soldiers, however, 
 upon whom he showered innumerable fa 
 
 My t- Mi>tain him; but a jeal'-u-y, 
 
 which sprung up between two of his officers, 
 
 :ed in freeing the world, at last, from this 
 
 insupportable T. It seems that Opilius 
 
 ^laerinus, a man of great talents and dexterity, 
 had, on account of the increasing favor shown 
 towards him by the emperor, incurred the 
 hatred of Adventus, another officer of the Pne- 
 torian bands. Adventus, hearing in Koine that 
 a famous astrologer had predicted that Macri- 
 nus and his son would receive the empire, wrote 
 a letter, in which he related the prediction to 
 Caracalla. 
 
 This letter was dispatched with great caution 
 to Caracalla ; but the messenger with whom it 
 
224- EMPIRE OF HOME. 
 
 Conspiracy against Caractlla. 
 
 was intrusted, happened to place it in his hands 
 just as IK- was making preparations for a chariot 
 
 Caracalla, who never suffered business 
 to interfere with liis pleasures, delivered the 
 
 which he had just re- 
 
 <i, t> .Macrinus telling him, at the same 
 . t<> read them all, and impart to him the 
 contents on some future occasion. 
 
 Macrinus, reading the letters immediately, 
 
 very naturally, surprised and alarmed at 
 
 what appeared to him, at once, to he a cunning 
 
 plot devised by Adventus to accomplish his 
 
 ruin. "Without, h-\\ 'raying the 
 
 emotion, lu- put them a-ide, telling the emperor 
 
 that tliey contained nothing of imjri; 
 
 The chariot rare went on, but, in the mean time, 
 
 ^larriniK determined, since a c..n>piracy had 
 
 ; formed him. to crush it by the 
 
 notion of the emperor, a-ainsf whom he 
 
 had not, perhaps, hitherio. entertained jmy evil 
 
 design. 
 
 A> soon, 1: an opportunity occur- 
 
 red, lie made known his design to one ]\lar- 
 tialis, a soldier of the guard, who, b< 
 had been refused the rank of centurion, and for 
 ; reasons, entertained a great hatred for the 
 emperor. Without any hesitation, Martialis 
 entered into the conspiracy, and undertook to 
 
PR^TORIAN GUARDS. 
 
 Macrinus mode emperor by the Praetorians. 
 
 destroy Caracalla at the first favorable moment. 
 It was not 1 -re this moment arrived. 
 
 alia determining to make 1 :i pilgrimage to 
 the temple of the moon at Carrlm-, set out, ac- 
 companied by a long train of cavalry. While 
 upon the road, he happened to move on, alone, 
 in advance of his followers. Martialis observ- 
 ing him in this nnpr<> >ndition, spurred 
 
 hi- hoiv-e forward towards him, under pretence 
 
 him some as- : and as 
 
 as he had reached the spot where the omi 
 
 ling, drew a dagger, and plunged it 
 into his heart. The hold deed could not 
 fail to aitracr attention, and the BaBASSio was 
 immediately cut to pieces by the soldiers of the 
 guard. 
 
 However little Macrinus may have, hereto- 
 fore, thought of obtaining supreme power, the 
 emperor was no >.oner dead, than he began to 
 hope that the prophecy concerning bin 
 would prove correct. Conspicuous as the 
 senior prefect of the Praetorian bands, he 
 might easily fancy himself somewhat entitled 
 to the vacant throne. However this may 
 have been, he concealed with great care the 
 part which be had taken in causing the death 
 of Caracalla, and undertook, by means of liberal 
 promises, to secure bis election among the sol- 
 
226 EMPIRE OF KOME. 
 
 The reception of his regulations by the soldiers. 
 
 diers. His popularity, it is true, was not 
 great, but the -rian bands liud again be- 
 
 come so corrupt during the six years' reign ot 
 the infamous Caracalla, that they were ready 
 to sell the empire to any one who would pay 
 them a generous price. 
 
 Tw. days, then, after the death of Caracalla, 
 Macrinus wa- elected nnperor by the Pnvtorian 
 bands, and hi* name .-cut to the Seiiat* 
 confirmation. The .1 to be 
 
 livered I'min | ible tyrant, did not hesi- 
 
 i" aokn ice made by the 
 
 soldiers though they aftorv. . mplained 
 
 that a man ofobecore birth, who had nev. 
 
 ink of senator, slmuld ])e so sud- 
 denly eh-vated to the thr 
 
 Macrinus. tind: inpire much embar- 
 
 d in continence of the prodiirality >f 
 
 alia, undertook a reformation in the dif- 
 
 nents of government, which was, 
 
 indec'tl. \ irable, but f->r which he did 
 
 not ] -ary abilities or prudence. 
 
 wholesome reirulati- -11 re- 
 
 d by a licentious peo}le. and the severe 
 
 discipline which he attempted to introduce into 
 
 the army, resulted only in making him an ob- 
 
 of hatred among those to whom alone he 
 
 could look for protection. 
 
PR.ETORIAN GUARDS. 
 
 ogabalus proclaimed emperor. 
 
 The immense army assembled by his pr 
 : in tli- . iMtl which, on coming to 
 
 very properly disbanded, 
 
 becai ;y incensed at the new regulations 
 
 of the new emperor, ami iinally succeeded in 
 
 accomplishing his ruin. ]\lany <>t' the soldiers 
 
 at Kmesa, in I'ho-nieia, were in the 
 
 habit of resorting to the temple of the Sun, 
 
 where they gazed with wonder and delight at 
 
 )t officiating there, who, they tan- 
 
 !> re a striking resemblance to their late 
 
 sovereign, Caracalla. This young pried 
 
 at last, a subject of general attention, and the 
 
 temple was daily thronged with troops, cori< 
 
 Id him. iidmother, M 'or of 
 
 the wife of the '. 'eror, Severus, and a 
 
 woman of great wealth, heard, with 
 
 f the regard man : v the lioman 
 
 soldiery for her grandson. Hoping to make it 
 the means of promoting his inteiv-ts. she af- 
 firmed that the young priest, whose n 
 Bassianus, was the natural son of Caracalla. 
 The story was eagerly believed by the troops 
 of Emesa, and Bassianus was proclaimed em- 
 peror. 
 
 Although this young prince assumed the 
 name of Antoninus, he is generally distin- 
 guished in history by that of Jleliogabalus, be- 
 
228 EMPIRE OF KOME. 
 
 His disgusting follies. 
 
 cause he was originally a priest of that divinity. 
 As soon as lie was proclaimed emperor at 
 Kmesa, his grandmother, Massa, by means of 
 her immense wealth, succeeded in enlisting in 
 his cause other portions of the army stationed 
 in the Ka-1. When, therefore, Macrinus heard 
 that a claimant to the throne had suddenly 
 arisen, Heliogabalufl was, already, at the head 
 of a powerful force. Macrinus thought it neces- 
 sary, at first, to send only a lew legions, under 
 the command of a lieutenant, to oppose the 
 pretender; hut these heing promptly defeated, 
 he re>"lved to go him.-elf, at the head of his en- 
 tin- army. The h>iile parties met on the con- 
 fines of Syria. An obstinate battle ensued, in 
 which Macrinus was overthrown, and subse- 
 quently slain, after a short reign of about one 
 year and two months. 
 
 The Tnetorian guards, who had promptly 
 decried Macrinus when fortune seemed to for- 
 sake him, united with the rest of the army in 
 supporting the pretensions of Ileliogabalus ; 
 and the Senate, consequently, were constrained 
 to receive him as lawful successor to the throne, 
 lie was. at this time, but fourteen years of age, 
 and. though so young, is represented by histo- 
 rians as a monster of sensuality. During the 
 four years in which he reigned, it is said that 
 
PRAETORIAN GUARDS. 229 
 
 A horse raised to the consulship. 
 
 he married four wives, all of whom he succes- 
 sively divorced ; and then, professing to be a 
 woman himself, married one of his own officers. 
 lie made his grandmother Msesa, and his 
 mother Soemias, his colleagues on the throne ; 
 and he appointed a Senate of women, over whom 
 his mother presided, and by whom the modes 
 and fashions for the empire were prescribed. 
 
 The entire reign of this infatuated boy was 
 filled up with absurdities, which it is difficult 
 to see how men possessed of any intelligence 
 could for a moment endure. He was, never- 
 theless, allowed to squander, in the most reek- 
 manner, the public treasures. He was 
 always dressed in cloth of gold and purple ; his 
 whole palace was studded with the most costly 
 jewels; and the floors of his apartments were 
 covered with gold and silver dust. To gratify 
 his childish whims, he was sometimes carried 
 through the streets in a chariot drawn by ele- 
 phants, at other times by mastiff dogs, and fre- 
 quently by females. On a certain occasion the 
 whole city was occupied, at his command, in 
 collecting spiders, the entire weight of which, 
 when they were all brought together, equalled 
 ten thousand pounds. 
 
 These follies, and even the disgraceful cere- 
 mony of raising his horse to the honors of the 
 20 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Heliogabalus slain by the Praetorians. 
 
 consulship, might have been tolerated for a 
 much longer time, had he not mingled with 
 them cruelties never before surpassed. His 
 grandmother, perceiving that he was beginning 
 to make himself an object of terror, persuaded 
 him to adopt his cousin Alexander as his suc- 
 cessor, and to take him, at once, as a partner in 
 the cares of government. This he consented to 
 do, but finding, afterwards, tli at Alexander had, 
 by his virtues, acquired the affections of the 
 people and the army, he determined to rule 
 alone. But the Praetorian guard- learning his 
 intentions, threatened to kill him, and 
 compelled him to place Alexander under their 
 
 Alarmed, now, for his own safety, he began 
 means to protect himself; and regarding 
 the Senate afl his most formidable fin-ink'-, lie 
 hani-hed them all from the city. Then he en- 
 deavored to poison Alexander; and believing, 
 perhaps, that h".had succeeded, spread a report 
 throughout the city that he was dead ; but per- 
 ':ig that the soldiers were about to mutiny, 
 he to.k Alexander in his chariot to the camp. 
 Hero the soldiers fell upon Heliogabalus and 
 his attendants, and puisuing him back to the 
 palace, succeeded, at last, in killing him. 
 
 Alexander, the favorite of the Praetorian 
 
PRAETORIAN GUARDS. 231 
 
 Alexander made emperor. 
 
 guards, was immediately elevated by them to 
 
 the empire, and the Senate, with their usual 
 
 adulation, offered to confer new titles upon him, 
 
 which, with becoming modesty, he declined. 
 
 Indeed, Alexander, adopting the noble model 
 
 of Trajan and the Antonines, proved to be a 
 
 most excellent monarch. To the most rigid 
 
 e he added the greatest humanity. His 
 
 accomplishments, beside-, weiv equal to hi- vir- 
 
 : lie was an excellent mathematician, geo- 
 
 ; eian, and musician; he was skilful, also, 
 
 in painting and sculpture, and few, of his time, 
 
 could equal him in poetry. 
 
 Although only seventeen years of age when 
 he ascended the throne, he began with great 
 prudence and wisdom to correct the vices and 
 irregularities which had flourished with but lit- 
 tle check during the preceding forty years. The 
 unjust taxes imposed by Caracalla upon the 
 provinces, were removed. The excessive luxury 
 of the people was, by degrees, restrained, and, 
 at the same time, wholesome amusements were 
 liberally furnished for the populace. The dig- 
 nity and authority of the Senate were restored ; 
 and every one began to breathe freely, and to 
 feel that life and property were safe. 
 
 The task of rectifying the abuses in civil af- 
 fairs was comparatively easy, and was repaid 
 
232 KM PIKE OF HOME. 
 
 regulations 
 
 by the thanks and prai-es of his subjects; but 
 the reformation <.f the army was a far more 
 clillicult enterprise, and, although he had the 
 courage and prudence necessary to undertake 
 it, he was destined to become a martyr to the 
 . "Fur in 'in exercising any severity in 
 this difficult work, he began, and conducted 
 it by the most gentle means. Instead, for in- 
 stance, of compelling the soldiers in their 
 marrhc< to curry. a> they had been uccu-tomed, 
 iteen duy> pnvi>iin upon tlieir liacks, lie 
 cau-eo! ample m he i'ormed along 
 
 the public roads, and ninnemu- trains of mules 
 and camels were employed to relieve them of 
 the liurdeii. He did not diminish their p;, 
 oblige them to be less prodigal of their money, 
 but simply attempted to check their intemper- 
 ance, and to direct their luxury to objec 
 utility, such us splendid armor, fine horses, and 
 shields enriched with gold and silver. 
 
 The Pni'tnriim guards entertained, indeed, 
 f<T Alexander, a great all'ection. They looked 
 upon him as a protege whom they had snatched 
 from the hands of a tyrant, and placed upon 
 his throne ; and Alexander was not ungrateful 
 to them for the kind feeling which thev had 
 manifested towards him. He shared their fa- 
 tigues and dangers, visited, in person, their sick 
 
PR.F.TORTAX Q-U-A BDS. 
 
 Military expedition of Alexander. 
 
 and wounded, and, in the camp, 
 himself with their food and lodging. But cor- 
 ruption had taken too strong a hold upon the 
 army to be removed, even by the courageous 
 and indefatigable Alexander. The Pnetorians 
 became irritated at the reforms which lie un- 
 dertook, but unwilling at first to make him the 
 object of their anger, they accused their prae- 
 ripian, of being the author of their fan- 
 cied grievances, and, by threatening to burn the 
 caused him to be delivered into their 
 hands, and afterwards slain. The celeb: 
 historian, Dion Cassius, a commander of the 
 Punnonian legions, lost his lii'e under somewhat 
 similar circumstances. 
 
 Alexander had been ten years upon the 
 throne when ho undertook his first military ex- 
 pedition, which v list the Parthians and 
 
 Persians, and such was the regularity which he 
 had, by this time, gradually introduced into 
 the army, that the days of Roman glory seemed 
 to have returned. His enemies were defeated 
 in a most decisive manner. The cities of Ctesi- 
 phon and Babylon were retaken, and the Ro- 
 man empire restored to its former limits. 
 
 A Thracian peasant, named Maximin, who, 
 by means of his great physical strength and 
 cunning, had risen to a distinguished rank in 
 
234 EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 Conspiracy of Maxirnin. 
 
 the army, perceiving that Alexander had in- 
 curred the displeasure of his soldiers on account 
 of his strict discipline, conceived the idea of 
 turning this displeasure to his own account. 
 !!< employed his creatures, accordingly, to go 
 about from legion to legion, to increase the 
 discontent ; and in a short time the sub- 
 dued murmurs of the troops broke out into 
 mutinous clamors. They accused themselves 
 of weakness and stupidity, for having so long 
 submitted to an eileminate Syrian, instead of 
 an experienced general, who could win for 
 thi-m rl<ry and riches. 
 
 This \va^ during the thirteenth year of the 
 <>f Alexander, and lie was, at this time, 
 at. the head of a powerful army, with which he 
 had marched to the hanks of the Rhine, for the 
 purpose of opposing the barbarians of Ger- 
 many, who began to pour down in immense 
 swarms upon the more southern portions of the 
 empire. The task of subduing them had not 
 teen achieved, when, one da} 7 , as it is said. 
 a portion of the army, having invested ]Uax- 
 imin with the insignia of royalty, brought him 
 into the camp, and proclaimed him emperor. 
 Alexander, amazed at the proceeding, and 
 foreseeing his fate, retired into his tent to 
 await the result. Followed, soon after, by a 
 
PRAETORIAN GUAKS 
 
 Death of Aleian 
 
 trilmne and ^-evenil centurions, lie was shame- 
 fully put to death, in the twenty-ninth year 
 of his age. 
 
 The death of Alexander was very much la- 
 mented by the Christians throughout the em- 
 pire. Towards them he had always exercised 
 tin- greatest clemency. The famous Origen is 
 said to have instructed him in the doctrines 
 of Christianity. Upon a certain occasion, a 
 dispute, concerning a piece of ground, having 
 occurred between a company of cooks, who de- 
 sired to secure it for purposes of feasting, and 
 a number of Christians, who had occupied it 
 f>r worship, the matter was referred to Alex- 
 ander, who decided it in these words: "It is 
 r that God be worshipped there, in any 
 manner, than that the place should be put to 
 >f drunkenness and debauchery." 
 
DECLINE OF THE EMPIRE, 
 
 FROM 235 TO 306 A. D. 
 
CHARACTER of Maximin Conspiracy Elevation of Gor- 
 
 dianus Contest between Maximin and Gordianus Maxi- 
 
 min's success Other emperors chosen Maximin's as- 
 
 ition New emperors The secular -aim .-> -lament- 
 
 ;ilil- condition of the Empire IViseeutiun of tin; i'hri>tians 
 ::s other enemies <>f tin- Empire Gallus and 
 -Kiiiiliaini.N Val:ri.iu A K<>m;in emperor i-uslavnl King 
 Sapor and Vain ian- < Jalliciius The Thirty Tyrants Clau- 
 ilis military n]M-ratins Aurdian His f\ii-dition 
 against Hisdcatli -An int.-rn u'nmii--Tacitus made 
 
 finprror Flnriaijusainl Tn'txis FurtlK-r usnri>ations of the 
 poldi-rs 1 >i<H-lr>ian The Empire divided Persecution of 
 the Christians Dioclesian and Maximiau rr>ii;ii their power 
 Constantine. 
 
A IW1IAN EMPEROR ENSLAVED. 
 
IX. 
 
 DECLINE OF THE EMPIRE. 
 
 HOME now found itself under the dominion 
 of a despot whose court was a military camp, 
 located, sometimes, upon the banks ofthe Rhine, 
 and, sometimes, on those of the Danube. ]\Ia\i- 
 min, the first of all the empen>rs wlmso elec- 
 tion the Senate refused to confirm, either dis- 
 dained or feared to take up his residence in the 
 imperial city. 
 
 It has already been said that Maximin was a 
 Thracian peasant, who, on account of his re- 
 markable appearance, physical strength, and 
 cunning, liad risen from a common soldier to 
 the highest station in the army. Although a 
 courageous soldier, and a skilful general, the 
 proud senators could not forget that he had first 
 attracted public notice as a wrestler and a box- 
 er, that his greatness was originally due to his 
 enormous stature, which is said to have exceed- 
 21 
 
242 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Character of Maxlmin. 
 
 ed eight feet, and to his wonderful strength, 
 reported to have surpassed that of two oxen. 
 These tilings they carried in remembrance; 
 and when, therefore, they heard that this igno- 
 rant boor, whom they had often seen contend- 
 ing with slaves in the amphitheatre, had been 
 elevated ti the throne, they determined to resist 
 the choice of the Praetorian bands. He, on 
 the other hand, while ding every thing to con- 
 cval ilit- ob-curity of his origin, even to the 
 deMruction <>f his kindred, would nut allow any 
 man of noble birth, or acCOmpliflhmenJ 
 abilii near hi- pen 
 
 The masses of the people did not, at iii-st, 
 sillier from his excessive cruelty. It 
 limited t the nobles and the wealthy, whom 
 he frequently can-ed to be to death with 
 
 clubs, or to b< d to the jaws .f ravei 
 
 beasts ; but, finally, his avarice and the rapacity 
 
 of his soldiers, prompted him to acts which 
 
 made the whole empire groan. Not content 
 
 with confiscating the entire wealth of cities, 
 
 ripped the temples of their precious olfer- 
 
 . and melted down, and coined into m.nev, 
 
 ..-old and silver statues of the emperors, the 
 
 :id the gods. 
 
 Notwithstanding this inhuman treatment of 
 his subjects, he did not abandon or delay the 
 
1) !. . Of TH 1- K M 1' IKK. 243 
 
 Conspiracy Elevation of Gordianus. 
 
 military op,.-rati'iis undertaken by his prede- 
 cessor against tlie enemies of Rome. He over- 
 threw the Germans in several battles, and laid 
 waste their land with lire and >w>rd, fur l'.ur 
 hundred miles around him. And wherever the 
 conflict with the enemy ra-vd most fiercely, 
 there, Install form was always conspicuous, and 
 his powerful arm ever most active. But, with 
 all this, Ju was unable to win either i 
 Tion or respect of those around him; and, al- 
 though his troops were kept under control, 
 numerous conspiracies were formed against his 
 life. AVhile none of these were successful, an 
 event in Africa reMilted in the appointment of 
 another emperor, and gave the Senate courage 
 to attack this hearth or. 
 
 The enormous tim-s imposed upon the people 
 of that country by Maximin, drove them, at 
 nee. and a conspiracy was formed, 
 airainst the liicei*s of Maximin, which ended in 
 their coinph : icti"ii. The standard ..f 
 
 rebellion ; the Roman emperor was 
 
 erected; and the inhabitants of the province 
 leathering around it, seized upon Gordianus, 
 their proconsul, an excellent old man, of a 
 wealthy and most illustrious Roman family, 
 and compelled him to assume the insignia of 
 royalty. He begged them, with tears in his 
 
J 1 1 PIBS OF BO v 
 
 Mnvimin and Gordianus. 
 
 '.\\i die in peace; but they would 
 imt li>ten to liis en: -ml lie proi: 
 
 finally, b 1 he title of emperor, provided 
 
 the Senate confirmed their choice. 
 
 The Senate listened with anxiety to the re- 
 port- which were hruiiglit to them frm Africa; 
 but expertinir, in any event, that they would 
 BOOH feel the effects of tli. Maximin, 
 
 and knowing well the worth of donlianus, 
 they ratilied his election, and, with him, made 
 his s<>n, al-o. emperor. I In! before tJie-e pm- 
 iings were made public, the S 
 :ied trn>ty nu-n t<> the I'ra-tnrian camp, 
 wlm, >layinir the cnu-l agents statioiu-d tin-re 
 by Maximin, ran, afterwards, through the 
 
 aiminir to the people and tl 
 BWI of the joyful revolution. 
 Nothing was I eft undmir -nple 
 
 thfl bloody tyrant. JIU statn.-s were, 
 thrown do\\ n, \\ . ,und ; 
 
 arm- ([nartt-i-. 
 
 soldiers enlisted t ir-' f.rtli t<> attack him in his 
 imperial camp. The spirit Lion per- 
 
 vadrl the whole of Italy, and in a >hort time 
 a powerful army, under the direction of skilful 
 lead. ready to combat in the cai, 
 
 the Senate and the people. 
 Tlu ucre >ca: 
 
DECLINE OF THK EMPIRE. 
 
 in's success Other omperors choson. 
 
 when new- was brought to U>me tliat an 
 army, commanded by one of Maxim! 
 orals, had marched nirain-t tin- (iordiai 
 Cart; their ! <>ops, 
 
 had >lain the younger of tlic empc: 
 
 or a reign of only t! 
 "ave. through gri 
 Eo: ; with lamentation ly thi- 
 
 4er. Tlie Senate asscniLh-d, un- 
 11 what to do; but as such 1> sel- 
 
 dom without SOUK- (liivctini: hand, a - 
 noble senator at K-n^tli an- 
 C'>nn r virtues of the Gord' d de- 
 
 plnri 1 loss, closed his ^]>rcch l.y >a; 
 
 "We have lost two excclh-nt prince-, hut, un- 
 less w Op6fl <>f the repub- 
 lic have notp* Let IN ehoose 
 two emperors. My vote is in favor of Maxim us 
 and JJalbinus." These i '.\ kno\vn f..r 
 their courage and virtue, 
 
 without one dissenting voice, and the temple of 
 >rd, where tl o was assembled, ini- 
 
 me(liately resounded with "Long life and vic- 
 tory to the emperors Maximus and Balhin 
 There was, however, a large number of dis- 
 nted people in the city, who insisted upon 
 adding another emperor to the two already 
 and, in order to quiet the clamor 
 
2-iG KM PI RE D KB. 
 
 .imin. 
 
 which they made. ;-on of the elder Gor- 
 
 diaii, only thirteen years of age, was associated 
 with Maximus anl iJalbinus. 
 
 AVhen the news of the proceedings of the 
 1 t<> the camp of Maxiniin, lie 
 behaved like a furious wild beast, striking his 
 lu-ad violent; alls of his apart- 
 
 ment, and threatening the life of all who ven- 
 tured to approach him. Jlis fury, at length, 
 subsiding, he pa ed across the Alps, for the 
 pnrpoM- of laying waste the fertile plains of 
 Italv. .Put tin- Senate had, with the utmo-r 
 proinpiih . fortified all the towns, and pL 
 
 B to his progress which they could 
 
 Colltl 
 
 The unexpected oppoMii,.n which he thus en- 
 countered, threw the huge barbarian into such 
 an ungovernable rage, that he fell upon his .wii 
 ollicers, and actually caused a number of ; 
 to be put to death. In the lime the 
 
 armies of th> . unand of 
 
 skilt'i. advancing to meet him. 
 
 A terrible and deceive conllict seemed inevita- 
 ble, when the outrageous conduct of Maximin 
 caused a mutiny among his troops, which a 
 the lives of many thou-and<. The suldie; - 
 termined upon the tyrant's death; but such 
 wa> his ama/.ing strength, that no one dared to 
 
DK H M r i RE. iM , 
 
 His assassination Another eniir.>r : i'rajtorians. 
 
 encounter him. His govds, however, having 
 
 been bribed, a number of well-armed men en- 
 tered his tent at no.u, when h 
 slew both him and his sun, whom he had made 
 a partner in the empire. Their heads were 
 carried abnut the camp upon the points of 
 spears; their bodi tin-own out to be de- 
 
 voured by dogs, and then their armies swore 
 allegiance to and to the emperors, 
 
 Maximus and iJalbinus. 
 
 The united armies of the murdered MaxJmin 
 and <!' tlie Sena' tied to Koine, which 
 
 I with the usual ceivnmnits of a 
 triumph. For some time the two emperors 
 continued to discharge their duties without op- 
 . but, at length, the Pnetorian soldiers 
 ninir jeal'iu- [X)\ver of the Se; 
 
 and di'<irous of si-rin^ upon the tin-one a mon- 
 arch of their own selection, ivs-.lved uj...- 
 scilinir, once more, ilu-ir >upremacy. Taking 
 advantage, accordingly, of the absence of tlie 
 emperors' guards, who were all permitted to 
 attend the Capitoline games, they marclu-d from 
 their quarters, in a numerous body, to the 
 palace. Surrounding it. they penetrated to the 
 imperial apartments, and seizing both the em- 
 perors, dragged them to the camp and slew 
 them. Immediately afterwards, proclaiming 
 
248 K M l'I RE OF JioM K. 
 
 Wrks of the new emperor. 
 
 Gordian sole successor to the throne, they set- 
 tled down. Apparently satisfied, in their camp. 
 This younir prince seems to have inherited 
 the virtues of his grandfather, who died in 
 Africa. Jlis Ji: . upon coining into 
 
 reconcile the soldiers 
 
 and the citizen^ to each other; and. indeed, for 
 
 the iirst three or four years of his roiim, the 
 
 ire enjoyed comparative peace. For the 
 
 wisdom and energy which lie displayed, lie 
 
 B, vi-ry inncli indebted to h'- 
 ccllcnt instructor. J\Ii.-ith;en<. who-c daughter 
 he married, and to whom he seemed alwa 
 look for aid and con; 
 
 Dimmr the tilth rei_irn. the eni]>iro 
 
 :'urini^ly inval-d l.\ 1',-r- 
 
 d pillaired Syria and 
 
 the adjacent provinces. Th Gk)tl . 
 
 down from tlie nrth, attempting to tix their 
 roidence in the kingdom of Thrace. Gordian 
 drove them hack to their own countries, and 
 likewise defeated the Persians, with a dread- 
 ful slaughter. But Misitlueiis, his counsellor, 
 having lu-en poil ,. l>y 
 
 1'liilip, an Aral), who finally succeeded to the 
 tin-one, the affairs, of the army were not so ahly 
 managed, and murmurs be^an to be heard 
 his troops. Philip, in the mean time, 
 
DEC I. I N K OF TH K K M PI UK. 
 The emperor I'hilip The Secular games. 
 
 contrived :iiideiice, and, eveiitu- 
 
 ally, acquired a degree of power fully equal to 
 -vn. But not contented with this, the am- 
 bitions man caused his benefactor to be slain, 
 and then securing tin :' the soldiers, 
 
 ;ded the thr> 
 
 The Senate making no opposition to this pro- 
 Philip conclml with the 
 . and marched his army 1 ;me. 
 "While upon ! . '1 hi> nati\e coun- 
 try of Arabia, wi. < -ailed 
 Phili- 
 
 Tin :dth year during which the city 
 
 had now A. 1 ). -J i i "iiiplcted in 
 
 the reign of this emperor. This was an occa- 
 sinu, therefore, i the SdC 
 
 games, the origin of which is not jnv'- 
 known, though they were observed, with _ 
 solemnity, at in of about a hundred 
 
 Slaves and >trangers were excluded 
 from all participation in them. They continued 
 three days and three nights, during which tinio 
 sacrifices, music, and dancing, were kept up 
 -antly on the banks of the Tiber. Upon 
 the present occasion, these games were cele- 
 d with greater splendor than had been 
 given to them by Augustus, or any succeeding 
 emperor ; and thus it was that Philip managed, 
 
2r0 KM PI RE OF HOME. 
 
 Lamentable condition of the empire Another emperor slain. 
 
 on liis return to Home, to divert the attention 
 of the people from the fact that he was no bet- 
 ter than a usurper and a murderer. 
 
 The history of this period, though exceeding- 
 ly imperfect, exhibits a state of affairs lament- 
 able enough for the Roman empire. Immense 
 as that empire was, and overspread, too, by its 
 own innumerable armies, it was every day be- 
 coming an easier prey to barbarous inv;; 
 Its own soldiers, habituated to the business of 
 making and unmaking emperor-, were ijuarrel- 
 ling among themselves for power, and ready to 
 tear the empire into pieces, in order 
 their individual wanfe. Six emperors had been 
 cut oil' by the sword during the six months that 
 ded the reign of Gordian. Gordian had 
 now, also, shared their fate, and flu-re were 
 i-haps, of the generals of Philip 
 who did not feel a disposition to imitate th 
 ample, of their ambitious master. 
 
 I hiring the year following the Secular games, 
 a rebellion broke out among the legions of 
 
 O 
 
 !Mo->ia, where a subaltern officer, named Mari- 
 nus, revolted, and caused himself to be pro- 
 claimed emperor. This affair gave Philip 
 much alarm; but he was soon relieved by the 
 intelligence that Marinus had been promptly 
 murdered by the soldiers who had sought to 
 
DECLINE OF THE EMPIRE. 251 
 
 Another chosen. 
 
 elevate him. Nevertheless, Philip deeming ir 
 necessary to send to Mresia some one who was 
 able to restore peace and discipline an 
 these rebellious legions, selected for this pur- 
 pose an intrepid senator, named Decius. Scarce- 
 ly had Dee-ins reached the army, and assumed 
 the command, than lie was compelled to be- 
 eoine one of their accomplices. They ^ave 
 him the choice of the title of emperor or death. 
 Taking the former, and at the same lime noti- 
 fying Philip that he had done so in order to 
 to him the empire, he marched the 
 army towards the confines of Italy. But Philip, 
 distrusting his profe^-inns collected all the 
 e that he could, and went out to meet him. 
 These forces, however, had proceeded no far- 
 ther than Verona, when they revolted in favor 
 of Decius, and slew the emperor, as he justly 
 
 ved. 
 
 Whether Decius would have resigned to 
 Philip the title conferred upon him by the army, 
 it i- impossible to tell; it is certain, however, 
 that as so. .11 as his election to the throne had 
 been confirmed by the Senate, he formed a 
 plan of government, which, if he had been per- 
 mitted to carry it out, might have arrested, some- 
 what, the rapid decline the empire was now 
 evidently experiencing. But the obstinate dis- 
 
252 IPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Persecution of the Christians The Goths. 
 
 putes between the pagans and Christians inter- 
 fered so much with the policy which he had 
 adopted, that lie felt constrained to check them 
 by permitting a violent persecution of the latter. 
 The deatli of many thousands of these unhappy 
 beings did not, however, serve in the least the 
 intere>ts of Koine. This persecution was im- 
 mediately succeeded by a terrible invasion of 
 oths, a nation that, eventually, overturned 
 Ionian power, sacked the imperial city, 
 and brought all Italy under their dominion. 
 
 Deciufl waa obliged, thc:vfore, to abandnn 
 
 the ta-k of restoring the ancient manners and 
 the maje.My of the laws, in order to p: 
 the empire against the furious ravages of the 
 barbarians. Re collected, immedi pow- 
 
 erful army, and, marching out again>t them, 
 slew thirty thousand in a .-ingle battle. But 
 pursuing those who survived, with a deter- 
 mination to drive them forever from the em- 
 . he found himself suddenly plunged into 
 a deep morass, where the enemy having the 
 advantage, he was slain, and his whole army 
 cut to pi. 
 
 The legions, humbled by tliis terrible defeat, 
 made no objections to the decreeof the Senate, 
 which gave the empire to Hostilianus, the 
 young son of Decius, while, at the same time, 
 
DECLINE OF THE EMPIRE. 
 
 Their treachery Other enemies of the empire. 
 
 it associated with him a prominent general, 
 named Gallus. The whole guidance of affairs 
 was left in the hands of Gallus, who, at once, 
 concluded a shameful treaty with the barba- 
 rians, lie agreed, not only to leave in their 
 possession all the plunder which they had 
 taken during their invasions, but even suffered 
 them to retain their prisoners, many of wlmm 
 were i of great worth and distinction. 
 
 :iis. lu promised to pay them, annually, 
 a large sum of money on condition that they 
 would make no more incursions into the Ro- 
 man territory. 
 
 The condition of the empire was now de- 
 plorable indeed. AVhile Gallus returned to 
 Koine to abandon himself to every species of 
 plca.Mire, the G.uhs with whom he had lately 
 made so shameful a peace, renewed their terri- 
 ble invasions, and, at the same time, the Per- 
 nans and Scythians committed the most dread- 
 ful ravages in Mesopotamia and Syria. In ad- 
 dition to this, a violent persecution was carried 
 on against the Christians ; and, to crown the 
 whole, a horrible pestilence broke out in every 
 portion of the empire. Hostilianus, the asso- 
 ciate upon the throne, died in the midst of it, 
 but not without suspicion that his death had 
 been brought about through the instrumentality 
 22 
 
KMPIRE OF KOME. 
 
 Guilus and yEmilianus. 
 
 of Gallus. Then it was that Junilianns, one of 
 his generals, Imping to relieve his country from 
 some of tin* mi.-fortune- that had beftillen it, 
 collected tin- seatteivd frce> of the empire, and 
 boldly attacking its barbarous enemies, c: 
 them far beyond it- oonfil 
 
 The troops of ./Kmilianus, gratified by the lib- 
 eral share which he granted them of the plunder 
 of their foes, proclaimed him emperor upon the 
 battle iield. lint before he and his victorious 
 army had returned to l^me, GalliH. inforni'-d 
 of hi- approach, r.u-ed from his intoxicating 
 plea- L gathering tjrether a po\vrrfnl 
 
 :it out to meet him. The ho-tile armies 
 met in Mu-ia. A dreadful battle immediately 
 en>ued. J-jnilianu- MM vii-t.rin; .-allus 
 
 m-i shameful reiirn of only 
 two years and fniir min: 
 
 Jiut the reign of ^Emilianus was de-tiia d to 
 
 imri indeed. When (iallus lir-t 1. 
 of liis approach towards K-.me, he- sent Vale- 
 rian, one of liU mo-t tnu 
 
 the Unions of Gaul and Germany to his aid. 
 Valerian did not briiiLT them soon enough to 
 BftfQ his master; but hearing that Gallus had 
 >lain he determined to revenge him, and 
 accordingly inarched upon yKinilianus with 
 such an overwhelming force, that the terrified 
 
DECLINE OF THE EMPIRE. 255 
 
 Character of Vnlerian. 
 
 soldiers of this general slew their leader, and 
 submitted without resistance to Valerian. 
 
 This general, well known through the empire, 
 for his many virtues, his wisdom and undaunted 
 coura. . ated to the throne by general 
 
 acclamation. His son, Gallienus, was also de- 
 claivd his successor, and placed in command of 
 the forces necessarily maintained in (iaul, in 
 order to that country from the inva- 
 
 MMIIS with which it was constantly threatened 
 by the people of Lower Germany. 
 
 Although mure than >i.\ ! of age, Va- 
 
 lerian commenced the work of reforming the 
 State, with all tin- energy that had charadrr- 
 i/A-<l him as a soldier an<l a leader in the armies 
 of the empire; and so great was the re- 
 in which he was held, and so sensible, too, had 
 the people now become of the importance of 
 some re volution in their manners, that they sub- 
 mitted with comparative cheerfulness to his 
 direction-. 
 
 .Put it was now too late to save the em 
 pire. Luxury and misrule had done their 
 work ; and, in the person of Valerian, Rome 
 \va- -liortly to suffer an indignity which would, 
 ere long, be visited upon herself. All the sur- 
 rounding nations, like birds of prey, seemed to 
 be hovering around her. Each successive 
 
256 EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 A Roman emperor enslaved. 
 
 assault which they made was more daring and 
 more destructive. They came, too, in such im- 
 mense numbers, and from so many different 
 directions, that the empire seemed to be upon 
 the brink of ruin. Valerian, consequently, find- 
 ing it impossible to devote himself any longer 
 to tin- labor of reforming the State, put on his 
 arm- and hastened forth to repel the invaders of 
 his eountry. 
 
 Intruding to his numerous generals the de- 
 of the Danube and the Khine, he placed 
 hiiiir-ell' at the head of a powerful army, with 
 the design of conquering Sapor, king of Persia, 
 who.-e operations in the East were threatening 
 tin 1 greate.-t injury to the empire. raing the 
 river Euphrates, he was deceived by tin- repre- 
 sentations of his IVa-torian pnei'ret, and impru- 
 deiitly marched i< . ,e tbund him- 
 
 self and hi> army in a ]>o>itin nn favorable for 
 intering the JYrMau monarch. In vain 
 did he endeavor to cut his way through the in- 
 numerable hosts that surrounded him. King 
 Sap<>r not only reduced his army to submi 
 but made the .Roman emperor a captive. 
 
 To humiliate, a- much as possible-, the Eo- 
 jnan empire, he compelled its armies, now 
 within his power, to select, as emperor, a vile 
 fugitive of Antioch, named Cyriades; then, 
 
DECLINE OF THE EMPIRE. 257 
 
 King Sapor and Valerian. 
 
 causing the aged emperor, Yalerian, to be 
 dressed in his imperial robes and loaded with 
 chains, obliged him to wait about his person 
 like the most abject slave. The cruelties and 
 indignities to which Yalerian was exposed seem 
 almost incredible. It is even said that the 
 haughty Sapor never mounted his horse with- 
 out stepping upon the neck of the kneeling 
 emperor in order to ascend . 
 
 Such, for seven years, was the ignominious 
 life which Valerian, the sovereign of the proud- 
 est empire in the world, was compelled to lead. 
 His subjects, intent upon their pleasures, lost 
 to all shame, and indifferent to the welfare 
 of the State, suffered the insignia of Roman 
 majesty to be trampled in the dust ; and Gal- 
 lienus, the heartless son of the fallen monarch, 
 secretly rejoicing in a misfortune which gave 
 him possession of the empire, refused to under- 
 take the rescue of his father, saying with barba- 
 rous coldness, that " since he had acted like a 
 brave man he was satisfied." 
 
 But while Gallienus, indifferent to every 
 thing except his own pleasures, was passing 
 his time in ease and luxury, and diverting him- 
 self in the company of buffoons, and infamous 
 persons of every kind, the enemies of the 
 empire were daily acquiring greater strength, 
 220 
 
258 KMPIRE OF KOME. 
 
 Gallns The Thirty Tyrants. 
 
 and committing more fearful depredations. 
 Province after province was captured and 
 plundered by tin- barbarians, and wheneyer the 
 news thereof was brought to Gallienus, he would 
 only reply to it with a jest. 
 
 It is not wonderful that, under such circum- 
 568, a -pi rants to the dominion of the State 
 should spring up on every hand. Xo less than 
 thirty, indeed, are said to have contended, 
 about this period, for the supreme p 
 They are known in history as the Thirty Tyrant-, 
 though there i- hut little intere-t in what they 
 did. IV .-ill, that his personal 
 
 jeopardy, GallienuB gare up, fora 
 
 season, his lite of ease and luxury, and took 
 the lield against his t'oes. It was to Milan that 
 he li: 1 his legions, for tin- jni: 
 
 of contending with one of the alx-ve-inen- 
 tioned tyrai. with a siu-ce^ful army, 
 
 threatened to fall upon "Uome. lie reached 
 the place occupied ly his rival, but before 
 coming to an nent, his own officers con- 
 
 spired to slay him. 
 
 P.i-t'oiv expiring, he was prompted to name, 
 as his successor, a general of great valor and 
 distinction, named Claudius. The choice was 
 cheerfully continued, both by the soldiers and 
 the Senate, and Claudius entered upon the du- 
 
DEC LINK OF THE EM PI UK. 
 Claudius His military operations. 
 
 ties of his exalted station with the confidence 
 and respect of all his subjects. The ambitious 
 leaders who had undertaken to usurp the em- 
 pire during the lite of Gallienus, were promptly 
 subdued; and, then, a powerful array wa- 
 to oppo.se the Goths, who, swarming all over 
 ad pilla. ';y <>f Athens, 
 
 and destroyed most of the monuments of ta-te 
 and learning which were there so numerous. 
 
 Claudius sent out, at the same time, numerous 
 check the progress of some three hun- 
 dred thousand barbarians, who had made their 
 way. in -hips along the river I )anul>e, and were 
 iding terror and devastation on every .-ide. 
 o savage invaders, notwithstanding their 
 superiority in numbers, were completely over- 
 thrown, and so many of them were taken 
 oners, that every province of the empire was 
 abundantly supplied with slaves. 
 
 Not long after tin's Claudius inarched against 
 the revolted Germans, and subdued them with 
 a terrible slaughter. Then lie undertook an 
 expedition against Tetricus and Zenobia, the 
 former of whom had usurped the dominion 
 of Gaul and Spain, while the latter had as- 
 sumed the title of Queen of the This 
 enterprise he was not permitted to prosecute. 
 A dreadful pestilence, then prevailing in Pan- 
 
260 EMPIRE OF HOME. 
 
 Death of Claudius Aurelian made emperor. 
 
 nonia, attacked him as he was pushing with his 
 army tlirongh the city of Sirmium. and he died, 
 a .-hort reign of twu years, to the great re- 
 gret of his subjects, and the irrcparahle injury 
 of the empire. 
 
 Anxious, however, that his great design of 
 givin to tlie empire should be prose- 
 
 cute. 1, he recommended Aurelian. then master 
 of the horse, as the most deserving of the 
 thm: Senate made some opposition to 
 
 this t>r (Juinctilius, the In-other of Claudius, 
 claimed the Miccc-siou, and wa> permitted to 
 a nine the in-igi ilty. Hi> reign C"ii- 
 
 tinne(l, however, hut n days, wlieii he 
 
 withdrew iVoin the cares of government, and 
 put a termination to his own 1 
 
 Aurelian, who was now acknowledged r m 
 peror, applied himself, immedi:: . the 
 
 prosecution of the designs of Claudius. The 
 obstinate Goths, so long a tenor to the em 
 were Mibdued by him. Alter three 
 ments, lie Mieceeded in di'stmyinir the army of 
 the (iermans. who liad invaded Italy, 
 then, having marched wi-tward agaiust the 
 usurper Tetricu^, and recovered the ] 
 
 -f Gaul, Spain, and Britain, lie turned 
 his arms against Zenobia. the proud queen 
 of the East, who had long resisted the Ko- 
 
DECLINE OF THK ElfPlBE. 
 
 Zonobia qacen of the East. 
 
 mini power, aiui established an empire of her 
 own. 
 
 :id other portions of the Ro- 
 man dominions, acknowledged her supremacy, 
 ience, as well as the seat of her gov- 
 erinnent, was the opulent and splendid city of 
 Palmyra, which rose, like an island, from the 
 >andy deserts of Arabia. Here she acquired 
 and maintained a power that struck terror into 
 the 11. g, the so\viviirn< "f which, 
 
 in several instances solicited her friendship. 
 ; iad. indeed, the ambition to be the mis- 
 tress of the world, and might, perhaps, have 
 tinally succeeded, had she been opposed by a 
 prince of less resolution and ability than Aure- 
 
 Th> !,. already successful in subduing 
 
 the numerous enemies of the empire, as well as 
 in overthrowing a number of dangerous usurp- 
 ers, determined to recover from Zenobia the 
 provinces over which she had assumed author- 
 ity. Marching, therefore, into Asia, at the 
 head of a powerful army, he found the cities 
 and provinces through which he passed, ready 
 to acknowledge their allegiance. But Zenobia, 
 unwilling that he should advance to the very 
 gates of her capital without striking a single 
 blow in defence of her dominions, went forth, 
 
262 IFIRE OF KOMK. 
 
 Aurelian's expedition against Zenobia. 
 
 followed by her numerous legions, to give him 
 battle. The hostile armies met first at Autioch, 
 where Zenobia, notwithstanding the multitude 
 of her soldiers, and the talents of her general-, 
 i. Again they met at Kmcsa. at 
 which place fre.-h troops had been collected t<> 
 oppose the Roman emperor. A second time 
 ...liia now lied for safety to Pal- 
 myra, whither Aurelian followed her. and. after 
 laying siege to the city, made her j.ri-.ner. 
 She di>playrd a great deal of fortitude in the 
 
 of her conqueror, but when he 
 
 1 soldiers attributed their misfortun 
 
 her ambition, and demanded her execution, 
 
 \\-as so cowardly as to charge her conduct 
 
 to the counsel of her friends. To save her own 
 
 :iced the lives of those whom >he. 
 
 >hotild have 1; and it can never be 
 
 forgotten that amnir her innocent victim- was 
 
 tin- celebrated philosopher hnngimi>, wh-e 
 
 writings are read and admired even at the 
 
 :it day. 
 
 IVace having been thus restored to the eni- 
 . Aurelian undertook, now, by the m..>t 
 rOQfl mea-ures. to r, >train the dcefl which 
 had been, for so many year.-, permitted to 
 tlourivh umv>trained. Not contented with pun- 
 ishing licentiou>ne.-> and injustice, he attempted 
 
DEC LINK OF THE EMPIRE. 263 
 Death of Aurelian An Interregnum. 
 
 t<> interfere in matters of conscience, and thus 
 1 a vast amount of snUering among the 
 inoffensive Christians. But so l>arl>ar.u- were 
 the punishments which he inflicted upon th<e 
 incurred his displeasure, that a conspiracy 
 wa- iinally formed against him by his officers, 
 and ! e so common to his pre- 
 
 decessors, at the age of abon; . and 
 
 ly live. Thnso who liad 
 rj t< his death appeared to r< 
 ly, and united with the legion- in 
 praying the Senate t place him in the number 
 of the g< 
 
 JJnrin^ the eight months that lollouvd the 
 death >f Aiuvlian, the empire remained with- 
 out a sovereign, and, what i< vei-y remarkable, 
 nothing occurred to disturlj it.< peace. Various 
 reasons are assigned l>r | aonlinary in- 
 
 terregnum, the most probable of which is, that 
 no one felt a di >}>- it ion to seek an oflSce whose 
 occupant seldom failed to en< the assas- 
 
 sin's knife. The Senate, though fur some time 
 indisposed to make a choice, found tkemsel\v<, 
 at length, compelled to name some one as com- 
 mander of the armies now necessary to be led 
 against the Germans, wbo were beginning their 
 depredations in Gaul, as well as against the 
 Xing of Persia, who was evidently disposed to 
 
264: KM PIKE OF HOME. 
 
 Tacitus chosen emperor. 
 
 usurp the empire in the East. Convening 
 for this purpose, they elected, unanimously, 
 
 tin- .-enator Tacitus, a relative of the historian 
 of that name. 
 
 Tacitus was very unwilling to accept the 
 proffered dignity, and lie even left the city, in 
 urder to <. -scape the solicitations of the Senate 
 and the people. But his objections were finally 
 overcome, and although i; :ty-ii\v years 
 
 of age, he accepted the reins of government. 
 Hi- elevation to the throne wa< considered a 
 greattriunii.il on the part of the Senate, and 
 they even believed that they would no", 
 Mime their ancient authority, and that Home, 
 treed from the military despotism under which 
 it had been -<> long crushed, was destined to be 
 more flourishing than ever. 
 
 Tacit 11- began his reign by punishing, with 
 great -evcrity, those who had been engaged in 
 the murder of Aurelian. There wa< not, how- 
 ever. the*lea>t exhibition of cruelty COIIIH 
 with this, or any of his subsequent acts; and 
 his reign, had it been of sufficient length, 
 would have proved highly benelicial to the 
 Uoman empire. But he was too old to endure 
 the fatigues of ruling; and, within six months 
 after as-iiming the reins of government, he 
 died of a fever with which he was seized, 
 
DECLINE OF THI: KMPIRE. 
 
 Florlanus and Probus. 
 
 while inarching against the Persian- and 
 Scythians, wlio had invaded the ea>tern por- 
 tions of the empire. 
 
 For a few months following the death of 
 Tacitus, a civil war seemed to threaten the 
 empire, in consequence of its usurpation by 
 Floriumis, the brother of the deceased emperor. 
 Many of the legions promised to maintain his 
 cau-e, but a powerful opposition made against 
 them by the Senate, under the direction of 
 Probus, a general of great virtue and ability, 
 resulted in the death of Florianus, and saved a 
 : mount of bloodshed. 
 
 The reign of Probus, which continued for a 
 space of more than six years, is remarkable 
 only for a series of wars with the numerous 
 barbarous nations which, for such a length of 
 time, had harassed the empire. The (Germans 
 in Gaul suifered terribly at his hands. The 
 Sarmatians, the Goths, and even the Persians, 
 were obliged to submit to his victorious arms. 
 And, in addition to all his victories over the 
 enemies of the State, he suppressed a number 
 of dangerous intestine commotions. But the 
 great restraint which he put upon the licen- 
 tiousness of his soldiers, irritated them so much 
 that they finally entered into a conspiracy and 
 slew him. Such, however, was their admira- 
 23 
 
KM TIRE OF HOME. 
 
 FurthtT usurpations of the soldiery. 
 
 lion of him as a general, that they riveted to 
 his memory a costly monument, with thi- 
 scription : ''Here lies the emperor Prohus, 
 truly de-ei-vim: the name ; a subduer of barba- 
 . ami a conqueror of usurpers." 
 
 On the death uf J'mhus, the Roman soldiery 
 roiimed the authority which they had, now, 
 for some time, quietly accorded to the Sei 
 They determined t make an emperor of their 
 own number, an-i. v, selected Carus, 
 
 the Pnetorian prefect, who, on a<- t' his 
 
 advanced age, associated with him-elf hi- 
 sons, Carinus and Numerian. II . iio\v- 
 
 . as well as that of his two sons, was so 
 .-hort and undi-i' d, as scanvly to 
 
 a menti--:!. 1 ! to have been a 
 
 brave and aeeonipli-hed -oldivr, \\>r hi- had 
 hardly a-eended tho throne, when he was 
 obliged to march out aira . who 
 
 i airain to oppo- 
 
 of Ctoiphon was the scene of a bloody battle 
 between him and the IVr-ian kinir, over whuin 
 he would. dOUhtieOB, ha\r ..l.taiiu-d a complete 
 
 pj, had he not bren >trnck dead in hi- 
 >hortly after his iirst >uccess. 
 
 Numerian, the younp-r son of Carus. could 
 not be consoled ibr the loss of his lather, and 
 he, him.-elf. was doubtless assa^inaied by 
 
DECLINE OF THI; KM PIKE. 
 
 Dioclcaian chosen emperor. 
 
 Arius Aper, the 1'nvtorian pra-t'ect. who hoped 
 
 thus t> obtain the empire. But the indiirnu- 
 
 ti.m of the army was so great when they 
 
 I the treachery of Aper, that they 
 
 ed to give him their support, and chose, for 
 empenr, C.Valerius Dioclesian,a man of mean 
 birth, but a very successful general, who slew 
 Aper with his own hand. 
 
 clesian found himself securely seated on 
 the throne, after overcoming Carinus, the re- 
 maining son of Cams, whose pretensions to 
 the i support. 
 
 Then associating with himself, on the throne, 
 Valerius Maximian, a very rude, though 
 
 ageous soldier, lu- hi-iran t< ivpel the bar- 
 barians, who had, by this time, re-unied their 
 hostilities. Scarcely had quiet been restored in 
 (Jaul, when he was obli'iT'-d to inarch his armies 
 8 Achilleus, tlie governor, had 
 a uiiK-d the tit K- of emperor. Having punished 
 tlie rebels here, and condemned Achilleus to be 
 
 ;ired by lions, he was compelled to under- 
 take a long and difficult war in Afriea, where 
 the legions had revolted and seized upon the 
 public revenues. Difficulties arose about tlie 
 same time in Britain on account of the usurpa- 
 tion of Carausius, the commander there, who 
 proclaimed himself emperor ; and, indeed, on 
 
268 K M r i UK OF ROM I. 
 
 Dioclesian divides the empiro Persecution of the Christians. 
 
 e\vry hand 1. ed called upon to defend 
 
 the eni])irc either against barbarians or pre- 
 tenders. 
 
 . ievinir that, under these circumstance 
 
 tor him to have other a 
 
 in the task of government, besides ^laximian, 
 lit In of Ccesar upon (ialeriu-, 
 sill-named Armentarius, and upon (V>nstantinus 
 Chlnrus, two generals of distinguished merit. 
 To the.-e twoCsesars an equal slian- ..t'thi- 
 
 : authority was i:\\> :s as- 
 
 sumiiiL r inwards them *!,. ehara-ter f lather 
 Diocle-ian adnj.tin^ (ialerins, and Maximian 
 adnptiiiLr < 'n<taiitins. Tlie-e i'nur - 
 then divilel the empire 1 liiem. ( Jaul, 
 
 Spain, ai i tn ('.. 
 
 : and tlie Illyrian pn-vi! e placed 
 
 under the pmtectinii <!' (Valerius. 
 
 Tin- empire, though imw apparently well 
 iruarded. \va-. neverihele--. liara-sed in a tearful 
 manner by the barbarians of the north, who 
 watelu-d opportunity t> eommit their 
 
 ra\a-i'-. Hut the sn tiering wrought in this 
 way, were ii'^tliin^ fnmj.aivd with the la-t 
 Of the Christians which occurred 
 about this time. It exceeded in severity any 
 other that had pivvi<>ii>ly taken place. So 
 great, indeed, was the barbarity with which 
 
DECLINE OF THE EMPIRE. 
 
 Diocleaian and Maximian resign their power. 
 
 these inoltensive persons were pursued, that 
 it is related on an ancient inscription, that 
 " the government had effaced the name and 
 superstition of the Christians, and had re- 
 stored and propagated the worship of the 
 gods." 
 
 In the midst of this persecution the two 
 oldest emperors, Dioclesian and Maximian, 
 
 d the greatest astonishment by laying 
 aside their imperial robes, and going into pri- 
 
 lil'e. ('nn-tantius and Galerius agreed, at 
 
 to divide the empire b< hem, but 
 
 finding themselves unequal to the task of gov- 
 erning it, even under such an arrangement, 
 
 concluded, in imitation of their late col- 
 leagues, to take two partners under the title of 
 Caesars. Maxim in and Severus were, accord- 
 ingly, invested with this dignity. 
 During the second year of his reign, Con- 
 sent to Britain, and took up hi 
 deuce at York. Here he continued lor some 
 time in the practice of every virtue. A 
 sickness overtaking him, he sent for his son, 
 Constantino, to whom he bequeathed the em- 
 pire, saying " that none but the pious Con- 
 stantine should succeed him." 
 
 Galerius, his colleague, was very much en- 
 raged at the appointment of Constantine, and 
 23* 
 
270 EMPIRE OF ROMK. 
 
 Maxcntius. 
 
 declared that Severus sliould enjoy the authority 
 
 in his sU.-al. Another pretender named Maxrn- 
 tius immediately arose, and in a short time the 
 empire was filled with the most frightful dis- 
 sensions. 
 
ROME ABANDONED. 
 
 FBOU 306 TO 337, A. D. 
 
I >i VISION of the empire Rome taxed like a province 
 Rebellion of the people Attempts to punish tin::. 
 < IDJM tors at the same time Maximin and Constai. 
 ( iu ity of Maxentius Constantino marches against lam- 
 Bis success throughout Italy Maxentius opposes him in 
 person Vision of Constantino EOs great battle with Max- 
 He enters Rome The Praetorian guards disbanded 
 Constantino, at peace The Goths Contest with huinius 
 :s The Council of Nice Constant it aes to 
 
 found a new capital Omens Building of Constantinople 
 Kapidity of the work Rome abandoned Death of Con- 
 stantino. 
 
X. 
 
 ROME ABANDONED. 
 
 IT was during the reign of Constantino that 
 tin* city of Rome, ceasing to be the capital of 
 the empire, was shorn of the glory which it 
 had so long possessed, and <1 t<> the posi- 
 
 tion of a subordinate to a power which it ha<l 
 originated, and at the head of which it had 
 stood for centuries. This is, then, a very promi- 
 nent point in its history, and one from which it 
 is int. to review its past, or proceed to 
 
 the study of those succeeding events connected 
 with its decay and downfall. 
 
 Constantine, at the time of his father's death, 
 was thirty-two years of age, and remarkable 
 for his vigor of body and mind. He is said 
 to have been of a tall and majestic figure, well 
 skilled in the use of arms, affable in his man- 
 ners, prudent in speech and conduct, and of 
 unbounded ambition. At this time, as already 
 
274: EMPIRE OF EOME. 
 
 The divisions of the empire Rome taxed. 
 
 stated, the empire was divided between three 
 or four individuals, who, with more or less 
 claim to authority, exercised the royal preroga- 
 tive in different quarters. The provinces of 
 Gaul, Spain, and Britain, received Constantine, 
 with acclamation, as the successor of his father 
 Constantius. Galerius claimed the mastery of 
 all the countries lying between the confines of 
 Italy and Syria; and subservient to his inter- 
 ests were Maximin, who was intrusted with 
 the sovereign command <>f Egypt and Syria, 
 and Severus, who was in possession of Italy and 
 Africa. 
 
 Tlic mormons sums of money which the ex- 
 travagance or avarice of Galerius required, 
 about this period, caused a heavy tax t<> bo laid 
 upon the whole ei up ire. 'Hie people of Home, 
 since the e>n.jih->t <>f Macedonia, had been ex- 
 empted in mi the burden of personal tax ; but 
 Galerius issued ;i command, from his palace in 
 Nicomedia, that Kmie should pay its propor- 
 tion of the tribute, like any other city of the 
 empire. This insolent attempt to place Eome 
 in the position of a mere province, aroused the 
 indignation of both the Senate and the people. 
 The IVa-toriau. guards, too, looking upon it as 
 an indication of an approaching overthrow of 
 their authority, declared their willingness i<> re- 
 
ROME ABANDONED. 275 
 
 Rebellion at Borne. 
 
 sent the insult, and to draw their swords in 
 favor of any person whom the Senate might 
 choose to name as emperor. 
 
 A conspiracy, at the head of which were two 
 rian praefecN. wn* at once formed. All 
 those officers who preferred to acknowledge the 
 authority of Severn?, emperor of Italy, and of 
 his colleague, or rather his master, Galeriu^, 
 emperor of A>ia, were put to death; and Max- 
 entius,the son of the emperor Max! mian, was ele- 
 i to the throne by the united voice of the 
 Senate, the Praetorian guards, and the people. 
 The old Maximian, who, it will be remem- 
 bered, had, some time previous, resigned the 
 empire, now came forth from his retirement, and 
 offered his great military talents in favor of his 
 son Maxentius. 
 
 Intelligence of the revolt was carried imme- 
 diately to Galerius, and in accordance with his 
 advice, Severus marched towards Home at the 
 head of an immense army, in order to subdue 
 the rebellious city. But when he arrived, a 
 large portion of his troops deserted him, and 
 he was forced to take refuge in Ravenna, where 
 an asylum was offered to him. Thither Maxi- 
 minian marched with a numerous force, and 
 laying siege to the city, succeeded, at length, in 
 making Severus his prisoner. The unfortunate 
 
276 KMPIBE OF ROME. 
 
 Attempt to punish the rebellious city. 
 
 man was taken to Rome, and, not long after- 
 wards, put to death. 
 
 Maximian, now Imping to strengthen the 
 cause of Maxentius by an alliance with Con- 
 stantino, who was in quiet possession of the 
 rn provinces, crossed the Alps with -his 
 daughter I:'au>ta, whom he offered tu give in 
 marriage to this emperor. Constantino accept- 
 ed the oiler; but, while he thus appeared toes- 
 ise of Rome and of the Senate, he 
 determined to remain, for the present, a 
 tator of the contest which was inevitable be- 
 
 n ( Valerius and Maxentius. 
 In the mean time, (ialcrius, intrusting the dc- 
 of the Danube to his friend Licinius, 
 .1 InniM-lf at th-- head of a powerful army, 
 and marched toward- tor the purp" 
 
 4' the death <f Severus, and punishing 
 
 tlu rebellious city. Jle found, however, that it. 
 
 obtain n 
 
 through Italy. V. ' y sent out its hosts to 
 
 oppo.-e- his pngiv>s, and he was forced to make 
 an ignominious retreat, or incur the risk of 
 sharing the fa to of Severus. 
 
 Reaching his capital in safety, and still 
 hoping to accomplish his purpose, he imme- 
 diately appointed Licinius to the throne ren- 
 dered vacant by the death of Severus. But 
 
ROMK A.BANDONKD. L'77 
 
 >l>erors at the same time. 
 
 Maximin, the governor of Kgypt and Syria, 
 having been informed of this appointment, was 
 filled with jealousy, and Galerius was com- 
 pelled to grant to him also the title of emperor. 
 Maximian, the father of Maxentius, liad like- 
 
 ivMimed tin' imperial emblems which he 
 had once laid a>ide\ and thus the attair- of the 
 Unman world were administered, at the same 
 time, hy six ditleivnt emperors : in the V 
 by C''in>tantine. .Maximian, and Maxentius; 
 and in the East, by Galerius, Severus, and 
 
 :us. 
 
 Max*:: 1 !!;-, relieved, by the retreat >f <. 
 rius. ot'llu- anxiety which lie felt for the perma- 
 nency of his power, now became impatient 
 of the control of his father, Maximian. ^ 
 love of authority seemed to increase with 
 his many years. After a vain trial <>f 
 
 lient to get rid of the old man's -inter- 
 fere* nee, he finally appealed to the Pnvtnrian 
 guards, who decided that Maxim ian was not 
 the legal sovereign of Italy, and compelled him 
 to leave the country. lie went first to Illyri- 
 cum, but being driven thence by Galerius, he 
 departed to the court of his son-in-law. C'on-tan- 
 tine. Here he was well received, and here he 
 might have lived in peace, had not his uncon- 
 querable love of power prompted him to an act 
 
 24 
 
MM PI RE OF IwOMK. 
 
 Maximian and Constantine. 
 
 as absurd a- it was deU-table. Taking advan- 
 tage, atone time, of the absence of Constantine, 
 who was compelled to lead his army against 
 the hostile Franks, he caused a report to be 
 ,;d that Constantine was dead, and there- 
 upon ascended the throne, and seized upon the 
 public trea-mv. l>ut his usurped authority was 
 oiViiMi-t duration. Constantine soon reappeared. 
 and Maximian. unable to retain the imperial 
 pM\ver. lied, but was MH.H after captured and 
 put to death. 
 
 ThOB fell the oldest <f the-e m mporarv 
 
 emperon. (lah-rius wa> not destined to sur- 
 liim lung: he r his 
 
 at i'n>ni Italy. .f a loathsome - vliich 
 
 reiidei\-<l him an object too disgust mir to be- 
 hold. Hisdcath , jealousy, at once, 
 between Maximin and Severn-, wlm bnth 
 
 dominions which he left. They 
 made pivparatinn Me their claims by an 
 
 appeal to <mns, but linall : to divide the 
 
 territories rnverlu'd by(ialerius. They, how- 
 ever, becanu- enemies. Licinius connected him- 
 self witli Constantine. and "Maximin entere<l 
 into ; . alliance with Maxentins. 
 
 It was not long before the people of II 
 bewail to sutler at the hands of Maxentius al- 
 
 D 
 
 all the horrors that had been inflicted up- 
 
ROME ABANDONED. 
 
 Cruelty of Maxcntius His insolent conduct towards his colleagues. 
 
 on them by their former tyrants. Towards the 
 Senate, especially, did lie manifest an implaca- 
 ble hatred. He exerted from them immense 
 sums of money, to..k pleasure in exposing them 
 to insult and contempt, and even caused a great. 
 number of them to be put to death. On a cer- 
 tain occasion, he gave np the people to be 
 slaughter -nan guards, and mul- 
 
 titudes fell in the very heart of the city, Dot 
 by the arn>\vs and spears of the barbarian-, 
 but by ' 'heir fellow-citi/en-. 
 
 But it was not Rome, alone, that suffered 
 from his brutality. All Italy, delivered up to 
 the lie-en- and plunder of his merciless 
 
 troops, Wftfl tilled with indescribable wretched- 
 ;-lendid villas of unoffending no- 
 blemen were bestowed upon his military favor- 
 ites, and the wives of distinguished senators 
 en to his soldiers. He. himself, in- 
 closed within the walls of his palace, and pro- 
 tected by his inhuman legions, passed the time 
 in debauchery, and boasted that the emperors 
 Constantino, Maximin, and Licinius, were his 
 lieutenants, to whom he had intrusted the de- 
 fence of his distant provinces. 
 
 The empty boasts of a drunken braggadocio 
 received but little attention from these princes 
 of the empire ; but, when, at length, he caused 
 
280 KMPIKE OF KOME. 
 
 Constantino marches against Maxentius. 
 
 the statues of Constantine to be thrown down, 
 under pretence of revenging the death of his 
 father Maximum, whom he himself had perse- 
 1 and banished from Italy, he took a step 
 which resulted in his destruction. 
 
 Constantine did not immediately collect his 
 armies and march forth to Rome to punish 
 "Maxell tins, but simply sent ambassadors to ob- 
 tain from him some apology for his conduct. 
 This, however, he refused to give, and even be- 
 gan to collect a powerful army, with which lie 
 threatened to overrun Gaul, and force Constan- 
 tine to surrender his dominio 
 
 Con-tantine, in the mean time, having been 
 strongly urged by the Senate and people to 
 deliver Rome from this detestable tyrant, de- 
 termined to march his legions into the heart of 
 Italy. This In* knew would be a very diihYult 
 undertaking, tor his armies were only about 
 half as numerous as i Maxentius. and it 
 
 was aeceflBftly for him, moreover, to leave a 
 large number of legions to defend the Rhine. 
 IK 1 wa- sure, however, that the tnn.ps, of Koine, 
 enervated by indulgence and luxury, and long 
 unused to war, would need to be vastly superior 
 in numbers, in order to compete with the hardy 
 of Gaul. Setting out, then, at the 
 head of about forty thousand soldiers, he 
 
M i; A 11 AN HONED. 281 
 
 Success of Constantino in Italy. 
 
 marched to encounter an enemy that consisted 
 of more than a hundred and fifty thousand. 
 
 Before Maxentius had received intelligence 
 of his coining, Constantino had already crossed 
 the Alps, and appeared before the city of Susa, 
 ovr-r the high walls .of which his soldiers clam- 
 
 1, amidst a shower of stones and arr 
 and, with s\v<>rd B ', compelled the gar- 
 
 Maxnitins to yield. From Su.-a, he 
 direr- -ourse to the plains of Turin, win-re, 
 
 minn-rous legion* had been sent to meet him. 
 Falling upon these witji unexpected fury, he 
 succeeded. n<t simply in putting them to flight, 
 bnt in cutting them to pieces, in a most fearful 
 manner. Tlu-n he took possession of Milan, 
 and, indeed, of all the cities of Italy between 
 and the river Po. 
 
 With a view to making his entrance into 
 Rome still more certain, he delayed his march 
 thitherward. l'r the purpose of freeing himself 
 from an immense army which held the city of 
 Verona and the province of Venetia. In order 
 to do this, he was obliged to undertake the 
 siege of Verona, which, on account of the pe- 
 culiar position of the place, was a very difficult 
 and dangerous task. His first attempts were 
 unsuccessful ; but the general of Maxentius was 
 finally defeated by the superior skill of Con- 
 
 24 
 
EMPIRE OF HOME. 
 
 Maxentius Induced to oppose Constantino. 
 
 slant ine, and Yerona surrendered, and its gar- 
 rison became prisoners of war. 
 
 Although thus lar at every step successful, 
 Constantino had much to do, for Maxentius 
 could still command soldiers arid treasures 
 almost unlimited. Tin's miserable sovereign 
 had, as yet, paid but little attention to the 
 rapid progre.-s of his fortunate rival, and rely- 
 ing. probably, upon his boundless resources and 
 the valor of the Pnetonan guard-. lie continued 
 to pa.-< bis time in the pleasure.** and amu>e- 
 
 ments to which he had l>e-n BO long devoted. 
 
 Uut hi- ucceeded, at last, in aroii>ing 
 
 him to the danger of hifl p".-itinn; and in this 
 tbey were not a little aided by the indignant 
 clamors of th . who began to a.-semble 
 
 about, the palace gates, and loudly charge the 
 emperor with cowardice and indolence. 
 coupled his name with e\> ithet, 
 
 and even made the circus resound with their 
 bitter rep 
 
 Thus induced -t make a desperate effort in 
 behalf of his tottering power, Maxentius raised 
 another powerful army, and, taking Command 
 <f it in person, went forth to meet his enemy. 
 Constantine, if we- may believe the historian 
 bins, felt, now, the utmost confidence that 
 Koine would fall, without difficulty, into his 
 
HOMK ABANDONED. 
 
 n of Constantino. 
 
 hands. He had, in tlio course of his maivh, 
 according to that historian, seen a vision, in 
 which u bright cross appeared in the heavens 
 bearing, in the Greek language, this inscription : 
 * L\ THIS :i. !" IVrplexcd by a circum- 
 
 stance so extraordinary, he had recourse to the 
 learned men around him, b..:h I'agan and 
 Christian. The former pronounced ir an in- 
 . portending the most untbrtu- 
 nate events; tin- latter maintained that it was 
 an indication that hU cause would receive- the 
 : of Heaven. 
 
 Di-ji'i-i-d to adopt the interpretation nio-t 
 
 lavurablo to him-c-if, Constantine made a public 
 pr"tui.M of ( 'hri-tianity ; and, causing a royal 
 Mandard to In- ma-; 'iibling the 
 
 which he had seen in the heavens, c<inniandc<l 
 it to be carried before him, in tin- war-, as an 
 en-ign of victory and celestial pmti-ftion. Thus, 
 the first of the Roman emperors who had aban- 
 doned pa. for Christianity , he now 1. 
 his march towards Rome, expecting that the 
 cowardly Maxentius, shutting himself up within 
 its walls, would compel him to besiege and, 
 perhaps, destroy this great and magnificent city. 
 How great was the surprise of Constantine, 
 when, arriving within nine miles of Eome, he 
 saw, stretched out all along the plains which 
 
284 K M. F IKE O F K O M E . 
 
 His great battle with Maxentius. 
 
 bordered the Tiber, the innumerable hosts of 
 Maxentius waiting to receive him. They were 
 well arranged for fighting, but, with their backs 
 to the river, it was impossible for them to fly. 
 CoQstantine, surveying the ground with his 
 well-trained eye, disposed his troops for battle. 
 The post, of honor and of danger was selected 
 for himself; and, putting on his most splendid 
 armor, he charged, in person, the cavalry of 
 the enemy. Such was the vigor of his attack, 
 that tln-y speedily gave way, and left the in- 
 fantry wholly unprotected* Legion after legion 
 of the-e now began t desert the detested Max- 
 entins, leaving the Pnetorian guards almost 
 alone to defend his cause. The guards, who 
 could not hope, for any mercy from Constantino, 
 fought with desperation, and fell, on all sides, 
 by hundreds and by thousands. Finding, at 
 length, that death was inevitable, the broken 
 troops of Maxentius fled precipitately into the 
 river, whose surface was soon covered by their 
 lifeless bodies. Maxentius himself, hoping to 
 escape to the city, attempted to cross the Mil- 
 vian bridge ; but the structure, unable to sup- 
 port the crowd that accompanied him, gave 
 way, and he fell to the bottom of the stream, 
 whence his body was recovered on the follow- 
 ing day, and exposed to the people. 
 
ROME ABANDONED. 285 
 
 Constantino enters Rome. 
 
 Constantino entered the city and took posses- 
 sion of the imperial palace; but his profession 
 of Christianity did not prevent him from putting 
 to death the two sons of Maxentius, and care- 
 fully extirpating his -whole race. He did not, 
 however, exhibit, otherwise, any unnecessary 
 cruelty. The Roman people demanded of him 
 a great many victims, but he refused to punish 
 any who were not fully convicted of the charges 
 brought against them. Persons who had been 
 unjustly banished <>r imprisoned during the pre- 
 ceding reign, were restored to their rights. 
 The Senate received the promise that they 
 should enjoy again their ancient dignity and 
 privileges ; and, as a grateful return, they 
 granted to Constantino the first rank among 
 the three emperors who now governed the Ro- 
 man world. Games and festivals were also in- 
 stituted in honor of his victory, and numerous 
 edifices were dedicated to him. 
 
 Although Constantine spent but a very short 
 time in Rome, he succeeded in correcting many 
 abuses which had been encouraged by his pre- 
 decessor. The Praetorian guards, whose num- 
 bers and privileges were greatly increased by 
 Maxentius, had resumed all their former haugh- 
 tiness. "No sooner had Constantine taken pos- 
 session of the city, than he caused the remnant 
 
286 K M PIKE OF Ko M E . 
 
 The Prsetorian guards disbanded. 
 
 of tliese soldiers to be banished to the frontiers 
 of the empire; and the fortified camp which 
 they had so long occupied, to be levelled to the 
 ground. 
 
 It was not long after Constantino's entrance 
 intu Italy, that the death of Maximin reduced 
 tin- number of the Roman emperor.- to three. 
 .Not discouraged by the fate of Maxentius, with 
 whom lu- was in alliance. Maximin undertook 
 to increase hi- dominion- by a war upon Licin- 
 ius, the Illyrian emperor. His iinineiise army 
 wa- cut to piece-, and he, liim>elf, within 
 three months after, died, probably, from 
 the- chagrin attending the failure of his enter- 
 prise. 
 
 Although the e dominions of the 
 
 remaining emperon, ('"iistantine and Licinius, 
 
 thu- very much augmented, they were 
 jealous of each other's power, and willing to 
 Jind M>me pretext for toting each other's 
 strength. It was not long before Constantino 
 found sullicient rea>on for war. in the indignities 
 which had been otl'ered to the statues erected to 
 his hoinr along the frontiers of Italy. Two 
 battles were subsequently fought; one, near 
 Cibalis, a city of Pannonia, and another on the 
 plain of Manila in Thrace. Licinius lost in 
 both, and sued for peace. It was granted to 
 
ROME ABANDONED. 
 
 Constantino at peace The Gothsi 
 
 him, but his dominions were confined to Thrace, 
 Asia Minor, Syria, and Egypt. 
 
 A peace of eight years, between these two 
 jealous emjx' ued. During this time 
 
 itantine employed liimself in amending the 
 already e>tahli>hed, and in enacting such 
 others a< In- ! i->seiitial to the public 
 
 good. In the mean time the Goth-, who had 
 rapidly i: i in strength and numbers, in- 
 
 curred his displea>mv. His legions wn 
 
 Oft them, and alter a number of blo"dy hat- 
 :hey were c impelled to purcha-e an ign<>- 
 minioiH peace. Nt C"iitented with this, In- iv- 
 snlved t> puni-h other barbarous nations that had 
 invaded the Roman territories ; and to this end, 
 repairing the bridge built by Trajan across the 
 Danube, he to<>k a terrible revenge upon the 
 enemies of the empire. 
 
 The great - 1 :iich followed the arms of 
 
 Constantino in these wars upon the barbarians, 
 strengthened him, no doubt, in his determina- 
 tion to become the sole ruler of the Roman 
 empire. Licinius, his rival, was now becom- 
 ing advanced in age, and there was a strong 
 probability that he would make but a feeble 
 resistance to an army fresh from the field of 
 victory. Without a shadow of provocation, 
 Constantino prepared to march against him ; 
 
288 K M P 1 R E OF II M K . 
 
 Contest between Constantine and Licinlus. 
 
 but the old emperor, though startled by the in- 
 telligence, resolved that he would make a 
 desperate defence of the comparatively small 
 dominions which still remained to him. 
 
 Summoning, then-fore, the. great, energy that 
 h;ul characterized his earlier days, he collet-ted, 
 with incredible promptness, an immense army 
 of a hundred and iifry thousand foot, ami lifteen 
 thousand liorse, together with a fleet of three 
 hundred and iifty galleys. Ascertaining that 
 tin- army of ('onstantinc. somewhat inferior in 
 numbers to his own. was approaching the city 
 of Hadrianople, !. 1 a fortified cam]) 
 
 in the vieiniry of that ])lace. According 
 to his expectation-, ( '"ii>t:int ine directed his 
 march towards him. For several days the 
 hostile armies remained in sight of each other, 
 with scarcely any exhibition of the enmity 
 subsisting between their iv-peetive leaders. 
 
 :5us was finally drawn from his adva' 
 oils position, and ( 'onstantine. sei/.in^ the oppor- 
 tunity, tell upon him with such fury that thirty- 
 two thousand of his men were .-lain, his camp 
 taken, and he himself compelled to fly l'r 
 refuse within the walls of Byzantium. 
 
 Determined to improve the advantage thus 
 acquired, ('onstantine irave directions that his 
 fleet should force the passage of the Hellespont, 
 
ROME ABANDONED. 289 
 
 Success of Constantino. 
 
 which was under the protection of the power- 
 ful arniaincnt of Licinins. A naval en- 
 incut accordingly took place, which at the end 
 of two days resulted in the destruction of one 
 hundred and fifty of the vessels of Licinius, to- 
 gether with five thousand of his men. Artifi- 
 cial mounds of earth were then constructed 
 around the walls of Byzantium, and from the 
 rs erected thereupon, -tones and darts were 
 thrown upon the inhabitants. 
 
 Licinius, escaping from the city, fled to 
 Chalcedon in A>ia. But determined not to 
 surrender to his rival, he rai>ed an army of 
 sixty thousand men, which he conveyed to 
 ( 'hrysnp.ilis, on the IJosphonis, opposite to By- 
 zantium. Oonstantine, crossing over the strait 
 in small . gave him battle, and after 
 
 slaughtering twenty-five thousand troops, forced 
 him to sue for peace. This was granted on 
 condition that he should resign all hi- preten- 
 sions to the throne. Having accepted the ten 1 1 s, 
 Licinius was permitted to take the hand of 
 Constantine, and was subsequently sent to 
 Thessalonica, where he was soon after put to 
 death, under pretence that he had entered into 
 a conspiracy with the barbarians. 
 
 The Christian Church, which, previous to the 
 triumphs of Constantine, had been harassed 
 26 
 
KMPIKK OF ROMK. 
 
 Arius The Council of Nice. 
 
 only by tin- peraecotiona of paganism, no sooner 
 
 found itself firmly established, than it became 
 divided apiin-t itself. Arius. a presbyter of 
 Alexandria, and a man of irreat learning and 
 eloquence, oppo-in^ the doctrine that the S..n 
 of God was co-eternal with the Father, incurred 
 the indignation of his bi-hop. and was excom- 
 niunicated by a council of the cler. 
 tirinir int.. Pah-tine, he succeeded by means 
 of his extraordinary talent- in making many 
 c<.n verts to liis views, amoni: wlmm was the 
 distin^ui-hiMl hi Kiisebius, bishop >f 
 
 Nii-.-media. 
 
 T<>rn by intestine anim<ity ani ioDS, 
 
 the Church "f Christ prWODte^ thus early, an 
 illustration of the evil- of ii)t,,h-rance, as well as 
 a .-trikiiiL .'human fallibility. 0<m- 
 
 .-tantinr.althoiiLrh unskilled in ivliiri"ii- matter-, 
 i. with more >hrewdm-ss than the c!i- 
 tendinir Fathers, that a " IK-U-I- <livi(h-d airain>t 
 itself cannnt stand." Convi-nin^. tip 
 euuncil of more than three hundred bishops 
 at Nice, he attended in peisou, and order- 
 ing their mutual complaints to be j 
 to him, he took the papers, and. in the pn - 
 of the assembled cleriry. committed them to the 
 ilanu exam]le of moderation and for- 
 
 bearance was, however, attended by no good 
 
EtOME A r. AN DON ED. 291 
 
 Constantine detenninee to found a new capital. 
 
 effect. A large majority of the council a- 
 to excommunicate Arius as a heretic, and lie 
 wa- lanishe<l into Illyricum. Some time after- 
 wards, Constantine insisted upon receiving 
 Arius again into communion, and a day was 
 lixed for tlie solemnity ; but, before the day ar- 
 rived, Arius died, according to some, by poison, 
 and according to Othen, in answer to the prayers 
 of his enemies. 
 
 AVhile Constantine was laboring zealously in 
 behalf "f Christianity, he did not forget the 
 other interests of the empire. Intent upon e\- 
 'ng his troops, and upon regulating the 
 affairs of the provinces, he had, since the cap- 
 ture of Jti.me. biv-n constantly moving through 
 ditl'erent parts of his dominions, making his oc- 
 ' of residence, sonu-times, Treves, 
 and at other time-, Milan, Aquileia, Sirmium, 
 -us, or Tbessalonica. Being now the mas- 
 rld, and without a rival, he re- 
 solved to build a capital for his empire more 
 central than Rome, and in every respect equal 
 to that famous city. 
 
 The spot which he first chose for this purpose 
 is said to have been Chalcedon, in Asia Minor ; 
 but, in laying out the ground plan, we are 
 informed that an eagle caught up the line, and 
 flew with it to Byzantium, the city which he 
 
!K. 
 
 Omens Uuililinir of Constantinople. 
 
 had he-ieged during the COlltest with Licinius. 
 In another account of the founding of the new 
 capital, it is related that one night, while 
 
 antine was sleeping within the walls of 
 iJy/antium, the tutelar genius of the city. a 
 
 rahle matron howed diwn with years and 
 infirmities, appeared to him in a vision, and 
 
 Hiddddy transformed into a : 
 maid, whom he adorned with all the emhlems 
 of imperial givatii'- . Interpreting this a- an 
 indication from Heaven; ntium should 
 
 he tin- capital of his empire. ; 1 that he 
 
 immediately hegan the work of enlarging a'nd 
 adorning it. 
 
 The city in ' | itinople in honor 
 
 of th- T, the griiins ami lahor of v. 
 
 Mihjeets, throtigliout all the empire, wen- called 
 
 into re.jui-ition in order to make 1 it the metrop- 
 
 \orld. An incredihle amount of 
 
 money wa- expended in rearing it- pro,ii^inns 
 
 ; and the cjuarne- and forestfl of the 
 
 neighboring region were stripped to furnish ma- 
 
 terials for its palace.- and temples. The cities 
 
 .recce and Asia were rohhed of their 
 choice-! monuments, the .-tatucs of their [ 
 the trophies of their heroefl and the fine-t pro 
 ductioiis of their artists, in order to add splen- 
 dor to t. [e of the future rulers of the 
 
ROM K A BANDON !: i>. 
 
 Tlio rapidity of the work. 
 
 empire. Schools of learning, churches, pub- 
 lic halls, theatres, circuses, baths, and p 
 for every species of amusement were 66 
 lished. 
 
 Tin- work of building was can with 
 
 extraordinary rapidity ; and the walls, porticoes, 
 and principal edilic completed in a 
 
 very linMied. the 
 
 I in the : .-inn manner; 
 
 and afterwards, on the annual return >f its 
 birthday, the image of Constantine. p! 
 upon a car. and accompanied by 
 
 ihroiigh the Hippodrome, 
 
 % where e\vry liMi..r was paid to tlie t'oimder of 
 th<- 5 
 
 not entirely stripped 
 
 lants in order to people this new 
 
 ;iing wa<, h- .done. 
 
 by Coii-tantine to encourage the removal 
 thither of the noble and wealthy families of the 
 empire. !! JV:red to his favorite- the mag- 
 nificent ]>alaees which he had built in 
 quarter of the city; and, gradually, the opuK-nt 
 senators of Ronie. and of the eastern prov: 
 adopted the new residence of the emperor. 
 The advantages to be derived from an abode 
 at the seat of government brought people, at 
 length, in crowds ; and finally it became neces- 
 
294: EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 Death of Constants ne. 
 
 sary to extend the limits of the city, in order to 
 accommodate its increasing population. Con- 
 stantinople, in short, concentrated the wealth 
 and nobility of the emphv, and Rome, the an- 
 cient mistress of the world, sank from her >u- 
 premacy. 
 
 The Goths finding that the old capital had 
 abandoned, fell upon it with redoubled 
 fury; and although Constantino was still able 
 t<> puni>h their incursion-, it wa- very evident 
 that the day was iut di.-tant when, not Rome, 
 alone, bir would be their prey. 
 
 Decay seemed to be written upon e 
 tliinir; i-veii the em: thoiiLrh eoiiirratu- 
 
 l.y amba^adors i'r..m Kthipiu a: 
 upon the peace and ; ' y of his irovern- 
 
 meiit. wa> t irra<lually I I <rf tho>e 
 
 an.imd him. The cle of his life wa> sullied 
 
 (rf eru.'lty ; and. after a 
 
 of thirtv : vain old man, whose 
 
 chief cmplm U to ad-.ni his pers.ni in 
 
 c..-tlv robes of >il"k. and to Btiuly all the arts 
 
 ;ed to in urder to conceal the ravni: 
 time. 
 
PART III. 
 
 QUKSTIONS. 
 
 I. THE BE<;i.\MN<; OF TliK KMI'IKK. 
 
 Pa'je 15. What happened upon the death of t'a-sar ? Who 
 usurped the govern UK nt .* Wh.v .railed' What 
 
 !;ice among the triuin 
 
 !>;. Wh-it is >aid Antony? What war was 
 
 brought about by Ant.-uy ' What is said of the bar 
 
 17. .''ction with the d-ath 
 of Antony .' W . ith upon t'i 
 
 18. Wliat plan was laid by Octaviin ' How di I 
 determine to dff at it ' l;--l;it<- th-- dlGU 
 
 l'.. What wastluM-omlitionof i What 
 
 - d(iiniiiin>? What had it d>u,,> lor art? 
 What was th- i-xt.-nt and p.pulation ' 
 
 K\. Wha- . etc.? Of its i 
 
 AVhat i-hanffe tiMik place in the conduct ol ' 
 
 Jl. How did he show his modi-ration .' Wh.v 
 it produce? What title WM i up"ii him, ami how 
 
 was he otherwise honored? How did these honur> 
 him ? 
 
 Hi*. In what way did he clieck immorality ? How did he 
 become a favorite among the people? What anecdote is 
 related of him .' 
 
 \V hat is said of his treatment of Cinna ? What of his 
 military skill ? 
 
 24. At what did he aim in his wars? Which was tho 
 
1-1 M i- 1 i. ii OM K. 
 
 Which the must fatal .' 
 lonjr diil hi- 
 
 \Vliat ivmarkalilf rv-nt t fourteen 
 
 his death .' In what year of the city did thi- 
 (M-riir ' W Jrs of Augi. 
 
 H.i-.v did i ily .' 
 
 \Vhoin did 
 
 What is : 
 li .' 
 
 J7. What : his will.' H<>\v was h.- h..i. 
 
 Wliat is said i,f his -"\ .rniuriit .' When did Til'i-rin- 
 
 iiil <>f him 
 
 .it lir.-t 
 
 Whom ilid 
 
 niani. -MX d-> ' I! 
 
 wiid i-: 
 
 Sd ' What \va> i 
 uiaii! 
 
 to him, and how did ; 1'i-o finally si;. 
 
 \\liat mosa^> did ( 
 
 1 l.-w w;is t 
 Wlia; 
 
 H"w ; ;dof the burial uf 
 
 .uxnieus? 
 
QUXSTIOX 
 
 What was the conduct of 'I What the md ..f 
 
 . 'lid Tiherius take as a o'lK .. 
 1 f .' 
 
 what ,li.l 
 What diiii. . ' What , 
 
 il..w did li.- propose to ruin the ehiMivu of (Ji-rmani- 
 
 >iid lie 
 go? Htiw did he omilurt him- 
 
 38. What was the . II. .w did 1, 
 
 against the chill; them.' 
 
 !low .lid Tii-Tius inui>h him.' Wh;.- M tlu- 
 
 >ple ? How wa> 
 
 40. How it became 
 
 family ' \\ 
 
 iiirini,' this 
 ' Was he, him 
 11. Wh.r 
 
 Whom tli-1 ;is his successor? H\v .11. 1 h-- 
 
 his pro;.. :. 
 
 !_' pend while he was r< 
 
 Senate ? How did Caligula mw act .' What cause oi 
 arose ? How was Caligula I 
 
 What 
 
 What was | 
 
 IL CALIGULA AND CLATOII 
 
 What 
 
 ' nfth.-i ..... I 1 ''-- <>i" th.- s..l.li 
 48. Of the n-L'M of Caligula.' How was ]i.- received at 
 
 ' How far (lid the j ' What was hi 
 
 duct at I:: 
 
 40. What corrections did he make ? How did he punish 
 
298 EMPIBE OF ROME. 
 
 Pilate ? What other evils did he correct ? In what way ' 
 was he honored ? How long did this reign of virtue con- 
 tinue ? 
 
 60. '\ o what did it give way ? ] h>w has he been excused .' 
 What was his first act of cruelty ? What others are related ? 
 .". 1 . How did he exhihit his vanity ? What is said of the 
 temple erected in himself.' How did he maintain his pre- 
 tensions to divinity '.' 
 
 iid of his prodigality? Of his table and 
 baths.' Of hit & YOlite horte ? Of other follies ? Of the 
 bridi:' 1 <>f 1'uteoli ? 
 
 To what did In- resort when his fortune was expended 7 
 OMi did h- adi.pt to Jill 1.'. How 
 
 the people affected i>y his eondiu-t ' How 
 
 id of his expedition against the Germans 
 and r.rit..; 
 
 ii-.w was he recelred by ih- Be&atef Wi, 
 
 Wli.. eonspired with him airainvt ( 'ali^ula .' 
 tlie plan of the e.>n>pirators ? What was 
 ess ' How lonu' did Caliirula i- 
 68. What became of his family ? - 
 bis name ' What did the Senate nn : 
 
 1 eoneerninu' the disc.. very of('laii<li I 
 
 H..W was he made emperor ' What I when 
 
 ftt! What is said of him ? How did he be- 
 ^in liis rei-ii ' 
 
 ',(. What puHie wnrks'did he undertake; 1 How did he 
 treat the provinces .' Wliat foreign con[iie.>ts did he under- 
 
 (',]. With what success ? Ho\\ I OQ his te- 
 
 turn .' What happened, in the mean time, in Britain .' 
 What is said of the Silui, 
 
 llelate \\hat is ^iiil of the war with Caractatus. What 
 beram 
 
 i;:*. How was he regarded in Rome? How treated l>y 
 
Q r i: s T i o N s . 
 
 riiuulius ? What was the result of the victory of Ostorius ? 
 
 What followed .' How did the emperor now behave ? To 
 
 wlioni did lie leave his affairs ? 
 
 i hy his advisers ? What 
 
 ! result ? H"\v was Claudius aif.'ct.-d l.y tin- I 
 ::illu< ? What followed the desertion of Camillas by 
 
 ops? 
 
 itc the story .f Cecina Petus. 
 
 What rruelti. > 'in the terrors of Claudius ? 
 
 What i-; related of his unconcern f 
 
 ;rred between Claudius and Mt-ssalina ? 
 Mi'ssalina ? What pul-lic d clarati<.n 
 did Claudius makr ' II'\v did lie krcp his : 
 
 hr first uink-rta; . ij.pina? In what 
 
 maun.T did sh- MOOeed ' H-w .lid -lu- tn-at r.ritaui.! 
 
 What oltarl- \vii-i in thr way of her ainl.ition .' In 
 what ' What was now the condition 
 
 of Claudia 
 
 still more ami 
 What did she ivM'hv t<. do ' How did she effect her pur- 
 
 III. THE LAST OF THE (LESAKS. 
 
 Page 7">. Wh; condition of the empire when 
 
 -. . nd. d tin- throne? What was the population of 
 th-' eity ' What is related of Nero's mother? 
 
 I'.y what in Nero made emperor? How did 
 
 he, at tii>t. treat Airrippina .' What advantage d'nl she take 
 of her po\\ 
 
 77. Who opposed her? And with what success? What 
 
 I of the first fi\ How was 
 
 Atcrippina alVected ? What did sin- determine to do? Whal 
 wa> the result of Nero's opposition t" 
 
 \Vhat threats di<l slie make 7 How was he atleeted 
 hy them ? In what way did he defeat Ai^rippina ? To what 
 did she then resort' How was she attain thwarted ? 
 
EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 71'. What change now took place in Xero ? What was 
 
 his conduct, and how was it regarded .' 
 
 80. How did lie treat his wife Oetavia? Whom did he 
 then many.' What was tin; conduct of A.srippina? To 
 what was lie in>ti^atcd ],y I'oppe.-i .' How did ho torment 
 his mother :' What attempts did he. make to destroy her .' 
 
 81. How was his plan regarded hy Seneca and Imrrhus ? 
 How was his horrilih; purpose linally accoin]ilished .' llelate 
 the circunistanees of Airrippina's death. 
 
 82. What took plac,- in the Senate? What is said of 
 
 love, of in 
 
 83. Of his fondness for chariot-driving ? Of his musical 
 performances .' How was he received hy tin: people ? 
 
 84. llelate what is said of his li<>t exhibition after leaving 
 
 What is said of his journey through <Ji< 
 >*>. How wa0 he IVOeiYed *i Viples.' Iirserihe his return 
 to Rome. When thetC aniu-emeiits failed to satisfy, what 
 did he next 
 
 86. ' ts of cruelty was he now guilty? What 
 it i> -i\eii of his l.iirninu- the . 
 
 87. Whom did he iOCQM of this enormity? What was 
 the result of this hase accusation? What distinguished 
 :ipo>ti. i d.-ath at this t'; 
 
 88. In what way did Nei tahlish his inno- 
 
 of the rebuilding of Rome ! Desciibe 
 
 his new pa!. D whom had Nero ch! -. d his 
 
 cruelty '. 
 
 89. What followed ry of a conspiracy B 
 
 him ? What distinguished men fell victims to his wrath ? 
 What is related of Seneca in connection with this con- 
 spiracy .' How did Nero ti. 
 
 i:elate the curcumstances attending thedeat i. 
 What were the further consequences of this conspiracy .' 
 
 11. What happened in the provinces of the empire? 
 What occurred amon.ic the P.ritons ? What took place 
 unions the .K'\^ 
 
QUESTIONS. 301 
 
 92. What is further related of Nero's enormities ? How 
 were they finally regarded? Who first declared against 
 him? 
 
 93. Who was proclaimed emperor ? Where was Nero, 
 and how was he affected by the revolt ? What afflicted him 
 most in the manifestoes of Vindex ? What did he do in 
 order to have revenge ? On returning to Rome, what was 
 his course ? 
 
 94. How did he behave in the Senate? What intelli- 
 gence reached Rome soon after ? How was Nero affected 
 by it ? What piece of extravagance did he contemplate ? 
 
 95. How did he prepare to meet his enemies ? What 
 other intelligence arrived in the midst of these prepara- 
 tions ? In what condition did Nero find himself ? 
 
 96. How did he seek to destroy himself ? What is related 
 of his flight ? What was his conduct at the house of Phaon ? 
 What was Phaon' s advice to him ? 
 
 97. What was the action of the Senate ? What effect had 
 itXipon Nero ? How did he behave ? In what way was his 
 death accomplished ? 
 
 98. At what age did he die ? How was the news of his 
 death received at Rome ? 
 
 IV. TRANSIENT RULERS. 
 
 Page 101. What followed the reign of Nero ? What was 
 the character of Galba ? How was he affected by his nomi- 
 nation to the throne ? 
 
 102. What occurred upon his approaching the city ? What 
 is said of his reforms ? 
 
 103. What name did he acquire ; and what was said of 
 him ? What circumstance seemed to prove his love of 
 money ? What may be said in his defence ? 
 
 104. What jealousies sprang up in the armies? What 
 was done by the armies in Germany ? How did he hope to 
 strengthen his position ? What is here said of Otho ? 
 
 105. Whom did Galba adopt as his successor? How did 
 
302 EMPIRE OF KOME. 
 
 Otho scheme for the throne ; and with what success ? What 
 followed the news of this revolt, and the report of Otho's 
 death ? 
 
 106. Relate the circumstances attending the death of 
 Galba. At what age did he die ; and how long did he 
 
 How was Otho treated by the Senate ? What effect 
 had this treatment ? 
 
 107. What were some of his first acts? What is related 
 of Yitcllius and the legions of Germany ? 
 
 108. What effect had the news of this revolt ? How did 
 Otho feel in regard to it ? What offer did he make to his 
 rival ? What course did he then pursue ? 
 
 109. Describe the conlli< D the armies of Otho 
 and Yitellius. What inrHent is here rela'. 
 
 110. What effect did it produce upon Otho ? What did 
 
 rs ? 
 
 111. (live an account of his death. How was the news 
 of it reeej\-ed by his soldi 
 
 11:2. Wli- it.-llius all this time? What action 
 
 was taken by the. Senate ? What were the words of Yitcllius 
 cm passing the lield win-re his army had recently triumphed ? 
 How did 1. 
 
 11:;. To whom did h<> intru-t affairs? To what did he 
 abandon him.-elf ' What is said of his meals, and mode of 
 eating .' What was the cost of his table for four months ? 
 
 111. Wh.> id his prodigality? How did he re- 
 
 plenish hi- How did he treat those who loaned 
 
 him money ? What in>tances are mentioned of his gross 
 widkedi 
 
 11"). What n'f.rt had his conduct? How did he become 
 the astrologers? How, and why, did 
 iher's death ? What was the result of his 
 mad behavior ? 
 
 110. What is said of Yespasian ? How was he made em- 
 peror ? What did he resolve to do on accepting the empire ? 
 
 117. What was the result of his contest with Yitellius? 
 
QUESTIONS. 303 
 
 How did Vitellius receive the news of his own defeat? 
 What did he conclude to do ? 
 
 118. By whom was Rome attacked? What festival was 
 in progress during the attack ? What was the conduct of 
 Vitellius 5 
 
 119. By whom was he taken ? How was he treated by 
 the soldiers .' How by the people ? In what manner was 
 he put to death ? At what age did he die, and what the 
 length of his reign ? 
 
 V. VESPASIAN AM) HIS SONS. 
 
 Page 123. Who succeeded Vitellius in the empire ? Where 
 was he when chosen emperor ? When was he born ? When 
 did he first attract n-!' 
 
 1-Jt. What offices did he receive under Nero? What 
 scheme was he obliged to abandon, by going to Rome ? To 
 whom did he intrust it ? How was he received at Rome? 
 
 111".. What is said of Titus? What was the condition of 
 the Jews \\hrn he attacked them? What then became of 
 their 1 With what success did they attack the 
 
 Roma: 
 
 111.'.. What did Titus now do ? How did he treat the in- 
 habitants ? How did they receive his offers ? What course 
 did lie now pursue ? 
 
 1 27. Who was Josephus ? On what mission was he sent ? 
 With what result ? What now took place ? How did Titus 
 then proct 
 
 128. Hw was Ji-nisal.-m finally taken? 
 
 129. How were the Jews affected by the destruction of 
 the temple ? What became of the city ? How long had the 
 siege continued ? How many perished with it ? How was 
 Titus received at Rome ? 
 
 130. To what did he and his father apply themselves ? 
 What public improvements did they make ? How did Ves- 
 pasian distinguish himself ? What is said of his patronage 
 of learning ? 
 
304 EMPIRE OF KOME. 
 
 131. What was the condition of the public treasury when 
 Vespasian began his reign ? What is said of the devotion 
 of Vespasian to the wants of the people ? Give an account 
 of his death. Who succeeded him upon the throne ? 
 
 l:;j. What had been the character of Titus? What ap- 
 pellation did he acquire ? To what did he apply himself? 
 
 133. What is related of his devotion to the good of others ? 
 What dreadful events occurred during his reign ? 
 
 134. What was the effect of his example? By what was 
 his death probably occasioned ? What did he declare when 
 about to die ? 
 
 How did the people regard Domitian ? How did he 
 manage to deceive them ? In what did he find his chief 
 pleasure ? How did lie amuse himself in private ? 
 
 the first object of his malevolence ? What 
 is said of his expedition against the Catti? How did he 
 treat Agricola ? 
 
 138. Give an account of his expedition against the Sar- 
 matians. What is said of his love of applause ? 
 
 139. What ii^tunos of his cruelty are mentioned ? How 
 was his cruelty augmented ? In what way did he punish 
 those accused of treason ? 
 
 140. What account is given of his attempts to frighten 
 the Senate ? 
 
 141. In what way did he guard himself against surprise? 
 How v. (-cautions rendered unavailing ? Relate the 
 
 i'-h led to a conspiracy against him. 
 ll'J. How was his death accomplish 
 
 VI. KXTKNMoX OF TIIK KM TIRE. 
 
 Page 147. How was the Senate affected by the death of 
 Domitian ? Who was declared emperor ? How did the 
 choice prove fortunate ? 
 
 148. To what was Nerva indebted for his elevation ? To 
 what did he devote his short reign? What is related of the 
 Praetorian bands ? 
 
QUESTIONS. 305 
 
 14',i. How did their conduct affect Xerva ? Whom did he 
 choose a> an associate in the government ? What is said of 
 Nerva's death ? What is said of Trajan and his family ? 
 
 150. What did he do when a lad ? What was the effect 
 of his early training ? How did he behave when made em- 
 peror ? What is said of his journey to Rome ? 
 
 }')!. What celebrated philosopher now lived in Rome? 
 Give the substance of Plutarch's letter to Trajan. 
 
 1 "_'. I low did was Trajan when he ascended the throne? 
 the principal reforms which he undertook. 
 What did he say concerning law-makers' What 
 .- only thing exceptionable in hi .' (Jive an 
 
 K.I. With what success did he attack them' How did 
 Trajan display his humanity .' What further dimculti- 
 he with th. 
 
 What prodigious structure did he erect ? Of what 
 service was it ' What was the result of Trajan's conquests ? 
 How was he instrumental in persecuting the Chris- 
 tians ? W i . . . mg the numbers put to death ? How 
 were t i How was the peace of 
 
 .;-iiv disturbed ? 
 
 \~>7. Give an account of Trajan's victories. 
 158. Aft. : what did he do ? What is said 
 
 of his drath ? H.\\- W as the news of it received at Rome ? 
 Who 
 
 What was Hadrian's conduct on reaching Rome? 
 What honors were paid to Trajan? What was Hadrian's 
 character ? How was he regarded by Trajan ? 
 
 160. How was he made the successor of Trajan ? How- 
 was his nomination received ? In what manner did he ren- 
 der himself popular ? 
 
 161. Relate what is said of his moderation and clemency. 
 In what respect did he differ from his predecessor ? How 
 did he diminish the extent of the empire ? 
 
 162. What was his plan to get rid of his enemies ? What 
 
306 EMPIRE OF ROME. 
 
 occasioned a conspiracy against him ? How did this con- 
 spiracy terminate ? 
 
 163. How did he perform his famous journey ? Why was 
 it undertaken ? What is said of his visit to Gaul and Ger- 
 many ? Of his visit to Britain ? 
 
 164. Of hi -pain ? Of his visit to Athens ? 
 
 165. Of his visit to Sicily and Africa? Of his second 
 journey to Greece ? What loss did he suffer during this 
 journey? What is related concerning his grief for Aii- 
 tinous ? 
 
 16G. What did he do for the Jews ? How did they repay 
 his kindness.' How did lie punish them? How long did 
 well cootie 
 
 107. How was he reo-iv-d at ll<m- ? What reforms did 
 he make? Of what R tieularly fond? Of whom 
 
 envious' What instamvs of his injuM '. iird .' 
 
 168. Whom did he adopt as his heir, and on what condi- 
 tions ? What is M sufferings and <1 
 
 VII. Till- ANTOMMX 
 17:1. ll"\\ did Antoninus UM- i. What sur- 
 
 name was conferred upon him :' What is said of his i 
 At what ai;- did lie lie-in to reign? 
 
 171. Wh . iiis iit>t aets ? HOW were they 
 
 Ib.w did h.- tn-at the cliri>tian> .' \\'hat did he 
 think 
 
 How did h.' d.-al with the barharians ? What was 
 his treatment < f l.-.u : What was particularly ad- 
 
 mirable in Antoninus ? 
 
 17''.. What did IK- do when near his end .' How did Mar- 
 irelius aet when he eame in po>scssi<>n of the empire? 
 What hono; i to the memory oi'Antoi,:. 
 
 177. How li>nu r did the two emperors rek r n conjointly? 
 What happened soon after their rei^n he^an .' What agree- 
 ment was made between the two emperors? 
 
 178. What was the conduct of Verus during this cam- 
 
C c ) I KSTIONS. 307 
 
 .' How did his generals proceed? What was their 
 success ? 
 
 17'.'. Of what mean act was Verus now guilty ? How did 
 Aurclius treat him ? What is said of the return of Ye 
 
 180. What calamities befel Rome ? To whom were these 
 calamities attributed ? What measures were adopted by 
 Aureli 
 
 181. What success had he against the harbarians ? What 
 account is ^iveii ui the di-ath of Verus ? What was the con- 
 duet of Aurelius on t: n ? 
 
 ''arharians finally subdued ? I low did 
 
 Aurelius now employ himself .' How were his occupations 
 intern;; 
 
 How did Aurelius recruit his army and replenish his 
 iv .' What became of his enemies ? 
 
 account of the miraculous deliverance of 
 .;ian army. 
 
 What benefits resulted from it to the Christians.' 
 Relate wl. iraey of Avidius ( a>i 
 
 did Aurelius receive the news of this con- 
 spiracy ? What did h" ird t. > Avidius ? 
 
 1 S 7. 1I"\\- \\;i How were those 
 
 in it treated .' 
 
 188. What n-ply did Aurelius make to those who blamed 
 him for hi- .' What account is given of the jour- 
 
 . Aurelius intu the East ? How was he received on his 
 return? 
 
 189. How did he enter Rome ? Whom did he name as hi* 
 successor ? How did he then employ his time .' What work 
 did he write ? 
 
 190. What people now invaded the empire? What is 
 said of his preparations to attack them ? What was his 
 success ? What occurred during the third year of this 
 war ? 
 
 191. What was the chief cause of uneasiness to him when 
 
308 EMPIKE OF ROME. 
 
 about to die ? What advice did he leave to be given to his 
 Bon ? At what age did he die ? How long had he reigned ? 
 
 VIIL THE PRAETORIAN GUARDS. 
 
 Page 197. How old was Commodus when he began to 
 reign ? How did he, at first, behave ? How did he prose- 
 cute the war witli the barbarians? To what influence did 
 he, by nine subject ? 
 
 198. What induced him to abandon the campaign against 
 the barbarian^ . ; What was the condition of the empire for 
 about three years ? What attempt was made upon the life 
 .mnodus .' 
 
 I!-'.). What was the result <.f this attempt ? Who suffered 
 innocently in consequence of this conspiracy ? What is re- 
 lated if iVivm. 
 
 200. What beeame of him ? What resulted from the sus- 
 picion ' What was the consequence of his 
 buspicions ? Wh" Mcr ? 
 
 201. How did lie use his authority .' How did he admin- 
 
 With whom did (Meander share his ill- 
 ilth? What caused th.- people to rise a 
 him ? 
 
 What was Ins fate ? How was Commodus aiYected by 
 the loss of his favorite ' V, ,ied of his brutality .' 
 
 What is said 0< his tMtM ' What of his pe: 
 aiire> iii i; What (^f him as a gladiator? 
 
 -uivd his - the conse- 
 
 ::it of the conspiracy tliat foil 
 Who was sel< ei. 
 of IVrtina 
 
 20C. How was the offer of the empire made to him ? 
 
 207. What was dune by the Senate ? How was the body 
 of Commodus to be treated ? What was the conduct of 
 Pertinax ? What custom did he disallow in his family ? 
 What changes took place in the palace ? 
 
QUESTION-. 309 
 
 208. How old was he when he be^an to reign .' What 
 evils and abuses did lie correct ? How was he regarded ' 
 
 What is Miid of the Roman soldi. TV .' What at- 
 t'-mpt was made by tin- I'ra-torian guards .' II. .w was their 
 conspiracy Duelled? What did they, soon after, under- 
 
 JU>. What was the conduct of IVrtinax ? What was his 
 F>y whom were the l'ra.-t<>rian bands instituted? 
 What account is given of them .' 
 
 211. How \\.K- they located? How did they regard 
 themselves ? What is said of their demands .' 
 
 212. What is relate<l of Sulpieianus ? H<\v \\as the oflcr 
 . ipieianus regar. ! 
 
 21:;. What proclamation was made by one of the hand ? 
 What took place, as the news of it spread .' Who were the 
 chief bidders for the empire .' What were their rev 
 bids ; and who v -t'ul ? 
 
 ill 1. What is related of I>idius in presence of the Senate ? 
 What wore now the feelings of the Senate towards the Prae- 
 torian bands ? How did they treat Didius ? 
 
 21">. What is said of Niger and Severus ? What was the 
 position of Hidius? What course did he pursue? What 
 offer did he make to Severus ? 
 
 Hit). Wliat it-solution was taken by the Senate? How 
 was Didius disposed of? What then occurred between the 
 Senate and 
 
 'J17. AVhat commands did Severus send to the Pnetorian 
 bands ' How did he then treat them ? What did Severus 
 do, on entering the city? 
 
 U18. Of whose power did Severus feel afraid, and of whom 
 was he jealous ? How did he get rid of these persons ? 
 
 219. What was, subsequently, the fate of Albinus ? What 
 was his success against the Parthians ? What expedition 
 did he now resolve to make ? Whom did he appoint his 
 joint successors in the empire ? 
 
 220. What is said of this expedition to Britain ? What 
 
310 EMPIKE OF ROME. 
 
 was the effect of his labors ? "What is related of his death ? 
 What was the character of his successors ? 
 
 221. What was the feeling subsisting between them? 
 How were their quarrels terminated ? How did Caracalla 
 save his own life ? 
 
 222. Of what further cruelties was he guilty ? In what 
 way did he secure the protection of the Praetorian soldiers ? 
 What is related of his journeys and cruelties in foreign 
 countries ? 
 
 22:). What follies did he commit in the different cities 
 through which he passed ? Who sustained him in all this ? 
 Ik-late the circumstances that led to the murder of Cara- 
 calla. 
 
 22o. What hopes were now entertained by Macrinus ? 
 
 22G. By whom was he elected emperor ? What was the 
 action of the Senate? What reforms were undertaken by 
 Macrinus ? How were they received .' What wore the feel- 
 ings of the army towards him ? 
 
 "I'll. What is related concerning a young priest at Emesa? 
 Whence did the new emperor derive his name ? 
 
 228. How did Man-inns proceed against Heliogabalus ? 
 What course was pursued by the Senate? What was the 
 character of Heliogabalus ? 
 
 22!. How did he behave .' What were the follies that 
 made up his entire r< 
 
 230. How did his grandmother propose. to save him from 
 impending ruin .' What did he thereupon do? What was 
 hi.-, conduct subsequently ?. 
 
 231. What was bis end ? Who was made emperor ? What 
 was the character of Alexander ? What reforms did he un- 
 dertake .' 
 
 -'\-. What did he do for the army ? How was he regarded 
 by the Pra>torian guards ? How did he show his gratitude ? 
 How did they become irritated against him ? Upon 
 whom did they visit their anger ? What is said of Alexan- 
 der's first military expedition ? 
 
Q IT i: s T i o N s . 311 
 
 204. What means did Maximin employ to overthrow 
 Alexander? Under what circumstances \\ as .Maximin pro- 
 claimed emperor ? What was the conduct and fate of Alex- 
 ander ? 
 
 205. By whom was Alexander regretted ? How had he 
 treated the Christians ? 
 
 IX. DECLINE OF THE EMPIRE. 
 
 Pagelll. Where did Maximin hold his court? Why? 
 Give some account of Maximin. Why did the senators de- 
 spise him ? 
 
 :M What is said of his wonderful strength? How did 
 he revenge himself upon the nobles ? How oppress the rich ? 
 
 -4-j. What is said of his military operations ? What con- 
 spiracy was formed against him ? Who was compelled to 
 assume the insignia of royalty / 
 
 214. Upon what condition did Gordianus promise to ac- 
 cept the title of emperor ? How did the Senate receive his 
 election ? For what purpose did they send men to the Free- 
 torian camp ? How were the people aroused against Maxi- 
 min ? 
 
 245. What was the fate of the two Gordians ? How was 
 Rome affected by this event ? Whom did the Senate choose 
 in their place ? Upon what did the people insist ? 
 
 246. Who was associated with Maximus and Balbinus ? 
 How did Maximin behave on hearing this news ? What 
 effect had the opposition of the Senate upon him ? To what 
 resolution did his outrageous conduct bring his soldiers ? 
 
 247. How was his death and that of his son accomplished ? 
 In what manner did the Praetorian soldiers assert their su- 
 premacy ? 
 
 248. Whom did they proclaim sole successor to the throne ? 
 What was the character of this prince ? What the state of 
 the empire ? What enemies invaded the empire ? How 
 were they repelled ? Who was Misithaeus ? What was his 
 fate ? Who was Philip ? 
 
312 K M P i R E OF ROME. 
 
 249. In what manner did he ascend the throne ? "What 
 peace did lie conclude ? What city did he build ? What 
 year was completed in his reign ? What games were cele- 
 brated ? Describe this festival. 
 
 250. What does the history of this period exhibit ? De- 
 'scribe the state of the empire. What was the fate of Gor- 
 dian ? What rebellion broke out ? What became of Mari- 
 nus? 
 
 251. Whom did Philip send to Moesia to restore peace ? 
 To what did the soldiers compel Decius ? What choice did 
 they give him ? How was the death of Philip brought 
 about ? What plans did Decius form ? 
 
 Ll-VJ. What persecution arose ? What invasion succeeded ? 
 Give an account of the army of Decius and his death. Who 
 obtained the empire 3 
 
 253. Who was associated with him 7 What treaty did 
 Gallus make ? What four things rendered the condition of 
 the empire deplorable ? What is said of Ilostilianus ? 
 
 '2~>\. What was done by .Kmilianus ? Why was he pro- 
 claimed emperor ? Give an account of the conflict between 
 him and Gallus. Who avt-nu'ed the death of Gallus ? 
 
 In what mamiiT was Valerian elevated to the throne? 
 Who was declared hi- ' How old was Valerian ? 
 
 What is said of his conduct, and how was he regarded? 
 Why coul'i ve the empire ? 
 
 What was done by Valerian? With what design? 
 How was he .l.'c.-ived ' How made a captive? 
 
 Give an account of the shameful treatment of Vale- 
 rian. What is said of his son Gallienus ? 
 
 258. How many aspirants to supreme power arose ? De- 
 scribe the end of Gallienus. Who was his successor ? 
 
 259. What is said of the reign of Claudius? Who had 
 pillaged Athens ? How many barbarians were overthrown ? 
 Who was Zenobia ? 
 
 260. What put an end to the enterprises of Claudius ? 
 Who was recommended by Claudius as successor ? What is 
 
QUESTIONS. 313 
 
 said of Quinctilius ? What was done by Aurelian against 
 the enemies of the empire ? Against whom did he turn his 
 arms ; 
 
 201. Who acknowledged the supremacy of Zenobia ? 
 Win- iv was her residence ? What was her ambition ? How 
 did Aurelian proceed against her ? 
 
 1ZG2. Where did the hostile armies meet ? Which was de- 
 feated ? Where again did they meet ? Where did Zenobia 
 fly ? What is said of her capture ? Of what perfidy was she 
 guilty ? What was undertaken by Aurelian '.' 
 
 263. How did he treat tin- Christians and others? Give 
 an account of his death. What is an interregnum ? How 
 long did that after the death of Aurelian continue ? How 
 was this accounted for ? 
 
 elected by the Senate .' Ho\v old was Ta- 
 citus ' How was his elevation regarded? What is said of 
 :i ' H<>\v long did it continue ? 
 
 205. What now threatened the empire? Who was Pro- 
 bus? How long was his reign? Whom did he subdue? 
 What caused his death? 
 
 What is saiil of his monument ? Whom did the sol- 
 diery select as emperor ? Who were associated with Carus? 
 What is .said of < 'anis ? What of his death ? What of the 
 death of Xumerian ? 
 
 Wh<> \v;is the next emperor? Who was associated 
 with him? What were his exploits? What difficulties 
 arose ? 
 
 268. Into how many parts was the empire now divided ? 
 What were the names of the four emperors ? How was the 
 empire harassed ? What is said of the persecution of the 
 Christians ? 
 
 269. What act caused astonishment ? What was done by 
 Constantius and Galerius ? Who were they ? Where did 
 Constantius reside ? To whom did he bequeath the empire ? 
 What of Galerius ? 
 
 270. What filled the empire with dissensions ? 
 
314 EM ! i u K o i- HUME. 
 
 x. HOME ABAXI OXKD. 
 
 Page 273. In whose reign did the city of Rome cease to be 
 the capital of the empire ? How old was Constantine at his 
 father's death ? Describe him. 
 
 271. How was the empire divided at this time? What 
 provinces had ( 'mistantine ' What did Galerius impose 
 upon Home ' How did the Senate show resentment ' 
 
 Wh<. w.i^ elevated to the throne by the Senate? 
 What was done by Maximian ? Who maivhed with an army 
 to Rom.- 7 Where did h- take refuse? Wlio took him 
 prisoner? 
 
 What is said (.( his death ? What allian> , 
 form.-d aJiK.iiLC tin- emperor^ ? Who was Licinius ' Why 
 
 ilerios marcfei toward< Bone! why did h- n.it - 
 
 Whom did lie appoint to the tin 
 
 277. Wh 1 em]eiors ' How many 
 einpeiois were tlinc at this time ' What were their names ? 
 In what manner did Maxeiitius treat his father ? Where 
 did Maximi.i :'uge ? 
 
 278. '!'*) what art did hi* lo : prompt him? 
 How was it punMied ? W. What 
 divi-i 
 
 tlif rni.-lty of Maxt-ntiiis. How was all 
 Italy treat. -d by him? How did he sp.-nd his time.' Uf 
 what did I. 
 
 Why did he throw d nstantine ? 
 
 What did ( '.in-tantine tiien do ' How did M.i.\entiu- 
 his demand ' How did their armies < 
 
 1>1. \\ i. . ;';d C..n<tantiii- jairsue ? What 
 
 ^\d 1, i of th- si 
 
 Its surrender.'' II.. \v did Maxeiitius pass his time? 
 How was he aroused ' What was done by him ? 
 
 283. Give an account of Constantine' s vision. What was 
 done by Constantino ? To what plaeo did he march ? 
 
QUESTION.-. 315 
 
 284. Where did he meet the armies of Maxentius ? What 
 was the result of this battle ? What the fate of Maxentius ? 
 
 285. How did Constantino conduct himself on entering 
 Rome ? How did the Senate and people show their joy ? 
 What is said of the Praetorian guards ? 
 
 What is related of Maximin ? What emperors re- 
 mained ? Why. and how. did they divide the cmpi: 
 
 What was the length of the peace between them ? 
 What, during this time, was done by Constantino ? What 
 
 ."W his ob; 
 
 288. In what manner did Licinius resist him? How did 
 he suco-'-d ' \\'lieie did h- take refuge ? 
 
 the naval . ; >e the flight 
 
 of Licinius, liis surrender, and death. 
 
 t hail the Christian profession of Constan- 
 tino on the Christian Church ? Who was Arias : and what 
 me by him? Hw many bishops assembled at the 
 Council of Nice ? For what purpose ? How did Constan- 
 tine t : o order ? 
 
 iI'.Jl. What was the end of Arius ? Was Rome now the 
 capital of the empire ? What spot did Constantino fix upoii 
 for it .' 
 
 How was Byzantium afterward- What name 
 
 it ' How is it here descri 
 
 ;.t of the dedication of Constantinople. 
 How was tin- lu-w capital peopl' 
 
 What people fell upon Rome ? What was the effect 
 upon the empire of the abandonment of Rome ? What upon 
 the emperor? How was the end of Constantino's reign sul- 
 lied ? What was his last employment ? 
 
 THE 
 

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